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Community Calendar

• The McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington is offering a variety of art classes this winter, from acrylic painting to art history to ceramics.
• Bloomington Parks and Recreation is holding an informational meeting for those who are interested in forming a softball team for league play this summer. The meeting is Feb. 6 at 7 PM at the Miller Park Pavilion.
• The Sugar Grove Nature Center is looking for individuals to participate in the Funks Grove Corps of Discovery. Over four classes, participants will develop skills in photography, writing, sketching and creative integration of these disciplines. The classes begin March 12.
• Normal Public Library presents Games Aren't Just for Kids every first Friday of the month.
• The Forest Park Nature Center in Peoria Heights presents the River Spirit Flute Circle Jan. 28, Feb. 25, March 17 & April 28 from 1 - 2:30 PM. On Saturday, Feb. 18 there's a Beginning Beekeeping class from 1 - 4 PM. On Saturday, March 3 from 7 AM to 4 PM, it's a birding tour of the Illinois River. The tour is open to ages 14 and over. On Feb. 26 & March 4 at 1:30 PM, it's Leafless Tree I.D., also open to those 14 and up. The WInter Constellation Hikes are Feb. 24 & march 23 from 9 to 10 PM. All ages are welcome.
• The Peoria Zoo is offering a giraffe-themed breakfast in the Africa! classroom on March 24 & 25 from 9 - 10:30 AM.
• Luthy Botanical Garden in Peoria presents the Garish Garden Show, Feb. 17 - March 4 in their conservatory.
• The Friends of the Carlock Public Library will hold a book sale on Sunday, Feb. 5 from 7 Am to 1 PM in the Carlock Community Building.
• Peoria Players has auditions for "Chicago" on Jan. 28 & 29 at 2 PM at Jump Start Gymnastics in Peoria.
• The Mackinaw Canoe Club is holding its winter kayak instruction at Five points Washington, Jan.29, Feb. 12 & 26 beginning at 5 PM.
• On Thursday, Jan. 26 from 6 to 8 PM, it's Wines of the World, a fundraiser for First Book - McLean County at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites in Bloomington.
• Synergy Rhythm and Dance in Bloomington presents "Hand Drumming Middle Eastern Rhythms", a 6-week session for beginner hand drummers running Jan. 11 - Feb. 15.
• The Parent Expo is Feb. 18 from 8:30 AM to 1:15 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bloomington. This free events features sessions on bullying, childhood obesity, study skills and more.
• Illinois Prairie Community Foundation's annual general grants and Mirza Arts and Culture grans rounds are currently underway. Letters of intent are due Feb. 2.
• The U of I Extension of McLean County Master Gardeners present " The Home, Lawn and Garden Day 2012" on Saturday, March 3 from 8 AM to 3 PM at Central Catholic High School in Bloomington.

• Illinois State University's Academy of Seniors and Mornings with the professors features a variety of learning opportunities.
• Illinois State University's Spring Speaker Series features appearances by: Nancy Perzo and Karen Patton at 7 PM on March 1 in Milner Library. Their program is called Titanic, the Ship of Dreams. On March 7 at 7 PM in the library, historian Edward Kohn presents Hot TIme in the Old Town: New York's Catastrophic Heat Wave of 1896. Educator and historian Diane Ravitch presents The Death and Life of the Great American School System: how Testing and Choice are Undermining Education on March 27 at 7 PM in Braden Auditorium. Diane Irvin presents Find Your Passion: Lessons for Life and Career on March 28 at 3:30 PM in Braden Auditorium. Librarian and archivist Bill Kemp presents Baseball in McLean County, 1957-1941 in MIlner Library at 7 PM, April 5. Holly Atkinson presents The 5 Keys to Health at 7:30 PM in Braden Auditorium on April 12. Jeremy Krock presents The Negro Leagues Baseball Grave Marker Project on April 18 at 7 PM in Milner Library. Benjamin Mee, owner of the Dartmoor Zoological Park presents We Bought a Zoo on April 23 at 7 PM in the Brown Ballroom of the Bone Student Center. Historian Adrian Burgos, Jr. presents From Cuban Giants to Cuban Stars: The International World of Baseball on April 26 at 7 PM in Milner Library. Ballplayer Ernie L. Westfield presents Negro League Baseball: Yesterday and Today at 7 PM, May 3 in Milner Library.

• PATH of McLean and Livingston Counties offers help to those who may be suffering from elder abuse.
• Illinois State University Counceling Services offers help to college students who are suffering from depression or stress.
• The Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts offers "Behind the Curtain" tours of the historic building on the 2nd Monday of each month beginning at 1:30 PM. The tours are free.
• The American Red Cross of the Heartland is holding a number of blood drives in the Twin Cities. Your donation couuld help save a life.
• The Town of Normal offers computer and electronics recycling at the Normal Public Works Garage. You can recycle computers, monitors, copiers, phone systems, VCRs, cameras, microwaves and more. The hours for the summer at 6AM to 1:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

• When you recycle your aluminum cans and scrap metal at Morris Tick in Bloomington, you can ask them to apply the proceeds to the Sugar Grove Nature Center account. Also, Morris Tick will donate an additional 5 cents per pound over base price for aluminum cans to the Nature Center. Types of metals accepted include aluminum, brass, copper, stainless steel, lead, radiators, appliances and even automobiles. 309-828-6084
• The Central Illinois Chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association offers a variety of services, from support groups, to wheelchair or leg braces purchases to summer camp for kids.

• The Ecology Action Center has a new CFL recycling program. County residents may recycle compact flourescent lamps at four different locations: Facilities Management parking lot, Town of Normal; City of Bloomington Public Service Drop Off Facility behind Bloomington Public Library; Springfield Electric, Bloomington; Ecology Action Center, Normal. 309-454-3169
• Air travel is a big part of making kids' wishes come true for the Make-a-Wish Foundation.  You can help special children continue to travel by donating you frequent flier miles at 1-800-722-9474 or at http://www.wish.org/
• If you're facing a home foreclosure, you should know that help may be available.  Foreclosure Help and Hope offers advice for struggling homeowners.
• Chestnut Health Center hosts meetings of Debtors Anonymous on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 6 PM.  309-820-3500
• Narconon offers free addition counseling, assessments and referrals to rehabilitation centers nationwide.  1-800-486-6933

Farmers' Markets

Central Illinois offers a variety of farmers' markets all through the growing season.

• The Downtown Bloomington Farmers' Market runs Saturdays from 7:30 AM to noon on the square.
• The Old Capitol Farmers' Market on Adams Street in Springfield is open Wednesday and Saturday from 8 AM to 1 PM to October.
• The Peoria Farmers' Market at the Metro Center is Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 2 PM through October.
• The Decatur Farmers' Market is Tuesdays and Saturdays from 8 AM to 1 PM in downtown's Central Park, June through October.