NOTE: Community bulletin board-type items are welcome for inclusion in the Happenings! section of the Xpress newspapers. Please allow enough lead time for publication. Email your calendar or event notice to [email protected].

THROUGH FEBRuARY 24

• ValleyCAST, the arts and culture arm of Open Sky Community Services, is partnering with the New England Sculptors Association for the second annual Inside and Out Exhibition. Seventeen sculptors from around New England have created over thirty works that will be on display in the Spaulding R. Aldrich Heritage Gallery, 50 Douglas Road, Whitinsville, and outside on the grounds of the Whitin Mill complex at the same address. The inside exhibit opened with a wine and cheese reception on Friday, January 13th. The public is encouraged to attend the closing reception, which will include announcement of three People’s Choice Awards, on Friday, February 24th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Voting ends at the end of the day on Friday, February 17th and the exhibit will end right after the closing ceremony on February 24th. For more information visit opensky.org. To schedule a visit to the gallery, call 508-234-6232 or email [email protected].

THROUGH JANUARY 31

• “Lights and Icons: A Study in Acrylics,” paintings by Jim Wilton, will be on display and for sale at Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 E. Main St., Webster, during regular business hours, Tues.-Sat., 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the café gallery. 

Artist’s Statement: “I have been photographing and painting for years, in fact all my life. I’m mostly self-taught. I have photographed lighthouses as well as other subjects for inspiration for my art. I spent many years painting portraits but have switched it up to trying lighthouses after a hiatus to raise children but also found myself return to portraits. I began photography of outdoor scenes and wildlife in 2008 after finding digital photography, making it more accessible. A few years ago I began painting again after a friend painted from one of my photos, thus inspiring me to try again. I haven’t stopped but also got into crafts such as seashell jewelry boxes, Christmas trees and lighthouses. I hope folks enjoy my work as much as I enjoyed painting it.”

Java King…Jim Hogan of Hogan Brothers Coffee Roasters addresses a meeting of the Webster Dudley Business Alliance at Booklovers’ Gourmet in Webster on December 6th. Mr. Hogan has been Store Owner Deb Horan’s coffee provider for years and once operated out of a location at 55 E. Main St. in Webster. He has been in business since 1995.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20

• Comedy Night at Samuel Slater’s Restaurant, 200 Gore Road, will feature Frank Santorelli from “The Sopranos” with special guests Chris Zito and Mitch Stinson. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. This is a 21+ event.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 22

• The New England Country Music Club presents the Rhode Island Rednecks at the Progressive Club, 18 Whitin St., Uxbridge. Doors open at 12:15 with dancing and live entertainment from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. www.facebook.com/NECountryMusicClub.

JANUARY 24 & FEBRuaRY 21

• “Take a Hike” with the Plummer Place Walking Club, 10:00 a.m., weather permitting, call the Northbridge Senior Center at 508-234-2002 for locations.

 

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25

• A Blackstone Valley Partnership Open House will be held at the shared offices of the Blackstone Valley Education Foundation, the Hub, and the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce, 670 Linwood Ave., Whitinsville, at 5:00 p.m. RSVP to [email protected].

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26

• An “Alzheimer’s Association Lunch & Learn” program will take place at the Northbridge Senior Center, 20 Highland St., Whitinsville, from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. “The 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s & Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia” will be discussed. Sandwiches and salad will be served. Sign up in the main office.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 29

The Samuel Slater Experience, 31 Ray St., Webster, will host an Open House for residents of Dudley with free admission for up to two people from noon to 4:00 p.m. Proof of residency is required.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2

• “Taxes and Retirement,” how to optimize your tax strategy and gain control of your taxes in retirement, a seminar, will be presented by Greg Lavelle, CEO of Retirement Advisors, at the Northbridge Senior Center, 20 Highland St., Whitinsville, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Coffee, tea and light refreshments will be available. Sign up in the main office.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5

• A New England Country Music Club dance will be held at the Progressive Club, 18 Whitin St., Uxbridge, featuring the band “Crossfire.” Doors open at 12:15 p.m. with live music from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. www.facebook.com/NECountryMusicClub.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9

• “Going for the Goal,” a Super Bowl party and luncheon, will be held at the Northbridge Senior Center, 20 Highland St., Whitinsville, from noon to 2:00 p.m. Come hear about the historic first Super Bowl from Philip Vandersea, a former Northbridge High football player who played in the inaugural AFL-NFL championship game as a member of the Green Bay Packers. A welcome and introduction will be offered by Ken LaChapelle, current head football coach of the Northbridge High Rams. This event is sponsored by FINE and the Northbridge Police Association. Cost is $10 per ticket, two-ticket limit. FINE will be raffling off a 65” TV during this program. Obtain raffle tickets upon signing up at the main office, or at the luncheon.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15

• Enjoy a BVT buffet breakfast that includes waffles, pancakes, bacon, sausage, home friends, scrambled eggs and toast, 65 Pleasant St., Upton. Cost is $7.50 per person plus gratuity. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Sign up on the main office no later than February 1st. This is a self-drive, self-pay program. 

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16

• A “Women’s Health Forum with Dr. Maggie Lunch & Learn” program will be held at the Northbridge Senior Center, 20 Highland St., Whitinsville, from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. Lifestyle choices impact the aging process. Come and learn about diet, nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement for older adults. Space is limited. Priority will be given to those who have not yet attended one of Dr. Maggie’s health forums. Sign up with Amy Wednesday-Friday to attend.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22

• “The Violin Kat,” music by Violinist Kathryn Haddad, will be presented at the Northbridge Senior Center, 20 Highland St., Whitinsville, from 1:00 to2:00 p.m. Kat is an eclectic freelance violinist based in the Worcester area. She has performed to many crowds. Light refreshments will be served. Sign up at the main office. 

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23

• A CPR, AED and Epipen Training Class will be held at the Northbridge Senior Center, 20 Highland St., Whitinsville, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Instructor Scott Celikbas from the Northbridge Fire Department will train participants in these important lifesaving techniques. A heart-saver certification will be awarded at the end of the course. The cost is $55 per person, check or cash due to the instructor on the day of training. Sign up at the main office.