By Melinda L. Lucas Local and area residents are invited to participate in two upcoming events for adults at the Old Jail Art Center. On Thursday, Jan. 16 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. is the OJAC’s regular Third Thursday workshop, which this month will feature “needle felting.

By Kathy Thomson The Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Show is just two weeks away, with weigh-in for hogs, lambs, and goats on Thursday, Jan. 23, and classes judged on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 24-25.

By Kathy Thomson Twenty-eight local youth and five adult leaders traveled to Taos, New Mexico during the Albany Youth Ministry Winter Ski Trip and Christian Adventure last week.  This year, the group left Albany early on Wednesday, Jan.

By Kathy Thomson KTAB weatherman Sam Nichols was the guest lecturer at one of the Albany Lions Club weekly meeting in December, but he wasn’t there to talk about the weather.

Members of the Albany Chamber of Commerce gather on the porch of Albany Wellness & Provisions for the grand opening celebration a little over a month ago. Owner Michaela Smith is planning an open house this weekend with events scheduled throughout the day on Saturday, Jan. 11.

By Donnie A. Lucas The varsity Lion basketball team went 2-2 at the local tournament held last week and also hosted a game Tuesday against the Abilene Hawks. The Lions picked up a very close 37-36 win over the Hawks at home. Details of the game will be reported next week.

By Donnie A. Lucas The Lady Lions split their final two district warm-up games last week in preparation to opening the District 8-2A race in Cross Plains on Friday. The Lady Lions are set to travel to Cross Plains tomorrow for both JV and varsity games starting at 5:00 p.m.

By Melinda L. Lucas The youth fifth and sixth grade basketball teams will play their first games of the season on Saturday, Jan. 11, with three of the four Albany teams competing here, and the fifth grade boys playing in Hawley.

By Kathy Thomson Signup is underway for Little Dribblers basketball and local boys and girls from eight years old through fourth grade are invited to join. “Players must be at least eight years of age on Jan. 1,” said organizer Clint Chapman.

By Donnie A. Lucas The eighth grade Cubs and Lady Cubs will travel to Cross Plains on Thursday (today) for games tipping off at 5:00 p.m. The junior high teams have been idle since Dec. 16 prior to the Christmas break.