Monroe Lake will kick off its annual Winter Exploration Hike Series in January. This series features off-trail hiking through areas of Monroe Lake that are rarely visited.

Jill Vance, Monroe Lake’s Interpretive Naturalist, leads the hikes. “I don’t plan a set path,” she notes. “We go where the terrain and inspiration take us. The primary purpose is just to get outside and explore; I never know in advance exactly what we might find or see.”

Because the hikes are off-trail through often rugged terrain, Vance does not recommend them for young children, people with mobility concerns, or those with no prior hiking experience. Each hike lasts 1.5 to 2 hours.

Hikes in the series are free but they do require advance registration. Each hike is limited to 20 people. Registrants are sent an email with driving directions to the meeting location and additional details the day prior to each hike.

• Tues., Jan. 12 at 1:30 p.m.: Upper Friendship Fields and Forest (Stillwater-Northfork Wildlife Area), register by Jan. 10 at http://bit.ly/wehs2016-1

• Tues., Jan. 26 at 1:30 p.m.: Lower Friendship Fields and Floodplains (Stillwater-Northfork Wildlife Area), register by Jan. 24 at http://bit.ly/wehs2016-2

• Tues., Feb. 9 at 1:30 p.m.: Combs Road (Southfork Marshes), register by Feb. 7 at http://bit.ly/wehs2016-3

• Tues., Feb. 23 at 1:30 p.m.: Kirks Ford Road (Southfork Marshes), register by Feb. 21 at http://bit.ly/wehs2016-4

• Tues., Mar. 1 at 2:30 p.m.: Geode Hill (Fairfax SRA), register by Feb. 28 at http://bit.ly/wehs2016-5

• Tues., Mar. 15 at 2:30 p.m.: Moores Creek (Moores Creek SRA), register by Mar. 13 at http://bit.ly/wehs2016-6

Questions about the hike series can be directed to Jill Vance at [email protected] or 812-837-9967. Entrance to all of Monroe Lake is free during the winter months.

On Tuesday, January 26th, beginning at 530 pm., The Venue Fine Art & Gifts will host a presentation by Miah Michaelsen, former Bloomington Art Czar, now Deputy Director of The Indiana Arts Commission, Miah’s presentation has become an annual event at the Venue, allowing you to be privy to the latest events, policies, procedures, and directions of The City, as they impact the Art Community of Bloomington. Miah’s artistic vision now encompasses the entire State. This is an important opportunity for you, as a citizen and/or artist, to share this new perspective and provide meaningful feedback to The State of Indiana. Do not miss the moment.
Refreshments will be served at The Venue. You can visit the following link for free parking options near The Venue: http://bloomington.in.gov/parksmart

Pub Quiz Team Trivia @ The Players Pub “Work out your brain as you soak in beer. 6 rounds of trivia. 13 taps. You do the math.”

Seven Oaks Classical school is a K-8, tuition free charter school that will have open enrollment on February 2nd- March 12. This information session will be discuss the enrollment process for the Fall 2016 school year. This is free and open to any person that is interested in enrolling their child for the 2016-2017 school year.

Weekly all-ages Blues Jam. Host band will play the first set, then invite you & others to join in.