• Big Creek Elementary celebrates winter around the world
There's a world of winter over at Big Creek Elementary School in Middleburg Heights as the first Holiday Door Decorating Contest comes to an end.

• JAN. 14
The American Red Cross Blood Services will have bloodmobiles available at the following times and locations. You must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Also needed are a donor card or some form of photo identification and a list of current medications. For more information, call (800) GIVE-LIFE or visit redcrossdonor.org. If you are interested in donating platelets, call (800) 356-3339. %%webhead%%JAN. 14 %%ewebhead%% Middleburg Heights, 1-7 p.m., Middleburg Heights Community Center, 16000 Bagley Road. %%webhead%%JAN. 15 %%ewebhead%% Middleburg Heights, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Southwest General Health Center, 18697 Bagley Road. %%webhead%%JAN. 20 %%ewebhead%% Strongsville, Noon to 6:30 p.m., Cleveland Clinic, 16761 Southpark Center. %%webhead%%JAN. 21 %%ewebhead%% Berea, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Baldwin-Wallace College, Strosacker Union, 120 E. Grand St. North Royalton, 1-7 p.m., North Royalton Library, 14600 State Road. %%webhead%%JAN. 26 %%ewebhead%% Strongsville, 1-7 p.m., Strongsville Library, 18700 Westwood Drive. %%webhead%%JAN. 29 %%ewebhead%% Strongsville, 3-8 p.m., Zellers Elementary School, 18199 Cook Ave.

• CALENDAR
TODAY Berea Rotary ClubAre you interested in becoming a member of the Berea Rotary Club or learning more about the organization? The Berea Rotary's weekly dinner meetings take place at 6 p.m. every Tuesday evening at the B-W Colony Room. All interested area residents are invited to attend, but reservations are required. To learn more about the work of the Berea Rotary Club or to make a reservation to attend a meeting, contact Ken Weber at (440) 234-1611. 2008 Tax FilingOlmsted Seniors in partnership with the Olmsted Falls Library will present a review of issues and updates on 2008 tax filing at 11 a.m. Jan. 8 at the Jenkins Center, 7932 Main St., Olmsted Falls. Call (440) 793-6118 for more information. SATURDAY Feline Adopt-a-thonsThe Middleburg Heights Animal Foundation offers adoptions at Pet Supplies Plus in Middleburg Heights, 7570 Pearl Road. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan 10 and Feb. 10 from 6:30 8:30 p.m. MONDAY Lupus Foundation of America, Inc.Middleburg Heights Area Support Group meets at the Middleburg Heights Library, 15600 E. Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights from 7-8:30 p.m. on Jan 12. North Royalton Early Childhood PTAwill have its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 12 for registration and outing sign-ups with the meeting beginning at 7 p.m. at North Royalton High School Media Center, 14713 Ridge Road. There will be a friendly game of bingo at this meeting. For membership information, call Michelle (440) 546-9111. TUESDAY AFSGoncalo Miranda of Portugal, a Berea High School exchange student, will talk about his country in the BHS Grindstone Room at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 13.

• Fundraiser at St. Thomas Episcopal Church to aid couple injured in car crash
Valerie and Reynaldo Magpoc have friends in high places.

• HEALTH AND FITNESS Q & A: No one's perfect, but there's nothing wrong with trying
Sometimes, my clients and readers ask me about my own, personal habits. Do I really practice what I preach? Furthermore, people sometimes ask what gives me the right to dispense fitness advice.

• HOSPITAL HAPPENINGS
Southwest General Health Center offers the following programs at area community centers. %%webhead%% %%ewebhead%% Wellness clinics, including free blood pressure and glucose screenings: Middleburg Heights Community Center, 7-8:30 a.m., Jan. 12. Glucose only.

• BEREA
Branch Hours: Regular library hours are: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday. %%webhead%%BEREA %%ewebhead%% The Berea libraryis located at 7 Berea Commons, (440) 234-5475. Call for information and to register for programs or visit the Web site at cuyahogalibrary.org to register online. The following storytime sessions are being offered this winter. All programs are free of charge. Registration is required and begins on Jan. 8: Baby & Me, Toddler Storytime, Preschool Storytime and School Age Tales & Activities.

• Local resident appears in national ads after dropping 208 pounds
John Graff walked into a weight loss center last year and was shocked to see the number on the scale.

• Louise Daniels
%%webhead%%Louise Daniels %%ewebhead%% Louise Daniels, 77, formerly of Berea, died Dec. 23 at Lakewood Hospital. Mrs. Daniels was a matron with the Berea City Schools.

• Retired pastor Richard Hardy to sign copies of first novel
Retired Berea minister Richard Hardy will sign copies of his first novel, "Ghostly Lovers," 2-4 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Berea Public Library.

• Teacher Jim Stevens returns for quiz show's championship
Jim Stevens definitely knows how to ask all the right questions. This Berea High math teacher has $140,600 to prove it.

• Things are hopping at Bounce City
Olmsted Township friends Luke Fulop and Connor Atkins, both 8, stopped jumping and running just long enough to explain their favorite inflatable at Strongsville's Bounce City -- the obstacle course.