Carbondale area briefs

Community Day to showcase SIU Rec Center

SIU's Student Recreation Center will be on display to the community at no cost during Recreational Sports and Services' inaugural Community Day, set for 1 to 7 p.m. Jan. 14. The center features state-of-the-art amenities including an Olympic-size pool and diving boards, two indoor walking/jogging tracks, five weight/cardio rooms, two large gymnasiums, multi-purpose rooms, an indoor climbing wall and outdoor equipment rental. Recreational Sports and Services also provides numerous services and opportunities, including group fitness classes, personal trainers and more. While SIU students are able to use the facilities at no cost, members of the general public can utilize the facilities and services as well by purchasing memberships. SRC is offering several bonuses during Community Day, including giveaways, discounts on memberships, and programs for prospective Rec users to try that day. Find the complete schedule online at rec.siu.edu, or call 618-453-1277.

'Fresh Fitness' classes to be taught through March

The city of Carbondale is teaming up with the Carbondale Park District and the SIU Rec Center to host a series of group fitness classes during the Winter Farmer' Market. The "Fresh Fitness" program will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. every Saturday from Jan. 6 to March 31 at Carbondale Community High School. SIU fitness instructors Kelsey Brommel and Tori Gusewelle will teach a variety of cardio and strength training classes throughout the 13-week program. No experience is necessary. Each participant is encouraged to wear comfortable clothes and bring a water bottle, towel or yoga mat. A cash donation of $5 is suggested. For more information, contact Carbondale public relations officer Amy Fox at 618-559-1939 or afox@explore carbondale.com.

SIU Community Listener's Program returns this spring

SIU's Community Listener's Program is returning to campus. The program allows people to participate in a classroom learning experience at a nominal cost without course credit or grades. The university's Conference and Scheduling Services offers the program to anyone not currently enrolled in a university-level course at SIU. Registration fee is $50. Participants can sit in on classes without having to worry about grades or credit. The program also offers prospective students the opportunity to check out various classes and majors and decide if they wish to pursue a particular area of study. In order to join a class, community listeners must obtain permission from the faculty member teaching a class. There are a few limitations. For example, if a class is already full, community listeners can't join. The program runs Jan. 16 through May 15, and registration is now open. To participate in the program, bring the completed Community Listener's approval form and $50 fee in person to the Conference and Scheduling Services office, located on the south end of the second floor of the Student Center. The deadline is Jan. 20. For information, call 618-536-7751.

Neighborhood Alliance Meeting set for Jan. 13

Carbondale's Neighborhood Alliance Meeting will take place Saturday, Jan. 13 at First United Methodist Church, located at 214 W. Main St. After reports from neighborhood and community organizations, there will be a panel of city officials to provide updates and answer questions. SIU has also been asked to participate. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. The meeting is open to all Carbondale residents. For more information, contact Sarah Heyer at 618-549-5302 ext. 386 or 618-525-5525.

Artspace 304 presents 'Mini-Monumentals'

The newest exhibit at Artspace 304 by Carbondale Community Arts is sculptor Dan Johnson's "Mini-Monumentals." Johnson's collection includes sculptures made of clay, concrete, granite and steel. The exhibit will be at the Artspace 304 gallery until Jan. 12 and at the Carbondale Civic Center until Jan. 31.

Shawnee Hills Wine Trail announces Passport program

The beginning of January brings about the official start of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail Winter Passport Program. With a purchase of a $1 winery passport, visitors will receive discounts at each of the wine trail's member wineries and a chance to win prizes along the trail. Visit each of the wineries and receive a Shawnee Hills Wine Trail corkscrew. "Passports are an especially great value for regional, southern Illinois and surrounding residents that can readily visit the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail more than once during our winter season," Shawnee Hills Wine Trail Executive Director Brandy Nance says. "This enables them to explore our member wineries across multiple weeks." A winery passport is $15 at any of 11 member wineries. Passports may be stamped during visits to the participating wineries. Once a passport has been stamped and completed, leave it at the last winery visited, and it will act as a ticket for entry into a drawing for prizes along the trail, and the corkscrew for visiting all of the wineries will be mailed. Completed passports must be turned in by Feb. 28 to be eligible for prize drawings. Prizes will be announced March 11. For additional information, visit shawneewinetrail.com.

Polar Plunge to come back Feb. 17

Support the Special Olympics athletes of Illinois by jumping into the waters of the SIU Campus Lake Saturday, Feb. 17 for the 2018 SIU Polar Plunge. The funds raised from the Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge will benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois. Check-in for the plunge begins at 10 a.m. at 1493 Douglas Drive in Carbondale. This is the 19th year of the LETR Polar Plunge. In 19 years, more than $18.4 million has been raised by more than 66,000 plungers.

Plungers can register for the Plunge at plungeillinois.com.