United Way Community Baby Shower/Sort-A-Thon – through Jan. 20, Jan. 24
The United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties will host its first annual community baby shower to benefit at-risk families in Rutherford and Cannon Counties. Items needed include onesies, diapers, bottles, baby wipes, blankets and/or formula. Items can be delivered until Jan. 20 to the United Way Office (615 Memorial Blvd., Suite 200) or City Auto (1023 Bridge Ave.). The Baby Shower Sort-A-Thon will be at Holloway High School, Jan. 24, from 9-11 a.m. Volunteers will assemble care packets to be distributed. To volunteer, visit unitedwayvolunteer.org. For more information, contact (615) 893-7303 or Kristen.Swann@yourlocaluw.org.

151st Anniversary Programs – Jan. 1-3
Join rangers and volunteers for a variety of walks, talks, tours and living history demonstrations at Stones River National Battlefield (1563 N. Thompson Ln.) that tell the story of the Battle of Stones River, one of the most significant battles of the Civil War. For more information, call (615) 893-9501 or visit nps.gov/stri.

Community Heritage Lecture by Jim Lewis – Jan. 3
Jim Lewis with Stones River National Battlefield will speak on Union occupation during a lecture commemorating the 151st anniversary of the Battle of Stones River at The Heritage Center (225 W. College St.) at 11:30 a.m. For more information, call (615) 217-8013.

12th Annual Polar Bear Plunge – Jan. 4
Ring in the new year in the frigid pool of Sports*Com this year (2310 Memorial Blvd.)! Enjoy swimming and the arctic adventure in the gym, free with a donation of nonperishable foods to benefit Greenhouse Ministries. An Artic Fun Run begins at 9 a.m. with a 2.1 mile run on the outdoor running trail. The plunge follows at 10 a.m. For more information, call (615) 895-5040 or contact jjoines@murfreesborotv.gov or nhensley@murfreesborotv.gov.

3rd Annual Tennessee Motorama – Jan. 4-5
Come out for a huge swap meet, car/motorcycle show, memorabilia auction and custom bicycle show at this year’s Tennessee Motorama at Mid-Tn Expo Center & Park Adventure Events (1209 Park Ave.) from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Best of show wins $500! For more information, call (615) 364-1828 or visit bothbarrelspromotions.com.

Author Book Signing at Linebaugh Public Library – Jan. 6
Linebaugh Public Library (105 W. Vine St.) hosts local author Reuben Kyle from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., selling and signing copies of his book From Nashborough to the Nobel Prize: The Buchanans of Tennessee. This book relates the story of the Buchanan family of Tennessee, following the family as it settles a dangerous and difficult new world in mid-19th century America, survives the brutal Civil War and thrives in the 20th-century years to follow. For more information, call (615) 893-4131 or visit linebaugh.org.

Wedding Dresses Through the Decades – Jan. 12 – March 2
Wedding dresses from many decades will be shown at Oaklands Historic House Museum at Maney Hall (900 N. Maney Ave.), kicking off with an open house Jan. 12 from 1-4 p.m. View gowns from handmade to couture, once worn by ladies from both Murfreesboro and around the country. This is an excellent way to walk through the past and see the changes in fashions from different areas, times and cultures. Extended viewing hours will be available Jan. 17 from 5-8 p.m.; special guided home school tours are also available Jan. 15 at 10 a.m. For more information, contact info@oaklandsmuseum.org or (615) 893-0022, or visit oaklandsmuseum.org.

Volunteer for The United Way VITA – Jan. 14-15
The United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties (615 Memorial Blvd., Suite 200) is seeking volunteers for the 2014 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites. Volunteer hours are flexible. Experience with tax preparation is preferred but not required. Training days are Jan. 14 & 15 at 6 p.m. These trainings are not mandatory but beneficial. For more information, visit unitedwayvolunteer.org or call (615) 893-7303.

Andrew Jackson, Southerner – Jan. 16
Mark Cheatham, professor at Cumberland University, will speak about his recent book, Andrew Jackson, Southerner, at The Heritage Center (225 W. College St.) at 11:30 a.m. For more information, call (615) 217-8013 or visit hcmrc.org.

Curious George: Let’s Get Curious! Exhibit – Jan. 18 – May 4
Remember how much you loved Curious George? Letting curiosity and inquiry be their guides, visitors can explore familiar buildings and locales from the Curious George book series and television show. This exhibit at the Discovery Center (502 S. E. Broad St.) presents key concepts in science, math and engineering through direct experience and problem solving. For more information, call (615) 890-2300 or visit explorethedc.org.

Science and Spirituality Discussion Group – Jan. 20
Are you interested in exploring the relationship between science and spirituality? Science and Spirituality Discussion Group meets the third Monday of each month from 7-8:30 p.m. at Unity of Murfreesboro (130 Cannon St.). For more information, call (615) 907-6033.

Master Gardener Class – Jan. 20
Regular meeting of the Master Gardener Association is at 6:30 p.m. at UT-TSU Extension (315 John R. Rice Blvd., Suite 101). This is open to anyone with an interest in horticulture or who is planning to complete the Master Gardener Certification Program. For more information, call (615) 898-7710.

TSSAA State Bowling Championships – Jan. 23-25
Watch State championships in high school bowling at Smyrna Bowling Center (95 Weakley Ln., Smyrna). For more information, call (615) 889-6740 or visit tssaa.org.

Paint and Sip Party – Jan. 24
Join Artsy-U in a Paint and Sip Party while you paint your potential first masterpiece at 3 Brothers Craft Brewhouse (114 N. Church St.) from 6-9 p.m. Cost is $45 and includes four flight wine samples, all materials needed to paint and art instruction. For more information, visit facebook.com/ArtsyU.Murfreesboro or call (615) 295-5819.

City Schools Foundation to Honor McPhees – Jan. 24
Friends and colleagues will join together to honor Dr. Sidney and Elizabeth McPhee at The City Schools Foundation 7th Annual Excellence in Education Celebration. The celebration, scheduled for 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 24, will be held at Stones River Country Club. Celebration tickets and sponsorships are available and a pre-party for sponsors will be held at the Jeff Hendrix Stadium Club at MTSU.
As the honorees, the McPhees joins an elite group of public servants including Dr. Susan Andrews, John Hood, Rhea Seddon and “Hoot” Gibson, Gloria and Ted LaRoche, Joyce Taylor and former U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon. John Pittard Elementary, home of the Pittard Lions, will be highlighted as the featured school for the celebration. Storyteller Dan Whittle will entertain 2014 Celebration guests as he provides the crowd with a sense of homespun humor towards the spirit of education.
The City Schools Foundation is a group of civic and business leaders banding together to benefit Murfreesboro City Schools and has now contributed over $350,000 directly to the City Schools. Money raised by The City Schools Foundation benefits Murfreesboro City Schools’ pre-Kindergarten through 6th grade students. For additional information, visit cityschoolsfoundation.com or call Lisa Trail at 893-2313.

Boro Fondo Fundraiser – Jan. 25
Join the Boro Fondo team in this year’s fundraiser with Body of Light, Crayons & Antidotes, Subnovas, and Manrax3 at The Boro Bar and Grill (112 Greenland Dr.). A $5 donation gets you last year’s T-shirt! Don’t miss this awesome bike ride in April throughout Murfreesboro. For more information, visit borofondo.com.

Winter Wagon Hayride and Marshmallow Roast – Jan 25
Enjoy a winter wagon hayride and marshmallow roast at Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.). Admission is $3.50 per person. For more information, call (615) 890-0355.