Jan 1–3 – 152nd Anniversary Programs
Join rangers and volunteers for a variety of walks, talks, tours and living history demonstrations telling the story of one of the most significant battles of the Civil War, the Battle of Stones River (Stones River National Battlefield, 1563 N. Thompson Ln.). For more information, contact (615) 893-9501 or nps.gov/stri. Admission is free.
Jan. 3 – Resolution Run
Murfreesboro Rescue Mission will start 2015 off with a fundraiser called Resolution Run. Franklin Road Baptist Church on Highway 96 hosts this 5k race. This year, they have chosen MRM as the beneficiary of the race proceeds. The race is set for the first Saturday in January, Jan. 3, at 8 a.m. Come out and burn some of those Christmas calories for a great cause. The Murfreesboro Rescue Mission aims to follow God’s command to love our neighbor as ourselves, and exists to provide help, hope and healing to our community’s most vulnerable population experiencing homelessness. For more information, or to register for the race, visit murfreesbororescuemission.org or franklinroadbaptist.org.
Jan. 3 – Polar Plunge
Plunge into the new year at the 10th annual Polar Bear Plunge at Sports*Com’s frigid outdoor pool (2310 Memorial Blvd.) at 10 a.m. Admission for participants is to bring non-perishable foods benefiting the Murfreesboro City School Family Resource Center. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., when the gym will be transformed into an Arctic Adventure where families can play games, enjoy inflatables, drink coffee or hot chocolate, eat donuts and register for the plunge. T-shirts available. Pre-registration encouraged. For more information, call (615) 893-7439.
Jan. 3 – 4th Annual Tennessee Motorama
Both Barrels Promotions presents the 4th Annual Tennessee Motorama with a huge swap meet, car/motorcycle show, auto memorabilia and custom bicycle show at Mid-Tn Expo Center (1209 Park Ave.) from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $25 entry fee. $10 for attendance; under 12 free. For more information, visit bothbarrelspromotions.com or call (615) 364-1828.
Jan. 3–April 25 – The Coffee Marathon
Murfreesboro area coffee houses, as well as Sports*Com and Wilderness Station at Barfield Crescent Park, have teamed up on a running project this year. Participants can buzz by any of the seven participating locations and run the route mapped out for that location. Each time someone walks or runs a route, they can have their passport signed to validate the completion. Those completing all seven routes will receive a commemorative coffee mug and car decal. Coffee shops include JoZoara, Just Love Coffee Roasters, Pa Bunks, Perk’d Coffeehouse and Deli and Reveille Joe Coffee Company. For more information, stop by SportsCom or Barfield Park, or contact Jennifer Joines at (615) 895-5040 or jjoines@murfreesborotn.gov.
Jan. 4 – Market at the Mall
With a theme of “Homegrown, Handmade and Heartfelt,” Stones River Mall will continue its Market at the Mall, a producer-only farmers and artisan market, Sunday, Jan. 4. The market is held from 12–4 p.m. the first Sunday of each month behind Shoe Carnival and Bink’s Outfitters, alongside Robert Rose Drive. Stroll around and check out healthy, fresh foods, horticultural products, handmade art and entertainment. Stones River Mall is located at 1720 Old Fort Pkwy.
Jan. 10 – Music in the Wild
Get cozy inside the Wilderness Station at Barfield Crescent Park (301 Volunteer Rd. or 697 Barfield Rd.) for a music-filled evening and listen to local artists performing their original tunes, plus well-known classic songs, while enjoying bird-friendly coffee. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; music is from 6:30–8:30 p.m. For more information, call (615) 217-3017.
Jan. 11–March 8 – Wedding Dresses Through the Decades
Step back in time and witness the elegant wedding gowns of women in Middle Tennessee and across the country through the decades at Oaklands Historic House Museum (900 N. Maney Ave.) in partnership with the Human Sciences Department of Middle Tennessee State University. Enjoy the brocade and silk of the mid-1800s and the stories and suits of the wartime brides in the 1940s. Grandmothers, mothers and daughters will have the rare opportunity to view items from not only the museum collection but also elegant and fashionable wedding dresses worn by ladies from both Murfreesboro and around the country. The tour is held Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. and Sundays 1–4 p.m. For more information, visit oaklandsmuseum.org, or contact (615) 893-0022 or mb@oaklandsmuseum.org. Admission is $8 and is open to the public. A special evening opening is scheduled for Jan. 23 from 4–8 p.m.
Jan. 15- Red Cross Blood Drive
Take part in the semiannual American Red Cross Blood Drive from 2-6 p.m. at Stones River Mall (1720 Old Fort Pkwy.). Receive a Stones River Mall goody bag. For more information, contact www.redcrossblood.org
Jan. 15 – School Climbing League Preview Night
Come out for a fun night of indoor rock-climbing with staff and coach introductions, a special preview competition, Q & A session, team sign-ups and more at The Ascent, Climb Your Rock (831 Park Ave.). A no-cost, no-obligation event. For more information, contact (615) 796-6545 or info@climbyourrock.com, or visit climbyourrock.com/previewnight.
Jan. 17 & 18 – Anime and Comic Kon
The Murfreesboro Anime and Comic Kon (MACK) will be held Jan. 17 and 18 at the Clarion Inn, 2227 Old Fort Pkwy.
The show, in its fourth year, will include gaming all day (Magic, Pokemon, Apples to Apples, Zathura and more), a Super Freebie table on Sunday (free posters, pins, toys, comic books, buttons and more while they last), panels, workshops, photo ops, costume contests, a free nylon totebag for all attendees, free passes to the Atlanta Comic Convention and a raffle for a Win-An-Entire-Booth giveaway ($3,000 in merchandise, including DVDs, CDs, toys, comics, posters, books, T-shirts . . . bring a truck to get it all home!)
Of course, special guests are a huge part of the weekend as well. Guests for the show include:
Doug TenNapel: the creator of Earthworm Jim (and voice of Earthworm Jim in the video game) and Nickelodeon’s Catscratch; writer on Adventure Time, Veggie Tales: In the House; animator on SpongeBob SquarePants and Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: The Animated Series; creator of the graphic novels Tommysaurus Rex, Nnewts and Ghostopolis.
From the Walking Dead: Santiago Cirillo, Kent Wagner, Mike Mundy
Actors: Josh Turner (Under the Dome, Nashville), Bill Bryge (Ernest Scared Stupid, Ernest Saves Christmas, Ernest Goes to Jail, Ernest Goes to School)
Artists: Dean Zachary (Star Wars, Batman, Green Lantern, Superboy, Hawk & Dove), Jason Flowers (Upper Deck card artist), Mitch Foust, Sam Payne, Tattoo Bob
Writers: Robert Midgett, Dr. Jeff Thompson, Dr. Jonathan Lampley, Steve Dillard
Wrestlers: Arrick Andrews, King Shane Williams, Jeremiah Plunkett, Le Kisha Oliver, Anthony Wayne, Kerry Awful, Nick Iggy, Hammer Jack, Jim Cornette, Mark James
Sunday, kids get in free with a paid adult, and there will be free pictures with Yo Gabba Gabba’s Brobee and Foofa.
For more information on the 2015 Murfreesboro Anime and Comic Kon, visit comiccitytn.com.
Jan. 17 – Pool Party Extravaganza
H30 Aquatics (236 Robert Rose Dr., Murfreesboro) invites the community to a free pool party extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 17, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Participants can enjoy warm water volleyball in their 94-degree pool, a hydromassage bed, jacuzzi jets, underwater treadmills, underwater dumbbells and weights, pool noodles and toys for young and old alike in their new facility, enhanced with music and color-changing lights. For more information on H3O, visit h3oaquatics.com.
Jan. 19 – Martin Luther King Jr. Remembrance Ceremony
Commemorate the birthdate of the well-spoken, highly noted and historically important Reverend King at La Vergne City Hall (5093 Murfreesboro Rd.) from 11 a.m.–noon. For more information, contact adavis@lavergnetn.gov or (615) 793-3224.
Jan. 21 – Community Bingo
Join other adults for a lively game of bingo in the PPCC Dining Room in Patterson Park Community Center (521 Mercury Blvd.) from 10–11 a.m. with small prizes and a Grand Prize drawing. Bingo admission allows entrance to the Game Room for a game of pool and access to the fitness track. Third Wednesday of each month. For more information, call (615) 893-2141. Admission is $2.
Jan. 22 – Open House/Ribbon Cutting for Cultivate Coworking
Cultivate Coworking (107 W. Lytle St.) will have a Grand Open House from 9 a.m.–6 p.m. and ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4 p.m. Snacks and drinks provided. Take a tour and meet the new business offering an alternative office space for independent workers, freelancers, nonprofits and small business owners with perks of wi-fi, coffee and events designed to help create a business community. First day is always free. For more information, contact info@cultivatecoworking.com.
Jan. 24- Free Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Check-ups
Stones River Mall and MTSU School of Nursing students educate shoppers about current and potential altered health statuses through the measure of blood pressure (by pressure cuff) and blood sugar levels (by finger sticks) from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Center Court of Stones River Mall (1720 Old Fort Pkwy.). Check-ups are free and do not require an appointment. For more information, call (615) 896-4486.
Jan. 24 – Winter Wagon Hayride and Marshmallow Roast
Bundle yourself up, get out of the house and head to Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.) for a good old-fashioned hayride around the grounds and a cozy marshmallow roast from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. For more information, call (615) 890-0355. Admission is $2.50.
Jan. 24 – Annual Author Luncheon
Friends of Linebaugh Library will present its annual author luncheon from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Woman’s Club. This year’s guest is author Susan Gregg Gilmore, writer of The Funeral Dress. Sign up for the event at the Linebaugh Library circulation desk. For more information on the luncheon, or on becoming a member of the Friends of Linebaugh Library organization, find the group on Facebook.
Throughout January – Onstage
And Then There Were None
Murfreesboro Little Theatre, 702 Ewing Ave.
7 p.m. Jan. 16, 17, 23 and 24; 2 p.m. Jan. 18 and 25
mltarts.com
The Wizard of Oz
Center for the Arts, 110 W. College St.
7:30 p.m. Jan. 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 and 24; 2 p.m. Jan. 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 and 25
boroarts.org