Residents will have the chance to check out Albert Lea’s new community resource center during an open house on Friday.

The open house will run from 1 to 4 p.m. in Room 108 at Riverland Community College.

Albert Lea City Manager Chad Adams and others will speak, and refreshments will be served.

The center opened in September after about two years of planning.

Organizers hope it can be a place for all residents — whether they just moved to town or have been here for a while — to go to find out about available resources.

It will also be an opportunity for people to come and learn about volunteer opportunities in the community.

The resource center is a collaboration between multiple organizations, and representatives from the organizations take turns staffing the center.

The community resource center can be reached at 507-369-1463 or by email at info@crcalbertlea.com.

It is regularly open from 1 to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Here’s a roundup of other events taking place in the area this weekend:

 

Friday

• Albert Lea citywide garage sales will be throughout the day. Look to the Classifieds section for listings.

• “Asia Speaks,” an exhibit showcasing the work of Dee Teller, an internationally acclaimed, Minnesota-based sumi-e brush painter, will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Freeborn County Arts Initiative, 224 S. Broadway.

• The “Our Mothers and Daughters: Four Generations of Artwork” exhibit will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Albert Lea Art Center, 226 W. Clark St. The exhibit features the work of Carli Marticia Bailey, Rachel Bailey Collier, Marticia Davis Bailey and Rachel Marticia Davis.

• An American Red Cross blood drive will be from 1 to 7 p.m. at Bridge Community Church.

• Albert Lea Community Theatre will present “Calendar Girls” at 7:30 p.m. at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center, 147 N. Broadway.

 

Saturday

• Albert Lea citywide garage sales will be throughout the day. Look to the Classifieds section for listings.

• Cans for Cancer Day will be at the Albert Lea Eagles Club, 205 W. William St.

People can start dropping off aluminum cans and cash at 8 a.m.

Day includes silent and food auctions throughout the day, tournaments at 10 a.m., a hot beef lunch from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and a stuffed pork chop supper from 5 to 7 p.m.

People can call 373-1162 for can pickup. All proceeds will go toward cancer research.

To have items picked up for the silent auction call 377-2748.

• “Historically Speaking … Drama in the Kennedy Limouisine – Nov. 22, 1963,” will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Freeborn County Historical Museum.

• The Albert Lea Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to noon at Northbridge Mall, 2510 Bridge Ave.

• The “Our Mothers and Daughters: Four Generations of Artwork” exhibit will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Albert Lea Art Center, 226 W. Clark St.

• The annual Blessing of the Animals will be at 10 a.m. at Frank Hall Park.

• The Albert Lea Hockey Association will host a free hockey day for girls only from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at Albert Lea City Arena, 701 Lake Chapeau Drive. Event is open to any girls ages 4 to 12. Free equipment and game jerseys will be available.

To sign up or for more information, call 377-7730 or email epomerson@yahoo.com.

• The Albert Lea Fire Department will host an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. There will be numerous displays including boat rescue, vehicle extrication, fire investigation, emergency medical services and ladder truck demonstrations. Refreshments will be served.

A fire engine built in 1918, which is still fully functional, will be on display.

• “Asia Speaks,” an exhibit showcasing the work of Dee Teller, an internationally acclaimed, Minnesota-based sumi-e brush painter, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Freeborn County Arts Initiative, 224 S. Broadway.

• The Freeborn County DFL Party will host a spaghetti supper and silent auction from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Edgewater Cottage. Dinner of spaghetti, garlic toast, drink and dessert is $7. Speakers include District 27B Rep. Jeanne Poppe.

• Alden American Legion Post 404 will host a steak fry from 5 to 8 p.m. Menu includes 10-ounce ribeye, baked potato, cole slaw and garlic toast. Cost is $13. Pull tabs are available.

• Albert Lea Community Theatre will present “Calendar Girls” at 7:30 p.m. at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center, 147 N. Broadway.

 

Sunday

• Albert Lea American Legion Post 56, 142 N. Broadway, will host a breakfast from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Menu includes pancakes, sausage, fruit cup, potatoes and scrambled eggs with or without diced ham, juice and coffee. Cost is $7.50.

• Albert Lea Community Theatre will present “Calendar Girls” at 2 p.m. at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center, 147 N. Broadway.

• Grace Lutheran Church will host a discussion titled “How should Christians respond to the challenges of climate change?” at 6 p.m. in the church’s fellowship hall.

The Rev. Luther Dale, a retired pastor from Incarnation Lutheran Church in the Shoreview area, who is active in the leadership of the Sierra Club’s North Star chapter, will present the science and a Christian perspective, along with Alan Anderson, a former Boy Scouts executive. Anderson conceived and helped organize the Northfield Climate Summit in January 2014.