This column is designed to give our local readers a place to put news and events that are important to them and others in the community.

Local news such as public meetings, luncheons, events and other non-club local items for not-for-profit associations are listed in this column.

Church events are printed separately in Church News published on Fridays.

To have items placed in the Local Beat column, bring them by the office at 405 E. Collin St., fax them to (903) 872-6878 or e-mail to cmcclanahan@corsicanadailysun.com. Items must have the date of the event, a phone number and must be clearly printed or typed.



Through Dec. 31

Corsicana Police Department will accept alarm permit renewals during December. Any permit that is renewed before Dec. 31 can be renewed with a $5 fee. Any permit renewed after Dec. 31 will require a $25 renewal fee. Any operational burglar alarm system located in the Corsicana city limits is required by City Ordinance (Sec 4.1200) to have a current alarm permit on file. Violation of this ordinance can result in a citation being issued to the owner of the premises where the alarm is located. Permits can be renewed in person from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at the Corsicana Police Department or by mail at: Corsicana Police Department, Records Division, 200 N. 12th St., Corsicana, TX 75110. If you have any questions regarding this matter, contact the Records Division at (903) 654-4924.



Jan. 1

Corsicana Band Boosters encourage you to stop by CiCi’s for “Band Night” from 5 p.m. to closing as the business will donate 10 percent of proceeds to the Band Booster program.



Jan. 2

Blooming Grove Historical Society will have its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. at Heritage Hall at Blooming Grove United Methodist Church. Mary Johnson will present a program on the Bryan School. All interested people are invited to attend. For more information, call (903) 695-2724 or (903) 673-2635.



Corsicana Chapter 118, OES, will have a stated meeting at the Corsicana Masonic Temple, 201 N. 15th St. All area OES members are invited to attend. Potluck dinner will be at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call Judith Sanders at (903) 695-2526.



Jan. 3

Eureka Crime Watch will hold its regular monthly meeting at 1:30 p.m. at Eureka United Methodist Church. Guest speaker will be Jeannie McCarty of American Red Cross in Navarro County, who will discuss emergency preparedness. The public is invited to participate in this informative discussion. Refreshments will be served following the program. Come and enjoy the program, food and fellowship.



Jan. 4

Blooming Grove Crime Watch will meet at 7 p.m. at Blooming Grove Fire Station. Jimmie Spencer, a retired captain from the Navarro County Sheriff’s Office, will be the speaker. Light refreshments will be served following the meeting.



Navarro College SBDC will have a workshop on how to start a small business from 10 a.m. to noon at the Corsicana/Navarro County Chamber of Commerce, 120 N. 12th St. Cost of the workshop will be $20. For more information or to register, call Ophelia Mendoza at (903) 875-7667 or e-mail ophelia.mendoza@navarrocollege.edu.



American Red Cross monthly blood drive will be held from noon to 6 p.m. at the Navarro Shrine Building, 323 N. Commerce St. You must be at least 17 years old and have a photo ID to donate. For more information, call (800)448-3543.



Jan. 6

Corsicana Opry Band will spotlight Olivia Buchanan, Cody Crum, Blake Devine, Judy Draper, Christi Driskell Self, Krista Sifers, Matt Siwinski and Tom White at 7 p.m. at Martin’s Music Hall, 201 S. Beaton St. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Admission will be $10 per person. For more information or tickets, call (903) 872-8226.



American Legion Post 22, 632 N. Beaton St., invites members and their guests for an evening of First Class Entertainment karaoke with Nedra and Jerry House from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. No cover charge. Post will open at 2 p.m. For more information, call (903) 874-3938.



Jan. 7

Warehouse Living Arts Center Theatre, 119 W. Sixth Ave., will hold auditions for “The Prisoner of Second Avenue” at 2 p.m. The cast for this Neil Simon comedy includes two adult men and four adult women ranging in ages from late 30s and up. Those who plan to audition should bring date books, school and vacation schedules to the audition. Each will be required to fill out a rehearsal availability form. Production dates will be Feb. 8-17. For more information, call (903) 872-5421.



Jan. 8

Corsicana Art League will meet at 6 p.m. at The Art Spot, 122 N. Beaton St. Start the new year artistically with a special painting demonstration by professional artist Barbara Jones. This will be an opportunity to see the work of artist Jones and also visit The Art Spot, where she will be giving lessons starting the first of the year. Visitors are welcome and there is no fee for the program.



City of Blooming Grove will hold its monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, 200 S. Fordyce St., Blooming Grove.



The Republican Party of Navarro County will hold its monthly meting at 7 p.m. on the seventh floor of Bank of America, 100 N. Main St. All registered voters are welcome to attend. For more information, visit the Web site at www.navgop.com.



Woodmen of the World Lodge 5 will have a chili supper at 6 p.m. at Liberty Hall. All members, their families and guests are cordially invited.



Corsicana Band Boosters will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the new Corsicana High School band hall. Parents of students in Drane Intermediate School, Collins Middle School and Corsicana High School bands, and anyone else who is interested in encouraging and supporting the band program are invited to attend.