Small town, big heart

Here we go again, Lyle. It’s time for the 34th annual Lyle Area Cancer Auction. The auction, which raised a record $171,000 last year, will start at 6 p.m. Friday and continue past midnight at the Lyle American Legion. Then, the bidding wars begin again at 11 a.m. Saturday and continue until the last item is sold.

In need of a helping hand

Make a difference for someone this weekend and attend a local benefit. While folks in Lyle will be raising funds to fight cancer, benefits in Blooming Prairie and Austin will assist those already dealing with the disease.

Friends and family of Gene Barber, from Waseca, will hold a benefit from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Blooming Prairie Pizza Cellar, 302 Main St. E. Barber is fighting severe lung cancer. Then on Saturday, locals will hold a benefit for Austin’s Joe Bellrichard, who is battling a brain tumor and colon cancer. That event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Austin Eagles Club, 107 11th Street NE.

A little jazz

Here’s a first: The Austin High School and Ellis Middle School jazz bands, along with Mankato’s The Real Big Band will join for a compilation at the Paramount Theatre, 125 Fourth Ave. NE. The show is from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday and is $7 for adults, $5 for students or $2 cheaper at the door.

In memory of a good soul, and hockey

‘Tis the season, for some serious hockey. The first Tyler Brady Memorial Hockey Tournament will be held this weekend at Packer Arena, 601 Seventh St. NE. The youth tournament, age 11-12, will drop the puck at 6 p.m. Friday. The tournament will continue at 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. A silent auction will also happen at 2 p.m. at the Eagles Club, followed by burger baskets. The tournament is free and open to the public.

Other events

For those who are a little more laid back, try family night at the movies, Sunday at St. Olaf Lutheran Church. But it’s more than just a movie at, it’s a sunken auditorium. Don’t forget Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Riverland is once again celebrating with a presentation by the Human Rights Commission. The Austin Artist Series is also holding its third production of the season Monday night with the Church Basement Ladies.

Look to Reporter Matt Peterson’s column every Friday for more about upcoming events in Austin. For even more, check out the calendar on Page 4 every day in the print edition and the AustinDailyHerald.com homepage.