Calhoun Times

State senator taking aim at ‘swatting’

- By Dave Williams

This month, the library is continuing its English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses with teacher Zach Waits. Classes for all stages of learner will take place Saturdays at 10 a.m. There will be an ESOL loteria game on Saturday, Jan. 27 at 11 a.m.

The library will also offer ESOL On Demand Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. During those blocks, Waits will be available for one-on-one (or more) English study sessions for those who can’t make it to scheduled classes, need extra teaching, or those who need help for any other reason.

On Mondays, adults can get moving in the morning with Workout with Nancy, an exercise class led by Nancy Guzman. Class starts at 10:30 a.m.

Noni’s Nook takes place every Tuesday, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Noni picks a theme each week and will read stories, sing songs, and provide crafts for kids.

On Wednesdays, Nancy Guzman will lead yet another exercise class — stretchban­d workout. Join her for a morning workout with bands starting at 10:30 a.m.

Each Thursday, parents can bring their children age two and under to Baby Lapsit to learn to communicat­e and read with their baby. That activity starts promptly at 10:30 a.m.

Also on Thursdays, kids from kindergart­en to fifth grade can enjoy story time at the library starting at 4 p.m. Story time on Jan. 11 will be STEAM Storytime featuring zoetropes, and Jan. 18 will be career storytime.

Capitol Beat News Service

ATLANTA — A state senator plans to introduce legislatio­n during the upcoming session of the General Assembly aimed at “swatting,” false reports of criminal activity that send police to the homes or offices of targeted victims.

Since Christmas Day, three Republican state senators, a Democratic state senator, GOP Lt. Gov.

Burt Jones, and U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, RRome,

On Fridays, adults can get moving and participat­e in a Latin-based Zumba class led by Nancy Guzman. That class runs from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Also on Fridays, veterans (age eighteen and up) will have a chance to get together at the library’s Veterans Coffee Hour starting at 10:30 a.m.

Calhoun Chess Club will meet at the library Friday, Jan. 19, starting at 4 p.m.

Get crafty with a kids’ painting class with Whitney Tuesday, Jan. 9, starting at 3:30 p.m. Preregistr­ation is required — call the library for more info.

Is that a shiny?! Pokémon club will be hosted at the library Monday, Jan. 22, starting at 4 p.m.

Come join Animanga Club Thursday, Jan. 18 at 4 p.m. Join in and watch some anime, read some manga, and talk about it with other super fans.

Dungeons and Dragons is back! Fight monsters and dragons — or, really, struggle with your arch nemesis, the humble door. Seriously, it’s just a door. Please stop rolling insight. Steven Bennett is your Dungeon Master — stop by Thursday, Jan. 11 and Jan. 25 at 6 p.m. for two hours of fun.

Get crafty with a teen free paint session Tuesday, Jan. 23, starting at 4 p.m. Come in and paint whatever you feel like!

Those interested in board and card games can visit the library

have been targeted by swatting calls.

“This issue goes beyond politics — it’s about public safety and preserving the integrity of our institutio­ns,” said state Sen. Clint Dixon, R-Buford, one of the victims of swatting, who announced Thursday, Dec. 28, that he will back legislatio­n strengthen­ing penalties for false reporting and misuse of police forces. “We will not stand for these threats of violence and intimidati­on. Those involved

Wednesday, Jan. 10, and Jan. 24 at 10:30 a.m. to spend some time with other game enthusiast­s.

The library will host its knit and crochet club Tuesday, Jan. 16 and Jan. 30, starting at 10 a.m. The social yarn club is open to those of any skill level, from beginners to seasoned pros. This program is open to both teens and adults.

Join certified breastfeed­ing consultant Catherine Greeson for a breastfeed­ing support class Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 1 p.m. The class will answer questions, offer advice, and get new moms ready for the feeding journey.

Create a new masterpiec­e during the library’s adult painting class, hosted by Whitney Paradis on Thursday, Jan. 18, starting at 10:30 a.m. Preregistr­ation is required — call the library for more info.

Also on Thursday, Jan. 18, join local author Millicent Flake for a creative writing workshop as she shares advice and gives tips on creative writing! This starts promptly at 4 p.m.

Want to make a difference for local kids? Consider being a CASA volunteer! Court-appointed special advocates (CASA) help to ensure that kids in foster care have their needs met and their voices heard. If you want to help foster kids without being a foster parent, this might be the way to go! Learn more at a CASA interest meeting Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 4:45 p.m. or visit advochild. org/casa.

January’s book club meets Friday, Jan. 26 at 11 a.m. This month, there is no theme, so read whatever you’d like and come share! in swatting must be held accountabl­e under the full extent of the law.”

Besides Dixon, other state senators targeted by swatting calls include Republican­s John Albers of Roswell and

Kay Kirkpatric­k of Marietta, and Democrat Kim Jackson of Stone Mountain.

Greene told The

Hill, a Washington, D.C.-based newspaper covering Congress, that her two daughters were targets of swatting on Thursday, Dec. 28, just days after she experience­d what she estimated was the eighth swatting call aimed at her.

“Whoever is doing this, you are going to get caught and it won’t be funny to you anymore,” Greene wrote on X, the social media platform known as Twitter.

The 2024 session of the General Assembly will begin Jan. 8.

The GEM Theatre, 114 N. Wall St., will present Turn to Stone: A Tribute to Elo in concert Saturday, Feb. 3, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are between $40 and $50 each. Visit calhoungem­theatre. org online or call 706625-3132 for more informatio­n.

Sonoravill­e High School baseball will host its first ever Alumni Game Saturday, Feb. 10, with first pitch at 2 p.m., and a 4 p.m. hot dog cookout. Cost is $15 per player, including a meal and T-shirt. Contact Coach Daron Walraven at deronwalra­ven@gcbe.org and include your name and graduation year.

First Baptist Church Calhoun, 411 College St., will host A Night to Shine prom night Friday, Feb. 9, from 6 to 9 p.m. for individual­s 14-andolder with special needs. To register or for more informatio­n, email steven. waters@calhounfbc.org, or call 706-629-7714.

The GEM Theatre, 114 N. Wall St., will present a free showing of “It Happened One Night” Monday, Feb. 12, at 3 p.m. Visit calhoungem­theatre. org online or call 706625-3132 for more informatio­n.

 ?? ?? Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene
 ?? ?? Sen. Clint
Dixon
Sen. Clint Dixon

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