The state’s Congressional delegates weren’t the only Vermonters who attended President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday evening. Ripton’s own Bill McKibben was in the U.S. House chamber as the guest of Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin. The Maryland Democrat tweeted a photo of himself with McKibben, whom he called “our great climate warrior.” That photo also featured rising star Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and her guest, Ana Maria Archila, who confronted Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake in a Capitol Hill elevator during the Brett Kavanaugh hearings. In his own tweet, McKibben said of the photo: “It was a great honor to be with this crew.”
 
The Salisbury Village Library this Saturday will host a Valentine’s Day sale of crafts, books and delicious foods, with proceeds to benefit the library. The sale will last from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9. It will feature, among other things, wonderful homemade chocolates, jewelry, artwork by local artisans, lots of yarn, and used books. There will be a craft table for young and old to make their own valentines.
 
Ballet Vermont will host auditions for the upcoming summer season of Farm to Ballet on Sunday, Feb. 10. Now in its fifth year, this season will feature six performances, all in the month of July, at picturesque venues throughout Vermont. Many Addison County dancers have performed in this event over the years. The auditions will take place from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Spotlight Vermont on San Remo Drive in South Burlington, Vermont. In-person auditions are preferred, but out-of-state dancers can submit video samples for consideration. Registration for the audition is available online at balletvermont.org.
 
Aspiring winter biking warriors take note: There’s a free workshop on Tuesday, Feb. 12, from 5:30-7 p.m. at Middlebury’s Frog Hollow Bikes, during which avid cyclists can get the tips and tricks from 35-year bike commuting veteran Peter Burns. It should make for a super fun and info-packed evening. Organizers will give away some winter biking prizes at the end of the workshop. Prizes will include a set of bar mitts, an 800-lumens bike light, and a set of fenders. Free snacks provided, and the event will be powered by Local Motion.
 
Elle magazine this week noted that actress Jennifer Lawrence recently became engaged to a mysterious man Cooke Maroney. The magazine noted that Maroney is the son of James Maroney and Suki Fredericks of Leicester, Vt., and the sister of Annabelle Maroney. Like his father, Cooke Maroney works in the art world as director of the Gladstone gallery in NYC, the magazine reported. Best wishes to the happy couple.
 
Looking for a special way to say I love you this Valentine’s Day? The Maiden Vermont Chorus is again is offering singing Valentines. Members of Addison County-based barbershop-style group will deliver singing Valentines on Thursday, Feb. 14, from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. — some in person and some over the phone. There’s a fee commensurate with the value of the personalized Valentines, which must be ordered by Wednesday. More information is online at maidenvermont.com/shop, by calling Lindi Bortney at 802-349-9505, or via email at [email protected].
 
Everybody Wins! VT at Middlebury’s Mary Hogan Elementary School is still looking for reading mentors. More than 15 children in grades 3 through 6 are on the waiting list for a mentor. Consider filling out an application now to mentor a child starting in late February, or sign up now so you can start during this coming fall. The time commitment is less than an hour per week. Everybody Wins! Vermont is a statewide non-profit, children’s literacy and mentoring program. Participating mentors read with a young student at Mary Hogan School during lunchtime, one day a week, for less than an hour. Together, an adult and child explore books and literacy activities and build a meaningful friendship within the school setting. For more information, visit everybodywinsvermont.org. To volunteer, email Angela at: [email protected].