The Eagles 55th Cancer Telethon officially gets under way on Saturday, with many events held locally. The local cablethon, televised on Charter cable channel 6 or 14, will be held with live entertainment by Lefty and the Oldtimers at the Albert Lea Eagles Club, 205 W. William St.

The local pledge number is 373-0157. People can call with their pledges until 8 p.m. After 8 p.m., they are asked to call the 800 number posted on Channel 10.

There will be a white elephant and bake sale at 9 a.m. There will be a jail and bail event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch will be served beginning at 11:30 a.m.

There will be a steak, chicken or shrimp dinner served from 5:30 to 7 p.m. A dance, featuring the Full House band, will begin at 8 p.m.

On Sunday, a pancake breakfast will be served from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Eagles Club.

A salad luncheon, originally scheduled for Wednesday, has been rescheduled for next Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Eagles Club.

In addition, the Geneva Cancer Auction will continue at 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday at the Geneva Liquor Store.

Following is a roundup of other events happening in the area this weekend.

Friday, Jan. 16

St. Theodore Catholic Church will hold a fish fry from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Marian Hall. Cost is $8 for adults and $3 for children under 12. Children under age 3 eat free. Fish, baked or mashed potatoes, cole slaw, rolls and ice cream with toppings will be served.

Saturday, Jan. 17

The Freeborn County Humane Society Adoption Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Albert Lea Animal Shelter, 101 James Ave. Special cat adoption fee for this event is $80. The Humane Soviety and the Albert Lea Animal Shelter are working on a joint venture and are hopeful that the two entities will be able to build an addition on the existing city shelter. Volunteers and monetary donations are needed. Donations can now be dropped off at Security Bank in Albert Lea. Call 377-8501 for more information.

A benefit for Barb Kirsch will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the American Legion Club, 142 N. Broadway Ave. A pulled pork sandwich meal, including baked beans and potato salad, will be served for $7 per person. Children 5 years and younger eat free. A children’s menu is also available. There will be a silent auction and entertainment as well. Kirsch has suffered a series of heart attacks in the past six months, resulting in weeks of hospitalization in Rochester. She is recovering at home and receiving cardiac rehabilitation. Even with insurance, bills are mounting. Monetary contributions may be sent to: Kirsch Benefit Fund in care of Security Bank Minnesota, attention: Jan Cooper, P.O. Box 891, Albert Lea.

Sunday, Jan. 18

The Albert Lea Alano Society, 1005. N. Ulstad Ave., will hold a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon. The breakfast includes pancakes, french toast, hashbrowns, eggs, sausage, coffee and juice. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children 10 and younger.

The Albert Lea Elks Club will hold a pancake breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $5 per person. Pancakes, eggs, hash browns, sausage, juice and coffee or milk will be served.

Northbridge Mall will host Bridal Expo 2009 from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. There will be everything from fashions to photography, cakes to videographers and decorations to reception locations. Couples can gather information from any of the 35 vendors there. Now in its 13th year, the expo will have two fashion shows — one at 1:30 p.m. and one at 3:30 p.m. The 1:30 p.m. show will feature fashions by The Silhouette and the 3:30 p.m. show by Belles & Beaus. Couples attending will have a chance to win a four-day, three-night all inclusive luxury honeymoon package to Breezes Runaway Bay Resort & Golf Club in Jamaica, courtesy of SuperClubs Breezes and Travel Leaders. The winning couple will also receive $500 toward airfare, courtesy of the Expo. All the vendors will give away prizes as well.

The opening reception for the Albert Lea Art Center’s special all-member show, “The Anniversary Celebration of Arts & Artists,” will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. The event is being held in conjunction with the Art Center’s 50th anniversary in 2009. Refreshments will be served and harpist Rachel Christensen will provide the music. There will be a special program at 2 p.m. dedicating the Love Cruikshank Gallery.