A benefit for the family of Barry Loos will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Albert Lea American Legion Club, 147 N. Broadway Ave. Cost for the dinner, silent auction and bake sale is $8 per person, with children ages 6 and younger admitted free. Tickets are available at the door, at Doyle’s Hallmark, Dave Klatt Insurance Agency and Halverson Elementary School.

A benefit dance will follow at the Legion from 8 p.m. to midnight. Music will be by Flashback.

Barry died on March 6. He had battled three types of cancer since January 2008. He and his wife, Bev, have been residents of Albert Lea since 1991 and are lifelong educators. Bev has been on leave from Halverson Elementary School, where she is a fifth-grade teacher, since May. Barry was on leave from Lincoln High in Ivanhoe.

Barry and Bev have two grown children. Brian and his wife, Jennifer, and their son, Max, live in Goodhue. Brandi and her husband, Tim, and their daughter, Addison, live in Albert Lea.

The Barry Loos Benefit Fund has been established at Home Federal Savings Bank, 143 W. Clark St., Albert Lea.

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

Friday, March 13

The elementary art exhibit will be open at the Albert Lea Art Center from noon to 4 p.m.

Southwest Middle School will present the farce, “Northwoods Nonsense,” at 7 p.m. in the Southwest Little Theatre. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults; students and senior citizens are $4; and non-school age children will be admitted free.

Tigers’ Roar will be presented at 7 p.m. in the Albert Lea High School auditorium. Admission is $5 per person. Tickets are available at the door.

Pete and the Parrot Heads will bring their tribute to Jimmy Buffett to the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. General admission tickets are available at Doyle’s Hallmark for $15. For more information, call 377-4372.

Saturday, March 14

The 49th annual Wells Rifle & Pistol Club gun show will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the United South Central High School in Wells. Admission is $4 per person. There will be more than 300 tables of modern and antique guns, knives, coins and collectibles. Breakfast and lunch will be available for purchase. Children under 14 years must be accompanied by an adult.

Local Boy Scouts will be going door to door to pick up food donations for their annual Scouting for Food drive. Residents are asked to have any food donations bagged and set near their front doors by 9 a.m. People can also drop off donations at the Freeborn County Fairgounds from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on the same day.All food donated will go to a local food pantry to benefit families in need. 

The elementary art exhibit will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Albert Lea Art Center.

 The Albert Lea Science Fair will be held at Northbridge Mall. Public viewing of exhibits takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. An awards ceremony follows at 1 p.m.

 The Sons of Norway Lodge will hold a chili and ice cream sundae supper from 4 to 7 p.m. at the lodge near the City Arena. Cost is $6 for adults, $3 for children 10 and younger and kids 3 years and younger eat free.

A fundraiser dinner for A.G.E. (Assisting Glenville Elderly) will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Glenville American Legion Club. A corned beef and cabbage dinner plus dessert will be served for $8 per person.

 Tigers’ Roar will be presented at 7 p.m. in the Albert Lea High School auditorium. Admission is $5 per person. Tickets are available at the door.

Sunday, March 15

The Albert Lea Moose Lodge will hold an omelet breakfast from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Made-to-order omelets, sausage, bacon, potatoes, toast, juice and coffee will be served. Cost is $7 per person.

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

 The 49th annual Wells Rifle & Pistol Club gun show will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the United South Central High School in Wells. Admission is $4 per person.

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

West Freeborn Lutheran Church will hold a soup and chili cookoff from 4 to 7 p.m. People can taste and cast votes for their favorites and build their own sundaes for dessert for a donation. There will be prize drawings and the Careyaires will sing at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. Proceeds will go to restore and improve the West Freeborn Church Cemetery.

Ascension Lutheran Church will hold its 22nd annual aebleskiver supper from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children ages 12 and younger.