5 things to do in the Illinois Valley: Watch sled dogs or try some kumla, for example

1 - See the sled dogs Sunday at Starved Rock State Park. Witness a seminar about dog sledding and the Siberian Husky while enjoying dog sled demos. There will be huskies for you to meet and greet as well as info about the rescue and how to help, volunteer and adopt. Admission is free and the event is open to the public, rain or shine. Sled demo times are 9:30 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. and are located at the far corner of the Visitor Center Parking Lot by the river. Seminar times are 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and will be in the La Salle Room in Starved Rock Lodge.

2 - Youth can learn about mandala painting Saturday in La Salle. Participants will receive a brief history of Mandalas throughout history along with techniques and tool usage. The class will include a dotting tool kit for all participants to keep in addition to the rocks and paint. The class will last approximately 2 hours, 30 minutes with a refreshment break. All participants will leave with a completed project and their dotting tool kit. A $30 fee is required and can be paid online through registration. To join this workshop 1 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at the U of I Extension Education Center and Community Teaching Kitchen in La Salle, register at https://go.illinois.edu/mandalapainting.

3 - Try a Norwegian American delicacy Saturday in Newark. A kumla fundraiser dinner is scheduled 4:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at Helmar Lutheran Church, 11935 Lisbon Road, in rural Newark. All proceeds go to the Helmar Lutheran Church Food Pantry. The dinner is buffet-style and includes ham, kumla (baked potato if preferred), applesauce, dessert and beverage. Carryouts are available. A freewill offering will be accepted at the dinner. Contact the church at 815-695-5489 with questions.

4 - Catch fiddle rock Friday in Streator. Fiddlerock! featuring violinist Casey McGrath will be performing 8 to 11 p.m. at the 122 Club, at The Silver Fox, 122 N. Park St, Streator. Call 815-409-5120 for more information.

5 - Have some laughs Saturday at the Illinois Valley Super Bowl in Peru. Fan Favorite Charlie Wiener will be on the comedy stage at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. He has headlined comedy clubs across the United States and Canada, sharing the stage with Ellen Degeneres, Bobcat Goldthwait, George Lopez, Gordon Lightfoot, Randy Newman, Todd Rundgren, Meatloaf, America, Jefferson Starship, along with others. His subject matter ranges from travel to politics, road rage to stupid people, fatherhood to marriage, marriage to marriage to relationships back to marriage, in a high energy, fast paced show. Go to https://www.facebook.com/IVSuperBowl for more information.