This month's wacky holidays are all about hot things: it's national soup, oatmeal and hot tea month simultaneously. While Georgia has given us some decidedly mild days this January, it looks like we might be finishing up the month with some pretty frigid temperatures. My advice would be to snuggle up with any of the aforementioned hot edibles or my personal favorite, coffee, and hibernate with a good movie, book, or write a letter to your long forgotten pen pal in observance of the national second consecutive write a letter week. However, if you're feeling adventurous enough to brave the subzero, there are a few local events happening, like the UFC fight on Saturday at Dabomb sports grill or Discover the Dinosaurs at the Cobb Galleria Centre. If you've resigned yourself to the cold and want to celebrate it, Snow Mountain is still open at Stone Mountain Park, and if you're feeling like a hound dog because of all this weather like myself, come down to the Fox to see Elvis Lives on Saturday.

UFC 183: Silvia vs. Diaz
Saturday, January 31, 9: p.m.- 3 a.m.
Cost: $0-50
Come out to Dabomb sports grill and watch as Silvia takes on Diaz for the number one in the middleclass division. This fight should be a good one, so don't miss out! With an RSVP ticket, you can get in free until ten, and ten dollars at the door. If you want VIP, it's a bit pricier but you get seats for yourself and five of your friends, a reserved section to sit, even a complimentary bottle of champagne!
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/ufc-183-silva-vs-diaz-dabomb-sports-grill-tickets-15224049542?aff=es2&rank=2

Discover the Dinosaurs
Friday through Sunday, times may vary
Cost: $18-25
This weekend only, come out to the Cobb Galleria Centre to see the animatronic wonder of moving dinosaurs! These dinosaurs are museum quality, so expect to be astounded by the detailing and realistic appearance of them. The amount of things to do here is astounding! Walk through an attraction that is composed of scenes from each era of dinosaur, and be amazed by not only the dinosaurs, but the portable forest behind as well, complete with special lighting and fog effects for a touch of dramatic. This is perfect for the whole family, and especially for the kids!
http://www.discoverthedinosaurs.com/Events/atlanta.html

Snow Mountain
Through February 22, times may vary
Cost: $28-38
Come out to Snow Mountain for a wonderful snow filled day. There are 20 lanes of tubing to be had, as well as Avalanche Valley, where you can experience all the fun of tubing with your friends or family. If you want to build a snowman like Anna, come down to the snowzone! You can also build an igloo, tunnel, you name it, and they'll help you build it! It's a wonderful experience for the whole family!
http://www.stonemountainpark.com/

Elvis Lives!
Saturday, January 31, 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $38-100
On Stage Touring, LLC, in association with Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE) proudly presents the national smash hit, Elvis Lives. It's the first time this show has come to Atlanta, so be sure you don't miss out on this multimedia enhanced, musical journey. For every lover of the King of Rock n' Roll,this show is a must!
https://foxtheatre.org/

Atlanta Jewish Film Festival
Jan. 28-Feb. 19
http://ajff.org
The 23-day festival will take place January 28 through February 19, 2015 and features 65 films from 26 countries. Screenings will be hosted at seven theatrical venues, including the new Regal Avalon location, United Artists Tara Cinemas, Regal Atlantic Station, Lefont Sandy Springs, and Georgia Theatre Company's Merchants Walk.The Opening Night Gala will be at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre and Woodruff Arts Centre will host the Closing Night in the Rich Auditorium. For tickets, go to http://ajff.org/films

Paws for a Cause Invitational, rhythmic gymnastics competition
Friday, Jan. 30-Feb. 1
Price: $15.45 - $154.50
At Georgia World Congress Center
http://www.paws4acauseinvitational.com/
The Paws for a Cause Invitational is an extraordinary meet and a beautiful bit of human engineering designed to raise money for an incredible cause. Proceeds from this event will again be used to provide service dogs for children who need them. A portion of every entry will be used to provide these children, service dogs. Each of these highly trained/task-trained companions cost more than $22,000 to certify and place. Families selected by 4 Paws For Ability work diligently to raise a portion of the funds required to provide their child with a much needed service companion. YOUR participation in this competition will complete the financing for a number of these families - EACH of you will be helping a family reach its goal and provide their child with independence, safety and security. Each competitor, each coach, and each attendee will be directly responsible for improving the life of a child in need. At the Georgia World Congress Center, 285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

Basics of Meditation
Sunday, Feb 1, 11 a.m.
Drepung Loseling Monastery, 1781 Dresden Dr. NE, Atlanta, GA 30319.
Free
This Basics of Meditation class is a great opportunity to get started and learn the fundamentals. Each session will begin with a talk by our resident teacher on the benefits of meditation and instructions on how to engage with it. A guided meditation session will then be led for participants to engage in the practice of meditation followed by Q&A. There is no dress code, but you may wish to wear comfortable clothing for sitting. Cushions and chairs are provided. Drepung Loseling Monastery, 1781 Dresden Dr. NE, Atlanta, GA 30319.
http://www.drepung.org/

Circle of Friends Dog Agility
Feb. 6-8; Fri-Sat 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun. 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Ga. Int'l Horse Park, Conyers
Free
Circle of Friends Dog Agility presents three days of fast fun that's gone to the dogs. Dog agility is an exciting team sport where all breeds of dog and their handlers navigate a challenging course of jumps, tunnels, weave poles and other obstacles at speed. Spectators are welcome, and admission is free. For more information, contact Circle of Friends Dog Agility, LLC at dcdriscoll@att.net. The event is located in the Charles Walker Covered Arena. http://calendar.georgiahorsepark.com/iebms/coe/coe_p1_all.aspx?oc=10&cc=coe

Atlanta Mardi Gras Ball 2015 - New Orleans vs Mobile: The Battle of Mardi Gras
Saturday, Feb. 7, 8 p.m.
Le Fais Do~Do, Atlanta
$35-45
It's Masks, Music and Mayhem as popular DJ's from both The Big Easy and The Port City battle it out to claim the title of Best Mardi Gras City. By Kayree Entertainment; BYOB affair; Hosted by Jason "JBoy" Carey; Live band performance by CASME. Held at the Le Fais Do~Do; 1611 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW; Atlanta, GA 30318. For information call Patrice Lewis at 770-778-2879; patrice@thegreenchandelier.com
http://atlmardigras.com/

Family Promise ‘Love to Laff' Valentine's Day Dinner fundraiser
Saturday, Feb. 14, 6 p.m.
Conyers First United Methodist, 291 N. Main Street, Conyers
$40 per couple
Family Promise of New Rock is holding a Valentine's Dinner as its first fundraiser of 2015 featuring Conyers resident and author, Darrell Huckaby. The "Love to Laff" event is Feb. 14, 6 p.m., at Conyers First United Methodist, 291 N. Main Street, Conyers. Tickets to the "Love to Laff" dinner are $40 per couple, $20 per person. Tickets may also be purchased the at the door the night of the event. The dinner menu includes a choice of pork loin or chicken, raspberry spinach salad, mushroom rice, green beans and cherry and strawberry cake. Contact Jackie Sprague at jsprague396@gmail.com for event info or to reserve tickets.