A chill in the air Thursday morning sparks thoughts of the Christmas season. Add Advent Lunches to your weekly calendar. First United Methodist Church on Front Street invites the community to join them for a delicious hot lunch. There will be a brief devotional to get you into the holiday season.

Basketball season is in full swing. Local high school teams are going to tournaments and scrimmages and settling into the regular schedule. Riverdale Academy plays Friday night at Providence Classical Academy in Bossier City. Red River Boys are in the Doyline Tournament this weekend and the Red River Girls are playing in the Benton Tournament.

Louisiana Tech University’s Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) was one of only five child care centers in the state of Louisiana to be rated with five stars, the highest rating given in the state this year.

The ECEC is a preschool learning laboratory for 3- and 4-year-old children and provides learning opportunities for Louisiana Tech students in the Family and Child Studies academic program.

Northwestern State University’s Department of Fine + Graphic Art will host its annual Maker’s Faire from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5 and Thursday, Dec. 6 and from 9 a.m.-noon Friday, Dec. 7 in Orville Hanchey Gallery.

Students and faculty from the department host the sale each December at the start of the gift-giving season to offer unique and original artwork in a variety of mediums that include paintings, ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, fiber arts, photographs, mixed media and more. Prices are reasonable and shoppers may be able to visit with the artists.

The Journal is streaming selected games from the regular season. Check our social media pages for updates on games carried. The Friday night Riverdale game will be carried beginning about 6:00 pm.

Finally, Mother Nature on full display. See below!