Relay events kicking off

North Putnam High School senior Josh McKinney plays his guitar and sings for the crowd at Blue Door Café Wednesday during open mic night. Blue Door is hosting Rock For Relay now through April with open mic night at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays and special guest artists every Thursday at 7 p.m. Donations collected at the door will benefit Relay For Life.

Putnam County Relay For Life will kick off its 25th year with a breakfast at 7 a.m. Tuesday at the Putnam Inn, 400 N. Jackson St.

Anyone interested in participating is encouraged to attend this free breakfast, which will be provided by Putnam Inn. Interested parties may also respond to the Relay For Life committee by e-mailing relayforlife@depauw.edu or calling Billie Kaufman at 812-232-2679 before Friday.

A second kick-off will be held from 8 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the union building at DePauw, where dessert will be served. This event will be geared toward students. Dress will be casual.

There will be many chances to support Relay For Life in the near future. The Fluttering Duck will host "pastability" nights with all proceeds benefiting Putnam County Relay For Life. Customers can enjoy an all-you-can-eat pasta buffet for $9.95 from 5 to 10 p.m. Feb. 18, March 18 and April 15.

A survivor luncheon has been planned for 1 p.m. April 5 in the Emerson Room on the lower level of The Walden Inn. Its proceeds will also benefit Relay For Life.

On April 25 and 26, just before Relay begins, chocolate lovers can indulge themselves at a chocolate buffet and drink bar with carry-out available. Almost Home, sponsors of the event, will begin serving chocolate at 5 p.m. April 20.

Presently, the Blue Door Café, 24 S. Indiana St., is hosting Rock for Relay at 7 p.m. every Wednesday and Thursday with open mic nights and special musical guests.

The scheduled lineup for Thursday nights includes Bandit the Hero Heart Feb. 19; Chip Porter, Feb. 26; Jascha, March 5; Kevin Crafton, March 19; Haus Katz, April 2; The Fragments, April 9; and Alphabet Town, April 16.

Donations will be accepted at the door each night by Relay for Life committee members. Every penny collected will benefit the Relay.

Blue Door Café is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays; from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays; and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays.