• As a member of the local media, I am lucky enough to find out about interesting events that are going on in our area. There are two scheduled soon that I think I would attend on my own, even if I didn’t have to cover them for the paper.

On Saturday, Jan. 19, there will be a concert of “The Miracles,” a nationally renowned choir of musically-gifted adults with intellectual disabilities. The concert will be 7 p.m. at the Kirbo Center, and all proceeds from the concert will benefit the Special Olympics. I believe it will be truly inspiring to see these talented musicians, who have not let their disabilities prevent them from showcasing their talents. I definitely look forward to hearing them.

Also, I am intrigued by a special speaker who will be coming to Bainbridge College on Tuesday, Feb. 12. Earnest G. Green, one of the “Little Rock Nine” will speak that day at 12:15 p.m. at the Kirbo Center’s auditorium. Green is one of the first nine students who integrated Central High in Little Rock, Ark., shortly after the Brown v. Board of Education case that declared segregation illegal.

I will be very interested to see what kind of stories that Green will tell. I have no doubt it will be an inspiring message of achieving your dreams even in the face of significant obstacles.

We are very lucky to have a quality facility like the Kirbo Center that is capable of hosting events like this. I hope that everyone can take advantage of these opportunities.

• Even though I’m very disappointed that my beloved Irish fell 42-14 to Alabama in the championship game Monday night, I’m trying to keep a big picture in mind.

After all, this was a team that was unranked at the start of the year. This was a team that was a double-digit underdog several times during the regular season, and came away with road victories several times even when the majority of pundits said it wasn’t possible. This was a team full of kids who seem to have level heads and strong character, and continued to play for each other even in spite of various kinds of adversity. This was a team that had not won a championship in more than a generation (last title came in 1988) and now had a chance to officially “return to glory.”

I give full credit to the Alabama Crimson Tide. What coach Nick Saban has done is nothing short of amazing. I realize now that my Irish still have quite a ways to go before they can again reach the top of the college football mountain.

Hopefully I won’t have to wait another 24 years for Notre Dame to get another shot.