Welcome to January, named for Janus, god of the doorway -- open sesame!

We hope some exciting doors will open for you in the new year, too. January is National Oatmeal Month, National Soup Month and National Hot Tea Month, so you'll have plenty of warming options when the real winter chill sets in.

Happy Birthday today to Nicolas Cage. Rent "Moonstruck" or "Raising Arizona" -- two of his better films -- to celebrate.

Next Friday, Jan. 12, Grandstreet Theatre opens its winter comedy, "Greetings," about a Polish Catholic family that loses it when their son brings home his big city girlfriend for the holidays.

Also on Jan. 12, the Montana Human Rights Network will feature Winona LaDuke and the Indigo Girls during its annual fundraiser in Missoula at the University Theatre.

Jan. 14, get out of the house and take a stroll around the Cabin Fever antique show at the Helena Civic Center.

On Jan. 15, local Martin Luther King Day events include a screening of "Citizen King" at the Myrna; a celebration and lecture at Carroll College; and a diversity fair at Bryant Elementary School.

The Myrna Loy Center will present the Montana Repertory Theatre's production of "Lost in Yonkers," Jan. 16.

Jan 19 is the perfect night to head downtown and peruse several new exhibitions opening at the Holter Museum of Art and the Turman Gallery.

Starring a cast of mature Helena women and directed by Susan Wilkins, IT Productions opens "The Oldest Profession," Jan. 19.

Celebrate Lewis Carroll's birthday with a little one Sunday, Jan. 21, by attending the Mad Hatter Tea Party at the Lewis & Clark Library -- and be sure to wear a hat.

Cherry? Apple? Boysenberry? What'll it be on Jan. 23, National Pie Day? Whatever it is -- make it ala mode.

Don't get the blues: Jan. 24 is the late, great comedian John Belushi's birthday. Belushi's tombstone reads: "I may be gone, but rock 'n' roll lives on."

On Jan. 26, Downtown Helena hosts the popular Micro Brew Review and Cool Dog Ball at the Civic Center to benefit Race to the Sky.

Featuring young virtuoso Alisa Weilerstein on the cello, the Helena Symphony will present Dvorak's Cello Concerto, Jan. 27.

We don't mind if you make it a raspberry instead: Jan. 28 is Blueberry Pancake Day -- we reccommend you observe it at the No Sweat Cafe.

The all-male vocal ensemble Cantabile comes to the Myrna Loy Center, Jan. 31; on Jan. 31, Live! at the Civic will present Sizzlin' Strings.

Get ready for hearts and flowers: it's February.