This week's events

Dec. 2

Mozart Performance

CONWAY — Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito will be performed at 2 p.m. in Reynolds Performance Hall at the University of Central Arkansas. Tickets are $5 for students and $15 for the general public. To purchase tickets, visit www.uca.edu/reynolds.

Candlelight Carol Service

CONWAY — The Hendrix College Choir, under the direction of Nancy Fleming, will present the 48th annual Candlelight Carol Service at 4 p.m. in Greene Chapel. The service is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. To make reservations, call (501) 450-1495. For more information, visit www.hendrix.edu/news/news.aspx?id=62440.

Holiday Tour of Homes

CONWAY — The Village at Hendrix will feature several homes in the Bethlehem House Holiday Tour of Homes from 1-4 p.m. Tickets are $15 at the door. For more information, contact Beth Tyler at (501) 730-5048 or tyler@thevillageathendrix.com. All proceeds will go to the Bethlehem House capital campaign for a new homeless shelter.

Dec. 3

Parade Entry Deadline

RUSSELLVILLE — The entry deadline is noon Monday for the 2012 Russellville Christmas parade, to be held Thursday. Entry forms are available at the Recreation and Parks Department office at 1100 E. Parkway or online at russellvillearkansas.org. For more information, call (479) 968-1272.

Dec. 3-6

Festival of One-Act Plays

CONWAY — The University of Central Arkansas’ theater department will present Festival of One-Act Plays at 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday in the Snow Fine Arts Center Bridges/Larson Theatre at UCA. Admission is free, and no tickets are required. For more information, visit www.uca.edu/reynolds.

Dec. 4

University Chorus Fall Concert

CONWAY — The University of Central Arkansas University Chorus will present its fall concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Snow Fine Arts Center Recital Hall at UCA. For more information, visit www.uca.edu/reynolds.

Dec. 5

Ladies’ Lunch Break

CONWAY — Second Baptist Church will hold a Ladies’ Lunch Break from noon to 1 p.m. in the church’s Fellowship Hall. The meal is $5, and child care is available, if needed. For more information, call the church office at (501) 327-6565.

Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band Concert

CONWAY — The University of Central Arkansas will present its final Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band concert of the fall semester at 7:30 p.m. in the Snow Fine Arts Center Recital Hall. Kelly Johnson, associate professor of clarinet, will be featured on “Black Dog,” a Led Zepplin pure rock original, with the clarinet taking the role of a lead guitar. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, call (501) 450-5764 or email rickyb@uca.edu.

Dec. 6

Gold City Quartet Concert

CONWAY — Conway Christian School will present the Gold City Quartet in concert at 7 p.m. The school is at 500 E. German Lane. Admission is free, and a love offering will be taken during the concert.

Readings by MFA Writers

CONWAY — Louie Land, Lynne Landis, Scotty Lewis, John Mitchel and Stacey Margaret Jones from the inaugural class of the Arkansas Writers Master of Fine Arts program at the University of Central Arkansas will read from their original works, including poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction, at 7 p.m. at the Faulkner County Library. Refreshments will be served. All library programs are free and open to the public. For more information, call the library at (501) 327-7482.

Christmas Parade and Luminaries

MORRILTON — The annual Morrilton Christmas Parade will be held at 5 p.m. in downtown Morrilton, followed by the Night of Luminaries at the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton. The annual light displays at the Conway County Courthouse, the train depot and City Hall in Morrilton will continue through Dec. 31.

Christmas Festivities

GREENBRIER — The Greenbrier Lions Club, in partnership with the city and the Greenbrier Chamber of Commerce, will offer Christmas activities for the community, including a chili cook-off, a parade and a tree-lighting ceremony. Submissions for the chili cook-off are due at 4:50 p.m., and the judging will begin at 5 p.m. The parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Eastside Elementary School, travel down Glen Lane, through the Sagebrush Cove subdivision and conclude behind the City Event Center. Following the parade, the tree-lighting ceremony will feature Christmas carols, pictures with Santa and the announcement of parade winners. Parade and chili cook-off entry forms may be obtained by calling (501) 472-7083 or visiting greenbrierchamber.org.

Dec. 7

Human-Rights Celebration

CONWAY — Church Women United of Faulkner County will sponsor a human-rights celebration, Embracing Our Oneness, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 925 Mitchell St. The public is invited.

Celebrating the Arts

RUSSELLVILLE — Central Presbyterian Church will celebrate the arts with a performance from Will Lang, Cherokee/Osage, who will present and play his Native American love flutes in the church sanctuary at 7 p.m. Lang’s white-charcoal pencil on black matte paper drawings, along with his wife Janell Lang’s custom jewelry, will be on display in Knox Hall, along with others’ art, including work from Rebecca Ward’s students at Center Valley Elementary School and Tracy Roberts’ Russellville fifth-graders. Roberts’ daughter, Mackenzie, will exhibit her braided hemp jewelry, with the proceeds to benefit Relay for Life efforts in 2013. The event is part of the First Friday Art Walk, sponsored by Main Street Russellville and hosted by Russellville downtown businesses and Central Presbyterian Church.

Dec. 8

Spaghetti Dinner

NEW DIXIE — There will be a spaghetti and sausage dinner from 4-7:30 p.m. in St. Boniface Hall. The dinner will feature homemade rolls and peach cobbler. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Children younger than 6 may eat free with a parent. To place carryout orders, call (501) 759-2896 after 3:30 p.m. The public is invited.

Holiday Parade of Homes

CONWAY — Renewal Ranch, a nondenominational, faith-based program for men with alcohol or drug addictions, will hold its second annual Holiday Parade of Homes from 5-8 p.m. The following homes will be included: the Ward Mansion Bed and Breakfast, 1912 Caldwell St.; the Horton-Zinn home, 2006 Robinson Ave.; the Bahner/Berry home, 1926 Scott St.; and Four Winds Chapel, 5031 W. Prince St. Tickets are $10 and are available at various locations in Conway; at all participating homes the day of the tour; or by calling Lee Woodard, assistant bunkhouse manager in charge of marketing at Renewal Ranch, at (501) 548-5493.

Frozen Feet 5K

CONWAY — The Inaugural Frozen Feet 5K Run/Walk hosted by the Junior Auxiliary of Conway will be held at 8:30 a.m., starting along the perimeter of the Conway High School football stadium. Costumes, jingle bells, hot chocolate and jolly old St. Nick will be part of the family-friendly event. The Junior Auxiliary will take donations of new or gently used socks, gloves, mittens, scarves, caps and other cold-weather items, to be distributed to Faulkner County schools. To register for the run/walk, visit jaconway.org, then pick up packets at The Sporty Runner in downtown Conway, 1016 Van Ronkle St., from noon to 6 p.m. Friday or from 6:45-7:45 a.m. Saturday at the Conway High School Fieldhouse. The registration fee is $25 before Saturday and $30 the day of the event.

Ongoing

Adult Education Registration

CONWAY — Registration is under way for the December workshops at the Conway Adult Education Center. For more information, call (501) 450-4810, or visit caec.org for a class schedule.

Eagle Tours

RUSSELLVILLE — Lake Dardanelle State Park will offer free winter lake cruises for the best chance of seeing the American bald eagle throughout December. Many other birds will be in the area for viewing, including American white pelicans, ducks and snow geese. Participants are asked to dress warmly, as temperatures and winds are more severe on the lake. Tours will take place at 9 a.m. Wednesday; at noon Friday; at 2 p.m. Dec. 9; at 10 a.m. Dec. 13; at 10 a.m. Dec. 19; at 11 a.m. Dec. 22; at 2 p.m. Dec. 27; and at 9 a.m. Dec. 29. To reserve a seat, call (479) 967-5516.

Be a Santa to a Senior

CONWAY/RUSSELLVILLE — Be a Santa to a Senior, a campaign to deliver gifts and provide companionship to local needy seniors, is being held again this holiday season. To help, pick up ornaments with the first names of seniors and their gift requests through Dec. 10 from Christmas trees at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Russellville or at Conway Regional Medical Center. Buy items on the list and return them unwrapped, with the ornaments attached, to the hospitals. Community gift-wrapping events will be held from 4-6 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Pope County Senior Center in Russellville and at 3 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Conway Senior Wellness and Activity Center. For more information, visit www.beasantatoasenior.com.

Cookbook Sale

CONWAY — The Conway Symphony Orchestra is selling cookbooks and CDs at the Faulkner County Library. CDs are $5, and cookbooks are $15. The sale will continue until Jan. 1. For more information, call the library at (501) 327-7482.

Upcoming

‘A Celtic Christmas’

CONWAY — Celtic Crossroads, a globetrotting traditional Irish group, will perform “A Celtic Christmas” at 3 p.m. Dec. 9 at the University of Central Arkansas’ Donald W. Reynolds Performance Hall. Celtic Crossroads combines North American bluegrass, jazz, European gypsy and other forms of Celtic music. Tickets may be purchased at the UCA Ticket Central Box Office and are free for UCA students, $10 for non-UCA students and $23 to $40 for the general public. For more information, call (501) 450-3265.

Shakespeare Auditions

CONWAY — Auditions for the 2013 summer season of the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre will be held from 6-10 p.m. Dec. 10 and 11 in Reynolds Performance Hall at the University of Central Arkansas. Much Ado About Nothing, King Lear, Oliver! and A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be performed. To schedule an audition, send a headshot and resume to casting@arkshakes.com. Actors are asked to prepare two contrasting classical monologues (at least one by Shakespeare) no longer than two minutes each, as well as 16 bars of a song if they would like to be considered for the musical. An accompanist will be provided. Separate auditions will be held for youth (17 and under) who wish to audition for the season. For more information, contact Scallet at (501) 852-0702 or arkansasshakespearetheater@uca.edu.

Oxford American Editor Presentation

CONWAY — Roger Hodge, the new editor of the Oxford American, will speak at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Faulkner County Library. Hodge was the editor of Harper’s Magazine from 2006-10, and during his tenure, the magazine was a National Magazine Award finalist seven times, winning in 2006 for fiction and in 2010 for reporting. Refreshments will be served. All library events are free and open to the public. For more information, call (501) 327-7482 or email Nancy@fcl.org.

Reading and Book Signing

CONWAY — Arkansas author Gwendolyn Graves will read from her latest book, The Fall of Men, at 7 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Faulkner County Library. A book signing will follow. Participants my purchase a copy of the book and of Scorned, by the same author, online and bring them to the library to be signed. Refreshments will be served. All library events are free and open to the public. For more information, call (501)327-7482 or email Nancy@fcl.org.

Newcomers’ Luncheon

MAUMELLE — A newcomers’ luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 13 at the Maumelle Country Club. The Drugstore Cowboys will provide entertainment, and the menu will include roasted pork medallions, wild rice, glazed carrots, baked apples, rolls and chocolate cake. The cost is $14 and should be paid by check to Maumelle Newcomers. Reservations are required by Dec. 10 by calling Joan Ann Olsen at (501) 851-4223.

Conway Dinner Theater Production

LESLIE — The Ozark Heritage Arts Center in Leslie will present a Conway Dinner Theater production, Dear Abby … Dr. Phil, at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15. Shannah Cummings and Jim Harris have joined forces in this musical display of shy pursuit, falling in love, marriage and family. Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door. Hors d’oeuvres will be provided. For more information, call (501) 941-4828.

Christmas Carol Sign and Sing

CONWAY — The Faulkner County American Sign Language class will sign and sing Christmas carols at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Faulkner County Library. All library events are free and open to the public. For more information, call (501) 327-7482 or email Nancy@fcl.org.

Retired Teachers Holiday Luncheon

CONWAY — The Faulkner County Retired Teachers Association will have its annual holiday luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 18 in the Activity Center of Conway First Baptist Church. Guests are asked to bring a dish or dessert. Dan and Elisa DeTogni will provide holiday music. Anyone who has retired from any position in education is welcome to attend. For more information, call (501) 327-4216.

Gospel Performance

CONWAY — The Nelson Family singers will bring the pure mountain sound of traditional gospel music and Christmas carols to the Faulkner County Library at 7 p.m. Dec. 20. The Larry Nelson family has been traveling for more than 28 years, singing gospel music at churches and other venues. Refreshments will be served. All library events are free and open to the public. For more information, call (501) 327-7482 or email Nancy@fcl.org.

Master Naturalists Membership Drive

The Central Arkansas Master Naturalists are looking for new members to learn about and preserve the natural world in Arkansas. Classes will begin Jan. 12 on botany, entomology, mammals, meteorology, birding, archaeology and more. After completing the Master Naturalist training program, volunteers are armed with knowledge that can change lives, help the environment and make a difference in the world. For more information, call (501) 837-9634 or visit arkansasmasternaturalists.org.

Cheerleading and Dance Clinic

RUSSELLVILLE — The Arkansas Tech University spirit squads will hold a cheerleading and dance clinic from noon to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 12 for youth ages 5 to 12. The clinic will be held in the Hull Physical Education Building, Room 112. All participants will perform at halftime of the Arkansas Tech women's basketball game later that evening at Tucker Coliseum. Tipoff will be at 4 p.m. The cost for the clinic is $25 per participant, which includes a clinic T-shirt. For more information or a registration form, visit www.atu.edu/spirit.

To submit an item for the Calendar of Events, mail information to Calendar of Events, River Valley & Ozark Edition, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, AR, 72203; fax to (501) 378-3500; or email to rvonews@arkansasonline.com. Deadlines for calendar-item submissions are noon Friday for Thursday editions and noon Tuesday for Sunday editions.

Upcoming Events