This week’s events in the River Valley & Ozark region

Dec. 6

Festival of One-Act Plays

CONWAY — The University of Central Arkansas’ theater department will present the Festival of One-Act Plays at 7:30 p.m. 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.

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. Following the parade, the tree-lighting ceremony will feature Christmas carols, pictures with Santa and the announcement of parade winners. For more information, call (501) 472-7083 or visit greenbrierchamber.org.

Dec. 7

Newcomers Coffee

MAUMELLE — A Maumelle Newcomers Coffee will be held at 10 a.m. at the Maumelle Community Center. The public is invited to attend. For more information, call (501) 803-0225.

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. The event will include an exhibit of Lang’s drawings and his wife Janell Lang’s custom jewelry in Knox Hall, as well as artwork by 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

Pancake Breakfast

HEBER SPRINGS — The Rotary Club of Heber Springs will sponsor an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast from 6:30-10:30 a.m. at the Heber Springs High School cafeteria. Admission is $5, and children under 6 may eat free. Proceeds will support scholarships and community projects.

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 sites will be toured: 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 at various locations in Conway; at all participating homes Saturday; or by calling Lee Woodard of Renewal Ranch at (501) 548-5493.

Frozen Feet 5K Run/Walk

CONWAY — The Inaugural Frozen Feet 5K Run/Walk hosted by the Junior Auxiliary of Conway will be held at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, 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.

Dec. 9

‘A Celtic Christmas’

CONWAY — Celtic Crossroads, a globetrotting traditional Irish group, will perform “A Celtic Christmas” at 3 p.m. 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.

Dec. 9-10

Shakespeare Auditions

CONWAY — Auditions for the 2013 summer season of the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre will be held from 6-10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday 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.

Dec. 11

Oxford American Editor Presentation

CONWAY — Roger Hodge, the new editor of the Oxford American, will speak at 7 p.m. 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.

Dec. 12 and 16

Celebrating the Christmas Season

MAUMELLE — Pastor Tony Auxier and the congregation of First Baptist Church Maumelle invite the public to join them in celebrating the Christmas season. At 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, Lynne Hicks and the Children’s Choir will present a program of Christmas music. The Celebration Choir, under the direction of Bruce Rodtnick, will give its Christmas concert at 10:15 a.m. Dec. 16. Each Sunday in December, Pastor Auxier’s sermons will focus on the true meaning of Christmas. For more information on these and other worship opportunities, call the church office at (501) 851-3547 or visit www.fbcmaumelle.org.

Ongoing

Food for Fines

CONWAY — The Faulkner County Library will offer its Food for Fines program through Jan. 2. Patrons who bring in nonperishable food items will have their library fines forgiven. All food donations will go to the Community Action Program for Central Arkansas (CAPCA). Food may be dropped off at any library branch. For more information, call the library at (501) 327-7482 or email Nancy@fcl.org.

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 noon Friday; at 2 p.m. Sunday; 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 Monday 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. Wednesday 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

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 calling Joan Ann Olsen at (501) 851-4223 by Monday.

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 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 children 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.

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