Dec. 9
Toys for Tots
CONWAY — The Dale W. Langford Detachment 1323 Marine Corps League in Conway is conducting its Toys for Tots program. The unit will be set up today at Landers Toad Suck Harley-Davidson, 110 Collier Drive, to collect toys. The Toys for Tots Train also will be in the Vilonia, Greenbrier and Conway Christmas parades. Toy distribution will take place Dec. 18. For more information, call Frank Lambert at (501) 269-2085.
Christmas Mission Market
CONWAY — First Presbyterian Church will hold a Christmas Mission Market from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4-6:30 p.m. in the church’s Fellowship Hall at 2400 Prince St. The public is also invited to join the congregation for a worship service of lessons and carols in the sanctuary at 10 a.m., prior to the opening of the market at 11:30 a.m. Christmas shoppers are encouraged to help others by selecting Rice Depot gift packages, Presbyterian Coffee Project fairly traded coffee, Conway Cradle Care baby cookbooks and more. For more information, call (501) 472-8292 or email julie.adkisson@gmail.com.
A Celtic Christmas
CONWAY — Celtic Crossroads, a globetrotting traditional Irish group, will present 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. 10
Dinner Cabaret
RUSSELLVILLE — The Arkansas River Valley Arts Center will present the Arkansas Tech University Music Theatre Workshop fall 2012 dinner cabaret at 7 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 501 S. Phoenix Ave. The cost for the performance and dinner is $25. For more information, call (479) 968-2452 or email artscenter@centurytel.net.
Dec. 10-11
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.
Dec. 13
Reading and Book Signing
CONWAY — Arkansas author Gwendolyn Graves will read from her latest book, The Fall of Men, at 7 p.m. 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. 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.
Dec. 14
Christmas River Walk Festival
DARDANELLE — The Renaissance will present the Christmas River Walk Festival from 5-8 p.m. in downtown Dardanelle. The event will include the lighting of the Front Street Christmas Tree, a tree-decorating contest, caroling, photos with Santa and more. For more information, call (479) 229-3567.
Dec. 15
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. 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.
Ongoing
Time of Prayer and Reflection
CONWAY — During this Advent season, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church invites the public to a time of prayer and reflection. The church sanctuary will be open for prayer from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Monday through Friday. A brief noonday prayer service will take place at approximately 12:30 p.m. People of all faiths are welcome. The church is at 925 Mitchell St. adjacent to Conway Junior High School.
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. 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 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 2 p.m. today; at 10 a.m. Thursday; 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
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.