Dec. 5
End-of-Year Art Show
ASH FLAT — Students at Ozarka College-Ash Flat will hold their end-of-year art show from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the campus’ main building, 64 College Drive. This event is free and open to the public. Under the direction of art instructor Patricia Corder, students have completed and will display oil paintings, watercolors, graphite pencil drawings and pen-and-ink drawings. For more information, contact Kim Whitten, director of operations at Ozarka College-Ash Flat, at (870) 994-7273 or kwhitten@ozarka.edu.
Gallery Walk
POCAHONTAS — The Stroll the Square Gallery Walk will be held from 6-8 p.m. in Pocahontas. The evening will include showcases of downtown business and local artists, with artist meet-and-greets, demonstrations, live music and food. For more information on this free event, call (870) 248-0450 or email blackriver.beads@yahoo.com.
Dec. 6
A Merry Muppet Holiday Celebration
MELBOURNE — Ozarka College will host its fourth annual holiday event at 4:30 p.m. in the lobby of the John E. Miller Education Complex, 218 College Drive. The free event is open to the public. The Muppet Christmas Carol will be shown at 6 p.m. Santa will stop by for photos and gifts, and children will have an opportunity to write and send letters to the North Pole, stock up on reindeer food and hear holiday stories. Refreshments will be served by the Ozarka College Culinary Arts Department. For more information, contact Davidson at (870) 368-2059 or sdavidson@ozarka.edu.
WCMC PrimeTimes Driver Safety Course
SEARCY — The PrimeTimes of White County Medical Center will offer an AARP Driver Safety course from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Hubach Center. Parking will be available behind the hospital off Moore Street. Use the elevator to go to the first floor. The instructors are Frances and Bill Mizell. The cost of the course is $12 for AARP members and $14 for nonmembers. To get a discount, members must have an AARP card. To register for the class, call Anna Overbay at PrimeTimes at (501) 380-1050.
Lighting, Parade
NEWPORT — The lighting of the Jackson County Courthouse will be at 6 p.m. Friday, and the Newport Christmas Parade will be at 6 p.m. Dec. 12. For more information, email johnnydlong13@yahoo.com.
Furry Frenzy Toy Toss
BATESVILLE — Lyon College will host its first Furry Frenzy Toy Toss at 6:30 p.m. at the Scots basketball game at Becknell Gymnasium. Anyone attending the game is asked to bring a stuffed animal or toy to gain free admittance. When the Lyon College men’s basketball team scores its first basket, the fans will simultaneously throw the stuffed animals onto the court. Toys will be donated to the United Way’s Angel Tree program. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/FurryFrenzyToyToss.
Dec. 6 and 7
Luminary Project
SEARCY — The CARTI/Searcy Auxiliary will present its 23rd annual Luminary Project on Dec. 6 and 7 at the White County Courthouse. Sold for $10 each, luminaries can be purchased in person at CARTI/Searcy or by calling the center at (501) 268-7870. All proceeds directly benefit CARTI/Searcy and area cancer patients. Sales will continue until the lighting on Friday.
Dec. 6-8 and 13-15
Nativity Spectacular
SEARCY — A drive-thru living-Nativity spectacular will be held Dec. 6-8 and 13-15 at First Assembly of God, 101 Benton St. The Nativity will be open from 6:30-9 p.m. Friday and Dec. 13; from 5-9 p.m. Saturday and Dec. 14; and from 5-8 p.m. Sunday and Dec. 15. The Nativity will feature a cast of more than 200 volunteers, exotic animals and hand-crafted scenery. Each visitor will receive a complimentary hot chocolate and a CD of the Christmas story to listen to during the tour. For more information, visit www.livenativity.net or call Mark Ferren at (501) 278-6354.
Dec. 7
SAME Café
SEARCY — The SAME Café will be open from 4-5:30 p.m. at the West Side Church of Christ, 709 W. Arch St. The SAME Café is open the first and third Saturdays of the month to anyone in the community who would like a free warm meal.
Bald Knob Snowflake Pageant
BALD KNOB — The Bald Knob Snowflake Pageant 2013, sponsored by the Bald Knob Angel Project, will be held at 10 a.m. at the Bald Knob Middle School auditorium. Boys and girls may wear church clothes or Christmas wear — no pageant dresses. Winners will receive a crown and banner. There will be two runners-up in all divisions. Practice will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday in the middle school auditorium. No dressing rooms will be available. The entry fee is $25. The door fee is $3 for adults and $2 for students, or a new toy. Proceeds will help families in the Bald Knob School District who cannot afford Christmas for their children. To register or for more information, call Terri Pate at (501) 724-5694.
Lighting Ceremony
MOUNTAIN VIEW — As part of the Arkansas Parks and Tourism Department’s Christmas Trail of Lights, an Ozark Mountain Christmas will be held at 6 p.m. in Mountain View. The festivities will include the lighting of the county courthouse and Christmas tree, along with music, a living Nativity and a visit from Santa. For more information, contact Dee Hanrahan at the local chamber office at (870) 269-8068 or mvchamber@mvtel.net.
Breakfast With Mrs. Claus
NEWPORT — Children ages 4-8 will be treated to Breakfast With Mrs. Claus when the Arkansas State University-Newport/Iron Mountain Regional Arts Council Children’s Series continues from 9-10 a.m. in the Larry N. Williams Student/Community Center, 7648 Victory Blvd. at ASU-Newport. The children will have a breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast, bacon, French toast sticks and milk or juice while Mrs. Claus visits with them. Children are asked to bring their letters to Santa, and Mrs. Claus will deliver the letters. Participants will also make Christmas picture frames to give as gifts. The breakfast is free but is limited to the first 50 children to register. To reserve a space, call (870) 512-7800.
One-Night Exhibitions
BATESVILLE — Lyon College students from assistant professor of art Dustyn Bork’s advanced concepts class will host exhibitions of their artwork. Twelve art majors will exhibit and have receptions from 6-8 p.m. Saturday in two locations. The exhibition My Story Is … will be at 1355 Porter St. Another exhibition, Reflections, will be held concurrently at 332 E. Main St. on the third floor of the Landers Theater Fellowship Baptist Church. Students will be available to discuss the themes of their work. The events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Dustyn Bork at (870) 307-7336 or dustyn.bork@lyon.edu.
Remember Pearl Harbor
HARDY/CHEROKEE VILLAGE — A Pearl Harbor Day remembrance ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on the Hardy Spring Street Bridge. Nelson Gatewood with the local Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion groups will be the speaker. Following the ceremony, a reception will be held at noon at FountainPlace Christian Independent Living, 2 Chickasha Drive in Cherokee Village. For more information or to RSVP, call (870) 257-2000.
Holiday Open House
POWHATAN — A Holiday Open House will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Powhatan Historic State Park. The park will be decked out in Victorian Christmas finery. Join park officials for a family-oriented day of crafts, tours, activities and refreshments. Tour the 1840s log cabin to learn how the people of long ago celebrated the holidays, or participate in a mock trial in the 1888 courthouse. Admission is free. For more information, contact the park at (870) 878-6765 or powhatan@arkansas.com.
Annual Yuletide Madrigal Feaste
BEEBE — The Arkansas State University-Beebe Music Department will celebrate the holiday season with a Yuletide Madrigal Feaste at 7 p.m. at the University Café in the Student Center on the Beebe campus, 610 N. Pecan St. The evening will begin with wassail, followed by an elegant feast. Tickets are $20 per person and must be purchased in advance, as seating is limited. To reserve tickets, call the ASU-Beebe Music Department at (501) 882-4435. For more information, visit www.asub.edu.
Holiday of Lights Christmas Parade
SEARCY — The Searcy Holiday of Lights Christmas Parade 2013 will be held at 6 p.m., beginning at Spring Park, circling the Court Square onto Race Street and ending at Berryhill Park. All entries must be decorated with Christmas lights and play Christmas music. No registration is required. The parade lineup will begin at 4 p.m. at the corner of Spring Street and West Pleasure Avenue. Lineup will proceed south on Spring Street, then turn west on Mulberry Avenue. For more information, call (501) 279-1032.
Shopping Extravaganza
WARD — The fourth annual Shopping Extravaganza hosted by the Parents Clubs of Carla’s Dance will be held Saturday at the Ward Chamber of Commerce building. Vendors will offer a variety of holiday shopping, including arts and crafts. For more information, call Melissa at (501) 843-4968.
Kids’ Holiday Workshop
BATESVILLE — The Batesville Area Arts Council will host its annual Kids’ Holiday Workshop from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1-3 p.m. at the BAAC Gallery on Main, 246 E. Main St. Participants will create a cookie house out of graham crackers, icing, various candies and other items. Preregistration is required, and all age levels are encouraged to sign up (students ages 3 and younger must be accompanied by a parent). The cost of the workshop is $5 per student. For more information, contact BAAC at (870) 793-3382, email baac@suddenlinkmail.com, or stop by the BAAC Gallery on Main to sign up.
Breakfast With Santa
BATESVILLE — The Southside High School senior class will host Breakfast With Santa from 7:30-10 a.m. in the Southside Middle School Cafeteria. Breakfast will be biscuits and gravy with sausage. Tickets are $10 each and include a photo with Santa. For more information, call (870) 251-2661.
Parade, Santa Visit
HORSESHOE BEND — The annual Christmas parade and a visit from Santa will take place Saturday in Horseshoe Bend. Santa will be at the chamber office in the lower Diamond B Mall. For more information on the events, call (870) 670-5433, email horseshoebendarcc@yahoo.com, or visit www.horseshoebendarcc.com.
Christmas in the Village
SEARCY — Pioneer Village, a late-1880s village located in Searcy, will be decorated Saturday for the second annual Christmas in the Village event. The community Christmas tree will be displayed in the schoolhouse, and the log home will include a family tree, as well as stockings hung from the mantle. There will be cider, sugar cookies, carolers, music and more. The event is free, but donations will be accepted. For more information, call (501) 580-6633, email pioneergardeners@gmail.com, or visit www.whitecountypioneervillage.com.
Lighted Parade
HEBER SPRINGS — A lighted Christmas parade will begin at 6 p.m. on Main Street, culminating with an appearance by Santa Claus. Snowflakes will line the street, with 500 luminaries glowing around the historic Cleburne County Courthouse. For more information, call (501) 362-2444, email chamber@heber-springs.com, or visit www.heber-springs.com.
Country Christmas Craft Fair
BATESVILLE — The Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches will hold the 28th annual Country Christmas Craft Fair at the Batesville campus. Handmade items made by crafters from across the state will be available for purchase. A breakfast of homemade cinnamon rolls will be served, and homemade chili for lunch. All proceeds will benefit programs at the ranch. Visit www.youthranches.com/ways-to-help/ranch-tree/ and click on “The Ranch Tree” to view the ranchers’ Christmas wish lists and buy for one child, purchase items from several wish lists or make a cash donation. For more information or to make a donation, call (870) 793-6841.
Dec. 7 and 8
Festival of Trees
HORSESHOE BEND — The Festival of Trees will be held Dec. 7 and 8 at the Cedar Glad Resort and Spa, formerly Hillhigh Resort, in Horseshoe Bend. To enter the contest or for more information, call (870) 670-5433, email horseshoebendarcc@yahoo.com, or visit www.horseshoebendarcc.com.
Dec. 8
Cabot Annual Christmas Parade
CABOT — The Cabot Annual Christmas Parade will be held at 3 p.m. down South Pine Street/Arkansas 89. The parade theme is “It’s A Dr. Seuss Christmas!” Trophies for entries will be awarded in five categories: School/Civic, Church, Business, Animal/Equestrian and General/Personal. Route maps are available at the Veterans Park Community Center, the Cabot Chamber of Commerce office and www.cabotparks.com. For more information, contact the Parade Committee at (501) 920-2122 or email cabotbeautiful@yahoo.com.
Dec. 9
Retired Teachers Christmas Luncheon
SEARCY — The White County Retired Teachers Association will hold its annual Christmas luncheon at 11:45 a.m. in Room 206 at the Harding University Heritage Center. The program will be presented by the Harding Academy Chorus, directed by Craig Jones. The meal costs $11.50. Members and their spouses and friends are encouraged to attend. RSVP to Harold Valentine by today at (501) 278-7388 or (501) 305-3984 or haroldvdyb@sbcglobal.net.
Independent Tea Party Meeting
SEARCY — The Independent Tea Party of White County will meet at 6:30 p.m. at Lenny’s Sub Shop, 2412 E. Race. The public is welcome. No meeting will be held Dec. 23 because of the Christmas holiday. For more information, call (501) 278-9413 or email teaparty@itpwca.org.
Dec. 10
Citizens Police Alumni Meeting
JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association will meet at 5:45 p.m. at the Police Department, 1400 Marshall Road. For more information, contact Eleanor Loyd at (501) 412-4115 or mselliel@centurytel.net.
Santa, Carols, Light the Park & Light Up The Bay Contest
FAIRFIELD BAY — The city’s festivities have been changed to Tuesday, beginning with the annual musically enhanced lighting of Ed Leamon Park at 5:30 p.m., followed by free cookies and coffee in the Senior Center. There will be an opportunity to greet Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus, and special holiday music will be presented by the Madrigal Singers from Peace Lutheran Church. The tour bus for judging Light Up The Bay will leave the Senior Center after the festivities. Call the news office at (501) 884-6012 to reserve a seat.
Dec. 11
CADC Commodities Distribution
LONOKE COUNTY — The Central Arkansas Development Council will distribute U.S. Department of Agriculture commodities at 9 a.m. in Lonoke County. Commodities will be distributed at the following locations: the Austin City Hall; Cabot Church of Christ at 500 N. Second St.; and the Ward Chamber of Commerce. Food distributed may include peaches, carrots, spaghetti sauce, beans, rotini pasta and applesauce. An ID must be presented to receive commodities, and income guidelines must be met: a one-person household must make less than $14,937 per year to qualify for the program. For each additional family member, add $5,226. For more information, contact the CADC at (501) 778-1133.
Ongoing
Lighting Contest
HORSESHOE BEND — The Horseshoe Bend Chamber of Commerce is holding its Holiday Lighting Contest, with lights displayed through the end of the year. There are divisions for both residential and commercial structures, with cash prizes and gift certificates donated by area merchants given to first-, second- and third-place winners. Judging will be conducted Dec. 14, and there is no entry free. For more information, call (870) 670-5433, email horseshoebendarcc@yahoo.com, or visit www.horseshoebendarcc.com.
Exercise Class
CABOT — A PEPPI (Peer Exercise Program Promotes Independence) exercise class will be taught at 10 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at the Cabot Senior Center, 600 N. Grant St. The class is geared for older adults.
Craft Night
JACKSONVILLE — The youth of Landmark Baptist Church will host a craft night from 6 to midnight the second Friday of each month at 2200 Marshall Road. Participants will spend time with fellow crafters painting, scrapbooking or doing other kinds of crafting. The cost is $5 per table or any donation amount. Proceeds will help the youth take a mission trip and attend camp this summer. For more information, call Tamara Blanchard at (501) 554-3972.
China Painters
GARNER — The Daisy Petals China Painting Club meets at 9 a.m. every Monday at Garner Baptist Church, 114 N. Main. Beginners are welcome. For more information, contact Glenda Hale at (501) 726-3281.
Friends of the Library Book Sale
HEBER SPRINGS — The Friends of The Library Book Shop, 2255 Arkansas 25B N., is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays. The shop offers a large variety of books at bargain prices. Proceeds will benefit all the libraries in Cleburne County, including the new library in Quitman. Volunteers at the book shop are always welcome. Stop by for more information.
Children’s Story Time
BATESVILLE — The Independence County Library, 368 E. Main St., offers story time for preschoolers at 10:30 a.m. every Wednesday. The event includes stories, videos and crafts conducted by librarian Vanessa Adams. The program lasts about an hour, and parents are requested to attend. For more information, call the library at (870) 793-8814 or visit www.indcolib.com.
Computer Classes
BATESVILLE — The Independence County Library offers free computer classes, geared for adults of all ages. Topics will include using a mouse and setting up an email account. Reservations are required. Call the library at (870) 793-8814 to register. For more information on this and other library events, visit www.indcolib.com.
Free GED Classes
MELBOURNE — Free GED classes are available at the following Ozarka College campuses: Melbourne, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; Mammoth Spring, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; Ash Flat, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays; and Mountain View, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 5-7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Registration is ongoing. For more information, call the Ozarka College Adult Education Department at (800) 821-4335, ext. 2051, or in Izard County, call (870) 368-2051.
Cabot Civitan Club Meetings
CABOT — The Cabot Civitan Club meets at 6 p.m. the first and third Mondays of each month at First Security Bank in downtown Cabot. The public is invited to attend. For more information, call Tom Nolting at (501) 606-3731.
Republican Committee Meetings
CABOT — The Lonoke County Republican Committee meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Monday of each month at Grandpa’s Bar-B-Cue. For more information, call Irene Ernst at (501) 941-4905, or visit lonokegop.com.
Ceramic Classes
JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Senior Wellness and Activity Center is offering ceramic classes for people 60 or older. Membership is $20 per year. Classes meet from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. For more information, call the center at (501) at 982-2011.
UPCOMING
Ye Olde Christmas Madrigal Feaste
BATESVILLE — The Southside High School Choir Department in Batesville will hold its 19th annual Ye Olde Christmas Madrigal Feaste at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13 and 14 at the Royal Castle in the Southside Middle School Cafetorium on Quail Lane. The Royal Singers will host an evening of songs and a feaste reminiscent of banquets in the time of Queen Elizabeth I. The event will feature a wassail bowl, the procession of the boar’s head, French onion soup, beef tenderloin, green bean bundles, twice-baked potatoes, whole loaves of bread, and flaming dessert. Dinner entertainment will include a presentation from the Royal Wizards — Jon Bucher, Dan Hecke and Tyler Vodehnal — and storytelling presented by Artist in Residence Melinda Lafevers. Seating will begin at 6:30 p.m., with dinner served at 7. Advanced tickets are required at $22 each. For tickets, call the Southside School Administration Building at (870) 251-2341 or (870) 262-7601, or in the evening, call (870) 612-2846.
Living Windows in Calico Rock
CALICO ROCK — The Peppersauce Players will present Living Windows from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Dec. 14 in five storefronts on Calico Rock’s historic Main Street, Arkansas 5, at the White River Bridge. Dressed in period clothing, members of the players will re-enact scenes from Christmases past. At the corner of Arkansas 56, members of the Calico Rock Assembly of God will recreate a Nativity scene and more. At 7 p.m., the Calico Rock Fire Department will kick off its Parade of Lights with firetrucks, the high school band, floats, cars and Santa Claus. The parade will line up on Rodman Street behind Main Street and step off down South Street. For more information about the Living Windows and the Peppersauce Players, contact Kim Meierdirk at wagonwheel09@centurytel.net or (870) 297-3020.
Victorian Holiday Ball
POWHATAN — Powhatan Historic State Park will hold its annual Holiday Ball from 7-10 p.m. Dec. 14. Participants will experience Victorian social life, dance instruction will be provided, and 19th-century costumes are optional. Refreshments will be served. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 6-12 and free for children under 6. For more information, contact the park at (870) 878-6765 or powhatan@arkansas.com.
Christmas Cantata
CABOT — The Mount Tabor United Methodist Church Choir will present its Christmas cantata, Silent Night, Holy Night, during morning worship at 9:30 Dec. 15 at the church, 4100 Arkansas 89 S. in Cabot. A Christmas lunch will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Everyone is invited to attend the event.
Red Cross Blood Drive
BATESVILLE — A Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Mount Zion Masonic Lodge on Batesville Boulevard, across from the airport.
To submit an item for the Calendar of Events, mail information to Calendar of Events, Three Rivers Edition, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, AR, 72203; send faxes to (501) 378-3500; or email trnews@arkansasonline.com. Deadlines for calendar-item submissions are noon Friday for Thursday editions and noon Tuesday for Sunday editions.