This week's events in the Three Rivers area

Dec. 12–15

Nativity Spectacular

SEARCY — A drive-thru living-Nativity spectacular will be held today through Sunday at First Assembly of God, 101 Benton St. The Nativity will be open from from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 12 and 13; from 5-9 p.m. Dec. 14; and from 5-8 p.m. Dec. 15. The Nativity will feature a cast of more than 200 volunteers, exotic animals and handcrafted 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.13

A Merry Muppet Holiday Celebration

MELBOURNE — Ozarka College has rescheduled A Merry Muppet Holiday Celebration for 4:30 p.m Friday in the lobby of the John E. Miller Education Complex, 218 College Drive. The free event is open to the public. A 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.

Dec. 13 and 14

Old-Fashioned Christmas

BATESVILLE — Main Street Batesville will host an Old-Fashioned Christmas from 1-3 p.m. Dec. 13 and from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 14 at 243 E. Main St. in the space by Thompson’s Jewelry. Santa will be there, hot chocolate and cookies will be served, and Mike Schmidt will have his trains on display. The Christmas Village homes from Virginia Henry will also be on exhibit. For more information, contact Joel Williams at joel.mainstreet@gmail.com.

Luminary Project

SEARCY — The CARTI/Searcy Auxiliary has rescheduled its 23rd annual Luminary Project for Dec. 13 and 14 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. 14

Country Christmas Craft Fair

BATESVILLE — The Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches has rescheduled its 28th annual Country Christmas Craft Fair for Saturday at the Batesville campus. Handmade items by crafters from across the state will be available for purchase. A breakfast of homemade cinnamon rolls will be served, and a homemade-chili 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.

Jazz Band and Choir Concert

HEBER SPRINGS — The Heber Springs High School Jazz Band and Choir will be in concert at 6 p.m. in the Family Life Center of First United Methodist Church. The jazz band will feature guest artists Gary Meggs, Les Pack and C.E. Askew. The choir will perform Christmas selections and popular songs. Admission is free. Donations will be accepted to send Heber Springs music students to camp this summer.

Second Saturday Bingo

HEBER SPRINGS — Second Saturday Bingo will begin with early-bird games at 5:30 p.m. at St. Albert Catholic Church, 21 Park Road. The concession stand will be open, and homemade desserts will be available. For more information, call (501) 362-9450.

Living Windows in Calico Rock

CALICO ROCK — The Peppersauce Players will present Living Windows from 5:30-6:30 p.m. 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 wagon wheel09@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. 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 younger than 6. For more information, contact the park at (870) 878-6765 or powhatan@arkansas.com.

Dec. 15

Cabot Annual Christmas Parade

CABOT — The Cabot Annual Christmas Parade has been rescheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday 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.

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 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.

Dec. 16

Session for Musicians

BATESVILLE — Accordion, guitar, keyboard, violin and harmonica players of all experience levels are invited to come listen or play at 7 p.m. in the Community Room of First Community Bank for the last session of the season. For more information, call (870) 307-0258.

Dec. 18

Red Cross Blood Drive

BATESVILLE — A Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mount Zion Masonic Lodge on Batesville Boulevard, across from the airport.

Ongoing

Bridge Players

BEEBE — The public is invited to play bridge at 1 p.m. Wednesdays in the Shepherd’s Center at Beebe United Methodist Church. Beginners are welcome. For more information, call (501) 843-2930.

Pastel Exhibition

LITTLE ROCK — Two pastel paintings by Anne Lyon of Cabot are on view until Feb. 22 during the Arkansas Pastel Society’s fifth National Juried Exhibition, Reflections in Pastel, at the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, 401 President Clinton Ave. in Little Rock. The exhibit is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

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 for first-, second- and third-place winners. Judging will be conducted Saturday, and there is no entry free. For more information, call (870) 670-5433, email horseshoebendarcc@yahoo.com, or visit www.horseshoebendarcc.com.

Free GED Classes

MELBOURNE — Free GED evening classes are available at the following locations: Calico Rock, City Hall, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays; Mammoth Spring, Ozarka College, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Thursdays; Cave City, Middle School, 5-8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; and Mountain View, Ozarka College, 5-7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Registration is ongoing. For more information on these and other classes, call the Ozarka College Adult Education Department at (800) 821-4335, ext. 2051, or (870) 368-2051.

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.

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.

China Painters

GARNER — The Daisy Petals China Painting Club meets at 9 a.m. every Monday at Garner Baptist Church, 114 N. Main St. Beginners are welcome. For more information, contact Glenda Hale at (501) 726-3281.

Friends of the Library Book Shop

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.

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

Bald Knob Snowflake Pageant

BALD KNOB — The Bald Knob Snowflake Pageant 2013, sponsored by the Bald Knob Angel Project, has been rescheduled for 10 a.m. Dec. 21 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. Dec. 20 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) 283-0999.

First Day Hike

POWHATAN — The third annual First Day Hike will be held at 2 p.m. Jan. 1 at Lake Charles State Park, 3705 Arkansas 25 in Powhatan. Park staff will lead participants on the White Oak trail as they take in views of Lake Charles and hunt for clues in the hike’s scavenger hunt. The program is for children and adults of all ages. Light refreshments will be provided for those who register. For more information, call (870) 878-6595.

Kids’ Yoga/Art Classes

BATESVILLE — The Batesville Area Arts Council will host Kids’ Yoga/Art classes at Lyon College for five consecutive Tuesdays, Jan. 21 through Feb. 18. Classes will be held from 5:30-6:30 p.m. for first- and second-graders, and 7-8 p.m. for third- through fifth-graders. The classes will demonstrate the basics of yoga movement, taught by certified yoga instructor Sammie Shaw, while incorporating art activities. The cost is $85 per student, and the registration deadline is Jan. 10. Students will receive a yoga mat to keep. For more information, contact BAAC at (870) 793-3382, email baac@suddenlinkmail.com, or stop by the BAAC Gallery on Main, 246 E. Main St., to sign up.

Basic Welding Skills Course

MELBOURNE — The Ozarka College Continuing Education Department will offer a basic welding skills course from 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 21 through Feb. 25. Randall Lovelace is the instructor. The classroom lectures will be Jan. 21 and Feb. 4 and 18 in Room 112 of the Hall Building at Ozarka College-Melbourne, 218 College Drive. The lab will be taught Jan. 28 and Feb 11 and 25 at White River Trailer and Equipment, at the junction of Arkansas highways 69 and 58, south of Melbourne. Participants will learn introduction to welding principles, proper welding techniques and basic welding repair applications. The cost is $85, and space is limited. To register or for more information, contact Kathryn Langston at (870) 368-2083 or klangston@ozarka.edu.

Food Fest and Silent Auction

SEARCY — St. James Catholic Church will hold its sixth annual International Food Fest and Silent Auction at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 1 in the St. James Parish Hall, 1102 Pioneer Road. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. There will be a raffle for four cash prizes of $250, $250, $500 and $1,000.

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.

Upcoming Events