Feb. 24
Denominational Day
RUSSELLVILLE — First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Russellville will celebrate its 203rd Denominational Day during the morning service today. The Rev. Pam Phillips-Burk, director of women’s ministry for the denomination, will be the guest speaker. Activities will include sharing old photos, dressing in period costumes and holding an old-fashioned potluck following the service. All former and present Cumberland Presbyterians are encouraged to attend.
Feb. 24 and March 2
Book Signing
CONWAY — Regional author Nancy Powell will sign copies of her new book, Dark Secrets, from 1:30-4:30 p.m. today at the Faulkner County Library; and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Damascus Library and from 2-4 p.m. at the Greenbrier Library. The book is the first in a series of historical novels based on the life of Ollie McNew. The free event is open to the public. Powell will give a $3 discount on books purchased by students or members of a writing group. For more information, call (501) 327-7482 or email Nancy@fcl.org.
Feb. 25
Arkansas River Audubon Society
PETIT JEAN MOUNTAIN — The Arkansas River Audubon Society will meet at 7 p.m. in the Stables Room at the Winthrop Rockefeller Center on Petit Jean Mountain. The speaker will be Sarah Engebrecht. Her subject will be “Wildlife of Ecuador and the Galapogos.” Refreshments will be served. For more information, call Coe Wilson at (501) 727-5559.
Feb. 26
Interfaith Dialogues
MORRILTON — A series of six Morrilton Interfaith Dialogues will conclude from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday with a lecture on Christianity and a summation of the series by Jay McDaniel at the Rialto Gallery, 213 E. Broadway. The public is invited for the lecture, discussion and refreshments.
Little Red River Audubon Society
CLINTON — The Little Red River Audubon Society will present a program on understanding the structure and function of headwater streams with Sally Entrekin, an aquatic ecology professor at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. The group will meet for a Dutch-treat dinner at 5:30 p.m. at Western Sizzlin’ Restaurant, followed by the program at 7. Door prizes will be given after the meeting. All are invited to attend. For more information, visit www.littleredriveraudubonsociety.com or email lrras2011@gmail.com.
Public Art Lecture
CONWAY — Julie Evans will present a public lecture about her exhibit, Swishbone: New Paintings, at 5:30 p.m. in McCastlain Hall, Room 143, at the University of Central Arkansas. Her paintings, which are on display in the Baum Gallery, are characterized by organic forms that swish and swirl with color and texture. For more information, call (501) 450-5793.
Feb. 27
Volunteer and Funding Workshops
HEBER SPRINGS — The Division of Community Service and Heber Springs Parks and Recreation will present two workshops Thursday. From 9 a.m. to noon, the session will offer an overview of searching for funding opportunities and how to fund a grant for nonprofits. The second workshop, from 1-4 p.m., will be an interactive session on the keys to a successful volunteer program, including volunteer management, techniques, tips and tools. The free workshops will be at the Heber Spring Community Center, 201 Bobbie Jean Lane. For more information or to register, contact Beth Jacks at (501) 320-3981 or bethjacks@arkansas.gov. Preregistration is required.
March 1
World Day of Prayer
FAIRFIELD BAY — The churches of the Fairfield Bay will sponsor a World Day of Prayer event at 1 p.m. at the Fairfield Bay Presbyterian Kirk of the Hills, 250 Dave Creek Parkway. This year’s service was written by the women of France around the theme “I Was a Stranger, and You Welcomed Me.” The World Day of Prayer is a worldwide ecumenical movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer on the first Friday of March each year. For more information, contact Judy Leason at (501) 884-6617.
March 2
Charity Ball
RUSSELLVILLE — The 48th annual Junior Auxiliary of Russellville Charity Ball will be held Saturday at the L.V. Williamson Boys and Girls Club of the Arkansas River Valley, 600 E. 16th St. The black-tie-optional event will start at 6 p.m., and activities will include hors d’oeuvres, Southern cuisine by Opal Mae’s Café, a live auction and dancing. Mr. Lucky will provide musical entertainment. Tickets, at $70 per person or $130 per couple, may be purchased by calling (601) 467-1735 or (479) 890-1381.
Ongoing
First Baptist Church Maumelle
MAUMELLE — Pastor Tony Auxier invites the community to Bible classes for all ages at 9 a.m. Sundays at First Baptist Church Maumelle, at the corner of Millwood Circle and Maumelle Boulevard. Worship services follow at 10:15 a.m. in the main sanctuary. AWANA clubs meet at 4:30 p.m. Sundays. Evening worship services are held Sunday at 5 in the main sanctuary. Women are invited to Bible studies that meet Tuesday mornings and evenings. Wednesday fellowship, contemporary worship and youth activities are held in the Activities Building beginning at 5 p.m. For more information, call the church office at (501) 851-3547, or visit www.fbcmaumelle.org.
Art Exhibit
LITTLE ROCK — Beauty in the Natural State, a collection of oil paintings by Jeannie Stone of Russellville, will be featured through Saturday at the Community Bakery in Little Rock, a few blocks from the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion in the historic downtown district. Stone plans to graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in fine art from Arkansas Tech University. For more information, visit www.communitybakery.com or email dj@djstoneart.com.
Upcoming
Pancake Dinner
FAIRFIELD BAY — The Fairfield Bay Lions Club, 365 Dave Creek Parkway, will hold a pancake dinner from 5-6:30 p.m. March 9 to benefit the 2013 Greers Ferry Lake Area Alzheimer’s Arkansas Walk, to be held Sept. 14 at Woodland Mead Park in Fairfield Bay. Tickets to the dinner are $6 and can be purchased at the door. For more information, call George Kelly at (501) 884-6476.
Chili and Soup Supper
HEBER SPRINGS — The Wilburn Friends and Family Relay for Life Team will host a chili and soup supper, followed by gospel singing, on March 9 at Wilburn General Baptist Church. Serving will begin at 5 p.m. Gospel music by local singers will begin at 7. Donations will be accepted for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. For more information, call Danita Hayes at (501) 206-2505.
Chase Race and Paws
CONWAY — The eighth annual Chase Race and Paws will begin at 8 a.m. March 9, starting and finishing at Simon Park, 805 Front St. The two-mile state championship race awards a $100 cash prize to any male or female who breaks the present course record. A complimentary 2014 entry form will be awarded to anyone who breaks an age-group record. Each registrant will receive a T-shirt. The event will include a one-mile fun or competitive event for runners/walkers with leashed pets, a best costume contest for all pets and pet adoptions. The event promotes and raises funds for nonadopted pets and research for adolescents with traumatic brain injury. Proceeds will benefit Friends of the Conway Animal Shelter and Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Online race registration is open at www.chaserace.info/. Entry forms are also available at The Sporty Runner, 1016 Van Ronkle St. in Conway, and at Conway Regional Health and Fitness Center, 700 Salem Road.
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.