March 10
The Odd Couple (Female Version)
BENTON — The Royal Players will present The Odd Couple (Female Version) by Neil Simon today, as well as March 14-17, at the Royal Theatre in downtown Benton. Thursday through Saturday performances are at 7 p.m., and Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. In 1985, Neil Simon revised The Odd Couple for a female cast, basing the Female Version on the same story line and lead characters, now called Florence Ungar and Olive Madison. Tickets, at $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for students, are available online at theroyalplayers.com or may be purchased at the door. Reservations are not required.
Soup Sunday
BENTON — The women of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Benton will have a homemade soup luncheon from 9:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the church. Takeout-only orders, which include a quart of soup for $8, will be filled from 9:45-11 a.m., and eat-in, bottomless bowls for $10, along with a drink and dessert, will be served from noon to 1:30 p.m. Families of four or more may eat for $35. All proceeds will go to local charities. For more information, call (501) 315-1516.
College Goal Sunday
HOT SPRINGS — Financial-aid counselors will be at National Park Community College from 2-4 p.m. to help students and parents with the first step toward receiving grants and loans from the federal government to pay for college. College Goal Sunday is the culmination of Say Go College Week and an opportunity for free assistance in submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. For more information about how to pay for college, visit ADHE.edu, SayGoCollege.com or ArCollegeGoalSunday.org.
March 11
Islamic Art
ARKADELPHIA — The Ouachita Baptist University Library, in conjunction with Henderson State University and Arkadelphia High School libraries, will host a film viewing and discussion of Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World at 7 p.m. at the HSU Garrison Center Lecture Hall. The film and viewing rights were received by OBU libraries as part of a National Endowment for the Humanities/American Library Association grant, “Bridging Cultures Bookshelf: Muslim Journeys.” The film will be followed with a discussion led by OBU art professor Raouf Halaby. The free event is open to the public. For more information, email wolfel@obu.edu.
Dearly Beloved Auditions
BENTON — Auditions for the Royal Players production Dearly Beloved, a Jones-Hope-Wooten comedy, will be held at 7 p.m. at the Royal Theatre, 111 S. Market. There will be cold readings from the script for parts for men and women. Older teens may be able to play some parts. Of the seven women, three are a singing trio who perform one song in the play. Singers may be handed a simple hymn or similar song to sing with others. For more information, visit theroyalplayers.com, or call (501) 315-5483.
Benton Book Club
BENTON — The Benton Book Club will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library to discuss the club’s chosen title. The group is open to adults 18 and older. For more information, call (501) 778-4766.
Friends of Village Annual Meeting
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — The annual meeting of the Friends of Hot Springs Village will be at 7 p.m. in the Ouachita Room of the Woodlands. Keynote speakers will be Darin Beckwith and Andy Curry, superintendents of Fountain Lake and Jessieville schools, respectively. They will provide an update on the Fountain Lake lawsuit, joint acquisition of the Boys and Girls Club property, the Jessieville Foundation and academic performance at the schools. Friends of Hot Springs Village is an organization of resident and nonresident property owners dedicated to improving and maintaining the quality of life in the Village and providing support for the board of directors, staff and committees.
March 11 and March 15
OBU Tiger Days
ARKADELPHIA — Ouachita Baptist University’s Office of Admissions will offer two Tiger Days in March: an afternoon session Monday and a morning session Friday. Both will give prospective students and their parents the opportunity to preview a typical day on OBU’s campus. The opening program for Tiger Day on Monday will be at 12:30 p.m. in Young Auditorium in Hickingbotham Hall, followed by a scheduled afternoon of activities ending at 3:15 p.m. The morning session Friday will begin with check-in at 8:30 in the lobby of Hickingbotham Hall, followed by activities ending after a tour of residential halls at 1 p.m. For more information, visit www.obu.edu/admissions, or contact Lori Motl at motll@obu.edu or (870) 245-4264.
March 12–March 21
Tennis Lessons
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — The Hot Springs Village Tennis Association and the Coronado Tennis Center will offer free tennis lessons Monday through March 21 at the center. For more information or to sign up, visit www.hsvta.net/OURTENNISPROS or call (501) 922-5054.
March 12
National Intelligence Program
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — Carl W. Ford, a former CIA national intelligence officer and an Arkansas native, will present Introduction to National Intelligence at 7 p.m. Ford’s program, part of the Ouachita Speaker Series, will be in the Ouachita Activities Building of the Ponce de Leon Center. General admission is $10, and tickets are available online at www.hsvTicketSales.com or at the Ponce de Leon Center office, 1101 DeSoto Blvd., from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, visit OuachitaSpeakerSeries.com.
E-Book Access Sign-up
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — The Coronado Library will offer e-book access sign-up through the Saline County Library from 9 a.m. to noon at the Coronado Community Center, rooms 1-2. Saline County Library representatives will explain the e-book program and help patrons sign up for e-book system access. Participants are asked to bring their e-book devices with them to the meeting. Garland County residents must provide a valid Garland County Public Library card to access the program. For more information, call the library at (501) 922-3555.
March 12 and March 14
Spring Cleaning Workshop
BENTON/BRYANT — The Saline County Cooperative Extension Service has partnered with the Saline County Library to offer a two-part workshop on spring cleaning. Part 2, on how to make “green” cleaning products, will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Mabel Boswell Memorial Library in Bryant, and at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library in Benton. The classes, which will be taught by Kris Elliott of the Extension Service, are open to adults 18 and older on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call (501) 778-4766.
March 12 –March 16
Daffodil Days Fundraiser
HOT SPRINGS — The 25th annual Garland County American Cancer Society’s Daffodil Days will be held Tuesday through Saturday. Orders of 50 or more daffodils will be delivered throughout the Hot Springs area on Tuesday. Smaller orders may be picked up from 8-10 a.m. that day from the National Park Medical Center’s Maurice Room. Volunteers will sell daffodil bouquets, leis and boutonnieres at Oaklawn Park’s live race meet Saturday, which will also feature the annual Daffodil Days Classic Race. Daffodils will be sold from 10 a.m. until they are sold out. To request an order form or for more information, call (501) 620-2705, or visit nationalparkmedical.com.
March 13
Fraud Informational Meeting
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — The Hot Springs Village Property Owners’ Association Department of Public Safety will hold a fraud informational meeting from 9-11 a.m. at the DeSoto Club Event Center. The meeting will be on identity theft, which has an estimated 15 million victims every year. For more information, call Public Safety at (501) 922-0011.
March 14
Art Guild Meeting
HOT SPRINGS — The Traditional Art Guild will meet at 10 a.m. at the Garland County Library, 1427 Malvern Ave. The deadline for entries in the TAG Logo contest has been extended, and entries will be accepted at the meeting. The prospectus for the eighth annual Juried Show is available at www.traditionalartguild.com, and there will be hard copies at the meeting. Members may also sign up for the Pat Langewis workshop, set for May 24. After a brief business meeting, June Lamoureux will demonstrate pen-and-ink drawing. For more information, call Joanne Kunath at (501) 262-2953 or visit traditionalartguild.com.
Free Community Classes
ARKADELPHIA — Henderson State University’s Ellis College of Arts and Sciences will offer one more free class for the Arkadelphia community this spring. The class will meet at 4 p.m. Thursday in the Reynolds Science Center, Room 127. David Bateman and Vince Dunlap will present Antibiotic Resistance: Are You Doing Your Part to Prevent It? For more information, call Linda Mooney at (870) 230-5320.
After-school Arts and Crafts
BENTON — Tweens, ages 8-12 are invited to participate in an after-school arts and crafts program at 4 p.m. at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library. For more information, call (501) 778-4766.
Creative Writing
BRYANT — Jennifer Watson will teach creative writing for ages 16 and older at 6 p.m. at the Mabel Boswell Memorial Library. No registration is required. For more information, call (501) 847-2166.
Watercolor Class
BRYANT — Instructor Carolyn Voss will teach a free watercolor class for adults 18 and older at 6 p.m. at the Mabel Boswell Memorial Library. Space is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call (501) 847-2166 or (501) 778-4766.
Bird-watching Class
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — Learn more about birds in Hot Springs Village at a bird-watching class at 8:30 a.m. on the Magellan Beaver Dam Trail. Keith Salisbury, a Bird Identification Workshop teacher and a Hot Springs Village Audubon Society member, will serve as guide for the event. Participants are asked to meet in the trail parking lot at 8:30 a.m. In the event of rain, the class will be rescheduled for 8:30 a.m. March 28 at the same location. For more information, call (501) 922-0322.
March 16
Guitar Concert
BENTON — Classical guitarist Peter Fletcher will be in concert at 1:30 p.m. at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library. The program is open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis and is part of a national tour that will culminate at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York. For more information, call (501) 778-4766.
3.1 Miles of Hope
BENTON — All ages are invited to register for the 3.1 Miles of Hope 5K run/walk at 8 a.m. at Tyndall Park. The event will benefit the American Cancer Society. Registration is $20 per person before Wednesday (a T-shirt is guaranteed with early registration) and $25 thereafter. To register, visit secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=7511 or email relay4lifesalinecounty@gmail.com for a paper registration form. For more information or to become a sponsor, call (501) 605-6945 or email relay4lifesalinecounty@gmail.com.
Merry Mixers Dance
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — The Hot Springs Village Merry Mixers will hold a dance featuring Warren Crow and the Classics Band at 7:30 p.m. at the Coronado Community Center. A dance lesson will be held at 7 p.m. All dancers are welcome. The group dances to live music twice a month except during the summer. For more information, call (501) 915-8111.
March 16 and March 17
Shakespeare Auditions
BENTON — This year, Saline County Shakespeare in the Park will present The Tempest, by William Shakespeare. Auditions will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday and at 5 p.m. March 17 in the outdoor auditorium at Tyndall Park. Auditioners need to prepare a 1 1/2-minute monologue. If not, some will be available at the auditions. Cold reads from the script will also be required. For more information, contact Lisa Goodrich at (501) 249-3169 or lisagoodrich1980@yahoo.com.
Ongoing
Junior Volunteer Program
HOT SPRINGS — National Park Medical Center is accepting applications for the 2013 Junior Volunteer Summer Service Program, June 10 through Aug. 9. The program is designed to teach teens ages 14 to 18 about the health care industry through observation of various hospital departments. Participants will volunteer four to 32 hours per week at the hospital during the program. May 15 is the deadline to submit complete applications, including an information sheet, two letters of recommendation and a guardian-signed TB skin-test release form. Applicants will be notified of acceptance by June 1. For more information, call (501) 620-2705 or email mandy.golleher@npmchs.com. Applications are available online at www.nationalparkmedical.com.
Essay Contest
MALVERN — The Malvern-Hot Spring County Library is sponsoring a writing contest for youth ages 7-18 in Hot Spring County. Entrants are asked to write a one-to-five-page essay about a book that has special meaning to them, inspired them or made a difference in how they think. Typed essays are preferred, but not required. Essays should include the writer’s name, phone number, address, age and school name, and be submitted to the library front desk by March 28. Winners, who will be contacted by April 2, will receive a cash prize, a trophy and two tickets to the library’s 85th Birthday Bash on April 13, when winners will be announced and prizes awarded. For more information, call (501) 332-5441.
Student Juried Art Exhibit
ARKADELPHIA — Ouachita Baptist University’s Student Juried Art Exhibit is open to the public in Hammons Gallery in the Mabee Fine Arts Center through March 25. The free exhibit features 24 entries from 14 participants. Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The exhibit is also open on evenings when other School of Fine Arts events are held in the Mabee Fine Arts Center. For more information, contact Donnie Copeland at copelandd@obu.edu or (870) 245-5559.
Event Center Naming Requests
BENTON — The Benton Advertising and Promotion Commission will accept requests until 4 p.m. April 12 for proposals for the opportunity to purchase naming rights of the new Benton Event Center. The proposals will be publicly opened at that time. Proposals received after the deadline will be returned unopened. Faxed or emailed proposals will not be accepted. Copies of the request for proposal are on file and may be obtained from the Benton Area Chamber of Commerce, 607 Market St., or by calling (501) 860-7004. Submit proposals to the Benton Area Chamber of Commerce in a sealed envelope with the notation “Benton Advertising & Promotion Naming Rights RFP” on the outside.
Habitat Collegiate Challenge
SALINE COUNTY — Habitat for Humanity will host college students from around the country during their spring breaks for two more Collegiate Challenge build weeks: Monday through Saturday; and March 23-27. The students will work with Habitat for Humanity of Saline County on local build projects. Habitat is seeking volunteers to provide simple meals for 40 people for breakfast and lunch, or 20 people for dinner during the builds. For more information, call (501) 315-5434.
AARP Tax Help
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — AARP Foundation Tax Aide volunteers are available from noon to 5 p.m. every Wednesday through April 10 at the Coronado Community Center. The program is free to taxpayers with low and moderate incomes, with special attention to those 60 and older. The service is offered in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service. For more information, call the Coronado Community Center office at (501) 922-5050.
Volunteer Firefighter Applications
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — The Hot Springs Village Property Owners’ Association Department of Public Safety is recruiting volunteer firefighters. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a valid Arkansas driver’s license and a clean driving record, and be able to meet minimum volunteer-firefighter training qualifications, attend scheduled meetings and respond to fires. For more information, contact Capt. Jason Miller at (501) 922-2210. Applications are available at the Cortez Fire Station, 110 Cortez Road.
Village Volunteer Auxiliary
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — The Hot Springs Village Property Owners’ Association Board of Directors is creating a volunteer auxiliary, consisting of Village volunteers who are willing to assist their association. Whatever the area of expertise, consider becoming part of this auxiliary, titled the Vocation Volunteer Interest Program. The group also seeks experts for coordinating volunteers. For more information, email sbowen@hsvpoa.org.
Scholarship Donations
BRYANT — The 2013 Bryant Area Chamber of Commerce is accepting donations from companies to provide scholarships for students with at least a 2.75 grade-point average, as well as demonstrated financial need and community service. Companies can donate $500 for a full scholarship, $250 for a scholarship shared with another sponsor or $100 shared with four other sponsors. The deadline for support is April 1. The scholarships will be awarded in an assembly the first Friday of May at Bryant High School. Donors will be invited to send a company representative to award the certificate to the student. For more information, email raeann@bryantcahmber.com.
Free Tax Preparation
The Central Arkansas Development Council is offering free tax-preparation assistance in Saline, Hot Spring and Clark counties. In Clark County, services will be at the Huie Library at Henderson State University, 1100 Henderson St. in Arkadelphia. For an appointment, call (870) 867-0151. In Hot Spring County, services will be at the Malvern/Hot Spring County Library, 202 E. Third St. in Malvern. For an appointment, call (501) 332-5441. In Saline County, services will be at the CADC Senior Activity Center, 210 Jefferson in Benton. The site is open from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, and walk-ins are accepted. Services will be offered by appointment only at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library, 1800 Smithers Drive in Benton; call (501) 778-1133.
AARP Tax-Aide Service
BENTON — Free preparation of tax returns, including free E-filing, will be offered for people of all ages from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays at an AARP Tax-Aide site at Midtowne Church, 4037 Boone Road in Benton. AARP Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest, free, volunteer-run tax counseling and preparation service. The site will provide continuing tax services to taxpayers who have attended the Park Place Baptist site in the past. Walk-ins are welcome but will be served after those with appointments. To schedule an appointment, call Larry at (501) 303-6829.
Sister City Teacher Scholarships
HOT SPRINGS — The Hot Springs National Park Sister City Foundation will accept applications until March 25 for two teacher scholarships for summer travel to Hanamaki, Japan, Hot Springs’ sister city. Teachers or school administrators currently employed in Garland County public schools are eligible for the program. The scholarship will fully fund travel costs for a seven-day trip to Hanamaki in mid-June. The city of Hanamaki will provide home-stay arrangements, along with tours and educational opportunities. Application information is available through the Sister City Program link on the city of Hot Springs’ home page, www.cityhs.net.
Upcoming
Game On
BRYANT/BENTON — Tweens and teens are invited to play video and/or board games from 3:30-5 p.m. March 18 at both Saline County Library locations. The program is for ages 8-18 at the Mabel Boswell Memorial Library in Bryant and for ages 13-18 at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library in Benton. For more information, call (501) 778-4766 or (501) 847-2166.
Puppet Show
BENTON — All ages are invited to a family-friendly puppet show at 4 p.m. March 19 at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library. For more information, call (501) 778-4766.
Historical Society Meeting
HASKELL — The Haskell Historical Society will meet at 3:30 p.m. March 19 at the Haskell City Hall. Members may renew memberships for 2013, and new members are welcome. Attendees are asked to bring photos, old newspaper articles or other information about Haskell’s past to be donated, loaned or copied for displayed at the museum. For more information, call Emaline Stroud at (501) 303-0384 or Darlene Emmons at (501) 315-2913.
Introduction to Computers
BENTON — Adults 18 and older are invited to attend an introductory computer class at 4 p.m. March 20 at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library. The class includes learning to use a mouse and keyboard. No registration is required. For more information, call (501) 778-4766.
Introduction to the Internet
BENTON — Adults 18 and older are invited to attend a basic computer class regarding use of the Internet at 4 p.m. March 21 at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library. No registration is required. For more information, call (501) 778-4766.
Operation JumpStart
HOT SPRINGS — National Park Community College will offer a six-week course, Operation JumpStart: First Step, a nationally recognized training model delivered to individuals considering starting or expanding a small business. The course, which is open to the public, will be held March 25 through May 2. Participants will learn essential small-business planning and preparation skills with practical hands-on training. The course fee is $275, with the book included. The course will also include the Business Feasibility Competition with a chance to win up to $1,000 in seed capital for approved business expenses. For more information, contact Barry Ballard at bballard@npcc.edu or (501) 760-6587, or to register, call (501) 760-4223 or visit shortclass.npcc.edu.
Fire Station Open House
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — The community is invited to the Cortez Fire Station Open House from 10 a.m. until noon March 30. Attendees can tour the fire station, training tower, fire engine and rescue truck. Games, activities and goody bags will be available for children. Hot dogs and refreshments will be provided.
Reel Women Festival
BENTON — Reel Arkansas, a nonprofit group based on Facebook, has scheduled the 2013 Reel Women Festival for 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 30 at the Royal Theatre in Benton. The festival aims to include films from Tennessee and Mississippi, as well as Arkansas. Two of the films are Sarah Jones’ John Wayne’s Bed and G.B. Shannon’s FreshSkweezed. The festival will also have a panel discussion on women in film, with several of the filmmakers attending Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. For more information, find Reel Arkansas at facebook.com/groups/101481596615960. The festival is seeking submissions of films that feature strong or atypical female roles, as well as films written or directed by women. Submissions are free, and the deadline is Friday. Email Jennifer Mazzacane at jennifer@reelarkansas.com or reelarkansas@gmail.com.
All Majors Job Fair
HOT SPRINGS — The annual National Park Community College All Majors Job Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 4 at the Fisher Campus Center. The free event is open to the public. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet employers who are hiring; obtain career information; establish contacts through networking; and identify career, summer, temporary and internship opportunities. NPCC is partnering with the Arkansas Workforce Center and expects approximately 40 employers at the event. Interested job seekers are asked to bring copies of their resume, dress professionally and be prepared to interview with an employer. For more information, contact Mary Kay Wurm at mwurm@npcc.edu or (501) 760-4246.
Business Expo
BENTON — The Benton Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2013 Cajun Feast and Business Expo will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 11 at First United Methodist Church. Nine professionally repapered and draped 10-by-10-foot booths are available for $100 each. A sign with the company’s name, one table and two chairs will be provided. Dedicated electricity cannot be guaranteed. Vendors will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Approximately 700 people attended last year’s Cajun feast. For more information, call (501) 860-7004.
Citizens Police Academy
HOT SPRINGS — The Hot Springs Police Department’s next Citizens Police Academy will begin April 11. Participants will meet with S.W.A.T. team members and detectives to learn about patrol functions, department structure and search and seizure, and to ride along with an officer. Class members will meet in the Police Department’s large classroom from 6-9 p.m. Thursdays for eight weeks. The class is free. Each applicant is subject to a thorough background check. Applications may be picked up at the department or printed at www.hotspringspolice.com. The deadline for applications is April 1.
Library Birthday Celebration
MALVERN — The Hot Spring County Historical Society will celebrate the Mid-Arkansas Regional Library’s 85th year of service with a birthday dinner from 6:30-8:30 p.m. April 13 at the Malvern Country Club. For more information, call Kinney Black at (501) 337-0796.
Band Concert
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — The Hot Springs Concert Band will present its annual spring concert at 3 p.m. April 21 at the Woodlands Auditorium. The concert is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Greater Hot Springs Village, which will provide a complimentary ice-cream sundae to each attendee, as well as conduct a silent auction, starting at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased from any member of the Hot Springs Concert Band or the Kiwanis Club; at the Woodlands office from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays; or online at www.hsvwoodlands.com. Remaining tickets will be available at the box office prior to the show.
Flea Market
BENTON — The youth of First Lutheran Church in Benton will present their second annual flea market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 27. The group is seeking vendors. Each 8-by-14-foot site costs $10, and more than one site may be reserved. All proceeds from the sale are kept by the vendor. For more information, call Cindy at (501) 844-4275.
Rotary Trip to Kansas City
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — The Hot Springs Village Rotary Club will offer a trip Oct. 3-6 to Kansas City, Mo. Accompanied by trip hosts, travelers will visit the U.S. Federal Reserve Money Museum, the Arabia Riverboat Exhibit, the American Jazz Museum and more. The return trip will include a stop at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville. The all-inclusive price of the trip, $620 per person, includes a tax-deductible contribution to the charitable activities of the HSV Rotary Charity Corp. For more information or to reserve a seat, contact Tony Cifelli at (501) 915-8238, Terry Young at (501) 915-8912, or Paul and Lynda Bridges at (501) 922-6798.
To submit a school or community event for the Tri-Lakes Calendar of Events, mail information to Calendar of Events, Tri-Lakes Edition, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, AR, 72203; fax to (501) 378-3500; or email to tlnews@arkansasonline.com. Deadlines for calendar-item submissions are noon Friday for Thursday editions and noon Tuesday for Sunday editions.