This week's events-Tri-Lakes

March 21

Ralph Bunche Neighborhood Association

BENTON — The Ralph Bunche Neighborhood Association will meet at 6 p.m. at 1600 Dixie St. in Benton. Among other items, the agenda will include board-member nominations, an update on goals and activities for 2013, and membership and financial reports. Membership dues are $25. All who are interested in the development of the Ralph Bunche community are encouraged to attend. For more information, call Anderson at (501) 315-3486.

Genealogy History Help

BRYANT — Steve Perdue, head of genealogy and local history at the Saline County Library, will be available to answer genealogy questions from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Mabel Boswell Memorial Library. To make an appointment, 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. at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library. No registration is required. For more information, call (501) 778-4766.

March 21 and March 22

Spring Break Closing

HOT SPRINGS — National Park Community College will continue to be closed today and Friday for spring break. The campus will reopen Monday for regular class and office hours.

March 21 and March 25

Scooby Doo Mystery Night

BENTON/BRYANT — The Saline County Library will host a Scooby Doo Mystery Night from 5:30-7 today at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library in Benton and from 3:30-5 Monday at the Mabel Boswell Memorial Library in Bryant. The come-and-go event is for all ages. Participants are invited to dress as Scooby Doo characters/villains in ’70s attire and piece together clues to solve the mystery. Snacks will be available, along with a Mystery Machine photo opportunity. For more information, call (501) 778-4766.

March 22

Blood Drive

BENTON — Saline Memorial Hospital will hold a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the hospital’s Conference Room No. 1. The drive is being held in memory of Drew Melton, a Benton teenager who died in a car accident late last year. To schedule an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code SMH.

Health and Information Fair

BRYANT — The Central Arkansas Development Council Bryant Senior Activity Center at Bishop Park will sponsor a Health and Information Fair from 9-11 a.m. at the Center at Bishop Park, 6401 Boone Road, No. 3. The event, which is open to the public, will feature local vendors, as well as door prizes and refreshments. For more information, call Wanda Rowe at (501) 681-0504.

March 23

Great American Greenway Cleanup

Hot Springs — “Green-minded” residents can participate in either cleanup or landscaping activities during the Great American Greenway Cleanup from 9-11 a.m. This is part of the Keep America Beautiful Great American Cleanup. Volunteer check-in stations will include the Transportation Depot, 100 Broadway Terrace and the Rotary Trailhead adjacent to Hollywood Park at the intersection of Hollywood Avenue and Shady Grove Road. Volunteers are needed to collect litter from the creek, creek edge, paths and roadside and are asked to bring waders, nets and other water equipment if possible. Free bags and gloves will be provided. Volunteers are also needed to plant and mulch flower beds at the Rotary Trailhead and are advised to bring garden hand tools and garden gloves. For details, contact Beautification Commission Executive Director Adam Roberts at (501) 655-2161 or adamrobertshsgcbc.@msn.com.

Book-to-Movie Club

BRYANT — The Saline County Library will host its second meeting of the Book-to-Movie Club at noon at the Mabel Boswell Memorial Library. The group is open to adults 18 and older and will meet on a monthly basis. The selection for this meeting is The Prestige, by Christopher Priest. For more information, call (501) 778-4766.

March 25

DDG Oboe Trio Performance

ARKADELPHIA — Henderson State University’s department of music will present a performance by the DDG Oboe Trio at 7:30 p.m. in the Russell Fine Arts recital hall. The trio of Leanna Booze, Lorraine Duso Kitts and Beth Wheeler began playing together in 2010. In addition to playing the staples of the double-reed trio repertoire, the musicians commission and perform new music. The performance is free and open to the public.

Movie Monday

BENTON — A movie specifically selected for ages 12 and under will be shown at 4 p.m. at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library. Popcorn and drinks will be provided. For more information, call (501) 778-4766.

March 25 — May 2

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 Monday 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.

March 26

Percussion Ensemble Concert at OBU

ARKADELPHIA — Ouachita Baptist University will host the OBU Percussion Ensemble in concert with guest artist Julie Hill at 7:30 p.m. in Mabee Fine Arts Center’s McBeth Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. Hill is often a guest performer and lecturer on the topic of Brazilian percussion at colleges and universities. For more information about Hill, visit www.utm.edu/jhill. For more information about the percussion ensemble, visit www.obu.edu/percussion.

Crafts for Teens

BRYANT — Teens are invited to participate in a make-and-take craft from 4-5:30 p.m. at the Mabel Boswell Memorial Library. For more information, call (501) 847-2166.

Tuesday With the Master Gardeners

BRYANT — The Saline County Master Gardeners and presenter Bruce Schraeder will discuss Gardening in Small Areas at 6:30 p.m. at the Mabel Boswell Memorial Library. The program is open to all ages. For more information, call (501) 778-4766.

March 27

Wednesday Night Book Club

BENTON — Adults age 18 and older are invited to join a monthly book club at 6 p.m. Wednesdays at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library. This month’s selection is The Marriage Plot, by Jeffrey Eugenides. For more information, call (501) 778-4766.

Ongoing

Head Start Survey, Applications

CLARK/HOT SPRING COUNTY — Central Arkansas Development Council Head Start Centers in Clark County are conducting a target area survey. Staff will conduct the target-area survey to determine the number of preschool children who may be eligible for the Head Start program in Clark County. To participate, contact the local Head Start office. The Clark County program and the Hot Spring County program are accepting early enrollment applications for the fall 2013 school year. In Amity, call (870) 342-5358; in Arkadelphia, call (870) 246-8931; in Gurdon, call (870) 353-6616; in Malvern, call (501) 337-1502; in Bismarck, call (501) 865-1882; and in Magnet Cove, call (501) 332-6906.

Aviation Mentors Needed

ARKADELPHIA — Henderson State University’s aviation department is looking for volunteers to participate in a new aviation mentorship class. Those who want to become aviation mentors may contact Hogue at hoguet@hsu.edu and briefly describe their aviation background, along with what areas they would like to mentor, such as airline, corporate or military pilot; or facility management. Class size will be limited to the number of mentors available to the program.

Student Art Show

ARKADELPHIA — The Southwest Region V Student Art Show will be at the Arkadelphia Arts Center through April 6. The exhibit features colorful and creative art from kindergartners through 12th-graders from 10 school districts in the southwest region of Arkansas and is sponsored by the Southwestern Division of the Arkansas Art Educators. Operated by the nonprofit Clark County Arts and Humanities Council, the center is open to the public at no charge. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. For more information, call (870) 245-3612.

Junior Volunteer Program

HOT SPRINGS — National Park Medical Center is accepting applications for the 2013 Junior Volunteer Summer Service Program, to be held June 10 through Aug. 9. The program teaches 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 Monday. 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 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 spring break for one more Collegiate Challenge build week, Saturday through March 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 build. 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.

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 through Monday 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

Business After Hours

ARKADELPHIA — The Arkadelphia Area Chamber of Commerce will hold Business After Hours from 4-6 p.m. March 28 at the Fish Net Restaurant, 5000 Valley St. in Caddo Valley. The Fish Net is showcasing new renovations and new menu items. The public is invited to attend.

Free Health Screenings

BENTON — The Saline County Library, in partnership with Saline Memorial Hospital, will continue the Well On Your Way wellness series from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 30 at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library with free preventive-health screenings. No registration is required. Screenings at the event will include blood pressure, blood sugar, balance, cholesterol and pulse oxygen checks, as well as comprehensive foot exams. For more information, call (501) 778-4766.

Easter Dance

BRYANT — The Central Arkansas Development Council Bryant Senior Activity Center at Bishop Park will sponsor an Easter Dance on March 30 at the Center at Bishop Park, 6401 Boone Road, No. 3. The event will begin with a potluck at 6 p.m., followed by a dance at 7. The band Tyler’s Bluff will provide entertainment from 7-9:30 p.m. Admission is $5 per person. Proceeds will benefit the Bryant Senior Activity Center. For more information, call Wanda Rowe at (501) 681-0504.

Fire Station Open House

HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — The community is invited to the Cortez Fire Station Open House from 10 a.m. to 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.

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.