April 14
Dardanelle Driver Safety Class
DARDANELLE — An AARP Driver Safety classroom course will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Dardanelle Senior Activity Center, 705 N. Fifth St. A one-hour lunch break will begin at 11:30 a.m., with lunch available at the center. To register, call (479) 229-4129. The class is open to licensed drivers of any age. Seating is limited to 40 people on a first-come, first-served basis. The course will be presented by an AARP-certified instructor through a combination of instruction, video and workbook participation. Those who complete the course may be eligible for an appropriate discount on their auto-insurance premiums. The fee for the course is $15 for AARP members and $20 for nonmembers. There is no test.
April 15
QuickBooks Online
RUSSELLVILLE — The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center will present QuickBooks Online from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Arkansas Tech University. The session is designed for business owners and their employees who have little or no experience using the online QuickBooks Harmony platform. Topics will include navigation, setting up a company and working with lists, customers, vendors, inventory, reports and more. A computer with Wi-Fi will be provided for each participant for use during the interactive session. The cost is $65. Seating is limited, and registration is required by calling (479) 356-2067 or visiting asbtdc.org/training/russellville-events.
Crowns for a Cure Entry Deadline
RUSSELLVILLE — Tuesday is the entry deadline for Crowns for a Cure, the second annual Little Miss and Mr. Relay for Life Pageant. The pageant is held in conjunction with the Relay for Life of Pope and Yell counties, set for April 25 and 26 at the Pope County Fairgrounds. Opening ceremonies for the relay will begin at 7 p.m. April 25, and the pageant will begin at 7:30 p.m. on the fairground stage. The pageant includes three age groups: 2-4, 5-7 and 8-11. Winners will receive a sash, a crown and $50, and the entry fee is $25. Proceeds will benefit Relay for Life, the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. This year’s Relay for Life theme is “Dr. Seuss,” and contestants are asked to dress in their best Seussville outfits. For more information, contact Aimee Dixon at (870) 675-1759, aimee.dixon@russellvilleschools.net or aimeec28@gmail.com.
April 16
Softball Tournament Registration Deadline
RUSSELLVILLE — The deadline is noon Wednesday to register for the the 19th annual Battle on the Bayou softball tournament, held by the Russellville Recreation and Parks Department. The tournament will be Saturday at Pleasant View Park. The USSSA-sanctioned tournament is open for Men’s Class E and Women’s Class D and below teams. The entry fee is $185, plus the sanctioning fee. For more information, call the Hughes Center at (479) 968-1272 or (479) 880-1519, or email russellvillearsoftball@hotmail.com.
Computer Classes for Seniors
CONWAY — Connect Arkansas will offer free computer classes for seniors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Faulkner County Library. The hands-on classes will cover frequently asked questions regarding computers and the Internet. The instructor can help participants set up an email account, learn about Facebook, use Word or Excel and download pictures. Class size is limited to five people per one-hour class. To register, call the library at (501) 327-7482 or email Nancy@fcl.org.
April 16 – April 18
A Doll’s House
CONWAY — The UCA Theatre will present A Doll’s House at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday in the Snow Fine Arts Center Bridges/Larson Theatre. Tickets are $10 for the general public, and University of Central Arkansas students can get two free tickets with a current student ID. For tickets, call UCA Ticket Central at (501) 450-3265 or visit Reynolds Performance Hall.
April 17
Davanzo Family Concert
CONWAY — The Faulkner County Library will present the Davanzo Family Bluegrass Band at 7 p.m. Carmen, the father, is from the popular Hometown Bluegrass Band. The Davanzo Family Bluegrass Band also includes mom Bridget and the couple’s three children: Brittany, 18; Monica, 17; and Nick, 14. All library events are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call the library at (501) 327-7482 or email Nancy@fcl.org.
April 19
Public Service Fair
CONWAY — The Faulkner County Library will present a spring Public Service Fair from 1-4 p.m. The purpose of the fair is to alert Faulkner County residents to the services that various organizations offer to those in need and to offer an opportunity for agencies to promote their organizations and encourage volunteerism in the community. To sign up an agency to participate, call the library at (501) 327-7482 or email Nancy@fcl.org. The event is free and open to the public.
Ongoing
Arkansas Society of Printmakers
CONWAY — The Hendrix College Department of Art will host the Arkansas Society of Printmakers’ exhibit Print Evolution through April 24. The closing reception will be from 6-7 p.m. April 24 in the Art Building A Gallery. Print Evolution is an exchange portfolio by the ASP. On view is a collection of original fine-art prints. Each print is a collaboration between two members of the group. Included are woodcuts, lithographs, screen prints, etchings and monotypes. Join the artists to find out more and celebrate the art of the print. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Hendrix art professor Melissa Gill at gill@hendrix.edu or (501) 505-1562.
Computer Training
CONWAY — The Conway Adult Education Center, 125 Center St., is taking registration for computer-training classes and workshops from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday until the sessions begin. For more information, call (501) 450-4810 or visit www.caec.org.
Conway Community Meditation Group
CONWAY — The Conway Community Meditation group meets from 12:30-1:30 p.m. every Tuesday at The Locals, 1024 Van Ronkle St. This session provides a time of unifying harmony with fellow Conway residents. All are welcome. For more information, visit www.thelocals.be/events.
Spanish Practice Group
CONWAY — The Spanish Practice Group meets at 4 p.m. every Friday at The Locals, 1024 Van Ronkle St. Join other Spanish-speaking enthusiasts in conversation. Todos son bienvenidos! For more information, visit www.thelocals.be/events.
Wordpress Conway
CONWAY — Wordpress Conway takes place at 6 p.m. the second Tuesday of every month at The Locals, 1024 Van Ronkle St. For anyone who uses Wordpress or wants to learn more about it, this central-Arkansas group can provide help with questions or issues Wordpress users may have. For more information, visit www.thelocals.be/events.
Simply Said Storytelling
CONWAY — Simply Said is an informal, open-mic storytelling time held at 6 p.m. every Thursday at The Locals, 1024 Van Ronkle St. Participants are asked to share a story, no notes, in no more than five minutes. For more information, visit www.thelocals.be/events.
The Fiber Circle
CONWAY — The Fiber Circle is held at 5:30 p.m. the last Wednesday of every month at The Locals, 1024 Van Ronkle St. Those who knit, crochet, stitch or pursue any other craft are welcome to work on their own projects or help fellow craftivists with theirs. For more information, visit www.thelocals.be/events.
TeamKID
MAUMELLE — Southern Hills Baptist Fellowship and JumpZone have teamed up to offer a free children’s program, TeamKID, for first- through sixth-graders. The program is held at 6:30 p.m. each Wednesday at the JumpZone building. For more information, call (501) 851-7729 or visit www.southernhillsbaptist.tv.
Sign Language Class
CONWAY — A sign language class meets at 5:30 p.m. Mondays at the Faulkner County Library.
Tea Party Meeting
HEBER SPRINGS — Arkansas’ We the People Tea Party of Cleburne County meets at 6:30 p.m. the first and third Thursdays of every month at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, 1101C W. Main St. Various issues are discussed. For more information, call Marlin Schwartz at (847) 977-5261.
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 books at bargain prices. Proceeds from the shop benefit the libraries in Cleburne County. Volunteers are needed. Friends of the Library meet at 1 p.m. the second Thursday of the month. For more information, stop by the shop.
Upcoming
Credit Union Annual Meeting
MORRILTON — The annual meeting for the Arkansas Kraft Employees Federal Credit Union will be held from 2-4 p.m. April 21 at the Credit Union office. The agenda will include annual reports, a board-member election, door prizes and refreshments.
Audubon Society Meeting
CLINTON — The Little Red River Audubon Society will meet April 22 at Western Sizzlin’. A Dutch-treat dinner will begin at 5 p.m., followed by the program at 6. Find out why frogs are important, why they are in trouble and what can be done to help them. Learn the calls of four types of local frogs and discover how to build a free frog pond. Door prizes will be presented after the meeting. For more information, email lrras2011@gmail.com or visit www.littleredriveraudubonsociety.com.
Russellville Driver Safety Class
RUSSELLVILLE — An AARP Driver Safety classroom course will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 23 at Brown’s Catfish, 1804 E. Main. A one-hour lunch break will be taken at 11:30 a.m., with attendees responsible for the cost of their lunch. To register, call (479) 495-3525 or email jdimodana@gmail.com. The class is open to licensed drivers of any age. Seating is limited to 40 people on a first-come, first-served basis. This course will be presented by an AARP-certified instructor through a combination of instruction, video and workbook participation. Those who complete the course may be eligible for an appropriate discount on their auto-insurance premiums. The fee for the course is $15 for AARP members and $20 for nonmembers. There is no test.
Rally for the Risen King
WONDERVIEW — Rally for the Risen King will be held at 7 p.m. April 25 in the Wonderview High School gym. Admission is free. Todd West will be the speaker, and music will be performed by Rapid Fire Ministries. The event is sponsored by Hattieville Baptist Church. For more information, call Brent Schmitz at (501) 208-1132.
Springfest
HEBER SPRINGS — The 27th annual Springfest will be April 25 and 26 in Spring Park. The event will feature arts and crafts, a nature adventure in the Butterfly Pavilion, activities for kids, live music, art demonstrations, festival foods and more. Ronald McDonald will visit, followed by the Arkansas Children’s Theatre production of The Little Engine That Thought He Could. There will be two car shows: classic cars and motorcycles on the courthouse lawn and Volkswagens in Spring Park. Other events will include the Pooches With Panache dog contest, an old-fashioned political stumping and pie auction, the annual Miss Springfest pageant and the second annual Average Joe’s Backyard Burnoff barbecue contest. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.hebersprings.com.
Sacred Heart Cajun Fête
MORRILTON — Volunteers for Sacred Heart Catholic School will prepare an all-you-can-eat Cajun feast, to be served from 5-8 p.m. April 26 in Ruff Auditorium on the campus. The menu will include boiled crawfish, shrimp, chicken, gumbo, potatoes and corn, chicken and coleslaw. Tickets are $30 in advance through Friday. After that, tickets will cost $35. Tickets may be purchased on the school website, at Merle Norman or in the school office (must be 21 to buy tickets). All proceeds will benefit Sacred Heart School. For more information, call 354-4358 or visit www.sacredheartmorriilton.org.
World Tai Chi Day
CONWAY — The Faulkner County Library will celebrate World Tai Chi Day from 10 a.m. to noon April 26 with demonstrations of tai chi by the library’s tai chi class, under the instruction of Sachiko Halter. The event is open to the public. The annual World Tai Chi Day includes celebrations in 80 nations and several hundred cities in various time zones, ending with final events in Hawaii. Celebrations include mass tai chi and qigong exhibitions and free classes in many participating cities.
Author Reading
CONWAY — April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the Faulkner County Library will feature spoken-word artist, novelist and blogger Turjemia at 2 p.m. April 26 for a reading and discussion. Turjemia’s first novel, Betraying Ayanna, explores the pain of living with abuse and the courage required to forgive and move forward to a fulfilling life. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call the library at (501) 327-7482 or email Nancy@fcl.org.
Political Speaking and Dessert Auction
HEBER SPRINGS — The Wilburn Relay for Life Team will hold a Political Speaking and Dessert Auction on April 26 at the old Wilburn School Cafeteria on Arkansas 110 in Wilburn. Finger foods will be served at 5 p.m. Stumping will begin at 6, followed by an auction. All proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society. For more information, call Danita Hayes at (501) 206-2505.
Track and Field Meet
RUSSELLVILLE — The Russellville Recreation and Parks Department will hold the local Hershey Track and Field Meet on May 3 at the Russellville High School track. Registration will begin at 9 a.m., followed by the meet at 10. The free event is for boys and girls ages 9 to 14. Entrants may preregister at the Hughes Center, at local schools or at www.russellvillearkansas.org. For more information, call (479) 968-1272.
Tribute to Mom 5K Run/Walk
MORRILTON — The Tribute to Mom 5K Run/Walk will start at the St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church at 7 a.m. May 10. The entry fee is $15 in advance or $20 the day of the race. For an additional $10, participants can take out an ad to pay tribute to their moms in the “Happy Mother’s Day” booklet, to be published by the church. Registration forms and ads are due April 30. Entry forms are available online at cityofmorrilton.com. For more information, contact Charlotte Kindle at (501) 354 3142 (evenings) or charlotte.kindle@yahoo.com; or Joyce Smith at (501) 450-2976 or smith59jm@gmail.com.
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.