Dec. 21
The Rented Christmas
SEARCY — The Performing Arts Center on the Square will present The Rented Christmas, written by Norman C. Ahern Jr. and Yvonne Ahern, at 219 W. Arch Ave. Today’s performance will be at 1:30 p.m., with brunch at 12:30 p.m. For brunch and a matinee, tickets are $27 for adults and $21 for seniors 55 or older and students. All show-only tickets are $15. Meal tickets need to be reserved 48 hours in advance. For more information or tickets, call (501) 368-0111 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday or visit www.centeronthesquare.org.
Making Clay Christmas Ornaments for Kids
NEWPORT — Jacksonport State Park will present Making Clay Christmas Ornaments for Kids, geared to children ages 7-14, from 2-3 p.m. at the Jacksonport Courthouse. Children will join the park interpreter to make easy and attractive clay ornaments for Christmas. Participants are asked to not wear good clothes and to be prepared to get their hands sticky. Admission is free.
Dec. 22
Residential Trash Pickup Changes
SEARCY — Ordinance 2014-21, adopted by the city of Searcy and effective Dec. 11, presents several changes and requirements of residents in regard to trash pickup. All trash must be placed in trash bags before being placed in a trash container or at curbside, and loose trash not placed in a trash bag will not be picked up. Trash containers may not be placed at curbside before 5 p.m. the day before scheduled pickup or left more than 24 hours after pickup, and no trash container or storage receptacle may be left at curbside permanently. Fines have been established for violations, and official enforcement of the new regulations will begin Dec. 22. For a copy of the ordinance, visit www.searcy.com or go to Searcy City Hall or the Searcy sanitation department. For more information, call (501) 279-1000.
AARP Christmas Potluck
CABOT — Cabot’s AARP Chapter will have a Christmas potluck supper, a short business meeting and musical entertainment, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Cabot Senior Center, 600 N. Grant St. Jerry Miller and Val Wailson from Mount Carmel Baptist Church will present a program of Christmas singalong and secular and sacred music. Members and prospective members are invited. For more information, call (501) 492-1456.
Dec. 25, 26 and Jan. 1
Blanchard Springs Caverns Holiday Closings
MOUNTAIN VIEW — Blanchard Springs Caverns, 15 miles northwest of Mountain View near Fifty Six, will be closed Dec. 25, 26 and Jan. 1. Tours through the Dripstone level of the Caverns will run as usual Wednesday, with tours at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. and as needed. Tours will begin again Saturday. Blanchard Springs Caverns is normally open Wednesdays through Sundays and closed Mondays and Tuesdays. The Caverns’ Visitor Information Center is open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call the Caverns at (870) 757-2211; visit www.fs.usda.gov/osfnf or www.recreation.gov, or write to the U.S. Forest Service, 1001 E. Main St., Mountain View, AR 72560.
ONGOING
ASUN Holiday Closing
NEWPORT — Arkansas State University-Newport is closed in observance of the holiday season and will reopen at 8 a.m. Jan. 5. Returning students with no holds on their accounts may continue to register online during the holiday closing. Classes for spring 2015 begin Jan. 20. For more information or to begin the registration process, call (800) 976-1676 or visit www.asun.edu. Spring 2015 courses may be found at www.asun.edu/schedules.
Scholarship Application Deadline
WHITE COUNTY — The deadline for applying for White County Single Parent Scholarship Fund Inc. spring 2015 scholarships is Jan. 7. The fund awards scholarships to White County single parents who have minor children and are pursuing postsecondary education in order to achieve skilled employment. The application may be viewed at www.aspsf.org/county_white.html. For more information, contact Executive Director Dan Newsom at wcspsf.inc@gmail.com or (501) 230-2414.
Cabot Civitan Meetings
CABOT — Cabot Civitan Meetings are held at 6 p.m. the first and third Mondays of each month at First Security Bank in downtown Cabot. For more information, call Tom Nolting at (501) 606-3731.
Tea Party Meeting
CABOT — The Jacksonville/Cabot Tea Party meets at 7 p.m. each second Thursday of the month in Centennial Bank’s Community Room, 300 W. Main St. For more information, call (501) 813-6980.
Love Cap Group
HEBER SPRINGS — The Love Cap group meets to sew caps on the fourth Wednesday of each month at First Baptist Church. For more information, call Polly at (501) 206-0808.
Pancake Breakfast
McRAE — A pancake breakfast is held from 7-9 a.m. the second Saturday of each month at McRae Masonic Lodge F. & A.M. No. 687. Donations are accepted.
Chronic Pain Meeting
CABOT — The Cabot Chapter of the American Chronic Pain Association meets from 6-8 p.m. the first Friday of the month at 15361 Arkansas 5. The association is a nonprofit, self-help group designed to teach people with chronic pain to reduce the impact pain has on their work and personal lives. All prospective members are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Michelle Lippert at (501) 259-6069.
Friends of the Library Book Shop
HEBER SPRINGS — The Friends of the Library Book Shop, 2255 Arkansas 25B N., is open from 3:30-7 p.m. Mondays, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays. The shop offers a large selection of books at bargain prices. All proceeds from the shop benefit the libraries in Cleburne County.
Second Time Around Bookstore
SEARCY — The Literacy Council of White County operates the Second Time Around Bookstore at 109 E. Center in downtown Searcy. Proceeds from the sale of donated books support the mission of helping adults in the community improve their literacy and English-language skills. The store and literacy office are open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays. For more information, call (501) 278-5500.
UPCOMING
First Day Hikes
POWHATAN — Lake Charles State Park will hold its annual First Day Hike at 7 p.m. Jan. 1 at the park, 3705 Arkansas 25. As they hike Lake Charles, participants will have an opportunity to listen for night sounds and observe the stars. The free event is appropriate for children and adults of all ages, who are reminded to dress appropriately for the weather. For more information, call (870) 878-6595.
Music Session
BATESVILLE — Instrumental musicians, singers and listeners are invited to a jam session from 6-9 p.m. Jan 5 in the Community Room of First Community Bank. Participants are asked to bring their favorite songs.
Family Movie Night
JACKSONVILLE — Dolphin Tale 2, rated G, will be shown for all ages at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 6 at the Nixon Library. For more information, call the library at (501) 457-5038.
KidStage Registration
SEARCY — Registration is open for the Spring Session of KidStage. Classes will meet from 4-6 p.m. Jan. 6 for second- through sixth-graders and Jan. 8 for seventh- through 12th-graders. The cost is $60, and space is limited. To get a child’s name on the list, call (501) 368-0111; then come by the theater, at 219 W. Arch St., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday to fill out a registration form and pay the fee. Directors for this session are Victoria Hargrove and Tyler Norris. Performance dates are March 19-21.
Introduction to E-readers
JACKSONVILLE — An introduction to e-readers for all ages will be presented at noon Jan. 8 at the Nixon Library. Participants are asked to bring their e-readers and will learn how to download print books and audio books. For more information, call the library at (501) 457-5038.
Adult Movie Night
JACKSONVILLE — The Hundred Foot Journey, rated PG, will be shown for adults at 5 p.m. Jan. 8 at the Nixon Library. For more information, call the library at (501) 457-5038.
AARP Smart Driver Course
SEARCY — The PrimeTimes of White County Medical Center will offer an AARP Smart Driver Course from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 10 on the first floor of the Hubach Center. Parking is available behind the hospital off Moore Street. Take the elevator to the first floor. The instructors are Frances and Bill Mizell. The cost of the course is $15 for AARP members with an AARP card and $20 for nonmembers. Participants may want to bring a sweater or jacket for comfort. To register for the class, call Anna Overbay-Brumfield at PrimeTimes at (501) 380-1050.
Clothing Swap
JACKSONVILLE — The Nixon Library will hold a clothing swap at 11 a.m. Jan. 12. Participants are welcome to choose some free used clothing and donate some of their own. For more information, call the library at (501) 457-5038.
Family Movie Night
JACKSONVILLE — The film When the Game Stands Tall, rated PG, will be shown for all ages at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Nixon Library. For more information, call the library at (501) 457-5038.
Coffee and Tea Tasting
JACKSONVILLE — The Nixon Library will hold a coffee and tea tasting at noon Jan. 15. Various kinds of coffee and tea will be available for attendees to sample. For more information, call the library at (501) 457-5038.
Adult Movie Night
JACKSONVILLE — There will be a screening of Guardians of the Galaxy, rated PG-13, for adults at 5 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Nixon Library. For more information, call the library at (501) 457-5038.
Learn to Crochet
JACKSONVILLE — Learn to Crochet for ages 13 and older will be presented at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Nixon Library. Registration is required, and attendees are asked to bring a size H crochet hook. Free yarn will be provided. For more information, call the library at (501) 457-5038.
Human Resource Training
BATESVILLE — First Community Bank and the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce will host human-resource training from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 22 in the George Rider Room of First Community Bank. The session, a continuation of the Basic Supervisor Training held in September, will focus on the behavioral aspects behind hiring, retaining and leading employees, and on maximizing the employer’s return on investment for an employee. The registration fee is $150 for chamber members and $200 for nonmembers.
Adult Movie Night
JACKSONVILLE — This is Where I Leave You, rated R, will be shown for adults at 5 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Nixon Library. For more information, call the library at (501) 457-5038.
Sewing and More
JACKSONVILLE — Sewing and More — fiber-crafting sessions that involve sewing, knitting, crocheting and other types of textile constructions — will be held for teens and older at 3 p.m. Jan. 22 and 29 at the Nixon Library. This month’s sessions will feature sewing. Registration is preferred. Only 10 spots per class are available unless participants bring their own supplies. For more information, call the library at (501) 457-5038.
Old Timers Football Game
HEBER SPRINGS — The Old Timers Football Game fundraiser will be held Jan. 24 at Heber Springs High School. The full-contact football game splits the team into young and old players, and the school provides the equipment. The cost is $35 to play and includes a T-shirt for the event. For more information, call (501) 366-0143.
Adult Movie Night
JACKSONVILLE — The film Groundhog Day, rated PG, will be shown for adults at 5 p.m. Jan. 29 at the Nixon Library. For more information, call the library at (501) 457-5038.
Davidsonville Craft Day
POCAHONTAS — Davidsonville Craft Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 31 at Davidsonville Historic State Park on Arkansas 166, 15 minutes south of Pocahontas. Crafters from the Ozark Folk Center will teach the basic skills of crocheting and broom making. Broom maker Shawn Hoefer will offer a whisk-broom workshop from 10 a.m. to noon. Admission is $20, and registration is required by Jan. 23. Ozark Folk Center craft director Jeanette Larson will offer a beginners crochet workshop from 1-4 p.m. The deadline to register is Jan. 29, and admission is $10. Those who take both workshops will need to bring their lunch. All supplies will be provided. For more information or to register, call (870) 892-4708.
Photography and Photoshop Course
MOUNTAIN VIEW — Ozarka College in Mountain View will offer a four-day Photography and Photoshop continuing-education course taught by Patrick Ward from 5-7 p.m. Feb. 2-5. Tuition is $20, and preregistration is required. There will be two levels of photography taught: the basics of camera use; and preparation for specific shooting settings. Students need to bring a camera that has adjustable settings, preferably a DSLR (digital single lens reflex) that has the ability for multiple lenses and modes. Students need to bring a notepad or laptop to take notes during the Photoshop portion of the class. For more information or to register, contact Lindsay Wilson-Galloway, director of Ozarka College off-campus operations in Mountain View, at (870) 269-5600 or lhgalloway@ozarka.edu.
Basic Orienteering Class
POWHATAN — A basic orienteering class will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 14 at Lake Charles State Park. The cost of the class is $8 with a limit of 10 per class. Participants will learn how to use a map and compass through hands-on training and activities. No experience is necessary. There will be a beginner course with teams at the end of the workshop. Participants are reminded to dress for the weather and for varying terrain. Reservations are required to attend. For more information, call (870) 878-6595.
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.