Dec. 31
Hospice Gala
RUSSELLVILLE — The Heart of Hospice New Year’s Eve Gala will benefit hospice patients and their loved ones. The event will include a silent auction, a raffle, door prizes, hors d’oeuves, a prime-rib dinner, dessert and live music by On the Verge. The cost is $50 per person. The gala will be held at the Russellville Country Club. For more information, call (479) 968-4177, ext. 128.
Jan. 1
Lake Dardanelle State Park First Day Hike
RUSSELLVILLE — Lake Dardanelle State Park will offer a First Day Hike from 10-11 a.m. as part of the national program that kicks off the year for hikers. Hike participants will meet at the amphitheater. For more information on this free event, contact park staff at (479) 967-5516 or lakedardanelle@arkansas.com.
Woolly Hollow State Park First Day Hikes
GREENBRIER — Woolly Hollow State Park will offer First Day Hikes from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the park near Greenbrier. Those participating in one of the free hikes are asked to meet at the Huckleberry Trailhead in the park. For more information, call (501) 679-2098 or email woollyhollow@arkansas.com.
Petit Jean State ParkFirst Day Hikes
PETIT JEAN MOUNTAIN — Among the state parks offering First Day Hikes is Petit Jean State Park atop Petit Jean Mountain. These free, guided hikes are annual New Year’s Day events observed in all 50 states. For more information, contact park staff at (501) 727-5441 or petitjean@arkansas.com, or visit www.petitjeanstatepark.com.
Jan. 2
Family Concert
CONWAY — The Faulkner County Library will present the musical group Still on the Hill for an afternoon of fun for the whole family at 3 p.m. The event is funded in part by a grant from the Arkansas Arts Council. All library programs 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.
Ongoing
Grief Support Group
MAUMELLE — The Maumelle Senior Wellness Center, 550 Edgewood Drive, is offering a grief support group from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Wednesdays. The group is open to all center members who have experienced loss. Participants will have an opportunity to discuss their losses and gain insight into developing coping skills. For more information, call (501) 851-4344.
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.
Midday Manna
CONWAY — A Bible lecture and luncheon led by Wanda Landers takes place from 11:45 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at Woodland Heights Baptist Church, 4215 Prince St. Lunch, including a drink and dessert, is served for $5. For child care by reservation, call (501) 329-0001.
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.
Upcoming
Health Screenings
MAUMELLE — The Maumelle Senior Wellness Center, in connection with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, will offer screenings for peripheral arterial disease from 12:30-4:30 p.m. Jan. 5. The screenings, for people older than 50, are free and open to the public. Blood-pressure and glucose readings will also be available. The center is at 550 Edgewood Drive, Suite 400. For more information, call (501) 851-4344.
Small Business Training
RUSSELLVILLE — The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center will present Website in a Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 8 at Arkansas Tech University. Participants in this hands-on workshop will be taken step by step through creating a free account and building an attractive, functional, five-page website using Weebly. The cost to attend is $50. Registration is required to guarantee a seat. To register, call (479) 356-2067 or visit asbtdc.org/training/russellville-events.
Eagle Awareness Weekend
MORRILTON — On Jan. 10 and 11, officials at Petit Jean State Park will offer a variety of programs centering on the United States’ national symbol, the bald eagle. Activities during this free event will include a trip to the nearby Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge to look for wintering eagles and other birds. For a schedule or more information, call the park at (501) 727-5441, email petitjean@arkansas.com, or visit www.petitjeanstatepark.com.
Library Service fair
CONWAY — The Faulkner County Library Service Fair will be held from 1- 4 p.m. Jan. 17. The event provides a way for community members to become familiar with local organizations that are looking for volunteers. Local and regional service organizations and clubs will have representatives available to share information about their organizations and the volunteer opportunities they have available, and to offer help to those in need of the services they provide. All library events are free and open to the public. For more information, call the library at (501) 327-7482 or email Nancy@fcl.org.
Overnight Bicycle Ride
GREERS FERRY — Members of the Arkansas Bicycle Club will hold an overnight ride from Greers Ferry to Mountain View on Jan. 17 and 18. Participants will leave from the Narrows area of Greers Ferry Lake and head to Prim before stopping in Mountain View for an overnight stay. The free ride includes a support vehicle to carry gear, and there will be a lunch stop on the route. For more information, call (501) 912-1449, email jobritt@sbcglobal.net, or visit www.arkansasbicycleclub.org.
Tchaikovsky, Mozart Festival
MAUMELLE — The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra will hold its Masterworks Tchaikovsky and Mozart Festival on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 at the Maumelle High School Performing Arts Center, 100 Victory Lane. The guest conductor will be Vladimir Verbitsky, and the featured violinist will be Randall Goosby. For more information, call (501) 666-1761, email info@arkansassymphony.org, or visit www.arkansassymphony.org.
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