April 14
Retired Teachers Meeting
HEBER SPRINGS — The Cleburne County Retired Teachers will meet at noon at the Rustic Inn. Guest speaker Dr. Kristy Cowherd will present tips on how to stay healthy. All retired school personnel are invited to attend. For more information, call Lavern Penn at (501) 206-0357.
Mango Language Learning Training Session
CONWAY — The Faulkner County Library will present a Mango Language Learning training session at 6 p.m. Participants will learn how to sign up for Mango Languages, take a sample lesson and have an opportunity to ask questions. Attendees are asked to bring a laptop or other device. The library has a limited number of laptops for use during the session. Preregister by calling the library at (501) 327-7482 or emailing Nancy@fcl.org. All library events are free and open to the public.
Obtaining Government Certifications Workshop
RUSSELLVILLE — The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center will present How to Obtain Government Certifications for Women-, Disabled-Veteran- and Minority-Owned Businesses from 1-4 p.m. at Arkansas Tech University. Government contracts are available every year for certified owners of these businesses. Workshop participants will learn about the types of governmental contracts and how to obtain these certifications. There is no cost to attend. Seating is limited, and registration is required by calling (479) 356-2067 or visiting asbtdc.org/training/russellville-events.
April 16
Sacred Heart Student Visit Day
MORRILTON — Sacred Heart Catholic School will have a Student Visit Day for students entering kindergarten through the 12th grade who have enrolled or are considering enrolling as new students for fall 2015. Kindergartners will meet from 8:15-9:15 or 9:30-10:30; all others can attend a full school day, beginning at 8 a.m. Lunch will be provided. Check-in will be at 8 a.m. in the school cafeteria. A parent reception will be held from 8-9:30 a.m. in the cafeteria. Tours, classroom visits and meetings with the principal can be arranged. Tuition, registration and tuition-assistance information will be provided. Registration forms, due Monday, are available in the school office and at www.sacredheartmorrilton.org. Families who cannot attend Thursday may call (501) 354-4358 to schedule an appointment.
April 17
Spring Plant Sale
MORRILTON — The Petit Jean Garden Club’s annual spring plant sale will be held from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Southern Christian Home Gym, 1050 Oak St. (Arkansas 95). There will be a variety of bedding plants, hanging baskets, perennials, potted containers for decks or patios, and choice plants from members’ gardens. The sale enables the Petit Jean Garden Club to continue planting and maintaining flowerbeds throughout Morrilton, as well as funding civic projects and scholarships to area students. Members of the club will be available to help customers with gardening problems and offer suggestions for flowers that thrive in the area.
April 18
Sacred Heart Cajun Fête, After Party
MORRILTON — Volunteers for Sacred Heart School will serve an all-you-can-eat Cajun feast from 5-8 p.m. in the school gym/Ruff Auditorium. The menu includes boiled crawfish, shrimp, chicken, gumbo, potatoes and corn, chicken and coleslaw. Tickets are $35 and may be purchased on the school website, at Merle Norman or in the school office (must be 21 to purchase). The ticket includes admission to an after party, with music provided by Morrilton’s Travis Caudell. All proceeds will benefit Sacred Heart School. For more information, call (501) 354-4358 or visit www.sacredheartmorrilton.org.
South Fork Nature Center Programs
CLINTON — The South Fork Nature Center will offer two free programs, beginning at 10 a.m. with herbal enthusiast Shirley Pratt, who will lead a trail walk that will emphasize identification and historic uses for plants found in nature. Participants may bring along “mystery plants” for identification. At 1 p.m., artist Joyce Hartmann will present the Sandstone Painting Project and demonstrate techniques for painting the rocks. All supplies and materials will be furnished. Participants are asked to wear old clothing and bring something to sit on. Visitors may bring a sack lunch and spend the day at the center. Preregister by calling Joyce at (501) 745-6615 or the South Fork Nature Center at (501) 745-6444.
Book Signing
CONWAY — Charles D. Morgan, former Acxiom Corp. CEO and chairman, will sign copies of his new memoir, Matters of Life and Data: The Remarkable Journey of a Big Data Visionary Whose Work Impacted Millions (Including You), from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at Village Books, 1700 Altus, Suite 100, in The Village at Hendrix. Morgan’s memoir recounts his journey from a modest upbringing in Fort Smith to his role as one of America’s all-time big-data visionaries. During his 36-year tenure, Morgan grew a small data-processing firm of 25 employees into the global juggernaut Acxiom, a $1.4 billion corporation with 7,000 employees and offices across the globe. For more information on the book signing, call Village Books at (501) 450-1228.
Hamburger Cookout Fundraiser
PETIT JEAN MOUNTAIN — The Petit Jean Extension Homemakers Club will hold its first fundraiser to assist in the restoration of Trinity Lutheran Church. David and Heidi Cox, directors of the Lutheran Camp, will host the hamburger cookout fundraiser, set for 5 p.m. in the Petit Jean Mountain Lutheran Camp dining hall. Everyone is invited to this family event. Proceeds raised will be matched by a Historic Preservation grant for the church building to be restored as close to its original structure as possible. A silent auction will begin at 5 p.m., and door prizes will be awarded. To make a donation, contact chairwoman Ann Vance at (501) 215-9726 or esvance@msn.com.
Tee It Up for Literacy Golf Tournament
FAIRFIELD BAY — The Fairfield Bay Library Friends Inc. will sponsor the seventh annual Tee It Up for Literacy Golf Tournament at the Indian Hills Golf Course. Keith Monahan, meteorologist at KARK-TV Channel 4 in Little Rock, will be a special guest. Proceeds will benefit the Fairfield Bay Library. Sign-in will begin at 11 a.m., with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. The four-person scramble costs $55 per person. The entry deadline is Thursday. For more information or to register, call the Indian Hills Pro Shop at (501) 884-6018.
Saturday’s Fair Fundraiser
RUSSELLVILLE — Saturday’s Fair, a new family-oriented fundraiser for the Arkansas Hospice River Valley Home, will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hughes Community Center, 1000 E. Parkway Drive. The event will feature food trucks, games, auctions, music by Some Guy Named Robb, and Johnny Story as master of ceremonies. Admission is $5. Children 10 and younger will be admitted free. Attendees can pay at the door or buy tickets at the Arkansas Hospice Russellville office, 2405 E. Parkway Drive, Suite 3. Donations to Arkansas Hospice may be made by calling toll-free at (877) 713-2348 or visiting www.arkansashospice.org. For more information, call (479) 498-2050.
Ongoing
Maumelle Newcomers Club Scholarship
MAUMELLE — The Maumelle Newcomers Club is offering a $1,000 scholarship to all eligible residents of Maumelle, as well as immediate family members of Newcomers Club members. Applicants must have at least a 2.5 cumulative grade-point average and cannot be the recipient of a full scholarship. The scholarship is available to those attending a four-year or two-year accredited educational institution or accredited technical college. Graduate and part-time students are also eligible. Applications must be postmarked by April 21 and can be obtained at the Maumelle Public Library or by calling scholarship chairwoman Alice Cleves at (501) 442-3846.
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.
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.
Cherokee Bingo
CONWAY — Cherokee Bingo begins at 6:15 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at Helton’s Wrecker Service/U-Haul, 710 S. Harkrider St. All proceeds go to the Helton-Osburn-Spencer Scholarship Fund at the University of Central Arkansas.
Morning Movers Class
MAUMELLE — The Morning Movers class is offered from 8:15-9 a.m. Monday through Thursday at the Maumelle Senior Wellness Center, 550 Edgewood Drive, Suite 400. 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
Conway Conversations
CONWAY — The Faulkner County Library will present an informational and planning meeting for Conway Conversations at 6 p.m. April 20 at the library. The aims of Conway Conversations are for people to have conversations with others who think differently while listening to, respecting and learning about one another. For more information, call the library at (501) 327-7482, email nancy@fcl.org, or visit Facebook or Twitter. All library events are free and open to the public.
Administrative Assistants Day Fundraiser Luncheon
MORRILTON — The seventh annual Administrative Assistants Day Fundraiser Luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 22 in the Multi-Purpose Building at the Conway County Fairgrounds. Special entertainment will be provided by Craig O’Neill and a mystery guest. There will be door prizes, and vendors will offer items for shopping. Individual tickets are $25. Sponsorship tables are available, beginning at $150. Proceeds will support the work of The Safe Place Inc., which serves victims of domestic violence. For more information, call (501) 354-1884 or email thesafeplace@suddenlinkmail.com.
Extension Homemakers Clubs Luncheon Fundraiser
PERRYVILLE — The Perry County Extension Homemakers Clubs will present a luncheon fundraiser April 23 in the Perry County Fairgrounds Multi-Purpose Building. Guest speaker Janet Carson, extension horticulture specialist with the University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture Research and Extension, will present In the Garden: What to Do to Make Your Garden Shine. A light lunch will include taco-in-a-bag, dessert and a drink for $10. Lunch will be served at 10:30 a.m., followed by the program at 11:30. The event is open to the public. To reserve a ticket, call the Perry County Extension office at (501) 889-2661. Tickets can be paid for at the door. The event will support the Extension Homemakers Clubs of Perry County and local Master Gardeners programs.
Tornado-Anniversary Event
MAYFLOWER — The Interfaith and Partners Disaster Recovery Alliance will hold a tornado-anniversary event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 25 in Mayflower City Park to remember the loss and celebrate recovery. An EF4-rated tornado tore through the area, including Faulkner County, on April 27, 2014, killing 12 people in Faulkner County, including three in Mayflower. The event will include special music, free food and drink, activities for children, special guests and a prayer. For more information, contact the Interfaith and Partners Disaster Recovery office at (501) 205-6873.
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.