Sept. 27
Total Lunar Eclipse Viewing
RUSSELLVILLE — The Arkansas Tech University Observatory will be open from 8-10 p.m. for a watch party to view a total lunar eclipse, weather and clouds permitting. Admission will be free. The Arkansas Tech Observatory is in the courtyard at the southwest corner of McEver Hall. Visitors are advised to park in the west end of the Chambers Cafeteria parking lot at 204 W. O St. and walk north to the observatory. Jeff Robertson, professor of astrophysics and dean of the Arkansas Tech College of Natural and Health Sciences, oversees the facility.
Conway Writers’ Group Reading
CONWAY — As part of ArtsFest 2015, the Conway Writers’ Group will offer a public reading at 3 p.m. at the Faulkner County Library. Local authors will explore the theme “Art and Science” with moderator Michael Abernathy. Readers will include David Ratchford, Joan Leffler, Joyce Holder, Bob Reising, Paula Abernathy, Michael Abernathy, Bryan Williams, J. Neal Wood and Carroll Williams. A question-and-answer period will follow the reading. All library events are free and open to the public. For more information, call the library at (501) 317-7482 or email nancy@fcl.org.
Sept. 27 - Oct. 3
The Construction Has Stopped and It’s Time to Shop
CLINTON — The Construction Has Stopped and It’s Time to Shop will continue through Friday. The event is a citywide promotion to celebrate the completion of the U.S. 65 road-construction project with prize drawings and sales. Customers can register to win prizes at participating businesses in the city of Clinton. This week of promotions and sales will conclude with prize drawings at the eighth annual Chili King Cook-off on Saturday in historic downtown Clinton.
Sept. 28
Audubon Society Meeting
PETIT JEAN MOUNTAIN — The Arkansas River Valley Audubon Society will meet at 7 p.m. in the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute’s Stable Room on Petit Jean Mountain. Lori Monday, a third-semester graduate student of herpetology at the University of Central Arkansas, will speak on Defend Wildlife: Prevent and Control Invasive Species, concerning research on color morphology of the red-eared slider turtle and how that color production affects the turtle’s physiology and behavior. For more information, call Pat Donnell at (501) 977-3899.
Punt, Pass and Kick
RUSSELLVILLE — The Russellville Recreation and Parks Department will host a local competition for NFL Punt, Pass and Kick at 6:30 p.m. at Pleasant View Park, 3595 N. Arkansas Ave. The free competition is open to boys and girls, ages 6 to 15. Registration forms are available at the Hughes Center, or participants may register at the event. For more information, call the Hughes Center at (479) 968-1272.
Sept. 29
Tales From the South Broadcast
CONWAY — Tales From the South will return to the Faulkner County Library at 7 p.m. The doors will open at 5 p.m., and food trucks will be on hand, including The Locals, PattiCakes, Hot Rod Wieners, Road Hog BBQ and Katmandu Momo. Live music will begin at 6, and the radio broadcast of the show will begin at 7. This special edition of Tales From the South will celebrate Banned Books Week. All library events are free and open to the public. Preregister at (501) 327-7482 or email nancy@fcl.org.
Oct. 2
Maumelle Newcomers Coffee
MAUMELLE — A Maumelle Newcomers coffee will be held at 10 a.m. at the Maumelle Community Center. All women in the community are invited. For more information, call Pat Matthews at (501) 803-0225.
Human Rights Celebration
CONWAY — Church Women United of Faulkner County will hold a Human Rights Celebration at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 1610 Prince St. The theme for the celebration is “Companions on a Journey.” This year, an award will be given posthumously to Gail Kirkland, who went the extra mile in defending the rights and freedoms of individuals. The public is invited. For more information, contact E.J. Huggins at grahuggies2008@yahoo.com.
Oct. 3
Sacred Heart School’s Octoberfest
MORRILTON — Sacred Heart Catholic School will host Octoberfest, beginning with a bake sale at 4 p.m. An all-you-can-eat turkey-and-dressing dinner with all the trimmings will be served from 5-8 p.m. The event will include games for all ages and a silent auction until 8:30 p.m. Tickets for the dinner are $12 for adults and $6 for children ages 4-12. Kids 3 and younger may eat free. Carry-out meals will be available from 4-5:30 p.m. and may be ordered by calling (501) 354-4416. All proceeds from Octoberfest will benefit the school.
Susan G. Komen Foundation Fundraiser
HEBER SPRINGS — American Legion Post 64 will hold a fundraiser to honor Molly Somers and Team Earth Angels from 3 p.m. to midnight at the post, 49 Park Road. The fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen Foundation will include pool and horseshoe tournaments, a poker run (from 12:30-3:30 p.m.), 50/50 drawings, a silent auction, door prizes and musical entertainment by Charlotte Taylor and Gypsy Rain. All proceeds will go to the Susan G. Komen Team Earth Angels. For more information, such as the sign-in deadline for the poker run, call (501) 270-9639, (501) 365-6785 or (501) 765-7428.
ONGOING
A Starry, Starry Night at the Library
CONWAY — Kaye R. Clanton, a retired teacher of sciences from the Conway School District, will present a series of star-gazing events with various topics from 7-8 p.m. during the autumn months at the Faulkner County Library. Oct. 19’s topics will include Orionid Meteor Shower; and Meteors, Meteorites, Meteoroids and Asterisms. Nov 16’s program will feature Leonid Meteor Shower; Moon phases; and more. Dec. 14’s event will include Geminid Meteor Shower; Winter Solstice; and Comets, Andromeda Galaxy and Milky Way Galaxy. For more information, call the library at (501) 327-7482 or email nancy@fcl.org.
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 book sales 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
Harry Potter Celebration
MORRILTON — The Conway County Library, 101 W. Church St., will have an all-day celebration Oct. 6 to mark the release of the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Participants can sample butterbeer lattes and Hagrid’s rock cakes in the morning, and Polyjuice punch and butterbeer cookies in the afternoon. There will be drawings for two copies of the book, one for youth and one for adults. For more information, call the library at (501) 354-5204, visit www2.youseemore.com/conwaycl, or go to the library’s Facebook page.
Blessing of the Animals
CONWAY — The youth choirs of Conway First United Methodist Church will host a Blessing of the Animals service at 5 p.m. Oct. 4 in the church parking lot. Family pets must be on a leash, or in a cage or carrier, and well-managed. The public is welcome to attend, with or without pets. The church is at 1610 Prince St., at the corner of Clifton and Prince streets. For more information, call the church office at (501) 329-3801 or visit www.conwayfumc.org.
Church Anniversary Celebration
PERRYVILLE — Perryville United Methodist Church, 123 Cross St., will celebrate 170 years of service to God and the community on Oct. 4, beginning with Sunday School at 9:45 a.m., followed by a worship service at 11 a.m. The Rev. Beth Perdue will lead the worship service, and the Rev. Richard Lancaster of Little Rock, the Central District superintendent, will present a special message. Former pastors and former members will share their experiences at Perryvile UMC during the worship service and during the afternoon celebration service in the Connection Center. A potluck meal will be served in the center following worship. The community is invited to attend the festivities.
Arkansas Archeological Society Meeting
RUSSELLVILLE — The Arkansas River Valley Chapter of the Arkansas Archeological Society will meet at 7 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Arkansas Tech Museum in the Techionery Building at Arkansas Tech University, 1502 N. El Paso Ave. Jodi Barnes, station archaeologist for the Arkansas Archeological Survey, will give a presentation titled Nails, Tacks and Hinges: The Construction of a World War II Prisoner of War Camp in Southeast Arkansas. Chapter meetings are free and open to anyone interested in archaeology or Arkansas history. The chapter usually meets at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month. For more information, contact Beahm at ebeahm@uawri.org or (501) 727-6250.
Southern Living Custom Builder Program Showcase Home
CONWAY — There will be an opening-night kickoff party for the Southern Living Custom Builder Program Showcase Home from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 8. Regular tours of the home will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 9-10 and 13-17; and from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 11. There will be no tours on Oct. 12. Beneficiaries will be the Conway Regional Health Foundation and Operation FINALLY HOME. For more information, call Beth Tyler at (501) 730-5048.
Riverview Baptist Christian School Fall Festival
OPPELO — Riverview Baptist Christian School will host its 43rd annual Fall Festival on Oct. 10 at the school, 123 Riverview Road. A turkey-and-dressing dinner with all the trimmings will be served from 4:30-7 p.m. in the cafeteria. The cost for the meal is $9 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and $7 for children ages 5-12. Carryout orders will be available. Activities will begin at 6 p.m. and include a silent auction, a cakewalk, a jailhouse, laser tag, a hayride, a treasure hunt, a bounce house, a Pies and More Store and games. There will be a live auction of some special items at 7:45 p.m. Proceeds from the festival will benefit the school. For more information, call the school at (501) 354-0327.
Craft and Baked Goods Sale
VILONIA — Vilonia United Methodist Church will hold its annual craft and baked goods sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 10. The sale will feature pies, cookies, bread, small cakes and items decorated for fall. For more information, call Charlotte Lyke at (501) 733-9088.
Heber Springs Dulcimer Day
HEBER SPRINGS — Strings & Things will sponsor a one-day mountain-dulcimer workshop with classes for beginners and intermediate players from 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. Oct. 10 in the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 201 N. Fourth St. Lee Cagle will lead the intermediate class, and Wayne Randolph will lead the beginners. There will be a free concert that night at the William Carl Garner Visitor Center, featuring Cagle and local string band Strings & Things. For more information, contact B.J. Stracener at (501) 206-9566 or visit the Heber Springs Dulcimer Day Facebook page.
Oktoberfest
MORRILTON —The Conway County Library, 101 W. Church St., will hold its second annual Oktoberfest at noon Oct. 10. Grilled brats and hot dogs will be available outside the library, as well as a selection of imported nonalcoholic beer to sample. For more information, call the library at (501) 354-5204, visit www2.youseemore.com/conwaycl, or go to the library’s Face Book page.
Retired Teachers Meeting
HEBER SPRINGS — The Cleburne County Retired Teachers Association will meet at noon Oct. 13 at the Rustic Inn. Mary Alice Hughes of Hughes & Associates will speak about retirement and how to avoid retirement mistakes. All retired school personnel are invited to attend. For more information, call Lavern Penn at (501) 206- 0357.
Spaghetti and Sausage Dinner
ST. VINCENT — The St. Mary’s Altar Society will hold its annual fall spaghetti and sausage dinner from 5-8 p.m. Oct. 15 in the Parish Hall of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The all-you-can-eat dinner costs $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12. Children 5 and younger may eat free. Adult takeout dinners will be available. The event includes a bake sale, a country kitchen and a silent auction. The church is 10 miles north of Morrilton on Arkansas 95. For more information, call Francie Gottsponer at (501) 354-4737.
Dance Club Open House
CONWAY — The Conway Rounders Dance Club will hold an open house at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at Salem United Methodist Church, 1018 Salem Road. The event will offer an introduction to beginner-level cha-cha. No experience is necessary, and admission is free. Beginner cha-cha lessons will start at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 22 and continue each Thursday through Dec. 17. For more information, visit ConwayRounds.com or call (501) 428-9026.
Master Gardeners Open House
CONWAY — All are welcome to meet the Faulkner-Perry County Master Gardeners at their open house, Meet the Masters, at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at 110 Amity Road. The building has a sign that says “Natural Resource Center.” The speaker will be Janet Carson. Attendees will learn how to become a Master Gardener. For more information, call the Faulkner County Extension Office at (501) 329-8344.
Stylin’ on the River
HEBER SPRINGS— The Baptist Health Medical Center-Heber Springs Auxiliary will present its 15th annual style show and luncheon, Stylin’ on the River, at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 30 in the First United Methodist Church-Heber Springs Family Life Center, 1099 W. Pine St. Tickets are $18 and can be purchased from auxiliary members or at the hospital. For more information, call (501) 887-3284.
Halloween Events at the Library
MORRILTON — The Conway County Library, 101 W. Church St., will participate in Monsters on Main Street on Oct. 31. Members of the Teen Advisory Group will give out candy to community kids. Monsters on Main Street will be followed by another big teen movie night. For more information, call the library at (501) 354-5204, visit www2.youseemore.com/conwaycl, or go to the library’s Face Book page.
Fall Bazaar
MAYFLOWER — The Mayflower United Methodist Women will hold their Fall Bazaar at 7 a.m. Nov. 7. The event will feature a variety of handmade fried pies for $1 each. Copies of the group’s cookbook Feeding the Flock will be sold for $10 each. The bazaar will include a variety of home-baked items; jams and jellies; and home-preserved pickles, as well as gently used toys, books, collectibles and other items. Proceeds from the event will fund local mission projects. The church is at the corner of Miller (Arkansas 89) and Grove streets. For more information, call UMW President Carol Bales at (501) 529-2330 or the Rev. Rick Wilkins at (501) 442-5045.
Christmas Parade
RUSSELLVILLE — The 2015 Russellville Christmas Parade will be held at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3. The theme will be “Christmas Movies.” Required parade entry forms are available at the Recreation and Parks Department office, 1000 E. Parkway and online at www.russellvillearkansas.org. The entry fee is $25 for a float, and $100 for a commercial entry other than a float. The deadline to enter is noon Nov. 30. The parade’s rainout date will be Dec. 7. For more information, call the Recreation and Parks Department at (479) 968-1272.
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.