COMMUNITY EVENTS IN THE RIVER VALLEY & OZARK AREA

Aug. 21

Jonathan Trawick Concert

CONWAY — The Faulkner County Library will conclude its 2016 Summer Music Series with a special concert featuring Jonathan Trawick at 2 p.m. Trawick, based in Portland, Oregon, is a Conway native and a local favorite. He brings Texas swing, bluegrass and the music of the Ozarks to life. The concert is sponsored by the Friends of the Faulkner County Library. Summer treats will be served, and information about the Friends and how to become a member will be provided. 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.

Aug. 22

Audubon Society Meeting

PETIT JEAN MOUNTAIN — The Arkansas River Valley Audubon Society will meet at 7 p.m. in the Stables Classroom of the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute. The program, titled An Old Falconer Goes into Rehab, will be presented by Don Higgins, a retired airman who lives on Petit Jean Mountain with his wife, Janie. He got into falconry as a first-year cadet at the United States Air Force Academy, then redirected those skills toward rehabbing after he retired in 2006. Refreshments will be served, and the public is invited to attend. Call (501) 977-3899 for directions to the institute.

Aug. 23

Conway Regional Women’s Council Fall Luncheon

CONWAY — The Conway Regional Women’s Council Fall Luncheon will take place in the Auditorium of Conway Regional Medical Center, 2302 College Ave. The doors will open at 11:15 a.m., and the luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. Conway Regional President and CEO Matt Troup will be the featured speaker. The menu will include locally grown produce prepared by chef Jill McCollum. The event will also include an update on the work of the Women’s Council and an on-site farmers market. The cost of the event is $15 for council members and $20 for nonmembers. To make a reservation, call (501) 513-5771 or visit conwayregional.org/specialevents.

Aug. 23 and 24

Voices of Central Arkansas Auditions

CONWAY — Students in grades three through 12 are invited to audition for the award-winning Voices of Central Arkansas Choir from 3-6 p.m. both days in Room 312A of the Snow Fine Arts Center at the University of Central Arkansas. Students receive instruction in vocal technique and learn a varied repertoire of music in this program, which is part of the UCA Community School of Music. No previous experience is required. To audition, contact Cook-Cunningham at vocasings@gmail.com or call (816) 718-9200. For more information, visit vocasings.com.

Aug. 27

Lactation Club

CONWAY — The Lactation Club will meet from 10-11:30 a.m. in Classroom 1 of the Conway Regional Women’s Center, 2302 College Ave. This club is for expectant moms, new moms and experienced moms who want to share support and information about breastfeeding. The free club gives moms the opportunity to ask questions, have their babies weighed and get recognition for reaching milestones. The club meets the fourth Saturday of every month, and each meeting begins with a yoga instructor leading the group in relaxation techniques. The club also hosts various speakers. For more information, call (501) 513-5721.

ONGOING

Stroke Support Group

CONWAY — A Stroke Support Group meets from 1-2 p.m. the third Thursday of every month at Conway Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, 2210 Robinson Ave. Participants are invited to have coffee and share stories about life after stroke. They gain practical guidance on nutrition, exercise, and social and emotional support, with resource networking. The free meetings feature special guest speakers and topics of interest.

Friday Night Bingo

HEBER SPRINGS — Friday Night Bingo takes place each week at the American Legion Hall, 49 Park Road. Doors open at 5:30 for bonanzas, and regular play starts at 6:30 p.m. Food is available.

Faulkner County Coin Club Meetings

CONWAY — The Faulkner County Coin Club meets the first Thursday of each month at the Ola and John Hawks Senior Wellness and Activity Center, 705 E. Siebenmorgen Road. The 5 p.m. dinner is optional, and a $6 donation is suggested for those 60 and younger. A fellowship time takes place from 5:30-7 p.m. and includes educational speakers, show-and-tell, news and door prizes. The meetings are open to coin collectors, history buffs or anyone interested in coins, tokens, medals, paper money, documents, etc. For more information, call (501) 327-2895 or (501) 908-9678.

Annual Food Drive

MAUMELLE — Maumelle AARP Chapter 5359 is sponsoring a food drive through Sept. 11 for the Hope Alliance Ministry Food Pantry, which serves the Maumelle and Marche communities. The food drive is also in honor of National Hunger Action Month. All nonperishable food items will be accepted. Collection points include the Maumelle Kroger, the Maumelle Community Center, the Maumelle Library and the Maumelle Senior Wellness Center. For more information, call Beverly at (501) 425-9312.

Open-Mic Event

FAIRFIELD BAY — An open-mic music event takes place from 5:30-8:30 p.m. the second and third Thursdays of each month at the Fairfield Bay Conference Center. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. The event is open to anyone who would like to sing or play an instrument. For more information, call the center at (501) 884-4202.

Third Thursday Farmers Market

FAIRFIELD BAY — The Third Thursday Farmers Market will be open from 9-11 a.m. Sept. 15 and Oct. 20 in the Fairfield Bay Community Education Center Courtyard, 130 Village Lane. The market features plants, produce and herbs. Setup is at 8 a.m., and there are no vendor fees.

Tea Party Luncheon

CONWAY — The Faulkner County Tea Party has a luncheon at noon every Thursday at Larry’s Pizza, 1068 Markham St. Guest speakers and the members’ “soap box” are featured each week. Anyone interested in governmental and business affairs on the county, state or national level is invited to arrive early, eat pizza and meet the group’s members.

Upcoming

Diabetes Care Group Meeting

CONWAY — The Conway Regional Diabetes Care Group will meet at 7 p.m. Aug. 30 at the Conway Regional Women’s Center. The topic will be the basics of learning and identifying carbohydrates. The group meets the last Tuesday of each month and is free and open to diabetes patients and their caregivers from throughout central Arkansas. For more information, call (501) 513-5248.

Maumelle Newcomers Club Coffee

MAUMELLE — The Maumelle Newcomers Club will have its monthly coffee at 10 a.m.

Sept. 2 at the Maumelle Community Center. The club is a social, charitable and educational organization designed to provide a way for women in Maumelle to meet others and gather for various activities of their choice. The activity chairwomen will be available at the coffee to describe their activities and answer questions. For more information, call Barb Spahr at (501) 766-4664.

BayFest Street Festival

FAIRFIELD BAY — The BayFest Street Festival will take place Sept. 3 at the Fairfield Bay Village Mall. This family event will feature an opening ceremony at 10 a.m.; street vendors, including food and arts and crafts, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; a car show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; a pet parade from 1:30-3 p.m., with prizes awarded; and live music, with Hwy 31 performing from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and Lucky Draw playing from 3-6 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from food sales will benefit the Fairfield Bay Animal Shelter.

Blood Drive

CONWAY — Conway Regional Medical Center and the Arkansas Blood Institute will host a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 6 and from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 7 in the Conway Regional Auditorium at 2302 College Ave. If possible, donors are asked to make appointments at www.yourbloodinstitute.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/196678. For more information, contact Vince Maniace, the Arkansas Blood Institute’s blood-drive coordinator, at vince.maniace@obi.org. Donors can enter a drawing for a $50 Walmart gift card each day of the drive.

Golf Tournament

HEBER SPRINGS — The Rotary Club of Heber Springs will host its annual Scholarship Four-Person-Scramble Golf Tournament on Sept. 9 at the Red Apple Inn and Country Club. Lunch will begin at 11:30 a.m., followed by a 1 p.m. shotgun start. There will be prizes for closest to the hole on all par 3s. Funds raised will provide scholarships to 2017 graduating seniors. For entry information, call Trey Miller at (501) 362-3131, or to be a sponsor, call Lloyd Langston at (870) 267-2312.

Heber Springs Dulcimer Day

HEBER SPRINGS — The second annual Heber Springs Dulcimer Day for mountain-dulcimer players will take place Oct. 8 in the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 201 N. Fourth St. The one-day workshop offers beginner instruction by Wayne Randolph and intermediate classes by Lee Cagle. The cost is $20 for two sessions: 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. A limited number of loaner dulcimers will be available. There will be a free concert at 7 p.m. at the William Carl Garner Visitor Center featuring Cagle and local band Strings & Things. Preregister for the workshop by emailing bstracen@yahoo.com or calling (501)-206-9566. For more information, visit www.leecagledulcimers.com.

Life Choices Annual Fundraising Gala

CONWAY — Life Choices will have its annual Fundraising Gala on Sept. 13 at the Conway Expo Center and Fairgrounds. This year’s presenting sponsor is Centennial Bank, and the speaker will be actor Kevin Sorbo. The buffet will open at 6 p.m. To reserve seats or sponsor a table, email lifechoicesgala@gmail.com or call (501) 329-5944.

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.

Upcoming Events