Aug. 30
Diabetes Care Group Meeting
CONWAY — The Conway Regional Diabetes Care Group will meet at 7 p.m. at the Conway Regional Women’s Center. The topic will be the basics of learning about and identifying carbohydrates. The free group meets the last Tuesday of each month and is open to diabetes patients and their caregivers from throughout central Arkansas. For more information, call (501) 513-5248.
Sept. 1
Golf Ball Drop Fundraiser
CONWAY — Independent Living Services will hold its 11th annual Golf Ball Drop fundraiser from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Centennial Valley Country Club. The Conway Fire Department will drop numbered golf balls, and the ticket holder of the ball landing closest to the “hole” will win $2,016. For tickets, contact Robert Wright, director of development, at robert@indliving.org or (501) 580-0098, or buy them at the event.
Sept. 2
Maumelle Newcomers Club Coffee
MAUMELLE — The Maumelle Newcomers Club will have its monthly coffee at 10 a.m. 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.
Sept. 3
Canoe/Kayak Race
PETIT JEAN MOUNTAIN — The Petit Jean Extension Homemakers Club’s third annual Canoe/Kayak Race will begin at the Boat House at Petit Jean State Park. Grilled hot dogs, chips and drinks will be sold after the race, with proceeds benefiting the Homemakers Club. Registration is $15 per craft the day of the race, or preregister by calling (501) 940-2243 or (501) 215-9726, or visiting www.eventbrite.com/e/3rd-annual-petit-jean-mountain-eh-club-canoekayak-race-pre-registration-tickets-26782809103?aff=eivtefrnd. The park has a few canoes, kayaks and paddle boats for rent, or participants may bring their own boats. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m., with the first heat around 8:30 a.m. T-Shirts will be available for purchase.
BayFest Street Festival
FAIRFIELD BAY — The BayFest Street Festival will take place 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.
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
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, 2302 College Ave. If possible, donors are asked to make appointments at ww.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.
The Miracle Worker Auditions
CONWAY — The Conway Dinner Theater, 2201 Washington Ave., will have auditions for The Miracle Worker, by William Gibson, and an informational meeting at 5 p.m. Sept. 12. Child-youth actors are needed for the roles of Helen, who is struck deaf and blind by a fever; Martha, a servant child; Percy, a servant child; James Keller, Helen’s half-brother; an additional servant; and children of the Perkins Institute for the Blind. Rehearsals will begin at 5 p.m. Sept. 19. Production dates are Dec. 2-3, 9-10 and 17-18. The entrance to the theater is on Hutto Street. For more information, call 339-7401 or email faulkneraarts@yahoo.com.
Business Development Series Course
RUSSELLVILLE — The Arkansas Tech Small Business and Technology Development Center will offer a four-week Business Development Series course from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, starting Sept. 13, at the Russellville campus. Current business owners and those who want to start a business are encouraged to attend. The course address four basic challenge areas to every business: an attractive business concept, a strong organizational structure, lasting customer relationships and profitable business operations. The course fee is $99. Registration is required by Sept. 12 by calling (479) 356-2067 or visiting asbtdc.org/training/russellville-events.
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.
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.
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.