Feb. 4
Lyon College Convocation
BATESVILLE — Lyon College Professor Emeritus George Lankford will speak at 7:30 p.m. in the Nucor Auditorium in the Lyon Building at Lyon College. Lankford will discuss the early history of Batesville and Independence County. Admission is free and open to the public.
Women’s Self-Defense Class
BATESVILLE — A free women’s self-defense class will be held at 6 p.m. in Independence Hall at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville. No registration is required for the event, presented by the Batesville Police Department’s Law Enforcement Community Relations Team. Water will be provided. For more information, call (870) 805-0797 or (870) 805-0798, or visit LawEnforcementCRT@gmail.com.
Feb. 6
Veterans Outreach Ministry Center Fundraiser
SEARCY — The Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, Arkansas Chapter 7-1 (combatvets.org) will present a cash donation to help veterans at 11 a.m. to Paul Bunn, the founder of the Veterans Outreach Ministry Center. Also, two members of the association will attempt to ride to the summit of Pike’s Peak and return in 36 hours in May. All money raised will go to the Veterans Outreach Ministry Center. To pledge an amount per mile ridden, visit http://goo.gl/forms/xC1j13g72m, or to pledge a one-time amount, got to http://222.youcaring.com/2016-pikes-peak-or-bust.
International Food Fest
SEARCY — St. James Catholic Church will hold its eighth annual International Food Fest at 6:30 in the church’s Parish Hall. Tickets are $10 in advance or $20 at the door. There will be a silent auction with more than 200 donated items, along with a raffle of a National Football League football autographed by members of the 2015 Green Bay Packers. Raffle tickets for this event, along with those for a cash prize, will be sold. For ticket information, call the parish office at (501) 268-5252.
The SAME Cafe
SEARCY — The SAME Cafe will be open from 4-5:30 p.m. at the West Side Church of Christ, 709 W. Arch St. The SAME Cafe is open to anyone in the community who would like a free warm meal.
Souper Bowl Saturday
BATESVILLE — The Batesville Area Arts Council will present Souper Bowl Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 424 E. Main St. Advance tickets are $7. Soup will also be sold for $8 per quart. Events will include Make Your Own Football Art! for $5 per person and other family activities. Tickets are available at the BAAC Gallery on Main, the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, Carlee’s Hallmark, Citizens Bank, First Community Bank and Hangups Frame Shop, and from BAAC board members. For more information, call the arts council at (870) 793-3382.
Feb. 8
White County Tea Party Meeting
SEARCY — The White County Tea Party will meet at 6:30 p.m. at IHOP, 3513 E. Race Ave. Mark Derrick, a candidate for district-court judge, will speak. The public is invited. For more information, call 278-9413 or email teaparty@ itpwca.org.
Retired Teachers Association Meeting
BATESVILLE — The Arkansas Retired Teachers Association of Independence County will meet at 11:30 a.m. in the George Ryder Room of First Community Bank. Susan Ball will speak on retaining memory. A potluck lunch will be served.
Feb. 9
Mardi Gras Dinner
HEBER SPRINGS — St. Francis Episcopal Church will hold its annual Mardi Gras Dinner from 5-7 p.m. Shrove Tuesday in the church’s Parish Hall, 20 Woodland Cove, just off Arkansas 110 across from the Heber Springs Sports Complex. The menu will feature New Orleans gumbo, red beans and rice, French bread, dessert and assorted beverages. Tickets are $10 for adults and $4 for children 7 to 12. Children 6 and younger may eat free. Takeout meals will also be available. Proceeds from the dinner will benefit community outreach ministries. For more information, call (501) 362-6564 or (501) 362-3311.
ONGOING
Rotary Club Meat Sale
HEBER SPRINGS — The Rotary Club of Heber Springs will sell 7- to 9-pound fully cooked pork butts for $40 each. Proceeds from the sale will fund college scholarships for Heber Springs students. The meat can be picked up from 8-9:30 a.m. March 12. Place an order with any Rotarian, or call Connie Herrin of the Public Relations Committee at (501) 281-5115 or Julie Turney, Rotary president, at (501) 206-6855.
Photography Exhibit
BATESVILLE — The Kresge Gallery at Lyon College has opened the spring semester’s exhibition series with a photography exhibit by Lyon volleyball coach Ray Green through Feb. 26. Titled Road Trip, the exhibition features photographs taken by Green on various trips across the country. He explains in his artist statement that he stops a lot on trips and likes to capture details the typical tourist might overlook. The Kresge Gallery is in the Alphin Building on campus. The gallery’s hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission to the gallery is free, and the exhibit is open to the public.
The Fantasticks
SEARCY — Center on the Square Community Theater, 219 W. Arch Ave., will present The Fantasticks, directed by Mario Hofheinz, with Susan Bucher as musical director. The play is a funny, romantic musical about a boy, a girl and their fathers, who try to get the couple together by keeping them apart. Showtimes will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and again Feb. 12-13 and 19-20; and at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 14 and 21. Tickets are $18, plus tax. For more information or tickets, call (501) 368-0111 or visit centeronthesquare.org.
The Biggest Loser Community Challenge
HIGHLAND — The Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce will present the eight-week Biggest Loser Community Challenge, an online health and wellness challenge, beginning Feb. 15. The challenge seeks teams of four, for a $100 fee, for the national event, which will give away more than 10,000 prizes, including trips to the finale of The Biggest Loser television show in Los Angeles. People of all fitness levels are welcome. Register a team at www.biggestlosercommunity.com. For more information, contact Todd Conforth with Clary Fitness at (870) 994-4444, the chamber at (870) 856-3210, or Kari or Pat at Curves at (870) 856-6010.
GED/Adult Education Classes
FLORAL — The University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville Adult Education Department offers reading, math, writing and computer-literacy classes from 3-5 p.m. Mondays in the computer lab at Midland Elementary School in Floral. Enrollment is ongoing. Students must be at least 18 and not enrolled in school. For more information, contact Nancy Whitmire at (870) 612-2085 or nancy.whitmire@uaccb.edu, or Judy Pearson at (501) 345-2413.
Second Time Around Bookstore
SEARCY — The Literacy Council of White County operates the Second Time Around Bookstore at 811 S. Main St., Suite D. Proceeds from the sale of donated books support the mission of helping adults in the community improve their literacy and English-language skills. The store and literacy office are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays. To train as a tutor, to become a bookstore volunteer or for more information, call (501) 278-5500.
Yoga in the Gallery
BATESVILLE — The Batesville Area Arts Council offers Yoga in the Gallery classes at 8:45 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at the BAAC Gallery on Main, 226 E. Main St. The hour-long sessions are taught by RYT200-certified yoga instructor Marnie Davis. Beginners are welcome, and no preregistration is required. The cost is $10 per session or 10 sessions for $70. For more information, call (870) 793-3382.
Pancake Breakfast
McRAE — A pancake breakfast is held from 7-9 a.m. the second Saturday of each month at McRae Masonic Lodge F. & A.M. No. 687. Donations are accepted.
WISE Coalition Meeting
SEARCY — The WISE (White County Invested in Substance Abuse Eradication) Coalition meets from noon to 1 p.m. the third Wednesday of every month in the Community Room of the First Community Bank University Branch, 800 E. Beebe Capps Expressway. All are invited to attend and get involved in activities to help prevent and reduce substance abuse in White County youth. For more information, visit wisecoalition@gmail.com or call (501) 388-6555.
Cabot Civitan Meetings
CABOT — Cabot Civitan Meetings are held at 6 p.m. the first and third Mondays of each month at First Security Bank in downtown Cabot. For more information, call Tom Nolting at (501) 606-3731.
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.
UPCOMING
Tea Party Meeting
CABOT — The Arkansas Constitutional Tea Party will meet at 7 p.m. Feb. 11 at Papa’s Place, 2798 S. Second St., in the South Fork Shopping Center. Everyone is welcome. The group meets the second Thursday of each month. For more information, call (501) 813-6980.
Candidate Forum
CABOT — An open community candidate forum will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Cabot National Guard Armory, 300 Commerce Park Drive. All U.S. Senate, state and local candidates will be invited to participate. The public is invited to attend.
North Pulaski Retired Teachers Valentine Party
JACKSONVILLE — The North Pulaski Retired Teachers will have a valentine party at 1 p.m. Feb. 11 at First Electric, 1000 S. JP Wright Loop Road. Attorney Coleman Westbrook of the Friday, Eldridge and Clark, LLP law firm in Little Rock will present the program, which is on estate planning. Westbrook will answer questions after the presentation. The meeting is open to the public. For more information, call Sharon Johnson at (501) 982-6345.
Valentine’s Dinner
CALICO ROCK — The Printing Press Cafe, 120 Main St., will host a Valentine’s Dinner at 6 p.m. Feb. 13. The candlelight four-course dinner will include an appetizer of smoked trout with cream cheese and capers; Asian salad; a choice of beef Wellington or chicken Florentine served with caramelized carrots, baked potato and gourmet rolls; and baked Alaska. A chocolate fountain will be included with the meal. The cost is $25.99 per person. All proceeds will benefit the Calico Rock Museum. There will be only one seating, so reservations are recommended. To reserve a seat, call (870)-297-6200.
White County Retired Teachers Meeting
BEEBE — The White County Retired Teachers Association will meet at 2 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Shepherd Center behind First United Methodist Church of Beebe. The program will be presented by state Rep. Jeremy Gillam, R-Judsonia. Refreshments will be provided by Beebe/McRae /Pangburn retirees.
Glenn Miller Orchestra Concert
HEBER SPRINGS — The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra will perform Feb. 16 at the Heber Springs Schools Performing Arts Center, 1100 W. Pine St. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at heberspringsband.ludustickets.com or by calling (501) 362-3141. The high school jazz bands will open the concert at 6:45, with the Glenn Miller Orchestra taking the stage at 7:30. Seating is general admission, and the doors will open at 6:30.
Beginners Weaving Workshop
POCAHONTAS — Davidsonville Historic State Park will offer a Beginners Weaving Workshop from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 20. The workshop will teach basic weaving using a piece of cardboard as a loom. Participants will make a bookmark to take home. Preregistration is required by calling the park at (870) 892-4708. The workshop fee is $13. Davidsonville Historic State Park is a 15-minute drive south of Pocahontas on Arkansas 166.
Cabot AARP Meeting
CABOT — The Cabot AARP Chapter will meet at 6 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Senior Center, 600 N. Grant St. Candidates for Cabot-area offices in the March 1 election are invited to briefly address the group. A potluck dinner will be served. The chapter meets the fourth Monday of each month. For more information, call (501) 492-1456.
AARP Driver Safety Class
CHEROKEE VILLAGE — An AARP Driver Safety Class will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 22 at Cherokee Village United Methodist Church, at the corner of Keno and Otter. The class is $15 for AARP members and $20 for nonmembers. To register for the course, call (870) 257-5803.
Heber Springs Chamber Banquet
HEBER SPRINGS — The Heber Springs Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its 60th annual banquet at 6 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Heber Springs Community Center, 201 Bobbie Jean Lane. The guest speaker will be Jeff Moore, director of marketing and communication for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. The event will include a live auction, and business attire is requested. Tickets are $35 each or $250 for a table of eight. Tickets are available through Feb. 15 at the chamber office, 1001 W. Main St., or by calling (501) 362-2444.
Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr.
LESLIE — The Leslie Area Merchants Association and the Red Curtain Theater of Conway will present the children’s musical Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr. at 7 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Ozark Heritage Arts Center. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger. Tickets are available at L.A. Salon and the Elk & Eagle Trading Post, LLC in Leslie. For more information, call (870) 448-2557.
Ladies’ Luncheon and Fashion Show
MOUNTAIN VIEW — The Ozarka College Foundation will hold its fourth annual Ladies’ Luncheon and Fashion Show at 11 a.m. March 5 in the Stone Bank (formerly Ozark Heritage Bank) Student Commons Area at Ozarka College. The Ozark Folk Center Skillet Restaurant will provide a catered lunch; local vendors will showcase items during the fashion show; and there will be a silent auction, including cheesecakes prepared by the Ozarka College Culinary Arts Department. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at Ozarka College-Mountain View, Citizens Bank and First Service Bank, or from any Ozarka College Foundation board member. Proceeds from the event will be used for entryway signage to the Mountain View campus. For more information, contact Lindsay Wilson-Galloway, director of Ozarka College-Mountain View, at (870) 269-5600 or lhgalloway@ozarka.edu.
To submit an item for the Calendar of Events, mail information to Calendar of Events, Three Rivers Edition, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, AR, 72203; send faxes to (501) 378-3500; or email trnews@arkansasonline.com. Deadlines for calendar-item submissions are noon Friday for Thursday editions and noon Tuesday for Sunday editions.