Jan. 24
Arkansas Big Buck Classic
LITTLE ROCK — The 25th annual Arkansas Big Buck Classic will continue from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds. There will be a $10,000 cash giveaway, the Great Gun Giveaway and a grand prize, a CAN AM Outlander ATV, for the Big Buck Contest winner. The classic will include vendor exhibits, demonstrations, a live deer display, a free kids bow-fish shoot, an archery shoot, giant inflatable games for kids, a bait-casting simulator and more. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.bigbuckclassic.com or Facebook.
Jan. 25
Tri-County Patriots Meeting
BRADFORD — The Tri-County Patriots will meet at 6:30 p.m. at Tonya’s Family Restaurant, 5162 U.S. 167 N. Phyllis Worley, a candidate for district judge, will be the speaker. For more information, call (501) 278-9413.
Jacksonville Citizens Police Alumni Meeting
JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association will meet at 5:45 p.m. at the Jacksonville Police Department, 1400 Marshall Road. For more information, contact Eleanor Loyd at (501) 412-4115 or mselliel@centurytel.net.
Spring River Chamber Awards and Recognition Banquet
ASH FLAT — The Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its inaugural awards and recognition banquet from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Church of Christ in Ash Flat. The program will include networking, the installation of new board members, music and a silent auction. Tickets, for $20 each, are available at the chamber office, 2852 U.S. 62 in Highland, or from chamber board members. Businesses and organizations can reserve tables of eight for $150. For more information, email sracc@centurytel.net or call (870) 856-3210.
Jan. 28
Piano and Voice Recital
BATESVILLE — A piano and voice recital titled Sounds of America will be presented at 7:30 p.m. in the Bevens Music Room in Brown Chapel at Lyon College. Michael Oriatti, tenor, and Sarah Weston, pianist, will perform the music of Stephen Foster, Leonard Bernstein, Samuel Barber and other American composers. The recital is free and open to the public.
Jan. 29
Main Street Batesville Winter Gala
BATESVILLE — The Main Street Batesville Winter Gala, themed “Happy Days,” will be held at 6 p.m. at the Barnett Building, 267 E. Main St. The event will include live and silent auctions, giveaways, dancing, hors d’oeuvres and live entertainment. Guests are encouraged to dress in ’50s and ’60s sock-hop style, with awards given for Best Costume and Best Dance Couple. Tickets are $25 each and $45 for couples at Studio Salon, Merchants and Planters Bank, Citizens Bank’s main branch and First Community Bank’s main branch. There will be an afterparty at 10 p.m. at the Barnett Building, with tickets available at the gala.
AARP Smart Driver Safety Course
SEARCY— The PrimeTimes of White County Medical Center, now Unity Medical Center, will host an AARP Smart Driver Safety Course from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Hubach Center at the hospital. The instructors are Frances and Bill Mizell. Park behind the hospital off Moore Street, and take the elevator to the first floor. Bring a sweater or jacket for comfort. The cost of the course is $15 for AARP members with an AARP card and $20 for nonmembers. To register for the class, call Elizabeth Leaver at PrimeTimes at (501) 278-3230.
Jan. 30
Princess and Superhero Party
SEARCY — Women for Harding will hold a princess and superhero party from 9-11:30 a.m. in Harding University’s American Heritage Auditorium in the David B. Burks American Heritage Building. There will be crafts, snacks and games, and Harding students will portray 19 princess- and superhero-themed characters. Children are encouraged to dress in costumes, and a parade of characters will begin at 9 a.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and $10 for children 2 and older. Children younger than 2 will be admitted free. Tickets are available at all Searcy locations of First Security Bank, the Harding Academy elementary office, the Harding alumni office, RadioShack, Sassy Stitch and The Tangerine Turtle. For more information, call the university’s office of alumni relations at (501) 279-4276.
ONGOING
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.
Leaves and Trees Art Exhibit
SEARCY — Harding University’s department of art and design is hosting an art exhibit, Leaves and Trees, through Friday in the Stevens Art Gallery. The exhibit displays a collection of drawings, paintings, prints and photographs created by faculty and alumni of the department of art and design. The gallery is free to the public and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, email art@harding.edu or call (501) 279-4426.
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. Feb. 5-6, 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
Movie Screening
EL PASO — CrossRoads Cowboy Church, 3071 Arkansas 5, will show the movie Nail 32 on Jan. 31. The family-friendly movie is based on the life of Russ Weaver’s dad and the start of the cowboy church. Beans, cornbread and desserts will be served at 5 p.m., and the movie will start at 6. All are invited to attend. Admission is free. For more information, call Becky at (501) 230-7872 or find CrossRoads Cowboy Church on Facebook.
Republican Candidate Debate
BATESVILLE — A debate between candidates in contested Republican primary races and Arkansas Supreme Court races in Independence County will be held at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 2 at the Citizens Bank Annex, 285 E. College St. U.S. Sen. John Boozman of Rogers and his opponent, Curtis Colemen, as well as state Rep. James Sturch of Batesville and his opponent, Phillip Finch, have been invited. Supreme court candidates Clark Mason, Judge Shawn Womack, Judge Courtney Goodson and Judge Dan Kemp have also been asked to attend. For more information, call (870) 612-3570 or email CharlesRFuqua@gmail.com.
Lyon College Convocation
BATESVILLE — Lyon College Professor Emeritus George Lankford will speak at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 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.
Chili Supper and Dessert Auction
FLOYD — The Floyd-Romance Volunteer Fire Department will hold its Chili Supper and Dessert Auction at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Floyd Main Fire Station, 1105 Arkansas 31. All politicians and candidates for local office are encouraged to attend. Tickets are $5 each. Children ages 4 and younger may eat free. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Fire Department. For more information, call (501) 993-7665.
Valentine’s Dinner
CALICO ROCK — The Printing Press Café, 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.
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.
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 will be available from Jan. 25 through Feb. 15 at the chamber office, 1001 W. Main St., or by calling (501) 362-2444.
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.