COMMUNITY EVENTS IN THE RIVER VALLEY & OZARK AREA

July 28

Internet-Safety Programs

CONWAY — The Faulkner County Library and the Office of the Attorney General of Arkansas will present two programs on internet safety. Assistant Attorney General Bilenda Harris-Ritter will present Internet Safety for Parents of Teens from 6-7 p.m., covering risky behaviors, online predators, cyberbullying, sexting and the importance of a good digital footprint. Harris-Ritter will offer Identity Theft from 6-7 p.m. Aug. 11, which will take a look at what identity theft is, how it happens and tips to prevent it. All library programs are free and open to the public. For more information, call the library at (501) 327-7482 or email nancy@fcl.org.

July 29

Family Movie Night

MORRILTON — The Conway County Library, 101 W. Church St., will have a Family Movie Night at 7 p.m. as part of the library’s ongoing Centennial Celebration. The movie will be The Aristocats, a family-friendly animated feature from Disney Studios that was released in the 1970s. Movie-style popcorn and other refreshments will be provided. For more information, call the library at (501) 354-5204.

July 30

Fishing Derby

CONWAY — The Conway Human Development Center Fishing Derby will b egin at 7:30 a.m. at the CHDC Pond, 150 E. Siebenmorgen Road. Participants must be 12 years old or younger, or community individuals with developmental disabilities. Prizes will be awarded at 10:45 a.m. Anglers must bring fishing equipment, buckets and bait/supplies. Registration is $5 for the early-bird special, or $10 starting at 6:30 a.m. at the derby. For more information, contact Elizabeth Litton at (501) 329-6851, ext. 319 or 370, or elizabeth.litton@dhs.arkansas.gov. Download registration forms at chdconline.wix.com/conwayhdc. The derby’s alternate rain date is Aug. 6.

Aug. 2

Harry Potter Celebration

MORRILTON — The Conway County Library, 101 W. Church St., will have an all-day celebration of the release of the script for the new Harry Potter play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the eighth installment in the Harry Potter series. Harry Potter-themed refreshments will be served, and the event will culminate with drawings for three copies of the book. Participants do not need to be present to win. For more information, call the library

at (501) 354-5204.

Customer Service Workshop

RUSSELLVILLE — The Arkansas Tech Small Business and Technology Development Center and the Russellville Chamber of Commerce will present a Customer Service Workshop from 1-2 p.m. at Arkansas Tech University. According to a Customer Experience Impact Report from RightNow, 86 percent of consumers will pay more for a better experience. At this free event, participants will learn how to give their customers a better experience. Registration is required by calling (479) 356-2067 or visiting asbtdc.org/training/russellville-events by Monday.

Arkansas Notary Workshop

RUSSELLVILLE — The Arkansas Tech Small Business and Technology Development Center will present an Arkansas Notary Workshop from 10 a.m. to noon at Arkansas Tech University. Notaries verify signatures on legal and business documents to deter fraud and ensure the proper execution of these documents. The Arkansas Secretary of State’s Office will walk participants through the application process, assist in understanding issues facing notaries, and outline best practices and procedures for notaries public. There is no fee to attend, but registration is required by calling (479) 356-2067 or visiting asbtdc.org/training/russellville-events.

Aug. 3

First Wednesday Ladies’ Lunch Break

CONWAY — The First Wednesday Ladies’ Lunch Break will be held from noon to 1 p.m. in the Second Baptist Church Fellowship Hall at Dave Ward Drive and Farris Road. Enter the church from Farris Road. Women of all ages are invited to attend. Lunch, for $5, includes a drink and dessert. Child care is available at no charge with advance registration by calling (501) 327-4066 or (501) 730-4106 by Monday.

ONGOING

Quilt Exhibit

FAIRFIELD BAY — A free quilt exhibit at the Fairfield Bay Community Education Center, 130 Village Lane, Suite 5, has been extended through today. The center is open from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. For more information, call the center at

(501) 884-4440.

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 will sponsor a food drive Aug. 11 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.

Conway ArtsFest Art Exhibit

CONWAY — As part of ArtsFest X: Conway Marks the Spot, the Conway Alliance for the Arts will host an art exhibit at the Conway City Hall from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. Artists may submit up to three pieces of work with the theme “Conway marks the spot.” Submit photographs of entries (2-D or 3-D) or a two-minute video sample of performance art by Monday to conwayartsfest@gmail.com. A jury will select up to 12 pieces for the exhibit. First-prize winners for youth, younger than 18, and adults, 18 and older, will receive a prize package. The public will select a “fan favorite” artwork for display by voting from Aug. 5-15 at facebook.com/conwayartsfest. For more information, contact Beth Wilson Norwood at beth.wilson.norwood@gmail.com.

Alzheimer’s Awareness Series

FAIRFIELD BAY — The Fairfield Bay Community Education Center, 130 Village Lane, Suite 5E, offers a free Alzheimer’s Awareness series from 1-2 p.m. Thursdays. Sessions will continue today with The Basics: Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease; and Aug. 4 with

Effective Communication Strategies. RSVP by calling (501) 884-4440.

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. Aug. 18, 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

Bargains Galore Flea Market

VILONIA — Vilonia United Methodist Church will host its Bargains Galore Flea Market from Aug. 11-13. This is an annual event of 160 miles of crafts, yard sales and flea markets from Fort Smith to Beebe. The church will offer booth rentals for the sale, including spaces in the air-conditioned indoors and outside in the parking lot. Booths will be available from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 11 and 12, and from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 13. The United Methodist Women will serve breakfast and lunch during the sale. All proceeds will support local missions. For more information, email mfreeman@tcworks.net or call (501) 499-2438.

Rhythms of Our Land

CONWAY — Rhythms of Our Land, a presentation by the Bi-Okoto African Drum and Dance Theatre, will take place at 2 p.m. Aug. 12 at the Faulkner County Library. The performance is a family-friendly adventure in African culture and heritage. 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.

Cheeseburger in Paradise Fundraiser

FAIRFIELD BAY — The Fairfield Bay Community Education Center’s annual benefit dance, Cheeseburger in Paradise, will take place from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Aug. 13 at the Fairfield Bay Conference Center. Tickets are $20 in advance at the Education Center or the Conference Center, or from committee members, or $25 at the door; 50/50 raffle tickets are $5 each. Suggested attire is Hawaiian-print shirts and flip-flops. There will be live music by Lucky Draw, a silent auction, games and beach food, including cupcakes. Tickets purchased in the spring will be honored. For more information, call Catherine Swift, Education Center director, at (501) 884-4440.

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 play at 1 p.m. with a shotgun start. There will be prizes for closest to the hole on all par 3s. Funds raised will provide scholarships to 2017 graduating seniors. The Rotary Club provided $17,000 to last year’s graduates and has committed to give $14,000 to this year’s graduates. For entry information, call Trey Miller at (501) 362-3131, or to be a sponsor, call Lloyd Langston at (870) 267-2312.

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