Feb. 23
Heber Springs Chamber Banquet
HEBER SPRINGS — The Heber Springs Area Chamber of Commerce will present its 61st annual banquet at 5:30 p.m. at the Heber Springs Community Center, 201 Bobbie Jean Lane. The event will feature dinner and a live auction. Special guest Thomas Lipham, program director for the Museum of Discovery in Little Rock, will present Super Science Experiments … Ending With a Blast. Awards will be presented. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and a buffet dinner will begin at 5:45. The public is invited. Tickets are $35 each. For more information, call the chamber at (501) 362-2444 or visit www.heber-springs.com.
Arkansas Arts Center Artmobile
MAYFLOWER — The Arkansas Arts Center Artmobile, one of only a handful of mobile art museums in the nation, will be at Mayflower Elementary School from 4-7 p.m. Visual Voyages, the artmobile’s 2016-2017 traveling exhibition, highlights various artistic methods and techniques used to reimagine landscapes, consider the effects of travel on society and explore the fathoms of people’s imaginations. For more information, contact Anna Bell, Mayflower Elementary art teacher, at (870) 210-1228 or abell@mayflowerschools.org.
Feb. 23-25 and March 2-4
Samuel Beckett’s Endgame
CONWAY — The University of Central Arkansas Theatre program will present Samuel Beckett’s Endgame at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and again March 2 and 3; and at 2 p.m. Saturday and March 4 in the Black Box Theatre of the Snow Fine Arts Center. Kevin Browne, associate professor of theater, is the show’s director. Endgame is considered by many critics to be Beckett’s greatest single work. Seats will be limited, and free tickets are available at uca.edu/tickets.
Feb. 24
VFW Mardi Gras Celebration
CONWAY — Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2259, at 1885 Old Morrilton Highway, will host a Mardi Gras celebration beginning at 8 p.m. Admission is $3 at the door. Attendees will receive $1 off for wearing purple, green or gold. A pong tournament will be held with a fee of $10 per team, beverages not included.
Feb. 24 and 25
Artists of the Galaxy 2017
MORRILTON — Artists of the Galaxy 2017 will celebrate science-fiction-themed art. On Friday at the Conway County Library, 101 W. Church St., there will be a reception at 7 p.m. and a costume contest at 8 — dress as a superhero or sci-fi/fantasy character. On Saturday at the Rialto Gallery, 215 E. Broadway, there will be an art talk by Ninjaink (Timothy Lim), Jason Politte and John Lucas at 3 p.m.; an art demonstration at 4 p.m.; a group cosplay contest at 4 p.m.; an awards presentation at 6 p.m.; and a laser light show and dance from 7-10 p.m. by DJ C.G. F-ect. For more information, call the library at (501) 354-5204, or visit www.conwaycountylibrary.org or the library’s Facebook page.
Feb. 25
In the Mood for Music Fundraiser
RUSSELLVILLE — The Arkansas Center for Music Education, a nonprofit that provides low-cost and free music classes for Pope and surrounding counties, will host a benefit fundraiser, In the Mood for Music, at 7 p.m. at Central Presbyterian Church, 400 W. Main St. The event will include a catered meal, a silent auction, and a guest recital by operatic tenor Brandon Faulkner. Tickets are $25, and proceeds will support ACME. For tickets or more information, call Scott Arnold at (501) 208-4066. Tickets will also be sold at the door.
March 1
Alzheimer’s/Dementia Caregivers Support Group
PERRYVILLE — The first meeting of the Alzheimer’s/Dementia Caregivers Support Group will be at 1:30 p.m. at Perryville United Methodist Church, 123 Cross St. All caregivers in Perry and Conway counties are invited to the group. Priscilla Pittman, program coordinator for Alzheimer’s Arkansas in Little Rock, will be the guest. For more information, call Ida Rose, group facilitator, at (501) 208-3105. Missy Boliek and Lester Rose are co-facilitators.
ONGOING
Maumelle Newcomers Club $1,000 Scholarship
MAUMELLE — The Maumelle Newcomers Club is offering a $1,000 scholarship. Residents of Maumelle, as well as immediate family members of Newcomers Club members, are eligible to apply. Applicants must have at least a 2.5 cumulative grade-point average, not have a full scholarship and attend a four-year or two-year accredited educational institution or technical college. Graduate and part-time students are also eligible. For an application, visit the Maumelle Public Library or call Amy Hatfield, scholarship chairwoman, at (630) 696-3330. Applications must be postmarked by April 19.
Russellville Artist Exhibit, Reception
RUSSELLVILLE — Russellville artist Jeannie Stone is the February featured artist at Lake Dardanelle State Park in Russellville. Her exhibit, A Call for Silence, will be on display in the Visitor Center for the month. The public is invited to meet the artist at a reception from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday. Stone’s oil and watercolor paintings capture Arkansas scenes and still lifes that reflect the beauty of the state’s natural resources. For more information, call (479) 968-2452 or visit www.rivervalleyartscenter.org.
Student Competitive Art Exhibition
CONWAY — The University of Central Arkansas’ Baum Gallery will feature its annual Student Competitive Art Exhibition on March 2-16. UCA students can enter up to three original works by today. Works must have been created in spring, summer or fall of 2016 or spring 2017. The artworks will be judged Friday, and winners will be notified Saturday. There will be up to five cash prizes. The opening reception for the exhibition will be at 4 p.m. March 2. For more information, contact Brian Young, interim director of the Baum Gallery, at (501) 450-5793 or bkyoung@uca.edu.
Rotary Club Pork Butt Sale
HEBER SPRINGS — The Rotary Club of Heber Springs will once again fire up the smoker and make the club’s 7- to 9-pound smoked pork butts, which will be ready for pickup from 8-9:30 a.m. April 1. Proceeds from the event will fund college scholarships and other community projects. To place an order, call John Lyons, Rotary president, at (501) 691-9331, or contact any Heber Springs Rotarian.
Smartphone Photo Show
CONWAY — The Gallery at EM, 1100 Oak St., is hosting an art show featuring works from members of the Arkansas Mobile Phoneographers through March 8. ArkMoPhs is a Facebook/Instagram group that captures images with smartphones. The show represents the best smartphone photographs of Arkansas taken in 2016 by about 40 members. All pieces in the show are for sale. The exhibit is free and open to the public. For more information, call (501) 329-6253.
Featured Artist Exhibit
RUSSELLVILLE — Brenda Morgan of Dardanelle is the featured artist for February in the gallery at the River Valley Arts Center, 1001 E. B St. Morgan has shown work in many fine-art shows over the years in Oklahoma and Arkansas, as well as in shows of miniatures throughout the U.S. For more information, call the center at (479) 968-2452.
Adult Summer Softball Registration
RUSSELLVILLE — The Russellville Recreation and Parks Department will register teams for its Summer Adult Softball League from Feb. 27 through 5 p.m. March 10. Teams that register must pay the entry fee and submit an entry form and a team roster. Forms are available in the Recreation and Parks Department Office and online at www.russellvillearkansas.org. For more information, call (479) 968-1272.
Master Gardener Training
RUSSELLVILLE — The Pope County Master Gardeners will offer a 40-hour training course on April 11, 13, 18, 20 and 25 at the Pope County Cooperative Extension Service office. The deadline to register is March 20. For more information or to request an application, call the Extension Service office at (479) 968-7098. For an online generic application, go to uaex.edu, and click on “yard and garden.”
Faulkner County Coin Club Meetings
CONWAY — The Faulkner County Coin Club meets the second Tuesday 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. with educational speakers, show-and-tell, news and door prizes. For more information, call (501) 514-0785.
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 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. All who are interested in governmental and business affairs on the county, state or national level are invited to attend.
Upcoming
Chili Bowl Fundraiser
RUSSELLVILLE — The River Valley Arts Center, 1001 E. B St., will have a Chili Bowl Fundraiser at 6 p.m. March 2. Tickets, at $40 each, include a handmade bowl chosen by the ticket-holder, chili and toppings, and a beverage. For tickets, call the center at (479) 968-2452. Raffle items will include a piece created by Arkansas Living Treasure Winston Taylor and a signed copy of The Idle Class, with an article featuring Winston. Raffle tickets are $5 each or three for $10, available at the Arts Center or from its board members until Feb 28.
UCA Percussion Festival
CONWAY — The University of Central Arkansas Percussion Club and the department of music will host the UCA Percussion Festival, starting at noon March 4 at the Snow Fine Arts Center. The event, which will feature concerts and master classes, is free and open to the public. Guests will include John Parks, Florida State professor of percussion; Keith Aleo, Interlochen Arts Academy director of percussion studies; and percussionist duo Tierra Fria, formed by Connor Stevens and UCA alumnus Brant Blackard. All UCA percussion students will have a chance to work with the guest artists. For more information, contact Blake Tyson, UCA professor of percussion, at (501) 450-5236 or btyson@uca.edu.
Chase Race and Paws
CONWAY — The 12th annual Chase Race and Paws, a nonprofit event, will begin at 7 a.m. March 11 in Simon Park on Front Street. All proceeds from the race will be donated to Arkansas Children’s Hospital for brain-trauma research and to Friends of the Conway Animal Shelter for the care and treatment of rescued animals. For more information, visit www.chaserace.info.
St. Patrick’s Day Craft for Kids
MORRILTON — The Conway County Library, 101 W. Church St., will offer a St. Patrick’s Day craft session for kids at 10 a.m. March 11. For more information, call the library at (501) 354-5204, or visit www.conwaycountylibrary.org or the library’s Facebook page.
Mardi Gras Party for Teens
MORRILTON — The Conway County Library, 101 W. Church St., will present a special Mardi Gras Party for teens at 1 p.m. March 11. Plenty of Mardi Gras-themed foods will be available, along with colorful beads. For more information, call the library at (501) 354-5204, or visit www.conwaycountylibrary.org or the library’s Facebook page.
Munchin’ on Main
MORRILTON — Munchin’ on Main — a city market, kids activities and live music — will take place March 25. Market booths are available for $25. Five food trucks from Northwest Arkansas will set up on Railroad Avenue, adjacent to the Morrilton Depot Museum, for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and for dinner from 5-8 p.m., while supplies last. Live music featuring Matt Stell and other local artists will begin at 5 p.m. For more information, call Main Street Morrilton Director Sarah Croswell at (501) 404-8604 or follow Main Street Morrilton on Facebook.
ATU Alumni Association Day at the Races
RUSSELLVILLE — The Arkansas Tech University Alumni Association will host Tech Day at the Races 2017 on March 25 at Oaklawn Racing & Gaming in Hot Springs. Tickets, at $30 each, may be purchased at www.techties.atu.edu or reserved by calling (479) 968-0242 or emailing alumni@atu.edu. The deadline to RSVP is March 15. Tickets include a racing program and admittance to the Arkansas Room for the Winner’s Circle Buffet, which includes a deluxe carving station, various entrees, sides and desserts. Post time for the first race is 1 p.m.
Kick-Start Heber Springs Committee Meetings
HEBER SPRINGS — The next Kick-Start Heber Springs Committee meetings, which are open to the public, will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 22 in Room 1 of the Heber Springs Community Center, 201 Bobbie Jean Lane. All are encouraged to attend and take part in implementing the city’s five-year growth strategy. The active committees are Quality of Life and Place, Economic Development, Tourism Development, Education and Workforce, Marketing and Branding, and Funding and Finance. To volunteer for one of the committees, email director@heber-springs.com.
Hoof It for Heifer
PETIT JEAN MOUNTAIN — Hoof It for Heifer, a 20K trail run, will begin at 8 a.m. April 8 on the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Boy Scouts of America Trail in Petit Jean State Park. Proceeds will go to Heifer USA, a domestic program that empowers local food and farm entrepreneurs in Arkansas. More information and tickets are available at www.heifertrailrun.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.