Jan. 26
Republican Committee Meeting
SEARCY — The White County Republican Committee will have its 2017-2018 reorganization meeting at 7 p.m. at the Wilbur D. Mills Court Building, 301 W. Arch St. All are welcome. For more information, contact Joel Pritchett at (501) 827-0777 or whitecogop@hotmail.com.
Jan. 28
The Pyramid Fights 1
SEARCY — The Pyramid Fights 1 will take place at the White County Fairgrounds, 802 Davis Drive. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and fights will begin at 7. The event will feature 32 fighters from around the state in 16 scheduled cage fights. Headlined by the professional main event, Joe Valadez (4-2) of Batesville will square off with Rudy McGlothlin of Searcy (2-1). General admission is $25, and reserved seats are $40. Tickets are available at both Centennial Bank locations in Searcy, at WRD Entertainment in Batesville and at www.cagetix.com/pyramid.
AARP Smart Driver Course
SEARCY — The PrimeTimes at Unity Health will host an AARP Smart Driver Course from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the first floor of the Hubach Conference Center, 3214 E. Race Ave. The instructors will be Bertie and Jerry Yates. The cost of the course is $15 for AARP members with an AARP card or $20 for nonmembers. To register for the class, call Elizabeth Lever at (501) 278-3230.
Associational Singing
CAVE CITY — A Spring River Associational Singing will begin at 6 p.m. at Rings Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, 2925 Arkansas 58, near Cave City, weather permitting. The Heavenly Highway 2nd Edition will be the primary book used. Light refreshments will be served. Everyone is invited to attend, especially musicians and singers from the Spring River Association. For more information, call John R. Way, president, at (870) 283-3292.
Jan. 30
Introduction to Art Course
MOUNTAIN VIEW — Ozarka College in Mountain View will offer a four-week Introduction to Art course through Continuing Education. The course, taught by Leah Balowski, will meet from noon to 3 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, beginning this Monday. The class will present a hands-on approach to the fundamental media, techniques and concepts of making art. The tuition is $35 or $30 for ages 60 and older. Preregistration is required. To enroll, contact Lindsay Wilson-Galloway, director of Ozarka College in Mountain View, at (870) 269-5600 or lhgalloway@ozarka.edu.
Jan. 31
Stone Soup
BATESVILLE – The Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre on Tour will perform Stone Soup at 6:30 p.m. at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Admission is free. Children’s Theatre on Tour is part of the State Services program at the Arkansas Arts Center. Stone Soup is adapted from the traditional tale and directed by Keith Smith, with music by Lori Isner. Tickets are available at First Community Bank locations in Batesville, Southside and Cave City; at UACCB; and at the door. For more information about this event, call (870) 612-2040.
ONGOING
Son Lamb Honorary Scholarship
MELBOURNE — A scholarship has been established in Son Lamb’s name. Lamb has supported, promoted and encouraged not only businesses in north Arkansas, but individuals as well. The scholarship will be awarded to an area student attending Ozarka College. For more information, contact Suellen Davidson, Ozarka College director of advancement, at (870) 368-2059 or sdavidson@ozarka.edu.
Tamales for Tutoring
BATESVILLE — The Ozark Foothills Literacy Project will have its first tamale fundraiser. Tickets will go on sale Feb. 1, and tamales will be available for pickup Feb. 25. The Literacy Project serves Sharp, Fulton, Independence and Izard counties. Adults work with volunteer tutors to learn how to read, write and speak English. To purchase tickets or volunteer, call the Literacy Project at (870) 793-5912. For more information, visit www.oflp.org.
Free GED Classes
MELBOURNE — Free GED classes will be offered through Adult Education at Ozarka College’s four locations. Classes will meet at Ozarka College in Melbourne from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; in Ash Flat from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; and in Mammoth Spring and Mountain View from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Registration is ongoing. For more information, call Ozarka College’s Adult Education Department at (870) 368-2051.
Diabetes Class
JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Senior Wellness and Activity Center, 100 Victory Circle, will offer a six-week class called DEEP (Diabetes Empowerment Education Program). The class will meet from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 1 through March 8. This is a diabetes self-management curriculum that has been shown to be successful in helping participants take control of their disease and reduce the risk of complications. For more information, call the center at (501) 982-7531.
Master Gardener Training
SEARCY — The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service in White County is seeking applicants for its Master Gardener Program. A new series of training classes will be conducted on five consecutive Wednesdays: March 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. The program is open to anyone with a strong interest in gardening, a willingness to learn and a desire to educate others in recommended gardening practices. The cost of the initial training and materials is $75, which includes the first year’s dues. All sessions will be held in Searcy. Preregistration is required by Feb. 10. For more information, call (501) 268-5394 or email white-searcy@uaex.edu.
Community Awards Nominations
BEEBE — The Beebe Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the following 2016-17 Community Awards: the Ruth L. Couch Lifetime Service Award, Citizen of the Year, Beebe Public Schools Educator of the Year, Arkansas State University-Beebe Educator of the Year, Business of the Year, New Business of the Year and Volunteer of the Year. The deadline to submit nominations is Feb. 10. For more information, call the chamber office at (501) 882-8135.
Grief & Loss Support Group
JACKSONVILLE — The Caring Hearts Grief & Loss Support Group will meet at 10 a.m. Feb. 18 and again March 18 at the Christian Church of Jacksonville, 200 E. Martin near First Street. For those who do not wish to participate in group meetings, individual sessions can be scheduled. For more information, contact Steve Summers at (870) 710-1508.
Bill of Rights Exhibit
CALICO ROCK — In honor of the Bill of Rights’ 225th anniversary, a Bill of Rights exhibit will be featured in the Murphy Gallery at the Calico Rock Museum and Visitor Center through Feb. 25. The pop-up exhibit was developed by the National Archives and is touring the nation. The exhibit shares some history of the Bill of Rights and challenges guests to appreciate the freedoms found in the document. The gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, visit www.calicorockmuseum.com or call (870) 297-6100.
Opportunity for Bridge Players
BEEBE — Bridge players are needed at 1 p.m. Wednesdays at the Shepherd’s Center at Beebe United Methodist Church, 302A N. Main St. Beginners are welcome. For more information, call (501) 843-2930.
Beebe Caregivers Support Group
BEEBE — The Beebe Caregivers Support Group meets at 3 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at the Shepherd’s Center of Beebe, 302 N. Main St. For more information, call Sandra Garrett at (501) 940-4021.
Alzheimer’s Support Group
CABOT — The Alzheimer’s Support Group meets at 10 a.m. the second Tuesday of each month at Cabot United Methodist Church, 2003 S. Pine St. For more information, call (501) 265-0027.
Year-Round Story Time
BATESVILLE — The Independence County Library, 368 E. Main St., hosts the Children’s Story Time at 10 a.m. every Wednesday. The event includes stories, videos and a craft time. Coordinator Katie Treubig said the program is aimed at entertaining preschoolers but is also appropriate for home-schooled children. For more information, call the library at (870) 793-8814.
Republicans Meeting
NEWPORT — The Jackson County Republicans meet at 7 p.m. the fourth Monday of the month at Merchants and Planters Bank, 915 Arkansas 367 N. For more information, call Jeff McDonald at (870) 731-7646.
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.
Cabot Lions Club Meetings
CABOT — The Cabot Lions Club has regular get-togethers at noon the first and third Thursdays of the month at the Kingpin Sports Grill. Lions serve local communities and protect the planet. Club members provide children with eyeglasses, offer food for seniors and provide assistance during natural disasters. All are invited to attend the meetings.
Upcoming
End of Year Banquet
BALD KNOB — The Bald Knob Chamber of Commerce will present its End of Year Banquet on Feb. 2 at the Bald Knob School Cafeteria, 103 W. Park Ave. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m., and the guest speaker will be Mitch Petrus, former football player for the Arkansas Razorbacks and the New York Giants. Tickets are $15 per person. For more information or tickets, call the chamber at (501) 724-3140, or call (501) 283-0287.
Main Street Batesville’s Winter Gala
BATESVILLE — The 2017 Winter Gala, a fundraiser for Main Street Batesville, will take place at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 3 at The Loft on the top floor of the Barnett Building. The event will feature a 1970s theme, and people are encouraged to dress accordingly. Beverages and hors d’oeurves will be served, and there will be live and silent auctions, live entertainment, dancing and a DJ. Tickets, at $25 each or $45 per couple, can be purchased at Studio Salon, Merchants & Planters Bank, the Melba Theater, the Main Street Batesville office and at the door. For more information, call Main Street Batesville at (870) 698-1555 or visit www.mainstreetbatesville.org.
The SAME Cafe
SEARCY — The SAME Cafe will be open from 4-5:30 p.m. Feb. 4 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.
Super Bowl Chili Cook-off
WILBURN — The Wilburn Friends and Family Relay for Life team will have a Super Bowl Chili Cook-off Feb. 4 at Wilburn Baptist Church. Bring a crock pot of chili and compete, or bring an appetite and taste the entries. Eating will be from 5-7 p.m., followed by gospel music at 7. For more information, call Danita Hayes at (501) 206-2505.
Clary Fitness Team
ASH FLAT — Clary Fitness is forming a team for the World Association of Benchers and Deadlifters (WABDL) Nationals Bench Press and Deadlift Championship, to take place Feb. 18 in Jonesboro. Team registration and individual entry fees are due Feb. 4. To participate on the Clary Fitness team or for more information, call (870) 994-4444, visit claryfitness.com, or stop by Clary Fitness in Ash Flat, next to the Walmart Supercenter, and pick up an entry form. For information on the ClaryFit Kids Programs, visit www.tntgymacad.com.
Independence County Republicans Meeting
BATESVILLE — The Independence County Republicans will meet at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Citizens Bank Annex, 285 E. College St. State Sen. Jim Hendren, R-Gravette, will tell the group about his deployment experiences in the Mideast.
A Taste of New Orleans Fundraiser
JACKSONVILLE — A Taste of New Orleans, a fundraiser for the Jacksonville Senior Wellness and Activity Center, will take place at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 23 in the Jacksonville Community Center Banquet Hall, 5 Municipal Drive. The event will feature live jazz and a dinner of chicken and sausage gumbo with rice, red beans and rice with smoked sausage, jambalaya and king cake. Tickets are $20 each and are available at the Senior Wellness and Activity Center, 100 Victory Circle. For tickets or more information, call the center at (501) 982-7531.
Mary Ark of the Covenant Luncheon
CHEROKEE VILLAGE — All women are invited to a Mardi-Gras themed luncheon sponsored by the Mary Ark of the Covenant Arkansas Chapter of Magnificat, a ministry to Catholic women. The event will be from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 25, with registration at 11, in St. Michael’s Catholic Church Parish Hall. Tickets are $12 and include a catered Cajun lunch, a time of worship and the featured speaker, Cindy Harris, coordinator of the chapter. Mail requests for tickets, postmarked by Feb. 6, to Sharon Vander Zyl, 107 Cherokee Road, Cherokee Village, AR 72529. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. No tickets will be sold at the door.
Culinary Arts Students Showcase Dinner
MELBOURNE — Ozarka College’s Culinary Arts students will host a student showcase dinner March 10 in the Student Services Center at Ozarka College. Dinner seating will take place from 6-7 p.m. Tickets are $15 each, and the menu will feature a three-course meal, including a beverage, and will allow guests to select from a limited menu. When making reservations, guests are asked to specify any dietary needs or allergies. Reservations are required by March 6 by contacting chef Alden Griffus at (870) 368-2073 or alden.griffus@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.