COMMUNITY EVENTS IN THE RIVER VALLEY & OZARK AREA

Nov. 19

Hardball in the Hills

BATESVILLE — The Old Independence Regional Museum, 380 S. Ninth St., between Boswell and Vine streets, will present Brooks Blevins’ program Hardball in the Hills: Stories of Baseball and Ozarkers at 2 p.m. Blevins, the Noel Boyd Professor of Ozark Studies at Missouri State University in Springfield, will chronicle town teams, minor leagues and famous, colorful players who made it to the big leagues. The free program is open to the public. A current museum exhibit includes a detailed diorama of a 1950s community ball diamond and panels that tell about early baseball teams. Regular museum hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for seniors and $1 for children.

Nov. 19 and 20

Operation Christmas Child

CONWAY — Monday is the deadline for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes to be accepted in the annual Samaritan’s Purse project. Shoeboxes filled with gifts for children throughout the world may be dropped off at Fellowship Bible Church, 1051 Hogan Lane, from 1-6 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to noon Monday. Participants can donate $9 online to receive a tracking label to find out the destination of a box. For more information, go to samaritanspurse.org/occ.

Nov. 21

Faulkner County Retired Teachers Meeting

CONWAY — The Faulkner County Retired Teachers Association will meet at 1:30 p.m. at Conway First Baptist Church’s Activity Center, 1719 Robinson Ave. The program will be presented by Kristina Carnes of the office of the Arkansas attorney general. All public-school retired employees are invited.

Nov. 23

Turkey Trot 5K

CONWAY — The United Way of Central Arkansas will present its third annual Turkey Trot 5K, a family fun run and walk, on Thanksgiving Day. The race will start at 8:30 a.m. at Centennial Valley Country Club, 1600 Centennial Club Drive. Packet pickup and registration, for $25, will be from 7-8 a.m. To register online, volunteer or see the race route, go to uwcark.org. For more information, call the United Way of Central Arkansas in Conway at (501) 327-5087.

Nov. 23-25

Holiday Closing

RUSSELLVILLE — The Hughes Community Center will be closed Thursday, Friday and Saturday for observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. For more information, call the center at (479) 968-1272.

Ongoing

Veterans Service Office Closure

MELBOURNE — The Izard County Veterans Service Office, 312 Haley St., will remain closed through Dec. 4. Anyone who needs Veterans Administration information or paperwork during that period may contact Elesha Granniss, District 3 VSO, at (870) 404-6944 or elesha.granniss@arkansas.gov., or the VSO in any surrounding county.

Russellville Christmas Parade Entry deadline

RUSSELLVILLE — The entry deadline for the 2017 Russellville Christmas Parade is noon Dec. 4. Entries will not be accepted past this time. Parade entry forms are available at the Recreation and Parks Department office, 1000 E. Parkway, and at www.russellvillearkansas.org. For more information, call the Recreation and Parks Department at (479) 968-1272.

Blue Ribbon Beauties Exhibit

FAIRFIELD BAY — The Fairfield Bay Community Education Center will present the Blue Ribbon Beauties exhibit from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through Friday. This is an exhibit of the blue-ribbon-awarded photography and written stories from the 2017 Van Buren County Fair submitted by Education Center photographers and writers. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

Master Gardeners Online Training

RUSSELLVILLE — The Pope County Master Gardeners will offer Master Gardener training online beginning Jan. 16. The deadline to apply is Dec. 8. For more information or an application, contact the Pope County Cooperative Extension Office at pope-russellville@uaex.edu or call (479) 968-7098.

Fall BA/BFA Senior Exhibit

CONWAY — The Baum Gallery at the University of Central Arkansas will host its Fall BA/BFA Senior Exhibit through Dec. 7. A weekend reception will be held from 2-4 p.m. Nov. 19 at the gallery, located in McCastlain Hall. Fall graduating seniors in the exhibit include Kaitlyn Haynes, Conway; Winsor Luke, Canyon, Texas; Shiori Soya, Tokyo; Josh Steging, North Little Rock; Kaelyn Suarez, Bald Knob; Lauren Swaim, Little Rock; Jordan Tribble, El Dorado; Abigail Nipper, Conway; Kelsee Sawrie, Bradford; Emily Willhite; Greg Beene; Kolby Black; Georgie McCarthy; and Leah Roddey.

Master Naturalists Classes

CLINTON — Training for the 2018 class of the Foothills Arkansas Master Naturalists Chapter will begin in January. Master Naturalists help build and maintain trails, test water quality, conduct plant and animal surveys, remove invasive plants and educate the public about Arkansas’ natural areas. For an application form, go to wordpress.arkansasmasternaturalists.org. Select “How Do I Join?” and scroll down to Foothills (FAMN). For more information, email twnowlin@artelco.com.

Humane Society Benefit Bingo

GREENBRIER — Bingo, sponsored by the Humane Society of Faulkner County, takes place every third Friday at the Melton Cotton City Event Center, 5 Lois Lane. Pregames start at 5:30 p.m., and full games begin at 6:30. Proceeds from the event benefit the Sloan-Swindel Spay and Neuter Memorial Fund. For more information, email rescuethestrays@yahoo.com.

Bluegrass Music Night

HEBER SPRINGS — Heber Springs Christian Church, 1101 N. Broadway St., offers a bluegrass music night from 6:30-8:30 every Tuesday. Musicians are invited to participate. Free coffee will be available.

Yoga Class at the Library

CONWAY — Danny Mize, registered yoga instructor, teaches a yoga class at 6 p.m. Thursdays at the Faulkner County Library. Mize’s class focuses on feeling good in one’s body and letting go of life’s stress while listening to music. Yoga practitioners of all skill levels, especially beginners, are welcome in the class. 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.

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 will take 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

Audubon Club Meeting

RUSSELLVILLE — The Arkansas River Valley Audubon Society will meet at 7 p.m. Nov. 27 in the Lakeview Room of the Dardanelle State Park Visitor Center. Members and guests will gather for a holiday potluck meal and sharing time. They are invited to bring favorite bird photos to share. Call (501) 977-3899 for directions.

Basic Trout Fishing Clinic

RUSSELLVILLE — A Basic Trout Fishing Clinic has been set for 6-7 p.m. Nov. 28 at the Hughes Community Center in conjunction with Trout Day 2017. The clinic is free, and a certificate for a free rod and reel will be given to the first 50 kids 15 and younger who attend the clinic. Each child must bring the certificate to Trout Day on Dec. 2 to receive the rod-and-reel combo. For more information, call the Hughes Center at (479) 968-1272.

Tim Ernst Slide Show

CONWAY — Tim Ernst, Arkansas’ wildlife photographer, will present a slide show at 7 p.m. Nov. 29 at the Faulkner County Library. Ernst’s photographs capture the beauty and wonder of The Natural State. Ernst will have available for sale at special prices a large selection of picture books, guidebooks, calendars and matted prints, as well as his newest book, Arkansas Beauty. For more information, call the library at (501) 327-7482 or email nancy@fcl.org.

Conway Regional Tribute Tree Lighting

CONWAY — The Conway Regional Tribute Tree lighting event will begin at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 30 by the fountain at the east entrance of Conway Regional Medical Center. The lights will be lit at 6 p.m. The event will feature holiday music, selfies with Santa and his elves, hot chocolate and treats for the kids. The Conway Regional Gift Shop will be open. The Tribute Tree funds scholarships for students who plan to work in the health care field. Tributes and donations will be accepted through December. For more information, call (501) 513-5778 or visit www.conwayregional.org/tributetree.

Trout Day 2017

RUSSELLVILLE — The Caddis Fly Fishing Club, the Russellville Recreation and Parks Department and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission are bringing seasonal trout fishing to Russellville. The AGFC will stock Pleasant View Park pond with 1,200 rainbow trout, and Trout Day 2017 will be take place from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 2. Both bait fishing and fly-fishing will be available, and bait will be provided. A fishing license and trout permit (stamp) are required for anglers 16 and older. The limit of five rainbow trout will apply. Members of the club will be available to help people try fly-fishing for trout. For more information, call the Hughes Community Center at (479) 968-1272.

Holiday Make-and-Take Art Workshop

DARDANELLE — McElroy House, 420 S. Second St., invites the public to a free make-and-take art class titled Art Across Generations: Intergenerational Art Making for the Holidays from 2-4 p.m. Dec. 3. The class, led by artist Jeannie Stone, will provide all art supplies and instruction to make stamped holiday cards, a choice between a Memory Sparkle Wreath or Nature’s Prize Wreath, and scratch art. Participants are welcome to bring natural objects, family heirlooms (special ornaments) or other items and share a story about them. For more information, call (479) 957-0551 or find McElroy House on Facebook.

Festival of One-Act Plays and Scenes

CONWAY — The University of Central Arkansas Theatre Program will present the annual Festival of One-Act Plays and Scenes at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4-6 in the Bridges/Larson Theatre of the Snow Fine Arts Center. The festival is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required. The doors will open at 7 each night. The plays are all directed and produced by UCA Theatre students enrolled in the directing class, with the assistance of more than 50 cast and crew members. For more information, contact Melissa Pearson at (501) 450-5092 or melissap@uca.edu.

Living Nativity

CONWAY — Salem United Methodist Church, 1018 Salem Road, will present a living Nativity from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 8 and 9. Attendees will witness a retelling of the Nativity story and will walk through scenes featuring King Herod, the Three Wise Men, shepherds, Mary, Joseph, and the Baby Jesus. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call the church at (501) 327-2884.

Holiday Tour of Homes

RUSSELLVILLE — The United Methodist Women of First United Methodist Church will have their fourth annual Holiday Tour of Homes as a fundraiser to support mission projects. Four homes will be open from 2-4 p.m. Dec. 10. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased from any UMW member or at the church office, 304 S. Commerce. The self-guided tour of Christmas decorations and home interiors will include the homes of Toni Laws, 318 Quapaw Drive; Susie Nicholson, 328 Quapaw Drive; Laura Harrison, 3000 Highland Drive; and Cynthia Blanchard, 202 East Shore Drive. For reservations, call the church office at (479) 968-1232. Transportation service will be provided for the tour for those who need it; meet in the church parking lot at 1:45 p.m.

Choir Christmas Concert and Nativity Pageant

CONWAY — The choir of Grace Presbyterian Church, 1010 Hogan Lane, will present a Christmas concert titled Kinsman Redeemer at 7 p.m. Dec. 19. The children of the church will also perform a Nativity pageant. The public is invited.

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. The deadline for calendar-item submissions is noon Tuesday.

Upcoming Events