COMMUNITY EVENTS IN THE RIVER VALLEY & OZARK AREA

Jan 22

Audubon Society Meeting

CONWAY — The Arkansas River Valley Audubon Society will meet at 7 p.m. in Room 010 of the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Life Sciences (in the basement’s north hall) at Hendrix College. Leslie Patrick of the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission will present a program on Arkansas bats that will cover bat characteristics and habitats, why they are important and an update on white-nose syndrome. Refreshments will be served, and the public is invited. For directions, call (501) 977-3899.

Jan. 23

Faulkner Forward Reception

CONWAY — An informative reception for the nonprofit political action committee Faulkner Forward will take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the EM Event Center (formerly EM Jeans), 1100 Oak St. Committee member Nancy Gaddy said the reception is a “friend-raising event.” Information and refreshments will be provided. Tickets are available at www.faulknerforward.com.

Couponing for Real Life

CONWAY — Couponing for Real Life will be offered from 6-8 p.m. at UCA Downtown, 1105 W. Oak St. This beginners course will teach participants to use coupons to maximize savings at grocery stores, retail outlets and restaurants. Sign up, and start saving money. For more information, call Autumn at (501) 450-3118.

Women’s Leadership Network

CONWAY — Women’s Leadership Network: Leading & Living Authentically will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center at the University of Central Arkansas. This is a free event; however, registration is required. Call Autumn at (501) 450-3118 for more information.

Broadway Bound Class

CONWAY — A Broadway Bound class will meet from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 23 to Feb. 6, at the Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center at the University of Central Arkansas. This class on Broadway musical theater offers a history of American popular-musical styles, as well as a forum to debate social issues such as racism, antisemitism and gender inequality. Participants will trace American social consciousness from 1900 to the present through the Broadway musical. For more information, call Autumn at (501) 450-3118.

Jan. 23 and 30

Conway Women’s Chorus Open Rehearsals

CONWAY — The Conway Women’s Chorus will have open rehearsals for the spring semester at 7 p.m. Tuesday and again Jan. 30 at Wesley United Methodist Church, 2310 E. Oak St. This semester will feature love songs suggested by the chorus members, who will present a spring concert in April. For more information, call (501) 339-7401 or email faulknerarts@yahoo.com.

Jan. 24

Quality Payment Reform Workshop

CONWAY — ​An MIPS (Merit-based Incentive Payment System) workshop on Quality Payment Reform, a presentation for health care providers and their staff members, will be offered from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center at the University of Central Arkansas. For more information, contact Reuel Shepherd at rshepherd@uca.edu or (501) 450-3429.

Jan. 27

Art Pray Love

CONWAY — St. Peter’s Episcopal Church will hold its ninth annual fundraiser, Art Pray Love, from 6-9 p.m. at 925 Mitchell St. The public is invited. The event will feature an art show with works by Arkansas artists and a silent auction with proceeds benefiting the church’s medical mission trip to Guatemala. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be available. Advance tickets are $25 each or $45 for a couple. Tickets at the door will be $30 each and $60 for a couple. Kids’ ticket-pricing is also available. For more information, call the church office at (501) 329-8174.

Jan. 27 and 28

Peter Pan the Ballet

CONWAY — The Blackbird Academy of Arts in Conway will present Peter Pan the Ballet at 7 p.m. Saturday and at 2 p.m. Jan. 28 in Reynolds Performance Hall at the University of Central Arkansas. The public is invited to attend. Following Jan. 28’s performance, a Tinkerbell Tea Party will begin at approximately 4 p.m. in the upstairs lobby of Reynolds Performance Hall. Tickets for the tea are $10. Tickets for the ballet and tea may be purchased at www.blackbirdacademy.org. A free field trip is being offered to K-12 schools to attend a performance of the ballet on Friday. There is no charge, but reservations must be made by contacting Ann Turney at (501) 472-7303 or ann@blackbirdacademy.org.

UCA Printmaking Exhibition

CONWAY — Baum Gallery at the University of Central Arkansas will host its first exhibition of the spring, Pathways: An Exhibition of Large Format & Experimental Printmaking, from Thursday through Feb. 15. The featured artist-in-residence is David C. Williams, who will offer a printmaking demonstration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 14 in Schichtl Hall at UCA. At 1:40 p.m. Feb. 15, he will give a lecture in McCastlain Hall 143. Both events and the exhibition are free and open to the public. Baum Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and has extended hours to 7 p.m. on Thursdays. The exhibition will feature 29 artists, including two from UCA: Roger Bowman, a retired UCA faculty member, and Jessie Hornbrook, a UCA assistant professor.

Health, Safety & Nutrition Class

CONWAY — A Health, Safety & Nutrition class will meet from​ 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 29 through Feb. 26, at the Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center at the University of Central Arkansas. This class, which is geared for all child care providers, focuses on essential skills to keep children and their surroundings healthy and safe. For more information, call Autumn at (501) 450-3118.

Cake Decorating 1 Class

CONWAY — A Cake Decorating 1 class will meet from 6-8 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 29 through Feb. 19, at UCA Downtown, 1105 W. Oak St. This class offers an opportunity for participants to stop paying for custom cakes and learn to create beautiful cakes at home. For more information, call Autumn at (501) 450-3118.

Swinging Into Jive Class

CONWAY — A Swinging Into Jive class will meet from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 30 through April 3, at the Farris Center at the University of Central Arkansas. This structured beginner course allows new dancers to learn quickly and makes a unique date night. For more information, call Autumn at (501) 450-3118.

Dance the Next Level Waltz/Fox Trot 2 Class

CONWAY — A Dance the Next Level Waltz/Fox Trot 2 class will meet from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 30 through April 3, at the Farris Center at the University of Central Arkansas. This course will continue the learning process and is intended for those who took the intro course or those who have dance experience. For more information, call Autumn at (501) 450-3118.

Jewelry-Making Classes

CONWAY — The Faulkner County Library has jewelry-making classes for beginners from 6-7 p.m. each Thursday. There is no charge for the classes, but students provide their own supplies or purchase kits in class. Free minor jewelry repair will be offered by the class instructor. Bring broken or outdated costume jewelry to be repaired or updated while you wait, or bring broken jewelry or loose beads to trade for a piece of new jewelry. For more information, email cardsandjewelry@gmail.com or call the library at (501) 327-7482.

’Tis the Season Art Exhibit

CLINTON — ’Tis the Season is the North Central Arkansas Artist League’s free exhibit at Ozark Health Medical Center on U.S. 65 on the south side of Clinton. The exhibit will be on display until Feb. 12. The new collection includes 40 paintings by eight local artists. Artwork is in the hallways near the cafeteria on the upper level and in the outpatient wing through the skywalk and down the elevator to the lower level. The paintings are for sale for prices from $15 to $350. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Hospital Auxiliary’s projects. For more information, contact league president Charlotte Rierson at (501) 884-6100.

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, a 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. 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

Broadway Bound Trip

CONWAY — The University of Central Arkansas Outreach will offer Broadway Bound, a four-day trip to New York City, on May 7-11. Travelers will spend a week in New York City in the heart of the Theater District and see Anastasia, The Book of Mormon and Dear Evan Hansen. The anticipated cost of $1,800 includes airfare, four nights at a hotel (double occupancy), the three shows and shuttle-bus transportation to and from LaGuardia Airport. A nonrefundable deposit of $500 is due Jan. 31. For more information, contact Melissa at meubanks@uca.edu or (501) 450-5100.

Time Out for Tech 2018

RUSSELLVILLE — All high school seniors and their families are invited to Time Out for Tech 2018, hosted by the Arkansas Tech University Office of Admissions on Feb. 1. Check-in and a registered-student-organization fair will start at 8:30 a.m. at Tucker Coliseum, followed by an opening session at 9:30 a.m., when there will be a drawing for three tuition scholarships to Tech for the fall 2018 semester. Preregistration is required for seniors planning to attend Time Out for Tech. Register at www.atu.edu/admissions/timeout.php. For more information, call (800) 582-6953 or (479) 968-0343.

Savor the Symphony

RUSSELLVILLE — The Russellville Symphony Guild will present its annual fundraiser Savor the Symphony from 6-9 p.m. Feb. 3 at the Lake Point Conference Center. The French-inspired evening will feature a steak dinner and live music, sung in French. For more information, call Ann Squyres at (479) 968-5080.

Community Valentine’s Day Ball

HEBER SPRINGS — The Heber Springs Jazz Band will sponsor its first Valentine’s Day Ball for the community on Feb. 14 at the Family Life Center of First United Methodist Church, 1099 W. Pine St. The band will play and sing jazz classics from days past. Tickets are $12 each or $20 per couple. Tickets can be purchased at the Central Offices of the Heber Springs School District or at heberspringsbands.org with PayPal.

The McKameys Concert

CONWAY — The McKameys will give a concert at 7 p.m. Feb. 17 at Oak Bowery Baptist Church, 6 miles east of Conway on Otto Road (Arkansas 286). There will be no admission charge, but an offering will be taken. For more information, call Brother Matt Corkran at (501) 336-9133 or Loyd Kelley at (501) 514-5670.

Book Signing

CONWAY — Local author Jasmine Harris will give a book signing at 2 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Faulkner County Library. Harris is a secondary educator and a published poet who is featured in the International Poetry Digest. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in linguistics and is enrolled in graduate school. Her first book is I May Have Been in My Feelings. To stay updated on her next release and current events, visit crownpressbooks.com and follow her on social media, facebook.com/JasmineHarris and Instagram @dr_harris. For more information on the event, email nancy@fcl.org or call (501) 327-7482.

The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra Concert

HEBER SPRINGS — The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra will return to the Heber Springs Performing Arts Center for a concert at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 24. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students ages 18 and younger. Tickets can be purchased at the Central Offices of the Heber Springs School District or at heberspringsbands.org with PayPal.

Ziggy Pepper Chili Cook-Off

HEBER SPRINGS — The Ziggy Pepper Chili Cook-Off, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Cleburne County, will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 3 at the Heber Springs Community Center, 201 Bobbie Jean Lane, in conjunction with the Angler’s Expo & Outdoor Show. The chili tasting will begin at 11 a.m. Cooks can enter in the pro, youth or people’s choice chili categories, where the total prize money is more than $1,800. Those who want to taste and judge the chili entries and help support the club’s efforts to raise money for college scholarships are invited to come out and participate. For more information, contact Rick Maguire at (501) 499-1580 or ziggypepper.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. The deadline for calendar-item submissions is noon Tuesday.

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