Sept. 30
Splash Pad Closing
RUSSELLVILLE — Today is the last day the Russellville City Park splash pad will be open this season. The park is at 915 E. B St. For more information, call (479) 968-1272.
Oct. 2
AARP Safe Driving Class
FAIRFIELD BAY — An AARP Safe Driving Class, taught by Arkansas State University instructor Clay Fires, will meet from 1-5 p.m. at the Fairfield Bay Community Education Center, 130 Village Place, No. 2. The class fee $15 for AARP members with proof of membership and $20 for nonmembers. For more information or to RSVP, call the center at (501) 884-4440.
UCA Jazz Ensemble I Concert
LITTLE ROCK — The University of Central Arkansas Jazz I ensemble, directed by Gail Robertson, will perform at 7 p.m. at South On Main, 1304 Main St. The performance is free and open to the public, and food and drink will be available for purchase. The concert will include performances by recently retired UCA saxophone professor Jackie Lamar; Lamar’s successor, Matt Taylor; Rychy St. Vincent, a Little Rock jazz singer; and UCA graduate student Cole Cavanah. For more information, contact Robertson at grobertson@uca.edu or (501) 450-5760.
Oct. 2- 25
Teen Coding Class
CONWAY — A Teen Coding class for students ages 13 to 16 will be offered from 6-7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Oct. 2-25, at the University of Central Arkansas College of Business. Taught by local software developers from Southwest Power Pool, the class is a great way for students to get hands-on experience. For more information, visit uca.edu/outreach or call (501) 450-3118.
Oct. 3
First Wednesday Ladies’ Lunch Break,
CONWAY — A First Wednesday Ladies’ Lunch Break will take place from noon to 1 p.m. in the Second Baptist Church Student Center at Dave Ward Drive and 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 Tuesday.
Oct. 4 – Nov. 8
Doula Training Workshop
CONWAY — A Doula Training Workshop will be offered from 6-8 p.m. Thursdays, Oct. 4 through Nov. 8, in the Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center, 201 Donaghey Ave., on the University of Central Arkansas campus. Students will learn the fundamentals of doula support, as well as crucial tips for connecting with clients and other birth professionals. For more information, visit uca.edu/outreach or call (501) 450-3118.
Oct. 5
NARFE Meeting
CONWAY — Chapter 966 of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association will meet at 11 a.m. Oct. 5 at the China Town Restaurant in the Conway Towne Centre on U.S. 65. Jason Braswell, a representative from Edward Jones, and John Shram, a founder of Winburn, Mano, Schrader & Shram, PLLC, will speak on estate planning. A buffet lunch is available at the restaurant. All active and retired federal employees are invited to attend. For more information, call Pam Allen at (501) 327-8197.
Maumelle Newcomers Club Coffee
MAUMELLE — The Maumelle Newcomers Club will have its monthly coffee at 10 a.m. at the Maumelle Community Center. The club is a social, charitable and educational organization designed to provide a way for women in Maumelle to meet others and gather for various activities of their choice. For more information, call Sheila Young at (501) 851-4280.
Oct. 5-7
The Playground King
RUSSELLVILLE — Arkansas Tech University Theatre will offer a children’s play, The Playground King, written by ATU student Tanner Williams, a senior elementary education major from Hot Springs, at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Techionery Theatre, 1502 North El Paso Ave. Stephanie Freeman, visiting lecturer in communication and theater, is directing the show. Tickets, at $5 for adults and $3 for students, will be available at the door at the Techionery Theatre. For more information, call (479) 964-0890.
Oct. 6
OktoberFest at the Bay
FAIRFIELD BAY – The fifth annual OktoberFest at the Bay will begin at 3 p.m. at the Fairfield Bay Conference and Visitor Center with authentic German treats and drinks, traditional oom-pah-pah music, and lots of activities for kids and adults. Brats, German potato salad and other treats will be available for purchase from 3-7:30 p.m. A traditional Volksmarch will kick off at 4 p.m., followed by a Roll Out the Barrel and Grand March at 6 p.m., then traditional dance music from 6-9 p.m. For more information and a complete schedule, call (501) 884-4202 or visit www.VisitFairfieldBay.com/Oktoberfest.
Workforce Strong
MORRILTON — The University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton invites the public to attend Workforce Strong, a National Manufacturing Day event, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Workforce Training Center on the west end of campus. The event aims to expose eighth- through 12th-graders and their families to modern-day career opportunities and the education required for those jobs, and to reach the underemployed and unemployed in the area. Food and drinks will be available, as well as booths for every hands-on training program offered at UACCM. For more information, contact Jessica Rohlman at rohlman@uaccm.edu or (501) 977-2004.
Democratic Dinner
PERRYVILLE — The Perry County Democratic Party will have a dinner at 6:30 p.m. in the Multipurpose Building at the Perry County Fairgrounds. Keynote speakers will be Joyce Elliott and Clarke Tucker. State and local candidates will also be given an opportunity to speak. Tickets are $20 each or $30 per couple. Sponsor tables are available for $300. For tickets or more information, call Patty Brazil at (501) 889-4210.
Ongoing
Food for Fines
MORRILTON — The Conway County Library will offer its Food for Fines Program from Tuesday through Oct. 31. Patrons can help others in the county while taking care of fines for overdue library materials by donating nonperishable food items when returning overdue materials to erase the fine for that item, as well as other overdue fines. Each food item represents $1. Patrons may donate up to 10 items to cancel up to $10 of fines. Food items may not be used to waive charges for items that are lost. Patrons are encouraged to bring additional food items. For more information, call at (501) 354-5204.
A Sense of Place Art Exhibit
CLINTON — The current art exhibit, A Sense of Place, in the halls of Ozark Health Medical Center, 2500 U.S. 65 S., will be open through Nov. 12. The exhibit includes more than 50 works — mostly landscapes, as well as florals, still life and wildlife — by members of the North Central Arkansas Artist League. Art is displayed in the hallways near the cafeteria on the upper level and in the outpatient wing on the lower level. The paintings are for sale for $15 to $450. Proceeds will benefit Hospital Auxiliary projects. For more information, call Joyce Hartmann at (501) 745-6615.
Ceramic and Drawing Exhibits
CONWAY — The University of Central Arkansas’ Baum Gallery will host two exhibitions through Oct. 11 — Peter Pincus: Color and Form, plus Artistic Processes: Drawings and More. The Pincus show features the ceramics of this New York-state artist. The exhibits are free and open to the public. For more information, call the UCA College of Fine Arts and Communication at (501) 450-3293 or visit www.uca.edu/cfac.
TOPS Meetings
CONWAY — TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets each Tuesday at Peace Lutheran Church, at the corner of Donaghey Avenue and Dave Ward Drive. Weigh-in begins at 9:15 a.m., and a support meeting emphasizing weight loss and healthy living takes place from 10-11 a.m. Prospective members are welcome to attend. Enter the church from Donaghey Avenue. For more information, call Peggy at (501) 514-0823 or Sandy at (501) 329-0558.
Fairfield Bay Farmers Market
FAIRFIELD BAY — The Fairfield Bay Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays through October at the Village Mall Gazebo. The market features certified naturally grown produce from the Gathering Place at Meadow Creek. All vendors are welcome to bring bumper-crop vegetables to sell. No preregistration is required.
Neighbor’s Table
RUSSELLVILLE — Neighbor’s Table is a free meal from noon to 1 p.m. every Saturday at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 501 S. Phoenix Ave. The doors open at 11:30 a.m. with free coffee. All are welcome to attend. Neighbor’s Table also sends home sack lunches with guests. All Saints’ has a Loaves and Fishes ministry, which accepts Sunday-morning offerings at the altar of necessities such as cereal, peanut butter, shelf-stable milk, toilet paper, toiletries, hand soap and detergent to be distributed at Neighbor’s Table. For more information on the program or how to help, call the church office at (479) 968-3622.
Friday Night Kruzn
CONWAY — Friday Night Kruzn, a free event, will take place from 6-8 p.m. the third Friday of each month through Oct. 19 at The Village at Hendrix. Cars will be on display, and a donation will be made to the Arkansas Food Bank. For more information, contact Don Searls at (501) 269-1817.
Humane Society Benefit Bingo
GREENBRIER — Bingo, sponsored by the Humane Society of Faulkner County, is played 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 will 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. For more information, call the church at (501) 362-2389.
Yoga Class at the Library
CONWAY — Danny Mize, a registered yoga instructor, teaches a yoga class at 7 p.m. Thursdays at the Faulkner County Library. Yoga practitioners of all skill levels are welcome to attend. 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 & John Hawks Senior Wellness & 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.
VFW Tuesday Night Bingo
QUITMAN — Tuesday Night Bingo takes place each week at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1295 Bee Branch Road. Doors open at 5:30 for bonanzas, and regular play starts at 6:30 p.m. Food is available. For more information, call (501) 362-9979.
American Legion 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. For more information, call (501) 362-9979.
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
UCA Jazz Ensembles
CONWAY — The University of Central Arkansas Jazz Ensembles will be in concert at 7:30 p.m Oct. 7 at the Snow Fine Arts Center Recital Hall. New UCA faculty member Matthew Taylor leads the Top-Hatters, formerly the Dixieland Band, which specializes in traditional jazz styles in arrangements inspired by the streets of New Orleans. The Jazz Combo ensemble is “a smaller version of the larger jazz band, and plays standard jazz, with most of their music improvised,” said Gail Robertson, professor of tuba and euphonium at UCA. The Jazz I ensemble, led by Robertson, will perform jazz standards. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Robertson at grobertson@uca.edu or (501) 450-5760.
Blessing of the Animals
RUSSELLVILLE — All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 501 S. Phoenix Ave., invites the public to its Blessing of the Animals at 4 p.m. Oct. 7 in the church’s park, weather permitting. The event celebrates the feast day of the Patron Saint of Animals, Saint Francis of Assisi. All animals are welcome, but attendees are encouraged to have animals on a leash or in a safe travel carrier. For more information, call the church at (479) 968-3622 or visit its Facebook event page at www.facebook.com/events/500423900403231.
Book Study: Healing the Heart of Democracy
RUSSELLVILLE — All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 501 S. Phoenix Ave., invites the public to a four-week series on Healing the Heart of Democracy, by Parker Palmer, from 6-7:30 p.m. Oct 7, 14, 21 and 28. The series, co-sponsored with the Greater Arkansas Interfaith Network, features short videos as an entrance into the discussion. For more information, contact the Rev. Teri Daily at All Saints’ Episcopal Church at (479) 968-3622 or visit the church’s Facebook event page at www.facebook.com/events/432778920546261.
Successful Product Launching: Skincare, Hair Care & More
CONWAY — Successful Product Launching: Skincare, Hair Care and More will be presented from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 8 at the University of Central Arkansas’ Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center, 201 Donaghey Ave. This class is for those who dream of owning their own skin-care, cosmetic or hair-care line but don’t know where to begin. Participants will learn all the steps needed to launch a successful product line. For more information, call (501) 450-5274.
Cake Decorating, Phase 2
CONWAY — Cake Decorating, Phase 2, will meet from 6-8 p.m. Mondays, Oct. 8-29 at the University of Central Arkansas’ Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center, 201 Donaghey Ave. Participants will learn skills to make simple, pretty flowers, enhance their piping skills, learn new borders, work with royal icing and more. For more information, call (501) 450-5274.
Introduction to Video Animation for Kids
CONWAY — Introduction to Video Animation for Kids will be offered from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 13 at the University of Central Arkansas’ Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center, 201 Donaghey Ave. This is a fun class for kids to learn the history of stop-motion animation, how to create storyboards and how to create a movie. For more information, call (501) 450-5274.
Riverview Baptist Christian School Fall Festival
OPPELO — Riverview Baptist Christian School, 123 Riverview Road, will host its 46th annual Fall Festival on Oct. 13 at the school. A turkey and dressing dinner with all the trimmings will be served from 4:30-7 p.m. in the cafeteria. The cost for the meal is $9 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and $7 for children ages 5 to 12. Children ages 4 and younger may eat free. Carryout orders will be available. Activities will include a silent auction, a cake walk, a hayride, a treasure hunt, a blowup slide and a Pies and More Store. Other games will begin at 6 p.m. There will be a live auction of some special items at 7:15 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the school. For more information, call the school at (501) 354-0327.
CASA Volunteer Training
RUSSELLVILLE — Training classes for new CASA Volunteers in Pope County are scheduled to begin Oct. 16. A Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteer is a trained community member appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of abused and neglected children during a dependency case. CASA of the 5th Judicial District is a nonprofit organization covering Pope, Johnson and Franklin counties. Prospective volunteers must be a least 21 years old and undergo local, state and federal background checks. They are provided with initial in-depth training and on-going continued education. For more information, contact CASA of the 5th Judicial district at (479) 880-1195 or casa5gb@suddenlinkmail.com, or visit www.arcasa5.org or CASA’s Facebook page.
Oil-Painting Workshop
FAIRFIELD BAY — Artists of all levels are invited to register for an oil-painting workshop by Sarah Keathley, featuring florals and still life, on Oct. 18 and 19 at Bayside Studio, 100 Greenwood Road. The workshop is sponsored by the North Central Arkansas Artist League. The workshop fee is $100. For more information, contact NCAAL Vice President Mark Davis at (501) 253-3994.
Family Fun Fest
MORRILTON — The Conway County Foster Care Coalition will have its Family Fun Fest, to benefit the foster children in the county, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 27 at Morrilton City Park. The event will include the third annual Chili Cook-off, with a $25 entry fee; the second annual Color Fun Run, at $5 per person, with a cap of $20 for each family of five or more; and activity booths for children. Foster families can participate in any activity at no charge. To reserve a space for a booth or to enter the Chili Cook-off, contact Debbie Roberson at (501) 208-6277 or Tressa Hamilton at (501) 354-4589.
Kirkin’ of the Tartan Worship Service
CONWAY — Grace Presbyterian Church, 1010 Hogan Lane, will have a Kirkin’ of the Tartan worship service at 6 p.m. Oct. 31 to honor the Scottish origins of the Presbyterian Church. The service will begin with a procession into the sanctuary, led by a bagpiper. Following the singing of hymns and a short homily, the service will conclude at 6:30 with the blessing of the tartans. Participants are requested to wear clothing depicting their tartans if they have such. The public is invited to join the celebration. For more information, call the church at (501) 504-6899.
Russellville Christmas Parade
RUSSELLVILLE — The 2018 Russellville Christmas Parade has been set for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6. Parade entry forms are available at the Recreation and Parks Department office, 1000 E. Parkway, and at www.russellvillearkansas.org. The entry fee is $25 for a float or $100 for a commercial entry other than a float. All parade participants must submit an entry form. The deadline to enter is noon Dec. 3. Entries will not be accepted past this time. The rainout date is Dec. 10. For more information, call the Recreation and Parks Department at (479) 968-1272.
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.