July 28 –July 31
Vacation Bible School
MALVERN — St. Paul United Methodist Church will host Vacation Bible School with the theme Colossal Coaster World: Facing Fear and Trusting God from 6-8:30 p.m. today through Wednesday at East Mill and Cherry Lane. All children in pre-K through the sixth grade are invited to attend. For more information, call (501) 337-7364.
July 30
Taste of Bryant
BRYANT — The 14th annual Taste of Bryant will begin at 5:30 p.m. at The Center at Bishop Park, 6401 Boone Road. There will be a silent auction and food tasting. Tickets are $15 for adults in advance or $20 at the door, and $5 for children 7-12. Children 6 and younger will be admitted free. For more information, email the Bryant Area Chamber of Commerce at info@bryantchamber.com.
Aug. 1
Lunch and Learn on Coronary Disease
HOT SPRINGS — Cardiologist Dr. Eric Bowen will present A Lunch and Learn to address the causes, warning signs, prevention measures and treatment methods associated with coronary disease. The event is free, but seating is limited, and registration is required. The session will be at noon in the Ouachita Room at the Ponce De Leon Center, 1101 Desoto Blvd. Lunch will be provided. To register for the seminar, call (501) 620-1402.
Watercolor Class
BENTON — Instructor Carolyn Voss will teach a free watercolor class for adults 18 and older at 6 p.m. at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library. The theme is Liberty Bell with Clematis, with colored pencil. Space is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call (501) 847-2166 or (501) 778-4766.
First Thursday Lunch
BENTON — Join the August First Thursday Lunch in conjunction with the Benton Summit II from 9:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Benton High School cafeteria. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Benton Chamber of Commerce at (501) 860-7004.
Aug. 2
Using Online Library Resources
BRYANT — Adults 18 and older are invited to learn how to use the online resources provided by the Saline County Library (not including Overdrive) at 10 a.m. at the Mabel Boswell Memorial Library. Attendance is first-come, first-served. For more information, call (501) 778-4766.
Ken Goodman Concert
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — Ken Goodman will be in concert at 7 p.m. at the Woodlands Auditorium. The show, More Than a Song — An Out of this World Musical Experience, will feature nostalgic songs and Broadway melodies. Proceeds from the concert will benefit children’s programs in the area. Prior to the concert, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Hot Springs Village will present its 2013 scholarship winners. Tickets are available at the Woodlands office from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, from any Kiwanis member or online at www.hsvpoa.org.event-tickets. For more information, call Dave Gati at (501) 922-5883.
Aug. 3
Arkansas Travelers’ Faith and Family Night
NORTH LITTLE ROCK — Join in the baseball and summer concert at the Faith and Night hosted by Ouachita Baptist University and the Arkansas Travelers at 6:10 p.m. at Dickey-Stephens Park. The event will feature the Travelers vs. the Springfield Cardinals and a postgame concert with American Idol’s Colton Dixon. Individual tickets are available for $8 each, or group tickets for $6 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.travs.com or call (501) 664-1555.
Ongoing
Three Artists Art Exhibit
HOT SPRINGS — Visit the Garvan Woodland Gardens’ Magnolia Room from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during August for the exhibition of three award-winning artists from Hot Springs Village. Some of the artwork included will be florals, animals, still lifes, landscapes and garden scenes. There is no charge to visit the Magnolia Room or Garden Shop in the Welcome Center. Admission into the Gardens is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, $5 for ages 6-12 and free for age 5 and younger. For more information, call (501) 262-9300.
Retrospective Exhibit
ARKADELPHIA — The current exhibit at the Arkadelphia Arts Center, 625 Main St., is Retrospective, which includes more than 80 paintings, photographs, prints, ceramic pieces
and sculptures by 20 Clark County artists of the past, including representations of the Desoto Bluff, an Arkadelphia landmark. Charles Richardson, an Arkadelphian who painted in the 1920s-1940s, will be represented by 17 of his original oils. The exhibit will run through Wednesday. Arts center hours for the summer are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, call (870) 245-3612.
Summer Child Nutrition Program
HOT SPRINGS — The Hot Springs School District, the Arkansas Department of Human Services and the Arkansas Dream Center are partnering with the city of Hot Springs Parks and Recreation Department to provide free nutritious lunches to children 18 years old and younger this summer. The lunches will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 300 Wade St. through Friday; from 2-2:30 p.m. at Jonestown Community Park, 302 Hobson Ave., through Aug. 16; and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Family Park, 215 Family Park Road, through Friday. For more information, call (501) 321-6806.
Ageless Bikers Club Rides
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — The Ageless Bikers Club holds bicycle rides at 8 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. There are eight different 20-mile rides on relatively flat, quiet country roads. For more information, visit www.hsvabc.weebly.com.
Summertime Shuttle
HOT SPRINGS — The Mountain Xpress, a free shuttle bus that takes visitors through the downtown historic and arts district, will run at 30-minute intervals from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays through Sept. 2. The air-conditioned buses have bike racks, and drivers will provide information about areas traveled. Free parking will be available for shuttle riders at the Hot Springs Convention Center parking lot, 134 Convention Blvd.; at Transportation Plaza, 100 Broadway Terrace; and at the Exchange Street Parking Plaza on Central Avenue. Some hotels with offer pickup stops. For more information, call Hot Springs Intracity Transit at (501) 321-2020.
Health Walks in the Gardens
HOT SPRINGS — Guided health walks at Garvan Woodland Gardens take place twice a week: a three-mile walk at 9 a.m. Mondays, and a one-mile walk at 9 a.m. Tuesdays. Walkers meet at the Welcome Center. Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy walking shoes. No reservations are needed. The guided walks are free to members, and nonmembers pay regular gardens admission.
Upcoming
Ovation Music Academy Concert
BENTON — The Ovation Music Academy will present a concert at 3 p.m. Aug. 4 at First United Methodist Church in Benton. The featured artist will be concert violinist Oksana, Ovation’s director and founder. The show, with the theme Music Diversity, will include musical selections from around the world. For more information, call (870) 405-6856 or visit www.ovationmusicacademy.com.
Monday Afternoon Book Club
BRYANT — The Monday Afternoon Book Club will meet at 1 p.m. Aug. 5 at the Mabel Boswell Memorial Library to discuss the club’s chosen title. The group is open to adults 18 and older. For more information, call (501) 847-2166.
First Wednesday Children’s Program
HOT SPRINGS — Join Education Director Megan Bradshaw in creating a “garden” out of fabric scraps from 10-11 a.m. Aug. 7 at Garvan Woodland Gardens. The cost for the class is $5 per child. Parents are admitted free, but must accompany children. Each class is limited to 15 children. Advanced registration and prepayment are required. All materials will be provided, including a frame. For registration, call (501) 262-9300.
Thai Herbs Cooking Class
HOT SPRINGS — Join Eve Baum Alven of Chiffonade Chef Services to explore the culinary delights of Thailand from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 8 in the Magnolia Room at the Garvan Woodland Gardens. Learn about the Thai flavor profile, and the techniques and simplicity of one-pot cooking. Recipe ingredients will be explained, and the dishes demonstrated will be sampled. Hands-on participation is welcome. The cost for the class is $45 per person and includes lunch. Advanced registration and prepayment are required. For registration or more information, call (501) 262-9300.