March 23
Alexander Technique Demonstration
CONWAY — Cliff Hicks will demonstrate the Alexander Technique at 2 p.m. at the Faulkner County Library. This technique is used to reduce tension and improve coordination. The work is conveyed through the hands of a trained teacher to restore a person’s sense of original support, upright balance and coordination. The introduction will be followed by a four-week course offered by the Community School of Music at the University of Central Arkansas. Classes will begin April 6. For more information, contact the library at (501) 327-7482 or Nancy@fcl.org.
March 24
AARP Meeting New Date
CONWAY — The Conway AARP Chapter meeting has been rescheduled for 11:15 a.m. at the Conway Senior Wellness and Activity Center, 1620 Donaghey. The speaker will be Craig O’Neill. Lunch will be at 11:30, followed by the program at noon. Everyone is invited to attend.
Exploring the Ozark National Forest
RUSSELLVILLE — The Arkansas River Valley Audubon Society will meet at 7 p.m. in the visitor center at Lake Dardanelle State Park. Leif Anderson of the U.S. Forest Service will offer a program on Exploring the Ozark National Forest. This will include a close look at the rocks, water, animals and plants that call the forest home. Refreshments will be served, and attendees are encouraged to bring guests. For more information, call Coe Wilson at (501) 208-2264.
March 25
Diabetes Group Meeting
CONWAY — Phyllis Carr, a clinical dietitian and certified diabetes educator, will discuss The Relationship Between Sleep Apnea and Diabetes during the meeting of the Conway Regional Diabetes Care Group. Tuesday is recognized as World Diabetes Day. The group meets monthly from 7-8 p.m. the last Tuesday of each month in the Women’s Center classroom at Conway Regional Medical Center. The meeting is open to anyone interested in learning more about the successful management of diabetes. No registration is required. For morel information about diabetes management, call the Conway Regional Diabetes Self-Management program at (501) 513-5248.
Audubon Society Meeting
CLINTON — The Little Red River Audubon Society will meet at Western Sizzlin’ in Clinton. Jim Solomon will speak on insect defoliators for broad-leaf trees. A Dutch-treat dinner will be held at 5 p.m., followed by the program at 6. Door prizes will be given away after the meeting, which is open to all. For more information, visit www.littleredriveraudubonsociety.com or email lrras2011@gmail.com.
March 27
Special Commission Meeting
RUSSELLVILLE — The Russellville Recreation and Parks Commission will have a special called meeting to discuss proposed sites for the Russellville aquatic center. The meeting will be at 6 p.m. at the Hughes Community Center.
March 28
Fashion Gala
FAIRFIELD BAY — The 21st annual Fashion Gala, presented by the Xi Gamma Kappa chapter, will be held at 1 p.m. at St. Francis Parish Hall on Woodlawn Drive. Prizes will be on display, and raffle tickets will be available for purchase at the show. The style show will feature models wearing spring and summer fashions offered by various area businesses. Pat Cash will be the narrator. Tickets are $6 and can be purchased from any chapter member or by calling Judy at (501) 884-3018 or Lea at (501) 884-6288.
March 28 and March 29
Anglers Expo
HEBER SPRINGS — The Anglers Expo will be held Friday and Saturday at the Heber Springs Community Center. Vendors supporting hunting, fishing, and sports industries will display their products. Featured guests will be The Swamp People from the History Channel. The event is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Cleburne County. For more information, contact Rotarian Dara Samuel at (501) 362-8402 or dara.anglersexpo@gmail.com, or visit www.anglersexpo.com.
March 29
Fire Department Fundraiser
PETITI JEAN MOUNTAIN — The Petit Jean Extension Homemakers Club will sponsor its annual fundraiser for the Petit Jean Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday at Petit Jean Lutheran Camp, starting at 5 p.m. The event will feature a homemade chili and pie dinner and a silent auction, ending at 7:30 p.m. Anyone who contributes chili to the fundraiser will be a participant in the Chili Contest, to be judged by volunteer firefighters from the Ada Valley Volunteer Fire Department. Marconi and cheese will be available for children. Donations will be accepted in the fireman’s boot at the door of the Lutheran Camp Dining Hall.
Weaving Workshop
CONWAY — A weaving workshop will be held at 1 p.m. at The Locals, 1024 Van Ronkle St. Local artist and school teacher Katy O’Neal will demonstrate how to weave with her homemade loom. Participants will learn the basics of weaving, by hand and with a loom. Children are welcome. For more information, visit www.thelocals.be/events.
Ongoing
Conway Community Meditation Group
CONWAY — The Conway Community Meditation group meets from 12:30-1:30 p.m. every Tuesday at The Locals, 1024 Van Ronkle St. This session provides a time of unifying harmony with fellow Conway residents. All are welcome. For more information, visit www.thelocals.be/events.
Spanish Practice Group
CONWAY — The Spanish Practice Group meets at 4 p.m. every Friday at The Locals, 1024 Van Ronkle St. Join other Spanish-speaking enthusiasts in conversation. Todos son bienvenidos! For more information, visit www.thelocals.be/events.
Wordpress Conway
CONWAY — Wordpress Conway takes place at 6 p.m. the second Tuesday of every month at The Locals, 1024 Van Ronkle St. For anyone who uses Wordpress or wants to learn more about it, this central-Arkansas group can provide help with questions or issues Wordpress users may have. For more information, visit www.thelocals.be/events.
Simply Said Storytelling
CONWAY — Simply Said is an informal, open-mic storytelling time held at 6 p.m. every Thursday at The Locals, 1024 Van Ronkle St. Participants are asked to share a story, no notes, in no more than five minutes. This month’s theme is “Failed New Year’s Resolutions.” For more information, visit www.thelocals.be/events.
The Fiber Circle
CONWAY — The Fiber Circle is held at 5:30 p.m. the last Wednesday of every month at The Locals, 1024 Van Ronkle St. Those who knit, crochet, stitch or pursue any other craft are welcome to work on their own projects or help fellow craftivists with theirs. For more information, visit www.thelocals.be/events.
TeamKID
MAUMELLE — Southern Hills Baptist Fellowship and JumpZone have teamed up to offer a free children’s program, TeamKID, for first- through sixth-graders. The program is held at 6:30 p.m. each Wednesday at the JumpZone building. For more information, call (501) 851-7729 or visit www.southernhillsbaptist.tv.
Sign Language Class
CONWAY — A sign language class meets at 5:30 p.m. Mondays at the Faulkner County Library.
Tea Party Meeting
HEBER SPRINGS — Arkansas’ We the People Tea Party of Cleburne County meets at 6:30 p.m. the first and third Thursdays of every month at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, 1101C W. Main St. Various issues are discussed. For more information, call Marlin Schwartz at (847) 977-5261.
Friends of the Library Book Shop
HEBER SPRINGS — The Friends of The Library Book Shop, 2255 Arkansas 25B N., is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays. The shop offers books at bargain prices. Proceeds from the shop benefit the libraries in Cleburne County. Volunteers are needed. Friends of the Library meet at 1 p.m. the second Thursday of the month. For more information, stop by the shop.
Upcoming
Starting a Business in Arkansas
RUSSELLVILLE — The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center will present Starting a Business in Arkansas from 9 a.m. to noon April 3 at Arkansas Tech University. Workshop participants will find out the steps crucial to starting a business; identify key issues and pitfalls that affect small-business success; and learn start-up requirements. The workshop includes a how-to “New Business Guide” and handouts relevant to each participant’s county licensing requirements. The cost to attend is $30 per person, and veterans may attend free. Seating is limited, and registration is required by calling (479) 356-2067 or visiting asbtdc.org/training/russellville-events.
Spring Pageant
CLINTON — The annual Spring Pageant will be held at 4 p.m. April 5 at the Van Buren County Fairgrounds. The pageant is open to all ages in all counties in Arkansas. Contestants must preregister by calling (501) 745-8100 or (501) 253-1190, or faxing (501) 745-8100. The pageant is a fundraiser for upcoming youth events.
Boots and Benefactors BBQ
RUSSELLVILLE — The sixth annual Boots and Benefactors BBQ will take place from 4-7 p.m. April 5 at the Pope County Fairgrounds, 517 S. Knoxville. The event will feature Some Guy Named Robb, a chuck-wagon dinner, a rider exhibition and door prizes, as well as pony rides. Tickets are $25 per person; admission is free for children 15 and under with the purchase of an adult ticket. Proceeds will benefit the Equestrian Zone, a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities by providing equine-assisted activities. For tickets, call (479) 970-8351 or visit www.equestrianzone.org.
Retired Teachers Meeting
HEBER SPRINGS — The Cleburne County Retired Teachers Association will meet at noon April 8 at the Rustic Inn in Heber Springs. The guest speaker will be Donna Morey, the new director of the Arkansas Retired Teachers Association. All retired school personnel are invited to attend. For more information, call Lavern Penn at (501) 206-0357.
Human Resources for Business Session
RUSSELLVILLE — The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center will offer Human Resources: What Every Business Should Know from 9 a.m. to noon April 9 at Arkansas Tech University. Many topics will be covered. The cost is $40 per person. Seating is limited, and registration is required by calling (479) 356-2067 or visiting asbtdc.org/training/russellville-events.
Zumba Dance Party
RUSSELLVILLE — A glow-in-the-dark Zumba dance party will be held from 6-9 p.m. April 12 at the Hughes Center, 1000 E. Parkway. The cost is $20, and all proceeds will go to Relay for Life of Pope and Yell counties. To sign up in advance, email Meagan Green at meganzgreen@gmail.com. Payment may be made at the door, but anyone who signs up by April 2 will receive an event T-shirt.
Flag Retirement Ceremony
MAUMELLE — Bring faded, torn or tattered flags to a ceremony for their dignified retirement at 10 a.m. April 12 at the Veterans Memorial at Lake Willastein in Maumelle. The event is sponsored by the Maumelle Memorial Committee. Flags may also be dropped off in designated boxes in the lobbies of Kroger stores in Maumelle from Monday through April 11. For more information, call (501) 813-9024.
Davanzo Family Concert
CONWAY — The Faulkner County Library will present the Davanzo Family Bluegrass Band at 7 p.m. April 17. Carmen, the father, is from the popular Hometown Bluegrass Band. The Davanzo Family Bluegrass Band also includes mom Bridget and the couple’s three children: Brittany, 18; Monica, 17; and Nick, 14. All library events are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call the library at (501) 327-7482 or email Nancy@fcl.org.
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. Deadlines for calendar-item submissions are noon Friday for Thursday editions and noon Tuesday for Sunday editions.