COMMUNITY EVENTS IN THE THREE RIVERS EDITION

Dec. 4

Community Music Gathering

BATESVILLE — A community music gathering featuring Christmas songs will take place from 6-8 p.m. at First Community Bank. Instrumentalists, singers and listeners are welcome to attend.

Dec. 5

Independence County Republicans Meeting

SOUTH SIDE — The Independence County Republicans will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Citizens Bank South Side Branch, on Batesville Boulevard in South Side. Barrett Moore, chairman of the Independence County Bar Association, will speak on the issue of capping punitive damages on law suits. The group plans to meet in January at its regular location, the Citizens Bank Annex, 285 E. College St. in Batesville.

Rescheduled Beebe City Council Meeting

BEEBE — Last week’s regular Beebe City Council meeting was canceled and has been rescheduled for Tuesday, immediately following the Planning and Zoning meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. The council will meet at Beebe City Hall, 321 N. Elm St.

Jacksonville Christmas Parade

JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville Parks and Recreation will host the city’s 60th annual Christmas parade at 6:30 p.m. The parade will feature illuminated floats, Santa and other parade favorites: marching bands, floats, dance groups and the Jacksonville Fire Department. Entry forms are available at www.cityofjacksonville.net. The entry fee is $25. For more information, call (501) 982-4171 or visit the city’s website.

Dec. 7 and Dec. 9

Christmas Events in Calico Rock

CALICO ROCK — Santa Claus and some special guests will make an appearance Thursday afternoon at First National Bank of Izard County in Calico Rock. For more information, contact First National Bank at (870) 297-3711. Santa will return to Calico Rock on Saturday to make an appearance in the Lighted Christmas Parade, immediately following the Christmas Living Windows, which will be displayed along Historic Main Street in Calico Rock beginning at 5:30 p.m. The parade will start at 6:45 p.m. at the Calico Rock Museum and Visitor Center and travel along Main Street onto Arkansas 56 to the Calico Rock Volunteer Fire Department. Following the parade, Santa will be available for photos at the Fire Department. For more information, call (870) 297-6100.

Dec. 9

Old-Fashioned Family Christmas Party

BATESVILLE — The Old Independence Regional Museum, 380 S. Ninth St., between Boswell and Vine streets, will host its 10th annual Old-Fashioned Family Christmas Party from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for visits and photos from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and parents are welcome to bring a camera. Morley Family Magic will make balloon-animal creations, and there will be stations throughout the museum for visitors to decorate cookies and make Christmas ornaments. Ed Casper will play accordion from 10 a.m. to noon. The museum gift shop will be open and offer free gift wrapping, along with “Santa’s helpers” to assist children with gift shopping.

Ward Christmas Parade

WARD — The Ward Christmas Parade will begin at 3 p.m. at Markham and Second streets. A Christmas-tree lighting will follow the parade, with cookies and refreshments served. The entry fee for floats is $5. There will be awards for the top three floats. Entry forms are available at the City Hall reception desk. The deadline to enter is Friday. For more information, call Parks Director Karen Dawson at (501) 843-7686.

It’s a Wonderful KLIFE Fun Run

SEARCY — Celebrate the holiday season and help support KLIFE Searcy, a nonprofit youth ministry, at its third annual It’s a Wonderful KLIFE 5K/1-Mile Fun Run, hosted by Searcy Holiday of Lights and Searcy KLIFE. Participants can view the holiday sights around Searcy and take part in a festive event that is open to runners and walkers of all abilities. For more information, visit KLIFE Searcy’s Facebook page.

ONGOING

Silver Angel Tree Program

NEWPORT — The White River Area Agency on Aging will sponsor its annual Silver Angel Tree program to provide a merry Christmas to many seniors. Each angel, which indicates gender, size and gift ideas, is available for pickup at iCare Pharmacy and in the Merchants and Planters Bank lobby, both in Newport. Return Angel gifts to the WRAAA office, 1200 Arkansas 367, next to US Pizza Co., by Dec. 15, with the angel tag attached to the gifts, which can be wrapped or unwrapped. Monetary donations are also accepted. For more information, call the WRAAA at (870) 523-4982.

Water Aerobics Opportunities

SEARCY — The Searcy Swim Center is offering gift certificates for the holidays for Searcy Splash, a water aerobics class. The options include a monthlong pass for $25, a four-month pass for $95 and a yearlong pass for $275. Members of the Searcy Swim Center who are 18 and older can try out Searcy Splash for free, and nonmembers can attend a class by purchasing a $5 day pass. The next free class is from 9-10 a.m. Saturday. For more information, call the center at (501) 658-3546 or message Searcy Splash on Facebook.

A Very Melba Christmas

BATESVILLE — A free Christmas movie series titled A Very Melba Christmas will feature films during the holiday season at the Melba Theater, 115 W. Main St.The following movies will be shown at 6:30 p.m.: White Christmas today, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas on Tuesday, Polar Express on Thursday, Miracle on 34th Street on Dec. 10, Home Alone on Dec. 12 and Jingle All the Way on Dec. 14. For more information, call the theater at (870) 569-8002.

Jacksonville Sertoma Club Meeting

JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Sertoma Club meets at noon every Wednesday at the Southern Oaks Country Club, 701 Foxwood Drive. The Sertoma Club raises money for hearing aids and for scholarships for local high school seniors, including seniors from the Arkansas School for the Deaf in Little Rock.

Search for Historical Items

CABOT — Criswell Robinson American Legion Post 71 needs items of history: artifacts, memorabilia, newspaper clippings, pictures, stories, anything that pertains to a veteran’s history or the history of the community. The American Legion will celebrate its 100th anniversary soon and wants to preserve this history and share it with future veterans and others. To contribute items, call Susie Goebel at (501) 203-5715, or come by Post 71 at 114 N. First St.

Incident Command System Classes

CABOT — The STARS Club, a ham-radio group, will offer the following classes, taught by Steve Moore with the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: ICS (Incident Command System) 100, Dec. 16; ICS 200, Jan. 20; and ICS 800, Feb 17. All are welcome to attend the classes, which will take place at American Legion Post 71, 114 N. First St. For more information, contact Gordon Miller at gmiller266@gmail.com.

American Legion Oratorical Contest

CABOT — American Legion Post 71’s Oratorical Contest is open to high school students younger than 20. The speeches are eight to 10 minutes long and must be on some aspect of the U.S. Constitution. Applications are available from Kim Gibson at Cabot High School and must be submitted to the American Legion Department Headquarters by Dec. 31. Certifications must be submitted to Department Headquarters by Feb. 17. The contest will be March 3, with the location to be announced.

Shepherd’s Center Wednesday Activities

BEEBE — From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Wednesday at the Shepherd’s Center at Beebe United Methodist Church, 302A N. Main St., seniors participate in classes in quilting, art, jewelry making, scrapbooking, card making, genealogy, beginning computers, Bible discussions and bridge. At special times, cake decorating, holiday food preparation and ethnic food classes are offered, and in the spring, American Sign Language and gardening. Lunch is a potluck served to all who attend, whether or not they bring a dish.

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.

Beebe Kiwanis Club Meetings

BEEBE — The Beebe Kiwanis Club meets at noon the first and third Thursdays of each month in the Stephens Room of the Student Center at Arkansas State University-Beebe. Kiwanis is a volunteer organization with the mission of helping youth in the community. For more information, call Flo Fitch at (501) 230-2890 or Debra Crisco at (501) 454-3505.

Civitan Meetings

CABOT — Civitan meets at 6 p.m. the first and third Mondays of the month at First Security Bank in downtown Cabot. Civitan is an organization that provides training and support for people with developmental disabilities.

Free Brown-Bag Lunch

CABOT — The Mount Tabor United Methodist Church Women of Cabot serve a free brown-bag lunch at 11 a.m. each Thursday at the church, 4100 Arkansas 89 S. In 2016, this mission of the church served more than 8,600 lunches to the hungry and needy of Cabot.

Opportunity for Bridge Players

BEEBE — Bridge players are needed at 1 p.m. Wednesdays at the Shepherd’s Center at Beebe United Methodist Church, 302A N. Main St. Beginners are welcome. For more information, call (501) 843-2930.

Beebe Caregivers Support Group

BEEBE — The Beebe Caregivers Support Group meets at 3 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at the Shepherd’s Center at Beebe United Methodist Church, 302A N. Main St. For more information, call Sandra Garrett at (501) 940-4021.

Alzheimer’s Support Group

CABOT — The Alzheimer’s Support Group meets at 10 a.m. the second Tuesday of each month at Cabot United Methodist Church, 2003 S. Pine St. For more information, call (501) 265-0027.

Republicans Meetings

NEWPORT — The Jackson County Republicans meet at 7 p.m. the fourth Monday of the month at Merchants and Planters Bank, 915 Arkansas 367 N. For more information, call Jeff McDonald at (870) 731-7646.

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.

Upcoming

Cabot Christmas Parade

CABOT — The Cabot Christmas parade will begin at 3 p.m. Dec. 10. The theme is “A Hollywood Movies Christmas!” Participants are asked to use the theme to design a float. Entry forms, parade rules and route maps are available at the Veterans Park Community Center, the Cabot Chamber of Commerce office and www.cabotparks.com. The deadline to register is Monday. Send completed forms and a $10 entry fee to Cabot Christmas Parade, P.O. Box 1101, Cabot, AR 72023. For more information, call (501) 920-2122 or email cabotbeautiful@yahoo.com.

Izard County Republican Committee Meeting

MELBOURNE — The Izard County Republican Committee will meet at 6 p.m. Dec. 12 in the Melbourne Community Church Fellowship Hall, 114 Jackson St. Charles Fuqua will speak about the Federal Reserve System and how it affects the country. Members and friends are welcome to attend.

AARP Drive Smart Course

CABOT — An AARP Drive Smart Course will be offered from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at Cabot United Methodist Church, 2003 S. Pine St. The instructors are Jerry and Bertie Yates. The cost of the course is $15 for AARP members with an AARP card and $20 for nonmembers. Participants are asked to bring a sweater or jacket because the room is usually cool. To register for the class, call Jean Davenport at (501) 843-5694.

American Legion Post 71 Meeting

CABOT — Criswell Robinson American Legion Post 71 will meet at 7 p.m. Dec. 14. The pre-meeting meal will begin at 6 p.m. All veterans are invited to attend. The meetings are normally held the fourth Thursday of every month. Sons of veterans may join the Sons of American Legion, and women may join the Auxiliary. Daughters may join the Junior Auxiliary. Post 71 has a Legion Riders chapter for motorcyclists and a ham radio club, STARS. For more information, call Post 71 at (501) 203-5715 or come by from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, at 114 N. First St. in the Cabot mini mall.

STARS Club Christmas Party

EL PASO — The STARS Club, a ham-radio group, will have its Christmas party at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at the El Paso Community Center. Attendees are asked to bring a side dish to share. There will be a raffle for four digital mobile radios. Contact Gordon Miller at gmiller266@gmail.com.

Newport Christmas Parade

NEWPORT — The Newport Christmas Parade will begin at 6 p.m. Dec. 14. Entries are accepted at the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce for floats, walking groups, antique vehicles, beauty queens, horseback riders, school organizations, etc. Entry is free, and participants may choose their own holiday theme. Float judging will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m. For more information or to enter the parade, contact the chamber at (870) 523-3618, director@newportarchamber.org or 201 Hazel St., Newport, AR 72112.

To submit an item for the Calendar of Events, mail information to Calendar of Events, Three Rivers Edition, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, AR, 72203; send faxes to (501) 378-3500; or email trnews@arkansasonline.com. The deadline for calendar-item submissions is noon Tuesday.

Upcoming Events