COMMUNITY EVENTS IN THE THREE RIVERS EDITION

March 5

Community Music Gathering

BATESVILLE — There will be a community music gathering from 6-8 p.m. at First Community Bank. Instrumentalists, singers and listeners are invited to attend.

March 6

Legion Riders Group

CABOT — Criswell Robinson American Legion Post 71’s Legion Riders group for motorcycle riders who are veterans and American Legion members will meet at 7 p.m. at Post 71, 114 N. First St. For more information, call (501) 203-5715.

Crochet Workshop

SEARCY — The U-Neek Extension Homemakers Club will offer a crochet workshop at 1 p.m. in the Community Room of First Community Bank, 2401 W. Beebe-Capps Expressway. There is no fee for the workshop. Participants are asked to bring a hook and yarn: peaches and cream for starters.

March 7

Native American Flute Presentation

FAIRFIELD BAY — William Wording, a Native American flute maker and performer, will give a presentation from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Indian Hills Club/Little Red Restaurant. The event is free, and purchase of lunch is optional. For more information, contact the Fairfield Bay Education Center at (501) 884-4440 or ffbcec@artelco.com.

March 7 and March 14

Horticulture Brown Bag Lecture Series

SEARCY — A Brown Bag Lecture Series on horticulture will be presented by White County Master Gardeners from 12:05-12:50 p.m. at the Carmichael Community Center, 801 S. Elm. Presentations will include Wednesday, Roses, by Ann Wood; and March 14, Raising Monarch Butterflies, by Debbie Miller. Participants are asked to bring their lunch. For more information, call the White County Cooperative Extension Service at (501) 268-5394.

March 10

Donkey Basketball Game

PANGBURN — The Pangburn Future Business Leaders of America will sponsor its annual donkey basketball game at 7 p.m. in the Pangburn High School Gym. FBLA members will compete against the adult team, which includes several county political candidates. Tickets are $6 in advance or $8 at the door, and preschool-age children will be admitted free. Buy tickets at Dale’s Clothing in Searcy or at the Pangburn High School office. For more information, call (501) 728-3513.

United Methodist Women’s Flea Market

CHEROKEE VILLAGE — The United Methodist Women’s annual flea market will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cherokee Village United Methodist Church, at the corner of Keno and Otter drives — follow the signs. The sale will feature clothes, kitchen items, books, jewelry, linens, tools and elegant junk. A soup/dessert lunch will be served by the United Methodist Men from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the church’s local mission ministries. For more information, call the church at (870) 257-3869.

ONGOING

Living Well With Diabetes Series

SEARCY — Unity Health Family Practice Associates and the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extensive Service will provide an education series, Living Well With Diabetes, from 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays in the Unity Health Annex (the former Carder Buick Building) at the corner of Hawkins and Hartsfield drives. The sessions will include a cooking demonstration, simple meal-planning strategies, tips for diabetes management and hands-on activities and discussions. To register for upcoming sessions, call (501) 268-3232, ext. 41416.

First Electric Cooperative Scholarship

JACKSONVILLE — First Electric Cooperative is accepting applications for its scholarship program. High school seniors whose parents or guardians are First Electric members may apply for one of five $2,000 awards. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 grade-point average through their senior year of high school and, upon graduation, be a full-time student at an accredit­ed institute of higher learning in Arkansas. Applications, due April 2, are available under the “Community” tab at www.firstelectric.coop and at any First Electric office. For more information, call (800) 489-7405 or visit www.facebook.com/FirstElectric.

2018 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour

JACKSONVILLE — First Electric Cooperative is accepting applications for its 2018 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour to the nation’s capital. High school juniors whose parents or guardians are First Electric members may apply for the Youth Tour, an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., on June 8-14. Applications, due March 16, are available under the “Community” tab at www.firstelectric.coop and at any First Electric office. For more information, call (800) 489-7405 or visit www.facebook.com/FirstElectric.

Art Exhibit

ASH FLAT — The Ash Flat Library is displaying the artwork of Rosetta Ramsey, a senior at Highland High School. She has had her artwork placed in multiple high-school-level shows, winning awards and selling some of her pieces. She has also worked on multiple stage sets for high school plays. Ramsey achieved a passing score in her junior year for her Advanced Placement Art portfolio. Her newest concentration is titled Things in My Car. The library is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Free Tax-Preparation Services

JACKSONVILLE — Residents in the Three Rivers Edition coverage area can receive free tax-preparation assistance from the Central Arkansas Development Council. Help is available at the city of Jacksonville, 109 S. Second St., by appointment. Call (501) 982-0026. Assistance is also provided at the Esther D. Nixon Library, 703 W. Main St. in Jacksonville. Walk-ins are welcome from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, March 10, 17 and 24; and April 7. For more information, call the CADC at (501) 315-1121. People who make under $54,000 may also self-prepare their taxes at myfreetaxes.com.

Cabot Lions Club Meetings

CABOT — The Cabot Lions Club now meets at noon the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at Colton’s Steak House & Grill, 195 Northport Drive. Lions are “the knights for the blind and visually impaired,” providing service for those with sight ailments and hearing issues. Lions are also actively involved in service for hunger relief, youth outreach, the environment, pediatric cancer, diabetes awareness and disaster relief. All are invited to the meetings.

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. Nearly 8,600 meals were served in 2017. More volunteers are needed. For more information or to volunteer, call (501) 843-3797.

Free Chair Yoga Classes

MELBOURNE — The Ozarka College Continuing Education program is offering free chair yoga classes at 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays through April 25 in Room C106 of the John E. Miller Education Complex. Each class, led by Deltha Sharp, lasts approximately 30 minutes. Participants are welcome to bring their own blocks, straps, blankets, etc.; however, there will be a few of each available at class. Preregistration is required. For more information or to register, contact Fay Mitchell at (870) 368-2005 or fay.mitchell@ozarka.edu.

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.

Shepherd’s Center Wednesday Activities

BEEBE — Seniors participate in classes from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Wednesday at the Shepherd’s Center at Beebe United Methodist Church, 302A N. Main St. The classes include 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. For more information, call the church at (501) 362-2389.

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. 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.

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. Food is available. For more information, call (501) 362-9979.

Upcoming

STARS Meeting

CABOT — STARS, (Small Town Amateur Radio Service), a ham-radio group, will meet at 1:30 p.m. March 11 at Criswell Robinson American Legion Post 71, 114 N. First St. Testing will be available. For more information, contact Gordon Miller at gmiller266@gmail.com.

Sons of the American Legion Chapter Meeting

CABOT — Sons of the American Legion (SAL) Chapter will meet at March 13 at Criswell Robinson American Legion Post 71, 114 N. First St. For more information, call (501) 203-5715.

Cleburne County Retired Teachers Meeting

HEBER SPRINGS — The Cleburne County Retired Teachers will meet at noon March 13 at the Rustic Inn, 404 S. Seventh St. The guest speaker will be Danny Knight, vice chair of the board of the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System. Knight will share information regarding current board actions and the status of the retirement system. For more information, call Lavern Penn at (501) 206-0357.

AARP Drive Smart Course

CABOT — Cabot United Methodist Church will host an AARP Drive Smart Course from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 14 at the church, 2003 S. Pine St. The instructors are Deborah Landers and Jerry Yates. The cost of the course is $15 for AARP members with an AARP ID card and $20 for nonmembers. Participants are asked to bring a sweater or jacket, as the room is usually cool. To register for the class, call Jean Davenport at (501) 843-5694.

Newpoli Concert

SEARCY — Harding University will host Italian folk-music group Newpoli at 7 p.m. March 15 in the Administration Auditorium as the sixth performance of this year’s Arts and Life Concert Series. Tickets are $3 in advance or $5 at the door. For more information, visit www.harding.edu/concertseries or call (501) 279-4343.

Criminal Justice Industry Workshop

ASH FLAT — The Ozarka College Career Planning Services Department will conduct a Criminal Justice Industry Workshop from 10-11:30 a.m. March 15 at Ozarka-Ash Flat for current, past and prospective Ozarka criminal justice students and community members. The workshop will include panelist introductions, an open question-and-answer session and end an opportunity for students to network with industry professionals. The goal of the event is to create awareness of the technical and soft skills students need to maximize their employability in the field of criminal justice.

Feed Our Vets Cabot

CABOT — Feed Our Vets Cabot will have its monthly pantry for veterans March 17 at 214 Rainbow Drive. For more information, see the organization’s Facebook page, facebook.com/feedourvetscabot.

ESL Information Session

ASH FLAT — Ozarka College in Ash Flat will host an English as a Second Language information session at 6 p.m. March 15 to address the educational and language needs of people in the area. The session will gauge the need for, and the interest in, ESL classes in Ash Flat and surrounding areas. Anyone interested in taking ESL classes is encouraged to attend the session. A Spanish-language translator will be available. Preregister for the free ESL information session by calling (870) 994-7273 or emailing tena.rosse@ozarka.edu.

Jeffrey Combs Portraying Poe

BEEBE — The Arkansas State University-Beebe Concert Series will present Nevermore: An Evening With Edgar Allan Poe, by stage and film actor Jeffrey Combs, at 7:30 p.m. March 15 in the Owen Center Auditorium, 910 Pecan St. Combs is known for playing multiple characters on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and other roles. General-admission tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors, students, military personnel and educators. Purchase tickets at asub.ticketleap.com, at the Institutional Advancement office (in the Ruth Couch Building on the Beebe campus) or at the door one hour before showtime. For more information, contact Carissa Gillam at (501) 882-8957, or visit www.asub.edu.

Wind Recital

SEARCY — Nathan Stout on trombone and Mary Katherine Strachan on clarinet will give a recital at 2 p.m. March 17 in Harding University’s Reynolds Center Recital Hall. The performance is free and open to the public.

Mary Ark of the Covenant Luncheon

CHEROKEE VILLAGE — All women are invited to a luncheon sponsored by the Mary Ark of the Covenant Arkansas Chapter of Magnificat, a ministry to Catholic women, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 17 in the St. Michael’s Catholic Church Parish Hall. The theme is St. Patrick’s Day. Registration will begin at 11 a.m. Tickets are $12 and include a catered lunch, a time of praise and worship, and the featured speaker, Cecilia Robilio of Memphis. If a woman brings a guest who is attending for the first time, both will be entered into a drawing for a special gift. For tickets, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope, postmarked by Monday, to Sharon Vander Zyl, 107 Cherokee Road, Cherokee Village, AR 72529. No tickets will be sold at the door.

Ozarka College Foundation Spring Gala

MELBOURNE — The Ozarka College Foundation will host its annual spring gala, The Bridge to Opportunity, at 6 p.m. April 5 in the Student Services Center at Ozarka College, 218 College Drive. The gala will feature a gourmet dinner catered by 109 Main and a live auction with an item donated by Sissy’s Log Cabin. Proceeds from the gala will support the foundation’s effort to provide resources for Ozarka students. Sponsorships are available, and individual tickets are $75. For more information or to reserve a table, call Suellen or Angela in Ozarka College’s advancement office at (870) 368-2059.

Cabot Litter Pickup

CABOT — Volunteers are needed for Cabot’s annual spring litter-pickup campaign from 9 a.m. to noon April 14, sponsored by Cabot City Beautiful in conjunction with the Great American Cleanup. Individuals, businesses and community groups are encouraged to participate in the effort. Volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. in the Cabot School District’s Administrative Building parking lot, 602 N. Lincoln St. to check in. Orange safety vests and garbage bags will be provided. Volunteers will meet back at the parking lot at noon for free food and drinks. For more information, contact the Cabot Clean-Up Committee at (501) 920-2122 or cabotbeautiful@yahoo.com.

Creating Butterfly Landscapes

FAIRFIELD BAY — Ruth Andre will give a presentation on creating butterfly landscapes from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 2 at the Indian Hills Club/Little Red Restaurant. Andre will talk about how to cultivate a garden to be butterfly-friendly. The event is free, and purchase of lunch is optional. For more information, contact the Fairfield Bay Education Center at (501) 884-4440 or ffbcec@artelco.com.

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.

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