Sept. 24
Audubon Club Meeting
PETIT JEAN MOUNTAIN — The Arkansas River Valley Audubon Society will meet at 7 p.m. in the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute’s Stables Classroom. Blake Sasse, nongame-mammal program leader for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, will discuss the ecology, research and management of Arkansas bats and the impact that white-nose syndrome has had upon cave-hibernating bat species. Refreshments will be served, and the public is invited to attend. For directions call (501) 977-3899.
Sept. 27
Poetry Slam
RUSSELLVILLE — All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 501 S. Phoenix Ave., invites the public to its first poetry slam, which is on embracing diversity with the theme of identity, at 7 p.m. The event will feature poetry from the River Valley area, music from Some Guy Named Robb, and an array of coffees, teas and desserts in a coffeehouse environment. The event, co-sponsored with the Greater Arkansas Interfaith Network, will consist of poetry by scheduled artists, followed by an open mic for poets to perform for three minutes each. Language discretion is encouraged. For more information, contact the church at (479) 968-3622 or visit its event page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/events/2250541511831329.
Sept. 28 and 29
Silent Auction, Rummage Sale and Blessing of the Animals
HEBER SPRINGS — St. Francis Episcopal Church, 20 Woodland Cove Drive, will have its annual Silent Auction and Rummage Sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days to benefit the Heber Springs Humane Society. The sale will be inside the church. The church’s annual Blessing of the Animals will be at 10:30 am. Saturday. Bring dogs on leashes, cats in carriers, birds in cages and fish in bowls. Donations of dry dog/puppy food and cat/kitten food are requested for the society’s shelter. For more information, call the church at (501) 362-3311.
Sept. 29
Brass in the Clouds Concert
RUSSELLVILLE — Performers from the Arkansas Tech University Department of Music will present the 2018 Brass in the Clouds concert, co-sponsored by Mount Nebo State Park and the music department, at 6:30 p.m. at Mount Nebo’s Sunset Point. The public is invited to attend. Brass chamber ensembles and the ATU Brass Choir will perform under the direction of ATU faculty members Sean Reed and T.J. Perry, as well as Clayton Maddox and Evan Mino, visiting lecturers of music. Mount Nebo State Park recommends that audience members bring blankets or chairs for seating comfort. For more information, call (479) 968-0368 or visit www.atu.edu/music.
Ongoing
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.
The Magic of Sugarloaf Art Exhibit
FAIRFIELD BAY — Artist Joyce Hartmann’s new exhibit, The Magic of Sugarloaf, is at the Fairfield Bay Library Art Gallery, 369 Dave Creek Parkway. Hours are from 1-4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday and Friday; and from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday. View Hartmann’s artwork on her Web page, www.joycehartmann.com, and on Facebook.(through September, at least)
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
Splash Pad Closing
RUSSELLVILLE — Sept. 30 is the last day the Russellville City Park splash pad will be open this year. The park is at 915 E. B St. For more information, call (479) 968-1272.
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. Oct. 2 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.
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.
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.
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 is to celebrate 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.
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.