Editor’s note: Many events have been canceled or postponed due to concern about the coronavirus.
Wednesday
Battle of the Bulbs Entry Deadline
RUSSELLVILLE — Wednesday is the deadline to enter the Russellville community’s inaugural Battle of the Bulbs Christmas Light Contest. City residents are invited to decorate the exterior of their businesses or homes to be on display the weeks before Christmas. Trophies will be awarded to first-place winners in three categories: residential, commercial and downtown. The displays will be judged the evening of Dec. 2, and the winners will be announced Dec. 4 at the Holiday Glow in Downtown Russellville. Get entry forms at the Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce or russellvillechamber.com.
Thursday
Community Thanksgiving Potluck
FAIRFIELD BAY — A Community Thanksgiving Potluck will begin at 11 a.m. at the Chamber/Visitor Center, 365 Dave Creek Parkway. Masks will be required, state regulations will be adhered to, and attendees must have a reservation because seating will be limited. For more information, call Nancy McGowen at (501) 269-4567.
Thursday and Friday
Holiday Closing
RUSSELLVILLE — The Hughes Community Center, 1000 E. Parkway Drive, will be closed Thursday and Friday for observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. For more information, call the center at (479) 968-1272.
Friday
Christmas Village Market
FAIRFIELD BAY — The Fairfield Bay Conference Center and the Cobblestone Hotel will present the Christmas Village Market from 10 a.m to 8 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 pm. Saturday. The event will offer Christmas shopping under one roof from a variety of vendors, music, food, a visit from Santa and the Clydesdales. Vendors are needed to man booths inside and outside. Arts-and-craft booths cost $50 for Friday and Saturday, and food vendors will be charged $150 for both days. To reserve a space, call (501) 884-4202.
Ongoing
Citizen of the Year Nominations
RUSSELLVILLE — The Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the 2020 Citizen of the Year. Submit a resume and letters of recommendation outlining the reasons that a nominee should be recognized to mwoker@russellvillechamber.com. The Citizen of the Year will be announced at the 2020 chamber annual meeting. For more information, call the chamber at (479) 968-2530.
Senior Bingo Days
FAIRFIELD BAY — Senior Bingo Days take place from 10 a.m. to noon every Tuesday and Thursday at the Chamber/Visitor Center, 385 Dave Creek Parkway (the Lions Club building). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Arkansas Department of Health guidelines will be followed. There will be limited seating, and reservations are required. For reservations, call Nancy McGowen at (501) 269-4567.
VFW Bingo
FAIRFIELD BAY — Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4513 Bingo Nights take place at 6:30 every Monday and Saturday. Centers for Disease Control and Protection guidelines are strictly enforced.
Poetry Out Loud Registration
The Arkansas Arts Council is accepting registrations from public, charter and private schools, as well as home-school groups, to participate in the 2021 Arkansas Poetry Out Loud competition. The registration deadline is Dec. 18. Students compete at the school level for a chance to become the Arkansas champion. The state winner will compete for $20,000 at the national level next spring. The Arkansas Arts Council provides all materials needed, including coaches. Virtual workshops are also being planned. For more information or to register, contact Drekkia Morning, Arts in Education programs manager, at drekkia.morning@arkansas.gov.
Grant Opportunity
HEBER SPRINGS — The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration will offer a grant program utilizing $50 million in CARES Act funds for Arkansas businesses significantly impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Arkansas Legislative Council approved a business-interruption grant for certain Arkansas businesses in the personal care, tourism, travel, recreation and hospitality industries. The application period will close Wednesday. Information will be regularly posted to www.arkansasready.com about the grant, the application period, training and a help line.
Arkansas Governor’s School Applications
RUSSELLVILLE — Applications are being taken for the 42nd Arkansas Governor’s School, set for July 5-31 and hosted by Arkansas Tech University. Eligible students need to inquire about the nomination process with their school counselor. AGS serves approximately 400 selected students from around the state during the summer before their senior year in high school. Information and instructions for applying are available at www.atu.edu/ags, and the deadline to apply is Jan. 20. For more information, email ags@atu.edu or call (479) 968-0391.
Neighbor’s Table
RUSSELLVILLE — Neighbor’s Table offers a free meal every Saturday at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 501 S. Phoenix Ave. The meal is takeout only and can be picked up from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All are welcome. For more information, call (479) 968-3622.
Cleburne County Cares Food Pantry
HEBER SPRINGS — The Cleburne County Cares Food Pantry, 2016 Arkansas 25 Bypass, is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Those who need food are asked to call ahead at (501) 362-8486 so the pantry can have the food ready for pickup.
Fairfield Bay Rotary Meetings
FAIRFIELD BAY — The Fairfield Bay Rotary meets at noon every Wednesday, with lunch at 11:30 a.m., in the Fireside Room at the Little Red Restaurant at Indian Hills, 337 Snead Drive. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Arkansas Department of Health guidelines will be followed.
Upcoming
Drive-Thru Country Christmas Parade
DARDANELLE — The Dardanelle Area Chamber of Commerce will host a stationary drive-thru country Christmas parade, It’s a Country Christmas, from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 5 in Merritt Park. Get entry forms, due Nov. 30, at the chamber office or at dardanellechamberofcommerce@gmail.com. Businesses, nonprofits and civic organizations are invited to enter floats/displays. The park will open for entries at 2 p.m., and they need to be ready by 5 p.m. No candy or literature will be handed out, and COVID-19 guidelines will be enforced. Attendees are asked to enter Merritt Park from Arkansas 22, proceed with caution and to not exit their vehicles at any time. For more information, call the chamber at (479) 229-3328.
ATU Fall 2020 Virtual Celebration of Graduates
RUSSELLVILLE — Arkansas Tech University will conduct a virtual celebration of its fall 2020 graduates rather than hosting in-person commencement ceremonies, as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The decision was made in accordance with recommendations from the ATU Division of Academic Affairs and the ATU COVID-19 Taskforce. ATU’s fall 2020 virtual celebration of graduates will be published to www.atu.edu/registrar/graduation.php on Dec. 12. For more information, members of the ATU fall 2020 graduating class may call (479) 968-0272 or email graduation@atu.edu.
Christmas Cookie Class
CONWAY — Learn to decorate Christmas cookies with Conway home baker Molly Young of Crumb and Canvas from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Knights of Columbus, 514 E. Sixth St. Participants will learn the basics of decorating six royal icing cookies, as well as a few more advanced techniques. The class is recommended for ages 12 and older. Dinner will be provided by Whole Hog Cafe. There will be temperature checks at the door, and the meal will be a boxed dinner. Tickets, at $45 each, are required and can be purchased at https://bit.ly/32YADWB.
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.