Feb. 3
First Baptist Church Maumelle
MAUMELLE — Pastor Tony Auxier of First Baptist Church Maumelle invites the community to worship with the congregation on Sundays with Bible classes for all age groups beginning at 9 a.m., followed by worship in the main sanctuary at 10:15. AWANA clubs for children age 2 through the sixth grade meet in the activities building at 4:30 p.m. Sundays, and a worship service is held in the sanctuary at 5 p.m. The church is at the corner of Maumelle Boulevard and Millwood Circle. For more information on church activities, call the church office at 851-3547 or visit www.fbcmaumelle.org.
Feb. 5
Interfaith Dialogue
MORRILTON — Ramesh Garimella, chairman of the University of Central Arkansas Department of Mathematics, will speak on Hinduism at the Interfaith Dialogues series from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Rialto Gallery, 213 E. Broadway in downtown Morrilton. Refreshments will be served. This is the third of six dialogues on world religions.
Classical Guitar Series Concert
RUSSELLVILLE — Arkansas Tech University will present a performance by Gohar Vardanyan at 7 p.m. in the Doc Bryan Student Services Building Lecture Hall. This is the second annual concert of the University Classical Guitar Series. The free concert is open to the public. For more information on Vardanyan, visit www.goharvardanyan.com.
Feb. 5 and Feb. 9
Bible Studies
MAUMELLE — The women of Maumelle and surrounding areas are invited to participate in an 11-week Bible study by Beth Moore, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church Maumelle, at the corner of Maumelle Boulevard and Millwood Circle. The study, facilitated by Linda Obremski, will focus on “breaking free” of anything that hinders women from attaining an abundant and effective spirit-filled life. The cost of the workbook is $16. Beginning at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Jeannie Adams will facilitate a study called “Seed 1 and 2,” by Priscilla Shirer. The cost of the book for this six-week study is $20. Both Bible studies will be held in the Activities Building. To register, call the church office at (501) 851-3547. For more information, visit www.fbcmaumelle.org.
Feb. 6
Ladies’ Lunch Break
CONWAY — A Ladies’ Lunch Break will be held from noon to 1 p.m. at the Second Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. The cost for the meal is $5. For child care, call the church office at (501) 327-6565.
Feb. 7
Intermediate QuickBooks Seminar
RUSSELLVILLE — The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center will present an Intermediate QuickBooks seminar from 9 a.m. to noon at Arkansas Tech University. Participants will acquire knowledge of the more advanced features of QuickBooks, including tracking inventory, accounts payable and receivable, and generating reports. A basic working knowledge of QuickBooks is required to attend the seminar. A computer will be provided for each participant to use during this interactive session. The cost is $65, and seating is limited. Call (479) 356-2067 to register.
Email Basics Classes for Adults
CONWAY — The Faulkner County Library in Conway will offer email basics classes at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Thursday and Feb. 21 and March 7. The hands-on, one-hour classes will cover how to set up an email account with a secure username and password, as well as some do’s and don’ts when using email. To register, call the library at (501) 327-7482, or email nancy@fcl.org. There is no charge and a limit of three students per hour-long class.
Feb. 9
Spaghetti Dinner
NEW DIXIE — There will be a spaghetti and sausage dinner in St. Boniface Hall from 4-7:30 p.m. The dinner will feature homemade rolls and peach cobbler. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Children under age 6 may eat free with a parent. For carryout meals, call (501) 759-2896 after 3:30 p.m. The public is invited.
Vocal and Piano Recital
RUSSELLVILLE — Arkansas Tech University will present baritone vocalist Stephen Swanson and pianist David Gompper for a recital of pieces from their Albany Records album Animal Songs: Bestiaries in English, French and German at 7:30 p.m. at Witherspoon Auditorium in Russellville. The free recital is open to the public. For more information, call (479) 968-0368 or visit www.atu.edu/music.
Sweetheart Saturday
RUSSELLVILLE — Arkansas Hospice’s ninth annual Sweetheart Saturday will be held from 1-3 p.m. at the Hughes Community Center, 1000 E. Parkway Drive. Local food vendors, bakeries and restaurants will supply sweet and savory treats. An assortment of items for silent and live auctions will be available for bidders. Proceeds will benefit the Arkansas Hospice River Valley Home. Tickets are $10 each or $18 for two and may be purchased at the Arkansas Hospice Russellville office, 2405 E. Parkway, Suite 3, or by calling (479) 498-2050.
Symphony Guild Fundraiser
RUSSELLVILLE — The Talk of the Town Tables fundraiser will be hosted Saturday by The Russellville Symphony Guild. The annual event will begin at 6 p.m. at the Lake Point Conference Center with heavy hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and live music, followed by a steak dinner at 7:30 p.m. Proceeds will be used to bring the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra to Russellville for a concert on April 6 and for scholarships for local high school music students. Tickets for the event are $60 and may be purchased from any board member or by calling Judy Murphy at (479) 967-1177.
Sweetheart Dinner
MORRILTON — The General Federated Women’s Adelaide Club of Morrilton will have a sweetheart dinner and dance Saturday at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Morrilton. The pork-chop dinner, catered by the Knights, will begin at 7 p.m. Jim Aldridge — singer, showman and saxophonist — along with his partner, Kern Kennedy, on keyboard, will perform for the annual benefit. A dessert table will be provided by Adelaide Club members, and auction items will be available for silent bids. Tickets are $30 each, in advance from Adelaide members or from Sue Noble at (501) 354-2756.
Polar Plunge, 5K Run
RUSSELLVILLE — The Area 17 Special Olympics will hold its Polar Plunge and 5K race Saturday at Lake Dardanelle in Russellville. The 5K registration starts at 8 a.m., followed by the race at 9 a.m. Registration for the plunge starts at 10 a.m., followed by the event at 11 a.m. For a minimum of $50 raised, plunging participants will receive a Polar Plunge T-shirt. Individual and team awards will be given for best costume, as well as the most money raised. The area business raising the most money will receive a traveling trophy. An entry fee of $25 is required for 5K participants. Registration forms are available at specialolympicsarkansas.org. For more information, call Darla at (479) 264-4831.
Ongoing
Art Exhibit
LITTLE ROCK — Beauty in the Natural State, a collection of oil paintings by Jeannie Stone of Russellville, will be featured Monday through March 2 at the Community Bakery in Little Rock, a few blocks from the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion and part of the historic downtown district. Stone plans to graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in fine art from Arkansas Tech University. For more information, visit www.communitybakery.com or email dj@djstoneart.com.
Giving Tree Grants
CONWAY — Nonprofit organizations in Faulkner County may visit arcf.org to download an application for Giving Tree Grants through ARCF/Faulkner County, a local affiliate office of the Arkansas Community Foundation. Applications must be submitted by Feb. 15. Any IRS 501(c)(3) public charity, public school, government agency or hospital in Faulkner County is eligible to apply. Other applicants may be considered if the project has a clear charitable purpose for public benefit. Grants are not made to individuals. Applications will be reviewed by a grant-making committee from ARCF/Faulkner County. Grants generally range from $750 to $3,000. For submission guidelines and applications, visit arcf.org.
Class Registration
CONWAY — The Conway Adult Education Computer Training Department is accepting registration for classes. For more information, contact the center at (501) 450-4810, or visit www.caec.org.
Spring Art Exhibitions
CONWAY — The Baum Gallery of Fine Art at the University of Central Arkansas will present four exhibitions to be on display through Feb. 24: Swishbone: New Paintings by Julie Evans; Under the Influence: New Ceramic Work by Curt LaCross; Alternating Currents: A Mixed Media Art Installation by Mario Marzan; and Before and After: An Exploration of the Art Conservation Process. The gallery’s hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday; and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Entry to the exhibitions is free.
Upcoming
Hungrytown Performance
CONWAY — Hungrytown, the musical duo of Ken Anderson and Rebecca Hall, will perform at 2 p.m. Feb. 10 at the Faulkner County Library. Refreshments will be served. All library events are free and open to the public. For more information, call (501) 327-7482 or email Nancy@fcl.org.
Jazz Ensemble Concert
CONWAY — The University of Central Arkansas Department of Music will present its first jazz ensemble concert of the spring semester at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12 in the Snow Fine Arts Recital Hall. The free event is open to the public. The concert will feature both the Jazz Ensemble I and II bands playing music from the big-band era. Some newer, more contemporary pieces will also be performed. For more information, call (501) 450-5018 or email rljones@uca.edu.
Mardi Gras Dance
FAIRFIELD BAY — A Mardi Gras dance will be held from 6:30-10 p.m. Feb. 12 at St. Francis of Assisi Parish Hall, 250 Woodlawn Drive. The dance will feature the Little Red River Band. Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased from Judy Johnson in the Parish Office from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; from Therese Preusser at (501) 884-3049 or (501) 454-8313; or at Jacks convenience store, 540 Dave Creek Parkway.
Just Desserts Fundraiser
MORRILTON —The University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton Foundation will hold its 11th annual Just Desserts fundraiser from 5:30-8 p.m. Feb. 14 at the UACCM Plaza. The event will feature a variety of desserts, savory snacks and musical entertainment, as well as silent and chance auctions. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at www.uaccm.edu, from a foundation board member or at the door. For more information or to make a contribution to the event, call Morgan Zimmerman at (501) 977-2085.
David Coleman Presentation
CONWAY — Hendrix College will present David Coleman, known as the dating doctor and America’s real-life Hitch, at 7 p.m. Feb. 20 in Reeves Recital Hall in the Trieschmann Building. Coleman travels the nation and tackles the issues of dating, romance and relationships in a humorous and candid manner. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (501) 450-1263 or email clark@hendrix.edu.
Book Signing
CONWAY — Regional author Nancy Powell will sign copies of her new book, Dark Secrets, from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Faulkner County Library. The book is the first in a series of historical novels based on the life of Ollie McNew. The free event is open to the public. For more information, call (501) 327-7482 or email Nancy@fcl.org.
Public Art Lecture
CONWAY — Julie Evans will present a public lecture about her exhibit, Swishbone: New Paintings, at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 26 in McCastlain Hall, Room 143, at the University of Central Arkansas. Her paintings, which are on display in the Baum Gallery, are characterized by organic forms that swish and swirl with color and texture. For more information, call (501) 450-5793.
Charity Ball
RUSSELLVILLE — The 48th annual Junior Auxiliary of Russellville Charity Ball will be held March 2 at the L.V. Williamson Boys and Girls Club of the Arkansas River Valley, 600 E. 16th St. The black-tie-optional event will start at 6 p.m., and activities will include hors d’oeuvres, Southern cuisine by Opal Mae’s Café, a live auction and dancing. Mr. Lucky will provide musical entertainment. Tickets, at $70 per person or $130 per couple, may be purchased by calling (601) 467-1735 or (479) 890-1381.
Chase Race and Paws
CONWAY — The eighth annual Chase Race and Paws will begin at 8 a.m. March 9, starting and finishing at Simon Park, 805 Front St. The two-mile state championship race awards a $100 cash prize to any male or female who breaks the present course record. A complimentary 2014 entry form will be awarded to anyone who breaks an age-group record. Each registrant will receive a T-shirt. The event will include a one-mile fun or competitive event for runners/walkers with leashed pets, a best costume contest for all pets and pet adoptions. The event promotes and raises funds for nonadopted pets and research for adolescents with traumatic brain injury. All proceeds will benefit Friends of the Conway Animal Shelter and Arkansas Children’s Hospital for brain-trauma research. Online race registration is open at www.chaserace.info/. Entry forms are also available at The Sporty Runner, 1016 Van Ronkle St. in Conway, and at Conway Regional Health and Fitness Center, 700 Salem Road.
Festival of Winds
CONWAY — Hendrix College will host the Festival of Winds Honor Band for high school students on May 4. Approximately 90 students from Arkansas and surrounding states will gather for a day of rehearsals and present a concert at 7:30 that evening in Staples Auditorium on the Hendrix campus. Sharing the concert with the honor band will be the Little Rock Wind Symphony, conducted by Karen Fannin, associate professor of music at Hendrix. The concert is free and open to the public. The Festival of Winds Honor Band is open to students in grades 9-12. To participate, students need to be nominated by their band director or private teacher by Feb. 22. Nomination forms can be found at www.hendrix.edu/festivalofwinds.
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.