March 24
Pancake Breakfast
CONWAY — Renewal Ranch will host a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon at Stoby’s Restaurant. The cost is $5 per person. Children younger than 10 may eat free. Proceeds will benefit Renewal Ranch, a faith-based rehabilitation program for men with addictions.
March 25
Audubon Society Meeting
DARDANELLE — The Arkansas River Valley Audubon Society will meet at 7 p.m. at the Lake Dardanelle State Park Visitor Center. Teresa Matthews will present a PowerPoint presentation titled Autumn in Nebraska. Visitors are welcome to attend, and refreshments will be served. For more information, call Coe Wilson (501) 727-5559.
March 25 – March 28
Computer Training Registration
CONWAY — Registration for Conway Adult Education computer training classes will be held Monday through Thursday at 125 Center St. The classes will begin the week of Sept. 5. For more information, visit www.caec.org or call (501) 450-4810.
March 25 – March 29
UCA Green Week
CONWAY — Students of the University of Central Arkansas will host a weeklong event at UCA to raise awareness and promote activism regarding environmentally friendly initiatives and to educate the community on the environment. This year’s Green Week will kick off Monday and continue through Friday. Daytime activities will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. In the evenings, starting at 6, notable speakers and documentaries from around the state will be presented. The free events are open to the public. For those who would like to be part of this event, booths and speaking times are available. For more information, contact Amanda Brown at abrow09@yahoo.com or (501) 358-2750.
March 26
Diabetes Care Group Meeting
CONWAY — Tiffany Binns and Cullen Anson, pharmacy doctorate candidates from Harding University, will discuss diabetic neuropathy and current treatment medications during the next meeting of the Conway Regional Diabetes Care Group from 7-8 p.m. The group meets the last Tuesday of each month in the Women’s Center Classroom on the medical center campus. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information, call (501) 513-5248.
Jazz Concert
CONWAY — The Faulkner County Library will welcome the University of Central Arkansas Dixieland Band for a concert at 7 p.m. The UCA Dixieland Band was formed in 1976 by professor Patrick Hasty and has been performing ever since. All library events are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call the library at (501) 327-7482 or email Nancy@fcl.org.
Business Seminar
RUSSELLVILLE — The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center will present a small business seminar, Free & Local: Small Business Marketing, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Arkansas Tech University. The cost is $30, and registration is required by calling (479) 356-2067.
Audubon Society Meeting
CLINTON — The Little Red River Audubon Society will meet at Western Sizzlin’. Dan Smith will talk about his experiences from his recent birding trip to Colombia, South America. Dinner will be Dutch treat at 5:30 p.m., and the program will begin at 7. Door prizes will be awarded after the meeting.
March 27
Student Visit Day
MORRILTON — Sacred Heart will host a Student Visit Day on Wednesday for students entering kindergarten through the 12th grade, including undecided families, to attend classes at Sacred Heart Catholic School. A reception for parents will be held from 8-10:30 a.m. in the cafeteria. Students may attend a partial or full day with the class they will join in fall 2013. Students need to be picked up at 2:30 p.m. in the school office. For more information, contact Alisha Koonce at (501) 354-4358. To register or schedule a visit at a different time, visit www.sacredheartmorrilton.org or call (501) 354-4358.
March 28
Garden Club Meeting
CONWAY — The Conway Evening Garden Club will meet at 6:30 at the Faulkner County Library. Janet Carson will be the guest speaker. Her topic for the event will be In the Garden, Preparing for the Season Ahead. For more information, email Nancy@fcl.org.
State of Health Luncheon
CONWAY — The State of Health in Arkansas and Faulkner County will be on the agenda during the Conway Regional Women’s Council’s inaugural State of Health Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom at the University of Central Arkansas. Guest speakers will be Dr. Joe Bates, deputy director of the Arkansas Department of Health, and Jim Lambert, president and chief executive officer of the Conway Regional Health System. Reserved tables and seats are available. Space is limited. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (501) 513-5771 or email foundation@conwayregional.org.
March 29 – March 31
Great Escape and Easter Eggs
PETIT JEAN MOUNTAIN — Petit Jean State Park will hold its Great Escape Weekend and Easter Egg Hunt on Friday through March 31. There will be free nature-related walks and other family-oriented activities. The celebration will conclude with an Easter egg scramble for about 2,000 eggs. For the event schedule, contact the park at (501) 727-5441 or petitjean@arkansas.com, or visit www.petitjeanstatepark.com.
March 30
Plant Sale
LESLIE — The fifth annual Ozark Mountain Market Plant Sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Leslie City Park. The park is at the corner of Arkansas 66 and Oak Street. There is no admission fee. For more information, contact Adrienne Lafargue at (870) 447-2633 or adrienne.lafargue@yahoo.com.
Breakfast With the Easter Bunny
PERRYVILLE — Breakfast With the Easter Bunny will be held from 8:30-10 a.m. at the Perryville United Methodist Church’s Connection Center. The menu will include pancakes, scrambled eggs and sausage. Each child will have an opportunity to visit with the Easter Bunny and receive a free photo from the event. The cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children ages 2-12. All proceeds will go to the Adona Volunteer Fire Department.
Easter Egg Hunt
CONWAY — The Hendrix College Wellness and Athletics Center and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes will host an Easter egg hunt at 11 a.m. on the track and turf field behind the center. This event for the Conway community is open to children ages 2 to 10. Families are asked to bring a nonperishable food item to be donated to Bethlehem House. For more information, contact Jennifer McCracken at (501) 336-7484 or mccrackenj@hendrix.edu.
Ongoing
Scholarship Opportunity
MAUMELLE — The Maumelle Newcomers Club is offering a $1,000 scholarship. All residents of Maumelle are eligible to apply, as well as immediate family members of Newcomer Club members. Applicants must have at least a 2.5 cumulative grade-point average and cannot be the recipient of a full scholarship. The scholarship is available to those attending a four-year or two-year institution or an accredited technical college. Graduate and part-time students are also eligible. Applications must be postmarked by April 26 and can be obtained at the Maumelle Public Library or by calling scholarship chairwoman Ann Lewis at (501) 803-3669.
Cherokee Bingo Fundraiser
CONWAY — Cherokee Bingo will be held every Tuesday and Thursday at Bob’s Grill in downtown Conway. Doors will open at 4 p.m. for dinner, with bingo mini packs starting at 6:15 p.m. and main packs starting at 6:45 p.m. Proceeds from the event will go to the University of Central Arkansas Athletic Scholarship Fund.
Upcoming
AARP Safe-Driving Program
RUSSELLVILLE — An AARP Safe-Driving Program will be held at 9 a.m. April 2 at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center Annex. Course graduates age 55 and older may be eligible for a discount on their car insurance premiums. The cost for the course is $12 for AARP members and $14 for nonmembers, payable to AARP the day of the class. Complimentary pastries and coffee will be provided. Lunch will be available in the hospital cafeteria at a 25 percent discount for all attendees following the program. To register, call (479) 964-9355.
Amy Grant Concert
CONWAY — Amy Grant will give a concert at 7:30 p.m. April 2 in the Donald W. Reynolds Performance Hall at the University of Central Arkansas. The performance is part of the UCA Public Appearances’ Pop Series. Tickets, available at the UCA Ticket Central Box Office, range from $30 to $40 for adults and are $10 for children and students with a current student ID. For tickets, call (501) 450-3265 or toll-free from anywhere in Arkansas at (866) 810-0012, or visit www.uca.edu/reynolds.
Fashion Show
FAIRFIELD BAY — The 20th annual Fashion Gala, presented by Xi Gamma Kappa, will be held at 1 p.m. April 5 at St. Francis Parish Hall on Woodlawn Drive. Dessert will be served, and guests can preview the door and raffle prizes, which will include a handmade quilt, a stained-glass piece, gift certificates from area restaurants and stores, and more. Models will wear spring and summer fashions offered by Sweet Shoppe in Fairfield Bay, Fashion Savvy and Aunt Minnie’s Boutique in Mountain View, Stage in Heber Springs, Kohl’s in Conway, and Inger’s Butikk in Greers Ferry. Pat Cash will be the narrator. Tickets are $6 and can be purchased from any chapter member or by calling Judy at (501) 884-3018.
Writer’s Craft Lecture Series
CONWAY — The Conway Creative Writers and the Faulkner County Library will host the second of two lectures on Building Great Sentences: Exploring the Writer’s Craft at 2 p.m. April 5. The video presentation is part of The Great Courses series and is made possible by a donation from Shirley Barham. All library events are free and open to the public. For more information, call the library at (501) 327-7482, or email Nancy@fcl.org.
Symphony Concert and Reception
RUSSELLVILLE — The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra will perform at 8 p.m. April 6 in Witherspoon Auditorium on the Arkansas Tech University campus in Russellville, with a reception to follow. For ticket prices or more information, contact Aldona Standridge at (479) 968-4653 or chamber@russellville.org.
Wildflower Week
PETIT JEAN MOUNTAIN — Petit Jean State Park will offer a free Wildflower Week from April 8-14. There will be walks, talks and demonstrations to celebrate wildflowers. Weekday programs will be geared toward senior citizens, while weekend programs will be family-oriented. For a schedule of events, lodging and camping options or more information, contact the park at (501) 727-5441 or petitjean@arkansas.com, or visit www.petitjeanstatepark.com.
Jammers Jamming
VILONIA — The 13th annual Jammers Jamming will be held April 15-20 at Lester Flatt Memorial Park off Arkansas 107 in Vilonia. The event offers fun and music for everyone in the family and is handicap-accessible. For more information, contact Elizabeth Kuykendall at (501) 835-2451 or kuykendallcement@sbcglobal.net, or visit www.lesterflattmemorialpark.com.
Mountain Man Rendezvous
GREENBRIER — Find out how rugged life was for explorers and trappers in Arkansas in the early 1800s as re-enactors portray the period at the Mountain Man Rendezvous on April 19-21 at Woolly Hollow State Park. The event is free and will include demonstrations such as crafts, games, survival skills and more. For more information, contact the park at (501) 679-2098 or woollyhollow@arkansas.com.
The Slobber Knocker
PERRYVILLE — The third annual running of The Slobber Knocker will be held April 20 in Perryville. This endurance mountain bike race offers distances of 75 and 45 miles, with the former being part of the Arkansas Mountain Bike Marathon series and the latter open to all bikers. The race course consists of dirt roads and some pavement. For more information, contact Fred Phillips at (870) 246-6686 or DLTevents@yahoo.com, or visit www.DLTevents.com.
Taste of the Valley
RUSSELLVILLE — The 21st annual Taste of the Valley will be held April 25 at the Historic Russellville Depot in the city’s downtown district. This award-winning tasting party will showcase River Valley area restaurants, bakeries, caterers, delicatessens and vineyards. The event will include live music, and food and drinks will be available. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the event. For more information, contact Main Street Russellville at (479) 967-1437 or msrsvl@centurytel.net, or visit www.mainstreetrussellville.com.
Aquatic Conservation Camp
RUSSELLVILLE — Lake Dardanelle State Park will offer an Aquatic Conservation Experience Camp on April 26 and 27. This two-day, one-night camp for children ages 10-13 will offer information on water resources and the opportunities the resources offer. Campers will learn about the lake and its inhabitants through a variety of activities, including kayaking. The registration fee of $65 per camper includes meals and activities. For more information or to sign up, contact the park at (479) 967-5516 or lakedardanelle@arkansas.com.
Springfest
HEBER SPRINGS — An art and photography walk will kick off Springfest in Heber Springs on April 26, with more activities planned for April 27 and 28. There will be crafters, children’s activities, gardening information and food. For more information, contact Melisa Gardner at (501) 362-2444 or chamber@heber-springs.com, or visit www.heber-springs.com.
Party in the Park
RUSSELLVILLE — The Party in the Park offers music, food, art and more on April 27 at Russellville City Park on B Street near Knoxville. There is no admission fee. For more information, contact Betty LaGrone at (479) 968-2452 or chamber@russellville.org.
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.