COMMUNITY EVENTS IN THE THREE RIVERS EDITION

Feb. 19

Democratic Party of White County Meeting

SEARCY — The Democratic Party of White County will meet at 6:30 p.m. at Arkansas State University-Searcy, 1800 E. Moore Ave. For more information, call (501) 368-9390 or visit white@arkdems.org.

Community Music Gathering

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

Feb. 20

Seminar Series

SEARCY — The Harding University Honors College will host Capt. Ryan O. Scott, instructor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, as part of the L.C. Sears Collegiate Seminar Series at 7:30 p.m. in Cone Chapel. Scott will speak on the topic The Christian Soldier: Calling or Contradiction? The event is open to the public, and admission is free. For more information, visit www.harding.edu/honors or call (501) 279-4016.

Feb. 22

Masters of Soul Concert

BATESVILLE — First Community Bank and the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville will present Masters of Soul in concert at 7 p.m. in Independence Hall at UACCB. Masters of Soul is a celebration of the legendary songs and performers that defined Motown and soul music. Tickets are $10. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. Tickets are available at First Community Branch locations and at UACCB. For more information, call (870) 612-2040.

Feb. 23

AARP Driver Safety Course

NEWPORT — Arkansas State University-Newport and AARP will present an AARP Driver Safety Course from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Room 134 of Walton Hall at ASUN. The cost for the course is $15 for AARP members with an AARP card and $20 for nonmembers. The class, which is designed for drivers ages 55 and older, promotes safer driving practices, continued mobility and a discount in auto insurance from most companies in Arkansas. No tests will be given, and refreshments will be served. To purchase tickets, call (870) 512-7802. For more information, contact Jennifer Ballard at (870) 512-7861 or Jennifer_Ballard@asun.edu.

Feb. 24

Annie Auditions

BATESVILLE — The Batesville Community Theatre and the North Arkansas Dance Theatre will have auditions for Annie from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Brown Chapel at Lyon College. Auditioners need to prepare 16 measures of a song of their choice, to be performed with a phone mp3 accompaniment track or a cappella and are asked to wear comfortable clothing and no flip-flops or sandals. The production will be June 19-24 in the Southside High School auditorium. For more information, contact Shona Covington at shona.covington@outlook.com, Suzanne Magouyrk at smagouyrk@gmail.com or (870) 613-3836, or Cindy Hubberd at cindy@nadt.info or (866) GOT-NADT.

The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra Concert

HEBER SPRINGS — The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra will return to the Heber Springs Performing Arts Center for a concert at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students ages 18 and younger. Tickets can be purchased at the Central Offices of the Heber Springs School District or at heberspringsbands.org with PayPal.

Delta Visual Arts Show

NEWPORT — The 10th Annual Delta Visual Arts Show will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Blue Bridge Center for the Delta Arts, 201 Hazel St. The free event will feature various categories of art, along with live music and authors. For more information, call the center at (870) 523-1009 or email director@newportaredc.org.

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 scholarships. 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 labeled 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 Historic-Site Coloring Books

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, a division of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, is offering students free copies of a coloring book, Exploring Arkansas’s Wonder: An Adventure in Historic Preservation, that highlights sites around the state that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Order copies of the book at www.arkansaspreservation.com or by contacting Amy Milliken at (501) 324-9786 or amy.milliken@arkansas.gov.

Photography Exhibit

BEEBE — The Arkansas State University-Beebe Art Department is featuring the photography of Ian Campbell during February at the England Center Art Gallery in an exhibit called Dark Water, which is based on a “sea serpent” sighting in 1817 at Gloucester Harbor in Massachusetts. Campbell is an assistant professor of art at Lyon College in Batesville and serves as director of the Kresge Art Gallery at Lyon. For more information, call the England Center Art Gallery at (501) 882-4495. The gallery, 201 N. Orange St. in Beebe, is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Painting With Jim

FAIRFIELD BAY — Painting With Jim will be offered from 10 a.m. to noon every Tuesday at the Fairfield Bay Community Education Center, 130 Village Lane, Suite 5E. The cost is $40 per session, and all materials will be provided. Students will learn the value of color and composition with a new subject each week, starting and completing an acrylic painting in the two-hour class. For more information, contact the Education Center at (501) 884-4440 or ffbcec@artelco.com.

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, Feb. 24; March 3, 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.

Silver&Fit Program

BATESVILLE — The Batesville Community Center and Aquatics Park is participating in the Silver&Fit program’s network of fitness facilities, which allows the center and aquatics park to provide no-cost membership access to Silver&Fit members. Silver&Fit eligibility is required, and a small annual fee may apply. The Silver&Fit program is an exercise and healthy-aging program for Medicare members, providing unique, evidence-based fitness and health-education activities. For more information, visit www.ashcompanies.com or call (800) 848-3555.

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.

Abstract ARt Exhibit

BATESVILLE — The Batesville Area Arts Council presents Abstract ARt, a group exhibition, through Saturday at the BAAC Gallery on Main, 226 E. Main St. The exhibit features the work of six abstract artists in Arkansas who work in contemporary modes of drawing, printing and painting. The artists are Dustyn Bork, Donnie Copeland, Sam King, Marc Mitchell, Jessica Mongeon and Steven Wise. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, call the Arts Council at (870) 793-3382.

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 GED Classes

MELBOURNE — Free GED classes are available at several locations through Ozarka College. Classes meet at Ozarka College in Melbourne from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 3-6 p.m. Mondays; at Ozarka College in Mammoth Spring from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; at Ozarka College in Mountain View from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 4-7 p.m. Mondays; and at Salem High School from 4-7 p.m. Mondays. Registration is ongoing. For more information, call Ozarka College Adult Education at (870) 368-2051.

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. Kiwanis is a volunteer organization with the mission of helping youth in the community. 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

Walk for Wheezy

CABOT — The 2018 Walk for Wheezy event, which benefits Arkansas Children’s Hospital, will take place Feb. 25 at Panther Stadium. The walk is in memory of Eloise “Wheezy” Shaw, who died Jan. 7, 2016, at the age of 10 after battling a heart defect. Walk for Wheezy is a nonprofit organization that has raised more than $50,000 for ACH the past two years and has been recognized on the Miss America stage as one of the top three fundraisers in the nation, said Bailey Moses, Walk for Wheezy co-founder and media-relations director. To participate in the event, visit www.walkforwheezy.com.

North Central Arkansas Beef and Forage Conference

SALEM — The North Central Arkansas Beef and Forage Conference will take place from 6-8:30 p.m. Feb. 27 at Salem High School. The event will feature guest speakers discussing how to make operations smoother and increase profitability. The deadline to register is Wednesday. Registration is $10 per person and includes a meal. To register, drop off or mail a check made out to the Cooperative Extension Service, along with the names of the attendees, to a local county extension office. Residents of all counties are welcome to attend. For more information, contact a county extension office or visit www.uaex.edu.

Bowling for Business

CABOT — The Cabot Chamber of Commerce will present Bowling for Business from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Allfam Bowling Center, 2350 Lakewood Drive. Five-person teams will participate for a fee of $200 per team. Team benefits for one five-person team will include free shoe rental, 10 beverage tickets, pizza and eligibility to win all prizes. The first round will be a team competition, and the second round will be a networking bowl. The registration deadline is Monday. For more information, call the chamber at (501) 843-2136.

Attorney General Presentation

NEWPORT — Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge will be at the Jackson County Cooperative Extension Office, 649 Jackson County Road 917, from 10-11:30 a.m. March 1. Rutledge will discuss topics about getting help with scams and other consumer issues, prescription-drug take back and prescriptions for life. For more information, call Rutledge’s office at (800) 482-8982.

Anglers Expo & Outdoor Show

HEBER SPRINGS — On March 2 and 3, the Rotary Club of Cleburne County will host the Annual Anglers Expo & Outdoor Show, featuring a wide variety of vendors, special events, and displays in the fishing, hunting, camping and general outdoor categories. Musical guests will provide entertainment, and a chili cook-off contest will take place. All events will be at the Heber Springs Community Center, 201 Bobby Jean Lane. For more information, email rotaryclubcleburnecounty@gmail.com or visit www.anglersexpo.com.

Ziggy Pepper Chili Cook-Off

HEBER SPRINGS — The Ziggy Pepper Chili Cook-Off, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Cleburne County, will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 3 at the Heber Springs Community Center, 201 Bobbie Jean Lane, in conjunction with the Anglers Expo & Outdoor Show. The chili tasting will begin at 11 a.m. Cooks can enter in the pro, youth or people’s choice chili categories, where the total prize money is more than $1,800. Those who want to taste and judge the chili entries and support the club’s efforts to raise money for college scholarships are invited to participate. For more information, contact Rick Maguire at (501) 499-1580 or visit ziggypepper.com.

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. March 7 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.

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.

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 March 5, to Sharon Vander Zyl, 107 Cherokee Road, Cherokee Village, AR 72529. No tickets will be sold at the door.

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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