GARDENLAND EXPRESS BOTANICAL GARDEN OF THE OZARKS 1 1-3 p.m. - The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks Gardenland Express returns this year and will feature model trains from the Sugar Creek Train Club and the Northwest Arkansas Garden Railway Society, lights, hot chocolate and Santa Claus. Tickets are $4 for adults, $2 for children aged 5-12 and free for children younger than 5. Information: (479) 750-2620 or bgozarks.org.

BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR JESUS COMPASSION HOUSE 5 4-7 p.m. - Compassion House will celebrate a Birthday Party for Jesus at the home, 6045 Elm Springs Road in Springdale.

Compassion House is a residence for pregnant girls under the age of 18 who need a safe place to stay. Offerings from the nonprofit organization include complete pregnancy care, counseling, life skills training and education. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.

WINTER GALA NEW DESIGN SCHOOL 5 5-8 p.m. - The New Design School will hold its annual Winter Gala at the Matt Miller Studio on the downtown Fayetteville square.

Proceeds benefit the school’s scholarship program.

The evening will include hors d’oeuvres and with a suggested $10 donation, guests will receive a ballot to vote for the People’s Choice Award. Music will be provided by Beth Stockdell and DJ Baby Armie.

Information: [email protected].

JINGLE MINGLE SINGLE PARENT SCHOLARSHIP FUND OF NORTHWEST ARKANSAS 5 6 p.m. - The 13th annual Jingle Mingle to benefit Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas will be at Pratt Place Barn in Fayetteville. Information: (479) 935-4888.

WHITE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY GALA MERCY FORT SMITH 6 6 p.m. - Mercy Health Foundation Fort Smith will host the White Christmas Holiday Gala to benefit Mercy’s Nurse Education and Scholarship Fund at The Studio by the Movie Lounge in Fort Smith. The evening will include a cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres followed by dinner, a live auction, raffles and dancing.

Tickets for the black-tie optional event are $100.

Information: (479) 314-1133 or [email protected] .

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA ARTS CENTER OF THE OZARKS 7 8:30, 9:15 and 10 a.m. - Breakfast With Santa hosted by the Arts Center of the Ozarks will include a visit and photo with Santa, cookie decorating and Christmas crafts. Tickets are $5 for adults and $15 for children. Information: (479) 751-5441 or artscenteroftheozarks.org.

GARDENLAND EXPRESS BOTANICAL GARDEN OF THE OZARKS 7 9 a.m.-2 p.m. - The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks Gardenland Express returns this year and will feature model trains from the Sugar Creek Train Club and the Northwest Arkansas Garden Railway Society, lights, hot chocolate and Santa Claus. Tickets are $4 for adults, $2 for children aged 5-12 and free for children younger than 5. Information: (479) 750-2620 or bgozarks.org.

HOLIDAY BAZAAR COMMUNITY CREATIVE CENTER 7 10 a.m.-4 p.m. - The sixth annual Holiday Bazaar to benefit the Community Creative Center will be at the Nadine Baum Studios in Fayetteville. Items for sale will include pottery, fabric, sculptures, handmade cards and paintings.

Information: (479) 571-2706.

O NIGHT DIVINE CHARITY BALL MERCY HEALTH FOUNDATION NORTHWEST ARKANSAS 7 6 p.m - The Mercy Health Foundation’s 2013 Charity Ball, O Night Divine, will be held at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers.

The evening will include dinner, a live auction, a special performance from folk artist Jewel and the After Glow post-party. Tickets for the black tie benefit are $200. Information: (479) 338-2990.

GARDENLAND EXPRESS

BOTANICAL GARDEN OF THE OZARKS 8 1-3 p.m. - The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks Gardenland Express returns this year and will feature model trains from the Sugar Creek Train Club and the Northwest Arkansas Garden Railway Society, lights, hot chocolate and Santa Claus. Tickets are $4 for adults, $2 for children aged 5-12 and free for children younger than 5. Information: (479)750-2620 or bgozarks.org.

WINTER DREAMS HOME TOUR JUNIOR LEAGUE

OF NORTHWEST ARKANSAS 8 11 a.m-5 p.m. - The Junior League of Northwest Arkansas’ Winter Dreams Tour of Homes will showcase homes in Benton and Washington counties decked out for the season. Tickets for the 15th annual benefit are $20. Information: (479) 751-8283 or [email protected] .

TROPHY LUNCHEON BRANDON BURLSWORTH FOUNDATION 9 11:30 a.m. - The Brandon Burlsworth Trophy Ceremony Luncheon will be held at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale.

Tickets are $40 for Rotarians and their guests and $50 for general admission. Information: (870) 741-1443 or [email protected] .

GARDENLAND EXPRESS BOTANICAL GARDEN OF THE OZARKS 14 9 a.m.-2 p.m. - The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks Gardenland Express returns this year and will feature model trains from the Sugar Creek Train Club and the Northwest Arkansas Garden Railway Society, lights, hotchocolate and Santa Claus. Tickets are $4 for adults, $2 for children aged 5-12 and free for children younger than 5. Information: (479) 750-2620 or bgozarks.org.

CHRISTMAS GALA

PEEL COMPTON FOUNDATION 14 6 p.m. - The Peel Compton Foundation will host its annual Christmas Gala featuring a five course paired gourmet wine dinner. Attire for the fundraiser is cocktail for women and business for men. Tickets are $125.

Information: (479) 254-3870 or peelcompton.org/gala.

GARDENLAND EXPRESS BOTANICAL GARDEN OF THE OZARKS 15 1-3 p.m. - The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks Gardenland Express returns this year and will feature model trains from the Sugar Creek Train Club and the Northwest Arkansas Garden Railway Society, lights, hot chocolate and Santa Claus. Tickets are $4 for adults, $2 for children aged 5-12 and free for children younger than 5. Information: (479) 750-2620 or bgozarks.org.

JINGLE BELL JOG 5K AND REINDEER RELAYS BOTANICAL GARDEN OF THE OZARKS 21 8 a.m. - The Jingle Bell Jog 5k and Reindeer Fun Run to benefit the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks will be held at the garden and will be a timed event with awards presented immediately after the race. The benefit will include food, music, door prizes and special guests. Register at register-wizard.com. Information: (479) 530-8084 or

[email protected].

Deadline to submit January event information is Dec. 15. Send event information to Carin Schoppmeyer at [email protected].

Our Town, Pages 35 on 11/28/2013