Local Notes

Dogwood Pageant accepting entrees

Entries are being accepted for the 2014 Dogwood Festival Pageant that will be from 10 a.m. to noon April 26 on the Dogwood Festival Stage in downtown Siloam Springs. Competition is for girls from birth to 21 years. They will compete in festival wear and an optional photogenic category.

The deadline to enter is Saturday. Entry forms and more information can be found at http://heartoftheozarks.weebly.com/dogwood-festival-pageant.html.

Information: [email protected] or (479) 409-0161.

Youth talent sought May 17

On May 17, youth and young adults will converge on Creekmore Park's Rose Room at Rogers Avenue and South 31st Street from 4 to 6:30 p.m. to participate in the River Valley's Got Talent youth talent showcase presented by the Children's Bread Christian Preschool. All proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the nonprofit preschool, which is expected to open in late 2014.

The contest is open to all from ages 5 to 21, and a nonrefundable entry fee of $10 is required for each participant or group. Entry forms are available at (479) 831-9605 or email [email protected]. The deadline to receive all entry forms is 5 p.m. May 10.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for students and may be purchased at the door or in advance at (479) 831-9605.

Battle for Hope runs set May 3

The 10th annual Heather Ridley Fleeman Battle for Hope 10K/5K Run/Walk, 1-Mile Fun Walk and Kids' Races will be May 3 in Bentonville. The event will benefit cancer support and education programs for families in Northwest Arkansas provided by Hope Cancer Resources.

Entry fees are $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under through Tuesday. Registration is available online at heathersraceforhope.com. May 3 registration opens at 6:30 a.m. at the Old Tiger Stadium in Bentonville and will close at 7:30 a.m. with the race starting at 7:45 a.m. Entry fees the day of the event are $30 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under.

Information: (479) 361-5847 or hopecancerresources.org.

Library, shelter begin program

Fayetteville Public Library is partnering with the Fayetteville Animal Shelter to introduce Cat Tales: The Kitty Literacy Project. The program pairs students with cats at the Fayetteville Animal Shelter to provide a comfortable environment for developing readers.

The library has previously had success with the similar "Sit, Stay, Read" program, which pairs readers with therapy dogs at local schools. Cat Tales would build off this program's success by giving students the opportunity to read to animals outside of school.

Participants will sign up to read for one 30-minute session per week, completing the program after six sessions. When a participant graduates from Cat Tales, he will receive a certificate recognizing his achievement in reading and his volunteerism. The library will provide books for the sessions.

The program is for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Students can sign up at the library's children's desk.

Information: (479) 856-7121 or email [email protected].

Pup Crawl is April 26

On April 26, various bars on and around Dickson Street will be hosting the third annual Dickson Street Pup Crawl from 2 to 5 p.m.

All of the money raised goes directly to the Fayetteville Animal Shelter.

Participants can register online at http://tinyurl.com/loft3fh. The $25 early registration fee includes a T-shirt for the participant and a bandana for his dog, as well as access to Kingfish, Jose's, Grub's, Dickson Street Pub, Speakeasy, Powerhouse, Dickson Street Social Club and Infusion. Each bar will have one canine themed drink special. Registration on the day of the event is $35.

Information: (479) 575-8328.

Mental illness is forum topic

A program on "Mental Illness and the Judicial System" will be presented from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the community room at the Fayetteville Public Library. Panelists will discuss the human and fiscal costs of inappropriate incarceration of the mentally ill, possible solutions and how the Arkansas Legislature can help. The program is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Washington County, Mental Health America and the Judicial Equality for Mental Illness Task Force.

Information: (479) 571-8127 or [email protected].

Writing school offers workshop

A full-day writing workshop, "Sub-Text, High Events, Closings," will be offered at the Village Writing School in Eureka Springs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The workshop will cover below the surface of story, plot, context, implicit narrative, weaving the dramatic and the subtle, two mistakes with high events, endings can culminate or imply continuation, ending literal or from afar.

The workshop will be taught by Alison Taylor-Brown, Village Writing School director, at the Village Writing School, 177 Huntsville Road in Eureka Springs.

Registration is required, and class size is limited. Cost is $45.

Registration: villagewritingschool.com.

Information: email [email protected] or (479) 292-3665.

Botanical retreat set April 26-27

A herbs and botanical retreat will be April 26 -27 at the Fire Om Earth Retreat and Botanical Sanctuary in Eureka Springs.

On Saturday, get to know plants, medicinals and natives, spend a day with renowned author and photographer of "Medicinal Plants: An Exploration of backyard and into the Woods Medicine" with Steven Foster.

On Sunday during the morning session, participants can expand their relationship to the plant world with Melissa Clare, plant spirit medicine practitioner. In the afternoon session, create a personal medicine wheel, insights into your earth walk with Lorna Trigg.

Early bird registration ends Tuesday.

Registration: fireomearth.com or (479) 363-9402.

Botanical Garden hosts plant sale

The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, 4703 N. Crossover Road in Fayetteville, will hold its annual plant sale from 5 to 8 p.m. April 25 for garden members and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 26 for the public. The sale is free both days, but visitors will need to bring cash or checks to purchase merchandise from area vendors.

Vendors and local plant societies will be selling vegetables, herbs, trees, perennials and hanging baskets. The Botanical Garden will have succulents and butterfly nectar and host plants grown in the greenhouse. The gift shop will offer books on gardening and nature, garden gloves, ladies and youth tee shirts and colorful door mats.

On Friday evening, members will be treated to light refreshments. Proceeds benefit the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks.

Information: [email protected].

History Day set Saturday

On April 19, the Washington County Historical Society will present Civil War History Day, with featured speakers and programs along with activities for children. From 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., talk to the soldiers and residents of the town of Fayetteville during the Civil War. Live music will be playing.

Events include:

m 10-11 a.m. -- Lecture "Women in the Civil War" by Rebecca Howard.

m 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. -- Civil War Medicine and Medicinal Herb program with Doug Kidd, Janice Neighbor and Jane-Ellen Ross

m 12:30-1:30 p.m. -- Civil War music program by the Holmes Brigade Musicians

m 1:45-2 p.m. -- Grandma Stories of Cane Hill College during the Civil War with Linda Doede

m 2 p.m. -- Col. Harrison speaks on the Battle of Fayetteville

m 2:30-4 p.m. -- Headquarters House will be open for touring with docents on hand to tell about the house, its history and furnishings.

Information: (479) 521-2970.

Social media seminar topic

The presenters of Modthink, a professional social media strategy firm from Northwest Arkansas, will review the recent changes in Facebook business pages during the Facebook Business Pages Marketing and Analytics seminar from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the University of Arkansas Reynolds Center. The event is sponsored by the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, Walton College and Modthink.

Bring laptops to work on the Facebook page. Individual page critiques and suggestions will be offered.

Preregistration is required at sbtdc.uark.edu. Cost is $30.

Information: (479) 575-5148.

Blood Center seeks donors

Community Blood Center of the Ozarks will hold blood drives at the following locations:

mFayetteville: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Fayetteville city square, 101 W. Rock St.

mFayetteville: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, Hotz Hall, 1175 W. Cleveland St.

mRogers: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Village on the Creeks, 5211 Village Parkway

mSiloam Springs: noon-4 p.m. Thursday, Arvest Bank, 1645 U.S. 412 West

mSpringdale: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, Shiloh Christian School, 1707 Johnson Road

mSpringdale: 1-5 p.m. Wednesday, Career Academy of Hair Design, 346 E. Robinson Ave.

Information: cbco.org or (800) 280-5337.

Send news about local events, lectures, classes, charity fundraisers and other community news to [email protected]. Deadline is 4 p.m. Tuesday for Sunday publication.

NAN Profiles on 04/13/2014

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