Local Notes

World students

need families

Nonprofit Ayusa International (Academic Year in the USA) is seeking Fayetteville/Springdale host families for exchange students for the 2014-15 school year. Besides giving a foreign high school student the chance of a lifetime to live and study in the United States, host families learn about the people and culture of another corner of the world without ever leaving their local community.

Ayusa's exchange students are 15 to 18 years old and come from more than 60 countries around the world, including Brazil, Japan, Germany, Ecuador, France, the Netherlands, Morocco, China and Spain. All students are fully insured, bring their own spending money and are proficient in English.

Ayusa is an official U.S. Department of State designated Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor.

Information: ayusa.org or (888) 552-9872.

Grief Classes

support families

When grief over the loss of a loved one seems overwhelming, the Grief Center at Circle of Life can help. Their adult and children's six-week grief classes will be held July 29. Orientation for the children's class will be July 22. All Circle of Life bereavement services are open to the community at no charge.

Information: (479) 872-3338.

Master Naturalist

classes offered

The next opportunity to become a Northwest Arkansas Master Naturalist will be during the fall semester at NorthWest Arkansas Community College. Class starts Aug. 26 and will meet from 2 to 4:50 p.m. on Tuesdays. The course title is "Special Topics in Environmental Science: Natural History and Field Identification" or ENSC 2843, and is a team effort between NWACC and the area Master Naturalists.

This course gives students an introduction to techniques for field observation and identification of living organisms and non-living ecosystem features. Instruction will incorporate lecture, hands-on identification practice of living and nonliving features of Ozark ecosystems, nature journaling and field trips to various habitats near campus.

Upon completion of the course, students have the option to earn the title Arkansas Master Naturalist with minimal additional fees paid to the Master Naturalist organization. Joining the Arkansas Master Naturalists will connect students to a community of professionals and volunteers committed to environmental education, wildlife management, ecological restoration and habitat conservation.

Students may opt to audit the class if not interested in receiving college credit, and NWACC tuition is free for adult learners at least 60 years old. There are no prerequisites for the course. The next Saturday class will be offered in the spring.

Information: home.arkansasmasternaturalists.org or nwacc.edu.

Blood Center

seeks donors

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

• Bella Vista: 8 to 10 a.m. Friday, Mercy Bella Vista, 1 Mercy Way

• Bella Vista: noon to 4 p.m. Friday, Allens Food Market, 60 Sugar Creek Center

• Bentonville: 2 to 5 p.m. Monday, Northwest Medical Center Bentonville, 3000 Medical Center Parkway

• Bentonville: 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, BRR Architecture, 700 SE 5th St.

• Bentonville: noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport, 1 Airport Blvd.

• Bentonville: noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Hindu Association of Northwest Arkansas, 2502 SW Regional Airport Blvd.

• Centerton: 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, First Baptist Church, 351 Centerton Blvd.

• Fayetteville: 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, First Security Bank, 1219 E. Joyce Blvd.

• Fayetteville: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Washington Regional Medical Center, 3215 N. North Hills

• Fayetteville: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Haas Hall Academy, 3155 N. College Ave., Suite 8

• Prairie Grove: 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Prairie Grove Christian Church, 611 Villines Road

• Rogers: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Daisy Outdoor Products, 400 W. Stribling Drive

• Springdale: noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Northwest Medical Center, 609 W. Maple Ave.

• Springdale: 8 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, First Security Bank, 2863 W. Sunset Ave.

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

Swim Lessons

For Children

The Bella Vista Village Property Owners Association will offer infant and toddler swim classes at the Metfield Pool.

The classes, which are for children ages 9 months to 3 years, will be available from 11:15 a.m. to noon July 22-25 at the Metfield Pool, 1 Hilltop Drive.

Donna Mayberry, a water safety-certified swim instructor, will facilitate the learning process in a fun, relaxed environment. The classes emphasize positive reinforcement and progress at a comfortable pace for the adult and child.

An adult is required to be in the water with each child, and swim diapers are required for all children not toilet trained.

The classes are $57.50 for members of the association and $60 for guests, and class space is limited to 16 adult/child teams.

Information/registration: (479) 855-8170.

Window display

workshop set

Susan Shaddox, Main Street Arkansas interior design consultant, will hold a window display workshop from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at the Arvest Bank community room at 109 E. University St. in Siloam Springs.

The free workshop, "Designing Window Displays That Sell," is open to any downtown merchants interested in effective commercial window presentations.

Information: (479) 524-4556 or [email protected].

July workshops

target nonprofits

• Board and Staff Governance and Management: Fayetteville Public Library, noon to 1 p.m. July 17, and Bentonville Public Library, noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday. Perhaps the most misunderstood aspect of running a nonprofit organization, this workshop's goal is to show a basic outline of governance principles that every organization needs, regardless of size or age. A clear understanding of a mission statement leads to less conflict, better board recruitment, and marketing materials that are understandable to any potential donor.

• Using Special Events Wisely: Fayetteville Public Library, noon to 1 p.m. July 24, and Bentonville Public Library, noon to 1 p.m. July 29. Special events need to have more than the goal of just raising money. The workshop will help identify which events and goals blend best with an organization's purpose through both publicity and marketing materials.

• Moving on to Real Fundraising: Fayetteville Public Library, noon to 1 p.m. Aug. 12, and Bentonville Public Library, noon to 1 p.m. Aug. 5. Successful organizations rely on a variety of fundraising techniques, ranging from the annual fund to grant writing. Others may find that earned income that melds with their mission can help balance a budget. Their success relies on a combination of board involvement, strong staff leadership or volunteer leaders, and a consistent message in fundraising materials.

• Using Marketing and External Communications Frugally: Fayetteville Public Library, noon to 1 p.m. Aug. 19, and Bentonville Public Library, noon to 1 p.m. Aug. 14. Knowledge of mission and programs help set goals during the budget process. Organizations can have distinctive marketing and external communications if consistency is maintained.

Co-presenters for the four-part series are Connie Hendrix-Kral, with more than 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, and Russ Kuhn of Hotwired Design, with 14 years of experience in marketing and sales.

Information/registration: (479) 715-4930 or nwanonprofit.com.

Red Cross

needs blood

The American Red Cross will hold blood drives at the following locations:

Benton County

• Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. at Marvin's, 240 N. Curtis Ave., Pea Ridge

Washington County

• Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. at Colton's Restaurant, 642 E. Millsap Drive, Fayetteville

• July 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Medical Arts Pharmacy, 2515 E. Huntsville Road, Fayetteville

• July 28 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Walmart, 3919 N. Mall Ave., Fayetteville

Appointments: (800) RED CROSS.

Ozarks Chorus

chooses leader

Prudence Hagan, Bella Vista resident, has been selected to direct the Pride of the Ozarks Chorus in its Sept. 13 show at the Arkansas Arts Academy in Rogers. She replaces Harry Swarts, Holiday Island, who resigned in October 2013.

Pride of the Ozarks is an all male acapella singing organization affiliated with the Barbershop Harmony Society. Hagan brings 22 years of high level experience in Sweet Adelines International, an all female acapella singing organization, to the chorus. Hagan took the SAI ArkApella chorus of Rogers to "Most Improved Chorus" status at a recent competition in Tulsa, Okla.

Hagan works for the Bella Vista Property Owners Association.

Pride of the Ozarks Chorus meets from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Thursdays at Apple Blossom Residence Community Room, 2501 N. 22nd St. in Rogers.

Men who like to sing are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Information: Jim Nugent, [email protected], (479) 855-7980 or (479) 621-3372.

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 07/13/2014

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