Local notes

Photo courtesy Jessica Antola Award-winning playwright Stephen Karam will participate in two public events -- a writing workshop and an artist forum -- Feb. 14 at Fayetteville Public Library. In the workshop, Karam will lead participants in a scene study from his Tony Award-winning play, "The Humans," in production through Feb. 18 at Fayetteville's TheatreSquared. The workshop, set for 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the library's Ann Henry Board Room, is open to all members of the writing community. Class size is limited, and registration is required at faylib.org. KUAF's Kyle Kellams will lead a TheatreSquared Artist Forum on "The Humans" at 6 p.m. in the library's Walker Community Room. The intimate conversation will include forum participants Karam, play director Shana Gold and TheatreSquared artistic director Bob Ford. The event is open to the public. Information: (479) 856-7207.
Photo courtesy Jessica Antola Award-winning playwright Stephen Karam will participate in two public events -- a writing workshop and an artist forum -- Feb. 14 at Fayetteville Public Library. In the workshop, Karam will lead participants in a scene study from his Tony Award-winning play, "The Humans," in production through Feb. 18 at Fayetteville's TheatreSquared. The workshop, set for 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the library's Ann Henry Board Room, is open to all members of the writing community. Class size is limited, and registration is required at faylib.org. KUAF's Kyle Kellams will lead a TheatreSquared Artist Forum on "The Humans" at 6 p.m. in the library's Walker Community Room. The intimate conversation will include forum participants Karam, play director Shana Gold and TheatreSquared artistic director Bob Ford. The event is open to the public. Information: (479) 856-7207.

Climate crisis

today's topic

The Omni Center for Peace, Justice and Ecology will host Lolly Tindol at the Climate Change Forum meeting at 1:30 p.m. today at the Fayetteville Public Library.

The sustainability challenges of yesterday have become today's resilience crises, Tindol says. National and global efforts have failed to stop climate change, transition from fossil fuels, and reduce inequality. We must now confront these and other increasingly complex problems by building resilience at the community level. But what does that mean in practice, and how can it be done in a way that's effective and equitable?

The Community Resilience Reader, Tindol's chosen book, offers a new vision for creating resilience, through essays by leaders in such varied fields as science, policy, community building and urban design. From Post Carbon Institute, the producers of the award-winning The Post Carbon Reader, The Community Resilience Reader is a valuable resource for students, community leaders, and concerned citizens.

Information: (479) 856-7000 or faylib.org.

Blood center

seeks donors

Winter weather has impacted blood reserves. While reserves of blood for area patient use have improved, many types are still short of optimum levels at the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, the sole local provider of blood for patients at 40 area hospitals in southwest Missouri, northwest Arkansas and southeast Kansas. Type O negative, A negative and A positive remain at less than a one-day reserve supply, with other types near those levels. Donations are needed to help build back up those reserve levels.

You can help by giving blood at these upcoming blood drives:

•Holiday Island: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, Holiday Island Elks Lodge, 4 Parkcliff Drive

•Harrison: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Bergman High School, 8949 Highway 7 N.

•Springdale: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, Shiloh Christian School, 1707 Johnson Road

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

Free yoga

classes set

During National Heart Awareness Month in February, Washington Regional will present a variety of heart-health education events with a goal of reaching a wide range of ages.

The first community event is Come as You Are Yoga, presented 11 a.m. to noon Monday at the Pat Walker Center for Seniors, 12 E. Appleby Road in Fayetteville. This free class, led by certified yoga instructor Kristen Gemeiner of the Washington Regional Center for Exercise, is designed as an introduction to yoga. With a focus on beginner poses and easy range-of-motion activities, it is a perfect way to try out this low-impact, meditative exercise. No special equipment required; comfortable clothing recommended.

Information: (479) 463-3125

JBU marks

Tet date

John Brown University will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Tet Offensive, the military campaign that became a turning point in the Vietnam War, at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Simmons Great Hall.

Titled "The Vietnam War & the Men Who Fought It," the event will feature personal stories from three combat Vietnam veterans and a presentation by Col. Anita Deason, retired National Guard Colonel and current military affairs liaison for Arkansas Sen. John Boozman.

The three combat Vietnam veterans who will speak are Jerry Toler, who served as door gunner and crew chief aboard Chinook helicopters from 1967 to 1968; Derl Horn, who served as a Marine at Con Thien in the second half of 1967; and Kenneth Buchanan, who served as a Marine and was wounded and evacuated on the first day of the Battle of Hue City.

Deason, who will also give a presentation at the event, served in the military for 33 years, transitioning from a variety of command and staff assignments, including detachment commander, company commander and ultimately Colonel. Throughout her career, Deason has earned numerous decorations and awards such as Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal and the Arkansas Commendation Medal.

The event is free and open to the public.

Information: (479) 549-7268.

Launch party

seeks people

Join us at the Alzheimer's Association office from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday in Rogers to learn about serving on the 2018 Volunteer Committee for The Longest Day, an event that raises funds and awareness for the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer's Association.

Information: (479) 273.5559.

Omni Center

hosts gathering

The Omni Center welcomes members and guests to attend their annual gathering from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday at the Mount Sequoyah Center, 150 N. Skyline Drive in Fayetteville.

"Keeping the Flame Alive....Together" presents the variety of Omni Center programs, projects and partner groups who will provide a fascinating display of their activities and achievements. Visit with project volunteers and find out more about their work.

The evening's program will feature a Celebration of Women's Music featuring Rochelle Bradshaw, Emily Kaitz, Ginger Doss, Jori Costello, Blue Rues, and The Flame Keepers.

Children are welcome and can enjoy a children's activity program. Veggie and vegan lasagna dinner will be served gluten free also available.

Admission is a suggested $15 donation for adults but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Information: (479) 935-4422 or facebook.com/omnicenter.

Race talks

to be held

A panel discussion on "Race in Arkansas -- 2018 Benton County Black History Month Event" will be presented by Public Discussion NWA with Jon Comstock, former Benton County Circuit Judge as moderator. This free event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 17 at Peterson Auditorium of the Shewmaker Center for Global Business Development on the campus of Northwest Arkansas Community College, 1 College Drive in Bentonville.

No pre-registration is required and light refreshments will be served.

Information: (479) 659-1767 or joncomstock.com.

Writing school

goes online

The Village Writing School, located in the Center for Nonprofits at St. Mary's in Rogers, is expanding its program with online workshops in which writers can participate from their own computers or phones.

The upcoming online workshops will be Self-Publishing on Feb. 17 and a complete series on the Elements of Writing Craft such as character, setting, and dialogue beginning in April.

There is also an every-other-week live online support group called Writers Who Write, which aims to provide continual encouragement, accountability and community for writers determined to make 2018 a successful year for their work. This can be joined immediately.

Planning is under way for a national online summit on "Telling the Historical Story" with an array of bestselling authors including Heather Webb, author of Becoming Josephine and Rodin's Lover; Pamela Toler, author of the PBS collaboration, Heroines of Mercy Street; Stephanie Storey, author of Oil and Marble, and a lineup of other best-selling historical authors.

"Teaching online allows the Village Writing School to offer our local writers the most excellent instruction at an affordable price," says Alison Taylor-Brown, Village Writing School director. "Now we have can present writers of the caliber of Heather Webb without having to pay their travel to Northwest Arkansas. Now, anyone anywhere can teach us anything about writing. This is a huge resource for local writers. And it allows people who can't always drive to Rogers a chance to participate, as well."

Information: VillageWritingSchool.com or email [email protected].

Conversations

begin April 13

The Arkansas Agriculture Department's Arkansas Grown Program has announced a regional Local Conversations event from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 13 at the Brightwater Center in Bentonville. The event helps create connections between local farmers and producers with the buying community, provide increased marketing opportunities for locally grown produce and products, and also highlight the health benefits of Arkansas specialty crops. Offerings will include networking, farm-to-school training and a vendor showcase. Online event registration is available.

Farm to School training will be hosted during the morning session, which will target Arkansas school cafeteria representatives and meal coordinators, as well as producers, farmers, and others with an interest in Farm to School efforts.

Events are free, but space is limited. Attendees can choose to attend single or multiple sessions at each event.

Information/reservations: (501) 683-4851, aad.arkansas.gov/aad-programs, arkansasgrown.org or email [email protected].

Reunion set

in Clarksville

A reunion of all who attended Clarksville's Holy Redeemer Catholic School will be held June 23-24 in the church hall. Alumni are asked to RSVP.

Information: (479) 754-8417 or email [email protected].

Sallyann Brown

teaches in April

Those who wish to learn the basics of fly casting will want to attend the Fly Casting 101 workshop to be held from noon to 4 p.m. April 29 at the Hobbs State Park Conservation Area visitor center. Two hours of instruction will be in the classroom, and two hours will be outside. Participants will learn four basic casts, the six basic types of flies, (lures) how to cast and "play" the flies in the water, how to read water, how to wade, how to purchase and assemble your equipment, how to store your equipment, as well as how to tie the four basic knots used by fly fishers. All equipment will be provided.

The workshop will be taught by Sallyann Brown, past recipient of the "Woman of the Year" and the "Federation of Fly Fishers Educator of the Year" awards from the Federation of Fly Fishers, Inc.

Minimum age is 12 yrs. Cost will be $35 per person plus tax. Reservations and pre-payment required.

Information: (479) 789-5000.

Line dance

class set

A beginners line dance class will meet from 12:45 to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays at Riordan Hall in Bella Vista. Registration fee for this class is $20. There is also a $30 annual fee payable to Riordan Hall. Those who do not have a Bella Vista photo ID will pay Riordan Hall $2.50 per class.

The class will be taught by Kristine Schaap, who has taught the beginners class for several years. New dancers will have the opportunity to learn line-dancing steps and dances that use these steps. They will also receive handouts, lots of practice and personal attention. Line dancing is an enjoyable way to get great exercise.

Information: (479) 876-2715.

HFH seeks

volunteers

Horses for Healing is reaching out to the local community for volunteers to help make a positive difference in the lives of children with special needs across Northwest Arkansas. The spring sessions will begin in February.

Volunteer applications are being accepted at this time, in order to be registered for the upcoming orientations to help with our spring classes. No horse experience is needed, only a love for children. Minimum age of volunteers is 14.

HFH provides therapeutic riding lessons to children with special needs which help them grow physically, mentally and emotionally. Oftentimes, children achieve breakthroughs in the saddle that traditional therapies have not been able to accomplish. Volunteers receive the privilege of seeing these young lives change each week as a unique bond forms among the team of child, horse and volunteer. Volunteer duties include walking alongside the child as they ride and assisting with the activities they engage in during the lesson. But the volunteer's greatest impact is the positive influence they build with the children.

Horses for Healing is located at 14673 Daniels Road in Bentonville.

Information: (479) 586-0504, horsesforhealingnwa.org or email [email protected].

NAN Profiles on 02/04/2018

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