Arts Awards
The Arkansas Arts Council is accepting nominations for the 2022 Governor's Arts Awards. The deadline to nominate a recipient is Sept. 3.
"We are proud to be able to honor and recognize those who have made significant contributions to the arts and the creative economy in Arkansas," said Stacy Hurst, secretary of the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. "For more than 25 years, our awards have showcased the artists and arts supporters who teach, promote, advocate and support the arts that improve our quality of life."
The annual awards program recognizes individuals, organizations and businesses for their outstanding contributions to the arts in Arkansas. Recipients are nominated by the public, then selected by an independent panel of arts professionals.
Nominations are open in the following categories: Arts Community Development, Arts in Education, Corporate Sponsorship of the Arts, Folklife, Individual Artist, Patron and Lifetime Achievement awards. The recipients will be honored at a ceremony in the spring.
Nominees must be current Arkansas residents or Arkansas-based corporations or organizations. Outstanding artists, arts patrons, corporate sponsors, arts education coordinators and local leaders in arts development are all eligible.
"Arkansas has a thriving arts community, and we are seeking nominations that highlight those who are the backbone of the arts in Arkansas," said Patrick Ralston, director of the Arkansas Arts Council. "These are the arts supporters, patrons and artists who have helped to build and strengthen arts communities across our state."
Information: arkansasarts.org or [email protected].
Veterans
The Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks in Fayetteville and its Community Based Outpatient Clinics will accept entries for the local National Veterans Creative Arts Festival from Aug. 2 to 31.
The competition is an annual event that provides Veterans receiving treatment at VA facilities the opportunity to participate in creative self-expression in art, creative writing, dance, drama and music as part of their therapy, and to gain recognition for these artistic accomplishments.
To qualify for entry, veterans must be enrolled at a VA medical facility or CBOC before entering the local competition. This facility should be the site where he/she receives their primary care.
• There are five divisions: Visual art, creative writing, dance, drama and music.
• Veterans may only submit one entry per category.
• All artwork entered must have been created after April 1, 2020, except for military combat experience entries.
Information: (479) 444-4086.
Red Cross
The American Red Cross has an emergency need for lifesaving blood amid the ongoing severe blood shortage. Blood donations continue to be critical to meet hospital demand and the public is urged to make an appointment to give now.
The Red Cross has been distributing about 12% more blood products to hospitals across the U.S. compared to this time last year. The Red Cross needs to collect more than 1,000 additional blood donations each day to meet the current hospital demand and end the severe blood shortage. Donors of all blood types are needed, especially type O, which stands at just a one-day supply right now.
In most cases, those who have received a covid-19 vaccine can donate. However, knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they received is important in determining donation eligibility.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities include:
• Cave Springs: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 6, Absolute Heat & Air, 1083 E. Lowell Ave.
• Gentry: 1:30-5:30 p.m. Aug. 2, First Baptist Church of Gentry, 221 W. Main St.
• Lowell: 1-6 p.m. Aug. 9, The Grove Comedy Club, 808 S. Bloomington St.
• Rogers: 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Aug. 3, Country Club Plaza, 4204 S. Pinnacle Hills Parkway; noon-6 p.m. Aug. 4, Elmwood Middle School, 1610 S. 13th St.; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 5, Pinnacle Country Club Clubhouse, 3 S. Clubhouse Drive; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 10, Johnson & Johnson, 3100 Market St., Suite 300; 1-6 p.m. Aug. 12, Rogers Convention Center, 3201 Pinnacle Hills Parkway
• Siloam Springs: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 5, John Brown University - Siloam Springs, 2000 W. University St., Walton Lifetime Health Complex, Court 2
• Fayetteville: 1-5 p.m. Aug. 2, Colton's Restaurant, 642 E. Millsap Drive; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 11, Rise Physical Therapy, 2668 E. Citizens Drive No. 6
• Prairie Grove: 1-6 p.m. Aug. 9, Prairie Grove First United Methodist Church, 1401 E Parks St.
Information: redcrossblood.org, (800) 733-2767.
Hope Cancer
The Wellness Center for Hope at Hope Cancer Resources offers a yoga, meditation and fitness class for cancer patients and caregivers in person, via Zoom and YouTube.
Their team of counselors and social workers support cancer patients and their families every day with a focus on emotional health, no matter the circumstances.
A certified tobacco treatment specialist is available to support those looking to quit smoking with nicotine replacement therapy and counseling.
Those in need of medical supplies, liquid nutrition or durable medical equipment, such as shower chairs or walkers, are asked to reach out. Donations of new or gently used items are also accepted.
Information: (479) 361-5847 or hopecancerresources.org.
Girl Scouts
Girl Scouts; Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas recognized Nicole Bresette of Pea Ridge; Amanda Clark of Bentonville; Lindsay Dees of Springdale; Jennifer Gilmore of Fayetteville; Pamela Hudson of Rogers; Brandy January of Springdale; Sarah Livengood of Fayetteville; Terri McGuire of Bentonville; Shannon Splittorff of Bentonville; Tammy Sutherland of Pea Ridge; and Jennifer Stevens of Fayetteville for their service at the organization's annual meeting and leadership conference July 24 at the virtual 2021 Diamonds Awards Ceremony.
Stevens received the Diamonds Leader of the Year award honoring leaders who have served for at least five years and have made a substantial impact on the service unit. Since taking over leadership of Troop 4398, it has doubled in size and has expanded from one to multiple elementary schools.
Sutherland received the Diamonds Volunteer of the Year award honoring volunteers who have made a substantial impact on the service unit. As troop leader of Troops 5456 and 5407 and service unit treasurer, her dedication has allowed girls and leaders to create memorable experiences. She has also helped her troops transition to a new way of Girl Scouting during the pandemic.
Splittorff received the Girl Scouts -- Diamonds Myra Vinson Award honoring volunteers who have made an impact beyond the Girl Scout community. Splittorff has served for the past nine years as a troop leader for Troop 5848, a Council Advisory Team (C.A.T.) delegate and venture out trainer, as well as being a mentor to other service unit leaders. She has created a unique Girl Scout experience by allowing girls to lead the way in deciding what they want out of their Girl Scout experience.
Nicole Bresette, Amanda Clark, Lindsay Dees, Pamela Hudson, Brandy January and Terri McGuire were awarded the Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) Appreciation Pin for making an impact on one or more areas of service.
Livengood received the GSUSA Honor Pin recognizing her exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE). And Gilmore received the Volunteer of Excellence award honoring volunteers who have made a substantial impact on the service unit.
Information: girlscoutsdiamonds.org/volunteer