Girl Scouts
There will be a fishing derby from 1 to 4 p.m. April 30 at the Elks Lodge in Fayetteville. The event is open to registered Girl Scouts from across Northwest Arkansas and all ages, kindergarten through high school. Individuals will fish in three timed heats by age group. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place in each age group for most fish caught.
There will also be a pop-up shop for Girl Scouts to buy items, and there will be staff present to discuss summer camps, along with representatives from the Women's Dermatologic Society to teach girls about skin care over the summer.
Information: [email protected].
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.
OLLI
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Arkansas has announced the following classes:
• April 18: Diurnal Raptors. A two-hour lecture with a lab session focusing on the diurnal (active during the day) raptors common to Northwest Arkansas, 1 to 3 p.m., Drake Airfield. $29 members, $44 nonmembers.
• April 19: Museum of Native American History: A Snapshot Tour. Join David Bogle, the museum's founder, as he talks about six different eras beginning in 12,000 BC represented in the museum, 10 a.m. to noon, Bentonville. $25 member drive yourself; $40 member ride OLLI bus, $40 nonmember drive yourself; $55 nonmember ride OLLI bus.
• April 22 and 29: Riding the Rails: The History of Railroads in Northwest Arkansas. Discover the rich history of railroads in Northwest Arkansas and how they contributed to the region's development. On April 29 ride the rails from Springdale to Van Buren and back from 9 a.m. to noon. $105 members, $120 nonmembers. (Train tickets included in class cost.)
• April 22: Forest Therapy Walk. Learn from a certified forest therapy guide about the health and wellness benefits of immersion in the forest and natural environment, 1 to 3 p.m., Mount Sequoyah. $29 members, $44 nonmembers.
Information: (479) 575-4545.
Artists 360
The Artists 360 program of Mid-America Arts Alliance combines grantmaking and professional development to strengthen the careers of individual artists of all disciplines in Northwest Arkansas. Artists 360 returns for its fifth year and announces the application period for four categories of artist grants and free combined professional development workshops and information series for area artists.
Offering six $1,500 student grants, 14 $7,500 project grants, five $15,000 Community Activator grants and one $25,000 Creative Impact Award to artists in 2022, Artists 360 includes learning opportunities to develop entrepreneurial skills, build sustainable careers and create a network of leading regional artists in Northwest Arkansas. Applications for Artists 360 open on May 1 and run through June 30.
Information: artists360.art.
Writers' Colony
The Board of Directors of the Writers' Colony at Dairy Hollow recently named Charles L. Templeton eMerge editor emeritus. Templeton is the author of "Boot: A Sorta Novel of Vietnam." He served on the WCDH Board of Directors from 2014 to 2022 and was acquisitions editor for eMerge, the online literary magazine of WCDH. Templeton created eMerge to offer novice and established WCDH writers of diverse genres an opportunity to see their work published and to nurture their artistic endeavors and published the first issue in the summer of 2017.
eMerge will publish four issues in 2022 with about 40 literary pieces in each. It continues to be ad-free and is now edited by a WCDH staff member.
Information: (479) 253-7444 or writerscolony.org.
Free tax prep
Free tax preparation assistance is being provided by IRS certified volunteers at WestArk RSVP in Fort Smith and Rogers. Services are available on a first come, first serve basis ending April 18 at the following locations:
•RSVP Center: 401 N. 13th St., Fort Smith, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
•RSVP Office: 114 N. 34th St., Rogers, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
The required yellow form may be found outside both locations in plastic bins 24 hours a day. This must be completed before getting taxes prepared.
Information: (479) 782-2525, (479) 636-0578 or westarkrsvp.com.
Respect Project
The Fayetteville National Cemetery has asked Bo's Blessings to provide volunteers for a headstone cleaning project in preparation for Memorial Day. The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. April 30 until completed.
All supplies of nontoxic cleaning, brushes, buckets, etc. will be provided.
The project is open to all ages.
Information: (479) 530-7728.
CBCO
Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, a provider of blood for patients at 44 area healthcare facilities, invites motorcycle riders to save lives during the Bikers for Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 23 at Pig Trail Harley-Davidson, 2409 Hudson Road in Rogers. Two CBCO bloodmobiles will be on site to take donations.
During this drive only, successful donors will receive a $10 Pig Trail Harley-Davidson gift card. Donors will also get a commemorative gray T-shirt that lets others know that you "give to ride and ride to give."
CBCO continues to see some shortages of blood, with many reserves at less-than-optimal levels. Appointments are encouraged but not required for this event. Masks are required for all donors. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided for you.
Information: donate.cbco.org
During a recent gathering at the Berryville Fire Station, Mayor Tim McKinney, several volunteer firefighters, along with a group of the Friends of the Berryville Library, presented Alan “Newman” Hulse with the Carla Youngblood Community Service Award. The award, sponsored by the Friends of the Berryville Library, recognizes individuals for their acts of kindness to the community without seeking any recognition. For more information, call (870) 423-2323. (Courtesy photo)