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COMMUNITY EVENTS IN THE TRI-LAKES AREA

MONDAY Play to Learn

BENTON — Children ages 4 and younger are invited to join activities meant to engage and encourage healthy development at 10:30 a.m. at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library. For more information, call (501) 778-4766.

Natural History Education Company of the Midsouth Presentation

BENTON — The Natural History Education Company of the Midsouth will present animals that crow, chirp and bray at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library. For more information, call (501) 778-4766.

Benton Book Club

BENTON — The Benton Book Club will meet at 4:30 p.m. at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library. This book club is for adults ages 18 and older. For more information, call (501) 778-4766.

Sign With Song

BENTON — Adults ages 18 and older are invited to learn sign language with Laura through song at 6 p.m. at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library. For more information, call (501) 778-4766.

TUESDAY Archeological Society Meeting

HOT SPRINGS — The Ouachita Chapter of the Arkansas Archeological Society will meet at 7 p.m. in the Fordyce Room at National Park Medical Center. The program, The Archeology of Foodways at Hollywood Plantation, will be presented by Jodi A. Barnes. For more information, contact Meeks Etchieson at ouachitachapter@gmail.com.

Baby and Me

BENTON — Babies up to 18 months old and their caregivers are invited to share books, songs, rhymes, music, movement and play at 9:30 a.m. at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library. For more information, call (501) 778-4766.

Master Builders

BENTON — Children ages 5 to 7 are invited to build with wooden blocks, natural objects, recycled items and more at 10:30 a.m. at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library. There will be a new challenge each week. For more information, call (501) 778-4766.

Thistlebryt: Defense Against the Dark Arts

BENTON — Youth ages 13 to 18 are invited to the Thistlebryt: Defense Against the Dark Arts escape room at 3 p.m. at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library. Attendees will try to solve the puzzle and battle the Dementor. For more information, call (501) 778-4766.

Salsa Dancing

BENTON — Dancing enthusiasts of all skill levels, ages 18 and older, are invited to join Mrs. Andrea of Andrea’s School of Dance for a lesson on salsa dancing at 6 p.m. at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library. Couples are preferred, and registration is limited. For more information or to register in advance, call Aldo at

(501) 778-4766, ext. 1304.

TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY Tween Sensory Competition

BENTON — Youth ages 8 to 12 are invited to a super sensory competition at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday and at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library. Competitors will earn points for their teams by using one of their senses at a time in different challenges. For more information, call (501) 778-4766.

WEDNESDAY Kids Craft

BENTON — Children ages 5 to 7 are invited to paint a birdhouse at 3 p.m. at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library. For more information, call (501) 778-4766.

THURSDAY Reading Buddies

BENTON — School-age children are invited to schedule a time to practice reading with a teen buddy and hang out in the reading tents from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library. For more information or to register in advance, call (501) 778-4766.

Watercolor Class

BENTON — Painting enthusiasts of all skill levels, ages 18 and older, are invited to a watercolor class at 10 a.m. at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library. For more information, call

(501) 778-4766.

Yoga at the Library

BENTON — Yoga practitioners of all skill levels, ages 18 and older, are invited to join professional instructors from The Bent Lily for a free yoga class at 6 p.m. at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library. Attendees are asked to bring a mat and a bottle of water. For more information, call

(501) 778-4766.

THURSDAY  JULY 15

Singin’ in the Rain Jr. BENTON — The Young Players will present the stage adaption of Singin’ in the Rain Jr. at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 2 p.m. Saturday and July 15 at the Royal Theatre, 111 S. Market St. Mollie Richey directs the local production, and Heidi McCartney is the musical director. Tickets are $15 for general admission; $12 for senior citizens and college students; and $6 for preschool and elementary school students. Visit www.theroyalplayers.com to buy tickets online, or call (501) 315-LIVE to make reservations.

FRIDAY Out of the Box Story Time

BENTON — Librarians will present Out of the Box Story Time, filled with songs, stories, puppets, props and more, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library. After the program, the staff will check on the Million Minute Challenge progress and do a silly challenge. This program is intended for all ages, although kids ages 3 to 10 will likely enjoy it most. For more information, call (501) 778-4766.

SATURDAY Arkansas Blood Institute Blood Drive

BENTON — The Arkansas Blood Institute will collect blood, plasma and platelets from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library. Donors must be 18 years or older. For more information, call (501) 778-4766.

ONGOING Stitchery Spectacle

ARKADELPHIA — The Arkadelphia Arts Center, 625 Main St., will present its latest exhibit, Stitchery Spectacle, through Aug. 17. The exhibit will feature quilting, knitting, felting, yarn art and more. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. For more information, call (870) 403-8216.

July Art Exhibit

HOT SPRINGS — The July exhibit at the Justus Fine Art Gallery, 827A Central Ave., includes new work by Dustyn Bork, Robert Fogel, Matthew Hasty, Dolores Justus, Jill Kyong and Sandra Sell. Pieces by Robyn Horn, Tony Saladino, Gene Sparling and others are also featured. The show will be on display through July 31. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday or by appointment. For more information, call (501) 321-2335 or visit justusfineart.com.

Bryant Library Temporary Closing

BRYANT — The Mable Boswell Memorial Library in Bryant is closed for an interior remodel and is expected to reopen in mid-August. The Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library in Benton has added hours from 1-5 p.m. Sundays during June and July. Bryant-branch patrons can still borrow e-books, and the Benton branch will host Summer Reading programs. For a schedule of events, visit the Benton library’s Facebook page or website, and for more information, visit www.

salinecountylibrary.org or call (501) 778-4766.

Free Exercise Opportunities

ARKADELPHIA — The Central Arkansas Development Council’s Arkadelphia Senior Activity Center, 1305 N. 10th St., offers a free Zumba class, geared for seniors ages 60 and older, at 11 a.m. every Wednesday and a free exercise class, Moving to the Beat, at 11 a.m. Mondays. Chair volleyball is played from 10:15-11 a.m. Monday through Wednesday, and beanbag baseball is played after lunch at approximately noon Monday through Friday. For more information, call the center at (870) 246-9871.

Alzheimer’s Caretaker Support Group

BENTON — The Alzheimer’s Arkansas Caretaker Support Group meets from 2-4 p.m. the third Thursday of every month at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library. For more information, call (501) 778-4766. Ageless Bikers Club HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — The Ageless Bikers Club has 10 different bike rides that are 16 to 35 miles long. The rides are on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays on quiet paved country roads (one ride has up to 3 miles of gravel). No one is left behind, and the group stops often to regroup and socialize. Several rides are “out and back,” so the beginner can turn back for a shorter ride. Start times for the rides are seasonal, so for a schedule, contact Dave O’Brien at (830) 285-5129 or djob1947boom@gmail.com.

UPCOMING Retirement Reception

BENTON — A retirement reception to honor Larry Cogburn for 46 years of service to the Central Arkansas Development Council will take place from 1-3 p.m. July 26 at the Benton Senior Wellness and Activity Center, 1800 Citizens Drive. For more information, call 501-778-1133.

To submit an event, mail information to Calendar of Events, Tri-Lakes Edition, P.O. Box 221, Little Rock, AR 72203; fax (501) 378-3500; or email tlnews@arkansasonline.com.

The deadline for calendar-item submissions is noon Tuesday each week.