this week’s EVENTS

Editor’s note: Many events have been canceled or postponed due to concern about the coronavirus.

TODAY  SATURDAY Dessert Silent Auction

FAIRFIELD BAY — All this week, a dessert silent auction will be held on the Fairfield Bay Chamber of Commerce Facebook page as part of We Love VBC’s third fundraiser for the Towne Center Beautification/ Mural project. Photos will be posted of the desserts, and participants can bid on items until 5 p.m. Friday. The winners will be contacted through Facebook and may pick up their desserts from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the chamber by driving up and giving their name and the item won. Payment may be in the form of cash or a check made out to We Love VBC.

WEDNESDAY Conway Conversations: ‘This Book is Anti-Racist’

CONWAY — The University of Central Arkansas will offer a free virtual seminar, Conway Conversations: “This Book Is AntiRacist,” at noon. Participants will use selected lessons from the No. 1 New York Times bestseller “This Book Is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action and Do The Work.” This interactive book, written by Tiffany Jewell and illustrated by Aurelia Durand, uses a series of workbook-style lessons to engage readers in understanding race and racism, identity and, ultimately, their own voices and the power to make changes in the world around them.

THURSDAY Recreation and Parks Commission Meeting

RUSSELLVILLE — The Russellville Recreation and Parks Department will have the monthly meeting of the Recreation and Parks Commission at noon in the Hughes Community Center, 1000 E. Parkway Drive. For more information, call the center at (479) 968-1272.

SATURDAY Lucky Leprechaun Lunch and Luscious Desserts

FAIRFIELD BAY — We Love VBC, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit formed to assist Van Buren County in economic development, etc., will host its third fundraiser for the Towne Center Beautification/Mural project. The Lucky Leprechaun Lunch and Luscious Desserts will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Chamber/Visitor Center, 365 Dave Creek Parkway. Lunch will include homemade soup, crackers, a drink and dessert. CDC guidelines will be observed for this drive-by event. Participants will pull up, place an order and pick it up to enjoy at home.

Arkansas Poetry Out Loud

The Arkansas Arts Council, in partnership with Arkansas Heritage, will present Arkansas Poetry Out Loud at 9 a.m. on Zoom. High school students who won poetry competitions via their schools or educational groups will compete for the state title. The virtual event is free and open to the public. Register on Facebook or at www.eventbrite.com/e/arkansas-poetry-out-loudregistration-142144874145. For more information, email drekkia.morning@arkansas.gov, or visit www.arkansasheritage.com/educate/teacher-resources/poetry-out-loud.

ONGOING Veterans Food Pantry

NORTH LITTLE ROCK — The Veterans Villages Helping Hand Program Food Pantry, 8325 MacArthur Drive, serves all veterans, including activeduty, Guard and Reserve service members and their families in Faulkner and Perry counties. The food pantry will be open from 8 a.m. to noon every other Wednesday, including March 10. The Veterans Villages of America Program also helps with unemployment, health care and housing for veterans and service members. For more information, contact Mark Diggs at (501) 442-1237 or mark@diggsandassociates.com, or visit www.veteransvillagesofamerica.org.