Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Local notes
BLOOD DRIVE
The American Red Cross and the University of Arkansas Associated Student Government will team up for an inaugural Fall Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Arkansas Union, Fifth Floor Ballroom, 435 N. Garland Ave. in Fayetteville. The Northwest Arkansas communities are invited to join the students, faculty and alumni by rolling up their sleeve to help save a life.
There is currently a national blood shortage. Fewer donors than needed gave this summer, drawing down the national blood supply and reducing distributions of some of the most needed blood types to hospitals.
Donors of all blood types are urgently needed, and there is an emergency need for platelet donors and type O blood donors.
Information: redcrossblood.org or (800) 733-2767.
WRITERS’ COLONY
The Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow will host the September Poetluck, an open mic style poetry reading event, beginning at 6 p.m. Sept. 21 at 515 Spring St. featuring writer Tim Caldwell.
Writers of all genres and experience levels are invited to join in and share their poems, stories, songs and essays with the audience.
Caldwell is a playwright, essayist and short story writer. A sixth generation Californian, he fell in love with the Ozarks and now lives in Springfield, Mo. He holds degrees in art, theatre and teaching, which led to work as a restaurateur, caterer, artist, designer, actor, stage director and educator. He is a special education teacher and the adoptive father of six kids. He shares his life with his husband and their dogs, cats, chickens and fish. He loves to write, garden, paint, sing, cook, travel and take naps whenever possible.
WCDH will present Pocket Poetry Field Guide, a workshop taking place at 3 p.m. Sept. 25 featuring Traci Brimhall, Poet Laureate of Kansas.
In this two-hour workshop, participants will complete a basic book arts project. The class will also take a short walk during which they will read some poems about nature and then write a nature poem. No previous poetry or book arts experience is required, but good walking shoes are suggested.
Brimhall is an accomplished writer with numerous awards and National recognition. She holds degrees from Florida State University (BA), Sarah Lawrence College (MFA), and Western Michigan University (PhD). She works as a Professor at Kansas State University, where she directs the creative writing program and holds the Donnelly Faculty Award in English. She also serves as the Poet Laureate for the state of Kansas (2023-26). Her next collection, Love Prodigal, will be published by Copper Canyon Press in 2024. She is the author of four other collections of poetry.
Information: (479) 2537444 or writerscolony.org/events.
BEAVER WATERSHED ALLIANCE
The Beaver Watershed Alliance is hosting a Party in the Park Friendraiser for landowners and partners from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 21 in Bunch Park, 162 Church Ave. in Elkins. There will be live music, a BBQ dinner, silent auction and raffle and other family fun.
Music will be by Jumpsuit Jamey and the Can’t Wait to Playboys. Dinner will be by Girls Gone BBQ.
Tickets are $25 per person, kids 12 and younger are free.
Information: beaverwatershedalliance.org/beaverwatershedalliance.org/event/2023-friendraiser.
YOUTH ACADEMY
The City of Rogers is accepting applications for the upcoming Mayor’s Youth Academy. This program is designed for young individuals to gain practical knowledge in local government while actively contributing to the community of Rogers.
The Mayor’s Youth Academy meets monthly through the school year and covers a wide range of topics, including legislature, budgeting, project planning, public safety, community development, utilities and parks and recreation.
Applications for the Mayor’s Youth Academy will be accepted until Sept. 29.
Information: rogersar.gov/mya or email youthacademy@rogersar.gov.
NAVY
Airman Apprentice Jaiden Allgood, a native of Siloam Springs, serves the U.S. Navy as a member of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 50 located in San Diego, California.
Allgood joined the Navy less than a year ago and serves as a naval air crewman (mechanical).
“I joined the Navy to follow in my father’s footsteps and carry on his legacy,” said Allgood. “I also wanted to do my part too and serve others before myself.”
Growing up in Siloam Springs, Allgood attended Siloam Springs High School and graduated in 2021.
Today, Allgood relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Siloam Springs to succeed in the military.
“Growing up, I learned to have good ethics and morals from my parents,” said Allgood. “I learned that you need to have perseverance in life in order to be successful.”
These lessons have helped Allgood while serving at VRM 50.
Information: outreach.navy.mil.
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