COMMUNITY DIGEST
Family Game Night
Siloam Springs Parks and Recreation will host Family Game Night from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 5 at the Community Building, located at 110 North Mt. Olive St. Participants will have the opportunity to play bingo and a variety of board games. This event will be a fun time for all ages. Refreshments will be served.
Cops and Kids 2017
Donations for the Cops and Kids program will be collected at the Siloam Springs Walmart Supercenter from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17. There will also be two donation boxes in the Siloam Springs Police Department lobby to collect new toys and non-perishable food items. The program is sponsored by the Siloam Springs Regional Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #68 in partnership with the Siloam Springs Police Department. For more information call Officer DeAndra Strickland at the SSPD at 479-524-4118.
Street Closing
The City of Siloam Springs will be closing Lake Francis Drive from South Mt. Olive Street to Wood Tree Court for two weeks, starting on Monday, Dec. 11. Residents will be able to travel east from their homes, but the street will be completely closed at Mt. Olive to all traffic. Crews will be relocating utilities and installing a sidewalk.
Friends of the Library’s Christmas selection
The Friends of the Library Bookstore — located in Siloam Springs Public Library — has an assortment of gently used books, CDs, DVDs, audio books — most priced under $2. Featured this month is a nice selection of Christmas and children’s books. Signs in the library will guide patrons to the bookstore area which is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Friends of the Library uses all proceeds from the store to benefit the library, especially the children’s summer reading programs. Donations of used books and electronic media in good condition are always welcomed.
Meals on Wheels
The Siloam Springs Meals on Wheels program has a new volunteer opening to deliver meals on Fridays. The route starts at 10:45 a.m. and it takes an hour to complete. For more information, call 479-524-5735.
Coat Drive
New and gently used coats and sweaters of all sizes, especially children’s sizes, are being collected for those in need. They will be distributed at the clothing giveaway at Eastgate Church of Christ from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the first Friday of the month. Items also are offered to nursing home residents and students at local schools. All coats will be cleaned by Snappy Dry Cleaners. Coats can be dropped off at the office of Dr. Susan Vaughan, at My Family Eye Care, located at 820 Stateline Road in West Siloam Springs, or at Snappy Dry Cleaners located at 618 Holly Street, or at Eastgate Church of Christ located at 1997 East U.S. Highway 412. For more information, call Joyce at 918-422-5811.
Vietnam Veterans
In recognition of the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Tet Offensive of the Vietnam War, John Brown University history professor Preston Jones is collecting memories and stories from local veterans. If you served in Vietnam during the conflict, in any capacity at any time, contact Professor Jones at 479-238-8688 or pjones@jbu.edu.
Health Insurance Open Enrollment
Open enrollment in the health insurance marketplace has begun. To enroll, log into HealthCare.gov, fill out an application and enroll in a 2018 Marketplace health plan. The deadline is Dec. 15 and coverage begins on Jan. 1, 2018. Siloam Springs Regional Hospital offers free assistance for anyone interested. Contact Laura Craig with eligibility screening services at 479-215-3137 to schedule a free appointment.
Yoga classes
Bridges to Wellness and the Siloam Springs Parks and Recreation Department are sponsoring Yoga classes. Classes will be 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday nights at the Moss House located at 311 S. Mt. Olive Street. The cost for classes is $3. For more information, call Sarah Losh at 479-549-3143.
Get Fit exercise class
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service in Benton County is offering a group fitness program, Extension Get Fit, to help adults increase strength, flexibility and balance. The research-based strength training program uses dumbbells and ankle weights to improve fitness in a fun and relaxed onehour class. It is conducted by Susan Pickle, County Extension Agent and certified instructor. Sessions will meet twice weekly at 9 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. The cost is $12 for the 10-week program and includes all sessions and a fitness assessment. For more information, contact Susan Pickle at 479-271-1060 or at spickle@uaex.edu.
Fire Department feedback
The Siloam Springs Fire Department has announced a new Emergency Medical Services Customer Survey. This will allow individuals who have been treated by a city ambulance to provide honest and confidential feedback into their experience. Customers can provide valuable insight and feedback into the Fire Department’s performance.
“Our goal is to constantly strive to improve the quality of the services that we provide to the citizens,” said Siloam Springs Fire Department Chief Jeremey Criner. “The feedback that we receive will be an integral part of our quality improvement program.”
If you’ve had any interaction with the City’s EMS crews, please take a few minutes to fill out the EMS Customer Survey located on the Fire Department page of the City website, www.siloamsprings.com/199/Fire
Senior Activity Center
The Siloam Springs Senior Activity & Wellness Center invites anyone over the age of 60 to come to the center for lunch.
The center is located at 750 Heritage Court. Cost for lunch is $3 donation per meal. There is an exercise room and game room for guests’ enjoyment. If you need a ride, the center’s van can pick you up. Call 479-524-5735 for more information. Menus and activities calendar is available in the lobby.
While We’re Waiting
While We’re Waiting is a grief support group designed specifically for parents who have lost children. The group, led by Don and Deondra Chamberlain, meets the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at Sager Creek Community Church, located at 1600 Cheri Whitlock Drive in Siloam Springs. Refreshments are served. For more information, call 479-549-7005.