MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Now through Dec. 10

The annual Friends of the Library Christmas Basket Silent Auction, an annual library fundraiser, begins. The baskets will be up through Dec. 10, and people will be able to bid during library hours. There will be several baskets and a few standalone items up for bid. The Bella Vista Public Library is located just east of Town Center, off Lancashire Boulevard (Arkansas Highway 340 East, turn at the Bella Vista Baptist Church) at 11 Dickens Place. For more information, call the Library at 479-855-1753.

Thursday, Dec. 8

Learn more about the architecture of Crystal Bridges Museum in an hour-long architecture tour that will introduce you to the unique architectural features of Moshe Safdie’s design and provide insights into some of the special challenges the Museum’s site posed to engineers. Note: This is an indoor/ outdoor tour, weather permitting. An alternate indoor route is offered in case of inclement weather. No tickets are necessary. Each tour accommodates a maximum of 15 participants. The tour begins in the lower lobby at 4 p.m. Please arrive five minutes in advance.

Friday, Dec. 9

Art Garfunkle will perform at the Walton Art Center starting at 8 p.m. Although it has been over 40 years since “Bridge Over Troubled Water” was recorded, Garfunkel’s image and signature vocal remain among the most instantly recognizable in popular music. He has made an indelible mark on the music world as both a solo artist and as half of the unrivaled Simon & Garfunkel. After the best-selling duo parted ways in 1970, Garfunkel landed several major film roles, published a collection of poetry and began a trek across America on foot. But those experiences couldn’t keep him away from his true love: singing live in front of an audience. Performing for the first time on the WAC stage, Garfunkel’s golden voice will send shivers down your spine.

Saturday, Dec. 10

Village on the Lakes Writers & Poets announces this month’s Second Saturday Open Mic Night and Author Series features local author Talya Tate Boerner. The event is from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Artist Retreat Center in Bella Vista. It is free and open to the public. Boerner’s first published book, “The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee,” is a story set on a cotton crop farm in the Delta Lands of Mississippi County, Ark. Boerner currently lives with her family in Fayetteville, Ark.

At 3 p.m., Bella Vista Women’s Chorus and featured guests, the Perfect Harmony Women’s Barbershop Chorus, present “Holiday Sing,” a benefit for the Library expansion project, at First United Methodist Church, 20 Boyce Dr. A free-will offering will be taken.

The holiday concert, “Sounds of the Season,” will be presented by students from the Will Bush Violin Studio from 2 to 3:30 p.m. The Shiloh Museum of Ozark History is located at 118 W. Johnson Ave. in Springdale.

Mario Murillo will return to Northwest Arkansas Dec. 10-11 for special meetings being held at Word of Life Christian Center, 808 SW 14th St., Bentonville. Meetings will be held at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 and at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11. Pastor Bill Rogers is hosting the meetings along with Pastors Vincent Xavier of New Wine Ministry and Kin Maddox of Gateway Church in Fayetteville. There will be healing ministries taking place.

The Bentonville Christmas Parade takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Bentonville Square. Whether you have entered a float or just enjoy a good show, this is a wonderful tradition to share with family and friends. Also visit the Winter Market on the Square from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., a wonderful opportunity to purchase unique holiday gifts. Whether you are looking for some sweet treats to share or a special craft for a beloved family member, you are sure to be delighted be delighted.

The critically acclaimed saxophonist Tim Warfield will perform at the Walton Art Center at 7:30 p.m. Warfield, known for his distinctive and soulful tone, has assembled an all-star cast to perform arrangements of holiday gems like you’ve never heard them before. Including familiar and impressive musicians, such as Terell Stafford, Cyrus Chestnut, Stefon Harris and jazz vocalist Joanna Pascale, this bona fide ensemble performs a selection of Christmas songs with a heavy contemporary flavor, punctuating familiar tunes like “Let It Snow,” “Joy to the World” and “Silent Night” with sophisticated improvisation that elevates the iconic melodies under a veil of terrific harmonies. The result is a lively, joyful, hard-driving showcase of the sounds of the holidays. For tickets and more information, call 479-443-5600 or visit tickets@ waltonartcenter.org.

Sunday, Dec. 11.

The Bella Vista Community Concert Band will play their first Christmas Concert at 3 p.m. at the Bella Vista Community Church, 75 E. Lancashire Blvd. in Bella Vista. They will be playing many pieces that will put the crowd in the Christmas spirit. Jessica Ferguson, a trombone player in the band, will also be a featured soloist in the program.

Monday, Dec. 12

Scenes of Carroll County, a photo exhibit featuring people, places and events which helped shape Carroll County history, opens at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History in Springdale. The exhibit will be on display through May 23, 2017. The Shiloh Museum of Ozark History is located at 118 W. Johnson Ave. in Springdale.

Dec 17-18

George Washington Carver National Monument Museum presents “Struggle for Education in a Segregated America,” a program exploring some of the challenges George Washington Carver faced in his pursuit of formal education while growing in the post-Civil War United States. The presentation is from 1 to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The monument is located at 5646 Carver Road in Diamond, Mo. Call 417-325-4152.

Monday, Dec. 19

Life Writers, a group for people interested in writing the stories of their own lives or those of family and friends, will meet at 10 a.m. at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History. The museum is located at 118 W. Johnson Ave. in downtown Springdale. For more information, call June Jefferson at 479-790-2588 or visit shilohmuseum.org.

Friday, Dec. 23

“A Very Electric Christmas,” brought to you by the Walton Art Center, will brighten up your holidays with a dazzling tale of family, friendship and hope. Friendly caroling worms, dancing candy-canes, Nutcracker soldiers, an evil Rat King and other glow-in-the-dark creatures light up before your eyes, incorporating classic holiday stories and non-traditional flourishes set to timeless holiday hits by Nat King Cole, Mariah Carey, Tchaikovsky and more. A little bird gets blown off course and ends up at the North Pole on a big adventure. Will he make it home in time to celebrate Christmas? The show, best for ages 5 and up, begins at 7:30 p.m.