MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Friday, Dec. 16
Cooper Chapel in Bella Vista will be aglow with soft lights and the sounds of Christmas carols at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited again this year to a Community Christmas Carol sing-a-long hosted by Pastor Mark Voll of the Village Bible Church on Forest Hills Boulevard. “The Chapel office started receiving calls weeks ago asking if this carol sing was going to be held again this year,” said Pastor Voll. “We’re glad to do it and it seems it’s becoming a Christmas tradition for some folks.” Accompaniment for the singing will be provided by piano, organ, flute and violin. Pastor Voll aslo noted that this is one of the few times each year the public can see and enjoy the Chapel at night. There is no charge or offering for this event. Cooper Chapel is located at Town Center off memorial Drive just past the Post Office. For more information, call the Chapel at 479-855-6598.
Saturday, Dec. 17
From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., admittance is free at Joplin History and Mineral Museum’s Christmas Open House. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through early Joplin’s Halls of History Decked out in its holiday finest. Bring the kids to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. Refreshments will be provided by the Joplin Historical Society Board. Sponsored by Southwest Missouri Bank. The museum is at 504 S. Schifferdecker Ave. Telephone is 417.623.1180.
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.
Dec. 14-Jan. 7
Beyond Sand: Art from the Tulsa Glassblowing School” is on display at Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Okla. The free exhibit is in the Zarrow Center for Art and Education at 124 East M.B. Brady St. Discover elegant, handcrafted art and contemporary pieces created by Tulsa Glassblowing School’s finest students, staff and guest artists. Beautiful and unique hand-blown bowls, plates, vases and sculptures will be on display and available for purchase.
Monday, Dec. 19
LifeWriters, 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.
Wednesday, Dec. 21
Community Blood Center of the Ozarks encourages anyone who is able to donate blood from 1 to 4 p.m. at Allen’s Food Market, 60 Sugar Creek Center. To be eligible to give blood, you must weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and present a valid photo ID. For more information about sharing your good health with others, please visit www. cbco.org or call 1-800-280-5337.
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 glowin-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. Come for a delightful holiday production that will warm hearts big and small. For tickets and more information, call 479-443-5600 or visit tickets@waltonartcenter.org.