KEEPING YOU UPDATED
Some facilities remain closed
Due to covid-19, some Bella Vista city facilities will remain closed until Monday, Nov. 30. This closure applies to the city’s administration offices at City Hall, 101 Town Center, and Community Development Services, 616 W. Lancashire Blvd.
City business will still be conducted, as able, online and via phone and email. If you have business with a specific employee, please contact that employee via email. A staff directory can be found online here. For building permits and inspection services, email permits@bellavistaar.gov. For general city assistance, email info@bellavistaar.gov.
For police and fire assistance, call dispatch at 479855-3771. As always, in an emergency call 911.
If you do not have access to email, call or text the city’s main number at 479-876-1255 and your call will be returned as soon as possible.
POA Community Coat Drive
Donate a coat now through Nov. 13 to help a local family.
New coats only due to covid-19 — The POA’s Community Coat Drive is accepting new coats from toddler to adult sizes. Coats will be distributed through local schools and organizations Nov. 16-20. Information: 479-855-5036 or 479-855-5012.
You may drop off at these Bella Vista locations: POA recreation centers at Riordan, Metfiled, Branchwood; BV Bar & Grill; Country Club Pro Shop; Lakepoint.
Welcome Meet and Greet for New Residents — There will be an online Zoom meeting 10-11:30 a.m. Dec. 5 for new residents of Bella Vista. If interested in learning more about this December Welcome Meet and Greet please email, bvwelcomesu@gmail.com. Detailed information will be returned to you.
Wishing Spring Gallery reopens
The Wishing Spring Gallery, 8862 W. McNelly Road, is reopened on a limited basis. Days open are Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The hours open are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Customers are required to wear a mask when entering the building. The Clay Studio and its classes will remain closed due to covid-19.
Benton County Empty Bowls
Benton County Empty Bowls is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and raises money to combat hunger and food insecurity in the Benton County area.
Due to covid-19, the Empty Bowls Soup event normally held in November has been canceled. Last year it raised more than $10,000 which went to provide 100,000 meals to food-insecure people in Northwest Arkansas. The target for this year is $20,000 and, with the current pandemic, the need is even greater. On Oct. 3, a website was opened at which you may purchase a hand-built ceramic bowl. One hundred percent of the gross profit from the sale of bowls and additional donations go toward the goal. Bowls sell for donations of $20 and $25 each. Go to www.bentoncountyemptybowls.org.
Local sales may be picked up at The Wishing Spring Gallery during its open hours, which are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Bella Vista Library reopens
Note: The library will be closed to honor Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
The Bella Vista Public Library has reopened with “Grab and Go” limited services and hours. Please read the following information on how this new service will work.
Open hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The library will be closed Friday and Saturday.
The library will be closed for one hour between 1 to 2 p.m. for cleaning.
There is a limit of 20 patrons inside the library at one time on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. On Tuesday, there is a “high-risk” allowance of only five patrons in order to allow those patrons who are high-risk of covid to enjoy time in the library as well.
All patrons must wear a mask or a face shield to enter the library. All food and drink must be discarded before entering the library. Two public computers will be available to use. There is a limit of one hour per patron.
Due to social distancing guidelines, in-person device assistance will be unavailable. If you experience issues, you may call the library at 479-855-1753, send an email to library@ bellavistaar.gov or use one of the library’s many helpful guides available on its website or at the front desk.
Museum reopens
The Bella Vista Historical Museum, 1885 Bella Vista Way, is open Saturdays and Sundays with the hours of 1 to 5 p.m. Visitors are asked not to enter if they have flu-like covid symptoms. Masks will be required. Visitors will be asked to practice social distancing. The number of visitors at one time will be limited to 10. If visitors happen to arrive when the museum is at maximum capacity, they will be asked to wait outside until there is room for additional visitors.
Information: 479-8552335 or www.bellavista museum.org.
Surrounding Area
With less than two months until Christmas, it’s time to start planning for the holidays, and nothing will get you in the spirit faster than Holidaze at Walton Arts Center.
Created last year by Hannah Withers and Ben Gitchel of Maxine’s Tap Room and Leverett Lounge along with Richard Gathright, the successful holiday-themed pop-up bar is taking over the Joy Pratt Markham Gallery, Sudduth Garden Room and Bradberry Amphitheater and Rose Garden outdoors at Walton Arts Center. The move gives Holidaze more space for social distancing and, of course, more vintage holiday decor.
The expanded Holidaze will also include a walk-up bar for to-go drinks in accordance with Fayetteville’s Outdoor Refreshment Area.
Patrons can enjoy a drink as they take a walk to the square for Lights of the Ozarks or come in and experience a vintage holiday wonderland.
Holidaze will be open 5 p.m. until midnight nightly Nov. 20 through Dec. 31 except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. To-go ORA drinks will be available from 5 until 9:30 p.m. nightly.
Holidaze will continue its tradition of giving back to the community by supporting nonprofits and hospitality workers during the holiday season. This year, proceeds from Holidaze will go to support Walton Arts Center’s Ghost Light Recovery Fund and the bar will provide much-needed seasonal employment for hospitality workers who have been hit hard during the pandemic. Select nights will also give patrons the opportunity to support additional area nonprofits.
Information: www.waltonartscenter.org.