KEEPING YOU UPDATED

Wreaths Across America

Boy Scout Troop 3410 B (AR0047P) of Bella Vista supports the Bella Vista Memorial Garden Cemetery and will honor and remember as many veterans in the cemetery as possible on Dec. 19 as a participant in the Wreaths Across America program.

At 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 19, Wreaths Across America will be at Bella Vista Memorial Garden to remember and honor veterans through the laying of remembrance wreaths on the graves of the country’s fallen heroes and perform the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud.

Bella Vista Memorial Gardens Cemetery currently has 534 veterans laid to rest on its grounds.

This year, with the financial struggles across the country, the cemetery of 534 graves only has 69 wreaths donated thus far.

Donating a wreath is only $15. If you are able to help out, please visit the project link at www. wreathsacrossamerica.org/ pages/150538. You may help out with a wreath donation by clicking the red “Sponsor” button. Or, if you would like to volunteer to participate in the wreath-laying ceremony, please click the “Volunteer” button next to the cemetery name, and don’t forget to click the “Invite” button to invite your friends and family to join you.

Encore Bookstore

Encore Bookstore, the second-hand bookstore that raises funds for the Bella Vista Public Library, will be holding a used book sale on Saturday, Dec. 12, in front of Allen’s Food Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The book sale will allow supporters of the Bella Vista Library to stock up on reading material and other items while the library is closed, until Jan. 4, 2021, due to concerns over covid-19.

Items for sale will include young adult and juvenile books, sci-fi, westerns, romances and newer hardback fiction books. Also available will be DVDs, Christmas items, gift baskets, locally-made birdhouses, and cards for all occasions.

Santa Paws Fundraiser

Looking for a unique Christmas gift? Consider giving a donation to the Bella Vista Animal Shelter with “Santa Paws.” In return, the shelter will send a personalized card to the recipient notifying them of your gift! The recipient will also receive a quarterly newsletter with the latest shelter news. Your tax-deductible gift will enrich the lives of the “cold noses & warm hearts” of many shelter kids who will know that Santa Paws has come to town. Contact 479-855-6020 or go to https://bellavistaanimalshelter.org/events/ for more information and form to donate.

BV City Facilities Remain Closed

Bella Vista city facilities will remain closed to non-emergency public traffic until Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, in an attempt to limit the spread of covid-19.

City business will still be conducted online and via phone and email.

This closure applies to the city’s administration offices at City Hall, Bella Vista Public Library, Bella Vista District Court, Community Development Services and the city’s street department. The lobbies of the police and fire departments will be open to emergency traffic only, with the exception of delivery of supplies.

The Bella Vista Public Library book drop and digital access will remain available during the closure, and library staff is available via email at library@bellavistaar.gov or by phone at 479-855-1753. Cardholders may update their accounts if they have expired, and new accounts will be available with appropriate documentation.

If you have business with a specific employee, please contact that employee via email. A staff directory can be found online. 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, you may call or text the city’s main number at 479-876-1255.

The city appreciates your patience during this time, as the health and safety of the public and city employees remain of utmost importance.

Property Owners Association

With covid-19 cases on the uptick nationally and in Bella Vista, it’s important that members stay diligent and practice these safety policies:

• Stay home if you do not feel well.

• Wear a mask except when actively exercising. This means mask up just prior to and immediately after participating in a fitness or water class and with individual workouts.

• Do not arrive more than five minutes before your reserved class time, pool time or workout.

• Social distance at all times

My Bella Vista app — the POA has announced the launch of an informational app called My Bella Vista. This app is the first step in providing easy-to-access information regarding POA amenities with contact and map information, fitness classes, events, weather and news. Due to covid, there are not as many classes and events to post at this time. The POA asks your patience as it works through the initial launch.

You can find the My Bella Vista app at the Apple App Store and the Google Play store.

Bella Vista Historical Museum

The Bella Vista Historical Museum 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 while in the museum and, if visiting with a group, please stay together. 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. These plans are subject to change, based on the latest covid-19 data from the Arkansas Department of Health.

In addition to the museum’s exhibits displaying the 100-plus years of Bella Vista history, there is a special exhibit of Fisher-Price vintage children’s toys, courtesy of Fisher-Price company historian Bruce Fox. The museum’s gift shop has holiday merchandise available, including Christmas tree ornaments and holiday note cards featuring vintage scenes of Bella Vista. Admission is free.

The museum is located at 1885 Bella Vista Way, at the corner of Highway 71 and Kingsland, next door to the American Legion building. Telephone 479855-2335 or visit www. bellavistamuseum.org for more information.

Wishing Spring Gallery

There are great gifts to be found in The Wishing Spring Gallery, 8862 W. McNelly Road, which has 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.

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. The website, www.bentoncountyemptybowls.org, is where you may purchase a handbuilt ceramic bowl. One hundred percent of the gross profit from the sale of bowls and additional donations go toward the goal. More than 1,200 bowls have been created by 10 contributing artists and will be available on the website for sale. Bowls sell for donations of $20 and $25 each. 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.

Surrounding Area

A December to Remember — Get ready to welcome the holidays with A December to Remember to support compassionate end-of-life care in Northwest Arkansas. Following social distance guidelines, this event will be a virtual holiday celebration featuring CMA 2020 Musician of the year, Jenee Fleenor. The event will debut on Friday, Dec. 18, at 2 p.m. and will remain available throughout the holiday season.