This week’s EVENTS

TODAY

GED Classes NEWARK — The University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville Adult Education Department will offer a series of GED classes at Newark City Hall, beginning today. Students may enroll in the first block of classes, reasoning through language arts, at 8:30 a.m. today. The classes, which will meet from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays, are open to adults 18 and older who are not enrolled in high school. For more information, contact Nancy Whitmire, UACCB director of adult education, at (870) 612-2085 or nancy.whitmire@uaccb.edu, or Newark City Hall at (870) 799-2663.

SATURDAY

Spring River Associational Singing NELSONVILLE — The Spring River Associational Singing will resume at 6 p.m. Saturday at Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church, 234 Push Road in the Nelsonville community near Poughkeepsie. Members of all churches of the Spring River Association are encouraged to attend and bring musicians, song leaders/ directors and special music. The public is also invited to participate.

The Heavenly Highway Hymnal, both first and second editions, and the American Baptist Hymnal will be available for use. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call John R. Way, president, at (870) 283-3292. Crime Watch Dinner, Dessert Auction 16TH SECTION — The 16th Section Crime Watch will have a dessert auction and dinner at the 16th Section Community Center. A free chili/hot dog dinner will be from 5-7 p.m., and the dessert auction will start at 7 p.m. Everyone is invited, and donations will be accepted.

MONDAY

Jacksonville Citizens Police Alumni Meeting JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association will meet at 5:45 p.m. at the Jacksonville Police Department, 1400 Marshall Road. For more information, contact Eleanor Loyd at (501) 412-4115 or mselliel@centurytel.net. Spring River Chamber Awards and Recognition Banquet ASH FLAT — The Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its inaugural awards and recognition banquet from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Church of Christ in Ash Flat. The program will include networking, the installation of new board members, music and a silent auction. Tickets, for $20 each, are available at the chamber office, 2852 U.S. 62 in Highland, or from chamber board members. Businesses and organizations can reserve tables of eight for $150. For more information, email sracc@centurytel.net or call (870) 856-3210.

ONGOING

Leaves and Trees Art Exhibit SEARCY — Harding University’s department of art and design is hosting an art exhibit, Leaves and Trees, through Jan. 29 in the Stevens Art Gallery. The exhibit displays a collection of drawings, paintings, prints and photographs created by faculty and alumni of the department of art and design. The gallery is free to the public and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, email art@harding.edu or call (501) 279-4426.

The Fantasticks SEARCY — Center on the Square Community Theater, 219 W. Arch Ave., will present The Fantasticks, directed by Mario Hofheinz, with

Susan Bucher as musical director. The play is a funny, romantic musical about a boy, a girl and their fathers, who try to get the couple together by keeping them apart. Showtimes will be at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 5-6, 12-13 and 19-20; and at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 14 and 21. Tickets are $18, plus tax. For more information or tickets, call (501) 368-0111 or visit

centeronthesquare.org. The Biggest Loser Community Challenge HIGHLAND — The Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce will present the eight-week Biggest Loser Community Challenge, an online health and wellness challenge, beginning Feb. 15. The challenge seeks teams of four, for a $100 fee, for the national event, which will give away more than 10,000 prizes, including trips to the finale of The

Biggest Loser television show in Los Angeles. People of all fitness levels are welcome. Register a team at www.biggest losercommunity.com. For more information, contact Todd Conforth with Clary Fitness at (870) 994-4444, the chamber at (870) 856-3210, or Kari or Pat at Curves at (870) 856-6010. GED/Adult Education Classes FLORAL — The University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville Adult Education Department offers reading, math, writing and computer-literacy classes from 3-5 p.m. Mondays in the computer lab at Midland Elementary School in Floral. Enrollment is ongoing. Students must be at least 18 and not enrolled in school. For more information, contact Nancy Whitmire at (870) 612-2085 or nancy. whitmire@uaccb.edu, or Judy Pearson at (501) 345-2413. Second Time Around Bookstore SEARCY — The Literacy Council of White County operates the Second Time Around Bookstore at 811 S. Main St., Suite D. Proceeds from the sale of donated books support the mission of helping adults in the community improve their literacy and English-language skills. The store and literacy office are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays. To train as a tutor, to become a bookstore volunteer or for more information, call (501) 278-5500.

Yoga in the Gallery BATESVILLE — The Batesville Area Arts Council offers Yoga in the Gallery classes at 8:45 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at the BAAC Gallery on Main, 226 E. Main St. The hour-long sessions are taught by RYT200-certified yoga instructor Marnie Davis. Beginners are welcome, and no preregistration is required. The cost is $10 per session or 10 sessions for $70. For more information, call (870) 793-3382.

Pancake Breakfast McRAE — A pancake breakfast is held from 7-9 a.m. the second Saturday of each month at McRae Masonic Lodge F. & A.M. No. 687. Donations are accepted.

WISE Coalition Meeting SEARCY — The WISE (White County Invested in Substance Abuse Eradication) Coalition meets from noon to 1 p.m. the third Wednesday of every month in the Community Room of the First Community Bank University Branch, 800 E. Beebe Capps Expressway. All are invited to attend and get involved in activities to help prevent and reduce substance abuse in White County youth. For more information, visit wisecoalition @gmail.com or call (501)

388-6555.

Cabot Civitan Meetings CABOT — Cabot Civitan Meetings are held at 6 p.m. the first and third Mondays of each month at First Security Bank in downtown Cabot. For more information, call Tom Nolting at (501) 606-3731. Friends of the Library Book Shop HEBER SPRINGS — The Friends of the Library Book Shop, 2255 Arkansas 25B N., is open from 3:30-7 p.m. Mondays, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays. The shop offers a large selection of books at bargain prices. All proceeds from the shop benefit the libraries in Cleburne County.

UPCOMING

Main Street Batesville Winter Gala BATESVILLE — The Main Street Batesville Winter Gala, themed “Happy Days,” will be held at 6 p.m. Jan. 29 at the Barnett Building, 267 E. Main St. The event will include live and silent auctions, giveaways, dancing, hors d’oeuvres and live entertainment. Guests are encouraged to dress in ’50s and ’60s sock-hop style, with awards given for Best Costume and Best Dance Couple. Tickets are $25 each and $45 for couples at Studio Salon, Merchants and Planters Bank, Citizens Bank’s main branch and First Community Bank’s main branch. There will be an afterparty at 10 p.m. at the Barnett Building, with tickets available at the gala. AARP Smart Driver Safety Course SEARCY— The PrimeTimes of White County Medical Center, now Unity Medical Center, will host an AARP Smart Driver Safety Course from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 29 in the Hubach Center at the hospital. The instructors are Frances and Bill Mizell. Park behind the hospital off Moore Street, and take the elevator to the first floor. Bring a sweater or jacket for comfort. The cost of the course is $15 for AARP members with an AARP card and $20 for nonmembers. To register for the class, call Elizabeth Leaver at PrimeTimes at (501) 278-3230. Healing Herbal Teas Workshop NEWPORT — Jacksonport State Park will present a hands-on Healing Herbal Teas Workshop from 1-3 p.m. Jan. 30 at the park’s visitor center. Participants will discuss the healing aspects of a variety of native medicinal herb teas and learn how to make them. There will be a tea tasting, and attendees are welcome to bring a favorite teacup. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 7 to 12. Advance reservations are required by 3 p.m. Jan. 28. For more information, call (870) 523-2143 or visit

Jacksonport@arkansas.com. Republican Candidate Debate BATESVILLE — A debate between candidates in contested Republican primary races in Independence County will be held at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 2 at the Citizens Bank Annex, 285 E. College St. U.S. Sen. John Boozman of Rogers and his opponent, Curtis Colemen, as well as state Rep. James Sturch of Batesville and his opponent, Phillip Finch, have been invited. Judge Shawn Womack, a candidate for the Arkansas Supreme Court, will present his judicial philosophy and answer questions. For more information, call (870) 612-3570 or email CharlesRFuqua@ gmail.com. Chili Supper and Dessert Auction FLOYD — The Floyd-Romance Volunteer Fire Department will

hold its Chili Supper and Dessert Auction at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Floyd Main Fire Station, 1105 Arkansas 31. All politicians and candidates for local office are encouraged to attend. Tickets are $5 each. Children ages 4 and younger may eat free. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Fire Department. For more information, call (501) 993-7665.

Valentine’s Dinner CALICO ROCK — The Printing Press Café, 120 Main St., will host a Valentine’s Dinner at 6 p.m. Feb. 13. The candlelight four-course dinner will include an appetizer of smoked trout with cream cheese and capers; Asian salad; a choice of beef Wellington or chicken Florentine served with caramelized carrots, baked potato and gourmet rolls; and baked Alaska. A chocolate fountain will be included with the meal. The cost is $25.99 per person. All proceeds will benefit the Calico Rock Museum. There will be only one seating, so reservations are recommended. To reserve a seat, call (870)-2976200. Beginners Weaving Workshop POCAHONTAS — Davidsonville Historic State Park will offer a Beginners Weaving Workshop from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 20. The workshop will teach basic weaving using a piece of cardboard as a loom. Participants will make a bookmark to take home. Preregistration is required by calling the park at (870) 8924708. The workshop fee is $13. Davidsonville Historic State Park is a 15-minute drive south of Pocahontas on Arkansas 166. Heber Springs Chamber Banquet HEBER SPRINGS — The Heber Springs Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its 60th annual banquet at 6 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Heber Springs Community Center, 201 Bobbie Jean Lane. The guest speaker will be Jeff Moore, director of marketing and communication for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. The event will include a live auction, and business attire is requested. Tickets are $35 each or $250 for a table of eight. Tickets will be available from Jan. 25 through Feb. 15 at the chamber office, 1001 W. Main St., or by calling (501) 362-2444. Cabot Clean-Up and Hazardous Waste Round-Up CABOT — The Cabot Clean-Up and Hazardous Waste Round-Up 2016 will be held from 9 a.m. to noon March 19. Volunteers are asked to meet at Cabot Junior High-South on the Panther Trail, no earlier than 9 a.m., and check in at the registration canopies. Orange safety vests and garbage bags will be provided, and participants are encouraged to bring sturdy work gloves. There will be an awards ceremony at 9 a.m. for the winners of the Keep Cabot Beautiful Poster Contest. At noon, volunteers will be served free food and drink at the Panther Trail parking lot. There will be a drop-off point for the disposal of electronic waste and household hazardous waste. For more information, call Cabot City Beautiful at (501) 920-2122.

To submit an item for the Calendar of Events, mail information to Calendar of Events,

Three Rivers Edition, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, AR, 72203; send faxes to (501) 378-3500; or email trnews@arkansas online.com. Deadlines for calendar-item submissions are noon Friday for Thursday editions and noon Tuesday for Sunday editions.