this week’s EVENTS
Editor’s note: Many events have been canceled or postponed due to concern about the coronavirus.
TODAY FRIDAY Fall Fundraiser Online Art Auction
RUSSELLVILLE — The Fall Fundraiser Online Art Auction to benefit the River Valley Arts Center is in progress until 6 p.m. Friday. Follow this link: www.biddingowl.com/rivervalleyartscenter. Auction items include artwork from local and well-known artists, as well as other donations, such as two tickets for a scenic train ride from Van Buren to Winslow. This event is in lieu of the Arts Center’s annual Holiday Jubilee, which has been canceled.
MONDAY AND TUESDAY UCA Artist-in-Residence Events
CONWAY — Anti-racist writer and educator Tim Wise will visit the University of Central Arkansas and give a free public lecture, Interest Convergence in a Time of Pandemic and Police Brutality: How COVID and Growing Authoritarianism Provide an Opening of Solidarity, at 7 p.m. Monday, in UCA’s Ida Waldran Auditorium and streamed to the UCA College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Facebook page, Facebook.com/CAHSSUCA. Wise will also offer a workshop for recognized student organizations, Not Giving Up: Maintaining Our Commitment to Justice in Unjust Times,” at 2 p.m. Monday in UCA’s McCastlain Ballroom. On Tuesday, Wise will give a student lecture at 9:25 a.m., Challenging the Culture of Cruelty: Understanding and Defeating Race and Class Inequity in America, and a faculty workshop at 12:15 p.m. titled Beyond Diversity: Steps for Uprooting Racism, Privilege and Institutional Inequity, both in the McCastlain Ballroom. For more information, visit uca.edu/communication/2020.
WEDNESDAY Community Blood Drive
FAIRFIELD BAY — There will be a Community Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot at the Chamber/Visitor Center, 365 Dave Creek Parkway.
ONGOING Senior Bingo Days
FAIRFIELD BAY — Senior Bingo Days take place from 10 a.m. to noon every Tuesday and Thursday at the Chamber/Visitor Center, 385 Dave Creek Parkway (the Lions Club building). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Arkansas Department of Health guidelines will be followed. There will be limited seating, and reservations are required. For reservations, call Nancy McGowen at (501) 269-4567.
Poetry Out Loud Registration
The Arkansas Arts Council is accepting registrations from public, charter and private schools, as well as home-school groups, to participate in the 2021 Arkansas Poetry Out Loud competition. The registration deadline is Dec. 18. Students compete at the school level for a chance to become the Arkansas champion. The state winner will compete for $20,000 at the national level next spring. The Arkansas Arts Council provides all materials needed, including coaches. Virtual workshops are also being planned. For more information or to register, contact Drekkia Morning, Arts in Education programs manager, at drekkia.morning@arkansas.gov.
Grant Opportunity
HEBER SPRINGS — The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration will offer a grant program utilizing $50 million in CARES Act funds for Arkansas businesses significantly impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Arkansas Legislative Council approved a business-interruption grant for certain Arkansas businesses in the personal care, tourism, travel, recreation and hospitality industries. The application period opens Monday and closes Nov. 25. Information will be regularly posted to www.arkansasready.com about the grant, the application period, training and a help line.
Arkansas Governor’s School Applications
RUSSELLVILLE — Applications are being taken for the 42nd Arkansas Governor’s School, set for July 5-31 and hosted by Arkansas Tech University. Eligible students need to inquire about the nomination process with their school counselor. AGS serves approximately 400 selected students from around the state during the summer before their senior year in high school. Information and instructions for applying are available at www.atu.edu/ags, and the deadline to apply is Jan. 20. For more information, email ags@atu.edu or call (479) 968-0391.
Neighbor’s Table
RUSSELLVILLE — Neighbor’s Table offers a free meal every Saturday at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 501 S. Phoenix Ave. The meal is takeout only and can be picked up from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All are welcome. For more information, call (479) 968-3622.
Fairfield Bay Library Services
FAIRFIELD BAY — The Fairfield Bay Library is open from 1-4 p.m. Monday through Friday; and from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Patrons are required to wear masks and will be allowed in the library four at a time for 30 minutes. No children will be allowed in the library at this time. Curbside pickup is also available by calling the library at (501) 884-4930 during business hours and giving a staff member your requests. Arrange a date and time for pickup, and your items will be brought to your car. The library is still not accepting book donations.
Cleburne County Cares Food Pantry
HEBER SPRINGS — The Cleburne County Cares Food Pantry, 2016 Arkansas 25 Bypass, is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Those who need food are asked to call ahead at (501) 362-8486 so the pantry can have the food ready for pickup.