Local notes

BLOOD DRIVE

The Washington County Veterans Services Office has partnered with the Northwest Arkansas Community Blood Center for its yearly blood drive. This nonprofit delivers needed blood supplies primarily to the Northwest Arkansas area. The drive will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 19 at the VSO Building, 62 W. North St. in Fayetteville.

If you have ever been deferred from giving blood in the past call (479) 927-1200 to check as the rules have changed.

When you show up, there will be a sign-in/ evaluation station. Snacks and drinks will be provided for those who are approved to donate. This holiday season the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks is rewarding donors with a limited edition CBCO blanket. These blankets are a physical reminder that every blood donation has the power to save a life and can help as many as three patients in hospitals throughout the Ozarks.

Information: donate.cbco.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/132267 or cbco.org.

WOMEN IN THE ARTS

The Arkansas Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts is accepting applications from Arkansas women who are visual artists for the organization’s annual Artist Award. The criteria and application are available online at acnmwa.org/programs/artist-award.

The application deadline is Jan. 31 and the recipient will be announced in March.

The purpose of this $4,000 award is to help an accomplished woman artist realize her vision and increase the visibility of her achievements. The recipient can use the award for any purpose, including studio expenses, equipment or supplies, child care, research, travel or study. A committee of ACNMWA board members selects the winner.

The 2023 Artist Award recipient was Shelby Fleming,

a sculptor and performance artist working in Fayetteville.

Founded in 1989, ACNMWA is a nonprofit volunteer organization that highlights the accomplishments of Arkansas women artists and shares the groundbreaking work of the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C., with a statewide audience.

Information: acnmwa.org or nmwa.org.

A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL

The Community School of the Arts announced that performances of “A Christmas Story, The Musical” are set to take place at 7 p.m. Dec. 15; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Dec. 16 at the King Opera House in Van Buren.

The musical follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker and his quest for the Holy Grail of Christmas gifts: an official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot Range Model air rifle. The tale is set in the 1940s in the fictional town of Hohman, Ind. Ralphie plots numerous schemes to achieve his desperate desire for the coveted BB gun and all the iconic scenes from the movie are here.

“One of the neat aspects of this production is that we are combining our children and our teens into one big show,” said Dr. Rosilee Russell, CSA Executive Director. “We don’t have the opportunity to do this very often, so this is going to be an extra special show for everyone.”

Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for students and $15 each for groups of 10 or more. A special “paywhat-you-can” preview performance will take place at 7 p.m. Dec. 14, which will have no pre-sale and the $5 tickets will be first come first serve.

Information: (479) 4342020 or csafortsmith.org/ stars-on-stage.

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