DATEBOOK
Upcoming events
An AARP Smart Driver Class will be offered at CHI St. Vincent Cancer Center, 1455 Higdon Ferry Road, at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18. Qualified graduates are eligible for an auto insurance discount. There is a $20 fee for AARP members and $25 fee for nonmembers to cover course materials. Call 501-520-9789 to enroll.
Hot Springs Chapter of Daughters of American Revolution will meet at 10 a.m. Oct. 14 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3819 Central Ave. Ladies interested in finding patriots are welcome to attend. The program will be on the DAR Insignia by Linda Jester. Call Martha at 501-282-4973 or Karen at 501-617-3909.
Bridge House of Hot Springs, 300 W. St Louis, is a Duplicate Bridge Club that offers regular games as follows: Monday, 12:30 p.m., 0-750 masterpoints; Thursday, 12:30 p.m., 0-750 masterpoints; Friday, 9 a.m., 0-50 masterpoints, second and fourth Fridays; Friday, 12:30 p.m., open game; and Sunday, 1:15 p.m., open game. The game fee is $5. Visit https://www.bridgewebs.com/househotsprings/ for more information about classes and other club events. Proof of vaccination for first-time players is no longer required. Call 501525-8780.
Greater Hot Springs Kiwanis Club meets every Tuesday from noon to 1 p.m. at Hibachi Sushi Buffet in Temperance Hill; guests are welcome.
A newly formed Christian singles group will be at Garvan Woodland Gardens at 10 a.m. Tuesday. If interested, call or text the host, Ray Stinson, at 313-300-3312 or email eraystinson01@gmail.com.
Support groups
The Caring Place has a Support Group for primary caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia/ dementia-related illnesses on the fourth Wednesday of each month. The meeting is held at the Oaklawn Center on Aging, 307-F Carpenter Dam Road from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch is provided. Care will be provided for loved ones during the meeting and lunch for those who need it. For more information, call The Caring Place at 501-623-2881.
Narcotics Anonymous meets at noon Monday through Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sundays at 315 W. Grand Ave. This is a 12-step recovery program for people for whom drugs have become a major problem. The Helpline number is 501-321-8700.
Alcoholics Anonymous meets daily at 8 p.m.; at 8 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; at noon Monday-saturday; and at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. The speaker meeting is at 11 a.m. Sunday. The step meeting is at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The men’s and women’s meeting is at 6 p.m. Friday. All meetings are held at 411 Sellers St. Call 501-623-6328, for more information.
Alcoholics Anonymous, Last House on the Block, meets at 6 and 8 a.m. today at 315 W. Grand Ave. Call 866-754-2579.
Alcoholics Anonymous, Malvern Group, meets at 8 p.m. today at 211 W. Third St., Malvern, in the upstairs Chamber of Commerce Building. Doors open 7 p.m. Call 501-467-5409, or 501-2319518, for AA information, or 501-623-6328, for Hot Springs Intergroup.
Al-anon, 109 Hobson Ave., meets Monday and Thursday at 11 a.m. Call Rosemary, 501-525 -1963.
Miscellaneous
Hot Springs AIDS Clinic, 1801 Central Ave., Suite C, is open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-friday. The clinic provides free, comprehensive medical care, lab testing, medications, case management and support groups. Call Mike Melancon, 501-623-5598, for more information.
Cans for Kids donates canned and boxed food items and helps provide meals to children in all nine Garland County schools. Call 501-321-2517 for information.
Teen Clinic provides optional STD testing, pregnancy prevention and medical exams, in partnership with Garland County Health Department, family planning and clinic services. Call Melissa Draper, outreach and volunteer coordinator, 501623-5591, ext. 10, or email mdraper@occnet.org.
Veterans Transportation Network needs volunteer drivers to take veterans to appointments. To volunteer, call 501-257-6991, or 501-2573288.
The Literacy Council of Garland County offers free, confidential tutoring to adults in basic reading, math or digital literacy. English as a second language tutoring is also available. Adults volunteers are needed. “Low or no contact” opportunities are available. Call 501-624-7323, email Sarah Richardson at director@literacycouncilgarlandcounty.org, or visit http://www.literacycouncilgarlandcounty.org for information.
American Legion Post No. 13 welcomes new members and supporters and meets at the Post home, 3237 Albert Pike, Hot Springs, the first Sunday of each month at 3 p.m. The Legion Riders Group meets at 2 p.m. The 40-8 Lounge is open daily and has Happy Hour from 5-6 p.m. Friday evening Karaoke is at 7 p.m. Terry Martin performs on the third Friday and Saturday of the month. For more information, call 501-767-1346.