Entertainment Fort Smith Magazine - February 2014

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EDITOR’S NOTES

Editorial Staff LINDA SEUBOLD Editor in Chief lindaseubold@efortsmith.com LYNN WASSON Managing Editor lynnwasson@efortsmith.com DONNA PAYNE Senior Editor donnapayne@efortsmith.com MARY JANE HENNIG Art Director

Contributing Writers REBA MIZE TAYLOR PREWITT BRITTANY RANSOM

Contributing Photographers J.P. BELL ROGER CARTER KARRIE KELLY REBA MIZE DONNA PAYNE KRISTAN ROLAND LYNN WASSON

Advertising Sales DAVID CARTER davidcarter@efortsmith.com 479-650-9885 Advertising Sales Associate TRISH GILBRETH trish@efortsmith.com 479-651-3331 Advertising Coordinator KARRIE KELLY karrie@efortsmith.com 479-494-1888 Bookkeeping JULIE BERCH HAMILTON accounts@efortsmith.com 479-494-1888 © 2014 eFortSmith.com Media, Inc. 316 North 7th Street P.O. Box 1341 Fort Smith, AR 72902-1341 Office: 479-494-1888

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Entertainment Fort Smith

February 2014

Some of our Favorite things Before we even discuss your favorites – the On to those official Favorites. It seems an Readers’ Favorites poll winners are the cover annual certainty that our photo shoot of the story of this issue – we want to mention some of winners, which entails making appointments our own favorite things. with more than 40 people or groups of them, We absolutely love it when talented writers will coincide with a wintry weather disaster. In surprise us by contributing an article. We were fact, we believe our Favorites shoot probably delighted to receive such a story from retired creates them. physician Dr. Taylor Prewitt.

On our first day of photography, Fort Smith Along with our most favorite photographer and the whole area experienced a mid-day icing and fellow doctor, J.P. Bell, that covered all streets and Dr. Prewitt allowed us to sidewalks with a candy-shell publish the exceptionally coating that was invisible interesting story he wrote and slicker than – well you about the Doctors Smith of think of a metaphor that we Paris, Ark. can print in a family Accompanied by Dr. magazine. We were inside Bell’s evocative photos, the the Darby Community article tells the history of Center (historically, the three generations of doctors 1886 First Christian who truly served their Church) which has stained community in Logan glass windows. Our cell County by staffing its phones blew up with other hospital. Through war, staff and friends warning us through illness and by to head for home. When we creating a pioneering poked our heads out, it affordable health care plan looked fine. When we put Dr. Taylor Prewitt, by Dr. J.P. Bell for their patients, these just one foot out, however, doctors cared for their community more than we nearly busted our bottoms. It was indeed just medically. wise to cancel and reschedule on a safer day.

The hospital they helped to build stands Sure enough, by the time we got to our last empty now, inspiring Bell to make some photograph five days later, we were sweating. beautiful pictures of the things left inside. How Favorites are “just for fun” for those who come striking an image is the simple bell used to call in second and a big solid “W” for those who do. doctors to the delivery of babies. We wondered The winners always try to thank us but we tell how many were born just after that distinctive them to thank their loyal patrons and customers, sound called one of the Dr. Smiths and a Paristhe ones who wrote in their names and mailed in trained nurse to a mother’s side. the ballots. This issue, you readers are the boss.

The idea that two present-day doctors, now So congratulations to the recipients of a new retired, teamed up to write and illustrate the year’s familiar “Favorites” certificates. Display article pleased us. Those two are never idle. them proudly. You’re doing something right.

Thank you, doctors. You are artists, as well.

– Lynn Wasson CIRCULATION Entertainment Fort Smith is a monthly city/regional magazine published from February to December by eFortSmith.com Media, Inc. Entertainment Fort Smith distributes 30,000 complimentary issues per month.

SUBSCRIPTION Entertainment Fort Smith can be mailed to you for $30 a publication year (11 issues).

Complimentary issues are distributed in Fort Smith, Van Buren, Alma, Greenwood and Barling, Ark. and in Roland, Muldrow, Spiro, Pocola, Poteau and Sallisaw, Okla.in retail and grocery stores, corporate offices, restaurants, medical offices, public libraries, visitor centers and tourist destinations. Complimentary issues are also provided in guest rooms of area hotels.

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CONTENTS

features

February 2014

10 Readers’ Favorites

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In entertainment, dining and shopping, you elected this year’s Favorites.

This annual just-for-fun poll of our readers sets up the braggin’ rights for a year.

Portraits of this year’s recipients by Glenn Gilley.

The Doctors Smith and the Paris Hospital Two Fort Smith doctors, Taylor Prewitt and J.P. Bell, tell the history of a community hospital and a selfless family of doctors that provided health care to coal miners and the public with one of the nation’s earliest health care plans.

Medal of Honor Recipient invited for William O. Darby Day A distinguished Army Ranger, Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry, visits Darby Junior High as it honors one of Fort Smith’s World War II heroes, Gen. William O. Darby.

exhibits local architects and their work 48 Museum Significant contributions to Arkansas architecture came from Fort Smith architects.

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columns

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HOT STUFF with LINDA SEUBOLD Who needs a picture for their anniversary. Being together is enough for Linda.

departments

& GARDEN 24 HOUSE Dennie Snow’s Restaurant Supply is not all this longtime businessman has done.

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Drawing on history

34 GARDENING Learn to be a beekeeper to improve your own garden – and the environment.

NOTES 36 DESIGNER Interior designer Jo Waite leaned into her career to grow along with it.

44 OUTDOORS Reba Mize learns how to become a citizen scientist, collects nature’s data.

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75 DINING Take a few delicious tips from the winners and near-winners of dining Favorites.

eve n t s

MUSIC & PERFORMANCE 50 The big shows continue on area stages with traveling Broadway performances.

EVENTS 55 KIDS Spring children’s theater begins now, plus library activities and more.

of EVENTS 59 CALENDAR Find Valentine’s Day ideas and things to do with your beloveds all month.

on the cover:

Don and Terry Bailey and Matt Vangjel of the UAFS Music Department jazz up the cover.

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BY LINDA SEUBOLD

Every day's a good day to be thankful for the one you love Ahh, February – the month of love, sweethearts and Favorites.

This year, I decided our Favorites issue would be a good place to wish my favorite person in the world – my husband, Frank – a happy anniversary.

OK, so our wedding anniversary is really in December, not February.

And wedding anniversaries are usually celebrated on the same day and month they took place. But February is the month for celebrating love and after 53 years of marriage, Frank and I still love each other dearly.

If I were the well-organized, efficient wife I sometimes still imagine I might someday become, I would surely have at least one lovely photograph of us celebrating one of our anniversaries but I have yet to come across any.

Instead, the photo of Frank and me you see with this column was taken by longtime friends of ours from Illinois who visited us in October, nearly two months before our 53rd anniversary. They took several pictures of us and other family members to show to mutual friends still living “up North.”

At the time this photo was taken, I was still wearing a wig in public.

Now, I've grown enough hair back to wear a pixie-style hairdo.

In December 2010, when Frank and I were treated to a lovely 50th anniversary dinner with our children, grandchildren and other family members, at least three people brought cameras. But not a single one of the photos snapped in the restaurant where we celebrated that night turned out. So, no scrapbook or Facebook photos exist of that milestone event.

In December 2012, I had barely finished the first six weeks of my hospitalization in Little Rock for multiple myeloma treatments in time to get to be home with Frank for our 52nd anniversary.

In retrospect, I think I'm glad I don't have any photos of me at that time. I was bald, barely weighed 100 pounds and was still weak and sick from chemotherapy. But you talk about happy!

Maybe nobody believes that human hearts can actually smile. But if they can, I know my heart and Frank's were grinning like school kids at each other the night of Dec. 20, 2012. We don't even need photos to remind us how happy we were simply to be spending our anniversary together in our own home.

Last year, after a stem cell transplant and continued treatment at UAMS, my health and strength continued to improve. In the fall, my formerly straight-as-a-string hair finally started growing back – in black and silvery-gray waves.

In November, all five of our children and their families were able to gather briefly at our house during the Thanksgiving holiday.

In December, we were again thankful to celebrate our 53rd year of marriage together in our home. But, once again, we failed to commemorate the event with photos.

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Entertainment Fort Smith

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Frank and I have been through a lot together – good and bad, hard and harder – since we married at (barely) 18 and 20 in 1960. And, for years now, I've been telling those who ask what it's like to be married for so long to the same man.

I say that even knowing everything good, and bad, about Frank that I know now, I'd marry him again in a New York minute. He says the same about me.

Frank also says, every time I tell him I love him, that he loves me more – because he's bigger than I am. I can't argue that – especially now that I've lost nearly 5 inches in height and about 30 pounds during my fight with multiple myeloma. But those teases are fun things to haggle over.

Like everyone else, we do have our ups and downs, but I pray that if you're reading this and you love someone with all your heart and soul, that your mutual love will remain strong, true and forgiving for as long as you both shall live. And may that be a long, long time!

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Readers’ Favorites 2014 By your votes on write-in ballots, here are the people and businesses you chose as your Favorites

Favorite Live Music Venue Neumeier’s Rib Room Bill Neumeier and Kris Anne Cox

Favorite Festival Riverfront Blues Festival Dwight Hopkins, Charles Alley and Dale Fraze

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Favorite Library Event

Favorite Non-Profit Event

Black Tie Bingo Cindy Long, Georgianna Yerton and Marilyn Patterson

Junior League of Fort Smith Holiday Market Katie Kratzberg, Amy Hardy and Kym Phelps

Favorite Live Music Performance UAFS Jazz Program Don Bailey, Terry Bailey and Matt Vangjel

Favorite Live Music Performance Fort Smith Symphony Kathy Babb, John Jeter and Tom Flocks

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Favorite Non-Profit Campaign Junior League of Fort Smith’s Aging Out of Foster Care Natasha Higgins, Emily Bryson and Brooke Moreton

Favorite Art Exhibit Fort Smith Regional Art Museum Lee Ortega

Favorite Race

Favorite Youth Performance

Color Me For Kids 5K for Hamilton House Step Up, Speak Out Sarah Drummond, Sam Sicard and Mistii Elmore

UAFS Academy of the Arts Brooke Bates, Shannon Stoddard and Rosilee Russell

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Favorite Food Truck

Favorite Romantic Dinner

Patrick’s Butcher Boy Burgers Micah Bubbus

Bravo Italian Restaurant Nate Ashford

Favorite Cup of Coffee

Favorite Barbecue

Sweet Bay Coffee Co. Mike Hill and Sara Frick

Ralph’s Pink Flamingo Jeff and Ralph Taylor

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Favorite Cheeseburger George’s Restaurant Alex Catsavis

Favorite Ethnic Restaurant Rolando’s Rolando and Sherri Cuzco

Favorite Mexican Restaurant

Favorite Downtown Restaurant

La Huerta Héctor Torres and Serafín Valdivía

Rolando’s Allison Sbanotto, Jane Cookson, Carol Butler and Von Crane

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Favorite Nearby Restaurant Wiederkehr Weinkeller Restaurant Al Wiederkehr

Favorite Place to Watch a Game Varsity Sports Grill Kristi Feathers, Gerri Hendrix, Rob Laxton, Jason Bogner and Vadonna Maxwell

Favorite Restaurant Overall, Catering, Desserts

Favorite Pizza

River City Deli Susan Tucker and Jason Haid

Papa’s Pizza Aurora Buck, Mike Abshere and Melissa Gray

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Favorite New Retail Store Favorite Boutique Fashion Boutique Alexa McLain, Paige Stewart and Courtney Crawford

Favorite Antiques & Collectibles Shop The Now & Then Shoppe Joan Sloat and Marty White

Crane Clothing Co. Heather Rincon

Favorite Furniture Store Furniture Emporium Susan Reeder

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Favorite Store for Art & Handmade Items BrickCity Emporium Sara and Mike Adams

Favorite Teen/Women’s Boutique Unique Boutique Dixie Cook

Favorite Children’s Clothing

Favorite Resale/ Repurpose Furniture Store

Katiebug’s Kids Kim Cox and Lindsey Wilkinson

The Good’s Amy and Sherry Goodrum

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Favorite Women’s Consignment Clothing N Style Revue Taylor and Lisa Cooper

Favorite Artistic Nails Salon Vanity Calls Candace Carter

Favorite Hair Extensions and Hair Color Salon Salon Elements Brooke Lloyd and Marcie Comstock

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Favorite Antiques Mall Belle Starr Antiques Mall Beth Templeton

Favorite Barbershop Grand Plaza Barber Shop Leroy Casalman

Favorite Children’s Consignment Growing Kids Sale

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A Community Unto Itself

The Smith Brothers and the Paris Hospital

by Taylor Prewitt

Dominating a hill just off North Elm Street in Paris, Ark., the red brick, three-story Paris Hospital stands empty. The hospital closed in 1972. Dr. James and Dr. Charles Smith continued to use the offices in the otherwise deserted building, and when Dr. James retired in 1990, he and his son, Dr. J.C. Smith, walked out and locked the doors.

Until a television show “American Pickers” acquired some of its treasures a few months ago, it remained just as it had been when the last doctors left, with books and diagnostic tools on the doctors’ desks, a few unused bottles of intravenous fluids on a shelf, an antique electrocardiograph (EKG machine) from Cambridge Instrument Co., the bell to summon doctors to deliveries and a brass monocular microscope that Dr. John Smith had brought to the hospital when he enlarged the laboratory in 1925.

Opposite page: A large surgical lighting fixture shines on the abandoned operating room at Paris Hospital.

The hospital was pretty new then. It was built in 1913 by the original Smith brothers, Drs. Jim and Mack Smith. They were traditional country doctors, riding out in different directions from their log cabin office and stopping at any house where a white sheet was hung out to summon them.

Dr. Jim carried a pistol with him and used it occasionally.

In black suits and ties, they operated when they had to, under a shade tree when weather permitted and on a kitchen table otherwise.

They could elevate a skull flap for a boy kicked by a mule or drain an abscessed appendix and remove it later. Dr. Jim had established the practice in Chismville in 1880. He taught his younger brother Mack to read, and when Dr. Mack joined his practice, they took turns going to medical school in Tulane to complete their studies, while the other kept the practice going.

They moved to Paris at the turn of the century and established their hospital in a residential house in 1910, building their two-story brick hospital in 1913 and finally enlarging it with a three-story wing in 1923.

The second generation Smith brothers were Dr. John; Dr. Charles, who joined the others in 1927; and Dr. James, who arrived in 1939. Dr. John soon became administrator of the hospital and the go-to surgeon in the group. He went down into the coal mines to rescue injured miners and he successfully repaired a laceration of the heart on one occasion.

Townspeople and nurses tell stories of his reattaching completely severed fingers. (“Just bring him the glove with the finger in it.”)

He left home every morning at 4, took a nap in the movie theater if he needed to and did not get home until after his night clinic at 9. He died of cancer in 1960. It had started in his left hand, the one he used to position patients for X-rays, and spread to his chest. Near death, he drove himself to the hospital and never saw his wife again. He occupied the otherwise vacant third floor for his last few weeks.

Pioneer in health insurance In an effort to provide affordable health care for the coal miners, Dr. Jim established one of the nation’s first prepaid health care plans in 1920, charging each family a dollar a month, later extending the benefits and cost to $2 a month in 1926. Eventually, they expanded the plan by offering it to the public.

Dr. Jim and Dr. Mack participated in the formation of the Colonial Hospital in Fort Smith in 1928, operating on the same basis of $2 per family per month, later increased to $3 a month with extra charges for a private room. Though the American Medical Association did not object to prepaid medical care for specific groups such as miners, the AMA forbade provision of such a plan to the public. Dr. Jim accordingly relinquished his membership in the AMA. The Smiths sold their interest in the Colonial Hospital in 1930; it finally closed in 1952. Holt-Krock Clinic began using the Colonial Hospital building in 1953. No patient was turned away from the Paris Hospital because they couldn’t pay. The Smiths routinely allowed the hospital to run at a loss, covering these losses with funds from other business interests.

Though the mines closed, the public prepaid plan lasted until the hospital closed in 1971.

The story of the nurses is another legend in its own right. They came to the hospital at about age 18, often straight out of high school and with no previous medical training. There, they learned to change bed linens, clean the rooms and wash the bed pans. Next, they learned to take temperatures and blood pressures; finally, they were trained in the operating room, in the cast room for setting fractures, in the X-ray room and in delivering babies.

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PHOTOS BY J.P. BELL The antique electrocardiograph machine above is tagged with a brass plaque from the Cambridge Instrument Company.

The simple hand bell, at right, was rung to call doctors to deliver babies.

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A portrait of Dr. Mack Smith, who, along with his brother Dr. Jim, established the hospital in Paris. The color portrait is of Dr. J.C. Smith, a third generation Smith physician. Between them in the family and medical history are Drs. John, Charles and James Smith, father of J.C.

A monocular microscope (top) brought to the hospital by Dr. John Smith in 1925.

Dr. John is pictured above. He lost a hand to cancer, likely caused by exposure to x-rays.

Interior hallway of the closed and silent hospital (left) with its dated equipment and fixtures intact.

The first head nurse, Miss Necey Bradshaw, was the anesthetist for all operations. After her retirement, anesthesia was delivered by the doctors. There were no Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certifications. By the 1940s, the nurses earned $50 a month, plus room and board, uniforms and laundry.

All nurses lived in the Nurses’ Home and rarely left it. Until World War II, they were required to be single. They were allowed to have dates, but there was a specific hour at which they were to return.

Townspeople circulated the usual hospital gossip, sometimes more than

rumor. After his divorce, Dr. Charles married a young nurse.

Dr. John’s long hours left little time for domestic duties; he sometimes played cards with nurses and staff in the evenings. Other Smith physicians had more traditional family lives.

Today, the Paris Hospital stands frozen in time. It represented the state of the art for rural America in the early 20th century. Its physicians and nurses were hard-working and altruistic, and they demonstrated the highest skills of their profession. Abandoned bricks and mortar remain. Times change.

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HOME & GARDEN

Dennie Snow knows restaurant supplies and business longevity The Snow family has operated businesses on Midland Boulevard since 1932

C

ustomers come and go at a brisk pace at Dennie Snow Restaurant Supply, leaving with good deals on new and used commercial cooking equipment.

But they might gain just as much for their businesses if they stepped next door to Snow’s office at the adjacent building to 3210 Midland, where Snow is found most days, visiting from his desk with friends, customers who are making car payments and the occasional hunting buddy. Snow and his wife, Wanda, are pleasant, friendly people and he has a lot to share about longevity in business.

One young man stopped there recently for just that sort of specific advice about how to buy and sell (in this case, cars) and succeed.

Snow has owned businesses on Midland Boulevard since 1962 and has operated furniture stores, car lots and several restaurant supply stores. The genial 74-year-old has worked all his life as an independent business owner.

“I’ve been on this street since 1957,” he said.

“This is where I lived when I graduated from

high school, in an apartment over the store with my parents.” From 1932, his father operated a store with new and used furniture and other merchandise at that location. Snow worked for his dad “making $18.50 a week,” he said.

“I went out on my own in 1962, which is also when I married Wanda, and opened Dennie Snow Trading Post at 1123 North 11th, at the curve.” They soon had a family of three daughters.

His next venture was selling trailers and motor homes for many years, also on Midland Boulevard and then restaurant equipment at S&R Restaurant Supply on 11th Street near Garrison Avenue, he said. Except for a short foray opening a furniture store in Eufaula, Okla., Snow has been a Midland Boulevard fixture.

Driving more than a hundred miles a day to Eufaula “got old after a while” and Snow took the opportunity to take over and renovate his father’s original property. He opened the present restaurant supply next door and is now winding down car sales at the family “home place,” where he plans to expand the restaurant supply.

“Restaurant equipment is made to be used,” he said of the commercial ranges, ovens and other appliances. He carries new and used, reconditioned equipment, which holds its value.

“Anything customers want that we don’t have in stock, we can order,” he added.

Home cooks also are welcome and Snow encourages them to consider commercial-quality chef ’s knives and cookware.

“You may spend a little more, but you will get a little more,” he explained.

Commercial-grade cookware is one line of goods that homeowners may find at a good price at his restaurant supply.

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HOME & GARDEN Some of his prices, such as for stainless steel cookware, can be the same as found in retail stores and the pots and pans may be of better durability and construction.

At home, Wanda cooks on a commercial gas range, she said. In a recent ice storm, she invited all the neighbors who were without electricity over for breakfast. She enjoyed cooking for the hungry crowd on her big commercial range.

Steve Bennett is Snow’s key employee, with years of experience and professional knowledge of restaurateurs’ needs.

Homeowners who choose commercial-grade double ovens, ranges, griddles or vent hoods “will use them from now on in a domestic environment,” Bennett said.

Snow said he also has sold diner-style upholstered booths to homeowners who installed them in their dining rooms or outfitted them for children’s homework or craft desks.

Operators of school and athletic concession stands, churches and other institutions are customers at the restaurant supply, finding equipment, cookware, food storage containers, tabletop appliances, cooking utensils and other supplies necessary to cook for large groups.

In all of his businesses, Snow said, he has noticed that his customers came back again.

“When I used to sell trailers and motor homes, my bookkeeper once showed me that 75 percent of my customers were repeat customers,” he said. “I have always thought that if you’re honest and fair, you don’t ever have to remember what you told them.”

Dennie Snow Restaurant Supply 3210 Midland Boulevard, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-242-9595 or 479-782-3220

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home & garden goodies

Fringe Alchemy soaps and candle from Mailbox Express.

Paints and paste wax from The Plaster Paint Co. available at Yard Sale Find Design.

Painted, antique finial and wooden frame found at Jo Waite Interiors.

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Entertainment Fort Smith

February 2014

Elvis Presley ceramic bust, doll with stand and book available at Designer Again.

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home & garden goodies

A trio of apple cannister from Marcia Cooksey Interiors.

French-style jewelry armoire from Furniture Emporium.

Lolita hand-painted champagne glass and candle, heart-shaped candy dish and Chandon California Rose from In Good Spirits.

February 2014

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home & garden goodies

Austram Mini Royal Arbors available from Sharum's Garden Center.

Paint and furniture products from Miss Mustard Seed's and The Plaster Paint Co., natural boars hair brush and rustic serving tray available at BrickCity Emporium.

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Entertainment Fort Smith

February 2014

Jason Sacran original "Morning Light" available at Creative Furnishings by Jean.

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home & garden goodies

Old South specialty condiments available at Paul’s Meat Market.

Frames for canvas artwork or photos found at Abilities Unlimited ReSale Shop.

Spa Frog floating system from Luther Stem Pools & Spas.

February 2014

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home & garden goodies

Painted candelabra, concrete bunny figurine and wooden picture frame found at The Good’s.

Miniature Italian clay pots available at Neumeier Nursery & Florist.

Entry door and sidelights with decorative glass insets from Sutherlands.

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WHAT’S COOKING with KRISTAN ROLAND

Sweet

Relief I know Valentine's Day isn't for everyone, but I love it. January is my least favorite month of the year -- the cold, the after-Christmas lull, all the talking about TAXES!! Valentine's Day gives me something to focus on, and the fact that it's all about pink, chocolates and cute hearts doesn't hurt my feelings a bit!!

Whether your sweetheart is a significant other, a cherished family member, or a bottle of wine and Redbox, I urge you to make something sweet to celebrate the occasion.

Even the most commercial of holidays is worthy of an extra dose of sugar, isn't it?

Check out Kristan’s blog at confessionsofacookbookqueen.com Cookies 11⁄4 cups all-purpose flour ⁄2 tsp. baking soda 1 ⁄3 cup buttermilk 1 ⁄2 tsp. vanilla

⁄3 cup butter, softened ⁄2 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg 1 1

Icing 1 ⁄4 tsp. vanilla 11⁄2 cup powdered sugar 1 tbsp. light corn syrup 2-3 tbsp. water 1 ⁄4 tsp. lemon juice 1 ⁄4 cup Hershey Special Dark cocoa powder Cookies: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray or grease with butter.

Combine buttermilk and vanilla in a measuring glass. In a separate bowl, combine flour and baking soda.

In the bowl of a mixer, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg and beat until combined.

With the mixer on low, add flour and milk mixture alternately, starting and ending with the flour mixture.

Spoon batter into a piping bag fitted with a jumbo round piping tip.

Pipe hearts that are roughly 2 inches in diameter, (or spoon about 1/4 cup of dough on baking sheet for round cookies) 2 inches apart. Bake for about 12 minutes or until edges are golden brown and tops spring back when lightly touched. Remove to racks to cool completely.

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Frosting: Whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons water. Remove about 1/3 of icing to a separate bowl and add cocoa powder to it. Add enough water to make it a thin, spreadable consistency. Add lemon juice to the white portion of frosting. Spread white frosting on one half of each cookie, then go back and spread chocolate on the other halves. Add enough powdered sugar to the leftover white frosting to make it pipeable and add red food coloring. Pipe red heart outlines on cookies with a No. 3 round tip (this step is optional). Let icing set before serving.

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PEANUT BUTTER TWIX COOKIES 2 cold sticks salted butter, cut into 1-inch pieces 21⁄2 cups all purpose flour 1 ⁄2 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg 1 cup creamy peanut butter 11 oz. bag caramel bits or caramel candies 32 oz. chocolate candy coating or almond bark (I use Ghirardelli Melts) Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a large bowl, mix the flour and sugar together.

Using a food processor or your hands, cut in the butter until the ingredients are well mixed and the mixture can hold together when you squeeze it in your fist. Using a mixer, mix in the egg until a soft dough forms.

Roll the dough into roughly 11⁄2-inch balls and place on nonstick baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Using the bottom of a glass dipped in flour, flatten cookies to about 1/4-inch thick.

Bake for about 20 minutes or until edges are just barely golden. Remove from oven and let cool on sheets for a couple minutes before removing to rack to cool completely.

In a microwave-safe bowl, heat caramel and 1 tablespoon water for a few minutes, stopping to stir every 30 seconds until mixture is smooth.

Spoon caramel onto the center of each cookie and spread, stopping just short of the edges.

Let set a few minutes, then spread a small spoonful of peanut butter on top of the caramel.

Melt chocolate according to package directions. Carefully dip each cookie by placing it in the chocolate, peanut butter side up and spooning melted chocolate over the top. Scoop cookie out with a fork, allowing excess chocolate to drip off. Place coated cookies on wax paper until chocolate has set.

Makes about 2 dozen large cookies.

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GARDENING

For the sake of your garden and all gardens, consider keeping honeybees

By Lynn Wasson

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Entertainment Fort Smith

February 2014

You may have rich, loamy garden soil. You may be blessed with the right amount of sun and rain. But without pollinators such as the tiny honeybee, you may find your squash, tomatoes, melons and fruit trees never produce more than leaves – they will bear no fruit or vegetables.

The Western Arkansas Eastern Oklahoma Beekeepers Association invites all gardeners – and honey lovers – to learn about honeybees and perhaps learn to keep bees in a three-part short course from 6-9 p.m. Feb. 11, 18 and 25 at the River Valley Nature Center. The Beekeepers Association now has more than 150 members who learn together, mentor new beekeepers and hold educational meetings, besides giving honeybee demonstrations at fairs, garden shows and schools.

Michael Maher, a member who is also a gardener, found himself “crawling around in my garden, hand-pollinating my zucchini and cantaloupe,” when he saw the bee association’s flyer and joined the club. With a degree in zoology, he knew his garden was lacking pollinating insects and, in fact, realized he had not seen a honeybee in his yard for years.

“This is my first full year to keep a hive,” he said. “I haven’t even harvested any honey yet, but having it has helped my garden and my neighbors’, too.”

The River Valley Master Gardeners partners with the beekeepers to maintain a hive in the Learning Fields at Chaffee Crossing to help their demonstration gardens have all the essential elements for success. The gardeners also have begun some practices helpful to bees, such as waiting until winter to mow some areas (providing late bee forage) and planting sunflowers, clover, alfalfa and other honeybee staple food sources.

Keeping bees, reducing the over-use of garden chemicals and planting heirloom seeds may help reverse the recent, unsolved die-offs of honeybees, a phenomenon that could cause an ecological disaster that would destroy the cultivation of essential foods. Bee extinction would threaten human life.

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GARDENING

Honeybees tending their comb.

Photos by Scott Robins, a beekeeper. scottrobinsphotography.com

Danny Brewer is a beekeeper and swarmcatcher. When a large bee colony is healthy, a new queen bee and thousands of worker bees will split off to find a new home. A ball of bees may be found resting on a shrub, tree or fence.

They may look frightening, but are not a danger.

Please do not kill them, Brewer appeals. A swarm can be gently captured. Call the police or fire department, which will dispatch a local bee catcher.

WAEOBA has a “swarm list” of beekeepers who happily accept and tend them.

Bees and humans are mutually dependent.

Befriending the honeybee has sweet results.

Feb. 11, 18, 25 Beginners Beekeeping Classes Classes are offered in three short courses.

Evening 1: Beehives and other equipment, honey bee biology; Evening 2: Seasonal colony management tasks; Evening 3: Keeping hives healthy by managing pests and diseases. No prior knowledge is required.

Classes are sponsored by the Western Arkansas Eastern Oklahoma Beekeepers Association. Free. A donation of one canned food item per class for the Salvation Army is requested. 6-9 p.m. River Valley Nature Center, 8300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-208-9949 or on Facebook

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DESIGNER NOTES

Taking her design business wherever it grows

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uring a decade in her career in interior design, Jo Waite has learned to push through any boundary to follow her business wherever it wants to grow.

Recently, it has propelled her into adding some retail space at her design studio location.

The retail store is open several days a week, offering a sampling of furniture, accessories, rugs, pillows, lighting and more.

“I meant it to be a workshop for myself,” she explained. When she held a sale to move some of her extra materials, a small retail shop seemed to evolve naturally into one more way she should stretch her enterprises.

Ten years ago, Waite started as an interior designer with a home office and clients by referral. She’s eternally grateful for her mentor, Joan Sloat of the Now & Then Shoppe, for design advice and support throughout the years.

The scope of her career today is something she could not have imagined back then. Several years ago, she studied for and earned a contractor’s license and the ability to design and execute extensive home remodeling. When a client wants to completely redesign a kitchen, for example, Waite is the supervising contractor for everything from changing the configuration of walls to overseeing the creation of new cabinetry, flooring, lighting, utility services, counter surfaces and more. She can deliver a turn-key interior makeover for her clients.

“It’s kind of unexpected,” Waite said of becoming a licensed contractor, “but I wasn’t going to let anything limit me.”

“I’m blessed with pretty good timemanagement ability,” she said of the contracting responsibility. And she has an excellent professional relationship with a select group of subcontractors on whom she can rely for their expertise. She loves creating a “win/win” project with a team of designer, client and subcontractors.

“To be invited to create something in their home is special,” she said of her clients. “I do not take that lightly.” Waite said when everything comes together, it’s a joy to her.

“I feel very lucky to get up every day and do what I love,” she said.

A display in the window of her converted gas station studio shows some spring retail items.

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DESIGNER NOTES

Waite’s design talent is evident at her elegant but eclectic building, which she converted from a gas station to design studio.

Not all her projects are remodels. Waite can help with all window covering choices, from custom drapes to blinds and shutters. At the studio, she offers a selection of high-end wallpaper. Her services include choosing fabric for upholstery to ordering new furniture.

One of the most exciting and, for her, fun projects she has done was to help a CFO who was moving away from Fort Smith to arrange his next home in another state.

She went there for a weekend “and set up the entire home from moving boxes until everything was ready for them,” she explained. She was alone in the house.

That included arranging all the furniture, installing all window coverings, hanging paintings and pictures and decorating every surface and shelf with the family’s belongings. The client ultimately arrived with their clothing, to a fully set-up house that instantly felt like home.

That client is now moving again.

“I went to their new city and in one weekend helped the client pick out their brick, granite, floor surfaces, wood stains, paint, drapes – everything for the new home they are building,” she said.

Wasn’t it exhausting? Waite called it fun.

“It’s a process I’ve learned,” she said of a fullhouse decorating project. “It’s not as taxing on me as it used to be because over time I’ve learned how to organize the process.”

Waite also has designed commercial spaces. A project last year involved remodeling a reception area and waiting room of a local corporate headquarters that included etching the company logo in glass, a custom touch and focal point of the space.

She loves the variety and challenge of her work.

“I learn something every day,” Waite said.

Jo Waite Interiors 1719 South Greenwood 479-262-6232 Facebook – Jo Waite Interiors Open Wednesday-Friday Noon-5 p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m.-noon February 2014

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health & beauty goodies

Meesh and Mia Team Bling denim jacket, K-9 Couture Passionate Puppy and Baby Candy tutu from Jennifer's Gift Shop at Sparks hospital.

Brighton Live, Love, Laugh and Dream fragrances found at The Purple Plume.

Lightweight Bernie Mev wedges and ballet slippers available at Now & Then Shoppe.

William Wang Designs jewelry available at Main Street Interiors.

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health & beauty goodies

Hard case wallets and handbags with cross embellishments and exterior pockets from Coleman Pharmacy.

Ombre frames from the Paul Smith Spectacles 2014 Spring Collection available at Dr. Steven Stiles Optometry.

Fun and flirty prom dresses found at N Style Revue.

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health & beauty goodies Three-piece chain jewelry set, sequined boots and slender wine glass from Salon Elements.

A'reve red dress with black overlay and silver satin tie found at Crane Clothing Co.

Aveda Color Conserve hair care products available from Metropolis Salon.

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health & beauty goodies

Diamond heart-shaped necklaces available at Newton’s Jewelers.

Tano Wrap Star midsize hobo bag in azalea from Fashion Boutique.

Lightweight sweaters in three shades of grey found at The Prideful Peacock at BrickCity Emporium.

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health & beauty goodies Vintage-inspired statement necklaces found at Unique Boutique.

CND Vinylux Open Road Collection nail polish from Vanity Calls.

Fashion frames by Fendi and Jimmy Choo available at Ennen Eye Center.

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REBA MIZE

Phenology is a mighty big word for what Reba’s grandma did hat do my grandmother, Henry David Thoreau and Thomas Jefferson have in common? They were all phenologists. They all studied and collected information about our natural world, each to a different degree, of course. So let’s learn a little more about this odd-sounding pursuit.

If you have ever wondered where all the hummingbirds are this year or why your allergies are so bad this season, you might already be a phenologist.

Long before the USDA, people were using signs in nature to help us know very life-sustaining issues such as when the last frost might occur. That’s where my grandmother comes in. Like many of her day, I remember my grandma would look at signs in nature to decide when it was safe to plant her garden to avoid a killing frost.

Unfortunately, I didn’t pay attention to what those signs were. I do remember she said: “Wait until an oak leaf is the size of a squirrel’s ear to plant your corn.”

Phenology is simply the study of the seasonal plant and animal life cycle events, including, but certainly not limited to, the flowering of plants, ripening of fruit, emergence of insects and the migration of birds. It is the understanding that plants and animals react to climate, day length and precipitation rather than a date on a calendar.

Phenology is nature’s calendar; birds time their nesting so their eggs hatch when insects are available to feed nestlings. In turn, insect emergence is synchronized to coincide with host plants’ first leaf.

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Are the oak leaves as big as a squirrel’s ear? Learn why it matters.

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OUTDOORS The study of the relationship between climate and biologic phenomenon is called “the science of appearances.”

I started looking into phenology and guess what? It has gone high-tech.

Who knew there was the National Phenology Network, an organization whose directive is to collect data concerning the natural world.

I spoke with Theresa Crimmins with the network who explained, “We connect people with nature to benefit our planet. Citizens like you, along with professionals all over the country, collect information about the world around them – when the first buds bloom, when butterflies and birds migrate. We compile this information and make it available to scientists and citizens on our website.”

How do you get involved?

“The easiest way is to join our Natures Notebook program. Go online and get started. It’s easy, free and very user friendly,” she said.

I asked Theresa about my grandmother’s old saying.

“This is now called TEK – Traditional Ecological Knowledge – and is a highly regarded source of information. Rather than look at a calendar, your grandmother could look at the oak leaf for a sign of when to plant because, no matter what the calendar says, we know that in order for an oak leaf to grow to that size, the soil would have to have achieved a

temperature warm enough so that a corn seed could germinate.”

The USA NPN encourages people of all ages and skills to observe both plants and animals. With regular webinars and a newsletter, you can learn as you observe. You, as a citizen scientist, can take part at any level of commitment you choose.

Some local students may already have participated in an annual Monarch migration butterfly count. Birdwatchers worldwide (and in Arkansas) help with annual events such as the Christmas Bird Count or the Great Backyard Bird Count.

It turns out there are many other organizations that are seeking socalled citizen scientists to help gather data that can do real good for our planet. The website Zooiniverse has lots to choose from. You may find the answer to your question of why your hummingbirds seem to be later coming to your feeder. The timing of flowering plants matters to migrating hummingbirds as they depend on flowers as a food source. This is the type of information you and your family can collect.

Grab your journal and your walking stick. We can learn a lot from our world and take a break from technology. Whether you decide to observe in your neighborhood or use a GPS in the woods, we can all enjoy becoming a citizen phenological scientist.

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FEBRUARY 7-8

Darby Junior High and Fort Smith Museum of History observe general’s birthday Petry was recognized by the nation after an assault on the enemy in Afghanistan in 2008. While already wounded in both legs by bullets, Petry hurled away a live enemy grenade. He lost his hand in the explosion and saved the lives of the two soldiers, one who also had been wounded. He continues to serve, now as a liaison officer for the U.S. Special Operations Command Care Coalition, providing oversight to wounded warriors, ill and injured service members and their families. Petry and his wife have four children.

His visit is sponsored by the General Darby Legacy Project.

Call the Darby office at 479-783-4159 by 3 p.m. Feb. 6 to attend. 9 a.m.

Darby Junior High School, 616 North 14th Street, Fort Smith, Ark.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry receiving the Medal of Honor from President Obama in 2008.

Feb. 7 Darby Junior High Hosts Medal of Honor Recipient A special assembly to honor Gen. William O. Darby and his legacy also will introduce students to a Medal of Honor recipient for the Army, Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry of the 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Ga. Northside High School JROTC will present the colors and Darby students will lead a program. Petry, who has deployed eight times in support of overseas contingency operations with two tours to Iraq and six tours to Afghanistan, will speak.

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Feb. 8 Museum of History Darby Birthday Celebration Celebrate with birthday cake and punch in the soda fountain. Visit the William O. Darby Memorial Room and see film clips about the famous founder of Darby’s Rangers. Darby was born in Fort Smith on Feb. 8, 1911, and graduated from Fort Smith High School in 1928. He was appointed to West Point, class of 1932. Selected to lead elite special forces in World War II called Rangers, he earned the respect of his men and commanding officers. He is known for leading his troops into action, living up to the motto “Rangers Lead the Way.” He was killed in action in Italy and posthumously promoted to general.

Museum admission: $5 adults, $2 children. 2-4 p.m. Fort Smith Museum of History, 320 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-7841 fortsmithmuseum.com

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FEBRUARY–MAY

Local architects help create exhibit at Museum of History

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ort Smith has long been the home of distinguished architects and architectural firms that have designed significant buildings here and across the nation.

At the suggestion of architect Larry McGowan, many of the present-day firms and architects have loaned materials for an exhibit at the Fort Smith Museum of History that will run through May. Like previous popular museum installations showcasing the local radio broadcast industry, Fort Smith aviation and black history, this exhibit is sure to be keenly interesting to visitors who will recognize plans of landmarks they live among and use, including churches, bridges, University of Arkansas buildings, residences and commercial structures.

Bob Laser, 87, is a valued contributor as he is a member of the first graduating class (of five men) of the University of Arkansas School of Architecture and was a partner of the firm that evolved from the 1919 firm Haralson & Nelson to today’s Guest Reddick Architects. McGowan was a partner of another historic firm that grew from the 1935 establishment of Haralson & Mott and today is known as MAHG. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $5 Fort Smith architects Larry McGowan (from left), James Reddick, John Lane and Bob Laser adults, $2 children, under 6 free. Fort Smith Museum of History, confer over some of the artifacts, blueprints and photographs they have gathered for the 320 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-7841 museum’s exhibit. Laser holds an original rendering of Goddard Methodist Church.

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MUSIC

& performance Bring It On: The Musical Puts Spirit Onstage

Mark Lowry

Feb. 17 Bring It On: The Musical Bitingly relevant and sprinkled with sass, “Bring It On: The Musical,” inspired by the film, takes the audience on a high-flying journey through friendship, forgiveness and determination. It is the story of the challenges and unexpected bonds formed through the thrill of extreme cheerleading competition, with a colorful crew of characters, an exciting fresh sound and explosive dance with aerial stunts.

Uniting some of the freshest and funniest creative minds on Broadway, “Bring it On: The Musical” features an original story by Tony Award-winner Jeff Whitty (Avenue Q), music and lyrics by Tony Award-winning composer Lin-Manuel Miranda (In the Heights), music by Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning composer Tom Kitt (Next to Normal), lyrics by Broadway lyricist Amanda Green (High Fidelity) and music supervision by Tony and Grammy Award-winner Alex Lacamoire (In The Heights). The production is directed and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Andy Blankenbuehler (In the Heights).

Admission is by Season of Entertainment season ticket or individual tickets, $35 and $32, available online. 7:30 p.m. Fort Smith Convention Center, Rogers Avenue and South 9th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. UAFS Box Office 479-788-7300 uafs.universitytickets.com

Feb. 1 Mark Lowry: Unplugged and Unplanned Mark Lowry has been making people laugh, cry and think for nearly 40 years. While touring with the Gaither vocal band for more than 13 years, Lowry's comedy became a hit with audiences all over the world. In 1984, Lowry wrote the lyrics to the song, "Mary Did You Know?" and became established as a well-known songwriter in addition to being a comedian and singer. He has recorded 12 albums and six videos in both comedy and music, four of which have gone gold and two which have achieved platinum status.

The whole family can enjoy the clean comedy and music of this accomplished Christian comedian, singer and songwriter. Tickets $25$35. 8 p.m. Alma Performing Arts Center, 103 East Main, Alma, Ark. 479-632-2129 almapac.org Feb. 3 Fort Smith Symphony: Earquake The Earquake Educational Concert Series is presented each year to more than 3,000 sixth-graders from seven counties in Arkansas and Oklahoma. The awardAnderson winning program features classical music the students easily recognize, instrument demonstrations, video projection, study guides for concert preparation, audience participation and lots of fun with music. Exciting performances by violist Tazonio Anderson and the Western Arkansas Ballet will delight young audiences. Pulitzer Prizenominated composer Michael Schelle will visit with the audience about his new work, “The Revenge of the Sugar Plum Fairy.” This unique opportunity inspires many students to participate in secondary school choral, band or orchestra activities.

Attendance is for participating schools only. 10 a.m. Arkansas Best Corp. Performing Arts Center, Rogers Avenue and South 9th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-452-7575 fortsmithsymphony.org

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MUSIC & PERFORMANCE Feb. 13-16, 19-23 Fort Smith Little Theatre: The Dixie Swim Club Five Southern Belles bond tightly on their college swim team. The years fly by, but they unite every August away from men, kids and work.

Their lives have taken different paths but friendship remains and laughter prevails.

From the first act to the curtain, three decades are revealed. Directed by Angela Covey.

Gala performance 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13; regular performances 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14-15, 19-22; 2 p.m. matinee Feb. 16 and 23. $10 regular admission; $30 opening night gala only. 7:30 p.m.

Fort Smith Little Theatre, 401 North 6th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-2966 fslt.org

Man of La Mancha

Feb. 4 Man of La Mancha Dream the impossible dream. Enter the mind and the world of Don Quixote as he pursues his quest, and sees good and innocence in a world filled with darkness and despair. This lyrical and amusing adventure is a classic tale of the triumph of man over his own follies. An aging but idealistic would-be knight-errant pursues chivalry and virtue alongside his trusty squire. Based on the Cervantes masterpiece Don Quixote, the original 1965 musical production of Man of La Mancha won five Tony Awards and introduced the ever-popular song “The Impossible Dream.” $35, $32. 7:30 p.m. Arkansas Best Corp. Performing Arts Center, Rogers Avenue and South 9th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7300 UAFS.universitytickets.com Feb. 4-9 I Love Lucy on Stage A hit stage production adapted from one of television’s most-beloved shows features America’s favorite characters – Lucy, Ricky, Fred and Ethel.

Step back to 1952 to see the original filming of two hilarious episodes, “The Benefit” and “Lucy Has Her Eyes Examined.”

This time-travel twist goes on to the Desilu Playhouse soundstage where a host enlightens audiences with a behind-the-scenes look at the filming, 1950s hi-fidelity technology and this brand-new thing called “TV.” Laugh at antics of the famous foursome in the Ricardos’ New York apartment and the Tropicana Club, alongside “The Ricky Ricardo Orchestra.” Between scenes, The Crystaltone Singers perform live jingles in perfect 1950s harmony. 7 p.m. Feb. 4-6; 8 p.m. Feb. 7-8 and 2 p.m. Feb. 9. $29-$59. 7 p.m. Walton Arts Center, 495 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-443-5600 waltonartscenter.org February 2014

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MUSIC & PERFORMANCE Feb. 13-15, 17, 20-21 Theatre at UAFS: Crimes of the Heart This Pulitzer Prize-winning play about three young Mississippi sisters teems with humanity and humor.

Dealing with their family troubles, they find strength in each other and in sisterhood. The New York Post says, “It would certainly be a crime for anyone interested in theatre not to see this play.” For ages 13 and up. $6. 7:30 p.m. UA-Fort Smith Breedlove Auditorium, 5210 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7300 uafs.universitytickets.com Feb. 13-March 9 TheatreSquared: Good People Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David LindsayAbaire wrote this drama set in South Boston, where this month’s paycheck covers last month’s bills and sharp-tongued single-mom Margie has just lost her job at the Dollar Store. Scrambling to make ends meet, she tracks down an old high school flame – now married and living well on Chestnut Hill – but a favor turns quickly to blackmail. $10-$32. Studio Theatre, 505 West Spring Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-443-5600 waltonartscenter.org Feb. 15 THRIVE Nights A new Electronic Dance Music event promises "the sickest DJ’s, light show, lasers and dancers." Thrive Nights brings thousands of people together to dance the night away to music from the top regional DJ's and enjoy one of the best light shows in the region. $12. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Kay Rodgers Park Expo Center, 4400 Midland Boulevard, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-6176 facebook.com/thrivenights

Feb. 17 Bring It On: The Musical The story of the challenges and unexpected bonds formed through the thrill of extreme cheerleading. $35, $32. 7:30 p.m. Fort Smith Convention Center, Rogers Avenue and South 9th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7300 afs.universitytickets.com Feb. 17 University of Arkansas Band in Concert The University of Arkansas Wind Ensemble is comprised of the finest woodwind, brass and percussion instrumentalists from across the Fayetteville campus. The ensemble is dedicated to the performance of outstanding band literature, but the flexible instrumentation allows these students to also perform chamber and contemporary music, as well. Audiences can expect to hear Mozart or Strauss chamber music, brass fanfares, band masterworks, or marches by John Philip Sousa.

This diverse programming creates a musical variety that extends beyond the traditional band concert.

This event is being presented by the Alma Education and Arts Foundation. Free. 7:30 p.m. Alma Performing Arts Center, 103 East Main Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-632-2129 almapac.org

UofA Band

Helen Reddy

Feb. 22 Helen Reddy in Concert The “Queen of ’70s Pop” is back on tour after more than a decade off the road. Helen Reddy is one of the best-known recording artists in the world. With more than a dozen Top 40 hits such as, "I Am Woman," "You and Me Against the World," "Ain't No Way to Treat a Lady," and "Delta Dawn," Reddy was the first Australian to win a Grammy Award and have three No. 1 hits in the same year.

Her career also spanned the film and television industry with regular appearances on the Bobby Darin Show, The Carol Burnett Show and The Yes, you had this album.

Muppet Show. She Or her Greatest Hits. guest starred in TV series such as The Love Boat and The Jeffersons. Reddy also performed in several musicals both on Broadway and the West End. $25-$40. 8 p.m. Alma Performing Arts Center, 103 East Main, Alma, Ark. 479-632-2129 almapac.org Feb. 22 Liverpool Legends Branson headliners Liverpool Legends have been nominated for a Grammy Award for their work recreating the music, look and performance style of the Beatles.

Enjoy the musical evolution of the most important rock and roll band in history from beginning to end. $15; $20 and $25. 8 p.m. Van Buren Fine Arts Center, 2001 Pointer Trail Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-471-4017 centerforfinearts.org

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MUSIC & PERFORMANCE Feb. 24 Jazz Noon Show at UAFS The University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Jazz Band and Jazz Catz will perform an hourlong concert in the Reynolds Room of the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center. "Brown bag” a lunch or buy something at the newly expanded Food Court or Starbucks next-door to enjoy a lunch hour listening to great music. Free. Noon. Reynolds Room, UAFS Campus Center, 5210 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7558 uafs.edu March 4 Willie Nelson and Family With a six-decade career and 200-plus albums, this iconic Texan is the creative genius behind the historic recordings of “Crazy,” “Red Headed Stranger” and “Stardust.” Willie Nelson has earned every conceivable award as a musician and amassed reputable credentials as an author, actor and Willie Nelson activist. 7 p.m. Walton Arts Center, 495 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-443-5600 waltonartscenter.org March 7 Roseanne Cash Over the past 30 years, singer/songwriter Roseanne Cash has recorded 14 albums, had 11 No. 1 singles, a Grammy and two gold albums, navigating her own path between country and rock, roots and pop. Cash is the keeper of an extraordinary family legacy. The eldest child of Johnny Cash, Rosanne joined her father and stepmother’s road Roseanne Cash show after high school before making her own musical history. Her brand-new release is “The River and the Thread,” a back-to-roots personal journey. $29-$59. 8 p.m. Walton Arts Center, 495 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-443-5600 waltonartscenter.org

Chicago March 11-16 Chicago One show-stopping song after another and astonishing dancing have made this universal tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz an cultural institution.

This Broadway show has been honored with six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy and thousands of standing ovations across the globe.

Seven performances. $35-$73. Walton Arts Center, 495 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-443-5600 waltonartscenter.org February 2014

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MUSIC & PERFORMANCE

Behind the ballot: Many performances vied for the win

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nly one top vote-getter is recognized in Entertainment Fort Smith’s Readers’ Favorites Poll, but many worthy artists and performances are named by voters. Here are a few that polled strongly but fell a little short of gaining the most votes. Congratulations to these entertainment nominees, as well, for they were chosen by “write-in” votes on our ballots. We’d like them to know they have many fans and supporters.

La Huerta Mexican Restaurant on Garrison Avenue was highly ranked as a Favorite Live Music Venue. La Huerta’s patio is lively all during the warm months of the year with enjoyable performances and also is the venue for many fundraising concerts. The Favorite Place to Hear Live Music was, once again, Neumeier’s Rib Room & Beer Garden.

The Favorite Performance category revealed that our readers have a love for many musical and performance genres. The Southside High School Band, a previous winner, has loyal supporters. A tie in this category meant honors went to both the Fort Smith Symphony and the UAFS Jazz Program, including the Jazz Band and vocal Jazz Cats ensemble.

Some performances frequently mentioned on ballots include Mr. Cabbagehead and the Screaming Radishes, Josiah Hawley for his benefit concert for the River Valley Regional Food Bank, Corey Smith at the Rib Room, Audra McDonald from Season of Entertainment, Academy of the Arts Gospel Fest and White Christmas at Fort Smith Little Theatre. Chris Young, who was invited to the Cox Community Concert, got some applause in the form of votes.

Ernie Haas, who performed at Van Buren’s Fine Arts Center, had several fans send in votes. Western Arkansas Ballet’s The Nutcracker and Keyboards at Christmas at Oak Cliff Baptist Church were appreciated by many voters.

Theater, all genres of music, dance and performance are enjoyed by readers of Entertainment Fort Smith. We’ll continue to offer you news of all those choices.

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KIDS CALENDAR

Feb. 1 La Hormiga Cuenta Cuentos Niños de todas las edades y sus familias están invitados a la Biblioteca principal a la hora de los cuentos gratis, incluiremos cuentos, historias, canciones, refranes y otras actividades divertidas en español. Ven y aprende acerca de la Biblioteca y lo que tiene para ofrecer a tu familia. Free. 2:30 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org

Encouraging words echo loudly

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ne of the highlights of my new year is taking all of my grocery receipts and totaling them to see how much I saved in coupons from the previous year. (Yes, I own my nerdiness.) I am not a crazy couponer who excessively buys in bulk – I don't have that kind of time or storage. I clip coupons from the paper and online for necessities such as diapers and cereal. Nothing hard core, but the $1 here and 25 cents there added up to more than $600 in savings for us last year.

When my husband, Jeramy, came home recently, I shared with him my savings total. He smiled, gave me a big thumbs up and told me "great job." A few minutes later, he came back, looked me in the eye and said, "Britt, I want you to know that I am so proud of you. You work hard at your job, take care of us guys and still find the time to clip coupons to save our family money. I realize how much you do and I appreciate it. I sure love you."

His words brought tears to my eyes. In that moment, I was reminded just how important it is to encourage one another as parents and partners. Life is hard sometimes. And parenthood can kick your butt. Those little words of affirmation can make all the difference in the world.

This applies to women and men. When I was pregnant, Jeramy took a second job to help us stash some extra cash.

One night, when I was too tired to wait up for him, I scribbled a little note and left it on his pillow. In it, I thanked him for working so many long hours and shared how grateful I was to call him my husband and "baby daddy."

To this day, that note is taped to our bathroom mirror.

Jeramy sees it every morning and I believe it's a simple reminder to him that we respect and appreciate him.

Point is, kind words go a long way. Say thank you. Notice the little things. Encourage one another. The same goes for friends and family. I say all the time to my fellow mom pals, "We are all in this together. If we can't support each other, then we're in trouble." Tell your fellow parent friends they are doing a good job. Grandparents, acknowledge the effort your son or daughter is putting into raising your grandchild. They will remember it.

Mother Theresa summed it up beautifully: "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless."

Guest Writer Brittany Ransom

We have invited guest writers to share their parenting experiences.

Feb. 1-28 Teen Blind Date with a Book Pick up a "date" from a selection of wrapped books. You won't know what you picked until you leave. Fill in your Rate-a-Date card to enter a drawing. Free. 8:30 a.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

Feb. 1-March 1 Keep Arkansas Beautiful Youth Poster Contest Teachers and youth leaders across the state are encourage to involve students in grades K-5 in this educational art contest to depict a clean and green Arkansas.

March 1 is the entry deadline. Posters entered in the contest should depict an Arkansas that is clean and green with flowers and trees planted, parks and public areas cleaned up, trails built, downtowns improved and litter picked up.

The artwork should be two-dimensional and can be in any medium. Entries must be submitted on standard 8½" x 11" paper. Posters sent in for judging will not be returned to students. Teachers are asked to select one poster per class to be submitted for statewide judging. Prizes for the contest will be awarded in two divisions: Grades K-2 and Grades 3-5. The Keep Arkansas Beautiful Foundation will recognize three winners in each division with Walmart gift cards. Winners will be recognized in their local communities by KAB and Great American Cleanup in Arkansas representatives. The winning art will be displayed May 12-30 at the Thea Foundation art gallery in downtown North Little Rock. Posters will also be posted to the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Facebook page and may be used in other Great American Cleanup in Arkansas promotions. Complete rules are available at the KAB website. Free. Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission, One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, Ark. 888-742-8701 keeparkansasbeautiful.com Feb. 3 Primetime Story Time: Chinese New Year Celebrate the Chinese New Year with special guest, UAFS instructor Mrs. Hui Wang Apple. This fun and informative story time will include stories, songs, crafts, refreshments, and special displays focusing on the Chinese New Year. Fun for the family.

Free 6 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 Feb. 3, 10, 24 Van Buren Library Wii Games Tweens and teens are invited to play Wii games. Free 3:30-4:30 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

Feb. 4 Mountainburg Library Mardi Gras Drop-in Enjoy some King's cake and punch, grab a few beads, and decorate a mask. 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Mountainburg Public Library, 1300 U.S. 71, Mountainburg, Ark. 479369-1600 Feb. 4-25 Van Buren Baby & Me Story Time A variety of music, finger plays, bouncing rhymes and board books are used as a fun introduction to story time for newborn babies up to 36 months. The 20-minute story time is followed by free play with toys and books. Free. 10:30-11 a.m. Tuesdays. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 Feb. 4-25 Van Buren Teen Writers Group Free. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 February 2014 Entertainment Fort Smith 55

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KIDS CALENDAR

Feb. 4-25 Mountainburg Library Tweenology Activities for tweens and teens. Don't miss some Mardi Gras fun on Feb. 4. Free 3:45-4:45 p.m. Tuesdays. Mountainburg Public Library, 1300 U.S. 71, Mountainburg, Ark. 479-369-1600

Feb. 4-25 Mulberry Library Teen Time Board games, flowers, legos and movies are on tap this month. Free. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226

Feb. 4-25 Mulberry Library Toddler Story Time Stories, music, crafts, and snacks. Free 11 a.m.-noon Tuesdays. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226 Feb. 5-26 Van Buren Library Preschool Story Time Themes this mont will include colors, Valentine’s Day, presidents and dragons. Snacks and crafts are planned. 9:30-10:30 a.m. or 11 a.m.-noon Wednesdays. Free. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

Feb. 5-26 Cedarville Toddler Story Time Toddlers will do the dinosaur stomp, make a Love Bug Valentine, hear some monkey tales and learn about elephants. Free 10-11 a.m. Wednesdays. Cedarville Public Library, 737 Pirates Way, Cedarville, Ark. 479-410-1853

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Feb. 5-26 Alma Library Preschool Story Time Through stories and crafts, preschoolers will learn about numbers, love, nighttime and monsters, and birds. Free. 10-11 a.m. Wednesdays. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140 Feb. 5-26 Van Buren Library Teen Time Tweens and teens are invited to have fun with karaoke, attend a Valentine’s party and compete on game day.

Free. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

Feb. 5-26 Mountainburg Library Preschool Story Time and Home-School Activity Stories, crafts, videos, songs, games, learning packets, activities and more. Free. 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Wednesdays. Mountainburg Public Library, 1300 U.S. 71, Mountainburg, Ark. 479-369-1600 Feb. 6 Mulberry Library Wii Games New Wii games for children age 6-9 will be available to play. Free. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226 Feb. 6 Van Buren Library Bingo for Books For tweens and teens. Free. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

Feb. 6 Cedarville Library Kids Craft Time "Owl always love you!" Make a special Valentine that will have them asking, "Whoo made this?" Free. 3:304:30 p.m. Cedarville Public Library, 737 Pirates Way, Cedarville, Ark. 479-410-1853 Feb. 6 Friends and Family Fun Night Movie: Monsters University Discover how Mike and Sulley first met at Monsters University in this animated comedy featuring the voices of Billy Crystal and John Goodman. Free popcorn and fun for all ages. Free. 6 p.m. Windsor Branch Library, 4701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-785-0205

Feb. 6-7 American Legacy In honor of Black History Month, the Fort Smith Museum of History will host the American Legacy Mobile Truck Museum for two days. Sponsored by the Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Sorority, “Know Your History” is a mobile traveling museum filled with photos, stories and interactive learning stations that celebrate the African-American experience. The 18-wheel trailer transformed into a museum will take visitors on a historical journey in black history. The sorority wants to present to the community an enriching experience, free of charge, that correlates with the celebration of Black History Month. Free. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fort Smith Museum of History parking lot, 320 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-7841 fortsmithmuseum.com

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Feb. 6-27 Alma Library After-School Activities Children will decorate a secret chest in which to store their love letters or personal keepsakes; watch a movie; play with Legos and games; and make a birdfeeder. Free. 4-5 p.m. Thursdays. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

Feb. 6-27 Van Buren Library Home-School Hour Home-schoolers are invited to learn about the American artist Georgia O'Keefe and make an art project in the O'Keefe style; a Valentine party; watch experiments based on colors and participate in a group project based on a book. Free. 1:30-2:30 p.m. Thursdays. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

Feb. 9 Sweetheart of the River Valentine Pageant Sweetheart of the River Pageant will be held on Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. at the Alma Boys & Girls Club. The pageant has a Valentine's Day theme. Divisions will range from newborns to 60+. This is a fund raiser for the Miss Arkansas River Scholarship Organization. Vendor booths with beautiful hair bows, jewelry, clothing, etc. will be displaying their goods. Raffle drawings, concessions, and entertainment. Visit the website or phone Marla Keady. $5 adults, $2 children 2 p.m.

Alma Boys & Girls Club, 410 East Main Street, Alma, Ark. 479-632-3500 missarkansasriver.com Feb. 10, 24 Lap Time Story Time Babies and their caregivers are invited to this special story time geared toward children birth to 24 months old. There will be rhymes, songs, simple stories and lots of interactive fun. The story time will last around 20 minutes, with time for casual interaction following the program. Free. 10:30 a.m. Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-6463945 Feb. 11 Alma Library Art Club Learn about symmetry by drawing with pencils and using watercolor and oil pastels. Free 4-5 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

Feb. 11 First Tee Spring After School Clinics A mandatory open house and orientation will launch the First Tee of Fort Smith's spring after-school golf clinics for children. A membership discount of $5 off is available if paid by Feb. 7. Annual membership fees are due. $50 per year per first child in a family; $35 per sibling. 4:30-5:30 p.m. First Tee of Fort Smith, 5800 Geren Road, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-648-9833 thefirstteefortsmith.org Feb. 12 Mountainburg Library Valentine Crafts Make a Valentine for a special person in your life. Adult crafts are available, as well, with candles or romantic scented bath salts. Refreshments. Free. 1:30-4:30 p.m. Mountainburg Public Library, 1300 No. U.S. 71, Mountainburg, Ark. 479-369-1600 Feb. 12 Valentine’s Day Story Time Preschool children will enjoy stories, make Valentines

KIDS CALENDAR and decorate cookies. Free. 10:30 a.m. Dallas Branch Library, 8100 Dallas Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-4845650 Feb. 12-26 Alma Library Teen Time Tweens and teens are invited to make cookies and learn how to make tea soap. Free. 4-5 p.m. Wednesdays. Alma Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

Feb. 13 Mulberry Library Valentine's Craft Make that someone special a sweet Valentine! Free 3:30-4:30 p.m. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226

Feb. 13 Cedarville Library Teen Movie Teens are invited to enjoy a movie about half-angel demon slayers. Free 3:30-4:30 p.m. Cedarville Public Library, 737 Pirates Way, Cedarville, Ark. 479-4101853

Feb. 13-27 Van Buren Library After-School Activities Join with others for a Valentine’s Day craft, a dance party and fun with Legos. Free 3:30-4:30 p.m. Thursdays. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

Feb. 15 Dixie Belle Little Girl Clinic Southside High School Dixie Belles will host a oneday dance clinic for girls in grades K-6. Instruction will be in stretch, basic dance, kick, projection and the girls will learn a dance to One Direction's "Best Song Ever."

All participants are invited to perform at half-time of the Southside-Russellville basketball game on Feb. 18. $20 cash, includes T-shirt and picture. 8:30 a.m. registration; 9 a.m. Southside High School, 4100 Gary Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-646-7371 Feb. 18 Tween & Teen Book Lover’s Club Tweens and teens (ages 9-17) are invited to take a book or books they have read to share with the group, hang out and have fun discussing books. Snacks provided. Free. 4 p.m. Dewey's Cafe at the Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-646-3945

Feb. 20 Cedarville Library Craft Time Make a magnetic sign and bubble magnets to hang in your room or locker. Free. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Cedarville Public Library, 737 Pirates Way, Cedarville, Ark. 479410-1853

Feb. 22 8th Annual Father-Daughter Dance This Mardi Gras-themed dance is semi-formal and open to all ages. Presented annually by the Fort Smith Parks and Recreation Department. $20 per couple. 710 p.m. Fort Smith Convention Center Theatre Lobby, Rogers Avenue and South 9th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-784-2368 Feb. 20 Presidential Make & Take Crafts Celebrate Presidents Day by dropping by the Youth Services department where a variety of arts and crafts

Are You My Mother?

At long last, Baby Bird emerges from her shell and expects to be greeted by her mother's song. But her mother is not there. Where is she? Why isn't she home? With the help of Dog, Cat and Hen, Baby Bird sets out in search of her Mother Bird. This colorful musical adventure is based on P.D. Eastman's whimsical and well-loved picture book of the same name. This story teaches children about animals, adventure and the comfort of home. Call for tickets. $15 adults; $10 children 12 and under. 9:30 a.m. Alma Performing Arts Center, 103 East Main, Alma, Ark. 479-632-2129 almapac.org

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projects will be available to create. Make Lincoln Log cabins and other patriotic fare at this open-house-style crafting program for all ages. Free. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 Feb. 22 Young Actors Guild Audition Workshops In the Theatre Lab Master Class workshop, director Missy Gipson will help actors 10-19 strengthen their audition skills in preparation for YAG's productions of "Cinderella" and "Really Rosie." Learn to choose audition songs that fit you, how to act the song and how to present yourself at an audition. Great for all levels.

Registration is $40. Theatre Lab Jr. Audition Intensive Workshop, which is $20, will help actors 6-10 learn to do an audition with confidence, act their song and put their best foot forward at their audition. These actors will prepare for the auditions for YAG's production of "Really Rosie." $20. E-mail director@yagonline.com to register. 11:30 am-1 pm. Junior Audition Intensive Workshop; 1-3:30 p.m. Master Class. Fort Smith Convention Center Annex, Rogers Avenue and South 9th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. yagonline.org February 2014 Entertainment Fort Smith 57

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Feb. 22 Tommy Terrific’s Wacky Magic Show This all-ages Black Heritage Celebration event will feature magician Tommy Terrific's educational magic show about Jazz pioneer and celebrated musician Louis Armstrong. The show will feature magic tricks related to his innovative Jazz standards such as "Hello Dolly," "When the Saints Go Marching In" and "What a Wonderful World." Throughout the show, Tommy Terrific will explore the fascinating life and numerous accomplishments of Louis Armstrong. This show is very interactive and great educational entertainment for children of all ages. A display of library materials related to African-American history and heritage also will be featured. Free. 2 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 Feb. 25 N’Quad (Not Quite Adults) Book Club Share a current read or learn of a potential read from your peers. This book club is for those who are Not Quite Adults. Free. 4 p.m. Windsor Branch Library, 4701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-7850405

Feb. 27-March 2 YAG Presents “Cat in the Hat” Young Actors Guild will open it’s three-show season with Dr. Seuss’ “Cat in the Hat.” From the moment his tall, redand-white-striped hat appears around the door, Sally and her brother know that the Cat in the Hat is the most mischievous cat they have ever met. With the trickiest of tricks and craziest of ideas, he is certainly fun to play with – and he can turn a rainy afternoon into an amazing adventure. But, when the Cat releases Thing One and Thing Two from his box of tricks, havoc ensues, leaving the children to wonder whatever to do! Auditions for “Cinderella” are March 1516; performance dates are June 12-16 at the Alma Performing Arts Center. In partnership with the Fort Smith Public Library, YAG will stage “Really Rosie” on July 24-27 at the Arkansas Best Performing Arts Center. Auditions for that production will be held May 17. $10. King Opera House, 427 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. www.yagonline.org Feb. 27 Mulberry Library Wii Games New Wii games for tweens and teens to try. Free.

3:30-4:30 p.m. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226

Feb. 28 Dr. Seuss Story Time To celebrate Dr. Suess’ upcoming birthday, listen as librarians read a few Dr. Suess favorites, make fun hats and enjoy scrumptious snacks. The Cat in the Hat also will stop by. Free. 10 a.m. Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-646-3945 March 6-8 Growing Kids Sale More than 2,000 River Valley families sell their gently used children's clothing, shoes, toys and baby equipment at bargain prices. Free. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Kay Rodgers Park, 4400 Midland Boulevard, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-420-9699 GrowingKidsSale.com 58

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CALENDAR of events

Feb. 1 Try It Out: Encaustics Encaustics is an art form of the first century, used in notable Egyptian mummy portraits. The process uses hot beeswax mixed with colored pigments to create art in a three-dimensional form. The wax is shaped with irons and tools. It can be tinted with color, embedded with collage pieces and layered on wood. Instructor Mary Spear teaches how to make amazing images. Fee includes some materials. $65. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning

Feb. 1 Big Bluff Hike TrailBlazers Hiking Club will hike the trail to Big Bluff, a 440-foot bluff that overlooks the Buffalo River. It is a strenuous, 5.5 mile round trip to the ledge where there are lots of interesting rock formations and great views of the river valley. Going in is easy but coming out requires a 1,000-foot elevation gain in 2.75 miles – not steep enough for switchbacks, just a continuous uphill trek. Meet at Cloverleaf Plaza parking lot in Van Buren to carpool/caravan. Free. 8 a.m. Big Bluff Trail, Arkansas 43 North, Ponca, Ark. 479-646-9562 thcfs.com Feb. 1-16 Recent Works of James Volkert This exhibition is comprised of approximately 25 twoand three-dimensional works that are inspired by historic references and presented to the viewer with a twist of whimsy and surprise. Hinged on traditional works of art, the pieces in this exhibition take the viewer to next level of engagement through the artist’s infusion of humor and imagination. The craftsmanship of these works is unparalleled, each one highly detailed and thoughtfully executed. Included in the exhibition are unique oil on canvas works that combine more than one historic reference. The duality of the work alters the subject matter, allowing the viewer to create a new perspective on universally recognizable works of art. Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 1-5 p.m. Admission is free. Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, 1601 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-784-2787 fsram.org

Valentines: The Art of Romance This exhibition offers a wide selection of St. Valentine’s Day greeting cards, postcards and elaborate 3-dimensional fold-outs from the United States and Europe. Ranging from the early 19th century to the 1930s, the exhibit showcases the development of the Valentine from the simple hand-designed card, to the extravagant and exquisite lace paper Valentines. Approximately 100 fine examples of embossed designs will be on view, illustrating how the ideas of romance and courtship were expressed during a less-complicated era. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Free.

Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, 1601 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-784-2787 fsram.org

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Feb. 1-28 P.J. Williams Photography Exhibit P.J. Williams, computer services librarian, has been interested in photography since 1956, when she was given a Brownie camera to document her family’s Disneyland vacation. Her current collection focuses on Arkansas scenery and landscapes, specifically the seasons. Photographs spotlighting the Fort Smith Public Library will also be on display. Free. Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-646-3945 fortsmithlibrary.org Feb. 3 Behavior Styles & Effective Communication A workshop teaches participants to identify personal communication strengths and weaknesses to enable them to lead more effectively. This is the first workshop in the Introduction to Supervision Series. Registration required. $59. 1-5 p.m. BII Building, Room 113, UAFS, North 50th & Grand Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7742 uafs.edu February 2014 Entertainment Fort Smith

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Photography Display: Works by Alex Ojeda A native of Guanajuato, Mexico, Alex Ojeda has called the River Valley home for nearly two decades. His journey into photography began in 2001, first using a digital camera, then migrating to film and, finally, back to digital. Though his original passion was for black-and-white imagery, he eventually developed an interest in full-color captures. Most recently, Ojeda has been dabbling with layering, double exposure and abstract compositions. His favorite subjects are architecture and urban landscapes.

Ojeda’s images have been featured in Entertainment Fort Smith and other local and state magazines, including covers. It won awards in both 2009 and 2011 at the Mid-America Photography Symposium in Eureka Springs. Free. Fort Smith Public Library Community Room, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org

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Feb. 3-24 Dance Lessons Mike and Lisa Lawrence teach beginners and advanced dance lessons in foxtrot, waltz, cha-cha, rhumba, tango, bolero, salsa, merengue, samba, west coast swing, east coast swing, paso doble and polka.

This month, mambo is the selection for the advanced lessons and bolero is the choice for the beginners. Beginner’s lessons are from 7:30-9 p.m., and advanced lessons are from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Membership not required. $5. 6:30-9 p.m. Eagles Ballroom, 3321 South 66th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-674-2578 Feb. 4 Qigong for Beginners Qigong (Chi Kung), meaning “to work or exercise the vital life force” is a 5,000-year-old Chinese system of 60

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS self-healing exercises and deep breathing techniques that were once the secret knowledge of martial artists and Chinese elite. Qigong’s gentle exercises and mental techniques are proven to help maintain good health, produce healing for illness, injury and stress, and significantly improve quality of life. Suzanne Parnell, who has trained with several Qigong Masters, will teach gentle but powerful Qigong exercises that can be used daily to create and maintain health and vitality.

No athleticism required. This short class can be combined with the meditation workshop for a healthy and balanced lifestyle. $29. 9 a.m.-noon. UAFS Center For Lifelong Learning, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning Feb. 4 Van Buren Library Scrabble Club Enjoy an informal atmosphere as you test your word knowledge in a game of Scrabble. Free. 1-3 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 crawfordcountylib.org

Feb. 4-25 Intro To Word From business letters to yard sale posters to address labels, learn to create Word documents for every facet of life. Students will learn hands-on how to enter and edit text, format documents and use cut/copy/paste.

Find efficiencies in toolbars and shortcuts. It is proffered that students already have some computer experience or have taken the basic computing class. $55. 6-8 p.m. UAFS Center For Lifelong Learning, 5210 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning Feb. 4-25 Simple Computer Fixes Learn tips and tricks to troubleshoot a computer and remove viruses. Follow along in a computer lab to learn things you should always do and things you should never do. Watch a demonstration on how to add memory, replace drives or add cards. $55. 6-8 p.m. UAFS Center For Lifelong Learning, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning

Feb. 4-27 February Craft Sewing Classes Sewing classes will be offered for making ruffled leggings, a lollipop holder, self-binding blanket, a 10minute table runner or learning continuous hooping for quilts and embroidery. Call for a list of materials needed for each class. Costs vary from $10-$15.

Sewing Machine Center, 7320 Roger Avenue, No. 22, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-484-5351

Feb. 5, 12 Beginning Microsoft Excel 2010 Learn to create and format spreadsheets, enter and edit formulas and functions, create a basic chart and more. Registration is required. $129. 8 a.m.-noon.

UAFS BII Building, Room 115, North 50th Street and Grand Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7742 uafs.edu

Feb. 6 Girls Cruise Night Take a group of girlfriends and enjoy a night of shopping, free food, wine and door prizes. A grand prize is a cruise from Royal Caribbean & Deramus Travel. Free admission. 6-10 p.m. BrickCity Emporium, 3215 South 74th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-434-5858

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Photography Exhibit Featuring Jim Anderson Photographer Jim Anderson of Van Buren is a schoolteacher and photographer of the natural landscape as a hobby. He has traveled and photographed in all 50 states always looking for natural settings and natural lighting. Anderson’s awardwinning photographs can be seen in local banks and law offices, as well as at exhibits in several state parks in Arkansas and Oklahoma. This exhibit will include pictures of the Natural State and other regions across the United States, showcasing the changing colors of fall. Free. Dewey’s Cafe, Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org

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Feb. 6 Connect Arkansas at Mulberry Library Gary Cooper from Connect Arkansas will conduct hands-on classes to cover internet and computer questions. Five-person limit for each hour. Free. Make a reservation for 11 a.m., noon or 1 p.m. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226 crawfordcountylib.org Feb. 6 Sugar Blues Workshop with Kandice Poirier February can be a tough month for those who have a sweet tooth. Certified holistic health coach Kandice Poirier will lead this session on the “Sugar Blues,” designed to permanently change anyone’s relationship with sugar. Understand the causes of sugar cravings with the practical tools for dealing with them. Free.

6:30 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229

Feb. 6-9 The Fourposter Dinner Theater A moving chronicle of a husband and wife from their wedding night in 1890 until they leave the house that has been their home, 35 years later. They fret and quarrel, laugh, cry, raise children and grow old in the same room in which they began their married life.

Standing throughout the decades is the old fourposter bed, a silent witness to all. Among the couple’s milestones are the beginning of their marriage, the birth of their first child, their daughter’s wedding and their

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preparations to move to smaller quarters and pass their home on to another newlywed couple. This production is presented by Alma Performing Arts. Show includes dinner. Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office. $25 per couple, $15 individuals. 7 p.m.

Alma Performing Arts Center, 103 East Main Street, Alma, Ark. 479-632-2129 almapac.org Feb. 6-March 4 MS Publisher 2010 Learn to create and edit publications, arrange text and pictures, work with master pages and create and format tables using Microsoft Publisher 2010. $80, includes textbook and flash drive. 8-9:25 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Fort Smith Adult Education Center, 501 South 20th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-785-1232

Feb. 6-March 4 MS Access 2010 Learn the basics of creating and using databases and experience activities involving creating, querying and maintaining databases. Class meets Tuesdays and Thursdays. $80 tuition includes textbook and flash drive. 9:30 a.m.-10:55 a.m. Fort Smith Adult Education Center, 501 South 20th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-785-1232 adulteducationfortsmith.com Feb. 6-March 4 Technology for Career Success Designed for students planning to attend college, class is an introduction to the essential programs

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS needed in secondary education including Word, PowerPoint and Blackboard. Free. 11 a.m.-12:25 p.m.

Tuesdays and Thursdays. Fort Smith Adult Education Center, 501 South 20th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-785-1232 adulteducationfortsmith.com

Feb. 7 Dervish Dance This is a fun dance that features an array of music oriented toward ballroom, Latin, swing and polka dancers. A local DJ will provide the music. The dress attire is a relaxed dressy casual. $5. 7-10 p.m. Eagles Ballroom, 3321 South 66th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-674-2578

Feb. 7, 14, 21 Leadership Greatness Course Three four-hour sessions include Greatness Through TruStreet, Greatness Through Strategic Thinking and Greatness Through Performance. Registration is required. $149. 8 a.m.-noon. UAFS Flanders Building, Room 110, North 50th Street and Grand Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7742 uafs.edu Feb. 7 Van Buren Library Crochet and Knitting Class Learn how to crochet or knit. Take yarn, a size G or H hook and a willingness to learn. Free. 10 a.m.-noon.

Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 crawfordcountylib.org Feb. 7 Van Buren Library Card-Making Class Supplies and examples will be on hand for adults to make four Valentine or “get well” cards. Call or sign up at the circulation desk by Feb. 5. Materials are free, but class members should take scissors and adhesive. Free. 2-3:30 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

Feb. 7 Gen. William O. Darby Day Assembly A special assembly to honor Gen. William O. Darby and his legacy also will introduce Darby Junior High School students to a Medal of Honor recipient, Army Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry of the 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Ga. The Northside High School JROTC will present the colors and Darby students will lead a program. Petry, who has deployed eight times in support of overseas contingency operations with two tours to Iraq and six tours to Afghanistan, will speak. Darby principal Dr. Darren McKinney described Petry as “self-made” person whose story should be an inspiration to students. Petry’s visit to Fort Smith is sponsored by the General Darby Legacy Project.

Anyone who would like to attend is welcome to contact the Darby office at 479-783-4159 by 3 p.m. Feb. 6 so seating arrangements can be made for guests. 9 a.m. Darby Junior High School, 616 North 14th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-4159

Feb. 8 Gen. William O. Darby Birthday Celebration Celebrate the birthday of Gen. William O. Darby with birthday cake and punch in the museum soda fountain. View the William O. Darby Memorial Room and a film about the famous founder of Darby’s Rangers.

Darby was born in Fort Smith on Feb. 8, 1911. Free with museum admission: $5 adults, $2 children. 2-4 p.m. Fort Smith Museum of History, 320 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-7841 fortsmithmuseum.com

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CAE Exhibition & Opening: Don Lee and Cathy Mason Don Lee’s show, titled “New Work,” will be featured in the main gallery of the Center for Art & Education. This exhibition features a return to mixed media on paper, as well as a few 3dimensional works based on drawing/painting principles of color, shape and surface rather than an authentic concept of sculptural forms. Cathy Mason’s innovative artwork will be featured in the Studio Gallery with her show, “The Bucket List.” Opening reception will be 1-4 p.m. Feb. 2.

The exhibit runs through Feb. 21. Free. 10 a.m.-4 p. m. Tuesday-Friday. Center for Art & Education, 104 North 13th Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-7667 art-ed.org

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Feb. 8 Springfest Market Poteau Springfest Market, sponsored by the Poteau Women’s League, will offer art, crafts, floral arrangements, jewelry, pottery, quilts, valentine and Easter gifts. Food and beverages will also be available and door prizes will be given away. The Jr. Friends of the Patrick Lynch Library will provide activities for children between the ages of 3-10 at no charge while parents shop the market. Adults $2; children 10 & under free.

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Donald W. Reynolds Center, South Broadway, Poteau, Okla. 918-647-9178 or 918-6476354 poteauchamber.com Feb. 8 Lake Lincoln Hike TrailBlazers Hiking Club will hike at Lake Lincoln on the Piney Loop for 4-plus miles. The trail follows the lake north and goes by many great rock formations.

It crosses the dam where there is a wide view of the lake and a good place to spot eagles. From the dam, the trail enters the woods, turns left from the lake loop and climbs up into a great pine forest. Meet at Cloverleaf Plaza to carpool/caravan. Free. 8 a.m. Lake Lincoln, Arkansas 669, Lincoln, Ark. 479-646-9562 thcfs.com

Feb. 8 The Heart Truth Symposium: A Sparks Community Experience According to the Gallup-Hathaway annual well-being study, you are more likely to have a heart attack if you live in Fort Smith. Sparks Health System will present a Community Experience day of free health screenings and education symposium that address heart health

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS and how to protect it. Free screenings to examine body mass index, blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol and heart risk assessments will be offered. Seminar topics including heart attack symptoms, when to call 911, managing medications and more will be given by A. Nasser Adjei, M.D., board-certified cardiologist, and many other experts and health professionals. Call to register, which is required. Free. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Fort Smith Convention Center, Rogers Avenue and South 9th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 877-7093627, 479-709-3627 sparkshealth.com

Feb. 8 Greenwood Prom Fair Fundraiser Prom Fair is a Greenwood Bulldog Breakout fundraiser providing a marketplace for sellers and buyers of resale prom dresses in excellent condition.

Dress sellers may drop off gowns and accessories from 5-8 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Greenwood High School Student Union. A $3 drop-off fee is refundable if the item sells. Hundreds of gently worn resale dresses and accessories and new apparel, including dresses, shoes and make-up, will be available. Pick-up will be from 2-4 p.m. Sellers receive 80 percent of the sale price and 20 percent goes to support the Bulldog Breakout. Call Debbie Brown with questions. $2 admission. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Greenwood High School Student Union, 440 East Gary Street, Greenwood, Ark. 479-452-0299 Feb. 10 Performance Management A workshop will teach participants in a supervisory role how to motivate others, as well as how to use consequences to produce needed results. This is the

second workshop in the Introduction to Supervision Series. Attending the entire series is not required. Registration is required for each individual workshop. $59.

1- 5 p.m. UAFS BII Building, Room 113, North 50th Street and Grand Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7742 uafs.edu

Feb. 10 Painting the Nocturne: Painting Nighttime Scenes in the Studio Instructor Jason Sacran leads a one-day workshop on painting a nighttime scene from photo reference.

The instructor will demonstrate his approach and students will paint during the second half while Sacran aids students on a group and individual basis. Although open to acrylic and other mediums, oil paint is the preferred medium for this workshop. The instructor’s work can be viewed at jasonsacran.com. For a suggested art supply list and reservations, contact Tammy Fujibayashi at 479-357-9079. $85 members; $100 non-members. 9:15 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Cre8ive Arts Network Inc., 7408 Terry, Chaffee Crossing Historic District, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-357-9079 ucancre8.org Feb. 10 Van Buren Library Book Talk The selection for February is “Son of a Preacher Man”

by Marlene Banks. Free. 7-8 p.m. Van Buren Public Library Conference Room, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 crawfordcountylib.org

Feb. 10 The CALL Information Meeting Learn how to become a foster or adoptive parent.

There are more than 580 children in foster care in our

community who need a loving home. Attend an information meeting to learn how to help by fostering, adopting, volunteering or donating. 6-8 p.m. Central Christian Church, 400 North Waldron Road, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-719-9298 thecallinarkansas.org Feb. 10-March 10 MS Word 2010 Learn the basics of word processing using Microsoft Word including formatting, tabs, graphics and tables.

End the frustration when creating simple documents. $80, includes flash drive and textbook. 8-9:25 a.m.

Mondays and Wednesdays. Fort Smith Adult Education Center, 501 South 20th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-785-1232 adulteducationfortsmith.com Feb. 10-March 10 MS Excel 2010 Learn the basics of spreadsheets, including formatting, formulas, data lists and charts. Create and use your financial documents easily. $80, includes flash drive and textbook. 9:30-10:55 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Fort Smith Adult Education Center, 501 South 20th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-785-1232 adulteducationfortsmith.com Feb. 10-March 10 Digital Literacy Students new to using a computer will be introduced to the basics of terminology, using the mouse and some common programs. Free. 11-12:25 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Fort Smith Adult Education Center, 501 South 20th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-785-1232 adulteducationfortsmith.com

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Classic Romance Film Festival The Miller Branch Library is celebrating February with a Classic Romance Film Festival. Refreshments will be available. Each movie night begins at 6:30 p.m. Free. Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-646-3945 fortsmithlibrary.org Feb. 4: An Affair to Remember – In this poignant and humorous love story nominated for four Academy Awards, Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr meet on an ocean liner and fall deeply in love. Though each is engaged to someone else, they agree to meet six months later at the Empire State Building if they still feel the same way about each other. But a tragic accident prevents their rendezvous and the lover’s future takes an emotional and uncertain turn. This film is not rated.

Feb. 11: Roman Holiday – In this romantic comedy/drama featuring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, a bored and sheltered princess escapes her guardians and falls in love with an American newsman in Rome.

Feb. 18: The Philadelphia Story – When a rich woman’s ex-husband and a tabloid-type reporter turn up just before her remarriage, she begins to learn the truth about herself in this romantic comedy featuring Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn and James Stewart.

Feb. 25: Casablanca – Set in unoccupied Africa during the early days of World War II, an American expatriate meets a former lover, with unforeseen complications in this romantic drama featuring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.

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Feb. 10-March 10 Microsoft IT Academy Achieve the premier Microsoft Office certification, which is globally recognized as the standard for demonstrating desktop skills. The Office Specialist program is helping meet the demand for qualified and knowledgeable people in the modern workplace.

Study and take the official tests. Free. 2-3 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Fort Smith Adult Education Center, 501 South 20th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-785-1232 adulteducationfortsmith.com Feb. 10-March 17 Knitting for Beginners Designed for those that have no prior knitting experience, this course will teach students the basics of beginning knitting. Needles and yarn will be provided for the first class only and then student must purchase their own supplies. $35. 6-7 p.m. UAFS Center For Lifelong Learning, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning Feb. 10-March 17 Digital Photography 1: Learn the Basics of SLR Photography Understand the principles of digital photography and all those buttons on a new SLR, or unlock the power in all those icons. Learn to recognize and build the elements that make a good scene into a great photograph. This course introduces the basics of landscape and casual portrait photography. Students will need to have an SLR digital camera. $85. 6-8 p.m. UAFS Center For Lifelong Learning, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7220

Feb. 11 Knit, Stitch and Crochet Today Anyone who can knit, stitch or crochet, or wants to learn, make take their needles, hooks and projects and join this all-ages group for an afternoon of crafting.

Yarn, extra supplies and plenty of help will be available for anyone who wants to learn. Free. 4-6 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org Feb. 11 Alma Library Book Club The selection for February is, “The Devil in the White City.” Read the book and join the discussion. Free. 67 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140 crawfordcountylib.org Feb. 11-25 Web Marketing: Getting Started Learn from one of Arkansas’ top digital marketing experts how to promote, grow and measure success using the most-advanced digital marketing tools.

Learn how the savvy business is growing in today’s economy and digital buying environment. Learn to use free resources such as Google, Facebook and YouTube. $55. 6-8 p.m. UAFS Center For Lifelong Learning, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning

Feb. 11-25 Beginners Beekeeping Classes The short courses are set up in three parts: bee hives and other equipment, honey bee biology; seasonal colony management tasks; and keeping hives healthy by managing pests and diseases. No prior knowledge of beekeeping is required. Classes are sponsored by the Western Arkansas Eastern Oklahoma Beekeepers 66

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS Association. Donation of one canned food item per class for the Salvation Army. 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays. River Valley Nature Center, 8300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-208-9949 facebook.com/WAEOBA Feb. 11-April 8 Small Business Computing Series Business owners, proprietors, home-based business operators or people interested in using technology to make a business more efficient can benefit from this series. Creating a plan, getting noticed in the digital world, keeping information safe are covered. $100. 68 p.m. Tuesdays. UAFS Center For Lifelong Learning, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7220 Feb. 12-26 Intermediate Word 2010 Students will work with styles, sections and columns.

They will format tables, print labels and envelopes and work with graphics. They also will use document templates, manage document revisions and work with Web features. The Basic Word 2010 course should be completed first or the student should have full knowledge of the topics covered in the Microsoft Word 2010 class. $80. 5-7:55 p.m. Monday and Wednesdays.

Fort Smith Adult Education Center, 501 South 20th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-785-1232

Feb. 12-March 19 Line Dancing 1 Learn basic country line dances, as well as popular club dances. Rubber-soled shoes or soft-soled shoes with no heel are required. $40. 6:30-7:30 p.m. UAFS Center For Lifelong Learning, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7220

Clayton House Themed Afternoon Tea: Victorian Poetry Sip delicious tea, nibble on treats including sweets from the downtown Fort Smith bakery Creative Kitchen, relax to the soothing sounds of the harp and then fill your mind with love – and longing – the good stuff of a Victorian Valentine celebration. In the 1882 Clayton House Tea Room, you will learn or be reminded of the female poets of the Victorian era and their words that became required schoolwork memorization for children of the 1800s – Elizabeth Browning, Christina Rossetti, the Bronte sisters. Featured speaker Sue Ann Frizzell, local poet and avid reader of poetry, will recite the best of the best and provide an overview of this highly valued art form during the Victorian era. Harpist Hollye Dickinson will provide musical entertainment. A complimentary tour of the museum will be provided following the one-hour tea.

Reservations are required and may be made online or by phone or mail. $25 or $20 Fort Smith Heritage Foundation members. 2-3 p.m.

The Clayton House, 514 North 6th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-3000 claytonhouse.org

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Feb. 13 Lecture and Book Signing with Kevin L. Jones The Fort Smith Museum of History will host UAFS English professor Kevin L. Jones for a lecture and book signing. The author’s latest book, “Images of America: Fort Smith,” is available in the museum gift shop. The book chronicles the history of Fort Smith through photographs, many from the museum’s collection. From the establishment of the first fort, supply point for the West and the Federal Court, learn the story of the growth of the city into a center of trade and industry through the fascinating images. Included is the growth of education, health care, transportation, natural resources and commerce. The importance of modern developments such as Fort Chaffee, the 188th National Guard Unit and the University of ArkansasFort Smith also are addressed. Jones’ first book, “Postcard Series: Fort Smith,” is also available. Free with museum admission: $5 adults, $2 children. 6 p.m. Fort Smith Museum of History, 320 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-7841 fortsmithmuseum.com Feb. 13 Speed Dating at the Library Speed dating, with a literary twist, for those 18-35 years old. Take a book you really like, or don’t like, or come book free, and spark up a conversation. Find a date for Valentine’s Day or just come to meet new people. Free. 7 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 crawfordcountylib.org

Feb. 13 Lavaca Health Fair Held in conjunction with Lavaca Schools parent/ teacher conferences. More than 30 booths and fantastic door prizes are planned. The Mercy Mammography Van will be providing scans. Women interested in having a mammogram done that day must schedule an appointment ahead of time by calling 479-3146066. Mercy will file insurance or grants are available for uninsured individuals. Free. 2-6 p.m. Lavaca Schools Student Union, 201 Holly Street, Lavaca, Ark. 479-674-5611 Feb. 13-14 An Evening in Paris Everyone is invited to enjoy two evenings of Valentine’s Day celebration with “An Evening in Paris.”

Chick-fil-A offers dinner by candlelight and a delicious chocolate fountain. Special entertainment will be provided. The event is free, but does not include the price of dinner. 5-8 p.m. Chick-fil-A, 6810 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-484-5152

Feb. 13-March 6 Write Better English: Easy Grammar A good grasp of grammar principles can improve both speaking and writing skills. Using an uncomplicated textbook, with the guidance of John Post, master basic concepts of sentence structure and punctuation. $60 fee includes textbook. 6-8 p.m. UAFS Center For Lifelong Learning, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning Feb. 14 Fundamentals of Microsoft Word 2010 This four-hour class is designed for beginning computer users and will teach the basics of creating and formatting documents with Microsoft Word 2010.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS Building, Room 115, North 50th and Grand Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7742 uafs.edu

Feb. 14 Redwork & Embroidery Club Beginners and experienced embroiders are welcome.

The pattern will be provided. Take your own supplies.

Free. 1-3 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 crawfordcountylib.org

Feb. 14 Valentine’s Day Dinner and Dance Benefits the Elks youth and veteran charities. Doors open at 6 p.m. for a 6:30 p.m. dinner of shrimp and steak kabobs, baked potatoes, garden salad, rolls, dessert and tea. Alcoholic beverages are available from a cash bar. Robert Kelsey, a vocal soloist and candidate for “America’s Got Talent,” provides the evening’s entertainment for dancing or listening pleasure. Call for required reservations. Guests are welcome to enjoy the dancing and entertainment only, as well. $5 dancing; $15 for dinner and entertainment. 6 p.m. Fort Smith Elks Lodge, 5504 Massard Road, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-459-6461 or 479-478-1060 elks.org Feb. 14 Dallas Branch Book Club Enjoy a fun, relaxed discussion about your favorite reads. There is no required reading for this club; read whatever you like and share your opinions about what you have read. Free. 2 p.m. Dallas Branch Library, 8100 Dallas Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-484-5650 Feb. 14 Hearts of Hope Dinner and Dance An enchanted evening of dinner and dancing will benefit Next Step Homeless Services of Fort Smith. Cocktails and appetizers at 6:30 p.m. will be followed by a 7:30 p.m. dinner featuring pork tenderloin medallions.

After-dinner dancing to music by Sweet and Low Down and a silent auction complete the evening. Next Step Homeless Services is a non-profit agency helping homeless citizens, including single mothers, families with children and military veterans, find a safe refuge from the street. NSHS also provides services ranging from job counseling, life-skills training and assistance with affordable housing. Supportive housing for veterans is provided at the Buddy Smith Home for Veterans, the Esther Home for women with children and Gabriel House for men. Reservations required by Feb. 7. $75. 6:30 p.m. Riverfront Pavilion, 100 North B Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-242-5100 thenextstepfs.org

Feb. 15 J.R.’s County Gospel Variety Show Fun-filled, uplifting gospel music variety show that will warm your heart. $5. 7 p.m. King Opera House, 427 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-2426

Feb. 15 Bootlegger’s Ball Join Fountain of Youth Adult Day Center in supporting dependent adults, caregivers and families as they face the overwhelming emotional challenge of caregiving with the inaugural Fountains for Families Gala – Bootlegger’s Ball. Dinner, dancing, live music and both live and silent auctions are part of the evening. Fountain of Youth Adult Day Care Center is a United Way Community Partner. $75. 6 p.m. Choctaw Casino, 3400 Choctaw Road, Pocola, Okla. 479-484-7782

Knox Street Book Club: A Tour on the Prairies A new year of three-session book clubs featuring 19th century stories begins at the 1882 Clayton House with an exciting journey into Indian Territory. On Thursdays, Feb. 13, Feb. 27 and March 13, learn and discuss the true colors of the frontier that Fort Smith bordered and in which it worked to install law and order (through Judge Isaac C. Parker’s court). Marcus Woodward, history teacher at Chaffin Junior High, will lead you through the highly entertaining “travelogue” published in 1835 by the great American writer, historian and diplomat Washington Irving. Best known for his short stories, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “Rip Van Winkle,” Irving delights and excites with every page of this account of the characters and scenery he came upon during his 1832 excursion deep into Indian country. The book club meets in the Community Room (former servants’ quarters) of the historic house museum and includes a museum tour, refreshments and new paperback book. The program fee supports the continued preservation and programs of the Clayton House, the authentically restored family home of the chief prosecutor of Judge Parker’s court.

Please register online, by phone or mail by Feb. 4 to ensure your copy of the book. $45 Fort Smith Heritage Foundation members; $50 nonmembers. 5-6:30 p.m. The Clayton House, 514 North 6th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-3000 claytonhouse.org

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Feb. 15 Hare Mountain Hike TrailBlazers Hiking Club will hike to Hare Mountain on the Ozark Highland Trail, a 3.4 mile moderate round trip. On a clear day, there will be views of the Mulberry River and valley. 8 a.m. Ozark National Forest, Morgan Mountain Road, Near Cass, Ark. 479-646-9562 thcfs.com

Feb.15 Garvan Woodland Gardens Daffodil Days Typically around mid-February, Garvan’s thousands of sunny daffodils begin blooming. The gardens boasts about 200,000 daffodils in various shades of scattered throughout the grounds. Many are concentrated on the Three Sisters of Amity Daffodil Hill on Warren’s Woodland Walk. Check the Gardens Facebook page for current blooming conditions. $10 adults; $5 ages 6-12; 5 and under free. Garvan Woodland Gardens, 550 Arkridge Road, Hot Springs, Ark. 501-262-9300 garvangardens.org Feb. 16-March 15 Third Sunday Artists’ Reception Join the gallery artists for the opening reception and see their newest work. Painting demonstrations and refreshments will be offered. Exhibiting artists include Jimmy Leach, Patricia Lappin, Julie Mayser, Lorrie

Bridges, Cindy Sugg and Barbara Loftin. The gallery is open during business hours, Tuesdays through Saturdays. Free. 1-4 p.m. Michael’s Mansion, 2900 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-883-8336

Feb. 17 Park Ranger to Address Historical Society Cody Faber, park ranger and VIP coordinator at the Fort Smith National Historic Site, will discuss Daniel Boone and the role of hunting and trapping in the nation’s westward expansion, its financial importance in Arkansas during the late 18th and early 19th centuries and the unique character and nature of Arkansas’ early settlers. Free. 7 p.m. Farmer’s Bank Community Room, 7 West Center Street, Greenwood, Ark. 479-252-6357 facebook.com/OldJailMuseum

Feb. 17 Coaching This workshop teaches participants coaching skills that will improve or enhance a supervisor’s ability to be a partner in their employee’s success. This is the third workshop in the Introduction to Supervision Series. Attending the entire series is not required. Registration is required for each individual workshop. $59.

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Feb. 17 Libraries Closed for Presidents Day In observation of Presidents Day, all libraries in the Crawford County Library System will be closed: Alma, Cedarville, Mulberry, Mountainburg and Van Buren.

479-471-3226 Feb. 18 Van Buren Library Scrabble Club Play a game of Scrabble. Free. 1-3 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 crawfordcountylib.org Feb. 21 Keyboard/Mouse Beginners will become familiar with the key components of the computer and practice keyboarding skills. $10. 9-10 a.m. UAFS Center For Lifelong Learning, 5318 Kinked Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning

Feb. 21, 28 Beginning Microsoft Access 2010 This class will teach participants how to create, organize and manage a basic Microsoft Access database. Registration is required. $129. 8 a.m.-noon.

Fridays. UAFS BII Building Room 115, North 50th Street and Grand Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7742 uafs.edu

Feb. 21 Diamond Dance The Diamond Dance Club of Fort Smith hosts a monthly dance for members, guests and all area dancers desiring to participate. Club membership is

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not required to dance. The T&T Combo Band will perform and their music is oriented toward ballroom, Latin and swing dancing with an occasional polka included. The attire is semi-formal, preferring coat and tie for gentlemen. This is a great after-dinner, fun-filled, dynamic dance with character and flair on the largest dance floor in the River Valley. $5. 8-10:30 p.m. Eagles Ballroom, 3321 South 66th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-674-2578 Feb. 21 Food For Thought: Classic Eateries in the Ozarks and Arkansas River Valley If life is a highway, food is the fuel. Join author Kat Robinson and photographer Grav Weldon on this exploration of more than 100 of the state’s classic and iconic restaurants in “Classic Eateries in the Ozarks and Arkansas River Valley.” The restaurant cuisine of Arkansas was crafted by transportation – and by family heritage. From century-old soda fountains to heritage candy makers, Arkansas wine country and the birthplace of fried pickles, discover the delicious nooks of the Ozarks and scrumptious crannies of the Arkansas River Valley through this tasty travelogue.

Take your lunch or pick it up at Dewey’s Café at the main library. The library will provide drinks and dessert. Free. Noon. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 Feb. 21 Crochet and Knitting Class Learn to crochet or knit at the library. Take your yarn and size G or H hook. Free. 10-noon. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 crawfordcountylib.org

Feb. 21 Alma Library Scrapbooking Adults are invited to take scissors, tape, glue and tools to work on this month’s featured design supplied by the library, if preregistered. Free. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140 crawfordcountylib.org

Feb. 21-23 2014 Home Show Presented by the Greater Fort Smith Association of Home Builders. More than 4,500 people are expected to walk the aisles and to see more than 100 exhibits chock full of new building ideas, products, designs and money-saving advice. Home builders will be on hand to discuss a long-planned new home; remodelers will discuss renovating the home you have; and the list of suppliers and retailers with home products is extensive. Throughout the show, attend seminars by experts. At 6 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday, hear Doug Rye’s talks on energy savings. At 1 p.m. Sunday, hear an SWBC Mortgage seminar. Making Spring Wreaths, 11 a.m. Saturday, and Repurposing, 2 p.m.

Sunday. $5; free admission with military I.D. Fort Smith Convention Center, Rogers Avenue and South 9th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-452-6213 fortsmithhomebuilders.com Feb. 21-March 14 Computer Basics Level 1 Learn the basics of computing in the company of other beginners. Use practical hands-on exercises to learn operating systems, basic applications, how to create, sort and filter files, manage and understand security settings and keyboard shortcuts. $55; $40

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS couples. 10 a.m.-noon. UAFS Center For Lifelong Learning, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning

Feb. 22 Herbal Adventure Bavarian Dinner The 5th annual Bavarian Dinner is sponsored by the Herbal Adventure committee of the River Valley Master Gardeners. The event is chaired by Hannelore deKunffy, a native of Augsburg, Germany, which is at the base of the Bavarian Alps. The menu will be made from scratch in traditional German preparation with the culinary expertise of deKunffy, a superb cook.

Take-out dinner is available; please specify when ticket is purchased. Take-out maybe picked up after 4:30 p.m. Call for required reservations. Proceeds from this event support projects at the Master Gardeners Learning Fields. $20. 5:30 p.m. First Christian Church, 3501 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-782-2104, 479-649-0293 Feb. 22 Rumba Lesson and Swing and Ballroom Dance First, take a Rumba lesson that’s suitable for all skill levels. Rumba is a slow Latin dance that has a lot in common with both waltz and cha cha (a match made in dance heaven). Stay after the lesson from 8-11 p.m. for dancing that will include Latin, swing, and ballroom music. A snack table will be set up for those that wish to bring items to share. $10. 7-11 p.m. Momentum Dance Concepts, 615A Main Street, Suite 4, Van Buren, Ark. 479-285-9090

Feb. 22 Buckeye Mountain/Caney Creek Trails Hike TrailBlazers Hiking Club will hike Buckeye Mountain/Caney Creek Trails, a loop of about 8.5 miles. After an initial 500-foot climb, the trail is mostly along the ridge top until it drops down the mountain to the Caney Creek Trail. There are great views, rock outcrops, waterfall and several creek crossings. This is rated strenuous due to the elevation gain and the distance. Take wading shoes. Meet at Home Depot parking lot to carpool/caravan. Free. 7:30 a.m. Caney Creek Wilderness Area, Buckeye Mountain Trail, near Mena, Ark. 479-646-9562 thcfs.com

Feb. 23 44th Annual IC Spaghetti Dinner Food, fun and fellowship abound at the Immaculate Conception School Spaghetti Dinner. Dine in at Monsignor Galvin Parish Center or take out from the I.C. Gym. Call to pre-order tickets or pay at the door. Proceeds benefit IC School PTO. $10 adults, $5 children 3-12; children 2 and under free. 4-7 p.m. Galvin Parish Center at Immaculate Conception Church, 22 North 13th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-6798

Feb. 23 Authors in the Afternoon: Jerry N. Upton Local author Jerry Upton will make a special appearance to sign copies of his book “Revelation of Christ: A Teacher’s Guide.” In the book, the author discusses the use of symbolism as a method of providing enlightening ideas. Understanding the various symbols, colors and numbers allows the reader to comprehend the message of Revelation, as well as have a better understanding of many scriptures throughout the Bible. Copies will be available for sale and signing at this open-house style event. Free. 2-4 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Feb. 24 Workplace Compliance Participants learn why certain management behaviors are or are not acceptable and some of the key regulations that impact why the HR department expects particular behavior from supervisors. Registration is required. $59. 1-5 p.m. UAFS BII Building, Room 113, North 50th Street and Grand Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7742 uafs.edu

Feb. 24 Van Buren Library Introduction to the Computer Computer class for people with little or no knowledge of computers. Question-and-answer session at the end. Reservations required. Free. 7-8 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 crawfordcountylib.org

Feb. 25 African-American Read-In Heritage Program Celebrate a night of cultural experience highlighting the contributions of African-Americans. Various members of the community will participate in the Read-In, including community partners, the esteemed ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Light refreshments will be served. Free. 6:30 p.m. Windsor Branch Library, 4701 Windsor Drive, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-785-0405 Feb. 26-March 19 Imagination Series: Photoshop II Elevate skills with Photoshop II, where you will learn more complex techniques and program functions to push the boundaries of photo manipulation. $55. 6-8 p.m. UAFS Center For Lifelong Learning, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7220

Feb. 27 Welcome Neighbor Women’s Book Club The book “The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion”

by Fanny Flagg will be reviewed. Any woman is welcome to attend and enjoy the discussion. Free. 12:301:30 p.m. Dewey’s Cafe, Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-459-1603

Feb. 27 Spring Choral Concert The UAFS Choirs will present its annual ECCO (Eclectic Choral Concert Opportunity) Concert, featuring a wide array of choral music performed by the UAFS Chorale and Women’s Chorus. Free. 7:30 p.m. Grand Avenue Baptist Church, 3900 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7558 uafs.edu Feb. 28 Mardi Gras – The Best Party in Town!

“The Best Party in Town” is Mardi Gras, a fun and casual midwinter party and the largest annual fundraiser for the Fort Smith Museum of History. The evening opens with cocktails at 6 p.m. and a Cajun dinner at 7 p.m. followed by a live auction featuring trips and parties awarded to the highest bidder. After dinner, dance to live music. Call the museum for tickets. $75; $750 for a table for 10; premium tables $850. 6-11:30 p.m.

IC Church Parish Hall, 22 North 13th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-7841 Feb. 28 Van Buren Library Scrapbooking Scrapbooking day returns. The room will be open at 10 a.m. and the scrapbooking class begins at 2 p.m.

Librarians will provide paper supplies for a “Love My Favorites” layout. The featured layout is free if you reg72

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS ister by Feb. 21 at the circulation desk or by phone.

Free. 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

Feb. 28-March 1 Heritage Rubies 4th Annual Women’s Conference This will be a time for women to come together in fellowship and renew the steadfast Spirit of the Lord within them. The prayer of the organizers is that attendees leave ready to catapult into the ministry that God has designed for their lives. Registration deadline is Feb. 19. $35, includes T-shirt and lunch March 1.

Heritage United Methodist Church, 1604 East Pointer Trail, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6424 heritagevb.org Feb. 28-March 21 Spanish Basics Discover the essentials of conversational Spanish. $50. 10 a.m.-noon. UAFS Center For Lifelong Learning, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning

March 1 Brown Bag Lunch Service Opportunity Workshop Are your students/teens looking for unique and fulfilling community service opportunities? The Sack Lunch Program will host a brown bag lunch/workshop led by Jean T. Kolljeski, Sack Lunch Program codirector. It will provide an overview of the program, a tour of the facility and describe community service opportunities that are available for students. Registration is required; call St. John’s Episcopal Church by 4 p.m. Feb. 28. Free. 11 a.m.-noon. Skinner Building (St. John’s Episcopal Church Office Building), 214 North 6th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-782-9912 March 1 Miss UAFS Scholarship Pageant Student competitors will take the stage in the Miss University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Scholarship Pageant for a night that caps several months of pageant preparation in interview skills, performance, poise and academic achievement. Besides the crown, participants compete for scholarships. Due to the work of Stacey Jones, associate vice chancellor of campus and community events and the originator of the pageant, the pageant awarded more than $22,000 in cash and scholarship awards last year. Younger girls will be involved through the pageant’s Princess Program, where they will have participated in a tea party and other pre-pageant experiences and will be attending the official pageant. $10. 7 p.m. Arkansas Best Corp.

Performing Arts Center, Rogers Avenue and South 9th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7300 uafs.universitytickets.com

March 1 Run 4 the Stars 5K Support the 8-year-old Stars softball team by running or walking in this first-ever 5K race. The first 75 runners to register online will receive a T-shirt. 8 a.m. registration; 9 a.m. race start. $25 registered; $30 day of race. 9-11 a.m. Ben Geren Softball Complex, 7200 Zero Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-652-6684

March 1 Orchid Show and Sale Enjoy beautiful orchids. Tickets are available online or at the door. $5. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, 4703 North Crossover Road, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-750-2620 bgozarks.org

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March 6 Harlem Ambassadors Basketball The high-flying slam dunks and comedy basketball stunts of the Harlem Ambassadors will entertain as the professional show team plays the Crawford County Dawgs, a locally organized opponent for this fun game. All the proceeds will benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Van Buren and Alma. The Harlem Ambassadors’ show is designed for families and appropriate for kids of all ages, who may get pulled into the game for some interactive fun. The players sign autographs after the game. $10 adults; $5 for children under 12; free for kids 4 and under. The game time will be announced. Van Buren High School Fine Arts Center, 2221 Pointer Trail East, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-9401 bgcofvb.org March 7 2014 Grape Escapes The 12th Annual Grape Escapes is Bost Human Development Services’ signature fundraiser. This delightful event is a fun way to help create awareness in our community of who Bost is and what Bost does for our community. Bost serves more than 1,000 individuals with mental, physical and developmental disabilities in 34 counties in Arkansas, but the majority of the individuals served are right here in Sebastian and Crawford Counties. Grape Escapes guests will mingle to the tunes of the Dave Holland Ensemble featuring vocalist Tabitha Graves, while sampling over 350 wines from around the world and tasting delicacies from 13 area restaurants and caterers. Dress is business casual. $100 per ticket. 6-11 p.m. The Epicenter by Movie Lounge, 7607 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-478-5554

March 7-9 Weekend Retreat: The Gift of Self Compassion Contrary to common belief, self-compassion is not an indulgent, self-centered orientation. Rather, self-compassion is essential for a healthy, loving relationship to God, self and others. Writer, international retreat leader and conference speaker Joyce Rupp invites participants to reflect on self-compassion in the life of Christ and in their own lives through conferences, creative communal prayer, quiet reflection and integrative dialogue. Register by Feb. 21. $50 non-refundable deposit at registration. Lodging and five meals included. $175; $120 commuters. St. Scholastica Retreat Center, 1205 South Albert Pike, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-1135 stscho.org/retreat-registration March 7-9 Project Compassion Friends Tennis Tournament A benefit tournament for the Friends of Project Compassion, an organization that provides care and gifts to nursing home residents. Prizes will be awarded to winners, runner-ups and consolation winners. First National Bank will grill hotdogs and hamburgers on Saturday and each player will receive a T-shirt. $38 for singles; $23 each for doubles. 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Creekmore Park Tennis Courts, Rogers Avenue and South 31st Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-782-5333 projectcompassioninc.org March 8 St. Paddy’s Day 5K Lace up your tennis shoes and put on your best St. Patty's costume for this fun run. It is a chip-timed event and early registrants will receive a T-shirt and medal.

There will also be awards given for each age division, best costume and more. 9 a.m. Patrick Lynch Public Library, 206 South McKenna Street, Poteau, Okla.

918-647-3833 918-839-4785

March 8 Junior League of Fort Smith Reach Out & Run 5K/10K The Reach Out & Run 5K/10K is a fundraiser for the Junior League of Fort Smith, which provides assistance to support our mission of helping area kids who are aging out of the foster care system. Both the 5K and 10K courses are now USATFcertified and will be chip timed by JAYMAX Race Timing Services. Register online. $25; $20 each for groups of four or more. 8-10 a.m. Chaffee Crossing, 7020 Taylor Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-3930 jlfs.org/jlfs/ReachOutAndRun

March 8 5x5 Gala for Center for Arts and Education Enjoy an evening of art as you experience fine dining, live music, artists working onsite and a live auction of artwork created during the event. Every ticket holder will leave with an original 5x5 work of art. Featured artists include Ernest Cialone, John P. Lasater IV, Peter Lippincott, Maggie Malloy, Greg Palmer, Jason Sacran, Richard Stevens, Winston Taylor, Suzanne King and others. $75. 6 p.m. Fort Smith Convention Center, Rogers Avenue and South 9th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-474-7767 74

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DINING GUIDE

Behind the ballot

Voters have a lot of favorite eateries

P

Perhaps the most coveted of all categories in our annual Readers’ Favorites Poll are the certificates given in the dining division. If a restaurant has been voted a “Favorite” of this magazine’s readers, the familiar “e” certificate can be seen displayed proudly up front.

We call our honorees “Favorites” because that’s what they are – we each love different dishes to eat and viva la variety! There is really no one “best” dessert or “top” cup of coffee.

But there are some restaurants who earn top honors over and over.

Take pizza and barbecue, two of our most hotly contested categories. What’s “best?” We don’t even try for that. What we have learned year after year is in those two races it is pretty hard to beat a Papa’s Pizza or Ralph’s Pink Flamingo BBQ. Each of those restaurants has enough Favorites certificates to wallpaper a good-sized area. Likewise with La Huerta Mexican Restaurant, a longtime Favorite in its category.

But even those three perennial vote-getters have contenders coming close behind them. If you already like Papa’s, Ralph’s or La Huerta, you may also like Steffey’s Pizza in Lavaca, Jerry Neel’s or Whole Hog Barbecue. Patron and El Super Taco were rated highly by voters, too. Take a tip from their solid supporters and see what the buzz is about.

New restaurants like AJ’s Oyster House sometimes don’t become recognized by the readers’ votes for a year or two. But do try AJ’s! Everything from the shrimp to the atmosphere is excellent.

Likewise, we received some hat tips for newcomers 5 Guys Burgers, 21 Cafe and R&R Curry, all apparently gaining a regular following.

21 Cafe also came on strong in the catering category, which was captured again by River City Deli, which had only its second anniversary in business this year! It’s apparent from its crowded tables and super-friendly ambiance why the Stonewood Village deli won Favorite Overall Restaurant. Yes, this is a popularity contest!

It’s part of what we love about polling readers. Golden Corral, Jerry Neel’s, Bruce Terri, Creative Kitchen and Calico County are past winners and constantly busy caterers. This is a category with a lot of choices – good! Fort Smith drinks a lot of coffee. Sweet Bay Coffee

Co., with its many locations and popular flagship near Creekmore Park, gains the certificate.

But readers also love a cup o’ joe or latte at tiny Sacred Grounds on Garrison, Moka Joe’s to the south, Starbucks, good ol’ Benson’s Grill in the late night and Dewey’s Cafe at the library.

Everyone who came to our photo shoot for the Favorites issue enjoyed a fresh-brewed, single cup of Miss Ellie’s Coffee, the coffee service offering their own grinds for K-cup and Keurig brewers. We thank them for the wonderful refreshments. Fortunately, they also brought hot chocolate K-cups so we didn’t overload on caffeine in our three, no, five days of shooting.

Seems the greatest number of voters like to watch a game at Varsity Sports Grill. According to the votes, you may also enjoy Beef O’ Brady’s for sports spectating with food and beverages.

The very heart of the Favorites contest is always Favorite Cheeseburger. Isn’t that the baseline American order? Alex Catsavis lobbied us to take multi-winner George’s out of our “Hall of Fame” where his institution has been ensconced for many years. Yep, George’s won.

Way on the other side of town? You might try the winner in our new category, Favorite Food Truck – Patrick’s Butcher Boy Burgers.

Downtown? Rolando’s, Bravo, R. Landry’s – dine divinely on almost every block! Way out of town? Remember Wiederkehr’s Weinkeller Restaurant, a famous destination statewide.

As always, congratulations to every eatery that has pleased customers so much they would write in your name and mail in a ballot. That’s a true win!

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