Entertainment Fort Smith Magazine - April 2013

01_Layout 1 3/24/13 8:59 PM Page 1

2_Layout 1 3/24/13 12:10 AM Page 2

03_Layout 1 3/24/13 12:10 AM Page 2

04_Master Pages 3/25/13 1:11 AM Page 4

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 LYNN WASSON Calendar Editor calendar@efortsmith.com Contributing Writers KARRIE KELLY KRISTAN ROLAND JOE WASSON Contributing Photographers ROGER CARTER KARRIE KELLY GLENN GILLEY DONNA PAYNE 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 © 2012 eFortSmith.com Media, Inc. 316 North 7th Street P.O. Box 1341 Fort Smith, AR 72902-1341 Office: 479-494-1888

www.efortsmith.com

Linda thanks you for thoughtful notes and prayers Wig on or wig off? That was Linda’s quick email to us as we were finishing up the magazine.

We think she looks great either way but went with this smiling snapshot sent from her iPad, wearing a cute wig provided by the wonderful Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House.

Her sense of humor is quite healthy and as she waits to complete her treatment in Little Rock at the UAMS Multiple Myeloma Research Institute, so is she. She has had two lengthy chemotherapy treatments in November and January and she will return in late April for one more chemotherapy treatment and a transplant of her own stem cells, collected early this year.

A transplant of her stem cells is a therapy to allow her to recover from aggressive chemo, and will complete the unit of treatment planned at the time of her diagnosis. Her doctors are very encouraged by her steady progress in her fight against multiple myeloma and have told her she has a very good chance at reaching a lasting remission.

We knew she was really, truly better when we got email along with her phone calls! This email is to everyone: Please let readers know again how much I appreciate their continued support through emails, cards, phone calls and gifts. Although I have not been able to acknowledge each of all those kindnesses in person, I will be eternally grateful for them. Just knowing how many prayers are going up for me and my family each day is both humbling and thrilling.

Seeing the jonquils still cheerfully blooming in our yard – when the weather permits me to be out – reminds me anew how blessed I am to still have another month left to be home with my family before returning to Little Rock. Thank you again to everyone who is remembering me in their thoughts and prayers. I love and appreciate every one of you.

Sincerely, Linda

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 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.

To print out a form and mail with a check, download a subscription form from www.efortsmith.com

To order by credit card, call 479-494-1888.

Mail check or money order to: Subscribe P.O. Box 1341, Fort Smith AR 72902

05_Layout 1 3/24/13 12:09 AM Page 5

06_Master Pages 3/25/13 1:19 AM Page 6

CONTENTS 11

features

8

11 Bright young scientist

12

Spring clean-up time includes easier recycling April is a cleanup month for the city and the county. It’s time to chunk the junk, but don’t forget to recycle. You can even reuse this issue!

Budding natural scientists grow at Ecology Camp Impressive 11- and 12-year-old students like Halea Carter of Cedarville have a great opportunity to attend the Arkansas Audubon Society’s hands-on camp.

12

History is fun at the Heritage Fest

14

The moving pictures came to Fort Smith before film

Parents have a chance to share the history of our city in a very fun festival held downtown at almost every one of Fort Smith’s history and heritage landmarks.

Contributing writer Joe Wasson shares the story of “moving panoramas,” a short-lived theatrical entertainment of the Civil War-era.

departments

36

Heritage Festival

16 22 24

Shall we dance?

62

Neumeier Nursery’s plants and advice come from their home to yours.

GARDENING Every green-thumb organization, it seems, has a great April plant sale.

WHAT’S COOKING?

30 45

Lake Fort Smith State Parks introduces its 10 new cabins.

STYLE NOTES Salon Elements takes a creative approach to beautiful heads of hair.

OUTDOORS CRAFTS WITH KIDS IN MIND Stick-on letters and sponge-painting make a surprising effect.

eve n t s

40

47

UAFS iFest Entertainment Fort Smith

HOME & GARDEN

Recipes to use up all that coconut left over from Easter cakes.

38

6

April 2013

April 2013

51

MUSIC & PERFORMANCE Every stage in the region is hosting plays, concerts and shows.

KIDS CALENDAR CALENDAR of EVENTS

07_Layout 1 3/24/13 12:09 AM Page 7

EA E AH HE E If you’re having trouble breathing, every second is critical. Get to Sparks Regional Medical Center for the skilled emergency care you need.

Sparks provides you: t #PBSE DFSUJGGJJFE MV VO OH TQFDJBMJTUT USBJOFE JO DSJUJDBM DBSF t "SFB T POMZ QFEJBUSJD MVOH TQFDJBMJTU t 4UBUF PG UIF BSU NJOJNBMMZ JOWBTJWF TDPQJOH BOE MV VO OH SFQBJS ™ t /BNFE BNPOH OBUJPO T Top Performers for quality pneumonia care t /BNFE "SLBOTBT 0WFSBMM 1VMNPOBSZ 4FSWJDFT CZ B leading healthcare ratings company

SparksHealth.com

Top Performer

Chest Pain Center

Gold Plus Recognition

08-09_Master Facing Pages 3/25/13 10:37 AM Page 8

SPRING CLEANING

Keep It Clean First, take out the trash!

Easy recycling every week

April is the month for citywide and countywide cleanups.

Manned trash dumpsters are available to Fort Smith residents for disposal of household trash, free of charge, at four locations. These drop-off points will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.:

The City of Fort Smith Sanitation Department makes a weekly curbside collection of paper, corrugated cardboard, chipboard, aluminum and steel cans, plastics with the number 1, 2, 4 or 7 inside the recycling logo, newsprint and magazines. Any Fort Smith household can request a recycling container for their residence.

Recycling ultimately reduces the cost of sanitation services by decreasing the demand on landfill space.

The Sebastian County Solid Waste District collects several more categories of recyclables such as glass, motor oil and other automotive fluids and clearly labeled paint, pesticides and household cleaners in their original containers. The SCSWD also collects e-waste – discarded computers, cell phones, televisions and other electronic equipment. Collection points for these recyclables are available at the city’s landfill and at several more convenient locations: Glass, e-waste, hazardous and toxic materials: Fort Smith: Davis Iron and Metal, 2610 Wheeler Avenue.

7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday Lavaca: Lavaca Recycle Center, 904 Davis Street.

Barling: Barling City Hall, 304 Church Street.

Greenwood: Street Department, 104 Bell Road.

Mansfield: Public Works Building, Witcherville Park.

Ward 1: Grand Avenue Baptist Church, 3900 Block Grand Avenue, North Parking Lot Ward 2: Parking lot one block east of North 50th Street and Plum Street Ward 3: Evans Boys Club, 6015 Boys Club Lane Ward 4: Goldtrap-Garner Boys Club, 8800 Dallas Street Household trash is gladly accepted, including appliances, carpet and furniture. They will not, however, accept construction debris, grass, leaves, brush, hazardous or toxic waste, oil, tires, herbicides, pesticides, cleaning chemicals, paint or any other kind of liquid.

Residents should have proof of residency ready to show. Lines get long on these special days, but the staff works hard to keep things moving along and the result is a remarkably clean Fort Smith. Join the citywide effort.

Commercial haulers, contractors and trailers longer than 8 feet are prohibited from using these sites.

and ... Recycle, too Each ward’s dumpster location also will have a collection container for recycling. Take along recyclables like paper, plastic and metal to drop off separately. Electronic waste will also be collected at each location.

Recycle Clothing Wearable clothing can be reused and resold by the resale store of your choice. But unusable clothes can be recycled, too. Clothes marked for recycling are accepted gladly at Abilities Unlimited stores at 2417 North Albert Pike, Fort Smith. Recycled clothes are sorted and sold by weight, helping to support the organization.

April 20: All together now!

Got your own place squared away? Volunteer with the Beautify Fort Smith organization for a big, one-day effort. Headquarters is Martin Luther King Jr. Park where you can pick up supplies like trash bags and gloves. Choose your own area or spiff up a suggested area, from 8 a.m. to noon. Families, organizations and individuals are all invited to participate. Last year, in two cleanup days, Beautify Fort Smith volunteers removed 4 tons of litter!

8

Entertainment Fort Smith

April 2013

Reduce, Reuse!

It just stands to reason. Acquire less and you will have less to throw away. Use a canvas bag for groceries or recycle plastic bags at the store.

Choose products with less packaging.

08-09_Master Facing Pages 3/25/13 10:37 AM Page 9

RECYCLED ART

Recycle this magazine! Easy crafts made from pages

Glue stick, scissors, ruler, Modge Podge, string Grace Marak and Ashton Stewart show off their creations.

Tear out a single page. Using a ruler, mark 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch dots across the short sides of the paper. Use the ruler to draw diagonal lines, like this: Cut the page into equal triangles. Each one will be rolled up to make a bead. Solid color strips make one-color beads.

Pages with text, pictures and color make very interesting patterns on beads.

Use a glue stick to apply glue to one side of a triangle. Using a bamboo skewer or a thin paint brush handle, roll the paper up from the wide end to the point.

Glue down the point. Twist gently to release the bead from your skewer. Brush or roll each bead lightly with white glue or Modge Podge to “glaze” them.

Tear out a single page. Fold in half lengthwise and cut it in two. Fold each piece again, cut in two, creating four strips from one page.

Fold the strip in half. Then fold each side toward the crease in the middle. Fold closed.

Tape a few strips together, end to end, and begin to roll into a coil. Keep rolling, adding strips to at least a 5-inch diameter coil or larger, depending on the size of bowl you want to create. Tape down the end of the strip.

Stop here and glaze with Modge Podge and you have a coaster! But to make a bowl, place your thumbs in the center and carefully push, sliding the coil into a bowl shape.

Paint with Modge Podge or spray with shellac.

String paper beads into necklaces or bracelets. It’s fun to use paper beads with ceramic, glass or metal beads as accents or separators, or add charms.

Each bowl is unique ... experiment with different widths of folded paper to make different bowls.

April 2013

Entertainment Fort Smith

9

10_Layout 1 3/24/13 12:08 AM Page 10

T H I R T Y - S E C O N D

A N N U A L

SEASON OF ENTERTAINMENT “A C e l e b r a t i o n o f C u l t u r e ”

U N I V E R S I T Y

O F

A R K A N S A S

-

F O R T

S M I T H

WHEN:

APRIL 13, 2013 11:00A.M.-1:00P.M. WHERE:

UAFS Campus Green 5210 Grand Ave. INFO:

479.788.7977 uafs.edu/international

UAFS.'&7 5'#510 j

GET AHEAD OF THE PACK.

ENROLL NOW FOR SUMMER.

REGISTER.UAFS.EDU

Summer I begins June 3.

Summer II begins July 8.

479.788.7120

11_Master Facing Pages 3/24/13 9:51 PM Page 11

HANDS-ON SCIENCE

Ecology Camp gives kids a chance to see the science of saving the earth

H

alea Carter of Cedarville is headed back to the woods this summer to study ornithology, aquatic biology, entomology – birds, fish and bugs – in a hands-on ecology camp that is still has openings for campers.

She spent a week last summer at Halberg Ecology Camp, a six-day adventure sponsored by the Arkansas Audubon Society to give young people the chance to study the natural environment in the field.

The state Audubon Society rents Camp Clearfork in the beautiful Ouachita National Forest to hold the ecology camp, which is led by teachers and qualified instructors for 50-60 students 11 to 12 years old.

Attending the camp just after fifth grade has really ignited Halea’s interest in science, she said. “We observed living creatures,” she explained. “I held a king snake and lizards. We learned a lot of botany – plant identification. Now that I have done hands-on stuff, it shows me how cool science can be.”

During the busy days of nature walks, canoeing, wading, capturing live frogs and insects and even pretending to be a bird searching for food, Halea got

used to carrying a notebook to record observations. She learned to use a microscope to see what lives in a drop of creek water. She ate a bug – on purpose!

“I ate a mealworm,” she said, laughing.

They are gross, but safe to eat, she explained.

“It tasted like unsalted peanut butter.”

Halea learned about the camp from Audubon Society member Ann Gordon, a former teacher of Halea’s mother, Jamie Carter, who is herself a teacher at Cedarville Elementary.

Gordon said scholarships are available from the Audubon Society to attend the camp, which sponsors the project.

Session one of the 2013 ecology camp is June 914; session two is June 16- 21. Camp tuition is $300. To apply for camp, download the application from the Audubon Society website www.arbirds.org or contact Liz Fulton at 501-663-9380.

As for Halea, she’s returning as a senior camper to learn more about natural sciences in a week of new experiences.

Observing birds at camp.

Halea Carter

DIVE INTO THE

deep end OF

excitement.

URacing and Gaming

UCulinary District, Hot Springs

Find your inner escape artist in the Ouachita Mountain region of Arkansas. From five great lakes to thrilling racing and gaming at Oaklawn, the legendary spas of America’s oldest national park and delicious dining.

Plan your escape today. It’s easy. Just call for a FREE Vacation Planning Kit. Visit Arkansas.com or call 1-800-NATURAL.

ULake Greeson

SCAN FOR VIDEO

UUU

April 2013

Entertainment Fort Smith

11

12-13_Master Facing Pages 3/24/13 9:37 PM Page 12

APRIL 6

Go by bus, train, trolley, wagon or on foot and enjoy the Heritage Festival, all for free

D

on’t tell any grown-ups, but the annual Heritage Festival presented by the Community Services Clearinghouse is mostly held for children. But with the generous participation of so many history and heritage sites – the Fort Smith Trolley Museum, the Fort Smith Museum of History, the Fort Smith National Historic Site, the Clayton House and Miss Laura’s Visitor Center – the popular downtown festival has attracted all ages in its five-year history. Even those who come without kids are welcome at the 10 a.m.- 4 p.m event April 6.

With the exception of admission to the National Historic Site’s courthouse and jail museum (optional), almost everything at the festival can be enjoyed free of charge.

The festival has a new headquarters this year at the Frisco Station, accessible from the National Historic Site on foot. A miniature Frisco train will take children for free rides there. Nearby Pendergraft Park will be the festival’s stage for musical entertainment and dance performances. The Choctaw Nation Youth dancers, Natchez Nation dancers, McCafferty Irish Dancers and traditional Laotian dancers will entertain at the park throughout the festival. All the dancers represent the diversity of cultures that historically lived in this region or immigrated here to make up the city we live in today.

A petting zoo will be set up at Pendergraft Park to allow kids to meet gentle farm animals and Mexican dancing horses will perform nearby.

Stroll the National Historic Site grounds to an 11 a.m. cannon firing by historical interpreters re-enacting Fort Smith’s military history. Visitors can walk to the original location near the Arkansas River where U.S. soldiers first built a military outpost that would set up the growth of the city of Fort Smith. The Trail of Tears overlook nearby explains the forced removal of Native Americans to territory that would become the state of Oklahoma.

The Lawbreakers & Peacemakers re-enactors will give visitors a taste of the historical period when criminals and U.S. deputy marshals skirmished in shoot-outs and rough townspeople settled disputes with gunfire. Their Western town storefront scene will be at the corner of South 3rd and Parker streets. The action is loud but the good guys always win.

12

Entertainment Fort Smith

April 2013

Mule-drawn covered wagons will take passengers aboard at the front of the Museum of History throughout the day. Step inside the Fort Smith museum to tour exhibits that survey the entire history of the city and region. At the museum’s vintage soda fountain, build your own ice cream sundae for a special discounted price.

Beside the museum, board a trolley for a round-trip in the electric streetcar to the Fort Smith Trolley Museum. See several other trolley cars under restoration and learn about Fort Smith’s electric trolley public transportation system that flourished from around the turn of the 20th century to 1933. Train afficionados will enjoy seeing the trolley museum’s massive steam engine on display, as well.

Around 3rd Street and Garrison Avenue, meet up with a cast of Living History presenters in character, including Judge Isaac C. Parker and executioner George Maledon, who carried out the hangings of those Parker tried and condemned. Other famous and infamous historical figures such as Pearl Starr and bank robber Bonnie Parker will tell the tales of their lives.

12-13_Master Facing Pages 3/24/13 9:37 PM Page 13

Discover the Darby Legacy Project at Cisterna Plaza at Heritage Fest

Transit buses will take visitors to locations where guided tours will be offered. Board at any of these locations.

Frisco Station The 1904 Frisco Station is now preserved by the National Park Service. It served as one of Fort Smith’s major hubs of transportation.

Museum of History Located in the 1907 Atkinson-Williams warehouse, the museum offers two floors of exhibits, an interactive theater and a soda fountain.

Fort Smith Trolley Museum Besides the trolley cars themselves, the Trolley Museum’s car barn, library and grounds offer insight into transportation history.

First National Bank As a bank and a building, First National Bank has been important to the city and region’s history and offers an interesting presentation.

Immaculate Conception Church/St. Anne’s Convent The 1899 Catholic church and Sisters of Mercy convent are landmarks. The congregation and officiants of the church and convent are very significant forces in Fort Smith history.

First Lutheran Church The 1904 First Lutheran Church is interesting just for its Gothic architecture but also represents the heritage of many Fort Smith citizens who are descended of German immigrants.

W.H.H. Clayton House The Victorian house museum in the Belle Grove Historic District will be open for tours explaining what life was like in the 1880s for the family of federal prosecutor W.H.H. Clayton.

Miss Laura’s Visitor Center The volunteer tour guides at Miss Laura’s are excellent at tailoring this building’s err ... “colorful” history for younger ears.

Compass Park /Park at West End The bus will offer a stop near the vintage amusement park, which has a Ferris wheel and wooden carousel.

Heritage Festival fights childhood hunger and food insecurity: The Community Services Clearinghouse presents the Heritage Festival with the help of volunteers and sponsors to benefit the “Meals for Kids” backpack program that provides weekend food to about 2,400 public school students in 84 area schools. Sue Robison, CSC community relations director, said festival sponsorships and donations are hoped to reach or exceed $20,000 for the program.

One of the stops on the Heritage Festival bus tour will be Cisterna Plaza, a park at the corner of Garrison Avenue and North 10th Street. At this location, a new organization called the General Darby Legacy Project is working to place a statue of William O. Darby, distinguished military hero of World War II and a native son of Fort Smith.

Darby helped to establish and train the elite commando units that would become the U.S. Army Rangers. He was known for his preference to be close to the action, alongside his Rangers. The proposed statue will depict him on a military Harley-Davidson WLA motorcycle.

On April 30, 1945, Darby was killed when a German shell exploded near him, ending his life at the age of 34. He had been leading the 10th Mountain Division in Italy. Two days later, the Germans surrendered and Italy was liberated. For his long record of outstanding service, Darby was promoted to brigadier general, the only soldier to receive such a promotion posthumously.

The General Darby Legacy Initiative was formed to honor Darby and preserve Ranger history in Fort Smith through education, community involvement and by promoting an “All Era Ranger Reunion.” Learn more about this valiant soldier and the legacy project by stopping at the plaza, named for the Rangers’ hard-fought liberation of Cisterna, Italy.

The proposed statue is inspired by this and other photos of Darby riding a military Harley-Davidson. The life-and-a-quarter-sized bronze would depict the general on a 1942 model. Placed in Cisterna Plaza, the statue would be near Darby’s childhood home at 311 North 7th Street and the high school he attended, named Darby Junior High in his honor.

Photo courtesy of the Fort Smith Museum of History April 2013 Entertainment Fort Smith 13

14-15_Master Facing Pages 3/24/13 12:07 AM Page 14

EYE ON THE PAST

Very early photograph of Fort Smith, pre-1859, courtesy of the Fort Smith Museum of History.

The “move-ies” come to Fort Smith as hand-painted, hand-cranked canvas panoramas 154 years ago

L

ooking through modern eyes at this western Arkansas town as it was in the 1850s and ’60s, it would hardly seem “Life was worth living in Fort Smith, Arkansas!”

It had dirt streets, no water or sewer systems.

Wild hogs and stray dogs menaced merchants and shoppers making their way on wooden sidewalks in our fire-prone, mostly wooden downtown, centered around North 2nd Street and Garrison Avenue. As the sun went down, Fort Smith was plunged into darkness, punctuated occasionally by dim candlelight in a window or a campfire warming a team of drovers camping on vacant lots.

The few surviving newspapers from the period are filled with heated political discussions dealing with disunion over the question of slavery, Northern aggression, Indian atrocities, cholera scares, shootouts and sad accounts of deaths. Future railroads leading west were discussed. The papers had accounts of steamships blowing up or running aground, depending on the Arkansas River flooding or going nearly dry – something it did each year.

Entertainment was hard to find in those days, though our ancestors craved it as much as we do.

14

Entertainment Fort Smith

April 2013

From the April 5, 1861, Fort Smith Herald.

Fort Smith’s first theater was located in a barn that in the 1840s stood approximately where the old Frisco Station is today. No record has been found of what kind of entertainment went on there.

On a purely local scale, there was singing by church groups. Recitations were performed by students at St. Anne's Academy, which stood on the Catholic grounds surrounded by a lovely grove of trees at the east end of Garrison Avenue.

A company called Maroney's Varieties brought theatrical productions to Fort Smith in the summer of 1859 before moving on to Van Buren for an extended stay. Mr. and Mrs. Maroney would be back in 1861 to help set up the Fort Smith Thespian Club formed by some soldiers and civilians with a goal of presenting live theatrical productions two times per month.

In the spring of 1860, a new form of entertainment would hit Fort Smith that would predict the popularity of motion pictures still 40 years in the future. In the latter part of April 1860, W.H. Paul presented “The Grand Historical Illustrations of Dr. Kane's Arctic Expedition In Search of Sir John Franklin.” The moving panorama craze had made its way to Arkansas.

Simply put, a moving panorama was a series of scenes painted on a roll of white canvas. In the case of “Dr. Kane's Arctic Expedition,” the roll of canvas was advertised as being 3,000 feet in length.

Panoramas ranged in height from 4 to 12 feet.

The canvas was mounted on upright spindles equipped with cranks so the painted scenes could be hand-cranked across the stage and then rewound after the show.

14-15_Master Facing Pages 3/24/13 12:07 AM Page 15

Mr. Paul would have narrated the action as a small band or orchestra played softly in the background, the music rising to a crescendo during the exciting parts of the story.

This same show was reviewed at enthusiastic length by the Leavenworth, Kan., Daily Times in August 1860: “This grand painting was exhibited to our citizens at Concert Hall on Monday and last night, and we believe that the uniform testimony of every one who has seen it, is that it is vastly superior to, and better worth the money charged, than anything of the kind that has yet visited this city. The scenes represented were painted from true sketches taken on the spot by Dr. Kane himself and other artists who accompanied the expedition. Those who love to gaze upon the awfully sublime in nature, should go and see it, since the real displays of nature's dreary magnificence in those Arctic regions, never revealed to the gaze of any white man save those of Dr. Kane and his devoted band, exceed the liveliest pencilings of the most vivid imagination. These representations, gorgeous as art can make them, were pronounced by Dr. Kane himself to fall below the real grandeur of the works themselves.”

How a panorama worked:

Painted canvas was scrolled from one spindle to another with crank mechanisms.

A fancy proscenium curtain may have concealed all but the painted scene.

See a surviving panorama: To understand the panorama experience enjoyed by Fort Smith audiences 150 years ago, watch a video explaining the process and enjoy a rare view of the 1851 “Moving Panorama of Pilgrim's Progress” lost in storage for 100 years before being rediscovered in1996. It is now displayed at the Saco Museum in Saco, Maine. The panorama is explained in a short video overview and also shown in full at www.sacomuseum.org/panorama.

The admission price in 1860 was 50 cents for this new art form that might not qualify as “motion pictures” but certainly was “moving pictures,” a “move-ie” before there were movies.

In March or April 1861, just weeks before state troops marched from Little Rock to take over Fort Smith in anticipation of Arkansas seceding from the Union May 6, a Mr. Grace presented Jean Paul Wolfstenberger's “Great Mirror of the Arctic Regions,” painted on “two miles” of canvas. It was one of several rival panoramas hoping to equal the success of “Dr. Kane's Arctic Expedition,” which would end up being seen by at least 100,000 paying customers.

The advent of the Civil War put a stop to traveling panoramas in the South, but right after the war in September 1865, Dr. E. Beale was in Fort Smith to present a panorama entitled, “Grand Moving Mirror and Illuminated Wonders of the World.” One performance benefited Fort Smith's Orphans Home to the tune of $140 in our cash-strapped town.

After the war, moving panoramas lost their appeal and faded away. Fewer than 15 examples are known to exist, most only fragments of the original.

Contributing writer Joe Wasson is an avid researcher of Fort Smith history and is fascinated by the ordinary daily lives of its former citizens.

April 2013

Entertainment Fort Smith

15

16-17_Master Facing Pages 3/25/13 10:29 AM Page 16

HOME & GARDEN

At Neumeier’s, Every Detail Matters

S

topping into Neumeier Nursery & Florist in spring feels like visiting your friendliest neighbor’s backyard to admire what’s in bloom and finding yourself leaving with new plants for your garden and the best advice about where to plant it and how to help it succeed.

The nursery, floral shop and gift shop grew up around Bill and Jody Neumeier’s circa 1904 home and although they both claim to be retired, customers often encounter one or the other of them outside, chatting with friends about a garden plan or lending a hand in this busy season.

Their son Joseph, who grew up mixing dirt and seeding planters alongside his parents, now oversees the daily operations of the nursery. Through the years, the Neumeier family has provided their customers with hearty plants and flowers that thrive in the temperamental Arkansas climate.

“Lots of the big chain stores don’t grow their own plants and buy from different areas where

Joseph, Jody and Bill Neumeier.

16

Entertainment Fort Smith

April 2013

the climate is different than it is in Arkansas.

We grow our plants so we know what thrives here,” Bill explained.

“We are always looking for what’s new so we can keep up with the times. People want the newest varieties of plants so we try to have what they will want,” explained Joseph. And as they make their selections, friendly nursery employees help gather the plants, box them and carry them to the customers’ cars.

Besides bedding plants, trees, shrubs and ground covers for the landscape, Neumeier’s creates stunning French garden container plantings for the patio. The custom-designed, lined pots are filled with individually potted plants that grow together in one pot, blending into riotous color and texture. Jody likes to add a whimsical ornament to the plants so no two are exactly the same.

Under the shade of a wooden pergola are carefully selected garden furniture, benches, sculpture, containers with character and unique yard art, some made from recycled metal signs and others of painted tin. Soon, hanging baskets of blooms will come out of the greenhouses to be displayed there, too.

Inside the charming brick outbuilding, originally a kitchen for the historic home, is the florist and garden gift shop. The full-service florist shop creates and delivers fresh flower arrangements for any occasion. Mary Paula Ray is the floral designer with 30 years’ experience who has been at Neumeier’s for the last five years. “Mary Paula’s work is outstanding, especially her sympathy arrangements,” said Jody.

Neumeier’s also delivers anything purchased at

16-17_Master Facing Pages 3/25/13 10:29 AM Page 17

HOME & GARDEN

Bill Neumeier shows off a tender seedling.

the nursery if needed – topsoil, fertilizer or the customers’ selection of plants. They also will pick up heavy outdoor planters to refresh the soil and replant them for the season, then return them home again. The nursery does plant maintenance at many businesses, indoors and out, and offers rental of topiaries, ferns and other container plants for special occasions.

Jody’s eye for design is seen in the delightful gift shop, where she stocks some of her personal favorite garden tools and gloves along with all the seasonal and year-round accessories that accent a garden or a garden-themed room – such as glazed ceramic pots, flour sack kitchen towels, unique table lamps, birdbaths, gazing balls or birdhouses in every style. The gift shop opens into a hothouse with orchids and other indoor plants.

Neumeier Nursery & Florist 3327 North O Street, Fort Smith 479-782-9987

One of Neumeier’s unique French gardens.

April 2013

Entertainment Fort Smith

17

18-21_Master Facing Pages 3/24/13 5:26 PM Page 18

home & garden goodies Collection of vintage toys, including a 1970s Soundesign Super 8 tape player.

From Abilities Unlimited.

Whimsical metal monkey planter and colorful painted canvas.

Available at BrickCity Emporium.

Weather-resistant signs for all purposes.

Found at Sutherlands.

Abilities Unlimited, Inc. Working with disabled adults in

Crawford and Sebastian counties for 50 years.

Sheltered workshop located at 3305 Kibler Road in Van Buren.

Our resale stores are stocked solely by donations from the communities we serve.

Call 471-5354 x207 for more information on making a donation or schedule a pick-up.

Local donations supporting local

$5 OFF COUPON individuals with disabilities.

Good on any purchase of $10 or more. Redeemable at either

Abilities Resale Shops

2417 North Albert Pike in FS 250 Cloverleaf Plaza in VB

Coupon has no cash value Change will not be given Limit one coupon per customer per day Expires 04/30/2013

$5 OFF COUPON United Way of the Fort Smith Area 18

Entertainment Fort Smith

April 2013

18-21_Master Facing Pages 3/24/13 5:26 PM Page 19

home & garden goodies

Flasks for him and her, hand-painted glass, Eagle Rare bourbon, Marilyn wine, metal wine carrier and frozen drink mix.

Found at In Good Spirits.

An assortment of St. Francis of Assisi statues.

Available at Neumeier Nursery & Florist.

April 2013

Entertainment Fort Smith

19

18-21_Master Facing Pages 3/24/13 5:26 PM Page 20

home & garden goodies

Glazed ceramic pedestal birdbath from Sharum’s Garden Center.

Hidden Treasures upholstered floral armchair.

Available from Furniture Emporium.

Framed humorous prints.

Found at Marcia Cooksey Interiors.

20

Entertainment Fort Smith

April 2013

18-21_Master Facing Pages 3/24/13 5:26 PM Page 21

home & garden goodies

Original artwork by the late Doris Echols, a local artist.

Available at Center for Art & Education.

Rhythm mantel clock with choice of Westminster chime or several melodies.

From Main Street Interiors.

Gourmet foods and condiments.

Found at Paul’s Meat Market.

April 2013

Entertainment Fort Smith

21

22-23_Master Facing Pages 3/24/13 12:07 AM Page 22

APRIL 20

A child-sized garden opens at The Learning Fields

T

he long-awaited Children's Gardens at The Learning Fields will open with a celebration April 20. The Learning Fields is a campus of educational gardens built by River Valley Master Gardeners, now including the children’s garden. On this spacious lot, volunteers have placed a playhouse, gazebo and picnic tables, all scaled for children's use. The property is surrounded by a picket fence with two entrances and flagstone paths throughout, as well as a whimsical butterfly bench and yard art.

The gardens will be planted by children. All plants will be nontoxic and will include a "pizza garden," herb garden and vegetable garden and flowers around the premises. Children will take care of the gardens and harvest the goods.

This has been a dream of the Herb Committee of the River Valley Master Gardeners. Their annual Bavarian Dinners, led by Hannelore deKunffy, held the last four years, are the sole source of income for this effort. The children's garden committee hopes everyone who attended a dinner will visit and see what their dollars have done. Refreshments will be served and old-time games will be held for the kids.

To get to The Learning Fields, take Arkansas 22 East through Barling and turn south at Mahogany Lane. Follow Mahogany Lane to Tuscany Street, (about ¼ mile) and turn right and then left to Gardeners Lane. A map is available at The Learning Fields website. Free. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The Learning Fields, Chaffee Crossing, 7300 Gardener Lane, Fort Smith 479-785-1320, learningfields.net

22

Entertainment Fort Smith

April 2013

22-23_Master Facing Pages 3/24/13 12:07 AM Page 23

GARDENING April 13 Zonta Club Geranium Sale Presale orders will be taken now for flats of geraniums and giant gold marigolds to be picked up April 13. Geraniums will be available in red, dark pink, white and salmon. Presale plants are to be picked up the day of the sale. Proceeds support local and international projects that advance the status of women. Zonta of Fort Smith supports scholarships for women, the Crisis Intervention Center, Girls Shelter, Girls Inc., Single Parent Scholarship Fund, Esther Home, First Impressions Workshop and Career Fair for local junior high girls. $27 per flat of 18 plants; $1.50 per individual plant. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sagely & Edwards Realtors, 3101 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-629-0689, 479-353-2520 zontafortsmith.wordpress.com

April 27 Fort Smith Rose Society Annual Plant Sale

April 20 Master Gardeners Spring Plant Sale The River Valley Master Gardeners will hold its third annual plant sale offering perennials, annuals, trees, shrubs, garden vegetable plants, heirloom tomato plants, hanging baskets and garden ornaments. Master Gardeners will gladly help customers select plants and will provide tips for growing specific plants. Proceeds benefit the Learning Fields at Chaffee Crossing, the Master Gardeners' educational gardens. 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

First Christian Church parking lot, 3501 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-5750 learningfields.net

Plants of every variety – shrubs, perennials, annuals, bulbs, herbs, roses galore, house plants and ornamentals – will be offered for sale by the Fort Smith Rose Society. The Mayor Ray Baker Roses, which were hybridized last year, are expected to be sold, as well. Members dig up, divide and share many of their prize-winning and/or unique plants for this sale. A few used garden tools, yard ornaments and gardening books also may be for sale. This fundraiser helps the Rose Society promote roses through educational programs, pruning demonstrations, garden tours and the annual fall Rose Show, all offered free to the community. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Anniversary Rose Garden, 220 South 12th Street (behind Bancorp South), Fort Smith.

April 2013

Entertainment Fort Smith

23

24-25_Master Facing Pages 3/24/13 12:06 AM Page 24

WHAT’S COOKING with KRISTAN ROLAND

Rolling in Coconut

With April stretched out in front of us, I'm anticipating lots of rainy afternoons in preparation of May greenery. Rainy days mean bored kiddos, cozy books, and lots of baking together. I've got tons of coconut leftover from Easter baking, so here are some recipes to put that stuff to good use.

Check out Kristan’s blog at confessionsofacookbookqueen.com

MALLOW CUP BROWNIES 2 (19-20 oz. each) boxes brownie mix, plus eggs, oil and water to prepare 1 jar hot fudge sauce (14-16 oz.)

Coconut marshmallow filling: 1 jar (7 oz) marshmallow creme 3 ⁄4 cup sweetened shredded coconut Chocolate fudge frosting: 6 tablespoons butter 6 tablespoons milk 11⁄2 teaspoons vanilla 3 tablespoons cocoa powder 4 cups powdered sugar Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9×13 pan with foil and spray with nonstick spray. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine brownie mixes, eggs, oil and water called for on boxes and hot fudge. Stir until blended and spread evenly in pan. Bake for about 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out with gooey crumbs, but not batter.

While brownies are warm, combine marshmallow creme and coconut in a small bowl. Spread over brownies and set aside.

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add milk and cocoa powder and stir until just boiling. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and powdered sugar (if too thick, add a bit more milk). Stir until smooth, then pour carefully over marshmallow topping (you don’t want to have to spread it much). Cool, then slice and serve.

24

Entertainment Fort Smith

April 2013

Cupcakes: 2 cups flour 2 cups sugar 1 ⁄2 teaspoon salt 3 ⁄4 cup Dutch process cocoa powder (I used Hershey Special Dark) 11⁄2 teaspoons baking powder 3 ⁄4 teaspoon baking soda 4 eggs 1 tablespoon vanilla 1 cup buttermilk 1 ⁄2 cup (1 stick) salted butter, melted Buttercream: 2 sticks salted butter, slightly softened 1/4 cup heavy cream 4 cups powdered sugar 2 teaspoons pure almond extract Ganache: 4 oz semi sweet chocolate, roughly chopped 1/2 cup heavy cream 1/4 cup light corn syrup 2 cups sweetened, shredded coconut Preheat oven to 350. Line 24 muffin tins with cupcake liners and set aside.

In the large bowl of a mixer, combine flour, sugar, salt, cocoa powder, baking soda, and baking powder.Combine with a whisk. Add eggs, buttermilk, and melted butter. Mix on low for 30 seconds.Scrape the sides of the bowl and increase mixer speed to medium — beat for 2 minutes. Batter will be thick (and yummy. not that I’d ever eat raw batter).

Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full. Bake cupcakes 15 – 20 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched.

While cupcakes bake, make your ganache: In a microwave safe bowl, combine chopped chocolate and heavy cream. Microwave for a couple minutes, stopping to stir every 30 seconds. Once the mixture is smooth, remove from microwave and stir in corn syrup. Place bowl in refrigerator until the ganache is thickened.

Prepare buttercream: In the bowl of your mixer, beat butter, almond extract and heavy cream on medium speed until smooth and combined. Turn mixer speed to low and slowly add powdered sugar until barely mixed in.

Increase speed to high and beat for about a minute, until light and fluffy. Frost cupcakes, top with a spoonful of ganache and coconut.

24-25_Master Facing Pages 3/24/13 12:06 AM Page 25

GERMAN CHOCOLATE WHOOPIE PIES Cookies: 1 box German chocolate cake mix 3 eggs 1 ⁄2 cup vegetable oil 1 ⁄2 cup water Coconut Pecan Frosting: 1 ⁄2 cup evaporated milk 11-oz. bag caramel bits 11⁄2 cup coconut 11⁄2 pecan chips Chocolate Frosting: 2 sticks butter, softened slightly 1 teaspoon vanilla 3 tablespoons milk 1 ⁄2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 3 cups powdered sugar

2 1 2 3

oz. orange pineapple juice oz. cream of coconut oz. coconut rum scoops mango sorbet (Lemon, lime or sherbert would be fine, too) 4 oz. lemon lime soda Cherries and pineapple chunks, or garnish In a large glass (LARGE!!) combine orange pineapple juice, rum and cream of coconut. Add sorbet. Pour soda over the top and garnish with cherries and pineapples

Preheat oven to 350. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. In the bowl of a mixer, combine cake mix, eggs, oil and water. Mix on medium-low speed until combined. Place small spoonfuls of batter (I used a small cookie scoop) on lined baking sheet, several inches apart — they spread a lot!! Bake for about 7 minutes, until edges are set and centers spring back when lightly touched. Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheet for a few minutes. Remove to wire rack to finish cooling.

Prepare Coconut Pecan Frosting: In a heavy saucepan, heat evaporated milk over medium heat until simmering. Add caramel chips and stir until melted. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and stir in coconut and pecans. Let cool before using.

Once Coconut Pecan Frosting is cool, prepare Chocolate Frosting: In the bowl of a mixer, beat butter, vanilla and milk until smooth. Slowly add cocoa and powdered sugar, beating on low speed until just combined. Increase mixer speed to mediumhigh and beat for about a minute.

Put Cookies Together: Place cookies flat side up. Spread half with chocolate frosting and the other half with coconut pecan frosting. Using one of each, gently press cookies together.

Makes about 3 dozen whoopie pies.

April 2013

Entertainment Fort Smith

25

26_Master Facing Pages 3/24/13 12:01 AM Page 26

APRIL 3

Boreham Library’s new Learning & Research Center addition opens

T

he University of Arkansas-Fort Smith will celebrate the reopening of Boreham Library at 1 p.m. April 3. With the completion of its 40,000-square-foot Learning and Research Center addition, the expanded library’s entrance has been reoriented to face the Campus Green.

The addition means an increase in several categories: space for 93 percent more nonfiction, 120 percent more fiction, 26 percent more reference, 53 percent more audiovisual and 33 percent more periodicals materials.

Seating also has increased, with reader seating going from 283 to 338, computer seating from 86 to 214 and classroom seating from 12 to 264.

Added seating for the lounge areas totals 104. Part of the project was a total renovation of the original Boreham Library space, which opened in 1987 with only four computers and three typewriters for students to use.

26

Entertainment Fort Smith

April 2013

“Students will be better served with 21st century learning and study environments and with increased opportunity for traditional and online research,” said Dr. Paul B. Beran, UAFS chancellor.

The Dr. Ted and Betty Skokos Commons and Doug and Kathy Babb Student Professional Development Center were named for donors. Private donations of more than $1 million were contributed to the project. All donors will be recognized at a private event April 3.

The $14.2 million project was funded with a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, $2 million in federal stimulus money from Gov. Mike Beebe’s office, $776,000 from the General Improvement fund through Rep. Denny Altes, a bond sale and a new student library fee.

The building will be open for tours following the ceremony.

27_Layout 1 3/24/13 12:01 AM Page 27

28_Master Facing Pages 3/24/13 8:21 PM Page 28

GO DIG! UAFS searches for volunteers to assist with excavations at Drennen-Scott Historic Site

L

ocal volunteers this month have the opportunity to participate in archeological excavations at the Drennen-Scott Historic Site, located at 221 North 3rd Street in Van Buren.

The Drennen-Scott Historic Site is operated by the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith as a museum and teaching classroom and lab.

Dates available for volunteers are April 10-11, 13-14, 17-19 and 24-28.

The work will take place from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Volunteers must reserve a time and day and must commit to at least three hours. No experience is necessary, but space is limited. Children must be at least 10 years old and, if under 16, must be accompanied by an adult volunteer.

Reservations may be made by contacting Tim Mulvihill of the UAFS Research Station of the Arkansas Archeological Survey, by email at Tim.Mulvihill@uafs.edu or by telephone at 479-788-7812.

Students in the Introduction to Archeology class at UAFS will conduct ongoing excavations in early April. Mulvihill said the work by volunteers

28

Entertainment Fort Smith

April 2013

Tim Mulvihill works at the Drennen-Scott Historic Site.

will be a continuation of what has already been taking place at the site.

“Excavations to date have focused on identifying the extent of foundations for structures that once occupied the backyard, locating other backyard features and determining the dates of various deposits,” he said.

“We will continue with this work during this field session.”

The home was purchased from descendants of John Drennen and Charles Scott. Drennen was a founder of Van Buren, politician, Indian agent, landowner and businessman. Charles Scott was Drennen's business partner who eventually became interested in seeking Drennen's eldest daughter's hand in marriage. Charles and Caroline Scott inherited control of the estate after Drennen's death in 1855.

29_Layout 1 3/24/13 12:00 AM Page 29

30-31_Master Pages 3/24/13 7:46 PM Page 30

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Color and creativity at Salon Elements Owner Marcie Comstock

S

alon Elements is a full-service hair salon offering innovative hairstyling and beauty services, with an atmosphere of energetic creativity. Marcie Comstock, owner of Salon Elements, has spent her 26-year career learning and improving her skills and those of her staff.

The stylists at Salon Elements stay on the cutting edge in both their professional skills and technology in order to give clients the most current style and information.

Comstock flies in professional instructors from some of the leading hair care companies for hands-on training and demonstrations to update the stylists on the newest trends. They also attend leading seminars.

“In the last year, we’ve attended six educational events so we can stay ahead of the curve,” explained Comstock. This year, there are 32 new shades in hair color and Comstock and her staff are excited to introduce them to their customers.

Salon Elements colorists are adept at blended and multicolored techniques and color glazing.

They also offer hair texturizing, Moroccanoil and Keratin Complex treatments to return damaged hair to a healthy, smooth appearance.

A signature service at Salon Elements is its Great Lengths hair extensions, a safe, bonded application of human hair extensions that last four to six months and can be brushed, styled, hot-rolled or straightened just like the client’s natural head of hair.

Salon Elements stylists know what product works best for specific hair types and skin tones and the salon carries the products they 30

Entertainment Fort Smith

April 2013

recommend, such as Mirabella cosmetics, Dermalogica skin health products, Pureology color care, Schwarzkopf Osis and Style Edit hair products. The staff includes a lash extension specialist, massage therapists and nail artists.

Going a step beyond style, Salon Elements offers expert consultation and solutions for hair loss, with several options of nonsurgical, affordable and reversible hair replacement techniques for men and women. There are several ways of adding to existing hair or to the scalp to give the appearance of fuller, thicker hair, Comstock explained, including creating a natural-looking front hairline.

Coverage can be added just to the crown of the head or over the full head. These attachment methods allow the wearer to pursue normal activities such as swimming or exercising with complete confidence.

“I’ve had customers come in thinking they just needed hair extensions but their hair is falling Salon Elements carries and styles a variety of high-quality wigs.

30-31_Master Pages 3/24/13 7:46 PM Page 31

HEALTH & BEAUTY out excessively. Instead of just applying the extensions to the hair that is there at that time, I address the issue of why they are losing their hair,” said Comstock. In some cases, she can suggest nutritional changes that slow hair loss.

Salon Elements carries and styles high-quality wigs, recently trending in popularity just as a fashion choice. The salon also enjoys working with patrons who need wigs after medical treatment. Comstock’s experience with hair replacement has led the salon to support the Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House, Wigs for Kids and Locks of Love programs.

The boutique at the salon is filled with the creativity of local artists.

Gayla Jepson, Comstock’s mother, is a contributing artist to the salon, as well as the office manager. “The reason why we’ve been around so long is because Marcie really cares about her clients. She takes their experience at the salon personally and does her best to please them.”

The salon also has a boutique, offering locally created art, jewelry and accessories. Caroline Johnston, one of the local artists Comstock supports, painted the tropical artwork on the walls. The colorful ambiance, paired with the background of happy chatter of stylists and clientele, makes Salon Elements a place of creativity and beauty.

Salon Elements 3219 Old Greenwood Road, Fort Smith 479-649-3435 www.salonelements.com April 2013

Entertainment Fort Smith

31

32-35_Master Facing Pages 3/24/13 5:25 PM Page 32

health & beauty goodies

Tunic dress with elastic waist.

Available at Fashion Boutique.

Michael Kors leather bag and shorts by Miss Me. Available at Designer Again.

Nordic Naturals nutritional supplements.

From Coleman Pharmacy.

32

Entertainment Fort Smith

April 2013

32-35_Master Facing Pages 3/24/13 5:25 PM Page 33

health & beauty goodies

Hair products from the Aveda color conserve collection. Available at Metropolis Hair Salon.

Studded, yellow hobo bag and Tiggles belly blanket and lullaby turtle.

From Jennifer’s Gift Shop at Sparks.

The Sak crochet bag, cork wedge sandals, sleeveless top and denim shorts.

Found at The Mustard Seed Thrift Shop.

April 2013

Entertainment Fort Smith

33

32-35_Master Facing Pages 3/24/13 5:25 PM Page 34

health & beauty goodies

Oversized top with nautical theme and jeweled sandals.

From Unique Boutique.

Pureology Reviving Red hair care products, beaded necklace and printed scarf.

Available from Salon Elements.

Mudpie tunic and bloomers and storybook and plush animals by Jellycat.

Found at The Now and Then Shoppe

34

Entertainment Fort Smith

April 2013

32-35_Master Facing Pages 3/24/13 5:25 PM Page 35

health & beauty goodies Frederic Sage pavé diamond and 18K gold necklace and earrings.

Found at Newton's Jewelers.

Total Results Blonde Care by Matrix.

From Vanity Calls.

Caviar eyeglasses with Austrian crystals.

Available from Dr. Steven Stiles.

We have a more comfortable solution.

Let us help you breath easier.

Member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine

April 2013

Entertainment Fort Smith

35

36_Master Facing Pages 3/24/13 6:05 PM Page 36

APRIL 27

Stand aside, Dancing with the Stars

Diamond Dance Club taking center stage

T

he Diamond Dance Club of Fort Smith is presenting a Ballroom Dance Showcase April 27 to show off the talents of its members and share the joy of dance with the community. The local dancers, both beginning and advanced, will perform a variety of ballroom dance styles such as Swing, Latin, Tango and many others. Several couples will be on the floor at one time demonstrating their skills.

The Diamond Dance Club was created by Betty and Jim Farmer 15 years ago to encourage more people to learn to dance. Their weekly get-togethers include beginning and advanced dance lessons followed by dancing just for the fun of it. Some of the club members have been learning new dances and participating since the club was founded. Members Mike and Lisa Lawrence have become teachers of the advanced class.

Betty encourages both individuals and couples to come to learn basic steps and begin to dance. "We have partners for everyone," Betty explained. When she and her husband started the club, they knew some individuals were shut out of other dance lessons if they could not come with a partner. New members can join and begin lessons at any time and adults of every age are welcome.

"Dancing lightens your life," said Betty, whom one would never guess is 83. "It gives you something to look forward to!"

The performance will be at 3 p.m. at the Eagles Ballroom, 3321 South 66th Street, Fort Smith. 479-484-7156

36

Entertainment Fort Smith

April 2013

Mark and Anne Spellman

Laura and Dave Pulliam

37_Layout 1 3/24/13 12:00 AM Page 37

For those who have come before, for those who shall come after, for our children, and our children’s children to never hear the words, “You have cancer.”

In more than 5,200 communities and 20 countries across the globe, Relay For Life participants come together to honor cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that has already taken too much. Here in Fort Smith, Fort Smith Radiation Oncology has been a proud supporter of the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life for over 10 years. Dr. Kris Gast reports that no single nongovernmental, not-for-profit organization in the U.S. has invested more to find the causes and cures of cancer than the American Cancer Society. “When you give to the American Cancer Society,” vows Dr. Gast, “you are giving money to find a cure for cancer.”

Dr. Gast has a motto: “We are always a team – whether in the office or out in the community!” She and her staff clearly live by this motto. Cancer survivor Fred Parham expresses his appreciation for this team attitude, “I am alive and ambulatory today, nine years after my diagnosis with stage IV prostate cancer. Over the years of battle with cancer, Dr. Gast has overseen four full rounds of radiation treatment to various areas of my rather massive tumor load. I know when a caregiver is knowledgeable. Dr. Gast and her staff are knowledgeable, and they care!”

Because of cancer survivors such as Mr. Parham, the idea of forming a cancer survivor team arose. Thus, Fort Smith Radiation Oncology will not only be relaying as fellow employees but also be joining Team FSRO Alumni, which will be comprised of current and former patients of Fort Smith Radiation Oncology. Together, we will honor; we will remember; we will fight back!

38-39_Master Facing Pages 3/24/13 5:22 PM Page 38

OUTDOORS

10 new cabins at Lake Fort Smith fulfill promise

ADA-accessible and pet-friendly cabins, spa baths and decks update the amenities

38

Entertainment Fort Smith

April 2013

F

ulfilling a promise made to the state more than 10 years ago, the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism has opened 10 new cabins at Lake Fort Smith State Park, available now for the enjoyment of visitors to the park, located in the Boston Mountains near Mountainburg.

These one-story cabins include both one- and two-bedroom designs reminiscent of the original 1930s cabins demolished for the enlargement of Lake Fort Smith in 2002. Built to recall the style of the WPA-built cabins, the new cabins are crafted of stone and wood and use some reclaimed stone from the original park site. The architect/design consultant was Tim A. Risley & Associates of Fort Smith.

Five of the cabins feature one bedroom and one bathroom each, and the other five each offer two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Each cabin includes a great room with wood-burning fireplace, high-definition satellite TV, kitchen and dining area. Large, elevated covered decks with a view to woods are at the back of each unit, with a picnic table and grill at ground level.

The four one-bedroom cabins feature spa tubs. Two-bedroom cabins have one bathroom with a spa tub and another bathroom with a walk-in shower.

Two cabins – a one-bedroom and a two-bedroom – are barrier-free designs, meeting the needs of visitors with disabilities. The bathroom in the one-bedroom barrier-free cabin features a roll-in shower. The two-bedroom barrier-free cabin features a roll-in shower and a walk-in shower.

Cabin No. 2, a one-bedroom design, is the park’s designated “dog-friendly” cabin allowing a pet to come along. Service animals, however, are welcome in all Arkansas State Parks facilities.

A one-bedroom cabin (896 square feet) rents for $127/two adults/day. A twobedroom cabin (1,152 square feet) is $142/four adults/day. The charge for each additional person is $12/day. Children age 12 and under stay free. Book reservations online at arkansasstateparks.com/lakefortsmith, or call the park tollfree at 888-695-3526.

38-39_Master Facing Pages 3/24/13 12:16 AM Page 39

OUTDOORS

Gaston’s Fly-Fishing Schools Open in April at Arkansas’ renowned White River Resort

G

aston’s White River Resort, the premier location for trout fishing in Arkansas, opens its renowned fly-fishing school in April. Instructor Frank Saksa, one of the most knowledgeable fly-fishing guides on the White River, has fly fished on all the major streams in the western part of the United States and developed many new techniques for catching fish specifically on the White River. He teaches those techniques hands-on in small classes of six or fewer.

The two-day courses begin with three hours of one-on-one classroom instruction on the art and history of fly-fishing and the uses of different types of equipment, with an afternoon of personal instruction conducted in hip-waders. The morning of the second day will be spent fly-fishing the White River for trout with Saksa.

With prime fishing season arriving, guests pour in to Gaston’s resort for spectacular guided trout fishing that includes every amenity, including meals, during the trip. The on-shore experience at comfortable cabins and lodges is enhanced by dining at Gaston’s restaurant with a menu of steaks, seafood and, of course, fresh rainbow trout.

Gaston’s White River Resort is in Lakeview, Ark. gastons.com

April 2013

Entertainment Fort Smith

39

40-44_Master Facing Pages 3/25/13 10:33 AM Page 40

MUSIC & performance

April 4 Stand Up Comedy at the MovieLounge Scott Long and Mat Alano-Martin from Funny Business perform. $10. 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

MovieLounge, 7601 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith.

479-226-3595www.movieloungefsm.com April 4-13 Steel Magnolias The well-loved story of Southern womanhood set in a beauty shop where life's problems and joys are shared by a distinctive set of characters is presented

by Fort Smith Little Theatre, directed by Summer Ferguson. Curtain times 8 p.m. April 4-6,10-13; 2:30 p.m. April 7. Tickets $25 April 4 Gala Opening; $10 all other performances. 8 p.m. Fort Smith Little Theatre, 401 North 6th Street, Fort Smith.

479-783-2966 www.fslt.org

April 30

April 5 UARK Bowl Comedy Club – Scott Long Called a reality show on stage, Long shares his story of how quickly life can go from urban hipster to suburban dipster when you become a father of twins at age 40. While many have left to chase some LA or NYC dream, Long is proudly rooted in his country life in the “cornstalk ghetto” of Iowa. $7. 8 p.m.; 10:30 p.m. UARK Bowl, 644 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-301-2030 uarkbowl.com

Once upon a time in a hair band: Rock of Ages closes UAFS season She was just a small town girl, livin' in a lonely world. She took the midnight train goin' anywhere ... or in this Broadway musical, to the L.A. Sunset Strip. The hairband ballads of the 1980s come roaring back in Rock of Ages, the final touring production of the UAFS Season of Entertainment. When she meets a boy from South Detroit, audiences of a certain age will know where the show is headed.

Rock of Ages is a love-and-stardom story set to the hit songs of iconic rockers Bon Jovi, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Foreigner, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Night Ranger and more.

The rock’n’roll musical is a five-time Tony Award nominee and has been called “a hilarious, feel-good love story told through hit songs.”

Classic rock tunes performed include “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “We Built This City,” “The Final Countdown,” “Wanted Dead or Alive,” “Here I Go Again,” “Harden My Heart,” “Can’t Fight this Feeling,” “Renegade” and “I Want To Know What Love Is.” Tickets are $55 and $52. 7:30 p.m. Arkansas Best Corp. Performing Arts Center, 55 South 7th Street, Fort Smith. UAFS Box Office, 479-7887300 or ticketsage.com/uafs.

40

Entertainment Fort Smith

April 2013

April 5-6 Blues in the Natural State Festival Sponsored by The Ozark Blues Society of Northwest Arkansas, the 11th annual blues festival features an outstanding line-up of Blues music representing the best of local, regional, national and world-stage musicians. For two days in six venues, including George’s Majestic Lounge, the Rogue, Smoke & Barrel Tavern and Kingfish Dive Bar, Dickson Street will come alive with the sounds of America’s original music. The roster: John Lee Hooker Jr., Super Chikan and the Fighting Cocks, Ray Bonneville, Earnest 'Guitar' Roy, Sonny Moorman, Lucious Spiller, Mark 'Muleman' Massey, RJ Mischo and his Red Hot Blues Band, Leah & the Mojo Doctors, The Chris Cameron Band, The Joe Pitts Band, Ed Bowman & the Cruize Brothers, The North Texas Allstars, Mississippi Fever, David Kimbrough Jr., Buddy Shute, The Sarah Hughes Band, The Got Blues Band, Earl & Them, Oreo Blue, Lectric Liz and her new band, Ocie & the Heartsrings and a Celebration of Life for Jeff Carey. Noon- midnight.

Dickson Street Entertainment District, West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-586-5204 ozarkbluessociety.org April 6 Copy Cats Show “The Copy Cats” old rock and country music show. $8. 6 p.m. King Opera House, 427 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-2426 vanburen.org April 6 Northside Student Council Talent Show Northside’s Student Council hosts its annual talent show, providing the entire student body with the chance to show their talents to their peers, teachers, parents and the community. Performances of singing, dancing, comedy and more are entered.

The performers include Diana Ramirez, Roxxy Peraza, Cassandra Barroso, Jennifer Recinos,

40-44_Master Facing Pages 3/25/13 10:33 AM Page 41

MUSIC & PERFORMANCE Ricaardo Roque, Israel Rodriguez, Eduardo Parga, Jesus Rodriguez, Justice Lincoln, Tia'nna Pizana, Amanda Porter, Alexis Inthavong, Ashley Kincheloe, Andrea Mejia, Alma Garza, Maria Raymoundo, Jenefer Ramerez, Mariah Barton, Alicia Onafrea, John Vongvilay, Johnathan Sanchez, Annie Souvannaseng, Jade Espina, Tina Southammavong, Micheal Dowson, Erika Gray, Darian Jordan, Taliah Johnson, Tim Owens, Natasia Myles, Greg Finely, Delmy Neito, Allan Ramirez, Luis Landon, and Banessa Calderon. The local chapter of Young Brothers Leading will perform a special act. 5 p.m. $5 for adults; $2 for students. NHS Auditorium, 2301 North B Street, Fort Smith.

April 6 Popovich Comedy Pet Theater The World Famous Popovich Comedy Pet Theater performs a family-oriented blend of the unique comedy and juggling skills of Gregory Popovich, and the extraordinary feats of his amazing pets. As seen on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Late Night with David Letterman” and NBC's “America's Got Talent,” this unique performance includes 15 cats, 10 dogs, four geese, eight white doves and two parrots. Walton Arts Center will donate $1 to the Humane Society of the Ozarks for every ticket purchased. Use the code “GERBIL” when buying tickets online. $16-$28. 10 a.m.

Baum Walker Hall at Walton Arts Center, 495 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-443-5600 waltonartscenter.org April 6-8 Regional Dance America Southwest Festival Western Arkansas Ballet of Fort Smith will host the annual Regional Dance America-Southwest Festival, where dancers perform and take classes while the directors and board members share ideas.

Thousands of dollars in scholarships are awarded to dancers for study at prestigious summer programs and major professional companies, colleges and universities scout for their future talent.

More than 600 dancers, choreographers and instructors from Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and New Mexico will attend for three days of classes, workshops and a special performance each night. Tickets are $30 per night or $75 for all three nights. 7:30 p.m.

Arkansas Best Corp. Performing Arts Center, Rogers Avenue and South 9th Street, Fort Smith.

479-785-0152 waballet.org April 9 Steel Magnolias – Benefit for the Friends of the Fort Smith Public Library The Fort Smith Little Theatre will stage a dark night performance of “Steel Magnolias,” benefiting the Friends of the Fort Smith Public Library. Tickets are $15 and are available for sale at all four Fort Smith Public Library locations. 8 p.m. Fort Smith Little Theatre, 401 North 6th Street, Fort Smith.

479-783-0229 fslt.org April 2013

Entertainment Fort Smith

41

40-44_Master Facing Pages 3/25/13 10:33 AM Page 42

MUSIC & PERFORMANCE actually worked, and a stranger came over from the other side and liked it so much he never wanted to leave? 7 p.m. April 13 and April 20; 2 p.m. April 14. $3 adults; $1 children under 10. 7 p.m. Mansfield High School, 2500 U.S. 71 South, Mansfield, Ark. 479-928-1105 mansfieldtigers.org

Anything Goes

April 9-14 Anything Goes A new Broadway revival of Cole Porter’s timeless musical takes place on the S.S. American, where etiquette and convention get tossed out the portholes as two unlikely pairs set off on the course to true love with a little help from a crew of singing sailors, Public Enemy No. 13 and some good oldfashioned blackmail. Acclaimed Broadway actress and singer Rachel York stars as Reno Sweeney. $40-$73. Seven performances. Walton Arts Center, 495 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-443-5600 waltonartscenter.org April 12 UARK Bowl Comedy Club – Stewart Huff Huff reaches past the norm for his genuine and genuinely unexpected comedy. He was awarded “Best of the Fest” at the 2011 Aspen Laff Festival. $7. 8 p.m.; 10:30 p.m. UARK Bowl, 644 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-301-2030 uarkbowl.com April 12 Tribute to Jimi Hendrix Guitarists Jimmy Atchison, Gary Hutchison and Tom Ware pay tribute to the artist Rolling Stone named the greatest guitarist of all time. Special guest Jennifer Glover. A donation at the door benefits the Team Bubba Medical Fund for Steve “Bubba” Carter.

7:30 p.m. Neumeier’s Rib Room Beer Garden, 817 Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith.

April 13 Ozark Country Music Opry Ozark Country Music Opry of Tontitown, Ark., brings its country music show to its first touring show.The 1-year-old Opry fills the Jones Center in Springdale for its monthly show and sold out its Christmas show weeks in advance. Creator Dean Miller described the show as “the nostalgic tradition of the good ol' days when you could hear legends like Patsy Cline, George Jones and Merle Haggard on the radio. Its fine musicians and vocalists present banjo, steel guitar and fiddle playing and vocal harmonies, from country to bluegrass. $10. 7 p.m.

King Opera House, 427 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-2426 vanburen.org April 13-14 The Dearly Undeparted The Mansfield High School Drama Department presents a comedy about plans that backfire. When grandma refuses to move to a nursing home to make room for her greedy relatives, they hold a fake séance so grandpa will tell her she should leave right away. But what would happen if the séance 42 Entertainment Fort Smith April 2013

April 13-15 Moon Over Buffalo George and Charlotte Hay are fading stars of the 1950s. On the brink of a disastrous split-up, they receive word they might have one last shot at stardom. Unfortunately, everything that could go wrong does go wrong including a visit from their daughter's clueless fiance and hilarious uncertainty about which play they are actually performing.

Presented by the Alma High School performing arts student. 7 p.m. April 13 and 15; 2 p.m. April 14.

Alma Performing Arts Center, 103 East Main, Alma, Ark. 479-632-2129 almapac.org April 16 UAFS Spring Symphonic Concert Under the direction of Director of Bands Dr. Alexandra Zacharella, the Symphonic Band performs classic wind band repertoire and new and exciting compositions. $6. 7:30 p.m. Fort Smith Convention Center, Rogers Avenue and South 9th Street, Fort Smith. 479-788-7300 ticketsage.com/uafs April 19 UARK Bowl Comedy Club – Matt Golightly Comedian Golightly’s take on dating, the club scene, politics and popular culture strike a comedic nerve.

No angst, no angry rants, just good clean fun from this self-proclaimed square. $7. 8 p.m.; 10:30 p.m.

UARK Bowl, 644 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-301-2030 uarkbowl.com

Little Big Town

April 19 Little Big Town: The Tornado Tour Little Big Town, the Grammy-nominated, platinumselling country sensation tours behind their new hit album, “Tornado.” Special guest David Nail. 6:30 p.m. $27-$77. 8 p.m. AMP at the Washington County Fairgrounds, 2536 North McConnell Avenue, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-443-5600 waltonartscenter.org April 19-20 Much Ado About Nothing Southside Theater’s annual Shakespeare show follows a 20-year tradition. The second-year drama students will direct. This comedy revolving around two stubborn lovers is an enthralling tale of love, lust, betrayal and deceit. $5 students and senior citizens; $7 adults. Children 8 and under free. 7 p.m.

Southside High School, 4100 Gary Street, Fort Smith. 479-646-1171

Elizabeth Lyon

April 20 Fort Smith Symphony presents The Musical Magic of John Williams Back by popular demand, the music of John Williams is some of the most beloved music in the world. The symphony will be performing large-scale concert suites of music from some of Williams’ most famous film scores. Fort Smith Symphony Concertmaster Elizabeth Lyon will be the featured soloist in the hauntingly beautiful music from “Schindler’s List.” Tickets may be purchased by phone, mail or at the Central Mall office. 7:30 p.m. Arkansas Best Performing Arts Center, Rogers Avenue and South 9th Street, Fort Smith. 479-452-7575 www.fortsmithsymphony.org April 21 Poteau Performance Under the direction of John Jeter, the Fort Smith Symphony performs for a Poteau audience. 2 p.m. Donald W. Reynolds Community Center. 105 Reynolds Avenue, Poteau, Okla. 918-647-4204 poteaureynoldscenter.com

April 20 J.R.'s Country Variety Show County music variety show full of fun. $5. King Opera House, 427 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-2426 vanburen.org April 20 Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour: 55th Anniversary The Monterey Jazz Festival, the longest continuously running jazz festival in the world, has historically presented nearly every major jazz star– from Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong to Esperanza Spalding and Trombone Shorty – since it was founded in 1958. Featuring leading critically acclaimed, Grammy-winning jazz artists, the All-Star band consists of bassist and musical director Christian McBride, vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater, saxophonist Chris Potter, trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, pianist Benny Green, and drummer Lewis Nash. $18-$48. 8 p.m. Baum Walker Hall at Walton Arts Center, 495 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-443-5600 waltonartscenter.org

40-44_Master Facing Pages 3/25/13 10:33 AM Page 43

MUSIC & PERFORMANCE April 22 UAFS Vocal Performance Workshop Students in the Vocal Performance Workshop perform both solo and ensemble repertoire from musical theater and opera. Free. 7:30 p.m. UAFS at Second Street, 101 North 2nd Street, Fort Smith.

479-788-7558 April 26 UARK Bowl Comedy Club – Mike Smith Mike Smith’s gritty take on politics, coupled with his unabashed courage to take on social issues will leave any audience concluding that Smith is truly “The Real Ghetto Genius.” He has performed in clubs such as Zanies in Chicago, the Orlando Improv and the St. Louis Comedy Forum, and is a Comic Call winner. $7. 8 p.m.; 10:30 p.m. UARK Bowl, 644 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-301-2030 uarkbowl.com April 26 UAFS Spring Chorale Concert “Choral Glory: An Evening of Remembrance” is the theme for the spring choral concert at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. The UAFS Chorale and Women’s Chorus with Choral Director Dr. Rager H. Moore II, perform with a professional chamber orchestra and soloists. The evening will feature “Requiem” by Maurice Duruflé. $6. 7:30 p.m. Fort Smith Convention Center, Rogers Avenue and South 9th Street, Fort Smith. 479-788-7300 ticketsage.com/uafs April 26-27 Blithe Spirit Van Buren High School’s drama student present Noel Coward’s comedic play “Blithe Spirit.” A novelist’s pursuit of the occult accidentally summons the spirit of his flirtatious, deceased first wife, much to the chagrin of his living wife. $10. Van Buren Fine Arts Center, 2001 Pointer Trail, Van Buren, Ark. 7 p.m. 479-471-4017 centerforfinearts.org April 26-27 Bluegrass and Barbeque Sallisaw Main Street hosts its second annual festival of food and music in downtown Sallisaw. Bands confirmed to perform are Common Tyme, Crooked & Steep, Vida Brooks & High Mountain, The Poindexters, Welch Mountain Boys and Susie & Friends. Music will begin at 5 p.m. April 26 and 9 a.m. April 27. Taster kits for the barbecue will go on sale at 11 a.m. April 27 and the festival-goers will vote for a “People’s Choice Award” and $200 prize in the barbecue contest. Rules for entry in the barbecue contest, which has cash prizes and trophies, can be found on the Sallisaw Main Street website. Vendors and other family friendly activities will add to the scene. Commemorative T-shirts will also be on sale. Admission is free. Events will be held on the Stanley E. Tubbs Memorial Library Lawn, Cherokee Street, Sallisaw, Okla.

918-790-3315 www.sallisawmainstreet.org April 2013

Entertainment Fort Smith

43

40-44_Master Facing Pages 3/25/13 10:33 AM Page 44

MUSIC & PERFORMANCE May 4 Fort Smith Symphony presents Sonic Boom!

This season-closing concert begins with one of the largest-scale concert marches ever written.

Composed in 1937 by English composer Sir William Walton for the coronation of King George the VI, “Crown Imperial-Coronation March” is a regal work celebrating the glories of a great empire. Next on the program is music from Ravel’s “Daphnis and Chloe,” one of the greatest French masterworks ever composed. This work is a tour de force for large symphony orchestra. The second half of the concert includes Aaron Copland’s beautiful and Jazz-inspired “Concerto for Clarinet” and features UAFS faculty clarinetist David Carter. The concert season comes to close with Respighi’s monumental and exhilarating “Pines of Rome.” The Fort Smith Symphony teams up with Mercy Fort Smith and the Alzheimer’s Foundation to focus on music, wellness and Alzheimer’s Awareness. Tickets may be purchased by phone, mail or at the Central Mall office. 7:30 p.m. Arkansas Best Performing Arts Center, Rogers Avenue and South 9th Street, Fort Smith. 479-452-7575 fortsmithsymphony.org American Idiot David Carter

April 26-28 American Idiot Direct from Broadway, the smash-hit musical tells the story of three lifelong friends forced to choose between their dreams and the safety of suburbia.

Their quest for true meaning in a post 9/11 world leads them on the most exhilarating theatrical journey of the season. Based on Green Day's Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum album, “American Idiot” boldly takes the American musical where it's never gone before. Featuring the hits “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “21 Guns,” “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” “Holiday” and the blockbuster title track, “American Idiot” features the music of Green Day and the lyrics of its lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong, direction by Tony Awardwinner Michael Mayer. Content consideration: This performance contains adult content, strong language and simulated use and ultimate rejection of drugs. Some younger audiences will likely appreciate the rock music within this production, but parents should recognize that many of Green Day’s hits relate to angst-filled themes, and the subject matter is mature. Four performances. $53$79. 8 p.m. Baum Walker Hall at Walton Arts Center, 495 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-443-5600 waltonartscenter.org May 3 UARK Bowl Comedy Club – Michael Malone Comic Michael Malone takes many forms on stage. His intense yet worried persona consistently makes him a crowd favorite. He stands out from his peers with his rubber face, energy, sarcasm and wildly imaginative views on life experiences. Malone has been featured on the Bob and Tom Radio and TV Show. He's also made appearances on the WGN TV, National Lampoon’s Operation Comedy Tour, NBC TV, XM/ Sirius Satellite radio and the CW. Malone's debut comedy album, “Let's Get Physical,” came out in 2011 and climbed all the way up to No. 3 on the U.S. charts. $7 general admission. 8 p.m. UARK Bowl, 644 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-301-2030 uarkbowl.com 44

Entertainment Fort Smith

April 2013

LOL LIVE Naturally Improv-able: They just make it up A growing crew of some the funniest folks in the Fort Smith region are performing and workshopping as Naturally Improv-able, a comedy troupe that can field both improvisational comedy and stand-up comics. Started less than a year ago

by Luke Perkinson, the troupe has shared the sheer terror or hilarity (both when done right) of performing improv without a net in front of live audiences. This group moves and grows so quickly, says member Rham Cunningham, it’s best to see their website, naturallyimprovable.com, or Facebook to keep up with the schedule, see videos and even live streaming. Got the guts? It’s possible to join the fun and experience workshops with the troupe. April’s schedule is already hopping with appearances by the players in a variety of venues: April 7, 14, 21, 28 Sunday Night Live from the Avenue The players entertain every Sunday night in April. 7 p.m. Webby’s, 509 Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith.

April 12 Home Grown Comedy Series NI members Doug Shadell, Seth Dees and Brenden Dahle perform stand-up comedy. 7 p.m. Lost Beach Island Oasis Bar & Grill, 1810 South Zero Street, Fort Smith. 479-646-3939 April 23 Naturally Improvable Live Road trip! The NI talents take on the capital city’s comedy club. The Looney Bin, 10301 North Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock, Ark. 501-228-5555 April 26 Naughty Words The ensemble performs in an uncensored style. $5.

8 p.m. Lost Beach Island Oasis Bar & Grill, 1810 South Zero Street, Fort Smith. 479-646-3939

May 5 Delbert McClinton in Concert McClinton, a three-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, has left his footprint on many different areas in the music industry during a career that spans more than five decades. As front-man for a 1960s bar band called The Straightjackets, McClinton honed his craft by backing such blues greats as Howlin’ Wolf, Lightnin’ Hopkins and Jimmy Reed. He continued to polish his musical skills while playing with countless musicians and recording various albums during the ’70s and ’80s.

McClinton won his first Grammy in 1991 for a duet with Bonnie Raitt titled “Good Man, Good Woman.”

After a stellar decade, he carried his success into the 2000s by winning two Grammys in the Best Contemporary Blues Album category – for his LPs “Nothing Personal” in 2001 and “The Cost of Living” in 2006. $25-$75. 7 p.m. Baum Walker Hall at Walton Arts Center, 495 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-443-5600 waltonartscenter.org

Riverfront Blues Society sets June 21-22 festival The line-up for the 2013 Blues Festival includes Texas blues legend Johnny Winter, still going strong in a 50-year career that includes performing at Woodstock and recording with Muddy Waters.

June 21 Leah & the Mojo Doctors Jeff Strahan Eric Sardinas Mark Albertson & Wanda Watson June 22 Interstate Buffalo Terry Quiett Band J.P. Soars Johnny Winter Oreo Blue

45-49_Master Facing Pages 3/24/13 5:30 PM Page 45

45-49_Master Facing Pages 3/24/13 5:30 PM Page 46

KIDS CALENDAR

Student Selects: A Young Filmmakers Showcase Entry Deadline APRIL

The Arkansas Educational Television Network is accepting entries for “Student Selects: A Young Filmmakers Showcase,” which highlights the creativity and talent of the state’s kindergarten through 12th grade students.

Selected entries will be broadcast on AETN and posted to aetn.org/studentselects.

Additionally, the THEA Foundation awards $10,000 in college scholarships to high school seniors who submit films to AETN's “Student Selects.” Entries to be considered for the THEA scholarship competition must be postmarked by April 5; winners will be announced in May. Scholarships will be awarded to the student’s institution of choice. Entry categories for AETN and the THEA Foundation scholarships include, but are not limited to: Documentary, Narrative (short, full-length, fiction, sitcom, etc.), Animation (hand-drawn, Claymation, Flash, computer-modeled, etc.), Music Videos and PSAs. Go online for complete rules and downloadable entry forms.

Past entries may also be viewed online. 501-682-4190 aetn.org/studentselects

5

April 1 April Fool’s Day Primetime Story Time Celebrate April Fool’s Day with foolish stories, songs, crafts and snacks. Open to kids of all ages. Free. 6 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org

April 1-30 Post-it Note Poetry Celebrate National Poetry Month after school in April by asking for a Post-it note to express yourself through poetry. Next, bask in your awesomeness by posting your poetry on the windows of the Young Adult area, or take the time to read the thoughts of others. 9 a.m. Windsor Branch Library, 4701 Windsor Drive, Fort Smith 479-785-0405

April 2 Radar Demonstration with Police Chief Gregory During Teen Time, Mulberry Police Chief Shannon Gregory will explain about radar speed measurements and driving. He may try to "clock" the kids while they run on foot. Free. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226 crawfordcountylib.org

April 2-30 Preschool Story Time in Mulberry Stories, games, music and snacks for toddlers. Free.

11 a.m. Tuesdays. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226

April 2-30 Baby & Me Story Time Quality bonding time between baby and caregiver with a variety of finger plays, bouncing rhymes, scarf play 46 Entertainment Fort Smith April 2013

and music to add to the fun. After story time, toys are available and caregivers may enjoy a chance to visit.

Free. 10:30-11 a.m. Tuesdays. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 crawfordcountylib.org

April 3 Preparing for College Students graduating from high school soon who need help planning for college can meet with Sarah Massey, an academic advisor from the University of Arkansas Fort Smith. Massey will be discussing scholarships, financial aid, the FAFSA and other ways a confused graduating senior can prepare for college. Free. 4:30 p.m. Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith 479-646-3945 fortsmithlibrary.org

April 3-24 Teen & Teen Scene in Alma This month, teens will make a hex nut bracelet to keep or give as a gift; play board games; Nintendo Wii gaming; and compete in charades, the game where kids “act out” words and clues. Refreshments will be available. Free. 4-5 p.m.Wednesdays. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

April 3-24 Story Time in Mountainburg Preschool story time with stories and activities. Free 10-11 a.m. Wednesdays. Mountainburg Public Library, 1300 U.S. 71 North, Mountainburg, Ark. 479-369-1600 crawfordcountylib.org April 3-24 Preschool Story Time in Van Buren Themes this month are ducks and rain; elephants;

pigs and farms. Refreshments will be served. Free.

9:30 and 11 a.m. Wednesdays. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 crawfordcountylib.org April 3-24 Preschool Story Time in Alma Themes this month are rain, colors, gardens, money and. Activities include reading, finger plays, read books about rain, do finger plays, sing rain songs, talk about rainy day fun, and even make a rain stick! Refreshments are served. Free. 10-11 a.m. Wednesdays.

Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140 crawfordcountylib.org

April 3-24 Preschool Story Time in Cedarville Story time for preschool children with stories and activities. Free. 10-11 a.m. Cedarville Public Library, 737 Pirates Way, Cedarville, Ark. 479-410-1853

April 4 Family Fun: Silly Stories in Rhyme April is National Poetry Month. Family Fun Night will feature humorous stories in the form of poetry. Take a stab at writing your own funny poem. Free. 6 p.m.

Windsor Branch Library, 4701 Windsor Drive, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-785-0405 fortsmithlibrary.org April 4-25 Teen Time in Cedarville Every Thursday afternoon is Teen Time, with activities and fun. Free. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Cedarville Public Library, 737 Pirates Way, Cedarville, Ark. 479-410-1853

April 4-25 After-School Fun in Van Buren This month, it’s Bingo for Books April 4; Kite Day April 11; Earth Day Craft April 18; and Legomania April 25.

Free. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Thursdays. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 crawfordcountylib.org April 5-26 Teenology in Mountainburg Free. 3:45-4:45 p.m. Fridays. Mountainburg Public Library, 1300 U.S. 71 North, Mountainburg, Ark. 479-369-1600 crawfordcountylib.org

April 6 Kids Club: Celebrate Earth Celebrate planet Earth with 30 minutes of crafting fun.

Create one-of-a-kind stamps using foam and paint.

All supplies are included. Register for a session every half hour. $2, includes supplies. 10 a.m.-noon.

Michael’s, 4155 Phoenix Avenue, Fort Smith.

479-648-8085

April 6 Princess Day at Chick-fil-A Have lunch with the Strawberry Princess, Chocolate Princess, Vanilla Princess or the Cookies & Cream Princess. Every princess in attendance will receive a tiara and a ride in the princess limousine. A princess tent will have face painting, manicures and a craft to make. Learn the latest dance moves with Lifesong School of Dance. The highlight of the day will be the opportunity to sit on a Prince's live horse for a photo.

Everyone in attendance will get to sample the new Chocolate Chunk Cookie. Free; attendees must purchase their own lunches. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Chick-fil-A, 6810 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-484-5152

45-49_Master Facing Pages 3/24/13 5:30 PM Page 47

April 6-8 Regional Dance America Southwest Festival Western Arkansas Ballet of Fort Smith will host the annual Regional Dance America-Southwest Festival, where dancers perform and take classes while the directors and board members share ideas. Thousands of dollars in scholarships are awarded to dancers for study at prestigious summer programs and major professional companies, colleges and universities scout for their future talent. More than 600 dancers, choreographers and instructors from Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and New Mexico will attend for three days of classes, workshops and a special performance each night. $30 per night; $75 for all three nights. 7:30 p.m. Arkansas Best Corp. Performing Arts Center, Rogers Avenue and South 9th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-785-0152 waballet.org

April 12-14 Kids Playing for Kids Junior Tennis Tournament A juniors tennis tournament to benefit Inter-Faith Preschool of Fort Smith pairs each entrant with the name and picture of a preschool student for whom they are playing, giving players inspiration that they are helping real, local children receive a quality education. Players all receive a tournament T-shirt and a player lunch on Saturday. Matches will be played indoors, outside or on clay. The divisions are boys and girls, 12, 14, 16 and under. Entry deadline is 6 p.m.

April 8. Call for entry form. $35 per event; players may enter in one single and one doubles match.

Tournament begins after school April 12. Call April 11 for match times. Hardscrabble Country Club Ace Pro Shop, 5211 Cliff Drive, Fort Smith.

479-782-6132

April 12 Owl Prowl Join a member of the education staff for an easy stroll along Wells Lake and the Beaver Creek Trail. Group will search for and try to call in owls – the most famous creatures of the night. Take a flashlight for the walk back. Free. 7:30 p.m. River Valley Nature Center, 8300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith 479-452-3993

April 13-14 River Valley Student Art Competition Opening receptions held for the exhibits of student art. From 1-4 p.m. April 13, the reception and opening for K-6 grade works; 1-4 p.m. April 14 for 7-12th grade student works. The exhibition dates are April 9-26. Free. Center For Art & Education, 104 North 13th Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-7767

April 11 After-School Program in Alma What can you build with Legos? Kids are invited to explore and share their building abilities. Refreshments will be served. Free. 4-5 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140 crawfordcountylib.org

April 13 Kids Club: Earth Friendly Fox Puppet Celebrate Earth Day with 30 minutes of crafting fun.

Create a friendly fox puppet using felt made from recycled water bottles. Register for a session every half hour. $2, includes supplies. 10 a.m.-noon. Michael’s, 4155 Phoenix Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-648-8085

KIDS CALENDAR

Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That APRIL

The Arkansas Educational Television Network has partnered with Mercy Clinic Pediatrics to bring the star of “The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That” to the Fort Smith Public Library. There will be photographs with the Cat (take your camera), screenings of “The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!,” story time with Dr. Seuss books, face painting and more. Free. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org

13

April 2013

Entertainment Fort Smith

47

45-49_Master Facing Pages 3/24/13 5:30 PM Page 48

KIDS CALENDAR

Live Performance: Rudyard Kipling’s The Just So Stories The Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre on Tour presents Rudyard Kipling’s “The Just So Stories.” Considered among Kipling’s best known works, the stories are fantastic accounts of how various phenomena came about, like “how the camel got his hump” and “how the leopard got his spots.” The performance will last approximately one hour and will be followed by a lively, interactive conversation about the production. Free. 6 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229

APRIL

18

April 13 3rd Annual Hogeye Kids Marathon & Jr. Run The Hogeye Kid's Marathon and new Hogeye Jr. Run is presented by Kohl's Care through the Arkansas Children's Hospital partnership. Children in grades K8 can participate by logging mileage over time and completing the last miles on April 13. Packet pickup will be at Lewis & Clark April 13 noon-8 p.m. Check the website more information. $15 first kid in family; $10 each additional child. 2 p.m. Kohl's Store, 3575 North Shiloh Drive, Fayetteville, Ark. www.hogeyemarathon.com

April 15-19 National Library Week and Library Patron Appreciation Day Participate in a Jelly Bean Contest all week long. At 3:30 p.m. April 16, tweens and teens are invited to play the Candy Bar Game. Match two cards with the name of the candy bar you want and win. Children and teens can participate in a scavenger hunt at 3:30 April 18. Pick up a scavenger hunt sheet at the front desk.

Cake will be served from 2-4 p.m. April 19. Free. 3:30 p.m. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226

April 15-17 Horsemanship Clinic I An after-school program to give boys and girls an opportunity to learn about horses and riding. Clinic I is a beginning horsemanship class for inexperienced riders aged 8-14 focusing on responsibility and safety.

Participants will learn basics of horse care--catching, feeding, watering, exercising, grooming, saddling and also shoeing and vaccinations (how, when, and why.)

Basic riding skills will be taught. By the end of class, participants will demonstrate what was learned by riding at a walk and trot only. No one will be asked to go outside his/her comfort zone. Riding will be in a 50 foot round pen with lead line if requested. Class size is limited; pre-registration is recommended. $50. 5:30 p.m. Circle C Ranch, Jensen Road and Basinger Lane, Hackett, Ark. 479-459-5635

April 16 Outdoor Beginning GPS: Introduction to Geocaching Hikers, Scouts, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts will benefit from this program. Take your own handheld 48

Entertainment Fort Smith

April 2013

Garmin GPS unit, learn all its uses and be ready to ask questions. There also will be some units available.

Pre-registration required. Free. 6 p.m. River Valley Nature Center, 8300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith.

479-452-3993 rivervalleynaturecenter.com

April 17 National Library Week Story Time Celebrate National Library Week with a special Library Mouse and Library Lion story time. Enjoy stories, activities and refreshments at this program for preschoolers celebrating libraries, books and reading.

Free. 10:30 a.m. Dallas Branch Library, 8100 Dallas Street, Fort Smith. 479-484-5650 fortsmithlibrary.org April 18 Make a Chia Pet Tweens, teens and kids can learn to make a cute homemade worm chia pet, which they can take home and grow themselves. Free. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Cedarville Public Library, 737 Pirates Way, Cedarville, Ark. 479-632-4140 crawfordcountylib.org April 20 Earth Fest Celebrate Earth Day with some earth-friendly activities.

Free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. River Valley Nature Center, 8300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith. 479-452-3993 rivervalleynaturecenter.com April 20 Kids Club: Earth Day Trash to TREEsure Celebrate Earth Day with 30 minutes of crafting fun.

Kids will learn to take every day items like paper and plastic bags and turn trash into a TREEsured art piece.

Register for a session every half hour. $2, includes supplies. 10 a.m.-noon. Michael’s, 4155 Phoenix Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-648-8085 April 20 Grand Opening of the Children's Garden The Learning Fields is a campus of educational gardens built by River Valley Master Gardeners, now including the children’s garden. On this spacious lot, volunteers have placed a playhouse, gazebo and picnic tables, all scaled for children's use. The property is surrounded by a picket fence with two entrances and flagstone paths throughout, as well as a whimsi-

45-49_Master Facing Pages 3/24/13 5:30 PM Page 49

KIDS CALENDAR cal butterfly bench and yard art. The gardens themselves will be planted by children. Refreshments will be served and old-time games will be held for the kids.

To get to The Learning Fields, take Arkansas 22 East through Barling and turn south at Mahogany Lane.

Follow Mahogany Lane to Tuscany Street, (about ¼ mile) and turn right and then left to Gardeners Lane.

A map is available at the Learning Fields website. Free.

10 a.m.-1 p.m. The Learning Fields, Chaffee Crossing, 7300 Gardener Lane, Fort Smith. 479 785-1320 learningfields.net

April 22-24 Horsemanship Clinic II A class for more experienced riders, age 8-14, and/or those who have completed Horsemanship I. Brief review of basic skills followed by more advanced riding – walk, trot and lope if instructor believes you are ready. Class takes place in large, lighted arena. Preregistration is recommended. $50. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Circle C Ranch, Jensen Road and Basinger Lane, Hackett, Ark. 479-459-5635 April 23 Preview: Singin’ in the Rain The UAFS Academy of the Arts Extreme Teenz will present a special preview of their production “Singin’ in the Rain.” This popular musical features a Hollywood star of the silent era who finds his career jeopardized when he and his shrill-voiced leading lady must appear in a talkie together. Xtreme Teens is a theater company for grades 6-12. Free. 6 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org

April 25 After-School Program in Alma A penny saved is a penny earned! Kids can make your own piggy banks for saving pennies. Monster bookmarks are on the agenda too! Refreshments served.

Free. 4 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

April 25-26 Preview: Once Upon A Mattress The UAFS Academy of the Arts Academy Playerz and Academy Players Too will present a special preview of their production “Once Upon A Mattress.” This is the classic story of the Princess and the Pea like you’ve never heard it. The Queen is trying to find a true princess for her son Prince Dauntless the Drab; however, she makes each contestant go through ridiculous tests to win his hand in marriage. The Academy Playerz is a theater company for grades 3-6. Free.

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

April 27 Kids Club: Mother’s Day Frame Make your mother’s day more memorable with 30 minutes of crafting fun. Kids create a handcrafted frame ready for picture-perfect gift giving. All supplies are included. Register for a session every half hour. $2, includes supplies. 10 a.m.-noon. Michael’s, 4155 Phoenix Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-648-8085

April 27 Wii Disney Dance Party at Dewey’s Dance to favorite Disney songs from “The Jungle Book,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Cinderella,” “Peter Pan,” “Tangled,” “Lilo & Stitch,” “Tinker Bell,” “Enchanted,” “The Muppets,” “Bolt,”

“Mary Poppins” and “The Aristocats.” Free. 10 a.m.5 p.m. Dewey's Cafe at the Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229 April 27 Hershey Track & Field Games Children ages 9-14 compete in basic track and field events and have a chance of a lifetime to receive an all expense paid trip to compete in the annual North American Final Meet held in Hershey, Pa., each year.

Beginners and track enthusiasts all welcome. In the event of rain, the date will be changed to May 11. Registration available online. Call for more information.

10 a.m. Paris High School, 2000 East Wood Street, Paris, Ark. 479-963-3577 hersheystrackandfield.com

April 28, 30 Young Actors Guild Audition Workshops A Young Actors Guild workshop for ages 6-14 will show kids the tools necessary to have a great audition.

Whether you've auditioned 100 times or never, learn the best way to do it. Kids will sing a little, act a little and have fun. This workshop will help children prepare for YAG's upcoming auditions for “Freckleface Strawberry, the Musical.” Kids may prepare an a cappella song, which may be performed as time allows. Go online for more information about the play and the Young Actors Guild. Free. 2-4 p.m. April 28, Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith; 4-5:30 p.m. April 30, Windsor Branch Library, 4701 Windsor Drive, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-785-0405 yagonline.org April 30 Tasty Tuesday Teens and adults are invited to make a tasty cheese ball. Free. 4-5 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

April 30 Science Club in Alma Chris Dickens from UAMS will demonstrate the properties of polymer in a fun hands-on experience. Free.

4-5 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140 crawfordcountylib.org

April 30 Día de los Niños Celebration This program will feature fantastic stories, songs, crafts and snacks. El Día de los Niños is a special day set aside every year to honor and celebrate our children. Free. 6 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org

May 1 Preschool Story Time in Alma Deep space, here we come! The stories at Alma Public Library will take you out of this world. Blast off in your own space shuttle craft. Refreshments will be served.

Free. 10-11 a.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

May 3-4 In The News Dance Recital The annual spring performance of Grayce DeWitt Dance Studio students age 3 to adult is themed around who's in the news, making news and breaking news, all brought to you in dance and music. Free. 79 p.m. Alma Performing Arts Center, 103 Main Street, Alma, Ark. 479-783-7748

Academy of the Arts presents two new on-stage productions APRIL

The Academy Kidz, a theater company of first- and second-graders, performs “101 Dalmatians for Kids,” a heartwarming family show. Seating is limited.

The UAFS Academy of the Arts offers programs for students from preschool through high school in the arts. Tickets are available at the UAFS Box MAY Office, online or at the door. $5. 2-3 p.m. UAFS Echols Conference Building, 504 North Waldron Road, Fort Smith.

20

4-5

As part of the Academy's ShowTime Series, a cast of teens performs a fulllength version of one of the best-loved musical classics – “Singin’ in the Rain.”

The show is complete with singing, dancing and acting by the Academy's outstanding teen musical theater company. 2 and 7 p.m. May 4; 2 p.m.

May 5. Ticket prices vary. UAFS Breedlove Auditorium, 5210 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7300 uafs.edu/academy April 2013

Entertainment Fort Smith

49

50_Layout 1 3/24/13 5:42 PM Page 29

51-72_Master Facing Pages 3/23/13 11:49 PM Page 51

CALENDAR of events Tales of the Crypt at Oak Cemetery In this annual walking tour of Fort Smith's historic Oak Cemetery, the occupants of the graveyard introduce themselves to visitors.

The costumed characters speak about their lives and significance in history. The tour will be presented rain or shine. Guests should wear comfortable walking shoes. In the cemetery pavilion, Randy Smith, a volunteer preservationist for Van Buren's Fairview Cemetery, will demonstrate monument and headstone preservation techniques. Folk artist Herschel Parker will perform original songs of Fort Smith history. Parking is available at Ballman Elementary School, Creekmore Park and along 31st Street.

Free shuttle buses will deliver visitors to Oak Cemetery.

Free. Tours begin at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Oak Cemetery, 1401 South Greenwood Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-784-1006 fortsmithparks.com

28

Historical figures on the tour: E.B. Bright, 1818-1890, businessman and builder of Marble Hall, Fort Smith's oldest building still standing on Garrison Avenue.

Casper Reutzel, 1821-1901, a German immigrant who came to Fort Smith in 1848 and established a cottonshipping business and also ran a dry goods and hardware store on Garrison Avenue.

Dallas Yell Berry, 1844-1907, founder of Berry Dry Goods Co. Christopher Cook, 1846-1910, a Confederate soldier.

Burt Stewart, 1875-1944, proprietor of the barbershop in Peacock Alley in front of the New/Malco Theater. He is the father of Annie Justice, who still lives in Fort Smith and is more than 100 years old. She worked for her father and cut hair into her 90s.

Henry C. & Colene Godt, 1888-1982, with Henry's brothers Florenz and Bill Godt, they were the owners of Godt Brothers Drug Store on Garrison Avenue.

The Rev. O.E. Goddard, 1868-1950, pastor of Dodson Avenue Church from 1937-1940. The church was renamed Goddard Memorial Methodist Church in his honor.

Quinn Winters, 1906-1976, owner of bicycle and motorcycle shops and an early leader of motorcycle enthusiasts.

Dr. Rex Russell, 1941-2009, a radiologist at Sparks Hospital and author of the book, "What the Bible Says about Healthy Living."

April 2013 Entertainment Fort Smith

51

51-72_Master Facing Pages 3/23/13 11:49 PM Page 52

CALENDAR OF EVENTS April 1-21 Mona Lisa's Daughters Exhibit of female portraiture through the ages, since Leonardo da Vinci created his timeless masterpiece, the Mona Lisa, in the first part of the 16th century.

Works included in the exhibition, on loan from the Arkansas Arts Center, span from the 16th through the 21st centuries and include 31 major artists such as Milton Avery, Will Barnett, Chuck Close, Naomi Fisher, Norman Rockwell, Byron Browne and Alex Katz. The works on display include various media including oil, charcoal on paper, pastel on paper, ink on paper and silkscreen. The Arkansas Arts Centers' famed collection of modern and contemporary drawings and prints demonstrates how more recent artists have challenged the old conventions of female portraiture. Free for RAM members; $8 general; $6 students and seniors. Group discounts available. 11a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, 1601 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith.

479-784-2787 fsram.org April 1-26 Fiber Art by Jane Hartfield Exhibit and Opening Reception Fiber artist Jane Hartfield will display her original artwork of fibers (fabric, yarn, paper, metal mesh, and thread) and color, which are used to create what she terms “layers of joy.” She said textures offer a wonderful tactile experience. Although Jane has not had formal art training, she has taken classes from many famous quilt teachers and artists and has learned and used numerous techniques for working with fiber in its many forms. She has sewn garments and costumes, embroidered, knitted, crocheted and quilted.

Now, she dyes fabrics and yarns; combines quilting and machine embroidery; embellishes with beads, shells and metal to produce original wall hangings.

After a career in nursing and working for the Sparks Guild volunteer organization, Hartfield now is a fulltime fiber artist. Free. 9 a.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org April 1-29 Monday Night Dance Lessons Advanced lessons from 6:30-7:30 p.m., followed by lessons for beginners. Lessons are provided in Latin, swing, polka and ballroom. A new dance style is selected every month. The dress is casual. Club membership is not a requirement. $5. 6:30-9 p.m.

Mondays. Eagles Ballroom, 3321 South 66th Street, Fort Smith. 479-484-7156

April 1-30 Louisiana Meat Pie Fundraiser The Mount Zion CME Church Family is bringing a taste of Cajun to the River Valley by selling delicious Louisiana Meat Pies. The frozen pies are available for purchase by calling 479-420-3281 or 479-629-4975. $2.50; $30 per dozen. Mount Zion CME Church, 910 North 7th Street, Fort Smith. 479-782-2100

April 1-30 The Girl Next Door Thrift Shop Jewelry Drive Donate jewelry and accessories for resale and to benefit victims of domestic violence and sexual assault at The Girl Next Door, supporting The Crisis Intervention Center. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Girl Next Door Thrift Shop, 415 Lexington Avenue, Fort Smith.

479-434-4433 fscic.org 52

Entertainment Fort Smith

April 2013

51-72_Master Facing Pages 3/23/13 11:49 PM Page 53

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

April 1-30 Paintings by Barbara Loftin Local artist Barbara Loftin is mostly self-taught but has taken classes at UA-Fort Smith. Her subject matter ranges from landscapes and portraits in oils and acrylics to mixed media abstracts. She says she loses herself in the investigative process and the concerns of visual form. Loftin has had several solo exhibits and has received numerous awards. Free. Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith. 479-6463945 fortsmithlibrary.org April 1-30 Paintings by Pat Lappin Abstract oil paintings by Fort Smith artist Patricia Lappin will be exhibited. Her work has been shown at Michael's Mansion Art Gallery, the Center for Art and Education in Van Buren, the Fort Smith Art Center and is included in many area collections. The paintings are inspired by her love of music, using color and movement to suggest the tempo and mood of a particular type of music from jazz to blues, rock and classical.

Free. Windsor Branch Library, 4701 Windsor Drive, Fort Smith. 479-785-0405 fortsmithlibrary.org April 1-30 Cre8ive Arts Network Classes A variety of classes and creative opportunities are offered by Cre8ive Arts Network, a non-profit consortium of artists with a shared studio space. CAN is teaming with D&D Welding to present a yard art class on the second and third Saturday of the month beginning April 9; $55 for two. Artist Barbara Loftin leads an oil painting workshop on Mondays. An arts and crafts class meets weekly. Individual studio space also is available. Cre8ive Arts Network Justin D. Fujibayashi Memorial Studio, 7408 Buckhorn, Fort Smith. 479357-9079 ucancre8.org

April 1-30 Drivers for Veterans Volunteer Recruitment Month Volunteer drivers are needed to transport military veterans to and from medical appointments at the VA Hospital in Fayetteville, Ark. A short training will be provided to volunteers; certain qualifications must be met to become a driver. Volunteers may offer to drive regularly or may choose the times they are willing to be available. The Volunteer Transportation Network was established to provide needed transportation and encourages the participation of qualified volunteer drivers who may be civilians or veterans, women or men, from student-aged to senior citizens. Please consider showing respect and gratitude to those who served our country by assisting them in obtaining the medical services they have earned. Turn "the thanks of a grateful nation" into actual deeds by volunteering as a driver. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Fayetteville Vet Center, 1416 North College Avenue, Fayetteville, Ark. 800-691-8387, ext. 65489 va.gov

April 2, 9 Photo Basics: Cut, Crop, and Send A simple introduction to handling digital photographs received on disk or e-mail or sending them digitally.

Learn the basics of how to resize, cut, crop and send.

Image manipulation is taught separately in a Photoshop class. Two class sessions. Registration required. $35. 1-3 p.m. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith.

479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning

Nocturne by Lin Chen

Small Works on Paper Exhibition at UAFS Small Works on Paper, an annual touring visual arts exhibition coordinated by the Arkansas Arts Council, is a juried exhibition touring statewide to 10 galleries. The exhibit showcases artwork no larger than 24x24 inches by Arkansas artists who are members of the Arkansas Artist Registry, an online art gallery coordinated by the Arts Council. The 2013 show features 37 works selected from more than 300 submissions. A variety of mediums will be represented in the exhibit including watercolor, photographs, acrylic, ink on paper and collage. Two of the 35 selected artists teach classes at the UAFS campus – Don Lee, head of the art department and Lin Chen, adjunct faculty member. Exhibitors from the region include photographers J.P. Bell and Steven Jones, both of Fort Smith; Victor Untitled by Don Lee Chalfant, Don House, Sam King and Laverne Nelson, all of Fayetteville; and L.S. Eldridge, Rogers. Free. 8 a.m.6 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday. UAFS Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center, 800 North 49th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7300 uafs.edu

1-30

April 2013 Entertainment Fort Smith

53

51-72_Master Facing Pages 3/23/13 11:49 PM Page 54

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Bridging the Past, Present and Future: Recent Works by Sandra Ramos This exhibition is comprised of prints, video and objects created by Cuban artist Sandra Ramos who resides in Havana, Cuba. Ramos' prints and mixedmedia works feature exquisite draftsmanship and use of color and naiveté, tempered by wit and irony. Her unique style and graphic and design skills have made her work much appreciated internationally. Her work can be found in prestigious permanent collections such as the Museum of Modern Art, New York, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and Fuchu Art Museum Tokyo. This exhibition reflects the mordant wit for which Cubans are famous, as well as a kind of nostalgia and exuberance particular to the artist.

Viewers will be given a look at Cuban life today and some aspects of the impact and interaction of that country with the United States as seen through the sensitive eyes of one of its top creators. RAM members free; $8 general admission, $6 seniors and students; group discounts available. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, 1601 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith.

479-784-2787 fsram.org

1 7

April 2 Creating a Culture of Customer Service Customer service is the barometer for a company's impending success. If it's bad, customers will be driven away. If it's stellar, customers will be drawn back, bringing with them the opportunity for more business. Learn to create a culture of excellent customer service. Registration is required. $59. 8-11 a.m.

UAFS Flanders Building, Room 110, North 50th Street and Grand Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7742 uafs.edu April 2, 16 Scrabble Club Test your word knowledge with the original Words with Friends. No sign up required. Refreshments will be provided, but take your own beverage with a lid.

Free. 7 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 crawfordcountylib.org

April 2-23 Intermediate Word Go beyond the basic document by inserting text boxes, clipart and charts. Learn to create columns and format pages individually. Intro to Word or basic Word skills required. Registration required. $55. 6-8 p.m.

Tuesdays. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith.

479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning

April 2-23 Poetry Made to Order This class shows the different forms poetry takes, while letting the writer choose what fits them best to create new and different expressions of what they see, think or want others to feel through poetry. Registration required. $35. 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning 54 Entertainment Fort Smith April 2013

April 2-May 7 Golf Intermediate Six weeks of class builds on the skills and knowledge learned in “Golf for Beginners.” Learn principles of the game, including tee-to-green management, etiquette, ball control and other skills designed to improve your game. Access to clubs and golf balls, five rounds of golf at The First Tee and five additional small buckets of balls included in fees. Class fee – $55 single; $90 couples – is due at registration; $20 green fee due first day of class. 6-7 p.m. Tuesdays. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning

April 3 Preparing for College Students graduating from high school soon who need help planning for college can meet with Sarah Massey, an academic advisor from the University of Arkansas Fort Smith. Massey will be discussing scholarships, financial aid, the FAFSA and other ways a confused graduating senior can prepare for college. Free. 4:30 p.m. Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith. 479-646-3945 fortsmithlibrary.org

April 3 Discover: France Get a taste of what’s it like to travel in France. Celebrate the French style in language, food, travel, film, fashion and culture. Learn basic phrases to start venturing out on your own and find the real France. Class meets Wednesdays. $55 per person; $90 couples. 6-8 p.m.

UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning

April 3 The Eye of the Beholder: Art Appreciation for Beginners With the recent opening of the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, the class is an opportunity for a private

viewing of the collection with a presentation by Dr. Henry Rinne, dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Rinne will help guide an understanding of the basics of art appreciation as the class views the collection on display. Registration required. $5. 12 p.m. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning April 3 Girls Shelter Night at Goody’s Frozen Yogurt Enjoy your favorite yogurt while supporting the Girls Shelter of Fort Smith, a United Way Community Partner. 4-10 p.m. Goody’s Frozen Yogurt, 7613 Rogers, Fort Smith. 479-646-0444

April 3-30 April Execution Programs In the 1800s, hanging was the only method of execution used by the federal court at Fort Smith. Between 1873 and 1896, the federal court executed 86 men.

On anniversary dates of executions, Fort Smith National Historic Site offers interpretive programs at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. These programs include an overview of the condemned and their victims, the federal court, and the day of execution. April 3: Commemoration of the execution of John Billy, Isaac Filmore, and John Pointer. April 8: The execution of Patrick McCarty. April 13: Robert Massey. April 17: William Phillips. April 19: Malachi Allen and James Mills. April 21: Gibson Ishtanubbee, William Leach, Orpheus McGee, Isham Seeley and Aaron Wilson. April 23: Joseph Jackson and James Wasson. April 27: Sheppard Busby, Jackson Crow, Owen Hill and George Moss. April 30: Webber Isaacs, George Pierce and John Pierce. Free. 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Fort Smith National Historic Site, 301 Parker Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-3961 April 4 Meet the Artist: Jane Hartfield Fiber artist Jane Hartfield will answer questions about

51-72_Master Facing Pages 3/23/13 11:49 PM Page 55

CALENDAR OF EVENTS fiber art, creativity and her artwork in general at this open-house-style celebration. The artist’s original works are on display at the library through April. Hartfield uses a variety of fibers and color to create what she terms “layers of joy.” Her artwork is part of the Women to Watch 2013 exhibition, which is touring the state as a project of the Arkansas State Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts. This display will visit the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum May 2-July 7. Free. 4-6 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229 April 4 Fine Arts Lecture: Dr. Leslie King-Hammond Dr. Leslie King-Hammond is graduate dean emeritus and founding director of the new Center for Race and Culture at the Maryland Institute College of Art. KingHammond has garnered such prestigious awards as a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Studio Museum in Harlem, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Women’s Art Caucus-College Art Association and in 2010 the Alain Locke International Prize. She has curated numerous exhibitions, including The Global Africa Project, which explored the impact of African visual culture on contemporary art, craft and design around the world at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York and most recently Ashe to Amen – African Americans and Biblical Imagery at the Museum of Biblical Art in New York. Free. 5:30 p.m. Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall, 320 North Campus Drive, Fayetteville, Ark. 474-575-4701 April 4-25 Intermediate Microsoft Excel Learn to insert text boxes, tables, charts and clipart; create more elaborate equations and export data into other programs. Completion of Intro to Excel or basic Excel knowledge required. Registration required. $55.

6-8 p.m. Thursdays. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith.

479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning

It's hard for adults to hide embarrassing teeth and even harder to imagine wearing metal braces.

Friddle Dentistry now offers Six Month Smiles®, a short term, affordable treatment to correct crooked teeth. Six Month Smiles® are safe and comfortable with natural results. If you've wished for clear, effective braces that fit your lifestyle, schedule a Six Month Smiles® consultation today.

April 4-May 9 Golf for Beginners Learn basic golf techniques such as the proper stance and grip, as well as golf terminology and golf etiquette.

Open to anyone interested in learning this ancient game played by young and old, men and women. Access to club and golf balls will be provided during class. Access to clubs and golf balls, five rounds of golf at The First Tee and five additional small buckets of balls included in fees. $55; $20 green fee due on first day of class. 6-7 p.m. Thursdays. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning

April 4-25 Origins and Meaning of Religion From the earliest known evidences of prehistoric man to the multitude of organized and very detailed religions of today, mankind has always sought to know and interact with powers greater than himself. This course will look into the question of why this is so, review historical evidences regarding the birth and development of religious expression and explore the meaning and relevancy, to our personal viewpoint, of the discoveries we make regarding the subject. Registration required. $45. 6-7 p.m. Thursdays. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning

April 2013 Entertainment Fort Smith

55

51-72_Master Facing Pages 3/23/13 11:49 PM Page 56

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

In Concert: Ugandan Thunder African Children's Choir The Ugandan Thunder Children's Choir hails from the Royal School and Orphanage of Mityana, Uganda. The choir consists of 22 children with 15 girls and seven boys, ages 10-13. The concert consists of Ugandan drum songs, track songs in the Lugandan language, as well as songs in English, including songs familiar to Americans.

The children will sing and dance and worship. It is not a just a performance; it is a worship service. UT’s ministry raises money to feed the children of Africa. Admission is free; a love offering will be taken. 7 p.m. Mercy House of Prayer, 200 Rudy Road, Alma, Ark. 479-632-3201 penniesforposho.org

2

April 4-25 Spanish Basics The Spanish language is very common in the United States and this beginning level class will help you reach more people in your neighborhood or workplace. This beginner course will help students discover the essentials of conversational Spanish.

Registration required. $50; $90 for couples. 1-3 p.m.

Thursdays. UAFS, Math-Science Building, Room 303, 720 North 49th Street, Fort Smith. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning

April 5 Prime Timers: Book Review of Devil's Knot Local author Anita Paddock will review the book "Devil's Knot" by Mara Leveritt, an account of the West Memphis Three murder case and eventual release of the three men accused of the murders of three 8-yearold boys. Refreshments will be served. 10 a.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229

April 5, 12 Beginning Microsoft Access 2010 Learn to create, store and manage your data efficiently using tables and queries with Microsoft Access. Registration required. $129, includes book. 8-noon Fridays. UAFS Business and Industrial Institute, Room 115, North 50th Street and Grand Avenue, Fort Smith.

479-788-7742 uafs.edu

April 5-6 Medicinal Herb Field Trip and Workshop This workshop, led by an array of medicinal herb experts, offers a day hike to examine native herbs and a full-day workshop with the same authorities on herbs and their uses. Guests may enroll to attend both or either event. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 5, the field trip will be led by Rosemary Gladstar, Steven Foster, Sasha Daucus, Susan Belsinger, Committee of 100 Herb Garden chairman Jennifer Blankenship and OFC herbalists Kathleen Connole and Tina Marie Wilcox, who will teach on the hike. Participants will divide into small groups and rotate through several different hikes in order to experience the expertise of each teacher. Light rain or shine, bring a sack lunch, water,

April 5 Dervish Club Ballroom Dance The Dervish Dance Club will host a DJ dance provided

by Mike Lawrence. He will teach a dance lesson from 7-8 p.m. and then the dance will follow from 8-10 p.m.

Ballroom, Latin, swing and polka music will be proEntertainment Fort Smith

April 2013

April 5 Bingo for Books Adults have a chance to win books. Free. 10-11:30 a.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

April 4-25 Square Dance Dance your mind and body fit with great music and people who know how to laugh. Fun in a healthy atmosphere. Dress is casual. $2.50; first-time guests free. 7-9 p.m. Hugs Chevrolet Show Room, 407 East Main Street (Arkansas 22), Charleston, Ark. 918-962-9427, 479-639-0019

April 5 Spring Reveal 2013 Petals & Stems Florist will host a fun-filled night revealing new spring creations and merchandise. $5 donation at door accepted to help Debbie Walls with medical expenses. 6:30-8 p.m. Petals & Stems, 709 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-2424

56

vided. The dress is dressy casual. Club membership is not required to dance. Guests and single dancers welcome. $5. 7-10 p.m. Eagles Ballroom, 3321 South 66th Street, Fort Smith. 479-484-7156

April 5-6 American Legion Auxiliary Garage Sale Proceeds from this sale will help with the American Legion Auxiliary Arkansas Girls State Program, as well as other upcoming projects. Call to donate. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. American Legion Post 31 Building, 4901 Midland Blvd., Fort Smith. 479-462-3208 or 479-208-3881

51-72_Master Facing Pages 3/23/13 11:49 PM Page 57

walking stick and weather-appropriate apparel. This year, the hikes will be excursions in the Heritage Herb Garden and explorations of trails on Ozark Folk Center State Park land. From 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. April 6, the workshop will be led by most of the same authors and teachers and includes an herbal lunch. Call 800-2643655 for lodging reservations and inquire about the special herb weekend rate. Field trip and workshop, $100; workshop only, $75; field trip only, $45. Ozark Folk Center, 1032 Park Avenue, Mountain View, Ark. 870-269-3851 ozarkfolkcenter.com April 5-7 Sacred Pauses Presenters Macrina Wiederkehr, OSB, and Velma Frye invite you to this feast of poetry, song, prayer, ritual, faith-sharing silence and soul listening, all grounded in your deep yearning for union with God and all of creation. The themes explored, the spirit of the hours, are from Sister Macrina’s book, "Seven Sacred Pauses." The poetry in this book became the lyrics for Velma’s songs. The price includes two nights’ lodging and five meals. $225 with $50 deposit. 6:30 p.m. St. Scholastica Retreat Center, 1205 South Albert Pike, Fort Smith. 479-783-1135 stscho.org/retreat-registration April 5-7 25th Annual Ozark Mountain Bike Festival Explore Devil's Den State Park in a new way. This weekend on wheels will feature guided rides for all levels of riders, a mountain biking poker run and good times. All riders must wear helmets. Free. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Devil's Den State Park, 11333 West Arkansas 74, West Fork, Ark. 479-761-3325

April 6 MovieLounge Farmers Market MovieLounge is holding its first farmers market. Local vendors will be showcasing their products and discussing cooking techniques with Chef Beck. Free.

Noon-3 p.m. MovieLounge, 7601 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-226-3595 movieloungefsm.com

April 6 Fort Smith Area Amateur Radio Club Hamfest The Fort Smith Area Amateur Radio Club will host its annual Hamfest with vendors from a multi-state area offering all types of amateur radio equipment along with flea market tables full of new and used equipment of interest to HAM Radio enthusiasts. Educational forums will be held throughout the day. Prize drawings take place every hour with a grand prize drawing at 3 p.m. License testing for amateur radio operators or license upgrades will begin at 9 a.m. $10 adult; children under 16 free. 8 a.m. Columbus Acres, 10203 Columbus Acres Road, Fort Smith.918-427-1431 hangingjudgehamfest.com

April 6 Millefiore: A Thousand Flowers Floral Celebration The first Floral Extravaganza and Celebration will fill Van Buren's Main Street with beautiful displays of fresh and silk flowers, as well as landscape plants from local vendors. A beautiful carpet of floral elegance, fragrance and ingenuity will be a sight to behold. Participants in this event include Tate's Flowers, JB Lawn & Landscapes, Sharum’s Garden Center, Lowes Home Improvement of Van Buren, Walker Michael Landscapes, JJ's Herbs & Flowers, A Little

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Bit of Mexico, River Valley Master Gardeners, Main Street Interiors and more. The street will be closed off for strolling. Free. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 600-700 Historic Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-652-8337 April 6 Waterfalls Hike TrailBlazers Hiking Club will hike to three waterfalls, Glory Hole, Magnolia and Woods Boys Falls, for a total of about 4.5 miles rated moderate. Meet at CVs Grocery Store parking lot, 2805 Alma Hwy., Van Buren, Ark., to carpool/caravan to the trailheads. Free. 6 a.m.

Newton County, Arkansas highways 16/21, near Fallsville, Ark. 479-646-9562 thcfs.com April 6 9th Annual Hackett Hot Rod Car Show and Poker Run A car show and motorcycle run to benefits the Hackett Senior Class of 2013. $20 per registration includes a goodie bag. The event includes door prizes, a 50/50 raffle, a wipe-out board, great music and food. $20 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Hackett City Park, Arkansas 10, Hackett, Ark. 479-629-8603

April 6, 13 Intro to Poker: Texas Hold'em Learn the basic strategies, rules and tips to playing Texas Hold’em poker. Play with fun money and perhaps learn some math when it comes to understanding the odds. For beginners to intermediate players.

Registration required. $25. 9-noon Saturdays. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning

April 2013 Entertainment Fort Smith

57

51-72_Master Facing Pages 3/23/13 11:50 PM Page 58

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Wine & Roses Reynolds Cancer Support House Benefit The annual major fundraiser to support Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House is a gala evening of wine tastings and a wine auction and an extraordinary dinner by 21 West End, all graced with the aroma and beauty of hundreds of roses. Each bouquet is a tribute to someone facing or who has faced cancer, purchased by $100 donations and available after the event. Invited artists exhibit works to be sold at a silent auction. Dinner music and a band for dancing complement the elegant, black-tieoptional evening. A drawing will be held for a ladies Rolex watch donated by Newton's Jewelers. Raffle tickets may be purchased for $5 each or five for $40 from the Cancer Support House.

(Need not be present to win.) Reservations required by phone or online. $100. 6:30 p.m. Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House, 3324 South M Street, Fort Smith. 479-424-1812 reynoldscancersupporthouse.org

6

April 7-Aug. 4 Divine Feminine Meeting Open to women who want to listen and learn about who they are, womanhood, the right to exist as a woman and create a space to share knowledge and understanding about the woman. The divine feminine teaches you to nurture and heal yourself, as well as others, by teaching each other arts, crafts, language, culture, music, tribal, literature and more. Free. 2-4 p.m. the first Sunday of each month. Healing Arts Center, 5300 Alma Highway, Van Buren, Ark. 479-806-8006 healingartcenter.net April 8 Book Talk Free. 7-8 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

April 8-18 Learn Quickbooks Manage your own business finances or become more employable. Fee includes instruction, book and flash drive. $80. 5-7:55 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.

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

April 9-30 Secrets of Conflict Resolution Learn to experience less stress and conflict and more cooperation from the people in your life. It's the secret that really gets people to listen to you and turns stressful conflict into joyful cooperation. Instructor Phillip Kropp has been teaching conflict resolution skills for nearly 20 years. Registration required. $60; $100 for couples. 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning April 10 Arkansas Highways District engineer Joe Shipman provides an update on 58

Entertainment Fort Smith

April 2013

some of the major highway projects in the River Valley and surrounding areas that will affect access to the area. He will speak about funding issues, maintenance and major projects such as U.S. 49 and U.S. 540's reconstruction from U.S. 71 to Interstate 40. Registration required. $5. 1-2 p.m. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning

Phoenix Expo Event Center, 4600 Towson Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-285-5233 360LeadershipSeries.com April 11 Northridge Middle School Band Concert The Northridge Middle School Band performs its spring concert. 7 p.m. Van Buren Fine Arts Center, 2001 Pointer Trail, Van Buren, Ark. 479-471-4017 centerforfinearts.org

April 11 Ladies' Night Out at Mercy The event includes lifesaving health screenings and education combined with special taste temptations, shopping, fashion shows and some serious pampering. And in the spirit of Kool and the Gang's 1970s hit "Ladies’ Night," there will be disco dancing demonstrations and lessons you won't want to miss. Free, but please RSVP to 479-314-6066. 5:30-8 p.m. Mercy Medical Building, 7001 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith.

479-314-6066 mercy.net/fortsmith April 11 Annual Clergy and Laity Spring Gathering The focus of this year's event is Alzheimer's Disease.

Presenters include: Dr. Margaret Tremwel – Alzheimer's 101; Molly Broyles – Third Generation Caregiver's Perspective of Alzheimer's; Barbie Johnson – The 'SOZO' Life; and Betsy Broyles Arnold – Living the Game Day to Day. Light breakfast and lunch provided. Free. 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sparks Regional Medical Center, Shuffield Education Center, 1001 Towson Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-441-5452 sparkshealth.com

April 10, 17 Beginning Microsoft Excel 2010 Learn to construct and modify worksheets, incorporate formulas and functions, develop charts, and utilize shortcuts. Registration is required. $129, includes book. 8 a.m.-noon. UAFS Business and Industrial Institute, Room 115, North 50th and Grand Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7742 uafs.edu

April 11 Fighting Head and Neck Cancer The Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House hosts this special presentation by Dr. Isam Abdel-Karim of Cooper Clinic Oncology. Abdel-Karim will discuss and answer questions on diagnosis, staging and treatment options of various head and neck cancers, including throat, oral, nasal and salivary gland tumors. Free.

5:30 p.m. Reynolds Cancer Support House, Pendergraft Education Room, 3324 South M Street, Fort Smith. 479-782-6302 reynoldscancersupporthouse.org

April 11 360 Leadership Series Luncheon Speaker Keith Jackson has had an outstanding career in college and professional football and uses his influence to create opportunities for children in the Little Rock area. He also serves as a color analyst for Arkansas Razorbacks football. Jackson will be speaking on "Leadership through Influence.” Tickets for the luncheon are available online. $15. Noon-1 p.m.

April 11 Ward 2 Community Meeting Mayor Sandy Sanders and the City of Fort Smith Board of Directors will conduct its second neighborhood meeting of 2013. These quarterly sessions – rotated among Fort Smith’s four wards – were launched last year with the intent of encouraging interactive dialogue with citizens in neighborhoods where they live.

The April 11 meeting will feature staff reports about current or upcoming projects impacting citizens in Ward 2. In addition to staff briefings, residents will have a forum to ask general questions of the board about policy-related topics. The third and final session is less formal. Citizens will be afforded an opportunity

April 10-13 Big To Do on Scenic State Highway 22 This roadside mass yard sale is held from Barling to Dardanelle, Ark. Sales occur on and off the highway all along the route. Sellers may find a spot on or off the highway and put out signs and local ads. Buyers can find something new and different every day and can shop from one end of the highway to the other and back again. Buyers should watch for signs, drive the city streets, get the local newspapers and shop for treasures, antiques, and another man's junk. Call the Paris Chamber of Commerce for more information. 7 a.m.- 5 p.m. Scenic Arkansas 22 from Barling to Dardanelle, Ark. 479-963-2244

April 11 Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Group A new support group for families experiencing the death of a baby during pregnancy, at birth or in the newborn period. Chaplains and trained support specialists will be available. Free. 6-7:30 p.m. Sparks Regional Medical Center, first floor near chapel, 1001 Towson Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-441-5452 sparkshealth.com

51-72_Master Facing Pages 3/23/13 11:50 PM Page 59

CALENDAR OF EVENTS to visit in smaller groups with Mayor Sanders and board members. Topics often include new ideas, old concerns and positive feedback in particular areas.

Free. 6 p.m. Windsor Branch Library, 4701 Windsor Drive, Fort Smith. 479-784-1072 fortsmithar.gov April 12 Owl Prowl Join a member of the education staff for an easy stroll along Wells Lake and the Beaver Creek Trail. Group will search for and try to call in owls – the most famous creatures of the night. Take a flashlight for the walk back. Free. 7:30 p.m. River Valley Nature Center, 8300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith. 479-452-3993 rivervalleynaturecenter.com

April 12 Redwork & Embroidery Club Embroider and visit with others who love it, too. Call for a list of supplies needed for this sit-and-stitch. For adults. Free. 1-3 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 crawfordcountylib.org April 12 Free Prostate Screening Dr. Kris Gast and Fort Smith Radiation Oncology will sponsor a free prostate cancer screening for area men who have never been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

The American Society of Oncology suggests screening should start at age 50 with a PSA blood test and an exam by a doctor. If there is a family history of prostate cancer, men should be screened at age 40.

Preregistration is preferred by phone, but walk-ins are welcome. Free. 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Fort Smith Radiation Oncology, Dr. Kris Gast, 8500 South 36th Terrace, Fort Smith. 479-648-1800 fsro.net

April 13 Boater Education Classes The Arkansas Boating Education Course teaches fundamentals of safe and responsible boating. Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1986, must complete a boater education course and carry a valid boater education card to operate a motorboat powered by an engine of 10 horsepower or more, including a personal watercraft) in Arkansas. Free. 9-3 p.m. River Valley Nature Center, 8300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith.

479-452-3993 rivervalleynaturecenter.com

April 13 Belly Dancing Workshop An art form more than 2,000 years old is back on the list of popular dances. Belly dancing is a great workout for the pelvis, abdomen, hips, spine and neck. All levels of fitness welcome at this one-day workshop to learn the basic elements and routines. Comfortable clothing recommended, scarves provided. Registration required. $39; CD included in fee. 9 a.m.-noon.

UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning

April 13 Mind, Body, Spirit Holistic Fair Metaphysical vendors will offer incense, crystals, wands, stone singing bowls, jewelry, tapestries, books, cards, runes, candles, boxes, charts and many more related items. Free. Noon-5 p.m. Healing Arts Center, 5300 Alma Highway, Van Buren, Ark. 479-806-8006 healingartcenter.net

Van Buren

Truly Historic.

Truly Alive.

The A&M Excursion Train runs every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday The Farmer’s Market is open every Wednesday and Saturday

April 6 - Floral Show April 6 - "The Copy Cats" Music Show April 11 - Northridge Middle School Band Concert April 13-14 - "The Oohs & Aahs" Youth Art Exhibition April 20 - J.R.'s Country Variety Show April 25, 26, 28 - "Blithe Spirit" Comedic Stage Show

1-800-332-5889 • www.vanburen.org April 2013 Entertainment Fort Smith

59

51-72_Master Facing Pages 3/23/13 11:50 PM Page 60

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Jenny Lind Road, Fort Smith. 479-646-3452 fiannahillsbaptist.com

Regional Dance America Southwest Festival

April 13 Hiking Ouachita Vista Trail TrailBlazers Hiking Club will hike on the Vista Trail from Tompkins Bend to Joplin Trailhead. The trail crosses many spring-fed creeks and winds past a number old quartz crystal mines and many unusual rock formations for a moderate 5 miles. Meet at Central Mall parking lot on corner by First National Bank to carpool/caravan. Free. 8 a.m. Lake Ouachita, U.S. 271, near Mountain Harbor, Ark. 479-646-9562 thcfs.com

Western Arkansas Ballet of Fort Smith will host the annual Regional Dance AmericaSouthwest Festival, where dancers perform and take classes while the directors and board members share ideas. Thousands of dollars in scholarships are awarded to dancers for study at prestigious summer programs and major professional companies, colleges and universities scout for their future talent. More than 600 dancers, choreographers and instructors from Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and New Mexico will attend for three days of classes, workshops and a special performance each night. $30 per night; $75 for three nights. 7:30 p.m. Arkansas Best Corp. Performing Arts Center, Rogers Avenue and South 9th Street, Fort Smith.

479-785-0152 waballet.org

6-8

April 13 Can to a Plan Get ready for the fall canning season with this introduction to the water-bath canning method. This hands-on class will let class members practice and experience the simple canning process with step-bystep instructions resulting in a take home jar of something in season. The class will get students started so they can plan fall savings by canning their own produce and continue an age-old tradition. Materials provided. Registration required. $25. 9 a.m.-noon. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning

April 13 Celebrating Freemasonry History: Community Carnival and Picnic at Clayton House Experience a historical moment on the historic grounds of the Clayton House with a celebration of the 175th anniversary of Arkansas Freemasonry. The former home of the prosecutor of Judge Parker’s court – William H. H. Clayton, a Grand Master Mason – will be the first location of four statewide celebrations in 2013. The grand party will lift up the world’s oldest active fraternity with a delightful 1880s carnival, picnic and living history vignette featuring four famous area Masons: William Clayton, U.S. Attorney; Elias Boudinot, editor of the first Cherokee newspaper; Elias Rector, U.S. Marshal starting in 1830; and Albert Pike, who had a national impact on the Masonic fraternity.

The carnival, to be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., will feature a midway of 1880s games, sideshows, fortune tellers and snake oil salesmen. An ongoing picnic will feature free hotdogs, hamburgers and more, provided by the 5th Masonic Lodge of Arkansas, which includes Fort Smith and many surrounding communities. Also offered will be free tours of the Clayton 60 Entertainment Fort Smith April 2013

April 13 Education on the Audio Recording Process and Archiving Old Audio to Digital Format The staff of Fountain Square House Recording Studio and Media will give a brief presentation for local music artists on the audio recording process, as well as education to the public for archiving and transferring reel-to-reel, cassettes and vinyl recordings to digital format. Other topics will include radio commercials and jingles, oral history recordings and performance track editing. Free. 1-3 p.m. America Best Inn & Suites, 5103 Towson Avenue, Fort Smith 479-806-0628

House historic museum. At 1:30 p.m., Dr. Jarrod Adkisson of Fayetteville, current Grand Master Mason of Arkansas, will share about the important role Masons have played in Arkansas since its beginning. The living history vignette, created by local Mason Harold Trisler, will begin at 2 p.m. in the Victorian gazebo. Free. 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. The Clayton House, 514 North 6th Street, Fort Smith 479-783-3000 claytonhouse.org

April 13 Veggie Gardening 101 Master Gardeners Mary Smith and Mary Watts, along with The Learning Fields at Chaffee Crossing, will conduct class. This is a hands-on gardening class. Gardening questions will be answered and, weather permitting, the class will plant some tomatoes and peppers. For directions and a map to The Learning Fields, see the website. Free. 9:30-noon. The Learning Fields at Chaffee Crossing, 7300 Gardener Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-285-0148 learningfields.net

April 13 Signs of Spring at Devil's Den Get outside and celebrate the signs of spring with hiking and interpretive programs. Local author Dawn Denton will be reading and signing her books. Check with the park for exact times. Free. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Devil's Den State Park, 11333 West Arkansas 74, West Fork , Ark. 479-761-3325 arkansasstateparks.com

April 13 Blackberry 101 Master Gardener Isaac Witt and The Learning Fields at Chaffee Crossing will conduct a class. Learn to plant and prune blackberries to get maximum production.

Learn the different varieties of blackberries and the history of blackberry production for our area. Directions and a map are available on the website. Free.

9:30-noon. The Learning Fields at Chaffee Crossing, 7300 Gardener Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-285-0148 learningfields.net

April 13 Saturday Night Laughs with the Skitzy Chicks A girls night out presented by the Women's Ministry of Fianna Hills Baptist Church. Doors will open at 5:15 p.m. for coffee by Moka Joe's and refreshments before 6 p.m. event. Tickets are available at the church. $10. 6-7:30 p.m. Fianna Hills Baptist Church, 10300

April 13 Zonta Club Geranium Sale Presale orders will be taken now for flats of geraniums and giant gold marigolds to be picked up April 13.

Geraniums will be available in red, dark pink, white and salmon. Presale plants are to be picked up the day of the sale. Proceeds support local and international projects that advance the status of women.

April 13 Job Skills Fair Learn to increase your chances of getting a job or advancing in your job at this event sponsored by the Christian Women's Job Corps, Junior League of Fort Smith, Crisis Intervention Center, UAFS and the Fort Smith Adult Education Center. Some child care will be available. Preregistration is required by phone. Free.

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Fort Smith Adult Education Center, 501 South 20th Street, Fort Smith. 479-353-7001 fortsmithschools.org/fsaec

April 13 Beehive Building Class Master Gardeners/beekeepers Bud and Leslye Buol and The Learning Fields at Chaffee Crossing are offering this class to help you start beekeeping. You will be building your own hive. It includes a hive starter kit, hive body and one super with frames. Lunch is included. $95. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Learning Fields at Chaffee Crossing, 7300 Gardener Avenue, Fort Smith.

479-285-0148 learningfields.net

51-72_Master Facing Pages 3/23/13 11:50 PM Page 61

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Zonta of Fort Smith supports scholarships for women, the Crisis Intervention Center, Girls Shelter, Girls Inc., Single Parent Scholarship Fund, Esther Home, First Impressions Workshop and Career Fair for local junior high girls. $27 per flat of 18 plants; $1.50 per individual plant. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sagely & Edwards Realtors, 3101 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-629-0689 or 479-353-2520 zontafortsmith.wordpress.com April 13-14 Gaston's Fly Fishing School Frank Saksa is one of the most knowledgeable fly fishing guides on the White River. Frank has fly fished on all the major streams in the western part of the United States and brings many years of experience that he will share with you. Frank has developed many new techniques for catching fish here on the White River, ones that will make you a much better fly fisherman, no matter what you fly fish for. Most of all, he is a great teacher and very gifted at sharing what he has learned over the many years of fishing. $240. 8 a.m. Gaston's White River Resort, 1777 River Road, Lakeview, Ark. 870-431-5202 gastons.com

April 13-14 River Valley Student Art Competition Awards Ceremonies The Center for Art & Education hosts the 14th Annual River Valley Student Art Competition. Awards in different categories and age groups will be presented.

Free. 1-4 p.m. April 13 for grades kindergarten through sixth grade; 1-4 p.m. April 14 for sevenththrough 12th-grades. Center for Art & Education, 104 North 13th Street, Van Buren, Ark. 4794747767 art-ed.org April 14-19 National Library Week and Library Patron Appreciation Day In honor of National Library Week, the library will hold a drawing for a gift basket. The winning ticket will be drawn on Library Patron Appreciation Day, April 19, when cake and a punch will be served to patrons. Free.

Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 crawfordcountylib.org

Fort FFort Smith, For Smitth, A Arkansas. rkansass.

A Star Sta St tar On On The TThe Border Border with wit w itth the the Heritage to prove it!

Old West Shoot-outs

Starts at the Frisco Station

Garrison Avenue Living History

Also Visit:

Free Electric Trolley Rides

Fort Smith National Historic Site

Petting Zoo

Fort Smith Museum of History

Free Wagon Rides

Miss Laura’s Visitor Center

Choctaw, Laotian, Hispanic &

Clayton House and many other

Irish Dancers

2013

Historic Sites

Experience Exxp xpe perience rrie en nce the tth he New New Spirit Sp S piirrit it of the Old West o tth eO ld W We est st www.fortsmith.org ww www.for ww.ffortsmith.org ww tssmith.org

April 15 Chaffee Historian Addresses Historical Society Joseph Chasteen, museum coordinator and historian at Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority, will examine early life in Center Valley and other communities displaced by the creation of the fort at the monthly meeting of the South Sebastian County Historical Society.

Free. 7 p.m. Community Room, Farmer's Bank, 71 West Center Street, Greenwood, Ark. 479-996-6357 oldjailmuseum.blogspot.com

April 15 Worth A Thousand Words: Library Snapshot Day Help the Windsor Branch Library tell the story of what happens in a single day at the library during National Library Week’s Library Snapshot Day. Also, enjoy a small sweet treat as you utilize the library for its wealth of resources. Free. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Windsor Branch Library, 4701 Windsor Drive, Fort Smith. 479-785-0405

April 15 Po'Boy Day in Cedarville The library will be serving po’boy sandwiches to try and ease the pain of tax day. Free. Noon-4 p.m.

Cedarville Public Library, 737 Pirates Way, Cedarville, Ark. 479-410-1853 crawfordcountylib.org

April 2013 Entertainment Fort Smith

61

51-72_Master Facing Pages 3/23/13 11:50 PM Page 62

CALENDAR OF EVENTS of emotional intelligence and how to better manage your own brainy battle. Registration required. $59. 811 a.m. UAFS Flanders Building, Room 110, North 50th and Grand Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7742 uafs.edu

April 16 746.43 Needle Crafts Group Anyone who knits, stitches or crochets – or wants to learn – may bring 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. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org April 16 Container Gardening for Beginners Learn to make an herb container garden. Free. 4-5 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140 crawfordcountylib.org

UAFS International Festival Celebrates Culture Pick up a passport to "see the world" at the UAFS iFest. Sample culture from all the countries represented by international students at UAFS. The first 100 people who visit all the countries’ booths will receive a free souvenir. The event begins with a parade around the Campus Green, when representatives from each country dressed in traditional costume will present their respective flags. Afterward, visitors will be able to explore countries through representative booths on the Campus Green. Students, faculty, student organizations, and community members will host the booths and show their cultural heritage. Stubblefield Center is the alternate venue in case of rain. Expect a diverse array or entertainment from polka bands to Hmong dancers, Irish and Celtic music and jazz with crafts and costumes of more than 30 cultures from around the world. Featured countries and cultures in the festival are Afghanistan, Algeria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, England, Estonia, France, Gabon, Germany, Greece, Hmong, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Laos, Mexico, Nepal, Peru, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, South Korea, Taiwan, Trinidad & Tobago, United States and Vietnam. $1 per drink or food item. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. UAFS Campus Green, 5210 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7166 uafs.edu/international

13

April 15-19 National Library Week/Patron Appreciation Day Enter a drawing for a chance to win a gift basket. The winner will be announced April 19, when cake will be served for all library patrons from noon until 4 p.m.

The winner of the drawing will be announced at 4 p.m.

Free. 9-5 p.m. Mountainburg Public Library, 1300 U.S. 71 North, Mountainburg, Ark. 479-369-1600

April 16 Outdoor Beginning GPS: Introduction to Geocaching Hikers, Scouts, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts will 62 Entertainment Fort Smith April 2013

benefit from this program. Take your own handheld Garmin GPS unit, learn all its uses and be ready to ask questions. There also will be some units available.

Pre-registration required. Free. 6 p.m. River Valley Nature Center, 8300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith.

479-452-3993 rivervalleynaturecenter.com

April 16 Emotional Intelligence Deep in the brain, a daily struggle occurs between the emotional and intellectual drivers of behavior. The two battle each other for control. Learn the ins and outs

April 16, 23 Personal Financial Planning This two-session class will provide a synopsis of what to look for in a financial plan, how to know if you need a financial planner and how to prepare to plan. Topics include goal setting, pitfalls, attitudes to risk and risk management and basic record keeping. Pettus Kincannon will provide a clear and concise pathway to planning your own financial future. $25. 6-8 p.m.

UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning April 17 Discover the Internet Learn basic web-related tasks, learn to navigate and understand the address bar, URLs and hyperlinks. Buy goods online, find a job or understand basic security.

The class will help you understand the uses you can have from the computer in your home or at a public site. Must have an e-mail address set up in advance of the class or have taken Discover Webmail class.

Registration required. $35; couples $60. 9 a.m.-noon.

UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning April 17 Migrating Birds of the River Valley Renowned ornithologist Dr. Ragupathy Kannan will present a lively and colorful slideshow depicting the migratory birds that pass by or visit western Arkansas in the spring season, with a special emphasis on forest birds that winter in the Caribbean, Central and South America. Tips on where, when and how to find these birds will be offered. Registration required. $5.

1-2 p.m. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning April 17 2013 United Way Campaign Kick-off Campaign awards for the 2012 campaign will be announced. 11:30 a.m. Phoenix Expo Center, 4600 Towson Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-782-1311

April 17 Poetry Night at Dewey’s Café Celebrate National Library Week and Poetry Month.

Showcase your talent or just listen at the popular Po-

51-72_Master Facing Pages 3/23/13 11:50 PM Page 63

CALENDAR OF EVENTS etry Night at Dewey’s Café in the main library. Feel free to read from poetry by famous writers or perform your own original work. Poets will have five minutes to read or perform their piece. Free. 6-8 p.m. Dewey's Cafe at the Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org

April 18 Marlsgate Plantation Tour Registration Marlsgate Mansion near Little Rock will be “dressed” for springtime for this Center for Lifelong Learning bus tour. The family of David P. Garner Jr. will extend a cordial welcome to all guests. Bobby is a fantastic chef and David is a great host and humorist. The majestically situated Greek revival mansion is shaded by pecan trees and cooled by the breezes flowing off Bearskin Lake. Marlsgate’s rooms, furniture, paintings and countless mementos illuminate the rich historical and cultural heritage of the American South. A tremendous amount of gilding, marble, crystal, silks, porcelain and silver is charmingly displayed in this 33room estate. Lunch included. Registration deadline April 4. $95. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning April 18 2nd Annual Seersucker Social Enjoy an evening of stylish seersucker, swing jazz, lawn croquet and Southern libations. The most dashing seersucker-wearing gentleman and lady will receive prizes. Proceeds benefit the Old State House Museum. Tickets are available online. $50; must be 21. 6-9 p.m. Old State House Museum, 300 West Markham Street, Little Rock, Ark. 501-324-9685 oldstatehouse.com

WALTON MBA ([HFXWLYH 3URJUDP

Earn your MBA without

VDFULÀFLQJ WKH UHVW RI

\RXU OLIH

April 18 Scrapbooking in Alma Scrapbookers should take their own adhesive, photos and scissors. The library will provide the rest of the materials. Register by phoning in advance for this adult class. Free. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

April 19 4th Annual Popeye Classic Golf Tournament Play at the magnificent Eagle Crest Golf Course and enjoy a day of golf combined with a great opportunity for business networking. Sponsored by the Alma Area Chamber of Commerce. $340 entry for a four-person team includes cart, green fee and lunch. 1 p.m. Eagle Crest Golf Course, 542 Edwards Road, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4127 almachmaber.com

/HDUQ DERXW RXU SDUW WLPH H[HFXWLYH

SURJUDP WRGD\

@ JVE XDUN HGX

April 19 Library Patron Appreciation Day Cake and punch will be served to thank patrons. Free.

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Cedarville Public Library, 737 Pirates Way, Cedarville, Ark. 479-410-1853; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

April 19 Diamond Ballroom Dance The Diamond Dance Club will host a dance featuring the T&T Combo Band of Wes and Hope. They will provide Latin, swing, ballroom and polka music for your dancing pleasure. The dress is semi-formal to formal with coat and tie required for the men. Members free; $10 nonmembers. 8-11 p.m. Eagles Ballroom, 3321 South 66th Street, Fort Smith. 479-484-7156

April 2013 Entertainment Fort Smith

63

51-72_Master Facing Pages 3/23/13 11:50 PM Page 64

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Reception for Gerry Stecca’s Tree Wraps at RAM Miami-based artist Gerry Stecca will install a series of Tree Wraps from his Clothespins series of Sculptural Installations at the Fort Smith Regional Art Center. Consisting of thousands of wooden clothespins, these installations present the viewer with a message of conservation and remind us of simpler times. For this installation, the artist will wrap the four trees on North A Street facing RAM's new entrance. The artist, assisted by UAFS students, will work on the installation on April 16 that also will be a celebration of Earth Day. An opening reception will be catered by One Stop Natural Food Store. RAM members free; $8 general admission, $6 seniors and students; group discounts available.

5-7 p.m. Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, 1601 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-784-2787

18

April 19 Food For Thought: Fruit Winemaking River Valley Master Gardener Isaac Witt with the Learning Fields will show the basic method for how to make wine from fruit. Take a lunch or pick something 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. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org

April 19 6th Annual UAFS Undergraduate Research Symposium Dr. Donald R. Bobbitt, president of the University of Arkansas System, will be the guest speaker. Bobbitt will give a lecture titled, “If You Don’t Know Where You’re Going, Then Any Road Will Take You There.”

The speech is open to the public, as are the student presentations that follow. The Undergraduate Research Symposium provides an opportunity for UAFS students to present what they have learned from their research experiences to fellow students, faculty and the community. UAFS classes are dismissed on the day of the symposium, allowing faculty and students the opportunity to attend the symposium, as well as faculty events that morning. Bobbitt also will speak at a meeting of assembled faculty. Free. 1 p.m. UAFS Breedlove Auditorium, 5120 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7025

April 19, 26 Charm Square Bag Class Learn to make a quilted bag using charm (5-inch) squares. Students are required to purchase their own materials and take their own portable sewing machine.

Call by April 12 to register and get a list of needed supplies. For adults. Sign-up is required. Free. 1-3 p.m.

Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 64

Entertainment Fort Smith

April 2013

April 20 Earth Fest Celebrate Earth Day with some earth-friendly activities.

Free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. River Valley Nature Center, 8300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith. 479-452-3993 rivervalleynaturecenter.com

April 20 Alma Spinach Festival The Annual Spinach Festival kicks off with a 5K race in downtown Alma, followed by a festival full of food, artisans and crafts. The Alma Public Library holds a book sale and a carnival stays open until 10 p.m. Live music continues throughout the day and there is also a spinach-eating contest and Spinach Drop. Free. 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Downtown Alma, Ark. 479-632-4127 almachamber.com

April 20 Beautify Fort Smith Spring Citywide Litter Pickup Take pride in our community and join Beautify Fort Smith in the spring citywide litter pickup. This event is in conjunction with the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Great American Cleanup. Register to receive supplies (trash bags, gloves and safety vests) and an assigned area to pick up litter. Last year, nearly 4 tons of litter was removed from the Arkansas River, city streets and parks at Beautify Fort Smith's two litter cleanups. Contact Paul Linder at 479-452-3785 or e-mail andreabeckman0@gmail.com for any questions. Free.

8-noon. Martin Luther King Park, Greenwood Avenue and North O Street, Fort Smith. 479-452-4698 April 20 March of Dimes March for Babies Form a team or join a team to support the March for Babies, a fundraising event supporting the March of Dimes. Registration begins at 9 a.m.; walk through Creekmore Park begins at 10 a.m. Awards and lunch

51-72_Master Facing Pages 3/23/13 11:50 PM Page 65

CALENDAR OF EVENTS follow the walk. The March for Babies will provide a memorable and rewarding day for the whole family, including activities such as face painting, team sign/poster creating, stroller decorating and more.

Walkers may participate in honor or in memory of babies in their own lives, memorialized in a "Garden of Hope." The proceeds of the March funds important research and programs to help babies begin healthy lives. Form or join teams online. Free. 9 a.m.-noon.

Creekmore Park, Rogers Avenue and South 31st Street, Fort Smith. 479-751-5475 marchforbabies.org April 20 Marinoni Scenic Area Hike TrailBlazers Hiking Club will hike to the Marinoni Scenic Area on the Ozark Highland Trail for 5.2 miles rated moderate. Meet at CVs Grocery Store parking lot, 2805 Alma Hwy., Van Buren, Ark., to carpool/caravan to the trailheads. Free. 8 a.m. Ozark Highland Trail, Arkansas 215, near Cass, Ark. 479-646-9562 thcfs.com

April 20 Earth Day 5K and Family Fun Run Celebrate Earth Day 2013 with a 5K and 1K Family Fun Run at Wells Lake. The 5K starts at 8 a.m. and the 1K Fun Run starts at 9 a.m. All participants registering early will receive a T-shirt. Call or go online for registration forms. Individual 5K registration by April 5 is $20; 1K is $10. Families of four may register early for $30. 8 a.m. River Valley Nature Center Wells Lake, 8300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith. 479-646-7225 growgreatminds.com/5K

April 20 Audio Adrenaline Kings & Queens Spring 2013 Tour features Group 1 Crew, Seventh Day Slumber and Manic Drive. Proceeds go to benefit the Hands & Feet Project in Haiti. $15 advance; $20 at the door or $50 VIP. 7 p.m. 180 Youth Center, 3100 Briar Cliff Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-696-4636 redletterconcerts.com April 20 Spinach Festival Book Sale Friends of the Alma Public Library holds its annual book sale, where all sales are by donation. Proceeds will benefit the Alma Public Library. Books for children, young adult, fiction and nonfiction available. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

April 20 5th Annual Surviving the Journey Suicide Awareness and Memorial Walk An event to raise awareness about suicide allows participants to gather in memory of the loved ones they have lost to suicide. There will be socializing, informational booths and refreshments. The event benefits the Arkansas Crisis Center and allows continued support for the statewide Crisis Hotline service and online chat. Go online to register. $20. 9 a.m. registration; 9:45 a.m. opening ceremony; 10 a.m. walk and balloon release. J.B. Hunt Park, Fleming Drive, Springdale, Ark. 479-365-2140 arcrisis.org April 20 Girls Night Out Take a favorite dish or dessert and friends to enjoy lots of laughter, games, music and fun for women only.

Free. 4:30 p.m. Healing Arts Center, 5300 Alma Highway, Van Buren, Ark. 479-806-8006

April 2013 Entertainment Fort Smith

65

51-72_Master Facing Pages 3/23/13 11:50 PM Page 66

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Authors in the Afternoon Featuring Nancee Fox Author Nancee Fox will promote and sign copies of her book “I Am a Child of God.” The book offers a fresh look at our relationship to the Heavenly Father. Through true-to-life examples, the author reveals how our feelings in the parent/child relationship are God-given.

Readers might laugh or cry as they see themselves or their family in this delightful easy read. Fox and her husband, Rodney, make their home in Fort Smith. They enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren, as well as being active with their church family, City Christian Fellowship. Books will be available for purchase and signing at this openhouse style event. Free. 2-4 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229

27

April 20 Run for a Resident!

Benefits residents in long-term care and retirement facilities in the River Valley. Choose a 1K walk, 5K run or 10K run. The race will be chip timed. Project Compassion's mission is to provide joy, companionship and quality of life to residents in long-term and retirement facilities throughout Arkansas. Entry fee is $20 for individuals; groups of four or more may run for $15 each. 8 a.m. Chaffee Crossing – Chad Colley and Frontier Boulevard, Fort Smith. 479-783-2273 projectcompassionInc.org April 20 Optimist Club Childhood Cancer Poker Run This annual bike/car poker run to fight childhood cancer is organized by the Optimist Club of Fort Smith.

Music by DJ on the Run, food, 50/50 tickets, a 5 p.m. auction and other festivities take place at the end of the run. Auction item donations are requested. $10 per hand. The first bike or car goes out at 10 a.m. Gary Don's Panhead Saloon, across from Tri-State Speedway on Oklahoma 9, Pocola, Okla. 870-543-0681

April 20 Master Gardeners Spring Plant Sale The River Valley Master Gardeners will hold its third annual plant sale offering perennials, annuals, trees, shrubs, garden vegetable plants, heirloom tomato plants, hanging baskets and garden ornaments. Master Gardeners also will help customers select plants and provide tips for growing specific plants. Proceeds benefit The Learning Fields at Chaffee Crossing, the Master Gardeners' educational gardens. 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

First Christian Church parking lot, 3501 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-5750 learningfields.net

April 21 Third Sunday Art Show An exhibit of original works of art featuring artists Jimmy Leach, Pat Lappin, Cindy Sugg, Barbara Loftin, Lorrie Bridges and other area artists. The artists often demonstrate painting techniques during the show.

Free. 1-4 p.m. Michael's Mansion, 2900 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Okla. 479-883-8336 66 Entertainment Fort Smith April 2013

and learn to use assertive words appropriately. Registration is required. $59. 8-11 a.m. UAFS Flanders Building Room 110, North 50th and Grand Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7742 uafs.edu

April 23 Lunch & Learn: Chronic Pelvic Pain When women experience discomfort from chronic pelvic pain, a benign ovarian mass may be to blame.

Join Erica Horn, M.D., with Sparks Obstetrics and Gynecology, for a seminar to learn how to diagnose and manage this condition. Lunch provided. Free valet parking. Call to register. Free. Noon-1 p.m. Sparks Regional Medical Center, Shuffield Education Center, 1001 Towson Avenue, Fort Smith.877-709-3627, 479-709-3627 sparkshealth.com April 23 Going Green to Save Learn to make your own household products that are both green and inexpensive. Save the earth and save money, too. Free. 4 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

April 21 MovieLounge Wedding Expo Local vendors have been invited to display their products in the beautiful MovieLounge ballrooms. Bridesto-be and wedding planners may tour the facility to get an idea of what MovieLounge has to offer when teamed up with local vendors. Free. 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.

MovieLounge, 7601 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith.

479-226-3595 movieloungefsm.com

April 22 2013 Arvest United Way Golf Tournament Hosted by Arvest, a three-person scramble tournament benefitting the United Way starts with registration at 11:30 a.m. and a 1 p.m. shotgun start. A hole-in-one prize is sponsored by Harry Robinson Buick-GMC. Call to register. $300 per team. 11:30 a.m.

Fianna Hills Country Club, No. 1 Essex Place, Fort Smith 479-573-1468 unitedwayfortsmith.org

April 22-May 1 Intermediate Microsoft Excel Learn more than the basics in Microsoft Excel. Instruction, book and flash drive all included for $80. 57:55 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Fort Smith Adult Education Center, 501 South 20th Street, Fort Smith. 479-785-1232 adulteducationfortsmith.com

April 23 Computer Advanced Learn the basics of computing in the company of other beginners. Use practical hands-on exercises to learn the ins and outs of operating systems, basic applications, create, sort and filter files, manage and understand security settings, keyboard shortcuts, and get your questions answered. Registration required. $55; couples $80. 2-4 p.m. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning April 23 Develop Positive Assertiveness This workshop will help you examine your posture, language and attitude while learning to deal openly with others. Find your natural style of communication

April 23 Money Smart A representative from the Bank of the Ozarks will talk about how to be money smart and answer questions.

Learn about how to manage your cash, checking and savings accounts. Handouts will be available. Free.

3:30-4:30 p.m. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226 April 23 United Way of Fort Smith Area Day of Caring This is an opportunity to give back to the community through a morning of helping various nonprofits. Go online to view volunteer opportunities still available and to register. Breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m. at Golden Corral for volunteers in Fort Smith.

479-782-1311 unitedwayfortsmith.org

April 23 Financial Rules of the Road Learn 10 rules every investor should know at this educational seminar given by financial advisors from Edward Jones. Hors d’oeuvres will be served. Free.

6-7:30 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

April 23 Community Blood Drive The Van Buren Public Library, Arkansas Blood Institute and Sonic Drive-In will host a community blood drive. Donors will receive a gift from the Arkansas Blood Institute and Sonic Drive-In, as well as a mini physical that includes a cholesterol screening. Donors must be 16 and older; those under 18 require parental consent. Free. 1:306 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

April 24 Fort Smith History Delve into the history of the River Valley and Fort Smith with speaker Jeremy Lynch, National Park Service interpreter, who will discuss the Trail of Tears relocation of Native Americans and local tribal involvement in the Civil War leading up to the Treaty of 1866.

Registration required. $5. 1-2 p.m. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning

51-72_Master Facing Pages 3/23/13 11:50 PM Page 67

51-72_Master Facing Pages 3/23/13 11:50 PM Page 68

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

April 24 Divas, Diamonds & Decadence Fountain of Youth Adult Day Center hosts Divas, Diamonds & Decadence Luncheon featuring a diva fashion show, the latest in diamond and bling jewelry and decadent chocolate. A United Way Community Partner. $35 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Fianna Hills Country Club, #1 Essex Place, Fort Smith. 479-484-7782 foyadc.org

April 24 Zumba in the Library Bookworms can dance, too. Learn the basics of Zumba, a dance fitness class that merges Latin and international music to help make exercise fun. Jhoan Grant, a licensed Zumba instructor, will be leading the class. Free. 5:30 p.m. Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith. 479-646-3945 fortsmithlibrary.org April 24 2013 Jack Fleck Open Morning and afternoon flights are available during this golf tournament hosted by The First Tee of Fort Smith.

This is a four-person scramble. On-course games include hole-in-one challenge, longest drive, closest to the pin, hit the boat and Par 3 Poker Tournament. Mulligans are $20 per player, $80 per team. Prizes for each flight are: first place, $800; second place, $400; and third place, $200. In 1955, Jack Fleck made history when he beat the favored Ben Hogan in an 18hole playoff to claim the U.S. Open. Fleck, 91, lives in Fort Smith and remains active in the game of golf.

Sponsorships are available. All proceeds benefit The First Tee of Fort Smith. $800 per team; $200 per player. 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. shotgun starts. Hardscrabble Country Club, 5211 Cliff Drive, Fort Smith.

479-648-9833 thefirstteefortsmith.org April 24-May 22 Learn Quickbooks Manage your own business finances or become more employable by learning the accounting program Quickbooks. Instruction, book and flash drive included in tuition. $80 11:30 a.m.-12:25 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Fort Smith Adult Education Center, 501 South 20th Street, Fort Smith. 479-785-1232 adulteducationfortsmith.com

April 24-May 22 Basic Computer Class A class in Digital Literacy establishes familiarity with using a computer through hands-on learning. Free.

9:30-10:55 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Fort Smith Adult Education Center, 501 South 20th Street, Fort Smith. 479-785-1232

April 24-May 22 Intermediate Microsoft Excel Learn more than the basics in Microsoft Excel. Handson instruction, book and flash drive included in fee. $80. 8-9:25 a.m. Fort Smith Adult Education Center, 501 South 20th Street, Fort Smith.

479-785-1232 adulteducationfortsmith.com

April 24-May 22 Microsoft IT Academy Learn the 21st century technology skills necessary to acquire certification and be competitive in today’s rapidly evolving workplace. Instruction, book and flash drive included. $80. 1:30-2:55 p.m. Fort Smith Adult Education Center, 501 South 20th Street, Fort Smith.

479-785-1232 adulteducationfortsmith.com 68 Entertainment Fort Smith April 2013

April 25 Discover: Japan Learn what it is like to travel in Japan. Celebrate the Japanese style in language, food, travel, film, fashion and culture. Learn basic phrases to start venturing out on your own and find the real Japan. Cost is per family of at least one adult and one child 9 or older. Registration required. $50 for a parent and child 9 or older; $100 each for couples; $65 individual. 6-8 p.m. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning April 25 New Vision Medical Stabilization Open House New Vision, a medical stabilization program offering help with withdrawal symptoms from drugs and alcohol, is holding a public open house. Experts will be on hand to explain the service available only at Summit Medical Center. Free. 1-4 p.m. Summit Medical Center, East Main and South 20th Streets, Van Buren, Ark. 479-471-4362 summitmedicalcenter.net

April 25 Business Seminar: First Steps to Video Marketing The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center will present a free business seminar: First Steps to Video Marketing (Hands on). Savvy marketers are putting their products and services on video sites for millions of potential customers to see.

During this seminar, participants will receive handson training to learn to create free commercials with simple online tools and assistance uploading videos to popular video sites. A free, 20-page workbook with step-by-step instructions is included. An iPad will be provided for each participant to use during this workshop. This seminar is free to participants as part of a special project funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Seating is limited and registration is required by phone or online. Free. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Beall Barclay & Co., 3101 South 70th Street, Fort Smith.

479-356-2067 asbtdc.ualr.edu/training/russellville.asp

April 25 Business Seminar: Facebook Business Pages The Arkansas Small Business & Technology Development Center will present this course that will show attendees how to use the timeline and business page set up to their business' advantage. Participants will be shown how to find content to post, create contests and use third-party sites to create custom tabs. The seminar also will show the business owner how to understand, monitor and use the Facebook Insights data to determine content effectiveness. This is a hands-on seminar and a computer will be provided for each participant during the presentation. This seminar is free to attendees as part of a special project funded by the US Small Business Administration.

Seating is limited and registration is required by calling or registering online. Free. 2-5 p.m. Beall Barclay & Co., 3101 South 70th Street, Fort Smith.

479-356-2067 asbtdc.ualr.edu/training/russellville.asp

April 25 Taking Care of Our Aging Parents If you're among the thousands of adults in our area who are – or will be – caring for aging parents, Mercy invites you to attend this seminar. Reverse parenting can be an intense, emotional experience. You can prepare now by attending this important presentation by Mercy Clinic physicians and financial experts, followed by time for your questions. Call to register, which is

required. Free. 6:30-8 p.m. Mercy Hospital, Sicard Education Room, 7001 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith.

479-314-6786 mercy.net/fortsmith

April 25-May 16 Apologetics: Defending your Religion This class is designed to use the philosophical approach know as “apologetics,” or the discipline of defending a position through the use of information.

While commonly applied to theology, it can be useful to know strategies to answer critical questions about one’s faith through understanding biblical manuscripts, philosophy, logic and textual criticism. Learn to defend and argue for a particular position, literally the Greek word “Apologia.” Registration required. $45. 6-8 p.m. Thursdays. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning

April 25-May 16 Creative Writing III Learn from a published author how to create the written word, the characters, and plot that makes a novel, short story, novella or script. Jory Sherman teaches the principles of writing, crafting plot and developing characters. This three-part course covers the short story, the novel, essays, poetry, memoirs, articles and blogging techniques. Tips on finding an agent and publisher are given, along with the editing and submission process and techniques. Registration required. $49. 6-8 p.m. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning April 26 Walk a Mile in Her Shoes The Donald W. Reynolds Crisis Intervention Center will raise awareness of the agency through a community fundraiser at the Van Buren High School track.

Faculty, parents, survivors and students will wear high heels and walk a mile to end domestic violence and sexual abuse in our communities. Even the males will wear high heels. Free. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Van Buren High School, 2221 Pointer Trail, Van Buren, Ark. 479-785-1821 fscic.org

April 26 Romance 2013 Harvest Time Women hosts an inspiring night called "Romance 2013," with guest speaker Jill Olf. A special service will be filled with dynamic worship, anointed speaking and prayer, followed by a fun after-party where women can enjoy fellowship, music and refreshments. Every lady will receive a swag bag of goodies. $15. 7 p.m. Harvest Time, 3100 Briar Cliff Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-646-6001 harvesttime.net April 26-27 Sequoyah County HCE Quilt Show Many hours of needlework have gone into this annual quilt show presented by the Sequoyah County Home and Community Educators. This year, a "Road to Oklahoma" quilt sewn by the members will be given away as a door prize. The open quilt show attracts many talented local quilters who exhibit and compete. A tea room provides homemade refreshments. Funds raised from the show will help provide an award banquet for the Sequoyah County 4-H, as well a scholarship for an outstanding Sequoyah County 4-H senior. $2 admission and door prize ticket. 9 a.m. Sequoyah County Fairgrounds, Extension Building, Sallisaw, Okla. 918-775-9320

51-72_Master Facing Pages 3/24/13 5:17 PM Page 69

April 26-May 17 Spanish Intermediate Want to learn more Spanish? Build on pronunciation and grammar learned in the Spanish Basics class and start to speak more fluently and in conversations.

Registration required. $50; $90 for couples. 10 a.m.noon Fridays. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith.

479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning April 27 Poteau Rotary Wine & Arts Festival An Evening at the Gallery is the theme of a wine-tasting and art-filled evening held by the Poteau Rotary Club. Taste wines from six wineries across the state.

Sample gourmet food and view exceptional gallery artwork from talented area artists. Enjoy entertainment by musical and theatrical performers. Must be 21 to attend. Admission includes a commemorative wine glass and free tasting from wine and food vendors.

Proceeds from this event go toward the development of the Rotary Outdoor Complex (ROC) at the base of Cavanal Hill in Poteau; 35 wooded acres and 10 miles of hiking and biking trails complete with group picnic areas, outdoor kitchen, playground and restroom facilities. Use of the complex is free to the public. Tickets may be purchased online or at the door. $20 online; $25 at door. 4-8 p.m. Donald W. Reynolds Community Center, 105 Reynolds Avenue, Poteau, Okla.

918-647-4194 poteaurotary.org/ April 27 Northside High School Chase for Charity 5k Northside High School presents this 5K race to benefit Fort Smith area families in need and Northside's Stu-

CALENDAR OF EVENTS dent Council. More than 250 runners participated in the inaugural race. Registrants can expect a family friendly atmosphere and a traditional road race dynamic, with tons of support near the finish line from students, staff and volunteers from Northside. Water, recovery drinks and snacks will be available at the finish line. All who enter before April 25 will receive a Tshirt. Children under 10 can participate in a one-mile run/walk. The top three finishers in each age group for both male and female will receive a NHS Finisher's Medal. First-place finishers will receive a trophy. $25 for adult runners and $10 per child under 10 for 1 mile run/walk. 8-11 a.m. Chaffee Crossing, River Valley Nature Center, 8300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith.

479-783-1171 earlysignup.com/chaseforcharity April 27 Norman Rockwell, Crystal Bridges: CAE Takes You There Explore “American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell” at Crystal Bridges Museum of Art in Bentonville. After viewing the exhibit, you will have time to explore the other shops, restaurants, and museums located on the Bentonville Square before returning to CAE. Seating is limited so call for reservations. Transportation, snacks and beverages en route on a chartered bus and tickets to the exhibit included. $50. 2 p.m. departure. Center for Art & Education, 104 North 13th Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-7767 April 27 15th Annual Komen Ozark Race for the Cure No matter whose life you are running for, now is the time to get involved and run for their life. Komen Ozark Race for the Cure includes a 5K, 10K, fitness walk and

Bark for the Cure that raises funds and awareness for breast cancer issues, celebrates breast cancer survivorship and honors those who have lost their battle with the disease. The Ozark Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is a 501 c(3) non-profit organization that provides breast care services, awareness and education of breast cancer in the eight-county service area: Benton, Boone, Carroll, Crawford, Madison, Newton, Sebastian and Washington along with Stone and Taney counties in Missouri. Up to 75 percent of funds raised will be granted back into the communities in this service area while 25 percent will go to Komen National for research to help find the cures to end breast cancer. 7 a.m.-noon. Pinnacle Hills Promenade Mall, 2300 Promenade Boulevard, Rogers , Ark. 479-725-0397 komenozark.org April 27 2nd Relay for Life Bazaar A wide variety of items and vendors will offer lots of bargains. Free admission. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. First United Methodist Family Life Center, North 16th & C Streets, Fort Smith.(479) 782-5068

April 27 Mercy NICU Reunion Mercy welcomes back all neonatal intensive care unit graduates to see how much they've grown. Former NICU families are invited for fun, refreshments and a chance to catch up with other NICU families and staff members. The reunion will be held on the lawn to the west of the Mercy Fitness Center. Call for more information. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. West of Mercy Fitness Center, 7610 South Dallas Street, Fort Smith. 479-314-6123 mercy.net/fortsmith

April 2013 Entertainment Fort Smith

69

51-72_Master Facing Pages 3/23/13 11:50 PM Page 70

CALENDAR OF EVENTS and share many of their prize-winning and/or unique plants for this sale. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Anniversary Rose Garden, 220 South 12th Street, Fort Smith.

April 27 26th Annual Greenwood Open Car Show Prizes for Best of Show Car, Best of Show Truck, Best of Show Rat Rod. Prizes also for Best Engine, Best Interior and Best Paint. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. On the Square in Greenwood, Arkansas 10, Greenwood , Ark. 479-459-9836

April 27 Knock It Out of the Park for Inter-faith A softball tournament with teams competing from Sparks Health System, Summit Medical Center, Mercy Fort Smith and local First Responders, including paramedics and the Fort Smith Police and Fire Departments will benefit Inter-Faith Preschool.

Kids can enjoy a tour of various emergency vehicles, including ambulances, firefighting vehicles and an air evacuation helicopter. $5 per family. 10 a.m. Lower Softball Field, Ben Geren Regional Park, 7200 Zero Street, Fort Smith, Ark. April 29-May 20 Write Better English A good grasp of grammar principles can improve speaking and writing skills. Using a very uncomplicated textbook and with the guidance of practiced English teacher Anne Hebert, master basic concepts such as sentence structure and punctuation.

Move on to more complex concepts such as logic and clarity in improving writing and communication skills. Four class sessions. Registration required. $55 fee includes textbook. 6-8 p.m. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning

National Historic Site volunteer Roger Carter will speak on the life of deputy U.S. marshal Heck Thomas.

Speaker Series: Life and Times of Heck Thomas Fort Smith National Historic Site volunteer Roger Carter will present a program about the life and times of the famous law officer Henry “Heck” Thomas. Thomas, a young man during the Civil War, met Robert E. Lee and went home to become a railroad guard and police officer. He later became a U.S. deputy marshal working out of Fort Smith during the era of Judge Isaac C. Parker. There, he began work with Bill Tilghman and Chris Madsen, earning the three the nickname “The Three Guardsmen.” His talent as a lawman has earned him the reputation as one of the best. Free.

11 a.m., 2 p.m. Fort Smith National Historic Site Visitor Center, 301 Parker Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-3961 nps.gov/fosm

27

April 27 The Resilient Farmer: Organic Market-Farming Workshop Learn innovative ways to build soil fertility for growing fruits and vegetables for local markets. Topics include rotations, cover crops, green manures, compost, compost tea, organic no-till, weed and bermuda grass suppression using cover crops and the fundamentals of the soil food web. Featured speaker will be Steve Diver, former ag specialist with ATTRA in Fayetteville. Kerr Center demonstrations will be presented by George Kuepper, horticulture manager of the Center. Register

by April 22 online or by calling the center. Registration includes lunch. $35. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture, 24456 Kerr Road, Poteau, Okla. 918-647-9123 kerrcenter.com April 27 Fort Smith Rose Society Annual Plant Sale Plants of every variety will be offered for sale by the Fort Smith Rose Society. The Mayor Ray Baker Roses are expected to be offered, as well. Members dig up, divide 70 Entertainment Fort Smith April 2013

April 30 Caregiver Night Out UAFS Season of Entertainment in Partnership with Fountain of Youth Adult Day Center will offer a Caregiver Night Out for “Rock of Ages.” Fountain of Youth will be providing quality care for 25 dependent adults aged 18 and older for the event.

The evening will include a light dinner, evening snack, games, popcorn and a movie.

Registration and payment are due by April 22. $40. 5:30 p.m. Fountain of Youth Adult Day Center, 2409 South 56th Street, No. 121, Fort Smith. 479-484-7782

April 30 Options on IRA's Learn the differences in IRA and Roth IRA accounts and the myriad of options available to an IRA holder and the choices involved. Registration required. $15. 68 p.m. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning April 30 What's My Selling Style?

This assessment tool for management development training helps salespeople understand how personality can help them achieve better sales performance. Individuals identify their own personal style, learn how to speed-read another person’s style and then adapt their style to match others. Registration is required. $69. 811 a.m. UAFS Flanders Building Room 110, North 50th Street and Grand Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7742 uafs.edu April 30-May 21 Simple Computer Fixes Learn tips and tricks to troubleshoot a computer and remove viruses. Follow along in a computer lab to learn things one should always do and things one should never do. Watch a demonstration on how to add memory, replace drives or add cards. $55. 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning

April 30-May 21 Navigating Social Media: How to use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn Learn about social media, Internet etiquette and jargon. Use these tools to connect with family, friends or business associates, as well as how to maintain your privacy across the Internet. Registration required. $35. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith.

479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning April 30-May 21 Simple Computer Fixes Learn tips and tricks to troubleshoot a computer and remove viruses. Follow along

51-72_Master Facing Pages 3/23/13 11:50 PM Page 71

in a computer lab to learn things one should always do and things one should never do. Watch a demonstration on how to add memory, replace drives or add cards. Four class sessions. $55. 6-8 p.m. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning May 1 Girls Shelter Night at Goody’s Frozen Yogurt Enjoy some wonderful yogurt while supporting the Girls Shelter, a United Way Community Partner. 4-10 p.m. Goody's Frozen Yogurt, 7613 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-646-0444

May 1 Medicaid Myths Seminar Learn straightforward facts about Medicaid enrollment and benefits in a seminar called “Myths of Medicaid." Get the correct answers from elder law attorney, Todd Whately. Registration required. $5. 1-2 p.m.

UAFS Echols Conference Center, 504 North Waldron Road, Fort Smith. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning

May 1 Fat Free Writing Writing basics for busy people. This fun and interactive workshop will cover grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Learn to create lively sentences and paragraphs that say what they mean. Registration is required. $59. 8-12 p.m. UAFS BII Building, Room 115, North 50th Street and Grand Avenue, Fort Smith.

479-788-7742 uafs.edu May 2 We’re Having A Party!

The Fort Smith Public Library Endowment offers a fun-filled night of food, live music and drinks with entertainment by The Don Bailey Jazz Ensemble, Alexandra Salamone, Gary Hutchison and Oreo Blue Trio.

Tickets are available at all library locations. $20 individual; $35 per couple. 6:30 p.m. Second Street Live, 101 North 2nd Street, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229

May 2-23 Intro New Testament Greek Become familiar with the Greek language of the New Testament. Learn how the perspectives and grammatical precision of the everyday Greek in the time of the apostles made it beautifully suited to deliver new theology to the world. Registration required. $45. 6-8 p.m. Thursdays. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith.

479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning

May 2-23 Advanced Investment After learning the basic principles of investing for yourself in stocks, bonds and mutual funds, the next level in advanced investing is options, futures, ETFs and ETNs. It is preferred that students have taken a basic course but this course can be taken as a standalone class. Registration required. $45. 6-8 p.m.

Thursdays. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith.

479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning

May 3 Jack Hanna's Into the Wild LIVE! America’s favorite zookeeper, Jack Hanna’s live show features many of his favorite animal friends, as well as fascinating and humorous stories and footage from his adventures around the world. $18-$28. 7 p.m.

Baum Walker Hall at Walton Arts Center, 495 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 4794435600 May 3-5 Songs of the Lord Sister Hilary Decker, OSB, will present this retreat. Re-

CALENDAR OF EVENTS treatants will prayerfully peruse the types of psalms: hymns, lamentations, wisdom, thanksgiving and royal psalms. They will experience the psalms in a variety of creative media – dramatization and art. There will be ample time for reflection and silent prayer with the Psalms. This includes two nights’ lodging and five meals. Commuter rate includes meals. $175 (commuter rate $120) with a non-refundable $50 deposit.

St. Scholastica Retreat Center, 1205 South Albert Pike, Fort Smith. 479-783-1135 stscho.org/retreat-registration

May 3-5 Birder Weekend Be amazed by our feathered friends as Devil's Den celebrates the many migrating song birds that visit the park. The weekend's festivities include guided bird identification walks, games and crafts for kids and a live bird of prey program. Free. 7-8 p.m. Devil's Den State Park, 11333 West Arkansas 74, West Fork, Ark. 479-761-3325 arkansasstateparks.com

May 3-July 7 High Fiber: Women to Watch 2013 The touring Arkansas Women to Watch Exhibition comes to Fort Smith RAM. The theme this year is "inventive textile-based works" and will feature the work of five artists selected by curator Caroline S. Brown: Louise Halsey of Little Rock, Barbara Cade of Hot Springs, Jennifer Libby Fay (formerly of Rogers), Jane Hartfield of Fort Smith and Deborah Kuster of Conway.

RAM members free; $8 general admission, $6 seniors and students, group discounts available. Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, 1601 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-784-2787 fsram.org

May 2 National Day of Prayer Crawford County Community participants include Alma Intermediate Honor Choir and many other children from area churches praying about education, family, media, church, government, military and Israel. After the main prayer the participants may gather in small circles for more prayer. In case of rain the event will move to First Baptist Church on Broadway Street.

Free. Noon. Crawford County Courthouse, 300 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-997-5166

May 2-23 Imagination Series: Illustrator The Imagination Series is a set of specialized classes designed to build a solid foundation in Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. Adobe Illustrator gives freedom of total creation. Learn to digitally draw with a wide set of tools such as the pen tool, line tools, shape tools and thousands of colors. Digital art from Illustrator can be turned it into homemade Christmas cards, a calendar or a flyer. Learn to lay out images, set text and gain an understanding of pagination. Registration required. $55. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursdays.

UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, Kinkead Annex, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning

April 2013 Entertainment Fort Smith

71

51-72_Master Facing Pages 3/23/13 11:50 PM Page 72

CALENDAR OF EVENTS ArNA, International Nursing Honor Society of Nurses in Cancer Care. She also actively involved locally at the Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House as a board member, women advisory board and education committee chairperson. Harpist Hollye Dickinson, a certified music practitioner who performs routinely for patients and families at Mercy Medical Center, will provide music during breakfast. Admission is free and the purchase of breakfast is optional. 11 a.m. Golden Corral, 1801 South Waldron Road, Fort Smith.

479-650-6512

P. Allen Smith Garden Home Tour Deadline Take a day tour by motorcoach to the Arkansas home of nationally known gardening expert and television host P. Allen Smith at Moss Mountain Farm. Smith's garden retreat home sits on top of a ridge overlooking the Arkansas River Valley. Based on a 19th century American farmstead, the grounds include a Greek Revival “green” farmhouse, terraced gardens, a rose garden, a 1-acre vegetable garden, croquet lawn, orchards, daffodil hill, pastures, poultry, two terraced gardens, sheep and even a donkey named Moose.

Registration required. $115, includes lunch. 8-6 p.m. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7228 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning

3

May 4 Kentucky Derby Day at the Old Jail Museum There will be mule-drawn wagon rides, horseshoes, cookies and “mint juleps” on the cabin porch and live music. This event will be held in conjunction with a display of vintage hats at the Old Jail Museum so it’s only fitting there also will be a hat contest. Prizes will be awarded for the prettiest, biggest and silliest hats.

Judging will take place at 2 p.m. Free. Noon-3 p.m.

Old Jail Museum, Greenwood, Ark.

May 4 11th Annual A Night in the Caribbean Take your dancing shoes or relax on the terrace as you dream of the Caribbean during this evening of dinner and dancing that includes both live and silent auctions.

Entertainment will be provided by the energetic and entertaining Grupo Salsabor from Tulsa. KFSM Channel 5 anchor Daren Bobb will emcee. Benefits The Gregory Kistler Center. Tickets are available at the center.

Cash, check or Visa, Mastercard or Discover accepted. $60 ($45 tax deductible). Corporate sponsorships are available. 6-11 p.m. Golden Living, 1000 Fianna Way, Fort Smith. 479-785-4677 kistlercenter.org 72 Entertainment Fort Smith April 2013

May 4 5th Annual Nurses' Day Prayer Breakfast All nurses – those currently practicing, those who have retired and nursing students are invited to hear guest speaker Aida Jones, APCN-BC, MSN, NP, AOCN, an advanced practice nurse currently working at Sparks Medical Center Hematology/Oncology Department. Jones will provide insight gained in her 41 years that began in the Philippines in oncology nursing. She has been instrumental in helping nurses with education on end-of-life and cancer care. Jones is licensed to instruct chemotherapy and biotherapy courses for oncology staff nurses. She is active in the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) and is the founder and first president of the Northwest Chapter ONS. She is a member of the American Nurses Association and

May 4 Lavaca Police and Fire Golf Tournament The 3rd Annual Lavaca Police and Fire Golf Tournament is a 2 man scramble with a morning tee time at 7:30 a.m. and an afternoon tee time at 1:30 p.m. Contact Jonathan Broniste to sign up. Entry fee of $100 team entry fee includes cart and lunch. 7:30 a.m. Deer Trails Golf Course at Fort Chaffee, Fort Smith Boulevard, Suite 3910, Barling, Ark. 479-478-6971 May 4 Eastside Animal Hospital Open House and Client Appreciation Day Join Eastside Animal Hospital for games, contests, food and prizes. Meet the doctors and staff and see the latest technology and treatments for pets. Free. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Eastside Animal Hospital, 9600 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-452-5700

May 4 Friends of the Library Annual Used Book Sale A sale of mostly fiction selections of hardbacks and paperbacks from great authors, along with a selection of children's books, videos and audiobooks supports the library. Most paperbacks are 25 cents and most hardback books are $1. Better hardbacks are $3-$5.

Proceeds from the sale are used to buy library materials and fund library special events and projects.

Members of the Friends of the Fort Smith Public Library may come to the exclusive preview sale from 47 p.m. May 3. There will be a 25-book limit at the preview sale. Friends of the Library memberships start at $10 and will be available at the preview sale. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229

May 4 Organ Donor Day in Fort Smith's West End A family-friendly Organ Donor Day will celebrate the successes of organ donation, as well as offer the opportunity for those interested to learn more and to become registered donors. Free live music and food at the Park at West End and Pavilion building with educational information and a chance to meet some donation recipients and hear how organ donation gave them life. Presented by the Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency. Free. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The Park at West End, 15 North 2nd Street, Fort Smith.

479-422-4706 arora.org

73_Layout 1 3/25/13 10:38 AM Page 73

74-77_Master Facing Pages 3/24/13 5:14 PM Page 74

DINING GUIDE

Look it up at the library –

Dewey’s Café is a delightful place to meet and dine hat an amazing amenity for a library – a coffeehouse on the main floor generating the inviting aroma of brewing, fresh-ground gourmet coffee. Dewey’s Café at the Fort Smith Public Library is open throughout library hours with a huge selection of coffee and beverages and a breakfast, lunch and dinner menu of tasty, freshly prepared sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups and snacks.

Dewey’s provides a break for library patrons, gallery space for local artists and is a popular spot for small meetings and socializing. Among the tables and comfy armchairs and sofas, groups of two, four or more people always seem to have their heads together over a game, homework or the plans for a shared project.

“We encourage it,” said Jennie Ballenger, the librarian who also manages the cafe. The library itself also occasionally schedules Wii games on the video monitors, Open Mic Poetry readings and board game nights there.

Increasingly, Dewey’s is a draw just for its menu, Ballenger said. Everyone is welcome to stop by to dine in or even take out an order.

“If you’re fast,” Ballenger advised with a wink, “you don’t even have to park to run in and pick up your food.” Dewey’s accepts take-out orders by e-mail, fax or phone. One customer calls ahead just for her favorite coffee and a cookie, then motors on with her busy day, Ballenger said.

Every day, the sandwich selections include BLTs, a gourmet grilled cheese, a club sandwich and popular chicken and veggie wraps, and daily specials of items such as panini sandwiches, portobello mushroom “Sloppy Portobello,” a chicken pesto sandwich or loaded nachos.

W

74

Entertainment Fort Smith

April 2013

Dewey’s Cafe also is a gallery of local art, such as Michael Leonard’s photographs, above.

A chicken wrap and fresh cookies, right.

Every imaginable coffee flavoring, below, is available and the baristas are creative.

Kids will be happy with meals that include a cookie from the bakery case and juice or milk with a selection of kid-friendly grilled cheese, PB&J or a junior turkey or ham sandwich for an affordable $4. Dewey’s sells a lot of cookies after school, Ballenger said.

Scones by a local baker Mary Edith Scones are a special treat paired with the coffee that Dewey’s gets from Neighbors Coffee of Oklahoma City. “We try to stay local,” said Ballenger.

The salad menu includes Asian mandarin, bell pepper and cucumber, Caesar, cranberry almond, Dewey’s Signature, Greek and Turkish salads that can all be ordered with grilled chicken. Most of the café’s dressings are made fresh in-house. Seasonally, there is a soup of the day and soup & salad combo.

Another great service that not everyone knows about is reasonably priced catering for meetings in other areas in the library.

The catering menu (to be ordered ahead) includes sandwich trays of ham, roast beef or turkey deli sandwiches that serve 8-10, 12-14 or 16-10 people. For other times of day, there are bagel trays, cookie trays chip & dip trays and fruit, vegetable or muffin trays. Coffee or tea service can be provided, as well.

With a lid on the cup and if you promise to be careful (Dewey’s is operated by librarians, after all), you may leave the cafe and roam the library with coffees, espresso, mochas, hot chocolate or tea, Chai drinks, smoothies, ices and soft drinks.

But it is often more fun to stay and take in the lively culture of Dewey’s Café, where you may watch a Mah-jongg game in progress, browse through a newspaper, take in the current art exhibit of photography or paintings and perhaps make a new acquaintance or run into a friend.

Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229, ext. 1126.

74-77_Master Facing Pages 3/25/13 11:05 AM Page 75

DINING GUIDE

Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau’s GRIT Award nominees, honorees announced April 25 event will recognize contributions to tourism industry The Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau revealed the nominees for the 2013 GRIT (Giving Recognition In Tourism) Awards. Awards will be presented at a private ceremony April 25 at the MovieLounge of Fort Smith.

Nominations came from the public and from other members of the region's growing tourism industry.

The 2013 GRIT Award nominees are: Restaurant Partner of the Year: Boomarang Diner MovieLounge Rolando's Nuevo Latino Restaurante Lodging Partner of the Year: Courtyard by Marriott Holiday Inn City Center Homewood Suites Attraction Partner of the Year: The Bass Reeves Legacy Initiative Chaffee Crossing Fort Smith Museum of History The Park at West End Business Partner of the Year: Baldor Electric Co. Fort Smith Radio Group Richard and Rick Griffin Polly Crews Hospitality Person of the Year: Baridi and Tonya Nkokheli Art Martin Floyd and Sue Robison Beth Templeton

At the awards ceremony, the Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau will also showcase the past year's Hometown Hospitality Heroes, who have been highlighted in the City of Fort Smith's Fast Focus e-newsletter.

These recipients are: Mackey Yocum and Becky Neighbors for their assistance with the United Methodist Church State Convention; Susan Fiori for her work on the River Valley Feis Irish Dance competition for youth; Robbie Bryant, for his work on the Slamily Reunion, Arkansas' largest custom car, truck and bike show; and Mike McKeown, for his work on bringing the “Southeast Global Shootout” youth baseball tournament to Fort Smith.

April 2013

Entertainment Fort Smith

75

74-77_Master Facing Pages 3/24/13 5:14 PM Page 76

DINING GUIDE

Redefining the entertainment experience, MovieLounge is a triple feature of food, fun and film! Featuring world-class dining, movies, special events and entertainment.

7601 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, AR • 479.226.3595 Sign up for the weekly event newsletter at MovieLoungeFSM.com!

76

Entertainment Fort Smith

April 2013

74-77_Master Facing Pages 3/24/13 5:14 PM Page 77

DINING GUIDE

April 2013

Entertainment Fort Smith

77

78_Layout 1 2/20/13 12:08 PM Page 78

THERE’S A FIRE INSIDE!

YOUR WORRY-FREE SOLUTION DURING THIS TAX SEASON DON’T GET CAUGHT IN A STORM

Our experience has shown that there are four foundational 8´ bO¼´ ¼ FÁ Y t Ê Á± o 8 O 8 ʱ8 Y¡ ,|b´b 8±bU Income

Planning, Tax Strategies, Asset Allocation, and Estate Planning. Our professionals can advise you in any of these areas as well as assist you with the appropriate strategies in all

n Ê Á± b±´ 8 8 Y FÁ´ b´´ o 8 O 8 8 t bbY´l

,± b Á ®´ (| ´ |ÊU

“Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.”

479.434.2176 | Trilennium.net 4300 Rogers Avenue, Suite 26 Fort Smith AR 72903

TTAX AX PREP PREPARATION ARATION FOR BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS 479.783.8291 michael@collinspa.com 4300 Rogers A ve, STE. 26 Ave, Fort Smith AR 72903

79_Layout 1 3/23/13 11:56 PM Page 79

80_Layout 1 3/23/13 11:55 PM Page 80

W W! MRI Capacity Doubled At a cost of $1.8 million, Cooper Clinic has completed installation of the GE OptimaTM MR450W 1.5T Magnetic Resonance Imaging System and now offers two fully-operational MRI suites. The doubled capacity allows patients requiring an MRI to be scheduled more quickly — generally the same or next day.

The new MRI system is designed with patient comfort in mind. The OptimaTM provides

a wider bore than previous MRI models, meaning there is more space inside the machine, and patients can enter the MRI feet-first. These are key factors for patients affected by claustrophobia. Additionally, the OptimaTM offers a 500-pound weight capacity.

Advanced medical technology. Patient comfort. Prompt scheduling. That’s Cooper Clinic, and that’s Strong Medicine.

6801 ROGERS AVE | FT SMITH | 479.274.2000 | 800.333.1305 | WWW.COOPERCLINIC.COM