Entertainment Fort Smith - December 2015

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TO OUR READERS

Editorial Staff LINDA SEUBOLD Editor in Chief lindaseubold@efortsmith.com LYNN WASSON Managing Editor lynnwasson@efortsmith.com DONNA PAYNE Senior Editor donnapayne@efortsmith.com MARY JANE HENNIG Art Director Contributing Writers JENNIFER BOULDEN REBA MIZE BRITTANY RANSOM BETH REVELLE KRISTAN ROLAND PAIGE STEWART Contributing Photographers GLENN GILLEY KARRIE KELLY REBA MIZE DONNA PAYNE KRISTAN ROLAND .

Advertising Sales Advertising Coordinator KARRIE KELLY karrie@efortsmith.com 479-494-1888

BY LINDA SEUBOLD

Thank you, readers – For all your good wishes, prayers emails, letters, calls, comments and column ideas.

I am thankful and blessed to be wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year after three years of steady, ongoing progress in fighting my mightiest foe, multiple myeloma.

Call me Pollyanna if you wish, but I'm expecting many good things to happen in the new year, with the upcoming completion of so many new and wonderful projects in and around Fort Smith.

While looking forward to the new year, I’m also counting the blessings of 2015, which included the 15th anniversary of Entertainment Fort Smith and our new grandson, making an even dozen grandchildren for me and my husband, Frank.

And, I’m looking forward with joy to our 55th wedding anniversary this month.

This year also included the excellent reunion of Fort Smith High School’s Class of 1960, one of the best days ever for talking and laughing and hugging and talking with so many dear former classmates.

I'm also thankful for you, our 80,000 monthly readers and all the advertisers who make possible this free, print magazine for Fort Smith and its adjoining Arkansas and Oklahoma counties.

Wishing us all a blessed, happy and healthy Christmas and New Year, – Linda

CHARLES G. HUBBARD Corporate Sales 479-831-3995 CALVIN EVANS Account Executive 479-494-1888 Bookkeeping JULIE BERCH HAMILTON accounts@efortsmith.com 479-494-1888 DAVID CARTER In Memoriam 1949-2015 © 2015 eFortSmith.com Media, Inc. 316 North 7th Street P.O. Box 1341 Fort Smith, AR 72902-1341 Office: 479-494-1888

www.efortsmith.com

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Entertainment Fort Smith

December 2015/January 2016

Entertainment Fort Smith returns in February with the annual Readers’ Favorites issue CIRCULATION Entertainment Fort Smith is a monthly city/regional magazine published from February to December by eFortSmith.com Media, Inc. Entertainment Fort Smith distributes 30,000 complimentary issues per month.

SUBSCRIPTION Entertainment Fort Smith can be mailed to you for $30 per 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.

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

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CONTENTS

features

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The Craft of Making Chrismon Ornaments

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Her goal was to return to college and graduate

14 The pride of perseverance

December 2015 - January 2016

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A group of friends carries on the traditional craft of making a traditional ornament called a Chrismon, meaning “monogram of Christ.” By Brittany Ransom

Cosaundra will attain a Bachelor of Arts this December, three decades after high school. She urges others like her to live up to their dreams. By Paige Stewart

Keys to their own apartments and the keys to life The Children’s Emergency Shelter and its determined circle of volunteers are forging ahead audaciously to help young adults build successful lives after foster care.

Meet the new curator of the U.S. Marshals Museum David Kennedy is an experienced curator ready to present the museum’s stories.

Helping agency marks 50 years of service The Crawford-Sebastian Community Development Council may be the busiest organization you know the least about. By Jennifer Boulden

columns

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Here to share history

Hot Stuff by Linda Seubold A holiday card from the editor looks ahead to a great new year.

departments

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GARDENING Reba Mize goes to Subiaco for hot sauce and falls into a garden tour.

HEALTHY LIVING Ennen Eye Care offers advanced treatments for vision.

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WHAT’S COOKING Recipes for a sweet season shared by Kristan Roland.

DINING GUIDE Neumeier’s Rib Room carries on Fort Smith traditions.

VOTE WITH LOVE IN OUR READERS’ FAVORITES POLL Ballot on pages18-19

eve n t s

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Holy habaneros

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MUSIC & PERFORMANCE 15 minutes with Eddie Izzard, playing here in December.

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EVENTS FOR KIDS Festive fun for the holidays, fit for the whole family.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS for December and January

On the cover: Friends (left to right) Jo Beth Wright, Karen Malone and Pat Payne of St. Paul United Methodist Church of Fort Smith, with traditional ornaments crafted by a group of church women. Photo by Donna Payne 6

Entertainment Fort Smith

December 2015/January 2016

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C

Arevived Tradition with love

Christmas is filled with countless traditions.

From singing carols to gathering with loved ones, it is for many one of the most beloved times of the year.

At St. Paul United Methodist Church in Fort Smith, the holidays are marked by a unique custom that celebrates both the roots of the Christian faith and the beauty of the Christmas season. Ladies from the church come together each year to erect a Chrismon tree in honor of the start of Advent.

This special tree is defined by unique ornaments comprised of gold and clear beads and pearls. The detailed ornaments are each handcrafted into the shape of various Christian symbols, known as Chrismons, including a fish, Celtic cross, Jerusalem cross, shepherd’s crook, angel and more.

The tradition originated in 1957 with Francis Spencer of the Ascension Lutheran Church in Danville, Va. She decorated an evergreen tree with unique ornaments, each symbolizing a different element of the Christian faith. From there, the practice spread across the country and among different denominations.

St. Paul United Methodist Church adopted the Chrismon tradition in the late 1960s and continued it into the 1970s. However, the church did not resume the ritual until 2000, when Pat Payne and other members of the congregation decided to dust off the decades-old ornaments and decorate a Chrismon tree.

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Entertainment Fort Smith

December 2015/January 2016

“We came across the ornaments and realized we should keep the tradition alive,” explained Payne. “They were just so beautiful and we knew we had to hold onto them.”

Despite their many years in storage, several of the Chrismons had held up remarkably well. The decorations included a range of symbols including pearl crosses, a Triquetra and Trefoil (both representing the Holy Trinity), and a five-pointed star, which symbolizes the five wounds Jesus suffered on the cross.

That year, the ladies also set about making new ornaments to hang alongside the old ones. They recruited the help of younger members of the congregation. Members of the Cross Trainers group, fourth- through sixth-grade students, crafted smaller versions of the Chrismon ornaments using the traditional gold, white and clear beads.

“Those kids, who are now at least all in their late 20s or 30s, seemed to really enjoy making these ornaments,” recalled Payne. “It was wonderful to have them participate in such a meaningful tradition that I know they will always remember.”

For the past 15 years, the ladies have faithfully unwrapped each of the ornaments and decorated a large Chrismon tree for the sanctuary to display at the beginning of Advent. This Christmas, the ladies also elected to make more Chrismons.

“We have not had enough ornaments to adequately fill the tree, so a group of us decided this was the year to make new ones,” said Payne.

Crafting new ornaments was truly a labor of love for the ladies, who began their work in February. The group started with three volunteers and expanded to include as many as 13 members.

Each month, the ladies gathered with their assortment of beads and wire and fashioned individual ornaments, using detailed patterns.

Because of the intricacy of the Chrismons, some ornaments took five or more hours to complete.

“The wire that you use to string the ornaments sometimes gets kinked, making it difficult to thread or forcing you to start the process over,” explained Karen Malone. “Some of us would even take ornaments home so we could give them our full attention and make sure they turned out just right.”

The group eventually changed from monthly to weekly meetings in order to produce enough ornaments to fill out the tree.

By fall, they had completed 80 new Chrismons to add to the church’s collection, which were unveiled at their annual Holiday Tea in mid-November.

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White is the liturgical color for Christmas, symbolizing that Jesus was pure and perfect.

Gold symbolizes His majesty and glory.

Members of the Chrismon crafting group admit to making more than just ornaments over the course of those nine months – they made incredible memories.

“So much of the fun in doing this was the fellowship with one another,” said Malone.

“Some ladies were better than others at making the ornaments, and we all learned that was OK ... we just enjoyed the process and all getting together. This is a great tradition in more ways than one.”

Payne and her fellow volunteers are very proud of their finished ornaments and of the special custom they have revived at their church. The Chrismon tree was placed on the altar in St. Paul’s sanctuary on Nov. 23, officially marking the first Sunday of Advent.

To help other members of the congregation better understand the meaning behind each ornament, the ladies also incorporate details about each symbol during the holiday services.

“This is such a meaningful tradition to us and we want others to know just how special the Chrismons are,” noted Payne. “These ornaments aren’t just beautiful, they represent so many aspects of our faith. We are fortunate to get to share them with others.”

– By Brittany Ransom

Intricate patterns of gold, clear and pearl make up Chrismon ornaments.

Some of the volunteers at St. Paul who revived the Chrisom craft by beading together are Jo Beth Wright (from left), Norma Houston, Linda Calvery, Karen Malone, Paula Carroll, Becky Mitchell and Wanda Doyle.

December 2015/January 2016

Entertainment Fort Smith

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Cosaundra Chapple will obtain her degree after defying the odds

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Returning to college for herself and as an example to her children

After 30 years and four colleges, Cosaundra Chapple plans to walk across the stage on Dec. 10 to accept the degree she has earned in Theater and Speech from the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith.

Defying the odds, Chapple persevered and encourages all ages to follow their educational dreams, too.

“You can fill your head with negativity like you’re not college material, but I think anyone can be college material. Just take the first step,” Chapple said.

Chapple grew up in Cotton Plant, Ark., one hour from Little Rock, with a population less than 650. When she attended Cotton Plant High School, her view of education was quite different than today.

“While I was in school I had a different perspective; my main goal was just getting out of there. I didn’t take it seriously. My parents thought that a high school diploma was enough,” Chapple recalled.

“To my mom, that was something because she never finished high school. So that was a milestone for me to finish. But as I grew older, I discovered you need more than high school. So I set a goal to go to college for not only for myself, but as an example to my children.”

Chapple said her high school’s academic culture and lack of technology 30 years ago created a more difficult and less-desirable study environment than schools create today.

“When I went to high school I was the student the atmosphere was dead, just different from high schools now. I that wasn’t going to mean, now you can choose your do any more than I foods. When I went to school just served your tray, you had to. I graduated they either ate it or you didn’t eat. I in 1982, but almost also didn’t like we had no air conditioning; you sit in hot didn’t. classrooms where you just want to go home. Schools now are luxury, back then, they weren’t. There are computers now, no such thing when I went,” Chapple said.

The lack of a welcoming learning environment was unmotivating to Chapple during high school. She disliked reading and math, and only completed the minimum amount of assignments needed in order to graduate.

“I was the student that wasn’t going to do any more than I had to. I graduated in 1982, but almost didn’t. If it wasn’t for James Hamilton, my high school math teacher, I would have dropped out. He was a mentor and made an impact on my life,” she said.

After graduating from Cotton Plant, Chapple filled out an application to Capitol City Junior College in Little Rock. She wanted to get away from home and her friend had also applied.

“I really wanted to go and even though I was falling behind, I saw it as something that I could have accomplished, but I didn’t have anyone with knowledge to help me. I didn’t go to a school with a dorm; I had nowhere to stay, so I stayed with different people. My parents didn’t have any money to give me for school and I didn’t know how to go about scholarships. If I had the support group I needed, I probably would have finished,” Chapple explained.

Chapple’s lack of support caused her to drop out after half a semester. Then she married and moved to Spring Lake, N.C. She worked various jobs with no promising future. Chapple and her husband relocated multiple times with their two sons before arriving in Fort Smith, where Chapple chose to apply for college and try obtaining a degree once more.

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“I tried to get accepted to UAFS in 2000, but I did awful on the Compass Test. If you haven’t read in years, your thinking process is different. You have to retrain your brain. Then about five years later, I came back. I realized if I focus on one topic of the Compass at a time, then I can pass each section,” Chapple said.

Chapple passed the test and attended Carl Albert State College in 2010, where she received scholarships to help with tuition. She obtained an associate’s degree in Speech Theater and applied to the UAFS in 2013. She chose theater with a speech minor to obtain her bachelor’s degree this December.

“My husband is proud of me and would have been satisfied with just the associate’s degree, but I wasn’t. If it hadn’t been for my husband, I don’t think I could have gone. Working 40 hours a week doesn’t leave much time for school. You need a support group, it’s going to be hard, but it can be done. Go part-time and take a class here and there,” Chapple advises.

The majority of college students go to college immediately. But the non-traditional student population continues to grow yearly. Chapple represents a number of people who chose to continue their education after many years in the workforce.

“A non-traditional student is a person who has put their life ahead of education and decides to come back and follow through on things you should have done in the beginning,” Chapple said.

Others wishing to return to school at the college level must realize it will be an adjustment, and should design a strategy to accomplish the process one step at a time.

“As a non-traditional student, going back is extremely hard. I encourage a person to do school while they’re young. Going back is possible, but know it will be a challenge. My biggest challenge is remembering what I’ve studied for a test,” Chapple admitted.

Each non-traditional student experiences different challenges and conflicts when they return. Discipline and attendance are two factors that made returning to college easier for Chapple. She multi-tasks well and associates easily with her younger peers. She never feels awkward sitting in a class with people 30 years younger.

“It doesn’t bother me at all. I think sometimes the students look upon you like you’re too old. To me, it should remind young students that when they see me, they better get this now because they don’t want to be like me, 51 and marching,” Chapple said.

Because the non-traditional student population is growing, the presence of older students attending class is not unusual. Chapple recalls only one instance where younger students left her feeling excluded and unwelcome.

“Some students will make you feel that way. At first, it bothered me, but I reminded myself I’m not here for these people. I’m here for myself.”

Communicating with professors younger than her presents no barrier.

Chapple admires younger professors for taking education seriously.

“When I look at them I see they’re smart. They got it together and kept on the right track. A person can always learn something from someone else, no matter the age.”

Chapple walks the graduation stage Dec. 10 at the Stubblefield Center, completing an accomplishment her friends and family never dreamed of.

“If you had told some of my old classmates I’m about to graduate college, they wouldn’t believe it. They literally wouldn’t believe it,” Chapple said.

She hopes to find a career in the Fort Smith school system working with parents and their children. She does not see her age limiting her chances of finding a good career.

UA-Fort Smith is a comfortable fit for her as an older student, Chapple said.

The ‘non-traditional’ student population rises each year.

“I haven’t come across any difficulties job searching. I don’t think being 51 affects me. I have a good chance. I’m matured, settled and can bring different experiences to the table,” Chapple said.

She also dreams of using her theater degree to pursue a career in playwriting for local theaters and churches. Chapple has written a few plays and received positive feedback.

“In 2008 at UAFS, I put on a play called ‘I Wan’sa Be Free’ in honor of Black History Month. A lot of people came out to see it. I got a lot of feedback from that play and I just went on to write others and put plays on at King Opera House in Van Buren. I just want to see where this goes, and whether or not it forms into a business, I’m still going to do it,” she said.

Pursuing dreams in Chapple’s case spans throughout her lifetime.

She realized the importance of education and was determined to find a way to go back to school. After multiple changes, Chapple discovered her purpose in college and wishes to inspire people of ages to know that obtaining an education is possible.

“No matter how many detours you face in your life, you can still finish, you can jump over hurdles to reach the finish line,” said the soon-to-be-graduated student, with well-earned pride.

Contributing writer Paige Stewart is a student in media communications at UA-Fort Smith who plans to graduate in 2016. This magazine has been pleased to publish the work of this rising young writer who took the initiative to propose articles about her fellow students.

December 2015/January 2016

Entertainment Fort Smith

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hen children who have lived in foster care or in residential shelters reach the age of 18, they are legally “adult.”

Ready for life or not, their state care is over, unless they opt to stay “in the system” for minimal financial support over the next three years.

The desire to be “free” is understandable.

About 80 percent of youth who age through state care do choose independence – a choice that statistics show is more likely to end poorly – in poverty, homelessness, incarceration or even suicide. More than 60 percent of foster youth end up incarcerated, according to the CES. Out of the structure of school, lacking the background of a functional family, many have not learned to look for or hold a job, to shop for groceries, manage money or make choices for themselves. Even responsible teens who are good students may not have all the resources that managing life on their own will require.

A little help could make all the difference.

The Children’s Emergency Shelter has now achieved a long-held goal – to provide the first Independent Living Program, paired with housing, for Arkansas foster youth who have aged through care.

In a local apartment complex, they cannot only live independently among peers, but will receive life skills training to help them transition to self-sufficient living.

A 24-unit complex, adjacent to the shelter, has already been purchased. The CES is now appealing to donors, mentors and volunteers to support residents, 18 and up, who will be in charge of their own lives for the first time.

What they will need is what all young people need: a job or ongoing education, a decent place to live and the ability to budget to pay for utility payments, groceries, clothing and transportation, explained Ashley Ahlert, the Children’s Emergency Shelter advancement coordinator.

The Independent Living Program will teach residents, in an apartment reserved as a hands-on classroom, how to cook, clean, shop, budget for living expenses, start savings and how to find jobs or enroll in college or vocational education.

“What it looks like will match the needs of the kids we select,” said Jack Moffett, executive director of CES, describing the life skills program.

Assistance may be in the form of mentoring, household necessities, clothing, tutoring or encouragement – all the things other kids receive from supportive parents and relatives.

Locally, some teens from 14-17 are being prepared for these challenges by the Junior League of Fort Smith’s ongoing program to educate kids who will age out of care at 18.

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Keys to unlock lives

Soon, some local former foster teens may have something they’ve never owned – keys to their own home

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Entertainment Fort Smith

December 2015/January 2016

The outstanding Children’s Emergency Shelter, which has provided a caring home for thousands of abused and neglected children since its establishment in 1997, is a critical refuge in this region of overwhelming numbers of children in need. Sebastian County, where approximately 600 minor children have been removed from their parents this year, has the highest rate per capita of children in state-supervised foster care.

Supported by a combination of state and charitable funding, the CES has a 24-bed capacity and is fully engaged in meeting that need. The shelter serves an average daily occupancy of 19 children. Often it is full. Children’s daily needs are met caringly at the CES in a home-like atmosphere where they are provided clothing, meals, transportation to school, medical appointments, visitations and other activities.

The 18-year-olds who depart from statesupervised care may have lived in a long series of temporary group or foster homes. Many have benefited from shelter, but did not have a sustained relationship with adults who could guide them individually.

The caring staff and volunteers of CES have long worked toward offering teens more than their good wishes as they leave care. The Junior League of Fort Smith’s volunteer effort to teach life skills early, to foster children 14-17, has been under way for several years to try to give departing young adults their best chance to thrive.

“Our board of directors pushes us,” Moffett said. “Their position was that you can’t just put money in the bank and not do more.”

The discouraging fact that most young adults who turned 18 in foster care fail to attain selfsufficiency spurred the CES to take this great leap forward. All the involved participants will be sharing this pilot program with the rest of the state. The program will accept applicants who have or have not opted “into the system.” Some may already be enrolled full-time or have work, but still need decent housing and more life skills.

“We are very lucky to able to do this,” Moffett said of the purchase of the adjacent apartments.

“The Children’s Emergency Shelter has a unique level of community support.”

Moffett anticipates help from many of the constant supporters of CES, from individual volunteers, foster families, the JLFS, church groups and other youth advocates. Local businesses such as Ashley Furniture and the KMAC restaurant group are willing to set up paths to employment, he said, and more will join.

“We are striving to help make tax-paying members of this community,” Moffett said. The CES wants to give youth the keys to the future.

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Unlock the challenge of building good lives

Opening the doors to a place of their own:

Securing a start of a promising life:

Apartment Complex: $500,000 Through wise stewardship and investment of Children’s Emergency Shelter funds, the apartment complex of onebedroom units was purchased at a favorable price. The CES now asks for community support to replace those funds.

Dress for Success $10.42 a month

Lifeskills Training Lab/Program Office $100,000 Renovations to an office for use as a life skills demonstration classroom for residents.

Independent Living Unit Remodel:

• Investment A: $162.50 a month A $7,500, four-year investment to include new flooring, paint, plumbing fixtures, light fixtures, kitchen appliances and repairs • Investment B: $104.17 a month A $5,000, four-year investment in new flooring, paint, plumbing fixtures, light fixtures and necessary repairs •Investment C: $52.08 a month A $2,500, four-year investment in appliances – refrigerator, garbage disposal, dishwasher, microwave oven, range

A $500, four-year investment for gift cards to clothing and shoe stores.

Pack the Pantry $15.63 per month

A $750, four-year investment to stock a new resident’s pantry and fridge with food staples and food storage items.

Apartment in a Suitcase $31.25 a month

A $1,500, four-year investment to provide household basics: a quality wheeled suitcase containing an alarm clock, iron, batteries, extension cord, hair dryer, hangers, paper goods, toiletries, towels, bed linens, cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, cookware, plates, glasses and silverware. All items become the resident’s personal property.

Furniture $62.50 a month

A $3,000, four-year investment of bed mattress and box springs, pillows, headboard, sofa, two end tables, night stand, table lamp, armchair, coffee table, dresser, mirror, desk and TV stand. The furniture will become the resident’s own.

To learn more about how to support the Independent Living Program, see childrensemergencyshelter.org or call 479-783-0018.

A Dec. 6 tour sustains JLFS programs for youth From 1-5 p.m. Dec. 6, the Junior League of Fort Smith will hold its second Holiday Home Tour.

Start at any of the four beautiful homes. Two are located in the Riley Farm area, one on Free Ferry Road and one the May-Lecta-Sweet Streets historical neighborhood. Each home will be decorated in holiday splendor.

Tickets, $25 per person, are available at the JLFS headquarters, 311 Garrison Avenue, or at the door of each tour home.

The tour supports the service organization’s focus on education and educational opportunities to foster healthy growth and lifestyles.

Proceeds will help sustain the league’s research and programs to prepare transition-aged youth for life outside of foster care.

To support the Junior League’s ongoing programs without touring, donations are accepted yearround online at jlfs.org or by mailing a check (memo: Holiday Home Tour) to: JLFS, 311 Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72901.

December 2015/January 2016

Entertainment Fort Smith

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Experience Fort Smith? There’s a free app for that

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Everyone tosses out the phrase “there’s an app for that,” but someone has to make them. The Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau’s new mobile application helps visitors or locals use a cell phone to quickly locate hotels, restaurants, maps, directions, entertainment and attractions.

The “somebody” who had to draw all that data together was Russ Jester, the CVB’s in-house communications manager.

Jester, 26, is now perhaps more informed about the city than some natives, he said, because he had to enter and organize accurate data as he was creating the app.

“Lodging was easy – all hotels have websites,” Jester said. “Restaurants were harder!”

Various lists named “all” the restaurants in operation, but it took plain old research at times to make the app current and accurate, Jester said.

Sometimes, it required phoning or even driving to get the latest info. He can edit and update the information in real time to keep it current.

Fort Smith is the first city in the state to have a cross-platform app, one that works on iPhone and Android devices. An HTML5 version is available for Windows-based smartphones.

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December 2015/January 2016

Download the Experience Fort Smith mobile app, free, from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Using a city app natural for the cell phone generation, Jester said. “Millennials do weekend road trip travel and are interested in smaller, less expensive towns,” Jester said. “I think people my age expect to find an app like this.”

Fortsmith.org, the CVB website, is the first tool in inviting potential visitors who may be researching from home. The app is more locally specific and will be most useful after visitors arrive.

Features include click-to-action tools and location services. Users can interact with local businesses, share content, find contact information, use turn-by-turn navigation and browse by categories that will sort results based on a user’s present location.

In addition, app users will find a “special deals” section that will be exclusive to the app and include offers submitted by local businesses.

To download the app on an iPhone/iPad or Android smartphone/tablet, type “Experience Fort Smith” in the Apple Store or Google Play.

For other HTML-ready devices (for example, a Windows phone/tablet) users can go to http://n656853.shoutem.com/ where they will be prompted to install the app by adding it to their home screen.

To inquire about getting a business or special deal listed on the app, contact Russ Jester, Communications & Event Services Manager, at rjester@FortSmithAr.gov.

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February is our Favorites Issue! You decide the winners.

Your Favorites!

VOTE! ENTERTAINMENT & EVENTS Favorite Performance of 2015 - who & where You’re gonna need one of these old-fashioned handwriting devices –

because we do this

Favorite Concert or Music Festival of 2015

Favorite Performance by Youth of 2015

OLD SCHOOL! Favorite Venue for Live Music

Vote with

love MAIL IT BY DEC. 15 to: EFS Favorites, P.O. Box 1341, Fort Smith, AR 72902 Ballots may be returned in person to 316 North 7th Street, Fort Smith or at participating businesses

for your Hometown Favorites Please answer at least 10 categories.

One entry per person – full contact information required.

Favorite Non-Profit Event or Party of 2015

Favorite Non-Profit Effort/Campaign of 2015

Favorite Art Exhibit of 2015

Favorite Library Event of 2015

Favorite Running/Race Event of 2015

Name_______________________________________________________________

Address__________________________City_____________State____ ZIP________

Favorite New Attraction

There is no online entry form. This ballot may be Xeroxed to obtain more copies. Eligible entrants may campaign hard for the votes of their patrons but please, no stuffing the ballot box! EFS reserves the right to toss out ballots if shenanigans are evident. This Readers’ Favorites Poll is just for fun.

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DINING - name of restaurant Favorite Burger

Who do you

Favorite Store for Art & Handmade Items Favorite Antiques/Collectibles Shop

Favorite Barbecue Favorite Take-Out Barbecue

SHOPPING- name of store

love?

Favorite Furniture Resale/Repurpose Store

Favorite Cup of Coffee

Favorite Antiques Mall

Favorite Mexican Restaurant

Favorite Interior Decor/Home Furnishings

Favorite Pizza (give location)

Favorite Furniture Store - New Furniture

Favorite Take-Out Pizza

Favorite Store for Women’s Apparel

Favorite Place to Watch a Ball Game

Favorite Store for Boutique/Trendy Apparel

Favorite Gourmet Deli

Favorite Store for Young/Teen Women

Favorite Craft Beer Bar

Favorite Children’s Clothing Store

Favorite Sushi

Favorite Consignment - Women’s Clothes

Favorite Fine Dining Favorite Restaurant - Romantic Atmosphere Favorite Patio Dining Favorite Catering Favorite Asian Restaurant Favorite Baked Goods, Cakes & Pies Favorite Restaurant with International Fare Favorite Downtown Restaurant Favorite Dining Near Fort Smith (area towns) Favorite Restaurant, Overall

The businesses you patronize may ask for your vote and can turn in your ballot.

It’s cool.

A Favorites win means a lot to our hometown establishments!

Favorite Consignment - Children’s Clothes Favorite New Retail Store

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Like Christmas New museum curator David Kennedy enjoys unwrapping history

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hristmas may seem to come twice for David Kennedy, curator for the U.S. Marshals Museum, when he gets to meet in January with marshals service historian David Turk in Washington.

In early November, Kennedy became the curator for the $55 million, national U.S. Marshals Museum to be built along the Arkansas River in Fort Smith.

Kennedy, who earned bachelor and master degrees in his field, has served as curator for museums in Montana, Wyoming, Arizona, Texas, and, recently, the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center in Enid, Okla.

From several previous Descendants Day events, Kennedy has already examined numerous artifacts, photos and histories shared by relatives of many of this area's famous, and infamous, residents in the 1800s and 1900s – especially those who were active during the 21 years Isaac C. Parker served as the U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Arkansas and Indian Territories.

He is also a historic firearms expert who can especially appreciate the pistols and rifles that have been donated to the museum by relatives of one of the legendary marshals, Bass Reeves.

Kennedy also has seen the Marshals Service's collection of artifacts that was being kept in Wyoming until it was brought to Fort Smith, courtesy of locally owned ABF Freight trucks and drivers. That collection is now being stored in a local, climate-controlled warehouse.

What Kennedy will get to see at the agency's national headquarters are artifacts he has never seen, or even heard about. And he hopes it won't be long before he can be displaying some of them here.

“Most places don't have the public connection with the Marshals Service that Fort Smith does,” Kennedy said. “And a lot of people don't really get what the service’s duties are as a whole. They may only think of the marshals and deputy marshals as ones they've seen on TV programs like ‘Gunsmoke,’ or in movies like ‘True Grit.’”

Being able to help show and tell the whole story of the Marshals Service's history has him very excited. Kennedy now jokes that since he has already helped build one museum, he wanted to help build another one.

When he became curator at the Enid museum, Kennedy found its 1970s-era building in serious disrepair. “But it was a state museum that everyone locally knew and cared about and it had so much potential that the community wanted to see it greatly expanded,” Kennedy recalled. “So, for $10.5 million, we were able to double it in size, increase its staff of two to 10 and modernize its technology and techniques.”

He comes with the most actual museum work experience of anyone on the U.S. Marshals Museum's staff and is eager to contribute his skills – not only with curating the collections, but also with exhibit designs that include interactive videos, games and information in so many different forms and formats they will appeal to – and involve – all ages.

“I want visitors to have choices and take active roles in what our museum will have to offer,” he explains. “Sometimes it may be grandparents playing games and grandkids reading everything they can find to read – and sometimes it will be the other way around. If there's a group of four, they may have four different learning styles and I want our museum to appeal to all of them. I'm very excited to be able to help tell the story of the U.S. Marshals Service, and the story of Fort Smith.”

While the Marshals Service is still in charge of capturing and transporting fugitives, other duties include safeguarding the judiciary, enforcing orders of the federal court and seizing illegal substances and materials, including from online operations such as the Silk Road black market for illegal drugs and Bitcom currency auctions (like one that had taken place the morning he was interviewed for this story).

U.S. Marshal positions are political appointments, Kennedy reminds, but deputy U.S. Marshals are hired, professional, federal law officers who undergo the same rigorous training as FBI, ATF, Secret Service and other federal officers.

“There are so many stories to tell about the thousands of men and women who have been carrying the badge and doing their jobs every day for more than 225 years, that the Marshals Museum should never run out of stories to show and tell,” Kennedy noted.

“In the near future, we want to host a couple of open house events so we can show the public some of the artifacts we have in storage here in Fort Smith,” he added. “We're very excited to start letting people know more about what all the U.S. Marshals Service is and does.”

In addition to taking care of the museum's collections, Kennedy will help with designing and building exhibits and integrating them into the museum’s architectural plan. After the museum has been built, he will also be responsible for coordinating exhibit installation.

Plans for the 50,000-square-foot national museum include three permanent exhibit galleries, a temporary exhibit gallery, the Samuel M. Sicard Hall of Honor and a National Learning Center. In addition to telling the history of the oldest law enforcement agency in the United States, the museum will also honor the sacrifice of marshals killed in the line of duty.

And for Kennedy, getting to do the work he loves for the U.S. Marshals museum project is almost like getting to celebrate a holiday every day.

– By Linda Seubold December 2015/January 2016

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C-SCDC Celebrates

50 Years

“We can’t even begin to tell you what we’ve done in 50 years. We’ve tried! There’s just so much of it!” says Karen Phillips, director of CSCDC’s Home Ownership Center.

The center has helped at least 2,000 homeowners in the past decade, injecting millions of dollars into the local economy every year (not including many more millions leveraged indirectly from helping people buy homes). More than 1,000 families annually receive mortgage counseling; C-SCDC helps clients build credit and financial literacy and offers a matching program that rewards saving towards a long-term goal.

In 2013 the C-SCDC became linked with Neighborworks America, a national nonprofit committed to high standards in affordable housing and community development, similar to Feeding America, the national network to which River Valley Regional Food Bank belongs.

of helping families toward self-sufficiency and security

rawford-Sebastian Community Development Council may be the busiest local organization you know the least about. But it may be the organization making the biggest difference in the most lives. This nonprofit organization’s programs inject approximately $8 million into the local economies each year and it is one of the most successful public-private partnerships in area history, helping Crawford and Sebastian county residents achieve self-sufficient living.

“We find that if you qualify for our services, you are probably familiar with our organization. If you don’t, you likely have never heard of us,” Mark Whitmer, executive director of C-SCDC, explained.

Like a great tree spreading over the two counties, C-SCDC has many branches. Whitmer said people usually know of at least one of the agency’s programs, such as the River Valley Regional Food Bank, the Community Dental Clinic or the Low-Income Heating and Electricity Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The C-SCDC’s visibility will increase as the organization wraps up its 50th anniversary by moving into huge new headquarters on Zero Street in Fort Smith.

Many people have bought a home through the organization’s Home Ownership and Asset Development Center, or received weatherization or structural improvements. Some homes get major upgrades or are rebuilt.

Through the council, preschool children receive nutritious meals at licensed private day care centers across the two counties. Some people benefit from emergency food and shelter provided by the agency, or receive food from one of the many food pantries the River Valley Regional Food Bank supplies. Other have received new smiles created at the Community Dental Clinic.

The programs are varied, but promoting self-sufficiency is at the heart of them all, Whitmer said.

The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 established Community Action Agencies nationwide. They are part of a formal effort to eliminate poverty, expand educational opportunities, increase the safety net for the poor and unemployed and tend to the health and financial aid of the elderly. Five decades after starting in a small part of the Crawford County Courthouse, the C-SCDC has become a critical part of the community.

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Shanequia Chambers owns a home with the help of C-SCDC programs.

Owning hope Shanequia Chambers, now 23, had been a teen mom, but says she was determined to “defy expectations.”

“People told me I’d ruined my life and I couldn’t do anything now, but I wanted more for my daughter. I didn’t know how to get that. I didn’t know anything about money, not at all,” she said. “My dad had told me I shouldn’t be worrying about buying a new car when I already had a car. He said I should work on buying a house, so I said, ‘Alright. I’ll do that. Now, how?’” A friend recommended Chambers talk to the C-SCDC. Chambers took classes through the agency’s Home Ownership Asset Development Center to learn about buying a house, financial management and building good credit. After completing the course, working to save and applying, she was able to receive down payment assistance on a home CSCDC had purchased and improved.

“I just fell in love with it,” said Chambers, who previously had only lived in apartments. “My daughter can grow up here. We couldn’t have gotten this without C-SCDC. They have been wonderful.”

Chambers had to quit college to take a second job, but said C-SCDC helped make sure her mortgage payments were sustainable on her income.

“It’s not that things aren’t tight, even now, but I know I can get by,” she said. “And that feels good.”

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For people who meet the eligibility requirements, C-SCDC offers premortgage counseling (also mortgage default counseling for those in danger of losing their homes), financial classes and a matching program to encourage clients to save money toward a long-term goal such as starting a business, going to college or purchasing a home.

Safe, affordable housing and home ownership the target Construction in its various forms features heavily in the C-SCDC workday. Besides assisting people in getting mortgage-ready, an enormous amount of C-SCDC’s funding is spent improving homes or building them fresh. C-SCDC works with the City of Fort Smith to purchase and rehabilitate houses, then sells them directly to qualified clients who have graduated from their program. The Bluebird Estates addition in Cedarville is an entire C-SCDC-built subdivision of affordable housing.

Much of the time, C-SCDC works to improve clients’ existing homes using federal funding for major repairs and needed upgrades – a roof or adding a wheelchair ramp. Other times, they do a complete rebuild for the client, creating a safe and habitable new home built to rigorous EnergyStar 3.0 standards.

A HEAP of help with utility bills “People know us as the ones who can help pay your utility bill,” said Carol Jenkins, director of Li-HEAP for C-SCDC. The program receives funding annually for assisting with heating bills. The state provides a list of area people who are on food stamps or disabled, and then Jenkins directly sends those people an application.

“All they have to do is complete it and return it to us,” she said.

Those are the first funds that go out. Then, additional funds are earmarked for helping eligible families in crisis mode – emergency help (for utility shut-offs). If there are any funds left over after the winter, C-SCDC accepts applications to help with cooling homes in the summer. When the funding runs out, the program has to turn applicants away.

Jenkins said some county residents have severe need for winter heating, including a number of homes in remote, rural areas without utility lines that still rely on wood for heat.

“Just being able to help with a month’s bill in the winter can make such a difference for people,” she said. “Often, it frees them up to put their own money toward prescriptions or groceries – things they might otherwise have had to do without.”

Weatherization saves energy, costs and even lives The C-SCDC’s weatherization department also aims to help with heating and cooling through energy conservation.

“We want to make people’s homes more energy-efficient so that they have more disposable income to go back into the economy,” said Eddie Powers, the department’s energy inspector.

In the long run, the program aims to lower everyone’s energy bills by lowering the overall energy burden on the community. For some clients, improvements and recommendations have reduced their utility bills by several hundred dollars monthly. Powers estimated that on 8085 percent of the houses they audit, the team is able to save families at least 40 percent on their bills.

The weatherization team does more than caulk windows, Powers said. They analyze the energy efficiency and environmental health of a home, determining what needs repair with sophisticated tools.

“A lot of what we do is not just about lowering their energy bills, it’s about keeping the family out of the hospital.” Black mold and carbon monoxide can be major dangers.

Powers said one elderly woman client was on oxygen. While inspecting her house, they found near-toxic levels of carbon monoxide leaking from an old heating unit. They had to remove the woman from the home immediately. The team installed a new unit. On her return home, she discovered she no longer needed her oxygen tank.

“For me,” Powers said, “that job gratification comes from those little old ladies on a fixed income, or the families with infants, or the 97year-old couple that has lived in that home together for 60 years.

Since I’m the inspector, I’m the last one on the team they see – which means I get the hugs.”

The Colvin family progressed from uncertainty to home ownership.

An ounce of crisis prevention can result in a life launched Many C-SCDC programs aim to prevent homelessness. They provide rapid rehousing for the newly homeless, including women escaping domestic violence. “It’s very temporary, usually only for three or four months, but we try to get people into apartments and started in sustainable situations so they aren’t living on the streets,” Karen Phillips said.

One Fort Smith couple, Brian Colvin Jr. and his wife, Samantha, had found themselves homeless. Because both of them were experiencing ongoing medical difficulties and Brian had a part-time job at a grocery store, they were unable to save enough money to pay the utility deposits on an apartment. A relative referred the couple to C-SCDC. C-SCDC put them into a program that helps homeless families and the working poor with assistance paying initial utility bills and deposits. A caseworker found an income-based apartment within walking distance of Brian’s job, then the council assisted with the fees necessary to move in.

Shortly after the move, the couple learned they were expecting their first child. Thanks to the boost from C-SCDC, Brian subsequently got a better-paying, full-time job and was able to purchase a vehicle. Currently, the family is expecting another child and going through a Mutual SelfHelp Housing Program and a building their own new home in Cedarville.

“It was just a small investment that has allowed Brian and his family to become more self-sufficient,” said Jenkins. “Sometimes, families need a helping hand to get them to self-sufficiency.”

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million pounds of food annually to food pantries in Sebastian, Crawford, Franklin, Johnson, Polk, Logan, Scott and Yell counties, providing the equivalent of more than 3.1 million wholesome meals a year.

All programs, aside from the Community Dental Clinic’s facility on North 10th Street, will share space within the Zero Street headquarters.

The building is 55,000 square feet, which includes 17,000 square feet of office space, considerable existing freezer and cooler space (donated by Harp’s and Price Cutter), and 24,000 feet of floor space for pallets of food and always-stocked emergency supplies. Whitmer joked, “Next I’m going to be seeing purchase orders for Segways just to get around.”

“The legacy of the C-SCDC came through in this building,” Kupchick said.“We didn’t have to do a capital campaign. Mark’s been able to put us into this new facility for next to nothing, with so many in-kind donations from community partners and a generous grant from the Walmart Foundation. We didn’t have to burden the community. Mark’s been able to capitalize on the goodwill of the past 50 years to make this happen. It’s so good to know the community has our back.”

A dental clinic patient joyously tries out her new smile and confidence.

Smiles needed Much of C-SCDC’s service is directed toward the elderly and disabled, who often have fewer resources to sustain them.

Blanche Smith of Fort Smith retired from Rheem and helped start a local nonprofit, the Ragan Family Center on North 6th Street. “I did that for six or seven years,” she said, pausing before continuing, “You can’t do more than what you can do. Cooking and feeding children when they get out of school – it just got hard on me. I’m 70 years old, and I hurt.”

Specifically, Smith’s teeth hurt. She desperately needed extractions, partials and fillings. Smith, who said she lives on about $8,000 a year, couldn’t afford traditional dental care even on a payment plan.

“That’s why I came over to the clinic here and asked them for help,” she said. The clinic’s waiting list is long, but Smith has had several of the procedures she needs and is awaiting another round of care.

Clinic director Kim Turner said, “If you’ve ever had a toothache, you know that it’s one of the worst pains – it’s all you can focus on. People don’t realize that dental work is a medical need. People lose their jobs when they have to call in from a toothache. People die from mouth infections. We have to get these people on antibiotics.”

One of Turner’s favorite jobs is teaching people to smile.

“We take a before and after picture,” Turner explained. “We’ll say ‘Smile!’ and they don’t know how. They have to get that self-confidence built back up.”

Smith agreed. “To me, there’s medicine in a smile. When you smile, you feel like you’re on top of the world. Who wants to feel like the scum under someone’s feet? We’re all here together.”

Headquartered for growth After 35 years on Armour Avenue, the C-SCDC this fall has a new home in the former Price Cutter grocery store on Zero Street. The building was donated by the James Family of Little Rock, and extensive renovations are almost complete. Ken Kupchick, director of marketing and development for the food bank, calls the facility “C-SCDC’s crown jewel.”

The River Valley Regional Food Bank distributes more than eight 22

Entertainment Fort Smith

December 2015/January 2016

Wishlists The organization that for 50 years has been helping local families work toward their dreams has needs of its own.

Powers said the weatherization team, which now serves 10 counties, needs more funding and manpower to help clients who wait sometimes as long as two to four years “We hate to tell people it might be four years before we can get to you,” he said. “They need help now.”

While ecstatic about the new facility, Kupchick said the Food Bank needs to purchase inventory management software, a considerable capital investment.

At the top of Turner’s wishlist are more dental volunteers, followed closely by more funding and a new, digital panoramic X-ray. About 30 of an estimated 80 area dentists now help in some way.

As much as the clinic helps, there is much more need than resources, Turner said. “Dental emergencies are major disruptions in patients’ lives.”

Whitmer said other than the continual funding needs, C-SCDC programs could always use more volunteers and in-kind donations.

His “most audacious” dream?

“I’d love to see a public transportation program in Crawford County,” he said, explaining that many similar Community Action Agencies across the country provide this service for their residents.

– By Jennifer Boulden A Celebration of Success Dec. 17 Annual Luncheon C-SCDC plans to celebrate its half-century of service with an anniversary lunch from 11 a.m.1 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Executive Hotel at City Center, 700 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, to thank donors, officials, employees and other stakeholders.

Kathy Lemay A combination of public, private and low-income Guest Speaker members comprise its board of directors. The theme is “50 Years of Helping Families Succeed.” The special guest speaker is Kathy Lemay, CEO of Growing Change, which helps organizations raise capital to advance social change agendas, individuals and create Generosity Plans to help change the world.

The official grand opening of the 1617 Zero Street combined facility, with public tours and an open house, will be announced when construction is complete.

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home & garden goodies Collegiate embroidered pillow, tumbler and tea towel by CatStudio from the Now & Then Shoppe.

Set of whimsical reindeer dessert plates found at Abilities Unlimited.

Assorted cookies and Manner wafers with hazelnut, lemon, chocolate and vanilla fillings, all found at Paul's Meat Market.

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home & garden goodies Pennsylvania Dutch egg nog, premium cider gift set, Select Club pecan praline Canadian whiskey and Grand Marnier Cuvée du Centenaire found at In Good Spirits.

Four-cup coffee maker with stainless steel carafe by Sunbeam found at Dennie Snow Restaurant Supply.

Posable elf and Kissing Krystals ornament from Creative Furnishings by Jean.

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home & garden goodies Savoy Zebra wood cigar humidor, Brizard Nano and Sottile lighters and a Savinelli St. Nicholas pipe found at Winston's Pipe & Cigar Emporium.

Spa Frog automatic water treatment, available at Luther Stem Pools & Spas.

All-natural pepper jelly, Captain Rodney’s key lime curd and a cast iron skillet with brownie mix from Seasons in Van Buren.

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home & garden goodies Wall-mounted, dry-erase game board sets up the shots, adding a touch of golf to your billiards game, available at Prestigious Pool Care.

Ghent Collections plates found at Moon Dawgy Emporium.

Plush animals come alive to roll over and laugh, from the gift shop at Coleman Pharmacy.

December 2015/January 2016

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home & garden goodies

John Lennon and Yoko Ono framed Double Fantasy LP from Designer Again.

Red metal Christmas trees and birch reindeer figurines from Jennifer’s Gift Shop inside Sparks Medical Center.

Home accent crosses from The WareHouse.

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home & garden goodies Candy pink and chartreuse heart kids recliner with cupholder from Furniture Emporium.

Laser-cut map of Fort Smith, rustic kitchen sign and mug found at The Goods.

Wooden plank snowman art, snowman figure and pine and berry spray available at Greenwood Flower & Gift Shop.

December 2015/January 2016

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GARDENING

A priest with a penchant for peppers Garden writer Reba Mize goes for hot sauce, gets blessed with an amazing garden tour

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veryone loves presents. I was reminded of this recently when I opened my mail box and received a package covered in fascinating stamps. It was from my friends in Poland, who sent us regional treats from their hometown – little chocolatecovered oranges and Polish candy bars.

This got me wondering what I could send to my many friends around the United States and other countries that might represent our area.

“How about Subiaco Monk Sauce?” said one of my friends. It was a new one on me.

I set out for pepper sauce but fell also into an astonishing garden tour that including horticulture, viticulture, landscaping on a stunning scale and the last thing I expected – a greenhouse of exotic, tropical plants from South America.

Just about an hour’s drive from Fort Smith, you will feel as if you have stepped into a little town in Germany as you approach the beautiful Abbey of Subiaco.

On a hill overlooking the town of Subiaco, Ark., the abbey and its elevated grounds are an impressive and unexpected sight.

As soon as I got out of my car, I was compelled to walk through the campus of what is now a world-renowned preparatory school, as well as a Benedictine monastery.

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Father Richard Walz, with bottles Monk Sauce, in his tropical greenhouse at Subiaco Abbey.

The peppers are field grown but he keeps one of his original plants from Belize here.

Founded in 1878 by three Benedictine monks, Subiaco Abbey and Academy school has grown from an original, almost primitive mission to include its beautiful stone St. Benedict Abbey Church, classroom buildings, dormitories and a 36-room retreat center all set in beautifully landscaped grounds. At the foot of the hill, pastures contain the abbey’s angus cattle herd. An apiary of beehives provides honey from the abbey’s own honeybees.

It is a world unto itself, with a sawmill, expansive vegetable gardens and a vineyard from which the monks make sacramental wine.

After speaking with the gift shop’s Donna Forst, who is a descendant of one the original German settlers to this area, I bought some Monk Sauce but also found jellies and Monk Peanut Brittle. I scored the bottle of pepper sauce that led me there, but found myself offered a very personal garden tour.

Friendly Donna offered to introduce me to

Father Richard Walz, who grows Subiaco’s peppers and oversees the making of its peanut brittle. He is also the abbey’s “formation director,” counseling and guiding candidates who may become monks or seek priesthood.

Soon, I was strolling with Father Richard toward the abbey bakery where its famous brittle is made.

“The recipe was developed by the mother of one of the cooks at the Abbey,” he explained.

“We just kept making batches and tasting them until we found what we thought was the best.”

As soon as we entered the bakery, the sweet smell of hot bubbling sugar was mouthwatering. Opening a tin and offering me a piece of the brittle Father Richard said, “We believe the secret to the flavor is we make it slowly one cast iron skillet at a time. Because of the amount we sell, we tried to produce more at one time and it just didn’t taste the same – so we stay with our one-skillet-at-a-time method.”

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GARDENING

As we walked toward the field where his pepper patch is grown, he showed me a potted Scorpion pepper and pointed out that he also grows ghost peppers but keeps these variety separate to prevent cross-pollination. He explained the origins of Subiaco’s Monk Sauce.

“I was sent by the Abbey to work a mission in Belize in 1975 and this is where I got my love of hot peppers. I brought the seeds for the habaneros back when I returned to Arkansas in 2002,” he said.

As we enter a greenhouse, I can’t believe my eyes. There are all manner of tropical plants, including banana trees, towering over our heads.

“I had to raise the roof this year because the banana and papaya trees had grown so large.”

Father Richard points out ginger, lemongrass and even a growing pineapple.

In the greenhouse he also keeps one of the

original, grown-from-seed habaneros that give Monk Sauce its distinctive flavor. He was kind enough to give me a pepper, which I plan harvest seeds from so I can try to grow my own.

After leaving Father Richard to allow him to get back to work, I took more time to walk about the campus of Subiaco, passing other groups who were taking the official walking tour. We visited the incredibly beautiful church with its magnificent stained-glass windows and hand-quarried sandstone walls, a tour all its own.

Outside, I sat for a while in a gazebo and read from “A Place Called Subiaco,” a history of the Benedictine Monks in Arkansas. The grounds are dotted with courtyards, grottos, ivycovered walls and benches with different vistas.

This year during the holidays I hope my friends around the world enjoy their little piece of heaven from Arkansas.

Surprising greenhouse finds, left. Just one of so many spots of beauty on the grounds, top.

The “one-skillet-at-a-time” method keeps many cooks tending peanut brittle.

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WHAT’S COOKING with KRISTAN ROLAND

PEPPERMINT BARK OREOS

The

of

Season

Sweetness

12 Oreo cookies 2 cups dark chocolate candy coating 2 cups white chocolate candy coating 2 candy canes, finely crushed Plain candy mold pan, 21⁄4 diameter Melt candy coatings separately according to package directions. Place a spoonful of dark chocolate coating in the bottom of each mold, making sure it's enough to cover the bottom of the mold.

Press an Oreo into each mold so that the chocolate is pushed up around the sides of the cookie. Spoon white chocolate on top of the cookie, spreading to the edges. Sprinkle with crushed candy, then drizzle with dark chocolate. Place in refrigerator for about 15 minutes, until firm. Remove from molds.

NO-BAKE COCONUT PECAN PRALINE COOKIES 21⁄2 cups granulated sugar 1/2 cup evaporated milk 1/2 cup corn syrup 1 stick salted butter 1 tsp. vanilla extract 21⁄2 cups chopped pecans 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut In a medium-sized bowl, combine coconut and pecans; set aside.

In a heavy saucepan over medium high heat, stir sugar, evaporated milk, corn syrup and butter. Cook and stir until mixture comes to a full rolling boil – let boil and stir for 3 minutes.

Remove pan from heat and stir in vanilla and coconut and pecan mixture. Stir off the heat for about 4 minutes, until mixture starts to cool and thicken.

Drop by large spoonfuls on wax paper.

Let harden completely – about an hour to an hour and a half – before serving. Makes about 20 large cookies.

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MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP TRUFFLES

NO-BAKE PEANUT BUTTER MARSHMALLOW BARS 11 oz. bag butterscotch chips 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter 7 tbsp. salted butter 5 cups mini marshmallows Line an 8x8 pan with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

Pour marshmallows in a large, wide bowl. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan, melt the butterscotch chips, peanut butter and butter over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once the mixture is melted and smooth, remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Pour mixture over marshmallows, folding until marshmallows are completely coated.

Pour mixture into prepared pan. Refrigerate until chilled and set – a couple of hours.

4 cups powdered sugar 4 tbsp. salted butter, melted 7 oz. (1/2 can) sweetened condensed milk 11⁄2 teaspoons mint extract 2 oz. semisweet chocolate, finely chopped Few drops green food coloring 16 oz. chocolate almond bark, for coating In a large bowl, mix the powdered sugar, melted butter, sweetened condensed milk and mint extract with a large wooden spoon (you may have to use your hands toward the end) until smooth. Fold in green food coloring and chopped chocolate until combined.

Refrigerate uncovered for about 30 minutes, then roll into balls with damp hands and place on cookie sheets lined with wax paper. Refrigerate again for about an hour.

Melt almond bark according to package directions. Dip the candies in the melted chocolate, shaking excess chocolate off gently. Place back on lined cookie sheets.

Using a fork, drizzle any leftover chocolate on candies and refrigerate until firm.

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RUM-SOAKED CHOCOLATE-COVERED CHERRIES 1 jar (10 ounces) maraschino cherries (with stems), drained 1/2 cup rum 8 oz. chocolate almond bark Sprinkles and additional white almond bark for decorating, if desired Place cherries in a bowl and cover with rum. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Drain cherries and pat dry with paper towels, then let them sit on paper towels for a few minutes.

In a microwave, melt almond bark according to package directions; stir until smooth. Holding stems, dip cherries in chocolate mixture, allowing excess to drip off. If desired, dip in sprinkles or drizzle with white chocolate.

Place on waxed paper and let sit until set.

About Kristan Kristan Roland, a work-athome housewife living in Fort Smith, has been blogging at Confessions of a Cookbook Queen since 2010. She balances potty training, fifth-grade math homework and running a home, all while working with brands such as Pillsbury, Disney and eBay. Her recipes have been featured in Parents Magazine and Women's World Weekly. Kristan's fun, simple, everyday approach to baking isn't the only thing that draws her readers in -- it's also her honest and hilarious musings on being a wife and mother in a world where everyone else seems to have it together. confessionsofacookbookqueen.com December 2015/January 2016

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HEALTHY LIVING

Ennen Eye Center is on the leading edge of improving and protecting vision Dr. Randy Ennen, above, and Dr. Shane Laster, left, are qualified to give the latest advances in care to the vision of their patients.

yesight, perhaps the most cherished of the human senses, is the singular focus of Ennen Eye Center and Executive Park Surgical Center of Fort Smith.

Dr. Randy Ennen, M.D., P.A., has offered the most current and advanced treatment for the eye since opening in 1996. He is a boardcertified ophthalmologist who specializes in surgery of the eye and treatment of eye disease. Dr. Shane Laster is an optometric physician who specializes in the medical treatment of ocular disorders.

The clinic is involved in a study for preventative care and ongoing treatment of a vision-threatening disorder, Keratoconus, a gradual thinning and distortion of the normal shape of the cornea.

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Dr. Ennen is performing a procedure called corneal cross-linking, in which UV-A light and riboflavin (Vitamin B-12) are used to strengthen a cornea affected by Keratoconus.

Drs. Laster and Ennen administer the extensive examination necessary to determine whether a patient may be a candidate for the study and provides the post-operative care.

“This procedure has been approved and done in Europe for about a decade or so. But right now in the U.S. it’s an FDA study, and we’re one of the study sites,” Laster explained.

LASIK and Intralase, laser vision correction procedures, also came to the United States through similar studies. Dr. Ennen pioneered LASIK corrective surgery in the area and was the first to offer Intralase locally. He also performs PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) when appropriate and offers implantable contact lenses for permanent vision correction.

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HEALTHY LIVING “It’s similar to when Lasik was first introduced. For years people went to Canada to have Lasik surgery. Many who have this condition treated can just wear regular glasses and still see to function well,” Dr. Laster explained. “It doesn’t eliminate glasses, but it helps keep the condition from getting worse.”

Keratoconus can be hereditary, so those who know they have a family history of the condition may be the most interested in learning more. Patients under age 35 are the best candidates for corneal treatment, he said.

For patients whose vision is impaired by cataracts, Dr. Ennen performs no-stitch refractive cataract surgery using the latest in implantable lens technology and laser surgery for glaucoma, diabetic retinal disease and aging diseases of the retina.

By becoming qualified to perform the most advanced surgical and laser procedures, Dr. Ennen and his team strive to offer patients the most successful treatment of vision problems and diseases.

The goal is for patients to experience the least pain or even pain-free procedures, to heal faster and achieve improved vision in the shortest length of time.

Besides its advanced surgical and laser capabilities, Ennen Eye Center also provides eye and vision care for patients of all ages, including annual examinations, eyeglasses and contact lenses.

During a routine eye exam at Ennen Eye Center, a patient’s eyes are tested for glaucoma, retinal tears, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and general refractive disorders.

A yearly eye exam is essential to good eye health no matter what your age, from preschool to post retirement. If corrective eyewear is needed, the center’s optical department can help you select the right glasses or contact lenses.

The optical department at Ennen Eye Center is where the expertly trained staff helps patients select eyeglass frames and contact lenses that suit them best for vision and for a stylish appearance.

The optical department has a wide selection of frames for children, teens, women and men, including major fashion lines in prescription eyewear and sunglasses.

Ennen Eye Center 3312 South 70th Street, Fort Smith Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

479-452-7800 Toll Free 1-888-628-7800 enneneyecenter.com December 2015/January 2016

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fashion & fitness goodies

Dazzling Kate Spade eyewear found at Ennen Eye Center.

Handcrafted earrings from Arkansas’ Faulkner Studio Wildfire Collection available at Neumeier Nursery & Florist.

Smooth infusion hair products by Aveda from Metropolis Hair Studio.

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fashion & fitness goodies Blacklabel Beard Co. premium beard oil, balm and butter handmade in Texas is carried at Vanity Calls.

Skip Hop multi-purpose diaper or messenger bags found at The Polka Dotted Zebra.

Lanza healing haircare products from Sensations Salon & Day Spa.

Leather fringe crossbody purses with adjustable straps available at Zoe Bug’s.

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fashion & fitness goodies

One-of-a-kind Ethiopian opal pendant available at Newton's Jewelers.

Bvlgari aviator sunglasses found at Dr. Steven Stiles Eye Group.

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Faux fur vest by Ya Los Angelas paired with olive top and gold-tone metal tribal necklace from Red Leopard.

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fashion & fitness goodies Betsey Johnson handbags and crystal and polished stone chain link necklaces from Salon Elements.

Sadie Robertson Live Originals Collection frame and mint ladies rain jacket with added monogram found at Main Street Ltd. in Charleston.

Wellness supplements available at Olde Fashioned Foods.

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MUSIC & performance

Dec. 1 Michael McDonald: This Christmas Two notes. That’s all it takes to recognize his voice. His unmistakable sound has made him one of the most sought-after singers for more than four decades. McDonald will Michael McDonald combine yuletide favorites and modern Motown classics with a few of his signature hits like “I Keep Forgettin” and ’70s-era Doobie Brothers classics, such as “What A Fool Believes.” Ticket prices vary. 7 p.m. Walton Arts Center, 495 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-443-5600 waltonartscenter.org Dec. 3 Tidings of Joy by the Fort Smith Chorale The Fort Smith Chorale presents its 35th annual Christmas concert with selections such as “Angels We Have Heard on High,” Lauridsen's “O Magnum Mysterium,” “Wexford Carol,” “Jingle Bells” and more. Tickets are $15. Children and students with a current student ID are admitted free. $15. 7:30 p.m.

First United Methodist Church, 200 North 15th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-242-SING fortsmithchorale.com

Fort Smith Symphony and Chorale will create Holiday Memories DECEMBER

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This concert features many of the classic holiday favorites remembered from our very first Christmas celebrations, performed by the Fort Smith Symphony with special community guests.

The voices of the Fort Smith Chorale will be featured in popular choruses from Handel’s Messiah.

Fort Smith Symphony Concertmaster Elizabeth Lyon, violinist; saxophonist Don Bailey, and vocalist Grant Nesbit will perform sacred and popular holiday hits.

Dec. 3-6 Seussical The Musical Alma Performing Arts the musical based on the classic tales of Dr. Seuss. This fantastical family musical follows Horton the Elephant on a journey to protect the Whos of Whoville. Horton is oblivious to the affections of his admirer Ms. Gertrude McFuzz, despite her many attempts to woo him. Narrated by the Cat in the Hat, the adventure includes a mash up of other Seuss characters including JoJo, the Sour Kangaroo, Mazie LaBird and even the Grinch and Cindy Loo Who. Performance times are 7 p.m. Dec. 3 and Dec. 5 and 2 p.m. Dec. 6. at 2 p.m. 7 p.m.

Alma Performing Arts Center, 103 East Main, Alma, Ark. 479-632-2129 almapac.org

Beloved holiday music from “The Nutcracker” and the songs “Mary, Did You Know?,” “The Christmas Song,” “You Raise Me Up” and many more will be performed in the warm spirit of the season.

Tickets can be purchased by phone or online. 7:30 p.m. ArcBest Performing Arts Center, Rogers Avenue and South 9th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-452-7575 fortsmithsymphony.org

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Elizabeth Lyon December 2015/January 2016

Grant Nesbit

Dec. 4-6 A Christmas Carol The famous story of Ebenezer Scrooge being visited by three spirits will come alive again at the historic King Opera House. This adaption of Charles Dickens play is written and directed by Jolene Barker. Tickets may be purchased in advance at Solid Rock Book Store in Fort Smith and Sweet Bay Coffee Shop in Van Buren or online. $4-$5 advance, or $5-$6 at the door. Shows are 7 p.m. Dec. 4; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 and 2:30 p.m.

Dec. 6. King Opera House, 427 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 474-2426 evdrama.com

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MUSIC & PERFORMANCE Dec. 5 TubaChristmas TubaChristmas is a concert of popular and well-loved Christmas tunes played by tuba and euphonium players, including special guests from Washington, D.C., who will perform with local school and community players. Guests include members of the United States Air Force, Army and Marine Bands, who will perform a concert and master class after TubaChristmas. Free. 2-3 p.m. Riverfront Pavillion, 100 North B Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-926-4794 tubachristmas.com Dec. 5-6 So You Think You've Got Talent?

A talent show for bands and singers will be judged by the audience for a $100 prize. Must be 21 to attend.

Proceeds benefit the non-profit Earthbound Angels Inc. $5. 8 p.m.-midnight. Hero's Bar and Grill, 1002 Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-494-1833 Dec. 6 Light of Light Organ Concert St. John's Episcopal Church organist Dan Umholtz.

The concert is a re-dedication of the recently upgraded St John's organ. A reception follows. Free.

3 p.m. St John's Episcopal Church, 215 North 6th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-782-9912 stjohnfs.org Dec. 10-12 A Wackier Tackier Christmas FSLT performers present the wackiest Christmas variety show yet. $5. 7:30 p.m. Fort Smith Little Theatre, 401 North 6th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-2966 fslt.org Dec. 11 AACLIVE: Seth Glier Grammy nominee Seth Glier is a young but seasoned troubadour, songwriter and producer who has shared the stage with artists as diverse as James Taylor, Emmylou Harris and Ryan Adams. He has become known for his passionate live sets and powerful command of both piano and guitar. 7:30 p.m. 801 Media Center at 5 Star Productions, 801 North A Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-883-9488 Dec. 11-13 Keyboards At Christmas Using four grand pianos and a choir, Oak Cliff presents Keyboards At Christmas, a celebration of the birth of Christ. This concert includes traditional Christmas music presented in a variety of piano and choral arrangements. Special guests this year will be Dr. Rosilee Walker Russell, executive director of the UAFS Academy of the Arts, and locally renowned pianist Gini Law. Concerts are 6:30 p.m. Dec. 11; 2 p.m. Dec. 12, and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13. Free 6:30 p.m.

Oak Cliff Baptist Church, 3701 South Gary, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-646-3891 keyboardsatchristmas.com

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15 minutes with

Eddie Izzard

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is incredible drive is our gain. Eddie Izzard is bent on global comedy domination and he’s just obsessive enough to tick off every box on his way to that goal. Because he resolved his Force Majeure comedy tour, which began in 2013, would span the world, he included locations to complete his goal of performing in all 50 of the United States. His checkmark for Arkansas will be crisply marked on Dec. 15 when a local audience will see a comedian who has filled London’s 12,500-seat Wembley Arena and the 17,000-seat Hollywood Bowl – in our own ArcBest Performing Arts Center.

Izzard will do two more U.S. shows before returning to play 18 dates at the Palace Theatre in London, concluding this three-year, smashing success of a world tour on Feb. 20.

Managing editor Lynn Wasson spoke briefly with Eddie Izzard about the tour by phone last month when he was preparing for a twonight engagement in Anchorage.

Q: Eddie, what is this mania for challenging yourself to learn to perform in four languages? To run 43 marathons in 51 days? (His marathon of marathons in 2009 raised $2.9 million for charities.) To plan a tour of 28 countries across five continents?

I try to do things to impress me and I go “yeah!”

I just played to 5,200 seats at this time, in France, when extremists are doing bloody murder ... and in any language, it’s all the same. We’re all the same. You just change the words over. I removed all sort of national references, which makes things really tricky, but they get it all. The French get it, the Germans get it. (Eddie intends to forge on by performing in Spanish, Russian and someday, Arabic, because he was born while his British parents were living in Aden, Yemen.)

Q: Have you ever been to Arkansas? Do have an impression of our small state, which is often the object of jokes about backwardness?

I haven’t. I know Bill Clinton came from there. It’ll be good. I don’t want to come in to give a hard time to anyone. The people who come in for the show may not be mainstream Arkansas ... I would probably be right in saying that. I’m very happy to come in because I’m playing all 50 states in America.

Q: You’ve done hilarious commentary on Americans’ concept of history – you will be hearing about our city’s frontier background.

(His U.S. breakthrough was the HBO special “Dress to Kill” in which, as a Brit, he was amused by someone pointing out a landmark built “more than FIFTY YEARS ago!” Eddie feigned astonishment: “No! It’s not possible. No one was ALIVE then!”

It’s kind of understandable; any country would build up their history.

Your country builds up “newness.” You have that word “teardown,” it’s a teardown, we’re going to put something else up. We don’t have that word in Europe, which means that some our stuff is just bloody well moldy, I suppose. This hanging judge, was that some time ago? (1870s) Oh! (spoken in a stagily condescending voice) OK ...

Q: Any advice for my daughter, Whitney Wasson, who was inspired by you and is now eating peanut butter sandwiches while pursuing a stand-up comedy career in Chicago?

Determination is more important than anything. It’s even more important than talent, bizarrely, because determination will develop the talent within you. That’s the one consistent thing between everyone that has made it through.

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Determination, indeed. Izzard is a global entertainment figure today not only at the top of comedy, but as an actor who has appeared in film (Ocean’s Twelve and Ocean’s Thirteen, to name a few), in theater both in London and on Broadway (David Mamet’s dramas Race and The Cryptogram) and as a star of television series (The Riches of FX and a season of NBC’s Hannibal.) He received Tony nomination.

His first, breakthrough 1999 HBO special Dress to Kill earned a New York Drama Desk Award and two Emmys, two British Comedy Awards for Top Stand-up Comedian.

Its title referred to Izzard’s presentation as a straight transvestite.

When he likes, he wears makeup and feminine clothing or, as he points out in his stand-up, his clothing. His blazingly quick-witted, almost stream-of-consciousness, comedic talent Determination is of addressing everything from British history through the plot of The Great more important Escape captivated his laughing audience so thoroughly that his style was accepted than anything, as his personal choice, not misunderIzzard says. stood as a fetish or as his gender identity.

Nonchalantly explaining his cross-dressing was winning material when he introduced the concept of an executive transvestite.

John Cleese has called him the lost Python, perhaps because of his improvisational takes, with deeply absurd and quirky asides. Izzard is honored. He describes his material as unwritten, unrehearsed journeys from one thought to another, taking a different route each time. Izzard apparently is universally funny, as his world audience demonstrates.

He has announced his intention to run for MP or mayor of London in 2020 and supports the Labour Party, is pro-European Union and campaigned to keep Scotland a part of the U.K. In our telephone interview, Izzard reiterated that his interest in activism and political office is not a joke. His rise as a comedian and his open cross-dressing may be useful experience.

“In politics, you go through tough times and if and when I get elected, people will say, ‘Oh, that’s no good,’ and ‘You shouldn’t do this’ and all that kind of rubbish but I don’t care, I’ll just soldier on – I’ve had enough people say things people about me in my life and it’s OK.” His tone is light, but his determination has been proven. Don’t scoff.

Eddie Izzard: Force Majeure tickets, $35/$45, are available by phone or online. 8 p.m. Dec. 15 at the ArcBest Performing Art Center, Rogers Avenue and South 9th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 1-800-965-9324 itickets.com December 2015/January 2016

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MUSIC & PERFORMANCE Dec. 17 David Phelps Christmas Concert Christian musician, singer and songwriter David Phelps is best known for singing tenor with the Gaither Vocal Band. A Grammy and Dove Awardwinner, Phelps has released 14 solo albums including four Christmas collections. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the box office. 7:30 p.m. Alma Performing Arts Center, 103 East Main, Alma, Ark. 479-632-2129 almapac.org

Jan. 19-24 Kinky Boots This musical that goes to new high-heeled heights won six Tony Awards including Best Musical. A struggling shoe factory owner saves his business with help from Lola, a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos, proving that when you change your mind about someone, you can change your whole world. Walton Arts Center, 495 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-443-5600 waltonartscenter.org

Dec. 19 The Hourglass featuring Lady D Chill out at this night of jazz music, holiday tunes, swingin' Christmas classics and more. 7-11 p.m.

Movie Lounge, 7601 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 457-226-3595 movieloungefsm.com

Jan. 23 Jupiter & Beyond The Fort Smith Symphony presents music for chamber orchestra, including Beethoven's Overture to "The Creatures of Prometheus." Theresa Delaplain, principal oboist, is the soloist in the rarely heard Martinu Oboe Concerto. The evening ends with Mozart's Symphony No. 41, "Jupiter." 7:30 p.m. $43, $38 adults, $20, $25 students. ArcBest Theresa Delaplain Performing Arts Center, Rogers Avenue and South 9th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-452-7575

Robert Earl Keen

Dec. 20 Robert Earl Keen: Merry Christmas from the Family Carve the turkey, turn the ball game on – it's Bloody Marys, cause we all want one! Merry Christmas from the Fam-O-Lee. Robert Earl Keen dropped out to toured with Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark, after honing his craft with college roommate Lyle Lovett.

For the next 30 years, the songwriter toured, releasing more than dozen albums and carving out a reputation as one of Texas’ finest songwriters. Keen’s hit “Merry Christmas from the Family,” a tale of a dysfunctional family celebration too many may recognize, is the inspiration for this show. Cains Ballroom, 423 North Main Street, Tulsa, Okla. 918-584-2306 cainsballroom.com Dec. 21-23 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical The beloved TV classic "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" comes to the stage. Celebrate Rudolph’s 50 years on television with favorite characters Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and of course, Rudolph, as they come to life. Rudolph still teaches us all that what makes you different might just be what makes you special! Best for ages 5+. $20-$50. Six shows. Baum Walker Hall, Walton Arts Center, 495 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-443-5600 Dec. 31-Jan. 1 New 365 at Crystal Bridges Ring in the New Year immersed of in art, fantasy and inspiration at Crystal Bridges. The way will be lighted with a mesmerizing video art and light show, dance performances, theater acts and art-making. Dance to Crescent City Combo, Symphony of Northwest Arkansas, Smoky and The Mirror, Arkansauce and more. Enjoy access to galleries, drinks and treats from the Eleven chefs. Ages 21 and up. $65 for the public; $48 for members. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, 600 Museum Way, Bentonville, Ark. 479-418-5700 crystalbridges.org 46 Entertainment Fort Smith December 2015/January 2016

Jan. 23 Chris Janson The hot singer and songwriter performs “Buy Me a Boat” and other distinctive songs. $35. CenterStage Choctaw Casino, 3400 Choctaw Road, Pocola, Okla.

800-745-3000 ticketmaster.com

Chris Janson

Marvel Universe Jan. 21-24 Marvel Universe Live This show puts you in the middle of an electrifying battle between good and evil in the Marvel Universe, with action, pyrotechnics, aerial stunts and cuttingedge technology. Twenty-five live Super Heroes and villains clash, including Spider-Man, Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Loki, Captain America, Wolverine, Black Widow and more. Seven show times. $22-$82. BOK Center, 200 South Denver, Tulsa, Okla. ticketmaster.com Jan. 30 UAFS Music Faculty Showcase Instrumental, voice and piano faculty members perform, with works including trumpet, percussion and chamber ensemble pieces, in addition to various solos. $12 or $6 for students. 7:30 p.m. The Blue Lion, 101 North 2nd Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-7300

Fort Smith Little Theater reveals its 69th season The indomitable Fort Smith Little Theatre plays on, now proudly announcing the accomplishment of presenting a 69th season.

This community playhouse announces auditions for each cast. No experience is required and volunteer stagehands, costumers, make-up artists and box office staff are also needed.

The season will begin in February with Farce of Nature, a Southern-fried comedy set in the Ozarks, followed in March by Beth Henley’s Crimes of the Heart. The three Magrath sisters of Mississippi gather to await the demise of their grandfather. The oldest is a spinster; the middle sibling has a failed singing career; the youngest is headed for a jail cell after shooting her husband in this award-winning classic.

June brings Frankenstein, a one-act adaptation of the classic horror tale originally penned by Mary Shelley. The Lights are Warm and Coloured revisits axe murderess Lizzie Borden after her release.

Cool off in July-August, when Singin’ in the Rain has been set as the 2016 summer musical, directed by George Mann.

Also in August, Money Matters could be described as a counterfeiter comedy, where more than the money is funny.

Perfect for mystery in October, The Game’s Afoot: Holmes for the Holidays is set in December 1936, when an actor who has made a career playing Sherlock Holmes hosts a holiday weekend of revelry for friends and fellow thespians. You can guess what must have to happen next.

Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus will be Fort Smith Little Theater’s heartwarming holiday production.

Two season ticket packages are offered, each admitting patrons to six productions for one affordable price.

Opening Night Gala Season Ticket: $100 per person. Patrons receive hors d’oeuvre and beverages prior to each performance. The same seats are reserved for all six gala performances.

Regular Night Season Ticket: $55 person.

For each of the six productions, you attend your choice of two matinees or any of the regular evening performances at 401 North 6th Street, Fort Smith. Purchase a season tickets at 479783-2966 or order online at fslt.org.

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KIDS

calendar of events

Dec. 1-15 Spanish Lessons The Van Buren Library will offer free Spanish lessons for students in fourth through sixth grades. Learn through play and stories and gain a good foundation for learning a second language. Free. 3:30-4:15 p.m.

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

Dec. 1-22 Teen Time Tuesdays The library will host an opportunity for teens get ready for Christmas and get creative. Free. 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 Dec. 1-29 Baby & Me Babies, birth to age 3, and caregivers can join the library for songs, finger plays, bubbles, parachute play, a story and play time. This is an opportunity for social interaction with both babies and their adults. This program supports early literacy and language skills. Free.

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

5th Annual Polar Express Made possible by the Positive People of Fort Smith and the Fort Smith Trolley Museum, this community-wide event features readings of the classic "Polar Express" story in a vintage railroad dining car, cookies and hot chocolate, visits and photos with Santa, trolley rides downtown and Christmas carolers. The story is one of a bathrobe-clad boy on Christmas Eve who boards the mysterious Polar Express train on its way to the North Pole. Arriving in the mystical polar city, the boy is thunderstruck when Santa chooses him to be the recipient of the very first gift of Christmas. Free. 4-9 p.m.

Fort Smith Trolley Museum, 100 South 4th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0205

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Dec. 1-Jan. 29 UAFS Academy of the Arts Spring Registration Classes begin in late January and early February. Private lessons and group classes in the arts are offered to students from preschool through high school. Offerings include preschool MusikGarten, art classes, orchestra, musical theater, show choir and private lessons in music, dance, acting and art. Upcoming shows include “Jungle Book,” “Alice in Wonderland” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Tuition varies by program. Echols Building, UAFS Campus, 504 North Waldron Road, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7253 uafs.edu/academy Dec. 2-16 Story Time Wednesdays Join Ms. Anna for stories, crafts, music and snacks.

Free. 10 a.m. Wednesdays. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226 Dec. 2-23 Teen Time Wednesdays Stop by the library and join in game time. Free. 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

Dec. 2-30 Preschool Story Time Story time will be filled with lots of holiday fun. There will be stories, crafts and snacks. Free. 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. Wednesdays. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

Dec 2-30 Toddler Story Time This month will be filled stories, activities and snacks about snowmen, Christmas and wintertime. Free. 10 a.m. Wednesdays. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

Dec. 2-30 Story Time Wednesdays Ms. Lara invites preschool children to drop by for a story and a craft. Free. 10 a.m. Wednesdays.

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Dec. 3 UAFS Academy of the Arts Children's Choir, Show Choir Concert Some 120 children in grades 3-6 from several area schools will perform for a wonderful evening of great Christmas songs. Tickets are available by calling, going online or at the door. Prices vary. 7-8:15 p.m.

UAFS Breedlove Auditorium, 5210 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7300 uafs.universitytickets.com Dec 3 Frozen Ice Block Challenge: Tweens and Teens Can you melt a huge block of ice without using your hands? Team Olaf vs. team Sven! Who will win the big prize? Free. 4 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140 Dec. 3-17 All Ages Thursdays Young or old, all are welcome to have fun with crafts and building with Lego bricks. Free. 3:30 p.m. Thursdays. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

Dec. 4 Mulan Jr. Preview Show The UA-Fort Smith Academy of the Arts Academy Playerz will present a special preview of “Mulan Jr.” Travel back to ancient China with this action-packed stage adaptation of Disney’s animated film. Free. 4:30 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229

Dec. 5 Milk and Cookies with Santa Children of all ages are encouraged to tell Santa what they want for Christmas and enjoy some milk and cookies. Call to register. Seating is limited. 1 and 3 p.m. Free. Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-646-3945

Dec. 5 Star Wars Day An “Out of this World Story Time” will followed by Star Wars-themed crafts, games and snacks. Free. 1 p.m.

Dallas Branch Library, 8100 Dallas Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-484-5650 Dec. 6 Merry Christmas Pageant There will be eight age divisions for this beauty and Christmas wear pageant. All contestants will receive a crown and trophy. $3. 2-5 p.m. Southside High School Auditorium, 4100 Gary Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-769-4869

Dec. 6 UAFS Academy of the Arts Youth Symphony Orchestra Winter Concert This advanced youth orchestra will be performing great works, including Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 5, the Brahms Academic Festival Overture, the Sibelius Finlandia and movements from Stavinsky's Firebird Suite. Prices vary. 3-4 p.m. UAFS Breedlove Auditorium, 5210 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7300 uafs.universitytickets.com Dec. 7 Primetime Story Time: The Nutcracker with the Western Arkansas Ballet Several dancers will make a special appearance to share the magic of “The Nutcracker” ballet. Free. 6

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p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 Dec. 7-21 Teen Time Mondays Make ornaments, play bingo, create a gingerbread house and more. Refreshments will be served. Free.

3:30 p.m. Mondays. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 Dec. 7-28 Tween/Teen Time Mondays Drop by the library for games, contests, crafts, movies and more. Refreshments will be served. Free. 3:45 p.m. Mondays. Mountainburg Public Library, 1300 U.S.71 North, Mountainburg, Ark. 479-369-1600

Dec. 7-28 Story Time for Toddlers and Children Stories, crafts and snacks will be provided. There also will be work sheets, projects and activities. Free. 10:30 a.m. Mountainburg Public Library, 1300 U.S. 71 North, Mountainburg, Ark. 479-369-1600

Dec. 8-10 Visits with Sensitive Santa The Pervasive Parenting Center presents Visits with Sensitive Santa, an opportunity for anyone with sensory issues to meet Santa. For some families with children on the autism spectrum or with other sensory problems, the holiday season can be overwhelming.

Long lines at stores to spend a couple seconds with Santa may not work out. Sensitive Santa is soft spoken, unlike the boisterous, jolly soul often seen in shopping centers. This Santa does not touch the children unless they come up to him and kids don’t have to sit in his lap unless they want to. Children are treated to milk and cookies while they wait and someone is on hand to read a book. Sensitive Santa is open to all children with disabilities. Parents are asked to take only children who need to visit a quieter Santa, without siblings, to maintain an atmosphere with the least distractions. Free. The visits will be held at 6 p.m.

Dec. 8 at Kibois Community Action Building, 200 South East A Street, Stigler, Okla.; 6 p.m. Dec. 9 at Community State Bank, 1409 Broadway, Poteau, Okla., and the Stites Center of the Mayo Building, Carl Albert State College, 1601 South Opdyke Street, Sallisaw, Okla. 918-658-5076 pervasiveparentingcenter.org

Dec. 10 Christmas Ornament Craft Start by making a tasty peppermint ornament that will be the perfect Christmas snack. Then, make a glitter ornament that will be the perfect addition to any Christmas tree. Snacks will be provided. Free. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

Dec. 10 Movie Day Those lovable yellow balls of trouble are back! This newly released animated movie is rated PG and features the voices of Sandra Bullock, Jon Ham, Michael Keaton and many more big stars. Snacks will be provided. Free. 3:30 p.m. Cedarville Public Library, 737 Pirates Way, Cedarville, Ark. 479-410-1853 Dec. 12 Girls Scouts' Critter Christmas Carol to the critters at Burnham Woods. Enjoy hot

cocoa, s’mores and crafts. Take donations of food or towels for the Humane Society. Donations accepted.

10:30 a.m.-noon. Girl Scout Regional Office at Burnham Woods, 5705 Gordon Lane, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-452-1249 girlscoutsdiamonds.org Dec. 12 Breakfast with Santa Pancakes, crafts and a chance to tell Santa what you are wishing for happens during this fun-filled morning. Free. 9-11 a.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 Dec 14 4-H Program Amy from Crawford County 4-H will do a program on health and food (ages 6 and up). Snacks will be provide. Free. 4 p.m. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1228

Dec. 14, 28 Laptime Story Time A love of reading starts early. Babies from birth to 2 years old and their caregivers are invited to a special story time. There will be rhymes, songs, simple stories and lots of interactive fun. The story time will last around 20 minutes, with time for casual interaction following the program. Free. 10:30 a.m. Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-646-3945

Dec. 14 Spanish Story Time Kids of all ages and their families are invited to the main library for this story time featuring stories, songs and other fun activities in Spanish. Free. 6 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 Dec. 16 Story Time/Santa Visit Santa Claus will be at story time to visit the children.

Each child will receive a book. Snacks will be provided.

Free. 10 a.m. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226

Dec. 16 Santa Story Time A fun-filled story time with books, crafts and a visit from Santa. Free. 11 a.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

Dec. 16 Santa in Cedarville Ms. Lara has stories, songs, and a craft with Santa.

Parents may take their camera. Snacks will be provided. 10 a.m. Cedarville Public Library, 737 Pirates Way, Cedarville, Ark. 479-410-1853

Dec. 16 Christmas Preschool Story Time A special holiday story time featuring Christmas stories, crafts and a snack. Free. 10:30 a.m. Dallas Branch Library, 8100 Dallas Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-484-5650

Dec. 17 Spanish Story Time Join Mrs. Norma and enjoy the magic of stories through reading, singing and other fun activities in Spanish. Free. 6 p.m. Windsor Branch Library, 4701 Windsor Drive, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-785-0405

Dec. 17 Polar Express Christmas Party & Ugly Sweater Contest Don’t miss out on hot chocolate, popcorn and an alltime favorite Christmas movie based on Chris Van Allsburg’s bestseller. Dress in your ugliest Christmas sweater for a chance to win the Christmas Sweater Contest. Free. 4 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140 Dec. 18 Holiday Make and Take Craft Day Drop by to make a craft to take home with you. There also will be tasty holiday treats, in case the crafting makes you hungry. Free. 1-6 p.m. Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-646-3945

Dec. 18-19 UAFS Academy of the Arts Production of Mulan, Jr. Travel back to ancient China with this 60 minute action-packed production based on the 1998 Disney film Mulan. Defying the village matchmaker, Mulan takes up arms and disguises herself as a boy in order to spare her father from having to serve in the army. 7 p.m. Dec. 18; 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 19. Prices vary. UAFS Breedlove Auditorium, 5210 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7300 uafs.universitytickets.com Dec. 21 Evening Story Time This family story time will focus on reindeer. There will be stories, snacks and crafts. Free. 6-7 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 Dec. 21 Drop-In Christmas CD Craft Children, tweens and teens drop by to make your own special CD Christmas ornament. Snacks will be provided. Free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226 Dec. 21 LEGO Club Kids, tweens and teens are invited to design, create and build unique creations with the LEGO Club. Supplies are provided – just bring your imagination. Free.

5-6 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229

Dec. 28 Bingo for Books Children and teens come by to win your favorite novel in a game of bingo. Free. 2-4 p.m. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-9971226 Dec. 31 Noon Year’s Eve Family Celebration Ring in the New Year (without staying up past bedtime) at the museum’s first-ever, family-friendly Noon Year’s Eve celebration. Enjoy a toast at noon after a special Noon Year’s Eve countdown, a new marionette show from StoneLion Puppet Theatre, music, dancing, magic, art-making and more. The Scott Family Amazeum is celebrating Noon Year’s as well, so plan to spend the afternoon with both. Free. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

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Jan. 1-31 Unmask: Winter Reading Program for Teens Teens in grades 7-12 are invited to “Unmask!” at this winter reading event. Read whatever you want, however you want. Participants can read a book, listen to an audio book or download and read an e-book. Fill out a review and return it to the library for a chance to win a library swag bag. The more you read, the better your chance of winning. Free. Windsor Branch Library, 4701 Windsor Drive, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-785-0405 Jan. 4 Primetime Story Time: Sleepy Bear Story Time Enjoy the evening primetime story time program featuring stories, crafts, refreshments and other fun with bears and hibernation. Free. 6 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 Jan. 4-25 Teen Time Mondays Make crafts, play bingo and more. Snacks provided.

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

Jan. 4-25 Tween/Teen Time Mondays Drop by the library after school for games, contests, crafts, movies and more. Snacks provided. Free. 3:45 p.m. Mondays. Mountainburg Public Library, 1300 U.S.71 North, Mountainburg, Ark. 479-369-1600 Jan 4-25 Story Time for Toddlers and Children Stories, crafts and snacks will be provided. There also will be work sheets, projects and activities on hand.

Free. 10:30 a.m. Mountainburg Public Library, 1300 U.S. 71 North, Mountainburg, Ark. 479-369-1600 Jan. 5-26 Baby & Me Babies, birth to age 3, and caregivers can join the library for songs, finger plays, bubbles, parachute play, a story and play time. This is an opportunity for social interaction with both babies and their adults. This program supports early literacy and language skills. Free.

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

Jan. 6-27 Preschool Story Time There will be stories, crafts and snacks with winter themes. Free. 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. Wednesdays. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

Jan. 6-27 Toddler Story Time This month will be filled stories, activities and snacks about hibernation, snow, sledding and chocolate cake.

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

Jan. 6-27 Teen Time Wednesdays Stop by the library and join in game time. Free. 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 Jan. 7 Montessori and the Brain Dr. Maria Montessori, one of the first Italian female 50

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physicians in the late 1800s, used her love of child development and strong scientific skills to create one of the most world-renowned approaches to education.

Influenced by pioneers such as Itard and Seguin, Dr. Montessori emphasized learning with all of the senses, giving children an environment designed specifically for them, and the role of the teacher as a guide. She gave hundreds of lectures, published numerous papers and books and was nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize. Learn more about the connections between brain research and the work of Dr. Montessori. It is not necessary to have a child enrolled in the school to attend. For adults only. Free. 56:30 p.m. The Montessori School of Fort Smith, 3908 Jenny Lind Road, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-646-7225 Jan. 7-28 All Ages Thursdays Young or old, all are welcome to have fun with crafts and building with Lego bricks. Free. 3:30 p.m. Thursdays. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

Jan. 9 Miss Arkansas River Scholarship Pageant and Youth Pageants Miss Arkansas River Outstanding Teen and Miss divisions will be held at 7 p.m. Youth divisions are open to all Arkansas residents, birth-12 years. This is a preliminary pageant to the Miss Arkansas competition.

Shop at a silent auction, with all proceeds going toward scholarships. Miss Arkansas Loren McDaniel will be there signing autographs and entertaining at both events. $5-$10. 10 a.m. Alma Performing Arts Center, 103 East Main Street, Alma, Ark. 479-632-2129 missarkansasriver.com Jan. 11, 25 Laptime Story Time Babies and their caregivers are invited to this story time geared toward children birth to 24 months old.

There will be rhymes, songs, simple stories and lots of interactive fun. The story time will last around 20 minutes, with time for casual interaction following the program. Free. 10:30 a.m. Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-646-3945 Jan. 11 Cuentos para Niños en Español Niños de todas las edades y sus familias están invitados a la Biblioteca principal a la hora de los cuentos gratis, incluiremos cuentos, historias, canciones, refranes y otras actividades divertidas en español. Ven y aprende acerca de la Biblioteca y lo que tiene para ofrecer a tu familia. Gratis. 6 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229

Jan. 12 Get Wimpy! Party Fans of the popular book series by Jeff Kinney won’t want to miss this party. Kids between the ages of 7 and 12 can enjoy plenty of “wimpy” snacks, activities and other fun. Two lucky winners will get to take home their own new copy of “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School.” Free. 4:30-6 p.m. Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-646-3945 Jan. 14 Winter Mug Craft Get ready for winter and warm hot chocolate. The children will make their own winter mug. Snacks will be

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

Jan. 14 Tweens and Teens: Snowman Snack Art Make a yummy edible snowman snack. Free. 4 p.m.

Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140 Jan. 15 Popeye Day Celebrate Popeye Day (Jan. 17) a little early. Learn some fun facts about Popeye and enjoy a movie based on the long-running comic strip created by E.C. Segar.

Popeye follows the sailor man with the mighty arms as he arrives in the seaside community of Sweethaven in search of his long-lost father. The movie will be run continuously throughout the day. Refreshments will be served. Free. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

Jan. 20 Winter Fun Preschool Story Time This special seasonal story time features winterthemed stories, crafts and a snack. Free. 10:30 a.m.

Dallas Branch Library, 8100 Dallas Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-484-5650 Jan. 20 Penguin Awareness Day: Movie & Craft Filmmaker Luc Jacquet spent more than a year braving the frigid temperatures of the South Pole to film the annual ritual of penguins and documents their brave struggle to survive, as well as the close emotional bonds between the penguin families. Enjoy a Morgan Freeman-narrated film about penguins. The movie will be shown continuously throughout the day.

Drop in to make your own penguin craft. Refreshments will be served. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140 Jan. 21 Spanish Story Time Join Mrs. Norma and enjoy the magic of stories through reading, singing and other fun activities in Spanish. Free. 6 p.m. Windsor Branch Library, 4701 Windsor Drive, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-484-5650

Jan. 24 Open House Curious about the Montessori approach to education?

This first-time event is the perfect way to tour and experience a Montessori classroom. Learn more about the connection between Montessori and brain research. Refreshments will be served. No children, please. Free. 2-4 p.m. The Montessori School of Fort Smith, 3908 Jenny Lind Road, Fort Smith, Ark. 4796467225 fsmontessori.com

Jan. 28 Melting Crayon Art Tweens and teens can create a masterpiece by melting crayons into beautiful picture. Snacks provided. Free.

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

Jan. 28 Bingo 4 Books Have fun while playing for a chance to win books.

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

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Frontier Trails BEST Regional Robotics Competition Thirty-two teams that are finalists from eight robotics competitions held in states including Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado will compete for awards, including the BEST Award and awards for the best marketing presentation, the best team exhibit and the team displaying the best spirit and sportsmanship. Participating teams will then battle it out in the robot game Dec. 5. The competition continues the theme of “Pay Dirt” used in the local BEST competitions.

Local schools will compete in the event, including Metro Home School of Grain Valley, Mo., Fulbright Junior High of Bentonville and Chaffin Junior High and Northside High School, both of Fort Smith. The teams advanced to the regional competition after earning top placement at the River Valley BEST robotics competition. BEST stands for Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology and is a non-profit volunteer-based organization. BEST seeks to engage students in engineering-related activities situated in real-world working environments, hoping to inspire them to pursue careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)-related fields.

A full schedule of events is available online. Free. 1 p.m. Dec. 4. Awards will be presented at 4 p.m. Dec. 5. Fort Smith Convention Center, Rogers Avenue and South 9th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. cast.uafs.edu/best/frontier-trails-best

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Dec. 1 Giving Tuesday at Fort Smith Museum of History On Tuesday, Dec. 1, charities, families, businesses, community centers and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give. Contribute to the Fort Smith Museum of History by phone or at the museum’s website. Fort Smith Museum of History, 320 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-7841 fortsmithmuseum.org Dec. 1 Hearts of Gold Open House Project Compassion will be taking donations and gifts for nursing home residents at a Hearts of Gold Campaign Kick-Off Open House. Channel 5 news anchor Darren Bobb will emcee. Drop by this Giving Tuesday to make a contribution and enjoy free food, music and door prizes. Free. 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

St. Scholastica Retreat Center, Room 110, 1205 South Albert Pike, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-2273 projectcompassioninc.com Dec. 1-4 Alma Friends of the Library Best Seat in the House Seats come with an unobstructed view of the Dec. 4 Alma Christmas Parade, reserved parking, free hot chocolate and popcorn. Seats are limited. $20.

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

Dec. 1-9 Secret Santa Angel Tree Visit the library and select a child’s name from the Secret Santa Angel Tree.

Gender and age of the child will be included in the information. Return the unwrapped gifts to the library. Make Christmas special for a child. Mountainburg Public Library, 1300 U.S. 71 North, Mountainburg, Ark. 479-369-1600

Dec. 1-5 2016 Master Gardener Class Applications are now being accepted for the annual Master Gardener classes.

This is one fabulous opportunity to learn more about gardening while working with some of the finest volunteers in the River Valley. The Master Gardener classes will meet for five consecutive Saturdays starting Feb. 16. To become a Master Gardener, prospective members will take 40 hours of intensive horticultural training and perform 40 hours of hands-on community service in the next year after finishing training. Contact the Sebastian County Extension Office to apply or learn more. The Learning Fields at Chaffee Crossing, 7300 Gardener Lane, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-484-7737

Dec. 1-31 Fort Smith Public Library Holiday Food Drive One in five people in our area is struggling, one in three rural Arkansas children lives in a food-insecure home. Drop off non-perishable food items at any Fort Smith library location from Nov. 1-Dec. 31. Donations will be accepted all hours that the library is open; all food collected will be given to the Community Clearing House to help the hungry in the Fort Smith area.

Free. Fort Smith Public Library locations, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org

Dec. 1-14 The Giving Tree: Salvation Army Angel Tree Central Mall is once again partnering with the Salvation Army to help area children in need have a merry Christmas. More than 1,500 angels are in need of gifts this holiday season. To help, select an angel ornament from the tree located in the mall in front of Sears and make that child’s wish list come true. Angel gifts may be dropped off between 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 1-16 at the old PriceCutter building (next to Atwoods) at 1617 South Zero Street. Please use the entrance on the west side of the building. For information about how to register a child for the Angel Tree, please call the Salvation Army. Mall hours. Central Mall, near entrance to Sears, 5111 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 783-6145

Hidden Water II

Sam King Exhibit at Windgate Award-winning artist Sam King will showcase several of his newest abstract paintings in the second exhibit at the new Windgate Art and Design Gallery at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. The exhibit will be a return to the UAFS campus for King, who served as an adjunct instructor at UAFS for six years. King currently serves as a clinical assistant professor and coordinator of foundations at the University of Arkansas.

Hidden Water I He received the Individual Artist Fellowship from the Arkansas Arts Council in 2007. Windgate Art & Design is a state-of-the-art visual arts facility that opened for classes this fall. The building was made possible through a $15.5 million grant from the Windgate Charitable Foundation, the largest in the university’s history. Free. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Windgate Art and Design Gallery, UAFS Campus, Waldron Road and Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7000

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The Bright Lights are Calling!

Garden of Lights Muskogee, Okla.

Photo by Greg Disch

Downtown Mena

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Area Artists Display Works With “The Many Moods of Lee Creek,” artist Patricia Lappin brings a new series of both oil and pastel paintings to the exhibit. These pieces reflect beautiful scenes from the Ozark National Forest and concentrate on the area around Lee Creek. The area of Lee Creek was named for Gen. Robert E. Lee. It was a camp during the Civil War and also part of the Trail of Tears and the Butterfield Stagecoach route. Sydney Clayton presents Constant State of Change.

Sydney has a background in interior design, which provided training in color, texture and other art elements. Four years ago, her life took a huge twist that altered the course of her career. When her husband began to attend seminary, Sydney realized life as she knew it had changed. She began her painting career as a hobby but creating was a time for reflecting, praying and having time alone with God. Free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Center for Art & Education, 104 North 13th Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-7767

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Alex by Chuck Close

Aspen Glow, Sydney Clayton Calm before the Storm, Patricia Lappin

Photographer Mark Frantz considers regional photography a hobby, focusing mainly on landscapes, cars, barns and buildings. The display will feature both black and white and color photography. Mark uses an infrared technique which makes his black and white photographs have a slightly otherworldly effect. Free. Library hours. Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-646-3945

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The photo realistic drawings of Fort Smith artist Tim Strahin will be on display at Dewey’s Café through the end of December. The artist’s extremely detailed drawings feature barns, old houses, landscapes, cars and trucks, and memories from deer camp. Artwork is available for viewing all hours that the library is open. Free. Library hours. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 The photography exhibit of Greg Disch will feature works from nature and landscape images from Arkansas and much of the United States, including many National Parks. His work has been published in books, magazines, calendars, websites and as fine art prints; he has also won numerous awards and local competitions and exhibited in local galleries. For more information, to view his online gallery or to read his “How To” and “Photographic Destinations,” visit gregdisch.com. Free. Library hours. Fort Smith Public Library Community Room, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 56

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Dec.1-20 The Artist Revealed: Artist Portraits and Self-Portraits This insightful exhibition brings together 50 works in a variety of media that examine an interesting selection of self-portraits and portraits of other artists. Various media includes ink on paper, lithographs, photographs, engravings, oil on canvas, gouache, collage and woodcut. The sitters featured in the exhibition include famous artists James McNeill Whistler, Thomas Eakins, Charlie Chaplin, C.S. Lewis and Pablo Casals. Also included in the show are works by masters such as Milton Avery, Leonard Baskin, Edward Steichen, Norman Rockwell and Anders Zorn. The iconic image “Alex” by Chuck Close, also is included in this body of work. Close, referred to as the “the great postmodern pointillist printmaker” by the New York Times, created “Alex” during a pivotal time in his artistic career. Free. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, 1601 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-784-2787 fsram.org

Dec. 1-21 The Crossword Puzzle Project National Crossword Puzzle Day is Dec. 21. Help the Windsor Branch Library solve a giant crossword puzzle by adding to the puzzle each time you stop by to check out a book. Every person who checks out a book between Dec. 1-21 will be entered in a prize drawing for a chance to win one of nine crossword puzzle books. The library will draw a name every hour on National Crossword Puzzle Day. Stop by for some cookies and hot chocolate as part of the celebration Dec. 21. Free. Library hours. Windsor Branch Library, 4701 Windsor Drive, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-785-0405 Dec. 1-23 Lights of the Ozarks Enjoy the amazing winter wonderland of lights on the Downtown Square. Nightly carriages and pony rides, fresh hot chocolate and festive holiday music make the Lights of the Ozarks an event that cannot be missed. The romantic and breathtaking display of a half-million twinkling lights is cherished by the locals and visitors alike that stroll or drive through the Lights of the Ozarks each year. Free. 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Fayetteville Square, 21 Block Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-521-5776

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São Paulo, 1924, Tarsila do Amaral

Crystal Bridges Exhibit: Picturing the Americas Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art will be the only U.S. venue for Picturing the Americas, the first exhibition to examine the evolution of the landscape genre from the early 19th century to JANUARY the early 20th in an inclusive, hemispheric context. The exhibition explores themes of land, icon and nation with more than 100 oil paintings, watercolors, prints, and photographs, including works by well-known American landscape painters Albert Bierstadt, Frederic E. Church, Thomas Cole, Martin Johnson Heade, and Georgia O’Keeffe, as well as masters from both North and South America, such as Jose Maria Velasco (Mexico), and Juan Manuel Blanes (Uruguay). $10 general admission; free for youth ages 18 and under and museum members. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday and Thursday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Wednesday and Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, 600 Museum Way, Bentonville, Ark. 479-418-5700 crystalbridges.org

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Dec. 1-24 5th Annual Gift Wrap Center Arkansas Valley Habitat for Humanity will offer expanded options this year: new selection of Christmas wrapping paper; new box sizes; matching tags with all gifts; and a cloth ribbon option for a personalized touch to your gifts. Leave your gifts – everything from jewelry, books, toys and home wares to clothing, boots, coats and electronics, and everything in between – with volunteers at the gift wrap center and have them beautifully wrapped while you continue to shop or dine. All proceeds support Arkansas Valley Habitat for Humanity and stay local. The gift wrap center is also looking for individual volunteers or groups to wrap gifts. All volunteers must be 16 or older.

Morning, afternoon and evening shifts are available.

This is a fun and festive volunteer opportunity. Go online to see available shifts and times and then call to schedule a shift. Habitat for Humanity is a national program with a philosophy of “a hand up, not a handout.” Habitat offers a true partnership arrangement by which families with limited incomes can attain their goal of home ownership. Habitat provides interestfree mortgages and requires 300-400 hours of sweat equity from each partner family. Arkansas Valley Habitat for Humanity has been building homes in Sebastian and Crawford counties for 25 years. $3 and up.

Wrap Center, near entrance to JCPenney, 5111 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-782-8255 habitatfs.org Dec. 1-31 Alma Drive-Through Lights The Alma community presents a drive-through lights presentation featuring more than 40,000 lights and holiday music. The park will open at 5 p.m. and close at 10 p.m. each evening. Donations will accepted to feed the hungry through the Alma Community Outreach Center. 5-10 p.m. Alma Aquatic Park, 22 Collum Lane, Alma. Ark. 479-670-2931

Dec. 1-31 Fort Smith Public Library Holiday Food Drive Help out local families in need by donating to this year’s Fort Smith Public Library Holiday Food Drive.

One in five people in our area are struggling, one in three rural Arkansas children live in food insecure homes. Drop off non-perishable food items at any Fort Smith library location through the end of December.

Donations will be accepted all hours that the library is open; all food collected will be given to the Community Clearing House to help the hungry in the Fort Smith area. Free. 9 a.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 Dec. 1-31 Greenwood Trail of Holiday Lights Display More than 120 holiday light displays will illuminate Greenwood’s Bell Park, with a live nativity and a crackling fire pit. See Santa and enjoy cookies and cocoa on Dec. 6. Spend some time in Santa’s workshop Dec. 13 and enjoy popcorn and juice on Movie Night Dec. 20. Dec. 22 is S’Mores and Hayride Night. All special events are 6-8 p.m. The Greenwood Christmas Parade will be 7 p.m. Dec. 6. Santa’s House opens on the square after the parade and continues Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday until Christmas. $3 per vehicle. 5:30-9 p.m. Bell Park, 1050 Bell Park Road, Greenwood, Ark. 479-996-6357

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Dec. 1-31 The Perfect Gift: Library Books for Christmas Honor someone special while sharing your love of

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reading by donating to the Fort Smith Public Library’s The Perfect Gift: Library Books for Christmas program. Through Dec. 31, individuals may visit any library location to choose a book to add to the library’s collection in honor or memory of someone special.

Children’s books are a $10 donation; adult books are a $25 donation. Proceeds from the Perfect Gift fundraiser will go to the library’s materials fund to be used for the purchase of new library materials. Free.

9 a.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org

Dec. 1-31 Fort Smith Marathon & Half Marathon Early Registration Register this month for the second Fort Smith Marathon, to be held Feb. 14, for reduced fees.

Marathon registration is $80 through Dec. 31; $100 from Jan. 1Feb. 13 and $125 day of race (if available). December registration includes a long sleeved cotton T-shirt, timing chip/bib and a race packet. The 2016 race will follow the successful scenic and challenging course of 2015’s race that includes historic downtown, beautiful neighborhoods, paved trails with a few significant climbs and descents. Volunteer sign-up is also open.

The race benefits Park Partners/Fort Smith Trail System. Connect with all race news and events through the official website, fortsmithmarathon.com or the race’s Facebook page, Fort Smith Marathon, Half Marathon & Relays.

Dec. 1-Jan. 30 RAM’s Drop in and Draw A live model is available for artists in studio space with easels at the art museum each Thursday. Artists should take their own materials. Noon to 4 p.m. Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, 1601 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-784-2787 fsram.org Dec. 2 Feral Hog Management An introduction to feral hogs, their behavior and the issues they create for landowners. Hog experts will show the best ways to trap hogs to control populations. A trap will be set up on site for demonstration.

Lunch will be provided. Registration required. Free.

10 a.m.-noon. River Valley Nature Center, 8300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-452-3993, ext. 110

Dec. 2-26 Van Buren Farmers Market Every Wednesday and Saturday through December local farmers and craftspeople will display their produce and art at the Van Buren Farmers Market. Shop for locally sourced produce, eggs, jellies, jams and more. 7 a.m.-noon. Van Buren Public Library Parking Lot, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-218-2316

Dec. 3 That Thursday Night Thing: A Capote Christmas Retired Miller Branch library manager Anita Paddock, will get the evening started with her reading of “A Christmas Memory.” After a brief intermission featuring refreshments, longtime performer with the Fort Smith Little Theater Brad Kidder will follow with a reading of Capote’s short story, “One Christmas.”

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Free. 7 p.m. Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-646-3945 fortsmithlibrary.org

Dec. 3 Connie Manning Lecture: Greek Archaeology Connie Manning, curator at the Fort Smith Museum of History, will talk about her time spent at Mitrou, a Bronze Age archeological site in Greece. Manning worked at the site while studying for her master’s degree in classics from Washington University in St. Louis. She also recently completed a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The presentation is part of the monthly meeting for the Ark-Homa Chapter of the Arkansas Archeological Society and the Oklahoma Anthropological Society, open to the public. 7 p.m. Free.

Math-Science Building, Room 204, UAFS campus, 720 North 49th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7812

Dec. 3-5 Living Nativity Drive Through See the Biblical Christmas story come alive by driving from a vehicle through the streets of Bethlehem. Vans are welcome. See sets and scenes reflecting Isaiah receiving the prophecy of the coming Messiah, through to Bethlehem, the angels, shepherds and the wise men at the birth of baby Jesus. The petting area of camels, sheep, goats and donkeys is always a highlight. Free. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Living Faith Missionary Baptist Church, 2 miles south off of Interstate 540 (exit 14) on U.S. 271/Arkansas 253, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-650-6512 livingfaithmbc.com

Dr. John Udouj is a graduate of the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI), specializing in the latest cosmetic dentistry techniques.

Visit our website at

www.perfectingyoursmile.com to get the latest news from our office.

Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentists.

Graduate of the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies.

2600 Market Trace • Fort Smith , AR • 479.648.9988 December 2015/January 2016

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Dec. 4 ALMA CHRISTMAS PARADE Floats must be in the high school parking lot by 6:15 p.m. to enter the parade. Free. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Downtown Alma, Ark.

Dec. 5 POTEAU CHRISTMAS PARADE Bundle up and take the family to see an old-fashioned, lighted, evening Christmas parade featuring floats, cars, bands and Santa Claus himself. Entertainment will include local talented singers, musicians, high school cheerleaders, a dance team and more. Hot chocolate will also be served at this festive event.

Free. 5:30 p.m. Downtown, Dewey Avenue, Poteau, Okla.

Dec. 7 GREENWOOD CHRISTMAS PARADE The theme is “A Christmas Together.” Line-up to be in the parade at 5:30 p.m. in the parking lot behind H.B. Stewart Arena.

Deadline to enter is Dec. 4. Free. 7 p.m.

Dec. 12 FORT SMITH CHRISTMAS PARADE Presented by the Fort Smith Jaycees, the parade will include marching bands, antique cars, dance teams and floats of every flavor. Prizes will be awarded in several categories. Contact the Jaycees or entry information. 3 p.m. Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-353-0867 fortsmithjaycees.org VAN BUREN CHRISTMAS PARADE Main Street will be decorated in all its holiday finery for the annual evening Christmas parade. Everyone, from antique car owners to children on bicycles, is encouraged to attend. 6:30 p.m. Free. Historic Main Street, Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 580-467-6377 SALLISAW CHRISTMAS PARADE Colorful floats, holiday lights, music and a visit from Santa Claus. The theme this year is "Merry Christmas to our Heroes."

Prize money will be given to the top three entries in each category. Free. 6 p.m. West Cherokee, Sallisaw, Okla. 918-775-2558 60

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Dec. 4 Gaslight Gala at Clayton House Enjoy delicious food and good cheer at the Clayton House’s third annual holiday party fundraiser. The Gaslight Gala fills the Victorian mansion with holiday dazzlement as guests join to support the continued preservation of the 173-year-old structure.

In addition to the scrumptious smorgasbord, holiday décor, live music and silent auction, new this year will be the offer of horse-drawn carriage rides around a block of Fort Smith’s oldest neighborhood. The Fort Smith Heritage Foundation saved the home of the U.S. Attorney of Judge Parker’s court from demolition in 1969 and brought it and the Belle Grove Historic District to the distinction of the National Register of Historic Places. Also new to the twinkling event are the opportunity to have artists sketch your portrait or caricature for a take-home souvenir. $50 for individuals; $350 for tables of six. 6:30-9:30 p.m. The Clayton House, 514 North 6th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-3000 claytonhouse.org

Dec. 4 CJS Christmas Luncheon Fundraiser Enjoy a delicious homemade meal of chili or stew, cornbread and drink, all for just $7. Home baked items will also be sold at the event. Desserts can be made to order by calling in advance. Local delivery available. All proceeds from this eighth annual event will go towards providing a happier Christmas for children in need. $7. 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Comprehensive Juvenile Services Regional Office, 1606 South J Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-785-4031 cjsinc.org Dec. 4 Christmas Open House Visit the library before the Alma Christmas Parade. The Friends of the Library will host its annual Christmas Open House. This family-oriented event will include a silent auction and bake sale. Hot chocolate and popcorn will be for sale. 5-6:30 p.m. Free. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

Dec. 4-5 Christmas Arts and Crafts Show Browse an array of traditional arts and crafts. This event is not affiliated with the church. Free. 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 4 and 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 5. Fianna Hills Baptist Church Community Room, 10300 Jenny Lind, Fort Smith, Ark. Dec. 4-13 Center For Art and Education Holiday Market The art center will host a variety of artists during its annual Holiday Market. Shop for original works of art from a wide assortment of handcrafted items such as jewelry, pottery, fabric art, watercolor, oil, pastel and mixed media works. Admission is free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Center for Art and Education in Van Buren, 104 North 13th Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-7767 art-ed.org Dec. 4, 18 Crochet and Knitting Club All experience levels are welcome. Provide your own yarn and size G or H hook.

10 a.m.-noon. Free. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 Dec. 5 Cloth Diaper Class The River Valley Bum Fluffers groups is having a class for those who want to learn more about cloth diapers. Free. 2-4 p.m. Farmer's Bank of Barling, 227 Fort Street, Barling, Ark. 479-213-7154

Dec. 5 Mount Magazine State Park Christmas Open House Enjoy a festive atmosphere, light refreshments and a holiday bazaar benefiting the park's volunteer group. Free gift wrapping provided by volunteers. Learn about volunteer opportunities to fit every schedule. Funds raised are used for events such as the annual butterfly festival, beautification projects and educational programs.

Free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Mount Magazine State Park Visitor Center, 16878 South Arkansas 309, Paris, Ark. 479-963-8502 mountmagazinestatepark.com

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Annual Junior League Holiday Home Tour Begin this selfDECEMBER guided tour with your choice of any of the four beautiful home located through out the Fort Smith area. Guests will enjoy two homes in the Riley Farms area, one on Free Ferry Road and one in the May, Lecta, Sweet Streets Historical Area. This event hosted by the Junior League of Fort Smith to support its focus of promoting education and educational opportunities that foster healthy growth and lifestyles in the River Valley. An emphasis has been adopted to research and implement programs that prepare transition aged youth for life outside of foster care. For those who want to support Junior League of Fort Smith but cannot make the Holiday Home Tour, donations are accepted to support the focus of transition-aged youth. Donations can be made either online at www.jlfs.org or by sending a check (memo: Holiday Home Tour) to the Junior League of Fort Smith headquarters at 311 Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72901. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Junior League office, online or by phone. $25. 1-5 p.m. 479-783-3930 jlfs.org

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Dec. 5 TrailBlazers Hike to Lincoln Lake TrailBlazers Hiking Club will hike at Lincoln Lake for about 4 miles on the Piney Loop. The trail follows the lake north and goes by many great rock formations.

It crosses the dam where there is a wide view of the lake and a good place to spot eagles. From the dam the trail enters the woods, turns left from the lake loop and climbs up into a great pine forest. Hikes are open to anyone. Take lunch and water. Meet at Cloverleaf Plaza parking lot in Van Buren to carpool/caravan. 8 a.m. Lincoln Lake, North West Avenue, Lincoln, Ark. 479-646-9562 thcfs.com

chance to visit with Santa. Living Windows will follow the festival and courthouse lighting ceremony. Free.

5:30 p.m. Crawford County Courthouse, 300 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-2761 Dec. 5-19 Nature Center Guided Hike A member of the education staff will lead a hike every Saturday morning. Dress for the weather. Free. 10 a.m. River Valley Nature Center, 8300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-452-3993 rivervalleynaturecenter.com

Dec. 5 Holiday Bazaar at Evangel Temple Find crafts, antiques and unique gift ideas at Evangel Temple's second annual holiday bazaar. $1. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Evangel Temple, Towson and Dodson avenues, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-782-9121 excitinget.com

Dec. 5 Living Windows Display Van Buren's Historic Main Street becomes a living history lesson as merchants showcase window displays of live actors depicting Van Buren's colorful history, beginning at 5:30 pm. Free. Historic Main Street, Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 580-467-6377 oldtownvanburen.com

Dec. 5 Project Graduation Holiday Market Take pictures with Santa by Heritage Portraits, have tea with Mrs. Claus and enjoy some face painting.

Vendors include Origami Owl, Thirty One, South 28th Boutique, Younique, Velata, Scentsy, Stiletto Lash and Beauti Control, with food by Molly's Eggrolls, Sweet Boutique and more. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Northridge Middle School, 120 Northridge Drive, Van Buren, Ark. 479-208-1120

Dec. 5-6 Christmas Open House: Civil War Living History Weekend Christmas will be in the air as in the days of the Civil War at Prairie Grove Battlefield. While food is cooking in the Latta House kitchen, members of the local Wool & Wheel Handspinners Guild & the Dogwood Lace groups will be demonstrating spinning, weaving and lace making. There will be guided tours through the historic Latta and Morrow houses. Various military drills, camp life and other living history activities will be included throughout the weekend at various times and locations. Presented by volunteers & NW 15th Ark Infantry. Free. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Prairie Grove Battle Field State Park, 506 East Douglas Street, Prairie Grove, Ark. 479-846-2990

Dec. 5 11th Annual Festival of Trees Held in conjunction with the Crawford County Courthouse Lighting Ceremony and the Old Town Merchants Association's Living Windows, this Christmas tradition draws hundreds each year to mark the start of the season in downtown Van Buren. Uniquely decorated trees, sponsored by local businesses and organizations, will line the courthouse lawn for visitors to browse and enjoy. The entries will be judged for their overall appearance and decor by a chamber panel, with winners announced at the lighting ceremony. The trees will remain on display through the holidays. Visitors will also enjoy yummy treats and the

Dec. 5-6, 12-13 Gardenland Express At the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, Gardenland Express will be chugging into town to entertain children and adults with another fantastic train display from the Northwest Arkansas Garden Railway Society. Gardenland Express will be open 1-4 p.m. Dec. 5-6 and Dec. 12-13. $5 for adults, $3 children 5-12. The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, 4703 North Crossover Road, Springdale, Ark. 479-750-2620 Dec. 6 Tasting Extravaganza Greenwood United Methodist Women present a Tasting Extravaganza! Elegant Christmas decor, decorations, appetizers and desserts. Plus, don't miss the silent auction. Recipe books with all the recipes will be $3. All proceeds support the United Methodist Women Mission Outreach. $5. 2-3:30 p.m. Greenwood United Methodist Church Family Life Center, El Paso and Main Streets, Greenwood, Ark. Dec. 6 26th Annual Candlelight Communion Service This community-wide Christmas event is a favorite among people of all faiths and everyone is invited.

Everyone will have their own candle as the Christmas story is told and songs of the season are sung. Free.

10:45 a.m.-noon. Evangel Temple, Corner of Towson and Dodson Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-782-9121 excitingET.com

Dec. 6 A Grand Family Christmas Grand Avenue opens its arms to everyone for concert by the Grand Family Choir and Orchestra. This presentation of joy will include favorite Christmas carols and new Christmas music. 5-6 p.m. Grand Avenue Baptist Church, 3900 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-5161 grandfamily.net

Dec. 7 An Evening with George Washington Gen. George Washington requests the pleasure of your company at this 18th century-inspired event. Sit with George Washington of Mount Vernon while enjoying a menu and cocktails inspired by the 18th century-inspired. Learn dances, play period games or

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS enjoy a carriage ride through the Historic District (not included with ticket) while admiring the stateliness of the historic Bonneville House, decorated to reflect the style of the time. There are only 120 tickets available for this unique event, so get them before they become history. Proceeds will benefit the Fort Smith Museum of History. Tickets start at $75. 6:30 p.m. Bonneville House, 318 North 7th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-709-3766 Dec. 7-16 QuickBooks 2012 Level 2 This course covers extensive use of QuickBooks including managing inventory, payroll, tracing time and estimates, as well as budgets and customizing the QuickBooks program.$80, includes textbook and USB drive. 5-7:55 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Fort Smith Adult Education Center, 501 South 20th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-785-1232 adulteducationfortsmith.com Dec. 7-16 Social Networking/Google Apps Class Students will learn how to use Facebook and Google Apps for personal and business use. Free. 5-7:55 p.m.

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

Dec. 7-28 Learn to Dance, Make Your Dreams Come True!

Advance dance lessons are from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and beginner dance lessons are from 7:30-9 p.m. Learn a new dance every month. Start lessons on the first Monday of the month in order to advance with other students. These lessons cover an array of interests and styles of dance to include ballroom, Latin, country western, swing and many others. Comfortable casual clothing and shoes without sticky soles are all you need to get started. $5. 6:30-9 p.m. Eagles Ballroom, 3317 South 66th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-674-2578

Dec. 8 Hearts of Gold Reception Project Compassion will be accepting donations and gifts for local nursing home residents at a Van Buren Hearts of Gold Reception. Enjoy free food, door prizes and holiday fun. 5:30-7 p.m. Hampton Inn, 1916 North 6th Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-783-2273 projectcompassioninc.com

Dec. 8 Book Talk: Night Runner by Max Turner After Zach Thomson’s parents died, Zach developed strange allergies. A mental intuition was the only place where he could get proper treatment. His allergies restricted his diet to strawberry smoothies and being the only kid at the hospital could get lonely. But it never once crossed Zach's mind to leave, until the night someone crashed through the front doors and told him to run. Now he's on a race for answers – about his past, his parents and his strange sickness, even as every step takes him closer to the darkest of truths.

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

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Music That Moved Fort Smith: History of the Hartford Music Co. In conjunction with the Fort Smith Museum of History's latest temporary exhibit, Roots Rhythm and Rock – Music That Moved Fort Smith: 1880-1945, learn about the history of the Hartford Music Co. and enjoy a Shape Note singing and dulcimer demonstration. T.J. McClung Gibson will present a history of the Hartford Music Co., former state Sen. Gene Jeffries of Crossett will give a history of the Shape Note method of singing. The Shankle Sisters of Hartford will perform a Shape Note singing demonstration and Linda Bennett of Fort Smith will demonstrate the dulcimer. Gibson is the daughter of J.A. and Minnie McClung. In 1918, businessmen E.M. Bartlett and J.A. McClung established the Hartford Music Co. in the small town of Hartford near Fort Smith.

The company published song books using the Shape Note method, which made reading music easier for the average person. Song books published by the Hartford Music Co. were shipped nationwide for use at singing schools and music conventions. Many Hartford residents and descendants were students of the Hartford Music Institute, which operated under the Hartford Music Co. teaching the Shape Note method of singing twice per year from 1921 until the 1950s. Gibson's mother, Minnie McClung, was an instructor at the school, which grew to serve more than 300-400 students per session. J.A. McClung was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1992. Jeffries of Crossett will present a history of the Shape Note method of singing. Jefferies owns a music company in Crossett and has studied Shape Note singing for more than 40 years. The Shankle Sisters will perform Shape Note singing and invite audience participation. Sherry Shankle Barnes, Mary Roberts Shankle and Jean Shankle are long-time friends of the McClung family. Bennett will demonstrate the dulcimer. Bennett was awarded second place at the 2015 Southern Regional Mountain Dulcimer Championship at

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Dec. 9 Film and Discussion: Barking Water Filmmaker Sterlin Harjo takes viewers on a road trip through his own personal Oklahoma, which includes an eclectic mix of humanity. In this simple and poignant film, Harjo claims his place as one of the most truthful and honest voices working in American cinema today. Following the film, enjoy a discussion with the filmmaker. Free. 7-8 p.m. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, 600 Museum Way, Bentonville, Ark. 479-657-2329 crystalbridges.org

Dec. 9 Dealing with the Rollercoaster of Emotions: During and After Treatment A flurry of emotions is generated when we hear the word “cancer.” Dr. Saulsbery will share how to handle those feelings of distress, worry, nervousness and fear felt during and after cancer treatment. Lunch 64 Entertainment Fort Smith December 2015/January 2016

the Ozark Folk Center at Mountain View. This project is supported in part by a grant from the Arkansas Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Free with museum admission: $7 for adults, $2 for children ages 6 and up. 6-7:30 p.m. Fort Smith Museum of History, 320 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-7841 fortsmithmuseum.org

sponsored by Peachtree Hospice. Seating is limited.

Call to register. Free. Noon. Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House, 3324 South M Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-782-6302 reynoldscancersupporthouse.org

Dec. 10 Girls Shelter Open House and Bake Sale Enjoy a selection of soups and bread and browse the bake sale. This is the Girls Shelter's way of giving thanks to the community for supporting these girls.

Free. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Girls Shelter, 2600 Raleigh, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-646-0444 girlsshelterfs.org Dec. 10 RSVP Holiday Open House This open house honors RSVP members, partners and community friends. Refreshments will be served.

Free. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. RSVP Center, 401 North 13th Street, Grand Avenue and North 13th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-629-4240 westarkrsvp.org

Dec. 10 Christmas Ornament Craft Adults and seniors may register to make snowmen and reindeer ornaments. 2 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

Dec. 11 Bingo for Books Do you love free books and playing bingo? Come on out, meet new friends, and win books by playing Bingo. Everyone will go home with at least one book.

Free. 10 a.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 Dec. 11 Redwork and Embroidery Club Join the library’s redwork and embroidery class. All experience levels welcome. Take your own supplies.

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

Dec. 11 Ducks Unlimited Banquet Attend the Greenwood and Sebastian County Ducks Unlimited Banquet for great food, fellowship and games for the entire family. Bronze Sponsorships are available for $250. Sponsor tables with premium seating for eight people are $850. Gold sponsor tables are $1,500 and include a choice of one gun from the Ducks Unlimited 30-gun banner. Executive sponsor tables with center seating are $2,500 and include a K2

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS cooler and a choice of Ducks Unlimited Big Gun Giveaway firearm. Platinum tables with front and center seating are available for $5,000 and include a choice from the Ducks Unlimited Dream Gun Giveaway and Yeti cooler. Individuals tickets $20-$60. 5:30-10:30 p.m. Columbus Acres, 10203 Columbus Acres Road, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-831-2116 Dec. 11 Beginning Yoga: Holiday Edition The holidays can be a stressful season and yoga can help. This timely workshop offers a low-pressure opportunity to learn about the many benefits of yoga.

Yoga can help improve flexibility, balance, strength and focus. Terri Hargrove from Yoga-terri-um leads the session. Mats will be provided or use a chair – perfect for seniors or anyone with balance challenges.

Free. Noon. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org

Dec. 11 Social Christmas Dance This is a fun social dance with a Christmas theme that features a ballroom atmosphere but also includes Latin, Country, European and line-dancing together in a relaxing social environment. This is a smoke-free environment. Attire is dressy casual. $5 per person.

8-10 p.m. Eagles Ballroom, 3317 South 66th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-674-2578 Dec. 11 Arkansas Turtles Enjoy nature videos in tribute to the passing of local turtle expert Champ Williams. He was an Emmy Award-winning wildlife filmmaker and biologist. Free.

6 p.m. River Valley Nature Center, 8300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-452-3993 rivervalleynaturecenter.com Dec. 11-12 Christmas Open House Enjoy some apple cider and super savings. There also will be live demonstrations of serveral sewing techniques and in-store drawing for a sewing machine giveaway. Free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sewing Machine Center and Fabric, 7320 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-484-5351 sewingmachinecenterfs.com

Dec. 12 Fort Smith Museum of History Annual Open House Before or after the Fort Smith Christmas parade, enjoy cookies, hot chocolate and free museum admission.

Shop the museum’s gift shop for unique gifts, locally made wooden toys, handcrafted pottery, signed and numbered Bass Reeves prints by Harold T. Holden and an excellent selection of local history books. Walk down the street to the Fort Smith Christmas Parade at 3 p.m. Free. 2 -5 p.m. Fort Smith Museum of History, 320 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-7841 fortsmithmuseum.org

Dec. 12 Fort Smith Boxing Club: Fight Night Catch the Fort Smith Boxing Club in action against clubs from across the state. Fights start promptly at 6 p.m. and concessions will be available. Two-time Junior Olympic Champion and current team coach Terry Clark will be on-site to answer questions about the program. $6 adults, $4 students. 6-9 p.m. Evans Boys Club, 6015 Boys Club Lane, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-831-3585

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Dec. 12 Greenwood Chamber of Commerce 5K Yule Run This is chipped timed. Prizes will be awarded for best Christmas outfit.

Free T-shirts will be given to the first 100 pre-registrants. Online registration is available. Entry fee is $20 by 2 p.m. Dec. 11; $30 day of race. 8 a.m. registration; 9 a.m. start. No entries will be accepted after 8:50 a.m. Greenwood Police Station, 250 Old Hackett Road, Greenwood, Ark. greenwoodarkansas.com registration.mylaps.com/gw-yule-run/ Dec. 12 TrailBlazers Hike to Loop Trail TrailBlazers Hiking Club will hike the Loop Trail at Lake Fort Smith State Park, beginning at the Visitors Center on the Ozark Highland Trail. There will be views of the lake, historic relics and rocky bluff lines. A new trail will loop back to the Visitors Center for a moderate hike of about 4 miles. Open to anyone. Meet at Cloverleaf Plaza parking lot in Van Buren to carpool/caravan. 9 a.m. Lake Fort Smith State Park, Shepherd Springs Road, Mountainburg, Ark. 479-646-9562 thcfs.com

Dec. 12 Duck Hunting Workshop Join Steve Dunlap, AGFC Northwest Region education coordinator, for a class on how to begin duck hunting. The Arkansas River Valley traditionally holds great duck numbers during winter. Highlighted topics include shotguns, shells, duck calling, decoys, hunting strategies and recipes. Free. 2 p.m. Arkansas River Valley Nature Center, 8300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-452-3993 rivervalleynaturecenter.com

Dec. 12-13 St. Scholastica Monastery Bake Sale Let the Sisters do your holiday baking this year. Choose breads, rolls, cakes, pies, cookies by the pound; jams, jellies, pickles, and jar mixes, scrumptious candies and handcrafted items. The sale will be open from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Dec. 12 and from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Dec. 13. Take the Trinity Junior High entrance and follow the signs to the sale. Free.

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

Fort Smith National Cemetery Christmas Honors Christmas Honors, in partnership with Wreaths Across America, invites the citizens of the Fort Smith region to help honor the servicemen and women of our community who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation at this annual event. Each December, family, friends and volunteers transform the Fort Smith National Cemetery by placing one wreath on each of the more than 16,000 headstones.

This year's schedule is a two-day event. From 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Dec. 11, the workshop to unpack and prepare the wreaths will be held at the Fort Smith Convention Center. Many volunteers are needed. At 11 a.m. Dec. 12, Christmas Honors will begin with a ceremony to coordinate with other cemetery ceremonies across the nation. Placement of the wreaths by families and volunteers will take place after the ceremony. Wreath pick-up, packing and storage will take place at the Fort Smith Convention Center, Rogers Avenue and South 9th Street, at noon Jan. 3. Free. Donations accepted. Fort Smith National Cemetery, 522 South 6th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-926-0939 christmashonors.org

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Dec. 12-13 Celebrate Christmas Celebrate Christmas is a show crafted for the whole family. The program is full of music, skits and more. 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Dec. 12; 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Dec. 13. Free. Harvest Time, 3100 Briar Cliff Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-646-6001 harvesttime.net

Dec. 13 Western Arkansas Ballet's 30th Annual Nutcracker More than 120 local children and adults will perform in this timeless holiday classic featuring Alyssa Grimsley of Ballet Nebraska as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Jammie Walker of Jessica Lang Dance as the Cavalier. $25 for adults. $15 children through or students with I.D. 7:30 p.m. ArcBest Performing Arts Center, 55 South 7th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-785-0152 waballet.org

Dec. 13 Wrapping All the Way The Evangel Temple children's department presents “Wrapping All The Way,” an exciting Christmas musical for the whole family. Free. 6 p.m.

Evangel Temple, Towson and Dodson Avenues, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-782-9121 excitingET.com

Dec. 13 13th Annual Fort Smith Public Library Holiday Open House Celebrate the holiday season at the main library with a festive afternoon of music, crafts, games, stories, holiday displays, light refreshments and other entertainment for children and adults. Scheduled performers include St. Boniface Rhythm Band, St. Boniface Christmas Spirit Squad, Riverblenders Barbershop Choir, Developmental Wings Hand Bell Choir, Praise Generation Youth Gospel Choir, Marian Laird and Bill and Nancy Carpenter. A donation of a non-perishable food item for the

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS holiday food drive is suggested. 1-5 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org Dec. 15 Lincoln High School Alumni Association's Senior Citizens’ Christmas Dinner This Christmas event for senior citizens includes a dinner and gifts from Santa provided by Altrusa Club of Fort Smith. Enjoy great food, entertainment, eggnog and fellowship. The Lincoln High School Alumni Association aims to keep the legacy of Lincoln High School alive for future generations. Free. 6 p.m. First Christian Church, 3501 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-434-4854

Dec. 15 Dutch Oven Lid Lifter Everything tastes better when cooked outdoors. Enjoy a delicious meal while learning about the uses and care of cast-iron Dutch ovens. Make a dessert "lid lifter style." Call to register. Free. 6 p.m. River Valley Nature Center, 8300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-452-3993 rivervalleynaturecenter.com Dec. 17 Welcome Neighbor Book Club The book "What the Lady Wants" by Renee Rosen will be reviewed. Any woman is welcome to attend and enjoy the discussion. Free. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Dewey's Cafe, Main Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-459-1603 welcomeneighborftsmith.weebly.com

Dec. 18-22 Christmas Carriage Rides on the Avenue Circle L Ranch will offer carriage rides for four nights only from 7-9 p.m. Dec. 1819 and Dec. 21-22. Some proceeds benefit the Salvation Army. No reservations – first come, first served. Blankets provided. $8. 7-9 p.m. Christmas Carriage Rides on the Avenue, 4th and Garrison, Fort Smith, Ark. 918-207-5487 Dec. 19 Meet the Author: Jonita Mullins Jonita Mullin's book "Journey to an Untamed Land" tells the story of the first missionaries to establish a church and school among the Osages in the Indian Territories, now known as Oklahoma. It is told from the perspective of the schoolteacher, Clarissa Johnson, who flees her home to escape the hurt and betrayal of a broken heart.

The novel follows her long and difficult journey from New England to the unbroken prairie. The missionaries work to build trust among the Native Americans, the nearby fur traders and even among themselves as they strive to bring the gospel and education to an untamed land. The talk and book signing will take place in the historic Frisco Train Station. Free. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Fort Smith National Historic Site, Frisco Train Depot, 100 Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-226-3719 nps.gov/fosm

Dec. 19 UFO Sightings In The River Valley Enjoy a review of some of the most interesting local and surrounding area sightings of 2015. 10:30 a.m.-noon. Fort Smith Public Library, Carnegie Room, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 Dec. 20 Christmas Drama at Evangel Temple Experience the Christmas story like never before with live animals, music and more.

Free. 6 p.m. Evangel Temple, Towson and Dodson Avenues, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-782-9121 excitingET.com

Dec. 20 Michael’s Mansion Third Sunday Art Show Works of art by artists Jimmy Leach, Lorrie Bridges, Pat Riggs, David Gates and Olen A. will be featured in an exhibit and sale. Refreshments and good conversation will be served. 1-4 p.m. Michael’s Mansion Art Gallery, 2900 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-883-8336 michaelsmansion.biz

Outdoor Tour of Christmas DECEMBER

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The Tour of Christmas is an outdoor hayride that takes the guests to 10 beautiful scenes portraying the life of Christ. This heart-felt presentation covers 22 acres and features live actors and animals.

New additions are added each year so that returning guests are delighted with a surprise. This year will feature a walk-through Bethlehem as the hayride loads. This is the fifth year for the drama and each year has proven a success. Many families call the stop a Christmas tradition not to be missed. Turn right at the Muldrow I-40 exit.

Free. 6-9 p.m. Eastside Freewill Baptist Activity Center, 1302 South Main, Muldrow, Okla. 918-427-5116 eastsidefwbc.org December 2015/January 2016

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Tim Ernst Visit and Slide Presentation: A Rare Quality of Light Take a break from your hectic life to enjoy scenic photography and inspirational words as Tim Ernst shares images from his latest picture book, “A Rare Quality of Light.”

Ernst has been hiking, driving and crawling around the wonderful Ozark Mountains for most of his life, preserving the images he sees on film for everyone to enjoy. His photographs have appeared in hundreds of national, regional and local publications. He founded and was the president of the Ozark Highlands Trail Association for 28 years. This organization, with members in 25 states and five foreign countries, has contributed 350,000 hours of volunteer labor to the U. S. Forest Service and various local agencies. He was also president of Friends of White Rock, the volunteer organization that has restored and re-opened the Lodge and cabins at White Rock Mountain in the Ozark National Forest. Much of his time these days is spent teaching digital photography workshops from his wilderness cabin in the Buffalo River. Many books and calendars will be available for sale and signing at this special Fort Smith Public Library program.

Free. 7 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org

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Dec. 22 Blood Drive Give blood to those in need this holiday season. 1:305:30 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Sing carols, take communion, light candles and celebrate the birth of the Savior. Services will be held at 4, 6 and 8 p.m. Free. Harvest Time, 3100 Briar Cliff Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-646-6001 harvesttime.net Dec. 25 Free Christmas Day Lunch Anyone who will be alone for Christmas or who cannot afford a meal is invited to be a part of its annual lunch. Free. Noon-1 p.m. Evangel Temple, Towson and Dodson Avenues, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-782-9121

Jan. 1 First Day Highpoint Hike Start the year with a healthy hike to Arkansas’ highest point. Clear, dry, wet or snowy, Mount Magazine State Park offers more than 14 miles of trails that lead to scenic overlooks and beautiful waterfalls. Explore on your own or take a guided walk with a park interpreter.

Free. 10 a.m. Mount Magazine State Park, 577 Lodge Drive, Paris, Ark. 479-963-8502

Jan. 1-31 Photography by P.J. Williams Fort Smith native and computer services librarian for the Fort Smith Public Library P.J. Williams will share her photographs of various travel destinations. Free.

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

Jan. 1-31 Miller Branch Library Artist of the Month: Dennis Russell Huntington photographer Dennis Russell returns to the Miller Branch Library, with an exhibition focusing on local landscapes in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Nature and pet photography are his two passions. His photography has won several photo contests and many of his pictures are on display at local businesses in Fort Smith. Free. 9 a.m. Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-646-3945

Jan. 1-31 Art by Penny Joyner Artwork by Penny Joyner will be featured. Take a few minutes to enjoy her beautiful oil paintings while checking out a book, using a computer, or participating in a program. Free. 9 a.m. Windsor Branch Library, 4701 Windsor Drive, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-785-0405 fortsmithlibrary.org

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Jan. 1-Feb. 29 Paintings by Lisa Jan-Bohné Clay Lisa Jan-Bohné Clay’s recent study of work has moved toward impressionism, offering a sketchy quality that brings energy and dramatic effect to a painting. Clay studied art at the Memphis Academy of Art and Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. She continued in independent study under the direction of the accomplished artists Roger Carlisle and John Keech. The artist has displayed in galleries in Augsburg Germany, San Antonio, Texas, and Little Rock.

Free. Dewey's Cafe at the Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 Jan. 4-5 Fort Smith Little Theatre Auditions Auditions will be held for “Farce Of Nature,” directed

by Angela Covey. The cast will include five females and four males, age 25 and up. Show dates are Feb. 11-20. 7 p.m. Fort Smith Little Theatre, 401 North 6th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-2966 fslt.org Jan. 8 iPad Basics Learn the basics and receive hands-on help getting started with your iPad. Take your iPad (make sure it’s charged) and your Apple ID and password. Free. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org

Jan. 8 Bingo for Books Do you love free books and playing bingo? Meet new friends and win books by playing bingo. Everyone will go home with at least one book. 10 a.m. Free. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 Jan. 8, 22 Redwork and Embroidery Club All experience levels welcome. Take your own supplies. 1-3 p.m. Free. Refreshments served. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 70

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Photo Sculpture, A New Concept in Photography Michael Leonard’s “Photo Sculpture, A New Concept in Photography” will launch the 40th year at the Center For Art & Education. Leonard steps outside the boundaries of traditional photography with his mixed media threedimensional presentations and infrared fine art photography. His photo art invites you to travel into the subject from a new prospective and encourages you to see what the artist saw and felt while taking the photograph. Leonard’s photographic interests and styles are multifaceted and he has photographed many different subjects. Preview his photographs at photovariations.com.

Opening reception will be 1-4 p.m. Jan. 10. Free. Center for Art & Education, 104 North 13th Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-7767

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Events honor, remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr., the legendary civil rights leader, will be honored by the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith and the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Association through a week of events slated in January.

Jan. 13: The Ministerial Alliance Prayer Service will be held at 6 p.m. at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, 1119 Division Street. For more information, contact Rev. Mack Jackson at 479285-9637.

Jan. 16: An Awards and Recognition Banquet will be held in the Reynolds Room of the SmithPendergraft Campus Center at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30, with reserved tables available for $350.

Call Bruce Wade at 479-739-7904 for tickets.

Jan. 17: The Annual Ecumenical Service will be held at 6 p.m. at First Missionary Baptist Church, 3110 Kelley Highway. For more information, contact Bruce Wade at 479-739-7904.

Jan. 18: A breakfast, which is free and open to the public, will be held at 8 a.m. in the Reynolds Room of the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center. Community leaders will discuss contemporary topics on the opportunities and challenges facing the nation, the region and the community. A symbolic march will begin at approximately 9:45 a.m. and move from the Campus Center to the Bell Tower, where a brief ceremony will take place. Contact Leroy Cox at 479-788-7768.

Jan. 21: The Unsung Heroes Program, co-sponsored by the UAFS chapter of the American Democracy Project and the U.S. Marshals Museum, will take place from 4:30-7:30 p.m. in the Reynolds Room of the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center. The theme is “Protect and Serve” and will honor local law enforcement members and firefighters. Kirk Bowden, retired U.S. marshal, will serve as the keynote speaker. For more information, contact Dr. Elizabeth Underwood, associate vice chancellor for government and university relations, at 479-788-7008 or visit uafs.edu/adp/american-democracy-project.

The events mark the fifth year UAFS has collaborated with the MLK Community Association to honor and celebrate King. In October 1964, King received the Nobel Peace Prize for combating racial inequality through nonviolence. He was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal posthumously. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, slated this year for Jan. 18, was established as a U.S. federal holiday in 1986.

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Jan. 9 TrailBlazers Hike to Buzzards Roost TrailBlazers Hiking Club will hike to Buzzards Roost, a scenic area with unusual stone formations and natural bridge. The hike will be 3.6 miles round trip, rated moderate. The Arkansas Sphinx is a sandstone monolith in the Ozark Mountains. It will be a short, strenuous hike to the Sphinx – straight up for 900 feet. Take lunch and water. Meet at Cloverleaf Plaza parking lot in Van Buren to carpool/caravan. 8 a.m. Ozark National Forest, Highway 123, Near Pelsor, Ark. 479-646-9562 tbhc.org Jan. 9-Feb. 28 Eagle Tours Lake Dardanelle State Park is proud to offer free winter lake cruises for the best chance of seeing our national symbol, the Bald Eagle. Many other spectacular birds will be in the area for viewing including American White Pelicans, ducks, and Snow Geese. Dress warmly as temperatures and winds are more severe on the lake. In an effort to accommodate as many people as possible, reservations are required. Call the visitor center to reserve your seat. Begin boarding 15 minutes before the tour, at the boat dock near the tournament weigh-in facility. Tours are weather dependent. Free. Lake Dardenelle State Park, 100 State Park Drive, Russellville, Ark. 479-967-5516

Jan. 9 Kindle Basics Learn the basics and receive hands-on help getting started with your Kindle. A demonstration of Library2Go, the Library’s service for downloadable media, will also be included. Take your Kindle (make sure it is charged). You will also need to know your Amazon account information. Free. 1 p.m. Dallas Branch Library, 8100 Dallas Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-484-5650 fortsmithlibrary.org Jan. 10 The Ultimate Wedding Fayre The Ultimate Wedding Fayre offers more than 40 vendors to help you plan everything for your special day.

There will be lots of door prizes, including a $500 Travel Gift Card from Delta Vacations and Deramus Travel. Tickets will be $5 in advance at Always and Forever behind Central Mall beginning Dec. 18. Pre-purchased tickets will be entered for a $100 Visa gift card.

The first 50 brides will receive a free T-shirt and swag bag. $5 in advance, $8 at the door. 1-4 p.m. Holiday Inn City Center Downtown, 700 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-597-0669

Jan. 12 Foto Sketcher 101 Teens, adults and seniors are invited to learn a new software program for digital photo editing. Foto Sketcher is a free program for Windows that converts photos into digital art in just a few mouse clicks. Barry Tabor will teach a class on how easy the Foto Sketcher software is to use.10 a.m. Free. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140 Jan. 12 Book Talk: The Round House by Louise Erdrich Readers from teens to seniors are invited. In the spring of 1988, 13-year-old Joe Coutts, the only son of older parents, learns his mother has been raped. At the hospital, his father, Bazil, a tribal judge on the reservation, quickly enlists the county, federal and tribal police to take statements from Geraldine as she

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS was raped near the round house, a spiritual place that is on reservation land but is surrounded by several different areas where different authorities have the ability to prosecute. Joe and his friends go to the round house to see if they can find more evidence and are able to locate an empty gas canister in the lake. 6 p.m. Free. Refreshments served. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140 Jan. 13 Kindle Basics Learn the basics and receive hands-on help getting started with your Kindle. A demonstration of Library2Go, the Library’s service for downloadable media, will also be included. Take your Kindle (make sure it is charged). You will also need to know your Amazon account information. Free. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org Jan. 14 Adult Bracelet Craft Make a gorgeous bracelet that can accessorize any outfit using a needle and thread with beads and ribbon. The library will provide the supplies. 2 p.m. Free.

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

Jan. 15 Food for Thought: Native American Beading Designer Brenda Horton will demonstrate Native American beading techniques, including loomwork, off-loomwork, and bead applique. Beaded bags and denim dusters will be on display, as well as vintage and modern beading pieces. The library will provide drinks and dessert; take a lunch or pick it up at Dewey's Café. Free. Noon. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 Jan. 15 Crochet and Knitting Club All experience levels are welcome. Provide your own yarn and size G or H hook. 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

Jan. 15 Oaklawn Park Opening Day Racing season begins at Oaklawn Park, kicking off with the Dixie Belle race for fillies. Stand at the rail as a few thousand pounds of flesh, hooves and high hopes come charging down the home stretch. And for every year since 1905, that’s what Oaklawn Racing has served up from January through April. Trainers, jockeys and bettors alike know that Oaklawn hosts a disproportionate number of champions and Horses of the Year. As one of the premier race meets in the country, Oaklawn also serves up some of the biggest purses in the business.The racing season continues through April. Oaklawn Park, 2705 Central Avenue, Hot Springs, Ark.

Jan. 16 First Lutheran German Dinner Enjoy authentic German food prepared by the Lutheran Women's Missionary League of First Lutheran Church. The menu is rouladen, fried potatoes, red cabbage, green beans, cucumber salad, Apple cake with caramel sauce and drinks.Take out is available, as well as hot dogs for $5. $20 per person.

5-7 p.m. First Lutheran Church, 1115 North D Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-785-2886

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Jan. 17 TrailBlazers Hike to Bell Park TrailBlazers Hiking Club will hike on the Greenwood Trail from City Hall to Bell Park, a distance of about 2½ miles. The first mile is asphalt (rated easy) but the second mile is gravel trail heading up the hill to the park, rated moderate. Meet at Home Depot parking lot in Fort Smith to carpool/caravan. Free. 1 p.m.

Jan. 21 Open Mic Night at Dewey’s Café Musicians, poets and other talented folks are invited to perform. Sign-up at the door and arrive early to ensure a spot on the list. Music or poetry does not have to be original work. Acoustic music only. Free. 7 p.m.

Dewey's Cafe at the Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229

Jan. 21 Bingo for Books The library will be playing bingo and the winnings are books. 10 a.m. Free. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

Jan. 22 Library2Go: Demo and Q&A Learn about the changes and improvements to Library2Go, the library’s downloadable media service.

Library staff will demonstrate how to use Library2Go, and answer questions and offer hands on help after the presentation. Take your e-reader, portable audio device or your laptop. Free. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org

Jan. 23 TrailBlazers Hike to Redding Loop This is a 6-mile hike, rated moderate, beginning near the Mulberry River. With leaf-off, there should be good views and waterfalls. Take lunch and water. Meet at Cloverleaf Plaza in Van Buren to carpool/caravan. 8 a.m. Ozark National Forest, Cass Oark Road, north of Ozark, Ark. 479-646-9562 thcfs.com Jan. 23, 30 and Feb. 6 Eagle Tour & Loon Watch Tour features southern bald eagles on the nest. Begin the tour by watching eagles from the refuge's webcam and continue the tour on the 25-person tour bus.

Guests are encouraged to bring binoculars. Stops will be made at two nesting sties as well as other points of interest where eagles are known to be viewed. Two spotting scopes will be provided for an up close look.

After spending the morning at the refuge, take a break and have a leisurely lunch in Vian. Then, make your way to Tenkiller State Park's Driftwood Nature Center for more eagles and lots of loons, including the common loon, the red-throated loon, the pacific loon and the yellow-billed loon. Enjoy this famed bird of the northeast and beyond. Tours will occur unless there is a travel advisory for the area. Free. Eagle Tour at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, 9 a.m.-noon; Loon Watch at Tenkiller State Park, 2 p.m. Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge & Tenkiller State Park, Vian, Okla. 918-489-5641, 918-489-5025 Feb. 6 Arkansas Men's & Women's State Chili Cook-Off Charity cook-off. Raffle items and chili tasting kits.

Doors open at 9 a.m. Chili turn-in at 1 p.m. Chili, charity, and fun. Free. Elks Lodge, 5504 Massard Road, Fort Smith, Ark. facebook.com/belch.pod 74

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DINING GUIDE

Downtown’s rockin’, rack-smokin’ Rib Room abides

T

he mouth-watering aroma of barbecue smoke once again tantalizes pedestrians on Garrison Avenue, where the Rib Room is now on the corner of 5th Street with its traditions intact – rock ’n’ roll memorabilia and its meaty, hearty menu.

It has higher visibility, too, having opened just as The Unexpected Festival selected its west-facing wall as an enormous canvas.

The restaurant is a tasty trip back to founder Bill Neumeier’s restaurant roots, as the Rib Room is now all barbecue, all the time – Tuesday through Saturday, for lunch on weekdays and dinner every night. Regulars of Garrison Avenue will remember his start as the Coney Island hot dog stand in 1988 at his former patch, the 800 block, then an upgrade to the Rib Room in 1998. It grew to include a big beer garden venue with a legendary roster of performers on its outdoor stage.

While concentrating on the live music venue, Neumeier renovated again in 2008 to more quickly serve the crush of concert fans.

Now diners can, again, enjoy his vast collection of concert posters, rare photographs of performers, autographed guitars and other souvenirs he displayed in the original Rib Room. (And the collection appears to have grown a bit, too.)

Partnered now with his friend Lance Thompson, who is a member of the band Cutthroat Trout (naturally, they met through a shared love of music), Bill is in hog (pork) heaven. He and the experienced kitchen staff already know how Rib Room patrons want their barbecue fixed.

The menu, Lance explained, is like a nostalgic survey of all the good stuff Bill has ever offered, “going back to Coney Island days,” he said.

Massive Cherokee portraits by Askew, a New Zealand artist, add to Rib Room’s visibility.

Chopped, right, or by the rack, Rib Room ‘Q.

The Big Ol’ Tater from the hot dog stand is back, topped with smoked chicken or pork, a big ladle’s worth of chili with cheese or simple butter and sour cream.

Fans of handmade Shorty’s Tamales can order up. Famous Chili rounds out the proudly madein-Fort-Smith fare (plus Rib Room sources chicken locally, too, from OK Foods).

And, as for the barbecue, there would be some kind of a riot if it had changed a bit – and those who weren’t standing at the door on opening day can rest assured they will find those great award-winning pork loin baby back ribs with Bill’s trademark dry rub, or “wet” if you prefer.

The “plates” menu is pork shoulder, pulled and chopped; pork loin, thin and stacked; a half chicken, smoked and rubbed or the combo with a little of all of it.

Scale back and still be full with chopped or sliced pork sandwiches or Bubba’s Big Bologna.

Daily, for lunch, all the sandwiches, a tamale plate, the Big Ol’ Baked Taters are offered.

In a revolutionary move, Lance disclosed that two new, delicious salads are offered: a garden salad with fresh mixed greens, tomatoes and cheese (for the very virtuous) and a salad topped with your choice of smoked pork or chicken.

Take-out is a popular way to get a Rib Room fix. Call ahead. Catering for up to 50 is offered, or for more – “We’ll take a swing at it!” Lance said. The entire Rib Room is available for private functions on Sunday and Monday nights, where cut ribs can be served buffet style.

Neumeier’s Rib Room 424 Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-494-RIBS (7427) ribroom.com 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 5-9 p.m.

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DINING GUIDE PAPA’S PUB & PIZZARIA This loaded pizza style, voted over and over as Fort Smith’s “Favorite,” is the draw of Papa’s Pub & Pizzaria, 508 Garrison Avenue. It’s a gathering place to watch all the big games and has a patio for relaxing with a party of friends. Dine in or take out.

JUAN’S

SAKÉ SUSHI BAR

Juan’s Mexican Restaurant is a Fort Smith classic at 3121 Towson Avenue known for its signature, tasty cheese dip and delicious combo platters. Fast service and lunch specials make it a business lunch favorite.

Fresh chili rellenos are a house specialty.

Saké Sushi & Martini has unmatched sushi creativity. They’ve put the sushi bar “onstage” where the fresh, brightly flavored seafoods are artistically crafted into rolls. Martini menu and full bar.

823 Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith.

RALPH’S PINK FLAMINGO Competitive? A little. They have the trophies to show for it. The Ralph Taylor family is sure they serve the best barbecue in town and they don’t mind plying diners with hearty side dishes to get the extra edge.Maybranch Square, 2801 Old Greenwood Road.

NEUMEIER’S RIB ROOM

WEINKELLER RESTAURANT

Open Tuesday-Friday for lunch and for dinner Tuesday-Saturday. New lunch specials daily! Try a salad with smoked meat or a “Big Ol’ Tater” topped with Q. As always, the primo order is Bill’s famous ribs, dry, muddy or dirty! 424 Garrison Avenue. ribroom.com

A pleasant drive east to Exit 41 on I-540 leads to Wiederkehr Village, home of a 135-year-old winery and the famous Wiederkehr Weinkeller Restaurant with Swiss, French and German cuisine. Wine tastings and vineyard tours are free!

RIVER CITY BISTRO It’s an authentic deli daily with gourmet dinner specials nightly. Wine pairing dinners with five-course meals are held the third Thursday monthly, planned by Chef Jason Haid and Sodie’s. Holiday meals can be catered – order now! Stonewood Village, 7320 Rogers Avenue, No. 7, Fort Smith.

WHOLE HOG CAFE

ROLANDO’S There is no other menu to compare with Rolando’s Nuevo Latino Restaurante, unless it is another of Rolando Cuzco’s Arkansas location. The fresh, flavorful Ecuadoran cuisine is unique and the atmosphere is as colorful as the food. 223 Garrison Avenue.

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Connect on Facebook and Twitter for daily specials. Whole Hog can serve a family or crowd during holiday occasions with pulled pork, ribs, brisket, sausage, chicken. 4501 Burrough Road, Fort Smith. wholehogfortsmith.com

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No one looks forward to our prized Readers’ Favorites award than locally owned restaurants.

And the 2016 winner is ...

?

You will decide!

VOTE in our Readers’ Favorite Poll.

Ballot found on page 17.

Winners appear in February!

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