Arkansas
Local notes: Benefit concert for ALS Northwest Arkansas planned for Sept. 6 at Rendezvous Junction Brewery Co. | Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Botanical Garden of the Ozarks
The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks will play host to the second annual Scarecrow Showdown, a community art installation during the month of October at the garden located at 4703 N. Crossover Road in Fayetteville. Community members and businesses are invited to register by Aug. 31 to create a scarecrow to be displayed in the garden. The showdown will be a feature at the garden’s Autumn Harvest fundraiser set for Oct. 6. Scarecrows will be on display in the Garden until Nov. 1.
Scarecrow creators may register in the amateur category for $30, professional for $50, or business for $150. Participants may tend to their scarecrows with four provided daily passes
Information: (479) 750-2620 or bgozarks.org.
Mount Sequoyah
Mount Sequoyah has two events planned for International Peace Month. On Sept. 6 there is an opening reception for Helen Kwiatkowski’s paintings and 1,000 handmade cranes installation in Sequoyah Hall Gallery at 150 Skyline Drive in Fayetteville. Then there is a Peace Day Concert for the International Day of Peace starting at 6 p.m. Sept. 21 with food and fellowship followed by concert with Emily Kaitz & Dennis Collins, Dana Louise and a reading by Ginny Masullo at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 and benefit The Children’s Safety Center. Ticket links at EventBrite or https://mountsequoyah.org/event-directory.
ALS Association
The Rendezvous Junction Brewery Co. will play host to a benefit concert for ALS Northwest Arkansas at 6:30 p.m Sept. 6 at the brewery located at 2225 S. Bellview Road, Suite 101 in Rogers. Recent tornadoes forced the cancellation of the June Walk to Defeat ALS Northwest Arkansas but organizers of the benefit concert aim to support the organization in the walk’s stead.
The fundraiser will feature dinner, a performance by Once Were Young band, silent auction and local mayors will participate in the Ice Bucket Challenge in honor of its 10th anniversary. The event is open to the public and proceeds will support patient care and comfort, research for treatments and a cure.
Limited VIP seating is available for $150 and mezzanine VIP tickets for $60, which include dinner and an alcoholic beverage.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit als.org/NWAConcert.
ALS, often called Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive motor neuron disease, which gradually robs people of their ability to walk, talk, swallow and eventually breathe. ALS has no known cause or cure. With only two to five years to live, people living with ALS have an urgent need.
The ALS Association is the largest ALS organization in the world. The ALS Association funds global research collaborations, assists people with ALS and their families through its nationwide network of care and certified clinical care centers and advocates for better public policies for people with ALS. The ALS Association is working to make ALS a livable disease while urgently searching for new treatments and a cure. For more information about the ALS Association, visit als.org.
Christian Women’s Connection
The Christian Women’s Connection play host to a brunch from 9 to 10:45 a.m. Sept. 11 at the Bella Vista Community Church located at 75 E. Lancashire Blvd. in Bella Vista.
Charlene Dennis of Florissant, Mo., will be the featured speaker. Her message will be “My Princess Story, and This Is No Fairy Tale.”
The program will also include a fashion show presented by Beautiful Lives Thrift Boutique in Bentonville.
Registration is $10 and includes brunch. Reservations are required by 2:30 p.m. Sept. 6.
For reservations call Glenda at (479) 366-7562, text Dorothy at (479) 381-6516 or email BellaVistaCWCStonecroft@gmail.com
The Bella Vista Christian Women’s Connection September Prayer Connection for will be held at 9 a.m. Sept. 4 at 77 McKenzie Drive in Bella Vista. Reservations are not necessary for the Prayer Connection.
Funk Festival
The inaugural Funk Festival to benefit the Arkansas Support Network will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Sept. 22 at George’s Majestic Lounge located at 519 W. Dickson St. in Fayetteville. The musical lineup will feature Rodney Block Collective, Funk Factory, Funkanites and Tim Anthony & Friends.
The Funk Festival supports Arkansas Support Network, an organization founded in 1988 by dedicated mothers striving for better opportunities for their children with disabilities. ASN has since evolved into a statewide leader in empowering individuals with developmental disabilities, serving over 600 people across Arkansas.
“Funk music blends diverse genres, instruments and sounds to create unique, soulful music that inspires movement and connection. In many ways, this mirrors the impactful services and support we offer to individuals with disabilities at Arkansas Support Network when we do them well. We’re thrilled to have top talent from across Arkansas joining us for a day of exceptional music in support of a worthy cause. We look forward to seeing you there,” Syard Evans, CEO, Arkansas Support Network said.
Tickets are available for $75 at stubs.net/event/6257/funk-festival-benefiting-arkansas-support-network.
For more information contact Terri Pegue at (479) 644-0802 or tpegue@supports.org.
Compton Gardens & Arboretum
The Dr. Compton Native Tree & Plant Sale is set to be held Sept. 27-30. The sale is open to the public will feature more than 56 varieties of native trees, shrubs, vines, ornamental grasses, perennials and hardy ferns.
“Our Fall Native Tree & Plant Sale is a great opportunity for the community to purchase Ozark native plants, many of which are grown in-house at Compton Gardens using seeds sourced from the gardens,” says Meagan Love, site manager at Compton Gardens & Arboretum.
The annual event will be held at the Compton Gardens maintenance office located at 407 NE B St. in Bentonville.
For more details and to learn about the specific varieties available, visit peelcompton.org. Compton Gardens & Arboretum is a community space provided by Peel Compton Foundation, whose mission is to connect the community through nature, education, recreation, and preservation. For more information visit peelcompton.org.
GermanFest
Mountain Home Moose Lodge No. 1953 will play host to its 16th annual GermanFest on Oct. 19 at the lodge located at 4754 Arkansas 5 in Salesville.
The menu will include sauerbraten, bratwurst, hot German potato salad, red cabbage, sauerkraut, hot pretzels and apple strudel. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at the door or in advance. The family friendly event is open to members and non-member guests. Advance tickets may be purchased by calling the lodge after 2 p.m. at (870) 491-5696.
Arkansas Tech University-Ozark
Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus recently announced the appointment of Mario Varela as coordinator of student recruitment. He leads the effort to attract and recruit future students by enhancing the student experience and fostering a sense of belonging and connection. In a previous tenure at ATU-Ozark in 2022-23, Varela served as a student support specialist.
“Higher education has always had my heart,” said Varela. “I am thrilled to be back at ATU-Ozark and to bring what I’ve learned in my time away to help our campus flourish even more. I look forward to working alongside an amazing team to continue serving our communities and supporting our students.”
“Mario’s return to campus is a testament to his dedication to the field of higher education and his commitment to the success of students,” said Jessica Spicer, ATU-Ozark associate director of admissions. “Mario is well positioned to help ATU-Ozark continue its mission of providing high-quality education and growth to all students.”
Varela holds degrees in music and health science from the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville.
Information: atu.edu/ozark.
Arkansas Arts Council
The Arkansas Arts Council is seeking nominations for the 2025 Governor’s Arts Awards. Sept. 6 is the deadline to submit nominations for those whose work continues to strengthen the arts in Arkansas.
The annual awards program recognizes outstanding individuals, organizations and businesses for their influence on the arts in Arkansas. The public is encouraged to submit nominations for the following categories: arts community development; arts in education; corporate sponsorship of the arts; folk life; individual artist; patron; and lifetime achievement awards. Finalists are chosen by an independent panel of arts professionals and will be honored at a ceremony in the spring.
To make a nomination or for more information, visit the Arkansas Arts Council’s website or contact Cheri Leffew at cheri.leffew@arkansas.gov.
LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — A bee swarm attack in Texas sent three people, including a firefighter, to the hospital this week, while Arkansas medical experts said most bee stings are not dangerous but can become life-threatening in certain cases.
Authorities in San Antonio said the three victims were hospitalized after being swarmed and stung by aggressive bees. Officials have not released details on what triggered the attack or the species involved.
Doctors in Arkansas said the biggest risk from a bee sting is not the sting itself, but a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.
“The concern when you have a bee sting is if you develop a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis,” said Dr. Garrett Lewis, chief medical officer at St. Vincent Infirmary.
Lewis said warning signs include throat swelling, difficulty breathing and feeling faint, which require immediate medical attention.
“If you’re experiencing any throat swelling or severe shortness of breath, you need to seek medical care immediately,” Lewis said.
He added that people who are stung multiple times may also be at risk even without a known allergy, because each sting introduces additional venom into the body.
In the event of a swarm, Lewis said the priority should be escaping the area as quickly as possible and removing any stingers once safe.
“Seek water, seek indoor,” Lewis said. “Once you’re away from the swarm, you want to make sure that you are removing any stingers that might still be in your skin.”
Lewis also said symptoms such as dizziness, nausea and widespread hives can indicate a serious reaction.
While the Texas incident resulted in hospitalizations, a recent swarm outside a Little Rock business ended without injuries after bees briefly gathered on a tree limb before being safely removed by a beekeeper.
Lewis said the best prevention is awareness of surroundings and understanding when medical care is needed after a sting.
CORNING, Ark. (KATV) — Regulatory Enforcement Agents with the Department of Finance and Administration, along with local police, seized a significant amount of illegal THC products from Pacific Green in Corning on Tuesday.
According to the DFA, more than a dozen agents joined the City of Corning Police in the day-long operation that resulted in two arrests.
DFA agents seized more than 25 pounds of illegal products consisting of flower, vapes, and edibles.
Owner Ben Bennett and employee Sharia Shipman were arrested and both charged with the following:
- Delivery of a Schedule VI controlled substance (Class D Felony)
- Possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance with the purpose to deliver (Class B Felony)
- Controlled substances – Offenses relating to records, maintaining premises (Class C Felony)
- Possession of drug paraphernalia (Class D Felony)
- Unauthorized use of another person’s property to facilitate certain crimes (Class C Felony)
Bennett’s bond was set at $150,000, while Shipman’s bond was set at $100,000.
“In addition to selling illegal products, investigators confirmed violations involving underage access at this location,” said David Potter, Director of the Regulatory Enforcement Division. “This retailer, which was located within 1,000 feet of a school, presented significant public health and safety concerns. We are proud to partner with the Corning Police Department in addressing these violations. We seized a substantial quantity of illegal products, including flower, vapes, edibles, and other items, during the operation. We appreciate the cooperation of local law enforcement and information received from the community that led to yesterday’s operation and stopped this blatant disregard of the law.”
Note: All suspects accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.
The Department of Finance and Administration said Arkansans can use Apple Wallet to present their license or ID in person, online and in apps at select organizations, including at more than 250 Transportation Security
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