Local notes: Boys & Girls Club of Benton County celebrated the opening of the new Center of Hope in Rogers | The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

OLLI

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Arkansas has announced the following classes:

Nov. 8: Invasion of the Granny Squares — Instructional Designer Kimberly Hughes will teach how to make the basic granny square including color changes and tips. Participants will receive required materials list with class reminder. 1 to 3:30 p.m. OLLI office. Members $25, nonmembers $40.

Nov 8: History and Tour of Siloam Springs — Mary Nolan, history expert, will lead a walking tour of Siloam Springs and John Brown University. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Siloam Springs. Members drive yourself $25, ride OLLI van $40, non members drive yourself $49, ride OLLI van $64.

Nov. 8: Men’s Urologic Health – Mind Your Prostate — Dr. Mark Jackson discusses men’s lives as they age. There are many changes that affect all men but many routine checkups are often missed or ignored. 1 to 3 p.m. OLLI office. Members $19, nonmembers $34.

To register for a class call (479) 575-4545 or visit olli.uark.edu/participate.

Grateful Vase

Grateful Vase will hold a Christmas party fundraiser from 6 to 11 p.m. Dec. 14 at The Garden Room located at 215 W. Dickson St. in Fayetteville. Grateful Vase is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serving local senior residents at long-term care facilities in Northwest Arkansas.

The organization’s mission states, “At Grateful Vase, our mission is to spread joy and love in long-term care facilities by delivering beautiful, repurposed flower arrangements to residents in 417 Missouri and Northwest Arkansas,” according to its website.

“Grateful Vase has received an outpouring of support thus far, delivering to almost 30 facilities in just the first few months of operation, but we have much bigger ambitions for the future and this fundraiser will help give us the kick-start we need to grow to our fullest potential,” said Lindsey Curry, Grateful Vase president.

The event will feature a floral Christmas tree exhibit designed by local florists, premier raffle items, DJ, dancing, Christmas cocktails and a North Pole area for children’s activities. There will be a sip & shop booth with mini Christmas trees, garland and wreaths. Guests will have a chance to meet the Grinch and Santa Claus as they go head-to-head in a raffle ticket battle. Individual adult tickets are $45 or $80 per couple. Tickets for children are $7. Tickets include complimentary bite size snacks, hot chocolate and two raffle tickets.

For more information visit gratefulvase.com.

Christmas on the Creek/International Hot Cocoa Crawl

Downtown Springdale is ready to make this holiday season unforgettable with two of the year’s most exciting events: Christmas on the Creek on Nov. 30 and the International Hot Cocoa Crawl from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 6.

Christmas on the Creek presented by Tyson Foods will take place from noon to 9 p.m. Nov. 30, following Thanksgiving Day and coinciding with Small Business Saturday, making it the perfect opportunity to support local businesses in Downtown Springdale.

The event will include:

Holiday Express/Pajama Train with Santa on the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad — A special Breakfast with Santa will be offered on a route running from Springdale to Johnson. 9 a.m. For detail and tickets visit nwaonline.com/traintix/.

The Emma Exchange — A local artisan and maker’s market and downtown shops to support on Small Business Saturday;

Free photos with Santa at Mile 16 — 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.;

Pony rides, story time and s’mores;

Creekside Cravings food court near Mile 16;

Springdale Farmer’s Market — noon to 4 p.m., Mill Street;

Shiloh Pickers performance — 3 p.m., Turnbow Park;

Live local choir performances around the Christmas tree — Choirs may sign up to participate at nwaonline.com/choirs/.

2 to 5:30 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.;

Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA) — 5 p.m. at the Christmas tree;

Christmas Tree Lighting — A spectacular 45-foot tree illuminated by more than 5,000 twinkling lights will debut in Walter Turnbow Park. Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse will flip the switch to light the tree and other lighting installations planned for kids of all ages. 5:30 p.m.

Christmas Parade of the Ozarks presented by Rodeo of the Ozarks — Featuring dazzling floats, performers and holiday spirit. 6 p.m., Emma Avenue. Parade entry form may be found at: springdalebenevolentfoundation.com/christmas-parade/

After the parade, the celebration will continue with live music, stunning light displays, interactive selfie stations at downtown businesses and giant glowing puppets. The Emma Exchange will remain open until 9 p.m.

Patrons in the Outdoor Dining District can enjoy beverages in compostable to-go cups, sponsored by Cromwell Architects Engineers and Signature Bank/Banco Si!. These cups can be disposed of in CupStakrs, special receptacles attached to district trash cans and are later composted to enrich soil for local farmers and gardeners.

Hot Cocoa Crawl

The International Hot Cocoa Crawl will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 6 and offer a delicious tour through downtown with more than 15 unique stops, each featuring a different take on the classic hot cocoa drink, some with an international twist. Walk the streets of Springdale with family and friends, taking-in the warmth and flavors while experiencing the holiday lights. Tickets are available at nwaonline.com/cocoacrawl/.

The evening will include:

Caroling on the Creek by the Springdale School District — Enjoy holiday carols while sipping cocoa in the festive glow of the downtown outdoor dining district.

The Holiday Market at Mano’s — Northwest Arkansas vendors will offer chocolates and items such as candles, jewelry, natural beauty products, rug art, handmade home decor and goods from a lavender farm. A mixologist will also serve samples of specialty cocktails made with DSRV chocolate and hot cocoa.

. The Medium, Artists of Northwest Arkansas 6×6 Silent Auction and December Membership Show– The Artists of Northwest Arkansas will host their fourth annual 6×6 Silent Auction featuring 6″ x 6″ art pieces starting at $20 to support ANA’s programs. There will be hors d’oeuvres and live music. Public preview begins at 3:30 p.m. with bidding from 5 to 8 p.m.

The Downtown Springdale Alliance is a nonprofit organization founded in 2011 with a mission to revitalize downtown Springdale, creating a vibrant and connected community.

For more information and tickets visit downtownspringdale.org/events.

Mid-America Arts Alliance

Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA) is accepting applications for Cultural Sustainability: Operational Grants for Small Arts Organizations, a pilot program that will offer grants of $50,000 to culturally driven arts organizations and arts-centric businesses with annual operating expenses less than $500,000.

Nonprofit organizations, fiscally sponsored organizations, federally recognized tribes, and arts-centric businesses are eligible to apply for the grant. Organizations must be located and have an arts and culture presence in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas or the Native Nations that share this geography. A total of 22 grants will be awarded in the region. Organizations located outside of M-AAA’s six-state region may still qualify for a Cultural Sustainability grant through another US. Regional Arts Organization.

Over the 15-month pilot program, M-AAA will offer online, monthly workshops on topics focusing on long-term visioning and sustainability planning. Grantees will also be invited to join peer networking sessions and regular check-ins with M-AAA staff.

Applications will close at 5 p.m. CST on Jan. 10, 2025. Grants will be made in April 2025.

View the grant guidelines, register for M-AAA’s office hours and apply on M-AAA’s website at maaa.org/for-organizations/cultural-sustainability. Virtual office hours will be offered from 2 to 4 p.m. CST most Wednesdays beginning Nov. 6. Guidelines and frequently asked questions will be available in English and Spanish.

Cultural Sustainability is offered by the six U.S. Regional Arts Organizations (USRAOs) in partnership with The Wallace Foundation.

The program is part of The Wallace Foundation’s Advancing Well-Being in the Arts initiative, which funds arts organizations rooted in communities of color to advance their well-being and enhance understanding of their contributions to community. Through this work, Wallace hopes to help to build a more equitable and sustainable arts ecosystem.

To learn more about M-AAA grants, programs, exhibitions and fellowships, visit maaa.org and follow the organization on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Based in New York City, The Wallace Foundation is an independent national philanthropy whose mission is to help all communities build a more vibrant and just future by fostering advances in the arts, education leadership, and youth development. Wallace aims to help solve problems facing the fields in which it works, benefiting both the organizations it funds directly and the broader field by developing credible, useful knowledge to inform policy and practice nationwide. Research commissioned and produced by the foundation is available without charge at wallacefoundation.org.

Boys & Girls Club of Benton County

Boys & Girls Club of Benton County recently celebrated the opening of the new Center of Hope at its Rogers unit. The renovated learning space was made possible by a $45,000 grant from the Panda Cares Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Panda Express.

Elements of the new Center of Hope include a refreshed space with a new door entrance, updated cabinets, desks, chairs, paint and accessories and art decorations. Additionally, funding is being used to establish a new LEGO Robotics Program.

The Panda Cares Center of Hope space is specially designed within the Rogers Club site to provide a safe and nurturing environment for youth to excel academically. The center will encourage Club members to dream big, express themselves and pursue their educational passions. By implementing Project Learn, an evidence-based educational strategy, the Center of Hope will support youth-centered learning, character building, academic success and college readiness through activities like homework help and tutoring and high-yield learning activities. Panda Cares Centers of Hope are designed to meet the needs of each Clubs’ members and include specific updates and items for them to learn, engage and grow.

Data from Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s (BGCA) 2023 National Youth Outcomes Initiative survey shows 77% of Club members have a high enjoyment of learning and that Club members who highly enjoy learning are more likely to be on track to graduate on time. The Center of Hope, an academic success resource, is a dedicated space within Clubs designed to deliver more joy and academic impact to the local community.

In 2024, Boys & Girls Clubs of America are proud to join Panda Cares in celebration of the 25th Anniversary of their Foundation and to assist the local Panda Express team in bringing a Center of Hope to Rogers Boys & Girls Club and the local community.

Each Panda Cares Center of Hope across the country practices Project Learn, a Boys & Girls Clubs of America evidence-based, holistic strategy to support youth-centered learning in Clubs. The strategy reinforces and enhances what young people learn during the school day through things like homework help & tutoring and high yield learning activities while creating experiences that invite them to fall in love with their academic journey.

Scott Family Amazeum

The Scott Family Amazeum recently announced that it has been selected to receive a 2024 National Moonshot Grant provided by Remake Learning, the leading free peer network for educators and innovators. The grant will provide $47,000 to support developing and organizing a regional learning ecosystem.

As one of 10 grantees for the 2024 program, the Amazeum was selected by Remake Learning to receive funding for its Regional Learning Ecosystem. An ecosystem approach will connect partner organizations to embrace opportunities, find gaps and build a preferred learning community together. Building infrastructure to that approach will help support community learning goals.

“We’re thrilled to receive a National Moonshot Grant from Remake Learning. This support will help us develop a more connected learning ecosystem in the Northwest Arkansas community,” said Chief Learning Officer Mindy Porter.

Since 2021, Remake Learning has awarded over $3.5 million to more than 50 projects through its Moonshot Grant program. This cohort of national projects is generously supported by The Grable Foundation, Richard King Mellon Foundation, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Siegel Family Endowment and The Heinz Endowments. The grants provide resources to help educators approach the future with boldness. This year’s grantees hail from the Pittsburgh region and across the United States and internationally and were all participants in Remake Learning’s Forge Futures Summit that was held in partnership with AASA in May 2024. During the summit, they joined more than 200 of the world’s public-school leaders, learning scientists, tech developers, community organizers and policymakers in Pittsburgh to explore the boundaries of the current education system.

The grant period will run from Nov. 1, 2024 – Oct. 31, 2025. In addition to funding, Moonshot participants will have the opportunity to convene for a 1-hour virtual design workshop twice during this period and work with the Remake Learning team and fellow peers to address new and persisting challenges in education.

“From afterschool programs and community connections to youth engagement and AI-enhanced learning, the National Moonshot Grant recipients are a strong representation of the initiatives driving the future of education,” said Tyler Samstag, executive director of Remake Learning. “At Remake Learning, we are committed to supporting the growth of these programs and thrilled to convene this new cohort to collaboratively bring the next big ideas to life”

To learn more about the Moonshot Grant program, visit remakelearning.org/our-network/special-projects/moonshot-grants/.

The Scott Family Amazeum is a hands-on, interactive museum featuring Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) activities for families. Located at the intersection of J Street and Museum Way in Bentonville, the Amazeum experiences include a climbable tree canopy, indoor cave, the 3M Tinkering Hub, Hershey’s Lab, Nickelodeon PlayLab, the Market sponsored by Walmart and nearly one acre of outdoor space. Located at 1009 Museum Way in Bentonville, open Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays from 10a.m.-7:30 p.m., and Sundays from 1-5 p.m.. For more information about the museum, visit amazeum.org.

Fort Smith Public Library Endowment Trust

Join the Fort Smith Public Library Endowment from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Nov. 8 for the 17th annual Black Tie Bingo Gala at the Fort Smith Public Library located at 3201 Rogers Ave.

The evening will include fine dining, bingo games and raffle items in support of the Fort Smith Public Library Endowment Trust. Daren Bobb will be the emcee for the evening and entertainment will be provided by the Don Bailey Jazz Ensemble and Terri Bailey on the keyboard. Seating is limited; tickets are available for $150 each. Contact the library at (479) 783-0229 for tickets or visitfortsmithlibrary.org.

   Attendees react during the 2023 Christmas on the Creek. This year’s tree lighting event and parade will be held on Nov. 30 at Turnbow Park and along Emma Ave. in Springdale. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Charlie Kaijo)
     Parade participants drive by during the 2023 Christmas on the Creek tree lighting event and parade at Turnbow Park and along Emma Ave. in Springdale. This year’s tree lighting event and parade will be held on Nov. 30 at Turnbow Park and along Emma Avenue in Springdale. (NWA Democrat-Gazette file photo/Charlie Kaijo)
     Boys & Girls Club of Benton County recently celebrated the opening of the new Center of Hope at its Rogers unit. The renovated learning space was made possible by a $45,000 grant from the Panda Cares Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Panda Express. (Submitted photo)
     Boys & Girls Club of Benton County recently celebrated the opening of the new Center of Hope at its Rogers unit. The renovated learning space was made possible by a $45,000 grant from the Panda Cares Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Panda Express. (Submitted photo)