First Day Hikes
First Day Hikes originated over 20 years ago at the Blue Hills Reservation, a state park in Milton, Massachusetts. The initiative targeted the first of January, the start of a new year, to promote both healthy lifestyles throughout the year and the year-round recreation that can be experienced locally in state parks. Through the years, other states, including Arkansas, joined this health initiative. Among them is Hobbs State Park Conservation Area just east of Rogers. Two different guided tours will be available on Sunday January 1, 2015.
Meet Interpreter Steve in the Van Winkle parking lot on Hwy. 12 at 10:00 a.m. for a 1/2 mile nature hike on the Sinking Stream Trail. Or meet with special guides Jim and Diane Gately in the Van Winkle parking lot on Hwy. 12 at 2:00 p.m. for a 1/2 mile historic hike. They will guide you through what was the Peter Van Winkle sawmill community. The Van Winkle sawmill mill was the largest in the state during the 1870’s, and the area you will be hiking is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Date: Jan. 1st
Time: Varies
Location: Prairie Grove State Park, Devil’s Den or Hobbs State Park
More info: Click here to find a First Day Hike near you
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder
Gentleman’s Guide tells the uproarious story of Monty Navarro, a distant heir to a family fortune who sets out to jump the line of succession, by any means necessary. All the while, he’s got to juggle his mistress (she’s after more than just love), his fiancée (she’s his cousin but who’s keeping track?) and the constant threat of landing behind bars. Of course, it will all be worth it if he can slay his way to his inheritance… and be done in time for tea.
Date: Jan. 10-15
Times:
Tuesday, January 10 at 7pm GET TICKETS
Wednesday, January 11 at 7pm GET TICKETS
Thursday, January 12 at 7pm GET TICKETS
Friday, January 13 at 8pm GET TICKETS
Saturday, January 14 at 2pm GET TICKETS
Saturday, January 14 at 8pm GET TICKETS
Sunday, January 15 at 2pm GET TICKETS
Location: Walton Arts Center
More info: Click here
Cheese Making 101 at Fayetteville Public Library
Sweet Freedom Creamery owner Jessica Keahey leads a cheese tasting class with a discussion of different varieties of cheese and foods and drinks to serve as an accompaniment. She gives suggestions for how to cut, serve, and store cheeses. Participants will sample the cheeses and have opporunity to ask questions. Cheese 101 is free but sign-up is required. Jessica Keahey has a background in microbiology. Her love of food and fermentation naturally has led her into the tasty world of cheese and the artisanal cheese movement with Sweet Freedom Creamery. She has studied cheese with experts from Vermont to Belize, and teaches hands-on cheesemaking classes.
Date: Jan. 11
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Walton Arts center
More info: Click here to register
Discovery Tots, Amazeum
Ages 18 to 36 months old and a caregiver. (Adult, age 18 or older, must accompany child during the workshop.) Advanced registration and payment required. January’s theme: Building Buddies: Build it big. Build it small. Early childhood is an age of experimentation, discovery and play! Blocks provide a perfect tool for young children to explore building techniques. Children and their play partners will also explore balance, patterns, stability, and design with a variety of familiar objects and building materials.
$10 Amazeum member child + adult caregiver
$15 non-member child + adult caregiver
Date: Jan. 11; Encore workshop January 12, 2017
Time: 10-11 am
Location: Amazeum museum, Bentonville
More info: Register here for January 11 Discovery Tots; Register here for January 12 Encore Discovery Tots Workshop
Ozarkansas Tool Library: Build a Bird House
Learn how to build a bird house for your garden! Participants will learn the safe use of basic power and hand tools. We will also learn about some common backyard garden birds and proper placement of your new bird house. Material fee of $5
Date: Jan. 14
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Feed Communities, 221 S. Locust Ave., Fayetteville
More info: Click here
Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, open house
Visit Shiloh and see some of their new exhibits.
Date: Jan. 14
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Shiloh Museum, Springdale
More info: Click here
Northwest Arkansas School Choice Festival
Northwest Arkansas School Choice, an organization created to empower families and educators, is working to provide resources and information that parents need when choosing the school that best fits their child.
“Our goal is to increase student retention by placing students in educational environments that cater to their individual needs,” said Dr. Martin W. Schoppmeyer, founder of Northwest Arkansas School Choice. “Our end goal is to increase Arkansas high school graduation rates, ensure preparation for higher education or technical educational pursuits, and to provide each Arkansan the necessary information to make an informed decision on the educational future of their child.”
Their first event, the Northwest Arkansas School Choice Festival, will highlight each private, public and home school’s educational programs and services. Representatives from schools in Benton and Washington counties to come together under one roof to showcase their achievements and share with families what they have to offer.
This event kicks off National School Choice Week 2017, which is America’s largest-annual celebration of opportunity in education. Out of more than 13,000 schools nationwide sponsoring events during National School Choice Week, the NWA School Choice Festival has been chosen as a “Spotlight” event.
Family admission to the festival is free. The first 500 families will receive a swag bag filled with Northwest Arkansas School Choice promotional materials and information about the schools in attendance. College planning and financial aid presentations will take place in the chapel, and a scholarship fair will connect applicants with scholarship providers. The festival will include giveaways, arts and crafts, live music, and refreshments. Swimming is free at The Jones Center during the event.
Date: Jan. 14
Time: 9 a.m. to noon
Location: Jones Center for Families, Emma Ave., Springdale
More info: For more information visit NWAschoolchoice.org or contact Heather Holaway at (479) 966-4930 or info@NWAschoolchoice.org.
Great Pretenders, Amazeum
Ages 3-5 years old and a caregiver*
January’s theme: Building Buddies: Build it big. Build it small. Early childhood is an age of experimentation, discovery and play! Blocks provide a perfect tool for young children to explore building techniques. Children and their play partners will also explore balance, patterns, stability, and design with a variety of familiar objects and building materials.
$10 Amazeum member child + adult caregiver
$15 non-member child + adult caregiver
*Adult, age 18 or older, must accompany child during the workshop. Advanced registration and payment required.
Date: January 18; Encore workshop January 19
Time: 10-11am
Location: Amazeum museum, Bentonville
More info: Register here for January 18 Great Pretenders; Register here for January 19 Encore Great Pretenders Workshop
Chinese New Year celebration, FPL
Join FPL to celebrate the year of the rooster! There will be a brief presentation on the history of Chinese New Year by the Chinese Students and Scholars Association along with traditional dances from the Chinese Association of NWA (CANWA), a performance by FHS Color Guard, and a lion dance from members of 5 Way Dragon’s Martial Arts.
The presentation will be followed by food and a craft.
Date: Jan. 21
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: Fayetteville Public Library
More info: Click here
3rd Annual Afternoon of Fairytales at Restoration Village
We invite children and children at heart to join us for an Afternoon of Fairytales on Saturday, January 28, 2016, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at Avondale Chapel and Gardens in Bentonville. The program will feature an interactive storytelling experience presented by Trike Theater, music, fairytale themed crafts and food. Come dressed as your favorite prince, princess or fairytale character.
Date: Jan 28
Time: 1-3 p.m.
Location: Avondale Chapel and Gardens, Bentonville
More info: Click here
Zing Adventures, Amazeum
Ages 4-6 years old and a caregiver* open to all guests: Amazeum members and non-members
January is Fiber Fun! This month’s workshop is inspired by the mural in yarn, “Biking in Bentonville” by artist London Kaye. Adult and child partners will become more familiar with a variety of MAKING techniques and tools using yarns, threads and fabrics.
$10 Amazeum member child + adult caregiver
$15 non-member child + adult caregiver
*Adult, age 18 or older, must accompany child during the workshop. Advanced registration and payment required. Registration is open to all guests- Amazeum members and non-members
Date: January 28
Time: 9-10 am; Encore workshop January 28 at 11 am-Noon
More info: Register here for January 28 9-10 am Zing Adventures; Register here for January 28 11 am-Noon Zing Adventures encore workshop
The Northwest Arkansas Calendar of Events is sponsored by The Jones Center for Families in Springdale. There’s ALWAYS something fun happening at The Jones Center, plus they have all kinds of classes for adults and kids — and great birthday party options at the indoor swimming pool, gymnastics or ice skating rink! CLICK HERE to visit the Jones Center website to see more!
