Are you ready for the weekend? It’s almost here! And if you haven’t made plans yet, we have some suggestions both in-person and virtual, that you can enjoy with family and friends. Take a look at what’s happening This Weekend in the Arkansas River Valley! Please check ahead with the event venue to find out what precautions they are taking to maintain physical distancing.

NOTE: We do our best to bring you accurate information… however, some events may have been scheduled previously and not been updated since COVID-19 restrictions have been set in place. We encourage you to reach out to event venues to confirm before you head out to an advertised event. Everything is still subject to change.

Thursday, August 6, 2020

Storytime at the Russellville City Park

Thursday, August 6, 2020 from 10 AM – 11 AM
Russellville City Park
Hosted by Pope County Library Bookmobile and Pope County Library System

Join us for a monstrous storytime, songs, and free activity!

Cuéntame un Cuento: Tell Me a Story

Thursday, August 6, 2020 from 11 AM – 11:30 AM
Pope County Library System
Hosted by Pope County Library Youth Services and Pope County Library System

Ms. Melanie and Señora Carolina will read some of their favorite books in English and Spanish.

Create Craft Demo

Thursday, August 6, 2020 from 3 PM – 3:30 PM
Pope County Library System
Hosted by Pope County Library Youth Services, Community of Champions and Pope County Library System

CREATE is a program for teens and young adults with developmental disabilities to hang out and explore art and STEM projects together.

Unfortunately, due to Covid we have to do our programs virtually right now. Stop by every other Monday to pick up the kit in the YA or Children's departments. There will be a demo the Thursday of the same week at 3:00 on the Pope County Youth Services Facebook page.

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Email Mx. Eli at teens@popelbirary.org or Ms. Melanie@kids@popelirary.org.

Contact us if you will have difficulty picking up the kit and we will see if we can come up with a plan to accommodate.

First Thursday and Main Street Farmers' Market

Thursday, August 6, 2020 from 4 PM – 7 PM
Main Street Morrilton
Hosted by Main Street Morrilton

Tickets: www.mainstreetmorrilton.org

Farmers Market returns for the season! Many of your favorite downtown merchants will be open until 7:00 pm. Stop in for special promotions and deals!

Farmers' Market open on Commerce Street from 4:00 - 7:00 PM with local produce, meats, baked goods, canned goods and locally-prepared consumables.

Downtown businesses participating include:

Big Cuppa - 2 for $20 Bagged Coffee
Merle Norman & More - Live sale with prizes at 6:30 PM
The Shoe Company - Open till 5:30 with New Arrivals
Clover Alley Gifts - Regular Hours this Month
El Penjamo Mexican Restaurant - 10% OFF
Two Guys Hibachi Express Food Truck - Open
Peace of Mine Yoga Studio - Check out their page for virtual classes
Southern Glow Tanning and Southern Beauty - Open

Friday, August 7, 2020

Russellville Substitute Training

Friday, August 7, 2020 from 9 AM – 12 PM
Russellville High School
Hosted by ESS South Central

ESS will be conducting a substitute training at the Russellville School District. New applicants can apply online at ess.com

Music with Mr. Travis

Friday, August 7, 2020 from 11 AM – 11:20 AM
Pope County Library System
Public · Hosted by Pope County Library Youth Services and Pope County Library System

Mr. Travis will be playing story time songs and more in this children's music program.

Cherokee Artwork: Karen Berry

Friday, August 6, 2020 from 12 PM – 1 PM
Hosted by Gilcrease Museum and Karen Berry Cherokee Artist
Facebook Live

Join us Friday, August 7 at noon for a live discussion with Cherokee artist Karen Berry. Learn about Berry's career and work, including her fingerweaving and gourd carving.

ABOUT KAREN BERRY
Berry grew up in Texas and currently resides in Garland, TX. She learned about Cherokee culture and art through her mother, Martha Berry, who revived the tradition of Cherokee Beadwork. She fell in love with gourd art through her history of wood working and painting. This medium was a natural progression, combining these talents. She incorporates pre-European contact and modern Cherokee designs into her work.

She began fingerweaving in 2012 in the style typically done by Southeastern Woodland tribes during the 18th century. She, along with other weavers, has helped lead a revival of this traditional style within the Cherokee Nation. Additionally she has revived the practice of creating bandolier bags using this technique.

Image: "Warriors Return." Gourd carving incorporating pre-European contact Mississippian woodpecker motif. Photo courtesy of Karen Berry.

Monthly Sketch Club - Free

Friday, August 7, 2020 from 2 PM – 4 PM
Beth Woessner Art
Hosted by Beth Woessner Art

Join me on the 1st Friday of every month for some casual sketching in a new location each month.
Let's hang out, sketch and honor our inner creative together, in community.

SKETCH CLUB!

Why sketch?

1. Sketching is an exercise for the hand, mind, and eyes, and the activity provides benefits that can be applied to many aspects of life, from work to relationships.

2. The personal development and problem-solving skills that emerge from uninterrupted sketching can be applied to everyday occurrences. These traits enable critical thinking skills, which can produce new insights and creative thoughts.

3. We use our brains when we draw, and this not only releases endorphins, but helps build new connections and pathways. When drawing, we actively use both sides of our brain, the right for creativity, and the left for logical thinking. This strengthens both and helps develop the ability to focus and think strategically.

4. Drawing, like many other art forms, aids in relaxation and stress relief by forcing us to pay attention to details in the environment, which mimics the experience of mediation. Spontaneous drawing is also said to relieve stress and improve focus, as it relieves your brain from the strain of continuous concentration. This, in turn, allows you to relax.

5. To reap these benefits, you don’t have to draw with da Vinci’s level of accuracy. Instead, sketching can be used by anyone as a means to decompress and fine tune a range of critical thinking skills.

(the above benefits are taken from this article: https://www.invaluable.com/blog/sketch-drawing/)

Escape with me for a few hours a month. A healthy down time of sketching and community.

Here is how it will work.

-Anyone is welcomed, no prerequisites. All levels of sketching skills.
-Meet on the 1st Friday of every month from 2-4 or anytime within that window.
-We will take turns choosing the location.
-Bring your own sketching supplies
-no judgment zone, perfection NOT ALLOWED
-I will start a "group me" texting group to keep us in the loop of each months new location.

Let me know if you are in the club!
Message me your phone number to be added to the group me text thread

First Friday From Home: Star Trek

Friday, August 6, 2020 from 6 PM – 8:30 PM
Hosted by Saint Louis Science Center
Online Event

Venture into the Final Frontier and beyond from the comfort of your couch! Learn about Star Trek and physics from special guest Dr. Erin Macdonald, watch a Planetarium star show, and engage with other fans. Come celebrate the franchise that encourages us all to boldly go where no one has before.

This event is also available to attend on our website: https://www.slsc.org/event/first-friday-from-home-star-trek/

Friday Night Live!

Friday, August 6, 2020 from 7 PM – 9 PM
466 South Hickory Street Mountain Home, AR
Hosted by Classic rock band - "Resurrection"

Hello Friends and followers! Resurrection will be playing August 7th 7-9 at the Mountain Home Arkansas “Friday Night Live” event! Please mark your calendars And join us!!

"Friday Night Live" at Hickory Park (466 South Hickory Street) in Mountain Home, AR

Saturday, August 8, 2020

LifeWay Women Live Simulcast

Saturday, August 8, 2020 from 8:30 AM – 4:15 PM
LifeWay Women
Hosted by LifeWay Women and Denise Beam

Tickets: www.lifeway.com

We are excited to share that while our live event in Greenville, SC, has been canceled, our LifeWay Women Live Simulcast event is still happening! We are planning to stream live with all of the same LifeWay Women speakers. Watch by yourself, host a small group, or become one of our host churches! We have options for in-person and virtual gatherings. See all registration options at LifeWay.com/LWLSimulcast.

You're invited to be part of this global simulcast for a full day of practical Bible study with your favorite LifeWay Women authors. Join us as we pursue Christ together!

Registration Includes:
- Live Event Feed
- Ongoing On Demand Access Until October 8, 2020
- Digital Program
- Spanish, American Sign Language, & Open Captioning

If you are wanting to host a small group, please purchase a Small Group Host registration. Please be sure an Individual registration is purchased for each small group member.

Neighbors Table Free Meal

Saturday, August 8, 2020 from 11 AM – 12:30 PM
All Saints' Episcopal Church Russellville AR
Hosted by All Saints' Episcopal Church Russellville AR and Neighbors Table, Rusellville Ar

All are welcome to attend this no pressure, no questions asked free lunch. Lunch will be provided in a drive through from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm.

If your business, organization or ministry is interested in helping on Saturdays, please message us. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities throughout the year.

Sunday, August 9, 2020

Holy Communion: August 9 ,2020

Sunday, August 9, 2020 from 9:30 AM – 10 AM
Russellville First United Methodist Church
Hosted by Russellville First United Methodist Church
Free via Eventbrite

Holy Communion is offered outside in the yard in front of the Narthex each Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. Attendees must pre-register as attendance is limited to 50. Online sign-ups are available on the website, or you may register by contacting the church office. Everyone over the age of 2 will be required to wear a face mask. We also ask that you only attend once a month to allow everyone the opportunity. For those with mobility or health issues, please pre-register, you can remain in your car, and we will bring the elements to you.