Friday, August 28, 2020


COVID-19 ANNOUNCEMENTS:

CORONAVIRUS & PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Arkansas is reporting at least 411 students, teachers and staff at its public schools are actively infected with the coronavirus. The state began releasing details on virus cases at public school districts Thursday, four days into the new school year. The state is releasing numbers at districts that have more than five confirmed cases. Arkansas' public schools have about 480,000 students and more than 69,000 teachers and staff. The state reported seven more deaths from COVID-19 and two fewer people hospitalized with the illness.

ARVAC FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS
ARVAC, Inc. are hosting food distributions throughout the month of August. On August 25th, there will be a Logan County distribution from 4-7 PM at the Paris Head Start Center, Franklin County on August 27th from 4-7 PM at the Melton-Ozark Head Start, and in Yell County on August 31st from 4-7 PM at the ARVAC Food Bank. For more information, please call 479-219-5292 or email arvac@arvacinc.org.

RUSSELLVILLE SPECIAL ELECTION
Early voting for the Russellville Sept. 8th special sales tax election will begin on September 1st, and will continue through Friday, Sept. 4th. No early voting is planned for Monday, September 7th (Labor Day) and courthouses will be closed in observance of the holiday.  

READY FOR SCHOOL RESOURCE CALL CENTER
The Arkansas Department of Education has established a Ready for School Resource Call Center. The purpose of the call center is to provide Arkansans with information and resources regarding the reopening of schools. The call center will be staffed by education and health professionals, as well as community partners. The operating hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The number is 1-833-353-6050.

DRIVER’S LICENSE TESTING
Effective now until the end of 2020, local driver's license testing will only happen at the Russellville Troop J State Trooper headquarters located at 765 Hob Nob Road. There will be no tests given in Danville, Clinton, Morrilton, or Perryville for the remainder of 2020. The driving portion of the test will be by appointment only and you can schedule your appointment online at www.ark.org. Written tests are given Monday-Friday from 1-4 PM, walk-ins welcome. If under age 18, items needed for the written test include the original birth certificate and one of the following: health insure card, state ID, photo school ID, passport, or certified school transcript.

ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY PANDEMIC RECOVERY
For ongoing updates and plans concerning the Arkansas Tech University pandemic recovery plan and back to school details, please visit www.atu.edu/pandemicrecovery.

ONGOING

DARDANELLE FARMER’S MARKET
On Saturday, June 6th, the Dardanelle Farmers Market will open to the public and will practice social distancing. Masks will be on-site and encouraged, as well as hand sanitization. For more details about vendors or other restrictions, please visit the Dardanelle Farmers Market page on Facebook.

POPE COUNTY FARMER’S MARKET
The Pope County Farmers Market is open for the 2020 season at Depot Park in Downtown Russellville. The Saturday morning market runs from 8 AM – 1 PM and the Tuesday evening market runs from 4-7 PM. For more information, or to get in touch with coordinators, please follow the Pope County Farmers Market page on Facebook.

RUSSELLVILLE COMMUNITY MARKET
The Russellville Community Market (RCM) is an online farmer’s market operating year-round. Many of the vendors you know and love with traditional markets can still be shopped from with RCM as well. The market is open for ordering Fridays at 12 PM through Sundays at 10 PM, then patrons pick up and pay for their order on Tuesday evenings from 4-8 PM at the Train Depot in Downtown Russellville. (No payment or financial information is submitted online.) Sign up online to become a free member at www.russellville.locallygrown.net and start ordering farm-fresh food for your family this weekend!

AUGUST

URBAN & COMMUNITY FORESTRY GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINE – August 28th
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division is now accepting applications for the 2020 Urban & Community Forestry Grant program through August 28, 2020.  Grants are available to fund community projects that develop, improve, and/or promote urban and community trees and forests. Examples of eligible projects include community tree management plans, parking lot improvements for stormwater runoff, tree-friendly streets, park improvements for sun exposure and air temperature, and more. Complete grant details and an online application are available at www.agriculture.arkansas.gov/grants. For more information about the grant, contact Krissy Kimbro Thomason at 479-228-7929.

ATU FACULTY BIENNIAL 2020 EXHIBITION – Through Oct. 23rd
Twelve Arkansas Tech University faculty members are displaying their artistic talents during the ATU Department of Art Faculty Biennial 2020 exhibition. The show will remain open at Norman Hall Art Gallery, 203 West Q Street in Russellville, through Friday, Oct. 23. The gallery is open to the public 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays (excluding holidays). Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, gallery occupancy is limited to 10 guests at a time and individuals in the gallery are required to maintain six feet of social distance. As is the case inside all ATU facilities, face coverings are required. The exhibition features works by Summer Bruch Lyn Brands, Dr. Lynnette Gilbert, Jasmine Greer, Neal Harrington, Andy Huss, Manami Ishimura, John McGrew, Jessica Mongeon, David Mudrinich, Dustin Simpson and Jonathan Welch. Learn more at arkansastechnews.com.

SEPTEMBER

ATU FACULTY BIENNIAL 2020 EXHIBITION – Through Oct. 23rd
Twelve Arkansas Tech University faculty members are displaying their artistic talents during the ATU Department of Art Faculty Biennial 2020 exhibition. The show will remain open at Norman Hall Art Gallery, 203 West Q Street in Russellville, through Friday, Oct. 23. The gallery is open to the public 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays (excluding holidays). Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, gallery occupancy is limited to 10 guests at a time and individuals in the gallery are required to maintain six feet of social distance. As is the case inside all ATU facilities, face coverings are required. The exhibition features works by Summer Bruch Lyn Brands, Dr. Lynnette Gilbert, Jasmine Greer, Neal Harrington, Andy Huss, Manami Ishimura, John McGrew, Jessica Mongeon, David Mudrinich, Dustin Simpson and Jonathan Welch. Learn more at arkansastechnews.com.

ELDER ABUSE VIRTUAL CONFERENCE – Sept. 3rd
Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge will host the first virtual Elder Abuse Conference on Thursday, September 3, 2020. The conference was established to address issues faced by providers and loved ones who provide assistance and services to the elderly. The broad range of topics will include caregiver fatigue, financial exploitation, agency roles in protecting elder and endangered adults and communicating with victims who have cognitive impairment. Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt will offer the keynote address. The public is invited as well as law enforcement, medical professionals and providers, attorneys and home care givers to learn to better protect older and developmentally differently-abled adults. Interested Arkansans can sign up for this free, CLE and CLEST eligible training by calling (800) 482-8982.

RUSSELLVILLE REGIONAL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY DEADLINE – September 11th
Russellville Regional Leadership Academy is now accepting applications for Class 35. Anyone may apply before September 11, 2020, and tuition is $600 (scholarships are available.) The tentative 2020-2021 schedule and application are now available at RussellvilleChamber.com. The program begins September 27-28 with a mandatory overnight retreat and orientation so participants may become better acquainted with each other. Sessions are to be scheduled each month. Sessions will be held in various locations suitable for the theme of a particular session's topic. It is essential that the applicant be able to commit the time required to attend the sessions.

OCTOBER

ATU FACULTY BIENNIAL 2020 EXHIBITION – Through Oct. 23rd
Twelve Arkansas Tech University faculty members are displaying their artistic talents during the ATU Department of Art Faculty Biennial 2020 exhibition. The show will remain open at Norman Hall Art Gallery, 203 West Q Street in Russellville, through Friday, Oct. 23. The gallery is open to the public 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays (excluding holidays). Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, gallery occupancy is limited to 10 guests at a time and individuals in the gallery are required to maintain six feet of social distance. As is the case inside all ATU facilities, face coverings are required. The exhibition features works by Summer Bruch Lyn Brands, Dr. Lynnette Gilbert, Jasmine Greer, Neal Harrington, Andy Huss, Manami Ishimura, John McGrew, Jessica Mongeon, David Mudrinich, Dustin Simpson and Jonathan Welch. Learn more at arkansastechnews.com.

ONGOING & RECURRING (ALL ON HOLD DURING COVID-19)

WHAT: Domestic Violence Survivor Support Group
WHEN: Every Thursday! | Women: 10 AM | Men: 12 PM | LGBTQ+: 1 PM
WHERE: McElroy House | 420 S. 2nd St. | Dardanelle
PRICE: Free!
The River Valley Shelter for Battered Women and Children have partnered with the McElroy House of Dardanelle to provide a weekly support group for domestic violence survivors. The support group meets every Thursday at 10 AM for women, 12 PM for men, and 1 PM for LGBTQ+. The purpose of the group is to provide emotional, psychological, educational, and practical support to individuals who share a problem or similar situation. Sharing your story and experiences can aid in helping yourself and others heal by having a sense of support, increasing overall well-being, and reducing stress. The outcome of participating in the weekly Domestic Violence Survivor Support Group can include positive changes in self-esteem, depression, self-efficacy, and ego strength. For more information, please call 479-219-5148.

WHAT: Forget Me Nots
WHEN: 4th Tuesday Monthly | 2 PM
WHERE: Brookdale Senior Living | 240 S. Inglewood | Russellville
PRICE: Free!
Forget Me Nots is a monthly support group for caregivers of those with dementia. Forget Me Nots meets on the 4th Tuesday every month at 2 PM at Russellville’s Brookdale Senior Living Center. Participants share experiences, hear from those who work in the dementia-related field, learn coping strategies and support one another. For more information, please email Rhonda Horton at rhorton@arkansashospice.org.

WHAT: All Saints’ Yoga
WHEN: Every Tuesday! | 5:30-6:30 PM
WHERE: All Saints’ Episcopal Church | 501 S. Phoenix Ave. | Russellville
PRICE: Free!
Since beginning in the fall of 2014, All Saints’ Yoga is a basic/beginning class, but modifications are taught for all levels. This free Tuesday evening practice is an extension from the class Deacon Kay Staggs taught for many years. In the winter, All Saints’ Yoga focuses on arm strengthening, and in the summer they choose a strong pose and work toward it. All Saints’ Yoga has a consistent warm-up and sun salutation and then sprinkle the rest of the practice with new or challenging poses or sequences. There is a mixture of sitting, kneeling, balancing and standing poses all with a variety of music for background. We stop and workshop certain areas/poses as needed and always have fun doing that. There is also dharma reading each week with meditation/breathing practices. All Saints’ Yoga is always open to new/beginning yogis. Bring a mat and a friend and come join! Shanti (Peace). For more information please contact Cindy by email at cindyeisemann@aol.com or by phone at 347-285-8249.

WHAT: Dardanelle Area Chamber Member’s Luncheon
WHEN: Third Wednesday Monthly | 12 PM
WHERE: Tarasco’s Restaurant | Front Street | Downtown Dardanelle

The Dardanelle Area Chamber of Commerce hosts a monthly Member's Luncheon on the third Wednesday each month at 12 PM at Tarasco's Restaurant located on Front St in Dardanelle, AR. Lunch is a dutch treat in a casual setting. The Chamber acknowledges the Chamber Member of the Month and a guest speaker will inform you of relevant business topics, local government changes or a local benefit for our community. Monthly Chamber Member Luncheons are a great time to build relationships, swap ideas, get solutions or give advice. For more advice, please call the Dardanelle Chamber at 479-229-3328.

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