If you have ever thought about becoming a CASA volunteer, now is a great time to get started. Our next new volunteer training begins Tuesday, January 20th, and there is still time to sign up.CASA volunteers are trained community members who advocate for children in foster care. Volunteers get to know the child, stay informed about their case, and speak up in court for what is in the child's best interest. For many children, a CASA volunteer is the one consistent, caring adult by their side during a difficult time. Training classes will be held on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm in Clarksville and will guide you through everything you need to know to feel confident and supported in the role. If you are looking for a meaningful way to give back and make a real difference in a child's life, we would love to have you join us. For more information, call/text 479-857-6819, visit our website at www.arcasa5.org

Dover Public Library hosts a drop in computer help class for adults. 

Tuesday, January 20, 2026. 9:00am–2:00pm

Adults (18+) This is a drop-in program.  Stop by any time within the specified hours to participate.  We have partnered with RVALA to offer tech help every Tuesday here at the library! Stop in and meet Mr.Mike for help with your phone, email, or more! 

Pope County 4-H Youth Development We're excited to welcome a fresh start to a club that may be familiar to some! 🤠 Wranglers is an equine-focused 4-H club that combines horseback activities with community service and hands-on educational experiences. Members will have the opportunity to grow their knowledge, skills, and leadership while sharing a love for horses.

From the Wranglers Club Leader, Bee Miller:

"I've grown up riding and training horses and was involved in 4-H for many years—Wranglers especially. I'm excited to give back and help our youth grow and learn more about horses!"

🐴 Meeting Information:

Wranglers will meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM, beginning in January.

📍 First meeting: January 20 at 6:00 PM at the Extension Office.We look forward to a successful year and welcoming members to the Wranglers 4-H Club!

It's a morning with the mayor on Wednesday,  at 9 am.  Meet Mayor Fred Teague and your public works team in a relaxed setting at the Public Works building on 220 N Knoxville. Everyone is welcome. 

The Dardanelle Area Luncheon is scheduled for Wednesday  at noon.  It will be held at Kasper's Dardanelle. The guest speaker is  Dardanelle Mayor Jimmy Witt, and the member of the month is the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Arkansas River Valley Dardanelle.

Atkins Centennial Library is hosting a craft club for adults on Wednesday from 3:00pm–5:00pm. Join us for Craft Club. You can bring a craft you are working on from home or start a new one here. Crochet, Embroidery, Diamond Art, Junk Journaling, Painting etc we have the materials and supplies.  Enjoy crafting and fellowship with other crafters. 

Thursday, January 22, 2026 / 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Duck, Duck, Goose 

Meeting Place: Grassy Area across from the Visitor Center

This is a free event.

Meet a park interpreter in the grassy area across from the visitor center to learn about the unique traits of waterfowl and their habitats at Lake Dardanelle State Park. Discover how conservation efforts support these fascinating birds in this vital ecosystem!

Thursday is TWEEN STEM in Russellville.  Welcome to your library's Tween Club!  Offerings include everything from robotics and coding to arts and crafts.

Can you mail your candy canes without them breaking? Find out Thursday from 4-5:30 at the Pope County library.

 CHILI FOR CHILDREN!  Warm your belly AND your heart!

Join us for Age to Age's Annual Whitey's Chili for Children — a delicious way to support kids in our community   Homemade chili and supporting Supporting local children

 Helping Age to Age mentors make a difference

 Thursday, January 22  11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

 ATU Wesley Foundation, 1111 N. El Paso Ave, Russellville

Friday, January 23rd 2p.m. – Catch of the Day – Thanks to the healthy fishery of Lake Dardanelle, you can experience the thrill of nature and the success of the catch. Join a park interpreter in the grassy area across from the visitor center to discover the diversity of the fishery and Lake Dardanelle State Park's role in maintaining that. You will then have the chance to practice your casting!

Family Bingo is a great way to wrap up the week in Atkins Friday.  Bring the whole family, and see how competitive everyone is!  Friday at 4pm at the Atkins library.  

Friday night is a  free event at Co Create Innovation Hub! They're hosting a 2026 kickoff night called 'Network Night @theHub — a night designed around connection, collaboration, and creating real relationships right in downtown Russellville.  It's Friday from 6-7pm and they are located at 215 S Arkansas Ave , Russellville, AR

Arkansas Nuclear One Merit Badge University

Date: Saturday, January 24, 2025 8am to noon. Location: Reeves E. Ritchie Training Center. Hosted by: Scout Troop 210, North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NAYGN), and Women in Nuclear (WIN) Join Scouts from across the region for a one-of-a-kind Merit Badge University at Arkansas Nuclear One! Held at the Reeves E. Ritchie Training Center, this event provides an exciting opportunity for Scouts to dive into STEM-based and career-focused merit badges—some taught by industry professionals.

On Saturday, January 24th At Lake Dardanelle State Park,

1p.m. – Nature Journals – Many of the early explorers, including those that traveled through the area around what is now Lake Dardanelle State Park, kept journals of the things they saw and experienced as they traversed the wilderness. Join a park interpreter in the grassy area across from the visitor center to learn why it was so important. You will also be able make your own nature journal to take with you. Then at 4p.m. – Night Flight – Join a park interpreter in the grassy area across from the visitor center to learn about our silent hunters that come out when the sun goes down. We will talk about some of their unique features including looking at an owl pellet.

ATU Baseball 1st Pitch Banquet is Saturday, January 24, 2026

ATU Multisport Building -6:00 p.m. Silent Auction / Dinner
All proceeds benefit Arkansas Tech Baseball Program.  The keynote speaker is Bobby Valentine.  

Monday, January 26th... The date's been set for the annual Dardanelle Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet.  Doors open at 5:30 and the program begins at 6 p/m, at the McGee Community Center.  Follow the Dardanelle Chamber of Commerce Facebook page for additional details.

Tuesday, January 27, 2026 / 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Biomimicry 

Meeting Place: Orientation Room

4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

This is a free event.

Plants and animals have been adapting to their surroundings for ages. It seems only natural that people would look to nature for innovations to help us adapt and create. Meet park staff in the visitor center Orientation Room explore some of the innovations we use that were inspired by nature. Lake Dardanelle State Park

Russellville Baptist Academy is hosting a New Family Information Night.  It's an evening designed for new parents and families interested in finding out more about RBA. It's happening January 27 at 5:30pm at First Baptist Church, 205 S Glenwood.

Wednesday, January 28th 3p.m. – Game Scene Investigation: G.S.I.  – When you walk around in nature and you see a track, do you take the track at face value as just a footprint, or do you look around to see what the big picture holds? Join a park interpreter in the grassy area across from the visitor center and see what you can determine about the game scene in the area. Then at 4p.m. – A Walk Amongst the Fish – Join park staff for a walk through the visitor center and look at the aquariums. Learn how to identify the many fish living in Lake Dardanelle.

Recovery Church River Valley meets  Thursday nights at My Connect Church at 6:30pm.  They're located at 1103 E L st in Russellville.  Recovery Church is both a Church and a 12 step fellowship. A Church for the recovery community by the recovery community.  

Arkansas River Valley Arts Center is getting ready for a Soup-er Bowl Event.  Saturday, January 31st, enjoy food and fellowship; all benifitting the Arts Center.  Follow their Facebook page for information about how you can enjoy a handmade bowl with some of their great soup, or just a serving of soup, as a part of this event.  Hours for the SOUP-er Bowl will be from 1-to-3 that day at center off B Street.  

Saturday, January 31st at 3p.m. – Dutch Oven Demonstration – Join a park interpreter at the weigh-in pavilion for some tips on cooking in a Dutch oven, weather permitting. We will cover the basics of cast iron care, Dutch oven uses, and temperature control. Food will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact the visitor center for details.

Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) is now accepting scholarship applications for the Spring 2026 semester.Single mothers and fathers who are seeking financial support for higher education can apply at aspsf.org/scholarships. The deadline is Feb. 1. Recipients must be pursuing an associate degree, bachelor's degree, or professional certificate. Scholarship awards range from $400 to $1,600, depending on enrolled credit hours. Funds are sent directly to recipients so they can pay for essential needs such as rent, child care, gas, utilities, and school-related expenses.

It's that time again! The Dover Area Chamber of Commerce will be holding our annual Awards Banquet honoring The Citizens of the Year on Saturday February 28, 2026 and we need your nominations.  All nominations must be received by 5:00 pm on Friday, February 6, 2026. For more information and to make your nomination visit our website at www.doverozarkmemoriesday.com

Do you know a person with special needs? maybe you're a person with or without special needs who loves to sing with a group. This choir is open to all persons age 10 and up, but is designed for those with special needs. There is no cost to participate. All singers will receive a t-shirt for performances also at no cost.  They rehearse weekly on Mondays in the choir room at First United Methodist Church at 304 South Denver. First rehearsal is February 9. 

The Dardanelle library has a challenge for high school seniors.

From January 1 to May 1, the senior who reads the most books will receive a scholarship! Each book you read will enter you into a drawing to win a gift basket.  Books can be from The PUBLIC LIBRARY. The HIGH SCHOOL library . OR even BOOKS FROM HOME. The fastest reader wins! Submit your registration (NAME AND PHONE) BEFORE APRIL 1ST.  Call or just head to the library. You will be provided supplies to track your progress!

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LI-HEAP) is designed to assist low-income individuals with keeping heat in their homes in the winter and cooling in the summer with the goal of preventing a potential utility shut-off or restoring home energy. All applicants must provide a photo ID, Social Security cards for all household members ages 18 and older, Social Security numbers for all household minors, copies of their most recent utility bills, and proof of income for the preceding month. Additional documents may be required to determine eligibility for assistance. Getliheap.com is the site to apply.