News Briefs

  A wish list of immediate needs at Little Portion Monastery, which was heavily damaged by fire on April 29, includes staples and staplers, all kinds of tape and dispensers, rolls of first class stamps, copy paper, pens, pencils, scissors, three pencil sharpeners, lockable file cabinets, a dictionary, five good reading lamps for floor or table, religious children's books for girls elementary to teenage, crayons, colored paper, and craft items of children living at the monastery.

  Also needed are small kitchen type appliances, along with spices, a coffee maker with supplies, herbal and regular teas, soaps for personal hygiene, dishwashing and laundry and almost anything for office and kitchen.

  Tax deductible cash donations up to $1,000 are also welcome. To set up delieveries, call 253-7379. Photos of the damage may be seen on the Web at www.johnmichaeltalbot.com.

Local families needed for exchange students

  ASSE International Student Exchange Programs (ASSE) is seeking local host families for international high school boys and girls. These students are 15 to 18 years of age, and are coming to this area for the upcoming high school year or semester. These personable and academically select exchange students are conversant in English, are bright, curious and anxious to learn about this country through living as part of a family, attending high school and sharing their own culture and language with their newly adopted host family.

  The exchange students arrive from their home country shortly before school begins and return at the end of the school year or semester. Each ASSE student is fully insured, brings his or her own personal spending money and expects to bear his or her share of household responsibilities, as well as being included in normal family activities and lifestyles.

  The students are well screened and qualified by ASSE. Families may select the youngster of their choice from extensive student applications, family photos and biographical essays. Students and families are encouraged to begin corresponding prior to the student's arrival.

  Those persons interested in obtaining more information about becoming a host family should call toll free (1-800-473-0696. ASSE International is a non-profit, tax-exempt, public benefit organization. ASSE is officially designated as an exchange visitor program by the Department of State, and was founded by the Swedish Ministry of Education.

Crystal Bridges at the Massey presents Reconstructing Art Walk

  Reconstructing Art Walk features the juried works of regional artists who have participated in Art Walk in prior years. The public is invited to meet the Art Walk artists and make their own great art on the "A" Street veranda. There will be creative fun in making Pattern (Finger) Puppets, Wacky Baskets, and Designer Art Walk Bags. The event will be held on Friday, May 16 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. For m,ore information call (479) 418-5707.

Bull Shoals-White River State Park to host Dutch oven cook-off

  Bull Shoals-White River State Park invites you to help celebrate Arkansas State Parks' 75th birthday at the 1st Annual Dutch Oven Cook-off on May 17, 2008. Teams will compete by preparing their favorite dishes with cast iron cookware and hot coals. Spectators will be able to watch as the teams showcase their craft and even be able to taste samples after judging is complete! Prizes will be awarded for each category: bread, main dish, and dessert. Cooking begins at 10 am and judging begins at 2 pm. Special guest Meteorologist Brandon Beck from KY3 News will be present and will serve on our judging panel. We will have a birthday party for Arkansas State Parks at noon. Cake will be served to the public at no charge. The event will also feature craft demonstrations and musical performances by local talent. For more information and/or registration please contact Bull Shoals-White River State Park by phone at 870-445-3629 or by email at floyd.pearson@arkansas.gov or jennifer.bassett@arkansas.gov .

Pine Mountain Jamboree to hold benefit

  The Pine Mountain Jamboree will hold a benefit on Saturday night, May 17 at 8 p.m. for the McGehee family who recently lost their home in a fire. Tickets are $10 and must be purchased in advance at Arvest, Bank of Eureka Springs or Community First or the elementary and middle schools. For more information call 253-8704.

Fire Om Earth Retreat Center holds Workshops and Events

  On Saturday, May 17, Lorna & Craig will be in Basin Park for Art in the Park, with new works from their studio, home and garden sculptures and handcrafted musical instruments.

  On Sunday, May 18th, Women's Full Moon drumming will be held at 7 p.m. One hour of instruction on Frame and Doumbek drums, then a gathering around the fire to whoop and holler, and drum with the moon. Suggested donation $5

  On Monday, May 19, Healers in Balance, CEU 3hr credit, with Jillian Guthrie LCSW. For all Caregivers, healers, helpers. The Malady Forget Thyself, how to nurture yourself while helping others. Fee $40 pre registration required.

  On Thursday, May 22, Music for People 6 p.m. Workshop, communication through the use of musical instruments, to improve listening skills. Find basic rhythms and have a wonderful time. All ages, no experience necessary. Instruments provided. Suggested donation $5. Call to register.

  Call Lorna or Craig at (479) 363-9402 also info on the web at www.fireomearth.com Located on Mill Hollow Rd.

AMHA to kick-off summer with All Gaited Breed Horse Show

  AMHA will host an All Gaited Breed Horse Show on May 17 at the Carroll County Fairgrounds at the Junction of Hwy. 21 North & 221 North in Berryville.

  Sporthorse competition begins at 10:30 a.m. and performance classes begin at 5 p.m. There is no admission fee for spectators.

  Stalls will be available beginning May 16, $25 night or $45 two nights. There is a $7 entry fee per class on the day of the show. For more information contact Regina Jones (501) 730-0704 or Vera Van Blaricom (870) 545-3005.

Main Stage to present Peter Pan

  Main Stage will present Peter Pan performed live with a cast of 20 including adults and children. Come away to NeverNeverLand and join an interactive play featuring theatrics, dance and live music.

Play is directed by Miss Melanie Linker and will include special treats for all kiddos in the audience. Two show times: Saturday, May 17 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 18 at 2 p.m.

  Tickets are $12/adults and $5/kids and are available on reserve by calling Melanie at (479) 981-1510. Performances will take place at Enthios Performing Arts Center located on Greenwood Hollow Road (215 CR301 -- just past the Eureka Springs Elementary and Middle Schools. For more information, call Melanie. Kids should bring their favorite blankie or pillow to cuddle with to the show.

Youth fishing event set for Roaring River

  Young anglers will have opportunities to catch fish and learn about fishing at Roaring River State Park's Kids' Fishing Day. This event will be held 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. on Saturday, May 17 at Roaring River State Park. The event is being sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Jim Rogers Concession, Mid-West Flies, Mark Jones Taxidermy, Russ Pendergraft Taxidermy, Les Jacobs Ford, MAKO Fly Fishing Club, Cassville Wal-Mart, Wal-Mart Bentonville, Berkley, Fuji Film, Able 2 Products, Luck-E-Strike, Freedom Bank, Commerce Bank, Security Bank, Tim's Fly Shop and many other local merchants.

  At Kids' Fishing Day, children age 15 and under will be able to pick up free trout tags at the hatchery office any time on Friday, May 16 or on the day of the event. With their free tags, youths will also receive stringers, fish posters, fishing activity coloring books and other educational material. A portion of the fishing area of the park will be reserved for youths age 15 and under. Volunteers will be on hand to help. Children are encouraged to bring their own fishing equipment. Parents are welcome to help kids, but only one pole may be used between the helper and the child. Adults are not allowed to fish by themselves. Free hotdogs, chips and soda will be available 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

  Education is also part of Kids' Fishing Day. Throughout the day, seminars will be held on fish cleaning, fish cooking, knife sharpening, knot tying, fly tying and fly casting, jig tying, how to fish Roaring River and other subjects. The Missouri Department of Conservation's Missouri Outdoor Skills Trailer will be in use. A hatchery tour will show how trout are raised. A program on Missouri snakes will be given using live specimens.

  If kids attend two classes, they will be awarded a prize. Kids who attend a fly-casting class will be entered into a drawing for one of several complete fly-fishing outfits. Kids who attend an archery class will be entered into a drawing for an Alpine bow. Trophies will be awarded to kids for biggest fish and biggest stringer. Kids who catch a fish over three pounds will be entered in a drawing for a free taxidermy mount.

  Staff from Cassville Wal-Mart will be on hand to take pictures of kids with their first fish ever or a fish weighing over 1.75 lbs. A free 4X6 photo of the child and their catch will be available free of charge on Sunday at the Cassville store or pictures can also be mailed later.

  Volunteers are needed. Individuals wishing to volunteer do not need to be experienced anglers. If you would like to help with Kids Fishing Day or want more information about the event, call the Roaring River Hatchery at 417-847-2430.

EUUF to host Jim Young

  Jim Young, author of Have You Forgotten and Five Powerful Principles for Living Spiritually will facilitate a conversation at the Eureka Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on Sunday, May 18.

Jim will speak on the necessity of celebrating Oneness from a spiritual perspective. They will also celebrate the graduation of EUUF students. 11 a.m., 17 Elk St.

Metafizzies to host the McNeals

  The Arkansas Metaphysical Society will host Chuck and Ramona McNeal on Monday, May 19. They will discuss the ego, perception, choices and love. Oneness is our true inheritance, but is it always our experience? Two systems of perception will be introduced to contrast understanding of separation thoughts and thoughts of Oneness. The public is invited to the meeting at 68 Mountain St., 6:30 p.m.

CFSL to hold World Service Meditation

  The May full moon is also known as the Festival of Humanity, or the Festival of Goodwill, also as World Invocation Day. The discussion and meditation on Monday, May 19, from 7 to 9 p.m. will focus on invoking the forces of enlightenment and goodwill to help serve as agents of planetary love and unification, to stay focussed on love, open to new ideas and ways of living, to group conscious goals and Earth friendly behaviors. The Center For Soulful Living, 268 CR 3027, Eureka Springs. 263-6212.

Beekeepers to meet

  The Carroll County Beekeepers will hold their monthly meeting for May on Tuesday, May 20 at 7 p.m. at the Carroll County Fairgrounds in Berryville. The Beekeepers meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month. Participation is free of charge. For more information, contact John Babbs at (479) 253-6664 or johnbabbs@arkansas.net.

Joint concert to feature area's youthful talent

Patrons of the arts, recognizing that an extraordinary chain of events has just transpired in our portion of the Natural State, have joined to present a showcase concert for the outstanding young musicians who have worked so hard to be the best.

A combined concert featuring the award-winning North Arkansas Youth Symphony, the Berryville Concert Band and Desafinado, the Berryville High School Choir, will be held at the Eureka Springs Auditorium May 20 starting at 7 p.m. No admission will be charged.

The concert is underwritten by the 1886 Crescent Hotel and supported by the leaders of our communities so that the public can experience what music lovers in New York City and Chicago have just experienced as area youth traveled to com- pete and perform at the National level with other outstanding groups from across the United States.

According to Jim Swiggart, former director of the Ozarks Chorale and interim band director at Berryville High School, ''This is a special time, as it is very unusual to have so much talent peaking at the same time and raising the standards for the students who will follow them in the future. Northwest Arkansas should be very proud and hopefully we will express our pride by providing a packed auditorium on May 20 in the historic AUD. The students, directors and their supporters have raised the bar for others and now is the time to let them know we are proud of them." The North Arkansas Youth Symphony draws musicians from all of Northwest Arkansas as well as Oklahoma. They rehearse in Rogers at the Northwest Arkansas Academy of Fine Arts and performed in prestigious Carnegie Hall, in New York , City, on April 6. The Desafinado select choir performed in the Heritage Music Festival in New York City on March 29. The Berryville Band performed in Chicago in the Heritage Music on April 11.

KnitWits to meet

  The clickety clique known as the KnitWits will hold their monthly get-together on Tuesday, May 20 at 11 a.m. at Little Bo Peep's, 102 S. Main St.

ES Elementary to hold round-up

  The Eureka Springs Elementary Pre-School Round-up will be held Wednesday, May 21 from 10 to 12. For more information call the Elementary School at (479) 253-8704.