The Jacksonville Fire Department will begin testing the city’s fire hydrants beginning Monday and ending Friday, Jan. 12. The testing is necessary to maintain and improve current Insurance Service Organization ratings, which determines insurance rates for business and homeowners. Hydrant testing also allows the Jacksonville Fire Department to plan for better fire suppression. This testing could cause the unsettling of sediment that does collect in the water mains. This sediment will cause discoloration of the water and can stain clothing in the wash. The water is safe to drink. The Jacksonville Fire Department and the Jacksonville Water Works urge citizens to check for discolored water before doing laundry to avoid staining clothing during the testing period. The testing schedule is as follows: Nov. 20, north of Main Street and west of Hwy. 67/167; Dec. 4., north of Main Street and Graham Road and east of Hwy. 67/167; Dec. 18., south of Main Street and Graham Road and east of Hwy. 67/167 and Jan 3., south of Main Streeta and Graham Road and west of Hwy. 67/167.
Central Arkansas Development Council will host an individual development account meeting at 5 p.m. Monday at 117 Southeast St. in Lonoke. The CADC IDA program matches savings accounts that encourage low-income working people to save money and acquire assets. Participants commit to saving at least $10 a month and when they reach their savings goal, CADC will match every dollar saved with $3, up to $2,000 per individual or $4,000 per household. Most applicants will be enrolled in the program for six months to two years. For more information, please contact Angel Clingmon at 501-676-0019.
First Assembly of God Church at 221 N. Elm in Jacksonville will celebrate its 64th anniversary Sunday, Nov. 19. The guest singers will be “Second Nature,” who are J.P. and Kristina Hodges and his sister, Lauralise Hodges. The public in invited to attend.
There will be a free Thanksgiving Day dinner on from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 23 at Beebe First United Methodist Church, 302 N. Main St. Reservations are requested but not necessary. Takeout and delivery in the Beebe area is available. Transportation within the Beebe area is also available. For more information call the church office at 882-6427 or Bill Palmisano at 882-7221.
The Junior Auxiliary of Jacksonville’s Christmas Tour of Homes will be from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday Dec. 10. Homeowners on the tour this year include Larry Wilson, Lucian Shockey, Chuck Thomas and Rick Barnum. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased from any active junior auxiliary member. For information contact Mandy Watson at 982-1241. Proceeds from the Christmas Tour of Homes help to provide for the underprivileged children in Jacksonville.
The Fathers Council of the Jacksonville Middle School for boys meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20, in the schools library. Prizes will be awarded to any student who brings their father, uncle, grandfather or other man who is significant in their life including gifts from Blockbuster video, memberships at the Jacksonville Fitness Center and one family will win a turkey fryer. For more information or questions call the school at 982-1587 or Chuck Baclawski at 985-4174.
Tuesday, Nov. 21 is the deadline to order dinner rolls from Simply Delicious Restaurant, part of North Pulaski High School. The rolls are $4 a dozen. Proceeds help pay for extra curricular activities. To order call 241-2260.
The Cabot Rotary Club is collecting items for Open Arms Shelter. The shelter provides temporary housing to abuse and neglected children between the ages of birth and 18 years of age. Items needed include juice, canned goods, paper towels and winter clothes. Items can be dropped off at the Arkansas Federal Credit Union, 100 S. Rockwood in Cabot. For more information call 533-2310.