Monday, March 19, 2007

EVENTS>>Winter 2007

The annual Clean Up Jacksonville/Keep Jacksonville Beautiful event is scheduled for April 14. Teams from local businesses, civic clubs, churches, schools and base squadrons are forming to help spruce up our city.
Pre-register your group and your choice of area to clean by calling Jimmy Oakley, Jacksonville Public Works Coordinator, at 982-6071. Trash bags will be provided and can be picked up at 9 a.m. at the Chamber building at 200 Dupree Drive the day of the event.


Lonoke County residents wanting to learn how to save money for home ownership or improvement, expand a small business, or for post-secondary education are invited to the Central Arkansas Development Council (CADC) Individual Development Account (IDA) orientation meeting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday at the CADC Lonoke Office, 117 S. E. Street in Lonoke.
The meeting is open to the public. Angel Clingmon with CADC will be on hand to explain the IDA program and will hand out applications to interested parties. The program is designed to help low- to moderate-income persons become more financially self-sufficient.
The IDA programs helps a person start a savings plan and receive a match for a home, business, or to further an education.


Volunteers are needed for Cabot’s annual spring community-improvement effort on Saturday, March 24th beginning at 9 a.m. The cleanup is being held in conjunction with the Great American Cleanup, the annual spring nationwide community-improvement campaign presented by Keep America Beautiful (KAmB) and Keep Arkansas Beautiful (KAB), a state affiliate of KAmB. 
Volunteers should meet at the Cabot Panther Stadium parking lot, at 9 a.m. and check-in at the big clean-up tent. Volunteers will be assigned routes not chosen earlier.
Orange safety vests and garbage bags will be available but participants are encouraged to bring sturdy work gloves.  At noon, all volunteers should meet back at the Panther Stadium parking lot to enjoy some free food and drinks.


There will be a car wash, hot dog and bake sale from 10 a.m. until the last customer leaves at Auto Zone in Jacksonville Saturday, March 24 to raise funds for the Arkansas Heart Association Walk.


The Gospel Tones have partnered with the Jacksonville Senior Center for a fundraiser March 29 to benefit the senior center, 100 Victory Circle. The Gospel Tones will serve up wonderful music and the senior center will serve up the evening meal of chili and all the fixings. Tickets are $5; serving starts at 6 p.m. For more information call Barbara at 982-7531.


The Arkansas State University-Beebe Alumni Association will host the seventh annual 5K Race at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, March 31. Race proceeds provide student textbook scholarships.
Runners will compete in 15 age categories. Trophies will be awarded to the overall female and male winner runner and walker.
Registration fee is $18 in advance and $20 on race day.  Race day registration will be from 7:15 to 8:15 a.m.  The race will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. More information on the alumni race and other upcoming events may be obtained by contacting the Office of Institutional Advancement at (501) 882-8255.


Arkansas State University-Searcy, a technical campus of ASU-Beebe, will conduct an Energy Training Council (E.T.C.) Safety Training on Saturday, March 31 for people interested in working for the gas drilling industry.
This 10-hour OSHA safety course, which is designed specifically for the gas drilling industry, will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuition is $100, which includes training materials, book and certification fees.
This certification is required by the gas drilling industry to work on any job site or area that E.T.C is recognized.  Pre-registration is required for this class and class size is limited.  To pre-register contact Donna Yingling at (501) 207-4051 or via email at dyingling@searcy.asub.edu


“March for Meals” is a national annual campaign intended to increase public awareness, recruit new volunteers, and increase local fundraising. We are celebrating March for Meals on Tuesday with the help of Mayor Tommy Swaim, Alderman Bill Howard, Alderman Marshall Smith, Chief Vanderhoof and others. If you are interested in delivering meals on this day, please contact Barbara Seagle or Nikeba Davis at 982-7531.


An AARP driver safety course will be taught at Beebe Shepherd’s Center, 302 N. Main St., Beebe from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, March 23. Cost is $10, payable to AARP. Call 501-882-0243 to register. John Barnett will teach the course. Individuals who take the course who are 55+ are entitled to a reduction in autmobile insurance.  


Jacksonville Parks and Recreation Department will hold its annual Easter Egg Hunt March 31 at Excell Park located on the corner of Ray Road and Southeastern Ave. The hunt is for ages walking to ten.