Community Calendar

Bridge for beginners

Eight weekly lessons of Bridge for Beginners will start from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. from Aug. 11. These lessons are for beginners and anyone wanting to improve basic bridge skills. Deadline for registration is Aug. 8. For registration or more information, call Maggie at 479-599-9075 or Shereen at 479-524-6074.

Siloam Springs Writers

The Siloam Springs Writers will meet in the First Bank Social Room at 7 p.m. on Aug. 7 for a humorous, fun-filled evening with speaker Don Siemens. All writers and guests may bring August assignments as follows: Prose -- a daily devotional (300 words max + scripture), Poetry -- a Spenserian Sonnet on any subject. The public is invited to share a hilarious evening.

Community Clinic Fundraiser

"Pearls & Boots," the ninth annual Community Clinic Siloam Springs Medical fundraiser, will be held on Friday, Sept. 19 at the Cypress Barn. The cocktail hour will begin at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:15 p.m. The event will include dinner, wine, beer, live music and silent and live auctions. Tickets are $75. Sponsorships are available. For more information call 479-524-9550 or visit www.communityclinicnwa.org.

Blood Drive

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at Walmart, located at 2901 Highway 412 in Siloam Springs, from 2-6 p.m., Aug. 1 and from noon-4 p.m., Aug. 2. Blood donors must be 17 years of age, or 16 with parental consent, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in generally good health. For more information or to make an appointment to donate call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org.

End of Summer Concert

The Siloam Music Festival will be presenting their End of Summer Concert at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 17, at JBU's Berry Performing Arts Center, 2000 W. University Street. The Theme will be "Keyboard & More," featuring an All-Star cast of local pianists and vocalists, including Dr. Paul Whitley, Jonathan Story, Michael Shuman, Kim Hayes, and Donna Rollene. No charge; donations requested. For more information go to http://siloammusicfestival.com/

Friends of the Library Bookstore

Friends of the Library Bookstore, located in Siloam Springs Public Library, features a large selection of bargain-priced books of every genre, CD's, DVD's, and VHS. Profits from sales in the bookstore are used to support children's summer reading programs. Donations are always needed, especially children's books and gently used paperbacks. Please take all donations to the library desk and inquire about membership in Friends of the Library organization.

Head Start Enrollment

Siloam Springs Head Start, located at 1017 East Tulsa, is now enrolling three and four-year-old children. Services are at no cost and promote school readiness to low-income families. Children with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Apply at nwaheadstart.org or call 479-636-7317 for more information.

Boys and Girls Club Summer Meals

The Boys and Girls Club of Western Benton Count is participating in the Summer Food Service Program in both the Siloam Springs and Gravette Units. In Siloam Springs meals will be served at the Boys and Girls Club located at 655 Heritage Court, through Aug. 8. Breakfast will be served from 8 - 9 a.m. and lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch will also be served at Ability Tree, located at 300 E. Main Street, from noon until 1 p.m., through Aug. 18. For more information call 479-524-4174.

Boys and Girls Club Summer Program

Boys and Girls Club of Western Benton County's Siloam Springs location is accepting enrollment for its summer program. Summer session two will be through Aug. 8 at a cost of $200 per child. Weekly and daily rates are also available. Doors will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Breakfast and lunch will be provided daily. Field trips to the Siloam Springs Aquatic Center are also provided for children signed up by session or week. Limited scholarships are available. Registration packets can be picked up at 655 Heritage Court. They are also available online at www.bgcwbc.org. For more information call 479-524-4147.

Summer Food Service

All children 18 years of age and younger can eat free of charge at the Siloam Springs School District's Summer Food Service Program. Children do not have to be a student of Siloam Springs Schools to participate. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m to 1:30 p.m. Monday though Friday at the Allen Elementary School Cafeteria every day except July 4. Breakfast will be available from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., Monday through Friday, July 21 through Aug. 1 at Allen Elementary School and the Intermediate School. Adult meals are also available at a cost of $2 for breakfast and $3.50 for lunch.

Summer Meals

Grace Episcopal Church is participating in the Summer Food Service Program. Meals will be provided to all children and adults without charge. Lunch and a snack will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Farmer's Market every Saturday until Aug. 16.

Stadium work traffic

Because of the stadium construction, the city will be operating heavy machinery and large trucks in the high school area. Efforts will be made to keep the street clean, but motorists should expect more traffic and construction activity. Street sweepers will be operating on Cheri Whitlock and on Sue Anglin drives.

Tailwaggers seeking volunteers and donations

Tailwaggers is seeking volunteers to walk dogs and socialize cats at the city animal shelter. They are also in need of donations of chewies, raw hides, cat toys and dog harness for the animal shelter. Donations can be dropped off at the animal shelter located at 1300 East Ashley Street. Tailwaggers' store, located at 116 E. University St., will be closed for a few months while it is turned into a full fledged pet store. Call 238-3612 for more information.

Yoga classes

Bridges to Wellness and the Siloam Springs Parks and Recreation Department are sponsoring Yoga classes. Classes will be held from 5:30-6:30 p.m., Monday nights at the Arvest Community Room across the street from 28 Springs. The cost for classes is $3.

Coffee with the Commander

American Legion Post 29 in Siloam Springs announces a re-start of 'Coffee with the Commander.' This program is designed to familiarize local veterans with the programs of The American Legion and the activities of the local Post. Its members also want to learn if any of its programs need refinement by receiving input from non-members of the Post.

The informal meeting will take place from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. each Saturday in the basement of the Community Building. Anyone who has "put the Uniform on" and served on active duty is invited. All subjects are open for discussion except politics and religion.

To the local veterans, 'We speak your language.'

CrossTraining

CrossTraining is held at 3DPT from 5:30 a.m. to 6:45 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The group shares in scripture, prays and then has a 45- to 60-minute workout. The class is free but voluntary donations can be made to help support the cost of utilities and equipment. For more information, contact Mark Towery at 479-220-0700.

Free eye screenings for veterans

Dr. John A. Billingsley III, ophthalmologist at Legacy Eye Center, is offering free eye screenings to area veterans. Veterans interested in a free screening may call 479-524-6115 to schedule a time. Legacy Eye Center is located at 500 S. Mt. Olive, Suite 102, in Siloam Springs.

Kansas Public Library

The Kansas Public Library has lots of activities to enjoy. The library has a new "Freegal Music Service" that offers over 10,000 music labels from 65 countries. A library patron in good standing may download three songs a week for free from https://eodls.freegalmusic.com. Refreshments will be provided. For more news and updates visit the Kansas Public Library's Facebook page.

Wheelchair ramp assistance

Kind at Heart Ministries is taking applications for wheelchair ramp and porch steps assistance. The service is free. Those who are elderly or disabled or who know someone who is and in need of this assistance can contact Kind at Heart Ministries via email at [email protected] or by phone at 479-373-6281.