Fresco Cafe and Pub, Fayetteville: DJs Rev. Stiles and the Beat Bachs
George’s Majestic Lounge, Fayetteville: Perpetual Groove
Jammin Java, Fayetteville: Open Acoustic Jam
JJ’s Grill, Fayetteville: Jeff Fox
JJ’s Grill, Rogers: Russ Hutchison
Mojo’s Pints and Pies, Fayetteville: Matt Smith
Pesto Cafe, Fayetteville: Kevin Bennoch
Rowdy Beaver, Eureka Springs: Karaoke with Tiny
Smoke & Barrel Tavern, Fayetteville: Kentucky Knife
Tanglewood Brand Beer Co., Fayetteville: Jed Clampit

FRIDAY

The Bayou, Rogers: Bad Karma
Chelsea’s Corner Cafe, Eureka Springs: Catfish Jackson
Downstream Casino, Quapaw, Okla.: Elvis T. Busboy & the Texas Blues Butchers
Fresco Cafe and Pub, Fayetteville: Russ Hutchison
George’s Majestic Lounge, Fayetteville: The Belaires, Steve Pryor, Cody Canada & The Departed with guest Red Eye Gravy
Goodfolk, Fayetteville: Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart
Greenhouse Grille, Fayetteville: Opus 3
JJ’s Grill, Fayetteville: Ouachita River Band
JJ’s Grill, Rogers: Arkansas Brothers
Legacy Blues Lounge, Fayetteville: Joey DeFrancesco Trio, Teddy Sablon and Guta
Mojo’s Pints and Pies, Fayetteville: Arkansas Native Grass
Rowdy Beaver, Eureka Springs: Jukebox
Rowdy Beaver, Fayetteville: Keith Richardson Band

SATURDAY

Billy’s Bar and Grill, Fayetteville: Critter, featuring Phil Devoid
Chelsea’s Corner Cafe, Eureka Springs: Springbilly
Downstream Casino, Quapaw, Okla.: Elvis T. Busboy & the Texas Blues Butchers, Earl & Them
George’s Majestic Lounge, Fayetteville: Mudstomp Records Fest with Mountain Sprout, Ben Miller Band, Tyrannosaurus Chicken, Whistle Pigs, Mockingbird
JJ’s Grill, Fayetteville: Arkansas Brothers
JJ’s Grill, Rogers: Wes & Karl
Legacy Blues Lounge, Fayetteville: Roby Pantall and Ron Pennington, Michael Tisdale and the Union
Little O’Oprey, West Fork: Live Jam
Mojo’s Pints and Pies, Fayetteville: RJ Mischo and His Red Hot Blues Band
Rowdy Beaver, Eureka Springs: Jeff Lee Band
Rowdy Beaver, Fayetteville: Left of Center
Smoke & Barrel Tavern, Fayetteville: Matt Smith Trio
The Stone Pony, Fayetteville: Charliehorse

SUNDAY

Common Grounds, Fayetteville: Richard Burnell
Copeland’s, Rogers: Claudia Burson Trio
Emelia’s Kitchen, Fayetteville: Jazz Duos
Greenhouse Grille, Fayetteville: Pat Pathoumthong
Pesto Cafe, Fayetteville: Shannon Wurst
Tanglewood Brand Beer Co., Fayetteville: Bluegrass Jam
Terra Studios, Fayetteville: Emily Kaitz

MONDAY

George’s Majestic Lounge, Fayetteville: Railroad Earth
JJ’s Grill, Fayetteville: Mendy Johnson
JJ’s Grill, Rogers: Robert Spoon
Mojo’s Pints and Pies, Fayetteville: Monday Night Jam with Jeff Kearney
The Perk, Fayetteville: Open Acoustic Jam
Pesto Cafe, Fayetteville: Darren Ray

TUESDAY

The Bayou, Rogers: Open Jam
George’s Majestic Lounge, Fayetteville: Reckless Kelly with special guest Cole Porter Band
JJ’s Grill, Fayetteville: Jeff Fox
JJ’s Grill, Rogers: Darren Ray
Pesto Cafe, Fayetteville: Jed Clampit
Rowdy Beaver, Fayetteville: Open Mic

WEDNESDAY

Fresco Cafe and Pub, Fayetteville: Karaoke
George’s Majestic Lounge, Fayetteville: Yonder Mountain String Band
Greenhouse Grille, Fayetteville: Chooch
Iron Horse Coffee House, Rogers: Rogers Jazz Society
JJ’s Grill, Fayetteville: Cable Hogue

AUTUMN BROWN, AND GOLDEN, KLING & WISEMAN ARTISTS RECEPTION — 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Arts Center of the Ozarks, 214 S. Main St. in Springdale. ArtsCenterOfTheOzarks.org or 751-5441.

ICE BOWL — 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Lake Fort Smith State Park. Registration opens at 8 a.m. This event will not be cancelled due to weather; entrants must play through. $5 lunch available. Benefits Food For Kids program at Mountainburg Public Schools. $25. 670-4508.

STAGE AND SCREEN

MARK MORRIS DANCE GROUP — 7 p.m. today at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $10-$25. WaltonArtsCenter.org or 443-5600.

Courtesy Photo: "TIGERS BE STILL" 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Feb. 9 through March 4 at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $10-$29. WaltonArtsCenter.org or 443-5600.

SATURDAY MORNING ANIME — 11 a.m. Saturday at the Fayetteville Public Library. For kids. Free. faylib.org or 856-7170.

“DIAL M FOR MURDER” — 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Feb. 10-11, and 3 p.m. Sunday and Feb. 12 at the Arts Center of the Ozarks, 214 S. Main St. in Springdale. $9-$20. ArtsCenterOfTheOzarks.org or 751-5441.

THE INTERGALACTIC NEMESIS — 8 p.m. Saturday at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $18-$30. WaltonArtsCenter.org or 443-5600.

SUNDAY NIGHT STAND UP: MIKE BALDWIN — 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the UARK Bowl, 644 W. Dickson St. in Fayetteville. Next week: Claude Stuwart. $5-$7. UArkBowl.com or 283-5282.

BRING IT ON: THE MUSICAL — 7 p.m. Tuesday through Feb. 9, 8 p.m. Feb. 10-11, 2 p.m. Feb. 11-12, and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $49-$73. WaltonArtsCenter.org or 443-5600.
“TIGERS BE STILL” — 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Feb. 9 through March 4 at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $10-$29. WaltonArtsCenter.org or 443-5600.

WORDS

LIFEWRITERS — 10 a.m. Monday at the Shiloh Museum. For people interested in writing the stories of their own lives or those of family and friends. ShilohMuseum.org or 790-2588.

CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOPS — Monday through March 6 at the Fayetteville Public Library. 4 to 5 p.m. Mondays for grades 4-6. 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays for grades 7-12. Free, registration required. faylib.org, 856-7170, 856-7250.

ROCK TOWN SLAM — 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Arkansas Arts Center in Little Rock. Open to the public; some poems may contain offensive, objectionable or adult oriented themes and language. $10 poet fee. $5 admission. 501-541-0681.

PLAYS OF PEACE – A READER’S THEATRE (POP-ART) — 6:30 to 8:30 Wednesdays at the OMNI Center in Fayetteville. Open to the public. OmniCenter.org.

CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP — 6:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays in Fayetteville. For aspiring and experienced authors. With author and teacher Gabrielle Idlet. $15 per class. gidlet@gmail.com or 966-5935.

MUSIC

TIME FOR THREE — 8 p.m. Friday at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $10-$25. WaltonArtsCenter.org or 443-5600.

ROY ZIMMERMAN — 7 p.m. Monday at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 901 W. Cleveland St. in

Courtesy Photo: Roy Zimmerman sings satirical songs - original songs about class warfare, creationism, same-sex marriage, guns, marijuana, abstinence, Republicans (a lot of songs about Republicans), ignorance, war and greed. There's a decidedly Lefty slant to his lyrics. "We used to have a name for Right Wing satire," he says. "We called it 'cruelty.'" -Roy Zimmerman website.

Fayetteville. Funny songs about ignorance, war and greed. $18, or what you can pay. FayettevilleUnitarian.org or 521-8422.

MUSIC ON THE MOUNTAIN:RANDALL SHREVE — 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Clapp Auditorium at Mount Sequoyah in Fayetteville. Benefits the Clapp Auditorium Restoration. Family friendly event. Next: Marshall Mitchell 3/6. $5; includes parking, food and treats. MountSequoyah.org.

JODY’S LIVING ROOM OPEN MIC — 7 p.m. Tuesdays at the Rowdy Beaver on Dickson Street, and 7 p.m. Wednesdays at Maxine’s Tap Room in Fayetteville. facebook.com/JodysLivingRoom.

LEARNING

AFTER SCHOOL WORKSHOPS: VALENTINE CARD MAKING — 4 to 5 p.m. today at the Fayetteville Public Library. Also 2/9: Chemistry, with Kate Janowska, 2/16: International Kids, 2/23: Mystery Drawing and Painting Demonstration. Registration required; free; for grades K-5th. faylib.org or 856-7170.

PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF NWA — 7 p.m. today at the Whole Hog Cafe in Fayetteville. With PPA Master Photographer Stephen Thetford. Open to the public. psnwa.org or 417-827-5031.

WATERCOLOR FUNDAMENTALS WORKSHOP — 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, 600 Museum Way in Bentonville. For ages 6-9. Next: Exploring Landscapes 4:30 to 6 p.m. March 30, April 6 and April 13. $45. Registration required. CrystalBridges.org or 418-5700.

SMART PHONE WORKSHOP — 4 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Verizon Wireless Store, 3931 N. Shiloh Drive in Fayetteville. Get the most out of your Android smartphones and tablets, regardless of your carrier. Free. Register at VerizonWireless.com/workshops.

OMNI CENTER VEGETARIAN POTLUCK — 6 p.m. Wednesday at the OMNI Center in Fayetteville. Bring a dish to share and discuss how dietary choice impact peace, justice and ecology. OmniCenter.org or exequals@hotmail.com.
HERB SOCIETY OF NWA — 7 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Shiloh Museum. ShilohMuseum.org or 770-6080.

FAY JONES ARCHITECTURE LECTURE SERIES: “BUILDING A DURABLE KNOWLEDGE” WITH BRUCE WRIGHTSMAN — 5:30 p.m. Feb. 9 in the Hembree Auditorium, Room 107E in the Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences Building at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Also 2/20: “How Beauty Could Save the Planet” with Lance Hosey; 2/27: “Following the Water” with Christine Ten Eyck. Free, limited seating. Architecture.uark.edu or 575-4704.

ADULT DRAWING AND PAINTING — 1 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays through March 27 at Studio Leilani, 112 W. Center St., Ste 230 in Fayetteville. With Leilani Law. $200, includes basic materials. Registration required. web.me.com/studioleilani/Studio_Leilani/CLASSES.html or 442-4396.

THEATER CLASSES — Mondays through Thursdays. Monday through April 19 at Arts Live Theatre, 818 N. Sang Ave. in Fayetteville. Learn improv, production, musical theater and more. For pre-k through grade 12. No classes the week of March 19. Times and costs vary. Registration required. ArtsLiveTheatre.com or 521-4932.

AMERICAN TRIBAL STYLE AND TRIBAL FUSION BELLYDANCE CLASSES — at Amani Dance Studio, 4627 E. Mission Blvd. in Fayetteville. All ages, sizes and experience levels welcome. TerraNovaTribal.com or 316-444-0529.

SPRING ART CLASSES — enroll now for classes at the NWA Community Creative Center in Fayetteville. For kids and adults. Dates, times, costs, ages and mediums vary. Spring Break classes registering now. Scholarships available. NWACCC.org or 443-5600.

RAZORBACK JUGGLERS — 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays at the Student Union or Gym 1 at the HPER building at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Free lessons and new members are welcome. Sites.Google.com/site/jugglingrsoclub/.

FAYETTEVILLE INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCERS — 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays at Mount Comfort Presbyterian Church Hall. First 30-minutes devoted to teaching/learning. $3; first time free. 283-9947.

JUGGLING CLASS AND CLUB — 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Jones Center for Families. Beginners welcome. jugglology.com.

OUTDOORS

COYOTE MENTORING — 4 p.m. Friday through 2 p.m. Sunday at Lake Fort Smith State Park in Mountainburg. $25, includes Coyote guide, supplies, room and lodging. Registration required. OzarkTrackers.org.

MIND, BODY, SPIRIT

LIBER XV: THE GNOSTIC MASS — Sunday at Rosa Mundi Sanctuary in Durham. Meets first Sunday of the month. solinvictus-oto.org or 966-9827.

PATHFINDERS TEEN ART THERAPY GROUP — 4 to 6 p.m. Fridays at the Art Experience, 641 W. Martin Luther King in Fayetteville. Explore yourself and a variety of media in a safe supportive group. With Jo Ann Kaminsky. For girls ages 12 to 15. Free. TheArtExperienceInc.org or 442-0557.

BUDDHIST MEDITATION AND SPIRITUAL SUPPORT GROUP — 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Arkansas Yoga Center, 1949 Green Acres in Fayetteville. With Geoff and Leslie Oelsner, and Joshua Newman. Free, open to the public. ArYoga.com or 521-2395.

MEDITATION PRACTICE — 4 p.m. Sundays at Unity of Fayetteville, 4880 Wedington Drive in Fayetteville. Unity-Fay.org or 442-0680.

DHARMA TALK — 11 a.m. Sundays at Mojo Hot Yoga Studio, 908 Rolling Hills Drive Suite 8 in Fayetteville. With Geshe Dorjee. ArTibet.com or 587-8920.

FAYETTEVILLE QUAKERS — 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Sundays followed by a social hour, and MEETING FOR HEALING — 1 p.m. Fridays at the Omni Center, 3274 Lee Ave. in Fayetteville. Open to the public. FayettevilleFriends.org or 888-909-1110.

SUPPORT GROUPS — The NWA Center for Equality offers a variety of support groups for the LGBTQ community. nwaEquality.org.

FREE CONFIDENTIAL HIV TESTING — 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays at NWA Center for Equality, 179 N. Church in Fayetteville. By appointment only. NWAHOPE@ nwaEquality.org or 888-391-9222.

HEALING CIRCLE MEDITATION — 7 p.m. Tuesdays at the Ozark Research Institute in Fayetteville. OzarkResearch.org or 582-9197.

WATER EXERCISE CLASSES — Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, BALANCED BODIES CHAIR EXERCISES— Friday mornings and STRETCH AND FLEX — Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the Jones Center in Springdale. $25 per month. The Jones Center has indoor and outdoor walking tracks and trails, and the Fitness Center has weights and equipment for use, all for free. theJonesCenter.org or 756-8090.

AUDITIONS, ENTRIES, VOLUNTEERS

ENTRIES FOR CIVIL WAR IN THE ARKANSAS OZARKS PODCAST CONTEST — submit through Friday. For K-12 students in Benton, Boone, Carroll, Madison, Newton and Washington counties. For rules and more information: ShilohMuseum.org/education/podcast-contest.php or 750-8165.

CALL FOR ROMANTIC READINGS — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Feb. 10 at the Fayetteville Public Library. Record a video reading of your favorite published classic or contemporary love poem. Readings will be uploaded to the library’s YouTube channel the week of Valentine’s Day. Faylib.org, Poets.org or 856-7000.

UMBRELLA DECORATING — Wednesday at the New Delhi Cafe in Eureka Springs. Umbrellas and decorations supplied by Krewe of Krazo so you can join the 2nd line for the night parade Feb. 11 and the day parade Feb. 18. Krazo.Ureeka.org or 981-9551.

REGISTER FOR TEEN COOKIE EXCHANGE — by 5 p.m. Feb. 9. by emailing your cookie recipe to SBrooks@faylib.org. Exchange is 1 to 2 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Fayetteville Public Library. Teens bring two dozen baked homemade Valentine-themed cookies for exchange. With Ripples’ Cookies founder Amanda Bancroft. faylib.org or 856-7000.

“NO SEX PLEASE, WE’RE BRITISH” AUDITIONS — 7 p.m. Feb. 13 and Feb. 15 at the Rogers Little Theater. RogersLittleTheater.org or 631-8988.

“HONK!” AUDITIONS — Feb. 18-19 at Arts Live Theatre, 818 N. Sang Ave. in Fayetteville. No appointment needed. ArtsLiveTheatre.com or 521-4932.

ENTRIES FOR “SO YOU THINK YOU KNOW HOW TO DANCE?” — by Feb. 21 by mail. Competition is 6 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Clarion in Fayetteville. Limited to 25 entries in each category, Juniors (ages 7-13) and Seniors (ages 14-adult) $25 for solos or duos; groups add $5 per additional person. Complete information at DanceCoalition.com.

VOLUNTEERS AND DONATIONS FOR FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN MOBILE PACK — Feb. 23-26 at XNA’s Regional Jet Center, 12344 Tower Drive in Bentonville. Food packs will be used to feed starving children in the developing world. facebook.com/1MMeals, fmsc.org/mobilepack, or 295-9191.

CALL FOR POETS — for Ekphrastic Poetry Slam and Formal Poetry Competition Feb. 25 at the Arkansas Arts Center in Little Rock. Ekphrastic describes something that is inspired by a work of art, therefore all entries must be inspired by from pieces in the Arkansas Arts Center Collection. Art can be viewed at the Center or online. High school students compete at 3:30 p.m.; Adults at 7 p.m. ArkArts.com or 501-372-4000.

“GOD OF CARNAGE” AUDITIONS — 7 p.m. April 16-17 at the Rogers Little Theater. RogersLittleTheater.org or 631-8988.

CRAFTER VENDORS — for craft show 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 2 at the Pine Mountain Village in Eureka Springs. Spaces are 12X12 and rent for $35; $40 with electricity. For more information, call Gayle Voiles at 244-6907.

“CHICAGO” AUDITIONS — 7 p.m. June 4-5 at the Rogers Little Theater. RogersLittleTheater.org or 631-8988.

SENIORS

MEDICARE INFORMATION PRESENTATION — 10 to 11 a.m. today at the Schmieding Center, 2422 N. Thompson St. in Springdale. Free. SchmiedingCenter.org or 751-3043.
CHRONIC DISEASE SELF-MANAGEMENT PROGRAM — 2 to 4:30 p.m. today at the Springdale Senior Center, 203 Park Street. 6 week session. 751-3043, ext. 228.

GETTING MOTIVATED TO MOVE — 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the Schmieding Center, 2422 N. Thompson St. in Springdale. Information to start your exercise plan. SchmiedingCenter.org or 751-3043.

FAMILY CAREGIVER WORKSHOP: PHYSICAL SKILLS — noon to 4 p.m. Feb. 9-10 at the Schmieding Center, 2422 N. Thompson St. in Springdale. For those providing unpaid care for an older adult at home. Registration required. SchmiedingCenter.org or 751-3043, ext. 228.

FUN 2 B FIT — 9 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; EXERCISE WITH DANCE LEVEL I — 9:15 a.m. Tuesdays and EXERCISE WITH DANCE LEVEL II — 10 a.m. Tuesdays; MUSCULAR STRENGTH RANGE MOVEMENT — 2 p.m. Tuesdays and 2:30 p.m. Thursdays; YOGA STRETCH — 1 p.m. Tuesdays; USE IT OR LOSE IT WITH JIMMY CULP — 11 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; CARDIO CIRCUIT — 1:30 p.m. Thursdays; TAI CHI — 10 a.m. Fridays, meditation CIRCLE — 10 a.m. Mondays; ACRYLIC PAINTS — 10 a.m. Tuesdays; WII BOWLING LEAGUE — 11 a.m. Tuesdays; BEAN BAG BASEBALL — 9 a.m. Wednesdays, CANASTA — 12:15 p.m. Wednesdays, BINGO — 10 a.m. Thursdays, MAHJONG: 1 p.m. Thursdays; MEXICAN TRAIN DOMINOS — 1 p.m. Thursdays; BRIDGE — noon. Fridays at the Fayetteville Senior Activity and Wellness Center, 945 S. College Ave. 571-2920.

STRONG BODY EXERCISE PROGRAM — 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Schmieding Center at Culpepper Place in Fayetteville. Registration required. 751-3043, ext. 228.

ART

ANNE KITTRELL ART GALLERY — Arkansas Union, Fayetteville. 575-5255.

ARSAGA’S — 1582 Crossover Road Suite 2, Fayetteville. arsagas.org or 527-0690.

ARSAGA’S — 2418 N. Gregg Ave., Fayetteville. arsagas.org or 444-6557.

ARTIFACTS GALLERY — 184 N. Main, Eureka Springs. ArtifactsEureka.com or 363-6660.

ARTS CENTER OF THE OZARKS — 214 S. Main St., Springdale. ArtsCenterOfTheOzarks.org or 751-5441. “Approaching the Sacred” Golden, Kling, and Wiseman and “Dichotomy: Perception versus Truth” by Autumn Brown through Feb. 24.

BENTONVILLE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU — 104 E. Central St. on the square in Bentonville. 271-9153.

BOTANICAL GARDEN OF THE OZARKS — 4703 N. Crossover Road, Fayetteville. bgOzarks.org or 750-2620.

CENTER FOR ART AND EDUCATION — 104 N. 13th St., Van Buren. art-ed.org or 474-7767.

THE COMMON GROUNDS — 412 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. CommonGroundsAr.com or 442-3515.

CORNER GIFT SHOP — 3582 N. Arkansas 112, Fayetteville. 521-2674. Art by more than 15 local artists and craftsmen.

FAYETTEVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY — 401 W. Mountain St., Fayetteville. faylib.org or 856-7105.

THE FRENCH DOOR AT ROCKY CREEK GALLERY — Armstrong Road in Fayetteville. 879-5987.

HEARTWOOD GALLERY — An Artists’ Collective. 428 S. Government St., Fayetteville. 444-0888. Jewelry, pottery, glass, handmade books, textiles, sculpture, photography, paintings, drawings, mixed media, music CDs, wood turnings. More than 30 local artists.

JAMMIN JAVA — 21 W. Mountain St., Fayetteville. 443-2233.

LONG GALLERY — Vol Walker Hall, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Architecture.uark.edu or 575-4704.

MAYAPPLE — 546 W. Center St., Fayetteville. 206-715-3271.

MULLINS LIBRARY — University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. libinfo.uark.edu/info/art exhibit.asp or 575-6702.

OZARK FOLKWAYS — 22733 N. U.S. 71, Winslow. OzarkFolkways.org or 634-3791.

OZARK NATURAL FOODS — 1554 N. College Ave., Fayetteville. OzarkNaturalFoods.com or 521-7558.

THE PERK — 3980 W. Wedington Drive, Fayetteville. 251-7375.

POOR RICHARD’S ART — 116 S. First St., Rogers. PoorRichardsArt.com or 636-0417.

ROGERS LITTLE THEATER — 116 S. Second St., Rogers. RogersLittleTheater.org or 631-8988. Works by Kinya Elenbarger through February.

STUDIO 62 — 335 W. Van Buren, Eureka Springs. Studio62.biz or 363-9209. “Flowers That Last” featuring Valentine inspired floral paintings and photos through February.

TEATRO SCARPINO — 329 N. West Ave., Fayetteville. scarpino.com or 409-3772.

TERRA STUDIOS, MUSE GALLERY AND COFFEEHOUSE — Free admission. Experience a wonderland of art. Explore the 10-acre art park with sculptures, fountains, murals and a stone labyrinth. Watch glassblowers make the world-famous Bluebird of Happiness. Enjoy treats in the coffee house. Visit the gallery representing more than 70 local artists. Wonderful handmade gifts. Music at Terra 1 to 4 p.m. in the gallery every Sunday. Find us on Facebook for news, events, and music listings. Check out the new event center for your special gathering. Open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 13 miles east of Fayetteville off Arkansas 16 at 12103 Hazel Valley Road. 800-255-8995.

ULTRA STUDIOS — 118 W. South St., Fayetteville. ultrastudios.org or 935-4040.

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FINE ARTS CENTER GALLERY — Fayetteville. art.uark.edu/fineartsgallery or 575-7987. “Non-equilibrium” by Carol Prusa through Feb. 17.

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS GLOBAL CAMPUS CENTER FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION — 2 E. Center St., Fayetteville. 575-6489.

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS STUDENT GALLERY (sUgAR) — 114 Central Ave., Bentonville. facebook.com/pages/sUgAR or 273-5305. Open 2 to 6 p.m. Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. “US, An Undergraduate Salon” through Feb. 17.

WHITE LOTUS SALON AND MASSAGE — 4750 Mission, Fayetteville. 582-4806. Open Tuesday-Saturday. Featuring local artists and handmade gifts.

MUSEUMS

ARKANSAS AIR MUSEUM — Drake Field, 4290 S. School Ave., Fayetteville. 521-4947. Aircraft from all eras of aviation history.

ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER — Ninth and Commerce streets, Little Rock. ArkArts.com or 501-372-4000. “Masters of American Watercolor” through March 28.

CLINTON HOUSE MUSEUM — ClintonHouseMuseum.org or 444-0066.

CRYSTAL BRIDGES MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART — 600 Museum Way, Bentonville. CrystalBridges.org or 418-5700.

GRAVETTE HISTORICAL MUSEUM — 503 Charlotte St. SE, Gravette. 787-7334. Early 1900s restored home with displays representing Gravette’s history.

MUSEUM OF NATIVE AMERICAN ARTIFACTS — 202 S.W. O St., Bentonville. MuseumOfNativeAmericanArtifacts.org or 273-2456. Free self-guided audio tours of Paleo, Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian and tribal artifacts.

PEA RIDGE NATIONAL MILITARY PARK — 15930 U.S. 62, Garfield. 451-8122. Self-guided road tour, 10-mile hiking trail, Civil War museum and bookstore.

PEEL MANSION MUSEUM AND HISTORIC GARDENS — : 400 S. Walton Blvd., Bentonville. 273-9664. 1875 Italianate mansion with historic roses and plants.

PRAIRIE GROVE BATTLEFIELD STATE PARK — 506 E. Douglas St., U.S. 62, Prairie Grove. 846-2990. Civil War battlefield with original buildings.

PRICE TOWER ARTS CENTER — 510 Dewey Ave., Bartlesville, Okla. PriceTower.org or 877-424-2424. “Great Magnusson Grossman: A Car and Some Shorts” through May 6.

ROGERS HISTORICAL MUSEUM — 322 S. Second St., Rogers. RogersArkansas.com/Museum or 621-1154. “Comic Stripped: A Revealing Look at Southern Stereotypes in Cartoons” through March 24. “Buried Dreams” “Coin” Harvey and Monte Ne” and “Building Rogers” through Sept. 22. “Building Rogers” through 2012. “Benton County Crime Stories” through 2013.

SHILOH MUSEUM — 118 W. Johnson Ave., Springdale. ShilohMuseum.org or 750-8165. Exhibits of early life in the Ozarks. Original buildings on the grounds. “Roadside Attractions” through May 12. “Whatever You Do, Stay in Print” on the life of journalist, educator, and historian Ernie Deane through July 21. “Arkansas/Arkansaw: A State and Its Reputation” Monday through Jan. 19, 2013.

SILOAM SPRINGS MUSEUM — 112 N. Maxwell St. Siloam Springs. 524-4011.

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS DISCOVERY ZONE — 1564 W. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Fayetteville. cmase.uark.edu/UADZ/UADZ.htm or 575-3875. “GPS Adventures Arkansas” through March.

COMING SOON

“HAIRSPRAY” — 8 p.m. Feb. 10-11, Feb. 16-18 and Feb. 23-25, and 2 p.m. Feb. 12, Feb. 19 and Feb. 26 at the Rogers Little Theater. Valentine’s Spectacular on Feb. 14 is $140 per couple including dinner, photograph and chocolates. $16-$45. RogersLittleTheater.org or 631-8988.

CHOCOLATE LOVERS FESTIVAL: EXPERIENCING LIFE THROUGH CHOCOLATE — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 10, A CELEBRATION OF CHOCOLATE SAMPLING EVENT — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 11, and ST. VALENTINE’S BALLS — 6 to 10 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks in Eureka Springs. Amateur and professional chocolate contest. Benefits Carroll County Meals on Wheels and other local programs. $6-$50 per person, per event. EurekaChocFest.com.

OZARK TRACKERS MONTHLY TRACKING CLUB — 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 11 from the Lake Fayetteville Aquatic Center parking lot. Learn about tracking and bird language through our wild Ozark landscape. BYO water, snack, camera, weather appropriate clothing, etc. Next meeting: March 17. Open to the public; little ones must be accompanied by guardian. Free; suggested donations $5-$20. RSVP to info@OzarkTrackers.org or reply on their facebook page.

INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN BIKING ASSOCIATION TRAIL CARE WORKSHOP — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 11 at Devil’s Den State Park in West Fork. Lunch provided. Free, registration required. IMBA.com/events.

MASKS FOR CHANGE PERSONAL GROWTH GROUP — 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays Feb. 11 through March 24 at the Art Experience, 641 W. Martin Luther King in Fayetteville. With Jo Ann Kaminsky. $135, includes material for 6 week session. TheArtExperienceInc.org or 442-0557.

FREAKIN EUREKAN RUN — 10 a.m. Feb. 11 at Lake Leatherwood in Eureka Springs. 15K race. Benefits the University of Arkansas Cycling Club. Cancelled if trail is snow-covered. Register at active.com or in person at Fleetfeet in Fayetteville. $35-$40. For more information, Russ@FleetFeetFayetteville.com or 571-8786.

PHOTO IDENTIFICATION GROUP — 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Shiloh Museum. Help identify people, places and events from the last 40 years in NWA. ShilohMuseum.org or 750-8165.

“SWEETHEART’S BALL: LOVE CONQUERS ALL” — 10:30 a.m. Feb. 11 at the Fayetteville Public Library. Civil War love story of Unionist Elizer Harrison and Confederate Sallie Yeater based on actual events in Fayetteville. Living history event with The Heritage School. Free. Faylib.org or 856-7250.

FOR THE LOVE OF COOKIES TEEN COOKIE EXCHANGE — 1 to 2 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Fayetteville Public Library. Teens bring two dozen baked homemade Valentine-themed cookies for exchange. With Ripples’ Cookies founder Amanda Bancroft. Register by emailing your cookie recipe to SBrooks@faylib.org by 5 p.m. Feb. 9. Free. faylib.org or 856-7000.

TASTE OF N’AWLINS — 4 to p.m. Feb. 11 followed by KRAZO LIGHTS AND SOUND NIGHT PARADE — 6 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Rowdy Beaver in Eureka Springs. Cafe au lait and Beignets. Roundup of floats. Second Line with decorated umbrellas. Open to the public. Krazo.Ureeka.org.

AN INTIMATE AFTERNOON WITH PLAYWRIGHT KIM ROSENSTOCK — 4:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Fayetteville Public Library. Author of forthcoming TheatreSquared production “Tigers Be Still”. Free, open to the public. Faylib.org or 856-7250.

PHUNBAGS COMEDY IMPROV — 8 p.m. Feb. 11 at the UARK Ballroom, 644 W. Dickson St. in Fayetteville. 21 and older. $5, cash bar. Also 3/17, 4/7, 5/5, 6/2. Phunbags.org.

MARY WILSON OF THE SUPREMES — 8 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Pavilion at Downstream Casino in Quapaw, OK. $20-$50. DownstreamCasino.com or 918-919-6099.

ONE STITCH AT A TIME — 6 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 through March 21 at the Art Experience, 641 W. Martin Luther King in Fayetteville. Personal growth group for new and beginning adult knitter. With Cassy Dominick. $90 for 6 week session, $25-$30 for materials. TheArtExperienceInc.org or 442-0557.

Staff Photo by Blair Jackson: Randall and Benjamin Shreve and gearing up for a much-anticipated collaborative project.

Benjamin Del Shreve and Randall Shreve are at it again with a collaborative project temporarily titled The Brothers Shreve. Although the brothers were both contributing members of GS Megaphone, the band that got the brothers’ musical career in the national limelight, this is the first time that both Benjamin and Randall have shared the front-man position.

In the band that would eventually become GSM, Randall was a participating song writer, but was in the back on the drums. Benjamin was very supportive of his brother’s music, but he only joined the band when — with no previous musical experience and half-jokingly — he offered to replace the band’s flaky bass player.  The first time he held a bass, a friend explained to him which direction on the neck was up, which was down, and told him, “If you find the wrong note, the right one is in one of those two directions.” After some lineup changes, Benjamin took over the lead vocalist position and, before GSM’s final round of shows, he took over on guitar too.

After the dissolution of GSM in 2003, both brothers pursued music separately. Benjamin toured in the U.S. and Europe before landing in Florida and eventually bringing his band to Fayetteville, where he established himself in the local music scene.  Since 2003, Benjamin has recorded a total of nine unreleased albums. He is considering releasing the albums in 2012, but he still refrains from performing solo shows. He says providing atmosphere music in a coffee shop or bar was making him “mad” at his guitar.

Currently, the Benjamin Del Shreve band is currently working on their third release, “You Need Want”, which he describes as being his “lyrical epitaph” and having more of an “old school” sound.

Randall found himself in a few places before settling in New York where he met Timothy Grace, who has played with Randall as the SideShow’s piano player. After Randall released a solo album, the two were pulled to Fayetteville because of the local music.

Randall admits that he wasn’t ashamed to ride his brother’s coattails; although that hasn’t been the case for some time.  Benjamin, who had lived in Fayetteville for four years, helped his brother by setting up shows, promoting to his own fan base, and relaying venue and radio contacts.

After Randall released “The Entertainer” in 2008, he began fronting Randall Shreve and the SideShow, which released “The Jester” only a couple months back. Randall also has a new solo EP recorded with a target release date in the spring.  He describes the feel of the record as “mainstream, stripped down, sweet music” with mostly “love and heartache songs.”

Although the brothers weren’t planning on their joint effort manifesting this soon, at the insistence of their friends Ty Edwards and Ry Reeves, they conceited to prematurely kicking off this project with a show that took place last Saturday at Rouge on Dickson.  The Shreve brothers were joined by bassist and drummer from the SideShow, Geoff Baker and Zach Reese, respectively.

Also featured were many guest appearances, namely, Robert Geiger and Jonathan Holder from Benjamin Del Shreve and Timothy Grace from the SideShow.  With only a handful of 12-hour-long rehearsals under their belts, the show consisted of a wide variety of covers, from Roy Orbison to Nazareth to Dwight Yoakam, and only a few originals. Randall says they started with mostly covers “thinking it might spur direction” for the brothers’ collaboration.

“There has never been a feeling of competition,” says Randall about the brothers’ music. Instead, each pushes the other into stretching his musical boundaries. In The Brothers Shreve, Randall is taking on more lead guitar than usual and finding comfort outside his traditional vaudevillian style — which reached new heights Randall’s last project, the SideShow.

Benjamin is nailing harmonies and learning to voice again, setting aside his “rougher the better” approach in his normal vocal style. All the while, his expanding ability at guitar leads to a much more athletic and colorful contribution to the project.

There appears to be no ego thrown in the middle as they both work to make the other a better musician. This was evidenced during one rehearsal as The Brothers Shreve were working on a bluesy jam song. They swapped orders without reproach; and it was their combined effort that ultimately produced a better song.

Benjamin says, “[I’m] pretty stoked to play with my brother,” and that couldn’t be more obvious in the supportive dynamic of their relationship on and off the stage. This is one musical endeavor for which fans of both artists have quietly waited for a long time. Now, they just have to be patient enough to see how the sound of The Brothers Shreve will develop in the coming months. For more info, check out bdsband.com or randallshreve.com.

A photo of me as a child. Yep, we raised pigs.

I grew up with the land.
With the earth.
With nature.

During the winter, we visited my grandparents in Harrison. My brother and I climbed towers of hay that were stacked to the rafters of the barn, while my grandfather would load the back of the pickup. We took his work gloves, oversized and stained with grease, to protect our hands from the prickly straw. We looked for cracks in the bales, and we would jump. Fearless then, armed with a flashlight and grandpa’s gloves, we took turns exploring those tunnels inside the hay, finding only the occasional spider or cobweb.

In the spring, the honeysuckles bloomed; and my brother, sister and I would drink our fill of nectar. It seemed then an endless supply, an entire wall of honeysuckle blossoms that we passed on our way to the woods.

I remember searching for stones at the bottom of a creek that ran off the Buffalo River. The water was clear and cold, so different from the muddy, murky water of the Arkansas River where I grew up.

There, in the Arkansas River delta, the soil was rich. After the rain, it looked almost black. In the summer days, the humidity and mosquitoes filled the air, but during the nights, the sky would flicker with fireflies, and we chased them and captured them with mason jars.
We always let them go.

We had respect for wild things.

Sometimes, when I was very young, I would sit and watch the ants and spiders and grasshoppers travel through the grass. It was a peaceful time in my life.

Last week, when I visited the Makedo farm in Hartford, I was reminded of my country girl roots. For many years, I have tried to shed the stigma of the South — my accent, my vocabulary, my education — all of the changes I’ve made in my life, have been made in hopes of one day “making it” in a city like New York or San Francisco.

But my roots are still here.

In this land.

In this earth.

Jack and Mary White did not simply lose their farm. It was taken from them.

Their situation has left me wondering if other people in the state feel the same way I do. I wonder if we still belong to The Natural State, where land means more than money.

Where the earth still gives us life.

And joy.

And promise.

Jack and Mary White could have been my grandparents, or your parents. They could have been you. Their land has recovered, and they are able to survive, but they have the right to do more than survive. They have a right to pursue happiness and prosperity. They have a right to do more than just “make do,” especially because they are ready and willing to work for it.

Hydraulic fracturing needs to be regulated in the state of Arkansas. The state environmental protection agencies need the resources to enforce such legislation. The goal is not to hamper industry, but to protect our most precious resources.

There will come a time when there is no natural gas left, when the oil and gas companies will move on. Will our land be in the same condition it is now? Will the Natural State still hold its intrinsic value? It is our job to ask these questions. It is our job to demand answers.
I understand very well that you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs. I also understand that you can’t get greedy and use all your eggs to make omelets. Eventually, you have to raise a couple of chicks. You have to replenish your resources. You have to tend to your flock.

The modern process of hydraulic fracturing is still new, which means there has been little time to standardize and regulate the methods for safety. As Joanna Pollock explained in her article “Fracking: What’s at Stake?” in last week’s issue — attempts to research and regulate hydraulic fracking have been compromised by industry influence.

Industry influence can be seen on a national level in 2005 reports that the original EPA study included staff of Halliburton, a company that manufactures fracking fluid. The EPA also received pressure from an energy task force, led by Halliburton’s CEO, who was, coincidentally, Vice President of the United States.

The result of Mr. Cheney’s task force?

Hydraulic fracturing was exempted from the Clean Water Act.

In response to this ruling, the natural gas industry exploded across the nation.

Two months ago, fracking received national attention when the EPA reported a connection between hydraulic fracturing and a contaminated aquifer in Wyoming. The findings could spark a national regulation, but not without controversy and not without a fight from the oil and gas industries.

With no federal regulation, the weight of protecting public interest falls on the state. It is the responsibility of Arkansas lawmakers to hold the industry accountable and to execute a long-term vision for the state’s economic and environmental welfare.

Last year, when proposing legislation that would help regulate the industry, lobbyists from the natural gas industry outnumbered concerned citizens. In addition to lobbyists, stands the Arkansas General Assembly Shale Caucus.

The caucus is comprised of 16 legislators whose goal is to “protect the economic well-being of the Fayetteville shale drilling from what they fear is potentially damaging legislation,” according to an article written on Arkansas Online.

You can visit them on Facebook, where you will find comments such as these:
“We appreciate the public input and comments, and we hope that some folks from the fracking industry will comment, too! We believe in keeping this discussion FAIR AND BALANCED! Lol” — May 31, 2011

Fair and balanced? I am not laughing at that concept, especially when BHP Billiton just leased over 400,000 acres of land and spent billions of dollars to begin fracking in Arkansas. BHP has a less than reputable environmental and human rights record in developing countries. Will they treat Arkansas like a third world country? More importantly, will our legislatures allow them to do so?

“Drill, baby, drill! That fracking sound you’re hearing is the sound of MONEY and JOBS!” — May 29, 2011

The roaring noise of mining wells has driven people from their homes. Yes, it may be the sound of money and jobs, but with Australian/British BHP on the scene, the major industry player isn’t an Arkansas company. It’s not even a domestic company. So how much money is actually going into the Arkansas economy?

I leave you with this final question, which you can answer for yourself on the Arkansas General Assembly Shale Caucus Facebook page: “Do you agree that the gas ‘fracking’ industry is too heavily regulated in Arkansas?”

No. Fracking is going to destroy water supplies and the environment.
Yes, the Tree Huggers are destroying America!

Visit http://www.facebook.com/shale.caucus to share your opinion with these legislators. Or write to bjackson@nwaonline.com to submit a letter to the editor.

Friday, Feb. 3, after 14 years in Aquarius, Neptune enters its own sign of Pisces (after 164 years), remaining there until 2025. Neptune was last in Pisces in 1947 ushering in the romantic era of art, literature and music.

Neptune esoterically is a subtle new state of Soul (Christ) consciousness. Neptune will be in Pisces for 14 years, thus bringing forth a phenomenal change of consciousness for humanity. Changes in healing, the arts, creativity, the uses of water, vibrational medicine, alleviating suffering, spiritual groups seeking deepened spiritual knowledge and understanding.

The emphasis will be to “save the world.” From the heart of the Sun, Neptune streams forth Ray 2, Love/Wisdom, to the world. And we are changed.

Tuesday is the full moon Aquarius solar festival. Saturn in Libra turns stationary retrograde in the early morning. During the night, Venus (economics, money into precious metals) enters Aries (all things new) as Mars continues its retrograde in Virgo (new reality is forming). It’s a busy planetary week. Saturn retrograde means we examine all structures, disciplines, rules and boundaries, assessing their function, usefulness and purpose. What prepares us for the future? We reconsider commitments and responsibilities, reorganize and renegotiate previous agreements. New business opportunities should not be initiated during Saturn retrograde. However, preparations for the future must accelerate. Saturn provides the discipline and structures to accomplish this. We have until March.

The full moon is the Full Snow moon. The Aquarian seed thought is “Water of life poured forth for thirsty humanity.” We are to be the “waters of life” pouring forth our service to uplift, educate and support “thirsty humanity.” Let us accomplish this task together. The two weeks of Chinese New Year festivities ends at the full moon Lantern Festival. Who is having a Lantern Festival party this year? (Read more at www.nightlightnews.com)

ARIES: Slowly, over the next many years, all that is within you, often unknown and unheeded, will surface. So much is buried within. All these, like Vesta, are the “found objects” of ourselves, waiting for the right time and season to emerge. It will surface in dreams, symbols, omens, and talismans. The mystery of yourself will be revealed. You will see unseen worlds. Faith and trust and hope become your guides.

TAURUS: You will enter into a newer and wider group of people: like-minded, socially conscious and spiritually aware. You will all be artistic, creative and quite unusual. You will create, build and form a community that is the template for the new culture. You have yearned for this. Continue to imagine it. You will lead it.

GEMINI: Should you feel uncertain about your work in the world, know that this is part of Neptune’s function, attempting to refine you into the new ways of being in the world. Neptune is slow, but its watery ways slowly undermine any old ideas that you can act like everyone else. You can’t. What you’re left with is your imagination. What do you imagine would make you joyful?

CANCER: There will be an emphasis on entering deeper into mystical and/or esoteric teachings. It will be good to read Rumi. You will also seek places that are far away from home.  In order to learn new ways, enter into new places of knowledge and gather ancient wisdoms. You will also be called to teach. Humanity is thirsty for real knowledge. You understand humanity.

LEO: There may be explorations, deeper and more profound, into issues concerning death, sex, rock-and-roll, and everything else transformational. Taxes, too. And freedoms. And money. Questions like what is death and what is the function of sex? Am I sexy? What’s sexy to me? And how do we want our money to be used to create the new paradigm shift? The world is calling us to be sharing responsibly.

VIRGO: You will see others through the lens of everyone and everything as spiritual. You will see and recognize the life force. Some will see the actual angels (devas) building the kingdoms. You will discover what unconditional love means. First by seeking it. Then by providing it. A sacred contract. You will make new connections. Love will be released. Different than before.

LIBRA: A new authenticity will come forth from within, and your lifestyle will change. Forgiveness will continue. Begin with yourself first. What can you forgive? All daily routines will focus on creating and sustaining vibrant health. Become very careful and caring with health. Unusual allergies may arise. Stay with homoepathics and homeopathic practitioners. As forgiveness comes forth, you become more authentically of service to others.

SCORPIO: You are the master of illusion. You will meet others who also have your gift, protecting themselves against all emotional intrusions. You will come to a point when feelings of aloneness must give way to making true contact. Romance may find you. You can be “romanced” by ideas, by a rare coin or flower, one of the kingdoms calling to you. You will become “intimate” with new ideas.

SAGITTARIUS: There will be a great return to family of origin, family stories, history— the successes, disappointments, strengths and yearnings. What sacrifices did your family make? And how do you hold all of these for your family? What wealth (not necessarily money) did your family build? You too yearn. For closeness and care. Let’s pray for it together.
CAPRICORN: Gradually you will notice the many forms of nonverbal communication and expression surrounding you. It’s as if you can hear (and see) the angels building form out of substance. Read the Findhorn Garden (the picture book) again. Your intuition discovers all the subtle signals no one else sees. This stimulates your imagination. Community, gardens and greenhouses are your keywords.
AQUARIUS: Make sure to be careful with input and output of money. It may feel that the outflow is greater than the inflow. And perhaps it is. Eventually your ideas about money will change. New values will replace previously accepted values about money and how it’s made. A new spiritual reality comes forth and you enter gladly into the new sharing society. Watch for this.
PISCES: You may become a bit more subtle, refined, changeable, whimsical and elusive. You may feel the need for more rest, reflection and contemplation. You may experience Oneness, the Love of God. Your identity may shift and lines may blur around boundaries. You become mysterious and reflect the needs of others. You “save” others by inspiring compassion.

At his home in Elkins, Cody Renegar describes plans for his wedding.

“Here’s where the chairs will be,” he says, gesturing to a grassy area between the side of the house and the duck pond.

He describes the decorations. Wine bottles will hang from the chairs, lining the aisle with wildflowers. There are plans for an arbor, under which he will be married, that will be made from two antique doors and a wooden ladder.

He and the wedding planner have decided to weave honeysuckle through the rungs of the ladder, so it will hang over the couple’s heads during the ceremony. The reception will be held in the backyard, between the back porch and the pine trees, where guests will dance barefoot beneath a tent. Italian lanterns will hang from the trees.

He is considering dressing the groomsmen and women in white linen — a deviation from the traditional wedding etiquette that demands only the bride dress in white.

Because Renegar’s marriage won’t involve a bride, new traditions are in order.

The two grooms haven’t decided what type of suits they will wear, or how they will differentiate one suit from the other, but in addition to the ivory palette, Renegar is considering blue — to match the color of his fiancé’s eyes.

Renegar met Thomas Staed in December 2009.

“For the record,” says Staed, “he approached me.”

Renegar says he noticed Staed on that first night when he saw him laugh. “He was laughing like no one cared, just cracking up.”

“Cody was one of the first people who caught my eye. He was wearing a red v-neck sweater,” Staed remembers.

Staed was new in town, and was surrounded by a group of people. Renegar introduced himself and after a few minutes of conversation, he left Thomas and sat down at the bar. Sitting five seats away, Renegar sent Staed a Facebook message.

“Hey, it was nice to meet you … ” began the message. Now, two years later, the couple still continues the thread of that first message when they have something special to tell one another, such as “Happy Anniversary!”

The couple had their first date at Wasabi on Dickson Street, where the couple bonded over the movie “Steel Magnolias” — an allusion that will make an appearance in their wedding as the bleeding armadillo groom’s cake.

“We went on our second date, and he never really left,” says Renegar. “We were talking about all the things we were looking for in love. He needed excitement, and I needed stability.”
Renegar is a hair stylist who travels to L.A. and D.C. to work on high-profile clients, while Staed is a bank analyst.

“He’s all math, and I’m all creative,” says Renegar. “We compliment each other very well.”
The couple purchased a home together last January, which they refer to as the T.L.C. Farm. T.L.C. stands for the three men of the house, Cody, Thomas and Levi, who is Cody’s 15-year-old son.

On the side of the house, a basketball goal is mounted against green siding. Two ATVs are parked in the backyard, and a photo of the family sits on a table in the living room. It is a photo from the national No H8 Campaign, where each is mimicking one of the “See, Hear and Speak No Evil” actions.

Renegar says his son has been very supportive and positive of his two fathers. “He loves it and thinks it’s a great thing,” says Renegar, who describes their home life as very normal — full of chores and camping and fishing and laughter.

Courtesy Photo: Cody Renegar proposed to Thomas Staed through a painted message on the side of their home.

Over the past year, Renegar and Staed began improvements on their new home. One day, Staed was painting over the beige siding on their house, while Renegar was holding the ladder.
Renegar offered to take over, and instead of completing the job, he painted his proposal. “Will u marry me?” in green paint.

Staed agreed, and the two began planning for their wedding, which is scheduled for June 16.

*****

In November, when Renegar called to inquire about submitting his wedding announcement to the Northwest Arkansas Times, he was told that it was the company’s policy to print legally recognized marriages in Arkansas, which would not include his marriage.

Renegar said he was not aware of the paper’s policy at the time. “I was just calling to ask where I could find the application and pricing. I did not expect a controversy.”

After being denied the opportunity to print his wedding announcement, Renegar and Staed submitted their wedding announcement to Yahoo.com and contacted their friend and activist Laura Phillips. After making the decision to go public with their story, the couple admitted to feeling “a little vulnerable at first.”

Their announcement was published online on Jan. 22, and by the following morning, their story had been shared with a variety of social media outlets, calling attention to the newspaper policy. Laura and her husband, Jay, asked local media outlets to publish same-sex announcements.

In a television interview with KNWA, Renegar expressed his opinion on being denied the opportunity to have his wedding announced in the local newspaper. “You want to be represented, as a human being, as a person of love. It’s not that complicated to put a picture of two people in love,” he said.

That initial feeling of vulnerability was lost in a flood of support from the local and national gay community and activists. The couple received hundreds of friend requests on Facebook, so many that they had to create a fan page to manage the traffic. Dozens of articles have been posted on the controversy and the couple has received publicity and support from GLAAD and the HRC.

“It felt amazing to have that much support behind us,” said Renegar.

On the local front, Jay and Laura Phillips also created a petition on the website change.org. In the “About this Petition” section, Phillips writes, “… Laura and I have been working with Cody and many others to help change this discriminatory policy by the newspaper and its publisher, Rusty Turner.”

Phillips continues, writing, “After discussing the matter with Mr. Turner, I am convinced this policy will only be changed when the people let him know how much it matters to them.”
Turner, publisher for NWA Media’s local daily newspapers that includes the NWA Times, said the online petition will not influence the policy, as it is not a reliable representation of the Northwest Arkansas community.

“An online position is in no way a scientific measurement of customers, readers or the community,” Turner said. The publisher also expressed appreciation for the feedback the newspaper has received, both in support and disappointment of the policy, but said that the core issue is the state’s stance on same-sex marriage.

“Energy being expended in this situation might be better directed to the state Legislature and the government and those who set the policies on the state,” Turner suggests.

The Northwest Arkansas Times expressed its position in a written response: “As a mass public forum for news, politics, sports and events, we set guidelines on a variety of reader submitted information. Often we use legal standards for what we’ll accept. In this way, we attempt to keep our own opinions out of the objective process of reporting and newsgathering.”

Turner said these guidelines have been used in situations other than same-sex marriage. Using the state’s policies as a guideline for publication, the NWA Times did not publish information on charity raffles until the lottery bill applied to state laws in 2007. Now that such raffles are legal, they are included in announcements.

Though the newspaper’s wedding announcement policy mirrors the state’s stance on same-sex marriage, Turner said part of the newspaper’s job is to facilitate the discussion surrounding same-sex rights. Six years ago, working as the editor of The Morning News edition, Turner encountered a similar outcry from the community when The Morning News edition printed profiles on same-sex couples with children as part of a report on adoption laws in the state. The backlash, however, was from the opposite direction: those opposed to same-sex partnerships.

The NWA Times’ response to the current controversy also mentions the paper’s discussion of same-sex rights, reading, “If one were to look through our archives, he or she would find numerous articles that share the stories of same-sex couples and editorials defending the rights of gay Arkansans to legally adopt children in this state. There is more to our newspaper than the wedding announcements.”

“In print, we offer the opportunity for readers to voice their opinions through the letters to the editor and guest columns,” said Turner.

Since the controversy developed, readers have been actively commenting on the www.nwaonline.com website and interacting through Facebook to voice a variety of opinions, both in support and in rejection of the newspaper’s current policy.

The paper identifies the opportunity for change as follows: “Should the state of Arkansas change its laws regarding civil unions or same-sex marriages, we would adjust our practices accordingly. We encourage those with opinions in this matter to contact their legislators and to be active in shaping the laws that govern our state and country.”

Jason Rogers, a member of NWA Center for Equality, believes change should begin in the opposite direction. “Start with a small thing like a wedding announcement and then move up to the Legislature,” he said. “No one is asking Arkansas to change the laws. They just want to print their announcement. Is that so much to ask? It’s a simple ad in the newspaper to announce to their friends, family and community that they are in love and they want to celebrate it.”

“The newspaper should be at the heart of freedom of expression and belief, and to say ‘No, we’re not going to show two women or two men who are in love because it’s not our policy’ — that’s a blow to someone’s humanity.”

Rogers questions the measures taken to uphold its current policy among heterosexual couples, asking “Does the newspaper personally verify all heterosexual marriages that it publishes?”

The answer is no.

No proof of marriage is needed in order to announce a heterosexual wedding in the NWA Times, but Turner stated that if the paper felt it was receiving false information, it would investigate further.

The Southwest Times Record, a daily newspaper based in Fort Smith, said they also do not ask for verifications for legality of wedding announcements. “We don’t ask anyone to show us a marriage license. If you say you are getting married, then you are,” said editor Judith Hansen. “Our policy is that we don’t have a separate policy for same-sex (announcements).”

Hansen said that the paper does not publish announcements for commitment ceremonies, but would be willing to publish marriages conducted out-of-state. She said the paper has no plans to change the policy, but said “If we felt as though we were receiving information that was not given in good faith, we would have to explore it.”

Because Renegar and Staed will be married in Arkansas, their union will not be recognized by any state as legal, which would make them ineligible for an announcement in the Southwest Times Record. However, the couple said, “We’ve already had our announcement, we just want to do whatever we can to make sure everyone else can get theirs.”

Renegar explained the importance of a wedding announcement: “The validation that comes with the public acknowledgement means that there is hope. That people are actually evolving, learning and growing. And treating us as equals and not second-class citizens.”

Though unable to secure a newspaper announcement, Renegar said the controversy has created a vibrant discussion surrounding same-sex rights in Arkansas and has brought new attention to an issue that is rarely at the forefront of Arkansas politics or current events.

“That’s the only way you bring about change, is to get people talking about it. (Gay marriage) is not even discussed in Arkansas.”

“Change begins with each and every one of us truly communicating, keeping our fears at bay and truly listening to people.” For those who cite tradition as a reason to oppose same-sex equality, Renegar posed this question:
“What would you believe, if you had never been told what to believe?”

Shove thy Neighbor

My commitment-phobic boyfriend of several years is also my neighbor. I resolved to make it work with him and then caught him on FriendFinder exchanging numerous messages with some woman in Tijuana.

He claimed he was just being friendly. I asked if he’d correspond with a guy. He responded, “No. I’m not gay.” Humiliatingly, I’ve let him use me for things he can’t afford. (He’s been unemployed for two years.) He sometimes showers at his tiny apartment but basically uses it for storage.

He refuses to move in with me so we could pay expenses with money his grandma gives him for his rent, but he spends all his time at my place (where I pay for everything). He partakes of my cable TV, Internet, food, beer, and he even eats food I buy specially for my 9-year-old son.
Well, he’s now my ex-boyfriend. As he’s been many times before. What’s with him? Is talking to some random woman on the Internet worth losing everything over?

— Fuming

Feminists have hammered into us girls that we aren’t supposed to sit around dreaming of being rescued by some prince. Somehow, I don’t think the alternative’s supposed to be opting for the mooch neighbor who eats your kid’s food while using your DSL to talk to some chiquita in Tijuana.

Reality, like angry little dogs, often bites. Every day, I wake up wishing for home-invasion housecleaners. But, as much as both Nature and I abhor a vacuum, at a certain point, I have to pull one out, lest my rugs provide shelter to a lot of little things with a lot of little legs. You, likewise, can pretend you’ve found Prince Charming, but that won’t transform your Parasite Charming (not even if you throw both hands into the air and say “Poof!” six or seven times, very energetically).

Why do you keep taking him back? You’re probably engaging in “future discounting,” an econ term explaining how we’re prone to forgo big benefits down the road for a small immediate reward.

It helps to recognize that you’ll be tempted to go for the quick fix. You’ll be lonely some night and want a snuggle, rationalize all the reasons he isn’t so bad after all, and before you know it, there’ll be a familiar barnacle attaching itself to the beer tap on your hull.

To avoid backsliding, don’t rely on yourself to gin up self-control in the moment; use tricks like “precommitment” to your goal, a strategy originated by Nobel Prize-winning economist Thomas Schelling and recommended by Dr. Roy Baumeister and John Tierney in their book, “Willpower.” Precommitment involves setting things up in advance so it’s hard to cheat.

Research suggests that two of the most helpful measures are recruiting others to monitor your progress and establishing financial penalties for relapse — the higher, the better.

It also helps to give yourself small rewards for daily good behavior. Maybe put aside $5 on each day you don’t call him and give yourself occasional lump-sum rewards (like at the two months loser-free mark). The website stickK.com can help. (You can configure it to forfeit your money to a cause you hate if you fail.) Research from Baumeister’s lab also suggests that practicing daily self-discipline unrelated to your goal (say, making yourself a weird green health shake every morning) increases overall self-control.

This should increase your self-respect. Which should increase your chances of having a man in your life who sings your praises — stuff like “your lips are like wine,” not “your Wi-Fi’s, like, free.”

Idle Worship

I’ve been delighted and humbled by my interactions with this girl who goes to my favorite coffee shop.

She is in a band and probably has lots of dates and fans, but I keep picturing us together, and not just sexually — making dinner, going on hikes, doing little couple-y things.
I’m not sure why she’d want to go out with me, but I can’t stop thinking about her.
— Fixated

It’s the teenage fan-girl approach to being a man. (Are your bedroom walls plastered with photos of her that you took while pretending to check your phone?)

Here you are imagining this woman running slow-motion through a field of daisies into your arms. The reality: She’s walking out of the coffee shop, probably without giving you a second thought. Yes, she might be out of your league. There’s a way to know for sure in seconds, and it’s by asking her out.

Pining over a woman transforms her from a person to an unapproachable ideal. The more you grow your fantasy girl, the more impossible it’ll be for you to speak to the real deal.

If you want an imaginary something in your life, have an imaginary goldfish. Should things go badly, you could make it die an imaginary death and flush it down your imaginary toilet.

Need more advice?

It’s Advice Goddess Radio — bringing you the best people from science: fascinating, fun professor and therapist guests who will nerd you out of your love, dating sex, and relationship problems. Listen live every Sunday — http://www.blogtalkradio.com/amyalkon/ — 7-8 p.m. PT, 10-11 p.m. ET, or download the podcast at the link. Call-in during the show: 347-326-9761 (NYC area code).

THIS WEEK: Advice Goddess Radio: Evolutionary sexpert Dr. Catherine Salmon cuts through the political correctness on sex, porn and “gender.”

To the Editor:
You rightly point out how polarizing political mythology is alienating Americans. Between the Right Wing and the Left Wing there no longer seems to be any chicken in the middle.

However those definitions you’ve found of “liberal” and “conservative” themselves reflect prevailing mythology and distort the whole issue. Your “Liberal” is defined almost entirely as depending on the government, while your “Conservative” is all about individual freedom. But these words have quite different meanings in the dictionary — and in history and current events.
For instance, “Liberalism” is defined online as “a political or social philosophy advocating the freedom of the individual, parliamentary systems of government, nonviolent modification of political, social, or economic institutions to assure unrestricted development in all spheres of human endeavor, and governmental guarantees of individual rights.” The ACLU, defenders of Net Neutrality, and those protesting corporate personhood would seem to fit this definition.
Likewise, “Conservatism” has historically meant something quite different from your “empowerment of the individual.” Online definitions include: “A political philosophy or attitude emphasizing respect for traditional institutions, distrust of government activism, and opposition to sudden change in the established order.”

American Conservatism is composed of several competing ideologies. Economic conservatives and libertarians favor limited government and few regulations, low taxes, and free enterprise. Social conservatives support traditional social values and would often impose them by law. Paleoconservatives oppose multiculturalism and want restrictions on immigration. Neoconservatives want to expand American influence in the world, and they strongly support Israel. The current Republican primary campaign reflects some of these conflicting concerns.
Also, “Left,” “Liberal” and “Democratic Party” are not equivalent terms, and neither are “Right,” “Conservative” and “Republican Party.” I am not just quibbling about words — ideology has made our whole political landscape absurd and surreal. You can’t talk intelligently about something if you don’t even know what your words mean.

For instance, “personal responsibility” sure sounds good — who would be against it? But what does it mean in the real world? Privatizing Social Security so janitors and waitresses can play the stock market? Or “free enterprise” — just how does that work in an economic system where many industries are shared monopolies that keep out any competition? As you suggest, let’s have fewer glittering generalities, less ideology, and more of plain old American citizenship.

Coralie Koonce
Author of “Swimming in a Sea of Ideology”

(AP Photo/Carlo Allegri): Paula Deen, American cook and TV personality, recently announced that she has type 2 Diabetes.

Earlier this month, Paula disclosed that she’s had Type 2 diabetes for three years. Three years of peddling food that is loaded with fat and sugar. Three years of stuffing her face with Twinkie® pie and bread pudding made with Krispy Kreme® donuts. I’m not making up those desserts, either. She has the recipe for both of them on her website, pauladeen.com. The pie involves layering pineapple, sugar, vanilla pudding, whipped cream and bananas over Twinkies®. And just in case the two dozen donuts in the bread pudding don’t make it sweet enough, it also has a pound of powdered sugar, a can of sweetened condensed milk, a box of raisins and two cans of fruit cocktail. You might as well just grab a straw and a bowl of sugar and start sucking. Paula has the nerve to claim that her cooking is just like grandma’s. My grandma sure as hell never made anything with Twinkies® in it, and would have slapped anyone who suggested she should.

But, Paula isn’t just thumbing her nose at diabetes with the continued abuse of her body; she’s now a spokesperson for Victoza, a diabetes medicine manufactured by Novo Nordisk. I looked up Victoza and at the top of the page is a bright yellow warning box about the drug possibly causing thyroid cancer. Wouldn’t it be healthier to control your diabetes with your diet? It would appear that the only reason Paula came out of the diabetes closet now is because of her endorsement deal with big pharm. The Paula Deen brand is greasy, sugary, fattening food, and it’s not difficult to imagine her wanting to hide her diabetes in order to keep her brand alive. But, now with a drug endorsement, she can maintain her butter empire all while getting paid for taking a diabetes drug. In her defense, Paula has stated that she is walking more and she’s cut back on her sweet tea. Well, praise Jesus and pass the fried cheesecake y’all! Paula’s done turned it around!

She should be embarrassed that she’s making millions of dollars by making such unhealthy food. Instead, she is actually proud of the fact that she makes such crappy food. I think it’s revolting that she sold out to big pharm. Her greed is obvious, and is just as nauseating as most of her recipes. That doesn’t mean I’m glad she has diabetes. But the way she’s handling it won’t garner any sympathy from me, and I have zero respect for her.

But, is Paula Deen responsible for causing people to eat fat and sugar-laden food, and contributing to our nation’s obesity rate? Is it her fault that people watch her show and want to eat the vile food she makes? I think it’s safe to say that in a world without her show, and what a magical world it would be, there would be fewer people eating bread pudding made with donuts. However, it’s ultimately our responsibility as individuals to be smart enough to not slop unwholesome food into our cakeholes. We need to take care of our bodies. Just say no to a steady diet of sugar and lard. It’s not that difficult to eat healthy food. An easy rule to follow is to ask yourself if Paula would eat it. If the answer is yes, there’s a damn good chance it’s not good for you. Bon Appétit, y’all!

Rachel Birdsell is a freelance writer, artist and semiprofessional cat wrangler. Feel free to drop her a note at rabirdsell@gmail.com.

Think to yourself: what route would you ride to get from the Fayetteville High School to Gulley Park on East Township?

If a clear route that connects the trails, avoids the hills, and uses side streets to keep you out of traffic doesn’t immediately come to mind, the prospect of riding can be a little intimidating. That’s a problem.

Bentonville, our neighbor to the north, already has a working system of bicycle routes that makes it easy to travel to and from key locations.

They have the Blue Route, the Pink Route, and Red Route, and half a dozen other named routes with signs that any person on a bicycle can follow.

The directions to get from a South Bentonville neighborhood to Crystal Bridges go something like this: “Get on the Teal Route, then follow the signs to the Orange Route and then to the Crystal Bridges Trail.” Seems simple enough, right?

Now, I don’t think Bentonville is doing a particularly good job of making these routes safe or comfortable; there aren’t even bike lanes. Yet at least the routes are clear, something cyclists appreciate even if casual riders still feel unsafe in the traffic. When this idea is done well, the routes are called “bicycle boulevards” or “neighborhood greenways,” and they supplement a trail system by incorporating signs, bike lanes, protected street crossings, landscaping, and other features that make the routes comfortable, safe, and clear.

Until getting to and from a trail is safe enough, comfortable enough, and clear enough for a family with elementary- and toddler-age children, most people will still elect to drive. Building greenways costs less per mile than building trails, and construction takes less time; so why aren’t greenways a part of Fayetteville’s plan?

Do greenways have a place in Fayetteville's future? Tell us on www.facebook.com/freekly.

It’s a chicken-and-the-egg question, with part of the answer being that we needed to build a “backbone” to our trail system before building greenways made sense. Now that we have that backbone, it’s time to start building greenways and connecting our neighborhoods to the trails. Trail development shouldn’t stop, but our strategy to encourage bicycle adoption should be amended to remove the burden of route planning from individuals and families. Until then, casual riders will stay in their cars.