Green Thumbs for a Good Cause

Gardening is awfully rewarding. Watching your hard work grow and change into something that will eventually find its way onto your table. Being able to produce something tangible and delicious. After all, there is nothing more delicious than home-grown vegetables, straight from the garden out back.

A new project has started in Gravette that is built around the rewards of gardening and sharing it with others. The Gravette Community Garden was started last year to provide fresh vegetables for families and individuals around the area. Since the first meeting about the project in April 2009, the garden has flourished and operated on donations of money, time and supplies from generous community members. Over the summer of 2009, the garden was able to provide fresh produce to over 1,000 people including four needy families and seniors.

Several clubs and individual volunteers helped maintained the harvest of the garden, which included vegetables such as tomatoes, zucchini, potatoes, bell peppers, and even jalapenos. With a bountiful harvest that far surpassed many expectations, the garden is about to embark on another fruitful year, with hopes of planting this year’s crop around the middle of March.

As only the second year of the project, Marisol Jackson, the project coordinator, is looking forward to watching the Gravette Garden grow in 2010. Because the project survives solely off donations and help from others, the garden has a list of items it would like to accomplish this year. Included on that wish list is building a shed, finishing construction on it’s children’s garden, and to start working within the guidelines of a “Wildlife Habitat” grant in order to provide a hands-on learning environment for elementary classes.

Whether it be donating money or supplies, or even getting your hands dirty in the field, there are many opportunities to get involved and help out at the Gravette Gardens. To learn more about this great project, or to find out how to donate items, please contact the Gravette Gardens at 479.899.7290.

The Future of the Walton Arts Center

Well it looks like the Walton Arts Center is one step closer in their search for a new space to call their own. If you may remember, back in 2007, the arts center launched a community survey that gave them great feedback about how to grow to best suit the Northwest Arkansas area.

It has since been determined that growth was in order, and since the survey, the Walton Arts Center Board of Directors has spent their time diplomatically determining the steps that need to be taken in order to expand its operations and fill the needs of our community. At their board meeting just last night, the board decided on selection criteria for the site itself.

Among the most important criteria or highest priorities is the size of the site (three acres minimum, or six-ten acres ideally), available parking space, ease of access off I-540 and the funding for the construction project.

In deciding to expand, the Walton Arts Center has said that they will keep their current facilities, with any new spaces complimenting it, not replacing it. The arts center has said they are considering two sites, one in Fayetteville and one in Bentonville, but are still weighing their options and have come to no final decisions.

Whatever they decide, we are looking forward to seeing how the Walton Arts Center will expand. They expose our area to the arts in an invaluable way, and look forward to many more years of attending the best theatre, dance and other productions under their roof.

The Eye of the Beholder

Looking out the window, it is hard to find beauty in the dreary weather that has overtaken our corner of the world. With slush and melting snow filling the streets and sidewalks, viewing art could be a therapeutic way to remind us that beauty can come in all shapes and sizes.

Stop by White Lotus Salon & Massage in Fayetteville sometime throughout the month of February to enjoy the work of their featured artist Catherine Brimberry. Brimberry, a Fayetteville native, works primarily with watercolor but also enjoys collage and leaf pressings.

Brimberry's artwork is a reminder that we live in a colorful world, although it may not look like it right now. We should all take time and try and find the beauty of the melting snow and ice glistening on our trees.

Head to White Lotus to enjoy the vibrancy of her artwork and don't be afraid to pamper yourself while you're at it! White Lotus features great massages and facials that would make anyone feel like a queen for a day. Who can argue with that?

To learn more about the artwork or the salon's services, visit their website.

White Lotus Salon & Massage
4750 E. Mission Blvd.
Fayetteville
582.4806

Have a Heart for Haiti

A benefit in support of the American Red Cross’ Haiti relief efforts will be held tomorrow night, Friday, February 5th at Soul Restaurant and Lounge in Fayetteville. Taking place from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., the event will feature live entertainment, special guests, a silent auction and happy hour specials all night long.

Kanosha Mack, a Rogers Public School teacher, began organizing this event in order to mobilize her friends to donate to the cause. As the interest grew, so did the event. Mack was able to secure donations from local business owners and community members to help make sure “Have a Heart for Haiti” goes off without a hitch!

Already have plans? Lucky for you, Mack has also organized another event that will take place the following Friday, February 12th at Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Rogers. Stop by for happy hour, and ten percent of the proceeds will go to the relief efforts.

Soul Restaurant and Lounge
3878 N. Crossover Rd
Fayetteville

Ruth’s Chris Steak House
3529 Pinnacle Hills Parkway
Rogers

Valentine's Day: Dinner Date Ideas

With February officially upon us, it is time to seriously start thinking about Valentine’s Day. If you are anything like us, planning for this special day usually happens at the last minute. This year we are determined to get a head start!

First up? Dinner plans! Whether you are going all out, or want to keep it casual, here are our favorite places, picked with Valentine’s Day in mind.

Go all out. Head to Ella’s in Fayatteville if you want to impress your date or show them just how much they mean to you. Serving a special five course meal, Ella’s will do all the planning for you.

Feel the amore. If Italian food and wine doesn’t say romance, then what does? Visit Belle Arti in downtown Rogers for some of the best Italian food you’ll ever have outside of Italy.

Keep it simple. If staying is more your style, have a little fun with it! Making dinner can be fun, especially if you get a little help in the kitchen. Go out on a limb and make something you normally wouldn’t. Epicurious has some great ideas on how to show the love from your own home.

So now that you know our favorite spots, tell us yours! Where are is your go-to restaurant for a special date night? Or will you keep it simple, and do all the romancing at home?

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SPRING...we can't wait!

Although I love the beautiful snow that winter brings (and adorable boots!), I cannot wait for spring! Spring fashion is upbeat and playful. Lola Boutique in Fayetteville is spreading the excitement for the season with plenty of new arrivals. Here are two of our favorites! Check out more of Lola's spring looks on their facebook page: Shop Lola.