Around the Neighborhood

By Allene Stafford

Habitat for Humanity Gift Wrapping December 1-24 Habitat for
Humanity and its volunteers will wrap gifs for you. The location is Central
Mall near J.C. Penney. Proceeds will be used to build homes for people in need
in our community. Time will be 10 AM-9PM. For more information please call 479
782 8255; email www.habitatfs.org

Salsa Dancing

Ballroom, swing, and  Latin
dancing will betaught by Mike Lawrence at the Eagles Ballroom beginning Friday,
December 2nd. Dressy casual is the attire and $5.00 is the fee. 3321 South 66th
Street is the address. 479 484 7156.

Shop for Gifts

December 2nd local artisans and crafters will offer many
homemade items between the hours of 9:30 AM-6:00 PM December 3rd -9:30 AM-1:00
PM atFianna Hills BaptistChurch Community Room 10300 Jenny Lind, Fort Smith, AR
479 484 5502. Van Buren

Christmas Lighting

Lighting of the Crawford County Courthouse will be Saturday,
December 3rd at 6:00 PM. 300 Main Street. 479 474 1511. www.vanburen. Org

Single Parent Scholarship Fund Holiday Dinner The holiday
Buffet Dinner will be held at the Fort Smith Convention Center Rotunda on Saturday,
December 3rd, from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Come join them for a buffet, entertainment
and beverages. Fee $40.00. 479 434 6171. www.spsfcs.org

5K Run

This 5k run is sponsored by Farmers Bank and Greenwood
Chamber of Commerce. The first 140 people to register will be given a long
sleeve T-shirt. There is a $20.00 pre registration fee, $30.00 until 8:50 AM day
of race. 8:00 AM registration; 9:00 AM start. Free. 479 996 6357. www.greenwoodarkansas com

Creekmore Holiday Express

The 11th annual Creekmore Holiday Express begins Monday,
December 5th.There will be miniature train rides through the tunnel of lights,
dozens of animated light displays, Santa Claus and fireworks. The train rides
and light displays continue Monday-Saturday from 5:30-8:30 PM through Thursday,December
22nd.

Trail of Lights The
Bell Point Trail of Lights begins at dusk Monday December 5th through Saturday,
December 31^st weather permitting. Fee $3.00 per vehicle. Bell Park, Greenwood,
AR 479 996 6357.

Campus Lighting Tuesday, December 6th UA Fort Smith on the
Campus Green, there will be live performances from the Symphonic Band, Chorale,
Jazz Catz, and special guests. Call 479 788 7300.

Fort Smith Little Theatre Christmas Potpourri-  On Thursday, December 8-10th, a medley of
Christmas entertainment will be given to warm your heart with the spirit of the
season. Call this number for more information. 479 783 2966.

Fort Smith Museum of
History True Grit exhibit through Saturday, December 31st the Fort Smith Museum
of History is offering images and period clothing used in researching set and costume
designs for the Coen Brothers film, True Grit .The ongoing exhibition is part
of In the Shadow of the Gallows exhibit, which examines the changing
perceptions of Fort Smith citizens to that prominent part of the city’s
history, the gallows of the federal court of the Western District of Arkansas.

Cooperative Tea Members
of the First Baptist Church invite  you
to attend the Cooperative Tea on Sunday, December 18th. The beginning time is
4:00 PM. 3110 Kelly Highway is the place and 479 783 8878 is the number to call
for more information.

Black & White
Ball The first Annual Black and White Ball will be held Saturday, December 17th
at the Holiday Inn Civic Center. It is Black Tie Affair and after 5 Attire,
cash bar and live entertainment. Tickets are $25.00. This event is sponsored by
the Lincoln Alumni Association, Inc. and Solomon’s Chest. You may purchase tickets
from  members of these organizations. The
affair is from 8:00 PM-12:00 PM.

UAFS Music Students
in Concerts Nov. 29 and 30 Choral and instrumental music students at the University
of Arkansas – Fort Smith will perform in separate concerts Nov. 29 and 30 in Breedlove
Auditorium.The University’s Chorale and Women’s Chorus take the stage on Nov.
29. The Percussion Ensemble and Marimba Band perform on Nov. 30. The 7:30 p.m.
concerts are free and open to the public. Dr. Rager H. Moore II of Prairie
Grove, director of choral activities, said the Nov. 29 concert will include
music from the Renaissance to the 20th Century. carols. The Nov. 30 program includes
pieces for large ensemble, chamber ensemble and solo marimba and will feature a
variety of drums and keyboard instruments, according to percussion instructor Josh
Knight of Fort Smith. For more information on the Nov. 29 choral concert, contact
Moore at rager.moore@uafs.e du.
Information on the Nov. 30 concert  featuring
the Percussion Ensemble and Marimba Band is available by contactingKnight at josh.knight@uafs.edu .

“Unsung
Heroes” to Be Honored Jan. 18

Former students who integrated
three area high schools will be honored during an event Jan. 18 at the University
of Arkansas – Fort Smith, where activities will also include recognizing current
students from seven area high schools for their community service. The “Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration of Unsung Heroes” is slated for 10 a.m. until
noon in the Reynolds Room of the Smith- Pendergraft Campus Center. The event will
also include a talk by Janis F. Kearney, author, publisher and former presidential
diarist. It is free and open to the public. Nichelle Christian of Fort Smith,
UAFS director of testing, is chairing the festivities and said there is a reason
for combining the two groups of honorees. Nichelle Christian of Fort Smith,
UAFS director of testing, is chairing the festivities and said there is a reason
for combining the two groups of honorees. “The former students that integrated local
community high schools are being honored for their courage to cross the lines
of segregation and to surpass cultural and societal expectations during a pivotal
point in our country’s history,” said Christian. “They are remarkable role models.”
“The former students that integrated local community high schools are being honored
for their courage to cross the lines of segregation and to surpass cultural and
societal expectations during a pivotal point in our country’s history,” said
Christian. “They are remarkable role models.” For more information, contact
Christian by telephone at 479- 788-7662 or by email at nichelle.christian@ uafs.edu
or Jordan by telephone at 479-788-7295 or by email at amy.jordan@ uafs.edu.

PRESERVATION OF AFRICAN AMERICAN CEMETARIES The state
convention for the preservation of African American cemeteries will hold their
state convention May 18th and 19th, 2012, at the Rose room, Creekmore P ark,
Fort Smith, AR. A list of events including speakers, presentation topics and
assistance on computerizing records will be published in the coming months.
Watch this column for more information.

To spread the word of happenings in and

Around The Neighborhood,call 479-783-6830; Fax 479-783-6840; Email linconews1@sbcglobal. net