Labove Takes Comedic Perspective

Staff Report

Sometimes the funniest things can come out of life’s hardest times. Or at least when you have the mind of comedian Carl LaBove who has spent his career battling everything life throws at him with a comedic perspective.

“I have slept on bars and in cars for months at a time for my dream,” LaBove said. “I have performed for food … survived incredible pain (death, loss of a child, bad gas, etc.) to step on that stage every night.”

He’ll be stepping on stage in Fayetteville at UARK Bowl on May 10 and 11, except this time he’s not struggling. He’s the seasons closing headliner for Spring 2013, and the comedian that made his name touring with Sam Kinison, becoming a founding member of The Outlaws of Comedy and filling venues for more than 30 years.

To get your ticket, visit uarkbowl.com/public-events/comedy-events

Rain Garden Grant

While rain gardens are a hit for their low (not no) maintenance qualities, as well as their beauty, they serve as needed buffers between nature and the pollutant-filled world humans call home.

Sediment, oil, pet waste and other pollutants normally are washed away with rainwater down storm drains directly to streams and waterways. Rain gardens offer a way to recreate the process of nature where fertile forests and gardens once grabbed water, filtering it and allowing it to soak back into the ground.

The Illinois River Watershed Partnership will offer organizations from around the state an opportunity to build the rain garden of their dreams through the Rain Garden Project. From conception to completion, the IRWP will offer monetary and technical support. To find out more or apply for this grant, visit www.irwp.org/conservation-and-restoration/rain-gardens/

The IRWP’s has also held three Rain Garden workshops teaching individuals and organization representatives how to create the perfect rain garden. There may be too many steps to present here, but that doesn’t mean they’re hard. With the help of IRWP’s slideshow, found at our website freeweekly.com, you can build your very own rain garden. The slideshows will help you calculate the size, cost and even provide a list of appropriate native plants.

For a free tutorial on rain gardens and other ways of “being green,” brought to you by the UofA Division of Agriculture Research and Extension, visit courses.uaex.edu.

Pet Grooming

NWA-Bark ‘N Paws Pet wash and market is a new type of grooming business. Located at 540/Wedington, they are a self-service dog/cat wash with products made in the USA, and a focus on the community and welfare of animals.

They’ve been working closely with the Fayetteville Animal Shelter to offer a free wash for every animal adopted. Pretty gracious considering they just opened their doors and held an Open House on April 19-21.

To learn more about the services they offer, visit barknpaws.com

Southern Gardening Hospitality

The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks will host the 18th Annual Greening of the Garden on Tues., May 14 starting at 5 p.m. This year’s theme is “Big in the South,” and the Honorary Chairs are Dick and Nancy Trammel. The annual Greening of the Garden is the nonprofit organization’s signature fundraising event, and this year’s festivities will include dinner by Café Rue Orleans, live music by the Nathan A. Blues Band, both silent and live auctions, and an after-party coffee bar. Two of the region’s favorite radio personalities, Jake and Woody from KIX 104, will serve as event emcees. And, ladies are encouraged to indulge in that great Southern tradition of donning a wide-brimmed hat. Tickets to the 18th Annual Greening of the Garden can be purchased online at www.BGOzarks.org (select the Events tab), or by calling 479-750-2620. Individual tickets are $75, and VIP tables of 10 are available for $900, which includes the pre-event reception.

Survival Clinic

Pack Rat will hold a Survival Clinic from Noon until 5 p.m. on Sunday. Pack Rat thinks that survival techniques should be an important part of any outdoor enthusiasts skill set. And it’s never a good idea to wait until you really need the techniques to learn and practice them. It’s not about primitive living skills, but rather preparedness and an understanding of what gear to have with you and how to use it. Skills covered will include fire building & construction, survival kit contents, shelter options and general discussion. Must be at least 10 years old to participate, and if under 16, the participant must be accompanied by an adult. Cost: Free!

Once you’ve mastered survival, take on one of the other many events Pack Rat offers; like navigation, gear swap and Pint night benefitting C.A.R.E. To sign up, email ali@packrat.biz.

Sustainable Landscapes Competition

The City of Fayetteville Urban Forestry Advisory Board (UFAB) announces a competition for best examples of sustainable landscapes by offering an award to one residential property and one commercial property.

Applications will be accepted from addresses located within the Fayetteville city limits. Each winner will be recognized through local press and receive a landscape recognition sign that may be displayed up to six months at the winning property.

This second annual competition will select winners from criteria related to Design and Aesthetics,  Preservation of Natural Environment, Environmental Best Management Practices and Attraction to Wildlife.

A team of judges from the fields of horticulture, landscape architecture and urban forestry will determine the winners using a rubric with these four categories.

In order to be considered, applicants will be required to do the following:

1. Give judges a 5 to 10 minute tour of their property sometime between May 13 and May 31
2. Answer questions about landscape management techniques
3. Allow UFAB and the public to tour their landscape on June 12 if they win the competition.