House of Blurbs

Reproductive Justice Rally

The Arkansas Coalition for Reproductive Justice (ACRJ) will hold its fourth annual Reproductive Justice Rally at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, on the steps of the Arkansas State Capitol.

According to Ali Taylor, rally chair and president of Little Rock NOW (National Organization for Women), ARCJ advocates “the right to have children, the right not to have children, and the right to raise the children we have in safe and healthy environments.” Brittaney Stockton, public relations chair and Planned Parenthood volunteer, adds that “access to all reproductive health services, free of conflict, opposition and shame, is integral to ensuring these rights.”

ACRJ will host an after-party and silent auction at Vino’s Pizza Pub at 923 W. 7th St., Little Rock, from 2:30 – 5:30 p.m.

10th Annual Chocolate Festival

Chocolate connoisseurs will rejoice with an entire day to satisfy those sweet tooth cravings. The 10th Annual Chocolate Lovers’ Festival will be held Saturday, Feb. 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center at 207 W. Van Buren in Eureka Springs. This festival is a chocolate lovers dream. From cookies and cakes to candies and ice cream, beverages, dipping fountains, novelty products and more — it’s everything chocolate.

Attendees can enjoy all types of chocolate and then take home a sampling of their favorites. In addition to the great treats for tasting, there will be contests for chocolate recipes and decorating offering cash prizes. Other activities include a silent auction, and local merchants will have items on display to enhance your Valentine weekend in Arkansas’ most romantic city.

Nonprofit Find It, Fund It

The Nonprofit Resource Center at the Fayetteville Public Library will offer “Find It, Fund It” a comprehensive introduction to the Foundation Directory Online on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 10 a.m. Register online at www.faylib.org or call 479.856.7250.

This free workshop will help nonprofit organizations uncover possible new financial opportunities with search examples, group exercises, and Q&A sessions. The workshop will be held in the Ann Henry Board Room; admission is free and open to the public. The Find It, Fund It Nonprofit Workshop at FPL on Jan. 23 will be held in the Ann Henry Board Room FPL.

Dog Behavioral Classes

Last year, the City of Fayetteville Animal Shelter began offering classes as part of their Training and Behavioral Outreach program. The classes have focused on behavioral topics such as “Children and Dogs” and also basic obedience skills.

Amanda Henry, with Dogtastic Training, was excited to be a part of the outreach program, “I love helping people realize the potential their dog has and seeing how simple changes can make a big difference in the quality of life of both the dog and their owner.” The classes also help owners address problems that otherwise might cause them to want to re-home the pet or surrender it to the Shelter.

Classes are currently being offered the last Saturday of every month and run approximately one hour. The next class is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 25 at 12:30 pm. The Shelter is located at 1640 S. Armstrong. No registration is needed for the classes, but dogs do need to be on a secure leash.

Woolsey Wet Prairie

Woolsey Wet Prairie near Fayetteville’s West Side Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The half-hour documentary Woolsey Wet Prairie: After the Burn, produced by the City of Fayetteville Media Services, chronicles the restoration of the Woolsey wetland through the use of fire, long used as a management tool. The native wet prairie sanctuary is located in west Fayetteville near the West Side Wastewater Treatment Facility.

This documentary is available to view on the City’s YouTube channel: youtu.be/5ksvP1mw8Ko

The Government Channel provides programming to inform viewers about City government, government services, and community life. The City’s Government Channel is available to AT&T Uverse subscribers on Channel 99, Cox Communications subscribers on Channel 216, and through the City’s website at www.accessfayetteville.org.