
Ozarks At Large

The staff at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith Academy of the Arts is already noticing the end of summer. Dr. Rosilee Walker Russell says this semester offers more than any previous term.
Audition dates for upcoming ensembles at UAFS Academy include:
- Teen Theater, Scrooged, The Musical: August 14, 16, 21, 23 6-8pm.
- Teen Honor Choir and Teen Jazz Vocal: August 23, 5-8pm and August 25 9am-noon
- Instrumental music auditions for grades 4th and up: August 23 5-8pm and Augustr 25th 9am-noon.
Thousands of people are expected to attend the third annual “Community Block Party” at the First United Methodist Church campus in downtown Springdale this weekend.
For more information, visit the church's website here.
Meredith Martin-Moats has this report on how some Little Rock residents have found new ways to continue gardening in the midst of a drought. You can read more of Meredith's work at her blog: The Boiled Down Juice.

Becca Martin Brown reminds us that the Tontitown Grape Festival is almost here and there is a new book will debut at this year's festival.

Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Monday, February 10, 2014
Ahead on Ozarks, four legislators from northwest Arkansas discuss the fiscal session that begins today in Little Rock. They’ll examine the chances the private option is or isn’t funded by the time lawmakers adjourn. We’ll also get a small preview of some of the musicians heading to Fayetteville this summer for the fifth edition of the Fayetteville Roots Festival.
Here is the list we'll call the "Congratulations Christina and Sam" montage:
The Marvelettes sing Going to the Chapel.
Luke and Laura get married on All My Children and live happily ever after. Just kidding, it was a soap opera.
Billy Idol pumps his fist to White Wedding.
Miss Piggy and Kermit come *this close* to marrying.
The Fifth Dimension and Wedding Bell Blues.
Steve Martin panics in the remake of the Father of the Bride.
Fred Astaire dances on the ceiling in Royal Wedding.
The ending of Four Weddings and a Funeral with Andie McDowell and Hugh Grant.
Sarah Harmer sings Open Window (the Wedding Song). Best song with wedding in the title, by the way.
Apologies to: Peter, Paul and Mary, Sex and the City (first movie), Wedding Crashers, Buddy Holly, and about one million other movies and songs. Maybe next time.
Members of the Arkansas Bar Association gathered in the state capitol yesterday to protest the influx of dark money, or out-of-state contributions from unknown sources and agendas, in the state's judicial elections. Plus, the USDA says that global climate change is having, and likely will continue to have an effect on agriculture in the country and in Arkansas.
"Bring Me Your Cup" by UB40
Our final conversation with a candidate in next week's primary election is with Bruce Westerman. He's seeking the GOP nomination for the 4th Congressional District.
The final tour for the Trey McIntyre Project stops in Fayetteville tonight.
"Quidditch World Cup" by Patrick Doyle
Becca Martin Brown, from Northwest Arkansas Media, says the weekend is full of activities designed for the youngest among us.