Wayne Bell closes out his personal entertainment picks of 2012 by discussing his favorite books and plays of the year.
Ozarks At Large
Arvest Bank announces its acquisition of several Bank of America branch banks, a famous Fort smith restaurant announces its plans for reopening, and the city of Fayetteville looks to trade paper for pixels.
On its surface, today's week in review may look like a retread of last week's, but these education stories offer a twist of innovation.

A new book collects scores of photographs of the history of Siloam Springs, including a visit from Eleanor Roosevelt.
For more on the Siloam Springs Museum, click here.
Professional baseball was in northwest Arkansas in the 1930s. The nearly-forgotten league is the subject of an upcoming book.

Here are the eleven elements of today's Christmas tree montage:
- Miles Davis' version of "O Christmas Tree"
- Mr. Wilson volunteers to cut down a tree in a 1961 episode of "Dennis the Menace"
- The Griswald Family goes a long way for the perfect tree in "Christmas Vacation"
- Brenda Lee's classic "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
- Charlie Brown selects a tiny, sad tree in the "CHarlie Brown Christmas Special"
- Tchaikovsky's "Christmas Tree" from "The Nutcracker Suite"
- Cindy Lou Who questions the Grinch
- Zuzu explains that bell ornament on the tree at the end of "It's A Wonderful Life"
- Elvis and "Blue Christmas"
- Festivus revealed on a classic episode of "Seinfeld"
- Wynton Marsalis gives "O Christmas Tree" a bit of New Orleans bounce
In a growing area such as Northwest Arkansas, schools are bound to make the news. The past week was full of education stories involving money in one way or another. Ozarks at Large’s Timothy Dennis takes a look back at a few of those stories.
Ground will be broken early this new year on a much-anticipated Northwest Arkansas highway project, known as the “Fayetteville Flyover” which will create easy access from North College Avenue to both the mall district and Interstate 540.
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Ahead on this edition of Ozarks: it's primary election day in Arkansas, and Roby Brock talks to three Republicans who are vying for their party's nomination for attorney general. Plus, the City of Fayetteville is looking toward the future as Baby Boomers continue to age. A new project wants the city to become an age-friendly place. And, in our monthly series on technology, we visit the VA hospital in Fayetteville, where new solar arrays aim to make the facility more sustainable.
Here is our list of ten cookie references from our montage this morning. If you got all ten, take the rest of the week off . . . this was our most obscure list yet.
A commercial for the Fig Newton cookie from the 1970s.
Michael Scott and Angel fight for Kevin’s loyalty on an episode of The Office.
Kate Smith and Andy Williams deny the Cookie Bear a cookie on The Andy Williams Show. (this was once a popular, zany skit . . . we promise)
Walter Matthau in a scene for the movie The Fortune Cookie.
Jerry and Elaine discuss the black and white cookie. It didn’t end well.
Shirley Temple sings "Animal Crackers" . . . they’re cookies, right?
The Keebler Elves push fudge cookies.
Gingy, the talking Gingerbread Man tosses an insult in Shrek 3.
Shelly Long sells Girl Scout Cookies in Troop Beverly Hills.
Two of the three best Muppets ever, Kermit and Cookie Monster, play a game.
Apologies to the cast of Robert Altman’s film Cookie’s Fortune, baseball players Rojas and Lovagetto, the short-order cook in Beetle Bailey and famous Amos. Maybe next time
Prokofiev's Symphony No. 5
Results from a new study announced yesterday by the NWA Council found many strengths of doing business in Northwest Arkansas, and few weaknesses as well. Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel and state senator Keith Ingram introduce a trifecta of bills aimed at curbing election fraud. And Governor Mike Beebe stands by his decision to veto two abortion bills, even though the legislature overturned both vetoes.
“Play With Me” by The Album Leaf
Michael Tilley of The City Wire discusses how the abortion law passed by the Arkansas State Legislature could result in legal action that will be funded by taxpayers, and more.
“American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell,” is a traveling exhibition at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art that opens to the public tomorrow.
“Earl Harvin” by Garage A Trois
Becca Martin Brown helps kids look forward to what entertainment options they'll have for Spring Break.