Several happenings at area libraries and music at local pubs for this National Chocolate Milkshake Day edition of the daily notes.
Ozarks At Large
This week Senator John Boozman talked about prospects for passage of a farm bill and mother matters before Congress.
The Arkansas Board of Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies yesterday approved plans to let 13 school districts across the state arm some of their staffs. Governor Beebe talks with Roby Brock about what's next in attempts to fix a shortfall in the state's Public School Health Insurance Program. John Brown University is again ranked at the top, and the Walton College of Business at the U of A again gets praise as well.

In addition, the University Libraries digital exhibit on the history of Vol Walker Hall can be accessed here
Web Exclusive: More About Vol Walker

Madison County residents won't see a sales tax increase, and the city sales tax in Siloam Springs will be split a little bit differently after special elections yesterday. The future site of the U.S. Marshals Museum in Fort Smith has moved slightly to another riverfront parcel that's twice the size. Residents in Benton County won't receive disaster aid for damage caused by the August storms. And more new jobs are coming to Fort Smith by way of another firearms-related company.


A new art gallery, dedicated to showing controversial and confrontational works, will open this month. We meet the curators at the new Bottle Rocket gallery.

The Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care is working to improve conditions at nursing homes throughout the state. And tax elections are taking place today in Madison County and Siloam Springs, while early voting begins for a millage increase in Bentonville.
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Friday, February 28, 2014
Ahead on this edition of Ozarks: it has been 60 years since the largest-ever nuclear weapons test by the United States took place on the Marshall Islands' Bikini Atoll. Today, many Marshallese, including several northwest Arkansas residents, are marking the anniversary of the Castle Bravo Blast. Plus, Becca Martin Brown from Northwest Arkansas Newspapers gets us ready for the weekend, Michael Tilley from The City Wire helps us analyze the week's news, and more.
Arkansans will still see a measure to approve or deny casinos in the state on next month's general election ballot, but the state Supreme Court quashed the issue yesterday. And the 12th annual Northwest Arkansas International Fair will take place ttomorrow in Rogers, regardless of the rain.
"Seven Come Eleven" by Charlie Christian
Michael Tilley from TheCityWire.com explains how the region is doing with employment figures and what a report this week about bank depositis may tell us about the economy.
Although Northwest Arkansas and the Fort Smith regions have received nearly ten inches of rain in the past two months, the area ranchers and farmers are still suffering the effects of a drought that has affected the area for two years.
Becca Martin brown advises to not try to take advantage of every entertainment opportunity this weekend. She also advises that staying at home would mean you miss too much.
"October Song" by Incredible String Band
Monday night’s concert by the University of Arkansas Symphonic Band and U of A Wind Symphony will feature works by well-known composers like Holst and Grainger. There will also be 21st century works like the very new Jingo by Magen Miller.