The Firefly Effect

Together With

From mother’s rings set with children’s birthstones to elegant diamond studs and flexible tennis-style bracelets, find heirloom-quality gifts for mom in Underwoods Fine Jewelers’ Mother’s Day Gift Guide.

Outdoors

Firefly Walks Return To Coler Mountain Bike Preserve

After last year's sold-out debut season, the Firefly Sanctuary walks will return to Coler Mountain Bike Preserve in Bentonville this June.

• Firefly City: Coler is home to Arkansas’s first and only firefly sanctuary, and is believed to be the first west of the Mississippi. Created in partnership with the NWA Master Naturalists, the site offers a rare, pesticide-free habitat of native plants and leaf litter that supports firefly conservation and education.

• Get Glowing: Firefly Walks will take place on June 13, 14, 19, 20, and 21. Led by volunteer naturalists, the free tours offer a closer look at firefly behavior and ecology. Advance registration is highly recommended, as high demand is expected.

Reserve your Firefly Walk HERE.

Highlight

Bentonville West Students Win National STEM Contest for Cancer-Detecting App

Three students from Bentonville West High School earned national recognition after creating a smartphone app that could help detect oral cancer with a simple photo.

• Say Ahhh: The team won the 15th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM competition, taking home a $100,000 prize after presenting their AI-powered app in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Apr 28. Their app analyzes images of a user’s mouth to identify signs of oral cancer.

• Young Innovators: The students aim to make oral cancer detection more affordable and accessible through self-screening. Oral cancer causes around 170,000 deaths annually. “We’ve had some close scares with people we know,” said Veera Unnam, a junior. “We decided to take it into our own hands.”

Read more about their winning project on KNWA HERE.

Sponsored by Medical Arts Pharmacy

Medical Arts Pharmacy Now Offering Expert Diabetes Education

For those living with diabetes, understanding how to manage the condition can feel overwhelming. That's why Medical Arts Pharmacy helps patients take control of their health through expert-led education and personalized support.

• Expert Guidance: Medical Arts Pharmacy is accredited by the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists, recognizing its commitment to high-quality, evidence-based education. Through group and individual sessions, patients receive guidance tailored to their needs.

• Get Empowered: The program covers seven key areas: healthy coping, balanced nutrition, physical activity, glucose and health monitoring, medication use, risk reduction, and problem solving—each aimed at equipping participants with practical tools to manage diabetes daily.

Sign up for a Free Diabetes Consultation HERE.

Arts & Culture

Historic Warehouse to Become New Downtown Art Hub

Walton Arts Center plans to open a new public gallery in Fayetteville’s historic Porter Produce Warehouse at Spring St. and West Ave.

• Producing Art: The Porter Warehouse, originally built in 1906, was once a staple of the city’s thriving produce industry. In 2020, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

• Creating Community: Following a $1M exterior restoration project, interior renovations will begin this month to create a vibrant gallery space, featuring over 2,500 sqft of exhibit area, movable walls, ADA access, and flexible layouts for both Walton Arts Center programs and community exhibitions. The gallery is set to open this fall.

Read more about the renovation in The Fayetteville Flyer HERE.

NWA Daily Picks

In other news…

• 🧬 High-Tech Health: Discover the future of healthcare at Fuel For Your Health Demo Day at the Heartland Whole Health Institute in Bentonville on Wednesday, May 14, from 5–9p. Hear from trailblazing startups, network with innovators, and cap the night with cocktails, dinner, and bold ideas.*

• 🎸 Feel The Blues: Grammy-winner Ruthie Foster and New Orleans favorite Anders Osborne are headlining this year’s Eureka Springs Blues Party, a four-day celebration of blues, rock, and funk from May 29 to Jun 1.*

• ♻️ Swap 'Til You Drop: The 1st Annual NWA–Kids Everything Swap is happening Saturday, May 10, from 1–3p in Springdale. Bring a bag and trade gently used kids’ clothes, gear, and maternity items at no cost. All leftover items go to local families in need.

• 🥎 The Top Hog: After six straight SEC series wins, Arkansas Softball earned a #1 ranking in the Softball America Top 25—the first time in program history the Hogs have topped any national ranking. The Hogs head into the SEC Tournament as the #5 seed and play Wednesday at 1p.

• 🚲 Rebate Rides: Applications for Bentonville’s E-Bike Rebate Program are open from May 5–12. Residents can apply for financial help to purchase an e-bike and enjoy the city’s trail system.

• 💧 Chasing Waterfalls: After all the rain we’ve had, rivers around Northwest Arkansas are full and waterfalls are flowing! If you get the chance to get out and hike soon, here are 5 waterfalls worth exploring around NWA.

• 📚 Roll Into Storytime: The Once Upon a Time Bookmobile is now booking May stops! This roving book van brings stories to schools, neighborhoods, and events, starting with a Book Bash on Saturday, May 24, at their Fayetteville store.

• 💼 Job Board: Find exciting new job opportunities or find great candidates by posting your open positions on our Job Board.

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