ALL CAPS!

Together With

Buy or lease a new Subaru during the Share the Love event and $250 goes to your chosen charity. Adventure Subaru will give an extra $250 to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkoma and the NWA Women's Shelter. Routine service visits also earn $5 for local charities through Jan 2. 

Highlight

Two Friends Bookstore Launches Nonprofit Initiative

Rachel Stuckey Slaton and Monica Diodati, the duo behind Two Friends Bookstore in Bentonville, recently launched a nonprofit called Two Friends Community Books to expand their mission to foster community around the joy of literacy.

• In The Casa: The nonprofit was inspired by an invitation from the bookstore’s neighbor, Rafael Rios, the owner of Yeyo’s, to play a role in his concept Casa Magnolia—an arts-focused cafe and community space in Downtown Springdale set to open in early 2025.

• Let’s Read: In addition to operating a pay-what-you-can bookstore at Casa Magnolia, Two Friends Community Books will organize an author speaker series and gather new book donations for local schools and libraries.

You can read more about Two Friends Community Books in The Bentonville Bulletin and donate to this exciting new initiative HERE.

Economy

NWA Leads the Way in Arkansas Venture Capital

Despite overall declines statewide, Northwest Arkansas led the state in venture capital activity in 2023, according to the recently released Arkansas Capital Scan report by the NWA Council.

• ALL CAPS: The Capital Scan is a report developed in partnership with the University of Arkansas Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation that tracks investment trends, highlights funding gaps for Arkansas startups, and provides valuable insights into the state’s economic resilience and entrepreneurial ecosystem.

• Key Findings: Northwest Arkansas led the state in venture capital deal volume and value, showing the region’s growing influence in health care, IT, and other high-growth industries. Diverse founders secured 24.5% of venture capital statewide, signaling progress in equitable funding access. However, areas for improvement include expanding early-stage funding and increasing options for pre-revenue startups.

Read the full Arkansas Capital Scan 2023 HERE.

Sponsored by Crystal Bridges and the Momentary

Get 25% Off 2025 Memberships at Crystal Bridges and the Momentary

Unleash your creative side in 2025 by becoming a member at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art or the Momentary. For a limited time, you can save 25% on new memberships with promo code 25FOR25.

• Crystal Clear Benefits: Enjoy exclusive member-only events at Crystal Bridges, discounts at the Museum Store, and unlimited free admission to all temporary exhibitions, including the upcoming KAWS: FAMILY (Mar 15-Jul 28) and Get in the Game: Sports, Art, Culture (Sep 13-Jan 26). Plus, members get a 20% discount on programs, classes, workshops, camps, and lectures.

• Mo Members, Mo Perks: Momentary memberships come with great benefits, like early access to concert and event tickets, 10% off at the Momentary Shop, 10% off room rates at 21c Museum Hotels, free coffee in the Tower Bar, and more.

Use promo code 25FOR25 before Jan 27 to get 25% off memberships to Crystal Bridges and/or the Momentary.

Outdoors

Get Your Wheels Turning During The 20th Annual Buffalo Headwaters Challenge

The Buffalo Headwater Challenge, a three-day, off the grid mountain bike festival presented by Adventure Subaru, returns to Pettigrew for its 20th year on Jan 24-26.

• All Inclusive: Registration includes five meals, libations, tent and RV camping, live music, and daily trail and gravel rides, highlighted by the annual Challenge ride on Saturday—a 40ish mile semi-supported backcountry mountain bike experience with a few marked bailouts along the way. It’s a ride, not a race… just finishing is winning.

• Lost in the Woods: Experience fun surprises along the trail, like DJs in the woods and a delicious grilled cheese and soup meal stop at the iconic fire tower. Participants get free shuttles from The Buffalo Outdoor Center for the downhill runs all day.

Register to ride the Buffalo Headwaters Challenge HERE.

Music

The Momentary Releases Full Lineup For FreshGrass | Bentonville 2025

The full 2025 lineup for FreshGrass | Bentonville at the Momentary is out! Gear up for two days of the best artists in the modern bluegrass and roots genre, coming to the Momentary on May 16-17.

• Setting Down Roots: FreshGrass was the first festival ever held at the Momentary, helping pave the way for what has become a dynamic music venue for NWA — this will be FreshGrass’s fifth year on the Momentary Green. Beyond the music, the family-friendly festival will offer activities, local food and drink, local vendors, food and beverages, and more.

• Best of Bluegrass: The lineup is filled with knockout talent, including Lukas Nelson, Shakey Graves, Rosanne Cash with John Leventhal, the Béla Fleck Edmar Castañeda Antonio Sánchez Trio, and more!

Tickets are on sale now HERE.

NWA Daily Picks

In other news…

• 🍾 Ring SING In The New Year: Ring in the New Year with friends, mics, and all the hits at Big Box Karaoke in Fayetteville! Book a private room, pop some bubbly, and sing your way into 2025!*

• 🐶 Golden Christmas: Imagine waking up to a cute puppy under the tree—AKC-registered Golden Retrievers are available the week of Christmas. The puppies’ mom and dad live on a 3rd generation cattle farm outside NWA. Find photos HERE.*

• 🎄 I’m in a Store, and I’m SINGING! Celebrate Christmas with a drive-in screening of Elf at Dirtbag Vintage in Fayetteville this Friday, Dec 22! Enjoy a hot chocolate bar, festive treats, and last-minute vintage gift shopping. Gates open at 6:30p, and the movie starts at 7:30p.

• 🍝 That’s Amore: Isabella’s Italian, a local favorite in Fayetteville from the same team behind Mermaid’s Seafood Restaurant and TJ’s Sandwiches, has opened a new location in Bentonville.

• 🧥 Sweater Weather: Don your tackiest holiday attire for Ozark Beer Company’s Ugly Sweater Party this Friday, Dec 20, from 7-9p. A DJ will be spinning holiday tunes, and Wicked Wood Fired Pizza will be serving up the grub.

• 🥳 Join The Club: Our daily newsletter is completely free, but if you simply love what we’re doing, you can support our work by joining our NWA Daily Fan Club!

• 📅 Events Calendar: Find and post upcoming events in Northwest Arkansas on our Events Calendar!

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Employment

Cool Jobs In NWA

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

• Generations Bank is seeking a Marketing Manager

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