A Trip To The Brisket Bank

Together With

Can you name December’s birthstones? Here’s a hint: “I’ll have a blue Christmas.” Explore expertly curated and ethically sourced natural gemstones at Underwoods Fine Jewelers. Visit their award-winning store on Dickson St in Fayetteville, or browse their latest designs online.

Sports

Northwest Arkansas Naturals Heading Into 2024 With A New Look

Yesterday, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals unveiled updates to its logos and uniforms, giving the team a fresh appearance as it heads into its 17th season at Arvest Ballpark.

• Local Royalty: The Northwest Arkansas Naturals, a Double-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, relocated to Springdale from Witchita, KS, in 2008. This is the first time the franchise has updated its branding during its 16 years at Arvest Ballpark.

• The Natural State: The new marks, uniform combinations, customized font, and slightly altered color scheme emphasize the team’s connection with the natural beauty of Arkansas. The Naturals will debut their new look on Friday, Apr 5, when they host the Tulsa Drillers for Opening Night of the 2024 season.

See the new logos and uniforms HERE.

Events

Enjoy Hot Cocoa With the Clauses at TheatreSquared

Stop by TheatreSquared in Fayetteville for a free, family-friendly Hot Cocoa Social this Saturday, Dec 9, at 10a and 11a.

• Choco-Lots: Satisfy your sweet tooth at a magnificent hot cocoa bar with all the fixings: peppermint sticks, chocolate shavings, marshmallows, and more.

• Cocoa with Claus: Kids can participate in fun holiday crafts, enjoy an engaging storytime with Mrs. Claus, and join in on a meet and greet with Santa!

The event is free, but registration is required. Reserve your spot HERE.

Sponsored by Armor Bank

NWA Businesses Team Together for a Tasty Offer

Celebrating its grand opening, Armor Bank has partnered with Wright's Barbecue to bring NWA a banking deal you can really sink your teeth into. Move your personal checking account to Armor Bank and receive $150 to spend at any Wright's location in NWA. Could it be that simple? For BBQ-loving foodies, it is that simple.

• Spice Things Up: Bringing simplified banking and good food together is a win-win. If you’ve got an appetite for a better banking experience, head to Armor Bank and tell them you’re ready for some brisket.

• When and Where: Take advantage of this limited-time offer before Jan 31. Simply visit the Armor Bank Rogers location at 1100 South 52nd St to open your account. Ask the Armor Bank Rogers team about the offer details. Conditions apply—member FDIC.

Start cooking up your better banking experience at Armor Bank HERE.

Events

Enjoy Car-Free Nights on the Square During Lights of the Ozarks Open Streets

The Lights of the Ozarks Open Streets series continues on the Fayetteville Square with Santa on the Square, live music, and the Holiday Haul shopping event this Friday, Dec 8.

• Car Free, Care Free: Lights of the Ozarks Open Streets is a celebration of community, local business, and the holiday spirit. Shop local and enjoy the festive atmosphere while strolling the car-free streets — bikes and roller skates are welcome!

• A Wintery Mix: Santa will be on the Square for photos from 5-7p, live music will be performed on the Arvest Plaza from 6-9p, and the Holiday Haul shopping event promoting woman-owned businesses begins at 6p.

Find more information about Lights of the Ozarks Open Streets HERE.

Economy

Arkansas Experiencing a Surge in Venture Capital Investments

The NWA Council shared its 2022 Arkansas Capital Scan this week, revealing that venture capital investments into Arkansas-based startups have quadrupled since 2020. In 2022 alone, $270.8m was invested across 26 companies — a 117% increase over the previous year.

• New Ventures: Now in its third year, the annual Arkansas Capital Scan sheds light on the evolving investment landscape in the Natural State, emphasizing the goal of making Northwest Arkansas a desirable place for startups.

• Room for Growth: Northwest Arkansas continues to drive the majority of venture capital funding, representing 65.4% of all deals in the state, yet the report suggests there's a long way to go in achieving broader success.

Find a summary and the full report HERE.

NWA Daily Picks

In other news…

• 🎭 Behind The Scenes: Hear the inspiring story of how TheatreSquared became Arkansas’s largest theatre during a live recording of the Startup Junkies Podcast with the theatre’s founders on the iconic set of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol on Monday, Dec 11, from 5:30-7:30p.*

• 🎶 Magical Music: Get in the holiday spirit as Beth Stockdell fills the Fayetteville Public Library with the magical sound of her Holiday Harp on Friday, Dec 15, from 10:30-11:30a.*

• ♻️ Free-cycle Your Food: Turn your food scraps into something impactful by diverting food waste with Ozark Compost & Swap. Sign up now for a free, one-month trial of biweekly pickups.*

• ⛰️ Up on the Mountain: Explore the beautifully decorated trees and wreaths while enjoying hors d'oeuvres and drinks during Mount Sequoyah’s Festival of Trees: 100 Year Celebration and Auction this Saturday, Dec 9, from 5:30-7:30p.*

• 🎄 Cute & Cozy: Join GOAT LAB Brewery in Lowell for an Ugly Christmas Sweater Crafting Party this Sunday, Dec 10, from 2-6p. Bring your own sweatshirt or sweater; they’ll have the crafting supplies.

• 🧑‍🎓 ConGRADulations: The U of A will celebrate its fall 2023 graduating class with two ceremonies on Saturday, Dec 16, at Bud Walton Arena. Nearly 1,900 students will graduate this December, with about 1,400 students set to walk at the commencement.

• 🏆 On a Roll: The Rotary Club of Rogers and the Rotary Club of Downtown Rogers have announced the winners of the 2023 Rogers Christmas Parade, with awards going to NWA Party Wagon, Camp War Eagle, Gospel Heights Church, and Girl Scout Troop #5342.

• 📅 Ditch the FOMO: Post your upcoming events on our Events Page, and stay in the know about upcoming events mentioned in the newsletter.

• 🥳 Join the Club: Our NWA Daily Fan Club keeps this thing going. In return for being awesome, they get access to exclusive giveaways — ranging from gift cards and concert tickets to bikes and kayaks!

• 🚀 Take Off: Share your message with our growing community of 35,300+ readers. We have several advertising opportunities to help you share your story with Northwest Arkansas.

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Employment

Cool Jobs In NWA

Looking for a job? Find listings in the health, education, and retail industries on our Job Board, or find great candidates by posting your open positions HERE.