Banjos & Bat Caves

Together With

OnlyPlates, a new food rating app in NWA, is looking for beta testers. Rate plates, not restaurants, and discover the best flavors in your town. Download for iPhone or Android.

Education

NWACC Launches One-Year Practical Nursing Program

The NorthWest Arkansas Community College recently announced a new nursing program that can be completed in a year.

• Practically Speaking: The Practical Nursing program was created to meet the industry's needs in the Northwest Arkansas area. With a practical nurse degree, nurses will monitor patients' health, such as checking their blood pressure, changing bandages, inserting catheters, and providing for patients’ basic comfort.

• Flexible Format: The program will offer six courses at NWACC’s Benton County campus and give students the opportunity to work with Mercy Hospital and Northwest Health. The hybrid format allows students to choose which days and hours they attend class, and some area high schools will allow students to take the PN program courses as concurrent courses.

Applications are open through Jul 31 to join the inaugural Spring 2025 semester. Apply HERE.

Events

Fayetteville Introduces The Dickson Street Mile

Fayetteville will introduce a new running event this month called The Dickson Street Mile, a one-mile race down the city’s most iconic street on Saturday, Jul 27, from 7-9a.

• Off To The Races: Different race heats will provide options for all, including competitive races for youth, teens, adults, adults ages 50+, and an elite category for those capable of a 4:30-minute mile and under.

• Slow Your Roll: The main event, the Dickson Street Open, will feature a mile for everyone to run, jog, walk, roll, and stroll and feel more like a community parade. There’s also a Dog Mile for those who want to run with their four-legged friends!

Register for the Dickson Street Mile HERE.

Sponsored by Generations Bank

The Next Generation Considers The Challenges And Opportunities Of Owning A Small Business

A recent episode of The Next Generation podcast featured Caleb Shoup of Conserva Irrigation of NWA, discussing the ever-evolving role of a small business owner.

• Taking It To The Bank: Luke Hannon and Max Harrell of Generations Bank sit down with small business owners, entrepreneurs, and bankers from Northwest Arkansas to discuss the positive impacts of banking in the area… while bringing some fun and humor to the industry.

• Challenges & Opportunities: Caleb Shoup shares his story of launching Conserva Irrigation of NWA, which installs and repairs irrigation systems with the goal of conserving water. The conversation dives into the pros and cons of launching a pure startup vs. buying a franchise, the challenges of owning a small business, where to focus your efforts, and how to maintain a successful mindset.

Find The Next Generation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

Events

Mix Things Up At The Main Street Margarita Festival In Siloam Springs

Kick back Jimmy Buffet style during Main Street Siloam Springs’ 2nd Annual Main Street Margarita Festival at The Park House Kitchen + Bar in Siloam Springs next Saturday, Jul 13, from 4-7p.

• Mix Things Up: Business owners, bartenders, and mixologists will compete to earn the most votes and be named Margarita Master 2024. Think you have what it takes? Join the competition as a ‘Rita Master! All proceeds from the event benefit Main Street Siloam Springs and its Downtown revitalization efforts.

• Fiesta Time: Attendees must be 21+. Tickets include access to the Park House Kitchen + Bar food bar, a 3oz tasting glass to sample a variety of margaritas, and tokens to vote for your favorites!

Tickets are $40 per person. Reserve yours HERE.

Events

Illinois River Watershed Partnership Brings Back Bats & Bluegrass Festival

After a ten-year hiatus, the Illinois River Watershed Partnership (IRWP) will bring back the Bats & Bluegrass Festival at the Watershed Sanctuary in Cave Springs on Saturday, July 20, at 5p.

• Cave Dwellers: The IRWP Sanctuary is home to the Cave Springs Cave, which releases 2-6 million gallons of water per day and is home to the largest known population of the rare Ozark Cavefish and thousands of gray bats — two species at risk of extinction.

• Toe Tapping: The Bats & Bluegrass Festival will feature fun activities, delicious food trucks, creative flora and fauna-themed face painting, engaging educational stations, and an exciting scavenger hunt. The highlight of the evening will be live music from Greenland Station Bluegrass Band playing to the sight of bats emerging from Cave Springs Cave!

Entry is $10 per person or $30 per family. Register HERE.

NWA Daily Picks

In other news…

• 🎆 Baby, You’re A Firework: Enjoy live music, food trucks, yard games, and more during the inaugural Fourth of July Block Party in Siloam Springs on Thursday, Jul 4. The party starts at 5p on Sue Anglin Dr, near the rodeo grounds, and ends with fireworks after dark.*

• 🗞️ Write On: Want to play a pivotal role in the world of local news? Our friends at The Bentonville Bulletin are looking for an experienced editor to help with the launch of their independent local news startup.*

• 🧨 Here Comes The Boom: If you’re still looking for a place to watch fireworks tomorrow, here’s our 2024 Fourth of July Firework Guide!

• 🤸 Get A Move On: Enjoy a weekend of dance, yoga, and art during the Fayetteville Movement Festival this weekend, Jul 5-7, featuring contemporary, hip-hop, Latin dance, ice baths, sound baths, poetry, bird watching, jazz dance, hiking, DJs, yoga, mocktails, vendors, and more — use code “nwadaily” to get 30% off your ticket!

• 🌯 Brunch Before The Boom: Nomad’s Trailside in Fayetteville will be open on Thursday, Jul 4, for an Independence Day Brunch, including $1 mimosas, $2 margaritas, and other great deals!

• 🫐 That’s My Jam: House of Webster turns 90 this year, getting one decade closer to a century of being one of the top gourmet jams & jellies producers in the nation. If you visit their gift shop in Rogers, might I recommend the Blueberry Preserves and Pumpkin Butter?

• 🛍️ In The Bag: Dirtbag Vintage in Fayetteville will host a $15 and under Fill A Bag Bin Clearance Sale this Saturday, Jul 6, from 10a-4p.

• 🧘 In Nature: Enjoy Free Yoga at Ozark Highlands Nature Center in Springdale this Saturday, Jul 6, hosted by Springdale Parks & Rec.

• 🪴 Mini Ecosystem: Learn how to make your own Self-Sustaining Terrarium during a workshop at Pink Fern Plant Co. in Fayetteville on Tuesday, Jul 9, from 5:30-7p.

• 💸 How To Fundraise: CACHE’s next session of its YOLO series, a free professional development series for creatives and arts organizations, will cover the topic of Efficient Fundraising with Kaitlyn Hardiman, founder of Oklahoma Arts Management Solutions, on Jul 10, from 11a-2p.

• 📅 NWA Calendar: Stay up to date with events mentioned in the newsletter, or post your own upcoming events on our Events Calendar!

• 🥳 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!

• 🚀 Take Off: Share your message with our growing community of 35,000+ readers. We have several advertising opportunities to help you share your story with Northwest Arkansas.

_{*Content is sponsored}

Employment

Cool Jobs In NWA

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

Referrals = Rewards

Share NWA Daily

You currently have 0 referrals, only 5 away from receiving a Love Ozarks Sticker .

Want to share this issue of NWA Daily via text, social media, or email? Just copy and paste this link: https://www.nwadaily.com/subscribe?ref=PLACEHOLDER