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Underwoods Fine Jewelers has an expertly curated Holiday Gift Guide to help you find the perfect gift for your loved one this holiday season. Explore show stoppers, holiday engagement rings, and stocking stuffers under $200 HERE. 

Travel

XNA Looks To End Year Just Shy Of One Million Enplanements

After a series of record-setting months, Northwest Arkansas National Airport expects to reach between 980,000 and 983,000 enplanements by the end of the year — soaring past the current record of 922,533 set in 2019.

• Make Your Escape: The XNA board approved installing a 2,300ft² Escape Lounges facility after the security checkpoint, featuring a kitchen, bar, and nearly 50 seats. The lounge is set to open in November and will have a walk-up rate of $45.

• Join The Pack: Responding to community interest, the airport is also gearing up for a formal recruiting campaign to bring Southwest Airlines to the region. XNA’s record enplanements, reduced airline charges, and fewer available seats from competitors will hopefully sway the carrier to do business in Northwest Arkansas.

Find more updates about XNA’s goals for 2024 HERE.

Restaurant News

Hop Around Northwest Arkansas's Holiday Pop-Up Bars

From Bentonville to Fayetteville, holiday-themed pop-up bars have sprung up for the season, providing fun spaces to gather with friends and family.

• North Pole: Bentonville's Undercroft Bar has been transformed into Miracle on 2nd Street, open Monday-Thursday from 5-11p and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

• South Pole: In Fayetteville, enjoy JJ's Lit up at Live until Dec 22 or stroll through the giant snowglobes at Walton Arts Center's Winter Nights, lasting through Dec 22.

See Visit Bentonville’s review of Miracle on 2nd HERE.

Sponsored by Montay Coffee

Local Business Changing The World With Good Intentional Coffee

“Think of something good, and do it.” — that was the group project assignment for a project in the Walton MBA program that brought together the team behind Montay Coffee and kickstarted a local business making a global impact.

• Making Connections: A woman-owned and operated company, Montay Coffee sources specialty-grade coffee from underdeveloped regions and roasts locally in Arkansas with the goal of breaking generational cycles of poverty by connecting coffee growers in overlooked countries to the global market.

• Changing Futures: Montay currently sources from Haiti and the Dominican Republic, countries with once-significant coffee industries devastated by natural disasters and economic turmoil. When you drink Montay, you’re investing in a virtuous cycle of good by ensuring fair wages for coffee growers to reinvest in their farms and provide food and education for their families.

Enjoy 20% off your entire online order with promo code NWADAILY20 

Development

Draft Updates Released for Fayetteville’s Newest Community Park

Fayetteville city officials recently presented an updated draft of the master plan for Underwood Park and are receiving public feedback as they finalize plans for Fayetteville’s newest park.

• A Jewel of a Park: Located west of Deane Solomon Rd., land for the park was donated to the city by Craig and Laura Underwood, owners of Underwoods Fine Jewelers. The nearly 60-acre property was previously home to the Razorback Golf Course.

• In the Works: Incorporating the themes of nature immersion, active lifestyle, and social gathering, residents can expect features like pickleball and basketball courts, a playground and splash pad, a disc golf course, kayak & paddleboard access, and more — all while preserving ecological restoration areas. Construction will ideally begin in the fall of 2024.

View the updated Master Plan Draft and submit feedback HERE.

Conservation

Northwest Arkansas Land Trust Takes On 130-Acre Conservation Easement

This week, the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust announced a new conservation easement regarding a 130-acre property named Breeze Bluffs in southern Washington County, preserving critical wildlife corridors and scenic views along Highway 71.

• Life’s a Breeze: As the nonprofit’s 44th protected property, Breeze Bluffs takes the total acres protected to 7,495 — a significant step towards the NWALT's broader goal of protecting 10,000 acres in Northwest Arkansas.

• Natural Beauty: Breeze Bluffs, located east of Interstate 49 near the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest boasts over 3,700 feet of streams, multiple springs, a hickory and oak forest, and multiple outcroppings and caves. It is a significant part of NWALT’s Boston Mountain Wildlife Corridor and plays a crucial role in the movement of wildlife under I-49.

Find ways to get involved with the NWA Land Trust HERE.

NWA Daily Picks

In other news…

• 🥰 Open Hearts, Then Presents: TheatreSquared invites you to revel in the holiday spirit with A Christmas Carol. Get your fill of good treats, good company, and goodwill as you join Scrooge on a heartwarming journey. Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet—before someone else snags your seat!*

• 🎄 Christmas Eve Buffet: Take a break from last-minute gift wrapping to enjoy the special Christmas Eve Buffet at Ella's Table. Enjoy a festive menu with your loved ones that will leave you feeling merry and bright. Reserve today!*

• 🍺 A Stout Fellow: Santa Claus will be at Ozark Beer Co. in Rogers for pictures this Saturday, Dec 16, from 1-5p. Enjoy hot chocolate, donate presents for children in need, and take part in holiday-themed arts & crafts!

• 🐶 Let’s Stay Together: As of this week, Fayetteville’s Ranger's Pantry Pet Food Bank has distributed 191,913 lbs of pet food, helping keep struggling families and their pets together by providing pet food during hard times.

• 🏐 You’ve Been Served: Razorback Volleyball stars Jill Gillen and Taylor Head were named AVCA All-Americans this week — the first time since 1998 that the program has had an All-American and the first time that two Hogs have been named All-American in one season.

• 🔔 Ring It In At Record: Tickets are going fast for Downtown Bentonville’s NYE at Record, featuring live music with Boom! Kinetic, casino games, food & drinks and more on Sunday, Dec 31, from 8p-12:30a.

• 🏍️ Electric Avenue: Fayetteville City Council recently updated its regulations on the types of e-bikes allowed on the city’s trails. Here’s the scoop…

• 📅 NWA Calendar: Keep up with events mentioned in the newsletter, or post your own upcoming events on our events page!

• 🚀 Launch Your Message: 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

Looking for a job? Find opportunities in the Retail, Health, Education, Arts, and more listed on our Jobs Board.

• The City of Fayetteville is hiring an Equipment Mechanic I.

• Buffington Homes is looking for an Estimator.

Looking to hire? Post open jobs HERE.

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