Local Events

  • Tuesday, Sept. 17th from 6:30-7:30 p.m. - Citizen Climate Lobby (CCL) Get Together at City Park Fayetteville (1332 N Leveritt Ave). After about 30 minutes of CCL chapter business they’ll spend some time just visiting, dreaming, and getting to know one another a little better. Food and tasty beverages are on your own.

  • Thursday, Sept. 19th from 5:30-8:30 p.m. - NWA Equality September LGBTQ Happy Hour at the Social Project Brewing Company in Bentonville (600 SW 41st St); Happy Hour provides networking opportunities for those over 21. The events generate funds through donations from participating venues for our social programs, including Rainbow Thanksgiving, Out Days, Family Field Day, GenPride, and components of NWA Pride.

  • Sunday, Sept. 22nd from 6 p.m. - Welcoming Week NWA Interfaith Peace Walk - celebrate our community’s diversity of Faith while seeking to build bonds of community, friendship, and peace, in this short walk from the Bentonville Square to the Bentonville Islamic Center.

  • Monday, Sept. 23rd at 11 a.m. - DPBC Senior Dems Lunch at the Golden Corral in Rogers; Caitlin Draper (US House) and Kelly Sikorsky (JP 7) will be the program speakers. If you can’t make it for the lunch portion, you are still invited to join us for the program which will start promptly at noon.

  • Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. - U of A Public Policy Center Online Ballot Issues Forum featuring Kristin Higgins; Join in on a discussion about the ballot issues you will see on your ballot this November. The zoom link will be provided via the linked FB page as the event nears.

Candidate Events/Volunteer Opportunities

There are 50 days until the Nov. 5th general election. As Michelle Obama encouraged at the DNC Convention last month, you too can DO SOMETHING! Here are some great options to help locally:

  • Kaylee Wedgeworth (candidate for Senate district 34 - Bella Vista, north Bentonville and north Centerton)

    • Email Kaylee to express interest in ongoing phone banking or specific door knocking events on Sat., Sept. 21 from 12 -2 p.m. or Sun., Sept. 22 from 3-5 p.m.

  • David McPherson (candidate for House District 7 - Avoca, downtown Rogers, Beaver Lake region)

    • Meet & Greet event Thurs. Sept. 26th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the NEBCO Station 1 Community Room (17823 Marshall St., Garfield)

  • Kate Schaffer (candidate for House District 10 - Bentonville/Bella Vista)

    • Yard Sign Request Form HERE

    • Sign up to volunteer for phone banking or canvassing HERE

    • Also, Kate’s team is looking to hire paid canvassers to help her campaign for up to 10 hours a week - email Kate for more information

  • Stephanie Funk (candidate for House District 15 - Center Rogers)

    • Yard Sign Request Form HERE

    • Canvass with Stephanie’s campaign in Rogers on Sunday, Sept. 22nd from 2 - 3:30 p.m.; meet up to get instructions and materials at the Iron Horse Coffee Company (220 S 1st St., Rogers)

  • Steven Baker (candidate for Justice of the Peace district 5 - center Bentonville and NW Rogers)

    • Sign up to volunteer for phone banking or canvassing HERE

  • Kelly Sikorski (candidate for Justice of the Peace district 7 - north Bentonville and east Bella Vista)

    • Meet & Greet event Thurs., Sept. 26th from 5:30 - 7 pm at Bike Rack Brewery (801 SE 8th St, Bentonville)

  • Carol Vella (candidate for Justice of the Peace district 8 - downtown Bentonville)

    • Sign up to volunteer for phone banking or canvassing HERE

  • Shea Newport (candidate for Bella Vista City Council Ward 2)

    • Meet & Greet at the Bella Vista Farmers Market from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

  • Jessica Edmond & Cyndall Hill (candidates for Rogers City Council Ward 3 and Ward 4)

    • Meet & Greet event Fri., Sept. 27th at 7 p.m. - call 479-553-9141 to RSVP

Support KUAF!

For over 50 years, KUAF has been your trusted companion, bringing you news, culture, and community across Northwest and West Central Arkansas, Eastern Oklahoma, and Southwest Missouri. Now, they’re embarking on their first fundraising campaign in nearly a year, and they need your help to keep the airwaves alive with the sounds you love.

Here's the scoop:

  • The Goal: Raise $100,000 by September 30th

  • Why: To keep KUAF thriving and serving our community

  • How You Can Help: Donate now at SupportKUAF.com

Your contribution isn't just a donation – it's a vote for quality journalism, diverse programming, and a stronger community. Whether you're a long-time member or a first-time supporter, every dollar makes a difference.

Municipal Government Awareness

Bella Vista

  • Next Council Mtng: Monday, Sept. 16 at 5:30 p.m. (2483 Forest Hills Blvd) - Work Session

  • Items of Note:

    • The fall 2024 resident tree giveaway is set for Saturday, Oct. 12. Advanced sign up is required to reserve a tree. Species vary and are available on a first come, first served basis. One tree per household is allowed. Sign up HERE starting Sept. 20th.

    • Join Bella Vista Fire Department for Kids Day at the new Fire Training Center! Free lunch and live fire demos from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Sat., Sept. 28th (7 Carlisle Dr).

Bentonville

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. (305 SW A St.)

  • Items of Note:

    • Read Heather McCombs reporting on Bentonville Leadership thinking about water and growth for the future in The Bentonville Bulletin, “Local Leaders Discuss Water and Sewer Challenges”

    • Join the zoom Coffee with the Mayor this Tuesday, Sept 17 at 8 a.m. to learn more about the Bentonville Police Department from Chief Ray Shastid; register HERE.

    • The City is looking for residents interested in serving on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (3-year term). To learn more and submit an application online by the deadline - Friday, October 18, visit HERE.

Cave Springs

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 6:30 p.m. (134 N. Main St.)

Centerton

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 6 p.m. (210 Municipal Dr.)

Gravette

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 5:30 p.m. (202 Main St. NE)

Lowell

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 6:30 p.m. (216 N. Lincoln St.)

  • Items of Note:

    • The City of Lowell Tree Giveaway will be Sat., Oct. 12th from 8 a.m. until noon (209 N Lincoln St.). One tree per household and must live within the city limits.

Pea Ridge

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 6 p.m. (911 Weston St.)

  • Items of Note:

    • On May 28, Clint Bowen retired from both his part-time role as Fire Chief in Pea Ridge, and his full-time position with the Rogers Fire Department. Following a brief retirement, Chief Bowen has returned to the Pea Ridge Fire Department as a full-time Fire Chief.

    • The City invites all local businesses to attend their Business Networking Event on Wednesday, Sept. 18th from 8-10 a.m. at 975 Weston St.

Rogers

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. (301 W. Chestnut)

  • Items of Note:

    • At last week’s city council meeting, the “council unanimously approved contracts for the architectural and engineering studies needed to begin repairs and restoration” on the over estimated $33 million of damage to city facilities from the May 27th tornadoes. Read more from Doug Thompson at the NWA Dem Gazz HERE.

    • Rogers Fall Tree Giveaway will be October 26th. You must be a Rogers resident to request trees. Sign-ups will open October 14th at 8am HERE. This is a great event for students to earn service hours. Sign-up to volunteer HERE.

Siloam Springs

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 6:30 p.m. (400 N. Broadway)

Springdale

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. (201 Spring St.)

  • Items of Note:

    • The city of Springdale has been awarded a $5.1M Safe Streets and Roads for All grant from the U.S. Dept of Transportation. This will help pay for Phase 3B of the Dean’s Trail project - the final connection between Luther George Park and the trail that goes around Lake Fayetteville.

County Government Awareness

Ozark Regional Transit Authority

From Ron Wood’s reporting in the NWA Dem Gazz today, “Ozark Regional Transit Authority board members have started working on next year's budget, and, as part of that process, they're also looking at how to expand regional efforts with a focus more on intercity routes and workforce support. Directors said Tuesday they'd like to see federal money Ozark Regional Transit receives directed more toward establishing regional routes, particularly along the U.S. 71B corridor where several cities, including Fayetteville and Rogers, are now looking to add more housing.” Read entire article HERE.

Benton County Quorum Court

Upcoming County Government meetings at the Admin Building in downtown Bentonville:

  • Committee of the Whole/ Budget Committee - Sept. 17 at 6 p.m.

  • Planning Board Meeting - Sept. 18 at 6 p.m.

  • Benton County Historical Preservation Commission - Sept. 19 at noon

  • Finance-Budget Committee Meeting - Sept. 24 at 5 p.m.

  • Development Review Committee - Sept. 25 at 10 a.m.

  • Finance-Budget Committee Meeting - Sept. 25 at 5 p.m.

  • Quorum Court - Sept. 26 at 6 p.m.

State Government Awareness

94th General Legislative Assembly:

Arkansas legislators have been active this late summer in subcommittee meetings. Earlier this month, at the Game and Fish/State Police Subcommittee meeting legislators previewed potential gun law changes they are considering implementing next year. I recommend reading from the following to get the latest NOT GOOD details - including potentially allowing Arkansans to carry firearms onto campuses of K-12 schools:

  • State Senator Greg Leding (D-Fayetteville) provided an update in his email newsletter, read HERE

  • Daniel Breen from the Arkansas Advocate has reporting on the meeting HERE

State Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Jonesboro) is on his quest again to eliminate DEI from our vocabulary and from our state’s Higher Education institutions. Read Antoinette Grajeda’s reporting in the Arkansas Advocate, “Arkansas senator promises to kill DEI at state higher-ed institutions”. BTW, Dan has an opponent this November who could use support, learn more about teacher Erika Askeland’s campaign to defeat Dan HERE.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders:

The Governor’s committee formed to address the state’s maternal health outcomes last March issued a progress report this month. Read Tess Vrbin’s reporting in the Arkansas Advocate, “Committee outlines recommendations, actions taken to improve maternal health in Arkansas - any recommendations involve Medicaid, such as implementing presumptive eligibility for pregnant Arkansans.” Read the progress report HERE.

Additionally, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is looking to take action to help improve maternal health. Read Alex Golden’s reporting in Axios NWA, “UAMS gets to work on fixes for maternal health crisis in Arkansas”.

Need a Harris Walz Yard Sign?

You can purchase a “Benton County for Harris/Walz” sign from the Democratic Party of Benton County at this LINK. Pick up opportunities will be posted on the party Facebook page (typically Tuesday and Thursday evenings close by the Bentonville Library).

Election Information

Benton County Ballots

Sample ballots for the November 5th election have been added to Voter View for all Benton County voters to access! This election’s ballot will be long and contain multiple partisan and nonpartisan positions for voters to review. Get started on your research now.

And to help you find more information on the people and issues on your ballot, check out the recently updated Arkansas Votes website: www.arvotes.org.

Policy Information

If you or your friends/family have questions about policies being advocated by the Harris or Trump campaigns, The 19th has a great Policy Cheat Sheet for six key issues (abortion, gun control, caregiving, climate, Israel and Palestine, and healthcare).

Leadership Training Opportunities

New Leaders Council Applications Open!

Are you passionate about making a difference in your community? Are you forging progress and change in rooms across Arkansas? 

Apply to be a part of New Leaders Council Arkansas and don't miss this opportunity to learn how NLC Arkansas can help you develop your leadership skills and create meaningful change. Applications are now open for our class of 2025 Fellows. You can find the application HERE. The deadline to apply is Oct 2, 10am CST. 

Virtual Information Session on Thursday Sept 19, 7pm CS; Click here to register

Questions? Email: [email protected] 

2024 Young Democrats of Arkansas Conference in Springdale!

The Young Democrats of Arkansas (YDAR) Annual Fall Conference will be held on October 11-13, 2024 in Springdale, Arkansas. All Democrats under the age of 36 are welcome to attend Fall Conference.

Join Young Dems from across the state as they:

  • Hear from amazing speakers;

  • Run for YDAR representative leadership positions in the Stonewall (LGBTQ+) Caucus, Women’s Caucus, Black Caucus, AAPI Caucus, Hispanic Caucus, Labor Caucus, and Faith Caucus;

  • Learn about how to work on a campaign, organize in your community, grow your local YDAR chapter, run for office, and more; and

  • Have a fun, long weekend with lodging covered by the state organization!

Some logistics:

  • SCHEDULE: Conference schedule will run from October 11-13. A detailed schedule to come at a later date.

  • LODGING: Those who need accommodations will be staying at the DoubleTree by Hilton (4677 W Sunset Ave, Springdale, AR 72762). YDAR covers hotel room costs on a first-come, first-served basis, so register now so they can reserve your room!

  • FOOD: All meals will be provided. 

  • SCHOOL NOTE: YDAR can provide a note to excuse you from class on October 11. Simply check “yes” when asked if you need a note when filling out the registration form HERE.

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