The Battle for Great Design Comes to a Head at the 1st Annual Outlet Awards Ceremony

The battle has begun, but who will be the victors? The contest has entered its next stage as submitted entries are being scrutinized by our honored judges, Anita Kunz, Marc English and GUM designers, Colin Metcalf and Kevin Grady.

On January 28th, we will find out which entries will be honored with the top prize, a Golden Buddha Statuette, that will surely become highly coveted awards. Hosting the awards ceremony will be local radio personalities, Jon and Deek.

Join us ring-side Saturday, January 28th at the UARK Bowl located on Dickson Street. At 6:30 p.m. the doors will open for mingling and appetizers. The main event begins at 8:00 p.m. Visit the Northwest Arkansas Art Directors Club web site at www.nwaadc.org to purchase your advance tickets today.

Announcing "The Body Remembers: The Psychophysiology of Trauma"

A Course with Babette Rothschild, MSW, LCSW

Co-Sponsored by Psychologists of Northwest Arkansas and Arkansas Psychological Association
March 31 & April 1, 2006
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
224 N. East Avenue
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Continuing education credits available.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an indicator that the body and mind have not, yet, recognized that a traumatic incident is over. As a result, the body's nervous system responds by continuously mobilizing the muscles and other systems for defense (fight/flight) and/or numbing (freeze).

Those with PTSD become overly attentive to interoceptive reminders of the past danger, while losing their connection to exteroceptive cues ("the five senses") that appraise the present environment.

Known risks with traumatized clients—dissociation, flashbacks, abreaction, and retraumatization—are, in part, the result of hyper-arousal in the autonomic nervous system.

This course will equip participants with psychophysical theory, principles, and tools for understanding, reducing, containing, and halting traumatic hyper-arousal. It is consistent with and a beneficial adjunct to any method of psychotherapy or specialized trauma therapy (e.g., analytical, dynamic, and somatic approaches, cognitive-behavioral, and EMDR).

For additional details, program schedule and registration form, download the full brochure below:

PDF Document (47.6 KB)
Download Acrobat Reader for free.
Click here to download complete program brochure.

Word Document (288 KB)
Click here to download complete program brochure.

Attention Beatles Lovers: Suzie Stephens Annual Birthday Bash

January 9, 2006
Contact: Josh Rateliff
479-444-7770 x: 23
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


It’s that time again. It’s time for Suzie Stephens Annual Birthday Bash, and everyone is invited! Suzie Stephens and Brian Crowne, co-owners of George’s Majestic Lounge will celebrate Suzie’s birthday on Tuesday, January 24th @8:00 p.m. Stephens and Crowne have invited 1964, the #1 Beatles tribute band in the world, who have sold out such venues as Red Rocks Amphitheater and Carnegie Hall, to play for Suzie and her guests. For more information on 1964, visit www.1964thetribute.com.

The event is open to the general public and there is no cover, but donations are graciously welcomed. All donations will go to The Healing Path, a program of recovery for victims of sexual assault. The 2006 “Hanging Out in Hog Country” calendar will also be available for sale with all proceeds also benefiting The Healing Path. This calendar features 13 scantily clad Fayetteville Small Business owners and is a must have for any Fayetteville resident. So, come on down and see a great show and tell Suzie “Happy Birthday!”

Minority Awards Nomination Award Deadline Drawing Near

In recent years we have seen a rise in minority population in NWA, positively impacting our work place and community. The NWA minority awards were created to show support and recognize the accomplishments of these groups. We will be recognizing contributions made by professionals and outstanding youth in our local area.

There are two sets of nominations currently being taken:

NIA Heritage Awards that celebrates the achievements of black professional.

Triumph Awards that celebrates the achievement of professional women.

The nominees for these awards will be submitted by residents of our community through ballot forms. These ballots will be located in several locations in the area. An on-line form for ballot nominations will be available at www.nwaminorityawards.com <http://www.nwaminorityawards.com>.

A panel of judges made up from several prominent members of our community will then review the nominations and decide the winners.

Community participation is what makes these awards possible. We would like to encourage you to nominate any person/persons that you feel are deserving
of any of these prestigious awards. Please go online to review the contact information to purchase tickets.

Once again we thank you for your help and support of these events.

Save Our Strays Recruiting Board of Directors

A newly formed Non-Profit organization North West Arkansas - Save Our Strays (NWA-SOS) is currently looking to recruit a Board of Directors. This organization is dedicated to building a community solutions approach to the problem of stray pets in NWA and Bentonville. They are hoping to build a strong board made up of members of the Community who have a dedicated concern for the welfare of stray pets in our community and who can provide the professional support and guidance this new organization will need in order to achieve its goals.

NWA-SOS originated within a small group of compassionate citizens who felt that the current Bentonville Animal Shelter, though run by caring City professionals, was unable to provide for the health and welfare of the city's strays. Working with the City Police Chief they began to rescue those dogs which would have been euthanized and began a program of volunteers to help foster and adopt out the animals. Over time this small nucleus of citizens has grown to include a volunteer organization of like minded and dedicated community members who have achieved a great deal in the last 6
months including;
1. Collaboration with local Vets to build a low cost Spay-Neuter clinic to offset the cost for potential adopting families
2. Organized a network of volunteer Foster families to house, feed and care for stray pets until they can be adopted or reunited with their family (this has prevented over 50 animals from being euthanized since July)
3. Operates Adoption Day every Saturday at the Bentonville Police Dept and PetCo in Fayetteville to adopt out strays (adopted out over 70 animals since July)
4. Built and Operates a Web Site and collaborates with PetFinder.com <http://www.petfinder.com> to post pictures of lost animals and strays
5. Holds fund raising events and participates in community awareness activities such as the Bentonville Holiday Parade.
6. Collaboration with the Bentonville Police Department.
7. Establishes short and long term goals and is building an organizational plan consisting of business planning, marketing, volunteer and Fund Raising units.

An immediate need for this organization is to recruit Board of Director members. The board will play an important role in this fledgling organizations ability to maintain its short term goals while building its long term plan. NWA SOS is seeking individuals who can assist the group in fine-tuning their business and organizational plans, establishing a time and action approach and in helping the group to define the skills necessary for the officers of the organization.

If you are a like minded community leader who would be willing to play a role in the building of a scaleable and sustainable organization capable of achieving their goals, please contact the following individuals;
Charles Walsh, Mobile 381 4530, cpwalsh@arkmailbox.com
Amy Knight, Mobile 531-2255, amy_m_knight@yahoo.com
Shannon Banks, Mobile 930-3207, Shannon-banks@sbcglobal.net

Networking Zone Seminar January 24

Design a plan for your networking strategy.
Tuesday, January 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Seminar is $40 and includes Carrie's book Networking Zone: The Business Referral Network Construction Guide.

Held by Clement Financial Service and Mike Russell & Associates members of the Kalos Financial Group. Seminar will be held at their new location at 2400 Southeast C Street in Bentonville.

To register for the seminar, contact Soar with Eagles at 479.636.7627 or
carrie@soarhigher.com

Networking pays big dividends. People seek you out. They mention you to others. You can quickly develop a powerful network and increase your influence with the right techniques. The Networking Zone seminar provides you with the techniques for creating endless referrals. No more "cold calls". Networking Zone covers the essentials for building your business referral network, a blueprint for leading interesting conversation, and interpersonal skills that will enable you to create customers for life through your networking acquaintances.

Networking Zone covers these powerful skills:
* Create interesting conversation
* Identify the most productive networking activities
* Learn the art of follow-up
* Craft a clear, concise 60-second commercial
* Learn communication and people skills for handling any networking
situation with style and grace.

For the full description, go to www.soarhigher.com/NZ.htm. The seminar is
taught by Carrie Perrien Smith of Soar with Eagles.

Women's Self-Defense Class in Bentonville

The Bentonville Police Department will be hosting a 12 hour Women's self-defense class, beginning on Monday, January 23th at 6:00 p.m. The class will continue on January 24th and January 25th. The class will be held from 6:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m. on each of those nights. The class will held at the Bentonville Boys and Girls Club. There is no cost to attend the class. The class will be physically demanding, so be prepared to dress for constant activity.

This session is open to the public but space is limited. If you would like to register, please contact Officer Guary Morgan at 479/271-5986 (leave a message and it will be returned) or gmorgan@bentonvillear.com.

Benton County Business After Hours

Benton County Business After Hours! Don't miss this huge networking social. Join all of the area Chambers in Benton County for a tremendous networking opportunity!
Thursday, January 19th
5:00p.m.-7:00p.m.
Hosted by the Clarion Hotel on South Walton Blvd., Bentonville.

New Location! Taste of the World Fundraiser

We are excited to announce that the American Red Cross and the Ozark Food Bank have joined together to organize a unique event which will celebrate the cultural diversity of our community through food, song, and dance.

Saturday, January 14, 2006 from 6:00 p.m. to Midnight
Fayetteville Town Center, Fayetteville, AR
We are offering a deal for you - buy 2 for $25.00

It will feature 50 of Northwest Arkansas' finest restaurants as well as entertainment by some of our area's most popular musicians including:
6:00 - 7:00 Salsa & Tequila Band
7:00 - 8:00 Twosome Trio
8:00 - 9:00 Papa Rap & DJ Torres
9:30 - Midnight Full House

Proceeds from this event will help support the initiatives of the Northwest Arkansas Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Ozark Food Bank. Join us at "Taste of the World" to celebrate the rich diversity of our community because Hunger and Suffering Know No Color.

For additional information contact:
Dalinda Galaviz, dgalavizconsult@aol.com,
750-5602 or 685-7749
Jody Dilday, jdilday@nwarkansasredcross.org
(479) 442-4291
Catherine Fletcher, cfletcher@ozarkfoodbank.org
(479) 872-8774

Save the Date for Kiss a Pig

Glucerna Presents "Pigcasso"
4th Annual Kiss a Pig Gala
Saturday, February 18th, 2006
Fayetteville Town Center
Honorary Chairman: Doug McMillon, SAM'S CLUB
Ticket Reservations: 479.770.6402

Toastmasters Needs a New Meeting Place

The Rogers Toastmasters Club meets every Monday at noon. They will need a new meeting place by the end of January. They prefer a free room that holds at least 35 people and would like to be in Benton County close to I-540. If you would like to offer your conference room for meeting space, contact the Toastmasters President Sheila Carter of Choice Cleaning Contractors, Inc. at 640-4603 or sheilakcarter@yahoo.com

Host a Soar with Eagles Class in Your Conference Room

If you have a conference room, we've got a deal you should consider. We offer organizations the chance to host our classes in their conference room. It costs nothing and it gives you a chance to display your company name every place we promote the program. Class attendees come to your location which further promotes your company. In addition, you get five minutes in front of the group to tell them about your company.
For more information, go to:
http://www.soarhigher.com/LocationSponsorship.htm

Staff Position at the Crisis Center

The Crisis Center has recently received a grant for a Full-time staff position at our office. The description is below. In the past this has been a great transition into a "real world" job while starting college. It would require an average of 37 hours a week, but would be very flexible with the hours. If you know anyone that would be interested in this position, give them this information.

Education Assistant: Coordinates educational activities for preschool-middle school; supports Education & Community Outreach Coordinator with programs for older students, directs youth in community service projects. Approx F/T, extremely flexible schedule, AmeriCorps Promise Fellow position paying $13,000 plus $4,725 education award for current post-secondary school expenses or past loans. Excellent opportunity for college student, education major a plus. Send resume with handwritten cover letter to The Crisis Center, 614 E. Emma Avenue, Suite 213, Springdale, AR 72764. For more information, www.nwacrisiscenter.org and
www.americorps.org/promise/.

50 Boyfriends Worse Than Yours

Dear All -

This mass email goes out to the masses who made the newly released 50 Boyfriends Worse Than Yours book happen. You are strangers, friends, family, and odd looking people. A surprise to me, 50 Boyfriends came out just a month after after 50 Relatives, which has gotten great publicity. The Today Show, CNN, Fox and Friends, Newsday, USA Today, Post, Daily News, and dozens of local papers and radio interviews. It was a holiday pick at Barnes and Noble and had great placement at Urban Outfitters. 50 Boyfriends was seen at Kitson, the trendsetting store in LA. Hopefully Paris will be seen reading it.

Many many thanks. A book party is being planned for Valentine's Day. Is there going to be another Worse Than Yours book – 50 Girlfriends Worse Than Yours? Sales will tell.

There have also been discussions about a TV show for Jobs and maybe the other books. But more on that if it becomes more than a conversation.

Again, a world of thanks to all.

There is a bald website that has photos of the book you can send to friends. It will get better.

www.worsethanyours.com

Best,
Justin Racz

Flat Rock Clay Specials!

Howdy from Flat Rock Clay,

We have made extreme growth spurts in the last couple months and with them have come many changes. We have extended our hours both earlier, later and on Mondays. So, we are now open 6 days a week for your convenience (9-6 Mon-Fri and Sat 9-1).

We are also offering in house specials of the month. This month they are on
Silica - 200m 14.95/100lbs, 325m 19.95/ 100lbs,
Cobalt - carb 20.95/lb, oxide 29.95/lb,
Hawthorne Bond - 35m 11.25/100lbs, 50m 13.50/100lbs,
EPK - 19.95/100lbs,
Red Art - 17.00/100lbs,
Gold Art - 15.50/100lbs
glazes in stock - 6-11 pints 10% off, 12 or more pints 20% off,
Talisman Test Sieves 15.95ea
Call for prices on larger quantities of the raw materials.

We have a warehouse stacked full of raw materials. This lowers the cost. Therefore you get far better and competitive prices, and larger quantities are regularly available for the studio potter, schools and others. We are also stocking more of the moist clays than ever before.

We represent a few more companies and their products that you have asked about. Please contact us for a bid on large equipment. We are distributors for:
Amaco (glazes and equipment),
Bluebird Equipment (incl. Soldner Wheels),
Brent (wheels and equipment),
Ceramic Supply Co (tools, slab rollers and extruders),
China Clay Art Tools,
Dolan Tools,
DooWoo Tools,
Giffin Tec (Giffin Grip and Lid Master),
Kemper Tools,
Laguna (equipment, tools and glazes),
Olympic Kilns,
Pacifica Wheels,
Paragon Kilns,
Peter Pugger,
Sherrill Mud Tools,
Shimpo (wheels, equipment and tools),
Skutt Kilns,
Soldner Mixers,
Spectrum Glazes,
Thomas Stewart Wheels,
Venco (pugmills and equipment),
and many others including kitchen items, clay shapers and more...

If you find a better deal, please let us know (through email or just a call). We are striving to give you the most for your money. Thanks.

Remember to check our website for regular updates and specials. We are here for you, servicing all your needs. Thank you for your continued support and Happy New Year,
Kelley & Mike



Flat Rock Studio
Clay Supplies & Gallery
2002 S School Ave
Fayetteville, AR 72701
479-521-3181
Leave a message, our hands may be in mud!
www.flatrockclay.com

80 New Items on French Metro Antiques Web Site

Bonjour!

We have just updated our website with over eighty new items from our
December 2005 shipment. Preview the newest arrivals at this link from our
home page:

Click here to see the newest items.

Or peruse our individual categories of French antique furnishings and
accessories and find our newest items within our current inventory.

Hope to see you soon!

Renée and Terry Hunt
French Metro Antiques
200 W. Dickson St.
Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701
479.587.0804
www.frenchmetro.com

The End of the Show: Iris Arts to Close Gallery Doors

After much thought, I have decided to close Iris Arts to lend some support to my family during a difficult time. The gallery has been doing very well, and by no means are we tucking tail and closing up shop for lack of community interest.

To celebrate new beginnings, we will host the final gallery event on Friday, January 20th, 2006 from 6 - 9 pm. We will finish off the last of the wine and artworks will be available for sale and to take home.

Thank you to all of my wonderful artists and patrons for the support that it has taken to keep our receptions hopping, must-attend events I am thankful for the opportunity to have an arts space in Fayetteville, and I intend to stay involved in Fayetteville's art community. Currently, plans are in the works to continue the quarterly Art Walks.

Thank you!
Casey Hamaker
owner and curator of Iris Arts
www.irisarts.net

Stained Glass - As Seen in Southern Living Magazine
I am thrilled to share that Iris Arts was mentioned in Southern Living Magazine, December 2005 edition. Featured was the stained glass work of Dick and Jeffi O'Kane of O'Kane Studios. Congratulations to the O'Kane's. Come by the gallery to see some of their extraordinary pieces before we close!

Trade Fixtures for Sale
There will be a few trade fixtures for sale, including the glass display counter/case, pedestals, shelves, and tables. Please call Casey for more information - 443.5588, 841.1764, or email Casey@irisarts.net.

Real Estate Career Training Classes

If you know of folks interested in a career in Real Estate, Mary Ann Herrington, of A Reality Realtors, will host classes at her office in Springdale starting January 23. Call her at 750-7553 for more information or to register.

New Optimist Club for Fayetteville

New Optimist Club for Fayetteville meeting Jan.23 at 11:30 a.m. - location TBD. Call Sandy Hamilton for information, 521-4411.

Heartland Honda Groundbreaking

Heartland Honda's groundbreaking for their new building will be held Jan. 16 at 1:00 p.m. in Springdale on 48th street off 412 behind the State Police post. Rogers Chamber, Springdale Chamber & Fayetteville Chamber will host the groundbreaking.

Return of the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker

A film and discussion on the "Return of the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker" will take place at the Rogers Public Library on Jan. 19 - John Sampier to host, sponsored by Friends of Hobbs State Park Conservation Area.

Fayetteville's Young Professionals Business After Hours

Fayetteville's Young Professionals Business After Hours is January 26th at Buffalo Wild Wings (5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.). The Regular Business After Hours for the Chamber will be Feb. 2 at Whitlock Orthodontics (5:30 p.m.)

Farmers Financial and Insurance Agent Christ Arnold's Open House

Chris Arnold, Farmers Financial & Insurance, will host his Open House on January 20 from 10:00 - 6:00, catered by A Fare to Remember. His Chamber Ribbon Cutting occurs at 1:00 p.m. that day. Chris also has a few spaces left in his January 24 seminar on "From Chaos to Order". Call 571-2238 for info. Office is in the new building just behind Target in Fayetteville.

Shiloh Museum Volunteer Training Workshop

The Shiloh Museum of Ozark History is seeking volunteers to help collect and preserve the history of Northwest Arkansas. The public is invited to attend an orientation workshop at the museum, Tuesday, January 24, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to discover how they can get involved.

Volunteers can work with the public during education programs and as a front desk greeter, or behind the scenes with collections and library staff. The orientation will include a look at the history and purpose of the museum, introductions to staff, and a tour of the museum’s exhibit hall, historic buildings, research library, and collections storage area. Lunch will be provided.

The Shiloh Museum is located at the corner of Johnson and Main in downtown Springdale, and is open Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, call 750-8165.