For Immediate Release: FAYETTEVILLE ARTS FESTIVAL AT CROSSROADS FOR 2008, FATE IN HANDS OF THE COMMUNITY

The organizers of the Fayetteville Arts Festival announced today that they are embarking on a major fundraising drive to garner financial support for the 2008 festival. The group of volunteers has been working since January to organize this year’s event, which will highlight both visual and performing arts and is scheduled to take place over a span of two weekends: August 29th, 30th and 31st (visual arts) and September 5th, 6th & 7th (performing arts).

“We are really at a make-or-break point for the festival,” said Daniel Keeley, Board President of Fayetteville Downtown Partners, the non-profit organization that produces the festival. “If we can reach our fundraising goal, I am confident this year’s festival will be a success. If we don’t, the current volunteer committee does not have the monetary resources necessary to make it happen on its own.”

The group has set a goal of raising $50,000 by April 15th and hopes to benefit from both corporate and private business sponsors, as well as from individuals looking to support the arts in Northwest Arkansas with a tax-deductible donation.

“I think a lot of people assume the festival is paid for with Fayetteville city funds, but that is not the case. The future of the festival depends solely on the generosity of the people of Northwest Arkansas and their desire to see the Arts remain an important part of our regional culture,” Keeley continued.

An historical component of the arts and culture scene of Northwest Arkansas, the Fayetteville Arts Festival has grown in recent years into one of the region’s premier arts events, representing dozens of artists from throughout Arkansas and the surrounding states. In 2007, an estimated 9,000 patrons attended festival events, and visual artists sold over $40,000 worth of original art.

Those wanting to support the 2008 Fayetteville Arts Festival are asked to visit www.fayettevilleartsfestival.com or to leave a message at 479.571.3337.

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Inquiries or follow-up questions regarding this press release should be directed to Daniel Keeley at 479.530.8347.

Nightbird Books Ides of March Celebration

Nightbird Books is having an Ides of March party on Saturday, March 15th! The party starts at 7:00 and we will announce the winner of our six-word memoir writing contest that evening. Music will be provided by Dan Dean and Laura Kelly. Good food and interesting people are guaranteed. All day, all items will be discounted 20%.

Calendar of Events for Nightbird Books

Saturday March 15th
End of Winter Sale & Celebration
Writing Contest Winner Announced

Sunday March 16th 6:30 pm
Howl: Women's Open Mike Night

Monday March 17th noon
Nightbird Brown Bag Book Group

Tuesday March 18th 11:30 am
Professional Womens Network Brown Bag Lunch

Sunday March 23rd
Closed for Easter

Monday March 24th 6:30 pm
Shop Local Book Group

Tuesday March 25th 7:00 pm
Ozark Poets and Writers Collective

Wednesday March 26th
Jon and Pamela Voelkel - Middleworld
Middle School Book Group - 6:00 pm
Booksigning - 7:00 pm

Sunday April 6th 7:00 pm
Omni's Open Mic for Peace Justice & Ecology

Friday April 11th 7:00 pm
Beth Ann Fennelly - Unmentionables

Saturday April 12th 7:00 pm
John Brandon - Arkansas

Sunday April 13th 3:00 to 6:00 pm
Nightbird's 2nd Birthday Celebration

Saturday April 19th 4:00 pm
Ellen Gilchrist - A Dangerous Age

Shop Local Book Group - Monday, March 24th

Monday March 24th 6:30 pm

Join us at our first meeting of the Shop Local Book Group. It's purpose is to discuss the importance of local economies and hopefully, we can then use this information to implement some form of comprehensive shop local campaign in Fayetteville or Northwest Arkansas. If you are a local business owner or a consumer who is interested in this issue, please join us for this first meeting. A permanent day and time can be decided that night as well as future books.

For this first meeting we are reading Deep Economy by Bill McKibben.

Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoir Contest at Nightbird Books

Deadline Changed to Noon March 15th - Winner announced at that evening's reception

This great book of six-word memoirs has inspired me to sponsor a writing contest for the little known six-word memoir genre. Entries must of course be six words only and handed in at Nightbird Books by NOON Sat, March 15th. (no emails please) The front should be your memoir and the back must contain your name and contact information. Also indicate if you will allow us to post your entry either in the store or electronically. If no entry stands out as the clear winner, we will have a drawing from all the eligible entries.

The Prize - a $30 Nightbird Books Gift Card. Good Luck!

Resumés for Job Searchers Have a Place at Soar with Eagles

Carrie Perrien Smith of Soar with Eagles is now posting resumés of current job seekers. What a great service Carrie provides!

See current ones here:

http://www.soarhigher.com/resumes.htm

Professional Women's Network Benton County

Rogers , Arkansas . 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday each month at Copeland's in Rogers.
Check the blog for the most recent location. Contact Donna Sallee, McGhee Insurance Agency, 479-633-0505 at insurancedonna@hotmail.com

Jack Ryan Gillham Foundation

The Jack Ryan Gillham Foundation was created in 2007 by Matt and Bethany Gillham after the loss of their only son Jack Ryan, due to complications from Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. While they spent time in the intensive care unit at Children's Hospital in Little Rock, they saw and felt the need for support offered to the families. Of the 1600 babies born last year with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernias, 5 of those were from Northwest Arkansas. As you can imagine, unless you are touched by it, you have probably never even heard of CDH.

The Jack Ryan Gillham Foundation is focused on helping the families of CDH babies during their hospital stay with financial hardships in the form of gas cards, gift cards (for groceries and/or toiletries), clothing, etc. The foundation is in the process of partnering with the social work department at Arkansas Children's Hospital to try to find a way to donate funds to families in need without hindering their requirement for state funded assistance such as, Medicaid. In the meantime, the foundation also donates needed items to the NICU and PICU by partnering with the nursing staff to asses their needs. They are a 501(c)3 non-profit whose staff is all volunteer based, so none of the money from the foundation goes to administrative cost.

In June they will have our first annual Jack Ryan Gillham Memorial Golf Tournament, and we need to find businesses who would be willing to sponsor a hole, or donate items for our Silent Auction.Each donation will help us to further our mission of helping families here in Northwest Arkansas.

To read Jack's full story or to get more information about the foundation please visit http://www.jackryangillham.org.

Learn More about The NWA Chapter of the American Red Cross

To learn more about the work the Red Cross in your area, pelase be their guest for breakfast and a tour on any of the dates below. Programs start promptly at 7:30 a.m. and last not more than one hour. For reservations, call 479.306.4688 x215. Seating is limited. Check out their web site at www.nwarkansasredcross.org.
Available dates: March 12, April 9, May 14, June 11, July 9, August 13, September 10, October 8, November 12, December 10.

Fifth annual WorkMatters Leadership Conference on Friday, April 18th

Won't you join me for this incredible day of training and motivation and learn to ADVANCE at work, ADVANCE in life and ADVANCE yourself! Tickets are available now and can be purchased online at http://www.workmatters.org.

This year's Leadership Conference, brought live via simulcast, will be the best ever! These renowned business leaders, authors, and leadership experts will provide you with a fresh perspective on leading and influencing in this challenging economy.

Speakers include:
John Maxwell - Best-selling author and acclaimed leadership expert
Dan Cathy - President, Chick-Fil-A
Bill Taylor - Founding editor, Fast Company
Patrick Lencioni - Best-selling author and management team authority
Kevin Carroll - Former Creative Katalyst, Nike
Andy Stanley - Author of Visioneering
Valorie Burton - Professional Executive Coach
Spencer Tillman - CBS Sports Analyst
Andy Andrews - Author of The Traveler's Gift
Dick Vitale - ESPN College Basketball Analyst

Conference details:
Date: Friday, April 18, 2008
Time: 7:45 - 3:15 p.m. CST
Location: Fellowship Bible Church, Rogers, AR
Ticket Price: $85 per ticket, includes lunch
Tickets purchased at the door will be $95.00

Humanitarian Awards and Cultural Celebration March 20

You’re invited to the 2008 Humanitarian Awards and Cultural Celebration hosted by Just Communities of Northwest Arkansas on March 20, 2008 at the Walton Arts Center. This year’s honorees are Dr. Becky Paneitz, Latriece Watkins, Jim Miranda and the Dr. Brian Buell family. Enjoy an entertaining evening of culinary experiences, live performances and friendships as together we celebrate the rich cultural diversity of Northwest Arkansas.

You can purchase tickets on the Walton Arts Center website: http://tickets.waltonartscenter.org/calendar/view.asp?id=3080

For more information on Just Communities of NWA, visit their website at http://www.justcommunities-nwa.org

Save the Date: 5th Annual NWACC Foundation Gala

Thursday, April 3
Reception at 5:30 p.m.
Dinner, Live Auction, and Program at 6:30 p.m.
JQH Convention Center, Rogers
Business Attire
Gala Proceeds benefit student scholarships
For more information on sponsorship or for tickets, please call Meredith at 479-619-4176.

Attention Educational Office Professionals

If you know of someone who works in a school office in the area, please tell them about this organization. They are holding a seminar here and their state conference is here this fall. It's a great association resource for their field.

The Arkansas Association of Educational Office Professionals is a non-profit professional association for office professionals in educational systems and organizations in Arkansas and neighboring states. Anyone employed in clerical or secretarial work in educational offices or organizations associated with education may become a member of AAEOP. Visit their website at http://www.aaeop.org.

2008 Southeast Area Professional Development Seminar
Melissa Carpenter is now serving as your Southeast Area Director and Scholarship Chairman. She would like to invite each of you to join her March 28-30 at the Embassy Suites in Rogers, AR for the Southeast Area Professional Development Seminar hosted by Arkansas. The committee has been working hard to make this seminar beneficial and informative to all attendees.
http://www.aaeop.org/?q=node/2

2008 Arkansas Minority Health Conference

College of Education and Health Professions and Arkansas Migrant Education Present the 2008 Arkansas Minority Health Conference.

Friday, April 11
Holiday Inn Convention Center, Springdale

This conference seeks to create an interactive forum to integrate science-based and community-based knowledge to promote effective action and to address health disparities for minority and vulnerable populations.

For more information, please contact Judith Tavano.

The Living It Green Expo

Northwest Arkansas' leaders and innovators in sustainable, outdoor, and green living will be featured at The Living It Green Expo April 5 - 6 at the Pinnacle Hills Promenade. Admission to all activities and parking is free to the public.

A family-friendly event, The Living It Green Expo features a variety of children's activities, live entertainment and educational attractions, and over 50 exhibitors displaying and offering green, outdoor living, and sustainable and energy efficient products and services. Details on the event can be found at the event's website, http://www.livingitgreen.org.

The Live Music and Entertainment line-up for The Living It Green Expo includes some of the region's most exciting talent. The following performers have committed to appearing at the event.

Saturday, April 5
· Shannon Wurst & Cody Russell
· Noah Earle
· Cindy Woolf & Molly Healey

Sunday, April 6
· Jesse Aylock
· Brad Helms
· Fayetteville Funk Ensemble

For more information: The Living It Green Expo: Dan Stiel at (479) 899-6294 or Pinnacle Hills Promenade: Cathy Davis at (479) 936-2160.

Exclusive Investment Workshop

You are cordially invited to attend an exclusive investment workshop. At this workshop you will gain insight on investing in institutional quality commercial real estate. Learn how large institutions and individuals have added commercial real estate to help preserve their capital, receive attractive and stable dividends and participate in the potential for capital appreciation.

Wednesday, March 19
Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott, 4611 W. Rozell St., Rogers
11:30 a.m.
Lunch provided

Featuring
Jim Hunt, Financial Planner
Evelyn McGuire-Jackson, Financial Planner
P.J. McDaniel, Regional Vice President, KBS Capital Markets Group

Space is limited, please RSVP by Thursday, March 13 to 479-631-6006.

NWA Professional Business Expo

The Northwest Arkansas Professional Business Expo, present by the Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., encompasses two days (April 3 and 4) filled with knowledge and expertise you need as a business owner, corporate executive or member of management to change the way you do business.

This Expo not only provides businesses with a place to showcase their newest products, services and technologies but is also focused on providing businesses tools needed to jump-start a new business or take your already-thriving business to the next level.

During the expo:
. Attend FREE Business Enrichment Seminars
. Visit the Sam's Club Innovative Technology Room
. Network at the Taste of Northwest Arkansas Business After Hours
. Make new connections at the Business Over Breakfast
. Shop for business products and services available in the area

On Thursday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. there will be a Taste of NWA Business After Hours. This is an excellent opportunity for restaurants to share their culinary cuisines and attract new business. You can purchase your plate at the Taste of NWA Business After Hours for $3.

On Friday at 8 a.m. the Chamber will be hosting a Business Over Breakfast. Randy Clay will be the keynote speaker and attendees are encouraged to networking with others at their table. Tickets to the Business Over Breakfast are $10 for Chamber members and $15 for non-members and can be purchased at http://www.nwabusinessexpo.com.

Admission to the NWA Professional Business Expo is free with a business card. All booth space is 10' wide by 8' deep and range in price from $100 to $500. For more information, please visit http://www.nwabusinessexpo.com or call 479-273-2841.

Peekaboo Northwest Arkansas

You may remember Kelly Brothers, formerly of State Farm, Rod Badely Agency. She is the Director of Marketing for a new family magazine that is debuting in Northwest Arkansas. Peekaboo Northwest Arkansas is a magazine filled with advice, stories, and articles for parents of children ages 0 - 5th grade. Each month it will feature local columns from people and professionals right here in the community full of relevant information and advice. If you'd like to contact Kelly, you can reach her at (479) 636-9651 or kelly.brothers@gmail.com.

March Massage Special

A Full Body Massage 1 Full Hour for only $35 (in your home)
Get 10 people from your office interested in chair massage and I can come to your office and do a 15 min chair massage for $10 (per person price and massage). If you have a smaller office don't worry I can come in and work for you too! Just $15 dollars per person (min. 2 people)
Contact Amy Niccum, LMT, State & Nationally Certified Massage Therapist. 479-866-0795 or amyniccum_lmt@sbcglobal.net.

Naturals' Single Game Tickets For Sale

Tickets will be available for all 70 home games. The Naturals' home opener is Thursday, April 10 against the San Antonio Missions.

Tickets will be sold in person at Arvest Ballpark, online at www.nwanaturals.com or via the ticket hotline at (877) 444-2637.

Individual game tickets (excluding special events) are priced as follows:
. Super-Premium - $12
. Premium - $10
. Reserved - $8
. Lawn Seating - $6

Children under 14 and adults over 55 years of age receive $1 off purchase of Reserved seating and Lawn seating for individual game tickets.

Beginning March 8, the Naturals' ticket office at Arvest Ballpark will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Creative Referral Network News

Are you a member of the Coldstone Creamery Birthday Club? You get treats for your birthday. Visit http://www.coldstonecreamery.com.

Stalker Update! The latest underground news on the stalker is that he is also calling on female real estate agents. Be careful out there folks. Don't be afraid. Just be smart.

Cool Website. This has been traveling the internet for awhile but I thought some of you might not have seen this yet. This is such a great example of viral marketing. HEMA is a Dutch department store. The first store opened on November 4, 1926, in Amsterdam . Now there are 150 stores all over the Netherlands . HEMA also has stores in Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany . In June of this year, HEMA was sold to British investment company Lion Capital. Take a look at Hema's product page. It takes a few seconds to load but it's awesome. Click here http://producten.hema.nl

Join Metta Journeys’s inaugural trip to Africa benefiting Women for Women International May 3-10, 2008

As a Women for Women International supporter, we wanted to extend to you a special invitation to join Metta Journeys on their inaugural trip to Rwanda. During the trip, you will have the opportunity to witness Women for Women International’s programs in the field – and see how you are helping to make a difference in the lives of women survivors of war around the world.

Details of this wonderful journey are below. To learn more or join the trip, email deepak@mettajourneys.com or call 1-888-886-2425.

During these seven magical days Metta Journeys will take you to Rwanda, fertile land of a thousand hills, where women have played an instrumental part in rebuilding and bringing peace to their country after the 1994 genocide. You will have an inspiring opportunity to touch and enrich the lives of others through direct connection with Women for Women International while developing and nourishing yoga and mindfulness practices.

~ Explore new terrain inside yourself through daily yoga and meditation classes for beginner and experienced students with senior yoga teachers Sarah Powers and Chandra Easton
~ Connect with women who have overcome immense obstacles and support them in realizing their dreams
~ Experience the direct link between inner transformation and outer change
~ Expand your horizons through cultural excursions to sacred sites
~ Journey to the Virunga Volcano Region to see Rwanda's famed mountain gorillas

Metta Journeys’s Rwanda trip combines elements of a traditional yoga retreat with the opportunity to interact directly with Women for Women International and the women it supports. Each day will include morning and late afternoon yoga and meditation sessions for both beginners and continuing students. You will have significant interaction with the Women for Women International staff and program participants and will experience the entire cycle of the Women for Women International program - from an induction ceremony to a graduation celebration. We will meet Women for Women International program graduates at their businesses and explore Kigali.

Our seven days in Rwanda also includes visits to culturally important sites in and outside of Kigali as well as a trip to the Virunga Volcano Region, where we embark on a guided trek in search of Rwanda’s famed mountain gorillas.

Metta Journeys’s intimate trips – we take only 20 guests - are organized to maximize your comfort and opportunity to interact with others. We will be traveling in 4-person jeeps with local guides and translators. When we are with Women for Women International, we will have personal translators for each of our guests to encourage conversation and engagement.

While in Kigali, we will be staying in the capital’s only 5-star hotel, located in the city center.

The price of this inaugural trip is $5,442, which includes
the following:

• $500 visitor’s fee for the Parc National des Volcans
(park entry plus compulsory guides and guards for gorilla trekking)
• 4+ hours of yoga and meditation instruction daily
• One 30-minute private session with one of our yoga teachers
• 7 nights single-occupancy accommodation, including 5 at Kigali’s only 5-star hotel
• All meals
• All in-country transport
• Visits to cultural sites
• Trek to see Rwanda’s mountain gorillas
• Transport in 4-person jeeps with local drivers and translators
• Translators for all meetings with Women for Women International
• Evening talks and meetings with Rwandan women
• An on-site Metta Journeys concierge to assist you in all aspects of your experience

In addition, there is a required minimum donation to Women for Women International of $360 (which will support one woman for one year). This donation is made directly to Women for Women International.

The trip price does not include airfare, applicable taxes, surcharges and fees. Also not included are personal incidental charges such as room service, use of business center, gratuities, alcoholic beverages, etc.

We look forward to sharing this journey of a lifetime with you!

To learn more, email deepak@mettajourneys.com or call 1-888-886-2425.

Namaste,

The Metta Journeys Team

Fayetteville Arts Festival 08 Now Accepting Donations and Artist Applications

Go to www.fayettevilledowntown.org to make a tax-deductible donation or to apply to exhibit artwork at the Festival!

Northwest Arkansas Art Directors Club 2008 Outlet Awards This Saturday!

Yeah, we know it’s late notice...but that’s just the way heavy metal works.

Anyway, since maybe, just maybe, you hadn’t already heard, we’re having the most metal award show ever...this weekend.

And you’re invited.

And not just ‘cause we’re trying to get your money either, but because we rock, and we know you rock, and we want you to be there.

Plus, we got a special musical guest, MEAT KNIFE, and he’s gonna totally melt some faces off, until they bleed, with his rock.

Dickson St. Theatre THIS SATURDAY - 3-15-08
Doors at 6:00 Show at 7:00
Tickets: $15 Members - $25 Non-Members.

More info at www.nwaadc.org

Best of Luck to PWN Member Natasha Burroughs

Natasha Burroughs, former Community and Media Relations Officer for Fayetteville's Walton Arts Center, recently had her last day of work at the WAC and is moving to work as Marketing Manager at a small shopping mall in Rome, Georgia. It's a great, great opportunity for her, and she'll be closer to her family.

Natasha has been a wonderful PWN member, always keeping us informed of every new activity, event or show going on at our downtown arts center. We'll miss her for her helpfulness, community involvement, style and support for the arts! Thank you for the time you've spent with us, Natasha, and we wish you the best of luck in Georgia.

Jeannette and your friends at Professional Women's Network