Events for April 2014

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month and to promote awareness of our program we are "flocking" El Dorado. For a small fee you can have your friend or neighbor's yard or business flocked with pink flamingos. Anti-flocking insurance can also be purchased to ensure you aren't the next lucky one in town. For more information contact (870) 862-2272.

First Assembly of God, 2225 W. Hillsboro, invites you to their Spring Revival starting Sunday, March 30, through April 2, 2014. Different guest speakers will be preaching each service. Visit www.eldoradoag.com for more information about times and speakers or call the church office at (870) 863-6143. We look forward to worshiping with you.

First Assembly of God, 2225 W. Hillsboro, invites you to their Spring Revival starting Sunday, March 30, through April 2, 2014. Different guest speakers will be preaching each service. Visit www.eldoradoag.com for more information about times and speakers or call the church office at (870) 863-6143. We look forward to worshiping with you.

The El Dorado Chamber of Commerce invites the public to a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of Howell's BBQ on Wednesday, April 2, at 10:30 a.m. at 2011 Junction City Road in El Dorado. Howell’s BBQ is a new restaurant open Mondays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

A presentation and round table discussion on what South Arkansas will be saying about SAAP.

Come to the annual CAAH (Conserve Arkansas's Agricultural Heritage) seed swap. Gardeners bring heritage fruit and vegetable seeds to trade with others from what they grew from last year's seed. CAAH! representatives bring additional seeds with them to offer to the public. Also, other garden items can be shared: pass-along-plants, tools, bulbs, etc. The effort is for preserving endangered heirloom plant seeds. In Arkansas, the seed bank is headquartered at UCA.

This lunch and presentation is by Dr. Ken Prather and Director Margaret Holzem, MCSA Wound Care Center and Hyperbaric Treatment Center.

Join Economics Arkansas for a special luncheon as we present the Excellence in Free Enterprise Award to honor the legacy of Charles H. Murphy -- a true entrepreneurial pioneer who achieved the pinnacle of success in free enterprise. Mr. Murphy's advocacy of economic literacy and the continuing support provided by the Murphy Foundation allows Economics Arkansas to celebrate 51 years of providing economic and financial education programs to Arkansas K-12 teachers and students. The award will be accepted by Madison Murphy. Keynote speaker: Dr. Arthur Brooks, President, American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, Washington, DC

Since you are preparing for all the fun summer activities around water, join us for a few tips on how to be safe. We’ll have games, prizes, and WATER! RSVP by calling (870) 864-7192 or e-mailing ce@southark.edu.

Join the interpreter in the Tinkering Studio and make jewelry that lights up or maybe make it from old appliances that have been taken apart. The possibilities are endless. This activity takes place in our Tinkering Studio, a space where you can slow down, become engaged in hands-on investigation, and explore how you might make an invention that helps promote the conservation of Arkansas's natural resources!

Great Lakes Solutions will be hosting the 2nd annual 5K Run/Walk and sponsoring a Health Fair at the El Dorado Conference Center on April 12. The 5K starts at 8:00 a.m., and the Health Fair starts at 9:00 p.m.

Click here for a 5K registration form.
Click here for a vendor form.

Motorcycle Poker Run but all vehicles are welcome. First bike out will be at 8:00 a.m. departing from South Arkansas Community College, and last bike in will be at 12:00 p.m. at BancorpSouth's downtown parking lot. Lots of door prizes!

First Place:  $300
Second Place: $200
Third Place: $100.

BBQ lunch for all registered riders!! All proceeds go to Union County Relay for Life/American Cancer Society.

Come have your picture taken with the Easter Bunny. Sponsored by Girl Scouts Diamonds Arkansas Oklahoma Texas, Union Service Unit.

Become a member of the Golfweek Amateur Tour...Where amateurs play like pros! Membership to the Golfweek Amateur Tour is open to all ages and skill levels with separate flights to keep competition fair. For only $95, you can participate in any Golfweek Amateur Event in the USA throughout the year. The annual membership includes a subscription to Golfweek magazine, USGA handicap, and Tour merchandise. For complete information, please visit www.amateurgolftour.net.

Let instructor Julia Nipper with the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center teach you key words to use to receive maximum hits and see your business flourish! Is your business receiving the hits it should when someone searches it on the internet? Pre-Registration is required. Register by calling (870) 864-7163. For more information, call 870-864-7192 or e-mail ce@southark.edu.

A small marketing budget doesn't have to mean restricted resources for your small business. Get an overview of general marketing techniques, accompanied by suggestions for small businesses with small budgets. Topics include how to create a marketing plan, calendar, determining target markets, low cost marketing tools, image development and branding, and e-marketing. Join Julia Nipper Monday in El Dorado at the SouthArk Community College - East Campus at 1:00 p.m. To sign up, email Julia at julianipper@saumag.edu or register by phone, (870) 235-5033. The class fee is $30.

Girl Scouts and AR Museum of Natural Resources are teaming up to bring you an AWESOME program that allows you to experience what Girl Scouts STEM programs and the Museum has to offer. Join us every 2nd and 3rd Monday of each month.

The Chamber's Annual Banquet, sponsored by Entergy and Murphy USA, will be on Monday, April 14, at the El Dorado Conference Center beginning at 6:30 p.m.  This year's supporting sponsor are El Dorado Chemical, Mustard Seed Financial and Nexans AmerCable.

A cocktail reception begins at 6:30 p.m. with dinner to follow at 7:00 p.m. Our featured speaker will be Richard Davies, executive director of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. Additionally, the reigning Miss Arkansas, Amy Crain, will attend as our special guest.

Tickets are $30 a person or $300 to purchase a table of 8. Purchase tickets at the Chamber or reserve them by contacting us at (870) 863-6113 or chamber@goeldorado.com.

Business After Hours in April will be hosted by Courtyard Rehabilitation and Health Center at 2415 W. Hillsboro St. on Tuesday, April 15, 2014, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. 

This is an opportunity to network with other area professionals learn more about Courtyard. More details to come! Be sure to bring your business card for the door prize drawings. RSVPs are not required.

Business After Hours is held every month on the third Tuesday of the month.

Dr. Donald Voelker, interventional cardiologist at the Medical Center of South Arkansas, is the speaker at Discussions with the Doctor on Tuesday, April 15, at 5:30 p.m. He will speak on Foods that Kill and Foods that Heal.  If you are new to Discussions with the Doctor and you call and say "you heard about this program on the Chamber website", we will serve your meal for FREE!! 

Dr. Kevin Manning, astrophysicist, will present "Roadmap to the Stars: The Night Sky Explained" in the Callaway Theater of the South Arkansas Arts Center, on Tuesday, April 15, 2014, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Dr. Manning has worked as a consultant with NASA and other land-based observatories, is both a Wright and Einstein Fellow and presents numerous programs to libraries, observatories and science centers. Weather permitting, Dr. Manning will set up telescopes to view the night sky after his presentation. The program is free but children under 10 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Students should bring a set of crochet hooks, sizes D and up, and a skein of yarn. Pre-Registration is required. Register by calling 870-864-7163. For more information, call (870) 864-7192 or e-mail ce@southark.edu.

Union County Relay/American Cancer Society Celebrates Survivors! All cancer survivors and caregivers are invited to attend the FREE event to honor them. Dinner is provided along with an invitation to Union County Relay, T-shirt and other goodies! These survivors are our symbol of HOPE.

Life Touch, along with other national, state and community organizations, is leading a massive effort to highlight the importance of advance healthcare decision making an effort that has culminated in the formal designation of April 16 as National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD). As a participating organization, Life Touch is providing information and tools for the public to talk about their wishes with family, friends and healthcare providers, and execute their written advance directives (healthcare power of attorney and living will) in accordance with Arkansas state laws. These resources are available online at www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org. Specifically, on April 16 Life Touch is welcoming the public throughout the day at several locations with free information about advance care planning and advance directive forms. Please visit our website www.lifetouchhospice.org/calendar.php for locations and times.

This program provides an overview on Dementia and care giving for anyone helping to provide unpaid care to an older adult with dementia at home.

Join the Medical Center of South Arkansas for the annual Healthy Woman Girls Night Out event at the El Dorado Conference Center, co-presented by the South Arkansas Community College Lecture Series.

We all need time for just us and our best girlfriends...and this is the night. Enjoy hors d'oeuvres; wine and rita tastings; light shopping; and meet-and-greets with physicians and specialists so you can get your questions answered one-on-one and stay healthy! Hand and chair massages and lots of giggle time also available! Seven-time Olympic medalist Shannon Miller will be the featured speaker at 7 p.m. with a special appearance by the Bravo Dance Center award-winning gymnasts.

This is a two-man scramble golf tournament. More details to come!

This program provides an overview on Dementia and care giving for anyone helping to provide unpaid care to an older adult with dementia at home.

This event is comprised of a basketball games! Beginning at 6:00 p.m., the South Arkansas Hoyas vs. El Dorado All-stars. At 7:00 p.m., (EHS Women), Young School vs. Ole School and, at 8:00 p.m., WHS Hornets Alumni vs Ole-Young Timers (EHS Alumni).

Clean Harbors El Dorado Facility will conduct the first of six Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days this Saturday, April 19, from 8:00 a.m. to noon. The collection site is located at 309 American Circle Road in El Dorado. Local Union County residents are invited to bring household hazardous waste such as: paint, cleaning fluids, herbicides, pesticides, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, out-of-date non-prescription medicines, used oil and filters, propane and butane cylinders. Those items typically used around the home. Other items that cannot be accepted include: prescription drugs, firearms, ammunition, tires appliances, and electronics. Each resident that participates will receive a free reusable shopping bag. Appointments are required; contact Clean Harbors to schedule your drop-off at (870) 863-7173.

Banquet Theme: An Evening of Celebrating Excellence with Guest Speaker Mr. Morris Graham Former Teacher & Band Director, Washington High School & El Dorado High School Washington HS & AM & (UAPB)Alumnus

The Celebrating Freedom in Christ Tend Crusade at Harmony Baptist Church is on April 20 through 26. Special music by The Lisemby Family and supported by Harmony Baptist, Bethal Baptist, Calvary Baptist and Murmil Baptist Church. Everyone is welcome to the tent. There will a different preacher each night.

Girl Scouts and AR Museum of Natural Resources are teaming up to bring you an AWESOME program that allows you to experience what Girl Scouts STEM programs and the Museum has to offer. Join us every 2nd and 3rd Monday of each month.

The April South Arkansas Networking Luncheon is sponsored by the Mayhaw Festival and the South Arkansas Historic Foundation on Tuesday, April 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the El Dorado Golf & Country Club.

This is an opportunity to meet other area professionals. Each attendee has the opportunity to introduce themselves to others as well as tell a little about what they do and who they work for in a fun, friendly environment.

Reservations required by Monday, April 21, by 5:00 p.m. to chamber@goeldorado.com or (870) 863-6113.

The Life Touch Balloon Release and Community Wall Unveiling will be held on April 24 at 12:15 p.m. on the east side of the Union County Courthouse.

The South Arkansas Arts Center, South Arkansas Symphony, and El Dorado High School present Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil’s “Les Misérables.” Broadway veteran Craig Shulman directs and stars as Jean Valjean in Arkansas’s premiere community-wide production of the musical phenomenon. Special limited engagement of 5 performances only. Parental guidance suggested.

Relay for Life raises money for the American Cancer Society year round. This event is the largest event of our year. We Celebrate, Remember and Fight back! Teams set up "campsites" and have games, food and fun! Cancer Survivors eat FREE. Free event open to the public and a great family friendly event

The South Arkansas Arts Center, South Arkansas Symphony, and El Dorado High School present Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil’s “Les Misérables.” Broadway veteran Craig Shulman directs and stars as Jean Valjean in Arkansas’s premiere community-wide production of the musical phenomenon. Special limited engagement of 5 performances only. Parental guidance suggested.

Tinkering is free-form experimentation with use of screwdrivers, motors, wires, glue, and more. Tinkering is a great family activity where all can experiment and learn things together. It’s all about exploring to discover how and why things work, and often learning why they don’t. TinkerFest will feature inventors and artisans from south Arkansas. Visitors will have the opportunity to make one-of-a-kind jewelry from junk; take apart appliances and computers to actually see how they were designed and how they operated; paint with items that Mother Nature gives us; build an automata; make fun accessories, purses and wallets with duct tape, and much more.

Four-person scramble at Mystic Creek Golf Club beginning at 8:00 a,m. with a shotgun start. The field is limited to the first 20 teams. Proceeds benefit shipping costs for Operation Christmas Child.

We have a fantastic line-up of speakers scheduled with topics ranging from grafting trees as seedlings, to maintaining the orchard, an orchard tour and optimizing production. Weed control and pest management will be covered, as well as all the do's and don'ts of growing mayhaws and a jelly making class. There will be experts to answer your questions and share the latest developments in new varieties, new markets and new ideas. It should be a great time plus tasting mayhaw jelly, mayhaw ice cream and mayhaw wine, I'm looking forward to seeing you there.

Featuring Steve Lippia

The South Arkansas Arts Center, South Arkansas Symphony, and El Dorado High School present Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil’s “Les Misérables.” Broadway veteran Craig Shulman directs and stars as Jean Valjean in Arkansas’s premiere community-wide production of the musical phenomenon. Special limited engagement of 5 performances only. Parental guidance suggested.

The South Arkansas Arts Center, South Arkansas Symphony, and El Dorado High School present Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil’s “Les Misérables.” Broadway veteran Craig Shulman directs and stars as Jean Valjean in Arkansas’s premiere community-wide production of the musical phenomenon. Special limited engagement of 5 performances only. Parental guidance suggested.

The South Arkansas Arts Center, South Arkansas Symphony, and El Dorado High School present Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil’s “Les Misérables.” Broadway veteran Craig Shulman directs and stars as Jean Valjean in Arkansas’s premiere community-wide production of the musical phenomenon. Special limited engagement of 5 performances only. Parental guidance suggested.