Events for December 2017

13th South CASA and Kix 103 present the 15th Annual Make A Smile Happen (MASH) Toy Drive. Toys and money collected during this event help provide Christmas presents for the foster children in Union County.

The North Central Louisiana Arts Council (NCLAC) is pleased to announce participating artists for this year’s Holiday Arts Tour. The following artists will be displaying their works December 1-2 in downtown Ruston: Christiane Drieling, Nicole Duet, Bonnie Ferguson, Dorene Kordal, Shawn Hood, Dean Dablow, Bette Kaufman, Toni Pederson, Julie Crews, Jim Huckabay, Jeanne Teague, Jake Dugard, Chris Seaman, Todd Maggio, Zeppy Cheng, Paperglaze Calligraphy, Rabbet Run, Todd Cloe, Jack Gates, Emily Welch, Ron Atwood, Liz Zanca, Zach Hannibal, Whitney Caskey, Anne Marie Jackson, Linda Dwyer, Karen Armstrong, Linda Snider-Ward, Mary Jane VanZandt, Noula Rodakis, Annie Richardson, Catherine McVea, Amy Crittenden, Amanda Roe, Nan Cole, Steve Cole, and Jan Thibault The following artists will open their private studios during Holiday Arts Tour: Hooshang Khorasani and Douglas Walton. A number of performing artists will be involved, including Ouachita Strummers, Louisiana Tech’s Theatre Players, Cain Budds, Lady Chops, James Waller, Untouchables, Bella Bleu, and Amy Crittenden. The weekend will also include artist demonstrations by Shannan Inman (calligraphy), Todd Maggio (screenprinting), and Todd Cloe (woodcarving), as well as Holiday Art Brawl, a live painting competition, and Sprout Hour, free art activities for children. Additional details about the weekend can be found at nclac.org/HolidayArtsTour and the Holiday Arts Tour Facebook page in the weeks leading up to the event. Thanks to Fine Line Supply, the Holiday Arts Tour Title Sponsor. HAT is also supported by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council and administered by the Shreveport Regional Arts Council.

SAU Tech is hosting a Tinsel Town at Tech Event on Saturday, December 2, 2017. The event will include shopping, breakfast with Santa, Kidz Art Zone, a Magician,train rides, bounce house, performances by the Tech choir, hot chocolate bar and more. Join us in the SAU Tech Student Center from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm for some holiday fun. There will also be an ornament contest for 5th & 6th graders with a cash prize - contact us for a form. Also organizations & businesses can compete by decorating a tree which will be placed in the atrium to the Grand Hall. Cash prizes will be awarded for winning trees. Contact us for a form.

All the fun starts at 9:00 am! Children under 10 are admitted free with a paying adult. Adult admission is $10. Tickets can be purchased at the door and at the following locations:

Camden: Jim Golden Ford, Stinson's Jewelry & SAU Tech

Magnolia: KZHE Radio

El Dorado: La Bella Gourmet Foods & Gifts

9:00-10:00 Breakfast with Santa 10:00- 12:00 & 1:00-4:00 Selfies with Santa 10:00-3:00 Kidz Craft Zone 11:00 SAU Tech Choir 10:00-1:00 Magician 2:00 Choir 9:00-4:00 Shopping, Train Rides, Bouncy House, Door Prizes, Raffles and more!

The El Dorado- Union County Chamber of Commerce is hosting a ribbon cutting for Lil Bit of Love. They are located at 1104 N Madison in El Dorado, Arkansas. Lil Bit of Love specializes in monument cleaning for gravestones; along with artifical arrangements, sprays, saddles and vases. Looking to decorate your home? Lil Bit of Love makes wreaths and other floral arrangements for your house. They are open Tuesday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm and can be reached by calling 870-314-0544.

Senior Circle, a Medical Center of South Arkansas program, is now accepting new members. Senior Circle is a program for individuals age 50 or better who are interested in pursuing an active lifestyle, learning about health and wellness and meeting others. Events and activities are designed to help you stay healthy, vibrant and active. We encourage you to pursue the things you love, try new hobbies and interests and meet new friends.

The theme this year is Christmas Through the Ages. Float entry forum due by November 29th, 2017.

The Christmas Parade has been running since 1979, 38 years! The El Dorado Christmas parade, which is the largest Christmas parade in South Arkansas, annually draws thousands of spectators. This a great way for the community to enjoy the Christmas spirit along Northwest Avenue and Downtown! It features beauty queens, antique cars, floats and more. 

A big thanks to all our sponsors:
Leading Reindeer Sponsors- Larry's Pizza of El Dorado and Billy Wood Honda
Santa's Helper- Longs Sheet Metal LANXESS PJ's Coffee El DoradoandJPS Equipment Rental, LLC Canfor Southern Pine Murphy USA
Head Elf Sponsors: Glenn Mechanical Coldwell Banker Dumas & Associates Real Estate

Create your own Gingerbread House and enter it into our contest for a chance to win a prize: 1st place $150 2nd place $100 3rd place $50 People?s Choice $50 Entries will be on display for all to view on Saturday, December 9th between 10 a.m. ? 12:30 p.m. At the Spot (Downtown El Dorado, AR) Winners will be announced at 12:30 p.m. $10 Entry Fee and Form Must be submitted by Thursday, December 7, 2017 to participate. Entry Forms may be obtained from Relay For Life Team Captains or Relay For Life Committee Members or at the Chamber.

Union County Relay For Life Teams will be hosting a Christmas Bake Sale on December 9th. Please help support the American Cancer Society/Relay For Life by purchasing some delicious Christmas treats.

Christmastime open house with Santa and Mrs. Claus, hot cocoa and cookies, "sleigh rides" around the ranch, crafts, a reindeer barn and much more - The public is welcome!

You've heard the song, you know the story - now come and learn as Dr. James Yates takes a jingle-bell journey through the world of Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and 1950s film! The show starts at 2:00 PM on Sunday, December 10 in the SouthArk Library Auditorium.

Come in your pajamas and sip hot chocolate while we enjoy Christmas crafts and the movie "A Miser Brother's Christmas" at Barton Library.

Young's Funeral Directors will be having a Candlelight Memorial Service Service of Remembrance December 12, 2017 at 7:00 PM If you have lost a loved one during the year, whether they lived locally or out of our area, served by Young's Funeral Directors or another funeral home, please plan to attend a special service to honor their memory. Stop by Young's Funeral Directors, or give us a call to have your loved one included in this service. With an RSVP by November 30th, your loved one will be remembered in a special video tribute. Each family attending will receive a holiday ornament with a photograph of this loved one. Join us for this special time of remembrance. Refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the service.

The story of Christ's birth portrayed by the children of HOPE Landing.

3rd Annual Pictures with Santa Camp Fire Club #28 Fundraiser.

An annual favorite, the South Arkansas Symphony's Christmas Holiday Pops concert will feature soprano Haley Greer, baritone Greg Pearson and more than 120 singers from high school choirs across South Arkansas and Northwest Louisiana in an all new program, mixing new seasonal traditions with familiar selections. This is the perfect concert for the entire family to get in the holiday spirit with a little Christmas cheer!

A Christmas Gift for Our Communities Youth! HealthWorks Fitness Center Aquatics Department presents: Winter Water Land - Water Safety Clinic with games, prizes, refreshments and fun - Space limited to 25 participants - Intended for ages 6 – 12, this program is not for current AAU/USA swim team members - American Red Cross video Presentation Longfellow’s Whale Tales - Learn about the importance of SAFETY around water - A certificate will be given upon completion of the program 1:00 – 1:30pm American Red Cross Longfellow’s whale Tales Video 1:30 – 2:00pm HealthWorks Lifeguard Instructor will speak about Water Safety Awareness 2:00 – 2:30pm HealthWorks Lifeguard will speak about and demonstrate different swim strokes 2:30 – 3:15pm Refreshments and Games 3:15 – 4:00pm Fun Swim Please bring swim suit, towel, goggles, and a change of clothes.

Every Thursday night at the Griffin restaurant presents FREE live music across the genres of R&B, acoustic, rock, bluegrass and country. Check out Thursday Night Live - because "we don't want to change the world, just show it a good time!" Front Cover Band has been making audiences jump in Arkansas, Texas and Mississippi for years. They're known for not only recreating classics, but weaving in their own original material to show they are much more than the average R&B cover band. As a result, the six-member group has already gained a loyal fan base that is continuously growing with every performance. The band operates with two lead singers, both who have reached national notoriety for their vocal exploits. LJai splits lead singer duties with Larry "The Voice" Ellis, whose vocals have backed up iconic artists including Patti LaBelle and Chaka Khan.

Every Thursday night at the Griffin restaurant presents FREE live music across the genres of R&B, acoustic, rock, bluegrass and country. Check out Thursday Night Live - because "we don't want to change the world, just show it a good time!" ?It's the way of the road,? is a phrase that rings true among the members of deFrance. The guys have labored tirelessly since forming in February 2015, racking up over 400 national shows, numerous tour announcements, and sharing bills with and opening for acts including ZZ Top, Robert Randolph, Whiskey Myers, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Earning such titles as ?road warriors? and ?the hardest working band in Arkansas,? the band is excited about its new lineup and expects to release new material in 2018. Join them as they continue the journey of spreading the gospel of rock & roll across the country and throughout the world!

Rock-in the New Years with MAD! Party option #1: $40 per person includes: Ticket to see Windstorm, champagne toast, party favors and after midnight breakfast buffet. Doors open at 8:30 PM, band starts at 9:30 PM. The Windstorm Band is Shreveport, La's best-known and professional groups. Comprised of multi-talented members, this Shreveport, Louisiana area wedding band will play a wide range of songs from soul and blues and R&B, to the pulse heightening music of pop, hip hop, and of course old school funk. Purchase tickets here: https://tix.eldomad.com/single/SelectSeating.aspx?p=190 Party option #2: $100 per person includes: Dinner at the Griffin, ticket to Windstorm, champagne toast, party favors and after midnight breakfast buffet. ***MAD Members get 10% off of party option #2!!! Our New Years menu includes: Hushpuppies with Honey Butter and Fresh Jelly: Our Signature Hushpuppies and Honey Butter are both made in house and the Farm Fresh Jelly is made right here in El Dorado at Richland Creek Farm Gourmet Cheese Plate: A delicious selection of Extra Sharp White Cheddar, Smoked Gouda, Herbed Goat Cheese and Brie Mixed Field Greens and Champagne Vinaigrette: Arkansas grown sweet field greens with our house made Champagne Vinaigrette Surf and Turf: 6ozs each Spiny Lobster Tail and Farm Raised Beef Filet Mignon served with Garlic Mash Potatoes and Fresh Seasonal Veggies. The Lobster tail comes from Florida and is accompanied with Drawn Butter as the Filet is Grass Fed Farm Raised Natural Beef laced with Béarnaise Sauce Bananas Foster: Fresh Slices of Banana Flambeed with Rum, Crème de Banana, Cinnamon, Brown Sugar and a squeeze of fresh Orange Juice then served over Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. “A New Orleans Brennan Original!!!” Reservations can be placed via Open Table