Scene by Carson: March rolls in with fashion shows and pub crawls

Editor’s note: Amanda Carson recently graduated from Ole Miss where she wore a cocktail dress and high heels to football games at which tailgating was conducted in a tent adorned with a chandelier. Prior to this she attended a private school in Memphis at which Southern manners and etiquette was stressed — which does not explain her football game decisions. Anyway, Amanda will attempt to infuse her Southern experiences, exposure and education into the arts and entertainment scene in the Fort Smith/Van Buren region.

Spring is so close you can taste it, but that darn groundhog is keeping it at bay just to mess with us. (Darn, rodent) So foil that rodent’s plans. Here are some things to help you shake off the winter blues and spring forward.

March 6
7 p.m.
Yes ladies, spring is almost upon us. Time to throw out the turtle-necks and step into skirts. What better way than with a fashion show or better yet, the Miss University of Arkansas at Fort Smith fashion show. Pageant contestants will model the latest fashions from area retailers. Tickets are $5 and go to the Arkansas Children’s Hospital. The show is held in the UAFS Reynolds Room in the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center.

March 6
7 p.m.
Are you young and empowered or want to support the young and empowered? Young Emerging Leaders (YEL) is hosting the fourth annual Bella Notte, and it will be held at Golden Living. With entertainment from Boom Kinetic to help get your dance on. Funds raised will go toward the YEL Scholarship Fund to help YEL members attend community leadership programs. YEL members get in for $25 and non-members have to shell out $50. Call 479.420.5624 or e-mail at [email protected]

March 10
10 a.m.
Grandparents, want to really shock your grandkids? Send them an e-mail without any help from them. The Mulberry Public Library is hosting a Computer Basics Class for Seniors. You may not like it, but it’s time for you to jump on the technology train, seniors. If you are already on this train, kudos for you. Class is free but registration is needed.  Kind of ironic to list a Web site, because then you wouldn’t really need the class, so call (479) 997-1226 to register.

March 11
7:30 p.m.
Anxious to see what the new Second Street Live facility has to offer? Well now’s your chance. The Grand Opening performance will feature Ruthie Foster, whose new CD received a 2009 Grammy Award nomination. Help Second Street Live bring the house down in style on opening night. The new venue is located on the corner of North 2nd and A Street in downtown Fort Smith. Tickets are only $35.

March 13
2 p.m.
It’s a parade. It’s an Irish parade on Garrison Avenue. I think that speaks for itself.

March 13
6 p.m. – Midnight
Aaayyy, who doesn’t love a pub crawl?! Because of the misfortune of a drunken holiday falling in the dead middle of a work week, Fort Smith is holding the St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl early. Get your green on and crawl around downtown Fort Smith from Hamburger Barn, Hangin’ Judge Saloon, Hero’s, Kinkaid’s, La Huerta, Old Town, Papa’s Pub, R. Landry’s, Rooster’s, Varsity to Webby D’s. Five bucks will get you a sweet souvenir cup to keep as a memento of a night you won’t remember. But beware of the Leprechauns; they can be tricky.

March 14
Time to spring forward. Yep, Daylight Savings Time. Set your clocks an hour forward so you do lose an hour of sleep, but gain longer days. Sorry, night owls. All have been fairly warned, so that “Oh, I didn’t realize” doe-eyed act won’t work Monday morning when you role in an hour late.

March 17
St. Patrick’s Day! Wear your green if you want don’t want to get pinched all day. Unless you’re into that sort of thing, then, hey, that just makes for a really awkward work situation. Because now everyone will know why you’re not wearing green.

March 23 to 26
9 to 11 a.m.
Remember the good ole days when you actually got to enjoy spring break? Sigh. Well your kids still get to and you pushed the Disney World trip back one more year and the kids are still out of school. What to do? What to do? Well let them have a little fun; it is spring break after all. What better way than to pawn them off to the crew at First Tee.  Clinics are from March 23 to 25, with a Spring Break Tournament the 26. Open to all ages and clinics are only $10. That will be the cheapest spring break ever and your kids will never know. Call 648-9833 to make sure your kids don’t miss out.

Feedback
Even though she graduated from Ole Miss, Amanda is comfortable using e-mail. You can reach her at [email protected]