Scene by Carson: A cool September

Editor’s note: Amanda Carson 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 were 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.

Now that it is only 95 degrees and not 105 degrees it is a good chance to get out and enjoy the cool front. September offers a lot of great bands and fun opportunities to do just that.

Sept. 5 – 11
Since Fort Smith managed to run any professional golf out of town with its lack of community support, one of the few professional sports left in Arkansas is the LPGA in Rogers. Daily tickets are $25, valid any one day, Friday–Sunday. Week-long grounds badges can be purchased for $50. Admission is free to the public Monday–Thursday. Children 17 years old and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult. So if you are a golf fan, for heaven’s sake go out and support the LPGA before we lose that, too. Call 715-6100 or visit the tournament website to get your tickets.

Sept. 8
6:30 p.m.
Thanks to the relationship of the Fort Smith Classic, Cox will continue the free community concert. This year it is the Travis Tritt Cox Community Concert. Tickets are free while supplies last at local Cox Stores in Fort Smith, Van Buren, Rogers, Bentonville, Fayetteville, Siloam Springs, Harrison and Berryville. Gates open at 6 p.m. at Harry E. Kelley River Park. Take lawn chair and fans to relax. Concessions will be available. Call (866) 719-9419 or visit here for more info.

Sept. 9 – 11

It’s the first ever Festival on the Border. This impressive musical line-up will offer something for everyone. The ticket sales will go to benefit local charities including: AR/OK Alzheimer’s Association, Bost Foundation, Children’s Emergency Shelter, First Tee of Fort Smith, Gregory Kistler Treatment Center, Good Samaritan Clinic, Helping Hands for Children, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Making a Difference One Kid at a Time, and the Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House. Friday, Sept. 9 is The Randy Rogers Band at 7:30 p.m. followed by Dierks Bentley at Harry E. Kelley River Park. Saturday, Sept. 10 is Andy Grammer at 7 p.m. followed by Girl Talk and then The Fray at UAFS Campus. Sunday, Sept. 11 the Young Actors Guild presents Hairspray at Arkansas Best Performing Arts Center. Visit the Festival website to get tickets and more info.

Sept. 9
8 p.m.

The Heart of Rock and Roll will be in Fayetteville; the Walton Arts Center parking lot, to be exact. Spread the good news, it’s Huey Lewis and the News! A truly outstanding band you can see for free. Yes, the concert is free and in conjunction with the LPGA tournament in Rogers. Call 715-6100 or link to the LPGA tournament website for more details.

Sept. 11
9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
It has been ten years since the nation stood still and watched in disbelief as the horrible events of that day unfolded. Many could only stand by helplessly, but there were heros that day, and for many days to come, that fought to keep others safe. Harvest Time will have a 9/11 Tribute Service to honor the heros of yesterday and today: FSFD, FSPD, EMT’s, 188th, Vets, Sheriff’s Department and more both local and national. If you have ever served in any way, please wear part or all of your uniform so that you may be honored for your service. Service vehicles will be on campus for the children to see and tour. Thank you to all heros for your service; it is often a thankless job and you deserve to be recognized.

Sept. 15
6 to 8 p.m.
We all know phone books and print advertising are dying, and web is the way to go. To stay on top, you need your website to stay at the top for engine searches, such as Google. In order to accomplish the feat you need a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) plan of attack. Jeff Turnbow will help you learn how for only $20. This session will introduce you to successful techniques to get your website noticed by Google and other search engines to improve your placement in search results pages. Learn how to attract your target audience via search engines, make your website friendly to search engines, optimize content for your target keywords and much more. The class is held at the UAFSA Math Science building in room 236. Call 788-7220 or visit the UAFS Lifelong Learning website for more info.

Sept. 17
9 a.m. – Noon
If pole dancing classes are a little too risqué, but you need some fresh, steamy moves and a good work, try belly dancing. Belly dancing is a great work-out for the abs, hip, spine and neck. Fee is $59 and you get a CD to take home and use (wink, wink). It’s gotta do something right; it has been an art form for over 2000 years.  The dancing happens At UAFS in the Studio Room. Call 788-7220 or visit the UAFS Lifelong Learning website for more info.

Sept. 24
9a.m.
If you love your boobies or love someone else’s boobies, get registered for the 5th Annual Paint the Park Pink. Since this event began in 2006, more than $100,000 has been raised to help breast cancer patients in the River Valley. Survivors may celebrate their journey at the Sparks Survivors Breakfast at 7 a.m. held at the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center on campus. Survivors will receive two admittance tickets to the breakfast when they pick up their shirt. $20 adults. $10 UAFS Students (must show student ID when picking up packet). $10 children 12 and younger. The mission of the Ozark Affiliate is to end breast cancer by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures. The event will be held on the campus of the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. Call 750-PINK or link here for more info.

Sept. 24
Noon – 4 p.m.
Take your child to participate in the 5th annual National Hunting and Fishing Day events. Kids can strut their skills in wall climbing, laser shot, targetcasting, BB guns and archery. There will be three age groups for the competition: 5-8 years old, 9-12 years old and 13-16 years old. At the Arkansas River Valley Nature Center, 8300 Wells Lake Road. Event is free. Call 452-3993 or visit the nature center website for more info.

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