Scene by Carson: Jumpin’ January

Year 2011 seemed like a rather rough and depressing year. Let’s hope 2012 has better and brighter things to offer for all. At least here are a few good things to get you off to the right start.

Jan. 6
7 p.m.
Be sure to be close to a good TV to cheer the Razorbacks on as they play Kansas State in the Cotton Bowl. No, it is not a BCS game, but Arkansas still needs to be cheered on for their last game of the season.

Jan. 10-15
The wonderfully unique Blue Man Group will be performing in this neck of the woods at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. This is a great opportunity for a one of a kind date or family night. Tickets are $49-$59; visit the Walton Arts Center website for details.

Jan. 11
4-6 p.m.

Sadly, eReaders and eBooks are making classic books obsolete, but that does not make the library obsolete. The Fort Smith Public Library is embracing technology and offering a drop-in clinic to show you how to embrace it as well. They will show you how to use Library2Go and how to check-out eBooks on your Kindle, iPad and such, because $10 or so for an intangible book you may only read once seems a little impractical. Instead get a library card and read to your heart and wallet’s content. Visit the library’s website for more details.

Jan. 13
8 a.m.-Noon
Unlike Samoa, you can’t just jump time zones to make your work days more productive. But you could take “Time Management: Organizing Time” at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith to help out a little, if you can work it into your schedule. Learn how to stop procrastinating, the importance of a planner and how to just say “no.” Class is $59. Don’t procrastinate; call 788-7742 to registered.

Jan. 14
9 a.m.
If you have still stuck with your New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, save money and do good for others after two weeks in, then the Polar Bear Walk is a “three birds with one stone” opportunity for you. The Polar Bear Walk will benefit The Girls Shelter of Fort Smith and each participant should get someone else to sponsor them for the walk. At Creekmore Park and there will be free hot chocolate available.

Jan. 14
8 p.m.-Midnight
Get your teen out of the house and take them to “Revolution: A Massive Dance Party,” the first Massive Dance Party in Fort Smith. They will think you are being a cool parent for letting them go, but you will just be thankful for the date night or down time. For ages 15-19 years old and tickets are $12 at the door. At the Phoenix Expo and Trade Center and there will be security present. If you are the skeptical or nosy parent, you can visit the Revolution website to find out more.

Jan. 28
7:30 p.m.
The Fort Smith Symphony presents Tenorissimo! Italian tenor Pasquale Esposito and mezzo soprano Katherine White join the Symphony to deliver an experience as close to an Italian opera that Fort Smith will get. Eat at a cute little Italian restaurant beforehand for a true date night in Italy. Tickets are only $30 and $35 for adults. Visit the symphony website to get your tickets now.

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