Scene by Carson: February can be great for lovers and nerds

 

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.

Ahhhhh, February. The month of love, romance and couples. Maybe you’re not in love; bad break up, you’re a big ole nerd or whatever the case maybe, you are sick of all the ooey gooey romance stuff. Well here are a few things to keep you preoccupied and keep your mind from wandering to that dark place. But hey, it is February, so there is a sprinkling of events that you can attend with your Sweetie.

Feb. 5
8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Are you a good leader and want to be a great leader? Or do you know someone who thinks they are a great leader and in fact is just a good leader? Well sign up the “Good to Great Leadership Course” to help with that. The course uses the business book “Good to Great” (Collins, 2001) as a source and is led by Kim Gordon, an assistant master technical instructor with the Center for Business and Professional Development at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. The class in Flanders Building, room 114 on the UAFS campus, and is $59 — a small price to pay for greatness. If this is of interest to you, call 788-7742 to learn more.

Feb. 6
5 p.m
Do you like poker, Hooters girls and golf?  Well, uh yeah, if you’re a guy that should be a given. The Fort Smith Classic kicks off this year with a night of Texas Hold ‘Em. The Buy-In is $100 per person, with drinks, food, Hooters waitresses, a DJ and tons of prizes. Don’t forget to bring your “Lucky Charm.” For $20 your significant other gets a chance at great prizes too. Call Cheryl Anderson, Texas Hold ‘Em chairman, at 461-6570 to get signed up. Or show up at the Glass Pavilion in Downtown Fort Smith Saturday night with your Benjamin bill in hand and ready to play!

Feb. 8
6 p.m.
Are you a woman? And a Democrat? The Sebastian County Democratic Women’s Meeting has David Whitaker, the former attorney for the city of Fayetteville who is the only Democrat to announce in the race for Arkansas’ 3rd Congressional District. Whitaker is set to speak at the monthly meeting held at the Democratic Headquarters (211 Garrison Ave.).

Feb. 9
8 a.m. to Noon
Social Networking is the wave of the future and not going anywhere. For those of you in technological denial, face facts and get Twitter and Facebook savvy. Social Networking is one of the most effective and inexpensive ways of advertising, so jump on the Social train and take it to UAFS for Social Network 101 training in the BII Building, room 115.  The fee is $59 — but who can put a price on that kind of knowledge and power?

Feb. 12
6 p.m.
Mardi Gras! Need I say more? Not really, but I will. Mardi Gras is the largest fundraiser for the Fort Smith Museum of History and is held at the Immaculate Conception Church in Parish Hall. Go enjoy cocktails, a Cajun dinner, live auction, New Orleans style music and, to top it off, Mr. Cabbage Head and the Screaming Radishes. Call the Museum of History (783.7841) for your tickets, which are $50 a person, $500 for a table of 10 and $600 for a premium table (sounds elite).

Feb. 13
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
No, it’s not quite Valentine’s Day, but you can take that special guy or gal and show them who is master of the green. It’s the two-person, guy and gal, nine-hole golf scramble for the First Tee Valentine’s Day Tournament. Wear pink or red and you get a mulligan. Guys, I suggest you sport one of those colors. Girls, no need, but you should be V-day festive anyway.

Feb. 14
You better not be looking for plans on this day. Guys, you should have it all figured out!

Feb. 16
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The first annual The Compass Conference — presented by The City Wire and Benefit Bank — will be held at the Holiday Inn City Center. Maria Haley, director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Britt Reynolds, division I president for Naples, Fla.-based Health Management Associates, and noted economist Jeff Collins are the featured speakers for The Compass Conference. The emcee is John Taylor, senior vice president of John Taylor Financial-Sterne Agee and a member of the board of directors at Fort Smith-based Benefit Bank. Tickets are $40 each, or $350 for a table of eight. Seating is limited. To reserve tickets, contact Whitney Yoder at the chamber, 783-3111, or [email protected]

Feb. 16
7 p.m.
Gals, is your man a hunter? If so, you probably got a freezer full of strange meats you’re hoping came from the woods and not the side of the road. Either way, you should learn to prepare it, to impress your man and get that out of your fridge. Phyllis Speer, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s regional education coordinator and “Arkansas Outdoors” co-host, is hosting a free wild game cooking class at the River Valley Nature Center located at 8300 Wells Lake Road in Fort Smith. Call 452-3993 to reserve a seat.

Feb. 27
8 p.m.
Okay, so you haven’t quite figured out what to get your wife or girlfriend. Is she a fan of old blue eyes? Take her to hear Steve Lippia, who is “Simply Sinatra.” His sexy and timeless tunes are sure to please and set the evening off right. Playing at Alma Performing Arts Center, 103 E. Main St., in Alma.

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