FEATURES

Beat the Winter Blues with Shows for the Whole Family at Walton Arts Center

Bundle up and make your way to the warmth of the theater where you’ll find performances that are perfect for everyone in your family this winter. Full of furry and froggy friends, heartfelt messages and unbelievable performances that will have audiences wide-eyed, a show at Walton Arts Center can help beat those winter blues!

Visit waltonartscenter.org for more information.

Arts & Culture: SoNA Presents Carmina Burana on Feb. 1

The Symphony of Northwest Arkansas continues its 65th Anniversary Season with a thrilling evening of epic music and choral splendor at Walton Arts Center. Under the baton of music director Paul Haas, SoNA will perform Masterworks II: Carmina Burana on Saturday, Feb. 1, in Walton Arts Center’s Baum Walker Hall. Showtime is 7:30 p.m.

A three-part choral masterpiece by composer Carl Orff, Carmina Burana will feature guest soprano Heather Buck, tenor Jonathan Blalock and baritone Timothy LeFebvre, along with the SoNA Singers, the Bentonville High School Chamber Choir and the University of Arkansas Children’s Choir.

Native from Fort Smith, Arkansas: Ebony Wyatt

Ebony Wyatt was raised by her grandmother, Julia Oliver. They shared a single bedroom in a tinyhouse on North 12th Street, across from the railroad tracks in Fort Smith. Today, as a college graduate, successful career woman, happily married to William and mom to Cannon, Coleman and Camille, Ebony is living her grandmother’s dream.

“As I reflect on my grandmother’s life, she had a lot of missed opportunities,” Ebony said. Smart and capable, Julia was accepted at Lincoln University of Missouri but didn’t go because her father didn’t think girls should attend college.

Health: Ten Common Winter Health Problems and How to Avoid Them

Health and wellness are important all year long. There are, however, certain health problems that are more common during specific parts of the year. You are much more likely to suffer sunburn and heat stroke during the summer than during the winter, for example. Here are a few common winter health problems, along with some tips to stay healthy during the winter.

Visit www.mana.md for more information.

Profile: Jessica Hendrix

Mastering the art of balancing a “three-legged stool”

From a very young age, Jessica Hendrix was a high achiever. She grew up in the small, rural town of Stone City, Iowa. Stone City was founded by artists, one of which was the well-known “American Gothic” painter Grant Wood. Jessica describes her mother as a bit of a flower child and says, “We didn’t have television until I was in eighth grade. Some of that was lack of financial means, but some of it was just the way she wanted to raise us.”

Jessica, the oldest of three children, says, “Circumstances put me into more of a parental role and I had three jobs while I was in high school – cleaning houses, working at a restaurant and working at the historical society.” Jessica says that what she learned as a restaurant server created a good foundation for her future.

Living Spaces: Modern Mix

A local builder puts a one-of-a-kind twist on modern design in his downtown Bentonville home

For local builder Mark Melton, completing the build of his home in downtown Bentonville was a uniquely satisfying moment. Not only because he could move in and focus on other projects, but also because, for him, it represented that the downtown area had once again become a desirable destination – just as it had been 30 to 40 years ago.

Mark grew up in Bentonville and has been building homes in the area for more than 20 years. Being in the construction industry, he was able to see past what many other residents may have missed.

Eats & Drinks: Co-op Ramen House

Authentic Japanese flavors served up in a modern space at an approachable price

Eyes closed, my head tilts forward just inches away from the teeming bowl of broth, noodles emitting fragrant warm steam that gently caresses my chin, cheeks and forehead. In my meditative state, I decode the perfumes of sesame, earthy sprouts, sharp green onions and rich chili that stretches to the back of my cheeks, watering my mouth. Embarrassed, I open one eye to look across the table at my friend, now fully engaged in the same trance-like state as my own.

“Hey,” I say, waking her from her dewy trance. “Let’s eat!”

Sports: Hog Ball is Here!

Top returnees, new coach and impact transfers build excitement for Hog hoops

Six of the top seven scorers are back for the Arkansas men’s basketball team, which is reason for excitement in itself, but with changes on the bench and to the roster, fans are eagerly anticipating the 2019-20 campaign.

Eric Musselman takes over as head coach following four tremendous seasons at the University of Nevada and 14 years in various professional ranks.