FEATURES
Profile: Taylor Speegle
Feeding the Future
When Taylor Speegle talks about hunger, he doesn’t focus on numbers or charts. Instead, he talks about people — neighbors, children and seniors who often go unseen in one of the fastest-growing regions of the country. The last few months have certainly put organizations such as the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank in the spotlight. They are, without a doubt, filling a need and saving lives in our community.
Arts & Culture: Spend Winter Break Together at the Theater
Make this a holiday break to remember when you relive the magic of and introduce your family to The Music Man. This is a classic musical so “grand and glorious!...it will give you new life,” according to Variety.​
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Meredith Willson’s musical comedy, winner of six Tony Awards, follows traveling salesman Harold Hill as he cons the people of River City into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band that he vows to organize — despite the fact he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef. But will he get his heart stolen by Marian the librarian before he can skip town with the cash?
Arts & Culture: A Very SoNA Christmas
Symphony of Northwest Arkansas celebrate the holidays at Walton Arts Center
Audiences are invited to celebrate the most magical time of the year as the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas continues its 2025-26 season with two holiday concert programs in December: its annual Christmas performances, and the return of The Snowman, a beloved classic for children and families.
Arts & Culture: The Nutcracker Returns to Arend Arts Center
​​13th annual production is back onstage with a community cast of 192
The Nutcracker, presented by NWA Conservatory of Classical Ballet, returns to the Arend Arts Center stage Dec. 19 and 20 for the 13th annual production of the heartwarming classic set to the famed Tchaikovsky score. This performance is one of Northwest Arkansas’ most beloved holiday traditions.
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Arts & Culture: Grand Opening of Alexander Gallery at Porter Art Warehouse
Featuring the Our Art, Our Region, Our Time regional showcase
Walton Arts Center celebrated the grand opening of the Alexander Gallery at Porter Art Warehouse on Oct. 29.
Giving Back: Light the World Giving Machine to Return to Northwest Arkansas
Northwest Arkansas will welcome back the Light the World Giving Machine to the Bentonville Square this month. These famous “vending machines” collect donations for the items most needed by the eight participating local and global charities and will be open to the public Dec. 11 through Dec. 28, located at 201 NE A St. in Bentonville.
Eats & Drinks: Holiday Recipes to Savor This Season
This year, we enlisted the help of two iconic chefs from Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food in Bentonville. Travis McConnell of The Butcher’s Larder wrangled a beautiful, wine-braised beef shank, and Vince Pianalto from the baking program devised a couple of classic desserts with his stylized finesse.
The Butcher’s Larder specializes in a curriculum and retail space honoring the art and science of whole-animal butchery, meat cutting and artisanal charcuterie. It’s a special place, unlike any other in the region, as well as a fabulous resource for fresh and cured meats and accoutrements for the holidays.
Living Spaces: A-Frame Beaver Lake Retreat
Enjoy adventure or relaxation at this inviting Airbnb
What happens when a real estate professional and an architectural/real estate photographer decide they’re ready to invest in a vacation home they can list on Airbnb as well as use themselves? Stephen Smith and Chadwick Turner had been discussing it for a while and agreed that, most importantly, it needed to be a unique property. Additionally, it had to be close enough for them to manage on their own and easily accessible for quick getaways with their dogs.
