Briefs

Donate blood and give more life Dec. 16-31

The best gifts can't be bought in a store. The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give more life by giving blood this December. During December, donations decline but the needs of patients remains steady. During the holiday season, set aside an hour to give the most important gift -- give blood and give more life. To encourage donations, all those who come to give blood or platelets Dec. 21, 2017, through Jan. 7, 2018, will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities include Siloam Springs at Eastgate Church of Christ, 1997 US-412 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18; and Bentonville at Walmart, 406 S. Walton Blvd., from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30.

1860 Elkhorn Tavern Christmas Dec. 16

Pea Ridge National Military Park will once again open the doors of Elkhorn Tavern to celebrate the Christmas holiday 1860 style. The public is invited to join the celebration and learn what Christmas may have been like in December 1860, the last Christmas before war changed the course of the country. The program will take place from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. For more information, please call 479-451-8122 ext. 1227. Pea Ridge National Military Park preserves and commemorates the March 7-8, 1862, battle that helped Union forces maintain physical and political control of the state of Missouri. Administered by the National Park Service, the 4,300-acre battlefield is located 10 miles north of Rogers, just off U.S. Highway 62.

Hobbs State Park Offers Eagle Watch Cruises through end of February 2018

Hobbs State Park Conservation Area offers eagle watch tours on Beaver Lake from November 2017 through February 2018. The remaining tours will take place on the following dates: December 16, 17, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30; January 1, 6, 7, 13**, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 27, 28; February 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25.

**A special tour on "How to Photograph Eagles" is being offered to adults who wish to know how to photograph eagles, from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

"We have always been lucky seeing eagles on our tours -- some mature, some immature -- and we always see other beautiful wildlife as well," said Rebekah Penny, park interpreter. "It could be migrating osprey, great blue herons, kingfishers, deer or red-tailed hawks. No one will ever be disappointed on our eagle tours. We can only take 20 guests at a time, so it's important that folks call the park in a timely manner to ensure that their names get on the boarding lists," she added.

Tickets must be purchased in advance: Adults -- $10 plus tax; Children 6-12 -- $5 plus tax. Tours depart Rocky Branch Marina promptly at 3 p.m. (except for the special tour on Jan. 13 which departs at 2 p.m.). For more information, call 479-789-5000.