Oct. 12

s The Bella Vista Historical Museum will be hosting its annual Open House on Thursday, Oct. 12, from 4 to 7 p.m., with door prizes and refreshments available. The museum features exhibits covering the past 100-plus years of Bella Vista history, including a new exhibit on the work in Bella Vista of architect Fay Jones, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. There will also be a special temporary exhibit on World War I in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the U.S. entering that war. In addition, Jill Werner's popular homemade jams and fruit butters will be available in exchange for a donation to the museum. The museum is located on Highway 71 at the corner of Kingsland, next door to the American Legion. Normal operating hours are Wednesdays through Sundays, 1 to 5 p.m., with free admission. More information is available at www.bellavistamuseum.org.

Oct. 15

s Do you still have the heebie-jeebies from watching horror films? You may be a coimetrophobe. Coimetrophobia is the fear of cemeteries. On the other hand, you may be a taphophile like the upcoming speaker at Hobbs State Park, Abby Burnett. A taphophile visits cemeteries for fun, and like Abby they take an interest in cemeteries, tombstones, or the memory of past lives. In Abby's presentation she will show us gravestones that give us clues, and we will have to figure out how that person died. The event is at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, at Hobbs State Park located on Arkansas Highway 12 just east of the War Eagle Road intersection. There is no cost. For more information, call 479-789-5000.

Oct. 27

s The AARP SmartDriver Course teaches current traffic laws, defensive-driving techniques and how to operate a vehicle more safely. The course also teaches how to manage and accommodate common age-related changes in vision, hearing and reaction time. Course length is four hours and reservations are required. Cost to AARP members is $15 and for nonmembers $20. Class location on Oct. 27 is at Village Insurance, 2860 Bella Vista Way, Bella Vista. The class is from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Be sure to call 479-855-3076 for reservations.

Oct. 28

s Join Mother Nature as she introduces her many woodland friends at Hobbs State Park Conservation Area's "Living Forest" on Saturday, Oct. 28. Listen to each animal's story. They have a lot to tell us. These educational messages will be uncomplicated and easy for young children to understand. Teenagers and adults will learn too. Living Forest is for families with members of all ages. Costumed Northwest Arkansas Master Naturalists will be delivering the meaningful messages. Strollers and wagons are welcome as you meander along a wide, paved, barrier-free path. If you want to be like Mother Nature's animal friends, come in costume. Also experience crafts and free S'mores. Hobbs State Park visitor center is on Arkansas Highway 12 just east of the War Eagle Road intersection; Saturday Oct. 28 from 1 to 5 p.m.; Cost: Free and kids of all ages are invited to participate.

Nov. 10

s The U.S. Marine Corps 242nd Birthday Ball presented by Northwest Arkansas Marine Corps League will be held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, at the NWA Holiday Inn & Convention Center, 1500 S. 48th St., Springdale. Attire is banquet appropriate. Doors open at 5 p.m. and a cash bar will be available. There will be social time, arrival photo, posting of the colors, dinner and speaker, USMC birthday ceremony, dance, and silent auction.

All active, veterans and civilians are welcome. Tickets are $45/person or $360/table (seating for 8). For more information and ticket registration form, please call Kenny Evans at 479-903-1825 or David Niemann at 479-531-5262; or visit the website at www.NWAMarine CorpsLeague.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Marine CorpsLeagueNWA.

Nov. 11

s Bella Vista Women's Chorus Veteran's Day Concert -- Veterans Day, Nov. 11, "Veteran's Day Musical Salute." Joined by the Bella Vista Men's Chorus, Perfect Harmony and the Bentonville High School Chamber Choir, we will honor our Veterans in song. We will perform at the Bella Vista Community Church on Nov. 11, at 3 p.m. This concert is a fundraiser for the National Cemetery in Fayetteville and the Veterans Wall of Honor in Bella Vista. Please join us as we sing to support our veterans.

Nov. 14

s Take the AARP SmartDriver Course and you could reduce your overall maintenance and car insurance costs. The course teaches current traffic laws, defensive-driving techniques and how to operate a vehicle more safely in today's increasingly challenging driving environment. The course also teaches how to manage and accommodate common age-related changes in vision, hearing and reaction time. Course length is four hours and reservations are required. Cost to AARP members is $15 and for nonmembers $20. Class location on Nov. 14 is at Village Insurance, 2860 Bella Vista Way, Bella Vista. The class is from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Be sure to call 479-855-3076 for reservations.

Through 2017

s Every second Saturday of the month Mother Nature drops in at Hobbs State Park's visitor center to tell timely stories to her little human friends. Readings begin at 10:30 a.m. Story time will be followed by hands-on nature-craft activities. Humans of all ages are welcome, however most stories target those 3-6 years of age. Mother Nature's readings at Hobbs State Park for the rest of 2017 (She said that we all should put this list on our refrigerators so we don't forget to visit her) are: Saturday, Oct. 14, Bats - Not Really Scary; Saturday, Nov. 11, Stories the Osage Nation Tells; Saturday, Dec. 9, Squirrels - Busy All Year-Round. Meet Mother Nature in the lobby of the Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area Visitor Center located on Arkansas Highway 12 just east of the intersection with War Eagle Road. There is no cost. For more information, call 479-789-5000.