The Weekly Vista

News

$25 million grant to finish Bella Vista bypass FAYETTEVILLE -- Christmas came early for the region Thursday in the form of a federal grant to complete the long awaited Bella Vista Bypass. by Ron Wood

Community Committee collects coats The old pro shop for the Country Club golf course became a temporary coat warehouse last week when the POA's Community Involvement Committee sorted the results of their second annual coat drive. Hundreds of coats, ranging from brand new toddler-sized snowsuits to well loved men's leather jackets filled the former showroom. Members of the committee, including their board liaisons and some POA staff members, dived in. by Lynn Atkins

Water bills givenotice of water issues Some Bella Vista water customers found bad news with their water bills this month. A letter with the heading "Public Notice" went out with the bills. by Lynn Atkins

EPA releases update on Trafalgar Road Fire The City of Bella Vista released an update by the EPA on the Trafalgar Road Fire (stump dump) on Dec. 6. None of EPA's air samples showed elevated concentrations of chemicals of concern in the community. In support of ADEQ, EPA collected 24-hour air samples from 5 locations in the community around the Brown Tree Service property on Oct. 1 and Nov. 10. EPA tested for hundreds of chemicals associated with landfill fires potentially containing construction debris, household waste or tires. by Staff Report

City council discusses trail tunnel contract The Bella Vista City Council discussed a $3,263,961.90 contract to build tunnels for the in-progress 11 Under trail system. by Keith Bryant

December concert slated at Artist Retreat Center Staff Report by Staff Report

Hobbs State Park Beaver Lake eagle watch cruises by Staff Reports

CPA firm grows After 22 years in business, a Bella Vista firm is growing. Paul Byrd, CPA, is about to become Byrd and Massey, CPA. by Lynn Atkins

Sports and Recreation

Scoreboard Thursday Morning Mixed 2018-19 by Staff Reports

Trail race returns for third year Bike tires and shoe soles ground autumn leaves into a fine mulch as runners and riders from all over the country tackled Bella Vista's trails. by Keith Bryant

Counting birdsfor Christmas Although it started at the turn of the century, Bella Vista is just now joining a Christmas tradition that was introduced by conservationists all those years ago. This year will be the first Bentonville-Bella Vista Christmas Bird Count. by Lynn Atkins

Branchwood calling for disc golfers Now that Bella Vista has its own disc golf course at the Branchwood Recreation Center, two residents are busy forming leagues to play there. Richard and Valerie Frazier are ready to introduce anyone who is interested to disc golf. by Lynn Atkins

Builders making progress on 11 Under trails Down in the ravines and hollers, crews are hard at work carving out Bella Vista's newest trails. by Keith Bryant

Trail race returning this weekend Bella Vista's trails are expected to be packed with riders and runners this weekend when the annual Back 40 Run and Ride returns. by Keith Bryant

Hobbs State Park -- Conservation Center Events Beaver Lake eagle watch cruises by Staff Reports

Opinion

Do you have a plastic Jesus? Decades ago, I was a young preacher driving along the Florida coast late at night. I was returning from ministering at a friend's church. I clicked on the radio to keep myself awake and happened to catch a distant preacher. He was offering a giveaway to anyone who would send a donation. His gift for donors was a plastic statue of Jesus that you could mount on the dashboard of your car. I remember him saying, "Get your plastic Jesus today!" by Ron Wood

There really is a God Like millions of people in the United States and around the world, I watched enthralled as the funeral service unfolded in the Washington National Cathedral for President H. W. Bush, our 41st president. by Chaplain Robert A. Box

Petticoats aplenty in House chamber, first bro-sis to serve Leave it to the ruling family dynasty to set another legislative historical mark in Arkansas history. by Maylon T. Rice Columnist

All in this together All in this together by Steven Bourke Bella Vista

My Christmas wishes It's the most blatantly materialistic time of the year! Christmas is the season we look back and remember all the things we hoped for last year but didn't get. Christmas is the season of hope, after all. I am all for the receiving of gifts, eating of candy, cookies and rich meals, but we should take a moment from the hustle and bustle to focus on the truly important aspects of this holiday. With that in mind, here are some of the wishes on my Christmas list. by Devin Houston Write On

December offers interesting sky Ah -- December, the end of the year! December is often a pretty wet and/or snowy month and this might make sky gazing a real challenge. I am sure there will be the occasional clear night, a good thing for skywatchers who can become "star-starved" in the winter. Speaking of winter, the winter solstice occurs on Dec. 21 at 5:23 EST. If there are a few clear nights, December is crammed with interesting things in the sky and will repay observation. by David Cater Star Gazing

The Clouseau Effect One of the problems with aging, at least in my family, is the increased likelihood of clumsiness when it comes to doing typically mundane chores. My dad tended towards a high degree of accidents during do-it-yourself projects, so much so that we referred to him as having "Inspector Clouseau Syndrome." Clouseau, for those under the age of 30, is the main character of the Pink Panther movies. Peter Sellers was the original actor in Blake Edward's madcap film series. Inspector Clouseau was clumsy and inept at just about anything he attempted, but always came out the winner in the end. We affectionally referred to my dad as "Clouseau" whenever he encountered mishaps during his endeavors to be Mr. Fixit. by Devin Houston Write On

Ethnic cleansing? What is meant by "ethnic cleansing"? According to Google, it is "the mass expulsion or killing of members of an unwanted ethnic or religious group in a society." by Chaplain Robert A. Box

Religion

Why do we celebrate Christmas? What is it really all about? The word "Christmas" comes from "Christ Mass," the name of a special worship service held in churches around the world to celebrate the birth of Christ Jesus, the Messiah and Savior. by Randy Moll

Church News First United Methodist Church of Bella Vista by Staff Reports

What does generous mean? I read a story about a conversation between a mother and her 7-year-old daughter. They were watching television when one of the characters described another character as being generous. by Fr. Ken Parks Columnist

Church News Unitarian Universalists by Staff Reports