“The world’s best female golfers will be playing and anyone interested in seeing these players and a first-class tournament experience from behind the scenes are encouraged to volunteer,” said Tournament Director David Shoemaker. “Every year our tournament receives high praise from the Tour and it goes without saying this couldn’t be done without our volunteers, many of whom come back year after because of the enjoyable experiences they’ve had.”

The volunteer fee is $45 and includes two Callaway Golf shirts and headwear featuring the tournament logos, a volunteer badge valid for week-long tournament access and parking, four weekly grounds tickets for guests of the volunteer’s choice, an invitation to the annual volunteer appreciation party, and meals and beverages during assigned shifts. Employees from Walmart and P&G, as well as Pinnacle Country Club members are eligible for a discounted registration fee with the supplied promotional code from their respective employer or club.

In addition to the benefits of volunteering, those who register now can receive an exclusive discount from Callaway Golf of 20% off their entire purchase at CallawayGolf.com.

Tickets are on sale at www.nwachampionship.com, or by calling (479) 715-6100. Daily tickets are $25, valid any one day, Friday, June 29 – Sunday, July 1.  Weekly grounds passes, valid all week, can be purchased for $50. Admission is free to the public Monday, June 25 – Thursday, June 28. Children 17 years old and younger are admitted free with a ticketed adult.

• For more tournament information visit www.nwachampionship.com,
• Facebook.com/NWAChampionship
• Twitter @NWAChampionship

Over the past three years, Greek Life at the University of Arkansas has seen huge growth in Panhellenic sorority recruitment.  This has led to an increase in pledge class numbers by approximately 30% each year.  In preparation for future growth, the U of A Panhellenic Council has recently approved the re-colonization of two sororities on campus starting the fall of this year: Alpha Chi Omega and Phi Mu.

The Gamma Nu Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma, the largest Kappa chapter in the country, is taking a pioneering step in the U of A Greek Community by completely renovating the house located at 800 West Maple Street.  The current house, constructed in 1965, was built to house 75 women.  Over 40 years later, that same house serves an active chapter of 353.  Members are forced to have chapter meetings and other house-wide events in large classrooms and off campus venues.  Extensive research was conducted by the Gamma Nu House Board to determine how to find solutions for a chapter that has outgrown its aging and outdated house. The first step was purchasing the lot behind the chapter house in anticipation of the much-needed expansion.

The total estimated cost of the renovation is $7 million.  This will enable the chapter to incorporate state-of-the-art-systems throughout the house and increase the overall size by 10,000 square feet, allowing for significantly larger meeting, study and living areas. The new total square footage for the Gamma Nu house will be 41,000.  However, the landmark Greek Revival structure will retain its charm while adding essential new space.  The House Board has hired Tom Walker of Retail Realty Group, St. Louis, Mo., to serve as project manager. Currently, he is working with Eric Nielson Architects, Brinkmann Contractors, the city of Fayetteville, and others to finalize plans, complete preliminary procedures and secure permits for construction.

Bank financing has been secured for $4 million of the project cost with the remaining $3 million to be funded by generous donations provided by alumnae, friends, and family of the sorority.  At last count, only $500,000 remains to be raised by the fundraising committee through the “Our Legacy, Our Future” campaign.

Construction will begin immediately after graduation in May of this year with an expected completion date of August 2013. The House Board has worked with university housing officials to find alternative housing options for Gamma Nu members during the year of construction.  During the 2012 – 2013 school year, any chapter members who choose to do so, will have the option to live as a group in one building of The Grove, a brand new apartment complex in Fayetteville.

The Grand Prize for the fisherman who brings home the biggest string of bass is a Tracker.

Boats ProTeam 175 Aluminum Bass Boat, Mercury 60-hp Motor and Tracker Trailstar trailer provided by Tracker Boats and Bradford Marine.  The prize structure also includes prizes for 2^nd through 25^th, and a 50^th place finish.  Over $1,000 in merchandise will be given away in random drawings of all contestants.  Participants may also pick up a Special Prize Registration Form at any Bradford Marine location to enter the Special Prize Drawing for a $1,000 Bass Pro Shop Gift Card (must be registered for the Tournament and present to win it).  Prizes are awarded immediately following Tournament weigh-in.

The Buddy Bass Tournament also features three divisions to allow any size business, club or organization to form a team and participate.  Pre-registration is required before April 30 to compete in the divisions.  A trophy will be awarded to winners of each division.

Kids ages 4 -15 are invited to enter the free 2^nd Annual Buddy Bass Fishing Event on May 12 at the Prairie Creek Pavilion.  A fishing license is not required.. Fishing will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 1:00 p.m. Lunch is provided free to all youth participants and free t-shirts given out to the first 50.  Prizes are awarded immediately following the Tournament weigh-in.

The official weigh-in will be conducted at the Prairie Creek Park Pavilion near Prairie Creek Marina starting at 2 p.m.  The public is invited to join in for a fun day on Beaver Lake.

For more information about the event and registration visit www.RogersLowell.com.

2012 Big Brother and Sister of the Year, Edosa Aibangbee and Amanda Pearrow

Each year Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas recognizes two mentors who have shown exceptional service to the agency and to their mentee. This year, the organization is proud to recognize Edosa Aibangbee and Amanda Pearrow.  Both are volunteers who have dedicated their time to support their Littles and ensure they are on a positive path in life.  Both recipients were honored at our March board meeting and will be recognized again at our Celebrate Little Moments event on May 15^th.

Community-based mentoring is the traditional Big Brothers Big Sisters program and is open to anyone over the age of 18 who is able to make a one year commitment to meeting with a child for a minimum of 4 hours per month.  Children are matched in one-to-one relationships with volunteer mentors approved for our program.  The volunteers take time out of their busy lives to spend with a child, showing them that they truly matter and work to change their lives for the better, forever!

“We stand by the fact that putting a caring adult in a child’s life has a positive impact.  Children matched in our program are more likely to attend college and engage socially in their community”, says Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas Development Director, Brittney Gulley.  “This amazing impact on our community is reached in part by outstanding mentors such as our Bigs of the Year.”

Bigs of the Year

The 2012 Big Brother and Sister of the Year are Edosa Aibangbee and Amanda Pearrow.

Edosa lives in Rogers with his wife Jolana and works at JB Hunt.  Edosa and his Little Brother, Sir, were matched almost two and a half years ago.  Since then, Edosa has done a wonderful job of being a friend and mentor.  They have done a variety of activities, such as: attending Razorback football and basketball games, going to the zoo and attending a major league hockey game.  They are both competitive and enjoy watching and playing sports together.  Edosa has led an interesting life and has experienced a lot of challenges along the way.  He has not let any of that be an excuse for not working hard and achieving his goals.  He has been able to relay many of his experiences to Sir and that has encouraged Sir to work hard in school.  Sir sees that working hard and making good choices in life can be very rewarding.  Edosa has a good relationship with his wife and Sir gets to see what a mature, healthy relationship between a husband and wife looks like.  Edosa is a great example of a committed Big Brother who is positively impacting his Little and that is why we choose him as our 2012 Big Brother of the Year.

Amanda is married to Chase and works in the Corporate Accounting Department at Tyson.  Amanda met her Little Sister, Gaylene, in 2008.  Amanda has gotten Gaylene involved with the Tyson Foods Bowl for Kids’ Sake event and they have attended many of the Big Brothers Big Sisters match activities.  For each of the past four years, Amanda and Gaylene have done a project to commemorate their year together.  Their creations include a scrapbook, picture collage, and journal and most recently they are in the process of making a memory quilt.  Amanda is very humble regarding her impact on Gaylene.  She talks about how smart and driven Gaylene is, taking little to no credit for her Little’s growth into a mature young woman.  The enjoy attending sporting events, going to the movies, eating ice cream, sipping Starbucks and just hanging out.  Amanda’s commitment to our program and the quality of her relationship with Gaylene is what led us to choose her as the 2012 Big Sister of the Year.

Want to be a part of something big? Contact Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas at 479.966.4366 or visit www.bbbsnwa.org for additional information.

Since releasing his debut album, “I’ll Stay Me,” in 2007, Luke Bryan has had a steady presence on the country charts. Over the years, he’s had seven songs in the Billboard Country Chart’s top 10, three of which hit number one.

Bryan grew up as a regular kid with a normal life in Leesburg, Georgia. As a teenager, he had an interest in music, but was perfectly content working with his father at his peanut and fertilizer business. At age 14, he got his first guitar and eventually started writing songs and performing locally. Over the next couple of years, his love of music really picked up, and Bryan had decided to move to Nashville after graduating high school and pursue a career in the music business.

His dreams were temporarily crushed when his older brother, and biggest fan, Chris, was killed in a car accident. Bryan was so devastated by the tragedy that he completely changed his plans and decided that he no longer wanted to move to Nashville. He ultimately decided to stay in Georgia and work for his father.

But his family wasn’t giving up on him that easily. After being heavily pressured by his father, he finally made the move to Tennessee in 2001. He was only in Nashville for two months when he became a signed artist, and the rest is history.

For more information about this concert, contact the Walton Arts Center Box Office by calling 479.443.5600 or visitwww.arkansasmusicpavilion.com.  For more information about Luke Bryan, please visit www.lukebryan.com.

Public Garden Days celebrates its third year on Friday, May 4 with a weekend filled with events,  all designed to create awareness about the important role public gardens play in promoting environmental stewardship and awareness, plant and water conservation, and education.  The Peel Compton Foundation added a second day on a Saturday so that families could learn together more about gardens and those in their own community; namely, Compton Gardens and its trail system.

Both days give more opportunity to learn about the beauty and unique features of the Ozark native habitat that makes up Compton Gardens.  Dr. Donald C. Steinkraus will kick off the two –day event with a free lecture to the public on Friday, May 4 at 11:30 in the Compton Conference Center.  The theme of her talk will be “ Let Your Garden Bee Merry,” where he will discuss in greater detail the critical role that honey bees play in propagating our gardens and agricultural crops.  Attendees are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch and enjoy the surroundings.

Dr. Donald C. Steinkraus is a professor of entomology at the University of Arkansas.  He has won Excellence in IPM awards at both the national and regional levels.  Dr. Steinkraus is active in the Arkansas State Beekeepers Meeting as well as involvement in regional beekeeper meetings.  As to insects, he helped initiated and directed the Insect Festival of Arkansas for a number of years.

One of the most eagerly anticipated events under the leadership of the Compton Gardens staff is the “Preview Plant Sale” on Friday, May 4 from 1-3 p.m.  This sale on May 4 is open only to foundation volunteers and donors.  The excitement surrounding this plant sale is that it features only native Ozark plants, many of which were grown on site and unavailable in commercial nurseries.  For those wishing to view available plant offerings, go to www.peelcompton.org/plantsale and budget accordingly.

The public will have its chance the next day on Saturday, May 5 to purchase unique plants as the sale will open at 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. in front the Compton Conference Center.  For those later rising folks, there will be stations featuring educational venues for children beginning at 10 a.m. and ending at 1 p.m.  Dawn Denton has just published her third book for children, Betzy the Bumblebee, and will be reading aloud to children at those times in the Meadow.  Crystal Bridges of Museum of American Art will be helping children incorporate art and the importance of honey bees at three different stations in Compton Gardens during that same period of time.

With strong support from local sponsors Arvest, Mitchell Williams Law Firm, and Wal-Mart Visitors Center, the Gardens Uncorked! unveils some new twists to this popular wine-tasting event that celebrates the best of nature.  EJ Gallo Distributors will be working in concert with the caterer to pair appropriate wines with the food that will be featured at stations along the trails and in the Center. In addition to this paired menu, Daily Harvest Farms will be providing locally grown herbs to add that special “zest” to the dishes being served.  A couple of tantalizing dishes may be the desserts featuring “real” chocolate mint and a mojito mint.  Even the punch will highlight lemon balm.  For those unfamiliar with the Compton Trails system, optional tours will be available at 7 and 7:30.

Revisit or tour our serene gardens and trails as spring works its magic and sample fine wines at your leisure.  Later, toast the evening with champagne and an array of elegant post-dinner treats in the Conference Center.  All funds raised will support our educational programs under the direction of The Peel Compton Foundation.  Last year’s event sold out so attendance is limited. Reserve your space by paying on-line : www.peelcompton.org/gardens uncorked or call 479.254.3870 for more information.  No tickets will be issued for the event.   Registration will be 7 – 8 p.m. in the area in front of the Conference Center.

School of Rock will host an official Celebration Grand Opening Weekend Concert Tour on April 20^th thru April 22^nd.  They believe the best way to understand how the program works is to see their kids in action so they have invited some of their most advanced students from our Dallas/Fort Worth area locations to rock our town with a series of concerts throughout the Northwest Arkansas area.  School of Rock Dallas’ advanced students will perform free concerts on Friday, April 20^th at the Promenade Mall from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. and will be performing at RazorFest at Razor Stadium on Saturday, April 21^st from 10:00-2:00 p.m.  The tour will culminate with a Benefit Concert and Barbeque on Saturday, April 21^tst, 2012 from 6:00PM-8:00PM at the newest location in Rogers.  The celebration will feature a concert, food, tours, and opportunity to win prizes with all proceeds benefitting Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter.

The celebratory weekend will include two days of Open House parties that will feature tours of the newly designed school which will allow for parents and kids to meet the teachers and staff, jam on the new equipment in the lesson and rehearsal rooms, and take advantage of enrollment specials on Saturday, April 21^st from 10:00 – 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 22^nd from 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.

At School of Rock, your child learns faster and stays with it longer because they play with their peers in a band, and frequently perform in real Rock Concerts on stages in real venues!!  This is done through their performance-based program which is becoming one of the most popular and best ways to enhance your child’s musical journey and inspire them to want to learn and excel in music.  It features weekly lessons and weekly group rehearsals with their peers while the students gear up for live shows every four months.  Our tried and true method is perfect for beginners to advanced children, and their method will give them confidence and provide a social atmosphere that is sure to make them want to continue to grow their musical skills and develop a hunger to learn music.  All genres of Rock will rule at the School of Rock Bentonville/Rogers, just as it does at the 80+ branches that have sprouted across the country. Students at every school learn to play some of the most intricate rock music with a keen focus on performing the music before live audiences in actual concert venues.