An Invitation from Bella Vista Ward

You are invited to a Family picnic where guest speaker BERNIE SKOCH is going to speak and answer questions at Blowing Springs in Bella Vista. It’s on April 17th from 5:00 to 7:00pm. Hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, and drinks will be served. Bring a lawn chair. Bernie will be there at 5:00 to eat with us and discuss individually and then speak to the group at 6:00. We are trying to organize a activity for the kids.


Brief Background on Bernie...He is a member of the church in Fayetteville.

He and Debbie, his wife of 38 years, have six children and nine grandchildren. They all are residing here in NW Arkansas. They live near Elkins and own a small business in Springdale called Debbie’s Beehive LDS Bookstore.

Bernie retired as a Brigadier General from the Air Force after 29 years of dedicated service. And he also worked at the Pentagon for 12 years.

He represents Conservative views and has “Solutions” that can turn this country around. He is worth coming to listen to.

Reminder to VOTE on Tuesday, April 13th

Please remember to go and vote tomorrow on the school millage.   For more information, you can see http://www.bentonville.k12.ar.us/web/leadership/millage.asp

Here are a few questions and answers to help you make your decision:
Q The economy is in tough shape. Many families are struggling to pay bills. Why do we need a millage increase now?

A The need is great. We have more students at the K-4 level than we have seats available in grades 5-6; and we have more students in 5-6 than we have seats for in grades 7-8. Five buildings are already at or above capacity and our student enrollment figures continue to grow. If we do not address capacity issues now, our students will be forced to learn in overcrowded conditions.


Q What will the millage cost me?
A The monthly impact on a $100,000 home would be $6.

Q What is the growth record of Bentonville Public Schools?

A As one of the fastest growing school districts in the state, enrollment has nearly doubled in the past nine years, with more than 13,050 students currently attending Bentonville Public Schools. The District added 500+ students in each of the last two years. Online pre-enrollment for 2010/11 Kindergarten broke the District’s all time record with 880 students, a 19% increase over the 740 students enrolled online last year at this time.


The District currently has more students at the K-4 level than we have seats available in 5-6, and we have more students in 5-6 than we have seats for in 7-8.

Q What does the millage include?

A This millage funds a new K-4/5-6 school and a new 7-8 school. By housing K-4 and 5-6 under one roof, the District saves more than $6,000,000 in construction cost.


Other district-wide improvements include:
• Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system upgrades to all existing schools to improve the indoor air quality in the learning environment for students and teachers
• Exterior and interior repairs to Old High Middle School
• Improvements to Coleman Recreation Center
• Upgrades to theaters at Lincoln Junior High and Washington Junior High Schools
• PE room and classroom additions at Sugar Creek and Thomas Jefferson Elementary Schools
• Site improvements for the 235 acres within the Bentonville Growth Corridor west and northwest of Central Park Elementary
• Generates $420,000 annually in operational revenue.

However you feel about the issue, please go and vote.  EVERY vote counts.  Polls open from 7:30am - 7:30pm.  If you do not know your polling location, call the Benton County Clerk’s Office at 479-271-1013

Need Compost for Your Gardens?

City of Bentonville is having their annual spring giveaway on compost and wood mulch(non-composted) on April 20-24. Normally, they charge a fee so if you need some, this is a good time to get it. Here's a link to their website for more info. Feel free to pass this on to friends/wards.


http://www.bentonvillear.com/wastewater_compost.html

Happy Gardening,
Puan

Ladies Night Out

OK, ladies, anyone want to go to the John Q Hammons center tonight? They are hosting the Taste of Home Cooking School. Their website says it's $10, but Marty said he heard the radio say it was $15 at the door. Either way, not too bad. You get a goodie bag and cookbook for that. They have booths open at 4:30 and the cooking demonstrations start at 7.

Here's their website with a little more information:
http://www.tasteofhome.com/Cooking-Schools/Find-a-Class/Show-Detail/AR/Rogers/3558


What do you think?
 
~De Anne Christoffersen

Spring Break activities at the Jones Center

Here's a link for info about some fun, FREE activities that are going on at the Jones Center in Springdale the week of Spring Break.


http://www.jonesnet.org/programs/RegionalEvents/springbreakweek/springBreakWeek.html

Financial Peace University

For those of you who know and like Dave Ramsey, you might be interested in the following:

Free Lesson Registration


This lesson is totally free—no strings attached! It’s our gift to your community during this tough economy. The lesson will consist of Dave teaching his steps to get out of debt, build wealth, and save for the future. These principles apply to everyone—whether wealthy or struggling in debt.


We expect seats to fill up quickly, so we are still adding host locations to make sure everyone can find a class to attend. The free lessons will be held the week of April 5th - 12th. After registration, we will send you an email with a list of locations hosting the free lesson in your area. Then, you can choose where you would like to attend!

Check out http://www.daveramsey.com/fpu/free-lesson/ictid/fpuhf2/ for more information.  I have no idea where our location would be, but maybe if enough sign up around here, it would be somewhere close by...

Bernie Skoch Luncheon

Retired Air Force Brigadier General
U.S. Congress Candidate

Discussing, "America -- Reasons for Optimism"

Vision: Growing moral and ethical leadership in NWA
Date: Friday, March 12th
Time: 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM
Location: Arvest Conference Center - The back room of the Arvest Bank on Bentonville Square, 201 NE A ST, Bentonville

Cost: $6 for NWABYUMS members, $10 for non-members *Catered lunch included

Who can join: Business professionals and spouses who want to support the vision of the NWABYU Management Society *BYU affiliation not required for membership

Dues: $20 Annually

Announcement: Advanced tickets available for sale a this event for the NWABYU Management Society screening of "How To Train Your Dragon" movie in 3D on March 27th at the Pinnacle Malco Theaters. Tickets are $4 for members and $6 for non members.

Contact: Brady Blake, Chapter President (479)256-0383 or brady.blake@wal-mart.com

Sponsored by the Northwest Arkansas BYU Management Society

Thanks,
Chris Benefield

Consignment Sale this weekend

There is a huge children's consignment sale event this weekend. This sale is HUGE! This is my third year to shop and my second year as a consigner, and I always find a ton of stuff and some really good deals. It is located at the John Q Hammons Center at the Embassy Suites in Rogers. The sale dates and times are:


Thursday, March 4th
9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Friday, March 5th 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Half price sale (when you will find really, really good deals):
Saturday, March 6th 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM

They offer a special early shopping time for mom's-to-be on Wednesday night from 6:00-10:00 pm. If you are expecting and want to shop early, you need to print out a pass from their website, nwa.rhealana.com

The sale is really well organized, but I recommend leaving your children at home if at all possible.

Aubrey Patterson

Bentonville Youth Baseball, final sign-ups for Spring 2010

Deadline for registering your child is March 2nd

We are offering one more in-person registration:  THIS SATURDAY (2/27/10) at  George Nunnally Chevrolet from 9:00am – 1:00pm, 1001 S Walton Blvd

Registration forms and more information can be found at the website below.

Online Registration is also available at http://www.bentonvillecalripken.org/ or http://www.bentonvillebaberuth.org/

Kindergarten Online Pre-Registration for 2010-2011 Begins on Monday 2/8

Parents of Kindergarten students residing in the Bentonville School District with a student five (5) years of age on or before August 15th, 2010 may begin online registration at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, February 8th through 3:00 p.m. Friday, February 19th, 2010.

* If your child attended a state accredited, quality approved Pre- Kindergarten facility for at least 100 days during both the 2008-09 and 2009-10 school years, and will turn five ( 5 ) years of age between August 15th and September 15th, 2010, they may be eligible for an exemption to attend Kindergarten during the 2010-11 school year, even though they don't meet the state age requirement for Kindergarten enrollment. Please contact the Bentonville Public Schools Director of Student Services at 254-5000 to inquire about this exemption. *

The online registration is a pre-registration only, and students will not be considered enrolled until parents provide the required information listed below to the student's assigned school. NOTE: Final Registration will be March 3rd, 4th and 5th, and parents will be required to bring the following information to the student's assigned school in order to formally complete the enrollment of their child.

To prepare for the enrollment process parents should begin collecting documents for proof of residency, secure the child's Social Security Card, obtain a copy of the child's birth certificate, and begin scheduling appointments for physical examinations and immunizations. All of these items are required and must be presented to the assigned Elementary School before the child is considered a fully enrolled Kindergarten student for the 2010-2011 school year:

1. * Proof of residency (one of the following will suffice):

• Current real-estate property tax receipt and a current utility bill showing parent's name and address
• Rent or lease agreement and a current utility bill showing parent's name and address
• Copies of current utility bills from two different utilities showing parent's name and address

* If the parent does not have one of the above listed items, they must come to the Administration Office at 500 Tiger Blvd. in Bentonville, with documented proof that they reside in the Bentonville School District. Based on the documents provided, the District Office will provide the necessary paperwork to complete the enrollment process.

2. A copy of the child's birth certificate

3. A copy of the child's Social Security Card

4. An up-to-date immunization record. The following immunizations are required:

• A minimum of four (4) doses of (DTaP/DTP/DT/Td/Tdap) with at least one dose administered on/after the child's 4th birthday.
• A minimum of three (3) doses of (OPV/IPV) with the last dose administered on/after the child's 4th birthday. (A child, who has received 4 or more doses of polio vaccine, does not have to receive a dose of polio vaccine after their 4th birthday.)
• Two (2) doses of (M/MR/MMR- Measles) with the first dose on/after the child's 1st birthday and the second dose at least 28 days after the first dose and prior to the child entering Kindergarten.
• Three (3) doses of Hepatitis B prior to the child entering Kindergarten.
• Two (2) doses of (Varicella-Chickenpox) with the first dose on/after the child's 1st birthday and the second dose at least 28 days after the first dose and prior to the child entering Kindergarten.

IMMUNIZATIONS LISTED ABOVE MUST BE COMPLETE BY AUGUST 1, 2010 FOR A CHILD TO BE ASSIGNED TO A KINDERGARTEN CLASS.

5. A current physical examination (within the last 24 months)

A CURRENT PHYSICAL EXAMINATION MUST BE ON FILE AT THE STUDENT'S SCHOOL BY AUGUST 1, 2010 FOR THE CHILD TO BE ASSIGNED TO A KINDERGARTEN CLASS.

Kindergarten sections in Non-Traditional schools are limited. Pre-registration for Non-Traditional schools does not guarantee a student a class placement in that school. If requests are greater than the number of seats available in the Non-Traditional school then a lottery will be used to assign students.

You can visit http://www.bentonville.k12.ar.us/web/news/?Id=1250 for complete information.

Fundraiser for Special Olympics Arkansas

“Freezin’ for a reason” Polar Bear Plunge – Feb. 13


Wanted: Brave souls to form or join a team that will “dare to bear” by taking the Polar Bear Plunge into Beaver Lake at noon on Saturday, Feb. 13.

The Polar Bear Plunge benefits Special Olympics Arkansas and is a celebration of life, creativity and fun. Costumes are encouraged and a costume contest will be held before the plunge.

Each plunger must collect a minimum of $50 to participate. Even if you can’t plunge, your monetary support would be greatly appreciated. Proceeds from the Polar Bear Plunge allow Special Olympics athletes to train and compete in a variety of sporting events free of charge. For more information about Special Olympics Arkansas, please go to http://www.specialolympicsarkansas.org/.

Baseball Sign-Ups

The Bentonville Youth Baseball has opened up Registration for theupcoming Spring Baseball league.

Here is the link for online registration: www.onlinesignup.org/byb or you can go to the following link for more information: http://www.bentonvillebaberuth.org/

Soccer registration is also coming up in a few weeks, so stay tuned for more details!

Looking Ahead to Kindergarten Enrollment

Parents of kindergarten students residing in the Bentonville School District with a student five (5) years of age on or by September 1, 2010**, may begin online pre-registration at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, February 8th thru 3:00 p.m. Friday, February 12, 2010. If you choose to waive kindergarten enrollment for the 2010-2011 school year, please complete and submit a Kindergarten Waiver.

**State law specifies that you may enroll your child for kindergarten, if your child is age(5) by September 1, 2010, however, House Bill 1098 allows for exemptions for students whose birthdays fall between September 2 and September 15, 2010. If your child meets the criteria for exemption please contact the Director of Student Services at the Bentonville Public School District Office, 500 Tiger Blvd. (479) 254-5000.

You can jot this date down now if you want, and I will try to remember to post a reminder as it gets closer.  For more complete information, you can check out the webiste at http://www.bentonville.k12.ar.us/web/parents/enrollment.asp, although right now it still has last years information.

American Diabetes Association"Kiss A Pig" Charity Gala

Attention Walmart Vendors/Suppliers: Corporate sponsorship tables available! Great opportunity to interact with key Walmart and community contacts while supporting a worthy cause. Contact Steve Hoyt for details.

Voted as the Best Charity Gala in Northwest Arkansas for the last three years, the American Diabetes Association and Glucerna proudly present this year’s theme – “The Fab Boar”. Join us as we ‘come together’ for an evening of entertainment, fine cuisine and live and silent auctions. Enjoy a far-out performance by BeatleMania Now and find your inner flower child while grooving on the dance floor. Hang loose as the community’s most talented leaders compete for the chance to kiss a pig to thank it for producing the first source of insulin for people with diabetes.

When/Where:  Saturday, February 27, 6pm to midnight
John Q. Hammons Convention Center, Rogers

Keynote Speaker: Sean Algaier
Contestant on The Biggest Loser Season 8

Emcees: Neile Jones & Matt Turner
KNWA Anchors

Tickets:
Individual - $150

Table and Corporate Sponsorships available

Event Information: www.diabetes.org/nwakissapig

All proceeds benefit the American Diabetes Association of Northwest Arkansas in our work to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all children and adults affected by type 1, type 2, gestational, and pre-diabetes. One in three people will develop diabetes during their lifetime and more than 23 million Americans are already affected.

Also seeking auction item donations and general contributions. Tickets/donations are tax deductible.

Please contact Steve Hoyt for details and/or to sign up: 479-657-7683 or steven.j.hoyt@abbott.com