Startup Junkies is hosting the next Startup Stories at Boulders & Brews on Friday, Apr 28, from 5:30-7:30p, highlighting the innovative founders behind Fayetteville's coolest new climbing gym, coffee shop, and fitness space.

• Climbing community: As the first climbing gym-coffee shop hybrid in Arkansas, Boulders & Brews is a premier indoor rock climbing facility that embodies the climbing atmosphere with an inclusive environment for new climbers to enjoy their 3000-sq-ft of climbable wall space, cafe, and weight training room.
• Start the climb: Startup Stories bring together the entrepreneurial community to foster connection and learn from the inspiring founders of the area. Whether you're a climber, coffee drinker, or just interested in the bourgeoning outdoor recreation culture of Northwest Arkansas, you won't want to miss it.

Attendees are welcome to purchase a day pass to climb during the event. Reserve your spot HERE.

The sun'll come up this weekend at Walton Arts Center as the fan favorite Annie takes the stage for Walton Arts Center's next show in the Family Fun Series on May 5-7.

• Hard knock life: A heartwarming story of an orphan's search for family and the friendships that form along the way, Annie is a celebration of family and a testament to the power of maintaining hope through life's hard knocks.
• Family fun: Walton Arts Center's Family Fun Series is the perfect way to help kids fall in love with the performing arts. Recommended for kids 5+, the series has even more in store with Madagascar the Musical coming Jun 2-3.

Tickets for Annie start at $29. Get yours HERE.

The Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission has been presented with traffic management plans and strategies from consulting firm Cambridge Systematics to manage congestion and increase road safety across the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers metro area.

• Due for an update: The initiatives presented focus on operational improvements to the existing infrastructure before building new roads, which should be faster and more affordable. The Regional Board hasn't updated its intelligent transportation plan since 2007.
• Looking ahead: Rather than continuing to play catch up, these initiatives aim to make forward-thinking, lasting improvements that can sustain the growing population of NWA, projected to approach 1m by 2045, by coordinating city transportation plans rather than leaving each city to plan on its own.

Read more on the story HERE.

Team Luke, a Northwest Arkansas triathlon team centered around differently-abled athlete Luke Willyard, is preparing to take on the challenge of the IRONMAN 70.3 in Chattanooga on May 21.

• Vision of inclusion: Luke, Carrie, Greg, and other teammates have participated in over 40 races, competing to raise awareness about inclusion and to show that differently-abled individuals can participate in triathlons.
• The road ahead: During the IRONMAN 70.3, or half-IRONMAN, the team will swim 1.2 miles in the water, bike 56 miles, and run 13.1 miles, pulling their team's namesake in a kayak through swimming portions and utilizing a bike attachment that transitions to a push stroller for the biking and running portions.

Join Team Luke and donate to their 2023 Fundracer for MS HERE.

It's National Library Week, and amidst the celebration of local libraries, Fayetteville Public Library will provide a chance to clear overdue fees and start fresh as part of its Amnesty Week, Apr 23-30.

• Fee forgiveness: Any overdue resources at home that are in good condition can be returned during Amnesty Week and have late fees forgiven. Any late fees on your account for previously returned items can also be waived by visiting the library in person, via email, or by phone.
• Beyond books: This year's Library Week theme is "There's more to the story," highlighting that libraries offer much more than books. For instance, FPL regularly hosts events and classes to empower the community and programs for job skills training through the Center for Innovation.

This Thursday is Take Action for Libraries Day. Show your appreciation for FPL by donating HERE.