Podcast host Randy Wilburn of I Am Northwest Arkansas interviewed Chef Nate Walls from Secondhand Smoke BBQ and Second Helping NWA. 

• Feeding the hungry: Walls, on top of making some of the best BBQ in the region, provides BBQ for those who need it. Secondhand Smoke BBQ began when the pandemic hit, and Nate wanted to make sure people around NWA had food to eat. 
• Community giving: Secondhand Smoke BBQ is Walls’ business and helps support the efforts of Second Helping NWA, which has taken center stage. There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer or donate to help provide food for the hungry in the community. 

Listen to the I Am Northwest Arkansas episode and find more resources HERE. 

Tyson Foods officials recently announced an event scheduled for this summer specifically for sustainability-focused entrepreneurs.

• Pitching ideas: Tyson officials are calling the event “Demo Day” since it will be a day where sustainability-focused entrepreneurs and new business operators can pitch, or demonstrate, ideas to improve sustainability in the food system. 
• Looking for new tech: Demo Day will be held virtually for selected startup companies on July 11. The deadline for startups to apply for the event is May 15. The goal of Demo Day is to uncover technologies for Tyson to invest in and implement as part of its sustainability practices. 

Read the full story HERE. 

After two years, the region’s favorite unofficial Harry Potter fan conversation is returning to Fayetteville! 

• A magical weekend: The Wizard Way of the Ozarks (formerly DiaCON Alley of the Ozarks) is back and set to be this coming weekend, full of entertainers, live creatures, and all things Harry Potter for your enjoyment. There will be a “merchant alley” of artisans displaying handcrafted, nerdy wares, a magical item scavenger hunt, wand dueling, a wizard-themed escape room, and so much more. 
• Logistics: The convention will be March 19-20 at the Fayetteville Town Center 10a-5p both days. Tickets start at $25 and proceeds above operating costs will be donated to Asbell Elementary. 

For more details and information, click HERE. 

The Razorbacks have given us quite a season on the basketball court, and the madness is yet to come. 

• Tournament’s end: The men’s Razorback basketball team dropped the SEC tournament semifinal to Texas A&M 82-64 on Saturday afternoon. Now we’re on to the opening round of the 2022 NCAA Championship. 
• And so it begins: The Hogs are the #4 seed in the West Region and will face the Vermont Catamounts, #13 seed in the region, on Thursday, March 17. The game will be in Buffalo’s KeyBank Center and televised on TNT. Tipoff is set for 8:20p CT. 

Join NWA Daily’s NCAA Championship Bracket Challenge! No prizes, just bragging rights, and a lot of fun! Woo Pig! 

Southern Living recently released its 2022 list of The South’s Best College Towns, and you guessed it, Fayetteville made the list. 

• Living & Learning: There are 20 college towns on the list, and Fayetteville is number 17. Southern Living readers voted towns as the best college towns nodding to their squares, food scenes, natural surroundings, and more. 
• U of A: Fayetteville was chosen as one of the best college towns firstly for its location in the hills of the Ozark Mountains. Dickson Street was mentioned, of course, being steps from campus and the most lively part of town, harboring places like George's Majestic Lounge, Arkansas’ longest-running club, and live music venue. 

See the full list of the South’s Best College Towns HERE.