Through the Minority-and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE), Arkansas certified 33 businesses as minority and women owned enterprises last year. 3 of those businesses are in Northwest Arkansas. 

• Girl boss: The NWA businesses certified last year are Orchid Communications in Fayetteville, The Event Group—Catering Division in Fayetteville, and Whitney S. Consulting in Bentonville. All 3 businesses were certified for being woman owned, and as a part of the MWBE can receive a variety of support services offered by the state.
• Totals: On the cumulative lists of businesses for the MWBE Certification Program, 99 certified businesses are in Benton County and 85 in Washington County. 

Read the full Arkansas Inc story HERE. 

Three new artists were added to the JJ’s Live lineup, and tickets go on sale today at 10a. 

• Making music: Dashboard Confessional and Jimmy Eat World will co-headline on Saturday March 5 for the Surviving the Truth Tour, supporting the new Dashboard Confessional album. The third artist will be Sydney Sprague who will be the opener.
• Carrying sound: JJ's Live, a music venue in North Fayetteville continues to impress with their lineup of shows, caliber of artist, and variety of music.

You can checkout all of their upcoming shows HERE. 

 A local artist is a finalist in a national art project, and she could use your vote! 

• Art for love: The founder of LBC Studio Laura Coello is 1 of 3,000 artists who submitted a work of art as part of The American LOVE Project. The competition and project were created by 29 Pieces, a Dallas non-profit, who has plans to launch art exhibits across the country. 
• Top category: LBC Studio is located in downtown Rogers and focuses on graphic design, innovation and product development. Coello has created award winning designs and added vibrancy and creativity to downtown Rogers. Her submission is part of the top 12 in the adult category. 

You can view the submissions HERE. 

Happy Friday! It's time again to start thinking about your plans for the weekend. Here are some ideas:

• Flip and twist: Arkansas Gymbacks are set to compete in Bud Walton Arena for the first time ever tonight.
• Live music: Several venues have live music this weekend with concerts at JJ's Live, Georges, and Bentonville Brewing.
• Run and jump: The Arkansas Invitational indoor track meet is this weekend in Fayetteville.
• Be the judge: The 8th annual Mix Cocktail competition is this weekend at Nomads in Fayetteville and you can signup to taste (+21).
• Grin and laugh: Settle in for some standup comedy at Bike Rack in Bentonville tonight.
• MLK Day: The U of A is hosting its 26th annual holiday celebration of MLK with a full weekend of events for the community to engage and participate.

Enjoy the long weekend, and we will see you Tuesday!