How can you tell if the train came through? Because it left its tracks! Anywho, the Railyard Park in Downtown Rogers will be opening to the public just in time to catch the full season of outdoor entertainment and shopping. There is a variety of amenities being added, here are a few....

• Frisco Plaza: Located at the corner of Walnut and 1st Street, Frisco Plaza will be the new home to the Downtown Rogers Farmer's Market.

• Butterfield Stage: Just across the street from Frisco Plaza, Butterfield Stage is a beautiful outdoor pavilion that can accommodate and host a wide ranges of events. The City of Rogers has plans to program the space from April-October each year.

• Play Yard: The Railyard's new "Play Yard" features whimsical structures to keep the ankle biters (kiddos) at bay. Standing in the middle of the Play Yard is the Water Stop, which is a splash pad area. Artists Octavio Logo, Mantra, and Lakwena were selected by the Rogers Public Art Commission to produce original artworks for the beautiful designs you see on the water towers now.

Want to see more? Read the full statement HERE.

Fayetteville based startup, Ozark Integrated Circuits, has won the second stage of the American-Made Geothermal Manufacturing Prize, and it's not the first time a Fayetteville-based company has done so.

• The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced Ozark IC won the second stage of the Geothermal Manufacturing Prize, which aims to encourage innovation addressing challenges inherent to harsh geothermal conditions.

• The company’s mission is to bring the internet of things (IoT) to the edge of extreme environments and create solutions with an emphasis on extreme environment applications, such as those experienced in energy, exploration, aerospace, space exploration and industrial controls industries, said CEO and founder Matt Francis.

Read the full story HERE.

Northwest Arkansas is truly becoming the most generous community in America. Today (4/8), the NWA Gives event is officially live with nearly 300 nonprofits under its wing.

• How it works: The 12-hour event raises thousands of dollars for participating local nonprofits. During the event, cash prizes will be given away hourly, along with pre-event and social media prizes.

• Last year, the event raised a total of $525,671, benefitting 202 nonprofits with the help of 2,457 donors. A few of our favorite's include:
• The Salvation Army of Northwest Arkansas
• Tri Cycle Farms in Fayetteville
• Arts Center of the Ozarks
• Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter
• BikeNWA

To search more participating nonprofits, check in on the leaderboard, donate and more, visit HERE.

After closing in late 2019, JBGB is scheduled to reopen and rebrand as JJ's LIVE, with construction set to be completed this fall.

• The COVID-19 pandemic threw a wrench in the restaurant's plans, derailing construction for more than a year. Recently, management announced construction will soon begin to enclose an outdoor space for live music.

• “As we near the light at the end of the tunnel, we are excited to announce that we are rebranding JBGB as JJ’s LIVE... In our heart, we are still JJ’s. It’s the great food, great service, great atmosphere, and live music that got us here," said owner Jody Thornton.

• In addition to the enclosed entertainment area, Thornton said the expanded restaurant will include a larger live music lineup of local, regional, and national touring acts year round, along with other additions including TVs for watching sporting events, a Pickelball Court, a Duck Pin Bowling area, and other amenities. -Fayetteville Flyer

Read the full article HERE.

Almost a decade after opening its doors, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art has revealed plans for a major expansion that will increase the size of the current facilities by 50 percent.

• Old flame: Safdie Architects completed the original design for the museum and has returned to create a seamlessly integrated expansion that resonates with the existing pavilions and outdoor spaces. New structures will house additional galleries, educational facilities, event spaces, a café, and new indoor and outdoor gathering spaces.

• Quote: “It’s wonderful to see how our community, our region, and travelers to Bentonville from across the nation and around the world have embraced Crystal Bridges, and enjoyed the experience of being surrounded by art, nestled in nature, and immersed in Moshe Safdie’s architecture,” said Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges founder and board chairperson.

• Timeline: The project is currently in the design development phase. Construction will commence in early 2022 with the goal of completing construction in 2024. As a precursor to the expansion, a reconfigured main lobby and courtyard, also designed by Safdie Architects, will be completed in May 2021.

Read the full statement HERE.