A Special Election Day is coming up in Washington County for the State Senate District 7. 

• Filling a seat: The election is a Republican Party Primary Runoff Election. The resignation of Arkansas State Senator Lance Eads for District 7 created a vacancy in the office. The official election day is Jan. 11, but early voting is open until Jan. 10, though not on Saturday or Sunday. 
• Casting: Only voters who have a Republican ballot and those who did not vote in the Primary Election can vote for one of the two candidates for the new senator. Voters can vote at the County Clerk’s Office, Suite 300 of the Washington County Courthouse. 

For more information, click HERE. 

Looking for some accountability to read this year? The Ozark Literacy Council Book Club (OLCBC) starts this month! 

• Reading together: The OLC did a pilot program in 2020, and is now ready to host this year’s OLCBC with the theme: Pig Tales: An Arkansas Series. There will be one book per quarter and special coordinated events along the way, like field trips. 
• Stories close to home: There is a suggested donation of $25 (otherwise it's free) to be in the club and is for anyone who loves books and Arkansas. The first book the club will read is David Mac’s When Money Grew on Trees. Members are responsible to buy their own books, and they get a 15% off discount at Pearl’s Books. 

To register and for more info, click HERE.

A Fayetteville entrepreneur recently launched a platform that allows hunters and fishermen and women to access guided outdoor adventures and day-use access to land across the U.S. 

• Get going: The startup is called American Hunt Inc. and was founded due to difficulty in finding affordable and satisfactory hunting spots. It runs through a website, connecting people to guides and hosts of private land for hunting, camping, off-roading, or simply exploring.
• Offers: The adventures listed on the website currently range from a $75 a day land lease to $9,500 for an alligator hunt with lodging and meals included. Locations and adventures are projected to be added in high quantities.

Read the Talk Business & Politics story HERE. 

Pickleball is growing in popularity and we’re seeing more and more places to play pop up around Northwest Arkansas. 

• On the court: Pickleball is a sport for people of all levels of athleticism. It can be easy to play and just requires a ball and paddle. A growing group is forming at the Fayetteville Boys and Girls Club, which hosts pickleball three times a week. 
• In and out: There are dozens of indoor and outdoor locations around NWA to play pickleball, you just have to pick the one most convenient for you! The Rogers Activity Center and the Springdale Recreation Center both have courts open for non-scheduled play. Most recreation centers charge a drop in fee. 

For more information, click HERE. 

A local nonprofit that specializes in equine assisted therapy plans to expand on land donated by the J.B. and Johnelle Hunt family. 

• Changing hands: Approximately 110 acres of land that has been used for the Hunt family’s cattle operation since 1985 will now be a part of Equestrian Bridges operations. Equestrian Bridges is dedicated to empowering individuals by using Natural Horsemanship in Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies. 
• Healthy spaces: The nonprofit has plans to develop the land and equip it with a wellness center for mental health, trails for riding, and therapeutic spaces for equestrian activities and riding lessons. A timeline for development has not been disclosed. 

For the full Talk Business & Politics story, click HERE.