In Northwest Arkansas, we're fortunate to constantly be seeing new restaurants popping up all over the region. We recently were able to grab a table at Conifer, and we can confidently say it is one of the best additions to NWA over the past several years.

• Seeds of community: Conifer is a 100% gluten-free restaurant that opened last year in the Howard Building in Bentonville. The restaurant is owned by the award-winning local chef Matt Cooper, who is inspired by the power of food and its ability to bring people together. He is also dedicated to sourcing ingredients from farmers in the region based purely on what's in season and building the menu around that.
• Wine and dine: We had our share of locally sourced dishes when we visited the restaurant last week. A few favorites included the Lions Mane mushrooms, roasted cauliflower, pork shank, and rubbed tri-tip.

Learn more about this chef-owned restaurant and its vision HERE.

Experience the wetlands after dark with Peel Compton Foundation and Ozark Outdoor Foundation during Osage Park After Dark on Apr 22 from 6:00 to 9p.

• Cheers: Osage Park's first 21+ only event will include dinner, signature cocktails, a panel discussion on conservation, and a guided wetland tour with interactive learning stations.
• For a cause: Tickets are $50/person, and all purchases will benefit free wetland education programs at Osage Park.

Reserve your spot for this unique event HERE.

The iconic AQ Chicken House in Springdale is closing its doors for good after almost 76 years of serving up southern-style chicken dinners to Northwest Arkansas.

• Arkansas quality: The restaurant was opened by Roy Ritter in 1947 and has served Arkansas Quality chicken to notable guests during its long run, such as President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush.
• First in, last out: The original location in Springdale, which has been the only location since the Fayetteville spot closed in 2016 and the one in Bentonville burned down 20 years ago, will officially close on Mar 18, leaving many wondering what will come next for the Thompson St building.

Read more about AQ Chicken's noteworthy history from Talk Business & Politics HERE.

Looking for a job? Check out these positions posted to our community board:

• Buddy Pegs is looking for a Retail Manager
• Canopy Northwest Arkansas has an open position for a Development Manager

Have a job you're looking to fill? Post it HERE!

If we can just make it through this rainy Friday, it looks like we've got a beautiful, sunny weekend ahead of us. Here are some ideas to make the most of your weekend:

• Concert hopping: Check out the local shows taking the stage around NWA this weekend, thanks to KUAF's live music rundown.
• Into the woods: Yarn/Wire begins tonight, bringing a family-oriented interactive performance combining music, narration, and sound to create an enchanted forest environment to the Momentary from Mar 3-5.
• Orchid you not: The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks' 12th annual Orchid Show & Sale begins Friday, Mar 3, for members only and will open to the public Mar 4-5.
• Let's ride: Break out the mountain bikes with Women of OZ for their March Flagship Ride on Saturday, Mar 4, at 2p.
• Night lights: Take an immersive stroll through a forest of lights that responds to your heart rate, body, voice, and movements during the Listening Forest's first weekend of 2023 at Crystal Bridges.
• Going on record: Shop, eat food, and enjoy fun activities at the Market @ Record in Bentonville on Saturday, Jan 7, from 9a-12p.
• Pro Bono: The U of A School of Law and Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation are hosting a pro bono legal event on Saturday, Mar 4, to help entrepreneurs navigate the legal environment.

Have a great weekend, Northwest Arkansas!