The Arkansas Cinema Society (ACS) is hosting its first film development conference this weekend at Thaden School in Bentonville. 

• Film and fun: At the conference, there will be screenings of “Jockey” and “Loving,” happy hours, and a full day of in-depth discussions and workshops on the best practices in pre-production with industry experts.
• Go to learn: The writers, directors, and producers for both films will be presenting different workshops and participating in Q&A sessions over the weekend. Full weekend passes are available, workshop day passes are available, as are tickets for individual workshops and screenings. 

For more information and tickets, click HERE. 

Capturing moments of the journey you begin with your little one is special beyond compare. Rustic Arrow Photography is in the business of providing those moments to look back on and remember forever. 

• Everything you need: Your experience with Rustic Arrow will be relaxing and stress-free, as the photographer provides everything from maternity gowns, props, children’s outfits, cakes, and more.
• Life-long memories: Before your sessions, your photographer will act as a guide for your experience by sitting down with you to listen to exactly what you want your session to be. The studio is currently scheduling maternity, newborn, and milestone sessions for June-October due dates and has limited spots available. 

To inquire about a session, click HERE. 

The best job markets are not necessarily in the biggest cities, according to the Wall Street Journal. 

• Hot spots: The hottest markets in America are actually in midsized cities in five different states in the U.S., and metro areas with less than one million residents, like NWA, are proving their own with growth and immense market successes. 
• Working hub: In the WSJ study, Northwest Arkansas ranked as the 3rd best job market in the U.S. as a metro area with a population of fewer than one million people, noting that the region has promoted itself as a remote-work hub and provided tax- and cash-incentive programs for incoming workers.

Read the full WSJ article HERE. 

The Alice L.Walton Foundation and Washington Regional Medical System recently announced their joint initiative to enhance access to specialty care services in the region. 

• Trio: The partnership with Washington Regional Medical System is in addition to last year’s announcement of The Alice Walton Foundation’s partnership with Cleveland Clinic. The aim of the three organizations is to work together with their unique strengths to bring affordable, high-quality care.
• Broader scope: Greater specialty care opportunities for NWA through the initiative may include cardiac care, digestive health, neuroscience, oncology, orthopedics/spine, and behavioral health. Alice Walton said the partnership is about ensuring residents have access to world-class care, and a broad scope of it to our region and beyond. 

Learn more HERE. 

Downtown Springdale Alliance and others are partnering with Pedal It Forward NWA to host the first-ever city-wide bike drive on May 12-14. 

• Donate: Springdale residents can donate new and used bicycles of any size at Buffalo Builders office on May 12 & 13, and at the Springdale Phat Tire Shop location on May 14. Donated bikes can be dirty, have flat tires, or broken, but avoid giving bikes that are too damaged to repair. 
• To race: Bikes raised at the drive will support 60 underserved children participating in the Natural State Criterium Race series this summer. 20 bikes will be given away at each of the races in June, July, and August.

Learn more HERE.