Ready to spruce up your garden for spring? You're in luck! The Peel Compton Foundation will be hosting the 2021 Native Tree and Plant Sale in Bentonville on Saturday, April 3rd.

• A large assortment of plants, trees, and shrubs including Chickasaw Plum, Dogwood, Wild Hydrangea, Tall Bellflower, Purple Coneflower, Yarrow, and many other varieties will be available for sale.

• Plants are $5 each, Ferns are $8, and Trees and Shrubs are $25. For a complete listing of the Native Tree & Plant Sale offerings, visit HERE.

• The plant sale will be located at 407 NE B Street in Bentonville and will be open to the public from 12pm to 3pm. All proceeds will benefit the Peel Compton Foundation. We recommend arriving early.

More information about the event can be found HERE

“I loved being your nurse, but I never want to see you again (as a patient).” It wasn’t until Amanda Wilson, founder of Amanda Wilson Wellness, became a cardiac nurse that she realized lifestyle is one of the biggest contributing factors to a person’s long term health and wellness - and the key to doing that is eating well and staying active.

• Shortly after becoming a mom, Amanda was inspired to share her easy, yet nutritious and fueling meals on Instagram. She started posting almost five years ago with the goal and intention of sharing how wellness can be simplified.

• Since, she has gained a loyal following and authored several health guides including: wellness workout plans, food preparation guides and kid’s lunch box plans. “I love using this space to equip and encourage others to steward their wellness journey in a sustainable way with intention and joy while navigating each season of life… I find a lot of joy and celebrate in seeing how others’ approach to wellness has simplified and transformed through the years,” Wilson said.

• Although a recent study ranked Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers as one of the most overweight/obese cities in the nation, Amanda believes the future of NWA is promising.

• "I think NWA is really growing in resources and opportunities to support and equip the individual in a healthy lifestyle, and I am pumped about it! We have endless trails, new wellness clinics, restaurants using real food ingredients, and incredible options for all types of movement,” she said.

Read more on Amanda's tips for sustainable lifestyle, NWA favorites, and more HERE

OZCast was created during the pandemic as a platform for local artist. The organization helps provide a media form for Northwest Arkansas creative an outlet to produce their craft.

• What is it exactly? OZCast is a "creative variety show that celebrates local, regional and national artists from various backgrounds, and who work across a broad multidisciplinary spectrum."

• In a recent interview, Project Manager and Editor, Lisa Marie Evans, and Director Mario Troncoso joined I Am Northwest Arkansas to discuss the program and it's purpose for the region. Troncoso and Evans agree that there is nothing quite like NWA right now, especially when it comes fine arts and content creation.

• "I have had a PBS show for eight years. Make hundreds of documentaries with several artists... To create content like this during the pandemic where people got relief funds to create content was pretty unique. And that's why it has been a success, and I think we will continue to do that over the next few years," Troncoso said.

• What is their long term goal? OZCast would like to eventually broadcast the show and end up on TV. Additionally, more programs will be provided with tools and training for artists. "We will have a lending library for people who want to create content, and we are going to provide training, so we will be doing lots of various classes. So that's going to build on what we are doing," Troncoso said.

You can learn more about OZCast by listen to the full podcast episode HERE.

Researchers at The Sustainability Consortium (TSC) in Bentonville found in a recent study that much more work is needed to improve existing systems to recycle plastic film, including grocery and trash bags, food packaging, and wraps for agricultural products in NWA.

• The kicker: The study, called "Plastic Film Management Insights," focused on the recycler’s operations in NWA and featured Missouri-based recycler Marck Recycling. In summary, if certain plastics are not handled properly, the film can damage material recovery facilities and enter regional watersheds. Currently, almost 90% of the film is incinerated or goes to landfills.
  -Talk Business & Politics

• “One reason it is challenging for communities to manage plastic film is that there is very little visibility into how it is collected and handled for recycling,” said Sarah Lewis, Senior Director of Innovation for TSC.

• "We are fortunate to be able to reduce our environmental impact by being local to the consumers of this material," said Mike Wilson, VP of Marck Recycling. "We are excited to be a part of this new study and hope the actions Marck is taking can help others in the industry.” -Talk Business & Politics

You can read the full study HERE

Next stop: The ELITE 8! The Arkansas Razorbacks live to fight another day at the 2021 NCAA March Madness tournament, rallying to beat Oral Roberts in the Sweet Sixteen 72-70 on Saturday.

• Basketball: Per usual Hog fashion, Saturday night the Arkansas Razorbacks Men's basketball team initiated comeback-mode ending with a final second shot by freshman, Devo Davis who took control of the game along with Senior, Jalen Tate. The Hogs will dance their way to the Elite 8 tonight to face No. 1 seed Baylor. This will be the Hogs' first regional final appearance in 26 years (since 1995).

• Softball: No. 15 ranked Lady Razorbacks swept Mississippi State this weekend improving to 9-0 in SEC play. This weekend the Softball team heads to Auburn for a three game series.

• Baseball: Arkansas Baseball made a strong statement this weekend as they went to Starkville and swept No. 2, Mississippi State Bulldogs. The Hogs improve to 19-3 overall and 5-1 in conference. Next game is Tuesday night in Fayetteville against in-state competition, UCA.

Epic Watch Party: The Arkansas Razorbacks athletics department confirmed the University will be hosting a watch party for the Hogs’ Elite Eight matchup against Baylor tonight at Bud Walton Arena. -KNWA/Fox 24

ICYMI: Get on Sharkansas' level