Back in March, Professor Jeffrey Murdock from the U of A was named the winner of the 2021 Grammy Music Educator Award, and yesterday, he sat down for a conversation with KUAF to talk about the prestigious award.

• Not one but two: Trophies, that is. In the interview, Murdock said he would receive the iconic Grammy trophy and a medallion to recognize the award.
• Professor Murdock will essentially be the ambassador for all things music education over the next year, attending Grammy camp, appearing in other Grammy events, and other music education events.
• While Murdock missed out on a live Grammy experience this year, he will get to attend the Grammys in person next year.

You can listen to the full interview and learn more about Murdock's background HERE.

Caisson Capital Partners, a new real estate investment firm based in NWA, just made its first acquisition, and it was in its own backyard.

• What's Caisson? A firm founded in fall of 2020 aimed at expanding access to real estate investments beyond institutions to individuals.The firm will focus on investments in Northwest Arkansas and, more broadly, in the Mid-South and the American Heartland.
• What'd they buy? The firm acquired a 96-unit multifamily apartment building called The Ridges at Bentonville in an $8.9 million deal.

If you're interested in learning more about Caisson's leadership, its strategy, or this deal in particular, you can find out more HERE.

There's a killer lineup tonight at Fayetteville Roots' Patio Music Series from 5 - 8p at Woodstone Craft Pizza Uptown.

• The trio: Jeff Kearney, KillerSugar, and Clare Starr will perform. If you want to get a taste of the music, KUAF had Clare Starr on for an interview. The Patio Series will occur every other Wednesday through July.
• ICYMI: In addition to its annual festival, Fayetteville Roots is hosting Roots HQ on the Avenue, a concert series that runs Spring through Fall of 2021.

Give Woodstone a call to reserve a table, otherwise, get there early, because tables are first come first served.

You can go ahead and block Tuesdays off on your calendar for the summer, because Terrific Tuesdays are back at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks at Lake Fayetteville.

• A Fayetteville tradition, Terrific Tuesdays at the Botanical Garden includes free admission and extended hours from 5 - 8p each Tuesday starting June 1 and running through August.
• There's more? In addition to free admission and extended hours, you'll be able to enjoy a free concert at the garden on Jun 22, Jul 13, and Aug 17.

If you want to learn more about the Botanical Gardens or the event, check out the site HERE.

• Slow Streets Crew Leader - BikeNWA is looking for part-time crew leaders in Bentonville, Rogers, and Fayetteville that will help execute the program plan each weekend. Learn more and apply HERE.
• Slow Streets Crew Member - BikeNWA is looking for crew members to help setup and breakdown Slow Streets materials and fulfill other responsibilities on the weekends in Bentonville, Rogers, and Fayetteville. Learn more and apply HERE.
• Event Support Specialist - NWA Trailblazers is looking for a part-time specialist to support the execution of program initiatives: National Bike Challenge, Slow Streets, and more. If this sounds interesting to you, you can learn more and apply HERE.

*Job listings are sponsored

Lineus Medical, a Fayetteville-based startup, announced yesterday that it received FDA approval to sell its first medical device, SafeBreak Vascular.

• IV safety: SafeBreak allows for IV's to have a release valve that if there were ever an opposing "pulling" force it would disconnect from the drip line and protect the patient and the equipment. You can find a demonstration here.
• Long road: Going from concept to market through FDA approval takes 3 to 7 years. Spencer Jones founded the Company in 2015 and has since been navigating and adhering to the intense FDA guidelines to bring SafeBreak Vascular to market.

Quote: Spencer Jones, the founder, said this is "No doubt the biggest milestone to date for our company". If you want to learn more about this breakthrough for Lineus and its SafeBreak technology, you can read the full article HERE.