As NWA grows, residents and visitors are benefiting from the increase in access to affordable flights offered through XNA. 

• Business or pleasure: For years, the dominant reason for flying in and out of XNA has been business, but a new report by Volaire Aviation Consulting revealed that travel to leisure destinations is increasing at a much faster rate. 
• Prices flying at lower altitudes: On average, flying to eight of XNA’s nonstop destinations is 40% less expensive than it was in 2019. For example, travelers to Tampa this year paid an average of $188 roundtrip, compared to the $518 average three years ago. 

Read more and explore FareFlightNWA’s helpful resources HERE. 

Bonnie Adams, the founder of Swim Oz, and Randy Wilburn sat down to have a conversation about open water swimming and the upcoming Walmart Oz Mile on I Am Northwest Arkansas.

• Wide open water: Bonnie has been swimming since she was a young child, was a competitive D1 swimmer on the U of A swim team, and in addition to swimming competitively, she also owns and operates The Joys of Swimming teaching swimming lessons.
• Bigger and better: 2021 marked the first year of the Oz Mile open water race on Beaver Lake, and it was a hit, drawing participants from around the state. Swimmers from across the US have already signed up for this year's Oz Mile being held on Sep 25.

Check out the episode with Bonnie on I Am Northwest Arkansas HERE.

Zelli Pasta, a family-owned and operated pasta producer, just opened on Emma Ave. in Springdale. 

• A whole lotta pasta: In addition to multiple styles of pasta, Zelli carries meats, cheeses, tomato sauces, kitchen tools, oils, vinegar, spices… basically everything you’d need to whip up the perfect Italian dinner. 
• A whole box-a pasta: Join the Zelli Pasta Club and you’ll receive 2 boxes of Zelli pasta and a variety of handpicked provisions every month. 

Visit Zelli’s online store HERE. 

In a never before seen alliance between two major health care systems, Mercy Health and Mayo Clinic have linked arms to improve patient care. 

• Complementing strengths: Combining Mayo’s expertise in complex care and data science platforms with Mercy’s vast clinical information from over two centuries of serving diverse communities will help develop faster, more accurate care for patients. 
• Together for a better future: Throughout the 10-year collaboration, there are goals to innovate in the areas of precision medicine, transplant care, complex cancer, cardiovascular, neuroscience, and much more. 

Read the Mercy press release HERE. 

Back for its 123rd year, the Tontitown Grape Festival kicks off tomorrow night. 

• Something for everybody: The festival’s schedule includes free nightly entertainment, adrenaline-inducing carnival rides, a craft fair, and the always-delicious Italian spaghetti dinner. 
• Pick up your feet: If grape stomping and dancing aren’t enough to get you on your feet, there’s still one day left to sign up for the Run for the Grapes 5K on Saturday morning. 

See the full festival schedule HERE.