The University of Arkansas Gymbacks are training hard for their season to begin in January, and advanced single meet tickets are now on sale. 

• 2022 season: There will be 5 meets on the U of A campus this winter, the first being on Jan. 7 vs. Ohio State. All the action is happening in the Barnhill Arena, except on Jan 14 as Coach Jordyn Wieber and team will compete in Bud Walton Arena for the first time ever. 
• Get a seat: Themes for each meet have been picked out, too, so order your advanced tickets online, over the phone, or at the Razorback Ticket Center. Adult tickets are $5 and Youth tickets are $3 if purchased ahead of time. 

For more information click HERE. 

With all the murals around town we wrote about on Tuesday, there’s always space for more. 

• Making murals: The City of Fayetteville has called for proposals from artists interested in creating a few new murals. As part of an improvement project, the City selected the retaining wall on Archibald Yell Blvd between Rock St. and S. Block Ave. to be the canvas for two new murals. 
• Collaboration: The Fayetteville Arts Council decided the theme for the murals will be “Experience the Adventure of Fayetteville.” There will be a non-mandatory, though useful, pre-proposal conference during the next Arts Council meeting on Dec. 15 for anyone who wishes to attend. 

For more information click HERE. 

Public education foundations in the four largest school districts in Northwest Arkansas have decided to form a new cooperative. 

• Investing in the future: The Walton Family Foundation awarded a $145K grant, which the Fayetteville, Bentonville, Rogers, and Springdale Public Education Foundations will use collectively to maximize resources as the region continues to grow. 
• Better education: The cooperative’s initiative is to “intensify investments” in regional public education so as to increase opportunity and build equity in the individual education foundations and public education as a whole.

Read the Talk Business & Politics story HERE. 

A few local community champions are providing gifting and holiday products that celebrate Black families during the holiday season and their business is being recognized nation wide!

• Gifting: Headquartered in Bentonville, Black Paper Party produces wrapping paper, gift bags, and ornaments that are designed to authentically represent Black families with trend relevant prints, patterns, and illustrations. 
• It's a party: Black Paper Party is a black owned and woman owned business that has a mission to bring culture and representation into celebratory products. A few weeks ago their products were featured on national morning television!

You can check out their story on the Today Show HERE. 

If you haven’t already, this is your encouragement to step on the ice this winter.

• Spinning in a winter wonderland: The Rink at Lawrence Plaza in Bentonville is open and ready for you and your friends to channel some ice skating magic. The Jones Center in Springdale also has an indoor Ice Arena that is open year around. If you don’t know how to skate, don’t worry, both locations have lessons. 
• Goals: If you need inspiration, the Ozark Figure Skating Club is performing their annual Christmas Show this Saturday, Dec. 11 in Springdale. The theme is: 12 Days of Christmas… On Ice! Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for kids. 

Visit Bentonville or Springdale to learn more.