Local notes: Real-life heroes rewarded by Community Blood Center of the Ozarks; Dhirana Academy of Classical Dance presents 7th annual fall dance recital

CBCO

Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, a supplier of blood, platelets and plasma to patients at 44 area healthcare facilities, is giving blood donors the opportunity to be a real-life action hero for a local patient this holiday season when they give blood during the Movie Mania Donor Event on Nov. 22 before the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

The Movie Mania event is sponsored by Certified Financial Advisor, Michael Vaughn with Pinnacle Family Advisors. Donors that give Nov. 22 will receive a $10 Fandango movie voucher, which allows you to watch a first-run movie at any participating theatre. Donors will also receive a free Kansas City Chiefs T-shirt and a chance to win two tickets and a parking pass to Kansas City’s Dec. 31 game against Cincinnati – an $870 value.

The event will take place Nov. 22 at all four Community Blood Center of the Ozarks Donor Centers in Bentonville, Springdale, Joplin, Mo. and Springfield, Mo. Donation hours for the Movie Mania Donor Event are:

Bentonville – 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Bentonville Donor Center, 1400 S.E. Walton Blvd.

Springdale – 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Springdale Donor Center, 3503 S. Thompson St.

Joplin – 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Joplin Donor Center, 101 N. Rangeline Road

Springfield – 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.,Thomson Donor Center, 220 W. Plainview Road

All CBCO donor centers will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 23, for Thanksgiving Day. Donor centers in Springdale, Joplin and Bentonville will also be closed Nov. 24, while our Springfield, Mo. center will be open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on for apheresis appointments only.

To help avoid wait times, appointments are strongly encouraged.

Information: (417) 227-5006 or cbco.org/moviemani.

Dhirana dance

Dhirana Academy of Classical Dance will present the seventh edition of its annual fall dance recital, Pradarshana 2023, featuring a performance titled “Margam.” Conceptualized and choreographed by Megha P Rao, the artistic director of Dhirana Academy, along with artistic contributions from senior dancers Vinita Vijayam, Jyothika Arunkumar and Dharshine Rajadurai, this curated performance showcases the repertoire of the Classical Indian dance form, Bharatanatyam.

Join the ensemble of more than 50 NWA trained dancers, between the ages 6 and 17 years, on their Bharatanatyam journey as they showcase their skill in preciseness, expression and endurance through their performance. “Margam” serves as a structured framework, allowing these dancers to demonstrate their technical finesse, interpretative prowess, and storytelling talents. Through a seamless fusion of movement and expression, they convey narratives, themes and emotions, offering the audience an enthralling experience.

The recital will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 25 at Arkansas Arts Academy High School, 506 W. Poplar St. in Rogers.

Information: meghaprao.com.

OLLI

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Arkansas has announced the following classes:

Nov. 28: History and Continued Impact of the Jones Family on our Community. Harvey and Bernice Jones are names familiar to almost everyone in Northwest Arkansas. Their business success and philanthropy were an integral part of the growth and success of Springdale and Northwest Arkansas. Join Lydia Corbell of the Jones Center and learn about this generous couple and their impact on our area.Jones Center, 9 a.m. to noon. $25 members, $40 nonmembers.

Nov. 28, Dec. 5 and 12: Economic Rights in the 21st Century. Len White, Emeritus Economics professor, will explain the relation between economic and political rights. Political rights mean nothing without economic rights. OLLI Office. 1 to 2:30 p.m. $29 members, $44 nonmembers.

Nov. 29: Internet Sleuth: Safe, Efficient and Effective Internet Searching Workshop. A hands-on workshop for beginners and advanced users. Learn basic vocabulary and strategies for internet searching, including advanced searching tricks and common pitfalls. OLLI Office. 10 a.m. to noon. $25 members, $40 nonmembers.

Information: (479) 575-4545 or olli.uark.edu.