My friend (and Life+Kids reader) Lela Davidson will show you how in her course Beyond Blogging: How to Make Money Writing Online Content.

Writing online content is a great way to hone your writing craft, get published, and make money. Lela left a traditional job to begin writing online in 2006. This 3-hour course covers the basics of where to find writing jobs (and determine if they are legitimate or a scam), how to write the most common types of web content, apply for work, and find your niche. Students also learn about the various types of revenue streams available to online writers, as well as how to use free blogging software as an online resume of your work. This class is designed for beginning and experienced writers.

For more information and to register, email Lela at ldavidson98@gmail.com
Class fee if received before August 10th: $49
Class fee if received after August 10th: $59

Beauty and the Beast starts next week – do you have your tickets yet?

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
Jul. 27 – Aug. 8
Baum Walker Hall
Tickets start at: $39

**Beauty and the Beast show times:

Tuesday, Jul. 27, 7pm
Wednesday, Jul. 28, 7pm
Thursday, Jul. 29, 7pm
Friday, Jul. 30, 8pm
Saturday, Jul. 31, 2pm & 8pm
Sunday, Aug. 1, 2pm & 7pm
Tuesday, Aug. 3, 7pm
Wednesday, Aug. 4, 7pm
Thursday, Aug. 5, 7pm
Friday, Aug. 6, 8pm
Saturday, Aug. 7, 2pm & 8pm
Sunday, Aug. 8, 2pm & 7pm

**For best availability, try Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday nights!

Experience the romance and enchantment of Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST by visiting waltonartscenter.org or calling 479.443.5600.

It’s voting time for WAC’s “Be Our Guest” Beauty and the Beast Video Contest!

You have until Wednesday, July 21 at 5pm to go to Walton Arts Center’s Facebook page and “LIKE” your favorite video!

Remember, the winner gets FREE tickets to see Beauty & the Beast, t-shirts, a restaurant gift card and a pre-show Meet & Greet with the cast!

To go to WAC’s Facebook page and vote, click here.

From the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks:

FireFly Fling: THE Festival for Families
July 24th at 7pm

Come join us as daylight turns into night as we celebrate nature with art, music, food and play.
We will have hands on activities for children of all ages including lots of water play!
Dress up as your favorite woodland creature and critters and build a fairy house in the woods.
This event will provide down-to-earth experiences that will reawaken our sense of belonging to the larger community of life, and ignite deep caring and concern for the Earth.

$6 for Individuals
$20 for a Family of 4

Children under 3 are Free

Please visit the Botanical Garden events page to make a reservation. You will not receive a paper ticket, your name will be on a list at the door.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE 2010 LIFE+KIDS SUMMER CAMP GUIDE!

Saturday, July 24, 7 – 10 p.m.; Rain date Saturday, July 31.
Botanical Garden of the Ozarks
4703 N. Crossover Rd., Fayetteville, AR
479-750-2620

Firefly Fling is a family-friendly midsummer celebration. Create glow-in-the-dark wands and tree cookie necklaces inspired by the gardens – see you there!

Thursday, July 22, 2-3 p.m.
Cedarville Public Library, 639 Pirates Way
Cedarville, AR • 479-410-1853

Drop-in art appreciation experiences best for children ages 5-12 and their families.
Contact participating libraries for details.

Learn to love – and “read” – art! Each thematic session features a poster gallery preview of art in the permanent collection of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Using art and books, activities include interactive games and discussions sure to inspire all.

Channel 5 news has a listing of Northwest Arkansas fireworks displays.  Here’s the link.

Have a Happy 4th of July!

Do you sing, dance, act or just like making videos?

Walton Arts Center invites you to “Be Our Guest” and enter the Beauty & the Beast video contest. Grab a video camera, get some friends together and get creative! The winner will get FREE tickets to the Beauty & the Beast, t-shirts, a restaurant gift card and a pre-show Meet & Greet with the cast!

Here’s how it works:

1.) Make a video
2.) Upload your video to WAC Facebook page ON Friday, July 16.
3.) Tell your friends to go to the WAC Facebook page and “LIKE” your video

For more information sign into your facebook.com account and search “Be Our Guest”, visit www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=116145948432176&ref=mf, or call 479.443.5600

Get “new” toys and books for the whole family for summer!

• What: Toy and Book Swap
• When: Saturday July 10th, 2010 from  9am-12pm
• Where: First United Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville
• More Info: email angela.watson@cox.net

Toy Swap  $5.00 plus 2 or more toys- any type of toys, games, or kid equipment/supplies that other families can put to good use.
Book Swap $5.00 plus 2 or more books- fiction and non-fiction for ALL AGES , CD’s, DVD’s, VHS, multiple magazines, or other media

Please bring as many books and toys as you can!  All leftovers will be sold or donated so clean out your closets for a great cause!
Swap Rules- You can participate in the toy swap, the book swap or both. You can take as many items from the swap as you have use for, however please try to bring more that you take home so there will be plenty for everyone!
Donations- If you can not attend but have toys or books that you would like to donate please email angela.watson@cox.net to make drop-off or pick-up arrangements. We will also be accepting financial contributions.

A Fayetteville family will be traveling to Democratic Republic of the Congo to bring home their adopted daughter. Friends are trying to fill duffel bags with baby formula for them to take to the orphanage when they go.
Also accepting donation of BABY FORMULA SAMPLES, or BABY FORMULA COUPONS – Email angela.watson@cox.net or bring these to the swap.

Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
July 27 – August 8 (16 performances)
Walton Arts Center’s Baum Walker Hall

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LOVE STORY EVER TOLD COMES TO LIFE in Northwest Arkansas!

The new touring production of Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST officially kicks off WAC’s 2010/11 Season with a 2-week run. From July 27 through August 8, theatergoers will have 16 chances to experience one of the most beautiful love stories ever told!

A lush, romantic Broadway musical for all generations, Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film. This classic musical love story is an eye-popping spectacle filled with unforgettable characters, lavish sets and costumes, and dazzling production numbers including “Be Our Guest” and the beloved title song.

Experience the romance and enchantment of Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at Walton Arts Center!

Show dates & times:

Tue, Jul 27, 2010, 7pm
Wed, Jul 28, 2010, 7pm
Thu, Jul 29, 2010, 7pm
Fri, Jul 30, 2010, 8pm
Sat, Jul 31, 2010, 2pm & 8pm
Sun, Aug 1, 2010, 2pm & 7pm
Tue, Aug 3, 2010, 7pm
Wed, Aug 4, 2010, 7pm
Thu, Aug 5, 2010, 7pm
Fri, Aug 6, 2010, 8pm
Sat, Aug 7, 2010, 2pm & 8pm
Sun, Aug 8, 2010, 2pm & 7pm

Single tickets for Walton Arts Center’s 2010-11 Season are on sale now! Tickets can be purchased by calling the Walton Arts Center Box Office at 479.443.5600 or by visiting waltonartscenter.org.

With premier entertainment that includes Broadway’s best shows, family-oriented programming, live concerts from nearly every musical genre, comedic performances and much more, this season has something for everyone.

2010-11 Lineup
*Newly Added Programs

2010:
Disney’s Beauty & The Beast, Jul. 27-Aug. 8
Blue Man Group, Sep. 2&3 and 9-11
*Susan Werner, Sept. 16
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Oct.8
*Tierney Sutton Band, Oct. 8
Omara Portuondo: 80th Birthday Celebration, Oct. 9
Giggle, Giggle, Quack, Oct. 17
The Color Purple, Oct. 19-24
Academy of St. Martin’s in the Fields, Oct. 29
Trey McIntyre Project, Nov. 5
Kenny Barron Trio with David Sanchez, Nov. 6
Spring Awakening, Nov. 11-12
Bill Bryson, Nov. 15
Monty Python’s SPAMALOT, Nov. 19-20
*UA Theatre Presents A Christmas Carol, Dec. 3-4
Kathy Mattea: Songs in the Season, Dec. 9
The King’s Singers, Dec. 10
Second City’s Dysfunctional Holiday Revue, Dec. 11
Young Frankenstein, Dec. 14-19

2011:
Nobodies of Comedy, Jan. 7
Remember Me: Parsons Dance Company and East Village Opera Company, Jan. 21
Philharmonia Quartett Berlin, Jan. 23
Joshua Bell, Jan. 28
Drumline LIVE!, Jan. 29
Ferdinand the Bull, Jan. 30
The Peking Acrobats®, Feb. 1
Blind Boys of Alabama, Feb. 4
*Kurt Elling Quintet, Feb. 5
Mamma Mia!, Feb. 8-13
Jubilant Sykes & Alan Chow, Feb. 17
*Beakman on the Brain, Feb. 24
The Chieftans, Feb. 27
Vienna Boys Choir, Mar. 1
Tango Inferno, Mar. 3
*Dala, Mar. 5
*Arturo Sandoval, Mar. 10
The Mikado, Mar. 12
*Harvard Glee Club, Mar. 14
Pink Floyd Experience, Mar. 18
Arlo Guthrie – Journey On, Mar. 19
*Julian Lage Group, Mar. 26
Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway, Mar. 29-Apr. 3
Compania National de Danza II, Apr. 7
John Pizzarelli Quartet, Apr. 10
An Evening with David Sedaris, Apr. 12
American Legacies: Del McCoury Band & Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Apr. 17
Les Miserables, May 3-8
Swimmy, Frederick & Inch by Inch, May 15
*Icelandic Sheep (Kindur) by TPO, May 27-28

Friday, July 30, 10-11 a.m.
Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Ave.
Alma, AR •479- 632-4140

Drop-in art appreciation experiences best for children ages 5-12 and their families.
Contact participating libraries for details.

Learn to love – and “read” – art! Each thematic session features a poster gallery preview of art in the permanent collection of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Using art and books, activities include interactive games and discussions sure to inspire all.

Friday, June 25, 2010, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Crystal Bridges at the Massey
125 W. Central Avenue
Bentonville, AR 72712

Drop-in program best for children 3 – 5 years old and their families.

View beautiful pottery, listen to fun stories and then play with clay! Guest storyteller is Sue Ann Pekel, children’s librarian at the Bentonville Public Library.

Each year on the third Friday in June, Tropical Smoothie Cafe celebrates the start of summer with National Flip Flop Day.

Just stop by Tropical Smoothie Cafe at Crossover & Joyce in Fayetteville on Friday, June 18 wearing flip flops and kick off the summer with a FREE 24 oz. Jetty Punch Smoothie to support this incredible cause, Camp Sunshine!

Free smoothies will go to the first 500 customers wearing flip flops in the store.

There will also be face painting, raffles and more. See you Friday!

Visit: tropicalsmoothie.com & campsunshine.org for more information.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE 2010 LIFE+KIDS SUMMER CAMP GUIDE!

Trike Theatre in Bentonville is celebrating their new Facebook page with a contest to win a $50 gift certificate that can be used for Trike camps and classes.

Become a fan of Trike Theatre on facebook and look for details to enter the drawing. Just search “Trike Theatre” on Facebook and then press the “Like” button to become a fan!

Cake Party in Springdale will be having decorating classes for kids again this summer. Drop off is for school age kids, cost is $20 pp/day.

Kids will get decorate and bring home a 6″ cake, cookie & cupcake. Classes are held on Tues. & Wed. from 1-2 pm.

First class (June 15 & 16) is beach theme cakes where kids will be airbrushing and using brown sugar to create edible masterpieces.

Call 236-6461 to sign up or visit www.nwacakeparty.com for more details (click on FB link).

Honor your Dad as Sonora Louise Smart did when she created and celebrated Father’s Day in 1910 at the Spokane, WA YMCA.

Join the YMCA of Northwest Arkansas family for a guided trail hike of the Van Winkle historic site with a Park Interpreter. See remnants of a sawmill and an antebellum garden owned by Peter Van Winkle during the 19th century.

The trail is one and one half miles and provides barrier-free access for everyone.

Hikers will meet at the Van Winkle trail head parking lot off of highway 12 on Sunday, June 20 at 1 p.m.

After the hike a caravan will lead to the newly opened Hobbs State Park Visitor’s Center to make a gift for Dad and tour the state-of-the-art facility.

The program is free. Call 479/717-2460 to RSVP to this event.

Illinois River Watershed Partnership One Day Watershed Camp FREE to 11-12 Year Olds

The Illinois River Watershed Partnership will hold a free, one day Watershed Camp for 11-12 year old boys and girls on June 22, 23rd or 24th at the Lake Fayetteville Environmental Study Center.

Each day’s camp will last from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Enrollment for the IRWP Watershed Camp is free and on a first come, first serve basis. 20 kids maximum per day. Registration is required.

Go to www.IRWP.org for more information. Registration forms can be printed out from the web site and mailed in to the IRWP. For more information call 479.238.4671 or email contact@irwp.org

The Illinois River Watershed Partnership is a membership-based organization working to protect and restore the Illinois River and its tributaries. The organization is working together to improve water quality and to educate and encourage others to enjoy and positively affect the Illinois River Watershed. To become a member or sponsor of IRWP, log on to www.IRWP.org.

The Shiloh Museum and the Springdale Fire Department will present an afternoon of activities for the family on Saturday, June 12, from 12:30-3:00 p.m. at the museum. From 12:30 to 1:00 p.m., former chief Mickey Jackson and current chief Duane Atha will discuss “The Springdale Fire Department: Yesterday and Today.” From 1:00-3:00 p.m., a variety of activities will take place, including:

• Visit with members of the Springdale Fire Department and see a modern fire engine
• Tour the Fire Safety House
• Meet “Old Betsy,” the department’s historic 1931 pumper truck
• Kids can make a fire hat and an edible fire truck
• The 1916 classic Charlie Chaplin film The Fireman will be shown throughout the afternoon
• See Answering the Call, the museum’s exhibit on the history of the Springdale Fire Department

For more information, go to the Shiloh Museum’s website.

“The World’s Funniest Guitar Virtuoso”

Mike Rayburn’s Some Strings Attached
Thursday, June 24, 7pm
Tickets start at: $16

“A comic genius… enough wit and talent to jumpstart a pacemaker!”
– The Aspen Daily News

A unique combination of effortless guitar playing and hilarious stand-up, Mike’s award-winning brand of instrumental family comedy has earned him eight straight standing ovations at Carnegie Hall and back-to-back selections as Best Solo Artist by American Entertainment Magazine.

Join Mike on an odyssey of masterful guitar, clean, uproarious comedy and musical combinations God never intended – as he performs “Bob Marley sings Garth Brooks,” “Led Zeppelin sings Dr. Seuss,” “Bruce Springsteen sings Green Acres” and much more!

To catch a sneak peek of Mike in action and for tickets visit www.waltonartscenter.org, or call 479.443.5600