UA Cossatot Foundation to Participate in Giving Tuesday

December 3 is #GivingTuesday, a global movement in the busy holiday season to give back.
Giving back on #GivingTuesday can take many different forms. It can be a traditional monetary donation to a favorite charity or volunteering time to a local non-profit.
#GivingTuesday originates from social media, hence the hashtag. Many organizations in Southwest Arkansas take advantage of #GivingTuesday. One of those organizations is the UA Cossatot Foundation.
“We are so excited for this year’s #GivingTuesday! There will be several options in which the community can give time or money to benefit college students in Southwest Arkansas,” said UA Cossatot Foundation Director, Dustin Roberts.
Local businesses are participating in the foundation’s #GivingTuesday celebration by collecting donations on site and wearing “I Gave” t-shirts. These businesses include Tres Agaves, Mary Pops, Simple Simons of De Queen, Miscellania JB, Dr. Randy Walker’s Office, La Media Luna, Diamond Bank of Ashdown, and Nashville Family Dentistry.
Community members also participated by being highlighted in the foundation’s #GivingTuesday video and sharing what they believe in. The video can be accessed by visiting the UA Cossatot Foundation’s Facebook page.
In addition to collecting donations for scholarships and innovative college programming, the UA Cossatot Center for Student Success will host a Feed the Funnel meal packing party with the help of The Pack Shack. Over 10,000 meals will be assembled on December 3 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the UA Cossatot Adams Building on the De Queen Campus. The college’s Center for Student Success will distribute the meals to college students in need through their food pantry.
To make a donation on #GivingTuesday, please visit the UA Cossatot Foundation website at www.cccua.edu/give or text the word “Cossatot” to 41444.

Cossatot Community College

We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals (Black Friday and Cyber Monday). Now, we have #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. Each year, on the Tuesday immediately following Thanksgiving, charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.

Tinsel, Tin and Treats

The Howard County Extension Homemakers transformed the EH Center into a holiday extravaganza during the recent Tinsel, Tin and Treats fundraising program. The program provided guests with new holiday decorating ideas, recipes and a time to fellowship with friends. The program was held on November 9 in Nashville. Money raised from the event goes directly into the Extension Homemaker program and mainly toward the maintenance of the educational center.

Extension Homemakers are a volunteer, nonprofit organization who does not rely on assistance from county or receive any state financial support. Their mission is to give individuals and families the skills to improve their lives through educational programs, build leadership skills and give back to their communities. Operating funds are raised through catering events and special events such as “Tinsel, Tin and Treats”. The group caters events such as class reunions, birthday parties, rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions, weddings, area meetings for different organizations and a variety of other events. If you are interested in learning more about Extension Homemakers or having a catered event, contact the Howard County Extension Office at 870-845-7517. Thank you to everyone who attended “Tinsel, Tin and Treats” and supported the program.

EH Council President, Gladine Bennett provided the welcome and acted as hostess for the evening.

EH member, Jean Ann Flaherty, shares ideas for simple gift giving.

Jean Ann Flaherty shares gift giving ideas.

Jean Ince, County Extension Agent, demonstrates praline frosting on the New Orleans Double Chocolate Praline Fudge Cake and shares tips on holiday baking.

Just one of the over 25 themed Christmas decorations. Each decoration was different.

Just a few EH members who helped make the evening a success. (Right to left-Pam Wynn, Tempie LaMothe, Jean Ann Flaherty, Monica Tipton, Tina Conzel, Joy Barr, Dana Newberg, Deb Kreul, Mary Hartness, Pearlie Snell, and Corliss Lewis)

Chamber Revamps 2019 Shop Local Campaign

Did you know that on average, every dollar you spend with local businesses becomes $7 they can use for the local economy? To continue promoting small businesses and shopping local during the holiday season, The De Queen/Sevier County Chamber of Commerce is re-vamping their Shop Local campaign this year with an adult version of “Elf on the Shelf.”

The Chamber would like to introduce to you the newest members Cash and Dolly, the Chamber elves. Cash and Dolly will be traveling to various chamber businesses from November 25th through December 21st, except for Sundays. Clues as to Cash and Dolly’s whereabouts will be posted on the De Queen/Sevier County Chamber of Commerce Facebook page daily.

Shoppers will have the opportunity to figure out and find the business that has been elfed for that day. Businesses will be running their own special on the days they are visited by the Chamber elves and allow shoppers to spend local dollars while earning entries into the drawing for the Chamber's Ultimate Gift Basket Give Away valued at over $1500. The drawing for the gift basket will be on December 23rd at 10:00 am via Facebook Live. Make sure to keep a lookout for the first clue that will premier early morning on November 25th to begin your "Shop Local" experience.

For more information please contact the Chamber of Commerce at 870-584-3225 or dqchamber@gmail.com

Healthy Connections Ribbon Cutting in De Queen

Ribbon cutting and open house Wednesday at Healthy Connections newest location in De Queen.

De Queen High School Biology Students with their Self-sustaining Ecosystems

Pictured from left to right are: CJ Chandler, Luis Luna, Johnathan Hernandez, Johnny Sanchez, Sydney Casteel, Esmirna Contreras, Ashley Fraire, and Konnor Bruns

De Queen High School biology students built self-sustaining ecosystems to study photosynthesis and cellular respiration. During this project, students built a biome, collected data on the biotic and abiotic factors in the system, and developed a model to explain how energy and matter flowed through the system. They then presented the results to their peers.

Pictured back row: Olympia Quintana, April Pierce, Juan Gaona, Mirella Hernandez, Mindy Lara, Colton Wages
Front row: Emily Martinez, Jessica Nogueira, Alma Trejo, Esther Avila, Hannah Phillips, Yazmin Castro

Maddie Martin at Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Lunch at De Queen School

Chamber Revamps 2019 Shop Local Campaign

Did you know that on average, every dollar you spend with local businesses becomes $7 they can use for the local economy? To continue promoting small businesses and shopping local during the holiday season, The De Queen/Sevier County Chamber of Commerce is re-vamping their Shop Local campaign this year with an adult version of “Elf on the Shelf.”

The Chamber would like to introduce to you the newest members Cash and Dolly, the Chamber elves. Cash and Dolly will be traveling to various chamber businesses from November 25th through December 21st, except for Sundays. Clues as to Cash and Dolly’s whereabouts will be posted on the De Queen/Sevier County Chamber of Commerce Facebook page daily.

Shoppers will have the opportunity to figure out and find the business that has been elfed for that day. Businesses will be running their own special on the days they are visited by the Chamber elves and allow shoppers to spend local dollars while earning entries into the drawing for the Chamber's Ultimate Gift Basket Give Away valued at over $1500. The drawing for the gift basket will be on December 23rd at 10:00 am via Facebook Live. Make sure to keep a lookout for the first clue that will premier early morning on November 25th to begin your "Shop Local" experience.

For more information please contact the Chamber of Commerce at 870-584-3225 or dqchamber@gmail.com

Sevier County Hospital Board Meeting Monday Afternoon 11/18/19 at Courthouse

De Queen Sr Boys and Sr Girls in Greenwood and Little Rock Tonight

Busy week of basketball for De Queen roundballers, as the Leopards will be in Greenwood for the H B Stewart Classic, and the Lady Leopards will visit Little Rock for the Joe T. Robinson Invitational. Catch all the action on www.ed88radio.com.

Ed 88 UA Cossatot Radio

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Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

This week we want to remind you of an important deadline approaching all Arkansans.

On October 1, 2020, anyone who boards a domestic flight or enters a federal building will either need a REAL ID driver’s license (DL) or Identification Card (ID) or will need to provide a regular identification and additional accepted forms of identification.

Arkansas is taking part in the federal nationwide initiative to improve the security of state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards, which will help fight terrorism and reduce identity fraud.

The federal REAL ID Act of 2005 adopted the recommendations of the 911 Commission. The REAL ID Act prohibits the federal government from accepting driver's licenses or identification cards issued by states that do not meet the requirements of the REAL ID Act. This includes but is not limited to commercial air flights and federal buildings.

You can upgrade to REAL ID at any time by having a duplicate license issued at a REAL ID office. The following Revenue Offices issue the REAL ID: Arkadelphia, Batesville, Bentonville, Conway, El Dorado, Fayetteville, Forrest City, Fort Smith (6515 Phoenix Avenue), Greenwood, Harrison, Hot Springs (200 Woodbine), Jonesboro, Little Rock (Three State Police Plaza Drive), Little Rock (1900 W. 7th Street), Little Rock (9108 North Rodney Parham), Monticello, Mountain Home, Paragould, Russellville, Searcy, Sherwood, Springdale, Texarkana, West Memphis, and White Hall.

An individual applying for Real ID must provide more documentation than an individual applying for a regular driver’s license or State ID.The federal government requires Arkansans to confirm proof of residency, legal presence and identity and Social Security number through the following documentation:

Passport or birth certificate
Two proof of address documents such as utility bills or bank statements
Social Security card
Name change linking documents, example: Marriage Certificate, Divorce Decree, Court Order

The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) recently launched a website, www.ar.gov/REALID, allowing Arkansans to list the documentation that will be presented at the Revenue Office to obtain a REAL ID. The website confirms the documents meet all requirements or specifies which document is missing.

The cost to obtain a REAL ID does not differ from the cost to obtain or renew a license or ID.

Close to 250,000 Arkansans have obtained a REAL ID, which is approximately ten percent of active licenses and IDs in the state. Make plans to get yours soon!

Howard County Chamber Reminder

It's time to put up Christmas trees along Main Street in Nashville again and the city crews will be putting them up this Monday 11/18. If you would like to have a Christmas tree to decorate on Main Street this year, call the Chamber office @ 845-1262 and leave me a message. If you haven't participated in the previous years, the cost is $35.00 and we will have a sign professionally made to say what you want for Christmas. We have sold about 40 trees so far and there are spaces for about 70, so we have some openings. Usually when we get the trees up on Main Street they go really fast.

This year we are going to make decorating the trees a competition. 1st place $100.00,
2nd place $75.00,
and 3rd place $25.00. If you do not want to be in the competition, but just want a tree to have in honor of a loved one or to just advertise your business, that's perfectly fine...we will honor whatever you wish.

P.S. The Christmas parade will also offer cash prizes for the best top three floats.

Thank you for supporting your Nashville Chamber of Commerce.

Mike Reese

Southeast Feed is a UA Cossatot Ed 88 Community Partner

At Ed 88, we salute another of our Community Partners, Southeast Feed, six miles east of De Queen on Hwy 70-71. Thank you for making public radio possible in Southwest Arkansas!

Red Ribbon Week is Held at UA Cossatot

The purpose of Red Ribbon Week is to raise awareness of living a drug-free life. UA Cossatot celebrated Red Ribbon Week from October 25 through October 31.

Students from all four of UA Cossatot's Campuses took part in Red Ribbon Week. The UA Cossatot students who participated were both secondary and post-secondary students.

Special events and activities were held throughout the week, such as mock traffic stops, local police visits, and guest speakers. Students could pick up a red ribbon wrist band at the college's Educational Resource Center, where informational literature about drug prevention was also available.

UA Cossatot Campus Police Officer, Jason Curtis gave several presentations during Red Ribbon Week. Curtis said, "Red Ribbon Week is a great time to teach students about the effects and consequences of using drugs. During my presentation on Tuesday, we talked about drug abuse and alcohol abuse, and students were able to use impairment goggles to simulate one aspect of being intoxicated. Using the goggles, we tried to perform everyday activities such as accepting a cup from someone and picking up dropped coins. We also had a display box with simulated drugs for the students to look at."

UA Cossatot's other Campus Police Officers, Monte Stringfellow and Hector Cortez, participated in Red Ribbon Week by assisting with events, presentations, and information. The college also received help from the surrounding counties during Red Ribbon Week.

Wayne Baker, with the De Queen City Police Department and Deputy Chet Stubbs, with the Sevier County Police Department, created mock traffic stop situations on the De Queen Campus. They provided information and also answered questions.

At the Nashville Campus, Kyle Jones, with the Arkansas State Police, created similar scenarios where students could learn and observe. He also gave field sobriety demonstrations. Mark Barnes and Blake Eudy, with the Nashville Police Department, discussed consequences and sentencing that occur due to illegal drug use. The college also had special guest speakers from the Howard County Drug Court come and tell their stories on how drugs and alcohol have affected their life.

Red Ribbon Week concluded with a "Red out Day" where everyone at the college was encouraged to wear red to show their support.

Arkansas Representative DeAnn Vaught Receives 2019 Business Matters Leadership Award.

Arkansas State Chamber President & CEO Randy Zook presents State Rep. DeAnn Vaught with a 2019 Business Matters Leadership Award.

State Rep. DeAnn Vaught (R-Dist.4 – Horatio) received an Arkansas State Chamber/Associated Industries of Arkansas 2019 Business Matters Leadership Award on Wednesday, November 13 at the Arkansas State Chamber building in Little Rock. Vaught was recognized with the award for supporting positive business initiatives during the 92nd General Assembly.

The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas is the leading voice for business at the State Capitol and serves as the primary business advocate on all issues affecting Arkansas employers. The State Chamber/AIA’s mission is to promote a pro-business, free-enterprise agenda and contest anti-business legislation, regulations and rules.

UA Cossatot Basketball Coach Brad Phillips at Nashville Rotary

Colts basketball coach Brad Phillips was the guest speaker at the Nashville Rotary Club on Wednesday.

Thank you Bank of Lockesburg for being a UA Cossatot Colts Sponsor

The UA Cossatot Colts wish to say "Thank You!" to the Bank of Lockesburg for their support of Colts / Lady Colts basketball!

Horatio Public Library Selected to Take Part in Statewide Project

Arkansas photographers Don House and Sabine Schmidt have included the Horatio Public library in their project Remote Access, which highlights small libraries across the State, and the people who rely on them. The photographers will be in Horatio on Saturday, December 7th during regular library hours of 8:30-12:00am. All library patrons are encouraged to drop in and have their photo taken as part of the project. No cost of any kind is involved. For more information about the project and the photographers go to: www.schmidtandhouse.com or call 479-643-4074.

Remote Access is the second collaboration between Schmidt and House. Born of a love of libraries and the role they play in communities, the photographers have chosen to focus on 25 of the smaller of the 235 public libraries in Arkansas. In conjunction with Dr. Robert Brady Cochran II, of the Center for Arkansas and Regional Studies at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, the collection of photographs will coalesce as a book and traveling exhibition.

“All libraries serve similar roles in their communities that go far beyond providing reading material, and these are roles and services that often don’t end up in mission statements, but are critical in the lives of the patrons.” says Sabine Schmidt, “A safe warm space, with critical internet access, a research center, a home away from home, with the librarian acting as researcher, grant writer, vocational counselor, cook, family relationship coach, child welfare monitor, community organizer, tutor, visitor information officer, living bulletin board, a friendly face, and a patient listener.”

Schmidt, whose work often deals with idea of home, will concentrate on the physical community – the architecture, buildings, streets, businesses, schools, churches, and of course, the library itself. “There is obvious beauty in the buildings and facilities of large urban libraries, and that has been documented in several collections of photographs over the years, but I find great beauty in the small rural library that has to make do with limited resources, often in a building that was never intended for the purpose, relying heavily on volunteers, often with a librarian only funded with a part time salary, and space restrictions that can seem daunting. The beauty that comes from labors of love, and that is exactly what drives so many smaller libraries, is tangible, palpable, and photographable.”

House is foremost a portrait photographer, and his interest is in the people who come to the library, who use the space and the services. He will set up his backdrop and lights and photograph anyone who uses the library (and is willing) during normal business hours on December 7th. According to House, the process is quick and casual. “I’m interested in the people, their personality, what they’re wearing, what they’re carrying, why they are there. There is no posing, no pre-conceived notions. When I’m done, if I’ve been successful, I have opened a window on the community, the people who make it what it is.” As a thank you for participation, each person will receive a complimentary copy of their photograph.

For more information on the project and the photographers:

schmidtphotography@gmail.com
dhouse@nwark.com
schmidtandhouse.com
479-643-4074

About Schmidt & House

Don House and Sabine Schmidt live and work in Hazel Valley, deep in the Ozark Mountains of northwest Arkansas. Sabine Schmidt is an award-winning photographer, writer, and translator from Wiesbaden, Germany. Specializing in color photography, she uses digital and medium-format film cameras. Don House was drawn from Michigan to the rugged isolation and unique character of the Ozarks....

Raising Awareness on Sexual Assault Programs on UA Cossatot Campuses

Fall Drive Viewing Fall Foliage in Southwest Arkansas

What a wonderful weekend it was to enjoy the fall colors in southwest Arkansas. This video was taken yesterday at Cossatot Reefs Park below Gillham Lake Dam. Hope there are some leaves remaining after all the wind and rain today and tonight! And watch for more tourism videos coming soon to our ed88radio.com website!

It was a beautiful weekend for checking out the fall colors. Hope there are some leaves left after the next two nights! Enjoy the colors filmed below DIERKS Lake Dam. And look for mire tourism videos coming soon to our ed88radio.com web page.

8th Annual Veterans Day Breakfast at UA Cossatot in De Queen