Here's your local news at a glance for Monday, the 8th of December.
Good morning, Fayetteville.
🏘️ Community
Local businesses offer holiday deals and festivities this week around Fayetteville (including fashion shows, pop-ups, and gift card specials) as venues like Mockingbird Kitchen and Stonebreaker Hotel debut seasonal offers.
Upcoming events on Dec. 9, Dec. 10 and Dec. 14 invite community participation.
Fayetteville’s City Council voted Tuesday to expand the Downtown Outdoor Refreshment Area to include 1834 Tavern Lafayette on W.
Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and Moonhouse on W. Lafayette; both restaurants will soon serve outdoor alcohol consumption + updated signage finalizes the change.
Staff Senate is accepting donations for the RazorGifts Staff Holiday Giving program to support 27 staff families and 86 children — gifts on the online registry and monetary contributions must be received by Dec.
12.
🎭 Culture
The Nutcracker will be performed by International Ballet Stars at the Faulkner Performing Arts Center on Dec.
15 at 7 p.m. The production features 50 dancers — over 200 handcrafted costumes and a We Dance Program that lets young dancers practice with professionals, promising a magical holiday experience for families.
🎓 Education
Fayetteville music professor Tomoko Kashiwagi was inducted into the Steinway & Sons Music Teacher Hall of Fame this fall as one of 66 honorees recognized for her excellence in piano education, and she was nominated by Steinway Gallery Northwest Arkansas.
The U of A Division of Student Affairs celebrated two honors as Dr. Lori Lander received the 2025 Dr. Mossie J.
Richmond, Jr. Outstanding Leadership Award (for her service) and the Hogs Get Hired program was recognized for linking campus jobs to career skills by the Arkansas Student Affairs Association.
Denese and Dr. William Jackson donated $25,000 to the U of A Land of Opportunity Scholarship to help students — especially from the Delta — get a higher education.
Their gift supports a three-year campaign that already raised 68% of its goal to expand funding access across Arkansas.
ASG and Campus Services will offer a $10 shuttle from campus to Northwest Arkansas National Airport from Dec.
10 to 12; buses leave at 6:30, 9:30, 12:30 and 3 from the Razorback Football Stadium parking lot, aiming to ease winter break travel.
The University of Arkansas urged its campus community to review its inclement weather policy as winter nears.
Officials said that if severe weather disrupts operations—classes will shift online and essential staff will report to campus while nonessential staff work remotely.
U of A recognized five outstanding staff members as First Quarter Employees of the Quarter for their excellence in service, innovation and campus support.
Their contributions have improved student success and campus operations.
Peter MacKeith announced he will step down as dean of the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design effective June 30, 2026 to return to faculty+focus on expanding timber and wood design innovation while a national search for his successor will be launched soon.
Introduction to Digital Humanities will be offered in spring 2026 for undergraduate and graduate students with classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 3:15 p.m. Maria Teodora Comsa (interim director of the World Languages and Digital Humanities Studio) will lead hands-on lessons in digital archives, data analysis, and AI's impact on humanities.
Sarah Paschal, a two-time horticulture graduate, has joined U of A's Department of Horticulture as an instructor and will teach Principles of Horticulture and Plants, People, and You while advising the Horticulture Club and chairing the Scholarship Committee.
Her extensive research in turfgrass science reinforces her new role.
🎉 Fayetteville Events
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Kimberly Akimbo Musical
7:00–8:30 p.m. — Walton Arts Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience the five-time Tony-winning musical featuring an engaging story and stunning performances.
Super Saturday: Ozark Ballet Theater's The Nutcracker
10-11 a.m. — Fayetteville Public Library — Free entry — Enjoy delightful excerpts from The Nutcracker performed by the Ozark Ballet Theater.
The Nutcracker: International Ballet Stars
7 p.m. — Jim & Joyce Faulkner Performing Arts Center — Tickets required — Celebrate the magic of the holiday season with a delightful performance of The Nutcracker.
MeatEater Live: The Christmas Tour
7 PM – 12 AM — Ozark Music Hall — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate the holidays with Steven Rinella and the MeatEater crew in a night filled with laughs and outdoor insights.
Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
6:30-7:29 p.m. — TheatreSquared — $51.4 — Experience the magic of Christmas carols performed by a string quartet under candlelight.
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