Infinity Martial Arts prepares for its first ever grappling tournament. The tournament will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2018. The tournament will be called Take Down Battleground. The tournament is being held to help raise money for the family one of the students. The student lost a parent and the family is in need of financial assistance. Registration is $35.00 a person. The tournament will begin at 11 a.m. that Saturday at 101 S Runnels St, De Kalb, TX. Spectators are welcome and encouraged to come watch.
There will be an extra special event at the end of Take Down Battleground, called King of the Battleground. At a set entry fee of $25, any of the finalists from Take Down Battleground are able to face off for a chance to win $100. Stephanie Bunch, co-owner of the martial arts school, has been working with MMA teacher John Kim Jones to get this all set up. Allen and Micah Bunch, teachers at Infinity Martial Arts, are very excited to be hosting the tournament and having some of their very own students participating.
A lovable ogre and a giant peach launch Tex*Rep’s 28th season.
Shrek The Musical opens on Friday, May 4th at 7:30, with performances on Saturday evening at 7:30, and on Sunday at 2:00 at the Stilwell Theatre in the Texarkana College Humanities Building.
Shrek will run on the same schedule the following weekend (11th-13th). The director has informed the cast that at least one Saturday matinee might be added if needed to keep up with demand. The theater will open thirty minutes before show time, so audeince members should arrive early to get the best seats.
Shrek The Musical is based on the 2001 Dreamworks film. First opening in 2008, the show ran on Broadway for two years, and has been on multiple tours domestically and abroad ever since. It has been nominated for twelve Drama Desk and Tony Awards.
Following Shrek, Tex*Rep’s annual Drama Camp will take place June 11th-23rd. This summer’s show is James and the Giant Peach, Jr., a musical based on the book by Roald Dahl.
Over two weeks, young actors from kindergarten to college freshmen learn and perform an entire show. This is a valuable opportunity to make new friends, get to know the local theatre organization, and learn lessons that will last for years to come. It is truly a fun and educational experience for all involved. No prior experience necessary.
There are only spaces available for the first 100 registrants, so it is best to act quickly.
Tex*Rep will be offering Drama Camp scholarships, but they must be applied for and approved in advance.
They also offer the option either to register and pay online, or fill out a paper application to mail in.
Public performances (Showcases) will be Friday, June 22 at 7:30pm and Saturday, June 23 at 7:30pm.
For any questions or concerns on Tex*Rep’s Drama Camp, email artistic director Michael Cooper.
For more information, news about upcoming shows, archives of past shows, volunteer opportunities, memberships, and much more, be sure to visit Tex Rep online. You can also find the Texarkana Repertory Company on Facebook and on Instagram (@texreplife). Make ticket reservations online or by phone at (903) 831-7827.
The Red River Innovation Lab for the Humanities is proud to announce our first annual Festival of Creative Work on April 23rd at Noon in SCIT 210.
We are seeking creative submissions from students, faculty and staff that showcase the abundance of talent and vision we have on our campus. Submissions might include: short films, graphic design work, documentary projects, photography, data visualizations, applications, podcasts, online lectures and learning supplements.
Drafts and works in progress are completely acceptable!
Please note that submissions do not need to have been made in the lab with lab resources.
We’ve only had our doors open for about a month now and we want to celebrate the creative spirit in an effort to inspire our community.
Submissions can be sent via Vimeo, YouTube, Dropbox or Google Drive sharing, or email attachment (depending on size) and should be submitted to Dr. Drew Morton by 5 p.m. on March 30th via email (dmorton@tamut.edu). Decisions will be made by April 9th.
On February 16th, Main Street Texarkana Hosted a Grand Opening for the 1894 City Gallery. The event was a success as over 200 people came to celebrate and support another downtown business. People from all around the area got to enjoy the live music. The style of the music fit in perfectly with the mood of the event while everyone browsed around the art gallery. Only main section was open, but the guests would wander up the stairs to see the future apartments. People enjoyed seeing the floor plans and getting that “before” look, and the construction was a major topic of discussion and excitement.
The event allowed for Main Street to do their membership kick off where the community could buy a membership that helps Main Street Texarkana revitalize downtown. The organization works closely with downtown, which has eight different restaurants, many museums and several shops that have a steady following. Downtown is home to Photographers Island (state line sign), The Arrow Bar (oldest bar in Texarkana), and the Texarkana Gazette. Of course there are many other downtown attractions, and the Main Street website has them all listed.
Main Street Texarkana is a non-profit organization that focuses on rejuvenating downtown by encouraging traffic as well as offering grants and loans to potential business owners. The organization also offers free design assistance to those who help build up that area of town. Some common events associated with Main Street Texarkana include the Christmas parade as well as the more well-known Dine on the Line. The Texarkana City Guide is also published by Main Street. This non-profit organization relies on the support and donation of the community. A base membership is $25, with a student membership coming soon to encourage students to take part in downtown. Members get early access to event information as well as a variety of other things depending on the type of membership purchased.
If you missed this event, another downtown event, hosted by Texarkana Twin City Sports will happen in early March. They are throwing a downtown festival that will take place with the Big Bass Clash Fishing Tournament on March 9th-11th. Main Street Texarkana as well as the Texarkana Twin City Sports website have more information about this event. To keep up to date with upcoming events, subscribe to the Main Street Newsletter.
As a college student, it is hard to pay for luxurious meals. Most of the time you are eating Ramen noodles for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Now Schlotzsky’s has announced a guest appreciation day when they will be giving away free Schlotzsky’s for a year! There is a catch: you must be one of the first 100 guests to purchase a 6-pack of Cinnabon Classic Rolls. You will then receive a redemption card for a free small Original sandwich per week for 52 consecutive weeks.
This opportunity is only available at Schlotzsky/Cinnabon locations and, fortunately, we have one! The Texarkana store is located at 3652 Richmond Road near the Walmart.
I participated in this promotion when the location first opened and I didn’t regret it. It is definitely worth the price of a 6 pack of Cinnabon Classic Rolls. I saved so much money that I was able to try all of the soups and anything else I wanted. I recommend waking up early so you are ensured that you are one of the first 100 guests that receive one. Also, be sure to bring a lawn chair and some headphones so you can wait comfortably.
People all over the world show their Christmas spirit with festive light displays. Thomas Edison started the tradition of Christmas light displays in 1880. Edison was so proud of his light bulb invention, he strung them together and hung them proudly from his Menlo Park laboratory compound.
Photos courtesy of edisonawards.com
Christmas in the South may not always be snowy and white, but Southerners are just as proud to celebrate the season with lights and all things magical. See the list below for information on displays and festivities, in and around the area, to enjoy this holiday season.
Photo of Federal Post Office, Downtown Texarkana. Courtesy of Arkansas.com
– Texarkana, Texas – The owners of the home at 4904 Lesley Lane, bring joy to the community with their animated light display. The display is set to music which can be played from the comfort of your vehicle.
– Texarkana, Texas – The residents of the culdesac on Spotswood in Pleasant Grove, located beside Williams Memorial Methodist Church, spell out “We Wish You A Very Merry Christmas,” in lit signs. In fact, the tradition is so important to the residents, they even leave behind their signs, if they sell their home, so that the tradition may continue.
– Texarkana, Texas – First Assembly of God Church, located at 3401 W. 7th Street will host their annual drive-thru, live Nativity Scene. There will be over 100 people in costume, bringing the story of Jesus’ birth to life! When you enter the parking lot, you will be able to tune in to a specialized radio broadcast and be greeted with hot chocolate and candy canes. There will be live animals; sheep, cows, mules, goats, camels, and more. This event is open to the public and FREE for everyone. The event will take place on Friday, December 8, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. And again on Saturday, December 9, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. See video link below to see a recap of the 2014 Live Nativity. Video provided by Matt Cornelius, YouTube.com.
– Ashdown, Arkansas – The K.C.S. Railroad’s Holiday Express will make its stop in Ashdown, on December 6, beginning at 4:00 p.m. The train will be stopped at Main St. and Hwy 71. The Holiday Express is a six-car train, carrying Santa and his Elves. The train has a flatcar carrying Santa’s sleigh, a smiling tank car named Rudy, reindeer and a miniature village, a gingerbread boxcar, the elves’ workshop, a reindeer stable, and a little red caboose.
Photo courtesy of TexarkanaFYI
– Shreveport/Bossier Lousiana Boardwalk – A blizzard is forecast to occur every night at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., as well as 12:30 p.m. on weekends. While at the Boardwalk, please be sure to visit Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shop. In Santa’s Wonderland, kids get free digital pics with Santa and can make the Bass Pro craft of the week for free. This place is magical for children old and young.
Photo courtesy of Louisiana Boardwalk
Photo courtesy of Louisiana Boardwalk
– Tyler, Texas – Santa Land is a 24-acre drive-thru Christmas Park with over two million lights, Christmas music, a 250-foot long tunnel of lights with 12-foot Toy Soldiers, themed areas, a gift shop, and snack bar. Santa Land is located at 11455 I-20 West Tyler, Texas. Information and pricing listed below.
Photo courtesy of SantaLand Facebook Page
Video courtesy of YouTube.com
– Marshall, Texas – Enjoy the Wonderland of Lights Festival in downtown Marshall, Texas this season. The festival includes an outdoor ice skating rink, rides on the Holly Trolly, Wonderland Express and the vintage 1948 Herschel carousel. Visit the brand new Santa’s Village for cookies, train building, and pictures. Enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride on one of three carriages through Historic Downtown Marshall, then listen to live music at Telegraph Park downtown performed by local musicians, area churches and school choirs. Visit https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/wonderlandoflights/items/?full-items=yes for prices on the various attractions. And don’t forget to pay a visit to Central Perk Coffee House and warm up with a cup of gourmet coffee or hot chocolate.
Photo courtesy of Marshalltexas.net
Photo courtesy of Marshalltexas.net
The Harrison County Courthouse in downtown Marshall on Wednesday, December 21, 2011. (Michael Cavazos/News-Journal Photo)
– The Louisiana/Texas Holiday Trail of Lights – The Holiday Trail of Lights includes multiple cities in both Louisiana and Texas. You can visit one leg of the trail or all of them. All cities on the trail are connected by I-20 and I-49. The two legs of the trail, nearest to Texarkana, are Jefferson, Texas and Shreveport/Bossier, Louisiana. Check out the video below for more details on the Holiday Trail of Lights.
Paying a visit to any of the Christmas displays listed above is sure to brighten your Christmas. Be sure to check Facebook Events for more on local holiday events. Have a safe and Merry Christmas from the staff at Eagle Eye Media.
Have you seen painted rocks hidden around town? This growing trend started just to brighten people’s day. I have stumbled across a few rocks myself, and I do enjoy seeing them. However, I leave the rocks where I find them for the stones to brighten up someone else’s day. It is a light-hearted and harmless trend that is ever-growing. In fact, Texarkana even has a Facebook group called “Texarkana Rocks- Texas Official Group” where they gather to show off their rocks as well as discuss possible hiding places and reasons behind. The Facebook group although closed to the public is still is to join. By joining the group, I gained access to the hot hiding spots for painted rocks located in Spring Lake Park and Three Chicks.
If you treat the painted rocks as a game, then the game is straightforward. First, you find a quilted rock that has passed through 20 different hands with everyone adding their personal touch, and then you paint it. Next thing you do is hide the rock someone for someone else to find. The person who finds it can either keep it, rehide it, or leave it be. Now Texarkana Rocks Facebook group encourages people who paint the rocks to put the web link on the back of the rocks so others can find the group. This is their way of trying to get strangers unaware of the trend to seek out the group and post pictures of the rocks they find. Mainly because that is part of their game and people get encouraged to paint and hide more rocks when they see their rocks being found. This trend across the ArkLaTex is allowing people to spread their creativity and encourages them to be part of a community. Some people even use the rocks as a way to send a message whether that message is a cause or just to uplift spirits. There are funny rocks, pretty rocks, and even location rocks.
This is one of the Quilt Rocks that is circulating around Texarkana. Photo Taken by Tonya Walker
One trend that encourages everyone to play the game are the quilted rocks. Now the quilted rocks start out rather dull as they are painted a solid color with horizontal and vertical lines drawn on it. The person to paint the rock essentially only paints one square before hiding the wrong. The next person comes along finds the rock, paints an additional square and then hides it. The same goes for everyone that follows, so by the time all the squares are colored. The idea of painted rocks is brilliant because it invites everyone to join in on the fun to spread smiles across the ArkLaTex. It has become a treasure hunt where people are taking their kids to popular painted rock destination so they can even enjoy the fun. People enjoy finding the rocks just as much as the creators enjoy painting and hiding them. Both parties feel good by the end of the interactions.
Painted rocks are meant to brighten people’s day. They are harmless, lighthearted and meant to be fun. I invite everyone who reads this to join the Texarkana Rocks- Texas Official Group on Facebook.
Some of the rocks that can be found around town. Photo taken by Jen Phillips
This weekend, the Junior League of Texarkana kicks off the holiday season with the 32nd Annual Mistletoe Fair at the Four States Fairgrounds.
Junior League member Courtney Boeckmann says “Mistletoe Fair is a great way to kick off the holiday season. From holiday shopping for friends and family, to seeing the magic of the season with the arrival of Santa Claus, to watching a showcase of local animal shelter pets in need of a home called Strut the Mutt, there is something fun for everyone at Mistletoe Fair!”
Day passes can be purchased for $7.00 at the door. For events like “Breakfast with Santa,” “Story Time with Santa,” and “Santa’s Workshop” it is a good idea to purchase in advance because they sell out fast. Tickets can be purchased at the website listed below.
The holiday season is upon us. Rather than adding to your wish list, or stressing over the trappings of the season; find your joy by doing random acts of kindness.
Random acts of kindness are selfless acts of kindness directed at complete strangers, with the sole intent of spreading love and kindness. There is no better way to celebrate the joy of the holidays.
Below is a list of easy and fulfilling random acts of kindness. Give them a try and see how they improve your holiday season. You might just want to make them a part of your everyday life.
Buy a stranger’s coffee.
Leave some change in a vending machine, so that someone can get a free drink.
Take some homemade treats to nurses, firefighters, teachers, or cops in your community to thank them for all they do.
Leave a big tip for a waiter or waitress in need.
Make treats and put them in the mailbox for the mailman. Be sure to leave them a note, so they know the treats are for them.
Take pet food, old blankets, and pet toys to your local shelter.
Take flowers to a local hospital and have a nurse give them to a patient who needs to be cheered up.
Donate food, books, toiletries, and warm clothing to the local homeless shelter.
Do chores for a friend or family member.
Adopt a deployed soldier and send him/her some much needed holiday cheer. Here is the website: http://www.adoptaussoldier.org/
Give someone your place in line.
Visit a nursing home. Just talk to the residents, play board games with them, or get some friends together to sing Christmas carols and hand out Holiday cards.
Give a hot drink to a Salvation Army bell ringer.
Give a gift card to a stranger at the grocery store. Any amount shows you care.
Take classroom supplies to a teacher or two. If you have Dr. Morton, then you know he always needs dry erase markers.
Adopt an Angel from an Angel Tree. Most of the time, these children aren’t asking for a lot. I personally have adopted several angels over the years, and each time it cost me around $50.
Above all, this Holiday season and all year round, show kindness, compassion, and love for your fellow man. Restore your faith in humanity by blessing strangers with random acts of kindness.
Redemption Repairs and Performance of Texarkana, Arkansas, hosted the T-Town Showdown Car Show on Veteran’s Day, Saturday, November, 11 at the Four States Fair Grounds from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The event organizers honored veterans by allowing free entry to anyone with a military I.D.
The show featured classic cars, show-quality diesels, motorcycles, ATV’s, and premium sound systems. This event was fun for adults and kids of all ages. Optimus Prime from the popular Transformers movie series was on site.
After the pin-up girl and sound-off contest, multiple vehicles were spotted, performing burnouts for the crowd. This show gets two thumbs up.
