Becca Martin Brown, with Northwest Arkansas Newspapers, says free talks this week will cover Ozark living, the Spiro Mounds and give you a chance to hear Newbery-Medal winning author Christopher Paul Curtis.
Ozarks At Large
Members of industry, government and education gathered yesterday for a career and technical education Summit in northwest Arkansas. The goal of the event was to determine how to meet the needs of the area's growing economy.
Music, cell phones and fishing are all being used to help raise money, food and awareness for area nonprofits.


Governor Mike Beebe yesterday issued a line-item veto on a tax exemption for sand used in oil and natural gas drilling. The state's top economist says that the latest unemployment numbers show positive growth in the state's economy. And the Siloam Springs board of directors is set to consider a liquor-by-the-drink ordinance.
Becca says a trash pop group and an Italian soprano are some musicians you can hear in northwest Arkansas this week.
Roby Brock, from our content partner Talk Business Arkansas recently talked with Tyson Foods President and Chief Executive Officer Donnie Smith.
Tyson Foods responds to issues raised in the new book The Meat Racket.

Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Friday, May 23, 2014
On this edition of Ozarks, we take a look at a new study that analyzes high school graduation rates in Arkansas. Also Dick Johnson stops by the Firmin-Garner Performance Studio.
In just more than a decade, Mark Landon Smith, director of Arts Live Theatre, has taken the program to new heights. Becca Martin Brown has more on their upcoming season.
Here are our ten clips inspired by monster trucks...well, all monster---no trucks.
1. Bobby Pickett sings Monster Mash.
2. Boris Karloff and O.P. Heggie in an iconic (if often misquoted) scene from The Bride of Frankenstein.
3. Warren Zevon's song Werewolves of London.
4. Maria Ouspenskaya and Lon Chaney, Jr. in The Wolf Man.
5. Godzilla, the song by Blue Oyster Cult.
6. Godzilla, the fire-breathing monster.
7. Edgar Winter and the classic rock instrumental, Frankenstein.
8. King Kong's roar. You get credit if you guessed a lion's roar played backwards...because that's what it is.
9. Imagine Dragons' song Monster.
10. Bela Lugosi's Dracula doesn't lie...he just doesn't tell the whole truth.
Apologies to: Lon Chaney, Sr. (silent films are not good Sunday Montage fodder), the Creature From the Black Lagoon and Of Monsters and Men. Maybe next time.
The Arkansas gross domestic product grew in 2013, particularly in some unexpected sectors. With one of the architects of the Arkansas Private Option defeated in a primary runoff this week, the future of the Medicaid expansion is in doubt, but Governor Mike Beebe is undeterred. Plus, this weekend marks the 149th anniversary of the end of slavery in the U.S., and the 17th annual NWA Juneteenth Celebration will mark the occasion in Springdale.
"Ten Million Slaves" Otis Taylor
Michael Tilley, from The City Wire, talks about the latest details regarding an acquisition of Hillshire.