Well, apparently I’m not the only one who thought NWA needed something like this.

We’re only on Issue #2, and there are already 958 of you here. That’s honestly pretty crazy to me.

I spent months wondering if anybody would actually want to read this thing, and now we’re knocking on the door of 1,000 subscribers after two weeks. Safe to say, I think we might be onto something.

Seriously though, thank you.

I’ve gotten messages and replies from people all over NWA telling me where they’re reading from, what they liked, and even places I need to go check out. I’m having a blast putting this together every week, and knowing you guys are actually enjoying it makes all the late nights digging around NWA worth it.

And we’re just getting started.

I’ve also been working on something behind the scenes that I’m really excited about.

Next Thursday, I’m opening up the 479er’s local directory. I’m putting together 10 different curated lists to make finding great local businesses around NWA a whole lot easier.

And when I say curated, I mean it.

I’m not trying to build another giant directory with 200 businesses in every category. I’m hand-picking just 10 for each list. Realtors, home services, date nights, hidden gems, family fun, pet pros, and plenty more.

The idea is simple. When you need something local, I want the 479er to be one of the first places you think to look.

I’ve still got some finishing touches to put on it this week, and I want to make sure I get it right before I send everybody there.

It’ll be ready for you next Thursday.

Until then, we’ve got another week of NWA to explore.

Let’s see what I found this week - Ben

🎵 A new music venue is coming to Bentonville. Live Nation and The Momentary are working on a new indoor venue called the Bentonville Ballroom with room for about 2,500 people. It’s planned for 2028 and would give NWA something right in between the smaller venues around town and the big shows at the AMP. I’m already curious who’s going to be the first one to take the stage.

🍺 Flyway Brewing landed in Bentonville. The Little Rock brewery now has a spot at Walmart’s new Home Office campus, and yes, it’s part of the public-facing restaurant and retail area. Between this, Wright’s BBQ, Yokozuna, and everything else opening over there, I’m starting to think I need to finish the gym early one morning and just make a full day out of it. LOL. #gains

🚲 There’s a new way to get across Rogers. Poplar Parkway is officially open, connecting Downtown Rogers to Midtown with a new route for biking and walking. It links a dozen parks, shopping spots, and other destinations along the way. Considering how much time I spend walking around Rogers trying to get my steps in, I’m honestly not sure how I missed this one. Looks like I know where I’m walking next.

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, I did some digging and found a little bit of everything.

🎈 Bentonville | SOAR NWA. Friday & Saturday, 5 PM - 10 PM. Hot air balloons take over the Benton County Fairgrounds this weekend with balloon glows, tethered rides, live music, food, and plenty for the kids to do. This one’s only around once a year, so if you’ve never been, this might be the weekend to check it out. I’m just saying, a giant glowing balloon is going to be pretty hard for the kids to walk past without hearing, “Dad, can we go?” about 37 times.

🏁 Springdale | Crush Zone Monster Trucks. Saturday, 7 PM at Parsons Stadium, with Fan Fest starting at 5 PM. Monster trucks, off-road trucks, and somehow, 50-mph lawn mower racing. I didn’t even know this was happening until I started digging for this week’s newsletter, and now I’m seriously thinking about taking my son. Also, whoever decided lawn mowers needed to go 50 mph deserves a raise. LOL.

🛍️ Fayetteville | Businesses Without Buildings. Saturday, 10 AM - 2 PM at the Fayetteville Public Library. This one’s pretty cool. It’s a showcase specifically for local businesses that don’t have a traditional storefront. Think photographers, home bakers, food trucks, makers, and other small businesses you might never stumble across otherwise. Basically, somebody created an event for finding hidden local businesses, so you already know I’m a fan.

🎨 Bentonville | Studio Social: Glow for It! Friday, 5 PM - 8 PM at Crystal Bridges. If monster trucks aren’t exactly your idea of a romantic Friday night, I’ve got you covered. This is a come-and-go art night inspired by Keith Haring with glowing EL lights, blacklight poster-making, and a cash bar. Admission is free with a suggested donation. Honestly, this sounds like a pretty solid date night, especially if your artistic ability tops out somewhere around stick figures like mine does.

From the Razorbacks to everything else happening around NWA sports, here’s what caught my eye this week.

🏈 Remember No. 97. When Razorback football kicks off in a few weeks, keep an eye on Quincy Rhodes Jr. The 6-foot-6 defensive lineman had 15.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage last season, the most by a Razorback since Trey Flowers did it in 2015. He even had 4.5 in one game against Mississippi State, something an Arkansas defender hadn’t done since 2005. So if you see No. 97 blowing up a play before it ever gets started this fall, now you know who he is.

🏀 Cal’s kids. Literally. Arkansas basketball’s active roster has an average age of just 18 years and 7 months. I’m 40, so I’m pretty sure I have leftovers in my refrigerator older than half this team. LOL. Cal has already said this could be one of the youngest teams in the country, and with only one returning player who had significant experience last season, we’re going to get to watch a whole lot of young talent grow up together.

⚽ Don’t sleep on Razorback soccer. No. 13 North Carolina comes to Razorback Field next Thursday, and Clemson follows a week later. That’s some serious competition coming to Fayetteville in a hurry. So if you’ve never been to a Razorback soccer game, the next couple of weeks might be a pretty good time to change that.

One last thing before we head into the weekend.

If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m pretty big on health and fitness. The gym is usually how I start my day, but lately I’ve been spending a lot of my evenings walking around Lake Atalanta here in Rogers.

Now, Lake Atalanta definitely isn’t some hidden NWA secret. But with so many new people moving here, I know there are plenty of you who probably haven’t made it out there yet.

If that’s you, go check it out.

There’s just something about throwing the headphones in, getting outside, and walking a few miles after a long day that clears my head. Plus, I turned 40 this year, so I’m not sure if these evening walks still count as fitness or if this is just who I am now. LOL.

Either way, if you’re ever out there in the evening and see me making my laps, come say hi. Just give me a second to take my headphones out first.

Have a blessed weekend.

Until next Thursday... go explore something new - Ben