I've been sitting on this idea for months, and today it's finally here. the 479er officially launches today.

If we haven't met yet, I'm Ben. I've called NWA home for the last 20 years, and I'm the proud dad of two boys who somehow manage to keep me humble and broke at the same time. LOL.

I truly enjoy living here.

Sure, I-49 can test your patience, but there's nowhere else I'd rather live.

We're now one of the fastest-growing metros in the country, with about 40 new neighbors moving here every day. That's a lot of people looking for great tacos (my personal weakness), hidden gems, weekend plans, and the kind of local spots you usually only hear about from a friend.

That's why I created the 479er.

Every week, I'll do the digging so you don't have to. Every Thursday morning, I'll deliver the best of NWA straight to your inbox - the events worth your time, the places worth checking out, and the stories that make Northwest Arkansas such an incredible place to call home.

After 20 years here, I'm still discovering new places every single week. That tells me there are plenty more waiting for all of us.

Thanks for being here for Issue #1.

Let's go explore NWA together - Ben

🍔 New spot on my radar. Purple Cow just opened in Rogers at Pinnacle Hills across from Embassy Suites. Retro diner, burgers, and milkshakes for days. Safe to say I'll be checking this one out soon.

👀 Another one to keep an eye on. Bienvenue is taking over the old Theo's location by the AMP and Topgolf. French cuisine is coming later this summer, and I honestly can't remember the last time I had really good French food. This one's definitely on my list.

💸 Looking to save a few bucks? Crystal Bridges is offering free admission for kids 18 and under right now. As soon as I heard that, I figured I had my weekend plans.

If you're looking for an excuse to get out of the house this weekend, I've got a few ideas.

🌱 Bentonville - Make a day of it this weekend. Start your morning at the Bentonville Farmers Market on the Downtown Square with more than 100 local vendors. Get there early before the heat rolls in - parking is usually easy before 8 AM. Then head back Friday afternoon for First Friday on the Square with food trucks, live music, local vendors, and plenty for the kids to do. My oldest has always loved this one, and somehow we always end up staying longer than we planned.

🎸 Rogers - Friday & Saturday, 7 PM. Railyard Live is back at Butterfield Stage with another weekend of free concerts. Just remember to register online before you go. I wandered through the Railyard last weekend while getting my steps in, and before I knew it, I was standing there listening to the band. Definitely making it back.

🌿 Fayetteville - Friday, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM. The Weekend Starts Series at the Upper Ramble is one of those events that flies under the radar. Free live music, local artists, and a laid-back atmosphere. If you're looking for a relaxing Friday evening, this one's worth checking out.

🐶 Lowell - Saturday starting at 11 AM. Wags & Bags returns to Matrix NWA. I need to stay far, far away from this one... otherwise my son will somehow convince me that we need to adopt "just one more." LOL.

From the Razorbacks to rec leagues, here's what caught my eye this week.

🏈 Razorbacks - I know everybody follows football, but did you catch this? New head coach Ryan Silverfield still isn't naming a starting quarterback before the Utah opener, and I honestly love it. Why give Utah (or Georgia) anything to prepare for? May the best man win. I don't know about you, but I'm ready for Razorback football to be fun again.

🏀 Hoops - One under-the-radar move that could pay off this season... five-star guard Davion Thompson officially reclassified and joined the Razorbacks a year early. He's already on campus and gives Calipari even more backcourt depth than most fans realize. If football gives us another season of heartburn... at least Bud Walton should be rocking this winter.

⚾ Naturals - The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are home all weekend at Arvest Ballpark. It's one of my favorite affordable family outings around here, and they always do a great job making it fun for the kids. If you're looking for an easy night out, this one's hard to beat.

⚽ Your Turn - Rogers Adult Soccer League registration is now open for Fall 2026. Competitive leagues, recreational leagues, and age-specific divisions are all available. If you've ever yelled at the TV during the World Cup and thought, "I would've made that shot," well... here's your chance to shine. LOL.

One last story before we head into the weekend.

One thing I want to do every week is give you a peek into where I actually ended up here in the 479. Maybe it's a place I visited, a local business owner I met, or an adventure with my boys. Never an ad - just real life.

This week, my 3-year-old and I spent some time at the Daisy Airgun Museum in Bentonville. If you've never been, it's awesome. It's small, quick, and perfect for little kids. He had an absolute blast running around and checking everything out.

By the time we left, he made me promise about fifteen different times that when he gets older, Dad is buying him his first lever-action Daisy.

We'll see about that. LOL.

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

One of my biggest goals with the 479er has always been simple...

Help you discover the very best of NWA.

That's why I've been working behind the scenes on something I'm really excited about.

Coming soon, you'll have access to a growing collection of curated local guides featuring some of the most trusted businesses across NWA.

Whether you're looking for a great Realtor, a trusted painter, a family-friendly brewery, or the perfect coffee shop, you'll always have a great place to start.

Stay tuned... I can't wait to share it with you.

If you enjoyed the first issue, hit Reply and tell me what you'd like to see more of. I read every email.