🌱 Patch AM: Where to grab a free Christmas dinner in Bentonville this week

Hey there, Bentonville! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Where to grab a free Christmas dinner in Bentonville this week
• See which Bentonville residents just filed for federal bankruptcy protection
• Which new U.S. patents just went to Bentonville innovators?

Also on today's calendar: Holiday Porch Light Sessions at The Compton.

Today's riddle: What did the windowsill say to the glass? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Monday: Cloudy; breezy in the p.m., with a high of 62 and low of 53 degrees.
• Tuesday: Breezy in the morning, temps: high: 71, low: 58.
• Wednesday: Breezy with clouds and sun, with a high of 71 and low of 58 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. For The Love NWA offers free meals Dec. 22-23, Christmas Day (nwahomepage.com) — Bentonville residents can get a free Christmas-time dinner Thursday at 306 SW A Street, thanks to nonprofit For The Love NWA. The group’s Neighbor Nights offer honey ham, sides, dessert, and a welcoming community space, with extra meals available for those who volunteer.
   

2. 14 bankruptcy filings listed in Little Rock (arkansasonline.com) — Recent federal bankruptcy filings include two Chapter 13 cases tied to a Bentonville address on Southwest Satinwood Avenue, reflecting ongoing financial strain for some local households. The full list, filed in mid-December, spans communities across Arkansas and shows a mix of Chapter 7, 11, and 13 cases affecting both individuals and small businesses.
   

3. Patent issued for 'dual waterfall cabinet' (nwaonline.com) — Several Bentonville inventors have just been awarded new U.S. patents, including innovations in merchandise shelving and data modeling systems that likely tie into the region’s retail and tech economy. The list highlights Arkansans’ creativity statewide, from Fayetteville to Little Rock, with Bentonville names appearing on some of the most commercially relevant projects.
   

4. The best images from Investigate Midwest in 2025 (investigatemidwest.org) — One of Investigate Midwest’s standout 2025 photos spotlights farmer Dan Douglas on his family’s porch near Bentonville, describing how rapid Walmart-driven development is pushing nearby land prices beyond what many farm families can afford. The broader photo collection documents agriculture, labor, and environmental issues across the Midwest, but this Bentonville-area story underscores how national economic forces are reshaping even familiar corners of Northwest Arkansas.
   

5. Arkansas receives about 250 comments opposed to banning education accounts' use on team sports (arkansasonline.com) — A proposed rule change to Arkansas’ Educational Freedom Accounts could ban using funds for team sports, drawing about 250 public comments, including concerns from a Bentonville state senator. Parents and advocacy groups are split between supporting a 25% cap on extracurricular spending and demanding tighter academic-only uses, and education officials may revise and recirculate the rules before final approval.
   

📸 Around Bentonville

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Bentonville

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Friday December 26

• Holiday Porch Light Sessions at The Compton
  The Compton Bentonville , 200 E Central Ave , Bentonville
  6:00 pm

📣 Bentonville Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday December 23

• Hands-On STEAM
  Pea Ridge Public Library , 801 N Curtis Ave , Pea Ridge
  11:00 am
• City Council Meeting - Meeting Cancelled
  Rogers, AR Calendar , 301 W Chestnut Northeast Entrance , Rogers
  6:30 pm

Wednesday December 24

• Wednesday Dismissal at 1:50
  Harp Elementary School , 2700 Butterfield Coach Rd , Springdale
  7:45 am

Saturday December 27

• Magic Mike The Chrismas Show
  Memories Event Place, LLC , 225 Fair St , Centerton
  8:00 pm

Sunday December 28

• Year End Concert - A Global Celebration of Classical Music
  Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel , 504 Memorial Dr , Bella Vista
  11:00 am

Monday December 29

• Gravette Lions Christmas Classic Day 1
  Gravette High School , 325 Lion Dr S , Gravette
  10:00 am

Wednesday December 31

• Gravette Lions Christmas Classic Day 2
  Gravette High School , 325 Lion Dr S , Gravette
  10:00 am
• Gravette Lions Christmas Classic Day 3
  Gravette High School , 325 Lion Dr S , Gravette
  10:00 am

Saturday January 10

• 2025-26 Basketball Lil' Hoopsters-Grades K-1-8:15am-9:15am
  Rogers Activity Center , 315 W Olive St , Rogers
  10:45 am

Monday January 19

• Gravette Lions vs Gentry Public Pioneers
  Gravette High School , 325 Lion Dr S , Gravette
  4:00 pm

Friday March 13

• NWA Home Show
  Rogers Convention Center , 3303 S Pinnacle Hills Pkwy , Rogers
  10:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• RML Auto posted a job opening for Svc Porter/Safety Sensitive in Bentonville. Apply here.
• Taco Bell posted a job opening for Late Night Team Member in Bentonville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bentonville here.

Ok Bentonville! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I feel your pane.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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