Arkansas has been selected, for the first time ever, as one of just five states to host a delegation of 16 elite Bordeaux Estates, which are classified Grands Crus (vintages from 2005 to 2020).   In association with Vino Distribution, wine lovers will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to taste 32 wines classified Grands Crus selected from all the major Bordeaux appellations, including Pauillac, Margaux, St Julien, St Estephe, St Emilion, Haut Medoc and Sauternes. The event, called “Bordeaux Rendez-Vous,” will take place at Rusty Tractor Vineyards on Tuesday, May 14, from 6:30 p.m. t ..read more

Family meals take on extra meaning at Wagon Wheel Restaurant in Greenbrier, where sisters Trish Nelson and Lavonda “Sissy” Ruple welcome customers to their family business.    Nelson, manager and server, joined the restaurant 30 years ago after graduating high school. Ruple, a server, began working at the restaurant full-time 26 years ago, but she said she has had a hand in the business since her parents, Lawrence and Bonnie Nelson, bought it in 1991.   “Everyone in the family has taken a turn working at Wagon Wheel,” Ruple said. “I started working full-time in 1998 when the com ..read more

Silver Dollar City’s newly built “Fire in the Hole,” the largest family roller coaster in Branson, officially opened on March 30! The original indoor coaster took its final ride on Dec. 30, 2023, after more than 50 years.   The new coaster – a $30 million investment, the park’s largest to date – is a nearly 3-minute long ride within more than 32,000 square feet that retells the tale of the night the real town of Silver Dollar City was burnt to the ground in the 1880s. In the store, “volunteers” are asked to board their very own “pumper” (a steam-powered, firefighting wagon) and save the b ..read more

There are always great things to do in The Natural State, and AY About You has compiled some of the most exciting events in Arkansas this weekend. Also, listen to 103.7 The Buzz every Friday morning for Morning Mayhem to learn more about what’s going on during the weekend and more, featuring AY About You President and Publisher Heather Baker.     Thursday, April 25  What: 25th Annual Red Carpet Recovery Gala 2024  Where: The Venue at Westwind (North Little Rock) When: 6 p.m.  Wolfe Street Foundation will be hosting its annual Red Carpet Recovery Gala this Thursday eve ..read more

Magic Springs Theme and Water Park in Hot Springs recently announced the theme park will open on May 4 for the 2024 season, and the water park will open on May 11. Magic Springs will be open from noon to 6 p.m. on the weekends until weekday operations begin May 27.   The only theme and water park in Arkansas, Magic Springs is slated to offer up another season of thrilling rides, exciting outdoor concerts and family-friendly fun.   “Magic Springs is gearing up to welcome guests back this summer for a wide variety of outdoor family fun and unforgettable experiences,” said Jessyka Hanna ..read more

The entertainment in Arkansas never runs dry, especially when it comes to music. The weekend’s lineup is full of live music all over the state, and AY About You has put together a comprehensive list of musical talent coming to venues near you over the weekend.   April 25:  Rock Redemption Tour: Seventh Day Slumber with Shallow Side, Magdalene Rose and Love The Hate at Majestic in Fort Smith Boomer Hill Band at MAD House 101 Restaurant and Bar in El Dorado Cliff and Susan at Ouachita Bar & Grill in Hot Springs Los Veleros and Mezclave at Turnbow Live Concert Series in S ..read more

If your kids love fishing, you may want to consider a trip to Sherwood this weekend for the Kids Fishing Derby!   Hosted by Sherwood first responders (Sherwood PD, Sherwood FD, MEMS), the Kids Fishing Derby will kick off at noon on Saturday, April 27 at the City Hall Pond – 2199 East Kiehl Avenue.   The event provides a great opportunity for kids to learn fishing skills from local law enforcement in a fun and interactive way, as it takes place in conjunction with Cops & Bobbers, a national program. The goal of Cops & Bobbers is to get children hooked on fishing rather than dr ..read more

We have no shortage of food bites throughout Arkansas, so each week, we’ll be providing you with a snapshot of the goings-on inside the culinary world, from events and specials to restaurant openings and awards. Do you have news to share? Please email our Online Editor Kilee Hall at khall@aymag.com.   Volstead Proper, located at 2205 Dave Ward Drive in Conway, will be holding soft openings beginning April 24 through April 26. Times vary. Click here for more details.   1677 Coffee Co., located at 9714 Hwy 107 in Sherwood, will be celebrating its grand opening beginning at 7 a.m. on Ma ..read more

Volstead Proper, located at 2205 Dave Ward Drive in Conway, will be hosting soft openings beginning Wednesday, April 24 through Friday, April 26. The new restaurant brings high-quality smoked meats that pair effortlessly with its top-choice drinks to the city of colleges.   “We’re going to be a hybrid between a casual and a fine, more so on the casual side,” said Colt Harmon, co-owner. “Our bourbon bar is going to be the signature focal point of the restaurant. Now granted, it’s going to pair really well with our food offerings, but we just feel like with that bar setting there, that will ..read more

There are many reasons why some people are reluctant to get help with their mental health or addiction issues.   In addition, many people are not sure what to do when encouraging someone to get the help they need with their mental health.   As a result, here are seven suggestions on how to convince a person struggling to get some assistance. Talk to the person instead of talking at them: Nobody wants to be lectured or yelled at. The person who is struggling is scared and they need help in overcoming their fears and resistance to getting some guidance. Treat others the way you w ..read more