Bella Vista City Guide

e artist, Jason Jones, created Clank from steel and other metals soldered together. He built a screen into the robot's chest that plays a video with a message for people everywhere to live sustainably on planet earth. While trail-building in NWA has been the focus since 2015, Bella Vista's new director of trails says her priority is to enhance the existing trails. Emily Guffin grew up in Maine, lived in the western United States, and came to Northwest Arkansas at the urging of her fiancé, a Kansas City native. With an undergraduate degree in environmental science and a master's in urban planning, Guffin was excited when the position as trails director opened up. She said when she read the job description and saw that she fit every single bullet point, her response was, "Ok, dream job, dream job, dream job." She was hired in September 2021. Besides maintaining Bella Vista trails, Guffin wants to "get more art on the trails and to make it more fascinating for different types of people so it's not so 'mountain biker' focused," she said in an interview published in e Weekly Vista. Another goal is to attract more trail-friendly businesses to Bella Vista. She said that a few companies are moving to the city intentionally for the trails. "We have two pubs going in, one on the Back 40 and one on Tunnel Vision on the Little Sugar Trails." e pubs will offer indoor seating, retail merchandise for sale, and access to trails. With damage from heavy rains and windstorms, some trails require extra maintenance, and Guffin is grateful for help from nonprofits and volunteers. "e community support is really important to the success of a trail system," she said, citing Friends of Arkansas Single Track (FAST) and the Trail Adoption Program (TAP). Support also comes from partnerships with the Property Owners Association, NWA Trail Blazers and neighboring cities. "I know most people seem really happy with the trails, but we need to keep trying to find a way to make as many people as possible happy and proud." Photo courtesy Oz Trails Photo courtesy Oz Trails 2022 Bella vista city guide | 19 WELCOME TO ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH In Bella Vista 479-855-9069 www.bvstbernard.org Saturday Mass @ 5PM Sunday Mass @ 9AM One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Come Visit Us! SPONSOR CONTENT "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." At St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church in Bella Vista, these words of Jesus shine brightly through the many outreach programs that support those in need. St. Bernard's pastor, Father Barnabas, eloquently explains: "Saint Bernard Catholic Church tries to be a ray of light to the Bella Vista community by the local charities we contribute to and the aid we provide to needy families, especially during this covid pandemic. Even though we have been a church with mostly retired parishioners, we are growing with younger families from several parts of the United States. Our doors are always open to anyone looking for spiritual advice or closure due to some life change or incident causing stress or unrest." Russ Anzelone, the church's parish manager, pointed out that local charities get first priority. ese include the Bella Vista preschool, Havenwood transitional housing, Saving Grace, Children's Advocacy Center, Samaritan Community Center, NWA Children's Shelter, NWA Women's Shelter, BV Courtesy Van and more. "We also support a few Catholic charities," Anzelone said, adding that significant funds for these organizations are raised by groups within the church – the Parish Women's Club, the Men's Club and the Knights of Columbus. Previously the church also raised funds by hosting Bingo, popular among churchgoers and the general public alike, with checks going to support local charities like those mentioned. "We hope to return to bingo in early February St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church: A ray of light to the community ST. BernArd continued on page 21

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