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Where can you find a heaped helping of culture and beauty all under one roof? At your local art gallery, of course. Here are four awesome places along the South’s popular art trail in Bentonville, Arkansas, where you can get acquainted with talented artists and their work. 

  1. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

One of the top local galleries that helped Bentonville earn its honorable place on the art trail is Crystal Bridges. Browse a variety of free exhibits, such as Hank Willis Thomas’s “All Things Being Equal,” on display right now. This conceptual artist combines images from sports and advertising with art and politics to shed light on popular culture. With over 90 pieces from photographs to sculptures, Thomas strives to raise awareness of the country’s ongoing struggle for social justice through his extraordinary work.

Permanent collections at Crystal Bridges include “63 Objects Taken Out of My Son’s Mouth” by Lenka Clayton and “After The Last Supper,” a 108-inch wide mural featuring 20,736 thread spools by Devorah Sperber.

  1. At Art, Inc.

Travel just three miles down the art trail to At Art, Inc. At this gallery, you’ll find a series of unique paintings, sculptures, and ceramics crafted by award-winning artist, Becky Christenson. Christenson has taught private art lessons since 1996 and is the former President of the Associated Artists of Philbrook Art Museum out of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Discover “Tranquil,” a 12-inch square oil painting on canvas or “Oil Can,” another outstanding oil-on-canvas design that’s done in an impressionistic style. It measures just 10 inches by 8 inches. Designed to nourish your soul and stimulate your mind, this working studio is located at S.E. 14th St. Read the rest of this entry »

Many motorists let their hearts rule their heads when they buy a new car, but this isn’t always the best approach. While you may have your heart set on your dream car, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before pulling the trigger and signing on the dotted line. Let’s take a look at a few of the reasons you should think twice before investing in your dream vehicle. 

Your Dream Car May Not Suit Your Family’s Needs

Sure, a Corvette will certainly turn heads on the road and offer a serious thrill, but will it accommodate your kids on those long road trips? Probably not. If the car you’re planning to buy is your family’s primary means of transportation, it’s probably best to consider a vehicle that will be comfortable and not require you to make multiple trips when hauling around your family’s cargo.

If you want a cool-looking car that’ll drive fast as well as fit you’re family, consider something like the 2020 Kia Optima X. This vehicle features a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with a six-speed automatic transmission with Sportmatic drive mode, so you can rule the road while still meeting your family’s needs.

The Cost of Maintenance Could be Sky-High

The more expensive your new vehicle costs, the more likely the maintenance for it will also be on the pricey side. Luxury vehicle brands, like Ferrari and Lexus, offer gorgeous vehicles that are sure to be on many peoples’ dream-car lists, but once you buy a luxury-brand car, you’ll soon realize why you see more brands like Kia on the road.

Luxury vehicles often have higher costs for oil changes, brake pad replacements, annual fluids, and clutches. Plus, there’s a good chance your insurance will also go up. Some insurances charge double or even triple the yearly premium for pricier vehicles. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re shopping for a new SUV, check out what the 2020 Kia Telluride has to offer. The latest Telluride comes with several standout features that help set it apart from other vehicles in its class. From its spacious cabin to its assortment of modern technology, you can’t go wrong with the Telluride. Read on to learn why the 2020 Kia Telluride beats the competition. 

Spacious and Comfortable Interior

The 2020 Kia Telluride is a great choice for large families due to the amount of seating and cargo space in the cabin. With a second-row bench seat, you can fit up to eight passengers in the LX and EX trims. This seating capacity is also an option with the S trim. With the second-row captain’s chairs in the S and SX models, you can seat up to seven and get this seating capacity as an available option for the EX trim.

The S and EX trims also feature a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat with two-way power lumbar support. As an added luxury, every trim apart from the entry-level model features heated front seats.

In terms of cargo space, every trim comes with 87 cubic feet behind the first row, 46 cubic feet behind the second row, and 21 cubic feet behind the third row. This is an impressive deal of space for you to store your groceries or other belongings. Read the rest of this entry »

Are you visiting Bentonville, Arkansas, and looking for the best locations to take some Insta-worthy pictures? Bentonville is a charming city with many picturesque places — it’s just a matter of knowing where they are. Luckily for you, we’ve done the hard work for you and created this list of several locations you can snap your next profile pic. 

Scott Family Amazeum

If you’re in the mood for a more funky look for your Instagram photoshoot, be sure to check out the Scott Family Amazeum. This museum boasts an estimated 50,000 square feet of exhibits and learning areas that are fun for kids and adults alike. Learn everything you could ever need to know about the Arkansas culture and its history while snapping some creative pics at the various exhibits.

A few of the most popular exhibits include the Hershey’s Lab, the General Mills Lift, Nature Valley Water Amazements, and the 3M Tinkering Hub. Plus, the Scott Family Amazeum has an acre of outdoor space that offers a gorgeous background for creative photos. The museum is located at 1009 Museum Way in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Bentonville City Square

If you’re looking for a more traditional outdoor photo-op, the Bentonville City Square is the perfect place to visit. Located in the middle of downtown Bentonville, Bentonville City Square is home to parks, trails, museums, restaurants, and retail stores. Take a stroll in the Compton Gardens that feature the Crystal Bridges Trail for some epic Insta-worthy views.

On Saturday, enjoy a large farmer’s market where you can find some of the freshest produce and homemade goods in the area. Plus, Bentonville City Square is dog-friendly, so be sure to bring along your furry friend. The Bentonville City Square is located at 1 East Central Ave.  Read the rest of this entry »

With rising sales figures year after year, the Rio is one of Kia’s most promising car offerings. Its affordable price tag is an obvious hook, but Kia supports that with a practical design and impressive tech features. These are just some of the reasons the 2020 Kia Rio is a great value for the money. 

  1. Its Dimensions Are Just Right

Creating a small car is a delicate balancing act. It should be compact enough to easily maneuver into parking spaces and through city traffic. However, if it’s too small you risk compromising comfort and cargo space. Kia gets the balance right with its Rio. Clever interior design makes the most of the space offered to drivers and passengers.

If cargo space matters to you, choose the hatchback style over the sedan. It’s a foot shorter than the sedan but has 17 cubic feet of cargo room rather than just 13.7. Fold the rear seats down and the available space increases to 32.8 cubic feet. That’s more than enough room for suitcases, groceries, golf clubs, and other bulky items.

  1. Infotainment Features Come Standard

Many car brands make tech features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto optional extras or reserve them for higher trims. Not Kia, who thinks all drivers should enjoy the convenience of connective technology. Both smartphone connectivity suites come standard on all 2020 Rio trims. So are 7-inch touch-screen displays, which integrate seamlessly with the technology. A USB port and Bluetooth connectivity as standard should further satisfy your infotainment tech needs. Read the rest of this entry »

Bentonville is as an adventurer’s paradise with mountain bike trails, botanical gardens, and swimming holes. The fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down, though. Kick up your heels at the following nightspots around Bentonville. 

Bike Rack Brewing Co. Bars

Bike racks have long been meeting places for children arriving at school or preparing to make their way home. Bike Rack Brewing Co. played on this nostalgic association and created the adult equivalent with its nightspots.

Today there are three Bike Rack Brewing Co. bars in Bentonville, each with its own unique vibe. The Experiment on the bike trail in Bentonville’s Arts District is the original. The 8th Street Market brings community and their love of food and together. A third location in Downtown Springdale is an all-day beer and coffee bar. All three locations serve the iconic local ales and oatmeal stout Bike Rack Brewing Co. is famous for.

Undercroft

It’s easy to miss Undercroft if you don’t know it’s there. Minimalist signage directs patrons to this vintage cocktail bar. It’s hidden underneath The Preacher’s Son, a former historic church that’s now a modern restaurant. The cocktail menu celebrates classic speakeasy libations. There are also few modern signature drinks for guests with a sense of adventure. If you’re not sure what to order, don’t worry. The friendly mixologists will happily steer you in the right direction.

Ramo d’Olivo

If a good vino appeals to your palette, check out Bentonville’s wine bar, Ramo d’Olivo. It serves more than 200 different wines by the bottle and many by-the-glass options. Small-batch wines are Ramo d’Olivo’s specialty. They’re perfectly paired with the bar’s authentic Italian dishes. Live performances from local singer-songwriters provide the ambiance in this relaxed local nightspot. Read the rest of this entry »

The Soul has long been one of Kia’s best-selling models, but the automaker hasn’t sat on its laurels in 2020. Instead, it’s redesigned the Soul for 2020, retaining elements we loved and injecting appealing new features. Discover all the new additions that make the 2020 Kia Soul one of the best subcompacts around. 

It’s a Little Larger

The Soul will never be bulky, but the 2020 incarnation is a little larger than its predecessors. The car is 2.2 inches longer and the wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer. It’s no wider though, so it should be just as easy to park and move through traffic.

The difference in passenger space is negligible, but the changes make a big impact in the back. The standard cargo capacity has also increased from 18.8 cubic feet 23.8 cubic feet. The rear hatch has a wider and lower opening than the 2019 model, allowing larger items to pass through. You can also increase storage space by removing the luggage under tray and folding the rear seats down. This handy feature is ideal for road trips and carrying sporting goods to weekend games.

It’s More Powerful

The Soul will never be a muscle car, but the 2020 model is peppier than its predecessor. Last year’s base model had a 1.6-liter I-4 gasoline direct injection motor, with an optional 2.0-liter I-4. In 2020, the 2.0-liter I-4 engine becomes the standard. That change boosts the base model’s horsepower from 130 to 147. Standard torque has also increased from 118 pound-feet to 132 pound-feet.

Kia has also boosted power and range substantially for the electric Soul. This time there’s a 64-kilowatt-hour battery under the hood, which is much mightier than 2019’s 31.8-kilowatt-hour battery. The 2020 EV battery generates 201 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of torque. That’s much more than the last generation’s 109 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque. It also travels up to 243 miles, more than twice the distance of the 2019 EV. Read the rest of this entry »

Bentonville is a bike lovers’ paradise with more than 140 miles of trails made for exploring. Whether you love road or trail riding, you’ll appreciate this Arkansas city’s well-kept trails and bike-friendly culture. The following bike spots are some of Bentonville’s best. 

Slaughter Pen Mountain Bike Park

Don’t let the macabre name put you off. Slaughter Pen Mountain Bike Park is an outdoor playground for off-road riders. There are more than 40 miles of single-track trails, including a path by Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art adorned with public artworks. There’s something for everyone here. Clean paths including the American and Seed Tick Shuffle trails suit newbies. If you want a greater challenge, you’ll relish the rocks and huge berms on Scott Allen Alley and the Medusa trails. Adrenalin junkies also love the jump park and log rides.

Coler Mountain Bike Preserve

If you’re confident on two wheels, head to Coler Mountain Bike Preserve. It’s home to Arkansas’ most challenging endure-style jump trail system, so it’ll get your blood pumping. It’s easy to forget how close the city center is as you take on the jump lines, hair-raising rocky passages, and massive gap jumps. The technical Rock Solid Trail and downhill run called Cease and Desist test even seasoned off-roaders.

The Lunch Loop

If road biking is more your speed, consider the Lunch Loop. This popular 16.5-mile track gets its name because you can complete the course in roughly an hour. That makes it perfect for lunchtime exercise to break up your workday. The Lunch Loop starts and ends on East Central Avenue. Riders travel east towards Little Flock before looping northwest to Bella Vista, then riding back to Bentonville. Expect to feel the burn around the hills of Little Flock Hill Road and Punkin Hollow. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re in the market for a new SUV and you’re looking for something that stands out from the rest, you should consider the newest addition to the Kia lineup. The 2021 Kia Seltos is a compact SUV that proves that big things come in small packages. It’s the perfect combination of style, technology, and performance. 

Exterior

The Seltos’s bold exterior will command attention wherever you go. Design highlights include a two-tone roof, LED headlights with daytime running lights, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Eye-catching exterior paint options include Starbright Yellow, Neptune Blue, and Mars Orange. Whichever color you choose for your Seltos, be prepared to turn some heads.

Performance

With the Seltos’s powerful engine and impressive performance dynamics, you’ll be ready for anything. The available turbocharged engine produces 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The responsive torque provides additional power in challenging driving conditions. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission provides a smooth and swift driving experience while putting the might of the Seltos right in your hands. The all-wheel-drive system with lock mode can evenly split the SUV’s power between the front and rear wheels with just the touch of a button.

Interior

Providing more passenger volume than its competitors, the Seltos also gives you up to 62.8 cubic feet of cargo space. The cabin is ergonomically designed, putting everything you need comfortably within reach. The seats are trimmed in premium cloth and Sofino, with gorgeous blue accents. The front seats offer a heating function, and the second-row seating features recline functionality. Second-row passengers will also appreciate the rear USB charging port and AC vents. Other convenience features include a wireless phone charger and automatic temperature control.  Read the rest of this entry »

With summer approaching, everyone is daydreaming about sunshine and swimming pools. When it comes to staying cool, Bentonville, Arkansas, has plenty of swimming locations to choose from. Here are just a few of the many pools and splash pads in the area. 

Bentonville Community Center

You’ll find a 25-yard indoor competitive pool and a family leisure pool featuring a slide and other fun equipment at the Bentonville Community Center. The daily admission rate is $5 for residents and $6 for non-residents. If you plan to visit the pool often throughout the summer, you may want to look into their multiple-day package with 20 admissions, a monthly membership, or a yearly membership.

Melvin Ford Aquatic Center 

There’s fun to be had for the whole family at the Melvin Ford Aquatic Center. With a 50-meter competition pool that’s great for laps and recreational swimming, and a one-foot deep wading pool and raindrop fountain that’s perfect for young kids, you’ll be able to entertain everyone all at one place. If you’re looking for a thrilling experience, you can try their 13-foot diving well with two, one-meter diving boards.

In addition to their regular activities, the Melvin Ford Aquatic Center has fun weekly events, including Mondays at Melvin and Wibit Wednesdays. Head to the pool every Monday for water volleyball, water inflatables, and free snacks. On Wednesdays, you’ll enjoy playing on the Wibit, a floating obstacle course with features for sliding, jumping, and climbing. Both special events are available for no extra cost. The daily admission rate is $3 for adults over 18, $2 for kids ages 4 to 17, and free for children 3 and under.  Read the rest of this entry »