THEY'RE IN! 

Hats off to Cornerstone Retirement Community for making Texarkana USA TWICE as beautiful! 

Texarkana USA: 
A thriving center for business, education and culture that attracts–and serves–us all.

Citizens committed to Working Smart for Excellence, Educational and Cultural Riches, Community Pride, Economic, Social and Personal Well-Being. One-of-a-Kind, Twice as Nice, and Second to None.

Dan Shiner

Chief of Police, City of Texarkana, Texas

 Chief Dan Shiner has been a police officer for over forty years.  He retired from the Santa Maria, California Police Department in August 1998, serving the last six years there as Chief of Police. After retiring from Santa Maria, Chief Shiner joined the Lancaster, Texas Police Department in September of 1998, serving that community as Police Chief until August 2007.Chief Shiner immediately reported for duty as Chief of Police for the City of Texarkana, Texas, on August 3, 2007, where he continues to serve.  

What have you learned most about making a difference in Texarkana (or about your opportunity for community leadership) from being a part of Leadership Texarkana?

Liz Fazio Hale
Executive Director/ CEO
Riverbend Water Resources
LT Class of 2017

In her leadership position at Riverbend Water Resources District, Liz oversees the management and operations of a local water district representing 12 municipalities, 3 counties, and the state’s largest industrial park footprint. She is charged with the proper planning and development of our area’s most precious natural resource: water. Executive Director/CEO by title and charitable heart by nature, Liz also cares for her sister with mental and physical challenges. While Liz is ever-adapting to the role of wife and mother to a wonderful husband and two beautiful, precocious children, she was born into the role of a sister and passionate advocate for others in special need.  

Texarkana College ranks first among all Texas community colleges in student completion rates. Data from a 2016 Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board study shows 39.2 percent of TC students completed a degree or certificate within four years compared to the state average of 24.6 percent for all state community colleges and 33.91 percent for state universities. TC officials attribute high completion rates to TC faculty’s commitment to student success and excellent academic curriculum.

Want to have a list of 10 awesome things to do in Texarkana delivered right to your inbox every week? Sign up for the WeeklyLIFT today!

A 2-WEEK T-TOWN TOP TEN

Things to do in Texarkana
July 24-Aug. 6, 2017

Get Artsy. Go downtown and check out the newest cool factor on Main Street, at TRAHC’s Arts on Main! While you’re there, ACT FAST to sign up your kids for final classes for the summer. Give your kids the opportunity of making panels for the ArtsPark Artwall at Artwall Camp Sr. - for ages 8–12; OR - sign up for Picasso-rama Sr. for ages 9-12. Both July 24-28. [email protected], www.trahc.org. Then, while you’re downtown, enjoy one of the many wonderful restaurants that have made a home there!

Breakfast with Congressman Bruce Westerman representing Arkansas’ Fourth District. Thursday, Aug. 3 | 9-10:30 a.m. Holiday Inn/Texarkana Arkansas Convention Center. https://texarkana.org

THEY'RE IN! 

Three Cheers to Starbucks on State Line Avenue

Texarkana USA: 
A thriving center for business, education and culture that attracts–and serves–us all.

Citizens committed to Working Smart for Excellence, Educational and Cultural Riches, Community Pride, Economic, Social and Personal Well-Being. One-of-a-Kind, Twice as Nice, and Second to None.

Stepping Up to Make a Difference

A 2-WEEK T-TOWN TOP TEN

Things to do in Texarkana July 10-23, 2017

Pat Green! Friday, July 14 at Scottie’s Grill. Called “the poster child of Texas music” with over 2 million albums sold and multiple Grammy nominations, Green is back to loving and making music on his own terms following a three-year break, and happier than ever. “The thing about a Pat Green concert is that you know he is having a great time, and it is infectious.” - Houston Press

Texarkana USA: 
A thriving center for business, education and culture that attracts–and serves–us all.

Citizens committed to Working Smart for Excellence, Educational and Cultural Riches, Community Pride, Economic, Social and Personal Well-Being. One-of-a-Kind, Twice as Nice, and Second to None.

Stepping Up to Make a Difference

A 2-WEEK T-TOWN TOP TEN

Things to do in Texarkana June 26-July 9, 2017

4th of July: Celebrate the 4th by giving thanks for our most precious American rights and responsibilities! Americans have no claim to be perfection, but we have opportunities unique in the world. "God bless America, Land that I love... " "...and crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea.”

• Final Two Moonlight & Movies. Friday, June 30 & July 7 Classic Movies on the lawn of the Ace of Clubs House: MAME on June 30; Imitation of Life on July 7. Gates open at 7:30 p.m. for pre-show games and concession stand with drinks, popcorn and snacks. Bring your own chairs, blankets or BYOB. Prize basket. Movies at sunset (around 8:30). FREE for members; $3 for others. 
  
  
  
  
• 2nd An​nual Texarkana Cajun Catfish Festival - Front Street Food Fest. June 30-July 1. Head to downtown Texarkana for contests with prizes, arts and crafts, and a little bit of rhythm and blues from a few bands. Festival runs from June 30 at 5 p.m. to July 1 at noon. Gates open Friday at 5 p.m. Free. To sign on as a vendor or entertainer go to www.txkcatfishfest.com.
  
  
  
• RECHARGE One Day Summit - Living Every Minute. Thursday, June 29 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. What will it take to get out of the rat race and take your life and business to the next level. Lunch provided. In TAMU-T’s Eagle Hall. Tim Reynolds, MD. For more info, email [email protected].
  
  
• Greater Texarkana Young Professionals Mix and Mingle. Thursday, June 29 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. Join the GTYP and join the fun and opportunity of connecting the future of Texarkana... Mix & Mingle at Scottie’s Grill. 
  
  
• Some kind of fun for adults - from 18-80+….
  
  
  • Planter Party Workshops. June 29 or July 1. Creative fun for adults ages 18 and over at TRAHC’s Arts on Main. ALSO - register the kids now for coming art classes! More info: [email protected]
    
    
  • Sage Summertime Freebies. Armchair Travel on Mondays (6-7:30 p.m. in the Old Town Exhibit meeting space at 202 E. Broad Street in Texarkana, AR) continues June 26 when Alyce Bunting takes the public on a Peru travelogue and July 3 when Beverly Rowe leads the mental trek to Italy. Also tune in for Sage Summer Talks: next up, Mayor Ruth Penney Bell talks “Changes I Have Witnessed in the City of Texarkana, Arkansas” on Thursday, July 6 from 6:30-8 p.m. in the Social Sciences Bldg on TC campus. Bring your friends!
    
    
  • Tai Chi for Seniors. Thursday, June 29 | 1-2 p.m. Fun way to increase longevity with balance and fall prevention. At the CHRISTUS St. Michael Senior Health Center. Free but reservations are required.
    
    
• Some kind of fun for kids…
  
  
  
  • CRIME! - Summer Camp for Junior Sleuthers at TMS Discovery Place Interactive Museum. June 27-30 | 8 a.m.-noon OR 1-5 p.m. Learn fingerprinting, solving ciphers, interrogation and inference are some of the crime-busting skills at our 4 day summer camp, with a visit from the Texarkana Texas Police Department. Museum Members - call 903-793-4831 for your DISCOUNT CODE! 
    
    
  • Junior National Livestock Show. July 2-9 | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Have your kids even seen one? 
    
    
    
    
• “Texarkana has Talent” Auditions. Wednesday, June 28 | 6 p.m. Enjoy a fun-filled evening at the “TEXARKANA HAS TALENT” auditions and cheer your friends on as they compete to become the next “BIG STAR” June 28. Contestant check-in at 6:00 pm Auditions at 7:00 pm. FREE. 
  
  
• LIVE MUSIC
  
  
  
  
  • Vernon Hinesley acoustic at LaFogata’s. Thursday, June 29 7 PM and July 1.
    
    
  • and check out more local music! 

This Week's Totally T-Town 
Fave Foods (TYTL Edition)

A T-TOWN TOP TEN

Things to do in Texarkana
June 19-25, 2017

THEY'RE IN! 

Texarkana USA: 
A thriving center for business, education and culture that attracts–and serves–us all.

Citizens committed to Working Smart for Excellence, Educational and Cultural Riches, Community Pride, Economic, Social and Personal Well-Being 

Stepping Up to Make a Difference

Want to have a list of 10 awesome things to do in Texarkana delivered right to your inbox every week? Sign up for the WeeklyLIFT today!

A T-TOWN TOP TEN

Things to do in Texarkana June 12-18, 2017

• Bandit Run. June 17-18. The 40th Anniversary of Smokey and the Bandit BANDIT RUN kicks off in Texarkana, Saturday, June 17 at the Texarkana Tex-Ark Antique Auto Museum with a Welcome Car Show, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., featuring BBQ, Beautiful Cars, Big Rig, Music by the Pines Country Club Reunion Band and an Evening Parade! Bring lawn chairs and enjoy it all. 
  
  
  THEN see the escorted departure, Sunday, June 18, starting on North State Line near I-30, heading south on State Line and passing by the museum, at approximately 8:30-9 a.m. The Bandits will then be "eastbound and down!” on their run from Texarkana to their June 24th destination in Atlanta, GA.
  
  
• Stephanie Rice Homecoming Party at Scottie’s Grill! Friday, June 16 | 8-11 p.m.
  
  
• Summer FUN means Baseball:
  
  
  • Texarkana Twins Home Games. June 12, 13 & 16. The Twins play three home games this week: June 12 13 and 17. Family fun! Support TCL’s quest to become one of premier collegiate leagues in the country by attending Twins’ games and cheering on the home team. 
    
    
    
    
  • Texarkana Twins Baseball Camp for Boys ages 6-9. June 13-14. 
    
    
    
    
  • TAMU-T Baseball Showcase. Saturday, June 17 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Baseball showcase for 2017 and 2018 high school graduates and two-year college transfer students hosted by Texas A&M University-Texarkana at George Dobson Field at Spring Lake Park. Players can showcase their skills and experience a pro-style workout with A&M-Texarkana baseball coaches. Advance registration required by June 15. Details at [email protected]. 
    
    
• Elite Soccer Camps. Offered by the Texarkana Soccer Association from 9 a.m.-noon.
  • FUNDAMENTALS for ages 8-16. June 12-16.
  • SCORING GOALS CAMP for ages 11-16. June 19-23.
  • ADVANCED CAMP ages 11-16. June 26-30.
  Go to texarkanasoccer.com for more information and to register.
  
  
• Moonlight and Movies: Rebel Without a Cause. Friday, June 16 | 7:30 p.m. Convene on the Ace of Clubs House Lawn on Fridays this summer for Moonlight and Movies! This week, see the James Dean classic: Rebel Without a Cause. Gates open at 7:30 PM for pre-show games and concession stand with drinks, popcorn and snacks. Bring your own chairs, blankets or BYOB. Prize basket. Movies at sunset (around 8:30). FREE for members. $3 for others.
  
  
• Fun for Kids of All Ages:
  
  
  • Texarkana Public Library Summer Reading Program. Sign up for Summer Reading at the Texarkana Public Library through June 30. Lots of fun programs (balloon magic, art programs, puppets and more) you can sign up for, too! View reading program events calendar (pdf). 
    
     
    
    
  • Maurice Sendak Father’s Day Event. Saturday, June 17 | 12-2 p.m. hosted by TMS Discovery Place Children’s Museum 
    
    
  • Arts on Main Classes for Kids. Register THIS week for Arts on Main Classes for Kids - June 19-23: Picasso-rama Sr. - ages 9-12; Camp Create age 5-6. [email protected]
    
    
• For kids of other ages:
  
  
• The Historic Art of Bobbin Lace. Saturday, June 17 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. All day workshop teaches the basics. For $25 you get everything you need to start bobbin lace - pillow, bobbins, thread, pins etc. Bring a sack lunch; desserts provided. Call 903 793 4831 or email [email protected].
  
  
• SAGE Summer Talks FREE and open to the public on Thursdays. Thursday, June 15 | 6:30-8 p.m. David Mallett “Texarkana: Fountainhead of American Music” 6:30 to 8PM in Social Sciences Bldg. at Texarkana College. 
  
  
• also - check out the Texarkana Public Library for Quilting and Stitching Groups.
  
  

• City of Texarkana, Texas Photo Contest. Get out your camera and PICTURE THE BEST! The City of Texarkana, Texas is hosting a photo contest this month. They’re redesigning the city website this fall and want to gather as many vibrant, beautiful photos of our great city as possible. “We’re looking for all types of photos, including people, community events, nature (bonus for shots taken in our parks!), pets, architecture, detail shots, and artistic photography, as well.” Prizes. Contest ends at 5 p.m. on June 30. 

This Week's Totally T-Town 
Fave Foods

Congratulations to Hospice of Texarkana!  

Celebrating the FIRST anniversary of their inpatient Hospice Care Center.  Congratulations to Cindy Marsh and her board and staff for outstanding service to patients AND FAMILIES. And thank you for being models for...