Michael Polzella

A recent survey by talent sourcing company Randstad showed that an overwhelming majority (90%) of employees would take a bonus or extra vacation days over a company holiday party. If you’re one of the 90%, here are a few survival tips:

It started with passion. Then the idea. Now you even have the whole business plan with all the details addressed. What you likely do not have is the money. A business pitch competition could possibly be just the thing to get your startup truly started.

Arkansas Cinema Society is hosting Filmland August 23-26, which will showcase several Arkansas films alongside big name films and epic after-parties.

On August 24, 1818, the Quapaw Line was drawn as part of the treaty between the U.S. and Quapaw tribe. The line from La Petite Roche heading south separated the Quapaw and public lands. Eventually, the Quapaw were forced off of their lands.

It’s no surprise that people are stressed out more than ever at work these days. The success of an employer is partially dependent upon the staff being healthy enough to come to work and carry out their assigned duties.

Community leaders will display their best dance moves to fight for a great cause. The annual Children’s Tumor Foundation Dancing with Our Stars event is set for Sept. 6 at the Robinson Center ballroom. This year’s stars are:

The second annual World Woman Summit will be a two-day event this year. Held at the Clinton Presidential Library, the conference will take place on Oct. 11-12.

Are you having a stressful day at work that just doesn’t seem to end? We have one simple cure for you: Just smile. Spiritual leaders, psychologists and neuroscientists agree that a simple act of smiling can change your attitude and the world around you.

Northwest Arkansas friends, Taco Tuesday is about to get a whole lot better. Local Lime, the sister restaurant to Big Orange (two located in Little Rock and one in Rogers), is opening this summer in the Pinnacle Hills Promenade.

Arkansas Arts Center’s 57th Annual Young Arkansas Artists Exhibition has grown to be one of the center’s most popular exhibitions. The YAA features more than 600 works created by Arkansas K-12 students.

Only two nights left to get out and enjoy a flick in the great outdoors. Little Rock’s annual Movies in the Park series is perfect for date night or family night. And, it’s no charge. Upcoming shows include:

The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center (MTCC) will celebrate its 10th anniversary on Saturday, Sept. 22. One of the highlights of the event will be a concert at Robinson Performance Hall with an international artist, who will be announced later this summer.

Scrolling through filtered feeds of perfect Instagram posts can cause anxiety. For hyper-connected millennials, the struggle is real – trying to maintain the illusion of an “Insta-perfect” personal brand, fueled by comparisons to other highly curated feeds.

Before vacay this summer, equip your phone with these three great apps:

It’s a noisy world right now, isn’t it? Do you find yourself forgetting where you read or heard something? It happens “on the reg,” as the kids say. So what can you do to stand out? Communicate effectively by implementing these steps:

June is Transit Month and part of Metroplan’s Ozone Action Days season. In an effort to reduce harmful ground-level ozone, Metroplan invites citizens to try alternate modes of transportation, including riding the bus, biking, carpooling, telecommuting or walking.

The 2nd annual Urban Farm Fest is next week. Billed as “an evening of camaraderie and competition,” the event on Thursday, June 7, features food trucks, local brews, live music from local bands and lawn games such as Baggo, bowling, Connect Four and miniature golf. Guests can tour the Heifer Urban Farm and enjoy adult beverages created with ingredients straight from the source.

You’re your own best guru when it comes to your well-being. Learn to tune into yourself and listen to your body’s innate wisdom with these steps:

For the dog lover: Hear from the author of “Home Sweet Home: Arkansas Rescue Dogs & Their Stories,” Grace Vest, at the children’s library. A representative from the Humane Society of Pulaski County will answer questions on adoption.

In the public relations industry, the pitch is key in receiving coverage for a client. Relationships with reporters and editors play a paramount role in securing media attention but more importantly, one must understand the reporter’s audience.

The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC) will sponsor “The Dish,” a business and networking event for food and beverage industry professionals. Local “foodpreneurs” Amy Moorehead of Nexus Coffee & Creative, Jack Sundell of The Root Cafe and Collin McReynolds of Crave Fuel will speak and participate in a question and answer session.

Yeyo’s Mexican Grill is now serving up its celebrated street tacos at Bentonville’s 8th Street Market. The food truck-turned-brick-and-mortar-restaurant offers authentic Mexican fare made with locally grown ingredients from the Rios family farm.

The citizens’ group Driving Arkansas Forward launched an effort to generate additional funding for Arkansas highways through a constitutional amendment to legalize a maximum of three casinos in the state.

The communications landscape changes constantly with new innovations and techniques, and in 2018 companies must be prepared to keep up with the latest trends.

We all have egos to some degree, but when it pertains to business, over-extended egos can restrict growth. Knowledge and expertise are key to growth, but taming your ego and removing a sense of entitlement can take your company to the next level.

It’s a holiday display unlike any other. The Arkansas Chinese Lantern Festival has hit the Arkansas State Fairgrounds.

Governor Asa Hutchinson and ARCodeKids announced the creation of a new program that will grant 12 adults a $6,000 scholarship to the 12-week Arkansas Coding Academy.

It’s a chocolate lover’s haven. Markham & Fitz, previously Hello Cocoa, has opened in Bentonville’s 8th Street Market.

ABC’s Shark Tank veteran, New York Times best-selling author, speaker, consultant and fashion industry leader Daymond John will host eight of his “Success Formula” entrepreneur training events across seven Arkansas cities in early January.

When the clock strikes midnight the champagne will flow! Before the bottle popping begins, check out these festive libations around town to celebrate the new year: