Becca Martin Brown , with the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, delivers a preview of arts in the area for the week. She says the upcoming production of " Butcher Holler Here We Come " about coal miners in 1970s West Virginia is a study in intimate setting. The play, produced by Aztec Economy, will be staged at 8 p.m. Feb. 2 through 4 at Backspace at 541 W. Meadow St. in Fayetteville.

The home sales numbers in northwest Arkansas in 2017 were the highest ever. But, as Michael Tilley with Talk Business and Politics tells us, the number of new residential building permits fell in 2017.

A rustic Ozarks intentional community, centered on aquaculture food production and sustainable building and energy technologies, is taking shape south of Garfield on 20 forested acres near Beaver Lake. Artist and herbalist Lisa Lynn , who owns the property and has built an earthen home on site, is seeking a tribe of members to join her in the development of EcoVillage Arkansas.

Cities encouraging more walking and less driving might thrive in the coming century. Jeff Speck, author of "Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America One Step at a Time" will speak at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Fayetteville Town Center. He says making changes to a more walkable city can be done with less expense than other major infrastructure alterations like building new roads.

The Fort Smith Museum of History is displaying the only known painting of the first Fort Smith through March 31 as part of the city's year-long bicentennial celebration. The watercolor was painted by Samuel Seymour in 1820 while he was part of the Rocky Mountain Expedition to explore the lands acquired through the 1803 Louisiana Purchase.

Fossil Cove Brewing Company will host the third annual Frost Fest Outdoor Beer Festival from 3 to 7 p.m. Feb. 3 at 2463 N. McConnell Ave. in Fayetteville. This year's event will feature more than 40 breweries, and a portion of proceeds will benefit Apple Seeds Inc.

It's Midnight, I'm Not Famous Yet is the newest album from High Lonesome . Band members say they have developed their sound more since their previous record. The Fayetteville-based trio is celebrating the album release with a concert Jan. 27 at Stage 18.

Becca Martin Brown, with the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, gives us suggestions for the coming week including a meal at Brightwater, A Center for the Study of Food that includes a few illusions with your meal.

The last in a series of concealed carry gun-use forums was held Thursday at the University of Arkansas. Administrators and UAPD officials fielded questions from concerned faculty, staff and students about the implementation of a new state law allowing for the permitted concealed carry of loaded guns on the campus.

January has brought new jobs to Fort Smith. The news this week included jobs that will be lost because of closures of Toys R Us and a Walmart distribution center in the city. Michael Tilley, with Talk Business and Politics , examines what the gains and losses mean for Fort Smith.