January 27 - 28-

• The Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam starts at 7:30 p.m. at Verizon Arena. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.
• The Arkansas Big Buck Classic is this weekend at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds. The hours are Jan. 27-28, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Jan. 29, 1-6 p.m. Admission is $10.
• The Sinners and Saints Ball for the Rep is January 28 starting at 6 p.m. in the Statehouse Convention Center, Wally Allen Ballroom. This is the annual black tie gala benefiting the Arkansas Repertory Theatre. Cocktails and a silent auction are followed by a dinner and live entertainment. Tickets start at $350.
• Why Commemorate the Civil War? is a seminar hosted by the Old State House from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on January 28. Please call 501-324-8641 by January 23 to sign up as seating is limited.
• CANstruction starts at the Clinton Presidential Center. CANstruction is a design/build competition that puts a visual spotlight on hunger while showcasing the design community of central Arkansas. They build structures out of canned food. The structures will be on display until Feb 15.

Other reads: Plantation Agriculture Museum | Riverfront Park

Valentine's Day is fast approaching.  It's time to make your plans.

• Many of our local hotels are offering special Valentine's packages.  Check the list of luxury hotels and romantic hotels to contact them.  The Capitol and the Peabody are good choices.
• Something fun and unique is a singing Valentine.  The Diamond State Chorus will deliver your Valentine a song.  A barbershop quartet in formal dress will show up with a song, a red rose, a card and will give your sweetie a keepsake photograph for your special someone.   The prices for that start at $50.
• Make your reservations at our local romantic fine dining restaurants well in advance.  If you're looking for something less fancy, we have some fun, casual places to bring a date too.
• For some fun ideas, check out the top places to bring a date in Little Rock.

I was just reading an article last night that claimed that active dates (doing something like hiking up a mountain or rock climbing) bring people closer together and make your partner seem more attractive.   In that vein, maybe you should check out a state park for Valentine's Day (I included Little Rock Rock Climbing Club in the top places to bring a date. Perhaps simulated climbing is arousing enough).

It's the time of the year for the 2012 About.com Readers' Choice Awards, and this is the first year the Little Rock site is participating in this network wide event.   Take the time (it only takes a minute) to nominate your favorite local businesses in the following categories:

• Best Restaurant

• Best New Thing in 2011
  

• Best Pet Service or Supplier

• Best Museum, Theater or Gallery

• Best Hidden Local Hangout

• Best Local Shop

• Best Local Blog

• Best Beauty and Spa

• Best Late Night

You can see the full list, with descriptions of the categories, here.

Nominations end on February 15, so get yours in today.  You can sign on with Facebook or your About.com account.

January 20 -

• The Harlem Globetrotters are at Verizon Arena. Tickets available via Ticketmaster.
• The Arkansas Marine Expo is at the Statehouse Convention Center this weekend. It's Friday & Saturday, 10am-8pm and Sunday, 10am-6pm. Admission is $5.

January 21 -

• POWER! Poetry Slam "New Year, New Poetry" Cypher starts at 7 p.m. at Vino's Pizza Pub Brewery. For more information, contact Rigsby St. Claire by email (rigsbystclaire@gmail.com), via phone (501-366-4130) or via Facebook

January 23 -

• Preservation Conversations: Historic Schools of Little Rock starts at 5 p.m. at Curran Hall (615 E. Capitol).