Volume 2 Issue 26 Published monthly by the Arkansas River Valley Tri - Region Association August 2005   GOLF IN ALL ITS NATURAL GLORY: EVERY REGION, EVERY SEASON Reprinted from Arkansas Dept. of Parks & Tourism Arkansas' natural beauty and moderate climate, combined with the diversity of terrain available across our state, make this the perfect destination for your golfing vacation--at any time of the year. Play through rolling hills, hardwood forests, towering pines, grand prairies and fertile deltas--alongside tranquil rivers, crisp mountain lakes, and pristine streams. Whether you seek to challenge your skills on world-class championship golf courses or just play for the pure joy of the sport, these ten great Arkansas golf courses will provide you with everything you need and more. And when you're not on the links, you can fish our famous streams, relax in luxurious spas, shop for hidden treasures, explore American history and savor the authentic flavors of the SOUTH. UP AND DOWN IN THE RIVER VALLEY....The River Valley is a natural division of the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains and a great landscape for the game of golf. This broad, scenic expanse sweeps eastward from Fort Smith to just northeast of Central Arkansas, where it splays out into the Delta. Enhancing the pastoral beauty are several mountains, including Mount Magazine, the highest point in Arkansas. DRIVE YOUR TEE SHOT BY A NATIONAL FOREST....At the state's western border, Ben Geren Regional Park Golf Course in Fort Smith is one of the most popular public courses in the state. Ben Geren's smooth, fast greens are the envy of many. Handscrabble Country Club at Fort Smith plays host to several state, regional and national amateur events. It's a perennial top-10 selection in Golf Digest's survey of courses in Arkansas and a Nike tour stop. Fort Smith's Fianna Hills Country Club's 7,043 yard layout has provided some of the state's best golfers a tough tournament test. Across the Arkansas River from Fort Smith, Cedars Country Club at Van Buren has nine holes for you to play. Just east of Van Buren, Alma is home to the Eagle Crest Golf Course, a top-notch and challenging championship public course designed by Mark Hayes. To the south Greenwood's Vache Grasse Country Club has a challenging par 72 layout to test your skills. At Danville, Chamberlyne Country Club Golf Course is carved out of rolling pastures and woods along the edge of the Ouachita National Forest. Galla Creek Golf Course is an attractive par 71 layout at Pottsville. Nine-hole courses are found at Clarksville Country Club, Morrilton Country Club, and Bay Ridge Golf Course at Dardanelle.  Golfing in the Natural State BARGAINS GALORE! Reprinted from Arkansas Dept. of Parks & Tourism Offering a 160- mile yard sale along Ark. 64 from Fort Smith to Beebe is the 6th annual Bargains Galore on 64 set for August 11-13. Items for sale include antiques to flea market items. While there are no limitations on what vendors may sell, they are encouraged to offer antiques and collectibles. This annual event is held Thursday-Saturday, the second week in August and offers a great opportunity for commercial vendors, nonprofit groups, clubs, schools, churches, and civic organizations to promote their products or service. Designated a "Travel Treasure" by Southern Traveler magazine, the event draws family vacationers and dealers (both buyers and sellers). Ark. 64 parallels Interstate 40. Participating cities include: Alma, Dyer, Mulberry, Altus, Fort Smith, Ozark, Atkins, Knoxville, Russellville, Clarksville, Lamar, Van Buren, Conway, Morrilton, Vilonia, and Beebe. For more information visit Arkansas' website www.arkansas.com     BABE RUTH 10-YEAR-OLD WORLD SERIES Come watch the 10 Year Old World Series in the heart of Arkansas. The best ten year old teams from across the country compete in a double elimination tournament to determine the World Series Winner! Admission: $5 Russellville Hickey Park August 6th-12th   17th ANNUAL GREAT ARKANSAS PIG OUT August 5th-6th in Morrilton at the City Park. The activities begin at 5:00 p.m. Bring your chairs for free concerts by some of country music's favorites both nights. Sporting events include tennis tournament, Sooie Softball Tournament, 5K run, Ham Jam, Tour De Oink, horseshoe tournament, Pig Dig Volleyball, National Hog Calling Contest, and famous pig chase for kids. Food and commercial vendors. No coolers please. For more information, contact Pig Committee 501-354-5400 or visit their website www.pigout.org. Admission is free. FOR YOUR INFORMATION FREE Credit Reports Attorney General Mike Beebe alerted consumers that beginning June 1, 2005, Arkansans will be able to receive one free report of their credit history every 12 months. This report is the primary source of consumer credit information, and monitoring it closely can help prevent or detect identity theft. "Your credit history is the cornerstone of your financial future," Beebe said. "A good credit record will help you secure good rates for major purchases. It is vital to closely watch your personal history to make sure that you are not taking actions that will negatively impact your credit score and to ensure that identity thieves are not trying to secure lines of credit in your name." Thanks to the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act of 2003, the three nationwide credit-reporting companies--Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion--are now accepting requests from consumers for free annual credit reports. The only legitimate way to receive a free credit report under the new law is to personally request one directly from the credit-reporting bureaus. There will be no costs associated with the report. The credit bureaus may try to sell you additional in-depth credit information and services when you request your free report, but that is an option you may choose or refuse. To obtain your free credit report call 877-322-8228 or apply online at www.annualcreditreport.com. ARKANSAS RIVER VALLEY ARTS CENTER NEWS RELEASE Marvin Crummer's interest in art began early, and by age 10 had designed a quilt, using puppets as a motif. His family enjoys the quilt to this day, along with all of the original drawings. Art education continued through high school and college, studying cartooning at Otis Art Institute and Chouinard Art Institute, both in Los Angeles, California. During this period he worked as a freelance cartoonist, and was a contributing artist to his hometown newspaper, the San Clemente Sun. Over the years Crummer's interest in art turned away from cartooning and toward painting landscapes and seascapes. Scenes of Arkansas are frequently painted on site. He cannot paint ocean scenes plain aire in Arkansas, so instead paints from memory of the time he was a lifeguard, surfer, and Scuba diver along California's beaches. He is a past-president of the Conway League of Artists, and is represented in many private collections throughout the United States. He has won many awards for his work, and has had several one-person shows. His work can be seen in the display at Mather Lodge in Petit Jean State Park, and in the Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center, on the University of Central Arkansas campus. Marvin Crummer resides in Vilonia with his wife Janice, who is also an artist. On Sunday, August 7 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the ARV Arts center, 1001 East B Street, Russellville there will be an exhibit opening reception and opportunity to meet Marvin Crummer. Refreshments will be served. The exhibits are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Betty LaGrone 479-968-2452 New & Renewing Members * Denotes New Member * America's Best Value Inn & Suites Arkansas River Valley Arts Center Arkansas State Parks Arkansas Valley Farmers Assoc. Best Western Inn-Russellville Best Western of Arkansas Best Western Sherwood Inn- Clarksville Byrd's Adventure Center The Copper Outlet Catfish "N' Centerville Dragway, Inc. Chamberlyne Country Club Chambers Bank Chart Bank City of Morrilton City of Paris City of Perryville City of Russellville Clarksville-Johnson Co. Chamber of Commerce Coffee Creek Resort & RV Park Collector's Gallery Comfort Inn-Clarksville Comfort Inn-Russellville Conway Co. Wholesale Beer Dist. Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods Cyber Creek Design Danville Area Chamber of Commerce Dardanelle Chamber of Commerce Days Inn Morrilton Diamond State Brochure Distribution Service Dixie Cafe' First Electric Cooperative Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites Feltner's Whattaburger First Arkansas Valley Bank-Russellville First National Bank-Paris First Security Bank-Clarksville Great Arkansas Pig Out Gretchen's Fine Gifts Hampton Inn-Clarksville Hampton Inn-Russellville Heifer International Hot Springs Convention & Visitor's Bureau Lake Dardanelle State Park Morrilton Area Chamber of Commerce Morrilton KOA Mt. Magazine State Park Mt. Nebo State Park Museum of Automobiles Oark General Store & Cafe' Oppelo Flea Market Paris Area Chamber of Commerce Perry County Perry County Economic Development Corp Petit Jean Meats Petit Jean State Park Petit Jean Trail Rides * Petit Jean Vista Retreat Post Familie Vineyards & Winery Regions Bank-Clarksville Regions Bank-Russellville Russellville APC Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce Satterfield Oil Company * Savanah's Riverfront Cafe' Stoby's Subiaco Abbey & Coury House Super 8 Motel-Morrilton The Grapevine Restaurant * The Winthrop Rockefeller Center * University of AR Community College-Morrilton U.S. Forest Service-Clarksville U.S. Forest Service-Russellville University of AR Division of Continuing Ed-Fayetteville University of the Ozarks-Clarksville Wiederkehr Wine Cellars Williams Junction Grocery Yell County Telephone Yell County Mt. Magazine State Park Committee Yesterday's Restaurant & Bar Betty Selman Charles Gordon Russell Lyons We would like to extend a special THANKS to all our Members!!!   Hang Gliding Mt. Nebo Calendar of Events Dardanelle Aug 20: Civil War Days Mount Nebo State Park. Visit a civil war encampment, see drills and marches, and hear living history presentations. Aug 27-28: 12th Annual End-of-Summer Hang Gliders' Fly-In Mount Nebo State Park. Join the Central Arkansas Mountain Pilots to watch and learn about hang gliding. For more information on the above events call 479-229-3655 or email mountnebo@arkansas.com Sept 17: 57th Annual Mt. Nebo Chicken Fry Mt. Nebo State Park. 10k run/walk, delicious chicken dinner, horseshoe tournament, Lil Miss & Mr. Pageant, kids games and activities, inflatable rides, pony rides, arts and crafts booths, live entertainment, chicken calling contest, and lovely legs contest. For more information call Vicki Sutton 479-229-3328 Sept 24-25: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Fishing Tournament Lake Dardanelle is a hot spot for anglers from all over the country. Spectators are invited to watch them weigh in their lunkers and see what's out there for you to catch! For further information contact 479-967-5516. Free admission for Spectators Russellville Aug 5, Sept 2, Oct 7: Downtown Art Walk 1st Fridays, Evenings 5 p.m to 8 p.m. Historic Downtown Russellville. Fine ART for sale, Refreshments, and Live Music! Aug 6-12: Babe Ruth 10-Year-Old World Series Hickey Park. The best ten year old teams from across the country compete in a double elimination tournament to determine the World Series Winner! For more information contact Danny Hipps 479-264-3904 Admission: $5 Aug 19-20: 16th Annual Valleyfest Old Post Park. Games, amusement rides, BBQ cook-off and live entertainment. Proceeds benefit Ark. River Valley Boys & Girls Club. For more information contact Cathy Andrasik 479-968-7819 Sept 12-17: Pope County Fair Pope Co. Fairgrounds. For over 50 years fair goers have been enjoying the Pope Co. Fair in Russellville. With carnival rides and games, mouth-watering food and contests and stock shows, there is something for everyone. For more information call 479-968-7098. Admission: TBA Sept 24: 1st Annual AirFest 2005-Thunder in the Valley Russellville Regional Airport. Static displays of modern, antique and vintage aircraft, classic cars, and custom motorcycles. Numerous aircraft, powered parachutes and rotor-copters perform before skydivers descend on the airport. Professional pilots perform exciting aerial aerobatic maneuvers. For more information call 479-880-7003. Admission: $5 in advance, $7 at the gate. Clarksville Aug 11-13: 6th Annual Bargains Galore on Hwy 64 130 miles Fort Smith to Conway. Great shopping! Sept 6-11: 107th Annual Johnson County Fair Johnson Co. Fairgrounds. Horse show, livestock, pet show, exhibits, Fair Queen, Teen Miss, and talent contests, log sawing contest and carnival. For more information call 479-754-2340 Sept 17-18: AATRC/Fearnot Team Roping Foothills Arena. Admission: Free Sept 23-25: Team Josey Barrel Clinic Foothills Arena. For more information on these events, contact Nila Moore 479-497-2688 or visit website www.tangleshoe.com Morrilton Aug 5-6: 17th Annual Great Arkansas Pig Out City Park. Activities begin 5 p.m. Friday. Bring chairs for free concerts by some of country music's favorites both nights. For more information contact Pig Out Committee 501-354-5400 website www.pigout.org. Admission: Free Aug 11-13: 6th Annual Bargains Galore on Hwy 64 130 miles Fort Smith to Conway. Contact Joe Williams 501-354-4180 Sept 5: Petit Jean Founders Day Petit Jean State Park. In 1923, Petit Jean became the first state park in Arkansas, thanks to the efforts of Dr. T.W. Hardison. Ten years later, Civilian Conservation Corps laid the foundation for the park as we know it. Join them for a special programs and activities honoring the founder. For more information call 501-727-5441 or visit their website www.petitjeanstatepark.com. Admission: Free Sept 10: Great Arkansas Cleanup Petit Jean State Park. Help "Keep Arkansas Beautiful" by joining the folks at Petit Jean for a few hours of litter pickup along the park's roads and busy areas. Volunteers will be rewarded with a free cookout lunch, followed with door prizes sponsored by their supporters. Admission: Free Sept 20-24: 98th Annual Conway County Fair Conway Co. Fairgrounds. Parade, amusement rides, livestock, exhibits, and outdoor concerts. Admission: at the gate. For more information call 501-354-2377 Sept 21-24: Petit Jean 8th Annual Fall Swap Meet & Military Vehicle Rally Museum of Automobiles, Petit Jean Mountain. Over 1,500 spaces available with cars, parts, antiques, crafts and much more. Military Vehicle rally on Friday and Saturday. Open daily 8 a.m to 6 p.m. No admission. Subiaco Sept 10: 7th Annual Subiaco Abbey Arts Fair Abbey grounds. Outdoor art fair sale. Society for creative anachronism performance add demonstration musical entertainment and food. For more information call 479-934-1005. Admission: Free Paris Sept 24: Highpoint Rendezvous Mount Magazine State Park. Visit a mountainman encampment to experience frontier life as living historians demonstrate camping, clothing, cooking, firearms, archery, and other activities during Arkansas' highest rendezvous. For more information call 479-963-8502. Admission: Free Centerville Dragway Aug 6: SL/TNT/Arkansas Z Club Aug 7: 7th Points + Arkansas Z Show Aug 13: SL/TNT + Street Radial Aug 14: CLOSED Aug 20: SL/TNT Real Street Aug 21: Points Race & Cop Cars Aug 27: Street Legal/TNT Imports Aug 28: ATV Dirt Drags Only CANCELED Sept 4th & 18th: Points Race For more information on the above events call 479-576-4001 email cvdrag@arkwest.com website www.centervilledragway.com Perryville Sept 24: Global Village Day Heifer Ranch. Take a walk around the world during this day of music, food, and fun celebrating international cultures and Heifer International's work around the globe. Hands-on activities, Heifer Ranch animals, and more! For more information call 501-889-5124 or visit their website www.heifer.org. Admission: Free Altus Wiederkehr Village Sept 23-25: 42nd Annual Wiederkehr Village Weinfest Grounds of Wiederkehr Wine Cellars, Inc. Help them celebrate their 125th Anniversary at the 42nd Annual Weinfest. Swiss/German theme, grape-stomping contest, live music, arts & crafts, horseback rides, free polka lessons, tram rides, tours and tasting with games, contests, food, wine, and lots more! For more information call 1-800-622-9463 or visit their website www.wiederkehrwines.com