Volume 4 Issue 6 Published monthly by the Arkansas River Valley Tri - Region Association December 2006 Living Nativity Event at Heifer Ranch in Perryville December 1st & 2nd 6-8 p.m. Living Nativity is a drive-through event presenting five scenes from the biblical account of the birth of Christ. Living Nativity features live actors and exotic farm animals including camels, donkeys, cows and sheep. Guests will present themselves to Roman Soldiers for census registration upon arrival at Heifer Ranch. They will then view Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem, view the shepherds as they watch a host of Angels announcing Christ's birth, and join the three wise men as they make their way to the manger on camel. The show ends at the manger itself, where guests view the Christ child along with Joseph, Mary and shepherds. After the drive-through, guests are invited to join Heifer Ranch staff for free refreshments and hands-on activities. The International Gift Shop will offer a 20% discount during the event. This is a great opportunity for your group to present your Heifer International donation. For more information contact the Ranch Events Office at (501) 889-5124 or email ranchevents@heifer.org. Directions- Take I-40 exit 108 at Morrilton, go South on Highway 9 to Perryville. Turn right at the Heifer Ranch sign on Union Valley road, go one mile.   The Arkansas River Valley Arts Center Presents THE CHRISTMAS STORY Friday, December 1 & 8 at 8:00 p.m. Saturday, December 2 & 9 at 8:00 p.m. Sunday, December 3 & 10 at 2:00 p.m. Gardner Auditorium 1000 South Arkansas Ave., Russellville Admission $7.00 Adults and $5.00 Students (Group discounts available) For more information call (479) 968-2452 The Arkansas River Valley Arts Center is hosting its first ever Gingerbread Creation contest, to show case local culinary artists. Anyone may enter in any one of three categories, professional, nonprofessional adults and children. There will be a $25 cash prize in each of the three categories. You may enter as many creations as you like, but all entries must be in the same category. There is no entry fee. The Gingerbread Creations become property of the Arts Center and will be auctioned off in a silent auction during the December Exhibit Opening Reception, held on December 3rd, 1-3 pm at the Arts Center, 1001 East B Street, Russellville. All proceeds from the auction go to benefit the Arts Center's children's programs. For more information, call (479) 968-2452   Winter on the Mountain   Get into the holiday spirit at Mount Magazine State Park. Enjoy the warm atmosphere of the visitor center where select merchandise discounts and children's crafts will be available. At 2:00 p.m., meet in the wildlife viewing room to learn how to attract wildlife in winter. Refreshments and gift wrapping will be provided by the Mount Magazine Action Group. Admission is free. For more information call 1-877-665-6343 University of the Ozarks News Tim Ernst: Wildlife Photographer Sunday, December 10th, 2006, 2:00 p.m.   Tim Ernst is Arkansas' Wilderness Photographer. He has been hiking, driving and crawling around the wonderful Ozark Mountains for most of his life, preserving the images he sees on film for everyone to enjoy. His photographs have appeared in hundreds of national, regional and local publications. Some of his credits include National Geographic, Audubon, Backpacker, Outside, Outdoor Photographer, American Hiker, Natural History, Country, Chevy Outdoors, and Arkansas Times magazines; Sierra Club and Hallmark calendars; National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service maps and brochures; Readers Digest Books; and The New York Times. Much of his time these days is spent teaching digital photography workshops from his wilderness cabin in the Buffalo River Wilderness. During his lecture, Mr. Ernst will share his latest photographs and stories as he reacquaints audience members with the wealth of natural beauty waiting right outside our own backdoors. Other U of O News… U of O to present Service of Lessons & Carols Sunday, December 3rd, 2006, 4:00 p.m. The music ensembles of the University of the Ozarks, under the direction of Dr. Mikael Lindstrom, will present their annual Service of Lessons and Carols at 4 p.m., Sunday, December 3rd, in the Raymond Munger Memorial Chapel on the Ozark campus. There will be a repeat performance at 11 a.m., Tuesday, December 5th, in Munger Chapel. The public is invited to attend either service, and there is no charge for admission. The Clarksville High School Choir, under the direction of Ryan Fox, will also perform at the services. For more information on the Service of Lessons and Carols, please contact the university's Humanities and Fine Arts Division at (479) 979-1349. Reprinted from Ozarks.edu Mt. Nebo Victorian Christmas Open House Saturday, December 16th, 1-4 p.m. Mt. Nebo State Park invites you to stop in and share in their Victorian Christmas Open House at the Visitor Center between the hours of 1 and 4 pm. Since the days of the old hotel that once stood on Mt. Nebo, visitors have enjoyed getting away to the beautiful scenery and peacefulness of Mt. Nebo. Their Victorian Christmas is a reflection of the traditions and history behind those old days here on the mountain. For more information call the Visitor Center at (479) 229-3650 or visit website www.arkansasstateparks.com/MtNebo.com Christmas Open House Petit Jean State Park December 2nd will bring the holiday spirit to Petit Jean State Park with the Annual Christmas Open House. Beginning at 2 pm, the Petit Jean Community Choir will be performing some of your holiday favorites. Following the choir performance, a special appearance will be made by Santa Claus. Children are invited to come and sit on Santa's lap to share their holiday wish lists. A free photograph will also be taken of each child with Santa. There will be crafts and refreshments for all ages during the Open House. The event will conclude at 4 pm. All activities will be taking place at Mather Lodge. This event is free and is open to the public. For more information contact the park at (501) 727-5441. CENTERVILLE DRAGWAY Where Racing Action is at its best! 2007 New Years Bracket Showdown! Saturday, January 6th Gates open 9 am, Time Trials 10 am, Eliminations 1 pm Make up date Sunday, January 7th Please Note- Weather forecast has to be 45 degrees or above! For more information visit their website www.centervilledragway.com  The 7th Annual Mobility-Impaired Deer Hunt on the Johnson County Waterfowl Rest Area south of Clarksville was again, a huge success according to the U.S Army Corps of Engineers, the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, the hunters and volunteers. Below are some clips from this years hunt…     Tri-Peaks Board of Directors President: Vicki Lyons- Johnson Co. 1st Vice President: Buddy Hoelzeman- Conway Co. Secretary/Treasurer: Betty LaGrone- Pope Co. Wally Scherrey- Conway Co. Karen Hofford- Conway Co. Carol Martin- Johnson Co. Pat Kowalewycz- Johnson Co. Nancy Rogers- Johnson Co. Bro. Mel Stinson- Logan Co. David Flugrad- Logan Co. Lynn Wright- Logan Co. Doug Brandon- Perry Co. Bill Greene- Perry Co. Ron Knost- Pope Co. Andy Thomas- Pope Co. Lou Vitale- Pope Co. Patty Styles- Yell Co. Carole Tackett- Yell Co. Jim Holbrook- Yell Co. Mike Hall- Yell Co. Tri-Peaks Members   New & Renewing Members American Realty, Inc. America's Best Value Inn & Suites Arkansas River Valley Arts Center Arkansas State Parks Arkansas Valley Farmers Assoc. Arkwest Communications, Inc. (formerly Yell Co. Telephone) Best Western Inn-Russellville Best Western Sherwood Inn- Clarksville The Copper Outlet Catfish "N' Centerville Dragway, Inc. Chamberlyne Country Club Chambers Bank Chart Bank City of Atkins 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 Dixie Cafe' First Electric Cooperative Fairfield Inn & Suites Feltner's Whattaburger First Arkansas Valley Bank-Russellville First National Bank-Paris First Security Bank-Clarksville Great Arkansas Pig Out Hampton Inn-Clarksville Hampton Inn-Russellville Heifer International Lake Dardanelle State Park Morrilton Area Chamber of Commerce Mt. Magazine State Park Mt. Nebo State Park Museum of Automobiles Oppelo Flea Market Paris Area Chamber of Commerce Paris Ponderosa Vacation Rentals Perry County Perry County Economic Development Corp Petit Jean Meats Petit Jean State Park Post Familie Vineyards & Winery Regions Bank-Clarksville Regions Bank-Russellville Riverfront Antiques & Galleries 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 U.S. Forest Service Mt. Magazine Ranger Dist. United Country All Star Real Estate University of AR Division of Continuing Ed-Fayetteville University of the Ozarks-Clarksville Wiederkehr Wine Cellars Williams Junction Grocery Yell County Mt. Magazine State Park Committee Yesterday's Restaurant & Bar Betty Selman Charles Gordon Russell Lyons Ron Knost Lou Vitale * Denotes New Member CALENDAR OF EVENTS Clarksville Downtown Dec. 2: Christmas Lighting Ceremony and Christmas Parade starts @ 5:30 pm For more information call the Chamber at 479-754-2340 or visit website www.clarksvillearchamber.com Clarksville-Johnson Co. Chamber of Commerce Dec. 11: Annual Volunteer Luncheon from 11 am to 1 pm; please RSVP by Dec. 1 call 479-754-2340 Morrilton Petit Jean State Park Dec. 2: Christmas Open House; call 501-727-5441 or visit website www.petitjeanstatepark.com for more information Paris Mount Magazine State Park Dec. 2: Winter on the Mountain; call 479-963-8502 for more information Dardanelle Mt. Nebo State Park Dec. 16: Victorian Christmas Open House; call 479-229-3650 for more information Russellville Downtown Dec. 1: Art Walk, Open House 5-8 pm; for more information call 479-967-1437 Park across from Train Depot Dec. 2: Russellville Festival of Trees; call 479-967-1762 or visit www.discoverrussellville.org for more information   MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!