Volume 5 Issue 6 Published monthly by the Arkansas River Valley Tri - Peaks Region January 2008   Eagle Awareness   On January 12 & 13, 2008, Petit Jean State Park will be holding its annual Eagle Awareness Weekend. For two days you learn more about our national symbol, as well as other birds of prey. Throughout the weekend, 4 car caravans will leave from the park and travel to nearby Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge to find bald eagles wintering there. Before these caravans begin, meet park interpreters Rachel and BT at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 12 at the Rec Hall, located behind the Visitor Center, to learn about these magnificent birds in the program; “An Introduction to Bald Eagles.” At 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, join Lynn Sciumbato, raptor rehabilitator and naturalist, at the Rec Hall for an excellent live birds-of-prey program. And on Saturday evening at 6:00 p.m., you can also join them for a repeat performance of “An Introduction to Bald Eagles” at the Arkansas Room at Mather Lodge. In 1782, at a meeting of the founding fathers of our nation, our first congressman met to decide on a national symbol. A majestic looking bird was chosen, a representation of enormous strength and long life: the bald eagle, which would become synonymous with the United States of America. Throughout the years, the bald eagle has been both loved and hated...and almost driven out of existence in the lower forty eight states. In 1963, there were then only 417 known nesting pairs of bald eagles in the continental United States. The quick decision of the American people to protect this treasured bird was successful; there are more than 8,000 bald eagle pairs in the continental US today. All events this weekend are free and open to anyone who wishes to participate. Since many of the events are outdoors, please remember to wear warm clothing. You may also wish to bring binoculars or cameras to enhance your visit. For more information, contact the park at (501) 727-5441 or by email at petitjean@arkansas.com.       Become a Trained Archeology Crew Member Petit Jean Mountain, Ark.— The Arkansas Archeological Survey, the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute and the Arkansas Archeological Society are offering a Site Survey Certification Course Feb. 15-17, 2008. This three-day intensive training workshop will be held at the Rockefeller Institute on Petit Jean Mountain and will ultimately enable participants to perform competently as crew members on professionally supervised projects. A workshop without lodging is $50 plus tax, which includes lunch and dinner on Saturday, lunch on Sunday, instruction and all materials. Full workshop registration, which includes lodging for two nights, six meals, instruction and all materials, is $190 plus tax. Registration deadline is Feb. 8, 2008. The Arkansas Archeological Society is an organization of approximately 700 citizens interested in archeology. The Arkansas Archeological Society operates in collaboration with the Arkansas Archeological Survey. For more information on this program or other programs, call (501) 727-5435 or visit them online at www.uawri.org.       “Migrating Through the River Valley” Lake Dardanelle State Park— Arkansas is a huge vacation destination for humans, but we have migrating birds who just can’t seem to get enough of the Natural State during winter too! Join the park staff, along with several guest birders, to learn the basics of birding from binoculars to bird songs. You’ll be learning and birding together, and having a good time searching for the visitors. Although novice birders will feel at home learning with the park staff, all levels of expertise will find something to enjoy on this weekend dedicated to birding. Contact the park for a detailed program schedule at (479) 967-5516 or email them at lakedardanelle@arkansas.com. AFA Conference Set The Arkansas Festival Association will host its annual conference and trade show Jan. 26-28 at Best Western Inn of the Ozarks in Eureka Springs. The program includes a three-hour “makeover” workshop with Kay Wolf, a certified festival and event executive, on Jan. 26, according to Kristine Puckett, P&T tourism development consultant. The workshop will help festival and event planners analyze and make improvements to their current events in planning, execution and wrap-up. Applications are still being accepted for the Jan. 27 Entertainment Showcase and Vendor Trade Show. The trade show gives festival/event planners the opportunity to meet one-on-one with industry product and service providers during the day, and the Showcase features auditions by entertainers. For more information about the conference or registration materials, contact Puckett at (501) 682-1676 or kristine.puckett@arkansas.gov.     Harlem Globetrotters to Dazzle Clarksville   Tickets for the 2008 "Magic As Ever" World Tour on Sale Now The World Famous Harlem Globetrotters are bringing their 2008 "Magic As Ever" World Tour to Clarksville on Wednesday, January 9, 2008. Sponsored by Campbell Soup Company, the Globetrotters will take the court at the Mabee Gym at 7:00 p.m. Tickets start at $20.00 and are available at Regions Bank 115 S.Cravens, Clarksville and 201 S. Denver, Russellville or online at www.ticketweb.com. To purchase group or scout tickets, please visit www.harlemglobetrotters.com for more information. "The Harlem Globetrotters are the unbeatable global entertainment experience that emotionally connects to and thrills every member of the family," said Globetrotters CEO Kurt Schneider. "We are extremely excited about the upcoming tour and bringing our unique brand of family entertainment to Clarksville." The "Magic As Ever" World Tour will carry on the Globetrotters' tradition of: " Displaying amazing basketball skills and wizardry, with a focus on family entertainment. " Featuring an autograph session at the end of nearly every game, allowing fans a chance to get autographs and interact with their favorite Globetrotter." Becoming involved in the communities they play in by visiting local schools, hospitals and other youth-based organizations." Entertaining crowds with the antics of their beloved mascot, Globie. Celebrating their 82nd consecutive year of touring the world, the Harlem Globetrotters have played in 118 countries on six continents, entertaining over 125 million fans and crossing barriers between cultures, societies and people from all walks of life. The organization is one of only six teams to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. For the latest news and information about the Harlem Globetrotters, and to purchase group or scout tickets and team merchandise, visit the team's newly redesigned Web site: www.harlemglobetrotters.com.   New Year’s Eve Dinner & Dance at Petit Jean State Park As holiday plans get underway, don’t forget to make your plans for New Year’s Eve. Petit Jean State Park’s New Year’s Eve Dinner and Dance is a great way to welcome in the New Year. Mather Lodge will be the setting for this wonderful evening. For only $80.00 per couple or $40.00 per person, you can enjoy a wonderful dinner prepared by the restaurant staff, followed by an evening of dancing and fun. A sparkling grape juice toast will bring 2007 to a close and provide a wonderful start to 2008. After dinner, dance in the New Year from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. with your DJ. He will play all your special requests. Reservations are required. Please call the Mather Lodge at (501) 727-5441 or email at petitjean@arkansas.com.   Rare 1908 Sears Runabout Donated to The Museum of Automobiles  Introduced in the Summer of 1908, the Sears features a two-cylinder engine, developing 14 horsepower. The transmission is a friction disc type. It was sold by Sears Roebuck & Company of Chicago, Illinois. You could order it from their catalog, and it would be delivered by rail. Cost new was $375.00. It was donated to the Museum by the current Directors of the C.J. Horner Company of Hot Springs. They are R.J., Barry, Paul and Jim Horner; Grandsons of C.J. Horner, founder of the company. The car was acquired by C.J. Horner in 1939, and kept by the family until recently, when they donated it to the museum.   More Events this Month   Centerville Jan 5: New Year's Bracket Showdown Jan 6: Make up Date For more information; call Centerville Dragway @ (479) 576-4001 Paris Jan 1: "Midnight on the Mountain" New Year's Eve Party @ Mt. Magazine State Park For more information; call (479) 963-8502 Please contact your area Chamber of Commerce to confirm event dates... 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. Baxter Sudduth- Conway Co. Carol Martin- Johnson Co. Pat Kowalewycz- Johnson Co. Nancy Rogers- Johnson Co. Bro. Mel Stinson- Logan Co. Becky Bariola- 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. Mike Hall- Yell Co. Please Note: The next Tri-Peaks Board of Directors meeting will be held Tuesday, January 7, 2008, 10:00 a.m. at Lake Dardanelle State Park. These meetings are open to the public. Tri-Peaks Members   New & Renewing Members American Realty, Inc. America's Best Value Inn & Suites Arkansas River Valley Arts Center Arkansas State Parks Arkansas Tech University 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 National Bank-Paris First Security Bank-Clarksville Frannie's Cabin in the Ozarks Great Arkansas Pig Out Hampton Inn-Clarksville Hampton Inn-Russellville Heifer International Lake Dardanelle State Park Liberty Bank Morrilton Area Chamber of Commerce Mt. Magazine State Park Mt. Nebo State Park Museum of Automobiles Oppelo Flea Market Ozark Advertising & Tourism Paris Area Chamber of Commerce Perry County Perry County Economic Development Corp Petit Jean Meats Petit Jean Mountain Petting Zoo & Trail Rides Petit Jean State Park Post Familie Vineyards & Winery Regions Bank-Clarksville Regions Bank-Russellville Riverfront Antiques & Galleries Russellville APC Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce Russellville Boys & Girls Club Russellville Marina Boat Repair & Cabins Satterfield Oil Company Savanah's Riverfront Cafe' Stoby's Subiaco Abbey & Coury House Super 8 Motel-Morrilton Super 8- Russellville The Grapevine Restaurant The Winthrop Rockefeller Center TJ's Country Store 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   Our Mission Statement— The continued improvement of the economy of the region through the promotion of increased travel and tourism and the continuous development of the tourism product. Petit Jean Mountain in the Winter Quote of the Month... Balance, peace, and joy are the fruit of a successful life. It starts with recognizing your talents and finding ways to serve others by using them….Thomas Kinkade