Volume 3 Issue 12 Published monthly by the Arkansas River Valley Tri - Region Association July 2006 THE LODGE AT MOUNT MAGAZINE Mount Magazine State Park is still buzzing with excitement after the grand opening events for the new Lodge & Cabins. The dedication took place Thursday, May 18, at the park. Speakers included: Governor Mike Huckabee; Richard W. Davies, executive director of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism; Michael Sanders, forest supervisor of the Ozark/St. Francis National Forests; Former State Representative Lloyd George of Yell County; State Senator Sharon Trusty of Russellville; Jim Shamburger, chairman of the State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission; and David Flugrad, park superintendent for Mount Magazine State Park. The 60 room lodge and 13 cabins all offer breathtaking views of the Petit Jean River Valley and Blue Mountain Lake. The lodge includes a restaurant, conference and meeting facility, and an enclosed swimming pool. Forty of the 60 guest rooms feature balconies and 17 guest rooms offer spa tubs. Park cabins range from one to three bedrooms each and all offer kitchens, fireplaces and covered decks featuring outdoor hot tubs. On Saturday and Sunday, May 20-21, the park celebrated the natural and historical resources that make the 2,753 foot Mount Magazine a unique "Island in the Sky." The event offered fun for the entire family, with park interpreters and guest speakers leading programs about astronomy, backpacking, butterflies, hang gliding, history, plants, wildlife and other topics. For reservations call the lodge at 1-877-665-6343. Below are some photos from the May 18th Grand Opening on top of Mt. Magazine Lodge Guests attending opening Color Guard Gov. Huckabee speaking to guests Former Rep. Lloyd George, Gov. Huckabee, Janet Huckabee, Richard Davies & Former Rep. Hershel Cleveland To reach Mount Magazine State Park from Paris, travel one mile south on Ark. 109, then go southeast on Scenic Hwy 309 for 17 miles; or from Havana, travel 12 miles north on Scenic Hwy 309. For more information about the park visit, www.mountmagazinestatepark.com. Reprinted from Arkansas.com    The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture is a definitive on-line reference on all aspects of Arkansas' history and heritage. The Encyclopedia is available at www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net is based on a belief that to understand and appreciate our state, people need to have an understanding of its past and the people who shaped it. The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture will be an extraordinary resource for students, teachers, scholars, journalists, business and professional people, genealogists, and the general public for basic information and research. In addition to thousands of text entries, the encyclopedia will include photos, maps, audio files and video clips. The Encyclopedia is a project of the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at the Central Arkansas Library System. When it is completed in 2010, the Encyclopedia will contain more than 3,500 entries covering every aspect of the state's history. The Butler Center for Arkansas Studies will continue to maintain and update the Encyclopedia ensuring that the state has an up-to-date, authoritative resource. Reprinted from Arkansas Hospitality's Hotline News   Video Reveals Industry's Economic Impact A new video detailing the benefits of the hospitality industry to the economy was recently produced by the Arkansas Hospitality Association and Parks and Tourism. The purpose of the video is to raise more public awareness of hospitality and tourism as an industry that contributes significantly to the economic health, growth and prosperity of Arkansas' citizens. At the same time, it shows how the hospitality industry offers lucrative career opportunities. The video is targeted to Arkansas business leaders, legislators, students, corporate sponsors and all members of the hospitality industry. It encourages everyone to recognize the contribution of the industry in creating new jobs in the state, as well as the need to communicate those benefits to others. The 11 minute video features lively footage of hospitality industry jobs, construction of new attractions in Arkansas and plenty of diversity in images. It premiered at the AHA Fall Trade Show, it was shown at the Governor's Conference and is available for use at civic meetings such as Rotary Clubs and AHA chapter meetings. For more information or to secure a copy of the video, please contact Tracy Springer at 501-376-2323. Reprinted from Arkansas.com New Arkansas Clean Indoor Air Act Enacted During Special Session The following summary of the new Arkansas Clean Indoor Air Act was prepared by the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement. The Arkansas Clean Indoor Air Act, Act 8 of 2006, was passed by the Arkansas Legislature during the April Special Session and signed into law by Governor Mike Huckabee. The Act does not single out any one type of business. It is a broad law that applies to all types of businesses in Arkansas. The Act does not change any current Arkansas liability rules or laws. Smoking will not be permitted in enclosed area within places of employment, within any government owned, leased, or operated space, or in any enclosed public places. Public places include: banks, bars, barber shops and beauty salons, educational facilities, healthcare facilities, Laundromats, public transportation facilities, reception areas, restaurants, retail food productions and marketing establishments, retail service establishments, retail stores, shopping malls, sports arenas, theaters and waiting rooms. Act 8 restricts smoking in workplaces, but allows smoking in businesses with fewer than three employees that are not public places and any restaurants or bars that prohibit the patronage or employment of people under 21. The act was amended to exempt all hotels with fewer than 25 rooms from the provision requiring that 20% of its rooms be designated for smoking. Business owners may request to exempt their location under strict criteria. Other exemptions include where people live: private homes except when used as a licensed child/adult/health care facility and areas within long-term care facilities that are designated by the facility for supervised patient smoking only; designated smoking areas on the gaming floor of any franchisee of the Arkansas Racing Commission; businesses that sell tobacco including retail tobacco stores and all workplace of any manufacturer, importer or wholesaler of tobacco products, of any tobacco leaf dealer or processor and all tobacco storage facilities; and outdoor areas of places of employment. Reprinted from Arkansas Hospitality's Hotline News CENTERVILLE DRAGWAY Where Racing Action is at its best! July 1st: SL/TNT/Pro Street July 2nd: Last Points Bracket Race for 1st half July 8th: SL/TNT July 9th: Closed July 15th: SL/TNT/Index Blowout July 16th: Points Race for 2nd half + Awards July 22nd: SL/TNT/Street Radial July 23rd: Closed July 29th: SL/TNT/Fast Ford SR & KOH July 30th: Points Race + Fast Ford Bracket Aug. 5th: SL/TNT/Street Bike Shootout Aug. 6th: Bracket Points Race Aug. 12th: SL/TNT/Hot Street Shootout Aug. 13th: Closed Aug. 19th: SL/TNT Aug. 20th: Bracket Points Race + For more information visit their website www.centervilledragway.com 17th ANNUAL ROCKIN' ON THE RIVER VALLEY FEST 2006 - Russellville August 18th-19th The River Valley's premier festival with all proceeds directly benefiting the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Arkansas River Valley. Lots of entertainment and fun for the entire family! 5K Run, BBQ Cook-off, Cruisers Auto Show, Fishing Derby, Hoop Shoot, Tug-of-War and many more activities. For more info visit www.valley-fest.org ARV Arts Center News Arts Center Chosen as LEADERSHIP RUSSELLVILE Project   A storage building for the Arkansas River Valley Arts Center was the project chosen by one of the LEADERSHIP RUSSELLVILLE teams this year. The much needed unit has been completed and put to use. "We are so excited. It is awesome to be chosen for a LEADERSHIP project. This represents much more than just storage," said Betty LaGrone, Arts Center executive director. "It is such an added convenience since we are almost daily moving tables, chairs and gallery pedestals. It also frees up already limited space and reduces the 'clutter' of having shelves loaded with art supplies in the classroom." "We plan to paint, put down new flooring and turn the classroom into space and atmosphere that will be aesthetically pleasing and more conducive to learning and art instruction and activities for children and adults," said Dennis Overman, president. The Board of Directors expressed their appreciation by inviting the LEADERSHIP RUSSELLVILLE team to lunch and a tour of the completed unit. News Release The Arkansas River Valley Arts Center's summer musical theatre production is "The King and I". This is the story that became a classic, brought Yul Brenner to fame as the King and which he played over 4,600 times around the world during his career. The elaborate sets, colorful costumes and tremendous local talent make this a must see event. Performances are at Witherspoon Auditorium on the Arkansas Tech University campus June 30 through July 2 and the following week July 7-9. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the Witherspoon box office one hour before show time or by reservation at the Arts Center, 1001 East B Street, Russellville. For more information, call 479-968-2452 or visit their website at www.arvartscenter.org New & Renewing Members *American Realty, Inc. America's Best Value Inn & Suites Arkansas River Valley Arts Center Arkansas State Parks Arkansas Valley Farmers Assoc. Arvac Inc. Best Western Inn-Russellville 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 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 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 Oppelo Flea Market Paris Area Chamber of Commerce 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 Telephone Yell County Mt. Magazine State Park Committee Yesterday's Restaurant & Bar Betty Selman Charles Gordon Russell Lyons * Denotes New Member Tri-Peaks Executive 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. Jan Allen- Logan Co. Doug Brandon- Perry Co. Bill Greene- Perry 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. Welcome New Tri-Peaks Members! American Realty, Inc. City of Atkins Riverfront Antiques & Galleries US Forest Service Mount Magazine District United Country All Star Real Estate NEWS RELEASE FROM MT. NEBO STATE PARK 55TH Annual Square Dancing Celebration Saturday & Sunday July 1st-2nd Square dancers from across the Southwest celebrate Independence Day this year on Mount Nebo for the fifty-fifth time! The public is welcome to join in on the heel-stompin', toe-tappin' fun in the large pavilion each evening starting at 7:30 p.m. Cost for the evening dance is $6 per person. Contact Jerry Linduff at 405-604-0892 or jlinduff@cox.net for more details. For more information call the Visitor Center at 479-229-6350 Cove Lake Paris, AR CALENDAR OF EVENTS Clarksville Johnson Co. Peach Festival July 20th - 23rd: JC Fair Grounds. Call 479-754-9152 for information Byrd's Adventure Center July 14th - 15th: Byrd's X-Bash Extreme Family Event! Call 479-667-4066 for more info Morrilton Petit Jean State Park July 4th: Fun & Games Day call 501-727-5441 for more info Corps of Engineers Park July 4th: Fabulous Fourth 501-354-6300 for info Rialto Community Arts Center July 29th: Faris Family Bluegrass Band Concert 7 pm Perryville July 4th: 2nd Annual 4th of July Blowout Harris Brake Lake call 501-889-2745 for info Russellville July 4th: Community Fireworks Display Old Post Road Park call 479-968-4368 for info July 7th: Teen Game Night Russellville Library 7-9 pm Ages 13-18 July 7th-8th: ASA Youth State Tournament Pleasant View Park July 22nd-23rd: Water Ski Tournament held at Pleasant View Park July 28th-29th: Summer Fun Weekend square dances and workshops call 479-967-3951 for more info July 31st-Aug 4th: Lake Dardanelle State Park Day Camp held from 9-4 pm call 479-967-5516 for more info QUOTE OF THE MONTH Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm. Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)