Volume 4 Issue 7 Published monthly by the Arkansas River Valley Tri - Region Association March 2007 Arkansas' Governor's Conference on Tourism March 4-6 in Hot Springs Hot Springs Convention Center The Hot springs Convention Center will be the site of the 33rd Annual Arkansas Governor's Conference on Tourism. Over 600 members of the tourism and hospitality industry are expected to attend. The conference kicks off with an early bird St. Patrick's Day Party, hosted by the Hot Springs Convention and Visitor's Bureau, on Sunday, March 4. Registration will be open from 11 am to 5 pm Sunday. Monday, March 5, brings the opening ceremonies and registration. The Governor's Reception, hosted by Governor Mike Beebe, will be at 6:30 pm followed by the Arkansas Hospitality Association/Governor's Banquet at 7:15 pm. Governor Beebe will address attendees, then take part in the annual Arkansas Tourism Industry Henry Awards. Reprinted from Arkansas' Industry Newsletter For more information visit www.arkansas.com. Regional Media Days Exhibit Booths Still Available "All About Arkansas" regional media days will be held March 28 in Batesville and April 4 in Russellville, allowing journalists from across the state and the nation to visit with exhibitors and take familiarization tours. "Taste of the Region" luncheons will feature items from local eateries and producers, and local talent is slated to entertain between presentations. It's not too late to register to be an exhibitor. For more information or to participate, contact Mossolene Hanft at mossolene.hanft@arkansas.gov or (501) 682-7602      New Festival in Clarksville 1st Annual Creek Fest June 22-24, 2007 Julie Kersey, Creek Fest chairman announced Tuesday, February 20th that the first Creek Fest will be held on Friday, June 22, through Sunday, June 24. Julie said, "The festival goals are to provide an atmosphere for family participation and enjoyment. Also to establish pride in our community and create additional tourism in our area." To create a venue for local merchants, arts crafters, non-profit organizations to exhibit their products for sale to the public and raise funds for their favorite programs. The Creek Fest Committee has spent the last seven months planning this unique festival that will include a juried (hand made) Arts and Crafts Fair that will include, Non-Profit, Commercial and Arts & Crafts vendors. An abundance of food of all kinds will also be available. On Friday night a Media Blitz with a private dinner and entertainment will be held from 5-7 pm. The festival will then open at 7 pm to the public with The Willie Nelson Tribute being the featured entertainment for Friday night. On Saturday local artisans and other entertainers will provide music, and shows from the grandstand. Happy Tymes Jazz Band, Jason the Juggler and a three hour concert by the Stardust Orchestra on Saturday night will be the featured entertainment for the day. On Sunday at 7:00 am the local churches will host a Sunrise Service providing local Church groups with music and scripture readings. The featured inspirational speaker for the event will be Dona Douglas (Elly May of the Beverly Hillbillies). In the afternoon Still on the Hill and Toucan Jam will perform for the visitors. Other events planned for the festival are children's events that include a climbing wall, inflatable's and free games. There will be something for all ages from 0-100, so come join the fun for this family friendly festival on June 22-24, 2007. For more information on the festival; contact Julie Kersey (479) 754-5635 or the Clarksville Chamber (479) 754-2340.   Motor Vehicle Use Maps for the Ouachita National Forest Under the Travel Management Rule, all National Forests are shifting recreational use of motorized vehicles, including OHV's, to designated roads and trails ("designated routes"). The Ouachita National Forest intends to designate a system of routes for motorized travel & publish MVUMs by September 2008. Open Houses have been scheduled to hear from the public on route designation and promote interaction between the Forest Service and interested citizens on the MVUM process. In order to prepare for the Open Houses, attendance at the workshop discussed above is recommended. Please drop by between 4 pm & 8 pm on the dates below: May 9th- Waldron Scott Co. Fairgrounds May 24th- Mena Rich Mtn. Community College May 30th- Poteau Days Inn May 31st- Broken Bow Library June 7th Danville TBA June 12th Hot Springs TBA For more information on travel management rule implementation on the Ouachita National Forest, contact Alett Little (501) 321-5372 alittle@fs.fed.us Or Bubba Brewster (501) 321-5368 bbrewster@fs.fed.us   Archeology Day at Petit Jean State Park March is set aside as Arkansas Archeology Month. This year's theme is Arkansas Rock Art. At Petit Jean State Park, they will be celebrating the month with a full day of special archeology-related activities. The day will begin at 10 am with a guided hike to the most recognized archeological site in the park, Rock House Cave. At 11:30 am, meet at Stout's Point to hear The Legends of Petit Jean. The day will wrap up at 6 pm with Legends of Rock House Cave. Join the staff at Petit Jean as they look into the past of Petit Jean Mountain. Call 1-800-264-2462 or visit them online www.petitjeanstatepark.com   Arkansas River Valley Arts Center News pARTy in the Park The Arkansas River Valley Arts Center will host the largest family oriented, multi-disciplinary arts event in its 25 year history on Saturday, April 28th. With a combination of visual and performing arts, pARTy in the Park: An Art Round-up will create a day full of fun, entertainment and visual excitement for the whole family. Plans are to fill Russellville City Park with special activities for all ages and abilities from 10 am to 3 pm. There is no admission charge and many of the activities are free. Mark your calendars now, round up your family and friends and come on down a rip roarin' good time! For more info contact Betty LaGrone at 479-968-2452. PLANNING FOR CANNING Winthrop Rockefeller Center Mar 24th, 2007 9 am - 4 pm Learn the basic techniques for canning a variety of fruits and vegetables and discover easy recipes for jellies and jams. Use your summertime labor in the garden to stock your pantry and enjoy your garden throughout the year. Cost for the course is $49. For more information call (501) 727-5435 or visit them online at www.wrcenter.net 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. Jerry Garcez- 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. Please Note: The Tri-Peaks Board of Directors March meeting will be held Tuesday, March 13th, 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 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 *Frannie's Cabin in the Ozarks 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 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 Canoeing the Mulberry River CALENDAR OF EVENTS Centerville Mar 3: Play Day Noon-Dark Mar 4: Bracket Racing 1st Points Mar 10: Play Day Noon-Dark Mar 17: Play Day Noon-Dark Mar 18: Bracket Points Race Mar 24: Play Day Noon-Dark Mar 31: Play Day Noon-Dark For more information; call Centerville Dragway @ 479-576-4001 Clarksville Mar 8: Arkansas Symphony Orchestra 7 pm @ University of the Ozarks Call 1-800-264-8636 for more information Mar 8: Meet Artist Nancy Farrell Reception 6-7 pm @ the U of O Walton Fine Arts Center Mar 10: Miss Ozark Highlands Pageant @ CHS Fine Arts Bldg. Call 479-754-2988 for more info Mar 22: Annual Clarksville Chamber of Commerce Banquet 6:30 pm @ the U of O. For more information call 479-754-2340 Foothills Arena Schedule Mar 2-4: 3rd Annual Arkansas Team Roping Classic 8 am daily Mar 9: Saddle Series Barrel Race 6:30-8 pm Mar 23: Saddle Series Barrel Race 6:30-8 pm Mar 24: Timed Event Series-Open/CRRA Approved 1-6 pm Mar 31: Tuff Bull Tour Classic For more information on events @ Foothills Arena; call 479-497-2688 Dardanelle Mar 3: Total Lunar Eclipse 6:15 pm @ Mt. Nebo State Park For more information call 479-229-3655 Morrilton Mar 17: Archeology Day @ Petit Jean State Park Mar 30-Apr 1: Wildflower Weekend @ Petit Jean State Park For more information call 501-727-5441 Russellville Mar 2: First Friday Downtown Art Walk For more information call 479-967-1437 Mar 31: Annual Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Performance @ Witherspoon Hall on the ATU Campus. For more information call 479-229-2041 Please contact your area Chamber of Commerce to confirm event dates.     March Quote Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other… John F. Kennedy (1917-1963)