Volume 2 Issue 16 Published monthly by the Arkansas River Valley Tri - Region Association October 2004 Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism A mild summer bolstered by ample rain has laid the groundwork for a splendid autumn show in Arkansas. While the summer has delivered healthy, green trees for the season, the weather in September and October will determine when the leaves will change and how colorful the foliage will become. Reports on the progress of fall color in The Natural State are now available on the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism's web site: www.Arkansas.com. A statewide network of 40 spotters files weekly reports on the status of the leaves in their area. The reports are compiled and then posted on www.Arkansas.com and are available to the public by 5 p.m. (CST) each Thursday. Just click on the colorful fall leaf icon to find out the latest. The updates are also available by calling 1-800-NATURAL which is answered live 24 hours a day, or (501) 682-7777 during normal business hours. Two new national scenic byways in eastern Arkansas provide access to the beauty of fall along Crowley's Ridge and through the St. Francis National Forest. The Great River Road National Scenic Byway and Crowley's Ridge National Scenic Byway venture through some of the most historic and interesting areas of the state. The St. Francis National Forest covers over 20,000 acres and has a variety of some of the finest bottomland hardwoods in the country. These woodlands provide the striking fall color that makes Arkansas a popular autumn destination. A series of state and national scenic highways in the Ozarks and Ouachitas provide for eye-catching views as well. Scenic 7 Byway, one of the most well-known drives in Arkansas, provides viewing opportunities for both the Ozarks and the Ouachitas. Interstate-540 from Alma north through Fayetteville, Springdale, and Rogers, is also quite beautiful. Ozark mountain color is also displayed along Ark. 16, 9, 23 and 21. In the Ouachitas, the Talimena Scenic Byway, U.S. 70, 71 and 270, plus Ark. 10 and 27 are good routes for scenic beauty. According to Eddie Fugatt, assistant research director for the Department who is in charge of the spotter's network, this fall has the potential to be quite colorful in Arkansas. "Weather conditions from mid-Sept. to mid-to-late Oct. are what give us bright color. Ideal conditions are lots of sunny days with highs in the 60s to low 70s, followed by crisp nights with temps in the 35-40 degree range. The abundant rainfall earlier in the summer and moderate temperatures will result in more hardwoods entering the fall in a green, healthy state," Fugatt said. To get a free Arkansas Vacation Planning Kit, visit www.arkansas.com/vacation_kit/. or call 1-800-NATURAL. This release, along with others by the Department of Parks & Tourism, is available electronically at the Department's on-line media room: www.arkansas.com/media. Hundreds of high-resolution photos are also available at this Web address. Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, (501) 682-7606 E-mail: info@arkansas.com May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated: "Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism" Sunset in the River Valley Fall Color in Arkansas Fall Color Report Each September, we look forward to the coming of fall. Even the most avid sun worshipers are now ready to dig out their long-sleeved shirts and begin planning driving tours and favorite outdoor activities around the changing of the leaves. But predicting fall color is no easier than forecasting the weather. That's why the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism has a network of fall color spotters in every region who have volunteered to supply weekly updates. This information is combined into one report, available by 5: 00 p.m. Central Time each Thursday throughout the fall, so that everyone can make plans for the weekend. The reports are available by calling 1-800-NATURAL (answered live 24 hours a day) or 501-682-7777 (normal business hours only). You can also order a fall Arkansas Vacation Planning Kit by calling either of these numbers. The foliage updates and a wealth of other travel information are available on the Arkansas web site: www.arkansas.com. Accessing the reports over the web is best, because all the details are there in written form to study and print at your convenience. Various state and out-of-state news media publish the updates each week. All 13 Arkansas Tourist Information Centers located at major entry points into Arkansas have them on hand to advise travelers, as do most Arkansas State Parks. Foliage changes in these three regions are described: northwest/north central Arkansas (Ozarks), central Arkansas/Ouachita Mountains, and southern/eastern Arkansas. We identify specific areas and highways during peak color times. Traditional Peak Color Times in Arkansas Generally, color change begins in the Ozarks of northern Arkansas in late September or early October. The trees in central Arkansas and the Ouachita mountain range of west central Arkansas are changing noticeably by early to mid-October. Southern and eastern Arkansas foliage usually begins changing during mid-October. Most people, however, are more interested in the "peak" of color. There is usually a period of a week or so when the foliage in a particular area is at its best. The peak may be for a large area of the forest, or different areas may peak at different times, even though they are close to each other. Normally, the peak of color occurs around two or three weeks after color changes begin, meaning late October for the Ozarks, late October or early November for central and western Arkansas, and early to mid-November for the southern and eastern sections. Never wait until the last minute to visit an area of outstanding color. Foliage always looks best just before it is time for it to go away. Only fragile stems hold the colorful leaves onto the trees, and a good wind, rain, hailstorm, or frost can bring an end to the color in an area in a matter of hours. Another good idea is to plan to stay a few days in order to enjoy driving tours or camping, hiking, canoeing, photography, craft fairs, and other activities. Set aside some leisure time to experience autumn in Arkansas this year. The weather is cool, the fish are biting, and it's one of the best times all year to be outdoors.   Lake Dardanelle Lake Dardanelle State Park has been named a "Southern Travel Treasure" by the AAA Southern Traveler magazine, which reaches 175,000 homes in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.   Mount Magazine State Park The Mt. Magazine Program Committee Reported on the final selections for the Lodge and cabins under construction at The park. This included: exterior color Scheme, interior colors, tiles, floor covering, light fixtures, interior door hardware, Ceiling material and wall finishes. For more Info, please call Stan Graves at 501-682-1633 News Release Arkansas River Valley Arts Center announces auditions for actors, dancers, and vocalists for the upcoming production of The Christmas Story, now in its ninth season. Auditions are for children as well as adults and will be held Sunday, October 10th at 2:00 pm and Monday, October 11th at 7:00 pm at All Saints Episcopal Church, 501 South Phoenix, Russellville. Everyone who fills out an audition form is cast in the Chorus for the show. For more info call 968-2452 or 293-3173. American Bus Association Names Wiederkehr Village Wine Festival One of North America's 100 Best Events For 2005 Event is a Ticket to Fun and to Critical Group Tourism Dollars (Washington, D.C.)-The American Bus Association (ABA) announced today that the Wiederkehr Village Wine Festival, September 23 & 24, 2005, has been designated as one of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2005 by an elite tourism industry selection committee. Inclusion in the Top 100 list, published as a supplement to the September issue of Destinations magazine, indicates that the Wiederkehr Village Wine Festival offers excellent entertainment value to both tour groups and individual travelers from around the world, said ABA. Mount Magazine State Park The Mt. Magazine Program Committee Reported on the final selections for the Lodge and cabins under construction at The park. This included: exterior color Scheme, interior colors, tiles, floor covering, Light fixtures, interior door hardware, Ceiling material and wall finishes. For more Info, please call Stan Graves at 501-682-1633 Trail Of Holiday Lights The trail of Holiday Lights will run Wednesday November 17 through Monday, December 27. Seventy-two communities will participate with Each community donating a gift basket item. Six gift baskets will given away representing The six regions listed in the brochure. For more info, please contact Karen Mullikin at 501-975-7217      Restaurant INDUSTRY TRENDS Reprinted from: Arkansas Hospitality Association Newsletter Some criticize the tip credit system, where servers are paid a cash tip that is less than the full minimum wage (as long as tips equal minimum wage.) Restaurant operators respond that servers make more money than most of the staff. But… until now…there has not been any statistical data to prove what the operators knew to be true. In response to a longstanding need within the restaurant industry to accurately estimate the earnings of tipped employees-specifically wait staff-the National Restaurant Association has announced the results of a nationwide operator survey. The survey found that nationally, the average hourly earnings of wait staff range from $17.1 - for entry level servers to $22.2 for more experienced servers. "These figures confirm what restaurant owners and employees already know - wait staff positions are not just flexible, but well-paying as well. This underscores the fact that the restaurant industry is truly one of opportunity for everyone," said Lee Culpepper, the Association's senior vice president of Government Affairs and Public Policy. The survey showed that the average hourly tips received by wait staff range from $13.50 for entry-level servers to $18.20 for more experienced servers. The restaurant industry employs 12 million people, nearly 9% of those working in the United States, thus establishing it as the nation's largest private-sector employer. "This survey demonstrates that the restaurant industry in the United States is truly the cornerstone of our nation's economy, providing great careers and tremendous opportunities for advancement," said Robert Green, Vice President of Federal Relations for the National Restaurant Association. "It is an industry that provides a variety of desirable and well-compensated employment opportunities, including tipped positions." The March 2004 National Restaurant Association survey included a national sample of 1,000 restaurants, 763 of which were full service. It was conducted by Western Wats, a survey research firm located in Pravo, Utah Amendment 2 What is Amendment 2? Proposed Amendment 2 to our state's Constitution would give Arkansas a fighting chance to compete with surrounding states for more and better-paying jobs. When approved by voters in the November 2 general election, Amendment 2 would give the General Assembly the authority to issue general obligation bonds for the specific purpose of attracting "super projects." What benefits are associated with super projects? It is impossible to estimate specific benefits of this proposed amendment without knowing specific details about an economic development project. In general, goals of economic development include increasing the number of jobs, income and productivity. Additional revenues generated by a number of higher-paying jobs could make principal and interest payments on the bonds and provide a substantial increase in overall state tax collections. More jobs and higher personal income levels could also lessen the need for unemployment and welfare program expenditures by the state. Other indirect benefits could also occur. Amendment 2 does not raise taxes. It raises opportunities for you.           Calendar of Events Take a trip around the world at Heifer Ranch- Saturday October 16, 2004 for the Annual Global Village Day… Free and open The public. For more info call 501-889-5124 Or email ranch@heifer.org Mount Magazine State Park Saturday October 2nd 10-5 p.m Highpoint Rendezvous Experience "Arkansaw Territorial Days" For more Info contact: Don Simons 479-963-8502 or email mountmagazine@arkansas.com Lake Dardanelle State Park October 29-31 7-10 p.m. 3rd Annual Halloween Storytelling Trail. For more info contact: Amber Masculli 479-967-5516 or email lakedardanelle@arkansas.com See Moscow Ballet's 12th annual tour of the "Great Russian Nutcracker" coming to Alma Performing Arts Center on Thursday November 18th, 2004 @ 8:00 pm…Tickets on sale @ the Box Office: 479-632-2129 2nd Annual Fire Safety Awareness Parade/Kids Fest Saturday October 2nd @ 10:00 am…For more info Contact Dayna Trembley Hilton 479-754-8652 Or email daynark@cswnet.com Free admission 3rd Annual DHS Teacup Auction to be held October 9th….The event is to help disadvantaged Children at Christmas. Contact: Janice Over 479-754-2355 or email carol.blackard@mail.state.ar.us Arkansas Rodeo Association State Finals October 7th, 8th, & 9th. For more info Email www.hurleyswesternwear.com/calendar.html Petit Jean State Park Activity Schedule: Friday October 1st - 2:00 pm Vulture Venture 7:00 pm Leave It to the Beavers Saturday October 2nd - 9:00 am Bear Cave Hike 11:00 am Hidden in the Woods 2:00 pm Meet the Moonshiner 4:00 pm A Rotten Place to Live 7:00 pm Creatures of the Night Sunday October 3rd - 9:00 am Seven Hollows Fire Hike 11:00 am Gifts That Grow with Time 21st Annual Fall Senior American Special at Petit Jean State Park October 12-14, 2004 For more info contact Lori Anderson 501-727-6512 Or email petitjean@arkansas.com