Volume 2 Issue 29 Published monthly by the Arkansas River Valley Tri - Region Association October 2005 ARKANSAS FALL COLOR REPORTS Ozark National Forest 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 at 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 photograph under "Featured Events" 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. A series of state and national scenic highways in the Ozarks and Ouachitas provide for eye-catching views. Scenic 7 Byway, one of the best known drives in the state, provides viewing options for both the Ozarks and the Ouachitas. Interstate 540 from Alma north through Fayetteville, Springdale, and Rogers, is quite beautiful also. Ark. 16, 9, 23, & 21 are a few others in the Ozarks. In the Ouachitas, the Talimena Scenic Byway, U.S. 70, 71, & 270, plus Ark. 10 & 27 are good routes for scenic beauty. To get a free Arkansas Vacation Planning Kit, visit www.arkansas.com or call 1-800-NATURAL. Reprinted from Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism   The River Valley What signals can you watch for to indicate the beginning of the fall color season? Look for splashes of red in your favorite area of green hardwoods. Here's a short list of foliage that changes early in Arkansas, and the color(s) they are likely to display: Black gum (red), Hickory (yellow), Sassafras (red, orange, or yellow), Sweet gum (red, yellow, or purple), Red Maple (red, yellow, or orange), Dogwood, (brownish red), Poison Ivy and Poison Oak (red), Sumac (red), and Buckeye (red). Autumn in Arkansas is anything but one-dimensional with a bumper crop of fall festivals and special events, the flamboyant fall foliage, the harvest season, and the crisper, downward turn of temperatures. The most popular way to enjoy the splashy color of autumn in Arkansas is just to get out and do it. The color change begins in early October in the Ozarks of northern Arkansas...moves slowly to the south...until it reaches the peak of color in late October and early November. Yellows, reds, oranges, golds-even deep purple-overtake the maples, sumac, sweet gum, oak, sassafras, and hickory. The state has two-and-a half million acres of national forests...the Ozark, the Ouachita (Wash-i-taw) and the St. Francis...where the beauty of the season shines. Reprinted from Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism   ARKANSAS RIVER VALLEY TRI-PEAKS ANNUAL BANQUET WAS HELD SEPTEMBER 29TH AT THE RIALTO GALLERY IN MORRILTON Each of the 6 counties nominates an individual or organization of their choice for the Tourism Person/Organization of the Year. THIS YEARS AWARDS WENT TO: Pope County - Mr. Paul Jackson Conway County - Mr. Bill Stacks Yell County- Mr. Jim Ray Holbrook Logan County- Mr. Rick Allen Accepting award, Ms. Lynn Wright Perry County- "Fourche River Days" Festival Accepting award, Mayor Bill Greene Johnson County- Foothills Arena Accepting award, Owner Sheryl Holland, Manager Nila Moore THE CHARLIE JOHNSON AWARD THIS YEAR WENT TO CHARLES (CHUCK) GORDON Volunteers contribute their time and effort for many reasons. Usually those who start a huge project such as the Tri-Peaks Challenge Bike Race and Ride themselves or a family member are involved in the activity. This was not the case with Chuck Gordon. He heard comments about bike races and rides in places such as "Hotter Than Hell" in Texas that draws hundreds (if not thousands) of participants and thought-Arkansas River Valley would be a much greater place to have something like this. It all came together and was a great success-due absolutely to Chuck's steady resolve to make this a tourism event for the Tri-Peaks Region. There were 130 entries, which is great for a first year! GREAT JOB CHUCK     FELTNER'S WHATTABURGER IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THEIR NEW CATERING BUSINESS, "THAT'S SOME BURGER!" The owners Randy and Missy Ellis are excited to offer the River Valley an extension of their family business, "Feltner's Whatta-Burger," that was established in 1967. Call them and see what they can do for you, your business, or just a family reunion. There is no job TOO small or TOO big. For catering or more information, call 479-968-1410 or 479-968-7229.   ARKANSAS RIVER VALLEY ARTS CENTER NEWS November Art Walk- Crisp fall evenings and strolling downtown enjoying great art, music, and refreshments- that is what is in store for Russellville's Downtown Art Walk, Friday, November 4th, from 5-8 p.m. November Exhibit at ARV Arts Center announces the exciting works of Gloria Garrison for the November exhibit. Garrison is a practicing artist living in Russellville. A reception announcing the exhibit opening will be held Sunday, November 6th, from 1-3 p.m. At the same time as the exhibit opening in the gallery, activities for the youth will be held in the Arts Center's classroom. For more information, call 479-968-2452 PAINTING BY GLORIA GARRISON VETERAN'S APPRECIATION DAY SET FOR NOVEMBER 5TH IN DOWNTOWN CLARKSVILLE 10:00 a.m.- Parade Between 10:00 & 10:30 a.m., 2 F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 184th Fighter Squadron and The Flying Razorbacks; part of the 188th Fighters Wing will be flying overhead from West to East on Main Street. 11:00 a.m.: Stage Program in front of the Legion Hut. 12:00 p.m., Free Chili Dinner on the corner of Legion & Sevier Street. 2:00 p.m., Free Bingo with prizes. The community is invited to attend. We'll see you there!!!   UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS NEWS Author to Present Novel-Writing Workshop- Award winning author Anna Myers will lead a 3 day workshop entitled "Writing Your Novel" as part of the U of O's Community Education Program. The workshop sessions will run from 7-9 p.m. on the Monday's of Nov. 7th, 21st, and December 5th. Enrollment fee is $125 for the workshop, which will be held on the U of O campus. U of O Kids College to present Workshops- The U of O Kids College program will present a pair of one-day workshops in November & December. Both workshops will be held on the U of O campus and are $35 each. Class sizes are limited, so early registration is recommended. U of O to offer Baby Sign Language Program- Beginning in January, the Kindermusik program at the U of O will offer a new music and baby sign language program called Sign & Sing. This 5 session class gives parents the tools to learn more than 50 American sign language signs for children ages 6 months to 3 years. For details on all the above events, contact Ginny Sain at 479-979-1346 or email gsain@ozarks.edu. U of O sets date for Open House- The annual Fall Open House for prospective students and their parents will be Saturday, November 19th. The event will include tours of the campus, students will have the opportunity to meet with faculty members, current students, coaches, & financial aide officials during the day. Those who are interested in attending are encouraged to pre-register by calling the Admissions Office at 479-979-1227. Fun Facts In the 1920's, Little Rock was home of the Climber Automobile Manufacturing Company which built approximately 200 four-cylinder, 40-horsepower cars and 100 pickup trucks. Only two Climbers are in existence today, both of which are housed at the Museum of Automobiles atop Petit Jean Mountain near Morrilton. The Buffalo National River, which meanders through the Ozarks for almost 150 miles, is the nation's first federally protected stream and one of America's great natural treasures. POM incorporated of Russellville is the originator of metered parking. The company is descended from the inventor of the parking meter. Reprinted from Arkansas.com Pedestal Rocks in the Ozarks Calendar of Events Russellville Nov 4-5: Arkansas Valley Arts & Crafts Fair Pope County Fair Grounds. Admission: Free. For more info, contact Roy Aday 479-229-4200 or email aday@arkwest.com Clarksville Nov 13: Merchant's Open House Downtown Clarksville Sunday, 1:00-5:00 p.m. Nov 25: Early Bird Sale Downtown Clarksville Friday, 7:00-10:00 a.m. For more information, call 479-754-2340, or visit website www.clarksvillearchamber.com Foothills Arena Hwy 103 North in Clarksville Nov 5 & 6: Arkansas High School Rodeo Nov 11, 12, & 13: Peyton Raney Barrel Clinic Limited students- $300 for all 3 days. For more information on Foothills Arena, contact Nila Moore 479-497-2688, website www.tangleshoe.com, email foothillsarena@centurytel.net Morrilton Nov 20: Merchant's Christmas Open House Downtown Morrilton. The official opening of the Christmas Season in Morrilton/Conway County. For more information, contact Morrilton Area Chamber of Commerce 501-354-2393, or visit their website www.morrilton.com. Nov 25-27: Petit Jean Mountain Rendezvous Petit Jean State Park. Walk through a primitive "mountain man" camp & learn about survival skills used by early Arkansas pioneers. For more information call 501-727-5441 or visit their website www.petitjeanstatepark.com. Paris Nov 5: Hunt for History Mount Magazine State Park. Find a piece of Mount Magazine's past. Arkansas explorers are invited to bring a GPS unit and compass to the park Visitor Center for clues to a little known secret of local history. For more information call 479-963-8502, or email mountmagazine@arkansas.com. Admission: Free Centerville Dragway Nov 5: 2 day Bracket Race/ROChamps Nov 6: Pts/Team Race Racer Appreciation Combo Race Bracket Appreciation Race Nov 12: SL/TNT 4-9 Nov 13: Awards & Bracket Combo Nov 19: SL/TNT 4-9 Nov 20: CLOSED Nov 26: Last SL/TNT 4-9 For more information on the above events call 479-576-4001 email cvdrag@arkwest.com website www.centervilledragway.com