Hot Springs Hot Spots Magazine - October 2014

hot springs

Walk of fame PG 28

Hot Springs Documentary film Fest PG 16 HSHotSpots.com

OCTOBER 2014

HAPPY BIRTHDAY IRA: 23rd ANNUAL BARON’s BALL pg 20

THE RACE FOR MAYOR pg 23 Live show listing Pg 10 #hshotspots

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Go Outside It increases your odds oF having an adventure #doitwithalocal

us on Facebook

112 Blackhawk Lane • Hot Springs, AR • 501-767-1373 2

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Open Monday - Friday 9AM - 6PM and Saturday 9AM - 5PM ouachitaoutdooroutfitters.com

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Stand With Pat 8th Ad .pdf

Stand with

Pat Early Voting Begins

October 20th Election Day Is

November 4th

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PAID FOR BY THE COMMITTEE TO ELECT PAT MCCABE MAYOR OF HOT SPRINGS

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

HOT SPRINGS HOT SPOTS EDITOR Jim G. Miller Lately in every issue of HSHS, we have been covering impact stories regarding something with the environment, featuring an important area non-profit, telling you about excellent day trip destinations with our Worth the Drive feature, sampling and reporting about good food, and featuring small local businesses.

We like to have fun pinpointing the important hotspots where events are happening in Hot Springs.

October is always a fun time in Hot Springs and this issue was very fun to make. It is always a pleasure working with chief photographer Jeremy Rodgers and everyone who helped to make every amazing photo and story happen in this issue. Hot Springs becomes alive again in the orange light of October and the perfect season of fall. The ever present arts scene in Hot Springs returns with a splendor dawning over a new Hot Water Hills, a supreme Hot Springs Gallery Walk, the Levi Hospital Baron’s Ball, the Hot Springs Food & Wine Festival, Oktoberfest, the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, the Horror Festival, and of course, Halloween.

The dusk in Hot Springs comes alive with the sight and sound of bats swooping out of the Central Baptist Church chimney and belfry, as well as above many historic buildings found in downtown Hot Springs. All you have to do is listen and you can hear them. The crew here at Hot Springs Hot Spots does its best to put an ear to the ground listening for the vibes of the arts and the nightlife of the city. In this issue we decided to highlight the significance of the upcoming November Mayoral Election. While it is most often our decision to not blend our brand of media with politics, we felt like it would be a great public service to Hot Springs to inform you to the best of our ability about those running for the important city office. As a magazine that attempts to represent and identify the best qualities of Hot Springs we definitely think it’s important to have a mayor that does the same. We hope that you enjoy and thank you as always for reading Hot Spots.

CREATIVE/ART Marisa Rodgers PHOTOGRAPHY Jeremy Rodgers Robbie Brindley CONTRIBUTORS Samuel Binns Alex Bridges Ferrin Lunestad David Hughes COPY EDITORS Cathy Hicks Carl Miller SALES Darlene Simpson For advertising opportunities: info@rendercreativegroup.com or call 501-620-4520 For editorial queries: Please write to: Hot Springs Hot Spots 801 Central Avenue, Suite 30 Hot Springs, AR 71901 or email info@hshotspots.com BE SOCIAL WITH US LIKE US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/HSHotSpots FOLLOW US ON TWITTER twitter.com/HSHotSpots

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EATS FROM THE KITCHEN

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MAXINE’S LIVE

MUS I C

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playing what you feel john calvin brewer

ART S The roadkill series

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BETHANNIE NEWSOME STEELMAN

G IVI NG HOT SPRINGS DOC FEST

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23rd annual film Festival

IMPAC T h2O quandary

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looking south for water

WO RT H T HE D R I V E Apple pickin’

34 F EAT URED

20 23 THE RACE FOR MAYOR happy birthday ira

23rd annual baron’s ball MAYORIAL ELECTION 2014

28 30 THE HOT SPRINGY DINGY walk of fame

the 2014 inductees

COSTUMER FUN & MORE

cox berry farm

D O N’T M I S S LIVE SHOW LISTINGS

10 35 CALENDAR OF EVENTS OCTOBER

#hshotspots

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From the Kitchen

EATS

Maxine’s Live Dishes Out Some Flavorful Fare

Photography by Jeremy Rodgers

Story by Jim G. Miller

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Maxine’s Live is the premier music venue of Hot Springs, Arkansas, in part thanks to the years of great sound engineering and booking management. There have been many esteemed touring bands that have become all too familiar with this historic brothel turned bar venue in downtown Hot Springs.

Maxine’s now has something else to gloat about with some fun experimentation in the kitchen and the introduction of a new menu.

Owner Cassie Francioni has worked diligently since taking over the venue just a little less than a year and a half ago. During that time she has cultivated various interior and exterior improvements that include both the bar and kitchen areas.

The ultimate showdown on who has the best burger in Hot Springs may ultimately be decided with the unleashing of Maxine’s new burger dubbed Sasquatch. It was certainly a delicious discovery on their new menu.

A prime 7.5 oz beef patty topped with barbecue pulled pork, peppered bacon, and their patented sriracha slaw, cheddar, swiss, mayo, grilled onions and mushrooms all layered on a pristine golden brioche bun, this was like putting heaven in my mouth.

The kitchen crew at Maxine’s also definitely does not skimp with the entrée items. This was apparent after getting one glance at the calzone. The largest around, the one we sampled was about the size of an infant.

Slather on the marinara sauce and you are on your way to a delectable food coma.

A crucially important day of the week to not miss out on at Maxine’s is Taco Tuesday.

For $1.50 each, you can get your choice of chicken, beef, pork, or vegetarian tacos and $2.00 margaritas. Maxine’s Live also now offers some bang up quesadillas and nachos that go great with one of their many select craft beers they have on tap or in the bottle.

Another exciting addition to the Maxine’s menu is the Rum Cake. Using gelato straight from Superior Gelato with roasted pecans and cherries, it’s hands down one of the best new desserts in town.

Mother’s Brewing Tap Takeover will be happening at Maxine’s on October 2nd, and take advantage of their weekly “very special” happy hour from 3-7pm. This year Maxine’s will be slinging pork sandwiches and possibly some other munchies at the Hot Water Hills Music Festival. Be sure to hit up the after par ties taking place at Maxine’s each evening after the festival Oct. 3rd-5th.

A major go to destination now for both food and entertainment, Maxine’s will certainly be garnering much more attention with the unveiling of these new items. Check their monthly music listing here in the magazine or on their website at www.maxineslive.com.

501.321.0909

700 CENTRAL AVE

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POETRY/OPEN MIC/TRIVIA THURSDAY/LADIES THRUSDAY/LADIESNIGHT NIGHT

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playing what you feel

MUSIC

The Empathetic Blues of the John Calvin Brewer Band

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Story by David Hughes hshotspots.com

I moved here in the summer of 2000 and plugged into the local music scene within the year, discovering a lot of great talent. It was the Hump Night Blues Jam at Schapiro’s (now the Gangster Museum) where I first heard John Calvin Brewer.

He was a hard playing, rough around the edges singer who brought an intensity to the stage that still surrounds him today. Over the past 15 years, I’ve watched Brewer grow as a musician and a performer to arguably become one of the hardest working musicians in Hot Springs. I had the chance to talk with Brewer about his influences, his views on his music and what’s on the horizon.“I started playing music when I was about 6 years old,” Brewer said. “My grandpa would play Mary Had A Little Lamb. Later, when I was 12 or 13, I’d force my brothers to play drums for me. We always had a music room at home…a ’57 Strat, a Les Paul, a piano. Music was just always there.”

That music room didn’t really carry a lot of significance for Brewer until he moved to Poteau, Oklahoma to go to school. In Poteau, he had a

tough time making friends but it turned out that one of his friends, was in a band. “I went to band practice and my eyes popped. Watching those guys play lit a fire. I went back to my grandpa’s with a new sight for what was in the music room.

I started banging on instruments and making noise, bound and determined to do something.

Grandpa showed me the boogie woogie and it was over. I remember asking him how to play the Star Spangled Banner. He didn’t know it, but said to find it and we’d pick it out. It was then I realized I could play anything.” Brewer’s first band happened when he met longtime friend and bass player Shannon Sabatini at a mutual friend’s house.

“Our first gig was the house band at Boogie’s. I was barely 21 and we barely had a set of music. Different people would sing for us. It didn’t last when they found out our drummer was 14.” Gigs have not been hard to come by lately for Brewer and company. In addition to a steady schedule of local gigs, Brewer has represented the Spa City Blues Society at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, opened

the Hot Springs Blues Festival, opened for Creedence Clearwater Revisited and Tesla, and will be opening for country star Dustin Lynch in the near future.

The band’s popularity can be attributed to what Brewer sees as his ability to empathize with an audience. “I can look at an audience and see what they are feeling. I watch to see how a song feels to the audience and how it connects with their energy.

I try to take people to another place with the music.”

Brewer has been writing more music of late with the intention of an album to soon follow. Brewer’s musical repertoire consists of a variety, from country to rock to blues to a little psychedelic twist now and again. While people spend a lot of time trying to put music into categories Brewer admits he doesn’t care for labels. When asked to define his music he reflected on his career as a musician.

“We’re too far along, in 2014, to categorize the music. The rock people say we’re too bluesy. The blues folks say we’re too much rock. We play what we feel. That’s music.”

hot springs

ALBUMS ON REVIEW < this will destroy you Another Language

Released September 12, 2014 This Will Destroy You, formed almost ten years ago in Texas, has built itself upon composing atmospheric post-rock instrumental pieces, and on their newest album they bring with them a weirder, darker, and even noisier sound. The album begins with “New Topia,” a wash of guitars that build up to marching drums, preparing the listener for the nostalgic light guitars and echoing snare hits in “Dustism.” The impulsive explosiveness within “War Prayer” certainly contrasts the atmosphere of “The Puritan,” which creates the image of gentle breezes and a starry sky. The sharp snarls of the martial beat in “Invitation” reinvigorate the album by moving the song into a different territory, but the melancholy and solitude return on the final song of the album. “God’s Teeth” concludes the album by evoking sounds of distraught whining with swirls of distorted guitar. This Will Destroy You epitomizes patience in their fourth album, and they have found their niche, combining vigorous crescendos with lulling minimalism.

< alt-J This Is All Yours

Released September 22, 2014 Alt-J’s inventive elegance encompasses multi-instrumentalists that assemble folky instruments, tingling guitars, and pulsing electronic tones, building upon the layers of harmonic vocal sulkiness and rummaged acoustics. Their second album gradually reveals itself more and more, starting off soft and simple with gentle guitar plucking below harmonized oohing in “Arrival in Nara.” The robust ‘70s rock vibe in “Left Hand Free” is very distinct, but the temperamental “Every Other Freckle” takes the indie rock template and frequently changes its mind, transitioning back and forth from folk to rock. The dark elegiac first single, “Hunger of the Pine,” begins with minimal instrumentation that progressively puffs up as the pensive beat grows, but the song stays consistently dormant and never erupts. The pastoral ode “Warm Foothills” is a nostalgic digression that coincides with the quiet strumming in “Pusher,” which sinks the listener right into introspection. This Is All Yours is a dynamic album with its transitional assortment of genres and moods that may transform many times in only one song. Alt-J’s progressiveness is filtered through their modern indie-rock sensibility, keeping their style rigid and edgy throughout this enchanting record.

< aphex twin syro

Released September 19, 2014 Richard D. James, known as Aphex Twin, hasn’t released a new album of his distinct electronic sound in nearly 13 years. His newest album, Syro, transitions between drum ‘n’ bass, techno, and even undertones of disco as Twin revels in the unpredictability of the meandering electronic tones. “XMAS_EVET10 [120]” reveals his ability to balance the stuttering shifts in beats with a smooth gliding atmosphere with extremely deep groaning. The groaning ceases, and “4 bit 9d api+e+6 [126.26]” fuses harsh splashes with starry melodies, forming a blissful kind of kinetic energy. “180db_ [130]” shifts the drive to clusters of distorted synths that layer a pounding breakbeat, but the energy is then enhanced even further with the complicated flow of “CIRCLONT6A [141.98],” conjuring a rough texture with tones of psychedelic synths. “aisatsana [102]” concludes the album with its minimalist piano melody that layers chirping birds, creating a scene that illuminates the entire album. The quaint tones that Aphex Twin employs on his newest album are miraculously constructed. The record flows seamlessly, and every listen to each track provides the listener with a new experience.

Do you agree with our Reviews? Leave your feedback on our reviews at hshotspots.com. Submit your own Reviews!

Send your new release album, video or movie reviews to info@hshotspots.com.

Reviews by Samuel Binns #hshotspots

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LIVE SHOW LISTINGS

VENUES

700 CENTRAL AVE.

EVERY WED

7pm Poetry/open mic/TRIVIA NIGHT

FRI 10/3 HOT WATER HILLS AFTER PARTY:

THE KINKY FINGERS (NM) Surf Rock; kevin kerby (AR) Songwriter SAT 10/4 HOT WATER HILLS AFTER PARTY: reece sullivan(LA) Songwriter

GRINGO STAR (NY) Rock; FRI 10/10 goddamn gallows (MI) Punk, Bluegrass; zach & big papa binns (AR) Blues SAT 10/11 casual pleasure(AR) Experimental Rock; landrest(AR) Psych Rock;

switchblade razors (TX) Instrumental Rock TUES 10/14 the easy leaves(CA) American, Country FRI 10/17 cabaret kittens (AR) Burlesque SAT 10/18 adam faucett and the tall grass (AR) Americana, Folk, Rock;

bo & the locomotive (MO) Rock; jordan morgan lansdowne (AR) Folk FRI 10/24 myaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Madams (AR) Drag Show SAT 10/25 john paul keith band (TN) Rock; tyrannosaurus chicken (AR) Blues THURS 10/30 federalis (AR) Rock; jacob furr (TX) Folk, Rock FRI 10/31 HALLOWEEN SHOW WITH COSTUMERS & CONTESTS:

WHITE GLOVE TEST (AR) Hardcore; thelma and the sleaze (TN) Dirty;

kinsu wives (AR) Scary; Hamberguesa (TX) Experimental Rock 2705 CENTRAL AVE.

EVERY WED

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KARAOKE WITH CHUCKY D

7-11pm

FRI/SAT 10/3-4 salt & pepper(AR) 9pm-1am; Blues SAT 10/4 Oktoberfest:

itinerant locals(AR) 5-9pm; Polka FRI/SAT 10/10-11 Ed Bowman And the Rock City Players(AR) 9pm-1am; Rock FRI/SAT 10/17-18 shane simanton (AR) 9pm-1am; Blues FRI/SAT 10/24-25 That Devious Duo (AR) 9pm-1am; Rock FRI/SAT 10/31 delta donnie (AR) 9pm-1am; Rock, Blues hshotspots.com

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4330 CENTRAL AVE.

Karen Waldrup (of Midtown Violets/the Rooks) (AR)Rock Gable Bradley Band(AR) Rock, Country MOONSHINE MAFIA (AR) Rock DAYTON WATERS (AR) Rock MAYDAY BY MIDNIGHT HALLOWEEN PARTY (AR) Party Band

101 CENTRAL AVE.

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10/3 10/4 10/10 10/11 10/18 10/24 10/25 10/31

relentless (AR) Rock chris allen craig band (AR) Rock josh pickem (AR) Rock usual suspects (AR) Rock Charlotte Taylor & Gypsy Rain (AR) Blues, Rock crash meadows (AR) Rock RAISING GREY (AR) Rock REBEL CAUSE (AR) Country Rock

LIVE SHOW LISTINGS

FRI/SAT 10/3-4 fri 10/10 FRI 10/17 FRI 10/24 FRI 10/31

711 CENTRAL AVE.

EVERY THURS

SHANE SIMANTON (AR) Blues, Classic Rock

FRI SAT FRI SAT FRI FRI SAT FRI SAT

Bryan Hayes & the Gable Bradley Band (AR) Country, Rock, Americana The Federallis & Benjamin Del Shreve (AR) Rock, Americana blane howard (AR) Country ERIC WARD (AR) Alternative Rock, Classic, Blues john david salons (AR) Rock R & R (AR) Acoustic moonshine mafia (AR) Blues, Rock woody’s rampage (AR) Rock woody’s rampage (AR) Rock

10/3 10/4 10/10 10/11 10/17 10/24 10/25 10/31 11/1

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LIVE SHOW LISTINGS

VENUES

910 Higdon Ferry

FRI sat Tues WED THURS FRI/SAT WED THURS FRI/SAT Tues wed thurs FRI/SAT Thurs FRI/SAT

10/3 Rocky Don jones (AR) Rock 10/4 the hired hands (AR) Rock 10/7 Tara & brent (AR) Blues, Rock 10/8 lightnin’ lee langdon (AR) Blues 10/9 Christian dean (AR) Rock 10/10-11 THE SHOTGUN BILLIES (AR) Country 10/15 JOCKO (AR) Country, Rock 10/16 dean agus & the legacy (AR) Classic Rock 10/17-18 steve hester & deja Voodoo (AR) Blues, Southern Rock 10/21 Tara & brent (AR) Blues, Rock 10/22 lightnin’ lee langdon (AR) Blues 10/23 dave almond (AR) Singer-Songwriter 10/24-25 Mr. Lucky (AR) Rock 10/30 joe hall & guest (AR) Classic Rock, Blues 10/31-11/1 ORI NAFTALY BAND (TN) Blues

336 CENTRAL AVE.

EVERY SUN EVERY MON EVERY TUES EVERY WED EVERY THURS To list your venue, contact info@ hshotspots.com

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FRI/SAT FRI/SAT FRI/SAT FRI/SAT FRI/SAT

LARRY & JACQUE (AR) 7-11pm; Blues, Classic Rock John Calvin Brewer (AR) 6-10pm; Rock, Blues DELTA DONNIE (AR) 6-10pm; Southern Rock WEDNESDAY NIGHT BLUES JAM 8pm-Midnight Delta Donnie & Eastern Eddie (AR) 7-11pm; Southern Rock

10/3-4 Mr. LUCKY (AR) 9pm=1am; Classic Rock 10/11-12 Ohio Club Players (AR) 9pm-1am; Blues, Rock 10/17-18 Ohio Club Players (AR) 9pm-1am; Blues, Rock 10/24-25 Ohio Club Players (AR) 9pm-1am; Blues, Rock 10/31-11/1 Ohio Club Players (AR) 9pm-1am; Blues, Rock

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Tacos & Tequila! $.75 Beef Tacos • $1.25 NEW Chicken & ALL Tequila 1/2 price

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THE ROADKILL SERIES

ARTS

Topography & Typography, Geometry & Geography:

by Bethannie Newsom Steelman

Story by Jim G. Miller

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During this year’s Hot Water Hills Arts and Music Festival, local Hot Springs artist Bethannie Newsom Steelman will be showing her first ever solo art exhibit in the “Cat & Mouse Parade” mobile art trailer. The idea of engineering an easy and portable method for exhibiting artwork first became a reality when artist and carpenter Matt Parker organized the first group exhibit that took place outside of Emergent Arts. A skateboard art show, the first exhibit was a phenomenal success, which has led him to bring the “Cat & Mouse Parade” trailer to Hot Water Hills this year. In addition to providing the exhibit space, Parker also custom built the wood frames from discarded material Steelman has used for her show that she has aptly named “Road Kill.”

Over the summer break, Steelman and her family took various road trips throughout the state of Arkansas visiting various waterfalls and naturally remarkable points of interest right here in their home state. Traveling down dirt roads

and exploring the wooded frontier of Arkansas is perhaps what inspired her current exhibit.

“I knew I wanted to decoupage something to these canvases and I thought that maps would be great,” says Steelman. “I went to thrift stores and just started finding old maps. Most people, of course, have thrown away all of their atlases because they have become antiquated and useless in the age of cell phones.”

Always making something out of nothing, Steelman prides herself in using repurposed materials to make her art. Using watercolors and acrylics, Steelman also has experience with using enamel paint for hand-lettered signs like the one that she did for Pale Horse Tattoo, where her husband, Trey Steelman, is a coowner and tattoo artist.

Often giving back to the community, Steelman has done various collaborations and art related shows and exhibits during Low Key Art events.

In addition to doing the Valley of the Vapors Art

Zine, she also volunteers to do face painting during the Hot Water Hills Music and Arts Festival. Her exhibit, “Roadkill,” will definitely be a highlight during this year’s HWH festival.

Pieces that are not purchased during the festival will be available during the Handmade for the Holidays Pop Up Shop opening this month at the Villa location on Central Avenue. You will also be able to see many of her handmade jewelry pieces like her eyeglass lens earrings which she hand paints. “I often think about the people who used to wear the glasses,” says Steelman whose mother is an optometrist.

The “Roadkill” series most definitely illustrates the relatively simple and yet complex form that Steelman exhibits within her work. The decoupage of maps along with the illustrated faces provides unique layers of meaning and complexity to each piece. Also, the typography of the word roadkill on each canvas sets each one apart further. Not all the maps

hot springs are of Arkansas; some are from Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Missouri. Each piece reveals the geography of some unique southern destination. In one map, the Mississippi river ends beneath a ladies eyelid where it traveled up from the Gulf of Mexico.

On one canvas, the city of Hot Springs rests on a woman’s pouty lower lip. Cities like Little Rock appear in the center of a forehead. West Memphis and New Orleans also make their appearances. The intricate topography of a city grid adds something even more complex to one particular canvas.

The geometry of the contours and shading from the maps also expand the details found in each portrait. The old maps express a type of deterioration, major highways marked in red, and blue interstates resemble the hidden capillaries and veins found directly beneath the skin. There’s an Exxon emblem tattooed on one ladies chest. The hidden semblance of every small town and major city can preoccupy you for

an endless amount of time as you search each canvas and study each face. The layers of detail are methodically thought out and crafted down to the very hairline, with each tendril of hair being cut from each decoupage map.

Steelman began using decoupage around the same time she discovered wheat paste and other forms of street art. “It’s great to be able to leave your mark without having to use spray paint,” says Steelman who is on a mission to perfect something with a contrast of painting and a graphic image such as the maps used in her current show.

“Each new show brings forth something else that’s natural. I just get an idea and something takes me, its like going on a road trip,” says Steelman. Before being offered the opportunity for the show at Hot Water Hills, Steelman had already completed four of the pieces. “It just goes to show that if you build it, something will happen,” says Steelman.

Professional Tattoo Artists Trey Steelman and Justin Clark

Hours 12pm - 7pm Tuesday - Saturday

909 Central Avenue #hshotspots

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HOT SPRINGS DOC FEST

GIVING

TwentyThree Years of Entertaining & Educating

Story by Jim G. Miller

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Three years ago, the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival was still happening at the Malco Theatre and the question on everybody’s mind always seemed to be, “Is this all going to happen again next year?” It is doubtful that anyone is really asking that question now with the Arkansas Motion Picture Institute stepping up with assistance from Arkansas Film Commissioner Chris Crane and the direction of Executive Director and Film Producer Courtney Pledger. Over the past few years, the tide has really changed. Real stars of the stage and screen are fluttering back onto Central Avenue again with the expectation of being entertained and dazzled by the sites and visitors of Hot Springs Arkansas.

Hosted now at the Arlington Hotel, the festival programming has remained top notch, only developing better programming each year with the help of screening committee members and the countless individuals who submit their films each year for consideration. Earlier this

year, the HSDFF became an Academy Award qualifying festival in the Documentary Short category, meaning that recipients of the Spa City Best Documentary Short will be eligible for Oscar consideration beginning in 2015 without the standard theatrical run, provided the films otherwise comply with Academy rules. This is certainly huge for both the festival and the filmmakers who have their films accepted for the annual festival.

The first ever doc film fest to be explicitly devoted to the genre of documentary film, this 501(c)(3) organization has helped pave the way for many other film festivals in both the U.S. and abroad. Known traditionally as the filmmaker’s film festival, many visiting filmmakers become smitten with Hot Springs upon visiting. With state of the art picture and sound provided through (AMPI) the screening experience in the historic Arlington Hotel Resort and Spa matches that of any other exhibition space. This year’s HSDFF will also feature special outsider/underground

film programming at Low Key Arts at 118 Arbor Street with the opening night film, “Songs for Alexis,” a story about a young transgender male who meets a girl named Alexis and falls in love at rock n roll camp. These are normally edgier films that push the boundaries of what many in Arkansas are used to.

The big news, of course, are the stars who will be descending on Hot Springs during the week of the festival with George Takei coming with the documentary “To Be Takei” and actor/ director Luke Wilson coming for the screening of his mockumentary “Satellite Beach” during the closing weekend, of course who can forget that the first evening will host Glen Campbell’s family along with the screening of the new Glen Campbell “I’ll Be Me” documentary.

In order to stay up to date on the festival schedule with details about films, after parties, workshops, sidebars and ticket purchases, visit www.hsdfi.org.

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EAT/DRINK

RESTAURANT LISTINGS RUM BROWNIE FROM Maxine’s

630 Ouachita 623-2160

BR EAK FAS T / BRUNC H COLONIAL WAFFLE HOUSE

Back Porch Grill

111 Central 624-9273

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MAXINE’s 700 Central 321-0909

BAR BEC UE McClard’s BBQ 505 Albert Pike 624-9586

MICKEY’s BBQ 1622 Park 624-1247

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BURG ER S Classics Bar & Grill 4813 Central 525-7172

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C AFE/ BIS T RO CAFE 1217 1217 Malvern 318-1094

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COPPER PENNY PUB 711 Central 622-2570

STEINHaus KELLER 801 Central 624-7866

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Rod’s Pizza Cellar

SLIM CHICKEN

NOM NOMS

LUNA BELLA 104 Grand Isle 520-5862

801 Central 623-2300

JAHNA’s

TACO MAMA

401 Burchwood Bay 525-0780

S EAF O O D BUBBA’s CATFISH TO GO

1209 Malvern 624-6262

5411 Central 762-3474

TREJO’s MEXICAN

Cajun Broilers

3040 Albert Pike 760-2316

Osaka Japanese

PIZZA Deluca’s Pizzeria Napoletana

3954 Central 525-9888

407 Park 609-9002

S O UT HER N/ S O UL Higdon Square Café

4330 Central 525-1616

Sam’s Pizza Pub

PICANTE’S

608 E. Grand 321-1688

RAZORBACK PIZZA

3350 Central 321-2313

3371 Central 623-8588

JA PANESE/ SU S HI Fuji SteakHouse

1018 Airport 760-2227

1335 Airport 760-1165

719 Central 624-7474

1803 Airport 767-0200

Doc’s Pizzeria

2806 Albert Pike 767-5695

Fisherman’s Wharf 5101 Central 525-7437

CRAB LEGS FROM JASON’s

1384 Higdon Ferry 463-9797

S T EAK HO US E Brick House Grill 801 Central 321-2926

KJ’s Grill 1834 Airport 767-0063

Berry Nutty Salad w/ grilled chickeN FROM THE OHIO CLUB

Porterhouse 707 Central 321-8282

ROCKY MOUNTAIN GRILL 5812 Airport 767-2887

MR. WHISKERS

T EX- MEX Colorado Grill

1538 Malvern 262-3474

320 Ouachita 623-7992

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19

BARON’S BALL

Happy Birthday Ira Levi Hospital Celebrates a Century at 23rd Annual Baron’s Ball Gala

Story by Jim G. Miller

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Photography by Jeremy Rodgers

hot springs

Every year, Levi Hospital hosts a little celebration affectionately known as the Baron’s Ball Gala. It is a fundraiser unlike most other fundraisers that you will find anywhere else. Everything from the food courses to the stage production is handled in both a fun and professional way. The creative variety stage show is most often made up of a somewhat peculiar melting pot of local and nationally acclaimed talent, making for an unforgettable evening of fun.

This year is even more special because it marks the 100-year anniversary of Levi Hospital. This year’s centennial celebration will also mark the one-hundredth birthday of one very special gentleman named Ira Jacobs who was one of the firstborn babes at Levi Hospital when it opened in 1914. A master of ceremonies, this spry 100-year-old birthday boy will serve as a partial emcee for the evening and will only add an exceptional quality to the evening’s festivities.

A jubilee of this magnitude can, of course, call for only one thing in the city of Hot Springs, and that is showgirls. Yes. Showgirls. This year the Baron’s Ball is happy to welcome the Oklahoma City Dance Troupe to the Hot Springs Convention Center’s Horner Hall, the location of this year’s Baron’s Ball Par ty of the Century. The OKC Dance Troupe performs multiple styles of dancing but they are especially known for their traditional showgirl performances. The evening will also feature gypsy performers, Ken Goodman playing Tenor, as well as soprano singing by Diane Kesling and performances by both Steve and Michelle Bonner.

A common question for people attending the Baron’s Ball is, “What to wear?”

Gentlemen should come in a suit and tie, bowties are definitely quite popular but a formal necktie will do. Hell, just wear a tuxedo if you must, just think James Bond 007, either Sean Connery in Goldfinger or Daniel Craig in Casino Royale. Ladies, of course, may wear any type of formal evening gown or ball gown, or if the mood strikes you, come dolled up in your very own appropriate showgirl attire. Also,

since it is, of course, the Baron’s Ball, then masquerade ball costume masks are also appropriate to wear and they are a great attention getter, especially when you’re wearing the right suit or gown.

The end of the evening will feature a Casino Breakout where “play money” will be provided to those interested in gambling at the numerous fun card tables and games of skill for everyone to participate in.

Of course, the mission of the Baron’s Ball is to help Levi Hospital in continuing its mission in providing specialty care, in a unique tradition of its Jewish service heritage for the benefit of the residents of Hot Springs and its surrounding communities. At Levi Hospital they serve all persons without regard to race, religion, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability or economic means. As a notfor-profit entity, Levi shall provide service within the resources of its organization.

Providing therapy for the body and mind, Levi Hospital is the only place in Garland County that provides unique services such as inpatient adult psychiatry, athletic training in area schools, and rehabilitation therapy in Hot Springs National Park Thermal Water.

Since it is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization that serves patients regardless of their ability to pay, they do depend on your contributions. By becoming a sponsor and attending the The Baron’s Ball 23rd Annual Levi Hospital Benefit Gala on Saturday, November 8th, you are not only getting to participate in the party of the century, but you are also helping Levi Hospital give life and hope to people who need to get well regardless of their ability to pay. To find out more about this year’s Baron’s Ball and to see available sponsorship levels visit them at www.levihospitalbaronsball.org or contact Jackie Arrison at (501) 622-3948 to make reservations. They welcome any contributions even if you are not able to come to celebrate. #hshotspots

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hot springs

THE RACE FOR MAYOR A Spa Town Throw Down 2014

Story by Jim G. Miller Opening Photo

by Jeremy Rodgers

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MAYOR RACE

There is definitely a lot of change happening in Hot Springs. The Majestic fire rubble still sits as a reminder of the decayed glory of this great city. Major building code restrictions are being implemented to historic downtown structures and concerns about the focus on travel, tourism and development in Hot Springs have never been more of a focus in regards to the future of the city. As a consequence, this year’s mayoral election is probably one of the most interesting in recent memory.

future of Hot Springs, there is an obvious reason this year’s race is impor tant to the residents of the Spa City. While an astounding number of individuals do not vote and do not necessarily care about local politics, many might argue that it’s of significant importance to be aware of what’s going on, especially on a local level.

As Thomas “Tip” P. O’Neill once said, “All politics is local.” The outcome of every election this November may have an immense impact on not just Hot Springs, but the entire state of Arkansas.

There are two candidates running against incumbent Mayor Ruth Carney. With so much emphasis from the community regarding downtown development and the

In order to really delve into what each candidate is all about, we reached out and asked each one of them just one simple question:

What makes you the best candidate for mayor of Hot Springs, Arkansas?

We received various answers from each of the candidates as to why you should elect them for mayor and in the process they provided important information about themselves. David Quast was the first to provide us with his answer.

My name is David Quast. I’m 57 years old and retired with 37 years of public service starting with Garland County and ending with the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department in the Highway Police Division. I was a supervisor for 27 years and an administrative supervisor the last few years working in the office and in the field around the state. At a time when coordinating with communities outside our city is desperately needed to build and compete for a strong economy, I believe I am the best choice for mayor.

DAVID QUAST 24

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I’m familiar with procedures for reimbursement from the federal government after a disaster event. I’m familiar with fleet management and federal grants designated for specified expenditures. I have been a representative to pre-construction conferences and familiar with bid lettings and field changes. I taught courses on preventing racial profiling and courses dealing with cultural diversities. I was a representative to the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. This was right after 9/11 and the experiences coordinating with local, state, federal and international agencies will help me be a better liaison for our city. I have coordinated many times with local government throughout my career but it wasn’t my place at the time to be that spokesperson. I would like to turn this experience and training into a role of a community leader by being elected as mayor.

hot springs

MAYOR RUTH CARNEY Current Hot Springs Mayor Ruth Carney was the next to respond at somewhat more length. Carney’s tenure as mayor of Hot Springs has often been put under the microscope of the media and she has become somewhat of a minor celebrity, much to the chagrin of many Hot Springs residents. Still, she has an amazingly loyal following of individuals who believe that she has done everything in her power to represent Hot Springs and make the city a better place to call home.

I have been serving our community as mayor for the past four years. My goal was to bring an atmosphere of cooperation and teamwork between the board and citizens who approached the board with their needs and concerns. I told my friends and family, “I may not know a lot about the job but I am willing to learn and I will be nice.” Nice is what was needed and essentially nice has happened.

We still suffer at times from attitude dysfunction but all in all civility has come to city board meetings.

As has one of my opponents, I too have taken up the spor t of running. Running between events and meetings that is! As this term closes I have traveled almost 12,000 miles on city business (all in state except one Washington D.C. Trip).

I am convinced that what our city needs now in 2014 is a mayor who is committed to upholding the Constitution of the United States and of the State of Arkansas. I am that mayor. I am a mayor who understands the purpose of city government. It

is not a business that needs an extra chief financial officer. We have a great one already. It is not a real estate company or an extension of the Adver tising and Promotion Commission, nor an organization of goodwill ambassadors.

I was the only board member to oppose the removal of the televised public comment section from the city board meetings. The voice of the people should be respected and valued even if I disagree with what is said. I am for the private proper ty rights of the citizens. “The right of proper ty is before and higher than any constitutional sanction” (Editor’s Note: Ark. Const. ar t. II § 22). I believe the government should make no laws, policies or ordinances that are selectively enforced or that harm or threaten the right of private proper ty. I am for TRUTH and honesty and against using governmental power in any way to manipulate agendas for the benefit of the government and not for the people.

The only reason I seek re-election is to stand for truth and transparency, even if I have to stand alone, and to protect the constitutional rights of all citizens. I am for open communication and information before major ordinances are passed or millions of taxpayer’s dollars spent. I am for win/win and Unity in our community!

Our community includes all of Garland County and we should strive to work together to accomplish far more than any of us can accomplish alone. Community is not concrete and mor tar. Community is people! That is why I think you should vote for me, Mayor Ruth Carney. #hshotspots

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MAYOR RACE

President and CEO of Levi Hospital make me uniquely qualified to address the big issues facing the city head on. I know how to work with other directors to set meaningful goals for the staff and hold them accountable in meeting those goals.

director pat mccabe The last mayoral candidate to respond was Pat McCabe. A current City Director of District 4, McCabe has also been president of Levi Hospital for many years.

My father said to me many years ago: “We are all smart. We are just smart at different things.” I possess the necessary skills to be a successful mayor of Hot Springs, especially given the issues that are facing the city at this time.

Hot Springs faces many challenging issues that can only be successfully addressed by one who possesses the necessary experience and leadership. Having 10 years as City Director and 34 years of executive management experience, the last 27 years as

Promoting the City of Hot Springs to the best of our ability at Hot Springs Hot Spots, we feel it is important that John Q. Public is aware of just who is running for mayor and why you should elect them. But perhaps another question that people of Hot Springs have is what does the mayor even do? For this answer we visited the City of Hot Springs website www.cityhs.net where it gave specific details concerning the role of our mayor.

The mayor of Hot Springs serves on the city Board of Directors and represents the entire area of Hot Springs. Together with the city board, they make policy decisions on city projects and levels of city services, and direct the City Manager to implement these policies efficiently. They develop long range plans and policies for city growth, beautification and prosperity, maintain high quality of life while improving the character

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The issues facing the city are varied. One moment we are dealing with water issues, the next budgetary and financial matters, other days it is economic development and tourism or crime, and then throw something totally unexpected such as a fire engulfing a significant downtown structure. The mayor, the board and city administration must be able to address these without interruption to the everyday services that citizens expect.

I do this every day in my present position at the hospital, managing various aspects of operations while dealing with the unexpected. I will bring the same compassion to the mayor’s office that I do to my work. At my job, I must ensure that those who are on the front line delivering quality patient care to the most frail have the resources required to provide the best care possible. Citizens should expect the same dedication from their elected mayor—and I will deliver.

I am totally committed to Hot Springs. My wife and I have executed a Letter of Intent to lease the Hale Bathhouse for a proposed reuse as a boutique hotel with restaurants.

We are “all in.” I have no personal agenda other than making this the best place to live with an improved economy that will provide an opportunity for my son and daughter, and your children, to return home.

For more information on my education and history of service to this community, please visit McCabeForMayor.com

and quality of all neighborhoods, serve as role models for integrity in government, and value and nurture the diversity of people and viewpoints through cooperation with county, state and national governments.

The board is the supreme legislative and executive branch under the City Manager form of government. As the executive policy-making body, they adopt ordinances and resolutions, approve a budget, and set policies for Hot Springs. They appoint a City Manager whose job it is to make sure the city’s day-to-day operations run smoothly.

Early voting begins on October 20th and Election Day is November 4th. If you have not already done so, Garland County residents must register by October 6th to vote in the November election.

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WALK OF FAME

HOT SPRINGS WALK OF FAME Leaving a Permanent Place for the Famous in Hot Springs

TOM WILKINS

Story by Jim G. Miller

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Opening Photo by Jeremy Rodgers

hot springs

GEORGE HUNT

JOEY LAUREN ADAMS

TESS HARPER

Periodically, when walking by the Visitors Center in downtown Hot Springs, you will see pedestrians or tourists looking down at the sidewalk peering down at these black granite slabs with names and details on them laid into the concrete. In case you ever wondered what those signify, those are the Arkansas Walk of Fame monuments. Since 1996, the Arkansas Walk of Fame has celebrated the lives of Arkansans by placing these plaques along the sidewalk.

This year, a special ceremony will take place on October 18th at 11:00 a.m. at the Five Star Dinner Theatre directly across from the Walk of Fame. Tom Wilkins, founder of the Walk of Fame, will announce this year’s inductees.

Actress Joey Lauren Adams from Nor th Little Rock, AR - Adams has recently been helping to promote the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival and will be in attendance for the induction ceremony. Another actress being inducted is Tess Harper who was born in Mammoth Spring, AR - a Golden Globe and Academy Award nominated actress she was most recently in the 2014 TV Series “True Detective.” Harper and Adams have both been championing the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival.

Also being inducted is renowned ar tist George Hunt. The Official Ar tist for the “Year of the Blues,” Hunt’s work has been selected to be on a U.S.

Postage Stamp and has been celebrated throughout the country. The final inductee this year is Nick McDonald, the Arkansas born Dallas police officer who arrested Lee Harvey Oswald an hour after he had shot President John F. Kennedy.

The Arkansas Walk of Fame asks that everyone save the date and join the friends and families of these four Arkansans being inducted. It will take place at 701 Central Avenue at the Five-Star Dinner Theatre on October 18, 2014. There is no charge for attending the event, but seating will be limited. For more information contact Tom Wilkins at 501-622-9570 or email arkansaswalkoffame@gmail.com. #hshotspots

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SPRINGY DINGY

THE HOT SPRINGY DINGY An Imaginative Place For Costume Fun & More

Story by Alex Bridges and Jim G. Miller

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Photography by Jeremy Rodgers

hot springs

As a young boy, I found the Hot Springy Dingy was a magical place to visit. Years later, it has remained an eclectic and enchanting place capable of stirring the imagination just as any other costume shop would.

The items housed inside are capable of sparking something inside you no matter what your age. More than just a costume shop, they carry retail clothing, jewelry from around the world, tobacco pipes, incense, gag gifts, tie-dyed shir ts and tapestries; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great independently owned local shop for finding unique items.

If you have followed Hot Springs Hot Spots for any amount of time, then you know we like to have fun when taking photos. With over a thousand costumes available at the Hot Springy Dingy, we felt there was no better reason to get inventive and go out and run amok. When given the oppor tunity to promote this Hot Springs institution of fun and imagination, we decided it was impor tant to be as ridiculous as possible with the costumes that were chosen.

Owned by local artists Hannah and David Mills for more than 30 years, they have been located at their present historic Park Avenue location for 20 years. David

is a sculptor who does Millbilly Pottery, a lead free pottery safe for drinking and eating out of and which is available at the store. Hannah is an expert costume designer and professional makeup artist. In addition to renting costumes and selling countless retail items, they also make alterations and can help with any costuming and makeup needs.

The Hot Springy Dingy has been an integral par t of the Hot Springs community since opening. They have helped with countless stage costuming productions at the Pocket Theatre and have worked with Low Key Ar ts. Hannah has done work with actor Jerry Van Dyke, and other stage and opera productions. This last summer, the two Park Avenue shop owners star ted Summerfest, a special outdoor event that is the second Saturday of each month May-October. Join them for one more Summerfest event on October 11th, and catch the Great Park Avenue BBQ Cook-off.

Also in the spirit of All Hollows Eve, be sure to attend their 2014 Zombie Walk on October 25th. Come dressed and decked out as a zombie or allow them to help you get your zombie on. For more info call 501-623-2849. #hshotspots

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H2O Quandary

IMPACT

The City That Once Bathed the World Looks South for Water Rights

While walking the dog down to the Farmer’s Market the other morning to get eggs and chorizo from JV Farms, I ran into ‘That Guy.’ You know the one. The guy with the petition on his clipboard waving an ink pen and politely soliciting signatures from folks going to purchase their produce and honey or what have you. He happened to be a member of the Garland Good Government Group (GGGG).

The reason for the petition was regarding the recent city acquisition of water rights to build a new water treatment plant in Hot Springs County that would pump water from Lake DeGray into the city of Hot Springs.

The GGGG essentially wants to know why we would go to the trouble and expense of piping water from outside Garland County, especially when there are so many other water options nearby.

Story by Jim G. Miller

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While some Hot Springs residents gather their drinking water from the local springs

that are available here in the National Park, Garland County citizens still depend on nearby water sources for bathing, clothes washing, and other purposes. Currently, there are two existing water treatment plants in Hot Springs, both of which are more than 50 years old. The treatment facility near Wildcat and Cedar Glades Road is by far the oldest, making it nearly obsolete. The other treatment facility on Lake Hamilton provides the majority of Hot Springs’ water (20 million gallons per day).

However, it is not enough when faced with the threat of drought or when considering the future needs of the city.

Lake Ouachita is only federally approved for generating electricity and not public consumption. The city of Hot Springs felt that Lake DeGray, which is fed by the Caddo River, would be the only convenient alternative. Lake DeGray generates electricity and also allows for public water treatment access.

Rather than paying to pump water approximately 20 miles, the GGGG would much rather have the city attempt to cut the red tape on getting public consumption use from Lake Ouachita, a much larger lake fed by the Ouachita River. City Manager David Watkins says that many of these claims are false. “The GGGG continues to provide misinformation to the public,” says Watkins who cites the needs for the new water treatment plant.

While it seems a complicated issue, the bottom line is that Hot Springs will eventually require a new water treatment plant that uses a new water source. According to Watkins, the goal is to have the new plant operational by the year 2018.

City Manager David Watkins is also always willing to answer the public’s questions regarding this issue and his contact info may be found on the city of Hot Springs website. No matter what steps are taken for procuring future water resources for the city of Hot Springs, just remember to be mindful about your own personal water and energy consumption.

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Apple Pickin’

WORTH THE DRIVE

Harvest Time at the Cox Berry Farm makes for A fun fall adventure

Photography by Ferrin Lunestad

Story by Ferrin Lunestad

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Grey fall skies, gnarled old apple trees, bright red fruit, the purples and blues of the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in the distance. A windy ramble two-and-a-half hours north of Hot Springs will bring you to Cox Berry Farm and apple pickin’ at its finest. The drive takes you along scenic Highway 7 all the way to Russellville and up through the Ouachita National Forest. You’ll then follow Highway 40 the rest of the way to Clarksville.

If you are looking for a hay rides/corn maze/ petting zoo kind of experience then you’ve got the wrong place. Though Cox Berry Farm does have a Fall Festival when their pumpkins come in, the main draw here is stepping back into time and enjoying the rustically sweet experience of a day of sincere apple pickin’.

Bring your picnic basket and a blanket. Wear your boots. Bring a camera and take pictures of the kids picking apples. With over eight varieties of apples, including Galas, Red and Golden Delicious, Fiji, Liberty, Freedom, Gold

Rush and Arkansas Blacks, and a farm that has been there for about 50 years, there’s plenty of space to wander and explore. Joyce Cox will let you sample the various in-season apples before you start picking, and give you tips for the best uses for different kinds of apple.

A word of advice: Be prepared for the weather.

The day we went ended up being a rainy one, and I teetered on nixing the harvest altogether. We ended up persevering, and I was so glad we did.

My daughter had a blast playing in the light rain and picking apples, which hang from the trees at heights even toddlers can reach. Had we been caught without our slickers and boots, or underdressed for the cold, it would have been a different story.

The farm stand at Cox’s sells apples but it doesn’t sell other food so instead, indulge in the beauty of pastoral surroundings and break out the picnic blanket and thermos for warm ups.

As for harvesting strategies, have an idea what you want to do with the bounty and how much

cooking you want to do. Do you want to simmer up some cider, chutney, jam, or sauce; do you have designs on baking a pie or maybe dallying with some apple dumplings? I made a batch of crock pot apple butter and to my dismay found it only took ten apples. I still have 50 apples to go! If you have a plan beforehand, and a crew of people to help you process applesauce then you won’t have this issue.

If you are looking for more information on Cox Berry Farm or other U-pick apple orchards here in Arkansas, check out pickyourown.org, which lists them by region, and includes their address and contact number. It’s a good idea to call ahead to find out what apples are in season, prices and other details. When you get back home with your bushels of apples, do what I did and make some crock pot apple butter, or even try your hand at some hard cider. Why not? It’s harvest time. Cox Berry Farm, 1081 Hwy 818 Clarksville, AR 72830.

Ph-479-754-3707.

hot springs

OCTOBER

EVENT CALENDAR

3-5 4th Annual 9 Fallen hero memorial Hot Water Hills Festival

at Hill Wheatley Plaza

46th annual Arts & Crafts Fair at Garland County Fairgrounds

4 Hot Springs Wine and FoodFest at Central Park Fusion Cuisine

Oktoberfest at oaklawn at Oaklawn | 3-7pm

Arkansas honor ride: operation promise kept at Memorial Airfield

Garland county trash bash at Garvan Woodland Gardens

5 8th annual swinging with the

angels golf tournament

at Diamondhead Golf Course

8 Jazz society’s america’s

Art form series

at Garland County Library

9 handmade for the holidays at The Villa, 110 Central

fundraising event

at First Baptist Church, 2350 Central

10 ASMSA GOLF TOURNAMENT 10-19 23rd annual hot at Hot Spring Country Club

springs documentary film festival at Arlington Hotel

11 MRS arkansas pageant

at Hot Springs Convention Center

sUMMERfest on park avenue at 100-700 Blocks of Park Ave.

11-13 4th annual crystal &

Crystal skull festival

at AR-Scenic Springs, 107 Mt. Ida St.

21 art community networking 23-26 2nd annual at Hot Springs Convention Center

hot springs international horror film festival

at Central Theatre

24 benefit concert for global village education foundation

at First Christian Church, 1806 Central

25-27 PYsanky in the gardens 31-NOV 1 at Garvan Woodland Gardens

MURDER AND macabre MYSTERY dinner theater presents the night of the dead living

11-Nov 2 Magic screams 18th annual autumn haiku conference 14 Tales from the south NOV 8 baron’s ball: 16-19 opening weekend party of the century at Magic Springs & Crystal Falls

at Garland County Library Auditorium

of Theater of Horror

at Central Theater, 1008 Central

at The Porterhouse Club

at Arlington Hotel

at Hot Springs Convention Center #hshotspots

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