hot springs
KINDLING THE MAGIC OF HOT SPRINGS PG 20
AMASA HINES PG 8 MIDNIGHT OWL PG 14 HSHotSpots.com
SEPTEMBER 2014
GARLAND COUNTY GROWS pg 27
QUARANTINE OF TREES PG 32 Live show listing Pg 10 #hshotspots
1
Go Outside It increases your odds oF having an adventure #doitwithalocal
us on Facebook
112 Blackhawk Lane • Hot Springs, AR • 501-767-1373 2
hshotspots.com
Open Monday - Friday 9AM - 6PM and Saturday 9AM - 5PM ouachitaoutdooroutfitters.com
Jason’s
hot springs
501-617-5488
Op en T ues day-saT u r day 4 : 0 0 -9 : 0 0pm Bu rge r s | sTeaK | r i B s | CaT Fi s H | sea F O O d a nd m O r e !
1 4 8 am i T y r d | H O T s p r i ng s
facebook.com/jasonshotsprings jasonshotsprings.com
Benefit Gala S a t u r d a y, N o v. 8 , 2 0 1 4 6 O’C l o c k p . m . Hot Springs C onvention C enter Horner Hall • Res er vations 622-3498 #hshotspots
3
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
HOT SPRINGS HOT SPOTS EDITOR Jim G. Miller
Summer is nearly at an end and the back to school shock has settled in. Dead leaves are already falling from the trees and the breeze has a touch of coolness to it when it touches your skin that it never had before. Hot Springs becomes alive with the tapering off of summertime. The bikers begin circulating the scenic highways and byways like tiny metal sparks of electricity. In this odd month of September that lies between summer and fall we begin to get into a new rhythm. It’s the rhythm of the outdoor music festival and a return to nature. It’s when we look at the trees and we imagine their colors already changed. Hunters emerge and dinner feasts are planned for the upcoming harvest. In this issue of Hotspots we take a look at the Garland County Grows project being done over at the Garland County Library. A brilliant and essential seed-swapping program at the community library, it is a wonderful resource for those preparing a fall garden. Regarding those wonderful music festivals that have already begun taking place, we mention Hot Water Hills in our feature story on AMASA HINES. This year’s Jazz Society’s 23rd Annual Festival is also a highlight of this current issue. Maintaining a focus on the arts in this issue we highlight local artist Carol Gorman’s work with The Midnight Owl. Also, be sure to check out our online article at hshotspots.com about Blue Moon Gallery’s one-man show featuring the work of Thad Flenniken. A Hotspots issue is not complete without talking about some good eats and we are glad to welcome Jason’s as our featured restaurant in this issue. A staple among burger joints in Hot Springs we very much recommend going there and at least getting a slice of their amazing pecan cream pie. Yum! Last but not least we have to mention the return of the Weekend of Wonder, a magic festival especially unique to Hot Springs which will be taking place all throughout downtown this month. A magical festival for a magical city, we sincerely hope that you enjoy all of the articles featured in this month’s issue and we look forward to next month when there are even more exciting events occurring in downtown Hot Springs.
4
hshotspots.com
CREATIVE/ART Marisa Rodgers PHOTOGRAPHY Jeremy Rodgers Robbie Brindley CONTRIBUTORS Samuel Binns Alex Bridges Kristal Mackey Carl Miller 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
hot springs
EATS JASON’S STEAK & SEAFOOD
6
A TRADITION OF GOOD FOOD
MUS I C
8
AMASA HINES HEADLINING HOT WATER HILLS
ART S MIDNIGHT OWL
14 32
THE CRAFTS OF CAROL GORMAN
G IVI NG IMPROVISING & REVITALIZING
16
QUARANTINE OF TREES ILLUSTRATION BY ALEX BRIDGES
28
20
34
HOT SPRINGS JAZZ SOCIETY
IMPAC T QUARNTINE OF TREES
32
THE EMERALD ASH BORER
WO RT H T HE D R I V E ALBERT PIKE CAMPGROUNDS
34 F EAT URED KINDLING THE MAGIC OF HOT SPRINGS
20
THE WEEKEND OF WONDER
A LOSS TO A COMMUNITY
D O N’T M I S S LIVE SHOW LISTINGS
24
One Final Show
27
Blue Moon Art Gallery hangs its last Gallery night
GARLAND COUNTY GROWS THE GARLAND COUNTY LIBRARY HOSTS A SEED EXCHANGE
10 35 CALENDAR OF EVENTS SEPTEMBER
#hshotspots
5
JASON’s STEAK & SEAFOOD
EATS
BUILDING ON THE TRADITION OF GOOD FOOD
6
Story by Jim G. Miller hshotspots.com
Dingler. All the servers at Jason’s are polite and courteous, each knowledgeable about the wide array of menu options. Driven by quality, and not the price, their USDA Choice beef and ribeyes are aged, hand cut, seasoned and grilled to order.
atmosphere of the Jason’s of old. The place where locals eat, Jason’s is once again the nearby dive for lake bums in search of good eats. Jason’s is only closed on Sundays and Mondays and they are now open for lunch on Fridays and Saturdays.
Still the home of the 20 oz. Monster Burger, Jason’s is ranked as having the best hamburger in the 2014 Hot Springs Sentinel Record’s Readers Choice and the catfish is also among the best in town. A new and improved menu at Jason’s now boasts quality seafood, steaks and a slew of other fine entrée items that include sea bass, salmon, frog legs, crab legs, and shrimp. They are also doing crawfish boils when in season and offer catering for parties, weddings, and special private events for up to two hundred people. They smoke all their own ribs, do chopped pork and make their barbecue from scratch.
A family owned restaurant with roots in Hot Springs, this is an excellent dining option for visitors to the Spa City as well as locals. Evans, who is currently a member of the Army National Guard in addition to managing the restaurant, is very aware of the importance of keeping the rich tradition of Jason’s alive. One major aspect that’s remained true at Jason’s is the pie. Yes, the pies that are made in house by Chef Tommy use the very same original recipes that Rosie made up herself. These signature pies come in blueberry, chocolate, coconut cream, peanut butter, and pecan cream cheese. Jason’s regulars call the pecan cream cheese “crack pie” because it’s so addictive.
A full bar with a ladies night on Tuesdays, Jason’s also has an outdoor dining area and is only a minute from Lake Hamilton. “Since we’ve reopened we have had great feedback from the community,” says Dingler. “We want this to be a local gathering place where people can come dine and enjoy themselves.” Certainly a local hotspot, it’s clear from the food and service that Jason’s has gone back to its roots.
Establishing the return of their previous chefs and kitchen staff made all the difference according to
Keeping a family tradition going on twenty years Brett and Evans have brought back the comfortable
The original owners of the staple restaurant known as Jason’s (or Jason’s Burgers if you’re not into that whole brevity thing) were Paul and Rosie Davis. Evans Dingler, their grandson, along with the help of his father Brett, have picked up the torch of this iconic eatery and have built upon it further by adding more sophisticated dining options.
Brett and Evans Dingler, along with the crew from Jason’s, are definitely here to serve Hot Springs in the same tradition it started from: using quality ingredients and providing quality service. Jason’s is once again the place to go whether it’s a quick bite or you’re wanting to dine with friends and family. Just don’t forget to save room for pie.
hot springs
Hot Springs Jazz Society presents
JazzFest 2014 September 16-21 TUESDAY
GUITAR-rama Michael Carenbauer Bill Huntington
Ted Ludwig
Ed Smith
Les Pack
7pm | Arlington RESORT Hotel & Spa
WEDNESDAY
JAZZ 101 Presented FREE in collaboration with the Garland County Library Artists include: Gary Meggs, Clyde Pound, Jay Payette and Byron Yancey
6pm garland Country library
THURSDAY
SHIRLEY CHAUVIN’s S’WONDERFUL Co-hosted by the Quapaw Bath & Spa Artists include: Gary Meggs, Clyde Pound, Jay Payette and Byron Yancey
6pm | QUAPAW BATH & SPA
Larry Womack
FRIDAY
CLASSICAL JAZZ EXPLOSION
Ray Blue Tyler Stephenson Groups include: Quapaw String Quartet and the ATM Jazz Band
7pm | FIVE STAR THEATRE
SATURDAY
JAZZ IN THE STREETS featuring the first ever “Dancing in the Streets” featuring TwiceSax 7pm | Arlington Hotel FREE
FOr TICKETS or membership Information: HSJazzSociety.org | HSJazzSociety@gmail.com |
501-627-2425
#hshotspots
7
AMASA HINES
MUSIC
HEADLINING THE HOT WATER HILLS MUSIC FESTIVAL
Photography by Jim G. Miller
Story by Jim G. Miller
8
hshotspots.com
In anticipation of this year’s Hot Water Hills Music & Arts Festival we decided to sit down and interview Joshua Asante, lead singer of AMASA HINES, and the mastermind behind Velvet Kente. Having seen Velvet Kente I was excited to finally see AMASA HINES at Maxine’s Live some weeks ago and the group tore down the venue. “I always enjoy playing Maxine’s, and that was a particularly good show for us,” says Asante. When initially approached to perform at Hot Water Hills, Asante thought that they may be returning to Iowa for another Daytrotter Session, their first having gone incredibly well. “Iowa was beyond fruitful, we actually did our session at Codfish Hollow Barnstormers, and later performed a show in conjunction with Daytrotter and Communion Records. Because it was in a performance space it felt less like a session,” says Asante, who alluded to the tension of making a recording. Still true to form they pulled it together and managed to
conjure a severe thunderstorm with their last tracking. Playing in Hot Springs from time to time, Asante likes the town. “There are parts of it that evoke the same nostalgia I’ve felt in parts of San Francisco and Ashville which are two of my favorite cities,” says Asante. When discussing the value of recognition and building a base, Asante feels like the difficulty is universal. Appreciating other Little Rock area artists like Adam Faucett who he respects deeply, Asante feels like the focus should always be on the creation of work and all that follows will mirror your efforts. Operating on stage with seven multiinstrumentalists the music of AMASA HINES has progressed with a mutual respect of everyone’s contributions. “We have a death pact to never embarrass one another,” says Asante. “We’ve developed into more of a unit and there is definitely a synchronicity that wasn’t there in the beginning and I’m grateful for that.”
Asante will also be performing during the Singer Songwriter Session during Hot Water Hills this year. Presented by Hot Springs Hot Spots, we wanted to ask Asante from the perspective of a singer songwriter what kind of advice he would have for burgeoning songwriters who are just finding their voices. “Read more than you write and listen more than you sing. Study the origins of words and sounds and allow yourself to be wooed. Trace the lineage of rhythms. Teach yourself a new dance. We have to be careful not to seek the simpler way. We must instead fill our lives to the brim with the stories and songs of others, so that when it’s our turn we too can have something of value to offer.” See Asante and AMASA HINES perform at Hot Water Hills Music and Arts Festival on October 3rd at 10:30 pm. Be sure to check out many other great bands that will be at the festival the entire weekend and check out the lineup at www.hotwaterhills.com.
hot springs
ALBUMS ON REVIEW < cymbals eat guitars LOSE
Released August 26, 2014 Since their inception, Cymbals Eat Guitars’ raw energy has charged through countless channels, from robust laments to ecstatic and harsh yelps. Not bound to any single sound, the New York City group’s third album features their ability to wield momentum while infusing it with sustained emotional odysseys. The album, inspired by the death of a friend, revolves around the theme of learning how to cope with every type of loss or any form of grief. Whether it’s through gentle ballads, hostile angst, or euphoric falsetto, Cymbals Eat Guitars delivers a variety of emotions in their newest album. The album opens with “Jackson,” an allembracing ambiance that is filled with fierce and sharp melodies, gradually building momentum for the thunderous thrashes presented in “Warning.” The longest track, “Laramie,” floats over an ocean of guitars and shifts in rhythm that prepares you for the bombastic sound of the ‘80s in “Chambers.” The album constantly shifts from weepy to ecstatic, documenting the exhilarating situations of one’s life. Lose is a flawlessly compressed album that provides a beacon to all, even old neurotic folks, motivating them to continue marching onward.
< SPOON THEY WANT MY SOUL
Released August 5, 2014 Although most rock bands peak early, Austin-based Spoon has gradually improved and have now truly actualized their tense, tidy, and trembling atmosphere in their newest album. The opener “Rent I Pay” brings the album to life with an unadorned snare beat joined by delicate chords, creating a progressive track that leads to the dreamy synthpop ballad, “Inside Out.” To contrast the radio-friendliness of “Do You,” the song “Outlier” is comprised of chaotic percussion accompanied by vibrant organs. Spoon’s fruitful cover of “I Just Don’t Understand” features vicious and snarling vocals from the lead singer, layering the groove of the honky tonk piano. “Let Me Be Mine” stands out, staggering between commitment and freedom alongside boisterous outbursts and frigid breakdowns. The record ends with the catchy “New York Kiss,” floating on a surge of groovy dance-rock with synths, marimbas, and rattling guitars. Spoon succeeds in capturing the unknown, finer feelings in life. Many of the songs are precise, but they also burst with spontaneity. Instead of basking in the light of previous good times, They Want My Soul negotiates with nostalgia as we try to make up our minds whether certain memories are curses or blessings.
< ANGIE & JULIA STONE ANGIE & JULIA STONE
Released August 1, 2014 The Australian folk-rock duo Angus & Julia Stone once again illuminate listeners with their meditative and melancholic collaboration on their self-titled album. The siblings’ slackened visage embodies the tranquility throughout the album. The serene setting is initially formed by the initial pulse of gentle guitar tones joined by a striding bassline “A Heartbreak.” They continue to formulate their folky tunes with distressing undertones, bending toward the gloomier aspects of life. However, Julia’s charming angelic voice alongside Angus’s casual, languid vocal style commands the listener’s attention. “Get Home” lends a strip of sadness to the album’s emotional palette, leading to Julia’s prime exhibition, “Death Defying Acts.” After Julia’s showcase moment, Angus takes the lead effortlessly in “Little Whiskey.” Angus then bends the strings of an out-of-tune guitar on “Other Things,” focusing on the sluggishness that pervades people’s lives every day. The album closes with Angus’s highlight, the gradual progressive masterpiece “Crash and Burn,” a nod to Neil Young that features guitars that buzz with desperation. Angus & Julia Stone have taken their foundation of emotional bruising and built a tender and impermeable surface with many jagged edges.
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
9
LIVE SHOW LISTINGS
VENUES
700 CENTRAL AVE.
EVERY WED
7pm Poetry/open mic/POETRY SLAM
FRI 9/5 KINISI KOMODO (AR) Experimental SAT 9/6 FOUL PLAY CABARET (AR) Burlesque; THELMA AND THE SLEAZE (TN) Rock FRI 9/12 DIRTFOOT (LA) Americana, Gypsy Punk; BRIAN MARTIN (AR) Songwriter SAT 9/13 OIL BOOM (TX) Rock; CHAMBERS(TX) Indie Rock FRI 9/19 CULT FICTOPN (AR) Improv SAT 9/20 HOOTEN HALLERS (MO) Hillbilly Blues; NATURAL STATE BAND (AR) Blues, Rock; AMYJO SAVANNAH (AR) Indie Folk THURS 9/25 OPPORTUNIST (AR) Rock; MARRIAGE (TX) Rock FRI 9/26 MYA’s MADAMS (AR) Drag Show SAT 9/27 DINOSAUR FEATHERS (NY) Indie Folk, Rock; GHOST BONES (AR) Rock; GLITTERCORE (AR) Rock 2705 CENTRAL AVE.
FRI/SAT FRI/SAT FRI/SAT FRI/SAT
9/5-6 THE CHRISTINE DEMEO BAND(AR) 9pm-1am; Singer-Songwriter 9/12-13 CRASH MEADOWS(AR) 9pm-1am; Rock 9/19-20 TOMMY AKERS BAND (AR) 9pm-1am; Blues 9/26-27 JOHN CALVIN BREWER(AR) 9pm-1am; Blues, Rock
101 CENTRAL AVE.
FRI SAT FRI FRI/SAT FRI 10
hshotspots.com
9/5 SOL DEFINITION (AR) Rock 9/6 USUAL SUSPECTS (AR) Rock 9/12 ACOUSTIC SPIRITS (AR) Rock 9/15-16 SOL DEFINITION (AR) Rock 9/26 CRASH MEADOWS (AR) Rock
hot springs
4330 CENTRAL AVE.
CHRIS HENRY (AR)Rock MIDAS COVEN(AR) Party Band WILLIAM HOWARD (AR) Blues ryan sauders & benjamin del shreve (AR) Rock, Country DAYTON WATERS (AR) Rock John Calvin Brewer Band (AR) Blues, Singer-Songwriter kenny tillery & courtney overacker (AR) Rock
711 CENTRAL AVE.
EVERY THURS
SHANE SIMANTON (AR) Blues, Classic Rock
FRI SAT SUN FRI SAT SUN FRI SAT SUN FRI SAT SUN FRI SAT SUN
ATM JAZZ QUARTET (AR) Jazz UNSEEN EYE (AR) Rock KENNY TILLERY (AR) Blues SMOKIN’ CRAWDADS (AR) Blues ERIC WARD (AR) Rock KILBURN HIGHROAD (AR) Irish Folk CHRIS HENRY & RYAN SAUDERS (AR) Folk MUSTANG SALLY (AR) Rock, Blues LAURA LEE WILLIAD (AR) Folk Brian Martin (AR) Bluegrass BOHEMIAN SAUCE (AR) Alternative Folk KENNY PARKER (AR) Flamenco Guitarist, Classic Blane Howard (AR) Country, Rock The Federallis & Benjamin Del Shreve (AR) Rock Laura Lee Williard (AR) Folk
9/5 9/6 9/7 9/12 9/13 9/14 9/19 9/20 9/21 9/26 9/27 9/28 10/3 10/4 10/5
LIVE SHOW LISTINGS
FRI 9/5 SAT 9/6 FRI 9/12 SAT 9/13 FRI 9/19 SAT 9/20 FRI 9/26
#hshotspots
11
LIVE SHOW LISTINGS
VENUES
910 Higdon Ferry
EVERY SUN EVERY TUES
KARAOKE WITH CHUCKY D SIMANTON GOFF BAND (AR) Blues, Rock
FRI/SAT 9/5-6 DeviLS HOLLOW (TX) Country Soul WED 9/10 JOCKO (AR) Country, Rock THURS 9/11 CHRISTIAN DEAN (AR) Rock FRI/SAT 9/12-13 ORI NAFTALY BAND (TN) Blues THURS 9/18 DEAn AGUS & LEGACY (AR) Rock FRI/SAT 9/19-20 THE SHOTGUN BILLIES (AR) Country WED 9/24 JOCKO (AR) Country, Rock THURS 9/25 DAVE ALMOND (AR) Singer-Songwriter FRI/SAT 9/26-27 GHOST TOWN BLUES BAND (TN) Blues THURS 10/2 Razor & Randy (AR) Classic Rock FRI 10/3 JOHN CALVIN BREWer (AR) Rock, Blues SAT 10/4 THE HIRED HANDS (AR) Rock 336 CENTRAL AVE.
EVERY SUN EVERY MON EVERY TUES EVERY WED EVERY THURS To list your venue, contact info@ hshotspots.com
12
hshotspots.com
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
9/5-6 Mr. LUCKY (AR) 9pm=1am; Classic Rock 9/12-13 Ohio Club Players (AR) 9pm-1am; Blues, Rock 9/19-20 Ohio Club Players (AR) 9pm-1am; Blues, Rock 9/26-27 Ohio Club Players (AR) 9pm-1am; Blues, Rock
hot springs
INSIDE THE AUSTIN HOTEL • 305 MALvErN AvENUE 877-623-6697 • 623-6600
$2
DRAFTS
$7
Happy Hour
FROM 4:00PM Till 7:00PM
PITCHERS $1 OFF WEllS $.50 OFF DOMESTIC LONGNECKS
Live Music Every Weekend! Non-Smoking • Drink Specials Daily
Full Menu • Full Bar • Pool Tables
H our s: M -F
11am - 3am Sat
Noon-2am Sun
Noon -3am
$5
or under Lunch Special M o n- Fri • 11am - 3pm
EvEry Saturday
DJ/Dance Floor/Karaoke
t- n - t t uESday
$.75 Tacos & 1/2 price Tequila
W i ng W EdnESday $.25 Wings (dine -in) •
$8 Buckets
The BesT Burger in hoT springs
#hshotspots
13
MIDNIGHT OWL
ARTS
Copper Flowers, Butterflies & Origami Earrings: The Magical Crafts of CAROL GORMAN
Photography by Robbie Brindley
Story by Jim G. Miller
14
hshotspots.com
It’s said that handmade items are the most heartfelt and that can certainly be said of the carefully hand crafted stylings of Carol Gorman. The state of folk art is alive and well thanks to Gorman and a network of other local artisans. Exercising her meticulous sensibilities Gorman creates fine jewelry, wall art and mobile pieces that are both unique and aesthetically pleasing and often made of found materials. Under the name The Midnight Owl, Gorman burns the midnight oil working on new pieces to sell in the various markets and retail areas where you may be found.
“I want to stress that it’s thanks to the support of the community that I have been able to continue creating my work,” says Gorman. Working alongside a guild of other local artists there’s a native quality to Gorman’s work that markets well to both visitors and locals.
The Midnight Owl is the brand name of a variety of art and craft items handmade by Gorman right here in Hot Springs Arkansas. She takes great pride in every tiny detail of her work. She likes to work with materials, including (but not limited to) duck tape, paper, paint, wood, yarn, jewelry, and found objects. Exploring one material or idea for a while and then switching to another, Gorman likes the variety and impromptu style of her works and she never knows what type of project will come next.
Gorman has recently been given the opportunity to sell her pieces at Garvan Woodland Gardens. She is also in talks with Mid-America Science Museum and hopes to have work for sale there once they reopen next spring. Encouraged by family, friends and a community of artists, Gorman has taken advice and learned from her criticisms, constantly discovering new ways to make art on a budget. Items like sheets of copper given to her by her former Hot Springs High School art
A participating vendor at the Hot Springs Village Artisan’s Market, she has been a participating vendor at the Hot Water Hills Music and Arts Festival and she loves being able to share her work with the general public.
teacher, Lynda Lyons, or round pieces of an oak tree that a friend cut with a chainsaw, are repurposed as indispensible implements in her artist’s toolkit. She’s used old discovered books and tree branches as well in many of her mobile pieces adding an aesthetic earthiness to her work that espouses her Arkansas roots. She employs the use of elements that are also durable and will often weather well over time. Her lovingly handcrafted origami jewelry is made using Chiyogami (also known as Yuzen) paper from Japan. Inspired by kimono textile designs, the vivid patterns are made by silkscreening every layer of color by hand. After the paper is folded into origami, she seals it with enamel paint. Each is of course unique based on the fold and pattern used. Never one to shy away from working with her hands, Gorman’s easy confidence at the craft of woodworking was earned working in cabinet shops. That confidence in herself as an artist
hot springs can be seen in the way she embraces the challenge of working with found materials as it encourages her to maintain a variety of skills versatile enough to create artifacts adaptable to whatever components are available. Often the material itself lends inspiration to the artwork she creates. The style of the majority of her work has a minimalist charm that compliments nearly every individual’s style and conveniently gels well with most interior décor. Utilizing a curly Filbert branch in one of her mobile installations or recreating the outline of Arkansas with hammered nails on a piece of oak or repurposed lumber allows her to stay in touch with the natural environment that surrounds her. Understanding that it’s important to not take on more than you can handle, Gorman stresses that before launching a career as an artist you must realize that it’s a real job and it’s not an easy path to success. Luckily, for her and many others who pursue the lifestyle of a working artist it does not feel like work. “It’s important
to not get discouraged if something you try doesn’t work out the way you expected, just try something else,” says Gorman. Experimenting sometimes with a limited budget and limited resources has lent an inspiring quality to her work and the value that it holds. Growing naturally, The Midnight Owl is steadily gaining traction. While gaining the support and attention of museum gift shops and local market patrons does a lot to bring attention to her work, Gorman has felt even more encouraged by the positive response that she has received from the community. You can see more of Gorman’s pieces at the “Uncommon Threads” show at Emergent Arts Gallery between September 5th and October 10th and look for her at the Hillcrest HarvestFest in Little Rock on October 4th. Gorman will also be participating in the Handmade for the Holidays Shop that will be taking place this winter. Keep tabs on other places where you can find Gorman’s work at The Midnight Owl on Facebook.
250 Park Avenue • Downtown Hot Springs
Specializing in healthy, natural and organic foods, Local meats, local cheese, local produce and local baked goods. Extensive Low Carb and Gluten-free menu. Home of the “Avocado Special” and the 100% Homemade Veggie, Turkey and Bison Burgers A menu based on fresh produce and fresh ingredients! Call ahead & To Go: 501-321-4977 Plenty of parking • 8 am to 8 pm • 7 Days a week
3813 Quail Lane, Benton, AR 72019
501-316-1500
Call for a Free Estimate
#hshotspots
15
Improvising & Revitalizing
GIVING
PreservING an American Art Form
Story by Jim G. Miller
16
hshotspots.com
Celebrating its 23rd Annual Festival, the Hot Springs Jazz Society has consistently brought some of the most electrifying classical and contemporary jazz music to this part of Arkansas since it began in 1991. This year is definitely no exception with the arrival of premier New York saxophonist Ray Blue, who will be performing during Friday’s Classical Jazz Explosion and on Saturday’s “Jazz in the Streets” with Clyde Pound’s Anything That Moves (ATM). The group TwiceSax will also be featured at 4pm that day playing the first ever Dancing in the Streets event where the streets will be open for individuals to dance and feel the excellent jazz rhythms. Jazz in the Streets is a free outdoor concert that will take place on Saturday from 11am to 5pm under the Broadway Street Sky-Bridge. The Jazz in the Streets will include six Arkansas Jazz groups presenting music ranging from Dixieland to Latin jazz. The emcee for the day will be none other than Bill Solleder, Executive Director of Low Key Arts.
The Classical Jazz Explosion will combine the Quapaw classical string quartet with the ATM Jazz Band, creating an “Explosive Fusion” of music. The evening will also include performances from each musical group before they converge together to create a whole new sound. Three-time Grammy Award nominated baritone singer Tyler Stephenson will also be performing with Shirley Chauvin during Friday’s Classical Jazz Explosion. The six-day celebration, taking place September 16-21st, begins with Tuesday’s Guitar-rama highlighting six guitar players from different genres of music. They will face off with each performing their own interpretive styles for the audience’s listening pleasure. The Guitar-rama concert kicks off the Jazz Fest at 7pm in the Crystal Ballroom of the Arlington Resort Hotel. The Garland County Library is co-hosting Jazz 101 on the following day with Gary Meggs who is the Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Arkansas in Monticello. This free concert will educate you on the
fundamentals of jazz music while entertaining you with the sounds of skilled musicians. The historic Quapaw Baths & Spa will host Shirley Chauvin’s S’Wonderful on Thursday, providing an entertaining and intimate atmosphere for guests to enjoy. During the final day of the Jazz Fest, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church will host a Jazz Mass, and First United Methodist Church will co-host a special Jazz After Church event featuring jazz based on non-secular material. Promoting Arkansas Jazz artists and visiting artists from around the country, the Jazz Society as a non-profit organization does programming year round. Keeping pure jazz alive and well here in Hot Springs and throughout Arkansas, the Jazz Society consistently breathes life into this rich genre of American music. Support them this year by attending the 23rd Annual Jazz Festival. For more information about this year’s Jazz Festival program, to become a member of the Jazz Society or to buy tickets visit their website at www.hsjazzsociety.org.
hot springs
Saturday, October Location: Central Park Fusion Cuisine, 200 Park Avenue Benefit Auction Grand Tasting 3pm-7pm $50 Reserve Testing 4pm-6pm $150.00 Tickets are Limited
Tickets may be purchased at Central Park Fusion Cuisine or Visit www.hotspringswineandfoodfest.com for purchasing tickets by mail. #hshotspots
17
EAT/DRINK
RESTAURANT LISTINGS PECAN CREAM PIE FROM JASON’s
AMER IC AN Back Porch Grill 4810 Central 525-0885
Gilligan’s on Lake 5200 Central 525-3319
JASON’S STEAK & SEAFOOD 148 Amity 617-5488
BAR BEC UE McClard’s BBQ 505 Albert Pike 624-9586
MICKEY’s BBQ 1622 Park 624-1247
Smokin’ in Style 2278 Albert Pike 767-9797
Stubby’s BBQ 3024 Central 624-1552
English Muffin
PARK ISLAND CAFE
4307 Central 525-2710
250 Park 547-7172
JACK’s 1105 Albert Pike 624-5568
C A JU N/ C R E O LE FAT JACKS
PANCAKE SHOP
101 Central 623-5225
216 Central 624-5720
BURG ER S Classics Bar & Grill 4813 Central 525-7172
GRINDHOUSE 801 Central 625-3339
MOOYAH 3954 Central 520-5000
THE OHIO CLUB 336 Central 627-0702
C AFE/ BIS T RO CAFE 1217
BR EAK FAS T / 1217 Malvern BRUNC H 318-1094 COLONIAL WAFFLE HOUSE MUELLER’s BISTRO 18
111 Central 624-9273 hshotspots.com
111 Crawford #B 623-7005
C HI NE S E HUNAN PALACE 4737 Central 525-3344
Wok Express 1418 Albert Pike 623-4932
COFFEE COFFEE LOVE 4832 Central 781-5006
INTERNATIONAL BLEU MONKEY GRILL 4263 Central 520-4800
CENTRAL PARK FUSION 200 Park Ave 623-0202
Colorado Grill 320 Ouachita 623-7992
hot springs
COPPER PENNY PUB 711 Central 622-2570
STEINHaus KELLER 801 Central 624-7866
LUCIAN’s GYROS 173 Marion Anderson 760-1105
LATIN AME RICAN VINA MORITA 610 Central 625-7143
ROLANDO’S 210 Central 318-6054
SUPERIOR BATHHOUSE
ME XICAN
329 Central 624-2337
CotiJa
I TA LI AN Belle Arti
706 Higdon Ferry 623-7744
Rocky’s Corner
Phil’s
2600 Central 624-0199
2900 Central 623-8258
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
Berry Nutty Salad w/ grilled chickeN FROM THE OHIO CLUB
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
SPICY BBQ WINGS FROM SLIM CHICKENS
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
#hshotspots
19
WEEKEND OF WONDER
KINDLING THE MAGIC OF HOT SPRINGS Weekend of Wonder Returns Story by Jim G. Miller Cover & Article Opening Photography by Jeremy Rodgers
20
hshotspots.com hshotspots.com
MAXWELL BLADE
hot springs
JEFF MCBRIDE
JAY SCOTT BERRY There’s an undeniable magic that encapsulates Hot Springs – an ancient enchantment that flourished here long before it was ever a “gangster’s paradise.” That magic has always been most embodied in the healing waters that have made Hot Springs a hotbed of wonder for visitors from all around the world and now it is the annual destination for The Weekend of Wonder International Magic Festival. Like a magician’s favorite old deck of playing cards, the Spa City has become a comfortable rendezvous for artists of illusion from far and wide. The Linking Ring Magazine, published by the International Brotherhood of Magicians, said that the Weekend of Wonder is the next new thing. Unlike your “run of the mill magic conference” this unique festival floods the city of Hot Springs with an astonishing array of enchantment. The Weekend of Wonder International Magic Festival begins its Grand Opening Celebration in the lobby of the Springs Hotel where you can meet the stars who will be performing their amazing feats of magic throughout the entire weekend. Visitors and guests are encouraged to come ask questions, take photos and engage with the magicians. This year’s festival kicks off with Jeff McBride’s one-man show at Maxwell Blade’s Theatre of Magic and Comedy at 2pm on September 19th. Jeff McBride is a multiaward winning master magician who has been perfecting his craft in Las Vegas for years. McBride will also be doing a magic lecture the following Saturday at 1:30 pm in the Springs Hotel Lobby where he will teach a personal selection of his finest magic effects. Jay Scott Berry, co-founder of the Weekend of Wonder, will also be performing a one-man show following McBride. Berry performed over two hundred shows in
thirteen countries last year and has an exceptionally stylistic stage presence that inspires genuine wonder in the audience. The opening day of the Weekend of Wonder also features a special street magic gala at 5pm on Central Avenue. You will be able to catch performances in front of sponsoring locations such as Rolando’s, the Arlington Hotel, the Ohio Club, and all along Central Avenue. At this free show you won’t see any camera tricks and performers get no second chances. This is an excellent opportunity to see some impromptu magic from stars that will be pounding the spa city pavement doing expert street performances. The first evening will close out with an all-star gala of world-renowned magicians that include Jeff McBride, Jay Scott Berry, Michael Ammar, Dirk Losander, Maxwell Blade and Andrew Goldenhersh. Taking place at 7pm at Maxwell Blade’s Theatre of Magic & Comedy, the united force of these renowned magicians will definitely be worth experiencing first hand. Be sure to make it to the Meet the Stars Party at Fatjacks on September 19th beginning at 10pm, and rub elbows with these veteran magicians. The following day kicks off at 10 a.m. in the Springs Hotel Lobby with a lecture on magic by Jay Scott Berry who is one of the founders of current state of the art magic. Michael Ammar, a world champion close-up artist, will be performing a one-man show at Maxwell Blade’s Theatre at noon after Berry’s lecture. Ammar has been featured on Carson and David Letterman. His mystifying sleight of hand has won Ammar every major award in the field of magic. Catch his lecture at 5pm in the Springs Hotel Lobby where he will be teaching some of his finest commercial magic routines. #hshotspots
21
WEEKEND OF WONDER DIRK LOSANDER
M I C H A E L A MM A R Dirk Losander’s one-man show will also be something not to miss. Born in Germany, Losander has become a pioneer of modern magic. Losander has mastered original levitation effects that have to be seen to be believed. Make sure to catch his lecture Sunday, September 21st, to learn some of his personal secrets and award winning techniques. The evening of September 20th will feature the Wizards of Wonder Gala at the Hot Springs Convention Center beginning at 8pm, this Masters of Magic event will showcase the incredible magical arts of Maxwell Blade and Jay Scott Berry. A fullscale stage productio,n the performance will also include star magicians McBride, Losander, Goldenhersh, Ammar, Daryl Sprout, and many others. The final day of the Weekend of Wonder begins with an intimate hands-on magic workshop by Jay Scott Berry that’s for magicians and serious magic enthusiasts only. A fast track and intensive teaching session through the depths of magical mastery, the cost of this workshop is $20 for children and $30 for adults and will be taking place in the Springs Hotel Lobby. Also, be sure to catch Jeff McBride’s workshop later that evening at 5pm.
22
The Maxwell Blade Theatre of Magic and Comedy will host a “Rising Stars” mystical matinee with John Venus, an up and coming magician who is dedicated to eventually obtaining the rank of a master magician. “It’s inspirational to watch these master hshotspots.com
magicians work, there’s something new and different about each person whether it’s their charisma or the poetry of their magic,” Venus says. Another treat of this year’s festival is going to be Andrew Goldenhersh’s one man show at 3:30 pm on Sunday. Goldenhersh is direct from Hollywood and is a two time winner of the Magic Castle’s “Parlour Magician of the Year” award. Garnering unanimous acclaim from all around the globe, he ranks among the most elite masters of magic. Maxwell Blade’s One Man Show is the finale of the weekend. Performing magic in Hot Springs for 18 years now he has entertained hundreds of thousands with his madcap variety of comedy and magic. Mastering close-up and grand illusions, he has established a place among the all-time great magicians practicing around the world. A closing party at Fatjack’s Oyster Bar will convene on Sunday at 10 pm to conclude the magical weekend. The Weekend of Wonder kicks off September 19th and lasts through the entire weekend. Tickets for the one-man shows and lectures are $15 for adults and $10 for children. Gala tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children and workshops are $30 for adults and $20 for children. Golden passes are also available for $200 that will get you into all of the shows. Guests can also pay $250 to gain access to all of the workshops and lectures. For more information about this year’s amazing festival of magic you may call Maxwell Blades Theatre of Comedy and Magic or visit www.weekendofwonder.com to purchase tickets and get more information about this year’s festival.
hot springs WEEKEND OF WONDER
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19th 12pm Grand Opening - The Springs Hotel 2pm Jeff McBride - Maxwell Blade Theatre Tickets: $15/adults, $10/children 3:30pm Jay Scott Berry - Maxwell Blade Theatre Tickets: $15/adults, $10/children 5pm All-Star Street Magic - 100 Block of Central 7pm All-Star Gala - Maxwell Blade Theatre Tickets: $20/adults, $15/children 10pm Meet the Stars Party - Fat Jacks SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20th 10am Jay Scott Berry-Lecture - The Springs Hotel Tickets: $20/adults, $15/children 12pm Michael Ammar - Maxwell Blade Theatre Tickets: $15/adults, $10/children 1:30pm Jeff McBride-Lecture - The Springs Hotel Tickets: $20/adults, $15/children 3:30pm Losander - Maxwell Blade Theatre Tickets: $15/adults, $10/children 5pm Michael Ammar-Lecture - The Springs Hotel Tickets: $20/adults, $15/children 8pm Masters of Magic Gala - Horner Hall Tickets: $25/adults, $15/children SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st 10am Jay Scott Berry-Workshop - The Springs Hotel Tickets: $30/adults, $20/children 12pm Stars of Tomorrow - Maxwell Blade Theatre Tickets: $15/adults, $10/children 2pm Losander-Lecture - The Springs Hotel Tickets: $20/adults, $15/children 3:30pm Andrew Goldenhersh - Maxwell Blade Theatre Tickets: $15/adults, $10/children 5pm Jeff McBride-Workshop - The Springs Hotel Tickets: $30/adults, $20/children 8pm Maxwell Blade - Maxwell Blade Theatre Tickets: $15/adults, $10/children 10pm Closing Party - Fat Jacks Purchase tickets online at weekendofwonder.com #hshotspots
23
BLUE MOON
ONE FINAL SHOW The Blue Moon Art Gallery Hangs its Last Gallery Night Story by Jim G. Miller
24
Artwork by Thad Flanniken hshotspots.com
hot springs
Dishongh Scavo has always wanted to host a one person show in the space that is Blue Moon Art Gallery. She will get her wish this month as Thad Flenniken hangs his one man show in the space that he has displayed art work in along with other represented artists for the past seventeen years. “I think I’m going to have to pretend it’s not our last Gallery Walk,” laughs Scavo. It’s been an amazing seventeen years for the gallery that has set the standard with it’s eclectic collection of outstanding artists. “Looking back from the start I think we came in on the second era of cultural growth in downtown,” reminisces Scavo who is very satisfied to know that they were a part of what made the fabric of downtown so interesting. Expressing thanks for the artists, clients, friends and family that have promoted the gallery over the Blue Moon’s tide, Scavo sees the third era and the endless potential that’s approaching for the downtown community. Sitting with her and Flenniken while taking a break from hanging the show, Scavo appears as excited about this gallery walk as she has been about any previous. “It’s not easy,” she admits, remembering the early days of the gallery when downtown Hot Springs had looked like a war zone with little to no street lights. Aside from complimentary wine the early gallery walks boasted belly dancers and frequent live music in order to entice guests. Now the complimentary wine remains and the people still pile in. Once upon a time the site of Rosenthal’s shoe store, Blue Moon holds incredible acoustics and has represented some of the finest ar tists in Arkansas. “This show is a perfect art storm,” says Scavo. Featured artist Thad Flenniken recently retired after a career of teaching art at National Park Community College for forty-one years. Flenniken, who is well known in Hot Spring, has also had his art represented in Blue Moon since they had opened their doors. The current series that he will have on display has been a project that he’s worked on for the past fourteen years. “I’ve seen every single piece that he’s brought in but it’s always been in bits and pieces and never as a whole,” says Scavo.
Born in Brooklyn, Flenniken moved to Arkadelphia, AR with his family in 1959. His brother, Jeff, a well known archaeologist who specializes as a lithic technologist analyzing and replicating stone tools parallel to what Native Americans use, has had a major impact on many of his pieces. “As kids we grew up in Arkansas hunting arrowheads and staring at the ground,” says Flenniken. Later he would work on digs with his brother, always remaining interested in the evolution of the human form. The show “Eve’s Mark” focuses on the evolvement of women and their role and also how science can track the development of human beings in their DNA. Working with ink, paint and a style that lends to multimedia, he seldom does pieces that are just one medium, using the most of whatever he feels he needs in the moment. Flenniken’s series has evolved so well over the years that he has even moved to using an iPad and special applications before printing pieces using a complete archival process. Most models that appear in his work are taken from previous drawing group sessions that have occurred throughout the years with fellow artists here in Hot Springs. Working from rough drafts Flenniken develops from a face or specific pose until the imagination cultivates something from the original composition. Another common aspect amongst his work are the markings, just a swirl of black ink on a canvas that to Flenniken relates to a non-representational human sense of attachment. An abstract signature or a circle of rebirth and regeneration, his pieces take you through the process of a journey. Connecting with the art, Flenniken has crafted something close to perfection, something that has been cultivated from self-experience and a constant study. Going the distance, many of the wood frames used for the pieces in the show were made by him from hand. Challenging himself with the completion of each painting, he believes that each piece has a life of its own. Representing over hundreds of artists, Blue Moon Gallery could not have decided to feature a better well-established artist for their final Gallery Walk. See Flenniken’s work during Gallery Walk in Blue Moon Gallery on exhibit for the entire month of September. #hshotspots
25
7 11 C e n t r a l av e n u e Copperpennypub.Com
irish fare • burgers beer • cocktails • music
Don’t Miss! SUNDAY BRUNCH 11 a m - 4 p m
live music EVERY Weekend! 26
hshotspots.com
? t i F s s o r C s i t a h W
l m ov em ents va rie d fu nc tio na ly nt ta ns co es or at es Cros sF it us it y an d in co rp ns te in gh hi ty le , pe rf or m ed at y, nu tr it io n, lif es it un m m co s, es ot he r tr ai ni ng el em en ts of fi tn t it ap ar t fr om se at th n fu d ra m m in g sp or t an , ac ce ss ib le pr og le ab al sc s it h it e ke y m et ho ds . W ov em en ts th at ar m al on ti nc fu at io n fo r an y th at fo cu se s on e pe rf ec t ap pl ic th is it e, lif ay to ev er yd du al ag e 6- 86 . co m m it te d in di vi ge Road 172 Stana 477 (501) 627-4 a c it y .c o m c r o s s fi ts p
hot springs
GARLAND COUNTY GROWS Planting the seeds of learning
Story by Kristal Mackey Photography by Jim G. Miller
#hshotspots
27
SEED EXCHANGE
When one thinks of the typical library, cer tain images come to mind – whispering librarians directing patrons towards periodicals or fiction books to water their blossoming seeds of knowledge; enthusiastic children perusing the children’s library, planting seeds of curiosity in their growing minds; or patient genealogists searching through old microfiche for seeds of a history planted long ago. Our local library, located on Malvern Avenue, has been satisfying these traditional bibliophilic images for decades. In July, though, the Garland County Library star ted a new program designed to help Garland County residents plant their own seeds. These seeds could be considered seeds of change, seeds of community, or seeds of self-reliance. At their most basic form, though, these seeds will bring people together, they will educate gardeners, both established and budding, and they will inspire people to form connections with other gardeners and with their food supply. The Garland County Library is proud to make the local community aware of Garland County Grows, a seed sharing project that has been a labor of love for it’s hard working committee.
28
hshotspots.com
Library staffers have been “talking for years” about starting a seed library, according to Tiffany Hough, one member of the Seed Library Committee. Many of the staffers have their own gardens and a few even have farms, which prompted their continued interest in collecting and sharing open-pollinated and heirloom seeds, which might be lost otherwise. By collecting and distributing locally grown seeds, seed libraries also promote local agriculture over time. These benefits finally prompted the library director to give staffers permission to start the project and it has taken nine months of planning and growth before introducing it to the public. Currently, the seed library boasts numerous types of vegetables, herbs, and flowers that can be checked out, including cabbage, various greens, basil, chives, and sunflowers, among many others. Already, over 100 library patrons have checked out almost 450 seed packets this summer and Hough says that number is growing by the day. Not only do gardeners have the potential to learn about sustainable and healthy food sourcing, but there is a tremendous opportunity to cultivate a connection with children to the importance of being both self-sufficient and being educated on our food sources.
hot springs
There is exciting growth on the horizon for the seed library. A small seed saving garden has begun in large planters in the library’s courtyard and it currently holds okra, Arikara yellow beans, and several other plants. A larger seed saving garden is in the planning stages and should be operational sometime next year. The library will also continue to offer seed saving and gardening classes throughout the year, as well as collaborating with some local gardeners for additional workshops. Herb Culver, owner of Bean Mountain Farms and an Arkansas seed saving expert, will be hosting a workshop on September 20th called “Cold Framing: Extending your Growing Season.” Diane Daniel, one of Garland County’s Master Gardeners, is also going to offer a program on Sunday, September 7, called “Getting Started with Seeds.” The Garland County Grows Project will continue to have the seed library at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings to spread the word on the project. Spring seeds will be available for checkout in January or February of next year and there is also potential for a seed swap in January. Participating in the seed library is easy. Using your library card, you can check out up to 5 packets of seeds from the library. After planting your seeds and enjoying your
harvest, you save a small amount of seeds from as many of your plants as possible, fill out a donation form, and return your seeds to the library. As your bounty grows, don’t forget to take part in one of the offered educational programs or borrow books from the library’s gardening section of the non-fiction collection, call numbers 6315. The Seed Library Committee, consisting of Tiffany Hough, Adam Webb, Kim Hillison, Erin Baber, Drew Bradbury, and Katie Elbe Allen, have volunteered volumes of time and energy to make Garland County Grows a success and they look forward to seeing the project flourish in the community. They are also thankful for the tremendous amount of suppor t that they’ve received from library staff members, including seed cataloger Brent Carroll. The seed library was made possible by a generous donation from anonymous patrons and Garland County Grows welcomes monetary donations as well as donations of heirloom and open-pollinated seeds to continue the growth of the seed library. Most impor tantly, they are excited to educate, encourage, and inspire gardeners in Garland County. #hshotspots
29
30
hshotspots.com
hot springs “Cookin’ Que Since ‘52”
HIGH-QUALITY
P RINTING PRINTING EXPERT SOLUTIONS FOR ALL YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS LET US HELP YOU MAKE YOUR ADVERTISING PIECES
CREATE BUZZ MAKE PROFITS YIELD RESULTS
Open 7 Days a Week 11am-8pm en On As Se l Trave nel’s Chan
BBQ l Craw
FULL COLOR PRINTING • BINDERY VARIABLE DATA • MAILING • FULFILLMENT
3024 Central Avenue Hot Springs, Arkansas 71913 501-624-1552 1-800-36-SAUCE 108 PRINTERS PLACE, HOT SPRINGS, AR
(501) 624-5333
Sauce Shipped Around the World!
www.stubbysbbq.com #hshotspots
31
Quarantine of Trees
IMPACT
The Emerald Ash Borer Threatens Garland County Hardwood
Story by Jim G. Miller
32
hshotspots.com
As you read this article there are thousands of emerald beetles spreading and running amok, killing ash trees throughout the U.S. and Canada. Reports of their damage have recently been made north of us in Shawnee Mission Park, Kansas, and there have now been several reports of them in Arkansas.
of Agriculture the possible quarantine area includes the six infested counties and 19 others as buffer zones: Ashley, Bradley, Calhoun, Cleveland, Drew, Garland, Grant, Hempstead, Howard, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lincoln, Little River, Miller, Montgomery, Pike, Saline, Sevier and Union counties.
According to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture the emerald borer was accidentally imported here from Asia. These little guys make S-shaped tunnels that severely damage trees. In order to avoid the further spread of the emerald ash borer a possible quarantine has been announced for twenty-five counties in the southern and southwest portion of Arkansas.
Horticulturalists recommend that ash tree owners who wish to save trees in excellent to good condition begin treating them next spring. Although insecticides are not an ideal fix for the problem, it would appear that for the time being, that is the best way to combat their infestation. So far, the borer has killed millions of ash trees as itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s progressed from its point of discovery in southeastern Michigan and Windsor, Ontario back in 2002.
The Arkansas State Plant Board will make a determination on the proposed quarantine on September 11th. The quarantine would include all hardwood firewood, all ash nursery stock and ash for saw logs and pulpwood, mulch and compost. Based on information from the Division
At about a half-inch long, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s traveled thousands of miles and has been found feasting on ash trees in twenty-seven states, including Arkansas. According to the Arkansas Forest Resource Center, results have been negative for a few counties such as Pulaski, Mississippi, and Independence, however
they have been confirmed in Clark, Columbia, Dallas, Hot Spring, Nevada and Ouachita counties. According to U of A Division of Agriculture, some signs of infestation that may appear are multiple jagged holes excavated by woodpeckers feeding on the larvae of ash borer. They also leave a distinctive D-shaped exit hole when they emerge as adult beetles. Look for canopy dieback from the tops of trees, sprouts arising from the base of the tree and check for larval tunnels or galleries immediately under the bark of dying ash trees. Why should you be concerned about the health and existence of ash trees? Aside from absorbing carbon dioxide and supplying us with oxygen, this specific hardwood tree is also a source for making bows, tool handles, baseball bats, and even guitar bodies. If you happen to see signs of infestation appear, contact your county extension agent or email the Arkansas State Plant Board at EAB@aspb.ar.gov.
hot springs
LIVE MUSIC AMAZING FOOD
501.627.0702 366 Central Avenue
facebook.com/ohioclub
Professional Tattoo Artists Trey Steelman and Justin Clark
Hours 12pm - 7pm Tuesday - Saturday
909 Central Avenue #hshotspots
33
ALBERT PIKE CAMPGROUNDS
WORTH THE DRIVE
Photography by Carl Miller
Story by Jim G. Miller
34
hshotspots.com
Normally our Worth the Drive articles are centered on attractive towns, interesting festivals, or popular hot spots that are within at least a tank of gas of Hot Springs, but in this issue we are focusing on a unique and special place that was hit hard by natural disaster more than four years ago. A freak storm that started late on June 10, 2010 and continued into the early morning of June 11 swept through the Ouachita National Forest, resulting in The Little Missouri and Caddo Rivers overflowing well beyond their usual limits. In less than four hours The Little Missouri River rose by twenty feet. The subsequent flash flood resulted in the deaths of at least twenty people with most of the casualties occurring at the heavily populated Albert Pike Recreational Area. After the tragedy the U.S. Forest Service closed the area for further evaluation and four years later, Albert Pike is still closed to overnight campers. According to residents, the community around Albert Pike has suffered due to the impact on tourism.
Once a thriving spot for campers and tourists, the overnight camping location is now an abandoned memorial to the deaths of those who happened to be camped out on that fateful day in June. The aftermath was national news and local crews were dispatched for days afterward attempting to clean up the area. Featured once again by local news outlets as members in the community rallied to have the area reopened the spot has also been recently included on the Abandoned Arkansas website. Survivors and families who feel as though they were not warned of the flood have lawsuits still pending against the state, resulting in a question of who or what is to blame? Regardless of the answer, it is certainly not the blame of local business owners and residents who depend on the traffic and tourism that the area brought each summer. Typically a thriving time of year now there is hardly anyone that visits the naturally beautiful area that once was one of the most popular campground sites in the State of Arkansas.
A part of the Ouachita National Forest system, according to the Arkansas State tourism website, the area nearly became what would have been known as the Ouachita National Park until a last minute veto by then President Calvin Coolidge. While you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t camp at Albert Pike, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still open during the spring, summer and fall from 6am to 8pm and you can still find plenty to do. Probably the spotlight attraction in the area is Little Missouri Falls, a popular day use area that offers swimming opportunities, excellent hiking along the hills and stream banks, and wildlife photography. The area is also home to the Winding Stair Rapid, as well as many other class IV level areas popular among kayakers. The area also boasts great fishing opportunities containing smallmouth bass, spotted bass, green sunfish, and longear sunfish year-round. Thousands of rainbow trout provide excellent fly-fishing opportunities for enthusiasts.
hot springs
SEPTEMBER
EVENT CALENDAR
4-6 Hot Springs
13-14 The Muses present The 25 Vina Morita Paella Festival Four Seasons in Art & Song - Fall
with Spanish Wines
at Hot Springs Convention Center
at Muses Cultural Arts Center
at Vina Morita, 610 Central
Motorcycle Open Rally
5 Quapaw House 4 Man Scramble 6 TRACE ADKINS LIVE IN CONCERT 7 GRANDPARENTS IN THE GARDEN 8 CHIEFS’ CHALLENGE GOLF Classic 8-13 Garland County Fair 10-21 Arkansas Senior at Hot Springs Country Club
at Bank of the Ozarks Arena
at Garvan Woodland Gardens at Hot Springs Country Club
at Garland County Fairgrounds
Olympic Games - National Qualifier
at Hot Springs High School
13-19 The Muses Project Opera Gala Week
at Muses Cultural Arts Center
at Hot Springs Convention Center
27 Hillcrest 70th
Prayer Breakfast
16-21 23rd Annual Jazz Fest 18 Wine Pairing Dinner at Various Locations
at Vina Morita, 610 Central
WOMEN TO WOMEN LUNCHEON at Casa Bella, 325 Broadway
18-20 Fiber Arts
at Hot Springs Convention Center
19-21
at Ozark Cultural Center
26-28 Hot Springs National
Park Kennel Club Dog Show
Extravaganza
sparkle in the park: Fall Fashion SHOW
at Oaklawn’s Finish Line Theatre
16 Garland County Leadership
13 Hot Springs Fun City
Barbershop Chorus Concert
Kenny Rogers in Concert
at Hot Springs Convention Center
at Hot Springs Convention Center
Anniversary, CompACT Run for the Family 5K at Garvan Woodland Gardens
HILLCREST Harvest Festival at Hillcrest Children’s Home, 2325 Malvern
OCT 3-5
4th Annual Hot Water Hills Festival at Hill Wheatley Plaza
OCT 4 Hot Springs
weekend of wonder
Wine and FoodFest
at Various Locations
at Central Park Fusion Cuisine
#hshotspots
35
RIX REALTY ADVA N TA GE T E A M
REA L T OR S
( 501 ) 205-1900 www . RIXR EAL TY .cO M
36
hshotspots.com