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Sunday, October 31, 2010

Happy Halloween

I know Villagers had their Halloween tricks and treats last night but to me today is the day. Happy Halloween and watch out for ghosts and goblins when the veil between worlds is at its thinnest around midnight tonight.

THA board election results

The townhouse association election vote is official, Carl Foreman, John Barnett and Carolyn Cox will take their seats on the board at the January 2011 THA meeting.
The final vote for filling three open seats on the board gave Foreman 331 votes, Barnett 318, Cox 258. The remaining two candidates were Robert Patterson and Dale Milford.
Foreman has lived in Madrid Courts since 2001.
Burnett previously sat on the THA board and was the treasurer.
Cox moved to Valencia Courts in 2009.

Conway not that far away

The Capella Russian Chorus is coming to the University of Central Arkansas' Reynolds Hall Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m.
The 50 voice chorus is the official chorus of the Russian State Symphony Orchestra.
For ticket information call 866-810-0012.

Today at the ASO

David Renfro on French horn.

Encore of Arkansas Symphony Orchestra concert is this afternoon at 3 p.m. at the Robinson Center Music Hall in Little Rock. Today is the Titan program, part of the Masterworks series.
Music includes Wolfgang Mozart's overture to the Magic Flute, Richard Stauss' Horn Concerto, No. 3, and Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 1, Titan.
Guest French horn soloist in the Strauss piece is David Renfro.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Annie Get Your Gun

Cast and crew of the HSV Player's Annie Get Your Gun are nearing the end of the long stretch of auditions and rehearsals and almost to the finish line. The show runs Nov. 3 through 6 at 7 p.m. and on Nov. 7 at 2 p.m.
The preview for the show will run on Monday's blog.
The cast will be in costume at today's rehearsal and in makeup tomorrow. Everyday for the last week a new component has been added to each rehearsal, lighting, sound, props, scenery, sets, the works.
The set was designed, constructed and painted by members of the Players. The sets are works of art, especially the posters of the show's main characters. Bev Carpenter is the set designer.
Larry Bradley has been working diligently with the ensemble and soloists to prepare the music for the show. Each singer knows the music. But still, there is an element of magic that must occur for a successful performance. The music has to be so ingrained that nerves from performing before an audience are overridden. Each actor is transformed into a character on auto pilot with their own self shoved to the side.
Behind the scenes there are as many working Players as on stage. There are grips to move the scenery, prop masters to make sure each of the actors has the appropriate prop and that it is returned to its proper place and ready for the next night's show, the wardrobe staff has put together costumes for the show that are sure to dazzle, the music is ready, and the stage manager and assistant stage manager are working out last minute kinks.
It is almost time for Carolyn Bodensteiner to relinquish her reigns as director and Bev Bullard as assistant director and let their hard work speak for itself.
The producer, Phil Ellis and assistant producer Craig Annen will continue to worry right up until the set is dismantled on Monday morning following the show. Scripts, music and machinery will still need to be counted and returned.
Annie Get Your Gun is shaping up to be a delightful production and full of surprises from beginning to end. Reserved seating tickets are still available at the Woodlands box office.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Modem problems

Sorry, I've been down with a broken modem for over 24 hours. My goodness I have had withdrawal pains. Will be back in touch with the news very soon.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Village actor will co-star with Jerry Van Dyke in Branson

Jack Iafrate of Hot Springs Village is slated to perform with Jerry Van Dyke in The Sunshine Boys in Branson, Mo. three weekends in November. The duo are reprising the roles they played in the recent production in Hot Springs.
Van Dyke is currently filming episodes of ABC's The Middle. He will meet his fellow actors in Branson in the week before the show's premiere. The Sunshine Boys will run at the New Clay Cooper Theater in Branson at 3216 Highway 76, across the street from the Titanic Museum and Monster Mike's. For tickets call 888-222-8910.
Iafrate is the only carry over from the Hot Springs cast for the full Branson run. The other parts are being filled by Branson area actors. Thomas Cooper will reprise his role as Ben Silverman for the last weekend of the run.
The show will run the weekends of November 13 and 14, 20 and 21, and 27 and 28.
For a review of the Hot Springs production of The Sunshine Boys see previous October blog posts.

Writers Club meets once a month

Essayist Marcia Camp.

Poet Nancy Foris.

Author Susan Jennings.

Author Linda Black.

The Village Writers Club meets the last Monday of the month at Ramona's Kitchen at noon to share a meal and listen to area writers and a guest speaker.
This month the guest speaker was Maria Camp. Camp discusses the essay as an art form. Her article, Writing the Essay: Fear and Loathing or Fun and Games? from The Storyteller was the basis of her talk.
Camp talked about her experience as a freelance writer and about her exploits on interviews. In addition to writing essays featured in several newspapers and magazines for 35 years, Camp is currently working on her autobiography. Camp also works as an editor.
She talked to club members about the use of a bent sentence to get your essay going, the unexpected twist. The trick is to keep your energy up throughout the piece making it as fresh and interesting as the lead sentence.
Camp joked that writers know the end of the piece before they begin writing. She added, "it is the middle that will kill you." A writer's sensitivity allows him or her to see the unusual and the emotional conflict in a story. Make the reader a friend, not someone to be lectured. Camp said the best essayists make fun of themselves in their writing. They also use metaphors to hook into the readers emotions.
Camp illustrated her advice on effective essay writing by reading her 1984 essay, Everyone Seems to Have a Love Affair with Rocks. Her points were well made. She went from a light-hearted opening to a serious message.
Camp said the use of outlines is very helpful when writing. They don't have to be labor intensive. She suggests putting the outline on your desk to be referred to often during the writing process. Camp added the most popular essays are about 750 words, stretching it would be 1,000 words.
Club member Linda Black gave club members an update on her success as a writer. She currently has two books under contract and a third book looking for a publishing home.
Local author Susan Jennings read an excerpt from her published book, 100 Kisses from God. In addition to writing, Jennings illustrates her own book covers. She just completed her second book and will meet with the publisher this week.
Jennings said "God puts stuff in my head." Her work concerns the simplicity of what God wants. In addition to being a writer Jennings is an ordained minister.
Local author and poet Nancy Foris also read some of her work. She read a couple of poems her daughter wrote and segued into her own poetry with the poem Arkansas Summer.
For more information about the Village Writers Club visit the website, http://www.villagewritersclub.com/

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Heifer Club meets Wednesday

Don't forget the Heifer Club meeting Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Presbyterian Kirk in the Pines. This is the last general meeting before the Living Gift Market, November 13 at the Coronado Center.

Health fair tomorrow

The health fair is tomorrow at the Coronado Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be booths with information about local businesses providing health care services to Villagers. There are lots of free giveaways and many prizes.

Newcomers coffee coming up on October 28

The newcomers coffee is scheduled for Thursday, October 28 in the Ouachita room at the Ponce de Leon Center.
Registration starts at 8:30 a.m.
Newcomers are invited to enjoy gourmet coffees and delicious muffins provided by Malcolm and Melinda Bickford of Company's Comin'.
In addition to the tasty treats, newcomers will have an opportunity to meet other newcomers, gather information about activities and services in the Village and win a few prizes.

Recreation committee report

The POA recreation committee met recently, here are the highlights of the meeting.
Director's report: Stephanie Stone handed out a newly formatted statistical report to committee members. The report has more revenue detail than the previous styled report. It will give committee members a clearer picture of how much money each area under the recreation committee brings in. This new monthly report will make it easier to evaluate a fee structure for the 2012 budget.
Stone reported the recreation department will have a booth at the Health Fair tomorrow at the Coronado Center. The department will be giving away two 30-day fitness center memberships at the fair.
Coming up on October 30 from 3 to 5 p.m. is the children's Halloween party at the Coronado Center.
Stone also reported the five year plan for the recreation committee will include sound upgrades for the Coronado Center and the Woodlands Auditorium. The sound upgrades will be part of a fundraising effort with the Village Community Foundation. The recreation department will not be able to fund the improvements.
Stone called on Margaret Weeter, Coronado Center librarian, to explain her proposal for a food drive benefiting Project Hope Food Bank. The drive will be called Food for Thought. It will run from November 1 through 20. The library staff will collect nonperishable food stuffs and monetary donations from library patrons for Project Hope leading up to Thanksgiving.
Stone was happy to report bocce ball club members have ceased their effort to have bocce ball separated from lawn bowling and pickleball in the fee structure.
Chairman Tony Cifelli was unable to attend the recreation meeting, vice chairman Jim Harlow conducted the recent meeting.
Family Recreation
Steve Seitz said the pickleball Senior Olympics were a great success. He pointed out the POA proclamation made prior to the Senior Olympics play. Dee Vincent accepted the proclamation on behalf of the pickleball club. The club has 131 members and is continuing to grow in popularity.
Stone is looking into pickleball expansion into another tennis court.
As mentioned above the bocce ball club has withdrawn its effort to separate out game fees on the recreation fee schedule. Currently, if you join one bocce ball, pickleball or lawn bowling one fee covers all three sports.
Coronado Fitness Center and DeSoto Pools
Mary Lou Moran reported there will be a November 1 CPR class to keep staff current on certification. The fitness center is preparing for holiday visitors in November and December.
Last month there had been preliminary plans made for a recreation center open house, it has been postponed to sometime in early 2011.
The DeSoto pools are closed and the pool sub-committee is still meeting to explore all avenues of repair or replacement of the pools. The data collected up to this point is showing repairing the pools may be the best way to go.
Tennis
Joyce Feix said the tennis Senior Olympics held last month were well attended. She said 14 Villagers qualified for the state Senior Olympics.
Feix wanted to clarify the tennis age divisions, adults are under age 50, seniors are age 50 and up, super-seniors are age 70 and up.
The tennis association recently spent $2,263.45 for netting replacement on courts six and ten. There was no cost to the POA.
Feix reported evening play has picked up. She noted more people with day jobs are playing in the early evening.
The surface on three hard courts were recently patched.
The tennis association president Larry Chalgren attended the meeting to report the dissatisfaction with the proposed fee increase in tennis.
Coronado Community Center
T. J. Smith was unable to attend the recreation committee meeting.
Librarian Weeter gave her report. Library circulation activity was down slightly in September. Weeter attributed the slight decrease to the beautiful weather last month.
The library is continuing to sign up new members. Memberships run from January through December.
Weeter said members of Friends of the Coronado Library may sponsor another trivia night. The last one was well-attended. FOCCL is looking at dates in March or August for a second annual event.
Three parking signs will be installed in the Coronado Center parking lot designated just for library patrons. The signage will allow patrons to get to the library when there are large events at the Coronado Center. The large events put parking at a premium.
Ponce de Leon Center
Sue Mefford was unable to attend the recreation meeting. Stone reported the Ouachita and Woodlands facilities have been well used recently. The first week of November will bring performances of the HSV Players' production of Annie Get Your Gun.
Outdoor Recreation
Bill Etie said the beaches are closing in October. The port-a-potties will be removed. Bocce ball was previously discussed.
New lawn bowling hours will go into effect on November 1. Call 915-8819 for details.
Newcomers
The next newcomers meeting is this Thursday, October 28. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The program will run until about 10:30 a.m. A tour of the Ponce de Leon facilities follows the meeting.
The next meeting of the recreation committee is scheduled for November 8 at 1:30 p.m.

State of the blog

Today we cross the threshold to over 7,000 hits. Keep reading.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Viewers looking for constitutional amendments

Thanks for getting your election news on this site. This morning over 240 people have viewed the constitutional amendments for the November 2 election. Thanks. See previous post for the amendments.

Heifer Club meets Wednesday

Dr. Terry Wollen on Heifer trip to the Philippines.

Dr. Terry Wollen on Heifer mission to Nepal.

Dr. Terry Wollen from Heifer International will speak to Village Heifer Club on Wednesday.

Dr. Terry Wollen to speak at Village Heifer Club this Wednesday, October 27, at 2 p.m. at the Presbyterian Kirk in the Pines.
Wollen, a veterinarian, serves Heifer International as the Interim Vice President for Advocacy. Heifer’s Advocacy program supports the mission to work with communities to end hunger and poverty while caring for the earth. Heifer does this by supporting practices, systems and policies that help limited-resource communities and families with improved local food systems, livestock in sustainable development, agro-ecological agriculture and gender equity in Heifer International programs.
Heifer promotes integrated community-based development with an emphasis on value chains that support livelihoods. Heifer provides training to staff, program participants and partners; collaborate with other agencies doing similar activity and work with local governments and other agencies within the context of the area where it is working.
Dr. Wollen’s background is in food animal medicine and production. His experience includes the Army Veterinary Corps; large animal veterinary practice in dairy, beef and equine medicine in Idaho; and 20 years in research and development with the Bayer Corporation, Animal Health Division. Since then, he has worked in international development programs directly as Head of Mission for UMCOR in Armenia and with Heifer International in Asia before returning to the US at the Heifer International World Headquarters in Little Rock, Arkansas.In addition to Wollen’s talk last minute preparations for the upcoming Living Gift Market will be made. It is still not too late to pick up a cow head for your yard. The Living Gift Market is coming up November 13 at the Coronado Center. The Living Gift Market offers Villagers the opportunity to give the gift of giving, in the name of a loved one, a Heifer animal to impoverished families around the world.

Guadalajara vote certified by THA board

There were quite a few THA members in the audience at Friday's THA board meeting discussing the results of the special election in Guadalajara Courts. Surprisingly, not many were from Guadalajara Courts.

The townhouse association board of directors met Friday to certify the results of the Guadalajara Courts special assessment vote and to discuss the board's direction in this matter.
The situation, the bridge leading to two townhouses in Guadalajara is limited common property and maintenance including replacement is the responsibility of the THA. Due to lack of maintenance over many, many years and poor construction design, the bridge is a safety hazard. Since general manager Glenn Zarpalic came on board with the THA in April of 2008 he has championed replacement of the bridge.
Three different panels of board members have looked at the situation and have discussed it to death with little or no action. The bridge continues to deteriorate. The safety hazard is such that someone could die or be seriously injured on this bridge due to its precarious condition. The THA would be liable for all injuries because it has not secured the bridge and has been aware of the danger for years.
Tiered assessments created in the early 2000s puts paying for the costly replacement in the laps of the 63 townhouses in Guadalajara Courts. Guadalajara residents voted against the special assessment to fund the replacement of the bridge and other capital repairs needed in the court. The recent special assessment vote was certified at the meeting. See previous blog post for vote count.
The board turned to discussions of what to do next. One of the suggestions to be investigated is replacing the bridge in a cheaper fashion, with treated lumber from above the footings up. General manager Zarpaylic spoke against not replacing the footings. He said no contractor would guarantee work not including the preparation of the ground and the footings.
Zarpaylic has been charged with getting bids for the job. Despite the certified vote declining paying for the bridge replacement, the cost of the bridge construction will be Guadalajara Courts' responsibility according to the board. The wooden construction would be less than the amount voted on. The board is hoping the cost will be less than $50,000 so they will not have to consult the members of Guadalajara Courts again. The by-laws will allow the board to move forth and stick the cost to Guadalajara Courts if less than the $50,000.
Can you say lawsuit? Despite the repeated delays in making a decision about the bridge it appears the board has decided to act. It at least is going forth with the bidding process.
The THA board has several meetings between now and the end of the year. There is a special board meeting at 9 a.m. Friday, October 29, to count and certify ballots electing three members to the board. There is a working board meeting scheduled for November 2 at 8:30 a.m. A board meeting scheduled for November 12 at 10:30 a.m. A working board meeting scheduled for November 30 at 8:30 a.m. and a board meeting set for December 10 at 10:30 a.m. to approve the 2011 budget.

Writers meet today

The Writers Club meets today at noon at Ramona's Kitchen. For more information about the club go to its website, www.villagewritersclub.com

Early voting continues this week

The November 2 election is getting Arkansans to the polls early.
Early voting continues this week and next Monday. Last week there was a one day high of 400 voters at the HSV Chamber of Commerce early voting site.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Culvert complete in time for rain


The POA public works department has completed the construction of the low water bridge on DeSoto Park Lane. The water will more easily flow under the road instead of keeping the road underwater during the upcoming rainy seasons. Lawn bowlers will be able to more easily reach the lawn bowling courts after a heavy rain.

Holiday Sales Extravaganza

On October 28 from 5 to 8 p.m. holiday shoppers will have a unique opportunity to shop benefiting the Garland County Single Parent Scholarship Fund at the first floor of the Fisher Building at National Park Community College.
The Holiday Sales Extravaganza will allow participants to view products, recipes and gift ideas for the upcoming holiday season. It is time to get in the mood.
Usborne Books & More, Ron Coleman Mining, Inc. and JK Design Original Jewelry are just three of the many vendors that will display goods for the sale.
A portion of each sale will be placed in the GCSPSF, which provides scholarships to single parents residing in Garland County, attending an accredited institution of higher learning in Arkansas. For more information about the sale or scholarships call 501-760-4129.

Run for the Diamond 5K on Saturday

This Saturday Villagers will be celebrating Halloween and out walking and/or running to support the Paul Bewie Boys and Girls Club.
The Run for the Diamond 5K will start at 8 a.m. Participants will be shuttled to Ron Coleman Mining from the Boys and Girls Club. The last shuttle will leave the club no later than 7:45 a.m.
All registered participants will be eligible to win a 0.85 carat diamond.
Pre-registration is $25. Registration the day of the race is $35.
All participants will receive a run t-shirt.
Families, companies and individuals are encouraged to get out and support the Paul Bewie Boys and Girls Club.

Political season coming to close

Early voting will continue this week and on Monday, November 1.
Election day is November 2. There will be celebrations or recriminations the night of November 2.
Following the elections political signs must be taken down within five days. Sunday, November 7 is the last day political signs in the Village can be visible. November 8 the Village will be back to its normal pace and look.

Fog lines and center lines back on DeSoto Boulevard

Recently sections of DeSoto Boulevard in the west end were resurfaced. The fog lines and center lines were redrawn on the road surface this week.

Final day of Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival

The rain is falling, what a perfect day to be indoors at the Documentary Film Festival at the Malco Theater in historic downtown Hot Springs.
This is the final day of the festival.
Today's documentaries include the following. The films without a description have been screened once and their descriptions are in previous posts for the festival.
Sunday, October 24
10 a.m.
DISFARMER: A PORTRAIT OF AMERICA
10 a.m.
DANCING ACROSS BORDERS
10 a.m.
THE VALLEY OF THE DAWN
11:25 a.m.
ESTHER & ME
11:25 a.m.
FWD: UPDATE ON MY LIFE
11:55 a.m.
WORLD’S LARGEST
1 p.m.
ARPAIO’S AMERICA
1 p.m.
STORIES FROM BAGHDAD U.S.A.
1:45 p.m.
PERRY COUNTY
1:45 p.m.
SHELTER IN PLACE
2:35 p.m.
AMERIKA IDOL
2:35 p.m.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW
2:35 p.m.
JUST ABOUT FAMOUS
3:30 p.m.
ELEANORE & THE TIMEKEEPER
3:30 p.m.
THE LOTTERY
USA, 81 minutes, Madeleine Sackler
Four children enter a high-stakes lottery. If they win, they can attend one of the best schools in New York. A look at the crisis in public education, The Lottery makes the case than any child can succeed.
4:20 p.m.
BEARD CLUB
5:10 p.m.
COALS TO NEWCASTLE: THE NEW MASTERSOUNDS,
FROM LEEDS TO NEW ORLEANS
USA, 79 minutes, Aaron Dunsay
A story of five British musicians who take an American art form, namely funk music, re-contextualize it, and bring it back to New Orleans where funk was born. In an era when many documentaries focus on social-issues and pessimism, our film offers a refreshing celebration of life through music in New Orleans, a city that has seen some of the hardest times imaginable.
5:30 p.m.
ED HARDY: TATTOO THE WORLD
5:45 p.m.
COMMON GROUND
5:45 p.m.
MILLTOWN, MONTANA
6:55 p.m.
DIRTY PICTURES
7:10 p.m.
THE DANCING BOYS OF AFGHANISTAN

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Boris Gudunov live from the Met today

Today’s broadcast of Modest Mussorgsky’s opera Boris Gudunov is live from the Metropolitan Opera in a high definition broadcast transmitted to more than 1,500 theaters in more than 40 countries around the world including Benton’s Tinseltown.
Today's performance airs at ll a.m. because of its length.

Today at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival

Just today and tomorrow left at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival at the Malco Theater in historic downtown Hot Springs.
Today's documentary film schedule follows. The films without a description are described in previous posts on the initial screening date of the film.
Saturday, October 23
10 a.m.
DIRTY WORK: ARKANSAS’ KNIFE HERITAGE FROM BOWIE TO RAMBO
10 a.m.
DOGPATCH USA
10:05 a.m.
FREEDOM RIDERS
USA, 113 minutes, Stanley Nelson
Freedom Riders is the first feature-length film about a courageous band of civil rights activists who called themselves the Freedom Riders. They challenged segregation in interstate transport in the American South during the spring and summer of 1961. The attention the movement generated caused the federal government to take down Jim Crow signs of "whites only" and "colored only," allowing every American to travel freely a legacy we enjoy today.
10:23 a.m.
A TINY SPARK
11:30 a.m.
TUNED IN
11:30 a.m.
BIRDMAN
USA, 10 minutes, Jenni Morello
Brian Gibson owns Bird Camp, a specialty bird shop in Manhattan, New York. This film follows one man’s dream to keep the shop alive and the commitment he gives to carrying for these special birds. Film maker is present.
11:30 a.m.
THE CHESS SHOP
12:25 p.m.
WORLD PEACE AND OTHER 4TH GRADE ACHIEVEMENTS
12:55 p.m.
BOMBS IN OUR BACKYARD
12:55 p.m.
I AM THE HOMELESS
12:55 p.m.
VOICES FOR JUSTICE
USA, 15 minutes, Mike Poe
In 1994, three teenagers from poor families were convicted, without apparent motive or concrete evidence, of the murders of three young children in the town of West Memphis, Arkansas. Damien Echols has been on Arkansas’s Death Row ever since, and Jessie Misskelley and Jason Baldwin have been serving life sentences without parole for a judgment based on thin circumstantial evidence. Film maker is present.
12:55 p.m.
THE SHARECROPPERS
1:15 p.m.
BALLHAWKS
USA, 74 minutes. Michael Diedrich / Joel Murray
Ballhawks is the story of the group of men who have been chasing baseballs and dreams just outside the ivy-covered walls of Wrigley Field, for the last ninety years. 2004 is different; however, as the Cubs have put together a team that could contend for their first World Series tittle since 1908. These increased expectations have heated up the competition for home run balls hit onto the street to a fever pitch.
2:40 p.m.
BLOODY MONDAYS & STRAWBERRY PIES
3:30 p.m.
SPACE, LAND AND TIME:
UNDERGROUND ADVENTURES WITH ANT FARM
4:35 p.m.
JUST LIKE US
5:15 p.m.
TOYLAND
6:15 p.m.
ED HARDY: TATTOO THE WORLD
USA, 74 minutes, Emiko Omori / Wendy Slick
In 1955 most 10 year old boys dreamed of growing up to be a fireman or jet pilot. But young Don Ed Hardy had the wild idea of being a tattoo artist. Hardy saw his calling in the mystical images of pierced hearts, fighting eagles, bloody skulls and flaming eyeballs. From humble tattooist to multi-million dollar brand name, Ed Hardy is the visionary artist who brought tattoo imagery from the shadowy fringes into mainstream America and the glittering world of fashion. Viewer discretion is advised.
6:50 p.m.
COLLAPSE
7:55 p.m.
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT: THE RADIANT CHILD
8:40 p.m.
WORLD’S LARGEST
USA, 79 minutes, Amy Elliot / Elizabeth Donius
Desperate for tourism, hundreds of small towns across the U.S.A. claim the "world’s largest" something from 15-foot fiberglass strawberries to 40-foot concrete pheasants. Odd, funny and sometimes beautiful, the statues stand as testaments to the uniqueness and importance - the largeness - that all people feel, and need to feel, about their communities and their own existence. By documenting these roadside attractions, it captures the changing landscape of small-town America. Film maker is present.
9:55 p.m.
WORDS OF ADVICE - WILLIAM S. BURROUGHS ON THE ROAD
Denmark, 74 minutes, Lars Movin / Steen Moller Rasmussen
In 1983, the counter culture icon, William S. Burroughs, traveled throughout Scandinavia making a series of personal appearances. Twenty years later, filmmakers found never-beforeseen footage of his Copenhagen visit and set out on the road to record new material, telling the story of the acclaimed author’s later work. A compelling portrait of one of our most enigmatic public figures.
10:25 p.m.
FOREVER’S GONNA START TONIGHT

Police stats highlight of POA board meeting

This week at the Jerry Kosoglow show, otherwise known as the Village POA board meeting
a proclamation was given for American Indian Heritage Month.
The interim general manager, Kosoglow, is having difficulty ascertaining the finances of the Village. He thought there was a $2.7 million shortfall in lot assessments, it now appears the shortfall is closer to $3.2 million. I guess an error of half a million dollars is acceptable. After all he is the professional.
The annual fees package was passed.
An audience member asked about why the architectural control committee has so much power. The structure set out by the Village covenants was explained. The ACC is the only Cooper committee, it is not a POA committee. It was also noted in the board packet that complaints to the ACC are down.
Wilbur Smither of the strategic planning committee made a presentation to the board. The board will finalize the strategic plan at the next POA board meeting.
Chief Cornett, director of public safety, reported on police activity from last month. There were 73 citations issued in September compared to last year’s 59 citations issued in the same time period. This includes traffic stops, ramp checks, vacation checks and other pro-active activities.
In addition to supplying statistics for September of this year, Chief went back over the statistics from 2005 through 2005 to demonstrate that crime is down in 2010.
Police department statistics from 2005 to 2009 and 2010 year to date are as follows.
Battery 2005, 6; 2006, 4; 2007, 2; 2008, 4; 2009, 3; so far in 2010, 1.
Breaking/entering 2005, 11; 2006, 9; 2007, 22; 2008, 23; 2009, 41; so far in 2010, 19.
Burglary 2005, 11; 2006, 9; 2007, 10; 2008, 6; 2009, 23; so far in 2010, 13.
Criminal mischief 2005, 42; 2006, 37; 2007, 55; 2008, 43; 2009, 44; so far in 2010, 32.
Other felony complaints 2005, 10; 2006, 5; 2007, 9; 2008, 17; 2009, 15; so far in 2010, 4.
Theft over $500 in 2005, 34; 2006, 28; 2007, 38; 2008, 56; 2009, 42; so far in 2010, 26.
Theft under $500 in 2005, 55; 2006, 57; 2007, 41; 2008, 64; 2009, 44; so far in 2010, 37.
Rape 2005, 0; 2006, 1; 2007, 0; 2008, 0; 2009, 0; so far in 2010, 0.
Homicide 2005, 0; 2006, 0; 2007, 0; 2008, 0; 2009, 0; so far in 2010, 1. The good news is the one homicide this year was solved and there was a resulting arrest in three days.
The Chief’s statistics show crime is down in the Village so far this year. The bad new is that we still have November and December to go. These two months are notorious for increased violent activity due to holiday drinking.
The Chief also presented fire department statistics to the board. There have been five structure fires this year, four cooking fires, 12 smoke scares, two car fires and 12 wild land fires.
The responses by fire stations are as follows.
DeSoto fire station responded to 44 fire-related calls in 2010, six in September.
Cortez fire station responded to 28 fire-related calls in 2010, three in September.
Balboa fire station responded to 21 fire-related calls in 2010, three in September.
Coronado fire station responded to 14 fire-related calls in 2010, one in September.
It should be noted that suicides are up this year as compared to last year. So far to date there have been three suicides, one of them in September. Last year there was only one suicide.
The conclusion presented by the Chief to his statistical analysis is as follows.
"The decrease in areas such as breaking and entering and burglary may be a direct result of arrests made where the offenders are now incarcerated in the Arkansas Department of Corrections. Another offender responsible for several commercial burglaries is awaiting trial. All of these lived in the Village.
The majority of reported breaking and entering indicate that possibly juveniles are responsible. It has been reported by confidential sources that a certain segment of school age juveniles are committing some of these type offenses for the thrill factor, commonly referred to as ‘hitting a lick’. By no means do we conclude that all teenagers are involved, just a certain group. We can also show from prior experience that over 96-percent of criminal incidents are committed by those living in the Village, or those having family members living in the Village.
The 34.6-percent increase in disturbances may be attributed to today’s economical issues. A second factor is the decrease in age of a certain segment of residents due to the availability of reasonable housing."
Kosoglow and the POA board will meet again on Nov. 3 at 9 a.m. at the Ouachita room at the Ponce de Leon Center. Most of the public is invited.

Friday, October 22, 2010

THA board holds special meeting this morning

The Village townhouse association board of directors is holding a special meeting today at 9 a.m.
The board will address the results of the special Guadalajara Courts election held earlier this month.
Guadalajara Courts members rejected paying for needed repairs in the court including the rebuilding of the Guadalajara bridge, the only ingress and egress to two of the court's townhouses. The current bridge is an unsafe hazard and a major liability issue for the THA because it is limited common property.
Today the board will decide what action it needs to take to resolve this issue. Previously, board president Brent Gray mentioned the possibility of taking legal action against Guadalajara Courts residents to make them pay for the necessary repairs.
There is another special meeting of the THA board set for next Friday to count ballots from the THA general membership. The meeting will be at 9 a.m. at the THA administration building on Perralena Lane.

Today at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival

Today's films running at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival at the Malco Theater in historic downtons Hot Springs are listed below. The festival draws to a close on Sunday.
The films new today have a description. The other films have already aired once and their descriptions are in previous posts.
Friday, October 22
10 a.m.
A GOOD DAY TO DIE
10:05 a.m.
INGELORE
10:05 a.m.
REMEMBRANCE "YIZKOR"
11:35 a.m.
THE DESERT OF FORBIDDEN ART
11:59 a.m.
LET YOUR FEET DO THE TALKIN’
11:59 a.m.
KEEP DANCING
1:15 p.m.
STRANGE THINGS: CHILDREN OF HAITI
1:20 p.m.
GARBAGE DREAMS
2:55 p.m.
THE FREE CHINA JUNK
USA, 113 minutes, Robin Greenberg
The Free China Junk, a feature-length film that documents the experiences of five young men who risk their lives to journey beyond 1955 Taiwan, and the diplomat who befriends and records them. Rich 16mm color footage of the trans-Pacific journey is interwoven with first-person accounts from the surviving junk-mates, two of whom have passed away since filming. The Free China Junk celebrates their adventurous spirit as it challenges new generations to define their own destiny. Film maker is present.
3:05 p.m.
GOODBYE, HOW ARE YOU?
3:05 p.m.
OVERNIGHT STAY
4:35 p.m.
AMERIKA IDOL
Serbia, 35 minutes, Barry Avrich
In a tiny town, 33 miles north of Belgrade in war torn Serbia, a group of villagers decide that they alone must change their destiny. After 4,000 years of floods, famine and war, the people of Zitiste unite in the selection of new symbol they hope will reverse their fortune. Unanimously, they select Rocky Balboa as the one icon that will lead them to prosperity. This film was made with the full co-operation of Sylvester Stallone.
4:35 p.m.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW
USA, 19 minutes, Sofian Khan / Avery Thompson
Matthew Lesko is primarily known as the question mark guy, an infomercial legend. Throughout the late eighties, nineties and still keeping strong into the 21st century at the age of 67, he’s been hawking his books across three decades. With titles like Free Money for Everybody and How to Get a Grant his enthusiastic advocacy of government programs has aroused admiration and admonition alike, not to mention sales in the millions. Film maker is present.
4:35 p.m.
JUST ABOUT FAMOUS
USA, 15 minutes, Jason Kovacsev / Matt Mamula
From Kenny Rogers being accosted at K-Mart for an autograph to Elvis being announced every time he enters the Home Depot leaving him to ask the ultimate question, ‘Can’t I just buy some lumber?’ Each impersonator has a story to tell. As the old adage goes, ‘imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.’ Take a trip into the intriguing, enlightening, and often times surreal life of the celebrity impersonator.
5:10 p.m.
SONGS FROM THE NICKEL
6:15 p.m.
GROWN IN DETROIT
7 p.m.
MISTER ROGERS & ME
7:45 p.m.
BEARD CLUB
USA, 59 minutes, Laura Lukitsch
Visiting barbershops, religious sanctuaries, and even men’s bathrooms, one woman journeys the globe examining the beard and its ties to tradition, status, gender, and power. Along the way she learns that facial hair has many meanings, it is more than a decoration, it is a window into an individual’s identity. World premiere, film maker is present.
8:30 p.m.
IT CAME FROM KUCHAR
8:45 p.m.
DIRTY PICTURES
USA, 90 minutes, Etienne Sauret
Dr. Shulgin is the scientist behind more than 200 psychedelic compounds including MDMA, more commonly known as Ecstasy. Considered to be one of the greatest chemists of the twentieth century, Sasha’s vast array of discoveries have had a profound impact in the field of psychedelic research. Dirty Pictures examines the impact of Dr. Shulgin’s lifelong quest to unlock the complexities of the human mind. Film maker is present.
9:10 p.m.
HAACK: THE KING OF TECHNO
USA, 70 minutes, Phillip Anagos
A look into the underground world of Bruce Haack, a genius whose past work continues to garner recognition with time. In addition, various musicians of many genres have joined in today showing worldwide support, thus contributing to Bruce’s objective, "Sure it’s nice to be famous, but I’m more interested in obtaining a telepathic following." Haack’s homemade experimental electronics influenced artists such as Beck, The Eels, Mouse on Mars, and others. Film maker is present.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Three new homes permitted by ACC October 21, 2010

New Homes
Lot-Block-Addition / Address / Contractor/Sq. Ft.
007-04 Brilliante / 1 Brilliante Way / Malt Village Homes/2,375
016-08 Magellan / 6 Quieto Place / Malt Village Homes/2,100
006-13 Isabella / 117 Pizarro Drive / Tucker Home Builders / 2,730

Village additions permits approved by the ACC 10-21-10

Additions
Lot Bk Addition / Address / Contractor/Project
028-02 Puertollano / 32 Sierra Drive / M & R Sarver/replace sliding doors
006-01 Cordoba / 1 Cordoba Way / James Anderson/deck addition
005-03 Granada / 7 Salobrena Way / William Bobbitt/screen existing porch
002-01 Santa Maria / 3 Ona Circle / Precision Restoration/remodel bath
007-02 Santa Maria / 1 Laja Circle / Good Construction/repair flood damage
030-01 Lerida / 26 Lerida Lane / B & M Plumbing/plumbing
008-03 Teruel / 112 Arias Way / B & M Plumbing/replace water service
032-01 Estancia / 97 Fineza Way / Steamatic of Hot Springs/repair work on garage/kitchen
003-06 Gerona / 11 Carballo Lane / Top Notch Plumbing/replace water service
010-01 Murillo / 101 Murillo Way / Liberty Solar Solutions/solar photovoltaic system
017-05 Madrid Courts / 6 Daganza Place / O’Neal Electric/add electric to boat dock
020-01 Madrid Courts / 4 Cabo Tinoso Place / B & W Village Home Repair/repair deck
008-01 Guadalajara Courts / 38 Reddina Lane / Don Billings/replace deck
001-03 Palisandro / 119 Castano Drive / Liberty Solar Solutions/solar photovoltaic system
011-01 Cresta / 22 Cresta Way / Oren Hoffman/replace deck
024-01 Armada / 3 Levantino Lane / Top Notch Plumbing/replace water service
008-07 Fastota / 13 Fastota Place / M & R Sarver/room additions, covered porch
003-03 Serenidad / 2 Serenidad Trace / Rigsby Plumbing/plumbing
006-03 Adoracion / 6 Adoracion Place / Charles Williams/lighted brick columns
012-02 Adoracion / 2 Adoracion Point / Precision Restoration/replace door
002-01 Pertusa / 34 Pertusa Drive / Mark Branch/roof over existing deck
008-01 Divino Courts / 15 Divino Courts / Al Lewis/ STG in crawl space

Village HVAC permits approved by ACC on 10-21-10

HVAC
Lot Bk Addition / Address / Contractor
009-10 Santa Maria / 13 Cullerendo Way / Reliable Air
011-04 Gancho / 43 Delgado Way / Huchingson Heating & Air
003-02 Ballesteros / 4 Minorca Way / Reliable Air
004-01 Alarcon / 4 Alarcon Lane / Tropic Air
003-05 Resplandor / 6 Resplandor Loop / Reliable Air
027-12 Diamante / 29 Princesa Drive / Huchingson Heating & Air

Village commercial addition permits approved at 10/21/10 ACC meeting

Commercial Additions
Lot Bk Addition / Address / Contractor/Project
998-01 Commercial / 301 Balearic Road / Consulting & Construction/interior remodel

HSV landscape permits approved at 10/21/10 ACC meeting

Landscape
Lot-Block-Addition / Address / Contractor
011-03 Soria / 24 Almazan Way / Harpers Landscape
017-01 Avila / 18 Las Navas Lane / Harpers Landscape
011-01 Vimioso / 113 Cifuentes Way / Lawns, Limbs, Landscape
005-11 Baltanas / 26 Lavanda Lane / Bennett Bros.
013-15 Isabella / 20 Oro Way / Lee McNeely

Landscape permits approved at 10/21/10 ACC meeting

Landscape
Lot-Block-Addition / Address / Contractor

Landscape permits approved at 10/21/10 ACC meeting

Landscape
Lot-Block-Addition / Address / Contractor

ACC meets this morning

Cooper's architectural control committee meets this morning at 8:30 a.m. upstairs in the POA administration building. The public is welcome.

Today is Rotary day

The Rotary Club of Hot Springs Village meets this morning at 7 a.m. at the Banana Leaf at the Balboa club house.
The Rotary Club of Scenic 7 meets a noon at Molly O'Brien's on Highway 7.

Today at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival

Just a few more days at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival at the downtown Malco Theater. Sunday is the last day.
Today's documentaries are listed below. The films without a description have already played once. The description is in an earlier post.
Thursday, October 21
10 a.m.
A DIFFERENT PATH
10:05 a.m.
THE CRISIS MR. FAUBUS MADE: THE ROLE OF THE ARKANSAS GAZETTE
IN THE CENTRAL HIGH CRISIS
10:05 a.m.
WOODRUFF- A LESSON OF NON-VIOLENCE
11:30 a.m.
CHIEFLAND
11:30 a.m.
CRAZY DIAMOND
11:30 a.m.
NICO’S CHALLENGE
11:30 a.m.
NO PITY
11:49 a.m.
QUEEN OF THE SUN
12:55 p.m.
THE LEFTOVERS
12:55 p.m.
TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES
12:55 p.m.
A SIMPLE QUESTION: THE STORY OF STRAW
1:50 p.m.
BU SAHILDE "ON THE COAST"
1:50 p.m.
LIEMBA
2:35 p.m.
THERE ONCE WAS AN ISLAND: TE HENUA E NOHO
3:30 p.m.
FIRE IN THE MOUNTAINS
3:30 p.m.
TORCH
3:30 p.m.
SNAKE FEVER
3:30 p.m.
THE SHERIFF
4:20 p.m.
RETURN TO VIRUNGA: THE BATTLE TO SAVE THE MOUNTAIN GORILLAS
4:20 p.m.
ZUD. COLD SYMPHONY
6 p.m.
LIL POISON
6:50 p.m.
ECHOTONE
USA, 90 minutes, Nathan Christ / Nicholas Jayanty
Internationally known as ‘The Live Music Capital of the World,’ Austin’s music culture has led it to become one of the world’s most sought-after destinations. This lyrical documentary provides a telescopic view in the lives of Austin’s vibrant young musicians as they grapple with questions of artistic integrity, commercialism, experimentation, and the future of their beloved city. Echotone is a cultural portrait of the modern American city examined through the lyrics and lens of its creative class. Film maker is present.
7:25 p.m.
GOD WILLING
8:45 p.m.
BIKER FOX
USA, 89 minutes, Jeremy Lamberton / Todd Lincoln
The story of Frank P. DeLarzelere III aka Biker Fox, Tulsa, Oklahoma’s misunderstood motivational bicyclist, nature conservationist and muscle car guru. Part-documentary and part-self-help testimonial, the film navigates the uneasy relationships he has with both the city of Tulsa and himself, as his Biker Fox character’s intentions of spirited goodwill sometimes neglect certain boundaries. Viewer discretion is advised.
9:05 p.m.
OLIVIERO TOSCANI - THE RAGE OF IMAGES
9:05 p.m.
MEZZANOTTE OBSCURA

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

POA health fair a week from today

The POA health fair at the Coronado Center is scheduled for October 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Food for Thought at Coronado Library

The first three weeks in November the Coronado Center Library will be collecting non-perishable food items and tax-deductible monetary donations for the Project Hope Food Bank.
Librarian Margaret Weeter told recreation committee members "17.9 percent of Arkansans live below the poverty level."
The time leading up to Thanksgiving will be designated for giving to fellow state residents in need through Project Hope.
Since March 2, 2009 Project Hope has provided healthy and affordable food to feeding programs and food pantries in West Central Arkansas.
The Coronado Library will call its food collection Food for Thought.

Eight ordinances approved by Garland County quorum court

The following appropriation ordinances were adopted in last week's Garland County quorum court meeting.
O-10-49
An ordinance amending the 2010 Garland County budget appropriating funds to the extension service budget.
The extension service building was recently struck by lightning resulting in necessary repairs to a computer server box. The extension service budget was allocated $273 for telephone repair.
O-10-50
An ordinance amending the 2010 Garland County budget for funds to retain a consultant to perform a jail needs assessment study.
The criminal justice coordinating committee recommended Voorhis Association, Inc. to be hired for the project.
The funds, $94,655, were appropriated from the county general fund to the county general services budget.
O-10-51
An ordinance amending the 2010 Garland County budget to fund additional officers to oversee the full capacity of the Garland County jail.
An appropriation of $20,716 will provide salaries for two additional detention officers through the end of 2010.
The funds will be allocated as follows:
Full time salaries $11,730
Overtime and holiday pay $2,542
Social security $1,092
Retirement $1,780
Health insurance $2,250
Worker's comp $322
Unemployment $400
Certified officer's pay $600
Two adult detention officers were established at $25,414 each.
O-10-52
An ordinance to amend the 2010 Garland County budget to appropriate $46,434.69 to transfer from court costs and fines fund to the county general budget meeting the requirements of the legislative audit.
O-10-53
An ordinance to amend the 2010 Garland County budget to move reimbursement funds of $540 from Dayspring Behavioral Health Services from the Garland County juvenile court fund to the probation fee fund, a special project.
O-10-54
An ordinance to amend the 2010 Garland County budget to move funds, $4,349.64, received by the Garland County juvenile detention as part of the school lunch program, from the general fund to the juvenile detention budget.
O-10-55
An ordinance to amend the 2010 Garland County budget. The County Clerk requested an appropriation of $22,672.00 for sales tax on the ACS Courts Conversion project. This allocation completes the payments to ACS.
The funds were appropriated from the county recorder's cost fund to the county recorder's cost budget.
O-10-56
An ordinance to amend the 2010 Garland County budget for transfer of personnel between two of Sheriff Sanders departments. An adult detention deputy was transferred to a juvenile detention deputy, $107 needed to be transferred with him.
The funds were transferred from the general fund to the adult detention center budget.
The Garland County quorum court's next scheduled meeting is set for November 8 at 7 p.m. at the Garland County courthouse.

The hits keep coming

The blog is up to 6,127 hits this morning.

Today at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival

The Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival at the Malco Theater in historic downtown Hot Springs is still in full swing. Today's documentaries are listed below. The movies without a description have already aired once and the description is in a previous post.
Wednesday, October 20
10 a.m.
HUNGRY IS THE TIGER
10:05 a.m.
THE LAST ELEPHANTS IN THAILAND
10:05 a.m.
MARIA Y YO "MARIA AND I"
10:05 a.m.
THE MOST DISTANT PLACES
11:45 a.m.
BAG IT
1:25 p.m.
A DIFFERENT PATH
Canada, 95 minutes, Monteith McCollum
A Different Path is a poetic tale about the lives of several individuals as they struggle to live in an automobile dominated society. Through ingenuity and wit each character grapples with their frustrations about modern day urban infrastructure. One by foot, one by bike, two by boat.
The film is an artistic and poetic treatment of personal struggle and environmental concern over livable cities.
1:30 p.m.
GASLAND
3:25 p.m.
MEN WHO SWIM
3:40 p.m.
WINDFALL
USA, 83 minutes, Laura Israel
The film observes the deeply divided residents of Meredith, New York, an Upstate farm community in decline, as they debate the pros and cons of allowing wind turbines on their land. Local proponents champion the promise of green energy and monetary compensation, while detractors question the efficiency of wind-generated energy and the drawbacks of living among 400-foot tall towers with gigantic rotating blades.
5 p.m.
SPECIAL WHEN LIT
United Kingdom, 88 minutes, Brett Sullivan
Special When Lit rediscovers the lure of a lost pop icon, pinball. This American invention made more money than Hollywood through the 50’s and 60’s. Its success swept the world making it the epitome of cool. Today pinball is all but forgotten. This is the definitive story of the rise and fall of pinball as told by the fans, collectors, designers and champion players from across the globe.
5:30 p.m.
A NORMAL LIFE, PLEASE
6:55 p.m.
TWO HEADED COW
USA, 87 minutes, Tony Gayton
A look into the trials and tribulations of musician Dexter Romwebber, featuring interviews with Jack White, Neko Case, Cat Power and others. Dex Romwebber will be present at screening..
7:05 p.m.
COLLAPSE
USA, 82 minutes, Chris Smith
Collapse serves as a portrait of a loner. Over the years, Ruppert has stood up for what he believes in despite fierce opposition. He candidly describes the sacrifices and motivators in his life. While other observers analyze details of the economic crisis, Ruppert views it as symptomatic of nothing less than the collapse of industrial civilization itself.
8:30 p.m.
WASTELAND UTOPIAS
8:50 p.m.
SONGS FROM THE NICKEL
Germany/USA, 83 minutes, Alina Skrzeszewska
Sirens, screams, laughter, singing, bartering: these are the sounds sweeping into the rooms of Downtown Los Angeles’ old forgotten hotels. Their inhabitants’ stories tell of lives lived on the margins. According to Charlie, the desk clerk at the King Edward Hotel, "you can be anything you want; you can do anything you want and nobody gives a damn!" After all, we’re on America’s most notorious skid row, also known to old-timers as the Nickel.
9 p.m.
THE WHITE STRIPES: UNDER THE GREAT WHITE NORTHERN LIGHTS
USA/Canada, 93 minutes
Besides playing the usual venues they challenged themselves and played in buses, cafés and for Indian tribal elders. Music video director Emmett Malloy followed the band and managed to capture both the special tour, extraordinary concert versions of the band’s minimalist, raw, blues-inspired rock songs and the special relationship between the extroverted Jack White and the introspective Meg White, a formerly married couple who for a long time claimed to be siblings.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Status of blog

6,034 hits and growing by leaps and bounds. The blog site is becoming a viable news, arts and entertainment source for the Village.
Too bad the local newspaper is expending so much energy to have me thrown out of meetings and making me pay to revue entertainment venues. The stealth campaign has been successful in some areas but not in all, I refuse to lie down and die.
According to POA ex-general manager Dave Johnston, the local paper complained about me being at the press table at POA meetings. The executive board members decided I could stay once my credentials were displayed. After all, the blogsite belongs to the HSV Chamber of Commerce.
Jerry Kosoglow, interim POA general manager, stated yesterday he does not believe a blog is news. Well, I don't know what to say to such a ridiculous statement.
Jim Harlow of the recreation committee told me the local paper has threatened to quit covering some POA events if I am allowed to continue to cover events for my blog.
Ugly rumors spread by members of the administration of the local paper include telling people point blank I quit the paper, not true, I was fired and have the Department of Workforce Services documentation as proof. I was fired for disagreeing with a bone-headed decision made by said administration. Firing me was a second bone-headed decision.
Ugly rumor number 2 is that I don't have credentials and should be excluded from meetings. So untrue, I have worked for several papers before and have the clippings to prove it. None of the reporters at the local paper have previous newspaper experience. There are a couple of retired coaches, teachers and a librarian.
I started my career as a columnist for L'Observateur in LaPlace, Louisiana. I became a theater critic for the same paper. I worked writing advertorials, news and theater reviews for the St. Tammany News Banner in Covington, Louisiana. Next, I was the society editor for the St. Tammany Farmer also in Covington, Louisiana. I was the editor of the Sedona Times in Sedona, Arizona. I was a new reporter for the Prescott Daily Sun in Prescott, Arizona. Then, believe it or not I moved to radio news at the local station in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.
I have credentials and I have experience.
Why should Villagers be forced to limit their choices for where to get their news. There is enough success out there for everyone.
In addition to my news background I bring years of performance in local theater and with the New Orleans Opera Associations opera chorus. I also bring a knowledge of legal matters from the many years I worked as a legal secretary/paralegal. I have accountability and ethics unlike others and their stealth campaign.
I am mad but I am not giving up. Because I am unemployed, I don't have a lot of money to pay for tickets to events. The Iafrates were kind enough to donate a ticket to me for The Sunshine Boys, see my review in a previous post.
If you are interested in seeing my reviews continue I need to have tickets or admittance to the events. If you are not using your seat for an event and would like to put it to good use, let me know and I will sit in your seat and review a show. If you want to donate a ticket contact me at insidehotspringsvillage@yahoo.com I will be forever grateful. Thanks for helping grow the blog from nothing in late April to over 6,000 hits today.

Cedar Glades Park in Garland County looking good

Cedar Glades Park in Garland County has been getting spiffed up this year to welcome people from around the county and country.
The golf disc course has been rated third and/or fourth nationally and has been brought up to regulation to keep its national ranking. The T-boxes have been leveled and the baskets are within national regulations.
Several of the trails have been cleaned and re-routed. Plans for a soap box derby are coming along slowly. A tire swing has been installed.
The six hour mountain bike race held last March brought in people from 15 states to Cedar Glades Park.
The Huck Fest, new this year, a festival for giant remote control airplanes, recently brought in people from coast to coast.
The park director has requested an industrial lawn mower for next year. Also in the works for next year, the forest area will be thinned in February or March. The thinning will take place under the direction of the Forest Service supervisor.
The goal is to keep the park looking sharp and free from fire hazards.
The park is off of Whittington Avenue in Hot Springs.

State highway signage policies

Arkansas statutes address the matter of placing unauthorized signs and/or conducting commercial activities on highway rights of way.
Only official directional, informational and/or regulatory highway signs, placed by or authorized by the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department, AHTD, are permitted on state-owned highway property. All other signs are subject to being removed.
The smaller type signs that are placed on the right of way are subject to removal by department personnel and will be stored at the nearest AHTD Area Maintenance Headquarters. Owner of the larger type signs will be notified and given an opportunity to remove the sign. If not removed, the department will remove the sign and take it to the nearest Area Maintenance Headquarters. Sign owners may pick up their signs at the Area Maintenance Headquarters during normal business hours.
In addition, state law prohibits commercial activities such as roadside stands or the display of or the sale of items on highway right of way. Those conducting these type activities are subject to being asked to move the activity from the right of way.
5-67-101. Advertising signs generally.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any persons, firms, or corporations to place any advertising signs on the highway right-of-way in this state, excepting signs placed under the direction of the State Highway Commission.
(b) Any person violating the provisions of this section or § 5-39-213 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction shall be fined in any sum not less than twenty five dollars, $25.00, nor more than one hundred dollars, $100.00.
History, Acts 1941, No. 359 §§ 2, 3 A.S.A. 1947, §§ 41-3355, 41-3356
27-67-304. Use of right-of-way.
(a) The rights-of-way provided for all state highways shall be held inviolate for state highway purposes or functional encroachments, installations, signs other than traffic signs or signals, posters, billboards, roadside stands, gasoline pumps, or other structures or uses shall be permitted within the right-of-way limits of state highways.
(b) Political subdivisions, rural electric cooperatives, rural telephone cooperatives, private television cables, and public utilities of the state may use any right-of-way or land, property, or interest therein, the property of the State Highway Commission, for the purpose of laying or erecting pipelines, sewers, wires, poles, ditches, railways, or any other purpose, under existing agreements or permits or such agreements or permits hereinafter made by the commissioner under existing laws, provided that such use does not interfere with the public use of the property for highway purposes.
(c) No private television cable shall be placed upon the right-of-way limit of any state highway until such person, firm, association, partnership, or corporation first executes a bond payable to the commission in an amount to be determined by the district engineer located in the district in which such cable is to be located.
History, Acts 1953, No. 419, § 5; 1975, No. 654, § 1; A.S.A. 1947, § 76-544.

Two resolutions passed at last Garland County quorum court meeting

Two resolutions were considered and passed at the Garland County quorum court meeting last week.
R-10-11
A resolution confirming the re-appointment of Bill Milligan to the Lake Catherine Waterworks and Sewer Facilities Board.
The Lake Catherine Waterworks and Sewer Facilities Board was created on September 14 of last year. Milligan was originally appointed for a one year term on the newly formed board. Milligan will now serve a five year term on the board.
R-10-12
A resolution confirming the appointment of Steven Duane Ball to the Westwood Village Sewer Facilities Board.
Steve Lowe resigned from the board and Steven Duane Ball will serve the balance of Lowe's term expiring on March 1, 2012.

Today at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival

Today, the Malco Theater in Hot Springs will show many new selections at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival. There are also a few repeats from earlier in the week. The description of the repeating films is in previous posts.
Tuesday, October 19
10 a.m.
BAG IT
USA, 78 minutes, Suzan Beraza / Judy Kohin / Michelle Hill
Americans use 60,000 plastic bags every five minutes, disposable bags that they throw away without much thought. But where is away? Where do the bags and other plastics end up, and at what cost to the environment, marine life and human health? Bag It follows "everyman" Jeb Berrier as he navigates our plastic world. Jeb is not a radical environmentalist, but an average American who decides to take a closer look at our cultural love affair with plastics. Film maker is present.
10:05 a.m.
HUNGRY IS THE TIGER
Indonesia, 73 minutes, Gary Hayes / Rob Allyn
From rice paddies and slums, mosques and village clinics, struggling farmers, grieving parents and the famed Milkman of India offer heart-rending, but uplifting, testimony to the idea that self-sufficiency is more than a dream: The farmers of the world can feed the children of the world. Woven with parables of wayang storyteller Sujiwo Tejo and narrated by Indonesia’s most celebrated actress, Christine Hakim, HARIMAU is a story of hope, a plan to help the world’s children to become tigers, healthy and strong.
11:40 a.m.
MISTER ROGERS & ME
USA, 80 minutes. Benjamin Wagner / Christofer Wagner
America’s Favorite Neighbor, PBS icon, Fred Rogers, sends a young MTV producer on a quest for depth and simplicity amidst a shallow and complex media landscape. Benjamin Wagner first met Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood creator and star, Fred Rogers, at Rogers’ summer home on Nantucket, Massachusetts. His mother rented the cottage next door, so Mister Rogers really was his neighbor.
11:45 a.m.
BIRDMAN
USA, 10 minutes, Jenni Morello
Brian Gibson owns Bird Camp, a specialty bird shop in Manhattan, New York. This film follows one man’s dream to keep the shop alive and the commitment he gives to carrying for these special birds. Film maker is present.
11:45 a.m.
THE CHESS SHOP
USA, 23 minutes, Harry Bainbridge
The old Chinese proverb goes "Life is like a game of Chess, changing with each move." And at The Chess Shop in the West Village of New York City, nothing could be truer. Day in and day out there are new players and new matches, new characters and new stories. Players of all ages, races, and nationalities come together at The Chess Shop and at the end of everyday everyone is part of the same family, The Chess Shop family. World premiere, film maker is present.
11:45 a.m.
TOYLAND
USA, 68 minutes, Ken Sons
Toyland takes you inside the high stakes world of the 22 billion dollar toy industry, where fun and fortune awaits those who know how to get inside the mind of a child. Meet the people behind the biggest playthings in history as we follow the ups and downs of game designer, Tim Walsh, as he tries to takes his own invention to market.
11:45 a.m.
TUNED IN
USA, 6 minutes, Kevin Gordon
From a young age, Steve McGreevy was fascinated by the natural world and by amateur radio. When he discovered that nature produced its own radio signals, he began a quest to capture these sounds, a quest that has taken him to the most remote parts of the continent. Sometimes called the ‘Music of the Planet,’ this otherworldly sound scape surrounds us all the time but few ever get to listen to it. This film explores Steve’s motivations and takes the viewer on a sonic journey into this hidden world.
11:45 a.m.
A TINY SPARK
USA, 21 minutes. Franco Sacchi
In the desert of Nevada, His Excellency Kevin Baugh has founded the independent Republic of Molossia and created a faux secession. With a population of 6, including his 3 faithful dogs, and a complex infrastructure that ranges from a miniature railroad system to a Customs Booth at the front door, Molossia provokes us and makes us reflect upon the meaning of sovereignty and the limits of our individual freedoms. World premiere, film maker is present.
1:25 p.m.
BOWLING BLIND
1:25 p.m.
OLD PEOPLE DRIVING
2:45 p.m.
INGELORE
USA, 40 minutes, Frank Stiefel / Rick Revell
Ingelore Herz Honigstein is a deaf Jewish woman born in Germany. She says her first word at age six and completes her first sentence at twelve. She offers a unique prospective to the events leading to the Holocaust and her escape to America. Her story includes a brutal rape by Nazi cadets, a kind NYC doctor who performs an illegal abortion in 1940 and her lessons of personal freedom. Ingelore is more than a biography it is a meditation on freedom both physical and emotional.
2:45 p.m.
REMEMBRANCE "YIZKOR"
Czech/USA, 23 minutes, Ruth Fertig
My grandparents survived the Holocaust but they never talked about it. After discovering a memoir my grandmother had written in the last years of her life, I finally learned their story, seven years after her death and ten years after his. Yizkor uses my grandmother’s own words, along with animation, archival material, and present-day Super 8 footage, to tell that story, one of survival and resilience in the face of crushing loss.
2:50 p.m.
THE DESERT OF FORBIDDEN ART
Russian Federation, 80 minutes, Tchavdar Georgiev / Amanda Pope
During the Soviet rule artists who stay true to their vision are executed, sent to mental hospitals or Gulags. Their plight inspires young Igor Savitsky. He pretends to buy state-approved art but instead daringly rescues 40,000 forbidden fellow artist’s works and creates a museum in the desert of Uzbekistan, far from the watchful eyes of the KGB. Savitsky amasses an eclectic mix of Russian Avant-Garde art. Ben Kingsley, Sally Field and Ed Asner voice the diaries and letters of Savitsky and the artists.
4:15 p.m.
GREENLIT
4:15 p.m.
LAST NIGHT AT THE DRIVE-IN
4:35 p.m.
COMMON GROUND
USA, 27 minutes, Vera Brunner-Sung
Abandonment, decay; demolish, rebuild: Common Ground follows the life cycle of land in Southern California to observe the way economics are shaping the terrain. A portrait of place and process, where perspectives shift to question our relationship with the past, designs on the future, and notions of progress in today’s world. Film maker is present.
4:35 p.m.
MILLTOWN, MONTANA
Germany/USA, 34 minutes, Rainer Komers
Milltown, Montana is an elegiac excursion across a magnificent landscape deeply scarred by man. Rainer Komers documents what was once the largest mining region in the United States, now contaminated by toxic substances and heavy metals, and seemingly trapped in a post- industrial phase of standstill.
5:35 p.m.
PERRY COUNTY
USA, 27 minutes, Matt Durning / N’Jeri Eaton
Perry County is a half-hour film documenting the controversial decision to dump millions of tons of coal ash waste from the 2008 spill in Kingston, Tennessee, at a landfill in this poor, disenfranchised, and predominantly black county in rural, west central Alabama. The long-term health and environmental risks, wholly dismissed by local politicians, have raised a chorus of concern among local residents who question the true cost of this supposed progress. Film maker is present.
5:35 p.m.
SHELTER IN PLACE
U. K., 48 minutes, Zed Nelson
Texan industries are legally permitted to release millions of tons of toxic pollutants into the air each year, plus thousands of tons more in accidental or unscheduled releases. When these incidents happen, local residents are told to stay in their homes and tape up their windows and doors. This procedure is called Shelter in Place. Communities living on the fence-line of Texan industry are usually poor, African American and powerless to protest.
6 p.m.
GOODBYE, HOW ARE YOU?
Serbia, 55 minutes, Boris Mitic
The wittiest, blackest political aphorisms of the modern era are saluted in this entertaining Serbian travelogue detailing how citizens use language to critique – and resist – the madness of politics. A fascinating essay-film in the tradition of Chris Marker and Jean-Luc Godard, and a primer on Balkan intellectual thought, resistance, and history.
6 p.m.
OVERNIGHT STAY
USA, 9 minutes. Daniela Sherer
Overnight Stay uses hand-drawn animation to illustrate an 83-year-old woman’s vivid memory of an event during World War II that likely saved her life when she was a young girl. On a cold night in Nazi-occupied Poland in 1941, she was taken in by strangers and given a place to sleep. This memorable film reminds us of the power of one simple act of kindness.
7:15 p.m.
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT: THE RADIANT CHILD
USA, 94 minutes, Tamra Davis
Centered on a rare interview that director and friend Tamra Davis shot with Basquiat over twenty years ago, this definitive documentary chronicles the meteoric rise and fall of the young artist. With compassion and psychological insight, Tamra Davis details the mysteries that surround this charismatic young man, an artist of enormous talent whose fortunes mirrored the roller coaster quality of the downtown scene he seemed to embody.
7:30 p.m.
MY LIFE WITH CARLOS "MI VIDA CON CARLOS"
Chile, 83 minutes, German Berger-Hertz
My Life with Carlos is an elegantly crafted, heartbreaking, personal documentary about a man, director German Berger-Hertz, who decides to confront the painful memories associated with his father’s death. Carlos Berger was a resistance fighter who was tortured and murdered by Pinochet during the years of the military dictatorship. His death tore his family apart, and they never truly spoke about what happened until German brought them together for this film.
9:05 p.m.
SINGULARITY IS NEAR
USA, 90 minutes, Anthony Waller / Ray Kurzweil
While the social and philosophical ramifications of these changes will be profound, and the threats they pose considerable, celebrated futurist Ray Kurzweil presents a view of the coming age that is both a dramatic culmination of centuries of technological ingenuity and a genuinely inspiring vision of our ultimate destiny.
9:20 p.m.
MEZZANOTTE OBSCURA
USA, 24 minutes, Lori Petchers
An inside look into an artist Thomas Mezzanotte’s creative process as he constructs an innovative body of work. Scientific in nature, but aesthetically compelling, the nude images blur the line between art and science and beget the question ‘What really is visual truth? Viewer discretion is advised.
9:20 p.m.
OLIVIERO TOSCANI - THE RAGE OF IMAGES
Germany, 44 minutes, Peter Scharf
A dead soldier’s blood-soaked t-shirt; a nun kissing a priest; a gaunt young man with AIDS; all were images used by the fashion label Benetton to advertise its clothing in the 90’s. The provocative campaign was the work of Italian photographer Oliviero Toscani, a man who brought topics such as war, racism, the death penalty, and the misery of refugees into the business of advertising. The film examines the life and work of the controversial artist and pioneer of anti-advertising, Oliviero Toscani.

Secretary of State's voter view website

The Secretary of State has a voter view on his website that enables a voter to put in his or her name and birth date and a copy of your voting ballot pops up with the choices specific to you no matter what county you live in.
I plugged in my name and birth date and the site reconfirmed I live in precinct 11E, I vote at Christ Lutheran Church, my party affiliation is optional, I am in congressional district 4, state senate district 19, state representative district 30, court of appeals district 31-1, Jessieville School district, judicial district 18 E, justice of the peace district 11 and Hale township. This is the information on your voter registration card.
The sample ballot that popped up is specific to the above criteria.
My choices for U.S. Senator are:
John Boozman, republican
Trevor Drown, independent
Blanche Lambert Lincoln, democrat
John Laney Gray, III, green
Write In
My choices for U. S. Congress District 4 are:
Beth Ann Rankin, republican
Mike Ross, democrat
Josh Drake, green
Write In
My choices for Governor are:
Mike Beebe, democrat
Jim Lendal, green
Jim Keet, republican
Write In
My choices for Lt. Governor are:
Mark Darr, republican
Shane Broadway, democrat
My choices for Attorney General are:
Dustin McDaniel, democrat
Rebekah Kennedy, green
Write In
My choices for Secretary of State are:
Mark Martin, republican
Pat O'Brien, democrat
My choices for State Treasurer are:
Bobby Tullis, green
Martha Shoffner, democrat
My choices for State Supreme Court Associate Justice Position 6 are:
Tim Fox
Karen Baker
My choices for Auditor of State are:
Charlie Daniels, democrat
Mary Hughes-Wells, green
My choices for Commissioner of State Lands are:
John M. Thurston, republican
L.J. Bryant, democrat
My choices for State Senate District 19 are:
Gene Shelby, democrat
Bill Sample, republican
For Garland County offices, my options are as follow:
County Judge:
Rick Davis, republican
Rick Sanders, democrat
County Clerk
Sarah Smith, republican
Tammy Lambert, democrat
Circuit Clerk:
Vicki Rima, democrat
Jeannie Pike, republican
Assessor:
Brenda Short, democrat
Tommy Thompson, republican
Treasurer:
Tim Stockdale, republican
Terry Smith, democrat
Justice of the Peace District 11:
Jim D. Scarbrough, democrat
Larry Griffin, republican
There is a slate of unopposed candidates for state and county I was given the option to vote for or against the slate.
Finally, the last part of my ballot has the three legislative issues discussed in a previous post.
To look at your own personal ballot tailored to your voter registration go to the secretary of state's website at: https://voterview.ar.nova.org/

Monday, October 18, 2010

Legislatively referred constitutional amendments on the ballot

There are three legislatively referred constitutional amendments on the ballot for the November 2 election. My eyes started glazing over on issue two. The trick is to stay awake so you can know what you are voting for or against.
Issue One - Hunting
The summary of the amendment, according to the 87th Legislative Session, reads as follows: "This resolution proposes to amend the Arkansas Constitution to provide for a constitutional right for citizens of the state of Arkansas to hunt, fish, trap, and harvest wildlife. The resolution states that the right would be limited only by the regulations consistent with Amendment 35 of the Arkansas Constitution."
If approved by a simple majority of Arkansas voters, the measure would amend the Arkansas Constitution by adding the following section to read:
Section 1.
(a) (1) Citizens of the state of Arkansas have a right to hunt, fish, trap, and harvest wildlife.
(2) The right to hunt, fish, trap, and harvest wildlife shall be subject only to regulations that promote sound wildlife conservation and management and are consistent with Amendment 35 of the Arkansas Constitution.
(b) Public hunting, fishing, and trapping shall be a preferred means of managing and controlling non-threatened species and citizens may use traditional methods for harvesting wildlife.
(c) Nothing in this amendment shall be construed to alter, repeal, or modify:
(1) Any provision of Amendment 35 to the Arkansas Constitution;
(2) Any common law or statute relating to trespass, private property rights, eminent domain, public ownership of property, or any law concerning firearms unrelated to hunting; or
(3) The sovereign immunity of the State of Arkansas.
Issue 2 - Bond Issues
The summary of the amendment reads as follows, according to the 87th Legislative Session: "This resolution proposes to repeal existing constitutional provisions setting the maximum lawful rate of interest on bonds issued and loans made by or to governmental units. The resolution states that the maximum lawful rate of interest on loans by federally insured depository institutions remain at the rate that resulted from the federal preemption effective March 1, 2009. The resolution proposes to establish a maximum lawful interest rate for all other loans or contracts, authorizes governmental units to issue bonds to finance energy efficiency projects, and allows bonds for energy efficiency projects to be repaid from any source. The resolution proposes to repeal Article 19, § 13, and the interest rate provisions of Amendment Nos. 30, 38, 62, 65, and 78 of the Arkansas Constitution. The proposed effective date for the resolution is January 1, 2011."
Resulting constitutional changes if enacted by Arkansas voters, the measure would repeal Section 13 of Article 19 of the Arkansas Constitution. It also would repeal the interest rate provisions of Amendments 30, 38, 62, 65 and 78. Section 13 of Article 19 reads:
(a) General Loans:
(I) The maximum lawful rate of interest on any contract entered into after the effective date hereof shall not exceed five percent (5%) per annum above the Federal Reserve Discount Rate at the time of the contract.
(ii) All such contracts having a rate of interest in excess of the maximum lawful rate shall be void as to the unpaid interest. A person who has paid interest in excess of the maximum lawful rate may recover, within the time provided by law, twice the amount of interest paid. It is unlawful for any person to knowingly charge a rate of interest in excess of the maximum lawful rate in effect at the time of the contract, and any person who does so shall be subject to such punishment as may be provided by law.
(b) Consumer Loans and Credit Sales: All contracts for consumer loans and credit sales having a greater rate of interest than seventeen percent (17%) per annum shall be void as to principal and interest and the General Assembly shall prohibit the same by law.
(c) Definitions: As used herein, the term:
(I) "consumer loans and credit sales" means credit extended to a natural person in which the money, property, or service which is the subject of the transaction is primarily for personal, family or household purposes.
(ii) "Federal Reserve Discount Rate" means the Federal Reserve discount Rate on ninety-day commercial paper in effect in the Federal Reserve Bank in the Federal Reserve District in which Arkansas is located.
(d) Miscellaneous:
(I) The rate of interest for contracts in which no rate of interest is agreed upon shall be six percent (6%) per annum.
(ii) The provisions hereof are not intended and shall not be deemed to supersede or otherwise invalidate any provisions of federal law applicable to loans or interest rates including loans secured by residential real property.
(iii) The provisions hereof revoke all provisions of State law which establish the maximum rate of interest chargeable in the State or which are otherwise inconsistent herewith.
Issue 3 - Taxes
The summary of the amendment reads as follows, according to the 87th Legislative Session:
"This resolution proposes to amend Amendment 82 of the Arkansas Constitution to authorize the General Assembly to establish criteria before authorizing the issuance of bonds for prospective employers planning an economic development project."
Resulting constitutional changes if enacted by Arkansas voters, the measure would amend Amendment 82(d) of the Arkansas Constitution. The text of that amendment reads as follows: (d) The General Assembly may authorize the issuance of bonds bearing the full faith and credit of the State of Arkansas if the prospective employer planning an economic development project is eligible under criteria established by law.

Early voting starts today

Garland County voters can start casting their vote for the November 2 election today at the Hot Springs Village Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber office is across the street from Walgreens in the Cranford's parking lot. Bring identification.

Terrie Davis hit at Woodlands meet and greet

Terrie Davis shows off the two Marlon rifles gifted to her mother, television's Annie Oakley, Gail Davis. The rifles were used on the show. One has only been fired once.
Gail Davis/Annie Oakley memorabilia on display at the Woodlands Auditorium lobby this month and next as part of promotion for musical Annie Get Your Gun, November 3 - 7.

Arkansan Gail Davis as Annie Oakley on Coleman Dairy truck from the 1950s. Davis' daughter Terrie lives here in the Village and was featured in a Meet and Greet at the Ponce de Leon Center yesterday. Terrie discussed her mom's acting career, her love of Annie Oakley and showed off some of her collection of memorabilia celebrating her mother and Annie Oakley.


Coleman Dairy was the television sponsor of the Annie Oakley Show back in the mid-1950s. This is the original truck with Annie Oakley's character painted on each side. The truck was at the Ponce de Leon Center yesterday distributing chocolate milk in honor of Gail Davis, the Arkansan that played Annie Oakley. The truck recently spent time at the Arkansas State Fair.

Rotary Club of Scenic 7 candidate forum a success

State Representative Bill Sample and State Representative Dr. Gene Shelby are competing for the same job, State Senator for District 19. Members of the Rotary Club of Scenic 7 peppered the men with questions about past and future service. The debate received excellent press coverage by the Sentinel Record. Coverage of the debate was featured in the Friday paper on the front page above the fold. Wa-hoo.
Democrat Dr. Gene Shelby could have run for State Representative for a final term before term-limiting out but decided to pursue the State Senate seat instead.

Republican Bill Sample was term-limited out of office as State Representative and would like to continue serving his constituents but as State Senator.

Rotary Club of Scenic 7 president Lisa Carey gives a plaque of service recognition to Arkansas State Senator for District 19 Terry Smith. In an unusual move the sitting Senator served as moderator in the debate between Bill Sample and Gene Shelby, the two men vying for his seat.

POA recreation committee meets today

The POA recreation committee meets today due to member absences. The meeting was originally scheduled for October 11. The meeting will be at the Coronado Center at 1:30 p.m. Interested POA members are welcome to attend.

October 18 at the Hots Springs Documentary Film Festival

The following documentaries are offered today at the Malco Theater as part of the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival.
Monday, October 18
10 a.m.
THE LEFTOVERS
Australia, 28 minutes, Kerstin Übelacker / Margarete Jangard
The Leftovers is a road trip adventure about people who eat trash. Meet Mykel and Paul, two experienced Dumpster Divers as they embark on a Journey down the east coast of Australia. Wanting to make a statement about today’s over consuming society they challenged themselves to live of nothing but waste. Leaving their money behind they power their van with waste veggie oil and eat out of bins along the way.
10 a.m.
TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES
USA, 10 minutes, Sebastian Hernandez
Leaving their workaday New York lives for semi-rural New Mexico, Mikey and Wendy scrape by in the desert as they prepare for a coming collapse. They geek out on solar power, grow their own food, and get by on barter as they build their homestead on the frontier. In this warm yet honest look on into their daily life, Mikey and Wendy reveal the love, fear and commitment that goes into changing one’s life forever.
10 a.m.
A SIMPLE QUESTION: THE STORY OF STRAW
USA, 35 minutes, Kevin White / David Donnenfield
A Simple Question: the Story of STRAW is an inspiring 35 minute film about the STRAW Project (Students and Teachers Restoring a Watershed) starting from its origins in 1992 as a fourth grade class-project into a remarkable program that has restored over 20 miles of habitat, galvanized the local community, and led to significant educational innovations by connecting children and teachers with nature. Film maker is present.
10:05 a.m.
BOWLING BLIND
USA, 35 minutes, Marc Cantone
A film that chronicles the struggles, triumphs and misadventures of the Metropolitan Blind Bowlers on their journey to the National Blind Bowling Tournament. A home for the disabled, Selis Manor has a small, two-lane bowling alley in the basement. Due to lack of funding, the league is chronically in the red and this year is no different. For most in the league, straying from their fixed incomes to attend the tournament is out of the question. But they’re determined to go. Film maker is present.
11:45 a.m.
MARIA Y YO "MARIA AND I"
Spain, 80 minutes, Félix Fernández de Castro
María lives with her mother May, in the Canary Islands, 3,000 km from Barcelona, where Miguel Gallardo has his home. Sometimes Miguel and María go on holiday together, spending a week at a resort in southern Gran Canaria, a rather unusual setting where the guests don’t normally include a single father and his fourteen year-old autistic daughter. This is the story of one of their journeys, but above all it’s an original tale, full of humor, irony and sincerity, about how to live with a disability. U.S. premiere.
11:50 a.m.
ELEANORE & THE TIMEKEEPER
USA, 76 minutes, Daniéle Wilmouth
The complexities of a mother’s sacrifice are discovered when Eleanore, at age 91, moves her developmentally disabled son Ronnie into a group home, after 64 years of devoted companionship and daily ritual in their modest Pennsylvania farmhouse. Eleanore & the Timekeeper is a quiet love story between a mother and son, which records the inevitable transformation in their relationship, and shifting definitions of home over a seven-year span. Film maker is present.
1:30 p.m.
ARPAIO’S AMERICA
USA, 39 minutes, Jodi Wu / Chris Wells
Arpaio’s America depicts the aggressive local immigration enforcement implemented by Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Arizona. The film shows how and why Arizona became the battleground for immigration reform in America. The film features Sheriff Arpaio, as well as Russell Pearce, author of Arizona’s recent immigration law, Mary Rose Wilcox, Maricopa County Supervisor, and George Gascon, San Francisco Police Chief and former Police Chief of Mesa, Arizona.
1:30 p.m.
STORIES FROM BAGHDAD U.S.A.
USA, 29 minutes, Alex Farnsley / Kevin King
Stories from Baghdad U.S.A. is a short documentary film about the thousands of Iraqi Christian immigrants and refugees who have come to a small valley in California for opportunity and to escape persecution and violence. Film maker is present.
1:40 p.m.
RETURN TO VIRUNGA: THE BATTLE TO SAVE THE MOUNTAIN GORILLAS
Congo, 47 minutes, Stefan Lovgren
At the epicenter of the long-running civil war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo lies Virunga National Park, home to more than 200 of the only 720 mountain gorillas remaining in the world. Here, small but dedicated forces of forest rangers risk their lives to save one of the world’s greatest and most vulnerable species. The documentary follows the rangers as they return to Virunga after having been banished by rebels from the park for more than a year.
1:40 p.m.
ZUD. COLD SYMPHONY
Mongolia, 30 minutes, Buyanbadrakh Markhaakhuu
Like their ancestors in the 13th century, the nomadic lifestyle still characterizes Mongolian herders. Bayanbat is one of the Mongolian herders who fought to keep his animals alive for more than six months in freezing temperatures that average minus forty degrees Celsius.
3:05 p.m.
GREENLIT
USA, 50 minutes, Miranda Bailey
Movie people are legendarily liberal and left leaning, particularly when it comes to the environment. Greenlit puts their commitment to the test as film maker Miranda Bailey, executive producer of The Squid and the Whale, follows the production of The River Why, starring Zach Gilford, Friday Night Lights, as it attempts to keep an environmentally friendly set thanks to the supervision of a green consultant. What starts off with great enthusiasm quickly devolves in this insightful and hilarious film.
3:05 p.m.
LAST NIGHT AT THE DRIVE-IN
USA, 6 minutes, Brennan F. Leverenz
A look inside the projection booth at Las Vegas, New Mexico’s historic Fort Union Drive- In. Built in the 1940’s, it still uses the original carbon-rod projectors. But it is getting harder to find carbons.
Film maker is present.
3:25 p.m.
THE LAST ELEPHANTS IN THAILAND
USA/Thailand, 40 minutes, Donald Tayloe / Michelle Mizner
At the turn of the 20th Century, there were 100,000 elephants in Thailand. Today, there are less than 5,000. Where are they going? Who is working to save them? And what can you do to help? Visit the world’s first elephant hospital and meet leading experts to discover why the country’s most revered species is fast disappearing.
3:25 p.m.
THE MOST DISTANT PLACES
Ecuador/USA, 36 minutes, Mike Seely
Dr. Edgar Rodas has dedicated his life to improving the health conditions for underprivileged communities in his native Ecuador, and Cinterandes is his visionary mobile hospital and rural health care project. The Most Distant Places follows Dr. Rodas and his team to the far reaches of Ecuador, interweaving intimate portrayals of the doctors with stories of the patients they treat.
4:30 p.m.
GROWN IN DETROIT
Netherlands/USA, 60 minutes, Mascha Poppenk
Just imagine teen moms becoming urban farmers. Utopia? Not in Detroit. Nature is taking over the city and the new generation is taught to harvest its profit. Grown in Detroit focuses on the urban gardening efforts managed by a public school of 300, mainly African-American, pregnant and parenting teenagers. Many of them start out disliking the often physically hard work on the farm but this aversion disappears as they see their crops growing and being sold for profit.
5 p.m.
MOUNT ST. ELIAS
Austria/USA, 100 minutes, Gerald Salmina
Mount St Elias is a dramatic and awe-inspiring feature documentary following three of the worlds greatest ski mountaineers to Mount St Elias in Alaska in their attempt to realize the longest ski descent of the world. Two Austrian ski alpinists Axel Naglich and Peter Ressmann as well as the American freeski pro, Jon Jonhston are facing this breathtaking challenge. A movie that finally shows why it is the mountains which unite lethal danger and delirious happiness.
5:55 p.m.
MEN WHO SWIM
Sweden, 70 minutes, Dylan Williams / Al Morrow
When a British man living in Sweden finds himself on the brink of turning 40, he combats his mid-life crisis in the usual way: by joining a men’s synchronized swimming team. Made up of middle-aged men from all walks of life, the team begins as a hobby to escape the daily grind. Soon, however, it inspires an unexpected level of commitment and brotherhood as they plan to compete at the unofficial All Male World Championship in Milan.
6 p.m.
IT CAME FROM KUCHAR
USA, 86 minutes, Jennifer Kroot
Long before YouTube, there were the brilliantly insane, no-budget movies of underground, film-making twins George and Mike Kuchar. Creating stars out of their friends and family with just consumer-grade cameras, the teenage Kuchar brothers went from the 1960’s New York City underground film scene of Andy Warhol and Kenneth Anger to become the twin maestros of B-movie glamour and sleaze.
7:05 p.m.
BLOODY MONDAYS & STRAWBERRY PIES
Egypt/USA, 89minutes, Coco Schrijber
A substantial part of life is claimed by boredom. Beauty, love, work, sometimes it just isn’t worth getting out of bed. John Malkovich gives voice to our inner bored selves. He gets under the skin, prompting questions like, "how many people in the world are like me?"
7:30 p.m.
BOUNCING CATS
USA/Uganda, 76 minutes, Nabil Elderkin / Claude Merkel
Uganda has been called on of the worst places on earth to be a child. In 2006, Abrahmz Tekya, an AIDS orphan, created the Break Dance Project Uganda - B.P.U. The dream was to establish a workshop teach kids about B-Boy Culture. Bouncing Cats is the inspiring story of one man’s attempt to create a better life for the children of Uganda using the unlikely tool of hip-hop culture wit the focus on break-dance.
9 p.m.
EXXXIT: LIFE AFTER PORN
USA, 90 minutes, Bryce Wagoner
Exxxit: Life After Porn, is a documentary that not only examines the lives and careers of some of the biggest names in the history of the adult entertainment industry; but what happens to them after they leave the business and try and live the normal lives that millions of other Americans enjoy. Viewer discretion is advised. Film maker is present.
9:10 p.m.
THE DANCING BOYS OF AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan, 52 minutes, Jamie Doran
As the West pours billions of dollars into the fight against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan, an ancient tradition has re-emerged across the rest of the country. Hundreds of boys as young as 10, living in extreme poverty, lured off the streets on the promise of a new life away from destitution, unaware their real fate is to be used for entertainment. Viewer discretion is advised.
9:10 p.m.
THE VALLEY OF THE DAWN
United Kingdom, 24 minutes, Adrienne Grierson
The people who live in the Valley of Dawn in Brazil believe they originate from the Planet Capela and that the fabulous and outrageous clothes they wear connect them to their interplanetary spirit guides.Does the energy of this tribe and their exotic and glamorous costumes really lead to a whole new spiritual life? Adrienne Grierson finds the answer in the most eccentric and colorful religion on earth.
10:05 p.m.
SILENT STORYTELLERS
USA, 79 minutes, Hop Litzwire / Casey Sanders
Silent Storytellers is an AETN original documentary focusing on the art, history and secrets of Arkansas cemeteries. The story of these sacred grounds is told by individuals passionate about the sense of place they inspire, the history of their residents, beauty of the memorials and pride of preservationists attempting to stave off the affects of time. Through these individuals we are reminded why preserving cemeteries is important to the history and continuity of our communities.