Shooting last night in eastern Garland County

Dustin Wayne Brown

Stephen Tye Curtiss

At approximately 6:20 p.m. last night the Garland County Sheriff's Office was called to a shooting on Barite Street, in eastern Garland County, that left one male victim deceased and a female victim with minor injuries.

Very early reports indicated that two unnamed, possibly known, suspects allegedly followed the victims to a residence on Barite, where an argument and fist fight ensued. During the argument, one of the suspects pulled a gun and shot the male victim, who died at the scene. At some point during the fist fight, the female victim was struck in the head and/or face area by one of the suspects and was transported to a local hospital with non life threatening injuries and will be released shortly.

The suspects left the scene in an unknown vehicle.

The deceased victim has been identified as 25 year old David Halpin and the injured female victim is 29 year old Amber Brinsfield.

Investigators worked through the night to identify, locate and arrest the two alleged suspects in the homicide last night. They are identified as 24 year old Dustin Wayne Brown and 26 year old Stephen Tye Curtiss.

Investigators were able to determine a possible location, in Grant County, where the suspects may be. With the help of the Arkansas State Police, Grant County Sheriff’s Department and Sheridan Police Department, the suspects were located at a residence there where local officers were able to make contact with them and take them into custody without incident.

Both were booked into the Garland County Jail at approximately 7:30 a.m. this morning and have been charged with 1st Degree Murder and Battery 2nd Degree, and are being held with no bond.

At this point we still do not have a motive for the shooting, do not know the relationships between the parties and both suspects have declined to talk with investigators. The investigation is ongoing and no further information is available.

Changes at Company's Comin'

GARAGE SALE (Without a garage)

STARTING WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30th

at

COMPANY'S COMIN'

This is a "no garage sale" sale!  We have all kinds of fixtures for sale from the closing

 of our boutique.  Lots of shelving,  tables, round clothes racks, clothes hangers

and much more.

Come see our "Stuff" - Wednesday, January 30

4409 N. Highway 7

COMPANY'S COMIN'
4409 N. Highway 7
Hot Springs Village, AR 71909
501-984-5393
501-984-5451 (Fax)

More earthquake activity in Faulkner County

2.0 - ARKANSAS

Preliminary Earthquake Report

Magnitude	2.0
Date-Time	26 Jan 2013 09:34:11 UTC 26 Jan 2013 03:34:11 near epicenter 26 Jan 2013 03:34:11 standard time in your timezone
Location	35.260N 92.334W
Depth	6 km
Distances	6 km (4 miles) NE (56 degrees) of Greenbrier, AR 7 km (4 miles) S (179 degrees) of Guy, AR 10 km (6 miles) SE (128 degrees) of Twin Groves, AR 58 km (36 miles) N (360 degrees) of Little Rock, AR 418 km (260 miles) SSW (207 degrees) of St. Louis, MO
Location Uncertainty	Horizontal: 0.9 km; Vertical 0.7 km
Parameters	Nph = 23; Dmin = 5.3 km; Rmss = 0.11 seconds; Gp = 86° Version = A
Event ID	nm 012613a

2013 not so good?

Sam and Harry. Sam died of a heart attack a couple of years ago.

This year has been a real bugger for me so far. I started the year with a cold that became bronchitis. I suffered a tooth abscess which became a root canal. I had to put my dog Harry down. His arthritis got the best of him and he stopped eating and his heart started to fail. I did not want him to suffer further and took him to Dr. Steve at A to Z and had him euthanized. Steve and his wife Diane helped me through the process and made an impossibly hard decision doable.

Yesterday, I went to a memorial service for a fellow band member of my husband's. It was a true celebration of life with lots of laughing through the tears. I want to follow suit with my Harry. Michael and Sarah, my stepson and daughter-in-law had Harry's parents, Henry and Gracie. Gracie just had the one litter of puppies, five strapping male Golden Retrievers. Harry was the runt. Out of the litter, Michael and Sarah sold three pups, gave a pup, Sam, to Sarah's parents and gave Harry to me.

Harry took the plane ride from Dallas to New Orleans when he was about ten weeks old. We had shared loads of photos through e-mail and I knew just what I was getting. Lee already had Wags, the Metairie mutt. Wags was about six years old when we got Harry. We also had two cats at the time, Fred, eight, and Barney, six. Harry brought new life into the household. A happy puppy. All of our other pets loved him from the start. Fred died several years ago, now there is just 16 year olds Wags and Barney.

Lee and I enrolled Harry in obedience school and he was a handful. He learned all the lessons but would always take us on a merry chase all over the pet store when we took him in for lessons. He never met a stranger he didn't like and was all about the treats. He was strong and beautiful. He was the center of attention. We used to say it was all about Harry.

Harry went through a phase, for about two years, where he popped up onto the coffee table in the living room whenever we had company. All the better for everyone to see and adore him. He would sit up there to be petted. We were so happy when he finally finished with that stage. We still have the coffee table and have to laugh whenever we think about his antics.

Harry with Bones, a dog we fostered for about a year.

Harry was the type of dog that ran full out, circumstances be damned. He was about six months old when we had to take him into the vet for stitches after chasing something through the woods and tangling with some barbed wire. He just ran straight through the wire, not even slowing down once he ripped through his skin. That was Harry, full steam ahead.

Harry was tall, strong and willful. He pulled Lee and I into several dangerous situations during his adolescence. One day Lee was walking Harry on the side of a canal near the house when traffic on Barataria Boulevard came to a dead stop. Lee disappeared from sight and the cars stopped to see if Lee needed to be rescued from the canal. Harry just brought Lee along with him down to the water's edge.

Harry and I were out speed walking one morning when Harry stopped abruptly. I fell over Harry and sprained my wrist. Harry never felt a thing. I suffered for several weeks not being able to use my left hand.

We walk our dogs in the woods off leash at least twice a day. Harry would walk ahead of us at his own pace but he would always stop and wait for us to catch up. He would run around and then stop to check on us. Lee called it, "keeping in touch." As Wags got considerably older Harry would slow his pace and check on Wags more often.

Harry with Wags, Lee and me during past holidays.

Harry was also very brave. He was bit by a copperhead snake and never even whimpered. I had to drive him about 40 miles to the vet in the dead of night for treatment. He lay there in the back of the car just waiting for relief. He let the stranger vet examine his wound and give him shots and clean him up. He was patient and gave the vet a big sloppy kiss when the event was over.

Harry also gave the greatest hugs. He would let you lean over and give him a full body hug. Harry was right at 100 pounds most of his life. He was a big, sturdy dog that loved his family and had fun. Harry was ten years, two months and four days when he died. He was a part of our household from cradle to grave. We loved him more than there are words. We will miss him everyday. But, we will laugh at all his remembered antics and all the good times he brought to us.

Harry in the distance, waiting for us to catch up.

Water main break in Village should be fixed by noon

A water main break has occurred near the intersection of Alicante Rd. and East Villena Dr in Hot Springs Village. Water service has been disrupted to this area. POA crews are on site making repairs and expect service to be restored in about four hours.

Goal to restore backwater habitat

Commissioners from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission approved an agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to restore Arkansas River backwater habitat at Rector Brake and Coal Pile. 

The grant money will come from the Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership. SARP is a regional collaboration of natural resource and science agencies, conservation organizations and private interests developed to strengthen the management and conservation of aquatic resources in the southeastern United States. The AGFC will dredge openings in the two areas to increase the overall depth of the backwater. Cost of the project is $120,000.

Rector Brake is a popular backwater for fishing near the City of Maumelle. It is a popular area for black bass, crappie and catfish. Coal Pile is the one of the most popular backwater areas for black bass fishing in the lower Arkansas River. The winning fish from the annual Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza often comes from this area. It is also a top spot for catfish and crappie anglers. Coal Pile is located near Dumas in southeast Arkansas.

In other business, the Commission:

*Discussed various options to end the daily “boat races” at some of the state’s wildlife management areas. During waterfowl season, some hunters race their boats to favorite spots on the WMAs. Many of the races occur at the popular Bayou Meto WMA in southeast Arkansas. AGFC wildlife officers will immediately concentrate enforcement efforts at various locations to limit dangerous boating practices that occur each morning.

*Agreed to purchase two one-ton trucks for the agency’s construction crews. The low bid for the trucks came from Kent Chevrolet of Mountain Home for just over $74,500.

*Approved the 2013 strategic deer plan. The plan provides critical, long-term guidance for proper management of Arkansas’s deer herd.

* Approved grants of youth elk hunting permits (either sex) for the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation and the Arkansas Wildlife Federation. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation also received an either sex permit. The permits are for fundraising purposes and will be used during the October 2013 hunt.

Program for HS/HSV Symphony Guild piano concert early next week

The concert is January 29, 7:30 p.m. at the Woodlands Auditorium in the Village. Tickets are just $10.

PROGRAM

from Sonatina for Two Pianos, Op. 129      Theodore Lack
I. Allegro con spirito                                   (1846-1921)
II. Andante cantabile

Jennifer Cordell and Yeseul Hong 

from Fantasiestücke, Op. 12                       Robert Schumann
Warum                                                       (1810-1856)

Carly Fehlberg

Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9 No. 2        Frederic Chopin
                                                                  (1810-1849)

Al McGilvery

Prelude in C-sharp minor, Op. 3 No. 2       Sergei Rachmaninov
                                                                  (1873-1943)

Samuel Schalchlin 

from Etudes d'execution transcendante        Franz Liszt
10. Allegretto agitato molto in f minor          (1811-1886)

Masaru Sakuma

Après une Lecture de Dante: Fantasia quasi Sonata      Franz Liszt
                                                                  (1811-1886)

Jack Dou

INTERMISSION  

Sonatine                                                     Maurice Ravel

I. Modéré                                                  (1875-1937)

 Yeseul Hong

from Children's Corner                               Claude Debussy
2. Jimbo's Lullaby                                      (1862-1918)
6. Golliwog's Cakewalk

Jennifer Cordell

Besaid Island                                             Masashi Hamauzu

                                                                 (1971-)

Wes Copeland

Ballade                                                      Edvard Grieg

                                                                 (1843-1907)

Neil Rutman

Concertino for Two Pianos, Op. 94           Dmitri Shostakovich

                                                                 (1906-1075)

Jaeyeon Park and Naoki Hakutani

Jennifer Cordell, originally from Corpus Christi, Texas, was first introduced to the piano by her mother and continued her studies with Marietta Hunt in Little Rock, Arkansas. Currently she is a senior at UALR studying solo piano with Dr. Linda Holzer.

Yeseul Hong is from South Korea. Currently she is a junior at UALR studying solo piano with Dr. Linda Holzer. She participates in many musical activities, including accompanying UALR students and playing with the UALR String Ensemble.

Carly Fehlberg, originally from San Diego, California, moved to Little Rock Arkansas in 2010.  Currently she is a Freshman Piano major at UALR studying with Dr. Naoki Hakutani. She is in the Donaghey Scholars Program, the campus-wide honors program at UALR.

Al McGilvery is originally from Ft. Worth, Texas area.  He is currently a senior piano major at UALR set to graduate this coming May.  He studies piano with Dr. Naoki Hakutani and jazz piano with Tom Cox.  He is also the organist/pianist at St. Mark Baptist Church in Little Rock. 

Samuel Schalchlin, 18, is from Carlisle, Arkansas. He began his pianist's journey eleven years ago and is currently guided by Dr. Naoki Hakutani. His favorite composers are Sergei Rachmaninoff, Fredric Chopin, and Ludwig van Beethoven. He also enjoys playing football and basketball and is an ardent reader.

Masaru Sakuma was born in La Paz, Bolivia and began his musical studies in the Andean town of Oruro, subsequently earning his diploma in music from the Bolivian National Conservatory in La Paz while studying piano under the Russian pianist Irina Efanova. A winner of many music prizes, including the First Honorable Mention in the Claudio Arrau Piano Competition in 2003 and the UCA Piano Competition in 2010. He is currently pursuing his Master’s degree as a student of Dr. Neil Rutman at UCA.

(Jack) Yuezhi Dou was born in 1989 in Xuzhou City, Jiangsu Province,China.

At present he is in the Piano Performance Degree at the University of Central Arkansas where he studies with Dr. Neil Rutman, Artist in Residence. Dr. Rutman is a top prize winner in several international competitions including the Busoni, Kapell, Casadesus, Joanna Hodges, Concert Artist Guild, and International Johann Sebastian Bach Competition. Under Dr. Rutman’s teaching, Yuezhi has received professional training. Such training resulted in drastic growth for Yuezhi’s musicality, technique and future career goals. Mr. Dou has performed in concert throughout the state of Arkansas, and in 2011 and 2012 was awarded 2^nd Prize in the University of Central Arkansas Piano Competition.

Wes Copeland grew up in Bismarck, AR. He graduated from UALR in December 2012 with a double major in Computer Science and Applied Music (Piano) with many honors and scholarships, including receiving the Donaghey Engineering and Information Technology CyberScholarship, the Joan R. Taylor Scholarship, the Hathaway Endowed Scholarship, the Arkansas Academy of Computing Scholarship, two Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship Grants, and graduating Cum Laude while serving as a student marshal. During his music studies at UALR, Wes received piano instruction from Dr. Naoki Hakutani. While these lessons initially started with a focus on baroque and classical music, they quickly moved towards Wes's musical interests, which lie in modern game and film compositions. Wes currently works as a software engineer for FIS, a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Jacksonville, FL.

The Washington Post has written of Neil Rutman that his playing "met the highest standards and his spotless articulation gave the whole program unusual polish and virtuoso marks," and the New York Times stated that "he won the audience over for himself with exquisite performances- both commanding and full of character."

Neil Rutman has distinguished himself as a top prize winner in several international competitions including the Busoni, Kapell, Casadesus, Joanna Hodges, Concert Artist Guild, and International Johann Sebastian Bach Competition.  In 2005 Mr. Rutman received two First Prizes at the French Piano Institute International Competition at the Scholar Cantorum in Paris.   He has received awards from the National Endowment for the Arts and for Artistic Excellence from the Astral Foundation.  He has appeared in Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Tokyo's Bunka Kaikan and the Schola Cantorum in Paris with concert tours within the last five years of the United Kingdom, Europe, New Zealand, Japan, and the Persian Gulf.   Recordings include two Mozart Piano Concerti, an all Poulenc CD with Emmy Award winning actor Tony Randall providing the narration in ‘The Story of Babar the Little Elephant’, and his 2008 all Chopin release on the Pro Musica label.  Mr. Rutman has recently authored articles for the Piano Quarterly, The Piano Teacher, an interview with Aiko Onishi in Clavier, and is a contributing author to the book Piano Masterpieces published by Oxford University Press.  He is currently writing a book compiling hundreds of interpretative anecdotes and imageries on the piano repertoire entitled Drawing on the Imagination: Interpretative Images by the Composer and their Contemporaries.   

A native of San Francisco, Mr. Rutman graduated from the Eastman School of Music and Peabody Conservatory, where he worked with Cecile Genhart, Leon Fleisher, and Ellen Mack.  Mr. Rutman is Artist-in-Residence at the University of Central Arkansas.  Since 2008 his students have won top prizes in the Kappell International Competition, the East West Artist Auditions in New York City, and the Clara Wells Competition.

A fine amateur boxer by avocation, Dr. Rutman also coaches the University of Central Arkansas Boxing Team and is a volunteer Probation Officer and mentor for juvenile offenders in Faulkner County.  In 2012 Mr. Rutman was one of 30 Americans to be awarded the Martin Luther King -President Barack Obama Service Award for his work with troubled youth in his county.  For more information about Mr. Rutman, view his DVD’s on You Tube or visit www.neilrutman.net.

Naoki Hakutani  is currently an Assistant Professor of Piano at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.  Dr. Hakutani is very active as a solo pianist having performed at Weil Recital Hall, Youngsan Art Hall (with Korean Sinfonietta), Seoul National University of Education and Ouachita Baptist University among others. As a collaborative pianist, he has performed with Arianna String Quartet and Quartet X as well as with such artists as violinist David Gillham and flutist Christina Smith.  He also makes frequent joint appearances with his wife, pianist Jaeyeon Park and with Collage Piano where they recently performed in Mozart Hall in Seoul in a concert supported by the Japanese Embassy in Seoul. 

Originally from Kent, Ohio, Dr. Hakutani holds degrees in piano performance from Northwestern University, Indiana University at Bloomington and the University of Texas at Austin studying with Donald Isaak, Shigeo Neriki and Betty Mallard.  He has also studied chamber music extensively with Timothy Lovelace, Gregory Allen and Daniel Ching. He taught as a Teaching Assistant at University of Texas at Austin and at St. Charles Community College in Missouri before coming to UALR. 

Dr. Hakutani is also the Director of UALR Artspree, and the Director of the UALR Piano Festival. He is very active nationally and internationally as an educator, having conducted master classes throughout the United States, Mexico and Asia. Most recently, he presented master classes at University of Wisconsin at River Falls, Sejong University, Sunchon National University and Kaywon School for the Arts. He has also presented seminars and workshops for Arkansas State Music Teachers Association and Music Teachers Association of Central Arkansas. He is also in demand as an adjudicator throughout the U.S. Most recently he judged the Final Round of the Trinity Presents! Collegiate Showcase. 

Pianist Jaeyeon Park has had an extensive solo performing career throughout the United States and Korea including recent concerts at the University of Wisconsin at River Falls, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Seoul Arts Center, Kumho Art Hall, Youngsan Art Hall, Kyunggi Art Center and Kwangju City Art Center. She has also performed lecture recitals on the piano works of Brahms, Bach and Debussy in addition to appearing as a soloist with the Kiev Radio Orchestra (broadcast on KBS FM) and Kangnam Symphony.

Dr. Park is very active as a chamber musician and completed a project to perform the entire Mozart Sonatas for Piano and Violin in Mozart Hall, Kumho Art Hall in Seoul and Henderson State University.  She also frequently appears as a collaborative pianist in piano ensemble concerts with her husband, Naoki Hakutani. Recent recitals include Guest Artist Piano Duo Concert at St.Charles Community College and Piano Ensemble Concert at Mozart Hall supported by Japanese Embassy in Seoul.

Currently, Dr. Park is an Assistant Professor of Piano at Chosun University in Korea, where she teaches studio piano, piano accompanying and piano literature. She has earned MM and DMA degrees from the University of Texas at Austin where she was the recipient of the Mary D. Bold Scholarship and Marturite Fairchild Endowed Presidential Scholarship. She was also the recipient of the School of Music Scholarship at Seoul National University where she received a BM degree and graduated with highest honors. She has won awards at various competitions such as the Wideman International Piano Competition, Sidney M.Wright Piano Accompanying Competition and Osaka International Music Competition. 

Hot Spring County commodity distribution

Central Arkansas Development Council will distribute USDA Commodities January 24-25 in Hot Spring County. 

Hot Spring County’s distribution will take place from 8 to 11 a.m. and Noon to 3 p.m. at the Malvern Community Center (CADC Malvern Senior Activity Center) at 1800 W. Moline St. For more information, call 332-5374.

The food items to be distributed may include applesauce, peaches, carrots, red beans, rotini pasta, orange juice, cranberry juice, pork patties, chicken leg quarters and canned pork.

All customers receiving commodities must present identification. To be eligible to receive USDA commodities, income guidelines must be met. The income guidelines for this program are based on 130% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Based on these guidelines, a one person household must make less than $14,157 per year to qualify for this program. For each additional family member, add $4,966.

This is an equal opportunity program. In accordance with federal law and US Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. If you believe you have been discriminated against because of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington DC 20250.

CADC is a private nonprofit community action agency that was formed in 1965 to fight and win the “War on Poverty.” The mission of CADC is to improve the quality of life and build strong communities in Arkansas. For more information, please contact Evelyn Reed at 778-1133.

Commodity distribution today and tomorrow in Pike and Montgomery Counties

Central Arkansas Development Council will distribute USDA commodities January 22-23 in Pike and Montgomery Counties. 

Pike County’s distributions will take place from 8:30 to 11 a.m. and noon to 3 p.m. at the CADC Glenwood Senior Activity Center at 229 Betty St. and from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 3 p.m. at the CADC Murfreesboro Senior Activity Center at 120 E. Court St., Ste. A.

Montgomery County’s distribution will take place from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 3 p.m. at the CADC Mt. Ida Senior Activity Center at 158 Senior Dr.

The food items to be distributed may include applesauce, peaches, carrots, red beans, rotini pasta, orange juice, cranberry juice, pork patties, chicken leg quarters, and canned pork.

All customers receiving commodities must present identification. To be eligible to receive USDA commodities, income guidelines must be met. The income guidelines for this program are based on 130% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Based on these guidelines, a one person household must make less than $14,157 per year to qualify for this program. For each additional family member, add $4,966.

This is an equal opportunity program. In accordance with federal law and US Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. If you believe you have been discriminated against because of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington DC 20250.

CADC is a private nonprofit community action agency that was formed in 1965 to fight and win the “War on Poverty.” The mission of CADC is to improve the quality of life and build strong communities in Arkansas. For more information, please contact Evelyn Reed at 778-1133.

Capitol arts and grounds commission appointments

Secretary of State Mark Martin announced the final two appointments to the Capitol Arts and Grounds Commission. 
“With these two new appointments, we have filled all the vacancies on the commission,” Martin said. 
John Lane, a member of the American Institute of Architects, is owner of Lane and Associates Architects of Fort Smith. The Arkansas Chapter of the AIA recommended Lane. 
Dave Roberts is Vice President of Planning for Crafton Tull in Little Rock. The State Board of Architects, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers recommended him. 
“I appreciate Mr. Lane and Mr. Roberts for their willingness to serve on the commission,” Martin said. “I look forward to working with both of them and utilizing their expertise on the Capitol campus.” 
The Capitol Arts and Grounds Commission is comprised of 10 members who evaluate proposals for monuments and other art in the Capitol and surrounding grounds.

Pornography arrest

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel announced a Saline County man has been arrested by agents from the Attorney General’s Office for possession of child pornography. 
Michael E. Rea, 43, of Bauxite, was arrested Thursday following an investigation by the Attorney General’s Cyber Crimes Unit. Saline County Circuit Judge Gary Arnold found probable cause to arrest Rea on 20 counts of allegedly distributing, possessing or viewing matter depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child, a Class C felony, and four counts of computer exploitation of a child, a Class B felony. 
Rea was being held at the Saline County Detention Center on $100,000 bond. 
Rea, a Level three sex offender, is on probation for a 2010 sexual assault conviction. He also faces a probation revocation hearing. 
“Through the collaborative efforts of our office and law enforcement agencies in Saline County and Hot Spring County, we were able to arrest a man who we believe was victimizing our children,” McDaniel said. “Agents in our Cyber Crimes Unit will continue to work together with law enforcement officials statewide to protect our most vulnerable citizens.” 
The Attorney General’s Cyber Crimes Unit launched an investigation into Rea in October after officials from the Malvern Police Department notified the Attorney General’s Office that they suspected child pornography was being possessed at Rea’s residence. 
Special Agent Chad Meli from the Attorney General’s Office accompanied a Saline County probation officer on a visit to Rea’s residence, 6328 Sutton Road, in Bauxite. Multiple images of child pornography were found on a laptop computer at the residence. Electronic evidence seized from Rea’s residence was analyzed at the Cyber Crimes Unit Forensic Lab in Little Rock. 
Twenty-second Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Ken Casady will appoint Assistant Attorney General Bart Dickinson as a special prosecutor to handle the case. 
Charges are merely accusations and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Learn more about pickleball

As the largest gated community in the United States, Hot Springs Village offers an abundance of lifestyle amenities for Property Owners to enjoy. In addition to nine golf courses, 11 recreational lakes, a state-of-the-art fitness center and numerous cultural activities, HSV is also home to scores of recreational activities such as tennis, swimming and pickleball. You heard that right … pickleball.

Though the game may have a funny name, Pickleball provides a fast-paced, aerobic sport and an excellent transition for former tennis players looking for a less strenuous, but fun activity.

Pickleball, which is played with a hard paddle and a wiffleball, combines the elements of badminton, tennis, racquet ball and ping-pong, and is played on a badminton-sized court.

Pickleball enthusiasts note the game gives people an opportunity to participate in a court sport no matter what their skill or activity level, and makes it possible for even those with limited physical abilities to stay active.

The sport, which was created in 1965 to provide an activity for the entire family, is fun for all ages. It takes up less space than a tennis court and can be played both indoors and outdoors. The Village has eight outdoor courts at the Family Recreation Area.

Pickleball is played the world over - throughout the United States in addition to Canada, Japan, Singapore and Western Europe.

For more information about pickleball and other sports offered in Hot Springs Village, call the Recreation Department at 922-0322.

New programs at the Saline County libraries

Social Media for Small Business- The State Cooperative Extension Service, a division of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, has partnered with the Saline County Library to offer a three-part seminar on social media for small business owners beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29 at Boswell Library and continuing Feb. 5 and Feb. 12 at the same time and location. The program is open to adults 18 and older on a first-come, first-served basis. Call 778-4766 for more information.

Tea Tasting- In celebration of National Tea Month, all ages are invited to enjoy a tea tasting from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24 at Herzfeld Library in Benton. No registration required. Call 778-4766 for more information.

Tea Tasting- In celebration of National Tea Month, all ages are invited to enjoy a tea tasting from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31 at Boswell Library in Bryant. No registration required. Call 778-4766 for more information.

Theater Thursday- All ages are invited to enjoy a family-friendly movie selected for ages 12 and under at 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24 at Boswell Library in Bryant. Call 847-2166 for more information.

U.S. Senator John Boozman seeking summer interns

U.S. Senator John Boozman today announced that he is seeking summer interns for his Washington, D.C. and state offices. 

“This is an important time for our nation. This is an excellent opportunity for any Arkansas college students who have an interest in government to get involved, learn the inner-workings of the U.S. Senate and earn college credit. I encourage all interested students to apply,” said Boozman. 

The Washington, D.C. intern program emphasizes both practical and educational aspects of working on Capitol Hill from the first-hand perspective.  Interns support the daily operation of the Senate office by working closely with the legislative, communications and constituent services staff members.  They will have an opportunity to learn about the legislative process by attending Committee hearings and watching floor proceedings from the Senate gallery.  In addition, interns will provide constituents with private tours of the U.S. Capitol Building. 

Students may also apply to serve in one of the state offices where each will have the opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge about how a Senator’s office provides constituent services, interacts with the community, and serves as a liaison to the Washington, D.C. office.  Interns will work closely with state staff to help individual constituents who have problems with federal agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration.  Boozman’s seven state offices serve the various regions of Arkansas—Lowell, Fort Smith, Mountain Home, Jonesboro, Little Rock, Stuttgart, and El Dorado.  

Library working for healthier you

The Saline County Library, in partnership with Saline Memorial Hospital, will present the year’s first Well On Your Way wellness series program at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24 at Boswell Library and 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31 at Herzfeld Library with registered dietitians Ashlee Tappe and Courtney Fose presenting Nutrition Myth Busters: what everyone needs to know about nutrition and physical activity. The program is open to all ages. 

Tappe says there are many misconceptions on what being healthy actually entails and that this program will address those misconceptions among all age groups.

“January is a fantastic time to talk about nutrition. Many people find themselves striving towards those New Year’s resolutions to be healthier, and this presentation will provide encouragement and motivation to stay on the right track.”

Well On Your Way is purposed at meeting the ever-increasing health needs of the community.

Volunteer examiner testing for amateur radio club in Village

The Hot Springs Village Amateur Radio Club is sponsoring a VE, volunteer examiner, testing session on Saturday, February 9, at 9 a.m. at Cranford’s Fresh World on Hwy. 5 by the Village east gate. Anyone interested in upgrading their license or obtaining a new license is welcome. For further information or to register, please call Bill Harper, K9IW, at 922-6776.

Board position open in townhouse association

Due to the resignation of a board of directors member with a term ending  December 31, the Hot Springs Village Townhouse Association is accepting applications to fill the vacancy. 
Application packets are available in the Hot Springs Village townhouse association office, located at 1 Perralena Lane, in Valencia Courts between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., or download an application from the website www.hsvtha.com. 
Completed applications, with resume and photo are due in the HSVTHA office by 12 noon on Thursday, February 14. 
Any HSVTHA member in good standing may run for an open position on the board of directors. A member in "good standing" is defined as a member with association dues current. Any owner of a townhouse in any of the 16 HSVTHA courts automatically becomes a member of the HSVTHA.

John's most recent police report for KVRE

IN HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE POLICE NEWS HIGHLIGHTS:
 
A VILLAGE WOMAN WAS FOUND DEAD IN HER HOME, AFTER HER HUSBAND WAS UNABLE TO
REACH HER FOR SEVERAL DAYS FROM WHERE HE IS LIVING IN FLORIDA. THEIR
VILLAGE HOME IS FOR SALE, AND THE TWO MAY HAVE BEEN IN THE PROCESS OF
GETTING A DIVORCE. THE HUSBAND CALLED POLICE FOR A WELFARE CHECK, AND
TOGETHER WITH A REAL ESTATE AGENT WHO HAD A KEY, AN OFFICER ENTERED THE NUDO
LANE HOME ON MONDAY. THE WOMAN HAD LOCKED THE BEDROOM DOOR, WHICH HAD TO BE
FORCED OPEN. HER BODY WAS FOUND IN THE BATHROOM. THE SALINE COUNTY CORONER
HAS ORDERED AN AUTOPSY TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF DEATH. 
 
A SIERRA CIRCLE MAN REPORTED ON MONDAY THAT TWO VALUABLE OLYMPIC-STYLE
RIFLES HAD BEEN STOLEN FROM A LOCKED CLOSET IN HIS BASEMENT. WHILE SOME
OTHER HUNTING EQUIPMENT WAS ALSO TAKEN, SEVERAL OTHER RIFLES WERE IN THE
CLOSET WERE UNTOUCHED. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF FORCED ENTRY TO THE HOME OR
THE CLOSET, AND NOTHING ELSE IN THE HOME WAS DISTURBED.
 
THERE WAS A SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT TUESDAY AFTERNOON, WHEN A CAR SLID OFF
NORTH BARCELONA ON ICY PAVEMENT. THE CAR CRASHED THROUGH A STOP SIGN POST
AND INTO A DITCH, CAUSING AROUND $2000 IN DAMAGE TO A WOMAN'S CAR. THE
DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER MINOR SINGLE-VEHICLE
ACCIDENTS DUE TO SLIPPERY ROADS ON TUESDAY, BUT NONE WERE SERIOUS, AND NO
ONE WAS INJURED.

Village animal welfare league news

AWL is now an "iGive.com" non-profit so you can donate when you buy on-line--at

no cost to you or to AWL!      What a deal that is.

 

Register yourself at www.iGive.com/HotSpringsVillageAnimalWelfareLeague

You can have a shortcut put on your desktop and can go to the page to see thousands of stores that honor donations to us....stores like Amazon.com, 1-800-Flowers, Bed Bath & Beyond, Best Buy, Expedia, Golfsmith, Macy's, Target, Saks Fifth Avenue, lots of airlines and hotels.  When you purchase on-line and designate the iGive donation to AWL, we receive the % noted on that business' website.  This is a win for everyone, don't you agree? 

 

 

                 LUCKIEST PET CONTEST ----WIN FOR YOU & WIN FOR AWL

 

Petfinder.com, a website where we get numerous contacts from people who adopt our pets, has a new contest.  Isn't your rescued pet the luckiest pet ever?  If you agree, go to http://www.petfinder.com/luckiestpetcontest/ to see the competition and upload your pet's story with  photos or video.  You can win a $500 Petco Gift Card and AWL can win $5,000.  You did not have to adopt your pet from AWL to advocate/select  AWL as your rescue group in your entry, so please choose us.  Let your friends and neighbors know, too, because the winners will be determined by on-line voting.  You can enter your pet until February 20th.  Voting is from February 21 to March 18.  Let's get involved and enter our special pets and encourage others to vote for them and for AWL.

 

We have links to both of these exciting ways to support AWL on our website.  Go to our home page at www.hsvawl.com to register at iGive and enter your lucky shelter or rescue pet in the nationwide search for the "Luckiest Pet".

 

The websites are easy to navigate but, if you have a question, contact Sarah Yerkes, our point person for the iGive Administrator at sjyerkes@gmail.com or Nancy Harlan, Petfinder coordinator, at harlan.nancy@gmail.com

Village general manager survey

The Property Owners’ Association Board of Directors is soliciting input on the experience, leadership attributes and most important priorities for a new General Manager through an online survey. Property Owners may fill out the survey online from Monday, Jan. 21 – Friday, Feb. 1 at the following address: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/87G7GCX

Company's Comin' now open Sundays

Company's Comin' is  now open Sundays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

Monday - Saturday open from 

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

 

Saturdays are "Senior Saturday" at Company's Comin'..... 

Seniors will receive 15% off all purchases

 

HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON!!!

 

COMPANY'S COMIN'
4409 N. Highway 7
Hot Springs Village, AR 71909
501-984-5393
501-984-5451 (Fax)

Shooting in Garland County Saturday afternoon

Clarence Lewis

James Southard

At approximately 1:45 p.m., January 19, the Garland County Sheriff's Department received a call of a shooting at 265 Bryant Road in Garland County.

Reportedly, the suspect, 74 year old Clarence Lewis, walked into the yard of his neighbor, 62 year old James Southard, and  allegedly shot him in the stomach without warning with a small caliber handgun. The victim (Southard) was able to get the handgun away from the suspect and used it to strike the suspect.

At this point the victim (Southard) is in surgery at a local hospital with unknown injuries and the suspect was treated and released from the hospital with lacerations to the head.

This is all the information Garland County Sheriff's Department has been able to obtain, as the victim is in surgery and the suspect refuses to cooperate.

Lewis is being charged with Criminal Attempt at 1^st Degree Murder, a class A Felony, and is being held at the Garland County Detention Center.

Hot Springs Concert Band holiday CDs

Announcing the release of the December 2012 Christmas Concert CD filled with lots of holiday music by the Hot Springs Concert Band.

CDs are available from any member of the band for $10.00 or by sending your request and check in the amount of $13.00 (includes S/H) to Hot Springs Concert Band, P. O. Box 8667 Hot Springs, AR 71910-8667.

Hot Springs closures for MLK Day

Hot Springs city offices, except public safety and the airport, will be closed on Monday, January 21 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Residential sanitation routes and Earth Angel recycling collection will take place one day later than usual, beginning Tuesday, January 22 (Monday’s collection on Tuesday, etc.). Commercial, downtown and rolloff services will occur as scheduled. All other sanitation services and the main office will be closed. The Hot Springs Intracity Transit buses and ADA paratransit vans will run their regular routes, but the office will be closed. Paratransit cancellations can still be made by voicemail at 321-2025. The city’s compost facility will be closed.

NPCC closed Monday

The campus of National Park Community College will be closed in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on Monday, January 21.

The College will reopen on Tuesday, January 22, at 8 a.m.  

District 5 meeting scheduled

City Director Karen Garcia will host a District 5 community meeting at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 7 at the Forest Lakes Clubhouse, 305 Forest Lakes Boulevard. Interested residents are encouraged to attend and bring a neighbor. The guest speaker will be National Park Community College President Dr. Sally Carder. For more information, contact Garcia, 318-9046 or kgarcia@cablelynx.com .

Arkansas Senators give nod to students

U.S. Senators Mark Pryor and John Boozman congratulated Jace Motley of Conway and John Williams of Paragould on being selected as Arkansas’s delegates for the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP). The two students were chosen to be part of the 104 delegates who will attend the program’s 51st annual Washington Week. 

“Jace and John have demonstrated a high level of commitment and accomplishment in their schools and local communities,” Pryor said. “This program will give them an opportunity to build on their interest in politics and public service and get an up-close view of the workings of the federal government.”

“We are proud of Jace and John’s commitment to academics and their communities and hopeful this program will help to continue their drive to be leaders of the future,” Boozman said. “This is a great opportunity for these young Arkansans to experience the inner workings of the federal government and see first-hand the behind the scenes efforts to formulate policy.”

Jace Motley serves as Student Body President at Conway High School-West. Jace is a member of the National Honor Society and National Beta Club, an all-region violinist, and Spanish tutor. He has also completed the Arkansas young voter workshop, campaigned for state senate and U.S. Congressional candidates, and is active in community service projects. After graduation, Jace plans to study economics and international affairs.

John Williams attends Greene County Tech High School and serves as State 4-H ambassador. He serves on the Greene County Youth Leadership Board, Citizenship Washington Focus, Model UN, and was a delegate to Arkansas Boys State. He is also Teen Leaders Club President, FFA secretary, and a member of the Young Republicans Club and National Honor Society. John has campaigned for state Senate and U.S. Congressional candidates, advocated for hunger relief, and organized community service activities. John plans to obtain a dual degree in political science and economics.

Chosen as alternates to the 2013 program were Brandy Britton of Canehill, a student at Lincoln High School, and Savannah Skidmore of Pineville, a student at Calico Rock High School.

While in Washington, from March 9-16, 2013, the delegates will participate in a week of intensive study of our nation’s federal government. They will meet with Senators, Congressional staffers, the President, a U.S. Supreme Court Justice, leaders of cabinet agencies, a United States Ambassador, and members of the national media. The students will also tour many of the national monuments and museums. Each of the delegates will receive a $5,000 college scholarship, in addition to the all-expenses paid trip to Washington.

The U.S. Senate Youth Program allows two delegates, current high school seniors or juniors, from each state to be selected by the state’s chief education officer in cooperation with high school principals. In addition to outstanding leadership abilities and a strong commitment to public service, the students rank academically in the top one percent of their states.

Brides to feature P. Allen Smith

The winter 2013 issue of Brides magazine included the editors’ list of top wedding ceremony and reception locations. P. Allen Smith’s picturesque Garden Home was chosen as a premier venue for the South.

As a garden, design and home expert, weddings are a natural fit for P. Allen Smith, his team and the Garden Home setting. “It’s an honor to be included with this elite group of venues and we are thrilled to now offer the property as a perfect choice for brides who want a naturally elegant setting for their big day,” noted P. Allen Smith.

Touted by Brides as “an elegant tableau of orchards, manicured terraces and vegetable gardens,” the Garden Home is a popular destination for tourists from across the country and has been visited by guests from 41 states. Located just west of Little Rock along the banks of the Arkansas River, the idyllic setting is quickly becoming a popular place to exchange vows and is available for weddings of all sizes. Bridal parties may choose the ceremony and reception location from the property’s numerous options, including a romantic and intimately set English rose garden, a sprawling grass lawn, a fountain-terraced garden or the East rose lawn.

The venue offers full-service catering, bar service and event staff. On-site floral design and a stylist are available, as well as a wedding coordinator. Post-ceremony activities may include a horse-drawn carriage ride, fireworks, a bonfire, hayrides or dinner and dancing in the temperature-controlled barn.

A bridal fair with additional info about local vendors will be held January 20, at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. Learn more about this event at www.arkansasbridalcommunity.com.

 We invite you to use these blurbs to share the news on your social media channels:

FACEBOOK

Looking for a natural wedding venue? [Tag] Brides magazine selected [Tag] P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home as a top location in the South.

[Tag] P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home selected by [Tag] Brides magazine as a top wedding venue for the South.

TWITTER

The perfect idyllic setting for your wedding? @PAllenSmith’s Garden Home according to @brides magazine!

@PAllenSmith’s Garden Home chosen as @brides magazine top location for Southern nuptials.

About P. Allen Smith:

P. Allen Smith is an award-winning designer, gardening and lifestyle expert and host of two public television programs, P. Allen Smith's Garden Home, P. Allen Smith’s Garden to Table and the syndicated 30-minute show P. Allen Smith Gardens. Smith is one of America's most recognized and respected design experts, providing ideas and inspiration through multiple media venues. He is the author of the best-selling Garden Home series of books published by Clarkson Potter/Random House, including Bringing the Garden Indoors: Container, Crafts and Bouquets for Every Room and Seasonal Recipes from the Garden. Allen is also very active on social media such as Twitter, Facebook, Allen’s Blog and YouTube as well as on the new eHow Home channel. His design and lifestyle advice is featured in several national magazines. Learn more at www.pallensmith.com.

Benton Chamber banquet

The Benton Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet will be held on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 in the Holland Chapel Baptist Church Family Life Center.

Highlighting the event will be Chad Pregracke, who will entertain you even as he motivates you to make a difference in the coming year.  He is an environmentalist and the founder of Living Lands & Waters, an organization dedicated to the preservation and cleaning of waterways in the United States.

Join us to hear the experiences and successes of this sought-after motivational speaker who will help set the stage for our 2013 theme, "Spirit of Volunteerism."

Social time will begin at 6:30 pm and dinner and the program will start at 7:00 pm.

Thank you to our sponsors:  Everett Buick-GMC, First Security Bank, Almatis, Baxley-Penfield-Moudy Realtors and Rineco.

Date:		February 5, 2013
Time:		06:30 PM - 09:00 PM
Location:		Holland Chapel Baptist Church Family Life Center 15523 Interstate 30 South Benton, AR
Contact:		Benton Area Chamber of Commerce, 501-860-7004
Email:		reception@bentonchamber.com
Date/Time Details:		Tuesday, February 5, 2013 Social 6:30 PM Banquet 7:00 PM
Fees/Admission:		$200 for a table for 8 or $28 each

MPO meeting set

The Hot Springs Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Board will meet at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 24 at the Transportation Depot, 100 Broadway Terrace. Items on the agenda include the Project Status Report, Highway 7 improvements, the Wayfinding Program, and other public business. The public is encouraged to attend. For more information, contact MPO Study Director Dianne Morrison, 321-4804.

Teacher scholarship application due date approaching

The Hot Springs National Park Sister City Foundation will accept applications until Monday, March 25 for two teacher scholarships for summer travel to Hanamaki, Japan, Hot Springs’ sister city.  Application information is available through the Sister City Program link on the City of Hot Springs’ home page, www.cityhs.net .

Teachers or school administrators currently employed in Garland County public schools are eligible for the scholarship program. The scholarship will fully fund travel costs for a 7-day trip to Hanamaki, Japan in mid-June. The City of Hanamaki will provide home stay living arrangements along with tours and educational opportunities during the teachers’ visit.

The purpose of the travel scholarships is to provide Garland County public school educators the opportunity to interact with teachers and students in Hanamaki schools; to observe and learn about the culture of Hanamaki; and to incorporate information learned into their own classrooms and schools. Juli Stoyanov, former scholarship recipient and sixth grade teacher at Lakeside Middle School, said of her trip: “This opportunity as a teacher scholarship recipient has not only impacted my teaching but also given me the tools, experience, and resources to expose my students to cultural similarities and differences on a global scale. On a personal level, this trip made a lasting impression on my lifestyle and values. The beauty of the Hanamaki people, culture, and landscape will forever be admired.”

The scholarships will be awarded in early April and are provided through grant sponsors along with individual private donations. For more information, email sistercity@sbcglobal.net .

Helpful hints from the Village POA to navigate its new website

The Property Owners’ Association will begin showcasing weekly tips for navigating the new updated version of the website, www.hsvpoa.org. These tips will be compiled from questions received from Property Owners since the launch of the new site.

  

·        Hot Springs Village Directory: Churches, Clubs/Organizations, Entertainment/Recreation, Restaurants and Local Business Information are grouped together in the Hot Springs Village Directory. To access the directory, go to Community and click on Hot Springs Village Directory.

·        POA Facility Rental Form: A printable form for renting HSV facilities is now available by clicking on “Book Your Event at a POA Facility” located on the right side of the home page.

·        Online Ticket Sales: To buy tickets online for events at the Woodlands, the Coronado Community Center and other POA venues, click the “Event Tickets” button located at the top of the home page.

·        Gate Access: Online gate access is available on the home page. To log in to gate access from the home page, click the blue button “Gate Access” on the top right side of the page. Gate access is also available in the Public Safety section. To access, click on Services at the top of the home page. Then click on Public Safety on the right side menu and then on Gate Access.

·        Tee Time Scheduling: Located in three places: Click on the blue “Schedule a Tee Time” button in the upper right hand corner of the home page, click on the “Schedule a Tee Time” link on the golf page side navigation, and under ‘Resident Golf.’

·        Calendar: Links to the calendars for Community, Golf, Coronado Fitness Center, Ponce and the Coronado Community Center are located at the bottom of every page on the site.

·        Golf Stay and Play Packages: Golf Stay and Play packages are available on upper right hand side of the Golf home page.

·        Delete Temporary Internet Files/Cookies: It may be necessary to delete temporary internet files and cookies from your web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome) to access the latest version of the website.

·        Refresh Page: If you are having difficulty loading a page, try hitting the refresh button usually located at the top of the browser window or right click and hit refresh.

·        Search: When in doubt about where to find what you are looking for on the new site, please use the search tool on the top right side of the home page.