Chess tournament

The Arkansas Chess Association is sponsoring a State Championship Chess Tournament August 23, 24 & 25. It’s President, Stephen Paulson, will be acting as the Tournament Director. The location of the Tournament will be in the “Clipper Room” at the Clarion Resort on the Lake, 4813 Central Avenue, Hot Springs, Arkansas. The Clarion is a full service, seven-story hotel with boat ramp and boat slip facilities available for a limited number of guests. Rather than spending a day on the Lake, parents might want to tour downtown Hot Springs or visit the Magic Springs theme park. Based on the experience of the Hot Springs Chess Club about 50% of the entrants will be between the ages of 14 and 22. 

Registration begins August 23, which is a Friday, from 6 to 7 pm. One game will be played Friday night and a second registration is scheduled for Saturday morning from 8 to 9 am. Entry fees are $45 in advance or $50 at the registration desk. All entrants will pay $10 for membership in the Arkansas Chess Association.

There will be five Classifications in the tournament based upon the individual’s level of ability and experience. Each classification will have a winner who receives a cash prize which could be as high as $200 depending on the overall number of entrants. The overall winner will be declared the Arkansas State Champion and receive a first place prize of $400. There will also be an unrated classification which awards a cash prize of $100. In addition to cash prizes there will be trophies for the winner in each classification.

For additional information contact Stephen Paulson; Phone 870 373-0150 or email address, d4d5c4@yahoo.com.

Arkansas labor statistics

The Southwest Office of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, County Employment and Wages in Arkansas-Fourth Quarter 2012. This report shows employment and wage levels for all 75 Arkansas counties with special emphasis given to the 3 largest counties. The report also provides national rankings of wage levels, wage growth, and employment changes for the 328 largest counties across the country. Regional Commissioner Stanley Suchman noted the following highlights:

·         From December 2011 to December 2012, employment increased in all three of the large Arkansas counties (Benton, Pulaski, and Washington), as it did in 287 of the 328 largest U.S. counties. Washington County had the fastest increase, up 3.7 percent and ranked 23^rd among the 328 large counties nationwide. Washington was followed by Benton (1.9 percent, ranked 134^th) and Pulaski (1.0 percent, ranked 213^th); nationally, employment rose 1.9 percent.

·         The 6.9-percent wage gain in Pulaski County from the fourth quarter of 2011 to the fourth quarter of 2012 was above the national average of 4.7 percent, ranking 24^th among the nation’s largest counties. Wages rose at less than the national pace in both Benton (3.9 percent, ranked 119^th) and Washington (0.8 percent, 294^th).

·         Average weekly wages in the three large Arkansas counties were below the national average of $1,000 per week, but wage levels in two counties ranked near the middle of the 328 largest counties. Pulaski County's average weekly wage of $927 ranked 150^th and Benton County at $900 ranked 169^th. The Washington County average weekly wage of $837 ranked 240^th.

·         All 72 smaller counties in Arkansas – those with employment below 75,000 – had average weekly wages below the national average ($1,000). Among these counties, Calhoun ($915) posted the highest wages, while Newton reported the lowest average weekly wage in the state ($460) in the fourth quarter of 2012. 

This information comes from the Bureau's Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW). The QCEW program contains extensive data on both employment and wages by detailed industry for all states and counties. Data on weekly wages for all counties in the U.S. can be accessed from http://data.bls.gov/PDQ/outside.jsp?survey=en.  Additionally, BLS has an interactive online mapping utility to display information similar to that shown above, as well as many other features; it can be accessed from http://beta.bls.gov/maps/cew/us .

Murder mystery extended

Get a "second helping" of murder and mayhem on Tuesday, Aug. 6 at the Roaring 20s Mystery Dinner Theatre. The dinner, which will also be held at the DeSoto Club Events Center, will offer another opportunity to figure out "whodonnit" in the hilarious play, The Village Villain's Victim. Audience participation is encouraged! Doors open at 6:00 p.m. with appetizers served at 6:30 p.m.

Men, put on your hats, suits and wingtip shoes and ladies, kick up your heels to the Charleston in the best flapper dress. Tickets include a gourmet meal of Shrimp Du Jean, Steak Sinatra, Penne Pasta with Marinara, Salad & Garlic Bread and Cannolis or Sorbet.

Though mum's definitely not the word on this event, a password will be
required (located on your ticket stub).

Seating is limited so get your $25.00 tickets now for all the "murderous fun" at www.HSVTicketSales.com.

What's new at the Village animal shelter

Abby is a spayed female Mountain Feist, six years old; small loving lap dog, 16 pounds; housebroken, good with other dogs, all people.

Ringo is a neutered male, domestic short hair, six months old; tan and white cute young cat, extremely social and loving, a purr-fect lap cat.

Learn about canning and preserving at Garvan Woodland Gardens

Gardening 101 Workshop: "Canning and Preservation"
August 20
1 p.m.-3 p.m. - Magnolia Room
Canning and freezing are a safe, economical way to preserve food at home that can save you money and allow you to enjoy homegrown foods year round. And, it is not as hard as it may seem. Come and learn the basic fundamentals and benefits of home canning and freezing presented by Jessica Vincent, Garland County Extension Agent, and Phyllis Pipkin, Garland County Extension Homemakers Council.
Free Members / regular admission Non-Members. Advance registration required. Call the Gardens at 501-262-9300/800-366-4664 to register.

Berry workshop at Garvan Woodland Gardens

Gardening 101 Workshop: "Summer Berries"
August 20
9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. - Magnolia Room

Join Pat Ford from Renee’s Berry Garden in London, AR for a lesson in growing delicious summer berries. Renee’s Berry Garden is a pick-your-own farm, operated by the Ford Family and open to the public since 1996. The Ford Family believes in a holistic approach to farming and is excited to share their experiences with you.

Free Members / regular admission Non-Members. Advance registration required. Call the Gardens at 501-262-9300/800-366-4664 to register.

Thai herb cooking at Garvan Woodland Gardens

Special Art Series: "Thai Herbs Cooking Class"
August 8
11 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Magnolia Room
Join Eve Baum Alven of Chiffonade Chef Services to explore the culinary delights of Thailand. Learn about the Thai flavor profile, and the techniques and simplicity of one pot cooking. Recipe ingredients will be explained, and those demonstrated will be sampled. Come enjoy Thai Pineapple Fried Rice, Drunken Chicken, Tamarind Fish and more. Hands-on participation is welcomed!

$45 per person. Price includes lunch. Advance registration and pre-payment required. Call the Gardens at 501-262-9300/800-366-4664 to register.

Children's program at Garvan Woodland Gardens

First Wednesday Children's Program: "Fabric Garden"
August 7
10 a.m.-11 a.m., Magnolia Room

Join Education Director Megan Bradshaw in creating your very own Garden out of fabric scraps and hang your artwork at home when you’re done! To avoid the summer heat, we’ll work indoors to create a masterpiece out of funky fabric patterns, frames included!

$5 per child per class. Parents admitted free, but must accompany children. Class is limited to 15 children. All materials provided unless indicated. Advance registration and prepayment required. Call the Gardens at 501-262-9300/800-366-4664 to register.

Village arrests

Hot Springs Village officers obtained warrants and arrested David Shane Goings (44 year old) of Hot Springs Village on July 30 for five counts of residential burglary in connection with the alleged residential burglaries that occurred on June 20 in the Cortez Courts area. Goings was transported to the Garland County Detention Center. A court date of August 3 was given and a bond of $25,000 was set.

Hot Springs Village officers obtained warrants and arrested Maurice Schwarz (28 year old) of Hot Springs on July 31 for two counts of residential burglary and one count of Theft By Receiving in connection with the alleged residential burglaries that occurred in the Cortez Courts area on June 20. Schwarz was transported to the Garland County Detention Center. A court date of August 6 was given and a bond of $5000.00 was set.

Hot Springs Village officers obtained warrants for the arrest of Brandon Jones (27 year old) of Hot Springs Village for Theft over $5000.00 and Forgery in the second degree involving an alleged stolen vehicle on July 22. Both charges are class C felonies. The warrants were served at the Garland County Detention where Jones was being held on a separate charge.