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News Archive--November 2010

FYI--Hot Spring's Christmas Parade to Start in the Valley; Detours Expected

On December 6, 2010, Hot Springs will once again host its annual Christmas Parade for residents and visitors alike. The parade starts at 6:30 pm. The parking lot at the First Presbyterian Church, 213 Whittington Avenue, will be used as a staging area for the parade.
 
The parade route will begin at the east end of the Whittington Valley, at the intersection to Central and Whittington Avenues, and will continue south on Central Avenue through downtown Hot Springs and then turn onto Convention Boulevard. It is expected that the parade will last approximately forty-five to sixty minutes, with all vehicle traffic through downtown being diverted onto side streets during the parade.
 
Consequently vehicle traffic in and out of the Valley during the parade may be delayed and detoured. On parade day, between 6:00 and 7:30 pm, residents and visitors are strongly encouraged to use West Mountain Drive as your route into and out of the Whittington Valley.
 
The parade is a wonderful community event for all of Hot Springs. This year the parade serves as a community food drive to aid the Project Hope Food Bank in helping stock local food pantries. Collection barrels will positioned along the parade route for canned good donations from parade viewers.
-Posted 11/26/10 by MT
 
 

News--Church Receives Donation from WVNA to Aid Thanksgiving Food Drive

The Valley's own Roanoke Baptist Church has begun its charitable Thanksgiving Food Drive and the Whittington Valley Neighborhood Association has provided a cash donation to help fund this worthy community activity. Leon Massey, Senior Pastor at the Church, explained, "We have several programs aimed at the less fortunate, with a specific focus on families and children." These activities include a student tutoring program for grade and high school students. "Our youth programs seek to improve learning skills, promote leadership and enhance communication skills," Massey said. "And being the holidays, we have a Christmas play the children put on and a program to provide toys to needy children."
 
The Whittington Valley Neighborhood Association makes a donation to the Roanoke Baptist Church’s Thanksgiving Food Drive. Pictured are members of the Roanoke Baptist Church’s "Willing Workers Ministry" and the Neighborhood Association. Left to right: Katherine Brown, Annie White, Doris Hampton, Fannie Hill, Rev. Bobby Hampton, Jessica Hampton, Rose Jackson, Rev. Leon Massey, Darthy Tyrity, Mark Toth, Gayle Gantner and Eddie Brown.
 
 
The church also provides clothing to those in need and assists those less fortunate with a secret Santa program. "Our holiday charity programs begin each year with our Thanksgiving food drive," Massey added. "Our church members prepare and distribute boxes of food to needy area families. The boxes contain everything for a Thanksgiving Day meal, including a turkey."
 
The Whittington Valley Neighborhood Association, hearing of the Church’s Thanksgiving food drive, was determined to aid this worthy effort. "Our members decided to distribute all of the money we collected in dues to charities that aid the needy this holiday season. And making a donation to the Roanoke Baptist Church, with all of the good things they have done in Hot Springs for over one-hundred years, as well as being a vital institution in the Whittington Valley, was a great choice that everyone in the Association supported."
-Posted 11/17/10 by MT
 
 

UPDATE: WVNA Donation Reported in Newspaper

The Hot Springs Sentinel-Record published our press release regarding the Association's donation to the Roanoke Baptist Church's Thanksgiving Food Drive in the November 21, 2010 edition of the newspaper.
-Posted 11/21/10 by VL
 

FYI--Spa 10k/5k Will Route Through the Valley

Saturday November 20, from 8:00 am to 9:30 am, the Valley will host the Spa City's 10K run. The race is a fund-raiser for two non-profit organizations, "Friends of the Park" and "Teen Challenge of Arkansas." Residents are advised that vehicles traveling through the Valley may be subject to some short delays during the race, so please plan accordingly.
 
As per City regulations, one side of the roadway around the Federal Park will remain open, so drivers should be extra careful as they may face head-on traffic. Last year the Hot Springs police coordinated traffic flow and there were minimal disruptions. The race organizers ask that driver please use caution to avoid accidents.
- Posted 11/13/10; updated 11/17/10 by MT
 
 

FYI--Time Change Means Risks for Runners, Joggers and Bikers in the Valley

With the recent time change, it is now gets dark in the Valley much earlier--sunset is around 5:00 pm and by mid December the sun will set as early as 4:30 pm. Because the weather is still relatively mild, many groups continue to use the roadway around the Federal Park for jogging, cycling and other recreational activities. However, with earlier sunsets comes an earlier nightfall, reduced visibility and a greater risk of accidents.
 
To avoid such accidents, the Neighborhood Association offers the following tips:

For Drivers
  • Slow down. Watch your speed to avoid over driving your headlights. At all times observe the 25 MPH speed limit.
  • Use your headlights. Turn on your headlights before sunset.
  • Be aware. The roadway around the Federal Park is used by many people. Drivers need to keep in mind that joggers, cyclists and others may be in the roadway.
  • Avoid distractions. Cell phones, adjusting the radio and other distractions can take your eyes away from the road for several seconds or longer. You more likely to have an accident when your eyes are not on the road.
  • Keep your eyes moving. In high risk settings (such as locales where joggers and others may be in the roadway) it is important to use care as you may only have seconds to avoid a collision. Look for reflective clothing or flashing lights which may indicate that a runner or cyclist is in the roadway.
  • Reduce Glare. Turn down your vehicle's interior lighting. Adjust your mirrors to eliminate reflected night in your eyes. Dim your dashboard lights. Use your sun visor. Avoid using any other light inside your vehicle.
  • Keep your windows and headlights clean. Dirty windows increase glare. Dirty headlights can significantly reduce your ability to see the road.
  • Use your high beams. Your high beams double the distance you can see ahead. Use them if safe and appropriate.
  • Check your headlights for proper adjustment. If you are having difficulty seeing the road even with your lights on, check to see that your headlights are aimed properly.
  • Consider Anti-Glare Eyeglass Coatings. If you wear glasses, consider having special anti-glare coatings applied to your lenses.
 
For Cyclists, Runners and Pedestrians
  • Visibility matters. Understand that accidents are more likely when drivers cannot see you. Take steps to become more visible.
  • Wear reflective clothing and lights. Clothing, reflectors and lighting that increases your visibility will reduce the chances of a accident. Avoid dark clothing.
  • Be proactive. Wherever possible, travel so that motorists won't hit you. If a driver has to break or swerve to avoid a collision with you, you are at risk. Keep alert and plan ahead to avoid potential problems.
  • Follow traffic laws. Whether traveling by bike or foot, know the rules of the road. These rules are in place to reduce accidents.
  • Avoid unexpected movements. A jogger or cyclist who darts out into the roadway unexpectedly can cause a serious accident.
  • Avoid distractions. Wearing headphones, adjusting a music player and even talking on the phone can reduce your ability to avoid dangerous situations.
  • Cyclists should ride with traffic. Riding against traffic significantly increases your chances of an accident.
  • Avoid vehicle blind spots. If a driver doesn't see you, you are at risk.
  • Use proper safety gear. Cyclists should install a rear flashing light; wear reflective clothing, pads and helmets; and should consider installing a rear view mirror. Joggers and runners should wear blinking lights and reflective clothing. These items are inexpensive and could very well prevent an accident.
And as always, we encourage everyone traveling in the Valley to use caution, especially after dusk.
 
We have made a flyer containing all the above information. To download or print our flyer, click here. (Note: flyer is in pdf format and opens in a new window).
-Posted 11/9/10 by MT
 
 
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