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News Archive--November 2011

 

NEWS--Valley Resident To Perform In Concert

Louis Menendez, a nationally renown conductor, pianist, educator, composer and collaborative artist (and Valley resident, we might add) will perform as part of “Trio Arkansas” at the Valley’s own First Presbyterian Church on Sunday November 20th, 2011 at 3:00 pm.  Louis will be performing along with Geoffrey Robson on violin and David Gerstein on cello.  Special guest artist Tatiana Kotcherguina will also perform on the Viola.  Admission for the concert is free, however donations will be accepted.
 
The works to be performed include pieces by Mozart, Beethoven and Dvorak.  First Presbyterian Church is located at 213 Whittington Avenue.
- Posted 10/7/11 by MT
 

 

NEWS--Traffic Delays In Valley Expected Due To Spa City 10K Run

The Hot Springs Police Department has issued a press release regarding the 10K Spa City Run on Saturday, November 19th, 2011.  The police are asking residents to use care when driving between 8:00 – 10:00 am on Saturday as runners will be in the Valley, on West Mountain Drive and throughout downtown.  Residents will still be able to drive through the Valley and the surrounding area, but the police are asking drivers to slow down and use caution so as to avoid possible accidents with pedestrians.
 
The full text of the Police Department’s press release is below:
 
Hot Springs Police Department
641 Malvern Avenue
Hot Springs, Arkansas 71901
501.321.6789
David Flory, Chief of Police
 
SPA 10K Run
 
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Distribution
 
Saturday November, 19, 2011, is the annual running of the Spa 10K and 5K.  Start time is 8:00 am on Convention Blvd.  The race should be over by 9:30 am. There will be about 1,000 runners participating in the race. Travel will be slow in and round downtown. To help your travel, here are a few recommended routes that should allow you to get around with little to no wait.
 
Central Avenue and Reserve should be cleared of runners by around 8:15 am.
 
There will be 800 Runners on West Mountain Drive from 8:15 to 9:00 am. Vehicle travel on this road will be slow and dangerous during this time.  Please plan your trip accordingly and use an alternate route when possible.
 
Runners will be on Central Avenue from Spring Street to Whittington Avenue from 8:05 to about 8:20.  To get south of the city from the Whittington Avenue area during the race, it is recommended that you go to Central Avenue to Reserve then merge onto Spring Street to Grand Avenue.
 
If you are in the Quapaw area east of Fern, it is recommended that you take Prospect Avenue to Exchange Street, Exchange to Court Street, cross Central Avenue to Reserve, take Reserve and merge with Spring Street to Grand.
 
West of Flint or South of Orange Street, it is recommended to take Grand Avenue to Spring Street to the downtown area.
 
Cpl. McCrary Means
Public Information Officer
Hot Springs Police Department
641 Malvern Ave.
- Posted 11/17/11 by MT
 
 

NEWS--Artchurch November Events

November is a big month for the Valley’s own Artchurch Studios, 3010 Whittington Avenue.  The Artchurch will hold its third annual holiday Arts and Crafts Festival in November as well has hosting several other public events.
 
The Artchurch will begin the month by featuring an folk art exhibit from the private collection of Dr. Gary Meek this Friday, November 4th, as part of the downtown Hot Springs Gallery Walk.
 
On November 12th & 13th the Artchurch will host a Fine Arts and Crafts Festival, “Handmade for the Holidays.”  This event will feature the wares of over two dozen fine artisans from all over Arkansas who will be displaying and selling their unique one-of-a-kind art works just in time for holiday gift giving.  Also featured at the Festival will be local arts and crafts, live holiday music, local foods and drinks.  Free admission and plenty of free parking.  Festival Hours: Saturday, November 12th, 9 am to 5 pm; and Sunday November 13th, 12 noon to 5 pm.
 
The Artchurch is also having a Poinsettia Pre-Sale.  This pre-sale runs until November 21st and offers holiday shoppers the opportunity to purchase a special limited "Artchurch Poinsettia" for only $15 (plus S&H).  These limited "Artchurch Poinsettias" can be purchased online at the Artchurch’s website until November 21st.  In addition, there will be a display table at the Artchurch’s “Handmade for the Holidays” Arts Festival, so shoppers may purchase their holiday “Artchurch Poinsettia” directly at the Festival.  These beautiful Poinsettias are grown by Arkansas’ own Westwood Gardens in Fayetteville.  Poinsettias will be available for customer pick up at the Artchurch Friday, December 2nd from noon to 8:00 pm and Saturday, December 3rd from 10 am to 2 pm.
 
To learn more about the Artchurch Studio or any of the above events, call (501) 463-9890 or visit their website at www.artchurch.org.
- Posted 11/3/11 by MT
 
 

FYI--Time Change Sunday, November 6th, 2011

Get ready to turn your clocks back one hour this weekend.  On Sunday, October 6th, 2011 at 2:00 a.m. daylight savings time will end.  This means you will need to turn your clocks back one hour. 
With the time change, it will get dark in the Valley much earlier--sunset will be shortly after 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 will 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 11/3/11 by MT
 
 
 
 
 
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