tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211654612024-03-13T11:13:42.267-06:00NW Arkansas Real Estate BlogThis is the place to get updates on the real estate market in Fayetteville, Bentonville, and surrounding communities of Northwest Arkansas. The area is still growing and the economy is still strong, despite the national economic woes. It's a great place to live and regularly gets high ratings in "quality of life" analyses. NW Arkansas Real Estate Blog gives insights into the real estate market, economy, growth issues, and lifestyles of the area. Copyright © 2006-2011. All rights reserved.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17849772430976782936noreply@blogger.comBlogger263125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165461.post-75068900466934788592015-01-03T12:16:00.000-06:002015-01-03T12:16:58.010-06:00Bentonville, Arkansas – Now a Nationally Recognized Tourist Destination.<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The
opening of the <a href="http://crystalbridges.org/" target="_blank">Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art </a>and its recognition as a
major art institution have spurred much growth in other travel-related
industries: the <a href="http://www.21cmuseumhotels.com/bentonville/" target="_blank">C21 Luxury Hotel </a>opened nearby, many new restaurants have
opened on or near the Bentonville square, and the <a href="http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/history/the-walmart-museum" target="_blank">Wal-Mart Museum</a> has grown and
expanded. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/hottest-travel-destinations-of-2012/13" target="_blank">Travel and Leisure</a></span></i><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/hottest-travel-destinations-of-2012/13" target="_blank"> </a>called Bentonville
one of the top tourist destinations (worldwide) in 2012, and the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shermans-travel/5-up-and-coming-us-touris_b_6392124.html" target="_blank"><i>Huffington Post</i> </a>has just named it to its
5 top “up and coming” tourist destinations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.bentonvillear.com/about-bentonville" target="_blank">Bentonville</a>,
the heart of Benton County, is a lovely, small city (less than 40,000
residents) in the northwest corner of Arkansas. Everyone over the age of six
knows Bentonville is the home of Wal-Mart. But, how many have considered what
that means to the economy and culture of the city and the whole of Northwest
Arkansas? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Apples
provided the main economic base in the late 1800s to 1920s. When apple
production slipped from its heyday, poultry took over. Millions of broiler
chickens are still raised in Benton County. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The
beginning of dramatic changes for <a href="http://adage.com/article/news/city-spotlight-longer-mr-sam-s-bentonville/295564/" target="_blank">Bentonville</a> occurred in 1962 when</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Sam Walton opened his first Walmart store in neighboring
Rogers, Arkansas. No one, not even Sam Walton, could possibly have foreseen the
changes that event would create. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">By <span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">1971,
Wal-Mart’s</span> first distribution center and home office opened in
Bentonville. And, as they say, the rest is history.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Major corporations that supplied wholesale
goods to Wal-Mart started sending major representatives to live in NW Arkansas
where they could make decisions on the spot. As people and families arrived
from all over the country, the need for housing, schools, churches, stores,
recreation facilities, and the arts increased exponentially. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The lack of cultural events and the arts
seemed to be the major complaint from newcomers. They loved the climate and
natural beauty of the Ozarks but greatly missed events they were accustomed to
in larger cities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">In time, the <a href="http://waltonartscenter.org/" target="_blank">Walton Arts Center</a> was built in
Fayetteville, bringing Broadway shows and talent of all genres never before
seen in NW Arkansas. A 600-seat expansion is underway. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">An even larger center for performing arts
will soon be built in Bentonville. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">2014 saw the opening of <a href="http://www.arkansasmusicpavilion.com/" target="_blank">The Walmart ArkansasMusic Pavilion (AMP)</a> in neighboring Rogers. As AMP is an open air venue, shows
are limited to the warmer months.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The biggest and possibly the best cultural
setting is the dazzling Crystal Bridges of American Art in Bentonville. It
opened November 11, 2011 to great fanfare and continues to amaze and enthrall
all who visit. The permanent collection is open for viewing at no charge thanks
to a $20 million endowment from the Walton Family Foundation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">An exciting exhibition now on display is
called <a href="http://stateoftheart.crystalbridges.org/" target="_blank">The State of the Art</a> and represents the work of current artists from all
over the country. To make this exhibit, the curatorial team visited over 1000
artists nationwide and logged over 100,000 miles. The result is nothing short
of stunning in terms of variety and quality of the arts today, as gathered in
the exhibit. But you’d better hurry—it only runs through January 19 of 2015. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Another ambitious project of the museum was
to dismantle a home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and move it piecemeal from
New Jersey to the museum grounds, where it is being re-built and restored. And
a further project under construction is a children’s museum called the <i><a href="http://www.amazeum.org/" target="_blank">Amazeum</a></i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Some other upcoming temporary exhibitions Crystal
Bridges plans 2015 include:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Van Gogh to Rothko:
Masterworks from the Albright-Knox Art Gallery</span></i><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">February
21 through June 1, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Some
of the featured artists in this exhibit are Vincent van Gogh, Jackson Pollock,
Joán Miró, Andy Warhol, Mark Rothko, and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Game Fishes of the
United States<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">April
4 through August 10, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">This
classic collection elegantly conveys the drama of sport fishing and highlights
the exploration and celebration of nature in American art. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Warhol’s Nature<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">July
4 through October 5, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">This
exhibition from the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh will explore the artist’s
surprising, lifelong engagement with nature.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Jamie Wyeth<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">July
25 through October 5, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">This
exhibition is organized by the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and will examine
Jamie Wyeth’s distinctive approach to realism over the course of six decades.
It will feature the artist’s portraits of subjects such as his wife Phyllis,
John F. Kennedy, Rudolf Nureyev; and Andy Warhol.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Once-quiet,
agricultural Bentonville has become a destination for art lovers. Most of the
changes would have been unthinkable a few years ago. With the population of NW
Arkansas currently about 500,000 and expected to reach a million people by the
year 2025, these assets are welcome and appreciated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">And the impetus for the cultural creations
can be credited in large part to the Walton Family Foundation and Sam Walton’s
daughter Alice Walton.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17849772430976782936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165461.post-11065170379676032122014-10-06T16:48:00.000-05:002014-10-06T16:50:03.781-05:00It's NW Arkansas Craft Fair Time Again!<div class="MsoNormal">
Northwest Arkansas is known for its <a href="http://nwacraftfairs.com/allfairs.asp" target="_blank">numerous arts and crafts shows </a>held
each year in mid-October. This year is no exception. Handmade, unique items
will be displayed for sale throughout the entire area from Bella Vista,
Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, Springdale, and War Eagle. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Buyers and sellers travel hundreds of miles to participate in the
festivities. The gorgeous fall weather is usually cooperative but it’s good to
know some shows are indoors. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All shows offer free admission. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Days and hours are listed below:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://nwacraftfairs.com/Bella_Vista_Festival.asp" target="_blank">Bella Vista Arts and Crafts Fair</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1991 Forest Hills Drive (intersection of AR 279 and AR 340)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October 16-18<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thursday - Saturday 8 am – 5 pm<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sunday – closed<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(479) 855-2064<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.spankercreekfarm.com/" target="_blank">Spanker Creek Farm Arts and Crafts Festival</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now in Bella Vista (formerly in Bentonville)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October 15-19<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wednesday – Saturday 8 am – 5 pm<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sunday 9 am – 4 pm<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
479-685-5655<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://nwacraftfairs.com/war_eagle_mill_fair.asp" target="_blank">War Eagle Mill Craft & Culinary Fair</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
11045 War Eagle Road<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October 16-19<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wednesday – Saturday 8 am – 5:30 pm<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sunday 8 am – 4:30 pm<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://nwacraftfairs.com/war_eagle_fair.asp" target="_blank">War Eagle Fair</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Beside historic War Eagle Mill<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October 16-19<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wednesday – Saturday 8 am – 5 pm<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sunday 8 am – 4 pm<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
$3 per car parking fee<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://nwacraftfairs.com/Sharps_Show_War_Eagle.asp" target="_blank">Sharp’s Show of War Eagle</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(next to War Eagle Fair – see above)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October 16-19<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wednesday – Saturday 8 am – 5 pm<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sunday 8 am – 4 pm<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://nwacraftfairs.com/Frisco_Station_Mall.asp" target="_blank">Frisco Station Mall</a> (Indoors) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
100 N. Dixieland, Rogers<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October 16-19<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thursday – Saturday 10 am - 9 pm <br />
Sunday 10 am - 4 pm<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://nwacraftfairs.com/Ozark_Regional_Show.asp" target="_blank">Ozark Regional Shows</a> (3 locations) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(1) John Q. Hammons Center (Indoors)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3303 Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Rogers<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October 17-18<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Friday – Saturday 9 am – 9 pm<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sunday - closed<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(2) Northwest Arkansas Convention Center (Indoors)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1500 S. 48<sup>th</sup> St., Springdale<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October 17-18<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Friday – Saturday 9 am – 9 pm<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sunday – closed<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(3) Washington County Fairgrounds<br />
2536 N. McConnell Ave., Fayetteville<br />
October 16-18<br />
Thursday – Saturday 9 am – 6 pm<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sunday – closed<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://nwacraftfairs.com/Jones_Center_Fair.asp" target="_blank">Jones Center Arts and Crafts Festival </a>(Indoors) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
922 E. Emma Av., Springdale<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October 16-18<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thursday - Friday 9 am - 8 pm<br />
Saturday 9 am - 6 pm<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sunday - closed<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17849772430976782936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165461.post-82193170231704483862014-07-29T14:32:00.000-05:002014-07-29T14:32:53.336-05:00Heads Up! Arkansas State Sales Tax Holiday August 2-3 Only<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It's that time of year again. Everyone, whether you have a child in school or not, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>can purchase a multitude of items without paying sales tax this weekend.
The offer is good for only two days. If you want best selection without a
crowd, you can start at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday (actually Friday night at midnight). The
48-hour sales tax ‘holiday’ ends at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, August 3.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This
is the third year Arkansas has declared this sales tax holiday. The tax break
has been a welcome savings for Arkansans. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here are the basics of what you need to know…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
sales tax holiday is primarily meant for back-to-school supplies and clothing.
However, the categories are so broad, people from all walks of life can avail
themselves for two days of buying without sales tax added on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">All
Arkansas retailers are required by law to observe the sales tax holiday. This
includes the University of Arkansas bookstores.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here’s
a partial list of eligible purchases:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">All the usual school supplies, including
calculators and art supplies, without limit.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">All clothing, footwear, underwear, coats and
jackets, swimsuits, up to $100 per item.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Diapers, disposable and non-disposable.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Jewelry, handbags, briefcases, sunglasses,
accessories, hair notions, cosmetics, up to $50 per item.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Wedding apparel, up to $100 per item.</span></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Get
your shopping lists prepared. This bonanza will not be back for a whole year!</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Rules,
lists of eligible and non-eligible items, and examples are available <a href="http://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/offices/exciseTax/salesanduse/Documents/holidayInstructions.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17849772430976782936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165461.post-76354923534507319062014-07-25T09:31:00.000-05:002014-07-25T09:31:31.811-05:00Reminder: Bikes, Blues and BBQ Rally September 24-27, 2014<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Just
want to remind you that <a href="http://www.bikesbluesandbbq.org/" target="_blank">Bikes, Blues and BBQ Rally</a> is just around the corner.
Why not mark your calendars now for September 24-27, 2014, so you will have
time to schedule the events that are most important to you. It might not be possible to see and do everything due to the magnitude of happenings this year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">BB
and BBQ grows bigger and better every year. Springdale has events on tap for
the first time. Beautiful Arvest Ball Park <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>will be the
site of a motorcycle rally, car show, live music, steak cook off, and a <a href="http://www.ozarkvma.com/bbbbqshowinfo.html" target="_blank">vintage bike show</a>, sponsored by the <a href="http://www.ozarkvma.com/" target="_blank">Ozark Vintage Motorcycle Association</a> on September 27. Sign in for some of those activities is September 26.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Arvest
Ball Park is easily accessible from I-49 (formerly I-540). Use brand new Exit
71. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">BB
and BBQ has become one of the largest motorcycle rallies in the country. Best
part of all is that proceeds go to local charities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17849772430976782936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165461.post-44311308948835834642014-07-09T13:58:00.000-05:002014-07-09T13:58:09.457-05:00Pocket parks--another part of NW Arkansas' quality of life equation<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">As my regular readers know, I write a lot about the high quality of life in NW Arkansas. And the reason is that there's a lot here to make living enjoyable. I have lived here for over 20 years now, and there's always some new idea or development to improve things and make life better for residents of the area. The newest manifestation of this tendency that I have become aware of is the recognition that pocket parks are an important part of the development strategies here.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">The definition of pocket
parks is as varied as the spaces they occupy and the amenities they offer. Some
pocket parks are made up of paved ground with manufactured play stations for
children. Other parks might offer natural green surfaces enhanced with tables
and seating for picnicking or communing with nature. Perhaps a park might have a water feature such
as a stream or a river bank. Some offer walking trails, pavilions, or zip lines.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Two things the parks have in
common are the fact that the parks are small in size compared to what we
generally think of as a park and that they generally serve pedestrians. Many of
the parks do not offer parking for vehicles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">The parks provide
opportunities for exercise, rest and reflection, recreation, and socialization. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 13.65pt;">They enhance
neighborhoods by providing comfortable and accessible places for neighbors to meet and engage in activities.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 13.65pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">The parks serve the areas in which they are located. Often the park is custom made to provide solutions to local wants and needs. Some parks are built specifically with adults in mind and do not contain children’s playground apparatus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">In addition to some of these spaces within neighborhoods and subdivisions, Bentonville already has several: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Austin-Baggett Park, Enfield Park, Gilmore Park, Northwest A Street Park and Wildwood Park. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Rogers lists 7 neighborhood parks on its parks webpage, and Springdale has one planned </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">near Shiloh
Square, adjacent to the Razorback Greenway</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">. Many of the 35 parks and other natural spaces in Fayetteville can also be included in these definitions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Pocket parks are not a new concept. </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">They started originally in inner cities like New York where there was little green space </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">and have spread to suburban areas. There may be one located near you or soon coming to your area. Enjoy...</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17849772430976782936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165461.post-18685551026479760872014-07-01T14:41:00.000-05:002014-07-01T14:41:13.491-05:00It's Rodeo Time in the Ozarks!<div class="MsoNormal">
The <a href="http://rodeooftheozarks.org/" target="_blank">Rodeo of the Ozarks</a> at Parsons Stadium in Springdale
will officially open tomorrow for four nights of cowboys and
cowgirls in competitions featuring, horses, bulls, and much more. Rodeo is an
American classic and there is no better place to see it than Parsons Stadium in
Springdale.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This will this be the 70<sup>th</sup> consecutive year for
the Rodeo of the Ozarks. For the past several years, it has been ranked in the Top
5 Outdoor Rodeos in America. That’s pretty good for a small rodeo that started
out as a patriotic celebration of Fourth of July weekend way back in 1944.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s a quick <a href="http://rodeooftheozarks.org/schedule/" target="_blank">summary of activities</a>:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">July
1 at 5:00 p.m. Rodeo “Slack” Performance</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No admission charge for a preview of the next 4 nights of activities.
“Slack” is the performance of contestants that are not scheduled to appear
during the rodeo. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">July
2 at 3:00 p.m. Rodeo Parade<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The parade features a patriotic display of cowgirls, bands,
floats, entertainment, and candy for kids. Parade starts at Parsons Stadium and
heads west on Emma Avenue through downtown Springdale. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">July
2-5 70<sup>th</sup> Annual Rodeo of the
Ozarks<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6:30 p.m. Mutton Bustin’ for kids (riding sheep) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7:30 p.m. Rodeo featuring professional cowboys and cowgirls
from all over the U.S. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">July
2<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>-5 Miss Rodeo of the Ozarks Queen Pageant<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over the course of
four days young ladies will compete in horsemanship, interviews, speeches,
modeling and more to vie for the title.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">July
5 at 10:00 a.m. Rodeo Parade<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The parade features a patriotic display of cowgirls, bands,
floats, entertainment, and candy for kids. Parade starts at Parsons Stadium and
heads west on Emma Avenue through downtown Springdale. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">July
5 Fireworks Display<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17849772430976782936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165461.post-35061257974327394422014-06-28T15:53:00.000-05:002014-06-28T15:53:30.084-05:00University of Arkansas Fayetteville Garners More Recognition <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Northwest
Arkansas would not be what it is today were it not for the presence of the
University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. The cultural and economic impact is so
large as to be difficult to quantify, but definitely contributes to our high
quality of life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">A
few recent, very disparate happenings</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">--which some might find surprising--</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">have attracted national attention to the
university and our corner of the world.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">First,
<a href="http://newswire.uark.edu/articles/24544/patterson-adds-eight-new-scholarships-at-u-of-a?utm_source=Newswire&utm_medium=email2014-06-25&utm_campaign=patterson-adds-eight-new-scholarships-at-u-of-a" target="_blank">James Patterson</a>, internationally acclaimed New York
Times best-selling author of mysteries and children’s books, has created
eight additional teacher-education scholarships at the University of Arkansas
for academic year 2014-15. Mr. Patterson gifted the first eight <a href="http://www.jamespatterson.com/about_patterson-scholarships.php#.U63nqo0U8a8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James PattersonTeacher Education Scholarships</a> to U of A in 2013-14. Arkansas is one of 20 universities nationwide that is the recipient of these scholarship funds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Recipients
will receive $6,000 each. In order to be eligible, a student must be enrolled
full time in an education program in the College of Education and Health
Professions and have expressed an interest in pursuing a career as an
elementary school teacher with a focus on reading and literacy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The
deadline to apply is July 21. More information is available by emailing </span><a href="mailto:llfoste@uark.edu"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">llfoste@uark.edu</span></a><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Next,
<a href="http://chemistry.uark.edu/4878.php" target="_blank">Jingyi Chen</a>, assistant professor of physical chemistry at U of A, has been
included in a list of the world’s most highly cited researchers in 2014. The
list, <a href="http://highlycited.com/" target="_blank">Highly Cited Researchers</a>, is compiled annually by Thompson-Reuters. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">To
make the list, scientists must rank among the top 1 percent most cited for
their subject field and year of publication, earning them the mark of
exceptional impact. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Dr.
Chen works in the field of <a href="http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/sya-nano/" target="_blank">nanomaterials</a>. (<span style="color: #222222;">A
nanometer is one millionth of a millimeter - approximately 100,000 times
smaller than the diameter of a human hair.)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">And
lastly, <a href="http://newswire.uark.edu/articles/24543/harrington-shares-expertise-for-wine-documentary?utm_source=Newswire&utm_medium=email2014-06-25&utm_campaign=harrington-shares-expertise-for-wine-documentary" target="_blank">Bob Harrington</a>, professor and 21<sup>st</sup> Century Endowed Chair in
Hospitality in the Bumpers College at U of A and an expert on food and wine
pairing, has been filmed for a documentary due out later this year. The
documentary focuses on the evolution of current thoughts on wine and food
matching. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Harrington
was selected based on his systematic food and wine pairing approach, which he
presented in his 2008 book<i>, <a href="http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0471794074.html" target="_blank">Food and Wine Pairing: A Sensory Experience</a></i>. His
approach is based on empirical relationships that seem to drive a feeling of
match and is based on 12 main interacting relationships of wine and food
elements.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">These three examples from extremely different fields have
received recognition in different ways. Perhaps you are as surprised as I was to
find these people in little old Arkansas. </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">It
used to be that for almost everything, the attitude was “thank God for
Mississippi”, as Arkansas ranked at or near the bottom in most lists and
studies. That appears to be changing….</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17849772430976782936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165461.post-53874727925867204462014-06-05T14:47:00.000-05:002014-06-05T14:47:29.725-05:00More Organic Food Choices Coming to NW Arkansas <div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As many have no doubt already heard, the rumor that a <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/" target="_blank">WholeFoods Market </a>is coming to Fayetteville has proven true. The company announced
it will build a store on College Avenue – a mere two miles north of Ozark
Natural Foods. Many advocates of healthier food choices welcomed the news. Since
Fayetteville is a university town, which many have compared to Austin, Texas,
before it grew; the idea of Whole Foods in Fayetteville seems like a natural
extension for the company, which is based in Austin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">However, consumers will have to be patient. Whole Foods Market
is not scheduled to open until fall 2015.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Organic foods have been available, especially in Fayetteville
and Rogers, for some time. <a href="http://www.ozarknaturalfoods.com/" target="_blank">Ozark Natural Foods</a> has been open for more than 30
years. And <a href="http://www.cooksnaturalmkt.com/retailer/store_templates/shell_id_1.asp?storeID=C3F7870499924360BDCD63B4EB723451" target="_blank">Cook’s Natural Market</a>, a family owned and operated store located on
West Walnut in Rogers, has offered organic foods for some time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The <a href="http://www.thefreshmarket.com/" target="_blank">Fresh Market</a> at Pinnacle Hills Promenade in Rogers opened two
years ago and has also proven popular with customers seeking fresh, natural,
organic foods.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On a local level, Wal-Mart and Harp’s offer a limited selection
of products and organic produce. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"><o:p></o:p></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wal-Mart is expanding organic food options by relaunching the
<a href="http://news.walmart.com/news-archive/2014/04/10/walmart-and-wild-oats-launch-effort-to-drive-down-organic-food-prices" target="_blank">Wild Oats</a> brand of packaged organic and natural foods. <a href="http://blog.walmart.com/making-organic-foods-a-reality-for-all" target="_blank">WM says prices will belower</a> than competitors on a wide variety of products. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, rather than availability, the problem has been cost. It is
not unusual to see prices of organic foods double the usual items at a
supermarket.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I think that’s why folks are excited to learn competition is
coming to the Fayetteville market. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Competition is a good thing. It forces management to look at all
aspects of their business; top to bottom. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ONF and WFM have totally different business models. One is not
necessarily better than the other. Much depends on management plus the
perspective of the consumer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ozark Natural Foods is a locally owned co-op (ownership by and
for its members.) Owners/members have certain privileges such as discounts and exclusive
sales events not available to the general public. At the end of a particularly
profitable year, patronage refunds may be paid to members.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Whole Foods Market is a publicly traded corporation operating
more than 360 stores. Stock holders own the business and when finances are
good, dividends are paid to stock holders. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Will WFM’s economy of size help keep prices lower than ONF? Or
will ONF save money on transportation expenses by buying from local suppliers?
Only time will tell. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Many shoppers will probably drive by one or both stores while
running errands. Surely they will compare prices and availability and decide
for themselves which store best meets their needs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For more information:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.nwabusinessjournal.com/13299/whole-foods-already-causing-ripples-in-local-food-market?utm_source=enews_053014&utm_medium=email&utm_content=weekly-wrap--northwest-arkansas-business-journal&utm_campaign=newsletter" target="_blank">NW Arkansas Business Journal</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/2014/04/08/ozark-natural-foods-responds-to-possible-fayetteville-whole-foods-location/" target="_blank">Fayetteville Flyer </a></span></div>
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17849772430976782936noreply@blogger.com0Fayetteville, AR, USA36.0625795 -94.157426335.857223 -94.480149799999992 36.267936 -93.8347028tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165461.post-26942009237804054272014-04-25T10:05:00.000-05:002014-04-25T10:05:40.201-05:007 N.W. Arkansas High Schools in Top Twenty for All Arkansas<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">It’s
always a pleasure to relate the accolades heaped upon various aspects of life
in NW Arkansas. This time I’m writing about <a href="http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/articles/2014/04/22/us-news-releases-2014-best-high-schools-rankings?int=ad9009&int=ad9009" target="_blank">high-ranking public high schools</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">U. S. News &
World Report </span></i><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">joined
forces </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">with American Institutes for Research </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">to <span style="color: #222222;">evaluate 31,242 U. S. public high schools. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.haashall.org/index_home.htm" target="_blank">HaasHall Academy</a>, a charter school located in Fayetteville, earned first place in
all of Arkansas according to the list published April 21, 2014. In addition, <i>U. S. News </i>placed the academy at a very
impressive #137 in the entire country.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Six
other NW Arkansas high schools placed in the <a href="http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/arkansas" target="_blank">Arkansas top twenty</a>: Bentonville
H.S. #3; both Rogers high schools (Rogers and Heritage) at #4 and #5
respectively; Pea Ridge H.S. #6; Lincoln H.S. #14; and Siloam Springs H.S. #16. Eureka Springs also made the list at #10. I was a little puzzled, however, as to why Fayetteville was not ranked, since its numbers were similar to Bentonville and Rogers (schools of similar size). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">In any case, congratulations
to students, teachers and administrators alike. We do have excellent educational opportunities for students in NW Arkansas, another factor to make it a great place to live. Way to go! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">For more information as to how the rankings were determined, click <a href="http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/articles/2014/04/21/frequently-asked-questions-2014-best-high-schools-rankings" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17849772430976782936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165461.post-86157220914256990732014-03-25T20:25:00.001-06:002014-03-25T20:25:27.791-06:00New Skyline Report on the NW Arkansas Real Estate Market<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The newest
Skyline Report is out. I always like to attend the special breakfast that
Arvest holds to present the newest findings as they affect the housing market
in NW Arkansas. They usually confirm my anecdotal perceptions, only with facts
and figures. Kathy Deck of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the
U of A, which prepares the report for Arvest, usually presents the highlights.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of the
findings for the NW Arkansas residential market:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Occupancy rates
of new homes in NW Arkansas took an impressive jump during the last six months
of 2013,</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
increasing 60.7%,</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> compared to the first six months of the year.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">From July through December 2013, 1,279 new
houses in active subdivisions in Washington and Benton counties became
occupied. The January-through-June-2013-number of new homes occupied was 796.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">A look at the number of residential building
permits indicates a reasonable amount of new construction taking place rather
than the overabundance NWA experienced in the past, especially during the
housing bubble. Benton County accounted for 725 of the residential building
permits over the last six months of 2013, while Washington County accounted for
369.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">The average price for all homes sold in
Benton County from July 1 to December 31, 2013 was $183,983. That’s a insignificant<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a> decrease of less than 1% from the January 1-June 30 sales
of $185,500. Price per square foot also decreased 0.2% from $82.43 to $82.29.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Meanwhile in Washington County, the average
price of existing homes sold was $186,493 in last half of 2013. That’s a 7.2%
increase over average price of $173,493 during the first half of 2013. Average
price per square foot increased accordingly from $83.94 to $87.87, a 4.7%
increase.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For multifamily housing,
the vacancy rate remained low during the final 6 months of 2013 at 5.8%,
although this represented an increase from the same period in 2012, which was
4.3%. There was a significant increase of units built and absorbed during this
period. However, there are another 4000 units scheduled to come on line, which
will be slower to be absorbed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And for commercial real
estate, some of the space has been there for awhile and is still there—it’s the
wrong kind of space in the wrong place. New spaces are being more quickly
occupied as they meet current demands. Nevertheless, there was a net positive
absorption of 385,607 square feet in the NW Arkansas market and an overall
vacancy rate of 13.6%, down from 14.6% in the first half of 2013.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Altogether, an important
factor for all sectors of the real estate market is jobs. Without employment
growth, there is no impetus for improvements in the housing market. More people
moving into the area because of employment opportunities fuels the housing market.
In the last 6 months of 2013, unemployment decreased in the area and job growth
increased. There is a high degree of employment by people 55 years and older.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For more information: Residential <a href="http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article/97717/skyline-report-new-home-occupancy-up-60-percent-in-nwa?utm_source=enews_031914&utm_medium=email&utm_content=daily-report&utm_campaign=newsletter&enews_zone=195008" target="_blank">Summary </a></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17849772430976782936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165461.post-55447355611011324782014-02-17T13:53:00.002-06:002014-02-17T13:53:56.773-06:00University of Arkansas Helps Veterans Succeed<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I was happy to see University of Arkansas receive
nationwide recognition for assisting veterans in the difficult task of
transitioning from the battlefield to campus. Adjusting from war to a classroom
is incomprehensible for anyone who has not been through such experiences. It is
even difficult for many men and women to leave the military itself and change
over to civilian and college life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">BestColleges.com ranked </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">University of Arkansas </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">in the top
40 universities in the country for efforts to meet the needs of returning veterans.
BestColleges.com first reviewed the top 200 universities as defined by <i>U.S.
News & World Report</i>. In order to be considered in the ranking, each university
had to be a member of The Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges, honor </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.acenet.edu/news-room/Pages/ACE-Online-Military-Guide-Credit-Enhanced-Search.aspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ACE Credit</a>, and participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which
provides veterans attending college with funds additional to those received by
the GI Bill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">U of A programs take an individualized approach to counseling,
academic and financial assistance and job placement. The<a href="" name="_GoBack"></a>
<a href="http://veteranscenter.uark.edu/index.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Veterans Resource and Information Center</a> has many veterans on staff that
understand the unique needs of veterans and are willing and able to assist
veterans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Some studies have shown the graduation success rate for
veterans to be abysmally low. Our veterans deserve better so it is especially
gratifying to see University of Arkansas ranked in the top 40 of American
universities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17849772430976782936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165461.post-23834398243671336642014-02-05T15:27:00.000-06:002014-02-05T15:27:20.497-06:00Energy Efficiency Factors Will Begin Showing Up in the NW Arkansas MLS<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">An
energy efficient home can save its owner thousands of dollars over time. That
fact cannot be stressed too often. If you’ve been thinking about becoming
‘greener,’ you already know what I’m talking about. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">If
you haven’t given it much thought but you’re thinking about buying a new or
resale home, you may want to consider the overall, long-term cost of homeownership.
There are many factors to consider in addition to the initial sales price.
Let’s say there are two similar homes for sale in the same subdivision. One has
added insulation and Energy Star appliances and the other does not. The home
that has been upgraded will probably be listed at a higher cost <a href="" name="_GoBack"></a>but the savings in utility bills after a few years will
ultimately be the better buy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Until
very recently the problem was that local real estate agents had no way to
search the multiple listing site for energy efficiency. That is beginning to
change.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Realtors</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">®</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> can now specify certain features of a home when they post the listing on MLS.
For example: Energy Star Certification, low-flow faucets and shower heads, energy-efficient windows and roofs, and
the all-important R-values for insulation, just to name a few. R-value means resistance to heat
flow of a given material. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation and
the lower the utility bills. Different sections of a structure (ceilings,
walls, and floors) generally require different R-values to be considered energy
efficient. Ceilings require a higher R-value than floors or walls because heat
rises.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">As
listing agents become familiar with the new search criteria possibilities and enter this information into the MLS, buyers’
agents will have more thorough information to help their buyers make the best
decision. Most of these green criteria will not appear in consumer-oriented home-search websites.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Since
I specialize as a buyer’s agent, I would be happy to help you make the best
long-term decision for your next home. Call me if you have questions or are thinking about purchasing a home in the near future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17849772430976782936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165461.post-55990395113015493142014-01-13T20:43:00.000-06:002014-01-13T20:43:12.865-06:00Sales of NW Arkansas Homes Mostly Up for 2013<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">For the first 11 months of 2013, the number of homes sold
in in Benton and Washington Counties was up 17.36%. That’s the best rate in all
of Arkansas. Thinking back only two years to the dismal 2011 real estate market
makes it look exceptionally good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The number of homes sold increased, the median sales
price expanded, and the total value of homes sold rose. The average number of
days on the market decreased. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">For some reason not yet fully explained, sales throughout
Arkansas dipped in November 2013. Rising interest rates may have been partially
to blame. Consumer confidence was shaken due to the government shutdown in
October and uncertainties about the rollout of the Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The
December sales figures are not yet available.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Seems
like a majority of real estate professionals predict mortgage interest rates
will increase in 2014. My crystal ball is out for repair so I’m not weighing in
on the subject right now. I do know though, that as interest rates increase,<a href="" name="_GoBack"></a> buyers are generally forced to buy a less costly home in
order to keep their payments affordable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Get more <a href="http://www.thecitywire.com/node/31059#.UtGu8yyA1Dy" target="_blank">NWA housing market information </a>.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17849772430976782936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165461.post-70491322239656038912014-01-09T12:33:00.000-06:002014-01-09T12:33:48.741-06:00USA’s National Emblem (Bald Eagle) Alive and Well in NW Arkansas<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The
majestic American Bald Eagle, symbol of the strength and long life of United
States, migrates every year to winter and raise young in NW Arkansas. With a
wing span of seven feet, eagles can fly at speeds up to 30 MPH and dive at 100
MPH. Truly an awesome sight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Males
and females look alike and both sexes work hard to raise their young. They mate
for life and build huge nests to which they return year after year. They
refurbish and enlarge their <a href="" name="_GoBack"></a>nests over time to the point
that some become as large as an automobile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">We
are lucky in NW Arkansas to be able to see bald eagles (which are not actually
bald) from October to February. Beaver Lake is undoubtedly the largest lake in
the area and has the most eagles, but sightings occur on other lakes and
reservoirs. Eagles have even been seen soaring over roadways or near chicken
houses where I presume they hope to find a dead chicken.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The
easiest and surest way to see bald eagles and their nests is the Eagle Cruise.
For only $10/adult or $5/child (kids under 6 ride free), you can take advantage
of a 90-minute pontoon-boat cruise on Beaver Lake. An interpretative guide goes
along to take you to the optimum locations for success and answer questions as
well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Reservations
are required so call Hobbs State Park at 479-789-5000 or stop by the Visitor
Center. This could be a great field trip, not only for families with children but for anyone interested in one of our great natural resources in NW Arkansas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17849772430976782936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165461.post-88684795154872412862014-01-06T16:31:00.000-06:002014-01-06T16:31:16.418-06:00Benton County Among the Best in the Country for Employment Growth<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Who would have guessed that
among thousands of counties in the United States, Benton County, Arkansas,
would be in second place for employment? It’s true according to <i>CreditDonkey</i>,<i> </i></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">a credit card comparison website that publishes various
data-driven analyses. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The </span><i><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><a href="http://www.creditdonkey.com/counties-work.html" target="_blank">CreditDonkey </a></span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.creditdonkey.com/counties-work.html" target="_blank">study</a> primarily looked at
employment growth, wage growth, and improving unemployment rates during the
twelve months March 2012 to 2013.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">San Mateo County, California
was the only county ahead of Benton County. Falling behind Benton County were
counties in the Denver, Atlanta, and Seattle metropolitan areas among others.
That’s enough to make some of us long-time residents overjoyed. It is always
exhilarating to learn that outsiders concur with what we’ve known all along. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; mso-outline-level: 4;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">During the study period, employment growth in
the U.S. grew slightly more than 1.6%. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Wage growth in Benton County
increased 2.7%. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; mso-outline-level: 4;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Wage
growth in Benton County increased a whopping 14.3% to an average weekly pay of
$1,339. San Mateo County was only one-half of one-percent ahead at 14.8%. The
next best rate after Benton County was </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Loudoun County, Virginia, in the
Washington, D. C. area at 2.4% and that’s not even close. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">During the same time, average U.S. weekly
wages grew by 0.6%, or $6, resulting in an average U.S. paycheck of $989. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Benton County’s unemployment rate also moves
in the right direction. In January 2013,<a href="" name="_GoBack"></a> the U.S. rate
unemployment rate was 7.9% and Benton County’s rate was 6%. As of August 2013, Benton County’s rate had
fallen to 5.4% and the U.S. rate was still above 7%.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Good things are happening all the time in
beautiful Northwest Arkansas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17849772430976782936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165461.post-15309357376446598832014-01-03T10:48:00.000-06:002014-01-03T10:48:30.563-06:00New Year Good News for Local Charities<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">As we pass from the season of giving into the new year it seems appropriate to take note of some great news for local charities.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The
2013 Bikes, Blues and BBQ Motorcycle Rally back in September was a big success in all respects.
Held each fall in Fayetteville, the goal of the rally has always been to
provide family-friendly entertainment and raise funds for local charities at
the same time. As the many events have caused venues to spread to surrounding areas,
the charitable giving has spread as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">This
year’s donations total $105,000, a $15,000 increase from 2012. There is a long
list of recipients. The largest donation, $28,000, was given to Northwest
Arkansas Economic Development district and it<a href="" name="_GoBack"></a> included
$5,000 for Meals on Wheels program in Fayetteville.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Next
largest donation was $20,000 to Fayetteville Boys and Girls Club.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Several
$5,000 checks were given to other local groups including Northwest Arkansas
Free Health Center; Peace at Home Family Shelter; and LifeStyles, Inc. which
helps people with disabilities reach their full potential within the community<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Single
Parent Scholarship Fund of NWA and Sheriff Ralph Baker Memorial Scholarship
Fund also received donations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I’m
not going to take space here to list every recipient but all are worthwhile
organizations that work hard to make life better for many people in our area. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Thanks
to the organizers, participants, and visitors to Bikes, Blues and BBQ. Hope
2014 is even more successful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17849772430976782936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165461.post-9246014383614927922013-11-15T14:55:00.000-06:002013-11-15T14:55:24.929-06:00NW Arkansas Razorback Greenway Comes to Life<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Years
of planning and millions of dollars are bringing the Razorback Greenway close
to completion. The result will be 36 interconnected miles of paved trails reaching
from south Fayetteville to Bella Vista. Untold miles of side trails will carry
users to the Razorback. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Between
the two cities mentioned, the trail will run through Johnson, Springdale,
Rogers, and Bentonville. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">A
$15 million grant from the U.S. Transportation Department’s Investment
Generating Economic Recovery Fund was offered if an equal amount in matching
funds could be raised. The Walton Family Foundation, a longtime supporter of trails
and greenways, pledged $15 million to make the grant possible. Additionally, the
Walton Family Foundation gave approximately $8 million to hire a planning and
design team early in the formation process to ensure overall guidance. Arkansas
Highway and Transportation Department and many of the six affected cities also provided
funding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The
Razorback Greenway connects the University of Arkansas, several hospitals and
schools, NW Arkansas’ big three headquarters (Wal-Mart, Tyson, and J.B. Hunt),
parks and playgrounds, art and entertainment venues and much more. People will
have increased opportunities to bike to jobs and use the trail for lunchtime
exercise. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Some
people might question the feasibility of spending so much money on trails. Yes,
it’s true highways and secondary roads are needed. It’s also true that not
everyone bikes, walks or runs for exercise and enjoyment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">However,
the reality is that the Razorback Greenway will be a major economic boon to
Northwest Arkansas. In fact, the boon has started. A few cafes and bicycle
shops were the first to open businesses along the trail. That’s only natural. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Visitors
are already coming to NW Arkansas to take advantage of the trail, the beauty of
the Ozarks, and the friendliness of our people. When they come here, they bring
money with them to spend for restaurants, lodging, recreation, and shopping. <span style="color: #333333;">Studies show proximity to trails and open space increases
property values and marketability of homes. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Need
I even mention the health benefits achieved by local residents using the trail
to bike, walk, and jog? Having opportunities to be outside and enjoying nature
improves mental health as well. Build an accessible and safe greenway and
people will use it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Some
estimates run as high as $100 million in increased revenue for NW Arkansas. I
have to question how that can be determined at this early stage. But I am
confident economic benefits, including job creation,<a href="" name="_GoBack"></a> will
increase to a major degree. It has happened in other cities across the nation. It
will happen here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">For more information:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.razorbackgreenway.com/" target="_blank">Official Website</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.razorbackgreenway.com/uploads/7/8/3/3/7833643/razorback_regional_trail.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Map</span></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17849772430976782936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165461.post-31319441525576921612013-09-14T09:54:00.000-05:002013-09-14T09:54:09.430-05:00University of Arkansas--Growing and Getting Better All the Time<div class="MsoNormal">
Fayetteville is on many ‘best places’ lists and part of what
contributes to the quality of life here is the presence of the University of
Arkansas. Academic accolades, awards, grant money and high rankings in many
areas have been pouring in. Turns out Razorback sports are not the only reason
the U of A shines. (But let’s face it, Razorback sports are a major force
here.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In terms of enrollment, U of A is the 13<sup>th </sup>fastest
growing public research university in the country. Fall 2013 semester
preliminary student count is more than 25,300 students. An earlier goal was to
reach 25,000 students by 2021, in time to celebrate its sesquicentennial. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The number of minority students is also increasing. A recent
count showed about 4,500 minority students enrolled, an 80% increase since
2008.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Approximately $450 million has been spent since 2011 to
renovate, expand and build facilities to keep up with growth. It’s nice to see
the impressive results as the scaffolding, fences, and temporary detours come
down. No matter where one looks, it seems there’s no end to ‘new’ category:
classrooms, enlarged dining facilities, dorms and off-campus housing to name a
few. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The best part of all is that quality has not been comprised
to accommodate growth. Indeed, the university’s reputation is also growing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Millions of dollars in grants have been awarded to U of A by
Dept. of Defense, National Science Foundation, Dept. of Energy and others.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
New tenure track and non-tenure track positions have been
added. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As U of A continues to grow, so does NW Arkansas. Adding
more jobs, homes, businesses, and schools all contribute to the vibrancy of our
communities.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Way to go Hogs! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
For more information on some of these achievements:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://newswire.uark.edu/articles/21807/u-of-a-listed-among-top-15-fastest-growing-public-research-universities" target="_blank">U of A-In Top 15 Public Research Universities</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://newswire.uark.edu/articles/21762/fall-semester-starts-with-more-students-more-classrooms-less-construction" target="_blank">More Students-More Classrooms-Less Construction</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://newswire.uark.edu/articles/21763/bumpers-college-earns-top-100-world-ranking" target="_blank">Bumpers College in Top 100</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://newswire.uark.edu/articles/21945/walton-college-among-top-30-public-business-schools-in-latest-rankings" target="_blank">Walton College of Business Among Top 30 Business Schools</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17849772430976782936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165461.post-23295182073739750902013-09-04T16:30:00.001-05:002013-09-04T16:31:11.011-05:00Bikes, Blues and BBQ – September 18-21, 2013 -- in Fayetteville<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The
huge BBBQ motorcycle rally is coming to beautiful Fayetteville, Arkansas, again—and
soon. In fact, it is one week earlier than usual this year. Be sure your calendar
is marked for September 18-21. BBBQ has become one of the premier rallies in
the country. Hundreds of thousands of folks participate and watch whether they
have a bike or not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Music
starts at 4 p.m., Wednesday, September 18<sup>th</sup> and doesn’t stop until
midnight Saturday. Even then the festivities continue with the Miss BBB
contest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">If
you want an earlier start for great music, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Blackberry Smoke
will be performing at a pre-rally on Thursday, September 12<sup>th</sup> at the
AMP (Arkansas Music Pavilion) located at Washington County Fairgrounds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The
Fairgrounds is the official campground for the BBBQ rally. There you will find
Beer Gardens, free music, and the barbecue contest on Friday. Free shuttle
service is offered to all the Dickson Street action.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">There
are special events for women such as “trying on” a Harley or Yamaha. Other
activities you won’t want to miss include a car show featuring customs, street
rods, and vintage vehicles. Two Poker Runs will be sponsored by Fayetteville
Fire Fighters. The Stokes Air Bike Show will showcase more types of bikes than
most of us can imagine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">And
the Parade of Power is usually incredible (you might want to bring some ear
protection).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Since
the first BBQ rally was held in 2000, more than $600,000 has been raised and
donated to local charities. This year is no different. All proceeds will be
donated to organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, NWA Free Health
Clinic, Fayetteville Boys and Girls Club, Horses for Healing and many more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">It’s
fair to say there is something for everyone. Music, food, sights to see, and
beautiful weather join together to make the rally memorable. BBBQ has always
prided itself on being family friendly so bring the kids and enjoy your time
together. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">For
more information:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.bikesbluesandbbq.org/" target="_blank">Official Website</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.bikesbluesandbbq.org/rally-info/event-schedule/" target="_blank">Events Schedule</a> (be sure to scroll down to see events already scheduled)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://bbbrally.blogspot.com/2013/08/bikes-blues-and-bbq-pre-rally-party.html" target="_blank">Official Blog </a>with information about the Pre-Rally Party</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17849772430976782936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165461.post-55085200117652493242013-08-12T16:35:00.002-05:002013-08-12T16:35:59.515-05:00Pig Trail Named #2 on Discovery.com’s List of Top Ten Motorcycle Rides in North America<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">If you’ve ever been sightseeing in NW
Arkansas, chances are you have driven the Pig Trail. It’s a truly scenic
section of Hwy. 23, between Brashears on the north end and Ozark on the south
end. It can be easily accessed from Hwy. 16 in southeast Fayetteville or from
Ozark on I-40. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Hwy 23 continues north to Missouri and south
towards Little Rock but the section known as the Pig Trail is less than 20
miles long. It features curves of all shapes and sizes with inclines and
declines to hold your interest. The flowering trees in spring and beautiful
fall foliage are awesome. You’ll see the Mulberry River, Boston Mountains and
Ozark National Forest. The trail is
paved and virtually devoid of commercial development.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Though the Pig Trail is well known in these
parts, it’s interesting to note that The Discovery Channel has recently named
the trail #2 </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">on its list
of Top 10 Motorcycle Rides in all of North America. That is something to brag
about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I think
<a href="http://www.bikesbluesandbbq.org/" target="_blank">Bikes, Blues and BBQ</a> Festival held in Fayetteville each September has brought
more publicity to the trail. Hundreds of thousands people converge on NWA and
surely many of them carried stories back home about our Pig Trail.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’ll be
writing more about Bikes, Blues and BBQ around the end of August or first week
in September. Mark your calendar for September 18-21 if you want to reserve the
dates. (It's a week earlier this year).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/north-america/top-10/motorcycle-rides.htm" target="_blank">Moreinformation on the Pig Trail</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.motorcycleroads.com/75/20/Arkansas/Arkansas-Pig-Trail---Arkansas-23.html" target="_blank">One biker’s review</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And in the "quality of life" department--check <a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/3814123/fayetteville-named-9-best-college-town-and-8-best-bbq" target="_blank">my other blog</a> for more details on new kudos awarded to Fayetteville by Livability.com: #9 college town and #8 barbecue. </div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17849772430976782936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165461.post-54877372824647280692013-07-29T16:22:00.000-05:002013-07-29T16:22:03.602-05:00Get Ready for Shopping this Weekend: Arkansas State Sales Tax Holiday August 3-4 Only<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Heads
up everyone. Whether you have a child in school or not, you can purchase a
multitude of items without paying sales tax for two days only: Saturday and
Sunday, August 3-4, 2013. If you want best selection without a crowd, you can start
at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday. The 48-hour “Sales Tax Holiday” ends at 11:59 p.m.
Sunday, August 4.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This
is the second year Arkansas has declared this sales tax holiday. Last year was
highly successful and saved residents a considerable amount of money. I’m happy
to tell you a little more here so you do not miss out on this opportunity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
sales tax holiday is primarily meant for back-to-school supplies and clothing.
However, the categories are so broad, people from all walks of life can avail
themselves for two days of buying without sales tax added on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">All
Arkansas retailers are required by law to observe the sales tax holiday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here’s
a partial list of eligible purchases:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">All the usual school supplies, including
calculators and art supplies, without limit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">All clothing, footwear, underwear, coats and
jackets, swimsuits, up to $100 per item.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Diapers, disposable and non-disposable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jewelry, handbags, briefcases, sunglasses,
accessories, hair notions, cosmetics, up to $50 per item.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Wedding apparel, up to $100 per item.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Get
your shopping lists prepared. This bonanza will not be back for a whole year!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Rules,
lists of eligible and non-eligible items, and examples are available <a href="http://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/offices/exciseTax/salesanduse/Documents/holidayInstructions.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">To access this
document, you will need to <a href="http://www.downloadinfo.co/review/adobe-reader/?kw=free+adobe+reader&subid=DIARUS&cust=free+adobe+reader&type=reader&gclid=CL3F1OSe0LgCFWYV7Aodo0wAGw&utm_campaign=DIARUS&fwd=1" target="_blank">download Adobe Reader </a>if you do not already have it. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17849772430976782936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165461.post-92098925275686878202013-05-23T07:48:00.000-05:002013-05-23T07:48:51.398-05:00Four NW Arkansas Schools Make List of Top High Schools in Country<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">There are approximately 20,000 to 25,000
public high schools in America. I have to use the word ‘approximately’ because
no matter which source I referenced I found no current, accurate statistics. Oh
well, most folks don’t like statistics anyway. The point is, there are a lot of
high schools.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Newsweek</span></i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> and <i>The Daily
Beast</i> have recently published their annual list of best high schools in the
country; that is to say, the best schools in preparing students to enter
college. Their goal was to find the top 2,000 schools. To accomplish that, they
analyzed data submitted by 2,500 schools. (All public high schools were
eligible to submit data.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">The good news is that Arkansas has twelve high
schools ranked in the top 2,000. Northwest Arkansas has four schools in the
elite group:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"># 83 Haas Hall Academy, Fayetteville<br />
# 799 Fayetteville High School<br />
# 915 Bentonville High School<br />
# 1,757 Pea Ridge High School<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I feel it is important to note that all four schools are open enrollment,
not selective as is the case with some other schools listed in the top 2,000. <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11pt;">The highest ranking Arkansas school was the Arkansas School for
Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts in Hot Springs, at number 13.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11pt;">Here is the complete list of<a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2013/05/06/america-s-best-high-schools.html" target="_blank"> top ranking high schools</a> in the US.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17849772430976782936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165461.post-31591790521945407112012-11-04T21:15:00.000-06:002012-11-04T21:15:35.543-06:00Veterans Day<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Whether
you’re old enough to recall November 11 as Armistice Day or young enough to know
it only as National Veterans Day is not the point. What truly matters is that
we take time from our busy lives to pay tribute to all the men and women who
have served our country. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Please
consider honoring all our veterans, living or dead, at a ceremony near you.
I’ve listed some below. Be sure to check dates and times:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Veterans Health Care System of the
Ozarks (aka VA Hospital) <b>Fayetteville. </b>T</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">he
annual Veterans Day Ceremony will be held on <b>Friday, November 9</b>, 2012
at 11:00 a.m. in the auditorium of Building 3. It will feature the National
Anthem, presentation of the colors by U of A ROTC, patriotic music by
Fayetteville High School Band, placing of the Memorial Wreath and a speaker.
The public is encouraged to attend. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Northwest Arkansas
Veterans Day Parade, <b>Fayetteville
Square, Sunday, November 11</b>. Parade starts at 4:30 pm from 401
West Mountain Street and ends at 5:30 pm at 303 West Center.<br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Rogers,
Saturday, November 10. </span></strong><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Events begin at 9:30 am at Pig Trail
Harley-Davidson, 2409 West Hudson Road Rogers and include a parade.</span><span style="color: #4c4c4c; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> <span lang="EN">Donations from this event will benefit
Disabled American Veterans.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Springdale, Sunday,
November 11. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">NW
Arkansas Veterans Day Parade begins on Emma Street at 2:30 pm. After that,
everyone is invited to a free concert called “Bellows, Brass, and Bells!” from
4:00 pm to 5:15 pm at First United Methodist Church, 206 W. Johnson Avenue,
Springdale. Red, white and blue cookies will be served.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17849772430976782936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165461.post-49959434536473308012012-10-12T21:09:00.000-05:002012-10-12T21:09:38.319-05:00Next Weekend is Craft Fair Weekend in NW ArkansasCome join the throngs of vendors and buyers at arts and crafts extravaganzas throughout NW Arkansas next week, October 17 - 21. But don’t wait until the last minute because the best items will already be gone. <br />
<br />
<br />
These shows attract people from hundreds of miles away and from surrounding states. Each year the shows grow larger and new vendors vie for available slots to show and sell their handmade, unique items. It’s estimated some 200,000 people will flock here next weekend – and the weather is usually cooperative. Just in case, some shows are indoors and that eliminates weather concerns.<br />
<br />
All shows offer free admission. <br />
<br />
Days and hours are listed below:<br />
<br />
War Eagle Mill Fair -- <a href="https://www.wareaglemill.com/fair.html" target="_blank">More information</a> <br />
(The "grand-daddy" of them all).<br />
11045 War Eagle Rd (east of Rogers)<br />
October 17-21<br />
Wednesday – Saturday 8 am – 5 pm<br />
Sunday 8 am – 4 pm<br />
<br />
Sharp’s Show of War Eagle -- <a href="http://nwacraftfairs.com/Sharps_Show_War_Eagle.asp" target="_blank">More information</a><br />
(next to War Eagle Fair – see above)<br />
October 17-21<br />
Wednesday – Saturday 8 am – 5 pm<br />
Sunday 8 am – 4 pm<br />
<br />Bella Vista Arts and Crafts Fair -- <a href="http://nwacraftfairs.com/Bella_Vista_Festival.asp" target="_blank">More information</a> <br />
1991 Forest Hills Drive (intersection of AR 279 and AR 340)<br />
October 18-20<br />
Thursday - Saturday 8 am – 5 pm<br />
Sunday – closed<br />
(479) 855-2064<br />
<br />
Spankler Creek Farm -- <a href="http://www.spankercreekfarm.com/" target="_blank">More information</a> <br />
8334 W. McNeely Rd., Bentonville<br />
October 17-21<br />
Wednesday – Saturday 8 am – 5 pm<br />
Sunday 9 am – 4 pm<br />
<br />
Frisco Station Mall (Indoors) --<a href="http://nwacraftfairs.com/Frisco_Station_Mall.asp" target="_blank">More information</a> <br />
100 N. Dixieland, Rogers<br />
October 18-21<br />
Thursday – Saturday 10 am - 9 pm <br />
Sunday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm<br />
<br />
Ozark Regional Shows (Indoors- 2 locations) --<a href="http://nwacraftfairs.com/Ozark_Regional_Show.asp" target="_blank">More information</a> <br />
John Q. Hammons Center<br />
3303 Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Rogers<br />
and<br />
Holiday Inn Convention Center<br />
1500 S. 48th St., Springdale<br />
October 19-20<br />
Friday – Saturday 9 am – 5 pm<br />
Sunday - closed<br />
<br />
Jones Center Festival (Indoors) --<a href="http://nwacraftfairs.com/Jones_Center_Fair.asp" target="_blank">More information </a><br />
922 E. Emma Av., Springdale<br />
October 18-20<br />
Thursday - Friday 9:00 am - 8:00 pm<br />
Saturday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm<br />
Sunday - closed<br />
<br />
And for those who may want to put a booth at one of these venues, it's much too late for this year, but fill out an application for next spring or fall to participate in this traditional event.<br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17849772430976782936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165461.post-39310029073026243662012-09-14T21:26:00.002-05:002012-09-14T21:28:05.271-05:00Bikes, Blues & BBQ Starts September 26, 2012--Bigger Than EverThe huge Bikes, Blues and BBQ event is a little earlier this year so polish up your bike and make plans to be in Northwest Arkansas September 26-29th. <br />
<br />
BBBBQ (plus or minus some B’s) has added even more ‘Bs’ this year, as in Bikes, Babes and Bling. In addition to the free music, juried BBQ cook-off competitions, poker runs, thrill shows, and other events, there will be special events just for ladies who ride and those who want to ride. They can try out a variety of bikes and practice on a simulator. <br />
<br />
Also new this year is the ladies fashion show. I’m betting a large number of men will be in the audience.<br />
<br />
I don’t want to omit anything such as the beer gardens and vendors galore but there’s only so much space. If you’ve been to BBBBQ in years past, you know I can’t list everything. Suffice it to say that it’s bigger than ever and is even expanding from Fayetteville to neighboring towns with events such as the Arenacross and Extreme Freestyle show at the Parsons Stadium in Springdale.<br />
<br />
As always, BBBBQ is family friendly. Safety is the number one priority. Secondly, profits all go to support local charities.<br />
<br />
Autumn in the Ozarks is a great time of year. Weather and foliage combine to show off the best of our ancient mountains. People are friendly and welcome you no matter where you stop.<br />
<br />
For schedules of events, registration and lodging details, concert schedules, ride maps for surrounding areas, and other information check the <a href="http://www.bikesbluesandbbq.org/" target="_blank">official BBBBQ website</a> and get ready for an awesome event.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17849772430976782936noreply@blogger.com0