Heads Up! Arkansas State Sales Tax Holiday August 2-3 Only

It's that time of year again. Everyone, whether you have a child in school or not, 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.

This is the third year Arkansas has declared this sales tax holiday. The tax break has been a welcome savings for Arkansans.

Here are the basics of what you need to know…

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.

All Arkansas retailers are required by law to observe the sales tax holiday. This includes the University of Arkansas bookstores.

Here’s a partial list of eligible purchases:

• ·         All the usual school supplies, including calculators and art supplies, without limit.
• ·         All clothing, footwear, underwear, coats and jackets, swimsuits, up to $100 per item.
• ·         Diapers, disposable and non-disposable.
• ·         Jewelry, handbags, briefcases, sunglasses, accessories, hair notions, cosmetics, up to $50 per item.
• ·         Wedding apparel, up to $100 per item.

Get your shopping lists prepared. This bonanza will not be back for a whole year!

Rules, lists of eligible and non-eligible items, and examples are available here:

Reminder: Bikes, Blues and BBQ Rally September 24-27, 2014

Just want to remind you that Bikes, Blues and BBQ Rally 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.

BB and BBQ grows bigger and better every year. Springdale has events on tap for the first time. Beautiful Arvest Ball Park will be the site of a motorcycle rally, car show, live music, steak cook off, and a vintage bike show, sponsored by the Ozark Vintage Motorcycle Association on September 27. Sign in for some of those activities is September 26.

Arvest Ball Park is easily accessible from I-49 (formerly I-540). Use brand new Exit 71.

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.

Pocket parks--another part of NW Arkansas' quality of life equation

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.

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.

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.

The parks provide opportunities for exercise, rest and reflection, recreation, and socialization. They enhance neighborhoods by providing comfortable and accessible places for neighbors to meet and engage in activities.

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.

In addition to some of these spaces within neighborhoods and subdivisions, Bentonville already has several:  Austin-Baggett Park, Enfield Park, Gilmore Park, Northwest A Street Park and Wildwood Park. Rogers lists 7 neighborhood parks on its parks webpage, and Springdale has one planned near Shiloh Square, adjacent to the Razorback Greenway. Many of the 35 parks and other natural spaces in Fayetteville can also be included in these definitions.

Pocket parks are not a new concept.  They started originally in inner cities like New York where there was little green space and have spread to suburban areas. There may be one located near you or soon coming to your area. Enjoy...

It's Rodeo Time in the Ozarks!

The Rodeo of the Ozarks 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.

This will this be the 70^th 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.

Here’s a quick summary of activities:

July 1 at 5:00 p.m. Rodeo “Slack” Performance

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.

July 2 at 3:00 p.m. Rodeo Parade

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.

July 2-5  70^th Annual Rodeo of the Ozarks

6:30 p.m. Mutton Bustin’ for kids (riding sheep)

7:30 p.m. Rodeo featuring professional cowboys and cowgirls from all over the U.S.

July 2-5  Miss Rodeo of the Ozarks Queen Pageant

Over the course of four days young ladies will compete in horsemanship, interviews, speeches, modeling and more to vie for the title.

July 5 at 10:00 a.m. Rodeo Parade

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.

July 5 Fireworks Display