Washington – Upon learning that President Obama will be revealing his strategic plans for the American troop commitment in Afghanistan early next week, U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) issued the following statement:

“I believe the President has been wise to take the time to allow his general on the ground, General Stanley McChrystal, and the U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan and former Commander of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, Karl Eikenberry, to offer their full recommendations.

“However, I believe the American people need to know that we have a strategy in Afghanistan with an end in sight. For too long, our uniformed men and women in Afghanistan have been denied a comprehensive strategy worthy of their sacrifice. We also need to know that Afghanistan’s neighbors and our NATO allies are committed to a solution. We need to know that the Afghan government is going to take critical steps to address corruption, conduct honest and free elections and improve its overall effectiveness.  Finally, we need to know how an increase in American troop strength allows the Afghan military to assume more responsibility for their country’s security.

“I recognize that this is a tough decision for the President, but I need to be convinced that sending more Americans into harm’s way is in our national security interest.”

Title: It’s A Wonderful Life Performance in Fairfield Bay
Description: “It’s A Wonderful Life” by Stas Production will be hosted at the Indian Hills Country Club.
The play will be held November 27th-29th. 6pm on 27th & 28th, and 2pm on 29th.
$25 per ticket w/delicious menu.
Start Date: 2009-11-27
End Date: 2009-11-29

LITTLE ROCK, AR—Secretary of State Charlie Daniels today announced the schedule for the 2009 Capitol holiday festivities, which includes the traditional lighting of the Arkansas State Capitol.

In its 71st year, the seasonal celebration kicks off Saturday, December 5 with the annual Capitol Lighting Ceremony.  Starting at 4:00 pm, refreshments and craft projects for children will be available on the Capitol’s front lawn.  At the conclusion of the Big Jingle Jubilee Downtown Holiday Parade around 5:30 pm, Secretary Daniels and Easter Seals representatives will illuminate the 300,000 lights outlining the State Capitol.

The Jernigan State Christmas Tree will not be lit this year in an effort to reduce stress on the 68 year old tree.  The Eastern Red Cedar has been added to the Arkansas Famous and Historic Tree register because of its association with former Secretary of State George Jernigan who planted the tree on the north side of the State Capitol’s main entrance in 1976.

A spectacular fireworks show will cap off the lighting ceremony.  Afterward, visitors can enter the Capitol to experience the winter wonderland of decorations and enjoy the seasonal sounds of the Top of the Rock Chorus.  As always, Santa Claus will be on hand to visit with children of all ages.

Deck the Halls

Throughout the season, the Capitol building will hold special holiday hours from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm on weekdays, and 10:00 am to 9:00 pm on weekends to allow visitors extra time to take in the sights and sounds of the season.

Bemis Tree Service will be delivering the Capitol Rotunda Christmas tree before noon on Tuesday, December 1.  Donated by Mrs. and Dr. Robert Cole, the Leyland Cypress will be harvested from Tom’s Christmas Tree Farm in St. Francis County.   The tree will be adorned with hand-painted globe ornaments depicting a unique scene from each of the state’s 75 counties.

Families will find an assortment of holiday vignettes to serve as backdrops for photographs, including a frosty bridge in the first floor rotunda and ribbon-lined marble staircases.

The 2009 State Capitol ornament features the Rotunda Christmas Tree flanked by two of the red and gold “Joy” banners which decorate the second floor rotunda each holiday season.  Replicating in fine detail the most distinctive and beautiful design elements of the Arkansas State Capitol, the series of collectible ornaments are available for purchase online and in the Capitol Gift Shop.

Little Bricks, Big Vision

The State Capitol’s 2009 holiday exhibit features four intricate tableaux painstakingly assembled with Lego® construction toys by Thomas Mears of Bryant.  These little bricks have entertained and inspired the imaginations of children since becoming commercially-available in the 1930s. The scenes on display include a cityscape, a space port and a pirate port, as well as a fantasyland rendered in Duplo®, the larger building blocks designed for younger construction engineers.  Little Bricks, Big Vision will be on view in the Capitol’s first floor galleries from December 5 through January 2.

Pearl Harbor Remembrance

Secretary Daniels will host the Annual Pearl Harbor Day Remembrance on Monday, December 7 at 3:00 pm in the second floor rotunda of the Capitol.  The public is invited to attend this special ceremony commemorating those who have served our country in times of war and reminding Arkansans to hope for peace.  Blue lights above the bronze doors of the Capitol spell out “Peace” in tribute to our veterans.

Sounds of the Season

More than 130 school choirs and dance troupes will perform in the Capitol rotunda from December 7 through December 18 on weekdays from 9:00 am-3:00 pm.  For additional details on scheduled performances and other holiday events at the State Capitol, visit the Secretary of State’s holiday webpage at www.sos.arkansas.gov/holidays2009.

The Heber Springs Humane Society is in SERIOUS need of used blankets, towels, sheets, or items that go on the floors of the kennels.  Due to the economic times, they have cut the budget again, and there is no money for this.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, November 25, 2009, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., Central Arkansas S.P.C.A., will be in Jacksonville, at Knight’s Grocery, on James Street.  We will be collecting the items and will bring them to Heber Springs, hopefully over the weekend.

We will be in Heber Springs on Dec. 12th, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., doing another drive for these items and taking Santa Paws photos.  The photos will be $5, for a 4×6 and printed while you wait.  Photos will benefit, both, Heber Springs Humane Society and Central Arkansas S.P.C.A.

All natural doggie cookies will be available at both drives for a dollar a quart bag.  Please feel free to call me at 501-398-5238 if you have any questions.

A free Nature Crafts Workshop for children of all ages will be held on Saturday, Dec. 12th, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the log cabin at South Fork Nature Center, Choctaw. Parents of the children are also encouraged to come.

Crafts will include making bird feeders from pine cones, Christmas ornaments from sticks, and jewelry from a variety of natural materials. After the children make their crafts, they can enjoy hiking with their parents on the newly completed trails.

To get to South Fork Nature Center, take U.S. Highway 65 south of Clinton. At Choctaw, turn East at Highway 330 and drive about 3 ½ miles. Turn left on Klondike Rd. just before the blue boat storage building, and drive north about 3 miles to the gate next to the large stone sign. Turn right through the gate and drive less than a mile to the cabin; follow the signs past the private homes and onto the gravel road to the cabin.

The workshop is the second in the “Nature of Art” series. Docents who will lead the workshop include Kay Verboon, Clinton, and Bob and Joyce Hartmann, Choctaw. Kay is a former park ranger at a Louisiana state prehistoric Indian site. Bob is a wildlife biologist and his wife Joyce is an educator and free lance artist and writer. Reservations are required; call or leave a message at 745-6615 to reserve a place at the workshop.

Recovery Act Funds Will Help Improve Infrastructure in Rural Areas

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor along with U.S. Representative Vic Snyder today announced a $2,938,000 grant and a $1,238,000 loan for water and environmental projects in the Tri County Rural Water district. These projects are being funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“These federal dollars will help provide critical water infrastructure improvements,” said Lincoln. “I’m pleased to see this investment in our state, and I remain committed to ensuring that Arkansas receives the funding and resources we need to stay strong.”

“Strong water systems are a bridge to economic growth and an improved standard of living.  These recovery funds will help the Tri County area develop its water infrastructure to attract businesses and better serve local families,” Pryor said.

“Recovery Act projects are so helpful for Arkansas rural communities to improve their economies and revitalize infrastructure, ” said Snyder.  “This project will help the Tri County Water district extend water lines to the families and businesses in Bluffton.”

Altogether, USDA has announced $1.96 billion for water and environmental project loans and grants, benefiting people throughout the country.

The ARRA funding announced today is being administered by USDA Rural Development’s Water and Environmental Program which provides loans and grants to ensure that the necessary investments are made in water and wastewater infrastructure to deliver safe drinking water and protect the environment in rural areas. Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon their meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement.

WASHINGTON D.C. – Senator Mark Pryor today announced that he will be participating in two events with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski on Tuesday, November 24th. The events will focus on efforts to expand broadband access in Arkansas and throughout the country.

On Tuesday, November 24th at 9 am CT, Pryor will moderate a panel discussion with Chairman Genachowski and representatives from the health, education, and telecommunication sectors in Arkansas.  The discussion will focus on the benefits, successes, and challenges of adopting high-speed internet throughout the state.  The event will take place at the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff School of Business and Management, Henderson-Young Hall, 1200 North University Drive in Pine Bluff, AR.

At 12 pm CT, Pryor will speak at an event with Chairman Genachowski titled “Connecting the Nation: A National Broadband Plan.”  The event will focus on the FCC’s work to expand broadband access across the nation and how Arkansas can participate in these initiatives.  It will take place at the Clinton School for Public Service, Sturgis Hall, 1200 President Clinton Avenue in Little Rock, AR.

Parkview Lodge in Branson, Missouri invites you to enjoy the Branson Christmas lights and Shopping, all this less than 10 minutes from almost all of Branson’s attractions.

Parkview Lodge offers exceptionally clean rooms nestled in a quiet, park like setting across from Table Rock Lake and is  Family owned and operated. Microwaves and refrigerators in every room, complimentary coffee and sweet rolls as well as Wi-Fi access.

Enjoy a get away to Branson with a 3 night special for ony $99.00, call  Toll free number 1-888-727-5883 or visit them at Parkviewlodging.com

ARKANSAS CRAFT SCHOOL ANNOUNCES LEAD FACULTY FOR 2010
A panel of independent jurors recently met in Little Rock to review the work of applicants for the position of Lead Faculty at the Arkansas Craft School.  Recommendations were submitted to the School’s Programming Committee, and all recommended candidates were accepted for their appointments.
The two faculty members representing the media of Clay/Ceramics are from Mountain View – David Dahlstedt and Judi Munn.  Both artists work primarily in the realm of functional pottery.  Metal artists include Lyla Allison, a jeweler from Eureka Springs; and Robert Patrick, a blacksmith from Everton.  Robert’s wife, Mary Patrick was also selected.  Mary is a fiber artist who creates baskets, as well as mosaic work.  Also chosen for the fiber category was Dana Shaeffer.  Dana is a weaver of both functional fiber, and of tapestry.  Dana hails from Mountain View, as does Gerald Chisholm, who is representing the category of wood.  His specialty is wildlife carving, particularly the carving of birds.  Rounding out the faculty are two glass artists, Ed Pennebaker, from Green Forest, a glassblower; and Roberta Katz-Messenger, a stained glass artist from Clinton.
The Arkansas Craft School, located in Mountain View, Arkansas is dedicated to the education of aspiring and practicing craft artisans for success in the Creative Economy.  The Craft School partners with the Arkansas Craft Guild, the Ozark Folk Center and Ozarka College; and offers Continuing Education credits for all of its courses.  Scholarship grants are available for most courses.  Support for the Arkansas Craft School is provided, in part, by the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, and the National Endowment of the Arts.  Visit the Arkansas Craft School’s website, www.arkansascraftschool.org for more information on classes.  Information on the procedure for applying to be a member of the 2011 Lead Faculty is also available on the site.

SEARCY, Ark. — The Harding University-Community Orchestra will perform
Thursday, Dec. 3, in Harding’s Administration Auditorium at 7 p.m.
with the Harding String Quartet opening the concert. It will be free
to the public, and seating will be available on a first come, first
served basis.

The concert will feature several Christmas arrangements, such as
“Christmas Concerto,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “The Holly and
the Ivy,” “Deck the Halls,” ‘Stille Nacht” and “Sussex Carol.” The
performance will present other pieces as well, including “Concertino
for Clarinet,” a solo by junior Ashley Calcote, and “Fantasia on
Greensleeves.”

The orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Michael Chance, is comprised
of Harding student musicians, local professionals and advanced string
students from the Searcy Community School of Music.