The Springs Magazine • January 2024 • 2 The captivating cover art titled “Sunday Evening” was crafted by Rayshaun McNary and is a featured piece in The Birth of an Artist exhibition presented by Cutwell 4 Kids (C4K) on January 27. This local non-profit arts organization is dedicated to fostering and championing the unique self-awareness and growth of every child through artistic expression. When we approached Anthony Tidwell, founder of C4K, and asked him to provide us with artwork from the show for our cover, he recommended Trevor Tidwell, an outstanding graphic designer responsible for this year’s poster. Trevor then skillfully designed our cover using McNary’s artwork, showcasing the evident artistic talent that runs in the Tidwell family. Here we proudly present not only our cover but also the original artwork by Rayshaun. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Anthony, Trevor, and Rayshaun, we are delighted to showcase another exceptional cover for the magazine. Their artistic contributions continue to elevate the visual appeal of our publication. With sincere appreciation, we kick off our 32nd year, grateful for the ongoing support and creative brilliance that enriches our journey. Happy New Year from The Springs Magazine Team! About the Cover . . . “Sunday Evening” Original Art by Rayshaun McNary • Cover Design by Trevor Tidwell
3 • The Springs Magazine • January 2024 Low Key Arts is pleased to invite you to the 17th annual Arkansas Shorts: A Weekend of Short Films, taking place Friday-Sunday January 5-7, 2024 at the Malco Theatre, 817 Central Avenue, in Hot Springs. The festival will showcase a thoughtfully curated lineup of short films from Arkansas and beyond as well as workshops and after-parties throughout the weekend. With a record-breaking total of 85 films in the lineup, there is truly something for everyone! Presented in 10 unique blocks of roughly 90 minutes each, the shorts are curated into sections intended to stimulate thought, laughter, and discussion. The schedule for the weekend is punctuated with receptions, meet-ups, and after-parties, providing a fertile climate for filmmakers to network and celebrate each other’s accomplishments. Arkansas Shorts also acts as a showcase for the original short films made in Low Key’s own hands-on filmmaking program, Inception to Projection. In addition to presenting 26 new short films in the festival this year, many of the Inception students also had the opportunity to work on their first professional feature film shot right here in Hot Springs and there will be a special (sneak peek) of the film during the weekend. A partnership with Visit Hot Springs enabled Inception students to produce 8 micro short films celebrating the uniqueness of Hot Springs, all of which will be on screen at the festival. For more information about the festival visit Facebook: Arkansas Shorts. Arkansas Shorts to Host Exceptional Lineup of Films Save the date! April 8, 2024. Hot Springs will be one of the most ideal places in the world to see the eclipse! What is a Solar Eclipse? “Total solar eclipse: A total solar eclipse is visible from a small area on Earth. The people who see the total eclipse are in the center of the Moon’s shadow when it hits Earth. The sky becomes very dark as if it were night. For a total eclipse to occur, the Sun, Moon, and Earth must be in a direct line.” —Nasa.gov On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will occur in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas. “The Spa City” is located about halfway between the centerline and the eastern edge of the eclipse path, resulting in very respectable totality durations for this historic resort town. Don’t worry about blinking and missing it since totality will last approximately 3 minutes and 37 seconds in downtown Hot Springs. With miles of hiking and biking trails, a wide variety of restaurants, and endless exciting attractions, Hot Springs National Park will be a premier destination for the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, and for the whole family, too! For more information visit hotsprings.org/events/eclipse/. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS April 5-8 | Total Solar Eclipse Weekend, Mid-America Museum April 5-8 | Atlas Obscura’s Ecliptic Festival, Cedar Glades Park April 5-9 | Blacked Out at The Waters, The Waters Hotel April 6-8 | 2024 Ron Coleman Mining Eclipse Festival April 8 | Oaklawn Total Eclipse 2024, Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort April 8 | Eclipse 2024 at Garvan Woodland Gardens April 8 | Eclipse Viewing at the Garland County Library #eclipsehotsprings #totalityhotsprings #solareclipse2024 #visithotsprings ECLIPSE TIMES FOR HOT SPRINGS Start of Partial Eclipse 12:31:57 PM CDT Start of Total Eclipse 1:49:29 PM CDT Maximum Eclipse 1:51:17 PM CDT End of Total Eclipse 1:53:05 PM CDT End of Partial Eclipse 3:10:13 PM CDT Hot Springs is Expecting Hefty Turnout for Solar Eclipse
The Springs Magazine • January 2024 • 4 Editor’s Note: We’d like to congratulate AWG on its decades of success. As new owners of The Springs Magazine, we were excited to feature AWG’s move to its new location on the cover of our November 2013 issue. In this era where venues for artists to show their work are growing exceedingly rare, the Artists’ Workshop Gallery (AWG) stands out. The Hot Springs gallery scene has been through the ups and downs of economic fluctuations, floods, ice storms, and most recently, the inconvenience of road construction. Yet through all this, the Artists’ Workshop Gallery is thriving. It survived the pandemic in part because its business model does not focus on business, it centers on the art itself. Gallery members voted to continue to pay their monthly membership fees even though the gallery was closed, and no art was being shown. It paid off. When the gallery was finally able to reopen its sales were the best they had ever been. At AWG shoppers will see an extensive variety of work that includes oils, acrylics, scratch board, watercolor, ink, graphite, pastel, collage, mixed mediums, and photography. You will be able to choose from fabric art, pottery, glass works, journals, jewelry, note cards, miniature paintings, and sculpture. They have art for every budget, from reasonably priced original works to inexpensive prints and note cards. You will find works that are perfect for gifts, will go with your décor, and more than a few that will challenge you. Come join the AWG artists at 610A Central Avenue for their 33rd anniversary celebration during Gallery Walk, January 5, from 5-9 PM. Champagne toast at 6 PM. Take advantage of 20% off all art that evening during Gallery Walk hours. For more information about AWG, visit www.artistsworkshopgallery.com, call 501-623-6401, or follow AWG on Facebook: ArtistsWorkshopGallery. Artists’ Workshop Gallery Celebrates Its 33rd Anniversary Cutwell 4 Kids (C4K) is hosting its ninth annual art sale/fundraiser, The Birth of an Artist, at Whittington Place, 301 Whittington Ave, in Hot Springs. The event will take place on Saturday, January 27, 2024, from 5-7 PM. Light appetizers will be served. “In addition to the exciting artwork from our community of emerging artists, we will also feature musical talent in the areas of jazz and R&B,” stated C4K founder, Anthony Tidwell. Cutwell 4 Kids was founded in 2014 by Tidwell to encourage children to develop an understanding of themselves and the world around them, to nurture their confidence and self-expression - while developing art skills. Free art classes are offered through the C4K Birth of an Artist Summer program, exploring concepts, ideas, social and cultural issues - even opinions - while engaged in art activities. “Cutwell 4 Kids is essential in our community for providing a safe space to explore and develop critical thinking skills,” said Tidwell. “At the end of each Summer program, we host the Birth of an Artist Art Sale & Fundraiser to showcase and sell artwork created by C4K artists and to raise much-needed funds for next year’s program.” If you would like to partner with C4K in funding next year’s program, please visit https://cutwell4kids.org/donations-support/ to make an online donation, or send a check to Cutwell 4 Kids, 247 Silver Street, Hot Springs, AR 71901. Birth of an Artist Features Exciting Work From Local Emerging Artists This year’s featured artist is Rashawn Penister.
5 • The Springs Magazine • January 2024 JANUARY ART MATTERS • GALLERY WALK #413 Friday • JAN 5 • 5-9 PM • Visit HotSpringsArts.org for art news As we embark on the journey into 2024, the anticipation of what the new year holds adds an extra layer of wonder. Whatever unfolds, let’s make a conscious effort to ‘Shop Locally!’ and ‘Tip Generously!’ Additionally, mark your calendars to celebrate with the galleries every First Friday of the month. The act of gifting art extends beyond a mere item; it becomes a gift of connection, forging a meaningful link between yourself, the artist, and the recipient. To begin 2024 on a memorable note, consider taking a captivating trip through Historic Downtown Hot Springs. The Springs Magazine Team wishes you the very best of holidays and a Happy and healthy New Year! AMERICAN ART GALLERY 724 Central • 501-624-0550 Featured Gallery Artists in January are Valerie Hanks-Goetz’s Pottery; Small gourds by Isaac Villalobos; Virgil Barksdale turned Banksia Pod & turned wood; and Jimmy Leach’s artwork. Southwest Jewelry. Visit the Thomas Kinkade upstairs gallery. Mon-Sat, 10-4 PM. ARTISTS’ WORKSHOP GALLERY 610A Central • 501-623-6401 • ArtistsWorkshopGallery.com Come join the AWG artists at Gallery Walk for their 33rd Anniversary Celebration from 5-9 PM on Jan. 5. Champagne toast at 6 PM. 20% off all art during Gallery Walk hours. They have art from reasonably priced original works to inexpensive prints and note cards. Open 10–5. Sun, 12–5. Closed Tues. COLLECTIVE ARTS GALLERY 620 Central Avenue, Ste 2B • Second Floor • 501-318-1600 60 artists form Collective Arts Gallery. Climb the beautiful spiral staircase to the 2nd floor & welcome the artists to their new home. Paintings, jewelry, sculptures, cards, glasswork, pottery, and more. Wed-Sat 10 AM-4 PM. Sun Noon-4 PM. DRYDEN ART POTTERY STUDIO/GALLERY 341 Whittington • 501-623-4201 • DrydenPottery.com Four generations of artistry! Since 1946 our in-house formulated glazes & custom-blended clay combine to create a finished quality that is easily recognizable as “Dryden.” M-Sat 10-3 PM. Daily free pottery wheel demos M-F, 10-11 AM. All day Sat. EMERGENT ARTS 341A Whittington • 501-655-0836 • emergentarts.org We will be closed for January Gallery Walk but we’ll be back for future first Fridays. Happy New Year from all of us! Gallery Hours: Tues-Sat Noon – 5 PM. JUSTUS FINE ART GALLERY 827A Central • 501-321-2335 • JustusFineArt.com The January Exhibit welcomes the new year with work by a variety of artists including Mark Blaney, Donnie Copeland, Adrian Deckbar, Robyn Horn, Dolores Justus, John Lasater, Dennis McCann, Linda Palmer, Tony Saladino, Sandra Sell, Gene Sparling, Michael Warrick, Steven Wise, and others. The opening reception will be held during Gallery Walk. Exhibit dates: Jan. 5 - 31. 10 AM–5 PM, Wed-Sat, & by appointment. TRADITIONAL ART GUILD [email protected] • FB: Traditional Art Guild Visit TAG’s Gallery at HS Airport. TAG is a place to network within the larger creative community. Attend their public meetings every 3rd Thursday. Facebook: Traditional Art Guild. Next meeting Jan. 18, 9:30 AM-Noon at GCLibrary. VAPOR VALLEY GALLERY & STUDIOS 121 Grove Street • FB: Vapor Valley Gallery & Studios Recently renovated by John Fagankrantz, Vapor Valley is the newest art gallery in downtown Hot Springs. Featuring 25 local artists, located in the Historical Rest a While Inn. Check Facebook for their days and hours then come enjoy the cozy atmosphere and impressive variety of art this gallery has to offer.
The Springs Magazine • January 2024 • 6 Maxwell Blade’s Theatre of Magic Magic & comedy for the whole family Robo World Coffee shop & arcade Justus Fine Art Gallery Established & emerging artists Run Stop Specialty running merchandise Deluca’s Pizzeria Napoletana Authentic NY brick oven pizza Rebecca Peterman Photography Portraits photography Next Generation Tye-Dyes & Apparel Cotton clothes & bedding Picante’s Mexican Grill Authentic Mexican dishes Brick House Grill Steaks, burgers, salads and much more Steinhaus Keller German food & biergarten Outdoor seating Mirror Mirror Salon Beauty, cosmetics & personal care Gary Morris Interiors Unique décor, lamps and gifts A Narrow Escape Brain-teaser escape room. Ages 8 & up Subway Submarine sandwich shop Small’s Barbershop & Shave Parlor Cafe Kahlo Mexican Breakfast & brunch Destiny’s Bake Shop Breakfast, lunch, desserts, cakes Will’s Cinnamon Shop Homemade cinnamon rolls Central Cabaret & Nightclub Music, entertainment, event venue Grateful Head Pizza Oven & Beer Garden Deadhead-Brauhaus Culture. Gin Joint 801 Spencer’s Corner Bathhouse Row 400 Block Central Ave Fat Jack’s Oyster & Sports Bar Great food, music. Pets OK on patio Kollective Coffee & Tea Organic & local for breakfast & lunch The Colonial Pancake & Waffle House Breakfast & brunch. Kringles & Kones Christmas-themed sweet shop Dapper and Debonaire Men’s grooming goods Rings ‘n’ Things Fun fashion jewelry Freedom United Salon Highly trained staff. Progressive work. The Villa Boutique Apparel, bath & body, linens, jewelry Colonial Candy Corner Retro & nostalgic candy, ice cream Kringles in the Park Christmas, seasonal, collectibles & gifts Faith & Flair Boutique Women’s boutique clothing The Springs Hotel & Spa Casual hotel and spa with 139 rooms Mountain Valley Spring Company Visitor Center/Museum. Full line of MV Water merchandise. Rolando’s Restaurante Latin American fare. Full bar & patio Savory Pantry Gourmet gift baskets & edible essentials Pancake Shop Serving breakfast exclusively. 3AM Gallery & Gifts Art gallery & gift shop Silver Coconut Collegiate, boutique baby items, & more Bathhouse Row Winery AR wine selections. Tastings daily Hot Springs Hemp Company Hemp oils and accessories Snazzies, Inc. Young, contemporary, funky boutique Beef Jerky Outlet Wall to wall jerky. Popcorn, sauces YOUR CBD STORE Alternative health services Arlington Hotel Historic hotel, largest hotel in AR Starbucks Coffee (Arlington) Arlington Beauty Salon (Arlington) Arlington Bathhouse/Spa (Arlington) Downtown Record & CDs (Arlington) Mamoo’s Paradice Cream Homemade ice cream. Uptown Market & Spirits Essentials from sunscreen to spirits Josephine Tussaud Wax Museum Journey through its 7 Magic Worlds Maharaja Boutique Embroidered dresses, sterling, t-shirts Chill & Go Handcrafted Ice Cream Rolled ice cream 4D Adventure Amazing 4D simulation Kilwins Since 1947, chocolates, ice cream & more Earthbound Trading Company Unique apparel, accessories & home decor The Buffalo Clothing Co. High quality men’s clothing & accessories Tombstone Old Time Photos Wild West, gangster portraits Thai-Me Spa Massage, nail, body, & skin services Argentinian Coffee & Wine Bar Argentinian delicacies, bar experience! Oxy-Zen Oxygen bar to restore, relax & revive! Hot Springs Hat Co. Hats for men and women Spa Souvenirs & Gifts Unique & locally made/designed items. The Ohio Club Oldest bar in AR. Great food & music The Avenue Upscale restaurant & bar in Waters Hotel The Waters Hotel Historic, boutique hotel, 62 rooms Gallery Central Gifts, clothing, & art Toy Chest Specialty toys, books, science kits, etc. It’s All About Rocks Rocks & unique merchandise EVILO Oils & Vinegars Delectable oils & vinegars, tastings daily Granny’s Kitchen Southern breakfast, lunch and dinner Bathhouse Soapery & Caldarium Handcrafted locally-soap & bath luxuries National Park Gifts & Souvenirs HS best selection of souvenirs & gifts Villianess Alchemy Bath & beauty apotheclasses Superior Bathhouse Brewery Thermal springs brewery, restaurant & special event venue Hotel Hale Boutique hotel and restaurant Fordyce Bathhouse Nat’l Park Visitor Center & museum Quapaw Baths & Spa Thermal pools & baths, spa services Ozark Bathhouse Cultural center, open on weekends Buckstaff Baths Our only remaining traditional thermal bathing facility Lamar Bathhouse Bathhouse Row Emporium Lauray’s Jewelers Bridal, custom designs, & repairs Spa City Market Convenience store Wrapped Gift Boutique A gift for every occasion BubbaLu’s Bodacious Burgers Burgers, hot dogs & ice cream Stella Mae’s…Out of the Ordinary Retro inspired clothing JoJo and Jess Home, fashion & personal accessories Ginger’s Popcorn The best darn popcorn in the South! All Things Natural Bring home the wonder & beauty of nature National Park Duck Tours Land & water tours on Lake Hamilton The Glitzy Girls by Bear Necessities Upscale women’s boutique Renee’s Women’s apparel, jewelry & home décor Hot Springs Haunted Tours Facts, myths & legends of Hot Springs Fat Bottomed Girl’s Cupcake Shoppe As seen on CUPCAKE WARS! MacKenzie’s Extraordinary Gift Shoppe Unique boutique gifts & plush animals Pour Some Sugar on Me Sweet Shoppe Candy & delectable delights. Gangster Museum of America Guided tour of the HS gangster world Historic District Antiques Estate jewelry, lighting, glass, & furniture Petals, Purses, Etc. Handbags, women’s & children’s clothing Trail Mix Outdoor apparel & trail gear The Gift Gallery Unique gifts, home decor, & apparel Diablos Tacos and Mescal Urban tacos, tapas, drinks. Patio dining Hot Springs Internal Medicine Clinic Family internal medical clinic Artists’ Workshop Gallery Cooperative gallery with 30 local artists All Things Arkansas Products made in AR & relating to AR JubiTea Hot Springs Bubble tea, milk tea, smoothies US Post Office Beverly’s Casual Shop Women’s boutique DeSoto Rock & Gift Shop Locally crafted jewelry & minerals Hot Springs Visitor Center Tourist information center Maxine’s Live Live music, food, craft beer & drinks Hot Springs Trolley Tours Trolley tours. Special events. The Porterhouse Steak and Seafood Prime-only steaks and seafood cuisine Copper Penny Pub Irish pub, food, beer, big screen TVs Vault 723 Timeless Vault Dining Downtowner Marketplace Vendors in one location with home decor, boutiques and artisans Rocket Fizz Soda pop & candy shop American Art Gallery & Gifts Local, regional, national & int’l artists Joanna A. Boutique Women’s fashions & accessories The Humidor Cigar Lounge Capone’s Loft Vacation Rental Legacy Fine Art Gallery Artwork by local & int’l artists 500 Block Central Ave 600 Block Central Ave 700 Block Central Ave 800 Block Central Ave 100 Block Exchange CENTRAL CABARET-NIGHTCLUB 200 Block Central Ave 300 Block Central Ave BUBBALU’S BURGERS & DOGS 1000 Block Central Ave FREE PARKING 128 Exchange St Parking Deck PAI D PARKING 2 HR Meters on Central Ave STEINHAUS KELLER 100 Block Central Ave DOWNTOWNER JUSTUS ART GALLERY 900 Block Central Ave HOTEL HALE
7 • The Springs Magazine • January 2024 The Junior and Senior Beta Conventions are coming to the Hot Springs Convention Center January 17, 18, and 19, 2024, and volunteers are needed to judge the competitions. NO ART EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! V o l u n t e e r s have been asked to help judge for a myriad of competitions including Visual Arts, Accessorized and Apparel Design, Club Trading Pin, Service Learning Showcase, Two and Three-Dimensional Design, Scrapbook, and Performing Arts. The slots are 9:30 AM-12:00 PM and 12:00 PM-2:30 PM on the 17, 18, and 19. Volunteers can judge a morning and afternoon time slot on any or all days, but can only judge one competition in a time slot. As many as 75 volunteers will be needed as this is a huge convention coming to Hot Springs! “We will be posting a SignUpGenius for this Convention and you’ll be able to choose your slots,” stated Kim Everhart, volunteer coordinator. “If you are interested in helping out, just email us at [email protected] and we will let you know when the SignUpGenius goes live.” Volunteers Needed to Judge Beta Competitions No art experience is necessary to volunteer to judge the competitions. In the heart of Malvern Avenue stands Henry Glover Place, a touching homage to the late Hot Spirngs native, Henry Glover, commemorating his unparalleled contributions to the entertainment industry. Established on what is known as Black Broadway, this park marks the centenary of Glover’s birth (1921-2021), honoring his enduring legacy. Located at 348 Malvern Avenue, the park features musical sculptures, the "Black Broadway" mural, landscaping, and seating. The hand-painted mural adorns the wall and a bench provides an ideal spot for relaxation and immersion in the park’s beauty. As a holiday addition, a majestic king’s throne, illuminated by regal reindeer flanking each side, provides a true gem for family photos. Adjacent to this charming park lies a stunning mosaic planter crafted by Mosaic Madness within the Hot Springs City Building. This picturesque setting invites visitors to capture cherished moments and create lasting memories. Heartfelt thanks are due to the City of Hot Springs and Parks & Trails for their unwavering dedication to preserving such natural treasures, enhancing the landscape for all to enjoy. So, take a pause from your day and visit this remarkable park, located at 348 Malvern Avenue, snap a photo, and etch a memory into the legacy of Henry Glover Place—a tribute to both an icon of entertainment and the spirit of community preservation. Celebrate Henry Glover Place on Black Broadway Snap a photo for a holiday memory at the majestic king’s throne at Henry Glover Place on Malvern Avenue.
The Springs Magazine • January 2024 • 8 Park Avenue Fire Station Golden Raised Donuts Donuts and breakfast pastries Arkansas Tower Motel Short-Dodson House/Tower Motel E-Z Mart Fast stop The Gold Inn Quaint Uptown motel David F. Watkins Memorial Park Community Park & Amphitheater 1884 Wildwood Bed & Breakfast Bed and breakfast Parkway Court Daily, weekly, monthly Bower Motel Epic Cabinets & Design Countertops, cabinets & accessories Spa City Cycling Sales & Service Bike service, repair, and parts Budget Inn/Relax Inn Lynwood Motel Shell Gas Station Family Dollar Neighborhood shopping Coffee House 2 Blocks Craft Coffee Roastery Northwoods Trail Connector Pullman Avenue short cut to Northwoods Urban Forest Trail Settle Inn Upscale modern vacation rental cottages. Newly renovated. Full kitchens. Red Light Roastery Coffee House Small batch, craft coffee roastery Larkmartin Soaps Handmade soaps and lotions 1010 Liquor Wine, beer & spirits 700 Block Park Ave 800 Block Park Ave 900 Block Park Ave 1000 Block Park Ave RED LIGHT ROASTERY Majestic Lawn Historic landmark Vapors Live Event & live music venue Air-FX Heating & air conditioning The Hot Springy Dingy Gifts, jewelry, costume rental North Star Liquor/Big A’s Liquor Wine, beer & spirits Bailey’s Dairy Treat One of three drive-ins in town Simple but Effective Cutz Barbershop Park Haven Community Garden Community vegetable garden Haven United Methodist Thrift Store Bargains galore Dame Fortune’s Cottage Court Historic boutique motel. Modern amenities. Vintage-inspired design August and Company Resale shop Emma Lee’s Soul Food restaurant The Arrangement Florist 400 Block Park Ave 500 Block Park Ave 600 Block Park Ave 100 Block Park Ave HOT SPRINGY DINGY 300 Block Park Ave SETTLE INN Cottage Court Vapors Live northwoods trail The Parlour Metaphysical shop Anchor High-end body piercing studio Just Swanky Consignment Boutique Upscale resale shop M&M Travel Consultants Vacations & adventures Big Axe Battleground Axe throwing Garland County Courthouse Government Offices Hamp Williams Building Event venue Surfas Culinary District Quality cookware & equipment Taco Mama Side Town Mexican restaurant Galaxy Connection Superhero store & Star Wars Museum Statements for the Home Interior Design 3B’s Bar & Grill Dive bar, pool tables Best Court Cottages Boutique cottages Best Cafe Gormet menu Garland Cty Election Commission HS Chamber of Commerce The Electric Strawberry Wellness bar & soul repair shop Grand Avenue Habitat Restore Thrift store St John’s Catholic Church The Clearspring Senior living community Kids Source Speech & Development therapy Dairy Queen Grill & Chill Ice cream and burgers Riley Art Glass Studio Glass blowing, gallery & demos Leo’s Auto Service Automotive repair Forever Beautiful Permanent cosmetics Superior Senior Care In-home care services Grand Lagniappe Shoppe Women’s apparel & Tea Room Grand Ave United Methodist Church Hideaway Cafe Quaint & friendly coffee house 700 Block West Grand Ave 800 Block West Grand Ave Lender’s Title Company Largest independent title & escrow agency in AR & LA Landmark Building Something Bleu Bridal boutique Lavish Boutique Stylish & trendy women’s boutique SQZBX Brewery & Pizza Joint Lunch & dinner; entertainment KUHS 102.5 Hot Springs Solar Powered Community Radio Mountain Valley Armory Bank OZK Home Instead Senior Care In-home care for Seniors The Courthouse Chapel/Get Hitched Hot Springs Wedding planning venue Barrels Unlimited Winemaking kits and lessons SixtyOne Celsius Full-service communication firm The Retro Fit Women’s, men’s, kids-retro Hairapy Beauty salon & barber shop. Stroope Tire, Inc. Tire dealer & repair shop Farmers Insurance Darryl Wiltshire Agency Ouachita Investment Group White Stone Real estate agency Chrysalis Day Spa Day spa and Med spa Splash Wine Bar Wine, beer, appetizers & entertainment Ouachita Wax & Naturals Vintage decor, design Colorado Grill Southwest restaurant 200 Block Ouachita Ave 400 Block Ouachita Ave 500 Block Ouachita Ave 100 Block Ouachita Ave 600 Block Ouachita Ave GRAND LAGNIAPPE SHOPPE 300 Block Ouachita Ave 600 Block West Grand Ave JUST SWANKY THERETRO FIT 200 Block Woodbine Street 500 Block West Grand Ave
9 • The Springs Magazine • January 2024 By Alana Merritt Mahaffey Even lifelong residents of the Spa City can be confused. Some still think of a certain downtown section as “COMO” Square, an easy reference point where four streets meet: Commerce, Orange, Market, and Ouachita. Once marked by the stately COMO Hotel, it was a starting point for directions and chances are most readers pass by it regularly. It’s now easily recognizable as the DAR’s triangle-shaped monument to the long-gone Confederacy and the white-columned threestory Landmark Building. In its heyday, this odd section of the city was a one-stop-shop. The COMO Hotel (1915-76) bragged of 200 “fireproof” rooms, had a 3-chair barbershop, and was the news hub of the town. Boys touting the “Dailies” made the Square their first stop. It was the spot where Hot Springs men met in 1918 for a “sign-up rally” to join the forces fighting in WWI. It was also the spot of Hot Springs mob violence. On the first day of August in 1922, Gilbert Harris was hung from a light pole at “COMO Triangle,” the grassy area just in front of the hotel. He is buried in a local cemetery. As the automobile increased in popularity, grand hotels like the COMO struggled to fill vacancies. Travelers preferred the courts and motels to the aging hotels. The COMO was demolished, pieces of it parsed out across town. Its signature iron urns found a new home decorating the porch of a home in the historic 800 block of Quapaw. This was the way of old Hot Springs: demolition and donations. (Another example includes a light pole near the Malvern Walmart Marketplace that once stood at the entrance of the Belvedere Country Club.) Again, Hot Springs finds COMO Square changing. The Landmark Building has a freshly painted façade; new businesses continue to come and go around its edges. And soon the vacant lot across from the COMO Triangle promises a new hotel and hopefully, a burst of life to the square that was once our epicenter. THEN & NOW: COMO Hotel The former COMO Hotel bragged of 200 “fireproof” rooms. Editor’s Note: Introducing a new feature, “THEN & NOW,” penned by local author Alana Merritt Mahaffey. Through occasional entries, she will provide glimpses into the rich history of our quarky town.”
The Springs Magazine • January 2024 • 10
11 • The Springs Magazine • January 2024 The Hot Springs Jazz Society presents Party Gras 24, formerly known as The Mardi Gras Ball and Costume Contest. Did you know that the Hot Springs Jazz Society (HSJS) is one of the oldest nonprofit organizations in Hot Springs? The Jazz Society has been carrying out its mission to “preserve, present, and perpetuate jazz” in the Hot Springs area since 1992! With that in mind, HSJS will present Party Gras 24, the only annual fundraiser event for the organization. The proceeds from this event will sponsor high school students’ tuition at Jazz Camp for the summer of 2024. The Jazz Society will also use the funds to produce the 32nd annual JazzFest, Dancing in the Streets, on Saturday of Labor Day weekend 2024. In addition, proceeds will benefit the educational program, Arkansas Artform Series held each month at the Garland County Library. Party Gras will be held at the Vapors Live!, 315 Park Avenue, on Friday, January 26, 2024. There will be live music, dancing, a Silent Auction, a cajun dinner, a casino, prizes, and much more! You are invited to join in this annual event. Come in costume! It will be a night of revelry and merry-making for a great cause. Tickets are available at VaporsLive.com. VIP - $70. General Admission - $50. Doors open to VIP ticket holders at 6 PM. VIP attendees will be guaranteed preferential seating and dinner served exclusively for that group before the general public is allowed in at 7 PM. Sponsored by the Hot Springs Jazz Society, The Vapors Live!, and the Musical Notes Foundation. Jazz Society Presents Party Gras 24 Former Queen and King, Dona Petty and David Higginbotham. Hot Springs Gymnastics Offers a Variety of Classes When Maggie Tamashiro and her husband Ryan moved to Hot Springs three years ago, she wanted to open a gymnastics facility where young people could come and challenge themselves, make friends, get stronger, and build confidence. And so, Hot Springs Gymnastics (HSG) was born. From babes to teenage years, the girls and boys who come to the gym get a full range of training and strength-building, from warmups, and basic stretching, to more advanced training on bars, beam, vault, and floor, the basic gymnastics events, as well as strong social skills and confidence building activities. Located at 112 Bluestone Court, the gym exceeds expectations – the coaches and helpers, as well as the caring parents of HSG, make it all work. In addition to classes for all age ranges and skill levels, their services include competitive gymnastics, birthday parties, open gyms, camps, and parent's night out. They’ve also launched a parkour program and added a baby class for 6 months – walking ages. It is the kids, the parents, and the coaches that are the life and the spirit of what Tamashiro envisioned, and what these young athletes have come to expect as they warm up, get stronger, learn gymnastics skills, and make lots of friends along the way. For more information, visit www.hotspringsgym.com. Savvi (r) joins other gymnasts with Coach Lindsay Buckley.
The Springs Magazine • January 2024 • 12 The Hot Springs Area Cultural Alliance has issued a call for artists for the 5th Annual Art Moves outdoor art exhibition, themed “Celebrate Imagination.” Submitted works should focus on cleverness, originality, ingenuity, and the limitlessness of the mind. Entries can be submitted until January 15, 2024. Artists will be notified of acceptance Friday, January 26, 2024. Art Moves is placed along the Hot Springs Creek Greenway Trail adjacent to the Majestic Ballpark and Hollywood Park and unveils its newest installment each spring as the kickoff event to the 10-day Arts & The Park festival. Art Moves is free and open to the public year-round. The Hot Springs Area Cultural Alliance, the City of Hot Springs Art Advisory Committee, and Hot Springs Parks and Trails collectively produce the annual exhibition. A panel of jurors will select up to 20 works of art from the submissions; selected works are then reproduced onto 30” x 40” metal sheets and displayed along the trail. Each piece also has a QR code affixed to the frame that links to information about the artist, artwork, and exhibition. Artists should submit works that reflect the theme and let their creativity soar so visitors to the exhibition travel down an excitingly imaginative path. Visit the Call for Artists page at HotSpringsArts.org for complete details and to complete a submission form. Deadline for Art Moves Submissions is January 15 Artist Marietta Tucker with her work titled “Chief Soaring Eagle.” Howdy! The Murder and Macabre Mystery Dinner Theater welcomes the Beverley Hillbillies! But a strange murder has occurred within this group of family and friends and someone needs to help solve this mystery. Y’all come on out to The Porterhouse Steakhouse on 707 Central Ave. and help. A Valentine buffet will be served for dinner and maybe Granny will cook up some boiled hog jowls and add them to the menu. A cash bar will also be available. So mark your calendars for Friday, February 9, and Saturday, February 10, and join in on the fun with this “Who dun it” comedy play. Doors open at 6:00 PM with the “all you can eat buffet” served shortly after. The play starts at 7:00 PM. Come dressed in your hillbilly duds or your swanky Beverly Hills glamorous attire and participate in our costume contest. Whooo, doggy! This will be a fun event. The tickets are $50 per person, must have reservations and you must be over 21 years old to attend. Call Lynn at 501-627-5534 for reservations or more information. Y’all come back now, you hear!! Murder With the Beverley Hillbillies THE CAST: where every actor is a suspect and every smile conceals a secret.
13 • The Springs Magazine • January 2024 By Alison Crane Being socially disconnected has a mortality impact that is similar to the impact of smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. Not feeling connected to others can raise the risk of heart disease, anxiety, stroke, dementia, depression, and premature death, according to findings by the Surgeon General. Loneliness is more than just a bad feeling and it affects our mental and physical health. Isolation and loneliness are more often attributed to the elderly. But in a 2022 survey, only 39% of the respondents said they felt very connected to others emotionally and some of the highest rates of loneliness were among young people. While most people recognize the importance of being socially connected to others, the task of maintaining social relationships and interactions can be made more challenging by our own personalities and preferences. Some people find social activity energizing. Other personalities can be mentally and physically drained by socialization. A depressed person may feel like being alone, but social isolation can actually feed the depression. Maintaining or developing our social connections has many benefits, both for physical and mental health, and can even improve academic performance. Try these tips for improving your social connections: • Schedule activities and events in advance and put them on your calendar to eliminate the ease of saying “no” to a last-minute invitation. • Try a support group for others who may be facing similar challenges to create a network. • Write down your social goals, such as “I will call a friend once a week” or “I will say ‘hi’ to the greeter every Saturday. • Take a class to learn something new and meet people with similar interests. (The Garland County Extension Service offers a variety of classes, programs, and clubs for all ages.) • Reach out to someone you know who is lonely and could use a friend. Loneliness can lead to long-term “fight-or-flight” stress signaling, which can negatively affect immune system functioning and actually increase inflammation. Social engagement can be challenging, and it does require some effort, but it is worth it to have a better health outcome. For more information about ways to improve your social engagement and health, contact the Garland County Extension Service at 501-623-6841 or email [email protected]. Alison Crane is a Family and Consumer Sciences Agent with the Garland County Extension Service. The UofA System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Being Social When You Don’t Want to Be One suggestion to improve your social connections is to write down your social goals, such as “I will call a friend once a week” By Christi Nation I teared up the other day because of receiving an unexpected gift from a student. It is a little plaque that is titled Difference Maker with the definition on it. Over the past two years, I have dealt with breast cancer, a mastectomy, Stage 3 thyroid cancer, a thyroidectomy, losing most of voice due to cancer spreading to a nerve controlling my right vocal cord, getting most of my voice back from a vocal cord injection, cancer coming back in my lymph node six months later, and presently going through image-guided radiation. I travel to UAMS five days a week for seven weeks for 33 treatments in all. That gift came after day 12 of being bolted down to a table in a radiation mask. Because of my illness, I have not met my personal standard of what it means to be effective or make a difference as a Career Coach. I do what I can. In my mind, that’s not good enough. That gift from my student came at exactly the right time. It filled my sails again. Even if you don’t think you are doing your best, someone else is watching and being affected by what you can do. Until next time, here are your Happiness Actions: 1. Do what you can even if you think it is miniscule. It makes a difference to someone. 2. When things are hard, take one tiny step. You never know who is watching. You never know how they are affected by how you handle hardship. Christi Nation serves as Lead Career Coach for National Park College and is stationed at Cutter Morning Star High School. She is also the President of Nation Training & Development. Her greatest joy is teaching something cool she just learned. She is a breast cancer survivor and fighting her latest battle with Stage 3 thyroid cancer. She will win. If you would like inspiration and more happiness actions in your inbox, send a message to [email protected]. Do What You Can Christi Nation Resolutions? The Library Can Help The Library has tools you need to make keeping your New Year’s resolutions easier than ever. By Erin Baber Common New Year’s resolutions include many versions of the following: exercise more, learn something new, save money, and live life to the fullest. Whether you have grand plans to live a healthier lifestyle or to get organized, the Library has you covered with tools you need to make keeping your resolutions easier than ever. Resolution 1: Fitness. The Library has hundreds of books, DVDs, and digital resources on nutrition, cooking, exercise, and more. Use the Library’s online resources to download music and audiobooks to help motivate exercise time. Or borrow a yard game, jump rope, and fishing pole to increase physical activity in a fun way. Resolution 2: Learn Something New. Besides all our books and films, we also provide access to sites like CreativeBug for arts/crafts and Mango for language learning. Your GCLibrary card grants you free access to these resources and so many more. Resolution 3: Save Money. Your library card is paid for with your annual property taxes. So, get a free card and start using the library to the fullest - borrow books and movies, download ebooks, use free resources, ditch Netflix and use Hoopla, borrow board games, check out a cake pan, stream music, and on and on. Opt in to our free delivery service or meet us at the bookmobile and we’ll even save you on gas. The Garland County Library is located at 1427 Malvern Avenue in Hot Springs. Learn about everything the library offers, including free delivery, ebooks, special events, and more at www.gclibrary.com. Erin Baber is Library Marketing Manager at the Garland County Library.
The Springs Magazine • January 2024 • 14 By Peggy Lindsey Everyone experiences highs and lows in life, feeling on top of the world or trudging through muck. How would it feel to know how to keep the positive flowing? The magic lies in our vibrations! A radio only broadcasts the station it is tuned into. We only receive the energies we are tuned into as well. Sadly, we were not taught this. Instead, we learned how to do, fix, and overanalyze everything! These are part of being human, yet what appears in our life is solely based on vibration. When life is going well, we are letting love in! Love flows from the Divine in continuous streams and does so even if we are not aware of it. It’s not whether we are worthy of love . . . it is about being open to receiving it. When we are happy, feeling appreciative, or simply content, love flows freely as we offer a vibration in alignment with goodness and love. However, when something upsetting occurs, our vibration can plummet as our emotions begin to flounder. Negative feelings are the first hints that our vibrations have shifted out of love. If we catch ourselves when these unpleasant feelings appear and reach for a thought that feels better, we can shift our vibration back toward love, averting the turbulent experience of a downward spiral. So, on “good days” keep up the positive momentum by counting your blessings, for the more we tune into the love, the more we will see. On “bad days” stop for a moment, breathe, relax, and allow love to flow again. We deserve to feel good, and it all begins with one positive thought at a time! Peggy Lindsey is a Professional Life Coach, Master Teacher of Arcing Light Energy Healing, and a Spiritual Mentor. Her passion is assisting women on their journey toward happy, healthy lives by empowering them to live more joyfully and consciously. She created her business, On Angels’ Wings Healing and Coaching, in 2012 and currently practices in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She can be reached at 928-273-8447. For more info, visit https://onangelswingshealing.abmp.com/. High Vibe Living!
15 • The Springs Magazine • January 2024 Tarot: Sagittarius and Temperance/Art By Michelle Crandell If your astrological sign is Sagittarius, Temperance/Art is the Major Arcana card representing the natural gifts you can use to actualize your life’s purposes. Becoming a well-balanced person, tempered by adversity and joy will help you bring your dreams into reality. Temperance borns need to remember they are a “work of art in progress.” Temperance: Practice balancing mind, body, and spirit; give equal attention to self-care, care of others, and concern for the world; develop structure and self-restraint to help you stay calm and centered. Your light and darkness need to make peace before you can access your visionary powers. Art: You see combinations and possibilities many others would not. Paradoxes, polarities, and oppositions intrigue you but sometimes overwhelm you. Your Art combines the psychic with the material world. Unique ideas mixed together bring about novel and exciting results. Lessons: To fully express the artistry of who you are, resolve conflicts within your own nature. Self-care equals caring for others. Take your time. The best thing you can do for anyone who loves you? You be OK. Temper extreme emotions: anger, resentment, hostility, and sexuality. Excessiveness or deprivation creates an imbalance. Archetypes: Centaur, Artemis, Sphinx, artists, writers, mythologists. Shadow Archetypes: Extremists, Caligula, Hunter Thompson, Christine Onassis. Michelle Crandell provides individual Tarot readings for a fee. Once a year, she teaches LEARN TO READ TAROT. Call if interested in her next class. To learn more, email [email protected], or call 501-655-6242. The Major Arcana Tarot card associated with Sagittarius is XIV Temperance/Art. By Karen Watson Reeves Winter. That word/season brings different feelings and emotions to each of us. For some, winter is energizing and fun. Personally, I want to be like a bear and hibernate until the warmth and light of spring return. Winter evokes color to me: blue as it is a cool color in the palette and white because on the sunny days of winter, the light can be blinding. Thus the setting for the photo, where the colors of blue and white and snowflakes are present, and the choice of the pose, Bow, because it is a heart-opening, light-entering posture. When the temperatures drop, I tend to slouch, hunkering down under quilts and throws, seeking warmth. But besides the desirable warmth, poor posture is another result. Bow Pose allows the body to counter the “going inward” movement giving the entire front of the body a deep stretch, while strengthening the back side of the body. As the body lifts off the mat, squeezing the scapula together and further opening the chest can bring a warming feeling to the yogi. I imagine light entering my body at the center of my chest. I like to visualize sending that light out to others who may be experiencing a dark place, physically or mentally or emotionally. When I have these feelings, it helps to get on the floor and practice this backbend. January. A new calendar year. A new beginning. A blank slate. I encourage you to focus on “light,” however that may manifest itself to you. Light a fire within yourself and be a shining beacon for others. Happy New Year! Karen Watson Reeves has called Hot Springs home since 2006. Owner of The Yoga Place, at 301 Whittington Avenue, she became a registered yoga/children’s yoga teacher in 2011. When not on the mat, Karen enjoys the beautiful outdoors of the National Park, especially from her bicycle. For more information about her studio and her schedule of classes, visit www.theyogaplacehs.com. Yoga: Benefits of Bow Pose In this photo, Karen demonstrates Bow Pose. Photo by Fred Padilla.