82 Years of Progress 1921-2003 Volume 4 Issue 10 Published monthly by the Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce October 2003 Holiday Planning Begins The weather is cooling off and the plans have already begun for the Christmas season. The Christmas Lighting Committee, chaired by Carol Martin, recently announced new holiday banners will be added to extend along Highway 64 east to Crawford and I40, Exit 57 to draw more travelers along the interstate corridor into the central business district. This is the third phase of a five-year strategic plan. The holiday season will officially begin on the weekend of November 15th & 16th with the Merchants Christmas Open House where shoppers will be treated to great sales; Saturday all day and Sunday 1-5 p.m.; and will continue with the Annual Early Bird Sale from 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. on Friday, November 28th. The Christmas Lighting Ceremony will be on the Courthouse Lawn on Monday, November 24th at 6:30 p.m. and the Annual Christmas Parade is scheduled for Saturday, December 6th at 6:30 p.m. - Theme: Home for the Holidays. The parade route will travel down Main Street to the Rogers intersection. The Chamber is organizing co-op advertising for member businesses for the third year. Matching Arkansas River Valley Tri-Peaks Region funds will help make this possible with a low cost of $100 per business. At least 30 participants are needed in order to make this possible; estimated total cost of ad campaign is $4,500. Advertising includes: 1) Full Color advertisement in the Russellville Courier Holiday insert; 2) 8 ½ X 11, black print on color paper inserts in the Paris, Ozark and Clarksville papers, approximately 20,000; 3) TV Commercials on Cable Networks and Channel 6; 4) Radio Ads with local radio; 5) Handouts for customers for each participating business. Inserts will list your business name, location, holiday hours and one-line slogan/attention grabber. Please let the Chamber know if your business is interested in participating by calling the office at 754-2340 or email cjccofc@cswnet.com by October 15th. DHS is also having their Second Annual Teacup Auction on October 11 at the Johnson County Fair Building. Proceeds from this help provide children with birthday presents, hygiene supplies, school supplies, money and supplies for special events such as proms, baseball, school pictures, camp fees, clothing for school, etc., and DHS depends on donations and fundraisers to do this. The first Teacup Auction was very successful. If you would like to donate an item for the auction, either new or used, please call 754-2355 or drop it by the DHS office at 900 Rogers Street. Cash donations are also accepted and they appreciate any help you can give. Doors open at 5:30 and the auction starts at 7:00. There will be fun and food for all. For Immediate Release: October 6, 2003 Contact: Vicki Lyons, Executive Director (479) 754-2340 University of the Ozarks Women Announce 2003 Christmas Angels Schedule Clarksville, Arkansas - On Monday, October 6, 2003, University of the Ozarks Women representative, Diana McCormick, announced that The 2003 Christmas Angels application period would begin on Monday, October 13th. Diana said, "Our program will continue to provide Christmas gifts for disadvantaged children living in Johnson County." Families who need assistance should go to the Arkansas Department of Human Services office on Rogers Street to make application beginning Monday, October 13th and prior to the deadline date of Friday, November 14th. Christmas Angel gifts will be distributed on December 15 and 16th at the Johnson County Fair Building between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Instructions for those who plan to purchase gifts for one of these special Christmas Angels are as follows: 1. Select an Angel/s available this year at the following locations: Clarksville Insurance Agency, Baldor Electric, Bright Harvest Sweet Potato Company, Clarksville Refrigerated Lines, Coldwell Banker Ken Stall & Associates, Farmers Bank and Trust, Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Mid-South Roller Company, Sara Lee Hosiery, Simmons Bank, Tyson Foods, Wal-Mart Distribution Center, Wal-Mart Supercenter, Lamar Methodist Church, Bank of the Ozarks, Whitson-Morgan Motor Company, University of the Ozarks, Rotary Club, Kut Hut, and Lamar City Hall. 2. Place the Christmas Angel in a bag with the gifts for that Angel and/or attach the Christmas Angel to the bag. Please do not wrap gifts! 3. All gifts should be returned to the business no later than December 8th. 4. Cash Donations will also be accepted by the U of O Women to help purchase gifts for angels who are not selected from area trees. Each year hundreds of dollars are needed to make sure that all Christmas Angels in Johnson County are provided for. Checks should be made to the U of O Women, % University of the Ozarks, 415 N. College, Clarksville, AR 72830. For more information call U of O Women, Diana McCormick, at 979-1415. Arkansas Rodeo Association Championship Finals - Clarksville Hurley's Arena will be the location for the 35th Arkansas Rodeo Association Championship Finals on October 16, 17, & 18. After competing all year, the 15 top money-makers from the entire state will be competing in bareback/saddle bronc riding, bull riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, and team roping. Showtime is 7:45 p.m. nightly, tickets at the gate. Publicity Manager Nila Moore has also told the Chamber there will be a special private rodeo on Friday morning for the children of the Forrester Davis Development Center. She would also like everyone to know that the area businesses have been wonderful in supporting the coming rodeo and is looking forward to the possibility of future ones. Expected attendance nightly is about one thousand people. http://www.ararodeo.com Welcome Bag Contributors: Bank of the Ozarks, Coldwell Banker Ken Stall & Associates, Comfort Inn, First Security Bank, Dr. Stephen Fisher, Hardgrave Photography, Johnson Regional Medical Center, Master Printing of Clarksville, Regions Bank, River-Valley Orchidworks, Inc., Sara Lee Hosiery, Simmons First Bank, Whitson Morgan Motors and Wendy's. Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce - 2003 Executive Committee Lee White - President Matt Wylie - 1st Vice President Freeman Wish - 2nd Vice President Ken Golden - Sec/Treasurer Adele Jacobs - Immediate Past President Government/Schools Judge Mike Jacobs - Johnson County Mayor Billy Helms - Clarksville Mayor Glenda Caldwell - Knoxville Beverly Wagner - Lamar Dr. Rick Niece - Schools Board of Directors Chris Allen --- Sara Lee Hosiery Steve Burch --- Century 21 Billy Dickerson --- OK/Harvest Foods Dorinda Edmisten --- Ozark Rape Crisis Center Steve Fisher --- AR River Valley Dentistry Bliss Hicky --- Regions Bank Robbie Jackson --- East Mt. Zion Trinity Baptist Janice Joyce --- Bank of the Ozarks Betty Killough --- Tyson Foods, Inc. Carol Martin --- Individual Jim Pat Mills --- Mills Oil Company Robbi Mooney ---Mid South Roller Max Slaughter --- Johnson Chevrolet David Taylor --- Individual Harve Taylor --- Individual Denton Tumbleson --- Simmons First Bank Darrell Williams --- University of the Ozarks Freeman Wish --- Mazzio's Pizza Executive Director Vicki Lyons Chamber Staff Karen Johnson Ramona Cogan (479) 754-2340 Fax (479) 754-4923 Email: cjccofc@cswnet.com New & Renewing Members *Hideaway Meadows Bed & Breakfast *Kitti's Cruise Planner Ozark Cellular * Welcome New Members Calendar of Events Johnson County Community Foundation Meeting - October 1st Noon; U of O Christmas Lighting Committee Meeting - October 2nd 9:00 a.m.; Clarksville L & W Fraternal Order of the Eagles Regular Meetings - Mondays 7:00 p.m.; Chamber Walk Across Arkansas - October 3rd Kick-off 6:30 p.m. at the Multi-Purpose Building Fire Safety Awareness Parade - October 4th; 10:00 a.m. Dale Carnegie Class - October 6 & 13 - 5:30 p.m.; Clarksville L & W October 20 - 5:30 p.m.; U of O Robson Library County Compact ADED Meeting - October 8th 10:00 a.m.; Chamber Dr. Vaughn Grisham, Jr. Community Development Seminar - October 8th 10-Noon & 1-3 p.m.; U of O Robson Library Trustee Room. 754-5842 for more information University of the Ozarks Theatre production of "Children" - October 10 & 11 7:30 p.m. nightly; Walton Fine Arts Center, Tickets $5 at box office 2nd Annual DHS Teacup Auction - October 11th 5:30 p.m.; Johnson County Fair Building Talent Committee Meeting - October 14th 9:00 a.m.; Chamber Ambassadors Monthly Meeting - October 14th Noon Luncheon at Helen's Kitchen Walton Arts & Ideas Series "Tour of the British Isles"- October 14th 7:00 p.m.; Walton Fine Arts Center, Reception to follow at River-Valley Orchidworks, 3016 W. Main. Huge orchid to be given away at reception Chamber Board Meeting - October 15th; 11:00 a.m.; Membership Luncheon Noon U of O Arkansas Rodeo Association Championship Finals Rodeo - October 16-18; Hurley's Arena on Hwy. 64 West. 7:45 p.m. nightly Lady Eagles Bake Sale - October 18th 9:00 a.m.-?; Wal-mart Supercenter ARVTPR Banquet - October 21st 6:30 p.m.; Lake Dardanelle State Park Visitor Center Clarksville Kiwanis 5-K October 25th; 8:00 a.m.; Entry fee $15 in advance, $20 day of race. Proceeds go to Kiwanis Club supported charities. Call 479-754-7296 for additional information. Fraternal Order of the Eagles Haunted House & Hayride - October 29-31. Children under 10; 6-7 p.m. nightly; general public Wednesday & Thursday - 7-9 p.m., Halloween night 7-midnight Community News As you drive in to Johnson County, notice the signs are now up that states Johnson County is an Arkansas County of Excellence. The County earned the designation of being the first County of Excellence in the state in September 2002 and had the dedication ceremony with Governor Huckabee in January this year. Arkansas Business magazine reports healthcare costs are hurting small businesses. Small business employs more than half of the private work force while creating three of every four new jobs in America. The cost and availability of affordable health insurance continues to be the top issue with 9 out of 10 small businesses reporting dramatic hikes in their health-care premiums. Ozark Rape Crisis Center is currently accepting applications for volunteers to work with sexual and domestic violence in Johnson County. For more information call 754-6869. Johnson County Fire Departments Fire Engine Parade will be held Saturday, October 4th at 10:00 a.m. in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week - October 5-11. See the fire trucks up close and meet the firefighters after the parade on the court square until noon. Bring your camera and have your picture made with Sparky. The 18th Annual Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce Talent Show is slated for Saturday, December 13th at the Walton Fine Art Center on the U of O Campus. Preliminaries will begin at 8:30 a.m. and Finals at 7:00 p.m. Tickets for the entire day are $6.00. For additional information or an application for the talent contest you may go to the Chamber website at www.clarksvillearchamber.com or contact the Chamber office at 479-754-2340. The Chamber will be reproducing the official City/County Map in October. Plans are to go to print by October 15th. If you haven't been contacted by October 1st to retain your current map ad size/spot, please get in touch with us. 754-2340 The Fraternal Order of the Eagles is organizing their 1st Annual Halloween Festival to be held October 29, 30, and 31. Festivities will take place at the Peden Building, located at the corner of Legion and Sevier streets. There will be a haunted house, games & food, and a haunted hayride. A 'not so scary house' for children under 10 from 6-7 p.m. nightly; open to the public from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday & Thursday, 7-midnight Halloween night. Cost is $3 for the Haunted House, $3 for the Haunted Hay Ride, or $5 for both with advance tickets. Advance tickets available at Harley's Barber Shop on Main Street, or at the Chamber of Commerce. Sylvia Gabler with Child Development is needing Volunteer Readers for October 30th from 9-11 a.m. Please give her a call at 754-6259 There will be a 3-4 day workshop in early October, oil painting techniques by a very talented artist. at $20 per day. Call Pat Kolb at 479-968-3863 for more information. On Tuesday, October 14, at 7 p. m., the University of the Ozarks' Walton Arts and Ideas "Tour of the British Isles" series kicks off with a performance by Martha Hannah, Medieval Teller of Tales. By weaving a verbal tapestry of Medieval history, comedy, fantasy, and ghost stories, Hannah's performance promises to a rollicking good show! Following the performance, River Valley Orchidworks' Bruce Brown and Louis Aszod will be hosting this season's first post-show celebration at their home with plenty of food and drink and a drawing for a huge orchid plant to commemorate the opening of River Valley Orchidworks in the Clarksville area! All are invited to log on to www.rv-orchidworks.com for live 3D chat, message forums, an online orchid sales catalog, and more, and the Orchidworks team hopes you will plan to attend the October 14th performance and the party afterwards! University of the Ozarks Women representative, Diana McCormick, has announced that The 2003 Christmas Angels application period will begin on Monday, October 13th. Diana said, "Our program will continue to provide Christmas gifts for disadvantaged children living in Johnson County." Families who need assistance should go to the Arkansas Department of Human Services office on Rogers Street to make application beginning Monday, October 13th and prior to the deadline date of Friday, November 14th. Christmas Angel gifts will be distributed on December 15 and 16th at the Johnson County Fair Building between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Select an Angel/s locations: Clarksville Insurance Agency, Baldor Electric, Bright Harvest Sweet Potato Company, Clarksville Refrigerated Lines, Coldwell Banker Ken Stall & Associates, First Security Bank, Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Mid-South Roller Company, Sara Lee Hosiery, Simmons Bank, Tyson Foods, Wal-Mart Distribution Center, Wal-Mart Supercenter, Whitson-Morgan Motor Company, University of the Ozarks, Rotary Club, Kut Hut, and Lamar City Hall. Cash Donations will also be accepted by the U of O Women to help purchase gifts for angels who are not selected from area trees. Each year hundreds of dollars are needed to make sure that all Christmas Angels in Johnson County are provided for. Checks should be made to the U of O Women, % University of the Ozarks, 415 N. College, Clarksville, AR 72830. For more information call U of O Women, Diana McCormick, at 979-1415. Keep Arkansas Beautiful  County co-coordinator James Carter has announced that October 6th through October11th has been set for the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Fall Campaign in Johnson County. Area residents are urged to clean up as many miles as possible and help to keep Arkansas and Johnson County Beautiful! Sales Tax Receipts 2002/2003 Comparison January-August 2003 January-August 2002 % 2003 Increase YTD % of Total Income 2003 Johnson County $657,758.23 $621,518.67 5.8% 50.8% Clarksville  $437,030.72 $415,764.17 5.1%