91 replies to this topic

[Mith242]

Stormcrow, on Apr 3 2008, 08:25 AM, said:

Are you a bit of a wine buff Mith?

I was wondering what types of things people thought would help to spark Hot Springs to even greater heights?  It isn't like it's drying up or anything of the sort but it could always be doing more.

Yeah I guess I'd consider myself a wine buff, along with a few other things.      And you're right about Hot Springs, it's in a lot better shape now than back in the 80's.  It was pretty rough back then and there was talk the government might even reconsider the natl Park status if things continued to decline in Hot Springs.  Earlier I didn't mean that Hot Springs should become exactly like Branson.  But I certainly wouldn't mind seeing Hot Springs becoming a bigger destination either.  I'd just like to see some urban areas take better advantage of the tourist trade.  It's great that lots of people come to check out the state parks.  I'd just like to see more people check out some of the more urban areas as well.  Little Rock, Hot Springs and Eureka Springs do bring in people.  But I think there's a lot of room for improvement.

[Stormcrow]

Mith242, on Apr 3 2008, 08:41 PM, said:

Yeah I guess I'd consider myself a wine buff, along with a few other things. And you're right about Hot Springs, it's in a lot better shape now than back in the 80's. It was pretty rough back then and there was talk the government might even reconsider the natl Park status if things continued to decline in Hot Springs. Earlier I didn't mean that Hot Springs should become exactly like Branson. But I certainly wouldn't mind seeing Hot Springs becoming a bigger destination either. I'd just like to see some urban areas take better advantage of the tourist trade. It's great that lots of people come to check out the state parks. I'd just like to see more people check out some of the more urban areas as well. Little Rock, Hot Springs and Eureka Springs do bring in people. But I think there's a lot of room for improvement.

I'm not much of a wine buff but I've always had this unexplainable urge to operate a winery and vineyard, which explains why I've done some extremely rudimentary research into what that takes.  I know just enough to sound like I might have a clue but no real expertise.  I prefer beer myself and used to be an avid homebrewer.

[Mith242]

Stormcrow, on Apr 4 2008, 09:28 AM, said:

I'm not much of a wine buff but I've always had this unexplainable urge to operate a winery and vineyard, which explains why I've done some extremely rudimentary research into what that takes.  I know just enough to sound like I might have a clue but no real expertise.  I prefer beer myself and used to be an avid homebrewer.

Yeah it would be interesting.  Although I prefer wine I like beer as well.  Although I'm no fan of most of the mass produced stuff you tend to find here in the US.  But there is some good microbrew.

[Aporkalypse]

Mith, I was in HS today and saw the Gangster Museum.  It looked like it was open to me, though I wasn't able to check it out today.  It's in Antique Row over by the Majestic.

[Mith242]

Aporkalypse, on Apr 6 2008, 09:55 PM, said:

Mith, I was in HS today and saw the Gangster Museum.  It looked like it was open to me, though I wasn't able to check it out today.  It's in Antique Row over by the Majestic.

Cool, thanks for the update.  I'll have to check out Hot Springs next time I'm visiting family down in that area.

[CentralArkansas]

bchris02, on Apr 2 2008, 08:33 AM, said:

I think the prevalence of the hard religious right in Arkansas is a reason Altus isn't promoted like it could be.  Once you get up into central Missouri, hard Southern Baptists make way for Catholics and Presbyterians who are much more open to alcohol.

Sort of off topic, but it frustrates me how the hard religious right in Arkansas continually get their way. I think it's a case of 5% of the population being more motivated and active in public affairs than the rest of the population. I know a lot of church-going people, and the vast majority of them are social drinkers and don't particularly enjoy dry counties. I would even say that most of members of churches couldn't care less about the dry v. wet debate, but the 5% that really want to keep a county dry get out and get it done.

[Mith242]

CentralArkansas, on May 19 2008, 09:02 PM, said:

Sort of off topic, but it frustrates me how the hard religious right in Arkansas continually get their way. I think it's a case of 5% of the population being more motivated and active in public affairs than the rest of the population. I know a lot of church-going people, and the vast majority of them are social drinkers and don't particularly enjoy dry counties. I would even say that most of members of churches couldn't care less about the dry v. wet debate, but the 5% that really want to keep a county dry get out and get it done.

Yeah that and not all denominations have an abhorrence to alcohol.  I think the one big group that presents the biggest problem are Southern Baptists.  They wield a lot of power in Arkansas it seems.  But there does seem to be some people, who even though they drink themselves, prefer to keep their own county dry for some reason.

[CentralArkansas]

Mith242, on May 22 2008, 02:21 PM, said:

Yeah that and not all denominations have an abhorrence to alcohol.  I think the one big group that presents the biggest problem are Southern Baptists.  They wield a lot of power in Arkansas it seems.  But there does seem to be some people, who even though they drink themselves, prefer to keep their own county dry for some reason.

I'll post on this and then leave it alone....

A lot of people believe drunk driving is reduced in dry counties, which has been proven to be false. And, it makes sense. When a drunk wants another drink, and drive to get it, they have a lot farther to go in dry counties.

[tim2462]

Fairground Crossing

Some of the stores that have been announced are Sam's Club, Best Buy, and Bed Bath & Beyond.
This is being developed at the old fairgrounds on Higdon Ferry, near St. Joseph's.

[SBCmetroguy]

tim2462, on Jul 23 2008, 05:54 AM, said:

Fairground Crossing

Some of the stores that have been announced are Sam's Club, Best Buy, and Bed Bath & Beyond.
This is being developed at the old fairgrounds on Higdon Ferry, near St. Joseph's.

This sucks big-time. Higdon Ferry is such a nightmare as it is. I know they have been doing some roadwork in that area, but this development will put even more traffic right there. It's been about a year since I was there last... I'm not scheduled to vacation there this year until November, so have they widened Higdon Ferry between the loop and the racetrack? If not they soon will wish they had.

By the way, I thought that fairgrounds was in use? Every time I'm there it always seems like something is going on there. Where is the new fairgrounds?

[tim2462]

SBCmetroguy, on Jul 23 2008, 08:22 AM, said:

This sucks big-time. Higdon Ferry is such a nightmare as it is. I know they have been doing some roadwork in that area, but this development will put even more traffic right there. It's been about a year since I was there last... I'm not scheduled to vacation there this year until November, so have they widened Higdon Ferry between the loop and the racetrack? If not they soon will wish they had.

By the way, I thought that fairgrounds was in use? Every time I'm there it always seems like something is going on there. Where is the new fairgrounds?

The new fairgrounds are out on 270, between Hot Springs and Malvern...near the county line.  Last time I was on Higdon Ferry, they were widening it in that area, but not sure how much progress they've made.  They've also made several exit/entrance improvements in that area.  They really did a good job alleviating the traffic headache at the bypass and Central.

Edited by tim2462, 23 July 2008 - 02:23 PM.

[Aporkalypse]

SBCmetroguy, on Jul 23 2008, 08:22 AM, said:

This sucks big-time. Higdon Ferry is such a nightmare as it is. I know they have been doing some roadwork in that area, but this development will put even more traffic right there. It's been about a year since I was there last... I'm not scheduled to vacation there this year until November, so have they widened Higdon Ferry between the loop and the racetrack? If not they soon will wish they had.

By the way, I thought that fairgrounds was in use? Every time I'm there it always seems like something is going on there. Where is the new fairgrounds?

It's not widened yet, but traffic on Higdon Ferry isn't usually all that bad unless Oaklawn's in high season.


This development still may include a Target, they were asking for some tax breaks Hot Springs didn't really want to give.


I spend a lot if not most weekends over there, so these are stores I'm glad to have.  That said, Higdon Ferry may not cut the time off of getting to Oaklawn or downtown from the lake the way it used to.