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Earthquake in Haiti

The situation in Haiti is growing worse and worse by the minute.

Tuesday's earthquake has affected three million people, and the Red Cross estimates as many as 50,000 may be dead. Survivors are doing what they can to rescue those who are trapped, but they need help.

If this happened here, we hope people would give anything they could to help out.

Please take a minute to donate to these reputable charities that are providing care to fund their emergency efforts:

Doctors without Borders
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/

Oxfam America
https://secure.oxfamamerica.org/site/Donation2?df_id=3560&3560.donation=form1

The Red Cross
http://american.redcross.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ntld_main&s_subsrc=RCO_ResponseStateSection

And a super-easy way to donate with your mobile phone:
Donate $10 to the Red Cross to be charged to your cell phone bill by texting "HAITI" to "90999."

Thanks for your time.

Ozark Folk Festival scheduled in Eureka Springs

Eureka Springs is proud to present the 62nd Annual Original Ozark Folk Festival November 5-7. Music from more than a dozen acts will be featured, with a lineup that includes both seasoned performers and newcomers with exceptional talent.

62nd Annual Original Ozark Folk Festival 2009 Auditorium Schedule

Thursday November 5th
7 p.m. - Queens Contest

Friday November 6th
10am – 12noon Singer/Songwriter Contest FREE
Noon – 2pm Fran Snyder Free with Loudon Wainwright III Ticket $5 at the door

4 – 6pm 3 Penny Acre with Special Guest David Glaser Tickets $5 at the door
6:45 – 7:45 Kim Richardson
7:45 – 8:00 Intermission
8:00pm – 10pm Loudon Wainwright III – Tickets are $30

Saturday November 7th
12noon – 2:00pm Sweet Wednesday Free with Gary Jules Ticket or $5 at the door
4:00pm – 6:00pm Songwriters in the Round with Larry Lee, Michael Brewer, Mark Bilyeu, Lyal Strickland and Randle Chowning Tickets are $15
6:45 – 7:45 Susan Shore
6:45 – 7:00 Intermission
8 – 10 Gary Jules - Tickets are $30

Basin Spring Park Schedule FREE

Friday November 5th
12 – 2 Jones Van Jones
2 – 4 To Be Announced

Saturday November 6th
12 – 2 To Be Announced
2 – 4 To Be Announced
2pm Parade through downtown

The Craft Show Music (in between The Auditorium and Courthouse)

Friday November 6th
12 – 2 Susan Shore
2 – 4 Sweet Wednesday

Saturday November 7th
12 – 2 Chuck Onofrio
2 – 4 To Be Announced

The Haunted Hotels of Eureka Springs are Perfect for a Halloween Getaway

Eureka Springs is known for its haunted hotels and ghost tours, which makes it a perfect place to visit during Halloween.

The Crescent Hotel & Spa is regarded as one of the most haunted hotels in America. There are numerous stories accounting for its haunting, including a stone worker who fell to his death during construction from what was to become room 218. His presence is supposedly very active in room 218, where doors open and slam shut, hands appear on the bathroom mirror and cries can sometimes be heard.

More hauntings came after Dr. Norman Baker leased the hotel and turned it into a makeshift hospital. The truth of the matter was that Dr. Baker had no medical training and his cures, according to legend, made many of his patients go mad. There was a mental ward located on the fourth floor and a morgue located in the basement, which are now haunted by Dr. Baker’s patients, and even Dr. Baker himself. Ghost sightings on the fourth floor are abundant: a nurse with a gurney appears regularly near room 434 and a ghost known as “Theodora” materialized often near room 419. Dr. Baker sightings usually occur in the lobby.

A Spirit of the Crescent tour is available to guests who want to explore the ghosts and spirits that haunt the hotel. The tours are $18.75 per person and start nightly at 8pm.

The Basin Park Hotel, located in downtown Eureka Springs, also has a long history of spirits, ghosts and unusual happenings. The Basin Park Hotel has long been the social center of Eureka Springs, from the Wild West era during which cowboys and bars reigned supreme, to an era marked by gambling and illegal excess. These characters are the object of many sightings at the Basin Hotel. The Basin offers the Haunting Tales of Downtown Eureka Springs & Ghosts of The Basin Park Hotel seven nights a week. Tickets for adults are $15 and tickets for children (under 9) are $7.

Turpentine Creek Events October 2009

Turpentine Creek Arts and Crafts Fair
Thursday, October 15th, 2009 - Sunday, October 18th, 2009
Semi annual event. Held on the grounds of Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge from 10am-6pm.

Howl-O-Ween

October 24th 2009
14th annual Howl-o-ween party at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. Fun for the entire family. Costume contests, games and prizes, tricks and treats, haunted tours and night-time tours of the Refuge.

Halloween can be a hair-raising experience, especially when you throw over 100 big cats into the mix. TCWR's annual Halloween party is the only time you can view our cats in the dark of night. The main compound is open for the whole family to experience the night habits of our lions, tigers, cougars, bobcats and more. A terrifying trail ride past our habitats gives you the spine tingling experience of being watched by our true night stalkers. Our spooky "Trail of Terror" gets your heart racing and blood pumping as you walk through our unique haunted field. (Parents be advised, this is scary!) Games, food and spooky storytelling is all part of the one of a kind experience, and provides fun for all ages. The Spooktacular is the Saturday before Halloween from 7-9 PM.

Eureka Springs Events in September

Saturday, September 5th, 2009

FREE Music in Basin Spring Park
Saturday, September 5th, 2009
FREE Music in Basin Spring Park from 12:00 Noon until 6:00pm weather permitting.

Performers are as follows:
Noon - 2:00pm Jones Van Jones
2:00pm - 4:00pm Groves Karate Studio Demonstrations
4:00pm - 6:00pm Opal Fly

FREE Music in Basin Spring Park is brought to you from the Special Events Office of Eureka Springs. Every Saturday and Sunday in April and every Friday, Saturday and Sunday May through October- weather permitting. For more information please contact Eric Young, Special Events Director at 479.253.2586 or send an e-mail to eurekaspringseventsoffice@gmail.com

Saturday, September 12th, 2009

Antique Automobile Festival
Friday, September 11th, 2009 - Sunday, September 13th, 2009
39th Annual event - Hundreds of vintage classics compete for prizes and trophies. Viewing show at the Pine Mountain Village. Parade and re-enactment of the famous (or is it "infamous?!) Eureka Springs bank robbery. For registration and other information, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 479-253-8738 or visit www.eurekaspringschamber.com

1922 Bank Robbery
Saturday, September 12th, 2009
Immediately following the Antique Car Parade, witness the reinactment of that historic 1922 bank robbery where something went terribly wrong. (Loose lips sink ships!) This particular robbery "attempt" was also the first time a motorcar was used as a getaway vehicle in a bank robbery.

A local cast of characters make this a fun, family adventure. Bring the camera!

Ozark Mountain Gospel Festival
Friday, September 11th, 2009 - Sunday, September 13th, 2009
Featuring special guests and America's Groups. Music all around town. Most concerts are free. For more information, call 479-244-6088 or visit www.darry.us

2nd Saturday Gallery Stroll
Saturday, September 12th, 2009
The City's art galleries are joining forces to stage a monthly "Celebration of the Art of Eureka." 6:00pm-9:00 pm.

For more information call 479-253-7679 or visit www.artofeureka.com

Grape Crush Festival
Saturday, September 12th, 2009
4th annual event. Keels Creek Winery. 479-253-9463.

FREE Music in Basin Spring Park
Saturday, September 12th, 2009
FREE Music in Basin Spring Park from 12:00 Noon until 6:00pm weather permitting.

Performers are as follows:
Noon - 2:00pm TBA
2:00pm - 4:00pm Darrel Gleason Trio
4:00pm - 6:00pm James Intveld

28th Annual Woodcarvers Jamboree
Saturday, September 12th, 2009 - Sunday, September 13th, 2009
Woodcarvers from all over Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas will converge on Eureka Springs for the 28th annual Woodcarvers Jamboree to be held under the pines at the Pine Mountain Village on Highway 62, September 12 and 13. The craftsmen and women will demonstrate their prowess and show their wares from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Sunday. There will be carvings, wood burnings, and wood turnings of all types. The event is free to spectators. This year's show will feature a "People's Choice Competition" as visitors to the show vote for their favorite carving. Awards will be made for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. The popular event will also feature on-going demonstrations of carving techniques and plenty of friendly conversation. For more information, contact Bill and Doris Payne, 918-251-8734 or cell phone: 918-408-3481, or e-mail: wudcrvr@cox.net.

Saturday, September 19th, 2009

FREE Music in Basin Spring Park
Saturday, September 19th, 2009
FREE Music in Basin Spring Park from 12:00 Noon until 6:00pm weather permitting.

Performers are as follows:
Noon - 2:00pm Ozark's Chorale
2:00pm - 4:00pm Stella Blue Band
4:00pm - 6:00pm Opal Fly

Saturday, September 26th, 2009

FREE Music in Basin Spring Park
Saturday, September 26th, 2009
FREE Music in Basin Spring Park from 12:00 Noon until 6:00pm weather permitting.

Earthdance Eureka Springs 2009 "Bless The Children"
Saturday, September 26th, 2009
GLOBAL FESTIVAL FOR PEACE 300+ locations in 60 countries! Synchronized Prayer for Peace! Earthdance Eureka Springs presents a 12 hour Live Webcast, global theme "BLESS THE CHILDREN". Open to public, musicians, dancers, speakers, poets, theatre, vendors, art installations, face painting, fire circle, drumming & more.

For More Info: Deerwomon fullbloomproductions@mac.com 479 981-1320 http://www.fullbloomproductions.com and http://www.earthdancenetwork.com/group/earthdanceeurekasprings

Eureka Springs Artists Studio Tour
Friday, September 25th, 2009 - Sunday, September 27th, 2009
Free, self-guided tour. Visit with 21 artists who open their studios to the public. Demonstrations, works in progress and for sale including original paintings, prints, pottery, fiber art, musical instruments, jewelry, found object art and more, behind the scenes with the artists of Eureka Springs. Details and map online at www.eurekaspringsstudiotour.com

Booking Your Trip to Eureka Springs Just Got Easier

Booking your Eureka Springs vacation is easier than ever with ReserveDirect. Their comprehensive website, ReserveEurekaSprings.com, allows Eureka Springs vacationers to view schedules of shows, prices of attractions and availability of hotel rooms. Plus, they offer guaranteed lowest rates on Eureka Springs hotel options, and their Direct Deals are a great way to save money on Eureka Springs attractions and show tickets.

Using ReserveEurekaSprings.com is easy and convenient. Travelers can shop the site, create their unique vacation package, finalize their reservations and even print their e-tickets from the comfort of home. For Eureka Springs visitors who would like more of a personal touch when reserving their Eureka Springs vacation, ReserveEurekaSprings.com offers a fully-staffed call center, open 7 days a week, so reservations can easily be made over the phone or answers to any questions you may have can be easily obtained.

To learn more about why you should book your Eureka Springs vacation with ReserveEurekaSprings.com, join Teri Austin as she plans, reserves and enjoys her Eureka Springs vacation, all with a little help from ReserveDirect’s friendly customer service.

Eureka Springs Fat Tire Festival Celebrates Mountain Biking

The 11th Annual Fat Tire Festival in Eureka Springs is scheduled for July 17 -19 and will feature an array of mountain biking events. The festival is presented by Adventure Subaru and is operated under the umbrella of Progressive Trail Design. The Fatty Fest will also be a part of the Dynasty of Dirt Series in 2009. The DOD is a Northwest Arkansas Series of bike events designed to take Arkansas bicycle racing to the next level and bring the many “disciplines of dirt” together.

The schedule of events includes competitive and non-competitive cycling events, and courses that cover cross country elements, downhill, short track and trial runs. A bike parade, film fest and other activities are also scheduled. For a complete schedule of events for the Fat Tire Festival, click here.

There are several new developments for the Fatty Fest 2009 in Eureka Springs. The PTD Downhill course has gotten a makeover and will have a fully dedicated DH line eliminating double traffic. Plus, the makeover has allowed more challenging features to be incorporated, so expect more jumps, kickers and drops as well as tweaked-up existing features. Another new development is that the location for the Phat Tire Short Track (scheduled for the 17th) has moved to a local MX flat track course 4 miles north of town. This all-dirt track allows the entire race course to be viewed at one time, creating a neat spectator aspect for the event. It also promises to be super fast and flat, which will test all of the mountain bike riders.

The weekend before the festival, July 11-12, there will be warm-up events available for those who wish to get in some practice sessions. There will be pre-rides of the XC course, DH practice sessions and an open house at the short track venue. There will also be a time trial challenge on the short track sponsored by Adventure Mountain.

Sunday July the 12th (water permitting) there will be a pedal and paddle on the King’s River brought to you by Adventure Mountain Outfitters and Kings River Outfitters. The adventure includes a guided ride through the Madison County Game Reserve to the spectacular Kettle Falls, boat rental, sack lunch, and bike shuttle.

Native American Pow Wow featured at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, located 7 miles south of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, on Scenic Highway 23, will again host its popular Native American Pow Wow on Father's Day Weekend.
The festivities at Turpentine Creek are as follows:

- Craft Booths open at 3 PM on Friday
- Grand Entry at 7 PM
- Craft Booths open at 10 AM on Saturday
- Grand Entry at 1 & 7 PM-
- Craft Booths open at 10 AM on Sunday
- Grand Entry at 1 PM

The weekend celebration, in addition to the craft booths, will include dancing, Color Guard, drumming, artists, wildlife exhibits, and other activities. Food and soft drink concessions will be available. $5.00 daily admission or $10.00 for the weekend; children 3 and under admitted free. Proceeds help to build natural habitats for the Big Cats of Turpentine Creek.

Eureka Springs Blues Weekend 2009

The 2009 Eureka Springs Blues Weekend will be held on May 28, 29, 30 & 31 in beautiful Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

Confirmed Acts Include:
-Guitar Shorty
-Hubert Sumlin & The Buddy Flett Band
-Joe Louis Walker
-David "Honeyboy" Edwards
-EG Kight
-Candye Kane
-John Nemeth
-Deanna Bogart
-Moreland & Arbuckle
-Mary Flower
-RJ Mischo
-Lee McBee & The Confessors
-IBC Winner JP Soars & The Red Hots
-Ozarks Blues Society IBC Band Oreo Blue
-Ozarks Blues Society IBC Duo
-Kory Montgomery & Isayah Warford
And more to be announced soon!!!

Shows will be held in The Auditorium, Basin Park Hotel's Barefoot Ballroom, Basin Park, and venues around Eureka Springs.

Proceeds from the 2009 Eureka Springs Blues Weekend will go to benefit two non-profit organizations; the Blues Foundation's Handy Artist Relief Fund and Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge.