While the entire country is feeling the effects of a housing recession, home values in Hot Springs are actually moving in another direction...up.  Hot Springs is one of the Top 25 projected markets in the country for the highest real estate appreciation in 2007.        In December of 2006, Kiplinger's Newsletter identified Hot Springs as one of three markets across the country that they predicted would actually buck the national trend and continue to see home values climbed in 2007.  Now the Housing Predictor - independent real estate market forecasters - has issued a report predicting that home values in Hot Springs should increase by 5.4 percent this year.               "That's excellent news for Hot Springs' homeowners.  A home is normally the largest and most significant purc... 06/15/2007

Having a power outage at one of the Hot Springs' top attractions make headlines across the world, not to mention being the topic of David Letterman's Top Ten list."You'd rather the incident didn't happen, but it did.  But it had a happy ending so, all in all, how can you not be thankful?", said Steve Arrison, executive director of the Hot Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau.  "I think that this story became a story because of the photograph.  I think everybody could relate to that photograph."The photograph in question, of X-Coaster riders hanging upside down 150 feet above the ground on Saturday, was snapped by Mara Kuhn of The Sentinel Record.  The photo was picked up by The Associated Press and has been posted on the ABC News and BBC Web sites, and used by dozens of TV stations an... 06/13/2007

Hot Springs received national attention this week!  The crew from HGTV recently came to Hot Springs, and filmed highlights of the city along with four homes in our lovely spa city.  We were excited to see that the home priced in the $600,000 was one of our waterfront home listings, owned by a really nice couple from California.  This home is located in an exclusive neighborhood called Driftwood Point, and is absolutely gorgeous!  We recently sold the home for about $600,000 and the couple then returned home to California. 06/13/2007

June 9 - September 30, 20072007 Southern Living Idea HouseRed Oak Ridge - Hot SpringsDetails:The 2007 Southern Living Idea House in Red Oak Ridge is just minutes outside Hot Springs and a short drive from Little Rock. Amenities in the development include more than 800 gated acres of natural beauty offering estate-size residences, as well as a beautiful garden-home living, all with meandering trails, two private fishing lakes and a private pool. Better still, it's all just a stone's throw from Hot Springs' business, medical, professional and retail amenities.The Southern Living Idea House at Hot Springs will be open for tours June 9 - Sept. 30 and will be featured in the August 2007 issue of Southern Living magazine.Description:Nestled in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains near Lake... 06/13/2007

June 9 - September 30, 20072007 Southern Living Idea HouseRed Oak Ridge - Hot SpringsDetails:The 2007 Southern Living Idea House in Red Oak Ridge is just minutes outside Hot Springs and a short drive from Little Rock. Amenities in the development include more than 800 gated acres of natural beauty offering estate-size residences, as well as a beautiful garden-home living, all with meandering trails, two private fishing lakes and a private pool. Better still, it's all just a stone's throw from Hot Springs' business, medical, professional and retail amenities.The Southern Living Idea House at Hot Springs will be open for tours June 9 - Sept. 30 and will be featured in the August 2007 issue of Southern Living magazine.Description:Nestled in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains near Lake... 06/13/2007

The tranquility and natural beauty of the great outdoors and national parks are the inspirations for "public Domain," which is the theme of the Hot Springs Music Festival that kicked off Sunday, and will continue through Saturday, June 16th.Richard Rosenberg, the festival's artistic director, said he designed the programming for this year's entertainment with nature in mind.  "We were greatly honored to be selected by Hot Springs National Park as one of its partner organizations for the park's 175th anniversary celebration," he said.  The Hot Springs Music Festival's format centers on live music performed in a casual atmosphere in nontraditional concert venues by a group of 200 international mentor and apprentice musicians who converge on Hot Springs for a two-week season.Some highlight... 06/07/2007

Thousands of roaring Harley-Davidson motorcycles will soon roll into Hot Springs for the 15th Annual Arkansas State Harley-Davidson Owners Group Rally, which returns this year after a brief hiatus."When the rally has been in Hot Springs, people that have come from surrounding states and across the country have found that there is great hospitality in Hot Springs.  The city really rolls out the red carpet to the Harley riders" said Brian Phelps, customer service manager for Jones Harley-Davidson.The Arkansas State H.O.G. Rally got its start when a group of people approached the regional manager of H.O.G. and made a proposal to host a rally.  The first was held in Hot Springs for 10 consecutive years, until 2006, when it was moved to Fort Smith.  To determine where the rally will take pla... 06/07/2007

Lake Catherine hosts a popular State Park . . .Nestled on the shore of the 1,940-acre lake, Lake Catherine State Park features rustic-style facilities of native stone and wood.  The lake is 12 miles long and has 80 miles of shoreline.  Along the lake shore are fully equipped cabins with kitchens and 70 campsites.  The park's marina, open in summer, sells bait and fuel.  Rental boats are available all year.  Guided horseback trail rides are available at the park during the summer.  Interpreters offer guided hikes, boat tours, and programs during summer and by advance request in other seasons. Lake Catherine also offers the visitor a smorgasbord of angling opportunities including scappy redear, green, bluegill and longear sunfish; black, spotted, white and striped bass; black and white cr... 06/02/2007

Hot Springs shoppers will pay less at the cash register today.  The half-cent, citywide sales tax that Hot Springs voters approved 12 years ago - initially to fund construction of the Hot Springs Convention Center, then Summit Arena - has ended.The city asked the state to stop collection of the tax in April, when it had sufficient funds on hand to pay off the bonds.  Because of the 60-day lag time inherent in the notification process, the tax did not expire until May 31, 2007.Voters initially approved the half-cent tax in March 1995, to expand and remodel Hot Springs Convention Auditorium.  The original projected payoff date for the bonds was 2012, which was later revised to 2002-2003.In 2001, about a year and a half before the tax would have ended, voters agreed to re-levy the tax to f... 06/01/2007

Lake Hamilton offers lots more fun . . . Lake Hamilton is the most highly developed lake in the state.  It is 25 miles long, has 240 miles of shorelines, and covers 9,000 acres.  It offers the visitor a smorgasbord of angling opportunities including scappy redear, green, bluegill and longear sunfish; black, spotted, white and striped bass; black and white crappie; flathead, blue and channel catfish; walleye; and chain pickerel.  Rainbow trout are also stocked in Lake Hamilton at the dams.  Lake Hamilton has produced two state-recorded striped bass.  Full urban amenities are close by Lake Hamilton, including resorts, condominiums, housing developments, restaurants, shopping and other amenities.  Part of Lake Hamilton even extends into the Hot Springs National Park city limits.  Beautiful... 05/31/2007

http://www.myspace.com/caponesattheohio  <~~~  More Info on Capone's Ohio Club 336 Central Ave.A good friend of mine has re-opened the infamous Ohio Club in historic downtown Hot Springs.  This turn of the century cigar store has had its share of visitors from many ages.  Al Capone, Mae West, Jesse and Frank James, Harry Truman, Babe Ruth (amongst countless other baseball players as Hot Springs was home to spring training camps for many teams in the 1930's), Herbert Hoover, and Jack Dempsey. just to name a few.  Many visited for the world renown baths and thermal springs, yet most came for the illegal gambling that perservered well into the late 1950's early 60's. Many reports state that Hot Springs was the largest illegal gambling site ever, and till the 1960's moved more money than La... 05/25/2007

June 1, 2007Gallery WalkTime: 5-9 pmDowntown Hot Springs501-624-0550Description:Gallery Walk gives an opportunity to stroll beautiful downtown Hot Springs and enjoy some of the finest contemporary art in America. The art galleries that sparkle like a fine necklace are located in the heart of the Victorian downtown district. They stay open until 9 p.m., often with music and complimentary refreshments. The artists whose works are on display also turn out to chat with visitors to the galleries. Don't miss this monthly opportunity to enjoy the arts that earned Hot Springs the No. 4 ranking in the Top 100 Small Art Towns in America.June 1-3, 2007"Take a Hike" WeekendTime: 9am-5pmLake Catherine State Park501-844-4176lakecatherine@arkansas.com Details:Admission: Free; Contact the park for furt... 05/24/2007

Just wanted to review the market in Hot Springs as of May 23, 2007.  It's still plugging along.  The market here is so different from other areas in the state and nationally that the supposed "downturn" of the real estate market has been late coming and short lived.  Granted it has slowed down, especially on the lake, it has shown strong signs of recovering by late summer, and if anything this should help continue a steady, constant growth for the surrounding community.  I look forward to posting updates on this so keep checking in for an idea of what the market in Hot Springs is doing.  05/23/2007

Trends in Reverse Mortgages - A New Option For Senior HomeownersEveryone's needs are unique--but a desire to enjoy a full life is universal.  Often, this means having enough money to cover bills and relieve some of the anxiety that comes from figuring out how to make retirement more comfortable.  Many retirees looking for ways to supplement fixed incomes and defray living expenses are increasingly finding the answer in their homes--it is called a reverse mortgage.    The versatility of reverse mortgages has already been demonstrated by thousands of seniors who have used this tool to help them generate the cash needed to assist with a wide variety of financial needs. These loans, designed to give senior homeowners access to the wealth in their homes, have helped seniors remain in their h... 04/16/2007

Make Plans Now :The Pocket Theatre in Hot Springs is preparing for another great performance. In hopes that many of you will come and enjoy this and so many wonderful attractions in our great little town, I wanted to get this out there as soon as possible. For this and other neat stuff, check out our "Hot Springs Go2Guide " at www.paradiseinhotsprings.com  to stay in the LOOP  with the most fabulous town in Central Arkansas !April 20-21, 2007175th Anniversary of Hot Springs ReservationsTime: 10amArlington LawnContact: Diane East501-623-2824 April 26-29 and May 3-6, 2007The NerdTime: Thursday - Saturday 7:30pm and Sunday 2:30pmPocket Theatre501-623-8585http://www.pockettheatre.com/ Details: Tickets: $13 for Adults and $5 for students through grade 12. Description: The second offering of ... 04/16/2007

Curlin is the 2007 Arkansas Derby winner. With Robby Albarado aboard and smiling ear to ear, the two came center front to accept thier honors. That's not all though. . . they didn't win by a nose- more like 10 1/2 links. Spectators and pros of the sport are all saying, with Churchill only 3 weeks down the road......all eyes will be on this aggressive contendor! Curlin, you've made Arkansas proud! 04/15/2007

March 31, 2007 ROCK PAPER SCISSORS COMPETITIONTime: Semi-Finals 5pm - Finals 7:30pmHot Springs Convention Center-Horner Hall    Details: The Garland County Championship will consist of 64 players playing the sport in a classic tournament ladder structure. Forty eight (48) of the spots in the bracket will be taken by winners from Bud Light Tournaments that will be held all across Garland County prior to the championship event. Sixteen of the berths will be at-large berths given to the top sixteen qualifiers that will participate in a tournament earlier in the day prior to the start of the Garland County Championship.Anyone 21 years of age or older will be allowed to enter the contest. Each contestant will be required to pay an entry fee of $3.00 that will be donated to the Garland County... 03/17/2007

The First Ever Fourth Annual World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade The gold at the end of the rainbow is found in Hot Springs, Arkansas, along with a celebrity Grand Marshal Mario Lopez, green fireworks, Irish belly dancers, floats, Irish Order of Elvi (a group of Elvis look-alikes), marchers, Irish Wolfhounds, and let's not forget the Pub-Crawl. Great fun for everyone! The World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade is always held on March 17th on historic Bridge Street in downtown Hot Springs. Bridge Street became famous in the 1940's when Ripley's Believe It or Not designated it "The Shortest Street in the World."Having earned this distinction, the Hot Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau deemed Bridge Street the most logical location for this novel 03/12/2007

March 19-April 18, 2007TULIP EXTRAVAGANZA Garvan Woodland Gardens   Garvan Woodland Gardens will become a kaleidoscope of color during this 5th annual event. Over 93,000 graceful and delicate tulips will beautifully co-mingle with the wooded landscape and present an impressive floral display. Sharing center stage with the tulips will be thousands of dogwood trees and hundreds of azalea bushes all in peak color. 03/11/2007

Thank Goodness for speedy service from the Emergency & Entergy personnel in Hot Springs.  Otherwise, we could have had a bunch of unhappy race track fans yesterday at Oaklawn Thoroughbred Racing Track. A tractor-trailer backed into a light pole near the track, causing it to fall onto power lines and taking out the circuit to Oaklawn and delaying post time by 15 minutes.  Luckily no one was hurt, and the power outage only lasted a short period. The personnel from Oaklawn also reported that they were prepared with back-up power in the event the Emergency crew wasn't able to get things back up & going.  Thank goodness that everyone was prepared!! 03/09/2007