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On this frist Friday, Hardy roared with the sound of Hot Rods and Muscle cars engines.  The annual Car Cruise occured this evening and there were gleaming cars, chrome and fat rubber everywhere. It was great fun and everyone was nostalgic. The cruisers and visitors were treated to sausages, hamburgers and all the trimmings by the Hardy A&P Commitee. Even the little one’s got into the spirit showing off some of there own cool rides!  The weekend festivities will continue on Saturday down at Loberg Park for the Annual Spring River Car Show and Festival. Everyone is invited to enjoy Hardy this late Spring first June Weekend. So be sure to come on out and enjoy the sights and the cars.  See ya on the Main drag. We appreciate you !

We are exctied to let the public know about a new fan based website. You can view the new website HERE .  According to Mary the site owner, she plans to  be posting many of Doyle and Teddy’s contemporaries favorite memories of the men from many individuals. It makes for some very interesting reading.

This website is a fan based website “As I have become acquainted with other Wilburn Brothers’ fans, it has become apparent there is a real desire to know more about Doyle and Teddy. This fan website is dedicated to providing as much information about the guys as I can find. ” Mary said.

Additionally, a book of memories about the Wilburn Brothers is in the process of being completed. This book will be available for sale from the town of Hardy and all proceeds from the book will be donated to the Wilburn Brothers Museum Building Fund. I will let everyone know when it becomes available. In the meantime, I will be posting various celebrities’ favorite memories of their associations with Doyle and Teddy.  Be sure to visit  the FAN SITE  often to see the latest posting.

Mary

The Sharp County Quorum Court on May 9th voted unanimously Monday to make the substance illegal in the county. With the passing the ordinance goes into effect immediately.  

K-2 is also known as “Spice,” and is a mixture of herbs that are sprayed with a synthetic THC which is an active ingredient in marijuana.  Manufactured in Asia and sold online or in local stores, K2 and similar substances are marketed as herbal incense. A disclaimer on a K2-selling Web site reads: “K2Herbal products are novelty incenses and are not for consumption.”  Sold in various flavors in 3-gram bags, the product consists of herbs that are sprayed with synthetic substances that mimic THC, the high-causing natural chemical found in marijuana.

During the public comments portion of the quorum court meeting, prior to passing the ordinance, local store owner Robin Baker spoke to the court. He first blamed the media for their coverage on K2 related incidents and then blamed parents. Baker, said, “The parents just need to do their job.” He then went through naming several chemical compounds in his attempt to keep the court from passing the ordinance. Baker maintained not only that K2 is comprised of herbs, but that it is not harmful, and there has been no testing on the compound. He also took a poll prior to the meeting gathering signatures of “over 30 adult registered voters,” who he said felt it shouldn’t be banned. Baker said, “These people have a choice what they want to ingest.” He explained the compound wasn’t meant to be smoked.

Justice Burton explained to Baker that 15 years ago, there was no research to indicate smoking marijuana posed health hazards, now there is medical proof it causes birth defects, among other things. Burton said, “We do not want to wait another 15 years to see the long term results of this.” The court voted unanimously to be proactive in passing the emergency ordinance, which after three readings was put into effect immediately.

Spin art is an art form that primarily uses, a spinning platform.  It is primarily used to entertain and expose children to the process of art creation, although it can be enjoyed by people of all ages. We here at “FOHA”  are happy to announce that the Ozark Classic Crafts Mall in Hardy Ar. now offers “Dizzy Art” spin art for you to enjoy.

To create spin art, a person either can decorate the canvas prior to spinning or drip paint while the canvas is spinning. The canvas can be anything; however, the most common form of canvas is a small rectangular piece of cardboard.

In the first style process when you add the paint first and before the paint on the canvas dries, the artist secures the canvas to a platform that can be rotated at high speed. Once the canvas is secure, the artist can then begin spinning the canvas. Most spinning platforms are electrical or operated, with more elaborate platforms enabling the artist to vary the rotational speed.

As the canvas rotates, centrifugal forces draw the wet paint outwards, creating intricate designs. However, the more common form is when the artist can drip more paint onto the canvas while it is spinning, thus layering paint on top of each other, creating different effects. Using different colors, a skilled spin artist can blend colors together into subtle designs. At any point during this process, the artist can stop the spinning platform to view the canvas. Since the canvas is usually rotating at a high rate of speed, it is difficult if not impossible to view the image on the canvas until the platform has stopped spinning, thus creating a sense of surprise and uncertainty during the creation process.

Interesting fact is that since the 1960s spin art can be seen in the works of certain contemporary artists. The artists using this technique often reconfigure their own machines by incorporating a more powerful engine than those belonging to schools. The variety of results that this technique produces gives us a good idea of the infinite possibilities. During the 1960s Alfons Schilling was one of the first artists to become interested in spin art. action painting also had a large influence on his work and added to its originality. Instead of installing it vertically he did it horizontally.  Alfons Schilling is apparently a learned follower of Viennese Actionism. From 1968 to 1973 the French artist Annick Gendron used industrial wheels to spin paint on plexiglas. Gendron is an expert on plexiglas and is the only artist to have tried spin painting on it.

From 1995 the British artist Damien Hirst started a series of spin paintings. His finished pieces are circular in shape and mounted onto steel frames. This is a series of original works of art and screen prints. Hirst claims to have discovered this process after having watched a childrens programme on TV.

This reinvention of spin art has contributed to people’s regained interest in the 1970s style. We can see this in Kasabian’s, a British pop group, music video ‘Shoot the Runner’ and don’t forget now you can not only see it, but make it here in Hardy, Arkansas at the Ozark Classic Crafts Mall.

Hardy City Council regular meeting was held on April 20th, 2010. Following roll call and the approval of prior minutes, Hardy Mayor Nina Thornton welcomed discussion on the upcoming liquor issue.  The only comments on the issue were from one audience member who posed the question of whether or not the city could pass an ordinance regarding the issue before it is actually passed. Thornton said that was a possibility and could be done to not have any delays if it were to become wet. The audience member was also a downtown business owner and said that parking in the downtown area was at a premium and told Thornton that if the county were to become wet, and one of the downtown businesses were to get a liquor license, the possibility of patrons of the establishment selling liquor could cause problems with downtown parking.

Thornton then announced that Virgil Griffin had announced that Riverbend Property owners had agreed to pay the past due water bill and a deposit to ensure the owners water once again be turned on.  Afterwards, Carolyn Groves, Hardy Recorder/Treasurer then presented to council the findings of her summertime food program for area children. The project, which Groves created and will oversee, is to help area children.  She said because 85 percent of Hardy’s population is below poverty level the children qualify for this lunchtime meal that will be provided free of charge from June 5 — July 30. Groves said many kids do not get the adequate food they need after they are out of school for the summer and she would volunteer her time to not only ensure the children have this need met, but also to give of herself in helping them learn things such as manners. Groves said she would like the children to be able to sit down and learn proper manners. She said parents are invited to bring their children, up to the age of 17, for the meal, which will be held at the Hardy Gym beginning June 5. The children are welcome to come by five days a week to take part in this free state funded program, that is implemented by Groves. She said further information will be published in the Villager Journal at a later date. She stressed that she will not be a baby sitter or tutor, but will help feed them at the gym. She also said the children participating in the summer reading program hosted by the library are welcome to come to the free lunch daily.

Another topic that brought forth a lot of discussion was a building variance. The proposed topic was to consider changing certain residential areas in Hardy to commercial to promote growth of business. Hardy Alderman Margaret Hartness, who lives in the area, said changing some areas could pose issues in regard to traffic and said she would be concerned with the types of business going into the area. She said she feels granting business licenses should be on a case by case basis and must be preapproved by council.

A No Smoking Law was also considered on the old business portion of the agenda. It was brought to council’s attention by Mayor Thornton that during events, complaints have been voiced about patrons having to walk through smoke upon entering the Old Hardy Gym. Because the state statute refers only to indoor air, it was unclear what kind of guidelines the city must consider in implementing a law on outdoor smoking in regard to distance from buildings. Council agreed to research the options and tabled the discussion until the next meeting.

Hardy business owner Greg Bess discussed that the city had passed an ordinance in 1996 which referred to ways to handle building variances. He said the ordinance states that it requires a six member panel, two thirds of which are not members of the city council and further discussed the process of approving a home in regard to what he says is stated in the ordinance as “good planning and zoning practices.”

In the last order of Old Business Ordinance 2004-02 was discussed. This ordinance was in reference to some unsightly homes that have been in a state of disrepair for a lengthy amount of time despite numerous attempts by the city to persuade the land owners to complete their building project or clean up the area. The Ordinance gives the city authority to condemn certain properties. One particular property in question is one the city has received numerous complaints against. Council agreed to exercise their rights set forth by the ordinance and follow proper procedure by mailing a certified letter to the owner and lien holder of the property stating that it will be condemned and when it will be heard by council. The property in question is located on Third and Johnson Streets. Thornton said the topic will be heard by Hardy City Council on June 6.

In new business, the Iberia Bank Building was discussed; Thornton said the building will be closed soon, as the bank is moving to another location. Thornton asked council’s permission to ask the bank to donate the building to the city. She said due to the problems with flooding at the current city hall building, this building would make an excellent location. She said, although it has flooded in the past, it is not in a flood zone or a flood plain, according to the map. Council voted unanimously to allow Thornton on behalf of the city to ask if the bank building could be donated to the city.

Prior to adjournment, announcements of upcoming events were read, including Tourism Day to be held May 15 at Dr. Thompson Park and the amphitheater and the Wilburn Brother’s tribute May 29.

Finally, after over a a year and a half with no water the park is finally close to getting it turned back on!  The $21,712.85 bill will be paid by the Property Owners Association in agreement with the city of Hardy.  Hardy Mayor Nina Thornton said the property owners have kept in contact with the city throughout the ordeal. Currently, the owners are waiting to see that the water lines are functional before paying the bill that will insure their service is properly restored.

 April 10, 2010 – The POA Board reached an agreement with Virgil Griffin on April 10, 2010, to provide water to River Bend Park. We do not know the exact date the water will be turned on, but hopefully it will be soon. Some repairs to water lines coming into the park and other checking of the water distribution system have to be made, and plans are to begin this within the next couple of weeks.

Thornton said that area resident, Virgil Griffin said he has a deed to the water system and agreed to pay the deposit and get the water back to the residents so they can once again enjoy the area. Thornton said the water was cut off to the park and 10 residences on Oct. 21, 2008 after the bill became extremely past due. She said everyone was notified and the meter was read at that time and locked. Thornton said the city tried to work with the Bigger’s Bluff Water Corporation, after the bill was over $16,000 past due, to no avail. Thornton said the city still gave Johnson another month to pay the bill. She said they didn’t want to turn the water off to the park, but explained that it is a state law that a city cannot give free utilities. She said after the month was up, she, as mayor of the city, took the matter to council, who voted unanimously to shut off the water to River bend Park. She said council further voted that in the future a person would have to sign to be responsible as well as paying a $5,000 deposit; this was the amount of an average monthly bill to the area. Virgil Griffin signed as the responsible party for the bill and further agreed to sign a three year contract with the city.

Thornton explained that the city of Hardy was still in the process of trying to secure grants for a new water system for the area and to annex the area into the city. This, she said, would be in the best interest of the city. As Hardy will be providing water to the park, it is only fair that the city should get something back. Many of the residents who live in the homes on the road going to the park have since had wells drilled on their property.

Thornton said Griffin said property owners were currently in the process of meeting with their lawyers. “They have a three year agreement with the city; they will pay him and he will pay the bill.” She further explained that there was a water line up the hill by Nathan and Renee Clay Circle’s new home that was broken under their concrete slab. She said the city is in the process of rerouting that portion of the water line. She said the city has never had any problem with the property owners, other than simply the bill was not paid. She further stated, “They are going to have water very soon.”

You can keep up to date with information about the park on their website at http://www.riverbendparkhardy.com/

UFO Objects

If you click the four arrows under the video clip you can view it in FULL SCREEN !

Open House To Provide Residents, Business Owners With Flood Map Information. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in coordination with the State of Arkansas, Sharp County and the City of Hardy, invites the public to attend a flood map awareness meeting, Thursday, April 29, 2010, to help local residents, business owners, real estate and insurance agents understand the new floods maps that will go into effect within the next year.

The new maps were developed after an extensive multi-year study of the area’s floodplains and reflect the dramatic change in water flow and drainage patterns over the last 20 years–increasing the likelihood of flooding in certain areas of the county. Read the rest of this entry »

After a lenghthy undercover operation conducted by the Third Judicial District Drug Task Force in the Sharp County area, 11 arrest warrants were obtained for the arrest of suspects who are alleged to have sold various drugs. On April 6th, Drug Task Force Agents were assited by the Sharp County Sheriff’s Department, Arkansas State Police, Hardy Police Department, Cherokee Village Police Department and Ash Flat Police Departments in the mass round up of eight of the eleven warrants. Read the rest of this entry »

A man was arrested Tuesday morning near Hardy City Hall on charges he stole money from a horse-drawn carriage Easter Sunday. According to Police Chief Ernest Rose, Gerald Digrazia, 41, Hardy, was arrested for theft of property. Police say they received information he stole money from a man after a carriage ride.

“It was around four o’clock in the evening, Mr. Qualls had a buggy ride in town, reported that he had been robbed,” said Rose.

Rose said he contacted the Sharp County parole officer, who put together a photo lineup for Donald Qualls, the driver of the carriage, to review.

“He said he took this gentleman for a ride on the buggy down Loeberg Park and he come back into town and he said the man had his bag and he noticed it wasn’t hanging where it was supposed to be,” said Rose. “He yelled at the man, the man took off running down Main Street so he took off after him with his horse and buggy but the traffic was so heavy he couldn’t catch up with him.” Read the rest of this entry »