February 9, 2026

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Take the Plunge for Special Olympics 

 Some of the Polar Plunge Participants from 2025. — photo by Brianna Himschoot.  Brave participants are invited to take an icy leap for a great cause at the Hot Springs Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Arkansas on February 14.  The annual fundraising event invites participants to join the fun by registering, fundraising, and taking the plunge, or by supporting plungers through donations and cheering from the sidelines. Festivities will take

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Apparently, You Can’t Take it with You 

You Can’t Take it with You, the classic comedy written by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, and directed by Claudia Beach, opens February 6 at the Pocket Community Theatre.  This classic play centers on the romantic relationship between Alice Sycamore and Tony Kirby. Their impending marriage is threatened when Tony brings his wealthy, snobbish parents to meet Alice’s eccentric, free-spirited family—the Sycamores—on the wrong night, leading to a humorous

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OBHAW Wellness Program Expands to Hot Springs 

Community Resource Center will house the OBHAW Wellness Day Treatment Program,  Ouachita Behavioral Health & Wellness (OBHAW) is expanding its Wellness Day (Day Treatment) Program to Hot Springs, extending a service previously offered at its Malvern clinic to meet increasing demand in Garland County.  The expanded program was launched through a partnership with the Hot Springs Community Resource Center (CRC).  The Wellness Day Program will operate Mon.- Fri., 8:30 AM

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Mardi Gras in the Spa: New Orleans–Style Celebration Takes Over Bridge Street 

Hot Springs will celebrate the spirit of Mardi Gras on Saturday, February 15, when Mardi Gras in the Spa takes over the Bridge Street Entertainment District from noon until 6:00 p.m. The inaugural event promises a full afternoon of music, costumes, family activities, food, and community celebration — rain or shine.  Designed as a family-friendly festival with something for all ages, Mardi Gras in the Spa will feature food trucks,

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Artist David Malcolm Rose at Blue Donut Art Gallery 

David Rose’s painting, “Incoming,” is part of his exhibit at Blue Donut Gallery.  The Blue Donut Art Gallery, one of the latest additions to the Hot Springs art scene, located at 430 Valley Street, presents “Artist David Malcolm Rose: A Retrospective.” Rose’s lifetime achievements in visual art are many, including exhibitions at the prestigious Louis Meisel Gallery in the Soho District of NYC.  Rose said the size and character of

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Fly to Neverland! Open Auditions for Peter Pan Ballet 

Dancers aged 5 and up are invited to audition for a role in “Peter Pan.”  Get ready to soar! The Hot Springs Children’s Dance Theatre Company (HSCDTC) is thrilled to announce open auditions for its upcoming production of the beloved storybook ballet, Peter Pan. Auditions will be held Saturday, February 7, offering local dancers the magical opportunity to bring this timeless classic to life.  Under the visionary artistic direction of

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February – American Heart Month: Understanding Cholesterol and How Diet Can Help 

A berry sweet way to a Healthy Heart.  By Dr. Annie Xu February brings another opportunity to recognize American Heart Month and to highlight simple, natural ways to support heart health. One of the most effective places to start is understanding how dietary habits influence cholesterol levels.  Cholesterol is typically reported as total cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides, and LDL. While HDL is often called the “good” cholesterol and LDL the “bad,” these

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Save the Date for the 23rd World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade® 

Expect a rockin’ and zany time with Mangione (l) and Everhart (r) as royalty at the St. Pat’s Parade.   The World’s Tallest Leprechaun and the editor-publisher of the city’s monthly tourism publication will reign on March 17 as the King and Queen of the First Ever 23rd Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade® in downtown Hot Springs.  Retired businessman Monte Everhart and JoAnn Mangione, who edits and publishes The

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Arkansas Books 

A monthly series including news about an Arkansas book, author, event, or item of literary interest to Arkansans.   By Erin Wood Conway resident and Arkansas native Katy S. Duffield is, incredibly, the award-winning author of more than forty children’s books.   On February 3, Start Your Engines will be released from Sourcebooks/Jaberwocky, with words by Duffield and illustrations by Chiara Galletti.  In Start Your Engines, Frankie the ATV loves to zoom up

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AR Association of Asian Businesses Honors Hot Springs Artist Longhua Xu 

AR Association of Asian Businesses Hosts 8th Annual Luncheon in Hot Springs.  The Arkansas Association of Asian Businesses is pleased to host its eighth annual “East Meets West Arkansas Lunar New Year Luncheon” Saturday, February 21, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Hot Springs.  Highlights include a keynote from Arkansas Commerce Secretary Hugh McDonald and remarks from honored guest Longhua Xu of Hot Springs, an internationally renowned sculptor and artist. Guests will also experience Chanoyu, a presentation

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Artists’ Commitment to Artists’ Workshop Gallery 

Artists’ Workshop Gallery has been home to Sheliah Halderman for 30 years and Jean Pennucci for 28 – true pillars of our arts community.   There is something to be said for the value of commitment. The Artists’ Workshop Gallery (AWG) is fortunate to have several examples of what it means to “stick with it.” Among its 36 members, 11 have been with the gallery for over a decade. Two of

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Folding Paper, Shaping Words: Origami and Haiku at the AR Cherry Blossom Festival 

Origami? Absolutely! Enter your Origami in the Cherry Blossom Festival Competition.  The Arkansas Cherry Blossom Festival continues to celebrate Japanese culture through hands-on creativity, pairing a festival favorite—the Annual Haiku Competition—with an exciting new addition: the Origami Competition.  New this year, the Origami Competition is sponsored by Aitoh Specialty Paper. Open to Arkansas residents of all ages, the competition invites artists to explore the art of paper folding through original

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About the Cover . . .  

“Moku Playland”   Photo of Kate Zunick Courtesy of Hot Springs Sister City  Kate Zunick relaxes in one of the most beloved features of the Moku Playland exhibit — a giant wooden “hot springs” tub filled with hundreds of smooth wooden balls inspired by the bubbling thermal waters of Hot Springs.  Hidden somewhere among the

A One-of-a-Kind Wooden Play Experience Arrives in Downtown Hot Springs 

Moku Playland Pop-Up Opens June 1 with Interactive, Screen-Free Fun for Families  Families and visitors to downtown Hot Springs will have the opportunity to experience a unique style of hands-on play this summer as Moku Playland opens June 1 for a special month-long pop-up at 831 Central Avenue.  Open Thursday-Tuesday

World Championship Bathtub Races Set for June 6 

The Hot Springs Fire Department entry nears the finish line in the 2025 Running of the Tubs. — Courtesy Visit Hot Springs  The lineup is complete for the 2026 Stueart Pennington World Championship Running of the Tubs bathtub races through historic downtown Hot Springs. The race starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday,

Yoga: Two Months at The Yoga Place 

Where are we?” Missy Conry and Melissa Stevens  By Missy Conry & Melissa StevensCan you spot where we took this picture? Take a selfie in front of the same mural and text to 501-651-0545 for a free drop-in class! You can also text us for hints if you need a clue.  As we reflect