By Erin Wood Did you know Garland County is tied for last in Arkansas for the number of library locations per county? Many adults and children live too far from the current location, and the building’s space per capita ranks near the bottom compared to other counties in Arkansas. Accessibility is the current Garland County Library’s biggest challenge as it strains to serve more than 100,000 residents across 735 square miles.
By Erin WoodAre you ready to meet fifty Arkansas women who will challenge the way you think about identity, entrepreneurialism, community, and what it takes to lead a creative life? Women Make Arkansas: Conversations with 50 Creatives features my conversations with women of diverse and dynamic pursuits, including names that Hot Springs residents will recognize, like entrepreneur Briana Moore (Larkmartin Soaps, Red Light Roastery) and former kombucha brewer Jenny Lively,
By Jennifer Case By Erin Wood The Carework Project: Reckoning with Love, Labor, and the Living World is the third book by Conway resident and University of Central Arkansas creative writing professor Jennifer Case, released last month from Trinity University Press. Combining elements of memoir, collage, interview, research, and cultural reflection, The Carework Project probes what care means in a time of climate crisis. Case shows how caregiving—often invisible, gendered, and undervalued—is central to survival. She examines
By Erin Wood If you think reading about cheese is “gouda,” Chintzy Chauncey: A Cheesy Love Story by Hot Springs author Sensei Scribbles is sure to melt you, whether you are eight, eighteen, or eighty. Combining a rhyming tale, educational information about cheeses from Haloumi to Gruyere, and a sprinkle of philosophy, this 42-page book blends flavors, philosophy, and fun. Chintzy Chauncey follows a greedy, gruff, and kind of gross man who thinks he has found
Adult prizes for those 18+ include a backyard fire pit, Nintendo Switch 2, Superior Bathhouse Brewery Gift Card, mini espresso machine, Hot Springs National Park gift basket, photography session, Samsung Galaxy tablet, and many more awesome rewards. The prize drawing is August 3, 2026, and the program ends on July 31st, so you’ll want to get started asap. How it works: Every 10 days, readers can pick up a small prize and a
By Erin Wood If you have a kiddo, you won’t want to miss sign-ups for summer reading at the Garland County Library, June 10 – July 31! The Summer Reading program is open to children ages 1-18. There is no deadline to sign up, but it’s best to sign up before June 10 so you don’t miss out on logging your reading hours to win amazing prizes. Participants can visit the
Originally from South Africa, debut author Alexandra Bell now calls Hot Springs home. Her new book, Make a Plan to Save Your Life: Your Essential Guide to Surviving Medical Emergencies (self-published in February), is a practical guide born of Bell’s own life experience as a retiree, Certified Longevity Coach, and former recruitment and human resources professional who spent decades helping people prepare for comfortable retirements. Bell shares, “Drawing on my concept of ‘Intentional
Fayetteville resident Carolyn Guinzio is this year’s recipient of Arkansas’s most lucrative and prestigious literary award, The Porter Prize, accompanied by $5,000. Guinzio is author of eight poetry collections (including, most recently, Cameo Blue), and her work has appeared in The New Yorker, Poetry, and The Nation. Guinzio was nominated by 2003 Porter Fund Literary Prize recipient and Little Rock resident Kevin Brockmeier. The Porter Fund Literary Prize is presented annually to an Arkansas writer who has accomplished a substantial and
By Erin Wood Central Arkansas Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants Christine Lin and Elizabeth Waldrum have decades of combined experience working with young kids, many of whom experience periodic or permanent absences of important figures in their lives. When Lin and Waldrum found no literary resources to start conversations with these children about their complex emotions around these losses, they decided to write their own book to serve the purpose. I
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
By Erin WoodThe American Booksellers Association reports that holiday sales account for nearly a quarter of independent booksellers’ annual profits. With holiday dollars, consumers can make a significant impact on independent bookstores, small publishers, and local authors—and local support can be online. Amazon alternatives: Online purchases through Bookshop.org have raised $42.5 million for indie bookstores since 2020. Order there and choose the indie bookstore of your choice. Devote an extra
By Erin Wood The Arkansiana Award is presented biennially by the Arkansas Library Association to the author(s) whose books represent “a significant contribution to Arkansas heritage and culture.” This year’s recipients are Little Rock writer, journalist, and musician Stephen Koch, for his book From Almeda to Zilphia: Arkansas Women Who Transformed American Popular Song, and Clinton writer and journalist Monica Potts for her New York Times bestseller, The Forgotten Girls: A
No spam, notifications only about Arts, Entertainment & Wellness In Hot Springs, AR.
“The Nutcracker” Courtesy of Edmond Cooper Photo Design by Rhonda Panasenko There’s something magical about this time of year in Hot Springs! As the holiday season draws near, the Hot Springs Children’s Dance Theatre Company is hard at work preparing for its annual production of “The Nutcracker”—a beloved holiday tradition that brings
Annie Smith and Melodi Cone of The Velvet Attic Boutique bring a Western Chic touch to fall with horse graphics, flowing maxi skirts, statement belts, and boots. Navy, taupe, and black reflect the season, while turquoise jewelry and fringe add personality. November brings a shift in fashion as holiday gatherings,
Give Our Advertisers a Taste of Your Support! Hot Springs celebrates the Spa City’s diverse restaurant scene during Feast Month – November 1- 30, which means three things: it’s time to redeem restaurant deals, dine at your favorite spots, and vote for your favorite restaurants – from best BBQ to best
Located just minutes from downtown Hot Springs, the Northwoods District is one of eight exciting districts in the local trail system. It features 31+ miles of trails around Bethel, Dillon, and Sanderson lakes for mountain biking, hiking, and trail running. The Northwoods District is directly accessible from historic downtown and
