Larry Foley's news release could have been issued a couple of years ago but the date of this change was uncertain at that time

• UATV‏

1:03 PM

 larry foley

To Aubrey Shepherd

 Hi Aubrey:

UATV will  not be part of PEG in the future. The Fayetteville eduational channel will be 217, operated by Fay Schools.

UATV CELEBRATES 15 YEARS WITH LAUNCH OF NEW CHANNEL

Join us as we celebrate both of these monumental events for UATV

Cox Communications will move UATV to Channel 214 on Dec. 9! This new channel will be operated exclusively by U of A students 24-hours a day, year round. This is also UATV's 15th anniversary of it's first live program.

Open house 12-2 p.m. Light refreshments

RSVP: Robyn Ledbetter, rledbet@uark.edu

Larry Foley
Professor of Journalism
University of Arkansas
116 Kimpel Hall
Fayetteville, AR  72701
479-575-6307 

Larry Foley
Professor of Journalism
University of Arkansas
116 Kimpel Hall
Fayetteville, AR 72701
479-575-6307

Shirley Lucas chairs the final Ward Four meeting of her eight-year tenure on the Fayetteville City Council

Please click on image to ENLARGE view of Shirley Lucas holding the chair of her final Ward Four meeting as a member of the Fayetteville City Council. For more photos from this event, please see Red Oak Park Web log near the bottom of the set on Flick photos.

Joe Neal and the loons of Lake Tenkiller

• fun with loons‏

8:16 AM

Reply ▼
Opening Day for Loon Season in Arkansas caught me unprepared. Loon Opening, often early-to-mid-October, found me with a dusty spotting scope buried deep in the closet. Loons are scope work, but with one quick shirttail wipe and my trusty black Sharpie to X out all previously agreed-to appointments written on my calendar, I was ready to go forth and screw my good right eye to the 30 power eyepiece. For sure I was late for season opening, but fear not! 

Now it’s ALL about cold wind, big water, objects seen and unseen and imagined, near and far, about the possibility that the Far North –or maybe it was early Santa and his reindeer -- has delivered unto us some very cool freight in the form of rare birds.

2 November at Slate Gap on north side of Beaver Lake: 2 Common Loons

11 November at Lost Bridge North and South on Beaver Lake: 5 Common Loons

18 November at Indian Creek on Beaver Lake: 17 Common Loons

20 November at Lake Fayetteville on NWA Audubon Society field trip: 1 Common Loon

22 November at Bob Kidd Lake: 1 Common Loon

For looners, or maybe I should say loonies, in northwestern Arkansas, Tenkiller Lake is a necessary evil of driving and carbon emission. Tenkiller, after all, is one stop shopping for four loon species. Jacque Brown and I made a Saturday pilgrimage, the Day After Black Friday. We got two loon species: at least 65 Common Loons and 3 Pacific Loons. Off and on during the day I was sure we had ‘em all.

For me it’s just axiomatic that with eyeball screwed to eyepiece and brain in loon over-drive, what comes upon me is a vision of almost religious certainty that the pale loon with the big upturned bill is a Yellow-billed. That is, the further away loons are – and they can get VERY far on a big lake-- the more likely I am to turn what’s common into minor miracle. Funny how the closer we get, the more we find the wide range of Common Loon ages and plumages, which is just what you’d expect if the brain’s rational side was engaged. But if it was engaged, why would you even be looking to begin with? Etc.

After all the driving and all the scope work, I’m just plain nutty. Isn’t all this pretty extreme? Edgy? Here it’s Black Friday Weekend, just a day or two before Cyber Monday, and what am I doing? Why, I’m out having fun with loons! They’ve flown a long ways to get here, out of the ice and snow, and I’ve driven long to get away, far away, reasonably and even unreasonably, from Black Friday Weekend, not to mention to upcoming Cyber Monday. 

‘Tis the season, after all, to buy-buy-buy. But all the holiday hubbub ‘mongst the superior species is not evident in a big loon raft. I don’t hear a single Christmas jingle, but loons are yodeling and barking in warm afternoon sun. Myself, I’m thinking new scope, if only in my dreams. I’m wondering if ole Saint Nick has heard about the new enviro-smily HD glass? And way, way out there, near the far shore, isn’t that a Red-throated?

Accelerated producer-training classes planned for early December

Accelerated Producer Training
Sign Up: email JR Curtis at jr@catfayetteville.org

Length: 4 hrs (with 15 min break)

Equipment and Facilities Needed: Studio, 2 Cameras, edit bays 5 and 6.

Participant Limit: 4 Students

Dates of Class:

•Saturday, Dec 4th, 10am - 2pm
•Wednesday, Dec 8th, 5pm - 9pm
•Saturday, Dec 18th, 10am - 2pm

Description of Class:
The Accelerated Producer Training Class is designed for individuals or groups that have a strong interest learning multiple aspects of video production at the convenience of an accelerated rate.
This class incorporates the information and training that students receive in the Orientation, Field Production, and Basic Final Cut Pro editing classes.

During this class participants will:
• Learn about Community Access Television and the services it provides the community for the Fayetteville Public Access Television utilizing the City of Fayetteville Television
Center.
• Receive hands on training with field cameras and shot composition instruction.
• Receive hands on instruction on how to do basic editing using Final Cut Pro.
• Produce a short “public access producer’ promo for cablecast on Fayetteville Public Access Television.

Upon completion of the Accelerated Producer Training Class students will be equipped with the necessary training and certification to:
• Begin producing their own programs using City of Fayetteville equipment and facilities.
• Take advantage of ongoing technical support from Community Access Television staff.
• Take the “production refresher” courses that Community Access Television will provide monthly.

Spay Arkansas fund-raiser from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. today. Details are below "I Rescued a Human Today": a pound-dog's view of a person needing a dog!

I RESCUED A HUMAN TODAY

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels on either side. I felt her need instantly. A sadness and loss were with her , and I knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.

As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy, and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card, I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and am sure I can make a difference in someone's life – maybe hers.

She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I pressed my shoulder and the side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck and scratched my ears. I could feel that she was desperate for companionship … too.

A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well. Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to keep that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was exceedingly fortunate that she happened to come down my corridor; but then, I think, so was she.

So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors . . . so many more to be saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today

########## Now it's your turn!! #########
From Spay Arkansas:
This Sunday (Nov 28, 2 to 5 PM) is our third annual silent auction/music event. And more than ever we need to raise money because we have great news! We have rented a building in Springdale and plan to be open early in 2011, pre-kitten and puppy season! We are very excited!! And Dr Susan is anxious to get to work saving lives.
There will be significant renovation costs, so PLEASE come to the Whole Earth Organic Lounge (located at the corner of Center and College in downtown Fay- lots of parking!) this Sun from 2 to 5, listen to some wonderful music, do some holiday shopping, and celebrate! These musicians have been kind enough to donate their time: Emily Kaitz, Susan Shore & Michael Cockram, and Candy Lee.
If you would like to bring pet food to donate to local rescues, that would be very much appreciated. Help make this dream a reality as soon as possible. Every day we wait, more animals needlessly die.
Hope to see you there!

World Aids Day coming up

World Aids Day petition

A few faces from Hank Kaminsky's studio open house

Please click on image to ENLARGE view of scenes from Hank Kaminisky's open-studio day.

Hank Kaminski's studio open now until 1 p.m. for show and sell event

If you miss being at the Farmer's Market this week, please visit the Kaminski's and support public art in Fayetteville.
Hank Kaminsky's studio is at 808 S. Government Avenue in Fayetteville.
For details, call Hank's cell at 479-283-4842
Please click on image to ENLARGE.

Hank Kaminiski's studio showing at 8 a.m. today

Announcing a studio open house at Hank Kaminsky's studio this coming Saturday November 27th from 8AM to 1 PM at 808 S. Government Avenue in Fayetteville, for more information call Hank's cell at 479-283-4842 Concrete sculptures from the Sacred Ground Project for the garden and the home and a chance to hear what the Sacred Ground project is An opportunity to make a tax deductible contribution for the commissioning of a large sculpture from the Sacred Ground series for the Fayetteville public art collection A marvelous collection of bronze and silver jewelry Fragments of the original clay sculpture of the World Peace Prayer fountain Many Kaminsky sculptures in bronze, concrete, resin and plaster JoAnn Kaminsky's puppets (@ 10% off) All Hank's work is discounted 15% for this important sale Come Saturday morning, enjoy a tour of the studio and some cheap snacks, see a large variety of sculpture designed for many occasions and help the Hank pay the rent.

Cable-access television among the many reasons to be thankful for living in Fayetteville, Arkansas

Trail dedication photos on video clip run on Cable Access Television on Oct. 24 or 25, 2010, plus many nature photos

October 25 video clip from World Peace Wetland Prairie

Ducks Unlimited gives thanks to donors who protect wetland across the continent

Please click on image to ENLARGE and use live link to learn more about Ducks Unlimited.

Art Sale soon. I assume it is on Block Avenue, because there is no block street in Fayetteville. Streets run east and west in Fayettevile, although Springdale has its streets running north and south; worldwide, streets are east west and and avenues are north south

Please click on image for full view and easy reading.

New Design School graduation and scholarship fund-raiser set for Saturday, December 4, 2010

Please click on image to ENLARGE.

Doug Tallamy comments on planting trees and avoiding mowing to fight climate change

Professor Doug Tallamy's magnificent book, Bringing Nature Home, provides thousands of reasons for planting native species and protecting the air, water, soil and food for human beings and all living things.

Please click on individual images to ENLARGE for easy reading.

Please click on image to ENLARGE for reading.

Cox Cable changes of interest to viewers of Fayetteville's public channels

Spiranthes going to seed on Pinnacle Prairie 100 yards west of World Peace Wetland Prairie on November 19, 2010

Adopt a child, NOW if you can.

The Thanksgiving holiday is fast-approaching, and for many Arkansans, that means gathering with family.  Unfortunately, for hundreds of children in our state, the comforts of a holiday surrounded by family have never been experienced.  During the month of November, National Adoption Month, advocates are working to raise awareness of the close to 115,000 children waiting to be adopted nationwide.  Here in Arkansas, close to 500 children are available for adoption - some of them having spent most of their young lives waiting for a home and family to call their own.
As heartbreaking as it may be to think of even one child out there aching to be adopted, volunteers and family service workers in our state are making a difference in these children's lives, by continually working to place more young people in safe, loving homes.  This month alone, 107 Arkansas adoption cases will be finalized.  That's 107 children finding their way into families that will provide the kind of home environment that all children deserve.  Being part of a loving family will let them thrive now, helping them to become happy, productive adults down the road.  

In fact, in September, the state was given a $1.3 million incentive award from the federal government for increasing the number of children adopted from foster care. Arkansas adoptions increased overall in 2009, exceeding our previous benchmark year of 2007.  Arkansas families adopted 622 children last year, up from 466 in 2008.  The federal money is used to improve child welfare programs.  
It is important that as many of these kids as possible get placed with families as quickly as possible, but it is of course vital to ensure we are putting children in safe home environments.  There have always been stringent home studies conducted for adoptions, but in 2009, the Arkansas Legislature enhanced the guidelines for background studies even more.  This helps make sure we are putting kids in nurturing, safe homes.

If you and your family have ever considered bringing an adopted child into your home, now, during National Adoption Month, I urge you to further explore the possibility.  This is a great time to learn more.  It's also a time we should all commend the dedicated workers who help bring children and parents together, as well as the generous families, who by opening their homes and hearts, are able to change the life of a child forever. 

Please name this late-blooming tiny flowering plant: Where are you Vicki May?

Please click on individual images to ENLARGE view of tiny white late-blooming white flowers.

Skipper moth nectars at noon after surviving 29 degrees at dawn

Please click on image of Skipper moth nectaring on nonnative red clover on November 19. 2010.

Senate Republicans vote down The Paycheck Fairness Act

Republicans Vote Against Equal Pay for Women–Unanimously

Senate Republicans don't care about equal pay, privileging small business over gender equality. The Paycheck Fairness Act, which would have expanded womens' recourse against wage discrimination, died in the Senate today, under the oft-invoked guise of protecting small business. Even some previously pro-equal pay women turned their backs on the bill–Vermont conservatives Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins both registered “no” votes. Ironically, the bill failed by just two votes.

The bill would have worked to ensure equal pay for women, giving them more remedies in the court system for wage discrimination.
The summary of the bill states that it "amends the portion of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) known as the Equal Pay Act to revise remedies for, enforcement of, and exceptions to prohibitions against sex discrimination in the payment of wages."

After Fair Pay was annihilated, Obama released a strong statement expressing his dismay. "I am deeply disappointed that a minority of Senators have prevented the Paycheck Fairness Act from finally being brought up for a debate and receiving a vote," he said. "This bill passed in the House almost two years ago; today, it had 58 votes to move forward, the support of the majority of Senate, and the support of the majority of Americans. As we emerge from one of the worst recessions in history, this bill would ensure that American women and their families aren't bringing home smaller paychecks because of discrimination."
Marcia Greenberger, co-president of the National Women's Law Center, echoed Obama's sentiments. “In this difficult economy, in which nearly 40 percent of mothers are primary breadwinners, women shoulder increased responsibility for supporting their families and cannot afford to have employers discounting their salaries,” she said in a statement. “Among other important provisions, the law would make it illegal for employers to retaliate against employees who seek to learn whether they are being paid unfairly.”
Republicans' justification for killing the bill was based on the potential for “excessive litigation against the small business community,” aka bosses who knowingly discriminate against their female employees might actually have to own up to their actions in a court of law. Meanwhile, women still earn 77 cents to every dollar a man earns, on average–a statistic that hasn't changed in decades, and likely won't anytime soon. So thanks for that, Republicans.

By Julianne Escobedo Shepherd | Sourced from AlterNet

Environmental Action Committee gets preview of brochure on Fayetteville's effort to become a community that provides habitat for wildlife

Please click on individual images to ENLARGE for easy reading.

Got construction material for sale? Here is a chance to bid on a city material-acquisition list

REFERENCE: 2011 Bulk Materials Bids DEADLINE: Friday, December 10, 2010 before 2:00:00 PM, local time (Room 306, City Hall) Please remember the deadline is observed on Atomic time, not what your TV says!Available on our website shortly. - Bid 11-01, Thermal Striping 

 - Bid 11-02, Reflectorized Paint Marking 
 - Bid 11-03, Curb and Gutter 
 - Bid 11-04, Topsoil 
 - Bid 11-05, Hillside Gravel 
 - Bid 11-06, Concrete 
 - Bid 11-08, Truck Hauling Services 
 - Bid 11-09, Aggregate 
 - Bid 11-10, Asphalt Materials - Quarter 1 
 - Bid 11-11, Curb and Gutter for ORT New Freedom Project 
 - Bid 11-12, Topsoil for ORT New Freedom Project 
 - Bid 11-13, Aggregate for ORT New Freedom Project 
 - Bid 11-14, Drainage Pipe for ORT New Freedom Project Click below (or copy and paste) for a direct link to the Bid: 
http://www.accessfayetteville.org/government/purchasing/bids/index.cfm

Andrea Foren 

City of Fayetteville, Purchasing Agent 

Phone: (479) 575-8220 
TDD (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) 479-521-1316 
E-MAIL: aforen@ci.fayetteville.ar.us 
City of Fayetteville Purchasing Division

Why is Fayetteville still stocking up on curb and gutter and topsoil?

Please click on individual images to ENLARGE view of scenes along the site of the Oak Ridge trail through University of Arkansas property by Fayetteville city workers. The University required minimizing the width of the right of way for the trail, which is more difficult and requires much greater care than building a trail where a wide right of way may be used.
For 160 more November 17, 2010, photos of the Oak Ridge trail, please see Flickr photos in set of photos titled Trails of Northwest Arkansas.

I remain frustrated that the city's various watershed and streamside protection and low-impact development ordinances are taking a long time to get passed into law. So forgive me if I complain too often. But curb and gutter should be a special, extra option rather than a standard procedure in street, trail and sidewalk construction whether by developers or by city workers or contractors. We can't keep the water where it falls if we keep routing it directly to our streams to erode the banks and carry silt and other polluting substances to our reservoirs and rivers. 

The addition of sifted topsoil in many instances is counterproductive because it washes away easily and damages our watershed. It is difficult to stabilize and not as useful for growing grass and trees and flowering plants as is the soil removed for the construction jobs. 

John Nock presents South Pass concept plan to Ward 4 aldermen and residents in August 2008

Please click on individual images to ENLARGE.

Fayetteville City Council wisely held the South Pass replacement project on second reading in order to further consider the details and to allow time for public comment: Next council meeting is set for December 7, 2010

South Pass area. I don't know the exact limits and the city hasn't published a map of the property or the 200-acre park or the exact site of the landfill.


View Larger Map


View Larger Map

Today is last day to comment on CAT performance for the year. Public input needed

Thanks to all who took the time to complete the Community Access Television Performance Survey. Community input is invaluable as we move forward in making us a better public access service provider for the City of Fayetteville!
 
If you have not yet taken the few minutes to give your valuable input, please do so today as this is the last day we will be collecting comments so we may present the survey results to the Telecommunication Board on Thursday. You can easily access the survey at the below link!
 
Link to access the CAT survey:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SDCRCD8
 
Thanks again for the favor of your time in putting the Community in Community Access Television!
 
-- 
Anne Shelley
Executive Director
Community Access Television
101 W. Rock Street
Fayetteville, AR 72701
479-444-3433

City Council Agenda for 6 p.m. Tuesday, November 16, 2010, meeting at Fayetteville City Hall

Mayor Lioneld Jordan City Attorney Kit Williams City Clerk Sondra Smith

Aldermen Ward 1 Position 1 – Adella Gray Ward 1 Position 2 – Brenda Thiel Ward 2 Position 1 – Kyle B. Cook Ward 2 Position 2 – Matthew Petty Ward 3 Position 1 – Robert K. Rhoads Ward 3 Position 2 – Robert Ferrell Ward 4 Position 1 – Shirley Lucas Ward 4 Position 2 – Sarah Lewis

Final Agenda

City of Fayetteville Arkansas
City Council Meeting
November 16, 2010

A meeting of the Fayetteville City Council will be held on November 16, 2010 at 6:00 PM in Room 219 of the City Administration Building located at 113 West Mountain Street, Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Call to Order

Roll Call

Pledge of Allegiance

Mayor’s Announcements, Proclamations and Recognitions:

1.	Quarterly Report of the Financial Condition of the City - City Clerk Sondra Smith, Finance Director Paul Becker.

Agenda Additions:

A.

Consent:

1.	Approval of the November 2, 2010 City Council meeting minutes.

2.	Bid #10-64 Challenge Technologies:  A resolution awarding Bid #10-64 and authorizing the purchase of two (2) on-line respirometers from Challenge Technologies in the amount of $42,500.00 plus applicable sales tax for use at city wastewater treatment facilities.

Bid #10-64 Challenge Technologies

3.	Bid #10-65 HACH Company:  A resolution awarding Bid #10-65 and authorizing the purchase of a flow injection analysis instrument from HACH Company in the amount of $53,930.78 for use in testing at city wastewater treatment facilities.

Bid #10-65 HACH Company

4.

McClelland Consulting Engineers Amendment No. 2:  A resolution approving contract Amendment No. 2 to a contract with McClelland Consulting Engineers in the amount of $32,036.33 for final design services for Mount Sequoyah Pressure Plane Improvements associated with the Canterbury Water Tank including water pump station and off-site water line extension, and maintaining a $20,000.00 contingency.

McClelland Consulting Engineers Amendment No. 2

5.	Fayetteville MSA Limited Partnership/Verizon Wireless:  A resolution approving a second amendment to the contract with Fayetteville MSA Limited Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless providing for increased rent of $245.70 per month for cellular antenna space on the Gulley Road Water Tower.

Fayetteville MSA Limited Partnership/Verizon Wireless

6.	Amend Resolution 166-10:  A resolution to amend Resolution No. 166-10 to authorize either City Council Member Shirley Lucas or Sarah Lewis to represent the Fayetteville City Council during the Settlement Conference of November 17, 2010, as required by the Federal Magistrate.

Amend Resolution 166-10

7.

2010 ADEQ Recycling Grant For Containers:  A resolution authorizing acceptance of a 2010 Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality Recycling Grant through the Boston Mountain Solid Waste District in the amount of $29,449.00 for recycling containers for the West Side Recycling Drop-Off Facility, and approving a budget adjustment.

2010 ADEQ Recycling Grant For Containers

8.

2010 ADEQ Recycling Grant For Education:  A resolution authorizing acceptance of a 2010 Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality Recycling Grant through the Boston Mountain Solid Waste District in the amount of $15,551.00 for educational material for the West Side Recycling Drop-Off Facility, and approving a budget adjustment.

2010 ADEQ Recycling Grant For Education

9.	Highway 16 Improvements:  A resolution authorizing payment to the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department in the amount of $980,906.00 for a portion of the City’s fifty percent (50%) share of improvements to State Highway 16 from Armstrong Avenue to Stonebridge Road.

Highway 16 Improvements

B.	Unfinished Business:  None

C.	New Business:

1.

Bid #10-60 Crossland Heavy Contractors, Inc.:  A resolution awarding Bid #10-60 and authorizing a contract with Crossland Heavy Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $2,770,280.00 for construction of a biosolids management thermal dryer, approving a project contingency of $140,000.00, and approving a budget adjustment.

Bid #10-60 Crossland Heavy Contractors, Inc.

2.

CH2M Hill Engineers, Inc. Amendment No. 1:  A resolution approving contract Amendment No. 1 with CH2M Hill Engineers, Inc. in the amount of $6,765,224.00 for operation, maintenance, management, and engineering services for city wastewater treatment facilities and systems, and approving a $70,000.00 contract contingency.

CH2M Hill Engineers, Inc. Amendment No. 1

3.	2011 Annual Budget & Work Program:  A resolution adopting the 2011 Annual Budget and Work Program.

2011 Annual Budget & Work Program

Additional:  2011 Annual Budget & Work Program

4.

SouthPass Amendment No. 1:  An ordinance approving Amendment No. 1 to a residential planned zoning district entitled R-PZD 08-2898 SouthPass to amend the phasing plan, reduce the project acreage and density, rezone a portion of the property to RSF-0.5, amend Condition No. 10 regarding the $1 million contribution and change the name of the PZD.

SouthPass Amendment No. 1

Announcements:

Adjournment: