Jim Dailey

Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Arkansas Fashion School …

Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Arkansas Fashion School.  What a wonderful evening to congratulate graduating emerging designers and also recognize 40 years of business leadership and community service by Jamileh Kamran.

Along the Historic 40 year museum-like display I saw photos, news articles, designer dresses (even one worn by Hillary Clinton) reminding me of the determined, passionate spirit of this wonderful lady.  On a personal level, there was  a 1999 Proclamation I signed while I was Mayor declaring a certain day as JAMILEH KAMRAN DAY in the City of Little Rock.

As mentioned in the proclamation, Jamileh has dedicated her life giving back to her community, to her family and to her adopted Country.  She has given to numerous non-profits such as AIDS foundation, Cancer Society and now to the Arkansas Fashion School helping young emerging designers follow their dreams.

As I write this today, I declare … JAMILEH KAMRAN, YOU ARE MY HERO!!

PS: It was great to be with Harry Thomason and Craig O’Neill.  Craig is another person who never tires of giving back and serving others.

One other mention … the tie I’m wearing was designed and made by Jamileh.

Sunset is special regardless where it is observed.  However, atop the La Fonda Hotel in downtown Santa Fe, Patti and I have found one of our favorite places to sit, relax and immerse ourselves into God’s majestic art display.

Okay … now, what’s this MEOW WOLF noted in the title above?

Without a doubt, MEOW WOLF is one of the most quixotic yet serendipitous discoveries we have made.    Like most people, when we travel we return to familiar attractions such as downtown Santa Fe.  In addition we try to search out new and interesting things to do and see.  The name, MEOW WOLF in it’s self, was enough to get Patti’s attention but the fact that over 100 artists had worked together to create this unique place in an abandoned bowling alley sealed the deal for us to make this a priority stop.

Stealing a quote from the web site:

Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return in Santa Fe, New Mexico is an explorable, immersive art installation filled with technology and fantastic environments to inspire visitors of all ages.  The wildly imaginative art space is a collaboration of over 100 local artists and is a unique combination of children’s museum, art gallery, jungle gym and fantasy novel.

I had to put the picture of Patti in this post … she had actually just opened the door of a refrigerator, walked inside and was heading down a corridor to places unknown … reminds me of the rabbit hole in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.  I’ll leave the giant fingers and mechanical hand to your imagination.

One could easily spend several hours in here and not even touch the surface … I imagine sensory overload would take over for most of us .  However, this is definitely a place to see, experience and talk about.  Incidentally, over 400,000 visitors in the first year make this one of the top visited attractions in Santa Fe.

Creede, Colorado and Antler’s Inn on the Rio Grande before heading back to Little Rock.

It was another great trip and just like this squirrel, we look forward to more surprises just around the corner in this beautiful nation of ours.

Happy Trails!

On our way to Ohio for The American Trails International Symposium.

First stop … Metropolis, Illinois … Home of Superman!

Wow … what a serendipitous find.  Actually we were only looking for lodging and a place to eat and had made reservations at the Harrah’s Hotel and Casino in Metropolis.  Only upon arrival did we realize we had landed in the home of Clark Kent, Lois Lane and Superman, the hero of Truth, Justice and the American way.

On to Dayton, Ohio with a detour of one night in Nicholasville, Kentucky.

Other than a flat tire, this small town in Kentucky was wonderful.  Even the tire issue was as pleasant as could be because of the very helpful and professional staff at the Walmart auto center.  Thank you guys.

This entire area is beautiful and historic … rolling hills of blue grass horse farms, narrow winding roads with Civil War era hand made rock fences and to make it even more special,  dinner in a great restaurant  sipping Small Batch Kentucky Bourbon, eating the best baby back ribs ever while watching the Kentucky Derby. Now, if that ain’t livin’, I don’t know what is!

BTW… Copper River Grill is A+

Dayton, Ohio and the American Trails International Symposium

As an avid hiker/outdoorsman, this conference is right up my alley.  Dayton, was a great choice for the conference …   large convention center downtown, hundreds of miles of trails, river front activity center and the largest Airforce Museum in the nation drawing over one million visitors each year. Little Rock was the host city in 2009 and this year, I was honored to be chosen as a new Board Member of American Trails International.

The real highlight for me was having some of the finest staff members of any State Parks and Tourism Department in the nation.  I am honored to serve with them as we promote Arkansas Tourism and Arkansas parks. 

Thank you team … you make us proud!

On our return Patti and I stopped at one of our State Parks … Mammoth Springs

Located in the Northeast corner of Arkansas, this 60+ acre park is home to one of the largest springs in the Ozarks … averaging over 9,000,000 gallons of water per hour.  The day we visited, due to recent rain, the spring was producing almost 16 million gallons of water per hour.

Dyess Colony in Dyess, Arkansas is a history lesson on the Great Depression.  Add to it the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home and you have an International Tourism Destination.

I’ve been here once before but was happy to go back.  Last week, the Arkansas Parks and Tourism Commission had our regular monthly meeting in Jonesboro, Walnut Ridge, Dyess and Wilson … all cities in Eastern Arkansas.  What a treat to visit fast growing Jonesboro, Tudor style Wilson, Beatles travel stop Walnut Ridge and Historic Dyess where Johnny Cash grew up.  My first picture tells the Dyess Colony story…

The serendipitous part of the Colony for Arkansas Tourism is the completely restored Johnny Cash Boyhood Home. Below are a few pictures of the home, our Commission … and even, a picture of Commissioner Mike Mills holding his old Johnny Cash Albums.

Above, Director Kane Webb and Commissioner David Bazzell broadcast live on 103.7

Above … miscellaneous shots of the commission meeting and the Cash Home.

Below, we got a sneak peak at the new Hampson Archeological Museum State Park which displays some of the finest artifacts dating 1400-1600. 

Below a shot of the interior of the new museum …

In closing, I must say … this Eastern part of Arkansas is a hidden treasure not to be missed. I have only shared a minuscule sampling of what makes this a true destination for all.

Plus, we have a standing lunch scheduled each week … yes,  38 years of lunches too.

For thirty five years we have taken a trip to ski country …  mostly Colorado.  Then three years ago, with some of us skiing less, we decided to try our February trip in a warmer place.  This year, 2017,  was our third year in warm and beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona. As you will see in the pictures below, we spent much more time outdoors … even though it was actually a bit cooler in Arizona than in Arkansas.

Taliesin West … if you have not visited this Arizona home of iconic architect Frank Lloyd Wright, you are missing a rare opportunity to peer inside the man and his architecture. This is my second tour and I’m certain I will return.  One significant modern day fact is there are more than 20 Fellows that are studying architecture at Taliesin.

Then there was Golf, Bocci, pool, short walks … and, most of all there was Guy time … Happy hour, making meals, reading poetry, talking politics and enjoying the most important part … time with friends.  Truly this friendship is one of the most meaningful parts of my life.

Oh … I forgot to mention, my buddy, JC, and I stopped off and skied one morning at Santa Fe Basin.  My first time in over 10 years.  Simply awesome!!!

A number of our 52 Arkansas State Parks have Top Notch Chefs and Fine dining …  

I was lucky enough to be one of the judges in the top chef competition. For some three hours I and three other judges were treated to a veritable gastronomical bacchanalia as teams of Chefs, Sous chefs and support members prepared and presented new menu items for each respective state park.  It was not only a treat to sample … sometimes sample and sample and sample … it was a honor to witness the passion, creativity and teamwork of our incredible State Parks Staff.

Below are some of the photos I took while watching the teams fastidiously go about this timed task with speed, precision and class.  All the teams were winners in my book and on my palate …but, by a very close vote,  Ozark Folk Center State Park took home the trophy.

As an Arkansas State Parks and Tourism Commissioner for four years, I continue to be amazed and proud of the love and dedication each and every Department employee demonstrates as they serve visitors from all around the world.  All too often, citizens categorize government employees as lazy and wasteful.  This is an unfortunate and in most cases unfair label. I can personally assure supporters and detractors alike…. we are getting a full measure “plus” from the staff of Arkansas Parks and Tourism.

Besides , you might just be surprised when you get a meal in a State Park that will be hard to beat in a Five Star Restaurant.

God Bless our Staff … and Bon Appetite !!

 This is what Christmas is all about … Sharing, Giving, Loving

And it happens every day at Dogwood Hills Guest Farm near Marshall, Arkansas.  Just check out this quote from Ruth Pepler who, along with husband Thomas and daughter Grace demonstrated the true meaning of the Spirit of Christmas:

Christmas was unexpectedly wonderful.  We have a potluck supper in the barn loft every 2nd and 4th Sunday.  Everyone had said they had plans for Christmas, so we canceled it.  Saturday night, one of the ladies posted on Facebook that they were looking for a place to eat in Marshall on Christmas and mentioned about it being hard not having family in the area.  My husband had to work Christmas at the Hospice House in Harrison, so it was going to be a quiet day here.  I called the lady and asked her to come for dinner. She started crying and said she would be there.  I thought for half a second and started calling the rest of the folks who come out on Sundays.  Would you believe only one family had something to do? So Gracie and I started cooking and the folks who work with us on the farm started setting up the loft and in a few hours we had 18 people for roast beef dinner with all of the trimmings!    It was an amazing day filled with laughter and tears as this group of people realized they really did have family.  That really is the heartbeat of our farm, a place to belong, to break bread and fellowship.  Everything else flows from that.  

Blessing for the New Year,

Ruth

Below, a photo of Ruth, Thomas and Grace plus a collage photo of the Christmas dinner.

I am a member of the Arkansas State Parks and Tourism Commission and met Ruth at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism.  I was so impressed and inspired by what this family is doing in rural Ozarks Arkansas that I have been doing what I can to support their Guest Farm.

Check it out on their web site for more details … and plan a visit, a stay and a prayer of thanks for this special place.

http://www.dogwoodhillsbb.com  … or call them … 870 448 4870

Happy New Year and blessings to you as you read this beautiful story.

 

Ozone Campground is a beautiful place to camp and learn about the CCC.

Several of my friends and I got away from the city for a weekend and discovered not only the beauty of Fall Color in the Ozarks but the rich history played out in Arkansas during  the Roosevelt New Deal and the creation of the Public Works Relief Program … the CCC.

Following the Great Depression, the CCC was shaped to put young men to work planting trees, building trails and lodges in State and National Parks and Forests.  My brief research found that more than 3 billion trees were planted and over 800 state parks were upgraded.

Ozone Campground was a CCC site from 1936 – 1942.  For those interested in this piece of American History a walk thru the well marked trails with explanatory signs is well worth the time.  Below are a few pictures of what was Main Street, Shower and Latrine foundations, an ice house and a gold fish pool in the shape of Arkansas.

 

Main Street … note the stone curbs.

Oark … another historic and quixotic place to visit!

I have been here once before and continue to hear from many that the Oark Cafe is still going strong.  In fact, this cafe is described as the oldest continuous operation restaurant in Arkansas.  Just like the camp at Ozone, the small community of Oark is a must visit and a definite stop for great food and great deserts in a very unique setting.

Left to right … JC, owner Brian, Jessica, Jim, Bryan.

While you are in the area … there’s the Swinging Bridge over the Mulberry River.

Finally … we did have two beautiful nights of camping …

 

During this Thanksgiving season … I am thankful for good friends, beautiful campfire, beautiful Fall leaves in Arkansas and that I live in the greatest Nation on Earth.

My son, DJ and grand daughter Morgan, took this shot thru my telescope … with an iPhone.  Wow.