The NWA Regional Mobility Authority

I’ve read several posts on various blogs now blasting the Regional Mobility Authority and their desire to expand the infrastructure in Northwest Arkansas. Now, I don’t consider myself a wealthy business owner, but I am a business owner, and I have noticed how little people like to drive in NWA. Honestly, I don’t blame them. We’ve got one artery that connects Fayetteville to Benton County, and it is literally taking your life in your own hands when you venture out. Couple this with absolutely no east-west conduits except the strip that connects 540 and 71 in Fayetteville just south of the NWA mall makes it very difficult to go anywhere. Our metro area is over 450k people, which is big enough to sustain lots of different types of businesses, but with the severe constriction in transportation options, you greatly reduce how many trips we make down to Fayetteville to enjoy some of our favorite restaurants, not to mention how many customers we have outside of Rogers that really don’t like making the trek to our store.

If you take a metro area like Dallas for a case in point. Even though sometimes it’s bumper to bumper crawl due to a wreck or sever congestion, there are several highways (35, 45, 75, et al) and the 635 loop. Everyone hops on the 635 and gets around Dallas quite easily most of the time. It’s not uncommon to take 30 minutes to get somewhere, but that gives you the entire Dallas proper as your playground. Now, take someone who lives in Rogers, but would like to go down to Dickson Street or a nice restaurant. Yes, 540 usually gets you there (except it is often bumper to bumper at the pleasant grove exit for no apparent reason other than people can’t merge properly) but that only gets you to the edge of Fayetteville. 25 minutes to get to Fayetteville, and another 15 to 20 to get across town through all of the stop lights. It’s not really that far if you compare driving distances from someplace like Dallas, but risk your life slamming on your breaks because nobody can merge and the highway really needs to be 6 or 8 lane, and then endure stop light after stop light, and then it’s almost too much trouble to want to go anywhere.

We hear the same stories from a few of our Bentonville customers that are just going to Rogers. What’s the best route to our store if you live in Bella Vista? I think this infrastructure deficit is choking out small businesses more than anything. The local shops that “Keep Fayetteville Funky” and give you dining options that aren’t met by fast food or chains. These local businesses directly support our local economy. All of the profits stay local, as opposed to just the local salaries. My wife drives 8 miles into Springdale from our house, and it takes 30 minutes down 71 - and thats the only way to get there. That is ridiculous.

Northwest Arkansas is suffering from severe urban sprawl, and the only way we are going to keep business booming is to expand our infrastructure faster than we have been. The biggest improvements have been in Rogers. It’s taken some time, but New Hope is now a very viable east-west conduit to get across Rogers with minimal lights. 40th (or 45th, I can’t remember which it is) is also a great route to get from 71 to New Hope, with minimal lights. We need more of these, and if possible, some express ways that will get you from one east-west end of each town to the other with no stop lights.

The state is not going to pony up in proportion with the growth this region has had. I know they are spending tax dollars on replacing gravel roads in SE Arkansas, and if I lived there, I would want the gravel road in front of my house paved also, but each city is going to completely die from the inside out. Rogers downtown is in this cycle. The Fayetteville square is struggling, and I see lots of property for rent in Springdale’s downtown as well. Lots of effort and discussions have centered around how to revitalize these historic areas that are rich with history and nostalgia, but the only thing that is going to truly save them are roads that will take people there quickly and effortlessly. I am not a member of this "Elitist Group" as they are being called, but I do think they are on track for the whole of NWA.

I don't necessarily agree that the move to XNA in Highfill was a good idea either, but it did offer some room for growth. If I recall, every flight went through Dallas, and then out to where ever you were going, so an extra layover plus hour flight time is about a net zero if you are driving to Tulsa for a cheaper flight. :P

Getting Started in Lure Coursing

We have another guest blog, this time from June Sayer, who works at Lowell Veterinary Clinic as their staff groomer, and also works with the NWA Kennel Club. She and her husband have started a lure coursing group here in NWA, and have been holding trials and fun runs at various events such as Ward Nail park in Lowell, and Murphy Dog Park.

Getting Started in Lure Coursing

The purpose of non-competitive lure coursing tests is to offer sighthound breed owners a standardized gauge to measure their hounds' coursing instinct. The purpose of the competitive lure coursing trial program is to preserve and develop the coursing skills inherent in the sighthounds and to demonstrate that they can perform the functions for which they were originally bred.

Although lure coursing events are artificial simulations of coursing, they are designed to measure and develop the characteristics of the sighthound breeds.

Lure coursing tests and trials are sports and all participants must be guided by the principles of good sportsmanship both on and off the test and trial fields (Regulations for Lure Coursing Test and Trials Handbook, Chapter 1, Section 1, page 1).

Sighthounds are a special group of hounds that are bred to hunt by sight. The sighthound breeds are: Whippets, Basenjis, Greyhounds, Italian Greyhounds, Afghan Hounds, Borzois, Ibizan Hounds, Pharaoh Hounds, Irish Wolfhounds, Scottish Deerhounds, Salukis and Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

To provide a test for these breeds AKC instituted the Lure Coursing tests and trials in July, 1991. These Tests and Trials utilize a 'lure' of white plastic strung around a course of 600 to 800 yards in an open field. They are meant to preserve, test and develop the coursing instincts in these breeds. Your first step to learning about lure coursing is to get a copy of Lure Coursing Rules and Regulations and familiarize yourself with what is required to enter the various events offered. Dogs must be at least one year old to run at an AKC-approved event. Dogs with breed disqualifications are not eligible. Check the standard for your breed or the Lure Coursing Regulations for more information.

The lure coursing Tests offer the Junior Courser (JC) and Senior Courser (SC) titles. In the Junior Courser test the dog runs solo and is required to run at least a 600 yard course with four turns under two different judges. For the Senior Courser test the dog must be eligible to run in the Open Stake by virtue of having a Junior Courser title; must run with at least one other dog and must earn a qualifying score at four AKC tests under at least two different judges. To earn the Master Courser test the dog must earn 25 qualifying scores in the Open, Open Veteran or Specials Stake and have a Senior Courser Title.

In the lure coursing Trials the dogs can earn a Field Championship (FC) by accumulating 15 points with at least two first place wins of three points or more under two different judges or judging panels and at least one point must be earned in competition with at least one hound of the same breed.

Once a dog has earned an FC, they may continue to compete in order to earn a Lure Courser Excellent title (LCX). They must accumulate an additional 45 Championship points at which time they receive the LCX title. If they wish to continue to compete, they can continue to accumulate Championship points in increments of 45 and earn additional LCX levels, i.e. LCX II, LCX III, LCX IV, etc.

To find out more information on lure coursing or sighthound clubs in your area you can find them through the Club Search and for information on lure coursing events in your area use our Event Search. Coursing is a good way to keep your sighthound mentally and physically fit and nothing is more fun that seeing the sheer joy on your sighthound's face as he courses his 'quarry' instinctively.

June Sayre

These events are very exciting to watch, and if you have dogs that love to chase, this might be an ideal sport to get into. If you would like more information on Lure Coursing in NWA, please contact June at skbt4@sbcglobal.net.

Exploring Northwest Arkansas' Dog Parks

As of June, 2008, there are only three off-lead dog parks that I am aware of in Northwest Arkansas that are completed. Here's the rundown:

Each park has it's own rules, which may include: being up to date on all vaccinations, aggressive dogs prohibited, dogs must be spayed or neutered, puppies must be older than 6 months, owners must stay within sight of their dogs at all times, no spike collars, a maximum of 3 dogs per adult, owners must clean up after their dogs, absolutely no females in season, no glass, no tobacco products inside the fencing. If you do not know your parks rules, check for signs or ask.

Murphy Memorial Dog Park
407 E. Nursery Road,
Rogers AR 72758
(479) 631-9909 (Steve and Toni Carter)
This is a fenced in park with big dog, little dog, and training sections. Loaded full of trees, picnic tables, benches, toys, and a dog wash station, this is a beautiful park to take your four legged friends to on a nice Saturday morning. Often host to annual dog events, like the Easter Egg Hunt and Responsible Dog Ownership Day, MMDP is really at the center of the dog community of Rogers. Sitting in front of the Humane Society grounds, prospective dog owners can take their dog for a walk down to the park and let them get some exercise.
Registration/fee required.

Fayetteville Animal Shelter Dog Park
1640 Armstrong Road
Fayetteville, AR 72701
479-444-3456

Big open fenced in area with toys, bag, water and benches for owners. Don't forget to come inside and pick another play mat. Only open during the day until the sun goes down. Location: Right behind the Fayetteville animal shelter. Directions: Just turn right on to industrial drive and then pull in to the shelter and go around the back. Here is the Fayetteville Animal Shelter's website.

There are rumors of a new dog park being discussed as part of a $20 million Fayetteville parks project. Here are some articles: article, article discussing it from December, 2007. This almost sounds too good to be true, but hey!

Ft Smith Dog Park
Corner of Massard and Louisville Streets
Ft Smith, AR 72904
The Fort Smith Dog Park is dedicated to dogs and dog lovers. Like most dog parks, our purpose is to provide off-leash exercise and socialization opportunities for our four legged companions while promoting responsible dog ownership through events and programs. The temporary park was established through the efforts of the City of Fort Smith Parks & Recreation Department and the Fort Smith Airport Commission. For more information, visit their website.

Bentonville Bark Park - NOT YET COMPLETED
Walton and NW "A" Street
Bentonville, AR 72712
Plans are currently underway for this to be Bentonville's first off-leash dog park. No fencing has been installed yet. For more information on current developments, visit their website.

If anyone has any photos of their dogs enjoying any of these dog parks, or perhaps one I don't even know about, send them to me!

NWA Has a New Pets Magazine

Another Rawhide Story

Here's a story that is circulating the internet right now. It's a tragedy for sure:


To Whom It May Concern...(Is There Any Justice For The Loss Of My Bestfriend) November 08, 2007 5:40 PM

Well on Oct. 28, 2007 I had to get my most loyal and loving BlackJack put
to sleep because she was so sick and dying...I still can't believe she's gone forever. My baby was only about 3yrs old...I will not let go what happened and I want my voice to be heard !!!!! I purchased some rawhide bones from the 24hr Walgreens on Main St. here in High Point, N.C. when I gave my dog one within an hour of chewing half of the bone my BlackJack became sick, vomiting very badly...this went on for a few days and she seemed to get better or so I thought, I noticed her gums, tongue, skin, and white of her eyes was yellow...I was like no way, my dog has jaundice so I took her to the vet. They kept her for 3 days and done blood tests, X-ray, IV's, Etc. and they ruled out blood disease, foreign objects, any kind of blockage, and said my dog was way too healthy & had very good bloodwork prior to get this sick, this fast!! They sent her home with me and wanted to try medication...but nothing worked she just got sick more each day until she could barely walk & would not eat, she was suffering and the outlook didn't look good even with surgery as weak as she was...It was like she had been poisened, even the vet that put her to sleep said that...and she had from that bone. Now I'm at war with the company and want some justice for the life of my bestfriend, she was the kind of dog that if your lucky you might run into one once in your lifetime. Now take note on the information below:
- There sold at: Walgreens
- Brand Name ( Bag O Bones )
- Company Info: Specialty Products Resources Inc.
49 Harrington Rd.
Waltham, M.A. 02452 USA
Tel: (781) 894-1411
Fax: (781) 894-1811
Website: www.specialtyrawhide.com

Please Check Out & Sign The Petition To Make Sure Another Bestfriend Is Not Lost!!! http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/a-life-lost

---------------------EOM--------------------------

At first glance, I want to rush out and sign this petition. I know rawhide is a horrible product, and more is sold at this time of year than any other. But there is so much information out there about rawhide. You can google it, read blogs about it, talk to your vet about it, talk to your boarder, your local dog bakery, trainers, fellow dog parkers; I would think there has to be information about how rawhide is so bad coming at people from every angle. If that is really the case, then why do people still buy it? Stores wouldn't stock it unless people were buying it.

There is another part of me that thinks, with all of the information available at hand, how is this person not personally accountable for this? Stores simply sell what people want. If nobody wanted it, good or bad for you, nobody would sell it. Doesn't that make us, everyone who buys rawhide products, accountable for this also? Anyone thats purchased rawhide in the last year send this person one dollar, and she'll feel better. Like that will ever happen. Now, if this was something new, a new product that's untested, a mistake, never happened to anyone before. I could see some accountability on the part of the company. But rawhide, and the horrible stories that go with it, have been around a long time. I think it's really up to us to spread this word. The companies and manufacturers aren't going to stop making it unless everyone stops buying it. Stores like Wal-mart are going to continue to sell it, because it keeps making them money. It's only small stores like our bakery that take a stand on junk like this (See Rawhide is for shoes).

I won't sell rawhide, I've never sold rawhide, and I won't even sell the pressed rawhide, which is supposed to be the lesser of the evils. If there should be a petition, lets tell the retailers we don't want this in the stores anymore. Lets get this on the news so other people know about it and can make an informed decision. Let's not just sue the retailer for punitive damages. Put your money where your mouth is - or your dog's mouth anyway. Just say no to rawhide. There are plenty of alternatives. Be an informed consumer. Read the ingredients. Stores like Wal-mart are very much a democracy. If the public votes they won't buy something, it gets yanked pretty fast and replaced with something else. They have to move product off of their shelves to make money, and under performing products are always replaced quickly, or else it effects their year end numbers. Bonuses are at stake. Vote NO on rawhide! Spread the word!