Planetarium open for business
ARKADELPHIA — The Reynolds Planetarium at Henderson State University is open to the public for shows, stargazing events, field trips and private functions and offers teaching and learning experiences for students and those interested in astronomy.
It also helps local teachers meet and exceed state standards in education for their classes and is essential for Astronomy and other classes at HSU. It is operated by the Henderson State University Physics Department.
The Planetarium opened 16 years ago as part of an $ 8 million grant from The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation to expand the facilities available to the science departments at HSU.
The Planetarium Theater and surrounding lobby cost more than $ 1.5 million, while the equipment to operate it cost a similar amount. However, its ability to clearly show all the stars visible to the naked eye in both the northern and southern hemispheres, project telescopic views of any object photographed by any satellite or observatory, and to present full- length planetarium shows made it the only college planetarium of its kind in the South and one of only 10 in the U. S.
In addition, the 8.2- meter projection dome means that the sky is almost 50 percent brighter than with a standard 10- meter dome. Seating 45 people, the planetarium has been described as a “small jewel box,” a news release said.
By 2010, planetarium shows had been digitized and the Reynolds Planetarium was upgraded to immerse the audience in full- dome animation. This is projected using a state of the art Digitalis Gamma Digital Projection system. The shows combine stunning visual effects on the dome with powerful Surround Sound to transport audiences to all reaches of the universe, from a light- speed trip to see mysterious black holes to the stars of the Pharaohs. New shows are added each year. At each public show, the audience will be given a tour of the night’s sky, visiting beautiful nebulae and galaxies. Before the show begins, the guide will point out the fascinating objects that can be seen that night with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope. Plan for 10- 15 minutes in addition to the length of the show.
Since it opened, the Reynolds Planetarium has hosted more than 105,000 visitors for public shows, including school groups, HSU students and other organizations, from North Texas to North Little Rock and Mena to Moro Bay. Groups can choose from 30 shows for different elementary and high school grades. Admission to the shows is $ 3. Astronomical observation dates as follows:
are
lower dam area.
• 6: 30 p. m. — Behind the International Student Center during Family Science Night. Families can enjoy fun activities and demonstrations in the Physics Department combined with observing sunspots, then the evening sky.
• 6: 15- 7: 45 p. m. — DeGray Lake lower dam area.
• 4: 30- 6 a. m. — DeGray Lake lower dam area.
An 8- inch telescope will be used to observe Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn and the audience will learn how to find its way around the night or morning sky. The sessions at the lower dam area will be in darker skies, enabling participants to see nebulae where stars are being born, galaxies and remnants of dying stars.
Visit http:// www. hsu. edu for a complete list of shows. A r o u n d To w n members and guests 21 and older. Guests must sign in.
• Angel’s in the Park — 211 Fountain St. in the Park Hotel, 609- 0767. Open 5- 9 p. m. MondayThursday and 5- 10 p. m. Friday and Saturday. Outside dining promenade. Full bar and cocktail lounge with two flatscreen TVs.
• Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa — 239 Central Ave. and Fountain St., 623- 7771.
• Back Porch Grill — 4810 Central Ave., 525- 0885. Open 4 p. m. Monday- Saturday.
• Belle Arti Ristorante — 719 Central Ave. Chef Joseph Gargano invites everyone to experience a new menu featuring lunch and dinner specials. Private rooms available; open daily, 624- 7474.
• The Big Chill — 910 Higdon Ferry Road, 624- 5185. Live acoustic music nightly. Pool, darts and sports on TV.
• Boondocks Pool Hall — 1331 Airport Road, Suite G, 881- 4856. The only pool hall in town, with 19 professional quality pool tables, four in a nonsmoking section. Host location for APA and NAPA leagues. Must be 21 or older to enter. Hours are Sunday- Thursday 1 p. m. to midnight and Friday and Saturday 1 p. m. to 2 a. m. Full bar, Golden Tee and Internet jukebox. Tournaments Saturdays at 7 p. m.
• BootScooters — 421 Broadway St., 627- 0505. Thursday, Friday, Saturday 6: 30 p. m. to 5 a. m. DJ spinning top 40 dance music after live band. Pool tables.
• The Five Star Dinner Theatre — 701 Central Ave. Hot Springs’ only full- time dinner theater featuring year- round entertainment. Open Fridays and Saturdays with buffet by Chef Joe Gargano served at 6 p. m. and the play at 7 p. m. Reservations for tables are suggested, 318- 1600. State Park, 767- 9366.
• Garland County Historical Society — 328 Quapaw Ave., two blocks south of Levi Towers, 321- 2159. Open 8 a. m. to noon weekdays. Explore Hot Springs and Garland County history.
• Melting Pot Genealogical Library — 649- B Ouachita Ave., 624- 0229. Library open 10 a. m. to 2 p. m. Monday, Friday, and second Saturday of each month.
• Fox Pass Pottery — 379 Fox Pass Cutoff, 623- 9906.
• Historic District Antiques — 514 Central Ave.
• Pocket Community Theatre — Hot Springs’ oldest live- performance theater presents five productions a year plus extras, 170 Ravine St., 623- 8585.
MUSEUMS/ HISTORY:
• Maxwell Blade’s Curiosity Museum — 121 Central Ave., 623- 6200. Winter hours are 10 a. m. to 5 p. m. daily. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, hours are extended from 10 a. m. to 11 p. m.
• Mid- America Science Museum — 500 Mid- America Blvd., 767- 3461. Summer hours 9: 30 a. m. to 6 p. m. daily, Memorial Day through Labor Day. Winter hours 10 a. m. to 5 p. m. Tuesday through Sunday.
• Mountain Valley Spring Co. — 150 Central Ave. Historical and informative exhibits. 9 a. m. to 5 p. m. Monday- Friday; 10 a. m. to 4 p. m. Saturday and Sunday.
• National Park Visitor Center — Located at Fordyce Bath House, 369 Central Ave. Visitor center hours 9 a. m. to 5 p. m. daily. Call 620- 6715.
ENTERTAINMENT:
• American Legion, Warren Townsend Post 13 — 3237 Albert Pike, 767- 1346. The 40/ 8 Lounge is open from 10 a. m. to midnight Tuesday- Saturday, and from 1- 10 p. m. on Sundays and Mondays. Special drink prices daily. The Lounge is open to
• Hawg’s Pizza Pub — 1442 Airport Road, 767- 4240. Open 11 a. m. to 10 p. m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a. m. to 1 a. m. Friday and Saturday. Arrive by boat or by car; live music on the weekends.
• J& S Italian Villa — 4332 Central Ave., Suite B in Temperance Hill Square, 525- 1121. Hot Springs’ most award- winning Italian restaurant. Relax in the cozy lounge after work, complimentary appetizer bar. Happy hour 5- 7 p. m. Tuesdays- Fridays in the piano lounge. Ladies Night Out Wednesdays. Entertainment by Mark Ayers 5 p. m. Wednesdays and 7 p. m. Fridays and Saturdays.
• Jose’s Mexican Grill & Cantina — 5631 Central Ave., 525- 9797, and 2215 Malvern Ave., 609- 9700.
• KJ’s Grill — 1834 Road, 767- 0063.
• Low Key Arts — 118 Arbor St., 282- 9057.
• Maxwell Blade Theater of Magic — 121 Central Ave., 623- 6200. Open at 8 p. m. MondaySaturday with mind- boggling magic and comedy.
• Pop’s Lounge at Oaklawn — Must be 21 to enter at 2705 Central Ave. 623- 4411 or 800- OAKLAWN.
• The Porterhouse — 707 Central Ave. Steaks and seafood. Open 3: 30- 10 p. m. MondayThursday; 3: 30- 11 p. m. Friday and Saturday; and 3- 10 p. m. Sunday. Happy hour 4- 7 p. m. Private rooms available; 3218282.
• Redbeard’s Living Canvas — 413 Park Ave., 623- 4744. Tattoos and piercings. More than 133 years of combined experience. Open daily. Walk- ins welcome. Licensed by Arkansas Department of Health.
• Saddlebags Saloon & Grill — 4977 Albert Pike Road, 767BAGS ( 2247), Happy Hour Monday- Friday 4- 7 p. m., Karaoke
Airport on Thursdays and Fridays, alternates every other Saturday opposite the bands. Sunday 10: 30- 11: 30 a. m. Cross Stop Biker Church everyone welcome, Sunday 5- 9 p. m. jam with Terry Tee, Jerry Hubert and Chris O’Rorke. Razorback games on throughout bar with happy hour prices and potluck parties, no charge bring a dish.
• Sam’s Pizza Pub — 401 Burchwood Bay Road, 525- 0780. Join us by land or water, Tuesday pizza buffet 6- 8 p. m., Thursday steak night, Friday pride of the pond catfish night.
• Silver Fox Lounge — Located in the Austin Convention Hotel & Spa, 305 Malvern Ave., live bands on Friday and Saturday; 623- 6600.
ATTRACTIONS:
• Arkansas Alligator Farm and Petting Zoo Inc. — 847 Whittington Ave. About 175 North American alligators. Feed and pet many animals and an alligator. Open from 9: 30 a. m. to 5 p. m. daily. 623- 6172.
• Garvan Woodland Gardens — 550 Arkridge Road, 262- 9300. Open daily 9 a. m. to 6 p. m.
• Hot Springs Farmers & Artisans Market — 121 Orange St. Open from 7 a. m. to noon Saturday and 4- 7 p. m. Tuesday for fresh local produce and handmade goods.
• Hot Springs Mountain Tower — Located on Hot Springs Mountain Drive, 6236035.
• Oaklawn Racing & Gaming — 2705 Central Ave. 623- 4411 or 800- OAKLAWN. Doors open daily for gaming at 10 a. m. and simulcast at 11 a. m. Free entry. Must be 21 to enter gaming area.
TIME OUT:
• Fun Trackers Go Karts — 2614 Albert Pike., 767- 8140, game room, arcade, go karts, bumper boats and miniature golf. Birthday parties.