Peep Show
Peep Show
Fall foliage returns in glorious technicolor; Maumelle loses for the first time this season plus sports and headlines
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Numbers were not available this week for an updated death count.
The total number of reported dead Arkansans remains at 13,247 or the state’s 31st largest city.
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The Headlines
Meetings: The Maumelle City Council meets next Monday night at City Hall.
Events: Auditions for Miracle on 34th Street: The Play, an upcoming production at the Argenta Community Theater are scheduled to be held this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 405 Main Street in North Little Rock. It will be presented on the Sally Riggs Insalaco Stage, starting Dec. 6. For appointments, email casting@argentacommunitytheater.org. For audition information, visit argentacommunitytheater.org and click on auditions.
Current view
Well, not quite. In advance of a week-long vacation, this is going out as a scheduled post and written a few days early to allow for a bit of a break.
Regular coverage will resume the following week, Lord willing and the Creek don’t rise as AccuWeather forecasters are now calling Hurricane Lee a category 5 storm and a “monster” as it spins up out in the Atlantic Ocean.
Its impact on the North Carolina coast is yet unknown but, regardless, the current forecast is for “dangerous rough surf and waves, life-threatening rip currents and,” gulp, “coastal flooding.”
The ways of the sea are still unknown to me, but doesn’t that all sound just delightful?
That forecast isn’t until later in the week though, and by the weekend, clear skies are supposed to return.
Happy to sad and back again I suppose.
Peep show
The temperatures are starting to drop, finally, and the smell of Pumpkin Spice Lattes are in the air.
It can mean only one thing, Fall is finally here.
With that, it also means Fall Foliage will be returning, sooner or later, here and elsewhere around the country.
Maybe leaf peeping isn’t your thing, but, promise, it is quite the deal for some folks and they even plan trips around it.
David Angotti, the founder at SmokyMountains.com, said his site has a “predictive fall map” that allows users to gauge when and where leaves will be at peak fall color.
"Similar to a weekend weather forecast, the timing of our map update is important,” Angotti said. “The backbone of the map is meteorology —temperature, moisture, sunlight and precipitation. While meteorology is most accurate immediately before an event, a forecast is more useful to travelers and end users when made in advance. With our unique blend of historical and forecast data, we are able to make a highly accurate prediction by the end of August. The drastic year-to-year changes dictate that we create a new map from scratch with new data each year. Our end goal is to produce a map that's useful and fun."
The map, seen below, is extremely cool and interactive by clicking here.
His forecast is northwest Arkansas will begin to see color by Oct. 2 and hitting peak around Halloween. Central Arkansas will see a bit of color around Oct. 16 with peak color coming around a month later by Nov. 13.
Arkansas has roughly 19 million acres of forest, or about 56 percent of the state, according to the Arkansas Farm Bureau and roughly 11.8 billion trees.
Of those trees, 42 percent are oak or hickory, and the leaves of deciduous trees are where the color comes in. Hickory goes yellow, while oak can be a bright red, with some copper or yellow.
What Arkansas doesn’t have are many maple trees and the brilliant bright red leaves they produce.
Angotti notes his map is a prediction, and, like the weather, it doesn’t always work out exactly.
He also noted using the map is fun and “it's kind of addictive,” which is very true.
To help improve the map and its predictions, Angotti said, readers could submit their observations by clicking here. The online form is three questions and takes just a couple of minutes to submit.
Arkansas’s best spots
Devil’s Den State Park, near Winslow
With its amazing cliffs, caverns, and waterfalls, Devil’s Den State Park serves as an excellent place to enjoy autumn beauty. Even the historic cabins look incredible framed by all the yellow, orange, and red trees covering the landscape. The trails through the park are perfect for mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding. Many people find this park is best enjoyed while tent camping or staying in the cabins through the weekend or longer. Whether you visit for a few hours or spend days in the park, you’ll want to hit up Chinnabee Silent Trail to swim in the falls while enjoying the view.
Mount Magazine State Park, south of Paris
When you want to view the fall colors for as far as the eye can see, you cannot go wrong with a trip over to Mount Magazine State Park. The peak of Mount Magazine hits 2,753 feet above sea level, giving you stunning views of all the autumn beauties located across the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests. You can view all the beautiful landscapes by hiking through the 14 miles of trails or go at a faster clip on horseback, an ATV, or mountain bike. You’re even welcome to drive up the mountain and take in the views from the seven parking areas in the loop on Cameron Bluff Overlook Drive.
Talimena National Scenic Byway, near Mena
As reflected by its name, the Talimena National Scenic Byway stretches from Mena, Arkansas all the way to Talihina, Oklahoma. On this winding road, you’ll get to cruise through the Ouachita National Forest along Winding Stair Mountain and Rich Mountain. All along the way, you’ll see maple, blackgum, sweetgum and dogwood trees change from green to red, lighting up the forest in a rainbow of color. Closer to the ground, you’ll find the dwarf burning bush turning its iconic blazing red tones, while the sweet olive trees offset it all with their deep green hues. For a wide-open view of it all, stop at the many overlooks, including Rich Mountain Tower.
All three spots are easy drives from central Arkansas.
Destinations around the country
For Tennessee Fall Foliage: Tennessee is expected to peak in mid-October from Oct. 23-27 with the lower elevations in mid November.
For Vermont Fall Foliage: Fall foliage here should peak around early October with the 9-13. Though, you may be able to catch some beautiful colors in the southern part of the state through late October.
For Washington Fall Foliage: In Washington State, you can expect to see the leaves begin changing around the end of September with their peak between Oct. 9-13. The end of peak is around late October.
For New York Fall Foliage: Minimal peak season in New York starts (in the northern part of the state) around late-September and lasts until about Oct. 7. Peak season is from Oct. 9-13. It starts to go past peak in mid-October.
For Maine Fall Foliage: In the northern half of Maine, you can expect near peak fall color around Oct. 2. For the ultimate peak, it should start around Oct. 9-13. Maine will reach past peak around mid-October.
For Maryland Fall Foliage: In mid October of this year, Maryland begins to change into its vibrant yellow colors, with the ultimate peak being around Oct 23 until the 27. It goes past its peak in early November.
For New Hampshire Fall Foliage: Upper New Hampshire starts to peak around early October, but the majority of counties can expect the peak to appear around the second week of October. Expect the best colors at their peak between Oct. 2-6 (in the northern half) and Oct. 9-13 (in the southern portion).
For Rhode Island Fall Foliage: Expect the leaves in Rhode Island to peak in early-October around Oct. 9 and last until Oct. 20. You can see the dwindle past its peak in later October.
For North Carolina Fall Foliage: The leaves begin changing in North Carolina around early to mid-October, but you can expect peak color in most of the state between Oct. 23 until around the 30.
For Oregon Fall Foliage: The leaves start to minimally peak around October 9th, with the full displays of color around mid to late-October like Oct. 23 - Nov 6.
High school roundup
Maumelle loses for the first time this season
The Maumelle Hornets hit the road last Friday night for a trip to a White Hall.
It wasn't a success as Maumelle lost, 42-21, in the beginning of 5A=Central play.
Maumelle, now 2-1, kept the game competitive early as it was tied 7-7 until late in the second quarter after a Elijah Newell four-yard touchdown run with 8:33 remaining.
White Hall struck back though and scored with 1:21 left in the quarter, then again on the final play of the half to make it 21-7.
Maumelle scored first in the third quarter on a 45 catch and run by Johnathan Frost from quarterback Andrew Bjork, to make it 21-14.
White Hall responded with back-to-back-to-back scores to make it 42-14, before Alan Timmons had a 37 yard scoring catch from Bjork.
Bjork is putting up some stellar numbers, so far, this season. He's passed for 555 yards and five touchdowns and is 40 of 68 with two interceptions. He also leads the team in rushing with 184 net yards.
Timmons has also had a strong senior year start and leads the team with 10 catches for 187 yards and three touchdowns. He's also the punter and is averaging 38.8 yards on six punts
Elsewhere, North of the River, Central Arkansas won a thriller against Bauxite, 50-45, to stay perfect on the season.
North Little Rock had the week off.
Maumelle has the week off this Friday, while CAC travels to Harmony Grove, while North Little Rock returns to action to face Little Rock Parkview in a game that will be played at War Memorial Stadium.
Parkview, led by former North Little Rock coach Brad Bolding, is the defending 5A state champ and riding high after upsetting Bryant, the defending 7A champ, last Friday night.
The Parkview victory ended Bryant's 54-game winning streak.
Friday night lights
Maumelle Hornets
Aug. 25 ... Maumelle 20, Sylvan Hills 0
Sept. 1 ... Maumelle 41, Batesville 27
Sept. 8 … White Hall 42, Maumelle 21
Friday, Sept. 15 … Off
Friday, Sept. 22 ... at Pine Bluff ... 7 p.m.
Thu, Sep 28 ... Mills ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 6 ... at Robinson ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 13 ... Morrilton ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 20 ... at Watson Chapel ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 27 ... Vilonia ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 3 ... Beebe ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 10 ... First round of playoffs
BOLD indicates home game
For the roster, please click here.
CAC Mustangs
Aug. 25 ... CAC 52, Lonoke 16
Sept. 1 ... CAC 40, Perryville 6
Sept. 8 ... CAC, 50 Bauxite 45
Friday, Sept. 15 ... at (Benton) Harmony Grove ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 22 ... Hall ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 29 ... at Mayflower ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 6 ... at Pottsville ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 13 ... Clinton ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 20 ... at Dover ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 3 ... at Lamar ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 10 ... First round of playoffs
BOLD indicates home game
For the roster, please click here.
North Little Rock 'Cats
Aug. 25 ... Catholic 17, North Little Rock 7
Sept. 1 ... Fayetteville 58, North Little Rock 20
Friday, Sept. 15 ... at Parkview (War Memorial Stadium) ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 22 ... at Central ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 29 ... Conway ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 6 ... at Little Rock Southwest ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 13 ... Jonesboro ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 20 ... Fort Smith Northside ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 27 ... at Bryant ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 3 ... at Cabot ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 10 ... First round of playoffs
BOLD indicates home game
For the roster, please click here.
Sports
No baseball at Dickey-Stephens this week
Six-game road trip at Northwest Arkansas
Now through Sunday at Northwest Arkansas | Final series of the regular season.
Texas League Playoffs
As the first-half North Division title winners, the Travs are headed to the playoffs.
Game 2 will be at Dickey-Stephens Park on Thursday, Sept. 21 and, if necessary, Game 3 will also be held there on Friday, Sept. 22. Both games are scheduled to start at 6:35 p.m.
To buy tickets, click here.