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VOLUME 40, NUMBER 17 ARKANSAS TIMES (ISSN 0164-6273) is published each week by Arkansas Times Limited Partnership, 201 East Markham Street, Suite 200, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72201, phone (501) 375-2985. Periodical postage paid at Little Rock, Arkansas, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ARKANSAS TIMES, EAST MARKHAM STREET, SUITE 200, Little Rock, AR, 72201. Subscription prices are $42 for one year, $78 for two years. Subscriptions outside Arkansas are $49 for one year, $88 for two years. Foreign (including Canadian) subscriptions are $168 a year. For subscriber service call (501) 375-2985. Current single-copy price is 75¢, free in Pulaski County. Single issues are available by mail at $2.50 each, postage paid. Payment must accompany all single-copy orders. Reproduction or use in whole or in part of the contents without the written consent of the publishers is prohibited. Manuscripts and artwork will not be returned or acknowledged unless sufficient return postage and a self-addressed stamped envelope are included. All materials are handled with due care; however, the publisher assumes no responsibility for care and safe return of unsolicited materials. All letters sent to ARKANSAS TIMES will be treated as intended for publication and are subject to ARKANSAS TIMES’ unrestricted right to edit or to comment editorially.

DECEMBER 26, 2013

COMMENT

Make room for Huck Bro. Huckabee is, as I have long suspected, beginning his warm-ups for 2016. Years ago, when Bro’s stock was a “buy,” he was a guest on MSNBC’s Joe/ Willie/Nika show. The Bro. was in fine form and bid a strenuous laying on of hands on Nika. She was so obviously smitten and gushing that I raced to my computer (in those pre-enlightenment days) and tapped out an email warning that if Bro. worked on Nika for one more minute she would be speaking in tongues, handling snakes and reaching for her checkbook. MSNBC screeners blocked me from emails. The New York Times and MSNBC reported this morning that Huckabee is leaving his options open, studying a possible race, strongly considering a race — or some such nonsense. The clown car the Republicans filled in 2012 is going to have to be traded in for a school bus to accommodate new 2016 arrivals/passengers. Looking up at the driver’s rear-view mirror, they may see those soulful puppy eyes; Bro. Huck could be at the wheel. Tom Forgey Magnolia

anybody else, just as Hitler demanded the same of his followers. The Fellowship is also connected to the creation of Uganda’s so-called kill-the-gays bill, and most likely had a hand in Russia’s current wave of antigay laws and violence. Arkansas is being given the choice between the furtherance of fascist religious influence on our national policy and the further economic rape of our country by the corporate elite as embodied by Pryor’s Republican rival, Tom Cotton. The sad truth of the matter is that neither candidate represents

Pryor not better than Cotton Sen. Pryor is a member of The Fellowship, a.k.a. The Family, the secretive fundamentalist group that hosts the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. This group has been described as the most powerful and well-connected religious/political group in the country. In his 2008 book, “The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power,” Jeff Sharlet criticized The Family’s theology as a kind of “elite fundamentalism” that, according to Wikipedia, “fetishizes political power and wealth, consistently opposes labor movements in the U.S. and abroad, and teaches that laissez-faire economic policy is ‘God’s will.’ ” He criticized their theology of instant forgiveness for powerful men as providing a convenient excuse for elites who commit misdeeds or crimes, allowing them to avoid accepting responsibility or accountability for their actions. In a videotaped lecture in 1989, Fellowship leader Doug Coe held up Adolph Hitler, Joseph Goebbels and Heinrich Himmler as role models for dedicated Christian political leaders, claiming that Jesus demanded his followers put Him before themselves or 4

DECEMBER 26, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

any positive change to the status quo. The attempts by this newspaper and the Arkansas media in general to cast this campaign in terms of the everso religiously sincere incumbent versus his ever-so classy rival completely ignores the fact that both candidates are a brand, carefully crafted by their handlers and political strategists to sell to the public. Since I’m being given the choice between political equivalent of Coke or Pepsi, I choose neither. Brad Bailey Fayetteville

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From the web In response to the Arkansas Blog post “Duck Dynasty and its constitutionally ignorant fans” about a fundraising plea by Republican candidate for attorney general David Sterling, pledging to defend Arkansas’s freedom of speech against the “politically correct” police, such as those currently attacking “Duck Dynasty’s” Phil Robertson: Corporations are people too, at least that’s what many defending Phil say. So why aren’t they arguing for the right of A&E to do whatever they want free of government and liberal media influence? Wait a minute, it’s the right wing media trying to influence A&E ... now I am really confused. Who has rights and who doesn’t? Or does a person or corporation only have rights when we agree with their actions and words? ArgentaNuts The freedom of speech is PART of the 1st Amendment. Another part is the freedom to assemble. The court has ruled assembling includes the freedom of association. Which includes the freedom NOT TO ASSOCIATE. Duck Man gets freedom to speak. A&E gets freedom not to associate with Duck Man. SEE, EVERYBODY’s freedoms are protected. Citizen1 The attorney general represents the people, and the people demand that A&E corporation immediately comply with the Republican party platform. In Arkansas, we reward people who tell the truth about how happy black folk were back in the day, and how gays will be punished for choosing to be gay. Those are Arkansas values and David Sterling shares them. I_AM_THE _NRA So, I gather from all this hoorah that y’all are okay with Hobby Lobby’s employment policy. Great to see liberals in a Catch-22; it’s like a rubber-walled room of butthurt. His 1st Amendment right was not violated indeed, but this says a lot about employer/employee relationships that liberals will either have to swallow their pride and admit they hold double standards or that they’re just one-sided twits. I’ll assume the latter. liberalsbetrippin’

Submit letters to the Editor via e-mail. The address is arktimes@arktimes.com. Please include name and hometown.

Y E AR THAT WAS

It was a good year for ...

HEALTH COVERAGE IN ARKANSAS. Early in the year, it looked unlikely that anti-Obamacare Republicans would allow Medicaid expansion to come to Arkansas, but in late February, the feds gave the state the go-ahead for a unique approach, which came to be known as the “private option.” The innovative policy — which passed by a bipartisan supermajority in the General Assembly — brought national attention to Arkansas and, more importantly, eventually projects to bring health insurance to more than 200,000 low-income Arkansans (not to mention billions in federal stimulus money). While the rollout of Obamacare was rocky, the implementation of the “private option” in Arkansas has been a major success, with more than 70,000 enrollments to date. A MASSIVE SETTLEMENT. Parties representing the Little Rock School District, North Little Rock School District, Pulaski County Special School District and two intervening parties, the Joshua Intervenors and the Knight Intervenors, all agreed to settle a 30-year legal battle over desegregation payments that have totaled $1 billion. A judge will consider final approval of the deal early next year. LEONARD COOPER. With a little luck and a lot of style, the eStem senior won Teen Jeopardy. COMPETITIVE CONGRESSIONAL RACES. Rep. Tom Cotton will challenge incumbent Sen. Mark Pryor in one of the most closely watched races in the nation. To take Cotton’s seat in the 4th Congressional District, state Rep. Bruce Westerman is duking it out with newcomer Tommy Moll in the Republican primary. Congressman Tim Griffin decided not to run for another term in the 2nd, setting up a battle in the GOP primary between state Rep. Ann Clemmer, banker French Hill, a former official in the Papa Bush administration, and Col. Conrad Reynolds. Meanwhile, despite a reddening state, Democrats are offering up strong candidates: former Clinton administration official James Lee Witt in the 4th and former North Little Rock mayor Pat Hays in the 2nd. HUNGRY DOWNTOWN WORKERS. Data has not yet been released on the productivity impact of the opening of Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken in the River Market, but Times staffers appear noticeably well-fed and happy.

It was a bad year for ... CORRUPT POLITICIANS. Martha Shoffner, charged with receiving thousands of dollars in kickbacks in a pie box, resigned as state Treasurer in May. August brought the resignation of state Sen. Paul Bookout, under investigation by a special prosecutor for using tens of thousands in campaign funds for personal use. Lt. Gov. Mark Darr has thus far refused to resign, but admitted to tens of thousands of dollars in misused

funds — both campaign money and taxpayer dollars. ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS FOOTBALL. Again. No one got caught with their pants down, but the Hogs were even worse on the field than last year, stumbling to a 3-9 record and going winless in the SEC for the first time since joining the conference in 1992. MAYFLOWER. An ExxonMobil pipeline ruptured on March 29, spilling an estimated 210,000 gallons of tar sands oil. The spill flowed through a neighborhood, into a drainage ditch and finally into a cove of Lake Conway, leaving aerosolized toxins in its wake. Many area residents have complained of sickness, dozens of residents have been displaced and the cove appears to be permanently damaged. Cleanup and legal battles are likely to continue for years. ARKANSAS WOMEN’S RIGHT TO CHOOSE. Overriding the vetoes of Gov. Mike Beebe, the Arkansas General Assembly passed an abortion ban at 12 weeks (currently enjoined while a lawsuit by the ACLU and the Center for Reproductive Rights is tried) and another at 20 weeks, which has not yet been legally challenged and is the law in Arkansas. THOUGHTLESS TWEETING. Twitter was more popular than ever in the political world, bringing up-to-the-minute news and more accessibility to lawmakers. But twitchy tweet fingers led local politicos to show their ass from time to time: During the manhunt for the Boston marathon bombers, Rep. Nate Bell tweeted that “Boston liberals spent the night cowering in their homes” wishing they were strapped with an AR-15, and U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin offered a bizarre indictment of President Barack Obama and other Democrats for “violent rhetoric” during an unrelated incident of gunfire outside the U.S. Capitol. Both Bell and Griffin, after embarrassing the state, offered non-apology apologies. ACCOUNTABILITY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS. The stench of a coverup hovered over UA Chancellor David Gearhart and other university officials, with accusations of aggressive non-compliance with the Freedom of Information Act and destroyed documents regarding the school’s deficit-ridden Advancement Division. Though a prosecutor found no evidence of a crime, the Arkansas legislature (despite an apparent whitewash at an Audit Committee hearing) will continue to dig as may another prosecutor.

It was the best of years, it was the worst of years for… ATTORNEY GENERAL DUSTIN MCDANIEL. No Arkansas politician had a more successful year than McDaniel, who earned acclaim for his role as the state’s strongest critic of Exxon’s role in the Mayflower oil spill, masterfully handled the successful negotiation of the Pulaski County school desegregation case and several other big settlements for the state. McDaniel might have been a formidable candidate for governor, but dropped out of the race after news broke of his inappropriate relationship with a Hot Springs lawyer, Andi Davis. www.arktimes.com

DECEMBER 26, 2013

EDITORIAL

EYE ON ARKANSAS

Silent corporate handout

DECEMBER 26, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

PAUL BARROWS

he Little Rock City Board last week approved a tax increment finance district bond issue supported by property tax dollars from schools and local government to help developer Tommy Hodges build roads and other infrastructure for the already-built Bass Pro Shop and the coming Gateway Town Center. Though City Manager Bruce Moore once vowed this project would get no tax subsidies, it now will get $3.6 million, about $1.5 million from Little Rock school taxes. Developers normally are expected to pay for their own infrastructure work. The Board offered not a single word of explanation for departure from custom,, though Arkansas Community Organizations, a grassroots group that works in inner city neighborhoods, had objected. Is this a precedent? Will future private developments come seeking tax increment finance districts to use school tax dollars? The city and county are contributing property tax millages to the Bass Pro development, too. But they reap the benefit of new sales taxes. The School District gets nothing. The City Board has always held the interests of merchants, developers and other businesses above school children. It gives hundreds of thousands of dollars each year — unconstitutionally we believe — to support the pro-business Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber, too, is unaccustomed to taking questions about its actions against the broader public interest. The Little Rock School Board, looking ahead to a millage election to build new schools, went along with this. Thanks to an earlier court ruling, some of its tax millage is protected. So it will get some, if not all, of the money it should be due from new construction. But the decision coincides with the end of the Little Rock desegregation case, a long battle short on clear winners. The Little Rock City Board played a pivotal historic role. It acceded to business interests and segregated the schools through zoning and urban renewal and by ceding city territory to a white flight suburban school district. Its reward is a deteriorating core city, ignored again last week when its residents objected. In time — whether by court action or the inexorable march of demographics — the City Board will become democratic with ward representation. Then, maybe, it might at least feel obligated to explain its votes. Someone then might note that coddling private business hasn’t rained prosperity on the city, if a stagnant population and revenue base are any measure.

STILL THE SEASON: Paul Barrows submitted this photo of the state capitol dressed with LED Christmas lights to our Eye On Arkansas Flickr group.

Liars and cheats

he year ends with a couple of issues that demand a little attention before the Times takes a week off from normal publication.

LIES AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS: Evidence piles up against Chancellor David Gearhart on his resistance to public accountability in the Advancement Division financial scandal and firing of university spokesman John Diamond. Financial records WERE shredded. The excuse by UA officials now is that they weren’t records specifically requested by anyone at the moment under the FOI and that duplicates (if inaccessible to the public in a private foundation) existed. But much worse news for Gearhart has emerged. Though a Fayetteville prosecutor said he found no evidence of criminal actions in the financial mess, his files show at least three eyewitnesses who say that Gearhart angrily told staff at a Jan. 14 meeting to “get rid” of budget documents they’d brought to the meeting. Yet another employee further buttressed Diamond’s account that he and Gearhart had differences on accountability. Diamond wanted more disclosure, Gearhart wanted less. Despite a fierce UA lobbying effort to short-circuit them, conservative Republican legislators have found a way to put the rest of the story — fired Advancement boss Brad Choate — before a legislative committee in January. Pulaski County Prosecutor Larry Jegley has been asked to investigate conflicts between what witnesses have said and Gearhart’s sworn and unequivocal legislative testimony. Even if unindicted, Gearhart is indelibly tarred by his actions. That Gearhart continues to enjoy the backing of the suits who worship his fund-raising acumen among the Waltons and others tell you all you need to know about academic integrity at Arkansas’s flagship university. Even this week, the UA PR apparatus was parsing Gearhart’s past words and deeds to shape an alibi for

the chancellor. But it is not OK if Gearhart only ordered destruction of records not actively being sought under the FOI. Not if he told legislators under oath he’d never ordered destruction of any MAX document, period. BRANTLEY Gearhart has much to be proud maxbrantley@arktimes.com of as leader of the U of A. But not this. He’s taken criticism personally. He’s resisted coming clean. It’s not too late to declare an open door policy, to apologize and to put mistakes of the heart down to simple embarrassment that his friend Brad Choate went astray on his watch in managing the fund-raising operation. But the existence of a potential criminal probe makes it harder for Gearhart to speak freely. That could create more contradictory statements. Of those, the record is already full.  LT. GOV. MARK DARR MUST RESIGN: This case is even simpler. Though he’s developed a euphemistic way of putting it, Darr has nonetheless now admitted to both Legislative Audit and the state Ethics Commission that he spent public tax dollars and campaign dollars, $44,000 or more, on personal expenses. This sounds suspiciously like something known as a crime. Sen. Paul Bookout resigned fairly promptly over identical misdeeds — after loud shrieks from Republicans when they became known — and faces state and federal criminal investigation. The only difference between the Darr and Bookout cases are in the details of how they spent ill-gotten loot. Darr has apologized. He’s said he’ll pay the money back, if he can find any. No matter. He must resign. Prosecutor Larry Jegley and the FBI should do their duty. That the Republican Party has yet to produce a single member or official critical of Darr (Party Chair Doyle Webb offered lamely that Darr had apologized) tells you everything you need to know about GOP integrity.

OPINION

Scrap Darr, his office, too

indful of the great injunction that Republicans not speak ill of one another, Arkansas GOP leaders embraced Lt. Gov. Mark Darr’s own explanation for converting some $44,000 of public and campaign funds to his own use: He is not a crook, they said, but just a poor fellow who is in over his head. He didn’t know it was against the law to convert public funds and political cash to his personal use. The lieutenant governor wades in very shallow water. When he’s in over his head, you have a big problem. Arkansas has a lieutenant governor for one reason: to be ready to come to Little Rock and be the governor for a spell if the governor dies, becomes incapacitated or is removed from office. If Darr can’t grasp the simplest rules for being a public servant he isn’t suited to be even a governor in waiting. So Darr should resign. Republicans clamored for state Treasurer Martha Shoffner to resign when, needing cash to maintain an apartment in Little Rock so she would not have to travel from her home in Newport

every day, she solicited $6,000 from an investment adviser who got state business through her office. But as of ERNEST this writing not one DUMAS Republican has called for Darr to resign. They demanded that state Sen. Paul Bookout, a Democrat, resign for converting campaign money to his personal use, but Darr is different. Both Shoffner and Bookout resigned. Leaders of the Democratic Party had demanded it. Darr said last week that he would not resign and might even run for re-election. He did drop out of the race for Congress last summer after a Democratic blogger reported his wrongdoing. But, in the end, Darr will have to resign, especially if the state Ethics Commission — half Republican, half Democratic — adopts the findings of its professionals. Before the ethics staff released its findings, the legis-

Counting to four come 2014

he race to replace Mike Beebe as governor will gain the bulk of the air time — literally and figuratively — among the 2014 races for state government positions. At the other end of the state ballot, a handful of races for state House that will determine control of that body will draw in significant outside money pummeling voters in those small districts with direct mail and robocalls. But, it is the outcome for races in the middle of the state ballot — those state executive officials below the governorship — that will have significant ramifications on future elections in state. That is because whichever party controls four or more of those seven positions is considered the “majority party,” giving it control of all 75 county election commissions in a state where, as in most matters, local control is the name of the game. Much of the work of election commissions — from drawing for the order of candidates on a ballot to certifying the outcome of elections — is perfunctory and partisan control of the body irrelevant. But, on a variety of other matters, the decisions made by the bodies could impact the functioning

of democracy and the outcome of elections in Arkansas. Most importantly, county election commissions have JAY the power to create BARTH new precincts, shift polling locations, and determine how many and where early voting sites should exist in their county. A flurry of good political science research shows us that changing polling sites and moving those sites further from the homes of voters have major ramifications on turnout. The evidence is even clearer that, in an era where voters are looking to vote early because of their busy schedules, the number and placement of early voting locations has an impact on overall turnout. Because they are more likely to have inflexible work schedules and be dependent upon others for transportation, Democratic constituencies tend to be most susceptible to shifts and limitations on voting sites. Since Reconstruction, of course, Democrats have been the “majority party” in

lative audit staff confirmed the blogger’s report that Darr had illegally taken state travel expenses. Friday morning, the thoroughly Republican Arkansas Democrat-Gazette finally suggested that Darr resign. It had raged repeatedly against Shoffner and Bookout, so its silence on the Darr matter had become deafening. When the Democrat-Gazette weighs in editorially against a Republican, it must seem like the sky is falling. To Republicans, you must assume, Darr’s troubles just look like politics. After all, a liberal Democratic blogger, Matt Campbell, had targeted him and rummaged through his campaign-finance reports and the invoices of the lieutenant governor’s office. So the story had a suspicious genesis. But Shoffner’s troubles began with the liberal Arkansas Times blog, which reported the sudden and inexplicable shift in investment advisers in the treasurer’s office. Sen. Bookout’s troubles began with a Republican critic’s snooping into his campaign reports. Darr’s resignation should be forthcoming, but that won’t entirely solve the problem. It would be a mild but worthy reform if the state used this chance to abolish the office. It would save the taxpayers a little money every year and create a more sensible succession when something happens

to the state’s elected chief executive. The Constitutional Convention of 1970 created a better succession, but voters defeated the document, for reasons other than scrapping the lieutenant governor. Arkansas did not have a lieutenant governor until after the debacle of 1907, when Gov. John S. Little suffered a nervous breakdown soon after his inauguration and went home, creating a wild scramble that led to two temporary governors. So voters created the position of lieutenant governor, who would be elected statewide but lie doggo until the day when the state didn’t have a governor. Needing to give him some menial task, the law empowered him to preside over the Senate in the occasional periods, some 40 or days a year, when it is in session. The U.S. Constitution gave the vice president that power, although vice presidents almost never exercise it. The lieutenant governor isn’t needed for that either. On days when the lieutenant governor doesn’t come in, the president of the Senate or another member presides and it runs smoothly. If the lieutenant governor doesn’t show up, absolutely nothing is lost. You know what happens with idle hands, which may be poor Mark Darr’s best defense. We should remove the risk and end the office.

this state through their thorough control of these seven statewide positions (several of which, I’ve argued, either should not exist or should not be elected by the people). Hubris driven by this success stymied efforts to shift to a system that is more truly nonpartisan, as electoral mechanics should be. The 2010 election cycle created a sense that a shift in control of the majority of these positions was inevitable. (Indeed, if not for the absence of a GOP candidate against state Treasurer Martha Shoffner, Republicans would have likely gained the majority in that tidal wave election.) At this point, Republicans are strong favorites to get to the magic number of four in 2014. Democrats have strong candidates for governor and lieutenant governor and the attorney general’s race remains a “jump ball” (in the words of a national reporter this week) because of the unity on the Democratic side behind state Rep. Nate Steel of Nashville. A possible sweep of the three offices would keep the traditional majority party one short of the number needed for maintenance of that position. With the clock ticking, Democrats are harmed by a failure to recruit candidates for two posts — land commissioner and state treasurer. Republican Land Commissioner John Thurston, a political novice who was a beneficiary of the 2010 tidal wave, has run an office that has stayed out of the headlines

(during a period when other state officials have had a flurry of scandals) and he will run with his office title in 2014. While the Republican race for state treasurer has been a comically nasty affair, Democrats have also come up empty in a race for an office that, because of Martha Shoffner’s shenanigans, remains an albatross for the party. In races for state auditor and secretary of state, the Democrats have candidates who are, at present, in a disadvantaged position. Susan Inman, the party’s probable nominee for secretary of state, is exactly the type of person who should be appointed to the post because of her decades of public service in making elections run right. Yet, despite his oft-criticized performance in office, most believe incumbent Mark Martin’s good fortune in sharing a famous name provides him with a tremendous advantage in the race. In the auditor’s race, a more winnable race for the Democrats, the sole candidate is Regina Stewart Hampton, an office staffer who has gotten little traction to date. Contrary to traditional patterns, it is at this level of state politics that the Republican advantage in candidate recruitment is most stark. And, because of its importance of the outcome for the way future elections will operate, it is an advantage with clear ramifications for both parties’ futures in Arkansas. www.arktimes.com

DECEMBER 26, 2013

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Chasing the Light 2003–2013

A collection of fashion, sports and humaninterest photos from Arkansas Times photographer Brian Chilson. Come take a walk thru this special collection spanning the past 10 years. Opening Reception - 2nd Friday Art Night January 10 · 5-8pm · Historic Arkansas Museum

DECEMBER 26, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

Bullish on Hog baskeball

t’s getting a bit alarming, but Pearls is starting to be effusive about the state of men’s basketball at U of A, and that’s kind of a rarity of late. Finishing 2013 with optimism was something we all hoped would be in the form of an overachieving football team scrapping for a win in a low-end bowl game, or a flourish of late-season commits, but listen, we’ll take what we can get. And what we’ve gotten, so far in 201314, is a hardcourt squad that is already more energized and focused than anything put on the surface of Bud Walton in years. The Hogs rose to 8-2 with a Thursday night drubbing of Tennessee-Martin, 102-56, and it was quite unlike the prior week’s cupcake diet that we dissected in this space previously. Arkansas was sharp from the get-go in every facet, exploiting a size advantage and swishing seemingly every shot. Ball movement was crisp, spacing was perfect, and the whole thing had a machinelike feel to it. Don’t mistake the Skyhawks for a completely easy mark, as they had won four of five games coming in and probably felt like the Savannah State template could be cribbed with favorable results. But Tennessee-Martin came onto the floor and got swept up in a maelstrom of aggression led by Coty Clarke, who registered a couple of early jumpers and then converted a traditional three-point play to stake the Hogs to a double-digit lead only five minutes in. Clarke’s unsteady play to date had been just about the only thing we could categorize as a disappointment, and even then, the feeling was pretty marginal. But the 6-7 senior has too many unique gifts as a player, a terrific physical tenacity at both ends complemented by a worthy enough perimeter touch. Sensing that he had to start earning Mike Anderson’s trust again, Clarke pounced on the opportunity and ended up with his best showing of the season so far (15 points on 7-9 shooting, nine rebounds, three steals and two blocks). He was a handful all over the court and would’ve easily amassed a double-double had he been afforded more minutes. It wasn’t just Clarke working the low blocks, either. Moses Kingsley came off the pine to have the finest game of his young career, posting 12 points and 12 rebounds, and what seems to be an emerging trend for the freshman is his uncanny smarts around the rim. He hasn’t logged a lot of minutes yet, but he’s appreciably careful with the ball in congested areas,

avoids silly fouls, and shows a little touch that is about a year or more ahead of what was expected. Kingsley BEAU WILCOX copied Clarke’s mega-efficiency with a turnover-free line that also included three blocked shots, and just in case he and Clarke didn’t keep the interior edge sharp enough, there was Bobby Portis with another stalwart effort (15 points, nine rebounds and three assists). So here was a game where three guys essentially bore the frontcourt burden for a night, again providing Alandise Harris with some relief as he labored a bit. Harris came out this season like a house afire and has cooled sharply in December, but he remains vital to the team’s long-term progress. If a four-player inside rotation can get any two or three working well at a given time, then the foundation for a good performance is always going to be in place. The smart money down the line is for Harris and Clarke’s experience to essentially be the ballast so that Portis and Kingsley can still have their freshmen moments, and if all four are getting in productive outings now, then Anderson cannot help but feel satisfied. That leaves the backcourt, which as already stated here, is in markedly better shape now that Mike Qualls and Rashad Madden are in high gear from a development standpoint. They were each good for a respectable 11 points against the Skyhawks, and that largely came in the form of open looks after halftime when the game was already well at hand. But yet again, the ancillary support surged in, too — Fred Gulley even had a nice little game with a couple of jumpers, Kikko Haydar made his usual couple of treys, and even Rickey Scott was useful on some occasions. With these pistons firing like they are, it’s no surprise that Arkansas is verging on closing out nonconference play with a healthy 11-2 mark, and if that happens, the Hogs are burgeoning with swagger at the right time. Past seasons left us with a lot more mysteries at this point even if the record was still relatively clean. This team’s got chemistry or a reasonable facsimile thereof building, and it’s all going to be put to the test with the first week’s worth of SEC games being at Texas A&M and then in Fayetteville for Florida and Kentucky, back to back.

Chasing the Light 2003–2013

THE OBSERVER NOTES ON THE PASSING SCENE

Click THE OBSERVER, as you may have heard, teaches a course out at the college a few nights a week. Film in one case. It’s a lovely thing, introducing folks to movies they may have never heard of, may have heard of but never watched, or watched but never watched in a way that helps them understand what the heck they’re really about. Our final film class was on Tuesday of last week, always bittersweet. As we said our goodbyes and wrapped up, something happened that has played out in some semesters past, not all, but a few over the past 15 years: Two of the exchange students from Asia asked if they could take cellphone pictures with El Maestro. The Observer is a Large-American, 6 foot 4, heavily goateed and ponytailed, and wears a shirt size with more Xs than pappy’s jug. We suspect this may be some of the appeal for the students, who seem to barely reach our elbow. Whatever the case, we aim to please, so we spit on our cowlick and lined up at the chalkboard and then we took photos, all smiles. What will happen to those photos, we wonder? Have they already been seen on the other side of the world, far from cold Arkansas? They won’t wind up in a shoebox somewhere, surely, not like they might have 20 years ago, not in this digital world where everything exists as electricity, a shame, we think. As for what they’ll be used for: The Observer suspects that someday, years from now, there will be mothers all over the Pacific Rim pulling up those photos for their son or daughter, so they will be able to say: Look, child. Here’s the proof that, once upon a time in America, your dear old mother took classes from Hagrid. SPEAKING OF PHOTOS, a few weeks back, Arkansas Times photographer Brian Chilson was shooting something with one of his big, old-timey film cameras when we asked if he’d shoot a portrait of Yours Truly. This was out of character for us. The Observer hates to have our picture made almost as much as Brian loves cameras. We have been heard to say: If Junior has to hire a sketch art-

ist when his grandkids ask what his dad looked like, that’ll be fine with us. We rationalized our request of Brian with the idea that Spouse would get a photo of her Beloved for Christmas, the gift of desperate husbands everywhere. But the real reason is, we want one good picture before we turn 40 this summer. One good picture should set us for life. Brian shoots on occasion with the rig a newspaper photographer would have carried in the late 1950s, a big, chrome beast of lenses and levers and bellows and clicking timers, numbered slides and battleship steel. The behemoth shoots to a 4”x5” negative, and Brian processes the film in his bathroom, a red bulb screwed into the fixture. It’s quite an undertaking, and a labor of love. The morning of the shoot, The Observer was Picture-Day nervous. We dusted off our camel-colored car coat for the occasion, the one Spouse likes. A lot of camels had to die for that coat, man. Down to the River Market we went, and there in front of the bars, Brian stood us up beside a park bench, squinted through the viewfinder, and snapped the best pictures of The Observer that have ever been taken. Our favorite of the bunch is one where we’re looking off to the right, away from the camera, hands in pockets, the buildings hazy and sunlit in the distance: Portrait of the Artist as a Youngish Man. Brian’s going to make us a for-real-onthis-planet print of that one, the old fashioned way: with light and paper and deadly chemicals. Looking at the digital representation of that soon-to-exist print, we wonder what the future will make of it. Photos, after all, are a kind of time travel. They exist to transport a tenth of a second into the future, a blink in the life of Abraham Lincoln or Charlie Chaplin or Zora Neale Hurston, little girls skipping rope, backyard barbecues, sinking ships, moments of fear, moments of hate, moments of plain ol’ loveliness. Or, sometimes, a moment in the life of a plain ol’ newspaper reporter, 39 years old, Little Rock, Arkansas, Planet Earth, Milky Way Galaxy. Happy New Year, friends.

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DECEMBER 26, 2013

Arkansas Reporter

THE

IN S IDE R

Another departure from Mount St. Mary At the end of the school semester Friday, Mount St. Mary Academy lost another teacher in an outgrowth of the forced resignation of English teacher Tippi McCullough after she married her long-time same sex partner, Barbara Mariani. Mariani tells me of the resignation of another teacher, a Mount graduate herself, because of the position in which she found herself. She, too, is a lesbian. She is a friend of McCullough and Mariani. She was present when they married in New Mexico. She was NOT the Times source for a transcript of a meeting in which a Catholic priest explained to faculty why McCullough couldn’t be allowed to work at the school. But suspicion fell on this teacher, who wanted to leave quietly and who didn’t want to take her situation to the press, Mariani said. She married no one. She broke no rule in her employment contract. But she wrote a heart-rending letter on her resignation, which Mariani has seen and told the Times about. She recounted her love of the school and its students. She wrote of her own discovery as a teen that she was gay and her struggle to adapt and fit in to a society not always welcoming to gay people. She’s proud today of who she is and comfortable. But since McCullough’s firing, she wrote, she has been made to feel an outcast at a place she considered her home. People no longer look her in the eye, she wrote. She said someone had made a false report that she’d left school during a prep period. But, mostly, she said, she couldn’t reconcile what had happened to McCullough after years of tolerance of the open secret of her relationship. Mariani said she added, “Sadly, I know that the same thing would happen to me without hesitation.” The message, she said, is that she is not “good enough” to teach Mount St. Mary students. It has, she said, become a place “she does not belong.” She said she hoped “people like me” could someday again teach there without fear of being fired.

Never speak ill of a fellow Republican

Does Arkansas Republican hypocrisy know no bounds? Lt. Gov. Mark Darr has admitted mistakes now before both Legislative Audit and the state Ethics Commission that involve spending thousands of dollars of public and campaign money on illegal personal expenses. CONTINUED ON PAGE 11 10

DECEMBER 26, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

Church, VA partner to help rural veterans Tackle PTSD, other problems. BY EVIN DEMIREL

or some veterans, reintegrating into civilian life is a rocky process. Many suffer from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), estimated to afflict 400,000 veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. Sometimes, depression and even suicide follow (It’s estimated 22 veterans commit suicide daily). Some return with brain injuries. Vets in rural areas may have a tougher time getting help. They tend to be uncomfortable contacting mental health care providers, preferring instead to share problems with VA clergy or their church’s pastor. Enter the VA/Clergy Partnership for Rural Veterans, a North Little Rock-based program that aims to reconcile science-and spirituality-based approaches to treating mental illness. It began with a pilot program in El Dorado and has expanded to Russellville, Pine Bluff, Searcy, Mountain Home and Jonesboro. At each site, clergy, representatives of non-profit organizations, veterans and mental health providers meet monthly to discuss ways to help veterans in their area of the state. Most who take part, such as William Flynn, pastor of Grace Chapel Pentecostal Church in Russellville, are volunteers. Flynn came aboard in 2010 after hearing about the suicide of a local veteran who had returned from Afghanistan. “It’s just sickening to think that a person who sacrificed that way would come home and feel that there was no hope for them,” Flynn said. Flynn believes the mentally ill are better helped by a team of spiritual leaders and mental health workers. But establishing initial trust between the two sides has been hard: “The psychology departments were saying, ‘Listen, all you want to do is make these people quit taking their medicine and just anoint them with oil. And you’re not helping the situation either, because these people are still going off the range. And the Christians — the pastors, the clergy — they were looking at the mental health [workers] and they were saying, ‘You people don’t want to ever acknowledge anything is wrong

STEVE SULLIVAN: Addressing troops at Russellville armory prior to churchprovided breakfast on drill weekend.

outside of what you can fix,’ ” Flynn said. “Both sides had a valid argument.” Flynn tries to bridge this divide. He acknowledges that the church doesn’t always have the answer to mental illness. “A lot of the therapy is just listening,” he said. Instead of trying to heal those who confide in him, he may refer them to trusted mental health providers. He also counters bad information preventing some veterans from checking out their local mental health providers. “They just kind of assume that, ‘If I go in, they’re gonna take away my rights to own a gun. I’m never gonna be able to go hunt again.’ There’s a lot of issues, but they don’t want the stigma. They feel like people will look at them different.” The program was established in 2009 by Dr. Greer Sullivan, a psychiatrist and health services researcher with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She has directed the South Central Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, which includes 10 VA medical centers, 36 community-based outpatient clinics and more than 1,300 mental health providers. Sullivan knew these resources were used less by rural veterans than their urban counterparts and thought clergy and faith communities could serve as effective liaisons. “This is what prompted her to say, ‘Why don’t we train these pastors as first responders to help increase access to mental health services?’ ” said Steve Sullivan, who has directed the VA-Clergy Partnership for Rural Veterans since 2009. Steve Sullivan (no relation to Greer Sullivan), a chaplain in the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, has helped train more

than 200 people in faith communities to be aware of mental illness symptoms. In all, his program has made 150 referrals to mental health or VA services and has made contact with roughly 1,000 rural veterans, he said. Many veterans’ needs extend beyond mental health. Perhaps they need to pay a utility bill, find a job or meet with someone to alleviate loneliness. Here, one of the program’s multiple community partners may step in. The National Guard, for instance, provides family assistance specialists who “do non-clinical free counseling for any veterans anywhere. They’ll drive to them, eat with them at Taco Bell or wherever,” Steve Sullivan said. In Jefferson County, program employee Travis Harden helps veterans file paperwork and navigate the VA’s sometimes labyrinthine bureaucracy. From 2004-08, Harden served two tours of duty in Iraq and was diagnosed with PTSD. He knew nothing about filing disability claims and figuring out the process took much longer than he thought necessary. He wants to prevent frustration for other veterans on similar paths. When he refers veterans to a mental health provider or treatment center, he checks up by phone at least three times: soon after enrollment, then two and four weeks later. On Sundays, Harden is an associate pastor at Pine Bluff’s Greater Mount Calvary Missionary Church. He said he can’t help but inject his faith into conversations with veterans, even those who have lost some of theirs. “I believe in the power of prayer,” Harden said. “We’ll sit down and read a couple of Bible scriptures together, just to give them a peace of mind. Their soul may be hurting.” The program, funded by a grant from the VA’s Office of Rural health, includes 15 employees and cost $336,000 to run this year. The program makes inclusiveness of all faiths a central tenant. Sullivan believes it promotes sensitivity to spirituality regardless of religion, which in turn leads to what he called “cultural competence” that helps mental health professionals better do their jobs. “We’re learning all about ethnic and racial competence and studying these dynamics that are very different for patients. From a cultural or ethnic standpoint, we need to treat spirituality in that same vein, as saying this person’s church culture is as important to them as the fact that they’re black or white or upper middle class.”

LISTEN UP

MOST READ STORIES ON ARKTIMES.COM IN 2013

THE

BIG

What do people like to read about on the Arkansas Times’ website? Republicans saying and doing ridiculous things. Stories about delicious food. Stories about terrible food. Posts on the unjust treatment of gays and lesbians. A feature on high schoolers who are excelling. Even, here and there, news that really matters to people’s lives. Here they are, ranked by popularity:

PICTURE

2 & 4

3 5

6 7

At Philander Smith College in November, Huddleston, an alumni of Imboden’s Sloan-Hendrix High School, got the opportunity to give the speech his alma mater denied him. Considered as a package of stories, our coverage of forced dismissal of Tippi McCullough from Mount St. Mary’s and the aftermath drew more readers than any story this year. See page 16, “Best and Worst” story. A 2008 story about Jonesboro school shooter Mitchell Johnson. See page 13, “Best and Worst” story. The story of Todd Mills, who launched a Facebook campaign called “Taco Shells from Doritos Movement,” three years before Taco Bell launched its wildly successful Doritos Locos Taco, drew viral interest after Mills died following a long battle with cancer.

Tune in to the Times’ “Week In Review” podcast each Friday. Available on iTunes & arktimes.com

INSIDER, CONT.

1. TV producer Bryant Huddleston disinvited as Imboden, Ark., high school graduation speaker because he’s gay

NEWS + POLITICS + ENTERTAINMENT / FEBRUARY 28, 2013 / ARKTIMES.COM

2. Mount St. Mary teacher fired for marrying her female partner 3. Jeremy Hutchinson and the case for more guns in school 4. Mount St. Mary principal responds on firing of gay teacher

VE WE CRA DISHES FROM NSAS Y WEEK NTS IN ARKA R EVER ONE FO ST RESTAURA THE BE

PAGE 14

5. A boy killer speaks 6. Nate Bell shoots from lip on Boston violence; Speaker Carter apologizes for him; Bell apologizes for ‘timing’

7. LR creator of ‘Doritos Locos Tacos’ dead at age 41 8. Visionary Arkansans

NEWS + POLITICS + ENTERTAINMENT / APRIL 25, 2013 / ARKTIMES.COM

9. Arkansas Republican: Praises Obamacare, going to save him $13,000

WHIZ KIDS JEOPARDY CHAMP LEONARD COOPER

HEADLINES OUR ANNUAL LOOK AT THE 20 BEST AND BRIGHTEST IN ARKANSAS.

10. A frank discussion on Hot Dog Mike

Who are the 2013 Academic All-Stars?

11. The terrible 10 of the 89th Arkansas General Assembly 12. Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken coming to Little Rock 13. 52 dishes we crave in Central Arkansas 14. The 2013 Arkansas Times Academic All-Star Team 15. ‘Gravity’ the rare film that’s worth the price of an IMAX ticket 16. Republican State Rep. Nate Bell quotes Hitler 17. Jason Rapert is not happy. He also lies. 18. Medicaid game-changer 19. Will Dawna Natzke’s killer ever be brought to justice? 20. Missy Irvin pushes nanny state attack on tattoo parlors 21. The forgotten in Mayflower 22. Obamacare rates lower than expected in Arkansas 23. Controversial frac sand mining comes to Arkansas 24. Exile in Guyville at Twin Peaks 25. The killing of Ernest Hoskins: a matter of intent

VISIONARY

NEWS + POLITICS + ENTERTAINMENT + FOOD / SEPT. 12, 2013 / ARKTIMES.COM

ARKANSANS

CAROL REEVES LUTHER LOWE

COURTNEY PLEDGER JOHN ROGERS

JOSEPH BIRDSONG MARK CHRIST GRANT TENNILLE STEVE BETHEL

MARLON BLACKWELL JOHN BURRIS A.J. SMITH MARJORIE WILLIAMS-SMITH EPIPHANY TANDRA WATKINS JASON MOORE THEO WITSELL RITA SKLAR DAVID SANDERS MUNNIE JORDAN ANNA STRONG BARBARA SATTERFIELD TRISH FLANAGAN MATT PRICE GEANIA DICKEY ELIZABETH YOUNG ANN ROBINSON

Eat Arkansas tried Hot Dog Mike’s new brick and mortar restaurant, came away unimpressed and inspired a massive debate in the comment thread. They were, in alphabetical order: 1. Rep. Bob Ballinger; 2. Rep. Nate Bell; 3. Rep. Ann Clemmer; 4. Rep. Jim Dotson; 5. Sen. Bart Hester; 6. Sen. Missy Irvin; 7. Sen. Bryan King; 8. Rep. David Meeks; 9. Sen. Jason Rapert; 10. Rep. Bruce Westerman

A 2011 Arkansas Blog post about attributing a bogus quote to Adolf Hitler on his Facebook page: “As long as the government is perceived as working for the benefit of the children, the people will happily endure almost any curtailment of liberty and almost any deprivation.” Our initial report on tentative federal approval of the “private option.” In November, authorities arrested Kevin Duck, identified in our June cover story as a “person of interest,” for the murder of Natzke.

Here’s what the Republican Party said Aug. 16 within hours after it became clear Democratic Sen. Paul Bookout was revealed to have converted campaign money to personal use: “Today’s developments regarding Paul Bookout are shocking, alarming, and greatly disappointing. This represents a very serious breach of the public’s trust. It is sad that this type of behavior is all too common among Arkansas Democrats, who have controlled the state for the last 130 years. We hope that our state’s leaders and the justice system will hold Senator Bookout accountable, just as they have in the cases of Martha Shoffner and Hudson Hallum,” said David Ray, a spokesman for the Republican Party of Arkansas. Here’s what Republican Party Chair Doyle Webb said in a recent statement to the Democrat-Gazette after further reporting on Darr’s illegal expense account expenditures: “To my understanding the Lieutenant Governor has apologized, he is taking responsibility, and he intends to solve the problems that he has created in his reporting.” It is the 1st Commandment of Republican politics: Never speak ill of a fellow Republican, no matter how crooked. You can look at the record and see a decidedly different reaction by Democrats to the Bookout case and that of Martha Shoffner as well.

Honorable in running for fed job

The Arkansas Blog reported, some weeks ago, that Colette Honorable, chair of the Arkansas Public Service Commission, had been floated as a potential appointee to head the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Her name is floating again as a top contender now that a previous choice by the president, Ron Binz, has been rejected by Congress as being too “anti-coal.” A recent story in the National Journal says she’s the pragmatic sort that might fit the bill. “Everything I’ve seen from her record shows that she would be a fairly impartial judge, and [she] has a track record already in Arkansas of someone who takes the role seriously,” Thomas Pyle, president of the American Energy Alliance, one of the groups that helped scuttle the confirmation of Ron Binz to the FERC, told the National Journal. Honorable, recently named president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, is an appointee and former chief of staff of Gov. Mike Beebe and naturally he sings her praises. www.arktimes.com

DECEMBER 26, 2013

BEST & WORST 2013 I

BY DAVID KOON ILLUSTRATIONS BY HANNAH ALEXANDER

t’s that time once again, fellow Arkansanites, for the Arkansas Times’ Best and Worst edition, our annual roundup of the year’s dumbest, weirdest, oddest, strangest and all-around Arkansasiest. Up for your consideration this year: suicidal Sookie fans, why Boston hates Nate Bell, the black gold eruption in Mayflower pays off for some enterprising paintballers, a state treasurer gets her hand caught in the pie box, a dog bites more than the hand that fed him, Radio Shack pissery in Paragould, a volunteer pimp, a visit from Gangsta Claus in Magnolia, and a strong candidate for the most inopportune cellphone butt dial in the history of the technology. It’s all here, friends. Read it and weep before striding boldly into 2014.

WORST RATIONING

In early January, a federal appeals court tribunal in St. Louis dismissed a complaint filed by a Faulkner County Jail inmate who’d said that officials’ refusal to give him more than one roll of toilet paper per week was a violation of his civil rights.

BEST EYEWITNESSES

Deputies were dispatched to a rural home in the hamlet of Roland in January after a woman reportedly called 911 and cursed at dispatchers several times. When cops arrived, police said the woman looked out the window at them and then — as officers watched through the glass — went to the phone and called 911 again to curse at dispatchers for sending the police. She was charged with communicating a false alarm.

WORST VIRAL

A video clip from a 2011 Tea Party rally in which state Sen. Jason Rapert railed against minority groups and President Obama went viral nationwide in February, with tens of thousands of Americans taking to Facebook and Twitter to excoriate Rapert for — among other things — his vow to “take this country back for the Lord” and saying that he “won’t allow minorities to run roughshod over what you people believe in.” 12

DECEMBER 26, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

WORST CUTE

One of the brazen robbers who cleaned out the registers and forced employees and customers into a freezer at gunpoint during a robbery of a Little Rock Wendy’s restaurant in early February was wearing a “Hello Kitty” sweatshirt.

WORST FLORIDA

Alex Collins, a top-ranked running back from South Plantation, Fla., had his plans to sign with the Razorbacks put in jeopardy in February when his mother reportedly came to his high school, refused to sign his letter of intent to play for UA before it could be faxed, and went on the lam. Mom apparently wanted her baby to attend school closer to home. Collins got his dad’s signature and went on to rush for more than 1,000 yards in his freshman season with the Hogs.

BEST INFORMANT

In February, a Little Rock woman who was angry at her boyfriend for breaking up with her told officers who’d come to remove her from the apartment they’d shared that her former beau sold drugs. As proof, she reportedly directed them to her own purse, which police say contained 28 grams of marijuana and a scale. She was charged with maintaining a drug premises and possession with intent to deliver.

WORST LOVE CONQUERS ALL

Buried in media coverage of the February murder trial of a hit man who was convicted of shooting a Little Rock woman and killing her boyfriend in January 2012 was the news that Pulaski County prosecutors had to drop charges against the man they said they believe hired the killer because the female victim has since married him and refused to cooperate with investigators.

WORST GETAWAY

WORST “DADDY”

In February, a Texarkana man was charged with aggravated assault for allegedly beating his girlfriend’s 2-year-old son with a belt, with the man telling detectives he hit the toddler because the boy wouldn’t call him “daddy.”

SECOND WORST DADDY

In July, a Bismarck man was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a minor after police say he left his 5-year-old son in a car in the parking lot of Hot Springs’ Oaklawn Gaming and Racing and went inside to gamble. Three hours later, just before 2 a.m., patrons saw the boy wandering around the parking lot, and alerted police.

WORST “SECRET”

In late February, after signing a bill into law that exempts the list of concealed weapon permit holders from the state’s Freedom of Information Act, Lt. Gov. Mark Darr — acting as governor while Mike Beebe was out of state — issued a statement in which he gave the full name of a permit holder from Carlisle who’d visited his office

A Jonesboro woman was placed under arrest in March after, police said, she drunkenly crashed her Pontiac into a mobile home, removed her pants, then attempted to flee the scene on a child’s battery-operated “Power Wheels” car. to personally thank him for keeping her information private, with Darr writing: “Her story is an example of why I felt the urgent need to sign this bill into law.”

BEST SELFIE

In March, Jarvis “J.T.” Terry, a 19-yearold Little Rock man, was arrested on criminal mischief and theft by receiving charges related to an attempted ATM machine heist. Police began investigating Terry as a suspect in several robberies after, investigators said, a cell-phone that had been stolen during a mugging began automatically uploading self-shot, high-resolution photos of a shirtless Terry to the owner’s online cloud storage service, leading the owner to alert the police.

WORST GUN NUT

During the hunt for the Boston Mara-

thon bombers in April, Republican state Rep. Nate Bell stirred up a hornet’s nest after he posted on Twitter: “I wonder how many Boston liberals spent the night cowering in their homes wishing they had an AR-15 with a hi-capacity magazine?” After the quip was widely reported online, it brought down an avalanche of derision, ridicule and calls for Bell’s resignation from all over the nation and the world. Sadly for Arkansas, Bell didn’t heed those calls.

2ND WORST GUN NUT

The Benton County Republican newsletter published a letter from Chris Nogy in April in which he railed against Arkansas Republicans who supported Medicaid expansion before writing: “The 2nd amendment means nothing unless those in power believe you would have no prob-

lem simply walking up and shooting them if they got too far out of line and stopped responding as representatives.”

WORST BLACK GOLD

A rupture in a 20-inch ExxonMobil pipeline that funnels sticky Canadian crude to Gulf Coast refineries sent a river of black sludge coursing through a neighborhood in Mayflower in late March, spoiling yards and streets, filling a sensitive wetland area with crude and raising a stink so noxious that one resident likened it to burning trash mixed with gasoline. Clean up of the mess is ongoing, and likely will be for years.

BEST BOUGHT AND PAID FOR

The week after the pipeline rupture CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 www.arktimes.com

DECEMBER 26, 2013

BEST MENAGERIE

— a week in which journalists resorted to filming the blackened neighborhood from private planes and helicopters after being mostly barred from entering the area by local law enforcement and ExxonMobil officials — the Federal Aviation Administration imposed a five-mile no-fly zone around the spill, citing “hazards.” The no-fly zone was later lifted.

After Rasphoumy surrendered, cops reportedly found three parakeets, three chickens and two ducks inside his van.

BEST HEADLINE

For a June story on efforts to pass a law in Pine Bluff to stamp out the fad of sagging pants that allow others to see the fashion victim’s underpants, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette headliners hitched up their britches and wrote: “Saggy Pants, Seeing France Targeted.”

WORST CULPRIT

After a Eureka Springs woman called police several times in April to report that an unknown vandal was dumping water into her car, cops responded and found that her sunroof was stuck open, with the most recent water-dumping incident corresponding with a thunderstorm.

WORST LEBOWSKI

An alleged murder-for-hire plot came to light in Northwest Arkansas in June, with cops saying a woman there tried to hire another woman to kill her husband, suggesting that she slip LSD into his drink at a Fayetteville bowling alley and then convince him to kill himself. If you’re going to try to convince someone to kill himself, a bowling alley in Fayetteville would probably be a damn fine place to try.

BEST TWEAK

When Arkansas got the okay on a new approach to Medicaid expansion – using Medicaid dollars to buy private health insurance for low-income Arkansans – many Republicans who planned to vote NO flipped to YES. The new policy (with a new name: “private option”) passed the legislature with a supermajority and will give coverage to more than 200,000 people in the state.

WORST RECORD

A cold snap on May 3 saw temperatures fall into the lower 30s in some parts of the state, and light snow in Northwest Arkansas — the latest-recorded snowfall in the state since records started being kept.

BEST ASS OUT OF “U” AND “ME”

Some students at a White County high school weren’t allowed to receive diplomas in May after it was revealed they hadn’t completed the coursework in a concurrent enrollment program they’d been attending at a nearby college. Seems that when their high school courses ended for seniors on April 18, many of them assumed that meant they could also stop going to their university classes, which still had almost a month of classroom discussions and exams to go.

WORST PRIORITIES

The Wall Street Journal reported in May that after Arkansas-born vampire novelist Charlaine Harris announced she would end her Sookie Stackhouse series with a 13th book, some fans sent death threats to Harris, along with one reader threatening to kill herself if Sookie didn’t end up with the reader’s favorite male character.

SECOND WORST PRIORITIES

In May, two years after the tiny Mineral Springs-Saratoga School District installed a 14

DECEMBER 26, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

WORST PROTEST

BEST STUCK IN HER THUMB AND PULLED OUT A PLUM

In the criminal complaint against Arkansas State Treasurer Martha Shoffner released in May, the FBI alleged that her preferred method for receiving $6,000 kickbacks from a broker to whom she’d been funneling much of the state’s bond business was to have the broker deliver the cash secreted in an apple pie box. Shoffner later resigned and was indicted on bribery charges.

state-of-the-art artificial turf football field at a reported cost of more than $700,000, the district was taken over by the state due to budget shortfalls. At the time of the state takeover, the district website showed that the school — which has around 500 students in kindergarten through 12th grade, making it the smallest district in the state to field a football team — employed a head football coach/athletic director and seven assistant football coaches.

WORST FIRST

First Baptist Church of Gravel Ridge

won the race to Asshatville in June, when it became the first religious organization in the state to revoke the charter of the Boy Scout troop there because of the decision by the Boy Scouts of America to begin accepting openly gay scouts.

BEST NAME FOR A BARRICADER

Rainbow Kilo Rasphoumy barricaded himself in a van in the parking lot of a Walmart in Springdale after cops say he pulled a gun on officers in June. The gun turned out to be a toy.

In March, a homeowner in an exclusive subdivision in Lonoke County baffled neighbors when he installed a pair of bright-red toilets at the top of two 20-foot poles on his property, along with a sign that said “Trailer Park Coming Soon,” as part of what was reportedly a protest over a property line dispute with the developer. Police said that because the sign and milehigh crappers were on the man’s property, he didn’t have to remove them until he was good and ready.

WORST RAGE

Two days after the Trayvon Martin verdict in July, a fatal police shooting involving a fleeing suspect near 12th and Jefferson in Little Rock coalesced into an angry protest that looked on the verge of boiling into a riot. Of the hundreds of citizens who turned out to scream at a wall of Little Rock Police officers in the heat, however, only two were arrested.

WORST BITING THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU

In late July, a Trumann man who is paralyzed and has no feeling from the waist down awoke one morning to find that a stray dog he’d taken in a few weeks earlier had eaten one of his testicles.

WORST INSULT ADDED TO INJURY

After discovering what the pooch had done, the man in the above item was reportedly treated at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro.

SUMMER TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES

BEST FIGHTERS

In July, thanks to quick action by Arkansas Children’s Hospital doctors and perhaps an experimental drug provided by the Centers for Disease Control, 12-year-old Kali Hardig became one of only a handful of people in known medical history to survive an infection by the parasite Naegleria fowleri, a rare, brain-devouring amoeba that Kali apparently contracted after getting water up her nose while swimming.

WORST SOCIAL NETWORKING

In August, a Craighead County 18-yearold posted a prank photo on Facebook that depicted him pointing a pistol at the head of a bound and gagged 13-year-old girl. Turns out the prankster’s social network included an Oklahoma sheriff’s deputy, who alerted cops in Arkansas, leading to charges of communicating a false alarm and endangering the welfare of a minor.

BEST TEACHING THE TEACHER

After a substitute teacher at Little Rock’s Baker Elementary went off on a rant against gays and lesbians in front of a fifth-grade class in August, students in the class challenged her contention that gays have “the devil” inside them, and later reported the incident to parents and school administrators. The substitute was subsequently banned from working for the Pulaski County Special School District.

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BEST SATURDAY NIGHT/WORST SUNDAY MORNING

On Aug. 3, a man and woman who had spent several hours stuffing their faces at a Little Rock chicken wing restaurant allegedly dashed on a check before speeding away with an employee of the restaurant — who had been trying to stop them — clinging to the hood of their car. The employee received minor injuries when he was thrown off some distance away. The couple was subsequently arrested.

BEST RETURN ON INVESTMENT

www.underthedome.com — the domain name former Sen. Steve Harrelson bought in 2007 for $100 for his political blog — sold for $7,800 in January to a firm that told Harrelson they planned to start a new blog covering New York politics. Turns out the buyer was a front for CBS, who instead used the site to promote the new Stephen King miniseries “Under the Dome,” which debuted in June. CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Everyone needs health coverage. No one plans to get sick. Having health coverage protects both you and your wallet in case the unexpected happens. Now there’s a new way to find a health plan that’s right for you and your family. You may even be able to get help with some of the costs. Enroll by March 31, 2014. Go to www.HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596.

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DECEMBER 26, 2013

WORST IDIOT-ON-IDIOT SHOWDOWN

WORST ENDORSEMENT

In August, Little Rock police said, a confrontation was sparked after a man coming out of a Taco Bell shouted “black power!” and a man in the parking lot yelled back “white power!” A fight ensued in which police said the white power advocate was severely beaten by at least two assailants, requiring hospitalization.

In August, an Arkansas Democrat-Gazette story about state Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson’s interest in helping school districts arm their employees as a defense against school shootings revealed that after being invited to participate in a training exercise that simulated an armed response to an “active shooter” on a school campus, Hutchinson inadvertently shot his instructor with a handgun loaded with rubber bullets. While the accidental shooting of his teacher gave him some pause, Hutchinson told the paper, he still supports allowing schools to arm their employees if they wish.

BEST PROOF THAT PIMPIN’ AIN’T EASY

Fayetteville police were surprised in September when a 33-year-old man contacted them through a bait ad they’d placed on a social networking site advertising escorts and allegedly offered his services as a pimp. Police set up a meeting to talk logistics, and the man was arrested on a charge of third degree promotion of prostitution.

WORST CANNONRELATED INJURY

In September, a marketing intern at the University of Arkansas had to be carried from the field during the Razorbacks’ season opener against the University of Louisiana-Lafayette after the T-shirt-firing cannon he was using exploded.

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ARKANSAS TIMES

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After several days of crawling through ceilings, crapping in the stairwell, stealing snacks, and uprooting potted plants in the Little River County Courthouse in Ashdown in September, a large possum that courthouse workers had nicknamed “Juror No. 13” was finally brought to justice after a jail administrator cornered and captured the beast near a judge’s chambers. The animal was later released outside of town.

WORST CRIMINAL MASTERMIND

A 21-year-old man being taken into custody after an August court appearance in Jonesboro racked up a few more charges when deputies collecting his personal effects before taking him to jail reportedly discovered that he had brought a stash of methamphetamines and a set of digital scales to court with him.

WORST REPEAT CUSTOMER

The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office announced in August that David Allen Crow, 32, had confessed to burglarizing Fred’s Store in Little Rock on Aug. 25, with a police spokesman adding that it was the fifth time Crow has been charged with burglarizing the same store.

BEST WAY TO RUIN CASUAL FRIDAY

In August, the Little Rock School District announced plans for a dress code that will require all teachers to wear undergarments. Also prohibited for teachers: clothing that promotes alcohol, drugs or gangs, or which features sexual themes or language. CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

www.arktimes.com

DECEMBER 26, 2013

WORST BLAZE OF GLORY

Monroe Isadore, age 107, was killed during a September shootout with the Pine Bluff SWAT team after a lengthy standoff.

they didn’t have HIV.

WORST “SNEAKY”

A naked man was arrested in Little Rock in September after his friends reported he was demon-possessed. When police arrived, he informed them that he was, in fact, an “Angel of God,” with the Emissary of the Almighty reportedly yelling “Y’all are wasting God’s time!” before he could be cuffed and stuffed.

Eleven students were cited for breaking into Trumann High School and trashing the place in October after an employee at a Walmart only a few miles from the school called police to report that the teens, dressed all in black, had come into the store as a group and bought “multiple items which could be used for mischief,” including toilet paper, silly string and plastic wrap. After the school was vandalized, police simply looked at the store surveillance tape and collared the not-so-stealthy crew.

BEST MISSING THE POINT

BEST ALMOST JUSTIFIABLE

WORST ANGEL

After the Sheridan School District scheduled a Sept. 11 talk by an Islamic speaker who planned to tell kids about tolerance and how all Muslims aren’t terrorists, parental outcry was so great that the talk had to be canceled.

In October, police said, a Centerton man ordered three Jehovah’s Witnesses off his property and then fired at least 19 handgun rounds at them for good measure as they drove away. He was booked and faces multiple charges.

WORST BULLY

WORST CORRELATION

In September, the Pea Ridge Public School District — in an apparently violation of federal law — banned three siblings from attending classes until they could prove to the school through testing that

DECEMBER 26, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

During an October incident in which a mentally-unstable driver was shot by police after trying to ram the gates of the White House, Arkansas Congressman Tim Griffin tweeted: “Stop the violent rhetoric Presi-

BEST CANADIAN

A former valet at Little Rock’s Capital Hotel filed suit in October against a Canadian businessman, alleging that during the businessman’s October 2010 stay at the hotel, the man injured the valet during a “drunken escapade” in which, an exhibit continued in the lawsuit alleges, the neighbor from the north also licked both the shoe and bare foot of a female guest, invited three men he’d met at a liquor store to meet with him in a hotel bathroom, wrestled with a companion in a hallway, and depantsed himself in the swanky hotel’s lobby and bar.

dent Obama, Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi. #disgusting.” Griffin’s tweet soon went viral, with folks piling on to berate Griffin for trying to link the incident to politics. Griffin later apologized, saying he’d “tweeted out of emotion.”

BEST CONVENIENT

In October, two men waiting in a pickup in the parking lot of the Faulkner County Jail before heading inside to begin weekend sentences

were arrested after deputies reportedly found them drunk, one so inebriated that he had urinated in his pants. Both were cited for public intoxication before being escorted a few short steps to the jail.

WORST BOOB

A woman sued a police officer from the Saline County town of Haskell in October, saying in her lawsuit that the officer had chased her through her workplace with

his department-issued Taser because she wouldn’t show him her breasts.

BEST LOVE

Even though veteran Mount St. Mary Academy English teacher Tippi McCullough had previously been warned that officials at the Catholic girl’s school planned to fire her if she went through with marrying her long-time partner, Barbara Mariani, in New Mexico in October, McCullough went ahead with the ceremony anyway, choosing the woman she’d been with for 14 years over her job.

WORST GRASP OF THE WORD “MORALITY”

Less than an hour after Mariani and McCullough were legally wed, McCullough’s boss called to say McCullough was being fired for violating her contract’s “morality clause.”

BEST BRAAAAINS

Just before Halloween, a Conway paintball playground hosted a “zombie hunt,” promoting the event on their website by saying: “Recently there have been news reports of an environmental exposure due to an underground pipe leak in Mayflower, Arkansas. ... The truth is the media has not been honest with you. Those that have come

into contact with the bio-hazardous material have been reported experiencing neurological dysfunctions, genetic mutations, and changes in physical appearance. This can only mean one thing: ZOMBIES!”

BEST CHICKEN FIGHT

Two managers of a KFC chicken restaurant in North Little Rock were arrested in November after police responded to a call about an altercation and found the two women fist fighting in the store.

BEST JOHN WAYNE IMPERSONATION

In November, doctors at a Little Rock hospital found that a woman had, unbeknownst to her, been shot in the leg, with an X-ray revealing a bullet lodged in her calf. The woman told police that the night before, she’d been taking out the trash and heard a gunshot, but thought nothing of it. Only when she woke up the next morning to find blood in her bed, she told them, did she realize something was wrong.

WORST EAU DE TOILETTE

A Lepanto woman was charged in November with trying to steal a bottle of Ed Hardy perfume from a Jonesboro Walmart by, police said, concealing the bottle in her

buttocks. Following the woman’s arrest, “Stores usually won’t let you, so I didn’t police asked the manager of the store if he ask.” wanted the perfume returned and he — to his credit — told them to just throw it away. WORST PIT STOP In December, the fire chief of Grassy BEST BUTT DIAL Knob Volunteer Fire Department in NorthIn November, police in Jonesboro west Arkansas was taking the department’s arrested a car dealer in what investiga- 10-wheel, 3,000-gallon Mack tanker truck tors say was a murder-for-hire plot that in for repairs when he pulled over to use the came to light after the suspect acciden- restroom near Beaver Lake and the truck tally called the target, an ex-employee, on rolled away, falling into a 600-foot ravine. his cellphone while allegedly discussing After tumbling all the way to the bottom, the details of the crime with a hit man. After $40,000 truck was a total loss. secretly listening in while his former boss gave out his address and expressed a desire WORST ST. NICK that the crime should look like an accident, In December, an uproar boiled over like the would-be victim told investigators, he scalded eggnog after the Magnolia High went to police. School drama class performed a skit called “Gangsta Claus,” which reportedly featured BEST RESPONSE TO Old St. Nick trading in his sleigh for a Cadil“BLACK FRIDAY” lac Escalade and being gunned down by During the “Black Friday” shopping gang members in an inner-city convenience weekend after Thanksgiving, a 64-year- store. old man was arrested at a Paragould Radio Shack after whipping it out and peeing on BEST HOMECOMING the carpet, a television set, a microphone The return of a group of Arkansas mixer and other merchandise. National Guard soldiers to North Little Rock’s Camp Robinson in mid-December BEST RATIONALIZATION marked the first time in more than 10 When police asked the Radio Shack years that every member of the Arkansas pisser why he didn’t just use the store’s National Guard was undeployed and in restroom, the man reportedly told them: the United States.

www.arktimes.com

DECEMBER 26, 2013

Arts Entertainment AND

NEW YEAR’S EVE

PARTY GUIDE

Where to greet 2014 in Central Arkansas. BY ROBERT BELL

h, New Year’s Eve, that big annual reset button that we push with relish and gusto, flushing the previous year’s drags and downers and hangups and bummers way down into the memory hole, never to be thought of again. Or perhaps it’s a time to reflect back upon a fruitful and rewarding year, 12 months of progress and good times. Or maybe it was just another year, not that different from 2012 or 2004 or 1996. Either way, it’s time to say adios, 2013. You were no doubt many things to many people, but now you are gone. So how do you bid farewell to the previous year? With a good book, a glass of warm milk and an early bedtime? If so, please carry on and pay no mind to the following. If, however, you are looking to throw down and indulge in some glitter-encrusted revelry, read on. And as we always must note (and this should be obvious but it’s apparently not): People, take a cab, get a hotel room or have somebody who’s sober drive you home. Here is our roundup of what’s going on in Central Arkansas for NYE: One of the newest events this New Year’s Eve will also likely end up being one of the biggest: The New Year’s Eve Big Ball Dropping Celebration is produced by Natural State of Music, a new music promotion group focused on Arkansas artists. This event features music from Arkansas’s American Idol, Kris Allen; rapper and host of BET’s “106 and Park” Bow-Wow; “The Voice” contestant Cody Belew and a fashion show with designer Korto Momolu, plus music from Amasa Hines, Flame20

DECEMBER 26, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

ing Daeth Fearies, Crystal G, Terreigh Barnett, Lucious Spiller Band, DJ Fatality and Epiphany and hosts Tre Day, Dell Smith, Karla Parker, Lauren Clark and more, North Shore Riverwalk, 7 p.m., $25 adv., $40 day of. Discovery Nightclub will welcome the new year with the chopped ’n’ screwed sounds of Swishahouse CEO Michael “5000” Watts, plus Playboy Steve, Sno White, Lawler, Big Brown, g-force and Whitman Bransford and the always entertaining Dominique Sanchez & The Disco Dolls, 9 p.m.-5 a.m., $15 adv., $20-$25 day of.

Over at Juanita’s, you can catch the Nappy Roots New Year’s Eve Party, featuring the Southern hip-hop crew to ring in 2014, 9 p.m., $20. Revolution hosts the 7th Annual Fireball with Fayetteville party-band extraordinaire Boom Kinetic, 18-and-older, 9 p.m., $20 adv. If you’d like to get down with some hell-raising country-rock and some lovely and scantily clad ladies, get on over to The Joint’s New Year’s 2014 Burlesque, Blues & Brews, 9 p.m. $10 adv., $15 day of. They’ve got Moonshine Mafia and the oh-so beautiful performers in The Foul Play Cabaret. You can also greet 2014 with a blast of Southernfried blues-rock, as Stephen Neeper &

The Wild Hearts and Jeff Coleman & The Feeders bring the raucousness to Stickyz for an 18-and-older shindig, 9 p.m., $10 adv. Over at Midtown, Tyrannosaurus Chicken will help you boogie in the new year in a most psychedelic manner. If you wanna go upscale, look no further than the Cache Restaurant Grand Opening. You can check out the River Market’s newest fine-dining establishment and nosh on some heavy hors d’oeuvres throughout the evening, accompanied with live music from Michael Eubanks and Party Planet, 7 and 10 p.m., $75. Or maybe the “Downton Abbey” Dinner Party is more your speed. It’s a black-tie event with dinner, dancing and champagne toast at midnight at The Empress of Little Rock, 8 p.m., $250 (couple). For all of you West Little Rock folks who want to stay close to home, the 2013 New Year’s Eve Party at the Embassy Suites has live music from The Rockets and Katmandu, plus hors d’oeuvres, party favors, a champagne toast at midnight and a cash bar, 7:30 p.m., $50 (party only), $225 (room package). Or maybe Rip Van Shizzle at the Thirst n’ Howl is more your speed, 9 p.m., free.

BOW-WOW, BELEW AND ALLEN: All will be performing at North Shore Riverwalk on New Year’s Eve, plus many more.

ROCK CANDY

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A&E NEWS IN OUR ANNUAL A-Z ROUNDUP of Arkansas-related pop culture news from the year, we made an error in the item about Ashlie Atkinson and the status of the Fox show “Us and Them,” in which she stars. We wrote that the show wasn’t picked up by the network. In fact, it was picked up, but production was halted about halfway through the filming of the season. A representative for Atkinson very kindly pointed out the mistake, noting that the pilot and the six episodes filmed so far will air, most likely in March. And if the response is positive enough, there’s a chance that Fox could put the show back into production. So folks, you know what to do: Watch the show! DVR it! Tell your friends! Twitter about it! Write your congressman! Or, you know, just basically show it some love. Yeah!

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FILMMAKER MAGAZINE recently ran a story about Little Rock’s Renaud brothers, Craig and Brent, the brains behind the Little Rock Film Festival, who spend the rest of their year shooting documentary and news footage in some of the most dangerous places on earth. Riveting stuff about the lengths some journalists will go to get to the truth. Among the difficulties: Working in areas with no banking system, they’re often forced to carry large amounts of cash on them in places where folks will kill you as soon as look at you. From the article: “Working in a combat zone is outrageously expensive. It is not unusual for us to carry as much as $30,000 in cash around our waists in places where cash rules, and ATMs and banks might not even exist,” noted Craig. “Drivers, fixers, translators and security all cost lots of money. In Afghanistan during the war one warlord charged us $7,000 per person to be allowed across the border, and a room without plumbing or electricity cost us as much as a night at a five-star hotel in New York City. It’s difficult to operate in that environment as an independent without a network backing you.” DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE ARKANSAS TIMES MUSICIANS SHOWCASE: If you’re based in the Natural State and you’ve got at least 20 minutes of original material, you are eligible to enter the competition. Twenty bands will be selected for the showcase, which will start in late January. Once a week for five weeks, four bands will square off for a panel of judges at Stickyz. The winner of each semi-final round will advance to the finals, which will be at Revolution. Find a link to enter at arktimes.com/ showcase14. If you’ve got any questions or concerns, email lindseymillar@ arktimes.com. www.arktimes.com

DECEMBER 26, 2013

THE TO-DO

LIST

BY ROBERT BELL

FRIDAY 12/27

THE BIG CATS, MULEHEAD 6 p.m. White Water Tavern.

Y’all pretty much know the score on this one. It’s two of Little Rock’s best-

loved bands. It’s the holidays. It’ll be a chance to catch up with old friends and maybe make some new ones. Find out what folks have been up to in the last year,

seeing as how many of us have moved away and many of us simply don’t get out as much as we did once upon a time. It’s a night to hear some songs you’ve

loved for years (“Fayetteville Blues,” say, or maybe “There Are Nights”) and perhaps a few that’ll become new favorites. Happy holidays, Arkansas people.

THURSDAY 1/2

SHEN YUN

7:30 p.m. Robinson Center Music Hall. $65-$139.

SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN: Bret Michaels performs at Juanita’s Friday, Dec. 27.

FRIDAY 12/27

BRET MICHAELS

8 p.m. Juanita’s. $40 adv., $45 day of.

Now, first things first, Poison’s “Talk Dirty to Me” is the greatest song of the entire ’80s glam-metal scene. Don’t even try to argue that it’s not, because you won’t win (provided you are arguing with me). “Nothin’ but a Good Time” is a close second though. Now that we’ve established that, I’m gonna move on to my personal favorite Bret Michaels album, “The Vocalizer: A Vocal Warm-Up for Real Life.” Bret lays it all out for you aspiring vocalists (and fans of vocal warm-up albums): “ ‘Bret,’ you ask, ‘why do I gotta warm up my 22

DECEMBER 26, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

voice?’ ” Bret asks rhetorically. “Well let me tell you, make no mistake about it, your vocal chords are a muscle, like a tricep or a bicep. You do not want to have any excessive or instant strain that could cause some serious damage on your pipes.” Got it? Good. “It’s absolutely crucial that you’re aware of how and what your throat and vocal chords do and how to protect and preserve them,” he says. “I never ever strain my range,” he adds, with the implicit message that you shouldn’t strain your range, either. After the introduction, it’s on to the exercises. I always do them all when listening to this album, which has resulted in some odd looks from people in the library,

but that’s fine because you’ve gotta protect your vocal chords and they can all just deal with it. I do the tongue vibrato and the suckface (both non-pitch-specific) as well as the exercises for tenor (my range). Bret has you make the normal “ooh” and “ahh” and “eeh” sounds, but also some unexpected ones, like “gugh” and “noo” and “nah.” As Bret reminds you though: “Don’t force it; find it in your range.” I kinda doubt he’ll perform any of his vocal exercises during this show. More likely that he’ll be singing many of your favorite Poison songs, and maybe some cover tunes as well. Also on this bill: The Revolutioners and Rodge & The Dirt Road Republic.

It’s not every day that you can go on a journey through 5,000 years of Chinese culture without leaving Little Rock. But you’ll get just such an opportunity when Shen Yun comes to Robinson Center Music Hall. According to the official Shen Yun website, “Its stunning beauty and tremendous energy leave audiences uplifted and inspired. A Shen Yun performance features the world’s foremost classically trained dancers, a unique orchestra blending East and West, and dazzling animated backdrops — together creating one spectacular performance.” At the heart of Shen Yun is classical Chinese dance, which blends impressive flips and jumps and stuff with a very refined and highly controlled elegance of movement and also vibrant and wildly colorful costumes and capes. Having not been to a Shen Yun performance myself, I checked out some videos and it is impressive, let me tell you. I can only imagine how rad it all looks live and in person.

IN BRIEF

THURSDAY 12/26

FRIDAY 1/3

The Matt Schatz Jazz Group performs at Russo’s, 6 p.m. Texas singer/ songwriter Hayes Carll performs at an 18-and-older show at Revolution, with Bonnie Montgomery, 9 p.m., $20.

COLOR CLUB

FRIDAY 12/27

FreeVerse performs at The Afterthought, 9 p.m., $7. Folk singer Lisa Lamoureux plays at Vino’s with Some Guy Named Robb, 9 p.m., $5. This weekend is your last chance to check out the holiday exploits of the Fertle family at The Joint’s “A Fertle Holiday,” 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, $20.

9 p.m. White Water Tavern.

Followers of the Arkansas no-wave revival of a few years ago will no doubt fondly recall the trio Color Club, which sprang up in the hills of Fedvul, moved down to Capital City and then parted ways amicably on account of jobs and members having to move away and so forth. Well, being as it is The Holidays and folks are back to visit with their families, the women of Color Club decided to reunite for a show at the White Water Tavern. Joining them will be a raft of like-minded sonic miscreants, including a band called LLinda (which, according to my deeply placed sources, contains the following personnel: O. Buffington, D. Jukes and Z. Wait); a solo artist going

SATURDAY 12/28

CLUB SOUNDS: Color Club plays at White Water Tavern Friday, Jan. 3.

by the handle of House Red and the somewhat disturbingly named Kitten Rippers (with the mysterious Z. Wait, Reba M. and Anna W. of Color Club).

All in all, it promises to be an evening of sonic exploration that will be enjoyed by folks who appreciate boundary-pushing musical entertainment.

FRIDAY 1/3

LIL FLIP

10 p.m. Revolution. $20 adv.

Houston’s Lil Flip was one of the South’s biggest hip-hop artists back in the early ’00s. He was admired by the legendary DJ Screw, whose approval no doubt helped get him some crucial notice early on. The hits came quickly for Flip, with the sing-songy “The Way We Ball,” from his major label debut pinging off of club walls all over in 2002. Since then he’s recorded several more albums, and he’s been on and released more mixtapes than probably anybody this side of Lil B. And while he hasn’t been at the top of the game for a while now, he didn’t seem too concerned about it in a recent story in the St. Joseph News-Press. He told the newspaper’s Shea Conner that he enjoys playing smaller towns as opposed to gigantic

SUNDAY 12/29

Vino’s has an evening of eardrum-shredding punk rock debauchery. The FYS Fest features The Muddlestuds, MCM, The Kill Crazies and more, 6 p.m., $5.

FRIDAY 1/3

Over at Stickyz, they’ve got the rabblerousing sounds of The Dangerous Idiots, Ginsu Wives and Collin vs. Adam, 9 p.m., $5. HOUSTON LEGEND: Lil Flip performs at Revolution Friday, Jan. 3.

venues: “A lot of people that buy my music and support my music can’t afford to drive two hours or three hours out of their city because of financial prob-

lems or parental duties. I just feel like the majority of people who support me should be able to come tell me they support me,” he said.

TUESDAY 1/7-WEDNESDAY 1/8

THE SECRET SISTERS

9 p.m. White Water Tavern. $10.

These days, vocal harmonies don’t get much more sweetly countrified and beautifully lush than those created by The Secret Sisters of Muscle Shoals, Ala. Lydia and Laura Rogers have what I can only describe as an otherworldly, uncanny harmonic rapport. They caught

Fayetteville-based rocker Benjamin del Shreve comes to Revolution, 8:30 p.m., $6. Darrill “Harp” Edwards performs at the Afterthought, 9 p.m., $7. Foreign Tongues presents a Southern Fried Poetry Slam Qualifier at Robert’s Sports Bar & Grill, 6 p.m., $5 admission, $50 competition fee. Discovery Nightclub hosts the Red and White/Naughty or Nice Ball, with DJs Brandon Peck, Kramer, JMZ Dean, Autumatik and Noah Beaudin, 9 p.m.-5 a.m., $10-$15. Indie Music Night is back at a new location, with Y.K., 4x4 Crew, iWrek Twins, 540, 870 Underground, YB, Street Cammo, Hustlin Cuzzinz, Willie G, Hustle Dudes & Zell Dainotto and DJ Fatality, with hosts Mz. Glamourous and Vegga, Juanita’s, 10 p.m., $10.

SATURDAY 1/4

Country-rooted singer/songwriter Matthew Huff plays an 18-and-older gig at Revolution, with Cheyenne Nicole and Lance Carpenter, 9 p.m., $10. South Louisiana comes to Stickyz as Dikki Du & The Zydeco Krewe play an 18-andolder show, 9:30 p.m., $6.

MONDAY 1/6

the ear of sepia-toned retro-specialist T-Bone Burnett, who produced their debut album and is also quite involved with their sophomore outing “Put Your Needle Down,” which will be out soon. You can check out the lead single “Let There Be Lonely” now. It’s really good stuff. Anyways, all proceeds from these two shows are going to go to help the sis-

ters’ tour manager Jay with some unexpected medical expenses. The shows are only $10, which is a bargain for a band this good, but if you could kick in a couple extra bucks it’d probably be well appreciated because, as a lot of folks can testify, getting sick or injured can be way expensive and it can hit you in unexpected ways.

The Downtown Tip Off Club hosts Arkansas State University men’s basketball head coach John Brady, 11:15 a.m., Embassy Suites, $15-$20. Seis Puentes hosts its 12th Annual Community Service Awards Dinner at Argenta Community Theater. The event honors First Lady Ginger Beebe, with Mayor Joe Smith, State Rep. Patti Julian and State Rep. Eddie Armstrong. Business attire is requested, 6 p.m., $150 (couple). www.arktimes.com

DECEMBER 26, 2013

AFTER DARK All events are in the Greater Little Rock area unless otherwise noted. To place an event in the Arkansas Times calendar, please e-mail the listing and all pertinent information, including date, time, location, price and contact information, to calendar@arktimes.com.

THURSDAY, DEC. 26

MUSIC

Hayes Carll, Bonnie Montgomery. 18-and-older. Revolution, 9 p.m., $17 adv., $20 day of. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom. com. “Inferno.” DJs play pop, electro, house and more, plus drink specials and $1 cover before 11 p.m. Sway, 9 p.m. 412 Louisiana. 501-907-2582. Krush Thursdays with DJ Kavaleer. Club Climax, free before 11 p.m. 824 W. Capitol. 501-554-3437. Matt Schatz Jazz Group. Russo’s, 6 p.m. 2490 Sanders Road, Conway. 501-205-8369. Mayday by Midnight (headliner), Brian and Nick (happy your). Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 and 9 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf.com. Michael Eubanks. Newk’s Express Cafe, 6:30 p.m. 4317 Warden Road, NLR. 501-753-8559. newks.com. Nick Brumley. Maxine’s. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. www.maxinespub.com. Open jam with The Port Arthur Band. Parrot Beach Cafe, 9 p.m. 9611 MacArthur Drive, NLR. 771-2994. RockUsaurus. Senor Tequila, 7-9 p.m. 10300 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-224-5505. www. senor-tequila.com. Team Lieblong. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www. afterthoughtbar.com. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 2, 7:30 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-3747474. www.capitalhotel.com/CBG. Walter Henderson. The Joint, 9 p.m. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com.

COMEDY

Mike Baldwin. The Loony Bin, 7:30 p.m., $7-$10. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.com.

FRIDAY, DEC. 27

MUSIC

The Big Cats, Mulehead. White Water Tavern, 6 p.m. 2500 W. 7th St. 501-375-8400. www.whitewatertavern.com. Bret Michaels, The Revolutioners, Rodge & The Dirt Road Republic. Standing room only. Juanita’s, 8 p.m., $40 adv., $45 day of. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www.juanitas.com. Brian Nahlen. Cregeen’s Irish Pub, 8 p.m. 301 Main St., NLR. 501-376-7468. www.cregeens. com. Club Nights at 1620 Savoy. Dance night, with DJs, drink specials and bar menu, until 2 a.m. 1620 Savoy, 10 p.m. 1620 Market St. 501-2211620. www.1620savoy.com. Delta Tones. Thirst n’ Howl, 9 p.m., free. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www.thirst-n-howl. com. FreeVerse. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 9 p.m., $7. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www. afterthoughtbar.com. 24

DECEMBER 26, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

FOLK DUO: The Cantrells perform at Thomson Hall at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Little Rock, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, $15. Gas Station Disco. West End Smokehouse and Tavern, Dec. 27-28, 10 p.m., $5. 215 N. Shackleford. 501-224-7665. www.westendsmokehouse.net. Jeff Coleman. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, through Dec. 28, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www.sonnywilliamssteakroom.com. Lisa Lamoureux, Some Guy Named Robb. Vino’s, 9 p.m., $5. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com. Richie Johnson. Cajun’s Wharf, 5 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf.com. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 9 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www.capitalhotel.com/CBG. Tragikly White Band. 18-and-older. Revolution, 9:30 p.m., $8 adv., $10 day of. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom.com.

COMEDY

The Main Thing: “A Fertle Holiday.” The Joint, 8 p.m., $20. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-3720205. thejointinlittlerock.com.

Mike Baldwin. The Loony Bin, 7:30 and 10 p.m., $7-$10. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.com.

DANCE

Ballroom Dancing. Free lessons begin at 7 p.m. Bess Chisum Stephens Community Center, 8-11 p.m., $7-$13. 12th & Cleveland streets. 501-2217568. www.blsdance.org. Salsa Night. Begins with a one-hour salsa lesson. Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $8. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www.littlerocksalsa.com.

EVENTS

LGBTQ/SGL Youth and Young Adult Group. Diverse Youth for Social Change is a group for LGBTQ/SGL and straight ally youth and young adults age 14 to 23. For more information, call 244-9690 or search “DYSC” on Facebook. 800 Scott St., 6:30 p.m. 800 Scott St.

SATURDAY, DEC. 28

MUSIC

Benjamin del Shreve. 18-and-older. Revolution,

8:30 p.m., $6. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501823-0090. revroom.com. Big Man and the Wheels. Thirst n’ Howl, 9 p.m., free. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www. thirst-n-howl.com. Boom-Boom. Midtown Billiards, 12:30 a.m., $5. 1316 Main St. 501-372-9990. midtownar.com. Calcabrina, Playing with Karma, Neverafter. Maxine’s. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. www. maxinespub.com. Club Nights at 1620 Savoy. See Dec. 27. Darrill “Harp” Edwards. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 9 p.m., $7. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-6631196. www.afterthoughtbar.com. Gas Station Disco. West End Smokehouse and Tavern, 10 p.m., $5. 215 N. Shackleford. 501-2247665. www.westendsmokehouse.net. Indie Music Night. With Y.K., 4x4 Crew, iWrek Twins, 540, 870 Underground, YB, Street Cammo, Hustlin Cuzzinz, Willie G, Hustle Dudes, & Zell Dainotto and DJ Fatality, with hosts Mz. Glamourous and Vegga. Juanita’s, 10 p.m., $10. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www. juanitas.com. Jeff Coleman. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www.sonnywilliamssteakroom.com. Karaoke. Casa Mexicana, 7 p.m. 6929 JFK Blvd., NLR. 501-835-7876. Karaoke with Kevin & Cara. All-ages, on the restaurant side. Revolution, 9 p.m.-12:45 a.m., free. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom.com. K.I.S.S. Saturdays. Featuring DJ Silky Slim. Dress code enforced. Sway, 10 p.m. 412 Louisiana. 501-492-9802. Little Rock Ruff Riders with DJ Most1ted. Cornerstone Pub & Grill, 8:30 p.m. 314 Main St., NLR. 501-374-1782. cstonepub.com. Pickin’ Porch. Bring your instrument. All ages welcome. Faulkner County Library, 9:30 a.m. 1900 Tyler St., Conway. 501-327-7482. www.fcl.org. Red and White/Naughty or Nice Ball. With DJs Brandon Peck, Kramer, JMZ Dean, Autumatik and Noah Beaudin. Discovery Nightclub, 9 p.m.-5 a.m., $10-$15. 1021 Jessie Road. 501664-4784. www.latenightdisco.com. Rustenhaven (headliner), Mayday by Midnight Acoustic (happy hour). Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 and 9 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf.com. Singer/Songwriters Showcase. Parrot Beach Cafe, 2-7 p.m., free. 9611 MacArthur Drive, NLR. 771-2994. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 9 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www.capitalhotel.com/CBG. Tyrannosaurus Chicken. 18-and-older. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 10 p.m., $6. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz.com.

COMEDY

The Main Thing: “A Fertle Holiday.” The Joint, 8 p.m., $20. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-3720205. thejointinlittlerock.com. Mike Baldwin. The Loony Bin, 7:30 and 10 p.m., $7-$10. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.com.

DANCE

Little Rock West Coast Dance Club. Dance lessons. Singles welcome. Ernie Biggs, 7 p.m., $2. 307 Clinton Ave. 501-247-5240. www. arstreetswing.com.

Falun Gong meditation. Allsopp Park, 9 a.m., free. Cantrell & Cedar Hill Roads. Historic Neighborhoods Tour. Bike tour of historic neighborhoods includes bike, guide, helmets and maps. Bobby’s Bike Hike, 9 a.m., $8-$28. 400 President Clinton Ave. 501-613-7001. Pork & Bourbon Tour. Bike tour includes bicycle, guide, helmets and maps. Bobby’s Bike Hike, 11:30 a.m., $35-$45. 400 President Clinton Ave. 501-613-7001.

POETRY

Foreign Tongues Presents: Southern Fried Poetry Slam Qualifier. Robert’s Sports Bar & Grill, 6 p.m., $5 admission, $50 competition fee. 7212 Geyer Springs Road. 501-568-2566.

SPORTS

Three Bridges Marathon. Big Dam Bridge, 7 a.m. 7600 Rebsamen Park Road. www.3bridgesmarathon.com.

SUNDAY, DEC. 29

MUSIC

FYS Fest. With The Muddlestuds, MCM, The Kill Crazies and more. Vino’s, 6 p.m., $5. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com. Irish Traditional Music Session. Hibernia Irish Tavern, first and third Sunday of every month, 2:30 p.m.; Dec. 29, 2:30 p.m. 9700 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-246-4340. www.hiberniairishtavern.com. Karaoke with DJ Sara. Hardrider Bar & Grill, 7 p.m., free. 6613 John Harden Drive, Cabot. 501-982-1939 . Trill Clinton, Nick Ward, C-Port, Tan the Terrible, Fresco Grey, Taylor Moon, Vile Pack, Kari Faux, Malik Flint, DJ Swift. Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $8. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www.juanitas.com.

EVENTS

“Live from the Back Room.” Spoken word event. Vino’s, 7 p.m. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www. vinosbrewpub.com.

MONDAY, DEC. 30

MUSIC

Brandon Dorris. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 8 p.m., $5. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbar.com.

TUESDAY, DEC. 31

MUSIC

2013 New Year’s Eve Party. Live music from The Rockets and Katmandu, plus hors d’oeuvres, party favor, champagne toast at midnight and cash bar. Embassy Suites, 7:30 p.m., $50 (party only), $225 (room package). 11301 Financial Centre. 501-312-9000. 7th Annual Fireball with Boom Kinetic. 18-andolder. Revolution, 9 p.m., $20 adv. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom.com. Big Stack. West End Smokehouse and Tavern, 10 p.m., $5. 215 N. Shackleford. 501-224-7665. www.westendsmokehouse.net. Burlesque, Blues & Brews. With Moonshine Mafia and Foul Play Cabaret. The Joint, 7 p.m., $10-$15. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-3720205. thejointinlittlerock.com.

DJ Rob O. Cregeen’s Irish Pub, 8 p.m. 301 Main St., NLR. 501-376-7468. www.cregeens.com. The Hi-Balls. Flying Saucer, 9 p.m. 323 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-8032. www.beerknurd. com/stores/littlerock. Nappy Roots New Year’s Eve Party. Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $20. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-3721228. www.juanitas.com. New Year’s Eve Big Ball Dropping Celebration. With Kris Allen, Bow-Wow, Cody Belew, Korto Momolu, Amasa Hines, Flameing Daeth Fearies, Crystal G, Terreigh Barnett, Lucious Spiller Band, DJ Fatality, Epiphany, Tre Day, Dell Smith, Karla Parker, Lauren Clark and more. North Shore Riverwalk, 7 p.m., $25 adv., $40 day of. Riverwalk Drive, NLR. 501-580-0237. www.naturalstateofmusic.com. New Years Eve with Tyrannosaurus Chicken. Midtown Billiards, $5. 1316 Main St. 501-3729990. midtownar.com. NYE at Discovery. With DJs Micheal “5000” Watts, Playboy Steve, Sno White, Lawler, Big Brown, g-force and Whitman Bransford, plus Dominique Sanchez & The Disco Dolls. Discovery Nightclub, 9 p.m.-5 a.m., $15 adv., $20-$25 day of. 1021 Jessie Road. 501-664-4784. www.latenightdisco.com. Rip Van Shizzle. Thirst n’ Howl, 9 p.m., free. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www.thirst-n-howl. com. Stephen Neeper & The Wild Hearts, Jeff Coleman & The Feeders. 18-and-older. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9 p.m., $10 adv. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz.com. That Arkansas Weather. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 9 p.m., $10. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-6631196. www.afterthoughtbar.com. Third Degree (headliner), Richie Johnson (happy hour). Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 and 9 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-3755351. www.cajunswharf.com. Thomas East. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www.sonnywilliamssteakroom.com.

There’s still time, GET HERE!

A Chicago style Speakeasy & Dueling Piano Bar. This is THE premier night time destination in Little Rock. “Dueling Pianos” runs Monday through Sunday. Dance & House music upstairs on Wed, Fri & Sat. Drink specials and more! Do it BIGG!

www.abwholesaler.com

EVENTS

If you’re not HERE, we’re having more fun than you are!

Dueling piano show: 7 nights a week · 8:15pm–1:45am

Doors Open at 8pm Located in the Heart of the River Market District right across the street from Gus’s Chicken

307 President Clinton Ave

501.372.4782 www.erniebiggs.com Visit our Facebook page for nightly drink specials.

PARTY AT OUR PLACE!

Book Our Party Room Today!

COMEDY

Pat Godwin a.k.a. Paddy G. The Loony Bin, 7 and 10 p.m., $12 (7 p.m.), $25 (10 p.m.). 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-228-5555. www. loonybincomedy.com.

EVENTS

Cache Grand Opening. With heavy hors d’oeuvres throughout the evening, plus live music from Michael Eubanks and Party Planet. Cache Restaurant, 7 and 10 p.m., $75. 425 President Clinton Ave. 501-850-0265. www. cachelittlerock.com/. “Downton Abbey” dinner party. Black-tie event with dinner, dancing and champagne toast at midnight. The Empress of Little Rock, 8 p.m., $250 (couple). 2120 S. Louisiana St. New Years ‘80s Party. Ya Ya’s Euro Bistro, 8 p.m., $10. 17711 Chenal Parkway. 501-821-1144. www. yiayias.com/littlerock. New Year’s Eve festival party and dance. Arlington Hotel, 8:30 p.m.-1 a.m., $45. 239 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-609-2553.

THURSDAY, JAN. 2

MUSIC

“Inferno.” See Dec. 26. Karaoke and line dancing lessons. W.T. Bubba’s CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

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DECEMBER 26, 2013

AFTER DARK, CONT. Country Tavern, first Thursday of every month, 9 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-244-2528. Krush Thursdays with DJ Kavaleer. Club Climax, free before 11 p.m. 824 W. Capitol. 501-554-3437. Michael Eubanks. Newk’s Express Cafe, 6:30 p.m. 4317 Warden Road, NLR. 501-753-8559. newks.com. Open jam with The Port Arthur Band. Parrot Beach Cafe, 9 p.m. 9611 MacArthur Drive, NLR. 771-2994. RockUsaurus. Senor Tequila, 7-9 p.m. 10300 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-224-5505. www. senor-tequila.com. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, Jan. 2, 7:30 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www.capitalhotel.com/CBG.

DANCE

Shen Yun. Robinson Center Music Hall, 7:30 p.m., $65-$139. Markham and Broadway. www. littlerockmeetings.com/conv-centers/robinson.

EVENTS

Hillcrest Shop & Sip. Shops and restaurants offer discounts, later hours, and live music. Hillcrest, first Thursday of every month, 5-10 p.m. 501-6663600. www.hillcrestmerchants.com.

FRIDAY, JAN. 3

MUSIC

Club Nights at 1620 Savoy. See Dec. 27. Color Club, LLinda, House Red, Kitten Rippers. White Water Tavern, 9 p.m. 2500 W. 7th St. 501-375-8400. www.whitewatertavern.com. The Dangerous Idiots, Ginsu Wives, Collin Vs. Adam. 18-and-older. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll

DECEMBER 26, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

Chicken Shack, 9 p.m., $5. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz.com. Fortunes (Brutal Tooth Foundation), The Great Hanging, and Kobold’s Fist. Vino’s. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com. Lil Flip, DJ Cain. Revolution, 10 p.m., $20 adv. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-8230090. revroom.com. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 9 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www. capitalhotel.com/CBG.

DANCE

Ballroom Dancing. Free lessons begin at 7 p.m. Bess Chisum Stephens Community Center, 8-11 p.m., $7-$13. 12th & Cleveland streets. 501-221-7568. www.blsdance.org. Salsa Night. Begins with a one-hour salsa lesson. Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $8. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www.littlerocksalsa.com.

EVENTS

LGBTQ/SGL Youth and Young Adult Group. See Dec. 27.

SATURDAY, JAN. 4

MUSIC

The Cantrells. Half-off for students, free for kids 12 and younger with adult. Thomson Hall, Unitarian Universalist Church of Little Rock, 7:30 p.m., $15. 1818 Reservoir Road. 501-663-0634. Club Nights at 1620 Savoy. See Dec. 27. Dikki Du & The Zydeco Krewe. 18-and-older. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9:30

p.m., $6. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz.com. Jam Rock Saturday. Twelve Modern Lounge, first Saturday of every month, 9 p.m. 1900 W. Third St. 501-301-1200. Karaoke. Casa Mexicana, 7 p.m. 6929 JFK Blvd., NLR. 501-835-7876. Karaoke with Kevin & Cara. All-ages, on the restaurant side. Revolution, 9 p.m.-12:45 a.m., free. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501823-0090. revroom.com. K.I.S.S. Saturdays. Featuring DJ Silky Slim. Dress code enforced. Sway, 10 p.m. 412 Louisiana. 501-492-9802. Matthew Huff, Cheyenne Nicole, Lance Carpenter. 18-and-older. Revolution, 9 p.m., $10. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-8230090. revroom.com. New Era Saturdays. 21-and-older. Twelve Modern Lounge, first Saturday of every month, 9 p.m., $5 cover until 11 p.m. 1900 W. Third St. 501-301-1200. Pickin’ Porch. Bring your instrument. All ages welcome. Faulkner County Library, 9:30 a.m. 1900 Tyler St., Conway. 501-3277482. www.fcl.org. Singer/Songwriters Showcase. Parrot Beach Cafe, 2-7 p.m., free. 9611 MacArthur Drive, NLR. 771-2994. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 9 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www. capitalhotel.com/CBG.

DANCE

Little Rock West Coast Dance Club. Dance lessons. Singles welcome. Ernie Biggs, 7 p.m., $2. 307 Clinton Ave. 501-247-5240. www.arstreetswing.com.

EVENTS

Argenta Farmers Market. Argenta, 7 a.m.12 p.m. Main Street, NLR. Falun Gong meditation. Allsopp Park, 9 a.m., free. Cantrell & Cedar Hill Roads. Hillcrest Farmers Market. Pulaski Heights Baptist Church, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. 2200 Kavanaugh Blvd. Historic Neighborhoods Tour. See Dec. 28. Pork & Bourbon Tour. Bike tour includes bicycle, guide, helmets and maps. Bobby’s Bike Hike, 11:30 a.m., $35-$45. 400 President Clinton Ave. 501-613-7001.

SUNDAY, JAN. 5

MUSIC

Irish Traditional Music Session. Hibernia Irish Tavern, first and third Sunday of every month, 2:30 p.m. 9700 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-246-4340. www.hiberniairishtavern.com. Karaoke with DJ Sara. Hardrider Bar & Grill, 7 p.m., free. 6613 John Harden Drive, Cabot. 501-982-1939 .

EVENTS

“Live from the Back Room.” Spoken word event. Vino’s, 7 p.m. 923 W. 7th St. 501-3758466. www.vinosbrewpub.com.

MONDAY, JAN. 6

EVENTS

Downtown Tip Off Club: John Brady. Wyndham Riverfront Hotel, 11:15 a.m.-1 p.m., $15-$20. 2 Riverfront Place, NLR. 501371-9000. www.wyndham.com.

EVENTS

Tales from the South. Authors tell true stories; schedule available on website. Dinner served 5-6:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m. Call for reservations. Starving Artist Cafe, 5 p.m. 411 N. Main St., NLR. 501-372-7976. www.starvingartistcafe.net. Trivia Bowl. Flying Saucer, 8:30 p.m. 323 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-8032. www. beerknurd.com/stores/littlerock.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 8

MUSIC

Acoustic Open Mic. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-6631196. www.afterthoughtbar.com. Gil Franklin & Friends. Holiday Inn, North Little Rock, first Tuesday, Wednesday of every month. 120 W. Pershing Blvd., NLR. Karaoke at Khalil’s. Khalil’s Pub, 7 p.m. 110 S. Shackleford Road. 501-224-0224. www.khalilspub.com. Open Mic Nite with Deuce. Thirst n’ Howl, 7:30 p.m., free. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www.thirst-n-howl.com. Ricky David Tripp. Rocket Twenty One, 5:30 p.m. 2601 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-603-9208. www. ferneaurestaurant.com. The Secret Sisters. White Water Tavern, 9 p.m., $10. 2500 W. 7th St. 501-375-8400. www.whitewatertavern.com. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 7:30 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www.capitalhotel.com/CBG.

COMEDY

The Joint Venture. Improv comedy group. The Joint, 8 p.m., $5. 301 Main St. No. 102,

Rocktown Slam. Sign up at the door to perform in the competition. Arkansas Arts Center, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., $5-$10. 501 E. 9th St. 501-3724000. www.arkarts.com. Wednesday Night Poetry. 21-and-older show. Maxine’s, 7 p.m., free. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-321-0909. maxineslive.com/ shows.html.

THIS WEEK IN THEATER

“A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.” Walton Arts Center’s Nadine Baum Studios, through Dec. 29: Thu.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2 and 7 p.m. 505 W. Spring St., Fayetteville. 479-443-5600. theatre2.org. Auditions for “The Last Romance.” Performance dates are Feb. 14-16 and 21-23. Lantern Theatre, Jan. 6-7, 6 p.m. 1021 Van Ronkle, Conway. 501-733-6220. www.conwayarts.org/index.html. “Because of Winn Dixie.” World premiere of new musical based on the novel by Kate DiCamillo about a young girl and a dog she finds at a Winn Dixie supermarket. Arkansas Repertory Theatre, through Dec. 29: Wed.Sun., 7 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m., $47-$57. 601 Main St. 501-378-0405. www.therep.org. “Run For Your Wife.” Cab driver John Smith is mugged one day and is taken home by a helpful policeman, who takes him to the wrong home. It seems Smith has two homes and two wives, and according to his carefully laid out schedule he is supposed to be with wife No. 2. Murry’s Dinner Playhouse, through Dec. 29: Tue.-Sat., 6 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., $15-$35. 6323 Col. Glenn Road. 501-562-3131. murrysdinnerplayhouse.com.

GALLERIES, MUSEUMS

NEW EXHIBITIONS, EVENTS

New events, exhibits in bold-faced type. ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER, MacArthur Park: Free admission Dec. 26-31 to “Mark Rothko in the 1940s: The Decisive Decade,” Winthrop Rockefeller Gallery, show through Feb. 9; Friends of Contemporary Craft Conversation Series: “Me, Myself and I,” Brad Cushman talk on “Face to Face: Artists’ Self-Portraits from the Collection of Jackye and Curtis Finch Jr.,” 2 p.m. Jan. 5, lecture hall, show through Feb. 9; “Rocktown Slam,” poetry competition, 7 p.m. Jan. 8, lower lobby, free for members, $5 for nonmembers, $10 for competing poets; “45th Collectors Show and Sale,” contemporary works from New York galleries, though Jan. 5; “Portraiture Now: Drawing on the Edge,” Jeannette Rockefeller Gallery, through Feb. 9; “50 Works / 50 Weeks / 50 Years,” Alice Pratt Brown Atrium, through December; “The People There: Paintings by Emily Moll Wood,” through Feb. 23. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-

FAYETTEVILLE WALTON ARTS CENTER, 495 W. Dickson St.: “Linking the Past to the Present: Recent Works by Anita Fields and Tony Tiger,” textiles and paintings by Oklahoma artists, through Jan. 25, Joy Pratt Markham Gallery, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri., noon-4 p.m. Sat. 479-443-5600. RUSSELLVILLE RIVER VALLEY ARTS CENTER, 1001 E. B St.: Korean folk painting by Hye-Young Go, opens with reception 1-3 p.m. Jan. 5, show through January. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Fri. 479-968-2452.

CONTINUING EXHIBITS

ART GROUP GALLERY, Pleasant Ridge Town Center: “Holiday Art Sale,” work by Ron Almond, Matt Coburn, Louise Harris, Ned Perme, Ann Presley, Vickie HendrixSiebenmorgen and Holly Tilley. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-6 p.m. Sun. 690-2193. BOSWELL-MOUROT, 5815 Kavanaugh Blvd.: Paintings by Dennis McCann, sculpture by Michael Warrick, gouache by Astrid Sohn. 664-0030. BUTLER CENTER GALLERIES, Arkansas Studies Institute, 401 President Clinton Ave.: “Reflections in Pastel,” through Feb. 22, main gallery; “Native Arkansas,” early Arkansas through the writings of early explorers and Native American artifacts, including Mississippian period, Caddoan and Carden Bottoms objects, Concordia Hall, through Feb. 22; the photography of Barney Sellers, Loft Gallery, through Dec. 28. a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 320-5700. CANTRELL GALLERY, 8206 Cantrell Road: “Bill Lewis Retrospective, 1932-2012,” watercolors and oil paintings, through December. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 224-1335. CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 509 Scott St.: Paintings from the Arkansas League of Artists and Local Colour. CHROMA GALLERY, 5707 Kavanaugh Blvd.: Work by Robert Reep and other Arkansas artists. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat. 664-0880. COX CREATIVE CENTER, 120 River Market Ave.: “Equinox,” works by artists published in UALR’s journal of literature and art. 9183093. THE EDGE, 301B President Clinton Ave.: Paintings by Avila (Fernando Gomez), Eric Freeman, James Hayes, Jerry Colburn, St. Joseph Thomason and Stephen Drive. 9921099. ELLEN GOLDEN ANTIQUES, 5701 Kavanaugh Blvd.: Paintings by Barry Thomas and Arden Boyce. 664-7746. GALLERY 221 & ART STUDIOS 221, Pyramid Place: “Holiday Show.” 801-0211. GALLERY 26, 2601 Kavanaugh Blvd.: 19th CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

DJ B-Box in Deep @ 10pm

For reservations call (501) 244-9550.

POETRY

www.arktimes.com

322 President Clinton Ave. the river MArket

DANCE

“Latin Night.” Revolution, 7:30 p.m., $5 regular, $7 under 21. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501823-0090. www.littlerocksalsa.com.

EVENTS

Legacies & Lunch: Slave Resistance in Arkansas. Presentation from Kelly Houston Jones. Main Library, noon., free. 100 S. Rock St. www.cals.lib.ar.us.

EL DORADO SOUTH ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER, 110 E. 5th St.: “Arts in the Hearts for Decades,” retrospective of Artists in Education projects, Jan. 6-Feb. 7, Merkle, Price and Lobby galleries. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. 870-862-5474.

Piano Show @ 7:30pm Midas Coven live in Prost @ 9pm Kitchen open until 1am • Party favors & champagne toast at midnight.

MUSIC

Gil Franklin & Friends. Holiday Inn, North Little Rock, first Tuesday, Wednesday of every month. 120 W. Pershing Blvd., NLR. Karaoke Night. Cornerstone Pub & Grill, 8 p.m. 314 Main St., NLR. 501-374-1782. cstonepub.com. Karaoke Tuesday. Prost, 8 p.m., free. 322 President Clinton Blvd. 501-244-9550. Lucious Spiller Band. Copeland’s Restaurant of Little Rock, 6-9 p.m. 2602 S. Shackleford Road. 501-312-1616. www.copelandsrestaurantlittlerock.com. Ricky David Tripp. Rocket Twenty One, 5:30 p.m. 2601 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-603-9208. www. ferneaurestaurant.com. The Secret Sisters. White Water Tavern, Jan. 7-8, 9 p.m., $10. 2500 W. 7th St. 501-375-8400. www.whitewatertavern.com. Thirst n’ Howl Blues Jam. Thirst n’ Howl, 7:30 p.m., free. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www.thirst-n-howl.com. Tuesday Jam Session with Carl Mouton. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbar.com.

DANCE

Little Rock Bop Club. Beginning dance lessons for ages 10 and older. Singles welcome. Bess Chisum Stephens Community Center, 7 p.m., $4 for members, $7 for guests. 12th & Cleveland streets. 501-350-4712. www.littlerockbopclub.

Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. Closed New Year’s Day. 372-4000. UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS APPLIED ARTS BUILDING: Silk shibori scarf workshop with Arkansas Arts Center artist Catherine Rodgers, fiber arts studio, $75 AAC members, $94 non-members. 372-4000.

Doors open @ 7pm

TUESDAY, JAN. 7

NLR. 501-372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com.

Join us for the best

Seis Puentes 12th Annual Community Service Awards Dinner. Honoring First Lady Ginger Beebe, with Mayor Joe Smith, State Rep. Patti Julian and State Rep. Eddie Armstrong. Business attire. Argenta Community Theater, 6 p.m., $150 (couple). 405 Main St., NLR. 501-3531443. argentacommunitytheater.org.

new YeAr’s eve PArtY in the CAPitAl CitY

AFTER DARK, CONT.

DECEMBER 26, 2013

AFTER DARK, CONT. annual “Holiday Show and Sale,” work by more than 50 artists in all, through Jan. 11. 664-8996. GINO HOLLANDER GALLERY, 2nd and Center: Paintings and works on paper by Gino Hollander. 801-0211. GOOD WEATHER GALLERY, 4400 Edgemere, NLR: “Trip,” work by Layet Johnson, through Jan. 1. www.goodweathergallery.com. GREG THOMPSON FINE ART, 429 Main St., NLR: Work by Southern artists. 664-2787. HEARNE FINE ART, 1001 Wright Ave.: “Evolu- tion,” exhibit celebrating the gallery’s 25th anniversary, with work by Lawrence Finney, Mario Robinson, Kevin Cole, Adger Cowans, Samella Lewis, Paul Goodnight and others, through Feb. 2. 372-6822. L&L BECK ART GALLERY, 5705 Kavanaugh Blvd.: “Religious art,” paintings by Louis Beck, through December. 660-4006. M2 GALLERY, Pleasant Ridge Town Center: Mother-daughter exhibit of found-art sculpture by Anita Davis and works on paper honoring Ghana artist El Anatsui by Betsy Davis, through December. 225-6257 or 944-7155.

ARTISTS’ WORKSHOP GALLERY, 610a Central Ave.: Watercolors by Terry O’Dell, paintings by Christine Lippert. 501-623-6401. BLUE MOON GALLERY, 718 Central Ave.: Work by Suzi Dennis , Caren Garner, Randall M. Good and Thad Flenniken. 501-318-2787. FINE ARTS CENTER OF HOT SPRINGS, 626 Central Ave.: “2013 National Diamond Art Competition,” juror Katherine Strause, through Feb. 1. 501-624-0489. GALLERY CENTRAL, 800 Central Ave.: Glass by James Hayes. JUSTUS FINE ART, 827 Central Ave.: Work by Dolores Justus and others. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sat. 501-321-2335. PERRYVILLE SUDS GALLERY, Courthouse Square: Paintings by Dottie Morrissey, Alma Gipson, Al Garrett Jr., Phyllis Loftin, Alene Otts, Mauretta Frantz, Raylene Finkbeiner, Kathy Williams and Evelyn Garrett. Noon-6 p.m. Wed.-Fri, noon-4 p.m. Sat. 501-766-7584.

BENTON DIANNE ROBERTS ART STUDIO AND GALLERY, 110 N. Market St.: Work by Chad Oppenhuizen, Dan McRaven, Gretchen Hendricks, Rachel Carroccio, Kenny Roberts, Taylor Bellott, Jim Cooper and Sue Moore. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Wed.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. 860-7467.

ARKANSAS INLAND MARITIME MUSEUM, North Little Rock: 371-8320. ARKANSAS SPORTS HALL OF FAME MUSEUM, Verizon Arena, NLR: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 663-4328. CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL MUSEUM VISITOR CENTER, Bates and Park: Exhibits on the 1957 desegregation of Central and the civil rights movement. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily. 374-1957. CLINTON PRESIDENTIAL CENTER, 1200 President Clinton Ave.: Permanent exhibits on the Clinton administration. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. $7 adults; $5 college students, seniors, retired military; $3 ages 6-17. 370-8000. ESSE, 1510 S. Main St.: “What’s Inside: A Century of Women and Handbags (19001999),” purses from the collection of Anita Davis, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tue.-Sun., $10-$8. 9169022. HISTORIC ARKANSAS MUSEUM, 200 E. 3rd St.: “A Sure Defense: The Bowie Knife in America,” through June 22; “Dream and Imagery Entailed: Kerrick Hartman and LaToya Hobbs,” sculpture and printmaking, through Feb. 9; “Heeding the Call: The Firefighter Collection of Johnny Reep,” through Jan. 5; “Jason A. Smith: Stills”; “Arkansas Made,” ongoing. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 324-9351. MacARTHUR MUSEUM OF ARKANSAS M I L I TA R Y H I S T O R Y , M a c A r t h u r Park: “American Posters of World War I”; permanent exhibits. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-4 p.m. Sun. 376-4602. MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY, 500 President Clinton Ave.: “Robots and Us,” interactive exhibit on robotics, through Jan. 26; “Wiggle Worms,” science program for pre-K children 10 a.m.-10:30 a.m. every Tue., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun., $10 ages 13 and older, $8 ages 1-12, free to members and children under 1. 396-7050. OLD STATE HOUSE MUSEUM, 300 W. Markham: “Lights! Camera! Arkansas!”, the state’s ties to Hollywood, including costumes, scripts, film footage, photographs and more, through March 1, 2015; “Things You Need to Hear: Memories of Growing up in Arkansas from 1890 to 1980,” oral histories about community, family, work, school and leisure, through March 2014. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 324-9685. CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

BENTONVILLE CRYSTAL BRIDGES MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART, One Museum Way: “The Artists’ Eye,” Georgia O’Keeffe and Alfred Stieglitz collection, including works by O’Keeffe, Stieglitz, Arthur Dove, John Marin and others, shared collection with Fisk University, through Feb. 3; “This Land: Picturing a Changing America in the 1930s and 1940s,” 44 paintings, prints and photographs with digital audio tour featuring musical selections by Fayetteville Roots Festival director Bryan Hembree, through Jan. 6; permanent collection of American masterworks spanning four centuries. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon., Thu.; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Wed., Fri.; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 479-418-5700. CALICO ROCK CALICO ROCK ARTISTS COOPERATIVE, Hwy. 5 at White River Bridge: Paintings, photographs, jewelry, fiber art, wood, ceramics and other crafts. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tue.-Thu., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun. calicorocket.org/artists. FAYETTEVILLE BOTTLE ROCKET GALLERY, 1495 Finger Road: “Makeshift Theatre,” photographs by Logan Rollins. 479-466-7406. FORT SMITH REGIONAL ART MUSEUM, 1601 Rogers Ave.: “RE: History,” 25 two- and three-dimensional works by James Volkert, through Feb. 16. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Thu.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 479784-2787. HARRISON ARTISTS OF THE OZARKS, 124 ½ N. Willow St.: Work by Amelia Renkel, Ann Graffy, Christy Dillard, Helen McAllister, Sandy Williams and D. Savannah George. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thu.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun. 870-429-1683. HOT SPRINGS 28

DECEMBER 26, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

ONGOING MUSEUM EXHIBITS

www.arktimes.com

SEPTEMBER 19, 2013

ART NOTES

A passion for the portrait A “Face to Face” encounter with Curtis Finch. BY LESLIE NEWELL PEACOCK

DECEMBER 26, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

BRIAN CHILSON

urtis Finch Jr. is passionate about the Arkansas Arts Center’s mission to have a premier collection of works on paper. These artists, he said, gesturing to the works on the wall in the “Face to Face: Artists’ SelfPortraits from the Collection of Jackye and Curtis Finch Jr.” exhibition at the Arts Center, could one day take a place in history alongside Old Masters or French Impressionists, and contemporary work is the way the Arts Center can make a name for itself. The Arts Center is lucky that Finch feels that way, since one day it will be the recipient of Finch’s personal collection of works on paper, which now numbers in the 400s. “Face to Face” is a huge, splendid assemblage of self-portraits, a genre Finch became interested in the past 10 years or so. Like many of Little Rock’s collectors, Finch became deeply interested in art after he joined the Arts Center’s board of trustees. Former Director Townsend Wolfe, who guided the Arts Center for 30 years, made works on paper the focus of the institution’s collection and created the annual “Collectors Show and Sale,” which is in its 45th edition this year. He brought art dealers in to meet with the Arts Center’s Collectors group and led the group’s members on tours of New York galleries, making art lovers out of them. Finch was in the group. “I started buying one here and there and before long I was hooked,” he said. Some of the portraits in the show, Finch noted, are straightforward, like Stephen Assael’s colored pencil on paper of the artist in a cap turned backward. “And some are like Warren Criswell’s,” he said, smiling and pointing to the Arkansas artist’s “Man Pissing,” in which Criswell is up against a wall, frowning over his shoulder at us, the onlookers. There are disturbing works here, such as Melissa Cooke’s “The Between Spaces: Muffled,” a huge surreal graphite drawing of her head in a translucent bag that deforms her face into a triangle and suggests suffocation. The work is paired — as are all the works

FINCH

in the show, as an organizational strategy — with Ian Ingram’s gigantic portrait of his bearded face, a hyperrealistic drawing in one sense — every pore, every hair in his beard, the imprint of his irises are stunning — but Ingram has made the chin huge and the forehead small, thus the name of the work, “Easter Island.” Evelyn Embrey’s portrait of herself as Medusa, snakes emerging from her gray mane, is certainly unsettling (“Jackye hates that one,” Finch says); Jules Kirschenbaum’s cratered face is not easy to look at and the gestalt of China Marks’ collage (“Life in Ancient China”) is difficult. Which means you may not look at them long, but you will return to them again and again. Alex Queral’s self-portrait was among several Finch commissioned; it is a bas relief, carved from the pages of a telephone book. Ellen Eagle, another commission, tried to paint herself at the easel but decided that the stance she makes when she looks at her work was the better picture; the result is a striking study in blue and pale green pastel on pumice board. John Falato, who is 73 and a landscape artist, created for Finch a pale graphite drawing of himself as a young man in the woods, emerging from the leaf litter. Nicola Hicks’ elegant charcoal on brown paper self-portrait, her expression imperious, her head in a funny wool

FACE IN THE CROWD: Melissa Cooke’s “The Between Spaces: Muffled” is in the Arts Center’s “Face to Face” exhibit.

hat, her coat flowing from her shoulders, is a knockout. There are artists here whose drawing is miraculous — like James Valerio, Bill Admundson (paired with a fine Susan Hauptman), Gregory Pacquette, Victor Koulbak and Aj Smith (the last two paired silverpoints), to name but a few. Not all the portraits are by living artists; there is a stunning crayon and pastel self-portrait by Moses Soyer and, for good measure, a pencil self-portrait by his twin brother, Raphael. Paul Cadmus’ self-portrait, “The New Bridge,” separates the artist’s choppers from the rest of the portrait; it is paired with a toothbaring Sigmund Abeles. Finch has relied on Wolfe and longtime Arts Center registrar Thom Hall, who is also represented in the show, to help build his collection. “I would call them, say ‘How do you like this?

What do you think of this?’ I had lots of noes,” he said. He hasn’t regretted any of his purchases, he said; he has regretted some things he was outbid for at auction. Finch emphasized the assistance Hall has given in the past several years to his collecting and Wolfe’s “dedication to drawings”; he hopes current and future administrators will appreciate Wolfe’s wisdom and continue to build the permanent collection. There are 118 works in this show, enough to meet the hungriest desire to look artists in the face. What they know about themselves is deliciously presented to us to ponder and place in the human experience. An excellent catalog, dedicated to Wolfe and written by University of Arkansas at Little Rock gallery director Brad Cushman, is available for purchase in the Museum Store. The exhibition runs through Feb. 9.

Hey, do this!

january FUN!

DEC 31

Food, Music, Entertainment and everything else that’s

Happy New Year! Designated drivers deserve more than a pat on the back for keeping

the night safe and responsible. Make sure you’ve got one. Or you can always call a cab at 501-222-2222.

JAN 2

Shop ‘n Sip takes place

DEC 31

Celebrate New Year’s Eve with The Rockets and Kat-Man-Du at the Embassy Suites Little Rock. Tickets available for $50 dollars. Cash Bar, party favors and champagne toast at Midnight. Call 501-312-9000 for more information.

JAN 10

Today marks the deadline for the Arkansas Times Readers Choice Awards. Nominate your favorite restaurants online at www. arktimes.com/readerschoice14.

2nd Friday Art Night takes place in downtown Little Rock. Arkansas Times photographer Brian Chilson’s work will be on display at the Historic Arkansas Museum. “Valerie June” by Brian Chilson

in Little Rock’s beloved Hillcrest neighborhood. Shops and galleries stay open late and offer wine and hors d’oeuvres while you browse.

Jan. 9

Ashley McBryde headlines for the first LIVE AT LAMAN concert for 2014. Live at Laman is a musical series held the second Thursday of every month at Laman Library in North Little Rock. All concerts begin at 7 p.m. and are free. Visit lamanlibrary.org for more information.

JAN 14-FEB 8

Mama Won’t Fly opens

at Murry’s Dinner Playhouse. This Southern comedy follows Savannah Sprunt Fairchild Honeycutt as she drives her feisty mother from Alabama to California for her brother’s wedding. For tickets and show times, visit www.murrysdp.com.

JAN 14-16

Winner of ten Tony Awards, including best musical, Hello, Dolly! comes to Robinson Center Music Hall. Presented by Celebrity Attractions, the Broadway classic stars Emmy Award winner Sally Struthers as the strongwilled matchmaker, Dolly, as she travels to Yonkers, NY, to find a match for the ornery Horace Vandergelder. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. each night. Tickets are $16-$47 and available online at www.celebrityattractions.com.

JAN 16

I.N.C., the Intimate Neighbors Concert Series, brings the Arkansas

Symphony Orchestra to unique spaces around Little Rock. The show, featuring the works of Dvorak, Vanhal and Mozart, begins at 7 p.m. at St. James United Methodist Church. This month, the symphony also presents Bohemian Rhapsody, Jan. 25-26 at Robinson Center Music Hall, and Dvorak’s Piano Trio, Jan. 28 at the Clinton Presidential Center. For tickets, visit www.arkansassymphony.org. Boutiques and galleries stay open late for third thursday in the Heights. Pop into your favorite places, and enjoy light bites and drinks while you shop.

JAN 17

Argenta Art Walk takes place in

downtown North Little Rock’s Argenta district. Stroll down Main Street to view works by talented local artists.

JAN 24-FEB 9

It’s opening night of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre’s production of Clybourne Park, a bitingly funny and fiercely provocative play about race and real estate. It is the winner of the 2011 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for best play. For tickets and show times, visit www.therep.org.

JAN 24-25

Verizon Arena hosts Monster Jam 2014. The action starts at 7:30 p.m. with a Party in the Pits from 4:30-6:15. Fans can view the trucks up close and meet the drivers before the show. For tickets, visit www.verizonarena.com or call 501975-9000.

JAN 30

Sticky Fingerz hosts round one of the Arkansas Times

Musicians Showcase. Four local bands will compete for a chance to move on to the next round. Stay tuned to www. arktimes.com/showcase for details.

JAN 31

It’s your last chance to catch

“Things You Need to Hear: Memories of Growing Up in Arkansas” at the Old State

House Museum. The exhibit explores oral histories of regular folks from 1890-1980. Admission is free.

AFTER DARK, CONT. WITT STEPHENS JR. CENTRAL ARKANSAS NATURE CENTER, Riverfront Park: Exhibits on wildlife and the state Game and Fish Commission. CALICO ROCK CALICO ROCK MUSEUM, Main Street: Displays on Native American cultures, steamboats, the railroad, and local history. www. calicorockmuseum.com. ENGLAND TOLTEC MOUNDS STATE PARK, State Hwy. 165: Major prehistoric Indian site with visitorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; center and museum. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., noon-5 p.m. Sun., closed Mon. $3 for adults, $2 for ages 6-12. 961-9442. FORT SMITH REGIONAL ART MUSEUM, 1601 Rogers Ave.: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Winslow Homer and the American Pictorial Press,â&#x20AC;? 50 engravings for newspapers, through Jan. 5. 479-434-5955. JACKSONVILLE JACKSONVILLE MUSEUM OF MILITARY HISTORY, 100 Veterans Circle: Exhibits on D-Day; F-105, Vietnam era plane (â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Thudâ&#x20AC;?); the Civil War Battle of Reedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bridge, Arkansas Ordnance Plant (AOP) and other military history. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. $3 adults; $2 seniors, military; $1 students. 501-241-1943. JONESBORO ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY MUSEUM, 320 University Loop West Circle: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Shaping Our World,â&#x20AC;? science exhibit developed by

Arkansas Discovery Network, through Feb. 16, 2014. 870-972-2074. MORRILTON MUSEUM OF AUTOMOBILES, Petit Jean Mountain: Permanent exhibit of more than 50 cars from 1904-1967 depicting the evolution of the automobile. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 7 days. 501-727-5427. POTTSVILLE POTTS INN, 25 E. Ash St.: Preserved 1850s stagecoach station on the Butterfield Overland Mail Route, with period furnishings, log structures, hat museum, doll museum, doctorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office, antique farm equipment. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wed.-Sat. $5 adults, $2 students, 5 and under free. 479-9689369. ROGERS ROGERS HISTORICAL MUSEUM, 322 S. Second St.: â&#x20AC;&#x153;An Old World Christmas,â&#x20AC;? guided tours in decorated historic house, through Jan. 4; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Art from the Earth: A Pottery Exhibit,â&#x20AC;? prehistoric, historic and contemporary ceramics, through Feb. 22. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 479-621-1154. SCOTT PLANTATION AGRICULTURE MUSEUM, U.S. 165 S and Hwy. 161: Artifacts and interactive exhibits on farming in the Arkansas Delta. $3 adults, $2 ages 6-12. Open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 501-961-1409. SCOTT PLANTATION SETTLEMENT: 1840s log cabin, one-room school house, tenant houses, smokehouse and artifacts on plantation life. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thu.-Sat. 351-0300. www.scottconnections.org.Â

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Tune In!

This show will be broadcast on KUAR Thursday, January 9th at 7:00 p.m. 32

DECEMBER 26, 2013

ARKANSASâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;TIMES

MOVIE REVIEW

Back in Burgundy The laughs occasionally continue in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Anchormanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sequel. BY SAM EIFLING

ince graduating from â&#x20AC;&#x153;Saturday Night Liveâ&#x20AC;? 11 years ago, Will Ferrell has built the sort of ubiquity that few, if any, other former sketch comedians have achieved, and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s done it by aiming at a low-to-middle brow audience that, unlike Adam Sandlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, has at least learned how to breath through its nostrils. The sudden and sustained popularity of Funny Or Die, the website he founded with Adam McKay, has helped, as have his turns in some surprise breakout one-off hits: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Elf,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Talladega Nights.â&#x20AC;? (If you remember nothing else of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Old School,â&#x20AC;? you can recall Ferrell jogging down a darkened street wearing only a pair of sneakers.) His approach to comedy follows suit. Loud, obnoxious, ridiculous and self-effacing, Ferrell stakes his dignity, if not his very life, on being funny. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Anchorman 2: The Legend Continuesâ&#x20AC;? is Ferrellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first sequel, following the slow-boil cult success of 2004â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy,â&#x20AC;? whose legend only seemed to grow over the years. Its built on catchphrases, Ferrellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blithely cheeseball titular San Diego news anchor and a sense of humor that falls somewhere between Dada and slapstick. Only a handful of yurt-dwellers on the Mongolian steppes and long-term coma patients could have dodged the run-up to the sequel. For the past nine months, beginning with a turn as Burgundy on Conan Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien, Ferrell has been traipsing around North America in-character, playing Burgundy on actual telecasts of actual television shows plenty glad to turn into an infomercial for a dippy comedy in return for â&#x20AC;&#x201D; something, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not sure. The chance to host a piece of performance art and get more Twitter mentions, surely. The suspicion after seeing â&#x20AC;&#x153;Anchorman 2â&#x20AC;? is that aside from plugging his movie, Ferrell has been punking the media. Ferrell wrote the script with McKay, who directs again. They put Burgundy with his local news team (Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, David Koechner) in New York in 1980 for the dawn of the cable news era, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s none too kind to that medium. Burgundyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s early revelation that he could tell people what they want to see, rather than what they need to see, leads to a ratings coup off of cute-animal stories,

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ANCHORMAN 2â&#x20AC;&#x2122;: Will Ferrell stars.

trumped-up weather reports, sports highlight reels composed entirely of home runs, and reflexive patriotism that devolves instantly into jingoistic flattery. The oft-quoted signoff â&#x20AC;&#x153;Stay classy, San Diegoâ&#x20AC;? has evolved to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Have an American night,â&#x20AC;? to ratings that make Burgundy the king of the city. But preachy, it ainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Anchorman 2â&#x20AC;? holds true to Ferrellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kamikaze approach to the form, careening through gag after gag, mostly to decent effect, and lingering on the duds long enough to own them. Burgundy has to overcome his trepidation at working under a woman of color (Meagan Good), and his shaky relationship with his young son (Judah Nelson). Neither of these storylines is quite worth the time devoted to it, and in the case of Burgundyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s continued blithering the word â&#x20AC;&#x153;blackâ&#x20AC;? at his boss, it goes from funny-because-itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s-offensive to plain olâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; unfunny in a cringe-worthy hurry. Amid the lulls, though, are moments of such sublime idiocy that you cannot stay mad. Kristen Wiig is a bright spot as Carellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s equally idiotic love interest. The reprise of the first movieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s epic battle scene is a lunatic circus of shameless TV jokes. If the movie lumbers at times, it also slings more giggles than just about any other big release this year. Funny, yes â&#x20AC;&#x201D; but you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t exactly die laughing.

2014 ARKANSAS TIMES

MUSICIANS SHOWC A SE C A S H PRI Z E TO W I N N I N G BA N D!

The search is on. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the return of the annual Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase with performers competing for an array of prizes. All acts that have at least four songs of original material are encouraged to enter. All styles are welcome. ARKTIMES.COM/SHOWCASE

Deadline for Entry DECEMBER 30 2014 PRIZE PACKAGE CASH PRIZE CELEBRATION PARTY AT STICKYZ DRINK NAMED AFTER THE WINNER PLUS MUCH, MUCH MORE!

2013 Winner The Sound of the Mountain

ARK ANSA S TIMES MUSICIANS SHOWC A SE ENTRY FORM

Semifinalists will compete throughout January and February at Stickyz.

NAME OF BAND

Weekly winners will then face off in the finals at the Rev Room in March.

HOMETOWN

SEND THIS ENTRY AND DEMO CD TO:

DATE BAND WAS FORMED AGE RANGE OF MEMBERS (ALL AGES WELCOME)

CONTACT PERSON

Enter online and upload your music files at showcase.arktimes.com

ADDRESS CITY, STATE, ZIP PHONE

Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase PO BOX 34010, Little Rock, AR 72203

E-MAIL

For more info e-mail tiffanyholland@arktimes.com

Dining WHAT’S COOKIN’ LE POPS, the ice cream lollipop shop, has left Le River Market but not the menus on Little Rock restaurants. Proprietor and ice cream-maker Laurie Harrison has a cooking space and her lollies will still be sold at the Argenta Market, both Pizza Cafe restaurants, All Aboard Restaurant and Grill, the Little Rock Climbing Center and Hillcrest Artisan Meats. If you’d like to order up some lollies, call Harrison at 313-9558 and “we’ll work something out,” she said. She is looking for a retail spot and welcomes suggestions. Jay’s Pizza will take over the LePops space, in the northwest corner of Ottenheimer Hall.

DINING CAPSULES

LITTLE ROCK/ N. LITTLE ROCK

AMERICAN

1620 SAVOY Fine dining in a swank space. The scallops are especially nice. 1620 Market St. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-221-1620. D Mon.-Sat. ADAMS CATFISH & CATERING Catering company with carry-out restaurant in Little Rock and carry-out trailers in Russellville and Perryville. 215 N. Cross St. All CC. $-$$. 501-3744265. LD Tue.-Fri. ALL ABOARD RESTAURANT & GRILL Burgers, catfish, chicken tenders and such in this trainthemed restaurant, where an elaborately engineered mini-locomotive delivers patrons meals. 6813 Cantrell Road. No alcohol. 501-975-7401. LD daily. ALLEY OOPS The restaurant at Creekwood Plaza (near the Kanis-Bowman intersection) is a neighborhood feedbag for major medical institutions with the likes of plate lunches, burgers and homemade desserts. Remarkable Chess Pie. 11900 Kanis Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-221-9400. LD Mon.-Sat. ASHER DAIRY BAR An old-line dairy bar that serves up made-to-order burgers, foot-long “Royal” hotdogs and old-fashioned shakes and malts. 7105 Colonel Glenn Road. No alcohol, No CC, CC. $-$$. 501-562-1085. BLD Mon.-Sat., D Fri.-Sat. ATHLETIC CLUB What could be mundane fare gets delightful twists and embellishments here. 11301 Financial Centre Parkway. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-312-9000. LD daily. B-SIDE The little breakfast place in the former party room of Lilly’s DimSum Then Some turns tradition on its ear, offering French toast wrapped in bacon on a stick, a must-have dish called “biscuit mountain” and beignets with lemon curd. 11121 Rodney Parham Road. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-716-2700. B-BR Sat.-Sun. BAR LOUIE This chain’s first Arkansas outlet features a something-for-everybody menu so broad and varied to be almost schizophrenic. 11525 Cantrell Road, Suite 924. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-228-0444. LD daily. 34

DECEMBER 26, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

sausage with marinara sauce. These house-made links are sliced in half and grilled until tender, retaining a nice snap in their outer casing. The tangy marinara makes an excellent counterpoint to the sausage.

MIGHTY FINE SAUSAGE: Italian sausage with marinara from Bruno’s Little Italy.

Best bites

Five favorites from 2013.

his year has been kind to us foodloving folk. It’s a year that’s been filled with exciting restaurant openings, innovative menus and a collaborative effort within the Arkansas culinary landscape to push local food, supporting our own farms, dairies, and orchards. It’s been a year that has allowed the fruits of the farmers market to make its way to the center of the dinner plate, and a year that has seen a steady flow of artisanal producers and craftsmen venturing out to bring something new to our food scene. We’ve been fortunate to sample many delightful dishes this year, and we’ve choked down our share of less than stellar meals as well. There are always those meals that stand out in our minds, lingering around in those pleasure centers of the brain. Here we present five favorite bites of 2013. See an expanded list on Eat Arkansas.

grits and pickled pepper chow chow — the latter providing a delightful sour and slightly sweet note to the richness elsewhere on the plate. Bell has recently served the trotters alongside corn grits and brussels sprouts kraut. Table 28’s Tongue and Cheek: This dish is exactly as advertised — beef tongue and beef cheek. Sure, it’s whimsical and a bit adventurous, and it’s become chef Scott Rains’ signature item for good reason — it’s simply outstanding. Some magical force binds and blends the two cuts of beef into a single harmonious, savory offering that Rains tops with crispy fried leeks and horseradish cream and finishes with a handful of baby greens. Perhaps it’s because Rains slow cooks the beef nearly all day in red wine that the meat is so tender it nearly falls apart if you so much as breathe on it.

South on Main’s trotters: To the faint of heart, you’re just going to have to get past the fact that these are pigs’ feet. Don’t dwell on all the unsavory things that the pig may have been trotting around in and just put this stuff in your mouth — one bite and all trepidation will melt away. South on Main’s trotters have seen a couple different preparations since their opening, but they’re always one of the most memorable parts of a meal here. Tender, succulent pork forms the base of this dish. Chef Matthew Bell has paired it with creamy rice

Bruno’s Little Italy’s Italian Sausages with Marinara: The Bruno family is no stranger to long-time Little Rock diners, but their most recent revival on Main Street may well be their most successful venture yet. The Brunos have been serving Italian fare for more than 60 years, and if you’ve been dishing out pasta and pizza for that long, you’re bound know how to do a few things right. Bruno’s is the sort of place where every diner is likely to find a special dish that speaks to them personally. We’re enthralled with Bruno’s spicy Italian

Fonda Mexican Cuisine’s Queso Fundido: Fonda may be the most unexpected and surprising superlative of the year. It’s battling a rather difficult location, hidden away in a Bowman Road shopping center. But since our first visit, we’ve found that Fonda is no run-ofthe-mill Mexican experience. Our love for the place is perfectly embodied in Fonda’s glorious queso fundido. You’ve eaten buckets of cheese dip in your lifetime, but this is not your standard yellow-orange goo. This dish takes a heaping mound of soft, white Chihuahua cheese and throws it on a scorching hot cast iron plate. The cheese quickly melts, bubbling and brewing, taunting you to take a bite. Diners may add spicy chorizo or Poblano peppers and mushrooms. We typically choose chorizo, but either way, it’s a slam-dunk dish. Scoop up the hot cheese and add to Fonda’s soft, freshly prepared flour tortillas — divine. Mylo Coffee Co.’s Kouign Amann: If ever a single menu item has developed what might be considered a cult following in Little Rock, the kouign amann (pronounced queen a-mahn) from Mylo Coffee Co. would be it. Devotees line up in the wee hours of the morning — even before Mylo opens for business at the Hillcrest Farmer’s Market — to ensure that they’ll be able to get their sweet and sugary fix for the weekend. Oftentimes, the kouign amann sell out within half an hour. Still, we’ve managed to eat many throughout 2013, and we’ll stand by our claim that you will not find a finer pastry in Central Arkansas. A simple examination of the composition of a kouign amann speaks volumes: dozens of thin sheets of dough, rolled out and folded back onto each other, with a layer of butter and sugar interlaced between each one. When baked, the kouign amann gain a soft, gooey bottom half where the sugars have melted and pooled, and a crisp, caramelized top half. If pastry perfection were ever possible, the kouign amann comes about as close as we’ve ever witnessed.

Information in our restaurant capsules reflects the opinions of the newspaper staff and its reviewers. The newspaper accepts no advertising or other considerations in exchange for reviews, which are conducted anonymously. We invite the opinions of readers who think we are in error.

BIG WHISKEY’S AMERICAN BAR AND GRILL A modern grill pub in the River Market with all the bells and whistles - 30 flat screen TVs, whiskey on tap, plus boneless wings, burgers, steaks, soups and salads. 225 E Markham St. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-324-2449. LD daily. BOBBY’S COUNTRY COOKIN’ One of the better plate lunch spots in the area, with some of the best fried chicken and pot roast around, a changing daily casserole and wonderful homemade pies. 301 N. Shackleford Road, Suite E1. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-224-9500. L Mon.-Fri. BOGIE’S BAR AND GRILL The former Bennigan’s retains a similar theme: a menu filled with burgers, salads and giant desserts, plus a few steak, fish and chicken main courses. There are big screen TVs for sports fans and lots to drink, more reason to return than the food. 120 W. Pershing Blvd. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-812-0019. D daily. BOOKENDS CAFE A great spot to enjoy lunch with friends or a casual cup of coffee and a favorite book. Serving coffee and pastries early and sandwiches, soups and salads available after 11 a.m. Cox Creative Center. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501- 918-3091. BL Mon.-Sat. THE BOX Cheeseburgers and french fries are greasy and wonderful and not like their fastfood cousins. 1023 W. Seventh St. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-372-8735. L Mon.-Fri. BUFFALO GRILL A great crispy-off-the-griddle cheeseburger and hand-cut fries star at this family-friendly stop. 1611 Rebsamen Park Road. Full bar, CC. $$. 501-296-9535. LD daily. CAFE 5501 New American cuisine in sleek setting. 5501 Kavanaugh Blvd. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-603-0080. LD Mon.-Sat., B Sat.-Sun. CAFE 201 The hotel restaurant in the Crowne Plaza serves up a nice lunch buffet. 201 S. Shackleford Road. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-2233000. BLD Mon.-Sat., BR Sun. CATFISH CITY AND BBQ GRILL Basic fried fish and sides, including green tomato pickles, and now with tasty ribs and sandwiches in beef, pork and sausage. 1817 S. University Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-663-7224. LD Tue.-Sat. CHEERS IN THE HEIGHTS Good burgers and sandwiches, vegetarian offerings and salads at lunch and fish specials, and good steaks in the evening. 2010 N. Van Buren. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-663-5937. LD Mon.-Sat. 1901 Club Manor Drive. Maumelle. Full bar, All CC. 501-851-6200. LD daily, BR Sun. CHICKEN KING Arguably Central Arkansas’s best wings. 5213 W 65th St. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-562-5573. LD Mon.-Sat. CHICKEN WANG & CAFE Regular, barbecue, spicy, lemon, garlic pepper, honey mustard and Buffalo wings. Open late. 8320 Colonel Glenn Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-562-1303. LD Mon.-Sat. COLD STONE CREAMERY This national chain takes a base flavor (everything from Sweet Cream to Chocolate Cake Batter) and adds your choice of ingredients or a combination of ingredients it calls a Creation. Cold Stone also serves up a variety of ice cream cakes and cupcakes. 12800 Chenal Parkway. No alcohol, All CC. $. 501-225-7000. LD daily. CORNERSTONE PUB & GRILL A sandwich,

BELLY UP

B Breakfast L Lunch D Dinner $ Inexpensive (under $8/person) $$ Moderate ($8-$20/person) $$$ Expensive (over $20/person) CC Accepts credit cards

pizza and beer joint in the heart of North Little Rock’s Argenta district. 314 Main St. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-374-1782. LD Mon.-Sat. CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE Chain-style home-cooking with plenty of variety, consistency and portions. Multiple locations statewide. 3101 Springhill Dr. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. (501) 945-9373. BLD daily. DAVE AND RAY’S DOWNTOWN DINER Breakfast buffet daily featuring biscuits and gravy, home fries, sausage and made-to-order omelets. Lunch buffet with four choices of meats and eight veggies. 824 W. Capitol Ave. No alcohol. $. 501-372-8816. BL Mon.-Fri. DAVID’S BURGERS Serious hamburgers, steak salads, homemade custard. 101 S. Bowman Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-227-8333. LD Mon.-Sat. 1100 Highway 65 N. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. (501) 327-3333 4000 McCain Blvd. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-353-0387. LD Mon.-Sat. E’S BISTRO Despite the name, think tearoom rather than bistro — there’s no wine, for one thing, and there is tea. But there’s nothing tearoomy about the portions here. Try the heaping grilled salmon BLT on a buttery croissant. 3812 JFK Boulevard. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-771-6900. L Tue.-Sun., D Thu.-Sat. FLIGHT DECK A not-your-typical daily lunch special highlights this spot, which also features inventive sandwiches, salads and a popular burger. Central Flying Service at Adams Field. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-975-9315. BL Mon.-Sat. HILLCREST ARTISAN MEATS A fancy charcuterie and butcher shop with excellent daily soup and sandwich specials. Limited seating is available. 2807 Kavanaugh Blvd. Suite B. No alcohol, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-671-6328. L Mon.-Sat. THE HOP DINER The downtown incarnation of the old dairy bar, with excellent burgers, onion rings, shakes, daily specials and breakfast. 201 E. Markham. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-2440975. JASON’S DELI A huge selection of sandwiches (wraps, subs, po’ boys and pitas), salads and spuds, as well as red beans and rice and chicken pot pie. Plus a large selection of heart healthy and light dishes. 301 N. Shackleford Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-954-8700. BLD daily. JIMMY JOHN’S GOURMET SANDWICHES Illinois-based sandwich chain that doesn’t skimp on what’s between the buns. 4120 E. McCain Blvd. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-945-9500. LD daily. 700 South Broadway St. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-372-1600. LD daily.

Check out the Times’ food blog, Eat Arkansas arktimes.com

KITCHEN EXPRESS Delicious “meat and three” restaurant offering big servings of homemade soul food. Maybe Little Rock’s best fried chicken. 4600 Asher Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-666-3500. BLD Mon.-Sat., LD Sun. LASSIS INN One of the state’s oldest restaurants still in the same location and one of the best for catfish and buffalo fish. 518 E 27th St. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-372-8714. LD Tue.-Sat. LONE STAR STEAKHOUSE AND SALOON Dark imitation roadhouse, with cowboy paraphernalia and the soft glow of beer signs. Cowboys will feel at home with the beef, which is good enough, but more like range beef than the rich, marbled stuff of high-dollar steakhouses. Big salads, too. 10901 N. Rodney Parham Road. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-227-8898. LD daily. MADDIE’S PLACE If you like your catfish breaded Cajun-style, your grits rich with garlic and cream and your oysters fried up in perfect puffs, this Cajun eatery on Rebsamen Park Road is the place for you. 1615 Rebsamen Park Road. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-660-4040. LD Tue.-Sat. MARIE’S MILFORD TRACK II Healthy and tasty are the key words at this deli/grill, featuring hot entrees, soups, sandwiches, salads and killer desserts. 9813 W Markham St. No alcohol, CC. $-$$. 501-225-4500. BL Mon.-Sat. MASON’S DELI AND GRILL Heaven for those who believe everything is better with sauerkraut on top. The Bavarian Reuben, a traditional reuben made with Boar’s Head corned beef, spicy mustard, sauerkraut, Muenster cheese and marble rye, is among the best we’ve had in town. 400 Clinton Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-376-3354. LD Mon.-Sat. MIMI’S CAFE Breakfast is our meal of choice here at this upscale West Coast chain. Portions are plenty to last you through the afternoon, especially if you get a muffin on the side. Middle-America comfort-style entrees make-up other meals, from pot roast to pasta dishes. 11725 Chenal Parkway. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-221-3883. BLD daily, BR Sun. MORNINGSIDE BAGELS Tasty New York-style boiled bagels, made daily. 10848 Maumelle Blvd. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-7536960. BL daily. NEWK’S EXPRESS CAFE Gourmet sandwiches, salads and pizzas. 4317 Warden Road. NLR. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-753-8559. LD daily. ORANGE LEAF YOGURT Upscale self-serve national yogurt chain. 11525 Cantrell Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-227-4522. LD daily. PACKET HOUSE GRILL Owner/chef Wes Ellis

New Year’s Eve Dining & Music! TOAST TOWN OF THE

RUNNER-UP

BRUNCH Sat & Sun, 10-2 LUNCH Mon-Fri, 11-2 DINNER Mon-Sat, 5:30-9:30 LIVE MUSIC in the Bar Mon-Sat Nights 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd • Little Rock • 501.663.1196 • afterthoughtbistroandbar.com

delivers the goods with an up-to-date take on sophisticated Southern cuisine served up in a stunning environment that dresses up the historic house with a modern, comfortable feel. 1406 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-372-1578. D Tue.-Sat. RED MANGO National yogurt and smoothie chain whose appeal lies in adjectives like “allnatural,” “non-fat,” “gluten-free” and “probiotic.” 5621 Kavanaugh Blvd. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-663-2500. LD daily. SADDLE CREEK WOODFIRED GRILL Upscale chain dining in Lakewood, with a menu full of appetizers, burgers, chicken, fish and other fare. It’s the smoke-kissed steaks, however, that make it a winner — even in Little Rock’s beef-heavy restaurant market. 2703 Lakewood Village. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-812-0883. SIMPLY NAJIYYAH’S FISHBOAT & MORE Good catfish and corn fritters. 1717 Wright Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-562-3474. LD Tue.-Sat. SLICK’S SANDWICH SHOP & DELI Meatand-two plate lunches in state office building. 101 E. Capitol Ave. No alcohol. 501-375-3420. BL Mon.-Fri. SPECTATORS GRILL AND PUB Burgers, soups, salads and other beer food, plus live music on weekends. 1012 W. 34th St. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-791-0990. LD Mon.-Sat. SPORTS PAGE One of the largest, juiciest, most flavorful burgers in town. Grilled turkey and hot cheese on sourdough gets praise, too. Now with lunch specials. 414 Louisiana St. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-372-9316. LD Mon.-Fri. STARVING ARTIST CAFE All kinds of crepes, served as entrees or as dessert, in this cozy multidimensional eatery with art-packed walls and live demonstrations by artists during meals. The Black Forest ham sandwich is a perennial favorite with the lunch crowd. Dinner menu changes daily, good wine list. “Tales from the South” dinner and readings at on Tuesdays; live music precedes the show. 411 N. Main St. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-372-7976. L Tue.-Sat., D Tue., Fri.-Sat. SUFFICIENT GROUNDS Great coffee, good bagels and pastries, and a limited lunch menu. 124 W. Capitol. No alcohol, CC. $. 501-372-1009. BL Mon.-Fri. 425 W. Capitol. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-372-4594. BL Mon.-Fri. SUGIE’S Catfish and all the trimmings. 4729 Baseline Road. No alcohol, All CC. $. 501-5700414. LD daily. T.G.I. FRIDAY’S This national chain was on the verge of stale before a redo not long ago, and the update has done wonders for the food as well as the surroundings. The lunch combos are a great deal, and the steaks aren’t bad. It’s designed for the whole family, and succeeds. Appetizers and desserts are always good. 2820 Lakewood Village Drive,. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-758-2277. LD daily. THE TAVERN SPORTS GRILL Burgers, barbecue and more. 17815 Chenal Parkway. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-830-2100. LD daily. TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE Smoothies, sandwiches and salads in an art deco former YMCA. 524 Broadway St. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 246-3145. BLD Mon.-Fri. (closes at 6 p.m.) CONTINUED ON PAGE 36 www.arktimes.com

DECEMBER 26, 2013

DINING CAPSULES, CONT. 10221 N. Rodney Parham Road. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-224-2233. BLD daily 12911 Cantrell Road. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-376-2233. BLD daily. VICTORIAN GARDEN We’ve found the fare quite tasty and somewhat daring and different with its healthy, balanced entrees and crepes. 4801 North Hills Blvd. NLR. $-$$. 501-758-4299. L Mon.-Sat. WHITE WATER TAVERN Excellent, locallysourced bar food. 2500 W. 7th St. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-375-8400. D Tue., Thu., Fri., Sat.

ASIAN

BENIHANA JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE Enjoy the cooking show, make sure you get a little filet with your meal, and do plenty of dunking in that fabulous ginger sauce. 2 Riverfront Place.

NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-374-8081. LD Sun.-Fri., D Sat. CHI’S DIMSUM & BISTRO A huge menu spans the Chinese provinces and offers a few twists on the usual local offerings, plus there’s authentic Hong Kong dim sum available. 6 Shackleford Drive. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-221-7737. LD daily. 17200 Chenal Parkway. No alcohol, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-821-8000. LD Mon.-Sat., D Sun. 3421 Old Cantrell Road. 501-916-9973. FAR EAST ASIAN CUISINE Old favorites such as orange beef or chicken and Hunan green beans are still prepared with care at what used to be Hunan out west. 11610 Pleasant Ridge Road. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-219-9399. LD daily. FORBIDDEN GARDEN Classic, American-ized Chinese food in a modern setting. Try the Basil Chicken. 14810 Cantrell Road. Beer, Wine, All

CC. $-$$. 501-868-8149. LD daily. FU LIN Quality in the made-to-order entrees is high, as is the quantity. 200 N. Bowman Road. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-225-8989. LD daily, BR Sun. IGIBON JAPANESE RESTAURANT It’s a complex place, where the food is almost always good and the ambiance and service never fail to please. The Bento box with tempura shrimp and California rolls and other delights stand out. 11121 N. Rodney Parham Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-217-8888. LD Mon.-Sat. KIYEN’S SEAFOOD STEAK AND SUSHI Sushi, steak and other Japanese fare. 17200 Chenal Pkwy, Suite 100. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-821-7272. LD daily. KOBE JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI Though answering the need for more hibachis in Little Rock, Kobe stands taller in its sushi offerings than at the grill. 11401 Financial Centre Parkway. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-225-5999. L Mon.-Sat. D daily. NEW FUN REE Reliable staples, plenty of hot and spicy options and dependable delivery. 418 W. 7th St. No alcohol, All CC. $. 501-664-6657. LD Mon.-Sat. PANDA GARDEN Large buffet including Chinese favorites, a full on-demand sushi bar, a cold seafood bar, pie case, salad bar and dessert bar. 2604 S. Shackleford Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-224-8100. LD daily. PEI WEI Sort of a miniature P.F. Chang’s, but a lot of fun and plenty good with all the Chang favorites we like, such as the crisp honey shrimp, dan dan noodles and pad thai. 205 N. University Ave. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-280-9423. LD daily. P.F. CHANG’S CHINA BISTRO Nuevo Chinese from the Brinker chain. 317 S. Shackleford Road. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-225-4424. LD daily. SUPER KING BUFFET Large buffet with sushi and a Mongolian grill. 4000 Springhill Plaza Court. NLR. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-9454802. LD daily. THE SOUTHERN GOURMASIAN Delicious Southern-Asian fusion. We crave the pork buns constantly. Various. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-954-0888. L Mon.-Fri. VAN LANG CUISINE Terrific Vietnamese cuisine, particularly the way the pork dishes and the assortment of rolls are presented. Great prices, too. Massive menu, but it’s user-friendly for locals with full English descriptions and numbers for easy ordering. 3600 S. University Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-570-7700. LD daily.

BARBECUE

CAPITOL SMOKEHOUSE AND GRILL Beef, pork and chicken, all smoked to melting tenderness and doused with a choice of sauces. The crusty but tender backribs star. Side dishes are top quality. A plate lunch special is now available. 915 W. Capitol Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-372-4227. L Mon.-Fri. CROSS EYED PIG BBQ COMPANY Traditional barbecue favorites smoked well such as pork ribs, beef brisket and smoked chicken. Miss Mary’s famous potato salad is full of bacon and other goodness. Smoked items such as ham and turkeys available seasonally. 1701 Rebsamen Park Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-265-0000. L Mon.-Sat., D Tue.-Fri. 1701 Rebsamen Park Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-227-7427. LD daily. FAMOUS DAVE’S BBQ 225 North Shackleford Road. No alcohol. 501-221-3283. LD daily. FATBOY’S KILLER BAR-B-Q This Landmark neighborhood strip center restaurant in the far southern reaches of Pulaski County features 36

DECEMBER 26, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

tender ribs and pork by a contest pitmaster. Skip the regular sauce and risk the hot variety, it’s far better. 14611 Arch Street. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-888-4998. L Mon.-Wed. and Fri.; L Thu. HB’S BBQ Great slabs of meat with fiery barbecue sauce, but ribs are served on Tuesday only. Other days, try the tasty pork sandwich on an onion roll. 6010 Lancaster. No alcohol, No CC. $-$$. 501-565-1930. LD Mon.-Fri. MICK’S BBQ, CATFISH AND GRILL Good burgers, picnic-worthy deviled eggs and heaping barbecue sandwiches topped with sweet sauce. 3609 MacArthur Dr. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-791-2773. LD Mon.-Sun. SIMS BAR-B-QUE Great spare ribs, sandwiches, beef, half and whole chicken and an addictive vinegar-mustard-brown sugar sauce unique for this part of the country. 2415 Broadway. Beer, CC. $-$$. 501-372-6868. LD Mon.-Sat. 1307 John Barrow Road. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-2242057. LD Mon.-Sat. 7601 Geyer Springs Road. Beer, All CC. $$. 501-562-8844. LD Mon.-Sat.

EUROPEAN / ETHNIC

ALI BABA A Middle Eastern restaurant and grocery. 3400 S University Ave. No alcohol, All CC. 501-570-0577. LD Mon.-Sat. BANANA LEAF INDIAN FOOD TRUCK Tasty Indian street food. 201 A St. No alcohol, CC. $-$$. 501-227-0860. L Mon.-Fri. KHALIL’S PUB Widely varied menu with European, Mexican and American influences. Go for the bierocks, rolls filled with onions and beef. 110 S. Shackleford Road. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-224-0224. LD daily. BR Sun. THE PANTRY Owner and self-proclaimed “food evangelist” Tomas Bohm does things the right way — buying local, making almost everything from scratch and focusing on simple preparations of classic dishes. The menu stays relatively true to his Czechoslovakian roots, but there’s plenty of choices to suit all tastes. There’s also a nice happy-hour vibe. 11401 Rodney Parham Road. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-353-1875. LD Mon.-Fri., D Sat. STAR OF INDIA The best Indian restaurant in the region, with a unique buffet at lunch and some fabulous dishes at night (spicy curried dishes, tandoori chicken, lamb and veal, vegetarian). 301 N. Shackleford. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-227-9900. LD daily.

ITALIAN

CHUCK E. CHEESE’S Games, rides, prizes, food and entertainment for kids, big and small. 10901 N Rodney Parham Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-227-8363. LD daily. DAMGOODE PIES A somewhat different Italian/pizza place, largely because of a spicy garlic white sauce that’s offered as an alternative to the traditional red sauce. Good bread, too. 2701 Kavanaugh Blvd. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-664-2239. LD daily. 6706 Cantrell Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-664-2239. LD daily. 10720 Rodney Parham Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-664-2239. LD daily. 37 East Center St. Fayetteville. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 479-444-7437. LD daily. GUSANO’S They make the tomatoey Chicagostyle deep-dish pizza the way it’s done in the Windy City. It takes a little longer to come out of the oven, but it’s worth the wait. 313 President Clinton Ave. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-374-1441. LD daily. 2915 Dave Ward Drive. Conway. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-329-1100. LD daily. JAY’S PIZZA New York-style pizza by the slice. 400 President Clinton Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-313-8611. L Mon.-Sat. CONTINUED ON PAGE 39

hearsay

DEC. 26, 2013

Kendell Sandifer, proud owner of Fringe.

Out on the Fringe A

little over a decade ago, the River Market’s fledgling retail scene took a big hit when several businesses, including a gallery and a home goods/women’s clothing store either closed or moved out to west Little Rock. There weren’t enough customers to make it work, some of the owners said at the time. Fast forward to now, and downtown has really come into its own. It’s thriving thanks to tourist draws like the Clinton Presidential Center and Heifer International’s headquarters. Add in an established and growing residential base, and you have a welcoming environment for restaurants and retail. Things came full circle when Fringe, a women’s clothing store, opened its doors in the new Arcade Building earlier this month. The store has an ultra-hip feel to it that’s compatible with the Arcade Building’s glassand-brick aesthetic. Inside you’ll find cute, stylish clothes at a great price, whether you want fun party clothes or interesting casual items. Fringe also supports local designers, including Fringe Vintage by Marie and the Country Deep clothing line. Fringe Vintage is exclusive to the store, and consists of vintage jewelry and purses found mostly around the state of Arkansas. Country Deep, as the founders describe it, is “apparel that

sticks with Southern Roots.” The line features cool men and women’s T-shirts with creative southern designs. Fringe seems to be the embodiment of owner Kendall Thomas Sandifer’s personal fashion philosophy: “I feel as though in today’s fashion world, there are no longer any rules. Everyone should wear what they like, create their style and look good wearing it. So I’d say my fashion philosophy is to be confident and comfortable!” While some might be hesitant to be the only store of its kind in an area, Sandifer sees it as a strategic move. “We [can] offer more clothing brands and styles, versus being limited to what we [can] carry due to another store carrying the same or similar products,” she said. “More hotels and more places to live mean more people coming to and choosing downtown Little Rock as home. This can only mean more business and revenue coming to the downtown area, and hopefully more people wearing Fringe clothing.” Sandifer, who’s lived downtown for more than three years, said she loves the area and is excited about being part of “all the moving and shaking going on in the River Market.” “Moses Tucker (the company that developed the Arcade Building) has been great to work with,” she said. “I truly believe in

their vision for the downtown area, and I’m glad we could jump on board with a company that is constantly moving forward. Since I was little, I loved going to bigger cities where you could walk, shop and eat all in one downtown area, and I believe Little Rock is about to be one of those cities.” Sandifer said the idea for Fringe came from a careless mistake and a husband with a “just do it” type attitude. Back in 2012 while on the way to a Florida wedding, Sandifer realized she’d left her luggage at home. Fortunately, there was a boutique near the wedding location where she could buy enough outfits to last her through the four-day trip. “Mentioning to Blake (her husband) how much I liked the store, and would maybe one day like to own one similar, got our wheels turning and we haven’t stopped since, making a small dream a reality,” she said. As for why she chose the name Fringe, she said, “When coming up with the name of the store, I wanted one word with one syllable that could give the mental picture of more than one. Fringe, as it relates to clothing, gives the mental picture of more than one – one string doesn’t make fringe, but multiple strings can create fringe. In the future, we are hoping to bring more of our “strings” of ideas together to really Fringe out!”

➥ Need some new kicks? BARBARA/ JEAN’S entire fall and winter shoe collection is marked down 40 percent. ➥ L&L BECK GALL E R Y ’ S January exhibit will be landscapes. The January giclee giveaway is titled, “Sullivan’s Island — Charleston, SC”. The exhibit will run through the month of January, and the giclée drawing will be held at 5:15 p.m. Jan. 18. ➥ Clothing store E. LEIGH’S has experienced rapid growth in recent months: they opened their third location in Conway this fall (there are also locations in Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas), and then they just announced a new location for their Little Rock store, which is expected to open in spring 2014. The new storefront will be three times the size of the current location (which will become headquarters for the online store) and will still be on Kavanaugh in Hillcrest. ➥ GOODWILL INDUSTRIES recently opened its newest Little Rock retail location at 16924 Cantrell Road. This makes the ninth Goodwill storefront in town. If you can’t make it out to the new store, then shop for second-hand goodies at their website: www.shopgoodwill.com. ➥ PAPER, SCISSORS, LITTLE ROCK carries more than just jewelry and stuff for the ladies – they also sell men’s grooming products from KIND FOLKE, as well.

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DINING CAPSULES, CONT. LARRY’S PIZZA The buffet is the way to go — fresh, hot pizza, fully loaded with ingredients, brought hot to your table, all for a low price. Many Central Arkansas locations. 1122 S. Center. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-224-8804. LD daily. 12911 Cantrell Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-224-8804. LD daily. NYPD PIZZA Plenty of tasty choices in the obvious New York police-like setting, but it’s fun. Only the pizza is cheesy. Even the personal pizzas come in impressive combinations, and baked ziti, salads are more also are available. Cheap slice specials at lunch. 6015 Chenonceau Blvd., Suite 1. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-8683911. LD daily. VESUVIO Arguably Little Rock’s best Italian restaurant. 1315 Breckenridge Drive. Full bar, All CC. $$$. 501-246-5422. D daily.

LATINO

CASA MANANA Great guacamole and garlic beans, superlative chips and salsa (red and green) and a broad selection of fresh seafood, plus a deck out back. 6820 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-280-9888. LD daily 18321 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-8688822. LD daily 400 President Clinton Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. BL Mon.-Sat. CASA MEXICANA Familiar Tex-Mex style items all shine, in ample portions, and the steakcentered dishes are uniformly excellent. 6929 JFK Blvd. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-835-7876. LD daily. EL PORTON (LR) Good Mex for the price and a wide-ranging menu of dinner plates, some tasty cheese dip, and great service as well. 12111 W. Markham St. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-223-8588. LD daily. 5201 Warden Road. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-753-4630. LD daily. ELIELLA You’ll find perhaps the widest variety of street style tacos in Central Arkansas here — everything from cabeza (steamed beef head) to lengua (beef tongue) to suadero (thin-sliced beef brisket). The Torta Cubano is a belly-buster. It’s a sandwich made with chorizo, pastor, grilled hot dogs and a fried egg. The menu is in Spanish, but the waitstaff is accomodating to gringos. 7700 Baseline Road. Beer, All CC. $. 501-539-5355. L Mon.-Sat. THE FOLD BOTANAS BAR Gourmet tacos and botanas, or small plates. Try the cholula pescada taco. 3501 Old Cantrell Road. Full bar, CC. $$-$$$. 501-916-9706. LD daily. LA CASA REAL 11121 N Rodney Parham Road. Full bar, All CC. 501-219-4689. LD Mon.-Sat. LA HACIENDA Creative, fresh-tasting entrees and traditional favorites, all painstakingly prepared in a festive atmosphere. Great taco salad, nachos, and maybe the best fajitas around. 3024 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC.

$-$$. 501-661-0600. LD daily. 200 Highway 65 N. Conway. All CC. $$. 501-327-6077. LD daily. LA VAQUERA The tacos at this truck are more expensive than most, but they’re still cheap eats. One of the few trucks where you can order a combination plate that comes with rice, beans and lettuce. 4731 Baseline Road. No alcohol, No CC. $. 501-565-3108. LD Mon.-Sat. LAS DELICIAS Levy-area mercado with a taqueria and a handful of booths in the back of the store. 3401 Pike Ave. NLR. Beer, All CC. $. 501-812-4876. BLD daily. LAS PALMAS Mexican chain with a massive menu of choices. 10402 Stagecoach Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-455-8500. LD daily 4154 E. McCain Blvd. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. LD daily. LONCHERIA MEXICANA ALICIA The best taco truck in West Little Rock. Located in the Walmart parking lot on Bowman. 620 S. Bowman. No alcohol, No CC. $. 501-612-1883. L Mon.-Sat. MARISCOS EL JAROCHO Try the Camarones a la Diabla (grilled shrimp in a smoky pepper sauce) or the Cocktail de Campechana (shrimp, octopus and oyster in a cilantro and onion-laced tomato sauce). 7319 Baseline Road. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-565-3535. Serving BLD Fri.-Wed. MERCADO SAN JOSE From the outside, it appears to just be another Mexican grocery store. Inside, you’ll find one of Little Rock’s best Mexican bakeries and a restaurant in back serving tortas and tacos for lunch. 7411 Geyer Springs Road. Beer, CC. $. 501-565-4246. BLD daily. MEXICO CHIQUITO Some suggest cheese dip was born at this Central Arkansas staple, where you’ll find hearty platters of boldly spiced, inexpensive food that compete well with those at the “authentic” joints. 102 S. Rodney Parham Road. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-224-8600; 13924 Cantrell Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-217-0700. LD daily. 11406 W. Markham. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-217-0647. LD daily.; 4511 Camp Robinson Road. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-771-1604. LD daily. MOE’S SOUTHWEST GRILL A “build-yourown-burrito” place, with several tacos and nachos to choose from as well. Wash it down with a beer from their large selection. 12312 Chenal Pkwy. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-223-3378. LD daily. RIVIERA MAYA Typical Mexican fare for the area, though the portions are on the large side. 801 Fair Park Blvd. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-663-4800. LD daily. ROCK ’N TACOS California-style cuisine that’s noticeably better than others in its class. Fish tacos are treated with the respect they deserve, served fresh and hot. Tamales are a house

specialty and are worth sampling as well; both pork and beef warrant attention. 11121 North Rodney Parham Road. No alcohol, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-812-3461. LD Mon.-Sat. SUPER 7 GROCERY STORE This Mexican grocery/video store/taqueria has great a daily buffet featuring a changing assortment of real Mexican cooking. Fresh tortillas pressed by hand and grilled, homemade salsas, beans as good as beans get. Plus soup every day. 1415 Barrow Road. Beer, No CC. $. 501-219-2373. BLD daily. SUPERMERCADO SIN FRONTERAS Shiny, large Mexican grocery with a bakery and restaurant attached. 4918 Baseline Road. Beer, All CC. $$. 501-562-4206. BLD daily. TAQUERIA JALISCO SAN JUAN The taco truck for the not-so-adventurous crowd. They claim to serve “original Mexico City tacos,” but it’s their chicken tamales that make it worth a visit. They also have tortas, quesadillas and fajitas. 11200 Markham St. No alcohol, No CC. $. 501-541-5533. LD daily. TAQUERIA Y CARNICERIA GUADALAJARA Cheap, delicious tacos, tamales and more. Always bustling. 3811 Camp Robinson Road. NLR. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-753-9991. BLD daily.

AROUND ARKANSAS

BENTONVILLE

THE HIVE The chef describes the menu as “High South,” with offerings like pimento cheese, “Arkansas Trail Mix” of pecans, soybeans, black walnuts and cheddar straws, grits, etc. You must have the frisee, egg or no. The pork chop is great. 200 N.E. A St. Bentonville. Full bar, All CC. $$$-$$$$. 479-286-6575. BD daily, L Mon.-Fri. PETIT BISTRO Owner Dario Amini and chef Dane Mane serve haute cuisine in a little cobblestone house transformed into chic eatery outside Bentonville. Desserts look scrumptious, especially the pumpkin brulee. 2702 N. Walton Blvd. Bentonville. Full bar, All CC. 479-464-9278. LD Mon.-Fri, D Sat.

CONWAY

EL ACAPULCO Tex-Mex served in hefty portions in a colorful atmosphere. 201 Highway 65 N. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-3278445. LD Mon.-Sun. EL HUASTECO Reasonably priced Mexican fare. 720 S. Salem Road. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-764-1665. LD Mon.-Sun. EL PARIAN Traditional Mexican and Tex-Mex favorites are offered by this Arkansas restaurant chain. 2585 Donaghey. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-513-1313. LD Mon.-Sun. FABY’S RESTAURANT Nuevo Mexican and Continental cuisine meet and shake hands at

Faby’s. The hand-patted, housemade tortillas are worth the visit alone. 2915 Dave Ward. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-329-5151. LD Mon.-Sun. LA HUERTA MEXICAN RESTAURANT Standard Mexican fare with an emphasis on family favorites. 1052 Harrison Street. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-762-0202. LD Mon.-Fri. MARKETPLACE GRILL Big servings of steak, seafood, chicken, pasta, pizza and other rich comfort-style foods. 600 Skyline Dr. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-336-0011. LD Daily. MIKE’S PLACE Delicious New Orleansinspired steaks and seafood, plus wood-fired pizzas, served in a soaring, beautifully restored building in downtown Conway. 808 Front St. Conway. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-269-6493. LD daily. SLIM CHICKENS Chicken in all shapes and sizes with sauces. 550 Salem Road. Conway. All CC. $$-$$$. 501-450-7546. LD Mon.-Sun.

FAYETTEVILLE

A TASTE OF THAI Terrific Thai food, from the appetizers to the entrees to the desserts. Only the brave should venture into the “rated 5” hot sauce realm. 31 E. Center St. Fayetteville. All CC. $$-$$$. 479-251-1800. LD Mon.-Sat. HERMAN’S RIBHOUSE Filets, not ribs, are the big seller at this classic, friendly, dumpy spot. The barbecue chicken is another winner. 2901 N. College Ave. Fayetteville. 479-442-9671.

HOT SPRINGS

THE BLEU MONKEY GRILL High end, artfully prepared pastas, salads, sandwiches and appetizers are one of the hallmarks. 4263 Central Ave. Hot Springs. Full bar, All CC. 501-520-4800. LD daily. CAJUN BOILERS Expertly prepared boiled shrimp, crawfish and such, served in a fun atmosphere. 2806 Albert Pike. Hot Springs. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-767-5695. D Tue.-Sat. OHIO CLUB Great atmosphere and a standout burger highlight what claims to be the state’s oldest bar. 336 Central Ave. Hot Springs. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-627-0702. LD daily. ROD’S PIZZA CELLAR Terrific handmade pizzas highlighted by the Godfather, a whopper. Lunch specials are a steal, especially the buffet. 3350 Central Ave. Hot Springs. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-321-2313. LD Tue.-Sun. TACO MAMA Fresh, creative, homemade Mexican treats created with a Southwest flair. The menu is not huge, but there’s not a dud in the bunch. Truly a treasure for Hot Springs. 1209 Malvern Ave. Hot Springs. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-624-6262. LD Mon.-Sat. www.arktimes.com december 2013 39 39 www.arktimes.com DECEMBER 26, 26, 2013