Arkansas Times

ARKANSAS’S WEEKLY NEWSPAPER OF POLITICS AND CULTURE ■ FEBRUARY 23, 2011

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Round-trip Transportation on the Arkansas Times Jazz Bus Three Nights at the Holiday Inn French Quarter Jazz Fest Tickets for Friday, Saturday and Sunday Louisiana Heritage Lunch On the Way to New Orleans Friday

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Washington-Wilson win

n Back in 2008, federal Judge William R. Wilson of Little Rock wrote the Weather Service Office in Little Rock pointing out that “Washington’s Birthday” was the correct name of the February holiday that the Weather Service was calling “Presidents’ Day” in its forecasts. Last week, he received an e-mail from John Robinson, warning coordination meteorologist for the Weather Service in Little Rock. Robinson said he’d passed Wilson’s comments on to Weather Service headquarters, and: “I just wanted to let you know that this year, the NWS software has been changed and that forecasts will indicate that the holiday is indeed ‘Washington’s Birthday,’ as named by the Congress. An explanation of the change (that Washington’s Birthday is the legal name of the holiday) has been provided to our forecasters in case they should get calls from the public asking about the actual name of the holiday.”

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n Capitol-goers noticed recently that a Democrat had joined the staff of Secretary of State Mark Martin, a Republican.

Vickie Critcher, who ran as a Democrat, unsuccessfully, to succeed her husband Jack in a state Senate seat, is working during the legislative session as a Capitol tour guide for the secretary of state’s office.

Pay, said spokeswoman Alice Stewart, is $10 an hour.

Critcher had a job in the Senate before her husband was term-limited. He is now working the legislative hallways as a lobbyist for the Arkansas Municipal League.

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n Mike Huckabee’s love of material things continues to gain notice, thanks to his own testimony. In an interview this week with Karen Tumulty of the Washington Post, Huckabee declined to talk about the price tag on the home he’s building on the Gulf Coast near Destin, but bragged, “Our first apartment was $40 a month.

Our closet in this house will probably be as large as that tiny little apartment.”

Janet Huckabee’s comment in a Little Rock interior design shop about her husband’s closet led to our discovery of the Huckabode (hidden behind the shell of an anonymous trust and carrying a $2.8 million mortgage).

Huckabee’s closet fetish caught the attention of sowal.com, a website that follows Florida real estate. Said one commenter on the Huckabee house: “I’ve seen the prints for it, and not only is it HUGE, but the His walk in closet is way bigger than the hers!!! A lot of suits and ties at the beach I guess...”

Responded another: “A conservative religious figure with a huge closet?”

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Smart talk

Contents

Womack cuts bikes, Obama

10 Running for

n Within the space of a day freshman U.S. Rep. Steve Womack scored double headlines for his budget-cutting work. You decide if he deserves applause or a swift kick.

• The Republican budget cutting plan included stripping $15 million in transportation spending approved last year for a 40-mile bike BIKES AND trail between FayPRESIDENTIAL etteville and Bella SOUNDBITES: Vista in Womack’s Rep. Steve Womack is district. Walton working against them. money was scheduled to match the federal grant. Womack said he wouldn’t fight to restore the money. He said that if the project was worthwhile and enjoyed broad support, some other source of money would be found locally. We’re waiting.

• Womack was quoted in the Huffington Post as saying he was prepared to offer legislation to cut an estimated $5 million used to buy and maintain teleprompters for President Barack Obama. Nobody offered similar in the deficit-ridden days of George W. Bush, that we can recall. Somebody asked if Womack would volunteer to wave the big-letter “idiot cards” in front of the president in place of electronic help. Having grabbed some headlines, Womack dropped the idea saying he couldn’t get a firm figure on savingts. He said he’d made his point. What, that he’s an opportunistic headline hunter who’ll throw out fantasy numbers for publicity’s sake?

the borders

RACY: Maggie Smith and Penelope Wilton star in “Downton Abbey.”

Masterpiece delayed n A longtime Masterpiece Theater fan was tuning in to watch the grand new “Downton Abbey” serial shown recently on AETN when he noticed an announcement from PBS revealing that the program was shown at 9 p.m. Eastern time, which means it should have been available in Arkansas at 8 p.m. Central time.

But it wasn’t shown here until 9 p.m. The fan wondered why. Kathy Atkinson, AETN program director, said the network’s 8 p.m. Sunday slot is already taken by a program that AETN purchased some time back called “Lark Rise to Candleford.”

Both programs are British period pieces and the “Lark Rise” showings are re-runs.

Why not put “Downton,” the new show, in the 8 p.m. slot that generally gets a bigger audience? Atkinson said that both programs have a certain following, but “Lark Rise” was considered more of a family program that probably would lose much of its audience if shown at a later hour. But AETN began delaying Masterpiece Theater until 9 p.m. a few years back, before “Lark Rise,” and has filled the 8 p.m. slot with various programming ever since. “Masterpiece Theater” productions have occasionally brought complaints from viewers, especially in conservative states like Arkansas, over language, nudity, plot, etc. Fewer such complaints would come from a late-night audience, presumably. The first installment of “Downton Abbey,” for example, contained a scene with two men kissing. A second season is planned.

Wanted: Muckrakers n The Center for Public Integrity is seeking applicants for part-time, freelance workers in all 50 states to investigate state government corruption. That might include pension fund management, disclosure laws or the state budget. The work will include reporting and data entry. Experienced reporters preferred.

Interested? You can find more information at the publicintegrity.org website.

Our Black History Month tribute recalls the days when some of Arkansas’s finest athletes — unwelcome at Arkansas universities on account of their race — migrated north to Big Ten and other schools to become stars. — By Doug Smith

14 Caution: hypocrisy

at work

Get a load of Rep. Justin Harris, who warns of the dangers of government spending and illegal aliens while he benefits from both. — By Max Brantley

25 It’s Oscar time

Otherwise known as the culmination of the self-congratulatory orgy that is movie awards season. — By Graham Gordy

DEPARTMENTS

3 The Insider

4 Smart Talk

5 The Observer

6 Letters

7 Orval 8-13 News

14 Opinion

19 Arts & Entertainment

28 Dining

37 Crossword/ Tom Tomorrow

38 Lancaster

Words n Exceptional for his mediocrity: “So dominant was Jackson’s brand that James K. Polk, elected in 1844, styled himself ‘Young Hickory’, and Franklin Pierce, who won in 1852, was ‘Young Hickory of the Granite Hills.’ The dilution of that political bloodline became evident in more than nicknames; Pierce is generally regarded as one of the most mediocre presidents in history.”

Mediocre means “commonplace; neither good nor bad.” There are no degrees.

Being “one of the most mediocre presidents” is the same as being “one of the least mediocre presidents.”

Unlike the author quoted above, Wikipedia doesn’t mince words. It says that Pierce is regarded as “one of the worst presidents.” Sounds like the George W. Bush of his day, except that Pierce served his country on the battlefield, with distinction. (Wikipedia also says that Pierce was a “doughface,” which is defined as “a 4 FEBRUARY 23, 2011 • ARKANSAS TIMES

Doug S mith doug@arktimes.com

Northerner with Southern sympathies.”) n Senate Bill 206, now before the legislature, says “The General Assembly recognizes that language used in reference to individuals with disabilities shapes and reflects society’s attitudes toward people with disabilities. Many of the terms currently used demean the humanity and natural condition of having a disability.

Certain terms are demeaning and create an invisible barrier to inclusion as equal community members.” The bill would require that state statutes and regulations avoid use of such terms as “disabled,” “developmentally disabled,” “mentally

ill” and “mentally retarded,” and that they instead use phrases such as “individuals with disabilities,” “individuals with developmental disabilities” and “individuals with mental illness.”

I have no real objection (not that my preference would matter anyway) but the bill seems pointless to me. Is “developmentally disabled” really more demeaning than “individuals with developmental disabilities”? Why? (And why, incidentally, this insistence on individual and individuals rather than person and people?

The latter terms are more humanizing.) n One-man gang: Michael Klossner found this on-line.

“Roubini, a New York University economist nicknamed ‘Dr. Doom’ for his famously bearish predictions, is in Davos, Switzerland, this week, hobnobbing with other world elites at this year’s World Economic Forum.”

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The Observer recently caved at the parental negotiation table and agreed to buy Junior one of those fancy-schmantzy gaming consoles — the ones with all the bells and whistles that can link to the Internet, pinpoint your location from space, and presumably find and terminate Sarah Conner if we ever spring for the Legs-andMachine-Gun Expansion Pack.

It is the terminal human condition, we suppose, to eventually feel like Doc Brown just dropped you off here in his time-travelling DeLorean, setting you down in a world you don’t really understand.

Watching The Kid play his game (and, okay, wrestling the controller out of his hands a time or three) makes us feel like that. Just a blink ago, we were marveling over the side-scrolling action of Super Mario Bros. in our pal Roger Hall’s doublewide out in the sticks, getting cheesed every time his dog tripped over the cord to the controller and yanked the whole mess off the top of the console TV. The next blink, we’re watching our own offspring play near-photorealistic games that operate on something approaching artificial intelligence. It is, as they say, a brave new world.

One of the things the new game console came with was a free onemonth subscription to the maker’s live Internet channel, where folks from all over the world can come together and play in the spirit of friendship.

Did we say “friendship?” We mean: animosity. Not to be an old fart, but The Observer has been on this earth for 36 years, and within the first five minutes of listening in on what the anonymous players were saying to one another, we knew: we’ve never heard human beings talk to one another with such casual cruelty.

Here were kids with American accents engaging in blatant mockery solely because they could and because they knew they were wholly anonymous. Taunting. Vile name-calling.

Racism. Homophobia. Trying — consciously trying their damndest — to get the other players angry enough to shout. We’re no prude, but it was finally enough that we turned it off and

sat there considering where our receipt was and how fast we could get the infernal machine back in the box.

Even after a bit of calming down, The Observer was depressed enough about the whole thing and its implications that we decided to call our much smarter younger brother, D, and talk to him about it. He’s a gamer from way back, a computer guy at a major company, and knows the pixelated world much better than we do.

The Internet, D said, is a world where everyone is wearing Gyges’ Ring.

For those who don’t remember their college philosophy and Plato’s “Republic,” the story of Gyges is that of a poor shepherd who found a ring that made him invisible. The problem, our bro reminded us, was that being invisible and thus totally without consequences does something to a human being. For Gyges, it destroyed his sense of morality. Within a few days, he had killed the king, raped the queen, and taken over, Yeah, The Observer opined, the anonymous digital world is a lot like that: a place where it’s apparently easy to forget that you’re dealing with other human beings — or at least easy to forget that you should care.

We know we’re waaaay out of the demographic that online gaming appeals to, but The Observer is swift enough to know a cesspool when we see one, and we know that no matter how well you swim there, you wind up covered in excrement.

We told Junior as much that night as we put him to bed, telling him the story of ol’ Gyges after letting him know that he’d just have to settle for playing against dumb old robots in his games, not the cruelty that is man.

Only a blink ago, he was a babe in arms. Now he’s taller than his mother.

He is big enough, we reasoned, to hear what our own father taught us, way back in the dim days of 8-bit gaming pre-history: Son, a soul isn’t all the hocus-pocus mumbo-jumbo they talk about in church. It’s a thing made of caring for others, even those you’ve never met. You lose that, and you’ve got less than nothing.

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Letters arktimes@arktimes.com

Advice for Tea Party After reading your article on the Tea Party and other political activists Feb. 16 “Bringing the Crazy,” I have a bit of advice for its members. Instead of immediately tackling the whack-o fringe aspect of your movement like getting the mind control drugs out of our water supply, perhaps you should start with something a little bit more mainstream. Something that can get the masses behind you. I think a good start would be an initiative that would support the rights of property owners AND lower taxes at the same time. Perhaps getting rid of the real estate property tax.

This would give an incentive to businesses to relocate here as well as give average citizens a much needed tax break.

If I work 30 years of my life to pay off a mortgage in order to live the American Dream, I shouldn’t have to continue to make kickback payments to the government to keep my house and property. If I don’t pay my personal property taxes the government doesn’t come and take my car away from me, why should they be able to take my home away from me?

This would be a simple way to help your fellow Americans and gain needed support for your movement. It seems like a better way than tearing up all the bike paths under the guise of socialism or removing the mind-controlling fluorine from our tap water. Just a friendly suggestion from a registered Democrat who voted for Obama and will again in 2012.

Garrett Brown North Little Rock

Tiresome It gets so incredibly tiresome to hear many Americans described as intolerant by your editorials and some readers. I read with interest the results of a recent poll of Egyptians, our dear friends and allies in the Middle East (actually, Africa, but let’s not be technical). Strong majorities favor the imposition of sharia law, death for apostasy (converting from Islam to another religion) and adultery (with stoning being the preferred method), are in favor of suicide bombings (even if innocent civilians are killed or injured), honor killings and strict segregation of the sexes.

As for homosexuality, they feel that gays should have their hands cut off. None of these findings are ever mentioned in your columns. In your opinion, to even discuss them is in poor taste.

We are a freedom-loving country with proud traditions of equality, separation of church and state, and political and religious pluralism. To paraphrase the former Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, I fully support the rights of such persons 6 FEBRUARY 23, 2011 • ARKANSAS TIMES

to practice their religion and follow its dictates: somewhere else.

Michael J. Emerson Little Rock

Hate Why is there so much hate in the world?

I hate you because you are green, yellow, red, white, black, purple, blue and all shades of gray and that is only your skin color.

I hate you because you are Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Muslim, atheist, gay, transvestite, fat, ugly, skinny, etc. It goes on forever.

Soooo. Live in your little box and hate

the world and never come out except to hate. Guess what? If you did you might discover a new way of thinking outside of that box. Your brain might expand and encompass something called love.

I do not have time for “box people.”

They make the world a hateful place.

Beverly A. Clary Little Rock

From the Arkansas Blog More comments from our Arkansas Blog at www.arktimes.com, including the screen names the commenters used.

On an Arkansas Supreme Court ruling

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upholding visitation for the former samesex partner of a child’s biological mother: Justice Karen Baker [who dissented] sounds like she’s an out-of-the-mainstream kookoo lander. She can fight rights of same sex couples and other minorities all she wants but time is on their side. — ButWhoCares From my lay perspective this decision appears to be both eminently fair and common sense (at least, common sense for everyone but bigots). The Supremes, at least 5 of them, boiled it down to this: “ ... the best interest of the child, which is the polestar consideration in a case such as this one.” — Sound Policy This isn’t really about gay/straight/ grandparent legal rights. In my mind the rights and best interest of the child are paramount and should be the single determining factor. A child doesn’t consider sexual orientation when bonding to caretakers so why should the court? — lobotomygal I was the attorney for the biological mother at trial. Even though I lost the case and visitation was granted over my client’s wishes I’m glad the Supreme Court recognized that a family can be created and recognized even though Arkansas has no recognition of gay marriage. The court also ordered the non-biological mother to pay child support making this case no different than the typical divorce. Needless to say this is the first time I have ever heard of this being done in Arkansas. The court had to stretch the law to look out for the best interests of the child since our legislature is too afraid to pass legislation dealing with domestic partnerships and all that flow from them. Judges should not be forced to create laws but when legislatures bury their heads in the sand and refuse to acknowledge reality, the courts are required to deal with cases that come before them even if unpopular or controversial. I was very impressed with Judge [Vann] Smith’s willingness to look at the best interests of the child when making his decision and not focusing on the fact the parents are gay or the fact the Arkansas legislature refuses to acknowledge that gay families are families too. — Josh Drake On the defeat of legislation to change Arkansas’s nickname to the Land of Opportunity: I would like someone, anyone, in Arkansas government to list the opportunities that exist here compared to other states. Unless it’s an opportunity to work for half what you’d earn somewhere else in a racist environment filled with people whose education consists of a PhD in Beckology. — Run Socialist Cockroaches Run!

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THE WEEK THAT WAS FEB. 16-22, 2011 IT WAS A GOOD WEEK FOR …

EARTHQUAKES. Tremors continued to rattle Faulkner County, some strong enough that vibrating store shelves were caught on store cameras.

Related to gas drilling activity? Suspicions continue.

NORTH LITTLE ROCK. Three days of celebrations marked the opening of the Argenta Community Theater, a new jewel on the increasingly jazzy Main Street corridor. Bill Clinton and Mary Steenburgen were among the big names on hand for the final gala.

IT WAS A BAD WEEK FOR …

REP. JUSTIN HARRIS. The government-cutting Republican from West Fork who wants to require proof of citizenship for all government services?

Turns out he make tens of thousands of dollars every year at his government-financed church daycare center, including from children who haven’t produced proof of citizenship. (See Max Brantley’s column.)

REP. JOHN BURRIS. Another taxand government-cutting Republican, he was exposed in the DemocratGazette as recipient of a junket by a social service agency, which, thanks to his quiet lobbying with the Department of Human Services, has received taxpayer funding.

The SICK AND POOR. The U.S. House, with votes of all four members from Arkansas, voted to block funding the health law that expands health coverage for millions of Americans, many previously denied coverage on account of illness. The Senate won’t go along, thank goodness.

The ARKANSAS REPUBLICAN PARTY. To his credit, GOP Chairman Doyle Webb had forced John Casteel of Newport, proud member of a racist organization, to resign as Jackson County Republican chairman.

Members of the GOP 1st District caucus sent a message of their feelings by electing Casteel as a representative on the committee that recommends people for political appointments. With Democrats in power, there’s not much work for the committee to do right now, but when there is, Casteel will be ready to nominate his kind of people.

The organization he refused to quit is, as he says, “pro-white.”

8 FEBRUARY 23, 2011 • ARKANSAS TIMES

The Arkansas Reporter

Phone: 501-375-2985­ Fax: 501-375-3623 Arkansas Times Online home page: http://www.arktimes.com E-mail: arktimes@arktimes.com ■

■­

■

Republicans kill trail funding Womack sides with party over NWA trail advocates.

BY GERARD MATTHEWS

n The Republicans’ campaign promise to start cutting government spending is starting to hit home in Northwest Arkansas.

Third District U.S. Rep. Steve Womack of Rogers, a Republican, has said he will side with his party rather than vote to fund a trail system stretching from Lake Bella Vista to south Fayetteville.

Last year, the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission (NARPC) was awarded a $15 million federal grant to complete an 18mile stretch of ‘PROGRAMS the Razorback MUST BE CUT’: Regional GreenU.S. Rep. Steve way, a 36-mile Womack on loss of trail system con$15 million for trail necting paths system in his district. in Bentonville, Rogers, Lowell, Springdale, Johnson and Fayetteville. Trail advocates and transportation officials were ecstatic. A project they thought might take up to 20 years to complete would now be finished in as little as four.

The Walton Family Foundation, a supporter of the project, had agreed to throw in the $3.75 million local match portion of the grant to complete the trail between Bentonville and Johnson, as well as up to $11.25 million in matching funds for the remainder of the trail. Things were looking up.

Now, not even half a year after the funds were awarded, that federal funding source could be in jeopardy.

The $15 million was part of the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER II) program, an extension of the 2010 Appropriations Act aimed at investing more in transportation infrastructure.

The funds were awarded, but not delivered. Congress did not pass the 2011 budget late last year and all departments are operating under a continuing resolution that expires on March 4. Republicans in Congress have attached an amendment to the budget bill that would cut the project’s funding.

John McLarty, transportation study director for the NARPC, says securing those funds was no small accomplishment.

Northwest Arkansas Regional Razorback Greenway Section of greenway fuded by TIGER II grant

Section of greenway fuded by other sources

Bentonville

Rogers

Lowell

Springdale

Johnson

Fayetteville

“We were one of 42 construction projects, out of 1,000 applicants,” McLarty says. “The Razorback Regional Greenway was the only project chosen in TIGER II in the entire state. That’s one of the points we’re making in our response letters [to our congressmen]. This wasn’t handing out candy to every kid that raised their hand.

This was an extremely competitive process.”

Womack says the reliance on federal funds for such projects has to stop.

“I realize this project has widespread support, including matching funds from the Walton Family Foundation,” Womack said

in an e-mail. “However, our country has a deficit this year of $1.5 trillion and soon our national debt will exceed the $14.3 trillion authorized by law. Programs must be cut. Dependency on the federal government has to stop. The spending path we are on is not sustainable. While I wholeheartedly support the project, I found it difficult to argue on its behalf given the many other programs we cut or eliminated.”

“That tells me he crossed the Potomac and went crazy,” says Terry Eastin, a longtime trail advocate from Fayetteville. “It tells me he is not going to buck the Republican Party regardless of the reason, no matter if it’s good for Northwest Arkansas or not. That’s what most people don’t understand. They think, ‘Oh, don’t worry about it, there will be a federal grant or something that will help get that done.’ But there won’t be. When you combine that with all the other cuts, municipalities are not going to have the money to develop alternative transportation systems. They never have.”

McLarty says the Walton Family Foundation is still willing to fulfill their $15 million commitment, but the loss of federal funding would slow the project down tremendously.

Womack says other funding sources will have to be found.

“Northwest Arkansas has always found the resolve to deliver quality-of-life projects. I am confident this project will come to fruition even if federal assistance is not available.”

Eastin, and others, hope so. So far, however, no specific replacement money has been identified.

Sen. Mark Pryor, who supported the original funding, said he supports spending cuts this year in Congress, but said in a prepared statement “taking back these funds from Northwest Arkansas at this point would be unfair.”

Pryor noted that House action doesn’t end consideration of the matter.

“We also know that the House will pass amendments of all sorts this Congress and I will look at each of them as they come up in the Senate.”

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HOWARD ZEHR, PhD.

Author of

What Will Happen to Me? ©2011 by Good Books

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www.arktimes.com • february 23, 2011 9

BLACK

HISTORY

MONTH

Too fast for Fayetteville The Razorbacks liked ’em slow and white in the old days.

BY DOUG SMITH

R

azorback fans have noted with displeasure that a fair number of the state’s best high school football players are going off to play college football at Auburn University in Alabama. Most of these players are black. Fans of a certain age — that is, old — can put this development in painful perspective. They remember when all the best black players left the state.

That was when Southern football was segregated, when blacks and whites didn’t play on the same team, or even against

each other, high school or college. Arkansas’s black players didn’t go to Auburn in those days, of course. Football was as lilywhite in Alabama as it was in Arkansas, if not whiter. Instead, they headed north, to lands of opportunity.

W

ikipedia can be wrong, or at least misleading. It says of Jim Pace, “Although he was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, Pace was raised in Grand Rapids, Mich. In high school, Pace was a football and track star from 1950-54. In track he ran a time of 9.6 seconds in the 100-yarddash at Dunbar High School.”

Pace may have spent some time in Grand Rapids, but the Dunbar High School where he starred in football and track was the one in Little Rock, an all-black school in an era when the schools were segregated by race. A time of 9.6 for a high schooler in 1957 would have been phenomenal, no matter where it was run. We can safely assume that no white Arkansas high-school sprinters were matching it.

Wikipedia got right the high points of Pace’s football career at the University of Michigan, where he enrolled after graduating from Dunbar. He played there in 1955 through 1957 (freshmen were ineligible then). In 1957, he became Michigan’s first black All-American. He was awarded the Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the Most Valuable Player in the Big Ten Conference.

In the 1957 Michigan-Ohio State game, Pace rushed for 164 yards, a record to

10 FEBRUARY 23, 2011 • ARKANSAS TIMES

that time for a Michigan runner against Ohio State. On the track, he won the Big Ten’s 60-yard-indoor-dash title.

Nineteen fifty-seven was a big year in Pace’s hometown too, though not a happy one. After a federal court ordered that black pupils be admitted to the all-white Central High School, Gov. Orval Faubus called out the National Guard to prevent integration. President Dwight D. Eisenhower trumped Faubus by sending in the U.S. Army to enforce the court order. Integration was accomplished, but federal troops stayed in Little Rock the whole school year, to make sure it stuck. Nerves were on edge, even as Pace was invited back to Little Rock for a parade and banquet in his honor.

It was a furtive sort of parade, avoiding Main Street, where the big stores and most of the people were, for a brief spin through black neighborhoods.

Two daily newspapers and three TV stations operated in Little Rock then, but a reporter and a photographer from the now-deceased Arkansas Gazette provided the only mainstream media coverage of Jim Pace’s big day. The reporter was Jim Bailey, who still writes a sports column, now for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

COURTESY BOBBY MITCHELL

The parade and a banquet for Pace were held Dec. 30, 1957. In an article published the next day, Bailey preserved words spoken by Pace during an interview with a radio disc jockey: “First, I want to thank the wonderful people who turned out to welcome me home. It’s a wonderful experience I’ll never forget. I want you to know I’m the same Jim Pace who graduated from Dunbar and went out to make people proud of me.”

Bailey wrote that a number of major football schools were interested in Pace after he had a great season against other black high school players in 1953. “Coincidentally, that was the year J.C. Caroline, an unheralded soph from South Carolina, rewrote some of Red Grange’s rushing records at Illinois, and touched off a Big Ten talent hunt for Southern Negro players.”

The article did not directly address the question of why a Little Rock football player had gone off to Michigan to be an All-American. It was a different time. As Bailey says, everybody in Arkansas already knew the answer.

Bailey had several conversations with Pace over the years. Asked if Pace would have liked to go to Arkansas, Bailey said, “He would have liked to have had equal opportunity.”

Because of injuries, Pace never had much of a pro football career. After giving it up, he worked as an administrative assistant in the old American Football League, an actor in TV commercials, and a school administrator in Los Angeles, according to Wikipedia. He died at 47, in Culver City, Calif. He’s been inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame.

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

P

ace and Bobby Mitchell were close friends, though they’d played for opposing teams since junior high school. Mitchell says they’d hoped to play for the same team in college, but it didn’t work out, Pace going to Michigan and Mitchell to Illinois, so that they were again in the same conference, but on different sides. Then they hoped to play for the same pro team, but Pace was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers and Mitchell by the Cleveland Browns. Near the end of Pace’s career, after he’d suffered a serious knee injury, Mitchell arranged a tryout for him with the Redskins, but it didn’t work out. Mitchell remembers Pace struggling to get down the field the way he once had. “He was running and crying at the same time. All those years of wanting to play together, and when we finally got a chance, he was hurt.”

Mitchell, 75, grew up in Hot Springs and played for Langston High, for whom he scored 26 touchdowns in one football season.

“I would have loved to have been

FROM ARKANSAS TO ILLINOIS: Bobby Mitchell in his playing days and (top) today.

www.arktimes.com • FEBRUARY 23, 2011 11

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN

WILLIAMS: The quarterback and the lawyer. a Razorback,” he says, but at that time, there was no chance. He and Pace and Sidney Williams of Little Rock all went off to the Big Ten in 1954.

Asked what the difference was between Arkansas and Illinois, Mitchell laughs. “To be honest with you, not a hell of a lot.” That’s comparing the two states in general. More specifically, he found life in Illinois definitely inferior to life in his hometown.

“I rave about Hot Springs,” he says. “I tell people ‘Everybody lived the same.’ I don’t even remember riding on the back of the bus. Maybe I did. But Hot Springs was different from most of Arkansas. People came there from all over the country for the baths.” And brought their cosmopolitan views with them. “But I knew that 20 miles from Hot Springs I’d be hurt.”

Mitchell was an All-Big Ten halfback for the University of Illinois. Like Pace, he ran track too, and once held the world record in the low hurdles. He planned on keeping his amateur status and competing in the 1960 Olympics, but the professional football teams began offering money, and “That was hard to turn down.” Too hard, in fact.

He signed with the Browns, where he played in the same backfield with Jim Brown. Pretty good backfield.

In 1962, he joined the Washington Redskins, and was the first black to play for the Redskins. “Most teams had at least one black player by then. After me, we had three or four [black] guys pretty quickly.” Converted from running back to receiver, he led the NFL with 72 catches that year, catches that were good for 1,384 yards and 11 touchdowns.

That was indicative of the rest of his career. The Pro Football Hall of Fame, to which he was inducted in 1983, says that he was noted for “spectacular long-distance scoring plays.” He caught 521 passes and scored 91 touchdowns, eight of them on kick returns. He was all-NFL three times.

He’s a member of the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame too. He has no more relatives in the state, being the last survivor of a family of five boys and three girls.

After his playing career ended, he worked as an executive in the Redskins front office for 30 years, retiring in

12 FEBRUARY 23, 2011 • ARKANSAS TIMES

ALL-AMERICAN: “I’m the same Jim Pace who graduated from Dunbar.”

2003. He still follows football closely, and was just back from the Super Bowl when the Arkansas Times talked to him.

We asked if he’d hobnobbed with another famous son of Hot Springs, Bill Clinton. “Some of my friends I grew up with became very close with him when he was governor,” Mitchell said. “When he was president, some of them came up and stayed with me. I’ve been to lunches at the White House that he was supposed to attend, but something always came up that kept him away.

I must have been in the White House a dozen times while he was president. But I’ve never met him.”

A buddy of Mitchell’s once asked Clinton if he knew Bobby Mitchell, and according to the buddy, Clinton exclaimed “He’s from my hometown,” and rattled on at length about Mitchell. The buddy later called and said he didn’t know that Clinton and Mitchell were such good friends. “The guy said that the way Clinton was talking, you’d think he and I were together every day.” Clinton is the only president since Eisenhower that he hasn’t met, Mitchell said. “I was in the White House with Reagan three times. And I’m not a Republican.” Then he caught himself. “I haven’t met Obama yet. I guess I will.”

L

ike Jim Pace, Sidney B. Williams Jr. was a Dunbar graduate. Time Warner Cable says that Williams, “a native of racially-charged Little Rock, Arkansas, played his own small part in defeating Southern segregationist ideology during the 1950s by beoming the first African-American starting quarterback in the modern Big Ten conference.”

At Dunbar, Williams excelled at football, basketball and track. When he graduated, he reportedly had athletic scholarship offers from more than 15 colleges. He chose Wisconsin. It was, he says, a great change.

“I’d never participated against anyone except African American athletes until I went to Wisconsin. Or socialized with anyone except African Americans. And there were no Jim Crow laws. That was big.”

He was installed at quarterback near the end of the 1956 season, his sophomore season, while the Badgers were losing. In 1957 and ’58, he led the team to a combined record of 13-4-1, primarily a runner in an option offense. He also played safety.

Again from Time Warner: “Three days before the Badgers routed Marquette 60-6 on Sept. 28, 1957, President Dwight Eisenhower had been forced to deploy 1,000 troops to Williams’ hometown of Little Rock to enforce the desegregation of Central High School. In the midst of the turmoil, UW’s quarterback sent an encouraging letter to the Little Rock Nine ... ” Williams had only a brief pro career, but he remembers one incident sharply. He was with the New York Giants, who were in Dallas to play an exhibition game against the Baltimore Colts. Both teams were staying at the same hotel — at least, the white players were. Black players were put up somewhere else. The night before the game, there was a dinner or banquet for both teams in the hotel. Baltimore’s black players took the position that since they couldn’t stay in the hotel, they’d boycott the banquet. The Giants’ black players started with the same intention, but their head coach, Jim Lee Howell, called a meeting and told the black players they wouldn’t be paid for the game unless they attended the banquet.

“The Colts’ players stuck to their position, but we gave in and went,” Williams says. “I still wish we hadn’t.”

Originally from Lonoke, Howell is a member of the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. Williams is not. Ray Tucker, executive director of the Hall, said that as far as he knew, the Hall’s nominating committee had never nominated Williams. Williams says he’s never been contacted by the Hall. He is a member of the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame.

A strong student, Williams got a chemical engineering degree from Wisconsin, then a few years later, earned a law degree from George Washington University. He had a long career as an intellectual-property lawyer. He’s now semi-retired and living in Kalamazoo, Mich.

From NLR to Seattle.

B

asketball players too left segregated Arkansas to play college basketball in places where they were more welcome, but their departure wasn’t noticed as much. Today we have ESPN and March Madness, but in the 1950s in Arkansas, basketball most places was just something for the athletes to do after football season ended. Slow white players plodded down the court to shoot two-handed set shots.

Though most white people didn’t know it, the game was moving at a faster pace at North Little Rock’s Jones High, and other allblack high schools.

Eddie Miles played at Jones in the late 1950s. A tremendous shooter, by EDDIE MILES all accounts, he led Jones to four consecutive state championships among the all-black schools, then went on to become an All-American at Seattle University and a first-round pick (by the Detroit Pistons) in the 1963 NBA draft.

He played nine years in the NBA, retiring about the time that basketball started to get big in Arkansas, with Eddie Sutton making Razorback basketball as respectable as Razorback football, and Sidney Moncrief becoming the greatest black sports hero in Arkansas history.

According to an article in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, when Miles graduated from Jones High in 1959, “Fifty universities offered him scholarships, with Arkansas encouraging Miles to go there and break

the existing color line.” Whether that’s true or not, it would be another 10 years before Arkansas got its first black basketball player. That was Almer Lee, who’d been a high school star on an integrated team at Fort Smith.

(Nineteen sixty-nine was an eventful year for black athletes at Arkansas. Both Lee, who would become the first black varsity basketball player, and Jon Richardson of Little Rock, who in 1970 would become the first black varsity football player, arrived on campus. At about the same time, the athletic department was squelching the playing of “Dixie” by the band at Razorback games. It wasn’t an old tradition. Like most Southern universities, Arkansas didn’t start playing “Dixie” until the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1954 decision against segregated schools.)

Miles went to Seattle, in part because he idolized the great Elgin Baylor, a Seattle alumnus who helped recruit him.

Even though not a football player, Miles won enough notice to be inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. Lee, who was seen attending a recent sports-related event in Little Rock, is not a member. The sportswriter Jim Harris wrote that the Hall of Fame membership “has a chance to right that wrong before next year’s inductees are announced.”

At last report, Miles was living in the Seattle area.

There s a reason they re called PUBLIC charter schools.

There are many misconceptions when it comes to public charter schools. Since the level of education received by students often rivals that of private schools, it’s believed that public charter schools cost money to attend. But the reality is that public charter schools get the majority of their money the same way traditional public schools do – through state funding. So students do not have to pay to attend.

speak up for schools BETTER SCHOOLS FOR A BETTER ARKANSAS

IT’S TIME TO LEARN THE TRUTH ABOUT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS. LEARN MORE AT SPEAKUPARKANSAS.COM.

“everyone deserves a smoke-free workplace. even bartenders. VEO TYSON, Bartender “

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

Fast-breaking out

LET’S CLEAR THE AIR

Everyone deserves a smoke-free workplace. Comprehensive smoke-free policies do not hurt business.

To learn more, visit ClearTheAirArkansas.com www.arktimes.com • FEBRUARY 23, 2011 13

EYE ON ARKANSAS

Editorial n Class warfare rages across America this month, the upper class furiously hurling its politicians and its media against the middle and lower classes, comparatively unarmed.

In Wisconsin, a Republican governor and legislators are engaged in union busting, offended that unions provide workers with decent wages, benefits and working conditions, as well as a bit of dignity. It’s hard to be dignified with a boot on your neck.

In Washington, the U.S. House of Representatives, including the Arkansas members, voted to withhold federal funds from the new health-care program that would keep more lowincome people alive. A higher survival rate means more demand for government services, the House must have reasoned; the next thing you know, those people will be wanting education for their children.

(The House also voted to end all federal funding for Planned Parenthood because it provides abortions. The organization does other things too for its low-income clientele — cancer screenings, birth control — and the House was unsympathetic to all of it.)

In Little Rock, the state House of Representatives exempted capital gains from taxation, a $44 million tax break for the wealthiest Arkansans, using money that could otherwise benefit the majority. Noting that the bill would shift the tax burden from rich to poor, from capital to labor, Rep. Jim Nickles, DNorth Little Rock, quoted Lincoln at Rep. Ed Garner, R-Maumelle, the bill’s sponsor. “Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration.” What would Lincoln think of Ed Garner and the other Republicans of today? He’d cry, probably.

Corporate media have been discovering for some time that public-employee unions are what’s wrong with this country.

The steelworkers, the auto workers and other unions that practically created the American middle class have been weakened by foreign competition, corporate hostility and government indifference, but the teachers’ union can still secure jobs worth having for its members. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker thinks teachers should be happy with less — much less — so he and his Republican allies in the legislature propose to deny public-employee unions the right to collective bargaining. They also would require unions to win annual elections in order to stay organized, and would prohibit unions from collecting dues from workers who don’t want to pay. Arkansas already has such a law concerning union dues, and it has kept Arkansas a low-income state. Wisconsin aping Arkansas is not something we expected. Better that Arkansas move up to Wisconsin’s economic level than that Wisconsin slip down to ours.

201 East Markham Street, 200 Heritage Center West, P.O. Box 34010, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203 Home page: http://www.arktimes.com • E-mail: arktimes@arktimes.com PUBLISHER Alan Leveritt MUSIC EDITOR John Tarpley

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14 FEBRUARY 23, 2011 • ARKANSAS TIMES

BRIAN CHILSON

The guns of February

PRESIDENTIAL GREETING: The Little Rock Nine were honored Saturday at the Clinton Presidential Library with an exhibit featuring the Congressional Gold Medals they received from Bill Clinton at the White House in 1999. Seven of the eight living members of the Nine were on hand for the picture above. Elizabeth Eckford is not pictured, but was present at the program.

Hypocrite watch n Thanks to blog reporting, fans of Arkansas politics were treated to an illustration this week of the core dishonesty of some conservatives. The theme boiled down to this: Cut my taxes and everybody else’s spending, but don’t touch my government handout.

The poster child for conservative Republican hypocrisy was state Rep. Justin Harris of West Fork, an appropriate successor to Secretary of State Mark Martin, who ran up huge expense reimbursements as a legislator for the same district while ostensibly fighting to reduce government.

Harris is in the news this week for his bills to bar all state services to people who can’t provide proof of citizenship and to ban in-state tuition for those without proper papers. The college bill would cover even long-time Arkansas residents with Arkansas high school diplomas and good academic records.

Harris makes a living running what he calls a “church preschool,” Growing God’s Kingdom. In addition to preaching the Gospel, he preaches the word of reduced government spending and lower taxes. He reportedly once remarked government spending never created a job. Funny thing, though.

Harris’ business depends almost entirely on taxpayers for its existence and the money he and other family members make from it. The Blue Hog Report did some digging into the small business and found this: Harris’ business operates on almost $900,000 a year and serves about 150 kids. Of that, all but about 6 percent comes in the form of state and federal dollars in a program aimed at developmentally disabled and poor children. The money provides Harris and his wife almost $60,000 a year in salary and benefits. It also covers the mortgage on his privately owned building and rent payments to the Harrises.

So the government spending hawk lives on government spending, a double dip of payroll, perks and rent payments.

Thanks to conservative blogger Jason Tolbert, we know of another bit of Harris hypocrisy. Tolbert reported — in defense of Harris — that a Univer-

Max Brantley max@arktimes.com

sity of Arkansas lobbyist had been putting out the word that somebody might make hay of the fact that Harris has perhaps a dozen undocumented students among his 150 pre-schoolers. Maybe they’re legal, maybe not. He is not required to prove citizenship to provide taxpayer-funded services to these kids and thank goodness for that. Blogger Tolbert seemed perturbed at the UA’s tough lobbying against Harris’ legislation to provide a little kindness to older Arkansas children on college costs.

No defense of Harris was possible. An anti-tax, anti-government-spending, anti-illegal-alien legislator is living off a government program that includes payments for kids who haven’t produced proof of citizenship.

His defenders say Harris runs a wonderful program for deserving kids, end of story. If only virtue was enough. Try that argument on your average Tea Partier sometime, particularly when it’s a government program THEIR family isn’t profiting from.

The bankruptcy of the Koch-financed Tea Party movement was further illustrated by the reflexive defense of Harris by paid Arkansas mouthpieces. A little waste and hypocrisy can be overlooked when it’s by a legislator who supports a broad-range of government crippling measures that are vitally important to the Kochs. These include cutting the capital gains tax — a windfall for the wealthy. Someday, Harris might sell that building the government is buying for him. He wouldn’t want to have to pay a tax on the capital gain. The building is a monument, really. Not to free enterprise, but to a man who knows first-hand the benefits of lavish government spending and taxpayer-funded services for undocumented children. Terrible, isn’t it, Rep. Harris?

BRIAN CHILSON

Tax cut madness n The drive to slash the taxes of Arkansas’s wealthiest people and biggest corporations rests on a single premise: People are too dumb or pay too little attention to know what is being done to them by their elected representatives.

That does not put too fine a point on the narrowly targeted tax cuts that the Senate and House of Representatives are whooping through this week. The tax cuts on capital gains and manufacturers’ energy apply almost altogether to 1 percent or fewer of individual taxpayers and businesses — the most affluent 1 percent.

Any political manual would advise you that sponsoring or voting for such legislation would mark you for defeat in the next election. Corporate profits are hitting records and the very rich are soaking up a bigger and bigger share of the nation’s wealth every year while everyone else is losing ground or hanging on, yet the tax relief goes to those who are most well off.

But the Republicans have a different theory. They believe that all you have to do is say “tax cuts” and most people will assume it’s for them or that the benefits will reach them somehow. To vote against a tax cut is supposed to be suicide, and Democrats seem to believe it, too.

Ernest Dumas That political calculus has tended to be proven. The big Reagan tax cuts of 1981 and the George W. Bush tax cuts of 2001 and 2003 proved to be highly popular, although most of the benefits in all three rounds went to the top 4 percent of taxpayers and some low-income families actually had to pay higher taxes under the Reagan round. That the tax cuts produced gargantuan budget deficits never made it into the public consciousness.

It worked politically because they were general tax cuts, and Republicans could say truthfully that most Americans got something, even if it was too small to be felt.

The two big special-interest tax cuts this week do not do that. The elimination of income taxes on the capital gains from the sale of Arkansas property will benefit no more than 10,000 of the state’s 2.9 million residents, and some 70 percent of the $64 million in tax savings will go to a handful of those taxpayers, those whose incomes are more than $250,000 a year. The $20 mil-

What are highways for, anyway? n House Speaker Robert Moore was explaining the other day why he wants higher taxes for highways.

“No one wants to get on the stump and say, ‘I’m against roads, I’m against highways,’ ” he said. “If we don’t have the courage to fund them, that’s what we’re saying.”

Actually, whether one favors roads ought to depend on which roads. In the way that one can be both for schools and for school consolidation, one can be for highways, but not every highway.

Our heritage in Arkansas is to look on a state highway system as monolithic and utopian. We leave particulars to five constitutionally independent commissioners representing antiquated districts weighted toward the declining rural sections of the state.

Conventional thinking is that we need four lanes going every which way and that this will serve economic development and tourism in underdeveloped or declining areas.

But if that were so, then Northwest Arkansas might never have grown, so underserved was it by good highways as recently as two decades go. Jonesboro, still an inconvenient meander from Little Rock, might

John Brummett jbrummett@arkansasnews.com

not have emerged, alone in eastern Arkansas, as a growth center.

Pine Bluff would have been spurred by the four-lane to Little Rock. Marion, bisected by busy cross-country interstate highways, 40 and 55, would have landed that Toyota plant.

Today’s more appropriate thinking is that, since more than 40 percent of the people now live in six counties, the need for roads is greater in those places, failing mass transit.

We should not indulge gridlock where people live so that there will be four lanes where people don’t.

Roads are mostly utilities, not lures.

A good educational system, a good worth ethic, a trained or trainable work force, talented entrepreneurial spirit, luck — those punch the tickets for economic growth.

lion reduction in sales taxes on electricity and gas will go only to manufacturers and the big electric utilities that burn gas to fire generating boilers. They are some of the nation’s most profitable businesses: Tyson Foods, Pilgrim’s Pride, ConAgra, Georgia Pacific, Cargill, Whirlpool, Entergy.

You can’t sell people on the idea that they will benefit from these tax cuts when they know they will have no capital gains and do not own a manufacturing plant. But the ruse this time is that the tax cuts would create jobs. But neither tax cut would produce even one new job.

Arkansas is one of the few states that treats capital gains — profits from the sale of tangible property, stocks, etc. — differently from earned income from wages and salaries. The top income tax rate is 7 percent, but Arkansas taxes investment income on average at a little under 4.9 percent. That is because since 1999 it has excluded 30 percent of capital profit from taxes.

So the effective tax rate on capital gains in Arkansas is only about 3.3 percent.

Here is why the sponsors of the bill say it will create thousands of jobs in Arkansas: An investor has an idea that he can make $1 million by buying an Arkansas business or starting one and then selling in a few years. But if he looked at the Arkansas capital gains treatment and realized that he would be able to keep only

$967,000 of the $1 million profit he would pass. He would rather have nothing than only $967,000. Is that how the business mind works?

The manufacturers’ tax cut ought to make the average homeowner and businessman even madder. Under utility tariffs, industries pay much less for the electricity and gas they use than do homeowners or small businesses. The manufacturers’ lobby, which includes the state and local chambers of commerce, got the legislature and Governor Beebe to slash the sales tax on their energy two years ago. Now they are back for a bigger bite.

If their sales taxes, which are a minuscule part of their energy bills, are sliced to a little more than 2 percent (yours are 6 percent plus a city or county levy) they say they might put someone else on the payroll.

Is ConAgra or Tyson going to hire someone because its profits are a trifle higher owing to their energy sales tax savings? They will hire another worker if demand for their products increases and they need another worker to meet it.

Altogether, all the tax cuts making their way through the legislature will reduce revenues by some $120 million a year by 2014. That’s how the fiscal crisis in Washington and at the state capitals of Wisconsin, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida and other states began.

As for tourism: The best tourist travel in Tuscany is along the winding back roads through the vineyards and the olive groves, not on the superhighway.

So we should not raise highway taxes as long as the Highway Department spends our money inequitably, inefficiently and for the Arkansas of yesteryear.

Nor should we raise highway taxes as long as the Highway Department sits on $45 million to replace the Broadway Bridge connecting downtown Little Rock and North Little Rock.

That bridge is not unsafe. If it were, the Highway Department would be guilty of attempted murder every time it opens the bridge for traffic, which is all the time.

Last week I spoke to a group of young civic leaders from Sebastian and Crawford Counties who were visiting Little Rock for a day. We were in the back room of the Old State House with a view of the Broadway Bridge.

These western Arkansans seemed none too thrilled as I told about the escrowing of $45 million at the Highway Department to replace the bridge, that one with all those cars breezing over it, while western Arkansas remains stymied in getting Interstate 49 completed south of Fort Smith through Texarkana.

Actually, though, a new I-49 running along the western edge of Arkansas connecting Louisiana and Missouri would mainly provide a quicker way for big

trucks to plow right through us as they haul cargo generated from some other state to a destination in yet another state.

Look at all that traffic along Interstate 40 through the Delta of eastern Arkansas.

How is that working for economic development?

Most likely this legislature, if it addresses highway taxes at all, will punt the issue to the voters in the form of a referendum on a proposed tax increase tied to bonds.

But to stand a chance of voter passage, the Highway Commission will have to promise that proceeds will be equally distributed to all regions.

After all, nearly 60 percent of the people still live in 69 of the 75 counties. Good luck telling those people that you need them to vote for higher taxes so you can direct most of the money to Pulaski, Faulkner, Saline, Washington and Benton Counties.

The answer is for the Highway Commission to put its constitutional independence to positive use and to reform and modernize in the interests of accountability and efficiency.

Meantime, to advocate simply for roads is like going to to the deli and asking simply for a sandwich, any sandwich.

John Brummett is a columnist and reporter for Stephens Media’s Arkansas News Bureau. You can read additional Brummett columns in The Times of North Little Rock. www.arktimes.com • FEBRUARY 23, 2011 15

A Premier Dining exPerience Where Little Rock Goes To Taste Perfection

Guest Chef

Fabrizio Castangia What

Guest Chef Fabrizio Castangia

When

March 7-12

Where

1501 Merrill Drive $60 Per Person Reservations Required Tax and Gratuity not included Four Course Dinner With Wine Pairing Monday, March 7 thru Wednesday, March 9 Regular Menu Plus Features From The Chef Thursday, March 10 thru Saturday, March 12

f r e e va l e t Pa r k ing • P ia no B a r t u es -s at 3 3 5 W i n e se l e C ti o n s • fi n e s P ir its fr o m a r o u nd th e Wo r ld i n q u i r e a B o u t ou r P r ivate C o r Po r ate l u nC h es

Limited to 60 guests each evening

501.225.0500 VesuvioBistro@gmail.com

500 Pre si D e n t c l i n t on Aven u e ( in t h e ri v e r mA r k e t D i s t r i c t ) Cal l f or r e se rvat i on s 501.324.29 9 9 • www. s o n n y wi l l i A ms s t e Ak r o o m. c o m

CELEBRATING

1of0R0oberYtEJoAhnRsoSn

What changes will the health reform bring to Latinos in Arkansas?

The official centennial concert

May 5-8, 2011 Free live music featuring

EL LATINO show on AETN-TV, Sunday, February 27 at 10:30 PM

Honeyboy Edwards, Keb’ Mo’, Bobby Rush The Warren Haynes Band, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Jay Lang and the Devils Due, Robert Johnson Grandson Band, The Kenny Brown Band, Cedric Burnside Experience, Lighting Malcolm Band

Broadcast in Spanish

...and More!

For other events, including a panel discussion,guided tours, and a Robert Johnson Exposed art exhibit, go to www.greenwoodms.org/robertjohnson

Moderador Michel Leidermann Image of Robert Johnson derived from the photo booth self-portrait © 1986 Delta Haze Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.

16 february 23, 2004 • ARKANSAS TIMES

Hey, do this!

MARC H F UN!

Food, Music, Entertainment and everything else that’s Fri Feb 25-Sat Feb 26 New Orleans’ Mardi Gras Indians 101 Runners

featuring Big Chief Monk Boudreaux will deliver its unique fusion of tribal rhythms and swampy voodoo funk with a pair of shows at two of Central Arkansas’ most legendary venues. Friday night’s Hot Springs performance will take place at the Arlington Hotel Resort Hotel & Spa. Saturday’s show will be held at the historic Dreamland Ballroom in Little Rock. Both celebrations begin at 7 p.m. Tickets to the Hot Springs show are $30, tickets to the Little Rock show are $35 with $5 supporting Friends of Dreamland to further the ballroom’s restoration. For tickets, visit www.arconventionsandevents.com or www.dreamlandballroom.com.

the grand opening of the Laura P. Nichols Penguin Pointe. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. with a short dedication ceremony at the Civitan Amphitheater. Guests will then march to the new penguin exhibit for the official grand opening of this highly anticipated new exhibit. Zoo admission is $10 for adults and $8 for children. There will also be a VIP, members-only preview from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Friday, March 4. For more information, visit www. littlerockzoo.com or call 501-666-2406.

Sugarland makes a stop at North Little Rock’s Verizon Arena on The Incredible Machine Tour. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. with special guests Little Big Town and Casey James. Tickets are $25.75-$55.75 and are available through Ticketmaster at 800745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, visit www.verizonarena.com.

Tue 10

Sat 12

The 20th Century Club’s Hope Ball benefits the 20th Century Club’s Lodge, where cancer patients undergoing treatment in Little Rock receive free lodging. In the Wally Allen Ballroom at the Statehouse Convention Center at 6 p.m. The evening includes both live and silent auctions, dinner, cocktails and dancing until midnight. For tickets, call Jane Able, Hope Ball Ticket Chair, at 501-353-1425 or email info@hopeawayfromhome.org.

Fri 18 M2 Gallery presents its 4th Anniversary Show. Featuring new works by many artists and introducing several new artists to the gallery, the opening will be from 6-9 p.m. and will include live music, food and drinks. M2 has been voted best gallery in Arkansas three consecutive years by Arkansas Times readers. M2 Gallery is located at 11525 Cantrell Road in West Little Rock. For more information, call 501-225M2LR or visit www.m2lr.com.

Tue 22

Southern Hospitality opens at Murry’s Dinner Playhouse. In this third installment (following two of our most popular shows of the last two years “Dearly Beloved” and “Christmas Belles”) the Futrelle Sisters are in trouble again, this time the problem is bigger than ever. Their beloved hometown, Fayro, Texas, is in danger of disappearing, and it’s up to the sisters to save it from extinction. A testament to Southern strength and ingenuity, it’s also a recipe for total hilarity. The production runs through April 23. For tickets and showtimes, call 501-562-3131 or visit www. murrysdinnerplayhouse.com.

Intensive (SMTI) celebrates five years of singing, dancing and, in most cases, growing up. Young artists will recount their favorite memories and musical numbers from previous performances, including Hollywood, Broadway on Main, Sing Dance Repeat! and Follie Holidays, in Review the Revue, a production written and directed by Nicole Capri. Review the Revue runs through March 12.

For tickets, call the Rep box office at 501-3780405 or visit www.therep.org.

Sat 5 The Little Rock Zoo is proud to announce

Fri 4 Grammy Award winning country duo

Easter Seals honors Gus Vratsinas as Arkansan of the Year. The celebration will be in the Wally Allen Ballroom at the Statehouse Convention Center at 6 p.m. to recognize his contributions in business, economic development and philanthropy as well as his extraordinary vision for the future of the children and adults with disabilities and 13 years of service on the Easter Seals board. Tickets are available online at ar.easterseals.com.

Wed 2 the Rep’s Summer Music Theater

Sat 26

Local bluegrass band Runaway Planet plays the legendary

Dreamland Ballroom at 800 W. 9th Street from 3-5 p.m. Admission is $5.

For more information, call 501-607-0954.

Tue 15 Old State House Museum

continues its Brown Bag Lunch Series with “Restoration Informed by Archeology: Excavations at the Rice House and Looney Tavern, Randolph County, Arkansas.” Kathy Cande will discuss findings from the excavations of two of the oldest wooden structures still standing in Arkansas. The hour-long lecture begins at noon and is free. Participants are encouraged to bring a sack lunch. Beverages are provided. Visit www.oldstatehouse.com.

Sat 19

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and special guests Mithril.

The Celtic group will have you dancing in the aisles. At Robinson Center Music Hall Saturday, 8 p.m. and Sunday, 3 p.m. Tickets are $20-$65 and available at www. arkansassymphony.org or by phone at 501-666-1761.

Tue 29

The Aluminum Show comes to Little Rock’s Robinson Center Music Hall. A unique and energetic experience for the entire family, The Aluminum Show is a stimulating tour de force that combines movement, dance, visual theater and plenty of humor. Dancers and actors breathe life into aluminum-tone industrial materials to tell the story of a young machine determined to reunite with its parents. The show, which runs through March 31, is suitable for all ages. For tickets and showtimes, visit www.celebrityattractions.com or call 501-244-8800.

ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE ARKANSAS TIMES • february 23, 2011 17

CONGRATULATIONS

ROUND THREE

WINNER Sea Nanners

Round Four - 2/24 The Safe and Sounds Mandy McBryde and the Unholy Ghost Thunder Thieves Ginsu Wives Round Five - 3/3 Brethren This Holy House Michael Leonard Witham The Pink Drapes Finals - 3/4 Tyrannosaurus Chicken The Year of the Tiger Sea Nanners TBA TBA

ยกREVOLUTION! SEMI-FINALS

FINALS

arts entertainment

This week in

Adam Faucett release party set PAGE 20

and

Perkins, Smith to Stickyz PAGE 21

TO-DO LIST 20

CALENDAR 22

MOVIES 26

DINING 28

JUDGES

BRIAN CHILSON

ANDY WARR ON SEA NANNERS. “Good and refreshing, not to mention a band that’s oozing potential.”

Sea Nanners peel off a Round Three win

BONNIE MONTGOMERY ON SEA NANNERS. “Really nice dynamics. Love the joy. Also, pretty girls like this band.”

MUSICIANS SHOWCASE 2011

MUSICIANS SHOWCASE 2011

The eccentric indie rockers join the finals lineup; Round Four this Thursday.

TRAVIS HILL ON SEA NANNERS. “Dave Matthews meets the end of the ’80s/ early ’90s. These guys play with heart.”

BY JOHN TARPLEY

O

h no.

I’m starting to fear we programmed these semifinal rounds a little too well.

For the second week in a row, the night’s winner made the cut by a razor-thin margin and even the last place band wasn’t far behind on the scoreboard.

Ultimately, energetic, up-and-coming indie rockers Sea Nanners took the night after a dynamic set of recklessly sweet, driving anthems that sound right in place in the taste-making musical corners of the blogosphere.

In fact, it’s hard not to see Nanners’ planned mid-April release of their debut 7” (“Queen of the Brodeo”) as a knock at that very door. The sound — driving, jittered and tethered around vocalist Thom Asewicz’s wildly inventive, contorted vocals and melody lines — would be right at home alongside current critical darlings. No doubt there are similarities to be found between Sea Nanners and whatever noises are “in” right now, but it seems Thursday night’s winners have sprung from entirely Continued on page 24

MIKE BROWN ON SEA NANNERS. “Savvy, anti-hero sex symbols! I love them!”

NATALIE ELLIOTT (GUEST JUDGE) ON SEA NANNERS. “Dream-poppy, lush melodies with haphazard house party energy.” www.arktimes.com • FEBRUARY 23, 2011 19

■ to-dolist

BY JOHN TARPLEY, LINDSEY MILLAR AND GERARD MATTHEWS

WEDNESDAY 2/23

HEARTLESS BASTARDS 9 p.m., Juanita’s. $12 adv., $15 d.o.s.

n She may spend her days busying herself with being a recluse, but Grace Slick’s voice still lives on in 2011. After its late ’90s revival, bluesy garage rock is still thumping away and, for a number of femme-led acts, Slick’s ululations lay out the vocal blueprint. And no one nods at the rock legend more faithfully than Erika Wennerstrom, frontwoman for the Austin by-way-of Dayton, Ohio, four-piece, Heartless Bastards. Sporting a contract with Oxford, Miss., superlabel Fat Possum Records and a 4 1/2 star review from Rolling Stone, the blues-garage revisionists have been building steam thanks to their smart yet rudimentary twist on accessible, full-bodied, decidedly Midwestern rock ’n’ roll. The band itself is so solidly traditional and brass-tacked that there’s precious few musical ideas to note — or, for that matter, really love. But as spectacularly understated as the men behind her are, Wennerstrom, again, is just as extraordinary. Live, she makes walking the line between Lucinda Williams’ rootsy wisdom and PJ Harvey’s unapproachable art-swagger look effortless. They’re regulars in Little Rock — this week, back for their first time in little less than a year— but, with their ceaselessly upwards trajectory, you never know which show could be their last. The Bastards are joined by another blondie badass backed by a gang of guys in the Elise Davis Band and celloand piano-laced indie pop from Conway’s Don’t Stop Please. JT

THURSDAY 2/24

SALUTING SOMETHING: Adam Faucett (center) takes to White Water Tavern this Friday night to mark the release of his newest album, “More Like a Temple,” with Tall Grass backers Jonny D (left) and Chad Conder (right). a few. NPR flipped over Downes after her appearance on “Performance Today” and lists upon lists of boutique magazines dedicated to classical music have compared her unique interpretive skills and an expressive, lucid technique with everything from Rachmaninov to Philip Glass. Thursday sees Downes tipping her hat to Arkansas with a special performance of “Fantasie Negre” by Florence Price, the Little Rock-born classicist, remembered as the first black woman to be widely recognized and accepted as a true symphonic composer by her white, male peers. JT

FRIDAY 2/25

ADAM FAUCETT ALBUM RELEASE 10 p.m., White Water Tavern.

LARA DOWNES

7:30 p.m., St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. $25 general, $10 students

n For nearly 60 years, the Chamber Music Society of Little Rock has provided a huge service to Little Rock’s arts community, taking over St. Mark’s Episcopal Church to provide four annual concerts from celebrated names of the classical community. This show marks the only concert performed with a soloist during their 20102011 season. A member of the prestigious Steinway Artist society, Lara Downes has performed in a dizzyingly impressive list of venues: Queen Elizabeth Hall London, the Vienna Konzerthaus, Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy and Lincoln Centers, to name 20 FEBRUARY 23, 2011 • ARKANSAS TIMES

n If you’ve recently started to attempt the frustrating, more-often-than-not-laborious task of wrenching a tune out of a guitar and slipping into the ether to peel off a few words to tack onto your new tune, then, young songwriter, stay away from this one. Adam Faucett and, more so, the music of Adam Faucett are notoriously devastating. Three weeks with Faucett’s new album, “More Like a Temple,” and I’ve given a thought or two to just trading in my instruments for a shovel and good pair of gloves. There’s a very short list of area songwriters who command as much respect from both audiences and fellow musicians like Little Rock’s “folk swamp soul brother.” Faucett evokes a sound between Otis Redding’s soul shout and Cat Power’s swampy poeticism. Throw

JOCK O MO: Big Chief Monk Boudreaux leads 101 Runners, his Mardi Gras Indian funk band, this Saturday evening at Dreamland Ballroom.

■ inbrief

in a dash of John Fahey picking and the occasional glimpse of Rufus Wainwright vocal operaticism and you’re almost there.

The precise craft on display in the album’s string-colored arrangements and crystalline production is strong by any standard, but as always, Faucett’s melodies are the highlight: inspired, innate and effortlessly gorgeous. After a dozen-plus spins, “More Like a Temple” is far beyond just good. It may just be one of the most vital documents of a young musician to come out of town in years. Expect to hear about this album for a long while. He’s joined by his backing band, the Tall Grass, and joshua, the Velvet Kente frontman who also occupies one of the rare spots on the aforementioned “shortlist.” JT

THURSDAY 2/24

SATURDAY 2/26

101 RUNNERS

7 p.m., Dreamland Ballroom. $35

n It’s hard to get appropriately geared up for Mardi Gras when you’re hours away from dear New Orleans. Like most, we won’t make the early March trip down to the shore for Mardi Gras. But we’re not fussy. A bit of gumbo and a case of Ibita beer after work on Tuesday should suffice just fine for yet another year. (That is, until someone forms a Little Rock second line, in which case, call us immediately, please.) But this year, 101 Runners, a “heavy percussive funk band” of elaborately colorful Mardi Gras Indians in gorgeous, traditional suits, will take to Arkansas for a three-day goodwill tour to spread the celebration to their neighbors to the north. Fronted by Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, formerly of the legendary Wild Magnolias funk group and — don’t forget — the Biggest of Big Chiefs, 101 Runners have been Crescent City favorites for years, laying down driving, tribal beats and hypnotic voodoo call-and-response both on stage and the streets. Thursday, Feb. 24, the Indians take to Fayetteville for a show at George’s Majestic Lounge before heading down to Hot Springs for a night at the Arlington Hotel and, finally, to Little Rock for this show, at Dreamland Ballroom. $5 of the ticket price goes to the Friends of the Ballroom fund, dedicated to restoring the historic ballroom. JT

PINETOP PERKINS AND WILLIE ‘BIG EYES’ SMITH 9 p.m., Stickyz. $20

n Last Sunday, when blues piano legend Pinetop Perkins and iconic vocalist, harmonica player (and Helena native) Willie “Big Eyes” Smith snagged a Grammy for best traditional blues album with their recent collaboration, “Joined at the Hip,” Perkins not only received another golden gramophone to put beside his Lifetime Achievement Award, he also became, at 97, the oldest Grammy-winner in history. Let’s sidestep all of the, well, frankly morbid in-

LIVING LEGENDS: Willie “Big Eyes” Smith (above) and “Pinetop” Perkins (seated), fresh off of a Grammy win for their album “Joined at the Hip,” come to Stickyz for a muchanticipated night of blues. sinuations of why you should cancel your plans to pay your respects to a nearly 100year old iconoclast. Heck, let’s not even talk about the recent Grammy: the award pales in comparison to their solid status as bona fide blues legends. Instead, let’s talk about the fact that we’re in 2011 with the chance to pull back the curtain on the past to see and hear Perkins and Smith, members of Muddy Waters’ best backing band and founders of the Legendary Blues Band, combine nearly 175 years of blues mastery for a live audience. Don’t even think of this as the best show of the night; Saturday, it’s probably the best blues show in the entire world. Local electric blues trio Voodoo Sauce opens the night. JT

‘THE ULTIMATE PERFORMING ART’

7 p.m., Wildwood Park for the Arts. $30$100.

n Lucy Lockett Cabe is spinning in her grave. Or maybe the namesake of Wildwood Park’s theater, who for years propped up the park and the local opera scene, secretly adored a good brawl. Either way, current Wildwood director Cliff Baker had no qualms about renting the Lucy Lockett Cabe Theater to SUBzero Fighting for “The Ultimate Performing Art,” a mixed martial arts bout staged in a cage. “It sounds terribly exciting. There’ll be a whole crowd who’ll never have been here,” he said. And perhaps unlike a lot of events Wildwood stages, the theater will be full. “We’ll sell this venue out,” promised Roli Delgado, half of the Little Rock-based SUBzero promoting team as well as one of the top fighters on the card, in a phone interview two weeks ago. Before SUBzero started advertising, it sold five VIP tables for $1,000 each, Delgado said.

That demand reflects MMA’s growing national audience, which can now see MMA

fighting on The VS channel, MTV2, CBS, Spike and Showtime. Delgado appeared on Spike’s “The Ultimate Fighter” in 2008 and has fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the sport’s biggest promotion.

Even with those bona fides, Delgado said Little Rock police officer Josh Black, a born and bred fighter with “an enormous following,” will be the night’s big draw. He’ll fight a veteran of the Strikeforce MMA promotion, a rival to UFC. David Lindsey and Harry Johnson also feature. LM

MONDAY 2/28

GASLAND

7 p.m., Hendrix College, Worsham Hall

n Director Josh Fox returns to Central Arkansas, where filming for his Academy Award-nominated documentary “Gasland” began, for a screening and panel discussion at Hendrix. By the time the lights go down and the opening credits roll, Fox could be an Oscar winner, as the awards will be held the night before. Oscar or no, the film has already garnered critical acclaim, winning the special jury prize for documentary at the Sundance Film Festival last year. The film has also drawn harsh criticism and attacks from the natural gas industry it hopes to expose. The footage shot in Booneville ended up on the cutting room floor. However, the deleted scenes, which can be found on the DVD version of the film, will likely be shown Monday night. A panel discussion will take place in Staples Hall at 7:30 the following night, featuring Fox and Mayor Calvin Tillman, who has been outspoken about natural gas exploration in his town of Dish, Texas. Conway Mayor Tab Townsell and representatives from Southwestern Energy have been invited as well, but have not committed to attend. GM

n The Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase returns to Stickyz for its fourth of five rounds, featuring electrorock from local freak icons Ginsu Wives, country twang from Mandy McBryde and the Unholy Ghost and pulsing indie rock from Perry (Perry County) up-and-comers Thunder Thieves, 8:30 p.m., $5. The Afterthought hosts Serbian classical guitarist and composer Nemanja Bogunovic from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. before handing the stage over to Andy Warr until midnight, $7. Ol’ Puddin’head shores up for his weekly stint at Thirst n’ Howl, 7:30 p.m., free. Revolution continues its “Southern Nights” concert series with the Little Rock debut of Red Dirt outfits Josh Abbott Band and Whiskey Myers, 9 p.m., $8 adv., $10 d.o.s. Juanita’s opens its doors for a solo show from Damon Johnson, frontman for ’90s hard rockers Brother Cane and guitarist for Alice Cooper, 9 p.m., $12 adv., $15 d.o.s.

FRIDAY 2/25

n SeanFresh and Epiphany, fresh off of releasing new mixtapes in “Freshlove” and “Respect, Pt. 3: The Wait,” respectively, bring a live band and a slate of guests to The Afterthought for “The Jam Session 3,” 9 p.m., $10.

Stickyz gets another visit from Widespread Panic guitar hero George McConnell and his backing band, The Nonchalants, 9 p.m., $8. Victorian “aristocrunk” rap duo Lord T & Eloise return to Revolution, 9 p.m., $10.

In local theater, August Wilson’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” returns to The Weekend Theater, 7:30 p.m., $10-$14, and the Community Theater of Little Rock performs Aaron Sorkin’s “A Few Good Men,” 7:30 p.m., $14.

SATURDAY 2/26

n Little Rock’s best cover band, The Libras, returns to White Water for a night of Louisiana music, including songs by Bobby Charles, Slim Harpo, The Meters, Professor Longhair and Lee Dorsey, 10 p.m., $5. The Little Rock Kickball Association returns to Dickey-Stephens Park for its annual “Chili With a Kick” kickball tournament and chili cook-off competition to benefit Youth Home Inc., $10. Nashville country singer/songwriter Charlie Robison rambles back into Revolution, 9 p.m., $12 adv., $15 d.o.s. Vino’s hosts a Mardi Gras ball from the local “Krewe of Hogs,” featuring music from Rip Van Shizzle, 8 p.m., $5 adv., $10 d.o.s. The Mallard Bar inside the Peabody Hotel hosts its own Mardi Gras shindig with live R&B and jazz from Rodney Block and the Real Music Lovers, 9 p.m., $10 general, $15 V.I.P. www.arktimes.com • FEBRUARY 23, 2011 21

www.arktimes.com

afterdark

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.

COMEDY

Rajun Cajun. The Loony Bin, through Feb. 24, 8 p.m.; Feb. 25, 8 and 10:30 p.m.; Feb. 26, 7, 9 and 11 p.m., $6-$9. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road.

501-228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.com.

Tim Hawkins. Fellowship Bible Church, 7 p.m., $15-$50. 1401 Kirk Rd.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23 MUSIC

Acoustic Open Mic with Kat Hood. The Afterthought, 8 p.m. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-6631196. www.afterthoughtbar.com.

Bolly Open Mic Hype Night with Osyrus Bolly and DJ Messiah. All American Wings, 9 p.m. 215 W. Capitol Ave. 501-376-4000. allamericanwings.com.

Brian & Nick. Cajun’s Wharf, 5 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf.com.

Heartless Bastards, Elise Davis and the Robins, Don’t Stop Please. Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $12 adv., $15 d.o.s. 1300 S. Main St. 501-372-1228. www.juanitas.com.

Imani Winds Quintet. Reynolds Performance Hall, UCA, 7:30 p.m. 350 S. Donaghey, Conway.

Jim Dickerson. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www. sonnywilliamssteakroom.com.

Karaoke at Khalil’s. Khalil’s Pub, 7 p.m. 110 S. Shackleford Road. 501-224-0224. www.khalilspub. com.

Karaoke. Hibernia Irish Pub, 9 p.m. 9700 N Rodney Parham Road. 501-246-4340. www.hiberniairishtavern.com/index.html.

Karaoke with Big John Miller. Denton’s Trotline, 8 p.m. 2150 Congo Road, Benton. 501-315-1717.

Lucious Spiller Band. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9:30 p.m., $5. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyfingerz.com.

Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 5 p.m., free.

111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www.capitalhotel. com/CBG.

COMEDY

Rajun Cajun. The Loony Bin, 8 p.m.; Feb. 25, 8 and 10:30 p.m.; Feb. 26, 7, 9 and 11 p.m., $6-$9. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.com.

EVENTS

Free art and writing workshop. The William F. Laman Public Library, in partnership with Pulaski Technical College and Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, is hosting a free art and writing workshop to be led by Paula Morell of the library and Pulaski Tech visual arts instructor Kimberly Kwee. Ntzoke Shange’s “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf” will serve as inspiration.

The writing and visual art created in the workshop will be part of an exhibit in the Mosaic Templar’s theater when Pulaski Tech presents its production of For Colored Girls at The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center on March 17, 18, and 19. Register at 501-772-7602 or paula.morell@lamanlibrary.org. Laman Library, 6 p.m. 2801 Orange St., NLR. 501-758-1720. www. lamanlibrary.org.

Umbrella decorating sessions with the Krewe of Krazo. New Delhi Cafe, continues through Feb. 27. 2 N. Main St., Eureka Springs. 479-253-2525. www.thenewdelhicafe.com.

LECTURES

Malawian Vice President Joyce Banda. Gender 22 FEBRUARY 23, 2011 • ARKANSAS TIMES

d.o.s. 1300 S. Main St. 501-372-1228. www.juanitas. com.

“V.I.P. Thursdays” with DJ Silky Slim. Sway, 8 p.m., $3. 412 Louisiana. 501-907-2582.

Jim Dickerson. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www. sonnywilliamssteakroom.com.

Josh Abbott Band, Whiskey Myers. Revolution, 9 p.m., $8 adv., $10 d.o.s. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom.com.

Lara Downes. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, $10-$25. 1000 N. Mississippi Ave. Nemaja Bogunovic, guitarist. The Afterthought, 8 p.m., $7. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbar.com.

Ol’ Puddin’haid. Thirst n’ Howl, 7:30 p.m., free.

14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www.thirstn-howl.com.

Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 5 p.m., free.

111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www.capitalhotel. com/CBG. White Noise Theory (headliner), Rob & Tyndall (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.

EVENTS

YOUNG VIRTUOSO: This weekend, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra will be joined

by Augustin Hadelich (pictured), the 26-year-old violin sensation and recipient of the esteemed Avery Fisher Grant, for “Incredible Beethoven,” which spotlights Hadelich’s skill on Beethoven’s “Concerto for Violin.” Robinson Center Music Hall hosts the symphony this Saturday, Feb. 26, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 27, at 3 p.m. rights advocate speaks. For reservations or more information, call 683-5239 or e-mail publicprograms@clintonschool.uasys.edu. Clinton School of Public Service, 6 p.m., free. 1200 President Clinton Ave. 501-683-5239. www.clintonschool.uasys.edu.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24 MUSIC

101 Runners “Mardi Gras to the World Tour.”

George’s Majestic Lounge, 7 p.m., $10. 519 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479-442-4226.

Andrew Anderson. Maxine’s, 8 p.m., free. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. maxinespub.com.

Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase Round Four with Ginsu Wives, Mandy McBryde & the Unholy Ghost, No Hay de Que, Thunder Thieves. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 8:30 p.m., $5. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www. stickyfingerz.com.

“Blues Night.” Vino’s, 7 p.m., $5. 923 W. Seventh St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com.

Butterfly and Irie Soul, DJ Hy-C. Mediums Art Lounge, 9 p.m., $10. 521 Center St. 501-374-4495.

D-Mite and Tho-d Studios Showcase.

Cornerstone Pub & Grill, 8:30 p.m. 314 Main St., NLR. 501-374-1782. cstonepub.com.

Damon Johnson. Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $12 adv., $15

“1861.” As part of the Center’s Black History Month activities, Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School students present the role of Buffalo Soldiers in the Civil War. Learn about the Arkansas connection to this 1861 war and the economic value of slaves during this period. For reservations, call 748-0419.

Clinton Presidential Center, Feb. 24, 9:30, 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.; Feb. 25, 9:30 and 11 a.m., free. 1200 President Clinton Avenue. 370-8000. www.clintonpresidentialcenter.org.

“Beakman on the Brain.” From the Emmy Awardwinning children’s science TV show, “Beakman’s World,” Beakman the scientist (Paul Zaloom) returns to Walton Arts Center in a new show about the human brain. Walton Arts Center, 7 p.m., $9-$17.

495 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479-443-5600.

LECTURES

Jonathan Weiler. Director of the undergraduate curriculum of global studies at the University of North Carolina, Weiler will discuss the growing impact of a personality-based divide in American politics in his lecture, “Why Is America So Polarized?

Authoritarianism in a Divided Country.” For reservations or more information, call 683-5239 or e-mail publicprograms@clintonschool.uasys.edu. Clinton School of Public Service, 6 p.m. 1200 President Clinton Ave. 501-683-5239. www.clintonschool. uasys.edu.

POETRY

Anne Waldman. The UCA artist-in-residence gives a public reading in the College of Business auditorium. University of Central Arkansas, 7:30 p.m., free.

201 Donaghey Ave., Conway. www.uca.edu.

SPORTS

Horse racing. Oaklawn, $2.50-$4.50. 2705 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-623-4411. www.oaklawn. com.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25 MUSIC

101 Runners “Mardi Gras to the World Tour.”

Arlington Hotel, 7 p.m., $30. 239 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-623-7771.

Adam Faucett, Joshua (of Velvet Kente). White Water Tavern, 10 p.m. 2500 W. 7th. 501-375-8400. www.whitewatertavern.com.

The Beautiful Pursuit, The Alexei, EKSB, Queen Anne’s Revenge, Ellison’s Cage, RoseFire. Vino’s, 8 p.m. 923 W. Seventh St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com.

Broadway Joe’s Weekend Celebration. The local radio personality celebrates his 55th birthday with a weekend of events and music from Pretty Ricky, Alexander O’Neal and Cherelle. For more information, visit bwayjoe.net. Doubletree Hotel, Feb. 25-26. 424 W. Markham. 501-372-4371.

BushDog. West End Smokehouse and Tavern, 10

p.m. 215 N. Shackleford. 501-224-7665. www.westendsmokehouse.net.

DJ Ja’Lee. Sway, 8 p.m., $5. 412 Louisiana.

501-907-2582.

Ed Bowman & The Rock City Players. Town Pump, 10 p.m. 1321 Rebsamen Park Road. 501-6639802.

“Friday Night E.D.M. Club.” Juanita’s, 10 p.m.

1300 S. Main St. 501-372-1228. www.juanitas.com.

George McConnell & the Nonchalants.

Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9 p.m., $8.

107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyfingerz.com.

Gray Dasuew, Dauz Cohen. Reno’s Argenta Cafe, 10 p.m. 312 N. Main St., NLR. 501-376-2900. www. renosargentacafe.com.

Grayson Shelton. Cregeen’s Irish Pub, Feb. 25-26, 9 p.m., free. 301 Main St., NLR. 501-376-7468. www. cregeens.com.

The Hoppers. Park Place Baptist Church, 7 p.m.

22208 I-30, Bryant.

Jahmin Brahmen. Midtown Billiards, Feb. 26, 12:30 a.m., $8 non-members. 1316 Main St. 501-372-9990. midtownar.com.

Jeff Coleman. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, Feb. 25-26, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-3242999. www.sonnywilliamssteakroom.com.

Junior Steele. Flying Saucer, 9 p.m. 323 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-7468. www.beerknurd.com/ stores/littlerock.

Lord T & Eloise, Free Sol. Revolution, 9 p.m., $10. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom.com.

Ryan Couron. Denton’s Trotline, 9 p.m. 2150 Congo Road, Benton. 501-315-1717.

Sean Fresh, Epiphany. The Afterthought, 9 p.m., $7. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www. afterthoughtbar.com.

Seryn, Free Micah, Super Water Sympathy.

Maxine’s, 8 p.m., $5 adv., $7 d.o.s. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. maxinespub.com.

Shannon Boshears (headliner), Kirk Anderton (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.

Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 9 p.m. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www.capitalhotel.com/ CBG. White Collar Criminals. Markham Street Grill And Pub, 9 p.m. 11321 W. Markham St. 501-224-2010. www.markhamst.com.

Zucura. Cornerstone Pub & Grill, 9 p.m. 314 Main St., NLR. 501-374-1782. cstonepub.com.

COMEDY

Rajun Cajun. The Loony Bin, Feb. 25, 8 and 10:30 p.m.; Feb. 26, 7, 9 and 11 p.m., $6-$9. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.com.

EVENTS

“1861.” See Feb. 24.

2011 Home Show. The annual home improvement weekend returns. Visit hbaglr.com/home-show for more information. Verizon Arena, Feb. 25-27, 10 a.m. 1 Alltel Arena Way, NLR. 501-975-9001. verizonarena.com.

Arkansas Flower and Garden Show. Locallygrown produce, seed swaps, Sunday brunch and more. For information, visit arflowerandgardenshow.

com. Statehouse Convention Center, Feb. 25-27, 10 a.m. 7 Statehouse Plaza.

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.

LECTURES

Kevin Johnson, Michelle Rhee. Founder of Students First, a nonprofit dedicated to improving America’s education system, and Sacramento mayor will speak. For reservations or more information, call 683-5239 or e-mail publicprograms@clintonschool. uasys.edu. Clinton School of Public Service, 6 p.m.

1200 President Clinton Ave. 501-683-5239. www. clintonschool.uasys.edu.

SPORTS

Horse racing. Oaklawn, $2.50-$4.50. 2705 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-623-4411. www.oaklawn. com.

UALR Men’s Baseball vs. Bradley University.

UALR, Feb. 25-27, 3 p.m. 2801 S University Ave. 501-569-8977.

BOOKS

FOCAL Book Sale. Main Library, Feb. 25-26, 9 a.m.; Feb. 27, 1 p.m. 100 S. Rock St. www.cals.lib. ar.us.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26 MUSIC

101 Runners “Mardi Gras to the World Tour.”

Dreamland Ballroom, 7 p.m., $35. 800 W. 9th St. 501-255-5700.

Aranda, Black Cloud Collective, Pop Evil, Rev Theory. Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $3 adv., $5 d.o.s. 1300 S. Main St. 501-372-1228. www.juanitas.com.

Arkansas Symphony Orchestra: “Incredible Beethoven.” Featuring guest violinist Augustin Hadelich. Robinson Center Music Hall, Feb. 26, 8 p.m.; Feb. 27, 3 p.m. Markham and Broadway. www. littlerockmeetings.com/conv-centers/robinson.

Broadway Joe’s Weekend Celebration. See Feb. 25.

Brown Soul Shoes. Markham Street Grill And Pub, 9 p.m. 11321 W. Markham St. 501-224-2010. www. markhamst.com.

Charlie Robison, The Salty Dogs. Revolution, 9 p.m., $12 adv., $15 d.o.s. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom.com.

Chris Henry. Flying Saucer, 10 p.m. 323 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-7468. www.beerknurd.com/ stores/littlerock.

DJs Kramer (lobby); Michael Shane, Justin Sane (disco); g-force (Hip-Hop). Discovery Nightclub, 10 p.m., $12. 1021 Jessie Road. 501-6644784. www.latenightdisco.com.

DJ Ja’Lee. Sway, 8 p.m., $5. 412 Louisiana.

501-907-2582.

The Gettys. West End Smokehouse and Tavern, 10 p.m. 215 N. Shackleford. 501-224-7665. www. westendsmokehouse.net.

Genine Perez & Co.. The Afterthought, 9 p.m., $7. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www. afterthoughtbar.com.

Good Time Ramblers. Grumpy’s Too, 10 p.m.

1801 Green Mountain Drive. 501-225-9650.

UPCOMING EVENTS Concert tickets through Ticketmaster by phone at 975-7575 or online at www.ticketmaster.com unless otherwise noted.

MARCH 12: Baths. 9 p.m., $10. Stickyz, 107 Commerce St. 372-7707, stickyfingerz.com.

MARCH 14: Wild Flag/Times New Viking.

8:30 p.m., $10. Stickyz, 107 Commerce St. 372-7707, stickyfingerz.com.

MARCH 14: Damien Jurado. 10 p.m. White Water Tavern, 2500 W. 7th. 375-8400, whitewatertavern.com.

MARCH 15: Nicholas Sparks. 7:30 p.m., $10. UCA, Reynolds Performance Hall, 350 S. Donaghey, Conway. 866-810-0012, uca.edu. ticketforce.com.

MARCH 18: 8Ball & MJG. 9 p.m. Revolution, 300 President Clinton AV. 823-0090, revroom. com.

MARCH 27: Destroyer. 9 p.m., $10 adv., $12 d.o.s. Stickyz, 107 Commerce St. 372-7707, stickyfingerz.com.

APRIL 6: Cage the Elephant/Biffy Clyro. 9 p.m., $20. Revolution, 300 President Clinton Ave. 823-0090, revroom.com.

APRIL 29: James Taylor. 8 p.m., $47-$71.

Verizon Arena. 975-9000, verizonarena.com.

MAY 24-26: “Beauty and the Beast.” 7:30 p.m. Robinson Center Music Hall, Markham and Broadway. 244-8800, celebrityattractions.com.

MAY 27-29: Riverfest 2011. Downtown Little Rock. riverfestarkansas.com.

Grayson Shelton. Cregeen’s Irish Pub, 9 p.m., free.

301 Main St., NLR. 501-376-7468. www.cregeens. com.

Jahmin Brahmen. Midtown Billiards, 12:30 a.m., $8 non-members. 1316 Main St. 501-372-9990. midtownar.com.

Jeff Coleman. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www. sonnywilliamssteakroom.com.

Karaoke at Khalil’s. Khalil’s Pub, 7 p.m. 110 S. Shackleford Road. 501-224-0224. www.khalilspub. com.

“Krewe of Hogs” Mardi Gras Ball. With music

by Rip Van Shizzle. Vino’s, 8 p.m., $5 adv., $10 d.o.e. 923 W. Seventh St. 501-375-8466. www. vinosbrewpub.com.

The Libras. White Water Tavern, 10 p.m. 2500 W. 7th. 501-375-8400. www.whitewatertavern.com.

“The Light” with Torry Dulaney, Keithan Epps, Vickie Woodard, J-One, Tonisha Porter. The Land, 7 p.m., $15 adv., $20 d.o.s. 3700 W. 65th St. “Mardi Gras at the Mallard Bar” with Rodney Block and the Real Music Lovers. The Peabody Little Rock, 9 p.m., $10, $15 V.I.P. 3 Statehouse Plaza.

501-906-4000. www.peabodylittlerock.com.

Pinetop Perkins, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Voodoo Sauce. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9 p.m., $20. 107 Commerce St. 501-3727707. www.stickyfingerz.com.

Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 9 p.m. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www.capitalhotel.com/ CBG. Third Degree. Denton’s Trotline, 9 p.m. 2150

Congo Road, Benton. 501-315-1717.

Travis Tritt. El Dorado Municipal Auditorium, 7:30 p.m., $35-$45. 101 W. 8th St., El Dorado.

Unseen Eye, Chad Carter. Town Pump, 10 p.m.

1321 Rebsamen Park Road. 501-663-9802.

The Vail, Sychosys, Drop Dead Syndicate.

Maxine’s, 8 p.m., $5. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. maxinespub.com.

Wes Hart Band (headliner), Richie Johnson (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.

COMEDY

Rajun Cajun. The Loony Bin, 7, 9 and 11 p.m., $6-$9. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-2285555. www.loonybincomedy.com.

EVENTS

2011 Home Show. See Feb. 25.

Arkansas Flower and Garden Show. See Feb. 25.

“Chili with a Kick.” Adult kickball tournament, chili cook-off competition and family event to benefit Youth Home, Inc. Dickey-Stephens Park, 9 a.m., $10.

400 W Broadway St., NLR. 501-664-1555. www. travs.com.

Depression Glass Show and Sale. Dealers exhibiting and selling Depression Era Glass and Pottery. Arkansas State Fairgrounds, Feb. 26, 9 a.m.; Feb. 27, 10 a.m. 2600 Howard St. 501-372-8341 ext.

8206. www.arkansasstatefair.com.

Falun Gong meditation. Allsopp Park, 9 a.m., free.

Cantrell & Cedar Hill Roads.

SPORTS

Horse racing. Oaklawn, $2.50-$4.50. 2705 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-623-4411. www.oaklawn. com.

SubZero MMA Fighting. With Roli Delgado, Josh Black, David Lindsay and Harry Johnson. More information at subzerofighting.com. Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts, 7 p.m., $30 general, $100 front row. 20919 Denny Road.

UALR Men’s Baseball vs. Bradley University.

UALR, through Feb. 27, 3 p.m. 2801 S University Ave. 501-569-8977.

BOOKS

FOCAL Book Sale. Main Library, through Feb. 26, 9 a.m.; Feb. 27, 1 p.m. 100 S. Rock St. www.cals. lib.ar.us.

Melissa Francis. The author of YA books “Bite Me” and “Love Sucks” will speak at meeting of Fiction Writers of Central Arkansas. For more information, visit fwca.org. Baptist Health Center, 9 a.m. 9601 I-30.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27 MUSIC

Arkansas Symphony Orchestra: “Incredible Beethoven.” Featuring guest violinist Augustin Hadelich. Robinson Center Music Hall, 3 p.m.

Markham and Broadway. www.littlerockmeetings. com/conv-centers/robinson.

The Chieftains. Walton Arts Center, 7 p.m., $46-$72. 495 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479-4435600.

DJ Silky Slim, Deerrty DJ Deja Blu, DJ

Continued on page 24

www.arktimes.com • FEBRUARY 23, 2011 23

SHOWCASE Continued from page 19

different reference points than, say, Cloud Nothings or The Drums. The strong overtones of ’80s-era Springsteen and college rock progenitors The Feelies give the band a unique voice that sets it apart from its peers, national and otherwise.

Speaking of unique voices, the nudiesuited 10 Horse Johnson, country and western’s answer to Tenacious D, opened the night with a torrent of songs about kissing Ned Beatty, the poor Reno-ite who ended up on the wrong side of Sue’s bullet and guitarist Dover’s wife. All replete with shoutouts to “Prozac Nation” author Elizabeth Wurtzel.

Self-avowed cover band Brown Soul Shoes traded in the soul standards it’s known for and took to a set of originals with spectacular musicianship. Big, fat props are due to frontman/multi-instrumentalist Michael McDonald, whose booming, gospel-inflected vocals not only won over the crowd, but were praised by the night’s panel of judges.

Also winning over the judges: Ezra Lbs, the endearing ’90s slack-rock throwback act that nearly edged out the night’s competition despite playing in front of a thinned-out house. In fact, judge Andy Warr’s notes on the band gradually became a string of single words and exclamation marks. (“Damn! Rockin’! Kick! Ass! I wanna steal them!”)

Round four is 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, at Stickyz. The lineup:

MANDY MCBRYDE AND THE UNHOLY GHOST. For years Mandy McBryde has been a steady source of acerbic, witty updates on traditional country music, but now the local songwriter is taking a shot at electrified country rock with help from her new backing band, the Unholy Ghost. But her sly

humor still takes center stage with songs like “Loretta,” which sees the Coal Miner’s Daughter as a guiding spirit during a catfight at Midtown Billiards.

THINK: A smart-assed Loretta Lynn for the Facebook era.

THUNDER THIEVES. Truth be totally told, we know precious little about this band from the Pop. 314 village of Perry, Arkansas. We’re not even sure we’re spelling “Thieves” the intended way. (Their application is under “Thunder Theifs”) Over the phone, our contact is coy and on the internet, the band is un-Googleable. But with songs as cool and vitriolic as the lo-fi washed, angular “Forget My Taste,” we’re more than happy to embrace the mystery.

THINK: If Cage the Elephant was indie-blog cool. (Or The Strange Boys.)

GINSU WIVES. Probably the most established band of this year’s showcase, Ginsu Wives have spent years honing their unhinged dance (post-)punk sound and branding it with disturbing, sometimes hilarious iconography that’s too N.S.F.Life. to print in these pages. Fiercely experimental and usually in some degree of undress, if your mind isn’t blown after their show, we promise your jaw will be dropped.

THINK: Drugs. Tom Tom Club, Public Image Ltd. and Funkmaster Flex doing drugs and filthy things to each other on drugs.

THE SAFE AND SOUNDS. Filling a last-minute opening in this week’s line-up, The Safe and Sounds hail from Conway and, like the college town itself, offers a great mix of jam choogle alongside decidedly indie hooks and instrumentation. Currently, the four are putting the finishing touches on an upcoming album, expected to drop April 1.

THINK: If Modest Mouse drafted Trey Anastasio instead of Johnny Marr.

A&E NEWS

New on Rock Candy n The Romany Rye, a harmonydrenched folk-rock quintet that’s fourfifths Arkansan (Whitman Bransford, Ryan Hitt, Joshua Spillyards and Judson Spillyards) plus Luke McMaster is a semi-finalist in a contest between 16 unsigned acts to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone and receive a contract with Atlantic.

The contest is divided into four rounds. The first is based partly on fan ratings, via rollingstone.com/choosethecover. You can only rate a band once. First round voting is open through March 2. On March 16, eight will advance, four based on fan ratings and four more as chosen by Rolling Stone.

24 FEBRUARY 23, 2011 • ARKANSAS TIMES

In round two, four will advance based solely on public ratings, from March 16 to April 11. Round three will narrow four to two, again based solely on public voting, from April 27 to May 11. The final two acts will compete in a battle of bands at Bonnaroo. The winner will again be chosen by public voting, June 16 to July 1. n The Little Rock Film Fest announced last week that Harry Thomason’s Hank Williams bio-pic “The Last Ride” will open this year’s festival. It’s bound to be a tough ticket.

CALENDAR

Continued from page 23 Grehound. Sway, 9 p.m. 412 Louisiana. 501-9072582.

Karaoke. Shorty Small’s, 6-9 p.m. 1475 Hogan Lane, Conway. 501-764-0604. www.shortysmalls. com/.

Little Rock Wind Symphony: “Perennials and a Premiere.” With Sy Brandon, saxophonist, and Andrew Wen, soloist. Second Presbyterian Church, 3 p.m., $5-$10. 600 Pleasant Valley Dr. Michael Eubanks. Bravo! Cucina Italiana, 12 p.m. 17815 Chenal Pkwy. 501-821-2485. www. bravoitalian.com.

Mountain Sprout, Dirtfoot. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 8:30 p.m., $6. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyfingerz.com.

“Where’s the Love?” Fashion show, dance, live music and an album release from Roni Poet. Lulav, 7 p.m., $10, $25 V.I.P. 220 A W. 6th St. 501-374-5100. www.lulaveatery.com.

Sarkis Baltaian, pianist. UALR, 3 p.m. 2801 S University Ave. 501-569-8977.

“S.I.N. Sunday” with Scott Diffee, The Reparations, Clay Cauldwell. Ernie Biggs, 9 p.m. 307 Clinton Ave. 501-372-4782. littlerock. erniebiggs.com.

Smooth Reflections. Gusano’s, 6:30 p.m., free.

2915 Dave Ward Drive, Conway. 501-329-1100. www.gusanospizza.com.

Sunday Jazz Brunch with Ted Ludwig and Joe Cripps. Vieux Carre, 11 a.m. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.vieuxcarrecafe.com.

EVENTS

2011 Home Show. See Feb. 25.

Arkansas Flower and Garden Show. See Feb. 25.

Depression Glass Show and Sale. Dealers exhibiting and selling Depression Era Glass and Pottery. Arkansas State Fairgrounds, 10 a.m. 2600 Howard St. 501-372-8341 ext. 8206. www.arkansasstatefair.com.

Wolfe Street Oscar Night America Gala. The Peabody Little Rock, 6 p.m., $150. 3 Statehouse Plaza. 501-906-4000. www.peabodylittlerock.com.

SPORTS

UALR Men’s Baseball vs. Bradley University.

UALR, 3 p.m. 2801 S University Ave. 501-569-8977.

BOOKS

FOCAL Book Sale. Main Library, 1 p.m. 100 S. Rock St. www.cals.lib.ar.us.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28 MUSIC

Fire & Brimstone. Union Bistro, 10 p.m., free.

3421 Old Cantrell Road. 501-353-0360.

Steele Jessup. Grumpy’s Too, 10 p.m. 1801 Green Mountain Drive. 501-225-9650.

The Tennessee Gentlemen. Collins Theater, 7 p.m., $5 suggested donation. 120 W. Emerson St., Paragould.

Traditional Irish Music Session. Khalil’s Pub, Fourth and second Monday of every month, 7 p.m.

110 S. Shackleford Road. 501-224-0224. www. khalilspub.com.

DANCE

Shen Yun. Robinson Center Music Hall, 7 p.m., $60-$120. Markham and Broadway. www.littlerockmeetings.com/conv-centers/robinson.

CLASSES

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28 Sign Language Classes. Bonny Hill will teach classes on finger spelling, high frequency signs, key phrases, health, time, food, people and more.

Faulkner County Library, 6 p.m. 1900 Tyler St., Conway. 501-327-7482. www.fcl.org.

TUESDAY, MARCH 1 MUSIC

n On May 3, Charlaine Harris will publish “Dead Reckoning,” the 11th Continued on page 25

Jam Session with Carl Mouton. The Afterthought, 9 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd.

501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbar.com.

Jim Dickerson. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999.

www.sonnywilliamssteakroom.com.

Karaoke Night. Cornerstone Pub & Grill, 8 p.m.

314 Main St., NLR. 501-374-1782. cstonepub.com.

Karaoke Tuesday. Prost, 8 p.m., free. 120 Ottenheimer. 501-244-9550.

Karaoke with Big John Miller. Denton’s Trotline, 8 p.m. 2150 Congo Road, Benton. 501-315-1717.

Lucious Spiller Band. Copeland’s, 6-9 p.m. 2602 S. Shackleford Road. 501-312-1616. www.copelandsofneworleans.com.

Seryn, Troubadour. White Water Tavern, 10 p.m.

2500 W. 7th. 501-375-8400. www.whitewatertavern. com.

Trademark. Denton’s Trotline, 9 p.m. 2150 Congo Road, Benton. 501-315-1717.

Tuesday Jam Session with Carl Mouton. The Afterthought, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd.

501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbar.com.

Vienna Boys Choir. Walton Arts Center, 7 p.m., $18-$32. 495 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479-4435600.

DANCE

“Latin Night.” Revolution, 7 p.m., $5 regular, $7 under 21. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. www.revroom.com.

EVENTS

Charity Bingo Tuesday. ACAC, 6:30 p.m. 608 Main St. 501-244-2974. acacarkansas.wordpress. com.

FILM

“For the Love of Movies: The Story of American Film Criticism.” Reynolds Performance Hall, UCA, 7:30 p.m. 350 S. Donaghey, Conway.

LECTURES

Josh Fox. The director of the Academy Awardnominated “Gasland” leads a panel discussion about the environmental impact of the natural gas industry.

Hendrix College. 1600 Washington Ave., Conway. www.hendrix.edu.

SPORTS

UALR Men’s Baseball vs. Louisiana Tech.

UALR, 3 p.m. 2801 S University Ave. 501-569-8977.

UALR Men’s Basketball vs. North Texas. Jack Stephens Center, UALR, 7:30 p.m. 2801 S. University Ave. UALR Women’s Basketball vs. North Texas.

Jack Stephens Center, UALR, 5:15 p.m. 2801 S. University Ave.

BOOKS

UCA Arkatext Literary Festival. The annual literary festival highlights prose and poetry from students, faculty and more. University of Central Arkansas, March 1-4. 201 Donaghey Ave., Conway. www.uca.edu.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2 MUSIC

Acoustic Open Mic with Kat Hood. The Afterthought, 8 p.m. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-6631196. www.afterthoughtbar.com.

Bolly Open Mic Hype Night with Osyrus Bolly and DJ Messiah. All American Wings, 9 p.m. 215 W. Capitol Ave. 501-376-4000. allamericanwings.com.

Brian & Nick. Cajun’s Wharf, 5 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf.com.

Jim Dickerson. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www. sonnywilliamssteakroom.com.

Karaoke at Khalil’s. Khalil’s Pub, 7 p.m. 110 S. Shackleford Road. 501-224-0224. www.khalilspub. com.

Karaoke. Hibernia Irish Pub, 9 p.m. 9700 N Rodney Parham Road. 501-246-4340. www.hiberniairishtavern.com/index.html.

Karaoke with Big John Miller. Denton’s Trotline, 8 p.m. 2150 Congo Road, Benton. 501-315-1717.

Lucious Spiller Band. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9:30 p.m., $5. 107 Commerce St. 501-3727707. www.stickyfingerz.com.

Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 5 p.m., free.

111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www.capitalhotel. com/CBG. Typhoid Mary (headliner), Steve Bates (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.

COMEDY

John Wesley Austin. The Loony Bin, March 2-3,

Continued on page 27

Over-praising actors n We’re in the midst of the self-congratulatory orgy Hollywood likes to refer to as “award season,” which will culminate in the most interminable and graceless of all the interminable and graceless pageants this weekend, the Oscars.

I could lament the fact that we spend so many hours each winter celebrating something as silly as movies when we should be celebrating the advancements of science or great philanthropic works, but that’s disingenuous. I probably spend 40 hours a year watching, talking about and reading about movies for every hour I spend watching “NOVA” or volunteering for anything myself. Also, if I were nominated for one, I would immediately a) shriek like a girl and, b) book my plane ticket.

I think my problem with the Oscars isn’t that movies are celebrated in such an overblown way; it’s that movies are being celebrated so much less than celebrities themselves.

I understand that actors are who we pay to watch on Friday nights, and that we don’t want to see Quentin Tarantino’s face 22 feet tall. I also understand that the Director’s Guild or Writer’s Guild Awards don’t get televised, much less have all-day pre-show coverage on “E!” However, when you look at what goes into making a feature film, actors are glaringly over-praised.

Now look, I started out as an actor and, if I’d had more success at it, I’d be eating the stuffed French toast at the Chateau Marmont right now rather than bitterly writing about actors here. What a good actor does is invaluable in terms of teaching a writer what he’s really written, showing a director what his film really is, and generally bringing a project to life.

A lead actor gets paid to spend two to three months on a movie set, mostly in a comfortably air-conditioned trailer, and mostly waiting. Yes, there are late nights and hard days. There is the preparation, memorization, rehearsals, incessant exercise, the losing/gaining weight, hours in a make-up chair, junkets, press tours to far-flung countries and the often cheerless “award season” itself. However, compare that to the average film in Hollywood

Graham Gordy which — from concept through scripting through revisions, finding producers, attaching a director, actors, finding funding, assembling crew, pre-production, production, editing, etc. — takes five years to get made. Five years.

Moreover — maybe more than any other artistic talent out there — acting is more gift than craft. That’s not to say it shouldn’t be praised, but while I’ve seen good actors become great actors, and great actors become exceptional ones, I’ve never once seen a truly untalented actor become someone who could carry a film.

I’m primarily a writer, so naturally this is going to be my grievance. Also, my complaining about the hardships of the industry is a little like complaining about getting paid in gold bars because they’re so heavy. But here’s what I ask: When you’re in your fourth hour of pre-Oscar red carpet coverage, when you’re talking about this one’s plunging neckline or that one’s visible cankles, stop and think a little about the grip’s broken knuckles and the burns on the gaffer’s hands. Think about the director who slept for three hours a night for six months and the cinematographer who is covered in bee stings because of where the halfwit director wanted the camera. Think that maybe the reason those pretty people on screen sound so cool, or intimidating, or sexy is because there were smart people in rooms for endless hours beforehand making them sound that way. Think about the editor spending six months in a dark room making scenes work that didn’t work before, or the producer who lost every friend he had begging them for money, or better yet, the documentarian who risked his life to get you the material you watched.

Movie-making isn’t a hard life in comparison to most others, but it’s harder than it looks in the movies, which is itself the strongest testament to what filmmakers do.

You’ll Where We’re Going With This.

Businesses in Arkansas, large and small, use social media to connect with customers and sell their products and services.

Running a successful social media campaign takes time and a unique combination of marketing, communication and customer service skills.

That’s where we come in. Arkansas Times Social Media is staffed by experienced professionals who know how to get maximum benefit from these new mediums. Our services are priced affordably for Arkansas small businesses.

To find out more, contact Kelly Ferguson, director of Arkansas Times Social Media

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A&E NEWS

Continued from page 24 novel in her Southern Vampire series.

Fans best savor it: Only two more (contractually-obligated) editions of the Sookie Stackhouse saga will follow.

“It’s been a big part of my life and I hate to see it go,” Harris recently told the Wall Street Journal. “But it’s kind of taken over my professional life, and I’m excited for new opportunities.”

Those new opportunities, according to the WSJ, include providing story guid-

Social Media WINDING DOWN: Sookie’s saga. ance on “Dying for Daylight,” a computer game based on Dahlia, a she-vampire from one of Harris’ short stories.

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MORE CAGEPLOITATION: No one does low-rent, cheese-ball action better than Nicolas Cage, who’s back this week as a man who escapes from hell (yes, that hell) in order to avenge his daughter’s murder and granddaughter’s kidnapping in the ultra-violent 3D spectacle “Drive Angry.” Cage, camp and exploding cars: what else do you need?

FEB. 25-27 1015 W. Second St., Ste 203 • Little Rock 501-375-4300 • www.heartministriesinc.com

movielistings All theater listings run Friday to Thursday unless otherwise noted.

Check www.arktimes.com for updates. Market Street Cinema showtimes at or after 9 p.m. are for Friday and Saturday only.

NEW MOVIES Drive Angry 3D (R) – A father escapes from hell to avenge his daughter’s death and granddaughter’s kidnapping in three dimensions. With Nicolas Cage, William Fichtner. Breckenridge: 1:20, 4:15, 7:00, 9:40. Rave: 10:30, 11:30, 1:15, 2:15, 4:00, 5:00, 7:45, 8:45, 10:30, 11:30.

The Grace Card (PG-13) – After a death in the family, a rising policeman resorts to bitterness and self-pity. With Michael Joiner, Louis Gossett Jr. Breckenridge: 1:30, 4:30, 7:35, 10:10. Rave: 11:00, 1:45, 4:30, 7:15, 10:00.

Hall Pass (R) – The Farrelly Brothers (“There’s Something About Mary”) return with this comedy about a two couples engaging in mutual, extramarital booty calls. Breckenridge: 1:25, 4:35, 7:40, 10:10. Chenal 9: 11:20, 1:45, 4:20, 7:10, 9:55. Rave: 11:15, 12:15, 2:00, 3:00, 4:45, 5:45, 7:30, 8:30, 10:15, 11:15. Riverdale 10: 11:40, 2:15, 5:15, 7:35, 10:05.

The Way Back (PG-13) – During the dawn of World War II, prisoners of a Soviet labor camp escape and flee across thousands of miles across Siberian terrain. With Ed Harris, Colin Farrell. Market Street: 1:30, 4:15, 7:00, 9:30.

RETURNING THIS WEEK 127 Hours (R) – Based on the true story of a mountain climber who resorts to desperate measures after being trapped under a boulder. With James Franco. Market Street: 2:00, 4:20, 7:15, 9:15.

Another Year (PG-13) – A character study of a year in the life of a happily married older couple and their unhappy friends. Directed by Mike Leigh.

Market Street: 1:45, 4:15, 6:45, 9:15.

Barney’s Version (R) – A hard-drinking, dirtymouthed television producer reflects on his life, his family and his many marriages. With Paul Giamatti.

Market Street: 1:30, 4:15, 7:00, 9:30.

Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son (PG-13) – FBI agent Malcolm Turner (Martin Lawrence) makes 26 FEBRUARY 23, 2011 • ARKANSAS TIMES

his son (Brandon T. Jackson) join him in going undercover in drag at a performing arts school.

Breckenridge: 1:15, 1:45, 4:05, 4:40, 7:05, 7:45, 9:45, 10:15. Chenal 9: 11:25, 2:00, 4:30, 7:15, 9:45.

Rave: 10:45, 11:45, 1:30, 2:30, 4:15, 5:15, 7:00, 8:00, 9:45, 10:45, 11:25.

Blue Valentine (R) – Love at first sight takes a turn for the worse in this portrait of a young, contemporary family falling apart. With Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams. Market Street: 2:15, 6:45.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (PG) — The latest adaptation of the beloved C.S. Lewis fantasy series. Movies 10: 12:00, 2:35, 5:10, 7:45, 10:20.

Due Date (R) — A tightly-wound father-to-be is forced to carpool cross-country with a clueless slacker so he can make it to his child’s birth on time.

With Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis.

12:05, 2:25, 4:40, 7:15, 9:55.

The Eagle (PG-13) – A young Roman goes to Britain to find out who was behind his father’s disappearance. With Channing Tatum. Chenal 9: 11:15, 1:55, 7:35. Rave: 1:25, 7:25. Riverdale 10: 11:20, 1:55, 4:25, 7:00, 9:40.

Gnomeo and Juliet (G) – Romeo and Juliet with gnomes. Voiced by James McAvoy, Emily Blunt, Michael Caine. Breckenridge: 1:50, 4:50, 7:35, 9:50.

Chenal 9: 11:30, 1:40, 4:05, 7:20, 9:40. Rave: 12:40, 3:20, 5:55, 8:20 (2D); 11:40, 2:20, 4:55, 7:20, 9:40 (3D). Riverdale 10: 11:05, 1:35, 3:45, 6:00, 7:55, 10:00.

Gulliver’s Travels (PG) – Jack Black and a pack of shameless producers neuter Jonathan Swift’s brilliant, biting satire. It barely even resembles the original story. Couldn’t they have at least changed the name out of respect? Movies 10: 12:40, 2:45, 4:50, 7:00, 9:25.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I (PG-13) — With Voldemort in control over Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic, Harry, Ron and Hermione have to race against time to overthrow the evil lord.

Movies 10: 12:35, 3:40, 6:45, 9:50.

I Am Number Four (PG-13) – A teen-age fugitive with special powers is on the run from agents trying

to kill him. With Alex Smith and Timothy Olyphant.

Breckenridge: 4:20, 7:30, 10:05. Chenal 9: 11:00, 1:30, 4:15, 7:30, 10:00. Riverdale 10: 11:30, 2:10, 4:45, 7:40, 10:15. Rave: 10:35, 11:35, 1:20, 2:20, 4:20, 5:20, 7:10, 8:10, 9:55, 10:55, Just Go With It (PG-13) – On a weekend trip to Hawaii, a plastic surgeon convinces his long-time assistant to pretend she’s his wife in order to fool his younger girlfriend. With Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston. Breckenridge: 1:10, 4:10, 7:15, 9:55. Chenal 9: 11:10, 1:50, 4:35, 7:30, 10:00. Rave: 10:55, 1:50, 4:40, 7:40, 10:40. Riverdale 10: 11:50, 2:20, 4:45, 7:40, 10:15.

Justin Bieber: Never Say Never 3D (G) – Justin Bieber being Justin Bieber. With young Justin Bieber and teen-age Justin Bieber. Breckenridge: 1:40, 4:45, 7:25, 10:00. Chenal 9: 11:25, 2:00, 4:30, 7:15, 9:45. Rave: 11:00, 2:10, 5:10, 8:25, 11:20.

Riverdale 10: 11:15, 1:45, 4:20, 7:10, 9:30.

The King’s Speech (R) – After being crowned George VI of an England on the verge of turmoil, “Bertie” (Colin Firth) works to fix his debilitating speech impediment with help from eccentric Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). Breckenridge: 1:00, 4:00, 6:50, 9:30. Chenal 9: 11:00, 1:40, 4:20, 7:10, 9:50.

Rave: 11:05, 2:00, 5:00, 7:55, 11:00. Riverdale 10: 11:25, 1:50, 4:15, 6:40, 9:05.

Megamind (PG) — A blue maniacal supervillain turns into a restless mess when his sworn superhero enemy is accidentally killed. Voiced by Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Brad Pitt. Movies 10: 12:20, 2:40, 4:55, 7:10, 9:35.

No Strings Attached (R) – Two life-long friends discover that separating casual sex and romance is tougher than they thought. With Natalie Portman and Aston Kutcher. Rave: 11:25, 2:40, 5:40, 8:40, 11:30.

The Roommate (PG-13) – A deranged college freshman becomes obsessed with her roommate and, wouldn’t you know it, things get freaky. With Leighton Meester and Minka Kelly. Breckenridge: 1:40, 7:10. Chenal 9: 4:40, 10:10. Rave: 4:20, 10:20.

Riverdale 10: 11:45, 1:40, 3:50, 5:45, 7:45, 10:10.

Season of the Witch (PG-13) – A band of 14th century knights discover an evil witch’s black magic may be the source of the Black Plague. With Nicholas Cage. Movies 10: 12:30, 3:00, 5:20, 7:55, 10:15.

The Tourist (PG-13) – Johnny Depp plays a hapless tourist abroad. Angelina Jolie plays a temptress super-spy. Things explode. Movies 10: 12:25, 2:50, 5:15, 7:40, 10:10.

Tron: Legacy (PG) — The reboot of the 1982 classic has Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund) entering the virtual gladiator arena to find his lost father (Jeff Bridges). Movies 10: 12:15, 3:05, 5:55, 8:45 (2D); 1:40, 4:30, 7:20, 10:05 (3D).

True Grit (PG-13) — Rugged U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) helps a stubborn girl track down her father’s killer. Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. Breckenridge: 4:20, 9:25. Riverdale 10:11:35, 2:05, 4:40, 7:20, 9:55.

Unknown (PG-13) – A man wakes up from a coma, discovers that his identity has been stolen and that no one believes he is who he says he is. With Liam Neeson and January Jones. Breckenridge: 1:35, 4:25, 7:20, 9:50. Chenal 9: 11:05, 1:45, 4:25, 7:25, 10:00. Riverdale 10: 11:55, 2:25, 4:50, 7:25, 9:50.

Rave: 10:40, 11:40, 1:35, 2:35, 4:25, 5:25, 7:15, 8:15, 10:25, 11:25.

Unstoppable (PG-13) — Denzel Washington has to stop an unmanned freight train full of explosives and poisonous gas from wiping out a city. Movies 10: 12:10, 2:30, 5:05, 7:25, 9:45.

Winter’s Bone (R) – A girl from the Ozarks finds herself in shady situations while trying to track down her drug-dealing father. Winner of the Golden Rock for Best Narrative Film at the 2010 Little Rock Film Festival. Market Street: 4:25, 9:00.

Chenal 9 IMAX Theatre: 17825 Chenal Parkway, 821-2616, www.dtmovies.com.

Cinemark Movies 10: 4188 E. McCain Blvd., 9457400, www.cinemark.com.

Cinematown Riverdale 10: Riverdale Shopping Center, 296-9955, www.riverdale10.com.

Market Street Cinema: 1521 Merrill Drive, 3128900, www.marketstreetcinema.net.

Rave Colonel Glenn 18: 18 Colonel Glenn Plaza, 687-0499, www.ravemotionpictures.com.

Regal Breckenridge Village 12: 1-430 and Rodney Parham, 224-0990, www.fandango.com.

‘BARNEY’S VERSION’: Paul Giamatti and Dustin Hoffman star.

■ moviereview So (un)happy together Giamatti shines as boozy ‘Barney’ n When Barney Panofsky’s rakish friend Boogie tells him, “I’ll never miss any of your weddings,” the irony isn’t far behind.

Already once married, and power-drinking through his wedding reception de jure,

Barney is a heartbeat away from ducking out of that party. He races to catch up to a striking, voluble woman he knows only as Miriam, having met her just moment earlier. As he professes his heels-over-headness

CALENDAR

p.m. Feb. 24, 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m., 11 a.m.-noon Feb. 25; “The Secret Art of Dr. Seuss,” through May 22; “Revolution and Rebellion: Wars, Words and Figures,” two original engravings of the Declaration of Independence produced by Benjamin Owen Tyler in 1818 & William J. Stone in 1823, through May 22; “Historical Figures of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars,” figurines by George Stuart, through May 22; exhibits about policies and White House life during 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.

LAMAN LIBRARY, 2801 Orange St., NLR: Free art and writing workshop, to be led by Paula Morell and Kimberly Kwee, based on Ntzoke Shange’s “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf,” 6-8 p.m.

Feb. 23, register at 772-7602 or paula.morell@ lamanlibrary.org, work will be later exhibited at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center; “The Painted Word: Calligraphic Paintings by Charles Pearce,” through March 13. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Fri.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 758-1720.

MOSAIC TEMPLARS CULTURAL CENTER, Ninth and Broadway: “Arkansas Razorback African American Athletes,” recognition of track coach John McDonnell and baseball coach Norm DeBriyn, 10 a.m. Feb. 25; “Southern Journeys: African American Artists of the South,” works by 55 African-American artists, including Romare Bearden, David Driskell, Jacob Lawrence, Elizabeth Catlett, Hughie Lee-Smith, Leroy Allen, Benny Andrews, Radcliffe Bailey, Richmond Barthé, Beverly Buchanan, Clementine Hunter, Faith Ringgold, Charles White and Dean Mitchell, through Aug. 11; exhibits on African-Americans in Arkansas, including one on the Ninth Street business district, the Mosaic Templars business and more. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat. 683–3593.

STEPHANO’S FINE ART, 5501 Kavanaugh Blvd.: Paintings by new gallery member Eric Painter, also new series by Stephano, fused glass sculpture

by Lisabeth Franco, paintings by Joy Schultz, Mike Gaines, MaryAnne Erickson, Stephano and Alexis Silk, jewelry by Joan Courtney and Teresa Smith, sculpture by Scotti Wilborne and Tony Dow. 11 a.m.6 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 563-4218. n Fayetteville

Continued from page 24 8 p.m.; March 4, 8 and 10:30 p.m.; March 5, 7, 9 and 11 p.m., $6-$9. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road.

501-228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.com.

BOOKS

UCA Arkatext Literary Festival. See March 1.

THIS WEEK IN THEATER “Abie’s Irish Rose.” Abe “Abie” Levy brings home his Irish bride, Rosemary Murphy, and introduces her as “Rosie Murphyski.” Papa Levy is fooled until Rosie’s father, Patrick Murphy, arrives. A comic war erupts. For more information, call 562-3131 or visit murrysdinnerplaybouse.com. Murry’s Dinner Playhouse, through March 13: Tue.-Thu., Sat., 6 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., $22-$30. 6323 Col. Glenn Road. murrysdinnerplayhouse.com.

“A Few Good Men.” Three Navy lawyers who set out to defend two stubborn Marines accused of murdering a colleague wind up unearthing a coverup that reaches to the highest echelons of military power. For tickets or more information, call 410-2283 or visit community theatreoflittlerock.org. The Public Theatre, through March 6: Sun., 2 p.m.; through Feb. 26, 7:30 p.m., $14. 616 Center St. 501-374-7529. www.thepublictheatre.com.

“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” August Wilson’s play explores race, art, religion and the historic exploitation of black recording artists by white producers.

For tickets or more information, visit weekendtheater. org or call 374-3761. The Weekend Theater, through Feb. 26: Fri., Sat., 7:30 p.m., $10-$14. 1001 W. 7th St. 501-374-3761. www.weekendtheater.org.

GALLERIES, MUSEUMS NEW EXHIBITIONS, ART EVENTS

CLINTON PRESIDENTIAL CENTER, 1200 President Clinton Ave.: “1861,” a Black History Month performance by students of Parkview High School highlighting the role of the Buffalo Soldiers, 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m., 11 a.m.-noon, 7-8

to her, he’s summarily dismissed both by her and by the ticket agent on her departing train.

That’s the instant when “Barney’s Version,” a profane and touching portrait of a thoroughly flawed man’s romances, becomes a film about doing things rather than accepting what comes. Paul Giamatti’s performance as the title character is perhaps the strongest and most fully realized of his cinematic career; his portrayal of the boozy, cigar-chomping Barney won the Golden Globe this year as the best actor in a musical or comedy (yet earned the Oscar snub Award so standard for funny performances). And truly the movie becomes him. Dustin Hoffman nearly steals the show as Barney’s father, a doting retired cop named Izzy; and Rosamund Pike exudes charm and forbearance as Miriam.

But it’s Giamatti who must carry the tune to convince the audience to fall for this bastard Barney and his big heart.

All loves begin with the prelude of their predecessor, and in Barney’s case, his first and second marriages are such fantastical disasters that the third can’t help but exceed them. He knocks up a petulant hippie in Rome in the ’70s and allows himself to be dragged through a short, doomed marriage; he follows that with a looks-good-on-paper betrothal to a wealthy but tone-deaf bruUNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS: “Liz Ward: Phenologies,” watercolors and gouaches inspired by natural phenomena, through March 18, gallery talk and reception 4 p.m. March 3, Fine Arts Center. 479575-7987. n Jacksonville JACKSONVILLE MUSEUM OF MILITARY HISTORY, 100 Veterans Circle: “Task Force 134,” talk by Maj. Timothy McCarty, commander of 19th security forces, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 24, doors open at 6 p.m., $2; exhibits on D-Day; F-105, Vietnam era plane (“The Thud”); the Civil War Battle of Reed’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. 501241-1943. n Lake Village LAKEPORT PLANTATION: David Lush, portraying Mark Twain, will entertain visitors to the antebellum home Feb. 26, tour at 12:30 p.m., Lush will tell stories starting at 2 p.m. Sponsored by ASU. Free. 870-265-6031, http://lakeport.astate.edu. n Newport BLUE RIDGE CENTER FOR THE DELTA ARTS: Third annual “Delta Visual Arts Show,” work by artists from five states, 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Iron Mountain Train Depot on Front Street and the Newport Business Resource Center and Old Post Office on Hazel Street; reception 4:30-7 p.m. at all venues, workshops throughout day with Judith Killen, Sheila Cantrell, Austin Grimes, Donna Tate Hohn, Chad M. Irwin, Ariston Jacks, Arlette Miller, Sally Papich, Dewana McIntosh, Emmanuel Fitz and Frank Plegge.

Call 870-523-1009 or e-mail director@newportaredc. org for more information and to reserve a workshop space.

CALL FOR ENTRIES

The Center for Artistic Revolution (CAR) is seeking artists to create art with blank wooden hearts to be auctioned for CAR’s fund-raiser “Corazon.”

Hearts are provided by CAR (call 244-9690 or e-mail artchanges@yahoo.com) and are due by March 27. The 7th annual Corazon (Heart) Art Auction will be held April 2 at the ACAC, 608 Main St. Proceeds go to support CAR’s work to educate and support lesbian, gay, transgendered and bisexuals, both youth and adult.

nette (Minnie Driver) so inconsequential to Barney’s heart that the film bills her only as “2nd Mrs. ‘P.’ ” That relationship detonates when Boogie (Scott Speedman) drops in to detox. He and Barney quarrel. Shots are fired. Boogie disappears, leaving one cop so convinced of foul play that he later authors a hardback expose on Barney’s supposed motives. We’re left to wonder whether Barney is a monster tucked inside a merely irascible man, or a terminal romantic gone to spore.

The storytelling suffers at times from a whiplash of flashbacks, and director Richard J. Lewis’ direction occasionally betrays his background as an auteur of “CSI” episodes as he adapts this, the last of Mordecai Richler’s 10 novels. The aftertaste, too, is muddled. Every vice that helps destroy the characters — drunkenness, lust, jealousy, adultery, conniving — also earns a measure of celebration. And what of Barney?

The most charitable view, perhaps, is that he did know, deep down, what would satisfy him: a wife, young children and his father near at hand. Virtually everything leading to and from that moment is a mismanaged expression of his desire for that one thing. At least if he continued to make himself miserable, we can grant him that he did also make himself happy, once.

— Sam Eifling

ONGOING EXHIBITS

ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER, MacArthur Park: “Currents in Contemporary Art,” “Masterworks,” “Paul Signac Watercolors and Drawings,” ongoing. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. 372-4000.

ARKANSAS STUDIES INSTITUTE, 401 President Clinton Ave.: “Anticipating the Future — Contemporary American Indian Art,” work from the collection of Dr. J.W. Wiggins. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.Sat. 320-5791.

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK: “Home Girl,” paintings by Liz Noble, UALR artist in residence, Gallery II, Fine Arts Center, through March 18; “Women Call for Peace: Global Vistas,” work by Emma Amos, Siona Benjamin, Chakaia Booker, Judy Chicago, Linda Freeman, Irene Hardwicke Olivieri, Leila Kubba, Grace Matthews, Faith Ringgold, Aminah Robinson, Betye Saar, Flo Oy Wong, Helen Zughaib, Gallery I, Fine Arts Center, through March 10. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat., 2-5 p.m. Sun. 5698977.

MUSEUMS, ONGOING EXHIBITS

HISTORIC ARKANSAS MUSEUM, 200 E. Third St.: “Signs and Signals: Claire Coppola, Michael Davis Gutierrez and Marilyn Nelson,” mixed media, through May 8; “Game Face Rituals,” paintings

by Liz Nobel, through April 3; “Model Trains of Bill Albright,” Eclectic Collector show, through March 14. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. $2.50 adults, $1.50, $1 children for tours of grounds. 3249351.

MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY, 500 President Clinton Ave.: “Illusion Confusion,” optical illusions, through March; interactive science exhibits. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. Admission: $8 adults, $7 children ages 1-12 and seniors 65 and up, children under 1 free, “Pay What You Can” second Sunday of every month. 396-7050. www. museumofdiscovery.org.

OLD STATE HOUSE, 300 W. Markham St.: “Arkansas/Arkansaw: A State and Its Reputation,” the evolution of the state’s hillbilly image; “Badges, Bandits & Bars: Arkansas Law & Justice,” state’s history of crime and punishment, through March. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 324-9685. www.arktimes.com • FEBRUARY 23, 2011 27

what’scookin’ n Pierre’s Gourmet Pizza Co. on JFK had a following, but back and neck surgeries forced chef/owner Michael Ayers to close in September 2009. Now recovered, Ayers has decided to revive the Pierre’s brand with a concept that he said is “adjusted to the economy.” To that end, he’s left rent behind in favor of a mobile kitchen in his converted RV, a space he said is bigger than his old restaurant kitchen.

In this new set-up, which he calls Pierre’s Gourmet Pizza Company Express Kitchen, he’s still serving essentially the same menu — a broad selection of pizza, salads, subs and calzones — but, again to fit the new economic climate, he said he’s lowered many of his prices.

Though the kitchen is mobile, look for it, at least initially, to stay based in a parking lot at Third and Izard in Little Rock from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Pierre’s will deliver (not in the RV, sadly) downtown and in surrounding areas. Ayers suggests calling ahead for pizza orders.

The phone number is 410-0377.

Currently, only cash or checks are accepted.

Restaurant capsules Every effort is made to keep this listing of some of the state’s more notable restaurants current, but we urge readers to call ahead to check on changes on days of operation, hours and special offerings. What follows, because of space limitations, is a partial listing of restaurants reviewed by our staff. Information herein 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.

Restaurants are listed in alphabetical order by city; Little Rock-area restaurants are divided by food category. Other review symbols are:

B Breakfast

L Lunch

D Dinner

$ Inexpensive (under $8/person)

$$ Moderate ($8-$20/person)

$$$ Expensive (over $20/person)

CC Accepts credit cards

LITTLE ROCK/ N. LITTLE ROCK AMERICAN 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. $-$$.

501-374-4265. LD Tue.-Sat. ALL AMERICAN WINGS Wings, catfish and soul food sides. 215 W. Capitol Ave. Beer. $-$$. 501-376-4000.

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. Top notch cheese grits, too. 11121 Rodney Parham Road. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-554-0914. B Wed.-Fri.; BR Sat.-Sun.

28 FEBRUARY 23, 2011 • ARKANSAS TIMES

■ dining A Hunka deliciousness Hunka Pie expands its menu in new location. n We have been watching the developments at Hunka Pie for some time now.

The transition from pie-and-sandwich shop in a North Little Rock furniture store to pie-and-burger place in a Little Rock drive-in has been intriguing.

Any major move can be a challenge, but owner Chris Monroe has also dealt with a menu change, crazy weather and family concerns. Because of all that, we chose to space out our visits over a few weeks.

On our first visit, we tried the Bombay Burger ($5.50). The third-of-a-pound patty is seasoned with garam masala and cooked through to medium well. It came out the window in a Styrofoam box, bun open, sitting atop a pile of French fried onions and shreds of lettuce with a container of cilantro-yogurt dressing. The Boulevard Bread Co. bun was fabulously soft and buttery. The burger itself with the fried onions was satisfying; dipped in the dressing it became an exotic delicacy, reminiscent of a Kofte kebab.

We splurged and upgraded to onion rings ($2.25 on their own, $1.50 to upgrade with a meal) and were instantly head-over-heels. The beer-and-pepperbattered thick-cut rings were substantially crunchy outside and deliciously caramelized on the inside. Monroe (who seems to always be working the grill) mentioned they’re a family recipe. The French fries ($1.75 or $1 upgrade), meanwhile, are rough-cut on site with a liberal salting.

We can also recommend the Hunka Burger ($4.50), which comes with a choice of cheddar, provolone, pepper jack or Swiss cheese on the same bun. We tried it fully dressed with lettuce, tomato, pickle and onion and just with cheese. It would be easy for the burger to be overwhelmed with such a magnificent bun, but the Worcestershire sauce, garlic and onion laden patties matched well.

On subsequent visits we tried the roasted veggie-feta sandwich ($6.50) and the toasted artichoke sandwich ($7).

Chips come with these sandwiches, or you can do a Super Hunka and get sandwich, chips, a drink and a slice of pie (which we did). The veggie-feta was so full of zuc-

chini, squash and roasted red bell peppers that we filled up more than we expected.

The toasted artichoke sandwich deserves special attention: It’s a tangy cheese creation with a pepper jack bite that surprised us. The eight-grain bread made what appeared to be a small sandwich unexpectedly filling.

Our foray into the salad section, the Thai Crunch Grilled Chicken Salad ($8), was a big box full of chicken chunks, cashews, cabbage and other veggies with a nice peanut dressing.

Of course, you cannot mention Hunka Pie without touching on the pies ($3.50 a slice or $18.50 for a whole pie). Our favorite that we’ve sampled so far has been the French Blackberry — cobbler-like on the bottom with a crunchy almost cookie-like top. The Velvet Lips Chocolate Cream pie came a close second; it’s a far richer and smoother version of a traditional chocolate cream than anything else we’ve ever

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.

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, boneless wings, whiskey on tap. Plus, the usual burgers, steaks, soups and salads. 225 E. Markham. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-324-2449. LD daily.

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, All CC. $$. 501-2969535. LD daily. 400 N. Bowman Road. Full bar, Beer, All CC.

$$. 501-224-0012. LD daily.

CAFE 201 The hotel restaurant in the Crowne Plaza serves up a nice lunch buffet. 201 S. Shackleford Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-223-3000. BLD daily.

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. CORNERSTONE PUB & GRILL A sandwich, 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.

YOU WANT PIE WITH THAT?: Hunka Pie has expanded its menu to offer burgers like the Hunka Burger (above). Of course, pies, like the chocolate peanut butter (left), haven’t gone anywhere. tried. The chocolate peanut butter’s thick layer of imported chocolate and not-toosweet peanut cream and the chocolate pecan pie’s not-too-sweet and almost meaty pecan filling should also be noted. We’re still hoping to catch the egg custard, but since there are more than 30 varieties in the rotation we keep missing it.

Maybe next time.

Hunka Pie

7706 Cantrell Road 501-612-4754 www.hunkapie.com Quick bite

Hunka Pie also offers kids’ meals ($4). We sampled the Hamburger Slider with French fries.

The slider was spiced just like the Hunka Burger and served on a soft pocket/slider roll with cheese and a choice of toppings. The burger was about the size of what you’d get with a chain restaurant kids’ meal but was far tastier. And best of all, it came with a twisty straw!

Hours

11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Other info

Credit cards accepted.

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. $-$$. 501-375-3245. BL Mon.-Sat. JIMMY JOHN’S GOURMET SANDWICHES Illinoisbased sandwich chain that doesn’t skimp on what’s between the buns. 4120 E. McCain Blvd. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-945-9500. LD daily.

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. SPECTATORS GRILL AND PUB Burgers, soups, salads

LIVE MUSIC

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25 ADAM FAUCETT RECORD RELEASE SHOW

March 15 and 16

TUESDAY, MARCH 1 SERYN (DENTON, TEXAS) TROUBADOR

■ UPDATE VEGGIE DELI This little restaurant specializes in South Indian street food (chat), exclusively vegetarian. The prices are low — the most expensive menu item is $6 — so we ordered four items.

Rather than being served all at once, they were served as they were made, which allowed us to give full attention to each unique dish. First up was the ragdo samosa ($3.50), which is not your usual samosa. It’s served split open and topped with chutney, purple onions, yogurt and sev (a small, crunchy noodle). It’s delicious, mildly sweet, and follows with a smokiness in the throat. It’s seasoned with a multitude of spices, like garam masala, coriander, ginger and red chili powder.

Served in a classic red and white paper food tray, it had real street food appeal. Second dish up was the chat papadi ($3.50). The presentation may have you thinking nachos, but the flavors quickly erase that comparison. It’s both sweet and savory, crispy wafers garnished with potatoes, chickpeas, purple onions and cilantro, and topped off with cool yogurt. Don’t be afraid to ditch the fork and use your fingers. The third item, the masala pappadum, didn’t appear on the menu, but was recommended and prepared for us by the cook. The crisp pappadum is sprinkled with salt, pepper, purple onions, tomato and jalapeno. The fourth and final dish of our inaugural Veggi Deli visit was the dosa sambhar ($6), a long, crepelike wrap with a hearty serving of stewed potato, eggplant, carrots, chilis and spices served with sides of chutney. We weren’t quite sure how to eat it, so we asked our friendly server. Break it off with your fingers (or a fork, if you’re fancy), dip, and eat, she advised, and so we did with gusto. She jokingly asked if we enjoyed our Indian “footlong.”

The Veggi Deli serves South Indian comfort food, and the vegetarianism is not an afterthought; it’s built in. Go with friends, order a variety of the affordable dishes and share them. Located inside Asian Groceries, 9112 Rodney Parham Rd., Suite 102, 501-221-9977. No alcohol. $. LD Tue.-Sun. and other beer food, plus live music on weekends. 1012 W. 34th St. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-791-0990.

SPORTS PAGE Perhaps the largest, juiciest, most flavorful burger in town. Grilled turkey and hot cheese on sourdough gets praise, too. Now with lunch specials. 414 Louisiana St. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-372-9316. L Mon.-Fri. VICTORIAN GARDEN We’ve found the fare quite tasty and somewhat daring and different with its healthy, balanced entrees and crepes. 4801 North Hills Blvd. NLR. $-$$. 501-758-4299. L Tue.-Sat. WHITE WATER TAVERN Excellent, cheap pub food from Little Rock native Nick Castleberry, who’s spent the last 15 years in Seattle earning raves for his affordable, approachable food. With vegetarian options. 2500 W. 7th. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-375-8400. D Tue., Thu., Fri. L Fri.

ASIAN BENIHANA - THE 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. L Sun.-Fri., D 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.

IGIBON JAPANESE FOOD HOUSE 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. 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. $$. 501-2809423. LD daily.

VAN LANG CUISINE Terrific Vietnamese cuisine, particularly the way the pork dishes and the assortment of rolls are

Continued on page 30

Now – March 13

Cultures clash when a Jewish boy wants to marry an Irish girl.

CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL SHOWS AT

WHITEWATERTAVERN.COM

Branson On The Road has over 20 years of experience performing at top theatres in Branson, and we are bringing them to you!

Travis Ledoyt : ”The World’s Best Young Elvis” March 18-20 There is simply no way to describe his performance, except unbelievable!

NOW SERVING LUNCH FRIDAY’S 11-2PM myspace.com/whitewatertavern Little Rock’s Down-Home Neighborhood Bar

7th & Thayer • Little Rock • (501) 375-8400

Colonel Glenn & University • murrysdinnerplayhouse.com • 562-3131

The William J. Clinton Presidential Center

Celebrates Black History Month Feb. 19

Feb. 24

Congressional Gold Medal Exhibit Opening Program*

“1861” A Black History Month Performance by the students of Parkview Arts and Sciences*

11 a.m. Tours to follow program Great Hall

Join President Clinton and members of the Little Rock Nine as they celebrate the opening of this new exhibit

Feb. 21

Free Admission Day 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Free admission and free accoustiguide audio tours

7 p.m.

Great Hall

Additional one-hour programs: Feb. 24 – 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 7 p.m.

Feb. 25 – 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m.

Feb. 25

Arkansas Black Hall of Fame’s Distinguished Laureate Series* 6 p.m.

Great Hall

*Reservations required.

“The War on HIV: Who’s Winning” featuring Dr. James Hildreth

Call 501-748-0425 or e-mail operationslr@clintonfoundation.org to make your reservations.

1200 President Clinton Avenue • Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 • 501-748-0419 • clintonpresidentialcenter.org www.arktimes.com • FEBRUARY 23, 2011 29

50% OFF 2ND ENTREE *

WITH PURCHASE OF FULL ENTRÉe

Thanks Arkansas For Voting For Us!

Half off least expensive entrée

BEST FRIED CHICKEN best home cooking

Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner Dine in • Take Out • Patio • full Bar Mon. -Fri. 10-10 • Sat. 9-10 Sun. 9-9

400 President Clinton Ave. (In the River Market)

Hours: 8 am 5:30 pm Mon - Sat 501-280-9888 372-6637 6820 Cantrell • 9am -10 pm The BesT AuThenTic MexicAn seAfood in Town Full Bar • Take out • Dine in For Gourmet Seafood lovers

501-868-8822 Monday • Friday: 10-10 • 18321 Cantrell Rd. • Hwy. 10 Saturday: 9-10 • Sunday: 9-9 *Must present coupon. One per party.

Not valid with any other offers. Offer Expires 3/31/11.

Bobby’s Country Cookin’ 501-224-9500 • 301 N.Shackleford Road West Chase Plaza at the corner of N. Shackleford & W.Markham bobbyscountrycookin.com

SHOP ‘N’ SIP First thursday each month

giFTS For All AgeS!

shop ’til 8pm and enjoy dining in one of the many area restaurants.

HILLCREST SHOPPING & DINING

Welcome Spring with us and enjoy Live muSic with AStro mice!

Hosted by Joel Tvedten

501-353-2504 2612 Kavanaugh Blvd.

Find your dream home at www.LiveInLittleRock.com

30 FEBRUARY 23, 2011 • ARKANSAS TIMES

RHEA DRUG 2801 KAVANAUGH LITTLE ROCK • 663-4131

Come check out what’s new for spring!

4523 WoodlaWn (Historic Hillcrest) 501.666.3600

Meet your friends at Box Turtle during Shop & Sip!!

2616 Kavanaugh • 661-1167 M-F 10-6, SAT 10-5

Restaurant capsules Continued from page 29

presented. Great prices, too. Massive menu, but it’s userfriendly 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, sausage 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. 915 W. Capitol Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-372-4227. BL Mon.-Fri. FATBOY’S KILLER BAR-B-Q This Landmark neighborhood strip center restaurant in the far southern reaches of Pulaski County features tender ribs and pork by a contest pitmaster. Skip the regular sauce and risk the hot variety, it’s far better. 3405 Atwood Road. No alcohol, All CC. $$.

501-888-4998. LD Tue.-Sat. HB’S BAR B.Q. 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. $-$$. 501-565-1930. L Mon.-Fri. MICK’S BBQ, CATFISH AND GRILL Good burgers, picnic-worth deviled eggs and heaping barbecue sandwiches topped with sweet sauce. 3609 MacArthur Dr. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-791-2773. LD Mon.-Sat. SIMS BAR-B-QUE Great spare ribs, sandwiches, beef, half and whole chicken and an addictive vinegar-mustardbrown sugar sauce unique for this part of the country. 2415 Broadway. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-372-6868. LD Mon.-Sat. 1307 John Barrow Road. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-224-2057.

LD Mon.-Sat. 7601 Geyer Springs Road. Beer, All CC. $$.

501-562-8844. LD Mon.-Sat.

EUROPEAN / ETHNIC 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.

TAZIKI’S This sole Arkansas location of the chain offers gyros, grilled meats and veggies, hummus and pimento cheese. 8200 Cantrell Rd. All CC. $$. 501-227-8291. LD daily.

ITALIAN 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. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$.

501-664-2239. LD daily. 6706 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-664-2239. LD daily. 10720 Rodney Parham Road. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-664-2239. LD daily.

37 East Center St. Fayetteville. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$.

479-444-7437. LD daily.

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. 10312 Chicot Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-565-6006.

LD daily. 12911 Cantrell Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$.

501-224-8804. LD daily.

VESUVIO Arguably Little Rock’s best Italian restaurant is in one of the most unlikely places – tucked inside the Best Western Governor’s Inn within a non-descript section of west Little Rock. 1501 Merrill Drive. Full bar, All CC. $$$.

501-225-0500. D daily.

VILLA ITALIAN RESTAURANT Hearty, inexpensive, classic southern Italian dishes. 12111 W. Markham St. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-219-2244. LD Mon.-Sat.

MEXICAN 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. $-$$. 501-280-9888. BLD daily 18321 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-868-8822. BLD daily 400 President Clinton Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$.

501-327-6637. L Mon.-Sat. EL CHICO Hearty, standard Mex served in huge portions.

1315 Breckenridge Drive. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-224-2550.

LD daily. 201 Skyline Drive. Conway. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$.

501-327-6553. 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. $. 501-6121883. L Mon.-Sat. 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, All CC. $. 501-565-4246. BLD daily.

SAN JOSE GROCERY STORE AND BAKERY This mercado-plus-restaurant smells and tastes like Mexico, and for good reason: the resh flour tortillas, overstuffed burritos, sopes (moist corncakes made with masa harina), chili poblano are the real things. 7411 Geyer Springs Road.

Beer. $-$$. 501-565-4246. LD daily.

TAQUERIA LOURDES This Chevy Step Van serves tacos, tortas, quesadillas and nachos. Colonel Glenn and 36th Street. No alcohol, No CC. $. 501-612-2120. LD Mon.-Sat. TAQUERIA SAMANTHA On Friday and Saturday nights, this mobile taqueria parks outside of Jose’s Club Latino in a parking lot on the corner of Third and Broadway. 300 Broadway Ave. No alcohol, No CC. $. D Fri.-Sat. (sporadic hours beyond that).

TAQUERIA Y CARNICERIA GUADALAJARA Cheap, delicious tacos, tamales and more. Always bustling. 3811 Camp Robinson Road. NLR. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-7539991. BLD daily.

AROUND ARKANSAS CONWAY EL HUASTECO Reasonably priced Mexican fare. 720 S. Salem Road. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-7641665. LD Mon.-Sun. FABY’S RESTAURANT Nuevo Mexican and Continental cuisine meet and shake hands at Faby’s. The hand-patted, housemade tortillas are worth the visit alone. 2915 Dave Ward. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-329-5151.

LD Mon.-Sun. LOS AMIGOS Authentic Mexican food where everything is as fresh and tasty as it is filling. At lunch, go for the $4.99 all-you-can-eat special. 2850 Prince St. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-329-7919. LD daily.

MARKETPLACE GRILL CONWAY 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 Orleans-inspired 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 CHICKEN’S OF CONWAY Chicken in all shapes and sizes with sauces. 550 Salem Road. Conway. All CC. $$-$$$. 501-450-7546. LD Mon.-Sun. SOMETHING BREWING CAFE Coffee, pastries, sandwiches and such dot the menu of this longtime Conway favorite. 1156 Front St. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$.

501-327-5517. BLD 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. ARSAGA’S FAYETTEVILLE COFFEE ROASTERS A locally owned and operated chain of Fayetteville-area coffeeshops featuring hot coffee and chai, sweet pastries, sandwiches and live performances by area musicians. 1852 N. Crossover Road. Fayetteville. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$.

(479) 527-0690. BLD daily.

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. 479-4429671.

MARKETPLACE GRILL Appetizers set on fire, Italian chips, funky low-fat dressings, prime rib and pasta in big ceramic bowls, the fare is a combination of old standbys and new-age twists. Also at 3000 Pinnacle Hills in Rogers.

4201 N. Shiloh. Fayetteville. No alcohol. 479-750-5200.

LD 600 Skyline Dr. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $$-$$$.

501-336-0011. LD Daily.

SLIM CHICKEN’S Chicken in all shapes and sizes with sauces. Also locations in Rogers, 3600 W. Walnut Street; and Conway, 550 Salem Road. 2120 N. College Ave. Fayetteville.

All CC. $$-$$$. 479- 443-7546. LD 550 Salem Road.

Conway. All CC. $$-$$$. 501-450-7546. LD Mon.-Sun.

HOT SPRINGS ARLINGTON HOTEL Massive seafood buffet on Friday nights, breakfast buffet daily, served in the splendor of a grand old hotel. 239 Central Ave. Hot Springs. 501-6237771. BLD. 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. HOT SPRINGS BRAU HAUS All the usual schnitzels are available, an inviting bar awaits as you enter, and the brickwalled place has a lot of history and coziness. 801 Central Ave. Hot Springs. 501-624-7866. LD. JACK’S PANCAKES-N-STEAKS Read the walls of this recently relocated Hot Springs mainstay and get the gritty stories and memories that make the town come alive.

Burgers and steaks are done well; breakfasts tend to be oversized but half-size portions are available. 1105 Albert Pike. Hot Springs. All CC. $$. (501) 624-5558. BLD daily.

(see at

Welco Enjoy with A

Hosted

Find y Livein

A stellar report from the front lines of fashion

BY KATHERINE WYRICK

FEBRUARY 23, 2011

Hot

!

Tam

W

ith her signature blunt bangs and boho-chic style, Little Rock jewelry designer Star Akel shines brightly in any setting—including Fashion Week in New York, which she attended earlier this month. For the past few years, Star has traveled to New York to soak in the scene and find inspiration. She shared her first Fashion Week experience with Korto Momolu, whom she was doing some work for at the time. “When Korto got into it, she allowed me to accompany her, to pal around with her and meet her friends and contacts,” says Star. “Because of her, I had such a warm reception.”

Asked if she noticed any common themes at this year’s Fashion Week, Star answers in the affirmative: jackets and rich colors. “Everybody used rich colors,” she says. “The brown looked like dark chocolate that you could dive into. They were just beautiful.”

Of Irina Shabayeva, a former “Project Runway” winner, Star reports, “Her jackets were fabulous, and she styled her models with black felt gaucho hats which were great. Diane von Furstenberg did it, too. It was a beautiful look.”

While there, Star also saw Adam, Carlos Miele, Lela Rose, Carolina Herrera and the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) show. Of CFDA Star says, “It was very good... . They take designers, mentor them and then bring out their collections, so that’s always fun to see.” Star offers this overall assessment, “What designers are doing with fabrics today as far as manipulation is truly amazing—the ruffles, the knotting, the pleating ... it’s ingenious.”

Her perennial favorite, however, is Vivienne Tam. Why such a Tam fan? Star explains, “I just love the Asian motifs (especially the dragon) and the detail ... and the

Continued on page 33

hearsay ➥ A report from the land of Oz. Makeup artist and skincare specialist Vannette Vititow left B. Barnett and has now joined BARBARA JEAN. She recently attended a Vemma conference with Dr. Oz and enthuses, “It was the most awesome thing I’ve ever done in my entire life. I learned so much.” Knowledge she’s sure to incorporate into her work at B. Jean. (Vemma is a nutritional supplement touted as a wonder drink.) ➥ They do! Toni Tucker (daughter-in-law of Rhett Tucker) and Mary Rutherford Jennings (daughter of Skip Rutherford) recently bought PROPOSALS in the Heights. Tucker has past retail experience from her days at Kristin Chase. ➥ Texas time. The Grand Opening of JAMES AVERY (a jewelry chain based in Texas) will take place at Midtowne on Thursday, March 10th from 5-7:00 p.m. There will be refreshments, special drawings for jewelry and other prizes. Members of the Avery family will be present to welcome guests and celebrate the store opening. ➥ On the fashion front: V. Spanelli, February 24-25, at B. BARNETT; Algo Spring Event, February 24-26, and Lourdes Chaves Event, March 1, at BARBARA JEAN. ➥ Crying fowl. We’ve all seen the semantically confounding ads with the rubber chicken, who we’re first told not to trust but who later implores us to sell him our gold. (I think the takeaway here is don’t do business Painting by Louis Beck with chickens, rubber or not.) Instead, consider taking your gold and silver to NEW ORLEANS ANTIQUES & JEWELRY EXCHANGE or BRASWELL & SON; that way, your special pieces won’t end up as scrap. ➥ Galleries are springing up in the Heights faster than hair salons in Hillcrest. The latest to open is L & L BECK ART GALLERY, which features original oil paintings by Little Rock native Louis Beck. The second ‘L’ is for Lottie, Beck’s wife who died in February 2010. In March, the gallery will feature “14 Holes of Golf,” a series of paintings of golf holes from courses around the country. ➥ Not crystal clear. In last week’s issue we inferred that The ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER will display Bob Batty’s entire collection of glass at the Terry Mansion, when in fact only 20 pieces out of 2,800 will be on view. ➥ Get a jump (if not a jumpsuit) on spring and summer at the Isda Trunk Show at VESTA’S, February 24-26.

ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE ARKANSAS TIMES • FEBRUARY 23, 2011 31

BY KATHERINE WYRICK PHOTOGRAPHY BRIAN CHILSON

shop dogs (n.) A feature profiling our canine friends in retail. (Not just limited to dogs. Other species—cats, canaries, lizards—will appear here, too.)

Sebastian (left) and Olivia appraise prospective clients.

DIAMONDS IN THE RUFF J. Oliver’s fine fox terriers

W

e’ve all seen the ads for J. Oliver’s Fine Jewelry, but what the ads don’t show is the dog behind the man (or dogs behind the men), so to speak. Anyone who’s visited the Bowman store, however, has met the real owners, the gregarious Olivia, 6, and more subdued Sebastian, 4.

“Olivia is busier, as women tend to be, and very affectionate,” says co-worker Joy Hall. Owner Tim Benton concurs, “She’s an aggressive kisser.” We soon learn this ourselves as we’re nearly toppled over by this petit lady. Her larger, though younger, brother, Sebastian, hangs back, docked tail subtly trembling like a tuning fork. Both, naturally, wear jewelry befitting their personalities, Olivia a delicate pearl and silver necklace, Sebastian a more masculine heavy cable sterling necklace.

Benton has had fox terriers for almost 20 years and loves the breed. He says, “They are different in so many ways. She’s more outgoing, and he’s a lot more laid back.” (On cue, Sebastian rolls on his side, easing into a patch of sunlight.) Benton adds, “He’s more of a greeter, while she’s back in the office with all the bookwork.” By 2:00, however, they’re both ready to call it a day. “They enjoy a good half a day’s work,” says Tim. And who can blame them? They need time to pursue other interests—like lounging and swimming. They love to swim and will spend 45 minutes to an hour in their pool at home. To prove this, Tim says, “Watch. ‘Y’all want to get in the pool?’” There’s instantly a flurry (or furry) of activity 32 FEBRUARY 23, 2011 • ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE ARKANSAS TIMES

OLIVIA & SEBASTIAN’S FAVORITE THINGS Swimming Riding in Tim’s convertible

FIDO FACT With his keen expression and readiness to spring into action at

After work treats (Beggin’ Strips or turkey patties from CARE for Animals)

the slightest provocation, the Wire

Sleeping under the covers

breed is highly intelligent and ex-

Half a day’s work

Fox Terrier is a typical terrier.

Active, friendly and playful, the cels in events such as agility (and retail). They have a low threshold for boredom and require stimu-

and some enthusiastic barking. Benton tells us that the two have an after-work routine; Sebastian circles the pool and jumps in first and Olivia follows suit.

(We can’t help but picture her in a flowered swim cap, backstroking Esther-Williams style).

Other pastimes include riding in Tim’s convertible with the top down. While most dogs must settle for just a head out the window, these two get to enjoy the full wind-blown effect. We envision Olivia wearing large round sunglasses and Hermès scarf with Sebastian at the wheel, the wind whipping through their wiry fur. Now that’s a dog’s life.

lation, exercise and attention.

Indeed, once absorbed into the family, they are inquisitive pets with a nose for everybody’s business (especially jewelry business).

They are predominantly white in color with black or tan markings and possess a dense, wiry coat.

High-fi

and

Fashionable O

n a recent visit to mertinsdykehome, these swell Geneva speakers stopped me in my tracks. Whoa, is that a piece of art or a robot?, I wondered. Wayne Jesus of mertinsdykehome, who’s particularly excited about this new addition to the store, tells us it’s both art and audio system.

Pointing to one unit, lacquered to perfection and no bigger than a breadbox, Jesus explains that it’s an iPod and iPhone dock, CD and radio all in one. (I was still holding out hope that it was a robot, but was impressed nonetheless.)

Ingeniously engineered inside one stylish, simple cabinet, it’s everything you’d want in a stereo (minus a turntable), and it draws 80% less energy than conventional hi-fi. How tidy and efficient! From a design perspective, the craftsmanship is superb. The wood cabinets are made by hand, each one taking more than a week to complete.

The American walnut veneer is painstakingly sanded, lacquered, buffed and polished by hand (and showered with affection).

In addition to props from the world of design, the company has won accolades from audio buffs for sound quality. According to their website, no matter where the listener is in the room, the system projects a “solid threedimensional sound image that is high, wide and deep.” I don’t even know what that means, but it sounds like fun.

FASHION

Continued from page 31 many textures, like velvet. The details on the back of her clothes were just as beautiful as those on the front. And Tam continually surprises; for instance, she’ll put fringe on the back of a dress instead of the front. Even her black clothing has so many dimensions. You just have to keep looking at it; it continues to draw the eye

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and attract interest. The kimono dress was a favorite; it’s just so hard to describe the colors and the richness.”

For most of us, these high-end designs are way out of reach, but Star offers this bit of hope, “We mere mortals, of course, cannot afford these clothes, but I think they will be copied. And the jackets with big collars that I saw can usually be found at vintage stores. It can be done in a costefficient manner. I’m always trying to find a less expensive way to stay current.”

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Arkansas Glasshoppers, Inc. Presents

the 25th Annual Depression era Glass show and sale!

At the Hall of Industry – State Fairgrounds Roosevelt & Howard Streets, Little Rock, AR

Saturday, February 26, 2011 9am-5pm Sunday, February 27, 2011 10am-4pm $5 Admission – Good Both Days – Free Parking

Depression Era patterns and colors, plus Cambridge, Fostoria, Heisey, Pottery and Kitchen Items of the era. Glass Identification – Displays and Door Prizes!

The Arkansas Arts Center will display the Bob Batty Early American Pattern Glass Collection at the Terry Museum and the Historic Arkansas Museum will also have a glass display in conjunction with our special 25th show!

Show Information: (501) 868-4969 Email: bgmarglass@sbcglobal.net or ARGlasshoppers@aol.com

501-590-3238 ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE ARKANSAS TIMES • FEBRUARY 23, 2011 33

the

RIGHT CUFF W

hen it comes to cuffs, our philosophy is the more the merrier. We suggest stacking them or wearing them on both wrists Wonder Woman style. Here we show several varieties, including ones by local jewelry designer Star Akel (in lace and lizard).

Akel, a long-time cuff lover, began making them last summer after finding inspiration in the unlikeliest of places. Her husband, who owns a carpet business, enlisted her help cleaning out his warehouse. In the process she found thousands of vinyl flooring samples and, naturally, thought, Wouldn’t these make cool bracelets! They also happened to be just the right shape and size. “I wanted to do cuffs anyway, and then I made that discovery. So far I’ve used lace and leather and ribbon but plan to embellish them with fur and other materials. ... They just add a little whimsy for when you want something different.”

Take-a-walk-onthe-wild-side cougar cuff by Amanda Cobb from JEANTÉ.

Reclaimed broach on vintage embroidered belt with vintage button closure by DEVON LAINE.

Glass and copper cuff by Annette Kagy from M2 GALLERY.

Leather and lace.

Embellished cuffs crafted from vinyl by STAR AKEL.

Large wire rimmed sterling silver cuff handmade in Bali. Anna Beck Designs available at BOX TURTLE.

coiffurecouture We are on the cutting edge in precision cutting and multi-dimensional color. The precision cut is the normal degree cut with our personal spin depending on the lifestyle and hair texture of the client. The multi-dimentional color is a unique technique that can be achieved using a 1-step process with hi and lowlights. We are also trained in the newest hair extension technology that takes half the amount of time to put in and is non-damaging to your tresses. We also do keratin treatments along with any other hair care need.

Salon: Blush oWnerS: Beth Wilson and alana Hardin STyliSTS: Beth Wilson, alana Hardin, nikki Dunn, Katie Mcknight, and Heather Beck young KnoWn for: Precision cutting, Multi-dimensional color, Hair extension Technology, and Keratin Treatments.

Pavilion in the Park • 8201 Cantrell Rd Ste 400 501.312.4155

Salon Scarlet is located in the Pleasant ridge Town Center, inside Scarlet Boutique. We are known for our l.a. inspired looks with weightless texture and movement.Kevin Murphy has easily become one of our favorite hair care lines, providing us with the knowledge and styling tips that are used all over the world. We love being involved in the world of fashion and keep up with trends everyday.

Salon: Salon Scarlet oWner: Carrie Parsons KnoWn for: Specializing in long hair cuts, coloring/highlights, Brazilian Blowouts, extensions, Special event styles STyliSTS: Carrie Parsons, Manja Morris

Salon Scarlet 11525 Cantrell Rd., Ste. 401 • Little Rock 501.221.1191

34 FEBRUARY 23, 2011 • ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE ARKANSAS TIMES

We guarantee you’ll love your hair after coming to us, or we will give your money back! our promise to you is that you will enjoy your experience, have a lot of fun and walk out with a new look and a new attitude for 2011!

We are finished with our remodeling and updating the salon. our website will be updated by March 8th! Come by and check us out or look us up online!

Salon: M Salon oWner: Monica Craig KnoWn for: Continuing education, Keritan Complex, Deva Curl, Color & Cutting Specialists & giving 10% back to Cancer research at UAMS.

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our services cater to both men and women and we also welcome children. at fringe (Benefits), you’ll discover limitless ways to define your personal style and beauty.

Salon: fringe (Benefits) STyliSTS: Kyla Betton, natalie Black, Summer Campbell, Joey Edwards, Meredith Gann, Kevin Gann, William lendermon, Ellis Martin, Patrick Miller, Cyrena Smith, Toney Wilkey BeST KnoWn for: Cuts • Colors • Extensions • Styling • Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy • Brazilian Blowout • Waxing • Lash Tinting • Manicures • Pedicures

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Fantastic living awaits in Indian Springs neighborhood

Build your dream home in Greenbrier’s beautiful Indian Springs subdivision.

It is a hilltop neighborhood with lots of mature hardwood trees and a view of the countryside. One such home in this fantastic area is this one at 39 Indian Springs Drive. It is charming with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The attention to detail will catch your eye as you step into this beauty. It is finished new construction on one level with all the extras. Enjoy gathering with your family around the incredible stone fireplace. It is the main focal point of the great room and the stonework will be a conversation piece.

The chef in the family will never want to leave the kitchen. The smooth-top cooking surface and microwave should make creating meals a cinch. The breakfast bar and tile backsplash add to the overall look of the room. A walk-in pantry helps

Rooms are spacious.

36 February 23, 2011 • ARKANSAS TIMES

The kitchen is fully equipped.

keep things organized.

All the bedrooms are spacious. The master suite features a good-sized bathroom with a jetted tub, a vanity and gorgeous tile work. Outside, you’ll be able to take in vista views from the nice deck.

This home is priced to sell at $166,500. It is listed with Linda Roster White Real Estate.

However, don’t worry if you miss out on this one: the subdivision has 44 lots of which 34 are still available so it’s easy to build your own home surrounded by the beauty of the area. Lot prices start at $19,900 with .29 up to 3.09 acre lots available. There is a 1,400 square foot minimum for a one-story home and all underground utilities are in place. For more information about the featured home or how to build your own home, contact Linda Roster White at 501-730-1100 or 501-679-1103. All builders are welcome.

The stone fireplace is a nice feature.

Indian Springs offers great living.

5720 N. COUNTRY CLUB - $394,900. Walk to everything the Heights has to offer from this fantastic 3BR/2.5BA home. This one-level home features beautiful hardwoods, formal LR & DR, large kitchen, great room with built-ins and lots of natural light. Call Eric Wilkerson of the Charlotte John Company for more info at 501-804-2633.

Hillcrest

4924 HILLCREST AVE - $459,900. 3BR/3BA plus 3-car garage. 2600 SF. Recently renovated home on large corner lot. Call John Selva at Pulaski Heights Realty at 501-993-5442.

GREERS FERRY LAKE - Spectacular view!

5 acres. Owner/agent. 501-825-6200 www. enchantedbluffestates.com

Conway 1225 TRENTON - $127,900. Very nice open/ split plan with fireplace, extra-large kitchen with pantry, new paint and carpet, fenced yard, close to schools. Master bath has double closets and double sinks. MLS# 10278547 Linda Roster White Real Estate, 501-730-1100 or 501-679-1103 180 SOUTHERLAND - $119,000. 3BR/2BA update with new paint, beautiful stained concrete floors and an awesome kitchen, front porch and rear entry garage. Spotless and well maintained. MLS# 10278663 Linda Roster White Real Estate, 501-730-1100 or 501679-1103 2565 MORSE - $149,000. Immaculate and updated, beautiful 3BR/2BA home with new hardwoods, tile in wet areas, large pantry, formal dining, oversized backyard and large shop with attic. MLS# 10278631 Linda Roster White Real Estate, 501-730-1100 or 501-679-1103

Greenbrier 712 N. WALNUT - $159,900. 2BR/1BA in the heart of Hillcrest. Just 1/2 block of Kavanaugh.

Renovated kitchen w/custom maple cabinets, tile floors, solid surface counters. Enter MLS 10257444 at www.PulaskiHeightsRealty.com

Neighboring Communities 1480 W. LAWSON RD - $189,900. All brick on 3.5 acres in Alexander! 1850 SF, 3BR/2BA, hardwoods in great room and formal DR. Bryant schools. Clyde Butler, CBRPM, 501240-4300.

No. 0112

21854 WILLIAM BRANDON DRIVE - $168,500.

Enjoy country living on five level acres only 15 minutes from downtown Little Rock! Like-new home with 4BR/2BA, wood-burning fireplace, granite counters, stainless appliances & more!

Call Clyde Butler of CBRPM at 501-240-4300.

344 CASTLEBERRY - $173,900. Magnificent 3BR/2BA on 1.16 acre corner lot with privacy fenced yard & storage bldg. Open plan with hardwood floors, solid surface counters, custom maple cabinets, built-in Thermador cappucino machine & wine cooler, large deck and security system. MLS# 10274731 Linda Roster White Real Estate, 501-730-1100 or 501-679-1103 39 INDIAN SPRINGS - $166,500. New construction and ready to move in! 3BR/2BA with unique fixtures, custom cabinets, hardwood & tile floors, gas FP, jet tub in master bath, insulated garage door, nice deck & patio with country view. MLS# 10257991 Linda Roster White Real Estate, 501-730-1100 or 501-679-1103

Edited by Will Shortz

2523 N. GRANT - $799,000. Stunning newly constructed home with a classic yet contemporary design. Beautiful hardwoods, granite counters, stainless steel top-of-the-line appliances. Call Eric Wilkerson of the Charlotte John Company for more info at 501-804-2633.

Neighboring Communities

Across 1 Poorly developed, as an idea 7 Clear of dishes 10 50% 14 Milton Berleʼs longtime sponsor 15 Actress ___ Alicia 16 ___-Dixie Stores 17 Spoil, as a parade 18 “Stat!”

19 “___ homo” 20 Tony winner Hagen 21 Joule fraction 23 “Misty” composer Garner 25 The second “T” in TNT 28 Vitamin label fig.

29 Rockʼs ___Lonely Boys 30 Sunken ships 31 Unmoved 33 Ankaʼs “___ Beso”

ANSWER

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34 Port on the eastern Mediterranean 35 Go ___ length 36 Qʼs point value in Scrabble 37 Coffee additive 38 Bikini part 41 Draws back 42 Big Apple enforcement org.

46 Improviserʼs asset 47 Artist Matisse 48 Tahitian-style wraparound skirt 50 Dam-building org.

51 Western treaty grp.

52 Most dismal 54 Worker in a cage 56 Pickup truck feature 57 Book before Esth.

58 Joy Adamsonʼs lioness 59 Way of the East 61 “As if!”

64 Marsh growth

65 Year-end helper 66 “Time After Time” singer Cyndi 67 Four hours on the job, perhaps 68 Cool, in slang 69 Opening 30 minutes of football

Down 1 Deceptive remark 2 Barely defeat 3 With respect to a graph line, e.g.

4 Totoʼs state: Abbr.

5 Prefix with system 6 “Singinʼ in the Rain” director Stanley 7 Prank cigar sound 8 Game with Draw 2 cards 9 How a magicianʼs assistant might appear 10 Person in the hole TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE 11 Lake Michigan C I M C A N P E Z explorer Jean ___ L S E L B A A X E O I M M I S T E R E D 12 Box in S N O O P A L E C S 13 Wrestling hold 22 Puts a new E T S A S S finish on T O H I T T H E H A Y 24 Risqué S L A M A A M A 26 Kievʼs land: Y E L P S B R I C Abbr.

F O G G W I T C H 27 Suffix with Sudan O R G O T I A T E I T 28 Like some inns R K E N T S or hot dog B I L E A C F U M stands A L K I N G H O R S E 32 Cartridge filler D E E P E I L E E N 37 Hardly E T A S S T E E R S enthusiastic

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Puzzle by Jim Hilger

38 Wife, colloquially 43 Shaggy animal in a herd 39 In a tangled mess 44 Marriage 40 Amu Daryaʼs contracts, briefly outlet 41 Do some blacksmithʼs work on

42 “Wait Wait …

Donʼt Tell Me!” airer

45 Provisional Mormon state 49 Jacob Riis subjects, with “the”

53 Moe parodied him in some W.W. II-era Three Stooges shorts 55 Trampʼs love 56 Broadway hit, slangily 60 Pub offering 62 Yes, in Yokohama 63 Big ___, Calif.

For answers, call 1-900-285-5656, $1.49 a minute; or, with a credit card, 1-800-814-5554.

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BUSINESS FOR SALE!

WALK THIS WAY SHOES • CONWAY

A women’s shoe and accessory boutique, Walk This Way was named “Small Business of the Year” in Conway. Located in the heart of downtown Conway, it features the latest trends in shoes, purses, clothing and jewelry with such brands as Naughty Monkey, Chinese Laundry, Christian Audigier, Miss Me, Nina and much, much more! Price includes inventory, fixtures, computers, etc. Building is leased. Walk this way and own your own boutique for only $149,000. MLS#10275807

501-730-1100 • 501-679-1103 www.LRWHomes.com

www.arktimes.com • February16, 23,2011 2011 37 37 www.arktimes.com • FEBRUARY

Sit down; shut up n We don’t need to be more civil in our discourse. We need to stop the discourse altogether. It’s only a sham anyway. Morons on one side and bleeding hearts on the other haven’t had anything earnest to say to one another since Roe v. Wade, except eat s—t and die. Of late, it’s reduced to anybody that don’t agree with me is Hitler. A long way back to “We are all republicans; we are all federalists.” Don’t you know the Founders are proud how far we’ve come?

“Madness,” one of the few survivors says at the end of the great River Kwai movie. It’s all he can think to say about that particular congeries of lunacy. I’m not sure “madness” properly describes our breakdown. It has psychotic elements, yes; but it’s more farcical than tragic, maybe because so much of it is just stupidity masquerading as discourse.

Costumed as discourse. Strutting as discourse, and strutting’s not easy for the thick.

These ruminations bring to mind the late Veronica Lee Crabtree, the schoolbus driver in South Park. Veronica Lee didn’t attempt discourse, didn’t believe in it. About all she ever said — said it very slow and very loud, as an all-purpose en-route quietus — was “SIT DOWN and SHUT UP.” That wasn’t discourse. It wasn’t a request; not a demand; merely a statement of how it was going to be, at least on her bus, with a nice last-nerve edge giving the little

Bob L ancaster boogers to know that her intentions was serious. Good advice for bus young’uns; just as good for the rest of us. We don’t need discourse; we don’t need civility; we don’t need bipartisanship or a commitment to not being such a bunch of total a-holes. We simply need to stfd and stfu. You do. I do. And the multitude.

And that concludes today’s column.

Put a -30- at the bottom of it — call in the dogs and pee on the fire. Stick a fork in me, I’m done for another week. ... Ah, except they don’t pay me the large green to give you mugs a snowy newsprint expanse to ponder while you hunker there keeping your yap shut. It has to be hentracked right up to the catfish with black noise. So I’ll blather on to a forced conclusion here by enumerating a few of the prime offenders of whom it might be hoped that they’ll take a leading role in our sit-and-shut down-and-up Veronica Lee Crabtree experiment.

Rasslers, y’all need to s.d. & s.u.

Trolls.

Those of you who tweet on account of that’s the extent of your attention spans.

Gamers. Rogues; mavericks.

Peckerwoods. Asshats.

Those of you who claim erections lasting more than four hours.

Squires urging bankrupts to hit that reset button.

Cell boomers in the next booth going at it before the salad and after the pie and on both sides of the meat.

Parents who don’t have a clue.

Bumptious thumpers. Or thumptious bumpers.

The never-enoughs. All Texicans.

You Einsteins who say I’m entitled to my own opinions but not to my own facts.

One fact from my private stock is, myofb.

National Anthem screechers and minorcategory Oscar accepters. All venters.

You wags who think it’s clever to conclude your remarks by saying “’Nuff said.”

You old open-carry boys who don’t see it’s a metaphor for your goobers hanging.

Talk radio. Its hosts, guests, callers, screeners, peanut gallery. And if they won’t do it, won’t sit and stifle, even after multiple warnings, we could adopt the former Rison grade-school teacher’s strategy of duct-taping them to their desks, and if that doesn’t shut them up, duct-taping their pieholes.

Duct-tape a whole talk-radio crew to their swivels and then duct-tape their pieholes and you’d still hear a whole lot of muffled trough-style squealing and grunting, but

C

that would be an improvement, and you could always apply more duct-tape. They wouldn’t likely realize there was any difference between ranting via trough squeals and ranting the usual way. Come to think of it, there is no essential difference. Except the duct-tape might block some of the usual spittle spray.

I hope you understand it’s with some reluctance that I endorse measures curtailing free speech. I believe in free speech, even when it’s speech that hurts my ears and makes me want to throw up, which most of it does now. I believe in free speech for Al Sharpton and Jay Sekalow, for Andrew Breitbart and Lt. Gen. Jerry Boykin and Cee Lo Green. For Dick Morris soliciting another toesuck. I believe in free speech even for Tucker Carlson although with the caveat that he should also be tazed after about every 15 words.

I also know that bedlam is a healthy sign usually for a government or culture, and that it’s the totalitarian places where peace and quiet, aka stagnation and conformity, reign. A recent tome on Stalinist Russia carried the title “The Whisperers,” because there then it was death to say anything loud enough for it to be prosecutorially misconstrued. Here now we’ve reversed those polarities: we don’t have whisperers; we have windbags, blowhards. Who think you have to rant and rave and act the fool to get reelected. And maybe you do. God help us, maybe you do.

S

LASSIFIED LASSIFIED

Employment Field Workers-12 temporary positions; approx 10 months; Duties: to operate tractors during the preparation and maintenance of the sugar cane crop before, during and after the harvesting season. $9.10 per hour; Job to begin on 3/20/11 through 1/20/12. 3 months experience required in job offered.

All work tools provided. Housing and transportation provided to workers who can not reasonably return to their permanent residence at the end of the work day; _ guaranteed of contract. Employment offered by Joe Beaud, III Farms, L.L.C.located in New Roads, LA. Worksite located in Morganza, LA. Qualified applicants may call employer for interview (225) 7183131 or may apply for this position at their nearest State Workforce Agency using job order # 374166.

For more info regarding your nearest SWA you may call (501) 682-7719.

Field Workers-15 temporary positions; approx 10 months; Duties: to operate tractors during the preparation and maintenance of the sugar cane crop before, during and after the harvesting season. $9.10per hour; Job to begin on 3/15/11 through 1/15/12.

3 months experience required in job offered.

All work tools provided. Housing and transportation provided to workers who can not reasonably return to their permanent residence at the end of the work day; _ guaranteed of contract. Employment offered by Welcome Plantation located in St. James, LA. Qualified applicants may call employer for interview (225) 473-9548 or may apply for this position at their nearest State Workforce Agency using job order # 373616. For more info regarding your nearest SWA you may call (501) 682-7719.

Paid In Advance! Make $1,000 a Week mailing brochures from home! Guaranteed Income! FREE Supplies! No experience required.

Start Immediately! \cf2 www.homemailerprogram.net\cf0 (AAN CAN)

Science Teacher (Sherwood, AR). Teach science for grades 6-10, prepare and apply annual curriculum, tests, student evals, keep attendance, assign homework, perform P/T conferences. 1 month of on the job training req’ d.

Bachelor’s in Any Natural Science Field and 1 yrs prog. exp.Mail resume to Attn: Emin Cavusoglu, Lisa Academy, 21 Corporate Hill Dr. Little Rock, AR 72205 Refer to ad #KA

PHONE ACTRESSES FROM HOME. BEST PAY OUTS, BUSY SYSTEM, BILINGUAL/SP A+. Weekends a must! Land Line / Good Voice 1-800-403-7772. LIPSERVICE.NET (AAN CAN)

38 FEBRUARY 23, 2011 • ARKANSAS TIMES 38 february 23, 2011 • ARKANSAS TIMES

Field Workers-21 temporary positions; approx 10 months; Duties: to operate tractors in the fields during the preparation, planting and maintenance of the crop before, during and after the harvesting season. $9.10 per hour; Job to begin on 3/18/11 through 1/15/12. 3 months experienced required in job offered. All work tools provided. Housing and transportation provided to workers who can not reasonably return to their permanent residence at the end of the work day; _ guaranteed of contract.

Employment offered by Adeline Enterprises, L.L.C. located in Jeanerette, LA. Qualified applicants may call employer for interview (337) 276-5503 or may apply for this position at their nearest State Workforce Agency using job order # 374332. For more info regarding your nearest SWA you may call (501) 682-7719 Field Workers-5 temporary positions, approx 10 months; Duties: to operate tractors in the fields during the preparation, planting and maintenance of the crop before, during and after the harvesting. $9.10 per hour; Job to begin on 4/1/11 through 1/15/12. Must have 3 months experience in job offered. All work tools provided. Housing and transportation provided to workers who can not reasonably return to their permanent residence at the end of the work day; _guaranteed of contract. Employment offered

by Mistretta Farms located in Gonzales, LA. Worksite located in White Castle, LA . Qualified applicants may call employer for interview (225) 7460220 or may apply for this position at their nearest State Workforce Agency using job order # 374168. For more info regarding your nearest SWA you may call (501) 682-7719.

Field Workers-5 temporary positions; approx 10 months; Duties: to operate tractors with the cutting of the hay fields. Fluffing, raking, baling and storing of the hay. $9.10 per hour; Job to begin on 4/1/11 through 12/1/11. Must have 3 months experience in job offered. All work tools provided. Housing and transportation provided to workers who can not reasonably return to their permanent residence at the end of the work day; _ guaranteed of contract. Employment offered by S & S Cattle Company, Inc. located in Natchitoches, LA . Qualified applicants may call employer for interview (318) 471-2771 or may apply for this position at their nearest State Workforce Agency using job order # 374833. For more info regarding your nearest SWA you may call (501) 682-7719.

Business Opportunity Heights-area office offering physical address and/or use of conference room for business use. Call for details:501-664-3219

Building Material Steel Buildings 30x40, 50x100 Others Time to Buy Now at Old PricePrices going up! www.utilityking. com/ Source#1IY 866-609-4321

Adoption Services ADOPT: Adoring couple longs to adopt your newborn. Promise secure, joy-filled life, endless love. Jane & Alan 800-7210759.

Adopt: Art classes to Zoo trips, all in between, 1st baby will be King or Queen. Expensses paid Cheryl 1-800-561-9323

Legal Notices

The Integrity, Inc. Adult Development Program and Integrity Day Care today announced its sponsorship of the USDA Food Program.

Meals will be available at no separate charge or at a reduced charge to enrolled persons at the participating institution listed below. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Institution: Integrity, Inc. Address:6124 Northmoor Little Rock, AR 72204Guidelines for free and reduced meals effective from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011. For income limits, please contact Chris Andersen 501-614-7200

Real Estate adoring couple longing to adopt newborn. Promising to give a secure life of unconditional & endless love. Linda & Sal 1-800-595-4919 expenses paid.

Houses and cabins for sale. The Green alternative-For as little as $3,000 you can have a cabin for your property. Call Shawn at Smart Green Construction for more info:501-516-1941

Need Now…Interviewing Now… Med offices – Clinic hours – higher $$$ Great benefits – Central AR areas – All positions open for experienced medical personnel Front Office, Billing, Coding, Elec Med Records, LPNs, MAs Submit an up-to-date, skills detailed resume with $ hourly and radius willing to commute to

MedICal StaffINg

A Division of Employment Specialists, Inc.

Carolyn SimS

FLIPSIDE

STUDIO1

10 P

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T

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R

A

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Y

% OFF SENIOR PORTRAITS

CALL OR EMAIL FOR DETAILS + A FREE FACEBOOK DISC OF YOUR PHOTOS

Medical Staffing Specialist medicalstaffing@comcast.net

501.650.1806

www.studio-1-photo.com

The Nation’s Leading Wildlife Control Firm for over 28 Years Over 120 Offices Coast-to-Coast • Bats, Raccoons, Squirrels, Bees, Skunks, Opossum, Armadillo, etc.

• Animal Removal, Repairs, Prevention • Attic Cleanups, Deodorization & Insulation

www.CritterControl.com (501) 834-8727 1-800-CRITTER

Psychic Reader & Advisor Announcing Special Guest Speaker:

Lou DeCaprio President & Co-Founder Trump Network™

Coming to Little Rock, AR for Two Days Only!

Mark Your Calendar February 25th & 26th Kay Butler-501-455-8538 kaybutler355@yahoo.com Take advantage of one or both of these opportunities to hear about the Trump Network and how it’s changing lives across the nation!

Friday, February 25th

6:30 pm: Registration 7:00 pm: Business Opportunity Presentation

Friday, February 26th

9:00 am: Registration 9:30 am: Business Opportunity Presentation

Peabody Hotel 3 Statehouse Plaza • Little Rock, AR 72201 • www.peabodylittlerock.com All Events are Free of Charge for Guests!

Trump Marketers Weekend Event Fee: $25 in Advance OR $35 Day of Event Register & Pay in Advance at: http://tntintherock.eventbrite.com “When I did the Apprentice, it was a long shot, this is not a long shot.

This is going to be something that’s really amazing.”

- Donald J Trump, Chairman and President The Trump Organization

Contact: Kay Butler-501-455-8538 (Leave Message) kaybutler355@yahoo.com

Looks into Past, Present, Future Specialized Reading in Tarot Card-Metal Object-Shakra call & consult for an appointment

501-223-9046

20 years public experience All major credit cards accepted Newest LocatioN DowNtowN LittLe rock river market

Arkansas Times Flipside Advertise your business or event here for as little as

$50!

Find out how!

Call Challis now at 375-2985

ARKANSAS GLASSHOPPERS, INC. Presents the 25 th Annual

Depression Era Glass SHOW & SALE!

Depression era patterns & colors, plus Cambridge, Fostoria, Heisey, Imperial, Tiffin, Pottery & Kitchen items of the era.

Hall of Industry – State Fairgrounds Roosevelt & Howard Streets, Little Rock, AR

Saturday, February 26, 2011 9am-5pm Sunday, February 27, 2011 10am-4pm Admission $5 – Good Both Days

Glass Identification!

Door Prizes & Displays!

Admission includes Free Parking!

The Arkansas Arts Center will display the Bob Batty Early American Pattern Glass Collection at the Terry Museum & the Historic Arkansas Museum will also have a glass display in conjunction with our special 25th show!

Show Information: (501) 868-4969 • Email: bgmarglass@sbcglobal.net or rpnsea@aol.com www.arktimes.com • February 23, 2011 39

Royal Family

viSit uS At tHe

of Companies Fri. FeB. 25 Sun. FeB 27

Making your house a home.

gArAge DoorS gone green

nortH StAr

For the toughest, most energy-efficient steel door, a Classica 3000 triplelayer door includes the ultimate in thermal properties, plus a layer of steel for a finished interior look and added durability.

Creating a dramatic focal point in your home begins with a custom fire.

North Star meets the strictest enviromental standards in the country and a 77.8% efficiency rating.

Pellet Burning StoveS

The Eco-Choice pellet burning stoves combine dependability and value in a simple design. Featuring a large hopper and ashpan with an easy-clean firepot, these stoves deliver impressive heat with ease.

PINE BLUFF OVERHEAD DOOR 870.247.2502

ROYAL/ALLIED RESIDENTIAL SHOWROOM 113 Broadway Bryant • 943.3667

ROYAL OVERHEAD DOOR Sales 943.3667 Service 455.3667

ROYAL OVERHEAD DOOR OF NWA Springdale 479.927.9990

WWW.ROYALDOORS.COM FIREPLACES • WOOD STOVES • CENTRAL VAC SYSTEMS • GARAGE DOORS • GATES AND COMMERCIAL DOOR PRODUCTS