NEWS + POLITICS + ENTERTAINMENT / MARCH 21, 2012 / ARKTIMES.COM
THE BATTLE OF 10TH AND MAIN
Little Rock tries to block VA center move. BY CHEREE FRANCO PAGE 12
Eat, Drink and Be Literary! ¶
ome one, come all to the Arkansas Times’ 9th and poetry smack down, featuring live readings by the best writers from Central Arkansas and the Arkansas Literary Festival schedule. Food, drinks, and poetry: who could ask for anything more?
Pub or Perish, annual fiction
Lulav a Modern Eatery
Upstairs 220 West 6th St. Little Rock Free admission! Saturday, April 14 7 to 9 p.m.
With trenton lee stewart, Nickole Brown, hope coulter, Loria Taylor and other great local and Arkansas Literary Festival authors.
Plus: Open Mic!
For more information about Pub or Perish or open mic, e-mail: david@arktimes.com. Open mic slots are very limited, and available on a first-come-firstserved basis the night of the show. Sponsored by: The Arkansas Times, The Arkansas Literary Festival, and Lulav a Modern Eatery. www.arkansasliteraryfestival.org 2 july 1, 2004 • ARKANSAS TIMES
KREBS BROTHERS SINCE 1933
THE RESTAURANT STORE
ARKANSAS’S SOURCE FOR NEWS, POLITICS & ENTERTAINMENT 201 East Markham Street 200 Heritage Center West P.O. Box 34010, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203 www.arktimes.com arktimes@arktimes.com @ArkTimes www.facebook.com/arkansastimes
ZAK!
Frozen casseroles to take and Bake Hot Lunch cup to-Go 11-1pm thurs - Sat
PUBLISHER Alan Leveritt EDITOR Lindsey Millar
Designs
Gourmet macaroni to-Go Jerry Wilson
Regional Manager
SENIOR EDITOR Max Brantley
Flavors oF the week Five Cheese • Sweet Potato & Rosemary Shrimp & Scallop • Mexican Chorizo Mon - Sat 10-6pm, Sun 12-5pm Pleasant Ridge Town Center 501.663.3338 • kitchenco.net
MANAGING EDITOR Leslie Newell Peacock CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Mara Leveritt ASSOCIATE EDITORS Cheree Franco, David Koon, Bob Lancaster, Doug Smith ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Robert Bell EDITORIAL ART DIRECTOR Kai Caddy PHOTOGRAPHER Brian Chilson
mood now offering spoons bridal registries
4310 Landers Road • North Little Rock, AR 72117
(501) 687-1331
www.krebsbrothers.com M-F 8-5 Sat. 9-5
ADVERTISING ART DIRECTOR Mike Spain ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR Patrick Jones GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Katie Cook, Rafael Méndez, Bryan Moats, Sandy Sarlo DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Phyllis A. Britton SPECIAL PROJECTS Michelle Miller, Manager SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Tiffany Holland ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Katherine Smith Daniels, Sarah DeClerk, Darielle D’Mello, Angie Wilson REAL ESTATE SALES EXECUTIVE Tiffany Holland CLASSIFIED SALES EXECUTIVE Challis Muniz AUTOMOTIVE ADVERTISING MANAGER Heather Baker ADVERTISING TRAFFIC MANAGER Roland R. Gladden ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Kelly Schlachter PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Tracy Whitaker SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Kelly Ferguson SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Josh Bramlett IT DIRECTOR Robert Curfman CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Anitra Hickman
100 YEARS YOUNG Visit ach100.org to discover a century of inspiring stories of Care, Love and Hope.
CONTROLLER Weldon Wilson BILLING/COLLECTIONS Linda Phillips OFFICE MANAGER Angie Fambrough RECEPTIONIST Jennifer Ashmore PRODUCTION MANAGER Ira Hocut (1954-2009)
association of alternative newsweeklies
Children’s Stories from
ARKANSAS C H I L D R E N ’S H O S P I TA L
As we turn the page on our first 100 years as the unquestioned leader of pediatric care in Arkansas, we have created a special website to celebrate the personal stories of the children and families who have changed our lives as much as we’ve changed theirs. Our story is your story. We invite you to read what many have shared – and, then, to share your own.
VOLUME 38, NUMBER 29 ARKANSAS TIMES (ISSN 0164-6273) is published each week by Arkansas Times Limited Partnership, 201 East Markham Street, 200 Heritage Center West, P.O. Box 34010, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72203, phone (501) 375-2985. Periodical postage paid at Little Rock, Arkansas, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ARKANSAS TIMES, P.O. Box 34010, Little Rock, AR, 72203. Subscription prices are $42 for one year, $78 for two years. Subscriptions outside Arkansas are $49 for one year, $88 for two years. Foreign (including Canadian) subscriptions are $168 a year. For subscriber service call (501) 375-2985. Current single-copy price is 75¢, free in Pulaski County. Single issues are available by mail at $2.50 each, postage paid. Payment must accompany all single-copy orders. Reproduction or use in whole or in part of the contents without the written consent of the publishers is prohibited. Manuscripts and artwork will not be returned or acknowledged unless sufficient return postage and a self-addressed stamped envelope are included. All materials are handled with due care; however, the publisher assumes no responsibility for care and safe return of unsolicited materials. All letters sent to ARKANSAS TIMES will be treated as intended for publication and are subject to ARKANSAS TIMES’ unrestricted right to edit or to comment editorially.
Open up and explore ach100.org for a spellbinding story like no other! You can help us change lives for another hundred years. Please give generously at ach100.org or toll-free, 1-855-224-4483 (1-855-ACH-GIVE). Every gift matters.
©2012 ARKANSAS TIMES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP FOR SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE CALL: (501) 375-2985 www.arktimes.com
MARCH 21, 2012
3
COMMENT
Slaves at HAM Recently, in order to treat my curiosity, I visited the Historic Arkansas Museum. It is an amazing institution with several artifacts of priceless value, and I was amazed by many of the exhibits, including the knife collection, which features Damascus steel, and the Native American Quapaw tribe. After such a wonderful tour, imagine my frustration then to take the guided tour of the historic buildings in which the only reenactment taking place was that of a slave. To add further insult, the slave was beaten behind closed doors by the mistress of the house, but emerged with a few sour words for the mistress yet nothing but praise for her master while longing for home. Two areas in particular were most troubling. We are first introduced to the slave working in the garden, where she is happily singing. While it is undoubtedly true that captive blacks often sang, the nature of those songs were rich in subtext and coded language. Additionally, while nearly no one would suggest that slavery was not brutal, to force visitors to listen to a simulated beating goes beyond what should count as acceptable by the South’s level of decency. Throughout the tour, I heard tale after tale about the hard-working exploits of German and Scottish families, but their servants were dismissed as no more than slaves. “Slave” is not an ethnicity nor did the slave reenactment seem the most appropriate choice for the historic museum when blacks in the South must continue to combat oppressive ideas of our place in society. Amoja “The Mo-Man” Sumler Little Rock
In the name of progress The story on the Little Rock Technology Authority Board is a perfect example of a board in charge doing what it wants without caring what the people want. The Authority board will use its power of eminent domain to steal the land and ruin neighborhoods. Republicans and big-business Democrats won’t change the law after the Supreme Court’s decision a couple years ago allowing cities to use eminent domain in the name of economic redevelopment. The board is looking in the wrong area if they want land for their park. The perfect area that needs help for economic redevelopment is the east side of I-30 south of the Clinton Library and Heifer Project’s headquarters. Imagine an area south of the Democrat-Gazette newspaper’s printing press south to the cemetery area. This would give the park easy access to the freeway, easy access to the River 4
MARCH 21, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
Market and would be visible from the highway, which would help it grow! Plus a lot of that area includes abandoned businesses and warehouse with some rental property. Unfortunately, the only help for the residents of the areas under consideration will be if they can get their places listed as historical quickly, which will be hard to do. Keith Weber Jacksonville
On health care reform In his letter March 14 about the
requirement of contraceptive coverage, Mike Emerson misses a few points: He complains that the political leadership is governing by edict and compares health care reform to an enactment by Putin or Chavez. Health care reform was passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives and signed by President Obama. The constitutional support for the enactment is the commerce clause; that health care impacts commerce dramatically is inarguable. Health care for most Americans is provided by the government through
Say Hello to HALFOFFARKANSAS.COM
OFF AT A TON OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS LOCATIONS! FOR EXAMPLE RESTAURANTS
Lulav Far East Asian Cuisine Salut Italian Bistro Dugan's Pub Vesuvio Bistro NYPD Pizza Delicatessen Lilly's Dim Sum, Then Sum Zin Urban Wine & Beer Bar Bleu Monkey Grill Hunka Pie 3 Flamingos
ENTERTAINMENT Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Willow Springs Playtime Pizza Splash Zone Rock Town Distillery
SERVICES
Argenta Market Cantrell Gallery Crowne Plaza Hotel Little Rock
from
RETAIL
Pyramid Art, Books & Custom Framing Kitchen Co
HEALTH & BEAUTY
Island Tan Indulgences By Body Bronze Bella Bronze
Medicare and Medicaid, so that care is not just government-regulated, it is government-controlled. Another large group of Americans get their coverage from employee-provided health insurance, and those plans have been regulated, including being required to include certain minimum coverage, by federal law for many years. The beneficiaries of health care reform are the uninsured who will be able to purchase affordable coverage. Those with preexisting conditions will no longer pay an arm and a leg for coverage, and those who cannot pay full price will receive subsidies on a sliding scale. Spreading risk over large groups will make coverage affordable even when folks with preexisting coverage are included. Private insurance companies will not be required to subsidize the required coverage, such as contraceptive coverage. Insurance companies will be allowed to price their policies so they will make a fair return. State or federal (for states that choose not to create their own) exchanges will offer policies to insure that affordable insurance is available to everyone and to provide competition that will help keep the premiums charged by private insurers reasonable. Health insurance providers who are religious institutions will not be required to offer coverage that offends their beliefs, but when those institutions operate other institutions that do not have a strictly religious mission — hospitals, for example — insurance companies that provide the coverage will be required to offer what other providers offer. The health reform that was passed will reduce health care costs, saving the country from unsupportable contributions to health care in the years to come, in part by requiring certain coverages that will reduce future costs. Requiring contraceptive coverage is a cost-saving measure, which will benefit the insurance companies as well as the rest of us. The religious institutions that objected to the regulation as originally proposed seemed to want help in imposing their social tenets on their own parishioners and on non-parishioners who worked for the institutions’ secular operations. If a church wants its tenets on contraception observed by its parishioners, it should persuade the parishioners to follow its teachings, not try to deny them medicine they want. Patrick J. Goss Little Rock
Submit letters to the Editor, Arkansas Times, P.O. Box 34010, Little Rock, AR 72203. We also accept letters via e-mail. The address is arktimes@arktimes.com. Please include name and hometown.
ORVAL
SpecialS goodItems through March 2012 over 500 on27,sale over 350 iteMS on Sale throughout the Store throughout the store
1.75 spirits
EvEryday $39.99 $27.99 $63.99 $23.99
salE $34.99 $22.99 $51.99 $19.99
winE valuE buys – 750ml
EvEryday $16.99 $18.39 $17.39 $14.99
salE $10.99 $13.99 $13.99 $11.99
bEst buy undEr $10
EvEryday $10.99 $10.99 $10.99
salE $8.49 $8.99 $8.49
pack $14.99 $13.99 $13.99
casE $28.98 $26.98 $26.98
Dewars White Label Scotch Jim Beam Bourbon Grey Goose Vodka & Flavors Bacardi Silver, Select & Gold Rum
Meridian Cabernet, Chardonnay & Merlot 1.5 Liter Francis Coppola Claret & Pinot Noir Francis Coppola Cabernet, Merlot, Malbec & Zinfandel Francis Coppola Chardonnay, Sauv. Blanc & Pinot Grigio
Clean Slate Riesling Gnarly Head Old Vine Zinfandel Avalon California Cabernet Sauvignon
bEErs of thE wEEk
Stella Artois 12pk Bottles Sam Adams 12pk Bottles All Varieties Heineken & Heineken Light 12pk Bottles
winEs of thE wEEk
St. Clement 2008 Carneros Chardonnay Everday $21.99 This Week $15.99 Edna Valley 2009 Central Coast Pinot Noir Everday $18.99 This Week $14.99
Case of 12 $179.88 ($14.99) Case of 12 $167.88 ($13.99)
We honor competitors’ advertised prices. please bring the ad. wE honor pricEs. plEasE brinG thE ad. 11200compEtitors’ W. Markham advErtisEd (West of Shackleford on Markham) Little Rock 501-223-3120 • 866-988-vino
Thanks, Little Rock! Your support made the difference and helped us win the election with 87% of voters voting FOR the library. We look forward to the great things the Central Arkansas Library System will do in the next few years. Coalition for Neighborhood Libraries Campaign Committee 2012 Honorary chairmen James Fribourgh, Fanye R. Porter, and William Terry Deborah Baldwin • Joseph C. Beck • Gayle Corley • Nate Coulter Lisa Ferrell • Jimmie Lou Fisher • Susan Fleming • Jack Gazin Patricia W. Gee • Wes Goodner • Betty Hathaway • Charles Hathaway Annette Herrington • Stanley L. Hill • Jim Jackson • Baker Kurrus Marian G. Lacey • Troy Laha • Jim Metzger • Carl Moneyhon Susan Petty Moneyhon • Jim Montague • Becky McMath • Bruce McMath Kirby D. Miraglia • Archie Moore • Lupe Peña-Madison • Albert J. Porter Barbara Pryor • David Pryor • David Rickard • Anna W. Riggs John A. Riggs IV • Ron Robinson • Jennifer Rogers • Karen Sebourn Bill Spivey • T.T. Tyler Thompson • Frederick S. Ursery • Tamara Walkingstick Parker Westbrook • Laveta Wills-Hale • Joyce Wilson • Mark Wilson Bobby Roberts and the staff of the Central Arkansas Library System Paid for by the Coalition for Neighborhood Libraries; Bob Razer, Treasurer www.arktimes.com
MARCH 21, 2012
5
EDITORIAL
Stands accused
s the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce “un-American,” as Sheffield Nelson suggests? It’s a close call; reasonable men might disagree. That the Chamber is unconscionable, on the other hand, was verified long ago. Nelson is a former natural gas company executive now crusading to make natural gas companies pay their fair share of taxes in Arkansas. The Chamber vehemently opposes his plan. And so Nelson asked in newspaper advertisements this week, “Is the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce UN-AMERICAN?” He gave us a hint: “The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce recently made the decision to participate in the most un-American activity I have ever seen in Arkansas politics. They are having their president and chief operating officer, Randy Zook, head an effort to keep the Natural Gas Severance Tax Act of 2012 off of the ballot, thus depriving you of the basic right to vote on the issue.” Nelson knows something of Arkansas politics, having run for office himself, though he had more success running a gas company. He’s circulating petitions to put on the November ballot an increase in Arkansas’s natural-gas severance tax, making it comparable to the taxes of neighboring states. The Chamber, working through Zook, is buying ads and using other means to keep the proposal from going before the voters. “Do they fear that Arkansas voters aren’t smart enough to make a fair decision on this issue?” Nelson asks. “Or that maybe we are?” Asking low-wage Arkansas workers to subsidize gas companies that take billions of dollars out of the state while ravaging city streets and county roads is, unnatural as it sounds, very much in the Chamber of Commerce tradition of smiting the underdog. On just about any issue one can name — tax policy, health care, public schools, workers rights — the Chamber takes the side of the profiteers against the people. And Arkansas remains near the bottom of the states in all economic measurements. Put the Chamber in charge of the scenery and that’ll go to pot too. (The state Chamber’s little brother, the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, has even persuaded Little Rock city government to pay the Chamber several hundred thousand dollars every year for the purpose of working against the interests of most Little Rock residents. Cheat them, and charge them a fee for doing it — if there’s a Grifters Hall of Fame, the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce belongs.) Why not try a different approach, and let the people have a say on public policy? They could hardly botch it worse than the Chamber has. 6
MARCH 21, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
JON NICHOLS
I
EYE ON ARKANSAS
EARLY SPRING: Jon Nichols submitted this photo of a butterfly near Vilonia to our Eye On Arkansas Flickr webpage.
Health care reform kicks in, feels good
T
he partisan political battle over the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or whatever pejorative term the bill’s opponents want to call it, is over. But you wouldn’t really know that from the still-angry rhetoric being spouted by the bill’s many detractors. Republican presidential hopefuls talk about plans to repeal health reform even though the proverbial frontrunner instituted a similar system in his home state. Friday marks two years since President Obama signed the health reform bill into law and since then some, but not yet all, of the benefits have started to reach Joe Public. Children cannot be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition. Young people can stay on their parents’ health insurance plan until they are 26 years old. Preventive services, which will ultimately help control health care costs, have been added to some plans at no extra charge. Those are real changes — which can have a huge, positive impact on people’s lives — that have nothing to do with petty attempts to pin a seemingly unpopular program to the president right before election time. Take these things away, and folks are likely to notice. A lot of folks. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Affordable Care Act has had the following impact on Arkansans: 865,000 people who already had private insurance no longer have a lifetime limit on their health insurance plans; 439,000 people received added preventive services from their insurance companies without cost-sharing (that’s including 110,000 children); 380,845 Medicare recipients have received preventive services; 23,837 young people have acquired health care coverage by staying on their parents’ plans. Those are real benefits. In this small state, chances are you know at least one of those people. Your little cousin who has a genetic disorder won’t be kicked off of, or denied access to, a health plan simply because he was born a certain way. Your friend with chronic back pain no longer has to worry about reaching an arbitrary dollar
limit that could negatively impact his coverage and his health. And that’s just what’s happened so far. The act won’t be fully implemented until 2014. Of course, there is still the GERARD question of the Supreme Court, MATTHEWS which will hear oral arguments on the law next week, and will likely render a decision on its constitutionality later in the summer. Opponents of the law are actively rooting against it. Lawmakers in Arkansas thought that the Supreme Court declaring unconstitutional the part of the law that required people to buy insurance was such a sure bet that they decided to pass on letting the state take full control of developing a health care exchange – the marketplace through which people will purchase private health insurance. The state is now working in a partnership with the federal government, the only one of its kind so far. Polling indicates the public is getting past the politics of health reform. The more people learn about parts of the law that have gone into effect, and about the exchange, the more they support it. Efforts to put together an exchange in Arkansas are already underway. Insurance Commissioner Jay Bradford, along with his staff and other interested parties, are working out the details as we speak. A ruling on the mandate could change how all that shakes out, but it won’t roll back the popular provisions already in place. Mandate or no, people aren’t going to want to see the new protections taken away. The important thing to ensure moving forward is that Arkansas has a health care system that protects children and families and a big part of that is going to mean keeping as much of the Affordable Care Act in place as possible. Gerard Matthews is the communications director for Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. He is a former associate editor of the Arkansas Times.
OPINION
Regnat’s plan to end railroading
P
rogressives broke the railroads’ 40year stranglehold on the Arkansas legislature after the Civil War only once, in 1897, when the legislature dared to refer to the people a constitutional amendment that set up a state agency to regulate the railroads. If you can believe the attorney general at the time, Jeff Davis, they did it by the simple expedient of catching the railroads’ chief lobbyist in a Little Rock whorehouse and locking him up with the ladies for 10 days — how much against his wishes we do not know. The lawmakers passed the resolution during this respite from the lobbyist’s attentions, and the voters ratified the law the next year by a margin of more than 4 to 1. It empowered the new state agency to curb the railroads’ abuses, including discriminating against Arkansas farmers and producers with higher tariffs than the were charged their Yankee competitors. That strategy would not work today. Civil libertarians would raise a ruckus about detaining a lobbyist against his will. But a few young reformers who call themselves Regnat Populus 2012 have a better plan. They hope to put an initiative on the ballot this fall that would, among other things, impose the “Wal-Mart rule” on the legislature. Lawmakers could not accept a dime from lobbyists, corporations or any special interest that pleads before
the legislature or government agencies. Literally — not even a cup of coffee. WalMart buyers ERNEST cannot accept the DUMAS smallest freebie from brokers and vendors who want to sell their wares through Wal-Mart. Regnat’s initiative, which the attorney general has held up over the wording, would also prevent corporations and unions from giving money directly to campaigns and stop retiring legislators from hiring out for a few years to the gas companies, or whomever, to lobby their old colleagues in the Assembly. If it gets on the ballot and is adopted, will that stop the influence peddling that has sullied lawmaking in Arkansas (and every other state) for most of our history? Almost certainly not, but the evidence is that strict ethics rules, strictly enforced, produce cleaner, more transparent government and sometimes government that is even closer to the people. Arkansas has strengthened its ethical restraints on officeholders the past 25 years, both by initiative and legislative statutes, but they were virtually nonexistent before that. The Center for Public Integrity this week graded Arkansas out at D+ in a study of the
political integrity of the 50 states. The center did not grade on the curve, so there were no A’s, and a third of the states were worse than Arkansas. New Jersey, which has toughened its laws and booted out wayward officials with some regularity, came in as the best. Arkansas prohibits certain freebies to lawmakers that are valued at more than $150 and requires them to report what they do get. The Arkansas Democrat Gazette did its biennial good job last week of sorting through the filings of legislators and lobbyists and reporting the gratuities ladled on legislators by rich right-wing and anti-public school groups, gas companies, utilities and big industries like Microsoft. Some of the gifts might seem chintzy or purposeless — a bundle of tickets to Razorback games, expensepaid trips to Turkey, Puerto Rico, Taiwan and boring spots around the country. As usual, it caught a few legislators who had not reported their gifts. A better understanding of foreign cultures is a good thing, though of little public worth for a state lawmaker (one lawmaker said he went Istanbul to tell Turks to buy more Arkansas rice — you wonder, how did that go?), but the value of the trip is not for the legislator but the donor: good will and gratitude next time you need his vote or his sponsorship of your bill. The railroads controlled Arkansas government like no other interest group in history. They got carte blanche eminent domain, absolutely no regulation and no taxes (except the tax money given to them). Farmers, merchants and laborers hated the railroads, but the companies swarmed
the Capitol with lobbyists whenever the legislature met. Every legislator got free passes on the coaches for themselves and their families. They insisted they couldn’t be bought with free rail passes (sound familiar?), but they always found the lobbyists’ arguments against government regulation compelling. Convict leasing, one of the great shames of Arkansas history, lasted a good 40 years by the same dynamic. Plantation and mill owners prospered by having the state or county supply free prison labor. Arrests for vagrancy and petty crimes went up in planting and harvesting seasons. Zeb Ward built a great fortune with the free toil of prisoners. When reformers were agitating to end convict leasing in 1871, he fed the entire legislature a lavish Thanksgiving dinner. So it has gone down through the years. After an unfavorable Supreme Court ruling in 1957, Arkansas Louisiana Gas Co., the political behemoth between World War II and Vietnam, rammed a bill through the legislature in three days to allow the company to charge customers a nifty price for gas produced in company fields by company rigs. A couple of key legislators got comfortable jobs for life, another who owned a service station at Pine Bluff got the gasoline business of Ark La trucks in his part of the state and a loan to buy a farm, and largesse was passed around to dozens of others. One selfless senator asked only for the reward of a case of Falstaff, delivered to his room at the Capital Hotel. You couldn’t get by with that now. Influence peddling has got so much more sophisticated.
MEDIA
Smith leaves, restaurants lose
K
ATV mainstay Pamela Smith is leaving the station at the end of the month to become the Little Rock School District’s director of communications. As weekend anchor for more than a decade, she’s been a familiar face to KATV viewers, who’ll no doubt miss her steadiness. But one group in particular that’s bound to be especially bummed by Smith’s departure? Restaurant owners. Since 2009, Smith’s selection of a restaurant for her weekly “Pam’s Picks” dining feature has been like Oprah picking a book for her bookclub once was — a guarantee of a significant sales bump. Big Orange, the popular West Little Rock burger joint, set a sales record the week it was featured. Owners of Brown Sugar Bakery and Stickyz, both in the River Mar-
ket and both featured on “Pam’s Picks” last year, also told me they got big boosts after their segments, LINDSEY particularly from MILLAR lindseymillar@arktimes.com first-time customers outside of Central Arkansas. The popularity of “Pam’s Picks,” which airs at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesdays and often on “Saturday Daybreak,” is fairly obvious. People love to look at footage of food. Moreover, while most local media only cover food with reviews, news and recipes, Smith’s segments are decidedly more narrative driven. Over four or five minutes, a typical “Pam’s Pick” fits
in interviews with chefs and customers, an extended look behind the scenes in the kitchen, shots of much of the menu on the plate and a quick review. All the cheesy local news tropes are there — too much stock footage, interviews with “real people” who have nothing to say, forced studio patter — but “Pam’s Picks” still manages to offer a more complete sense of the restaurant experience than just about any other local media. The series came naturally, Smith said. She’s a foodie. “Until recently, I had well over 2,000 pictures of food on my phone. When I go on vacation, that’s what I do. I chat with chefs or servers and I videotape it. I have an adult son. When we go out to eat, and I’m chatting with folks, he always says, ‘Mom, do you really have to do that?’ ” Smith, who also operates a “Pam’s Picks” blog (katvpamspicks.blogspot. com) and a Facebook page, said she wants to figure out a way to keep the series going, but doesn’t know how it will fit with her new schedule. Her last day at KATV is
March 30. See “Pam’s Picks” videos at arktimes.com/pam. ◆◆◆
As the Times gears up for several anniversaries on the horizon — in May it’ll be 20 years since we first became a weekly and our 40th anniversary is coming in 2014 — we’re making a concerted push to digitize our considerable archive. You can already see a scattershot sampling of our efforts at Old Times, our new Tumblr site (oldarktimes.tumblr.com.), where daily we’re posting interesting odds and ends from our back pages. So far, that includes a picture of the cover of our first issue in 1974, an excerpt from a 1979 article on Lucinda Williams that describes her three-night stand at White Water Tavern, and a cover story on Nolan Richardson after he won the national championship. We’ve also just enabled the Timeline feature on our Facebook page, facebook. com/arkansastimes, where you can see more archival images and read about the history of Arkansas Times. www.arktimes.com
MARCH 21, 2012
7
W O RDS
Through and done
AHH-031220_CardiacClassicAd.pdf
3/6/12
3:07:10 PM
Diane Robinson says she’s hearing people use the phrases “on tomorrow” and “on yesterday,” as in “I’ll deliver the cookies on tomorrow.” “I use that construction when I’m naming a day (‘on Wednesday’) but not for ‘tomorrow’ or ‘yesterday’,” she writes: “Is usage changing?” It always is, though this particular change is one I haven’t heard yet, and I have no idea what would cause it. Just as I have no idea why people have started saying and writing “Are you done?” when they used to say, “Are you through?” or “Are you finished?” A friend believes that “done” is a sort of Northern vulgarism that has worked its way into genteel Southern discourse through television, possibly aided by Midwestern retirees who’ve settled in Hot Springs Village and Bella Vista. I’m inclined to give the transplanted Northerners a break on this. For voting Republican, less so. Speaking of Republicans, one of the more prominent has coined a fetching new word, according to the humor columnist Andy Borowitz: “Telling a crowd of supporters that the separation of church and state ‘makes me want to throw up,’ GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum today pro-
posed replacing church and state with a new entity he called ‘sturch.’ … Mr. Santorum said that the comDOUG bined entity would SMITH dougsmith@arktimes.com offer greater convenience to the American people than the separation of church and state currently does, since Americans would be able to get salvation and motor vehicle renewals at the same place every Sunday.” Having learned from the daily paper that a Taser is “a conducted-energy device,” Stanley Johnson writes, “Like Vaseline is a petroleum jelly or BandAid is a plastic-coated bandage or Jell-O is a favored gelatin dessert … There’s a word for these words, I bet. Brand names that become the common word for what they are.” Here’s a quote from Wikipedia: “A generic trademark, also known as a genericized trademark or proprietary eponym, is a trademark or brand name that has become the colloquial or generic description for, or synonymous with, a general class of product or service … ”
WEEK THAT WAS
It was a good week for… THE CLINTONS. The Little Rock Airport Commission voted on Tuesday to rename the airport the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport. SALACIOUS HEADLINES. Namely “Sex in the morgue,” variations of which were seen in the Arkansas DemocratGazette and on the Arkansas Blog in reports on a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by former Pulaski County Coroner Garland Camper and the answer filed by Pulaski County detailing Camper’s alleged extracurricular activities with an employee, including a strip club encounter, hot texting, efforts at legal payoffs on a sexual harassment claim and sex in the morgue with a former employee, after which she was hired for a county job.
It was a bad week for… RICK CRAWFORD. The U.S. congressman proposed a surtax on millionaires, which has no legislative future. For the obvious 8
MARCH 21, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
appeal to populism, he was pilloried by the right. To make matters worse, he was among freshmen Republicans showered with cash at a luxury fund-raiser for political whales in Key Largo, Fla., captured in an undercover report from CBS. Happy hour carried a $10,000 entry fee. “What do lobbyists get in return?” the report asked. ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS. After rallying from 14 points down, the women’s basketball team couldn’t quite get the victory against Texas A&M, which beat Arkansas 61-59 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. A&M, the reigning national champs, is coached by former Razorback coach Gary Blair. FRED SMITH. The Democratic Party of Arkansas continues its efforts to remove the former state representative from the ballot. Smith was convicted of a felony Jan. 25, 2011, and forced to resign from the state legislature. He filed to run again to represent parts of Cross and Crittenden counties at the deadline while claiming he was in the process of expunging his record. A Chicot Circuit judge later ruled that Smith had successfully completed his probationary period and that the charge against him is dismissed. The Democratic Party has said that the legal effort will go on because Smith was ineligible to run when he filed.
Books from tHE ArkAnsAs timEs
THE OBSERVER NOTES ON THE PASSING SCENE
Joining the parade THE OBSERVER AND FAMILY made it
up to Memphis over the weekend, that fair, sunlit city to our Northeast. We’ve always admired that town; could probably live there if our roots weren’t so coiled around Le Petit Roche. The Observer’s Old Man worked in Memphis for two or three years back before we were born, and told us stories about the city that made it sound like a blue miracle. He had a big-block Chevrolet back then and used to drive home on weekends — swore years later to his wide-eyed, car-obsessed boy that he could make the trip, city to city, in an hour and 15 flat, flying low through the Friday night dark, eyes out for Smokies. Felt like he was going to outrun his headlights at times, he said, the dashes in the middle of the freeway gone to white dots. We are not so crazy-brave as him. It takes us three hours, with pit stops and road construction, to meander our way there. Still, we get up that way at least a few times a year just to hang out on Beale Street, stroll through their lovely zoo, and toy with the idea of finally visiting Graceland (so far, our imagination’s version of Tha Kang’s palace has been too sweet to ruin with what is sure to be a comparatively disappointing reality). We arrived in Memphis on Saturday morning, which happened to be St. Patrick’s Day. We hadn’t planned on going to Beale Street — had, in fact, planned to avoid the crowds for the parade there — but being downtown, the energy radiating from that direction was just too much to resist. Soon, we found ourselves among the thousands, in a sea of green and beer. They threw green beads and candy from the floats, Mardi Gras-style. Standing there against a police barricade, smack in the middle of Third Street where it crosses Beale, we can’t remember when we’ve had such a good time, hands up and yelling for swag. We even caught several strands, draping them over Spouse’s head until she sparkled. All good things must end eventually, and several blocks down we saw the tail-end of the parade snake around the corner. Not wanting to be trapped with the throngs trying to flee the city cen-
ter, we broke off from the crowd, then headed for our nearby parking deck and found The Mobile Observatory. When we got to street level, we realized we’d made a miscalculation. The parade, having looped around, was snaking past the open door of the deck. A Memphis PD cruiser sat blocking the exit, cop with a strand of green beads around his neck standing by the car and smoking as the parade passed. Our escape plan in shambles, we rolled down the windows, put it in park, and resolved to wait it out. Now, you’re not going to believe this last part, but we swear it’s true. To our surprise, the officer saw a lull between floats, then turned and motioned us out past his car and into the street. Not one to disobey a lawful order, we dropped her down in gear and pulled out. And then, for a glorious block — until the floats jogged left and we went straight — The Observer and Co. crashed the City of Memphis’ St. Patrick’s Day parade. It was, in a word, amazing. As we inched along behind a cut-down, Kellygreen school bus, the people on the sidewalks cheered us, hands up and waving. Our Lovely Bride — still that funny, beautiful, amazing girl we married years ago — leaned out the window of our road-dirty Honda and waved back. Remembering the minor hoard of caught beads she had draped around her neck, she shed them, and then tossed the strands one by one into the crowd, grown people and kids swooping at the pavement. As we said, though, all good things must end. Our beads recycled, we hit the end of the block and left the parade behind. We didn’t stop laughing for a good 10 minutes. For The Observer, going places is only half about being there. The other half is what you bring home. And no, we’re not talking about that Elvis bobblehead or Tennessee-shaped refrigerator magnet. With that in mind, here’s how we wish all the stories from our travels could end: with a smile, and “I’ll never forget that as long as I live.” We definitely got our wish this go-round. Thanks, Memphis. You are the sweet ol’ gal our Daddy knew.
tHE UniQUE nEiGHBorHooDs of cEntrAl ArkAnsAs Full of interesting voices and colorful portraits of 17 Little Rock and North Little Rock neighborhoods, this book gives an intimate, block-by-block, native’s view of the place more than 250,000 Arkansans call home. Created from interviews with residents and largely written by writers who actually live in the neighborhoods they’re writing about, the book features over 90 full color photos by Little Rock photographer Brian Chilson.
Also Available: A History of ArkAnsAs A compilation of stories published in the Arkansas Times during our first twenty years. Each story examines a fragment of Arkansas’s unique history – giving a fresh insight into what makes us Arkansans. Well written and illustrated. This book will entertain and enlighten time and time again.
AlmAnAc of ArkAnsAs History This unique book offers an offbeat view of the Natural State’s history that you haven’t seen before – with hundreds of colorful characters, pretty places, and distinctive novelties unique to Arkansas. Be informed, be entertained, amaze your friends with your new store of knowledge about the 25th state, the Wonder State, the Bear State, the Land of Opportunity.
Payment: check or credit card Order by Mail: arkansas times Books P.o. Box 34010, LittLe rock, ar 72203 Phone: 501-375-2985 Fax: 501-375-3623 Email: anitra@arktimes.com Send _____ book(s) of The Unique Neighborhoods of Central Arkansas @ $19.95 Send _____ book(s) of A History Of Arkansas @ $10.95 Send _____ book(s) of Almanac Of Arkansas History @ $18.95 Name _________________________________________________ Address _______________________________________________ City, State, Zip ___________________________________________ Phone ________________________________________________ Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc # ________________________ Exp. Date _______ www.arktimes.com
MARCH 21, 2012
9
Arkansas Reporter
THE
IN S IDE R
Members of the Little Rock Technology Park Authority board got an earful last week at meetings with two neighborhood associations where homes could be blasted away to make room for a 30-acre biotech and nanotech park. If they didn’t know these folks don’t want to lose their property before, they do now. Speakers at the Forest Hills Neighborhood Association, where a “Not for Sale” yard sign and sticker campaign has taken off, on Thursday hammered the board for nearly 45 minutes before opening a question and answer session. Emotional residents talked about their years in the neighborhood, the American right to hold property and their anger over the possibility the Authority would exercise its right of eminent domain to uproot them. Some residents spoke heatedly — one woman said the dislocation of the neighborhood was part of a pattern of making the poor suffer for the goals of the upper class — but the low point of the evening came when Authority board member Bob Johnson told the crowd of mostly black, lower-middle class residents that he had been in their shoes in the 1990s when a utility “was abusing eminent domain” and he had to fight to protect his Pawpaw’s land. He thereby compared the residents of Forest Hills, just south of Interstate 630 between Elm and Monroe, to Deltic Timber, which sought to take Central Arkansas Water’s right of eminent domain away so it could make big bucks developing big homes in the watershed of the city’s drinking water supply. The Fair Park Neighborhood Association’s meeting with the board was strictly Q and A, a calm event with only the occasional flare of temper. That doesn’t mean the association members gathered at U.S. Pizza on Fair Park were eager to see the park located in their neighborhood. In fact, questions from the membership were pointed: Will the board members disclose their own financial holdings, as do members of the Airport Commission and the Planning Commission? The answer from Dr. Mary Good and Dickson Flake: Under law, we don’t have to. (The answer could have been, we don’t have to but we will — but it wasn’t.) What other locations were considered and rejected by the consultants hired to prepare a feaCONTINUED ON PAGE 11 10
MARCH 21, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
SARA E. McNEIL
Pyrotechnics over park
OUTWARD BOUND: The Kays house.
Historic home set for removal Sorority houses will replace it. BY DOUG SMITH
P
reserve history or build sorority houses? It’s a hard choice facing the administration of Arkansas State University at Jonesboro, but the sororities are winning. History is bunk, Henry Ford used to say, and he was rich. The preservationists are still scrapping, though, still hopeful a way will be found to save the historic V. C. Kays house on the ASU campus, still voicing their objections to administrators directly and in the pages of the Jonesboro Sun, the local newspaper. Kays was the first president of the institution now known as Arkansas State University. He was head of it for 33 years, and continued working as business manager even after he left the presidency in 1943. Kays was hired in 1910 as the first principal of the agricultural high school that would later become a two-year, then a four-year college. In 1936, while he was president, he built the Kays house with his own money. He was the only ASU president to live in the house. Subsequent presidents lived in a different house that was purchased by the university. ASU Interim Chancellor Dan How-
ard announced March 7 that site preparation and construction of four sorority houses would begin next month on ASU property where the Kays house and other old houses are located, necessitating the removal of these houses. ASU had bought the Kays House in 2004 and used it as temporary housing for new employees until last year. Now, Howard says, “The Kays house has so much deferred maintenance it cannot be used for that purpose anymore. It would cost more than $440,000 to renovate the Kays house and at least another $250,000 to make it handicappedaccessible.” Sororities at ASU now lease space in university dormitories. But sorority houses are included in a master plan for development of the Jonesboro campus. Howard said in his announcement that “New sorority housing will enhance the living and learning environment of the university and will help to attract additional highly qualified students.” Announcement of ASU’s plan for removal of the Kays house drew protests from faculty members, retirees and other
preservationists. Scott Darwin, a retired professor of German and one of the more outspoken critics, wrote: “Why is it that the university administration always pleads poor when a worthy project such as the preservation of the Kays home is presented to them, but they always find money for $800,000 PER YEAR football coaches, hundreds of thousands for a house in Little Rock for the ASU president and even more for recreation centers and sports fields?” (ASU recently hired a new football coach at a salary of roughly $850,000. ASU once consisted of only the Jonesboro campus, but now has several campuses, and the president of the ASU System lives in Little Rock.) “Why is the administration in such a hurry with this project?” Darwin wrote. “Since the sororities have lived comfortably for decades in the dormitories, could they not continue to do so for another year and allow for a complete and open debate of the matter … ” Or, he said, administrators could simply have chosen a different site for the sorority houses, “since there is an abundance of property available all around the campus.” Besides his complaints to ASU administrators, Darwin appealed for help to Gov. Mike Beebe, an ASU alumnus. He said he hadn’t heard back. Some faculty members have suggested that the Kays house could be converted to a bed-and-breakfast for faculty and staff interviewees and other university guests. Henderson State University at Arkadelphia did that with an old house on its campus. Someone else suggested that if the Kays house was on the national register for historic preservation, ASU might be prohibited from moving it or tearing it down. (A spokesman for the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program said the Kays house was not on the register, and even if it were, ASU would still own the property and be able to do what it wanted, unless it voluntarily relinquished ownership.) John D. Hall, a professor of psychology and counseling, wrote that Kays was “not only the first president of our institution but the most instrumental in terms of our very existence.” “The university is considering fully all of the communications it is receiving about the Kays house,” Howard said. “However, the plan to construct much needed sorority houses on university property located on and adjacent to the property on which the Kays house sits remains unchanged.”
LISTEN UP
Tune in to the Times’ “Week In Review” podcast each Friday. Available on iTunes & arktimes.com
THE
BIG
INSIDER, CONT.
BRIAN CHILSON
PICTURE
THE 411 ON ARKANSAS’S ELECTRIC AND HYBRID CARS
I
n August 2008 at an Ohio town hall meeting, President Obama said that he was committed to seeing one million plug-in electric hybrids (PHEV) on American roads by 2015. According to Pike Research, a Colorado-based clean-technology consulting firm, Obama overshot, but just a wee bit. Pike claims that U.S. roads will host 667,000
PHEV’s by 2015, but that the million mile-marker could be as close as 2016. Even so, PHEV’s, EV’s (electric vehicles) and supporting infrastructure have barely trickled into Arkansas. Currently the U.S. has more than 5,000 public charging stations. Only five of these are located in the Natural State.
CHARGING STATIONS 2012 CHEVY VOLT
Engine: All electric, fueled by battery and gas-powered generator. Range: battery mode: 40 miles fully charged generator-supplemented battery mode: 90 mpg, for about 370 miles full generator mode: 40 mpg, indefinitely Charge time: 120 V: 10 hours 220 V: 4 hours U.S. sales: About 8,000 since December 2010 Arkansas sales: About 10 since November 2011 Price: $39,000 Arkansas availability: All local Chevy dealerships Source: Rick Delay, Bale Chevrolet
2012 TOYOTA PLUG-IN PRIUS
Engine: Hybrid, fueled by gas and electricity. Range: battery mode: 15 miles, fully charged hybrid mode: 50-60 mpg Charge time: 120 V: 5 hours 220 V: 2 hours Price: $32,000 U.S. sales: Data hasn’t been published. Arkansas availability: Sometime this year. Source: Landers Toyota
University of Arkansas, Little Rock Parking lot 2, 1201 McMath Avenue Availability: Station will open to the public in spring. Public will have 24/7 access, but registration is required. Fees: No station fees, electricity paid by credit card, from $1-$2.50 per car. William J. Clinton Presidential Library Parking lot 1200 President Clinton Ave. Availability: Station is open to public 24/7, and no registration is required. Fees: No fees, free electricity. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Visitor’s parking deck 4101 Shuffield Drive Availability: Station is open to the
2012 NISSAN LEAF
Engine: All electric, fueled by battery alone. Range: 100 miles Charge time: 120 V: 8 hours 220 V: 12 hours Price: $34,000 U.S. sales: about 10,350 since December 2011. Arkansas availability: Local Nissan dealerships by May. Source: Northpoint Nissan
public, but subject to parking deck hours. Fees: Users are subject to parking deck rates, with a daily max of $7. Free electricity. City of North Little Rock 120 Main St., in front of the city services building Availability: Station is open to the public 24/7; registration is required. Fees: No fees, free electricity University of Arkansas, Fayetteville 650 N. Garland Ave. Availability: Station is open to public 24/7; registration is required. Fees: Free electricity and free access nights and weekends or anytime with a parking pass. Otherwise, users are subject to parking fees of $1.40/hr., Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m. -5 p.m.
2012 MITSUBISHI i
Engine: All electric, fueled by battery alone. Range: 60 miles Charge time: 120 V: 22.5 hours 220 V: 7 hours Price: $29,000 U.S. sales: About 200 since December 2011. Arkansas availability: Local Mitsubishi dealerships by May. Source: Crain Mitsubishi, http://i.mitsubishicars.com
sibility study on the park? (Don’t know that there were any.) What about the fact that a map that shows that there are many places to go within five minutes that don’t include residential areas? (Needs to be between UAMS, UALR and Arkansas Children’s Hospital.) Why not War Memorial Park Golf Course (a point raised at the Forest Hills meeting as well)? (Good said she didn’t know if the golf course was large enough. It’s 90 acres; the park Authority says it needs 30 acres.) State Sen. Joyce Elliott attended both meetings, telling the board that the market value of a home should be the minimum starting point in deliberations with landowners over the sale price of their homes.
A bang-up parade There were a few tense moments at the 9th Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Hot Springs last Saturday, after what was thought to be a piece of confetti fired from a parade float fell across power lines, causing a transformer to short out and cutting power to a large area of town. Steve Arrison, CEO of Visit Hot Springs, said that the malfunction happened at the corner of Bridge Street and Broadway on the parade route, just after a confetti cannon on a passing float was fired. “What they think happened is a string of something, in a one-in-a-million shot, laid across all three lines at the same time,” he said. “I turned around when it happened, and you could see sparks shooting out” of the transformer, he said. The parade was delayed for about 10 minutes, but continued without incident after that. A woman who was startled by the pop from the transformer was transported to a local hospital to be checked out, but was OK. Arrison said Entergy was able to restore electricity to most of the area right away, through at least four restaurants were without power until around 10 p.m.
CORRECTION In last week’s cover story, City Director Ken Richardson was misquoted as saying he wanted work on the technology park to be done “for” the community. He actually said he wanted the development of the park to be done “with” the input of the community.
www.arktimes.com
MARCH 21, 2012
11
✪✪ LIMITED STORAGE: At the VA Center.
BRIAN CHILSON
VETS ON MAIN
CRAMPED: Shower and laundry facilities.
BRIAN CHILSON
City of Little Rock fights VA relocation.
O
n any given day inside the VA Drop-in Day Treatment Center — a single-story cinderblock building at Second and Ringo that serves homeless veterans — about two dozen men cram around a mammoth table, filling a tiny activities room. Knees bump, and those with early spring colds duck their heads, respectfully coughing into their hands. Plastic dividers separate the room from reception, but they do nothing to block the din. The VA center desperately needs more space. Between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., 22 social workers, three administrative staffers and 40 to 60 veterans wedge into a tight 3,000 square feet. Doors open partially before slamming into desks in closet-sized offices that serve multiple employees. VA workers often see individual clients in the same room, making confidential12
MARCH 21, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
BRIAN CHILSON
BY CHEREE FRANCO
CLOSE QUARTERS: In the front office.
ity a long-abandoned concept. Meals are served in three shifts, supplies are stored off-site and expanded service plans, such as a primary care medical clinic, have been indefinitely shelved. The VA center moved into its current building in 1996, with a staff of seven. Less than a decade later, VA officials were actively scouring the city’s abandoned properties for a bigger space. In 2007
they came close to leasing the former Roy Rogers Auto Parts building across from the Salvation Army shelter on Markham Street. But the Capitol Zoning Commission, under pressure from Mayor Mark Stodola and the Downtown Neighborhood Partnership, opposed the move. In a letter to the Capitol Zoning Commission dated Oct. 24, 2007, Stodola wrote: “As you know, there is a renewed emphasis
✪✪
HOW LITTLE ROCK CARES FOR ITS HOMELESS five miles from the cities’ downtowns to the new center and has also been in conversation with Open Hands Clinic, a private nonprofit medical facility for the homeless, about moving operations from Martin Luther King Dr. to the Confederate Boulevard building. In January of 2007, the city of Little Rock hired a homeless coordinator — also part of the 10-Year Plan — but the working group has not met in at least two years. According to Day, the 10-year plan
CHEREE FRANCO
to hang out,” said Wilkerson. “If you can act civil, you’re welcome to be here.” The municipal contract initially funded shuttles between River City and various shelters, but about two years in, the service providers reneged. Since the contract was supposed to terminate around the same time, River City didn’t seek a new provider. “We kept thinking we were at the end of this, but the cities asked us to stay on. It’s taken them awhile to find an alternative,” Wilkerson said.
A PLACE TO BE: River City day shelter.
Recently the cities purchased one of Union Rescue Mission’s buildings on Confederate Boulevard in southeast Little Rock, and by May 2012, they intend to transform it into a functioning day resource center. But according to Little Rock’s Assistant City Manager Bryan Day, the cities are not sure what that entails. “Our intent is to contract services similar to River City’s,” he said. “The exact programs will depend on the provider, but we’re thinking about medical assistance, counseling, help getting social security benefits, working with the courts to get rid of misdemeanors… .” The city is seeking a transportation provider to bus the day center clients roughly
is currently being revised. A housing pilot program and a homeless trust were written in the original plan, to be implemented by 2010. The housing program would evaluate available housing and work with housing authorities on permanently placing people, and the trust would raise and distribute funding for high-performing service providers. Currently, the cities have developed neither. Thus far, Little Rock has spent $470,000 on the new Day Resource Center, and North Little Rock has committed $216,000. Little Rock expects to spend another $348,000 before the center is complete. For 2012, the city has budgeted $250,000 for homeless services.
BRIAN CHILSON
BRIAN CHILSON
BRIAN CHILSON
S
even years ago, the National Coalition for the Homeless named Little Rock the third meanest place to be homeless out of 24 cities surveyed, despite the fact that the city’s metro-area homeless are served by a host of charities. There are at least seven soup kitchens and anywhere from 450 to 650 emergency beds in eleven shelters. But most soup kitchens are only open at meal time, and shelters don’t open till evening. Only the VA Drop-in Day Treatment Center and the municipally funded River City Ministries day shelter in North Little Rock offer consistent daytime services. The VA Center solely serves honorably discharged veterans, which leaves 81 percent of the homeless population with extremely limited options. The federal government requires HUD (Housing and Urban Development) grants to be monitored by a local coalition. In Little Rock, this group is CATCH (Central Arkansas Team Care for the Homeless), and it takes a homeless census every two years. According to CATCH’s data, the city’s homeless population is steadily declining, from 1,822 in 2007 to 1,276 in 2011. In January 2011, about 1,276 Central Arkansas residents were considered homeless, although some experts think this represents half of the true population. Of those counted, more than 30 percent struggle with substance abuse or mental illness, 16 percent are chronically homeless (up from eight percent in 2009), and 19 percent are veterans. In 2007 the cities of North Little Rock and Little Rock jointly awarded River City Ministries, a Church of Christ affiliated nonprofit, a $220,000 to $250,000 annual contract to broaden its day center services while the cities’ leaders searched for a place to build a permanent day resource center. The day center was outlined a year earlier, in the “Ten Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness in Central Arkansas,” developed by a 42-member working group made up of nonprofit, federal and municipal representatives. Pulaski County, the University of Arkansas and the cities of Little Rock, North Little Rock and Jacksonville were included in this group. “With the city contract, we’ve just expanded on what we already offered. We’ve been able to hire more social workers and provide more services, such as laundry and mail,” said Paul Wilkerson, the director of River City. River City went from serving 70 to 150 clients a day. On a typical day, clients sprawl their arms across tables and spread domino games about a large day room. There’s also an industrial kitchen, a primary care clinic, a weekend eye clinic, shower facilities, racks for bag storage and machines for laundry. It’s staffed with 10 full time employees, 10 part time employees and at least a dozen long-term volunteers. There are three social workers to help clients who want referrals, but there are no therapy groups or scheduled programs. “It’s just a place
the mixed-used zoning, it was located near center clientele and with nearly 10,000 square feet available, it offered space to spare. A downtown resident learned of the move from VA sources on Dec. 15 and posted the news on the Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) message board. Mayor Stodola found out two weeks later, from a DNA meeting agenda. In a Jan. 7 Associated Press article, he called the planned move
OUTSPOKEN: Stodola called the 10th and Main location “idiotic.”
BRIAN CHILSON
on residential and commercial development in this area, and I believe this facility will hamper continued investment along this corridor … I hope the commission will reject this [zoning] application.” Last July the VA advertised its building search in the Arkansas DemocratGazette and in November signed a lease with Oklahoma-based SI Property Investments on the former Jeep dealership. It seemed perfect — the center fit
CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 www.arktimes.com
MARCH 21, 2012
13
✪✪
CHEREE FRANCO
“foolish,” citing the harm it could do to efforts to revive Main Street. Second District Congressman Tim Griffin, normally a flag-waver, criticized the VA’s purchase of the property without prior notification of downtown residents. Then, at a Jan. 12 DNA meeting, attended by at least 100 people, the DNA board voted, 6 to 5, to oppose the relocation. Businesses feared the center’s homeless clients would loiter after the early afternoon closing time. In early February, the city hastily drafted a conditional use permit ordinance that may thwart the relocation altogether. If the VA were forced to break the lease, the government would be required to pay $945,000 plus legal fees to the property owner. The ordinance, which has yet to be voted on by the city board, would subject certain intended uses to public hearings, even if they fall within acceptable zoning. The stalled vote is one of several city tactics to delay the building permit, applied for five weeks ago by property owner SI Property Investments. SI was told the permit would be issued in 10 days, said Debby Meece, a VA spokesperson. BOTH SHOES ON: Anthony Stallcup, left, credits the VA Center with getting him off the streets.
14
MARCH 21, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
◆✪◆ The center’s clients are confused
✪✪ looking like what they say we are, a bunch of crazy vets,” Robertson said. “I don’t want to censor y’all,” said Miller. “But if there’s something weird, then we’ll talk about it ... Okay, for a warm-up exercise, write 10 things you want to say to these folks that oppose the new drop-in center. And if you want to say ‘bite me,’ that works.” She grinned, and her pupils set to work. But Robertson was experiencing a bit of writer’s block. He stared at the blank page, chin in hand. “Who are we talking to? I’m not even sure who’s mad at us,” he muttered. ◆✪◆ “We are primarily a medical facility,” said Estella Morris, director of the VA day treatment center. “About 80 percent of our clients have or have had substance abuse problems. All of them are homeless, have been homeless or are in danger of becoming homeless.” The official statistics are that 64 percent currently struggle with substance abuse and 88 percent are homeless at intake, although, according to Morris, the majority of clients are placed in transitional housing or residential CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
“WHO’S MAD AT US?”: Asked VA Center client Jerry Robertson.
www.arktimes.com
West LR open ad 3-AT.indd 6
MARCH 21, 2012
15
3/8/12 2:51 PM
CHEREE FRANCO
and dismayed by the resistance. In the activity room, they discussed the matter before a weekly writing class. “I don’t believe it’s the residents. I believe it’s someone with money that’s just using the residents as an excuse. It’s not like it’s the safest place in Little Rock, anyway,” said one vet, a trim man in a plaid shirt, just as Jennifer Miller, the young jeans and fleece-clad instructor slipped into the room. She dropped a shoulder bag on the floor. “What did I come in on?” “We were talking about writing a letter about the opposition that the mayor is giving us,” veteran Jerry Robertson told her. As Miller distributed paper and pens, she suggested that the group start a blog. “You can post some of what you’re writing in class, about your experiences, your thoughts on this move and other things. We have these people who aren’t seeing you as people, and they’re scared. If we put your stories on a blog and people start hearing what you’ve done, maybe they wouldn’t be so scared.” “But what if someone posted something that shot us in the foot? I’m interested in getting my voice out, but I want to do it responsibly so we don’t end up
✪✪
WHERE SHOULD WE BE?: Dr. Estella Morris, director, in front of the 3,000 square foot VA Center.
treatment within a few weeks. Other stats: 91 percent of the center’s clients are male; 72 percent are between the ages of 45 and 64, and 57 percent are black. “But the number of female vets we serve is growing, particularly with these people returning from Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Morris. At nine percent, Little Rock’s center serves more females than any comparable operation in America. Veterans seeking aid must accept the center’s terms — primarily, that means everything must be earned.
2011 2012
16
MARCH 21, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
™
“We work with our clients through individual case management, to help them save money and maintain budgeting skills, or whatever they need to stay in housing and prevent relapse. It’s all about helping them identify a service plan, so they can reach their goals,” Morris explained. “If you want breakfast, you have to go to group. We are not a soup kitchen. No one gets to sit around and do nothing.” Clients earn points for attending therapy, meeting with case workers and completing tasks. They cash in
“If you want breakfast, you have to go to group. We are not a soup kitchen. No one gets to sit around and do nothing.”
✪✪
50% OFF 2ND ENTREE *
WITH PURCHASE OF FULL ENTRÉe Half off least expensive entrée
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
Find Us On Facebook www.facebook.com/arkansastimes
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
Farm Tables
Custom Built To Your Specifications
Oliver’s Antiques
501.982.0064 1101 Burman Dr. • Jacksonville Take Main St. Exit, East on Main, Right on S. Hospital & First Left to Burman. While in town, Shop Double R Florist & Gift Shoppe
*Must present coupon. One per party. Not valid with any other offers. Offer Expires 3/31/12.
tues-fri 10-5; sat 10-3 or by appointment
CLINTON PRESIDENTIAL CENTER’S
Seventh Annual
Easter Family Festival & Arkansas’s Largest “Green” Egg Hunt
Saturday, March 31 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. BRIAN CHILSON
Clinton Presidential Park
points for things like portable radios or packaged snacks. Some clients work for minimum wage, doing maintenance, reception or other jobs at John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital. Others are on incentive therapy tracks, which combine job searching with volunteer service, such as accompanying disabled veterans to appointments. To Morris, success means helping a client achieve reliable income, permanent housing and prolonged sobriety, such as in the case of Anthony Stallcup. A 55-year-old Little Rock native and Navy veteran with a trimmed saltand-pepper goatee, Stallcup began drinking heavily as a teen-ager. He spent two years living on a ship, where alcohol was plentiful, even for the under-aged. He was discharged in 1975. In 1996, he started sleeping on the streets to avoid burdening his family any longer. He has been coming to the VA center off and on since 1998, but became a regular client last year.
1200 President Clinton Ave.
Rain Check - Sunday, April 1, from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Join in the fun with FREE games, activities and prizes.
a Eggs m
de of
0c% 10 ntent able o
rene w
For more information, please visit clintonpresidentialcenter.org or call (501) 374-4242.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 www.arktimes.com
MARCH 21, 2012
17
✪✪
Busy schedule cancel your Fitness Program?
let us Bring the gym to you! contact us about our executive in-home and in-office training Program today!
your new liFe is one Phone call away! 24-Hour Access 7 DAys A Week Group exercise clAsses incluDeD in MeMbersHip
jp fitness center
fitnesscenter
18
MARCH 21, 2012
425 W Capitol Ave, 29th Floor Little Rock, AR 72201 Info@jpfitnesscenter.com www.jpfitnesscenter.com KENNY McCONNELL, owner
ARKANSAS TIMES
“What it was, I finally decided to commit to sobriety,” Stallcup said. “Drop-in sent me to Wilbur Mills [a sixmonth treatment program in Searcy] … I did 120 days residential, and then they helped me get an apartment. Now I pay my own rent with my pension.” Stallcup has been clean since June 22, 2011. He attends a Narcotics Anonymous or an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting every day. Among other clients, the center social workers oversee the cases of 141 veterans in residential treatment and 130 veterans in housing that the center helped procure. These numbers only represent current figures, since the center doesn’t collect data on closed cases. ◆✪◆ Despite her 2007 preview of the city’s official position on an expanded VA day treatment center, Morris is flabbergasted by the extent of the opposition. “With the Roy Rogers building there was concern about our operating in that River Market/Union Station corridor, because of the image we want to present to tourists. The sad thing is, that building is still empty six years later. When you talk about damage to property values, is it better to have a building that you know is going to be kept up, that provides services to a population that has earned that right? Or is it better to have that building remain empty and be an eyesore?” In addition to the DNA’s concerns about increased loitering, littering and panhandling, much has also been made of the site’s proximity to a couple of schools and to Warehouse Liquor. The Associated Press quoted Stodola as saying, “To take veterans who perhaps have alcohol and drug addictions and put them right across the street from the liquor store that has been a problem for us for years is just idiotic.” According to Lt. Terry Hastings, there is not a significant loitering problem outside the current center. In 2011 and 2012, the Little Rock police department filed 17 incident reports for the Second Street address. Fifteen were responses to a falsely triggered security alarm, one was non-police related and one was for an impounded vehicle. But the opposition has been so vocal that the issue has captured the attention of national figures. On Feb. 23, Rep. Jeff Miller of Florida, who chairs the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, met with Rep. Griffin and local VA officials. In a press conference at McClellan Hospital, Miller said, “I have often heard this facility called one
of the crown jewels inside the system.” He didn’t make any public statements about the Second Street VA day treatment center, but back in Washington he wrote a letter to Secretary of Veteran Affairs Eric Shinseki, questioning the VA’s community engagement when choosing a new location. This followed a similar letter from Griffin to Shinseki. Shinseki’s response was that the Central Arkansas VA followed laws and procedures, and they have his blessing to continue current relocation plans. “I honestly think this is no different than 1957,” said Morris. “I want to call Satchmo and say, ‘Can you look up Ike up there, let him know that we’ve still got problems in Little Rock, and we need some help?’ ” In referencing the unexpected support the Little Rock Nine received from apolitical jazz musician Louis Armstrong and the eventual involvement of former President Eisenhower in the Central High crisis, Morris betrayed both her current frustration and her understanding of the longstanding issues at play, some of which have nothing to do with neighborhood development. It’s an understanding that seems to elude Griffin. At the McClellan press conference, when asked about appearing to “push veterans to the outskirts of town,” he responded defensively: “I am a veteran, and our first priority is veterans. I’m not trying to push anybody anywhere. ... There’s a certain way that you go about doing things in conjunction with the community, and we are getting the facts to make sure that was followed. It’s that simple. To conflate this with the issues you’re talking about is just incorrect.” Morris disagrees. “We’re told, ‘Main Street is for the gentry.’ Well, we have homeless veterans who have made it possible for the gentry to be here. ... People say, ‘my kids need to walk there.’ What is it you think? I haven’t heard any news stories about homeless veterans attacking little kids. ‘Well, I have to walk my dog down there’ — what are those veterans going to do to your dog? ... I mean, where do they think we should be?” ◆✪◆ As things stand now, the VA intends to relocate to 10th and Main in early 2013. The city’s conditional use ordinance, twice tabled, is expected to come up again before the board in early April. On March 1, the Brain Injury Association of Arkansas opened an office in
✪✪ the old Jeep building. A community welfare organization like the drop-in clinic, the BIA — whose board includes SI lawyer Drake Mann — believes the move could grandfather in the 10th and Main site under the proposed ordinance. After the BIA move, Stodola asked that the ordinance be withdrawn from consideration at the March 6 city board meeting, to see if the move would indeed grandfather in the clinic. City Attorney Tom Carpenter told the Arkansas Times that the delay of the building permit isn’t related to the proposed ordinance, but to “other issues [in the current plans] that haven’t been resolved … and don’t comply with zoning requirements,” such as parking and sidewalk width. SI attorney Mann argues, however, that all zoning requirements have been met. At issue is how the property value is calculated, a detail that changes applicable zoning rules. Both SI and the city of Little Rock have had the property appraised separately. According to the owner’s figures, the current plans are in compliance. According to the city’s figures, they are not. The former Jeep building is one of several VA properties that SI Property Investments owns. The company is constructing a medical clinic in Hot Springs, which will be its eighth VA property and the fourth in Arkansas. “We’re quite surprised. We’ve never had anything but support from other cities,” said Onie Irvine, an owner of SI Property Investments. ◆✪◆ Meanwhile, the staff at the Drop-in Center keeps dreaming big. In addition to the primary care clinic, their wish list includes backpack storage, space for families, separate facilities for men and women, an art therapy studio and multiple therapy rooms. “Right now we only have space for one group, so if this group is not for you, too bad. We want to be able to offer a PTSD combat group at the same time that we have, maybe, a military sexual trauma group,” said Dr. Tina McClain, chief of mental health services for the Central Arkansas VA. Their clients have dreams too. “I got more days behind me than I do in front of me. My kids are grown. I don’t have the relationship I wanted to have with them. Everybody’s probably just sitting around waiting for the other shoe to drop, but hopefully I’ll keep my shoes on today,” Stallcup said.
“We’re told, ‘Main Street is for the gentry.’ Well, we have homeless veterans who have made it possible for the gentry to be here. ... People say, ‘my kids need to walk there.’ What is it you think? I haven’t heard any news stories about homeless veterans attacking little kids. ‘Well, I have to walk my dog down there’ — what are those veterans going to do to your dog? ... I mean, where do they think we should be?”
Find Everything For Your Perfect Easter!
Family owned and operated since 1959
We bag and carry out your groceries
Easter
Available at these Little Rock locations:
1701 Main Street 501-376-3473
10320 StageCoaCh 7507 Cantrell road 7525 BaSeline road 501-455-3475 501-614-3477 501-562-6629
Service and savings
now in Bryant
2203 reynoldS road, 501-847-9777
Please visit us at www.edwardsfoodgiant.com
www.arktimes.com
MARCH 21, 2012
19
Arts Entertainment AND
HOME-STATE
ink
THE MANY VARIATIONS ON THE ARKANSAS TATTOO. BY MEREDITH MARTIN-MOATS
INTERSTATE INK: Buckaloo.
20
MARCH 21, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
BRIAN CHILSON
F
or at least a decade now, Arkansans — both nativeborn and transplants — have been choosing to mark their bodies with representations of the Natural State. Razorback tattoos have long been popular, but these Arkansas tattoos are more topographical, a marker of geography and a symbol of home. They range from simple outlines with a star or heart marking a hometown to ornate designs involving a birdhouse, a cotton plant or an area code. For Cheyenne Matthews, co-host of the “Shoog Radio” show on 88.3 FM KABF, it’s the state Capitol, surrounded by stylized clouds and the word “Arkansas” inside a ribbon at the building’s base. The design, which graces her forearm, is part of a series of images created by Caleb Pritchett of Electric Heart Tattoos in Little Rock to help raise money for the show. “Everything we play and do is Arkansas-based,” Matthews said. “It’s a grassroots movement towards Arkansas stuff in general, events and music.” Peeking out from under bartender/waiter James Watt’s T-shirt is a large red outline of the state. “I had left my car at Vino’s, which is next door to Seventh Street Tattoo, and my friend gave me a ride back there,” he said, laughing. “When we pulled up in the parking lot he said, ‘If you go get a tattoo right now I’ll pay for it.’ ” Having been raised in Arkansas and having so many friends here he decided “Arkansas would be a good thing to get that I would never regret.” It was his second tattoo; he has three now. The other two are the words “music,” and “love.” Club promoter Duane “Magic tha Legend” Wilson has large “501” emblazoned across his wrist. He got the tattoo while living in Los Angeles several years ago. “I used to see a lot of people have their area code tattooed on their arm and I got my own. Let them know where I’m from,” he said. Wilson wanted CONTINUED ON PAGE 27
Live Music
ROCK CANDY Check out the Times’ A&E blog arktimes.com
A&E NEWS LET’S SAY YOU’RE AN INSATIABLE FILM BUFF who wants to get the
hands-on, back-stage, all-access experience at this year’s Little Rock Film Festival, May 29-June 3. But maybe you’re on a tight budget. Or perhaps you just have an altruistic streak when it comes to supporting the cinematic arts. What to do? Volunteer for LRFF, that’s what. The festival is a hungry beast that needs volunteers for sustenance, and in return for your service, you’ll get passes to all films, parties, special events, panel discussions and whathave-you. They’re looking for hardworking, dependable team players of good attitude and friendly demeanor. Lazy, unreliable, unfriendly bad-attitude-havers need not apply. Organizers are looking for volunteer coordinators (recruit, schedule and manage volunteers), transportation coordinators (manage a fleet of vehicles and arrange airport pickup and transit for filmmakers), production manager, (tackle setup and breakdown at all venues), a venue manager (make sure everything at venues is taken care of), print traffic managers (make sure the films get to the right venues and that they’re returned to filmmakers) and box office managers (ticketing, merch sales, taking donations, etc.). If any of that sounds like you, call 501-205-0400 or e-mail volunteer@littlerockfilmfestival.org.
tHuRSDAy, mARCH 22 COACH
FRiDAy, mARCH 23
PAtRiCk SweANy! (NASHviLLe,tN) w/ BONNie mONtGOmeRy
SAtuRDAy, mARCH 24
veLvet keNte & tHe yeAR OF tHe tiGeR
tueSDAy, mARCH 27
COLOR CLuB w/ R.i.O.t.S. CHeCk Out ADDitiONAL SHOwS At
wHitewAteRtAveRN.COm
Little Rock’s Down-Home Neighborhood Bar
7th & Thayer • Little Rock • (501) 375-8400
WELL, IT LOOKS LIKE NATE POWELL — Arkansas native, comic artist,
musician — has done it again, “it” in this instance referring to the earning of serious critical praise. The Ignatzand Eisner-Award winning artist’s last work, 2011’s “Any Empire,” has earned a big nod from Booklist, landing in its top 10 graphic novels list, alongside such notable doodling storytellers as Art Spiegelman and Daniel Clowes. “Powell’s exceptional visual-storytelling gift transforms a potentially obvious antiwar parable into a ravishingly beautiful, emotionally resonant, thoughtful, and provocative work of art,” wrote Booklist’s Ray Olson. Olson described Powell as “the most prodigiously talented graphic novelist of his late twenties-early thirties cohort.” BECAUSE OF POPULAR DEMAND, THE ARKANSAS REPERTORY THEATRE has extended its run of “The
Wiz” to April 8. Rep spokeswoman Angel Galloway said this is the first time The Rep has extended a show’s run in seven years. Times theater critic Blair Tidwell wrote that “the musical’s yellow brick road may have a few potholes, but viewers will be so enchanted by the song and dance, they’ll barely notice.”
www.arktimes.com
MARCH 21, 2012
21
THE TO-DO
LIST
BY ROBERT BELL
WEDNESDAY 3/21
THE REVIVAL TOUR
8:30 p.m. Revolution. $15.
By now, most readers of this section of the Times will be familiar with Chuck Ragan, formerly of much-loved post-hardcore quartet Hot Water Music and roots punkers Rumbleseat. He was in town in November on the solo, but
this here package tour is something he started and has been doing annually since 2008. It’s an all-acoustic lineup that has included such fellow travelers as Tim Barry of Avail, Ben Nichols of Lucero, Kevin Seconds of 7 Seconds and Tom Gabel of Against Me! But it’s more than just the Old Punks
Unplugged Show. The tour is a way for singer/songwriters to give audiences an intimate concert that celebrates the folk traditions of collaboration and spontaneity in a generally song-focused, nonrock-star atmosphere. Also, the load-in has got to be a hell of a lot easier than having four bands’ worth of gear to
schlep around. This time, The Revival Tour includes Ragan, Tom Gabel, Memphis fave Cory Branan, grizzled folk-shouter Nathaniel Rateliff, Dan Adriano of Chicago punkers Alkaline Trio and a series of special guests at each tour stop, this one featuring local folk-rock standout Adam Faucett.
WEDNESDAY 3/21
LIGHTS
8:30 p.m. Juanita’s. $13 adv., $15 d.o.s.
This Canadian electro-pop wunderkind was born (in 1987!) as Valerie Anne Poxleitner, but according to a 2011 story in The National Post, she legally changed her name to Lights (bold move!). Lights’ 2011 album “Siberia” was produced by her fellow countrymen Brian Borcherdt and Graham Walsh, of the Toronto band Holy Fuck. The album epitomizes teen-
pop here in The Year 2012. It’s a mostly electronic kaleidoscope of sounds and influences from across the pop spectrum. There are moments of twitchy dubstep, grimy basslines, thump-thumping house beats, swells of warped synthesizers, bouncy melodies and throughout it all, Lights’ crystalline vocal hooks. Fun fact: right this second (actually, riiiiight … now!) this music is playing no fewer than 23 Urban Outfitters locations around North America. The opening act is Ambassadors.
WITCHY WOMEN: The Black Belles play Wednesday night’s Valley of the Vapors lineup, which starts at 7 p.m. at Low Key Arts in Hot Springs.
WEDNESDAY 3/21
VALLEY OF THE VAPORS
7 p.m. Low Key Arts. $7.
The Valley of the Vapors got rolling last Sunday down in The Spa City, and the unfettered rock ’n’ roll revelry continues right on through Saturday night. Wednesday’s lineup includes the witchy, Farfisafied garage rock of The Black Belles, a Nashville quartet that has the imprimatur of Jack White stamped all over it (they’re on his Third Man label). The Grayces — also outta Music City — sound kind of like The Runaways mugging The Ramones. The Jukebox Romantics make a racket that falls on the scruffier, warts-n-all edge of the pop-punk map. The Svetlanas (motto: “Soviet punk since ’77) are on another map entirely, specifically, one of a place where bruising street punk, vodka shots and pickled herring are a natural combo. From 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Yuri Landman leads a workshop that’ll teach you to make your own crazy experimental guitar. At 6 p.m., there’s a Pass the Hat show (i.e. secret band, secret venue; find out by asking around). Thursday’s festivities include another one of Landman’s workshops and a Pass the Hat show at 4 p.m. The main lineup leans toward the gnarly punk rock side of things, with Brook22
MARCH 21, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
lyn weirdo duo Japanther, likeminded misanthropes Unstoppable Death Machines, Little Rock classic hardcore revivalists R.I.O.T.S., NYC gutter-dwellers Filthy Savage and the catchy throwback punk of Ritz Riot. Friday has a presentation on the history of rock ’n’ roll from musician and teacher Phil Ajjarapu. Kicking things off at 7:30 p.m. is Projexorcism, a bizarro multimedia project that’s a bit like a verging-on-bad acid trip crossed with overlapping reels of old educational filmstrips soundtracked with all manner of schizoid sonic terror. Moody indie rockers Bagheera follow that up, with Galaxy Express (one of South Korea’s top rock exports), Ume (shoegazer-y guitar-pop squall from Austin) and The White Glove Test (hometown rock heroes) rounding out the evening. Saturday, there’s a 16mm film workshop starting at 10 a.m., which includes an installation and discussion. The music starts at 8 p.m. with the Appalachia-byway-of-the-San-Joaquin-Valley sounds of The Old Tire Swingers. Closing out the whole shindig is Dikki Du & The Zydeco Krewe, which should be a good time for anybody who digs funk-flavored sounds from southern Louisiana.
GARDEN GURU: P. Allen Smith and filmmaker Gerry Bruno will discuss their work at Thursday’s Argenta Film Series screening at Argenta Community Theater.
THURSDAY 3/22
ARGENTA FILM SERIES: P. ALLEN SMITH
6 p.m. Argenta Community Theater. $8.
If you’ve not watched any of designer, expert gardener and all-around lifestyle media guru P. Allen Smith’s TV shows or appearances on The TODAY Show or read any of his books or blog postings or listened to his new radio program on KARN 102.9 FM, you’re missing out on some really great home and garden advice. I’ve been watching some of the videos on his YouTube channel, where he offers practical recommendations and tips about everything from how to use lavender sprigs to keep your wool sweaters smelling fresh during storage to the myriad uses of baking soda to how to plant a great fall vegetable
garden and more. It’s totally inspiring and useful stuff, especially for me, now that I’m into my husband, father and homeowner period and out of my awful, depressed bachelor phase. Back then, the only lifestyle innovations I ever considered were things like, “Try rubbing a dryer sheet onto your pants once in a while. It’ll add another month or so between trips to the Laundromat” or “Sriracha makes everything taste like Sriracha. Use it to liven up some stale corn flakes while masking the bitter taste of desperation and the spoiled soymilk you discovered in the back of your refrigerator.” Smith and filmmaker Gerry Bruno will screen some clips and discuss the creation of their YouTube channel. This event is part of the ongoing Argenta Tulip Festival.
IN BRIEF
THURSDAY 3/22
FRIDAY 3/23
SATURDAY 3/24
PATRICK SWEANY
BONE THUGS -N- HARMONY
9:30 p.m. White Water Tavern. $6.
7:30 p.m. Downtown Music Hall. $25 adv., $30 d.o.s.
Ohio native Patrick Sweany plays a style of soulful electric blues that’s so rock-solid and effortless-sounding that it’ll appeal to the diehards and the dilettantes and all points in between. First off: guy can sing really, really well. He’s not a traditionally “good” sounding singer (who ever cared about that anyway?), but it’s absolutely perfect for his warmly enveloping Southern rock sound. Sweany’s albums have featured such notable producers as Black Keys frontman Dan Auerbach and Mississippi badass Jimbo Mathus. His 2007 disc “Every Hour is a Dollar Gone” was packed with blues of all flavors (especially that groovy, ass-shaking Hill Country style), while his latest, “That Old Southern Drag,” is a vintage tube amp-and Hammond-drenched romp through classic R&B, roots rock and country and pensive singer/songwriter numbers. Opening the show is the always entertaining Arkansas Renaissance woman Bonnie Montgomery. This’ll be a good one, you all.
Hard to believe it’s been almost 20 years since Eazy-E signed Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, who released the “Creepin on ah Come Up” EP in 1994. A couple years after that, Layzie Bone, Flesh-n-Bone, Bizzy Bone, Krayzie Bone and Wish Bone saw their biggest hits with the welfare-check celebrating “1st of tha Month” and the Grammy-winning “Tha Crossroads.” I still play “1st of tha Month” every month, on the first of the month. It’s held up really well over the years, and it’s a great way to wake up, especially with that intro, with its rooster crow, alarm clock and Marvin Gayeinspired “Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up, get up, get up, get up, get up, get up” chant and laid-back vibe. Anyways, this show features Krayzie bone and Wish Bone, with Dilemma and Arkatext. Bone Thugs -N- Harmony plays Rogue Pizza Co. in Fayetteville Sunday night at 8 p.m., $20 adv., $25 d.o.s.
SATURDAY 3/24
THE SEE
9 p.m. Stickyz. $5.
As promised some months back, the guys from The See have emerged from the studio cocoon to deliver their first long-player, “Pretending and Ending.” We got a copy of the album here at Times HQ and after a few spins, it’s undeniable that this is one of the best-sounding albums to come out of Little Rock since, well, ever. The fact that the songs are great doesn’t hurt either, but I really can’t overstate the quality of production going on here. It’s big-sounding like the best Arcade Fire tracks, but unlike that crew of Canucks, The See’s big-soundingness skews joyful and unpretentious. I way dig those “whoa-oh” and “Hey!” group choruses on, respectively, “Storytelling” and “Hey.” But the album has peaks and valleys; it’s not turned up full-blast the whole time. There’s a contemplative feel throughout, like the party’s over and it’s kind of a bummer, but everything is going to be all right. “I Missed It” is an understated lamentation underpinned with strings and piano and which culminates with a slow build and a guitar solo that has just the right touch of ’80s radio rock. “Curtains” closes things out on a crashing note, with a fury of drum fills and screeching guitars. Opening the show is the charmingly left-field pop act Sea Nanners.
BLUES BROTHERS: The North Mississippi Allstars return to Little Rock for a show at Revolution Saturday night.
SATURDAY 3/24
NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS
9 p.m. Revolution. $20.
The Brothers Dickinson’s latest North Mississippi Allstars disc is dedicated to their father, the late, legendary Jim Dickinson. At the time of his death in August 2009, Luther was playing with The Black Crowes and Cody with The Hill Country Revue. They reconvened with bassist Chris Chew for “Keys to the Kingdom.” It’s a somewhat rawer affair than some of
their other offerings, which are fine records, for sure, but “Keys” sounds truly inspired and includes a bunch of legendary guests, including Spooner Oldham, Mavis Staples, Ry Cooder and several others. I’m guessing there’ll be a goodly number of you at this show who’ll still be nursing hangovers from Friday’s Patrick Sweany concert. But why not live for the moment and just fight fire with shots and rock ’n’ roll? The opening band at this 18-and-older show is Powder Mill.
Electro teen-pop duo Breath Carolina plays an all-ages show at Revolution with The Ready Set, Ashland High, Matt Toka and Romance on a Rocketship, 6:30 p.m., $18. Local indie folk-rockers This Holy House play Vino’s with Diesel and Dixie Doors, 9 p.m. The Rhodes Singers of Rhodes College will perform at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 7 p.m., free, donations accepted. Widescreen indie rockers The Rocketboys come back to town for an 18-and-older show at Stickyz, with Canopy Climbers and Mainland Divide, 9 p.m., $6. Downtown Music Hall has To Speak of Wolves, Harp & Lyre, Mouth of the South, The Frontline and The Cause The Cure, 7 p.m., $8 adv., $10 d.o.s.
FRIDAY 3/23 For a night of edgy modern rock, look no further than Juanita’s, which hosts a CD release show for Oklahoma City’s Aranda, with Nevertrain, Se7en Sharp and Jessica Seven, 9 p.m., $7 adv., $10 d.o.s. Rodney Block & The Real Music Lovers play The Afterthought, with featured performers Tawanna Campbell and Mia McNeal, 9 p.m., $10. The Shreve Brothers – that’d be Benjamin Del and Randall – play an 18-and-older show at Stickyz with 2012 Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase finalists War Chief, 9:30 p.m., $5. Bluesrock wunderkind Steven Neeper plays Markham Street Grill and Pub, 9 p.m., free. Joecephus tears the place down at Midtown, 12:30 a.m., $5. For some folky country with a gentle lilt and gorgeous vocal harmonies, don’t miss Carolina Story at Downtown Music Hall, with Sean Michel and Star & Micey, 8 p.m., $7. The Cruisin’ in the Rock car show includes awards for best cruiser, best truck and best motorcycle, with music, door prizes and more, River Market Pavilions, 6 p.m.
SATURDAY 3/24 DJs Brandon Peck, JMZ Dean and Jacob Reyes spin the night away at Discovery, with performers Dominique and Whitney Paige, 9 p.m. ’til 5 a.m. Katmandu plays at the Thirst n’ Howl, 9 p.m., free. It’s a 65th B-day Jam Session for drummer Red Jack, with Butterfly, Family Man, Irie Soul and Friends, 9 p.m., $5. If you’re craving some intense rock action, check out Velvet Kente and Year of the Tiger at White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m., $7. For some roller derby action, you can watch the Central Arkansas Roller Derby’s Big Dam Rollers take on the Tulsa Derby League, at Skate World, 7 p.m., $10.
www.arktimes.com
MARCH 21, 2012
23
AFTER DARK All events are in the Greater Little Rock area unless otherwise noted. To place an event in the Arkansas Times calendar, please e-mail the listing and all pertinent information, including date, time, location, price and contact information, to calendar@arktimes.com.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21
MUSIC
Acoustic Open Mic. The Afterthought, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbar.com. Alternative Wednesdays. Features alternative bands from Central Arkansas and the surrounding areas. Mediums Art Lounge, 6:30 p.m., $5. 521 Center St. 501-374-4495. Ben Miller Band. 18-and-older show. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9 p.m., $5. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyfingerz.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 and 9 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-3755351. www.cajunswharf.com. Grim Muzik presents Way Back Wednesdays. Cornerstone Pub & Grill, 8:30 p.m. 314 Main St., NLR. 501-374-1782. cstonepub.com. Japanther, Cucurbits, Ginsu Wives, Ken South. Vino’s, 8 p.m. 923 W. 7th St. 501-3758466. www.vinosbrewpub.com. Jim Dickerson. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-3242999. www.sonnywilliamssteakroom.com. Karaoke at Khalil’s. Khalil’s Pub, 7 p.m. 110 S. Shackleford Road. 501-224-0224. www. khalilspub.com. Karaoke. Maxine’s, 8 p.m., free. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. maxinespub.com. Karaoke with Big John Miller. Denton’s Trotline, 8 p.m. 2150 Congo Road, Benton. 501-315-1717. Lights, The Ambassadors. Juanita’s, 8 p.m., $13 adv., $15 d.o.s. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www.juanitas.com. Open mic with The Pickoids. Thirst n’ Howl, 8 p.m., free. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-3798189. www.thirst-n-howl.com. The Revival Tour. Includes Chuck Ragan, Tommy Gabel, Cory Branan, Dan Adriano, Jon Gaunt and Joe Ginsberg. 18-and-older. Revolution, 8:30 p.m., $15. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom.com. Ricky David Tripp. Ferneau, 5:30 p.m. 2601 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-603-9208. www.ferneaurestaurant.com. RockUsaurus. Senor Tequila, 6 p.m., free. 10300 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-2245505. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 5 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www. capitalhotel.com/CBG. Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival. Featuring The Black Belles, The Grayces, Jukebox Romantics, Svetlanas. Low Key Arts. 118 Arbor St., Hot Springs.
COMEDY
Steve Kramer, Jersey. The Loony Bin, 8 p.m.; March 23, 10:30 p.m.; March 24, 7, 9 and 11 p.m., $7-$10. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.com.
24
MARCH 21, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
BLUEGRASS ANGEL: Singer, songwriter, producer, bluegrass superstar, virtuoso fiddler, Robert Plant collaborator — Alison Krauss can list all of these on her resume. Krauss and her band, Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, come to Robinson Center Music Hall Friday night. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $60-$70.
EVENTS
Argenta Tulip Festival 2012. Includes flower and garden mart every Saturday from 8 a.m.noon through March. Argenta, through April 1. Main Street, NLR.
LECTURES
Oaklawn Brown Bag Lunches: Handicapping with Rolly Hoyt. Garland County Library, 12 p.m., free. 1427 Malvern Ave., Hot Springs.
SPORTS
Horse racing. Oaklawn, through April 13: 1:30 p.m. Saturday post time is 1 p.m. except for April 14, which is noon. 2705 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-623-4411. www.oaklawn.com.
THURSDAY, MARCH 22
MUSIC
Brandon Rhyder. Shooter’s Sports Bar & Grill, 9:30 p.m., $5. 9500 I-30. 501-565-4003. www. shooterslittlerock.com. Breathe Carolina, The Ready Set, Ashland High, Matt Toka, Romance on a Rocketship. All-ages show. Revolution. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom.com. Coach. White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m., $5. 2500
W. 7th. 501-375-8400. www.whitewatertavern. com. D-Mite and Tho-d Studios Showcase. Cornerstone Pub & Grill, 8:30 p.m. 314 Main St., NLR. 501-374-1782. cstonepub.com. David Ramirez, Paul Sammons. Maxine’s, 8 p.m., free. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. maxinespub.com. “Inferno.” DJs play pop, electro, house and more, plus drink specials and $1 cover before 11 p.m. Sway, 9 p.m. 412 Louisiana. 501-907-2582. Jason Greenlaw. Markham Street Grill And Pub, 9 p.m., free. 11321 W. Markham St. 501-2242010. www.markhamst.com. Jim Dickerson. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www.sonnywilliamssteakroom.com. Karaoke. Zack’s Place, 8 p.m. 1400 S. University Ave. 501-664-6444. www.zacks-place.com. Missed Used. West End Smokehouse and Tavern, 10 p.m., $5. 215 N. Shackleford. 501224-7665. www.westendsmokehouse.net. Mr. Lucky (headliner), Steve Bates (happy hour). Cajun’s Wharf, 5 and 9 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www. cajunswharf.com. Ol’ Puddin Haid. Thirst n’ Howl, 8 p.m., free. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www.thirst-
n-howl.com. Port Arthur Band. Parrot Beach Cafe, 9 p.m. 9611 MacArthur Drive, NLR. 771-2994. The Rhodes Singers. St. Paul United Methodist Church, 7 p.m., free, donations accepted. 2223 Durwood Road. 501-666-9429. The Rocketboys, Canopy Climbers, Mainland Divide. 18-and-older show. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9 p.m., $6. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyfingerz.com. RockUsaurus. Senor Tequila, 6 p.m., free. 10300 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-224-5505. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 5 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www.capitalhotel.com/CBG. This Holy House, Diesel, Dixie Doors. Vino’s, 9 p.m. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com. To Speak of Wolves, Harp & Lyre, Mouth of the South, The Front Line, The Cause The Cure. Downtown Music Hall, 7 p.m., $8 adv., $10 d.o.s. 211 W. Capitol. 501-376-1819. downtownmusichall.com. The Toneadoes. The Afterthought, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www. afterthoughtbar.com. Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival. Featuring Japanther, Unstoppable Death Machines, Filthy Savage, Ritz Riot. Low Key Arts. 118 Arbor St., Hot Springs. “VIP Thursday.” Juanita’s, through : 9 p.m. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www. juanitas.com.
COMEDY
Steve Kramer, Jersey. The Loony Bin, through March 23, 8 p.m.; March 23, 10:30 p.m.; March 24, 7, 9 and 11 p.m., $7-$10. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.com.
EVENTS
Argenta Tulip Festival 2012. See March 21. Wine Tasting with Bruce Cochran. The Afterthought, 5:30 p.m., $10. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbar.com.
FILM
Argenta Film Series: P. Allen Smith. Gardening and lifestyle expert and television host P. Allen Smith and filmmaker Gerry Bruno will discuss the creation of their YouTube channel. Argenta Community Theater, 6 p.m. 405 Main St., NLR. 501-353-1443. argentacommunitytheater.org.
SPORTS
Horse racing. See March 21.
CLASSES
Beekeeping classes. Email dwayne_mcfarlan@ yahoo.com to register. Levy Church of Christ, 6 p.m., $30. 5124 Camp Robinson Road, NLR. 501-753-4860. levychurchofchrist.org. Resume Building Workshop. Dianne Butler, Career Counselor at Pulaski Technical College, will provide tips on improving your resume. Laman Library, Argenta branch, 6 p.m., free. 506 Main St., NLR. 501-687-1061. www.lamanlibrary.org.
FRIDAY, MARCH 23
MUSIC
Alison Krauss & Union Station feat. Jerry Douglas. Robinson Center Music Hall, 7:30 p.m., $60-$70. Markham and Broadway. www.
littlerockmeetings.com/conv-centers/robinson. Alize. Denton’s Trotline, 9 p.m. 2150 Congo Road, Benton. 501-315-1717. Aranda, Nevertrain, Se7en Sharp, Jessica Seven. Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $7 adv., $10 d.o.s. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www. juanitas.com. At War’s End, Sychosys, Still Reign, Reticent. Maxine’s, 8 p.m., $5 adv., $7 door. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. maxinespub.com. Big Stack. Fox And Hound, 10 p.m., $5. 2800 Lakewood Village, NLR. 501-753-8300. www. foxandhound.com/locations/north-little-rock. aspx. Bluesboy Jag and His Cigar Box Guitars. Dogtown Coffee and Cookery, 6 p.m., free. 6725 John F. Kennedy Blvd., NLR. 501-833-3850. www.facebook.com/pages/Dogtown-Coffeeand-Cookery/221280641229600. Carolina Story, Sean Michel, Star and Micey. Downtown Music Hall, 8 p.m., $7. 211 W. Capitol. 501-376-1819. downtownmusichall. com. Chris Henry. Flying Saucer, 9 p.m., $3. 323 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-7468. www. beerknurd.com/stores/littlerock. DJ Silky Slim. Top 40 and dance music. Sway, 9 p.m., $5. 412 Louisiana. 501-907-2582. “The Flow Fridays.” Twelve Modern Lounge, 8 p.m. 1900 W. Third St. Jeff Coleman. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, March 23-24, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www.sonnywilliamssteakroom. com. Joecephus. Midtown Billiards, 12:30 a.m., $5. 1316 Main St. 501-372-9990. midtownar.com. John Sutton Band (headliner), Richie Johnson (happy hour). Cajun’s Wharf, 5 and 9 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-3755351. www.cajunswharf.com. Mac Story. Cornerstone Pub & Grill, 9 p.m. 314 Main St., NLR. 501-374-1782. cstonepub.com. The Old Tire Swingers. Old Town Grain & Feed. 503 Garrison Ave., Fort Smith. 479-782-2111. Patrick Sweaney, Bonnie Montgomery. White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m. 2500 W. 7th. 501-3758400. www.whitewatertavern.com. Rodney Block & The Real Music Lovers. Featuring Tawanna Campbell and Mia McNeal. The Afterthought, 9 p.m., $10. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbar.com. The Shreve Brothers, War Chief. 18-and-older show. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9:30 p.m., $5. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www. stickyfingerz.com. Steven Neeper. Markham Street Grill And Pub, 9 p.m., free. 11321 W. Markham St. 501-2242010. www.markhamst.com. Subdue. West End Smokehouse and Tavern, 10 p.m., $5. 215 N. Shackleford. 501-224-7665. www.westendsmokehouse.net. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 9 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www. capitalhotel.com/CBG. Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival. Featuring Ume, Galaxy Express, Bagheera, Projexorcism. Low Key Arts. 118 Arbor St., Hot Springs. Vince Martini & The Hi-Balls. Thirst n’ Howl, 9 p.m., free. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www.thirst-n-howl.com.
COMEDY
Steve Kramer, Jersey. The Loony Bin, through March 23, 8 p.m.; March 23, 10:30 p.m.; March 24, 7, 9 and 11 p.m., $7-$10. 10301 N. Rodney
Parham Road. 501-228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.com.
EVENTS
Argenta Tulip Festival 2012. See March 21. Cruisin’ in the Rock. Includes awards for best cruiser, best truck and best motorcycle, with music, door prizes and more. River Market Pavilions, 6 p.m. 400 President Clinton Ave. 501-370-3201. www.cruisinlittlerock.com. Go Fly a Kite Festival!. Includes hotdogs and burgers. Bring a kite or use one provided. Premier Health & Rehabilitation, 2 p.m. 3600 Richards Road, NLR. 501-955-2108. Grown Folks Game Night: “The Battle of the Sexes.” Includes games like Uno, Operation, musical chairs, tug of war and more. Dress is casual and door proceeds will be donated to Arkansas Children’s Hospital Research Center. Twelve Modern Lounge, 9 p.m., $10. 1900 W. Third St. 501-351-2385. www.ilivethegoodlife. com. 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. Table for Two. Includes culinary demonstration, four-course dinner, one night’s lodging and continental breakfast. Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, 5 p.m., $200 (couple). 1 Rockefeller Drive, Morrilton. 727-5435. www.uawri.org.
LECTURES
Dr. Phil Ajarapu: “The History of Rock and Roll.” Low Key Arts, 4 p.m. 118 Arbor St., Hot Springs.
SPORTS
Horse racing. See March 21. NASP Archery Tournament. Arkansas students from grades 4-12 compete for prizes and a chance to qualify for the NASP Nationals. Summit Arena, March 23-24. 134 Convention Blvd., Hot Springs. 870-319-5136. www.summitarena.org.
BOOKS
Crescent Dragonwagon. The author of “Passionate Vegetarian,” “Alligator Arrived With Apples” and “The Cornbread Gospels” will be signing copies of her new book, “Bean by Bean.” That Bookstore in Blytheville. 316 W. Main St. Shanna Stroud. The author will sign copies of her book “Grieving Pieces.” Starving Artist Cafe, 6:30 p.m., $5. 411 N. Main St., NLR. 501372-7976. www.starvingartistcafe.net.
SATURDAY, MARCH 24
MUSIC
7 Toed Pete (headliner), Sarah Hughes (happy hour). Cajun’s Wharf, 5 and 9 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www. cajunswharf.com. At War’s End, Firesaw, Howard Wilson. Cornerstone Pub & Grill, 9 p.m. 314 Main St., NLR. 501-374-1782. cstonepub.com. The B-Flats. The Afterthought, 9 p.m., $7. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbar.com. Bone Thugs -N- Harmony with Krayzie, Wishbone with Dilemma, Arkatext. Downtown Music Hall, 7:30 p.m., $25 adv.,
$30 d.o.s. 211 W. Capitol. 501-376-1819. downtownmusichall.com. Brian Nahlen. Markham Street Grill And Pub, 8:30 p.m., free. 11321 W. Markham St. 501-2242010. www.markhamst.com. Catfish Jackson. Midtown Billiards, 12:30 a.m., $5. 1316 Main St. 501-372-9990. midtownar.com. DJs Brandon Peck, JMZ Dean and Jacob Reyes. Performers include Dominique and Whitney Paige. Discovery Nightclub, 9 p.m. 1021 Jessie Road. 501-664-4784. www.latenightdisco.com. Eclipse The Echo. Fox And Hound, 10 p.m., $5. 2800 Lakewood Village, NLR. 501-753-8300. www.foxandhound.com/locations/north-littlerock.aspx. Exit 123. Denton’s Trotline, 9 p.m. 2150 Congo Road, Benton. 501-315-1717. JB & The Moonshine Band, Curtis & Luckey Band. Shooter’s Sports Bar & Grill, 9 p.m., $7-$10. 9500 I-30. 501-565-4003. www.shooterslittlerock.com. Jeff Coleman. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www.sonnywilliamssteakroom.com. Joyfest. Robinson Center Music Hall, 7 p.m., $29. Markham and Broadway. www.littlerockmeetings.com/conv-centers/robinson. Karaoke at Khalil’s. Khalil’s Pub, 7 p.m. 110 S. Shackleford Road. 501-224-0224. www.khalilspub.com. Katmandu. Thirst n’ Howl, 9 p.m., free. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www.thirst-nhowl.com. “KISS Saturdays” with DJs Deja Blu, Greyhound and Silky Slim. Sway, 10 p.m. 412 Louisiana. 501-907-2582. North Mississippi Allstars, Powder Mill. 18-and-older show. Revolution, 9 p.m., $20. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom.com. Pat Anderson. Flying Saucer, 9 p.m., $3. 323 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-7468. www. beerknurd.com/stores/littlerock. Red Jack 65th B-day Jam Session. Featuring Butterfly, Family Man, Irie Soul and Friends. Flying DD, 9 p.m., $5. 4601 S. University. 501773-9990. flyingdd.com. Ryan Couron. Juanita’s, 8:30 p.m., $10. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www. juanitas.com. The See, Sea Nanners. 18-and-older show. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9 p.m., $5. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www. stickyfingerz.com. Seth Freeman. West End Smokehouse and Tavern, 10 p.m., $5. 215 N. Shackleford. 501224-7665. www.westendsmokehouse.net. Star & Micey, Carolina Story. Maxine’s, 8 p.m., $5. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. maxinespub.com. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 9 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www. capitalhotel.com/CBG. Two Bad Axes: Steve Suter, Brent Frazier. Maxine’s, 5:30 p.m., $5. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. maxinespub.com. Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival. Closing night party with music from Dikki Du and the Zydeco Crew. Low Key Arts. 118 Arbor St., Hot Springs. Velvet Kente, Year of the Tiger. White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m., $7. 2500 W. 7th. 501-375-8400. www.whitewatertavern.com. CONTINUED ON PAGE 26
www.arktimes.com
MARCH 21, 2012
25
AFTER DARK, CONT.
2012 Rabbi Ira E. Sanders Distinguished Lecture featuring
COMEDY
Dr. Miriam Dean-Otting
Steve Kramer, Jersey. The Loony Bin, 7, 9 and 11 p.m., $7-$10. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.com.
In the Footsteps of Abraham: Justice, Charity, and the Jews of Arkansas
EVENTS
This lecture is given in conjunction with Making a Place: The Jewish Experience in Arkansas, an exhibition at the Butler Center Galleries. The exhibition will run March 9 - June 23.
Thursday, March 22, 6:30 p.m. Main Library’s Darragh Center 100 Rock Street, Little Rock This event is presented as the Central Arkansas Library System’s Rabbi Ira E. Sanders Distinguished Lecture. The program is free and open to the public. RSVP to kheller@cals.org or 320-5717.
www.cals.org
Y
MMUNIT
O T OUR C SUPPOR
DRINKL. LOCA
ARK TIMES crop ad to 4.5x 5.875
50th Annual Arkansas Daffodil Society show. Faulkner County Library, March 24, 2 p.m.; March 25, 1 p.m. 1900 Tyler St., Conway. 501327-7482. www.fcl.org. Argenta Tulip Festival 2012. See March 21. Falun Gong meditation. Allsopp Park, 9 a.m., free. Cantrell & Cedar Hill Roads. “From Here to Timbuktu: A Journey Through West Africa.” Opening day of this exhibit includes music, crafts, games and refreshments. Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, 11 a.m. 501 W. 9th St. 501-376-4602. www.mosaictemplarscenter.com. Made From Scratch Culinary Workshop. Course taught by Chef Robert Hall Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, 10 a.m. p.m., $80. 1 Rockefeller Drive, Morrilton. 727-5435. www. uawri.org. Saturday Programs at the Old State House Museum. Includes games, presentations and more family friendly events. Old State House Museum, through March 31: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., free. 500 Clinton Ave. 501-324-9685. www.oldstatehouse.com. Sharry Potter and the Order of the Pivot. Central Arkansas Roller Derby’s Big Dam Rollers vs. Tulsa Derby League, portion of proceeds benefit The Adolescent Book Club. Skate World, 7 p.m., $10. 6512 Mabelvale Cut Off. 501-758-9269. www.littlerockrollerderby.com.
FILM
Projexorcism. Includes 16mm film performance and discussion. Low Key Arts, 4 p.m. 118 Arbor St., Hot Springs.
SPORTS
Horse racing. See March 21. NASP Archery Tournament. See March 23.
BENEFITS
Emma’s Revolution and Big Bad Gina. A benefit concert for the Center for Artistic Revolution. Unitarian Universalist Church of Little Rock, 7:30 p.m., $12 adv., $15 door. 1818 Reservoir Road. 501-244-9690. www.artisticrevolution.org.
BOOKS
Crescent Dragonwagon. WordsWorth Books & Co., 3 p.m. 5920 R St. 501-663-9198. www. wordsworthbooks.org.
CLASSES
Business Credit Seminar. Presented by the Arkansas Black Chamber of Commerce. Crowne Plaza, 9 a.m. p.m., $225 members, $250 non-members. 201 S. Shackelford Road. 501-219-9195.
SUNDAY, MARCH 25
MUSIC
FRIDAY, MARCH 23-7PM ROBINSON CENTER MUSIC HALL TICKETS ON SALE NOW! GET TICKETS AT TICKETMASTER.COM ALISONKRAUSE.COM
IN STORES NOW 26
MARCH 21, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
Afton Presents: Das Gift, Jeff Higgins, Burning the Past, Dusty Hanes. Juanita’s, 5:30 p.m., $10 adv., $13 d.o.s. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www.juanitas.com. Bone Thugs -N- Harmony, Krayzie, Wishbone with Dilemma. Rogue Pizza Co., 8 p.m., $20 adv., $25 d.o.s. 402 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479-571-5200. Echo Canyon, StereoFidelics. All-ages show. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 8:30 p.m., $5. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www. stickyfingerz.com. Ed Schrader’s Music Beat. The Exchange. 100 Exchange St., Hot Springs. www.myspace.
com/theexchangevenue. Karaoke with DJ Sara. Hardrider Bar & Grill, 7 p.m., free. 6613 John Harden Drive, Cabot. 501-982-1939 . North Little Rock Community Concert Band. Patrick Henry Hays Center, 3 p.m. 401 W. Pershing, NLR. 501-758-2576. www.northlittlerockband.com. Sandi Patty & Friends. Robinson Center Music Hall, 6:30 p.m., $40-$55. Markham and Broadway. www.littlerockmeetings.com/convcenters/robinson. Stardust Big Band. Arlington Hotel, 3 p.m. 239 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-623-7771. Sunday Jazz Brunch with Ted Ludwig and Joe Cripps. Vieux Carre, 11 a.m. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.vieuxcarrecafe.com.
EVENTS
50th Annual Arkansas Daffodil Society show. Faulkner County Library, 1 p.m. 1900 Tyler St., Conway. 501-327-7482. www.fcl.org. Argenta Tulip Festival 2012. See March 21.
SPORTS
Champion Midget Wrestling. Revolution, 8:30 p.m., $7 GA, $20 reserved seating. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom. com. Horse racing. See March 21.
MONDAY, MARCH 26
MUSIC
Crosstown Trio Concert. Featuring Karen Griebling, viola; John Krebs, piano; and Jackie Lamar, saxophone. Hendrix College, 7:30 p.m., free. 1600 Washington Ave., Conway. www. hendrix.edu. G-Eazy and Mod Sun, EKG, Weekend Warriors, Dirtbag, Durden. Revolution, 8:30 p.m., $10 adv., $15 d.o.s. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom.com. Irish Traditional 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. Karaoke. Thirst n’ Howl, 8:30 p.m. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www.thirst-n-howl.com. Reggae Nites. Featuring DJ Hy-C playing roots, reggae and dancehall. Pleazures Martini and Grill Lounge, 6 p.m., $5. 1318 Main St. 501-3767777. www.facebook.com/pleazures.bargrill. Saffron with Eric Ware. The Afterthought, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbar.com. Touch, Grateful Dead Tribute. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 8 p.m., $5. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyfingerz.com.
EVENTS
Argenta Tulip Festival 2012. See March 21.
SPORTS
Horse racing. See March 21.
TUESDAY, MARCH 27
MUSIC
AmyJo Savannah, Amanda Avery. Maxine’s, 8 p.m., free. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. maxinespub.com. Color Club, R.I.O.T.S.. White Water Tavern, 10 p.m. 2500 W. 7th. 501-375-8400. www.whitewatertavern.com. Conway Women’s Chorus. A Capella songs and stories from the Civil War years. Faulkner County Library, 7 p.m., free. 1900 Tyler St., Conway. 501-327-7482. www.fcl.org. Jeff Long. Khalil’s Pub, 6 p.m. 110 S. Shackleford Road. 501-224-0224. www.khalilspub.com. CONTINUED ON PAGE 30
a simple design, an indisputable marker of home that would stand out. He’s in his 30s and has been seeing Little Rock and Arkansas tattoos for decades, including neighborhood and street-specific designs like Twelfth Street, for example. Cody Agee, aka C-Boddy, is a 21-yearold rapper and beat producer. He rolled up his right sleeve to reveal two Arkansas tattoos: the official Little Rock city logo on his inner forearm and a graffitistyle “ARK” on his bicep. He traveled the country last year and loved the opportunity to explain the LR on his arm and represent his hometown. He spoke of the sense of community. “Everybody knows everybody, so I look at everybody as family and everybody is really openarmed, toward me anyway. It’s a big party when everybody gets together.” State tattoos aren’t unique to Arkansas, of course. But it helps if the cartographical borders of your home are geometrically appealing. State outline tattoos probably aren’t as common in, say, Wyoming, Colorado or the Dakotas. For those whose hearts reside in multiple states or make their home in border areas, state tattoos merge multiple locales into one design — for example, an Arkansas flag in a Texas outline, or dotted lines connecting Arkansas to Korea. These days, Arkansas tattoos are becoming more personalized, a collaborative design between the tattoo artist and the client. For bartender Anna Brankin, it’s a blue Converse shoe inside the state outline, a symbol of being “carefree,” she said. A long trail of apple blossoms — the state flower — graces her right shoulder. For nuclear consultant Rick Millard (and a few others who share the design), it’s the state outline broken up into the four bars making up the symbol for Black Flag, a favorite ’80s hardcore band. Scott Koskoski, who works as a barista, merged the state outline with the Wu-Tang Clan’s logo, the words “Wu Tang Sooie” etched in the center. Tesuansey Link, a standup comedian, designed a state outline wearing tennis shoes and sticking its tongue out at all those natives who can’t wait to leave. “A lot of people were just clamoring to move out of Arkansas,” he said, “and I just couldn’t understand that. And my deal was, you know, if you don’t like Arkansas, leave. We’re still going to be here, we’re still going to be kicking it in Little Rock.” While the majority of these tattoos reside on the native-born, Pritchett, of Electric Heart, often tattoos symbols of Arkansas on people born and raised elsewhere who have come to love the state and consider it home. “Their tattoo is almost like a commitment, like it’s their marriage to Arkansas in a way,” he
BRIAN CHILSON
HOME-STATE INK, CONT.
WHERE THEY’RE FROM: Link (left) and Wilson.
said. Katie McGowan, a tattoo artist who works with Pritchett and also has an Arkansas tattoo, considers it “kind of rite of passage” among her friends who’ve grown up here. “It’s like you understand that Arkansas is neat and are proud of it, as opposed to a lot of people that are down on Arkansas a lot.” Some of the most captivating examples wrestle with concepts of home as both a geographical location and an idea. Writing in an e-mail from his current home in Costa Rica, where he’s a Peace Corps worker, Benjamin Singleton discussed the large red heart on his bicep, and the black outline of the state inside it. Although born in Arkansas, he grew up in the military, moving from state to state. “For me this represents the slightly complex fact that there had always been a kind of hole in my life where home should be. As I looked back there was so much about the state that kept pulling me back. Beyond the fact that
Arkansas was where all my relatives settled, it is where I first started finding a place in the music community and made some of my best friends.” Living far from home, he’s often asked about this strange shape on his arm. “In halting Spanish I get to tell them about the wonderful people and places I have come to love and the place I call home.” Scott Diffee’s tattoo studio is in Rose City outside of North Little Rock. He and partner Alina Bennett live upstairs and operate The Parlor downstairs. It’s a small but busy shop in an old beauty parlor located in a low-income neighborhood, with a gritty, welcoming atmosphere. Diffee spoke of his two decades in the Arkansas tattoo scene as he worked on a young man studying to become a high school art teacher. In the other chair, Bennett was tattooing a second Arkansas tattoo on Anthony Buckaloo, a Parlor regular in his early 20s. He got his first tattoo at
The Parlor a few years ago, a state outline with a red line down the center, representing Arkansas’s heavily traveled Interstates 40 and 30. He’s got 30 tattoos now, and this second Arkansas image is a state outline with “501” in the center. Buckaloo’s life in Arkansas is seldom easy. He talked about growing up in a poor neighborhood and the tattoos as representations of these streets he knows so well. “I love where I’m from and I wouldn’t go nowhere else because I love Arkansas. It’s just where I was born and raised. We don’t have too much. I love what I was given. [I’m] grateful.”
Meredith Martin-Moats would love for you to share your Arkansas tattoo and hear your story for her ongoing project. Check it out on Facebook at Us Tattooed Kids: Arkansas Project.
www.arktimes.com
MARCH 21, 2012
27
}}
MOVIE LISTINGS
MARCH 23-25
Market Street Cinema times at or after 9 p.m. are for Friday and Saturday only. Rave showtimes are valid for Friday only. Breckenridge and Lakewood 8 showings were not available as of press deadline. Find up-to-date listings at arktimes.com.
Sharing good things with good friends.
1900 N. Grant, Little Rock, AR 501-663-8999
GET SMART AND GET ONLINE:
SOCIAL MEDIA?
WE CAN HELP YOU USE IT
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, call Kelly Ferguson, director of Arkansas Times Social Media at 501-375-2985 or email her at kellyferguson@arktimes.com
social media 201 East Markham, Suite 200 Little Rock, AR 72201 28
MARCH 21, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
NEW MOVIES Casa De Mi Padre (R) – Will Ferrell es un ranchero sencillo que debe luchar contra capos de la droga por el honor de su familia, y para conseguir una chica, en esta parodia de telenovela. Rave: 9:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:25 a.m., 2:25, 5:25, 8:25, 11:25. Crazy Horse (NR) – Documentary about the legendary Paris cabaret club. Market Street: 1:30, 4:00, 7:00, 9:30. The Hunger Games (PG-13) – Teen-lit version of “The Running Man,” starring Jennifer Lawrence. Chenal 9: 10:00 a.m., 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 10:00 (IMAX showings). 10:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:15, 1:30, 4:15, 4:30, 7:15, 7:30, 10:15, 10:30 Rave: 9:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 12:15, 12:45, 1:15, 1:45, 2:15, 3:00, 3:30, 4:00, 4:30, 5:00, 5:30, 6:15, 6:45, 7:15, 7:45, 8:15, 8:45, 9:30, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, midnight. Riverdale: 11:00 a.m., 1:50, 4:40, 7:30, 10:20. October Baby (PG-13) – Soft-focus, feel-good anti-abortion propaganda. Rave: 10:30 a.m., 1:30, 4:30, 7:30, 10:30. Rampart (R) – Woody Harrelson plays the worst bad cop of all time. Market Street: 1:45, 4:15, 6:45, 9:15.
RETURNING THIS WEEK 21 Jump Street (R) – Buddy cop comedy starring Jonah Hill and former male stripper Channing Tatum. Chenal 9: 10:10 a.m., 1:10, 4:10, 7:10, 10:10. Rave: 10:10 a.m., 11:10 a.m., 1:10, 2:10, 4:10, 5:10, 7:10, 8:10, 10:10, midnight. Riverdale: 11:20 a.m., 2:00, 4:25, 7:00, 9:35. Act of Valor (R) – This action thriller stars real-life U.S. Navy SEALs. Chenal 9: 10:25 a.m., 1:25, 4:25, 7:25, 10:25. Rave: 11:20 a.m., 5:20, 11:40. Riverdale: 7:10, 9:45. The Adventures of Tintin (PG) – Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of one of the most popular comic series of all time, concerning Tintin, a plucky young Belgian reporter. Movies 10: 1:05, 4:00. Alvin and The Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (G) – That rascally Alvin is at it again, driving Dave crazy and making him scream “ALVIN!” Only this time it’s on a cruise ship. Also, Alvin raps. Movies 10: 12:25, 2:40, 5:00, 7:30, 9:40. The Artist (PG-13) – This meta-homage to the black-and-white silent films of yore concerns a silent film star whose career is jeopardized by the advent of talkies. With Jean Dujardin. Market Street: 2:00, 4:20, 7:00, 9:15. The Devil Inside (R) – Great INXS song; terrible horror movie. Movies 10: 12:15, 2:30, 4:40, 7:40, 10:15. Friends with Kids (R) – Two friends decide to try a nontraditional approach to starting a family. Rave: 10:40 p.m. Gone (PG-13) – Scary psychological suspensethriller starring the always freaked-out looking Amanda Seyfried as she tracks a kidnapper. Riverdale: 7:35, 9:55. The Grey (R) – Liam Neeson and a band of oil-rig roughnecks fight for survival in Alaska after their plane crashes. Movies 10: 2:35, 7:25. Hugo (PG) – Martin Scorsese’s latest is a familyfriendly 3D epic based on the best-selling “The
BAD COP-BAD COP ROUTINE: In “Rampart,” Woody Harrelson plays a drunken, violent, no-good cop who doesn’t even play by his own rules, much less anyone else’s. Invention of Hugo Cabret.” Movies 10: 3:45 (2D), 12:45, 9:35 (3D). The Iron Lady (PG-13) – Has Meryl Streep ever been bad in a movie? This movie about Margaret Thatcher hasn’t gotten very good reviews, but apparently Streep’s performance redeems it. Market Street: 2:00, 4:15, 7:15, 9:15. Riverdale: 11:10 a.m., 1:40, 4:30. John Carter (PG-13) – “Braveheart” goes to Avatarnia, based on the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel. Chenal 9: 10:20 a.m. (2D), 1:20, 4:20, 7:20, 10:20 (3D). Rave: 1:00, 7:40 (2D), 9:45 a.m., 4:15, 11:10 (3D). Riverdale: 11:05 a.m., 1:50, 4:35, 7:20, 10:05. Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (PG) – When you were watching “Land of the Lost,” did you find yourself wishing they’d cast The Rock instead of Will Farrell? Well, here you go. Rave: 9:15 a.m., noon, 3:15, 5:50. Joyful Noise (PG-13) – It’s Queen Latifah vs. Dolly Parton in a no-holds-barred sass-off that won’t end until the movie is over. Movies 10: 12:40, 4:05, 7:05, 9:45. The Lorax (PG) – A 3D CGI adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ classic tale. Chenal 9: 10:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:00, 1:30, 4:00, 4:30, 7:00, 7:30, 9:45, 10:15. Rave: 9:10 a.m., 11:40 a.m., 2:00, 5:15, 8:00 (2D), 10:40 a.m., 1:20, 4:20, 7:00, 9:40 (3D). Riverdale: 11:25 a.m., 1:30, 3:35, 5:40, 7:45, 9:50. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (PG-13) – Ol’ Middle-tooth is back in this, the fourth MI flick, which supposedly is really good with killer special effects and action sequences. Movies 10: 1:20, 4:15, 7:15, 10:10. One for the Money (PG-13) – Starring Katherine Heigl as an unlikely bounty hunter. Movies 10: noon, 5:10, 10:00. Project X (R) – Millennial brats throw a rager that gets out of hand, from producer Todd Phillips of “The Hangover” and “Hated: G.G. Allin and The Murder Junkies” renown. Chenal 9: Rave: 11:15 a.m., 1:55, 4:40, 7:05, 9:35, midnight. Riverdale: 11:30 a.m., 1:30, 3:25, 5:30, 7:30, 9:30. Red Tails (PG-13) – The story of the AfricanAmerican WWII pilots of the Tuskegee training program. With Cuba Gooding Jr. Movies 10: 12:30, 3:50, 7:20, 10:05. Safe House (R) – Aka, “Doesn’t Denzel Washington Make a Scary Bad Guy?” Rave: 9:40 a.m., 12:55, 4:25, 7:25, 10:25. The Secret World of Arrietty (G) – Animated tale about a family of tiny fairies who must survive the challenges and dangers of the suburban garden in which they dwell. Riverdale: 11:15 a.m., 1:40, 4:05.
Silent House (R) – Elizabeth Olson gets locked in her family’s lake house then some terror happens. Riverdale: 7:15, 9:25. Thin Ice (R) – Snowbound murder comedy starring Greg Kinnear, Alan Arkin, Billy Crudup and Lea Thompson. Market Street: 2:15, 4:25, 6:45, 9:00. This Means War (PG-13) – Tension, and deadly pranks, escalate between two beefy CIA dudes who discover they’re both dating Reese Witherspoon. One of the dudes is somehow British. Rave: 8:35 p.m., 11:55 p.m. A Thousand Words (PG-13) – Eddie Murphy becomes magically connected to a tree that loses one leaf for every word he says, and they’ll both die if all the leaves fall off, so he has to not talk. Chenal 9: 10:05 a.m., 1:05, 4:05, 7:05, 10:05. Rave: 9:20 a.m., 12:25, 3:40, 6:50, 9:15, 11:45. Riverdale: 11:10 a.m., 1:20, 3:30, 5:35, 7:50, 10:00. Tyler Perry’s Good Deeds (PG-13) – Worlds collide for a successful businessman who meets a down-on-her-luck single mom who cleans the office building where he works. Rave: 2:40 p.m. Riverdale: 11:00 a.m., 1:40, 4:15, 6:40, 9:05. Underworld: Awakening (R) – Ass-kicking vampire girl action flick from directors Mans Marlind and Bjorn Stein. With Kate Beckinsale. Movies 10: 1:00, 3:10, 5:20, 8:10, 10:20 (2D), 7:00 p.m. (3D). Wanderlust (R) – Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston play a stressed-out yuppie couple who stumble upon a nudist colony. Riverdale: 11:35 a.m., 1:45, 4:10. War Horse (PG-13) – A horse named Joey and a young man called Albert form an unbreakable bond that carries them through the battlefields of World War I. Movies 10: 6:45, 9:50. We Bought a Zoo (PG) – They sure did. Made a movie about it, too, if I’m not mistaken. With Matt Damon. Movies 10: 1:10, 4:10, 7:10, 9:55. Chenal 9 IMAX Theatre: 17825 Chenal Parkway, 821-2616, www.dtmovies.com. Cinemark Movies 10: 4188 E. McCain Blvd., 945-7400, www.cinemark.com. Cinematown Riverdale 10: Riverdale Shopping Center, 296-9955, www.riverdale10.com. Lakewood 8: 2939 Lakewood Village Drive, 7585354, www.fandango.com. Market Street Cinema: 1521 Merrill Drive, 312-8900, 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.
MOVIE REVIEW
Undercover comedy ‘21 Jump Street’: surprisingly funny. BY BERNARD REED
“Salsa Dancing” Hot Music Cool Moves
Michel Leidermann Moderator
EL LATINO Program AETN-TV 11 pm, Sunday, March 25 Broadcast in Spanish
Real Arkansans. Real Patients.
IJU
ANA ON TH
E
LL
AL
AR
BA
M
Arkansans for Compassionate Care is a coalition of concerned physicians, patients, and allies who agree that sick and dying patients should have access to medical marijuana with a doctor's recommendation.
PUT
IN 2012
MEDIC
OT •
A
R
C
www.arktimes.com
G
•
A
t the beginning of “21 Jump class they mismatch their identities, and Street,” Ice Cube, in his suphe gets sent to drama class rather than porting role as chief of a police AP chemistry, where the neanderthalic task force that goes undercover into high Jenko ends up instead. schools and colleges, orders the protagoThis confusion, however, allows Schmidt to enter a clique of cool kids nists to embrace their stereotypes. The whose diversity, eco-friendliness and stereotypes in question are geek and jock, and the embracing of them in this oddly collegiate expectations make them an charming comedy becomes a kind of pop affront to the comforting stereotypes. art. Its source material, a late-’80s televiAmong them is Eric (Dave Franco), who sion show that gave Johnny Depp a leg up it turns out is dealing the drug in quesinto stardom, is stripped down to hardly tion. Schmidt, though, is looking for the more than spoof, but it pulls off a decent supplier; he penetrates their inner circle show of ironic self-mockery and vandalwith such zest that he loses sight of the mission in favor of Molly (Brie Larson), ized stereotypes to be a revitalizing entry in a tired genre. The lead actors themselves, who might make a more pretentious critic groan, successfully embody their respective cliches. When we first meet Morton Schmidt (Jonah Hill) in 2005, his senior year of high school, he is a chunky, self-styled Slim Shady who is at the ‘21 JUMP STREET’: Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum star. less-prestigious end of the jock-geek continuum. His locker-pounding nemesis is Greg Jenko his new crush, as well as flattery from Eric (Channing Tatum), who laughs when and the others. In the meantime Jenko Schmidt’s attempts to ask a girl to prom does his darndest to protect his duty as a are batted down before he can even bring policeman, and in doing so falls in with the up the question. Seven years later they’re bespectacled science dorks that were once both recent graduates of police academy, his foils, thus deepening the role reversal. and have overcome their adolescent difOn paper it may be hard to believe, ferences in order to unite as a bromantic but “21 Jump Street” is way better than pair of incompetent cops. Their mishaps it sounds. Given its genre and lead actors, earn the ire of the commander, so they’re it’s not asking for high standards, so its sent to a special undercover police unit success as a cliche-buster is pretty precise. headed by Ice Cube, who humorously There’s nothing outright offensive about it, embraces his own angry black guy stereodespite the fact that Hill and Tatum’s raptype. Right away they are assigned to infilport frequently relies on “no homo” gags, trate their old high school to determine some rather grotesque physical humor the source of a home-cooked psychedelic and occasional swerves into political drug that students have been enjoying, incorrectness. It stays true to the essential sometimes with fatal consequences. comedic angle — the genre itself — which, They land in the usual Hollywood with the combined pools of high school high school utopia, a bizarre concepand incompetent cop movies, overflows tion of what it might be like to return to with material to plumb. It’s sufficiently that pimply era as a fully self-actualized meta concerning the reappropriation of stereotypes, especially at the start, allowadult: Everyone’s actually college-aged or ing the story to eventually get away with older, way too good-looking, concerned the unbelievable and the obvious (a limo only with prom and popularity, and the parents are always leaving for the weekchase scene, a nicely-delivered Johnny end. All the students are sorted into a very Depp cameo). If you just aren’t into spoofs, it won’t self-evident jock-geek continuum that Schmidt and Jenko, aliased as brothers, bring upon a sea change. But in a Holhappily recognize from their own high lywood clogged with pastiches and easy school days. Schmidt has high hopes that recyclables, it’s a goofball comedy that he will be able to do it better the second doesn’t necessarily have to be a guilty time around, but before even making it to pleasure.
OM
PASSION
.O
R
MARCH 21, 2012
29
AFTER DARK, CONT. 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. 501-3151717. Karoke with Debbit T. Thirst n’ Howl, 8 p.m., free. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www. thirst-n-howl.com. Lucious Spiller Band. Copeland’s, 6-9 p.m. 2602 S. Shackleford Road. 501-312-1616. www.copelandsofneworleans.com. Ricky David Tripp. Ferneau, 5:30 p.m. 2601
Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-603-9208. www.ferneaurestaurant.com. Science Cafe’s Fifth Birthday Party. The Afterthought, 7 p.m. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbar.com. Tuesday Jam Session with Carl Mouton. The Afterthought, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbar.com.
DANCE
5-6:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m. Call for reservations. Starving Artist Cafe, 5 p.m. 411 N. Main St., NLR. 501-372-7976. www.starvingartistcafe.net.
LECTURES
Bob Kendrick. Presentation from the president of the Negro League Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Mo. Clinton School of Public Service, 6 p.m., free. 1200 President Clinton Ave. 501-6835239. www.clintonschool.uasys.edu.
“Latin Night.” Revolution, 7 p.m., $5 regular, $7 under 21. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-8230090. www.revroom.com.
SPORTS
EVENTS
BENEFITS
Argenta Tulip Festival 2012. See March 21. Tales from the South. Authors tell true stories; schedule available on website. Dinner served
Horse racing. See March 21.
13th Annual Art to Remember. Presented by Alzheimer’s Arkansas Auxiliary. Includes heavy hors d’ oeuvres, spirits, live and silent auc-
DOES YOUR
NEED SOME +FIRST AID? Bring your status back to good health.
TIMELINE CONVERSION MARCH 30! DON’T WAIT!
ARKANSAS TIMES Social & Digital Media
30
MARCH 21, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
501.375.2985 FAX: 501.375.9565 socialmedia@arktimes.com
tions. Pavilion in the Park, 6:30 p.m., $125. 8201 Cantrell Road. 501-224-0021. www.alzark.org.
KIDS
Wiggle Worms: “Local Foods.” Weekly program designed specifically for pre-K children. Museum of Discovery, 10 a.m., $8-$10, free for members. 500 Clinton Ave. 396-7050, 1-800880-6475. www.amod.org.
THIS WEEK IN THEATER
Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre: “If You Take a Mouse to School.” Arkansas Arts Center, through March 25: Fri., 7 p.m.; Sat., 3 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m., $11-$14. 501 E. 9th St. 501372-4000. www.arkarts.com. “The Miracle Worker.” The story of Annie Sullivan and her student, Helen Keller. The Weekend Theater, through March 24: Fri., Sat., 7:30 p.m., $12-$16. 1001 W. 7th St. 501-374-3761. www.weekendtheater.org. “The Red Velvet Cake Wars.” This comedy from the trio of Jones, Hope and Wooten concerns the three Verdeen cousins, Gaynelle, Peaches, and Jimmie Wyvette, and the mishaps that occur when they plan a family reunion. Murry’s Dinner Playhouse, through April 22: Tue.-Sat., 6 p.m.; Wed., 11 a.m.; Sun., 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., $15-$33. 6323 Col. Glenn Road. 501-5623131. murrysdinnerplayhouse.com. “Stomp.” Reynolds Performance Hall, University of Central Arkansas, Tue., March 27, 7:30 p.m., $23-$40. 201 Donaghey Ave., Conway. “The Wiz.” The 1970s Broadway hit re-imagines “The Wizard of Oz” as a Motown musical. Arkansas Repertory Theatre, through April 8: Wed., Thu., 7 p.m.; Fri., Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 and 7 p.m., $30-$60. 601 Main St. 501-378-0405. www.therep.org.
GALLERIES, MUSEUMS
NEW EXHIBITIONS, EVENTS
HEIFER VILLAGE, 1 World Ave.: “Design for a Cause,” art and graphic design work of four non-profits: Heifer International, UAMS, Arkansas Children’s Hospital and The Rep, March 21-April 9. 907-2953. MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY, 500 President Clinton Ave.: “Dinosaur Discoveries: Ancient Fossils, New Ideas,” through April 7; “Astronomy: It’s a Blast,” interactive exhibits on black holes, celestial navigation, the space shuttle and more, March 24-Sept. 17; “Wiggle Worms,” science program for pre-K children 10 a.m.-10:30 a.m. every Tue., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun., $10 ages 12 and older, $8 ages 1-11, free under 1. 396-7050. PAVILION IN THE PARK, 8201 Cantrell Road: 13th annual “Art to Remember,” fundraiser auction of art to benefit the Alzheimer’s Arkansas Family Assistance Program, 6:30 p.m. March 27, $125. Preview work at www.alzark. org. 224-0021. FAYETTEVILLE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS: “Spiral,” MFA installation by Mauricio Linares-Aguilar, Fine Arts Center Gallery, March 26-30. 479-575-7987.
CALL FOR ENTRIES
Registration for the 4th annual “Plein Aire on the White River,” set for May 4 and 5 during the Cotter Trout Festival, has begun. Adults and high school students may register; awards will be given to winners. Entry is $45; paintings must be started and completed outdoors during the event and within 30 miles of the Cotter Spring House. For more information write the White River Artists at P.O. Box 369, Cotter 72626 or e-mail whiteriverartists@gmail.com.
MOVIE REVIEW
the arkansas travelers open their sixth season at dickey-stephens park
opening day is thursday, april 5th!
‘FRIENDS WITH KIDS’: Adam Scott and Jennifer Westfelt star.
Not-married with children Despite a promising premise, ‘Friends with Kids’ goes saccharine. BY NATALIE ELLIOTT
“F
riends with Kids,” the ensemble comedy and directorial debut of its America’s sweetheart-y star (and writer) Jennifer Westfelt, is an uncanny product of the post-feminist, nontraditional parenting culture. As such, it should be a noble comment on what an unmarried, career-minded woman can do in the realm of single parenting. Unfortunately, for all of the charm and acting prowess of its hefty cast, “Friends with Kids” feels too shortsighted and too wishful. We enter the lives of six friends, notably Julie (Westfelt) and Jason (Adam Scott), the only two singletons left in their group, who have developed an eerily close, humor-driven codependent kinship. At dinner, when friends Leslie (Maya Rudolph) and Alex (Chris O’Dowd) announce their plans to have a baby, Julie and Jason find themselves confronting a similar impulse. After a four-year lapse, seeing their friends navigate the bickering, exhausting, contentious aspects of early parenting, they strive to dream up a way to raise a child happily without all of the unflattering marriage-y stuff. (They are two svelte and superficial Manhattanites, after all.) Of course, they’ve never been attracted to each other ever, and Jason is a womanizer and Julie is a commitment-phobe, so separate romances aren’t in the cards anytime soon. After many montages of red-wine swilling and Central Park-jogging and discussing every aspect of their baby strategy, Julie and Jason decide to get pregnant together, and raise the child, co-parenting, only as friends. And you can see exactly where this is going. Enlisting the help of some of today’s
best comedic (and otherwise skilled) actors, including Jon Hamm (of “Mad Men”) and Kristen Wiig (who plays Hamm’s unhappy wife, Missy), among rising stars like Scott and O’Dowd, seems like a safe measure to make sure all of the jokes go off without a hitch — and, for the most part, they do, with cringe-inducing worn-in relationship humor serving as an endless centerpiece. Except, curiously, comedy talents like Hamm and Wiig (especially) play totally straight, which manages to handicap the mood perhaps more than needed. (I’m always game for a brilliant comedian playing straight, but Wiig perhaps needs a character of more prominence than a quietly depressed, drunken waif.) The portrayals of relationship bitterness, however accurate, come across as freshly as a slap to the face — this is not your average feel-good rom-com. It is, however, very much a New York movie, complete with jokes about Brooklyn parenting cults, Christmas scenes in Manhattan, and “Seinfeld”-ian successful-but-emotionally-stunted inhabitants. If you’re a sucker for any of these tropes, then this will make a great date picture or future holiday season selection. But if you’re looking for a more mature version of the charmingly awkward, uptight, out-of-sorts heroine of Westfelt’s previous gems like “Kissing Jessica Stein,” but with more current-day commentary (the homosexuality issue of the early aughts is today’s reproductive rights debate), then you’ll likely enjoy what “Friends with Kids” has to offer. That is, until its abruptly saccharine smack of an ending, which undermines a lot of the wit and realism a female-driven comedy, like this one, could benefit from.
ni-plans i m e m a • 10 g ing at $70 start acks are back! p • smartdated general nly $45 • 15 un sion tickets o admis
season tickets on sale now! as low as $300
501-664-1555 www.travs.com call now for group outing and private party information
www.arktimes.com
MARCH 21, 2012
31
Dining WHAT’S COOKIN’
CONTINUED ON PAGE 33 32
MARCH 21, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
JESS MILLER
or been anywhere near a Taco Bell restaurant in recent weeks, you’ve probably seen the advertisements for the new Doritos Locos Tacos — tacos with a shell that’s drenched inside and out with the neon-orange cheese dust commonly seen on Doritos brand corn chips. Could there be a more perfect collision of late-nite drunkchow? Probably not, unless Pizza Hut can figure out a way to make a Cheetos-stuffed pizza crust. We bring it up because of the story we heard the other day from Todd Mills, vice president, media and information technology at Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce. Way back in 2009, Mills was eating a plain ol’ nonDoritos taco when a commercial for Doritos came on TV. A lightbulb went off. “I looked at my wife and said: ‘How awesome would it be if this taco shell was a Dorito?’ ” Mills said. Soon thereafter, Mills started what he called an organic social experiment — a Facebook page called the Taco Shells Made from Doritos Movement. Around the same time, Mills said, he wrote a funny letter to Frito Lay, which makes Doritos, saying it would be great if they could make Doritos taco shells a reality. Even though he soon received a reply saying that Frito Lay couldn’t accept outside ideas about products, Mills kept on with the Taco Shells Made from Doritos page, making and posting funny, Photoshopped pictures of movie characters and celebrities holding the mythical Doritos shells. Eventually, the page racked up over 3,000 likes. The foodie site Food Beast wrote about the TSMFD page, and things really took off. Before long, Mills said, the online food blogs of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Time had linked to the page. The page views soon spiked over a million. Then, in the middle of February, Mills’ phone rang. It was the folks at Taco Bell, inviting Mills out to their headquarters and test kitchens in Irvine, Calif., to taste his fantasy made real (he posted a Photoshop of Willy Wonka’s Golden Ticket to mark the occasion). As it turns out, Mills soon learned, Frito Lay had approached Taco Bell in early 2010 (around six months after he wrote to them, he says.) with the idea of making Doritos-flavored taco shells. It wound up being the biggest product launch in the restaurant’s history.
JESS MILLER
IF YOU’VE WATCHED TELEVISION
INTERESTING MIX: Sullivan’s chicken fried steak (top) and chicken fried rice platter with Momma’s Meat Rolls (bottom).
Home-style fusion Thai and home cookin’ come together at Sullivan’s in Benton.
W
e’ve always been a touch skeptical about so-called fusion cuisine, which to our minds has become a catch-all phrase that makes it far too easy for restaurants to slap random ingredients on a plate and act like anybody who doesn’t think it’s great is just too terminally un-hip to recognize genius when it’s served to them. Still, at its best, fusion cuisine can be an interesting melding of tastes and techniques from different cultures; at its worst, it’s Guy Fieri screaming catchphrases while trying to mix barbecue with sushi. And then there’s Sullivan’s Diner, where Dang Sullivan and Pam Beaty take the idea of fusion cuisine and stand it directly on its head in the best way possible. Sullivan’s bills itself as “homestyle cooking with a taste of Thai,” and we can’t think of a better way to describe a place that has fried okra and chicken fried steak on the same menu as fried rice and chicken Pad Thai. The diverse menu was a little overwhelming on our first visit, so we decided to do the sensible thing and order one American dish alongside one Thai dish and see if the kitchen could pull off such varied dishes at the same time. To that end,
Sullivan’s Diner 520 Lillian Street Benton 501-778-4630
QUICK BITE Sullivan’s menu contains a few other oddities one might not expect at a small diner including large Belgianstyle waffles with fruit at breakfast, a tasty and authentic pork schnitzel, and a strange but satisfying dish that consists of ham, pinto beans, and dumplings served with cornbread. HOURS 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. OTHER INFO Credit cards accepted, no alcohol.
we started with the chicken fried steak ($9.95), a generous portion of gravysmothered beef with mashed potatoes and fried okra on the side. The steak was fork-tender with a breading that remained firm and crisp even under all that gravy. The mashed potatoes were creamy, if a tad dense, and covered with the same gravy that came with the steak — so much gravy that we wished we had perhaps ordered the potatoes without.
The okra was of the pre-breaded and frozen kind, but it was so fresh and hot from the fryer that we didn’t mind at all. Our dish from the Thai side of the menu was the Chicken Fried Rice Platter ($6.95), a mountain of rice loaded with vegetables and savory pieces of chicken and served with two of Momma’s Meat Rolls ($6.25 for two) on the side. We’d never heard of a “meat roll” before, and our question about them drew a chuckle from the man behind the counter who told us that they were like spring rolls “but with a lot more meat.” The meat in question turned out to be a very flavorful pork mixture that was complemented perfectly by the homemade sweet-andsour sauce served to the side. The rice itself was firm with a good texture that lacked any of the greasiness so common to dishes of this sort, and the chicken was well distributed throughout. On our second trip, we decided to take the same approach of getting a dish from each side of the menu, ordering the fried catfish dinner ($10.95) and the pork pad thai noodles ($10.95). The catfish platter came with four plump and succulent catfish fillets, hush puppies, cole slaw and some more of that tasty okra. The fish itself was crisply fried without being dry, and the hush puppies had a nice seasoned flavor and small chunks of onion fried right in, something we’ve always felt was necessary for a good hushpuppy. The slaw was nothing special, bland and watery, but on a plate this packed with things to eat we didn’t feel slighted at all. It wasn’t the most impressive catfish platter we’ve ever eaten, but it was well-cooked and freshtasting. The Pad Thai Noodles, on the other hand, were a knockout. We marveled at the complex flavor and texture of the dish — sweet, spicy and savory all at the same time as tender noodles came together with crisp bean shoots, crunchy peanuts, and the bittersweet taste of scallions. We ordered our noodles on the hot side, and by the end of a few bites we were sweating a bit from the subtle spice of chili oil, which we tempered with bites of the fresh tomato and cucumber that were served to the side. At most places, we tend to pick rice dishes over noodle dishes as a rule, but these noodles from Sullivan’s were the best thing we tried on either visit, and we found ourselves sneaking bites even after we had already decided we were finished.
Information in our restaurant capsules reflects the opinions of the newspaper staff and its reviewers. The newspaper accepts no advertising or other considerations in exchange for reviews, which are conducted anonymously. We invite the opinions of readers who think we are in error.
BELLY UP
B Breakfast L Lunch D Dinner $ Inexpensive (under $8/person) $$ Moderate ($8-$20/person) $$$ Expensive (over $20/person) CC Accepts credit cards
Check out the Times’ food blog, Eat Arkansas arktimes.com
DINING CAPSULES
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. $-$$. 501-374-4265. LD Tue.-Sat. ALL AMERICAN WINGS Wings, catfish and soul food sides. 215 W. Capitol Ave. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-376-4000. LD Mon.-Fri (LD on Sat. beginning after Jan 2012). ALLEY OOPS The restaurant at Creekwood Plaza (near the Kanis-Bowman intersection) is a neighborhood feedbag for major medical institutions with the likes of plate lunches, burgers and homemade desserts. Remarkable Chess Pie. 11900 Kanis Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-221-9400. LD Mon.-Sat. B-SIDE The little breakfast place in the former party room of Lilly’s DimSum Then Some turns tradition on its ear, offering French toast wrapped in bacon on a stick, a must-have dish called “biscuit mountain” and beignets with lemon curd. Top notch cheese grits, too. 11121 Rodney Parham Road. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-716-2700. BL Wed.-Sun. BAR LOUIE This chain’s first Arkansas outlet features a something-for-everybody menu so broad and varied to be almost schizophrenic. 11525 Cantrell Road, Suite 924. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-228-0444. LD daily. 11525 Cantrell Road. 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. $$. 501-324-2449. LD daily. BOBBY’S COUNTRY COOKIN’ One of the better plate lunch spots in the area, with some of the best fried chicken and pot roast around, a changing daily casserole and wonderful homemade pies. 301 N. Shackleford Road, Suite E1. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-2249500. L Mon.-Fri. BOGIE’S BAR AND GRILL The former Bennigan’s retains a similar theme: a menu filled with burgers, salads and giant desserts, plus a few steak, fish and chicken main courses. There are big screen TVs for sports fans and lots to drink, more reason to return than the food. 120 W. Pershing Blvd. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-812-0019. D daily. BUFFALO GRILL A great crispy-off-the-griddle cheeseburger and hand-cut fries star at this family-friendly stop. 1611 Rebsamen Park Road. Full bar, CC. $$. 501-296-9535. LD daily. 400 N. Bowman Road. Full bar, Beer, All CC. $$. 501-224-0012. LD daily. CAFE 201 The hotel restaurant in the Crowne Plaza serves up a nice lunch buffet. 201 S. Shackleford Road. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-223-3000. LD daily. CATFISH CITY AND BBQ GRILL Basic fried fish and sides, including green tomato pickles, and now with tasty ribs and sandwiches in beef, pork and sausage. 1817 S. University Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-663-7224. LD Tue.-Sat. CHEERS IN THE HEIGHTS Good burgers and sandwiches, vegetarian offerings and salads at lunch and fish specials, and good steaks in
the evening. 2010 N. Van Buren. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-663-5937. LD Mon.-Sat. 1901 Club Manor Drive. Maumelle. Full bar, All CC. 501-851-6200. LD daily, BR Sun. CORNERSTONE PUB & GRILL A sandwich, pizza and beer joint in the heart of North Little Rock’s Argenta district. 314 Main St. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-374-1782. LD Mon.-Sat. DAVE AND RAY’S DOWNTOWN DINER Breakfast buffet daily featuring biscuits and gravy, home fries, sausage and made-toorder omelets. Lunch buffet with four choices of meats and eight veggies. 824 W. Capitol Ave. No alcohol. $. 501-372-8816. BL Mon.-Fri. DAVID’S BUTCHER BOY BURGERS Serious hamburgers, steak salads, homemade custard. 101 S. Bowman Road. DOGTOWN COFFEE AND COOKERY Although the down-home name might suggest to some a down-home, meat-andthree kind of place, this is actually an up-todate sandwich, salad and fancy coffee kind of place, well worth a visit. 6725 John F. Kennedy Blvd. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-8333850. BL Mon.-Sun., BLD Fri.-Sat.,. E’S BISTRO Despite the name, think tearoom rather than bistro — there’s no wine, for one thing, and there is tea. But there’s nothing tearoomy about the portions here. Try the heaping grilled salmon BLT on a buttery croissant. 3812 JFK Boulevard. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-771-6900. 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. $-$$. 501-375-3245. BL Mon.-Sat. GREEN CUISINE Daily specials and a small, solid menu of vegetarian fare. Try the crunchy quinoa salad. 985 West Sixth St. No alcohol, CC. $-$$. Serving. HILLCREST ARITSAN MEATS A fancy charcuterie and butcher shop with excellent daily soup and sandwich specials. Limited seating is available. 2807 Kavanaugh Blvd. No alcohol, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-671-6328. L Mon.-Sat. JIMMY JOHN’S GOURMET SANDWICHES Illinois-based sandwich chain that doesn’t skimp on what’s between the buns. 4120 E. McCain Blvd. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-945-9500. LD daily. 700 South Broadway St. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-372-1600. LD daily. 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. $-$$. 501-666-3500. BLD Mon.-Sat., LD Sun. LETTI’S CAKES Soups, sandwiches and salads available at this cake, pie and cupcake bakery. 3700 JFK Blvd. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-708-7203. LD (closes at 6 p.m.) Mon.-Fri. L Sat. LYNN’S CHICAGO FOODS Outpost for Chicago specialties like Vienna hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches. Plus, other familiar fare — burgers and fried catfish, chicken nuggets and wings. 6501 Geyer Springs. No alcohol, All CC. $. 501-568-2646. LD Mon.-Sat. MADDIE’S If you like your catfish breaded Cajun-style, your grits rich with garlic and
cream and your oysters fried up in perfect puffs, this Cajun eatery on Rebsamen Park Road is the place for you. 1615 Rebsamen Park Road. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-6604040. LD Tue.-Sat. MORNINGSIDE BAGELS Tasty New York-style boiled bagels, made daily. 10848 Maumelle Blvd. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-7536960. BL daily. PHIL’S HAM AND TURKEY PLACE Fine hams, turkeys and other specialty meats served whole, by the pound or in sandwich form. 11121 N. Rodney Parham Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-225-2136. LD Mon.-Fri. L Sat. RED MANGO National yogurt and smoothie chain whose appeal lies in adjectives like “allnatural,” “non-fat,” “gluten-free” and “probiotic.” 5621 Kavanaugh Blvd. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-663-2500. LD daily. RESTAURANT 1620 Steaks, chops, a broad choice of fresh seafood and meal-sized salads are just a few of the choices on a broad menu at this popular and upscale West Little Rock bistro. It’s a romantic, candlelit room, elegant without being fussy or overly formal. 1620 Market St. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-221-
1620. L Mon.-Fri., D Mon.-Sat., BR Sun. SADDLE CREEK WOODFIRED GRILL Upscale chain dining in Lakewood, with a menu full of appetizers, burgers, chicken, fish and other fare. It’s the smoke-kissed steaks, however, that make it a winner — even in Little Rock’s beef-heavy restaurant market. 2703 Lakewood Village. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-812-0883. SAY MCINTOSH RESTAURANT Longtime political activist and restaurateur Robert “Say” McIntosh serves up big plates of soul food, plus burgers, barbecue and his famous sweet potato pie. 2801 W. 7th Street. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-664-6656. LD Mon.-Sat. L Sun. SIMPLY NAJIYYAH’S FISHBOAT AND MORE Good catfish and corn fritters. 2900 S. University Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-562-3474. Serving:. SLICK’S SANDWICH SHOP & DELI Meatand-two plate lunches in state office building. 101 E. Capitol Ave. 501-375-3420. L Mon.-Fri. SPECTATORS GRILL AND PUB Burgers, soups, salads and other beer food, plus live music on weekends. 1012 W. 34th St. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-791-0990. LD Mon.-Sat. CONTINUED ON PAGE 34
WHAT’S COOKIN’, CONT.
A MILLS CREATION: From the Taco Shells Made from Doritos Facebook page.
Mills flew to Irvine, got picked up in a limo for a steak dinner, and went to the Taco Bell HQ the next day for a prototype Doritos Locos Taco. Verdict: “It was good. I got one made by the people in the test kitchen, so it was exactly to spec. I’ve eaten one [in a restaurant] since, and they’re good.” He wound up getting to meet the CEO of the company, and got some T-shirts and other swag. As for getting a taste of that sweet, sweet taco money? “Every-
body that I tell about this says ‘You should be getting some money off these.’ “ Nevertheless, Mills seems to shrug off the idea that he should lawyer up. “I’ve never once said that I deserved any sort of compensation,” he said. “I can’t be the first person to think of this.” On the other hand: “If they wanted to send me a big taco check, that would be all right.” Taco checks? Genius! Why didn’t WE think of that?
www.arktimes.com
MARCH 21, 2012
33
CROSSWORD
DINING CAPSULES, CONT.
EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ Across 1 They may be kept on you 5 Massenet opera 10 Memo subject header 14 Stationery shade 15 “Care to?” 16 “Way cool!” 17 Capping 18 Herr Schindler with a list 19 Start of some carrier names 20 Manufacturers 22 Dangerous place 24 Tide competitor 25 “Apollo and Daphne” sculptor 26 ___ Marino 28 Three-way joint 30 Research aids 33 Beehive State player 34 Was out 37 Choir accompaniment
38 ___ fides (bad faith) 40 ___ water 42 Mother of Apollo 43 Chariot race site 45 One of the Munsters 47 Gen ___ 48 Study of government 50 New England’s Cape ___ 51 Poetic preposition 52 Place to see a flick? 55 Bruins legend 57 Kind of well 59 Mythological figure being kissed in a statue at the Louvre 62 Old geezer 63 Spark producer 65 Parliament 66 Suffix in many store names
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE F R A U A N D S B A S S R A L G R O O M I K E A D I S C B E U V A S I N G O R A L P I N E E L A N N E S S
D O R E M I U R A L S
E L I E S T Y E B A H
S O L I D S
E R I C A
A R C A E F
S I S T S T H H S E A S S B A U U S S S H E E A D
C A N S T S T O T E I N T R O W A W E S A R T O S T I C C A A M
O F C O U R S E N O T
T E A A C T
S W A T H E
R A M S
S T E P
K E T L V E M A N
67 Botanist’s concern 68 Salinger title girl 69 Scottish Gaelic 70 Aligns, briefly 71 Gym count Down 1 ___ U.S.A. 2 ___ fool (be silly) 3 Possible reason for [see shaded letters] 4 Apartment 1A resident, perhaps 5 Infrequently seen bills 6 Suffers from 7 Place for an electronic tether 8 Where there are “bombs bursting,” to an anthem singer 9 Polynesian wrap 10 All tangled up 11 Possible reason for [see shaded letters] 12 Like a blue lobster 13 School attended by King’s Scholars 21 “Peanuts” expletive 23 Robert De ___ 25 Geoffrey of fashion 26 “Poison” shrub 27 Producer of the 2600 game console 29 Musician/record producer Bobby
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
24 26
27
28
13
31
32
60
61
23
29
30
34 39
43
35
36
40 44
48
37 41
45
42 46
49 52
57
12
25
33 38
11
47
50 53
51
54
55
58
56
59
62
63
66
67
64
65 68
69
70
71
Puzzle by Peter A. Collins
31 Stereotypical K.P. item 32 [So boring!]
35 High degree 36 “Hurry up!”
39 Liqueur served with coffee beans 41 Pewter component
44 Essen expletives 46 Son of Seth 49 Leaves a 0% tip 53 Ninth-inning excitement, maybe 54 OH- or Cl-, chemically 56 Truck rental company
57 Climber’s goal 58 Zoo sound 59 H.S. supporters 60 Rope material 61 Verb with “vous” 64 Reactoroverseeing org.
For answers, call 1-900-285-5656, $1.49 a minute; or, with a credit card, 1-800-814-5554. Annual subscriptions are available for the best of Sunday crosswords from the last 50 years: 1-888-7-ACROSS. AT&T users: Text NYTX to 386 to download puzzles, or visit nytimes.com/mobilexword for more information. Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 2,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year). Share tips: nytimes.com/wordplay. Crosswords for young solvers: nytimes.com/learning/xwords.
THIS MODERN WORLD
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. $-$$. 501-372-9316. L Mon.-Fri. STARVING ARTIST CAFE All kinds of crepes, served as entrees or as dessert, in this cozy multidimensional eatery with art-packed walls and live demonstrations by artists during meals. The Black Forest ham sandwich is a perennial favorite with the lunch crowd. Dinner menu changes daily, good wine list. “Tales from the South” dinner and readings at on Tuesdays; live music precedes the show. 411 N. Main St. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-372-7976. L Tue.-Sat., D Tue., Fri.-Sat. SUFFICIENT GROUNDS Great coffee, good bagels and pastries, and a limited lunch menu. 122 W. Capitol. No alcohol, CC. $. 501-372-1009. BL Mon.-Fri. THE TAVERN SPORTS GRILL Burgers, barbecue and more. 17815 Chenal Parkway. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-830-2100. LD daily. TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE Besides the 30 different fruit smoothies on the menu, the cafe also serves wraps and sandwiches (many of them spicy) and salads. 10221 N. Rodney Parham Road. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-224-2233. BLD daily. UNIVERSITY MARKET @ 4CORNERS A food truck court where local vendors park daily. If you’ve got your heart set on something particular, make sure you check facebook.com/4cornersmarket to see what carts are scheduled to be parked. 6221 Colonel Glenn Road. CC. $-$$. 501-5151661. LD daily. 6221 Colonel Glenn Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-413-3672. LD. 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. $-$$. 501-758-4299. L Tue.-Sat.
ASIAN
BENIHANA JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE Enjoy the cooking show, make sure you get a little filet with your meal, and do plenty of dunking in that fabulous ginger sauce. 2 Riverfront Place. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-374-8081. BLD Sun.-Sat. CHI’S DIMSUM & BISTRO A huge menu spans the Chinese provinces and offers a few twists on the usual local offerings, plus there’s authentic Hong Kong dim sum available. 6 Shackleford Drive. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-221-7737. LD daily. 17200 Chenal Parkway. No alcohol, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-821-8000. FAR EAST ASIAN CUISINE Old favorites such as orange beef or chicken and Hunan green beans are still prepared with care at what used to be Hunan out west. 11600 Pleasant Ridge Drive. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-2199399. LD daily. FU LIN Quality in the made-to-order entrees is high, as is the quantity. 200 N. Bowman Road. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-225-8989. LD daily. HUNAN BALCONY The owner of New Fun Ree has combined forces with the Dragon China folks to create a formidable offering with buffet or menu items. 418 W. 7th. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-666-8889. LD. 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. $$. 501-217-8888. LD Mon.-Sat. KOBE JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI Though answering the need for more hibachis in Little Rock, Kobe stands taller in its sushi offerings than at the grill. 11401 Financial Centre Parkway. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-225-5999. L Mon.-Sat. D daily. P.F. CHANG’S Nuevo Chinese from the Brinker chain. 317 S. Shackleford. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-225-4424. LD daily. PANDA GARDEN Large buffet including Chinese favorites, a full on-demand sushi bar, a cold seafood bar, pie case, salad bar and dessert bar. 2604 S. Shackleford Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-224-8100. LD daily. PEI WEI Sort of a miniature P.F. Chang’s, but a lot of fun and plenty good with all the Chang favorites we like, such as the crisp honey shrimp, dan dan noodles and pad thai. 205 N. University Ave. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-280-9423. LD daily. SUPER KING BUFFET Large buffet with sushi and a Mongolian grill. 4000 Springhill Plaza Court. NLR. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-945-4802. LD daily. VAN LANG CUISINE Terrific Vietnamese cuisine, particularly the way the pork dishes and the assortment of rolls are presented. Great prices, too. Massive menu, but it’s user-friendly for locals with full English descriptions and numbers for easy ordering. 3600 S. University Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-570-7700. LD daily.
BARBECUE
CAPITOL SMOKEHOUSE AND GRILL Beef, pork, sausage and chicken, all smoked to melting tenderness and doused with a choice of sauces. The crusty but tender backribs star. Side dishes are top quality. 915 W. Capitol Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-372-4227. BL Mon.-Fri.
34
MARCH 21, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
CROSS EYED PIG BBQ COMPANY Traditional barbecue favorites smoked well such as pork ribs, beef brisket and smoked chicken. Miss Mary’s famous potato salad is full of bacon and other goodness. Smoked items such as ham and turkeys available seasonally. 1701 Rebsamen Park Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-265-0000. L Mon.-Sat., D Tue.-Fri. 1701 Rebsamen Park Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-227-7427. LD daily. 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. 14611 Arch Street. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-888-4998. LD Mon.-Fri. HB’S BAR B.Q. Great slabs of meat with fiery barbecue sauce, but ribs are served on Tuesday only. Other days, try the tasty pork sandwich on an onion roll. 6010 Lancaster. No alcohol, No CC. $-$$. 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. $-$$. 501-791-2773. LD Mon.-Sun. SIMS BAR-B-QUE Great spare ribs, sandwiches, beef, half and whole chicken and an addictive vinegar-mustard-brown sugar sauce unique for this part of the country. 2415 Broadway. Beer, CC. $-$$. 501-372-6868. LD Mon.-Sat. 1307 John Barrow Road. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-2242057. LD Mon.-Sat. 7601 Geyer Springs Road. Beer, All CC. $$. 501-562-8844. LD Mon.-Sat.
EUROPEAN / ETHNIC
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. TASTE OF ASIA Delicious Indian food in a pleasant atmosphere. Perhaps the best samosas in town. Buffet at lunch. 2629 Lakewood Village Dr. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-812-4665. LD daily. TAZIKI’S Gyros, grilled meats and veggies, hummus and pimento cheese. 8200 Cantrell Rd. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-227-8291. LD daily 12800 Chenal Parkway. Beer, Wine, All CC. 501-225-1829. LD daily.
ITALIAN
DAMGOODE PIES A somewhat different Italian/pizza place, largely because of a spicy garlic white sauce that’s offered as an alternative to the traditional red sauce. Good bread, too. 2701 Kavanaugh Blvd. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-664-2239. LD daily. 6706 Cantrell Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-6642239. LD daily. 10720 Rodney Parham Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-664-2239. LD daily. 37 East Center St. Fayetteville. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 479-444-7437. LD daily.
GUSANO’S They make the tomatoey Chicagostyle deep-dish pizza the way it’s done in the Windy City. It takes a little longer to come out of the oven, but it’s worth the wait. 313 President Clinton Ave. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-374-1441. LD daily. 2915 Dave Ward Drive. Conway. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-329-1100. LD daily. LARRY’S PIZZA The buffet is the way to go — fresh, hot pizza, fully loaded with ingredients, brought hot to your table, all for a low price. Many Central Arkansas locations. 1122 S. Center. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-224-8804. LD daily. 12911 Cantrell Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-224-8804. LD daily. NYPD PIZZA Plenty of tasty choices in the obvious New York police-like setting, but it’s fun. Only the pizza is cheesy. Even the personal pizzas come in impressive combinations, and baked ziti, salads are more also are available. Cheap slice specials at lunch. 6015 Chenonceau Boulevard, Suite 1. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-868-3911. LD daily. PALIO’S Not quite artisan-grade, but far better than the monster chains and at a similar price point. With an appealingly thin, crunchy crust. 3 Rahling Circle. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-8210055. LD daily. VESUVIO Arguably Little Rock’s best Italian restaurant is in one of the most unlikely places – tucked inside the Best Western Governor’s Inn within a nondescript section of west Little Rock. 1501 Merrill Drive. Full bar, All CC. $$$. 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.
Creative Minds John Allison And Guillermo Portieles
text M ex To G o to
90210 For A Chance To Win A $25 Gift Card
Join Us Via social Media to Get saVinGs, specials & More! 13924 Cantrell Rd.
Little Rock • 501-217-0700
11406 W. Markham St.
Mex-To-Go • 501-217-0647
4511 Camp Robinson Rd.
North Little Rock • 501-771-1604
1524 W. Main St.
maR 24 — apR 14
1135 Skyline Dr.
Opening receptiOn Sat. March 24, 2012 • 6 to 9 pm
Jacksonville • 501-982-0533 Conway • 501-205-1985
Kids eat free on Thursday at dine-in locations
mexicochiquito.net
LATINO
CASA MANANA Great guacamole and garlic beans, superlative chips and salsa (red and green) and a broad selection of fresh seafood, plus a deck out back. 6820 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-280-9888. BLD daily 18321 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-8688822. BLD daily 400 President Clinton Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. L Mon.-Sat. CASA MEXICANA Familiar Tex-Mex style items all shine, in ample portions, and the steakcentered dishes are uniformly excellent. 6929 JFK Blvd. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-8357876. LD daily. COZYMEL’S A trendy Dallas-chain cantina with flaming cheese dip, cilantro pesto, mole, lamb and more. 10 Shackleford Drive. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-954-7100. LD daily. EL PORTON (LR) Good Mex for the price and a wide-ranging menu of dinner plates, some tasty cheese dip, and great service as well. 12111 W. Markham St. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-223-8588. LD daily. 5201 Warden Road. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-753-4630. LD daily. 5507 Ranch Drive. Full bar, All CC. $$. LD daily. LA HACIENDA Creative, fresh-tasting entrees and traditional favorites, all painstakingly prepared in a festive atmosphere. Great taco salad, nachos, and maybe the best fajitas around. 3024 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-661-0600. LD daily. 200 Highway 65 N. Conway. All CC. $$. 501-327-6077. LD daily. LAS DELICIAS Levy-area mercado with a taqueria and a handful of booths in the back of the store. 3401 Pike Ave. NLR. Beer, All CC. $. 501-812-4876. MERCADO SAN JOSE From the outside, it appears to just be another Mexican grocery store. Inside, you’ll find one of Little Rock’s best Mexican bakeries and a restaurant in back serving tortas and tacos for lunch. 7411 Geyer Springs Road. Beer, CC. $. 501-565-4246. BLD daily.
5815 Kavanaugh Blvd little RocK, aR 72207 (501) 664.0030 www.BoswellmouRot.com
Designers ChoiCe Fashion Preview
All StAr
Show
2012
BeneFiting the timmons arts FounDation
SAturdAy, April 7
PresenteD By misrgo, stamP out smoking at uaPB & team summit
Show StArtS At 7:30pm Vip & mediA mixer beginS At 6pm
metroplex eVent center 10800 colonel glenn roAd office@designerschoicefashion.com generAl AdmiSSion $35 Vip $50
hoSted by model/actor/designer Boris kodjoe & Fox 16 news anchor Donna terrell
meet And greet with the hoStS And deSignerS (includeS open bAr, horS d’oeuVreS) And Vip SeAting
FeAtured deSignerS Korto Momolu and Erica Warren Kata Marie Brandi Tate Phalon Montgomery Snee Dismang
Krista Smith Nicole Mcgehee Leslie Pennel Candace Locke Ocie Collins Jerell Scott
korto momolu
Jerell Scott
Tickets can be purchased on eventbrite www.designerschoicefashionlr.eventbrite.com and locally at Jeante, One of One, Vogue Visage, Box Turtle, 4th Dimension Salon and Uncle T’s. www.arktimes.com
MARCH 21, 2012
35
Spring Shoes!
MARCH 21, 2012
BOX TURTLE
BY BLAIR TIDWELL PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN CHILSON
R
eady or not, warm weather is here! If it feels too soon to step out in tank tops, shorts and skirts, take a few baby steps in fashionable footwear first. Flash a little ankle in a stylish flat, show a few pedicured nails in a peep-toe heel, or even bare all with a strappy sandal. It’s time to send your winter boots walking and slip on some of spring’s fresh styles. Scan a few of the season’s hottest trends—which includes mega platforms, modernized wedges and espadrilles, metallics and buckles, bright colors, florals and prints, and TOMS (which still gives a new pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair purchased)—courtesy of local shops Box Turtle, Clinton Store, Shoe Connection and Solemates.
FOR THE MINI FASHIONISTA!
Cocobelle handmade ivory beaded thong sandals, $92
Melissa Bed/Stu Cobbler Tan Burnished platform, $123
Cocobelle Biasa handmade turquoise sandal, $53
TOMS Ballet Flat Burlap, $79
TOMS Brown Gisele, $79
TOMS Black Freetown, $54
Soda Effect-S Peacock Feather criss-cross wedge, $34.90
Fahrenheit Ivanka striped slingback wedge in black, $49.90
Not Rated Treky tan platform, $49.90
CL by Laundry flowery cork wedge, $52
Sergio Zelcer burlap and black patent leather sling-back pump, $189
Sergio Zelcer leopard and leather pump, $179
TOMS Lina Wedge with Brazil weave, $69
CLINTON STORE
TOMS Natural Crochet flat, $58
SHOE CONNECTION
2 Lips Too’s Too Desire platform wedge in orange, $64.90
SOLEMATES
Toms Tiny printed classic, $29 at Box Turtle Vaneli champagne ballet flat, $112
hearsay ➥ Weddings, birthdays and babies, oh my! Your new go-to spot for gift-buying recently opened in the Heights next to WordsWorth Books & Co. The gift boutique MILK & HONEY, owned by Regina Fruchey, boasts a varied inventory that includes adorable pet accessories, Razorback home décor, bright travel cases from Buckhead Betties, precious rompers for tykes and hand-poured candles. Drop by their location at 5916 ‘R’ St. from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat. ➥ Get outdoors and enjoy National Kite Month at PREMIER HEALTH & REHABILITATION’S GO FLY A KITE FESTIVAL on March 23 from 2-5 p.m. The center will serve up grub from the grill, while attendees practice their kitesoaring skills. Those who don’t have a flyer can borrow one, but those who bring their own can enter to win a prize for best kite. Festival will be held at Premier Health & Rehabilitation, 3600 Richards Rd. in North Little Rock. 36
MARCH 21, 2012
ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO ARKANSAS TIMES
➥ The funky fashion from artist-haven Eureka Springs saunters into Little Rock for two days at CANTRELL GALLERY. Mark Hughes will display his one-of-akind articles during the REGALIA HANDMADE CLOTHING TRUNK SHOW at a special preview party from 6-8 p.m. March 23 and the trunk show from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. March 24. The designer makes flowy pieces cut from colorful linen and bold-patterned vintage fabrics. Hughes also created a trio of looks inspired by The Rep’s current production of “The Wiz,” which can be seen in the theater’s lobby. ➥ Hop on down down to Hot Springs and learn a few cookie-decorating tips at the CULINARY DISTRICT. Pastry chef Cathy Kincaid will teach the sweet workshop at 1 p.m. on March 24, sharing from her experience at Blue Cake Company. The Easter-themed class will focus on ideal recipes for cutting out dough, using rolled butter cream and poured fondant, and more.
Margie’s Corner
Trend report: nails Now that you’ve got the cutest kicks of the season, splash up your regular mani-pedi with one of spring and summers’ hot nail trends. From fun prints to bright colors, here are three ideas to try right now. DON’T BE AFRAID of going bright…to the extreme. Slick on the brightest blue, lilac, lime green, teal and orange shades. Several of our favorite nail technicians, including Jennifer Ho of Nail Paradise, mentioned OPI’s new line full of crazy hues, the Holland collection. Cyrena Smith at Fringe Benefits, echoes the eye-popping color trend. “The bright fuchsia, pinks, blues and oranges—it’s like the 80s in 2012,” Smith says. “The more depressed our economy gets, the brighter our colors get.” DO SOMETHING totally off the wall. Smith says that her customers are asking for glitter, bolder nail shapes (sharp points, for one), painting every other finger a color and more. One trend that ran its course last year: shatter, or crackle, nails. Instead, those looking for funky styles are choosing printed stick-ons and overlays that come in everything from spider web to cheetah print. “With plas-
Custom Shirts Embroidery Childrens Shoes Custom Hair Bows Custom Easter Baskets! Order Today!
Locally made LcB Nail Lacquer unveils three new colors for spring.
tic overlays, you can do them yourself or we have them here at the salon. It gives you a fun option without having to get airbrush on your nails,” says Smith of the options at Fringe Benefits. CHOOSE A HEALTHY POLISH. LaKhiva Blann launched LcB Nail Lacquer in February 2011, a no-fragrance line of gorgeous shades free of Dibutyl Phthalate, toluene and formaldehyde. This spring, Blann is adding three softer colors to the original collection of rich hues. Lulu is light lavender, Queen B is bright yellow and Social Buttafly is a greenish turquoise, all of which were inspired by “brightening up attitudes,” says Blann. And of course, “getting out and about, going to the beach and just feeling fabulous.” Find LcB at local stores like Box Turtle, Drug Emporium and Jeante’.
Located Within 11525 Cantrell Road Pleasant Ridge Town Center 501.716.2960
The perfect shorts! Also Available in Other Colors
2616 Kavanaugh Blvd. • Little Rock 501.661.1167 www.shopboxturtle.com
Spring colors ripe for picking! Buffy Lulianna Natural/Multi
$74.90
Alexy Ivory
$94.90
$34.90
$44.90
Ranch Black
$54.90
GRAB THOSE PEEP-TOES
We’re going to make those prancers pretty! Papaya Stripe Navy
$84.90
KIDS Sing Out Loud Tan
KIDS
Booster
$36.90 Atchison Black
$99.90
Buy Any Pedicure And Receive One
FREE For You Or A Friend! Services Purchased Do Not Expire, Not Vaild For Purchase With Gift Certificates Or Points
CALL THE SPA AT 868-8345 ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO ARKANSAS TIMES
MARCH 21, 2012
37
Socialists
I
t was good to see one of the presidential candidates — the one named Stephen Colbert — disclosing last week that Daylight Saving Time is traceable to an old Socialist plot to take over the world. I’ve always thought there was something fishy about this governmentmandated monkeying around with our clocks, and it’s no surprise to learn that the Socialists are at the bottom of it. They’re at the bottom of just about everything nefarious these days — or everything nefarious that’s non-Islamic. They have a foot in all our doors, a finger in all our pies. Most of our institutions are fronts for them, or are manipulated by them. They don’t deny any of this, don’t try to hide it, don’t try to hide their program or their influence, yet somehow they remain an elusive, sinister bunch, like the old Bavarian Illuminati or the Rosicrucians or the Sons of the Pioneers. Or like the modern-day virus-like Murdoch menace, which, though very visible is somehow spookily opaque. You know the Socialists are up to no good, but you’re never sure exactly what the no good is that they’re up to. Their scheme is just too complicated and multi-faceted for small minds like
mine to follow. I could ask Newt Gingrich, but don’t think I will. I could dig out some of the old Glenn Beck BOB tapes where he LANCASTER traced the Socialist machinations by way of crazy showers of blackboard arrows — but no. I do sense, though, that an awful lot of innocent-seeming contemporary mischief is the result of old Socialists pulling some even older strings. Another favorite example of Socialism-in-action is fluoridation. Socialism slew Mr. Tooth Decay as stealthily and ignominiously as Stalin did Leon Trotsky, but while a few lonely conservatives tried for decades to sound the alarm that entire generations were in danger of being deprived of the age-old pleasure of having all their teeth rot and fall out, the Socialists allied with the big-name toothpaste-makers and the Council of Dental Therapeutics of the American Dental Association and furtively went about duping small towns, large towns, and ignorant water-conservation districts into poisoning the precious fluids they were supposed to be safeguarding.
Another Socialist yore monster was unbound with the enactment of Obamacare. As you know, a key feature of O-Care is the creation of the death panels that are even now busy deciding whether it’s your granny with Alzheimer’s or my granny with dementia — or both of them — due to be recycled as soylent green. The Socialists thrashed the death-panel opponents so soundly on this issue that death panels were ridiculed from the discourse. Sarah Palin just sort of slank back into the scrimshaw, and all you’ve got left in the way of opposition are these goofy Republican presidential aspirants and archeological traces of a hustings dipwad eruption known mysteriously as Tee Parity or some toilet paper or Indian tipi variant. So the Socialists have you in their clutches in your superannuation, but their real ambition is to control you all the way back, through your dronage and youth and infancy, to your debut as a rascal twink in a sanctimonious progenitor’s eye. Understand that, and you’ll not be astonished that it was Socialists who developed modern effective contraceptives, and Socialist stooges who steered them to FDA approval, and Socialist lackeys who summoned up incubi and succubi like C. Everett Koop and Joycelyn Elders to whoop them into promiscuous usage. Rick Santorum and the bishops are
just now coming to realize what a catastrophe easily accessible birth control has been to traditional American values, 50 years too late. So they’ve got their hooks in you from pre-cradle to grave. And that’s not all they’ve got into you. I’ve been reading about this pink slime, for instance. Wondering how in God’s name a product so gross and horrible could’ve become a staple in the generality’s daily diet without a hurricane of protest and an ocean of upchuck resulting? Answer: The Socialists did it. In their usual insidious manner. Stuff like that, they just know how to git-r-done. They got pink slime in your burgers and corn in your gasoline. They got rid of good-tasting tomatoes and replaced them with tomatoes only good for throwing. They got soybeans put in place of anything and everything that used to taste good. They’ll get socialized medicine fully socialized here sooner or later, just hide and watch. They’ll resurrect the social gospel, focused on making this world better than on getting to the next one unscorched. I don’t know if they’re associated with social diseases, or the social insects, or social science, or social networking, or social security, or social work, or the Quakers — but I wouldn’t bet ag’in ’em. Whatever it is, you can blame it on the Socialists and not be far wrong.
ARKANSAS TIMES CLASSIFIEDS Employment
Adoption & Services
Legal Notices
Miscellaneous
Paid In Advance! Make $1,000 a Week mailing brochures from home! Guaranteed Income! FREE Supplies! No experience required. Start Immediately! www.homemailerprogram.net (AAN CAN)
PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOPTION? Talk with caring agency specializing in matching Birthmothers with Families nationwide. LIVING EXPENSES PAID. Call 24/7 Abby’s One True Gift Adoptions 866-413-6293 (Void in Illinois) (AAN CAN)
NOTICE OF Filing Application For Retail Beer Permit off Premises Notice is hereby given that the undersigned has filed an application with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division of the State of Arkansas for a permit to sell beer at retail from the premises described as: 8801 Geyer Spring Rd Little Rock AR, Pulaski Said application was filed on March 8, 2012. the undersigned state that he/she is resident of Arkansas, of good moral character; that he/ she never been convicted of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude; that no license to sell alcoholic beverages by the undersigned moral has been revoked within five (5) years last past; and, that the undersigned has never been convicted of violating the law of this State, or any other State, relative to the sale of controlled beverages. Name of applicant: Larry Wayne Cranford for: Foodwise Geyer Springs.
MEET local SINGLES in YOUR area! Women receive a FREE lifetime membership! Gentlemen receive FREE 30 min trial. Fall in love OR FLIRT NOW 800-295-0972
EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! Call our live operators now! 1-800405-7619 EXT 2450 EARN $400 WEEKLY! Assemble products from home. For FREE information send SASE: Home Assembly-ARA, P.O. Box 450 New Britain, CT 06050-0450 HELP WANTED!!! Make money Mailing brouchures from home! FREE Supplies! Helping HomeWorkers since 2001! Genuine Opportunity! No experience required. Start Immediately! www. theworkhub.net (AAN CAN)
Adoption & Services
Adopt
Home full of LOVE, laughter, music, dancing, caring teacher, family all await 1st miracle baby. Expenses paid. 1-800-362-7842 • Clarice
❤❤❤❤❤❤ 38
MARCH 21, 2012
Legal Notices
NOTICE OF FILING APPLICATION FOR PERMIT TO SELL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES FOR CONSUMPTION ON THE PREMISES. Notice is hereby given that the undersigned has filed an application with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division of the State of Arkansas for a permit to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises described as: 11601 Pleasant Ridge Rd Suite 300. Little Rock AR 72212. Said application was filed on March 12, 2012. the undersigned state that he/she is resident of Arkansas, of good moral character; that he/ she never been convicted of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude; that no license to sell alcoholic beverages by the undersigned has been revoked within five (5) years last past; and, that the undersigned has never been convicted of violating the law of this State, or any other State, relative to the sale of controlled beverages. Name of applicant: Jose Guadalupe Perez with SC HWY 10 COMPANY INC dba: Santo Coyote Tequila Bar
ARKANSAS TIMES
38 March 21, 2012 ARKANSAS TIMES
Automotive CASH FOR CARS: Any Car/Truck. Running or Not! Top Dollar Paid. We Come To You! Call For Instant Offer: 1-888-420-3808 www.cash4car. com
Classes/Workshops NOW ENROLLING: Equine Sports Massage Certification course, April 18-21 in Romance, AR. For info or to enroll, visit www. ne.indianaequinemassage.com or call our Instructor, Connie; 260701-5683.
Find Us On Facebook www.facebook.com/arkansastimes
arkansas times
p! a Che rtising
ve d A
Advertise Your events, businesses or services
here
Call to find out how.
375-2985
Rodan+Fields Dermatologists is seeking 3 to 5 entrepreneurs/team builders/leaders to join our team as Independent Consultants in Arkansas. R+F is the new ground level, direct selling company by the creators of ProActiv and offers anti-age and other skin care solutions.
FLIPSIDE
Maternity Special
For more inFo, call Jeanie Berna at 501-551-4703.
STUDIO1 P
H
O
T
O
G
R
Traditional Chinese Medicine for the Treatment of Food Allergies
Are you allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, fish or shellfish?
For more information, please call:
Lynn at (501)364-1726 Arkansas Children’s Hospital
1 Children’s Way. Little Rock, AR 72202 Stacie Jones, MD, Principal Investigator
Macximize Learn to get more from your Mac at home or office.
• Aid in choosing the right Mac for you and your budget • iMac, MacBook, iPad, iPhone • Troubleshooting • Wireless internet & backup
• Data Recovery • Hardware Installs • Hard drive installation & memory expansion • Organize photos, music, movies & email
P
H
Y
MOVING TO MAC
cindy@movingtomac.com • 501-681-5855
baby’s first year package or
Free prints and
additional studio
501.650.1806 www.studio-1-photo.com
time with
maternity package
HUG-MAN JODY “GIMME A HUG” LUV
HUG-MAN
Playing The Best In Gospel Music Every Tuesday Mornings 6-9 AM Play “GET THAT GAS”
LISTEN AT 7:10 AM....BE MY NUMBER 8 CALLER KNOW THE PHRASE THAT PAYS.... "I WANNA RIDE, BUT I NEED SOME GAS" ANSWER THE QUESTION OF THE DAY "BAM" YOU JUST WON!! A $25 GAS CARD
THE LUV!! TRAIN ON KABF 88.3 FM! Little Rock’s Premier Designated Driver Service We drive you AND your car home!
3rd Annual Saturday, May 5th 4:00-7:30 PM
Lake Willastein Park • Maumelle
Maumelle lions club
fish fry
Co-hosted by Maumelle Parks and recreation
Young’s catfish • Chicken Strips • all the trimmings • live music all proceeds benefit arkansas school for the Blind and visually impaired
Call Cindy Greene - Satisfaction Always Guaranteed
www.movingtomac.com
session with
WIN!! $25 FREE!! GAS CARDS
Food Allergy?
Arkansas Children’s Hospital is currently enrolling volunteers 12-45 years of age for a nine month research study that will determine the effectiveness of Chinese herbs for the treatment of food allergy. All study related visits and laboratory test are provided at no cost. Compensation will be provided.
A
Call for details
Free maternity
501-765-LRDD(5733)
www.bumblebeetransportation.com
For tickets call Fred Peyton 993-5810 or Larry Coy 650-1128
It’s happening right now on Arkansas Blog www.arktimes.com www.arktimes.com March 21, 2012 39
from Here
Retirement looks good
“
WE HAVE IT ALL... fun people, gourmet food and activities! – Beth Ward
” “
Woodland Heights is a special place for people in their later years. It’s a place where a hundred or so retired people live together in a healthy, happy environment; a place where friendships abound and friendliness is everywhere. It’s a place where the food is delicious and nutritious. Living at Woodland Heights has been an unexpectedly happy period of our lives. We participate in many very enjoyable social activities everyday, including exercise programs, water aerobics and others. In a nutshell, Woodland Heights is a wonderful place to live, to be healthy, happy, and live independently and feel good about the closing years of your life. It’s much better than you ever dreamed it could be. – Kathryn & Roger Bost & “Honey”
”
8700 Riley Road
|
Little Rock
|
WOODLAND H E IG H TS
Call Christy Tucker to schedule your tour today! 501.224.4242
B
reathtaking views of the surrounding hills, deluxe modern amenities and more – the
luxurious high-rise residences of Woodland Heights take retirement living to a whole new level. Tucked away in the serenity of nature yet only minutes from the bustle of the city, you’ll love life from our point of view.
woodlandheightsllc.com