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CITIZEN OSBORNE Searching for Rosebud at the estate auction of Jennings Osborne. BY DAVID KOON PAGE 12

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VOLUME 38, NUMBER 41 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.

Life in Arkansas is unique. That’s one of the reasons why we love it here – and why we have no desire to go anywhere else. We’ve done a lot of growing in our past 80 years, and we’re glad it’s all been inside our borders. It’s how our family-owned bank likes doing business. And our customers seem to think it’s one of the many reasons why banking with us is better. Member FDIC

Bank Better. fsbank.com www.arktimes.com

JUNE 13, 2012

COMMENT

Dodging the bullet The recent natural gas study released by the University of Arkansas for the Arkansas Chamber of Commerce shows only the positive side of the equation without counter balancing the minuses. With natural gas market prices only a third to a half of production costs, overextended companies are compelled to keep drilling anyway, adding to an already existing glut, to keep undeveloped, aging leases from expiring. Everyone needs to keep on a happy face so that investors do not get spooked and foreign capital from lease sales continues to bail out the cash-strapped exploration and production (E&P) companies. Shale gas well production drops rapidly after the first three years. The decline requires more new wells just to maintain production. Having developed the “hot spots” first, wells drilled in the remaining reserves will be less productive. Balance what Arkansas’s gas cheerleaders say with what investment analysts see regarding the health of this industry and you will hear a very different story. Many are concerned about an industry that has over-expanded by risking another economic bubble. The price of gas must and will increase if E & P companies are to continue. Will vehicle fleet conversions to CNG and power plant use of natural gas be a wise economic move when this happens? How much of the profit is flowing out of Arkansas and the U.S.? Has production of the Fayetteville Shale peaked? Gas profits helped Arkansas dodge the recession bullet. Watch out for the ricochet. Joyce E. Hale Fayetteville

Canoeists don’t mar Buffalo In Jay Barth’s column about the 40th anniversary of the Buffalo National River (“Remembering why the Buffalo flows”), he noted that someone said that canoeists’ trash mars the scenery. I have canoed the Buffalo River (and also the Current River in Missouri) and I have a real problem with the statement that the canoeists are trashing the river. I have guests who come from out of state, and we have canoed the river and picked up trash that someone else threw out. The canoe outfitters furnish everyone that rents a canoe with mesh bags and all along the river there are receptacles for trash. I have noticed that where back roads access the river is where all the trash appears. Why would someone drive 200 miles 4

JUNE 13, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

to a special place to canoe just to dump their trash? I have heard this story too many times, and it’s just the same old disgruntled negative attitude. I am an “outsider” who has lived here for 21 years and this is my observation: Canoeists and hikers do not trash out their place of recreation. I have also observed that the Park Service has not always been a good neighbor. They have not gone out of the way to cultivate a good relationship with local people. Tom Mayfield Snowball

Too much Womack Just recently, I canceled my subscription to Rep. Steve Womack’s weekly newsletter, “From the Front.” Despite the fact that his beliefs are in direct conflict with mine, I signed up to receive Mr. Womack’s newsletters because he was the one Arkansas congressman who went out of his way to be accessible to his constituents. He responded to every one of my appeals. He sincerely believes in what he is doing and does not take his position for granted,

Save Your Money. Save ur Water.

which is quite refreshing these days. But his fervent worship at the altar of the military-industrial complex has become too much for me to stomach. In almost every newsletter his schedule included a visit to some local high school or event spurring kids on to join the military or congratulating them for doing so. The last straw was his e-mail waxing ecstatic about being appointed to some obscure post at West Point Military Academy. Womack’s blind devotion to an institution whose primary purpose is to kill and destroy, and his efforts to recruit kids into becoming cannon fodder for the furtherance of this institution, is not OK. It’s morally repugnant. Brad Bailey Fayetteville

Everyone should donate I have been surprised to find out that many folks are not aware of the $50 tax credit — a credit off the bottom line of your tax bill, not a deduction from taxable income — that can be received by donating $50 or more to an Arkansas candidate running for local or state office. Federal election candidates are not eligible, but Arkansas-based PACs are eligible. If the dictum “all politics is local” is true, this is an excellent opportunity for everyone to get involved in political issues. Everyone who pays Arkansas taxes should give a donation to a campaign. Jay Sims Little Rock

Repeal ordinance

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Central arkansas Water partnered with the University of arkansas research and extension Service to assist consumers with tips to save money by reducing outdoor water consumption through the Sprinkler Smart Program. households in Pulaski County can learn how to adjust their sprinkler system properly, the best times and how much to water, and what type of landscaping is best for your yard. To learn more about the Sprinkler Smart Program, visit carkw.com or contact your county extension agent, Mark Brown at 501.340.6650 or mbrown@uaex.edu.

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The ordinance in Little Rock requiring limo and sedan operators to charge a minimum of $100 for limos and $30 for sedans/SUVs is wrong. The law gives taxi companies favoritism in order for them to have higher profits compared to their limo counterparts, which hurts customer choices and services available. The law is an attack on free expression because both parties involved can’t make choices on prices as well as services offered. This law is the extension of crony capitalism instead of free markets determining prices and services offered as well as an infringement on constitutional rights. It should be repealed. Bill Miller Las Vegas

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. We also accept faxes at 375-3623. Please include name and hometown.

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JUNE 13, 2012

5/16/12 6:21 PM

EDITORIAL

EYE ON ARKANSAS

Total war

Also militant

nd speaking of war, how about those people who want to get rid of the First Amendment? A report on their rally at the state Capitol last week showed they’ve gone past angry words and started waving their fists in the air. They may be brandishing guns before long, their priests working them into a state. According to a dispatch in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, a Baptist preacher demonstrated the superiority of the closed fist to the open fingers — for hitting purposes, that is — and state Sen. Missy (“Fighting Missy”) Irvin returned to the message later, leading the crowd in poking fists skyward. A few days earlier, in Peoria, Ill., a Catholic bishop preached a sermon comparing President Obama to Hitler and Stalin, and said that to protect his faith he wanted to recruit a “fearless army of Catholic men ready to give everything we have for the Lord.” At Little Rock, a former congressional candidate promised that “We will push back” if the government demands observance of the constitutional separation of church and state. There was more along the same line, from more people who believe that members of select churches shouldn’t have to follow the same rules that other Americans do. In this case, their objection is to a government requirement that they include contraception in the health-care plans for their employees. If they win here, they’ll step up their demands for tax money for parochial schools, for religious tests for public officials, and on and on.

JUNE 13, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

BRIAN CHILSON

bsolutely pitiless, Republicans intensified their War on Women last week, defeating a bill that would give women a better chance of winning lawsuits against employers who pay them less than men for doing the same job. All 47 Republican senators, including John Boozman of Arkansas, voted against the concept of equal pay for equal work. Independence of thought is no more tolerated in today’s Republican Party than is any show of mercy. The Syrian dictator will let up on rebels before the Republicans let up on women. A sizeable number of the bosses who won’t pay women fairly will retaliate against them if they ask about other employees’ wages or reveal their own. The female-male pay equity bill would have ended such retaliation. It also would have increased the amount of damages awarded plaintiffs in pay-discrimination suits, and enhanced the legal burden on employers to show that pay disparities aren’t sex-based. Clearly biased against women, and determined not to admit it, Republican senators said they were really after the lawyers who might benefit from suing employers. Better that millions of women suffer injustice than that one lawyer makes some money. What must Republicans think of women lawyers? Oh wait, Rush Limbaugh’s already answered that.

PROUD PARENTS: Chelsea Clinton speaks Sunday at the Clinton Presidential Center as her parents look on. The Clintons were in town to debut an exhibit honoring Bill and Hillary Clinton’s mothers, Virginia Clinton Kelly and Dorothy Howell Rodham. The exhibit is open until Nov. 25.

Caution: voter fraud

epublicans have been raising the alarm for years about voter fraud. It’s a concern, yes. But the most worrisome fraud is ON voters, not BY them. Republicans say we need Voter ID laws to insure that a voter is who she claims to be. There’s no evidence that voter impersonation is a problem. You must provide concrete proof of ID to register. You must sign to vote. Your vote may be challenged if election officials doubt you are who you say you are. Vote fraud doesn’t happen much because it isn’t efficient. How does a potential fraudulent voter know voters are dead, or won’t be immediately in front of him in line, if he attempts to impersonate someone else? Scaling fraud up to productive levels is impossible. Bundling of dubious absentee ballots is another matter. But Voter ID laws won’t cure that. The fraud is that Voter ID laws are intended to suppress voting by constituencies that tilt Democratic — college students, the elderly, minorities. Republican leaders also oppose extended voting hours and early voting, which give working poor more opportunities to get to the polls. Fraud is a favorite red herring in politics. Propose to raise taxes and a Republican wack-a-mole will pop up shouting “fraud and abuse.” Yes, there’s waste in government, from $750 toilet seats to GSA junkets to Las Vegas, but cumulatively it’s insignificant against needs and the historically light tax burden being put on the wealthy. Fraud was on the lips of an Arkansas Republican this week, the new Republican House leader, Bruce Westerman of Hot Springs Village. Westerman is a teabagger. He believes there’s no government service or beneficiary that couldn’t benefit from a little strangling. This week, Westerman suggested to an DemocratGazette reporter that the state should investigate

fraud in ARKids, the monument to Republican Gov. Mike Huckabee that has extended health insurance to most of the children in Arkansas. Westerman has no proof of fraud. MAX Indeed, Arkansas runs one of BRANTLEY maxbrantley@arktimes.com the better programs for rooting out the ineligible. But greedy Republicans, who know the dark inclinations that lurk in their own souls, are sure people out there are scheming to find a way to get the state to pay for their kids’ insurance rather than paying themselves. Fraud is possible in any human endeavor. To get a tax deduction, people lie about how much money they give to their churches. But it doesn’t mean we eliminate the tax deduction for honest people to punish the cheats. Fraud isn’t Westerman’s aim. His game is slashing spending on ARKids and other services for the working poor. The cutoff for participation — $46,100 for a family of four — is too high, he says. How low is too low? Westerman doesn’t say. I suspect the depth of the cut depends on how much money Westerman and his Republican pals have to raise to pay for an income tax cut (if the Kansas model is followed, it would primarily benefit the wealthy). They’ll worry later about the long-term cost of giving up cheap early medical screening and treatment for expensive future problems. Republican politicians have never been clearer that they want to slash taxes, slash government environmental regulation and slash government programs on which a poor state depends. Many voters seem to believe a return to feudalism will be good for them. I still think the day will come — though I may not live to see it — that those voters will say it wasn’t they who cast those votes in 2012, it was a horde of impostors.

OPINION

GOP forgets Obama role in state surplus

ho is more out of touch with economic reality, the reigning leadership of the national Republican Party or the neophyte version in the rising Arkansas GOP? It is a hard question. They shun reality from different directions, but to make their stories believable both depend on voters having short memories. The national party message for three years has been that President Obama caused ballooning deficits and static employment and it calls for more tax cuts for the well-to-do and corporations and less economic regulation, which were exactly the things that produced surging budget deficits and a comatose employment economy 10 years ago and the financial collapse in 2008. But the Arkansas economy has seemed to sputter along at a little better pace than the nation as a whole; at least the state government is solvent and the unemployment rate is lower than the rates of a few nearby states and the national average. Last week, the state’s fiscal agency revealed that the state’s general revenues for the first 11 months of the fiscal

year exceeded the forecasts and that the state is liable to end fiscal 2012 with a little surplus of $57 million ERNEST and maybe more. DUMAS The man in charge, Mike Beebe, is a Democrat, which makes it hard to get much political traction from the situation. So Republican leaders produced this explanation: Bountiful tax collections and an impending surplus mean that Beebe was wrong last year to object to the tax breaks the legislators insisted on giving to favored businesses on the premise that they would impair the state budget. We should have cut even more taxes because the budget could have stood it, they said, and next year when the legislature reconvenes they intend to cut income taxes, particularly taxes on investment profits, since evidence suggests it will not cause a reduction in services. Short memories again. The state’s fiscal condition is not nearly as wholesome as the balanced bud-

Obama’s realpolitik drone strategy

here’s a definite Catch-22 aspect to the presidency. Anybody crazy enough to want the job probably shouldn’t be allowed to have it. That said, anybody who thought Barack Obama was going to deal with terrorists by sending flowers and proposing group therapy is certainly naive enough to work for the Nobel Peace Prize committee. Sweet reason never works with religious fanatics. When candidate Obama criticized the Bush administration’s “false choice between our safety and our ideals” in 2008, he was mainly talking about torture and Guantanamo. The notorious concentration camp remains open because President Obama ducked a confrontation with congressional Republicans determined to portray him as soft on terror. Easy on al Qaeda, however, this president is not. See, it turns out that there’s a paradoxical aspect to disengaging from Iraq and Afghanistan too. A recent front page story in The New York Times about Obama’s personally selecting targets for drone strikes in Yemen and Pakistan puts it this way: “War is a messy business, and his actions show that pursuing an enemy

unbound by rules has required moral, legal and practical trade-offs that his speeches did not envision.” GENE Maybe not. LYONS But then with the famous exception of Winston Churchill on warning Britain on the eve of Dunkirk that he had “nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat,” politicians’ speeches almost never do. Based upon interviews with three dozen current and former White House aides, The Times depicts the president as a cool realist who “approves lethal action without hand-wringing,” using his “lawyering skills … to enable, not constrain, his ferocious campaign against Al Qaeda — even when it comes to killing an American cleric [Anwar al-Awlaki] in Yemen, a decision that Mr. Obama told colleagues was ‘an easy one.’ ” Obama appears to have concluded what any bloody-minded pragmatist would: That a second mass casualty terrorist strike against the U.S. would not

get and surplus suggest. One reason for the comfortable budget and surplus is that Governor Beebe (and the Democraticcontrolled legislature) have adopted budgets since he took office in 2007 that were based on the most dismal economic forecasts for each year. Twenty years in the state Senate under Governors Clinton and Huckabee taught him the consequences of following optimistic forecasts — midyear spending cuts and layoffs or, in the case of Huckabee, tax increases. But the bigger explanation for Arkansas’s fiscal health, or the appearance of it, is the American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 — yes, the Obama stimulus program so reviled by Republicans and conservatives generally. Were it not for the stimulus, Arkansas would have no surplus this year and it would have faced huge cuts in services or else higher taxes for the past three years. That is not a hunch or even an analysis. It is a fact. When it reconvenes in January, the legislature and its Republican cohort, whether it is a majority or minority, will confront that fact head on. The legislature will have to find hundreds of millions of dollars for the next biennium to continue health and custodial services to people in nursing homes and 500,000 children of low-income families who receive medical care each year or else curtail them. It is easy to calculate how the surplus

occurred. The stimulus act raised the federal share of Medicaid costs for Arkansas, relieving the state’s spending on the program for two years, until 2011. Federal stimulus aid bolstered the Arkansas budget by $753 million over that time. That is $753 million that the state — Arkansas taxpayers — would have shouldered if there had been no stimulus program. That eliminates the $57 million surplus and reflects an actual deficit of almost $700 million since the 2010 fiscal year began in July 2009. By law we cannot by run a deficit, so the state would have had to cut $700 million somewhere — from Medicaid, public schools, colleges, prisons or from scores of small agency budgets, forestry for example. When the stimulus aid for Medicaid was exhausted last year, the state had to start spending more general revenues and the Medicaid Trust Fund, the proceeds of the soft-drink tax. The state is now spending up the trust fund, which had built up for two years while stimulus aid supplanted it. The trust fund will be exhausted as the state enters fiscal year 2014, so until then we will continue to feel the direct benefit of the stimulus. The stimulus is a wonderful thing for legislators. They can rage about the wasteful spending that ran up the federal deficit. Privately, they can be thankful it saved their tails.

only lead to innocent deaths, but change the nation’s politics profoundly. Think how 9/11 sent the Bush administration blundering into Iraq. Thus, “surgical” drone attacks, eviscerating al Qaeda’s leadership even as ground troops exit Muslim countries. Aides helpfully told The Times that as a student of Augustine and Thomas Aquinas, Obama believes it’s his duty to assume direct personal responsibility — moral, military and political. The feebleness of his critics makes that doubly clear. Sen. John McCain complains that the purpose of White House leaks is to “enhance President Obama’s image as a tough guy for the elections.” Um, yes. And your point, senator? The libertarian left, in the person of Salon’s influential Glenn Greenwald, objects to “access journalism” in which reporters help “government officials to propagandize the citizenry … from behind the protective shield of anonymity.” I counted 14 high-ranking named sources in the article. They included John Brennan, the 25-year CIA veteran who’s Obama’s go-to guy on al Qaeda. “The purpose of these actions is to mitigate threats to U.S. persons’ lives,” Brennan said. “It is the option of last recourse. So the president, and I think all of us here,

don’t like the fact that people have to die. And so he wants to make sure that we go through a rigorous checklist: The infeasibility of capture, the certainty of the intelligence base, the imminence of the threat, all of these things.” Writing in The Guardian, Greenwald accuses The Times of omitting “any discussion of many of the most controversial aspects of Obama’s policies … the number of civilian deaths caused by Obama’s drone strikes, and the way those drone attacks have strengthened al-Qaida by increasing anti-American hatred.” Troubling, if true. Alas, none of these allegations survives even a cursory reading of Jo Becker and Scott Shane’s 6,000word epic. The authors quote Cameron P. Munter, Obama’s ambassador to Pakistan, complaining “he didn’t realize his main job was to kill people.” “Drones,” they write, “have replaced Guantanamo as the recruiting tool of choice for militants; in his 2010 guilty plea, Faisal Shahzad, who had tried to set off a car bomb in Times Square, justified targeting civilians by telling the judge, ‘When the drones hit, they don’t see children.’ ” Longer term Obama’s actions could obviously cause unintended bad consequences. Right now, however, realworld alternatives seem in perishingly short supply. www.arktimes.com

JUNE 13, 2012

W O RDS

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“It’s worth noting that Forbes caught quite a bit of flack because its article posted numerous incorrect population figures for the various cities when compared with the latest Census counts.” Old-time copy editors insisted that flak was the word that means “criticism; hostile reaction.” Flak originally was World War II slang for anti-aircraft fire, derived, according to Paul Dickson’s “War Slang,” from “the German Fliegerabwehrkanone (a gun used to drive off aircraft).” By extension, flak came to mean verbal enemy fire too. Random House more or less agrees with Dickson on the origin of flak, but it also says that flack is now an acceptable alternate spelling. Flack originally was a “sometimes disparaging” slang term for a publicist, a PR man. The same copy editors who insisted on the flak spelling for “abuse” were scornful of flacks, largely because the flacks made more money than the editors. Random House says that flack dates from 1935-40 — making it the same age as flak — and is “said to be after Gene Flack, a movie publicity agent.” A news magazine reported that an actor slapped a Ukrainian journalist who’d tried to kiss him and then said

“He’s lucky I didn’t sucker punch him.” A drama review in the same issue said: “High-concept versions DOUG of Shakespeare SMITH dougsmith@arktimes.com don’t always succeed, but once this one gets rolling, you’ll feel it like a sucker punch.” As every storm became a firestorm, and every start a jump start, it now seems that every punch is becoming a sucker punch. That term used to be applied exclusively to a sneak attack, a punch thrown while the other party was unsuspecting, maybe even reaching out to shake hands. Now, even a punch thrown in heated battle might be called a sucker punch, and the term seems to refer to severity as much as surprise. The on-line Urban Dictionary says that a sucker punch “primarily involves a closed fist contacting the soft underbelly of a person (beneath the rib cage) at a high velocity, causing the ensuing force to press upward on the victim’s diaphragm, leading to a sudden expulsion of air from the victim’s mouth and lungs. This opening blow leaves the victim open to various other attacks …”

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ARKANSAS TIMES

A MOMENTOUS JUDICIAL DECISION. Federal Judge Robert Dawson struck down a state law that bars interdistrict public school transfers based on race. Specifically, the law prevents a student transfer to a district with a greater percentage of students of the transferring student’s race. The case arose in Malvern, where whites were seeking to transfer to the virtually allwhite Magnet Cove, a move prohibited by a 1989 state law. Dawson seemed to hold the door open to a consideration of race, but said it couldn’t be the sole determinant, and he refused to approve a transfer for the families seeking them. Invalidation of the entire law brings into question the 15,600 students, about three-fourths of whom are white, currently attending school outside their districts. ENDORSEMENTS OF THE ETHICS CAMPAIGN. The Better Ethics Now Committee announced that former Lt. Gov. Bill Halter and Lisenne Rock-

efeller, widow of Lt. Gov. Winthrop Paul Rockefeller, had joined the bipartisan committee to help the drive to get the Regnat Populus 2012 ethics initiative on the ballot. Others who’ve added their support: Democratic Party Chair Will Bond, Republican Party Chair Doyle Webb, Rep. Jim Nickels, Sen. Gene Jeffress. Still, getting 63,000 signatures of registered voters by July 6 will be an uphill battle.

It was a bad week for… DREAMLAND ACADEMY. The Board declined to renew the charter for the 300-student charter school on Geyer Springs. Its scores are near the bottom in the state, but deficiencies were noted operationally as well. The school pleaded that it started with the most at-risk students and had done well given the difficulties it faced. But Education Director Tom Kimbrell said an audit by outsiders of the school had been “troubling.” The Board voted without dissent not to renew the charter, which expires June 30. LITTLE ROCK FOODIES. Lee Richardson, the acclaimed executive chef at the Capital Hotel, has left the hotel. He was a regional finalist in the annual James Beard competition for the country’s top chefs. His leadership made the Capital Hotel a culinary destination. More on page 40.

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THE OBSERVER NOTES ON THE PASSING SCENE

Hazy, good times BACK WHEN THE OBSERVER was a

pup, new in Little Rock and working a real job for the first time, I lived in the second floor of an old brick house near MacArthur Park with a pair of roommates who lit out for bigger cities long ago. Our rent was cheap. Aside from the day we moved in and the day we left, our kitchen was never clean. Every time we had a party, a leg from our coffee table gave way. It was a good time. A time, I recalled last weekend at the wedding of one of the old roommates, that lives on in my mind as the hazy halcyon days. Which is to say, I can’t remember that era with much specificity, but it gives me a warm feeling. Some of the fuzziness is a product of the passage of time; it’s been a decade. Some might have to do with our lifestyle at the time. We went to a bar or had people over to our house Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Just like the Baptists, we needed a couple of days of weekly ritual in between. On Wednesday, your trusty scribe hosted a radio show, a recuperative soundtrack for the house and friends across the city, where I tried to never play the same song twice. On Sunday, we’d eat our breakfast on the porch and watch the Latino congregants eat mangoes on sticks after mass at St. Edward’s Catholic Church. Other blips of memory: one roommate, the one who recently got married, wearing the same purple tuxedo shirt every time we had a dance party and always dancing in front of the mirror; our furniture flying off the second floor porch (Why? To what end? I can’t remember); a jilted flame of the other roommate riding her bike into one of the duck ponds at MacArthur Park in an attempt to get his attention. The roommate who recently got married was the house mascot. People came to our house and later became enduring friends with The Observer because of him. He was mostly known for the loud times. The impromptu sing-alongs. The dancing. Surely he was responsible for throwing our furniture off the porch. But, as

I said in a toast at his wedding, he was exceptionally good at the quiet times, too. My fondest, if still vague, memories of that time involve sitting around and talking about things that don’t matter. I used that line at the wedding, too, and another friend called out, “But they do matter!” Which of course is true. SPEAKING OF OUR FRIEND, befitting

a person good at both the loud and quiet times, he threw a monster of a wedding in New Orleans. The wedding party, or at least all those aside from the bride, walked down the aisle to a mournful, achingly beautiful acoustic rendition of “All My Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down).” The groom and the officiate, both writers, put together the vows with input from the bride. Our favorites: “Will you promise to always cook with salt, but never too much?” “We will.” “And whoever doesn’t cook, does the dishes?” “Right.” “Knowing that D. will play too much fantasy baseball and G. will watch too many trashy cooking shows on The Food Network, will you strive to turn foibles into avenues of admiration?” “We will.” The ceremony concluded with the groom singing an old song by Minnie Ripperton’s band Rotary Connection to the bride, then the bride singing with the groom, then the wedding party singing with the wedding couple and then all in attendance singing along. The bride played a harmony line on her trombone on the last verse. Which segued nicely into a New Orleans brass band leading the wedding in a second line of hollering and singing and dancing joyously through the Lower Garden District. Who knows what the next 10 years will bring for The Observer, but hopefully memory will save a place for a snippet of the wedding. The sound of the bass drum pounding down the street and “turn foibles into avenues of admiration” would be enough.

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Arkansas Reporter

THE

IN S IDE R

OA to create Southern restaurant, venue

The Oxford American magazine has won a $290,000 grant to transform its new headquarters on Main Street (in the space formerly occupied by Juanita’s restaurant) as a place for the arts, built around a branded restaurant featuring Southern cooking. The work includes audio and video equipment to record programs — music, video, literature — that can be distributed around the world. ArtPlace, a collaboration between national foundations and federal agencies that awarded the grant, and OA publisher Warwick Sabin envision the addition to the South Main district as part of creating a cultural destination, or “placemaking,” as the grant program terms it. The magazine was one of 47 recipients of support selected from more than 2,000 applicants. Sabin said the space, called South on Main, will offer lunch and dinner from a menu that encompasses the breadth of Southern cuisine and will host cultural programming every evening — literary readings, film screenings, concerts, theatrical performances, lectures. NPR, already a partner with the Oxford American, and PBS both want to broadcast the programming. Sabin said he’d already talked with the Clinton School on partnering on programming and planned to reach out to other organizations in the state like the King Biscuit Blues Festival and the Ozark Foothills Film Festival. “We want to retain the character of the room, but it needs some significant improvement and updating,” he said. “My hope is that we’ll take this initial grant and use it to get the space in the condition we want it to be in, so that we can open by January 2013. I’m sure we’ll need additional resources. But the grant is certainly a strong endorsement and confirmation of the worthiness of our concept. I’m optimistic that we’ll be able to attract additional support.” The Oxford American signed a five-year lease on 1300 S. Main last November. Its business offices have occupied the second floor of the building since late last year. The restaurant and venue will only use the southern half of the ground floor, the bar where Juanita’s held concerts. The former restaurant space on the ground floor will house another tenant that’s yet to be confirmed, Sabin said. CONTINUED ON PAGE 11 10

JUNE 13, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

Wants more room for sows and hens Defender of animals comes to Little Rock. BY DOUG SMITH

ayne A. Pacelle, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, is a vegetarian, unsurprisingly, but he and his agency don’t expect everyone else to give up eating meat. Many of the society’s 11 million members nationwide are meat-eaters. One can consume hamburgers and fried chicken and still oppose the cruelest practices of agribusiness, Pacelle said in a telephone interview. “We support humane and sustainable agriculture,” Pacelle said. “We want the animals to have a decent life in the run-up to slaughter. We want people to think about their food choices. If that means shunning factory-farm products, that’s important too.” Headquartered in Washington, the HSUS is the nation’s largest animal-protection organization. Among its many campaigns is one to ban the 2-foot by 7-foot gestation crates that breeding sows are kept in by some pork producers. “The sows can’t even turn around,” Pacelle said. He said that some major producers, including Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest pork producer, have announced they’re doing away with gestation crates. There’s been no such announcement from Tyson Foods, whose home office is in Springdale. The HSUS recently found gestation crates and other abusive practices at a Wyoming pig farm owned by a Tyson supplier, Pacelle said. The HSUS is asking people to urge Tyson to require better treatment for animals in its supply chain. The HSUS has helped draft legislation to protect egg-laying hens. The legislation is in the form of amendments to the farm bill that is now before Congress. HSUS and other animal-protection groups reached an agreement with the United Egg Producers, a cooperative that represents the owners of 88 percent of the nation’s egg-laying hens,

PACELLE: In Little Rock on Thursday.

on a proposal to require larger cages for the hens. Most are now kept in cages that allow only 67 square inches of space, and some are allowed only 48 square inches — roughly half the size of a sheet of standard 8 and a half by 11 paper. They can’t spread their wings. “We can have a good economy without leaving a trail of animal victims in the process,” Pacelle said. “We used to be the biggest whaling nation in the world. Now we oppose whaling as a nation. We have whale-watching boats instead. It’s a big industry.” Pacelle will be in Little Rock Thursday, June 14, for a book-signing and question-and-answer session at Barnes & Noble, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. His new book is “The Bond: Our Kinship with Animals, Our Call to Defend Them.” A thesis of the book is that “we have an intuitive inclination to be drawn to animals. It’s been a feature of human existence for all time. Today, two-thirds of American homes have pets. All 50 states have laws against animal cruelty.” In 48 of those states, including Arkansas, animal cruelty is a felony. And yet, “We live in an incredible moment of contradiction,” Pacelle said. “People say it’s not OK to be cruel, but there’s still a great amount of cruelty” — in the production of animals on factory-

farms, in the use of animals for scientific testing, in the sale of fur coats, in organized dog fighting and cock fighting, in the “captive hunts” of confined animals. “We need to figure out a way forward,” Pacelle said. “Farming used to be called animal husbandry. Husbandry involves stewardship and care. Now, some animals have become meat- and egg-producing machines.” Until asked, Pacelle did not mention zoos, which some people would like to abolish. “We are not at a no-zoo position,” he said. He said the HSUS worked with many of the 200 accredited zoos in America, while criticizing unaccredited zoos. Pacelle has been to Arkansas several times. He spoke a couple of years ago at the Clinton School, and he came in 2002 when Arkansans were considering a proposed constitutional amendment to make animal cruelty a felony. The amendment, opposed by the Arkansas Farm Bureau and other agribusiness groups, was defeated, but in 2009, the state legislature enacted a law making cruelty to dogs, cats and horses a felony. The law also made cockfighting a felony. “It’s a very good law,” Pacelle said. He said that Attorney General Dustin McDaniel “did a super job” in bringing opposing factions together.

LISTEN UP

THE

BIG PICTURE

INCONSEQUENTIAL NEWS QUIZ

Bald Knob made Comedy Central’s “Colbert Report” last week, with copious ripping on the town’s name (“... throbbing just beneath the skin of Bald Knob is an old problem”), for a story about a local pastor’s successful attempt to stifle a threat which he said could lead to vandalism, methamphetamine use, burglary and sex. What was the problem?

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

INSIDER, CONT.

MARTIN

A) A new dance called “The Pine Bluff Clutch.” B) A recent spike in the popularity of “emo” hairstyles. C) A charity bingo game for senior citizens. D) A local animal shelter’s monthly beauty contest for dogs.

COLEMAN

On fraud alert

Two men were arrested at the Lowe’s home improvement store in Fayetteville on June 7. What was their alleged offense? A) Repeatedly asking the associate in plumbing if he knew how to “lay that pipe.” B) Passing out in a floral display in the parking lot while huffing a can of keyboard duster. C) Spray painting “Mittens wuz here” on the side of a $1,300 refrigerator. D) Suggestively holding a plumb bob while smiling at a female cashier.

On June 10, a wreck was narrowly averted on the freeway ramp at 2nd and Cumberland in downtown Little Rock. What happened to almost cause the crash? A) A trained duck performing tricks at a nearby birthday party escaped and sprinted across the street. B) A large watermelon fell from the sky and smashed a driver’s windshield. C) A delivery truck’s door fell open and dumped a load of sliced pepperoni. D) A disoriented pelican landed in the roadway and refused to move.

A flyer being circulated by Bobby Tullis, Libertarian candidate for the 4th Congressional District, includes which of the following statements? A) “The only promise I will make is that I will try to get Elvis on the $100 bill.” B) “The only thing we have to fear is everything.” C) “The 4th Congressional District is not only the heart of this state, it is the spleen, the kidneys, the liver and the bowel.” D) “Barack Obama may not be from Kenya, but my opponent is from Texas, and I can prove it.”

Which of the following was NOT one of the lots up for sale at last week’s auctions of the personal effects of Little Rock philanthropist and businessman Jennings Osborne? A) A 10-ton military surplus truck with four-wheel steering. B) A giant barbecue smoker in the shape of a pig. C) A signed photograph of Burt Reynolds with the inscription: “To Jennings, the sexiest gatdamn man I ever knew.” D) A wooden barbecue grill.

When Secretary of State Mark Martin put hard-right conservative Curtis Coleman in charge of a nominally independent committee to review the office’s operation, you didn’t expect him to blister the current Republican officeholder. And the report Coleman and his committee produced did no such thing. Where problems exist, Coleman’s group tended to find them in holdover practices of past leaders of the office (Democrats all). Coleman also sounded the charge for an old favorite Republican theme, voter fraud. The allegation is a tool often used by Republicans to suppress minority voting, which tends to lean Democratic. Coleman’s report said voter fraud, “especially through the abuse of the absentee ballot,” is often suspected but rarely investigated. “Our interviews gathered anecdotal evidence regarding absentee voter irregularities that seem sufficient to indicate that voter fraud should be an active area of concentration for the secretary of state through the Elections Division.” He cited no evidence of the need. But if the office does bulk up its election fraud work, it should have a legal counsel in charge and Coleman envisioned a “rapid response” election fraud division using the Capitol police force, currently limited mostly to security duties. Law enforcement powers to be wielded in electoral politics by the secretary of state? A few other branches of government are likely to weigh in on this idea, not all favorably.

CORRECTION Last week’s cover story said Harding was the first private college in Arkansas to desegregate, in 1963. In fact, the University of the Ozarks, also a private institution, integrated in 1957.

www.arktimes.com

JUNE 13, 2012

ANSWERS: C, B, B, A, C

THE EYE O THE LADY OF THE HOUSE: Mitzi Osborne, during the auction of the houses on Cantrell Road.

JUNE 13, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

LUXURY: The Breezy Meadows Estate (left) and the Osbornes’ shower.

E OF THE NEEDLE JENNINGS OSBORNE’S WORLDLY POSSESSIONS WENT UNDER THE HAMMER LAST WEEK. THE COLLECTION OF A LIFETIME, SCATTERED TO THE WINDS.

BY DAVID KOON PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN CHILSON

“Mr. Kane was a man who got everything he wanted and then lost it. Maybe Rosebud was something he couldn’t get, or something he lost. Anyway, it wouldn’t have explained anything. I don’t think any word can explain a man’s life. No, I guess Rosebud is just a piece in a jigsaw puzzle. A missing piece.” — “Citizen Kane,” 1941

ere is the one, hard truth of life, my friend: Out there, somewhere — no matter how much money you have, or how many people you know, or how big your house or car is — the moment of your death is always winging toward you, second by second, even now, as you read this. It’s an idea that can either swallow you or set you free, depending on how you look at it. The downside is: It’s coming, and no amount of clean living is going to stop it. The upside is: Until it gets here, there’s always time. CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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JUNE 13, 2012

There is, however, a way to beat the reaper. If you give enough of yourself, if you touch enough lives and make people remember more about the good things you did than the bad, you can live on, with little pieces of your soul passed from lips to ears and lips again. Which brings us to the life of William Jennings Bryan Osborne Jr. If you’ve lived in Central Arkansas for more than even a few years, you know the name Jennings Osborne: big man of big appetites; resident of the white house with the wall around it on Cantrell Road, that once glowed red as the nose of Rudolph every Christmas until the courts stepped in and made him turn out the lights; thrower of free barbecues and fireworks displays; redneck-made-good; enthusiastic caller of the Hogs; wheeler, dealer; a man whose name — along with that of his beloved daughter Allison “Breezy” Osborne and wife Mitzi — is cast at the feet of the brass eagle whose wings stretch at the entrance of the Clinton Presidential Center. Osborne, once a millionaire 50 times over thanks to his Arkansas Research Medical Testing Center, which did some of the first human trials on drugs like Viagra and Motrin, passed away in a Little Rock hospital on July 27, 2011, from complications of heart surgery he’d had the previous April. He was 67 years old, but had lived enough by then to satisfy any three men. By the time Osborne died, thanks TWO-DIMENSIONAL: A cardboard cutout of Jennings Osborne.

UNDER COVERS: Osborne’s massive Little Rock library.

JUNE 13, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

to a deal to sell his testing company that went south and the pricy startup of a new operation called The Osborne Research Center, his estate was millions in debt. Numbers vary from source to source, but those close to him say the amount is in the realm of $3.5 million, plus the interest that has compounded every day since. Those who knew and loved him said he’d given away millions by then, the money spent on funerals, clothes for burnt-out families he read about in the newspaper, donations, free barbecues at Razorback games and in tornadoflattened towns, the Christmas lights that eventually left Little Rock and went to Disney World in the mid-1990s, and more. All the lights are dimmed now. Last week and into the weekend, the estate of Jennings Osborne auctioned over two thousand items — from his big white house on Cantrell, all the way down to framed photographs of people he never really knew — in order to satisfy his creditors. Walking through it all, seeing the wondrous horde he collected in garages, barns, closets, and dresser drawers, one can’t help but wonder: What did he really want when he was buying all those things?

$265,000, PLUS 10 PERCENT

The house where Jennings Osborne lived on Cantrell Road is hard to miss, even for an out-of-towner, encircled as it is by a high concrete wall that would look right at home ringing the compound of a Columbian drug lord. That’s the kind of wall that means business; that says the person inside values his privacy and security, and will spend any amount of money to keep it. Pulling into the gates the day before the house sold at auction, Osborne’s cash-flow problems of recent years became immediately apparent. Everything in sight looked like it needed a coat of paint, with vines creeping up the inside of the wall and rust beginning to appear on the bars that line most of the windows of the house. On the front lawn, the bricks around the fountain are cracked, and the plank seats are gone from the iron-framed swing set where Breezy Osborne used to play. We met James “Bubba” Wood in the home’s nine-car garage. A longtime family friend who met Osborne through Breezy years ago, he had been helping Mitzi Osborne get the house ready for sale. With the property auction less than 24 hours away, the huge garage was

still stacked back to front with personal items, most of which were headed to storage. Parked just outside was a giant dumpster, almost full. It was the fourth they’d filled since they had started getting the house ready for sale six weeks earlier. Wood led us through the garage and into the house. Even after several years of not getting the upkeep it deserved, the place was still something: officially 11,559 square feet, though some will tell you that is a lowball figure for the taxman. Above the garage, with a bay window overlooking Cantrell and French doors overlooking the pool and tennis courts out back, was Osborne’s office suite. It’s really a home inside of a home, with a full bath, bedroom, office, and a huge tanning bed that looks like a hibernation pod from “2001: A Space Odyssey.” Most of the time when he was home, day or night, Osborne was there, Wood said. It’s where he kept most of his collections, from the precious to the mundane. “Jennings didn’t sleep very much,” Wood said, “so most of his time was spent working. Even at 3 or 4 in the morning, he always wanted the fax machine and the computer wherever he was, to communicate.” While we’re talking, Thomas Blackmon, one of the owners of Blackmon Auctions, which handled the sales of both the property and personal items, entered the room and remarked that he didn’t know the tanning bed was in there until that moment — that it had been wholly buried with other objects. The things that were still in the office speak to the kind of man Osborne was, and what he valued. There were,

THE PIN: Breezy Osborne (center, in white shirt) bids on a treasured pin her father wore.

for example, literally thousands of loose photographs in boxes, most of them just candid snapshots of regular Arkansans who came to his barbecues or fireworks displays over the years. Wood said that Osborne had a photographer on staff who did nothing but shoot pictures any time Osborne had a function. All those photos were developed and brought here to be filed away. In the garage of the house next door (Osborne bought out his neighbors, lock stock and barrel, both in one hour, while Mitzi was gone to Mass, during the height of the legal actions over his

Christmas light displays in the early 1990s) there was a sizeable stack of huge scrapbooks, and each of those scrapbooks was filled with newspaper clippings. Any time Osborne’s name was mentioned in the newspaper, ever, an employee carefully clipped the notice and glued it down. Thousands on thousands of entries. Osborne, Wood said, never threw anything away. “I think he liked that at any point in time, he could go back and dig a memory out,” Wood said. “He could find it … any time he did a barbecue, or a CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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Razorback game or a fireworks show, he’d have a corresponding book.” At Osborne’s office downtown, Wood said, they found large binders full of e-mails that had been sent to him. “If he got an e-mail from anybody — say he got an e-mail from somebody saying, ‘My name is Tom, and we’ve been going through some hard times’ or whatever — he’d have all those e-mails printed out,” Wood said. “When he’d go on vacation, he’d have that book and he’d open it up and he’d answer every one of them.” Osborne liked watching Home Shopping on cable TV, and when he bought something, he’d buy multiples. “If he saw something he liked, he’d buy five of them,” Wood said. “He couldn’t do one. Because if he liked it, he wanted to be able to give you one. If you walked in the house, whatever was the latest deal, he’d say, ‘Take one of those home and try that.’ ” As many things as Osborne had and as much room he devoted to holding on to it all, Wood said that memories always meant more to Osborne than possessions. “He looked at everything the same, whether it cost him $20,000 or whether it cost him $2,” Wood said. “He kept a lot of his father’s stuff, and his grandfather’s stuff. We’ve found a lot of that stuff in boxes: an old fishing lure that him and his granddad went fishing with. It’s in a box, and it’s labeled. History was there, and he liked history. Every day was a memory.” Even two days before the personal property auctions, Blackmon said there was already intense interest from those looking to bid on items from the Osborne estate. He said it showed how respected Osborne was in Arkansas. “He was a good person,” Blackmon said. “I’ve done auctions for people that

JUNE 13, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

POSSESSIONS: Osborne’s favorite smoker “Big Frank” (above) and the warehouse full of things (top).

no one shows up for the auction, and later on you asked them why and they’ll say, ‘He was an asshole.’ This one is just the opposite. You have so many people who want to support it and want to be there because Jennings was such a good person and helped out so many people over the years.” We moved from the office suite into the main living room of the house, and it was another shocker: 1,500 square feet under one ceiling, hung with goldand-cut-crystal chandeliers (including one that slowly rotates at the flip of a switch), the floors covered with mauve carpeting so padded it felt like standing in sand. If John Deere ever makes a riding vacuum cleaner, it will be for a room like that. Leaving the living room, Wood

led us downstairs, then upstairs, then through the narrow original house of 4,200 square feet that the Osbornes bought in April 1976, then added to and added to and added to. We went through the tiled game room, where Wood said Osborne once kept slot machines filled with real quarters, past the pool, into the pool house. Somehow, thoroughly turned around, we wound up in Osborne’s old master bedroom, another big, big room. It was mostly bare by then except for a few things, chief among them an ornately-carved rocking horse and a full sized dummy in a straw hat, sitting on a chair. In Osborne’s walk-in closet, many of his clothes had been unceremoniously piled on the carpet: suits, silk ties, imported loafers, a fortune’s fortune of

beautiful and expensive things. While we were standing in the bedroom, chatting with Wood and a few others, Mitzi Osborne appeared. She was still in residence there, though she’s lined up a house in Hillcrest. They’d been looking for a house for her for awhile, Wood said, when Breezy called on a rental in Hillcrest a few weeks back. Once the man who owned the property found out it was for Mitzi Osborne, he offered, without even being asked, to let her live there rent free for six months. Though we’d never met, Mitzi immediately came across as one of the nicest people I’ve ever had the chance to talk to: warm, funny, upbeat, risqué at times, wonderfully self-deprecating. She and Jennings are both from Fort Smith, born three days apart at St. Edward’s Hospital. They met again after high school, and were married in November 1965, getting engaged after just a few dates. Some people are born for one another. Everything in the house had a story attached to it, and Mitzi is the keeper of those stories. The dummy, for instance, is “Safeman,” built to accompany single women on long car trips to make it look like they have a male companion, purchased as a gag at long-gone Service Merchandise. The rocking horse they bought at a charity auction in Las Vegas, the Osbornes bidding against the wrestler Hulk Hogan. Hulk, she said, was not pleased when he lost. Mitzi said getting rid of things over the past few weeks was not easy. She’d stayed up until 5 a.m. that morning, vacuuming the acres of carpet in the house. She was allowed in recent weeks to pick some things she wanted to keep. They didn’t, she said, stand behind her with CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

LOT BY LOT: Auctioneer Thomas Blackmon

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JUNE 13, 2012

a whip while she did it. “It’s hard,” she said. “Bubba helps me. I’m getting better at it, though. I hauled six bags out to the garage last night. I keep everything. I’m not a hoarder, but I keep stuff. I’ve got Breezy’s stuff that she did for me when she was little and learning to write. I kept it.” After awhile, I asked her why, when so many rich folks are content to invest their money, she and her husband gave so much of theirs away. “It’s like this,” she said. “You just keep giving until God stops giving to you. This is a no-brainer, don’t you think? That’s the way I had to look at it. Sometimes we gave when we didn’t have it — a lot of times.” She seemed, I told her, amazingly composed for a woman going through such a trauma. “Well, I leak a lot,” she said. “Must be some kind of pressure release. I cry at the drop of a hat. I almost did it a minute ago, but I said: ‘Nah, I’m not going to do that.’ I’m trying. I can be very trying, and I can be even more trying at times.” At that, she waved her hand as if shooing away the present. The next morning, the big house we were standing in would sell at auction for the firesale price of $265,000, plus a 10 percent buyer’s premium. That’s a little over $25 per square foot. The sale was still in the future though. Soon, Mitzi launched into a story about how her husband once decided he wanted to buy a lion to pace back and forth in a barred cage in front of the house, but backed out when he was told the cat’s urine was so concentrated and smelly that it would kill the grass. Before long, everybody was laughing, tomorrow forgotten for the moment.

ROSEBUD

The auction of the personal effects of Jennings Osborne was held June 8 and 9 at a 15,000-square-foot warehouse near Prothro Junction in North Little Rock, the warehouse stacked half full. Blackmon opened the doors at 7 a.m. every day, to give the bidders a chance to walk through and inspect things before the first hammer at 9 a.m. Like the money from the houses on Cantrell, and a lake house in Hot Springs, and a horse farm on Kanis Road that sold on Thursday, all the money raised at the Prothro sale would be going to the banks. It’s nearly impossible to describe some of what was up for sale there, so ostentatious that it seemed like the set-dressing of a dream. It’s wholly

JUNE 13, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

HOG HEAVEN: Jenning’s collection of Razorback memorabilia.

impossible to list it all in the space we have. There were cookbooks, books on magic, and books signed by presidents. There was a 9-foot-tall bronze statue of a mermaid, swimming down to touch the bottom of the warehouse sea, her hair flowing out behind her. There was a giant, stained-glass window that once advertised a bar called “The Brass Bottle.” There were couches by the dozen, chairs by the score, and too many tables to count. There was a fantastical, cut-crystal Lalique table, which gleamed behind velvet ropes for two days (and which I heard was once kept covered in a tablecloth and Osborne’s Razorback memorabilia). There were skee-ball ramps, air-hockey tables, three juke boxes, six pinball machines, a vintage Coke machine, and enough classic arcade games to start your own arcade, circa 1986. There were knick-knacks — a 5-inch porcelain canary, sitting on a porcelain branch, the canary’s eyes black as onyx. There

were two fireman’s helmets, gleaming red, both appointed in brass. There was a 5,000-pound jade ship, the sails intricate pierce-work, and the rigging all done in yards of tiny chain, each link carved from the stone. There was Disney memorabilia by the truckload. There was a four-by-four pallet, stacked four feet deep, each of the boxes filled with nothing but framed, signed photos of Razorback cheerleaders. There were toy cars by the dozen. There was a sled. There were sixteen pairs of binoculars, ranging in size from opera glasses to “that German U-boat is out there, and I’m going to find it.” In a big room lined with tables, each table stacked six inches deep, there were literally hundreds of photographs and dozens of pieces of memorabilia, all signed by famous people: politicians, movie stars, criminals, astronauts. Heather Locklear, Buzz Aldrin, Al Capone, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, Jack Nicholson, the entire cast

of “Seinfeld,” the entire cast of “Steel Magnolias,” the entire cast of “All in the Family,” the entire cast of “Beverly Hills 90210.” There were autographs from Alfred Hitchcock, every president going back at least to Truman, Monica Lewinsky, and a pair of underpants signed by the Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss. There was a yellowed baseball signed by Babe Ruth, a bat signed by Hank Aaron, and a framed, canceled check from the ventriloquist Edgar Bergen. There was a case, no bigger than a breadbox and watched at all times by a uniformed cop, that contained the Osborne jewels: pins, broaches, Rolex watches, rings — another fortune’s fortune. Just outside the room, on a table, there was a row of a dozen ventriloquist dummies, including an ape in tennis shoes. On a shelf a few rows over, there was a snake-pit tangle of at least a half dozen amazing, hand-made bullwhips, any of which would have done Indiana Jones proud. There were dozens of beautiful, custom-made stationery books, each covered in creamy leather and full of vanilla paper. There was a box of 8-track tapes, heavy on Hank Williams, Charlie Rich and Elvis. There were enough furs to carpet a good-sized apartment wall to wall. There was a pallet of high-end goodie bags, each including a turned wooden pen, an Osborne cup, a tiny clock, and a book of quotations called “The Rich Are Different.” Friday and Saturday, with over a hundred people in attendance both days, the auctioneers rolled on and on, taking turns when their voices grew raspy. The lots came and went, each item projected on a huge screen hung before the crowd. Mitzi and Breezy Osborne were there for much of it, sitting with friends over to one side, Mitzi sometimes walking through the warehouse, chatting, smiling and pointing out things with particularly good stories. On Saturday, when the auction moved from furniture and knickknacks and into the memorabilia and more personal items, the word passed through the warehouse that Breezy was coming that day, because she wanted to buy something: a gold-and-diamond encrusted pin, no bigger than a nickel, in the shape of Mickey Mouse’s head. Her friends, I heard, had agreed to help her pay for it, because it was sure to go high. I’d talked to her a few days before the auction about her father and the sale; what he meant to Arkansas and what the state had meant to him. She talked about how moderation was not in his vocabulary, and how he believed in the idea of giving effortlessly — about

‘COMPANIONS’: Just a few of Osborne’s ventriloquist dummies.

how that philosophy had gotten him into financial trouble at the end. “He’s a giver,” she said. “And there’s a time when you’re a giver and a provider, that’s all you know to do. That’s what you feel that your vocation is. That’s what he continued to do. He didn’t want to let anybody down.” She’s pregnant with a daughter who will be born in August, and she wondered aloud how she was ever going to be able to describe her father to the child — the magnitude of him, she called it, using a word I’d only ever heard to describe stars in outer space. Their jewelry had been held by one of the banks as collateral, meaning Mitzi and Breezy hadn’t had a chance to get the pin before it went into the auction. When she arrived on Saturday, I asked Breezy why, out of all the things there, she wanted it. He wore it every time he wore a suit coat, she said, which meant almost every day. “It was his favorite thing,” she said. “He wouldn’t really leave the house without it. He always had a little pouch he carried with some close items inside, and that was one of the things. Out of all the items here, it’s the one item I really want to take back.” So here, at last, was something like Rosebud, but not quite — a symbol of incredible wealth, but also a symbol of the abject joy Jennings Osborne spent his life chasing. I left soon after I talked to Breezy, mostly because I needed to get writing on this story — there were still over 100 lots to go before the pin — but partially because I couldn’t bear to be there if she lost the only thing she wanted. Later on, though, I heard she’d won. In the end, there was no big showdown between Breezy Osborne and some phone bidder who wanted to pry out the diamonds and melt down the gold. In the end, I heard, the pin came up, the Blackmon auctioneer immediately called it sold, and they placed it in Breezy’s hands, with thanks. The crowd, I heard, applauded.

THE EYE OF THE NEEDLE

ABRAHAM LINCOLN: SELF-MADE IN AMERICA Now – July 17, 2012

This temporary display was created to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of America’s 16th president and examines Lincoln’s life from his beginnings to his ascension to the Presidency and his assassination. The display is on loan from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois.

1200 President Clinton Avenue • 501-374-4242 clintonpresidentialcenter.org

As the auctioneers worked through the personal items in the warehouse near Prothro Junction on Friday and Saturday, Bryant “Bear” Morris and his wife, Shretta, set up a table and sold auction-goers the famous barbecue that Osborne gave away by the ton: pulled pork, hot dogs and soda — $3 for an enormous, smoked pork sandwich, wrapped in aluminum foil. Bear started working for Osborne 17 years ago, doing what he calls “The Cookout.” A friend who worked for Osborne told him he needed some extra help on a cook in the southern part of the state, so Bear tagged along. That’s where he met Jennings Osborne, and where his life changed. “We did a cookout in Warren, Ark.,” Bear said. “That’s where I met him. I picked up a big ol’ case of water, and he said: ‘You’re strong! I’ll call you Bear.’ From that day forward I’ve been right there with him. It’s been a life.” Bear and Shretta had only been married a year then. Though Bear worked for Osborne full time from then on, both he and his wife eventually wound up working the Osborne cookouts, tending the big smokers through the night and dishing up the 12-pound plate that everybody who came through the line got whether they needed that much or not. Bear, who spent over a decade as Osborne’s head barbecue cook, doing dozens of Osborne’s no-limits barbecues all over, can still reel off the contents of those plates from memory: whole chicken, turkey leg, pulled pork sandwich, beef brisket, sausage, beef ribs, plus sides. He’s walked up the stairs of Air Force One twice to deliver barbecue to two presidents, and once fell 27 feet from Jimmy Carter’s roof to hard ground while putting up Christmas lights on the former president’s house in Plains, Ga. Carter, Bear said, visited him every day he was in the hospital. A life, indeed. CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

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JUNE 13, 2012

Arkansas Statehood Commemoration The 1836 Presidential Campaign Experience Arkansas during the momentous 1836 presidential election.

Saturday, June 16, 2012 Free Admission This is a traveling living history event! Historic Arkansas Museum - 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Old State House Museum - 12:30 to 5 p.m.

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JUNE 13, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

HEY, SAILOR: A 5,000-pound jade ship.

The Osbornes, Bear and Shretta Morris said, were very good to them. On Thursday, before the Prothro auction, Bear said he’d gone to Osborne’s grave and had “a breakdown moment.” It clearly hurts them to see Mitzi and Breezy going through the pain of the auction. Bear calls Breezy his sister. Not “like a sister,” not “loved as a sister,” just “my sister.” “His wife and daughter,” Shretta said, “they’re heroes of mine. Some people can’t take public embarrassment, but to be able to take it on this level and still smile and still be encouraging to others is something.” Though Bear said Osborne didn’t come across to the average person who met him as a cheerful man (“There was probably only 10 people in the whole world who ever saw his teeth,” he offered), he said that Osborne did have a legendary sense of humor to go along with his bottomless well of generosity once you were accepted into his circle of trust. Standing outside the auction in an Osborne Family apron and yellow kitchen gloves, dishing up pulled pork sandwiches, Bear told the following story: One night, he and Osborne were in the process of getting several hundred chickens ready to go into the smoker when they started to chat about God. Being a preacher as well as a barbecue cook, Bear proceeded to tell Osborne about his personal walk with Jesus, and impressed upon him the need to be saved. “I know, Bear,” Osborne said, surveying the big tables full of gutted hens. “I just hope that when I get to heaven, God is not a chicken.” After we all got through laughing at that — the image of Jennings Osborne standing guiltily before an enormous,

scowling rooster clothed in light — I asked them if they thought God worked His will through Jennings Osborne. They said they know He did. “He taught us humility,” Shretta said. “He taught us that things weren’t everything, and that if you’re not making a difference in someone else’s life, then what are you doing? … I believe God put on shoes and came down and showed us, in the form of a man, how to give love unconditionally.” Shretta Morris thought awhile, then began to speak of Matthew 19:24, the passage in which Jesus told his followers it’s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to get into heaven — how maybe Jesus was really talking about something other than St. Peter turning away a man like Osborne. She didn’t get it all quite right as I have heard it, but I knew what she was talking about: the idea that the verse is actually a parable; that in Jesus’ day, there was a low, narrow gate in Jerusalem called “The Eye of the Needle,” and in order to enter the city, camels laden with treasures after their journey across the desert had to be divested of their riches in order to slip through. For a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God, the idea went, he had to be stripped of his finery — to come as naked to The Lord as when he had been sent into this world. As Shretta Morris spoke of wealth beyond this place, the auctioneers inside the warehouse and out of our earshot rolled on and on in their quick, sing-song rhythm, paring away — lot by lot, thing by thing, treasure by treasure — the vast burden of riches from the ghost of Jennings Osborne. “I believe,” Shretta said, smiling, “that rich man is in heaven now.”

Sid McMat h

an Arkansan for All Seasons

One hundred years ago, June 14, 1912, Sidney Sanders McMath was born in a dogtrot log cabin—yes, really!, a log cabin—on a hardscrabble farm in Columbia County, near the Louisiana border. He picked cotton as a boy and moved by muddy roads from one destitute community to another with his alcoholic father “Pap” and his mother and sister, until his father took up barbering and settled at Hot Springs. The hardship and dislocation he experienced everywhere as a youngster, along with all the family sorrows, infused in him a zeal to improve the lives of people, especially in the blighted Arkansas countryside. As a student and a Marine, he saw that things were better nearly everywhere else than in rural Arkansas. The passion to serve people would guide him in heroic pursuits on the battlefields of the Pacific, in the “GI Revolt” against the political machines after the war, in four momentous years as governor, and as the founder and patriarch of what he called a “people’s law firm,” which for the next 60 years represented nothing and no one but ordinary people in their quest for safety and justice in the workplace, equal services in the public realm, and protection of the land, air, water and natural resources that are the gifts to all people.

A special suppl emen t fro m McM ath Woo ds p. a ., at to rn e ys at l aw Text by Ernest Dumas

Above: Gen. McMath with Marine sons Sandy and Phillip before the sons left for Vietnam.

‘A gener ation tem per ed by wa r’

Right: Combat veteran George Fisher drew this cartoon panel for McMath in 1948.

When he returns to his own community from the war and finds his own people deprived of their right to vote, when he discovers that their lives and liberties are not secure, when it is threatened that if he exercises the right of citizenship and runs for public office without the consent of the political boss . . . what is his reaction? — Sid McMath, on the GI Revolt, 1946

Maj. Sid McMath at the Marine jungle warfare school on American Samoa.

A special su p p l em en t fr o m M cM at h Wo o ds P. A . At torn e ys at l aw

For Sidney Sanders McMath, like millions who fought in World War II and came home, the war altered his destiny and defined him for the rest of his life. McMath always thought of himself first not as Governor Sid McMath but as Marine Lt. Col. McMath or, later, Maj. Gen. McMath of the Marine Reserves. He was proud of his decorations for heroism in the crucial battles in the Pacific at Bougainville and Guadalcanal, where he engaged in some of the bloodiest fighting of the war, though he seldom mentioned the medals. The war remained always the high point of what he thought was a life of service even if it included only six years in public offices. More than that, the experiences of war—both the horrors and the thrill of it—planted the seeds of ambition, to be a hero back home as well as in war by raising up people in his still depressed state. It invested him after the war with the boldness to take on the riskiest tasks in politics, including those that in fairly short order ended his political career. The war brought the want of his childhood and the hardships of nearly everyone he knew into sharp relief and sent him home with determination to fix things that the state’s leaders for a century had left unattended. Even in peace and comfort, they had not led. McMath began life in a tiny log cabin on the edge of a cotton field in southern Columbia County farmed by his grandmother, “Mother Mae” McMath. His grandfather Sid, the sheriff, had been gunned down the year before when he tried to arrest some outlaws. Young Sid’s father, Hal, his mother, Nettie Belle, and his sister, Edyth Mae, worked on Mother Mae’s little farm and Hal found odd jobs in nearby communities. When Sid was five the family left the dogtrot house and wandered around the county, to Walker, Bussey, Taylor, or wherever Hal could find makeshift labor. For a while after the big Shuler and Smackover field booms, they drifted into neighboring Union County where Hal and his team of horses dug oil pits. But always they

moved on, to something else equally unpromising. In his memoir, Promises Kept, which he wrote and dictated in the two years before his death in 2003, McMath recalled details of the deprivation and backwardness of rural South Arkansas. When he and his sister at the ages of 10 and 12 were brought to Hot Springs to join his parents, who had gotten jobs in a barbershop cutting hair and nails, Sid encountered pavement for the first time on Whittington Avenue and electricity in homes. When he was elected governor 26 years later, vast stretches of rural Arkansas still had neither. By then, he would have discovered that this wasn’t true much of anywhere but Arkansas. A few memories were worse than others. “Seared into my childhood memory,” he wrote in 2002, “is witnessing the return of a young black man to the cotton fields where he had been put to work.” The man had been convicted of some petty crime and kept in jail to supply hands for field work, a common practice in Arkansas in those days. “The young man had been ‘leased’ to the farmer, but at the first opportunity he had run away. Upon being returned he was hobbled with leg chains. Before putting him back to work, his arms were placed around a tree, his wrists handcuffed, his back bared, and he was horsewhipped. The young man did not cry; he moaned. This I could never forget; I can still hear the crack of the whip followed by the deep, mournful sounds coming from the depths of his being. From what I saw, from what I knew, came a deep resolve, a promise—someday, some way, I would help these people.” In Hot Springs, McMath sold cabbage door to door and hot dogs at Whittington Park, for professional and semiprofessional baseball teams, delivered newspapers and milked and grazed the cow his father had acquired and kept in town next to the lush grass of the national park. McMath attended Henderson State Teachers College at nearby Arkadelphia for two years and

transferred to the University of Arkansas, where he got a law degree and an ROTC commission in the Marines in 1936 by trading weeks of training at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and law classes at Fayetteville. He said no one missed him at either place. He joined the Marines at Quantico, Va., in 1936 but went home to practice law the next year after promising Lewis “Chesty” Puller, who would become the most decorated Marine in history, that he would rejoin if the United States went to war, which Puller said was imminent. With war on the horizon, he left his law practice and young bride and rejoined the Marines in the summer of 1940, 16 months before Pearl Harbor. His unit shipped out to the Pacific islands two years later. McMath ran the jungle warfare school for Marines on American Samoa and after repeated pleas to be sent to the front in September 1943 he led the Third Marine Regiment to battle the Japanese in the Solomon Islands. They drove the Japanese off Guadalcanal and then in October conquered the island of Bougainville, which enabled American air and naval forces to command the skies and sea lanes in the southwest Pacific. McMath was the regimental operations officer. The ferocious hand-to-hand fighting in the swamps of Bougainville established the McMath legend. Promoted to battlefield command, McMath masterminded and led the Battle of Piva Forks, which won him the Silver Star and Legion of Merit. His men were pinned down by mortar and machinegun fire. They would later describe the commander, oblivious to the explosions and bullets whizzing around him, racing among them shouting that they were Marines and exhorting them to get up and charge. The Marines took a pivotal knoll and ended Japanese opposition to the U.S. beachhead on the island. The Marines lost 115 men; they counted 1,107 Japanese dead at the end of the struggle.

C an We Hel p? The Silver Star citation signed by Adm. William “Bull” Halsey said McMath’s heroism and disregard for his own safety was an inspiration to the officers and men of the unit. McMath contracted malaria and a tropical disease called philariasis in the mosquito-infested Bougainville swamps and was hospitalized for months in New Zealand before being

sent back to the United States. He was in the Marine headquarters in the Pentagon planning the amphibious invasion of the Japanese islands when the atomic bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki ended the war. The war had taken a terrible personal toll. His wife had died at the U.S. Naval Hospital at Quantico on their fifth wedding anniversary in 1942. Mc-

Math came home to a four-year-old son. But in Washington he met Anne Phillips, who worked for a Missouri congressman, and they were subsequently married. It was with Anne Phillips that he first confided an ambition to go back to Hot Springs, run for prosecuting attorney and clean up the corruption in his county.

From the Prologue of Promises Kept, a memoir dictated by Sid McMath when he was 90 and blind, and published by the University of Arkansas Press in October 2003, the week of his death.

From Boug a in v ille to Bath house Row:

T he GI Re volt

“Hot Springs,” McMath wrote of his city, “was a notorious, wide-open town. A multimillion-dollar gambling operation was its life, entertainment was its lure, civic corruption was its distinction.” Mobsters like Al Capone and Lucky Luciano dawdled in the hotels and bathhouses, the guests likely of Hot Springs’ own transplanted mob boss, Oney Madden, and the machinery of government and civic life was fueled by the secret payoff and regularly arranged “fines” for violating the gambling laws. Since gambling was illegal, the whole system depended upon unified control of everything—law enforcement, the courts, election levers and nearly every county and municipal office. Mayor Leo McLaughlin was in charge of it. The dapper McLaughlin often paraded down Hot Springs’s Central Avenue in an elegant sulky pulled by his galloping show horses Scotch and Soda. Over time, the mayor had perfected a voting system that guaranteed the election of men on his team for each and every office. The poll tax made that possible in almost any county that cared to exploit it, but in Garland County the technique achieved its acme. In January 1946, McMath was discharged from the Marines, moved to Hot Springs and immediately began running for prosecuting attorney in the summer primaries. He recruited other returning soldiers to run for other offices. By the filing deadline, he had veterans running for every public office in the county, from circuit judge to tax assessor. They formed an organization called the Government Improvement League, which was shortened to GI—thus the GI Revolt. The movement spread to other counties. McMath’s appeal struck a chord with the veterans. Chagrined by the ridicule of Arkansas that he had heard as an Air Corps procurement officer, Max Howell came home to Little Rock

that winter and ran for the legislature to see if he could help change the state and its image. Howell would form an alliance with the new GI governor two years later and then serve 46 years, longer than any legislator in Arkansas history. A sizable GI contingent greeted McMath at his inauguration at the Capitol in 1949. Beating the McLaughlin machine turned out to need more than the GIs’ bravado, organization and wide public support. McLaughlin’s men obtained large blocks of poll tax receipts every year and they were voted as needed, by cemetery residents, long-departed citizens, barroom drunks or just fictitious people. All of McMath’s men barely lost their races for city, county and district offices. McMath was elected prosecuting attorney (there was no Republican candidate in the fall) by an oversight by McLaughlin. Little Montgomery County (Mount Ida) was part of the prosecutor district. Telephone lines between Hot Springs and Mount Ida were down election day and McLaughlin miscalculated how many votes would be needed in Garland County to overcome a possible McMath vote in Montgomery County. The machine found out the next day, too late, that they had needed a few more votes to offset Mount Ida’s. The GIs and McMath’s canny wife, Anne, had detected widespread fraud in the count but since McLaughlin owned the law enforcement, prosecutor and the circuit court there was no remedy. McMath’s shrewd GI buddy, Nate Schoenfeld (a lawyer and later state representative), had an idea. If they could get the matter into federal court it would be out of the local machine’s control. The district federal judge, John E. Miller of Fort Smith, had been elected to the U. S. Senate in 1937 as an independent upstart against the Democrat candidate and might be sympathetic to the GIs’ plight.

So all the GIs filed for the same offices again, as independents, in the general election. Another McMath pal filed as a write-in candidate for Congress, which made the election a federal matter. Anne McMath had discovered blocks of poll tax receipts filled out with the names in alphabetical order, obviously from the phone book. They got a couple of participants to testify reluctantly about how the system worked. Judge Miller canceled 1,607 bogus poll-tax receipts, nearly a fourth of the votes, and the whole GI slate was swept into office in November. Two months after their swearing in, the new prosecutor and circuit judge assembled a grand jury to investigate the mayor’s administration. McLaughlin announced that he would not seek re-election. Only one person had run against him the previous 20 years. The grand jury eventually indicted McLaughlin on many charges, including bribery, misusing public funds and being an accessory to voting fraud. Less than two years later, McMath was in the governor’s office. McLaughlin was never convicted but his reign and the machine’s were over. Illegal gambling continued in Hot Springs off and on, often openly, for another 20 years, until Governor Winthrop Rockefeller sent the State Police to shut it down. In his second year in office he began to explore a race for governor. Gov. Ben Laney decided not to buck the state’s two-term tradition and to retire at the end of his term. Tragedy struck the McMaths again. While he was in south Arkansas testing the waters, his father took Sid’s favorite horse, which was crippled, and rode into Hot Springs, where he tanked up on liquor. An argument with Anne followed when he returned. The drunken Pap chased her into the house and up the stairs, where she shot and killed him. The inquest concluded that it was self-defense.

In 1948, I was honored by the good people of Arkansas by being chosen as their governor. I had specific goals and objectives fairly fixed in my mind. I needed no public opinion poll to unveil our public needs or to reveal to me our state’s problems. It was obvious that we had to get out of the mud and the dust, build and improve our primary highway system, and provide secondary roads to get children in the rural areas to school and to transport farm products to market. I had experienced them, survived them. Later, campaigning for governor, I had to ride a horse in order to travel over the road from Magnolia to Bussey and Taylor, Arkansas. The economic blight and dislocation lingered like a black cloud that almost shut out the light to a better life and happier days. I appreciated how the burden of labor, especially that of the women, could be alleviated with the boon of electrical service. I picked cotton from prickly cotton bolls for one penny a pound, one dollar for the one hundred pounds, which is what I could pick when I was eight. During cotton-picking season many schools were closed. One-room schoolhouses offering instruction in eight grades with one teacher would be closed so the children could join with the rest of their families in picking cotton. Closing of schools for blacks presented no major problem—there were few, if any, black schools. Even with all members of the family working, many Arkansans were hard put to earn enough to sustain them during the cotton-picking season and to save enough to provide food, shelter, and clothing during the winter months. I saw farmers who received less for a bale of cotton than it cost them to plant, weed, pick, and have it ginned. I remember hearing the refrain, “Tencent cotton, forty-cent meat, how in the world can a poor man eat?” I saw how the prisoner-leasing system worked. Come cotton-picking time, the local law-enforcement officials would be zealous about picking up black men in good physical condition, who might be involved in some petty crime or misdecontinued pg 5

W h at is th e office of g ov er nor for?

Top: Marching with supporters at Pine Bluff in the 1948 campaign. Bottom: Celebrating with supporters on primary night 1950 (aide and future U. S. District Judge Henry Woods is on the right).

Next Page: President Truman and McMath in the Thirty-fifth Division Reunion parade on Main Street, Little Rock, 1949. Photo by Robert S. McCord

A special su p p l em en t fr o m M cM at h Wo o ds P. A . At torn e y s at l aw

As Sid McMath was entering the governor’s office in 1949, V. O. Key wrote in the great political treatise Southern Politics that in Arkansas more than any other state the unmet needs of the people had lain ignored for a century in the endless moil of factional strife and leaderless government. Since statehood, with only four or five exceptions, men too often viewed the governor’s office as a conquest— a prize—rather than as a great duty. They seldom felt obliged to use their power to try to relieve the hardship of people or to lay the groundwork for a better life. George Donaghey, Charles Brough, Thomas McRae and Carl Bailey had more altruistic motives and limited success, but that was about it. Donaghey and Bailey were defeated for their troubles, as McMath would be. McMath took office in January 1949 expecting to use the office to change the state dramatically and drag it into the national mainstream. He had advantages over his predecessors—good looks, youth, a fetching personal war story, unusual political and oratorical gifts, and what in the war’s wake seemed to be an awakened yearning by people for real progress and reform. All of that would take him only so far. Though close, his election in 1948 turned out to be relatively easy. Despite the overhang of the family tragedy the previous year—the death of his drunken father in a family argument at the McMath home—McMath began as the favorite in the 10-man Democratic primary. The major opponents were former Attorney General Jack Holt, the folksy radio host James “Uncle Mac” McKrell, who unloaded sacks of Martha White flour at his rallies, and Horace E. Thompson, an east Arkansas politician, college administrator and federal tax collector. Holt stirred the race issue in the first primary, continually hammering President Truman’s civil rights bill as a threat to the Bill of Rights, and in the runoff with McMath, who led the ticket, Holt ratcheted up the racial rhetoric. Ads in the newspapers and on radio demanded that McMath say where he stood “on the race issue” and specifically whether he had secretly promised to hire blacks on the State Police force and in the state Education Department. McMath

never responded, even when Holt said on the stump that McMath’s silence indicated his “true purpose” in running. Blacks had begun voting in some numbers in Democratic primaries in 1946 after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Smith v. Allwright (1944) that party primaries were not private concerns but state actions and thus people could not be barred from voting in them on account of their race. The Arkansas Republican Party had expelled blacks in the 1920s and the Democratic Party declared itself officially a white-man’s party, which Gov. Homer Adkins reaffirmed even after the Allwright decision. Somehow McMath managed to corral the simultaneous support of the former governors and implacable enemies, Bailey and Adkins, the latter in spite of McMath’s obvious moderation on race. Adkins had defeated Gov. Bailey in 1940 by circulating a photograph of the dastardly Bailey actually talking to a black woman. McMath defeated Holt by a narrow 10,000 votes.

The Dixiecrat revolt After winning the nomination and before taking office, McMath had to steer Arkansas away from its natural destiny, the Dixiecrat rebellion. It required considerable political dexterity and bravado. Truman’s integration of the Army and his civil rights bill, which would have ended the poll tax and employment discrimination, produced a revolt against the president and the “northern wing” of the Democratic Party, led by Governors Ben Laney of Arkansas, Strom Thurmond of South Carolina and Fielding Wright of Mississippi. Southern states went to the Democratic National Convention to block Truman’s nomination and a platform that included a civil rights plank. McMath’s nomination in the primary gave him control of the party apparatus in Arkansas, including the delegation to the convention. Arkansas supported Truman at the convention, and in the fall the governorelect, without a serious Republican opponent, campaigned for the president and against the Dixiecrat ticket of Thurmond and Wright. Laney was the permanent chairman of the Dixiecrat convention at Jackson. Laney begged off going on the ticket, but he

called on the South to carry on the fight against Truman and integration until total exhaustion. Thurmond carried four Southern states. In Arkansas, Truman received 62 percent of the votes against Republican Tom Dewey, Thurmond and several minor parties. It cemented a lifelong friendship between Truman and McMath. (The embittered Laney would run against McMath in 1950 but be defeated badly. Laney boasted of his superior record as governor and ridiculed McMath’s road building. McMath put out a small pamphlet entitled The Complete Record of Ben Laney’s Four Years as Governor of Arkansas, 1944–1948, which consisted of four blank pages.)

The mud and dust Better highways and schools had been the issues in the 1948 campaign. McMath promised a massive bond issue to build paved roads in every part of the state. The other candidates came out foursquare for highways but opposed a bond issue and taxes, leaving unanswered the matter of how the roads would be paid for. Thompson promised to appoint a study committee. By reputation and historical fact, Arkansas had the worst highways in the country. Chrysler Corp. ads boasted that its vehicles were so durable they had passed “the Arkansas mud test.” Arkansas had defaulted on road bonds issued in the 1920s (the state is the only state that defaulted on its debt not once but twice) and all highway improvement halted at the beginning of the Great Depression. Owing to the absence of materials in the war, roadwork did not start again in the booming 1940s in spite of Adkins’ refunding of the old road bonds. By 1949, nothing had been done on Arkansas roads and bridges for 20 years and the sparse little highway system was deteriorating at the rate of $6 million a year. McMath and the legislature quickly put the bond issue before the voters and they approved it by a margin of 4 to 1. In the next four years, the state spent $72 million, divided equally between primary and secondary roads. The state built and improved 2,995 miles of roads. Newton County saw its first stretch of blacktop, and seven county seats

C an We Hel p?

got their first paved connections to the highway system. Roadside parks were built. Laws were passed keeping cows and other animals off the roadways and requiring driver testing and licensing. And, as always, politics crept into the big program. Highways were promised everywhere and it was hard to deliver all of them. Contractors sought favoritism in the bidding and contracting. That and the accumulation of powerful enemies would end McMath’s career in four years. But the paved roads set off the biggest industrial expansion in the state’s history. A total of 509 industries located or expanded in Arkansas during the four years, many in small towns, and the growth would continue for another 20 years until industries began to move apparel and other low-skill jobs across the national borders.

The quest for better education Poor education was a worse if less tangible problem than antiquated roads. Arkansas had the reputation of being the least educated state in the country and there was sufficient statistical evidence of it in the percentages of people with college and high school education, enrollment, teacher salaries, and the numbers of one-room schools. A secondary education was not available to black students in much of the state, and in many rural communities primary

schooling was only an occasional opportunity. Money was an obstacle. McMath proposed a bundle of tax increases to pay for school improvements— college as well as elementary and secondary education, and a vastly expanded medical-education program. He proposed a personal income tax that would escalate to 12 percent on high incomes and also taxes on soft drinks, cigarettes and liquor, all of which the legislature rejected. (Republican Winthrop Rockefeller would offer essentially the same income tax bill 20 years later, with even worse results.) There was a movement to raise the 2 percent sales tax instead, but McMath would not sign a tax that landed so heavily on poor people. The stalemate resulted in early school closings in 1951 because schools ran out of money. In his first inaugural address, McMath called for a long-term medical education program, beginning with the construction of a new state medical center on West Markham Street, including a teaching hospital for medical and psychiatric cases. The legislature approved it but did not appropriate enough money to finish the medical center. In 1951, his second term, McMath asked for a two-cents-a-pack cigarette tax to finish the hospital, and the legislature obliged. McMath supported an initiated act by the Arkansas Education Asso-

ciation in 1948 that abolished school districts with fewer than 350 students. It had failed two years earlier but voters approved it this time. That reduced the number of independent school districts from 1,598 to 424 and spelled the end of the one-room school. Although the voters narrowly approved the consolidation act, it was unpopular in some quarters. When the county board of education in one northern county consolidated the 74 school districts into three after the act became law, one vexed patron planted two sticks of dynamite in the car of a board member. Four months into his first term, McMath’s education commissioner revealed that state funds that were supposed to go to black public schools had been diverted consistently at the local level to the white schools. The previous year, almost $4.3 million had been diverted to white schools. McMath alerted school districts that the state would sue them if the diversion continued. The state provided free textbooks for elementary grades for the first time. (Free high school textbooks would not be added until 1971.) McMath supported greater funding for Arkansas AM and N College at Pine Bluff, the state institution for black students, and the appropriation more than doubled in the 1949-50 school year. The school received full accreditation from the North Central Association before he left office.

continued

meanor. They would be jailed, then often farmed out to a cotton grower for the season. If, for any reason, this indentured servant ran away he would be brought back and punished. There was much illness, particularly during the summertime, from malaria, typhoid fever, and the usual childhood diseases. Our country doctor was a saint. He made house calls at any time, day or night, often getting out of bed regardless of the weather, rain sleet, or cold, hitch his horse and buggy, and respond to a call for help. The country doctor was frequently called to make delivery of a baby. Often, the baby would arrive ahead of the doctor, as I did. My mother had an excellent midwife, Mother Mae, my grandmother. So, another of my projects or goals, when I became governor, was to build an excellent medical school with a treating hospital, available for training and instruction, and hopefully, many of these graduating medical students would be encouraged to practice in rural areas. I was aware of the brutish horrors of the lynch mob. A popular sheriff in one county was killed and the man who killed the sheriff, or who was suspected of killing him, was seized and burned at the stake, a hitching post, on the west side of the courthouse square. As governor, I proposed an antilynching bill, but heated from the smoldering fire of the Dixiecrat rebellion in 1948, it failed to pass. As a youth in Hot Springs, I observed the evils of the poll tax and how it could be a corrupting influence on the election process. It could be used as an instrument to perpetuate an illegal political empire based upon election frauds, intimidation, and the corruption of public officials. As governor, I proposed a repeal of the poll tax. It, too, failed to pass. The custom of disfranchising the black man and poor whites was too entrenched. During my two terms as governor we built more roads than any prior administration. When I became governor in 1948, 50 percent of the farms in Arkansas had no electricity. Today there are seventeen electric cooperatives supplying electricity at a reasonable cost to approximately 350,000 families in our rural areas— representing over one million people. In 1953, my lease on the Governor’s Mansion was not renewed. My lifetime friends and partners, Henry Woods and Leland Leatherman, and I formed a law firm, a people’s law firm. That is, we were advocates for people in the courtroom. Our policy was, after investigating a case thoroughly, to answer two questions: 1. Has this person been wronged? 2. Can we help him?

Top: Truman and McMath at the Little Rock airport, 1949, after McMath presented him with a key to the city.

Besides roads and a new medical center, the big initiative of his first term was an election-reform bill, which ended the poll tax, set up a system of permanent voter registration and tightened the voting and counting procedures to protect against ballot-box stuffing and voter intimidation and insure a secret ballot. The legislature defeated it. He also proposed a bill, which Truman had called for in 1948, to outlaw lynching and to impose harsh penalties on the vigilantes. Arkansas mobs had lynched 284 men, all but 58 of them black, since 1882. Arkansas members of Congress had consistently voted against national antilynching bills. McMath’s bill was defeated, too. Lewis Webster Jones, the president of the University of Arkansas, approached McMath, who was running for governor, in late summer of 1948 with a problem. A Hot Springs woman, Edith Irby Jones, had applied for admission to the university’s medical school. She had scored extremely high on the entrance exam. What should he do? McMath counseled him to wait until he had won the nomination in August, and then quietly admit her without publicizing it. People in Hot Springs raised money to help defray her expenses at the university. Dr. Jones became the first black graduate of the university. In 1951, McMath hosted the Southern Governors Association at Little Rock, where he made a spirited defense of President Truman. He invited his friend Harry S. Ashmore, executive editor of the Arkansas Gazette, to address the governors. Ashmore chided the governors and other Southern leaders for failing to provide leadership. He said segregation was holding back the development of a sound education system in the South. Several governors were openly resentful of McMath’s meddling.

Middle: McMath speaking in his re-election campaign, 1950. Bottom: McMath with his wife Anne and their children, twins Patricia and Melissa and from left, Bruce, Sandy, and Phillip at the campaign announcement for governor in 1962. He would lose that campaign to Faubus.

Power for the hayseeds

Next Page: McMath giving a commencement address at the UALR William H. Bowen School of Law.

A special su p p l em en t fr o m M cM at h Wo o ds P. A . At torn e ys at l aw

One quixotic crusade, for the electrification of the Arkansas countryside, would lead to his defeat in 1952 and the end of his political career. It would earn him the enmity of the most powerful businessman in the state, C. Hamilton Moses, president of Arkansas Power and Light Co., a subsidiary of Middle South Utilities, the largest investor-owned utility system in the country. McMath was a champion of the Rural Electrification Administration (REA), the New Deal agency that was created to provide mortgage financ-

ing for rural cooperatives to build their own generating and transmission systems. Running power lines to rural homes and farms was not as profitable as city grids so the big investor-owned utilities were slow in extending power to the Arkansas countryside. But they bitterly fought government support for cooperatives and municipally owned utilities to build their own systems. Big ads in Arkansas newspapers and in magazines condemned it all as socialism. It would lead to the destruction of American freedom. The utility publicity sometimes linked the coops, usually farmers, to communism. The Arkansas Electric Cooperatives Corp. applied to the REA for a $10.6 million loan to build a hydroelectric generating plant on the Arkansas River at Ozark to provide power for Arkansas cooperatives and to build some 550 miles of transmission lines. McMath said electricity would improve the lives of rural families, especially women. He attended cooperative meetings around the state and lobbied President Truman to have the REA make the grant. The loan came through but the project needed the approval of the state Public Service Commission, which had been hostile to cooperatives since the REA program’s inception. But McMath appointed all three commissioners, who approved the project. Arkansas Power and Light Co. instituted a lawsuit to block the project, and the chancellor and the Arkansas Supreme Court sided with the utility. McMath sought to get the law changed in the legislature to make it perfectly clear the project was suitable, but Moses’ men in the legislature blocked it, too. Three years after McMath left office, the coops maneuvered the legislature and Governor Faubus to remove the obstacles and the big plant and the transmission grid were built. Stopping the REA project in 195152 was not enough. AP and L settled scores with McMath for good. Moses’ friends in the legislature set up an audit commission to look into rumors of favoritism and backscratching in the big highway program. Audit commissioners tended to be friends of Moses. A grand jury was convened and indicted several people. No one went to prison, but “the highway scandal,” as it came to be called, blemished McMath’s shiny image as a reformer. McMath ran for a third term in 1952. Only one governor had ever won a third term. His opponents

were a silver-haired chancellor from northeast Arkansas, the attorney general, his old foe Jack Holt and a noisy congressman from southwest Arkansas. Cherry reached a runoff and defeated McMath handily in the runoff. U.S. Senator John L. McClellan, who shared a law office with Moses in Little Rock, came down from Washington and campaigned for Cherry and boasted about the triumph on election night. The power company had enjoyed a special relationship with the senior senator from Arkansas since before the Great Depression, at considerable cost to the people. President Franklin D. Roosevelt approached Sen. Joe T. Robinson, the majority leader of the Senate, in 1933 about building dams on the Arkansas River for a giant hydroelectric and industrial development project. Robinson went back to Arkansas and asked Harvey C. Couch, who headed AP and L before Ham Moses. Couch said no, that he didn’t want to compete with the cheap hydro power the government would produce. Sen. Cordell Hull of Tennessee said he would love to have it on the Tennessee rivers. It became the Tennessee Valley Authority. For 75 years, power has been far cheaper in the TVA region to Arkansas’s east than in Arkansas. Two years after his defeat, McMath, running this time with no financial support, opposed McClellan when he ran for a third six-year term. McClellan, with heavy help from Moses’ utility, won by 37,000 votes. McMath’s one-time acolyte, Orval Faubus, defeated Gov. Cherry and AP and L in the same election. Three years later, when Faubus grabbed hold of the race issue to bolster his sagging political fortunes by using National Guard troops to prevent the integration of Central High School, McMath rose as a critic. When word circulated that President Eisenhower would send federal troops, reportedly the 101st Airborne, to Little Rock to stop the defiance, McMath called Vice President Nixon and asked him to urge the president to use a sizable force of federal marshals instead of soldiers to enforce the law to avoid stirring Southern memories of federal occupation. In 1962, McMath made his last race, this time against Faubus. He said Faubus’s fruitless stand against integration had halted the state’s progress. He and four other candidates fell 12,000 votes short of forcing the governor into a runoff.

t rial l aw y er s The concept of freedom, equality of opportunity and dignity for all citizens is the basis and bulwark of our national pride and our nation’s strength. America’s passion for equal justice is the unifying force that binds us together. However, experience teaches us that these human rights are not secure if they cannot be made good by a lawyer in a court of law. A judge cannot hand down a decision righting a wrong or doing justice until that case is prepared and presented to the court by a lawyer. A jury cannot return a verdict redressing a grievance or resolving a dispute until that case is prepared and presented to the jury by a lawyer. It is true that lawyers and our judicial system are low in public confidence and esteem in our country. This ill repute has been brought on in large measure by bad lawyers and incompetent judges. While we wait for the legal profession to discipline its own and put its own house in order, let us be aware of the great majority of lawyers and judges who faithfully serve. Those who would “kill the lawyers: need find replacements. Who will protect the poor, the injured, the victims of negligence and discrimination? Who will be the champions of those victims of corporate abuse or bureaucratic tyranny. Our judicial system makes it possible for our diverse, complex democratic society to function. As long as we have an independent judiciary who, hopefully, won their spurs in the courtroom before ascending the bench, so long as we have the “12 good men and true” and so long as we have trial lawyers, throughout the width and breadth of our land, in small communities and great cities, who stand ready to do combat and to spill their blood on the courtroom floor for their clients – rich or poor, black or white, whatever their persuasion – our rights as American citizens will be secure. I am proud to be a lawyer. I am proud to be a trial lawyer. My dues are paid. I am looking forward with optimism and high expectations to the trials, challenges and adventures of the future “wherever the road may trend.”

Pr acticing th e people’s l aw

“l e t jus tice flow lik e a migh t y river ”

- Sid McMath closing argument, Brinegar vs. San Ore Construction Company

Having been harshly chastised by the voters and broke, McMath left the Capitol in January 1953 to begin a third career, opening a law firm at Little Rock with his old friends and confederates in the governing business, Henry Woods and Leland F. Leatherman. Woods had run McMath’s campaigns and been his chief of staff. He would become a legendary personalinjury lawyer and a mainstay in the firm until President Jimmy Carter appointed him to the federal bench for the Eastern District of Arkansas in 1980, at the request of Sen. Dale Bumpers. Leatherman, a GI buddy in the postwar political revolt in Hot Springs, had served as McMath’s chairman of the state Public Service Commission in a way that had dismayed Arkansas Power and Light Co., which was accustomed to the tender embrace of state regulators. Gov. Francis Cherry promptly replaced Leatherman and he joined McMath’s practice. Though it didn’t seem financially promising in the seat of Arkansas commerce, they decided they would only represent working people, consumers and sometimes small businesses— people who were injured or wronged somehow. The exception was the Arkansas Electric Cooperatives Corp., for which Leatherman was general counsel for 35 years. McMath and Woods made a formidable team, Woods as a digger of evidence and scholar on negligence (his book Comparative Fault became a universal textbook on that area of tort law) and McMath for his powerful eloquence in front of a jury. McMath’s extemporaneous oration at Woods’s funeral in 2002, when McMath was 90 and blind, was an unforgettable moment for those who were there. U.S. District Judge Billy Roy Wilson muttered at the end of it that he would be satisfied to go ahead and

perish if he knew that McMath would deliver his eulogy. McMath and Woods became early members of the Inner Circle of Advocates, a prestigious organization of plaintiff’s lawyers that admits only two lawyers in active practice from each state. Toward the end of his career McMath was elected president of the International Trial Lawyers Academy. The McMath Woods legal legacy lives on in a firm that bears their names, where two of McMath’s sons practice, as well as in the practice of his oldest son, Sandy, who now has his own firm. While the firm has branched into consumer and environmental law, in addition to personal injury, the ethos of the practice remains the same. This is reflected not only in the practice but in the members’ participation in public and civic affairs as illustrated by partners Sam Ledbetter and Will Bond, both former state representatives. Bond is chairman of the state Democratic Party while Ledbetter serves on the state Board of Education. McMath’s autobiography began as a book about the achievements of the practice that he and Woods founded, illustrated by cases “that made a difference.” While these became an appendix to Promises Kept, the original intent indicated the import McMath placed on his legal legacy.

Though it didn’t seem financially promising in the seat of Arkansas commerce, they decided they would only represent working people, consumers and sometimes small businesses— people who were injured or wronged somehow. In the 60 years after the founding of their firm, McMath, Woods and their successors played a material role in the expansion of personal-injury and consumer law, establishing precedents that have shaped tort law in Arkansas and the United States. If Republicans and the United States Chamber of Commerce want one scapegoat in their campaign to roll back or halt personal-injury and malpractice judgments and settlements, the McMath Woods firm would be a good one, as a few examples illustrate:

· In 1958, McMath and Woods won a suit that for the first time gave women the right to receive damages for the loss of relationship with their spouses in injury and wrongful death case. Until then, only men could recover damages for the loss of companionship. The Arkansas Supreme Court upheld the decision, and the common law spread to all the other states. · In 1969, McMath and Woods sued a construction firm building a dam on the Arkansas River at Pine Bluff for a 23-year-old worker whose spine was severed when a small motorboat he was on was ordered to go through a rapidly closing flood gate, capsizing the boat. The company insisted that it was a mere workers compensation case and that the paralyzed man was not a crewman of a navigable vessel under U.S. maritime law. Prevailing on both issues, McMath implored the jury in closing to “let justice flow like a mighty river.” It did, awarding $1 million in damages, at that time the largest admiralty personal injury verdict in federal court. · In 1971, the firm successfully prosecuted a lawsuit against Western Auto Stores for negligently selling a gun to an escaped killer, who promptly used it to injure one man and kill two others, whom he kidnapped and executed in the woods outside Rogers, establishing that a violation of a federal statute (the Gun Control Act of 1968) was evidence of negligence in a tort case for which a seller might be liable. · The case of Johnson v. AP&L involved the mysterious death of a house painter. McMath, with son Phillip and partner Mart Vehik, through expert medical and engineering testimony relying upon a subsequent similar accident at the same location, proved that the death was caused by electrocution from a negligently maintained power line. It became a leading case on the admissibility of subsequent accidents to prove proximate cause. · In 1979, the firm, with Sandy McMath as the lead counsel, established that under Arkansas law a jury could decide whether General Motors was at fault for the permanent disability of a young woman left quadriplegic when a racing Pontiac Firebird Trans Am spun out of control and crashed. The young woman’s suit established a precedent for “negligent inducement”

— Sid McMath

Right: The Sidney S. McMath Building is the home of McMath Woods P.A. and is located at 711 West Third Street in Little Rock.

by a corporation, the basis of tobacco lawsuits 20 year later. The Firebird Trans Am was the car in which Burt Reynolds performed spectacular feats at tremendous speeds in the cult mov-

ing plant—ultimately contaminating a large area of groundwater. The state Pollution Control and Ecology Commission and the federal Environmental Protection Agency issued warnings

ie “Smokey and the Bandit.” Evidence was presented that GM had approved the script of the movie and encouraged dealers to show movie clips of the car doing daring maneuvers at high speeds, and that the clips had been shown to the 18-year-old boy at the time of the vehicles purchase a few weeks before the accident. · In 1982, Bruce and Phillip McMath on behalf of the estate of young Mark Brown, killed when a Missouri Pacific freight train struck his vehicle at a crossing at Prescott, obtained the first punitive-damage award against a railroad for failing to install active warning devices. The railroad had a conscious policy not to spend corporate money to install such devices, so the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals refused to set the verdict aside. The case established that punitive damages were recoverable in Arkansas in a wrongful death case. · Victories in suits against nursing homes in the 1970s and 1980s—notably for the family of an elderly man who was parboiled when he was left unattended in a hot whirlpool bath and for a young woman who was semi-comatose when she was raped in her bed by a nursing home worker—pioneered nursing home liability based upon inadequate staffing and employment standards. This led Sandy McMath to found and then Chair the American Trial Lawyers Association’s Nursing Home Victims’ Litigation Group teaching other lawyers how to win such cases. · The firm sued Tyson Foods, Inc., in 1987 for overloading the Green Forest, Arkansas, sewage treatment plant with wastes from its chicken-process-

for years but did little until Bruce and Phillip McMath, partner Sam Ledbetter and a Rogers lawyer, Jim Lingle, sued. The trial resulted in an award of damages and a finding that Tyson had repeatedly violated the Clean Water Act. Earlier, in a case spearheaded by partner Winslow Drummond, the law firm had prosecuted Hercules for pollution around the Vertac Chemical Plant in Jacksonville. The firm has since sought remedies and compensation for neighborhoods against polluting industries in El Dorado, Little Rock, North Little Rock, Saline County and Coffeeville, Kan. Most recently, Will Bond, Sam Ledbetter, and Neil Chamberlin obtained a jury award in excess of $1.4 million on behalf of eight families after an industrial explosion forced them to temporarily evacuate their homes in Saline County. · Sandy and Phillip McMath and Mountain Home lawyer Roy Danuser, brought a libel action against The Sun, a Canadian tabloid newspaper, for a 1990 article that carried a picture of 95-year-old Nellie Mitchell of Mountain Home over a headline that said, “World’s Oldest Newspaper Carrier, 101, Quits Because She Is Pregnant.” Having seen an earlier article about the elderly newspaper carrier, the newspaper, assuming she was dead, concocted the story about her quitting because she was pregnant. The jury awarded her $1.5 million, part of which Nellie used to create a scholarship fund for youngsters who had worked delivering newspapers. · In 1993, a federal jury awarded $10.65 million, including $3 million in punitive damages, to 23 South Arkansas tomato farmers whose crops

in memorium McMath Woods P.A. honors past partners and associates whose dedication helped create the firm we know today.

Clockwise from top left: Judge Henry Woods, Leland Leatherman, Winslow Drummond, Paul Harrison

Blind, but still seeing. Sidney S. McMath

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A special su p p l em en t fr o m M cM at h Wo o ds P. A . At torn e ys at l aw

were damaged by a defective fungicide. Tried by Bruce McMath and Little Rock lawyer Evans Benton, the verdict was the first against DuPont on the product and paved the way for hundreds of suits against the company from Florida to Hawaii. · The firm pioneered the concept of tobacco litigation on behalf of public entities with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 1991, two years before Mississippi and Florida filed the first claims. But, Arkansas officials declined to initiate suits until years later. · In 2006, Will Bond, Sam Ledbetter and Bruce McMath obtained a $6.5 million verdict for the estate of an Army private who, sitting down to rest against an unused latrine after a long training march at Fort Benning Ga., was electrocuted. The jury found the maintenance contractor, Shaw Industries, shared the fault for the incident with the Army. · Most recently, Bruce McMath and Neil Chamberlin succeeded in arguing that elements of the Civil Justice Reform Act of 2003, intended to reduce plaintiff recoveries in personal injury cases by assigning fault to persons and entities not party to the suit, was unconstitutional. McMath concluded his legal career in his eighties, representing Arkansas families whose children were believed to have suffered brain damage from the diphtheria element of the childhood DTP vaccine. Although Japanese vaccine manufacturers had developed a less reactive vaccine, American children continued to get a cheaper whole-cell version. McMath, working with a few other lawyers around the country, son Bruce and associate Sandra Sanders, sought to hold the producers liable. Under pressure from the suits, the vaccine manufacturers sought legislation to avoid liability. While they received limited immunity, it came with the Vaccine Compensation Act, which established a way to compensate injured children and the adoption of a safer vaccine. In his memoir, Promises Kept, McMath concludes with a warning about the forces that are inundating the media with stories about massive and unjustified punitive-damage awards. Punitive awards by juries are fairly rare, he said, but are justified when businesses flagrantly and willfully endanger people. In a free market economy, accountability for one’s commercial conduct is essential, he said. In all three of his careers, the central theme in McMath’s life was service to the common good.

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JUNE 13, 2012

Arts Entertainment

CINDY MOMCHILOV

AND

‘A LOSS OF ROSES’: From left, Jean Lichty, Jane Summerhays and Bret Lada star in The Rep’s production.

REBIRTH OF ‘ROSES’

Rep gives neglected William Inge work another chance. BY BERNARD REED

t’s been a good year for the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, having brought to its stage both literary classics (“To Kill a Mockingbird,” “A Christmas Carol: The Musical”) and contemporary musicals straight from Broadway (“The Wiz,” “Next to Normal”). Bringing to a close its 36th season, The Rep is presenting William Inge’s “A Loss of Roses,” opening June 15, for what will be one of the few productions of the play since it opened in 1959. In Depression-era Kansas, Helen (Jane Summerhays) is a widow in her mid-40s, whose son, 21-year-old Kenny (Bret Lada), has not yet left home for marriage or work. Conflict is stirred when Lila (Jean Lichty) — an old friend of Helen’s who is in her early 30s — arrives on their doorstep, coming through town as an actress in a traveling show. Lila used to help Helen out when Kenny was a baby; nonetheless, sexual tension rises between her and the younger man, pro30

JUNE 13, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

pelling all three of them toward catastrophe. Like much of Inge’s work, it exposes a family that is fractured by deep emotional and Freudian complications. So why is the play so rare? Inge is remembered for several successful Broadway plays, including “Picnic” and “Bus Stop” (the latter being made into a movie with Marilyn Monroe in 1956), and was lauded for his sensitive depictions of small-town Midwestern life. But the original production of “A Loss of Roses” was a flop when it opened in 1959, running for only three weeks and practically extinguishing his career on Broadway. Lacking a Wikipedia entry, it even fails the litmus test for modernday relevancy. Yet Austin Pendleton, who is directing it at The Rep, admits that it might be his favorite work of Inge’s. Pendleton, a graduate of Yale, was Tony-nominated for his work on a Broadway production of “The Little Foxes” that starred Eliz-

abeth Taylor. He’s also had numerous film roles and is a member of Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company. “I was very moved by it, and very haunted by the fact that this was the play that turned his good fortune around,” he explains. “After ‘A Loss of Roses,’ his reputation fell apart. He killed himself 14 years later, and during that time, even his successful plays were considered out of fashion. I don’t know of any other playwright who’s had such a failure with so many other successes.” Pendleton discovered the play in 2003 at the William Inge Theater Festival in Inge’s hometown of Independence, Kan. “I thought to myself, how could the play have been such a flop? I’ve been in a couple of productions and movies that could not have gone wrong, and yet they did.” Somehow, “A Loss of Roses” went wrong, too. Its 1959 production was cursed by persistent script changes and

the feeble nerves of its star, Shirley Booth, who was in the role of Helen, and who ended up exiting the show two weeks before opening night. Critics turned up their noses, although it did earn Warren Beatty a Tony nomination for his performance as Kenny — a sign, Pendleton assures, of redeemable qualities that were hampered by an unfortunate production. Lichty, who is a proud Inge devotee, said, “When I started working on this with Austin, people told me, have you read the reviews? They’re scathing! Why don’t you try another one?” She said her attraction to Inge is personal. Her grandparents are from a town not far from Independence, where the festival was held. “He writes wonderfully about the Midwest,” she said, “and captures perfectly the way that they speak, and the heartbreaking importance that’s placed on everyday things. He also writes incredible roles for women — his female characters are so complicated and fascinating.” This is the second Inge play that Pendleton and Lichty have been involved with, having previously collaborated on a production of “Bus Stop” at the Olney Theatre outside Washington, D.C., and produced and performed in two staged readings in New York, with Alec Baldwin and Brian Cox. After a staged reading of “A Loss of Roses” in New York in 2010 at the Cherry Lane Theater, she and Pendleton began searching for small regional theaters around the country that seemed right for a revival of the play, and The Rep’s enthusiasm caught their eye. Now, with a $20,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as a version of the script that restores Inge’s original ending (as opposed to the changes made for Shirley Booth that he did not approve of), the show is ready to turn around its luck. “Nobody knows anything about the play,” Pendleton said, “and nobody really knows how it works with audiences. In that sense, it’s like doing a premiere.” “A Loss of Roses” opens at The Rep on Friday, June 15. Curtain is at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sundays; the play runs through July 1. It contains adult language and content, and might not be suitable for children. Pay-what-you-can night is June 13 at 7 p.m. and there is a preview performance June 14 at 7 p.m.

}}

FREE SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM

ROCK CANDY

The Little Rock School District Child Nutrition Department is participating in the Summer Food Service Program. Meals will be provided to all children (18 and under) without charge.

Check out the Times’ A&E blog

Bale June 6 - June 29 Baseline June 11- Aug. 2 Booker June 11 - July 26 Brady June 11 - Aug. 2 Cloverdale June 11 - July 6 Dodd June 11 - June 22 Dunbar June 11 - Aug. 2 Forest Heights June 4 - Aug.10

arktimes.com

A&E NEWS

LITTLE ROCK-BASED DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKERS BRENT and

Craig Renaud have won a 2012 Edward R. Murrow Award for a short piece they filmed for the New York Times on children seeking care in the U.S. after the devastating earthquake in Haiti. The piece, called “Surviving the Earthquake: The Children,” was the second in a multi-part series filmed by the Renauds for the New York Times. The Edward R. Murrow Awards are awarded by the Radio, Television, Digital News Association. The Renaud brothers’ report won in the category of Video Continuing Coverage, Online News Operation — National. You can watch the full video online at www. arktimes.com/renauds. Have your handkerchief ready. It’s a heartbreaking piece of journalism.

Sharing good things with good friends.

1900 N. Grant, Little Rock, AR 501-663-8999

Franklin June 11 - July 13 Geyer Springs June 11 - Aug. 2 Hall June 11 - July 26 Henderson June 11 - July 18 J.A. Fair June 11 - June 29 Mabelvale ES June 11 - July 13 Mabelvale MS June 5 - June 27 McClellan June 11 - June 29

Otter Creek June 11 - June 29 Rockefeller June 4 - Aug.10 Romine June 11 - Aug. 2 Stephens June 11 - Aug. 2 Terry June 11 - July 13 Wakefield June 6 - July 3 Washington June 11 - July 13

For more detailed information including meal times please visit, www.lrd.org.

There will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to: USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866)632-9992.

THE ARKANSAS REPERTORY THEATRE took its production of “Next to

MARCUS RACHARD

Normal” on the road for a string of performances in Kansas City. The show earned rave reviews here in Little Rock, and the Kansas City Star had some very nice things to say about it as well. Robert Trussell wrote that “Director Nicole Capri guides an exceptionally talented cast through the material with a simple, economical style.” He praised the lighting and set design as well. “If this production is typical of the quality enjoyed by theatergoers in Little Rock, then we should hope for more visits from the Arkansas Rep,” he wrote.

MISS LISA LAWS, with an appealing and delightful rendition of “Practically Perfect” from “Mary Poppins,” captured the hearts of both the audience and the judges at Miss Gay Arkansas Newcomer Pageant Saturday night. She was assisted by dancers Ryan Whitfield and Carolyn Holt. Miss Blaze Duvall won first alternate, winning them both a trip to Miss Gay Arkansas America on Aug. 18 at the Argenta Community Theater in North Little Rock.

www.arktimes.com

JUNE 13, 2012

THE TO-DO

LIST

BY ROBERT BELL & LINDSEY MILLAR

FRIDAY 6/15

WAR CHIEF

9 p.m. Stickyz.

Of all the best Arkansas bands playing right now, I think War Chief has as much of that elusive and mysterious “breakout potential” as any other group going. The band did well in the 2012 Times Musicians Showcase, making it to the final round and getting the crowd onboard with its melodic rock-folk. Their songs are accessible and contemporary, and while the group certainly draws on the influence of giants — think a less shaggy Crazy Horse — they’ve got their own sound. Essentially, the band plays a tasteful, smart, modern version of classic rock: the music is rocking (as opposed to cheekily “rawking”); there are guitar solos; front man Grayson Shelton is a singer, not a yarler. I’ve only heard a couple of tracks from War Chief’s forthcoming full-length, but I was certainly not disappointed. The two tracks were allegedly rough mixes, but they sounded fine to these ears, with

REGIONAL ROCKERS: War Chief plays an album release show at Stickyz on Friday.

soaring six-string action and a Hammond B3 (or something close to it) swirling around in the mix that’s reminiscent of prime, mid-’60s Dylan. The album, titled “Letters from Prester John,” should be available at this show. Opening acts are the raucous country-rockers Swampbird and a solo set from Fayetteville showman Randall Shreve. RB.

SATURDAY 6/16

JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION

Noon. Mosaic Templars Cultural Center. Free. COMEBACK COMEDIAN: Comedian Dave Chappelle brings his standup act to Robinson Center Music Hall Wednesday.

WEDNESDAY 6/13

DAVE CHAPPELLE

7 p.m. Robinson Center Music Hall. $64.

Who saw this one coming? Anybody? The comedy world’s closest equivalent to J.D. Salinger is coming to … Little Rock and Memphis? The last I’d read of Dave Chappelle was back in July 2011 when he did a two-night stint for charity at a Miami casino, and the first night ended with him standing there at length, answering text messages and telling all of one joke, apparently because a bunch of yahoos in the front were filming the set with their phones. Now that is some tacky behavior for sure, but did it warrant giving the silent treatment to the non-mouthbreather contingent of the audience as well? I don’t know, but I’m inclined to sympathize with Chappelle on this one because probably more than most 32

JUNE 13, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

comics, he’s had to deal with obnoxious fans (“Man, I bet everybody’ll think it’s hilarious when I scream ‘I’m Rick James, bitch!’ right in the middle of Dave’s set!”), but also because I just really, really want everybody to put away their $*¥%@#! phones for one minute. But aside from the Miami incident (for which he apologized and mocked himself the next night) I’m intrigued by reports of Chappelle working out new material at impromptu late-night sets at small comedy clubs. Daily Beast columnist Touré described one of these shows and said that while the set meandered a bit and didn’t really have a theme, Chappelle killed and his “comedy muscles remain cock diesel.” The crowd at Robinson will get to find out for sure, but please (and I really shouldn’t have to say this), people: keep your catchphrases and your phones in your pockets. RB.

Juneteenth, which commemorates the announcement of the end of slavery in Texas, is now a state holiday or observance in 41 states, including Arkansas. Though the Emancipation Proclamation became official in 1863, it wasn’t until 1865 that the news reached Texas and Gen. Gordon Granger began enforcement of emancipation on June 19. The holiday was typically observed at churches and in rural areas — because of segregation — and usually entailed

barbecues, games, rodeos, fishing and prayer services, according to Juneteenth. com. The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center will celebrate with activities for kids, food vendors, live entertainment, a rock climbing wall and more, from noon to 7 p.m. The celebration includes live music from Nicky Parrish, Afrodesia with Tim Anthony, Essie the Blues Lady, The Girls & Boys Choir of Little Rock, Butterfly and Irie Soul, Billy Jones Bluez, The Gloryland Pastors Choir and Foreign Tongues poetry group. At 1:30 p.m., there will be a short play about the importance of celebrating Juneteenth. RB.

SATURDAY 6/16

S.L. JONES

8 p.m., Vino’s. $7.

When the Arkansas rap world bemoans its lack of representation in the national conversation, it often forgets S.L. Jones. Sure, he’s far from a household name, but he’s been doing his thing for a sizeable underground audience for at least five years, coming up through Killer Mike’s Grind Time clique in Atlanta and firmly

establishing himself as a mixtape force to be reckoned with in the ATL and on finer rap blogs everywhere. Jones hasn’t lived in Little Rock in ages, but he never misses a chance to shout it out, and he’s long been a champion of EDubb and 607. See how this expat is evangelizing for the A-state with a full bill that includes performances by Kari Faux, Flint Eastwood, Nick Ward and Joe Average. LM.

IN BRIEF

THURSDAY 6/14

SATURDAY 6/16

RWAKE, PALLBEARER

9 p.m. Revolution. $7-$9.

At the risk of repeating myself, I’ve got to ask this question: Why are there so many great metal bands from Arkansas? I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m very, very happy about this fact and I’ve got more state pride than a county fair’s worth of good ol’ boys hopped up on Mini-Thins, Mountain Dew and Skoal. But it’s still remarkable that a state this small has birthed, to name a handful just off the top of my head: Deadbird, Vore, Iron

Tongue, Seahag, Snakedriver, Rwake and Pallbearer. The latter two are headlining this show. Rwake’s “Rest,” from last year, is an apocalyptic metal masterpiece, a mix of post-Neurosis bleakness and Southern sludge, with a core of contemplative psychedelic guitar wizardry. Rwake recently played the Maryland Deathfest, one of the biggest metal fests in the world. Pallbearer’s debut, “Sorrow and Extinction,” has gotten critical raves for its haunting, innovative doom metal, and the band has played several high-

profile shows since its release, including recent gigs in New York and a Scion A/V showcase in L.A. back in April. I’ve got to cop to having not seen Rwake play live in several years, and I’ve never seen Pallbearer, so I’m way excited about this show, as are many other folks, no doubt. Also playing this 18-and-older show are the local young thrashers Severe Headwound and the classic hardcore revivalists R.I.O.T.S., so all ya’ll remember to show up on time, it’s gonna be a major rager. RB.

in on his intentions via soliloquies. “But there’s also something infectious and appealing about this hunchback King,” Quinlan writes in his director’s note. “He looks us in the eye when he speaks. He’s got a wicked sense of humor. He’s ambitious … just like us. What’s so wrong with that? It’s not until we start to see the intense human suffering and grief that he leaves in his wake that it

becomes clear that a leader without a conscience can be a dangerous thing, indeed.” Quinlan also notes that the production blends modern elements into the historical play as a reminder about the ever-present threat of tyranny. “Richard III” runs June 16, 20, 21 and 28 at 7:30 p.m. and July 1 at 1 p.m. at UCA’s Reynolds Performance Hall. Tickets are $22-$27.

SATURDAY 6/16

‘RICHARD III’

7:30 p.m. Reynolds Performance Hall. $22-$27.

The next play on this year’s Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre lineup is “Richard III,” directed by Robert Quinlan. The play follows Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, as he schemes and betrays and murders his way to the throne, letting the audience

SUNDAY 6/17

RICHARD LLOYD

8:30 p.m. Revolution. $10 adv., $12 day of.

Attn. Central Arkansas guitar geeks: Richard Lloyd is playing in Little Rock. That’s right, the same guy who was responsible for one half of the blazing, virtuosic guitar duels snaking throughout Television’s stone-cold classic debut “Marquee Moon” and its worthy (though not as revolutionary) follow-up “Adventure.” And check this: I’m told the drummer on this tour is none other than Billy Ficca, whose tricky, polyrhythmic percussion was as integral a part of Television’s sound as those magical, intertwining guitars. And now check this: Also performing with Lloyd and Ficca is Danny Tamberelli, the musician and actor known for his role on the surrealistic Nickelodeon series “The Adventures of Pete & Pete.” Got all that? Let’s recap: half of Television, plus the guy who played Little Pete are playing Sunday at Revolution. Pardon me for a sec while I go ask somebody to help me figure out whether I’m tripping

Ohio screamo outfit Hawthorne Heights plays Juanita’s, 8:30 p.m., $10 adv., $12 day of. White Water Tavern has a night of standout local rock, with the excellent singer/songwriter Adam Faucett and the bluesy swagger of heavies Iron Tongue, 9:30 p.m. Over at Denton’s in Saline County, you can check out Lukas Nelson & The Promise of the Real. The son of the great Willie Nelson is a fine singer and musician in his own right, plying a bluesy classic rock sound, 8 p.m., $10 adv., $15 day of. Murry’s Dinner Playhouse has “The Dixie Swim Club,” a comedy about five Southern women whose longtime friendship gets recharged on a long weekend every August, 6 p.m., Tue.-Sat. through June 23.

FRIDAY 6/15

Austin, Texas, roots-rockers Band of Heathens come back to town for a performance after the 7:10 p.m. Arkansas Travelers game at the Hook Slide Corner at Dickey-Stephens Park, $6-$12. Florida rapper Plies — known for his hits “Shawty” and “Medicine” — comes to Clear Channel Metroplex, 9 p.m., $25-$50. Down in Hot Springs, Maxine’s has an eclectic lineup, with Little Rock bruisers The See, Fort Smith post-punks Pagiins and hometown folk faves Ben Franks & The Bible Belt Boys, 8 p.m., $7. Southern hip-hop group Rehab is at Juanita’s, 10 p.m., $13 adv., $15 day of. The great Tyrannosaurus Chicken roars into White Water Tavern for a night of trance-inducing psyche-blues, 9:30 p.m. Long-running Little Rock troupe Red Octopus Theater’s “Summer in the City!” is sketch comedy with a summertime theme and is recommended for mature audiences, The Public Theatre, through June 16, 8 p.m., $8-$10. “Spring Awakening,” the Tony Award-winning musical adapted from Frank Wedekind’s 1891 expressionist play about the trials, tears and exhilaration of the teen-age years, returns to The Weekend Theater, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, $16-$20.

SATURDAY 6/16

For some women’s full tackle pro football, check out the Arkansas Banshees, who take on The Houston Energy at J.A. Fair Magnet High School, 6 p.m., $5. It’s time once more for Songwriter Night at Maxine’s, featuring Brian Martin, Buddy Flett, Dear Rabbit and William Blackart, 8 p.m., $5 adv., $7 door. Longtime bluegrass favorites Runaway Planet get down to some string-shredding at White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m.

MONDAY 6/17 TELEVISION PERSONALITIES: Richard Lloyd and Billy Ficca, both of the classic New York band Television, are playing at Revolution Sunday.

balls or having a stroke or something right now. Look for Lloyd and crew to play some of his recent tunes, some Hendrix covers and maybe a couple of

Television classics as well. The opening act is Grand Stand, which features Kelley Anderson of the Tennessee retro-rockers Those Darlins.

Suburban rapper Asher Roth comes to Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $20 adv., $25 day of. You probably know him from the tracks “I Love College” or maybe “Last Man Standing,” which features Akon and was used on Madden 2012. Openers are Flint Eastood and Nick Ward.

www.arktimes.com

JUNE 13, 2012

AFTER DARK Youth Oil Painting. For ages 10 and up. Walton Arts Center’s Nadine Baum Studios, through June 15, 9:30 a.m., $80. 505 W. Spring St., Fayetteville. 479-443-5600. theatre2.org.

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.

CLASSES

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13

MUSIC

Acoustic Open Mic. The Afterthought, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www. afterthoughtbar.com. Adam & Lucy. Cajun’s Wharf, 5 p.m., $5 cover after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-3755351. www.cajunswharf.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. Chris Henry. The Tavern Sports Grill, 7 p.m., free. 17815 Chenal Parkway. 501-830-2100. www. thetavernsportsgrill.com. Featuring DJ Epic. Flying DD, 8 p.m. 4601 S. University. 501-773-9990. flyingdd.com. Grim Muzik presents Way Back Wednesdays. Cornerstone Pub & Grill, 8:30 p.m. 314 Main St., NLR. 501-374-1782. cstonepub.com. Hot Springs Music Festival XVII. More than 200 performers from around the world will gather for 20 concerts and hundreds of open rehearsals at venues all over Hot Springs. Downtown Hot Springs, through June 16. Central Avenue, Hot Springs. Jeff Kearney & Friends. George’s Majestic Lounge, free. 519 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479-442-4226. Jim Dickerson. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www.sonnywilliamssteakroom.com. Low Dough Wednesdays: The Revolutioners, Jeff Coleman & The Feeders, Josh Green. Revolution, 8:30 p.m., $5. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom.com. Ricky David Tripp. Rocket Twenty One, 5:30 p.m. 2601 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-603-9208. www. ferneaurestaurant.com. Sirens & Sailors, Everyone Dies in Utah, Myka, Relocate. Downtown Music Hall, 7 p.m., $7. 211 W. Capitol. 501-376-1819. downtownmusichall.com. Smile Empty Soul, The Veer Union, Ionia. Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $10. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www.juanitas.com. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 5 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www.capitalhotel.com/CBG.

COMEDY

Dave Chappelle. Robinson Center Music Hall, 7 p.m., $64. Markham and Broadway. www.littlerockmeetings.com/conv-centers/robinson. The Joint Venture. Improv comedy group. The Joint, 8 p.m., $5. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com. Sam Demaris, Mikey Mason and Vic Alejandro. The Loony Bin, 8 p.m.; June 15, 10:30 p.m.; June 16, 7, 9 and 11 p.m., $7-$10. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.com.

DANCE

Little Rock Bop Club. Beginning dance lessons for ages 10 and older. Singles welcome. Bess Chisum Stephens Community Center, 7 p.m.,

JUNE 13, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

‘BUBBLY’ SINGER: Platinum-selling pop songstress Colbie Caillat swings through the state for shows at Magic Springs’ Timberwood Amphitheater (Saturday, 7:30 p.m., $30-$65) and the Arkansas Music Pavilion in Fayetteville (with Gavin DeGraw and Andy Grammer, 7:30 p.m., $22-$77). $4 for members, $7 for guests. 12th & Cleveland Streets. 501-350-4712. www.littlerockbopclub.

EVENTS

“African Americans and the Civil War in Arkansas.” Professional development workshop featuring guest lecturers Mark Christ, Rhonda Stewart and Blake Wintory. Provides six hours of in-service credit. Lakeport Plantation, 9 a.m., free. 601 State Hwy. 142, Lake Village. 870-265-6031. arkansasheritagesites.astate. edu/AHS/. Arkansas Foodbank Summer Feeding Sites. Two meals a day served at the Billy Mitchell Boys and Girls Club, Thrasher Boys and Girls Club, Penick Boys and Girls Club and Dalton Whetstone Boys and Girls Club in Central Arkansas, and the Boys and Girls Club in Benton in Saline County. Arkansas Foodbank, through Aug. 20: 8:30 a.m. and 12 p.m., free. 4301 W. 65th St. 501-565-8121. www.arkansasfoodbank.org. “A Loss of Roses” panel discussion. With Tony Award-nominated director Austin Pendleton and cast members of The Rep’s production of “A Loss of Roses.” Clinton School of Public Service, 12 p.m., free. 1200 President Clinton Ave. 501-6835239. www.clintonschool.uasys.edu.

FILM

Movies in the Park: “Steel Magnolias.” Film

begins at sundown. Riverfest Amphitheatre, 8 p.m., free. 400 President Clinton Ave.

BOOKS

Ron Tanner. The author of “From Animal House to Our House: A Love Story” will sign copies of his book and discuss his work as a preservationist. That Bookstore in Blytheville, 4 p.m., free. 316 W. Main St.

CAMPS

Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre’s The Groundlings Company. Camp for ages 10-18. Students receive training from ASTâ€™s professional company of actors and teaching artists. Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts, through June 22, 9 a.m. p.m., $400. 20919 Denny Road. Crazy Mosaic Session 1. For ages 8 and up. Walton Arts Center’s Nadine Baum Studios, through June 15, 1:30 p.m. 505 W. Spring St., Fayetteville. 479-443-5600. theatre2.org. The Quest Session 1. For ages 5-7. Walton Arts Center’s Nadine Baum Studios, through June 15, 9:30 a.m., $80. 505 W. Spring St., Fayetteville. 479-443-5600. theatre2.org. The Youth Theatre of Central Arkansas. For students in grades 3-12. University of Central Arkansas, Snow Fine Arts Center Recital Hall, through July 13: 9 a.m. p.m., $275-$300. 201 Donaghey Ave., Conway. 501-450-5092. www. uca.edu/theatre.

Children’s Pottery Class. Ages 6-12. Claytime Pottery Studio, through June 15, 10 a.m.; through July 27, 10 a.m., $150. 417 Main St. 501-374-3515. Summer Museum School. Registration for the Arkansas Arts Center’s Museum Summer School classes for children and adults has begun. Classes begin June 18. For more information go to arkarts.com and click on Art Classes or call 372-4000. Arkansas Arts Center, Continues through June 18. 501 E. 9th St. 501-372-4000. www.arkarts.com. Thea summer art classes. The Thea Foundation is taking registrations for Thea’s Art Class, a summer art camp with teacher Sarah Elizabeth Miller. Session 1 is July 2-5 and 9-12, from 9-11 a.m. for third through sixth graders and 2-4 p.m. for seventh through ninth graders. Session 2 is July 23-26, 30-31 and Aug. 1-2 (same hours as above). Fee is $75 for 8 classes; class limit is 15 students. For more information, go to theafoundation.org. Thea Foundation, Continues through July 25. 401 Main St., NLR. 501-3799512. www.theafoundation.org.

KIDS

Junior Arts Academy. For ages 6-9. Arkansas Arts Center. 501 E. 9th St. 501-372-4000. www. arkarts.com.

THURSDAY, JUNE 14

MUSIC

Adam Faucett, Iron Tongue. White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m. 2500 W. 7th. 501-375-8400. www.whitewatertavern.com. “After 7.” Includes open mic performances, live band, drink specials and more. Porter’s Jazz Cafe, 7 p.m. 315 Main St. 501-324-1900. www. portersjazzcafe.com. Artosphere Chamber Music Series at Cooper Chapel. A part of the Artosphere festival 2012. Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel, 7 p.m., $10. 504 Memorial Drive, Bella Vista. 479-8556598. Chamber Players Multimedia Concert. Malco Theater, 7:30 p.m., $10. 817 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-623-6200. Darkside of Daylight. Vino’s, 8 p.m., $8. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com. The Del Toros. Maxine’s, 8 p.m., free. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. maxinespub.com. Fill the Silence, Tsar Bomba. The Joint, 8 p.m., $5. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com. Hawthorne Heights. Juanita’s, 8:30 p.m., $10 adv., $12 d.o.s. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501372-1228. www.juanitas.com. Hot Springs Music Festival XVII. See June 13. “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. Jim Dickerson. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, June 14, 7 p.m.; June 19-21, 7 p.m.; June 26-28, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www.sonnywilliamssteakroom.com. Josh Green. Thirst n’ Howl, 8 p.m., free. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www.thirst-n-howl. com. Live at Laman: The Dizzy 7. Laman Library,

Live Music tHuRSDAy, JuNe 14

ADAm FAuCett w/ iRON tONgue

Arkansas Foodbank Summer Feeding Sites. See June 13. Centennial Celebration of Sid McMath. Arkansas Studies Institute, 8:30 a.m., free. 401 President Clinton Ave. 501-320-5700 ‎. www. butlercenter.org. Summer Fun Extravaganza. Exhibit about the science of summertime fun. Museum of Discovery, June 14-16, 9 a.m., $8-$10, free for members. 500 Clinton Ave. 396-7050, 1-800880-6475. www.amod.org.

FILM

“Seed Swap.” Documentary about the development of a seed exchange and agricultural biodiversity conservation project in the Ozark Mountains. Faulkner County Library, 7 p.m., free. 1900 Tyler St., Conway. 501-327-7482. www.fcl.org.

SPORTS

Arkansas Travelers vs. Tulsa Drillers. DickeyStephens Park, June 14-16, 7:10 p.m.; June 17, 6 p.m., $6-$12. 400 W. Broadway St., NLR. 501-664-1555. www.travs.com.

BOOKS

Wayne Pacelle. The author of “The Bond: Our Kinship with Animals, Our Call to Defend Them” will discuss his work. Barnes & Noble, 5:30 p.m., free. 11500 Financial Center Parkway. 501-954-7646. www.barnesandnoble.com.

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tueSDAy, JuNe 19

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Pub: Arkansas Times

EVENTS

The 1 Oz. Jig. The Afterthought, 9 p.m., $7. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www. afterthoughtbar.com. A-State Boys. Cornerstone Pub & Grill, 9 p.m. 314 Main St., NLR. 501-374-1782. cstonepub. com. Band of Heathens. Performance after the 7:10 p.m. Arkansas Travelers game. DickeyStephens Park, $6-$12. 400 W. Broadway St., NLR. 501-664-1555. www.travs.com. Bluesboy Jag and His Cigar Box Guitars. Dogtown Coffee and Cookery, 6 p.m., free. 6725 John F. Kennedy Blvd., NLR. 501-8333850. www.facebook.com/pages/DogtownCoffee-and-Cookery. Brent Stroud. The Tavern Sports Grill, 8 p.m., free. 17815 Chenal Parkway. 501-830-2100. www.thetavernsportsgrill.com. Brian Mullen. Denton’s Trotline, 9 p.m., $10. 2150 Congo Road, Benton. 501-315-1717. Cody Jinks. Shooter’s Sports Bar & Grill, 9 p.m., $5. 9500 I-30. 501-565-4003. www.shooterslittlerock.com. 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. FreeWorld. Midtown Billiards, 12:30 a.m., $5. 1316 Main St. 501-372-9990. midtownar.com. Hot Springs Music Festival XVII. See June 13. Itinerant Locals, The Toneados. Vino’s, 9 p.m., $5. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com. My Hands to War (final show). Downtown Music Hall, 8 p.m. 211 W. Capitol. 501-3761819. downtownmusichall.com. Ramona & The On Call Band (headliner), Brian Ramsey (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. Randy Rogers Band. Revolution, 9 p.m., $20 adv., $25 day of. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom.com. Rehab. Juanita’s, 10 p.m., $13 adv., $15 day of. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www. juanitas.com. The See, Pagiins, Ben Franks & The Bible Belt Boys. Maxine’s, 8 p.m., $7. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. maxinespub.com. Shannon McClung. Flying Saucer, 9 p.m., $3. 323 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-8032. www. beerknurd.com/stores/littlerock. SummerJam Explosion 2012 featuring Plies. Clear Channel Metroplex, 9 p.m., $25-$50. 10800 Col. Glenn Road. 501-217-5113. www. clearchannelmetroplex.com. Taylor Made. West End Smokehouse and Tavern. 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. Thomas East. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, June 15-16, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501324-2999. www.sonnywilliamssteakroom.com. Tyrannosaurus Chicken. White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m. 2500 W. 7th. 501-375-8400. www. whitewatertavern.com. War Chief (album release), Randall Shreve, Swampbird. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9 p.m. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyfingerz.com. CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

t-Rex CHiCkeN

SAtuRDAy, JuNe 16

Trim: 2.125x12 Bleed: None Live: 1.875x11.75

Sam Demaris, Mikey Mason and Vic Alejandro. The Loony Bin, through June 15, 8 p.m.; June 15, 10:30 p.m.; June 16, 7, 9 and 11 p.m., $7-$10. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.com.

MUSIC

FRiDAy, JuNe 15

Closing Date: 5.21.12 QC:SM

COMEDY

FRIDAY, JUNE 15

Ad Name: Here We Go Item #: PBL20109877 Job/Order #: 240889

Argenta branch, 7 p.m., free. 506 Main St., NLR. 501-687-1061. www.lamanlibrary.org. Lucious Spiller. The Afterthought, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www. afterthoughtbar.com. Lukas Nelson & The Promise of the Real. Denton’s Trotline. 2150 Congo Road, Benton. 501-315-1717. Neon Skin, We Interrupt This Broadcast. Downtown Music Hall, 8 p.m., $6. 211 W. Capitol. 501-376-1819. downtownmusichall.com. New Music Test: The Tricks, 5 Point Cove, Moonshine Mafia. Revolution, 9 p.m., $5 21 and older, $10 ages 20 and younger. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom. com. Piano-Mania! with Michael Gurt. Woodlands Auditorium, 7 p.m., $15. 1101 De Soto Blvd., Hot Springs Village. 501-922-4231. www.hsvwoodlands.com. Port Arthur Band. Parrot Beach Cafe, 9 p.m. 9611 MacArthur Drive, NLR. 771-2994. Rodge Arnold. The Tavern Sports Grill, 8 p.m., free. 17815 Chenal Parkway. 501-830-2100. www.thetavernsportsgrill.com. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 5 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www. capitalhotel.com/CBG. Tragikly White (headliner), Chris Henry (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. Uncle Lucious. 18-and-older show. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9 p.m., $6. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyfingerz.com.

www.arktimes.com

JUNE 13, 2012

AFTER DARK, CONT. White Chocolate. Thirst n’ Howl, 9 p.m., free. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www.thirstn-howl.com. “YOLO.” Featuring four DJs and beach volleyball, 18-and-older. Flying DD, $5. 4601 S. University. 501-773-9990. flyingdd.com.

COMEDY

The Main Thing. Sketch comedy show. The Joint, 8 p.m., $20. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com. Sam Demaris, Mikey Mason and Vic Alejandro. The Loony Bin, through June 15, 8 p.m.; June 15, 10:30 p.m.; June 16, 7, 9 and 11 p.m., $7-$10. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.com.

EVENTS

71st Annual Johnson County Peach Festival. Courthouse Square, June 15-16. 307 McKennon St., Clarksville. jocopeachfestival.8m.com. Arkansas Foodbank Summer Feeding Sites. See June 13. Centennial Celebration of Sid McMath. Includes special guest Gov. Mike Beebe, with free health and vision screenings and a children’s book giveaway. Sidney S. McMath Library, 10 a.m., free. 2100 John Barrow Drive. 501-225-0066. Food Truck Fridays. Three food trucks on the corner of Main Street and Capitol Avenue. Main Street, Little Rock, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Main St. 501-375-0121. 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. Summer Fun Extravaganza. Exhibit about the science of summertime fun. Museum of Discovery, through June 16, 9 a.m., $8-$10, free for members. 500 Clinton Ave. 396-7050, 1-800-880-6475. www.amod.org. “When Toys Talk.” Opera in the Ozarks’ Outreach Opera presents an adaptation of Ravels’ “L’Enfant et les Sortileges.” The Auditorium, June 15, 7:30 p.m.; June 16, 2 and 3:30 p.m., $10. 36 Main St., Eureka Springs. Zoo Story Time. Little Rock Zoo, through Aug. 31: 10 a.m. 1 Jonesboro Dr. 501-666-2406. www. littlerockzoo.com.

LECTURES

Ron Tanner. The author of “From Animal House to Our House: A Love Story” will sign copies of his book and discuss his work as a preservationist. StudioMain, 12 p.m., free. 1423 S. Main St.

SPORTS

Arkansas Travelers vs. Tulsa Drillers. DickeyStephens Park, through June 16, 7:10 p.m.; June 17, 6 p.m., $6-$12. 400 W. Broadway St.,

NLR. 501-664-1555. www.travs.com.

SATURDAY, JUNE 16

MUSIC

Arkansas River Blues Society Blues Jam Fundraiser. Cornerstone Pub & Grill, 8 p.m. 314 Main St., NLR. 501-374-1782. cstonepub.com. Big Stack. Denton’s Trotline, 9 p.m. 2150 Congo Road, Benton. 501-315-1717. Brian Ramsey Trio. Flying Saucer, 9 p.m., $3. 323 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-8032. www. beerknurd.com/stores/littlerock. Chris Henry. The Tavern Sports Grill, June 16, 8 p.m.; June 20, 7 p.m.; June 27, 7 p.m.; June 29, 8 p.m., free. 17815 Chenal Parkway. 501-8302100. www.thetavernsportsgrill.com. Code Blue. Thirst n’ Howl, 9 p.m., free. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www.thirst-n-howl. com. Colbie Caillat. Magic Springs’ Timberwood Amphitheater, 7:30 p.m., $30-$65. 1701 E. Grand Ave., Hot Springs. Ed Bowman. Midtown Billiards, 12:30 a.m., $5. 1316 Main St. 501-372-9990. midtownar.com. Great Quintets: Artosphere Chamber Music Series with Roberto Diaz. A part of the Artosphere festival 2012. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 7 p.m., $10. 224 N. East St., Fayetteville. Hot Springs Music Festival XVII. See June 13. “KISS Saturdays” with DJs Deja Blu, Greyhound and Silky Slim. Sway, 10 p.m. 412 Louisiana. 501-907-2582. The Lacs. Juanita’s, 10 p.m., $12 adv., $15 day of. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www.juanitas.com. Mr. Meaner. 18-and-older show. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9:30 p.m., $5. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyfingerz.com. Pickin’ Porch at the Library. Faulkner County Library, through Aug. 4: 9:30 a.m., free. 1900 Tyler St., Conway. 501-327-7482. www.fcl.org. Runaway Planet. White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m. 2500 W. 7th. 501-375-8400. www.whitewatertavern.com. Rwake, Pallbearer, Severe Headwound, R.I.O.T.S.. 18-and-older show. Revolution, 9 p.m. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom.com. Saturday night at Discovery. Featuring DJs, dancers and more. Discovery Nightclub, 9 p.m., $10. 1021 Jessie Road. 501-664-4784. www. latenightdisco.com. She Breathes Fire, Decay Awaits, Wraith, MOFD, Obscured Perception. Downtown Music Hall, 7 p.m., $7. 211 W. Capitol. 501-3761819. downtownmusichall.com. SL Jones, Weekend Warriors, Flint Eastwood, Joe Average, Kari Faux. Vino’s, 8 p.m., $7. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com.

Some Guy Named Robb. The Afterthought, 9 p.m., $7. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbar.com. Songwriter Night: Brian Martin, Buddy Flett, Dear Rabbit, William Blackart. Maxine’s, 8 p.m., $5 adv., $7 door. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. maxinespub.com. Songwriters Showcase. Parrot Beach Cafe, 2-7 p.m., free. 9611 MacArthur Drive, NLR. 771-2994. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 9 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www.capitalhotel.com/CBG. Thomas East. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www.sonnywilliamssteakroom.com. Thread. West End Smokehouse and Tavern. 215 N. Shackleford. 501-224-7665. www.westendsmokehouse.net. Wes Hart Band (headliner), Jim Mills (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.

Little Rock Farmers’ Market. River Market Pavilions, through Oct. 27: 7 a.m.-3 p.m. 400 President Clinton Ave. 501-375-2552. rivermarket.info. PFLAG Little Rock Taste of Diversity. Fundraiser benefiting Diverse Youth for Social Change includes wine, food, entertainment and silent auction. Unitarian Universalist Church of Little Rock, 6 p.m., $25. 1818 Reservoir Road. 501244-9690. Summer Fun Extravaganza. Exhibit about the science of summertime fun. Museum of Discovery, 9 a.m., $8-$10, free for members. 500 Clinton Ave. 396-7050, 1-800-880-6475. www.amod.org. Super Summer Saturdays. Free family event celebrating baseball. Clinton Presidential Center, through Aug. 11: 10 a.m., free. 1200 President Clinton Ave. 370-8000. www.clintonpresidentialcenter.org. “When Toys Talk.” See June 15.

COMEDY

Arkansas Banshees vs. Houston Energy. Women’s full tackle pro football. J.A. Fair Magnet High School, 6 p.m., $5. 13240 David O. Dodd. 501-447-1701. www.lrsd.org. Arkansas Travelers vs. Tulsa Drillers. DickeyStephens Park, through June 16, 7:10 p.m.; June 17, 6 p.m., $6-$12. 400 W. Broadway St., NLR. 501-664-1555. www.travs.com. Soul Spirit Zumba with Ashan. Soul Spirit Zumba fuses Latin rhythms with soulful inspirational music. Canvas Community Art Gallery, 9:30-10:30 a.m., $5. 1111 W. 7th St. 501-4140368.

The Main Thing. Sketch comedy show. The Joint, 8 p.m., $20. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com. Sam Demaris, Mikey Mason and Vic Alejandro. The Loony Bin, 7, 9 and 11 p.m., $7-$10. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-228-5555. www. loonybincomedy.com.

DANCE

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

EVENTS

71st Annual Johnson County Peach Festival. Courthouse Square, through. 307 McKennon St., Clarksville. jocopeachfestival.8m.com. Argenta Farmers Market. Argenta, 7 a.m.-12 p.m. Main Street, NLR. Backyard Gourmet. Featuring food from local gardens, live music, demonstrations and more. Faulkner County Library. 1900 Tyler St., Conway. 501-327-7482. www.fcl.org. Falun Gong meditation. Allsopp Park, 9 a.m., free. Cantrell & Cedar Hill Roads. Hillcrest Farmers Market. Pulaski Heights Baptist Church, 7 a.m.-12 p.m. 2200 Kavanaugh Blvd. Juneteenth. Juneteenth celebration includes kids fun zone, live music, vendor giveaways, a rock climbing wall and more. Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, 12 p.m., free. 501 W. 9th St. 501-683-3593. www.mosaictemplarscenter.com. Kids’ Fishing Fest. Fishing derby for children 12 and younger. DeGray Lake State Park, 8 a.m. Hwy. 7. 501-865-5810. www.degray.com.

SPORTS

SUNDAY, JUNE 17

MUSIC

AFO in Siloam Springs-English Perspectives: Iconic Masterworks of Elgar & Walton. Tickets are required. John Brown University, 7 p.m., free. 2000 W. University St., Siloam Springs. 479-5249500. www.jbu.edu. Colbie Caillat, Gavin DeGraw, Andy Grammer. Arkansas Music Pavilion, 7:30 p.m., $22-$77. 2536 N. McConnell Ave., Fayetteville. www. arkansasmusicpavilion.com. Irish Traditional Music Session. Hibernia Irish Tavern, first and third Sunday of every month, 2:30 p.m. 9700 N Rodney Parham Road. 501246-4340. www.hiberniairishtavern.com. The Real McKenzies. Juanita’s, 8 p.m., $10. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www. juanitas.com. Richard Lloyd, Grand Stand. Revolution, 8:30 p.m., $10 adv., $12 day of. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom.com. Stardust Big Band. Arlington Hotel, 3 p.m., $8, free for ages 18 and younger. 239 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-767-5482.

Add Baptist Health HealthLine to your contacts list. We’ll even do it for you. Scan the QR code with your smart phone to put Baptist Health HealthLine (1-888-BAPTIST) on your contacts list. Whether you need to schedule a physician appointment, register for a class, or need directions to a facility, Baptist Health HealthLine is available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday. Just scan the code and we’re in touch!

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ARKANSAS TIMES

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

EVENTS

Bernice Garden Farmers’ Market. The Bernice Garden, through Oct. 14: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 1401 S. Main St. 501-617-2511. www.thebernicegarden.org. Father’s Day at the Museum. Fathers get in free. Museum of Discovery, 1 p.m., $8-$10, free for members. 500 Clinton Ave. 396-7050, 1-800-880-6475. www.amod.org. Father’s Day Lunch on the River. Arkansas Queen, 12:30 p.m., $22 - $32.50. 100 Riverfront Park Drive, NLR. 501-372-5777. www.arkansasqueen.com. Father’s Day with Fishing and Family Fishing Derby. Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts, 12 p.m., $5-$10. 20919 Denny Road. “Live from the Back Room.” New weekly spoken word series. Featured readers include Amy Manning, Bryan Borland and more, with limited open mic spots available. Vino’s, 7 p.m., free. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com.

SPORTS

Arkansas Travelers vs. Tulsa Drillers. DickeyStephens Park, 6 p.m., $6-$12. 400 W. Broadway St., NLR. 501-664-1555. www.travs.com. WWE No Way Out watch party. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 7 p.m., free. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyfingerz.com.

MONDAY, JUNE 18

MUSIC

Asher Roth. Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $20 adv., $25 day of. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228.

www.juanitas.com. Julia Buckingham and Gerald Johnson. The Afterthought, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbar.com. Reggae Nites. Featuring DJ Hy-C playing roots, reggae and dancehall. Pleazures Martini and Grill Lounge, 6 p.m., $7-$10. 1318 Main St. 501-376-7777. www.facebook.com/pleazures. bargrill. Richie Johnson. Cajun’s Wharf, 5 and 9 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-3755351. www.cajunswharf.com. Touch, Grateful Dead Tribute. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 8 p.m., $5. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyfingerz.com.

DANCE

Summer Intensive and Dance Camp. Shuffles & Ballet II, June 18-22, 9 a.m.; June 25-29, 9 a.m., $150-$325. 1521 Merrill Drive. 501-223-9224. www.shufflesdancestudio.com.

EVENTS

Arkansas Foodbank Summer Feeding Sites. See June 13.

SPORTS

Arkansas Travelers vs. Springfield Cardinals. Dickey-Stephens Park, June 18-21, 7:10 p.m., $6-$12. 400 W. Broadway St., NLR. 501-6641555. www.travs.com.

TUESDAY, JUNE 19

MUSIC

Artosphere Chamber Music Series at Thorncrown Chapel. Thorncrown Chapel, 7 p.m., $10. 12968 Hwy. 62 West, Eureka Springs. Brian & Nick. Cajun’s Wharf, 5 and 9 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-

5351. www.cajunswharf.com. Brian Martin. Maxine’s, 8 p.m., free. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. maxinespub.com. Crossfade, Weaving the Fate. Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $10 adv., $12 d.o.s. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www.juanitas.com. Daughtry, Candlebox, SafetySuit, Mike Sanchez. Arkansas Music Pavilion, 7:30 p.m., $27-$102. 2536 N. McConnell Ave., Fayetteville. www.arkansasmusicpavilion.com. The Funkanites. White Water Tavern, 10 p.m. 2500 W. 7th. 501-375-8400. www.whitewatertavern.com. Half Priced Hearts, Yours Truly. All-ages show. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 8 p.m., $5. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyfingerz.com. Jeff Long. Khalil’s Pub, 6 p.m. 110 S. Shackleford Road. 501-224-0224. www.khalilspub.com. Jim Dickerson. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, through June 21, 7 p.m.; through June 28, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www.sonnywilliamssteakroom.com. Lucious Spiller Band. Copeland’s, 6-9 p.m. 2602 S. Shackleford Road. 501-312-1616. www.copelandsofneworleans.com. Ricky David Tripp. Rocket Twenty One, 5:30 p.m. 2601 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-603-9208. www. ferneaurestaurant.com. This is Hell, Xerxes, Crime Wave, Pose No Threat. Downtown Music Hall, 7 p.m., $8 adv., $10 day of. 211 W. Capitol. 501-376-1819. downtownmusichall.com. Top of the Rock Chorus rehearsal. Cornerstone Bible Fellowship Church, 7-10 p.m. 7351 Warden Road, Sherwood. 501-231-1119. www. topoftherockchorus.org. Tuesday Jam Session with Carl Mouton. The Afterthought, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbar.com.

Where the Mississippi River meets the River Thames

Tuesday Night Jazz/Blues Jam. The Joint, 8 p.m. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com.

DANCE

“Latin Night.” Revolution, 7 p.m., $5 regular, $7 under 21. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-8230090. www.revroom.com. Summer Intensive and Dance Camp. Shuffles & Ballet II, through June 22, 9 a.m.; through June 29, 9 a.m., $150-$325. 1521 Merrill Drive. 501-223-9224. www.shufflesdancestudio.com.

EVENTS

Arkansas Foodbank Summer Feeding Sites. See June 13. Little Rock Farmers’ Market. River Market Pavilions, through Oct. 27: 7 a.m.-3 p.m. 400 President Clinton Ave. 501-375-2552. rivermarket.info. Tales from the South. Authors tell true stories; schedule available on website. Dinner served 5-6:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m. Call for reservations. Starving Artist Cafe, 5 p.m. 411 N. Main St., NLR. 501-372-7976. www.starvingartistcafe.net. Trivia Bowl. Flying Saucer, 8:30 p.m. 323 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-8032. www. beerknurd.com/stores/littlerock. “Voluntary Simplicity.” Discussion course hosted by the Ecumenical Buddhist Society of Little Rock. Ecumenical Buddhist Society, June 19, 7:15 p.m.; June 26, 7:15 p.m.; July 10, 7:15 p.m.; July 17, 7:15 p.m.; July 24, 7:15 p.m., $35. 1015 W. 2nd St. 501-376-7056. arkansasearth.org/2011/voluntary-simplicity. Wiggle Worms: “Mad Science with Joel the Science Guy!.” Museum of Discovery, 10 a.m., $8-$10, free for members. 500 Clinton Ave. 3967050, 1-800-880-6475. www.amod.org. CONTINUED ON PAGE 47

TIC SA KET LE S NO ON W!

REYNOLDS PERFORMANCE HALL Conway, Arkansas June 16 - July 1

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JUNE 13, 2012

MOVIE LISTINGS

JUNE 15-16

SANDLER’S SHAME: Can Adam Sandler’s ‘That’s My Boy’ possibly be as bad as “Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star,” the worst-reviewed film from last year? ‘Jack & Jill’ came close, but we’ll just have to wait and see. Or maybe wait and not see. Market Street Cinema times at or after 9 p.m. are for Friday and Saturday only. Rave showtimes are valid for Friday and Saturday only. Lakewood 8 showings were not available as of press deadline. Find up-to-date listings at arktimes.com. NEW MOVIES Hysteria (R) – Victorian-era comedy about the importance of vibrators, with Maggie Gyllenhaal and Hugh Dancy. Market Street: 1:45, 4:15, 6:45, 9:15. Peace, Love & Misunderstanding (R) – Jane Fonda as an old hippie whose brute-force quirkiness offers a charming, obligatory counterpoint to her family’s modern-day uptightness. Market Street: 2:00, 4:20, 7:15, 9:15. Rock of Ages (PG-13) – Two hours of Ol’ Middletooth doing butt-rock karaoke sounds just slightly less appealing than a gunshot wound to the crotch. Also starring Alec Baldwin. Breckenridge: 1:15, 4:35, 7:35, 10:15. Chenal 9: 10:20 a.m., 1:20-, 4:20, 7:20, 10:20. Rave: 9:45 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 12:45, 1:30, 3:45, 4:30, 7:00, 7:45, 10:15, 11:00, midnight. Riverdale: 8:05 a.m., 10:55 a.m., 1:50, 4:45, 7:30, 10:10. That’s My Boy (R) – Proof that Andy Samberg made a deal with the devil, who happens to be Adam Sandler. Breckenridge: 12:35, 4:10, 7:15, 10:00. Chenal 9: 10:15 a.m., 1:15, 4:15, 7:15, 10:15. Rave: 10:25 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1:20, 2:10, 4:10, 4:55, 7:20, 8:20, 10:05, 11:05, 11:45. Riverdale: 8:15 a.m., 11:05 a.m., 1:45, 4:20, 6:50, 9:30. Turn Me On Dammit! (NR) – Norwegian coming-of-age tale about a teen-aged girl with a voracious, uh, appetite. Market Street: 2:15, 4:15, 7:00, 9:00.

RETURNING THIS WEEK 21 Jump Street (R) – Buddy cop comedy starring Jonah Hill and former male stripper Channing Tatum. Movies 10: 12:05, 2:35, 5:10, 7:45, 10:20. American Reunion (R) – The old crew from “American Pie” is back together to stare into the gaping chasm of suicidal depression and imminent middle-aged irrelevance. Movies 10: 11:55 a.m., 2:30, 5:05, 7:40, 10:15. Avengers (PG-13) – Based on the Marvel Comics superhero series. Breckenridge: 3:50, 10:00 (2D), 12:20, 7:00 (3D). Rave: 9:50 a.m., 1:05, 4:20, 7:35, 10:55 (2D), 10:50 a.m., 2:05, 5:20, 8:35, 11:55 (3D). Riverdale: 8:00 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 2:50, 6:15, 9:45. Battleship (PG-13) – Action adventure film starring Rihanna, whose Battleship many people would no doubt like to sink. Rave: 2:45, 8:30. Bernie (PG-13) – Based on a murder in smalltown Texas, starring Jack Black, Matthew McConaughey and Richard Linklater. Market

JUNE 13, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

Street: 2:00, 4:15, 7:00, 9:15. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (PG-13) – British senior citizens go to India and learn about poor people and that it’s OK to eat weird stuff and it’s all very heartwarming. Rave: 9:50 a.m., 12:40, 3:35, 6:35. Riverdale: 8:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1:55, 4:35, 7:15, 9:50. The Cabin in the Woods (R) – Bad things happen to attractive young people when they go to a cabin in the woods, from producer Joss Whedon. Movies 10: 12:30, 2:55, 5:25, 7:55, 10:10. Dark Shadows (PG-13) – Kinda like Dracula goes to “Austin Powers,” starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, directed by Tim Burton. Nah, baby. Breckenridge: 4:05, 10:05. Riverdale: 8:20 a.m., 11:10 a.m., 1:35, 4:05, 6:35, 9:05. The Dictator (R) – Sacha Baron Cohen is a dictator from a fictional foreign country and he has a funny accent and so forth. Rave: 9:30 p.m. The Five Year Engagement (R) – Jason Segel and Emily Blunt are a couple fumbling toward matrimony in this Apatovian rom-com. Movies 10: 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 9:45. For Greater Glory (R) – Andy Garcia is a retired general who leads a ragtag bunch of Catholic soldiers in a fight against the totalitarian Mexican government of the late 1920s. Breckenridge: 12:40, 6:50. Headhunters (R) – Norwegian thriller about an art thief who becomes a hunted man. Market Street: 1:45, 4:00, 6:45, 9:00. 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. Movies 10: 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:30, 9:55. The Lorax (PG) – A 3D CGI adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ classic tale. Movies 10: 12:15, 2:20, 4:45, 7:10, 9:25. The Lucky One (PG-13) – Zac Efron as an Iraq war vet who becomes infatuated with a stranger. Movies 10: 2:45, 7:35. Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (PG) – The Dreamworks franchise rolls on, with Chris Rock, Ben Stiller and other people who make stupid amounts of money as talking animals. Breckenridge: 12:30 (open caption), 2:45, 5:00, 7:30, 9:50. (2D), noon, 2:15, 4:30, 7:00, 9:20 (3D). Rave: 10:00 a.m., 11:45, a.m., 2:15, 3:00, 4:45, 7:15, 8:00, 9:45 (2D), 11:00 a.m., 12:30, 1:30, 4:00, 5:30, 6:30, 9:00, 11:30 (3D). Riverdale: 8:25 a.m., 10:40, 12:55, 3:05, 5:20, 7:25, 9:40. Men in Black 3 (PG-13) – This go-round, they’ve got to travel backwards in time or something. Breckenridge: 4:00, 9:45 (2D), 1:05, 7:20 (3D). Rave: 10:10 a.m., 12:50, 3:40, 6:55, 9:40 (2D), 11:10 a.m., 2:00, 4:40, 7:40, 10:25 (3D). Riverdale: 8:10 a.m., 10:25 a.m., 12:40, 2:55, 5:15, 7:40,

10:05. Mirror Mirror (PG) – Retelling of “Snow White” with Julia Roberts as the Evil Queen. Movies 10: noon, 2:25, 4:50, 7:15, 9:40. Prometheus (R) – Shiny sci-fi from Ridley Scott. Supposed to be an “Alien” prequel. Breckenridge: 1:00, 4:15, 7:40, 10:25 (2D), 12:15, 3:40, 7:10, 9:55 (3D). Rave: 10:30 a.m., 1:45, 5:00, 8:15, 11:30 (2D), 12:15, 3:30, 6:45, 10:00, midnight (3D), 9:45 a.m., 1:00, 4:15, 7:30, 10:45 (3D Xtreme). Riverdale: 8:10 a.m., 10:50 a.m., 1:30, 4:15, 6:55, 9:35. Safe (R) – Another 90 minutes or so of Jason Stratham kicking ass and stuff. Something about a safe in this one? Yeah, that sounds right. Movies 10: 7:50, 10:05. Snow White and the Huntsman (PG-13) – Dark and foreboding Snow White reboot No. 2 for the year, this time with Kristen Stewart and Charlize Theron. Breckenridge: 12:10, 1:10, 3:45, 4:20, 7:05, 7:50, 10:00. Rave: 9:55 a.m., 10:55 a.m., 12:55, 1:55, 4:05, 5:10, 7:05, 8:05, 10:10, 11:10. Riverdale: 8:20 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:40, 4:25, 7:10, 9:55. Think Like a Man (PG-13) – Based on Steve Harvey’s best-selling book. Rave: 10:20 p.m. Riverdale: 8:10 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:45, 4:30, 7:15, 10:00. The Three Stooges (PG) – Yup, starring three guys you’ve never heard of. Movies 10: 12:35, 2:50, 5:20. Titanic 3D (PG-13) – Cameron’s really rubbing our noses in it this time, huh? Just wait ’til they come out with 4D. You’ll be able to smell Leo’s greasy locks. Movies 10: 12:10, 4:05, 8:00. What to Expect When You’re Expecting (PG13) – Film mines bestselling pregnancy book for attempt at comedy. If that’s what you were expecting, you were right. Breckenridge: 12:50, 4:25, 7:25, 10:10. Rave: noon, 5:45, 11:25. Wrath of the Titans (PG-13) – A.k.a., “Is this a movie or a really long ad for a video game?” Starring Liam Neeson as Zeus, because duh. Movies 10: 12:25, 5:15, 10:00. 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

Special

Gyro Sandwich, FrieS & drink $6.65 oFFer expireS 7/11/12

gyros • hummus • tabbouleh • baba ghannouj pizza • calzone • mediterranean salad

fresh, delicious Mediterranean cuisine ‘PROMETHEUS’: Michael Fassbender stars.

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‘Promethus’: brilliant set pieces, stupid plot. BY SAM EIFLING

here are two types of passionate filmgoers in this world, and “Promethus,” the sci-fi attempted epic by director Ridley Scott, is bound to split them into warring factions. The first camp could be described as the realists. These are people who want the story they’re experiencing on-screen to feel like a cohesive, coherent world, no matter what rules are set in place. The second camp is made of impressionists. They favor films that generate strong emotions and achieve memorable aesthetics, regardless of niggling details. In crude terms, this is a left brain, right brain tension, yet the great films, the great stories of all types, satisfy both sides. “Prometheus” will prove particularly divisive because it skews heavily rightbrain in a genre that prizes intellectual consistency. The visuals, the sound effects, the broad-stroke concepts are all of exceptional quality. But the plotting, the dialogue and the internal logic are so infuriatingly erratic that to impose rational thought to them feels like pouring pebbles straight into your frontal lobe. The conversations after the movie are mostly confused yet hopeful, because while many in the audience felt a great film in there somewhere, no one actually saw it. Since its announcement about 10 years ago, “Prometheus” has been billed, somewhat erroneously, as a prequel to “Alien,” the 1979 sci-fi horror tour-de-force that led into “Blade Runner” three years later; together, those cemented Scott as a premier director, despite his having made only three or four decent movies in the 30 years since. The aesthetic pops a bit brighter than the “Alien” palate, though with more set design from the inimitable H. R. Geiger, “Prometheus” has a familiar visual echo of the predecessor. The plot, too, rhymes a bit. Two scien-

tists — played by the fierce Noomi Rapace, recognizable as Liz Salander from the Danish “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” and by the unconvincing Logan Marshall-Green, recognizable as some jerk from “The O.C.” — have theorized that the beginnings of human existence may lie on a specific moon in a not-toodistant solar system. Their mission to find proto-people overlaps with the interests of a massive corporation that poured a trillion bucks into sending them, along with a crew of borderline misfits. The movie wastes Charlize Theron as the stiff, dollar-driven company rep on the trip, and without explanation embalms Guy Pearce under five hours of makeup to play the decrepit corporate patriarch. Michael Fassbender as the attendant cyborg David, a prim but coldly guileful presence, turns in the only performance other than Rapace’s worth remembering. Once they arrive on the moon and confirm that it was at one time inhabited, a whole series of alternately wondrous and hammerheaded events take place, as the characters morph into a collection of action-movie dullards who seem to relish in making decisions that lead to disasters. They rush into situations that call for patience, they get lost despite their sophisticated mapping equipment, and one guy does everything shy of actually begging a local alien (oh, spoiler: there are alien-monsters around) to kill him in horrible fashion. Why do we care about this faraway alien civilization when our own species is so clearly littered with twits? “Prometheus” purports to address Big Questions about human creation, swirling in a pinch of religion, like fish food, as it baldly builds toward (admittedly very awesome) set pieces. But oh, what a disarray of ideas. Utter hash has rarely been this seductive.

12 Award Winning Fresh, Healthy Flavors And 50+ Toppings Corner Of Cantrell Blvd. And Chenonceau (Next To NYPD Pizza) 501.868.8194

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JUNE 13, 2012

Dining WHAT’S COOKIN’

Lee Richardson, the acclaimed executive chef at the Capital Hotel, has left the hotel. No explanations for his resignation or future plans are currently available. The Times has been unable to reach him. Michael Chaffin, the hotel general manager, said Richardson resigned Friday but he could not expand on the departure. “He did a fabulous job for us,” Chaffin said. “We wish him well.” Chaffin said one of Richardson’s strengths was the team he built and they remained in place. “We’re set to go,” he said. He’s not ready yet to name a successor as executive chef. Richardson, whose New Orleans roots were reflected in everything from the Capital Bar luncheon menu to upscale Ashley’s to private events, was an advocate of local ingredients and fresh ways of using staples — his rice flour-coated catfish, fried black-eyed peas and pimiento cheese spread with homemade crackers come readily to mind. He’d been a regional finalist in the annual James Beard competition for the country’s top chefs. His leadership had made the Capital Hotel a culinary destination. Details mattered. Richardson oversaw design and installation of the remade hotel’s expensive kitchen, which included equipment for every possible purpose, including in-house smoking of charcuterie. He’d encouraged Arkansas producers, promoted farm-to-table dinners and been featured in national magazines. He was named Food and Wine’s best new chef in the Midwest in 2011.

DINING CAPSULES

AMERICAN

ALLEY OOPS 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. $-$$. 501-221-9400. LD Mon.-Sat. ATHLETIC CLUB What could be mundane fare gets delightful twists and embellishments here. 11301 Financial Centre Parkway. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-3129000. LD daily. B-SIDE The little breakfast place in the former party room of Lilly’s DimSum Then Some turns tradition on its ear, offering French toast wrapped in bacon on a stick, a must-have dish called “biscuit mountain” and beignets with lemon curd. 11121 Rodney Parham Road. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-716-2700. BL Wed.-Sun.

JUNE 13, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

JESS MILLER

SAD NEWS for foodies.

SOLID STARTER: Capers’ house potato chips.

Capers comes close But doesn’t always distinguish itself.

ith a dining room that transitions from a sunny and cheerful front area to a more intimate interior dominated by a stone fireplace, Capers has always provided the atmosphere of a relaxed country lodge, a place for rustic cooking and good wine. And while the menu boasts some creative and tasty dishes, we’ve always felt that the restaurant has squandered some of that great atmosphere by being too concerned with earning a reputation as a high-end fine dining establishment, with a staff that mistakes stiff formality for good service. It’s this identity crisis between the familiar and the formal that’s always made Capers an enigmatic place to eat, but there’s no denying that the kitchen knows its business, and that’s what keeps us coming back. It’s not often that an appetizer is our favorite dish at a restaurant, but the House Chips ($5.95) are so perfect that they’re worth the trip alone. Instead of the usual corn chips and cheese dip, Capers slices red potatoes paper-thin on an electric slicer, blanches them to remove the starch, and then fries them to a crisp and almost translucent golden brown. Each crisp chip is light and airy, and although this is a fried item, there isn’t the slightest hint of greasiness in touch or in mouth-feel. Accompanying the chips is a warm and creamy blue cheese fondue with just the right amount of sharpness and bite to pair with the salty chips. Say what you will about French fries, but for us, these are the best fried potatoes in town. To counter the decadence of chips and

Capers

14502 Cantrell Road 868-7600 QUICK BITE Don’t miss the adjacent Market at Capers for a full menu of breads, soups, frozen casseroles, and other take-out specialty items. HOURS 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. OTHER INFO All major credit cards, full bar.

cheese, we also ordered the Arkansas’s Best Salad ($6.95), a wonderful mix of fresh greens, Arkansas tomatoes, sliced fresh mozzarella, crumbled feta and a balsamic vinaigrette that struck just the right balance between sweet and tangy. There’s nothing we love more this time of year than Arkansas tomatoes with just a slight sprinkle of salt, and the play of salty feta with the sweet tomatoes, crisp greens and creamy mozzarella made this salad substantial and refreshing all at once. Our entrees, while tasty, all suffered from the same problems: excellent proteins and sides with sauces that just didn’t quite make it. For the pork tenderloin ($18.95), the bacon-wrapped and forktender medallions of pork were braised nicely and grilled just long enough to impart a wonderful smoky flavor — which was almost completely buried under an

intense and too-sweet pearl onion jam. In theory, the jam should have been the perfect complement to the pork, but this sauce was over-reduced and far too strong for the delicate flavor of the tenderloin. It was a quick fix to scrape most of the jam to the side, but we found the sauce jarring nonetheless. The garlic mashed potatoes served on the side were creamy and rich, with just enough pieces of potato present to give good texture. While the pearl onion jam on our tenderloin was too much, the wine butter sauce on the Shrimp Charleston ($16.95) suffered from the opposite problem: It was weak and watery, with an odd sweetness to it that clashed with the jumbo shrimp and creamy grits. Some short work with the peppershaker set everything right, though, and soon we found ourselves marveling at the velvety texture and subtle flavor of the large portion of grits loaded with shiitake mushrooms and caramelized onions. The shrimp that topped the dish were large and plentiful, cooked to just the right balance of firmness without being tough or rubbery. Everything about this dish says “comfort food” right down to the last spoonful. At this point, we were almost too full to attempt dessert, but we pushed forward after seeing a Chocolate Creme Brulee ($5.25) on the menu. This dish, present on nearly every dessert menu in town, is one we always try because its prevalence allows for so many comparisons. The version at Capers is one of the best we’ve tried, with a smooth, bittersweet chocolate base covered by a still slightly warm layer of caramelized sugar. The play on texture between the smooth chocolate and the crunchy sugar hit a nice balance, and the sweetness of the sugar layer added a good depth of flavor to the chocolate. This is such a common dessert that it can be hard to stand out from the crowd, but Capers manages to do so with style. It can be hard for a restaurant to establish a unique personality, especially in a mid-sized town with a crowded dining scene like Little Rock, and Capers struggles at times to do so. The quality of ingredients and interesting menu items are certainly where they need to be, while some of the finishing touches and server staff still possess a touch of stiffness that makes both food and staff a bit shaky and unsure at times. For the things that they do well, though — like those potato chips — there isn’t a place in town doing it any better, and for that, at least, Capers deserves a lot of credit.

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.

BAR LOUIE 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. Plus, the usual burgers, steaks, soups and salads. 225 E. Markham. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-324-2449. LD daily. BOBBY’S COUNTRY COOKIN’ One of the better plate lunch spots in the area. 301 N. Shackleford Road, Suite E1. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-224-9500. L Mon.-Fri. BOGIE’S BAR AND GRILL Menu filled with burgers, salads and giant desserts, plus a few steak, fish and chicken main courses. 120 W. Pershing Blvd. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-812-0019. D daily. BUFFALO GRILL A great crispy-off-thegriddle cheeseburger and hand-cut fries star. 1611 Rebsamen Park Road. Full bar, CC. $$. 501-296-9535. LD daily. 400 N. Bowman Road. Full bar, Beer, All CC. $$. 501-224-0012. LD daily. CATFISH CITY AND BBQ GRILL Basic fried fish and sides, including green tomato pickles. 1817 S. University Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-663-7224. LD Tue.-Sat. CHEERS Good burgers and sandwiches, vegetarian offerings and salads at lunch and fish specials. 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. 314 Main St. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-374-1782. LD Mon.-Sat. DAVE AND RAY’S DOWNTOWN DINER Breakfast buffet daily featuring biscuits and gravy, home fries, sausage and made-toorder omelets. Lunch buffet with four choices of meats and eight veggies. 824 W. Capitol Ave. No alcohol. $. 501-372-8816. BL Mon.-Fri. DAVID’S BUTCHER BOY BURGERS Serious hamburgers, steak salads, homemade custard. 101 S. Bowman Road. DOGTOWN COFFEE AND COOKERY An up-to-date sandwich, salad and fancy coffee kind of place, well worth a visit. 6725 John F. Kennedy Blvd. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-833-3850. BL Mon.-Sun., BLD Fri.-Sat.,. E’S BISTRO Try the heaping grilled salmon BLT on a buttery croissant. 3812 JFK Boulevard. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-771-6900. FLIGHT DECK Features inventive sandwiches, salads and a popular burger. Central Flying Service at Adams Field. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-375-3245. BL Mon.-Sat. GREEN CUISINE Daily specials and a small, solid menu of vegetarian fare. 985 West Sixth St. No alcohol, CC. $-$$. Serving. HILLCREST ARITSAN MEATS A fancy charcuterie and butcher shop with excellent daily soup and sandwich specials. Limited seating is available. 2807 Kavanaugh Blvd. No alcohol, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-671-6328. L Mon.-Sat. KITCHEN EXPRESS Delicious “meat and three” restaurant offering big servings of homemade soul food. Maybe Little Rock’s best fried chicken. 4600 Asher Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-666-3500. BLD Mon.-Sat., LD

BELLY UP

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

Sun. LYNN’S CHICAGO FOODS Outpost for Chicago specialties like Vienna hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches. 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 is the place for you. 1615 Rebsamen Park Road. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-660-4040. LD Tue.-Sat. 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,

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All CC. $-$$. 501-225-2136. LD Mon.-Fri. L Sat. RESTAURANT 1620 Steaks, chops, a broad choice of fresh seafood and meal-sized salads are just a few of the choices at this popular and upscale bistro. 1620 Market St. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-221-1620. L Mon.-Fri., D Mon.-Sat., BR Sun. SADDLE CREEK WOODFIRED GRILL Upscale chain dining in Lakewood, with a menu full of appetizers, burgers, chicken, fish and other fare. 2703 Lakewood Village. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-812-0883. SAY MCINTOSH RESTAURANT Big plates of soul food, plus burgers, barbecue and famous sweet potato pie. 2801 W. 7th Street. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-664-6656. LD

Mon.-Sat. L Sun. SPECTATORS GRILL AND PUB Burgers, soups, salads and other beer food, plus live music on weekends. 1012 W. 34th St. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-791-0990. LD Mon.-Sat. SPORTS PAGE Perhaps the largest, juiciest, most flavorful burger in town. Grilled turkey and hot cheese on sourdough gets praise, too. Now with lunch specials. 414 Louisiana St. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-372-9316. L Mon.-Fri. STARVING ARTIST CAFE All kinds of crepes, served as entrees or as dessert. Dinner menu changes daily, good wine list. 411 N. Main St. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-372-7976. L Tue.-Sat., D Tue., Fri.-Sat. THE TAVERN SPORTS GRILL Burgers, barbecue and more. 17815 Chenal Parkway. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-830-2100. LD daily. UNIVERSITY MARKET @ 4CORNERS A food truck court where local vendors park daily. Check facebook.com/4cornersmarket to see what carts are scheduled to be parked. 6221 Colonel Glenn Road. CC. $-$$. 501-515-1661. LD daily. VICTORIAN GARDEN We’ve found the fare quite tasty and somewhat daring and different with its healthy, balanced entrees and crepes. 4801 North Hills Blvd. NLR. $-$$. 501-758-4299. L Tue.-Sat.

ASIAN

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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. $$-$$$. 501-3748081. BLD Sun.-Sat. CHI’S DIMSUM & BISTRO A huge menu spans the Chinese provinces and offers a few twists on the usual local offerings. 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 prepared with care. 11600 Pleasant Ridge Drive. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-219-9399. LD daily. FU LIN Quality in the made-to-order entrees is high, as is the quantity. 200 N. Bowman Road. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-225-8989. LD daily. IGIBON JAPANESE FOOD HOUSE The Bento box with tempura shrimp and California rolls and other delights stand out. 11121 N. Rodney Parham Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-217-8888. LD Mon.-Sat. KOBE JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI Kobe stands taller in its sushi offerings than at the grill. 11401 Financial Centre Parkway. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-225-5999. L Mon.-Sat. D daily. VAN LANG CUISINE Terrific Vietnamese cuisine, particularly the way the pork dishes and the assortment of rolls are presented. Great prices, too. 3600 S. University Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-570-7700. LD daily.

BARBECUE

CAPITOL SMOKEHOUSE AND GRILL 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. CONTINUED ON PAGE 42

www.arktimes.com

JUNE 13, 2012

CROSSWORD

DINING CAPSULES, CONT.

EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ Across 1 Townsman in “Fiddler on the Roof” 6 Agenda item 10 Does laps, maybe 14 Quarter Pounder topper 15 City founded by King Harald III 16 Per 17 What company bosses do for employees? 19 What comes as a relief?: Abbr. 20 Wonder 21 Hexagonal state 22 Trimmed 23 Best meal of a cow’s life? 26 Fox or ox 29 Flatow of NPR 30 ___-American 31 Star followers 33 With 56-Across, a Monopoly order

37 Having a successful theater career? 40 Christmas 41 Virginie, par exemple 42 Like the décor in ’50s-themed diners 43 Suffix with personal 44 Has a hunch 45 Guantánamo and others? 51 Build up 52 Hindi relative 53 Center of a Trivial Pursuit board 56 See 33-Across 57 The second round of betting, for one? 60 Common enemy in Dungeons & Dragons 61 Declare 62 Went like molasses

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE A W G E E

R O A D S

M R Z I P

O D E T O

R E S E E V E R B E A R H O C H O R O A R M I S S B R E E O S S I

R S T T H S I O R N D C C L R A U S S S A D E

I D E A T E

B U E N O

B R O A W S F H A I M Y E A R

M E R S E A A S U Y S S T M R R E P E I T N K

S C U L P T S

C A D S O U R T N S E R T S U T E S T O R T I M E I T I S H E Y R E I E G I F T A L I A A T O R S B O N E S E R A S E

63 Great American Ball Park team 64 Pink-slips 65 Requires 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 18 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 31

Down Parks in Alabama Once more Fisher’s wish Autonomous computer program Barbaric Birthstone for most Scorpios Japanese beer brand Tricky Stats in Street Fighter “Aladdin” villain Strauss’s “Die Fledermaus,” for one Mr. Addams of “The Addams Family” Garden tool Citation abbreviation Green org.? Menotti title character Comment to one who’s retiring, informally Sandpaper surface Alternative name for 1st Street, often ___ other (uniquely) Itty-bitty biter Kind of saw

29 31

43 47

22 24

23 27

58 62

Puzzle by Eshan Mitra

32 ___ Khan 33 Streams often run through them 34 Cereal staple 35 Phoenician port 36 Bears, in Bolivia 38 Iran’s ___ Shah Pahlavi 39 Hunt for, as game 43 “___ party time!”

44 Baghdad’s ___ City 45 Big-time 46 JPEG, e.g. 47 Scottish landowner 48 Kauai and others 49 Home to nearly 600 miles of the Alaska Highway

50 Makes, as beer 53 Smog 54 Not mint 55 Some are kings and queens 57 ___-Man 58 Czech surname suffix 59 Garden tool

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

CROSS EYED PIG BBQ COMPANY Traditional barbecue favorites smoked well such as pork ribs, beef brisket and smoked chicken. 1701 Rebsamen Park Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-265-0000. L Mon.-Sat., D Tue.-Fri. 1701 Rebsamen Park Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-2277427. LD daily. FATBOY’S KILLER BAR-B-Q 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. $$. 501-888-4998. LD Mon.-Fri. HB’S BAR B.Q. Great slabs of meat with fiery barbecue sauce, but ribs are served on Tuesday only. 6010 Lancaster. No alcohol, No CC. $-$$. 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. $-$$. 501-791-2773. LD Mon.-Sun. SIMS BAR-B-QUE Great spare ribs, sandwiches, beef, half and whole chicken and an addictive vinegar-mustard-brown sugar sauce. 2415 Broadway. Beer, CC. $-$$. 501-372-6868. LD Mon.-Sat. 1307 John Barrow Road. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-224-2057. LD Mon.-Sat. 7601 Geyer Springs Road. Beer, All CC. $$. 501-562-8844. LD Mon.-Sat.

EUROPEAN / ETHNIC

KHALIL’S PUB Widely varied menu with European, Mexican and American influences. 110 S. Shackleford Road. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-224-0224. LD daily. BR Sun. THE PANTRY The menu stays relatively true to the owner’s Czechoslovakian roots, but there’s plenty of choices to suit all tastes. 11401 Rodney Parham Road. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-353-1875. LD Mon.-Fri., D Sat. STAR OF INDIA The best Indian restaurant in the region, with a unique buffet at lunch and some fabulous dishes at night. 301 N. Shackleford. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 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 Offers 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. $$-$$$. 501-664-2239. LD daily. 10720 Rodney Parham Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-664-2239. LD daily. 37 East Center St. Fayetteville. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 479-444-7437. LD daily. GUSANO’S They make the tomatoey Chicago-style deep-dish pizza the way it’s done in the Windy City. 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. 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 policelike setting, but it’s fun. Even the personal pizzas come in impressive combinations, and baked ziti, salads are more also are available. 6015 Chenonceau Boulevard, Suite 1. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-868-3911. LD daily. PALIO’S Not quite artisan-grade, but far better than the monster chains and at a similar price point. With an appealingly thin, crunchy crust. 3 Rahling Circle. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-821-0055. 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. 1501 Merrill Drive. Full bar, All CC. $$$. 501-225-0500. D daily. VILLA ITALIAN RESTAURANT Hearty, inexpensive, classic southern Italian dishes. 12111 W. Markham St. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-2192244. LD Mon.-Sat.

LATINO

CASA MANANA Great guacamole and garlic beans, superlative chips and salsa and a broad selection of fresh seafood. 6820 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-280-9888. BLD daily 18321 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-868-8822. BLD daily 400 President Clinton Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. L Mon.-Sat. CASA MEXICANA Familiar Tex-Mex style items all shine, in ample portions, and the steak-centered dishes are uniformly excellent. 6929 JFK Blvd. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-835-7876. 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.

JUNE 13, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

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h, Dad. He changed your diapers, taught you how to ride a bike, embarrassed you in front of your friends. Is there anything material that you could get him to thank him for all the good memories and/or psychological scars he gave you? Probably not, but the retailers around town have plenty to choose from, so you can avoid getting that cliché tie the day before Father’s Day.

IF DAD’S INTO FITNESS Get him a membership at Snap Fitness. There are two Little Rock Snap Fitness gyms – one located on Bowman Road and one in the Victory Building near the state Capitol. The gyms are available to members 24 hours a day, and offer top-of-theline equipment as well as classes and personal trainers. Membership also extends to other Snap Fitness gyms nationwide. What’s even better is that now through the end of June, Little Rock Snap Fitness facility members who are fathers get one free personal training session. This includes new members, as well. To help Dad fuel up after his workout, get him a gift card from Tropical Smoothie Cafe A. The chain, whose Central Arkansas locations include Little Rock, North Little Rock, Jacksonville, Maumelle and Conway, offers a variety of healthy smoothies, salads and wraps. Aside from a variety of fresh fruits, customers can choose from a wide range of add-ons such as protein power, ground flax seed and vitamins. IF DAD LIKES TO COOK Then look no farther than Krebs Brothers Restaurant Store for all of Dad’s kitchen needs. Some especially cool finds are a cast-iron wok. A traditional implement in many Asian countries, a castiron wok B is said to cook evenly, quickly

and retain heat better than its stainless steel counterparts. Throw in a copy of “Cast Iron Cooking” B to make sure Dad gets the most use out of the wok, as well. Grilling dads will love the Charcoal Companion platinum chimney starter C. With the chimney starter, getting perfect coals every time involves four simple steps: place newspaper at the bottom of the chimney, place charcoal on top of the paper, light the paper and wait about 15 minutes, or until the charcoal is that nice gray color. It’s easy and it doesn’t involve lighter fluid, which is especially good if your dad is accident prone. IF DAD LIKES THE FINER THINGS Then browse around New Orleans Antiques, where beautiful vintage Rolex and Omega watches are featured D. There’s also a nice selection of pocket watches that hark back to a more genteel period, where time wasn’t

hearsay ➥ Spend some quality time with Dad in the great outdoors this Father’s Day. PINNACLE MOUNTAIN STATE PARK is hosting a Father’s Day sunset canoe float from 6:30-9:30 p.m. June 17. Floaters will meet at the Big Maumelle boat launch. Admission is $35 per canoe and covers guide service and use of a canoe, paddles and lifejackets. Advance payment is required; call 501-868-5806 for more information.

➥ Mark your calendars! The 2012 SALES TAX HOLIDAY WEEKEND is scheduled for Aug. 4-5. According to the state Department of Finance and Administration’s website, the sales tax holiday allows “shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain School Supplies, School Art Supplies, School Instructional Materials, and clothing free of state and local sales or use tax.” All retailers in the state that sell these items are required to participate.

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dominated by digital technology. A beautiful watch can tell Dad when it’s 5 p.m., an ideal time to enjoy a good drink and possibly a fine cigar. If your father likes his whiskey neat but cold, Box Turtle has Whiskey Stones ($21.50 for a set of 9) E; you keep them in the freezer until you drop them in your drink, which cools the beverage without diluting it. If Dad is more of a wine drinker, Box Turtle has forged iron wine openers, both the folding ($15.50) and the traditional kind ($10) F. For cigar lovers, Maduro cigar bar, located on Main Street downtown, has trained cigar lounge clerks that can help you pick out the perfect stogie based on his favorite flavors or drinks. They can also put together gift baskets that contain cigars and a lighter or ashtray G. Gift cards are also available. IF DAD IS A T-SHIRT KIND OF GUY Box Turtle has great tees like the There’s No Place Like Home tee by local artist Erin Lorenzen ($36), the Duncan Imperial tee ($26.50) or the Gama-Go graphic tee ($31) H. If he’s more into his iPhone, pick up a Metro Technical Collection iPhone 4 decorative case ($33) I. Also pick up a rainbow head massager ($3.50) J at Box Turtle to

help him chill out when he wants to tell the neighbor kids to get off his lawn. IF DAD LIKES THE OUTDOORS Ozark Outdoor has an all-purpose knife (115.95) from Norwegian company Helle K. The knife’s sheath and handle are all handmade. To help Dad avoid crow’s feet from squinting in the sun, get him a pair of Costa del Mar sunglasses with polarized lenses ($189) L. They’re popular with fishermen because of their good optics, Ozark Outdoors manager Michael Hendren said. Speaking of fishermen, Ozark Angler has all dad needs for a day in the water, including this Storm Mountain gear bag ($224.95) M that features a waterproof nylon cover with taped seams and drawstring closure and padded sidewalls and dividers that allow for gear protection and a customized interior. A nice surprise item to put in the bag would be the Abel Super Series reel ($775) n. The reel’s frame, spool, drag knob and foot are made from cold-finished, aerospace-grade aluminum. Other great gift ideas are always gift certificates for a new rod, reel or guide trip. Fishpond luggage, clothing, waders or fishing packs are also popular this time of the year.

➥ In the same vein of trying stuff for the first time, those who’ve always wanted to express themselves through painting but lack the talent to be a master artist can now paint pretty pictures people can actually recognize. SPIRITED ART allows you learn the basics of acrylic painting “in the company of great friends and good wine,” according to its website. The studio is located on R Street in the Heights and offers five types of classes: the adult class

is $35 per person, date night classes are $60 for two adults, kids classes are $25 per child, create date classes (one adult and one child) are $45 per duo and family night classes are $25. For more information, visit www.myspiritedart.com. ➥ Heights fine wine bar BY THE GLASS is celebrating its third anniversary with happy hour specials and events all week. By The Glass is located at 5713 Kavanaugh.

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JUNE 13, 2012

June havoc

une was the best month even before the advent of the pink tomato made it official. This might have had to do with school letting out for the summer. You found yourself suddenly strangely in possession of a great bounty. Three entire months of freedom stretched out before you. You’d surely die of old age before the other side of that time gulf loomed. The Russians would surely have bombed us into oblivion by then. Or Jesus would have made his triumphal return, down through the cumuli, come to separate sheep from goat, to tote up in his dread judgment book the accusatory marks denoting each and every whacking off. Three months of blessed freedom — footloose; quixotic; fraught with exciting but unurgent possibilities. There were investigations to be made — but only if you felt like making them (you didn’t do it for the money, or to festoon a resume, or for any other reason — like the time in olde Pine Bluff when two boys not yet in their teens got the Juneidle notion to hitchhike and freight-hop and huckleberry out to the Grand Canyon to see what that deal was all about, and they did — in your case to check out a haunted ravine, a flooded creekbank, an old railroad embankment, the heavy

sprocketed ruins of a New South-era cotton gin, an attic out of Edgar Allan Poe, a falling-down but still padlocked BOB shed. On the old LANCASTER Walter Land place. Not required to make a report on it, or fill out any forms, or bring back any loot although there was often loot to be brought back if you felt like messing with it — arrowheads, fossils, a half-rack of antler whited by a thousand suns. One time there was a cannonball, too heavy to pick up much less fotch home, which its codiscoverer, the Second Gopher Wells, no student of the Late Unpleasantness, identified as a primitive bowling ball obviously discarded because it lacked holes for the two fingers and a thumb. Goph long defunct now himself, a natural-born second baseman, which takes you back to ruminations on the sweetest of the summer freedoms — the freedom to play ball till you just wore yourself out with it. This was your kind of ball, the kind that youngsters created themselves for their own edification and entertainment, before the old guys got control of it and organized and structured and formalized

it — ruined it, in other words — to compensate themselves for their own lost youth, or for some damned reason, probably the same reason that all these 30-sumpn onetime beauty queens started putting on the Junior Miss pageants, primping their six-year-olds to look like painted midget strumpets and to strut their stuff like runway meat-market lamb or veal. The old guys always have to monkey with the object of their nostalgia, thinking to bring it forward and help it along, and they always muck it up. H.L. Mencken blamed this cyclical generational failing on “a libido for the ugly,” but I don’t know that it’s not more of an obsession with fixing what ain’t broke. Not done maliciously. But sad. Sad for all concerned. Your kind of ball was helter-skelter come-ye-all, with flexible regulations and rules adopted only because they were absurd. (For example, 99 fouls and you’re out.) It was pointless in the sense that there were no teams, no standings, no stats. Nobody won or lost, so there were no heroes, no goats. Such summer ball took several forms. One was called Flies and Skinners, but the most common one was Work-Up. Work-up was a game that would accommodate almost any number of players, so you had no anxieties about having to ride the pine. It recognized no class distinctions, such as players who had mitts and those who didn’t. It didn’t exalt the skilled players over the klutzes. Every-

body played every position finally, and nobody cared much whether you played yours poorly or well, and everybody got a turn at bat. Sean Hannity would surely espy creeping socialism in all that, but Work-Up was not ideology, it was ball. A Work-Up game had only a nebulous beginning, and it seldom ended for any reason other than the coming of darkness or a deluge. You could join the ongoing game in progress and you could decamp whenever you were obliged to — as when you were becked to lunch, called dinner, or you had to go get ready to attend Vacation Bible School. Ah, the VBS. Its mission to keep youngsters’ attention out of the Devil’s workshop and on the eternal verities during the dangerous summer idleness. Every church of any standing or pretension had one, usually in June, to catch strayers from the straight and narrow early, and it was semi-obligatory that you hit them all. Their main draw was that they served refreshments, a Dixie cup of Kool-Aid, a wedge of pimientocheese sandwich with the crusts trimmed off, and a big old Jackson lemon cookie if you held your mouth right. All they asked in return was your pledge to always eschew doubt. Sin could be forgiven but not doubt. Believe and be saved; doubt and be damned. Not a bad bargain if the Kool-Aid was grape. Strawberry, acceptable. Orange, not so much. Still occasional guilt pangs at being so shameless a repeat reneger on the pledge.

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Legal Notices CASE NO. 12-DI-0145 Dept. I IN THE NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT OF THE STATE OF NEVADA IN AND FOR DOUGLAS COUNTY DAVID JAMES COHOE, Plaintiff, TARA LINDSEY NGUYEN COHOE, Defendant. THE STATE OF NEVADA SENDS GREETINGS TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANT: You are hereby SUMMONED and required to serve upon plaintiff, DAVID JAMES COHOE, whose address is 10440 Maya Linda Road Apt. E305, San Diego, CA 92126, an ANSWER to the Complaint which is herewith served upon you, within 20 days after service of this Summons upon you, exclusive of the day of service. In addition, you must file with Clerk of this Court, whose address is shown below, a formal written answer to the complaint, along with the appropriate filing fees, in accordance with the rules of the Court. If you fail to do so, judgment by default will be taken against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint. This action is brought to recover a judgment dissolving the contract of marriage existing between you and the Plaintiff. The filer certifies that this document does not contain the social security number of any person. Dated this 14 day of March, 2012. TED THRAN Clerk of Court by Deputy Clerk Ninth Judicial District Court P.O. Box 218 Minden, NV 89423 June 13, 2012

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AFTER DARK, CONT.

FILM

“Repo Man.” Vino’s, 7 p.m., free. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com.

SPORTS

Arkansas Travelers vs. Springfield Cardinals. Dickey-Stephens Park, through June 21, 7:10 p.m., $6-$12. 400 W. Broadway St., NLR. 501664-1555. www.travs.com.

THIS WEEK IN THEATER

THEATER

Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre: “Big River.” Musical based on Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” Reynolds Performance Hall, UCA, Thu., June 14, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., June 17, 1 p.m.; Sat., June 23, 1 p.m.; Sun., June 24, 1 p.m.; Wed., June 27, 7:30 p.m.; Fri., June 29, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., June 30, 7:30 p.m. 350 S. Donaghey, Conway. Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre: “Richard III.” Reynolds Performance Hall, UCA, Sat., June 16, 7:30 p.m.; Wed., June 20, 7:30 p.m.; Thu., June 21, 7:30 p.m.; Thu., June 28, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., July 1, 1 p.m. 350 S. Donaghey, Conway. Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre: “Twelfth Night.” Hendrix College, Fri., June 15, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., June 17, 7:30 p.m. 1600 Washington Ave., Conway. www.hendrix.edu. “Blithe Spirit.” The Hot Springs Pocket Community Theatre’s production of Noel Coward’s comic play about a novelist who consults a clairvoyant to get new material, but gets more than he bargained for. Pocket Community Theater, June 15-16, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., June 17, 2:30 p.m.; June 22-23, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., June 24, 2:30 p.m., $5-$10. 170 Ravine St., Hot Springs. “The Dixie Swim Club.” Five Southern women, whose friendship began many years ago on their college swim team, set aside a long weekend every August to recharge

their relationships. Murry’s Dinner Playhouse, through June 23: Tue.-Sat., 6 p.m., $15-$33. 6323 Col. Glenn Road. 501-562-3131. murrysdinnerplayhouse.com. “A Loss of Roses.” William Inge’s rarely performed masterpiece concerns a widow, her grown son and a beautiful actress who arrives on their doorstep, initiating a love triangle that can only end in heartbreak. Arkansas Repertory Theatre, through July 1: Wed., Thu., 7 p.m.; Fri., Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 and 7 p.m. 601 Main St. 501-378-0405. www. therep.org. Red Octopus Theater: “Summer in the City!.” Sketch comedy with a summertime theme from the long-running Little Rock troupe. Recommended for mature audiences. The Public Theatre, through June 16, 8 p.m., $8-$10. 616 Center St. 501-374-7529. www.thepublictheatre.com. “Spring Awakening.” Tony Award-winning musical adapted from Frank Wedekind’s 1891 expressionist play about the trials, tears and exhilaration of the teen-age years. The Weekend Theater, through July 1: Fri., Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m., $16-$20. 1001 W. 7th St. 501-374-3761. www.weekendtheater.org.

GALLERIES, MUSEUMS

NEW EXHIBITS, ART EVENTS

ARGENTA COMMUNITY THEATER, 405 Main St., NLR: The 7th annual “Arkansas Sculpture Invitational Show and Sale, work by Benton Anderson, Brett Anderson, Robby Burton, Darrel DeMoss, David Harris, Bre Harris, Kandy Jones, Jaak Kindberg, Bryan Massey, Aline McCraken, Lora Rawlings, Robert Sherman, Gene Sparling and Margaret Warren, reception 6-9 p.m. June 15 (Argenta ArtWalk), 9 a.m.-6 p.m. June 16 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. June 17. 501-991-3886, arkansassculptureinvitational.org.

KETZ GALLERY, 705 Main St., NLR: “Trees, Trees and More Trees,” pastels by Mary Ann Stafford, opens with reception 5-8 p.m. June 15, Argenta ArtWalk, show through July 14, also work by gallery artists. 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat. 529-6330, ketzgallery.com. LAMAN LIBRARY ARGENTA BRANCH, 506 Main St., NLR: Demonstration and talk with photographer Mike Anderson, 5-8 p.m. June 15, Argenta ArtWalk. 771-1995. M2GALLERY, 11525 Cantrell: New work by William Goodman, Dan Thornhill, Robin Tucker and Peter Razatos. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.-Sat. 225-6257. UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK: “Works from the UALR Permanent Collection,” including paintings by Al Allen and Karen Kunc, photographs by Timothy Hursley, woodcut by Kathe Kollwitz, prints by Takeshi Katori and David O’Brien, and more, through July 20, Gallery I. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. 569-3182.

CONTINUING EXHIBITS

ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER, MacArthur Park: “The Rockefeller Influence,” 57 works donated or loaned by the Rockefeller family, through Aug. 19; “11th National Drawing Invitational: New York, Singular Drawings,” through Sept. 9, curated by Charlotta Kotik; “Still Lifes of Daniel Massad,” through June 10; “The New Materiality: Digital Dialogues at the Boundaries of Contemporary Craft,” through Aug. 5; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. 3724000. LAMAN LIBRARY, 2801 Orange St.: “The White House Garden,” Smithsonian traveling exhibition, through July 21. 758-1720. THEA FOUNDATION, 401 Main St., NLR: Jacksonville Lighthouse Academy fine arts exhibition and auction, through June 13. 9 a.m.-noon, 1-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. 379-9512.

ONGOING MUSEUM EXHIBITS

CLINTON PRESIDENTIAL CENTER, 1200 President Clinton Ave.: “Play Ball! The St. Louis Cardinals,” memorabilia, including World Series trophies, rings and Stan Musial’s uniform, through Sept. 16; permanent exhibits about policies and White House life during the Clinton administration. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. $7 adults; $5 college students, seniors, retired military; $3 ages 6-17. 370-8000. HISTORIC ARKANSAS MUSEUM, 200 E. Third St.: “A Collective Vision,” recent acquisitions, through March 2013; “Creating the Elements of Discovery: Tim Imhauser, Jason Powers and Emily Wood,” sculpture, drawings and paintings, through Aug. 5, “Doug Stowe: The Making of My Small Cabinets,” through July 8. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 324-9351. MOSAIC TEMPLARS CULTURAL CENTER, Ninth and Broadway: “Creativity Arkansas Collection,” works by black Arkansas artists; permanent exhibits on African-American entrepreneurial history in Arkansas. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat. 683—3593. MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY, 500 President Clinton Ave.: “Extreme Deep: Mission to the Abyss,” through July 29; “Astronomy: It’s a Blast,” through 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. OLD STATE HOUSE MUSEUM, 300 W. Markham: “Battle Colors of Arkansas,” 18 civil war flags; “Things You Need to Hear: Memories of Growing up in Arkansas from 1890 to 1980,” oral histories about community, family, work, school and leisure. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 324-9685. More gallery and museum listings at www. arktimes.com.

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