Arkansas Times - June 26, 2014

NEWS + POLITICS + ENTERTAINMENT + FOOD / JUNE 26, 2014 / ARKTIMES.COM

Equalizer Attorney Jack Wagoner on the fight for LGBT marriage equality, past battles and why his political persuasion is ‘The Little Guy’

BY DAVID KOON

Beef. It’s What’s for DInner…

here are some delicious beef dishes to help you add flavor to

Your Summer!

Grilled Steak and Fresh Mozzarella Flatbread

Citrus Steaks with Spicy Orange Sauce

• 1 to 1-1/4 pounds beef Top Sirloin Filets, cut 1 inch thick, tied • 1-1/2 teaspoons lemon pepper • 2 cups packed fresh baby spinach • 1/4 pound fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2 inch pieces (3/4 cup) 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil • 1-1/2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar • 4 naan breads (Indian flatbread) or pita breads

• 1 to 1-1/4 pounds beef top sirloin cap steaks, cut 1 inch thick • 4 ears sweet corn, in husks • 1 medium orange • 1 clove garlic, minced • 1/2 teaspoon pepper • 1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek-style yogurt or plain nonfat regular yogurt • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder • Salt

1.

Press lemon pepper evenly onto steaks. Place steaks on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 12 to 17 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 12 to 16 minutes) for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness, turning occasionally.

2.

Meanwhile, combine spinach, cheese and basil in large bowl. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar; toss to coat and set aside.

3.

Remove steak from grill and let stand 5 minutes. Place naan on grill; grill, covered, 1 to 3 minutes or until lightly browned, turning once.

4.

Carve steaks into slices. Top naan evenly with spinach mixture and steak slices.

1.

Peel corn, leaving husks attached at base; remove silk. Rewrap corn in husks; tie closed. Soak in cold water 30 minutes.

2.

Grate 1 teaspoon peel from orange.

Squeeze 2 tablespoon juice from orange; set aside. Combine peel, garlic and pepper; press evenly onto beef steaks.

3.

Remove corn from water. Place on outer edge of grid over medium, ashcovered coals; grill, covered, 20 to 30 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 15 to 25 minutes) or until tender, turning occasionally. Place steaks in center of grid over medium, ash covered coals. Grill, covered, 9 to 14 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 8 to 12 minutes) for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness, turning occasionally.

4.

Meanwhile, combine 2 tablespoons reserved orange juice, yogurt, cilantro and chipotle powder in medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

5.

Carve steaks into slices, season with salt as desired. Serve with sauce and corn.

Makes 4 servings

Teriyaki Steak Skewers

Churrasco Steak Sandwich

• 1 pound beef Top Sirloin Steak Boneless, cut 1 inch thick • 1 package (5.2 to 6.8 ounces) fried rice blend, prepared according to package directions (optional) • Thinly sliced green onions

• 1 boneless Top Sirloin Steak Boneless, 1 inch thick (about 1 pound) • 1-1/2 cups lightly packed fresh parsley leaves • 5 cloves garlic, divided • 2 tablespoon fresh lime juice • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 4 hoagie rolls, split, toasted • 1 medium red bell pepper, cut in half • 4 slices Provolone, manchego or Chihuahua cheese

Marinade: • 1/2 cup dry sherry • 1/3 cup reduced-sodium or regular soy sauce • 2 tablespoons honey • 1 tablespoon minced garlic • 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger 1.

Combine marinade ingredients in medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate 1/4 cup marinade. Cut beef steak crosswise into 1/4-inch thick strips. Add beef to remaining marinade in bowl; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate 15 minutes to 2 hours, turning occasionally.

2.

Soak twelve 6-inch bamboo skewers in water 10 minutes; drain. Remove beef from marinade; discard marinade.

Thread beef, weaving back and forth, onto each skewer.

3.

Place skewers on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 5 to 7 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 6 to 8 minutes), turning occasionally and brushing with reserved 1/4 cup marinade.

4.

Serve skewers with rice, if desired.

Garnish with onions.

1.

Place parsley and 4 cloves garlic in food processor or blender container.

Cover; process until finely chopped.

Add lime juice, oil and salt; process just until just blended. Refrigerate until ready to use.

2.

Mince remaining clove garlic and rub over both sides of beef Steak.

Place Steak in center of grid over medium, ash-covered coals; arrange bell pepper around Steak. Grill Steak, covered, 11 to 15 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 13 to 16 minutes) for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness, turning occasionally. Grill bell pepper 6 to 8 minutes (gas grill times remain the same) or until tender, turning occasionally.

3. Carve Steak into thin slices. Cut pepper halves into strips. Season beef and peppers with salt and pepper. Spread cut sides of rolls with parsley mixture. Evenly layer beef, pepper strips and cheese over parsley mixture. Close sandwich.

Place sandwiches back on grill, covered, 2 to 3 minutes.

For more simple meal ideas, nutrition information, and cooking tips, visit BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com – 501-228-1222

We Make Service A ARKANSAS’S SOURCE FOR NEWS, POLITICS & ENTERTAINMENT 201 East Markham Street, Suite 200 Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 www.arktimes.com arktimes@arktimes.com @ArkTimes www.facebook.com/arkansastimes

Top Priority!

Open 24 Hours 7 Days A Week Law Enforcement Discount Offered

PUBLISHER Alan Leveritt

Need Equipment Financing? ♦ Lease or Finance ♦ 100% Financing ♦ Fixed Rate ♦ Conserve Capital ♦ Tax Advantages ♦ Flexible Payment

Options Talk to a leasing expert before you buy.

Jerry Wilson Regional Manager

EDITOR Lindsey Millar SENIOR EDITOR Max Brantley MANAGING EDITOR Leslie Newell Peacock CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Mara Leveritt ASSOCIATE EDITORS David Koon, David Ramsey ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Will Stephenson

Riverdale Shopping Center 2516 Cantrell, Ste F 501-280-9005 membersfitnessclub.com

501.375.2822 • 888.700.1414 400 West Capitol Ave #1718 www.efsolutionsinc.com

7th & thayer, Lr

(501) 375-8400

Thursday, June 26

Jessica Lea Mayfield w/ Dylan LeBlanc

Friday, June 27

Iron Tongue w/ Dirty Streets & Witchsister

Saturday, June 28

John Moreland w/ Kierston White & Arliss Nancy

Friday, July 4

VELVET KENTE

Check out additional shows at whitewatertavern.com

EDITORIAL ART DIRECTOR Kai Caddy PHOTOGRAPHER Brian Chilson ADVERTISING ART DIRECTOR Mike Spain ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR Patrick Jones GRAPHIC DESIGNER Bryan Moats DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Phyllis A. Britton DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS Rebekah Hardin SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Tiffany Holland ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Darielle D’Mello, Jo Garcia, Thanh Rasico, Brooke Wallace ADVERTISING TRAFFIC MANAGER Roland R. Gladden ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Kelly Carr SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING DIRECTOR Kristi McKinnon SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Rose Gladner IT DIRECTOR Robert Curfman CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Jack Higgins CONTROLLER Weldon Wilson BILLING/COLLECTIONS Linda Phillips OFFICE MANAGER Kelly Lyles PRODUCTION MANAGER Ira Hocut (1954-2009)

association of alternative newsmedia

VOLUME 40, NUMBER 43 ARKANSAS TIMES (ISSN 0164-6273) is published each week by Arkansas Times Limited Partnership, 201 East Markham Street, Suite 200, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72201, phone (501) 375-2985.

Periodical postage paid at Little Rock, Arkansas, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ARKANSAS TIMES, EAST MARKHAM STREET, SUITE 200, Little Rock, AR, 72201. Subscription prices are $42 for one year, $78 for two years. Subscriptions outside Arkansas are $49 for one year, $88 for two years. Foreign (including Canadian) subscriptions are $168 a year. For subscriber service call (501) 375-2985. Current single-copy price is 75¢, free in Pulaski County. Single issues are available by mail at $2.50 each, postage paid. Payment must accompany all single-copy orders. Reproduction or use in whole or in part of the contents without the written consent of the publishers is prohibited.

Manuscripts and artwork will not be returned or acknowledged unless sufficient return postage and a self-addressed stamped envelope are included. All materials are handled with due care; however, the publisher assumes no responsibility for care and safe return of unsolicited materials. All letters sent to ARKANSAS TIMES will be treated as intended for publication and are subject to ARKANSAS TIMES’ unrestricted right to edit or to comment editorially.

©2014 ARKANSAS TIMES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP FOR SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE CALL: (501) 375-2985

Relax, Rewind & dine…

Join Us on The PaTio & savoR savoy TonighT 1620 Market Street | LittLe rock | 501-221-1620 | 1620Savoy.coM Monday - Saturday 5 - 10pM | Sunday brunch 10:30 - 2pM www.arktimes.com

JUNE 26, 2014

3

COMMENT

Defining marriage Regarding state Sen. Jason Rapert’s recent guest column in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, he makes some good points, but I think there are other ways to analyze the matter, irrespective of the merits of the issue. If our president can change his mind on same-sex marriage less than two years ago, surely this is a fair topic for discussion.

Let us not forget that those who opposed federal marriage legislation, whether DOMA or a constitutional amendment, did so on the ground that issues of marriage are matters of state law for the individual states to decide.

So be it. The Arkansas voters then spoke loud and clear, by a supermajority no less, apparently to no avail. Judge Chris Piazza is a fine jurist and a good man, before whom I practice regularly, but he is no more qualified or empowered to issue edicts on such cultural matters than any judge. His opinion also contains some highly questionable propositions, such as that the voters acted solely out of animus, there was no “conceivable legitimate state interest or purpose” and the “speculation” that children of “opposite-sex marriages” (his words) were better off that children of same-sex marriages. A few comments are in order.

First, where in the record is the evidence that the voters acted out of animus? Second, and more importantly, where is it written that it is exclusively the province of the judiciary to decide what is or is not a legitimate state interest? Do the legislature, executive and electorate have no say in the matter? The constitution provides otherwise. Third, where does he get the authority — and where is the factual basis in the court record — to opine which relationships are better for children? The only speculation is found in his opinion when he implies that the adopted children of same-sex couples are as well off as children of traditional families, despite thousands of years of human experience versus recent history and no valid scientific evidence or empirical data. Lastly, his decision assumes that he is more qualified to make that determination than the voters. That is what I, and I think Sen. Rapert, find so frustrating.

No one disputes that marriage is a fundamental right. The cases that recognize that right, however, starting with Griswold v. Conn. (which struck down contraceptive bans and explicitly recognized a right of privacy that I cannot locate in my Constitution), were based on the sacred marital relation between husband and wife, which actually predates the Constitution by a few thousand 4

JUNE 26, 2014

ARKANSAS TIMES

years and which, alone, has the inherent potential for procreation. Let’s leave the Scriptures out of the debate. Are we to void natural law, too, on the ground that it is discriminatory? The true questions then are simply: What is marriage and who gets to decide? What relationships does society recognize as fundamental and deserving of recognition and constitutional protection? No one proposes putting constitutional rights up to a vote.

That is a “straw man” argument that no one advocates. After all, marriages and families are the central units around which we have organized our society.

It is not for judges to decide what is or is not a fundamental right, or to proclaim who has what rights and who does not.

Rather, the judicial role is to enforce and protect those rights society chooses to recognize as fundamental. As the racial voting patterns and recent gathering of African-American ministers show, it is also fallacious to compare this issue with civil rights. Civil rights arose from discrimination based upon immutable personal characteristics, such as race and sex (which used to be immutable).

The judiciary played a vital role in that area — not by declaring that civil rights are fundamental — but by enforcing and protecting the rights that society rec-

ognized as fundamental. After all, we fought a Civil War and passed the 14th Amendment to establish and enshrine these rights.

What I feared is occurring before our eyes. A hotly debated issue in the “culture wars” — involving the central organizing principle of our society — is being preempted, removed from the public sphere and decided by the judiciary, which is not empowered or qualified to decide the issue for us. Public opinion is evolving in this area, no question. It may trend toward or away from traditional marriage, but all citizens and adherents of representative democracy will respect the result if the judges will get out of the way and trust our democratic process to work this out.

Just as Clemenceau said that war was far too important to be left up to generals, marriages and families are far too important to be left up to the judges.

Michael Emerson Little Rock

It takes a village Max Brantley’s lament on the LRSD (“Drastic measures for LR schools,” June 12) caused this response and, more than likely, wasted time. The Village

Now September – July 19 September 3– 3– September OctOber OctOber 53 – 5 OctOber 5 hostradio host When a conservative When a conservative radio

When a conservative radio announces thehehost airand that he and announces on the airon that announces thewill air that hetheir and vows hison wife renew his wife will renew their vows hisSin wife will renew in all Sin all ofvows the residents of in City, ofCity, thetheir residents of in Sin City, all of the residents Tuna, Texas come Tuna, Texas come along for along theof for the Tuna,Favorite Texas along for thepastfrom past ride.come Favorite characters ride. characters from ride.

Favorite characters from pastand new Tuna productions return, Tuna productions return, and new Tuna productions return, and new are introduced!

“What hapones are ones introduced!

“What hapones in areVegas introduced! pens in Vegas stays hapin pens stays in “What Vegas, butVegas, but pens happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but what happens when what when Tuna hits Tuna the hits the whatmay happens when Tunadelightfully hits the in your slots lodge slots lodgemay delightfully in your slots for mayahead lodge in- your fordelightfully a lifetime.”

L.A. Times head lifetime.”

- L.A. Times July – August 30 head for 22 a lifetime.”

- L.A. Times

PICTURE PERFECT, PERFECTLY PRICED at

PYRAMID ART, BOOKS & CUSTOM FRAMING H HA AL LF FO OF F FA FA R RK KA AN NS SA AS S .. C CO OM M

School concept has been described by this writer in print many times. Now I know some, perhaps many, are thinking, “I never heard of that.” Such is the power structure of Little Rock. Powerful People keep an idea isolated to the opinion pages and friendly conversations so that it never has a full and unbiased hearing. Isolating thinkers to the back pages allows the Powerful People to control the place. The public is allowed police protection because those same police protect the Powerful People.

We have reasonable city management because the Powerful People use the city. The good public schools are those controlled by the Powerful People. For the most part, the Powerful People use private schools.

A Village School has several grades located on one campus. The private schools are all villages as is eStem. It is the best educational environment because you get more for your money and it builds strong community. The old structure of neighborhood schools in a district run by expensive administrators is costly and destroys community.

With modern technology, one staff can manage a county. Village Schools are self-governing. The first Village should be established in the Central High area.

After that, picture the campus of PA or the Episcopal School, and place them wherever there is good space. A Village campus is so large that it is unaffected by neighborhood. Of course, eStem is unique for not having a campus, just buildings. Perhaps the entire city is its campus.

Early this year, there was a casual invite extended to talk with the planning board about the Village concept and the Central High area, in particular. A PowerPoint was created for the meeting. As it has too often happened, the meeting did not take place. The Powerful People operate that way. They make you jump through hoops until you are exhausted while they enjoy the good life. The worst thing about the Powerful People is that they think they know all the answers.

Being all-powerful and knowledgeable, there is absolutely no need to associate with peons. We are kept at arm’s length with only the ability to waste our time on the opinion page.

Richard Emmel Little Rock

C CO OU UR RT TE ES SY Y O OF F

562-3131 562-3131 562-3131 murrysdp.com

Share us on Share us on

Brought to you by Share us on

Submit letters to the Editor, Arkansas Times, 201 E. Markham, Suite 200, Little Rock, AR 72201. We also accept letters via email. The address is arktimes@arktimes. com. Please include name and hometown.

THE WEEK THAT WAS

EYE ON ARKANSAS

Just a band-aid Gov. Mike Beebe has called a special session of the Arkansas legislature to shore up the public school employee insurance fund. The fix a majority of lawmakers have already agreed upon in principle will be temporary. The school employee plan will still be more expensive than the state employee insurance plan — one enjoyed by legislators, by the way — and be less inclusive. The only long-term solution is to merge school employees and state employees into one insurance pool.

As expected, the Arkansas Legislative Council easily approved Sen. Jason Rapert’s resolution endorsing Arkansas’s constitutional discrimination against gay couples in marriage. It includes encouragement of legislative action to prevent judges from negating the “will of the people.”

Rapert’s speech was mind-boggling as always.

He asserted most gay couples didn’t want to marry, they just wanted “affirmation.” He said there was no evidence anyone was born gay. He said same-sex marriage would lead to laws that limited free speech by preachers. Nonsense. What isn’t nonsense was Rep. John Walker’s statement that this is a blow to judicial independence, a terrible thing.

Disenfranchised Research by Holly Dickson, legal director for the ACLU of Arkansas, found that more than 1,000 ballots cast in the lightly voted primary election were not counted because voters failed to comply with the new voter ID law. Most of those — more than 900 — were absentee ballots that didn’t include newly required proof of identity. The rest were people who voted in person, but didn’t have a photo ID when they voted or were otherwise challenged. They cast provisional ballots and if they didn’t return to a clerk’s office to verify their ID, their votes weren’t counted.

Plaintiffs in a challenge of the 2013 voter ID law have asked Circuit Judge Tim Fox to lift the stay of his ruling that struck down the law as unconstitutional.

The case is on appeal and plaintiffs — represented by the ACLU and the Arkansas Public Law Center — want it not to be used in the general election because of the potential for disenfranchising voters.

If the law is not stayed, thousands of Arkansas voters could be disenfranchised in the November general election.

6

JUNE 26, 2014

ARKANSAS TIMES

BRIAN CHILSON

Rapert, off the rails SUMMER BREEZE: Wildflowers sway as the sun sets behind the Two Rivers Bridge in Little Rock.

Judicial intimidation

S

en. Jason Rapert had his big day last week. The Arkansas Legislative Council adopted his resolution criticizing Circuit Judge Chris Piazza for ruling that the Arkansas ban on same-sex marriage was a violation of constitutional equal protection and due process rights.

Rapert, with a loving Jerry Cox of the anti-gay Family Council looking on, made clear later this was about intimidating the Arkansas Supreme Court, where the appeal of Piazza’s ruling is pending.

If the court defies Rapert and Cox, they will put a judicial recall law on the ballot. This would further blow judicial independence — already imperiled by politics — to smithereens.

The Supreme Court has always been subject to political pressures from the legislature, which controls pay, facilities and other niceties. The threat of removal makes it worse.

This is particularly true because of current court politics and personnel. Associate Justice Courtney Goodson will make a race for chief justice in 2016. She’s been making inroads, after a rocky start, in building a coalition on the court with Justices Jo Hart and Karen Baker. Inside sources say it was Baker who rounded up three more votes from out-of-state conventioneering justices to override Justice Donald Corbin’s initial decision not to stay Piazza’s ruling during the appeal.

Hundreds of couples who’d wanted to marry were denied the altar. Some fear the stay indicates the final posture of the court.

Goodson’s influence is about more than her charm offensive. Her husband, John Goodson, a wealthy lawyer, spends heavily, along with allies, in judicial races.

He raised money for Karen Baker. Trial lawyers with whom he’s often associated helped pay off Hart’s campaign debt. Goodson or his allies are believed by many lawyers to be behind the stealth money that attacked Tim Cullen in his narrow losing race for Supreme

Court to Robin Wynne.

Goodson friends turned up, too, in the money reports of Rhonda Wood, who’ll join the court in January. If the marriage equality case is still pendMAX ing, Wood seems unlikely to vote BRANTLEY for equal rights. She ran as a funcmaxbrantley@arktimes.com tional Republican (anti-gay, in other words) for the nonpartisan seat and has relied throughout her political career on Mike Huckabee as a robocalling supporter. Huckabee has equated supporters of marriage equality with Nazis.

Whatever happens in state court, Rapert and Cox can’t pass a law giving recall power to Arkansas voters over federal judges, who’ll also consider Arkansas’s legal discrimination. (PS: There’s not a chance in hell Pulaski voters would recall Chris Piazza even if the law allowed it.)

Black people should be thankful that Rapert and Cox weren’t around in the 1950s and 1960s when voters passed racial discrimination laws and a constitutional segregation amendment that stayed on the books until 1992. The bigots claimed Biblical ground for their discrimination then, too.

It would be a sad continuation of Arkansas’s poor record on human rights if the Arkansas Supreme Court became the first in the modern era to find that the U.S. Constitution doesn’t give equal protection to gay people.

The court need not be intimidated. A ballot initiative for judicial recall couldn’t reach the ballot until 2016. If approved — and there’d be opposition— a recall election would be at least a year away. You’d hope that by 2017, Arkansas would have decided to live and let gay people live, too.

But that depends, still, on a bit more judicial courage than many — including Jason Rapert and Jerry Cox — have come to expect.

OPINION

Cotton’s slogans hide anti-Arkansas votes

T

he Arkansas Senate race gives political scientists the best laboratory yet for studying the contest between self-interest and appealing slogans for the hearts and minds of voters.

In young Tom Cotton, only 18 months in office, voters have the purest ideologue ever to run for major office in Arkansas, if you discount William “Coin” Harvey of Monte Ne, the wacky bimetallist who tried to run for Congress from Northwest Arkansas as a Democrat in 1913 and for president with the Liberty Party in 1932.

Rep. Cotton holds a consistent theory that government is almost always bad and wasteful unless it is making war. He sounds like Ronald Reagan and conservatives from Robert Taft to the new libertarians or any current Republican you care to name, but the difference is that Cotton actually votes like he talks, just about all the time.

The ultimate test of Cotton’s fidelity to the libertarian philosophy he shares

with his biggest benefactors, the Koch brothers, came with the serial votes on federal disaster aid for ERNEST people who were DUMAS displaced by hurricanes, tornadoes and floods, first on the New York and Jersey shores but finally in Arkansas. He would have scotched funding for all of them. That was a hard political act, but he had already showed his mettle by voting to start dismantling Medicare, Medicaid and other forms of medical and nutrition aid to people without resources, who included a large share of the people in his own district.

If you polled Arkansans, you might find that a good majority of them hate or distrust the federal government, though many would qualify it to Barack Obama’s government. They would assent to the idea that government shouldn’t help the

Into the morass

R

emember the Iraqi journalist National Intelliwho threw his shoes at President gence Estimate, the George W. Bush? It happened on consensus view of Dec. 14, 2008, near the end of the presi- 16 different U.S. spy dent’s second term. Bush had traveled to agencies, did predict Baghdad for a press conference with Iraqi it. Titled “Trends in GENE Prime Minister Nouri al-Malaki. The two Global Terrorism: LYONS announced the signing of the U.S.-Iraqi Implications for the Status of Forces Agreement promising that United States,” it concluded that dismemall American soldiers would leave Iraq by bering Iraq’s government and disbanding its army had greatly multiplied the threat Dec. 31, 2011.

“This is a farewell kiss from the Iraqi of Islamic terrorism. people, you dog,” yelled TV corresponAs reported by Mark Mazetti in the dent Muntadhar al-Zaidi in Arabic as Bush New York Times, the draft report described ducked nimbly away. “This is for the wid- “actions by the United States government ows and orphans and all those killed in that were determined to have stoked the Iraq,” he shouted as he flung his second jihad movement, like the indefinite detention of prisoners at Guantánamo Bay and shoe.

“I don’t think that you can take one guy the Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal.” throwing his shoe as representative of the At least that’s what it said before the people of Iraq,” sniffed White House Press little gremlins in Vice President Dick Secretary Dana Perino, who sustained a Cheney’s office censored the final docublack eye in the melee. ment. Even so, a 2005 study by the National Actually, things are a lot worse than Intelligence Council also concluded “that that, it’s been tempting to observe watch- Iraq had become the primary training ing President Obama struggling to con- ground for the next generation of terrorists.” tain the predictable aftermath of the worst History records that the Obama adminstrategic blunder in U.S. history. For sheer istration beat the treaty deadline by two destructive folly, only Vietnam rivals the weeks, completing the final withdrawal of 2003 Iraq invasion.

U.S. troops from Iraq on Dec. 16, 2011. The Predictable because, as Eric Alterman president spent much of the 2012 presidenreminds us at BillMoyers.com, the 2006 tial campaign bragging about it.

malingerers in society who have their ises millions more in the months ahead. hands out and won’t do what they need A measure of Cotton’s loyalty was that do to get better jobs and get ahead. on the day he was supposed to be at the But here is the contest: Can they rec- Pink Tomato Festival at Warren in his oncile those appealing slogans about home district, along with every other big and controlling government with vote seeker, Cotton quietly flew to Calitheir own dependency on programs fornia for a confab, golf and dinner with like Medicare, Social Security, veterans’ some of the world’s richest men at a palahealth services and nutrition aid, or their tial oceanside resort, the St. Regis Monmoral support for many of the services arch Bay, at the invitation of Koch and of big government like disaster relief and his brother, Charles. The brothers are tuition aid? Or, for that matter, for big reputed to be worth from $80 billion to government programs like food and drug $100 billion. The guests were expected to pony up $500 million to elect Cotton safety that they count upon every day?

Keeping that distinction blurred is and a few other likeminded men to ConTom Cotton’s big challenge. Better, it is gress this year.

That took some grit because Cotton Sen. Mark Pryor’s challenge to make it clear to voters that, however appealing had to expect that the word would leak the slogans, he, not Cotton, serves their that he was eating oven-roasted Angus self-interests. He is trying to do that with natural filet mignon and braised fennel Cotton’s votes against disaster-aid fund- with truffle and mint quinoa — the speing and his own consistent votes for it, cial fare that evening at La Casa Pacifica which he says is a moral obligation of peo- — with billionaires rather than slurping ple who are obliged to follow the Bible’s native tomatoes on the Bradley County many injunctions to help people in need. square with the hoi polloi.

Cotton is a disciple of David Koch, The Koch brothers have spent a the billionaire industrialist and former small fortune to elect a government Libertarian Party vice presidential can- of their vision, the Ayn Rand vision, didate, who has channeled millions into which would get out of the way of smart Cotton’s brief political career and promCONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Well, he wasn’t doing a whole lot of come from an (amoral) American point of bragging last week. Indeed, listening to view would be bloody stalemate and ultithe president’s cogent, almost professo- mately, perhaps, partition. rial explanation of his administration’s But Obama can’t say those things either, response to the rapid takeover of large although he came close when he told CBS parts of Iraq and Syria by ISIL militants, I News’ Norah O’Donnell that the idea of found myself wondering how much Obama arming “farmers, dentists and folks who himself believed his own words. have never fought before” to overthrow a “Iraqi leaders,” he said “must rise above brutal dictator like Syria’s Assad and also their differences and come together around defeat ruthless jihadists was a “fantasy.” a political plan for Iraq’s future. Shia, Sunni, He said the Washington press corps Kurds — all Iraqis — must have confidence needed to understand that. Above all, that they can advance their interests and the president needs to heed Gen. David aspirations through the political process Petraeus’ warning that the U.S. not let itself rather than through violence.” be manipulated into serving as a Shiite Yes, and snow cones and magic ponies air force. for all the little children.

Politically speaking, however, here’s a This too: “The United States will not catch: The more President Obama does pursue military options that support one what Americans say they want done in forsect inside of Iraq at the expense of another. eign affairs — i.e. pulling back from insane There’s no military solution inside of Iraq, Middle Eastern ethnic and religious concertainly not one that is led by the United flicts — the worse his polling numbers get.

States. But there is an urgent need for an It’s almost as if people yearn for a makeinclusive political process, a more capable believe, action-figure president like the one Iraqi security force, and counterterror- George W. Bush impersonated until the ism efforts that deny groups like ISIL a roof fell in. Or possibly like Ronald Reagan, safe haven.” who got the hell out of Lebanon after a BeiNo military solution, just a more capable rut terrorist strike killed 287 Marines, but Iraqi army. All that and a defensive perim- who talked tough and invaded tiny Grenada. eter around Baghdad, too! Manned by ShiBasically, too many Americans want vicite militias of doubtful loyalty to Iraq’s gov- tory without sacrifice. They like to chant ernment and possibly by Iranian soldiers, “We’re Number One!” but with lower taxes Obama was careful not to say aloud. and no fatalities.

Indeed, as Iraq descends into a full-scale That’s a fantasy too, from which we may sectarian civil war, the best possible out- slowly awaken. www.arktimes.com

JUNE 26, 2014

7

PEARLS ABOUT SWINE

P R E S E N T S

B E N E F I T T I N G

Featuring JuNE 28, 2014 DooRS 8:00 18+ ArkansasMusicunited.Com

With Very Special Guests

8

JUNE 26, 2014

ARKANSAS TIMES

An opportunity amid hard times

T

roubled times lay ahead for Arkansas football if you’ve already begun digesting the preseason pablum that everyone from Athlon Sports to Cat Fancy churns out in the dog days of summer.

Here’s a team, the pundits will tell you, that racked up a 7-17 overall mark the last two years while ensnared in postPetrino reclamation. A team that lost all the offensive wonderment it had generated en route to BCS games and Cotton Bowl wins, and somehow managed to slip even further on the opposite side of the ball, where it had been pretty average at best. The personnel shuffling has been uncommon: defensive coordinators have included Willy Robinson, Paul Haynes, Chris Ash and now Robb Smith. From the playcalling perspective, Garrick McGee handed the reins over to Paul Petrino, who flubbed it, and then Jim Chaney didn’t exactly distinguish himself a season ago.

It’s not to casually excuse someone like Brandon Allen for gross inefficiency as a passer in his first year as starter, but he was a redshirt sophomore last year who’d basically been poked and prodded by about 19 different caretakers and mentors in such short time. You heard a lot of griping about his showing last year, particularly when he would end up throwing terribly late on a timing route and end up jogging after the defensive back who was carrying that tardy toss the other direction.

But Allen’s mechanical and mental errors were at least partially chargeable to his overseers, or rather, the instability thereof.

He also wasn’t genuinely pressured from beneath, and that is something that presumably changes this summer with younger brother Austin and prep phenom Rafe Peavey in the fold. When Allen got dinged up early last year against hapless Southern Miss, Hog fans watched in horror as A.J. Derby trotted off the sidelines and showed himself to be utterly illequipped as a backup. That carried over to the Rutgers loss the following week.

Thus created the vacuum: Allen could be bad going forward without any tangible repercussions, and go figure, he often lived down to the task.

It’s been an atypically quiet preseason in Fayetteville, though, and even an automatic hot button like the starting quarterback job has failed to generate much buzz. And that all goes back to depressed expectations for Bret Bielema’s second iteration of this dramatic rebuild. When a team gets whitewashed in league play

for the first time and has, in terms of win percentage, the worst football season of a generation, who’s going BEAU to talk about that?

WILCOX Arkansas is more or less getting the same dose of callous indifference that Vanderbilt used to get before Bobby Johnson and then James Franklin came around, or that Kentucky started getting as soon as Rich Brooks walked off.

Is there solace to be had in irrelevancy?

Maybe. You can look at this as the best time to be a Hog fan because it’s the least tumultuous, and the weight of expectations simply isn’t there. Bielema sees it all through an undoubtedly different prism, as he realizes that only dramatic improvement in both winning percentage and quality of play will resonate here.

The fan base wasn’t overly sold on him to begin with, and then he presided over his inaugural campaign in a way that was on par with Joe Hazelwood’s captaincy of the Exxon Valdez. So, yeah, these last few months haven’t been fun, and all the uninspiring projections for 2014 don’t likely change his or anyone’s tune.

But remember, Arkansas has probably summoned a lot of its notable SEC-era achievements from similarly unsteady footing. Houston Nutt charmed a backto-back four-win bunch into a 9-3 first season that, sadly, also rallied the area troops perhaps a little too quickly. He coaxed his only 10-win season out of the Hogs in 2006 a year after lording over a 4-7 wreck that lost to Vanderbilt at home and then took a 70-point pounding from Southern Cal. There’s precedent even beforehand, as Danny Ford’s only noteworthy winning campaign was an eightvictory march in 1995 that followed an ugly first two years.

The tie binding all those upstart teams?

Careful management of possession time kept a mostly unheralded defense fresh.

Stars were born anew, like Steven Conley or David Barrett or Jamaal Anderson. The Hogs were never going to outclass most foes from what they had standing on the sidelines, and they won’t this fall, either.

It’s the posture those few impact players take and the leadership role they have to embrace that will determine how the season goes, and in the coming weeks, Pearls will assess just how much growth we can expect from a downtrodden program.

THE OBSERVER NOTES ON THE PASSING SCENE

Summer lovin’

Dakota, in what appears to be a town made of mud, dung, chaw spit and desperation.

Good thing technology hasn’t progressed to the point of Smell-o-Vision yet. The people there in their toadstool-damp hovels are a hearty but sullen lot. They use the most sailorific and colorful curse words to a degree that’s sometimes shocking even for The Observer, who learned to cuss before learning to crawl. [Expletive deleted]sucker appears to be the show’s universal noun, adjective and, often, verb.

On the show, some [expletive deleted] sucker or other is always getting shot, stabbed, choked, beaten senseless or fed to the pigs of a Chinese man named Wu. Everybody who ain’t instantly and violently transmogrified into pig chow upon stepping off the stagecoach has some affliction or other that’s slowly killing them, from bloody flux to brain tumor, and the town doctor’s art appears to stop at “don’t look at it” which is — we assume — pretty close to how it really was back in them days. In the latest episode we watched, the doc spent a sizeable portion of the episode repeatedly probing a man’s inner spaces and secret hollows with a dingy, impossibly long pair of needle-nosed pliers, excavating for a kidney stone. Yes, it’s that kind of program.

Every time we watch that show, The Observer can’t help but thank whatever force that deigned we should have been born here in the glorious future, as opposed to that lamp-lit and flush-toiletless hell. The Observer likes it here, with the pharmacies full of antibiotics, a hospital up the road were they can do more than Good-LordWilling our injuries and ailments, popsicles in the coolerator, and a corner store three blocks away full of cold beer.

Our dear, departed Pa, a man of harsh upbringing, taught Yours Truly how to live in the cold, cruel, mud-over-the-tops-ofyour-boots world. We have no doubt that as a younger man, we could have hacked it in Deadwood until the smallpox or a cleavagestowed derringer took us down. But The Observer must admit, we’re getting soft in our golden years. What’s worse, we’ve come to love it there on our divan, never straying far from 74 degrees. The oldest of old saws looks to be The Observer’s lot from here on out: too light for heavy work, too heavy for light work. Best we can do at this point is try not to lose the remote.

JOIN US WEDNESDAYS

JUN. 4 - JUL. 2 TH

ND

ENTER TO WIN A 9 DAY TRIP FOR 2 BENEFITS PINTS FOR PROSTATES

323 PRESIDENT CLINTON AVE., 72201 (501)372-8032 BEERKNURD.COM

2014

AMAZON RECENTLY CUT some kind of megalobucks deal that allows it to put up a whole passel of HBO shows that The Observer missed out on the first time because we’re too cheap to cough up for primo channels, even if we hadn’t cut the cable a few years back.

Between Netflix and Amazon, it’s been a good summer so far at The Observatory, the air conditioning unit by the back stoop chugging away as we recline and work our way through shows of old, binge-watching them without commercials or annoying, week-long cliffhangers, both of which are, The Observer contends, tools of Beelzebub and Ol’ Splitfoot. The AC man willing, we’ll be happily suckling at the plasma teat until the leaves turn in the fall. That’s our plan, anyway. Don’t judge. Starting soon, we’re hitting the gym three nights a week as well, to ward off errant spare tires. Seriously. Starting soon!

Over the past few months, The Observer and our Beloved have finished off “The Office,” both seasons of “Orange is the New Black,” the newest season of “House of Cards,” all the episodes of “Mad Men” we can see without resorting to online electric larceny, and a sizeable chunk of “Lost,” up to the point where that show’s head finally disappeared wholly up its own ass, the storyline becoming so obviously unruddered that our attention drifted off, like a smoke monster in a stiff breeze.

Such is the joy of the modern age: Watch the whole thing, or some, or none. Infinite choices. Infinite possibilities. It’s all a Buck Rogers fantasy for a kid who grew up in the Age of Three Channels. We tried to historize Junior the other day about the fact that — once upon a time — there would come a moment every night when the National Anthem would play, jet fighters would rocket across the screen and then the TV would just go to frustrating snow, the owners of the stations confident in the fact that all the righteous folks were safe and sound in their bowers and to hell with the rest of ’em.

We don’t think Junior quite believed it, this boy who has grown up in The Age of Neverbored.

Right now, The Observer and Spouse are working our way through the HBO show “Deadwood.” Pretty fabulous so far, by the way. It’s set in 1870-something in North

www.arktimes.com

JUNE 26, 2014

9

OPINION

Only the guilty want closure

S

THE UNIQUE NEIGHBORHOODS OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS Full of interesting voices and colorful portraits of 17 Little Rock and North Little Rock neighborhoods, this book gives an intimate, block-by-block, native’s view of the place more than 250,000 Arkansans call home. Created from interviews with residents and largely written by writers who actually live in the neighborhoods they’re writing about, the book features over 90 full color photos by Little Rock photographer Brian Chilson.

Payment: CHECK OR CREDIT CARD Order by Mail: ARKANSAS TIMES BOOKS, P.O. BOX 34010, LITTLE ROCK, AR 72203 Phone: 501-375-2985 Fax: 501-375-3623 Email: JACK@ARKTIMES.COM Send _______ book(s) of The Unique Neighborhoods of Central Arkansas @ $19.95 Send _______ book(s) of A History Of Arkansas @ $10.95

ALSO AVAILABLE

Send _______ book(s) of Almanac Of Arkansas History @ $18.95 Shipping and handling $3 per book

✁

Name ____________________________________________________________ Address __________________________________________________________

✁

City, State, Zip ______________________________________________________

Phone ___________________________________________________________ Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc # _________________________________ Exp. Date __________

10

JUNE 26, 2014

ARKANSAS TIMES

cott Ellington, the prosecuting ing the case. True attorney for Arkansas’s Second closure won’t happen until Judicial District, said in a recent those questions interview that, “There are no ongoing investigations by governmental investiare answered. gative authorities” concerning the West Unfortunately, DAMIEN Memphis Three case. there has been ECHOLS GUEST COLUMNIST Ellington may be the only person on little cooperation the planet who believes there is “closure” from the authoriin my case. ties. We have tried through the U.S. fedI have heard the word closure more eral court in Washington, D.C., to obtain than once. The first time was when I case files and records of forensic testwas told that the Arkansas attorney gening performed by the FBI at the request eral suggested that the State Supreme of the West Memphis Police DepartCourt justices reject ment during the initial the appeal of my death investigation of this case. Incredibly, the penalty, because “we FBI says that it canall need closure on the People are still West Memphis Three not find those records. case.” It was easy for There is nothing, howcompelled by him to seek closure, ever, to prevent the this story and of course; he was not state of Arkansas from want answers sitting in solitary conmaking public its own finement on death row records of corresponto the many for a crime he did not dence with — and lingering testing results from commit. Thankfully, — the FBI’s investithe Supreme Court questions gation into the murdid not listen and surrounding ruled unanimously to ders. Indeed, in order the case. True review our wrongful to really bring closure to the West Memphis convictions. closure won’t No one wants cloThree case and to help happen until sure more than me, provide answers to the Jason Baldwin, Jessie many questions about those questions Misskelley and the this case, including are answered. families of the murwho really killed the dered children. I for three boys that dreadone am tired of relivful day 21 years ago, ing the horror of my the State of Arkansas arrest, wrongful conviction and the 18 should simply open up all of its inveslong years, dying every day in an isotigative and forensic files on this case. lated cell, waiting to be executed. And The sunlight of public disclosure and while the Alford plea almost three years inspection of those files will help to shine ago enabled us to be released, we neia light on the truth here. ther were exonerated nor were the real Finally, along with the state of Arkankiller(s) brought to justice. We continue sas opening up its investigative files, DA to fight for both.

Scott Ellington should keep his promise Now with the opening of “Devil’s to review new evidence given to him by my defense team in a meaningful manKnot,” the latest film on this tragedy, some are once again calling for closure. ner, and he should avoid giving comfort After all, aren’t four documentaries, a to the real killer and discouraging new witnesses from coming forward by profeature film, books, numerous network claiming that the case is “closed.” television features, hundreds of newspaper and magazine stories, blogs, bloggers, websites and God knows how many

tweets on the murders of the three boys, Damien Echols was released from death enough? I guess not. People are still comrow in Arkansas in August of 2011. He pelled by this story and want answers to and his wife, Lorri Davis, live in New the many lingering questions surroundYork City.

ocks!

s

A r ka n

dR

m e m r u F S o o sa

Find Sites Serving FREE Summer Meals Call 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8-HAMBRE To find help getting food for your family, visit www.WhyHunger.org/FindFood State Director, Buster Lackey | Program Manager, Vickie Stewart 1-501-682-8869 or 1-800-482-5850 ext. #28869 USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. www.arktimes.com

JUNE 26, 2014

11

Arkansas Reporter

THE

IN S IDE R

Former NATO commander Wesley Clark’s service on the Little Rock Airport Commission pops up in the news periodically because some other commissioners chafe at his rare in-person attendance at meetings. He’s traveling on business so much that he typically participates by telephone, with sometimes problematic connections.

What’s he up to on all those trips?

Here’s one answer: Food trucks.

From CNBC: “A money-losing food truck business with ties to retired Gen. Wesley Clark recently filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to register shares worth $33.8 million.

“Clark, a former NATO commander, is vice chairman of the board and senior veterans advisor at The Grilled Cheese Truck Inc., which aims to expand by recruiting veterans to sign on as franchisees.

“Clark owns stock and convertible securities representing a 4.89 percent stake in the company, according to the June 13 SEC filing.”

Clark got $472,000 last year as a director of the company and his consulting firm was paid $240,000.

The company hasn’t been profitable, losing $6.8 million over the last two years.

A special session Representatives to meet at Old State House.

BY LESLIE NEWELL PEACOCK

G

Gene Wirges, who fought the Conway County political machine as a Morrilton newspaperman in the 1960s, died June 19 at 86.

The Encyclopedia of Arkansas has a rich account of Wirges’ battle —

ov. Mike Beebe announced Monday he would call the General Assembly into special session on Monday, June 30, to act on bills to avoid catastrophic increases in health insurance for school employees and to increase prison funding.

Because the House chamber in the State Capitol is undergoing renovation, the House will meet at the Old State House, the oldest state capitol building west of the Mississippi. In anticipation of the decision to meet in the museum’s historic chamber, Old State House public information officer Matt Rowe did a little research on the last time the General Assembly met in regular session there, in 1909. (It met at the Old State House ceremonially in 1951.)

Construction on the Old State House began in 1833, when Andrew Jackson was president and three years before Arkansas gained statehood in 1836. Legislators moved in in 1836 though the building would not be complete until 1842.

The General Assembly of 1909 also took up legislation concerning education. At the urging of Gov. George Donaghey, legislators passed a bill to create four agricultural high schools, appropriating $40,000 to each.

The 1909 legislature also sought to stem violence against the state’s African-American population. It passed a bill to “Prevent Mob Violence or Lynching”: “That whenever the crime of rape, attempt to commit rape, murder or any other crime, calculated to arouse the passions of the people to an extent that the sheriff of the county apprehends and believes that mob violence will be committed within the state of Arkansas, it shall be the duty of the sheriff of the county in which

CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Gun dealers vs. culture The Washington Post’s Wonkblog crunched numbers and came up with a county-by-county look at the relative availability of gun dealers vs. museums and libraries. Yes, a gun-lover could also be a museum and book lover, but … .

Museums and libraries outnumber gun stores in only 13 states, led by Massachusetts.

In the 37 states where gun shops outnumber sources of knowledge, Arkansas ranks No. 2 among those with the ratio most favorable to gun dealers, trailing only Montana. The pro-gun ratio is better than 2-1.

He fought the machine

12

JUNE 26, 2014

ARKANSAS TIMES

BRIAN CHILSON

The big cheese

A STATEHOUSE AGAIN: House to occupy historic chamber for special session.

LISTEN UP

STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS

THE

BIG PICTURE

Last week, at a rally to oppose same-sex marriage on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, Mike Huckabee gave a profoundly stupid and offensive speech. Expropriating sections of Martin Luther King’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail on “just” and “unjust” laws, Huckabee compared opposing same-sex marriage to taking a stand against the Nazis.

He also decried the judicial system’s role in interpreting law. “The government doesn’t give us our rights,” he said. “The government only has the responsibility to protect the rights God gave us.”

If you’re surprised by Huckabee’s extreme posturing, then you haven’t been following along. He’s vomited up crazy, bigoted things for years. Below, a sampling of the best of the worst.

to think g in n in g e b “I’m dom in e e fr e r o m ’s e ther es than im t e m o s a e r North Ko ateamsps.”

Stew d e it n U hire e h H t fore the N be y rit 14. cu there ngisabin se 20 t il out airpor Summit in Apr Bitchi

insult the want to ts ra c o em ing them “If the D a by mak c ut ri e m A f ss witho women o t they are helple g a providin believe th r coming in and nth for ga each mo n o ti Uncle Su p ri t control a presc ey canno tem th e s for them u a c trol be ctive sys birth con or their reprodu then o ernment, their libid help of the gov the can without f Republi . eeting o 14 .” m 0 it 2 a e ry re b a efo nu so ers in Ja eaking b b Sp tee mem Commit National

ers, for er] Ethel Wat “[Gospel Sing forcible the result of a example, was es Robison work for Jam rape. I used to a large 70s, he leads back in the 19 himself, was anization. He, Christian org And so I forcible rape. the result of a en from ens, and yet ev of rape, know it happ ible tragedies rr ho , le ib rr ble, those ho and indefensi le b sa cu ex in know, which are metimes, you so d an e m inary life has co to do extraord le ab e ar le p those peo ugust 2012, things.” dio show in A

his ra ’t Speaking on ter a rape isn g pregnant af in tt g. in ge th hy d w ba on necessarily a

Freedom

“Trayvon M artin is not a hero. He man whose was a youn life ended w g ay too soon because he maybe decided to confront a believed w man he as showing him disresp ect.”

On his Fox New s show in Ju

ly 2013

“[Some of my oppon ents] do n change th ot want to e Constitu tion, but I a lot easie b elieve it’s r to chang e the Con than it wo st it utio uld the living G be to change the wo n rd of od, and th at’s what w to do is to e need amend the Constitutio it’s in God n so ’s st change Go andards rather than try to d’s standa rds.”

Appealing to Republic

an primary vote Michigan in rs in 2008.

f the p track o e e k o t lt d w difficu ly endorsed an “It is no c li ns — b io u t p a y of berr vast arra lly supported a ophilia to na ed institutio sexuality and p ilia.” o m o ro c h boat as ne ph from ism andexuals in the same ho Kill.” h c o s a sW sadom tting homos ook “Kid Pu 1998 b cs in his ia il h p ro nec

Tune in to the Times’ “Week In Review” podcast each Friday.

Available on iTunes & arktimes.com

INSIDER, CONT. sometimes literally bruising — with Sheriff Marlin Hawkins’ corrupt machine. His crusading for reform brought an important ally in the region eventually, Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller. Said the encyclopedia: “Wirges, along with his wife, Betty, allied themselves with the forces of reform at serious personal risk.

Principally as editor of the Morrilton Democrat, as well as other local papers, Wirges led a campaign for better government and honest elections, which resulted in lawsuits, criminal prosecution, physical altercations, and — allegedly — a contract on his life. His opponent and chief nemesis, Hawkins, vehemently denied being involved in such activities.”

From an obit prepared by the family: “During the legal struggles in Conway County, the embattled Morrilton Democrat and its determined editor and publisher were profiled in several national magazines including The Atlantic Monthly, TIME Magazine and The Saturday Evening Post. The situation at one time became so volatile that federal marshals were dispatched to monitor local elections, and bodyguards were employed to protect Wirges. During the eventful years when Wirges was challenging the existing political structure, he endured a beating on a downtown street by an enraged tax assessor, was jailed, and had his newspaper boycotted.”

State house titan Former state Rep. John Miller of Melbourne died June 18. His slight stature belied his immense influence as a 40-year representative and former House speaker. His place on the Revenue and Taxation Committee was one of the keys to his importance. He retired in 1998. Miller, 85, was a 1949 graduate of Arkansas State.

He was a county and circuit clerk before running for the legislature.

A small piece of trivia: The first color photograph to appear on the front page of the Arkansas Gazette, in the late 1980s, was of John Miller. Not exactly dramatic photography, but the news was that Miller had finally succeeded in his years-long quest to build a new state office building on the Capitol mall, familiarly known as Big MAC (multi-agency complex). www.arktimes.com

JUNE 26, 2014

13

‘The

sideof the little guy’ A Facebook post landed Little Rock lawyer Jack Wagoner III in the fight for same-sex marriage in Arkansas. His thoughts on patriotism, Sen. Jason Rapert and why the case for equality should prevail.

t the start of any attempt to correct the injustices of a society, the right side of history is the narrowest of ledges, hovering over a terrible drop. Though that ledge may eventually grow into something that encompasses the whole nation, in the beginning, it’s a bare toehold, buffeted at all times by the howls of zealots. Ask the Little Rock Nine about the narrowness of that ledge. Ask the Stonewall Rioters or Abraham Lincoln, or Susan B. Anthony.

Still, thank God, there are folks willing to step out there. For the past year, one of those folks in Arkansas has been Little Rock lawyer Jack Wagoner III. Last June, soon after the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its landmark decision in U.S. v. Windsor — which struck down the Defense of Marriage Act’s prohibition on same-sex marriage as unconstitutional — a spur-of-the-moment Facebook post entangled Wagoner in the fight for LGBT rights in Arkansas, territory he’d previously visited before. Since then, Wagoner, along with Searcy attorney Cheryl Maples and others, has provided both behind-the-scenes legal exper14

JUNE 26, 2014

ARKANSAS TIMES

tise and impassioned and sometimes emotional courtroom argument in support of the right of gays and lesbians to marry. Those efforts led to Pulaski Circuit Judge Chris Piazza’s May 9 ruling that struck down the state’s ban on gay marriage. With that ruling since stayed by the Arkansas Supreme Court, Wagoner is gearing up for the next court fight, one that he’s confident he, Maples and the plaintiffs they represent will win.

It’s a long way from where Wagoner started: a near-burnout kid from Little Rock, bounced from school to school, who graduated with a GPA that wouldn’t buy you a kingsized candy bar if it was dollars and cents. His outspoken zeal for the issue of gay marriage springs from a belief he’s had since he was in college: The reason the Constitution exists is to protect the minority from the whims of the majority. Mixed in with that, however, is a heaping spoonful of something else that drives him: He just doesn’t like the majority all that much, especially when they’re waving around a Bible.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

BRIAN CHILSON

A

BY DAVID KOON

TRUCKIN’: Wagoner in his Little Rock office. www.arktimes.com

JUNE 26, 2014

15

BRIAN CHILSON

AFTER A GREATEFUL DEAD CONCERT: A coin flip steered Wagoner to law school.

‘Philosophy, 5 cents’ Wagoner was born in 1961, the son of a Little Rock doctor and a homemaker. Though his father, Dr. Jack Wagoner Jr., was somewhat conservative in his thinking, he opened the first integrated medical practice in the state in 1969, partnering with a black physician. That decision-turned-statement on equality has stuck with his son.

“That was a bold move for a white doctor with four kids, coming out of medical school in 1969,” Wagoner said. “He did the right thing, rather than think about how it was going to affect his livelihood, his practice, what people thought, or any of that. I’ve always been really proud of that.”

As a kid, Wagoner acknowledged, he was a troublemaker, skipping so many classes that his parents eventually sent him to Pulaski Academy for two years, thinking that would help.

By the end of the ninth grade, though, he was on the verge of being kicked out. “If you got nine detentions, you were expelled,” he said.

“Three tardies was a detention hall. I got down to eight detention halls and two tardies in the 16

JUNE 26, 2014

ARKANSAS TIMES

ninth grade. My parents said, ‘If you’ll just shut your mouth and not get expelled, we’ll let you go to Hall next year,’ so I behaved completely for the next three months.”

Wagoner didn’t do much better in high school, graduating from Hall High in 1979 by the skin of his teeth with a 1.53 GPA. As a young man, he delivered flowers, and lived a wild life of partying with friends. “I didn’t want any part of this normal adult world,” he said. “I pictured myself working in a pizza place in Boulder, Colo., or California, drinking beer and hanging out, having a little apartment in the mountains.”

A friend of his started classes at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and to Wagoner’s amazement, the guy was soon pulling down straight As. Wagoner enrolled soon after, and found that the educational freedom afforded to college students worked for him. He eventually graduated with a 3.6 GPA, his course load heavy on religion and philosophy classes. After college, he was again conflicted about what to do with his life. “I thought about opening up a little Charlie Brown stand with a sign that said: ‘Philosophy, 5 cents’,” he said with a laugh.

Returning home from a Grateful Dead show in Texas in 1983, Wagoner literally flipped a coin to decide whether to go law school or try for his Ph.D. in philosophy. He said that even if the coin toss hadn’t been in favor of law school, he probably would have overruled it. “I never set out to be a lawyer,” he said. “But I always knew that I hated people telling other people what to do. I have a strong distrust for authority —those in control and those in charge.”

Taking courses at what would eventually become UALR’s Bowen School of Law, Wagoner said the classes quickly divided between those who believed the law should be a check on authority and those who believed getting bad people off the streets trumped all else.

“There was a group of us who thought, ‘If some guy gets let go with a hundred pounds of cocaine in his truck because they pulled some monkey business to make up an excuse to search him, then it was better to let that guy go than to just start shirking the rules.’ The other side had a feeling like, ‘The end justifies the means. If we cheat or cut corners, it doesn’t matter about that as long as we got the bad guy.’

That way of thinking leads to a breakdown of constitutional protections.”

Wagoner worked for Bill Wilson, who would go on to the federal bench, during law school and served as a clerk for Pulaski Circuit Judge Ellen Brantley after he graduated in the top 5 percent of his law school class. That performance could have easily landed him a job with a corporation or a big firm, Wagoner said, but that just isn’t his thing. “That’s where most of the stuff that pisses me off occurs,” he said. “I didn’t want that.”

It was from Wilson, Wagoner said, that he learned the passion of fighting for those without power. “He wanted to fight for the little guy against the insurance companies and the cops,” Wagoner said. “I don’t like calling it the Democratic side or the progressive side. I like to call it ‘The Side of the Little Guy.’ That’s what I see in progressives and the liberals and the Democrats.”

Moral man of the year In a two-lawyer firm in a storefront in Riverdale, in a cluttered office with a portrait of The Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia smiling beatifically down from the wall, at a desk adorned with a large coffee cup that says “Like I Give a Fuck,” Jack Wagoner takes on the world. Most days, unless he’s got to be in court, he dresses like he’s on his way to a Jimmy Buffett concert: blousy shorts, sandals, loud shirts. His bicycle leans in the hallway, so he can hop on and head down to the river if he needs to clear his head. He’ll commonly do 20 miles before work. He’s his own boss, and can say whatever damn fool thing that pops into his head. That’s the way he likes it.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

CHIHULY

Dale Chihuly, Mille Fiori (detail), 2008

May 17, 2014 - January 5, 2015

1200 President Clinton Avenue • Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 501.374.4242 • clintonpresidentialcenter.org Forty Two Ful l Service Restaurant 1200 President Clinton Ave. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. • Mon. – Fri.

Clinton Museum Store Official Store of the Clinton Center 610 President Clinton Ave. 10 a.m – 5:30 p.m. • Mon. – Sat. 2 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. • Sun.

Water Quality Report 2013

Monitor Protect

Monitor

Distribute Protect

Treat Distribute

Enjoy Treat Enjoy

Water Quality Report

Central Arkansas Water’s annual Water Quality Report for 2013 can be viewed at www.carkw.com/water-quality-report. The report highlights CAW’s compliance in 2013 with the monitoring, reporting, and water quality requirements of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and Arkansas Department of Health. If you would prefer a paper copy of the report, please call Customer Service at 501.372.5161, select option 6, or send an email request to waterqualityreport@carkw.com and provide your name and address information.

2013

Central Arkansas Water’s annual Water Quality Report for 2013 can be viewed at www.carkw.com/water-quality-report.

The report highlights CAW’s compliance in 2013 with the monitoring, reporting, and water quality requirements of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and Arkansas Department of Health. If you would prefer a paper copy of the report, please call Customer Service at 501.372.5161, select option 6, or send an email request to waterqualityreport@carkw.com and provide your name and address information.

Providing Exceptional Value With Every Drop

Providing Exceptional Value With Every Drop P R O U D LY P R O V I D I N G S A F E D R I N K I N G WAT E R T O C E N T R A L A R K A N S A S

14_CAW_WQR_H2O_Insert.indd 1

Like us on

Facebook

You

Tube

www.arktimes.com 5/27/14 JUNE 26,1:42 2014 PM 17

BRIAN CHILSON

MISSED THE ’60S: Wagoner said he was eager to fight civil rights battle today.

He makes a good living with his family law practice but still finds time to tilt at the occasional windmill. He said he was the first lawyer in the state to bring a class-action lawsuit against nursing home owners. He’s filed class actions over fees levied on customers by banks. In the early 1990s, he sued the Archdiocese of Little Rock for breach of fiduciary duty after a priest ran off with the wife of a Catholic client. Wagoner eventually took the case all the way to the state Supreme Court, losing 7-0, with one judge recommending that sanctions be brought against him. Asked if he’d do that one again, knowing how it turned out, Wagoner flashed a big grin and said, “Yeah.” Last October, he sent a $158 check to Bryant Police Chief Mark Kizer — $58 to pay for Kizer’s unreimbursed dinner tab at an Orlando steakhouse Kizer visited while in town, and $100 to offset the loss of income after being suspended for five days by Bryant Mayor Jill Dabbs over the question of whether the steakhouse was also a strip club. “It wasn’t like ‘support the cops!’ or anything,” Wagoner said. “It was just me telling the morality police to suck it.

That’s what stirs me.”

18

JUNE 26, 2014

ARKANSAS TIMES

His current crusade for gay marriage isn’t his first foray into LGBT rights. Wagoner was one of the attorneys for John Moix, a divorced father who had been forbidden by the courts from cohabitating with his male partner of seven years on nights when Moix’s 12-year-old son was visiting. In November 2013, the Arkansas Supreme Court reversed a lower court’s ruling in the Moix case, striking down the blanket law that had forbidden unmarried people from having romantic overnight guests when minor children are present.

Wagoner had been following the Windsor case, and when the decision was handed down June 26, Wagoner said the sweeping language — with Justice Kennedy’s opinion clearly opening the door to gay marriage nationwide — gave him goose bumps. As he usually does at times he probably shouldn’t, he soon turned to Facebook.

“I opened my mouth, like I always do. I often find myself standing behind my mouth, thinking: ‘I wish it would SHUT UP!’,” he said with a laugh. “But I posted on Facebook that if you go to the Pulaski County Clerk for a marriage license, and you’re a same-sex couple, and they won’t

give you one, you’ve got a free lawyer.” Later the same day, Wagoner made another Facebook post, referencing the Arkansas morality group that pushes a conservative agenda on issues ranging from abortion to marijuana legalization: “Suck it Family Council.”

“I missed the civil rights movement in the ’60s,” Wagoner said. “I think I would have been on the right side then. But I thought, ‘This is a once-ina-lifetime opportunity to be part of something.

This change is coming, and I can be a part of it.’ ” Wagoner soon hooked up with Maples, who had also been moved to file a lawsuit in state court on July 2 after reading the Windsor decision, beating Wagoner to the punch by a few days.

Since then, Wagoner and Maples have combined their efforts. He said that their cooperation on the case has been invaluable. “Cheryl is more involved in client contact and client management, and I was more involved in just the nuts and bolts of the legal arguments,” he said. “But she contributed greatly to those as well.”

Wagoner, who has been agnostic since college, said that a lot of his passion for the issue of same-sex marriage comes from a dislike of

those who would seek to use the Bible as a tool to control others. It’s annoying, he said, to have one side of any moral argument claim that the Bible is the be-all-end-all authority on the issue, especially given that carefully chosen passages from the Bible could be used to make the case for almost any practice or belief. On the issue of same-sex marriage, Wagoner said, the other side can’t separate their religious convictions from civil law and can’t seem to recognize that the same First Amendment that prevents the government from forcing churches to marry gay people also forbids the government from discriminating against same-sex couples who want to get married.

“They want to bring out the Biblical basis for it,” he said. “They want to point to Leviticus, ‘A man shall not lie with a man, and he ought to be killed if he does.’ They say they’re Christians, but they’re skipping the New Testament, man! The message of Jesus was unconditional love. It was, ‘Don’t judge people, and don’t condemn people.’

These that are labeling themselves as Christians are persecuting the very people Jesus would be putting his arm around and saying, ‘Sweet child, I love you. You’re loved.’ It’s backwards. It’s crazy.”

Though the other side often frames the argument in terms of a slippery slope, saying that if gay marriage is allowed, people will soon be filing

Our newest addition, The Cottages

O

suit for the right to marry their dog, computer or more than one spouse, Wagoner said it boils down to a matter of choice: Gay people are born gay, with no choice in the matter. Nobody, on the other hand, is born a polygamist, or wanting to marry their dog or computer. Discriminating against people for things they have no control over, Wagoner said, is no better than bullying.

“You want to bully people who commit murder, or people who are engaged in child pornography,” he said. “Those are moral actions that people have a choice about. By all means, hold them accountable.”

Another thing those on the other side of the gay marriage argument do, Wagoner said, is to frame sexuality as a moral choice. “One, why would somebody make that choice [to be homosexual] given everything you’d have to deal with?” he said. “And, two, I’m not sitting here heterosexual because I’m up for the Moral Man of the Year Award. I’m not restraining myself from running out and engaging in homosexual sex. ...

[Heterosexuality] is a part of my basic identity.

You’ve got to wonder how intelligent somebody would have to be to believe it’s some kind of moral choice.”

Asked about his thoughts on state Sen. Jason Rapert, Republican of Bigelow — who has repeatedly questioned Pulaski Circuit Judge Chris

Piazza’s authority to strike down state law, and who authored and pushed through a resolution June 20 that affirmed the Arkansas Legislative Council’s support for Arkansas Amendment 83, which outlawed gay marriage — Wagoner said he considers him an embarrassment who uses select passages from the Bible to justify discrimination while depicting himself as being “in some higher, better, more moral category.”

“That way of thinking is an embarrassment to the state, and to the opportunity to have us viewed as decent, caring, progressive people,” Wagoner said. “His stance is on all fours with Orval Faubus standing in the doors of Central High to keep black students from entering.”

Dominoes Heading into oral arguments before the state Supreme Court, Wagoner said he expected the court would reach a decision this year. He’ll not guarantee it, he said, but that’s his feeling.

When the case was first filed in state court soon after the Windsor decision, Wagoner said, the arguments were kind of out on a limb, with no legal precedent to build on other than the broad, sweeping language in the Windsor opinion. As more and more states have scuttled their bans CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

Excellence Within Reach!

ur mission is to provide a quality, affordable living experience to the elderly in a faith-based community committed to the dignity of our residents. Good Shepherd sits on a 145-acre campus located off Aldersgate Road in the heart of West Little Rock and provides convenient access to West Little Rock’s medical, financial and retail business districts. Over four hundred and fifty elderly residents live in five apartment facilities surrounded by tree-covered landscape that includes an 8-acre lake.

• Affordable housing with no sacrifice to service • Five living facilities – the Moore, the Rhinehart, Shepherd’s Cove, and our latest addition, the Cottages, which all cater to independent living and then the Roberts Building, a Residential Care Facility • 24-hour Security and/or Staff on duty • On-site exercise facilities • On-site beauty salons • Personal emergency alert pendant systems

• Three full-service dining rooms offering home-cooked meals • Transportation with fully equipped wheelchair lift vans • An award-winning wellness program • A family atmosphere in a faith-based community • Now featuring The Cottages

Call TOday FOr MOre InFOrMaTIOn! 501-224-7200 www.goodshepherdcommunity.com

www.arktimes.com

JUNE 26, 2014

19

DUMAS, CONT. Continued from page 7 capitalists and let them lead the country into prosperity rather than tax them to pay for handouts to the undeserving and strangling them with regulations.

There is no place for altruism in a society founded on the rule of reason and not on faith and sympathy.

For the brothers, the ideas seem to be genuine, not based on personal greed, and there is no reason to question Cotton’s sincerity either. He believes in the vision.

But can he keep voters’ attention fixed on the slogans or the antiseptic idea of libertarianism — a small government that is not dedicated to helping people but to standing aside?

From time to time, it requires being a little less than candid. Cotton can’t say flatly he’s against disaster relief.

He voted against each bill because he said they all had “pork” in them. Food stamps? Just excessive.

Medicare, which is valued by tea partiers and libertarians, is another tough one. Like Arkansas’s other congressmen, he voted for the Paul Ryan plan to end Medicare as we know it. It would no longer be an entitlement. The elderly and disabled would pay a rising share of their medical expenses in a privatized system. But that would not apply to people already on Medicare or about to qualify for it.

The unstated premise is: We don’t think you deserve this coverage, but since you get it and are voting we’re going to let you have it along with those for whom it is impending. But we are going to phase it out for those who are so young now (55 or under) they aren’t thinking about it. You say you are voting to “preserve” Medicare.

Can Cotton and the Kochs keep voters’ attention on the slogans and ideas, not on themselves and their neighbors?

The odds are pretty good.

SPECIAL SESSION, CONT.

Pool skylight fix debated New trail being built through War Memorial Park.

BY LESLIE NEWELL PEACOCK

W

ork on the Jim Dailey Fitness and Aquatic Center indoor pool, damaged by a fire in April, has paused as the Little Rock Parks and Recreation Department and the FM Global insurance company work out whether to fix or replace the skylight, Parks Director Truman Tolefree said Monday. The skylight was “badly stained,” Tolefree said, and chemical cleaning agents haven’t worked. If the skylight cannot be cleaned, it may have to be removed and the pool area ceiling covered.

The sauna area by the indoor pool, where the fire originated, was completely destroyed. It is being rebuilt.

The women’s locker rooms, which adjoin the pool, were reopened a couple of weeks ago, Tolefree said, after the shower area was repaired. Tolefree said damages should total around $300,000 to $350,000. He hopes the fitness center will be totally restored before the end of the summer. The outdoor pool was unaffected.

While work goes on at War Memorial Park facility, the park is also getting a new trail, an asphalt path a little more than a half-mile long from the Markham Street entrance to Interstate 630, roughly paralleling the pond and Coleman Creek.

Work started about three weeks ago on the $250,000 project, which was funded by a state appropriation.

Completion is expected in mid-August.

Tolefree said the War Memorial Stadium Commission helped parks get the appropriation.

Though the trail will loop back on itself for the time being, assistant Parks Director Mark Webre said he hoped the agency will eventually be able to connect the trail to Fair Park as it crosses the interstate to create a park entry point for the neighborhood south of I-630.

The trail is just part of the park’s facelift, which started with the iron entrance gate and landscaping at Fair Park and Markham. A total of $500,000 from a portion of the city’s 1-cent sales tax increase it has been collecting since 2012 will go to War Memorial improvements.

The funds are coming from the 3/8ths portion of the penny increase dedicated to capital projects, and will be collected over 10 years, at $50,000 a year.

Some of that funding will go toward restoration of Coleman Creek, which runs through the park. The creek is now more like a ditch, running in a straight line from the pond spillway to I-630.

The creek will be restored to its natural sinuous state, a form that will allow it to both handle more storm water runoff without bank erosion and improve its aquatic habitat.

The appropriation for the new trail includes money to create interpretive signs that explain the stream restoration process and purpose; they’ll be erected after the stream work is complete, which could be several years off.

Continued from page 12 the crime of rape, murder or any other crime herein described shall have been committed to notify the judge of the circuit or district including such county of the facts of the case, and to request such judge to call a special term of court in order that the person or persons charged with such crime or crimes may be brought to an immediate trial.” The last lynching in Little Rock took place 18 years later, in 1927.

It also enacted Act 112 of 1909 “suppress and punish nightriding and other riotous conspiracies.” It stated “If two or more persons shall unite, confederate or band themselves together for the purpose of doing an unlawful act while wearing any mask, white caps or robes, or being otherwise disguised, or for the purpose of going forth armed or disguised for the purpose of intimidating or alarming any person or to do any felonious act, or if any person shall knowingly meet or act clandestinely with any such band or order, be such organization known as nightriders, black hand, white caps or by any other name, they shall each be guilty of a felony and upon conviction shall be punished by imprisonment for a term not to exceed five years.”

Passed in the same year, Act 44 got tough on public drunkenness, a misdemeanor, authorizing conductors to act as “peace officers” and arrest intoxicated persons traveling by train. The General Assembly also outlawed the sale or manufacture of any “toy pistol, firecracker — commonly known as cannon crackers — or gun that shoots a blank cartridge,” and passed an act to “prevent the running at large of hogs, sheep and goats in Clark County.”

o u R 4 t h o f J u ly e x t R a v a g a n z a ! o uforRfor 4best t best h ofestivities, f Jfestivities, uand lyfireworks ex tshow R ain v ag a ninzArkansas! a!

Join and fireworks show Join usus thethe food, food, Arkansas!

Join us for the best food, festivities, and fireworks show in Arkansas!

Join to eat, eat, drink, Join us us on on the the River River to drink, play, play,and andenjoy enjoythe theshow! show!

Music by Tragikly White, along with magicians and balloon artists.

Join us on the River to eat, drink, play, and enjoy the show!

Music by Tragikly White, along with magicians and balloon artists.

Music by Tragikly White, along with magicians and balloon artists.

To Purchase Tickets, please visit ticketweb.com and enter Little Rock Marriott.

Please click here to reserve tickets.

Please click here to reserve tickets.

$50.00 Adults | $25.00 for Kids $50 forfor Adults for $50.00 for Adults|| $25 $25.00 forKids Kids ar ttt l ilti tttllee r o occkkmm arri o r ti o Sa t atteeh ho ou l al zaaz, a l i, tlt ilte tRloec kR, oac R k7 ,2 2a0R1 7 2 2 0 1 3 3S t uSSeeP P ( 5 0 1 ) 9 0 6 - 4 0 0 0 | w w w . m a R R i ot t . c o m / l i t P B

( 5 0 1 ) 9 0 6 - 4 0 0 0 | w w w . m a R R i ot t . c o m / l i t P B

o u R 4 t h o f J u ly e x t R a v a g a n z a !

20

JUNE 26, 2014

ARKANSAS TIMES

SIDE OF THE LITTLE GUY, CONT. Continued from page 19

THRILL SEEKERS APPLY.

Special introductory rate for new Spa clientS:

on same-sex marriage, however, WagEducation benefits, skills training, oner’s confidence has grown. good pay, and pride. Get this, and “The more dominoes that fall, the all the excitement you can handle harder it is to see [the state Supreme while serving part-time in the Court] as the only court that doesn’t Army National Guard. follow suit,” he said. “Right now, in SwediSh maSSage the federal arena, we’re going to start seeing the first federal appeals court or decisions — the courts right below the Supreme Court. The Sixth Circuit Court biodynamic facial of Appeals already has two cases they’ve for juSt $5000 heard oral arguments on, and the Second Programs and Benefits Subject to Change Circuit Court of Appeals has one that’s pretty far along. We’re going to start getting decisions out of those courts 10BW-14_2.125x2.625_71060-1.indd 1 6/3/14 10:29 AM pretty quick.”

With all the celebrations surrounding Piazza’s decision and all the work that’s been put in, Wagoner said that There are many brands of beef, but only one Angus brand exceeds expectations. in a few years, the last word on sameThe Certified Angus Beef® brand is a cut above USDA Prime, Choice and Select. Ten quality standards sex marriage will be the U.S. Supreme set the brand apar t. It’s abundantly flavorful, incredibly tender, naturally juicy.

Court’s. He’s heartened by the language in Windsor, though, and the speed at which courts across the country have tolled the bell for marriage equality. He’s got a gut feeling about the case, he said, buttressed by his belief that it’ll be hard for opponents of same-sex marriage to find legal backing for their arguments.

“I’ve had cases where I felt certain in my gut that my assessment of the facts and the law was correct and that we should win, but somebody’s been on the other side who’s giving me a version of things that doesn’t square with my gut and what my eyes are seeing. I sometimes think, ‘What am I missing here?’

But I have never, ever lost when I had that feeling. I kind of have that feeling about this. It’s so hard to envision it.

Even if there was a motivation and somebody told me, ‘Write an opinion overruling Judge Piazza based on existing law,’ that would be a hard row to hoe.”

In the end, it all goes back to fighting for the underdog. He said that the most patriotic movie he ever saw wasn’t “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” or “Saving Private Ryan,” or “Top Gun.” It’s “The People vs. Larry Flynt,” a large part of which is about an idealistic lawyer who steps up to defend the much-reviled publisher of “Hustler” magazine after he was charged with indecency. Seeing someone defend the rights of those who the majority seeks to crush is what makes him feel patriotic, Wagoner said.

“This is the United States,” he said.

“We’re supposed to be tolerant. We don’t have to like what other people want to Available at these locations: do, and they don’t have to like what we 1701 Main Street 10320 Stage CoaCh rd 7507 Cantrell rd 7525 BaSeline rd 2203 north reynoldS rd, Bryant do. But if there’s not some demonstrable 501-376-3473 501-455-3475 501-614-3477 501-562-6629 501-847-9777 harm to somebody that’s coming of it, people ought to be left alone.”

TASTE THE FLAVOR THIS SUMMER

please visit us at www.edwardsfoodgiant.com

www.arktimes.com

JUNE 26, 2014

21

Arts Entertainment Reintroducing Jessica Lea Mayfield AND

Former folk/alt-country artist goes grunge.

BY BRIAN PALMER

J

essica Lea Mayfield released her third to make, it is also a record she made on her album, “Make My Head Sing ...,” in own terms.

April, and in some ways it seems like “This is the first record I have made she is an artist reborn. “This is the myself,” Mayfield says. (Her first two records record I’ve always wanted to make,” says were both produced by The Black Keys’ Dan the 24-year-old singer-songwriter, who Auerbach.) “Just having the full rein of conbegan her career at the age of 8. “I don’t trol was healthy, instead of working with think I could have made it at another time. someone else at their studio. That’s like makI think I had to grow to be able to make this ing a painting for somebody else. It’s like, record. This is the record I want people to ‘You can use my canvas, but you can only know me by.” use it from 2-6 and you can use red, blue, So what is it about this record that gets black and green paint,’ you know? I Mayfield going? Part of the reason might needed the opportunity to be free be that she has traded in some of the folk to say, “I’m going to paint with my rock and alt-country strains that marked fingers if I want to.” her previous efforts — “With Blasphemy So As a result of being the Heartfelt” (2008) and “Tell Me” (2011) — and master of her musical desreplaced them with a growling alternative tiny, she was free to let the sensibility that recalls the glory of ’90s-era album go wherever she grunge. Think Garbage’s Shirley Manson if wanted it to. First you have she were even grittier and even more devil- the distortion-heavy sludge may-care in her approach to life. But beyond metal of a track like opener this, it is because “Make My Head Sing …” is “Oblivious,” with Mayfield’s CONTINUED ON PAGE 32 not simply the album she has always wanted

22

JUNE 26, 2014

ARKANSAS TIMES

ROCK CANDY Check out the Times’ A&E blog arktimes.com

A&E NEWS LAST WEEK SAW THE RELEASE of Damien Echols and Lorri Davis’ book of prison correspondence, “Yours

Show TimeS: Fri, June 27 - TueS, July 1 Transformers: Age of Extinction 22 Jump Street (Digital) (Digital) R | 1:15 3:45 7:00 9:30 PG13 | 1:00 4:00 7:00 9:45 The Immigrant (Digital) Think Like a Man TOO (Digital) R | 1:00 3:30 6:45 9:15 PG13 | 1:30 4:00 7:00 9:30 Fading Gigolo (Digital) Words and Pictures (Digital) PG13 | 1:15 3:45 6:45 9:20

The Grand Seduction (Digital) PG13 | 1:00 3:30 6:45 9:20

For Eternity: A Love Story on Death

Ida (Digital) PG13 | 1:45 3:45 7:15 9:15

Row,” via Blue Rider Press. They an-

Belle (Digital) PG | 1:30 4:00 7:15 9:30

nounced the book at their appearance at Reynolds Performance Hall last

Special Event Coming Up Soon?

2600 Cantrell Rd 501-296-9955 | riverdale10.com Featuring Digital Light Projection & Dolby Digital Sound

How To Train Your Dragon 2 (Digital) PG | 1:15 3: 30 7:15 9:30

ReseRve YouR own Chill-it iCe tRaileR

R 1:30 7:15

Edge of Tomorrow (Digital) PG13 | 3:25 9:15

weddings, Reunions, spoRting events, and MoRe Family Films Tues 7/1 & Wed 7/2 11:30 AM Despicable Me 2 PG Only $2

Call Us For Your Ice Needs

1-800-631-6560

year, Echols’ first trip back to Arkansas. Leading off with a letter Davis sent in April 1996, before she moved to Arkansas (“I don’t know what your legal situation is,” she writes, before asking where West Memphis is exactly), it ends with a scanned copy of a handwritten letter from New Year’s Eve 2008. In between is an extremely intimate document of their relationship, filled with near-constant declarations of love alongside reading recommendations, stories about how they’re passing time without each other, legal frustrations, childhood memories, Zen

[ plan a ] DINNER PARTY

[ plan a ] DINNER PARTY

tips, updates on the West Memphis Three cause, etc. It’s bound to be

Toast an

interesting to anyone really invested

Toast Engagement an

in the case — particularly given Davis’

Engagement

extensive involvement — and it offers maybe the most unmediated impression of Echols we’ve been given so far.

AT A PRESS CONFERENCE last week at the Continental Club in Austin, Matthew McConaughey was on hand to announce the annual Oxford American music issue, which will focus on Texas this year and is due out in December. It isn’t the first time the

SELLcelebrations! celebrations!

WEWE SELL

Little Rock-based magazine has pulled out a celebrity to endorse the series — Morgan Freeman introduced the 10th

a celebration shouldn’t be stressful.

Let Colonial create PlanningPlanning a celebration shouldn’t be stressful.

Let Colonial helphelp youyou create thethe

Anniversary CD — but it does seem

perfect get-together. We can select the best wine to pair with dinner, calculate

particularly apt and also hilarious. He

exactly how much you need for that large event or create an entire bar menu sure

wasn’t alone either: Country elder statesmen/snake farmer Ray Wylie

perfect get-together. We can select the best wine to pair with dinner, calculate exactly how much you need for that large event or create an entire bar menu sure to impress your guests. Celebrate More with Colonial.

to impress your guests. Celebrate More with Colonial.

Hubbard spoke about his roots and

CELEBRATE RESPONSIBLY.

endorsed the magazine (“It’s gonna be

CELEBRATE RESPONSIBLY.

a good read”), Dale Watson was there (“You got your work cut out for you,” he said encouragingly) and so was Western swing giant Jason Roberts, who wore a Stetson and quoted Bob Wills. Also present were representatives from the Texas Music Office and from the magazine, including editor-inchief Roger Hodge.

WINES

WINES

S PI R I TS

S PI R I TS

O n l i n e Or der i ng l arbde l erTing h ro ug h On l iAva n e iO C o lo n i a l C Ava i l a b l e Throonc ug hi erg e.

Colon i a l Co ncie rg e . colonialwineshop.com/store colonialwineshop.com/store 11200 W. Markham Street | 501-223-3120 | ColonialWineShop.com | facebook.com/ColonialWines

11200 W. Markham Street | 501-223-3120 | ColonialWineShop.com | facebook.com/ColonialWines

www.arktimes.com

JUNE 26, 2014

23

THE TO-DO

LIST

BY LESLIE NEWELL PEACOCK AND WILL STEPHENSON

FRIDAY 6/27

56TH ANNUAL DELTA EXHIBITION

Arkansas Arts Center, through Sept. 28.

Free.

The Arkansas Arts Center’s Townsend Wolfe Gallery looks homeward Friday, when the annual Delta show of contemporary work by artists from Arkansas and contiguous states opens to the public. This year’s Delta — an exhibition that has left in the dust an era of mild kookiness (remember the lettuce head being eaten by a caterpillar?) — will feature work by 35 artists from Arkansas and 30 from out of state. (See examples of the work to be featured on our website’s Rock Candy blog).

This is a much anticipated show, given that it showcases art being made in Arkansas by both the established and up-and-coming. More than 450 artists applied to be in the show; juror Brian Rutenberg, an abstract expressionist who works in New York but hails from South Carolina, made the selections. Rutenberg will give a talk at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 26, which is opening night for Arts Center members. For $15, nonmembers can hear the talk, mingle with members at the well-lubricated reception and find out which artist won the awards. Also opening Friday: “Susan Paulsen: Wilmot,” photographs of the southern Arkansas town. LNP

FRIDAY 6/27

OLD 97’S

Old 97’s are a first-generation alt-country band, a genre that means different things to different people but in their case mostly means that they sing country-tinged songs and hail from Texas but don’t have discernible Southern accents. Frontman Rhett Miller was in town in April for the Arkansas Literary Festival, playing a solo set and, earlier in the day, some Johnny Cash covers alongside a reading by Cash biographer Robert Hilburn. This time he’s bringing the whole band, which has released 10 studio albums since it formed in 1993 and which attained a kind of nebulous, major label near-fame in the ’90s and early aughts. They seem self-aware and admirably appreciative of this; in a recent interview, Miller was asked if he wished they’d been “bigger” and answered, essentially, no: “The bands that did break through [from our label], like Third Eye Blind, are still playing, but I don’t know. I wouldn’t trade places with those guys. I think if we were to have a huge hit song or broken through in a bigger way at any point, it wouldn’t be like this.” WS 24

JUNE 26, 2014

ARKANSAS TIMES

ROBERT KENNEY

9 p.m. Stickyz. $18 adv., $22 day of.

THIRSTY AND MISERABLE: Black Flag will be at Maxine’s in Hot Springs 8 p.m. Saturday with HOR and Cinema Cinema, $20.

SATURDAY 6/28

BLACK FLAG

8 p.m. Maxine’s, Hot Springs. $20.

Black Flag, the seminal hardcore punk band who released at least two classic albums in the 1980s and in their heyday were blacklisted by the LAPD for the aggressiveness of their shows, reunited again last year (they’ve tried it a couple of times) and once again it didn’t go very well. The singer most often associated with the group, Henry Rollins, now better known as a TV personality, writer and spoken word artist, wasn’t involved in the lineup this time; instead,

previous front man Ron Reyes took charge, until he was kicked out of the band midway through a set in November, only to be replaced as singer by band manager (and former pro-skater) Mike Vallely. Reyes said it was a “great relief.”

There have also been lawsuits, a bad new album, and the whole thing has just been a complicated, uncomfortable situation. Things are apparently back on track though, and Vallely told Rolling Stone early this year that the new plan was to have more fun onstage. “You’re allowed to smile,” he said. “It’s OK.” WS

IN BRIEF

THURSDAY 6/26

SATURDAY 6/28

VANAPALOOZA

9 p.m. Revolution. $10.

If you’ve seen a beat-up yellow van decorated with flames and racing stripes around town, you’ve seen The Van, a Little Rock institution operated

by Aaron Reddin, who drives the vehicle as part of his homeless outreach nonprofit The One Inc., started back in 2010. “Our slogan is: No rules, no apologies, just help,” Reddin told the

Times in a 2011 interview. On Saturday, June 28, the nonprofit Arkansas Music United will host a live music showcase at the Rev Room to benefit The Van and its efforts, featuring Siversa, Thin Margins, The Federalis and The Whole Famn Damily.

Headlining will be Little Rock indie pop group Knox Hamilton, who have been getting a fair amount of attention off the strength of their recent

“Great Hall” EP and particularly the single, “Work It Out.” The song is irresponsibly likable and should by now have probably already been featured in the trailer for a movie about young people on the brink of major life decisions (or a Nissan commercial at the very least). The video for the song finds them riding bikes around downtown Little Rock and will fill you with local pride. WS

The 63rd National Square Dance Convention continues at the Statehouse Convention Center through June 28; registration is $75. The MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military will host a free Vintage Military Vehicle Show beginning at 9 a.m. Improv group Armadillo Rodeo will be at The Joint at 7 p.m., $7. Third wave ska/ mall-punk group Reel Big Fish will be at Juanita’s at 8:30 p.m. with Survay Says!, $18. Brother Andy and His Big Damn Mouth will be at Maxine’s, in Hot Springs, with Christian Lee Hutson and Rachel Kate, and Discovery will host a GLOW party featuring free glow sticks and face painting, with DJs Ewell, Blade and Big Brown, 9 p.m., $10.

BENJAMIN KRAIN

FRIDAY 6/27

SATUDAY 6/28

ILLUMINATION: Kevin Brockmeier will be at the Laman Library 7 p.m. Tuesday, Free.

TUESDAY 7/1

KEVIN BROCKMEIER

7 p.m. Laman Library. Free.

Little Rock novelist Kevin Brockmeier released his first work of nonfiction earlier this year, a brilliant, tender, funny and sometimes excruciating memoir of seventh grade titled “A Few Seconds of Radiant Filmstrip.” I interviewed him at the time and he said it was an attempt to “give away what was most intimate to

me”: “One of the challenges for me was figuring out whether I would reflect on that time in my life or immerse myself in it,” he said. “How much distance, I wondered, should I permit myself? None, was my decision, or at least as little as possible.” He said the book also marked his “hardest effort to capture Little Rock as it actually exists, or at least as it did back in 1985,” and it’s a success on each

of these fronts. At a packed reading during the Arkansas Literary Festival, Brockmeier read a section involving betrayal, loneliness and tricking a fellow student into eating a sandwich soaked in urine.

Since then, it’s received great reviews; Gawker, not typically a literary (or forgiving) venue, called it a “new Young Adult classic,” and the Boston Globe called it “graceful and roundly empathetic.” WS

Memphis Three” (the one they made into the movie), released the second book in her West Memphis Three trilogy last month, “Dark Spell: Surviving the Sentence.” The new book picks up where the first one left off and focuses on Jason Baldwin, the youngest of the Three, who collaborated with Leveritt to tell the story

of his experiences in prison. Rather than attempt, again, to untangle the intricacies of the trial, the book looks at its aftermath, offering a first-hand account of wrongful imprisonment. Leveritt will discuss the book with Baldwin (via Skype) at North Little Rock’s Laman Library Wednesday. WS

WEDNESDAY 7/2

MARA LEVERITT AND JASON BALDWIN

7 p.m. Laman Library. Free.

Mara Leveritt, longtime contributing editor at the Arkansas Times and author of the now-classic true crime book “Devil’s Knot: The True Story of the West

The 48 Hour Film Project, in which teams collaborate to produce a film in a single weekend, kicks off Friday and continues through Sunday, June 29; registration is $175. Self-proclaimed “Bayou Reggae” band Stiff Necked Fools will be at the Afterthought, 9 p.m., $7. Burlesque Rocks and Foul Play Cabaret will be at Revolution at 9 p.m. with Brother Andy and His Big Damn Mouth and Jessica Carder, $10$15. Memphis band The Dirty Streets will be at the White Water Tavern with Witchsister and The Sound of the Mountain, 9:30 p.m.

The 16th Annual LULAC Family Fun Fiesta, a celebration of Hispanic culture in Arkansas featuring music, food trucks and games for kids, will start at noon at the Clinton Presidential Center.

Daughtry, a rock band fronted by onetime “American Idol” finalist Chris Daughtry, will be at the Magic Springs Timberwood Amphitheater, 7 p.m., with 9 Miles Ahead, $49.99-$54.99. North Little Rock metal group Cosmivore will be at Vino’s with Ozark Shaman and Apothecary, 9 p.m., $6, and Tulsa singer-songwriter John Moreland will be at the White Water Tavern with Kierston White and Arliss Nancy, 9:30 p.m.

Platinum-selling pop-punk band Plain White T’s will be at Juanita’s at 10 p.m., $15 adv., $20 day of.

SUNDAY 6/29 Asheville country three-piece Locust Honey will be at Stickyz at 8 p.m., $5.

Twin Forks, the latest project from Dashboard Confessional’s Chris Carrabba, will be at Juanita’s at 8 p.m. with SERYN, $12 adv., $15 day of. www.arktimes.com

JUNE 26, 2014

25

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

tertavern.com.

COMEDY

“Just Shut Up and Drive.” Original comedy by The Main Thing. The Joint, through June 28: 8 p.m., $20. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-3720205. thejointinlittlerock.com.

THURSDAY, JUNE 26

DANCE

MUSIC

Adrenaline (headliner), R&R (happy hour).

Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 and 9 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf.com.

Brother Andy and His Big Damn Mouth, Christian Lee Hutson, Rachel Kate. Maxine’s.

700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. www.maxinespub.com.

Dave Hoover. Argenta Community Theater, 7 p.m., $25. 405 Main St., NLR. 501-353-1443. argentacommunitytheater.org.

GLOW party. Free glowsticks and face painting, with DJs Ewell, Blade and Big Brown. Discovery Nightclub, 9 p.m., $10. 1021 Jessie Road. 501664-4784. www.latenightdisco.com.

“Inferno.” DJs play pop, electro, house and more, plus drink specials and $1 cover before 11 p.m.

Sway, 9 p.m. 412 Louisiana. 501-907-2582.

Jessica Lea Mayfield, Dylan LeBlanc. White Water Tavern, 9 p.m., $12. 2500 W. 7th St. 501375-8400. www.whitewatertavern.com.

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

Krush Thursdays with DJ Kavaleer. Club Climax, free before 11 p.m. 824 W. Capitol. 501-554-3437.

Ladies Night. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 8:30 p.m. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www. afterthoughtbar.com.

Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 Clinton Ave. 501-372-4782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com.

Matt Stell and The Crashers. George’s Majestic Lounge. 519 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479442-4226.

Michael Eubanks. Newk’s Express Cafe, 6:30 p.m. 4317 Warden Road, NLR. 501-753-8559. newks.com.

Open jam with The Port Arthur Band. Parrot Beach Cafe, 9 p.m. 9611 MacArthur Drive, NLR. 771-2994.

Reel Big Fish, Survay Says!. Juanita’s, 8:30 p.m., $18. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www.juanitas.com.

RockUsaurus. Senor Tequila, 7-9 p.m. 10300 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-224-5505. www. senor-tequila.com.

Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 7:30 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www.capitalhotel.com/CBG.

COMEDY

Armadillo Rodeo. The Joint, 7 p.m., $7. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com.

EVENTS

63rd National Square Dance Convention.

Statehouse Convention Center, through June 28, $75. 7 Statehouse Plaza.

Geocaching. Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center, 8:30 a.m. 602 President Clinton Ave. 501-907-0636. www.centralarkansasnaturecenter.com.

Vintage Military Vehicle Show. MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, 9 a.m. 503 26

JUNE 26, 2014

ARKANSAS TIMES

Ballroom Dancing. Free lessons begin at 7 p.m.

Bess Chisum Stephens Community Center, 8-11 p.m., $7-$13. 12th & Cleveland streets. 501-2217568. www.blsdance.org.

“Salsa Night.” Begins with a one-hour salsa lesson. Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $8. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www.littlerocksalsa.com.

EVENTS

‘SELL OUT’: Reel Big Fish will be at Juanita’s 8:30 p.m. Thursday with Survay Says!, $18.

E. 9th St. 376-4602. www.arkmilitaryheritage.com.

LECTURES

Delta Opening Lecture. Arkansas Arts Center, 9 p.m., $15. 501 E. 9th St. 501-372-4000. www. arkarts.com.

International Symposium on the Microbiome in Health and Disease. Arkansas Children’s Hospital, 8 a.m., Free. 1 Children’s Way.

KIDS

Agri-Adventure Day Camp. Plantation Agriculture Museum, through June 27, 9 a.m., $30. 4815 Hwy. 161 S., Scott. 961-1409. www. arkansasstateparks.com/plantationagriculturemuseum.

FRIDAY, JUNE 27

MUSIC

Burlesque Rocks, Foul Play Cabaret, Brother Andy and His Big Damn Mouth, Jessica Carder. Revolution, 9 p.m., $10-$15. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom. com.

Club Nights at 1620 Savoy. Dance night, with DJs, drink specials and bar menu. 1620 Savoy, 10 p.m. 1620 Market St. 501-221-1620. www.1620savoy.com.

Dave Hoover. Argenta Community Theater, 7

p.m., $25. 405 Main St., NLR. 501-353-1443. argentacommunitytheater.org.

Jail Weddings, The Airplanes. The Lightbulb Club, 9 p.m. 21 N. Block Ave., Fayetteville. 479444-6100.

Katmandu (headliner), Chris DeClerk (happy hour). Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 and 9 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf. com.

Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 Clinton Ave. 501-372-4782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com.

Mountain Sprout, Brick Fields, Earl and Them.

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

Old 97’s, Madison King. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9 p.m., $18 adv., $22 day of. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz.com.

Reckless. West End Smokehouse and Tavern, $5. 215 N. Shackleford. 501-224-7665. www. westendsmokehouse.net.

Stiff Necked Fools. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 9 p.m., $7. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbar.com.

Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 9 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www.capitalhotel.com/CBG. The Dirty Streets, Witchsister, The Sound of the Mountain. White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m.

2500 W. 7th St. 501-375-8400. www.whitewa-

63rd National Square Dance Convention.

Statehouse Convention Center, through June 28, $75. 7 Statehouse Plaza.

Fantastic Friday. Literary and music event, refreshments included. For reservations, call 479-968-2452 or email artscenter@centurytel. net. River Valley Arts Center, Every third Friday, 7 p.m., $10 suggested donation. 1001 E. B St., Russellville. 479-968-2452. www.arvartscenter.org.

Geocaching. Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center, 8:30 a.m. 602 President Clinton Ave. 501-907-0636. www.centralarkansasnaturecenter.com.

LGBTQ/SGL weekly meeting. 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. LGBTQ/SGL Youth and Young Adult Group, 6:30 p.m. 800 Scott St.

FILM

The 48 Hour Film Project. June 27-29, $160-$175.

SPORTS

Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza. North Little Rock Riverfront, June 27-29, $80-$240. 100 Riverfront Drive, NLR.

BENEFITS

FuRR Fundraiser. A yard sale to benefit Feline Rescue and Rehome. Pulaski Heights Baptist Church, June 27-28, 7 a.m. 2200 Kavanaugh Blvd.

BOOKS

Hillary Clinton. “Hard Choices” book signing.

Walmart Supercenter, 11:30 a.m. 19301 Cantrell Road.

KIDS

Agri-Adventure Day Camp. Plantation Agriculture Museum, 9 a.m., $30. 4815 Hwy. 161 S., Scott. 961-1409. www.arkansasstateparks. com/plantationagriculturemuseum.

SATURDAY, JUNE 28

MUSIC

Black Flag, HOR, Cinema Cinema. Maxine’s, 8 p.m., $20. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. www. maxinespub.com.

Cadillac Jackson (headliner), Brian Ramsey (happy hour). Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 and 9 p.m.

2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf.com.

Club Nights at 1620 Savoy. See June 27.

Cosmivore, Ozark Shaman, Apothecary. Vino’s, 9 p.m., $6. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.

PARTY AT OUR PLACE!

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

16th Annual LULAC Family Fun Fiesta. A showcase for Hispanic culture in Arkansas featuring music, food trucks and games for kids. Clinton Presidential Center, noon. 1200 President Clinton Ave. 370-8000. www.clintonpresidentialcenter.org.

40th Annual Little Rock Farmers’ Market. River Market Pavilions, 7 a.m. 400 President Clinton Ave. 375-2552. www.rivermarket.info.

63rd National Square Dance Convention.

Statehouse Convention Center, through, $75.

7 Statehouse Plaza.

6th Annual Jedi Academy. A celebration of Star

FILM

The 48 Hour Film Project. Through June 29, $160-$175.

SPORTS

Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza. North Little Rock Riverfront, through June 29, $80-$240. 100 Riverfront Drive, NLR.

Publication: Arkansas Times

Trim: 2.125x5.5 Bleed: none Live: 1.875x5.25 Closing Date: 6/13/14 QC: CS

Brand:RWB American Salute Item #:OBW201410586 Job/Order #: 263669

All American Food & Great Place to Watch Your Favorite Event

Rockin’ Mondays! $2 Off all Rock Town products after 6pm

ROCK TOWN WHISKEY NOW ON TAP! (501) 324-2449

bigwhiskeyslittlerock.com

BOOKS

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

Jessica Munzlinger. The author will discuss her new book, “Mercy’s Grace: Discoveries.”

Faulkner County Library, 10 a.m. 1900 Tyler St., Conway. 501-327-7482. www.fcl.org.

SUNDAY, JUNE 29

MUSIC

Karaoke with DJ Sara. Hardrider Bar & Grill, 7 p.m., free. 6613 John Harden Drive, Cabot.

501-982-1939.

Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 Clinton Ave. 501-372-4782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com.

Locust Honey. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 8 p.m., $5. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz.com.

Successful Sunday. The Italian Kitchen at Lulav, 8 p.m., $5-$10. 220 A W. 6th St. 501-374-5100. www.lulaveatery.com.

Twin Forks, SERYN. Juanita’s, 8 p.m., $12 adv., $15 day of. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-3721228. www.juanitas.com.

EVENTS

CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

©2014 Anheuser-Busch, Budweiser® Beer, St. Louis, MO

There’s still time, GET HERE! NEW PATIo HAPPy HouR WeD-SAt 4 pm

Icons In TransformaTIon Exhibit by Artist LudmiLA PAwLowskA

A Chicago style Speakeasy & Dueling Piano Bar. This is THE premier place to party in Little Rock. “Dueling Pianos” runs seven days a week. Dance & Club music upstairs on Wed, Fri & Sat. Drink specials and more!

Do it BIGG!

Bernice Garden Farmer’s Market. Bernice Garden, 10 a.m. 1401 S. Main St. www.thebernicegarden.org.

Geocaching. Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center, 8:30 a.m. 602 President Clinton Ave. 501-907-0636. www.centralarkansasnaturecenter.com.

“Live from the Back Room.” Spoken word event.

Vino’s, 7 p.m. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www. vinosbrewpub.com.

BUDWEISER.COM/SALUTE

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK | 11AM - LATE % -!2+(!- s ,)44,% 2/#+ !2

BENEFITS

FuRR Fundraiser. A yard sale to benefit Feline Rescue and Rehome. Pulaski Heights Baptist Church, 7 a.m. 2200 Kavanaugh Blvd.

#SALUTE

r

COMEDY

“Just Shut Up and Drive.” Original comedy

by The Main Thing. The Joint, 8 p.m., $20. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com.

Wars. Sidney S. McMath Library, 2 p.m. 2100 John Barrow Drive. 501-225-0066.

Argenta Farmers Market. Argenta Farmers Market, 7 a.m. 6th and Main St., NLR. 501-8317881. www.argentaartsdistrict.org/argenta-farmers-market.

Falun Gong meditation. Allsopp Park, 9 a.m., free. Cantrell & Cedar Hill Roads.

Geocaching. Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center, 8:30 a.m. 602 President Clinton Ave. 501-907-0636. www.centralarkansasnaturecenter.com.

Hillcrest Farmers Market. Pulaski Heights Baptist Church, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. 2200 Kavanaugh Blvd.

Historic Neighborhoods Tour. Bike tour of historic neighborhoods includes bike, guide, helmets and maps. Bobby’s Bike Hike, 9 a.m., $8-$28. 400 President Clinton Ave. 501-613-7001.

Pork & Bourbon Tour. Bike tour includes bicycle, guide, helmets and maps. Bobby’s Bike Hike, 11:30 a.m., $35-$45. 400 President Clinton Ave. 501-613-7001.

AMERICAN SALUTE

Book Our Party Room Today!

r

vinosbrewpub.com.

Darill “Harp” Edwards. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 9 p.m., $7. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-6631196. www.afterthoughtbar.com.

Daughtry, 9 Miles Ahead. Magic Springs’ Timberwood Amphitheater, 7 p.m., $49.99$54.99. 1701 E. Grand Ave., Hot Springs.

Ghostfoot, Dangerous Idiots, Rough Stax.

The Lightbulb Club, 9 p.m. 21 N. Block Ave., Fayetteville. 479-444-6100.

John Moreland, Kierston White, Arliss Nancy.

White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m. 2500 W. 7th St. 501-375-8400. www.whitewatertavern.com.

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

Karaoke. Casa Mexicana, 7 p.m. 6929 JFK Blvd., NLR. 501-835-7876.

Karaoke with Kevin & Cara. All ages, on the restaurant side. Revolution, 9 p.m.-12:45 a.m., free. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom.com.

K.I.S.S. Saturdays. Featuring DJ Silky Slim. Dress code enforced. Sway, 10 p.m. 412 Louisiana.

501-492-9802.

Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 Clinton Ave. 501-372-4782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com.

Pickin’ Porch. Bring your instrument. All ages welcome. Faulkner County Library, 9:30 a.m. 1900 Tyler St., Conway. 501-327-7482. www.fcl.org.

Plain White T’s. Juanita’s, 10 p.m., $15 adv., $20 day of. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www.juanitas.com.

Reckless. West End Smokehouse and Tavern, through, $5. 215 N. Shackleford. 501-224-7665. www.westendsmokehouse.net.

Singer/Songwriters Showcase. Parrot Beach Cafe, 2-7 p.m., free. 9611 MacArthur Drive, NLR. 771-2994.

Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 9 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www.capitalhotel.com/CBG. Vanapalooza. Featuring Knox Hamilton, Siversa, The Federalis, Thin Margins and The Whole Famn Damily. Revolution, 9 p.m., $10. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom. com.

The Great

Open 7 Days A Week • 8pm-2am Shows Start at 8:30pm

Located in the Heart of the River Market District 307 President Clinton Avenue 501.372.4782 www.erniebiggs.com

Now - August 17 Free & open to the Public tue, wed, thu 10–2pm · wed 6–8pm sun 1–3pm Exhibit will be closed July 13–19 Art for sale & percentage of proceeds go to the Artists-in-residence Program at Arkansas Children’s hospital. donations received go to ACh as well.

1000 N mississippi · Little rock 501.225.4203 · st-marks.com

www.arktimes.com

JUNE 26, 2014

27

AFTER DARK, CONT.

FILM

The 48 Hour Film Project. through, $160-$175.

SPORTS

Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza. North Little Rock Riverfront, through, $80-$240. 100 Riverfront Drive, NLR.

MONDAY, JUNE 30

MUSIC

Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 Clinton Ave. 501-372-4782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com.

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

Richie Johnson. Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf. com.

Wade Bowen, Randy Rogers. Revolution, 9 p.m., $20-$25. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501823-0090. revroom.com.

TUESDAY, JULY 1

MUSIC

Brian and Nick. Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf. com.

Gil Franklin & Friends. Holiday Inn, North Little Rock, first Tuesday, Wednesday of every month.

120 W. Pershing Blvd., NLR. Jeff Ling. Khalil’s Pub, 6 p.m. 110 S. Shackleford Road. 501-224-0224. www.khalilspub.com.

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

Karaoke Tuesday. Prost, 8 p.m., free. 322 President Clinton Blvd. 501-244-9550.

Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 Clinton Ave. 501-372-4782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com.

Lucious Spiller Band. Copeland’s Restaurant of Little Rock, 6-9 p.m. 2602 S. Shackleford Road.

501-312-1616. www.copelandsrestaurantlittlerock.com.

Music Jam. Hosted by Elliott Griffen and Joseph Fuller. The Joint, 8-11 p.m., free. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com.

Tuesday Jam Session with Carl Mouton.

Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbar.com.

by That Arkansas Weather

COMEDY

Stand-Up Tuesday. Hosted by Adam Hogg. The Joint, 8 p.m., $5. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com.

DANCE

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

EVENTS

40th Annual Little Rock Farmers’ Market. River Market Pavilions, 7 a.m. 400 President Clinton Ave. 375-2552. www.rivermarket.info.

Geocaching. Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center, 8:30 a.m. 602 President Clinton Ave. 501-907-0636. www.centralarkansasnaturecenter.com.

Trivia Bowl. Flying Saucer, 8:30 p.m. 323 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-8032. www.beerknurd. com/stores/littlerock.

BOOKS

Kevin Brockmeier. The author discusses his new 28

JUNE 26, 2014

ARKANSAS TIMES

book “A Few Seconds of Radiant Filmstrip: A Memoir of Seventh Grade” Laman Library, 7 p.m. 2801 Orange St., NLR. 501-758-1720. www. lamanlibrary.org.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 2

MUSIC

Acoustic Open Mic. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbar.com.

Air National Guard Band of the Southwest.

MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, 7 p.m., Free. 503 E. 9th St. 376-4602. www.arkmilitaryheritage.com.

Banditos. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9 p.m., $5. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz.com.

Gil Franklin & Friends. Holiday Inn, North Little Rock, first Tuesday, Wednesday of every month.

120 W. Pershing Blvd., NLR. “Hot August Night: Women Gone Wild!”.

Presented by Little Rock’s award-winning chorus Top of the Rock. UALR University Theatre, 7 p.m., $15-$20. 2801 South Unversity Ave. www. topoftherockchorus.org/.

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

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

Karen Jr. South on Main, 7:30 p.m., Free. 1304 Main St. 501-244-9660. https://www.facebook. com/SouthonMainLR. Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 Clinton Ave. 501-372-4782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com.

Open Mic Nite with Deuce. Thirst n’ Howl, 7:30 p.m., free. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www.thirst-n-howl.com.

Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 7:30 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www.capitalhotel.com/CBG.

COMEDY

The Joint Venture. Improv comedy group. The Joint, 8 p.m., $7. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com.

DANCE

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

EVENTS

Geocaching. Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center, 8:30 a.m. 602 President Clinton Ave. 501-907-0636. www.centralarkansasnaturecenter.com.

FILM

“Frozen.” Movies in the Park. Riverfront Park, 8:30 p.m., Free. 400 President Clinton Avenue.

LECTURES

50th Anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. A discussion led by Mary Brown “Brownie” Williams Ledbetter and Dr. Terrence Roberts.

Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, 6 p.m. 501 W. 9th St. 501-683-3593. www.mosaictemplarscenter.com.

POETRY

Wednesday Night Poetry. 21-and-older show.

Maxine’s, 7 p.m., free. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-321-0909. maxineslive.com/shows. html.

AFTER DARK, CONT.

SPORTS

Arkansas Travelers vs. Frisco. Dickey-Stephens Park, July 2-3, 7:10 p.m.; July 4, 5:30 p.m., $6-$12.

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

EUREKA SPRINGS EUREKA FINE ART GALLERY, 63 N. Main St.: Bob Harvey, paintings, July 1-31, reception 6-9 p.m. July 12. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. 479-363-6000.

BOOKS

FAYETTEVILLE BOTTLE ROCKET GALLERY, 1495 Finger Road: Art performance by Sondra Perry, 8 p.m. June 28. 479-466-7406.

THIS WEEK IN THEATER

ROGERS ROGERS HISTORICAL MUSEUM, 322 S. Second St.: “IMAGINE: A NEW Rogers Historical Museum,” conceptual designs of new exhibition areas to be built, opens June 30; “Up in the Air,” ceramic hot air balloons, July 1-Sept.

1; “Regional Foodways,” food-related artifacts, “Hog Wild: Our Area’s Love Affair with the Pig,” farm tools, sausage-making gadgets, folk art, books, through Aug. 9. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.Sat. 479-6210-1154.

Mara Leveritt and Jason Baldwin in conversation. The author of “Dark Spell: Surviving the Sentence” discusses the book with the West Memphis Three’s Baldwin. Laman Library, 7 p.m.

2801 Orange St., NLR. 501-758-1720. www.lamanlibrary.org.

“Always a Bridesmaid.” Murry’s Dinner Playhouse, through July 13: Tue.-Sat., 6 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., $25-$35. 6323 Col. Glenn Road.

501-562-3131. murrysdinnerplayhouse.com.

The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged).

Arkansas Repertory Theatre, through June 29: Sun., 2 p.m.; Wed., Sun., 7 p.m.; Fri., Sat., 8 p.m., $30-$35. 601 Main St. 501-378-0405. www.therep. org.

“Hamlet.” Reynolds Performance Hall, University of Central Arkansas, through June 28: Tue., Thu., Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., June 29, 2 p.m., $28. 201 Donaghey Ave., Conway.

Opera in the Ozarks Presents Puccini’s “Suor Angelica” and “Gianni Schicchi.” Inspiration Point, Thu., June 26, 7:30 p.m., $20-$25. 16311 Hwy. 62 W., Eureka Springs.

“Pippin.” Reynolds Performance Hall, University of Central Arkansas, Fri., June 27, 2 and 7:30 p.m., $28. 201 Donaghey Ave., Conway. uca.edu.ticketforce.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=175.

“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” Studio Theatre, through June 28: Thu.-Sat., 7:30 p.m., $18. 320 W. 7th St.

GALLERIES, MUSEUMS

NEW EXHIBITS, EVENTS

ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER, MacArthur Park: 56th annual “Delta Exhibition,” works by 65 artists from Arkansas and surrounding states, June 27-Sept. 28, “Susan Paulen: Wilmot,” photographs, June 26-Sept. 28, members opening receptions 6:30-8:30 p.m. June 26, lecture by Delta juror Brian Rutenberg 6 p.m. before opening, $15 for nonmembers (includes access to reception), free to members; “Woodworking Instructors Exhibition,” Museum School Gallery, through July 6; “Young Arkansas Artists,” artwork by Arkansas students K-12, through July 27; “InCiteful Clay,” 35 ceramic sculptures that offer social commentary, through June 29, Winthrop Rockefeller Gallery. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. 372-4000.

CANTRELL GALLERY, 8206 Cantrell Road: “The Places in Arkansas That Keep Calling Me Back,” photographs by Paul Caldwell, opens with reception 6-8 p.m. June 27, show through Aug. 14. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 224-1335.

COMMUNITY BAKERY, 1200 Main St.: Work by members of Co-Op Art, June 29-July 31.

L&L BECK ART GALLERY, 5705 Kavanaugh Blvd.: “The Wild Ones,” paintings by Louis Beck, through July, drawing for free giclee 7 p.m. July 17. 660-4006.

EL DORADO SOUTH ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER, 110 E. 5th St.: “2014 Juried Art Competition,” 39 works by 31 artists chosen by 21C Museum manager Dayton Castleton, July 2-31; “Tides and Currents: Contemporary Art Along the Gulf Coast,” works in many media by 15 artists, through June 28; closing reception 6-8 p.m.

June 28. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. 479-862-5474.

1 introspective prince

CALL FOR ARTISTS

The Palette Art League is accepting entries for its 6th annual Art Expo to be held July 7-11.

All work must by two-dimensional and not entered in a previous Expo show. For more information, go to paletteartleague.org or call 870-656-2057.

Deadline to apply to Artist INC Live Argenta, a professional development program for artists, is July 7. The program will be held Mondays Sept. 15, 22, 29, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27 and Nov. 3.

Read more and find a link to register at www. argentaartsdistrict.org.

The Arkansas Arts Council is accepting nominations for the 2015 Governor’s Arts Awards to be made in February 2015. Deadline for nominations is Aug. 1. Nominees will be accepted in seven categories: arts community development, arts in education, corporate sponsorship of the arts, individual artist, folklife, patron and lifetime achievement. Nomination forms are available at arkansasarts.org or by contacting Cheri Leffew at 324-9767 or cheri@arkansasheritage.org.

ArtsFest is now taking applications for booths for the “Art in the Park” event set for Oct. 4 in Conway’s Simon Park. Prizes will be awarded to non-student and student artists. For more information, contact kathrynoneal@gmail.com.

JUNE 20-29

Reynolds Performance Hall, UCA FEATURING JORDAN COUGHTRY AS HAMLET

CONTINUING GALLERY EXHIBITS

BOULEVARD BREAD, River Market: Paintings by members of Co-Op Art, through June.

BUTLER CENTER GALLERIES, Arkansas Studies Institute, 401 President Clinton Ave.: “State Youth Art Show 2014: An Exhibition by the Arkansas Art Educators,” through Aug. 30; “Drawn In: New Art from WWII Camps at Rohwer and Jerome,” through Aug. 23; “Detachment: Work by Robert Reep,” through July 24; “2nd annual Arkansas Printmakers Membership Exhibition,” through June 28. 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Mon.-Sat. 320-5790.

CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 509 Scott St.: Paintings by Dee Schulten, Dr. Lacy Frasier and Sue Henley. 375-2342.

CHROMA GALLERY, 5707 Kavanaugh Blvd.: Work by Robert Reep and other Arkansas artists. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Sat. 664-0880.

THE EDGE, 301B President Clinton Ave.: Paintings by Avila (Fernando Gomez), Eric Freeman, James Hayes, Jerry Colburn, St. Joseph Thomason and Stephen Drive. 992-1099.

ELLEN GOLDEN ANTIQUES, 5701 Kavanaugh Blvd.: Paintings by Barry Thomas and Arden Boyce. 664-7746.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

PIPPIN JUNE 11-27 Reynolds Performance Hall, UCA, Conway

THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA JUNE 19-22 Outdoors at the Argenta Branch, William F. Laman Library

Enjoy our

2014

season!

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS A SPECIAL ADAPTATION FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES

JUNE 24-28 Reynolds Performance Hall, UCA, Conway

EXCLUSIVE PRODUCING SEASON SPONSOR

AD PHOTOGRAPHY BY RETT PEEK

1-866-810-0012 • arkshakes.com www.arktimes.com

JUNE 26, 2014

29

AFTER DARK, CONT. Work by Robert Reep and other Arkansas artists. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Sat. 664-0880.

THE EDGE, 301B President Clinton Ave.: Paintings by Avila (Fernando Gomez), Eric Freeman, James Hayes, Jerry Colburn, St. Joseph Thomason and Stephen Drive. 992-1099.

ELLEN GOLDEN ANTIQUES, 5701 Kavanaugh Blvd.: Paintings by Barry Thomas and Arden Boyce. 664-7746.

GALLERY 221 & ART STUDIOS 221, Pyramid Place: New work by Jennifer “Emile” Freeman.

11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. 8010211.

GALLERY 26, 2601 Kavanaugh Blvd.: “Recent Works by Arkansas Society of Printmakers,” including Robert Bean, Warren Criswell, Debi Fendley, Melissa Gill, Jorey May Greene, Diane Harper, Neal Harrington, Tammy Harrington, Samantha Kosakowski, David O’Brien, Sherry O’Rorke, Jessi Perren, Shannon Rogers, Dominique Simmons, Tom Sullivan and David Warren, through July 12. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.Sat. 664-8996.

GINO HOLLANDER GALLERY, 2nd and Center: Paintings and works on paper by Gino Hollander.

801-0211.

LAMAN LIBRARY, 2801 Orange St., NLR: “Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow: Living With the Atomic Bomb,” objects, film, graphics about American culture of 1940s, ’50s and ’60s and the bomb, through Aug. 11. 758-1720.

LOCAL COLOUR, 5811 Kavanaugh Blvd.: Rotating work by 27 artists in collective. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Mon.-Sat. 265-0422.

ST. MARK’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 1000 N. Mississippi St.: “Icons in Transformation,” 100 expressionist works by Ludmila Pawlowska, through Aug. 17, percentage of sales proceeds

to Artist-in-Residence program at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. 225-4203.

STUDIOMAIN, 1423 S. Main St.: “Community Center Design Competition.” www.facebook. com/studio.main.ar.

CONTINUING MUSEUM EXHIBITS CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL MUSEUM VISITOR CENTER, Bates and Park: Exhibits on the 1957 desegregation of Central and the civil rights movement. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily. 374-1957.

CLINTON PRESIDENTIAL CENTER, 1200 President Clinton Ave.: “Chihuly,” studio glass, through Jan. 5, 2015; permanent exhibits on the Clinton administration. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. $7 adults; $5 college students, seniors, retired military; $3 ages 6-17.

370-8000.

ESSE, 1510 S. Main St.: “What’s Inside: A Century of Women and Handbags (1900-1999),” purses from the collection of Anita Davis, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tue.-Sun., $10-$8. 916-9022.

HISTORIC ARKANSAS MUSEUM, 200 E. 3rd St.: “So What! It’s the Least I Can Do …,” paintings by Ray Wittenberg, through Sept.

7, “Co-Opt,” work by UALR student artists Taimur Cleary, Jennifer Perren and Mesilla Smith, through July 6; “Arkansas Made,” ongoing. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 324-9351.

L&L BECK ART GALLERY, 5705 Kavanaugh Blvd.: “Go West, Young Man!” June exhibit, through June. 660-4006.

MacARTHUR MUSEUM OF ARKANSAS M I L I TA R Y H I S T O R Y , M a c A r t h u r Park: “American Posters of World War I”; permanent exhibits. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-4

p.m. Sun. 376-4602.

MOSAIC TEMPLARS CULTURAL CENTER, 501 W. 9th St.: “Arkansas’ African American Legislators,” permanent exhibits on black entrepreneurship in Arkansas. 683-3593.

MUGS CAFE, 515 Main St., NLR: “Explore Arkansas,” juried “phoneography” (Instagram photographs taken and edited by mobile devices) exhibit, through July 15. 379-9101.

MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY, 500 President Clinton Ave.: “Wiggle Worms,” science program for pre-K children 10 a.m.-10:30 a.m. every Tue., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 1-5 p.m.

Sun., $10 ages 13 and older, $8 ages 1-12, free to members and children under 1. 396-7050.

OLD STATE HOUSE MUSEUM, 300 W. Markham: “Lights! Camera! Arkansas!”, the state’s ties to Hollywood, including costumes, scripts, film footage, photographs and more, through March 1, 2015. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 324-9685.

WITT STEPHENS JR. CENTRAL ARKANSAS NATURE CENTER, Riverfront Park: Exhibits on wildlife and the state Game and Fish Commission. 907-0636.

GALLERIES AROUND ARKANSAS BENTONVILLE CRYSTAL BRIDGES MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART, One Museum Way: “Global Citizen: The Architecture of Moshe Safdie,” drawings, sketches, videos, photographs and scale models, through Sept. 1; “Anglo-American Portraiture in an Age of Revolution,” five paintings, including works from the Musee de Louvre, the High Museum of Art, and the Terra Foundation, through Sept.

15; “The William S. Paley Collection: A Taste

for Modernism,” works by Paul Gaugin, Andre Derain, Henri Matisse, Paul Cezanne, Edgar Degas, Pablo Picasso and others, through July 7; permanent collection of American masterworks spanning four centuries. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon., Thu.; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Wed., Fri.; 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Sat.-Sun., closed Tue. 479-418-5700.

FAYETTEVILLE THE DEPOT, 548 W. Dickson St.: “Natural Synchronicity,” paintings by Colleen Poplawski, Natalie Brown and Jessica Westhafer, through June. 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Sun. 479-443-9900.

LALALAND, 641 Martin Luther King Blvd.: “Women of DAPA (Drawing and Painting Association of the UA),” Raven Halfmoon, Ashley Byers, Carrie Gibson, Mia Buonaiuto, Ashley Lindsey, Jessica Lynnlani Westhafer, Emily Chase, and Natalie Brown.

HOT SPRINGS ALISON PARSONS GALLERY, 802 Central Ave.: “In Perfect Balance — Metals in Motion,” kinetic sculptures by Gerald Lee Delvan. 501-655-0604.

ARTISTS WORKSHOP GALLERY, 610 A Central Ave.: Jan Briggs, Pat Langewis, watercolors, through June. 623-6401.

BLUE MOON GALLERY, 718 Central Ave.: Kay Aclin, Suzi Dennis, Thad Flenniken, Caren Garner and others. 318-2787.

GALLERY CENTRAL, 800 Central Ave.: Dennis McCann, paintings. 318-4278.

JUSTUS FINE ART, 827 Central Ave.: “See the Sound,” music-inspired graphite and acrylic on wood by Emily Wood, through June, also work by Taimur Cleary, Matthew Hasty, Robyn Horn, Dolores Justus, Dan Thornhill, Rebecca Thompson and others. 501-321-2335.

DRINK RESPONSIBLY

JAGERUSA

Jägermeister® Liqueur. Imported by Sidney Frank Importing Co., Inc. New Rochelle, NY

30

JUNE 26, 2014

ARKANSAS TIMES

MOVIE REVIEW

‘Think Like A Man Too’ a misadventure to miss Kevin Hart can’t save this sequel.

BY JAMES MURRAY

F

ollowing up on a smart, imaginative and honest rom-com that grossed over $100 million worldwide can be a tall order. While precursor “Think Like a Man,” based on radio personality and “Family Feud” host Steve Harvey’s book “Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man,” came across as a battle of wits between the sexes, “Think Like A Man Too” exchanges calculating mind games for what can only be described as an ersatz “Hangover” weighed down by Kevin Hart’s sports analogy-laden narration.

“Think Like A Man Too” reunites the gang in Sin City for the wedding of Michael (Terrence Jenkins) and Candace (Regina Hall). Not only does the couple have to deal with Michael’s overbearing mother who reserves a room within earshot of them, but Michael has the erratic, shrillvoiced Cedric (Kevin Hart) as his best man due to a misunderstanding. Ready to show Michael the time of his life before he ties the knot, the now-single Cedric, who can’t seem to rid himself of the presence of his ex-wife, Gail (Wendy Williams), requests a $40,000 per night hotel room (far above his pay grade) complete with a stripper pole and a wisecracking British butler. Not to be outdone by the guys, the ladies also decide to bask in all the debauchery Las Vegas has to offer. What follows is a night of cocktails, kinky costumes, flirtations with lady luck and incarceration for them all. We even get a cameo from a famous boxer (sound familiar?).

Hart’s levity isn’t enough to rescue us from the same banal relationship issues that plagued the couples in the first movie. In the battle of the insecure and controlling vs. the selfish and stubborn: Lauren (Taraji P. Henson) and Dominic (Michael Ealy) are navigating career issues; Zeke (Romany Malco) is turning in his “player card” as he wants to shake his “Zeke the Freak” past to prove his loyalty to Mya (Meagan Good); Jeremy (Michael Ferrara) has fatherhood jitters as he and Kristen (Gabrielle Union) try to conceive. Oddly enough, the only lovebirds not experiencing any serious relationship issues are the film’s uninteresting, aloof and ill-placed married white couple, Bennett (Gary Owen) and Tish (Wendi McClendon-Covey).

Even with the influence of Harvey’s book largely out of the picture here, we still get the message that men are dogs that need to be one-upped by women to even

SHOP ‘N’ SIP First thursday each month

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

HILLCREST SHOPPING & DINING ‘THINK LIKE A MAN TOO’: Kevin Hart stars.

the playing field; however, this time around, competition is centered on the superficial.

We are fed scene upon scene of the ladies trying to defy gender stereotypes as to how much or what kind of fun they can have in the adult playground of Las Vegas. Of course, this is not an issue for the guys, as the film’s overtones reinforce the notion that boys will be boys. It’s almost as if the couples wanted a vacation from each other this time. Gone is the mental chess of the first film, one of the features that made it so attractive.

There are glimmers of hope. The ladies’ uniquely placed rendition of Bell Biv Devoe’s “Poison” provides a kind of halftime show (and momentary respite from vapidity) for us watching the guys and gals duke it out (a real treat for ’90s nostalgic R&B fans). Another pop culture gem involves Hart doing a less graceful, less sexy, but funnier version of Tom Cruise’s dance routine from “Risky Business.” Finally, there’s Bennett and Tish, the film’s most sexually repressed couple, trying to reenact a steamy scene from John Singleton’s “Baby Boy” (also starring Taraji P. Henson).

Given his steep rise in stock since the release of the first film two years ago, it perhaps shouldn’t be a surprise that Hart, now the most popular stand-up comedian in the country, takes center stage here. Though Hart’s antics are unmistakably some of the funniest aspects of the film, it’s unfortunate that so much of the film’s potential is wasted on his self-deprecating humor and spasmodic fits of frustration. Maybe the venue is to blame ... who knows? If there’s a third installment, let’s do without all the sports metaphors as well, because the proverbial ball was, indeed, dropped this time.

ExpEriEncE thE scEnt of luxury.

HAPPY 4th Shop & Sip SALE! 25% OFF ALL SUMMER Clothing, Shoes & Handbags

4523 Woodlawn (Historic Hillcrest) 501.666.3600

Born on the Fourth oF July

RHEA DRUG 2801 KaVanauGh

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

Find Us On Facebook www.facebook.com/arkansastimes

LittLe rocK 663-4131

www.arktimes.com

JUNE 26, 2014

31

REINTRODUCING JESSICA LEA MAYFIELD, CONT. Continued from page 22

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

to knock it out in a matter of days or months either, which was refreshing considering that vocals rising over the noise like a disaffected was how things went on her previous releases. voice of reason, and then you have the more She and her husband — bassist Jesse Newmelodic alternative track “I Wanna Love port — had such a good experience making You,” where she sings “I’m insane/I wanna the album that it was almost like the album love you” over and over in an oddly hypnotic became a member of their family.

“It took us about nine months to record way. Toss in some shoegaze-style guitar work on “Unknown Big Secret” and a som- the album, so Jesse and I refer to it as our ber electric guitar ballad (“Party Drugs”), record baby,” Mayfield laughs, “because it and you get a sense of how Mayfield’s cre- is. Making this record was one of the most ative streak was functioning during the intimate experiences of my life and neither of us wanted to be finished with it. It was recording process.

Having the freedom to make sure she got one of these things where I didn’t want the the album right meant that she did not have process of recording it to end because it was

so beautiful.”

Mayfield, whose brother is David Mayfield of the David Mayfield Parade, started her career performing in her family’s band, so music is in her blood. You could be forgiven for not predicting that Jessica would progress from playing bluegrass and folk songs to being a full-on alternative rock artist. Her evolution, however, has been more than artistic. These past few years have been about discovering and accepting herself, and allowing herself to be happy. Part of that happiness has come from being married.

“It’s a really amazing thing when you realize you’ve met the person you want to spend the rest of your life with,” Mayfield says. “It’s the most curious thing in the world.

I always wrote about relationships in a sort of ‘I’m going to be single forever’ sort of way.

There’s so much more to it now. These songs are so much more important because I’m singing about the most important things that are happening in my life. I value life more, and certain things have greater importance now than they did when I was a teen.”

This perspective about life is not something Mayfield came upon easily. She notes she has spent over half her young years on the road and going through many of the ups and downs of the music life. For Mayfield, there were certainly some down times.

“I don’t feel like I was completely there a lot of the time; I was just sort of floating along and didn’t care if I was dead or alive,” she laughs. “Most of the time I wished I was dead. I was crazy and a wild party person, but I feel like I’ve found my perspective. Now I know you have to work as hard as you can, but you also have to enjoy the work that you do.”

“Sing …,” while not a summery pop record or anything, finds Mayfield in her element and enjoying the hell out of it. All the attitude, solos and raucous rhythms you would expect to find on a rock ’n’ roll record are here for sure. But despite stepping out confidently into this new musical direction, Mayfield is not at all ashamed about her previous releases and is not trying to distance herself from them.

“I feel like people misunderstand me, like they think I don’t like the last two records or something, but if anything, the only thing about the last two records is that I’m just younger,” Mayfield says. “No one wants to hear their voice as a teenager, right? I do think that the last two records are great and they have this great aesthetic, but I like to push myself, and that’s what I got to do with this record.”

Jessica Lea Mayfield will be at the White Water Tavern 9 p.m. Thursday, June 26, with Dylan LeBlanc. Tickets are $12 and available at.lastchancerecords.com.

32

JUNE 26, 2014

ARKANSAS TIMES

Arkansas Travelers

Hey, do this!

J U l y FUN!

Food, Music, Entertainment and everything else that’s JULY 4

Celebrate our nation’s independence at the Little Rock Marriott. Tragikly White headlines the party, which starts at 6 p.m. and includes barbecue, a photo booth, magicians and a balloon artist. Tickets are $50 for adults and $25 for kids. VIP tickets are available at $75 for adults and $35 for kids and include a private buffet and private bar. n Tesla performs at the Timberwood Amphitheater at Magic Springs Water and Theme Park at 8 p.m. The concert is free with admission. Other performances this month include Chris Young (July 5); Matthew West and Rhett Walker Band (July 11); Steven Curtis Chapman with Tim Timmons (July 12); Brigit Mendler (July 19); and Skillet (July 26). For more info, visit www. magicsprings.com. n The Arkansas Travelers play at home at Dickey Stephens Park in North Little Rock at 5:30 p.m. Stay for the post-game fireworks display. For a complete schedule of home games, visit www.travs.com. n Pops on the River, presented by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and sponsored by Landers FIAT, is is free to the public and will begin at noon in the River Market area of downtown Little Rock.

There will be entertainment in the First Security Amphitheater and fireworks will begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. For more information, visit showtime.arkansasonline.com/pops/

Arkansas Travelers baseball

JUNE 26-29

through JULY Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre

The 2014 season of the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre is drawing to a close, but you still have time to catch Comedy of Errors, Hamlet and Pippin this week. Sunday’s 2 p.m. matinee of Hamlet at Reynolds Performance Hall on the UCA campus in Conway concludes the month-long event. For tickets, show times and locations, visit www.arkshakes.com.

Stop by the L&L Beck Art Gallery for their exhibit, “The Wild Ones,” a series of portraits of various wild animals in their indigenous habitat. The exhibit will run through the month of July, and a giclée drawing will be held on July 17 at 7:00 p.m.

Pippin

JULY 2

South on Main hosts Karen Jr. as part of its Local Live series sponsored by Landers Fiat. The free concerts are held every Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. and include special half-price dessert jars. Keep up with all of the happenings at Facebook.com/SouthonMainLR.

JULY 16

South on Main hosts Brandon Dorris Quartet as part of its Local Live series sponsored by Landers Fiat. The free concerts are held every Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. and include special half-price dessert jars. Keep up with all of the happenings at Facebook.com/ SouthonMainLR.

JULY 18-19

South on Main hosts Swampbird as part of its Local Live series sponsored by Landers Fiat. The free concerts are held every Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. and include special half-price dessert jars. Keep up with all of the happenings at Facebook.com/SouthonMainLR.

The Little Rock Zoo welcomes you to Snore and Soar, a sleepover under the stars. Bring your tent and sleeping bag to experience the zoo after dark. Space is limited. Reserve your spot by July 7. The cost is $29.75 for members and $35 for non-members. For more info, visit www.littlerockzoo.com.

JULY 23-27

Fiddler on the Roof opens at Argenta

JULY 9

Community Theatre. The original Broadway production opened in 1964 and remains one of the longest running shows in history. This performance, directed by Bob Hupp, is the 2014 Summer Musical and is not to be missed. For tickets and show times, visit www.argentacommunitytheater.com.

JULY 30

JULY 22

JULY 10

UALR’s Department of Art hosts an opening reception for Subtractive Sculpture: Marble, Alabaster & Limestone in Gallery I from

5-7 p.m. The show will run through August 1. In Gallery II, view Julia Baugh’s Ceramics MA Thesis Exhibition on display through July 21. Admission is free. Call 501-569-8977 for additional information. n Oxford American magazine, “The Southern Magazine of Good Writing,” is proud to present singer-songwriter and guitarist Mark Edgar Stuart on Thursday, July 10th at 8 p.m. at South on Main (1304 Main Street). The concert is free, and sponsored by Landers FIAT of Benton. To ensure reservations at a table, patrons should call ahead to South on Main at 501-244-9660.

Murry’s Dinner Playhouse presents Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma, a romantic tale on the prairies at the turn of the century. One of the most popular musicals in history, the classic score includes, “Oh What A Beautiful Mornin’,” “People Will Say We’re In Love” and the classic “Oklahoma.”

The show runs through August 30. For tickets and show times, visit www.murrysdp.com.

South on Main hosts Clancey Ferguson & the Ragtags as part of its Local Live series sponsored by Landers Fiat. The free concerts are held every Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. and include special half-price dessert jars. Keep up with all of the happenings at Facebook.com/SouthonMainLR.

JULY 23

South on Main hosts Jeff Coleman and the Feeders as part of its Local Live series sponsored by Landers Fiat. The free concerts are held every Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. and include special half-price dessert jars. Keep up with all of the happenings at Facebook.com/ SouthonMainLR.

Arabian night spectacular presented by The Mirana Middle Eastern Dance Co. presents at UALR Stella Boyle Fine Arts Center, Sat., June 28. $10 donation at the door. Call 501-455-1229 or 501-837-9305 fpr more information. www.arktimes.com JUNE 26, 2014

33

Dining WHAT’S COOKIN’ CORINA MILLER, assistant manager at Little Rock Czech/German restaurant The Pantry, wants you to know that the original location, at 11401 N. Rodney Parham Road, won’t close when The Pantry opens its second location in Hillcrest.

However, The Pantry on Rodney Parham will close temporarily, July 1-10, for kitchen renovation. “We’re going to be the main distribution hub for a lot of our meats, and our kitchen is getting a little facelift to accommodate that,” Miller said. “We’re getting new equipment and restructuring our set-up.” Among those meats are The Pantry’s famous smoked sausages, which chef-owner Tomas Bohm makes in house.

Miller said the grand opening for The Pantry Crest, at 722 N. Palm St., will be sometime in late August. She said everything at Crest will be made from scratch and as locally sourced as possible, just like the original. Miller said the fare at the new location will be “more tapas oriented so you can come in and have drinks and lots of great appetizer options. It’ll all be freshly made and as local as possible.”

Miller said Crest will be dinner-only to start, opening at 4 p.m. daily, with the kitchen open until midnight. The structure of the Pantry Crest house, where The House and several restaurants before that operated, was in need of structural improvements. The outdoor dining space is also being expanded.

DINING CAPSULES

LITTLE ROCK/ NORTH LITTLE ROCK

AMERICAN

4 SQUARE CAFE AND GIFTS Vegetarian salads, soups, wraps and paninis and a broad selection of smoothies in an Arkansas products gift shop. 405 President Clinton Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-244-2622. BLD daily.

ARKANSAS BURGER CO. Good burgers, fries and shakes, plus salads and other entrees. Try the cheese dip. 7410 Cantrell Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-663-0600. LD Tue.-Sat. ASHLEY’S The premier fine dining restaurant in Little Rock. The menu is often daring and always delicious. 111 W. Markham St. Full bar, All CC. $$$. 501-374-7474. BLD Mon.-Sat. BR Sun. BELLWOOD DINER Traditional breakfasts and plate lunch specials are the norm at this lostin-time hole in the wall. 3815 MacArthur Drive.

NLR. No alcohol, No CC. $. 501-753-1012. BL Mon.-Fri. 34

JUNE 26, 2014

ARKANSAS TIMES

Omar’s Uptown 301 S. Main St. Jonesboro 870-336-3001 omarsuptown.com

QUICK BITE While reservations aren’t required, our walk-in experience makes us recommend them if downstairs seating is desired. The upstairs area is much more laid-back, however, and features live music on weekends.

HOURS Dining room: 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, Upstairs lounge: 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

STRONG STARTER: Omar’s Crabmeat Napoleon.

Uptown dining at Omar’s Crab meuniere, ahi tuna, filet with crawfish tails on Jonesboro’s Main Street.

H

aving been on both sides of the dining game, we’re always hesitant to walk into a place an hour before closing. We have too many memories of late diners in our past life working in a restaurant, which gives us a lot of sympathy for the cooks, servers and cleanup staff who don’t always get to have a set time by which they can clock out and get home to their families.

Unfortunately, a late start on a recent trip to Jonesboro found us walking into the door of Omar’s Uptown right as its formal dining room was closing for the evening, and if it hadn’t been for a strong desire to try the place, we would have probably gone somewhere else. The staff didn’t seem worried about our tardiness, though, offering us a table in the upstairs lounge area, where they offered us the same full menu they’d been serving all night. Right off the bat, they scored some major points with us.

We settled into our seats near the bar and ordered the Crabmeat Napoleon ($10), a savory play on the French dessert that featured two slices of lightly breaded and fried eggplant and a gen-

erous portion of lump crab meat resting atop a tasty creole meuniere sauce, and topped with just a dash of tarragon aioli.

The crab was sweet and rich, and both sauces really suited the dish well. The eggplant was fried to perfection, though it was bitter — which is how some people like their eggplant, but not all. Still, that minor complaint aside, the Napoleon was an excellent start to the meal.

We decided to put the kitchen to the test with our main dishes, ordering two that need special care in cooking in order to be done well. The first was the Baja Ahi Tuna ($25), a thinly sliced tuna steak with steamed asparagus, lemon-butter sauce and a dollop of avocado salad. With this dish, Omar’s really hit the mark. The sashimi-grade tuna was well seared on the outside and perfectly rare on the inside, allowing the natural buttery flavor of the fish to shine through. The sauce added some excellent brightness to the plate, and while the asparagus was of the simple steamed variety, the tangy avocado salad was just the right amount of creamy, sweet and savory — making this one of the

OTHER INFO Full bar. Credit cards accepted.

best tuna dishes we’ve tried in the state.

Our second dish was one of Omar’s weekly specials, the Zydeco Filet — and filet is probably the cut of beef with which we find ourselves most often disappointed. Again, Omar’s hit a home run, with the beef coming out cooked at just the right amount (we order ours extremely rare) and with a texture that was meltingly tender and full of flavor.

The steak was topped by a generous helping of fried crawfish tails, a nice touch that added some good crunch to the plate. The side dishes of roasted potatoes and more asparagus weren’t anything out of the ordinary, but with a steak as masterfully done as this, we didn’t mind one bit.

If we had any real complaint about Omar’s, it’s that the upstairs dining area seemed woefully understaffed for the amount of people packed into it.

Servers seemed obviously harried, and while our food hit the table in an acceptable amount of time, drink refills seemed out of the question. In the end, we finally had to go up to the bar and ask for our check, which included reminding the server who brought us our food just exactly where we were sitting. Again, given our late arrival, it’s hard to hold things like that against the place, but any restaurant at this price point should have its help covered for the entire time they serve a full menu. Still, Omar’s is definitely an elite restaurant serving great food, and a definite “must try” for anyone who finds themselves in the Jonesboro area.

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.

THE BLIND PIG Tasty bar food, including Zweigle’s brand hot dogs. 6015 Chenonceau Blvd. Full bar, CC. $-$$. 501-868-8194. D Tue.-Sun., L Sat.-Sun. BOB’S GRILL This popular spot for local diners features a meat-and-two-veg cafeteria-style lunch and a decently large made-to-order breakfast menu. Service is friendly. 1112 W. Oak St. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-3799760. BL Daily.

BONEFISH GRILL A half-dozen or more types of fresh fish filets are offered daily at this upscale chain. 11525 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $$$.

501-228-0356. D Mon.-Sat., LD Sun. BRAVE NEW RESTAURANT Chef/owner Peter Brave was doing “farm to table” before most of us knew the term. His focus is on fresh, highquality ingredients prepared elegantly but simply. Ordering the fish special is never a bad choice. His chocolate crème brulee sets the pace. 2300 Cottondale Lane. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-663-2677. LD Mon.-Fri. D Sat. BRAY GOURMET DELI AND CATERING Turkey spreads in four flavors — original, jalapeno, Cajun and dill — and the homemade pimiento cheese are the signature items at Chris Bray’s delicatessen, which serves sandwiches, wraps, soups, stuffed potatoes and salads and sells the turkey spreads to go. 323 Center St. Suite 150. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$.

501-353-1045. BL Mon.-Fri. CAPITAL BAR AND GRILL Big hearty sandwiches, daily lunch specials and fine evening dining all rolled up into one at this landing spot downtown. Surprisingly inexpensive with a great bar staff and a good selection of unique desserts. 111 Markham St. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-374-7474. LD daily.

CAPITOL BISTRO Serving breakfast and lunch items, including quiche, sandwiches, coffees and the like. 1401 W. Capitol Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-371-9575. BL Mon.-Fri. CATERING TO YOU Painstakingly prepared entrees and great appetizers in this gourmetto-go location, attached to a gift shop. Caters everything from family dinners to weddings and large corporate events. 8121 Cantrell Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-614-9030. Serving meals to go: LD Mon.-Sat. CATFISH HOLE Downhome place for wellcooked catfish and tasty hushpuppies. 603 E. Spriggs. NLR. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-758-3516.

D Tue.-Sat. CIAO BACI The focus is on fine dining in this casually elegant Hillcrest bungalow, though excellent tapas are out of this world. The treeshaded, light-strung deck is a popular destination. 605 N. Beechwood St. Full bar, All CC. $$$.

501-603-0238. D Mon.-Sat. CRAZEE’S COOL CAFE Good burgers, daily plate specials and bar food amid pool tables and TVs. 7626 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-221-9696. LD Mon.-Sat. DEMPSEY BAKERY Bakery with sit-down area, serving coffee and specializing in gluten-, nutand soy-free baked goods. 323 Cross St. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-375-2257. Serving BL Tue.-Sat. DIXON ROAD BLUES CAFE Sandwiches, burgers and salads. 1505 W. Dixon Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-888-2233. D Fri.-Sat.

BELLY UP

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

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

DOE’S EAT PLACE A skid-row dive turned power brokers’ watering hole with huge steaks, great tamales and broiled shrimp, and killer burgers at lunch. 1023 W. Markham St. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-376-1195. LD Mon.-Fri., D Sat. EJ’S EATS AND DRINKS The friendly neighborhood hoagie shop downtown serves at a handful of tables and by delivery. The sandwiches are generous, the soup homemade and the salads cold. Vegetarians can craft any number of acceptable meals from the flexible menu. 523 Center St. Full bar, All CC. $-$$.

501-666-3700. LD Mon.-Fri. FLYING FISH The fried seafood is fresh and crunchy and there are plenty of raw, boiled and

T

H

E

DED R FA O R E S TA U R A N T

S

grilled offerings, too. The hamburgers are a hit, too. It’s counter service; wander on through the screen door and you’ll find a slick team of cooks and servers doing a creditable job of serving big crowds. 109A Northwest 2nd St. Bentonville.

Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 479-657-6300. LD daily.; 511 President Clinton Ave. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-375-3474. LD daily.

GUS’S WORLD FAMOUS FRIED CHICKEN The best fried chicken in town. Go for chicken and waffles on Sundays. 300 President Clinton Ave. Beer, CC. $-$$. 501-372-2211. LD daily.

HOMER’S Great vegetables, huge yeast rolls and killer cobblers. Follow the mobs. 2001 E. Roosevelt Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$.

501-374-1400. BL Mon.-Fri. 9700 N Rodney

the

E

real deal

 authentic new orleans cuisine

LITTLE ROCK’S MOST AWARD WINNING RESTAURANT 1619 Rebsamen Rd. 501-663-9734

red beans & rice with andouille sausage

*

1.75L SPIRITS

Glenlivet 12yo Single Malt Scotch ................

Reg $77.99......................Sale $59.99 Dickel #12 White Label Tennessee Whiskey Reg $41.99..................... Sale $32.99

JuNE 25 - JuLY 1, 2014 BEER SPECIALS

WINE BuYS 750ML

Boulevard KC Pils 12pk Bottles ....................

Reg $15.99...................... Sale $13.99

David Bruce 2012 Sonoma County Pinot Noir Reg $30.99 ..................... Sale $21.99 Michael David Earthquake 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Reg $29.99...................... Sale $19.99 St. Supery 2013 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc Reg $17.99 ...................... Sale $13.99 M de Minuty Cotes de Provence Rosé Reg $19.99 ...................... Sale $15.99

Summit Extra Pale Ale 6pk Cans Reg $8.99 .......................... Sale $7.99 Horny Goat Watermelon Wheat 6pk Cans Reg $10.39 ....................... Sale $8.99 Leinenkugel Big Eddy IPA 4pk BottlesBottle Reg $11.29........................ Sale $9.99

Frïs Vodka ..................................................

Reg $19.99 ...................... Sale $15.99 Captain Morgan Spiced Rum Reg $25.99 ..................... Sale $21.99 750ML CONNOISSEuR SELECTIONS

Lagavulin 16yo Islay Single Malt Scotch Reg $99.99...................... Sale $79.99 Caol Ila 12yo Islay Single Malt Scotch Reg $62.99 .................... Sale $48.99 Maker’s Mark Bourbon ................................

Reg $27.49 ...................... Sale $21.99 Sauza Hornito’s Plata, Reposado & Añejo Tequila Reg $25.99 ..................... Sale $19.99 *In Store Only • While Supplies Last.

WE WILL MATCh ANY LOCAL, AdvERTISEd PRICE! BRINg IN ThE Ad TO SAvE.

11200 W. Markham Street · 501-223-3120 · colonialwineshop.com · facebook.com/ColonialWines CEL E B R AT E R ES P O N S I B LY.

Parham. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-224-6637. LD Mon.-Sat. IRONHORSE SALOON Bar and grill offering juicy hamburgers and cheeseburgers. 9125 Mann Road. Full bar, All CC. $. 501-562-4464.

LD daily.

J. GUMBO’S Fast-casual Cajun fare served, primarily, in a bowl. Better than expected. 12911 Cantrell Road. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-916-9635.

LD daily.

JIMMY’S SERIOUS SANDWICHES Consistently fine sandwiches, side orders and desserts for 30 years. Chicken salad’s among the best in town, and there are fun specialty sandwiches such as Thai One On and The Garden. Get there early for lunch. 5116 W. Markham St. No alcohol, CC. $-$$. 501-666-3354. L Mon.-Sat., D Mon.-Sat. (drive-through only).

K. HALL AND SONS Neighborhood grocery store with excellent lunch counter. The cheeseburger is hard to beat. 1900 Wright Avenue. No alcohol, CC. $. 501-372-1513. BLD Mon.-Sat. (closes at 6 p.m.), BL Sun. KRAZY MIKE’S Po’Boys, catfish and shrimp and other fishes, fried chicken wings and all the expected sides served up fresh and hot to order on demand. 200 N. Bowman Road. Beer, All CC. $$. 501-907-6453. LD Mon.-Sat. LOCA LUNA Grilled meats, seafood and pasta dishes that never stray far from country roots, whether Italian, Spanish or Arkie. “Gourmet plate lunches” are good, as is Sunday brunch.

3519 Old Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$.

501-663-4666. BR Sun., LD Mon.-Fri., D Sat. THE MAIN CHEESE A restaurant devoted to grilled cheese. 14524 Cantrell Road. Beer, Wine. $-$$. 501-367-8082. LD Mon.-Sat. MILFORD TRACK Healthy and tasty are the key words at this deli/grill that serves breakfast and lunch. Hot entrees change daily and there are soups, sandwiches, salads and killer desserts. Bread is baked in-house, and there are several veggie options. 10809 Executive Center Dr., Searcy Building. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-223-2257. BL Mon.-Fri., L Sat. NATCHEZ RESTAURANT Smart, elegant takes on Southern classics. 323 Center St. Beer, Wine, CC. $$-$$$. 501-372-1167. L Tue.-Fri., D Wed.-Sat. OYSTER BAR Gumbo, red beans and rice (all you can eat on Mondays), peel-and-eat shrimp, oysters on the half shell, addictive po’ boys. Killer jukebox. 3003 W. Markham St. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-666-7100. LD Mon.-Sat. OZARK COUNTRY RESTAURANT A longstanding favorite with many Little Rock residents, the eatery specializes in big country breakfasts and pancakes plus sandwiches and several meat-and-two options for lunch and dinner. Try the pancakes and don’t leave without some sort of smoked meat. 202 Keightley Drive. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-663-7319. BL daily.

PURPLE COW DINER 1950s fare — cheeseburgers, chili dogs, thick milk shakes — in a ‘50s setting at today’s prices. 8026 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-221-3555. LD daily, BR Sat.-Sun. 11602 Chenal Pkwy. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-224-4433. LD daily, BR Sat.-Sun. 1419 Higden Ferry Road. Beer, All CC. $$. 501-625-7999. LD daily, B Sun. CONTINUED ON PAGE 36 www.arktimes.com

JUNE 26, 2014

35

DINING CAPSULES, CONT. THE RELAY STATION This grill offers a short menu, which includes chicken strips, french fries, hamburgers, jalapeno poppers and cheese sticks. 12225 Stagecoach Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-455-9919. LD daily.

THE ROOT CAFE Homey, local foods-focused cafe. With tasty burgers, homemade bratwurst, banh mi and a number of vegan and veggie options. Breakfast and Sunday brunch, too. 1500 S. Main St. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$.

501-414-0423. BL Tue.-Sat., BR Sun. SALUT BISTRO This bistro/late-night hangout does upscale tapas. 1501 N. University. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-660-4200. L Mon.-Fri., D Tue.-Sat. SANDY’S HOMEPLACE CAFE Specializing in home-style buffet, with two meats and seven vegetables to choose from. It’s all-you-caneat. 1710 E 15th St. No alcohol, No CC. $.

501-375-3216. L Mon.-Fri. SCALLIONS Reliably good food, great desserts, pleasant atmosphere, able servers — a solid lunch spot. 5110 Kavanaugh Blvd.

Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-666-6468. L Mon.-Sat. SHORTY SMALL’S Land of big, juicy burgers, massive cheese logs, smoky barbecue platters and the signature onion loaf. 1100 N. Rodney Parham Road. Full bar, All CC. $$.

501-224-3344. LD daily.

SLIM CHICKENS Chicken tenders and wings served fast. Better than the Colonel. 4500 W. Markham. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-9070111. LD daily.

SONNY WILLIAMS’ STEAK ROOM Steaks, chicken and seafood in a wonderful setting in the River Market. Steak gets pricey, though.

Menu is seasonal. 500 President Clinton Ave. Full bar, All CC. $$$$. 501-324-2999. D Mon.-Sat. SOUTH ON MAIN Fine, innovative takes on Southern fare in a casual but well-appointed setting. 1304 Main St. Full bar, CC. $-$$.

501-244-9660. L Mon.-Fri., D Tue.-Sat. STAGECOACH GROCERY AND DELI Fine po’ boys and muffalettas — and cheap. 6024 Stagecoach Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$.

501-455-7676. BLD Mon.-Fri., BL Sat.-Sun. TABLE 28 Excellent fine dining with lots of creative flourishes. Branch out and try the Crispy Squid Filet and Quail Bird Lollipops.

1501 Merrill Drive. Full bar, CC. $$$-$$$$.

224-2828. D Mon.-Sat. TERRI-LYNN’S BBQ AND DELICATESSEN High-quality meats served on large sandwiches and good tamales served with chili or without (the better bargain). 10102 N. Rodney Parham Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-227-6371. L Tue.-Fri., LD Sat. (close at 5pm).

WEST END SMOKEHOUSE AND TAVERN Its primary focus is a sports bar with 50-plus TVs, but the dinner entrees (grilled chicken, steaks and such) are plentiful and the bar food is upper quality. 215 N. Shackleford.

Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-224-7665. L Fri.-Sun., D daily.

WINGSTOP It’s all about wings. The joint features 10 flavors of chicken flappers for almost any palate, including mild, hot, Cajun and atomic, as well as specialty flavors like lemon pepper, teriyaki, Garlic parmesan and Hawaiian. 11321 West Markham St. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-224-9464. LD daily.

ASIAN

A.W. LIN’S ASIAN CUISINE Excellent panAsian with wonderful service. 17717 Chenal Parkway. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-8215398. LD daily.

CHINESE KITCHEN Good Chinese takeout.

36

JUNE 26, 2014

ARKANSAS TIMES

Try the Cantonese press duck. 11401 N. Rodney Parham Road. No alcohol, CC. $-$$.

501-224-2100. LD Tue.-Sun. HANAROO SUSHI BAR One of the few spots in downtown Little Rock to serve sushi.

With an expansive menu, featuring largely Japanese fare. Try the popular Tuna Tatari bento box. 205 W. Capitol Ave. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-301-7900. L Mon.-Fri., D Mon.-Sat. LEMONGRASS ASIA BISTRO Fairly solid Thai bistro. Try the Tom Kha Kai and white wine alligator. They don’t have a full bar, but you can order beer, wine and sake. 4629 E. McCain Blvd. NLR. Beer, Wine, All CC. 501-945-4638.

LD daily.

MIKE’S CAFE VIETNAMESE Cheap Vietnamese that could use some more spice, typically. The pho is good. 5501 Asher Ave. Beer, CC. $-$$. 501-562-1515. LD daily.

MR. CHEN’S ASIAN SUPERMARKET AND RESTAURANT A combination Asian restaurant and grocery with cheap, tasty and exotic offerings. 3901 S. University Ave. $. 501-5627900. LD daily.

PHO THANH MY It says “Vietnamese noodle soup” on the sign out front, and that’s what you should order. The pho comes in outrageously large portions with bean sprouts and fresh herbs. Traditional pork dishes, spring rolls and bubble tea also available. 302 N. Shackleford Road. No alcohol, All CC. $$.

501-312-7498. LD Mon., Wed.-Sun. SEKISUI Fresh-tasting sushi chain with fun hibachi grill and an overwhelming assortment of traditional entrees. Nice wine selection, also serves sake and specialty drinks. 219 N. Shackleford Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$.

501-221-7070. LD daily.

TOKYO HOUSE Defying stereotypes, this Japanese buffet serves up a broad range of fresh, slightly exotic fare — grilled calamari, octopus salad, dozens of varieties of fresh sushi — as well as more standard shrimp and steak options. 11 Shackleford Drive. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-219-4286. LD daily.

WASABI Downtown sushi and Japanese cuisine. For lunch, there’s quick and hearty sushi samplers. 101 Main St. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-374-0777. L Mon.-Fri., D Mon.-Sat.

BARBECUE

CHIP’S BARBECUE Tasty, if a little pricey, barbecue piled high on sandwiches generously doused with the original tangy sauce or one of five other sauces. Better known for the incredible family recipe pies and cheesecakes, which come tall and wide. 9801 W. Markham St. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-225-4346. LD Mon.-Sat.

EUROPEAN / ETHNIC

ANATOLIA RESTAURANT Middle of the road Mediterranean fare. 315 N. Bowman Road. No alcohol, CC. $-$$. 501-219-9090. L Tue.-Sun., D Tue.-Sat. CREGEEN’S IRISH PUB Irish-themed pub with a large selection of on-tap and bottled British beers and ales, an Irish inspired menu and lots of nooks and crannies to meet in. Specialties include fish ‘n’ chips and Guinness beef stew.

Live music on weekends and $5 cover on Saturdays, special brunch on Sunday. 301 Main St. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-3767468. LD daily.

I S TA N B U L M E D I T E R R A N E A N RESTAURANT This Turkish eatery offers decent kebabs and great starters. The red pepper hummus is a winner. So are Cigar Pastries. Possibly the best Turkish coffee in Central Arkansas. 11525 Cantrell Road. No

alcohol, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-223-9332. LD daily.

LAYLA’S GYROS AND PIZZERIA Delicious Mediterranean fare — gyros, falafel, shawarma, kabobs, hummus and babaganush — that has a devoted following. All meat is slaughtered according to Islamic dietary law. 9501 N Rodney Parham Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-227-7272. LD daily (close 5 p.m. on Sun.).

L E O ’ S G R E E K C A S T L E Wonderful Mediterranean food — gyro sandwiches or platters, falafel and tabouleh — plus dependable hamburgers, ham sandwiches, steak platters and BLTs. Breakfast offerings are expanded with gyro meat, pitas and triple berry pancakes. 2925 Kavanaugh Blvd.

No alcohol, CC. $-$$. 501-666-7414. BLD Mon.-Sat., BL Sun. (close at 4 p.m.).

LITTLE GREEK Fast casual chain with excellent Greek food. 11525 Cantrell Road. Beer, All CC. $$. LD daily.

NEXT BISTRO & BAR Mediterranean food and drinks. 2611 Kavanaugh Blvd. Full bar, All CC. 501-663-6398. D Tue.-Thu., Sat.

ITALIAN

CAFE PREGO Dependable entrees of pasta, pork, seafood, steak and the like, plus great sauces, fresh mixed greens and delicious dressings, crisp-crunchy-cold gazpacho and tempting desserts in a comfy bistro setting. Little Rock standard for 18 years. 5510 Kavanaugh Blvd. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-663-5355. LD Mon.- Fri, D Sat. CIAO ITALIAN RESTAURANT Don’t forget about this casual yet elegant bistro tucked into a downtown storefront. The fine pasta and seafood dishes, ambiance and overall charm combine to make it a relaxing, enjoyable, affordable choice. 405 W. Seventh St. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-372-0238. L Mon.-Fri., D Thu.-Sat. GRADY’S PIZZA AND SUBS Pizza features a pleasing blend of cheeses rather than straight mozzarella. The grinder is a classic, the chef’s salad huge and tasty. 6801 W. 12th St., Suite C. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-663-1918. LD daily.

IRIANA’S PIZZA Unbelievably generous handtossed New York style pizza with unmatched zest. Good salads, too; grinders are great, particularly the Italian sausage. 201 E. Markham St. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-374-3656. LD Mon.-Sat. MELLOW MUSHROOM Popular high-end pizza chain. 16103 Chenal Pkwy. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-379-9157. LD daily.

U.S. PIZZA Crispy thin-crust pizzas, frosty beers and heaping salads drowned in creamy dressing. 2710 Kavanaugh Blvd. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-663-2198. LD daily. 5524 Kavanaugh Blvd. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-664-7071. LD daily. 9300 North Rodney Parham Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-224-6300. LD daily.

3307 Fair Park Blvd. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$-$$$.

501-565-6580. LD daily. 650 Edgewood Drive.

Maumelle. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-8510880. LD daily. 3324 Pike Avenue. NLR. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-758-5997. LD daily.

4001 McCain Park Drive. NLR. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-753-2900. LD daily.

ZAFFINO’S BY NORI A high-quality Italian dining experience. Pastas, entrees (don’t miss the veal marsala) and salads are all outstanding.

2001 E. Kiehl Ave. NLR. Beer, Wine, All CC. 501-834-7530. D Tue.-Sat.

LATINO

BAJA GRILL Food truck turned brick-andmortar taco joint that serves a unique MexiCali style menu full of tacos, burritos and quesadillas. 5923 Kavanaugh Blvd. CC. $-$$.

501-722-8920. LD Mon.-Sat.

CANON GRILL Tex-Mex, pasta, sandwiches and salads. Creative appetizers come in huge quantities, and the varied main-course menu rarely disappoints, though it’s not as spicy as competitors’. 2811 Kavanaugh Blvd.

Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-664-2068. LD daily.

CILANTRO’S GRILL The guac, made tableside, margaritas and desserts stand out at this affordably priced traditional Mex spot.

2629 Lakewood Village Plaza. NLR. Full bar, CC. $-$$. 501-812-0040. LD daily.

COTIJA’S A branch off the famed La Hacienda family tree downtown, with a massive menu of tasty lunch and dinner specials, the familiar white cheese dip and sweet red and fieryhot green salsas, and friendly service. 406 S. Louisiana St. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-2440733. L Mon.-Fri. EL CHICO Hearty, standard Mexican served in huge portions. 8409 Interstate 30. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-562-3762. LD daily.

EL MEXICANO Three types of stuffed fried avocado are on the menu, along with nachos and a decent white cheese dip. Good sopapillas. 2755 Dave Ward Drive. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-764-1113. L daily, D Mon.-Sat. FABY’S RESTAURANT Unheralded MexicanContinental fusion focuses on handmade sauces and tortillas. 1023 Front Street.

Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-5131199. L daily, D Mon.-Sat. 2915 Dave Ward.

Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-3295151. LD Mon.-Sun. FONDA MEXICAN CUISINE Authentic Mex. The guisado (Mexican stew) is excellent.

400 N. Bowman Road. Full bar, CC. $$-$$$.

501-313-4120. LD Tue.-Sun. JOSE’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT Epicenter of the Dickson Street nightlife with its patio and Fayetteville’s No. 2 restaurant in gross sales. Basic Mexican with a wide variety of fancy margaritas. 234 W. Dickson. Full bar, All CC. 479-521-0194. LD daily.

LA REGIONAL A full-service grocery store catering to SWLR’s Latino community, it’s the small grill tucked away in the back corner that should excite lovers of adventurous cuisine. The menu offers a whirlwind trip through Latin America, with delicacies from all across the Spanish-speaking world (try the El Salvadorian papusas, they’re great).

Bring your Spanish/English dictionary. 7414 Baseline Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$.

501-565-4440. BLD daily.

LAS AMERICAS Guatemalan and Mexican fare. Try the hearty tamales wrapped in banana leaves. 8622 Chicot Road. $-$$.

501-565-0266. LD daily.

MEXICO CHIQUITO Some suggest cheese dip was born at this Central Arkansas staple, where you’ll find hearty platters of boldly spiced, inexpensive food that compete well with those at the “authentic” joints. 1524 W. Main St. Jacksonville. No alcohol. $$. 501-9820533. LD daily. 102 S. Rodney Parham Road.

No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-224-8600 4511 Camp Robinson Road. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-771-1604. LD daily.

SENOR TEQUILA Cheap, serviceable Tex-Mex, and maybe the best margarita in town. 2000 S. University Ave. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-6604413. LD daily.

TAQUERIA KARINA AND CAFE A real Mexican neighborhood cantina from the owners, to freshly baked pan dulce, to Mexicanbottled Cokes, to first-rate guacamole, to inexpensive tacos, burritos, quesadillas and a broad selection of Mexican-style seafood.

5309 W. 65th St. Beer, No CC. $. 501-562-3951.

BLD daily.

GET YOUR SEAT ON THE ARKANSAS TIMES CASH BUS!

99

MUSIC FESTIVAL

$

PER PERSON

CHARGE BY PHONE

(all major credit cards)

501-375-2985

Or mail check or money-order to Arkansas Times Cash Bus Box 34010 · Little Rock, AR · 72203

Featuring

Reba McentiRe LoRetta Lynn & bobby baRe HOSTEd BY MARK LOwRY

AUGUST 15, 2014 · 7pm · A-State CONVOCATION CENTER · JONESBORO, AR GENERAL ADMISSION TICKET TO THE CONCERT PRICE INCLUDES: 

 

ROUND-TRIP TOUR BUS TRANSPORTATION BY ARROW COACH LINES TO AND FROM CONCERT

ARKANSAS TIMES

  

DINNER BEFORE THE SHOW LIVE MUSIC ENROUTE diamond bear beer on board

RESERvE YOuR SEAT TOdAY! THE ARkANSAS TimES CASH BuS LEAvES FROm dOwNTOwN LiTTLE ROCk AT 1 Pm FRidAY, AuGuST 15 ANd wiLL RETuRN THAT NiGHT AFTER THE CONCERT www.arktimes.com

JUNE 26, 2014

37

Celebrate Arkansas Artisans! Beautiful handmade quality products by Arkansas artists!

7#85")$%&'(#9(#(

D++&2++E&*#(01%

.:;&*0)<3%=(>&?#<@"

!(9"&:#&7A&B)<#-

8",,/9"::&' ;-/&$$&<+,,&4)51

B"")6""C ;-/&$$&<+,,&4)51

8",,&/9"::&' ;-/&$$&<+,,&4)51

1",,)=)>#?@,&)A'&77 0+$$,&)1"234)51

G%:'2%6-",%'%,*88(%-$%'%:'2%6-",% '%.'$$-*2A%G23%6&%",-2D%",'"#$%4&+(% 'C09+&C-2/A%W&',7%6&%6&2"%",&+&A%G% 6*:'2%6-",%'%,*88(7%&$.&B-'00(%-)% -"#$%X(%1$,-2/7%-$%&4&2%8&""&+A%K&'+% (*9+%'Y2-"(%)*+%2'"9+&%'23%X(% 1$,-2/%6-",%",-$%B*0*+)907%B*""*2% G2/0&+#$%@'23'2'A

G%.&+)&B"%')"&+2**2%.-BDC:&C9.A%G2% 'BB*:.'2-:&2"%"*%(*9+%)'4*+-"&%'390"% 8&4&+'/&$A%G%2&'+C$-2)90%.0&'$9+&%)*+% '2(%"-:&%*)%",&%3'(A%K**F**M%=2'BD$% ,'$%:'3&%'2%&E"+'*+3-2'+(%29""(%$2'BD% *9"%*)%'%3&0-B-*9$%8'0'2B&%*)%+*'$"&3% 29"$7%$&$':&%$"-BD$7%.+&"V&0$7%'23%*",&+% (9::(%B+92B,&$A%=0-/,"0(%$6&&"%'23% $0-/,"0(%$.-B(A

<,-$%J!W%=B+-:$,'6%Z2-)&%Z-"%-2B093&$% &4&+(",-2/%(*9%2&&3%"*%B+&'"&%'%*2&C *)C'CD-23%.*BD&"%D2-)&A%!"#$%'%.&+)&B"% $"'+"&+%-2"+*39B"-*2%)*+%$B+-:$,'6A% G33%'%)':-0(%2':&7%*+-/-2'0%3&$-/2% *+%'2%*+/'2-V'"-*2#$%$(:8*0$%"*%",&% B0'$$-B%"+'..&+C$"(0&%.*BD&"%D2-)&A

J-$.0'(%(*9+%G+D'2$'$%.+-3&%6-",%",-$% $-:.0&7%B0'$$-B%,'23.+-2"&3%?'3&%-2% G+D'2$'$%[&""&+.+&$$%.+-2"A%<,-$%3&$-/2% -$%'2%*+-/-2'0%O*00\<9:80&%-009$"+'"-*2% ",'"#$%,'23CB'+4&3%-2"*%0-2*0&9:A% <,&$&%'+&%.+-2"&3%*2&%'"%'%"-:&%*2%'% 4-2"'/&%.+&$$%*2"*%I+&2B,%]^_%B*4&+A% N*:&$%-2%@0'BD%*2%P'":&'0A

!"#$%&'()&*+(,&*"-

!"#$%&'!()*$"'+,-%.'

6C*=<)-

./01&2(3

4(55&!"&6""

6+,,2'&7$)5'$+7-()8&-$7 0+$$,&)1"234)51

!"#$%&'()%*+(,((-./ 0+$$,&)1"234)51

F-00B+&$"%G+"-$'2%?&'"$%*H&+$%0*B'00(C $*9+B&37%2'"9+'0%'23%*+/'2-B%:&'"$% '0*2/%6-",%B,'+B9"&+-&%.+*39B"$%5%'% )'2B(%I+&2B,%6'(%*)%$'(-2/%B9+-2/7% $'0"-2/7%'23%$:*D-2/%:&'"A%G23%-"#$% 3&0-B-*9$A%>+'8%$*:&%*)%FAGA?A#$%J9BD% F':7%'%,*9$&CB9+&3%'23%$:*D&3%39BD% ,':%6-",%8'0$':-B%B-.*00-2-%*2-*2$7% '+9/90'7%'23%'-*0-A

KL=M%N'00%",*$&%,*/$%6-",%'%N'00%?&% <&&M%O*BD%N-"(%P9"1""&+$%-$%'%8'3'$$% 89$-2&$$%",'"%.+-2"$%$,-+"$%*20(%*2% ,-/,CQ9'0-"(%B*""*2%80&23%"&&$A%R*"% *20(%6-00%(*9%8&%/':&%+&'3(7%(*9+% $,-+"%-$%/*-2/%"*%,*03%9.%)*+%$&'$*2$% "*%B*:&A

!"#$%&'()*+',)!"-.&'/ 0+$$,&)1"234)51

!"#$%&'$(%)*+%'%,-..-&%/-+0%"*%123%'% $*'.%$,&%0*4&$%5%6-",%0'4&23&+% '23%0-0-&$7%89"%6,'"%'8*9"%",&%:&2% *)%",&%6*+03;%<,-$%=*9",&+2%>-+0% =*'.&+(%?&2#$%@'+%=*'.%=&"%-$% ,&+&%"*%,&0.A%!2B093&$%B,&:-B'0C )+&&7%&'$(C*2C",&C$D-2%$:'00% 8'"B,%$*'.$%:'3&%8(%,'23%'23% B+')"&3%6-",%B'+&A%!2/+&3-&2"$%'23% -2$.-+'"-*2%"'D&2%)+*:%0*B'0%)'+:$% '23%&E*"-B%0'23$%"*%8+-2/%(*9%",&% B*0*+$%'23%)+'/+'2B&$%*)%2'"9+&A

More at:

8",,/9"::&' ;-/&$$&<+,,&4)51 <,&%@*E0&(%@9H'0*%O-4&+%=,-+"%,'$%8&&2% '..+*.+-'"&0(%2':&3%')"&+%",&%$B&2-B% @*E0&(%S'00&(7%'0$*%D2*62%'$%T<,&%@-/% @9H'0*%S'00&(%F-$"*+-B%J-$"+-B"7U%-2%",&% @9H'0*%O-4&+%R'"-*2'0%L'+DA%<,&%4-2"'/&% B,'+B*'0%.+-2"%*2%/+&&2%6'$%3&$-/2&3%8(% G+D'2$'$%2'"-4&%@+(B&%L'+D&+%F'++-$*2% '23%6&%",-2D%-"%:'D&$%)*+%",&%.&+)&B"% $9::&+%$,-+"A

ArtisanArkansas.com 38

JUNE 26, 2014

Order online today!

ARKANSASâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;TIMES

!"#$%!& !"'!&%!% By

ARKANSAS TIMES

Arkansas Grown Products www.arktimes.com

FEBRUARY 20, 2014

17

1 322 President Clinton Ave. The River Market

A GUIDE TO CENTRAL ARKANSAS’S WATERING HOLES.

1620 Savoy 1620 Savoy exemplifies class and elegance in an ideal setting in the heart of West Little Rock. When indulging in a pre- or post-dinner cocktail, guests may sit at the bar by the more formal dining room or enjoy libations at the lounge area in the more casual part of the restaurant. 1620 also has a great outdoor patio that is the perfect place to enjoy an after-work or weekend cocktail or their great Sunday brunch. 5-10 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sun. 1620 Market St., 221-1620.

ZIN URBAN

Arkansas Ale House

Located in the downtown River Market district, Big Whiskey is the place to start your night off; enjoy its wide selection of whiskeys and other liquors.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 40

three Bars under one roof

The new brewpub from Diamond Bear Brewing Co. serves up European-style pub fare with a Southern twist. As always, you can enjoy a cold Diamond Bear beer, but you’ve never had it on your food menu before now. Look for all of Diamond Bear’s beers on tap. On hot, dry Sundays, don’t forget your six packs, cases, kegs and growlers-to-go.

Bar hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sun. and Tues.-Thu., 11 a.m. -10 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Pub open for food 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 4:30-9 p.m. Closed Mondays. 600 Broadway St., NLR, 708-2739.

Big Whiskey American Bar and Grill

exP. 8/31/14

admit one

Present this ad for free cover

BAR GUIDE

2014

ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO ARKANSAS TIMES

JUNE 26, 2014

39

2014 BAR GUIDE With their lunch and happy-hour specials, this is a great place to do lunch and end your workday. Have a shot or two! Full bar. 11a.m.-1 a.m. daily. Happy hour 4-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri. 225 E. Markham St. 324-2449.

Cache Cache is the perfect place to grab a classy cocktail after work. The bar on the first floor oozes a chic modern vibe with its stainless steel and glass decor. The kitchen, which

is as beautiful as the rest of the restaurant, can be viewed through the open glass. Upstairs, you can take in the view of the River Market from comfy tables as you enjoy drinks in the upper bar or lounge on the terrace outside with a glass of wine. Cache has a happy hour from 4-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri. offering $2 bottled beers, $3 for draft beer, $4 for house red and white wine, and $5 for selected frozen drinks. 11 a.m.9:45 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 5-9:45 p.m. Sat. 425 President Clinton Ave. 850-0265.

Deep This ultra-chic spot underneath Willy D’s offers a different kind of party.

Come to Deep on weekends for the DJ spinning, big dance floor and people watching. The sleek, rock-walled lounge underwent a recent upscale remodeling and is smoke-free. With Deep, Willy D’s and Prost all under one roof, you can pack your sing-along, lounging and booty-shaking into one night. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Fri.-Sat., 7 p.m.-midnight Sun. 322 President Clinton Ave. 244-9550.

Dugan’s Pub

Loca Luna’s

Brand New Cocktail Menu Has Something for Everyone! featuring signature and classic cocktails

Visit often enough, and you’ll see some fairly recognizable regulars. They’re shooting darts, sitting by the fireplace, or watching sports on one of the many TV screens scattered around the bar. The menu has a little something for everyone, from pub grub to burgers to bar fare.

Traditional Irish goodies like corned beef and cabbage, bangers and mash, and Guinness-sauteed chicken can all be found in this cool corner of the River Market district. Dugan’s has trivia on

Tuesday nights, karaoke on Wednesdays and live music on the weekends. Patrons can choose from 14 varieties of Irish whiskey, 13 different scotches, or any of the cold domestic suds. The wine list is pretty good, too. Have a glass out on the spacious patio and do some people watching. When you leave, take the short cut to Stratton’s Market next door and get some wine, beer, or liquor for the house. Full bar. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.

Mon.-Sat., 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun. Happy hour 4-7 p.m. Mon.-Fri. 401 E. Third St. 244-0542.

Ernie Biggs You can do patio season all year long at Ernie Biggs, thanks to its indoor/ outdoor patio. Indoors, enjoy the show: Ernie Biggs is a staple when it comes to great live music with its dueling pianos serving up the great school fight songs and covers that you thought you’d never hear played live again. Audience participation is encouraged. Ernie Biggs’ has live music every night and a DJ playing

Daily Happy Hour Specials 4 pm to 6:30 pm

Reverse Happy Hour @ The Bar Friday & Saturday, 9 pm to 11 pm

The “Go Lightly”

featuring Cocchi Americano, St. Germain, Basil and Champagne.

3519 Old Cantrell Road Little Rock, AR 501.663.4666

localuna.com 40

JUNE 26, 2014

Loca Luna Cocktail Ad 3/8 V (4.5W x 8.375H)

ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO ARKANSAS TIMES

THE FOLD

2014 BAR GUIDE

DUGAN’S PUB

upstairs Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Need to be on stage?

Show off your skills on Thursday for Keyboard Karaoke. Patio, drinks, DJ’s, karaoke and pianos equal a great time.

Full bar. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. daily. Cover $5-$10 Wed., Fri.-Sat. Drink specials Sun.-Thu. 327 President Clinton Ave. 372-4782.

sandwiches, wraps, bratwurst, pizza and more. Do not skip the pretzels with the savory dipping sauces. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Mon.-Thu. and Sat., 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Fri., 11 a.m.-midnight Sun. 323 President Clinton Ave. 372-8032.

Flying Saucer

It’s not just the food that boasts of fresh ingredients here; the restaurant pays close attention to what goes in its quality drinks. Patrons are able to customize their margaritas with specialty tequila, mescal and mixers.

Non-margarita fans can enjoy libations from the impressive beer list or inventive cocktails, like the peachflavored Fredericksburg Fold Fix. Yum! Full menu and bar available all day.

11 a.m.-11 p.m. Tue.-Thu. and Sun.,

When you’re craving a beer, look no farther than Flying Saucer, the mecca of beer in Central Arkansas. With more than 240 beers and 100 different brewing styles to choose from, the Saucer’s list may be a bit daunting.

Joining its U.F.O. Club and try them all; you’ll get your own saucer on the wall. A full pub menu matches the Saucer’s wide variety of imported and domestic beers. Try its one-of-a-kind

The Fold: Botanas & Bar

CONTINUED ON PAGE 42

Join our Free Beer CluB Enjoy “Members Only” 40 Craft Beers On Tap Benefits & Specials & Over 30 Bottles Monday

Local Brewery Night $3 Drafts Tuesday

Taco Tuesday w/ $3 Margaritas, $3 Corona & Dos Equis Wednesday night

$3 Most Pints

Thursday

Ladies Night w/ $4 Martinis, $3.50 House Wine, $2.50 Michelob Ultras Saturday & Sunday

Brunch 11-2 w/ $2 Mimosas, $2 Purple Haze Draft, Bloody Mary Bar Starting At $3

Sunday night

Mystery Beer Night - $2.50 Bartenders Choice Specials and prices subject to change

Sun-Thu 11am-10pm Fri-Sat 11am-11pm

1620 SAVOY

16103 Chenal Pkwy West Little Rock 501-379-9157 mellowmushroom.com

ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO ARKANSAS TIMES

JUNE 26, 2014

41

2014 BAR GUIDE 11 a.m.-midnight Fri.-Sat. 3501 Old Cantrell Hill Rd. 916-9706.

LOCA LUNA

Loca Luna An Arkansas staple in the Riverdale neighborhood, Local Luna is celebrating its 17th anniversary with a new bar program that features signature and classic cocktails, one of Little Rock’s most celebrated wine lists and a vibrant selection of local and craft beers. Don’t forget the world-famous cheese dip. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 4-9 p.m. Sun.-Thu., 5-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Sun. Happy hour Mon.-Fri. from 4-7 p.m. and reverse happy hour 9-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat. 3519 Old Cantrell Road.

663-4666.

Maduro Cigar Bar and Lounge This swank establishment has quickly become a Little Rock favorite hangout, thanks to its fantastic booze selection, hip décor and plenty of overstuffed leather chairs. Maduro has over 30 signature cocktails, a great bourbon and scotch selection, and now aged in-house cocktails and spirits. You’ll

Award Winning Brewery of Arkansas

Proudly Distributed by Glazer’s of Arkansas

JUNE 26, 2014

Mellow Mushroom Within a year of its opening in West Little Rock Mellow Mushroom has managed to win the hearts of the locals with its fresh, all-natural, handtossed approach to pizza and its insane drink menu. Enjoy “Members Only” benefits and specials when you join its Free Beer Club. While you are up in Fayetteville to see the Hogs make sure to stop by Mellow’s Fayetteville locations, where you can continue to rack up points on your beer club membership. With 40 beers on draft and over 30 in bottles you are bound to find a favorite. There’s something special going on every day of the week at Mellow Mushroom, like “Ladies Night” and “Taco Tuesdays,” so be sure to check them out. 11 a.m.10 p.m. Sun-Thu., 11 a.m.-11 p.m. FriSat. Happy hour 3-6 Mon.-Fri. 16103 Chenal Pkwy. 379-9157.

Beer in its Natural State

Diamond Bear Brewing Company was founded in 2000 by Russ and Sue Melton with the mission of providing Arkansas and the surrounding region with their own local flavor. The name Diamond Bear come from the first two nicknames for Arkansas. Initially, Arkansas was called the Bear State. But in 1905 when Diamonds were discovered in Arkansas it was changed to the Diamond State. Since its founding, Diamond Bear has won numerous national and international awards for its world class beer.

42

also find some of the best Cuban coffee in town, bar snacks, and of course a fine selection of cigars. Full bar. 3-11 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 3 p.m.midnight Fri.-Sun. Happy hour 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Mon.-Fri. 109 Main St. 374-3710.

ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO ARKANSAS TIMES

Brewpub now open!

Tuesday - Sunday Beer 11am-9pm • Food 11am-3pm & 4:30-9pm Tours are coming soon, Check Facebook!

(501) 708-BREW · www.diamondbear.com • 600 North Broadway, North Little Rock

6/24/14 2:14 PM

2014 BAR GUIDE

CACHE

Prost The more laid-back cousin to Willy D’s and Deep, two bars that are connected to Prost via a hallway and stairs, offers a strong beer menu, plenty of TVs and a loungelike atmosphere. Themed nights, like Hookah Thursday and Karaoke Friday provide a bit more than your average bar experience. 5 p.m.-2 a.m.

Tue.-Sat. Happy hour 5-7 p.m. daily.

322 President Clinton Ave (entrance around the corner on Ottenheimer Drive). 244-9550.

Sonny’s is famous for its mouthwatering menu of fine steaks. That’s why it’s important to succeed with great wine and cocktails that don’t pale in comparison to the food. The Wine Spectator has granted Sonny Williams’ the “Award of Excellence” from 2001-2014. Choose from dozens of wines, either by the glass, half-bottle or bottle. Feeling like something international? Try some of the fine spirits from around the world or check out the Scotch list from every region of Scotland! While you are enjoying your drink, pull up a seat at the grand piano bar and hear live music 7 p.m.-11 p.m. Tue.Sat. 5-11 p.m. Mon.-Sat. Happy hour

14-ZIN_Ark_Times_Bar Guide_Ad_OL_PR.indd 1

Sonny Williams’ Steak Room

SONNY WILLIAMS STEAK ROOM

CONTINUED ON PAGE 44 ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO ARKANSAS TIMES

JUNE 26, 2014

43

2014 BAR GUIDE 5-6:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri. 500 President Clinton Ave. 324-2999.

Vino’s Brew Pub

Fine Handmade Cigars From Latin America Full Bar Signature Cocktails & Martinis Over 200 Bourbons, Scotches, Rums, Tequilas, Gins & more Mezcal, Pisco, Aguardiente Large Flatscreens & WiFi Large Walk-In Humidor Air Purification French Pressed Coffee Cuban Coffee & Espresso

Bar • Lounge • Cigar Shop • Café Open Sun. - Thurs. 3-11pm •Fri. - Sat. 3pm - Midnight 109 Main Street • Downtown Little Rock

White Water Tavern

(between Markham and 2nd Street across from convention center)

501.374.3710

Velvet Kente, Iron Tongue w/ Dirty Streets & Witchsister are just some of the musicians you’ll see performing live at White Water Tavern. It’s a local watering hole where everyone knows your name, just the spot to go to after a long day for a pick-me-up.

White Water has redefined the term bar food: Yum! Bands change weekly so check the calendar of events on its website Whitewatertavern.com. 2 p.m.-2 a.m. Mon-Fri., 5 p.m.-1 a.m.

Sat. Happy hour 4-7 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 2500 W. 7th St. 375-8400.

Upscale. .

Downtown ay–Saturday

sd Piano Bar Tue e Bar Martini & Win

Wine 335 Selections Of ass Gl e Th By 35 e World Th ss ro Ac m Fro Fine Spirits Scotland Ever y Region Of Scotch List From urbons Bo l 6 Single-Barre

In The River Market District • 501.324.2999 sonnywilliamssteakroom.com

Free Valet Parking 44

JUNE 26, 2014

Long considered a hot spot for music in the city, Vino’s is also known for some of the tastiest and most experimental craft brews in the state.

The pub has kept the quality of its old favorites high while introducing different brews for every season. Look for local ingredients such as hops, lavender and even Trinidad scorpion peppers from Dunbar Community Gardens to show up in some of the brews. You can enjoy a pint on the two-story deck and back patio. Pizza by the slice, sandwiches and massive calzones make this a perfect spot to enjoy some good food and a locally made pint — only $3.25 during happy hour. Beer and wine. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sun.-Thu., 11 a.m.-12 a.m. Fri.Sat. Happy hour 4-6 p.m. daily. 923 W. 7th St. 375-8466.

ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO ARKANSAS TIMES

3501 Old Cantrell rd

501.916.9706

COme See uS! PatiO & GaraGe dOOrS OPen!

Willy D’s This long-time River Market piano bar is a fixture for those looking for singalongs, drinks and fun. A revamped menu means good food while you’re enjoying the revelry. Drink specials vary but the “Happy After Hours” on Fridays can’t be beat with its $2 well drinks, $1 domestic beer and half-price appetizers. Friday night is also Ladies Night, with no cover for ladies until 11 p.m. and $2 shot specials. Full bar.

The best part of Willy D’s is you have access to three venues under one roof — Deep, Prost and Willy D’s. 7 p.m.-2 a.m. Tue.-Sat. 322 President Clinton Ave. 244-9550.

Zin Urban Zin Urban’s sleek profile is inviting for those who want a touch of modern in a bar. The atmosphere is mellow and the music is low, so you can focus your attention on fine wine and good conversation. The staff is knowledgeable and happy to lend a hand if you don’t know your tannins from your midpalate, and you can try out your inner sommelier with a menu featuring light snacks, including a variety of artisanal meats and cheeses. “Wine flights” are available with a tasting sampler of multiple wines of a specific region or varietal “in order to get a feel for breadth and depth.” Sample wines from around the world 5-8 p.m. Wednesdays, enjoy a date-night deal with wine and tapas on Saturday nights. Beer and wine only. 4-10 p.m. Mon.-Wed., 4-11 p.m. Thu., 4 p.m.-midnight Fri.-Sat., 5-10 p.m. Sun. Happy hour 4-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri. 300 River Market Ave. 246-4876.

thefOldlr.COm facebook.com/thefoldbar twitter - @fold_the instagram - littlerocktaco

taCO Salad

JalaPñeO marGarita

Daily Drink Specials • Weekend Brunch Menu • Happy Hour Tues-Fri 3-6pm Open Late • Catering Available Sun, Tue, Wed, Thu - 11am–11pm • Fri & Sat - 11am–Midnight

hearsay

Fired Up JUNE 26, 2014

COURTESY ARKANSAS BEEF COUNCIL

➥ You only have a couple of more days to shop at BARBARA GRAVES INTIMATE FASHIONS before the doors close for good. Merchandise storewide is 40-70 percent off, except for surgical bras and other items in the mastectomy department. ➥ Know of a kid who might be wondering where their next meal is coming from this summer? Then help them find a site serving FREE SUMMER MEALS near them by calling 1-866-3-HUNGRY or visit www.whyhunger.org/findfood. You can also give a monetary donation to help provide free meals through the Why Hunger website. ➥ If you missed out on the June PULASKI TECH CULINARY SCHOOL COMMUNITY COOKING CLASSES with instructor and certified executive chef Billy Ginocchio, you still have time to register for the July classes: July 10 – Artisan Breads at Home July 17 – The Art of the Sandwich July 24 – Cooking with Craft Beer Classes cost $75 each and are from 5:30-8:30 p.m. You can sign up for as many classes as you wish to take. To register, visit www.pulaskitech.edu/continuing_education. ➥ WHITE GOAT is featuring a new artist’s work at the store – Sandy Newburg. Her paintings are also shown at a gallery in New Orleans.

Go check out her stuff along with all of the other amazing finds at White Goat. ➥ BUD LIGHT and KEEP ARKANSAS BEAUTIFUL have teamed up for a cleanup event from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 28 at Pinnacle Mountain State Park. Volunteers will clean trails, repair and repaint signs, plant vegetation and other activities. Free food and beverages will be provided. To sign up, visit upforwhatever.com. ➥ The new ROCKET SLIDE is now up and open for business in Burns Park. Thanks to all of those who donated money to replace the slide after vandals set fire and severely damaged the previous iteration of the North Little Rock landmark. ➥ AMTRAK is offering special savings on select routes. The special offer is valid until June 26 for travel from Aug. 18 to Nov. 3, 2014. Seats and times are limited. Visit amtrak. com or call 1-800-872-7245 tof find out about these low, one-way coach fares.

Grilling and outdoor party season is here

I

t’s now officially summer, but you’ve probably had the grill out and in use long before. You’re probably getting tired of the old standbys and want to venture into new fire-cooking territory.

There’s almost nothing better than letting an open flame bring out the flavor in fresh, seasonal produce and top quality meat. Couple the food with warm weather, cool drinks and the company of good friends, and you have all the ingredients for a great outdoor dinner or party. In this edition of CUE we’re giving you the scoop on where to get the best ingredients and supplies – along with tips and tricks from those in the know – to make those hot summer barbecues cool.

It’s easy to eat local More restaurants in Central Arkansas have focused on using fresh, in-season locally sourced produce and meats, and that commitment can also be found at stores such as Hillcrest Artisan Meats (HAM) and Stratton’s Market.

HAM, a full-service butcher shop and charcuterie, butchers, cures and makes everything, such as sausages, on-site.

Owner Brandon Brown buys his meat from local farms such as Falling Sky Farms and Ratchford Farms, both of Marshall; 9 Oaks Farms in Jonesboro; and Freckle Face Farm in McRae. The beef hasn’t been treated with antibiotics and hormones, and is grass fed and pastured. Brown said some of the beef is grass fed and grain

finished, which means the cows are grass fed until the last couple of weeks, when they’re fed grain to give them a layer of fat.

While grass fed beef is very popular, people can be surprised by the taste.

“It can be grassy in flavor,” he said, adding some of his customers prefer the grass fed, grain finished beef because the flavor is milder and there’s more fat, which also adds flavor to the meat. Solely grass fed beef is much leaner.

Brown said HAM carries cuts that are difficult to find in Little Rock, such as hangar steak and bone-in ribeyes.

“Hangar steak is super easy to cook,” he said. “To get it rare, it just takes about two minutes on each side [on the grill]. Just season it with salt and pepper.” continued on page 46

ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO ARKANSAS TIMES

JUNE 26, 2014

45

MEAT YOU MEAT YOU ON THE GRILL ON THE GRILL BRINGING ARKANSAS FARMS BRINGING ARKANSAS TO YOUR TABLE SINCEFARMS 2011 TO YOUR TABLE SINCE 2011

Quick and easy recipes from Stratton’s Market Grilled squash Cut fresh yellow squash and zucchini lengthwise into strips. Brush with olive oil and season with sea salt and pepper. Place on the grill and turn once, until crisp-tender.

“It tastes fantastic,” Stratton’s owner Don Dugan said. “The heat caramelizes the sugar in the squash and the salt offsets any bitterness.”

Find a variety of products to finish your backyard celebration at Krebs Brothers Restaurant Supply. krebsbrothers.com

Grilled corn on the cob

LOCAL NATURAL MEATS LOCAL NATURAL MEATS CHARCUTERIE CHARCUTERIE SOUPS & SANDWICHES SOUPS & SANDWICHES 2807 KAVANAUGH BLVD. • 501.671.6328 MON-FRI 10-6 • SAT 10-5 2807 KAVANAUGH BLVD. • 501.671.6328 MON-FRI 10-6 • SAT 10-5

Take corn that’s still in the husk and soak it in water for 30 minutes. Then peel back the husks without removing them. Remove the silk, slather the corn with butter and pull the husk back over the cob. Place the corn on the grill. Cook for 20-25 minutes, turning the corn every four to five minutes.

EvErything you nEEd For A

Cookout

Another unusual cut available at HAM is the teres major, or what Brown described as a cow’s rotator cuff.

“It’s similar to a filet, but it has more flavor and is not as tender,” he said.

HAM also has thick (1-1.5 inch) bone-in pork chops and chicken that is ready for grilling. To add a little something different to your burgers, HAM also has cured meats such as prosciutto.

Over at Stratton’s Market, located downtown next to Dugan’s Pub, you’ll find excellent meats and locally grown produce.

Owner Don Dugan said they sell Ratchford Farms Black Angus beef that’s been grass fed and spring watered, along with pork from Freckle Face Farms. Chorizo, ribs and pork chops are among the offered items.

Produce items from Me and McGee Produce in North Little Rock and Tanner Organic Farm in Rison line the shelves and bins at Stratton’s. Current offerings include heirloom tomatoes, squash, zucchini and corn.

If you want to dine al fresco but don’t feel like cooking, Stratton’s has freshly

roasted chickens by 5 p.m. every day, along with carryout dinners made in-house.

A one-stop shop There’s no need to visit multiple stores to prepare for an outdoor party if you’re close to an Edward’s Food Giant store.

Known as “The Meat People”, the stores (with locations in Tanglewood, downtown, Otter Creek and on Baseline) proudly offer certified Angus Choice beef, a rating that has more standards than prime beef. With the exception of regular ground beef, all of the cuts at Edward’s Food Giant are certified Angus Choice. The staff at Edward’s cuts the meat onsite and offers bone-in ribeyes. There’s also Sanderson Farms chicken, Swift all-natural pork and a variety of seafood.

The Tanglewood location might be best known for their sausages made in-house.

Four or five varieties are offered every day, with selections varying. Options include a spicy Italian, sweet Italian, bratwurst, chorizo, chicken with cheese and peppers, jalapeno pork and Polish sausages.

While you’re picking up your meat and

HOGG’S MEAT MARKET family owned & operated since 1961.

Fresh Local Produce • Local Artisan Products • Meats Neighborhood Grocery • Catering Wine & Cocktail Tastings Available For Pickup: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Daily Fresh Made Sandwiches • Rotisserie Meats

405 East 3rd | Little Rock | 501-244-0542 Next To Dugan’s Pub 46

JUNE 26, 2014

ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO ARKANSAS TIMES

We pride ourselves in providing high quality products, catering and deer processing to generations of families and business in Central Arkansas.

501-758-7700 9-6 Mon-Sat 4520 Camp Robinson Road, North Little Rock www.hoggsmeatmarket.com

ARKANSAS TIMES MARKETPLACE TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SECTION, CALL LUIS AT 501.375.2985

Macximize

Learn to get more from your Mac at home or office.

❤ Adoption ❤

A Creative Financially Secure Couple, LoVE Laughter Sports, Stay-Homeparent await 1st baby. Expenses paid.

1-800-990-7667

❤❤❤❤❤❤

Even with all the different cuts of meat available, sometimes you just want an awesome burger. In fact, Americans eat about 14 billion burgers a year, and if you put all of those burgers in a line, they would circle the earth more than 32 times, according to the Arkansas Beef Council.

While hamburgers sometimes make it on the “don’t eat that” list because of a bad rap from fast food menus, ground beef delivers 10 essential nutrients, all in one tasty package. These nutrients – including zinc, iron, protein and B vitamins – are important to good health.

It’s also important to remember that there’s a lot you can do with the trusty hamburger, according to the beef council. With multiple condiments and myriad toppings, the ways to enjoy them are endless.

Widely popular, easy to fix, wholesome

Call Cindy Greene - Satisfaction Always Guaranteed

MOVING TO MAC

cindy@movingtomac.com • 501-681-5855

Pet Obits Your Pet Passages

A North Little Rock tradition

Don’t abandon the burgers

• Data Recovery • Hardware Installs • Hard drive installation & memory expansion • Organize photos, music, movies & email

www.movingtomac.com

Jen & paul

vegetables, you can also get charcoal, spices, rubs, marinades, side dishes, paper goods and anything else you might need.

If you’re cooking for a large group, Hogg’s Meat Market has got you covered with prices that won’t break the bank. The store has been family owned and operated since 1961, and has a reputation for delivering high-quality product. Meats are ground fresh daily and packaged to order.

Sausages are made in-house using the same family recipe for generations, and sauces are also made in the store.

Hogg’s offers beef, pork, chicken, turkey, fish, and specialty meats, as well as Boar’s Head brand and Petit Jean meats.

Customers can also special order cuts that aren’t carried in stock. Monthly specials include a variety of cuts and meats, usually in 5-pound packages. A full catering menu is also available.

• Aid in choosing the right Mac for you and your budget • iMac, MacBook, iPad, iPhone • Troubleshooting • Wireless internet & backup

Issue Dates: Thursdays Material Deadline: Mondays, same week of publication.

Feature your pet with a photo.

Ad Size 1/16 1/8 1/4

C U S T O M F U R N I T U R E tommy@tommyfarrell.com ■ 501.375.7225

Dimensions 2.12 W x 2.62 H 4.5 W x 2.62 H 4.5 W x 5.5 H

Rate $70 $150 $300

Feature your pet without photo and satisfying, burgers have earned a place in the hearts of Americans. The Arkansas Beef Council, representing beef producers across the state, believes a burger at home or at your favorite restaurant is a highly appropriate way to celebrate your independence this holiday weekend.

For unique – and traditional – burger recipes, and additional inspiration for beef meals, visit BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.

Drink up With all this talk about grilled food, you can’t forget the beverages. For those interested in the alcoholic variety, Colonial Wines and Spirits has all the information you need to know.

According to Clark Trim over at Colonial, the classics are back.

“The mixology movement of the last few years has given rise to another trend in beverage consumption,” he said. “Spirits are making a splash with a whole new generation of consumers.”

Whether they are served straight, neat or on the rocks, classic bourbon, vodka, gin and scotch are very “in” this year.

And, of course, they are also ideal for a signature cocktail.

Every home bar should have certain basic spirits. Trim recommends starting

the perfect classic bar collection with these four staples: Bourbon, Clark’s Pick: Makers Mark Scotch , Clark’s Pick: Famous Grouse Gin, Clark’s Pick: Bombay Sapphire Vodka, Clark’s Pick: Grey Goose Also, Trim said to not forget the basic bar tools. Keep these items handy when you want to wow your party guests with a signature cocktail: Cocktail shaker Jigger Muddler Bar spoon Strainer Bar tool (aka a corkscrew) Remember, there is no wrong way to stock your home bar. Start with the basics and then add mixers, spirits and other items that you like. Your home bar should be a reflection of you.

Keep it cool With all those drinks in the hot weather, you’re going to need a lot of ice. Unfortunately, ice can be a pain to deal with in large quantities – a cooler can only hold so much, so it can seem like you’re making endless ice runs.

Lake Ice has the solution for your ice problems: a large plug-in cooler that can

Ad Size 1/32 1/16

Dimensions 2.12 W x 1.18 H 2.12 W x 2.62 H

Rate $35 $70

Contact luis@arktimes.com 501-492-3974 hold 14 10-pound bags, or 140 pounds of ice.

They’ll drop off the box full of ice and pick up for a rental charge of $100. Multiple day rentals may have an additional charge, and they’ll deliver as far north as Clinton and as far southeast as Stuttgart, so they cover a wide area of the center part of the state.

All you have to do is call ahead at least two weeks in advance to reserve your cooler. It’s great for outdoor weddings, family reunions and other large events where you have a need for plenty ice and access to electricity. You can contact Lake Ice by calling 800-631-6560.

ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO ARKANSAS TIMES

JUNE 26, 2014

47

Wondering what direction to take?

We are here to guide you every step of the way.

RIVENDELL’S ADULT SERVICES UNIT (ASU) has a lot to offer!

The ASU team will work with you on setting goals for yourself and aid you in the healing process. Our tailored therapeutic activities will help you make important lifestyle changes.

Find the treatment that’s right for you…

AA “Alcoholics Anonymous® is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each

other that they may solve their common problem and help others recover…”This community led group is strictly voluntary.

Held 1-2 times a week.

COURAGE TO HEAL A group that focuses on healing from physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. It offers hope and validation as survivors actively participate in reclaiming power in their lives. Held twice a week.

AR 72019

RELATIONSHIPS This group will assist you with exploring relationships in your life. How have they helped you? How have they hurt you? Held twice a week.

toward Hot Springs/Texarkana

t the stoplight turn right onto the first street on the left.

East to I-30 East

DOMESTIC PEACE A supportive group that explores issues of family and domestic abuse. Types of abuse include emotional, verbal, physical, sexual and financial. Educational information is presented on the cycle of domestic violence, signs of domestic abuse, issues of power and control, and ways to deal with abuse. Held once a week.

LIFE SKILLS Daily session covering various topics for discussion that address real-life issues you face once treatment is completed. Held daily.

HEALTH & WELLNESS Groups designed to help you develop healthy lifestyles by looking at nutrition, exercise, dress, sleep patterns, and more. Held four times a week.

FOCUS GROUP Designed to assist you with setting a daily goal/focus for the day. Held daily.

DISCHARGE PLANNING Provides both individual and group assistance in identifying resources for your aftercare.

Held three times a week.

DBT – DIALECTICAL BEHAVIORAL THERAPY Designed to help deal with life’s stressors in the moment, as well as learn new skills to help you cope. Held three times a week.

low directions above)

64-5640 48

JUNE 26, 2014

ARKANSAS TIMES

100 Rivendell Drive • Benton, AR www.rivendellofarkansas.com

1-800-264-5640