Ar times 7 11 13

NEWS + POLITICS + ENTERTAINMENT + FOOD / JULY 11, 2013 / ARKTIMES.COM

LEFT BEHIND? FUNDING CHALLENGES LOOM FOR PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAMS.

BY DAVID RAMSEY

Need Equipment Financing?

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

PUBLISHER Alan Leveritt

SINCE 1933

2ND

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

Options Talk to a leasing expert before you buy.

SATURDAY

Rugs Pillows ThRows MiRRoRs

SALE

THIS WEEKEND! FRIDAY & SATURDAY

JACK HARVEY, CLP

July 12 (8-5) & July 13 (7-1)

EDITOR Lindsey Millar

OUTLET

SENIOR EDITOR Max Brantley

1201 S Spring St • Little Rock, AR (501) 371-0447

MANAGING EDITOR Leslie Newell Peacock CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Mara Leveritt ASSOCIATE EDITORS David Koon, David Ramsey, Doug Smith ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Robert Bell

KREBS BROTHERS

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

facebook.com/

DreamweaversOutletStore

THE RESTAURANT STORE

Two Day

anniversary ZAK!

Designs

sale!

July 17 20% Off Smallwares July 18 20% Off Used Equipment Some exclusions may apply.

mood spoons

4310 Landers Road • North Little Rock, AR 72117

(501) 687-1331

www.krebsbrothers.com • M-F 8-5 Sat. 9-5

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 SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Tiffany Holland ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Katherine Smith Daniels, Darielle D’Mello, Jo Garcia, Thanh Rasico ADVERTISING TRAFFIC MANAGER Roland R. Gladden ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Kelly Carr

Social Media We can help you use it.

SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Monika Rued SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Rose Gladner IT DIRECTOR Robert Curfman CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Jack Higgins

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

CONTROLLER Weldon Wilson BILLING/COLLECTIONS Linda Phillips OFFICE MANAGER Kelly Lyles PRODUCTION MANAGER Ira Hocut (1954-2009)

association of alternative newsmedia

Get Noticed

VOLUME 39, NUMBER 45 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.

To find out more, contact Monika Rued, Director of Arkansas Times Social Media

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

That’s where we come in.

501-375-2985

monika@arktimes.com

Arkansas Times Social Media is staffed by experienced professionals who know how to get maximum benefit from social media engagement. Our services are priced affordably for Arkansas small businesses.

©2013 ARKANSAS TIMES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP FOR SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE CALL: (501) 375-2985 www.arktimes.com

JULY 11, 2013

3

COMMENT

An alternative Catholic perspective As a regular reader and advertiser, I value the more progressive perspective of the Arkansas Times. We believe that you reach some of the people we want to reach.

So, I thought you might be interested in the news that, in the wake of conservative reaction against last week’s Supreme Court rulings on DOMA and California Prop. 8, there is at least one alternative Catholic perspective in our community.

Our presiding bishop, Peter E. Hickman, issued a statement on behalf of the Ecumenical Catholic Communion applauding the decision and declaring, “We must continue the efforts to bring full equality for all in each state.”

The Ecumenical Catholic Communion is a growing international body of Catholic communities that emphasizes the biblical call to social justice and provides an alternative to some of the “big box” communities.

Here in Little Rock, we emphasize a radical welcome of all people and their full inclusion in the life of the church. Sometimes we feel like a voice crying in the wilderness, but as long as there is wilderness, alternative voices are needed.

Thanks for being one of those voices for Arkansas.

Fred Ball Little Rock

Missing Cronkite Where does one go today to hear the news, real news, factual news? CNN and HLN have devolved into reality TV, George Zimmerman TV. Fox News is nothing but right wing Republican garbage. MSNBC sits on the other side of the trash pile.

It was a disaster to allow news departments to become profit centers for the net-

works and cable companies.

I don’t give two hoots about the Kardashians, Honey Boo Boo, Swamp People or most of the other bovine excrement on TV these days.

I do care about what is really happening in my country and the world at large.

Walter Cronkite, the most trusted man in America at the time, used to close his news program by saying, “and that’s the way it is.”

He told the truth, and could be trusted.

A nation that does not hear the truth, that is addicted to an adrenalin rush, will not survive.

And that’s the way it is.

Butch Stone Maumelle

From the web In response to “Attorney general disputes theory that legislature passed open carry gun law by inference” on the Arkansas Blog: Unfortunately for Dustin McDaniel, we here at the 4th branch of government hereby overrule the judicial branch, with the complete concurrence of the legislative branch.

We don’t need an inactivist judge not making law from the bench.

I_AM_THE_NRA Dustin McDaniel actually used the current description of the “offense of carrying a weapon” to defend his position of open carry while on a journey, while completely ignoring what the definition will be in August. The future description of the “offense of carrying a weapon” will change completely with this same Act 746, making his opinion obsolete.

The “lawyer” used no state laws or Arkansas judicial decisions to tell us why

open carry while on a journey is illegal. He simply assumes we are stupid enough to think that it is illegal until the state says it is OK. It’s like having no law or court decisions against gay marriage, but the AG says you can’t do it until the state writes a law saying you can.

Steven Jones In response to “Arkansas attitudes improving on gay equality; state leader speaks up” on the Arkansas Blog: Arkansas will have gay equality including gay marriage, the question is when.

Federal law will make sure Arkansas joins the herd and not even Puking Pat Robertson can talk his buddy god into some wholesale smiting. It will happen so might as well get out the good chiny cause there’s gonna be a lot of gay marriages in the near future right here in little ole Arkansas.

DeathbyInches I would love to be wrong on this, but trying to pass a law giving gays their right to enter the contract of marriage might still be a bit of a loser. Kali passed a gay marriage ban, and that is as looney left of a state as you can get.

Only real hope is to challenge the antigay marriage laws in Arkansas as a way of making gay marriage the real law of the state. Still too many bigots and fraidy cats in the woodwork to trust with that kind of vote. Rub the nose of the lawmakers in the steaming pile of their ignorance. Make them accept that what the SCOTUS said is true, that it is an individual right, and nobody can stop it for such hateful reason.

Steven E In response to “A 2nd proposed amendment for marriage equality in Arkansas” on the Arkansas Blog:

I don’t think there can be a wrong time to quest for equality. Equality in marriage and life may not win in Arkansas this time or even the next time but the time is near.

Hackett I think a key component here is letting denominations that don’t want to perform marriages off the hook. As a gay person, I agree that not all denominations should be forced to perform a marriage ceremony they may not agree with.

Gay people are willing to meet anti-gay religious people half way. Will you meet us? Or, will the federal government force marriage equality on you and drag us even further into the quicksand of hatred that is Arkansas’s reputation nationwide? Will you awaken and understand that anti-gay movements in the state are nothing more than big money makers for Focus on the Family and other groups? That these same groups only wish to continue having their salaries paid by your donations?

You can fight, but you’d better remember that Arkansas has always come down on the wrong side of history in these same fights. If you’re a business owner, your business will be affected because enlightened people won’t do business here: Arkansas is on record hating gays, women, blacks, Hispanics. Best to become a leader in the South than a follower. I can’t imagine what some of you are thinking being considered the lowest state in the South. spunkrat

Submit letters to the Editor, Arkansas Times, P.O. Box 34010, Little Rock, AR 72203. We also accept letters via e-mail.

The address is arktimes@arktimes.com.

Please include name and hometown.

Guaranteed Price, Service and a rePutation of excellence

We’re proud to offer our residential and commercial customers quality, affordable, full service storage opportunities in Little Rock.

• Pickup And Delivery • Full Security And Fire Protection • Climate-Controlled Storage Environment • Quick, Easy Access

contact uS for a free StoraGe quote today!

Expert local, long distance and overseas moving services also available.

Brandon Moving & Storage Serving Central arkanSaS SinCe 1965

(501) 228-5757 • 1-800-227-6461 • 10505 Maumelle Blvd.

4

JULY 11, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

• www.brandonmoving.com

ORVAL

ArkAnsAs Doctors The only app you need after 5 o’clock.

restore sex Life

Office Visit & All Testing

The new Cocktail Compass is faster, easier, and knows exactly what you want: the nearest Happy Hour, and fast.

Only $199

DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETELY NEW COCKTAIL COMPASS FOR IPHONE & ANDROID

ErEctilE DYSFuNctiON iS NOt cAuSED bY AgiNg.

get it

iPhone

ErEctilE Dysfunction

PrEmaturE Ejaculation

• ED treatment by licensed Arkansas Physicians

• You choose how long you last – 30 min, 1 hr, or up to 90 min

• Our prescription medications work when the pills & herbals fail

• Stay in control and satisfy your partner with confidence

• See results on your first visit or your first visit is free – Guaranteed.

our Physicians offEr PErsonalizED solutions to fit your nEEDs

• Works for just about every medical condition including diabetes, prostate problems, heart surgery, etc.

• No surgery, no pills, no herbals • Private and discreet

For more information and to schedule your private exam with our doctors call (501) 232-3420 now!

Presented by your drinking buddies at

Android

Arkansas

M EN’S CLI N IC

Walk-Ins Welcome 5800 W. 10th St. Little rock, ar 72204 www.arktimes.com

JULY 11, 2013

5

EDITORIAL

EYE ON ARKANSAS

More deja vu

6

JULY 11, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

BRIAN CHILSON

T

o Republican politicians in Arkansas, it is 1954 all over again. Back then, the U.S Supreme Court had just ordered an end to segregation in the schools, and ambitious demagogues across the South were vowing defiance of a race-mixing federal government. They didn’t have time to talk about other problems — low wages, lack of health care, deficient education — even if they’d wanted to.

We’re now in the second decade of the 21st century, and Republican politicians are recycling the rhetoric of the ’50s. We noted recently that a Republican had announced for Arkansas attorney general by promising to “stand up to the U.S.” Not “enforce the law,” “protect the environment,” “defend consumers” — just “stand up to the U.S.” (Which does in fact enforce the law, protect the environment and defend consumers, as well as disallow racial discrimination. A key point, that last.)

Apparently, hatred of America is believed sufficient to win a Republican primary. Last week, another Republican candidate for attorney general announced, and like the first, the biggest plank in the new entry’s platform is resistance to the American government. Vladimir Putin would have a chance in this race, if he could show a photo ID. Since ’54, at least, Republicans have regarded the legal system with suspicion. A prominent Republican attorney, Roy Cohn, once stated his own and his party’s attitude. “Don’t tell me what the law is,” he said.

“Tell me who the judge is.” Of Republicans with law degrees, the highest appointments are given those who’re more political fixers than legal scholars. It may be Ronald Reagan’s most significant legacy that he changed the nature of the federal judiciary, determinedly appointing adherents of right-wing political views to the bench, regardless of their other qualifications, or lack thereof. The two Bushes continued this practice, while middle-of-the-road Democratic presidents looked for judicial candidates of moderation and some professional competence. The Republican method bore fruit. In 2000, in the greatest exercise of judicial activism in American history, a Republican-appointed majority on the Court snatched the presidency from the hands of the American people and gave it to George W. Bush, who’d received fewer votes than his opponent. More recently, the Court undid the Voting Rights Act, which had empowered black voters across the South, a majority of the justices finding that the act is no longer needed. The decision came as state legislatures across the South, including Arkansas, are enacting legislation to disempower blacks, the elderly, the poor and anyone else likely to vote Democratic. The chance that the Supreme Court will uphold these discriminatory measures is quite good. And such success at the federal level has inspired Arkansas Republicans, who’ve formed a political action committee to elect more judges from their crowd. The Republicans’ judicial candidates will be well financed if not well learned.

In a Republican primary, candidates to be the state’s top lawyer don’t have to show regard for the law; voters are uninterested. Let us hope that voters in the general election will be more demanding.

LIBRARY NAMESAKE: Hillary Clinton reads “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” to the crowd gathered for the naming of the new children’s library in her honor.

New GOP broom, same dirt

T

he Arkansas Republican Party made great sport as the minority party of chronicling Democratic Party cronyism and corruption.

But their promise to bring a cleaner, more transparent day to Arkansas politics as majority party? Broken.

Within recent days: Republican state auditor candidate Rep. Andrea Lea said she hadn’t recalled that a political hack who pushed out a long-time licensing board director to take the light-duty job at much higher pay had been an unsuccessful Republican candidate against Democratic Rep. Jim Nickels. Oops. Lea gave the candidate, Alan Pogue, a $200 campaign contribution. Forgetful or dishonest is no recommendation for managing state billions.

House Speaker Davy Carter admitted that it was his special interest bill to allow limited shipments of wine from out-of-state wineries direct to Arkansas customers — and give Arkansas wineries mail order business, too. He likes to visit Napa. Me, too. But I’d have revealed my self-interest on the front end — and pushed for a free market answer to Arkansas’s wholesaler-driven protectionist booze-by-mail restrictions.

Republicans cheered a state party plan to set up a PAC that will financially support judicial candidates who promise to uphold party objectives. So much for an independent judiciary.

Absent any evidence of harm, Republicans also led the hysterical charge to reject Arkansas participation in a voluntary conservation program for the White River watershed.

Senate President Michael Lamoureux provided another fat political appointment to former senator Steve Faris, who, like Lamoureux, earns side income from services provided the rural telephone industry.

Lamoureux pushed legislation of financial benefit to a telephone company legal customer.

Then there’s GOP Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson. The nephew of the Republican Party’s gubernatorial candidate is famous for more than getting conked on the head with a stuffed alligator by a former girlfriend he’d once supported with illicit payments out of his campaign fund. Reliable sources say he’s had paying “legal” customers with interests in 1) the proposed constitutional amendment he sponsored

to sabotage the Chamber of Commerce tort reform proposal; 2) mattress sale legislation he advocated and 3) legislation he sponsored to allow out-of-state owners to open a medical clinic in West Memphis.

MAX Also: Remember when former BRANTLEY maxbrantley@arktimes.com legislator Mike Wilson successfully sued to end the unconstitutional practice by legislators of appropriating state surplus money — the General Improvement Fund — to pet local projects? Legislators have invented an end-around.

Now, they appropriate lump sums to regional Planning and Development Districts and the state Rural Services Office. It’s understood that those agencies will parcel out money to legislators’ pet projects as before.

I caught Hutchinson red-handed. Benton had stopped funding a July 4 fireworks show. Hutchinson asked the regional planning agency that covers Saline County to provide $5,000 for fireworks from $1 million he’d sent the agency. Of course they did. With that money, the Saline Republican Committee, ramrodded by a Republican planning to run for county judge, and the Saline County Tea Party (that scourge of wasteful government spending) began promoting a fireworks show “sponsored” by none other than Jeremy Hutchinson, Saline Republicans and the Saline Tea Party. A radio station owned by Hutchinson also got in on the promotional act.

Hutchinson claimed later — and dishonestly — that he had little to do with the event. He said it was good for economic development. If that’s so, Mike Wilson suggested to the daily newspaper, why not fireworks subsidies to EVERY county in Arkansas?

A few local Republicans, including Saline County Judge Lanny Fite, said there were greater needs for surplus money in Saline County than a fireworks show.

Do Saline voters prefer bread or circuses? They’ll get a chance to demonstrate in the spring when Rep. Ann Clemmer of Bryant challenges Hutchinson. There’s much more to be exploded in Hutchinson’s public record and personal life than fireworks.

OPINION

GOP gets PR boost with Obamacare reprieve

T

he Obama administration’s decision to give big employers another year before they are taxed for not providing health insurance for their workers looked like the opening Republicans had been waiting for. As they had been saying, Obamacare just doesn’t work and now the administration is admitting it.

But it hasn’t gone down that way.

Rather than call for the repeal of Obamacare or at least its employer mandate, business groups praised the administration for giving the relative handful of large employers who don’t already provide insurance (about one in 20 in Arkansas) more time to figure out the complicated system of rewards and penalties in the Affordable Care Act and decide if they will insure their workers or pay the penalty.

It was, to be sure, an embarrassment for the administration because it was at least a recognition of the immense complexity of the law, a necessity when the president and Congress decided that the only politically conceivable way to achieve univer-

sal coverage and some measure of reform and cost control was to try to perfect the Rube GoldERNEST berg system of DUMAS employer-based insurance that emerged in World War II and afterward. It also will give the Health and Human Services Department more time to develop the insurance markets for individuals and employers and perfect the regulations.

The year’s delay also provides encouragement, if any were needed, for the Republican House of Representatives to continue the charade of voting regularly to repeal the Affordable Care Act. The reform remains fairly unpopular, the negatives consisting of people who do not believe the government should guarantee access to medical care for people who cannot afford the care or the insurance, people who believe (correctly in my view) that a government program like Medicare would have been much

The kids are all right

S

till befuddled about my own sexuality, my first awareness that being gay was a matter of public debate came in 1977. That was when orange juice hawker Anita Bryant led a high-profile campaign to overturn a Dade County, Fla., ordinance barring job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation by vote of the people.

Highlighting the perceived threats of child molestation and recruitment by gays and lesbians, Bryant’s successful effort centered around the rallying cry, “Save Our Children.”

In a campaign she then took beyond Florida, Bryant argued that the Dade County law “condones immorality and discriminates against my children’s rights to grow up in a healthy, decent, community.”

With this history in mind, perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Justice Anthony Kennedy’s landmark ruling on June 26 striking down the federal definition of marriage in the Defense of Marriage Act was the way in which the jurist turned Bryant’s mantra of 36 years ago on its head. Kennedy wrote with most passion in defending the right of the children of gay and lesbian couples to, yes, “grow up in a healthy,

decent, community.”

The key reason for the shift: the emergence of the kids from families with same-sex parents as JAY fuel for the marriage BARTH equality movement.

A year following Bryant’s successful campaign, the so-called “protection” of children became even more central in the efforts of California legislator John Briggs to bar gays and lesbians from teaching in the public schools of the state (the language of the proposal was so broad as to potentially bar not just gays and lesbians themselves but advocates of their rights). In what many point to as a key turning point for the emerging gay rights movement, the Briggs Initiative was surprisingly defeated at the ballot box. No matter this electoral loss, the notion that gay men and lesbians were a threat to children physically and emotionally remained a go-to meme for the opponents of LGBT rights for decades to come.

Eventually, however, social scientific evidence undermined this “Save Our

superior to patching the employerbased private insurance system, and people who already are insured and believe the propaganda that their coverage might be affected. (It will be in many instances. Their insurers can no longer cap their medical reimbursement during the year or over a lifetime or curtail their coverage or increase their premiums for a lingering health condition.)

Still, it’s the best PR for the Republicans. The worst thing that could happen would be to succeed and actually repeal Obamacare. Suddenly, Medicare recipients, who opposed the reform because they were led to believe by advertisements in 2010 that it would cut their benefits, would suddenly lose benefits and see their prescription drug expenses rise. Hospitals, doctors (especially family doctors) and other providers would lose the prospect of ending charity care. Millions of low-income working families would lose coverage. Millions of people who had lost coverage owing to pre-existing conditions would lose it again.

Ross Douthat, part of The New York Times’s stable of “civil” and “thoughtful” conservative columnists, saw the administration’s mandate delay as an affirmation for liberals and conservatives alike who have long recognized

that the system of employer-based health insurance is what is wrong with health care in America, responsible for the roaring cost of health care and a shortage of competitiveness in U. S. industry. There was some truth in his analysis, but how would he replace it?

Somebody else’s problem.

Obamacare is a political arrangement, perhaps the best Congress could concoct in the political environment of 2010 or of anytime the past 20 years — or the next 20. “Medicare for all” ceased to be an option as a replacement for a private insurance industry that had become one of the most powerful players in the country. Obama, like all his party’s candidates for president in 2008, concluded that the only route was to broaden private insurance coverage by mandating for individuals who didn’t have employment coverage but without undermining employment insurance. Without an employer mandate (for those with 50 or more full-time workers), the individual mandate and government premium assistance would encourage big employers to pull back their coverage.

Congress thus constructed a complex network of thresholds, penalties and reporting to make that work.

But soaring medical costs in the CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Children” rhetoric. Moreover, the flurry a case ultimately dismissed on standing of litigation from Arkansas created by grounds, Kennedy asked, “There’s some various efforts to bar adoption and foster 40,000 children in California … that live parenting by gay individuals and couples with same-sex parents, and they want was crucial in forcing courts to grapple their parents to have full recognition and with and give credence to this research. full status. The voice of those children is Even more important than such findings important in this case, don’t you think?” in sociology journals or courts of law has It was in the decision he wrote in the been the emergence of children of same- Windsor case, however, where it became sex couples talking about their very real most clear that Kennedy deeply underfamilies’ lives. It is those voices that have stood the travails of the kids of gay couples. moved the needle on the marriage debate. While noting the financial costs to such Some, like YouTube sensation Zach Wahls, children created by their parents’ secondthe Iowa college student who so eloquently class legal status, Kennedy was most passpoke about his life with his two moms in sionate in emphasizing the emotional costs arguing against legislative efforts to over- to such young people. Citing DOMA’s turn the state supreme court’s ruling for “humiliating” effect, Kennedy wrote, “The marriage equality, or Arkansas native Spen- law in question makes it even more difcer Lucker, whose essay was published the ficult for the children to understand the week of the Supreme Court ruling, have integrity and closeness of their own fambeen quite public. Just as important have ily and its concord with other families in been quieter one-on-one conversations in their community and in their daily lives.” which those young persons have told their Thus, in speaking for the nation’s highstories about their families’ denigration by est court, Kennedy symbolically returned ongoing bans on marriage. to Anita Bryant’s old slogan. But, for him It’s now clear that the most impor- and the Court majority, “saving our chiltant person in America when it comes dren” now involves moving towards true to LGBT rights, Justice Kennedy, heard equality for a previously invisible group those voices. In the oral argument on the of children who are very much part of case involving California’s Proposition 8, the American community. www.arktimes.com

JULY 11, 2013

7

W O RDS

Stick to the point

J U N E 7 T H — S E P T. 8 T H , 2 0 1 3

A Lifetime To Collect; Yours for 2 Months.

Rembrandt van Rijn Portrait of the Artist, ca. 1665 Oil on canvas 45 3/4 x 38 1/4 in.

Kenwood House, English Heritage, Iveagh Bequest (88028836) Photo courtesy American Federation of Arts

“Beamish said he has read some of the message-board comments from fans questioning his ability. ‘They’d say, who is he? Is he that good? I’ve never heard of him before.’ At one point and time I wanted people to know that’s Horace Beamish and he makes plays.”

As I recall, point in time first came into wide usage in connection with Richard Nixon and the Watergate affair, and while it spread like kudzu, it was scorned by usage authorities as redundant and ugly. But it stayed around to become a cliche, and now it’s reached the point in time at which it’s so popular it gets misquoted by Mr. Beamish and others.

Garner’s Modern American Usage says of point in time: “The clumsy phrase is occasionally made worse by being preceded by particular. Stick with simple substitutes such as time, point, now, moment, and the like.”

“The revolution, he said, must continue so ‘we stop producing tyrants.’

President Barack Obama and his national security team tread delicately Thursday in the aftermath of the removal of Morsi, urging the restive nation to quickly return authority to a democratically elected civilian government.”

A surprising number of people seem

not to know that the past tense of tread is trod.

Maybe it’s the same ones who don’t know the DOUG past tense of lead SMITH dougsmith@arktimes.com is led.

“Pure as the dawn on the brow of thy beauty, Watches thy Soul from the mountains of God. Over the fates of thy children departed, Far from the land where their footsteps have trod.”

What shall we say?

Headline: “Korda fires caddy, turns to boyfriend.” Under the headline: “A week ago Sunday, Bubba Watson roasted longtime caddie Ted Scott within earshot of TV cameras, blaming Scott for giving him the wrong club … But Scott appears to have gotten off better than Jason Gilroyed, the caddie, or shall we say the former caddie, of 20-year-old American golfer Jessica Korda.”

A non-golfer, I had to look it up.

Apparently either caddy or caddie is acceptable. But newspapers usually like to stick to one spelling in the same article.

WEEK THAT WAS

Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Gainsborough: The Treasures of Kenwood House, London

Don’t miss seeing these 48 masterpieces on their last U.S. stop before they go back to England. Purchase tickets at arkansasartscenter.org.

The exhibition is organized by the American Federation of Arts and English Heritage and is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities with additional funding from the Samuel H. Kress Foundation. In-kind support is provided by Barbara and Richard S. Lane. presented locally by: Bank of the Ozarks, Harriet & Warren Stephens, Stephens, Inc., Windgate Charitable Foundation.

Sponsored in Arkansas by Chucki and Curt Bradbury, Sandra and Bob Connor, Remmel T. Dickinson and Lisenne Rockefeller.

8

JULY 11, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

It was a good week for ...

HILLARY CLINTON. She read Eric Carle’s classic, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” at a ceremony dedicating the Hillary Rodham Clinton Children’s Library and Learning Center in her honor.

HOUSE SPEAKER DAVY CARTER. He was named regional bank president of Centennial Bank, a subsidiary of Home BancShares, which recently purchased Liberty Bankshares, creating the second largest bank holding company in Arkansas. Carter will oversee the acquisition of Liberty. Beats running for governor.

THE FIGHT FOR EQUALITY. Last week we reported on the submission of a proposed constitutional amendment to repeal Amendment 83, which denies marriage equality in Arkansas by preventing people of the same sex from marrying or enjoying any of the similar legal benefits through alternative means, such as a civil union. Now comes announcement of another marriage equality petition drive, called the Arkansas Initiative for Marriage Equality. It points toward a 2016 election. That will be a presidential election year. It does not propose repeal of Amendment 83, but would supersede it with an amendment proposing a straightforward

prohibition of banning marriage on account of “sex or sexual orientation.”

GRANT TENNILLE. At a news conference organized by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), Tennille, who leads the AEDC, said Arkansas should strike down laws prohibiting same-sex marriage, arguing that embracing equality would lead to more jobs for the state. Meanwhile, the HRC announced poll data that showed that 61 percent of Arkansans under 30 say “everyone should be free to marry who they love.”

It was a bad week for ...

HEWLETT-PACKARD EMPLOYEES. The company announced it would lay off 500 people at its Conway call center.

GUN ZEALOTS. In an official opinion, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel said the 2013 legislature did not legalize open carry of guns when it endeavored to clean up the definition of what constitutes a “journey” under existing gun law. (The law has always allowed gun owners to carry a weapon on a journey.) The theory had it that the cleanup inadvertently — or maybe by devious intent of sponsor Denny Altes — actually went much further.

THE OBSERVER

Survey OppOrtunity fOr veteranS!

NOTES ON THE PASSING SCENE

Summer lovin’ WHEN THE SUMMER MONTHS come around, The Observer is a rambling man.

There is something about the heat that makes a body want to get a move on. We know others take a different approach, settling deeper in to the couch as the air gets muggier, but that’s never been our way.

In fact, by way of reminder, we recently made the mistake of sitting down shirtless on our new couch — a little black vinyl love seat our better half picked up at Mid Towne Antique Mall. This is not a good move in July if you happen to be aiming to skimp on the A.C. bill. When we arose after taking in some Netflix, the vinyl cushion came with us, stickily affixed to our back. The Observer tries to pay attention to signs; surely this was one.

So it was that The Observer and our better half made the seven-and-a-half hour drive to New Orleans for a weekend getaway (The Observer’s attempt to cut it to seven was waylaid by a state trooper somewhere outside of Lake Village).

New Orleans is our favorite city in these United States. And yes, it’s hot enough to make Arkansas summers seem damn well temperate by comparison. But it’s event heat: New Orleanians have collectively decided that when it gets steamy enough, the best thing to do is put a stop to whatever it is you’re doing and proceed to beerdrinking, crawfish-eating, porch-sitting, tall-tale-telling, above-ground pools, brass bands, and any and all manner of communal tomfoolery. If it gets up past 95, might as well declare a holiday. What they don’t do is retreat to the indoor confines of artificial air. This is part of what we love about New Orleans, come to think of it (and explains their imminently sensible policy of letting folks drink alcohol wherever they please): a deep commitment to outdoor living.

Back in Little Rock, we’ve tried to practice the outdoor-living way and embrace the summer as it is (spurred on by our better half, who’s read a series of specious-sounding magazine articles about the health risks of air conditioning). We’ve been making sure to lollygag along South Main on the weekends and have met some interesting souls fishing in MacArthur Park (one told us that, after a catfish slipped out of his hands, that he “voluntarily cried” but was “thankful that the good Lord saw fit at least to let me touch it”). Our latest trick is to dodge the lines at Gus’s by calling ahead, picking up our chicken to go, and gnawing

down the crispy pieces as we stroll along the River Market. You might think this is a wings-and-legs-only maneuver but that Gus’s crust makes for better gripping than you’d think. Maybe you think us unlovely walking and eating greasy fried chicken for the good world to see, but we’re just staying true to plan. Summer is a lovely season if you’re outside and on the go.

Our rambling continues this weekend, as The Observer heads to the Association of Alternative News Media annual conference in Miami, probably our second favorite city, and a mite stranger place than ever strange New Orleans. A sampling of occurrences the last few times we were in Miami: men in white suits throwing down hundred-dollar bills on the ground betting on jai alai games (the Observer did not partake, having neither white suit nor large bills); a fancy champagne party that had a performance by a synchronized swimming team; an unforgettable Haitian dinner in which every single diner was overcome by the live music and left their food to dance together; a woman in a thong bikini roller-blading in to the public library in South Beach to read the newspaper. The last one was odd because the library had the A.C. blasting — apparently unaware of the health risks Mrs. Observer has keyed us in to.

SPEAKING OF BEACHES, The Observer got up to the one on Lake DeGray’s Caddo Bend over the weekend, our first time up there since we were but a pup. While landlocked Arkansas is never going to trump Miami, we can definitely give a thumbs up to that particular sweet curve of sand, plugged into the side of a peninsula that juts far into the main channel, just an hour’s drive out of sweltering LR. Standing there in the breeze as the sun sank and the horizon turned gold and the water turned midnight blue, we watched Spouse walk barefoot in the sand at the edge of the water holding the hem of her dress, and loved her, and thought: Thanks, Arkansas. Sometimes you still manage to surprise us.

You want hot? You want to join the sweaty throng? Here’s what you do. You accidentally hit the heated seat button in your car and drive around for about 20 minutes with the seat set at 75. You will not do this more than 20 minutes, however.

It will come to your attention about then that you are sitting in a puddle of your own precious bodily fluids.

Do you have a disability?

Concerns about substance abuse?

Call tOll-free fOr MOre infOrMatiOn 1-855-828-6878

T h e

A n n u A l

STiCky WiCkeT SAle

U Ends July 13th T For the thrift-minded gentleman, For a limited time.

Suits, Sport Coats And Accessories Will Be Marked Down At Varying And Substantial Degrees.

Family Owned & Operated Since 1997

15% OFF ANY FOOD PURCHASE. VALID AT ALL 4 LOCATIONS Not valid with any other offer.

Happy Hour Everyday 3-7pm 4154 E. McCain • NLR • 501-945-8010 laspalmasarkansas.com www.facebook.com/laspalmasmexican

501.664.3062 mrwicks.com

Spring And Clearance Sale p To

F F O % 60Huge

U

tionStyles c e l e S rs •

Colo • s e Siz

Real Prices • Real Savings www.shoeconnectiononline.com 9100 N RodNey PaRham, LR 501-225-6242 www.arktimes.com

JULY 11, 2013

9

Arkansas Reporter

THE

IN S IDE R

A call in the Capitol for marriage equality

All-star cast

Not many blocks from the library, at the Arkansas Arts Center, was another celebrity gathering. This one featured Chad Griffin, the Arkansas native and former Clinton staffer who now heads the Human Rights Campaign. He was in town to reveal a new bipartisan poll showing improving attitudes in Arkansas about marriage and workplace equality. He also spoke at the Clinton School.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 11 10

JULY 11, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

BY LESLIE NEWELL PEACOCK

T

TENNILLE

he U.S. Supreme Court’s rulings on June 26 striking down the Defense of Marriage Act and letting a lower court decision overturning California’s Proposition 8 made gay rights history.

Grant Tennille’s call on July 8 for Arkansas to lead the way in the South and move to dismantle its own constitutional prohibition against same-sex marriage made Arkansas gay rights history.

Tennille, the executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, said at a Monday morning press conference at the state Capitol called in tandem with the release of a poll showing increasing support among Arkansans for marriage equality that it’s

a “no-brainer” that Arkansas should not discriminate against the LGBT community. If Arkansas wants to attract new business and keep its intellectual capital, “its best and brightest,” in state, it must grant full rights, including same-sex marriage, to all its citizens. “Companies look for locations where all its employees can be welcome. The first state that moves in that direction will have a leg up.”

Tennille started his speech with a reference to British codebreaker Alan Turing, who committed suicide after pleading guilty to an English law prohibiting sodomy. Turing, whose Turing machine invention is the predecessor of modern computers, broke the CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

Rich Nagel reflects On successes and new battles AEA must fight in the legislature.

BY LESLIE NEWELL PEACOCK

R

ich Nagel retired recently as head of the Arkansas Education Association. He had led the state’s largest teacher union, which promotes public education and advocates for teachers, since 2000; prior to that he was a school finance consultant with AEA and from 1975-1981 was executive director of the Little Rock Classroom Teachers Association (now the Little Rock Education Association). In all, he’s devoted 38 years to Arkansas’s public schools and policy, from fighting the “teacher test” instituted by then-Gov. Bill Clinton — a “slap in the face” of teachers, he said — to fighting school voucher legislation that would have provided for tax credits to pay tuition at private schools, bills introduced in the last legislative session.

If you measure Arkansas’s respect for

the teaching profession by pay, the picture isn’t good, but it has improved in the past 20 years. Until Clinton created the Education Excellence Trust Fund in 1991, Nagel said, Arkansas “was always competing” for the bottom ranking, coming in at 49th or 50th. The ranking jumped to 42nd in 1992; average teacher pay in 2011-12 was 44th.

One of the AEA’s greatest challenges is to work to “maintain a high level of support for teachers’ salaries,” Nagel said.

But Nagel, praised as a “big picture” man by those who’ve worked with him, believes that “as a general rule, the public still holds teachers in high regard. I think most communities believe it’s important for the teaching profession to be compensated” even if they are not sure how to CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

BRIAN CHILSON

Meanwhile ...

AEDC director says Arkansas should lead the way.

BRIAN CHILSON

It was just a night with several hundred friends for the Clinton family Tuesday at the Clinton Presidential Center, which hosted a reception marking the Oscar de la Renta exhibit.

It’s the first retrospective ever staged of the renowned designer’s work and it brought some big names.

In the front row sat Barbara Walters, the TV star, and Alice Walton, the billionaire. It was noted that Walton has loaned a priceless Gilbert Stuart painting of George Washington to another Clinton library exhibit.

On the dais, along with Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton, was the Devil Who Wore Prada herself, Vogue editorin-chief Anna Wintour. She came with a prepared script on former First Lady Clinton’s stylishness and a tribute to the style, charm and talent of de la Renta.

Bill Clinton kept his time at the microphone short, joking about his lack of fashion sense and complaining he’d never gotten to wear a de la Renta dress. Chelsea Clinton spoke warmly of de la Renta and also noted his competitiveness at cards, but nothing in the league with her father’s ubercompetitiveness in all things.

The crowd cheered pointed remarks

by Wintour and de la Renta about a hoped-for Hillary Clinton presidential candidacy in 2016. In Wintour’s case, she referenced a return to Vogue’s cover for the country’s first female president.

The Clintons smiled but made no remarks about politics.

The hall was packed with familiar Arkansas political figures (including a couple of governors); Arkansas travelers in the 1992 Clinton run; family friends and a few major supporters from other states. Drinks and eats were served and guests had free run of the de la Renta exhibit, plus were treated to a short documentary on the designer.

NAGEL

LISTEN UP

THE

BIG PICTURE

INCONSEQUENTIAL NEWS QUIZ: THE GOD HATES CANADIAN BACON EDITION PLAY AT HOME.

1. This week, the ACLU of Arkansas filed suit over a police brutality case in Dover in which a mother and son were repeatedly tased and beaten by three officers in September 2011. What was the infraction that first caused an officer to become “suspicious” of the pair?

A) The kid was eating a donut and clearly didn’t bring enough for everybody.

B) The mother was wearing white shoes after Labor Day. C) The son gave the officer a friendly wave while out walking the family dog.

D) The officer thought he recognized the mother as a villain from the local backyard wrasslin’ league.

2. Two teens in Conway were reportedly robbed of their debit cards and electronics after one of them tried to hire a person online. Who were they trying to hire?

A) Someone to fan them. It’s July, man.

B) Undocumented subcontractor to do their chores around the house.

C) A prostitute, who showed up with two gun-toting friends who weren’t interested in paid canoodling.

D) A Republican politician.

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

Available on iTunes & arktimes.com

INSIDER, CONT. Griffin was mobbed by the throng of LGBT Arkansans, many of whom wanted photos taken with a heroic figure. As a California PR executive, he brainstormed the campaign that led the legal dream team of David Boies and Ted Olsen, who brought down Prop. 8, the California gay marriage ban.

He’s now pointing at the South and promised many return trips to Arkansas, and not just to visit his mother in Arkadelphia. He brought a large extended family to his Clinton School appearance with former state Rep. Kathy Webb.

He was accompanied by, among others, Adam Umhoefer, executive director of the American Foundation for Equal Rights, which bankrolled the Prop. 8 legal challenge.

Together, there was a lot of current American history in Little Rock Monday.

Pryor scoring with lobbyists 3. After the SCOTUS ruled that provisions of the Defense of Marriage Act were unconstitutional, a pizza joint in Searcy put a passage from Leviticus up on their sign out front, along with the message “Why don’t we listen?” Which passage was it?

A) The one about God hating Canadian bacon.

B) The one about God hating sausage.

C) The one about God hating pepperoni.

D) The one about God hating gay people.

4. On their Facebook page, the pizza joint defended putting up the statement, saying: A) “Our Woo Pig Kablooie Three-Meat Special may be an abomination unto the Lord Thy God, but you’re gonna love it!”

B) “If you were upset with this verse, remember it’s God’s word, and we will all stand before Him in judgment.”

C) “Something, something, something, hypocrisy.”

D) “We offer two crusts and three sauces: marinara, spicy basil, and sweet, sweet hate.”

5. Photos obtained by a Fort Smith TV station that were reportedly taken inside the home of a man accused of the random killing of two neighbors with a machete show something a little weird. What do they show?

A) Post it note on the fridge reading: “Remember: Don’t kill people with a machete.”

B) Every My Little Pony ever made, mint in box.

C) Your basic Satanic altar.

D) Receipt for a machete and The Black Eyed Peas’ latest album.

Paul Barton with the Gannett Washington Bureau reports that U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor ranks No. 3 so far this year in campaign contributions from lobbyists, with more than $85,000. His committee assignments, such as Appropriations, make Pryor a popular man in that community.

That $85,000 is about 3 percent of $2.8 million raised in 2014. By way of comparison, the anti-tax Club for Growth, which will back U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton with almost unlimited amounts if he opposes Pryor, has already spent at least $150,000 alone for TV ads beating up on Pryor.

More costly legal help for Mark Martin

Matt Campbell, who’s sued Secretary of State Mark Martin for failure to fully comply with the Freedom of Information Act in supplying information about outside lawyers’ work for the office, says Martin’s office has hired the Quattlebaum law firm to defend him in the suit. As we’ve mentioned before, the secretary of state has many lawyers on staff, but has resorted to outside counsel on numerous occasions.

Comments Campbell: “Because, you know, it makes WAY more sense to be paying $200/hour to more outside attorneys than to just follow the law.”

You do have to wonder why Mark Martin is so reluctant to turn over public documents. www.arktimes.com

JULY 11, 2013

11

Answers: C, C, D, B, C

HEAD START, STOPPED Parents (and research) say that early childhood education pays huge dividends for years to come, but Head Start has been hit with cuts and Arkansas Better Chance funding remains flat.

BY DAVID RAMSEY

F BRIAN CHILSON

ive years ago, Charlotte Franklin happened to see the sign for Head Start at its central office on Colonel Glenn Road. Her son Christopher was then 3 years old and was staying at home with her. Franklin had been laid off and couldn’t afford childcare. She wanted to get back to work, and she also wanted her son to begin his education.

“I thought it was time for him to get in a school environment, to start to socialize with peers of his age, and get those basic fundamentals before he went to kindergarten,” Franklin said.

Enrolling him in the pre-K program was one of the best decisions she’s ever made, she said. “I could see the difference. His vocabulary expanded. He gained a lot of confidence. He was eager and excited about learning.”

It wasn’t just lessons in the classroom. Head Start offered health, dental and mental-health screenings. It provided nutritious breakfast and lunch. Teachers did home visits, and helped Franklin develop teaching and parenting skills that she could apply at home. “They helped identify things, maybe as a parent, you don’t see it,” she said. “You’re caught up in your struggles, you’re trying to provide, you’re trying to keep your own emotions in check. They helped me as a parent, helped

12

JULY 11, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

me put a plan together.” Franklin and other parents were invited to come in and volunteer, and she found the teachers and staff were eager to offer support and ideas to parents, and foster connections between the classroom and home. Franklin got involved in leadership roles in Head Start’s policy council, and the program also encouraged her to identify her own goals, even helping her in the process of looking for a job.

When it came time for kindergarten, Franklin said that she noticed a big difference in how Christopher adapted compared with his two older brothers, neither of whom had the pre-K programming Christopher did.

“He already had the base of what he needed when he went to kindergarten,” Franklin said.

He had been taught skills like sight words, colors and counting. Equally important, Franklin said, he had a comfort and confidence in being at school, interacting with other children, and following directions from a teacher. Simple things: he was already used to using a pencil and paper, lining up, following a schedule.

Franklin said that she wished she could go back and send his brothers to Head Start too. “It was just a world of difference with his readiness for kindergarten and progressing on after that,” she said. “You can really change the direction of a child’s life. I can just look at it in my old household.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

BRIAN CHILSON

Christopher is set to begin third grade at eStem in the fall, where he has been on the honor roll since kindergarten. Franklin believes that pre-school helped “carve out a path in life for him. It gave him that good educational foundation.”

“He would come home and say words and everyone would say, ‘How does he know that word?’ ” she remembers. “And using them in the right context! It would amaze me. I would just think, ‘wow.’ Because I know: Head Start did that.”

Head Start (for 3- to 5-year-olds) and Early Head Start (prenatal, infants and toddlers) are federally funded programs offering pre-school education, health and nutrition services, social and emotional development, and intensive parent support for children and their families below or near the poverty line. Head Start organizations across the nation have been hit with funding cuts imposed by sequestration, the automatic cuts that went into effect last March when Congress failed to reach a budget agreement. The White House has estimated that up to 70,000 children could lose slots in the program because of sequestration.

The sequestration cuts were intended to be unpleasant — the president labeled them “dumb” and “arbitrary” — in order to spur lawmakers into action, but the gambit failed, and a little more than four months in, Congress has shown little inclination to take action. When the sequestration led to the cancellation of White House tours, it stirred up a media frenzy and an outcry among Republican lawmakers; when it led to airport flight delays, Congress speedily and overwhelmingly passed a fix. On the other hand, when pre-school programs for low-income children started shutting down weeks early at the end of the school year, laying off teachers and sending kids home, it did not generate the same political response.

In Arkansas, 21 agencies administer Head Start programs across the state, for a little less than 10,000 children in Head Start and a little less than 1,000 in Early Head Start. The 5.27 percent reduction in their budgets because of sequestration has led to staff reductions, furloughs, pay cuts, shortened schedules, cutting extendedcare or home-based services, cutting transportation services, and cuts to technology, training, supplies, and materials. At the end of last school year, many centers were forced to close early, raising concerns about the impact on children of weeks of lost programming, and leaving parents suddenly without childcare. Despite a waiting list of almost 1,400 children across the state, no program will expand in the coming year.

“The programs are doing the best they can to make adjustments,” said Jackie Dedman, director of the Arkansas Head Start State Collaboration Office. She acknowledged that programs across the state will be in a bind if the sequestration cuts represent a new funding reality. “Just to even think that these services would not be available would really tear down a lot of families in the state of Arkansas,” she said. Still, she said, “we try to stay on a positive note,” and she said that in developing their budgets after the sequestration, the organizations had focused on avoiding cutting slots. “We’re trying to keep the children first,” she said.

Despite these efforts, in many parts of the state, slots have to be cut, and children will not have access to the programs. Dedman said that based on the submitted

HE GOT A HEAD START: Charlotte Franklin reads with her son Christopher, a former Head Start child, now an honor student at eStem.

www.arktimes.com

JULY 11, 2013

13

BRIAN CHILSON BRIAN CHILSON

PROVIDING A FOUNDATION: Head Start teachers Reola Perry (top) and Shenitta Shepherd forcus on school readiness.

14

JULY 11, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

plans thus far, 14 of the 21 agencies will cut slots, eliminating services for 675 children, a number Dedman expects to grow.

In Mississippi County in the Delta, Head Start Director Shirley Pulliam was forced to cut 13 days from the previous school year, and next year will cut 68 slots from Head Start and 30 from Early Head Start.

“It’s going to be a loss for the children,” Pulliam said. “It goes back to school readiness. That’s 98 kids that are not going to be ready for kindergarten. If you lose them at kindergarten, then you worry about them getting tested in the third grade. It’s a domino effect all the way through the education system. You never really catch up.”

After years of flat funding, Northwest Arkansas Head Start Director Jerry Adair said “we were just making ends meet. When you’re doing that and you get cut by that amount of money, we had to make tough choices.”

Last school year, centers closed 12 days early, and they will eliminate 75 slots for children next year.

“We’re talking about 3- and 4-year-old children that will not be able to come in and have breakfast and lunch at the center, that won’t get health screenings,” Adair said. “That’s before we even get in to the educational piece. Those children are going to start off behind. If we’re not preparing them to start off on an equal footing, there’s a possibility that they could remain behind.” Adair had been hoping to add Early Head Start programs but those plans are now on hold in the face of budget constraints.

In addition to the children served in Head Start and Early Head Start, Arkansas Better Chance, a statefunded pre-school program, serves another 21,000 kids.

The two programs combined reach 47 percent of eligible 3-year-olds and 80 percent of eligible 4-year-olds.

Even prior to sequestration cuts, that leaves around 15,000 eligible low-income 3- and 4-year-old children in the state without slots.

Tonya Russell, director of the Arkansas Department of Human Services’ division of child care and early childhood education, which oversees ABC, said, “We work very closely with Head Start” to try to maximize opportunities for eligible children between the two. But ABC does not have the capacity to pick up the slack from the sequestration cuts in the aggregate.

“At the end of the day, this means there will be fewer children served in Arkansas,” Russell, herself a former Head Start student, said. “There’s no way to say it any differently.”

ABC has challenges of its own, with its funding flat since 2008, despite increasing costs to run the program. “We have been fortunate that we’ve not been cut while many of our colleagues in other states have been,” Russell said. “We have been really lucky that Arkansas has really stood firm to that commitment.

But it’s been flat. We’re getting to a point at flat funding where in the next few years … we’re going to have to cut something.”

Russell pointed out that many Head Start programs have also been dealing with flat funding. “For years, they did everything they could except cut slots for children,” she said. “This time they can’t cut anymore. They’ve cut it to bare bones so now some have to cut classrooms.”

Families and Children Together, which oversees Head Start programs in five counties in South CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Arkansas, managed to avoid having to close any of their centers outright. “We’re the last holdout in some of these little towns,” Head Start Director Brenda Holder said. “McNeil, Emerson, and others, we’re the only pre-school. When a school closes in a town, the town just disintegrates.”

Still, “we had to cut something,” Holder said — the program is going to end home-based services for 79 children. “Some of us down here live in the boonies,” Holder explained. “Not everybody, believe it or not in this day and age, has transportation. We have a lot of people who might have one vehicle but daddy uses it to go to the mill and leaves mom at home without transportation. A lot of times they’re the very ones

One of the children that will be losing home-based services is 3-year-old Aaliyah Rollins in El Dorado.

“They’d come out once a week and it would be me, her, and her teacher working together,” Aaliyah’s mother Melissa Stokes said. “It helped her tremendously. Her communication level has progressed and we’re already working on sight words.”

Stokes would always observe and sometimes participate along with them, so that she was picking up techniques and ideas she could carry on after the teacher was gone.

“I know that as a parent I’m her first teacher, but they helped teach me how to teach her,” Stokes said. “They showed me new ways to work on a lot of new things.”

tine of learning. My daughter looked forward to that when the teacher came. When they get here, she’s waiting at the door and swings it open, wanting to see in the bag at what new things they’re going to do.

She was excited about it.”

Stokes has tried to explain to her daughter that the home-based program is ending and the Head Start teacher won’t be coming around anymore. But Aaliyah “has not quite grasped that they’re not coming back. She still looks for her to come. She’ll say, ‘Is she coming today?’ She thinks, OK, they’re just not coming today, not that they’re gone forever. I tell her she’s not coming back. She’ll say, ‘OK, but I’m getting a new teacher right?’ ” “They started this whole thing with No Child Left Behind but now they’re leaving them behind,” Stokes said. “You wanted to make sure that they had a good head start and then you go and take it away. I don’t understand that part at all.”

Over the last several weeks, the Times has visited pre-K classrooms and spoken with parents, teachers, students and former students. People like Charlotte Franklin and her son Christopher, and Melissa Stokes and her daughter Aaliyah. We’ve heard about parents feeling more engaged in their children’s education and about kids developing the skills they need to thrive in elementary school.

These stories we’ve heard do not provide answers to complicated budget questions. But as we debate those questions, the discussion could benefit from their voices.

RETURN ON INVESTMENT: Early Head Start and ABC cover just 2 percent of the state’s eligible low-income infants and toddlers.

with the most questions and the most need.”

Teachers visit the children once a week, giving them lessons with the parent present, and providing Head Start’s various outreach services to the child and family.

The teachers help the parents understand what will be expected of the child in kindergarten, role model and work with the parent to develop strategies for teaching the child on their own, and provide needed educational materials.

The impact of the cuts, Holder said, is “not going to be felt immediately. When we have a higher percentage of children entering school who are not prepared, the impact is going to be felt further down the road.”

16

JULY 11, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

BRIAN CHILSON

• “When I go to work, I know she’s in good hands and she’s learning,” Desirae Walker said of her 4-yearold daughter, Kylei, a Head Start student in Magnolia. “I’m hoping that it teaches her that education is important. I wanted her to have the experience of being around other children and get the experience of learning. And she actually likes it.”

Stokes was devastated when she found out that the home-based program was getting cut. “I was so grateful that they had a program so that [children like Aaliyah] wouldn’t be disadvantaged,” she said.

Now Stokes is worried about Aaliyah falling behind before kindergarten. “I’m going to do all I can to make sure that doesn’t happen. But I know that as she gets older, it’s going to be like, ‘OK mama, we’ve done that a thousand times, what else you got?’ ” Because of where Aaliyah’s birthday falls, Stokes said, “we have three years of nothing, basically,” before she goes to kindergarten. “[Head Start] showed her how things go in a rou-

• “I thank God I was introduced to the Head Start program because it gives my children a chance to start out on an equal level,” Ava Coleman said. Her 4-year-old son, Sava, is a Head Start student in Little Rock and her 6-year-old daughter, Zamori’a, has graduated from the Head Start program and will begin first grade this fall. “Just because someone is low income doesn’t mean they don’t want the best for their child. Everybody wants the best for their child.”

Head Start identified that Sava suffered from speech delay and helped connect Coleman with a speech therapist. “They were able to identify some things that I didn’t see, and so I really appreciate that early intervention,” she said. “Once he goes to kindergarten we already have our foot in the door with his speech delay, and that will help him with his reading and writing and literature.”

Coleman also credits Head Start with preparing Zamori’a for kindergarten, “not only academically but socially and emotionally. They helped equip me with parenting ideas and parenting tips to help me nurture her and educate her. Kids don’t come with an instruction manual. Sometimes we need some help.

If I need anything, I can reach out to them. The way they’ve helped me, it was like a family.”

• “I was really impressed with some of those things that go beyond the classroom,” said Kim Wyman, whose 4-year-old son, John Andrew, is a Head Start student in Rogers. “Some of those core things that make us who we are. It’s important to me because I want John Andrew to be a good citizen and take responsibility for his actions, to be responsible and do good, and make all those right choices. That’s something the teacher used that we’ve brought into our family: ‘making good choices.’ ” • “I couldn’t afford to send my kids to pre-school, being a mom of four,” said Crystal Sharp, whose son Charles is an ABC student in Southside, just outside of Batesville. “Having this opportunity has been a blessing to me because I know he’s getting the quality education that he needs. And not only writing and learning the numbers and the alphabet, he’s getting the social skills, which is so important for his age.”

Rachel Mathews agreed. Her 5-year-old stepson, Jayden, is in the same program and her 6-year-old daughter, Alexis, graduated a year ago. “It’s a great experience because of the structure,” she said. “It better prepares them for what to expect.” Having a good option for pre-school also allowed Mathews herself to go back to school, which she said would have been impossible without ABC.

• Reola Perry and Shenitta Shepherd are teachers at the Head Start program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. “In kindergarten, the teacher’s got 25 children and just her,” Perry said.

“The child may not know his numbers, his colors. And he may not know how to act, how to take turns. So the child may get called to the office or sent home, and he’s missing all that they’re teaching. Whereas [with Head Start] they’ve been taught. They’re already prepared.”

“It’s very important at the cognitive level,” Shepherd said. “They’re getting that repetition of learning those letters, those numbers. When a child enters kindergarten and hasn’t been to pre-K, they don’t have that ground, that foundation.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

BRIAN CHILSON

• “When I think of Head Start, I think of the beginning,” Darria Johnson, a former Head Start student now finishing her last semester at the University of Central Arkansas, where on a full scholarship she majored in music and minored in theater. “It starts you off on the right path. If I just jumped in to elementary school, I wouldn’t have had the values that I had going to Head Start first.”

“It helps the parents that are struggling and don’t necessarily have the funds for private pre-school,” she said. “It really helps their kids to have the same advantages as other kids.”

Johnson remembers singing the alphabet and numbers songs and falling in love with music. Her teacher (who still keeps in touch with her today) asked whether she would like to sing at the Head Start graduation.

Johnson chose her favorite Whitney Houston song, “You Can Count on Me.” “It was really good,” she said. “I still have the tape!

That was the first time I really ever sang in front of a big crowd. It really had a big impact on me. I’ve been singing ever since.” This December, Johnson is heading to New York to audition for Broadway shows.

EARLY HEAD START: A teacher reads to children in a UAMS Early Head Start classroom.

www.arktimes.com

JULY 11, 2013

17

PUTTING A GOOD FOOT FORWARD: Early Head Start classrooms build lessons into play time.

from the Arkansas Legislative Taskforce on Reducing Poverty found that at-risk children enter kindergarten 18-36 months behind their peers (which also has ripple effects on other students as teachers try to catch them up).

A wealth of research suggests that high-quality early education can help to close that gap and can have a major impact on the future of low-income kids. Controlling for demographics, children that went to high-quality pre-K score higher on math, language and literacy tests when they enter kindergarten. They are less likely to require special education, less likely to repeat a grade, more likely to finish high school, and more likely to go 18

JULY 11, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

to college. High-quality pre-K reduces the overall cost of educating a child in the K-12 system and can have longlasting economic impacts for society on the workforce, the social welfare system, the criminal justice system and the healthcare system.

“People argue about the short-to-medium term outcomes of Head Start, but there are things that are clear and hold up over time,” said Dr. Charles Feild, executive director of the UAMS Head Start program. “We know that for kids that have done Head Start there’s less teen pregnancy, there’s less crime, and there’s a lower high-school dropout rate. If you want to look at return on investment — those are pretty good returns.”

Studies have also attempted to quantify that return,

BRIAN CHILSON

The common thread running through these testimonies is a belief in the importance of reaching children early. Multiple people with experience in elementary schools said they could identify which kids in a kindergarten classroom had pre-school and which had not.

“The research is strong,” said Rich Huddleston, executive director for Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. “For low-income and at-risk kids, if you don’t get to them early and if they start school behind, it’s less likely that they’re going to catch up to their peers.”

Brain development is happening rapidly before a child ever sets foot in kindergarten — neurologists have found that 85 percent of a child’s intellect, personality and social skills are developed by age 5. A 2010 study

and found that for every dollar invested in high-quality pre-school, the nation gets up to $7, or even more, back over the long term (better programs, with higher upfront costs, yield better returns). James Heckman, a Nobel Prize-winning economist, has found that “every dollar invested in quality early childhood development for disadvantaged children produces a 7 percent to 10 percent return, per child, per year,” which he notes would beat the stock market. In a 2010 letter to the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Reform, Heckman wrote, “Early Head Start and Head Start are programs on which to build and improve — not to cut.”

“The biggest bang for your bucks occurs in early child-

hood education compared to later grades,” Huddleston said. “If you have limited dollars to spend on education, that should be where you put more of your limited dollars, especially for low-income, at-risk kids.” Huddleston pointed out that Heckman’s research found that the earlier in age the investment is made, the higher the return, suggesting that Arkansas is missing an opportunity with eligible low-income infants and toddlers; only 2 percent of them are covered by Early Head Start and ABC programs in the state.

Another key finding of Heckman and others is that the future education outcomes and return on investment from pre-K programs vary dramatically depending on the quality of the programs. “If you’re going to make the investment, then do it right,” DHS’s Russell said. “If you have a little less intensity or duration, that [impacts] your results.” Willy-nilly cuts to Head Start and flat funding at ABC don’t just affect the number of slots available, they affect the quality of education offered to the children that do have slots.

Despite the potential return on investment, funding challenges for early childhood education are likely to continue.

“I don’t see any evidence that people are aware of, understand, or just don’t appreciate the value of helping low-income families and their children,” Feild said.

“You look at where our economy is — you have to have an education. Education has to start before kindergarten.

We all know that. Some people are able to do that for their children. But a lot of our families still below the poverty level are working two jobs. I don’t know what’s going to happen to a generation of children.”

Recent studies have shown that ABC has led to improved test scores in kindergarten readiness, as well as improved scores in vocabulary and math through the second grade and literacy through the third grade — but the legislature this session showed no interest in increasing funding. Just prior to the session, robo-calls went out testing the popularity of cutting the program.

“It’s time to take stock in terms of the impacts of flat funding at the state level,” Huddleston said. “Are we to the point now where you have to cut either the number of kids or you have to reduce the quality of your program to serve the same number of kids? Neither of which is good. Much less the issue of reaching all the kids you should be reaching in the first place.”

Christopher, Charlotte Franklin’s son — the one on the honor roll at eStem — is one of the kids that would be called “at-risk” in the studies about early childhood education. It’s kids like him who we’re talking about when we talk about cutting “slots.”

Christopher is excited about starting third grade. “I’ll get to learn about different things,” he said. “I’m excited for new stuff. I’m going to make As and Bs.” “At Head Start, we learned math, writing, and literacy,” he said. “It helped me a lot when I went to kindergarten.

I like school. I want to go to college.”

Christopher is a bright and self-assured child, and of course it would be an oversimplification to pin his success on one particular program. But he had access to pre-school, which his mother would have not have been able to afford without a public program, and the evidence suggests that experience could have an outsized impact on his life.

“For less privileged kids, it’s a wonderful opportunity,” Franklin said. “I hope they don’t take it away.”

!"#$%&'($)"*#$&+$#,"$*(-*+)*)$#./")$0*),$1')2

N O P Q ! ' R & P H Q S # L

!"#$%&'()

99

$

*&$'*&$P+,

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

-.//'0.123'435678'4.369:

;<=>?@;>ABC;

+3'0.7/'4D54E'23'02F5G>23653'82 #3E.F9.9'H7059'!.9D'(I9 (2J'?K<=<'!'L788/5'$24EM'#$'!'@AA<?

!"#$%&'"(( "!.)&%5('+%/6,1("!%&4,/'/

!"##$%&"'!()%*%'+,% &"'!()%-#.'+,#/ 0.")),%1"/+%$"',/ 0(22$%3.#'4),%.3% '+,%/'"'!,#%-#.'+,#/ '.22$%1"/+

"6(645 큼 QN 큼 "46 $0/70$"5*0/ $&/5&3 큼 +0/&4#030 "3 PRICE INCLUDES: ! ! ! ! !

ROUND-TRIP TOUR BUS TRANSPORTATION BY ARROW COACH LINES TO AND FROM CONCERT GENERAL ADMISSION TICKET TO THE CONCERT DINNER BEFORE THE SHOW LIVE MUSIC ENROUTE KEG ON BOARD

ARKANSAS TIMES

$&P&$S&')+O$'P&#H'H+T#)U'H"&'#$V#,P#P'HQN&P'!#P"'(OP'L&#S&P'R$+N'A,T'#,T'N#Q,'PH$&&HP'Q,'T+W,H+W,'LQHHL&'$+!V'#H'='*N'P#HO$T#)M'#O%OPH'=@'#,T'WQLL'$&HO$,'H"#H',Q%"H'#RH&$'H"&'!+,!&$H

OPINION

Money and judicial elections

T

here was an article in the June 30 edition of the Arkansas DemocratGazette that unveiled the plans of the Arkansas Republican Party to create a political action committee (PAC) called Americans for Judicial Excellence that would operate independently from the state Republican Party. Yeah, right!

The stated purpose for creating the PAC was to elect judges who more properly reflect the views and values of Arkansas voters. Said in another way, the objective is to elect judges who represent the public policy positions taken by the current conservative Republican Party majorities in the Arkansas legislature. The public statement released by Johnny Rhoda, the GOP spokesperson, couched the objectives of the PAC in traditional talking points of judicial overreaching and lack of judicial restraint.

Rhoda went on to say that one objective is to screen judges and judicial candidates to be assured that they will not only express support for “our principles” but that he or she does not “rule from the bench contrary to our principles after their election to the bench.” Only after the judge or candidate professes loyalty to those principles would they be invited to speak to the PAC and receive their endorsement and money. (Arkansas judicial races are non-partisan.)

This is a dangerous mindset, bolstered by the U.S. Supreme Court decision in 2010, Citizens United v. FEC. That decision obliterated the remaining constitutional difference between corporations and living, breathing human beings, insofar as politics is concerned. The court concluded that corporations stand in the same position as persons and have

the same rights to free speech in all things political as do you and I. The result permits corporations to spend DAVID unlimited money STEWART GUEST COLUMN to elect or defeat any candidate for office. The only kicker is that the money must be spent independent of the candidate’s campaign. The mechanisms now used to further that objective is to either spend the money directly from the corporate treasury, which makes the spending transparent in most cases, or funnel untold sums to PACs that can hide the identity of the contributors and the amounts contributed. This latter method is the one in current favor. Thus we now see that same mechanism being readied by the Arkansas Republican Party for the stated purpose of only supporting judicial candidates who support conservative public policy positions. Imagine a judge who decides a case on his or her conservative, or liberal, political philosophy rather than the facts and the law!

When we vote for executives, such as presidents and governors, and legislators, we choose those whose policy positions agree with our own.

The judiciary is different. Judges are to ignore the rancor and division of the populace on policy decisions and follow the law and the Constitution, public opinion be damned. When judges are either elected or appointed with the purpose of reflecting partisan beliefs rather than the law, we have reduced, if not eliminated, the independence of the judiciary.

Such a case would severely endanger our

democratic foundations. Anarchy would reign supreme if our judicial system is reduced to the garden-level actions of political hacks. We see it every day in third world countries.

We have already seen the impact of well-funded shadow campaigns in other states that resulted in the defeat of state Supreme Court justices because they rendered decisions that followed the dictates of their state constitutions. The mechanisms used in those campaigns were precisely those now being contemplated by the Arkansas Republican Party. (Justices have even organized their own anti-PAC PACs, which adds to the problem.) Currently there is no reporting requirement that lets you and me know who is controlling and spending the money that has a major impact on the outcome of the elections.

Here is the bottom line: I have been elected to the bench three times. I had to raise money to run the campaigns.

It is a difficult and taxing process. Ask anyone who has been there. The correlation between who contributes (and how much) and the leanings of the judge toward that contributor(s) when it comes to decision time is sometimes difficult to avoid. Anyone who tells you different is lying. Rendering an objective and independent decision can be easily done in a routine and simple case, but the tough one, the close call, the one that has impassioned onlookers and influential parties involved is subject to the wrong result if the judge is looking forward to the next election. Believe me, such a result is what bad judges are made of and can result in bad law. Those results can and should be avoided at all costs. The long-term results damage all of us in this wonderful democracy.

I’m not talking about just right-leaning PACs. I’m talking about all of them.

Bluntly put, judges should not be subject to the political whims of PACs. (Judges should not be elected in the first place, but that is another story for another

time.) Not only does the judge become subject to actual impropriety, the appearance of impropriety can be huge. There is zero chance that an elected judge can avoid knowing who or what organizations were instrumental in raising and spending money on his or her behalf.

With that knowledge, actual bias or the appearance of bias comes into question.

It shakes the public’s faith in the independence of the judiciary. We should not have either individuals, lawyers, corporations or other litigants or interested parties trying to buy the balance of power in the judiciary.

As long as the system provides for the election of judges in Arkansas, and as long as contributions fuel the system, there should be limitations on the contributions permitted to be donated or spent to elect or defeat a judge or judicial candidate. Just on the issue of electing judges, if nothing else, Citizens United is very bad law. The U.S. Supreme Court should be wise enough to fashion a decision that makes the distinction between the election of judges and those who serve as executives and lawmakers. That distinction should be obvious to all who have a smidgen of understanding of human nature. The long range danger in failing to do so is real in my opinion. I decry the obscene amount of money that is spent in any political campaign, but while it is apparently acceptable to buy the executive and legislative branches of government, we cannot afford the inevitable results of buying the judiciary. We don’t need a level playing field where everyone has the right or ability to raise or spend whatever it takes to get a judge elected or defeated; we need to change the very rules of the game, if not the game itself.

David Stewart is retired executive director of the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission currently serving by appointment as district judge in Fayetteville.

DUMAS, CONT. United States — far and away the highest in the world — and terrible distortions in the health-care system are not the work of employment-based insurance but rather of the reimbursement system for government and private insurance, which has been run by an adjunct of the American Medical Association since the days of the Reagan administration.

You haven’t heard of it — the Specialty Society Relative Scale Update 20

JULY 11, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

Committee, known as the RUC. A committee of medical specialists each year determines the relative reimbursement rates for some 9,000 medical procedures, based on a number of factors, so that an office visit with family doctors and pediatricians is around the bottom and complex surgeries at the top and far away. Washington Monthly has a superb article about the cartel this month.

You want to be a doctor? Get a spe-

cialty. The rewards are far greater. So, we have a huge shortage of general practitioners.

The reimbursement and the feefor-service systems together have stimulated the growth of needless medical procedures, overall healthcare costs and premiums.

Obamacare didn’t address either of those problems, which is why the AMA endorsed it, but it actually will tackle them obliquely. Congress prob-

ably will not let it occur, but the law creates an advisory panel that could recommend lower reimbursement, or none at all, for needless or unworkable procedures. It gives a boost to family doctors. And it deftly suggests that states or programs might try something else besides fee for service, such as bundled care, to see if it works.

Arkansas, of all places, is trying it, so far with great success, but no one has dared admit that it is Obamacare.

MARRIAGE EQUALITY, CONT. German Enigma code and “saved millions of lives,” Tennille said. In Arkansas “we have an opportunity to move first and be a leader in the country, and especially the South, to say all our citizens will be treated equally under the law.” To grant marriage and job rights “will mean economic growth, I have no doubt. Because I know the story of Alan Turing.”

Tennille said he had cleared his remarks with Gov. Mike Beebe’s chief of staff, Morril Harriman. “He said go for it,” Tennille said.

In response to a reporter’s question, Tennille said he sees Beebe as a “father figure,” but he did not believe Beebe has changed his mind on same-sex marriage.

“I would hope over time his opinion” will change, he added.

Chad Griffin, the Arkansas native who is the national director of the Human Rights Campaign and who was one of the leaders in the successful fight for marriage equality in California, said it was time to “double down” to pass a same-sex marriage law in Arkansas. He cited the just-released HRC poll data that showed that 61 percent of Arkansans under 30 say “everyone should be free to marry who they love.” The poll was conducted June 26-30 by the bipartisan team of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research (Democratic) and Target Point Consulting (Republican); 600 Arkansans

participated. Another of the findings was that most people do not know that it is legal under federal and Arkansas law to fire someone for being gay; 82 percent believed it illegal under federal law and 75 percent believed it illegal under state law. A majority, 57 percent, believe discrimination against LGBT people is a problem.

Rep. Deborah Ferguson, D-West Memphis, and Rep. Greg Leding, D-Fayetteville, joined the call for marriage equality. Afterward, Ferguson said she would look to guidance from the HRC whether to put forward a bill in the 2015 legislature seeking a referendum on marriage equality. Referendums are vastly expensive propositions; proponents want to be reasonably sure of passage before they’re launched.

Griffin followed up the press conference with a noon Q and A session with former state Rep. Kathy Webb at the Clinton School of Public Service on the importance of passing marriage equality laws in every state. “Organize, organize, organize,” he advised. “We need both Republicans and Democrats or we won’t win.”

Both Griffin and Webb noted that they’ve been told by various lawmakers that there just weren’t many gays among their constituencies. “You laugh,” he said to the packed audience with its

high number of gay and lesbians; it was law there, a campaign that took the suphis first reaction, too, to think the law- port of black pastors and which he said makers were blind to reality. But, he said, “moved the needle” in creating partneron second thought he realized that if they ships that crossed color lines. didn’t know there were LGBT folk in Griffin talked about the impact on the areas they represented, “the respon- gay youth of the passage of Proposition sibility is on us — they had not heard 8 — California’s law prohibiting sameenough of us.” sex marriage that the Supreme Court, In response to a question from Webb, by declining to hear an appeal, has overGriffin — who at 19, when he worked for turned — and other DOMA-like laws.

President Clinton, became the young- Prop 8 and other laws passed with huge est West Wing staffer in history — said percentages of the popular vote, sending it was “incredibly gratifying” to see his a “tragic” message to young gay people mentors the Clintons (and President that they are second-class, Griffin said.

Obama as well) evolve in their attitudes The reversal of the federal DOMA law toward same-sex marriage. The DOMA by the U.S. Supreme Court has helped law was signed by President Clinton; he ameliorate that, but Griffin said it was recently repudiated it. Griffin related a important to fight on, for both youth and story about catching an Amtrak train in for older gay couples who, though they New York last spring and finding Hillary are legally married, are facing questions Clinton on board (not being secretary of of access to benefits and hospital care. state means your travel style is “down- So how should Arkansas proceed? Griffin graded,” he joked) and having a “great said he wasn’t ready to announce anyconversation” with her. It was just a few thing yet about an Arkansas HRC chapter, days later that Clinton made the video in but said he was going to “keep coming which she declared that “gay rights are back” until there is equality for the LGBT human rights,” and expressed her sup- community. “We have to be smart and we have to be strategic” with the kinds port for same-sex marriage.

Asked by state Sen. Joyce Elliott, of lawsuits brought and jurisdictions D-Little Rock, about the divide among they’re filed in, Griffin said, saying he blacks and whites on the marriage equal- deferred to “legal minds” and the “folks ity issue, Griffin cited HRC’s successful at ACLU” on how to proceed; “it’s really campaign in Maryland — which is 40 per- important that we listen to those who cent black — to pass a marriage equality lead the way” in civil rights battles.

NAGEL REFLECTS, CONT. bring it about. teaching models, and it’s Nagel’s opinion In his Arkansas career, there have been that the state Board of Education has done a successes for public schools and “huge good job of oversight on the schools, though problems we’ve avoided.” Among the suc- “others think they have failed miserably … cesses: The trust fund, the development of they haven’t approved every application a Code of Ethics for teachers, and a variety that comes along.” of reforms in teacher training, standards But charter schools have not proven and evaluation that are “more appropriate themselves to be better than traditional puband focused” than the standards passed in lic schools, Nagel said, and can harm both 1983 under Clinton. public opinion and financial support for Until the rise of the “school reform” Arkansas’s public education. “Every time movement supported by the Walton fam- we accommodate the wishes or desires of a ily’s billions — including charter schools and particular group to leave the public schools, vouchers — the AEA’s mission to improve the public schools lose,” Nagel said. public education was straightforward, and Nagel said he does not believe that AEA’s its role significant in bringing about prog- influence “has waned significantly” despite ress. Now, the AEA must contend with the the attacks on public education. “We’re enormous influence that Walton money has still effective within the General Assembly over the General Assembly. to maintain high standards for securing a Nagel said the AEA tries to find common license and for schools,” though the AEA ground with the Walton’s educational lobby. spent “far more time” than in previous years “Where we differ is not in the end result. working to make sure funding for K-12 and Everyone wants students to be successful.” higher education was secure. Most of the The difference is “ways of going about it … AEA’s successes in the recent RepublicanWe believe there’s a role for charter schools, dominated legislature that adjourned in but we don’t believe every school should be May were in stopping bad bills. The worst a charter school.” two, in Nagel’s view, were a bill by Sen. Jane The AEA supported the initial charter English, R-North Little Rock, to create a school law as a way to introduce innovative private school voucher pool by making con-

tributions to it tax-deductible, and a bill

by Rep. Randy Alexander, R-Fayetteville, to divert public dollars to private schools for the “Parental School Choice Scholarship.” Alexander’s bill had a lengthy preamble characterizing the failure of public schools as a given and criticizing funding by federal dollars for the onus they put on Arkansas to comply with laws “that are not always advantageous to or complementary to the mission of the state.” Neither bill got anywhere.

Nagel said the AEA “worked far more with coalitions than we ever have before” to fight broad legislation that would have hurt education, including a bill by Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs, to cap state expenditures and the “highway robbery” bill that would have diverted general revenues to highways. The coalition — including Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, and the Arkansas Public Policy Panel — also successfully fought a measure to set up a separate charter school commission that would have taken oversight away from the state Board of Education.

Successes also included bills that became law, including the “private option” to provide health insurance to low wage fami-

lies — which Nagel said “really was something that was extraordinary for Arkansas to do” — along with Act 1326, the “Whole Child — Whole Community” legislation (Sens. Joyce Elliott, D-Little Rock, David Johnson, D-Little Rock, and Linda Chesterfield, D-Little Rock, and Reps. Warwick Sabin , D-Little Rock, Hank Wilkins, D-Pine Bluff, and Frederick Love, D-Little Rock,), and Act 1329, to evaluate the impact of school discipline on student achievement (Chesterfield).

Losses included the tax breaks for the well-to-do ushered in by House Speaker Davy Carter, R-Cabot, and the handgun law that allows guns on school campuses, a law roundly rejected by schools.

“The next general election is going to be critically important” to the interests of Arkansas public education, Nagel said. A more conservative legislature would be likely to win the battle over vouchers and public oversight of education. Though he won’t be head of the AEA, Nagel is likely to be at the state Capitol in the next session.

That’s good, says outgoing AEA president Donna Morey, because, “There’s no one who cares more about public schools and children than Rich Nagel.” www.arktimes.com

JULY 11, 2013

21

Arts Entertainment AND

SUMMER BOOK PICKS

Short stories, sexy killers and ‘Sisters Brothers.’

BY ROBERT BELL, DAVID KOON, LESLIE NEWELL PEACOCK, JASPER POTTS, DAVID RAMSEY AND DOUG SMITH

A

nother blistering Arkansas summer, another round of book picks to give you an excuse to sit around inside the cool, comforting AC. Not that you really need one, but regardless, here are some recommendations.

Ginger Rogers in the title role. In the 1970s, “Chicago” was made into a musical, and in the 1990s it was revised and revived, and has had its greatest success since. But no stage production could do a better job than Perry has done with this book. The original Girls of Murder City are still bigger stars than anyone who followed them.

— Doug Smith

“The Girls of Murder City: Fame, lust, and the beautiful killers who inspired ‘Chicago’ ”

“The Sisters Brothers”

BY DOUGLAS PERRY

BY PATRICK DEWITT

I saw the revival of “Chicago,” the musical, on stage in 1997 and enjoyed it greatly. (So much that I didn’t bother to see the movie that came later.) I don’t remember whether I knew at the time that the show was supposedly based on real events. Now I not only know, I feel like I was in Chicago in the 1920s when both Beulah Annan (“Beautiful Beulah,” the papers called her) and Belva Gaertner knocked off boyfriends — both had husbands too — were acquitted in circus trials, and became celebrities in the process. All of this before reality TV. A young newspaper reporter named Maurine Dallas Watkins, something of a character in her own right, covered the two women’s trials, and wrote a non-musical play called “Chicago” that became a hit on Broadway while Watkins was still in her 20s. The play was turned into a 1942 movie, “Roxie Hart.” “Roxie” was the character based on Beulah.

The film was also non-musical, though it starred

Patrick DeWitt’s “The Sisters Brothers” was one of the hot books of 2011, though I only got around to reading it late last year. Images from the tragicomic western are still imprinted on my mind even many months later, however. It’s a darkly funny tale of two assassins, the titular Charlie and Eli Sisters. Both are notorious and widely feared among the bedraggled frontier folk they encounter. They receive orders to kill a prospector accused of thievery. Much of the book consists of their mission to track down the supposed thief and dispense with him. So it’s a road novel, minus the roads. But along the way, the narrator Eli — the less psychotic of the two by a good degree — begins to question the purpose of his life and whether he could ever truly break away from the brutal life of a hired killer. I don’t want to give anything away — the book is full of bizarre surprises, after all. The archaic yet fascinating language echoes Charles Portis’s “True Grit,” (but won’t have you

22

JULY 11, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

reaching for the dictionary every fifth word like, say, “Blood Meridian”), while its bizarre, almost sci-fi touches and bone-dry humor recall Richard Brautigan’s psychedelic absurdist horror Western “The Hawkline Monster.” But “The Sisters Brothers” is truly its own thing, and a rare one at that: a very funny, original book that you’ll likely devour quickly, wanting more where that came from. Hopefully, you’ll get that, as actor John C. Reilly has purchased the film rights.

— Robert Bell

“We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves”

BY KAREN JOY FOWLER Rosemary Cooke tells the story of the disappearance of her sister, Fern, and her brother’s decision to leave home by starting in the middle of the story and looking back. Rosemary — whose voice Fowler imbues with both the insouciance of the multi-year college student who puts up with a crazy friend just because it’s too much trouble not to — yearns for the return of her beloved Fern, a chimpanzee, and her brother, Lowell, who has become an ecoterrorist, and mourns the dissolution of her family.

The story is about one-tenth Carl Hiassen, thanks to the element of absurdity mixed with facts on chimp experimentation in the 1970s, and 100 percent pure joy to read.

—Leslie Peacock CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

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

A&E NEWS THE WALTON ARTS CENTER ANNOUNCED ITS 2013-2014 SEASON lineup last week.

Some of the highlights: Aaron Neville (Oct. 5), The Doobie Brothers (Nov. 1), “One Man Lord of the Rings” (Feb. 1), Soweto Gospel Choir (March 6), Rosanne Cash (March 7), “Chicago” (March 11-16), Jim Belushi & The Chicago Board of Comedy (April 10) and many more.

You can check out the entire schedule at WaltonArtsCenter.com. Single ticket sales begin July 24. Get them online or by calling 479-443-5600.

THE YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND’S HARVEST MUSIC FESTIVAL made its lineup announcement recently. Headliners include the blues virtuosos in the Tedeschi Trucks Band (who impressed the Times mightily last year; contributor Kelley Bass described the performance as an “amazing, transcendent, two-hour concert”), Primus frontman Les Claypool with his Duo de Twang, singer/songwriter Justin Townes Earle, bluegrass explorers Railroad Earth, swamp blues faves JJ Grey and Mofro, global electronic mixmasters Beats Antique and many, many more, including, naturally, The Yonder Mountain String Band.

Check out the entire lineup at YonderHarvestFestival.com.

Tickets for the festival (Oct. 17-19 at Mulberry Mountain) are on sale now, at least for the three-day pass, which is $130. Two-day and Saturday only tickets will be on sale soon.

ALL YOU WOULD-BE FELLINIS, KUBRICKS AND SPIELBERGS GOT YOUR EARS ON? Because time is drawing nigh for the Little Rock leg of The 48 Hour Film Project, the contest in which local teams conceive, write, shoot and edit a short film in just 48 hours. The contest will be held the weekend of Aug. 16-18. Early registration is open now through July 22. The entry fee during early registration is $140 per team.

In the competition, teams pick a genre from a hat, and then are given a prop, a character and a line of dialogue that must be used in their completed film.

You and a bunch of pals ready to get your deep focus on? Register at 48hourfilm.com.

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

Friday, July 12

Royal Thunder (Atlanta, GA) & Adam Faucett & The Tall Grass Buffalo

Saturday, July 13 T-Rex Chicken

tueSday, July 16 MAN (San Francisco)

thurSday, July 18

Pallbearer w/ Iron Tongue & Terminus

check out additional shows at

whitewatertavern.com

Share the Road

Share the road For Cyclists

Tips for SAFE cycling on the road.

• Bicycles are vehicles on the road, just like cars and motorcycles. Cyclists must obey all traffic laws. Arkansas Uniform Vehicle Code #27-49-111 • Cyclists must signal, ride on the right side of the road and yield to traffic normally.

Code #27-51-301/403 • Bicycles must have a white headlight and a red tail light visible from 500 feet and have a bell or warning device for pedestrians.

Code #27-36-220 • Make eye contact with motorists. Be visible. Be predictable. Head up, think ahead.

• On the Big Dam Bridge... go slow.

Represent!

• As you pass, say “On your left... thank you.”

• On the River Trail... use a safe speed, don’t intimidate or scare others. Watch for dogs and leashes.

Tips for prEVENTiNG iNjury or dEaTh.

For more information...

Bicycles are vehicles on Bicycle Advocacy of Arkansas www.bacar.org the road, just like cars and League of American Bicyclists motorcycles.

Cyclist should www.bikeleague.org/programs/education Share the Road obey all traffic laws. Arkansas For Cyclists Tips forVehicle SAFE cycling on the road.

Uniform Code #27-49-111

• Bicycles are vehicles on the road, just like cars and motorcycles.

Cyclists must Cyclists should signal, rideobey on all traffic laws. Arkansas Uniform Vehicle Code the right side of the road, and #27-49-111 •yield traffic likeside Cycliststo must signal,normally ride on the right of the road and yield to traffic normally. any other road vehicle.

Code Code #27-51-301/403 •#27-51-301/403 Bicycles must have a white headlight and a red tail light visible from 500 feet and have a bell device for pedestrians.

Giveor 3warning feet of clear space when Code #27-36-220 passing (up to a $1000 fine!)

• Make eye contact with motorists. Be visCodeBe#27-51-311 ible. predictable. Head up, think ahead.

• On the Big Dam Bridge... go slow.

Cyclist by law can not ride on Represent!

•the As you pass, say “On left... thank you.” sidewalk in your some areas, • On the River Trail... use a safe speed, don’t some bikes can only handle Share the Road intimidate or scare others.

Watch for dogs and leashes.roads For Cyclists smooth (no cracks, For morecycling information...

Tips for SAFE on the road. potholes, trolley tracks).

Advocacy Arkansas • BicyclesBicycle are vehicles onofthe road, just like www.bacar.org LR Ord.#32-494 cars andLeague motorcycles.

Cyclists must obey of American Bicyclists allwww.bikeleague.org/programs/education traffic laws. Arkansas Uniform Vehicle Code Make eye contact with cyclists. #27-49-111 • Cyclists must signal, ride on the right side Drive predictably. of the road and yield to traffic normally.

Code #27-51-301/403 prevent bikes. and a •Please Bicycles must have aghost white headlight red tail light visible from 500 feet and have a www.ghostbikes.org bell or warning device for pedestrians.

Code #27-36-220 • Makefor information: eye more contact with motorists. Be visible. Be predictable. Head up, think ahead.

Bicycle advocacy of arkansas • On the Big Dam Bridge... go slow.

Represent!www.bacar.org • As you pass, say “On your left... thank you.”

• On the River Trail... use a safe speed, don’t intimidate others. Watch for dogs Leagueorofscare American Bicyclists and leashes.

www.bikeleague.org/ For more information...

Bicycle Advocacy of Arkansas programs/education

www.bacar.org League of American Bicyclists www.bikeleague.org/programs/education

www.arktimes.com

JULY 11, 2013

23

THE TO-DO

LIST

BY ROBERT BELL

FRIDAY 7/12

FRIDAY 7/12

‘MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT’

‘LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL’

8 p.m. Weekend Theater. $16-$20.

Based on the 1975 comedy “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” the smash hit “Monty Python’s Spamalot” is without question among the most successful Broadway shows of the last decade. The musical comedy was “lovingly ripped off” from the cult favorite film by Eric Idle. Sure, there was some grumbling from certain quarters of the Python camp (Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones didn’t sound too high on it when it debuted, with the former describing it as “Python-lite” and the latter, somewhat less charitably, as “utterly pointless”).

But audiences voted with their wallets, to the tune of a first-run gross of more than $175 million. The show has toured nationally three times, pointing to the durability of not only the Python brand, but of the musical itself, which won three Tony Awards, three Drama Desk Awards and a Grammy. The Weekend Theater’s production runs through July 28. (Note: the opening night performance is at 8 p.m., but subsequent Friday and Saturday shows will start at 7:30 p.m. All Sunday shows are at 2 p.m.)

7:30 p.m. The Public Theatre. $14-$16.

BRIGHT SIDE: The Weekend Theater’s production of “Monty Python’s Spamalot” opens Friday.

Omigod! You guys! For serious!

Community Theatre of Little Rock is totes producing “Legally Blonde: The Musical” at The Public Theatre!

You know, the hit musical based on the 2001 film starring Reese “Don’t You Know Who I Am?” Witherspoon!

Now, maybe some of you guys out there would say that you’d rather have your ears ripped off and fed to starving wolves than have to go see a musical — any musical, really, but specifically this one. Even though maybe they’ve been getting hints for years now that their girlfriends really like musicals and would maybe enjoy being taken out to see one every once in a freakin’ blue moon. But nooooo, that’s just too much to ask.

They want to stay in and get stoned and watch “Koyaanisqatsi” for the zillionth time. But you know what?

Those guys are just a bunch of cynical, insecure jerks who don’t know how to enjoy anything and only know how to tear things down and make fun of stuff! Because you know, it’s like, “Legally Blonde” is actually a pretty funny and smart movie no matter what the stuck-up jerkwads say! So they can just sit at home and read their Cormac McCarthy books or whatever while their girlfriend and her best friends have a girls night out and go see “Legally Blonde: The Musical” and then stay out really late and have to take a cab home and have a really good time! So there! The show runs through July 28, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

FRIDAY 7/12-SUNDAY 7/14

EUREKA SPRINGS FAT TIRE FESTIVAL

Various times and venues.

The Fat Tire Festival is probably one of the best-loved annual throw-downs in all of Eureka Springs, which is saying something in a town that takes its 24

JULY 11, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

annual throw-downs pretty seriously.

This one is of special interest for enthusiasts of two-wheeled manual transportation, a.k.a., the good ol’ bicycle.

There’s a huge variety of competitive and non-competitive events, for all ages and skill levels, from your youngsters

just starting out to your oldsters just out for a good time to, of course, your totally gnarbone adrenaline junkie offroad mud maniac jump-fiends. All are welcome. And there’ll be lots of fun to be had even for non-riders, what with all the after-parties, pool parties, awards

ceremonies and spectator thrills all over town. The kids rodeo is back this year and bigger than ever, with new stunts and games for the young’uns. And while you’re in Eureka Springs, don’t forget to eat a whole bunch of good food, as Fleur Delicious Weekend is in full swing.

IN BRIEF

THURSDAY 7/11

FRIDAY 7/12

SATURDAY 7/13

ROYAL THUNDER, ADAM FAUCETT & THE TALL GRASS BUFFALO

8 p.m. Magic Springs’ Timberwood Amphitheater. $50-$60.

GARY ALLAN

10 p.m. White Water Tavern.

Man y’all, “CVI” — the full-length released last year by Relapse Records from Georgia trio Royal Thunder — is bad-to-the-bone start to finish. There are straight-up rockers (“No Good,” parts of the otherwise spaced-out “South of Somewhere”), moments of Judas Priest-like theatricality (opener “Parsonz Curse”) and ’90s alt-rock from the heavier end of the spectrum (“Whispering World”) and Earth-y desert twang (the spooky, slow-build “Sleeping Witch”). The album closes with the slow-fist-pump-inducing “Black Water Vision.” Now, any assessment of Royal Thunder would be incomplete without noting the badassness of singer/bassist Mlny Parsonz. She’s wailing with the ferocity of Ann Wilson one moment and cooing like an evil Stevie Nicks the next.

Of course, even a really great singer can’t carry a band if the tunes aren’t there, and fortunately, Royal Thunder writes varied, interesting, engaging songs that’ll

ROYAL REVUE: Royal Thunder plays at White Water Tavern Friday night.

pull you back in for repeat listens. The band is supposed to be killer live so don’t skip this one. Opening up is the redoubtable Arkansas great Adam Faucett with The Tall Grass Buffalo.

Gary Allan seems to occupy a space in between dyed-in-the-wool honky tonk traditionalists like Dwight Yoakam and the empty-calorie pop Nashville’s been turning out for the last couple of decades. He was making recognizable country when recognizable country wasn’t cool, and he still is. On his most recent long-player, last year’s “Set You Free,” Allan opts for just a touch more pop polish (though it’s grafted onto a set of mostly upbeat rockers). That album featured Allan’s first self-penned No. 1 hit, the pensive “Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain).” Allan is the subject of an upcoming Great American Country channel special in which he opens up about the setbacks and tragedies he’s faced during his long career, including the suicide of his wife. This fall, Allan will hit the road with Sheryl Crow, who’ll be promoting her forthcoming country debut. Allan is also playing Friday night in Fayetteville at the Arkansas Music Pavilion, with Backroad Anthem opening the show.

SATURDAY 7/13

A MID SUMMER NIGHT’S JAM IV

FRIDAY 7/12 “Last Respects Paid: Death of the Godfather” is presented by Murder and Macabre Mystery Dinner Theater. Black attire is requested. The Regency, Hot Springs, July 12-13, 6 p.m., $40. It’s a Battle of the Brutal over at Downtown Music Hall, with SwitchbacH, She Breathes Fire, Burning Braylin, Tides of Anareta, All is at an End, Saints & Marauders, Seven Eves, Furiea, Slamphetamine and Place of Prominence, 6 p.m., $10 adv., $12 day of. Down in Spa City, Maxine’s has Kentucky Knife Fight, Ben Franks & The Bible Belt Boys and Insomniac Folklore, 8:30 p.m. Joey Farr brings the blazin’ blues-jamz to Midtown Billiards, 12:30 a.m., $5. Roots-rock specialists The P-47s take to the stage at Reno’s Argenta Cafe with the charming Mandy McBryde, 9:30 p.m.

SATURDAY 7/13 Any of you fans of heady, heavy dubstep-y electronic dance music will probably want to get on over to Revolution for the Zebbler Encanti Experience, performing with Perfect Glitch, Groovecluster and Wolf-e-Wolf, 18-and-older, 9 p.m., $15 adv., $18 day of. And if you wanna keep the party going until the way, way, way late/very early hours, well, good ol’ Discovery Nightclub has you covered, with U.K. breaks legend Krafty Kuts, performing along with Crawley, Whitman Bransford and a host of your other Disco favorites, 9 p.m.-5 a.m., $10-$15.

9 p.m. Stickyz. $5.

In what’s become a summertime tradition, Stickyz once again hosts A Mid Summer Night’s Jam, this being No. 4 (or IV, if you prefer) in the series. On the bill this year, you’ve got the blues-rock-’n’-rollercoaster of Interstate Buffalo moving it on down the line. The band is in trio form now after some lineup changes. If you’re digging’ on some Gov’t Mule or Derek Trucks and so forth and you haven’t yet checked the Buffalo, well hoss, you need to get with it. Then you’ve got Starroy coming straight outta Craighead County with the backwoods boogie that’ll get the asses shakin’ on the dance floor. And then you’ve got Stephen Neeper and The Wild Hearts (formerly The Stephen Neeper Band) who just positively smoke. It’s like somebody tossed early period Black Crowes and “Some Girls”-era Stones into a

Come out and celebrate the Green Corner Store’s fourth birthday from 5-8 p.m. There’ll be sampling of local foods, ice cream birthday cake, drawings for door prizes, music and more. Down in Hot Springs, the Glorious Glass Garden Party offers good times and two of the most important ingredients for living well: barbecue and beer, Garvan Woodland Gardens, Hot Springs, 6 p.m., $35. Mad Nomad and The Midnight Thrills provide the soundtrack to your Thursday night revelry, 18-and-older, 9 p.m., Stickyz, $5. Over at The Joint in North Little Rock, you can check out the electro-tinged pop sounds of Collin Vs. Adam, 9:30 p.m. At Dickey-Stephens Park, the Arkansas Travelers continue a four-game series against the Tulsa Drillers, 7:10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, $4-$12.

ALL-NIGHT JAM: Interstate Buffalo plays A Mid Summer Night’s Jam IV at Stickyz Saturday.

WEDNESDAY 7/17

bag with a couple-or-five bumps and shot of Pope County Juice and a pulled-pork sandwich. For the price of only $5, you absolutely will not find more rock ’n’ roll

Movies in the Park screens “Big,” the Tom Hanks-starring classic from the ’80s, sundown, First Security Amphitheatre, free. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and coolers. No glass containers, concessions available.

anywhere at all ever. Interstate Buffalo keeps the party going until damn 5 a.m. at Midtown Billiards so, you know, probably start get yourself prepared now.

www.arktimes.com

JULY 11, 2013

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 e-mail the listing and all pertinent information, including date, time, location, price and contact information, to calendar@arktimes.com.

THURSDAY, JULY 11

MUSIC

Collin Vs. Adam. The Joint, 9:30 p.m. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.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.

Irish Traditional Music Sessions. Dugan’s Pub, 7-9 p.m. 401 E. 3rd St. 501-244-0542. www. duganspublr.com.

Jim Dickerson. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, through Aug. 1: 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www.sonnywilliamssteakroom.com.

Josh Green. Denton’s Trotline, 8 p.m., free. 2150 Congo Road, Benton. 501-315-1717.

Karaoke. Zack’s Place, 8 p.m., 1400 S. University Ave., 501-664-6444. The Afterthought, 8 p.m., free., 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd., 501-663-1196. www. afterthoughtbar.com.

Karaoke with Kevin & Cara. MacDaddy’s Bar and Grill, 9 p.m., free. 314 N. Maple St., NLR. Krush Thursdays with DJ Kavaleer. Club Climax, free before 11 p.m. 824 W. Capitol. 501-554-3437.

Mad Nomad, The Midnight Thrills. 18-andolder. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9 p.m., $5. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www. stickyz.com.

Michael Eubanks. Newk’s Express Cafe, 6:30 p.m. 4317 Warden Road, NLR. 501-753-8826. newks.com.

Nappy Roots. Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $10. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www.juanitas.com.

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

Rebirth Brass Band. All-ages. Revolution, 8:30 p.m., $10 adv., $15 day of. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom.com.

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

Second Lovers. Maxine’s, 8:30 p.m. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. www.maxinespub.com.

Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 5 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www.capitalhotel.com/CBG. Tragikly White (headliner), Chris Henry (happy hour). Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 and 9 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf.com.

Wes Burnett. The Tavern Sports Grill, 7 p.m., free. 17815 Chenal Parkway. 501-830-2100. www. thetavernsportsgrill.com.

COMEDY

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

EVENTS

American Taekwondo Association. Statehouse Convention Center, through July 14. 7 Statehouse Plaza. ataonline.com/worlds.

Fleur Delicious Weekend. Third annual arts and food festival, hosted at venues all over 26

JULY 11, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

NOLA’S FINEST: The Rebirth Brass Band comes to Revolution Thursday night for an all-ages show, 8:30 p.m., $15.

Eureka Springs. Check website for full schedule. Downtown Eureka Springs, through July 14. www.fleurdeliciousweekend.com.

Glorious Glass Garden Party. Includes barbecue and beer. Garvan Woodland Gardens, 6 p.m., $35. 550 Akridge Road, Hot Springs. www.garvangardens.org.

Green Corner Store’s Fourth Anniversary. With local food sampling, ice cream cake, door prize drawings and live music. Green Corner Store, 5-8 p.m. 1423 Main St. Suite D. 501-374-1111. www.thegreencornerstore.com.

Woodlawn Farmer’s Market. Shoppes on Woodlawn, 4:30 p.m. 4523 Woodlawn. 501666-3600. woodlawnshoppes.blogspot.com.

SPORTS

Arkansas Travelers vs. Tulsa Drillers. DickeyStephens Park, through July 13, 7:10 p.m.;

through July 20, 7:10 p.m.; July 21, 6:10 p.m., $4-$12. 400 W. Broadway St., NLR. 501-6641555. www.travs.com.

CAMPS

WILDKids Read! Children ages 5-7 (must have completed kindergarten) will enjoy books, activities and projects with instructor Christen Bufford.

Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts, 9 a.m.noon, $150. 20919 Denny Road.

FRIDAY, JULY 12

MUSIC

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

Battle of the Brutal. With SwitchbacH, She Breathes Fire, Burning Braylin, Tides of Anareta, All is at an End, Saints & Marauders, Seven

Eves, Furiea, Slamphetamine and Place of Prominence. Downtown Music Hall, 6 p.m., $10 adv., $12 day of. 211 W. Capitol. 501-376-1819. downtownmusichall.com.

Club Nights at 1620 Savoy. Dance night, with DJs, drink specials and bar menu, until 2 a.m.

1620 Savoy, 10 p.m. 1620 Market St. 501-2211620. www.1620savoy.com.

Donna Massey & Blue Eyed Soul (headliner), Alex Summerlin (happy hour). Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 and 9 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf.com.

Four West. The Tavern Sports Grill, 7 p.m., free.

17815 Chenal Parkway. 501-830-2100. www.thetavernsportsgrill.com.

Friday night at Sway. Sway, 9 p.m. 412 Louisiana.

501-907-2582.

Gary Allan, Backroad Anthem. Arkansas Music Pavilion, 7:30 p.m., $32-$102. 2536 N. McConnell Ave., Fayetteville. 479-443-5600. www.arkansasmusicpavilion.com.

Goldy Locks. West End Smokehouse and Tavern, July 12-13, 10 p.m., $5. 215 N. Shackleford. 501224-7665. www.westendsmokehouse.net.

Joey Farr. Midtown Billiards, 12:30 a.m., $5. 1316 Main St. 501-372-9990. midtownar.com.

Kentucky Knife Fight, Ben Franks & The Bible Belt Boys, Insomniac Folklore. Maxine’s, 8:30 p.m. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. www.maxinespub.com.

A Lesser Hope. Vino’s. 923 W. 7th St. 501-3758466. www.vinosbrewpub.com.

Mayday by Midnight. Denton’s Trotline, 9 p.m., $7. 2150 Congo Road, Benton. 501-315-1717.

The P-47s, Mandy McBryde. Reno’s Argenta Cafe, 9:30 p.m. 312 N. Main St., NLR. 501-3762900. www.renosargentacafe.com.

Pat Anderson. Cregeen’s Irish Pub, 8 p.m. 301 Main St., NLR. 501-376-7468. www.cregeens. com.

Royal Thunder, Adam Faucett & The Tall Grass Buffalo. White Water Tavern, 10 p.m. 2500 W 7th St. 501-375-8400. www.whitewatertavern.com.

Strangely Familiar. Thirst n’ Howl, 8:30 p.m., free. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www. thirst-n-howl.com.

Synergy, DJ Sleepy Genius. Montego Cafe, 8:30 p.m. 315 Main St. 501-372-1555. www.montegocafe.com.

Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 9 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www.capitalhotel.com/CBG. “YOLO.” Featuring four DJs and beach volleyball, 18-and-older. Flying DD, $5. 4601 S. University.

501-773-9990. flyingdd.com.

COMEDY

Adam Hunter, Sam Demaris. The Loony Bin, through July 13, 7:30 and 10 p.m., $7-$10. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-228-5555. www. loonybincomedy.com.

The Main Thing: “Wiener Day at the Rollercade.” Original two-act play from The Joint’s resident comedy troupe. The Joint, 8 p.m., $20. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-3720205. thejointinlittlerock.com.

DANCE

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

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

Salsa Night. Begins with a one-hour salsa lesson.

Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $5 from before 10 p.m., $8 after 10 p.m. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www.littlerocksalsa.com.

EVENTS

American Taekwondo Association. Statehouse Convention Center, through July 14. 7 Statehouse Plaza. ataonline.com/worlds.

Fat Tire Festival. Featuring a wide variety of bicycle races as well as noncompetitive events for all ages and skill levels. Downtown Eureka Springs, July 12, 2 p.m.; July 13-14, 7 a.m. Downtown Eureka Springs, Eureka Springs. 479-455-7654. www.fattirefestival.com.

Fleur Delicious Weekend. See July 11.

LGBTQ/SGL Youth and Young Adult Group.

Diverse Youth for Social Change is a group for LGBTQ/SGL and straight ally youth and young adults age 14 to 23. For more information, call 244-9690 or search “DYSC” on Facebook. 6:30 p.m., 800 Scott St. Quiltfest 2013. Hot Springs Convention Center, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., $5, free for children younger than 12. 134 Convention Blvd., Hot Springs. 501-3212027. www.hotsprings.org.

SPORTS

Arkansas Travelers vs. Tulsa Drillers. DickeyStephens Park, through July 13, 7:10 p.m.; through July 20, 7:10 p.m.; July 21, 6:10 p.m., $4-$12. 400 W. Broadway St., NLR. 501-6641555. www.travs.com.

CAMPS

WILDKids Read! See July 11.

SATURDAY, JULY 13

MUSIC

Black Water, Steve Hester & Deja VooDoo, Nickel Biscuit with BB Gunn. Juanita’s, 10 p.m., $8 adv., $10 day of. 614 President Clinton Ave.

501-372-1228. www.juanitas.com.

BLVCK PVSSY, Terminator II, Snakedriver. Vino’s.

923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com.

Club Nights at 1620 Savoy. See July 12.

Gary Allan. Magic Springs’ Timberwood Amphitheater, 8 p.m., $50-$60. 1701 E. Grand Ave., Hot Springs.

Goldy Locks. West End Smokehouse and Tavern, 10 p.m., $5. 215 N. Shackleford. 501-224-7665. www.westendsmokehouse.net.

Interstate Buffalo. Midtown Billiards, 12:30 a.m., $5. 1316 Main St. 501-372-9990. midtownar.com.

Jamie Lou Duo. The Tavern Sports Grill, 7 p.m., free. 17815 Chenal Parkway. 501-830-2100. www. thetavernsportsgrill.com.

Jet 420 (headliner), Pat Anderson (happy hour).

Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 and 9 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www. cajunswharf.com.

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.

Krafty Kuts, Crawley, Whitman Bransford.

Discovery Nightclub, 9 p.m.-5 a.m., $10-$15.

1021 Jessie Road. 501-664-4784. www.latenightdisco.com.

Mid Summer Night’s Jam IV. 18-and-older, with Interstate Buffalo, Starroy, Stephen Neeper & The Wild Hearts. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9 p.m., $5. 107 Commerce St. 501-3727707. www.stickyz.com.

My Brother My Friend. Bear’s Den Pizza, 8:30 p.m., free. 235 Farris Road, Conway. 501-3285556. www.bearsdenpizza.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.

Sideshow Tragedy, Chris Johnson, Midwest Caravan. Maxine’s, 8:30 p.m. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. www.maxinespub.com.

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

Taylor Made. Thirst n’ Howl, 8:30 p.m., free. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www.thirst-n-howl. com.

Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 9 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www.capitalhotel.com/CBG. Tragikly White. Denton’s Trotline, 9 p.m., $10.

2150 Congo Road, Benton. 501-315-1717.

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

Zebbler Encanti Experience, Perfect Glitch, Groovecluster, Wolf-e-Wolf. 18-and-older.

Revolution, 9 p.m., $15 adv., $18 day of. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom. com.

COMEDY

Adam Hunter, Sam Demaris. The Loony Bin, 7:30 and 10 p.m., $7-$10. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.com.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

No RuLes. No APoLogies.

Just HeLP. Hoedown throw-down Fundraiser July 28 • 8pm-12am Hosted by Patrick from 100.3 the edge. $10 minimum donation requested All proceeds go to The Van, The Field (One, Inc.)* Featuring H & H Modeling, T-Shirts, Gift Baskets, Gift Cards and more! *The Field is an urban farm committed to growing food and opportunities for the homeless community in Arkansas.

B R AC E YO U R S E LV E S F O R OV E R 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 M U S I C P R I Z E S A N D T I C K E T S TO A O N C E - I N -A- L I F E T I M E MUSIC EXPERIENCE. ENTER THE CODE INSIDE S P E C I A L LY M A R K E D PA C K A G E S O F B U D L I G H T FO R A C H A N C E TO W I N A L L S U M M E R LO N G. G O O N L I N E O R S C A N B E L O W TO L E A R N M O R E .

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. GAME OPEN TO U.S. RESIDENTS 21 OR OLDER. BEGINS 5/1/13 AT 12:00 A.M. CDT; ENDS 8/15/13 AT 11:59:59 P.M. CDT. TO REQUEST A FREE CODE AND THE OFFICIAL RULES, SEND YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, E-MAIL ADDRESS AND AGE TO: MUSIC FIRST GAME PIECE REQUEST, P.O. BOX 753726, EL PASO, TX 88575-3726. REQUEST MUST BE RECEIVED BY 8/8/13. LIMIT 1 FREE CODE REQUEST/ENVELOPE AND 1 FREE CODE REQUEST/PERSON/DAY. SEE RULES AT WWW.BUDLIGHT.COM/MUSICFIRST FOR COMPLETE DETAILS INCLUDING HOW TO PLAY AND MUSIC FIRST PRIZES. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

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

PARTY AT OUR PLACE!

Book Our Party Room Today!

All American Food & Great Place to Watch Your Favorite Event

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK | 11AM - LATE 225 E MARKHAM • LITTLE ROCK, AR

(501) 324-2449 bigwhiskeys.com

DRINK LOCAL www.arktimes.com

JULY 11, 2013

27

AFTER DARK, CONT. The Main Thing: “Wiener Day at the Rollercade.” Original two-act play from The Joint’s resident comedy troupe. The Joint, 8 p.m., $20. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-3720205. thejointinlittlerock.com.

DANCE

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

EVENTS

Crazy Dave’s Carpet Outlet

Carpeting/Area Rugs Ceramic/Porcelain Laminate Flooring Vinyl/Resilient Wood Flooring

#40 Market Plaza • North Little Rock

501-955-5501

www.CrazyDavesCarpetOutlet.com

American Taekwondo Association. Statehouse Convention Center, through July 14. 7 Statehouse Plaza. ataonline.com/worlds.

Argenta Farmers Market. Argenta, 7 a.m.-noon.

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

Fat Tire Festival. See July 12.

First Vintage Military Vehicle Show. MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., free. 503 E. 9th St. 376-4602. www.arkmilitaryheritage.com.

Fleur Delicious Weekend. See July 11.

Genealogy Workshop. Featuring Tony Burroughs, Fellow of the Utah Genealogical Association. Main Library, 9 a.m. 100 S. Rock St. www.cals.lib.ar.us.

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

Little Rock Farmers Market. River Market Pavilions, through Oct. 26: 7 a.m. 400 President Clinton Ave. 375-2552. www.rivermarket.info.

Quiltfest 2013. Hot Springs Convention Center, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., $5, free for children younger than 12. 134 Convention Blvd., Hot Springs. 501-3212027. www.hotsprings.org.

South Main Vintage Market. Vintage and antique goods for sale. The Bernice Garden, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 1401 S. Main St. www.thebernicegarden.org.

Youth Home’s Texas Hold’em Tournament & Casino Night. Fundraiser for Youth Home, with hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine; $50 buy-in for poker or $35 for craps, blackjack, roulette or slot machines. Next Level Events, 3-11 p.m. 1400 W. Markham St. 501-821-5500, ext. 209. www. nextleveleventsinc.com.

SPORTS

American Taekwondo Association World Ceremony. Verizon Arena, 7 p.m., $20-$42. 1 Alltel Arena Way, NLR. 501-975-9001. verizonarena.com.

Arkansas Travelers vs. Tulsa Drillers. DickeyStephens Park, through July 13, 7:10 p.m.; through July 20, 7:10 p.m.; July 21, 6:10 p.m., $4-$12. 400 W. Broadway St., NLR. 501-6641555. www.travs.com.

SUNDAY, JULY 14

MUSIC

Find out more about our programs or to become a volunteer online at www.arkansasvoices.org or call 501-366-3647 28

JULY 11, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

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

501-982-1939.

Michael Eubanks. Lone Star Steakhouse and Saloon, 7 p.m. 10901 N Rodney Parham Road.

501-227-8898. www.lonestarsteakhouse.com.

Mrs. Skannotto. Vino’s. 923 W. 7th St. 501-3758466. www.vinosbrewpub.com.

Successful Sunday. Featuring live music and DJs. Montego Cafe, 7 p.m. 315 Main St. 501-372-1555. www.montegocafe.com.

Summer Concert Series: Buddy Case. Faulkner County Library, 2 p.m., free. 1900 Tyler St., Conway. 501-327-7482. www.fcl.org.

Sunday Jazz Brunch with Ted Ludwig. Vieux

Carre, 11 a.m. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-6631196. www.vieuxcarrecafe.com.

EVENTS

American Taekwondo Association. Statehouse Convention Center. 7 Statehouse Plaza. ataonline.com/worlds.

Bernice Garden Farmers Market. The Bernice Garden, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 1401 S. Main St. www. thebernicegarden.org.

Fat Tire Festival. See July 12.

Fleur Delicious Weekend. See July 11.

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

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

Sunday Social at the Villa Marre. Benefit for the Quapaw Quarter Association, with dinner and drinks. The Villa Marre, 6-9 p.m., $50.

1321 Scott St.

MONDAY, JULY 15

MUSIC

Irish Traditional Music Session. “SloPlay” begins at 6 p.m. Public session begins at 7 p.m. Hibernia Irish Tavern, first and third Monday of every month. 9700 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-2464340. www.hiberniairishtavern.com.

Jabee. 18-and-older. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9 p.m., $5. 107 Commerce St. 501-3727707. www.stickyz.com.

Little Rock Fashion Week: Music Remix Experience. Cornerstone Pub & Grill, 7-11 p.m., $12. 314 Main St., NLR. 501-374-1782. cstonepub.com.

Midnight Empire, Attack the Mind, Eddie & The Defiantz. Juanita’s, 8 p.m., $8 adv., $10 day of. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www.juanitas.com.

Patio Party. With drink and food specials and music from Bongo Willy. Ciao Baci, 6:30-9:30 p.m., free. 605 N. Beechwood St. 501-603-0238. www.ciaobaci.org.

Richie Johnson. Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf.com.

Shy Low, Mad Nomad, Mainland Divide. Vino’s.

923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com.

CAMPS

WILDKids Play! Theatre arts camp for ages 8-12, with instructor Erin Anson. Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., $200. 20919 Denny Road.

TUESDAY, JULY 16

MUSIC

American Lions. Bear’s Den Pizza, 8:30 p.m., free.

235 Farris Road, Conway. 501-328-5556. www. bearsdenpizza.com.

Arkansas River Blues Society Blues Jam. Thirst n’ Howl, through July 30: 8:30 p.m., free. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www.thirst-n-howl. com.

Brian & Nick. Cajun’s Wharf, through July 23: 5:30 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road.

501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf.com.

Jim Dickerson. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, through Aug. 1: 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www.sonnywilliamssteakroom.com.

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

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

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

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

AFTER DARK, CONT.

EVENTS

Little Rock Farmers Market. River Market Pavilions, through Oct. 26: 7 a.m. 400 President Clinton Ave. 375-2552. www.rivermarket.info.

Tales from the South. Authors tell true stories; schedule available on website. Dinner served 5-6:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m. Call for reservations.

Starving Artist Cafe, 5 p.m. 411 N. Main St., NLR. 501-372-7976. www.starvingartistcafe.net.

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

FILM

Ice Cream Social. Ice cream floats, plus a free screening of “North by Northwest.” Vino’s, 7 p.m. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com.

CAMPS

WILDKids Play! Theatre arts camp for ages 8-12, with instructor Erin Anson. Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., $200. 20919 Denny Road.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17

MUSIC

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

Brian Nahlen. The Tavern Sports Grill, 7 p.m., free. 17815 Chenal Parkway. 501-830-2100. www. thetavernsportsgrill.com.

Jazz in the Park: Walter Henderson & Chris Parker. No coolers allowed, beer and wine for sale onsite. Bring chairs or blankets. Riverfront Park, 5:30 p.m., free. 400 President Clinton Avenue.

Jim Dickerson. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, through Aug. 1: 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www.sonnywilliamssteakroom.com.

Julie Scoggins, Chris Killian. The Loony Bin, July 17-18, 7:30 p.m.; July 19-20, 7:30 and 10 p.m., $7-$10. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.com.

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

Karaoke Extravaganza. Includes drink and food specials and cash prizes. Montego Cafe, 9 p.m., $5. 315 Main St. 501-372-1555. www.montegocafe.com.

Karen Jr. Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www. cajunswharf.com.

Live Karaoke and Dueling Pianos. Featuring Dell Smith and William Staggers. Montego Cafe, 9 p.m. 315 Main St. 501-372-1555. www.

COMEDY

The Joint Venture. Improv comedy group. The Joint, 8 p.m., $5. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com.

Standup Open Mic Night. Hosted by local come­di­ans of the com­edy col­lec­tive Come­di­ ans of NWA. UARK Bowl, 9 p.m., free. 644 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479-301-2030. uarkbowl.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

Little Rock Fashion Week: Child’s Play Day. Little Rock Zoo, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., $38-$58. 1 Jonesboro Drive. 501-666-2406. www.littlerockzoo.com.

Miss Arkansas Pageant. Summit Arena, July 17-20, 7:30 p.m., $27-$38. 134 Convention Blvd., Hot Springs. 501-321-2027. www.summitarena. org.

Political Animals Club: The 2014 Elections — A Look Ahead. Panel discussion about the 2014 races in Arkansas. Governor’s Mansion, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., $20 (includes lunch). 1800 Center St. 501-377-1121.

FILM

Movies in the Park: “Big.” Coolers allowed, no glass containers. Concessions available, cash only. Movie begins at sunset. First Security Amphitheatre, 8 p.m., free. 400 President Clinton Ave.

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.

CAMPS

WILDKids Play! Theatre arts camp for ages 8-12, with instructor Erin Anson. Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., $200. 20919 Denny Road.

THIS WEEK IN THEATER

Auditions for “Circle Mirror Transformation.”

Cold-reading audition; performance dates are Aug. 15-17. Lantern Theatre, July 13-14, 7 p.m.

1021 Van Ronkle, Conway. 501-733-6220. www. conwayarts.org/index.html.

“Last Respects Paid: Death of the Godfather.”

Presented by Murder and Macabre Mystery Dinner Theater. Black attire requested. The Regency, July 12-13, 6 p.m., $40. 714 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-262-4521. www.there-

GALLERIES, MUSEUMS

NEW EXHIBITIONS, EVENTS

ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER, MacArthur Park: Gallery talk by Curator of Drawings Ann Wagner about “Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Gainsborough: The Treasures of Kenwood House, London,” 2-3 p.m. July 14, exhibition through Sept. 8, $12 adults, $10 seniors, $8 military, $6 students, free to members; “Bauhaus Twenty-21: An Ongoing Legacy,” photographs

by Gordon Watkinson, through Sept. 22; “50 Works / 50 Weeks / 50 Years,” Alice Pratt Brown Atrium, through 2013; “Ryan Sniegocki: Museum School Ceramic Artist in Residence,” pottery; “Interwoven: Craft Exhibition,” from the permanent collection, through Nov. 17. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. 372-4000.

372-4000.

BUTLER CENTER GALLERIES, Arkansas Studies Institute, 401 President Clinton Ave.: Sharon Franke, featured artist, music by Ukulele Bill, 5-8 p.m. July 12, 2nd Friday Art Night; “Get a Simple Landscape,” drawings by Jerry Phillips, through Sept. 29, “Arkansas Art Educators Youth Art Show,” through July 27; “Creative Expressions,” work by individuals with mental illness at the Arkansas State Hospital, through Aug. 25. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 320-5700.

CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 509 Scott St.: Paintings from the Arkansas League of Artists and Local Colour, reception 5-8 p.m. July 12, 2nd Friday Art Night. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 8 a.m.-noon Sun. COURTYARD MARRIOTT, 521 President Clinton CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

! d o

NE NEW W M O e w n nu er ! s!

Di ni ng !

o F t

eu x Vi

G

Ca rré )

a e r

er ly

gencyhall.com.

“Legally Blonde: The Musical.” Musical version of the hit 2001 film. The Public Theatre, Community Theatre of Little Rock, through July 28: Fri., Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m., $14$16. 616 Center St. 501-410-2283. www.ctlract.org.

“Monty Python’s Spamalot.” Popular musical comedy from the creators of “Monty Python.”

The Weekend Theater, through July 28: Fri., July 12, 8 p.m.; Fri., Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m., $16-$20. 1001 W. 7th St. 501-374-3761. www.weekendtheater.org.

Opera in the Ozarks: “Elixir of Love.”

Inspiration Point, Thu., July 11, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., July 13, 7:30 p.m., $20-$25. 16311 Hwy. 62 W., Eureka Springs.

Opera in the Ozarks: “Madama Butterfly.”

Arend Arts Center, Sun., July 14, 4 p.m., $20.

1901 S.E. J St., Bentonville. Inspiration Point, Wed., July 17, 7:30 p.m., $20-$25. 16311 Hwy. 62 W., Eureka Springs.

Opera in the Ozarks: “Pirates of Penzance.”

Inspiration Point, Fri., July 12, 7:30 p.m.; Thu., July 18, 7:30 p.m., $20-$25. 16311 Hwy. 62 W., Eureka Springs.

“Paper or Plastic” and “The Worst High School Play in the World.” The junior and senior groups of The Youth Theatre of Central Arkansas present performances of plays by Werner Trieschmann and William Gleason.

University of Central Arkansas, Snow Fine Arts Center Recital Hall, July 11-12, 7 p.m., free. 201 Donaghey Ave., Conway. 501-4505092. uca.edu/theatre.

“Southern Crossroads.” A Depression-era family of traveling musicians won’t let an out-of-business theater stop the show from going on. Murry’s Dinner Playhouse, through July 14: Tue.-Sat., 6 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., $15-$35. 6323 Col. Glenn Road.

501-562-3131. murrysdinnerplayhouse.com.

(fo rm

DANCE

“Latin Night.” Revolution, 7 p.m., $5 regular, $7 under 21. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-8230090. www.littlerocksalsa.com.

montegocafe.com.

Mad Conductor, Brother Andy & His Big Damn Mouth, Bombay Harambee. 18-and-older.

Revolution, 9 p.m., $7. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom.com.

Pickoids. Thirst n’ Howl, 8:30 p.m., free. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www.thirst-n-howl. com.

Ricky David Tripp. Rocket Twenty One, 5:30 p.m.

2601 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-603-9208. www.ferneaurestaurant.com.

Shovels and Rope. 18-and-older. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9 p.m., $10 adv., $12 day of. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www. stickyz.com.

Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 5 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www.capitalhotel.com/CBG.

Ca su al

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

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

Monsters Scare You, Speaking the King’s, Set to Reflect, Wreckless Endeavor. Downtown Music Hall, 7 p.m., $8 adv., $10 day of. 211 W. Capitol. 501-376-1819. downtownmusichall.com.

Ricky David Tripp. Rocket Twenty One, 5:30 p.m.

2601 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-603-9208. www.ferneaurestaurant.com.

Tuesday Jam Session with Carl Mouton. The Afterthought, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbar.com.

Enjoy DINNER in either the restaurant or the bar LIVE MUSIC in the bar six nights a week Sat & Sun BRUNCH, 10-2 LUNCH Mon-Fri, 11-2 Nightly SPECIALS

Upcoming Music in the Bar Thursday, July 11 Miracle League Benefit, Live Music, 6 pm Friday, July 12 Jeff Coleman and The Feeders, 9 pm Saturday, July 13 Amy Garland, 8 pm Monday, July 15 Monday Night Jazz with John Bush, 8 pm Tuesday, July 16 Jam Session with Carl Mouton, 8 pm Wednesday, July 17 Open Mic Night, 8 pm

2721 Kavanaugh Blvd.

Little Rock

501.663.1196 afterthoughtbistroandbar.com www.arktimes.com

JULY 11, 2013

29

AFTER DARK, CONT.

IMX PILATES

LITTLE ROCK located at Pavilion in the Park

GIFT CERTIFICATES!

$25 GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR JUST $12.50 good for activewear purchase

$50 GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR JUST $25 good for two semi-private lessons or one private

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

VISIT H HA AL LF FO OF F FA FA R RK KA AN NS SA AS S .. C CO OM M to get your gift certificates!

TAKE YOUR MONEY TWICE AS FAR AT THESE PLACES, TOO! Pyramid Art, Books & Custom Framing 3 Flamingos Ava Bella Day Spa Dugan's Pub IMX Pilates Little Rock Far East Asian Cuisine Argenta Market Lilly's Dim Sum, Then Some Cantrell Gallery Lulav Crowne Plaza Hotel Little Rock NYPD Pizza Delicatessen Arkansas Skatium Salut Italian Bistro Rock Town Distillery Stickyz Rock N' Roll Chicken Shack Splash Zone Vesuvio Bistro The Joint Zin Urban Wine & Beer Bar

Ave.: Work by Vickie Morgan Siebenmorgan and other members of the ArtGroup Maumelle, 5-8 p.m. July 12, 2nd Friday Art Night.

COX CREATIVE CENTER, 120 River Market Ave.: Arkansas League of Artists Signature Member Show, through August, open 5-8 p.m. July 12, 2nd Friday Art Night. 918-3095.

THE EDGE, 301B President Clinton Ave.: Paintings by Avila (Fernando Gomez), Eric Freeman, and others open 5-8 p.m. July 12, 2nd Friday Art Night. 992-1099.

GALLERY 221 & ART STUDIOS 221, Pyramid Place: “People, Places and Things,” work by Sean Lecrone, 5-8 p.m. July 12, 2nd Friday Art Night. 801-0211.

HISTORIC ARKANSAS MUSEUM, 200 E. Third: “Jason A. Smith: Stills,” opening reception 5-8 p.m. July 12, 2nd Friday Art Night. 324-9351.

LAMAN LIBRARY, 2801 Orange St.: “Discover Greatness: An Illustrated History of Negro Baseball Leagues,” photographs tracing black baseball from the 19th century through 1947, through Aug. 24. 758-1720.

MacARTHUR MUSEUM OF ARKANSAS MILITARY HISTORY, MacArthur Park: Vintage military vehicles from World War I through Desert Storm, including 1915 Dodge Brothers touring car used by Gen. John Pershing in his pursuit of Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa, in front of the museum from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 13; “Undaunted Courage, Proven Loyalty: Japanese-American Soldiers in World War II,” through August. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-4 p.m. Sun. 376-4602.

OLD STATE HOUSE, 300 W. Markham St.: Chamber music by Geoffrey Robinson and David Gerstein, 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. July 12, 2nd Friday Art Night. 324-9685.

RECREATION STUDIOS, 608 Main St.: Open 5-8 p.m. July 12, 2nd Friday Art Night.

STUDIOMAIN, 1423 S. Main St.: Main Street Design Competition, 5-8 p.m. July 12, 2nd Friday Art Night.

BENTONVILLE CRYSTAL BRIDGES MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART, One Museum Way: Talk by Robyn Horn on “Already Set in Motion,” 3-4 p.m. July 14; “Angels & Tomboys: Girlhood in 19th-Century American Art,” work by John Singer Sargent, Winslow Homer, Thomas Eakins, Mary Cassatt and others, through Sept. 30; “Surveying George Washington,” historical documents, through Sept. 30; “Genre Scenes on Paper from Crystal Bridges’ Permanent Collection,” through Aug. 12; “American Encounters: Genre Painting and Everyday Life,” five 19th century paintings by American and European artists, including two from the Louvre Museum in Paris, through Aug. 12; permanent collection of American masterworks spanning four centuries. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon., Thu., Sat.-Sun.; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Wed.-Fri. 479-418-5700.

HOT SPRINGS HOT SPRINGS CONVENTION CENTER, 134 Convention Blvd.: “Quiltfest: Borders and Beyond,” July 12-13, $5. 501-318-0947.

CALL FOR ENTRIES

The Arkansas Arts Council is taking entries for the 2014 “Small Works on Paper” exhibition.

Mary Kennedy, CEOI of the Mid-American Arts Alliance, will be juror. Deadline is July 26. For more information, go to arkansasarts.org or call 324-9766.

CONTINUING EXHIBITS

BOSWELL-MOUROT, 5816 Kavanaugh 30

JULY 11, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

Blvd.: “Arkansas Artists & Their Works,” sculpture by Andy Huss, raku vessels by Winston Taylor, collaborative works by Megan Chapman and Stewart Bremner, paintings by Missy Wilkinson. 664-0030.

CANTRELL GALLERY, 8206 Cantrell Road: “Painting Arkansas,” works by John Wooldridge, through Aug. 17. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 224-1335.

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.

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

GALLERY 26, 2601 Kavanaugh Blvd.: “Prehistoric Daydreams,” recent work

by Brad Cushman and Amy Edgington, through July 13. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.-Sat. 664-8996.

GALLERY 360, 900 S. Rodney Parham Road: “7,” seventh exhibition featuring creations by artists and non-artists from found materials, gallery open Saturdays and Sundays through July to create work. 663-2222.

GINO HOLLANDER GALLERY, 2nd and Center: Paintings and works on paper by Gino Hollander. 801-0211.

GREG THOMPSON FINE ART, 429 Main St., NLR: “Best of the South,” work by Carroll Cloar, William Dunlap, Walter Anderson, Theora Hamblett, Glennray Tutor, Pinkney Herbert, Guy Bell, Ed Rice, John Hartley, Robyn Horn, Daniel Blagg, Rebecca Thompson and others, through July 13.

664-2787.

HEARNE FINE ART, 1001 Wright Ave.: “Reflections in Silver: Silverpoint Drawings

by Aj Smith and Marjorie Williams-Smith,” through Aug. 3. 372-6822.

L&L BECK, 5705 Kavanaugh Blvd.: “The Wild Ones,” paintings of animals, through July. 660-4006.

M2 GALLERY, 11525 Cantrell Road: “Relic,” new work by Emily Galusha, also work by Lisa Krannichfeld and Dan Thornhill. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.-Sat. 225-6257.

PAINT BOX GALLERY AND FRAME SHOP, 705 Main St., NLR: Jewelry by P.J. Bryant.

374-2848.

STATE CAPITOL: “Spanning the Century (and more),” photographs of historic bridges by Maxine Payne, drawings, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Highway and Transportation Department, through August.

STEPHANO’S FINE ART GALLERY I, 5501 Kavanaugh Blvd., and STEPHANO’S II, 1813 N. Grant St.: Work by Shelby Brewer, Angela Turney, V.L. Cox, John Kushmaul, Cyndi Yeager, Aaron Caldwell, Char DeMoro and Jennifer Wilson. 614-7113.

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK: “Flow,” 29 works using water as a theme by William Theophilus Brown, Harry Callahan, Joel Meyerowitz, Robert Morris, Wayne Thiebaud and Neil Welliver, through July 26, Gallery II and III; “Sacred Symbols in Sequins,” sequined Vodou flags, banners, portraits, bottles, through July 26, Gallery I. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. (summer hours).

569-8977.

HARRISON ARTISTS OF THE OZARKS, 124 ½ N. Willow St.: Work by Amelia Renkel, Ann Graffy, Christy Dillard, Helen McAllister, Sandy Williams and D. Savannah George. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thu.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun. 870-4291683.

HOT SPRINGS ARTISTS’ WORKSHOP GALLERY, 810 Central Ave.: Paintings and collages by Jim Reimer and Bonnie Ricci, through July. 501-623-6401.

BLUE MOON ART GALLERY, 718 Central Ave.: Paintings by Tom Richard, hand-tinted photographs by David Rackley, through July.

501-318-2787.

FINE ARTS CENTER, 626 Central Ave.: “Fine Arts Center Members Exhibit,” through July 27. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat. 501-624-0489.

GARVAN GARDENS, 550 Akridge Road: “Splash of Glass: A James Hayes Art Glass Installation,” 225 pieces of art glass in 13 areas of the garden, through September. $10 adults, $9 seniors, $5 children, $5 dogs on leash. 501-262-9300.

JUSTUS FINE ART, 827 Central Ave.: Paintings

by Dan Thornhill and Matthew Hasty, through July. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sat. 501-321-2335.

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART, 425 Central Ave.: “Arkansas Champion Trees: An Artist’s Journey,” colored pencil drawings by Linda Palmer, through Aug. 24. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Tue.-Sat., noon-3 p.m. Sun. $5. 501-609-9966.

PERRYVILLE SUDS GALLERY, Courthouse Square: Paintings by Dottie Morrissey, Alma Gipson, Al Garrett Jr., Phyllis Loftin, Alene Otts, Mauretta Frantz, Raylene Finkbeiner, Kathy Williams and Evelyn Garrett. Noon-6 p.m.

Wed.-Fri, noon-4 p.m. Sat. 501-766-7584.

ONGOING MUSEUM EXHIBITS

ARKANSAS INLAND MARITIME MUSEUM, North Little Rock: “Captain’s Cabin Exhibit,” photographs, biographies, sea stories from the crew, and personal artifacts, through August.

371-8320.

ARKANSAS SPORTS HALL OF FAME MUSEUM, Verizon Arena, NLR: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 663-4328.

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

CLINTON PRESIDENTIAL CENTER, 1200 President Clinton Ave.: “Tribute to George Washington,” Washington’s personal copy of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights from Mount Vernon, handwritten correspondence and the 1797 Gilbert Stuart portrait on loan from Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, through July 12; “Oscar de la Renta: American Icon,” designs worn by Laura Bush, Jessica Chastain, Hillary Clinton, Chelsea Clinton and others, and other couture pieces, through Dec. 1; “Jazz: Through the Eyes of Herman Leonard,” more than 40 original black and white images by photographer Herman Leonard, who documented the evolution of jazz form from the 1940s through post-Hurricane Katrina, with photographs of Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie and Ella Fitzgerald, through July 21. 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. Third St.: “Arkansas Made,” “Reflected by Three: William Detmers, Scott Lykens and G. Tara-Casciano,” prints, ceramics, sculpture, through Aug. 4; “The Curious World of Patent Models,” through Sept. 29; “Treasures

of Arkansas Freemasons, 1838-2013,” study gallery, through July 12. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 324-9351.

MOSAIC TEMPLARS CULTURAL CENTER, 9th and Broadway: “Stirring the Soul of History, Vol. 1” newly acquired art by Lee Anthony, Barbara Higgins Bond, Danny Campbell, Ariston Jacks, Henri Linton, Mary Lovelace O’Neal, Bryan Massey, A.J. Smith, Ed Wade and Susan Williams. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat. 683-3593.

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; “Things You Need to Hear: Memories of Growing up in Arkansas from 1890 to 1980,” oral histories about community, family, work, school and leisure, through March 2014. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m.

Sun. 324-9685.

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

CALICO ROCK CALICO ROCK MUSEUM, Main Street: Displays on Native American cultures, steamboats, the railroad, and local history. www.calicorockmuseum.com.

ENGLAND TOLTEC MOUNDS STATE PARK, State Hwy. 165: Major prehistoric Indian site with visitors’ center and museum. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., noon-5 p.m. Sun., closed Mon. $3 for adults, $2 for ages 6-12. 961-9442.

July 23 - July 28

AFTER DARK, CONT.

TickeTs Now oN sale!

7

scheduled performances!

Preview Performance: Tuesday, July 23 Benefiting NLR High School Dance & Theater Department

THE ARKANSAS PATRON OF THE YEAR RECEPTION

is being held on the evening of the PREMIERE PERFORMANCE of Jesus Christ Superstar on WEdNESdAY, JulY 24 Tickets include heavy hors d’oeuvres, open bar, award ceremony and the opening night performance of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Thursday, July 25 • 7 PM Friday, July 26 • 8 PM Saturday, July 27 • Matinee 2 PM • 8 PM Sunday, July 28 • 6 PM Doors open one hour before performances.

PURCHASE TICKETS AT

www.argentacommunitytheater.com 405 Main Street North Little Rock 501.353.1443

ArkAnsAs Times

JACKSONVILLE JACKSONVILLE MUSEUM OF MILITARY HISTORY, 100 Veterans Circle: Exhibits on D-Day; F-105, Vietnam era plane (“The Thud”); the Civil War Battle of Reed’s Bridge, Arkansas Ordnance Plant (AOP) and other military history.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. $3 adults; $2 seniors, military; $1 students. 501-241-1943.

MORRILTON MUSEUM OF AUTOMOBILES, Petit Jean Mountain: Permanent exhibit of more than 50 cars from 1904-1967 depicting the evolution of the automobile. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 7 days.

501-727-5427.

POTTSVILLE POTTS INN, 25 E. Ash St.: Preserved 1850s stagecoach station on the Butterfield Overland Mail Route, with period furnishings, log structures, hat museum, doll museum, doctor’s office, antique farm equipment. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Wed.-Sat. $5 adults, $2 students, 5 and under free. 479-968-9369.

SCOTT PLANTATION AGRICULTURE MUSEUM, U.S. 165 S and Hwy. 161: Artifacts and interactive exhibits on farming in the Arkansas Delta. $3 adults, $2 ages 6-12. Open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 501-961-1409.

SCOTT PLANTATION SETTLEMENT: 1840s log cabin, one-room school house, tenant houses, smokehouse and artifacts on plantation life. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thu.-Sat. 351-0300. www.scottconnections.org. www.arktimes.com

JULY 11, 2013

31

SUMMER BOOK PICKS, CONT.

“The Sisters Grimm”

BY MICHAEL BUCKLEY AND PETER FERGUSON

“The Sisters Grimm” series is as good as “Harry Potter,” and we know how popular that one is. The adventures and thrills in the books are captivating, and the losses and gains help you see exactly what the characters go through. Written by Micahel Buckley and illustrated by Peter Ferguson, it is a nine-book series about two girls, Sabrina, 12, and Daphne, 7, whose parents disappeared mysteriously. The orphanage where they live found a grandmother who they thought was dead. The girls go with her to a town called Ferryport Landing, and Sabrina is hostile to her “grandmother.” Those feelings increase when Granny Relda informs them that the Brothers Grimm were not fairy-tale authors, but biographers. These books are probably good for ages 8 and up.

—Jasper Potts (this pick appeared in the May issue of our sister publication, Savvy Kids, where 10-year-old Jasper writes a monthly column called “Potts’ Picks”)

“Tinkers”

BY PAUL HARDING

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 __________

32

JULY 11, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

If a great novel is a rare thing, a great first novel is a thing so exceedingly rare as to be relegated to the land of myth and legend. With notable exceptions, even the best writers can’t seem to hold their liquor the first go round; too ambitious, too immature, too intoxicated by the honeyed milk of language to restrain themselves to the measured sips that truly great novels are made of.

Every once in awhile, though, somebody gets in right, and in 2009, Paul Harding got it right with the little debut novel that could, “Tinkers.” Published by the almost unknown Bellevue Literary Press and relatively thin at only 191 small pages, the book’s beautiful prose and mazelike structure won over readers from the start. Against all odds, without even a review by the New York Times, “Tinkers” went on to win the 2010 Pulitzer for Fiction.

The book seems simplistic when boiled down to a sentence: the last, delirious hours in the life of elderly Maine clock repairman George Washington Crosby, who lies on his deathbed, the delirium causing him to flip through all the memories of his life like the pages in a book. If that sounds a little weird, it is. If it sounds complicated, ditto.

But “Tinkers” is well worth the effort.

While definitely not one for reader faint of heart, it’s a wondrous, marvelous book in practice, full of beautiful prose and deep questions about life, both of which must be sipped, not chugged.

—David Koon

“The Southern Cross”

BY SKIP HORACK This may be a minority opinion, since there is real joy in going all-in on a big fat novel on the beach, but there’s something about the summer time that brings out the dabbler in me.

I reach for the short stories, which at their best pull off emotional punch and poetic verve in the time it takes to finish a cocktail. Skip Horack’s “The Southern Cross,” which came out several years back, is a beautiful example of the form. The book’s 16 stories aren’t connected, but they take place over the course of the year in 2005 and 2006, all set in various spots along the Gulf Coast. There are four stories for each season, beginning with spring, which means that Hurricane Katrina happens right in the middle of the book. Horack doesn’t overplay his hand; the storm shows up at the margins, shadowy portents in the first half, spare remnants in the second. The one story that tackles the hurricane head on, “The Redfish,” is the book’s one masterpiece, an epic in 15 pages. “Southern Cross” is Horack’s debut collection and it has both the fresh energy and the occasional missteps of a first book. But in every story, there is something irresistible about Horack’s prose — it was one of those books I just loved loving. Just about every other page, we’re treated to sentences like this: “They had been high-school lovers — the option quarterback and the queen of the Duck festival.” Horack has a perfect ear for the cadences of speech in the various cities and rural towns along the gulf, the stories are sharply attuned to moments of transcendence and simple human decency, and he’s damn funny to boot.

The book is deeply rooted in both the natural and the spiritual worlds: sturgeon and cypress knees, bayou voodoo and redneck Jesus. You might call it Christian humanism — the book’s religious and ex-religious characters go out searching for signs and redemption in a hard world. “Sister, is there anything at all that you would like to pray for?” a Pentecostal preacher asks a stripper displaced from New Orleans.

Her response: “I’ll finish you off for fifty bucks. Amen.”

— David Ramsey

MOVIE REVIEW

A Premier Dining exPerience Where Little Rock Goes To Taste Perfection

Free Valet Parking • Piano Bar tues-sat • 335 Wine selections Fine sPirits From around the World • inquire aBout our PriVate corPorate lunches

5 0 0 P r e s i d e n t c l i n t o n aV e n u e (in the riVer market district) c a l l F o r r e s e rVat i o n s 5 0 1 . 3 2 4 . 2 9 9 9 W W W. s o n n y W i l l i a m s s t e a k r o o m . c o m

‘THE LONE RANGER’: Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer star.

Wild West dud ‘Lone Ranger’s’ time has come and gone.

BY SAM EIFLING

T

he Western as tent-pole picture died last weekend under a barrage of exploded locomotive parts and dead Indians and general cluelessness.

Gore Verbinski directed, Johnny Depp starred, Jerry Bruckheimer produced, Disney financed. On paper, “The Lone Ranger” could’ve been a frontier-times “Pirates of the Caribbean,” which is presently spawning a fourth (!!) sequel. Instead it’s a copycat crime to “John Carter,” a property Disney dug up from the 1930s and tried to repackage for the 21st century. Disney has now blown more than half a billion dollars to get kids of the 2010s as geeked about a barbarian on Mars or about a masked Texas lawman as their great-grandparents did 80 years earlier.

Both throwbacks were thrown back.

Audiences didn’t turn out for this 2.5-hour literal train wreck, and those that did were uncommonly old for Disney movies. The title character, played by Armie Hammer (the Winklevoss twins in “The Social Network”), brings an aw-shucksism best suited to either a prewar radio drama or a film in which the following do not happen: mass battlefield slaughter, the removal and consumption of a dying man’s heart, a scalping, thinly veiled rape threats, a child finding his village plundered and burned, and other assorted atrocities that stretch the confines of a PG rating. This is in many ways a hardcore “Lone Ranger” without a hardcore Lone Ranger, and if kids aren’t inspired to emulate a hero with a six-shooter these days, perhaps the better on ’em anyway. It isn’t the ’50s anymore, and any kid who unholsters a plastic Colt .45 at recess is asking for grown-up trouble.

The filmmakers were under suspicion of tone-deafness since casting Depp, who is

a white dude, as Tonto, who is not a white dude. There’s a long history of white dudes playing non-white dudes in movies, and to cast yet another white dude in a role of a non-white dude not only takes a job away from a non-white dude, it puts everyone in a position of watching a white dude do an impersonation of a non-white dude, which carries so much cultural freight in the United States of America that you never really shake the icks. Why, you could reply, we don’t have a Native American actor with the wattage that Depp brings, so of course they cast the bankable star. To that I would reply, yes, that’s true, but one reason we don’t have such a star is that long ago white dudes killed many of the Indians whose great-great-great-grandchildren would’ve made a great Tonto. Seeing white people cast as Indians reminds me of those suburban subdivisions where developers cut down all the trees and then name the streets after them.

For what it’s worth, Depp plays a fine Tonto, kind of a Jack Sparrow crossed with a mime. Tonto is designed as a character out of place and out of sorts — mystical, vengeful, absurd and aware. He’s the perfect embodiment of “The Lone Ranger” at its madcap high points, but neither he, nor the canny casting of William Fichtner and Tom Wilkinson as dark foils to Depp and Hammer, manages to salvage this hot mess.

The story arc clearly aimed for this movie to work as an origin installment; we don’t even hear the iconic “Hi-Yo, Silver! Away!” until just before the final credits. But barring some sort of miracle revival, this is probably the last we’ve seen of the Lone Ranger and Tonto for quite some time. The cowboys’ time has come and gone, and the world again belongs to pirates.

Do more.

Hurt less.

ExPErT AdviCE And GuidAnCE • Corrective exercise after training injuries • Strength and flexibility training • Therapeutic stretching and massage

regeneration fitness Kathleen l. Rea, Ph.D.

(501) 324-1414

www.regenerationfitnessar.com

117 East Broadway, North Little Rock Purchase Classes, Fitness Training, or Massage Therapy Online!

www.arktimes.com

JULY 11, 2013

33

Dining WHAT’S COOKIN’ THE GOURMET DELI, BAKERY AND PURVEYOR OF FINE COFFEE BOULEVARD BREAD CO. made its loyal customers deliriously happy recently by opening on Sunday at its SoMa location. Now there’s something new to rejoice over: A weekend breakfast menu served in the Heights on Sunday.

No longer confined to pastries and egg and bacon sandwiches, the Heights location’s breakfast offerings will now include eggs any way with sausage, pancetta or ham; omelets; a breakfast burrito, French toast and quiche with fruit. Breakfast is served 7 a.m. to noon Sunday, and lunch from noon to 3 p.m.

Eventually, Boulevard plans to offer the breakfast menu on Saturdays as well.

Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken

300 President Clinton Ave., Suite D 372-2211

QUICK BITE Gus’s is the sort of joint that wants you to remember it after you’re gone, so to that end, be sure to take the reusable plastic logo cups home with you.

HOURS 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

OTHER INFO All major credit cards; beer only

DINING CAPSULES

LITTLE ROCK/ N. 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.

ALL AMERICAN WINGS The downtown location of a small chain of wing shops that feature 13 flavors of wings, from hot to not. 801 W. Markham. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-3750000. LD Mon.-Fri., D Sat. 7706 Cantrell Road.

No alcohol, All CC. $. 501-223-3355. Serving LD Mon.-Fri., D Sat. APPLE SPICE JUNCTION A chain sandwich and salad spot with sit-down lunch space and a vibrant box lunch catering business. With a wide range of options and quick service. Order online via applespice.com. 2000 S. University Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-663-7008. L Mon.-Fri. (10 a.m.-3 p.m.).

ARGENTA MARKET The Argenta District’s neighborhood grocery store offers a deli featuring a daily selection of big sandwiches along with fresh fish and meats and salads.

Emphasis here is on Arkansas-farmed foods and organic products. 521 N. Main St. NLR. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-379-9980. L daily, D Mon.-Sat., B Sat., BR Sun. ARKANSAS BURGER CO. Good burgers, fries and shakes, plus salads and other entrees. Try the cheese dip. 7410 Cantrell Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-663-0600. LD Tue.-Sat. ASHLEY’S The premier fine dining restaurant in Little Rock marries Southern traditionalism and haute cuisine. The menu is often daring and always delicious. 111 W. Markham St. Full bar, All CC. $$$. 501-374-7474. BLD Mon.-Sat. BR Sun. BELWOOD 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

JULY 11, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

THE REAL DEAL: Gus’s fried chicken.

Gus’s chicken is ‘Special’ River Market district eatery lives up to reputation.

I

t takes a certain kind of chutzpah to slap the words “World Famous” on a restaurant, but Tennessee-based chicken chain Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken wears the label proudly, with a sign out front that announces that “Today’s Special” is simply “chicken.” We can’t think of many restaurant openings that have whipped up the furor that Gus’s managed, and it’s true that the River Market restaurant serves up a bird that’s worlds apart from the Colonel and his ilk. After a rocky start right before this year’s Riverfest that saw the place run out of food, Gus’s has settled into a groove that doesn’t always provide the most efficient service, but manages to get the chicken right every time.

But before we even get to the chicken, let’s talk pickles — which, like most of the delicious things on the menu, are

fried. Fried pickles were invented in these parts, and while the battered and deep-fried dill spears served up at Gus’s might not take the place of the more traditional pickle chips, we’ve found ourselves pleasantly surprised every time by the ability of these pickles to maintain a crispy exterior while holding on to a juicy, tangy interior. This contrast of crunchy outside and juicy inside is something that Gus’s has perfected even in the appetizers, and make these pickles a must for any lover of fried sour cukes.

If you’re lucky — and this has happened on a few occasions — the last bite of pickle will be barely a memory when the chicken hits the table. Gus’s lets each diner customize their plate, with the traditional two-piece white (breast and wing) and two-piece dark (leg and thigh) joined by a three-wing meal and

other multi-piece options as well as an a la carte menu that allows for extra chicken to be added in pretty much any combination possible. For our money, that three-wing plate is where it’s at, because the wings at Gus’s are large, meaty, and constitute the Platonic ideal of what a crust-to-meat ratio in a piece of fried chicken should be. The wings are served country-style, with the tips still on them, and we can’t promote the satisfying crunch of dthose crisp-fried wingtips enough.

Fans of the chicken breast will find a lot to love about Gus’s, a place that is one of the only chicken joints in our considerable experience that manages to get the often dry cut to somehow reach an almost alchemical level of perfection — it stays juicy while being fully cooked, and is possessed of flavor right down to the bone. The first chicken breast we tore into was a revelation: juicy and tender, with a full flavor of spice even in tenderloin. We’ve been used to fried chicken breasts that taste good only on the surface for so long that we almost thought we’d been served a large thigh the first time we ate one of these succulent cuts.

Each plate at Gus’s comes with a choice of two sides, with beans and coleslaw being the default choices — and as far as default choices go, these are mighty fine. The beans are spicy and rich, with a tangy sauce that’s not quite barbecue and not quite Boston-baked.

The slaw is fresh-tasting and crunchy, and while it can be a little heavy on the dressing, we like the tangy flavor. Even better than the slaw, though, are the

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.

SUPER SPEAR: Fried pickles from Gus’s.

greens, which apart from those served at Sims rank among our favorite restaurant greens in town, with a savory and bitter flavor that only well-cooked greens can bring.

If there is any downfall to the Gus’s experience, it’s the often spotty service. The dining room is a small one, and while waits for a table are understandably long, it’s the waiting that happens after seating that can sometimes approach the ridiculous. For a place like this, fast turnover of tables should be a high priority, yet recent visits to Gus’s have left us without basics drinks, cutlery, and napkins apart from actual items of food. Confusion on the part of the wait staff has also resulted in incorrect sides, drinks being refilled with the incorrect liquid, and even in one case an entirely wrong plate of food served with barely an apology. While it might be tempting to excuse these lapses due to the hectic nature of a busy restaurant, we’re of the mind that if a place wants to play on the big stage that is the River Market, they’ve got to bring their A-game. In addition to service problems, the restaurant has never managed to have a full slate of sides or dessert on any visit, even all these weeks after their full opening.

Minor complaints about inconsistent service aside, we can’t help but be thankful that Gus’s is in our fair city.

That spicy, juicy chicken has been the constant thought of many a slow afternoon as we’ve counted the hours until the boss lets us clock out and head downtown for some grub. As for the “World Famous” on the sign outside?

After our first bite, we see why.

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

BEV & GUY’S FISH & CHICKEN Seating is limited to eight, so customers might want to consider the carry-out option. This restaurant specializes in fried catfish fillets and chicken and all the trimmings. 3319 John Barrow Road.

No alcohol, No CC. $. 501-224-2981. L Fri.-Sat. D Thu., Sat., Sun. 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.-Fri., LD Fri.-Sat., BR Sun. BRAVE NEW RESTAURANT The food’s great, portions huge, prices reasonable. Diners can look into the open kitchen and watch the culinary geniuses at work slicing and dicing and sauteeing. It’s great fun, and the fish is special.

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.

Arkansas Fresh Breads supplies the bread; the olive oil sourdough is an exclusive. You can buy loaves, too. Petit Jean supplies the ham and peppered beef. Breakfast features cinnamon rolls and muffins. 323 Center St. Suite 150. No alcohol, All CC. 501-353-1045. BL Mon.-Fri. BUFFALO WILD WINGS A sports bar on steroids with numerous humongous TVs and a menu full of thirst-inducing items. The wings, which can be slathered with one of 14 sauces, are the staring attraction and will undoubtedly have fans. 14800 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-868-5279. LD daily.

BY THE GLASS A broad but not ridiculously large wine list is studded with interesting, diverse selections, and prices are uniformly reasonable. The food focus is on high-end items that pair well with wine — olives, hummus, cheese, bread, and some meats and sausages. Happy hour daily from 4-6 p.m.

5713 Kavanaugh Blvd. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$.

501-663-9463. D Mon.-Sat. CAFE@HEIFER Serving fresh pastries, omelets, soups, salads, sandwiches and pizzas. Located inside Heifer Village. 1 World Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $. 501-907-8801. 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. CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

S eafood Galore! authentic new orleans cuisine

ding inclue shrimp qu * barbe orleanbsib & w . c i ne d! class

ishe ern a mod pkins f urn a n extry!a ic * sp

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

Dinner is serveD.

Lunch Mon-Fri 11am-1:30pm Dinner Tues-Sat 4-9:30pm

packet house G R I L L

1406 Cantrell road little roCk 501.372.1578 packethousegrill.com

CHeCK OUT THIS WeeK’S DeALS AT COLONIAL WINeS & SPIrITS!*

Beer

New Belgium (Fat Tire, Ranger, Shift) 12pk Cans

$16.99 $14.39 Red Stripe 12pk Cans

WINe BUYS

750ML

LaPlaya Axel 2009 Primero

$35.99 $26.99 E. Guigal 2011 Cotes-du-Rhone Blanc

$16.99 $14.99

$17.99 $13.99

Paulaner Hefe-Weizen 6pk Bottles

E. Guigal 2011 Cotes-du-Rhone Rosé

$12.49 $10.99

$17.99 $13.99

Heineken 24pk Bottles

Frog’s Leap 2012 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc

$28.99 $25.99

$23.99 $18.99

SPIrITS

1.75L

Dewar’s White Label Scotch

$39.99 $34.99 WL Weller 7yo Bourbon

$31.99 $27.99 360 Organic Vodka

$24.99 $19.99 Tanqueray Gin

$43.49 $37.99

Connoisseur Selection 750ML

Booker’s Bourbon

$59.99 $52.99 Baker’s Bourbon

$42.99 $37.99 Basil Hayden’s Bourbon

$39.99 $34.99 Knob Creek Bourbon

$29.99 $23.99

SPECiALS GOOD JuLy 11 THROuGH JuLy 17, 2013

www.arktimes.com

JULY 11, 2013

35

hearsay ➥ Hit up RHEA DRUG’S Facebook page to enter to win a basket full of grilling goodies.

You can enter daily until July 12.

Winner must be 18 or older and able to pick up the basket at the store. And while you’re there, check out the women’s clothing that’s marked down 30 percent. ➥ Summer sales are hot right now: MR. WICKS’ Sticky Wicket sale is on now through July 13, with suits, shirts and other items marked way down.

Over at BOX TURTLE, all summer clothing, handbags and shoes are 30-50 percent off. For the kids, WHIPPERSNAPPERS has its entire summer inventory half-off and THE TOGGERY has 30 percent off deals for summer items and 30-50 percent markdowns on select shoes. ➥ KREBS BROTHERS RESTAURANT STORE will host a two-day anniversary sale July 17-18, with smallwares 20 percent off on the 17th and used equipment 20 percent off on the 18th. There’s no better time to stock your kitchen with great professional-grade stuff. ➥ YOUTH HOME will host a Texas Hold’em Tournament and Casino Night from 3-11 p.m. July 13 at Next Level Events. This fund-raiser will benefit the teens and families of Youth Home. It’s a $50 buy-in for the poker tournament and for $35, attendees can try their hand at craps, black jack, roulette or slot machines in the casino area. There’s also food, beer and wine. For more information, call 501-821-5500. ➥ Support LUCIE’S PLACE, a nonprofit working to create a long-term shelter for homeless LGBTQ young adults, by participating in Kicks for a Cause, a kickball tournament scheduled for July 17-18 at Allsopp Park.

Games begin at 6 p.m. both days and admission is $15 per person or $18 for couples. For more information, call 855-582-4377 or email pr@luciesplace.org.

36

JULY 11, 2013

ARKANSAS TIMES

DINING CAPSULES, CONT. 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. $-$$. 501-221-9696. LD Mon.-Sat. CUPCAKES ON KAVANAUGH Gourmet cupcakes and coffee, indoor seating. 5625 Kavanaugh Blvd. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$.

501-664-2253. LD Mon.-Sat. 11525 Cantrell Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-224-2253.

LD Tue.-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. BLD Mon.-Sat. 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. The housemade potato chips are da bomb. 523 Center St. Full bar, All CC. $-$$.

501-666-3700. LD Mon.-Fri. FILIBUSTER’S BISTRO & LOUNGE Sandwiches, salads in the Legacy Hotel. 625 W. Capitol Ave. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-374-0100. D Mon.-Fri. FIVE GUYS BURGERS & FRIES Nationwide burger chain with emphasis on freshly made fries and patties and over 15 toppings for you to create your own burger. 13000 Chenal Parkway. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-225-1100.

LD daily.; 2923 Lakewood Village Dr. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-246-5295. LD daily.

FLYING FISH The fried seafood is fresh and crunchy and there are plenty of raw, boiled and grilled offerings, too. The hamburgers are a hit, too. It’s self-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. 511 President Clinton Ave. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-375-3474. LD daily.

GRUMPY’S TOO Music venue and sports bar with lots of TVs, pub grub and regular drink specials. 1801 Green Mountain Drive. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-225-3768. LD Mon.-Sat. HOMER’S Great vegetables, huge yeast rolls and killer cobblers. Follow the mobs. 2001 E. Roosevelt Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$.

501-374-1400. BL Mon.-Fri. 9700 N Rodney Parham. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-224-6637. LD Mon.-Sat. THE HOUSE A comfortable gastropub in Hillcrest, where you’ll find traditional fare like burgers and fish and chips alongside Thai green curry and gumbo. 722 N. Palm St. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-663-4500. D daily, BR, L Sat.-Sun. IRONHORSE SALOON Bar and grill offering juicy hamburgers and cheeseburgers. 9125 Mann Road. Full bar, All CC. $. 501-562-4464.

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).

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 daily.

LE POPS GOURMET ICE LOLLIES Delicious, homemade iced lollies (or popsicle for those who aren’t afraid of the trademark.) 400 President Clinton Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $$.

501-554-3936. L 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. 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. $-$$. 501-223-2257. BL Mon.-Sat. OYSTER BAR Gumbo, red beans and rice (all you can eat on Mondays), peel-and-eat shrimp, oysters on the half shell, addictive po’ boys. Killer jukebox. 3003 W. Markham St. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 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. $-$$. 501-663-7319. B daily, L Mon.-Fri., D Thu.-Sat. PANERA BREAD This West Little Rock bakery/ cafe serves freshly-baked breads, bagels and pastries every morning. Choose from a full line of espresso beverages. Panera also offers a full menu of sandwiches, hand-tossed salads and hearty soups. 11525 Cantrell Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-227-0222. BLD daily.

PLAYTIME PIZZA Tons of fun isn’t rained out by lackluster eats at the new Playtime Pizza, the $11 million, 65,000 square foot kidtopia near the Rave theater. While the buffet is only so-so, features like indoor mini-golf, laser tag, go karts, arcade games and bumper cars make it a winner for both kids and adults. 600 Colonel Glenn Plaza Loop. All CC. $-$$. 501-227-7529.

D Mon.-Wed., LD Thu.-Sun. PURPLE COW DINER 1950s fare — cheeseburgers, chili dogs, thick milk shakes — in a ‘50s setting at today’s prices. Also at 11602 Chenal Parkway. 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.

Hot Springs. Beer, All CC. $$. 501-625-7999. LD daily, B Sun. THE RELAY This grill offers a short menu, which includes chicken strips, French fries, hamburgers, jalapeno poppers and cheese sticks. 12225 Stagecoach Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 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. $-$$. BL Tue.-Sat., BR Sun. SALUT BISTRO This bistro/late-night hangout does upscale Italian for dinner and pub grub until the wee hours on the weekends. 1501 N. University. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 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-can-eat.

1710 E 15th St. No alcohol, No CC. $. 501-3753216. 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. SHAKE’S FROZEN CUSTARD Frozen custards, concretes, sundaes. 12011 Westhaven Dr. No alcohol, All CC. $. 501-224-0150. LD daily.

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, changes every few months.

500 President Clinton Ave. Full bar, All CC. $$$.

501-324-2999. D Mon.-Sat. STAGECOACH GROCERY AND DELI Fine po’ boys and muffalettas — and cheap. 6024 Stagecoach Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$.

501-455-4157. BLD Mon.-Fri., BL Sat.-Sun. TERRI-LYNN’S BAR-B-Q AND DELI Highquality 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.

BL Tue.-Fri., BLD 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 ten 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. $$-$$$. 501-821-5398.

LD daily.

CHINA INN Massive Chinese buffet overflows with meaty and fresh dishes, augmented at dinner by boiled shrimp, oysters on the half shell and snow crab legs, all you want cheap.

2629 Lakewood Village Place. NLR. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-771-2288. LD daily.

CHINA PLUS BUFFET Large Chinese buffet.

6211 Colonel Glenn Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-562-1688. LD daily.

CURRY IN A HURRY Home-style Indian food with a focus on fresh ingredients and spices.

11121 North Rodney Parham. Beer, Wine, No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-224-4567. LD Mon., Wed.-Sun. HANAROO SUSHI BAR One of the few spots in downtown Little Rock to serve sushi. With an

DINING CAPSULES, CONT.

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. DIXIE PIG Pig salad is tough to beat. It comes with loads of chopped pork atop crisp iceberg, doused with that wonderful vinegar-based sauce. The sandwiches are basic, and the sweet, thick sauce is fine. Serving Little Rock since 1923.

900 West 35th St. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$.

501-753-9650. LD Mon.-Sat. PIT STOP BAR AND GRILL A working-man’s bar and grill, with barbecue, burgers, breakfast and bologna sandwiches, plus live music on Friday and Saturday nights. 5506 Baseline Road.

Full bar, No CC. $$. 501-562-9635. BLD daily.

EUROPEAN / ETHNIC

CREGEEN’S IRISH PUB Irish-themed pub with

www.facebook.com/arkansastimes

911 501-868-3

SEHABLAESPAÑOL El Latino is Arkansas’s only weekly circulation-audited Spanish language newspaper. Arkansas has the second fastest growing Latino population in the country, and smart business people are targeting this market as they develop business relationships with these new consumers.

G R AT I S

G R AT I

w.

S | ww

ansas.com w. e l l a t i n o a r k G R AT I S | w w m ansas.co atinoark

ll | w w w. e

ellati

noark

ansas

.com

2012 • VOLU 18 DE OCTUBRE

UBRE 18 DE OCT

OCTUBR 18 DE

• E 2012

UMEN 2012 • VOL

N 30 12 • EDICIÓ

EDICIÓ N 12 • VOLUME

N 30

DESSUUEEÑÑOOAA DERSEUAELÑIDOAAD: DEREsEcaAraLmuIDzaAAChDaDrrar:ara: REEcsc“RaA“RraaoraLmsaosmuIaDzuDaDiiazaCmamhCaahnanrterate” ” Es ante” “Rosa Diam

Chilson

Pag.8

Pag.8

Pag.8

CANCER DE SENO: MUCHAS AFECTA A SE DE NO: NCER CALATI NAS CHAS ECTA4 A MU AFPAG. SE DE NO: R AS TIN NCE S CALA A MUCHA TA .4 EC PAG AF LATINAS PAG.4

Foto por Brian Chilson

LA

A COMUNIDAD LA VOZ DE NUESTR UNIDAD M CO A TR NUES LA VOZ DE D A NID A COMU NUESTR IÓN 30 VOZ DE MEN 12 • EDIC

Chilson

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.-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. $-$$. 501-374-3656. LD Mon.-Sat. THE ITALIAN KITCHEN AT LULAV Comfortably chic downtown bistro with excellent Italian fare. 220 A W. 6th St. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-374-5100. L Mon.-Fri., D Mon.-Sat. CONTINUED ON PAGE 38

our r o f d e li p p A e ’v We nse Mixed Drink Lice

Find Us On Facebook

Foto por Brian

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. $$. 501-376-7468. LD daily.

ISTANBUL MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE 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.).

NEXT BISTRO & BAR Mediterranean food and drinks. 2611 Kavanaugh Blvd. Full bar, All CC. 501-663-6398. D Tue.-Thu., Sat. SILVEK’S EUROPEAN BAKERY Fine pastries, chocolate creations, breads and cakes done in the classical European style. Drop by for a whole cake or a slice or any of the dozens of single serving treats in the big case. 1900 Polk St. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-661-9699. BLD daily.

TAZIKI’S GREEK FARE Fast casual chain that offers gyros, grilled meats and veggies, hummus and pimento cheese. 12800 Chenal Parkway. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-225-1829.

LD daily.

Foto por Brian

expansive menu, featuring largely Japanese fare. Try the popular Tuna Tatari bento box. 205 W. Capitol Ave. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-3017900. 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 Mon.-Sun. MR. CHEN’S ASIAN SUPERMARKET AND RESTAURANT A combination Asian restaurant and grocery with cheap, tasty and exotic offerings. 3901 S. University Ave. $. 501-562-7900.

LD daily.

NEW CHINA A burgeoning line of massive buffets, with hibachi grill, sushi, mounds of Chinese food and soft serve ice cream. 4617 John F. Kennedy Blvd. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-753-8988. LD daily. 2104 Harkrider.

Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-764-1888.

LD Mon.-Sun. 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. ROYAL BUFFET A big buffet of Chinese fare, with other Asian tastes as well. 109 E. Pershing.

NLR. Beer, All CC. 501-753-8885. LD daily.

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.

SHOGUN JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE The chefs will dazzle you, as will the variety of tasty stir-fry combinations and the sushi bar. Usually crowded at night. 2815 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-666-7070. D 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 Dr. 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.

DO: PATRICIA GUARDA : DO IO DASAR ARVER ANI A GU TRICIER PAPRIM : IO DOAR RS DA RTE IVE AR MUE AN SU GU ER DE IM IA PR IC O PATR 5MUIVER SARI SUAN ERTE ER IMPAG. PRDE RTE SU.5MUE DEPAG PAG.5

Free publication available at 200 locations in Central Arkansas www.ellatinoarkansas.com • Facebook.com/ellatinoarkansas 201 E. MARKHAM, SUITE 200 | LITTLE ROCK | 501.374.0853

SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY.

EAT LOCAL

www.arktimes.com

JULY 11, 2013

37

DINING CAPSULES, CONT. MELLOW MUSHROOM Popular high-end pizza chain. 16103 Chenal Pkwy. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-379-9157. LD daily.

PIZZERIA SANTA LUCIA A mobile pizza oven, imported from Italy, that churns out fine pies.

They’re on the smaller side and not topped to excess, but quite flavorful. 1401 S Main St. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-666-1885. Various times.

ROMANO’S MACARONI GRILL A chain restaurant with a large menu of pasta, chicken, beef, fish, unusual dishes like Italian nachos, and special dishes with a corporate bent. 11100 W Markham St. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-2213150. 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. 5524 John F Kennedy Blvd. NLR. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$-$$$.

501-975-5524. 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

BROWNING’S MEXICAN GRILL New rendition of a 65-year institution in Little Rock is a

totally different experience. Large, renovated space is a Heights hangout with a huge bar, sports on TV and live music on weekends.

Some holdover items in name only but recast fresher and tastier. Large menu with some hits and some misses. 5805 Kavanaugh Blvd. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-663-9956. LD daily, BR Sat-Sun. CANON GRILL Tex-Mex, pasta, sandwiches and salads. Creative appetizers come in huge quantities, and the varied main-course menu rarely disappoints, though it’s not as spicy as competitors’. 2811 Kavanaugh Blvd. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-664-2068. LD daily.

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. $$. 501-244-0733.

L Mon.-Fri. EL CHICO Hearty, standard Mexican served in huge portions. 8409 Interstate 30. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-562-3762. 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.

LOS TORITOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Mexican fare in East End. 1022 Angel Court. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-261-7823. BLD daily.

MEXICO CHIQUITO MEX-TO-GO Some suggest cheese dip was born at this Central Arkansas staple, where you’ll find hearty platters of boldly spiced, inexpensive food to-go that compete well with those at the “authentic” joints. 11406 W. Markham. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-217-0647. LD daily.

PEPE’S Better than average Tex-Mex. Try the chicken chimichanga. 5900 W 12th St. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-296-9494. LD Mon.-Sat. SENOR TEQUILA Cheap, serviceable Tex-Mex, and maybe the best margarita in town. 2000 S University Ave. Full bar, All CC. $$. 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. LD Tue.-Thu. TAQUERIA SAMANTHA II Stand out taco truck fare, with meat options standard and exotic.

7521 Geyer Springs Road. No alcohol, No CC. $. 501-744-0680. LD Tue.-Sun.

AROUND ARKANSAS

CONWAY

BLACKWOOD’S GYROS AND GRILL A wide variety of salads, sandwiches, gyros and burgers dot the menu at this veteran of Conway’s downtown district. 803 Harkrider Ave. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. 501-329-3924. LD Mon.-Sat. 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.

FABY’S RESTAURANT Unheralded MexicanContinental fusion focuses on handmade sauces and tortillas. 1023 Front Street. Conway.

No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-513-1199. L daily, D Mon.-Sat. 2915 Dave Ward. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-329-5151. LD Mon.-Sun. HOLLY’S COUNTRY COOKING Southern plate lunch specials weekdays. 120 Harkrider.

Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $. 501-328-9738.

L Mon.-Fri. PITZA 42 You’ll find pizza made on pita bread and a broad salad menu here. 2235 Dave Ward Dr. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-2051380.

HOT SPRINGS

CULINARY DISTRICT A coffeehouse and lunch cafe inside a kitchen store/gourmet grocery with delectable sandwiches and such. The grilled cheese with blue-cheese mayo is addictive. 510 Ouachita Ave. Hot Springs. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-624-2665. L Tue.-Sat. THE PANCAKE SHOP The Pancake Shop’s longevity owes to good food served up cheap, large pancakes and ham steaks, housemade apple butter and waitresses who still call you “honey.” Closes each day at 12:45. 216 Central Avenue. Hot Springs. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$.

501-624-5720. BL daily.

R O L A N D O ’ S N U E V O L AT I N O RESTAURANTE Latino fare with flair, such as spinach and sour cream enchiladas and house favorite tilapia with black beans and mango. 210 Central Ave. Hot Springs. Full bar, All CC.

ARKANSAS TIMES CLASSIFIEDS It’s happenIng arkansas Blog rIght now on www.arktimes.com ❤ Adoption ❤

Affectionate Artistic Musical, Financially Secure Family awaits 1st baby. Expenses paid.

1-800-561-9323 ❤ Lea ❤

❤❤❤❤❤❤

Waterproofing & Restoration Co. looking for skilled workers.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS DIVISION 17

Caulkers,Window Glazing, Concrete Patching, Masonry Work, Epoxy & Urethane, Coatings, Painters, Stucco, etc.

IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION OF JAMYN JR MARTINEZ, A MINOR CASE NO. 60PR-13-697

Contact Alan @ 501-492-6802

NOTICE OF HEARING TO: JAMI MARTINEZ

15” custom made saddle stallion brand basket weave brown with green seat, blanket, silver conchos, breast piece, 2 bridles, hackmore, regular bit and saddle stand. $299 For more information call James at

501-517-1043

11, 2013 ARKANSAS TIMES 38 38 July JULY 11, 2013 ARKANSAS TIMES

Take notice that a Petition for Stepparent Adoption was filed

by Miguel Alexis Ruiz to legally terminate your parental rights to your child. NOW, unless you file an Answer or otherwise respond within the time required by law, the Petition may be taken as confessed and an Order entered and granted by the Court. A hearing on this matter is scheduled for September 3, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. at the Pulaski County Courthouse, 17th Division Circuit Court, 401 W. Markham St., Little Rock, AR.

Announcements

Automotive

Terry e. and Jeffrey BaTTles sons of the late Napoleon B Battles, please contact Ron Brown (estate administrator) at 310-925-4882 before July 31, 2013.

CasH fOr Cars: Any Car/Truck. Running or Not! Top Dollar Paid. We Come To You! Call For Instant Offer: 888-420-3808 www. cash4car.com (AAN CAN)

Employment

Roommates

MedICal sPanIsH InTerPreTers needed. 1 full time and 3 part time positions. M-F; 8-5. $15-$35 depending on qualifications and experience. Applicants must show proof of Medical Interpreter Training Course taken in the last two years and must pass Language Proficiency Test to be considered. Please fax résumé to 501-8689896. or visit www.arkansasinterpreter.com.

all areas - ROOMMATES.COM. Browse hundreds of online listings with photos and maps. Find your roommate with a click of the mouse! Visit: http:// www.Roommates.com. (AAN CAN)

aIrlIne Careers begin here – Get trained as FAA certified Aviation Technician. Housing and Financial aid for qualified students.

Job placement assistance. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance 877-492-3059 PaId In advanCed! MAKE up to $1000 A WEEK mailing brochures from home!

Helping Home Workers since 2001! Genuine Opportunity! No Experience required. Start immediately! www.mailing-station.com HelP WanTed! Make extra money in our free ever popular homemailer program, includes valuable guidebook! Start immediately! Genuine! 888-292-1120 www. easywork-fromhome.com (AAN CAN) $$$HelP WanTed$$$ Extra Income! Assembling CD cases from Home! No Experience Necessary! Call our Live Operators Now! 1-800-405-7619 EXT 2450 http:// www.easywork-greatpay.com

Health need vIaGra? Stop paying outrageous prices! Best prices ... VIAGRA 100MG, 40 pills+/4 free, only $99.00. Discreet shipping, Call Power Pill. 1-800-374-2619 (AAN CAN)

FLIPSIDE Little Rock Fire Department FAN DRIVE

Citizens Fire Academy

Beginning July 1st through August 30th, the Little Rock Fire Department will be accepting donations of box fans to help keep the citizens of Little Rock cool during the intense heat of the summer months. You may donate a box fan by dropping it off at any Little Rock Fire Station. For more information, call (501)918-3710.

The Little Rock Fire Department will begin accepting applications for the 2013 Citizens Fire Academy starting July 8th through August 9th. There are limited spaces available, so apply now. The academy is a great opportunity to firsthand how Firefighters work and function within our organization. To apply, contact the Fire Department at (501)918-3710.

Macximize

Learn to get more from your Mac at home or office.

• Aid in choosing the right Mac for you and your budget • iMac, MacBook, iPad, iPhone • Troubleshooting • Wireless internet & backup

• Data Recovery • Hardware Installs • Hard drive installation & memory expansion • Organize photos, music, movies & email

Call Cindy Greene - Satisfaction Always Guaranteed

MOVING TO MAC

www.movingtomac.com

cindy@movingtomac.com • 501-681-5855

Find Us On Facebook

If you have a problem with cocaine you may be eligible to participate in a 15-week UAMS research study looking at the youhave haveon problem with use. cocaineThis you bebeeligible to to a 2-week If Ifyou aaproblem with cocaine youmay may eligible fects of Carvedilol cocaine study includes participateininaa15-week 15-weekUAMS UAMS research participate researchstudy studylooking lookingatatthethe inpatient stay andononthere noThis cost forincludes participation. effectsofofCarvedilol Carvedilol cocaineisuse. use. study a 2-week effects cocaine This study includes a 2-week

www.facebook.com/arkansastimes

inpatientstay stayand andthere there is is no inpatient no cost costfor forparticipation. participation.

Call:Call:501-526-7969.

501-526-7969.

Call: 501-526-7969.

STRICT CONFIDENTIALITY IS ASSURED STRICTSTRICT CONFIDENTIALITY IS ASSURED CONFIDENTIALITY IS ASSURED

Cotten is my name and Im 3 yrs old and I’m a Komonder, solid white with lots of curls. My owners have decided to retire and start traveling, So I need a special forever home. Im handsome, gentle, loving and a great guard dog. My responsibility here was to keep the sheep safe and to protect their home. Im around 90lbs and look tuff, but sweet to my owners.

So if u have sheep, goats or just need a guard dog around the house it would be me!

For more information call James at 501-517-1043

Faith Dental Clinic BeautifuL SMiLeS MaKe haPPy PeoPLe!

ChiLDren anD aDuLtS

We accept: ar-KiDS, Medicaid and all types of insurance.

Payment Plans • Monday-Saturday

Lilliam Prado, DDS

7301 Baseline Rd • little Rock

• (501) 565-3009

Find us on Facebook Faith Dental Clinic • www.faithdentailclinic.com www.arktimes.com July 11, 2013 39