Arkansas Times

BRENT & CRAIG RENAUD SCOTT McGEHEE RUSTY & SUE NUFFER IRMA GAIL HATCHER SCOTT STEWART WARWICK SABIN JEANNETTE BALLEZA MIREYA REITH JERRY FISK CHRIS BOULDIN GARBO HEARNE DONALD BOBBITT REESE ROWLAND BOBBY ROBERTS KORTO MOMOLU DEE ANN NEWELL MICHAEL MARION JOHN WALKER TERESA OELKE JEAN GORDON WILLIAM DILLARD III WARREN STEPHENS ALICE WALTON BUDDY PHILPOT KATHY DECK LARRY PILLSTROM ANTHONY TAYLOR RICK BEZET GEORGE GLEASON REYNIE RUTLEDGE JOHNNY ALLISON

DANIEL LITTLEFIELD JAMES PARINS J.W. WIGGINS JAY CHESSHIR JEFF AMERINE KENNY TOMLIN JAMIE HESTEKIN ROBYN HORN PHILLIP GOAD JOEL ANDERSON HAYDAR AL-SHUKRI KEITH JACKSON P. ALLEN SMITH JOHN JAMES LINDA TYLER RICH HUDDLESTON DAVID BAILEY TIM ERNST JOHN GAUDIN KEITH NEWTON

NEWS + POLITICS + ENTERTAINMENT / SEPTEMBER 5, 2012 / ARKTIMES.COM

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a top quality education is more

affordable

than you think.

lyon graduates have less student debt than graduates of the University of Arkansas, ASU, Harding, and Hendrix.* Maybe that’s because 100% of lyon students receive financial aid.

VOLUME 39, NUMBER 1 ARKANSAS TIMES (ISSN 0164-6273) is published each week by Arkansas Times Limited Partnership, 201 East Markham Street, 200 Heritage Center West, P.O. Box 34010, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72203, phone (501) 375-2985. Periodical postage paid at Little Rock, Arkansas, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ARKANSAS TIMES, P.O. Box 34010, Little Rock, AR, 72203. Subscription prices are $42 for one year, $78 for two years. Subscriptions outside Arkansas are $49 for one year, $88 for two years. Foreign (including Canadian) subscriptions are $168 a year.

For subscriber service call (501) 375-2985. Current single-copy price is 75¢, free in Pulaski County. Single issues are available by mail at $2.50 each, postage paid. Payment must accompany all single-copy orders. Reproduction or use in whole or in part of the contents without the written consent of the publishers is prohibited. Manuscripts and artwork will not be returned or acknowledged unless sufficient return postage and a self-addressed stamped envelope are included. All materials are handled with due care; however, the publisher assumes no responsibility for care and safe return of unsolicited materials. All letters sent to ARKANSAS TIMES will be treated as intended for publication and are subject to ARKANSAS TIMES’ unrestricted right to edit or to comment editorially.

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*The New York Times, www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/05/13/business/student-debt-at-colleges-and-universities.html www.arktimes.com

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

3

COMMENT

Unfair to Rapert As a longtime reader of the Arkansas Times, it is rare that I feel compelled to comment on the content of your publication. However, a recent editorial by Rick Fahr regarding the Senate race in District 35 (Conway area) necessitates such a response. Although I do not agree with many of the positions taken by Sen. Jason Rapert, I strongly disagree with Mr. Fahr’s characterization of him. During the past 10 years that I have been acquainted with Sen. Rapert in a professional capacity, I have found him to be congenial, honest, and hardworking, an individual of integrity far from the “snake oil salesman aura” to which the editorial alluded. A closing line of the article indicates that lots of “name” folks in Conway who should know better strongly support Rapert. This may be attributed, in part, to the strength of Sen. Rapert’s character in addition to his long and respected record of community involvement.

The comment “one reason she (Rep. Linda Tyler) doesn’t wear short sleeves in public is to hide the sickle and hammer tat, or so Rapert and his ilk would have us believe” is both offensive and groundless.

The Times has a history of editorials that are based on fact and substance, which call the readers to think and draw conclusions for ourselves. However, this one seems to be little more than name calling.

Rep. Tyler has accomplished much good during her tenure and is a capable legislator. Sen. Rapert is also a dedicated legislator with a commitment to the area.

Voters in District 35 are fortunate to have two such strong candidates from which to choose during the upcoming election.

Unfortunately, Mr. Fahr’s editorial did little to assist us in making that choice.

Cynthia Johnson Conway

Stodola disappoints bikers

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

the BACA membership at the Capital Hotel and asked for support for extension of the millage. It is becoming obvious that you will say what you must to get what you want.

Another promise to the LRBFCC included the hiring of a bicycle/ pedestrian coordinator. This position remains unfilled. The LRBFCC has also worked diligently to create a complete streets program for Little Rock that would help direct the city’s transportation infrastructure in support “of people” instead of cars. The LRBFCC was directed to do this by your office. Unfortunately, the city

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An open letter to Mayor Mark Stodola: The lack of action by the City of Little Rock concerning promises made over the last year is disappointing. It was a year ago this September that you spoke before the Bicycle Advocacy of Central Arkansas group (BACA) at the Oyster Bar. Your agenda was to gain support for a sales tax increase. BACA gave that support with the understanding that some of the money raised would go toward bikefriendly initiatives throughout the city.

This new tax passed almost 11 months ago and the newly generated taxes have been collected for 8 months. I have not seen any improvement to bike facilities, trails, parks, etc. in that time. Law enforcement that protects drivers, cyclists and pedestrians has not improved, and drivers continue to run red lights and speed on 4

city streets. Much is being said sir, nothing is being done. This backpedaling on promises made is not going unnoticed.

Other promises to the Little Rock Bicycle Friendly Community Committee (LRBFCC) have gone unfulfilled.

City employees promised a temporary fix to the dangerous, unfinished section of the Arkansas River Trail along Cantrell Road in front of the Episcopal Collegiate School. This work was promised to be completed in August 2012 before school started. It is now Aug. 31st and no work has begun. This promise was reiterated in early July when you, again, spoke to

Although we are fortunate to have an abundant water supply in the metropolitan area, customers are encouraged to be good stewards of our water sources by practicing efficient outdoor water use.

Customers are asked to alter timing of outdoor watering patterns to avoid the peak time of day demand during the hot summer months and to avoid operating sprinkler systems between 5:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.

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ignored this well-written and comprehensive document for a watered down version that will do little to improve the lives of Little Rock citizens.

Much talk is given to new technology parks and other employment draws, but the city fails to realize that if they wish to draw taxpayers from West Coast cities or other tech-based towns they need to match or exceed the quality of life that those communities provide. Virtually every city that is walking and bicycle friendly ranks high in both livability and economic growth.

Joe Jacobs Editor, Arkansas Outside Little Rock

Pot foes misinformed I read an article in the Sept. 1 issue of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette entitled, “Group asking court to reject POT” measure, and felt compelled to respond. The Coalition to Preserve Arkansas Values, whose members include Family Council President Jerry Cox and Faith and Ethics Council Executive Director Larry Page, are behind this effort.

Once again, a group of misinformed people want to prevent the voters of our state, from exercising their right to vote on this issue.

I apologize in advance for offending some of you with FACTS, but here they are: —In 5,000 years of the known use of marijuana, nobody has ever died from smoking POT. It is impossible to overdose by using this PLANT. —Every year, over 450,000 Americans die from smoking tobacco.

—Every year over 150,000 Americans die from the use of alcohol, either through illness or accidents related to its use.

—Every 19 minutes an American dies from the abuse of prescription drugs.

—The damage and death caused by a real problem in Arkansas, meth, is on a Biblical scale.

This group states that one of the reasons they object to the Arkansans for Compassionate Care Act is that under federal law, marijuana is a schedule one drug. The feds have cocaine and meth defined as schedule two drugs, less dangerous than marijuana.

Are you kidding me? If anyone ever needed any proof of how stupid the federal laws are regarding this matter, look no further. I have many close friends in law enforcement, none of whom would ever agree with this insanity. Show me a law enforcement officer who thinks pot is more harmful than cocaine and meth, and I will show you Barney Fife, a cop with one bullet in his shirt pocket.

Butch Stone Little Rock

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SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

5

EDITORIAL

EYE ON ARKANSAS

Aggressors

For the millage The Arkansas Times supports continuation of the tax millage for street and drainage repairs.

First approved by voters in 1958, the millage has been reapproved several times since. The new tax rate will be lower than the existing rate.

6

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

BRIAN CHILSON

T

he Amish we see at the Little Rock Farmers Market every week, selling their baked goods and produce, are a perpetually pleasant, unargumentative group, but some of their faithmates in Ohio are of a different temperament, evidently.

There, a group of Amish men and women have physically attacked other members of their religion, chopping off religiously prescribed beards and long hair. Haled into civil court, the attackers say the victims weren’t adequately adhering to the sect’s rules. They further allege that civil authorities can’t touch them, because theirs is a religious dispute, in which American laws do not apply and American courts may not interfere.

An elderly newspaperman remembers that almost the first story he covered as a young reporter involved a child who had died because his parents belonged to a sect that didn’t believe in doctors and modern medicine. They too argued that because they were practicing their religion, the law couldn’t touch them. The law felt otherwise; the law won.

Americans have religious liberty. The First Amendment gives us the right to follow any religion we choose, or none at all. But “religious liberty” does not allow us to trample on the rights of others, nor to be exempt from laws that our fellow Americans must obey.

Some religious leaders covet these privileges.

The Roman Catholic hierarchy and allies from the Religious Right revile President Obama because his administration says that all Americans are entitled to access to birth control as a part of their health care, and that they may not be denied access because of the religious beliefs of others. It’s Freedom of Religion in action.

Catholic bishops seek to circumvent this freedom, demanding that religiously affiliated hospitals and colleges be allowed to deny birth control coverage to all their employees, even those who aren’t Catholic, even if insurance companies rather than the hospitals and colleges themselves pay for the insurance. The bishops also demand that Catholic owners of secular businesses be allowed to deny their workers contraceptive coverage: “If you work for me, you’ll follow my religion. And by the way, my religion says you’ll work 12 hours a day so forget about those wage and hour laws you may have heard about.”

The religious bigots will claim that they’re only after Obama. Religious freedom is their real target.

WHERE IN ARKANSAS?: Know where this slice of life in Arkansas is? Send along the answer to Times photographer Brian Chilson and win a prize. Once a month in this space, he’ll post a shot from a relatively obscure spot in Arkansas for Times readers to identify. We also invite photographers to contribute submissions of both mystery and other pictures to our eyeonarkansas Flickr group. Write to brianchilson@arktimes.com to guess this week’s photo or for more information.

The news never sleeps

T

he mostly lowlights of what I missed on a long vacation: • ABORTION RIGHTS: Missouri Rep. Todd Akin pulled a Fay Boozman by uttering the nonsense that women secrete a magical substance that prevents pregnancy in cases of real rape.

This didn’t help the cause of women’s medical rights as much as you might think, because other Republicans’ condemnation of the remark tended to obscure the uglier truth: Republicans really do oppose all abortion — for rape, incest, grave health concerns for the mother, fetuses incapable of life outside the womb and even in the first minutes after intercourse by means of pills. Akin’s lone defender, Mike Huckabee, who famously blocked Medicaid funding of an abortion for a retarded teen raped by her father, made clear that Akin’s view was that of the Republican Party. Indeed, the party has moved past criminalizing abortion to ending ready access to contraception. Akin’s gaffe also obscured Republican support, notably by vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan, for the notion that rape isn’t really rape unless a woman gets the living crap whipped out of her, too.

•ARKANSAS AND THE RED TIDE: The Koch brothers-financed Americans for Prosperity rolled out its secretively financed attack mailings on Democratic candidates for Arkansas legislature.

The mailings are full of lies, chiefly that Democrats voted for highway tax increases, when they (and several key Republicans, who could have killed the idea in committee) only allowed a public vote. The Kochs hope to buy a legislative majority for the rich in the last holdout state of Dixie. Some $250,000 could do it, chump change for a billionaire (about the same as a $10 tip from the average Arkansas worker).

The good news is that Democrats have an organization built on Gov. Mike Beebe’s fund-raising that is fighting back with ads associating the extremist Republicans with opposition to Beebe’s popular and successful centrist governance. The Republicans respond with the black face of Barack Obama. As if he, and not Mike Beebe, is the dominant influence at the state Capitol.

•GOVERNMENT OUTSOURCING: The bombshell news unearthed by our Leslie Peacock that UAMS is considering a merger with St. Vincent Infirmary left me puzzled. GovMAX ernment going into business with BRANTLEY maxbrantley@arktimes.com a private enterprise, using tax money for venture capital? Why St. Vincent and not Baptist Health or the Arkansas Heart Hospital or someone else?

The combine got off to a bad start with a blatant violation of the Freedom of Information Act. Will this be a theme — government run like unaccountable private business?

Chancellor Dan Rahn of UAMS kept saying the combine could expand UAMS education. Not in women’s health care. The state would join forces with an organization that won’t perform abortions no matter the legitimate health circumstances, that won’t tie a woman’s tubes, that won’t provide full preventive health coverage to female employees, which won’t provide morningafter pharmaceutical intervention to rape victims. How can UAMS really ensure that the blended enterprise will serve ALL Arkansas interests and not just interests as defined by the religious leanings of St. Vincent?

Would a former UAMS employee, if transferred, still have the same access to birth control pills or condoms at St. Vincent once enjoyed at UAMS? Will St. Vincent promise non-discrimination against sexual minorities, a written policy of the University of Arkansas system but NOT a tenet of Catholic authorities (who are putting up a significant roadblock to implementation of the Obamacare legislation Gov. Mike Beebe supports)? The same potential for church-based discrimination exists when UA finally provides domestic partner benefits for its employees.

Forget religion. If government is going to invest in private enterprise, why not a UA partnership with the University of Phoenix or a Highway Department combine with McGeorge Contracting?

BRIAN CHILSON

OPINION

The race beat

T

he epiphany came while disking a field in 1984. “Journalist” would be a great job. “Sportswriter” would be even better — getting paid to go watch games would be the ultimate cush career.

It wasn’t until the career changed from amateur to pro (literally, if not qualitatively) that the sportswriting took a backseat to the uncommonly satisfying practice of writing commentary.

But with the newfound bully pulpit also came a great responsibility to champion, if not crusade, for a worthy cause.

And so, for nearly two decades, issues of inequality based on skin tone served as a regular theme. (This would be the time to say that the terms “white” and “black” just don’t make sense. No one is white. No one is black. All of us have some hue. Call it “myte” or “mylack”.)

Thanks to that track record — and the requisite life’s actions to support the position — “race” is a topic that’s

not the unfamiliar, uncertain booger bear that it is for others who haven’t fully contemplated RICK their positions or FAHR developed their GUEST WRITER ideals.

From that vantage, scenes from recent days serve to only entrench the stereotypes, though perhaps the stereotypes have been right all along. Consider three examples: • Last week’s Republican National Convention included a few non-“white” speakers, as if to pacify the viewing audience, but look at the field of delegates.

Red. White. Blue. Not much “black.”

It’s no secret that self-identified GOP members trend heavily “white” and that the party is popular in states likely to fly the “Stars and Bars” unofficially (and officially from time to time).

Paul Ryan doesn’t need facts

B

ack in my college days, a fellow from my hometown went around telling people he’d been an all-state high school football player. In reality, he’d been a benchwarmer. He was a big strong kid, but you could watch him walk down the stairs and see he was no elite athlete.

People asked me about it, and I never knew what to say. We hadn’t particularly been friends in high school, but I had no wish to humiliate him. He was doing that all by himself. Oddly, most of our mutual friends were college football jocks who never believed his story for a minute.

Was it more funny or sad? I never decided. Other improbable tales followed.

He eventually left school under a cloud, and I never learned how things turned out for him. All right, I hope. We were 19, for heaven’s sake.

Maybe you can guess where I’m going here. Is it more laughable or embarrassing that the Republican nominee for vicepresident of the United States is a 42-yearold guy who made inflated claims about his athletic prowess in the seeming belief that nobody would know the difference?

Rep. Paul Ryan’s boast was no idle slip of the tongue. It came during an extended interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, who asked about his distance running. Here’s the transcript: HEWITT: But you did run marathons

at some point?

RYAN: Yeah, but I can’t do it anymore, because my back is just not that great.

GENE HEWITT: I’ve LYONS just gotta ask, what’s your personal best?

RYAN: Under three, high twos. I had a two hours and fifty-something.

HEWITT: Holy smokes!...

RYAN: I was fast when I was younger, yeah.

Faced with an interlocutor who knew that he’d claimed an elite time, Ryan should have backed off immediately. Instead, he doubled-down. It wasn’t until Runner’s World documented that his actual recorded time was four hours and change that the candidate had to admit he wasn’t so fast, but distinctly average.

It was, of course, an accidental “misstatement.” His brother was said to be teasing him about it.

I’ll bet he was.

I wonder if they also talked about their hometown GM factory whose closing was announced before President Obama’s election?

Also, did you know that Rep. Ryan has this genius plan to balance the federal

Seeing the “white”-ness of the audience hammered home that the party truly is nearly homogenous.

That’s an obvious fact, so why won’t GOP leaders acknowledge as much?

Why do they insist on the charade of “appealing” to minority voters?

•The reunion of a high school class in Louisiana, which only this year (30th) finally allowed all members of the class to attend, will feature an after-party — but only for the light-skinned of the group.

The party is a private function, and any American can socialize with anyone or without anyone he sees fit, but the organizers shouldn’t have noted the pigmentation restrictions on the invitation. Hard to deny that down the road.

Really? In 2012, our neighbors to the south still feel a need to break off into c(K?)lans to have a party.

• Bringing sports full circle, a Notre Dame radio announcer, Allen Pinkett, recently theorized that the football Fighting Irish need “criminals” on the team. You know, the “criminals” would likely be edgier and more capable play-

ers.

The question is: Did Pinkett mean booked-into-jail criminals or was he visualizing the mug shots of All-Americans who happen to have a dark face?

It’s a small step, not a leap of faith, to look at the rosters of powerhouse football factories and understand that the likelihood of a “black” player getting into trouble is proportional to the percentage of “black” players on the teams.

Leave for another day the question of whether people with certain genetic qualities generally make better athletes, though that’s an interesting question as well.

Post-racial America. What a joke!

Race pervades most every segment of our society. From our politics to our games, we ignore or address the issue at our own pace, which sometimes means not at all.

The most disappointing aspect of all? No commentary will change that.

budget by sharply cutting Mitt Romney’s taxes? It’s called “Two Hours and FiftySomething to Prosperity,” or something like that.

All the Irish-American cuties with the big eyes on the TV news networks call Ryan a “deficit hawk” because they haven’t done the arithmetic. People who have charitably describe his scheme as a fantasy.

Even CNN’s Erin Burnett sensed there might be something vaguely amiss with Ryan’s big GOP convention speech.

“There will be issues with some of the facts,” she conceded. “But it motivated people. He’s a man who says I care deeply about every single word…. And he delivered on that. Precise, clear, and passionate.”

For example, Ryan passionately decried President Obama’s handling of the federal budget deficit. “He created a new bipartisan debt commission,’’ Ryan sneered. “They came back with an urgent report. He thanked them, sent them on their way, and then did exactly nothing.”

Precisely speaking, that would be the Simpson-Bowles commission, which never formally issued a report, urgent or otherwise. That’s because the Marathon Man himself led fellow GOP commissioners in voting against it. At the time Ryan explained — get a load of this — that Simpson-Bowles failed to include big enough Medicaid and Medicare cuts.

Remember that when he and Romney go around accusing President Obama of “looting” $716 billion from the Medicare trust fund. They promise to restore it,

which should be easy, as the charge is false. Obamacare actually extends the trust fund’s life by reducing payments to insurance companies and hospitals (which agreed to the changes). Not cuts, savings.

Also that Ryan’s latest fantasy budget, which House Republicans supported unanimously, includes the selfsame Medicare spending reductions he denounces.

(Meanwhile, Romney goes around saying that Medicare savings will “depress innovation — and jobs — in medicine.” What? Government spending creates jobs? This is heresy. Anyway, no sweat, as the savings are being put to work supporting Obamacare.)

But back to Rep. Ryan’s big speech. In it, he also passionately denounced Obama for last summer’s (meaningless) Standard & Poor’s credit downgrade.

And guess why that happened? On CBS News, Scott Pelley read S&P’s explanation of its decision to Ryan’s face. It specifically stated that House Republicans’ absolute refusal to compromise on President Obama’s “Grand Bargain” had brought about fiscal paralysis.

The GOP leader, of course, was House Budget Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan, who just kept on talking as if the CBS anchorman hadn’t spoken.

It’s well known that Ryan’s high school classmates elected him “Biggest Brown-Noser.” Too bad they had no “Biggest Bulls****er” contest.

Marathon Man would have retired the trophy.

Ernest Dumas is on vacation. Rick Fahr is a long-time Arkansas journalist.

www.arktimes.com

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

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scarcely realized it at the time, but by the time the first, boring-ass Saturday of the 2012 college football season was a done deal, two things occurred that should’ve been forecast long ago (if only Pearls could be as prescient as the great prognosticators of our time, such as Nostradamus or Vic Schedler).

One was that Arkansas would have all manner of hiccups in a 49-24 victory over Jacksonville State. The Hogs coughed up the football three times and made a number of alarming misreads defensively, but also generally did whatever they wanted to whenever they were inclined to do it. Frankly, this was nothing more than naked continuity of a trend cultivated during Bobby Petrino’s stint as head coach: Arkansas has been listless against lesser competition for years now, cruelly teasing teams like Eastern Michigan, Troy and Ole Miss into fits of false hope of an upset. Indeed, none of Arkansas’s 10 losses from 2009 to 2011 were to an underdog.

The second was that Arkansas’s slovenly moments were pitched against a backdrop of Alabama flat-out murdering a massively over-hyped Michigan team in Arlington. Because the Tide had the showcase game of the weekend and treated it accordingly, the 41-14 rout — in which Wolverines’ quarterback Denard Robinson ceded whatever Heisman Trophy designs he might’ve had within the first five minutes — gave Hog fans that creeping, irrational fear again: “Oh, lawd, what’s the Tide gonna do to us in two weeks?�

Well, to be as cheeky as possible, we simply don’t know. What we can assume is that Alabama will adopt a more pressure-oriented defensive approach than the one they employed against Michigan, because the Tide respect Tyler Wilson’s arm, not his legs. The Tide predictably permitted Robinson a pocket to throw from Saturday night, and he justly demonstrated that even after three years helming the Wolverine offense, he is still one of the nation’s least accurate throwers.

We can also assume that in preparing for the Razorbacks’ next opponent, Louisiana-Monroe, John L. Smith will show his team a lot of film from last year’s 38-28 win over the Warhawks’ Sun Belt rival Troy. That was the prelude game for Alabama last year, and save for the end result, was as discouraging a 60 minutes as Arkansas has played in the past few seasons. The Hogs began that game with a couple of beautifully scripted drives, then flatlined on both sides of the ball the rest of the night. There were

turnovers, special teams gaffes and whiffed tackles.

While Arkansas never truly lost command of the BEAU game, the Hogs WILCOX did feed pundits plenty of cause for cynicism going into Tuscaloosa, which was ultimately proven to be justified.

Two years ago, in fact, Arkansas muddled through its last match-up with the Warhawks, winning 31-7 and looking remarkably disengaged on offense (bizarre, considering that Ryan Mallett chucked it for 400 yards total that night).

Louisiana-Monroe is coming off another characteristically miserable season, once again trudging north for a quick payday/ de facto “home game� to keep its Division I status preserved. The Warhawks’ quarterback, Kolton Browning, made his collegiate debut in Little Rock two years ago and it was an inauspicious one (7-17 for only 74 yards, with one interception and a garbage-time TD pass in the fourth quarter), but he is probably one of the better signal-callers in the lower reaches of the Football Bowl Subdivision, capable of scrambling out of duress and throwing relatively well on the run.

Arkansas should, therefore, try to throw a little more pizzazz into this match-up, knowing what it faces the following weekend in Fayetteville. While it’s understandable that no one wants to reveal too much on either side of the ball with such a high-gravity game pending, Smith can be stylish and flashy without being overly risky.

As an example, Knile Davis had a nice opening half in his return to action, but after losing a few yards after halftime Saturday he was put on the pine for the rest of the night with the Hogs leading comfortably enough. Davis had not yet emerged as the top tailback when the Warhawks visited two years ago, so on that night he had a pedestrian five-carry, 19-yard output. He will likely get a lot of touches early this Saturday, as the Warhawks’ lean and unimposing front is ripe training ground for the Hogs’ line.

Getting the ground game going is especially critical this week because the lack of a rushing attack has doomed Arkansas against Alabama the last three years, in particular.

So, at the risk of being redundant and obvious, the Hogs need to be more efficient all over. We’ve seen hard evidence that an uninspired effort against the undercard leaves us markedly unprepared for the heavyweight.

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W O RDS

Dropping the French The Aug. 29 column mentioned that St. Louis is sometimes referred to as St. Looey, as in the song “Meet me in St. Looey, Looey.” I asked the Times’ Brian Chilson, a former resident of the Gateway City, if the people who live there call it St. Looey. He said no.

The reasoning, Brian said, is that if one uses the French pronunciation of Louis, as the French explorers who named the city would have done, one should also use the French pronunciation for the rest of the name, and refer to the city as “San Looey.”

Also, I’m pretty sure that Stan Musial pronounced the s in Louis, and no St. Louisan would question Musial’s usage.

Speaking of baseballers, the best name I’ve seen this season is Yonder Alonso, of the San Diego Padres. I imagine him pursuing a fly ball in the outfield, the fans directing him, yelling “Yonder, Alonso.”

Journalism is changing, we all know, apparently to the point that even journalists don’t know journalistic terminology anymore. This is from Yahoo! News on-line:

to A

C

rka ongr nsa a s’s I tulat nflu ion enti s als!

It’s Your History

WEEK THAT WAS

It was a good week for…

JOBS. Custom Aircraft Cabinets, a North Little Rock-based cabinetmaking firm that supplies upholstery and cabinets to the aerospace industry, announced that it’s planning a $5.9 million expansion into Sherwood. The plant will hire 150 new workers, at wages between $15 to $20 per hour. CAC’s sister firm, Reliable Fire Protection, will also add 20 jobs at $20 per hour, bringing Reliable’s total workforce to 70.

EXPLORING A PARTNERSHIP. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and St. Vincent Health System are contemplating joining forces in some capacity. How UAMS could ensure that taxpayer dollars it receives don’t go to support a private hospital is just one of many questions officials say they’re considering.

It was a bad week for…

ALLEN MEADORS. The former University of Central Arkansas president was charged with

Hours: 9 am-5 pm, Monday-Saturday; 1 pm-5 pm, Sunday The Old State House Museum is a museum of the Department of Arkansas Heritage.

10

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

“After months of negative attacks from his Democratic opponents, Mitt Romney is trying to turn his DOUG resume at Bain SMITH dougsmith@arktimes.com Capital into a positive for his campaign, arguing in a new Wall Street Journal editorial the experience he gained there would help him in the White House.”

While laymen may refer to any opinionated writing as an editorial, people in the business are expected to know better. An editorial is written by a member of the newspaper staff, but it supposedly expresses the position of the newspaper as an institution, and it is, therefore, unsigned. Signed columns, the kind of thing Romney wrote, are not editorials, whether or not they’re written by somebody who works for the paper. The Huffington Post referred to Romney’s piece as an “op-ed,” that is, a column appearing on the page opposite the editorial page, and the on-line Wall Street Journal called it an “article.” Both are correct.

one misdemeanor count of tampering with a public record over allegations that Meadors asked a subordinate at UCA to shred a letter from food vendor Aramark. Aramark had made a $700,000 donation to a fund that was used to renovate the president’s oncampus house. The letter in question spelled out that a stipulation of the donation was the renewal of Aramark’s contract with UCA. BILL WALKER. The Arkansas Department of Career Education director called his hiring of an interpreter, Clara Taylor, for the Arkansas Rehabilitation Services Division a mistake. Taylor was not certified as an interpreter, scored second lowest among nine applicants and failed to translate a simple video in either of two types of sign language.

Walker transferred Taylor to a new position in the agency.

MIKE HUCKABEE. Never afraid of bending (or stomping all over) the truth in order to score political points, Mike Huckabee said in his speech at the Republican National Convention that President Obama thinks infanticide is OK. Said the Huckster, “Of the four people on the two tickets, the only selfprofessed evangelical is Barack Obama, and he supports changing the definition of marriage, believes that human life is disposable and expendable at any time in the womb or even beyond the womb … .”

THE TOP 9 REASONS

NOT TO SETTLE FOR U-VERSE

THE OBSERVER NOTES ON THE PASSING SCENE

Little dog lost THE OBSERVER HEADED to Lower Arkansas over the long holiday weekend to visit the in-laws, who live in the thickets outside of Strong, pretty much as hard up against the Louisiana border as you can get without dipping a toe over the line.

Yours Truly didn’t know a soul south of the East End of Little Rock up until we met a lovely, dark-haired lass from El Dorado back in college. Eighteen years, a couple of degrees, a pair of wedding rings and a kid later, The Observer has peeps all over SA. Around the same time as the in-laws welcomed in Your Pal, they also welcomed Gidget, a rat terrier pup who never got much bigger than she was the first time we laid eyes on her. Like all the terriers, Gidget was smart as a whip and full of personality, one of those tiny dogs descended from fox not wolf, and who thus live by their wits like their forebears. In her youth, Gidget begat Cody, and together they’ve been an inseparable pair down through the years. It was Cody, in fact, who provided my mother-in-law the nickname — “Coco” — that my boy will no doubt recall with love and joy as an old, old man. As a toddler, Junior couldn’t say Cody, and yet firmly decided that if the name was good enough for the dog, it was good enough for grandma.

Both Gidget and Cody have grown increasingly frail as the years have worn on, especially Gidget. While she’s basically in good health, she’s started forgetting things, and people. She’s mostly deaf, and mostly blind. Some days, grandma Coco said, it’s clear she doesn’t recognize her.

A few months back, Gidget went out to do her business and wound up crossing the busy highway out front, something she’d been too smart to attempt up until then. She was found wandering around the parsonage next to the church down the street, apparently with no idea how to get home. Like all of us will someday if we’re lucky or unlucky enough, she has simply started to wind down.

So it was that soon after we arrived at grandma’s house on Friday night — the remnants of Isaac tearing themselves to shreds on the horizon and the night coming on unbearably hot — Gidget went out one last time before bed and simply disappeared. The Observer’s father-in-law had been keeping an

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eye on her, but he turned his back for a moment and suddenly she was gone.

There is nothing more frustrating in the world than looking for something in the dark. The full moon had risen over a night so humid that it was like being boiled in Vaseline. As Junior and Coco and Paw and Our Lovely Bride fanned out, The Observer got in the car and drove the dark highway a half-mile in either direction with the highbeams on, scouring the ditches but seeing nothing but a large doe and what appeared to be a bobcat. Junior, our giant baby who has never known a time when Gidget wasn’t underfoot at Coco’s house, grimly tromped the dense woods with a flashlight, looking for the shine of eyes, until his mother, fearing snakebite, forced him back into the house.

We whistled in the dark, knowing Gidget probably couldn’t hear us, but doing it anyway. We found nothing, and after two hours, we called off the search until daybreak.

At dawn, The Observer got up and opened the front door of the house to find Coco standing in the dim yard, unmoving, staring into the woods as they filled with daylight. And that is where this story ends.

There is no happy ending as of this writing. The thing we have come to accept in our own dotage is that sometimes the fairy tale doesn’t materialize. Sometimes you’re left with a mystery instead.

When we saw him off to bed the night Gidget disappeared, Junior surprised his Old Man by asking if maybe she had gone into the woods because she wanted to get lost. She was very old, he reminded us, and maybe she didn’t want Coco to have to let her go someday soon.

Instead, maybe she just slipped away.

Dogs do that sometimes, he’d heard.

He’s smart like that. He is growing to a man’s heart right before our eyes, and it is clear that heart will be soft and passionate and almost too heavy to carry at times, like his father’s and grandfather’s before him. We could tell he was trying to be strong for Coco and himself — trying to make some sense of it all.

“Maybe so,” the Old Man said, knowing there was nothing else to say. Outside the window, the hot, South Arkansas dark lay against the glass like black velvet, concealing its mysteries.

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8/24/12 8:29 AM

Arkansas Reporter

THE

IN S IDE R

Save the puppies Arkansas has been identified by the Humane Society of the United States as one of the top 10 puppy-producing states, but that’s not as warm and fuzzy a statistic as it sounds. It means, among other things, that Arkansas needs a state dog-breeder law to protect these puppies, according to the HSUS. Melanie Kahn, senior director of the puppy mill campaign for the HSUS, said the organization used several data sources in compiling its puppypopulation estimates. One was the United States Department of Agriculture registry of commercial dog breeders. Breeders who sell to pet shops are required to have federal licenses and must meet certain standards of care. Breeders that sell on-line or by mail or phone or directly to consumers do not need a federal license.

About half the states have state dog-breeding laws to cover these breeders, but Arkansas does not.

Dog-breeding bills have been introduced in the Arkansas legislature, but failed.

Only a few years ago, after several years of trying, Arkansas animal lovers won passage of a broad animal-cruelty law by the legislature. That law makes repeated inhumane treatment of animals a felony. Dog-breeding laws apply specifically to “puppy mills,” which are described by the HSUS as “inhumane dog-breeding facilities.” The laws require breeders to meet certain requirements for the care of their animals.

“There are many problematic breeders in Arkansas that we are very concerned about,” Kahn said. She declined to reveal their names because, she said, the HSUS is working with law enforcement authorities in investigating these breeders and doesn’t want the investigations jeopardized.

The HSUS has established a reward program offering up to $5,000 to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of a puppy mill operator for illegal animal cruelty.

Informants can call 1-877-MILLTIP and remain anonymous.

The ASPCA also is concerned about puppy mills. The organization said in a news release that it’s working to remove puppy ads from Facebook, that it has placed hundreds of rescued puppy-mill victims in private homes, and that it is lobbying for a federal law that would extend federal regulation to those commercial breeders who don’t sell to pet shops.

12

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

Silent Mike runs for the Senate UA trustee seeks legislative seat.

BY DOUG SMITH

S

ome people think it odd that the chairman of the supposedly nonpartisan University of Arkansas Board of Trustees is running as a Republican candidate for the state Senate. The Arkansas Times hoped to hear the opinion of the trustee/politician in question, Mike Akin of Monticello, but he declined to return our calls. He’s notably taciturn for a public official.

Akin was appointed to the UA Board by then-Gov. Mike Huckabee. Since he’s been a UA trustee, he struck a for-profit deal with the University of Arkansas at Monticello, one of the educational institutions he oversees, to build a private retirement center on campus. Questioners were advised — by university officials, not Akin, who stood mute then too — that the UA allows its trustees to do business with the university, so long as the conflict of interest is made public and the trustee profiting from the contract doesn’t vote on it. Suggestions that the UA adopt a higher standard of conduct for trustees have not been followed, so far as we know.

Earlier, when he was a member of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, also by Huckabee appointment, Akin accepted state money from the agency under him to take over a Dumas furniture plant and fold it into an ongoing Akin operation, not apparently the “new business development” that the taxpayers’ money was intended to promote.

Then he cut the Dumas workers’ pay.

He did not respond to inquiries about that transaction either.

Akin’s opponent in Senate District 26 is state Rep. Eddie Cheatham, a moderate, low-key sort of Democrat from Crossett who is term-limited out of the House. The Senate seat is a new one drawn by the Board of Apportionment that consists of Ash-

AKIN

CHEATHAM

“The question of who can work better with Governor Beebe comes up quite often.”

— State Rep. Eddie Cheatham

ley, Bradley, Drew and Chicot Counties, and parts of Cleveland, Desha and Lincoln Counties. Sen. Jimmy Jeffress of Crossett, who is termlimited out of the Senate, now represents District 24, which is similar

to the new District 26.

Asked if Akin’s dealings with public agencies under his supervision was an issue in the campaign, Cheatham said that he tells people, “I’ve never used a public position for my own benefit.”

Cheatham is a retired public school teacher and college administrator. Akin, a furniture manufacturer, has a much larger campaign treasury. He also has the advantage of being a Republican in an area that is expected to vote heavily for the Republican presidential nominee, Mitt Romney. Cheatham said that people sometimes ask him about President Barack Obama, and “I encourage them to remember this is a state race.” But he said the questions about Obama don’t seem as numerous this year as they were two years ago, when Cheatham was reelected to the House. He said the people who ask him about Medicaid expansion, a major part of Obama’s health care plan, are “mostly hospital administrators and health care people who seem to think that it’s a good idea, that it would help rural hospitals.” But he hasn’t made up his own mind on the subject, he said. The legislature probably will be asked

by Gov. Mike Beebe to approve the Medicaid expansion.

“The question of who can work better with Governor Beebe comes up quite often,” Cheatham said. “I went in the House the same time he became governor. People want me to continue to assist him. I think we’ve done a pretty good job. We’ve had big tax cuts and a balanced budget.

I fear it’ll be different if it’s given over to the other party.”

Democrats have a slight majority in the Senate. District 26 could be crucial in deciding whether they retain it. Democrats have historically represented the area.

Akin’s term on the UA Board of Trustees will expire in 2013. UA trustees traditionally serve until the governor names a replacement, which means that if Akin is elected to the Senate, he might be a legislator and a trustee simultaneously. He could avoid that by resigning from the board early. It’s not known if that’s his plan. Another question avoided.

THE

BIG PICTURE

INFLUENTIAL ARKANSANS In the following pages, the Arkansas Times takes note of 54 people in 50 endeavors who are making a mark on life in Arkansas. Here’s a list of the people you’ll read about and the page on which you’ll find their profiles:

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1. JOHN W. “JOHNNY” ALLISON, BANKING, 42 2. HAYDAR AL-SHUKRI, SEISMOLOGY, 21 3. JEFF AMERINE, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, 46 4. JOEL ANDERSON, HIGHER EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY BUILDING, 36 5. DAVID BAILEY, NEWSPAPERS, 22 6. JEANNETTE BALLEZA, TECHNOLOGY START-UPS, 44 7. RICK BEZET, CHRISTIANITY, 18 8. DONALD BOBBITT, DISTANCE LEARNING, 33 9. CHRIS BOULDIN, ARKANSAS T-SHIRTS, 36 10. JAY CHESSHIR, LITTLE ROCK BUSINESS, 48 11. KATHY DECK, BUSINESS ADVOCATE, 45 12. BILL DILLARD III, RETAIL, 17 13. TIM ERNST, THE OZARKS, 34 14. JERRY FISK, KNIFEMAKING, 16 15. JOHN GAUDIN, ARGENTA RESTORATION, 26 16. GEORGE GLEASON, BANKING, 42 17. PHILLIP GOAD, ENVIRONMENTAL CLEAN-UP, 37 18. JEAN GORDON, PEACE ACTIVISM, 30 19. CHAD GRIFFIN, GAY RIGHTS, 22 20. IRMA GAIL HATCHER, QUILTING, 24 21. GARBO HEARNE, AFRICAN-AMERICAN ART, 25 22. JAMIE HESTEKIN, BIOFUELS, 32 23. ROBYN HORN, SCULPTURE AND PHILANTHROPY, 17 24. RICH HUDDLESTON, CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY, 30 25. KEITH JACKSON, AT-RISK KIDS, 26 26. JOHN JAMES, E-COMMERCE, 35 27. DANIEL LITTLEFIELD, JIM PARINS, J.W. WIGGINS, NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURAL HISTORY, 38 28. SCOTT MCGEHEE, RESTAURANTS, 29 29. MICHAEL MARION, LIVE MUSIC, 28 30. KORTO MOMOLU, FASHION, 15 31. DEE ANN NEWELL, JUVENILE AND ADULT OFFENDERS, 18 32. KEITH NEWTON, WOODWORKING, 27 33. SUE AND RUSTY NUFFER, ORGANIC FARMING, 19 34. TERESA OELKE, LOBBYING, 43 35. BUDDY PHILPOT AND THE WALTON FAMILY FOUNDATION, EDUCATION REFORM, 48 36. MIREYA REITH, LATINO OUTREACH, 39 37. BRENT AND CRAIG RENAUD, FILM, 24 38. BOBBY ROBERTS, LIBRARIES AND URBAN RENEWAL, 47 39. REESE ROWLAND, ARCHITECTURE, 32 40. REYNIE RUTLEDGE, BANKING, 42 41. WARWICK SABIN, PUBLISHING, 21 42. P. ALLEN SMITH, GARDENING, 31 43. WARREN STEPHENS, FINANCE, 39 44. SCOTT STEWART, TINY HOUSES, 19 45. ANTHONY TAYLOR, CATHOLICS AND IMMIGRANT ADVOCACY, 46 46. KENNY TOMLIN, DIGITAL ADVERTISING, 16 47. LINDA TYLER, LAWMAKING, 49 48. JOHN WALKER, CIVIL RIGHTS, 43 49. ALICE WALTON, ART, 42 LARRY PILLSTROM, SNAKE-CATCHING, 49 (PHOTO NOT AVAILABLE)

www.arktimes.com

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

13

WE HIGHLIGHT 54 WHO SHAPE OUR STATE.

S

everal years ago, the Arkansas Times began publishing a Big Ideas issue, an annual showcase of ideas that would make Arkansas a better place to live. It’s always an inspiring endeavor, a rare opportunity for cynical editors to focus on promise rather than shortcomings.

In that spirit, we decided to survey some of the people behind the ideas and initiatives that are shaping Arkansas today. We used the idea of influence as an organizing principle, but rather than focus solely on the power brokers and business titans who carry the greatest weight, we considered a wide range of fields and communities, regardless of their size. In other words, this isn’t the same list of impressive businessmen you’ve seen before. It’s far from comprehensive, but still (we hope) broadly representative of what makes Arkansas hum. We considered people in fields that are small and obscure, such as Scott Stewart of Slabtown Customs, a leader in Arkansas in the so-called tiny house movement sparked by people who want or need to live more simply, and Larry

14

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

Pillstrom, who leads a company his father founded that manufactures the world’s preeminent snakehandling tongs. That they sit side-by-side in the issue with the likes of Buddy Philpot of the Walton Family Foundation, which pumps millions into education in Arkansas, and Hope native Chad Griffin, who leads the aptly named Human Rights Campaign in efforts to protect and extend gay rights, seems like an honest representation of Arkansas’s talent and ideas.

We’re hosting a weekend later in September in honor of these men and women who’ve left their mark on Arkansas. On Sept. 21 at the Old State House, we’re throwing a cocktail reception for the public to mingle with the honorees. The following day, at the Old State House, the Historic Arkansas Museum, the Central Arkansas Library and the Clinton School for Public Service, we’re hosting the Arkansas Times Festival of Ideas, where nearly 20 of our influential Arkansans will offer presentations and demonstrations in sessions free to the public. It’ll be like our own version of TED Talks. See more details on page 40, and save the date!

BRIAN CHILSON

KORTO MOMOLU

FASHION DESIGN

“I

’m a go big or go home kind of girl,” Korto Momolu said, on showing up at the 2008 Project Runway audition with three models rather than three garments in a bag. She earned a spot on the show’s fourth season, where she was named runner-up and the world learned that “Korto” (pronounced cuttoe) means generous cuts, tribal prints, bright colors and startling zippers. (Mayor Mark Stodola also proclaimed Nov. 13, 2008, Korto Momolu Day.) Momolu was born in Monrovia, Liberia, where her grandfather lived communally with nine wives, and her parents’ government positions afforded her Canadian boarding school and parties with the children of dignitaries.

But in 1990, Momolu and her family fled the violence of the Second Liberian

Civil War. As refugees in Canada, the family that once owned a village began dressing from a charity bin. Momolu found solace in her sketchbook, and ultimately, a woman from church loaned her the money for a local fashion college in Ottawa, Canada.

In 1999, Momolu met a military officer, moved to his hometown of Little Rock and married him. “I started having my own shows and branching out,” Momolu said. “There was this space called The Art Scene. There were painters, sculptors, jewelry designers.

I was the only fashion designer. … On the weekends it was open to the public … it was a huge start for me because we’d have Friday night art parties, and there’d be a fashion show, music over here. It was great for people to see the

arts relating to each other.”

After Project Runway, Momolu began showing at New York Fashion Week and having international shows in Nigeria and the Cayman Islands. Last year, she held a show in Monrovia. It was the first time she’d returned to the country of her birth in 21 years. After visiting overflowing orphanages — the result of two wars — Momolu founded Gracie’s Gift, to collect clothes and school supplies for these children.

Momolu now splits her time between Little Rock and Manhattan.

She’s preparing for Fall Fashion Week 2012, and for the first time, she has financial backers. “I’ll be able to sell to stores,” she explained. “If you get orders, you have to be able to produce the stuff wholesale. I’ve shown every season so

the fashion community doesn’t forget who I am, but this is the first season that I’m doing a full, ready-to-wear collection.

My past collections have just been drama, like gowns that you’d wear to these great events. Now I’m doing separates, offering more colors, appealing to the masses.”

When she’s in Little Rock, Momolu works in her River Market studio and focuses on her husband and 8-year-old daughter. “Arkansas is like Liberia to me.

It’s about family, and it’s about loyalty.

You don’t have to be born here, but if you show love for this state, you can be part of it. I’m African all day long, but I feel like I’ll always have a home here.

And that’s huge because, for the longest time, I didn’t have a place to say, ‘Oh, I’m going home.’ ”

www.arktimes.com

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

15

JERRY FISK

KNIFEMAKING

BRIAN CHILSON

M

aster bladesmith Jerry Fisk of Lockesburg is the Yoda of Arkansas when it comes to the artist’s relentless, self-sacrificial pursuit of perfection.

Years ago, a reporter for Arkansas Times visited Fisk’s shop. By then, he was already one of the greatest knife makers in the world, the pre-paid waiting list for his work seven years deep. During that visit, he showed the reporter several blades, each amazingly beautiful, that hadn’t quite lived up to his incredibly demanding standards.

He’d spent more than 30 hours collectively on those castoffs — hours spent on Hell’s doorstep, so hot his denim work shirts would sometimes disintegrate — but said that they’d be taken around behind his shop and pounded into the ground with his forging hammer.

“I can go up here at the Historic Arkansas Museum, and I can see knives that are 200 years old,” Fisk said. “Some of those may be the only knife that survived from a particular maker. If only one knife I make survives, what’s it going to look like? I don’t want to be known for a mistake.”

And that is how you become the best in the world.

A former machinist, Fisk has been

making knives for more than 25 years.

These days, he takes his craft and vocation as seriously as any religion, traveling all over the world to absorb new techniques and skills. The best of his

art simply must be seen to be believed: incredible fantasies of tusk, gold, jewels, silver, horn, bone, or ivory, all delicately inlaid and engraved, with blades of Damascus steel — layers of metal

KENNY TOMLIN H

DIGITAL ADVERTISING

ow does a one-man start-up become one of the most respected ad agencies in the country in a matter of years? Kenny Tomlin, who’s seen Rockfish Interactive grow its revenues by 60 percent to 100 percent every year since he founded it in 2006 (meteoric growth that prompted ad giant WPP to scoop up the company for an undisclosed sum last year), has four answers: “It was a good business idea and a good location at a good time filled with good people.” In a profile accompanying a 2008 award for small agency of the year, Advertising Agency magazine said of Rogers-based Rockfish, “You might call it the advertising agency of the future, except that its time is clearly now.” In other words, while legacy agencies were busy trying to hire 16

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

programmers and hold onto clients eager to launch innovative campaigns on the web and on mobile, Rockfish was founded on a digital-first approach. That Walmart is just down the road from Rockfish and gave the company business early helped it land a number of other big fish, Tomlin said. Today, clients include Walmart, Johnson & Johnson and EA Sports. Its most recent high-profile job was building Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s Mitt’s VP app for iPhones and Android phones, through which the campaign first made the announcement of the selection of Paul Ryan. That Rockfish has managed to steadily attract tech talent — today, its staff of some 200 works in offices in Rogers, Little Rock, Dallas, Cincinnati and Austin — might owe to its culture of

innovation. Rockfish was founded as two parts, one devoted to servicing clients and another to creating spin-off companies. Maintaining a healthy balance can be challenging, Tomlin said. “Especially when your professional services side of the business has grown so rapidly, it’s hard to ever want to put resources on something else when you know there is billable work to get done.” The incubator side of the company, Rockfish Labs, has created a half a dozen ventures, including a specialty coffee shop, a digital coupon creator and an employee rewards platform. Tomlin said Rockfish had already had an opportunity to sell the coupon creator, couponfactory.com, for “a meaningful amount of money, but we think we’ve got a lot of good opportunity in front of us.”

folded hundreds or thousands of times, creating patterns that look like moonlight on water.

Named a National Living Treasure by the University of North Carolina at Wilmington’s Museum of World Cultures in 1999, Fisk is still going strong at 58.

“I don’t know what to do about the orders,” he said. “It’s getting to be a problem. If a man on the street places a regular order, it’d be nine, 10, 11 years before I could get to it. ... I could probably work three years for just the Chinese, or work two years just for one particular client down in South America. It’s kinda like having to ration it out. I can only do so much as I get older.”

As for being influential, Fisk said one of his greatest accomplishments was the establishment of a bladesmithing school in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 2001. He had 14 students that first year, and the school has since raised a whole generation of young artisans out of poverty.

“Three of my original 14 were living in the streets in cardboard boxes,” he said. “Now they’re in the middle class, they all have a house, they all have students of their own, and a lot of their students have students. So I have greatgrandchildren.”

ROBYN HORN

SCULPTURE, PHILANTHROPY

W

MATT BRADLEY

ood sculptor Robyn Horn has done some heavy lifting in her life, turning enormous chunks of wood into art with the use of a chainsaw and other tools. She’s also done a lot of lifting of the arts in Arkansas, promoting contemporary crafts and arts education, including the Applied Design program at the University of Arkansas, with generous gifts of money, time and passion. She’s made it possible for instructors and students at UALR to become involved in Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina, is working with the Thea Foundation in its efforts to promote the A+ arts-infused curricula in the schools, and promoted the Conversations in Contemporary Craft presentations at the Arkansas Arts Center. She’s newly involved with programs likes Hearts and Hooves, a physical therapy program for children, and Our House. “I feel less influential and more like a facilitator,” Horn said.

“There are people here doing extraordinary things.” Without Horn, though, they’d be having a harder time.

Find us on

We are all influential.

Encourage a child.

Clinton Museum Store 610 President Clinton Ave. | Little Rock | 501-748-0400

BILL DILLARD III

RETAIL

I

n 1993, Bill Dillard III began his retail career in the regional office for Dillard’s Inc. in Phoenix, Ariz. The grandson of the founder of the department store giant is now vice president of the company, overseeing accessories, beauty and home merchandise products.

His professional path included gaining valuable international business experience while living in Hong Kong, sourcing private brand merchandise for the retailer. In 1999, he earned a master’s in business administration from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management. Dillard, or “B3,” as he’s known within the company, has worn many different hats in the company, including selling, buying, product development, merchandising and area sales management. In March, he was honored at the Fashion Institute of Technology’s annual FIT Foundation Annual Gala, alongside William P. Lauder, executive chairman of Estee Lauder Cos. Inc. The award was given to Dillard and Lauder in recognition of their leadership in the retail industry. www.arktimes.com

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

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Congratulations to Jerry Fisk

DEE ANN NEWELL

JUVENILLE AND ADULT OFFENDERS

S

ince 1994, Dee Ann Newell has tirelessly advocated for the children of prisoners, creating what was only the third program in the nation to address the needs of such children. For more than a quarter century, Newell, 66, has worked with juvenile and adult offenders. During that time she created a program to teach parenting to imprisoned women and in 2006 helped bring to the public’s attention the fact that Arkansas prisons shackle women prisoners during childbirth.

She has worked to pass legislation in each General Assembly since to make the Arkansas practice illegal. Also in 2006, the Little Rock native won the Senior Justice Fellowship Award from the Open Society Institute of the Soros Foundation for her work with children, mothers and caregivers. As a Soros fellow, Newell created the 14-state (including Arkansas) National Partnership for Children of Incarcerated Parents to pursue legislation to guarantee certain rights to the children. With funding from the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, Newell also founded the Arkansas Voices for the Children Left Behind non-profit; Rockefeller also funded the documentary “Mothers in Prison, Children in Crisis” that featured New-

ell. As well as implementing familyfriendly visiting policies that make it easier for children to visit their parents

in the prison setting, Newell has started school-based support groups for students at Central and Hall High Schools.

RICK BEZET

CHRISTIANITY Come see this and more of Jerry Fisk’s remarkable work in our Knife Gallery.

Damascus-forged blade with mammoth tusk handle from the permanent collection, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Joe T. Ford.

A museum of the Department of Arkansas Heritage

200 East Third St. Downtown Little Rock 501-324-9351 www.HistoricArkansas.org 18

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

P

astor Rick Bezet has presided over enormous growth in his congregation since New Life Church, headquartered in Conway, began in 2001. “We only started with one family and then one day we had two families and then three families …” he said. The church now has 15,000 members of churches in North Little Rock, Cabot, Conway, Hot Springs, Heber Springs and Fort Smith. By 2009, Outreach magazine ranked New Life Church No. 1 on its list of the 100 fastest growing churches in the United States.

Attendance across all six houses of worship averages about 8,000 a week, Bezet said. The pastor said the church has grown by noting what turns people off about church and doing the

opposite. Citing a study by the Barna Group, Bezet said that people are leaving churches because they didn’t find the sermons relevant, their kids didn’t want to go, they didn’t like the music, they didn’t identify with other churchgoers and they thought the church was only after their money. So Bezet and NLC offered what they believe are sermons that “mainline Arkansas” families will respond to, programming for children and contemporary music.

The church also decided not to press for tithes. “We thought, ‘let’s not do it this way,’ ” Bezet said. “Let’s just go for the people and if the Lord can’t do the rest on the funds that come into a church, if He can’t do that, then this is not built by God. Let’s just build people and we’ll let Him take care of the rest.”

SUE AND RUSTY NUFFER

Influencing Imagination for over 35 years

Bolts and bolts of whimsy and classics arriving daily. Have fun!

ORGANIC FARMING

T

hirty-four years ago, a couple of back-to-the-landers in search of cheap property and an ideal growing season found their way to Pope County. Sue and Rusty Nuffer, from Ohio and Michigan respectively, started an organic blueberry farm and began selling at farmer’s markets and, later, online buying clubs. They now supply Little Rock restaurants The Root, Brave New Restaurant, ZaZa, Trio’s, Twenty One, Terry’s Finer Foods, Boulevard Bread and Ashley’s.

The Nuffers also founded the now disbanded Ozark Organic Growers Association, a co-op that helped Arkansas products reach a national market and, according to Sue, they were the first farmers to sell organic blueberries on a national scale. “There’s more interest and demand in organic food now,” said Sue, “but the heyday of organic farming was from about 1982 to 1993, because land was a lot cheaper then.

But this is what we’re dedicated to.

We can’t imagine putting chemicals on food or in the ground.”

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SCOTT STEWART

TINY HOUSES

BRIAN CHILSON

I

n 2000 Scott Stewart, 38, of Mountain View, opened a pine mill in the same spot where his grandfather used to saw stays for whiskey stills and used the leftover lumber to build portable vacation cabins. A few years later, after the economy tanked and the small house movement fed by the 1997 book “The Not So Big House” and the need for shelter after Hurricane Katrina ballooned, Stewart began his Slabtown Customs tiny house business. The houses range in size from 160 to 300 square feet and cost from $14,000 to $30,000; he builds about 30 a year. All include the essentials — toilet, shower, kitchen appliances and sleeping lofts — and some a washer and dryer. Stewart’s sold his houses as far away as Washington to clients ranging from college students to retirees. (“The most extreme was when a family of six

moved into an 8 x 16 house with a 6-foot porch,” 176 square feet, Stewart said.)

He’s even built a wheelchair-accessible tiny house. www.arktimes.com

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

19

Southern Culture Evangelist

T h e O x fo r d A m e r i can con grat u late s it s p ub l i s h e r, Wa r w i c k S abin , for bein g s ele cte d by t h e A r ka n s a s Tim e s as on e of t h e 5 0 m o st i n f l u e n ti al pe ople in A r kan s as .

In 2012 The Oxford American is celebrating 20 years of exploring Southern culture in all of its expressions, including literature, food, music, and film.

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Winner of three National Magazine Awards.

The New York Times has said The Oxford American “may be the liveliest literary magazine in America.”

Coming in 2013: The Oxford American’s “South On Main” project, which will feature great Southern cuisine and diverse arts programming at The OA’s new home in Little Rock’s burgeoning South Main Street (SOMA) district.

8/31/12 5:17 PM

WARWICK SABIN

PUBLISHING

PETROUKHINA one of the HANS FiftyFEYERABEND Most InfluentialELENA People in Arkansas!

I

t’s been a momentous year for Warwick Sabin. As publisher of Oxford American magazine, he’s weathered the storm following the firing of founding editor Marc Smirnoff for sexual harassment. He won the Democratic primary election for Arkansas House of Representatives, District 33, and he’s running unopposed in the general election. He’s been overseeing the start of South on Main, a project to put an Oxford American restaurant and public venue in the former home of Juanita’s on South Main Street. South on Main will celebrate the South with an array of arts programming and a menu designed by a soon-to-be named accomplished chef. The venture, scheduled to open early next year, will put Sabin on the path to realizing a goal that’s shared by forward-thinking publishers everywhere — to be more than a publication. “Cultural institution” is a term Sabin has used. When a reporter

We appreciate your dedication to human rights.

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suggested 2013 — in his first year as a legislator, with a new OA editor in place and a new restaurant and venue open — could be his year, Sabin protested. “You’re tempting fate.”

HAYDAR AL-SHUKRI

SEISMOLOGY

H

aydar Al-Shukri is the director of the Arkansas Earthquake Center at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and chair of the Applied Science Department. His mission is to educate the public about natural phenomena. He takes a complex subject he knows well — seismology — and talks about it in a way the public can understand. He’s not trying to shake people up — “I don’t usually use a scare tactic,” said Al-Shukri — in his attempts to educate the public about the risk of an earthquake and ways to prepare for a disaster. He is both educator and researcher; a current project has taken him to a cotton field in Eastern Arkansas, where the Marianna Fault exists, which could produce an earthquake in the future.

The Earthquake Center director has won a federal grant to operate six new seismic stations, including one at the New Madrid Fault, and to provide public education and data to the scientific community. Al-Shukri’s expertise put him in the middle of the state Oil and Gas Commission’s inquiry into whether

Congratulations Chad griffin,

dates!

SAve the

Grandparent Caregiver’s Day

FRidAy, SeptembeR 7th @ the Capitol Rotunda

Announcing the Arkansas Kinship Caregiver Network, a new peer-led coalition by kinship caregivers around the state, and the publication of the Relatives’ Guide to Foster Care, produced by the cooperative efforts of DCFS, Arkansas Advocates, Arkansas Voices, and the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Press Conference

SAtuRdAy, SeptembeR 29th 10 Am-3:30 pm

fracking wastewater wells were causing an increase in the number of earthquakes north of Conway; Al-Shukri, who’d been paid by the well disposal operation Deep Six to conduct tests, testified the wells were not the cause of most of the small quakes. The state Oil and Gas Commission closed one well anyway.

Grandparent and other relative caregivers are invited to a special event for the newly formed Arkansas Kinship Caregiver Network If you would like to attend and participate, contact Dee Ann Newell at 501.366.3647 or toll-free at 1.866.9.Voices.

Find out more about our programs or to become a caregiver online at www.arkansasvoices.org or call 501.366.3647 www.arktimes.com

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

21

CHAD GRIFFIN

GAY RIGHTS

I

team has succeeded in three federal courts and is readying the case for the Supreme Court.

In March, Griffin was named the new president of the Human Rights Campaign, the largest LGBT advocacy

group in the country. “Our movement has come a long way in the last 10 or even five years. If you look over the country, there’s over 50 percent bipartisan support for marriage equality, there’s tremendous support for an employment nondiscrimination act, ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ is gone, we have the first president of the United States supporting marriage equality, but we still have a long ways to go,” Griffin said.

Currently, HRC is working on marriagerelated ballot measures in Maine, Maryland and Washington, where there are measures to grant marriage equality, and in Minnesota, where HRC is working against a discriminatory measure. “Right now, what’s before me are these four ballot measures. These are four opportunities that we can win, and we need to do everything in our power to do that,” Griffin said. Beyond that, he plans to work with what he calls “fair-minded religious leaders and legislatures” to fight bullying and discrimination and offer LGBT people — particularly teen-agers — support and stability. For Griffin, “At the end of the day, this is about the Golden Rule.”

go away when television came along,” he said. “A lot of people predicted it back in the 1970s when there was a little cable

box you could put on top of your TV, and that didn’t happen either. I think print will be around for a long, long time.”

ALYSSA SCHUKAR, HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN

n 1992, a 19-year-old volunteer in Bill Clinton’s successful presidential campaign dropped out of Ouachita Baptist University to move to D.C. and work on Clinton’s press team, thus becoming the youngest White House staffer ever. Both Griffin and Clinton were born in Hope, and their families were loosely acquainted. “I was inspired by my governor and first lady,” Griffin said. “I not only followed him growing up in Arkansas, but I followed my first lady, who was incredibly active in education reform.”

Griffin graduated from Georgetown University in Washington with a degree in foreign affairs and began to work on various legislative campaigns. He helped pass a cigarette tax in California that funds early childhood education and fought for stem-cell research. But Griffin is best known as an advocate for gay and lesbian civil rights.

In 2010, voters overturned a California Supreme Court ruling giving same-sex couples the right to marry. Griffin astounded everyone by convincing Theodore Olson and David Boies, lawyers for George Bush and

Al Gore, respectively, during the U.S. Supreme Court presidential-election fight, to work together to challenge the law. It was the first time that samesex marriage had been addressed in a federal court. Thus far, the Olson/Boies

DAVID BAILEY

anaging editor of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette since 1998 — and performing the duties of executive editor since Griffin Smith stepped down last April — David Bailey has to be one of the most influential people in the state. Though people have been sounding the death knell of the American newspaper for awhile, the Democrat-Gazette still has tremendous sway on the politics and attitudes of Arkansans, and Bailey is one of the chief minds behind what that paper is going to look like when it hits the doorstep.

Born in Natchez, Miss., Bailey has been a journalist his whole adult life.

Fresh out of school, he worked at a newspaper in Natchez for a few months, then moved to Baton Rouge, where he worked at the Baton Rouge Advocate for almost 16 years. In 1988, he moved to the Memphis Commercial-Appeal and after that to the Hattiesburg Ameri-

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SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

can in Hattiesburg, Miss. He accepted a position with the Democrat-Gazette in 1993.

“I knew a little something about Little Rock,” he said. “Although I didn’t know any people here, I knew the town and I knew the newspaper. This newspaper has had a tremendous history and tradition. There’s been a lot of good journalism in this town, so it was an easy decision to come here.” He credits any influence he might have to his “remarkable” staff at the newspaper.

Since taking over Smith’s duties in April, Bailey has seen the paper through several projects, including the rollout of its Plus Technology, which allows readers to scan a photo with their smart phone for video and other information.

Overall, Bailey said he’s hopeful about the prospects for the American newspaper.

“A lot of people predicted print would

BRIAN CHILSON

M

NEWSPAPERS

HRC ARKANSAS From the Ozarks to great BBQ and the Clinton Presidential Library to the Razorbacks, there’s so much to love about Arkansas.

These recipients are just one more reminder.

The HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN is proud to celebrate the Best of Arkansas. Congratulations to this year’s recipients!

www.hrc.org

Arkansas Wand and friends congratulate Jean Gordon for being named to the Arkansas Times 50 Most Influential People in Arkansas List!

Jean Gordon, pictured, front center

FILM

BRENT AND CRAIG RENAUD

B

rothers Brent and Craig Renaud have spent more than a decade traveling the world making documentary films. They’ve worked with the biggest players in the industry — HBO, NBC, PBS, the Discovery Channel and the online New York Times. They’ve won major prizes, including an Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Award, the most prestigious award in broadcast and digital journalism, for a stirring web video report they did for the New York Times on the recovery of two Haitian children who were severely injured in the 2010 earthquake.

They’ve trailed drug addicts (“Dope Sick Love”), filmed on the front lines (“Off to War”), dodged bullets in the Mexican drug war (a multi-part series for the New York Times) and interviewed Olympians Michael Johnson and Carl Lewis (for a U.S. Olympic team YouTube channel). Somehow, they’ve also found time to contribute, perhaps more than any others, to Arkansas’s growing film culture — founding and programming the Little Rock Film Festival, which has quickly grown into a

regional juggernaut, and founding the Arkansas Motion Picture Institute, a new umbrella nonprofit under which all of the state’s film festivals will collaborate. Next up: A fall premiere of their documentary on a 10-year-old boy awaiting a heart transplant for almost a year, his twin brother and their Russian immigrant parents. It’s a “heavy” story, Craig said recently, but that’s territory in which the Renauds thrive, as Brent acknowledged earlier this year in his acceptance speech for the duPont-Columbia. “Our goal with all of our films is to tell a simple, honest, human story about [subjects that] can sometimes be incomprehensible and hopeless.”

We also congratulate our members Representative Linda Tyler

IRMA GAIL HATCHER

Garbo Hearne

QUILTING

Deann Newell, and Warwick Sabin for being chosen!

www.arwand.org www.wand.org arkwand@gmail.com www.facebook.com/arkwand

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SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

W

hen Irma Gail Hatcher moved to Conway in 1981, shortly after her husband accepted a position as president of Hendrix College, she began quilting. After a few years, she started exhibiting her quilts, and in 1999, her quilt “Conway Album (I’m not from Baltimore)” was chosen by a panel of expert quilters as one of the “100 Best American Quilts of the 20th Century.” Hatcher estimates that she’s made 100 quilts. She has never sold a quilt, although she’s donated a few to museums. One day her six grandchildren will inherit the rest of them.

Hatcher has taught quilting in 36 states, and she’s authored eight books on the subject. “Ozark Oaks,” a brown-andblue piece quilt that she made decades ago, is still her favorite. “It took me a

year to make it, and I think I was just thrilled to finish it. It became a part of me, like a child,” she said.

GARBO HEARNE

A

AFRICAN-AMERICAN ART

BRIAN CHILSON

t Hearne Fine Art, owner Garbo Hearne says, the art sells itself.

“I’m not a salesperson,” the somewhat reserved operator of the only gallery to focus on African-American in Arkansas says. “You have to want it.”

But Hearne wants you to want it, and since 1988 has worked to introduce names previously little known in Little Rock’s collecting circles both black and white, though the artists are famous elsewhere. Her gallery represents painters and printmakers and sculptors of national reputation, like Benny Andrews, John Biggers, Samella Lewis, Dean Mitchell and Faith Ringgold, and highlights major Arkansas talents as well, like Aj Smith, Marjorie Williams-Smith, Ariston Jacks, Larry Hampton and others. These are fine artists whose work you’re unlikely to find anywhere else in Arkansas.

The El Dorado native was herself encouraged to learn about African-American art by her husband, Dr. Archie Hearne, who is a collector. Her first gallery, Pyramid Art, was on Main Street, and she sold posters at first. As

she moved more deeply into fine art (she sells books and does framing as well), she moved the gallery to the Museum Center in the River Market. There, Hearne Fine Art was a destination; “I couldn’t have survived the River Market [district] otherwise,” she said laughing, because of the lack of parking. (Though, she added, some of her visitors came in thinking she was part of the Museum of Discovery, got a confused look on their faces and exited.)

To have a gallery devoted to artists who are African-American “sounds so crazy,” Hearne said. “A whites-only gallery wouldn’t be acceptable.” But there is a commonality in much of the work, narratives of a life of exclusion and struggle.

Now, Hearne says, she is starting a young collectors group, and will pair its members with mentors who already know something about art and the market. “I feel like I’ve been able to change a lot of people’s understanding” of AfricanAmerican art, Hearne said. She makes buying fine art affordable, too, allowing people to buy on monthly installments.

www.arktimes.com

West LR team ad-AT.indd 3

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

25

8/17/12 8:52 AM

JOHN GAUDIN

ARGENTA RESTORATION

BRIAN CHILSON

I

t is not a stretch to say that John Gaudin was the prime mover, the sower of seeds that have transformed downtown North Little Rock in the past eight years. And the changes he wrought — giving the railroad town’s Main Street a new identity as arts district — might have happened in Little Rock instead.

“North Little Rock was so far off my radar” when he was looking for new office space that would allow him to have a gallery along with his investment consulting business, Gaudin said, sitting at a table in his office over Cregeen’s at Broadway and Main, a building he constructed to fit in with Argenta’s

historic buildings. “I had no idea what was here — all these cool buildings.”

Gaudin, 56, a native of Lafayette, La., who moved to Arkansas in 1982, was methodical in what some might have

considered madness, this goal to bring in the arts and chic housing to an old downtown whose mercantile bustle was fading. He hired an architect to “plot out, building by building” what a successful arts-based business district might look like. With investors Harold Tenenbaum and Greg Nabholz (doing business as The New Argenta Fund, The Mill LLC and other entities), he began to buy and transform buildings and lots on and off Main that are now home to the Thea Foundation, the Argenta Community Theater, Starving Artist Cafe and City Grove Townhomes; he’s also bought the former Mountaire Feeds property, to one day be developed

for a hotel. His fingerprints are all over the Argenta Downtown Council, a minichamber of commerce/city beautiful group for the neighborhood, and the Argenta Arts Foundation.

Gaudin’s newest project: the North Little Rock Moon Shot project to raise educational achievement, involving the A+ School program embraced and promoted by the Thea Foundation, the federal City Year program and a new creation, Art Connection, an arts-based teen afterschool and jobs program modeled on the Artists for Humanity project in Boston. He’s a believer in arts as good for the soul, good for young minds, and not bad for business, either.

Reaches Kids (PARK) offers a place for students who may be struggling with school or a violent environment a safe place to study and play. Jackson said students who come in with a 1.5 GPA may improve their grades — and attitude — so much that they can go to college. Today, there are 175 PARK graduates enrolled in college. Jackson said the PARK program started as a vision from God. (In a 2003 interview, when asked how he knew he was hear-

ing God’s voice, Jackson said, “Hey, I’m a football player ... it couldn’t be from me.”) Jackson wanted to be “more than just a football player,” and was concerned about teen violence. With a current enrollment of 250 students and countless changed lives, Jackson proudly reflects on the program saying, “PARK has done as much for me as I’ve done for it.” He’s also still part of the sports world; he’s a commentator for the Arkansas Razorbacks.

KEITH JACKSON

AT-RISK KIDS

K

eith Jackson’s earlier claim to fame was his football career. He was a tight end for the University of Oklahoma and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Jackson went on to play for the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers. But since 1993, Jackson has come to be known for the non-profit organization he started in Southwest Little Rock to help atrisk teen-agers. Positive Atmosphere

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ARKANSAS TIMES

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Congratulations to Korto Momolu on being selected one of the Fifty Most Influential People in Arkansas!

Don’t Miss Korto in our Annual Fashion Show During Hillcrest HarvestFest Saturday, September 22nd at 7pm

BRIAN CHILSON

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KEITH NEWTON

O

WOODWORKING

ver the past 40 years, Little Rock furniture maker, carver, photographer and wood-turner Keith Newton has churned a lot of sawdust. In the process, he’s shaped himself into arguably the best artist working in wood in the state.

In a huge, cluttered shop on Arch Street (which features a living space that includes a massive tree trunk that’s been turned into a spiral staircase), Newton has amassed a collection of iron machines that look like something from a Dickensian workhouse: a massive planer from a defunct coffin factory, a seven-foot-tall band saw, a five-horsepower wood lathe — formerly used to make steam locomotive drive wheels and saved from scrap — that allows Newton to turn mammoth wooden vessels up to 54 inches across.

With these, Newton creates works of such organic flow and lightness that it’s hard to believe some of them didn’t just grow that way.

Newton started woodworking in

the late 1960s and bought his workshop on Arch Street in 1983. There was a time when he didn’t see himself as anything other than a woodworker, something that slowly changed as his skill set grew. “My clients back through the years started introducing me to their friends as ‘an artist,’ ” he said. “At first, I couldn’t say: ‘Oh yeah, I’m an artist.’ It was too braggy or something. But after awhile and a few awards ...”

In those early days, Newton went through periods where he took design cues from the furniture of other makers, but in recent years, he said he’s been finding most of his inspiration in nature. An accomplished amateur wildlife photographer, Newton often incorporates the patterns and shapes he sees in the field into his furniture and turnings.

“I love curves,” he said. “I love making things curvy. Flat is boring to me.

I’m trying to do things that separate me from everybody else, [and] the craft

is so old that you can’t really do anything that has much originality if it has nothing but flat planes. I like the challenge of finding new shapes that don’t fit into older periods.”

Newton definitely likes a challenge.

A recent job found him creating a rigid, see-through balcony for a loft that featured a series of thin rails joined into small rectangles that diminished in size the farther they got from the center of the balcony. That required a truly mind-boggling amount of planning, design and skill. “Even people who are really good woodworkers are going to look and that and say: ‘Oh God, it makes my brain hurt,’ ” Newton said with a chuckle. Still, that kind of dedication has its rewards. Newton says his projects eventually start to flow from one to the other.

“I have such a wonderful, creative imagination that I get in the zone to where the juices are flowing,” he said.

“In my mind, I can just see stuff like you’re flipping pages in a book.”

The NLR Chamber salutes

OUR

Influentials!

The Chamber congratulates all of the recipients of Arkansas Times Influentials! www.arktimes.com

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

27

MICHAEL MARION

LIVE MUSIC

BRIAN CHILSON

BRIAN CHILSON

I

t would be tough to find someone else who has more of a hand in determining which big-name concerts and other large-scale events come through Arkansas than Michael Marion, GM at Verizon Arena. He’s modest about his role, acknowledging the myriad factors that go into booking big events. But he’s a showbiz veteran whose contacts come in handy.

Marion got his start in booking concerts as a senior at Mississippi State University in the mid-’70s. The just-elected president of the student body approached him. “He said, ‘Hey, do you want to handle concerts?’ And I said, ‘Sure. How do you do it?’ ” Marion said with a laugh.

The first show he booked? “Billy Joel.

We paid him $4,500. It was free to students and $3 for non-students.”

In the early ’80s, Marion took a job with a talent agency in Los Angeles. “It was really nice learning what goes on on the other side of the phone, because I’d been a buyer for all these years, wondering what agents did.”

He eventually got back into the business of booking, first back in his hometown of Tupelo, Miss., and then in Arkansas, when he was hired to manage what was then Alltel Arena. He brought with him the experience — and the contacts

and friendships — he’d gained in his six years as an agent. Those things have come in handy over the years. For example, Marion had brought Tom Petty to Tupelo, and had long wanted to book the rock legend for a show in North Little Rock.

Petty “had a big offer to play Jazz Fest and they wanted to put some dates around it. Fortunately the agent for Tom Petty is a friend of mine.” Because Marion had been trying to get Petty to Arkansas for years, “we got the phone call.”

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ARKANSAS TIMES

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SCOTT McGEHEE

RESTAURANTS

L

ike his mentor Alice Waters, the thing that sets chef and restaurateur Scott McGehee apart from many of his peers, which is also the thing he helped introduce in Arkansas after working for more than six years in Waters’ famed Chez Panisse in Berkley, hardly sounds like a thing at all. McGehee believes in the power of using the finest and freshest ingredients. Waters’ reliance on that philosophy in the ’70s and ’80s helped spawn the local, organic foods movement. McGehee’s helped revolutionize how Central Arkansans think about basic staples. With each new restaurant he’s opened, he’s managed to turn the likes of bread, pizza, salad, ice cream, hamburgers and French fries into delicious gourmet creations that bear little resemblance to what we knew of them before. Not yet a convert? A tasting tour of the mini-empire he’s created is in order: Try a baguette at Boulevard Bread (which McGehee sold to his ex-wife in 2009 following a divorce), the recipe for which won a world baking competition in France.

Try a cup of the impossibly creamy Italian gelato at ZaZa Fine Salad and Wood Oven Pizza Co. Try the habitforming Truffle-Garlic-Herb Fries at Big Orange: Burgers, Salads & Shakes.

Then go back and try something else.

Later this year, McGehee and several partners will open Local Lime, a new concept that could explode one’s notion of what a taco and a margarita can be. McGehee’s father, Frank McGehee, started Blue Mesa Grill and Juanita’s, where McGehee spent time cooking.

“It’s kind of coming full circle,” he said.

Would like to congratulate our Executive Director

Rich Huddleston One of Arkansas’s most influential leaders Thanks for your leadership as we enter our 35th year of giving children a voice in state policy.

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29

RICH HUDDLESTON

C

One of the 50 most

Influential People in Arkansas

CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY

hildren neither vote nor make campaign contributions, which puts them at a disadvantage when it comes to influencing public policy. Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families was founded in 1977 to reduce that disadvantage, and in the years since, it has succeeded to a considerable degree. Rich Huddleston joined AACF in 1995 and has been executive director since July 2004.

“Our formal mission is to ensure that all children and families have the resources and opportunities to lead healthy and productive lives,” Huddleston said in an interview. “We concentrate on improving public policy. Much of our work focuses on low-income and vulnerable kids. We try really hard to see that everything we do is researched and data-based.” Unlike many such documents, AACF reports are highly valued by the news media.

AACF may be best-known for the ARKids health insurance program for lowincome children, which was created in the 1990s. Huddleston’s predecessor, Amy Rossi, was the foremost advocate for the program and won Gov. Mike Huckabee’s support. Mike Beebe, then a member of the state Senate, was a legislative leader for the program. Pre-kindergarten education is another cause for which AACF seeks and wins public funding.

AACF is funded primarily by private grants from groups such as the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation and the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Foundation funds can’t be used for lobbying, and although some people think of AACF as a lobby

group, lobbying is actually a fairly small part of what the organization does, Huddleston said.

“We educate the public about the importance of these issues and potential solutions. We try to engage the public to be advocates. We partner with other organizations who are committed advocates in their own right.” And although AACF does not endorse or contribute to political candidates, “We have had strong champions in the Arkansas legislature on nearly every issue we work on.” AACF brings out the best in legislators, sort of the reverse of the Americans for Prosperity group.

JEAN GORDON

A John Gaudin, Argenta Art Foundation Chairman of the Board

Congrats!

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SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

PEACE ACTIVISM

t first glance, a peace group seems like something out of the Vietnam era, but peace never grows passé. Certainly not to Jean Gordon, who founded the Arkansas chapter of WAND (Women’s Action for New Directions) in 1997, and remains active in it. (The national organization was founded as Women’s Action for Nuclear Disarmament in the 1970s by Dr. Helen Caldicott.) Arkansas WAND has more than 350 members, mostly in Central Arkansas. It works to direct excessive military spending elsewhere, such as education, health care and environmental protec-

tion. It holds special events, such as annual remembrances of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings; it sponsored the Beacon of Peace and Hope at the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum in North Little Rock. “We have speakers talking about the history and terrible consequences of nuclear weapons, and the danger of nuclear weapons now,” Gordon said. “We want to abolish most of the nuclear weapons.”

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P. ALLEN SMITH

GARDENING

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orn in Little Rock in 1960, P. Allen Smith took a love for nature, an eye for design and a green thumb he inherited from his grandfather and grew them into a multimedia empire: gardening books, a radio show, a newsletter with over 100,000 weekly subscribers, three nationally-syndicated TV shows, a new partnership to produce content for Youtube.com and more. He’s also still active in designing grand gardens around America and the world. Relishing his success, Smith has spent the last eight years building a country estate called Moss Mountain Farm near Roland, where he lives and films much of the content for his Internet and television ventures.

Smith, who says he sees himself at heart as a teacher, doesn’t believe in perfection, but he does believe that good taste is something most people can acquire if they pay attention to the details and take the time to nurture their creativity. “It’s like having musical ability,� he said. “I was not born with any sort of musical ability or talent, but lots of people are born with those talents and they build on them. ... You can either build that out within yourself or let it lie dormant.

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REESE ROWLAND

ARCHITECTURE

eese Rowland and his colleagues at Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects have done much to shape the way Little Rock looks. Several of their buildings have won some of the top professional honors in the industry.

Of the firm’s many projects in the state, some of its most visible works were helmed by Rowland, including the Acxiom tower, the Arkansas Studies Institute, the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce and the Heifer International headquarters downtown, which won the 2008 AIA National Institute Honor Award — the nation’s highest award for architecture.

The building, which was completed in 2007, was one of the earliest structures to be certified as a LEED Platinum project by the U.S. Green Building Council, meaning it met the most stringent requirements for energy efficiency and sustainable construction practices.

“We feel like our firm in general is really on the cutting edge — and has been on the cutting edge for years and years — of this kind of work,” Rowland said.

Many of the principles that helped the building earn that distinction were already common practice at Polk Stanley Wilcox, Rowland said.

“We were doing most of those things in our buildings anyway, how you orient a building and how you bring in natural light instead of artificial light,” he said.

While the LEED certification pro-

cess is a good measuring stick for how efficient a building will be, “we were focused on energy savings more than just lip service,” Rowland said. “We wanted the building to really perform, because every dollar that we saved in energy bills, that was money they could send to programs and hungry people.”

JAMIE HESTEKIN

O

BIOFUELS

nly the students of University of Arkansas chemical engineering professor Dr. Jamie Hestekin truly understand what they’re up to in Fayetteville, but we’ll take a shot at it. Hestekin and students, who won the PBS Planet Forward competition “Innovator of the Year” and were featured on the special “The Energy of Innovation,” are working to turn algae into butanol, a biofuel. The benefits: Compared to amber waves of corn, ponds of green scum occur naturally, and therefore sustainably. “Our dream,” 32

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

Hestekin said, “is to have something that cleans up wastewater and makes usable fuel out of it.” Research is early; “I’d love to say we could do that tomorrow,” but they’ve got a way to go — and competition for federal dollars with the oil and gas industry — before we’re putting fermented algae in the tank. Meanwhile, Hestekin and his team, who are getting their algae shipped to them from a New York wastewater treatment plant, will continue working to create affordable ways to make an engine hum on scum.

Since that time, the focus on sustainable, energy-efficient construction and design — “green” buildings for shorthand — has increased substantially. “It’s kind of the catchphrase now,” he said.

But for Rowland and his colleagues at PSW, “it’s about creating a building that does perform,” he said. “You can whitewash it — or ‘greenwash’ it as they say — where you do all the things that feel good and look good and you can say that it’s green,” he said. “But if it doesn’t save any energy over a normal building, then what’s the point?”

Rowland’s buildings weren’t recognized only because of energy efficiency. The design of much of his award-winning work tells the story of the client. In the case of the Arkansas Studies Institute, for example, as the main entrance to the building suggests the cover of a book, the glass panels along the building’s west side forming pages.

The building was one of five winners worldwide of the 2011 American Institute of Architects/American Library Association Library Building Award.

“For us as an architectural community, to make Little Rock something that’s progressive and forward-thinking — not mired in the past but really progressive — it takes modern, crisp, neat, interesting architecture,” he said.

“I think over the last 10 to 15 years, as a city and at our firm, we’ve really worked hard to make that happen.”

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DONALD BOBBITT

D

DISTANCE LEARNING

onald Bobbitt, the president of the University of Arkansas System, a chemistry Ph.D. and Philadelphia native who earned his undergraduate degree in Fayetteville, is an evangelist for distance learning. He sees it as an opportunity to for more Arkansans to seek a college degree, making school more accessible to those who are “geographically fixed” because of their job, family obligations, or finances, as well as more appealing to those who don’t want or need the “cultural fabric of the university.”

“That could be older students realizing their career would be advanced by a college degree, or people in the stage of life where they don’t want to spend time in the traditional college setting, they want to stay focused and finish and get out,” said Bobbitt.

Bobbitt also sees technology as a way to enhance the learning process.

For example, he said some excellent scholarship has been done on the traditional learning process — the professor presents a lecture, reading material is assigned, and students do homework then ask questions about it — and a new model called “the flipped

classroom” is emerging.

“Maybe the lecture and materials could be reviewed ahead of time by the students and points not well understood could then be used to highlight the places of misconception through questions,” said Bobbitt. That’s a format that would work well on-line.

Bobbitt believes Arkansas has made progress in online learning.

“We’re putting in high-speed networks across both the public and private sector.” The real concern is what he calls “storm clouds” at the federal level, such as the budget impasse in Congress and lawmakers’ “meat cleaver approach” to spending reduction. Federal education is being cited more frequently as a place where cuts could be made.

“If the Pell Grant is going to serve as the financial bedrock for many students across the South … you’re going to see a drastic reduction in the number of Arkansans who can afford to go to college,” said Bobbitt. “I think that’s why we should at least be looking at how technology can assist these students who may no longer be able to afford a traditional education.”

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TIM ERNST

Dee ann newell on your seleCtion as one of the fifty Most influential PeoPle in arkansas!

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Frank and Anna Newell, John Buchanan Andrea, Jim, Mariah, Dylan, Matt, Jamie, Keaton, and Baylor Romine Kathy and John Romine (CA) Hannah and Lance Peacock, Jenny Boshears Bettye M. Caldwell, Tricia Cromwell Janet and Bud Jones, Mary Lou Rasco Susan D. Phillips (Washington, DC) Pam Walker, Yali Lincroft (Berkeley, CA) Kathy Kaczmarek, Brenda Olive Pam Walker, Tom Navin, Rev. Steve Copley Holly Dickson and Rita Sklar at ACLU of Arkansas Nell Bernstein of San Francisco Partnership for Children of the Incarcerated Ann Adalist-Estrin, Director of National Resource Center for Children of Prisoners

Mary Bissell and Jennifer Miller of ChildFocus, Sandy Watson Joan Burnham (Austin, TX), Judy Robinson Adriene Corbin, Keisha Grigsby Glenn Nishimura, Jo Ann Coleman Claire Scheuren (Tucson, AZ) Beth Tucker (Flagstaff, AZ) Lisa Wright, Jennifer Ferguson Arkansas State Sen. David Johnson Claire Walker (Pittsburgh, PA) Carol Burton (San Raphael, CA) L. Scott Stanford, Yvonne Jackson (MI) Liz Gaynes and Emani Walker (NY Osborne Association) Nancy Silliphant Forster (CA) Ellen Bullard English, Rebecca Spohn Elaine and Ernie Dumas

Find out more about our programs or to become a caregiver online at www.arkansasvoices.org or call 501.366.3647 34

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ARKANSAS TIMES

I

THE OZARKS

n 1975, while studying environmental science at the University of Arkansas, Tim Ernst bought a camera and started a photography business. He shot Greek functions, what he calls his “wildlife photography stint.” By 1980, the Fayetteville native had dropped out of college and taken up nature photography. In 1987, Ernst got his break — the Sierra Club used his photo as a calendar cover.

Soon after, he started freelancing for heavies such as National Geographic. He also kept busy clearing hiking trails, something he’d been doing since 1981. In 1977, the National Forest Service began to clear the 162-mile Ozark Highlands Trail — a task it abandoned by 1980. So Ernst founded the Ozark Highlands Trail Association. By 1988, the association’s thousands of volunteers had completed the trail. In the late 1980s, Ernst started a publishing company to sell his roughly 30 photography books and guidebooks. He

also leads about 30 photo workshops a year. Ernst loves teaching, but he complains that running a business shortchanges his life on the trail. “I used to spend about 290 nights a year in a tent,” he said. A little over a decade ago, he built a log cabin on a ridge in Newton County. It’s an easier place from which to manage the administrative duties that go with being Tim Ernst, the unofficially branded Ozarks evangelist. For Ernst, the magic is in the light. “There’s a rare quality of light here, and when you see it, you know it … it can be brilliant sunlight streaming through foggy trees or, just the other night, it’d been storming and right before sunset I was out on the deck, looking at these cloud formations below. They were twisting and dancing as they warmed and rose up, and just beyond them, on the opposite ridge top, it lit up. It was bathed in this warm, golden glow,” he said, sounding as airy and dreamy as the clouds.

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JOHN JAMES

E-COMMERCE

J

ohn James, CEO and founder of Fayetteville’s Acumen Brands, thinks he’s got a future billiondollar company. “I know it seems audacious, but we’re well on our way,” he says. What’s Acumen do? At a quick glance, one might say they sell stuff online, like thousands of other retailers around the world. A visit to the company’s 50,000-square-foot warehouse turns up rows of shelves of cowboy boots and Carhartt jackets — the big sellers of two of Acumen’s online stores, countryoutfitter. com and toughwield.com. But if you stick around long enough, you’ll see boxy orange robots whizzing around the warehouse, hoisting shelves of merchandise and depositing them in the shipping area, leaving the packaging and shipping — the only human involvement in a massive operation — to a handful of workers. It’s just one way the four-year-old company has figured out how to how to sell things efficiently and innovatively. Move fast, break things and iterate quickly is a company philosophy, James has said. It’s a business style that attracted Dillard’s to invest $4 million in the company last year. James’ personality and background might’ve played a role as well. He’s a medical doctor who paid for medical school by selling Quiz Bowl questions to schools across the country and ran three e-commerce businesses and a lucrative arbitrage on Google keywords while he was in residency. Entrepreneurship eventually won out over medicine. “I want to do something to change the world, and I think I’ve got a better chance of doing it over here than I did in the medical system,” James said.

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SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

35

CHRIS BOULDIN

ARKANSAS T-SHIRTS

P

aragould native Chris Bouldin got into the T-shirt business by way of the restaurant trade. In 2007, he was operating a pizza shop in Sherwood that wasn’t doing so well. Toward the end, he had some “I ♥ Little Rock” shirts made for his employees. The shirts were popular with customers as well.

“It got to the point where we were selling as many of those shirts as we were selling pizza,” Bouldin said. “We just went ahead and kept the shirts part of it and got rid of the pizza place.”

Bouldin took a job offer in Tulsa later that year, as program director at the Petroleum Equipment Institute. That gig is still his day job, but his heart — and much of his creative energy — continues to be focused on Arkansas. That, combined with his affinity for vintage design

and sarcasm, blossomed into Rock City Outfitters, an Arkansas-themed on-line T-shirt shop.

The T-shirts sport messages that

range from a G rating to, well, maybe not R, but probably a hard PG-13. Most are of a nostalgic bent, such as old-school Travelers images, the Southwest Con-

ference logo or “Clinton for Congress in 1974.” Others are more smart-alecky, e.g., “I Give My Word to Stop at Third — Arkansas Abstinence Day 1987” or “Jonesboro — Not So Boring if You’re Never Sober.” There are digs at nearby states: “Imagine ... A World Without Texas” and “Arkansas: Two Letters Better than Kansas.”

Bouldin averages a couple of hundred shirts a week, which brings in a good amount of extra scratch. “It could be eventually one of these things I do for a living. But honestly, I just want it to be fun,” he said. “And that’s really all it’s ever been for me.” If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Bouldin must feel mighty flattered. RCO has inspired several similar ventures in Arkansas.

JOEL ANDERSON

ome universities and the towns they’re located in largely go their separate ways. More is expected of the university in a large metropolitan area. Under Chancellor Joel Anderson, UALR tries to provide. “In 2000, we did a six-month study that resulted in a recommendation for merger of Little Rock and North Little Rock utilities. I think that surprised officials on both sides

of the [Arkansas] river. They surprised us by accepting the recommendation and putting it in place.” The university has also created the Institute on Race and Ethnicity. “We’ve recognized that race is a major issue in our community and that for the community to reach its best future, we have to address issues of race more successfully.”

Anderson said UALR works to create

programs that meet local and state needs. “We’re graduating some highly qualified students in high-tech majors that are in short supply in Little Rock and Arkansas. The university has been working for at least 20 years to improve neighborhoods around the university.

Through a university district development corporation, we’ve gotten money to improve housing in this part of town.”

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ARKANSAS TIMES

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hillip Goad, Ph.D., has been a vital part of the Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health (CTEH) since he and three others founded the group in 1997; he is the principal toxicologist at the company. A spinoff of the BioVentures program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, CTEH focuses on human health and the environmental impact of chemicals in the workplace, the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the earth under our feet. CTEH, headquartered in North Little Rock, provides risk assessment on the potential health consequences of chemicals, strategies for clean-up, data management and air sampling and safety technology. Although most of the company’s work is focused out of state, CTEH employs many Arkansans (it is the largest employer of doctoral students from the toxicology program at UAMS) and has a growing clientele in-state. CTEH also works in emergency response and had a large part in the clean-up of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf.

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BRIAN CHILSON

JAMES PARINS, J.W. WIGGINS, DANIEL LITTLEFIELD

NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURAL HISTORY

D

r. Daniel Littlefield, Dr. Jim Parins and Dr. J.W. Wiggins have made Arkansas a destination for scholarly research on Native American writing and art. This is particularly significant given that this is a state that pushed its native population out in the 19th century; there is no Indian Country here, despite a rich prehistory and history of native people.

The Sequoyah National Research Center on the campus of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is the fruit of 40 years of labor by the retired professors, with Littlefield and Parins amassing Native American newspapers and Wiggins Native American art. Their collections, composed of the Native Press Archives, manuscripts, the Tribal Writers Digital Library and other primary sources, and 2,500 works of art by 865 Native American artists and more, are

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SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

now the largest of their kinds in the United States. The center’s importance is such that it’s attracted research fellows from states with large Indian populations like Arizona and Oklahoma, and scholars from as far away as Australia.

Littlefield, director of the research center, and Parins, a former English professor (like Littlefield), were working to compile an anthology of Native American writers in the 1970s when they realized there was a wealth of Indian materials about to be lost: newspapers and periodicals that were being weeded from universities. They began to take the printed material and created an archive that grew from an office in Stabler Hall to a suite there and then to space made for the archive in Ottenheimer Library.

“One of the reasons we’ve been successful is we don’t have recognized

tribes in the state,” Littlefield said. “I’m not sure something like this could work in Oklahoma where there are 39 tribes.”

Instead, Arkansas is seen as “neutral territory,” as independent journalist Mark Trahant, a Shoshone-Bannock, described it, where tribal loyalties don’t come into play. Still, Littlefield and Parins (who is assistant director of the center) hope the Sequoyah Center will be Indian-run in the future.

Wiggins, a former chemistry professor, has work by more than 145 Native American artists in his collection, which was once stored and hung from floor to ceiling in his home in Broadmoor. He donated the collection to UALR with the caveat that the university had to create a place to show it; Sequoyah shows the work in rotating exhibitions in its gallery.

Wiggins said he started collecting contemporary native art in 1974 after a visit

to the Five Civilized Tribes Museum in Muskogee. “Dan liked the museum,” Wiggins said, and “kept harping” on his recommendation that Wiggins visit. He figured if he did “Dan would shut up.”

When Wiggins entered the museum, he said, “I was at home. I was comfortable and I liked what I saw. I’ve not missed attending one of their two major shows each year since 1975.” Today, Wiggins is president of the board of directors of the museum.

When Wiggins first exhibited his collection at UALR in 2006, artists from Oklahoma, the northern Plains, Canada and the Arctic were represented. Since then, he’s expanded into work from the Southwest and Northeastern tribes. His goal is to educate people to the fact that “Native American art is out in the world and they have a rare opportunity here in Little Rock to view it.”

MIREYA REITH

LATINO OUTREACH

C

continue its efforts to make life better for Latinos in Arkansas.

Reith said the mission statement of the AUCC is to empower the Latino

community through “organizing and coalition building,” so that they can take leadership roles and begin addressing the problems and goals of the community. “We’re really trying to take support to immigrants here in Arkansas to the next level,” she said. “To help immigrants help themselves, to support immigrants as leaders in their communities, as well as support the integration of immigrants into Arkansas more broadly.”

For Arkansas to reach its full potential, Reith said, we need that. “The basis for helping them help themselves is that immigrants don’t just have to wait for others to extend services or support to them,” she said. “Each of them has the capacity, the ability and even the responsibility in some ways to get more actively involved in their communities.”

something done, it happens. He and his wife, Harriet, helped found the Episcopal Collegiate School, which has grades K-12 and an enrollment of 763 on the Jackson T. Stephens campus in mid-town. He was the moving force behind the Dickey-Stephens Baseball Park in North Little Rock, donating the land, and he’s carried

on his father’s support for First Tee, a national golf program for children. He also founded the exclusive private golf club, Alotian, on Highway 10 west of Little Rock, and the public gets a taste of his sensibilities at the Capital Hotel downtown, which he refurbished and which is now known for its fine dining and elegant suites.

BRIAN CHILSON

o-founder and executive director of the grass-roots Latino outreach program Arkansas United Community Coalition, Mireya Reith has devoted pretty much her entire adult life to trying to improve the lot of immigrants. The daughter of Mexican immigrants and the first Latina to serve on the state Board of Education, Reith grew up in Fayetteville.

After working out-of-state for several years with groups like the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, the United Nations, the Peace Corps and Latinos for Obama, Reith returned to Arkansas in 2010 and immediately set to work, helping found an Arkansas chapter of the political organization The New Latino Movement, serving as Latino outreach director for the Democratic Party of Arkansas,

and founding the non-profit Arkansas United Community Coalition, which received a grant this year from the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation to

WARREN STEPHENS

BRIAN CHILSON

BRIAN CHILSON

FINANCE

W

arren Stephens is influential even when he stays home.

The son of Jack Stephens, founder of Stephens Inc., and now the CEO of the private international investment bank Jack Stephens and his brother, Witt, founded, Warren is one of the wealthiest people in Arkansas. That means when he wants

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SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

39

The Arkansas Times Influentials Gala Spend An Evening With Some of the Most Interesting People In Arkansas.

A Benefit For The Old State House Museum of Arkansas History



Please join us for cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres as we honor 50 of the Most Influential Arkansans as profiled in the Sept. 5 issue of the Arkansas Times.

Meet some of the most accomplished and interesting people in Arkansas while you benefit the Old State House Museum.

Libations, good food and great conversation.



Old State House Museum of Arkansas History Friday, September 21, 2012 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 Tickets: $25 per person

FOR THE ARKANSAS TIMES

FESTIVAL SE2P2T. OF IDEAS. S

ee demonstrations and hear lectures from a number of the Influential Arkansans profiled in this week’s Arkansas Times. The first Arkansas Times Festival of Ideas will take place from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22 at a number of downtown venues including the Old State House, Historic Arkansas Museum, The Clinton School and The Central Arkansas Library. Here’s a sample of those participating.

Check back in the coming weeks or at arktimes.com/ festivalofideas for RSVP information. It’s free and open to the public.

Reserve Your Ticket at www.oldstatehouse.com/times or call Brooke Malloy at the Old State House at 501-324-8647



Old State House museum

JOHN WALKER

“LITTLE ROCK’S CIVIL RIGHTS CHAMPION” OLD STATE HOUSE, 1 P.M. For current Little Rock influence, it’s hard to top John Walker, lawyer, state representative, school advocate and constant thorn in the side of corporate Arkansas. Walker will talk about his greatest legal battles and his plan to mount a legal challenge to end Little Rock’s at-large representation on the City Board.

SCOTT MCGEHEE

“SIMPLE, FRESH, DELICIOUS” HISTORIC ARKANSAS MUSEUM, NOON Restaurateur and chef Scott McGehee learned to cook under the guidance of Alice Waters, perhaps the country’s most influential chef. His restaurants today all subscribe to her philosophy that good food should be “based on the finest and freshest seasonal ingredients that are produced sustainably and locally.” See McGehee follow that principle in a cooking demonstration that’ll conclude with a tasting.

SUE AND RUSTY NUFFER

“ORGANIC FARMING BEFORE IT WAS COOL” CLINTON SCHOOL, NOON Want to protect your garden without pesticides? Sue and Rusty Nuffer were some of the first organic farmers in the state, and they’re still at it. Let them tell you how and why.

DEE ANN NEWELL

“WHEN MOM GOES TO PRISON” CENTRAL ARKANSAS LIBRARY, 1 P.M. Newell, a 2006 Soros fellow, has devoted years to better the lives of children whose parents are in jail.

She’ll talk about her work in prison reform and with mothers in prison, their children and the grandparents who’ve become caregivers.

REESE ROWLAND

“WHY DOES IT LOOK LIKE THAT?” OLD STATE HOUSE, 2 P.M. Architect Reese Rowland has designed some of Little Rock’s most iconic and energy-efficient buildings and has won some of his profession’s most prestigious awards. He’ll offer a peek inside the process of telling stories through cutting edge design.

MICHAEL MARION

JAMIE HESTEKIN

“IT’S NOT ALCHEMY, BUT IT’S CLOSE” CENTRAL ARKANSAS LIBRARY, 3 P.M. U of A chemical engineer Hestekin and his students are getting algae shipped in from New York and turning it into fuel.

Yes, they are. Hestekin will talk about biofuels and our energy future.

JEANNETTE BALLEZA

“HOW TO START A TECHNOLOGY COMPANY IN THREE MONTHS” CLINTON SCHOOL, 4 P.M.

IRMA GAIL HATCHER

“THE BEST QUILT IN AMERICA” HISTORIC ARKANSAS MUSEUM, 2 P.M. That’s what experts have called Irma Gail Hatcher’s “Conway Album.” Come see it and hear the story behind the stitching.

WARWICK SABIN

CHRIS BOULDIN

“ARKANSAS: 49TH IN EDUCATION; NO. 1 IN SMARTALECKY T-SHIRTS” OLD STATE HOUSE, 3 P.M. Rock City Outfitters owner Chris Bouldin will tell you why he’s so serious about funny T-shirts.

BOBBY ROBERTS

Jeannette Balleza directs Fayetteville’s The ARK Challenge, a business incubator that provides fledgling entrepreneurs with access to business leaders, office space and seed money to launch fully-formed technology companies in the course of 14 weeks. She’ll talk about how The ARK works and Northwest Arkansas’s thriving start-up culture, and several ARK participants will talk about how they’re building companies at hyper-speed.

“TURNING A MAGAZINE INTO A CULTURAL INSTITUTION” CLINTON SCHOOL, 3 P.M.

“IF YOU THINK THE LIBRARY IS JUST ABOUT BOOKS, YOU DON’T KNOW THE LIBRARY” CENTRAL ARKANSAS LIBRARY, NOON

Warwick Sabin, publisher of the Oxford American, talks about the future of “The Southern Magazine of Good Writing.” That future builds on partnerships with NPR and PBS, an award-winning web documentary series and South on Main, a Southernthemed restaurant and venue on South Main in Little Rock due to open early next year.

Central Arkansas Library director Bobby Roberts’ vision and deft political touch have made the Central Arkansas Library system a model for the country. He’ll talk about the evolving nature of the library, the innovative children’s library under construction in midtown and how CALS plans to continue serving Central Arkansas in the future.

MIREYA REITH

KORTO MOMOLU

BRENT AND CRAIG RENAUD

“Project Runway’s” Korto Momolu talks about the inspirations and design process behind her new fall line, which she recently debuted at Fashion Week in New York.

Arkansas’s most decorated filmmakers show scenes from their latest documentary works and talk about the future of film in Arkansas.

“ARKANSAS’S POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC FUTURE IS TIED TO THE IMMIGRANT” CLINTON SCHOOL, 11 A.M. The daughter of Mexican immigrants, Mireya Reith grew up in Fayetteville and has dedicated most of her adult life to trying to help Hispanics become leaders in their communities. Here, she’ll speak about her United Arkansas Community Coalition and helping immigrants help themselves.

DONALD BOBBITT

“OFF THE RUNWAY” CLINTON SCHOOL, 2 P.M.

DANIEL LITTLEFIELD

“FINDING TRUTH IN HORROR” CLINTON SCHOOL, 1 P.M.

JERRY FISK

“IF YOU BOOK JIMMY BUFFETT, THEY WILL COME” OLD STATE HOUSE, NOON

“DISTANCE LEARNING AND THE FUTURE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN ARKANSAS” CENTRAL ARKANSAS LIBRARY, 2 P.M.

“WHY NATIVE AMERICAN SCHOLARS COME TO ARKANSAS” OLD STATE HOUSE, 11 A.M.

“IF YOU EVER NEED TO CUT THE DEVIL …”

HISTORIC ARKANSAS MUSEUM, 11 A.M. & 1 P.M.

Michael Marion, general manager of Verizon Arena, will take you backstage for a look at what it takes to bring bigname concerts and productions to Central Arkansas.

Donald Bobbitt, the president of the University of Arkansas System, talks about how online education could hold the key to expanding the number of Arkansans in college.

With Jim Parins and J.W. Wiggins, Daniel Littlefield’s created a unique institution on the UALR campus for research into Native American arts and letters. Littlefield will talk about the work of the Sequoyah Research archives and UALR’s standing nationally in Native American studies.

… Jerry Fisk could probably make you a knife sharp (and beautiful) enough to do the job. Come hear this plainspoken metal magician, a man many consider the best knife maker in the world, demonstrate his process and talk about the dedication, drive and passion it took to forge his reputation as a living legend.

GEORGE GLEASON, REYNIE RUTLEDGE, JOHN W. “JOHNNY” ALLISON

BANKING

I

t wasn’t all that long ago that an Arkansas bank could not, by law, expand beyond the county in which it had been established, to say nothing of growing beyond state lines. And it seemed that any home-grown bank that achieved prominence was sooner or later snapped up by big, out-of-state banking monoliths, and buildings with familiar names like Worthen were soon replaced

by Boatmen’s or Regions or USBank.

State banking regulations were eventually changed, though, and today Arkansas has a surprising number of native banks that have grown into regional dynamos, led by men who cut their teeth in the industry during the days of stricter rules.

“The national branching laws that now exist allowed Arkansas banks to grow and to capitalize on opportunities Arkansas banks couldn’t have a decade or two decades ago,” said George Gleason, CEO of Bank of the Ozarks.

Gleason was a 25-year-old attorney when he purchased controlling interest in the bank in 1979, taking charge as its chairman and CEO. He had a modest goal.

“The first morning of the acquisition — March 7, 1979 — I articulated in a staff meeting at 7:30 that morning that our goal was to build the best bank in Arkansas,” said Gleason. “I told the staff we may not be the biggest, but we would certainly be the best.”

That’s not to say that growth was out of the question; starting with a couple of dozen employees and $28 million in assets in 1970, Bank of the Ozarks now

has $3.8 billion in total assets and 115 offices in seven states.

Gleason credits that success to “a lot of great bankers in our company” over the past 33 years. And many of those have gone on to success GLEASON in bigger banking companies across the country, something he attributes to the nature of the Arkansas banking industry.

“It’s an environment where you have to work hard, you have to be efficient, and you have to be attentive to having a good credit culture to be successful,” said Gleason. “It’s not a high-growth market where lots of things come easy. So if you develop your skill-set as a banker in that environment, that skill-set translates really well in more dynamic, highergrowth markets in bigger states.”

The path was similar for Reynie Rutledge, chairman of First Security Bank.

“I moved to Searcy in 1977 and we bought controlling interest of a little bank there, $46 million in assets and three branches around Searcy,” he said.

Today the tote board would note $4.2 billion in total assets and 70 branches.

“Which is crazy, to tell you the truth — I never would have imagined it in 1977,” confides Rutledge. “We’ve kind of hung in there and grown as the state has grown and as opportunities have made themselves available to us.”

RUTLEDGE

ALLISON

Those opportunities included purchasing other banks, but perhaps the biggest factor in the bank’s growth was the 1998 legislation that allowed Arkansas banks to open branches statewide.

“Those branches allowed us to move into markets like Northwest Arkansas, Little Rock, and Jonesboro,” said Rutledge.

First Security has yet to expand beyond the state’s boundaries, and that’s fine with Rutledge.

“We want to continue to serve Arkansas, and I think we can do that. I think there are banks in Arkansas that are, and can continue to be, successful in Arkansas,” he said.

John W. “Johnny” Allison, chairman of Home BancShares, recalls what happened when the big banks came in and bought up successful state institutions: Personal service went the way of the dodo.

“People became a number rather than a person,” said Allison. “It was punch six, punch seven, punch three, and not a live person answering the tele-

phone.”

Arkansans got tired of that, he said, and offers as evidence the fact he got a standing ovation from a group of Conway seniors when he told them, shortly after starting Home BancShares with the purchase of the Bank of Holly Grove in 1998, that a live person would always answer the phone when someone called his bank.

“I found out the absolute importance of that to our people,” said Allison. “We’re just country bankers, there’s nothing fancy about us. They know us, they know our kids, we know their kids.

They say ‘don’t do relationship banking,’ but that’s probably the key.”

Home BancShares has grown from $22 million to $4 billion in total assets and has more than 100 branches — including more in Florida now than in Arkansas, thanks in part to the economic downturn.

“It’s pretty amazing,” said Allison.

“This opportunity with failed banks has been an unbelievable opportunity.”

Asked if there’s going to be a repeat at some point of national banks swooping in to buy successful Arkansas operations, Allison called that an inevitable part of the cycle.

“You have to do what’s in the best interest of the shareholders, but also the customers and employees,” he said.

“You have to balance all that. Originally, I thought I’d sell this at one point in time; I don’t even think about it today.

I’m having more fun than I’ve ever had in my business career building this corporation.”

ALICE WALTON

A

lice Walton and her Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art — built with her vast fortune and endowed by her family’s foundation to the tune of $1.2 billion — have been at the top of every art writer’s agenda since the Bentonville museum opened in November 2011. The New York Times: “… there it stands, a big, serious, confident, 42

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

new institution with more than 50,000 square feet of gallery space and a collection worth hundreds of millions of dollars in a region almost devoid of art museums.” The Huffington Post: “The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is regarded as the nation’s most important new art museum in a generation, offering the type of exhibits more commonly

found in New York or Los Angeles.” Art in America: “The project is pharaonic in scope and ambition, aiming not only to establish a world-class museum during a precipitous fiscal downturn but to transform an Arkansas hollow into a cultural destination.” And from usually critical Arkansas Times: “It may be the Waltons’ work, but it is wondrous in our eyes.”

BRIAN CHILSON

ART

BRIAN CHILSON

JOHN WALKER

CIVIL RIGHTS

H

ope, Ark., has produced many famous sons, but for current Little Rock influence it’s hard to top John Walker.

Now 75, Walker has hardly slowed his career pursuit of equal rights under the law. Himself a product of segregated schools, denied admission to the University of Texas on account of his race, Walker graduated from Yale Law School and in 1965 went to work for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, where he soon followed in the footsteps of Wiley Branton and future Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall in fighting racial segregation in Little Rock public schools. Nearly a half-century later, he’s still fighting the eternal Pulaski County desegregation case.

John Walker still matters for many more reasons. He’s a state representative and persistent voice of conscience in the House. He’s a pain and a prod to every school employee and board member in the county. He’s a successful lawyer, with a recent huge national class action judgment against Walmart.

Over the years, he’s sued just about anybody who was anybody in corporate Arkansas over Title VII workplace discrimination. Downtrodden and abused — black and white, from the famous, like Nolan Richardson, to a man cheated on a convenience store lottery ticket purchase — know instinctively to seek help at Walker’s Quapaw Quarter law office.

If Walker can’t help legally, he might be able to help politically.

Walker and his organization turned out the votes to defeat a business community coup of the Little Rock School Board six years ago. They’ve done the same in key legislative races and hold immense sway in base neighborhoods in tax elections. City Hall watches Walker warily, with good reason. He vows that his next challenge will be a lawsuit to end at-large representation on the City Board. That sound you hear is more corporate boardroom cussing.

TERESA OELKE T

LOBBYING

eresa Oelke must have been out influencing people every time we tried to call her. We never got through. Or she may have figured the Arkansas Times was influence-proof, and therefore not worth talking to, since Max Brantley once honored her on the Times blog as “Hypocrite of the Day.” (That was for her sharp attacks on President

Obama’s stimulus plan while the construction firm that supports her family was accepting millions in stimulus-project funds.) But she is indeed influential, and will become even more so if Republicans win a majority in the state legislature, as is very possible. She’s the director of the Arkansas branch of Americans for Prosperity, the right-wing organization financed by

the billionaire Koch brothers. She lobbies for lower taxes, less regulation and other things that rich reactionaries like, and with Koch money behind her, when she talks, Republican legislators jump.

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VCC • Windstream • Lockheed-

Martin • Delta Trust & Bank • Historic Arkansas Museum • St. Vincent Infirmary • Verizon • Monterrey & Tellez Law Firm, P.L.L.C. • ESPN • Mitchell Williams • U.S. Marshals Museum • Arkansas Attorney General’s Office • Hewlett-Packard • U.S. Army • Arkansas Democrat-Gazette • Southwest Power Pool • Mosaic Templars Educational and Cultural Center • Little Rock School District • Raytheon • U.S. Bank • Walmart • The Communications Group • Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield • Frazier, Hudson & Cisne • Arkansas Governor’s Office • Arkansas History Commission • Central Arkansas Library System • William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace National Historic Site • KATV • BAE Systems • Heifer International • Arkansas Department of Information Systems • Arvest Bank • Pulaski County Special School District • Schueck Steel • Friday, Eldredge and Clark • Clinton School of Public Service • North Little Rock Police Department • Arkansas Children’s Hospital • Arkansas Business • Arvest Mortgage • North Little Rock School District • Arkansas Department of Human Services • MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History • Arkansas State Police • Central High School • Arkansas Department of Workforce Services • Williams and Anderson • Little Rock Central High National Historic Site • Arkansas Times • Fox News • Arkansas Historic Preservation Program • State of Arkansas • Mainstream Technologies • Old State House Museum Crissy Monterrey, Attorney

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43

“Faulkner County is a better place because Linda Tyler represents us. She’s been a terrific State Representative and we need her to be our next State Senator!” —Dr. Joan Sanders, FCDW President

www.fcdw.org 501-420-2449 fcdw05@gmail.com

ROCK CANDY TO-DO LIST

WEEKEND PLANS EVERY WEDNESDAY IN YOUR INBOX.

BRIAN CHILSON

MADE EASY

Arkansas Champion Trees: An Artist s’ Journey

JEANNETTE BALLEZA

drawings by Hot Springs artist Linda Palmer

TECHNOLOGY START-UPS

L Arkansas Arts Center, Terry House Community Gallery Opening Reception • Sunday, Sep. 16 • 3-5 pm On View through Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012

Come see the giants that live in Arkansas forests!

Organized for travel by the Arkansas Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, this program is supported in part by the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, and by the National Endowment for the Arts.

For more information: www.ChampionTreesExhibit.com

Williams-Palmer Family Robyn & John Horn

44

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

ike most successful people in Northwest Arkansas’s flourishing start-up community, Jeannette Balleza stays busy. She’s a founding board member of the Northwest Arkansas Entrepreneurship Alliance.

She runs the Professional Women’s Network of Washington County, a networking group for businesswomen.

She owns Scribe Marketing, a company that she says focuses on “message development and content” for her clients. But these days, she spends most of her time at the center of a flurry of entrepreneurial activity as the director of the ARK Challenge, a start-up accelerator in Fayetteville. Accelerators, or business incubators, provide fledgling entrepreneurs access to business leaders, office space and seed money to launch fully-formed technology companies in the course of only a few months. Web companies like Reddit, Dropbox and Posterous have come out of Silicon Valley’s Y Combinator,

perhaps the best-known tech accelerator. The ARK Challenge (Acceleration Resources and Knowledge Challenge) hopes for similar success, but within a narrower focus. The ARK’s 15 teams of entrepreneurs — selected from more than 80 applicants — are working to fill a need, identified by The ARK, in the food processing, logistics or retail industries, not coincidentally areas in which Tyson, J.B. Hunt and Walmart are industry leaders. It’s a focus Balleza calls “a playground for innovation.”

With the support of more than 50 business mentors — including Rick Webb, senior vice president for global business processes at Walmart, and Collins Hemingway, a business consultant and the co-author of a book with Bill Gates — and funding and support from a number of federal and state partners, chiefly three jobs-focused federal agencies and Winrock International, The ARK could help Arkansas’s start-up culture develop a national reputation.

KATHY DECK BUSINESS ADVOCACY

K

athy Deck is quoted in the news media a lot, and on important issues. She’s the director of the Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Business groups like the Arkansas State Chamber

of Commerce consult CBER repeatedly for research that they then use widely in support of their positions. When the chamber fought a proposed increase in the natural gas severance tax, contending it would kill the goose that laid the golden egg by driving exploration companies away from the Fayetteville Shale,

the chamber hired CBER. Deck and CBER found that the Fayetteville Shale was a virtual bonanza for the state, just as the companies and the chamber had contended. “Without the employment associated with the exploration and development of the Fayetteville Shale, Arkansas would have suffered a ‘lost decade’ where employment at the end of the period was lower than employment at the beginning,” she said. Environmentalists, consumer groups, labor unions and muck-raking journalists wish they had a Kathy Deck on their side.

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45

BISHOP ANTHONY B. TAYLOR

ishop Anthony B. Taylor of the Little Rock Diocese of the Catholic Church made the headlines earlier this year with his call for Catholics to protest federal rules that would require health insurance plans — including those offered by Catholic hospitals — to cover the cost of birth control, rules issued earlier this year by the Department of Health and Human Services. Taylor wrote an open letter to the Catholic community asking it to pray, fast and contact congressmen asking them to overturn the ruling, which he said was a violation of First Amendment rights. Taylor is most known, however, for his welcoming of Latino immigrants, documented or not,

to the community. His passionate and outspoken advocacy for immigrants has not been entirely accepted by the Catholic community, but it is so important to the bilingual bishop that his first letter to the faithful was “I Was a Stranger and You Welcomed Me: A Pastoral Letter on the Human Rights of Immigrants.” In the letter, Anthony wrote that “people have a God-given right to immigrate” and urged that Catholics embrace the “Marias and Joses” the way they would embrace Mary and Joseph as new members of their community. Taylor leads mass in English and Spanish, and feels it is a sign of love to be able to speak the language of the congregation.

BRIAN CHILSON

B

CATHOLICS, IMMIGRANT ADVOCACY

JEFF AMERINE

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

J

eff Amerine is a start-up guy. In his 22-year career, the Arkansas native has been part of seven, including the wireless solutions company KonaWare in Silicon Valley. “Every now and then, you’ve got to take a break and go work for a big corporation just to keep your marriage intact,” he joked.

“One too many times at the roulette wheel and you’ve got to go get a real job.”

Today, that “real job” is as technology licensing officer for the University of Arkansas. “The university does about

$130 million of research each year.

By virtue of the federal and state mandate, we’re supposed to try to figure out how we can best take some of that to market to benefit society,” he explained.

But it’s through his side gigs that he’s managed to remain one of the crucial forces in Arkansas’s start-up culture.

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He teaches an entrepreneurship course Challenge, the Fayetteville tech accelat the Walton College of Business. He’s erator (see Jeannette Balleza). He’s also an advisor with Innovate Arkansas, a behind Gone in 60 Seconds, an elevator non-profit funded by Winrock Interpitch competition for young entreprenational and the Arkansas Economic neurs that’s made stops in Fayetteville, Development Commission that tries Fort Smith, Rogers, Little Rock and El to help tech start-ups become viable Dorado. “The secret sauce of this place businesses. He was one of the early is that people really genuinely want forces in organizing Gravity Ventures, a to help,” he said by way of explaining venture capital fund that invests in and, Northwest Arkansas’s success in fosterperhaps more importantly, provides ing a start-up culture. Perhaps no one is a better purveyor of that ethos than guidance to mostly fledgling Arkansas Amerine himself. tech start-ups.

He’s a mentor with ARK Ark Times congratulates.pdf 1 8/27/12 2:18 PM

ARKANSAS TIMES

These two influential Arkansans have partnered with ASMSA to design the structures and programs that will create the next generation of leaders and innovators in our state.

Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts A campus of the University of Arkansas System

BRIAN CHILSON

BRIAN CHILSON

BOBBY ROBERTS

L

LIBRARIES, URBAN RENEWAL

ibrarians are not often regarded as large figures in urban renewal, but Bobby Roberts is. Many people were involved in the birth, or rebirth, of the formerly deserted downtown area where the River Market is now located, along with bustling bars, restaurants and hotels. But the first big-money project completed in the area was the construction of a new main branch for the Central Arkansas Library System. Other development followed, to the surprise of people who’d never thought a library could influence anything more than a dwindling number of readers.

Roberts, the director of CALS, is different from many librarians in another way, too. He has connections outside the book world.

An early supporter of Bill Clinton for governor, Roberts worked on Clinton’s staff before he was hired as director of CALS in May 1989, when the main branch was at Seventh and Louisiana Streets. Even after he took the CALS job, he took leave during legislative

sessions to work as an aide to Clinton, lobbying legislators for Clinton bills.

It was during Clinton’s last term that Roberts and other library supporters prevailed on Clinton to support a constitutional amendment to change the way that libraries were funded. The existing tax limits on library financing wouldn’t allow for the construction of a new main library at Little Rock. The amendment raised the limit on the tax millage that voters could approve for libraries. The legislature referred the proposed amendment to the people, who approved it in the 1992 general election. In 1993, Little Rock voters approved a higher millage to build a new library.

Construction was now possible, but, “There was a lot of debate where to build, midtown or downtown,” Roberts says. “In the beginning, I was on the side of midtown, but the board said downtown.” One of the downtown sites that was looked at was the historic Arkansas Gazette building, vacant since the storied newspaper had closed

in 1991. But the Gazette building wasn’t designed to bear the kind of load the library would require. The board chose to expand and renovate the old Fones Hardware Building at 100 Rock St. More new construction in the area followed so closely it was hard to keep up. The River Market. The Clinton Library. Streetcar lines. The Arkansas Studies Institute, an adjunct to the library that CALS was able to build only because of the change in the Constitution that gave CALS its own earmarked source of money. “Ninety percent of our money comes from voter-approved millages,” Roberts said.

“If we had to be in the city or county budget, we’d never have been able to do what we’ve done.”

Now Roberts and CALS are involved in another big project, which, it’s hoped, will have a big impact on another part of town: a children’s library, being built across from the Little Rock Zoo. “We think that will be a great project,” Roberts said. “It will make a big difference in that neighborhood.” www.arktimes.com

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

47

BUDDY PHILPOT AND THE WALTON FAMILY FOUNDATION

FUNDING EDUCATION REFORM

W

ith big money comes big power. And there’s no bigger money in Arkansas than the Walton family, whose Walton Family Foundation and the Walton Chari-

table Support Foundation it supports aim to call the shots in Arkansas education. Longtime proponents of “education reform” in the form of vouchers, which channel tax dollars to private

schools, and charter schools, t h e Wa l t o n s have upped the game by making the University of Arkansas an arm of their public policy initiatives, creating the UA’s Department of Education Reform.

While the family foundation also invests in programs that benefit all people, such as the arts, the environment, and economic development, its

public education initiatives are controversial and their application narrower.

Many educators take issue with their argument that public schools — which unlike charters and private schools can’t manipulate their student bodies and receive no private dollars — will be made better by competition.

Foundation Director Buddy Philpot declined to be interviewed but said in a prepared e-mail that “we view grant making as an investment in the societal changes we want to see.”

JAY CHESSHIR

LITTLE ROCK BUSINESS

A

reporter will not get Jay Chesshir, the CEO of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, to brag on a particular asset he’s brought to the organization. In fact, he says it’s important that chamber staff work “interchangeably and without ego.”

This team player credits those that have gone before (mentors like Joe Ford, Bill Clark and Hugh McDonald), co-workers, family, friends, maybe even the weather for the chamber’s successes in attracting companies to Central Arkansas. He said the chamber’s growth into a regional outfit marketing 12 counties (with a population of 1 million) “began to create interest from projects that would never have looked at us individually from a community standpoint.” Chesshir, 49, born in Arkadelphia and raised in Nashville (Howard County), came to the Little Rock Chamber in 2005 from the

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ARKANSAS TIMES

Greater Hot Springs Chamber/Garland County Economic Development Corp.

He said it was an “honor” to be the first executive director of the regional configuration of the chamber, and that he has a “passion” for his work, “having the opportunity to positively impact people’s lives without them ever knowing who we are”; he singled out Create Little Rock, the chamber’s young professionals group, as a new program he’s particularly happy about. Chesshir, as a member of the Little Rock Technology Park Authority, is not anonymous among the people whose lives would be impacted by eminent domain to create a biotech campus where their homes now stand; he’s taken on a controversial role there. Nor has he gone under the Arkansas Times’ radar, which has taken him to task for defending the secrecy in the chamber’s business with the city.

LARRY PILLSTROM SNAKE-CATCHING

T

hough the market for long sticks to catch snakes is a small niche, one of the pioneers in the industry is based in Rogers. Pillstrom Tongs president Larry Pillstrom took over the company from his father, Dr. Lawrence Pillstrom, after the lifelong general practitioner and inventor died in 2003. Lawrence Pillstrom came up

with a better slither-stopper while studying herpetology at the University of Arkansas in 1954, after a professor told him there was a need for a better snake-catcher. The result was a rugged design featuring a stainless-steel driveshaft, a cast-metal handle and a triggeractivated “pincher” that holds the snake gently but firmly so it can’t get away.

They’re still made that way 58 years later, and more than 1,000 are shipped all over the world each year. Since taking over, Larry Pillstrom moved the company from Fort Smith to Rogers, but it’s still a family business. Pillstrom said his biggest customers are universities, exterminators and private citizens. As you might imagine, the biggest seller is the longest model Pillstrom makes. “Our biggest market is middle- to older-aged people who are deathly afraid of them,” Pillstrom said. “They get the longest one they can because they don’t want to get close to them.”

LINDA TYLER

LAWMAKING

A

s a second-term representative in the Arkansas legislature, Linda Tyler, a Democrat from Conway, chaired the House Committee on Public Health, Welfare and Labor. In this role, she quietly spearheaded the defeat of radical abortion legislation that would have, among other things, prohibited any abortion after 20 weeks and forced women to have a pre-abortion transvaginal ultrasound. “We had significant testimony from the attorney general about the unconstitutionality of those bills [due to invasion of privacy],” said Tyler. “In other states, these bills have already been declared unconstitutional, or they are preparing lawsuits on them right now.” Portions of the anti-abortion legislation were sponsored by Sen. Jason Rapert, whom Tyler will face again this November, in a race for Gilbert Baker’s District 20 Senate seat. But Tyler isn’t a one-issue legislator, and she doesn’t always vote with the party. As a 20-year veteran of Acxiom and an entrepreneur who runs Red Mango Frozen Yogurt with her son, Tyler adamantly supports job development. She has crossed party lines to promote natural gas development in the state. “I’ve signed on as sponsors of some Republican bills, and I have some Republicans who have sponsored my bills. … I think we ought to campaign politically, but then when we get to be elected, we need to take off that D or R sign and go to work together,” Tyler said. She is particularly proud of a bill that mandates fluoride in the water supply to bolster kids’ dental health, a bill that gives cities more options for transporting senior citizens and Boys and Girls Club members and a bill that offers grants for converting car engines to run on compressed natural gas.

We’ve found the seeds of community grow best when planted in lush environments.

The beauty and respect for nature embraced by the Chenal Valley, Chenal Downs and Red Oak Ridge developments are a result of the business philosophy of Deltic Timber Corporation. A philosophy based on the environmentally responsible management of nearly 450,000 acres of sustainable forests. Deltic’s communities are beneficiaries of a focus on sustainability, convenience and amenities designed to enhance the quality of life.

Solid communities begin with the strength of Deltic Timber. Whether it’s Chenal Valley and Chenal Downs in Little Rock, or Red Oak Ridge in Hot Springs – Arkansans or those new to Arkansas know that Deltic will be there to provide a firm and lasting footing to the foundation of life. Visit DelticDevelopments.com for more information about Deltic communities.

H O T

S P R I N G S

Deltic Timber Corporation is a natural resources company engaged in the ownership and management of timberland. The Company also develops to its highest and best use residential and commercial properties in Little Rock and Hot Springs, Arkansas, through its subsidiary, Chenal Properties, Inc. Deltic is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DEL.

DelticDevelopments.com (501) 821-5555

www.arktimes.com

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

49

Arts Entertainment

JUSTIN BOLLE, THINKDERO PHOTOGRAPHY

AND

Rep opens season with one of the Bard’s biggest plays.

BY AARON SARLO

W

ithin William Shakespeare’s body of work, there is a subset of plays known colloquially as the history plays. These plays are tethered to historical events and people and offer the more devoted of Shakespeare’s students a little more grist than the philosophical musings of his purely fictional works. If Shakespeare’s more well-known plays such as “Hamlet” and “Romeo and Juliet” are psychological journeys into the heart and mind, then it could be reasonably argued that “Henry V” is closer to a dramatic excursion into the soul. And if the black-and-white concepts such as love, anger and vengeance of “Hamlet” and “Romeo and Juliet” are the stuff even teen-agers can identify with, “Henry V” can be seen as a stolid gaze into the deep waters of adulthood, with the play’s contemplative, shades-of-gray themes of sacrifice, redemption, reverence, and honor.

“Henry V” is a larger-than-life play and the first ever of Shakespeare’s history plays to be staged at The Rep. “We’ve done Shakespeare, approximately, every other year for the past 12 years. The last Shakespeare we did was ‘Hamlet,’ and that production turned out to be very successful for us,” Rep artistic director Robert Hupp said. “I felt like we were poised to take the next step, and the next step is what many think is a more difficult Shakespeare play.”

Hupp saw Kenneth Branagh in the role of Henry in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production in the mid ’80s.

“And since that time, I have always wanted to work on ‘Henry V’ and had never had the opportunity because it is big — 52 speaking parts in the play. It took seven or eight years for that to come to fruition, including several Shakespeare [plays] in between then and now. We did [Hitchcock’s] ‘The 39 Steps’ after we did ‘Hamlet.’ The entire cast of ‘The 39 Steps’ was in this production of 50

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ARKANSAS TIMES

‘Hamlet.’ So, we just had a really great group of people we were working with, and I thought we could collaborate together on ‘Henry V.’ ” Hupp captured the play in a word: “Big.” “Henry V” is grandiose. Henry’s self-contradictory character is an amalgam of adult themes. He is heroic, yet orders the untoward execution of French prisoners. Praying for his own soldiers before the Battle of Agincourt, Henry begs God to “save them all,” and then, shortly thereafter, orders his troops onto a battlefield, forcing them to face huge numbers of enemy soldiers.

As Hupp put it, “Henry is a character of contradictions. Henry embodies nobility. Henry also embodies ambition. He embodies rash action, and he also embodies contemplation.”

The mature themes in “Henry V” are in capable hands, and this production promises to be among the more cerebrally satisfying outings of the season. Avery Clark — star of The Rep’s “Hamlet” and “The 39 Steps” productions — returns to The Rep’s stage as the lead. “[Henry’s] overall arc … is from the top of the play; he’s dealing with the court, who kind of incite him into this war, and the next scene, you see him dealing with lords. His next scene, he’s dealing with his soldiers, then the next scene, the night before the battle, he puts on his cloak and he deals with the commoners,” Clark said.

“So, he kind of gets this full trajectory of starting up here, dealing with the elite, and going down to the troglodytes, basically. So he goes through this full arc. And that has nothing to do with me. That’s Shakespeare. He gave that to me.”

Joining Clark in the production will be an accomplished cast that includes Nikki Coble as Katherine of Valois, who speaks mostly French throughout her scenes, D.C. Wright, who pulls double duty as actor and fight choreographer, and Jason Guy, also pulling double duty

as both the Chorus and Montjoy.

Jason Collins, who plays Fluellen, explained the character in terms of contrast. “Fluellen is a captain, but he’s not of noble birth. He’s a common guy,” Collins said. “What’s interesting about Fluellen is that as much as our production is about shades of gray, I think Fluellen is one of the most black-and-white characters in the show. He’s dealing with what is honorable and what it not, what is right and what is wrong, and he doesn’t really see much gray.”

“Henry V” is a play that has pulsed with contemporaneous politics — in all eras — since its composition. “ ‘Henry V’ has been used throughout the 20th and 21st century in a lot of propagandistic ways,” Hupp said.

“During World War II, Laurence Olivier did a production of ‘Henry V’ all about, ‘Let’s rally the troops because we’re at war.’ During the Vietnam War, there were productions that were specifically set in Vietnam because ‘Henry V’ can also be seen as a real strong anti-war play because of the violence and the pointlessness of the slaughter.

“And so, to me, today, in what I believe is a more complicated world, a world defined by shades of gray, and less than black-and-white, I think all of those elements are important. Both the idea of the necessity and importance of why we go to war, but also that there’s nothing pure about that decision,” Hupp said. “I think what makes ‘Henry V’ a contemporary play is that it’s messy, and it doesn’t wrap everything up in a nice package, and it presents both sides of important national issues.”

“Henry V” opens The Rep’s 2012-2013 season. The “Pay What You Can” production is at 7 p.m. Sept. 5 and Student Night ($15 for high school and college students) is Sept. 6. The play officially opens Sept. 7 and runs Wednesday through Sunday through Sept. 23. Advance tickets are $20 to $35 through Sept. 6, after which they’ll range from $25 to $45.

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

A&E NEWS “LA PETITE MORT,” A BRICKHUT PRODUCTION directed by Matt Owen, took the top honors for this year’s Little Rock 48 Hour Film Project screenings, hosted Aug. 30 at Argenta Community Theater.

In addition to overall best film, “La Petite Mort” took home the best music award and was nominated for best cinematography and best editing.

The music — a combined effort by Connor McNabb, Vince Griffin and Ian Thomas — was certainly a tune to stick in the head. As was the film’s story, which featured two singing psychopaths, Tammy and Tommy Shuttles, performing to an inattentive audience, which was then collectively tortured and murdered as punishment. The film will be screened at next year’s Filmapalooza with 48HFP winners from around the world.

Live Music

Diamond State Chorus

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tueSDAy, SeptemBeR 11

tHe CARpeR FAmiLy (AuStiN, tX)

tHuRSDAy, SeptemBeR 13

BLue mOuNtAiN! (miSSiSSippi) w/ tHe GOODtime RAmBLeRS

FRiDAy, SeptemBeR 14

tHiCk SyRup ReCORDS SHOw

Thursday, September 13 at 7pm

CHeCk Out ADDitiONAL SHOwS At

Rebroadcast on

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

AFTER GLEN CAMPBELL WRAPS UP his concert at Robinson Center Music Hall on Sept. 6, he’ll head over to Argenta Community Theater for The Welcome Home Reception, the kickoff event for the Arkansas Motion Picture Institute. Proceeds will benefit the AMPI and Alzheimer’s Arkansas.

Campbell will be presented with the Star Award for his achievements in music, television and film.

Special guests at the fundraiser will include First Lady Ginger Beebe; Mark Wright, president and chief creative officer of Show Dog-Universal Music, and filmmakers James Keach and Trevor Albert, who are making a documentary about Campbell and his Goodbye Tour.

Reservations are $100 per person, and you can make them at ArgentaCommunityTheater.org or by calling 501-3531443.

GOSSIP, THE THREE-PIECE THAT’S TWO-THIRDS from Arkansas, is taking Bonnie Montgomery, Little Rock’s favorite opera-composing, folk-rocking chanteuse, on its upcoming U.S. tour.

They’ll perform on both coasts from late September through October.

Like Gossip’s Beth Ditto and Nathan Howdeshell, Montgomery hails from White County. She and Howdeshell, who graduated together in the same class from Searcy High, have been collaborating in Little Rock in the last year or so and will play as a duo on the tour.

Howdeshell’s label, Fast Weapons, will release her debut EP, a three-song release that includes the songs “Cruel,” “Zydeco” and “Crossroads.”

Montgomery is also one of the three recipients of an Arkansas Arts Council Individual Artist Fellowship Award in the category of Music Composition: Western Classical Tradition. Katherine Murdock of Greenland, Phillip Schroeder of Arkadelphia and Montgomery will receive $4,000 each. The fellowships “enable artists to set aside time for creating their art and improving their skills,” according to the AAC.

™

www.arktimes.com

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

51

THE TO-DO

LIST

BY ROBERT BELL

THURSDAY 9/6-SUNDAY 9/9

ARKANSAS BLACK INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL

6 p.m. Mosaic Templars Cultural Center. $40.

The Arkansas Black Independent Film Festival, founded by Wayne and Angela Burt, has grown from a oneday event to a four-day festival featuring nationally known artists and filmmakers. This year marks the seventh installment of the film fest, and things get started Thursday with a red-carpet screening of White Hall native Dui Jarrod’s film “Lesson Before Love,” at 6 p.m. at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center. There will also be live music from Rodney Block & The Real Music Lovers. Friday’s lineup starts at 11 a.m. at Philander Smith College and Arkansas Baptist College, with selected shorts, features and documentaries. At Arkansas Baptist, filmmaker Julie Dash screens “Daughters of the Dust” and hosts a Q&A starting at 1 p.m., followed by a screenwriting workshop led by Jarrod at 4 p.m. At Philander Smith, filmmaker and author M.K. Asante screens “The Black Candle,” followed by a Q&A, starting at 7 p.m. There are more screenings and

ARKANSAS FILMMAKER: Dui Jarrod of White Hall screens his film “Lesson Before Love” at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center at 6 p.m. Thursday as the opening event of the Arkansas Black Independent Film Festival.

a variety of workshops on Saturday at both campuses, and things wrap up Sunday with a brunch with Dash

THURSDAY 9/6

GLEN CAMPBELL

7:30 p.m. Robinson Center Music Hall. $50-$94.

What else is there to say about Glen Campbell? He’s one of the alltime legends of country music. He’s an ace guitar player, having lent his chops to innumerable hit recordings alongside the other members of the famed Wrecking Crew. He played in the Beach Boys in 1965, filling in for a fragile Brian Wilson. He sold millions and millions of records, enjoy-

from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and an awards ceremony and more starting at 6 p.m. at Dreamland Ballroom. More info is

available at arbiff.com. Tickets range from $10-$40, or you can get a festival pass for $75.

FRIDAY 9/7 ing both critical and popular success and earning numerous Grammys.

He starred alongside John Wayne and Kim Darby in “True Grit” (and again with Darby in “Norwood,” also based on a Charles Portis novel). He hosted his own TV shows. He’s had his troubles and wild times, sure. But he’s also had a lifelong career that brought joy to millions of music lovers. And he’s from Arkansas. On his final tour, you can be sure the Little Rock crowd will give him a warm welcome home.

THE MAIN THING: ‘ELECTILE DYSFUNCTION’ “Electile Dysfunction” is the newest two-act satire from The Main Thing, the resident comedy company at The Joint in North Little Rock. Main Thing stars Joint owners Steve and Vicki Farrell and Brett Ihler and, as is apparent from the title, will skewer national politics and the upcoming presidential election, all through an Arkansas-specific lens. According to a presser from the troupe, the show concerns a Little

Rock family that can’t see eye-to-eye on politics. They become minor celebrities after a local action news team turns its investigative eye on their disagreements. I haven’t been to check out The Main Thing yet, but I’ve heard very good things from several trusted sources. The Farrells aren’t natives of Arkansas, but no less an authority than Times publisher Alan Leveritt told me that they have an uncanny grasp on the nuances of Central Arkansas politics. He raved about their last show, “Little Rock and a Hard Place,” and said he and his father-in-law were in stitches.

native Glen Campbell plays Robinson, Clarksville native and standup comic Ralphie May will take to that same storied stage. May recently chatted with Times contributor Philip M. Provost (check out the full interview at arktimes. com/ralphiemay). Here’s May discuss-

ing how he got started in comedy: “I got to enter a contest to open for Sam Kinison when I was 17. This was 1989, and he was the pinnacle of standup at the time. He pulled a prank on me: He told me to say the wrong thing, to scream and yell at the audience, to tell them

they’re all stupid. It got me booed, and then he came on stage and said, ‘Can you believe that kid, talking to people like that? He’ll be crying backstage, thinking his comedy career is over, he’ll never be in comedy again.’ But Sam loved me, he said it went perfectly.”

8 p.m. The Joint. $20.

FRIDAY 9/7

RALPHIE MAY

8:30 p.m. Robinson Center Music Hall. $40-$55.

This is the week for Arkansas boys made good coming back home. The day after legendary musician and Delight 52

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ARKANSAS TIMES

IN BRIEF

WEDNESDAY 9/5

This installment of the lecture series Legacies and Lunch features an interview with veteran Little Rock musician Kevin Kerby. Kerby will talk about the music biz and likely garner a chuckle or three with his dry wit. It’s free at CALS Main Library at noon. Bring your lunch; drinks and dessert will be provided. At 5 p.m. at the Clinton School, Marie Tillman, author and co-founder of the Pat Tillman Foundation, will discuss her work and her book, “The Letter: My Journey Through Love, Loss and Life.” Tillman is the widow of former NFL player and slain Army Ranger Pat Tillman.

FRIDAY 9/7

‘GOOD PEOPLE’

7:30 p.m. The Weekend Theater. $12-$16.

David Lindsay-Abaire’s “Good People” concerns South Boston native Margie, a hardworking single mom of a disabled child, who gets fired from her job as a cashier. For help, she turns to Mike, an old boyfriend and now a highly successful doctor. Variety critic Marilyn Stasio called “Good People” a “tough and tender play about the insurmountable class divide between those who make it out of this blue-collar Irish neighborhood and those who find themselves left behind.”

Frances McDormand won a Tony for her portrayal of Margie, and “Good People”

SOUTHIE DRAMA: The Weekend Theater’s production of the Tony-winning “Good People” starring, from left, Duane Jackson, Felicia Richardson and Patti Airoldi opens Friday at 7:30 p.m.

was also nominated for Best Play. “It’s a very thought-provoking and entertaining show,” director Andy Hall said in a press release. “It is about the economic times, but more than that, it’s about people —

we all have different sides, we’re many shades of gray.” The Weekend Theater’s production of “Good People” runs Fridays and Saturdays through Sept. 17. Directed

by Andy Hall.

expert Beau Wilcox, whose Pearls About Swine column elsewhere in this issue will no doubt include many cogent points about that game and this one. I’ll just say that this has likely been as weird a preseason as Hogs observers have seen — which is really saying something — and that fans are understandably both hopeful and anxious, especially after an underwhelming opener.

But here’s the rub: Are the Hogs your team? Yes? OK, then let’s all just take a deep breath and remember that this is one of only two opportunities fans will have this year for War Memorial tailgating, and perhaps one of only a handful we’ll ever have again. So get down there, have some fun, eat some grilled grub and try to remain vertical until kickoff at least. WPS!

THURSDAY 9/6

Revolution has a big electronic show, with Eliot Lipp, Nadis Warriors and Durden, 18-andolder, 8 p.m., $10 adv., $12 day of. At noon, The Clinton School hosts a panel discussion about Shakespeare’s “Henry V,” with Bob Hupp, producing artistic director of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, whose production of the play opens Friday. Dizzy’s Gypsy Bistro hosts a book launch party for author Sam Calvin Brown’s novel, “The Last Baby Angel,” with music from The Cons of Formant and Audrey Dean Kelley, 6 p.m., free admission.

SATURDAY 9/8

ARKANSAS VS. LOUISIANA-MONROE

6 p.m. War Memorial Stadium. $55.

Let’s just get it out of the way: Saturday’s Razorbacks season opener against Jacksonville State probably didn’t impress too many people. But I think the serious analysis is best left in the capable hands of Times Hog

FRIDAY 9/7

Bubba Hernandez, the multiinstrumentalist and former Brave Combo member, plays at White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m., $7. Longtime pop-punk favorites Bowling for Soup, of Denton, Texas, play at Juanita’s, 10 p.m., $15. Boom the Wheel opens the show. It’s time for the 42nd Annual Eureka Springs Antique Automobile Festival, Friday and Saturday at various venues all over Eureka Springs, 11 a.m.

MONDAY 9/10

LITTLE FEAT

It was about 41 years ago that a quartet called Little Feat released its selftitled debut album on Warner Bros. It was an idiosyncratic amalgam of folk, rock and bluesy country that didn’t sell real well back then, but over time has become recognized as a stone-cold classic that has only gotten better with the years. The band took a turn in a different direction after that, toward a funkier, more stretched-out sound.

But the great playing and songwriting remained over several classic albums released throughout the ’70s. The group disbanded in 1979, after the death of founding member Lowell George at the age of 34. They got back together in 1988, adding Arkansan Fred Tackett to the lineup. Tackett had written songs for George’s solo album “Thanks, I’ll Eat Here” and had played on several Little Feat albums (he and longtime

ASHLEY STAGG

8 p.m. Revolution. $25.

FEAT ONSTAGE: Little Feat plays at Revolution Monday at 8 p.m.

Feat guitarist Paul Barrere play in an acoustic duo as well). “Let it Roll,” the first album from the new lineup, was a hit, with “Hate to Lose Your Lovin’” hitting No. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart. The band has toured and released albums ever since, with a consistently incredible live show and a dedicated following among fellow musicians and especially among jam-band fans. In 2009, founding drummer Richie Hayward announced that he had liver disease and he wouldn’t be able to play.

The band’s drum tech, Gabe Ford, filled

in and became a full-time member after Hayward passed away in 2010. Little Feat’s latest album, “Rooster Rag,” came out in June. It’s the band’s first studio album in nearly a decade, and it’s a very solid collection of tunes, featuring four numbers written by Feat co-founder Bill Payne and Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter and covers of blues classics by Willie Dixon and the great Mississippi John Hurt, whose slyly dirty “Candy Man Blues” gets a funky treatment to open the album. The opening act is The Villains.

SATURDAY 9/8

Metal legend Lita Ford plays at Juanita’s, with Iron Tongue, 10 p.m., $20 adv., $25 door. Discovery has a big lineup, with Paul Grass, Spencer Rx and Joel Allenbaugh, plus Brandon Peck in the lobby.

Also featuring DJ HeavyGrinder and Gravy performing a tribute to The Notorious B.I.G. with Rodney Block and The Real Music Lovers, 9 p.m.-5 a.m. For some nervy modern rock, check out Year of the Tiger and The Binary Marketing Show, Town Pump, 9:30 p.m., $5.

For some soul- and jazz-influenced rock, check out Amasa Hines at White Water Tavern, 10 p.m., $5.

Country legend Mickey Gilley plays at The Woodlands Auditorium in Hot Springs Village, with shows at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., $25. www.arktimes.com

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

53

These venues will be open late.

There’s plenty of parking and a free trolley to each of the locations.

Don’t miss it – lots of fun!

FREE PARKING at 3RD & CUMBERLAND FREE STREET PARKING ALL OVER DOWNTOWN AND BEHIND THE RIVER MARKET (Paid parking available for modest fee.)

SEPTEMBER 14

The 2nd Friday Of Each Month, 5-8 pm The Old State House Museum Presents

Power of Art: Building Generational Wealth Exploring The Secondary Art Market

The Morange Trio

Sep. 8, 2012 – Oct. 11, 2012

Featuring Dave Williams II

Featured Artists:

Ernie Barnes • Jonathan Green George Hunt • Henry Tanner TWIN & More

Drivers Legal Plan Drivers Legal Plan

The Old State House Museum is a museum of the Department of Arkansas Heritage.

Live music by Arkopolis, featuring Stephen Koch from Arkansongs

“Music Man” George Hunt Mixed Media/Paper, 26” x 41”

Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday 9am – 5pm • Saturday 10am – 6pm

1001 Wright Ave. Suite C Little Rock, AR 501-372-6822 www.hearnefineart.com

Featuring works of art from ArtGroup Maumelle.

Featured Artist Ron Almond

521 President Clinton Ave. River Market District (501) 975-9800

Sponsored by

200 E. Third St 501-324-9351 HistoricArkansas.org A museum of the Department of Arkansas Heritage

Gourmet.

Your• Way. All Day. 300 Third Tower 501-375-3333 coppergrillandgrocery.com

GRAND OPENING

GALLERY 221 & ART STUDIOS 221 JJ OIN ST oinUU sO

5-8pm !

CELEBRATE Featured Artist 5-8PM Peggy Roberson  Fine ArtExhibit Featured “Outside Cocktails & Wine the Window”  Hor d’oeuvres

come ride the free trolley!

54 september 5, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

Gypsy Bistro

200 S. RIVER MARKET AVE, STE. 150 • 501.375.3500 DIZZYSGYPSYBISTRO.NET

Come See Our Featured Artists!

♦ Fine Art ♦ Cocktails & Wine Place ♦Pyramid Hors d’oeuvres nd

“HOT SEAT” BY “Sail Rockport ” CATHERINE RODGERS by

Peggy Roberson

2 & Center St Pyramid Place (501) 2nd &801-0211 Center St (501) 801-0211

400 President Clinton Avenue rivermarket.info

SEPTRMBER 14 • The 2nd Friday Of Each Month, 5-8 pm

Hot Springs Village Real Estate Open House Weekend September 8-9

You’re invited to Join the Fun! Reserve your HSV stay, play and tour weekend online:

HSVOpenHouse.com or call 501.984.5963

Mickey Gilley Concert

Sept. 8 - 3:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.

Call 501.922.4231 or go to www.hsvwoodlands.com to reserve your seats; $25.00 each.

Photos by Renee Steinpreis and Jerry Dawson

Come Celebrate Our 4th Anniversary!

Explore Our New Exhibit and Enjoy The Smooth Sounds Of Ed Bowman And The Rock City Players September 14th • 5:30 – 7:30pm 501 W. Ninth St. • 501.683.3593 Free & Open To The Public. mosaictemplarscenter.com Refreshments Will Be Served.

www.arktimes.com

september 5, 2012

55

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.

COMEDY

Alex Reymundo. The Loony Bin, Sept. 6, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 7, 7:30 and 10 p.m.; Sept. 8, 7:30 and 10 p.m., $8-$13. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road.

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

Stew­art Huff, fea­tur­ing Keith Man­ning.

Student discount on Thursday night with ID. UARK Bowl, Sept. 6, 8 p.m.; Sept. 7, 8 and 10:30 p.m., $10. 644 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479301-2030. www.uarkballroom.com.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 5

MUSIC

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

“Age of Ignorance” Tour. Featuring Our Last Night, Casino Madrid, For All I Am, Adestria, 3D Arcade. Downtown Music Hall, 7 p.m., $10 adv., $13 at door. 211 W. Capitol. 501-376-1819. downtownmusichall.com.

Brian & Nick. Cajun’s Wharf, 5 p.m., $5 cover after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-3755351. www.cajunswharf.com.

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

120 W. Pershing Blvd., NLR. Grim Muzik presents Way Back Wednesdays.

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

Jim Dickerson. Piano Bar Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, through Sept. 27: 7 p.m., free.

500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www. sonnywilliamssteakroom.com.

NoBunny, Bad Sports, Flameing Daeth Fearies. 18-and-older show. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9 p.m., $7 adv., $10 at door. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz.com.

Ricky David Tripp. Rocket Twenty One, 5:30 p.m. 2601 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-603-9208. www. ferneaurestaurant.com.

Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 5 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www.capitalhotel.com/CBG. Tribal Seeds, Ballyhoo. Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $12 adv., $14 at door. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www.juanitas.com.

COMEDY

Alex Reymundo. The Loony Bin, 7:30 p.m., $8-$13. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.com.

The Joint Venture. Improv comedy group. The Joint, 8 p.m., $5. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com.

DANCE

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

EVENTS

Legacies & Lunch: Kevin Kerby. Main Library, 12 p.m. 100 S. Rock St. www.cals.lib.ar.us.

BOOKS

Marie Tillman. The co-founder and president of the Pat Tillman Foundation and author of “The Letter: My Journey Through Love, Loss and Life” will discuss her work and book. Clinton School of Public Service, 5:15 p.m., free. 1200 President Clinton Ave. 501-683-5239. www. clintonschool.uasys.edu.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 6

MUSIC 56

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

DANCE

Soul Spirit Zumba with Ashan. Dunbar Community Center, 6 p.m., $5. 1001 W. 16th St. 501-376-1084.

EVENTS NOBUNNY KNOWS: For some deliriously catchy garage pop with a serious Ramonesworship bent, check out Nobunny, Wednesday at Stickyz, 18-and-older, with The Bad Sports and Flameing Daeth Fearies, 9 p.m., $10.

Back Room to the Main Stage Round 2.

Includes Jab Jab Suckerpunch, Mista Cade, A Good Fight and Randy Harsey. Vino’s, 7:30 p.m., $5. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www. vinosbrewpub.com.

Brown Soul Shoes. 18+. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9 p.m., $5. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz.com.

Dogtown Thursday Open Mic Night.

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

EATMEWHILEIMHOT, Remnants, Fur of Heaven. Downtown Music Hall, 7 p.m., $10 adv., $12 at door. 211 W. Capitol. 501-376-1819. downtownmusichall.com.

Edwin Wilson. The Joint. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com.

ElectroniQ. Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $5. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www.juanitas.com.

Eliot Lipp, Nadis Warriors, Durden. 18+.

Revolution, 8 p.m., $10 adv., $12 at door. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom. com.

Elizabeth Cook. George’s Majestic Lounge, 8 p.m., $15. 519 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville.

479-442-4226.

Fire & Brimstone Duo. Browning’s Mexican Grill, 6-9 p.m. 5805 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-9956. www.browningsmexicangrill.com.

Glen Campbell. Robinson Center Music Hall,

7:30 p.m., $50-$94. Markham and Broadway. www.littlerockmeetings.com/conv-centers/ robinson.

“Inferno.” DJs play pop, electro, house and more, plus drink specials and $1 cover before 11 p.m. Sway, 9 p.m. 412 Louisiana. 501-907-2582.

Jim Dickerson. Piano Bar Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, through Sept. 27: 7 p.m., free.

500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www. sonnywilliamssteakroom.com.

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

501-554-3437.

Lauryn Smith and Matthew Stone (Almost InFamous). Ya Ya’s Euro Bistro, 7 p.m., free.

17711 Chenal Parkway. 501-821-1144. www. myspace.com/almostinfamousband.

Mayday by Midnight (headliner), Jocko (happy hour). Cajun’s Wharf, 5 and 9 p.m., $5 cover after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-3755351. www.cajunswharf.com.

Port Arthur Band. Parrot Beach Cafe, 9 p.m.

9611 MacArthur Drive, NLR. 771-2994.

Shannon McClung. Thirst n’ Howl, 6 p.m. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www.thirst-nhowl.com.

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

Association of Fundraising Professionals in Action community service day. Museum of Discovery, 9 a.m. 500 Clinton Ave. 396-7050, 1-800-880-6475. www.amod.org.

Fashion’s Night Out. Includes fashion-related specials and demonstrations. Park Plaza, 6 p.m.

6000 W. Markham St. 501-664-4956. www.parkplazamall.com/shop/parkplaza.nsf/index.

‘Henry V’ panel discussion. Bob Hupp, producing artistic director of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, will lead a panel discussion about the process of bringing Shakespeare’s “Henry V” to modern audiences. Clinton School of Public Service, 12 p.m., free. 1200 President Clinton Ave. 501-683-5239. www.clintonschool. uasys.edu.

Hillcrest Shop & Sip. Shops and restaurants offer discounts, later hours, and live music.

Hillcrest, first Thursday of every month, 5-10 p.m. P.O.Box 251522. 501-666-3600. www.hillcrestmerchants.com.

FILM

Arkansas Black Independent Film Festival. Film festival featuring M.K. Asante (“Black Candle: A Kwanzaa Celebration”), Julie Dash (“Daughters of the Dust”), Dui Jarrod (“Lessons Before Love”) and other filmmakers, with screenings, workshops and other events at Philander Smith, Arkansas Baptist College, Mosaic Templars Cultural Center and Dreamland Ballroom.

Philander Smith College, Sept. 6-9, 11 a.m., $10-$40. 900 W. Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive.

LECTURES

“Highlights from the History of Tuberculosis: The Rest of the Story”. Presentation by Dr. Joseph Bates at the 31st annual meeting of the Society for the History of Medicine and the Health Professions, 12th floor of the Stephens Spine and Neuroscience Institute, with dinner (ticket for non-members includes a yearlong membership in the Society). Jackson T. Stephens Spine and Neurosciences Institute, $40/society member or guest of member, $55/ non-member., free. 4301 W. Markham St. 501686-6733.

BOOKS

Sam Calvin Brown. Book launch party for the author’s novel, “The Last Baby Angel,” with music from The Cons of Formant and Audrey Dean Kelley. Receive a 25 percent discount on pre-tax food and drink orders with purchase of book (cash only). Dizzy’s Gypsy Bistro, 6 p.m., free. 200 River Market Ave. 501-375-3500. www. dizzysgypsybistro.net.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 7

MUSIC

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

30-Something Party Fridays. Twelve Modern Lounge, first Friday of every month, free before 10 p.m., $5 after 10 p.m. 1900 W. Third St. 501301-1200.

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

Big Stack. 21+. Shooter’s Sports Bar & Grill, 9 p.m., $5. 9500 Interstate 30. 501-565-4003. www. shooterslittlerock.com.

Blue Ribbon Healers. The Afterthought, 9 p.m., $7. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. headpeelers.weebly.com/.

Boom Kinetic. 18+. Revolution, 9:30 p.m., $10.

300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom.com.

Bowling for Soup. Juanita’s, 10 p.m. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www. juanitas.com.

Brantley Gilbert, Casey Donahew Band.

Riverfest Amphitheatre, 7:30 p.m., $32-$48. 400 President Clinton Ave. www.ticketmaster.com.

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

First Friday of Sept.: Status Symbol. Featuring DJ Tre Sway, 9 p.m., $10 after 10pm. 412 Louisiana. 501-907-2582.

Gorilla Music. Featuring Break the Silence, Ferrous Patella, The Dead Rangers, Burning the Past, Knox Hamilton, Silly Puddles, Tie Die Love Affair, White Shadows Downtown Music Hall, 4:30 p.m. 211 W. Capitol. 501-376-1819. downtownmusichall.com.

Jason Burnett. Flying Saucer, 9 p.m. 323 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-8032. www. beerknurd.com/stores/littlerock.

PG-13 The Band (headliner), Richie Johnson (happy hour). Cajun’s Wharf, 5 and 9 p.m., $5 cover after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501375-5351. www.cajunswharf.com.

Randall Shreve & The Sideshow, The Tricks.

18-and-older show. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9:30 p.m., $6. 107 Commerce St. 501372-7707. www.stickyz.com.

Sarah McQuaid. $8 tickets available for students, children under 12 get in free. Thompson Hall, 7:30 p.m., $15. 1818 Reservoir Road. 501-6630634. www.sarahmcquaid.com.

Sick/Sea, My Empty Phantom. Vino’s, 9 p.m., $5. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com.

Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 9 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www. capitalhotel.com/CBG. The United States Navy Band Country Current. The Navy’s premier country bluegrass ensemble. No tickets are required.

Reynolds Performance Hall, University of Central Arkansas, 7 p.m., free. 201 Donaghey Ave., Conway. 501-450-3682.

“YOLO.” Featuring four DJs and beach volleyball, 18-and-older. Flying DD, $5. 4601 S. University. 501-773-9990. flyingdd.com.

COMEDY

Alex Reymundo. The Loony Bin, Sept. 7, 7:30 and 10 p.m., $8-$13. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.com.

The Main Thing. Two-act comedy play “Electile Dysfunction.” The Joint, 8 p.m., $20. 301 Main

St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com.

Ralphie May. Robinson Center, 8:30 p.m., $40$55. 426 W. Markham St. 501-376-4781. www. littlerockmeetings.com/conv-centers/robinson.

Stew­art Huff, fea­tur­ing Keith Man­ning.

Student discount on Thursday night with ID. UARK Bowl, 8 and 10:30 p.m., $10. 644 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479-301-2030. www. uarkballroom.com.

EVENTS

Arkansas Supreme Court and the Civil War. Presentation from ASU professor history professor emeritus Michael Dougan and Russell P. Baker, retired archivist with the Arkansas History Commission. Justice Building, 1 p.m.

625 Marshall St. 501-682-6849. courts.arkansas.gov/library.

First Friday Dinner and Discussion with Lauren Bartshe. Reservation required. Hendrix College, 6 p.m. 1600 Washington Ave., Conway.

501-450-4598. www.hendrix.edu.

LGBTQ/SGL Youth and Young Adult Group.

Diverse Youth for Social Change is a group for LGBTQ/SGL and straight ally youth and young adults age 14 to 23. For more information, call 244-9690 or search “DYSC” on Facebook. 800 Scott St., 6:30 p.m. 800 Scott St. Sandwiching in History: J. Rogers Young House. J. Rogers Young House, 12 p.m. 2021 S. Arch St.

FILM

Arkansas Black Independent Film Festival.

See Sept. 6.

CLASSES

Table for Two. Culinary classes taught by chef Robert Hall, 5 p.m., cost includes overnight lodging and continental breakfast. Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, 5 p.m., $200 per couple.

1 Rockefeller Drive, Morrilton. 727-5435. www. uawri.org.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 8

MUSIC

Almost Infamous. Rudy’s Oyster Bar, 9 p.m., $3.

2695 Pike Ave., NLR. 501-771-0808.

Amasa Hines. White Water Tavern, 10 p.m.

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

Blue Ribbon Healers. 21-and-older show.

Maxine’s, 8 p.m., $5. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-321-0909. maxineslive.com/shows. html.

Chris Henry. Flying Saucer, 9 p.m. 323 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-8032. www.beerknurd. com/stores/littlerock.

The Dirty Guv’nahs. 18+. Revolution, 9 p.m., $10. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom.com.

Eliot Lipp, Nadis Warriors, Griz. George’s Majestic Lounge, 9 p.m., $12. 519 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479-442-4226.

Interstate Buffalo. The Afterthought, 9 p.m., $7. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www. afterthoughtbar.com.

Jim Mills (headliner), Shelly King & Oona Love (happy hour). Cajun’s Wharf, 5 and 9 p.m., $5 cover after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501375-5351. www.cajunswharf.com.

“KISS Saturdays” with DJs Deja Blu, Greyhound and Silky Slim. Sway, 10 p.m.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 58

www.arktimes.com

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

57

Let’s rock!

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AFTER DARK, CONT. 412 Louisiana. 501-907-2582.

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

Lita Ford, Iron Tongue. Juanita’s, 10 p.m., $20 adv., $25 at door. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www.juanitas.com.

Loose Cannon. West End Smokehouse and Tavern, 10 p.m., $5. 215 N. Shackleford. 501-2247665. www.westendsmokehouse.net.

Matt Stell & Deep Roots. 18-and-older show.

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

Mickey Gilley. Woodlands Auditorium, 3 and 8 p.m., $25. 1101 De Soto Blvd., Hot Springs Village. 501-922-4231. www.hsvwoodlands.com.

Minor Birds. 21+ Vino’s, 8 p.m., $5. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com.

Paul Grass, Spencer Rx, Joel Allenbaugh, Brandon Peck. Paul Grass, Spencer Rx, Joel Allenbaugh, at disco, Brandon Peck in the lobby. Also featuring DJ Heavygrinder & Gravy performing a tribute to The Notorious B.I.G. with Rodney Block & the Real Music Lovers.

Discovery Nightclub. 1021 Jessie Road. 501664-4784. www.latenightdisco.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.

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

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

Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 9 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www.capitalhotel.com/CBG. Year of the Tiger, The Binary Marketing Show.

Town Pump, 9:30 p.m., $5. 1321 Rebsamen Park Road. 501-663-9802.

COMEDY

Alex Reymundo. The Loony Bin, 7:30 and 10 p.m., $8-$13. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road.

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

The Main Thing. Two-act comedy play “Electile Dysfunction.” The Joint, 8 p.m., $20. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. 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

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58

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

24th Annual Mountainfest arts and crafts show. Iron Mountain at the CMA campground, 9 a.m. Hwy 71 at Iron Mountain, Mena.

Antique Motorcycles in the Park. Classic motorcycles on display to the public. Hill Wheatley Plaza, 9 a.m. Central Avenue downtown, Hot Springs. 501-525-9833.

Argenta Farmers Market. Argenta, 7 a.m.-12 p.m. Main Street, NLR. Falun Gong meditation. Allsopp Park, 9 a.m., free. Cantrell & Cedar Hill Roads.

Garden Gourmet. Cooking demonstrations will feature various recipes incorporating two Arkansas in-season produce selections, 9 a.m.

2nd Sat. through Oct. 13. River Market Pavilions, free. 400 President Clinton Ave. 501-375-2552. www.rivermarket.info.

Helena Second Saturdays. Art and music along historic Cherry Street in downtown Helena.

Downtown Helena, through : second Saturday of every month, 5 p.m. Cherry and Main Streets, Helena.

Hillcrest Farmers Market. Pulaski Heights CONTINUED ON PAGE 62

Join CAR for

An Evening with James Lecesne Academy Award winner, author, actor, and founder of The Trevor Project.

Saturday, September 29, 7 pm Silent Auction $25 Individual • $45 Couple Sponsoships: Platinum* - $1,000 Gold* - $500 Silver - $300 Bronze - $100 *Platinum and Gold Sponsorships will receive a reserved table for 8 guests as well as a private reception with James Lecesne prior to the event.

Light hor d’oeuvres will be served.

800 Scott St. • Downtown Little Rock Inside First Presbyterian Church

KING BISCUIT BLUES FESTIVAL OCT. 6, 2012 at HELENA PRICE INCLUDES:

$

99 PER PERSON

• ROUND-TRIP TOUR BUS TRANSPORTATION • TICKETS INTO THE GATED CONCERT AREA • LUNCH AT DONDIE’S WHITE RIvER PRINCESS IN DEvALLS BLUFF • LIvE BLUES PERFORMANCES EN ROUTE TO HELENA • PLUS BEvERAGES ON BOARD

FEATURING Bonnie Raitt

PLUS! Samantha Fish, Reba Russell Band, The Cate Brothers, Randall Bramblett Band, Roy Rogers and many more!

CHARGE BY PHONE 501-375-2985 (all major credit cards)

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

R eseRv e You R se at todaY !

The Blues B October 6th us leaves at 10 a.m. fro at 2nd and m the parking garage Main in dow ntow Rock and re turns after th n Little e concert same day. www.arktimes.com

september 5, 2012

59

“What if I can’t afford the funeral?”

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Is it just another health fad?

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World renowned expert, Dr. Rodney Ford, will speak on his 35 years of clinical experience as a Pediatrician, Gastroenterologist, Nutritional Consultant, and Allergist to present to you the evidence that everyone, including your family, should now be avoiding gluten.

Dr. roDney ForD MD, MB, BS, FRACP, Assoc. Professor, Author www.drrodneyford.com Thursday, October 4, 2012 • 6:00 pm Education Building Auditorium at St. Vincent’s Hospital Admission: $10 Tickets available at Dempsey Bakery, GIGCA meetings, or at the door.

Delicious gluten-free dessert will be provided

by Dempsey Bakery during intermission.

Sponsored by:

Gluten Intolerance Group of Central Arkansas (GIGCA) http://www.gluten.net/local-branches/arkansas/little-rock Sherri Clay, President •(501) 821-0111 sherri495@comcast.net 60

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

BURGLAR-BOT: In “Robot & Frank,” Frank Langella stars as a former cat burglar who uses the robot caretaker bestowed upon him by his son to start stealing again, from rich young jerks who don’t appreciate how good they have it there in the near future.

Market Street Cinema times at or after 9 p.m. are for Friday and Saturday only. Breckenridge, Chenal 9, Lakewood 8, Movies 10 and Riverdale showtimes were not available by press deadline.

Rave showtimes are valid for Friday and Saturday only. Find up-to-date listings at arktimes.com.

NEW MOVIES Branded (R) – Dystopian thriller about a global corporate conspiracy to suppress the masses and keep them mindlessly consuming, which is, like, the most implausible thing ever. Market Street: 2:15, 4:30, 7:15, 9:00. Rave: 11:15 a.m., 2:45, 5:30, 8:15, 11:15.

The Cold Light of Day (PG-13) – This spy thriller with Bruce Willis and Sigourney Weaver has gotten really bad reviews. Rave: 11:00 a.m., 1:30, 5:15, 7:45, 10:15, 11:35.

Robot & Frank (PG-13) – Frank Langella stars as a retired cat burglar who enlists the help of his robotic caretaker to reignite his life of stealing jewelry from rich jerks. Also stars Susan Sarandon. Market Street: 2:00, 4:15, 7:00, 9:15.

Take This Waltz (R) – Michelle Williams stars as an attractive person who becomes attracted to another attractive person who isn’t the person she’s married to, who is a slightly less attractive person. Market Street: 1:45, 4:00, 6:45, 9:00.

The Words (PG-13) – Bradley Cooper stars as a plagiarist whose lies catch up with him. Also stars Jeremy Irons, Zoë Saldana and Dennis Quaid. Rave: 11:45 a.m., 2:15, 4:45, 7:15, 9:45, 11:30.

RETURNING THIS WEEK 2016: Obama’s America (PG-13) – Oh noes!

The Muslim Kenyan Socialist is going to ruin the world by 2016! Aiee! Save us, right-wing propagandist Dinesh D’Souza! Rave: 11:30 a.m., 2:00, 4:15, 6:45, 9:15.

The Apparition (PG-13) – Some terror happens to an attractive young couple when they move

into their new home. Rave: 5:35, 8:35, 10:50.

Beasts of the Southern Wild (PG-13) – Critically acclaimed story of a southern Louisiana community and a plucky young heroine. Market Street: 1:45, 4:15, 6:45, 9:00.

Bourne Legacy (PG-13) – Latest in the Bourne franchise, starring Jeremy Renner and not starring Matt Damon. Rave: 10:45 a.m., 1:50, 4:55, 8:00, 11:10.

The Campaign (R) – In which Ricky Bobby goes to Washington with the weird-beard from the “Hangover” films. Rave: 1:00, 3:35, 5:55, 8:55, 11:40.

Celeste and Jesse Forever (R) – A couple of high school sweethearts who married young learn how complicated wedded life can be, from star and writer Rashida Jones, with Andy Samberg. Rave: 12:30, 3:00.

Cosmopolis (R) – Robert Pattinson stars in this not-too-distant future sci-fi thriller from master director David Cronenberg. Rave: 7:35, 10:35.

The Dark Knight Rises (PG-13) – Third gloomy Batman flick from director Christopher Nolan.

Rave: 11:55 a.m., 3:30, 7:00, 10:40.

The Expendables 2 (R) – Sequel to the film in which a bunch of current and former action movie stars get together for tea and cake and explosions and cheekily self-referential jokes. Rave: 11:50 a.m., 2:30, 5:10, 8:00, 10:45.

Hit & Run (PG-13) – Hilarious misadventure ensues when a former bank robber’s secret past catches up with him. Rave: 12:20, 2:55.

Hope Springs (PG-13) – Tommy Lee Jones and Meryl Streep try to reignite the spark of love with the help of Steve Carrell, in this lighthearted, 100-minute-long Cialis commercial.

Rave: 10:45 a.m., 1:15, 3:45, 6:30, 9:00.

Ice Age: Continental Drift (PG) – Latest iteration in the series about a crew of wacky animated animals. Rave: 11:10 a.m., 2:25, 4:55.

The Intouchables (R) – An improbable friendship blossoms between a rich disabled man

and his ex-con caretaker. Market Street: 2:00, 4:20, 7:00,9:15.

Lawless (R) – Set in the Prohibition era, a trio of bootlegger brothers must navigate a violent criminal underworld, from director John Hillcoat. Rave: 10:45 a.m., 1:40, 4:30, 7:30, 10:30.

The Odd Life of Timothy Green (PG) – Basically it’s Cabbage Patch Kids the Movie, but with just one Cabbage Patch Kid. Rave: 10:45 a.m., 1:25, 4:00, 6:50, 9:20.

ParaNorman (PG) – Stop-motion animated film about a kid who talks to ghosts, from the studio that made “Coraline.” Rave: 2:05, 7:10 (2D), 11:40 a.m., 4:40, 9:30 (3D).

The Possession (PG-13) – A family must confront a terrifying something or other but more importantly, this stars Matisyahu. Yes, really.

Rave: 12:45, 3:15, 5:45, 8:30, 11:00 (XTreme), 11:00 a.m., 1:45, 4:20, 7:00, 9:30.

Premium Rush (PG-13) – A bike messenger’s life is jeopardized when he picks up the wrong package. Rave: 5:55, 8:45, 11:20.

Sparkle (PG-13) – Three sisters follow their musical dreams. Starring Whitney Houston and Jordin Sparks. Rave: 11:05 a.m., 2:15, 5:05, 8:10, 11:25.

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

Cinemark Movies 10: 4188 E. McCain Blvd., 945-7400, www.cinemark.com.

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

Lakewood 8: 2939 Lakewood Village Drive, 7585354, www.fandango.com.

Market Street Cinema: 1521 Merrill Drive, 312-8900, www.marketstreetcinema.net.

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

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

MOVIE REVIEW

‘Lawless’ near flawless Best studio movie of the summer.

BY SAM EIFLING

M

etacritic sees things differently, but go ahead and read it here that “Lawless” is the best major-studio movie of the summer.

In plotting, performances and, yes, its high-quality violence, you get what you came for.

It’s the early 1930s, and rural Virginia is overrun with bootleggers who get along just fine selling hooch to the local sheriffs and pedaling jars and crates out of the backs of rickety trucks.

The boys with the best wares are the Bondurants — Howard, Forrest and young Jack — and life for them is rough but lucrative until the bootlegging gangs and law enforcement with Chicago ties begin encroaching.

A Palme D’or nominee at Cannes, “Lawless” rings most authentic in its characterizations. Tom Hardy does more with monosyllabic grunts than should be possible. The ringleader of the bootlegging family, he’s rumored to be indestructible, having dodged death on a sinking ship and during an epidemic. But far from the hulking, loquacious Bane that Hardy crafted for “The Dark Knight Rises,” his Forrest shuffles and mutters, in part because he finds few reasons to rush and in part because brass knuckles rocketing out from a quiet man’s cardigan pocket carry a pronounced element of surprise.

Shia LaBeouf’s name tops the movie poster, and as the younger, more callow brother, he’s a proper guide for the audience on our way into this shaggy, brutal subculture.

But Hardy’s the pole star — principled, dark and ferocious. Guy Pearce serves as his foil, an equally dark and ferocious but deliciously unscrupulous Chicago lawman named Charlie Rakes.

Perfumed, clean-shaven and nattily dressed, Rakes makes enemies of the Bondurants when he spearheads a crackdown on the booze-running.

Forrest won’t play ball, so when Rakes finds Jack he works the little brother over with a shotgun barrel and his elegantly gloved fists. After that, you know someone isn’t leaving this movie alive, but since the Bondurant boys believe themselves to be indestructible, it could be hard biscuits for Rakes.

Hollywood loves to imagine country

There’s nothing that can’t be achieved here. The Renaud Brothers are documented proof.

The Renaud Brothers are an inspiring example of all that can be achieved in our beautiful state. The Arkansas Film Commission and AEDC are proud

‘LAWLESS’: Shia LaBeouf and Mia Wasikowska star.

folk as fidgety, fast-jabbering yokels, auctioneers in waiting. Mercifully, between screenwriter Nick Cave and the family-historical novel by Matt Bondurant, the film has a beautiful ear for the woods. No one in “Lawless” gets over-talky, and at every junction where some hack might try to evoke MacArthur and speechify, the Bondurant boys almost always say less. Even the score, a mostly delicate compilation of bluegrass and folk, shows a refreshing restraint. Aside from a short montage that escalates the second act into the third, at no point does “Lawless” devolve into a redneck music video. Director John Hillcoat (“The Road”) is content to err on the side of bleak.

The cast contains precisely zero weak links. With all of 10 on-screen minutes, tops, Gary Oldman shines as a Tommy-gun-toting Chicago gangster. Mia Wasikowskia, as a preacher’s daughter and the object of Jack’s affections, balances her filial piety against her fascination with this brash young bootlegger.

Howard drinks constantly — and in Jason Clarke’s sleepy-wet eyes, rather than some put-on swaying or slurring, he appears genuinely sauced.

In fact, practically everyone actually looks like 1930s Appalachia swished ’em and spat ’em out — dirty, drawn, sunken-eyed and ragged. The only character you might crack your tooth on is Jessica Chastain’s mysterious redheaded bombshell who arrives in the moonshiningest county in Virginia looking for peace and quiet. Overlook the absurdity of this baffling decision by an otherwise canny lady and you’ll get through “Lawless” in better shape than most everyone in it.

to assist and salute these amazing filmmakers.

a r k a n s a s p r o d u c t i o n .c o m

A r k a n s a s E D C.c o m / 1- 8 0 0 - A R K A N S A S

40-YEAR RETROSPECTIVE

THE ART OF

CAROLE KATCHEN AT

The Museum of Contemporary Art 425 Central Avenue Hot Springs, AR 71901 501-609-9966

Opening Reception September 13, 2012

5:30-7:30pm

Exhibit continues through December 2012 www.arktimes.com

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

61

AFTER DARK, CONT. Baptist Church, 7 a.m.-12 p.m. 2200 Kavanaugh Blvd.

Hot Springs Motorcycle Rally. Event includes concerts, bike shows, parade, rides and vendors. Hot Springs Convention Center, through.

134 Convention Blvd., Hot Springs. 501-3212027. www.hotsprings.org.

Little Rock Farmers’ Market. River Market Pavilions, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. 400 President Clinton Ave. 501-375-2552. rivermarket.info.

FILM

Arkansas Black Independent Film Festival.

See Sept. 6.

SPORTS

15th Annual Terry Paul Thode Lupus Memorial

Golf Tournament. Four-person scramble.

Registration starts at noon. Diamondhead Country Club, 1 p.m. 245 Independence Drive, Hot Springs. 501-525-9380.

Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks. War Memorial Stadium, 6 p.m., $55. 1 Stadium Drive. 501-663-0775.

BOOKS

Frank Thurmond. The author of “Before I Sleep: A Memoir of Travel and Reconciliation” will sign copies and read from his book. That Bookstore in Blytheville, 1 p.m. 316 W. Main St. M.K. Asante. The filmmaker and author of “It’s Bigger Than Hip Hop” will sign copies of his book. Philander Smith College, 10 a.m. p.m.

900 W. Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive.

IT’S HERE!

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6 NIGHTS A WEEK

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Prizes *JACKPOT $300 $7 $1

*Starting jackpot: $25,000 Top prize odds are 1 in 575,757

Follow us on twitter: @myarlottery Find us on: Facebook.com/ArkansasScholarshipLottery For more information on games or odds, visit any lottery retailer, myarkansaslottery. com, or call 501-683-2000. Call 1-800-522-4700 for problem gambling helpline.

Please play responsibly.

62

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

Ozark Writers Live: Richard A. Knaak, Mara Leveritt. Literary event also featuring Tracy Lenore Jackson, Marilyn Collins, Dan Borengasser, Tammy Bronson and Rich Davis.

Fayetteville Public Library, 10 a.m. 401 W. Mountain St., Fayetteville.

Ruby Jackson Book Signing. The author will sign copies of her book, “Quest for Love.” Hastings, 5 p.m., free. 915 W. Main St,, Jacksonville. 888361-9473.

Clinton Ave. 375-2552. www.rivermarket.info.

Second Saturday Seminar: Build Your Own Sketchbook. Ages 6 - 16. Pre-registration required. Artchurch Studio, 10 a.m., $20. 301 Whittington Ave., Hot Springs. 501-318-6779. www.artchurch.org.

CLASSES

Declaration to Gaia, Red Devil Lies, As Tall As Giants, Project 7, Site 15, Ringleader. 18+.

Revolution, 8 p.m., $10. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom.com.

Guitar Shorty. 18-and-older show. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 8 p.m., $7 adv., $10 at door. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.

Garden Gourmet Chef Series. Cooking demonstrations will feature various recipes incorporating two Arkansas in-season produce selections: okra or peppers and apples. River Market Pavilions, 9 and 10:30 a.m. 400 President

SUNDAY, SEPT. 9

MUSIC

AFTER DARK, CONT. stickyz.com.

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

EVENTS

Bernice Garden Farmers’ Market. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays. The Bernice Garden. 1401 S. Main St. 501-617-2511. www.thebernicegarden.org.

“Live from the Back Room.” Vino’s, 7 p.m.

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

FILM

Arkansas Black Independent Film Festival.

See Sept. 6.

MONDAY, SEPT. 10

MUSIC

7th Street Peep Show. Featuring three or four bands per night. Bands sign up at 6:30 p.m. and play 35-minute sets (including setup) on a first come, first served basis. House band is The Sinners. Solo artists, DJs and all other performers welcome. Vino’s, 7 p.m., $1. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com.

Bobaflex, After the Fifth. Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $10 adv., $12 at door. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www.juanitas.com.

FreakShow Deluxe. The Joint, 8 p.m., $5. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com.

Irish Traditional Music Session. Khalil’s Pub, Fourth and second Monday of every month, 7 p.m. 110 S. Shackleford Road. 501-224-0224. www.khalilspub.com.

Jazz@Afterthought. Featuring Tiko Brooks & friends. The Afterthought, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbar.com.

Little Feat, The Villains. Revolution, 8 p.m., $25. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom.com.

Reggae Nites. Featuring DJ Hy-C playing roots, reggae and dancehall. Pleazures Martini and Grill Lounge, 6 p.m., $7-$10. 1318 Main St. 501-376-7777. www.facebook.com/pleazures. bargrill.

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

SPORTS

Little Rock Touchdown Club: Matt Jones.

Embassy Suites, 11 a.m., $10-$25. 11301 Financial Centre. 501-312-9000. lrtouchdown. com.

BOOKS

Ira Shapiro. The former general counsel and ambassador in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative during the Clinton administration and author of “The Last Great Senate” will discuss his book. Clinton School of Public Service, 6 p.m., free. 1200 President Clinton Ave. 501-683-5239. www.clintonschool.uasys. edu.

CLASSES

Finding Family Facts. Rhonda Stewart’s genealogy research class for beginners. Arkansas Studies Institute, second Monday of every month, 3:30 p.m. 401 President Clinton Ave. 501-320-5700 . www.butlercenter.org.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 11

MUSIC

Arkansas River Blues Society Blues Jam. Thirst n’ Howl, 6 p.m. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-

8189. www.thirst-n-howl.com.

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

Catskill Kids. The Joint, 8:30 p.m., $5. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0210. thejointinlittlerock.com.

Jeff Long. Khalil’s Pub, 6 p.m. 110 S. Shackleford Road. 501-224-0224. www.khalilspub.com.

Jim Dickerson. Piano Bar Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, through Sept. 27: 7 p.m., free.

500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www. sonnywilliamssteakroom.com.

Lucious Spiller Band. Copeland’s Restaurant of Little Rock, 6-9 p.m. 2602 S. Shackleford Road. 501-312-1616. www.copelandsrestaurantlittlerock.com.

The Nightmare River Band, Booyah! Dad. 18-and-older show. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9:30 p.m., $5. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz.com.

Ricky David Tripp. Rocket Twenty One, 5:30 p.m. 2601 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-603-9208. www. ferneaurestaurant.com.

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NatioN’s Greatest BLUES MUSIC FESTIVAL october 4-6

with

Taj Mahal G))))))))g BONNIE RAITT BOBBY RUSH

and many more!

DANCE

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

Soul Spirit Zumba with Ashan. Dunbar Community Center, 6 p.m., $5. 1001 W. 16th St. 501-376-1084.

EVENTS

69th Annual Garland County Fair. Garland County Fairgrounds, Sept. 11-15, $1. Higdon Ferry Road, off the Martin Luther King Jr. Expressway, Hot Springs.

Little Rock Farmers’ Market. River Market Pavilions, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. 400 President Clinton Ave. 501-375-2552. rivermarket.info.

FILM

“The Magnificent Seven.” Market Street Cinema, 7 p.m., $5. 1521 Merrill Drive. 501312-8900. www.marketstreetcinema.net.

BOOKS

Steve Rothschild. Rothschild, former executive at General Mills and author of “The Non Nonprofit: For Profit Thinking for Nonprofit Success,” will discuss his work. Clinton School of Public Service, 6 p.m., free. 1200 President Clinton Ave. 501-683-5239. www.clintonschool. uasys.edu.

THIS WEEK IN THEATER

“Church Basement Ladies.” Musical comedy celebrates the church kitchen and the women who work there. Check the website for dinner and performance times. Murry’s Dinner Playhouse, through Oct. 7, $15-$33. 6323 Col. Glenn Road. 501-562-3131. www.murrysdinnerplayhouse.com/schedule.php.

“Good People.” Good People is set in south Boston, the blue-collar neighborhood where the writer himself grew up. The play follows Margie Walsh, a struggling single mother who is laid off from her job at a dollar store. During the course of the play, Margie tries scrounging for a living, hangs out with bingo buddies, and seeks out an old boyfriend. The Weekend Theater, Fri., Sept. 7, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Sept. 8, 7:30 p.m.; Fri., Sept. 14, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Sept.

15, 7:30 p.m.; Fri., Sept. 21, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Sept.

22, 7:30 p.m., $12-$16. 1001 W. 7th St. 501-3743761. www.weekendtheater.org.

“Henry V.” Shakespeare’s history play is an indictment of war and a testament to courage of the adventurous young king. Arkansas Repertory Theatre, through Sept. 23: Wed., CONTINUED ON PAGE 71

KingBiscuitFestival.com Call

870-572-5223 for more information.

Buon tito! e p p A “Vesuvio is arguably the best Italian restaurant in town.”

– Arkansas Times 1501 Merrill Drive little rock, Ar 72211 501.225.0500 reservations recommended open Monday-Sunday For Dinner

Menu Available at

www.vesuviobistro.com www.arktimes.com

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

63

Dining WHAT’S COOKIN’ STILL NO OPENING DATE yet for the Packet House Grill, the new restaurant overlooking the Arkansas River in the refurbished historic Packet House. Chef/ owner Wes Ellis promises a menu that includes modern takes on Southern favorites. The two-story restaurant will have a full bar and space for private dining or events in its second story. Asked about a specific opening date, a restaurant spokesman would only say sometime in September. The restaurant’s address is 1406 Cantrell Road. The phone number is 372-1578.

DINING CAPSULES

AMERICAN

ADAMS CATFISH & CATERING Catering company with carry-out restaurant in Little Rock and carry-out trailers in Russellville and Perryville. 215 N. Cross St. All CC. $-$$. 501-374-4265. L Tue.-Sat. ALLEY OOPS A neighborhood feedbag for major medical institutions with the likes of plate lunches, burgers and homemade desserts. Remarkable chess pie. 11900 Kanis Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-221-9400. LD Mon.-Sat. BR Sun. B-SIDE The little breakfast place in the former party room of Lilly’s DimSum Then Some turns tradition on its ear, offering French toast wrapped in bacon on a stick, a must-have dish called “biscuit mountain” and beignets with lemon curd. Top notch cheese grits, too. 11121 Rodney Parham Road. Full bar, All CC. $$.

501-716-2700. BL Wed.-Sun. BIG WHISKEY’S AMERICAN BAR AND GRILL A modern grill pub in the River Market with all the bells and whistles: 30 flat screen TVs, boneless wings, whiskey on tap. Plus, the usual burgers, steaks, soups and salads. 225 E. Markham St. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-324-2449. LD daily.

BOBBY’S COUNTRY COOKIN’ One of the better plate lunch spots in the area, with some of the best fried chicken and pot roast around, a changing daily casserole and wonderful homemade pies. 301 N. Shackleford Road, Suite E1.

No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-224-9500.

L Mon.-Fri. BOGIE’S BAR AND GRILL A menu filled with burgers, salads and giant desserts, plus a few steak, fish and chicken main courses. There are big screen TVs for sports fans and lots to drink, more reason to return than the food. 120 W. Pershing Blvd. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-8120019. D daily.

BUFFALO GRILL A great crispy-off-thegriddle cheeseburger and hand-cut fries star at this family-friendly stop. 1611 Rebsamen Park Road. Full bar, CC. $$.

501-296-9535. LD daily. 400 N. Bowman Road. Full bar, Beer, All CC. $$. 501-2240012. LD daily.

64

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

HOLLY’S ANGELS ON HORSEBACK: Oysters wrapped in bacon and covered in cheese from Fat Jack’s Oyster Sports Bar.

A seafood fix in the Spa Fat Jack’s Oyster Sports Bar piles plates high for low dough.

G

iven our proximity to several wide and muddy rivers, it’s no surprise that Arkansas is home to a large number of restaurants that know a thing or two about frying catfish. What’s rare is to find a place that can also do justice to fare like alligator or fresh oysters, and it’s here that Fat Jack’s Oyster Sports Bar and Grill in Hot Springs separates itself from the pack.

This new Fat Jack’s location is an offshoot of the original Fat Jack’s in Texarkana, and it’s brought to Hot Springs the same good cooking and hard partying attitude that have been a hallmark of the joint since 1985. It’s a place that doesn’t take itself too seriously, with graffiti encouraged on the walls and wooden tables, and the general feeling is one of Mardi Gras mixed with a Razorback tailgate party. Its happy “hour” runs from noon until 7 p.m. daily, with plenty of tasty things to soak up all the revelry.

While we normally prefer our oysters raw on the half-shell, we decided to try them prepared a different way: wrapped in bacon and covered with melted cheese (Holly’s Angels on Horseback, $9.95).

After the first bite knew we had made the right decision. The oysters in question were a bit smaller than we would have liked, but their clean, briny flavor worked well with the grilled bacon, and the gooey white cheese brought everything together in a wonderful decadent bite. The cheese was partially melted and partially toasted on the griddle to create an

Fat Jack’s Oyster Sports Bar and Grill

101 Central Ave. Hot Springs 501-318-0075

QUICK BITE Whether fried, bacon-wrapped, Rockefeller-style, or just raw on the half-shell, Fat Jack’s has an oyster to please almost any taste.

HOURS 11 a.m. to midnight Tuesday through Sunday.

OTHER INFO All major credit cards, full bar

excellent contrast of flavors and textures.

Served on the side was a mild horseradish that was a little dried out, but given the overabundance of flavors with the Angels, this was only a small disappointment.

For our other starter, we got bowls of the seafood gumbo ($8.95), large helpings of the rich Cajun stew over tender rice. This gumbo was savory and spicy, so rich we wished the weather had been a little colder.

Too many places offer poorly-made gumbo out of a sense of obligation; this gumbo was as good as any we’ve had anywhere.

Fans of the fried stuff will find a lot to love on this menu, with the fish basket ($9.95) being one of the best bangs for the buck we’ve found. It’s a meal that’s loaded down with six large catfish fillets and a generous portion of crispy hand-cut fries, and for less than a ten-spot, possibly the best

deal we’ve ever encountered for this much fish. The deal got even sweeter when our server accidentally dropped one of the fillets (which were piled sky-high) on the table, and almost immediately brought out two more pieces as a replacement.

It was a small gesture that went a long way to winning us over. The fish itself was moist and tender, with a nicely spiced breading that had the good blonde color that comes from being fried in fresh oil.

The fries, all too often an afterthought, were crisp and firm on the outside with a good, mealy center — not even needing a dunk in ketchup to reach perfection.

We also ordered the Trifecta Basket ($10.25), taking advantage of Fat Jack’s substitutions to build a mound of fried oysters, fish and alligator nuggets. The oysters were just as good batter-dipped as they were covered in cheese and bacon, and the alligator was mild-flavored and tender with a flavor somewhere between chicken and frog legs. While we didn’t think the gator was outstanding enough to be a dish on its own, it was tasty enough to work as a novelty meat along with the oysters and fish. As with the fish basket, the portions were generous and the fries excellent.

Our final dish, the Shrimp Po’ Boy ($9.95), was the least successful. The shrimp were cooked well, with a light, crisp batter and a nice sweet flavor, but the rest of the sandwich seemed to be a bit of an afterthought, with a rather unimpressive pile of lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles heaped to the side of the otherwise undressed seafood and bread. The main thing lacking here was any sort of dressing, and while we did have sauces of both the pepper and tartar variety on the table, a good remoulade would have really gone a long way in helping this sandwich. Still, as the lowest point of the meal, the po’ boy was a pretty inoffensive one and would have to have been a lot worse to approach the worst po’ boys we’ve ever tried.

Fat Jack’s manages to do exactly what a restaurant must do in a resort town: appeal to tourists hungry after a long day of sightseeing as well as locals looking for a place to have a few drinks while catching a football game. With a large menu, huge portions, and reasonable prices, there’s a lot to like here. Service is friendly, and although we felt a little rushed to turn our table over at the end of the meal, we’ve still got to give Fat Jack’s credit for plying us with extra food after the accidental drop, and thanks to its quality seafood, we’ll be returning sooner rather than later.

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.

CATFISH CITY AND BBQ GRILL Basic fried fish and sides, including green tomato pickles, and now with tasty ribs and sandwiches in beef, pork and sausage. 1817 S. University Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-663-7224.

LD Tue.-Sat. CHEERS Good burgers and sandwiches, vegetarian offerings and salads at lunch and fish specials, and good steaks in the evening.

2010 N. Van Buren. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$.

501-663-5937. LD Mon.-Sat. 1901 Club Manor Drive. Maumelle. Full bar, All CC. 501-8516200. LD daily, BR Sun. DAVE AND RAY’S DOWNTOWN DINER Breakfast buffet daily featuring biscuits and gravy, home fries, sausage and madeto-order omelets. Lunch buffet with four choices of meats and eight veggies. 824 W. Capitol Ave. No alcohol. $. 501-372-8816. BL Mon.-Fri. DAVID’S BURGERS Serious hamburgers, steak salads, homemade custard. 101 S. Bowman Road. 501-227-8333. LD Mon.-Sat. DOGTOWN COFFEE AND COOKERY Up-to-date sandwich, salad and fancy coffee kind of place, well worth a visit. 6725 John F. Kennedy Blvd. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$.

501-833-3850. BL Mon.-Sun., BLD Fri.-Sat.,.

E’S BISTRO Despite the name, think tearoom rather than bistro — there’s no wine, for one thing, and there is tea. But there’s nothing tearoomy about the portions here. Try the heaping grilled salmon BLT on a buttery croissant. 3812 JFK Boulevard. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-771-6900.

FLIGHT DECK Inventive sandwiches, salads and a popular burger. Central Flying Service at Adams Field. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$.

501-975-9315. BL Mon.-Sat. HILLCREST ARTISAN MEATS A fancy charcuterie and butcher shop with excellent daily soup and sandwich specials. 2807 Kavanaugh Blvd. Suite B. No alcohol, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-671-6328. L Mon.-Sat. THE HOP DINER The downtown incarnation of the old dairy bar, with excellent burgers, onion rings and shakes. 201 E. Markham. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-244-0975.

KITCHEN EXPRESS Delicious “meat and three� restaurant offering big servings of homemade soul food. 4600 Asher Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-666-3500. BLD Mon.-Sat., LD Sun. LETTI’S CAKES Soups, sandwiches and salads available at this bakery. 3700 JFK Blvd.

NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-708-7203.

LD (closes at 6 p.m.) Mon.-Fri. L Sat. LYNN’S CHICAGO FOODS Outpost for Chicago specialties like Vienna hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches. Plus, other familiar fare — burgers and fried catfish, chicken nuggets and wings. 6501 Geyer Springs. No alcohol, All CC. $. 501-568-2646. LD Mon.-Sat. MADDIE’S PLACE If you like your catfish breaded Cajun-style, your grits rich with garlic and cream and your oysters fried up in perfect puffs, this is the place for you. 1615 Rebsamen Park Road. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$.

501-660-4040. LD Tue.-Sat. MASON’S DELI AND GRILL Heaven for those who believe everything is better with sauerkraut on top. 400 Clinton Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-376-3354. LD Mon.-Sat.

BELLY UP

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

PHIL’S HAM AND TURKEY PLACE Fine hams, turkeys and other specialty meats served whole, by the pound or in sandwich form.

11121 N. Rodney Parham Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-225-2136. LD Mon.-Fri. L Sat. SADDLE CREEK WOODFIRED GRILL Upscale chain dining in Lakewood, with a menu full of appetizers, burgers, chicken, fish and other fare. It’s the smoke-kissed steaks, however, that make it a winner. 2703 Lakewood Village. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-8120883.

SLICK’S SANDWICH SHOP & DELI Meatand-two plate lunches in state office building.

101 E. Capitol Ave. No alcohol. 501-375-3420.

BL Mon.-Fri.

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

SPECTATORS GRILL AND PUB Burgers, soups, salads and other beer food, plus live music on weekends. 1012 W. 34th St. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-791-0990. LD Mon.-Sat. SPORTS PAGE Perhaps the largest, juiciest, most flavorful burger in town. Grilled turkey and hot cheese on sourdough gets praise, too.

Now with lunch specials. 414 Louisiana St. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-372-9316. LD Mon.-Fri. STARVING ARTIST CAFE All kinds of crepes, served as entrees or as dessert. The Black Forest ham sandwich is a perennial favorite with the lunch crowd. Dinner menu changes daily, good wine list. 411 N. Main St. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-372-7976. L Tue.-Sat., D Tue., Fri.-Sat.

1 6 2 0 S AV O Y. C O M

THE NEW 1620. SHAKING THINGS UP. SEPTEMBER 21.

1620 MARKET STREET | LITTLE ROCK, AR 72211 | 501 221 1620

R E S TA U R A N T & L O U N G E

THE TAVERN SPORTS GRILL Burgers, barbecue and more. 17815 Chenal Parkway.

Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-830-2100. LD daily.

UNIVERSITY MARKET @ 4CORNERS A food truck court where local vendors park daily.

Check facebook.com/4cornersmarket to see what carts are scheduled to be parked. 6221 Colonel Glenn Road. CC. $-$$. 501-515-1661.

LD daily. 6221 Colonel Glenn Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-413-3672. LD. VICTORIAN GARDEN We’ve found the fare quite tasty and somewhat daring and different with its healthy, balanced entrees and crepes.

4801 North Hills Blvd. NLR. $-$$. 501-758-4299.

L Tue.-Sat.

ASIAN

BENIHANA JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE Enjoy the cooking show, make sure you get a little filet with your meal, and do plenty of dunking in that fabulous ginger sauce. 2 Riverfront Place. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-3748081. BLD Sun.-Sat. CHI DIMSUM & BISTRO A huge menu spans the Chinese provinces and offers a few twists on the usual local offerings, plus there’s authentic Hong Kong dim sum available. 6 Shackleford Drive. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$.

501-221-7737. LD daily. 17200 Chenal Parkway.

No alcohol, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-821-8000. LD Mon.-Sat., D Sun. FAR EAST ASIAN CUISINE Old favorites such as orange beef or chicken and Hunan green beans are prepared with care. 11610 Pleasant Ridge Road. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-219-9399.

LD daily.

FORBIDDEN GARDEN Classic, American-ized Chinese food in a modern setting. Try the Basil Chicken. 14810 Cantrell Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-868-8149. LD daily.

FU LIN Quality in the made-to-order entrees is high, as is the quantity. 200 N. Bowman Road.

Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-225-8989. LD daily, BR Sun. IGIBON JAPANESE RESTAURANT It’s a complex place, where the food is almost always good and the ambiance and service never fail to please. 11121 N. Rodney Parham Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-217-8888.

LD Mon.-Sat. KOBE JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI Though answering the need for more hibachis in Little Rock, Kobe stands taller in its sushi offerings than at the grill. 11401 Financial Centre Parkway. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$.

501-225-5999. L Mon.-Sat. D daily.

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

Great prices, too. Massive user-friendly menu with full English descriptions and numbers for easy ordering. 3600 S. University Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-570-7700. LD daily.

BARBECUE

LITTLE ROCK’S MOST AWARD-WINNING RESTAURANT 1619 REBSAMEN RD. s THEFADEDROSE COM

CAPITOL SMOKEHOUSE AND GRILL Beef, pork and chicken, all smoked to melting tenderness and doused with a choice of sauces. 915 W. Capitol Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-372-4227. L Mon.-Fri. FATBOY’S KILLER BAR-B-Q This Landmark neighborhood strip center restaurant in the far southern reaches of Pulaski County features CONTINUED ON PAGE 67

www.arktimes.com

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

65

TWELVE DAYS OF LIVE MUSIC

AND BLUES EVENTS Thursday, September 27 • Vicksburg’s Got the Blues with Stevie J, AmeriStar Bottleneck Blues Bar, Vicksburg MS

Friday, September 28 • Catfish & Cotton - Highway 61 Blues Museum, Leland, MS • ‘Da Delta Black Music & Me - Hobnob’s, Leland, MS • Bud’s Blues House Kick-Off, Leland, MS Featuring DJ Hot Sauce as Emcee with Pat Thomas, Eddie Cusic, The Delta Connection Band, and John Horton and the Hammers • Live Music at Club Ebony, Indianola, MS • B.B. King Blues Club All-Stars, Memphis, TN

Saturday, September 29 • Highway 61 Blues Festival, Leland, MS • Indian Bayou Arts Festival, Indianola, MS • Gateway to the Delta Festival, Charleston MS Live music by Super Chikan and Blue Mountain • B.B. King Blues Club All-Stars, Memphis, TN

Sunday, September 30 • Holly Ridge Jam, Holly Ridge, MS • Gospel Brunch, da’ House of Khafre, Indianola, MS

Monday, October 1 • Live Blues Music, Hopson Commissary, Clarksdale, MS • Give My Poor Heart Ease: Voices of the Mississippi Blues, E.E. Bass, Greenville, MS, Photographs by William Ferris

Tuesday, October 2 • Dockery Farm Tours with Bill Lester, Cleveland, MS Live music by Cadillac John and Bill Abel • LD’s Kitchen, Vicksburg, MS Live music by Central Mississippi Blues Society • Po’ Monkey’s Blues Bash, Merigold, MS Terry Harmonica Bean & his blues band • King Biscuit Blues Festival Week Special, The Wild Hog Saloon, Helena, AR, Muddy Waters & The Rolling Stones perform at Chicago’s Checkerboard Lounge 1981

Thursday, October 4 • King Biscuit Blues Festival, Helena, AR, Headliner: Bobby Rush • Art Alfresco, Greenwood, MS • Po’ Monkey’s, Merigold, MS • B.B. King Blues Club All-Stars, Memphis, TN • Memphis Blues Society IBC Competition Rum Boogie Cafe, Memphis, TN • Vicksburg’s Got the Blues with Stevie J, AmeriStar Bottleneck Blues Bar, Vicksburg MS

Friday, October 5 • King Biscuit Blues Festival, Helena, AR, Headliner: Taj Mahal • B.B. King Blues Club All-Stars, Memphis, TN • Eric Hughes Band, Bob Margolin at Rum Boogie Cafe Memphis, TN

Saturday, October 6 • FREE Live Music, King Biscuit Blues Festival Bit ‘O Blues Stage, Helena, AR • King Biscuit Blues Festival, Helena, AR, Headliner: Bonnie Raitt • Mississippi Blues Fest, Greenwood, MS • 2nd Street Blues Party, Clarksdale, MS • Otherfest, Hwy 1, The River Resort, Rosedale, MS • Sam Chatmon Festival, Hollandale, MS • B.B. King Blues Club All-Stars, Memphis, TN

Sunday October 7 • 2nd Street Blues Party, Clarksdale, MS • Cat Head Mini Blues Fest III, Clarksdale, MS • Pinetop Perkins Homecoming, Hopson Commissary Clarksdale, MS

Monday, October 8 • Live Blues Music, Hopson Commissary, Clarksdale, MS

Wednesday, October 3 • FREE Live Music “Biscuits and Jams,” King Biscuit Blues Festival Main Stage, Helena, AR • Birthright Blues Project Jam, Wild Hog Saloon, Helena, AR • Memphis Blues Society IBC Competition Rum Boogie Cafe, Memphis, TN • #BridgingTheBlues #BluesTweetUp, Gateway to the Blues Museum, Tunica, MS, Live music by Super Chikan & Zak Hood

Plan your 2012 Blues Pilgrimage /bridgingtheblues #BridgingTheBlues bridgingtheblues.blogspot.com

DINING CAPSULES, CONT. tender ribs and pork by a contest pitmaster. 14611 Arch Street. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-888-4998. L Mon.-Wed. and Fri.; L Thu. HB’S BBQ Great slabs of meat with fiery barbecue sauce, but ribs are served on Tuesday only. Other days, try the tasty pork sandwich. 6010 Lancaster. No alcohol, No CC. $-$$. 501-565-1930. LD Mon.-Fri. MICK’S BBQ, CATFISH AND GRILL Good burgers, picnic-worth deviled eggs and heaping barbecue sandwiches topped with sweet sauce. 3609 MacArthur Dr. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-791-2773. LD Mon.-Sun. SIMS BAR-B-QUE Great spare ribs, sandwiches, beef, half and whole chicken and an addictive vinegar-mustard-brown sugar sauce unique for this part of the country. 2415 Broadway. Beer, CC. $-$$. 501-372-6868.

LD Mon.-Sat. 1307 John Barrow Road. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-224-2057.

LD Mon.-Sat. 7601 Geyer Springs Road. Beer, All CC. $$. 501-562-8844.

LD Mon.-Sat.

EUROPEAN / ETHNIC

KHALIL’S PUB Widely varied menu with European, Mexican and American influences. Go for the Bierocks, rolls filled with onions and beef. 110 S. Shackleford Road. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-224-0224. LD daily. BR Sun. THE PANTRY The menu stays relatively true to the owner’s Czechoslovakian roots, but there’s plenty of choices to suit all tastes. There’s also a nice happy-hour vibe. 11401 Rodney Parham Road. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$.

501-353-1875. LD Mon.-Fri., D Sat. STAR OF INDIA The best Indian restaurant in the region, with a unique buffet at lunch and some fabulous dishes at night. 301 N. Shackleford.

Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-227-9900. LD daily.

TASTE OF ASIA Delicious Indian food in a pleasant atmosphere. Perhaps the best samosas in town. Buffet at lunch. 2629 Lakewood Village Dr. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-812-4665. LD daily.

TAZIKI’S Gyros, grilled meats and veggies, hummus and pimento cheese.

8200 Cantrell Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-227-8291. LD daily 12800 Chenal Parkway. Beer, Wine, All CC. 501-225-1829. LD daily.

ITALIAN

DAMGOODE PIES A somewhat different Italian/pizza place, largely because of a spicy garlic white sauce that’s offered as an alternative to the traditional red sauce. 2701 Kavanaugh Blvd. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$-$$$.

501-664-2239. LD daily. 6706 Cantrell Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$-$$$.

501-664-2239. LD daily. 10720 Rodney Parham Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-664-2239. LD daily. 37 East Center St. Fayetteville. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 479-444-7437. LD daily.

GUSANO’S They make the tomatoey Chicago-style deep-dish pizza the way it’s done in the Windy City. It takes a little longer to come out of the oven, but it’s worth the wait. 313 President Clinton Ave. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-374-1441. LD daily. 2915 Dave Ward Drive. Conway. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-329-1100. LD daily.

NYPD PIZZA Plenty of tasty choices in the obvious New York police-like setting, but it’s fun. Only the pizza is cheesy. Even the personal pizzas come in impressive combinations, and baked ziti, salads are more also are available. Cheap slice specials at lunch. 6015 Chenonceau Blvd., Suite 1. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-868-3911. LD Mon.-Sat., D Sun. VESUVIO Arguably Little Rock’s best Italian restaurant is in one of the most unlikely places – tucked inside the Best Western Governor’s Inn within a nondescript section of west Little Rock. 1501 Merrill Drive. Full bar, All CC. $$$. 501-225-0500. D daily.

VILLA ITALIAN RESTAURANT Hearty, inexpensive, classic southern Italian dishes. 12111 W. Markham St. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-2192244. LD Mon.-Sat.

CROSSWORD EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ ACROSS 1 Stealth 6 Bird or human 11 Kind of nut 14 Falcon-headed Egyptian god 15 Central Florida city 16 Bargain bin abbr.

17 Persian mathematician known for his poetry 19 Hoops org.

20 Big name in lexicography 21 They’re made to be destroyed 23 Exit-the-program key 24 Certain decree 25 Java servers 26 Ukrainian-born actress who was a Bond girl in “Quantum of Solace” 31 Giamatti of “Sideways”

32 Petting zoo sound 33 Long Island town 36 It may follow directions 37 Spot for a summer nap 40 Baton Rouge campus, for short 41 Chocolate source 43 Lupino of “High Sierra” 44 Boilermaker component 45 Noted conductor whose son played TV’s Colonel Klink 49 Film villain with prosthetic hands 51 Blossom visitor 52 Wriggler in the water 53 Base for some muffins 55 Pearl sets 59 TiVo, e.g.

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE A B D O S U R V A S S E R J I L T U R I L E S S E N T E S E S T H S A N T H A I R E D D A R I E W O R D

M I S O

E V A C U B E E E R E T T S S H I E R T T S

N E S S I P D E S E O V S E

D E C I

E S H K O L L A T S T A A V E R I I A D E E R A R U L E

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

E S S A Y S Y S T S D T S

60 What 17-, 26or 45-Across might say upon meeting 17-, 26or 45-Across?

62 Prefix with politics 63 Frontier abode 64 Japanese menu item 65 Designer inits.

66 In reserve 67 “Cómo ___?”

DOWN 1 Food, colloquially 2 “Quo Vadis” setting 3 Fine steed 4 Flippered fish-eater with a double coat 5 “Shame on you!”

6 Male swine 7 Less than cordial 8 E-commerce site owned by eBay 9 “Idylls of the King” maiden 10 Butler’s expletive 11 Accessory for the fastidious dresser 12 Music genre 13 Green stuff 18 Priam’s wife 22 Arctic seabirds 24 With much room to spare 26 Crude acronym 27 “Doctor Zhivago” role 28 Million Mom March issue 29 St. Louis pro

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Puzzle by Doug Peterson

30 Suffix with beat or neat 34 “Interesting …”

35 Run smoothly

44 Its capital is Minsk

46 White House family

55 New Year’s Eve word 56 One out on a limb?

37 Sweltering

47 Obi-Wan ___

39 Began stirring

49 Evasive

58 Sports equipment that doesn’t fit in carry-on luggage

54 Costa ___

61 Jest with

38 Rhyming tribute 42 Get from ___ (advance slightly)

48 Examine carefully

50 Carries on

57 Qatar’s capital

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

Annual subscriptions are available for the best of Sunday crosswords from the last 50 years: 1-888-7-ACROSS. AT&T users: Text NYTX to 386 to download puzzles, or visit nytimes.com/mobilexword for more information.

Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 2,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year).

Share tips: nytimes.com/wordplay.

Crosswords for young solvers: nytimes.com/learning/xwords.

THIS MODERN WORLD

LATINO

CASA MANANA Great guacamole and garlic beans, superlative chips and salsa (red and green) and a broad selection of fresh seafood, plus a deck out back. 6820 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-280-9888.

BLD daily 18321 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-868-8822. BLD daily 400 President Clinton Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. BL Mon.-Sat. CASA MEXICANA Familiar Tex-Mex style items all shine, in ample portions, and the steak-centered dishes are uniformly excellent. 6929 JFK Blvd. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-835-7876. LD daily.

MERCADO SAN JOSE From the outside, it appears to just be another Mexican grocery store. Inside, you’ll find one of Little Rock’s best Mexican bakeries and a restaurant in back serving tortas and tacos for lunch. 7411 Geyer Springs Road. Beer, CC. $. 501-565-4246. BLD daily.

SAN JOSE GROCERY STORE AND BAKERY This mercado-plus-restaurant smells and tastes like Mexico, and for good reason: the fresh flour tortillas, overstuffed burritos, sopes (moist corncakes made with masa harina), chili poblano are the real things. 7411 Geyer Springs Road. Beer, CC. $-$$. 501-565-4246. BLD daily.

SUPER 7 GROCERY STORE This Mexican grocery/video store/taqueria has great a daily buffet featuring a changing assortment of real Mexican cooking. Fresh tortillas pressed by hand and grilled, homemade salsas, beans as good as beans get. Plus soup every day. 1415 Barrow Road.

Beer, No CC. $. 501-219-2373. BLD daily.

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SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

67

GET YOUR SEAT ON THE ARKANSAS TIMES CASH BUS!

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We want to make banking easy and convenient for your business and personal banking needs, so that you have more time for the things in life that matter most.

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OCTOBER 5, 2012 • 7:30pm ASU CONVOCATION CENTER • JONESBORO, AR PRICE INCLUDES: ROUND-TRIP TOUR BUS TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM CONCERT GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS TO THE CONCERT DINNER BEFORE THE SHOW • LIVE MUSIC ENROUTE • KEG ON BOARD Visit us at any one of our 11 convenient branches in Central Arkansas. www.iberiabank.com | 68 september 5, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

RESERVE YOUR SEAT TODAY! THE ARKANSAS TIMES MUSIC BUS LEAVES LITTLE ROCK AT 3PM FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5 AND WILL RETURN THAT NIGHT AFTER THE CONCERT. WE WILL HAVE DINNER AND THEN HEAD FOR THE CONCERT AT 7:30PM.

the last baby angel "We stood, watching it burn— me crying, Momma laying on the curb, Daddy shaking his head, whispering, 'They burned the house down.

They burned the house down. They burned the house down.'" Six year old Mattie Gray is no stranger to pain and fear. Her life is a series of struggles and tragedies. But Mattie's father is her bright spot, her guardian, her hero. Only when a ghost from Nathan's past forces him to reenter the violent and criminal world he left behind does Mattie begin to realize there is a dark side to the man she calls "Daddy." Mattie's intimate relation of her struggle to understand her father, herself, and her world will touch readers in a way not easily forgotten.

Sam Calvin Brown is a native of Central Arkansas, where he lives, writes, and substitute teaches. This is his first novel.

Join Sam for his book launch Thursday, September 6, 6-9 PM at Dizzy's Gypsy Bistro.

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Book purchasers (cash only) will receive a 25% discount on pretaxed food and drink orders.

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september 5, 2012 69

No degrees of separation

T

he other day someone mentioned Razz Poe, a colorful character in these parts some years ago, whose handle won him a spot on the list I used to keep of interesting and unusual Arkansas names.

Razz Poe wasn’t as good a name as Norvel Gooley or Duford Lafoon, but it beats a hacking cough.

Razz’s first name was actually Razza, perhaps the first and only Razza this side of the Levant. He was said to be very likeable, good-natured and red-headed like so many hereabout of Irish descent, a longtime mail carrier who worked alongside my older sister Nita, the two of them retiring from the postal service at the same time, in 1981.

I know of at least four settlements in this woods’ neck that have lots of Poes, or used to.

One of these was Belfast, now long defunct, founded by a portly red-headed Poe of Irish descent who was said to have been a cousin of Edgar Allan Poe, the raven quother and horror-story master who stayed back east, among the more civilized early American Poes.

Among the better-named parochial Poes were Razz’s brother Bye Poe — did that make him bipolar? — and his half-brothers Preacher and Dude.

From the Prattsville Poe constellation was a contemporary of mine named Joe Poe. He was one of those cool guys with the

ducktail who went around with his Camels rolled up in his T-shirt sleeve. I didn’t know Joe and had no gripe ag’in BOB him except that my LANCASTER first great love — I was in the Ninth grade and she was in the Seventh — threw me over for him. I think she liked his car. That’s what I wanted to think anyhow.

I had a high-school classmate and friend named Dickie Poe. He was one of the East End Poes. Likeable, good-natured, funny, but a little scary somehow. Dickie dropped out of school before graduation, and soon after began a storied career as an underworld goon.

We all heard the lurid tales of his goonery — including the one in which the inevitable whirlwind is inevitably reaped — and believed them, and repeated them as gospel of which we had indisputable first-hand knowledge.

That’s how it goes with legends. You never know the real skinny on them till the movie comes out.

Dickie Poe had a son Todd, likeable, goodnatured, ursine but not at all scary. Todd Poe was my daughter’s boyfriend during much of their time in high school, and familial assumptions were made but Todd died young of the epochal scourge. He helped me rescue kit-

ties and one Christmas Eve — 1979, I think it was — he and I labored to save the new house from a flash flood. The midnight floodwaters might near swept both of us away.

Todd Poe’s mother, called Tootsie in her youth, had been the better half of my first real date. She and I were the back-seat pair in a double-date at the drive-in picture show, with Wally Freeman, the future Razorback baseball and basketball star, and Martha Gwin, the elusive little scamp who had dumped me previously for Joe Poe, up front.

Despite the inconstancy, and no offense to Tootsie, little Marthy (as Pap came to call her) remained the apple of my eye. Still is, for that matter, here 50 plus years later.

It hurt to see her up there in the front seat with somebody else, but if that’s how it had to be, it was good she was with ol’ Wally, whose main interest was visiting and revisiting and re-revisiting and finally pretty much camping out at the concession stand take-out window. I’m sure he would’ve pitched a tent there if he’d had one.

Haunted before and since by other Tootsie connections and Poe associations.

Warp and woof. Connections and associations so intricate and far-reaching and timejumbled that they’re almost spooky.

A couple years after that big doubledate, W.B. Freeman Sr. drove his two sons Wally and Danny up to Kansas City to see a weekend set of New York Yankee-Kansas City A’s baseball games. They invited me along and I was thrilled to go and country-

boy awestruck the entire time there. This was 1961, and Roger Maris hit several of his fabled 61 taters that weekend. I liked him OK, but Mantle more, and figured I was the only goob in the stands that weekend harboring a secret admiration for Norm Siebern, the fiery-headed underappreciated left fielder of the A’s.

But unknown to me 11-year-old Siebern fanatic Max Brantley up from Lake Charles, La., was on the scene as well. Yep, that Max. Colleagues for a coon’s age now, he and I swapped memories of those glorious diamond doings 51 years after the fact.

W.B. Freeman Sr. was my older brother Harold’s best friend growing up, and they remained close friends until Harold, who was born the same month and same year as Razz Poe, died in 2005.

Tootsie, now an Alabaman, is godmother to my grandchildren in Maryland, who until fairly recently lived in a DC suburb next door to a Baptist preacher who as a young department-store clerk working his way through Ouachita nigh 40 years ago sold my brother Harold his go-to-meeting shirts and ties and blazers and dress shoes.

Wally Freeman’s younger brother Dan has been our next-door neighbor — mine and Marthy’s — for the past 34 years.

All of this a way of saying there really aren’t 10 degrees of separation among any of us here on the third rock. There aren’t even six, as the book and movie allege. There aren’t any.

ARKANSAS TIMES CLASSIFIEDS Employment

Waste tire recylcing coordinator

The Regional Recycling and Waste Reduction District is looking for a coordinator for the recycling of waste tires. The waste tire inter-district is headquartered in downtown Little Rock and serves other regional solid waste management districts in the central Arkansas area.

Qualifications for this position include the following: a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university good oral and written communication skills good computer and math skills a team player environmental interest a professional appearance a good driving record starting salary: $30,000 - $35,000 Please submit all resumes to Desi Ledbetter at desi.ledbetter@regionalrecycling.org Deadline for resumes and applications to be received is September 17, 2012 at 4:30pm We are an equal opportunity employer

Pulaski county regional recycling and Waste reduction district 300 spring street suite 200 little rock, ar 72201 501.340.8787 www.regionalrecycling.org

70 SEPTEMBER 5, 2012 ARKANSAS TIMES 5, 2012 ARKANSAS TIMES 70 September

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AFTER DARK, CONT. Thu., Sun., 7 p.m.; Fri., Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m., $30-$35. 601 Main St. 501-378-0405. www. therep.org.

“Noises Off.” When a company of nine sets out to produce a touring comedy, frayed nerves and backstage betrayals plunge the production into chaos. Recommended for age 13 and older. Walton Arts Center’s Nadine Baum Studios, through Sept. 23: Thu., 7:30 p.m.; Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2 and 7 p.m., $10-$29. 505 W. Spring St., Fayetteville.

479-443-5600. theatre2.org.

Playwright’s Theatre: “Conduit.” “Conduit” follows the experience of Lisa Thomas, a young journalist, as she works to uncover the truth about the death of a black teenager in New Brunswick, N.J., during the 2008 election season. Hendrix College, Fri., Sept. 7, 7:30 p.m.

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

Red Octopus Theater presents: Summer in the City 2.0: The Doppelganger. Red Octopus Theater is bringing back its “beginning of the summer show” as its “end of summer show.”

Some of the sketches will be the same, but the cast is new, genders change, plots twisted.

Good guys may become evil, favorite characters may have new personalities and the

unexpected will be common place. The Public Theatre, Thu., Sept. 6, 8 p.m.; Fri., Sept. 7, 8 p.m.; Sat., Sept. 8, 8 p.m., $10 adults/$8 students, military, seniors. 616 Center St. 501291-3896. https://www.facebook.com/pages/ Red-Octopus-Theater-Co. “Vincent.” A one-man play written by Leonard Nimoy about the life and art of Vincent Van Gogh. Lantern Theatre, Sept. 7-8, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 14-15, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Sept. 16, 2:30 p.m., $12. 1021 Van Ronkle, Conway. 501-733-6220. www.conwayarts.org/index.html.

GALLERIES, MUSEUMS

NEW EXHIBITS, ART EVENTS

LAMAN LIBRARY, 2801 Orange St.: “Fighting the Fires of Hate: America and the Nazi Book Burnings,” traveling exhibit of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, through Oct. 28. Reception 6-8 p.m. Sept. 7 with music by violinist Meredith Maddox Hicks. 758-1720.

CONWAY UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS: “Baum MFA Biennial,” work by Jo Ann Block, Erica Nickol and Carmen Niichel; “Small Talk: Works on Paper by Heather Gordon,” both

Sept. 6-Oct. 25, reception 5-7 p.m. Sept. 6; “So Tiny: An Exhibition of Small Works in 3D,” Baum Gallery, through Oct. 25. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Mon.-Wed. and Fril, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thu., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 501-450-5793.

EL DORADO SOUTH ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER, 110 E. 5th St.: “Venus Gaze,” feminine visages by Jorge Villegas; “Eclectic Dreams,” assemblage art by Sheri Van Dyck, both through Sept. 28, reception 7 p.m. Sept. 7. 870-862-5474.

HELENA DELTA CULTURAL CENTER, 141 Cherry St.: “Maude Schuyler Clay: Revisiting the Mississippi Delta,” photography, through Dec. 8, opening reception 5:30-7 p.m. Sept. 8. 870-338-4350.

HOT SPRINGS Galleries on and off Central Avenue will be open 5-9 p.m. Sept. 7 for the monthly Gallery Walk.

ALISON PARSONS GALLERY, 802 Central Ave.: Work by Alison Parsons. 501-625-3001.

ARTCHURCH STUDIO, 301 Whittington: Work

by Christopher Baber, Michael Bradley, Nicole Briscoe, Susan Julie Gonzales, Dan

Grissom, Jeri Hillis, Marc Menefee, Sarah Jo Moore, Alex Oberste, Robynn & Morgan Sheets, Terri Taylor, and John Williams, opens for Gallery Walk; “Second Saturday Seminar: Build Your Own Sketchbook,” 10 a.m.-noon Sept. 8, for ages 6-16, $20. 655-0836.

BLUE MOON, 718 Central Ave.: Work by Randall Good, exhibit opens Sept. 7, Gallery Walk, and runs through November; Good will meet with people at designated times 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sept. 8 to talk about the artistic process, reservations required. 501-318-2787.

FINE ARTS CENTER, 626 Central Ave.: “2012 Diamond National Art Competition,” through Oct. 2. 501-624-0489.

GALLERY CENTRAL, 800 Central Ave: Tracee Gentry-Matthews, featured artist, live demonstration Sept. 7, Gallery Walk. 501-318-4278.

JUSTUS FINE ART, 827 Central A: Rene Hein, Dolores Justus, Donnie Copeland, Steve Griffith, Mike Elsass, Robyn Horn and others.

501-321-2335.

TAYLOR’S CONTEMPORANEA, 204 Exchange St.: Work by national and local contemporary artists, including Warren Criswell. 501-624-0516.

More gallery and museum listings at arktimes. com. www.arktimes.com September 5, 2012 71 www.arktimes.com

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

71

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