Arkansas Times - July 9, 2015

NEWS + POLITICS + ENTERTAINMENT + FOOD / JULY 9, 2015 / ARKTIMES.COM

Foster care crisis In Sebastian County, only 1 in 3 children find a home near home. Ivy Brake was one of the unlucky ones.

CHILDREN IN CRISIS:

an Arkansas Times special investigation

By Kathryn Joyce

IN 1943, THE WARNER BROS. FILM, MRS. MINIVER was nominated for 12 Academy Awards and went on to win 6

Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress. The book, written by Jan Struter about characters living through the German Blitz in London during WW II, was intended to be a stage play. But after reading the book, director William Wyler decided to bring the story to the screen. The stage version was never realized. After a long effort, ACT secured the rights to the film and story for a stage adaptation. Arkansas playwright, Judy Goss adapted the film for the stage. Now for the first time, this incredibly unexpected and moving story of 3 women trying to hold their community together during the first months of WW II will be presented on stage.

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This is a great history of Arkansas that tells how public attitudes toward medicine, politics and race have shaped the public health battle against deadly and debilitating disease in the state. From the illnesses that plagued the state’s earliest residents to the creation of what became the Arkansas Department of Health, Sam Taggart’s “The Public’s Health: A Narrative History of Health and Disease in Arkansas” tells the fascinating medical history of Arkansas. Published by the Arkansas Times.

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COMMENT

Support CALS On July 14, Little Rock voters have the opportunity to lower their annual property tax by 0.1 mill in exchange for agreeing to have the Central Arkansas Library System reissue bonds at a lower interest rate and extend the life of these bonds by 3 to 5 years. This is the same thing many homeowners do when mortgage interest rates fall and we refinance to lower our monthly note payment. If voters approve, the library will realize approximately $15 million. The money will be used to purchase thousands of new books and eBooks, buy more computers for better Internet access and expand three branch libraries: Dee Brown, Thompson, and Fletcher.

It would be difficult to find another public library system in a city our size with comparable resources that has a better track record for using taxpayers’ money to create innovative programming and inspiring public spaces. Little Rock and Central Arkansas have reaped cultural and economic dividends from the new Hillary Rodham Clinton Children’s Library & Learning Center and the Ron Robinson Theater. CALS has enriched us with special projects like the Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture and the Arkansas Literary Festival. While doing all of this, CALS has skillfully navigated the demanding challenges libraries face in a new era by providing access to digital content while maintaining the core functions of traditional libraries.

To help ensure that CALS continues to serve citizens of all ages, interests and neighborhoods, I urge Arkansas Times readers in Little Rock to vote “FOR” the proposed library bond refinance. The actual cost of the investment in our community will be about $3 per year over the life of the bonds for a taxpayer with $150,000 in real property in the county. Given CALS’ successes and many services, this is a great bargain.

Nate Coulter Little Rock

An open letter to Sen. Jason Rapert Asa Hutchinson is a career politician who’s been around for a long time. He knows how this farce of a government works. As a Republican governor he will pay lip service to the right-wing religious base in this state. He knows, like you, that will get him votes. However, while you are a young state level politician who seems to actually believe the excrement you spout, Asa has played this game on a national scale.

He knows that an extreme stance such as yours might please a few demagogues back home, but won’t do much for the bottom 4

JULY 9, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

line. While you claim to be speaking for God, Asa will bow to the real deity of the Republican Party, the almighty dollar.

Richard Hutson Rose Bud

From the web

In response to “The Banned Old Flag” (July 2): Here’s the thing. Yes. Arkansas Flag and Banner owner Kerry McCoy has the right to sell the flags. And, yes, those who have experienced the impact of racism and all that comes packed in that word firsthand, they have a right to ask her to no longer sell the flag.

The building that McCoy houses her business in was once known as Taborian Hall.

In 1918 it housed a number of blackowned businesses. The clubs at the hall hosted some of the most famous black entertainers of the time: Cab Calloway, Dizzy Gillespie, Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Louis Jordan and Nat King Cole, et al.

Taborian Hall was built in a time that black people were forced to establish their own resources. The legendary black entertainers of the time could not walk through the front door of the establishments they worked in. If they were headlining at a hotel they couldn’t eat in the dining room or sleep in the hotel.

McCoy is cognizant of this history and has done an incredible job to preserve it.

And it is exactly because of the building’s history that it seems so offensive to sell

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and profit from the very flag carried into battle to defend the institution of slavery.

That flag was the battle banner for men who started a bloody war that killed 620,000 Americans in an effort to keep slavery.

It was the banner of the KKK as it became the enforcement arm of Jim Crow laws and terrorized, brutalized and lynched black people across the South. It is because of the KKK’s activities that the first antiterrorism laws were enacted.

This same flag was resurrected in the 1940s by the Dixiecrats who opposed integration and President Truman’s proposed anti-lynching laws. Over 4,000 (almost all black) were lynched between Reconstruction and the 1960s. No antilynching law was passed due to the obstruction of Southern legislators.

The flag was then raised by Southern governors and legislatures as an act of defiance as they fought the civil rights movement tooth and nail.

The flag has been taken up by the vast majority of white supremacist groups in the nation who violently ascertain their intent to dominate, if not eradicate, people of color, especially black people.

This is the heritage of this flag.

Because of this history I believe McCoy should reconsider selling the flag and to stand in solidarity with those whose history lies in the bones of her building.

TexMexLez I am an amateur historian, so I have spent a lot of time studying the use and origin of Confederate flags.

First, the use of the Confederate flag or “poorly hidden versions” of the Confederate flag should not be flown or used as official government symbols. The argument in regard to heritage is B.S. If heritage is the case, why is South Carolina not flying the Union Jack, given it used to be a British colony?

Second, the modern use of the Confederate flag would probably make most proConfederate ancestors turn in their graves.

Not only is the wrong flag being worshipped — the flag that is so popular now is a battle flag, not the Confederate national flag — most people who display the battle flag don’t know the first thing about the history or heritage they claim to support.

I do worry about the knee-jerk reaction, including putting pressure on private citizens and vendors to stop selling or displaying the flag. The pressure to erase Confederate history entirely is extremely alarming.

In the case of Kerry McCoy, she has every right to sell the Confederate flag without being harnessed. If you don’t like it, don’t buy from her.

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JULY 9, 2015

5

EYE ON ARKANSAS

WEEK THAT WAS

“Arkansas [has a] substantial number of Hindu residents and students who would love to see a statue of Lord Hanuman, who was greatly revered and worshipped and known for incredible strength and was perfect grammarian. If permitted, we plan to make it big and weatherproof.”

—Hindu leader Rajan Zed, in a news release announcing his intent to erect a privately funded statue of Hanuman, a Hindu god with the features of a monkey, on the grounds of the Arkansas Capitol.

Zed pointed out that Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed a bill in April that will allow for a privately funded Ten Commandments monument at the Capitol, so why not Lord Hanuman?

Quote of the Week, part 2: “There are plenty of areas in the United States crying out for a counterbalance to existing graven tributes to archaic Abrahamic barbarism … . Arkansas is looking rather appealing.”

— Lucien Greaves, spokesperson for the Satanic Temple, expressing interest in providing the Capitol grounds with its own answer to the Ten Commandments: An 8-and-a-half-foot bronze statue of Baphomet, a goat-headed idol.

Quote of the Week, part 3:

The new Lost Cause Any hope that Arkansas Republicans might see the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage, not to mention rising poll numbers on the issue, as a signal to leave behind the politics of anti-gay demagoguery were dashed late last week.

The state House Republican Caucus and Senate Republican Caucus each released statements inveighing against the Supreme Court ruling and promising action. The Senate caucus provided more specifics about what opposition might look like: the introduction of legislation to protect the First Amendment rights of those who disapprove of marriage, including county clerks who don’t want to issue licenses to same-sex couples for religious reasons.

Color us surprised when Gov. Asa Hutchinson came to the rescue to swat away the bigoted posturing. “The ability of pastors, churches, and private individuals to follow their own convictions on marriage is protected under the First Amendment and has not been affected by the Supreme Court’s ruling,” Hutchinson wrote in a statement.

“In terms of further legislative action, I am not aware of any legislation that would protect county clerks from the requirements of the ruling.”

The old Lost Cause

“The president of the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest denomination in our state the last time I looked, has boldly declared on a national level that they will all refuse to submit to this unjust ruling and urged civil dis6

JULY 9, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

Confederate flags still fly high in Arkansas. The recent flurry of national pressure to remove the banner from public places (and retailers’ shelves) sparked protests last weekend in Russellville, Conway and Harrison.

Meanwhile, in South Carolina, the state Senate voted 36-3 for the once unthinkable: To remove the Confederate flag from the statehouse grounds.

BRIAN CHILSON

Quote of the Week, part 1:

obedience — why on earth would anyone not understand that message? GOP governors around the country are taking stands in support of the will of their people — why is he not doing that[?]”

—State Sen. Jason Rapert (R-Conway) in a letter to fellow senators expressing unhappiness that Gov. Asa Hutchinson is complying with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on same-sex marriage, rather than taking marching orders on public policy from SBC President Ronnie Floyd. Rapert, unsurprisingly, also sponsored the bill to allow installation of the Ten Commandments monument.

ASHES: The remains of a bird lie in a vacant downtown Little Rock building.

Off-brand Dilbert

Better late than never

Last week, Benton unveiled a new secret weapon to attract economic development: Ben, an inflatable mascot with a bald head, a large cartoon nose and a mouth open in either a smile or a sign of mania, perhaps depending on how you view middle-aged officedrone cartoons come to life.

A poll on Arkansas Online, the Arkansas DemocratGazette’s website, seemed to support the latter. Asked what readers thought of Ben, “He’s creepy/terrifying/otherwise unsettling” had amassed a sizable plurality. Not included on the poll: “He looks like a penis.” The mascot cost the city $2,500 to create.

Two Purple Hearts were awarded last week at the Capitol to Quinton Ezeagwula of Jacksonville and, posthumously, to William Long of Conway.

Long was killed and Ezeagwula wounded in the June 1, 2009, attack at a Little Rock military recruiting station by Abdulhakim Muhammad, a Memphis-born convert to Islam who’s now serving a life sentence. The awards were made possible by a recent change in law that makes members of the military who were killed or wounded in a terrorist attack on American soil eligible for Purple Hearts.

OPINION

Building a greater Little Rock

D

espite North Little Rock Mayor Joe Smith’s earlier optimism, there won’t be a special sales tax election this year, maybe ever, to see if his city’s voters would dedicate a penny to providing a new home for the Arkansas Arts Center in downtown Argenta.

The Arkansas Arts Center Foundation, the nonprofit that provides charitable support for the Arts Center, has polled voters in both Little Rock and North Little Rock about taxes to support a new arts center. In a brief statement, Smith said results in his city were “favorable.” I’ve been told two polls actually found scant support among taxpayers.

Smith emphasized that a public-private “partnership” could be successful.

But, to date, no specific commitment

on the private side has been publicly made, only a onesided potentially $100 million taxpayer investment MAX in a Little Rock BRANTLEY institution that maxbrantley@arktimes.com some regrettably view as an elitist preserve.

Also, a consultant helping the Arts Center study options for a new building apparently wasn’t impressed by the North Little Rock location. Little Rock has mentioned several potential sites, including a different patch of ground near its current home in MacArthur Park, but hasn’t been nearly so forceful as Joe Smith.

Religion as excuse upends Constitution

T

irades over religious liberty since the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriages nationwide have awakened the ghost of James Madison, the author of the constitutional doctrine on the matter, and it isn’t happy that his effort to protect religious inquiry in America is being corrupted.

The restless shade is said to be particularly disturbed that even the dissenting Supreme Court justices joined the hubbub and invoked religious freedom against gay marriages, since it was Madison who also had insisted that the court have the power to adjudicate the constitutionality of laws passed

by Congress and the states, and since his name was on the case (Marbury v.

Madison, 1803) that firmly established the court’s power to do that.

It was Madison, with an assist from his ally Thomas Jefferson, who insisted upon the establishment clause in the

Bill of Rights because he did not want to see the United States emulate European governments that ERNEST had allied with one DUMAS church or another and punished dissident religionists. As minister to France during the French Revolution, Jefferson saw how the revolutionaries that he admired beheaded the statuary of saints at the great cathedrals, a measure of revenge on the Catholic Church for the pope’s alliance with the monarchy.

Madison and Jefferson had seen it happen in their native Virginia, where the Anglican church was official. Lutherans and Baptists could not get a license from the government to preach and were jailed when they preached anyway. Madison and Jefferson battled to stop taxation

What now? The answer, I fear, is that the Arts Center will shuffle along, patching as necessary a less-than-perfect facility. What was once the state’s preeminent arts institution until the Walton-financed Crystal Bridges came along would be well served by a new home.

What’s needed — and it’s easy for me to say — is a major philanthropic commitment. No great museum lacks it.

I don’t doubt the desire of people like Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola and Downtown Mayor Dean Kumpuris to meet the perceived needs of the Arts Center. I do doubt the city’s ability to contribute any significant sum to the project. I cheered Smith’s idea if for no other reason than it had an element of vision too often lacking in our civic endeavors.

We’ll turn over tax money to keep an existing business from fleeing Little Rock for Texas. We’ll tax poor people’s groceries to provide office space to which technology industries will supposedly flock.

We ignore the clear lesson of Silicon Valley. A garage is good enough for great thinkers, particularly when propelled — not by cheap rent in a city building, but by millions in private venture capital.

Public money can build great infra-

structure. Renovation of Robinson Auditorium is one worthy example, thanks to our elastic hamburger tax that grows on visitors’ and commuters’ hotel and meal purchases despite our meager population growth. Too bad we missed a chance to do something brave and bold with the adjacent Broadway Bridge.

But there is a way to support visionaries. Voting now underway will be completed July 14 on a proposal by the Central Arkansas Library System to REDUCE the library property tax by a tenth of a mill. But the tax would be extended to pay for refinanced bond issues. Net effect: some $10 million for building and technology improvements for a system that continues to illustrate the value of infrastructure investment.

Library Director Bobby Roberts, retiring this year, has built a system of architecturally interesting, people-thronged community gathering places. They have been built to last, like government buildings once were always built. They are concrete symbols of a vibrant community.

If we are not yet ready to strike a blow for a better arts center, at least we can continue to support our library. Vote yes.

to support the Anglican church and to amend the laws to keep the government neutral on religion. Then they did the same with the national government, finally settling for a simple clause in the First Amendment.

But the new battle cries of religious freedom are for something quite different from the free inquiry and thought that Madison and Jefferson imagined they were protecting. The current take, in the wake of the marriage movement, is that government can undertake no law in any field that could abrade some belief or prejudice that someone claims is supported by his or her church’s dogma. In the case of marriage, it is the Old Testament passage where God wants his chosen people to kill practicing homosexuals. So the government violates the believers’ religious freedom when it says it will recognize the marriage of people of the same sex.

This version of religious liberty has a long history, but it was never given so much credence. Southern Baptists supported secession because the new Republican administration of Lincoln intended to violate God’s Old Testament admiration for slaveholding. Their religious freedom was being violated.

Back in the 1960s, part of my beat at the Arkansas Gazette was white citizens councils, formed to fight laws that

promoted integration and equality.

Preachers were invariably among the leaders. Rev. Wesley Pruden and Rev. M.L. Moser, citing scripture, were devout in their beliefs that God frowned on racemixing. Civil rights laws violated white people’s religious freedom.

Madison and Jefferson would have been shocked that anyone would claim religious freedom in defense of the practice of slavery, segregation or even discrimination based on race when the government finally set about to end them, although they would have defended the right of segregationists to hold those views and espouse them.

But there was Chief Justice John Roberts and two of the other three dissenters raising the specter of religious tyranny when the majority said the government should respect the right of gay and lesbians to marry and give them the same government-proffered benefits as others.

In the majority opinion, Reagan disciple Anthony Kennedy observed that legalizing gay marriages did not end the First Amendment protection for sincere religious objectors because they “may continue to advocate with utmost, sincere conviction that, by divine precepts, same-sex marriage should not be condoned.”

But Roberts was not mollified. He saw CONTINUED ON PAGE 36 www.arktimes.com

JULY 9, 2015

7

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ARKANSAS TIMES

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Cats and dogs

A

s one who has rarely owned fewer than a half-dozen dogs and cats, I’m made uneasy by people who don’t like pets. Often it’s about control issues. The sheer otherness of domestic animals offends their self-importance.

How dare a mere cat ignore them?

Equally common are worries about cleanliness. No, you don’t know where that dog’s nose has been, but probably somewhere you wouldn’t put your own.

Dogs, see, have very different opinions about what smells good. Even us country folk sometimes wish they weren’t so fond of fresh cow pies.

But if you’re too fastidious for dogs, you’re too picky for me. A house without hair on the sofa cushions and scratch marks on the legs is as barren as a rest stop on the New Jersey Turnpike.

Today’s subject, however, is felis domesticus, the ordinary house cat. Writing in Slate.com, David Grimm outlines an amusing dispute among academic scientists about whether or not the world’s most popular house pet is a domestic animal. As usual, it’s partly semantic. What exactly does “domestic” mean?

“Our feline companions don’t really need us, after all,” Grimm writes.

“They can hunt for themselves, and they go feral without human contact.” Indeed, quite a few cats live wild, a threat to songbird populations that lifestyle commissars like to blame on house pets — at least partly, one suspects, because scolding cats themselves is so futile.

Cats appear quite indifferent to human wishes much of the time. That’s partly because, unlike dogs, they read your body language instead of your face.

But it’s that sphinx-like quality that lends resonance to the argument.

Prof. Wes Warren is a Washington University biologist who participated in a recent study tracing specific genome changes that distinguish the Near Eastern wildcat from my orange tabby friends Albert and Martin — a.k.a. Inspector Clouseau and Kato the Houseboy.

Prof. Warren’s of the nondomesticated school, pointing out that house cats hunt small rodents as effectively as their wild ancestors, while dogs can’t fend for themselves in the wild. (Actually, I used to have a three-beagle pack that caught and ate rabbits and field rats all the time, but that’s a quibble.)

Dog breeds are among the oldest and most sophisticated forms of human bioengineering. Dogs began following hunter-gatherer tribes contemporaneously with the discovery of fire. They’ve

been selectively bred for centuries to perform an amazing variety of jobs, from guarding livestock (my GENE Great Pyrenees) LYONS to holding down couches (the basset hounds).

Cats arrived many thousands of years later with the development of agriculture, volunteering to do pest control in the granaries of ancient Egypt. As they were already awfully good at the one thing humans needed them for, cats have always been treated more like independent contractors, rodent control consultants, if you will.

Cats hunt, therefore they are. Unlike dogs, they’ve pretty much been in control of their own genome. Selective breeding came late, and mainly for cosmetic rather than behavioral reasons.

Even so, other scientists, such as Oxford University’s Greger Larson, think it’s foolish to call cats “semi-domesticated.”

“I’ve got two cats at home, and they’re as domesticated as any animal on earth,” he told Grimm. “There are homes where cats just sit on the couch, ignoring the dogs and primates that should be a major threat to them. That’s asking a lot of a wild carnivore.”

Which brings us back to my cats Albert and Martin. The first time Albert met Maggie, our aggressive 110-pound Anatolian-Great Pyrenees cross, she stuck her muzzle in his face and he jumped on her head. He was 12 weeks old. She adopted him as an honorary puppy, and that was that.

Albert’s other nickname is “The Orange Dog,” on account of his spending much of his time with our three-dog security team and other decidedly uncatlike behaviors. Such as following me out into the pasture to check on the cows and coming when he’s called.

One time, I got really angry with the big dogs for picking on my wife’s elderly basset hound. I ran at them, intending to give somebody a swift kick. Albert ran with me, fluffed-up, back arched and bouncing sideways — ready to throw down. If there was going to be a fight, The Orange Dog had my back.

Albert gave me a nasty bite the first time he discovered young Martin in my lap. You’d never know it to watch Clouseau and Kato play-brawling now. But here’s the thing: It was entirely their decision, an aspect of feline behavior the professors appear to have ignored.

FEATURING A SPECIAL SCREENING OF “SACRED HEART’S HOLY SOULS” AND A PANEL DISCUSSION WITH LEADING MEMBERS OF THE LGBT COMMUNITY. ARKANSAS TIMES, LITTLE ROCK PRIDE FEST AND PFLAG LITTLE ROCK PRESENT A FUNDRAISING EVENT FOR OUT IN ARKANSAS, ARKANSAS TIMES’ COMING LGBT PUBLICATION. 7 P.M. THURSDAY, JULY 16

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THE OBSERVER NOTES ON THE PASSING SCENE

Worrier

T

he Observer has become something of a worrier in our old age.

There are days when we seem to worry about everything, short of a meteorite streaking out of the blue and conking us on the head. Should we be worried about that? Maybe.

We worry about work. We worry about Spouse, and the kid, and the cat.

We worry about the persistent ticking when we start the ol’ Honda and the ticker in our own chest, though neither has given us real cause to worry.

Both seem to have been designed with durability in mind. We worry that, thanks to the recently approved monument to the Ten Commandments on the lawn of the state Capitol, the yard out front of the People’s House will soon look like Charles Foster Kane’s rec room, so full of monuments to gods big and little that our legislators will have to be helicoptered to the Capitol dome at the end of a hook every morning during the session, just so they can get inside and screw up worse.

We worry about time, slipping by, even now. That’s a nice way of saying we worry about death, of course. It’s a common worry. You’d have to be a fool not to worry about the Big Adios, even if you claim to know where we’re all going when the lights go out. The truth is, you don’t know, and neither does anybody else. We worry about anybody who says, with 100 percent certainty, they do. We worry about anybody who says anything with 100 percent certainty, but especially those who claim to have perfect clarity about the afterlife. We worry those people might be delusional.

The Observer worries about people who go to see those “Saw” movies, though we know that attendance is, more than likely, just a sort of magic ritual to ward off the WPD — the Worst Possible Death. Nobody wants the WPD. Too, The Observer knows that once we saw everyday Americans make the choice between burning to death or jumping from the second tallest building in the world on

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live television, the popcorn-flavored nightmares our culture uses to deal with its collective anxieties had to go pretty gatdamn dark to get more frightening than reality.

We worry some Prius pilot is going to blow a stop sign while texting “no I luv u mor” to her boyfriend and send us ass over teakettle in the crosswalk, The Observer’s whomperjawed black loafers coming off mid-rotation and reaching low Earth orbit before we eat the unyielding pavement at Second and Main. We worry about the hot water heater coming unglued one day while we’re at work and flooding the Observatory deep enough to play water polo in the drawing room. We worry that we aren’t getting enough fiber and exercise and that we are getting too much starch, too much television. We worry that there’s a world out there, and we’re not seeing enough of it. We worry, in a very disconnected way, about Miley Cyrus. Might be a phase on both our parts, though we have prepared ourselves for the idea that she might act like this until she’s old enough for Medicare. Seems to be working out for Madonna.

We worry that we worry too much, but we’re too worried about all that fine print in the TV ads to ever take a pill to chemically quiet this mind. We know it works for millions, and God bless ’em. But still, we worry about anybody who is taking something which says, right on the box: “May cause compulsive gambling, binge eating or hypersexuality.” We’d be cool with one of those, maybe, but definitely not all three.

We worry this has gone on too long, and that you think us a kook by now, a sack full of anxiety. It’s not like that, though. We have, over the years, found a kind of peace in our worry. It is comfortable, after all, to be able to say about whatever it is you’re worried about: “It hasn’t happened yet, thank the Lord, and may never.” It’s a troubled sort of hope, and we’ll take all that we can get.

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JULY 9, 2015

11

Arkansas Reporter

THE

IN S IDE R

The Department of Arkansas Heritage has submitted construction plans to the Arkansas Building Authority for its new headquarters at 1100 North St. and hopes to begin work in early September, according to Melissa Whitfield, communications director.

The department will use the footprint of the Muswick Building there now, but will remove the roof to add a second level and will add a wing as well. Using the foundation and walls of the building “will save us over $1 million in building costs,” Whitfield said. The site is next to DAH’s collection management facility (the former site of the Clinton archives pre-construction of the presidential library).

When finished, the building will be about 34,000 square feet; DAH currently occupies 27,915 square feet in the Tower Building at Fourth and Louisiana streets.

The 1950s facade of the Muswick Building will be torn down; Whitfield said it was simply decorative and not part of the building. Some had wondered if the agency, which includes the state’s Historic Preservation office, would leave it as an example of architecture of the era.

The agency bought the 4-acre property for $2.5 million. Construction is being financed by $7 million in bonds issued by the Arkansas Development and Finance Authority.

Witsell Evans Rasco are architects.

Candidates for legislature announce

John Maddox, a Mena lawyer, has announced on Facebook that he’ll be seeking the state House

12

JULY 9, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

BRIAN CHILSON

Heritage Department submits design for new HQ

CELEBRATION: John Schenk (left) and Robert Loyd of Conway address an admiring crowd at a June 26 victory party at Sticky Fingerz.

Together but unequal What the Supreme Court’s decision did and did not do for LGBT rights in Arkansas.

BY BENJAMIN HARDY

O

n June 26, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage is now, definitively, the law of the land in all 50 states. There’s no question that the 5-4 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges was monumental on both an historical and a highly personal scale — and yet, as many commentators and activists noted amidst the jubilation (and lamentation, in some quarters), the language of the ruling also made it clear that the fight for LGBT rights isn’t over.

Although the majority’s opinion, written

by Justice Anthony Kennedy, said the 14th Amendment guarantees same-sex couples a “fundamental right to marry,” Kennedy

was silent on the broader issue of whether sexual orientation and gender identity are classifications to be shielded from discrimination under federal law. For the time being, it’s still up to state and local governments to enact laws that ensure LGBT people are a “protected class” under civil rights law, much like race, religion and gender.

“I think it’s important to note that the court’s decision in Obergefell was really quite narrow,” said Danielle Weatherby, an assistant professor at the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville who has extensively studied the issue of marriage equality.

“There’s no change in the law with

respect to the current protections that guarantee equality in the workplace, in housing, in places of public accommodation.”

That also raises the question of how same-sex couples will now be treated in the eyes of courts and other institutions within conservative jurisdictions. In Arkansas, Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Attorney General Leslie Rutledge (both Republicans) have made it clear that county employees across the state must comply with Obergefell in granting marriage licenses. But what happens when gay and trans men and women appear before less-than-sympathetic judges in custody hearings, adoption proceedings and any number of other messy matters of family law? Given that some Republican state legislators are calling for resistance to the Supreme Court’s decision, it seems a fair question to ask whether all circuit judges — who are themselves elected officials — will automatically see same-sex couples no differently than heterosexual couples.

Stefan McBride, an attorney practicing family law in Little Rock, compared the current situation to the one in Southern states a half century ago when the Warren court CONTINUED ON PAGE 37

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THE

BIG

INSIDER, CONT.

PICTURE

Speak, Arkansas: Bob Oliver Bob Oliver, 76, started RAO Video in 1977 as a 10-by-10-foot kiosk on the corner of Main Street and Capitol Avenue. He’s relocated twice since then before ultimately purchasing 609 Main St. in 2001 and converting the 10,000-square-foot loft area above the store into his personal residence — a Hugh Hefner-style bachelor pad fit for the owner of the largest adult video collection in all of Arkansas.

The loft is equipped with two movies theaters, three custom bathrooms, a full-sized kitchen, a pool hall, an arcade, a sauna, a home gym, a home office, a master bedroom with three walk-in closets and a freight elevator.

As Oliver toured a reporter around RAO Video and the loft above, he described his life and how he got into the video rental business: In the ’40s I sang one block up from here on Eighth and Scott streets, at the Boys Club [a forerunner to the Boys and Girls Club of America]. I sang on their radio program every Saturday for almost four years. I was their star singer, and they called me Strawberry Blonde, because of my blonde hair. The only person still alive that remembers me singing on the radio is my youngest brother’s wife; she had a crush on me back then (laughs).

As a young man I worked for AT&T, which was Western Electric at the time. I was laid off in 1958 and went to work at McCrory McLellan [a now-defunct chain of five-and-dime stores] for two years, which used to be right across the street.

I was assistant manager of the lunch counter at McCrory McLellan when they had the sit-ins. Scared the shit out of me: I was back there working, I turned around, and there were 40 black people at the stools wanting service. At that time there was a black lunch counter on one side and a white lunch counter on the other. They were all sitting at the white counter and I didn’t know what to do — hell, two of the black guys were guys that worked with me. Well, the police came down and scared ’em off before anything else could happen.

After the lunch counter, I went back to work for AT&T for almost 17 years before I opened the shop in 1977.

I started with five black-and-white Westerns and five adult films on Beta tape. My mother and sister helped run the store during the day so I could continue to work at AT&T. One day while my sister was working, a guy came in the store, tied her up behind the counter, took $100 out of the register and left.

That was probably the only 30 minutes the whole time I’ve been in the video business that there wasn’t anybody else in the entire store and that’s the only problem I’ve ever had in the store. I retired from AT&T in 1989 and started work at the video store full time. When I first started, I also filmed a lot of events — quite a few weddings — and I rented out video equipment, like cameras, and video recorders, too.

I originally went into the video business because it was a new freedom; at least that’s how I saw it. Everything on television was censored, and it was hard to find anything of good quality that wasn’t. But when video came along, you could film anything you wanted to and watch it on your own TV in the privacy of your home. And I said to myself, “There’s enough dirty old men out there that this is going to be big.” That was the main reason I got in this business. If I didn’t have adult films, I wouldn’t be in business, there’s no money in regular movies.

Over the years I’ve had regular customers, with favorite titles, genres and special requests. That helped shape the collection we have now and allowed us to interact with our customers in ways that other stores just couldn’t. The reason we’re still in business and Blockbuster isn’t is because I had adult videos and offered that individual interaction. I could and would order what customers requested and I had obscure titles that the larger stores just didn’t carry. It was all about customer service; it still is. Of course I’ve had a few favorite customers over the years, but being in this business, all of your customers are good customers, it really makes it hard to pick just one.

Nowadays, I rent around 200 movies a day and receive at least 250-300 new releases a week for the adult film selection. Of course, people don’t spend as much now because we’ve got deals where you can rent five different movies a day for about $40 a month, but it’s better and cheaper than Netflix. Honestly, I could care less about Netflix, because downstairs is just a front. It’s [the adult video selection] upstairs that I care about, really. That’s where the real money is made.

— As told to Kaya Herron

seat now held by Rep. Nate Bell of Mena. Bell, who recently left the Republican Party for independent status, has said he won’t run again.

Maddox is the grandson of longtime Rep. Ode Maddox of Oden, a power in the pre-term limits days.

Ode Maddox — who served 42 years, including a number as chair of the important Insurance and Commerce Committee until term limits ended his career in 1998 — was a Democrat, as virtually all legislators were then. John Maddox is chair of the Polk County Republican Committee and promises to be a “strong conservative on both social and fiscal issues.”

Meanwhile, Joe Woodson, a North Little Rock lawyer, has announced as a Democratic candidate for the state Senate seat currently held by Republican Sen. Jane English, who narrowly defeated thenRep. Barry Hyde in 2012.

Woodson has a private practice that focuses on small business startups. His past includes work as legal counsel to former Secretary of State Charlie Daniels and director of the state Board of Apportionment. He said he’d work to promote business, improve public schools and keep people safe from criminals. He specifically mentioned the need to expand pre-K and summer education programs.

Democratic Party adds seats for Clinton appearance

The Arkansas Democratic Party said it has sold out all 1,500 $200 floor seats to the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner on July 18 at Verizon Arena featuring presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. So it is opening lower level arena seating to her speech at $15.

The party said those who’d like to get the seats can go to arkdems.org, call the party at 374-2361 or email dhupp@arkdems.org.

If Hillary Clinton isn’t your cup of tea, tickets still appear to be available through the GOP website for the Arkansas Republican Party’s fundraiser July 17 in Hot Springs featuring presidential candidate Donald Trump. He is still coping with criticism for, among other things, his characterization of some Latino immigrants as rapists. Despite this and other colorful comments, Trump is rising in Republican primary polling. www.arktimes.com

JULY 9, 2015

13

A system overloaded Why does the state take so many kids into foster care in Sebastian County?

BY KATHRYN JOYCE

I

n 2007, a 10-year-old girl from Fort Smith named Ivy Brake became the responsibility of the state. Her mother, Ivy recalled, was loving, sweet and unstable. She struggled with substance abuse for most of Ivy’s childhood.

She periodically got clean — once for a year — until, when Ivy was 10, an old boyfriend returned, and her mother started using again. Ivy and her 12-yearold sister, Kristin, left to stay with a relative, but soon after they arrived, the police showed up, asking questions about their life at home.

The police, Kristin said, were going to wait for the girls’ grandmother to come take them from the relative’s house, but the Arkansas Department of Human Services’ Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) got there first. They took the sisters to the Fort Smith Emergency Shelter, a short-term residential facility for children awaiting placement with a foster family. A juvenile court then held a probable cause hearing to determine whether the children should remain in DCFS custody.

According to Kristin, DCFS first advocated for adopting out the girls and terminating their mother’s parental rights, but a local judge, Mark Hewett, overruled DSFS, arguing that their mother should be given another chance if she could sober up.

Relatives told Ivy that her grandmother, who lived nearby, and an aunt in Texas both tried to get custody of the sisters but were told that they didn’t have sufficient space and that “that wasn’t what was best for our lives.” Instead, Ivy began a long chain of placements in foster homes and group residential facilities: to local families in Fort Smith and nearby in Cedarville, Greenwood and West Fork, but also, when the placements didn’t work out, to homes as far as Fordyce, Monticello and Texarkana.

Often the girls were placed in separate homes — a common necessity when 14

JULY 9, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

DCFS can’t find families willing to take in siblings.

Ivy and Kristin saw their mother occasionally the first year, then didn’t for many months, after she failed repeated drug screenings. About a year after the girls came into DCFS custody, their mother went on methadone, got sober and rented a two-bedroom apartment that DCFS had told her she needed to regain custody, only to have DCFS then say she needed a three-bedroom apartment, Kristin said. When she failed to find one after a few months, the court declared her an unfit mother, and her parental rights were terminated.

Although she hired a lawyer to appeal, DCFS scheduled a last visit between her and her daughters. Ivy was in the bathroom when the visit ended and didn’t get to say goodbye; several weeks later, their mother fatally overdosed on prescription medication — a bad interaction of her methadone and Ibuprofen.

Ivy can’t remember how many placements she’s had in total — maybe 15 — but knows she’s attended 19 schools throughout her life. (Frequent placements are common in DCFS. Last year, only 18 percent of children in the state foster system had lived in two or fewer homes for more than two years.) Often she was moved without warning, and frequently didn’t see Kristin for long stretches when DCFS couldn’t facilitate visitation. Some of the foster parents were kind, she said, and others less so; one of the foster homes was closed for being abusive, Kristin said. “But nothing I’ve ever been to ... ever felt like home,” Ivy said.

Until this spring, when she turned 18, Ivy was among the thousands of children in Arkansas’s foster care system, which in the past year has swelled to encompass more than 4,400 children, an all-time state high.

“That’s the most children that this agency has had in foster care,” said

CHILDREN IN CRISIS:

an Arkansas Times special investigation Funding for this reporting — the first in an ongoing series — was provided by people who donated to a crowdfunding campaign on ioby.com and the Arkansas Public Policy Panel.

REUNITED: The state foster system often kept sisters Kristin (left) and Ivy Brake apart.

DCFS Director Cecile Blucker. “We’ve got more children in the system than the state has the capacity to serve. … We’re just maxed.”

But the statewide increase is worse in Sebastian County, where Ivy came

into custody and which for years has been undergoing a quiet crisis in foster placements. As of mid-May, the county had 583 foster children, including a net gain of 63 children since last year. That’s exactly the same number as in Pulaski

County, despite the fact that Sebastian County has less than a third of the population. On a per-capita basis, it translates to far and away the highest rate of children in care in Arkansas, and children in Sebastian County remain in care longer than anywhere else in the state.

At its most obvious, the problem is that there simply aren’t enough places for Sebastian County kids to go. With just 59 foster homes providing 124 beds — a fifth of what’s needed — Sebastian County has one of most limited pools of foster homes in the state, behind 59

better equipped to meet its equivalent need. As a result, more than two-thirds of Sebastian foster children are sent out of the county at least once, often hours away from friends and family.

Because of the high numbers, caseloads for Sebastian’s DCFS staff — currently averaging 28 cases per worker, usually accounting for dozens of children — are more than double the department’s target of 15 children per caseworker (an ideal that few counties can meet). Staff members sometimes spend 10 hours a day driving children across

worker who stays longer than a year is considered a veteran. One former staffer said it took two years after being hired for her to receive entry training, because every new employee is thrust immediately into the department’s ongoing state of triage.

“We’re having a bad time over here,” said Jo Ellen Carson, a former Democratic state representative who’s also worked for many of the last 23 years as an attorney ad litem — part of the state’s stable of court-appointed lawyers who represent foster children’s interests in all Arkansas dependency-neglect cases.

“Ask me: Have you had [foster] children lately staying in hotels? Children sleeping overnight at the DHS office in Sebastian County? Children who suffered more than 20 placements?” The answer to all three questions, Carson said, is yes.

“My understanding from people who’ve been here as long as I have,” she continued, “is that this is the worst placement crisis that the state of Arkansas has ever seen.”

RACHEL PUTMAN

**

other counties. Few counties in the state do have enough foster beds to go around, but the state’s average bed-to-child ratio is nearly three times higher than in Sebastian County. Pulaski County, at .74 beds per child, is almost four times

the state, to and from their far-flung placements, and caseworkers frequently fail to meet the mandates of case plans, such as providing consistent services to families or visitation with their children.

The turnover rate is so high that a case-

On a rainy morning in early May, three white church vans pulled into a narrow alley at Fort Smith’s Stonewall Jackson Inn, a dingy one-story motel on the outskirts of town. Twenty or so people, mostly white women in their 30s and 40s, filed out of the vans and into an open motel room where they stood in an uneasy perimeter around the bed — mattress ajar from its frame, stripped of bedding and speckled with what looked like blood. The floor was strewn with beer and mini liquor bottles, empty potato chip bags and cookie wrappers. The face of the AC unit had been removed and the air in the room was as dank and stale as you’d expect from a low-rent, long-term residential motel. Members of the crowd from the church vans held their arms close, trying not to touch the walls, instinctively scratching their skin.

In the far corner, a 63-year-old veteran juvenile division officer from the Fort Smith Police Department, Detective Kris Deason, waited until everyone arrived before launching in. Though the room was staged for the guests — a simulation of the neglectful homes from which children enter Arkansas’s child welfare system — Deason repeated to all who asked, “It’s reality.” Noting the disgust of her audience, she added that it paled in comparison to what she’s seen

elsewhere over her nearly 28 years of investigating child abuse and neglect.

When officers go out on child welfare checks in Fort Smith, she said, they regularly encounter homes far worse: floors that pulse with cockroaches, odors that drive you outside, houses where the only water supply is a hose and electricity comes via extension cord run from a neighboring building. They’re homes, she explained, run by parents who only care about their next fix, who leave prescription medication out for toddlers to consume, who don’t know who’s fathered their children.

It’s been a tough three decades on the job, Deason said. She later told me she’s “pretty well fried” from the things she’s seen — including a recent case involving a 2-year-old girl raped and murdered by her uncle — and it’s made her cynical.

Her description of the horror of that abuse case circled back to the filth of the motel room.

“This is where it all starts, when the cops are called and they need to check the welfare of the child,” she told the group. “This is what we’re looking at.

You’re going to have people who never should have been parents. This is why we need foster homes.”

The staged hotel room was the start of a three-hour recruitment tour called “The Journey Home,” organized by The CALL, a Christian nonprofit that enlists and trains foster families on behalf of DCFS. For the last three years, The CALL has hosted such tours: taking prospective foster parents “into custody” for an undisclosed itinerary — whisked from dirty home to emergency shelter, from court to visitation center — meant to evoke the dislocation and powerlessness that children feel when they enter the foster system. Aside from DCFS’s internal recruitment efforts, The CALL’s advocacy represents the main avenue through which Arkansas foster parents are enlisted and trained. And the stakes, explained The CALL’s local county coordinator, Megan Scott, are high.

But Sebastian County’s placement crisis isn’t just that there aren’t enough homes, or enough caseworkers, for the children. Although the county contains just 5 percent of the state’s children, it represents 13 percent of the foster care population, for reasons that baffle even insiders.

“Why are there are more in Sebastian County than anywhere else?” asks Jack Moffett, director of the Fort Smith Emergency Shelter. “I honestly don’t www.arktimes.com

JULY 9, 2015

15

In order to justify the placement of foster children in behavioral and mental health homes, Gray said, “[the kids] had to have an issue, so they would be asked a lot of leading questions and then put on all these meds.”

One teenage girl Gray transported told her that intake staff at an institution had asked her whether she’d been feeling rage lately. “She was a 16-year-old girl, who’d just been taken away from her family and school, and she was like, ‘Of course I’m feeling rage!’ ”

know. I’m not sure that anybody does.”

He’s heard some blame higher rates of drug and alcohol abuse in the area.

Others point to Fort Smith’s decline as a manufacturing center and the poverty left in the wake of multiple factory closings. Some creatively attribute it to geography: Fort Smith is a border town, the gateway to the West, and home to a population of transients crossing back and forth. Across the Oklahoma line, a local judge said, quality of life “drops off fast” in an impoverished region dotted with casinos and poultry farms. Carson said that local law enforcement once told her a similar theory: that Fort Smith’s placement near the juncture of an interstates and multiple U.S. highways may bring bad things, including a distribution network for meth cooked in rural labs.

But there is another factor to consider: the local child welfare system, from DCFS, to law enforcement, to the court system. When the Arkansas Times began looking at more systemic issues within the state’s child protection infrastructure, a former DCFS attorney said to not think of the department as a monolith, but rather as 75 individual DCFS agencies, each with its own administration, department culture and interorganizational relationships.

That can make for a system where policy decisions seem arbitrary from county to county, where “the only consistency is inconsistency,” as one person familiar with DCFS explained. In Sebastian County, many stakeholders said it adds up to a culture of removing too many children from families that, elsewhere in Arkansas, could resolve their problems with in-home services and state support.

A former local DCFS worker, who asked to remain anonymous, said that for years she watched the agency remove children from their parents’ homes for what struck her as grossly inadequate reasons — after their parents were arrested for shoplifting, minor drug charges or DUIs — and after vari16

JULY 9, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

ous authorities, from DCFS to the police, refused to allow other relatives to take the children. The rates of child removal in Sebastian County are so high, she said, “even people who work for DCFS are nervous about their own children,” fearful that if they fail to pay a parking ticket and end up with a warrant, their kids could be taken away.

“If you get an investigator to your house, almost anyone can lose their kids,” said another former DCFS worker.

Many of the problems that the system frames as neglect or child endangerment, both argued, are often the trappings of poverty instead.

That tracks with DCFS statistics.

Although across Arkansas, 49 percent of children in care are removed because of neglect — whether drugs or the sort of disordered home represented on The CALL tour — in Sebastian County, Blucker said, an incredible 87 percent of children enter the system primarily for such reasons. Children in Sebastian County come into care more than twice as often than in the rest of Arkansas for either inadequate housing — including moving too frequently — or because parents have been incarcerated. And, reported a group of outside consultants in a 2011 review of the county, local authorities often refuse to let relatives take children — which would preclude their entering the foster system — due to suspicions that “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

Susan Hooks, co-founder and president of Fort Smith’s STEPS Family Resource Center — a nonprofit that provides space for parents who’ve lost custody to visit with their children outside of DCFS offices — said that in the majority of cases she sees, families need support and training most of all.

“There’s a small number of children that are in danger that need to be removed for their safety, but I think it’s better in the majority of cases for the child to stay in the home and for parents

to get the education they need. If they’re not getting the child to school, let’s find out why. If there are anger or substance abuse issues, let’s get them into treatment,” said Hooks, who added that local law enforcement also needs training to recognize what actually constitutes child endangerment. “Most people have the perception that kids in foster care have horrible parents. But we’re seeing loving parents that don’t always have the skills needed to be healthy parents.”

There are evidenced-based reasons to change that pattern. Jennifer Ferguson, deputy director of Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, said that the psychological damage caused by removing children from families that are merely neglectful, and not abusive, often outweighs the benefits. In June, her organization released the first report in a three-part series looking at ways for Arkansas to reduce the number of children brought into the foster system.

“There’s a lot of national talk about how you don’t want to bring children into care unless it’s the last resort,” Ferguson said. “The abused children probably need to be in the system, but for kids who are neglected, it’s counterintuitive, because it’s so traumatizing to bring kids into care.” *** After one of Ivy Brake’s foster home placements ended abruptly — Ivy said because she complained to a caseworker about how she was being treated, and a foster mother retaliated by telling the caseworker that Ivy was out of control — she said her caseworker told her, “ ‘If you leave, you’re going to a facility.’ ” She did leave, thus beginning a tour of group homes around the state. Some group homes are merely residential — short- or long-term placements for foster children with nowhere else to go. Others are behavioral facilities for children sentenced there by juvenile courts for truancy, running away or violence. Still others are mental health institutions, for children with psychiatric needs. Ivy went to all three, bouncing between facilities in Fordyce, Monticello and Texarkana. It’s questionable whether she ever qualified for behavioral or mental health admission. Although caseworkers promised Ivy that the group homes would be fun, she instead found herself in lock-down facilities, where she was compelled to follow strict rules designed for at-risk youth. She was often only allowed to

bring a small amount of clothing and was sometimes required to dress with an open door in view of facility staff; at some homes she had to keep her hands folded behind her back while she walked, and staff refused to let her call her sister.

In one of the mental health facilities, Ivy accumulated a string of psychiatric diagnoses — attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and attention deficity disorder (ADD, major depression and bipolar disorder — for which she was prescribed eight pills daily, often leaving her feeling quiet and unlike herself.

“I was just alone. They’d move me to, like, Timbuktu and I wouldn’t know anybody or have any family,” she said.

“I was just by myself, for a long time.”

Ivy’s story isn’t unique. Former Sebastian County DCFS workers said foster kids from the county are constantly “sent to behavioral” — meaning to facilities like Mill Creek in Fordyce or Valley Behavioral outside Fort Smith — when they’ve cycled through too many foster homes.

That’s a large part of the reason why Deidre Gray, a former Sebastian County DCFS staffer, ended up leaving social work after just two years. Until this April, Gray was a program assistant, scheduling and overseeing visitation, ferrying kids like Ivy around the state. Over her career with DCFS, she estimated that easily a quarter of the children she worked with were placed in restrictive behavioral or mental health facilities. That’s higher than state DCFS statistics, which show 11 percent of foster children living in general residential facilities, and an additional 4.3 percent in acute and subacute placements. (In Sebastian County, official numbers are slightly higher, with 14 percent of foster children living in general residential homes, and another 4.8 percent in behavioral and mental health facilities.) But Gray’s work transporting children exposed her to many of the latter, and she said that institutionalization seemed like a catastrophic case of overtreatment.

In order to justify the placement of foster children in behavioral and mental health homes, Gray said, “[the kids] had to have an issue, so they would be asked a lot of leading questions and then put on all these meds.” One teenage girl Gray transported told her that intake staff at an institution had asked her whether she’d been feeling rage lately. “She was a 16-year-old girl, who’d just been taken away from her family and school, and she was like, ‘Of course I’m feeling rage!’ ” It’s hard to parse the legitimacy of a diagnosis

RACHEL PUTMAN

once children have been labeled with a disorder, and often kids who end up at behavioral and mental health institutions have a paper trail from having “blown” previous foster home placements that indicates disruptive behaviors and seems to justify their treatment.

“But that’s not the real reason [the children are upset],” Gray said. “The real reason they have the behaviors is because they were taken from their family.”

When she was in 10th grade, Ivy said, she was placed with a foster family in Clarksville that wanted to adopt her, but the proposed adoption led to a conflict with her remaining biological relatives.

Ivy felt torn and decided to leave. Ultimately, last December, she ended up in a transitional living program in Fayetteville called The Bell House for Girls, run by Youth Bridge Inc., a Northwest Arkansas nonprofit that serves 3,000 youths per year. The home was a voluntary girls residence, where older teens and young adults can lead semi-autonomous lives and leave at will, and where Executive Director Scott Linebaugh said that Ivy received numerous therapeutic services.

But this February, a bed bug infestation led to its temporary closure. The problem, again, was there were no local homes to place them in, and even fewer foster parents willing to take on 17- and 18-yearold wards of the state. So the Bell House women were shipped north, to another Youth Bridge facility, the Benton County Emergency Shelter in Centerton, 40 minutes away.

The Centerton home, which also takes in children who are homeless or sentenced there by courts, had stricter rules: restrictions again on how many clothes residents could bring; no soda or coffee; and punishments that included confiscating residents’ hair products that Ivy, who is biracial, found particularly insensitive.

Linebaugh explained that, by necessity, “it’s a stricter, more structured program, simply because you have so many different types of kids that you don’t know much about, who are there for a short time, and most of whom are going through a period that’s the worst of their lives.” But even if that’s understandable, what it means for many foster children is that there’s no clear line between punitive placements for delinquent children and those who just have nowhere else to go.

“In honesty,” Blucker acknowledges, “there are probably some children that are placed in our residential group homes that should be in a foster home setting.

SAYS STATE MUST FIX ITS CHILD WELFARE FAILINGS: Former state Rep. Jo Ellen Carson.

If we had that setting.”

For the month they stayed in Centerton, the residents had to rise before dawn to take three buses to get to the high school they’d been attending in Springdale. But just a few weeks after Bell House was reopened, the women were told they were returning to Centerton so that Bell House staff could investigate an alleged drug offense involving one of the residents.

Ivy refused to go back to Centerton.

Since she’d recently turned 18, she was allowed to sign herself out, and so she did, staying with friends, sometimes sleeping in their cars, until the Clarksville family to whom she’d become close sent her money to move to a hotel so she could finish her last months of high school.

They also sent gas money so a friend of Ivy’s could transport her to school each day, but, Ivy said, the friend often failed to show, leaving her without a ride.

Though she said she’d previously taken advanced placement classes and had a 3.6 grade point average, with plans to go to college for computer science, this spring her attendance record plummeted. By state law she’d missed too much school to graduate with her class. Distraught, she dropped out, and this May watched from the audience as her friends collected their diplomas.

Since then, she’s divided her time between living with fellow former foster kids in Springdale, her unofficial “adoptive family” in Clarksville, and her sister, Kristin, and Kristin’s 8-month-old son in Fort Smith. For several months this spring, she tried to find work, applying at restaurant bars in which she’s too young

to drink. She briefly took a night shift at a Fort Smith chicken processing plant, where she worked until past 2 a.m. for a week, before deciding she couldn’t take it. She wants to earn enough to get an apartment and to return to school this fall. (“I’m not letting DHS make me into a stereotype,” she wrote me.) But several months out of foster care, she’s essentially drifting, moving almost weekly, with no phone or other steady means of staying in touch with the people in her life, and no consistent authority to help her cross the bridge from eight years of temporary, often badly matched foster homes, into independent adulthood.

Youth Bridge’s Linebaugh said that Ivy would have made an excellent candidate for another of the organization’s homes, the Julie House, which beginning in 2005 provided apartments for homeless young adults who aged out of foster care, connecting them with jobs and tuition-free college. But federal budget cuts led the home to close in 2014, and state funds haven’t made up the difference.

“That’s where this program would have been so great,” he said. “Because there are so many kids like Ivy.” *** The complex web of problems in Sebastian County isn’t new. Four years ago, DCFS hired an outside consultant group, Hornby Zeller Associates Inc. (HZA), to investigate why so many Sebastian County children entered the system, why caseloads had skyrocketed to 70 cases per worker in some instances,

why the local department failed to meet so many of its mandates for care, and why it couldn’t hold on to its staff. At the time, in 2011, 85 percent of children had been placed outside the county at least once.

Caseworkers routinely neglected to create individualized case plans for families trying to regain custody of their children or document what was happening with the kids and their parents. For those families who hadn’t lost custody, but were receiving in-home preventive services from DCFS — assistance in addressing environmental issues like cleanliness, budgeting or therapy needs — DCFS met less than a fifth of its required visits. HZA was tasked with answering one basic question: whether department decisionmaking was functioning differently in Sebastian County from elsewhere in the state.

Comparing Sebastian County with Garland County, which was chosen as representative of general Arkansas child welfare standards, HZA found that Sebastian County removed twice as many children from their homes as Garland County did. Sebastian County’s caseworkers were beyond overwhelmed, HZA reported, and as a result, case plans in the county were rarely tailored to an individual family’s needs. Instead, the demands on families to fulfill all the requirements of a case plan became almost dictatorial: an end in itself, rather than the means of assessing whether a home had been made safe.

But the report also found that DCFS wasn’t the only problem. While DCFS generally receives the brunt of periodic public dissatisfaction — whether www.arktimes.com

JULY 9, 2015

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ARKANSAS TIMES

BRIAN CHILSON

it’s accused of being too lax, and letting children slip through the cracks, or too aggressive, and dividing families unnecessarily — the department isn’t operating in a vacuum. At the time of the HZA assessment, 40 percent of Sebastian County’s referrals resulted from arrest or incarceration, usually for drug charges, and often because the police wouldn’t leave the children in another relative’s care and DCFS staff incorrectly believed those circumstances mandated removing children from the home. In Garland, that was only true of 10 percent of cases, since an independent court officer had been empowered to find immediate placements for children whose parents were arrested, preventing many from entering the system in the first place.

Further impeding family reunification, HZA found that in Sebastian County substance abuse issues usually meant automatic removal of a child, whereas Garland took a more lenient approach, distinguishing between the presence of drugs and a truly incapacitated parent.

The judicial system played a role, too, imposing what DCFS workers described as overly specific court orders for children’s care, which caseworkers struggled and frequently failed to fulfill.

In the summary of its findings, HZA stressed that it hadn’t set out to diagnose a problem that crossed multiple agencies and departments; the review had been commissioned, after all, to find out what was wrong with Sebastian’s DCFS. But what it found instead were troubles that were systemwide, where “all parties are contributing to those issues.”

That doesn’t seem to have changed.

Four years after the HZA assessment, the various stakeholders in Sebastian County child welfare are still at odds with one another. Asked about Sebastian County, DCFS Director Blucker still attributes some of the problem to an overactive police department and juvenile court judges, who order nine times more children into care for truancy than the rest of the state, and usually impose mandatory drug tests before every family visitation.

Although he recently retired, for 24 years Judge Mark Hewett was the face of juvenile justice in Sebastian County, handling around half of all cases in the county. Described by some of those who worked with him as an incredibly diligent, passionate and informed advocate for children who frequently traveled to out-of-state conferences to stay current on best practices, Hewett also had a reputation among DCFS staff for being “rough” on both families and case-

BLUCKER: The Division of Children and Family Services leader called the Sebastian County foster crisis “extreme.”

workers. If he doubted that a family had adequately addressed a dirty home, he sometimes recessed court mid-hearing to inspect the house himself. He recognized the court’s frequent flyers — parents who’d been in multiple times for neglect cases — and called them on it from the bench. And he took a consistently hard line on substance abuse problems, categorically opposed to Garland County’s practice of allowing children to remain in the homes of “functional junkies.”

“I didn’t agree with that,” Hewett said. “I think if there’s drug abuse in the home, it needs to be stopped.”

Hewett was equally hard on DCFS workers he felt weren’t doing their jobs.

He often ruled that DCFS staff had made “no reasonable efforts” to comply with a case plan — a designation that must be reported to state administration, and which can impact federal funding — and occasionally declared the local DCFS office in contempt of court for failing to comply with his orders regarding things like visitation. Sometimes he fined the department, and sometimes he threatened to require Blucker to come to Fort Smith to testify in person if an order wasn’t fulfilled by the next hearing. (“It was amazing how things then got done,” he said.) Once, when DCFS staff failed to find a respite care placement for a disabled child whose foster parents needed a break, Hewett summarily ordered two workers to take the child to a hotel and

stay with him until the parents returned from their vacation.

Most of it, recalled former legislator Carson, whom Hewett personally recruited as an ad litem, was born from the judge’s frustration with a broken system and his use of the tools at his disposal to send a message up the chain.

“He would say it’s really stupid that this bureaucracy is taking so long to get a birth certificate for this kid, or to make a simple decision, and I’m calling your boss.” He would press caseworkers testifying in court to disclose how many cases they really had, and would then go back to his chambers to call Blucker directly, telling her the department had to hire more people and equalize the caseload distribution between smaller and larger counties.

The complaints flowed both ways.

Blucker recalled talking with Hewett to impress on him that the caseworkers he censured in court had sometimes been up

all night, driving a child across the state, and that’s why visitation in another case had been missed. In one instance, Blucker said, Hewett so upbraided one caseworker during a hearing in front of the family with whom she was working that the courtroom burst into howls of laughter. She asked him: How can we ever work with that family again, after the caseworker was so publicly humiliated?

“You can’t argue the theory [of these court orders] in terms of [the child’s] best interest,” Blucker said. “You can’t argue educational stability or the benefits of allowing children to do the things that he or she was doing in their removal county.

Yet we don’t have the resources to do that from a placement standpoint.” It’s like what Blucker says she tells the legislature — which sets the DCFS budget — when they take the department to task for not meeting target numbers: “I say it isn’t humanly possible for me to meet [that] target. The staff feels like they’re being

In one instance, Blucker said, Hewett so upbraided one caseworker during a hearing in front of the family with whom she was working that the courtroom burst into howls of laughter. She asked him: How can we ever work with that family again, after the caseworker was so publicly humiliated?

charged with doing things that they just cannot do. And they’re correct in that.”

But the wariness of DCFS workers who feel constantly under fire seems to have led to a critical breakdown between the different members of the child welfare system in Sebastian County. Detective Deason said relations between police and DCFS workers have improved in recent years, but are still strained. Insiders said there’s similar tension between DCFS and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates, a volunteer network of professionals who work with foster children). Carson and Hewett added that the department has an openly hostile attitude toward court-appointed ad litems. DCFS attorneys, Carson said, have instructed caseworkers not to talk to the children’s lawyers and even created an unofficial “blackball” list of ad litems who have embarrassed DCFS in court, and with whom caseworkers are warned to avoid sharing information. (“Caseworkers have said to me, ‘I can’t talk to you.

You’re going to get me in trouble,’” Carson recalled. “There have been blanket statements that ‘We don’t trust you.’ ”) Carson said that when she returned to ad litem work in Fort Smith in 2005, after leaving the legislature in 2002, a group of fellow ad litems (including Hewett’s replacement on the bench, Leigh Zuerker) told her she’d been blackballed straight out of the gate, since she’d sat on a legislative committee that oversaw DHS. The result, she said, is a department culture that is insular, suspicious and sometimes outright obstructionist, unwilling to talk about the intense challenges it’s facing, lagging in sharing necessary court documents.

“It’s a bit of a fortress over there,” Carson said. “Everyone turns inward and secretive, like it’s us against the world, we’re holding a finger in the dike. …We have to say to Sebastian County [DCFS] that it’s OK to sit down with the ad litems, the judges, anyone involved in the team.

It’s OK for us to sit down and share our failures so we can figure them out.”

The problems in Sebastian County, Blucker warned, are extreme, and not a representative picture of the larger DCFS system. But they’re also not unique. The foster care population has grown across the entire state, and the interlocking crises responsible for that fact don’t boil down to any one cause, let alone a clear villain.

Blucker and state politicians attribute the problem partly to growing drug use, but it seems as accurate to consider how substance abuse is treated; the rate of removing children from their homes for drug-related reasons has leapt from 18

percent in 2008 to 56 percent today, even though statistics from the Arkansas Crime Information Center show a generally static rate of drug arrests over the last seven years. (Arrest figures may not account for all substance issues that become part of DCFS cases though, since prescription drug abuse is prosecuted more rarely.)

Lack of funding — whether to hire and retain more caseworkers (Blucker says she only has a third of the workers necessary if the department were to try to meet its 15-child-per-caseworker target), to bet-

ter compensate foster parents, to provide more services to poor and struggling families, or to run transitional homes for former foster children like Ivy Brake — also plays a role, as do the disparate cultures of local child welfare stakeholders, who approach the same problems with starkly different philosophies.

To Hewett, for example, the problem isn’t that Sebastian County takes too many children, but rather that other counties likely aren’t investigating homes thoroughly enough. “I really didn’t think

there were any kids in the system that shouldn’t have been,” he said, adding that even Sebastian County has failed to investigate some reports thoroughly enough.

Pointing to the same case that Detective Deason referenced on The CALL tour — the death of the 2-year-old girl, whose abuser recently pled guilty to the charges — he said, “That’s a child that should have been in custody who wasn’t.”

But this too leads to larger, longstanding debates across the country about how CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

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Protecting a child’s mental and behavioral health: A guide

C

hildhood is a time of significant physical, emotional and mental change and growth. It’s a time of great vulnerability, and the experiences children have will shape their futures. In fact, the Adverse Childhood Experiences Survey, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Kaiser Permanente, has shown there is a direct link between trauma experienced in childhood and a higher likelihood of depression, drug abuse, obesity, chronic illness and premature death. But it’s not just trauma like sexual abuse that can affect a child’s mental well-being—conditions like anxiety and mood disorders can affect children from stable, loving homes.

It’s important that every child have access to effective care to treat or prevent mental health problems.

In this special section presented by the Arkansas Times, area mental health professionals offer advice and resources to help adults help the children in their lives.

Signs of mental illness Identifying the signs of mental illness in a child can be difficult, but there are a few things you should be mindful of if you notice them.

“The key here is ‘functional impairment’,” Darren Reeves, MSW, outpatient and community services director for Youth Home, said. “If there is little or no impact on functioning in key life domains like family, 20

JULY 9, 2015

school or work, then there may be no significant problem that needs to be addressed. Signs of impairment would be significant and persistent changes in one’s typical daily functioning.”

Ally Orsi, a licensed clinical social worker for Psychiatric Associates of Arkansas, said children may exhibit different signs depending on their age: •

Infants and toddlers: Ask your pediatrician if your child is reaching important milestones

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•

•

like sitting up, walking and talking.

School-age children: Failing grades, fear or refusal to go to school, frequent fighting at home or school, and frequent complaints about headaches or stomach aches may be an indication something is wrong. Anxiety and depression can cause physical discomfort, and the child lacks the ability to understand emotional distress as anything more than a stomach ache or body pains.

Teenagers: A teen who avoids school, has fall-outs with peers or is going through a breakup may require mental health attention.

For children of all ages, adults should be on the lookout for irritability and crying spells, aggression, a child who is isolating himself from friends and family, or inappropriate phone or Internet usage, Orsi said.

Refusal to comply with rules or drug and alcohol abuse are also red flags.

If a parent or concerned adult sees a child with impaired daily functioning and the signs listed above, they can seek advice, an evaluation or referral from the child’s primary care doctor, school counselor or other mental health professional.

Dealing with the aftermath of abuse

Child abuse, whether it’s sexual, physical or emotional, is something no one wants to think about, but unfortunately it happens to thousands of children each year. While in most cases the physical trauma will eventually heal, the psychological scars can last a lifetime, which is why it is vitally important that child victims receive care as soon as the abuse is disclosed.

“The first line of defense is seeking behavioral health care,” John Phillips, MS LPC, the clinical coordinator for client care at Living Hope Southeast, said. “If there’s physical or sexual abuse, they also need to be seen by a medical doctor—the sooner the better for evidence collection.”

He said children may be reluctant to speak up about abuse for a variety of reasons: If the home is dysfunctional, they may think the behavior is normal, or the perpetrator may have threatened the child.

“The child needs to feel that the person they talk to is a person who will help them find a solution,” Phillips said.

School counselors can make referrals for mental health treatment, and providers like Living Hope Southeast provide counseling services on-site at several schools in the Little Rock School District.

There are a variety of treatments to help children heal in the aftermath of trauma, from eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy to trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. No matter what type of treat-

ment is chosen, it’s important that child victims receive multiple supports, including support groups, individual counseling and family counseling, said Misty Juola, LPE, director of clinical services for Rivendell Behavioral Health Services of Arkansas.

Signs of abuse Children who have experienced abuse may show symptoms different from those associated with possible mental illness. John Phillips, MS LPC, the clinical coordinator for client care at Living Hope Southeast, said one complicating factor is that if the abuse is inflicted when the child is very young, they won’t have the verbal skills to talk about what’s happening. He said sometimes victims don’t disclose abuse until they’re 7 to 10 years old because that’s the age where they become aware the abuse is not normal. Phillips said children suffering from abuse may display the following behaviors: • • • • •

Difficulty sleeping Difficulty focusing Explosive anger Inability to tolerate conflicts, setbacks or mistakes Extreme hyper-sensitivity

Finding a therapist With the many different types of therapies out there—from cognitive behavior therapy to process therapy to solution-focused, brief therapy—the process of finding the right therapist

for your child or family can be a daunting process.

“When someone is deciding on an agency and therapist, often they ask other trusted relationships for referral, research websites online and/or request a phone contact to discuss options,” Darren Reeves, MSW, outpatient and community services director for Youth Home, said. “It is wise to inquire if the clinic/therapist uses evidence-based practices that have strong research showing effectiveness, and are listed on the SAMHSA website.”

It’s also important to ensure the therapist you work with has experience in dealing with the specific issues you’re seeking services for, said Misty Juola, LPE, director of clinical services for Rivendell Behavioral Health Services of Arkansas.

For example, if a child is suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder or anxiety disorders, they may respond best to a combination of play therapy and cognitive behavior therapy as well as a good behavioral plan like Exposure Response Prevention, Ally Orsi, a licensed clinical social worker for Psychiatric Associates of Arkansas, said. Orsi said parents should also feel comfortable asking questions of the therapist.

“Some questions to ask a therapist might include, ‘How long will treatment last?’ or, “How much contact or family involvement can we expect during treatment?’” Orsi said.

A new resource to treat drug

addiction

services and eventually develop a long-term inpatient program.

Behavioral Health Services of Arkansas, a division of Youth Home, recently launched a new outpatient drug addiction treatment program, the first of its kind in the state. Known as the Seven Challenges Program, it was developed by Dr. Robert Schwebel to be a developmentally appropriate substance abuse program for ages 11 to 24.

“It meets the kids where they are and teaches the child to weigh the costs versus the benefits of using drugs,” Margaret Robbins, LCSW, clinical therapist for the Seven Challenges Program, said.

Developed in 1991, this evidencebased program is in use in 32 states and seeks to address the underlying causes of drug and alcohol abuse, while at the same time teaching kids how to be honest, take responsibility, measure risks and make healthy, informed decisions.

Robbins said one feature of Seven Challenges is that clients move through the program at their own pace. The program incorporates individual counseling and group sessions, but what sets it apart are the nine journals participants must work through before they complete the program.

“It can be embarrassing and awkward to talk about things out loud for these kids,” she said. “It’s unbelievable to see how they respond with the journals.”

Plans are to expand the program to provide more intensive outpatient

Should you medicate your child?

A common question that arises in the pursuit of help for a psychologically or psychiatrically distressed child is whether or not to use medication. It can be very challenging and even a controversial topic.

“Since children’s brains are still growing, it is understandable for parents to worry about psychotropic medications,” Ally Orsi, a licensed clinical social worker for Psychiatric Associates of Arkansas said. If a child can’t participate in life or experience happiness, can’t succeed or even go to school, or is worn out from doing rituals from obsessive-compulsive disorder, it may be time to talk to the child’s pediatrician about a referral or evaluation, she said.

“I think that, in many cases, it is quite helpful to generalize the question about whether to medicate a child by the way of analogy to the broader question of whether or how to treat children with any number of medical problems,” Shawn Duncan, RN, director of nursing for Rivendell Behavioral Health Services of Arkansas, said. “For example, would a parent hesitate to treat a child if a doctor diagnosed them with Type 1 diabetes, assuming that treatment would include insulin injections and finger-stick blood sugar checks? Would you hesitate to medicate if your child was diagnosed with a seizure disorder and you were told you had to medicate your child daily to assist

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Working to help people grow toward health and their full potential We are experienced in treating psychiatric conditions including depression, anxiety, bipolar illness, psychosis, dual problems with alcohol or drug abuse, mental trauma and other conditions affecting the brain.

Marcela Johnston, Ph.D

Ally Orsi, LCSW

Dr. Marcella Johnston, Ph.D. and Ally Orsi, LCSW, specialize in treating psychiatric and behavioral disorders of adolescence and childhood.

The staff of Psychiatric Associates of Arkansas

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21

in prevention of further seizures? I don’t think in any of the above situations parents would hesitate to treat due to implications.

Psychiatric disorders are actual disorders and shouldn’t be viewed any differently.”

Duncan stressed the importance of consulting with a psychiatrist, psychologist or licensed therapist if a parent suspects their child may be suffering from mental health issues. These professionals have the training and experience to diag-

nose any problems and help the parent create an appropriate care plan for their child that may include both therapy and medication.

“Psychotherapy has been shown as effective as medication in many conditions in the early course of treatment,” he said. “In persistent, more complicated cases, frequently studies show the best outcomes result from the combinations of medications and therapy.”

For a full set of resources or additional information, contact the following behavioral health organizations: The BridgeWay Bruce Trimble, Business Development Director 21 Bridgeway Road North Little Rock, AR 72113 501-771-1500

Chenal Family Therapy, PLC Ken Clark, MA, LMFT Clinical Director 10800 Financial Centre, Suite 290 Little Rock, AR 72211 501-781-2230 With locations in North Little Rock and Conway

Living Hope Southeast Michael Grundy, CEO Little Rock Clinic & School-Based Services 10025 West Markham Street, Suite 210 Little Rock, AR 72205 501-663-5473 Hot Springs Clinic 3604 Central Avenue, Suite C Hot Springs, AR 71913 501-623-9220 Monticello School-Based Services 600 Hwy, 425 North, Suite B Monticello, AR 71655 870-224-0438

Pinnacle Pointe Behavioral Healthcare Center 11501 Financial Centre Parkway Little Rock, 72211 501-223-3322

Psychiatric Associates of Arkansas Dr. Marcela Johnston, Ph.D Ally Orsi, LCSW 9601 Baptist Health Drive, Suite 1050 Little Rock, AR 72205 501-228-7400

Rivendell Behavioral Health Services 100 Rivendell Dr. Benton AR 72019 501-316-1255 22

JULY 9, 2015 Special Advertising Supplement to the ARKANSAS TIMES

Suicide prevention in teens and children

By Megan Holt, LCSW Director of Clinical Services, The BridgeWay

A

s reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is currently the 10th leading cause of death in the United States.

In fact, the number of suicides per year has been increasing since 2010.

Teen suicide in particular is the third leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 24, making it a growing health concern, according to the CDC. Even with this dismal statistics, suicide is a preventable health concern. For this prevention to be successful we all must play a part.

There is no simple explanation for suicide. Suicide is often precipitated by a multitude of stressors and combined with an ease of access to lethal means brings about a potent mix strong enough to push a person to consider death by suicide. While suicide is the most catastrophic outcome, for every completed suicide there are many more attempted suicides or an even greater number of individuals thinking about suicide.

Definitions •

•

Suicide is death caused by selfdirected injurious behavior with intent to die as a result of the behavior.

Suicide attempt is a non-fatal self-directed potentially injurious behavior that may or may not result in injury with intent to die as a result of the behavior.

•

Suicidal ideation is thoughts of suicide that can range in severity from a vague wish to active suicidal ideation with a specific plan and intent.

Warning Signs of Suicide

While the No. 1 predictor of completion of suicide is a past attempt, there

are up to 72 other recognized warning signs. Some of the most common signs among teens include: • Talking about suicide • Untreated mental health disorder • Recurrent physical or sexual abuse • Death of a parent or close relative • Prolonged, serious family conflict • Traumatic break-up with a boyfriend or girlfriend • School failures or other major disappointments • Persistent bullying, harassment, or victimization by peers • Sexual orientation confusion

Behavioral changes to be alert to include: • • • • • • • • • •

Change in mood, including increased irritability Increased use of alcohol or drugs Acting more impulsively or recklessly Withdrawal from activities they once enjoyed Isolating themselves from family and friends Giving away their belongings or favorite possessions Looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching online for materials or means Change in sleep patterns Visiting or calling people to say goodbye Aggression

A warning sign does not mean automatically that a person is going to attempt suicide, but it should be responded to in a serious and thoughtful manner.

Prevention If your child is experiencing some of the warning signs above, you should immediately restrict access to any means of suicide. This includes limiting access to prescription medications, firearms and other weapons, and pesticides. When talking to your child about suicide, use a calm tone, ask directly about suicide, let them know that you love them, convey how important they are and be empathetic to their stress. Seek professional help when the child describes several of

the warning signs above.

In your own home, build up protective factors that fight to reduce the likelihood of suicide, such as increasing family connections. Plan family game nights, family meals or regular family meetings where your child feels welcome to discuss their stressors. Help train your child to use problem solving skills and demonstrate ways to handle conflicts without violence. Cultivate cultural and religious beliefs that discourage suicide and support self-preservation. Consider getting your child involved in activities that are positive experiences that they can be successful at, and monitor their whereabouts and communications (i.e. text messages, Facebook, Twitter) with the goal of keeping them safe.

Myths about Suicide

Myth: If you talk about suicide it may encourage them to commit suicide.

Truth: Talking about suicide does not cause suicide. In fact, talking about suicide reduces its stigma and gives someone the option to rethink their decision.

Myth: You must have a mental health disorder to be suicidal.

Truth: Persons were suicidal thoughts do not necessarily have a mental health disorder. In the same light, not everyone with a mental health disorder has suicidal thoughts.

Myth: Suicides happen suddenly and without warning.

Truth: Most suicides are preceded by warning signs, such as those written above. This is why wide-spread knowledge of the signs may help prevent further suicidal behaviors.

Myth: People who talk about suicide are just seeking attention.

Truth: People talking seriously about suicide are seeking help and emotional support.

Myth: Someone who is suicidal is seeking to die.

Truth: Suicidal persons are often ambivalent about living or dying.

They are often sad, hopeless and feel as though they have no other option.

They may react impulsively and later feel as though they would like to live on. Providing emotional support and referrals to professionals during these times is imperative.

Mental Health Advocates for Children and Adults for Over 25 years.

Delivering outpatient behavioral health services which focus on bringing lasting improvement to the quality of people’s daily lives

Treatments for

Anxiety Disorders • OCD • Panic Disorders • PTSD Social Anxiety Disorder • ADD and ADHD Bipolar Disorder • Depression For 24-hour Crisis Assistance, Call toll free 866-544-5473 Offering Services in: Little Rock • Hot Springs • Monticello Visit lhsoutheast.com for additional information on services and locations Special Advertising Supplement to the ARKANSAS TIMES

JULY 9, 2015

23

Arts Entertainment AND

A A C s M S T a

ARTISANS’ GEMS, ON EXHIBIT AT THE HISTORIC ARKANSAS MUSEUM: Among other works, the “Arkansas Treasures” show includes (from top left, above) Doug Stowe’s pottery, Beatrice Stebbing’s stained glass, Robyn Horn’s wood sculpture and (below) James Cook’s knives.

t “ I B L o i m s h

C c d L i i c

p m m o

ON HIS ROCKER: Dallas Bump, in the Bump Rocker, at his workshop in Bear.

L 3

Treasured boxes

By Stowe, as well as Popow eggs, Cook knives and more, at HAM.

BY LESLIE NEWELL PEACOCK

T

he handmade rockers, quilts, knives, psyanky eggs, fiddles and more that go on exhibit July 10 at the Historic Arkansas Museum are treasures made by treasures — the Arkansas Arts Council’s Living Treasures.

Dallas Bump is the rocker maker.

Irma Gail Hatcher, the quiltmaker. J.R. Cook, the bladesmith. Lorrie Popow, the egg artist. Jim Larkin, the potter.

Violet Hensley, the fiddle maker. They are just six of the 14 Arkansas Living Treasures, chosen by the Arts Council since 2002 for their work preserving and advancing their craft.

“Art. Function. Craft. The Life and Work of Arkansas Living Trea-

sures” will also feature documentary films made of several of the artists, a HAM project to bring the Living to life. Filmmakers and photographers Dave Anderson, Gabe Gentry, Greg Spradlin, Nathan Willis, Kat Wilson and Joe York worked with HAM on the project.

The exhibit opens with the 2nd Friday Art Night event from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., where Clancey Ferguson, threetime state fiddle champion, will play and Saddlebock Brewery will serve its craft brews.

That will make it an evening of Arkansas artisans of all ilk.

The other Living Treasures include three potters — Jim Larkin, Winston

Taylor and Peter Lippincott; two wood sculptors — Doug Stowe and Robyn Horn; log cabin builder Robert Runyan; woodworking plane crafter Larry Williams; basketmaker Leon Niehues; and stained glass artist Beatrice Stebbing. Here is some brief information about the artisans whose work HAM will display: Lorrie Popow, 2015 Living Treasure: The Arts Council is honoring a traditional Ukranian art form in their choice of Popow: A Chicago native who moved to Hot Springs in 1973, Popow decorates eggs using the lostbeeswax and dye psyanky method. She also paints, carves, filigrees, etches and decoupages her eggs. Psyanky eggs were created to ward off bad spirits.

Who could feel bad around a pysanky egg?

Robert Runyon, 2014: Runyan, who lives off the grid in Winslow,

builds log cabins without benefit of modern machinery. Instead, he uses teams of mules to haul wood, antique axes and other tools to shape the timbers and wood notching and pegs to join them together. His work includes Underwood-Lindsey Pavilion at Mount Sequoyah Woods and the Yellow Rock Overlook at Devil’s Den Park.

Dallas Bump, 2013: Bump has been making rockers, as his father, grandfather and great-grandfather did before him, in Bear (Garland County) with 100-year-old tools and without glue or bolts. The “Bump Rocker” is the most popular of his chairs.

Jim Larkin, 2012: Larkin and his wife, Barbara, have operated Fox Pass Pottery outside Hot Springs for more than 40 years, where they mix their own clays and make their own glazes; Larkin has also built several woodCONTINUED ON PAGE 37

24

JULY 9, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

“ a L h “ J i b W s a w b h t W h p G s r M t i a p fi m

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

A&E NEWS AT 7 P.M. THURSDAY, JULY 16, the Arkansas Times, Little Rock PFLAG and Central Arkansas Pridefest will host a special screening of Little Rock director Mark Thiedeman’s “Sacred Hearts, Holy Souls” to benefit Out in Arkansas, the Times’ coming LGBT publication. Tickets are $25.

A coming-of-age story about a gay teenager at a Catholic boarding school, “Sacred Hearts” has been widely praised: It won the Charles B. Pierce Award for Best Film Made in Arkansas at the 2014 Little Rock Film Festival, and Philip Martin of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette called it one of last year’s best releases. Filmmaker magazine has called Thiedeman “a star,” and The Hollywood Reporter said he was a director to watch.

Following the screening, Hendrix College professor and Arkansas Times columnist Jay Barth will host a panel discussion with Thiedeman and local LGBT leaders about the fight for equality in Arkansas post-Obergefell. A reception in the lobby of the theater will follow with complimentary drinks and light appetizers.

Out in Arkansas will be a daily online publication focused on the LGBT community in Arkansas. To donate or for more information, visit arktimes.com/ outinark.

To purchase advance tickets, call Kelly Lyles at the Arkansas Times at 501-4923979.

“SWALLOW ME WHOLE,” THE award-winning graphic novel by North Little Rock native Nate Powell (who has earned acclaim more recently for “March,” his collaboration with U.S. Rep. John Lewis), is in development as an independent feature film to be directed

by Luke Slendebroek, according to the Washington Post. “He’s a brilliant and sincere fellow, and I think our creative approaches complement each other well,” Powell said, going on to call the book “the creation that’s closest to my heart.” Powell also says he will write the screenplay. “With ‘Swallow Me Whole,’ Nate instantly pulled me in with his artwork, which seemed to be equal parts Southern Gothic, John Hughes and German Expressionism,” Slendebroek said. “However, on a deeper level what resonated with me most about ‘Swallow Me Whole’ was Nate’s delicate and fantastical portrayal of mental illness. There is a history of mental illness in my family, and through Nate’s work, I was able to put myself in their shoes and experience firsthand what it’s like to grapple with mental illness on a daily basis.”

IT'S THE PARTY TO THE PARTY! Ride the Arkansas Times BLUES BUS to the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena

It's the 30th Anniversary and we're bringing the partY with us!

Join us 0ct. 10 for featured headliner

Taj Mahal $109 per person

PRICE INCLUDES: Round-trip tour bus transportation Tickets into the gated concert area Bus transportation provided by Lunch at a Delta Favorite Arrow Coach Lines Live blues performances en route to Helena CHARGE BY PHONE OR MAIL CHECK OR Plus Beverages on Board MONEY ORDER TO: All Major Credit Cards 501-375-2985

Arkansas Times Blues Bus 200 E. Markham, Suite 200 Little Rock, AR 72201 www.arktimes.com

JULY 9, 2015

25

THE TO-DO

LIST

BY DAVID KOON, LESLIE NEWELL PEACOCK AND WILL STEPHENSON

FRIDAY 7/10

‘MAD MAX 2: THE ROAD WARRIOR’ 10 p.m. Ron Robinson Theater. $5.

There is a certain kind of optimism to postapocalyptic cinema. It’s the genre that says: While the shit may in fact be hitting the fan all around us, as long as we’ve got time to project pictures of Armageddon on a wall, we’ve still got time to turn things around. Such is the case with director George Miller’s 1981 octane opera “Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior.” It’s deservedly a classic of the genre, the story of a former cop [Mel Gibson] who roams the blasted wastes, where warring tribes scramble after the world’s last drops of fossil fuel. Equal parts extended car chase and morality play, “The Road Warrior” is clearly the seed corn for Miller’s recent blockbuster sequel “Mad Max: Fury Road.” Let’s just pretend “Mad Max 3: Beyond Thunderdome” doesn’t exist, shall we? Bonus: If you miss this screening, Riverdale 10 will be screening “The Road Warrior” again at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, for $5. Our cup of guzzoline doth truly runneth over. DK

SUNDAY 7/12

JIM ADKINS

10 p.m. Juanita’s. $15.

‘DANCING DAYS’: Robin Tucker and 83 other artists will be featured in the Arkansas Arts Center’s 57th annual Delta Exhibition, opening Friday.

FRIDAY 7/10

57th ‘DELTA EXHIBITION’ Arkansas Arts Center. Free.

Juror George Dombek has chosen 88 works by 84 artists for the Arts Center’s annual regional show, numbers that happen to exceed last year’s show by 23 (works) and 11 (artists). Will the bigger show be better than last year’s really fine exhibition? We’ll have to show up Friday and find 26

JULY 9, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

out. The exhibition, open to artists in Arkansas and contiguous states, includes 23 artists from the Little Rock area and another 23 from the rest of the state. The list includes several past Delta exhibitors: Sheila Cantrell, Taimur Cleary, Debi Lynn Fendley, Ted Grimmett, Neal Harrington, Dennis McCann, Jason McCann, John Salvest, Katherine Strause,

Robin Tucker and Louis Watts among them. Dombek, a nationally recognized Arkansas artist, also chose the winners of the $2,500 Grand Award and two $750 Delta Awards, to be revealed when the show opens. For a complete list of Arkansas artists in the show, check Rock Candy on the Arkansas Times’ website. LNP

Jim Adkins is 39 years old and lives in a midcentury ranch house in Phoenix with his wife and three children. He sings in a band called Jimmy Eat World, which began recording music in 1993 and became very famous in 2001. A single from that year, “The Middle,” reached No. 5 on the Billboard charts and earned the band appearances on national television shows like MTV’s “Total Request Live,” which no longer exists. Some of Jimmy Eat World’s fans preferred its earlier work, which they believed communicated anger and sadness more viscerally. Other fans — newer fans — disagreed. I don’t know how Adkins felt about it. The band began to seem part of a generation of artists who appealed to preteens with disposable incomes (upper middle-class, white) with songs that sonically drew on punk rock and post-hardcore, but with added string sections and explicit sentimentality and more expensive production values and a sense of emotional yearning that spoke to a segment of the adolescent experience.

The zeitgeist has continued on in other directions — like a lighthouse, it illuminates part of the landscape only briefly, before transferring its light elsewhere. Jimmy Eat World has recorded other albums since then that haven’t intruded as noticeably into the mass pop-culture conversation.

As Katherine Anne Porter once wrote, “The past is never where you think you left it.” WS

IN BRIEF

THURSDAY 7/9

SATURDAY 7/11

SEBASTIAN BACH

9 p.m. Juanita’s. $20.

One easy, fascinating exercise in the history of 20th century pop music subcultures is to compare two articles on the band Skid Row from the same magazine (Spin) published in 1989 and 1996. In the first, front man Sebastian Bach is 21 years old and couldn’t be happier. “I think, fuck dude, you are some lucky son of a bitch,” he says about himself. The article recounts some of his tour exploits, which seem designed to encourage “Hammer of the Gods”-style rock mythologizing.

He invites a whole audience (2,000 kids) back to his hotel room, leads a bunch of 13-year-olds in a “rous-

ing chant of ‘fuck you.’ ” This man’s future is bright. But the ensuing years turned out to be significant in terms of the behavior and aesthetics and expectations of rock bands — 1991 being “The Year Punk Broke,” etc.

Things changed. In 1996, the journalist Lynn Snowden goes on tour with Skid Row, and the article is a joke. “Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow,” it’s called. “There would have been three limos out there in the old days,” the band’s tour manager tells her, sadly, before a gig. She asks Bach about his old leather pants, which had been iconic. “They’re rotting in the basement,” he tells her, maybe joking, before compar-

ing the alternative rock revolution to “Revenge of the Nerds.” The contrast is striking — as is the unavoidable fact that Bach was kind of a dick. “No one [in Skid Row] has overdosed on drugs or shot themselves in the head,” he says, explaining why he believes Kurt Cobain’s approach supplanted his own. Reading both articles, it becomes interesting that Bach, a man once criticized for performing in a T-shirt that read “AIDS Kills Fags Dead,” continues to make a living at this at all. But then maybe that’s the lesson of this exercise: that hate and cynicism, if coupled with nostalgia, will always win. WS

The American Taekwondo Association continues its World Expo at the Statehouse Convention Center through July 12. The Arkansas Travelers play the Midland RockHounds at Dickey-Stephens Park, 7:10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, $6$12. Comedians Sam Demaris, Shane McConaughy and John Tole perform in a triple feature at the Loony Bin at 7:30 p.m., $7 (and at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Friday and Saturday, $10). Rodney Block and The Love Supreme perform at The Joint as part of its Music Innovators Series, 7:30 p.m., $10. The Shadowboxers are at Stickyz at 8:30 p.m., $8. Little Rock punk band Black Horse plays a record release at the White Water Tavern with Trophy Boyfriends, Listen Sister and The Hacking, 9:30 p.m., $5.

FRIDAY 7/10 Shape-shifting Little Rock rapper 607 (whose most recent album, “Revenge of the Nerd,” was released last month) performs at Revolution with ItsJusBobby and Quarterpiece, 9 p.m., $10.

That Arkansas Weather plays at the Afterthought, 9 p.m., $7.

SATURDAY 7/11 “Song of the Sea” screens at the Ron Robinson Theater at 2 p.m., $5, and “The Godfather Part II” screens at 7 p.m., $5. Homewrecker plays at Vino’s with Snakedriver and Lifer, 7:30 p.m., $8. Cons of Formant are at the Afterthought, 9 p.m., $7. The Big Dam Horns play at Stickyz, 9 p.m., $6. Nashville’s Kent Goolsby and The Gold Standard are at the White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m.

SUNDAY 7/12 Juanita’s hosts The Secret Sisters for an early show (before Jim Adkins), with openers Goose, 7 p.m., $15. Austin songwriter Patrice Pike is at Stickyz, 8 p.m., $10.

FREEDOM FLIGHT: Shuggie Otis performs at Stickyz at 8 p.m. Wednesday, $20-$30.

WEDNESDAY 7/15

SHUGGIE OTIS

8 p.m. Stickyz. $20-$30.

“I would have loved to tour the world, but it just didn’t work out,” Shuggie Otis told a reporter in 2001, back when he hardly ever spoke to reporters. The guitarist and singer-songwriter, who was born Johnny Alexander Veliotes Jr. — the son of the great Johnny Otis, godfather of rhythm and blues (who in addition to his own career discovered Big Mama Thornton and Etta James) — had by that point, in 2001, been quiet for decades, a recluse in the Northern California wilderness, supposedly hard at work on a follow-up to his 1974 cult clas-

TUESDAY 7/14 sic of spiritual funk, “Inspiration Information,” a follow-up so long-awaited it was hardly awaited at all anymore.

His story, though, was as remarkable as his music, and nobody could let it go: Started performing in L.A. nightclubs at the age of 12, sat in with everyone from Louis Jordan to Frank Zappa, recorded three increasingly audacious and brilliant solo albums in the late ’60s and early ’70s, turned down David Bowie and The Rolling Stones’ offers to join them on tour and Quincy Jones’ offer to produce his next record (“I was way too much into my own thing,” he’s since explained), then nothing. The narrative is a little misleading: His records

didn’t sell; he was always more of a musicians’ musician (B.B. King called him his “favorite new guitarist”); he didn’t exactly vanish so much as he was dropped by his label and gave up trying to find a new one. Still, his absence and lost-ness were part of the appeal. He was rediscovered in the ’90s, thanks mostly to the era’s omnivorous crate-digging culture — he was sampled by Above the Law, The Digable Planets, The Fat Boys, J Dilla and so on. His records were reissued by David Byrne. The New York Times called him “an R&B Brian Wilson or Syd Barrett.” Now he’s touring again.

The story ends the way all such stories end in 2015: He joined Twitter. WS

The Dave Rosen Big Band performs at South on Main at 7 p.m., $10.

“Frankenstein” screens at Vino’s at 7:30 p.m., free. Between the Buried and Me performs at Juanita’s with Animals As Leaders and The Contortionist, 7:30 p.m., $25. Kevin Kerby plays at White Water with Dan Martin, 9:30 p.m., $5.

WEDNESDAY 7/15 Rapper QNote performs at South on Main as part of Local Live, 7:30 p.m.

“Mamma Mia!” screens for free at First Security Amphitheater as part of Movies in the Park, 8:20 p.m. Lord Huron plays at Revolution with Widowspeak, 9 p.m., $17 adv., $20 day of. www.arktimes.com

JULY 9, 2015

27

AFTER DARK FRIDAY, JULY 10

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

MUSIC

607, ItsJusBobby, Quarterpiece. Revolution, 9 p.m., $10. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-8230090. www.rumbarevolution.com/new.

All In Fridays. Club Elevations. 7200 Colonel Glenn Road. 501-562-3317.

Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 President Clinton Ave. 501-3724782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com.

Michael Myczkowiak. Kent Walker Artisan Cheese, 7 p.m. 1515 E. 4th St. 501-301-4963. www.kentwalkercheese.com.

Route 66. Agora Conference and Special Event Center, 6:30 p.m., $5. 705 E. Siebenmorgan, Conway.

SignalMan. Vino’s, 8 p.m. 923 W. 7th St. 501-3758466. www.vinosbrewpub.com.

Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 9 p.m., free. 111 W. Markham St. 501-370-7013. www. capitalbarandgrill.com.

That Arkansas Weather. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 9 p.m., $7. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501663-1196. www.afterthoughtbistroandbar.com.

Third Degree. Cajun’s Wharf, 9 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf.com.

Upscale Friday. IV Corners, 7 p.m. 824 W. Capitol Ave.

THURSDAY, JULY 9

MUSIC

Arkansas River Blues Society Thursday Jam. Revolution, 7 p.m., free. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. www.rumbarevolution.com/ new.

Black Horse (record release), Trophy Boyfriends, Listen Sister, The Hacking. White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m., $5. 2500 W. 7th St. 501-375-8400. www. whitewatertavern.com.

Buh Jones and Friends. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 9 p.m., $5. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501663-1196. www.afterthoughtbistroandbar.com.

Chris Long. Kent Walker Artisan Cheese, 6 p.m. 1515 E. 4th St. 501-301-4963. www.kentwalkercheese.com.

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

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

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

Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 President Clinton Ave. 501-3724782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com.

Open Jam. Thirst n’ Howl, 8 p.m. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www.thirst-n-howl.com.

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

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

Rodney Block & The Love Supreme. The Music Innovators Series. The Joint, 7:30 p.m., $10. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com.

The Shadowboxers. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 8:30 p.m., $8. 107 River Market Ave. 501372-7707. www.stickyz.com.

Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 7:30 p.m., free. 111 W. Markham St. 501-370-7013. www. capitalbarandgrill.com.

Tragikly White (headliner), Byron (happy hour).

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

COMEDY

Triple Feature: Sam Demaris, Shane McConaughy, John Tole. The Loony Bin, 7:30 p.m., $7. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.com.

EVENTS

American Taekwondo Association World Expo 2015. Statehouse Convention Center, through July 12. 7 Statehouse Plaza.

Loblolly Ice Cream Happy Hour. Hosted by Thea Foundation. Loblolly Creamery, 5 p.m.

1423 Main St. 501-396-9609. www.loblollycreamery.com.

SPORTS

JULY 9, 2015

DANCE

REVENGE OF THE NERD: Little Rock rapper 607 (whose latest album, “Revenge of the Nerd,” was released last month) performs at Revolution with ItsJusBobby and Quarterpiece, 9 p.m. Friday, $10.

A M R E A I Y V A I R DISCOVER REAL MEXICAN FOOD

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

Bess Chisum Stephens Community Center, 8-11 p.m., $7-$13. 12th and Cleveland streets. 501221-7568. www.blsdance.org.

Contra Dance. Park Hill Presbyterian Church, 7:30 p.m., $5. 3520 JFK Blvd., NLR. arkansascountrydance.org.

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

EVENTS

American Taekwondo Association World Expo 2015. Statehouse Convention Center, through July 12. 7 Statehouse Plaza.

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

LGBTQ/SGL weekly meeting. Diverse Youth for Social Change is a group for LGBTQ/SGL and straight ally youth and young adults age 14 to 23. For more information, call 244-9690 or search “DYSC” on Facebook. LGBTQ/SGL Youth and Young Adult Group, 6:30 p.m. 800 Scott St.

FILM

YOUR MEAL

Arkansas Travelers vs. Midland. DickeyStephens Park, through July 10, 7:10 p.m., $6-$12.

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

28

COMEDY

“HOGNADO!” An original production by The Main Thing. The Joint, 8 p.m., $22. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com.

Triple Feature: Sam Demaris, Shane McConaughy, John Tole. The Loony Bin, 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., $10. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.com.

1217 FERGUSON DR., SUITE 1 BENTON • 501-776-4140

“Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior.” Ron Robinson Theater, 10 p.m., $5. 1 Pulaski Way. 501-320-5703. www.cals.lib.ar.us/ron-robinson-theater.aspx.

SPORTS

Arkansas Travelers vs. Midland. DickeyStephens Park, 7:10 p.m., $6-$12. 400 W. Broadway St., NLR. 501-664-1555. www.travs. com.

SATURDAY, JULY 11

MUSIC

The Big Dam Horns. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9 p.m., $6. 107 River Market Ave. 501372-7707. www.stickyz.com.

Boom Kinetic. Revolution, 9:30 p.m., $10. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. www.rumbarevolution.com/new.

Cons of Formant. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 9 p.m., $7. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbistroandbar.com.

HomeWrecker, Snakedriver. Vino’s, 7:30 p.m., $8. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com.

Kent Goolsby and The Gold Standard. White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m. 2500 W. 7th St. 501-3758400. www.whitewatertavern.com.

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

501-492-9802.

Leta Joyner. Kent Walker Artisan Cheese, 7 p.m. 1515 E. 4th St. 501-301-4963. www.kentwalkercheese.com.

Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 President Clinton Ave. 501-3724782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com.

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

RVS. Cajun’s Wharf, 9 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road.

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

Sebastian Bach. Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $20. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www. juanitas.com.

Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 9 p.m., free. 111 W. Markham St. 501-370-7013. www. capitalbarandgrill.com.

COMEDY

“HOGNADO!” An original production by The Main Thing. The Joint, 8 p.m., $22. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com.

Triple Feature: Sam Demaris, Shane McConaughy, John Tole. The Loony Bin, 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., $10. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.com.

EVENTS

American Taekwondo Association World Expo 2015. Statehouse Convention Center, through July 12. 7 Statehouse Plaza.

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

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

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

Little Rock Farmers’ Market. River Market Pavilions, through Oct. 31: 7 a.m. 400 President Clinton Ave. 375-2552. www.rivermarket.info.

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

FILM

“The Godfather Part II.” Ron Robinson Theater, 7 p.m., $5. 1 Pulaski Way. 501-320-5703. www. cals.lib.ar.us/ron-robinson-theater.aspx.

“Song of the Sea.” Ron Robinson Theater, 2 p.m., $5. 1 Pulaski Way. 501-320-5703. www.cals.lib. ar.us/ron-robinson-theater.aspx.

SPORTS

Arkansas Travelers vs. Frisco. Dickey-Stephens Park, 7:10 p.m., $6-$12. 400 W. Broadway St., NLR. 501-664-1555. www.travs.com.

SUNDAY, JULY 12

All American Food & Great Place to Party On The Patio!

MUSIC

Al White. Kent Walker Artisan Cheese, 4 p.m.

1515 E. 4th St. 501-301-4963. www.kentwalkercheese.com.

Irish Traditional Music Session. Hibernia Irish Tavern, 2:30 p.m. 9700 N. Rodney Parham Road.

501-246-4340. www.hiberniairishtavern.com.

Jim Adkins. Juanita’s, 10 p.m., $15. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www.juanitas.com.

Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 President Clinton Ave. 501-3724782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com.

Patrice Pike. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 8 p.m., $10. 107 River Market Ave. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz.com.

The Secret Sisters, Goose. Juanita’s, 7 p.m., $15. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www.juanitas.com.

EVENTS

ViNO’S

American Taekwondo Association World Expo 2015. Statehouse Convention Center, through.

7 Statehouse Plaza.

Artist for Recovery. A secular recovery group for people with addictions. Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church, 10 a.m. 1601 S. Louisiana.

SEVENTH&CHESTER

501-375-VINO ALWAYS ALL AGES

SPORTS

F R I D A Y J U LY 1 0 | Signalman (San Antonio, TX) | | Disaster By Design | Wolves In Sheep’s Clothing |

Arkansas Travelers vs. Frisco. Dickey-Stephens Park, 6:10 p.m., $6-$12. 400 W. Broadway St., NLR. 501-664-1555. www.travs.com.

S A T U R D A Y J U LY 1 1 | Homewrecker (Ashtabula, OH) | | Snakedriver | Lifer |

MONDAY, JULY 13

MUSIC

T U E S D A Y J U LY 1 4 Vino’s Brewpub Cinema presents 8 Frankenstein (1931)

Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 President Clinton Ave. 501-3724782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com.

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

Open Mic. The Lobby Bar. Studio Theatre, 8 p.m. 320 W. 7th St. Richie Johnson. Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf. com.

F R I D A Y J U LY 1 7 | State Of Being | Poor Richard | S A T U R D A Y J U LY 1 8 | Burnt Lollipops | Chimp, Chimp, Chimp | S U N D A Y J U LY 1 9 | Kept In Line (Dallas, TX) | Reach (Fort Worth, TX) | T U E S D A Y J U LY 2 1 Vino’s Brewpub Cinema presents 8 Lord Love A Duck (1966)

SPORTS

Arkansas Travelers vs. Frisco. Dickey-Stephens Park, 7:10 p.m., $6-$12. 400 W. Broadway St., NLR. 501-664-1555. www.travs.com.

S AT U R D AY M AY 2 7 | Pinkish Black (Fort Worth, TX) |

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.

#ErniebiggsLR

www.vinosbrewpub.com www.arktimes.com

JULY 9, 2015

29

AFTER DARK, CONT.

TUESDAY, JULY 14

MUSIC

Between the Buried and Me, Animals As Leaders, The Contortionist. Juanita’s, 7:30 p.m., $25. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501372-1228. www.juanitas.com.

David Rosen Big Band. South on Main, 7 p.m., $10. 1304 Main St. 501-244-9660. southonmain.com.

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

Jim Dickerson. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-3242999. www.sonnywilliamssteakroom.com.

Kevin Kerby, Dan Martin. White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m., $5. 2500 W. 7th St. 501-375-8400. www.whitewatertavern.com.

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

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

Tuesday Jam Session with Carl Mouton.

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

COMEDY

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

DANCE

“Latin Night.” Juanita’s, 7:30 p.m., $7. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www.littlerocksalsa.com.

EVENTS

501-372-4782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com.

Lord Huron, Widowspeak. Revolution, 9 p.m., $17 adv., $20 day of. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. www.rumbarevolution.com/new.

Open Mic Nite with Deuce. Thirst n’ Howl, 7:30 p.m., free. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501379-8189. www.thirst-n-howl.com.

QNote. South on Main, 7:30 p.m., free. 1304 Main St. 501-244-9660. southonmain.com.

Shuggie Otis. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 8 p.m., $20-$30. 107 River Market Ave. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz.com.

Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 7:30 p.m., free. 111 W. Markham St. 501-370-7013. www.capitalbarandgrill.com.

COMEDY

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

DANCE

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

FILM

“Little Rock ‘n’ Rollers: A Night of Musical Shorts.” Studio Theatre, 7 p.m., $8. 320 W. 7th St. Movies in the Park: “Mamma Mia!” First Security Amphitheater, 8:20 p.m., free. 400 President Clinton Ave.

POETRY

Wednesday Night Poetry. 21-and-older show.

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

Little Rock Green Drinks. Informal networking session for people who work in the environmental field. Ciao Baci, 5:30-7 p.m. 605 N. Beechwood St. 501-603-0238. www.greendrinks. org.

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

ARTS

FILM

THEATER

“Frankenstein.” Vino’s, 7:30 p.m., free. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com.

“Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior.” Riverdale 10 Cinema, 7 p.m., $5. 2600 Cantrell Road. 501296-9955.

KIDS

Lorenzo Smith Band Camp. Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, 10 a.m. 501 W. 9th St. 501-6833593. www.mosaictemplarscenter.com.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 15

MUSIC

Acoustic Open Mic. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd.

501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbistroandbar.com.

Brian and Nick. Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 p.m.

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

Drageoke with Chi Chi Valdez. Sway. 412 Louisiana. 501-907-2582.

Jim Dickerson. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-3242999. www.sonnywilliamssteakroom.com.

Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 President Clinton Ave. 30

JULY 9, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

KIDS

Little Beginnings Toddler Program: The Arkansas Traveler. Old State House Museum, 10:30 a.m. 300 W. Markham St. 501-324-9685. www.oldstatehouse.com.

“Xanadu: The Musical.” Studio Theatre, through July 19: Thu.-Sat., 7 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m., $20. 320 W. 7th St.

NEW GALLERY EXHIBITS, EVENTS

New shows in bold-faced type

ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER, MacArthur Park: 57th annual “Delta Exhibition,” 88 works by 84 artists from Arkansas and surrounding states, juried by George Dombek, July 10-Sept. 20; “54th Young Artists Exhibition,” art by Arkansas students grades K-12, through July 26. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. 372-4000.

ARKANSAS CAPITAL CORP. GROUP, 200 River Market Ave.: “Different Landscapes,” paintings by Greg Lahti, photographs by Brennan Plunkett, drawings

by Robert Bean, woodwork by Steve Plunkett, reception 5-8 p.m. July 10, 2nd Friday Art Night.

BUTLER CENTER GALLERIES, Arkansas Studies Institute, 401 President Clinton Ave.: “Weaving Stories and Hope: Textile Arts from the Japanese Internment

AT THE HOTEL PINES: Cary Jenkins’ photograph of a tattered light fixture at the abandoned Hotel Pines in Pine Bluff is part of the “Hotel Pines: Light Through the Pines” exhibition of work by a dozen art photographers at the Cox Creative Center. There will be a reception during the 2nd Friday Art Night event from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. July 10. The Hotel Pines, at Main Street and West Fifth Avenue, was designed by state Capitol architect George R. Mann and was once considered one of the finest hotels in Arkansas. The hotel went out of business in 1970; the building has had several owners since then, but has been allowed to fall into poor condition.

Camp at Rohwer, Arkansas,” opening reception 5-8 p.m. July 10, 2nd Friday Art Night, with music by Gregg and Asha McGowan, featured retail artist Caren Garner; “State Youth Art Show 2015: An Exhibition by Arkansas Art Educators,” Underground Gallery, through Aug. 29; “Human Faces & Landscapes: Paintings by Sui Hoe Khoo,” Butler Center West Gallery, through July 25; “White River Memoirs,” artwork collected by canoist and photographer Chris Engholm along the White, Concordia Hall, through July 25. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 320-5790.

COX CREATIVE CENTER, 100 River Market Ave.: “Hotel Pines: Light Through the Pines,” photographs by a dozen art photographers of abandoned Hotel Pines in Pine Bluff, reception 5-8 p.m. July 10, 2nd Friday Art Night, show through August. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 9183093.

GALLERY 221, 221 W. 2nd St.: “For Beauty of the Earth,” paintings by Mary Ann Stafford, reception 5-8 p.m. July 10, 2nd Friday Art Night. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. 801-0211.

HISTORIC ARKANSAS MUSEUM GALLERIES, 200 E. 3rd St.: “Art. Function.

Craft: The Life and Work of Arkansas Living Treasures,” works by 14 craftsmen honored by Arkansas Arts Council, reception 5-8 p.m. July 10, 2nd Friday Art Night; “Heather Condren and Miranda Young,” repurposed books by Condren, linocuts and ceramics by Young,” through Aug. 9; “(Everyday) Interpretations: Cindy Arsaga, Joe Morzuch and Adam Posnak,” through Aug. 9; “Suggin Territory: The Marvelous World of Folklorist Josephine Graham,” through Nov. 29. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 324-9351.

OLD STATE HOUSE MUSEUM, 300 W. Markham: “Exploring the Acoustics of

AFTER DARK, CONT. the 1836 House of Representatives Chamber,” 5-8 p.m. July 10, 2nd Friday Art Night; “Different Strokes,” the history of bicycling and places cycling in Arkansas, featuring artifacts, historical pictures and video, through February 2016. 9 a.m.5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 324-9685.

BATESVILLE BAAC GALLERY ON MAIN, 226 E. Main St.: “White Noise & Black Lines,” work

by Holly Laws and David Bailin, through Aug. 1, reception 5-7 p.m. July 17. 10 a.m.4 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat. 870793-3382.

BENTONVILLE CRYSTAL BRIDGES MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART, One Museum Way: “Photo Salon: Kat Wilson on Andy Warhol’s Studio Portraits,” 6:30-8:30 p.m. July 10; “Warhol’s Nature,” from the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, through Oct. 5, $4; “American Encounters: The Simple Pleasures of Still Life,” 10 still life paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries from the High Museum, the Terra Foundation, the Louvre and the Crystal Bridges collection, through Sept. 14; “Fish Stories: Early Images of American Game Fish,” 20 color plates based on the original watercolors by sporting artist Samuel Kilbourne, through Sept. 21; American masterworks spanning four centuries. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Mon., Thu.; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Wed., Fri.; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat.-Sun., closed Tue. 479418-5700.

TWO 25 GALLERY, 225 Main St.: “Conversations,” oils by Carole Katchen, July 10Aug. 1. 479-464-9463.

WEST MEMPHIS DeltaARTS, Holiday Plaza Mall, 1800 N. Missouri St.: Arkansas Arts Council forum on the needs of the public regarding the arts in Arkansas, 1-3:30 p.m. July 9.

501-324-9766.

YELLVILLE P.A.L. FINE ART GALLERY, 300 Hwy. 62: “Celebrate America,” through July, reception 4-6 p.m. July 10. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tue.Fri., 10 a.m.-noon Sat. 870-656-2057.

CALL FOR ENTRIES

The Arkansas Arts Council is accepting applications from performing, literary or visual artists who would like to join the Arts in Education Artist Roster. Call Cynthia Haas at 324-9769 or email Cynthia@arkansasheritage.org for more information. Deadline is July 10.

The Arkansas Arts Council is seeking submissions for the juried “2016 Small Works on Paper Exhibition.” Juror Kati Toivanen of the University of Missouri-Kansas City will select entries and purchase award winners. The show travels to 10 venues across the state. Deadline to enter is July 24. Entry forms are available at www.arkansasarts.org or by calling 501-324-9766; for more information call Cheri Leffew at 501-324-9767.

CONTINUING GALLERY EXHIBITS

ARGENTA GALLERY, 413 A-B Main St., NLR: “The Mom Series,” photographs by Lali Khalid, “A” side, through July 10. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Mon.-Sat. 225-5600.

ART GROUP GALLERY, Pleasant Ridge Town Center, 11525 Cantrell Road: “grow garden grow,” ceramics by Karen Hamilton, also work by gallery members. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-6 p.m. Sun. 690-2193.

CANTRELL GALLERY, 8206 Cantrell Road: “The Quiet Hours,” paintings by John Wooldridge, through July 10; also paintings

by Carol Cumbo Roberts and David Mudrinich. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 224-1335.

CHROMA GALLERY, 5707 Kavanaugh Blvd.: Work by Robert Reep and other Arkansas artists. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat. 664-0880.

GALLERY 26, 2601 Kavanaugh Blvd.: New work by Robert Bean and Stephen Cefalo, through July 11. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.-Sat. 664-8996.

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

GREG THOMPSON FINE ART, 429 Main St., NLR: “Magic Realism,” works by Glennray Tutor, John Hartley, Richard Jolley and others. 664-2787.

L&L BECK ART GALLERY, 5705 Kavanaugh Blvd.: “The Wild Ones,” July exhibition, free giclee drawing 7 p.m. July 16. 660-4006.

LAMAN LIBRARY, 2801 Orange St., NLR: “Spirited: Prohibition in America,” through Aug. 7. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri.-Sat. 758-1720.

LAMAN LIBRARY ARGENTA BRANCH, 420 Main St., NLR: Illustrations and cartoons by Kory Sanders. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri. 7581720.

LOCAL COLOUR, 5811 Kavanaugh Blvd.: Rotating work by 27 artists in collective. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 265-0422.

M2 GALLERY, 11525 Cantrell Road: “Mikesell and EMILE,” new paintings by Michelle Mikesell and Jennifer Freeman; also work

by V.L. Cox, Bryan Frazier, Spencer Zahm and others. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 225-6257.

MUGS CAFE, 515 Main St., NLR: “Summer Savories,” work by Jennifer Freeman, Diane Harper and Endia Price. 960-9524.

RED DOOR GALLERY, 3715 JFK, NLR: Paula Jones, new paintings; Jim Goshorn, new sculpture; also sculpture by Joe Martin, paintings by Amy Hill-Imler, Theresa Cates and Patrick Cunningham, ornaments by D. Wharton, landscapes by James Ellis, raku by Kelly Edwards and other works. 753-5227. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. STEPHANO’S FINE ART, 1813 N. Grant St.: New work by Jennifer Wilson, Mike Gaines, Maryam Moeeni, Ken Davis, John Kushmaul and Gene Brack. 563-4218.

BENTON DIANNE ROBERTS ART STUDIO AND GALLERY, 110 N. Market St.: Work by Dianne Roberts, classes. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Wed.Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. 860-7467.

BENTONVILLE 21c MUSEUM HOTEL, 200 NE A St.: “Duke Riley: See You at the Finish Line,” sculpture, and “Blue: Matter, Mood and Melancholy,” photographs and paintings. 479-286-6500.

THE PRESSROOM, 121 W. Central Ave.: TRUCK/ART: “Structural Defiance: Ba’aler Abstraction,” new work by Louis Watts, in the parking lot behind the coffee shop.

CALICO ROCK CALICO ROCK ARTISAN COOPERATIVE, 105 Main St.: Paintings, photographs, jewelry, fiber art, wood, ceramics and other crafts. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tue.-Thu., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun. calicorocket. org/artists.

CONWAY ART ON THE GREEN, Littleton Park, 1100 Bob Courtway: Paintings by Kristen Abbott, Eldridge Bagley, Nina Ruth Baker, Elizabeth Bogard, Steve Griffith, William M. McClanahan, Mary Lynn Nelson, Sheila Parsons and others. 501-499-3177.

2015-16 GRIZZ GIRL AUDITIONS SATURDAY, JULY 18, 9:00AM

MALLORY GYMNASIUM - RHODES COLLEGE 2000 N. PARKWAY

THE MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES ARE IN SEARCH OF THE MOST TALENTED DANCERS IN MEMPHIS! IF YOU THINK YOU’VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES TO DANCE FOR ONE OF THE HOTTEST TEAMS IN THE NBA, COME JOIN US AT OUR OPEN CALL AUDITIONS.

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• Must be at least 18 years of age • Be a High School graduate

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO BECOME A GRIZZ GIRL, VISIT GRIZZLIES.COM, EMAIL GRIZZGIRLS@GRIZZLIES.COM OR CALL (901) 205-1411 FOLLOW THE GRIZZ GIRLS ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM FOR AUDITION UPDATES

www.arktimes.com

JULY 9, 2015

31

MOVIE REVIEW

THE CREW’S ALL BACK: (From left, in front) Joe Manganiello, Channing Tatum and Adam Rodriguez reprise their parts for “Magic Mike XXL.”

Swamp country debauchery ‘Magic Mike XXL’ is for everyone.

BY WILL STEPHENSON

N

ear the height of the early success of the book “Fifty Shades of Grey,” I worked part time at a Barnes & Noble and sold more copies of that book than any other product in our store. I almost always sold it to women who were older than me, and who usually seemed slightly embarrassed about the transaction, like I was an obstacle to their private appreciation of this thing, which felt bad. I remembered this feeling Monday afternoon, when I went to see “Magic Mike XXL,” and found myself the youngest and the only male audience member in the room (not unusual; women reportedly made up 96 percent of the film’s holiday weekend box office). I felt like a narc: suspicious and intrusive.

The feeling didn’t last. I haven’t a seen a movie better suited for public, collective appreciation this year: The audience response was continuous and intense.

“Magic Mike XXL” is the sequel to Ste32

JULY 9, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

ven Soderbergh’s 2012 male stripper opus “Magic Mike,” and it’s a fun and compassionate film about work and bodies and friendship — a musical that’s also a portrait of social relations that are radical and full of brief bursts of energy. There is a strain of upbeat positivity running through the movie that is almost New Age in its sincerity. It isn’t hokey, though, it’s just kind.

It is also a deeply Southern film, with much of the story staged in Savannah,Ga., and Charleston and Myrtle Beach, S.C. Channing Tatum stars as Magic Mike, and the movie is set three years after he’s left “male entertainment” behind so he could settle down, get married and start his own construction business. This dream never materialized, however, or only partially.

There is a profound loneliness in him now — the film opens with a shot of Mike sitting on a beach alone, maybe at dusk. He needs community again, movement. One night in

his dim workshop, while he is sawing away with his facemask on, sparks shooting off in all directions, Ginuwine’s “Pony” comes up on his Spotify playlist. Whether or not we remember the previous film, we know this moment is significant. He laughs to himself.

He remembers what he is capable of. The music is startling, lubricous, cool.

Of course, Mike joins up with his old crew, and a road trip through the Deep South ensues, a passage through self-revelation and “swamp country debauchery,” as a drag queen puts it in an early scene.

Soderbergh — who isn’t this film’s credited director, but was its executive producer, director of photography, editor and camera operator (we can assume his imprint, in other words) — is great with stories of male interaction (the “Ocean’s 11” series, for instance), not unlike Howard Hawks or Richard Lester, director of “A Hard Day’s Night,” with whom Soderbergh once published a book-length interview. That Beatles film could even be taken as a model here — a story about men desired by women, performing for women.

The dance performances are certainly essential to the film’s success. For one thing, I don’t know that I’ve seen a movie recently that better utilized or understood contemporary R&B. The highlights of the soundtrack are artists like D’Angelo, Jodeci, R. Kelly and Jeremih, who simply can’t be

incorporated as innocuous background music. Here, they are showstoppers — in the sense that the movie literally gives itself over to them, allows them to be the center of attention and action. And the dancing itself is unpredictable and breathtakingly impressive — Tatum alone deserves an Academy Award for sheer physical athleticism and vulnerability. One of the film’s best set pieces occurs in a mansion in Savannah, at a black male strip club owned and operated by a woman (Jada Pinkett Smith) and serving women. “Do you know how beautiful you are?” a female customer is asked, before it is demonstrated for her.

The scene is pure atmosphere — seedy and odd and pure and a little embarrassing.

The dancing, in turn, influences every other interaction in the film. The men are generous and physical with each other and with everyone else — every relationship on screen is at least potentially erotic. This is maybe the most powerful thing about the movie, just the way people speak to each other and sit with each other and respect each other. The warmth, the possibility. “The possibilities that exist between two people, or among a group of people, are a kind of alchemy,” the poet Adrienne Rich wrote, and I am sure Channing Tatum would agree. “They are the most interesting thing in life.”

ANNOUNCING THE 2015 ARKANAS TIMES WHOLE HOG ROAST benefiting

Argenta Arts District

WHOLE HOG Amateur Teams are considered individuals or businesses not connected to any particular restaurant, food truck or catering companies. Amateur teams will be preparing at least 30 pounds of pork butt. Amateur teams wanting to enter our People’s Choice “Anything but Butt” will need to provide 30 pounds of options such as chicken wings, thighs, ribs, goat, stuffed jalapenos, anything besides pork butt - be creative. This is a separate award for amateurs only. Edwards Food Giant is offering 20% discount on meat purchases. Entry fee: $150

SATURDAY, AUGUST 29

Argenta Farmers Market Events Grounds 5 until 9 PM Arkansas Times and the Argenta Arts District are now accepting both AMATEUR and PROFESSIONAL TEAMS to compete in our 3rd annual Whole Hog Roast

BEER & WINE GARDEN

Gated festival area selling beer & wine ($5 each)

ONL PLEASE V

Professional Teams are considered restaurants, catering companies and food trucks. Professional teams will be preparing a whole hog from Ben E. Keith Company Entry fee: $500 and includes the whole hog, pick up by Aug. 26 Each team must provide two sides serving at least 50 people each.

• TICKET HOLDERS WILL CAST ALL THE VOTES VIA “TOKENS” • THREE TOKENS WILL BE PROVIDED TO ALL TICKET HOLDERS, ADDITIONAL TOKENS ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE • THREE WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN BASED ON WHO IS CAST THE MOST VOTES (TOKENS).

• WE WILL ANNOUNCE THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE FOR THE BEST WHOLE HOG PROFESSIONAL TEAM, BEST AMATEUR TEAM AND THE BEST AMATEUR “ANYTHING BUT BUTT” TEAM.

EVENT SPECIFICS: COOKING AREA IS AVAILABLE ANYTIME SATURDAY MORNING OR FRIDAY EVENING COOKING AREA SHOULD BE SET UP SO THAT WHEN THE DOORS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, ATTENDEES CAN VIEW THE INDIVIDUAL COOKING AREAS AND BE READY TO SERVE BY 6:30.

EACH TEAM MUST PROVIDE TWO (2) SIDE DISHES TO FEED 50 PEOPLE EACH. 10 TEAM MAXIMUM WHICH INCLUDES GUESTS. CONTACT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION: DRUE PATTON DPATTON@ARGENTADC.ORG OR PHYLLIS BRITTON PHYLLIS@ARKTIMES.COM

www.arktimes.com

JULY 9, 2015

33

Dining WHAT’S COOKIN’ LITTLE ROCK GETS ITS FIRST southern Indian restaurant when Flavor of India opens Thursday, July 9, in the Valley Village Shopping Center off Rodney Parham Road. The restaurant will serve free appetizers and chai on opening day, and folks who come before noon will get a $5 gift card. The food of south India, manager Sahil Hamirani said, is “snacky”: Food carts will feature chaat, or Indian street food, like pani puri (crispy fried dosas stuffed with potatoes and served with coriander water).

The fairly extensive menu also includes, for example, crepe-like dosas filled with lentils, rice and hot chutney; punugulu, or deep-fried lentil balls; and curd rice (mixed with yogurt, curry leaves and red chili), all served with sambal, or lentil soup, and coconut chutney. “It’s made really fresh,” Hamirani said.

There’s northern Indian food as well — chicken tikka, etc. The Hamirani family — including Sahil’s parents, Salma and Salim — once owned Curry in a Hurry.

Their new venture will be open daily for lunch, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and dinner, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. There will be no alcohol at first, but perhaps later. Telephone is 554-5678; find Flavor of India’s menus and other information at facebook.com/ flavorindia.

DINING CAPSULES

AMERICAN

BEST IMPRESSIONS The menu combines Asian, Italian and French sensibilities in soups, salads and meaty fare. A departure from the tearoom of yore. 501 E. Ninth St. Beer and wine, all CC. $$. 501-907-5946. L Tue.-Sun., BR Sat.-Sun. BIG ORANGE: BURGERS SALADS SHAKES Gourmet burgers manufactured according to exacting specs (humanely raised beef!) and properly fried Kennebec potatoes are the big draws, but you can get a veggie burger as well as fried chicken, curried falafel and blackened tilapia sandwiches, plus creative meal-sized salads. Shakes and floats are indulgences for all ages. 17809 Chenal Parkway. Full bar, all CC. $$-$$$. 501-821-1515. LD daily. 207 N. University Ave. Full bar, all CC. $$. 501-379-8715. LD daily.

BJ’S RESTAURANT AND BREWHOUSE Chain restaurant’s huge menu includes deep dish pizzas, steak, ribs, sandwiches, pasta and award-winning handcrafted beer. In Shackleford Crossing Shopping Center. 2624 S. Shackleford Road. Beer, all CC. 501-404-2000.

BLACK ANGUS CAFE Charcoal-grilled burgers, hamburger steaks and steaks proper are the big draws at this local institution. Now with lunch specials like fried shrimp. 10907 N. Rodney Parham. No alcohol, all CC. $-$$. 501-228-7800.

LD Mon.-Sat. BOBBY’S CAFE Delicious, humungo burgers and tasty homemade desserts at this Levy diner.

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ARKANSAS TIMES

JUST GREASY ENOUGH: The fried chicken at Bobby’s is crispy on the outside, moist on the inside.

Big on Bobby’s West Little Rock country cookin’ spot stands out.

W

e once had a colleague, a purely brilliant writer, whose wife would come up from Sheridan to the big city almost every workday so they could have lunch together. We often would suggest the newest, coolest new spot, and he’d eagerly nod that ours was a worthy suggestion. But every time he’d come back from lunch, he’d report that Franke’s, Luby’s or Dixie Cafe had won out.

Farm to table. Neapolitan pizza.

High-end Mexican food. Vertical presentation. Trendiness will always be with us on the local dining scene, often to great net effect. But no matter what may come and go culinarily, home cooking will always be a major pillar of the Arkansas dining scene.

A good place to feed that habit is Bobby’s Country Cookin’, in the large strip center near Shackleford and Markham that also includes Jason’s Deli and Star of India. The formula here is pretty simple: a meat plus two vegetables plus either cornbread or roll is $8.25, or you can go all veggies for less. If you’re smart, and have a sweet tooth, you’ll want to plunk down $2.75 for a piece of luscious homemade pie or cheesecake.

There are four meat options each day — with fried chicken and chicken fried steak always two of those — as well as nine vegetables that are constants and

a few that rotate in. We were at Bobby’s on Thursday and were blessed that the day’s “rotating casserole” was chicken spaghetti and that pot roast was also featured, because those were two of the best home-cooking entrees we’ve had in memory.

There was more shredded chicken than pasta in the cheesy, flavorful casserole, and the huge mounds of fallapart-tender, somewhat salty pot roast were a huge hit with everyone at our table. The fried chicken — our buddy chose dark meat — was crisp on the outside, moist on the inside, and just greasy enough to make it good. The chicken fried steak didn’t thrill us, but it was certainly a decent representation of the classic, and the white gravy was peppery and smooth.

We found the accompanying veggies a bit boring. Both the black-eyed peas and the white beans weren’t cooked down like we like them, and both needed a hunk of ham or at least a dose of salt to liven them up. The fried okra was crunchy and hot, but it was of the battered variety with a little more breading than we like, being fans of our mom’s cornmeal-dredged okra. The roll was huge and yeasty, but the cornbread was just a bit sweet, and we’re of the no-sugar-allowed-in-cornbread school of thought.

The desserts were a hit all the way around and definitely a bargain. The star was the peanut butter pie — very fluffy and creamy with a crushed chocolate cookie crust. Adding to the chocolate/ peanut butter theme was a wedge of a mini-Reese’s Cup that was plopped on the Cool Whip topping. The chocolate pie was also pretty creamy, as was the cheesecake. The pecan pie has a firmer filling than we’re used to, almost custardy, but it tasted great.

Portions are huge at Bobby’s. We heard the new owner — he and his wife took over the place in January — saying that some of his older customers complain that there’s too much food on their plate, but they always finish everything, because that’s how they were taught.

Bobby’s starts cranking out lunch at 10:30 a.m. each weekday, and at 11:20 on our day the queue for the cafeteria line was back to the door, but it moved quickly. The tables are simple and wellspaced. All in all it’s a very efficient operation, serving hundreds of home-cooking cravers each day before the doors close at 2 p.m.

Bobby’s Country Cookin’ 301 N. Shackleford Road, Suite E1 224-9500 bobbyscountrycookin.com

Quick bite Save room for dessert at Bobby’s, where $2.75 gets you as fine a piece of pie or cheesecake as you could want.

Hours 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. weekdays.

Other info No alcohol, some credit cards accepted.

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.

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

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

DINING CAPSULES, CONT. 12230 MacArthur Drive. NLR. No alcohol, No CC. $. 501-851-7888. BL Tue.-Fri., D Thu.-Fri. BUTCHER SHOP The cook-your-own-steak option has been downplayed, and several menu additions complement the calling card: large, fabulous cuts of prime beef, cooked to perfection. 10825 Hermitage Road. Full bar, all CC. $$$. 501-312-2748. D daily.

CAPERS It’s never been better, with as good a wine list as any in the area, and a menu that covers a lot of ground — seafood, steaks, pasta — and does it all well. 14502 Cantrell Road. Full bar, all CC. $$-$$$. 501-868-7600. LD Mon.-Sat. CHEDDAR’S Large selection of somewhat standard American casual cafe choices, many of which are made from scratch. Portions are large and prices are very reasonable. 400 S. University.

Full bar, all CC. $-$$. 501-614-7578. LD daily.

COPELAND’S RESTAURANT OF LITTLE ROCK The full service restaurant chain started by the founder of Popeye’s delivers the same good biscuits, the same dependable frying and a New Orleans vibe in piped music and decor.

You can eat red beans and rice for a price in the single digits or pay near $40 for a choice slab of ribeye, with crab, shrimp and fish in between. 2602 S. Shackleford Road. Full bar, all CC. $$-$$$. 501-312-1616. LD daily.

COPPER GRILL Comfort food, burgers and more sophisticated fare at this River Marketarea hotspot. 300 E. Third St. Full bar, all CC. $$-$$$. 501-375-3333. LD Mon.-Sat. CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE Home-cooking with plenty of variety and big portions. Old-fashioned breakfast served all day long. 2618 S. Shackleford Road. No alcohol, all CC. 501-225-7100. BLD daily. 3101 Springhill Drive. NLR. No alcohol, all CC. 501-945-9373.

BLD daily.

CRUSH WINE BAR An unpretentious downtown bar/lounge with an appealing and erudite wine list. With tasty tapas, but no menu for full meals. 318 Main St. NLR. Beer and wine, all CC. $$. 501-374-9463. D Tue.-Sat. FRANKE’S CAFETERIA Plate lunch spot strong on salads and vegetables, and perfect fried chicken on Sundays. Arkansas’ oldest continually operating restaurant. 11121 N. Rodney Parham Road. No alcohol, all CC. $$. 501-2254487. LD daily. 400 W. Capitol Ave. No alcohol, all CC. $$. 501-372-1919. L Mon.-Fri. FRESH: AN URBAN EATERY Sandwiches, salads and pizza, all made using quality ingredients. 1706 W. Third St. No alcohol, CC. $-$$.

501-319-7021. BL Mon.-Sat. FRONTIER DINER The traditional all-American roadside diner, complete with a nice selection of man-friendly breakfasts and lunch specials.

The half pound burger is a two-hander for the average working Joe. 10424 Interstate 30. No alcohol, all CC. $-$$. 501-565-6414. BL Mon.-Sat. GADWALL’S GRILL Once two separate restaurants, a fire forced the grill into the pizza joint.

Now, under one roof, there’s mouth-watering burgers and specialty sandwiches, plus zesty pizzas with cracker-thin crust and plenty of toppings. 7311 North Hills Boulevard. NLR. Beer and wine, all CC. $-$$. 501-834-1840. LD daily.

IZZY’S It’s bright, clean and casual, with snappy team service of all his standbys — sandwiches

and fries, lots of fresh salads, pasta about a dozen ways, hand-rolled tamales and brick oven pizzas. 5601 Ranch Drive. Beer and wine, all CC. $$. 501-868-4311. LD Mon.-Sat. LITTLEFIELD’S CAFE The owners of the Starlite Diner have moved their cafe to the Kroger Shopping Center on JFK, where they are still serving breakfast all day, as well as plate lunches, burgers and sandwiches. 6929 John F. Kennedy Blvd. NLR. No alcohol. 501-771-2036.

BLD Mon.-Sat., BL Sun. SWEET LOVE BAKERY Full service bakery with ready-made and custom order cakes, cookies and cupcakes. Plenty of in-store seating. 8210 Cantrell Road. No alcohol, CC. $-$$. (501) 613-7780. BL Tue.-Sat.

June 23 – July 18

TEXAS ROADHOUSE Following in the lines of those loud, peanuts-on-the-table steak joints, but the steaks are better here than we’ve had at similar stops. Good burgers, too. 3601 Warden Road. Full bar, all CC. $$. 501-771-4230. D daily, L Sat.-Sun. 2620 S. Shackleford Rd. Full bar, all CC. $$. 501-224-2427. D Mon.-Fri., LD Sat.-Sun. TOWN PUMP A dependable burger, good wings, great fries, other bar food, plate lunches, full bar. 1321 Rebsamen Park Road. Full bar, all CC. $-$$. 501-663-9802. LD daily.

TRIO’S Fresh, creative and satisfying lunches; even better at night, when the chefs take flight. Best array of fresh desserts in town. 8201 Cantrell Road Suite 100. Full bar, all CC. $$-$$$.

501-221-3330. LD Mon.-Sat., BR Sun.

July 21 – Aug 29 murrysdp.com

562-3131

WHOLE FOODS MARKET Get barbecue, beer — at a bar or in growlers to go — pizza, sandwiches, salads and more at the upscale grocery chain. 501 Bowman Road. Beer and wine, all CC. $-$$. 501-312-2326. BLD daily.

WILLY D’S DUELING PIANO BAR Willy D’s serves up a decent dinner of pastas and salads as a lead-in to its nightly sing-along piano show.

Go when you’re in a good mood. 322 President Clinton Ave. Full bar, all CC. $$. 501-244-9550.

D Tue.-Sat. YANCEY’S CAFETERIA Soul food served with a Southern attitude. 1523 Martin Luther King Ave. No alcohol, No CC. $. 501-372-9292. LD Tue.-Sat.

ASIAN

BANGKOK THAI CUISINE Get all the staple Thai dishes at this River Market vendor. The red and green curries and the noodle soup stand out, in particular. 400 President Clinton Ave. No alcohol, all CC. $-$$. 501-374-5105. L Mon.-Sat. CHI’S CHINESE CUISINE No longer owned by Chi’s founder Lulu Chi, this Chinese mainstay still offers a broad menu that spans the Chinese provinces and offers a few twists on the usual local offerings. 5110 W. Markham St. Beer, all CC. $-$$. 501-604-7777. LD Mon.-Sat. OSAKA JAPANESE RESTAURANT Veteran operator of several local Asian buffets has brought fine-dining Japanese dishes and a well-stocked sushi bar to way-out-west Little Rock, near Chenal off Highway 10. 5501 Ranch Drive. $$-$$$. 501-868-3688. LD daily.

VEGGI DELI A small cafe in the back of the massive Indian and Mediterranean supermarket Asian Groceries, where vegetarian chat (South Indian street food) is the specialty.

Let no one complain about our woeful lack of vegetarian restaurants before trying the food here. 9112 N. Rodney Parham. No alcohol, all CC. $-$$. 501-221-9977. LD Tue.-Sun. (closed at 7:30 p.m.).

BARBECUE

THE EVERYDAY SOMMELIER Your friendly neighborhood wine shop. #theeverydaysommelier

2011 ADELSHEIM WINERY, ELIZABETH’S RESERVE PINOT NOIR REG. $59.89 SPECIAL - $45.99 “90 pts” – W+S “This delicious effort from one of the godfathers of Oregon Pinot Noir is a blend from the best of the best from 2011 and winemaker David Paige. A stellar, rich, delicious, balanced glass of strawberries and red fruit, the Elizabeth’s Reserve deserves your attention. And mine.

I’m opening a bottle right now!

– O’Looney

Rahling Road @ Chenal Parkway 501.821.4669 • olooneys@aristotle.net • www.olooneys.com

CHATZ CAFE ‘Cue and catfish joint that does heavy catering business. Try the slow-smoked, meaty ribs. 8801 Colonel Glenn Road. No alcohol, all CC. $-$$. 501-562-4949. LD Mon.-Sat. CORKY’S RIBS & BBQ The pulled pork is extremely tender and juicy, and the sauce is sweet and tangy without a hint of heat. Maybe the best dry ribs in the area. 12005 Westhaven Drive. Full bar, all CC. $$-$$$. 501-954-7427. LD daily. 2947 Lakewood Village Drive. NLR. Full bar, all CC. $$-$$$. 501-753-3737. LD daily, B Sat.-Sun.

EUROPEAN / ETHNIC

CAFE BOSSA NOVA A South American approach to sandwiches, salads and desserts, all quite good, as well as an array of refreshing South American teas and coffees. 2701 Kavanaugh Blvd. Full bar, all CC. $$-$$$.

501-614-6682. LD Tue.-Sat., BR Sun. DUGAN’S PUB Serves up Irish fare like fish and chips and corned beef and cabbage alongside classic bar food. The chicken fingers and burgers stand out. Irish breakfast all day. 401 E. 3rd St. Full bar, all CC. $-$$. 501-244-0542.

LD daily. www.arktimes.com

JULY 9, 2015

35

DINING CAPSULES, CONT. GEORGIA’S GYROS Good gyros, Greek salads and fragrant grilled pita bread highlight a large Mediterranean food selection, plus burgers and the like. 2933 Lakewood Village Drive.

NLR. Full bar, all CC. $-$$. 501-753-5090. LD Mon.-Sat. HIBERNIA IRISH TAVERN This traditional Irish pub has its own traditional Irish cook from, where else, Ireland. Broad beverage menu, Irish and Southern food favorites and a crowd that likes to sing. 9700 N. Rodney Parham Road.

Full bar, all CC. $$. 501-246-4340. D Mon.-Sat., LD Sun. TAZIKI’S MEDITERRANEAN CAFE Fast casual chain that offers gyros, grilled meats and veggies, hummus and pimento cheese.

8200 Cantrell Road. Beer and wine, all CC. $$.

501-227-8291. LD daily. 12800 Chenal Parkway.

Beer and wine, all CC. $$. 501-225-1829. LD daily.

THE TERRACE MEDITERRANEAN KITCHEN A broad selection of Mediterranean delights that includes a very affordable collection of starters, salads, sandwiches, burgers, chicken and fish at lunch and a more upscale dining experience with top-notch table service at dinner. 2200 Rodney Parham Road. Full bar, all CC. $$-$$$. 501-217-9393. LD Mon.-Fri., D Sat. YA YA’S EURO BISTRO The first eatery to open in the Promenade at Chenal is a date-night affair, translating comfort food into beautiful cuisine.

Best bet is lunch, where you can explore the menu through soup, salad or half a sandwich.

17711 Chenal Parkway. Full bar, all CC. $$-$$$.

501-821-1144. LD daily, BR Sun.

ITALIAN

BRAVO! CUCINA ITALIANA This upscale Italian chain offers delicious and sometimes inventive dishes. 17815 Chenal Parkway. Full bar, all CC. $$$. 501-821-2485. LD daily. BR Sun. BRUNO’S LITTLE ITALY Traditional Italian antipastos, appetizers, entrees and desserts.

Extensive, delicious menu from Little Rock standby. 310 Main St. Full bar, CC. $$-$$$.

501-372-7866. D Tue.-Sat. GRAFFITI’S The casually chic and ever-popular Italian-flavored bistro avoids the rut with daily specials and careful menu tinkering. 7811 Cantrell Road. Full bar, all CC. $$-$$$. 501-2249079. D Mon.-Sat. PIZZA D’ACTION Some of the best pizza in town, a marriage of thin, crispy crust with a hefty ingredient load. Also, good appetizers and salads, pasta, sandwiches and killer plate lunches. 2919 W. Markham St. Full bar, all CC. $-$$. 501-666-5403. LD daily.

RISTORANTE CAPEO This excellent, authentic Italian restaurant was the trailblazer in the now-hot Argenta neighborhood of downtown North Little Rock, the Isaac brothers opening it in 2003. It remains a popular destination for classic Northern Italian favorites and features an outstanding wine list and cellar. 425 Main St. NLR. Full bar, all CC. $$-$$$. 501-376-3463.

D Mon.-Sat. SHOTGUN DAN’S PIZZA Hearty pizza and sandwiches with a decent salad bar. Multiple locations, at 4020 E. Broadway, NLR, 945-0606; 4203 E. Kiehl Ave., Sherwood, 835-0606, and 10923 W. Markham St. Beer, CC. $-$$. 501-2249519. LD Mon.-Sat., D Sun. VINO’S Great rock ‘n’ roll club also is a fantastic pizzeria with huge calzones and always improving home-brewed beers. 923 W. 7th St. Beer and wine, all CC. $-$$. 501-375-8466.

LD daily.

ZAZA Here’s where you get wood-fired pizza 36

JULY 9, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

with gorgeous blistered crusts and a light topping of choice and tempting ingredients, great gelato in a multitude of flavors, call-yourown ingredient salads and other treats. 5600 Kavanaugh Blvd. Beer and wine, all CC. $$-$$$.

501-661-9292. LD daily. 1050 Ellis Ave. Conway.

Full bar, all CC. $$-$$$. 501-336-9292. LD daily.

LATINO

CANTINA LAREDO This is gourmet Mexican food, a step up from what you’d expect from a real cantina, from the modern minimal decor to the well-prepared entrees. We can vouch for the enchilada Veracruz and the carne asada y huevos, both with tasty sauces and high quality ingredients perfectly cooked. 207 N. University. Full bar, all CC. $$$.

501-280-0407. LD daily, BR Sun. CHUY’S Good Tex-Mex. We’re especially fond of the enchiladas, and always appreciate restaurants that make their own tortillas.

16001 Chenal Parkway. Full bar, all CC. $$-$$$.

501-821-2489. LD daily.

JUANITA’S Menu includes a variety of combination entree choices — enchiladas, tacos, flautas, shrimp burritos and such — plus creative salads and other dishes. And of course the “Blue Mesa” cheese dip. 614 President Clinton Ave. Full bar, all CC. $$-$$$.

501-372-1228. LD Tue.-Sat. LA SALSA MEXICAN & PERUVIAN CUISINE Mexican and Peruvian dishes, beer and margaritas. 3824 John F. Kennedy Blvd.

NLR. Full bar, all CC. 501-753-1101. LD daily.

LOCAL LIME Tasty gourmet Mex from the folks who brought you Big Orange and ZaZa. 17815 Chenal Parkway. Full bar, all CC. $$-$$$.

501-448-2226. LD daily.

LUPITA’S ORIGINAL MEXICAN FOOD Mexican, American food and bar specializing in Margaritas. 7710 Cantrell Road. Full bar.

PONCHITO’S MEXICAN GRILL Mexican food and drinks, plus karaoke on the patio 6-9 p.m. Thursdays with DJ Greg, happy hour on beers weekdays. 10901 N. Rodney Parham Road. Full bar, Beer. 501-246-5282.

SENOR TEQUILA Typical cheap Mexcian dishes with great service. Good margaritas.

10300 N. Rodney Parham Road. Full bar, all CC. $$. 501-224-5505. LD daily. 9847 Maumelle Blvd. NLR. 501-758-4432.

SENOR TEQUILA Typical cheap Mexican dishes with great service. Good margaritas.

10300 N. Rodney Parham Road. Full bar, all CC. $$. 501-224-5505. LD daily. 9847 Maumelle Blvd. NLR. 501-758-4432; 14524 Cantrell Road. Full bar, all CC. $$. 501-8687642. LD daily.

TACO MEXICO Tacos have to be ordered at least two at a time, but that’s not an impediment. These are some of the best and some of the cheapest tacos in Little Rock. 7101 Colonel Glenn Road. No alcohol, No CC. $.

501-416-7002. LD Wed.-Sun. TACOS GUANAJUATO Pork, beef, adobado, chicharron and cabeza tacos and tortas at this mobile truck. 6920 Geyer Springs Road. No alcohol, No CC. $. LD Wed.-Mon. TAMALITTLE RESTAURANT Authentic Mexican food, including pastes, flour-based small empanada-like pastries stuffed with a variety of Mexican ingredients, and other traditional dishes. 102 Markham Park Drive.

No alcohol, all CC. $-$$. 501-217-9085. BLD Mon.-Fri., LD Sat. TAQUERIA EL PALENQUE Solid authentic Mexican food. Try the al pastor burrito. 9501 N. Rodney Parham Road. Beer, CC. $-$$.

501-312-0045. Serving BLD Tue.-Sun.

DUMAS, CONT. grave forms of religious tyranny looming.

Colleges with church affiliations might not be able to discriminate against gay and lesbian students, and adoption agencies might find themselves in a dilemma over whether to let a gay or lesbian couple adopt a child. Only a few years ago, Southern religious colleges found themselves facing the loss of federal funds if they continued to discriminate against black youngsters. Roberts saw a slippery slope for people who claimed a religious pretext for discrimination.

Then there was the angry voice of Justice Antonin Scalia, who ironically spawned the current religious freedom debate by weighing in precisely on the other side. Scalia wrote for a six-judge majority that upheld an Oregon drugtreatment agency’s firing of two drug counselors who admitted using peyote in their Native American Church. Peyote is a sacrament in the church; it brings users into God’s presence.

Scalia wrote that the government had to be able to prohibit socially

harmful conduct in compliance with public policy, so it “cannot depend on measuring the effects of a governmental action on a religious objector’s spiritual development.” Madison would have applauded Scalia’s rationale if not the government’s act. (That decision caused Congress in 1993 — and Arkansas in 2015 — to pass the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which recognized religious rights in situations like the peyote sacrament and other acts of conscience.)

With Scalia, Madison’s great protection against religious establishment is one man’s freedom but another’s tyranny. It depends upon whether he likes the religion. When Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act gave women the right to have their insurance cover reproductive medicine, the Catholic Scalia found that it violated the religious beliefs of their corporate employer, Hobby Lobby. Madison’s shade is reported to have moaned, “What have I done?”

A SYSTEM OVERLOADED, CONT. to fix child protection systems. Some advocates, including the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform, argue that this seeming paradox is just the other side of the same coin: that the bigger and more overloaded a foster system becomes, the more likely it is that children in serious danger will be overlooked. Other advocates, like the national group Children’s Rights, which organizes class-action lawsuits on behalf of foster children, tend to argue that governments need to better fund the child protection services they’ve committed to run.

“Each system is broken in its own way,” says Children’s Rights’ litigation director Ira Lustbader. “There isn’t a cookie-cutter solution to this. But a fundamental question you might ask any state where there’s a question of crisis or a lack of accountability is: Does the system have the tools and resources to make informed decisions in individual cases?

Because if it doesn’t, you’re placing kids at risk of harm and revictimization.”

It can seem like a hopelessly complicated crisis. Fixing these problems will take money and time, cooperation and rethinking. But, Carson said, it’s one the state has a legal responsibility to fix, at the risk of a lawsuit or federal action that could force more painful reforms. It’s happened before. In 1991, the National Center for Youth Law and other child advocacy organizations sued the state of Arkansas on behalf of 17,350 children in the landmark case Angela R. v. Clinton (later Angela R. v. Huckabee),

resulting in a settlement that had implications for nearly all aspects of Arkansas child welfare policy. Since around that time, Children’s Rights has launched 16 class-action lawsuits in states around the country, including Oklahoma, where a 2012 settlement has resulted in an ongoing, court-monitored overhaul of that state’s foster care system from top to bottom. The prescribed reforms include both sides of the debate — that Oklahoma must better serve struggling parents and facilitate more kinship placements, and that the system must recruit more foster parents and eliminate the use of shelters. In recent years, Children’s Rights representatives have visited Arkansas to interview child welfare workers, although Lustbader declined to comment on whether the organization was currently considering action against the state.

“The bottom line is there’s an awful lot of secrecy going on when we really ought to be buckling down and handling the problem, before someone else comes in and makes us handle it,” Carson said.

“There’s no defensible reason why these children are in a placement crisis except for the fact that someone has to carry this banner and say we have to get this program in the position to do what it is statutorily charged to do. We decided to care for children, and we have to, by federal and state law.

“It’s time to bust it open and say, ‘All comers: We’re all at the table, and we’re all responsible.’ ”

TREASURED BOXES, CONT.

TOGETHER BUT UNEQUAL, CONT. struck down bans on interracial marriage in a landmark case. “After Loving v. Virginia, do you think all the interracial couples in Virginia in 1967 were instantly invited to the country club? Of course not,” he said.

“There can sometimes be a big difference in the law and the real world.”

“And I don’t think it will be uniform across the state. In Pulaski County, for example, I know judges for whom equality in court has been a reality for quite some time. But I also know that there are courts that will continue to consider the sexual orientation of those appearing in court. This is going to take time to become a practical reality for the entire state.”

Weatherby said that the narrowness of Kennedy’s opinion — the fact that discrimination against LGBT people is not subject everywhere to the exacting level of scrutiny as discrimination based on religion or race — means that same-sex couples could have limited recourse if they feel they’ve been treated unfairly in court.

“On the surface, Obergefell explicitly provides that same-sex marriages are to be treated in a legal sense the same way that heterosexual marriages are treated,” she said. “But beyond the surface-level implications of Obergefell, there’s absolutely a continuing social stigma that applies and will continue to apply to same-sex status, and so if there is a hypothetical judge who treats a same-sex couple differently than a heterosexual couple, the couple can find solace in Obergefell, invoking their fundamental right to marry. But they cannot find solace in equal protection [under the 14th Amendment] ... because sexual orientation has not yet been deemed a ‘suspect class’ by the Supreme Court.

“That same-sex couple would absolutely have a claim that they have a fundamental right to marry, and substantive due process requires the court to treat their marriage just like any other marriage. But in terms of proving some kind of discriminatory treatment based on a protected class — that would be very difficult.”

McBride said that there will also be situations in which same-sex unions force a reimagining of established Arkansas laws. For example, “in most custody situations, courts pretty much assume that it’s in a child’s best interest to have exposure to both parents.

Children need a mom and a dad; that’s fairly uncontroversial. Lawyers argue this all the time, and it’s accepted as true [by a court] unless one of the parents is not fit.”

However, in the eyes of a court determining the best interest of a child in a divorce, this would seem to suggest a difference between same-sex couples and oppositesex couples. “Do children need a mom and mom or dad and dad as much as they need a mom and dad? Put another way: If you’ve already got a mom, do you need another?”

DANIELLE WEATHERBY: Ruling doesn’t bring housing, employment rights.

McBride asked.

“It may be that when courts in the past have articulated this need, they were simply expressing the present reality. They said ‘mom and dad’ because that was the only possibility. Courts may simply prefer that children need two parents, regardless of their title or biology,” he said.

Such uncertainties aside, the law accords significant benefits to married couples simply by default. Weatherby provided what she called a “representative, non-exhaustive list” of the myriad ways in which a statesanctioned marriage sculpts an individual’s life: “Tax benefits; inheritance and property rights … spousal evidentiary privileges invoked by a witness at a trial or other legal proceeding; hospital visitation rights; medical decision-making authority; adoption rights; government records, including birth and death certificates; professional ethics rules; campaign finance restrictions; workers’ compensation benefits; health insurance; and child custody, child support and child visitation rules.”

“Finally, a divorce of a same-sex married couple would be governed by the same laws governing a divorce of a heterosexual married couple,” she added.

McBride detailed a few additional specifics regarding marital benefits. “Marriage makes a big difference on your taxes. For example, the cap on IRA contributions goes up significantly if you’re married and file jointly. It also makes a difference on your deductions: If you make anything over $80,000 in modified adjusted gross income as a single person, you can’t deduct student loan interest; it’s $160,000 if you’re married filing jointly.”

Marriage also touches probate law. “In Arkansas, a spouse has what’s called an elective forced share. Even if you disinherit a spouse, that person can still get a share of the estate — so that’s a big advantage.”

“Other things being equal, getting married is almost always going to have significant financial advantages,” McBride

said. A rare exception: Some low-income individuals may find they no longer qualify for certain social safety net benefits after their financial profiles are merged into a single household. “If you have two people making $15,000 a year, you might get benefits that you won’t if you have a family making $30,000. … There are situations where ‘marrying up’ could, say, disqualify you for Medicaid.”

But perhaps the most important issues, again, involve children. “In Arkansas, you can’t have a co-guardianship — either of a minor, or of any incapacitated person — unless you’re a spouse,” he said. The Arkansas statute on adoption still says that only a “husband and wife” may adopt a child in tandem. In 2011, a lawsuit forced the Arkansas Department of Human Services to allow cohabiting adults to adopt, but the letter of the law must still be updated to clarify the new reality of marriage in the United States.

“There’s going to be a ton of language that has to be changed throughout the Arkansas Code. That is just a matter of changing language, admittedly, but I doubt that the legislature is going to get into any hurry doing so,” McBride said.

With an issue as politically charged as same-sex marriage, even making technical corrections could meet opposition.

“After historical decisions like Roe v. Wade and Brown v. Board of Education — decisions that not only shaped the law but also shaped our cultural and societal norms — there’s a cyclical response,” Weatherby said. “We see society reacting with resistance.

“We’re going to see a rise in legislative proposals in this state to find loopholes around the court’s decision in Obergefell.

For example, we’ve already had [former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee] saying he believes the court’s decision was discriminatory in so far as it negatively impacted people with sincerely held religious beliefs. … I think we’re going to continue to see this backlash narrative of legislative measures that pit religion against civil rights for the LGBT community.”

Weatherby cited a law passed last month in Michigan that allows faith-based private adoption agencies to deny services to certain prospective parents if doing so would conflict with an agency’s religious beliefs. That might include unmarried couples or others — but it’s clearly aimed at LGBT people.

“I would think that [Michigan] law would now be in question, since samesex marriages should be treated like heterosexual marriages,” she said. “Although, as I said earlier, if there is a legal challenge, there is no heightened level of scrutiny. So, I’m not sure. We’ll just have to see how this all plays out.”

fired and gas kilns. Their studio is open to visitors and they will often demonstrate their craft.

Winston Taylor, 2011: Taylor is known for his spare, almost Asian aesthetic in his raku pottery. He teaches at Arkansas River Valley Arts Center in Russellville, where he introduced the ceramics classes.

Peter Lippincott, 2010: If you have ever been to Arkansas Craft Guild shows, you’ll know Lippincott’s Mudpuppy Studio. Lippincott, who came late to the craft, at age 38, is known for his intense glazes and functional forms. He teaches at the Fort Smith Regional Arts Museum.

Doug Stowe, 2009: The Eureka Springs woodworker, contemporary furniture maker and author created the Wisdom of Hands program at Clear Spring School to introduce the craft to younger people.

Robyn Horn, 2008: The Little Rock wood sculptor creates large geometrical forms, and is the first artist to have a piece installed in the Governor’s Mansion sculpture garden. She also is known nationally for her support of contemporary crafts.

James R. Cook, 2007: Cook, who studied with famous Arkansan bladesmith Jerry Fisk, exhibits his knives, including the Arkansas Razorback” and “Tuxedo Bowie,” internationally.

Larry Williams, 2006: To do traditional woodwork, you want traditional tools, like the handmade woodworking planes made and sold

by Williams.

Leon Niehues, 2005: This selftaught basketmaker from Pettigrew is known for his large-weave sculptural vessels that often incorporate black emery cloth, waxed linen thread and small bolts. Each basket is unique.

Violet Hensley, 2004: The documentary of this Yellville fiddlemaker is one of the best short films about an Arkansas subject you’ll see. Hensley, who’ll turn 100 in October 2016, started making fiddles when she was 15 years old.

Irma Gail Hatcher, 2003: Hatcher, who lives in Conway, has won 10 national awards for her quilts and is the only Arkansan to be named a Master Quilter by the National Quilting Association.

Beatrice Stebbing, 2002: Stebbing taught herself the art of stained glass in the 1930s, studying under Emil Frei of St. Louis, to create glass windows for a chapel at her Texas college. She died in Siloam Springs in 2004. www.arktimes.com

JULY 9, 2015

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The Arkansas Times is launching its second annual Women Entrepreneurs issue in October, and we want to know who you think we should feature. Here is what to keep in mind: • Your nominee must be a woman who started her own business or took over a business and is still the owner/operator.

• She must be an Arkansan.

• She must be in business currently and have at least one year in business by the time of your nomination.

• We welcome nominees who are LGBTQ.

• She must fit in one of these industry categories: food, professions (teachers, doctors, attorneys, financial advisors, etc.), nontraditional, retail and design, and two new categories - trailblazers (women who do not have their own business but have led their profession to success – pastors, teachers, CEOs, writers, etc.), and those women entrepreneurs outside of Pulaski County.

NOMINEES WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL SEPTEMBER 4, 2015.

Submit your nominee and her contact info to Kelly Lyles, kelly@arktimes.com and we will announce those selected in September.

A panel of judges will determine the finalists and they will be announced by industries in the following issues:

OCTOBER 1, 8, 15, 22 AND 29 WOMEN ENTREPRENEUR CLASS OF 2014 FOOD

Capi Peck, Jan Lewandwoski, Kristi & April Williams, Faith & Sharon Cabin, Alexis Jones, Mary Beth Ringgold, Diana Bratton, Kavion Wang, Judy Waller

NON TRADITIONAL

Dee Sanders, Sarah Tackett, Marla Johnson, L. Elizabeth Bowles & Jennifer Peper, Beth Killingsworth, Jana Cohen, Jennifer Heron, Natalie Canerday, Robyn Connell.

RETAIL & DESIGN

Cynthia East & Terry Dilday, Joyce Holt, Korto Momolu, Meredith Hamilton Ranouil, Tanarah Hayne, Jean Cazort, Garbo Hearne, Melissa Tanner.

JULY 9, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

Kay Bona, Michele Towne, Joyce Fowler, Mary Parham, Gloria Lawson, Cindy Minor, Carol Ann Hicks

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Cindy Conger, Charlotte John, Janet Jones, Elizabeth Small, Cara Wilkerson Hazelwood, Anne Powell Black

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ARKANSAS TIMES