Arkansas Times: Week of January 14, 2010

ARKANSAS’S WEEKLY NEWSPAPER OF POLITICS AND CULTURE ■ jANUARY 14, 2010

July 12, 2007

family We are

Latinos find not just jobs, but homes, in LR.

By Rafael NuNez

page 10

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Finally, some peace

In April, the Times brought you the story of Mark and Renell Cothren, a Conway family whose life had been disrupted by the noise coming from Frac Tech, an oil and gas services company located about 200 yards from their home. Diesel tanker trunks entered the facility at all hours and a loud compressor-like noise often disrupted quiet evenings at home, sunny days out on the front lawn and peaceful nights of sleep.

Because the facility was located just outside the city limits, Conway’s noise ordinance did not apply, and local officials said nothing could be done.

Quiet now reigns. After a round of layoffs in 2009, Frac Tech announced in December it would be closing its operations. Sharon Hicks, general counsel for the company, said the demand for Frac Tech’s services was simply greater in other states.

So what does that mean for the oncebooming natural gas industry? Jamie Gates, vice president of public affairs for the Conway Development Corporation, says he doesn’t think it’s an indication the industry is in decline.

“We’re getting calls constantly from people looking for parcels of land very similar to that one,” he says. “There’s been a noticeable up-tick in activity in the gas industry since the fourth quarter of last year.”

As for the Cothrens, they’re happy to have some relief, but intend to keep pressure on local officials to make sure another disruptive business doesn’t move in.

“We’re certainly not happy about the layoffs,” Cothren says, “but something had to happen.”

Mark your calendar

Sarah Huckabee, the former governor’s daughter and executive director of the Huck PAC, confirms that she’ll be marrying Bryan Sanders May 25 in St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He’s a political consultant who was a field director in Mike Huckabee’s 2008 presidential campaign, in which his daughter also worked. Politics doesn’t always make strange bedfellows, a la Matalin and Carville. You can send a gift by checking registries at Dillard’s and Bed, Bath and Beyond.

Working on holiday

Not all state employees will be off Monday, though it’s a state holiday for Robert E. Lee and Martin Luther King’s birthdays. Some employees of the Legislative Auditing Division will attend a meeting at UALR to work on new auditing procedures.

Legislative Auditor Roger Norman said the meeting was necessary in order to meet new auditing deadlines in connection with federal grants. Employees who ask for Monday off will be given it, Norman said, and others will take a day off later.

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Stay Clean, Stay Connected Have you checked your service lines lately?

Beneath your residence or business is a network of over 1,300 miles of sanitary sewer pipe (sewer mains) that connects nearly 65,000 customers to Little Rock’s wastewater (sewer) treatment facilities. On top of this extensive underground network is your residence or business, which is connected to this wastewater service by a sewer service line. Many homeowners and business owners don’t realize they are responsible for maintaining the sewer service line from the structure to the sanitary sewer mains. Help keep sewer where it belongs: in the pipes.

Have your sewer service line checked often for leaks or cracks and make any necessary repairs to help keep our environment safe.

www.lrwastewater.com • 501-376-2903 ArkAnsAs Times • jAnuAry 14, 2010 3

Smart talk

Contents Soaking the poor

gets donation: From alumnus Harry Hastings Jr.

upgrading Catholic journalism n Little Rock businessman Harry Hastings Jr. (Catholic High School, 1945) has given his alma mater $50,000 to upgrade the school’s TV studio and journalism department. The money will buy cameras, lights and TVs for 34 classrooms. His father financed the school’s first TV studio in 1967. According to a news release, the younger Hastings said he wanted to bring the studio into the 21st century. He made it, with 90 years to spare.

arkansas deprived of Sam’s new spirits

n Of all the states, Arkansas has the seventh-highest taxes on poor people, according to a new study.

The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy in Washington looked at the effective rate of state and local taxes on the poorest one-fifth of a state’s residents. It found that the state of Washington has the highest taxes for poor people. we’re no. 7: In taxes on poor.

The poorest one-fifth of Washington residents pay 17.3 percent of their total income in state and local taxes. Washington has no income tax. The income tax is a progressive tax, based on ability to pay. Florida, which also lacks an income tax, had the second-highest taxes for the poor — 13.5 percent of total income. Arkansas managed to finish seventh, at just over 12 percent, even though it has an income tax. liters. Grey Goose retails in Arkansas stores in the high $60s.

No need to rush out to the Sam’s Club in Fayetteville, which has an adjoining liquor store, to stock up on Rue 33. It’s not going to be sold in Arkansas. Why? Each individual alcoholic beverage must be approved for sale in Arkansas. The producer of this vodka sought permission from the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division. It was denied because the ABC doesn’t allow store brands.

All beverages must be sold by wholesalers and wholesalers must provide all beverages to all permit holders, not just a single store. ABC officials were skeptical that the private label Sam’s Club vodka would be marketed that way. Want cheap, premium storebrand booze? You’ll have to check a Sam’s Club in a neighboring state.

n Sam’s Club, the Bentonville-based warehouse store chain, announced last week that it was rolling out a store brand premium vodka, to be labeled Rue 33. It’s the first under the store’s Member’s Mark premium line, which indicates more are on the way. The vodka was described in a news release as a “refined wheat vodka from the Cognac region of France. It is six times distilled and three times filtered and produced by the renowned Louis Royer and imported by Shaw Ross.” It targets the pricey Grey Goose, another wheat-based vodka made in the Cognac region. Rue 33 will be cheaper, at $28 for 1.75

8

Huckabee speaks their language

An excerpt from a recent book explains Mike Huckabee’s 2008 primary success — and his future presidential popularity — through his connection with evangelical voters. — By Max Blumenthal

10 LR is for Latinos

Little Rock has proved a second — and more welcoming — home for émigrés from Latin America who are establishing neighborhoods and a sense of community. — By Rafael Nunez

31 A worthy Diversion

Diversion, a new wine bar in Hillcrest, has it all together — setting, service, drinks and, particularly, the food. — Dining

DEPARTMENTS

3 • The insider

4 • smart Talk

5 • The Observer

6 • Letters

7 • Orval 8-13 • news

14 • Opinion

17 • arts & entertainment

31 • Dining

37 • Crossword/ Tom Tomorrow

38 • Lancaster

Words n Wake up and step up, America: The “Orval” comic strip by Tommy Durham recently made gentle fun of the people who write letters to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette containing the phrase “Wake Up, America!” There are an awful lot of these people, and with an awful lot of time on their hands.

Many of their letters contain the phrase “We the People” too. As best I can tell from the context, “We the People” usually means “I the People.”

“Orval” started me thinking about other journalistic cliches. A newspaper article the other day about a gift to a medical eye institute was headlined “The Eyes Have it.” By actual count, it was the 789th time I’d seen that precise headline.

“The Eyes Have It” appears far more often than the phrase it parodies, which 4 january 14, 2010 • arkansas Times

Doug S mith doug@arktimes.com

is “The Ayes Have It.” Some of the “eye” writers have probably never heard of the “aye” version.

I dream of a day when an article will appear having something to do with eyes, and it will not be headlined “The Eyes Have It.” An impossible dream, perhaps, like hoping to see an article related to avian affairs that’s not headlined “It’s For the Birds.” Or an article about the Arkansas Razorbacks that’s not titled “High on the Hogs.”

I see that a columnist in Pittsburgh gives out a “Trite Trophy” every year to the most tiresome phrase on the sports page. The 2009 winner was “Dial up a blitz.” According to football announcers, defensive coaches do a great deal of this. They’re the only people still dialing, apparently.

Other winners of the Trite Trophy: “Running Downhill.” “Somebody’s Gotta Step Up,” and “It’s Crunch Time.”

I’m aghast that “Playing Within Himself” hasn’t taken home the prize at least once. n Even in the off-season, the piquant baseball names keep coming. I’ve just learned there’s a team in the Can-Am League called the New Jersey Jackals.

I hope they have fierce rivalries with the Hartford Hyenas and the Trenton Teabaggers.

VOLUME 36, NUMBER 19 ARKANSAS TIMES (ISSN 0164-6273) is published each week by Arkansas Times Limited Partnership, 201 East Markham Street, 200 Heritage Center West, P.O. Box 34010, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72203, phone (501) 375-2985. Periodical postage paid at Little Rock, Arkansas, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ARKANSAS TIMES, P.O. Box 34010, Little Rock, AR, 72203. Subscription prices are $42 for one year, $78 for two years. Subscriptions outside Arkansas are $49 for one year, $88 for two years. Foreign (including Canadian) subscriptions are $168 a year. For subscriber service call (501) 375-2985.

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The Observer is in the mar-

ket for a new Mobile Observatory of late, which got us thinking about the rides of yore. We can remember them all, some not so fondly. Case in point: The Cursed Truck.

The Cursed Truck was a 1965 Chevrolet short wheelbase pickup, bought the summer we turned 17. It was bone white, and somebody had dropped a hopped up small block in it. It had aluminum wheels and was lowered the white-trash way — heat the springs until all the sprung is gone. To a driver with a license so new it was practically hot to the touch, it was quite a sight to behold.

The Observer bought the truck with the intention of going to prom in it, but it was clear almost immediately that it didn’t want to go. Any time a female was in the truck, the door would fly open and try to tump her out, no matter how much we jiggered with the latch.

Two days before prom, The Observer’s brother took it for a spin around the block, and by the time he got back to the driveway, the transmission was smoking like a tar kettle and sounded like a cement mixer full of marbles.

We thrashed on it all night to get a new trans in it. Finally, caked in grease, we pulled it out into the sun for a test drive.

We made it to the end of the driveway, and both rear tires went flat, at the same time. We found two spares and put them on. We got back in the truck, and when The Observer went to crank it, it spun once, coughed, and then there was a loud clank, followed by a high-pitched whirring. A look under the truck discovered that the bell housing — the cast iron flange that mounts the transmission to the engine — had cracked nearly in half, leaving the starter dangling from the battery cable and still bolted to a jagged chunk of iron.

We pushed the truck back to the garage, where we thrashed again. Finally, it was running, it was starting, the tires were inflated and all was right with the world. The Observer scrubbed off the grease, put on our rented tux, picked up the prom date and drove to the high school gym. When we had been there a good 20 minutes when our ladyfriend came up and whispered in our ear the awful truth: Unbeknownst to us, the seat of our rented pants was shredded, torn out — we found later — by a spring that had inexplicably jumped

up from the seat of The Cursed Truck.

Keeping our near-naked rear to the least populated side of the room, we skulked back to the hateful lump of Four-Wheeled Evil in the parking lot and motored home in shame.

We could go on: How, when we went to take our ladyfriend out on another date, one of the front wheels inexplicably fell off at the end of the driveway and bounced into the ditch by the mailbox; how, while pulling off a rubber hose on the fuel pump, our hand slipped and hit the (mercifully still) fan blade, which cut us deep enough to leave a scar we’ll carry to the grave; how the cam lobes inexplicably went flat and the gas tank inexplicably caught fire and the gears in the rear end inexplicably seized up as solid as if they had been welded in place — a phenomenon so odd that no one, not even the grizzled old farts at the local parts counter, had ever heard of or seen such a thing.

Finally, fed up and freaked out, The Observer sold our nightmare for a song.

The guy who bought it — who bought it even though The Observer’s dear old Pa had warned him it was cursed and might kill him someday — came with a car trailer to pick it up. When the new owner went to load the truck onto the trailer, the hitch inexplicably popped off his towing ball, the trailer rolled forward, and the trailer tongue proceeded to rip the tailgate off his four-day-old pickup and toss it high into the air. New Owner sent for his brother’s wrecker to pull The Cursed Truck home. Halfway there, The Cursed Truck inexplicably dropped itself into gear. Not only did that burn out the transmission in The Cursed Truck, it put enough of a load on the wrecker that the wrecker’s engine blew up.

The Observer heard later that New Owner’s brother had a heart attack while trying to pull the motor out of The Cursed Truck and later died. When New Owner finally got it running, he drove it for a week, then managed to roll it ass over teakettle down a 100foot embankment into a creek during a flood. Back broken, he managed to crawl out and swim to shore just before The Cursed Truck was swept into the cottonwoods and dashed to smithereens. And that, friends, was the end of The Cursed Truck.

You think I’m exaggerating, but I’m not. I can show you the scar.

ArkAnsAs Times • jAnuAry 14, 2010 5

RETIREMENT

LOOKS

GOOD

Letters arktimes@arktimes.com

God and football I found myself with a short wait and nothing to read. I rummaged around in the truck though and came across a once read copy of the Arkansas Times from 8 October.

As I reread the article about the “Lions fed to Christians,” I had a sudden flash of insight. God is using this situation to demonstrate that schools that allow and encourage prayer in the classrooms are able to turn out better football players.

I wonder if our forefathers or even our courts had realized this, would we still have the prohibition against state-sponsored prayers? Of course we would still need to be sure that we were only allowing prayer to the right God. Herb Hawn Little Rock

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8700 Riley Dr. •Little Rock 501.224.4242 woodlandheightsllc.com 6 january 14, 2010 • arkansas Times

It was a pleasure to read Michael Dougan’s article about the Arkansas Black apple. I planted several Arkansas Black apple trees two years ago but was unaware of the history of this state treasure.

We should make the Arkansas Black the official state apple. I am looking forward to my first harvest.

Randy Ashley Mayflower

How to get ahead A wire service reported recently that Congressman Mike Ross made a “Fifty Most Loved Congressmen List.” This honor was bestowed by Newsmax Magazine, whose contributors include literary giants like Dick Morris, Bill O’Reilly and Michael Reagan. This is the same magazine offering a year’s subscription and a copy of Sara Palin’s “book” for about 5 bucks.

Mike is a smart enough politician to do what I did 20 years ago — play to the crowd, get the NRA (or whatever endorsement was required), eat the fat, peeled boiled shrimp from the lobbyists (usually the pharmacists, who peddle anti-fat and cholesterol drugs) and think you have really arrived on the power scene.

Looking back on my 50th year class reunion photos in Pine Bluff, I wonder if our dead (titled “departed,” or “no longer with us” or “gone to be with the Lord”) classmates are not the luckiest. Bob Lancaster, another Mulerider, had the sense to retire into his own imagination and creativity. I have not reached that point. And maybe, with little imagination and a paucity (Inez Couch taught me that word) of creativity, I never will.

I wish I could have attended one of those magical high schools that graduated (barely) Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity — two guys who are experts on physical science, religion, government

and political science, economics, foreign policy, the Constitution, the Supreme Court and any and all things cerebral. The closest I came to such a font of wisdom was Howard Watson, a radio disc jockey in Pine Bluff in the 1950s. He never assumed that he knew more than what was good rock ’n’ roll and his profound advice was usually limited to something like “drive careful.”

Tom Forgey Magnolia (Forgey is a former state representative.)

What competition?

I just watched Blanche Lincoln in a TV interview. She is against the “public option” and in favor of “competition “ in the free market. Or so she says!

My question for Sen. Lincoln is, “What competition?”

Republicans and their rented Democrats have for years touted free market competition. All the while they are frantically buying up any real competition in all major businesses.

Consider the newspaper business.

Why are we now saddled with only one statewide newspaper with a Republican bias and slant? Because Walter Hussmann has bought out, in my view through nefarious means, any real competition.

There are only two major health insurers left in the state. Automobile insurers are about as scarce as well and all the above have left us with damned little choice as to who will rip us off. How does that benefit us?

Senator Lincoln has not shown me any realistic intention to serve the concerns of the state’s taxpayers or voters.

Karl Hansen Hensley

The health battle My disappointment in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce regarding their attacks on Congressman Vic Snyder over his health care vote is overwhelming. The Chamber has always been on the side, or so I thought, of small businesses as well as large, but now it has become patently obvious that their only interest is in catering to large business.

The one thing that will surely sink small businesses is the ever escalating cost of providing medical insurance for their employees, an obligation many take very seriously.

Not only are the attacks on the congressman unfair, they are largely misleading in claiming huge new taxes that every reliable source says is not true.

Arkansas needs health reform at least as much as any state in the union and yet our people continue to be fooled by the self-serving interests of big business and now even the Chamber of Commerce, into supporting a position that is completely contrary to our own best interests.

Pamela Kell Little Rock

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11200 W. Markham (West of Shackleford on Markham) Little Rock 501-223-3120 • 866-988-vino ArkAnsAs Times • jAnuAry 14, 2010 7

the week that was jan. 6-12, 2010

The Arkansas Reporter

Phone: 501-375-2985 Fax: 501-375-3623 Arkansas Times Online home page: http://www.arktimes.com E-mail: arktimes@arktimes.com ■

It was a GOOD week fOr …

UAMS. The med center’s Rockefeller Cancer Institute received $10.5 million in federal stimulus money to help in construction of a 12-story addition with labs and new research jobs.

■­

■

Why Huckabee is a threat in ’12 It’s his hold on the evangelical base that lifted him in 2008.

by Max bluMenthal

SHIVERING. The hardest freeze in more than a decade took low temperatures to single digits for several days running. Some schools and businesses had to close.

DEMAGOGUERY. After a couple of weeks of sitting on the sidelines, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel decided he better join the posse whipping up on a special Medicaid deal for Nebraska in pending Senate health legislation. He didn’t join the long threatened lawsuit to stop it, he just complained about it. And while he was hanging a fellow Democrat, Sen. Blanche Lincoln, out to dry for voting for the bill, he volunteered that a fix that gave all states, including struggling Arkansas, the same level of Medicaid support was a bad idea. Thanks, Dustin.

DAVID O. DODD. The teen hanged for spying on Union troops in Little Rock during the Civil War is but a minor footnote to a footnote theater of the war. But 145 years later, the Rebel-worshipping Arkansas Democrat-Gazette continues to lavish extensive coverage on the annual rewind of the same old Dodd cemetery tribute by a few dozen Confederate sympathizers. Hang onto that Confederate money, boys.

It was a baD week fOr …

STATE GOVERNMENT. Declining revenue prompted a $106 million budget cut for the remainder of this fiscal year, a total of more than $200 million since the year began on a much rosier note.

No jobs will be lost, Gov. Mike Beebe said.

The ASSOCIATION OF ARKANSAS COUNTIES. The taxpayerfinanced lobby has always worked for county officials, not taxpayers. That was never clearer than last week when its director, Eddie Jones, pleaded with legislators not to make county officials pay back illicit retirement checks drawn on top of regular wages without satisfying the law’s requirement that they first terminate their public employment. What’s the law got to do with it, he seemed to suggest.

8 january 14, 2010 • arKanSaS TIMES

IOWA 2008: Huckabee’s affection among Iowa evangelicals powered his caucus surprise. n With evangelical favorites Gov. Mark Sanford and Sen. John Ensign indelibly scarred by sex scandals, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has become the natural Christian right candidate for the 2012 GOP presidential primary. In 2008, Huckabee used his background as a conservative evangelical pastor to electrify the Republican grassroots, emerging practically from nowhere to defeat better funded rivals like Mitt Romney in key primary states.

Since then, Huckabee has remained one of the GOP’s most visible figures, hosting his own talk show on Fox News and touring the conservative lecture circuit. But aside from a controversial trip to Israel, where he declared an alliance with radical Jewish settlers seeking to Judaize occupied areas of East Jerusalem and the West Bank, Huckabee has managed to avoid the kind of caustic media spectacles that Sarah Palin has generated. [Editor’s note: This was written before the controversy over Huckabee’s commutation years ago of the man suspected of killing four Washington law officers. Polling continues to show Huckabee a favorite among Republican voters.] He is saving his energy for the next campaign, when he hopes to capitalize on residual support in heavily evangelical states and, at the very least, demonstrate his value as a vice presidential nominee who can bring the Christian right around for an establish-

ment candidate like Romney.

In the following excerpt from my new book, “Republican Gomorrah,” I explain how Huckabee’s success in the 2008 GOP primary stemmed from deeper factors than his positions on the issues. Unlike his adversaries, he understood the nuances of the Christian right — the movement that controls the party. n Huckabee’s appeal among the Republican base stemmed from more subtle factors than his positions on social issues. Unlike Romney and the rest of his adversaries, Huckabee demonstrated an intimate understanding of the complexities of the Christian right. Most important, he recognized how the movement’s underlying culture of personal crisis animated its politics of resentment. His familiarity with this critical nuance was apparent when he spoke before an assemblage of Iowa’s most politically active clergy members, the Pastors and Pews conference, in July 2007. Huckabee’s speech was a remarkably coherent disquisition on the nexus between private trauma and political conservatism. Echoing his friend Dobson, he insisted that man is too inherently corrupt to stand against the putrid headwinds of modern culture alone and that he must therefore submit to strict Dominionist guidelines: “If you want to make the hair on the back of my neck stand up, just tell me that my experience as a pastor lets you know

that I don’t have a clue about human life and the struggle of it. ... Name me any profession in this country, on this planet where people touch more the lives of every social pathology today. ...

“To that wife who’s trying to use make-up not to enhance her beauty but to hide the scars and the bruises from the abuse of some alcoholic husband who beats the daylights out of her every time he gets drunk — I’ve talked to her. From the person who’s struggling with who he or she may be in the context of a relationship that believes that he’s in love with a person of the same gender — I’ve talked to him. Name any problem, any social pathology, name any issue that’s confronting, and I’ll tell you who’s dealing with them. It’s the pastors of America who see the tears pouring out day after day after day ... who understand life at a level very few people see because these are the men and women who have front row seats to the real struggles of life....

“Chuck Colson said it beautifully, he said, ‘The problem in today’s world of this conflict of faith and secularism is that humanists don’t understand humanity, but a lot of Christians don’t understand Christianity. In part because we don’t understand the nature of man.’ ... The nature of man is not that he’s basically good; the nature of man is that he’s basically selfish. We have a sin nature, not a God nature. We have a God who made us, but we come into this world broken. We come into this world with a self-centeredness that only grace can fix.

And if we fail to understand that, then we will believe as those who are the secularists do, that man’s problems are essentially either economic or educational.”

Huckabee drew an especially sharp contrast with the signature stump speech of the man who preceded him as Arkansas governor and who was still the standard bearer of the Democratic Party by the time Huckabee entered Iowa: Bill Clinton. Clinton’s own campaign for the presidency began in Iowa amid a harsh economic recession. He reassured anxious blue-collar voters there, and later from his Oval Office desk, with a memorable phrase: “I feel your pain.” In his Pastors and Pews speech, Huckabee placed the pain of average Americans at the center of his concerns, but he referred to a strikingly different kind of pain than Clinton did.

While another financial crisis loomed on the horizon, Huckabee dismissed eco-

nomic tinkering as a remedy to the country’s hardships. According to Huckabee’s pessimistic vision, which was actually a projection of his experiences in evangelical culture, ordinary Americans are totally and naturally depraved. Scholarships and economic aid would do nothing to divert them from their slouch toward Gomorrah.

The pain brought on by Americans’“social pathology” could be cured only through “grace,” or submission to an omnipotent Jesus. And only Huckabee, with his background as a crude psychologist anointed

by God, could lead the serried masses into the Kingdom. His campaign was for a magic helper, not a president.

Huckabee continued his speech by reminding pastors that the next generation was seething with sin. “We’ve gone from Leave It to Beaver to Beavis and Butthead, ... ” he said. “From a time when teachers carried paddles and ruled the halls to now, where kids carry guns and the teachers are afraid.” The only way to heal the nation’s pain, Huckabee proclaimed, was to mete it out to the young rebellious ones. Again, he channeled Dobson. “Yes, I do believe that the old-fashioned ways of discipline are good ones,” he remarked with a wry smile. “I was the recipient of quite a few. I tell people, ‘My father was the most patriotic man I think I knew. Utter patriotism.

He laid on the stripes; I saw stars.’ True American patriotism!” For the first time, Huckabee’s enraptured audience burst into spontaneous applause.

Huckabee’s smiling appeals to cultural resentment and anger electrified the Republican base. Soon after his Pastors and Pews address, an ad hoc network of locally influential pastors, many of whom already communicated with one another through Family Research Council President Tony Perkins’s weekly conference calls, joined to form the grassroots arm of his campaign. By November 2007, Huckabee was polling even with Romney in Iowa and showed strength across the Bible Belt. Just as his surge in the polls began, Huckabee addressed the student body of the late Reverend Falwell’s Liberty University. There, he assured his star-struck audience that his sudden rise was evidence of a holy anointing. “There’s only one explanation for [my surge] and it’s not a human one,” Huckabee insisted, inspiring thunderous applause from the overflow crowd. “It’s the same power that helped a little boy with two fish and five loaves feed a crowd of five thousand people.”

Huckabee made this remarkable statement in response to a question from a student, not a reporter. Political reporters with access to the candidate shied away from asking him pointed questions about his theological beliefs, focusing instead on what New York Times political correspondent Adam Nagourney called his “easy-going, self-effacing, jaunty style.”

Times liberal commentator Frank Rich likened Huckabee to Democratic presidential frontrunner Barack Obama, writ-

ing, “both men aspire ... to avoid the hyper-partisanship of the Clinton-Bush era.” With its emotional yearning for postpartisan heroes, the national press corps gave Huckabee all the cover he needed.

He would thus remain the “affable,” bassplaying Republican counterpart to Obama, not the sectarian ideologue he truly was.

On January 3, 2008, Huckabee scored a stunning upset in Iowa, defeating Romney by eight points. His victory decided the course of the Republican primary.

Now, Romney’s only hope of salvaging his campaign was to win New Hampshire.

But McCain was set to capitalize on substantial residual support from his successful 2000 primary campaign in the Granite

State.As Republican voters looked forward to the general election, they were increasingly inclined to vote tactically. With his decades of experience with foreign policy (an Achilles heel for the domestic-minded governors Huckabee and Romney), compelling personal history, and maverick image, McCain seemed strongest in a hypothetical match-up against either Hillary Clinton or Obama.

McCain defeated Romney handily in New Hampshire, then swept into an insurmountable position on Super Tuesday. Huckabee won Alabama, West Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, and Arkansas on Super Tuesday, all heavily evangelical states (they also are among the nation’s

leaders in divorce and teen pregnancy rates). But with his campaign funds nearly expended and McCain just inches from securing the nomination, Huckabee could claim only moral victory. His campaign suddenly morphed into a massive publicity stunt made up of paid speeches before Christian-right outfits and talk show appearances full of folksy humor and hearty guffaws.

Max Blumenthal is a senior writer for The Daily Beast and writing fellow at The Nation Institute, whose book, “Republican Gomorrah” (Basic/Nation Books, 2009), was released in the fall. Contact him at maxblumenthal3000@yahoo.com.

Find out where to get your flu shots: 1-800-462-0599 Visit our website for more information: www.healthyarkansas.com ArkAnsAs Times • jAnuAry 14, 2010 9

Latinos in Little Rock

StoRieS fRom the ‘inviSibLe oneS.’

By Rafael NuNez

W

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hen I first arrived in Little Rock on May 21 of last year, I knew precious little about the region and the state of Arkansas in general. I knew that Bill Clinton had been governor of this state before becoming the 42nd president of the United States, and that he had been born in Hope. And that was about it.

During the last 25 years, I have made many journalistic “pit stops” all over the Southwest, Northwest and Midwest. Everywhere I’ve lived and worked, I’ve encountered more or less the same stories from immigrants I interviewed: Something about how a relative or friend, back in the old country (be it Mexico or some other Central American or South American nation), had related to them how it was possible to earn a much better wage, and access a much higher standard of living, in some city in California, or Texas, or Oregon, or Kansas, or any of the other states traditionally associated with Latin American immigrants.

Their beliefs, based on information they’d gotten from people who’d never been to the U.S., were almost like fairytales: When they got to their destination in the southwest, they thought, they would encounter money growing on trees, sweet manna falling from the sky, and untold riches would shower them in no time at all. I interviewed them shortly after they had arrived, whether it was right on the border, in El Paso, Texas; Albuquerque, N.M.; Pueblo, Colo., or in Stockton, Fresno, or some other town in the San Joaquin Valley in northern California.

The immigrants I interviewed in Little Rock did not come here directly. Most had first arrived in California, but some came here from Chicago, or Florida, and a few from as far away as New York. It was after months, or years, that they made their way to Little Rock. Like me, most of them had never heard of Little Rock — or Arkansas, for that matter — before arriving here. Unlike me, they came here fleeing from insidious gang violence, interracial strife, and disappearing or dead-end jobs.

All the Latin American immigrants I have interviewed here have told me that they are thankful they found Little Rock, since it has provided them with jobs that they can live on, and a peaceful, family-friendly lifestyle they most definitely did not find at their SEEKING WARMTH: Neighbors at a trailer park on Baseline Road gather around a bonfire on a bitterly cold winter day to trade first destinations.

Many of them, especially the ones from work stories.

10 january 14, 2010 • arKanSaS TIMES

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KEEPING WATCH: Author Rafael Núñez scans the skies outside his home in Southwest Little Rock.

Central American countries, are wary and do not volunteer information easily (many of them have been deported before by la migra, the border patrol and immigration authorities, and therefore do not trust strangers, even if they do speak Spanish).

But once I got past their justified mistrust, I was able to glean that most of them are savvy about the way things work in the U.S., and do not cling to any misguided rags-to-riches, pie-in-the-sky fantasies.

One Central American man in his sixties, Walter Alvarez, summed it up best when he told me, about a week after my arrival in Little Rock, that while it might be true that the construction job he had at the moment was not very well paid, and that in some instances in the past he feels that he has been exploited, “Still, even so, my current economic situation is better than what it was in the past, and certainly much, much better than what it was in my native country. Look, let’s be honest here: People often say that we, the undocumented Latin American immigrants, are exploited in this country. But we’ve been exploited all our lives, and the first ones that exploited us were our own countrymen, back in our native lands. That’s why we elected to leave, because we had no future there, other than to starve to death.

We have passed from being los de abajo [the ones at the bottom rung of society] and los olvidados [the forgotten ones] in our countries to being los invisibles [the

invisible ones] in this country. But we like our invisibility. It keeps us out of harm’s way and allows us to work and live in peace here. That’s why many of us live in trailer parks, because they’re invisible, and we like it that way.”

With time, I found that he was right.

Many trailer parks in southwest Little Rock go virtually unnoticed, and are hardly visible from the street. Other undocumented immigrants from Mexico I met echoed this invisibility theme: They showed me how they can drive their vehicles from Southwest Little Rock to any other part of the city without ever getting on the freeway or taking any main roads or streets with heavy traffic. They reason that by using bystreets or side streets, and taking little-used routes to their destinations, they are much less likely to encounter (and/or be stopped by) police patrol cars, which for them would spell quite a bit a trouble, since most of them don’t have a driver’s license or car insurance.

During this past summer, I befriended a group of eight Nicaraguan families who reside in a trailer park in Southwest Little Rock and are next-door neighbors to each other. They told me that since they all lived within shouting distance of each other, they could help each other out, in myriad ways, at a moment’s notice. These eight families take turns cooking their evening meals for each other, every single day of the week.

They explained that authentic Nicaraguan

cuisine is hard to come by in Little Rock, and so, after many disappointments at local restaurants — even at those that claim to serve real Nicaraguan food — they decided to all pitch in, buy their own ingredients, and start cooking, from scratch, their favorite dishes for each other.

I also met Jose Salazar, a Guatemalan immigrant who works as a pastry chef in North Little Rock. “I’ve been living here in North Little Rock for about a year, and what brought me here was the fact that in West Los Angeles, Calif., where I lived and worked for 14 years, the economy went sour, many people started losing their jobs, and there was very little work for me. What I like best about this region is that the cost of living is lower, and therefore one’s salary goes a long way, much more so than in California. On top of that, it is much more peaceful here.”

Perfecto Martinez, a Mexican immigrant and a carpenter, told me that his major pride in life was the fact he was able to earn a living here for him and his family (his wife Adela, and their three children: Karen, Lupita and Jose). “I came to Little Rock four months ago from Naples, Fla. I came over here because back in Florida there was no work for me anymore. After not being able to find work over there, I lost my house, my savings, everything I had. I had some cousins who were already here, and when I could no longer think of what to do in order to save myself and my

family from homelessness in Florida, I decided to phone them. My cousins threw me a life raft, assuring me that I could find work in Little Rock. So now I’m starting all over again here in Little Rock. I’m starting from zero, but thanks to God, and to Little Rock, I have a job again, and therefore, I am able to provide for my family. I literally wake up every single day thanking the Lord that I found Little Rock.”

About three months after arriving here, I decided to move to a trailer park in Southwest Little Rock to better understand what it feels like to live in such a place. Now, I can report that I live in peace and harmony with all my neighbors there, the vast majority of whom are Latino immigrants. About the only thing I miss is quiet at night — there is noise from other trailers and traffic in and out of the park. I like to tell myself the noise helps lull me to sleep.

Thriving in Little Rock

Not all immigrants in Little Rock are undocumented or live in trailer parks, though they followed similar immigration patterns and paths to this region. And many of them are doing quite well, thank you very much. Take Ricardo Gomez and his cousins Rosendo and Rosalio Martinez.

Ricardo Gomez, who was born and raised in the Mexican state of Jalisco, arrived in the U.S. 18 years ago. He spent the first six years in California, and the last Continued on page 12 ArkAnsAs Times • jAnuAry 14, 2010 11

immigrants Continued from page 11

12 in Little Rock. He says that he initially came here “because a compadre of mine called me while I was living and working in California, and invited me to come visit him. I ended up staying because la vida es mas bonita [life is more beautiful] here than in California. The cost of living is cheaper here, and salaries are better. Besides, here one lives more at ease mentally, because it is also a more peaceful place than California.

I have nothing bad to say about this region, or this country, because it has given me a job with which I can sustain my family, and that to me is worth quite a lot.”

His cousin, Rosendo Martinez, also from Jalisco, arrived in the United States 11 years ago. The first four years he lived in California, and the last seven in Little Rock. He says this region, and this country in general, has been good to him and his family. “In fact, that’s why we’re here. I am very aware of the fact that the U.S., and Arkansas in particular, has received my family and I with open arms, and truth be told, we have improved our lot in life quite a bit.”

“When I first came to Little Rock, I was only here on vacation, since several friends and relatives that were already here had invited me to come and visit for a couple of weeks. But I ended up staying because I found the tranquility here very much to my liking. The truth is that for my children, who are all still quite young, life is much better here than in California, since the pace of life over there is quicker, and there were a lot of problems with gang violence.” Central Arkansas, he said, is a healthier place to raise a family.

Both Ricardo and Rosendo have bought houses in Little Rock and are here to stay.

Similarly, Rosendo’s younger brother, Rosalio Martinez, together with his wife, Esperanza, and their two little daughters, followed more or less the same path to Little Rock. Rosalio (who is called “Chalio,” or simply “Chaly,” by most of his friends) and his young family live in a nice, spacious home they bought in Southwest Little Rock. He and his wife both hold down decent-paying full-time jobs, and they and their two young daughters, Cristal, 8, and Vanessa, 3, are thriving. Rosalio went to high school in Salinas, Calif., graduated, 12 january 14, 2010 • arKanSaS TIMES

MARTINEZ: (Right) Thanks God he found Little Rock.

THE MARTINEZ FAMILY: (Below) At their daughters’ joint birthday party at Wakefield Park.

CHAVEZ: (Above) State level 5 soccer referee.

CANO: (Left) Enjoys a weekend afternoon at Otter Creek Park with his granddaughter Rebecca, 2.

and then started working. “But during the ’90s I started seeing that the gang problems, and violence in general, were just getting worse and worse. I was starting my family, and I didn’t want that for my kids.

So around 2002, I found out, somewhat by chance, that some of my relatives and acquaintances from back in my hometown in Mexico were living in and around Little Rock, and they were all saying that it was a peaceful place, and that the jobs were good, and that the cost of living was relatively low. I was looking for a place like that, where I could raise my kids feeling safe, so I decided to take a look for myself.

And I haven’t been disappointed. I like it here. It’s family-friendly, the people are

nice, courteous, friendly and very respectful. I think my future is definitely in Little Rock, as long as the jobs are here. That’s why my wife and I bought a house and are planning to raise our kids here.”

Rigoberto Chavez first came to Little Rock from his native Costa Rica 34 years ago. When he arrived, “I could count on the fingers of my two hands the number of Latinos who were living in Little Rock, and I would probably still have a few fingers left over,” said Chavez. “That has changed a great deal over the years, but I think the numbers really didn’t start increasing sizably until about 15 years ago, around 1994 or 1995. That’s when you really began to see Latinos arriving here in big quantities.”

Chavez said he’s seen isolated instances of discrimination, but less than in other states.

Chavez works as an administrative assistant and head winder at the Multi States Electric transformer repair shop. It operated a branch in Costa Rica, and he was asked to come to Little Rock directly from his native land under a student visa, to learn about the company. His one-year student visa got extended to two years. And then, 32 years ago, Chavez got married here to the girl of his dreams, became a legal resident, and decided to stay and live in Little Rock with the love of his life.

Besides all that, Chavez is an outstanding State Level 5 soccer referee (the highest level in Arkansas). He is a member of the Arkansas State Soccer Association’s board of directors. He is also co-founder (together with Jose Vicente Cano) of the MexArk Adult Soccer League and directs a squad of refs for various high school and adult soccer leagues. Not too shabby for a man who started out life in the little mountain town of Zarcero, Costa Rica.

Cano, 61, an immigrant from Mexico City, said that when he first arrived in Little Rock 13 years ago, he lived in an apartment complex on Mara Lynn in West Little Rock, “and it was a rarity to hear Spanish being spoken on the street, in the stores, or anywhere on the west side of town. Wow! That sure has changed! But back then, whenever I would hear someone speaking Spanish in a store or anywhere else, I would rush over running to see if I could start talking with the Spanish speakers, because I so rarely got a chance to. Of course, even back then there was already a growing Latino community in Southwest Little Rock, but hardly any Hispanics on the west side.”

Years ago, Cano said, “most Latino immigrants in Little Rock were only here temporarily, and after a few months or a couple of years, they would move on, either back to their home country or to some place else in the U.S.” That has changed; nowadays many are electing to stay here permanently. Cano thinks it’s important for the general public to know that “we, the Mexican immigrants, and Latino immigrants in general, are not criminals and have come here to work. The vast majority of us are hard-working, decent folk, who only seek an opportunity to work so we can better our station in life. We take enormous pride in paying our own way, in advancing in society … we are only pursuing our version of the American dream, which is almost identical to everyone else’s version: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The only difference is that we want our cultural background to also be part of this dream.”

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predawn at st. edward's: The faithful of the Latino community gather for day of celebration of the Virgin of Guadelupe. an expert on border issues, immigration, Andres Chao Ebergenyi, consul genand U.S.-Mexico affairs, says that places eral of Mexico in Little Rock, said that like Arkansas, Idaho, Wisconsin, the Carwhen he first arrived in July 2006, he olinas and other regions in the U.S. not found a young, growing Mexican immitraditionally associated with immigration grant community, whose members, for from Latin American countries, “are now the most part, had previously spent varyareas to where Latino immigrants are ing amounts of time in California, Illinois, flocking, in what is being called ‘secondTexas and Florida. “Mexican immigrants wave’ immigration.” come to this region because of several facI like to refer to this immigration pattors: availability of jobs, the openness and tern I have found in Little Rock as rebound welcoming nature of the Central Arkanimmigration, to denote the move from the sas community toward Latinos in general, first U.S. destination to a better one. the relatively low cost of living.”

The next thing I plan to write: “Down Chao said today there is more direct and Out in Little Rock … and Loving Evimmigration from Mexico, most from the ery Minute of It.” Mexican state of Guanajuato. About 70 percent of Arkansas’s estimated 180,000 Rafael Nunez worked for 14 years as Mexican immigrants live in Northwest a bilingual journalist covering the U.S.Arkansas; the rest are mostly in Little Mexico border while living in El Paso, Rock, Texarkana, De Queen, Fort Smith Texas, and Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua and El Dorado.

(Mexico), before moving to Little Rock in Howard Campbell, an anthropologist May 2009. at the University of Texas at El Paso and

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CeLeBratInG a MIraCLe: Two little boys dressed as Mexican saint Juan Diego prepare for Mass and the annual walk from St. Edward’s Catholic Church downtown to St. Theresa’s in Southwest Little Rock in honor of the Virgin of Guadelupe on Dec. 12.

taste OF HOMe: Latino shoppers flock to Sin Fronteras supermarket on Baseline Road in search of their favorite traditional foods.

ArkAnsAs Times • jAnuAry 14, 2010 13

EyE ON ARkANSAS

Editorial n Wise words from Attorney General Dustin McDaniel: “Congress does bad things all the time that aren’t unconstitutional.”

And so do presidents and governors and state legislators and even attorneys general. In fact, it was an effort by some of his fellow attorneys general to use the courts for partisan political purposes that prompted McDaniel to speak up. He was declining to join them in threatening to sue the federal government over a provision of a health-care reform bill that was approved by the Senate. Most of the potential plaintiffs are Republicans; several are running for higher office.

The offending provision would benefit a few states over the rest. It’ll be changed before a health-care bill becomes law, but even if it weren’t, it wouldn’t violate the Constitution. This is how American government works. Bad ideas sometimes prevail, as do bad candidates. Some of these suit-happy attorneys general will likely prevail politically, winning election or re-election, and that won’t be unconstitutional either.

Republican presidents have packed the federal judiciary with elitists who mistrust popular government. The elitists overturned one presidential election, and the consequences were horrible. But even they won’t throw out an act of Congress simply because one group gains more than others. They know that the next bill challenged on the same grounds might be one that benefits their friends.

Spend wisely, directors n Would the money that the Little Rock Board of Directors and various city agencies give to the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce be better spent on a campaign to legalize medical marijuana? It seems likely. Such a course of action would not only show compassion for neighbors in need, it would probably be more fruitful in the way of economic development.

Polls indicate that an initiated act to permit medical use of marijuana would be approved if it ever got on the ballot.

Legalization would attract new residents, and catch the eye of industrialists seeking to locate plants in states that are forwardlooking and humane. The hundreds of thousands of dollars that public agencies now hand over to the Chamber of Commerce would help considerably in the gathering of signatures needed to place a medical-marijuana act on the ballot. We don’t know precisely what the Chamber has been doing with the public money — the organization believes that public money should be spent in private — but we do know that the Chamber is dedicated to keeping workers low-paid and non-union. That approach has not brought prosperity to Arkansas yet.

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Good thinking

HOME AWAY FROM: Every cot in the Nathaniel Hill Community Center in East Little Rock was full last Saturday night as the temperature dropped below 10 degrees. The center was opened as a “warming center” for people with frigid homes.

Tale of two senators n No amount of hypocrisy or insincerity will keep Republican campaigners from their appointed rounds of trashing Democrats.

Last week, a gossipy, anonymously sourced compilation of sometimes third-hand remarks about the 2008 presidential campaign got a lot of TV play.

The book by Mark Halperin and John Heilemann, among others, quoted Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid as having privately said of candidate Barack Obama that he was “light-skinned” and had “no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one.”

When outed, Reid, who said he thought he’d been talking off the record, apologized. He was an early Obama supporter and had been listing his political strengths. His main sin, in the eyes of critics, seems to be his use of the no-longer-politically-correct word Negro. Let us be honest. Obama’s lack of “blackness,” if that’s a word, was much discussed. It was even said that it caused some initial coolness to him in the black community – soon overcome with Bill Clinton’s help.

Republicans, of course, pounced, because Reid is the lightning rod for health legislation. They drew a parallel to former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott’s fall from grace in 2002 on account of racial politics. The Republican senatorial campaign committee blasted Sen. Blanche Lincoln for not calling for Harry Reid’s scalp though she’d criticized Lott.

Let’s review: Harry Reid said privately that Obama might fare well with some voters because he looked and sounded whiter than some black people.

It’s an uncomfortable idea to think about, much less to hear articulated with a now unacceptable word like Negro (as in United Negro College Fund). It is uncomfortable, also, because it happens to be true.

It’s not all about skin color, but also about speech, education, clothing and bearing. Many white people are more comfortable with Barack Obama than with Lil Wayne. (Some black people, too, I’d bet.)

Now Trent Lott. He said, at a public gathering of

Max brantley max@arktimes.com

the like-minded, that if segregationist Strom Thurmond had been elected president on the Dixiecrat ticket in 1948, the U.S. would have avoided all the “problems” it has experienced since. An endorsement of a segregationist presidential candidacy was bad enough, but Lott’s context made it worse. Lott was a dogged opponent of civil rights legislation.

He was a politician with a record of friendship with radical neo-Confederate types. If only Dixie had risen again in ’48, Lott seemed to be suggesting, the colored people (as in NAACP) would have been kept in their place.

Only a Republican deaf to hypocrisy could ignore the obvious difference. I leave it to you to consider the record of the Republican Party’s affection for people of color – black, brown and red – for the last half-century. GOP voting patterns, elected representatives, state party leadership, opinions on people and issues and legislative history do not constitute an interracial Valentine.

The feigned outrage over Harry Reid’s latest bout of foot-in-mouth disease would be laughable were it not also somewhat effective political propaganda. n CORRECTION: Relying on an account in another newspaper, I wrote in my last column that Little Rock garbage men make $7 to $9 an hour. Their lowest pay, said City Manager Bruce Moore, is a little over $11 an hour. The premise of the column is unchanged. Some of the lowest paid workers in the city have been asked to take a pay freeze or been laid off while city taxpayers’ subsidy of the unaccountable, private Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce was not cut.

Vehicle for anarchy n Forty-nine states are still governable because they haven’t yet imitated California, which indulges the contradictory whims of its voters. Californians always want more services but not the taxes to pay for them, and they amend their state constitution regularly to achieve those results. Anyone with a harebrained scheme can put a constitutional amendment before the voters without too much trouble.

Although it is considerably harder than in California, Arkansas for nearly a century has had an initiative process, too, but thanks to the courts or the voters it has shunned the extremes that have produced California’s state of anarchy.

That could always change, and desperate times and rising public rage create a climate for it. Attorney General Dustin McDaniel last week approved the popular name and ballot title for an initiated amendment that would provide the perfect vehicle for anarchy if the backers get the signatures, the Arkansas Supreme Court lets it on the ballot and a bare majority of voters ratify it. It is a state version of the loony “Fair Tax” that Mike Huckabee thought was his ticket to the presidency in 2008, so we can presume that Huckabee would take a break from his Fox broadcasting to campaign for it.

His own state could provide a laboratory for the experiment.

The authors, a Fort Smith-based business group called Arkansas Progressive

Ernest Dumas Group, call it the “AR One Tax.” The amendment would end nearly all taxes paid by businesses and the rich and lots of the taxes paid by ordinary people, and in their place it would impose a massive sales tax on merchandise of every description, which would be paid only by individuals.

Fortunately, the amendment, its popular name and its ballot title are all so clumsily and thoughtlessly written that the Supreme Court is unlikely to let it go on the ballot.

No voter could possibly understand what he or she was voting on, which is the court’s test of whether any proposition can go on the ballot. The attorney general made a change or two in the ballot title that make it even more inaccurate than the authors’ version. (He wouldn’t do that on purpose, would he?)

I’m not keen on helping the sponsors or the attorney general fix it, but a few discrepancies ought to leap out at any one.

Here is one: The popular name describes it as a constitutional amendment “to Repeal All State Taxes” — no exceptions — and establish a flat-rate sales tax. The ballot title, which is what the voters would read in the voting booth, says it would repeal all taxes that are levied by the legislature. But

Thanks, but no thanks, on the super sales tax n Brandon Woodrome, a 22-year-old construction businessman, and Jett Harris, a minister with whom Woodrome was close, were together on a Fort Smith Baptist church’s youth retreat several months ago.

They got to talking about the unfairness of the tax system.

So on Friday they won the attorney general’s approval of their popular name and ballot title for a proposed state constitutional amendment. Pending the gathering of signatures, a steep undertaking, they presume to offer their idea for our potential voter consideration in November.

They would do nothing less than turn taxation inside out and upside down in Arkansas.

This is the “flat tax.” The concept is to do away with all these complex state taxes on myriad items and activities and tax people merely at one place and only on what they buy. Call it a super sales tax.

The theory is that the utter simplicity would be a virtue. It’s that people would

John brummett jbrummett@arkansasnews.com

be taxed not as they got richer or acquired more assets, thus partaking in the American dream, but only when they chose to make purchases.

The problem, the unfairness, is that the low-income working man doesn’t exactly choose to make purchases. Sometimes the old car quits running. Sometimes the refrigerator goes out. Sometimes the kid outgrows shoes.

The unfairness is exacerbated by the fact that this proposal specifies that this super sales tax would apply only to consumable goods and services. It would not apply to intangible property, including financial holdings.

Thus the tax burden would shift even further — just when we thought it couldn’t possibly — from the fortunate man to the unfortunate one.

when you read the actual amendment “all state taxes” means only a few taxes. My quick calculation is that it would repeal at most 25 or so taxes out of some 110 taxes levied by the legislature. Cigarette taxes would be repealed, for example, but liquor taxes would not.

If the amendment were ratified and the courts followed common statutory construction in interpreting it, the amendment would repeal only three or four taxes: personal and corporate income taxes, including income taxes on capital gains, and the real-estate transfer tax. That is because the amendment and the ballot title weirdly follow the sweeping repeal of “all state taxes” with five specific taxes that would be repealed: “The capital gains tax; The corporate tax; Income taxes; Payroll taxes; and The real estate transfer tax.” The state doesn’t levy payroll taxes, unless it is talking about the employment security, or unemployment, tax. And what is “the corporate tax”? There are a bunch of corporate taxes. Maybe they want to repeal the little franchise tax but who can say?

In interpreting law, courts have ruled that when a general provision is followed by specific provisions, the specific ones must be viewed as limiting the effect of the law to them.

But let’s assume that it did repeal all 25 or so taxes that are listed in Title 26, Subtitle 5 of the Arkansas Code, which seems to be what the authors intend. It would end taxes that support the general services of the state: the public schools, colleges and universities, prisons, all public health and medical services, law

enforcement, the courts and many of the services provided by cities and counties along with maintenance and building of the state highways.

The legislature would pass a single sales tax to make up the difference to pay for all those services. The tax would have to be 20 percent, 25 percent — who knows? Since all businesses of any kind, big or small, would not pay a sales tax on anything — not on the fuel and energy they consume or any equipment or merchandise that they buy for business use — the tax rate paid by individual consumers would have to be high enough to make up for that huge loss of revenue.

The amendment says no services could be taxed either although other parts of the amendment seem to contradict that.

The price of commodities in Arkansas would be so high that people would buy everything they could — cars and appliances, for example, maybe groceries and clothing — across the borders or over the Internet. It would create the biggest black market in the world outside of the Middle East.

Oh, but the amendment would require the state to send every rich, middling and poor person in the state, as long as they were citizens and registered with the state finance agency, a monthly check to cover the expenses of living in poverty. What a deal!

But that is my description. Money and a good propagandist — Frank (Death Tax) Luntz maybe — could make it sound like everyone’s bonanza. Ask yourself: Is the average voter smarter than Mike Huckabee?

To be fair, the proposal endeavors to address that. It provides the we would figure out the annual amount of the tax charged to basic services that compose the federal poverty level calculation and then remit that amount up to that poverty level to all taxpayers in 12 monthly increments.

It’s called “prebate.” The idea is that it would relieve a greater proportional burden on poor people than rich people.

That still would mean, though, that the working man buying a new icebox under duress would be hit for an inordinate capital outlay for taxes. And the other guy’s capital gains would be unscathed.

This amendment would invalidate all taxes currently levied by the state legislature. Counting general revenue taxes and highway taxes, a new single sales tax would have to raise more than $5 billion annually to hold state government fiscally harmless.

That might mean a sales tax of 20 percent on that poor guy’s refrigerator.

Woodrome tells me that he is getting expert economic advice on all this. “We’re not just a couple of rednecks with a spread sheet,” he said.

He asserts that the new sales tax rate might be no more than the 6 percent currently levied, or maybe no higher than

8 percent. And how does he figure that?

Well, he explains, the new flat tax would apply to the more than 5,000 goods and services now exempt from the sales tax.

Thus Woodrome argues in one breath that adding new sales taxes on those 5,000 goods and services would be fair.

Then he argues in the next breath that it would be fair to tax that working man’s new refrigerator because all the seller’s embedded taxation expenses would have been taken out of the equation and spared the purchaser.

But you can’t really have that both ways.

Most of those current sales tax exemptions are for manufacturers and businesses, who might be expected to pass them on.

This new flat consumption tax would include groceries. So Gov. Mike Beebe’s highly popular incremental drawdown in the food tax would be undone, superseded.

That alone ought to kill the proposal politically.

This, while surely well-intended, is a radical proposal that sounds better than it is.

John Brummett is a columnist and reporter for Stephens Media’s Arkansas News Bureau. You can read additional Brummett columns in The Times of North Little Rock.

ArkAnsAs Times • jAnuAry 14, 2010 15

16 january 14, 2010 • ARKANSAS TIMES

arts entertainment

This week in

and

ArkAnsongs n A “Night of Arkansas Stars” might be a push. Of the five acts the Oxford American has assembled to help celebrate the release of the magazine’s 11th annual Southern Music Issue on Saturday, only Sonny Burgess and the Legendary Pacers even approach household-name status (recognizing the Newport natives as Sun Records pioneers is Arkansas Music History 101). But that’s the beauty of the latest Oxford American; it unearths the stories and the music (in an accompanying CD) of dozens of acts that were or are big names in some alternate universe where talent and charisma are all that matter.

Saturday in Argenta, the magazine hosts its biggest music issue party to date, featuring, in addition to Burgess and the Pacers, should-be, could-be stars like Jim Mize, the True Soul Band, Larry Donn and Sleepy LaBeef.

Mize should be familiar to regular readers of the Times entertainment section (in full disclosure, I wrote about him in the Oxford American, too). The Conway native might be our state’s finest living songwriter.

He sings in a ragged, but affecting voice on elemental themes — things coming together, things falling apart.

His band, a revolving cast of tenured locals, backs him with a sturdy, blues-influenced brand of rock ’n’ roll.

Oxford American editor Marc Smirnoff says he’s excited to see “why all the Europeans love Larry Donn.”

The Bono, Ark., native is a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, but a far bigger deal abroad. His material, Smirnoff writes in the OA, recalls Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis back when they were “fresh” and “insistent.”

Original pressings from True Soul, Little Rock’s late ’60s, early ’70s answer to Stax, are in high demand by record collectors. For Saturday’s concert, label founder Lee Anthony has assembled an old school revue that’ll include, among others, local guitarist John Craig, whose song “Sockin’ Soul” features on the OA CD, and Anthony’s son Tim Anthony, a longtime musician on the scene who’s recently been playing keys with 2009 Musicians Showcase winner Velvet Kente.

Smirnoff says he’s particularly excited to see Sleepy

Weekend Theater gets ‘Sordid’

Pearl to Sticky Fingerz

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to do list

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calendar

20

Movies

26

dining

31

The oxford American uncovers Arkansas’s music roots in Argenta.

By Lindsey MiLLar

THE HUMAN JUKEBOX: Sleepy LaBeef headlines in North Little Rock.

Oxford American’s “Night of Arkansas Stars”

Saturday, Jan. 16, $20 7 p.m. Larry Donn, Reno’s 8 p.m. Sonny Burgess and the Legendary Pacers 9 p.m. Jim Mize, Reno’s 10 p.m. True Soul Band, Cornerstone 11:30 p.m. Sleepy LaBeef

LaBeef. The 6’7” roots performer has been known, alternately, as the Bull, the Road Warrior and the Human Jukebox.

“He’s such a showman,” Smirnoff says. “His grittiness doesn’t always come across in his recordings. But [live], he definitely taps into something I’ve never seen

— his voice, his persona. He’s a real throwback.”

The concert jumps between Reno’s Argenta Cafe and Cornerstone Pub and Grill throughout the night.

An all-access pass is available via oxfordamerican.org, by calling 320-5730 or at 301 Main St. in North Little Rock, which will also serve as will call.

ArkAnsAs Times • jAnuAry 14, 2010 17

■ to-dolist

By Lindsey MiLLar and PauL Peterson

FRID AY 1 / 1 5

OAKLAWN OPENING DAY 10 a.m., Oaklawn.

n Oaklawn’s website currently offers a “$10 Free Play Coupon,” so print that dude out about 912 times*, nominate a designated driver and go cheer the ponies and place some video-game bets.

The 106-year-old venue and the state’s largest tourist magnet just got enhanced to the tune of $3 million, finally giving us a long-awaited option to the forced march to Tunica. The recent unveiling of an 850-station electronic gambling parlor with craps, poker and blackjack tables, as well as machines bearing an uncanny resemblance to slots, will give plenty of anxious hustlers their gaming fix. Apparently, Oaklawn’s appeal has broadened beyond state boundaries. With last year’s introduction of a rating system for North America’s 65 thoroughbred tracks, the Horseplayers Association of North America placed Oaklawn ninth in its top 10, but we’d be wise to expect a higher ranking before the season’s over. *This probably won’t work. PP

‘SORDID LIVES’

7:30 p.m., Weekend Theater. $10-$14.

n The Weekend Theater kicks the year off with a “black comedy about white trash.” From playwright Del Shores, whose “Southern Baptist Sissies” played memorably at the theater in 2008, the comedy is set at the funeral of a family matriarch. That she met her end in a seedy motel after tripping over the wooden leg of her young, secret lover and

GAME TIME: At Oaklawn’s new gaming parlor. hitting her head on a bathtub gives you an idea of the tone this one takes. Those gathering for the funeral have names like LaVonda, Wardell and Brother Boy, and they all come with heavy baggage.

One’s a cross-dresser, long institutionalized by his parents, with a special knack for channeling Tammy Wynette. Another’s traumatized for life because of a “pig-bloating” incident. Then, of course, there are all the requisite ex’s, preachers, bickering kin, and “de-homosexualizing” psychiatrists you’d expect. Adapted into a cult film (starring Delta Burke, Olivia Newton-John and Beau Bridges) and, later, a cult TV series, the play’s likely to draw a good number of folks who’ll see the punchlines coming. The play runs through Jan. 30. LM.

TRASHY: Amy Walker is Noleta and Regi Otto is LaVanda in the Weekend Theater’s “Sordid Lives.”

18 january 14, 2010 • arKanSaS TIMES

SAT URDAY 1 /1 6

‘GRIEG’S ROMANTIC PIANO CONCERTO’

8 p.m., Robinson Center Music Hall. $20$58.

GUEST STAR: Pianist Valentina Lisitsa joins the ASO for Grieg’s “Piano Concerto.”

JEMINA PEARL

9 p.m., Sticky Fingerz. $10.

n Jemina Pearl’s only 22, but she’s a seasoned rock vet. She started her ascent the way indie kids everywhere dream of: When she was a teen living in Nashville, her band Be Your Own Pet broke through in the UK when someone passed a CD-R to a prominent DJ, and before long, labels like Rough Trade and XL started putting out EPs. Back in the U.S., after doing the big festival circuit (CMJ, SXSW) the punked-up pop quartet signed to Thurston Moore’s Ecstatic Peace label. After two well-received full-lengths and much rowdy touring, the band called it quits, leaving Pearl to carve her own niche.

Luckily she’s got some collaborators. On her solo debut, “Break it up Bad,” released last October, she counts not just label head Thurston Moore as a guest, but also TV on

n The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra continues its search for a new conductor with a program directed by Fusao Kajima, the fourth of five candidates. Kajima, who helms the Bellevue Philharmonic in Bellevue, Wash., leads the ASO in Heitor Villa-Lobos’ “Sinfonietta No. 1 (A memória de Mozart),” Antonín Dvorák’s “Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88” and the centerpiece, Edvard Grieg’s “Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16.” Acclaimed Ukranian-born pianist Valentina Lisitsa guests on the pEppY: Jemina Pearl carving niche. piano concerto, which the ASO bills as a “beautiful melding of virthe Radio’s Dave Sitek, Red Kross’ Steve tuosity and lyricism.” LM. McDonald and Iggy Friggin’ Pop. Iggy,

of course, won’t be around on Friday to duet on “I Hate People,” a misanthropic love song with plenty of tweaked girlgroup pep. But here’s betting Pearl doesn’t have any trouble carrying it herself. Little Rock’s Flash LaRue opens. LM.

■ inbrief

THURSDAY 1/14

BLACKLIST ROYALS

9 p.m., Low Key Arts Building, Hot Springs. $7.

n Nashville’s punk ‘n’ roll poster boys are bypassing Little Rock this time around, but for a good cause. With March just around the corner, it’s time to grind the fund-raising gears for the annual Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival, and the Blacklist Royals are forgoing the night’s wages in true Tennessee Volunteer fashion. Certainly among the heaviest of acts with actual sing-along, country-fried punk-ish anthems, this crew brings the heat every time it plugs in. Survivors of endless touring, lineup changes and terminal illness, their attitude speaks long and loud with numbers such as “Fuck It, Let’s Roll,” especially with the splashes of freewheeling harmonica and piano licks. As with anything VOV-related, there’s always an added dose of character to shows at the Low Key. Along with the Fayetteville pop-punk quintet Dreamfast, a karaoke free-for-all shares the bill. PP.

MO N D AY 1 / 1 8

‘A DAY OF SERVICE: LIVE THE DREAM, MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN!’ 10 a.m., M.L. Harris Auditorium, Philander Smith College. Free.

n If you get the day off for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, what better way to observe the holiday than by attending this program presented by the MLK Commission and Little Rock’s vibrant historically black college. Much like Philander’s slate

ROCK BENEFIT: Nashville’s Blacklist Royals help out the VOV. of nationally known guest speakers (Terrell Owens is coming Feb. 9), the program features a diverse line-up that includes college president Dr. Walter M. Kimbrough (some deep pockets need to start moving on his “Big Idea” in our Native’s Guide issue), MLK Commission chairman Phillip Kaplan, the MLK Memorial Unity Choir and, giving the keynote address, former UA basketball coach Nolan Richardson. And take the bus. Central Arkansas Transit offers free bus rides all day long in honor of the King Holiday. LM.

W EDN ESDAY 1 /2 0

HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS

7 p.m., Verizon Arena. $21.75-$103.75.

n Even the Globetrotters aren’t immune to new big-time entertainment practices.

Owned by a Burbank-based investment fund since 2005, the team has, in the last several years, employed a comedy writer to “punch up” its act. The only Globetrotters who are household names these day — “Big Easy” and “Flight Time” — are recent reality TV stars on CBS’ “The Amazing Race.” Every night, the team continues

to battle the Washington Generals, now a separate business entity “subcontracted” to play. But, as long as they’re still leaning on the greatest theme song of all time (“Sweet Georgia Brown,” natch), that iconic red, white and blue ball and goofy dudes in headbands who can dribble well, the Globetrotter brand seems like a safe bet to survive just about anything. LM.

SHEN YUN

7:30 p.m., Robinson Center Music Hall. $25-$80.

n Billed as Divine Performing Arts when it came to town last year, the Shen Yun troupe returns with hundreds of dancers performing classical Chinese ethnic, folk and story-based dance routines. Like synchronized swimming but without the water, this authentic revival of Eastern culture delivers visual narratives of heroic ancient legends over the course of 16 acts entwined within 24 pieces of music.

Accompanied by soothing strings, booming percussion, animated backdrops and stage-width projection screens, the troupe seems bound to deliver an evening colorful enough to rival any Chinese New Year celebration. PP.

n At Sticky Fingerz, New York singer/ songwriter Joey DeGraw mixes pop hooks with roots rock and shares the bill with Atlanta singer/songwriter Michael Tolcher, 9 p.m., $10. Rex Bell and Company play jazz at the Afterthought, 8 p.m., $5. At the J-Oneproduced Thursday Night Open Mic at Juanita’s, local diva Nicky Parrish headlines and, as always, there’s live band karaoke, 9 p.m., $5. Local party band Typhoid Mary returns to Cajun’s Wharf, 9 p.m., $5. At Thirsty Thursday at On the Rocks, King Akeem and Deja Blu pack ’em, 9 p.m., $5.

FRIDAY 1/15

n Cameron Holifield’s Cool Shoes spin-off Spectrum returns to Star Bar in its second month with g-force, Michael Inscoe, Cameron Holifield and Risky Biz DJing and Dandiwer manning a photo booth, 10 p.m., $5. The Greg Spradlin Outfit, a revolving door of whoever’s around and local guitar god Spradlin, returns to White Water Tavern, where its brand of blues-inspired rock ’n’ roll should sound right at home — especially with Memphis vets Al Gamble and George Sluppick (The City Champs) playing keys and drums, respectively, 10 p.m., $5. Southern rockers Bleu Edmondson returns to Sticky Fingerz, 9 p.m., $10. Thick Syrup’s Androids of Ex Lovers hail from Jacksonville and specialize in a jagged brand of post-punk. They come to Juanita’s with the See’s Joe Yoder, who offers a rare solo performance, 10 p.m., $5. Rising local country star Ryan Couron plays an acoustic set at the Town Pump, 9 p.m., free. Downtown Music hosts Synfest, a two-day metal showcase that kicks off with the likes of Wishtribe and A Darkened Era, 8 p.m., $7.

SATURDAY 1/16

DIVINE DANCE: From Shen Yun at Robinson.

n Local maniacs Brother Andy and His Big Damn Mouth share a bill with rough-edged rockers Drunken Angels at White Water Tavern, 10 p.m., $5. Now that the Natives are free from Chris Denny, they’ve revived their experimental jazz-prog instrumental act, Mammoth Orange; they come to the Town Pump, 9 p.m., free. The second edition of Mo Betta Jazz/Rhythm and Blues features jazz standouts Rodney Block and the Real Music Lovers along with special guests, SpeakEasy, 9 p.m., $10-$15.

At the Afterthought, local rocker Jeff Coleman leads his band the Feeders, 9 p.m., $7. Synfest continues at Downtown Music with acts like Iron Tongue and Shitfire, 8 p.m., $7.

ArkAnsAs Times • jAnuAry 14, 2010 19

www.arktimes.com

afterdark

calendar

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

SPORTS

Oaklawn. Horse racing. Oaklawn Park, 1 p.m., gates open 11 a.m., $2. 2705 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-623-4411, www.oaklawn.com.

SATURDAY, JAN. 16

THURSDAY, JAN. 14

MUSIC

MUSIC

Bop at the Legion with Eric Lee. Music from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. Legion Event Center, 7 p.m., $3, 18 and up. 315 E. Capitol Ave. 372-8762.

Carducci String Quartet. Presented by Chamber Music Society of Little Rock. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 7:30 p.m., $10-$20. 1000 N. Mississippi. 661-0520, www.chambermusiclr.com.

Crooked Ways, Ready Resist, Hi-Five City.

Soundstage, 8 p.m., $6. 1008 Oak St., Conway. www.soundstageshows.com.

Joey DeGraw, Michael Tolcher. Sticky Fingerz, 9 p.m., $10, 21 and up. 107 Commerce St. 372-7707, www.stickyfingerz.com.

John Willis and Hanky Pank. Speakeasy, 8 p.m., free. 412 Louisiana. 374-2008.

Rex Bell and Company. Afterthought, 8 p.m., $5. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 663-4176, www.afterthoughtbar.com.

Sam Walker. Maxine’s, 9 p.m., free, 21 and up.

700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-321-0909, www.maxinespub.com Ted Ludwig Jazz Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 5 p.m., free. 111 W. Markham. 370-7013.

Thirsty Thursday. With King Akeem and DJ Deja Blu. On the Rocks, 9 p.m. 107 E. Markham St. 374-7625.

Thursday Night Open Mic with Nicky Parrish. With poets, live band karaoke and guest performances. Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $5, 21 and up. 1300 S. Main St. 374-3271, www.juanitas.com.

Typhoid Mary (headliner), Greg Madden (happy hour). Cajun’s Wharf, 9 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 375-5351, www. cajunswharf.com.

BOOKS

“Ready, Booted, and Spurred.” William A. Frazier and Mark A. Christ discuss social, political and cultural effects of westward movement and military conflicts in 1840s. Faulkner County Library, 7 p.m., free. 1900 S. Tyler St., Conway. 501-327-7482.

EVENTS

MLK Birthday Bash. Presented by The Martin Luther King Jr. Commission. Hamilton Learning Center, 11:45 a.m. 3301 Bryant St. 683-1300.

POETRY

Inverse Open Mic. Neo-poetry movement Urban Hang Suite and KABF open mic, ACAC, 6-9 p.m., $5. 900 S. Rodney Parham Road. www.acacarkansas.org, theurbanhangsuite@yahoo.com.

FRIDAY, JAN. 15 MUSIC

Androids of Ex-Lovers, Joe Yoder (the See).

Juanita’s, 10 p.m., $5, all ages. 1300 S. Main St. 374-3271, www.juanitas.com.

Big Boots. Vino’s. 923 W. 7th St. 375-8466, www.

20 january 14, 2010 • arKanSaS TIMES

374-2008.

Ramona Smith and Carl Mouton. Afterthought, 9 p.m., $7. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 6634176, www.afterthoughtbar.com.

Retro Night with DJ G-Force. Rio’s Lounge, 9:30 p.m., retro dress free entry, throwback drink specials. 11 Shackleford Drive. 954-8787, www. rioslittlerock.com .

Ryan Couron (acoustic). Town Pump, 9 p.m., free. 1321 Rebsamen Park Road. 663-9802.

Spectrum Dance Party. Featuring DJs GForce, Michael Inscoe, Cameron Holifield, Risky Biz, video premiere and photo booth by Dandiwer.

Star Bar Lounge, 10 p.m., $5, 21 and up. 1800 W. 3rd. 301-7827.

Synfest. Two-day metal fest with 870 Underground, Out of Ashes, A Darkened Era, Finding Jimmy Hoffa, Wishtribe, Land of Mines. Downtown Music, 8 p.m., $7. 211 W. Capitol. 376-1819, www. downtownshows.homestead.com.

Ted Ludwig Jazz Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 8 p.m., free. 111 W. Markham. 370-7013.

Vibe MLK Event. With live DJ and band. Revolution, 9 p.m., $10, 21 and up. 300 President Clinton Ave. 823-0090, www.rumbarevolution.com.

THE CARDUCCI QUARTET: The acclaimed British string quartet comes to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan.14. Tickets are $20 or $10 for students.

Find more information at chambermusiclr.com. vinosbrewpub.com.

Big John Miller Band. Denton’s Trotline, 8 p.m., free. 2150 Congo Road, Benton. 501-315-1717.

Bleu Edmonson, Jeff Allen. Sticky Fingerz, 9 p.m., $10, 21 and up. 107 Commerce St. 3727707, www.stickyfingerz.com.

Chant. Flying Saucer, 9 p.m., $3. 323 Clinton Ave. 372-7468, www.beerknurd.com.

Crisis (headliner), Chris DeClerk (happy hour). Cajun’s Wharf, 9 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 375-5351, www.cajunswharf.com.

Ed Burks. Sonny Williams’, 7 p.m., free. 500 President Clinton Ave. 324-2999, www.sonnywil-

liamssteakroom.com.

Goldy Locks. West End Smokehouse Tavern, 9 p.m., $5. 215 N. Shackleford. 224-7665.

Greg Spradlin Outfit. White Water Tavern, 10 p.m., $5. 2500 W. 7th St. 375-8400.

Janet Air, Ten Cent Hat. Cornerstone Pub, 9 p.m., $5. 314 Main St., NLR, 374-1782, www.cstonepub.com.

Jimbo Mathus. Maxine’s, 9 p.m., $5, 21 and up. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-321-0909, www.maxinespub.com John Craig and the Speakeasy Blues Orchestra. Speakeasy, 9 p.m., free. 412 Louisiana.

Blacklist Royals, Dreamfast. Benefit Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival, followed by late-night karaoke. Low Key Arts Building, 9 p.m., $7, all ages. 118 Arbor, Hot Springs. 501282-9057, www.valleyofthevapors.com.

ASO: “Grieg’s Romantic Piano Concerto.”

Robinson Center, 8 p.m. Sat., 3 p.m. Sun., $17$58. Markham and Broadway. 666-1761, www. arkansassymphony.org.

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

Brother Andy and His Big Damn Mouth, the Drunken Angels. White Water Tavern, 10 p.m., $5. 2500 W. 7th. 375-8400, www.myspace.com/ whitewatertavern.

DJ Sleepy Genius. On the Rocks, 8 p.m., $5.

107 E. Markham. 374-7625, www.myspace.com/ clubontherocks.

Goldy Locks. West End Smokehouse Tavern, 9 p.m., $5. 215 N. Shackleford. 224-7665.

Jeff Coleman and the Feeders. Afterthought, 9 p.m., $7. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 663-4176, www. afterthoughtbar.com.

Jemina Pearl, Flash LaRue. Sticky Fingerz, 9 p.m., $10, 21 and up. 107 Commerce St. 3727707, www.stickyfingerz.com.

Joe Pitts Band. Maxine’s, 9 p.m., $5, 21 and up. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-321-0909, www.maxinespub.com Mammoth Orange. Town Pump, 9 p.m., free.

1321 Rebsamen Park Road. 663-9802.

Michael Shane (disco). Discovery, 9 p.m., $10.

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

MLK Bash. With DJ Hy-C. Gusano’s, 9 p.m., $5 ladies, $10 guys. 313 President Clinton Ave. 374-1441.

Mo Betta Jazz/Rhythm and Blues II. Featuring Rodney Block and the Real Music Lovers with guest performers, DJs and comedy by Mark “Superstar” Jones. Speakeasy, 9 p.m., $10-$15. 412 Louisiana St. 442-0649.

Oxford American Southern Music Festival.

Featuring Sonny Burgess and the Legendary Pacers, John Craig and the True Soul Revue, Sleepy LaBeef. Cornerstone Pub, 9 p.m., $5. 314 Main St., NLR, 374-1782, www.cstonepub.com.

A Revolution of Kings. Vino’s 923 W. 7th St. 375-8466, www.vinosbrewpub.com.

Richie Johnson (happy hour). Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 p.m., free. 2400 Cantrell Road. 375-5351, www.cajunswharf.com.

Shannon McClung. Flying Saucer, 9 p.m., $3.

323 Clinton Ave. 372-7468, www.beerknurd.com.

Storage Fest. Fund-raiser for production of short film titled, “Storage,” with Chase Pagan, Don’t Stop Please, Natural State, Townsend, David Bise.

Bear’s Den, 7 p.m., $5, all ages. 235 Farris Road, Conway. 501-744-3724.

Synfest. Two-day metal fest with Cradlescythe, Shitfire, Iron Tongue, the Mutha Load, Sychosys, Me-

sionide. Downtown Music, 8 p.m., $7. 211 W. Capitol.

376-1819, www.downtownshows.homestead.com.

Ted Ludwig Jazz Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 8 p.m., free. 111 W. Markham. 370-7013.

BOOKS

Breakfast, Books and Booze. Fund-raiser for Tree of Knowledge. White Water Tavern, noon.

2500 W. 7th. 375-8400, www.myspace.com/ whitewatertavern.

EVENTS

Bird watching. Interpreter gives pointers on finding birds. Pinnacle Mountain Visitor Center, 11 a.m., 2 p.m., free. 11901 Pinnacle Valley Road.

868-5806, www.arkansasstateparks.com/pinnaclemountain.

Parents without Partners Dance Social.

Weekly dance for single parents, visitors and children welcome. PWP building, 7 p.m. social, 8 p.m. dance, $5-$6, all ages, BYOB. 4521 W. 65th St. 568-4476.

World of Warcraft. Test your skills, compete for prizes and meet other players. Main Library, 1 p.m., free. 100 Rock St. 918-3062.

SPORTS

Oaklawn. Horse racing. Oaklawn Park, 1 p.m., gates open 11 a.m., $2. 2705 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-623-4411, www.oaklawn.com.

UALR Trojans vs. Louisiana-Lafayette. College basketball. Jack Stephens Center, women 4:30 p.m., men 7 p.m. $6-$35. UALR. 569-8257, www.ualrtrojans.com.

SUNDAY, JAN. 17 MUSIC

ASO: “Grieg’s Romantic Piano Concerto.”

Robinson Center, 8 p.m. Sat., 3 p.m. Sun., $17$58. Markham and Broadway. 666-1761, www. arkansassymphony.org.

Bonnie Montgomery. Speakeasy, 7:30 p.m., free. 412 Louisiana. 374-2008.

I Have a Dream Bash. With Venomous Artists, DJ Battlecat. Revolution, 8 p.m., $10, 21 and up. 300 President Clinton Ave. 823-0090, www. rumbarevolution.com.

Jake Skinner, Bookey, UNearthodOX, Xtreme, Mista Mayhemm, B-LO, 6 Feet Deep, SupaDude, LPE, New Breed, LILMAC, Da Pikeboy and guests. Juanita’s, 5 p.m., all ages. 1300 S. Main St. 374-3271, www. juanitas.com.

Jazz Brunch with Ted Ludwig. Vieux Carre, 11 a.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 663-1196. www. afterthoughtbar.com.

Legion Band, Warren Crow and Co. Legion Event Center, 7 p.m., $5, 18 and up. 315 E. Capitol Ave. 372-8762.

EVENTS

Bridal Show. Vendors showcase products and services, runway fashion show. Statehouse Convention Center, 12:30 p.m., $5 adv., $7 at door. Markham and Scott. 378-3807, www.arkansasonline.com/bridalshow.

MEETINGS

ACAC membership meeting. Elect board members, presentation of annual report, 2010 calendar of events, launch membership drive for existing and prospective members. ACAC, 4 p.m., free.

900 S. Rodney Parham Road. 244-2979, info@ acacarkansas.org.

SPORTS

Oaklawn. Horse racing. Oaklawn Park, 1 p.m., gates open 11 a.m., $2. 2705 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 623-4411, www.oaklawn.com.

MONDAY, JAN. 18 MUSIC

Monday Night Jazz: Pianist Tom Cox. Afterthought, 8 p.m., $5. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 6634176, www.afterthoughtbar.com.

Pallbearer, the Thing That Always Explodes, God City Destroyers, King Emeritus. ACAC, 9 p.m., $4, all ages, no BYOB. 900 S. Rodney Parham Road. 244-2979, info@acacarkansas.org.

CLASSES

Scottish dance lessons. Learn basic formations and footwork for traditional and modern Scottish reels, jigs and strathspeys, Mondays through March 29, hosted by Arkansas Scottish Country Dance Society. Park Hill Presbyterian Church, 7 p.m. beginners, 8 p.m. intermediate, $40, $20 ages

12-18. 3520 JFK Blvd., NLR. 821-4746.

EVENTS

A Day of Service. Presented by Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission with keynote speaker former Razorback basketball coach Nolan Richardson. Harris Auditorium, 10 a.m., free, complimentary bus service throughout day. Philander Smith Campus. 683-1300.

MLK Challenge Day. Day of service projects, community work and interaction for ages 1218. Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, 9:30 a.m., free. 501 W. 9th. 683-3593, www.mosaictemplarscenter.com

SPORTS

Oaklawn. Horse racing. Oaklawn Park, 1 p.m., gates open 11 a.m., $2. 2705 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-623-4411, www.oaklawn.com.

TUESDAY, JAN. 19 MUSIC

Arkansas River Blues Society. With Joe Marks and Willie P. with the Incredible NTO Band.

Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $3-$5, 18 and up. 1300 S. Main St. 374-3271, www.juanitas.com.

ASO River Rhapsodies Series: “Dark Emotions.” Quapaw Quartet. Clinton Center, 7 p.m., $28, $6 students. 1200 Clinton Ave. 666-1761, www.arkansassymphony.org.

Carl Mouton Jam Session. Afterthought, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 663-4176, www. afterthoughtbar.com.

Frown Pow’r. White Water Tavern, 10 p.m., donations. 2500 W. 7th. 375-8400, www.myspace. com/whitewatertavern.

Top of the Rock Chorus. Weekly membership auditions include free four-week vocal training program for women every Tuesday through Jan. 26.

Woolly Auditorium, School for the Blind, 7 p.m., free. 258-1389, www.topoftherockchorus.com

EVENTS

What You Can Do at Bell Slough? Program on state wildlife area. Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center, 7 p.m., free. 602 Clinton Ave. Registration and locations 907-0636.

SPORTS

Oaklawn. Horse racing. Oaklawn Park, 1 p.m., gates open 11 a.m., $2. 2705 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-623-4411, www.oaklawn.com.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 20 MUSIC

Brian and Nick (happy hour). Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 p.m., free. 2400 Cantrell Road. 375-5351, www.cajunswharf.com.

DJ TK. Deep, 9 p.m. 322 Clinton Ave. www.myspace.com/100483293.

Jeff Coffin’s Mutet. Revolution, 9 p.m., $8 adv., $10 d.o.s., 18 and up. 300 President Clinton Ave. 823-0090, www.rumbarevolution.com.

Karaoke and Dance. With DJs GMoney and Sway, drink specials. Star Bar Lounge, 9 p.m., free.

1900 W. 3rd. 301-7827.

Karaoke with DJ Cowboy. Count Pulaski Club, 8 p.m., free. 200 Hwy. 167 N. (inside Howard Johnson’s), Jacksonville. 983-4323.

Karaoke with Richard. Legion Event Center, 7 p.m., free, 18 and up. 315 E. Capitol Ave. 3728762.

Katmandu. Afterthought, 8 p.m., $5. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 663-4176, www.afterthoughtbar. com.

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

Lucious Spiller Band. Sticky Fingerz, 9:30 p.m., $5, 21 and up, 50-cent beer. 107 Commerce St. 372-7707, www.stickyfingerz.com.

Paul Sammons. Maxine’s, 9 p.m., free, 21 and up. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-321-0909, www.maxinespub.com Retro Night with DJ G-Force. Rio’s Lounge, 9:30 p.m., retro dress free entry, throwback drink specials. 11 Shackleford Drive. 954-8787, www. rioslittlerock.com Sky Eats Airplane, Everyone Dies In Utah, the Science Of Sleep, My Hands To War. Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $10 adv., $12 d.o.s., all ages. 1300 S. Main St. 374-3271, www.juanitas.com.

Storage Fest. Fund-raiser for production of short film titled, “Storage,” with Chase Pagan, Apartment 5, This Holy House and more. On The

Rocks, 9 p.m., $6, 21 and up. 107 E. Markham.

501-744-3724.

Ted Ludwig Jazz Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 5 p.m., free. 111 W. Markham. 370-7013.

Live Music Fri, Jan 15 THe LiBRas & THe GReG spRaDLiN OuTfiT

DANCE

Shen Yun (formerly Divine Performing Arts).

NYC troupe performs classical Chinese, ethnic, folk, and story-based dance routines. Robinson Center, 7:30 p.m., $25-$80. Markham and Broadway. 800-745-3000.

“Thank You Gregory: A Tribute to the Legends of Tap.” Tap dancing production honoring the late Gregory Hines. Walton Arts Center, 7 p.m., $18.50-$40.50. 495 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville.

479-443-5600, www.waltonartscenter.org.

LECTURES

Bless the Mic: Michelle Singletary. Syndicated columnist, author, and radio and TV host speaks. Philander Smith Harris Auditorium, 7 p.m., free. 900 Daisy Bates Drive. 370-5279. www.philander.edu.

SPORTS

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Harlem Globetrotters. Return of the court masters. Verizon Arena, $21.75-$103.75. 800-7453000.

Oaklawn. Horse racing. Oaklawn Park, 1 p.m., gates open 11 a.m., $2. 2705 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-623-4411, www.oaklawn.com.

THURSDAY, JAN. 21 MUSIC

Blues jam. Hosted by Mike Dollins and the Cruize Brothers. Odie’s House of Blues, 9 p.m. 3413 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-623-6343.

Brian Martin. Maxine’s, 9 p.m., free, 21 and up.

700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-321-0909, www.maxinespub.com Calling Drake, Iron Ton, Eddy and the Defiantz. Revolution, 9 p.m., $5 over 21, $10 under 21, all ages. 300 President Clinton Ave. 823-0090, www.rumbarevolution.com.

Headstrong Sessions. Bi-weekly electronic dance music with various DJs. Mac Daddy’s, 10 p.m., free, 21 and up. 314 N. Maple St., NLR. 3747665, www.myspace.com/PrescribedProductions.

Mr. Lucky (headliner), Ben and Doug (happy hour). Cajun’s Wharf, 9:30 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m.

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

Ted Ludwig Jazz Trio. Afterthought, 8 p.m., $5. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 663-4176, www.afterthoughtbar.com.

Ted Ludwig Jazz Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 5 p.m., free. 111 W. Markham. 370-7013.

Thirsty Thursday. With King Akeem and DJ Deja Blu. On the Rocks, 9 p.m. 107 E. Markham St. 3747625, www.myspace.com/clubontherocks.

Thursday Night Open Mic. With poets, live band karaoke and guest performances. Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $5, 21 and up. 1300 S. Main St. 374-3271, www.juanitas.com.

Velvet Kente, Whale Fire. Sticky Fingerz, 9 p.m., $5, 21 and up. 107 Commerce St. 372-7707, www.stickyfingerz.com.

DANCE

Golden Gates Dance Troupe. Russian instrumental, singing and dancing ensemble. Gardner Auditorium, 7:30 p.m., $5, $1 ages 6-18, free ages 5 and under. Tickets available one hour before showtime. 1000 S. Arkansas, Russellville. 479968-2452.

“Thank You Gregory: A Tribute to the Legends of Tap.” Tap dancing production honoring the late Gregory Hines. Walton Arts Center, 7 p.m., $18.50-$40.50. 495 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479-443-5600, www.waltonartscenter.org.

EVENTS

“Startin’ Early.” Pre-party for the Rep’s Saints and Sinners Ball with hors d’oeuvres, drinks, music and auction. Governor’s Mansion, 6 p.m. $50.

1800 Center. 378-0445.

SPORTS

Oaklawn. Horse racing. Oaklawn Park, 1 p.m., gates open 11 a.m., $2. 2705 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 623-4411, www.oaklawn.com.

THE WEEK IN THEATER “The Foreigner.” A pathologically shy English-

Continued on page 24

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A & E N Ew s

New on Rock Candy

■ reviews Lil Wayne

katy allen n Watch the pilot episode of “The Bloodstone Diaries,” the new web series written by the Times’ David Koon, directed by local filmmaker Gerry Bruno and starring Katy Allen (wife of Arkansas’ “Idol”). Roland Gladden, also from the Times, has a song featured in the episode, too. n A newly identified bird, which lived 71 million to 75 million years ago, has been named in part for Lucero, the Memphis-based band fronted by Little Rock’s Ben Nichols.

According to Alyssa Bell, a researcher in the Dinosaur Institute at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County quoted in Discovery News, the new species — Hollanda luceria — most closely resembles the modern Southern Screamer, a bird with a call that’s been compared to a blaring trumpet. Seventy million years ago a blaring trumpet probably would’ve sounded like a voice ravaged by booze and cigarettes and hollering, right? n Willie Nelson is headed to Summit Arena in Hot Springs on Sunday, Feb. 21.

Tickets, available via Ticketmaster, range from $55 to $35. willie nelson n Preview a track off the Salty Dogs’ new album, “Brand New Reason,” which Max Recordings will put out on Jan. 23 at an album release party at White Water Tavern. More on Max’s 2010 agenda: New albums from Dave Raymond and Present C o m p a n y, Dragoon, the Reds, the Moving Front, Grand Serenade and Magic Hassle. n Look for a list of the semi-finalists for the 2010 Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase in next week’s paper and as early as Monday, Jan. 18, online.

The competition kicks off on Thursday, Jan. 28, at Sticky Fingerz.

22 january 14, 2010 • arKanSaS TIMES

n Lil Wayne may be the best rapper alive, but that doesn’t mean he can charge $51 (or $66 or $76 for premium seats) in Arkansas and expect much of a crowd. Only 3,200 people showed up on Saturday — a little more than a fifth of what promoters were hoping for. But if Lil Wayne was troubled by the empty seats — or his imminent prison stint — he hid it deep behind dark shades and a bejeweled grin that didn’t leave his face for almost two hours.

What a difference three years makes.

Last time Wayne came to Central Arkansas, he shared a bill, at Christmas Crunkfest at Barton Coliseum, with Young Jeezy and T.I., and spent his time on stage bobbing and weaving, barely lifting his voice past his hype men and reference track. Saturday, he stalked the stage like someone who’d spent his childhood in musicals (I counted at least two jumpand-heel-kicks) and rapped, sans backing track, with the same kind of manic energy that makes his recorded work so essential.

But like so much of that studio work, for all its inspired wackiness, Wayne’s live show occasionally shifted from weird-fun to weird-dumb. Everything that involved “rocking out” ranged from just plain terrible to not good. Mercifully, he only “sang” and “played guitar” (think: a 12-year-old testing out an amp for the first time) on two songs — the train-wreck “Rebirth” singles “Prom Queen” and “She’s On Fire.” But through all of his opening set, his four-piece backing unit stayed in full Body Count mode. Which meant that songs like “A Milli” and “Got Money” got the by-the-numbers hard rock remix treatment and Wayne had to compete to be heard with a guitarist doing a bad Eddie Van Halen impression.

A live band can drastically improve a rap show — watch the Roots back rappers on “Jimmy Fallon” — but without a sense of dynamics, it can just as easily derail things. Hip-hop demands space for vocals; most MCs can’t scream loud enough to be heard over a busy instrumental mix, Wayne’s ragged wheeze no exception.

When the band returned after a break for the DJ, it dropped the metal put-on and stuck in the background, gamely interpreting the original production from “Carter III” standouts like “Lollipop” and “Mrs. Officer.” It was like discovering that you’d been listening to a radio station a few ticks off — everything sounded new.

Verizon billed the concert cautiously as Lil Wayne and “special guest.” The opener, on no one’s radar, turned out to be hit songwriter (Usher’s “Yeah,” Ciara’s

brIan chIlSon

Verizon Arena, Jan. 9

lil wayne: Grossly talented.

“Goodies”) and wanna-be R&B lothario Sean Garrett, who leaned heavily on prerecorded vocals and a sculpted chest. Otherwise, Birdman represented Cash Money with a few mumbled verses and a lot of flapping his arms like a bird. And near the end of the concert, in what proved to be a major momentum killer, Wayne took the spotlight off himself to put it on his proteges, the loose collective of young, mostly forgettable rappers in the Young Money crew (shockingly, Drake and Nicky Minaj had some place better to be).

But neither the rock misadventures nor the bevy of lesser guests kept the concert from being anything less than a success.

Such is the power of Lil Wayne. He’s such a grossly talented rapper, with perhaps the best — and certainly the most theatrical — delivery in the game and an unparalleled knack at free-associating, that he can do dumb stuff or rap dumb lyrics one minute and sweep everything away with some stroke of genius the next.

The highlight of the night came when the MC offered a rapid-fire rendition of his verse on DJ Khaled’s honky-synth dance anthem “We Takin’ Over.” It’s Lil Wayne condensed — a mix of menace and playfulness that drifts, thrillingly, from something close to insanity to the kind of lucidity that makes you sit up straight and open your eyes wide. The best line in the song could be his slogan: “I am the beast — feed me rappers or feed me beats.”

— Lindsey Millar

Alejandro Escovedo Juanita’s, Jan. 6

n About halfway through his set at Juanita’s Wednesday night, Alejandro Escove-

do told a story about asking his son what he thought of dad’s music. The 17-yearold punk rocker bluntly replied, “It’s old man music.” And while the younger Escovedo may have intended it as a dismissive slight, dad clearly embraced the description.

Of course, the old man in question was once a punk himself — his band the Nuns opened for the Sex Pistols and their early recordings remain the stuff of legend among serious music fans. But like his fans, Escovedo has grown up since his days of living in the Chelsea Hotel, and his songs reflect it. Wednesday’s set bounced between aggressive ’70s-era riff rock and the mellower, more contemplative work that is Escovedo’s real strength.

Diehard fans were treated to a slew of new material (the band is en route to record a new album in Kentucky).

Highlights included the power pop gem “Love is Fools” and another new song written for that punk rock son — a kind of resigned, but still poignant “Forever Young”: “I hope you live long enough to forget half the stuff that I taught you / And when it’s all said and done I hope you have your own set of rules to hang on to.”

As if to fully own his son’s “old man music” label, Escovedo and band returned for an encore that included Mott the Hoople’s “All the Young Dudes,” and, hilariously, but without a touch of irony, a dead-on cover of “Beast of Burden,” complete with Escovedo dropping the guitar and picking up the mic to lead the band, Jagger-style.

— Jason Weinheimer

■ artnotes Wood, Taiwan to Laman Art of Architecture looks at MacArthur Park. by leslie newell peacock

Williams’ sculpture of fists bumping — n Debra Wood, owner of the late ArtSpace “Respect and Solidarity” — now sits Gallery in the River Market, is back in the on the White House desk of Michelle art business again, as exhibit and event Obama. manager for the relatively new gallery Williams announced that news at the space at the William F. Laman Library in Mosaic Templars Cultural Center’s Dec. North Little Rock.

31 unveiling of its art collection, which The 2,500-square-foot gallery opened last April with a show by noted artist and illustrator Robert Andrew Parker. The gallery was built to museum standards, with climate controls and automatic shades to protect art from sunlight. The next exhibit there: “Enchanting Taiwan,” 38 photographs toured by Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston, opening Jan. 19. T.K. Lee of the office will give a talk at a reception from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on opening day. The exhibit will run through Feb. 28.

The space is not for art alone; an exhibit of Lionel trains just GREEN SLEEVES: Seaweed-covered rocks reach closed a several-week run there. into the sea near Laomei on the Northeast coast of Prior to that, the Mid-Southern Taiwan in this photograph by Lin Yu-wei, to be exhibWatercolorists group had a ited in the Laman Library gallery. show. includes a stainless steel cast of the piece.

The Laman Library, as part of an onA little background: The Little Rock going expansion that began in 2002, broke sculptor, who has a home in Chicago as ground last week on a teen center adjacent well as Little Rock, uses the same hairto the main branch. The 3,000-square-foot dresser as the first lady there. She got a gathering place will include books, televimessage to the first lady that way that sions and X-box gaming. she wanted to donate the sculpture to the Gallery-goers will find an Andina’s cofObamas. Once they received it, however, fee shop in the library and, especially enthe Obamas liked it so well they decided ticing this time of year, a fireplace. Hours to buy the sculpture so that they could for the library and gallery, at 2801 Orange keep it after the president leaves office.

St., are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through (It otherwise would have gone into the Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and SatNational Archives.) urday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. n Friday, Jan. 15, is Third Friday Artwalk night in Argenta. Participants include Greg Thompson Fine Art, 429 Main St., which is showing work by former Delta show winner (and one of this writer’s favorite Arkansas painters) Mark Blaney; Ketz Gallery, 705 Main, which opens “Art Outside the Box,” work by Sulac and Matt TerArvest; Arkansas Art Gallery, 500 Main, featuring “Age of Reason” paintings by V.L. Cox; and a group show at 307 Main St. Doug Norton will be featured artist at Starving Artist Cafe, 411 Main, and Argenta Bead Co. at 7th and Main will also be open. n We’ve reported this on the Arkansas Times blog and at arkansasartnotes.tumblr.com but for those of you who eschew electronic news, here it is again: Susan

n Also mentioned in the Mosaic Templars item published here Dec. 24 was that the museum is in the process of buying a painting by Tarrance “Terry” Corbin, who died Dec. 3 in Cincinnati. Mitch Jansonius, owner of the Heights Gallery, has placed six paintings by the former Arkansas artist and teacher in the window of his gallery in tribute.

Corbin, 63, who was a native of Pennsylvania, took a teaching job at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff shortly after earning his MFA from the University of Cincinnati in the 1970s. He also taught at the Arkansas Arts Center. He painted in a hard-edge style, swirling ribbons of saturated color into complex geometrical compositions. Corbin joined the art faculty at the University of Cincinnati in 1990.

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gALLERIES

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Continued from page 21

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man goes to a Southern boarding house for a rest and pretends not to understand English to preserve his privacy. Murry’s Dinner Playhouse, 6 p.m. dinner, 7:45 curtain Tue.-Sat., 11 a.m., 5 p.m., dinner, 12:45 p.m., 6:45 p.m. curtain Sun. through Feb. 6, $22-$30. 6323 Col. Glenn Road. 562-3131, www.murrysdinnerplayhouse.com.

“Phantom of the Pharaoh.” Egyptian Murder Mystery Dinner Theater. MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, 6:15 p.m., Jan. 15, $49.

503 E. 9th. Reservations 501-868-7287.

“Sordid Lives.” A Texas family endures a homosexual son’s “coming out” during the matriarch’s funeral. Weekend Theater, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15-16; 22-23; 29-20, $10-$14. 7th and Chester. 3743761, www.weekendtheater.org.

CALLS FOR ENTRIES

500 President Clinton Ave. #105 501-907-1881

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FOOTBALL PARTY PANS!

Applications for Giving Tree grant proposals are being accepted from any Arkansas non-profit organization through Feb. 15 by Arkansas Community Foundation. More information is available by calling 372-1116 or by visiting www.arcf.org.

In conjunction with the library’s Feb. 15 exhibit, “Read My Pins: The Madeleine Albright Collection,” the William J. Clinton Presidential Center is sponsoring an essay competition in which students are asked to imagine life as a U.S. diplomat. Contest deadline is Jan. 20. Winners will be invited to participate in a special program at the Clinton Center with former Secretary Albright on Feb. 17 and a recreation of a state dinner with Laura Bowen Willis of the U.S. office of protocol on April 9. The essay should not exceed 500 words and should detail what foreign country the writer would hope to serve, what that country’s most pressing issues are and how the writer would address them. Send essays to Kathleen Pate, Clinton Presidential Library, 1200 Clinton Ave., Little Rock 72201.

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KING HOLIDAY: Mon., Jan. 18th, 8am - 6pm. Special $2 Admission All Day. Educational films, youth activities and Watoto de Afrika’s Funzzies.

New exhibits in bold-faced type ACAC, 900 S. Rodney Parham Road: “Drips and Drawings,” small works on paper and drip paintings by Rachel Thompson, through January. info@acacarkansas.org.

ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER, MacArthur Park: “World of the Pharaohs: Treasures of Egypt Revealed,” artifacts from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, through July 7, $22 adults, $14 students; “Building the Collection: Gustave Courbet,” oil on paper seascape, through Jan. 17, “Currents in Contemporary Art,” “Masterworks,” “Paul Signac Watercolors and Drawings,” ongoing. 9 a.m.5 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. 372-4000.

ARKANSAS STUDIES INSTITUTE, 401 President Clinton Ave.: “Local History Goes to School: Traveling the World with Mifflin W. Gibbs,” through Feb. 27, Concordia Hall gallery; “New Works by Sui Hoe Khoo,” paintings, atrium gallery, through Feb. 13. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. 3205792.

BOSWELL-MOUROT FINE ART, 5815 Kavanaugh Blvd.: “Celestial Migration,” ceramics

by Beth Lambert; paintings by Matt McLeod, L.V. Cox, Stephen Cefalo; glass by Kyle Boswell. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.-Sat. 664-0030.

CANTRELL GALLERY, 8206 Cantrell Road: “Stop the Presses,” work in various media by Arkansas Democrat-Gazette employees John Deering, John Sykes, Celia Storey, Philip Martin and others, opens with reception 6-8 p.m.

Jan. 15, runs through Feb. 27. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Mon.-Sat. 224-1335.

CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 509 Scott St.: “Light Coming into the World,” work by Garrett Alderfer, David Bell, Lois Davis, Cornelia DeLee, Austin Grimes, Steve Grisham, LaToya Hobbs, Sr. Maria Liebeck, Mark Meador, Brittany Platt, Lenny Sheehan, A.J. Smith, Marjorie Williams-Smith, Brandye Snead and Dan Thornhill, through March.

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Thu. 375-2342.

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Continued on page 27

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■ booknotes That’s the spirit ‘Simple Christmas’ sticks it to critics.

By Paul Peterson

n Mike Huckabee’s latest book, “A Simple Christmas: Twelve Stories That Celebrate The True Holiday Spirit,” should cement the convictions of his loyalists, irritate those who aren’t, and, at the very least, serve as adequate light reading for those in between. Its success depends to a certain degree on how strictly one defines “true holiday spirit.”

Those wishing a simple diet of holiday anecdotes face a few laps upstream to get to its redeeming qualities. There’s gold in these hills, but a little mining is required.

From his and sister Pat’s childhood tradition of prying open gifts and playing with their contents well in advance of Dec. 25, to the survival of his wife Janet, following treatment and removal of a spinal tumor, plenty of Huckabee’s holiday tales resonate well; he’s an adept storyteller.

Learning the origins of the first guitar that led to his lifelong love for performing is a heart-warmer, and the story of how he was forced to sell his treasured basses and amps in preparation for parenthood says something about his family priority. He’s as fluid a bassist as they come.

That his Christmas trees have been topped every year since 1976 with the same Santa cap worn by his first son is another gem. The narrative of his handyman father constructing a go-kart from scratch contrasts perfectly with Huckabee’s own tale of Christmas Eve misery, as he labored long into the night assembling a tricycle for his son.

But not unlike Huckabee the politician, out of nowhere he turns a full 360.

Like Scrooge in reverse, the closer he gets to the present the more arrogant he is. It’s been written that “Huckabee does not take kindly to journalists who practice journalism.”

And within these 12 stories we’re consistently reminded of his disdain for reporters.

His dander goes up without notice, a brief tirade ensues and his full-frontal arrogance kicks in like egg nog heavily laced with bourbon.

Huckabee reminds us of what he truly believed to be his one true calling: Christian communications. He writes: “I realized the best way I could serve God was to work in broadcasting … I was good at it, and I figured it might be a good way to eventually land a career in politics.” At various junctions in his pre-political life, he worked for radio, ad agencies and other media, that, at the end of the day, essentially boil down to some form of journalism.

But the parallels end there, as readers soon find out how his disdain for traditional journalism is inversely proportionate to his fondness for religious media.

He takes a jab at the Arkansas Times, which reported on his use of a Mansion account to buy groceries. He writes that it’s likely that both sides of his lineage had its fair share of “scoundrels”: “It’s a miracle I ever got elected to anything.

I think the local papers were too busy trying to conjure up controversy over idiotic nonsense like what we were eating at the Governor’s Mansion to bother doing any real investigations into my bloodline.”

Huckabee complains about having every aspect of his public life open to

inspection, from tax records, income, expenditures, academic and medical records to personal activities, and suggests that reporters would balk if the tables were turned: “Most of the reporters who are indignant when there is the least attempt to keep some area of life private would never accept or tolerate what they demand of candidates and officeholders, and they would of course argue that they are simply holding us accountable since we are getting a taxpayer-funded paycheck. Fair enough, but their words and opinions will directly affect how people feel about [them], and perhaps it might be nice to know how much money they have and where it comes from; what organizations they are members of; what relationships they have; what stocks they own; and what business relationships they have. I know this probably isn’t going to happen, and it probably shouldn’t, but the self-righteous I-havea-right-to-demand-information attitude is often very difficult to tolerate knowing that most of the reporters who ask such questions would never answer them if the tables were turned.”

Also among the Christmas musings the former governor also finds time to criticize “certain journalists” for covering his destruction of state computer hard drives and complain that his “Herculean effort” to ease the transition of his successor as governor was “rewarded with a series of shoddily-researched articles and columns and even ethics complaints,” all, according to him, “baseless.”

The repeated digs at journalists would be better suited for an entirely different manuscript, instead of padding pages of a book about goodwill and peace. Huckabee’s snide jabs at opponents both past and present cheapen his own book’s redeeming qualities. One chapter devotes nearly six pages to Arkansas’s political climate in 1991, and his subsequent moral obligation to save us from ourselves by entering the 1992 governor’s race. How selfless. Lingering bitterness toward yesterday’s enemies should feel out of place in a collection of Christmas affirmations, but here it feels strangely at home, almost natural.

n New from Butler Center Books: “Beyond Central, Toward Acceptance” (paperback, $19.95), five years of oral histories recorded by Little Rock Central High ninth graders for a student-created website, lrchmemory.org. Little Rock novelist Kevin Brockmeier served as guest editor for “Real Unreal: The Best American Fantasy 3” (Underland Press Books, paperback, $14.95). The collection includes stories by Stephen King, Peter S. Beagle and Jeffrey Ford.

Fayetteville author Joan Hess has a new Arly Hanks novel. “The Merry Wives of Maggody” (Minotaur Books, hardcover, $24.99) is a golf-themed mystery set in fictional Maggody, Ark. Fayetteville author Joan Hess has a new Arly Hanks novel. “The Merry Wives of Maggody” (Minotaur Books, hardcover, $24.99) is a golf-themed mystery set in fictional Maggody, Ark. The Arkansas branch of the League of American Pen Women, a group that supports writers, musicians and artists, has released a new book, “Our Arkansas …

Selected Places” (Grandmother Earth, paperback, $10). The coffee-table-style book includes poems, essays and photographs on iconic Arkansas places and things.

Copies are available by sending $12.50 ($2.50 for shipping and handling) to 1115 Gillette Drive, Little Rock, 72227.

— By Lindsey Millar

GET TOMORROW’S NEWS TODAY! Arkansas Times News Blog (Where news junkies get their fix.)

Stephens Media Group State Capitol Coverage Local Weather and much more!

ONLINE AT ONE OF THE LARGEST AND FASTEST GROWING WEBSITES IN THE STATE!

www.arktimes.com

Michelle Singletar Singletary Nationally Syndicated Columnist, Radio and TV Host

Wednesday, January 20, 2010 7:00 p.m.

M. L. Harris Auditorium Philander Smith College — www.philander.edu Lectures are free and open to the public. For more information call 501-370-5279. No tickets or RSVPs required.

ArkAnsAs Times • jAnuAry 14, 2010 25

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NEW MOVIES Book of Eli (R) — Across the wasteland of what once was America, a lone warrior (Denzel Washington) must fight to bring civilization the knowledge that could be the key to its redemption. Breckenridge: 1:20, 4:30, 7:25, 10:05. Chenal: 11:00, 2:00, 4:50, 7:30, 10:10. Lakewood: 11:05, 1:35, 4:25, 7:10, 10:00. Rave: 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, 4:30, 5:30, 7:00, 7:45, 8:30, 9:45, 10:45. Riverdale: 12:00, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 10:00.

Broken Embrace (R) — A screenwriter and ex-director who changed his name after being blinded in a car wreck faces scandals from his past. In Spanish with English subtitles. Market Street: 2:00, 4:30, 7:00, 9:15 (Fri.-Sat. only).

The Lovely Bones (PG-13) — A murdered young girl watches over her family and her killer from heaven and must weigh desires for vengeance against desires for her family to heal.

Breckenridge: 1:10, 4:00, 7:00, 9:50. Chenal: 10:45, 1:35, 4:20, 7:10, 9:35. Lakewood: 1:15, 4:15, 7:05, 10:00. Rave: 12:40, 4:05, 7:20, 10:25.

Riverdale: 12:15, 3:05, 5:55, 8:45.

The Spy Next Door (PG) — CIA spook Bob Ho (Jackie Chan) retires in order to marry his girlfriend and must gain approval of her kids, who mistakenly download a top secret documents, making the family a Russian target.

Breckenridge: 1:40, 4:45, 7:20, 9:30. Chenal: 10:55, 1:35, 4:20, 7:10, 9:35. Rave: 11:40, 2:10, 4:55, 7:30, 9:55. Riverdale: 12:05, 2:05, 4:05, 6:05, 8:05, 10:05.

RETURNING THIS WEEK A Christmas Carol (PG) — Dickens’ classic tale. Movies 10: 1:05, 4:20, 7:05, 10:05.

Africa: The Serengeti (NR) — Footage of East Africa’s Serengeti plain during annual drought migrations. Aerospace Education Center IMAX: 4 p.m., 8 p.m. Sat. Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (G) — Alvin, Simon and Theodore take a break from stardom and return to school. Breckenridge: 1:50, 4:15, 6:50, 9:20. Chenal: 10:50, 1:20, 4:00, 7:05, 9:30. Lakewood: 11:05, 1:15, 4:00, 7:20, 9:30. Rave: 11:15, 12:10, 1:40, 2:40, 4:10, 5:10, 8:10, 10:55.

Avatar (PG-13) — A paraplegic ex-Marine war veteran is sent to establish a human settlement on the distant planet of Pandora, only to find himself battling humankind alongside the planet’s indigenous race. Animated. Breckenridge: 1:00, 4:30, 8:00. Chenal IMAX 3D: 12:00, 3:30, 7:00, 10:30. Lakewood Digital 3D: 12:00, 3:30, 7:00, 10:15. Rave 3D: 12:15, 1:15, 3:15, 4:15, 5:15, 7:15, 8:15, 9:30, 10:50. Rave: 2:05.

Bad Lieutenant: Port Call of New Orleans (R) — A strung-out cop (Nicolas Cage) is locked in a downward spiral as he probes the drugrelated murders of five illegal immigrants from Senegal. Market Street: 2:00, 4:30, 7:00, 9:15

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(Fri.-Sat. only).

The Blindside (PG-13) — A homeless black teen-ager is taken in by a family that coaches him into becoming a star student-athlete. Breckenridge: 1:05, 4:05, 6:55, 9:45. Chenal: 11:10, 2:05, 4:55, 7:45, 10:35. Lakewood: 10:50, 1:45, 4:35, 7:25, 10:15. Rave: 1:20, 4:40, 7:40, 10:40.

Riverdale: 12:40, 3:20, 6:00, 8:40.

Brothers (R) — A married soldier presumed dead finds his drifter brother has assumed his role in the family. Riverdale: 7:00, 9:25.

Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs (PG) — Flint Lockwood and his food-making invention must respond to a town’s hard times when its citizenry can only afford to eat sardines. Movies 10: 1:00, 2:05, 3:10, 4:15, 5:20, 7:30, 9:40.

Couples Retreat (PG-13) — Four Midwestern couples, one of which seeks marriage repair, embark on a journey to a tropical island resort and discover that therapy participation is not mandatory. Movies 10: 1:30, 4:05, 7:00, 9:35.

Daybreakers (R) — Ten years after a plague turned most of the world’s population into vampires, a critical blood shortage is causing panic and gruesome mutations within the undead community. Breckenridge: 1:30, 4:40, 7:35, 9:55. Lakewood: 11:10, 1:35, 4:20, 7:30, 9:50.

Rave: 11:20, 12:45, 3:45, 5:35, 6:50, 7:55, 9:35, 10:35. Riverdale: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:15, 9:30.

Dinosaurs Alive! (NR) — Paleontologists discover new fossils and uncover evidence that dinosaur descendants are still among us. Aerospace Education Center IMAX: 11:00, 1:00 Tue.Thu.; 11:00, 1:00, 8:00 Fri.; 1:00, 3:00, 8:00 Sat.; 1:00, 3:00 Sun. Fantastic Mr. Fox (PG) — Mr. and Mrs. Fox (voices of George Clooney and Meryl Streep) have their idyllic existence turned around when Mr. Fox’s animal instincts compel his relapse into stealing chickens. Animated. Movies 10: 1:15, 3:20, 5:30, 7:40, 9:55.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (PG-13) — The leader of a traveling show traded the soul of his daughter to the devil thousands of years ago and wagers the collection of five souls to prevent the devil from collecting hers.

Market Street: 1:45, 4:15, 6:45, 9:10 (Fri.-Sat. only).

It’s Complicated (R) — When Jane (Meryl Streep) and ex-husband Jake (Alec Baldwin) find themselves out of town for their son’s college graduation, an innocent meal together turns into an affair. Breckenridge: 1:45, 4:50, 7:30, 10:05. Chenal: 10:40, 1:45, 7:35. Rave: 12:35, 3:50, 6:45, 9:40. Riverdale: 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40.

Law Abiding Citizen (R) — Clyde Shelton (Gerard Butler) targets those associated with a trial that let one of his family’s killers off with a light sentence. Movies 10: 1:25, 4:10, 7:15, 9:45.

Leap Year (PG) — When another anniversary passes without a proposal, Anna (Amy Adams) takes action through an Irish tradition that allows women to pop the question on February 29. Breckenridge: 1:25, 4:20, 7:10, 9:35. Chenal: 11:05, 1:50, 4:25, 7:15, 9:40. Lakewood: 11:00, 1:25, 4:05, 7:10, 9:40. Rave: 12:25, 3:00, 5:40, 8:20, 11:10.

The Light Before Christmas (NR) — Stopmotion animated journey through sets, characters and designs of renowned artist James C. Christensen. Aerospace Education Center IMAX: 11:00 a.m. Tue.-Thu.; 11:00 a.m., 7:00 p.m. Fri.; 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. Sat. Men Who Stare At Goats (R) — A struggling reporter (Ewan McGregor) gets the scoop of a lifetime when he meets Lyn Cassady (George Clooney), who claims to be from a unit of psychic soldiers who have been reactivated for duty. Movies 10: 7:55, 10:15.

Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs (NR) — Researchers and explorers piece together the past with the archeological and genetic clues

from Egyptian mummies. Aerospace Education Center IMAX: 10:00, 12:00, 2:00 Tue.-Thu.; 10:00, 12:00, 2:00, 7:00, 9:00 Fri.; 12:00, 2:00, 4:00, 7:00, 9:00 Sat.; 12:00, 2:00, 4:00 Sun. Nine (PG-13) — Famous film director Guido Contini (Daniel Day-Lewis) grapples with epic crises in his personal and professional life. Rave: 12:20.

Ninja Assassin (R) — A member of the secret Ozunu assassin clan seeks revenge for his friends’ murder and follows a money trail implicating the organization in numerous other crimes. Movies 10: 1:40, 4:40, 7:20, 10:10.

Planet 51 (PG) — Galactic-sized animated alien adventure comedy revolving around America astronaut Capt. Charles “Chuck” Baker.

Movies 10: 1:10, 3:25, 5:40, 7:50, 10:00.

The Princess and the Frog (G) — A trumpetplaying alligator, a love-sick Cajun firefly and others spin a love tale on a mystical Louisiana bayou. Rave: 11:00,1:05, 3:55. Riverdale: 12:10, 2:25, 4:40.

The Road — (R) — A father (Viggo Mortensen) and son make their way across a postapocalyptic U.S. in hopes of finding civilization amongst the nomadic cannibal tribes in the year 2929. Market Street: 2:15, 4:20, 7:15, 9:20 (Fri.Sat. only).

Sherlock Holmes (PG-13) — The master detective and his stalwart partner Watson embark on their latest challenge. Breckenridge: 1:15, 4:10, 7:05, 9:50. Chenal Digital: 10:35, 1:30, 4:30, 7:25, 10:20. Lakewood: 1:00, 4:10, 7:25, 10:10. Rave: 1:10, 5:00, 7:05, 8:00, 10:20, 11:05. Riverdale: 12:35, 3:30, 6:25, 9:20.

2012 (PG-13) — Epic adventure about a global cataclysm that brings an end to the world. Movies 10: 2:15, 5:35, 9:15.

Twilight Saga: New Moon (PG-13) — Romance between mortal and vampire soars to a new level as Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) delves deeper into the supernatural mysteries. Riverdale: 12:25, 3:05, 5:45, 8:25.

Up In The Air (R) — A corporate downsizing expert’s cherished travel life is threatened as the woman of his dreams comes along just as he’s on the cusp of reaching 10 million frequent flyer miles. Breckenridge: 4:35, 7:40, 10:10. Rave: 12:05, 4:25, 7:25, 10:05. Riverdale: 12:45, 3:05, 5:25, 7:45, 10:05.

Where The Wild Things Are (PG) — Misunderstood at home and at school, mischievous Max escapes to a land populated by majestic, and sometimes fierce, creatures known as the Wild Things. Movies 10: 1:20, 4:00, 7:10, 9:30.

The Young Victoria (PG) — As the only legitimate heir of England’s King William, teen-age Victoria (Emily Blunt) becomes caught up in the political machinations of her own family. Market Street: 2:00, 4:20, 7:00, 9:20 (Fri.-Sat. only).

Youth In Revolt (R) — As a teen-age fan of Albert Camus and Jean-Luc Godard, Nick Twisp (Michael Cera) is most definitely out of his element when his mother and her boyfriend move the family to a trailer park. Breckenridge: 1:55, 4:25, 7:15, 9:25. Chenal: 4:40, 10:15. Rave: 11:50, 2:20, 5:05, 8:45, 11:00.

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

Cinemark Movies 10: 4188 E. McCain Blvd., 9457400, www.cinemark.com.

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

IMAX Theater: Aerospace Education Center, 3764629, www.aerospaced.org.

Market Street Cinema: 1521 Merrill Drive, 3128900, www.marketstreetcinema.net.

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

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

Dickinson Theaters Lakewood 8: Lakewood Village, 758-5354, www.fandango.com.

■moviereview Blood thirst

calendar

Continued from page 25

Yet another vampire movie.

‘DAYBREAKERS’: Ethan Hawk stars. n “The Daybreakers” imagines that somehow, the 2010s turn out worse than the 2000s did: By 2019, an outbreak of vampirism has gone from epidemic to default setting. Vampires run giant corporations. They’re sitting senators.

They commute via underground subwalks, drive with wraparound supertint on their sedan windows and take human blood in place of cream in their coffee. Trouble is, life has gone to hell even for the vampires. A global blood crisis has sparked hunger riots, and the capture of stray humans has dropped to almost nil, even though the military attends to nothing else. Worse, blood

starvation leads to mutations that turn relatively civil vampires into ferocious, cannibalistic monsters, who accelerate their transformation when they desperately drink their own blood. It would almost be enough to feel sympathy for the vampires if they weren’t also growing humans like hydroponic tomatoes in massive blood farms.

Now then. Getting on to the subject of blood. In this movie it is splattered across floors, swilled from snifters, sucked straight from wrists, streamed over ice, sprayed from severed limbs and generally fetishized by directors Michael and Peter Spiering, who natu-

rally choose as their hero hematologist Edward Dalton, played by Ethan Hawke, a late and unwillingly converted vampire who is rushing to develop synthetic food-grade blood to avert a famine. “Life’s a bitch and then you don’t die,” he tells his soldier brother, Frankie (Michael Dorman), a zealot for hunting down humans. Dalton unwittingly encounters a group of crossbow-wielding humans, led by Elvis (Willem Dafoe), whose skin, burned like microwaved cheese, suggests a solution better than artificial blood, if Dalton’s employer, a wickedly imperious Sam Neill, will allow it.

Back to the blood. Vampires are keen on the stuff, after all, and they’re starving, willing to suck it off walls and squeeze it from blood bags. Hawke balances the film with his prissy abstinence — in this city, a vampire who won’t drink blood is like a coyote who won’t eat hamburger, and it’s nice to have a real person along to lead us through the story, even if he does have a long set of speech-impeding incisors. When “The Daybreakers” takes its time in sketching this nightmare world, nibbling at the edges with well-placed graffiti and oblique news reports, it’s a spurting font of dark red fun. But at 98 minutes it rarely finds a moment to take a proper breath and let the tale unspool, and winds up somewhere between campy horror, gory action and vague scifi. It may devolve into B-movie territory by the second hour, but at least it’s a Bpositive.

— Ryan Grove

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.: Marcus McAllister and Janet Wilcox, paintings and drawings, opens with reception 7-10 p.m Jan. 16, show through March 13. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.-Sat. 664-8996.

GREG THOMPSON FINE ART, 429 Main St., NLR: “Short Stories of the Sublime,” paintings

by Mark Blaney, Jan. 14-March 13. Open 5-8 p.m. Jan. 15, Third Friday Art Walk. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Tue.-Fri., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat. 664-2787.

HEIGHTS GALLERY, 5801 Kavanaugh Blvd.: Arkansas artists; special display of paintings by the late Terry Corbin. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. 664-2772.

KETZ GALLERY, 705 Main St., NLR: “Art Outside the Box,” work by Sulac and Matt TerArvest, opens with Third Friday Art Walk reception 5-8 p.m. Jan. 15, also work by Rhonda Reeves, Elena Petrovich, Tim Valsholtz, Jim Westbrook, Patrician Davis and others. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Tue.-Fri., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat. 529-6330.

LOCAL COLOUR GALLERY, 5811 Kavanaugh Blvd.: Artists’ collective showcase. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Mon.-Sat. 265-0422.

RED DOOR GALLERY, 3715 JFK, NLR: Work by Twin, Robin Steves, Brady Taylor, Georges Artaud, Lola, Jim Johnson, Amy Hill-Imler, James Hayes and Theresa Cates. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. 753-5227.

SHOWROOM, 2313 Cantrell Road. Work by area artists, including Sandy Hubler. 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Mon.-Fri. 372-7373.

STEPHANO’S FINE ART GALLERY, 5501 Kavanaugh Blvd.: Jessica Smith, Robert Nowlin, Robert Sherman, paintings; and Alexis Silk, glass.

11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.-Thu.; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Fri.-Sat. 563-4218.

TOBY FAIRLEY FINE ART, 5507 Ranch Drive, Suite 103: Contemporary Arkansas artists. 10 a.m.4 p.m. Tue.-Fri. or by appointment. 868-9882.

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK: “Kom Fljugandi/Flown In,” artists working in Iceland, Jan. 15-March 14, Gallery I, artist talk 1 p.m. Jan. 20, reception 12:15 p.m.

Jan. 21; “In Focus: Works from the UALR Permanent Collection,” work using the house as subject matter by Helen Phillips, Don Van Horn, Lorre Hoffman, Ginny Sims, Megan Marlett and Imogene Ragon, and works on paper by four artists, through Feb. 14, Gallery II; “Make Believe by John Hartley,” monoprints, through Feb. 28, artist talk 1 p.m. March 1. 9 a.m.5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat., 2-5 p.m.

Sun. 569-8977.

Continued on page 28

ArkAnsAs Times • jAnuAry 14, 2010 27

A boy named

“Next year” is here By derek jenkins

n I’m willing to bet the actual messiah could convert at least one third down against ECU. Which isn’t to say that I’m not thrilled that Ryan Mallett is coming back, that his leaving wouldn’t have hamstrung the 2010 season, or that I’m not totally grateful. I’m just saying the guy could use some work on short-yardage completions before we cast a bronze bust.

Still, just because he needs some work doesn’t mean he shouldn’t have gone. You may have convinced yourself, in your wildest dreams of an SEC championship, that his decision isn’t entirely selfless. That he’s not ready for the next level.

That thinking as much was just more cockiness from that cockiest of Razorbacks.

But Ryan Mallett just gave up a sure thing for a vague possibility.

Few in their right mind think he would be anything less than the second QB picked in the draft. NFL teams generally don’t need someone who’s ready to start in their first year as a pro, despite the anomalous examples of Mark Sanchez and Matthew Stafford. NFL teams draft for tools. As most Razorback fans know, Mallett is basically the whole dern shed.

Risking the certainty of financial security for the chance to make Razorback history: That’s pretty damn selfless. Before the 2009 season was finished, both Colt McCoy and Sam Bradford suffered injuries that damaged their stock. Only Bradford retains much of his Heisman mystique in comparison to other quarterbacks who have declared for the draft.

Jimmy Clausen and Jevan Snead, from a physical standpoint, present teams with meaningful alternatives to Bradford and McCoy. From a purely financial perspective, which is by extension a purely personal perspective, Bradford and McCoy’s decisions to return for the 2009 season were mistakes.

Mallett will be no better prepared for his professional career after one more season with the Razorbacks than he would be after a season riding the pine under the tutelage of an NFL quarterback’s coach. We have some of the best offensive coaches the NCAA has to offer. But money, facilities, experience? The NFL has them all.

No, Mallett didn’t make an obvious decision. It couldn’t have been an easy choice. He stayed for the fans. He stayed for his teammates. He stayed for the often unrewarding pursuit of a glory unsullied by financial concerns.

The Razorback faithful should always remember that. If things don’t pan out like we hope, and there’s a better chance than we’d like to admit that they won’t, it’ll be easy to forget.

The hiring of Steve Caldwell has to improve our odds, though. It seems unfair to be making changes on a defense that seemed to be the only thing working for us on Jan. 2, but inconsistency on that end of the ball will lose games for us more often than a sputtering offense. Petrino tried to hire the old hand a while back, a move Caldwell reacted to in a way that didn’t earn him much love with Razorback fans, but his track record at Tennessee makes him a steal only a year later, when he’s coming on as a mere position coach. I wouldn’t expect him to play a traditional second fiddle. Willy Robinson kept his job, but that seat just got hotter.

ESPN ranked us 16th in one of their ridiculously-hot-on-the-heelsof-the-post-season pre-season polls, largely contingent on Mallett’s sticking around and improvement on the defensive side of the ball. Well, Mallett’s here for one more season.

Tramain Thomas gave us something good to think about in the bowl game.

And now that the season’s finished, Hog fans can engage in all the “next year” talk they want.

Mallett stayed for the often unrewarding pursuit of a glory unsullied by financial concerns.

28 january 14, 2010 • arKanSaS TIMES

caleNdar

Continued from page 27 UALR BOWEN SCHOOL OF LAW: “Law in a Land Without Justice: Nazi Germany 1933-1945,” World War II artifacts, through July. 7 a.m.-11 p.m.

Mon.-Thu., 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri., 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sun. WILLIAM F. LAMAN LIBRARY, 2801 Orange St.: “Enchanting Taiwan,” 38 photographs, Jan. 19-Feb. 28, opening reception 6-8 p.m. Jan. 19. 758-1720. n Batesville UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE: “SWOP: Retro Works Exhibition,” through Jan. 29, Row Johns Building, 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. n Benton DIANNE ROBERTS ART STUDIO AND GALLERY, 110 N. Market St.: Area artists. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Wed.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. 860-7467. n Bentonville CRYSTAL BRIDGES AT THE MASSEY, 125 W. Central: “Heroes of Horticulture,” landscape photographs, opens with reception 5-7 p.m. Jan. 14, show through March 21. 479-418-5700. n Fayetteville UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS: “Paper Trails,” large-scale drawings by David Bailin, through Feb. 4, Fine Arts Center Gallery. Reception and artist talk 5 p.m. Feb. 4. 479-575-7987. n Hot Springs ALISON PARSONS GALLERY, 802 Central Ave.: Paintings by Parsons. 501-625-3001.

AMERICAN ART GALLERY, 724 Central Ave.: Work by Jimmy Leach, Jamie Carter, Govinder, Marlene Gremillion, Margaret Kipp and others.

501-624-0550.

ATTRACTION CENTRAL GALLERY, 264 Central Ave.: Work in all media by Hot Springs artists.

501-463-4932.

CAROLE KATCHEN ART GALLERY, 618 W. Grand Ave.: Paintings, pastels, sculpture by Katchen. 501-617-4494.

FOX PASS POTTERY, 379 Fox Pass Cut-off: Pottery by Jim and Barbara Larkin. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Tue.-Sat. 501-623-9906.

GALLERY 726, 726 Central Ave.: Work in all media by 13 Hot Springs area artists. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Tue.-Sat. 501-624-7726.

GALLERY CENTRAL, 800 Central Ave.: Arkansas artists. 501-318-4278.

JUSTUS FINE ART, 827 A Central Ave.: New paintings by Robin Hazard-Bishop, Dolores Justus and JoAnne Oliver, clay sculpture by Cynthia Bowers, and other work. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sat. 501-321-2335.

LINDA PALMER GALLERY, 800 B Central Ave.: Work by Linda Palmer, Doyle Young, Ellen Alderson, Peter Lippincott, Sara Tole and Jan Leek. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 501-620-3063.

PRODIGIOUS ART LTD., Hot Springs Mall: Work

by Bryan Sink and local, national and international artists. 501-520-0307.

RICIANO ART GALLERY, 833 Central Ave.: Featuring work by Riciano, Lacey Alysse, Char DeMoro and other artists. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. 501339-3751. n Pine Bluff ARTS AND SCIENCE CENTER, 701 Main St.: “Geometric Intersections: Sculpture and Paintings

by Robyn Horn,” through Feb. 12. 870-536-3375. n Russellville RIVER VALLEY ARTS CENTER, 1001 E. B St.: Paintings by Angela Teeter, through January. 479968-2452. n Springdale ARTS CENTER OF THE OZARKS, 214 S. Main St.: “Continuum Project for Humanity,” art/philosophy project by Lawrence Robertson, through Jan. 28, reception 6-8 p.m. Jan. 14. n Tyronza SOUTHERN TENANT FARMERS MUSEUM, 117 Main St.: “Interpretations of the Delta Landscape,” work by Norwood Creech, Jan. 14-Feb. 28, opening 5-8 p.m. Jan. 14 with commentary by historian Dr. Jeannie Whayne.

MUSEUMS CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL MUSEUM VISITOR CENTER, Bates and Park: Exhibits on the

1957 desegregation of Central and the civil rights movement. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily. 374-1957.

CLINTON PRESIDENTIAL CENTER, 1200 President Clinton Ave.: “Jewels to Jelly Beans: Treasures from the Presidential Vaults,” objects from the collections of 14 presidents, through Jan. 30; exhibits about policies and White House life during the Clinton administration. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. $7 adults; $5 college students, seniors, retired military; $3 ages 6-17.

370-8000.

HISTORIC ARKANSAS MUSEUM, 200 E. Third St.: “Viewfinding: Photography by Brian Cormack,” through April 4; “Thresholds: Landscape, Memory and Architecture,” Jeri Hillis, mixed media collages, and Deborah Warren, photographs, through January; “From the Collection of Jim Gatling: A Whimsy of Treasures,” through Feb. 14; “Guns in Arkansas History,” through January. 324-9351.

MacARTHUR MUSEUM OF ARKANSAS MILITARY HISTORY, MacArthur Park: Exhibits on Arkansas’s military history. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat., 1-4 p.m. Sun. 376-4602.

MOSAIC TEMPLARS CULTURAL CENTER, Ninth and Broadway: Exhibits on African-Americans in Arkansas, including one on the Ninth Street business district, Dunbar High School, entrepreneurs, the Mosaic Templars business and more. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat. 683–3593.

MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY, 500 President Clinton Ave.: Hands-on technology exhibits. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. Admission: $8 adults, $7 children ages 1-12 and seniors 65 and up, children under 1 free, free second Sunday of every month. 396-7050. www.museumofdiscovery.org.

OLD STATE HOUSE, 300 W. Markham St.: “Badges, Bandits and Bars: Arkansas Law and Justice,” the state’s history of crime and punishment from pre-territorial days to the mid-1980s, through March 6, 2011. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 324-9685.

WITT STEPHENS JR. CENTRAL ARKANSAS NATURE CENTER, Riverfront Park: Exhibits on wildlife and the state Game and Fish Commission. n England TOLTEC MOUNDS STATE PARK, State Hwy. 165: Major prehistoric Indian site with visitors’ center and museum. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., noon-5 p.m. Sun., closed Mon. $3 for adults, $2 for ages 6-12. 961-9442. n Eureka Springs EUREKA SPRINGS HISTORICAL MUSEUM: History of the Ozark Folk Festival, in photographs, programs, documents. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.Sat., 11 a.m. a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sun. 479-253-9417. n Harrison BOONE COUNTY LIBRARY: “Visions of the Universe: Four Centuries of Discovery,” drawings and diagrams from the time of Galileo and contemporary images of planets, stars and galaxies made by the Hubble Space Telescope, Jan. 21-March 25. 870-741-5913. n Hot Springs MID-AMERICA SCIENCE MUSEUM: Science exhibits. $8 adults, $7 seniors, military and youth.

9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. 501-767-3461.

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART, 425 Central Ave.: L.M. Chan, leather sculpture. $5, $4 for seniors. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thu.-Sat., noon-5 p.m.

Sun. 501-609-9955. n Jacksonville JACKSONVILLE MUSEUM OF MILITARY HISTORY, 100 Veterans Circle: Exhibits on DDay; F-105, Vietnam era plane (“The Thud”); the Civil War Battle of Reed’s Bridge, Arkansas Ordnance Plant (AOP) and other military history. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. $3 adults; $2 seniors, military; $1 students. 501-241-1943. n Lavaca MILITARY ROAD MUSEUM, 303 S. Main St.: Photos and artifacts tell the history of the town. 9 a.m.-noon Sat. 479-739-2482. n Morrilton MUSEUM OF AUTOMOBILES, Petit Jean Mountain: Permanent exhibit of more than 50 cars from 1904-1967 depicting the evolution of the automobile. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 7 days. 501-727-5427. n Memphis DAVID LUSK GALLERY, 4540 Poplar Ave.: “Points South,” paintings and works on paper

by Carroll Cloar and Daisy Craddock, through Jan. 30. 901-767-3800.

Get more space without getting a bigger house.

the sale issue Free reception event

Gallery 26 presents the paintings and drawings of Marcus McAllister and Janet Wilcox. The opening reception is Saturday, Jan. 16 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

This show runs through March 13.

Receptions are free and open to the public.

Gallery 26, 2601 Kavanaugh, Suite 1, Tues.-Sat.10 a.m.-6 p.m., www.gallery26.com

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January cold freeze sale

Largest selection of both import and local art work at The Showroom.

Mention this ad and receive 20% off of custom framing and selected artwork.

Our art is looking for warm homes to hang in.

The Showroom, 2313 Cantrell, 501.372.7373, Mon.-Fri. 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

SANDY HUBLER

“WHISPER IN THE ASPENS�

THE SHOWROOM

2313 Cantrell Road Little Rock, AR 501-372-7373 www.sandyhublerfineart.com j a nu a ry10

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the sale issue

The sale of all sales

Run, don’t walk, to Box Turtle for some great deals. Stock up on the Caldrea Green Tea Patchouli cleaners to get your home spic and span. This entire collection is discounted 50% to make room for a new scent rolling out Feb. 1. Don’t forget about the body! There are always great finds at Box Turtle, and with all clothing and handbags discounted 30-75% off, you’re sure to get some really cool items at a really cool price.

Box turtle, 2616 Kavanaugh Blvd., 501.661.1167.

Remarkable appliance sale

Samsung SXS refrigerator model # RF26XAEPN now on sale for $1099.

Metro AppliAnCes & More, 8800 maumelle Blvd., NLR, 501.758.1988, Mon.-Thurs. 7:30 a.m.7 p.m., Fri. 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

We love our customers sale!

Unique sale

Come to Unique Furniture in downtown Jacksonville for huge savings on childrens furniture, sofas, love seats and Curio cabinets.

Furnish every room in the house in one stop or come in for great gift ideas for the whole family. Financing and lay-a-way is available. unique Furniture, 638 W. Main, Jacksonville, 501.985.8888.

30 ❘

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january10

Attention antique lovers. Everyone’s favorite antique store, Fabulous Finds is having a “we love our customers” storewide sale. As much as 60% off and sale prices in each and every booth. Don’t ponder, just get in NOW. FABulous Finds Antique MAll, 2905 Cantrell Road in Riverdale, 501.614.8181.

Winter sale!

Barbara Graves Intimate Fashions is having 40% Off Winter Sale. Check out great buys on sleepwear and leisurewear — get in now for best selection.

BArBArA GrAves intiMAte FAshions, Breckenridge Village, 501.227.5537.

One great sale, two great locations!

Now is the time to stock up on cold weather clothes at great prices at either Beyond Cotton store. Buy key pieces and save them until next winter or, with the crazy Arkansas weather wear it now and rock a great deal.

Check out the sale at Beyond Cotton II on Dolce Vita and Cynthia Vincent shoes and boots, handbags and clothing from BCBG Max Azria, Poleci, Nicole Miller, Walter and more.

There are also sales on Tribal and flax items at the original store. Both stores are offering 30-50% off and since you can’t go wrong with either location, check them both out.

Beyond Cotton, 11525 Cantrell Road, Pleasant Ridge Town Center, 501.221.1539 or 10700 N. Rodney Parham Road, 501.221.9195

SALE 20% OFF STOREWIDE THRU SAT., JAN. 16TH

CLOTHING 35-75% OFF

(with continual markdowns weekly)

DINETTE SETS FROM $99

LARGE SELECTION OF CURIO CABINETS CHERRY OR OAK STARTING AT $149.99

QUEEN PILLOW TOPS FROM $299

FUTON FRAME ONLY STARTING AT $89.99

SOFAS FROM $399

SOLID WOOD BUNK BEDS FROM $199

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TRUCKLOAD SALE

New books on many subjects starting at just $5.

WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!

Frontload Washer / Dryer Pair

Frontload Washer / Dryer Pair

$1,595

$1,599

FREE Pedestals

FREE Pedestals

up to off!

80%

French Door Refrigerator

Microhood

$1,999

$125

12 MONTHS NO PAYMENTS WITH APPROVED CREDIT

Big Book Bash Thru January 31st. In-store only.

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

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n The twice-yearly Argenta Restaurant Week kicks off on Monday, Jan. 18, with lunch and dinner deals at Cornerstone Pub, Cregeen’s Irish Pub, Margo’s Catfish Diner and Deli, Reno’s Argenta Cafe, Ristorante Capeo, Starving Artist Cafe and Ump’s Pub and Grill. Each location will offer an $8 twocourse lunch and a $25 three-course prix fixe dinner through Saturday, Jan. 23. More info at www.argentarestaurantweek.com. n The Department of Finance and Administration closed Madea’s, the Seventh Street home-cooking spot, due to non-payment of sales tax at the end 2009.

Restaurant capsules Every effort is made to keep this listing of some of the state’s more notable restaurants current, but we urge readers to call ahead to check on changes on days of operation, hours and special offerings. What follows, because of space limitations, is a partial listing of restaurants reviewed by our staff. Information herein 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.

Restaurants are listed in alphabetical order by city; Little Rock-area restaurants are divided by food category. Other review symbols are: B Breakfast L Lunch D Dinner $ inexpensive (under $8/person) $$ moderate ($8-$20/person) $$$ expensive (over $20/person) CC accepts credit cards

LITTLE ROCK/ N. LITTLE ROCK AMERICAN

APPLE SPICE JUNCTION A chain sandwich and salad spot with sit-down lunch space and a vibrant box lunch catering business. With a wide range of options and quick service. Order online via applespice.com. 2000 S. University Ave. No alcohol. CC $-$$ 663-7008 L Mon.-Fri. ARTHUR’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE Restaurateur Jerry Barakat brings the classic New York steakhouse formula to Chenal Valley. The main event is prime beef, or even more expensive Australian wagyu beef. The steak’s crusty on the outside, just right on the inside. There’s a wide choice of seafood, too. The truffle fries are spectacular. Good wine list.

27 Rahling Circle. Full bar. CC $$$ 821-1848 D Mon.-Sat. ASHLEY’S Perfect seafood, unusual ingredients, careful cooking and gorgeous presentation make meals here a feast for eyes, mind and stomach. Incredible wine list. Capital Hotel. Full bar. CC. $$$. 374-7474 BLD Mon.-Sat. B Sun. BONEFISH GRILL A half-dozen or more types of fresh fish filets are offered daily, grilled (perfectly in our experience) over a wood fire. Several sauces are available, but the fish is good enough on its own. Shrimp, mussels and scallops star on the appetizer list and there’s plenty of meat and chicken for those who resist seafood. 11525 Cantrell Road. Full bar. CC $$. 228-0356. D daily.

BRAVE NEW RESTAURANT The food’s great, portions huge, prices reasonable. Diners can look into the open kitchen and watch the culinary geniuses at work slicing and dicing and sauteeing. It’s great fun, and the fish is special.

2300 Cottondale Lane. Full bar. CC $$-$$$ 663-2677 L Mon.-Fri., D Mon.-Sat. CAPITAL HOTEL BAR A watering hole with mouthwatering food, swished-up Southern style — pork confit, smoky gumbo, root vegetable pot pie, homemade Moon pies. Capital idea: Sit by the big windows that look out on Markham with an organic martini and maybe some country pate and pumpkin jam.. 111 W. Markham St. Full bar. CC $$ 370-7013 LD daily.

CHEEBURGER CHEEBURGER Premium black Angus cheeseburgers, with five different sizes, ranging from the

32 january 14, 2010 • arkansas Times

■ dining ‘Diversion’ on right track Thanks to food, wine, service and ambiance. on both our trips was just what n “Will this place make it?” is a you’d want. Our servers were natural question to ask the first friendly, well-informed and attentime you go to a new restaurant, tive but didn’t hover and weren’t given the volatility and riskiness painfully chatty. The decor, the of the industry and the fickleness selection and the overall feel of of the dining public. Quality of Diversion made us conclude this food, scope of selection, service, was a place we’d more expect to differentiating qualities, ambifind in a larger city. ence and location all factor into And then there is the liquid that initial assessment. refreshment.

And from each of those Food, wine and martinis each angles, we foresee a bright future get the same one-page menu for Diversion, the extremely treatment. That there would be stylish Hillcrest spot that specialgood wines at Diversion was a izes in wine, martinis and tapas. given with St. Ana’s background This is the second venture for at Crush and at Colonial Wine & co-owner Joe St. Ana, whose first Spirits. The appeal of Diversion’s establishment, Crush, is in transilist is the variety. Rather than have tion as it moves from downtown a dozen choices in the predictable Little Rock to Main Street in cabernet, merlot, chardonnay, Argenta. And while there has etc., categories, Diversion been much to like about Crush, features smaller groupings of Diversion takes significant steps many varietals — 10 types of forward. reds, plus blends; five kinds of The former home of Lemon whites, plus blends. Then there creperie has seen a major overare sparklings, sherries and haul, with a brilliantly shiny, hip ports. Plus, 36 of the selections floor, a pair of elevated booth are available by the glass. One seating areas, a semi-private recommendation: if you like wine room for small parties and martinis plus: Diversion’s food alone is worth a visit. fruit-forward, supple reds, try events, and even a pair of rotating the Marquis Phillips Sarah’s Blend ($9 a handful of choices should suit almost chandeliers that are sure to be conversaglass, $34 a bottle). any taste. The most basic, though well tion starters. You’ll feel good just being A classic, uncluttered gin or vodka executed, are the meat plate and cheese there. Plus, only a couple of doors down martini tops the martini menu, followed by plate, each $8. The former features from the always hot Ferneau on the main an eclectic collection that stars all sorts of prosciutto, herbed sausage and hot coppa, Kavanaugh drag, Diversion has the locavodkas, liqueurs and even Maker’s Mark, and the latter includes St. Andre, Brie and tion thing down. (OK, parking can be a bit Crown Royal and Southern Comfort (not smoked mozzarella. The key with both is of a pain at peak hours, but that’s just the in the same drink!). the local availability of high-quality ingrenature of the lovable Hillcrest beast.)

Drink prices are reasonable, particudients — again, likely thanks to Boulevard Crush — and By the Glass, the Heights larly at happy hour when a couple of highBread — which wasn’t necessarily the case wine bar — don’t have real kitchens, quality wines — Avalon cabernet from 10 years ago. serving only a nice selection of meats, Napa Valley was recently the featured red At $10, the seared pork tenderloin is cheeses, fabulous Boulevard bread and the — are served for $5 a glass, and there are the priciest item on the food menu and like. Diversion’s food, on the other hand, is $4 well martinis and $2 beers. also the one that comes closest to making itself worth a trip. It’s not hard to quickly Based on where it is, how it feels, what a real meal (outside the paninis). Several familiarize yourself with the small menu: it serves and how it treats its customers, tender medallions of pork are paired with three versions of bruschetta, four paninis Diversion would seem to be on its way well-crisped roasted potatoes and fabuand five interesting takes on tapas. Heck, to attracting a large, loyal following and lous tendrils of chanterelle mushrooms, bring along a couple of people and try securing a bright future. the three featured ingredients thematically every item for a combined $83! joined with a generous drizzle of rich Our favorite of the bruschettas was balsamic vinegar. Our forks were flying the white bean ($5), the soothing, almost furiously as we silently competed to see creamy topping nicely offset with herbs.

Diversion who would get the larger share.

Prosciutto and fresh mozzarella melded 2611 kavanaugh Blvd., suite 200 A somewhat surprising star was the into a salty, gooey delight when served 414-0409 squash with tomato fennel broth, which panini style on tender Boulevard bread, Quick bite sounds soupy but isn’t. A mound of cubed, and a bag of crunchy kettle chips came a couple of premium wines are featured for $5 well seasoned yellow squash chunks were along, making this a moderately substantial a glass during happy hour, 5 to 8 p.m. monday through Friday, when well martinis and beers merely dosed with the broth and served $7 meal. Two of the paninis are creative, also are discounted. with a slab of baguette. When the chef meatless offerings: one featuring portastopped by to see how we liked everyHours bella mushroom with herbed goat cheese 5 p.m. until close monday through saturday. thing, he said this was a family recipe he’d and one with zucchini, roasted red pepper adapted for Diversion. and basil aioli.

Other info Full bar. Credit cards accepted.

Which leads us to saying that the service The tapas are equally diverse, and the Brian ChiLson

what’scookin’

Classic (5.5 ounces) to the Pounder (20 ounces), and nine cheese options. For sides, milkshakes and golden-fried onion rings are the way to go. 11525 Cantrell Road. No alcohol. CC $$ 490-2433 LD daily.

CORNERSTONE PUB Numerous beers and heavier drinks along with regular live music make this a fine stopping-off spot, but it succeeds on the food end as well with the usual pub selections and sandwiches. We like this version of the muffaletta, though it’s lighter than the soakedwith-olive-oil kind they love in N’awlins. 314 Main St., NLR. Full bar. CC $-$$ 374-1782 LD Mon.-Sat. CREGEEN’S IRISH PUB Draft pints, fine single-malt Irish whiskey and a choice of food from American (chicken wings) and Irish (fried Irish camembert) pub favorites to burgers, Irish stew, fish and chips and even broiled salmon for the health-conscious. 301 Main, NLR. Full bar. CC. $-$$.

376-7468 LD daily.

DELICIOUS TEMPTATIONS A great variety of sandwiches, meal-sized salads and homemade soups, many of the items heart-smart. Great desserts, too. 11220 Rodney Parham Road. Beer and wine. CC $$ 225-6893 BL daily.

EJ’S EATS AND DRINKS This hoagie shop serves up generous burgers, sandwiches, homemade soups, salads and homemade potato chips. Vegetarians can craft any number of acceptable meals from the flexible menu. 523 Center St. (corner of Center and Sixth). Beer and wine. CC $ 666-3700 LD Mon.-Fri. FADED ROSE The Cajun-inspired menu seldom disappoints. Steaks and soaked salads are legendary. 1615 Rebsamen Park Road, 663-9734; Bowman Curve, 224-3377. Full bar. CC $$-$$$ LD daily.

FLYING FISH The fried seafood is fresh and crunchy and there are plenty of raw, boiled and grilled offerings, too. The hamburgers and fish tacos are big hits. It’s counter service; wander on through the screen door and you’ll find a slick team of cooks and servers to get you in and out in good time. 511 President Clinton Ave. Beer and wine. CC $-$$ 375-3474 LD daily.

GADWALL’S GRILL & PIZZA 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 Blvd., Sherwood. NLR, 834-1840. Beer and wine. CC $-$$ LD Mon.-Sat. HOMER’S Great vegetables, huge yeast rolls and killer cobblers. Follow the mobs. 2001 E. Roosevelt Road. CC $$ 374-1400 BL Mon.-Fri. LOCA LUNA Grilled meats, seafood and pasta dishes that never stray far from country roots, whether Italian, Spanish or Arkie. “Gourmet plate lunches� are good, as is Sunday brunch. 3519 Old Cantrell Road. Full bar. CC $$-$$$ 663-4666 L Sun.-Fri., D daily.

MADDIE’S PLACE A broad selection of familiar but not boring Cajun-Creole staples, all well prepared and reasonably priced. 1615 Rebsamen Park Road, Little Rock. Full Bar CC $$ 660-4040. LD Tues.-Sat. NEW GREEN MILL CAFE A small workingman’s lunch joint, with a dependable daily meat-and-three and credible cornbread for cheap, plus sweet tea. Homemade tamales and chili on Tuesdays. 8609-C W. Markham St. No alcohol.

No CC $ 225-9907 L Mon.-Sat. OZARK COUNTRY RESTAURANT Football-sized omelets filled with the same marvelous smoked meats and cheeses that are heaped on sandwiches at lunch. Great biscuits and gravy, bacon, homestyle potatoes and a daily plate lunch special to boot. 202 Keightley Drive. No alcohol.

CC $ 663-7319 BL Tue.-Sun. RENO’S ARGENTA CAFE A vast selection of sandwiches, from Cuban pork to French dip to a muffaletta, plus gyros, wraps and specialty pizzas. 312 Main St., NLR. Full bar. CC $$ 376-2900 LD Mon.-Sat. RIVERFRONT STEAKHOUSE Steaks delivered fresh from Chicago twice a week are salted, peppered, seared in an infra-red oven and then buttered for a meat-eater’s dream chowdown. There’s more to like also: crab cakes and shrimp bisque and chops and chicken and lobster tail. 2 Riverfront Place, NLR. Full bar. CC $$$ 375-7825 BLD daily.

SONNY WILLIAMS’ STEAK ROOM Steaks, chicken and seafood in a wonderful setting in the River Market. Steak gets pricy, but the lump crab meat au gratin appetizer is outstanding. Give the turtle soup a try. 500 President Clinton Ave. Full bar. CC $$$ 324-2999 D Mon.-Sat. TERRI-LYNN’S BAR-B-Q AND DELI High-quality meats served on large sandwiches and good tamales served with chili or without (the better bargain). 10102 N. Rodney Parham Road. No alcohol. No CC $-$$ 227-6371 LD daily.

VIEUX CARRE A pleasant spot in Hillcrest with specialty salads, steak and seafood. The soup of the day is a good bet. At lunch, the menu includes an all-vegetable sandwich and a half-pound cheeseburger. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. Full bar. CC $$-$$$ 663-1196 LD Mon.-Fri., D Sat., BR Sun.

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. Ottenheimer Hall, River Market. No alcohol. CC $-$$ 374-5105 L Mon.-Sat. BENIHANA — THE JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE Enjoy the cooking show, make sure you get a little fillet with your meal, and do plenty of dunking in that fabulous ginger sauce.

All-you-can eat sushi specials daily. Riverfront Hilton, NLR. Full bar. CC $$-$$$ 374-8081 LD Mon.-Fri. D Sat.-Sun. CHI’S CHINESE CUISINE A huge menu spans the Chinese provinces and offers a few twists on the usual local offerings, plus there’s authentic Hong Kong dim sum

available daily until 3 p.m. Multiple LR locations, including 5110 W. Markham St., 604-7777, with delivery; a Chi’s Express at 17200 Chenal Parkway, 821-8000, and the original at 6 Shackleford Drive, 221-7737. Full bar. CC $$-$$$ LD daily.

FANTASTIC CHINA The food is delicious, the presentation beautiful, the menu distinctive, the service perfect, the decor bright. 1900 N. Grant St. Full bar. CC $ 663-8999 LD daily.

IGIBON It’s a complex place, where the food is almost always good and the ambiance and service never fail to please. The sushi is good, while the Bento box with tempura shrimp and California rolls, and other delights stand out.

11121 N. Rodney Parham Road. Beer and wine. CC $$-$$$ 217-8888 LD Mon.-Sat. KOTO Sushi and upscale Japanese cuisine. 17200 Chenal Parkway Suite 100 Full bar CC $$-$$$ 821-7200 LD daily.

BARBECUE CROSS-EYED PIG Huge portions of marvelous barbecue, including amazingly tender pulled pork; lean-and-meaty, fall-off-the-bone-tender ribs; and crusty-brown, juicy halfchickens. 1701 Rebsamen Park Road. Full bar. 265-0000.

L Mon.-Fri, D Tues.-Fri.; 6015 Chenonceau Blvd. Beer and wine. 227-7427. LD daily. CC $$.

JO-JO’S BAR-B-Q The delicious, smoky aroma of Jo-Jo’s standard ’cue, once a Levy standard, has shifted to Sherwood. 117 Country Club Road, NLR. Beer, wine.

CC $-$$ 834-9696. LD Mon.-Sat.

THE ARKANSAS DAILY BLOG What’s a blog?

It’s short for web log.

And what it means is that Arkansas Times staff members are posting news, commentary and hot gossip all day, every day. Plus readers can respond to what they read instantly.

50% OFF 2ND ENTREE* Half off least expensive entrĂŠe

Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner Dine in • Take Out • Patio • full Bar Mon. -Fri. 10-10 Sat. 9-10 • Sun. 9-9 501-280-9888 6820 Cantrell • 9am -10 pm

400 President Clinton Ave. (In the River Market) Hours: 8 am 5:30 pm Mon -Sat 372-6637

The BesT AuThenTic MexicAn seAfood in Town

CLICK ON THE LINK AT

www.arktimes.com

501-868-8822 18321 Cantrell Rd. • Hwy. 10

Full Bar • Take out • Dine in For Gourmet Seafood lovers Monday • Friday: 10-10 • Saturday: 9-10 • Sunday: 9-9 *Must present coupon

EUROPEAN / ETHNIC AMRUTH AUTHENTIC INDIAN CUISINE Nice spicy Indian dishes in a small but shiny storefront and at a price you can afford. Lunch specials, available weekdays, are only about $6.50. Lamb and shrimp dishes accompany any number of vegetarian delights. 11121 N. Rodney Parham Road, 224-4567. LD daily, hours vary. CC. $$.

No alcohol.

GAUCHO’S GRILL A real flesh-fest dining experience, introducing the area to upscale South American cuisine.

Stick with the chicken or red meat choices, pace yourself, and laugh when they suggest a rich dessert after partaking in this all-you-can-eat feast. 11 Shackleford Drive. Full bar.

CC $$-$$$ 954-8787 D Mon.-Sat. GEORGIA’S GYROS Good gyros, Greek salads and fragrant grilled pita bread highlight a large Mediterranean food selection, plus burgers and the like. Lively atmosphere and friendly folks. 2933 Lakewood Village Drive, NLR. Full bar. CC $-$$ 753-5090 LD Mon.-Sat. LAYLA’S HALAL Delicious Mediterranean fare — gyros, falafel, shawarma, kabobs, hummus and babaganush — that has a devoted following. All meat is slaughtered according to Islamic dietary law. 9501 N. Rodney Parham Road. No alcohol CC 227-7272 $-$$ LD daily (close 5 p.m. on Sun.).

STAR OF INDIA People who don’t know if they like Indian food discover here that they do. It’s always one of Little Rock’s most highly regarded restaurants – great lamb, great curries, great chicken tandoori, great naan. The daily lunch buffet is a real deal. Don’t forget to try the Indian beer. 301 N. Shackleford Rd. Beer and wine CC $$-$$$ 227-9900 LD daily.

TAZIKI’S GREEK FARE A fast-casual chain featuring Greek salads, pitas, sandwiches and plate dinners. The food is better than the reasonable prices suggest. Great gyros and side dishes. 8200 Cantrell Road. Beer and wine.

CC. $-$$ 227-8291 LD Mon.-Sat. L Sunday.

The Best

34%!+3 s 3%!&//$ s #2%/,% 30%#)!,4)%3

The Faded Rose

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LITTLE ROCK’S BEST FOOD VALUE . "OWMAN 2OAD s 1619 Rebsamen Road 501-663-9734

Super King Buffet

ITALIAN CAFE PREGO Dependable entrees of pasta, pork and the like, plus great sauces, fresh mixed greens and delicious dressings, crisp-crunchy-cold gazpacho and tempting desserts in a comfy bistro setting. 5510 Kavanaugh Blvd.

Full bar. CC $$-$$$ 663-5355 LD Mon.-Fri., D Sat. CAPRICCIO GRILL ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE Large portions are the rule here, though the menu is not, as the name might suggest, exclusively Italian. Steaks, soups and seafood are good choices. 3 Statehouse Plaza. Full bar. CC $$-$$$ 906-4000 BLD daily.

Chinese Buffet with Japanese Sushi and Mongolian Grill

MEXICAN BLUE COAST BURRITO You will become a lover of fish tacos here, but there are plenty of other fresh coastal-Mex choices served up fast-food cafeteria style in cool surroundings. Don’t miss the Baja fruit tea. 4613 E. McCain Blvd., NLR. Beer only. $-$$ CC 945-8033 LD Mon.-Sat. L Sun. COTIJA’S From the famed La Hacienda family tree comes a massive menu of tasty lunch and dinner specials, the familiar white cheese dip, sweet red and fiery-hot green salsas, and friendly service. Try the brochets (combo meatseafood cooked ka-bob style and eaten with tortillas). 406 S. Louisiana. CC $$ 244-0733. LD Mon.-Sat. HAY CHIHUAHUA Fajitas cooked and spiced just right, served in portions large enough for leftovers. Ground beef burritos (or chicken) come with lettuce, tomatoes and a lot of sour cream and cheese, with plenty of bean and rice as side items. Hay chihuahua, it’s great! Seafood dishes and a large selection of $6.50 combos offered as well. 5500 MacArthur Drive, 753-5525. Full bar, CC $-$$ 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 famed “Blue Mesa� cheese dip. 1300 Main St., 372-1228. Full bar. CC $$ LD Mon.-Sat.

Take-out available on buffet and menu items

EVERY DAY DINNER BUFFET & ALL DAY SUNDAY BUFFET

4000 Springhill Plaza Court North Little Rock (501) 945-4802 fax (501) 945-4807

Includes Crab Legs, Crawfish, Frog Legs, Whole Steamed Fish, Grilled Ribs, and Steaks Cooked to Order.

Open 7 Days A Week Sun. - Thur.

11am to 9:30pm Fri. & Sat. 11am to 10pm

ArkAnsAs Times • jAnuAry 14, 2010 33

Food for Thought

a paid advertisement

To place your restaurant in Food For Thought, call the advertising department at 501-375-2985

AMERICAN

sEAFOOD Cajun’s WhaRF

Food and fun for everyone when you pair Cajun’s Wharf’s succulent seafood and steak with the ever-evolving live entertainment. Enjoy the fabulous fresh seafood or aged Angus beef while listening to the rolling Arkansas River on the famously fantastic deck! They also boast an award-winning wine list.

GRaMpa’s CaTFish house

Central Arkansas’ oldest catfish restaurant. Serving all-ucan-eat catfish since 1970. A Family friendly restaurant… the place where you can walk in with a large group of folks without a reservation. Open 7 days for lunch and dinner.

Catering available.

2400 Cantrell Road 501-375-5351

rm

AT(spec ad)

100 02/01/08

DENTON’S CaTfiSh & SEafOOD BuffET — 24 Years In Business —

We Cater • Carry-Outs available hours: Tues-Thurs 4:00-8:30pm • fri-Sat 4:00-9:00pm

315-1717

Shadow Oaks (501) 834-5400 • Sherwood 7 days: L 11-2 • D 4:30-9:30 9219 Stagecoach Rd (501) 407-0000 • Little Rock 7 days: L 11-2 • D 4:30-9:30

denTon’s TRoTline

2150 Congo Rd. Benton, 501-416-2349 Open Tues, Wed & Thurs 4-9 Fri & Sat 4-11

black angus

10907 N. Rodney Parham Mon-Sat 10:30am-9pm 501-228-7800

220 West 6th St. 501-374-5100 Lunch Mon-Fri 11am-2pm Dinner Tues-Sat 5-10pm V Lounge til 1am, Thurs-Sat

2150 Congo Rd. • Benton from Little Rock to Exit 118 to Congo Rd. Overpass across i-30

oak street bistro

713 Oak Street, Conway 501-450-9908 Lunch, M-S, 11-2 Dinner hours will be added after a January move to a new location.

yayas

17711 Chenal Parkway, Suite I-101 501-821-1144

dizzy’s gyPsy bistro 200 S. Commerce, Suite 150 (501) 375-3500 Tues-Thurs 11am-9pm Fri & Sat 11am-10pm

Fresh seafood specials every week. Prime aged beef and scrumptious dishes. Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, over 30 wines by the glass and largest vodka selection downtown. Regular and late night happy hour, Wednesday wine flights and Thursday is Ladies Night. Be sure to check out the Bistro Burger during lunch.

500 President Clinton Avenue Suite 100 (In the River Market District) 501-324-2999 DINNER MON - SAT 5:00 - 11:00 pm PIANO BAR TUES - THU 7:00 - 11:00 pm FRI & SAT 7:00 - Late

With its exciting and creative dishes, it’s no secret why Oak Street Bistro has always been a Conway front-runner.

Interesting combinations of great ingredients lead to wonderful flavor profiles that leave you wanting more.

The menu has been expanded to feature some entrees in anticipation of its move at the beginning of the year. The desserts are decadent especially the Kentucky Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie.

Faded Rose 400 N. Bowman 501-224-3377 1619 Rebsamen 501-663-9734 Open Sunday

Whether the Travs are at home or on the road, come enjoy the unique Dickey-Stephens Park Atmosphere at Ump’s, an upscale sports pub and restaurant, featuring sandwiches, salads, steaks, seafood, good times and more! Now open 7 days a week for lunch, and open all day sat. and sun during Football season. Closed on Tues & Wed nights since baseball season has ended.

CapeRs ResTauRanT

Indulge in the culinary creations and intimate environment that define Capers Restaurant. Food and wine enthusiasts agree Capers’ sophisticated approach to dining is key to it’s many accolades including receiving the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for six years running.

CoppeR GRill & GRoCeRy

An endless array of delicious dishes available in the Grill or grab your Gourmet-to-Go from the Grocery. Offering products by French Farm, Bella Cucina & Bittersweet Herb that promise to turn any recipe into a memorable masterpiece Copper Grill & Grocery is a wonderland for the gourmand.

300 West 3rd Street 501-375-3333

WesT end smokehouse and TaVeRn

215 N. Shackleford 501-224-7665 www.westendsmokehouse.net

Ya Ya’s is both sophisticated and whimsical. Mosaic tile floors, stone columns and fabric covered wall panels while heavy beamed ceilings, hand blown chandeliers and curvy wroughtiron railings add a whimsical flair. The menu is inspired by a combination of Italian, French, Spanish and Greek cuisines.

Mediterranean Euro Delights share the menu with pizzas from our wood-burning oven, rich creative pastas and an array of the freshest of seafood dishes and innovative meat entrees. Join us on the Patio, with live local music every Tuesday & Friday, or on Sunday for Brunch ($16.95 & only $13.95 for the early bird special, 10am to 11am). Reservations are preferred.

This is a first class establishment. SO has some of the best steaks and seafood in the city, including oysters from the east and west coasts. Their menu has been updated and features a fantastic selection of cheeses like port salut, stilton, murcia and pecorino. Don’t forget to check out the extensive wine list.

butcher shoP

Butcher Shop Savings! SAVE NOW 15% on holiday gift certificates. $50 gift certificate for only $42.50! Mention this promotion in Arkansas Times and purchase gift certificates this September thru October and save 15%! Make a list of friends and clients you want to give during the holidays, go to the Butcher Shop, purchase all your gift certificates and save 15% - but your gifts still reflect the same amount. $50 gift certificate for only $42.50! But hurry - purchases must be made by end of October.

Shackleford & Hermitage Rd. (501) 312-2748

ChINEsE FanTasTiC China

If you have not been to Sonny Williams lately, get there immediately and check out the martini/wine bar. Now you can enjoy 35 wines by the glass, 335 selections of wine, 6 single barrel bourbons and all different kinds of Scotch from the many regions of Scotland. Of course, don’t miss out on the nightly entertainment by Jeff at the piano. Sonny’s is a River Market mainstay and perfect for intimate private parties; free valet parking! As always, Sonny Williams has the best steaks in town along with fresh seafood and game. No Skinny Steaks… Call ahead for reservations (501) 324-2999

1900 N Grant St Heights 501-663-8999

9501 N. Rodney Parham 501-227-7272

Casa Manana TaqueRia

400 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-6637 6820 Cantrell Road • 501-280-9888 18321 Cantrell Road • 501-868-8822

923 West 7th Street 501/375-VINO (8466)

Beer, pizza and more! Drop in to Vino’s, Little Rock’s Original Brewpub! and enjoy great New York-style pizza (whole or by-the-slice) washed down with your choice of award-winning ales or lagers brewed right on site. Or try a huge calzone, our new Muffaletta sandwich or just a salad and a slice with our homemade root beer. The deck’s always open, you don’t have to dress up and the kids are always welcome (or not).

Vino’s is open 7 days, lunch and dinner. You can call ahead for carry-out and even take a gal. growler of beer to-go. And guess what?? The bathrooms have just been re-done!

Voted Best Mexican 2007. Featuring authentic fare from the Puebla region of Mexico, the selections seem endless at your choice of 3 locations in the Little Rock area. You will find an array of dishes ranging from the salient Shrimp Veracruzana at La Palapa out west to great Guacamole in the River Market Taqueria. Or try tasty Tostadas that share the name of the original Cantrell location, Casa Manana.

AsIAN

Enjoy regional specialties such as Lentil soup, a huge serving of yummy Hummus, Baba Ghannnouj or Tabbouleh.

And don’t forget about the Gyros, they’re sure to be heroes in your book!

BREw puB Vino’s Pizza•Pub•brewery

Sharing good things with good friends is the motto at Fantastic China. A Central Arkansas favorite offering the Freshest Chinese Food in town. It’s made to order with 100% Vegetable Oil. The presentation is beautiful, the menu distinctive, and the service perfect. Fantastic China is one of the heights most reliable and satisfying restaurants and a local favorite. Full bar.

MExICAN

MEDItERRANEAN layla’s

Happy Hour Mon-Fri 3pm-6pm. $1 off All Drinks and 1/2 Off Appetizers. Monday is Steak Night USDA Choice Aged 14oz Ribeye with 2 sides $13.99. Tuesday is Burger Night – Ultimate Burger with Fries just $4.99. Live Music Fri & Saturday!

so

Open daily. 11 am - close Sunday Brunch. 11 am to 2 pm 3610 Kavanaugh Blvd.

501-663-1464

For the salad lover, Dizzy’s is an absolute paradise. Its list of eleven “Ridiculously Large Entrée Salads” runs the gamut of what you can do with greens and dressing. For example Zilpphia’s Persian Lime Salad, featuring grilled turkey breast, tomato, cucumber, onion, lime and buffalo mozzarella over romaine. For another: Mary Ann’s Dream, with grilled chicken breast, baby spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, cranberries, mandarin oranges, bourbon pecans and bleu cheese. Don’t that sound good?

Featuring the Best Steaks in town with a New Orleans flair from a New Orleans native. Also featuring Seafood and Creole Specialties. As Rachel Ray says “This place is one of my best finds ever.” Back by popular demand…Soft Shell Crab and New Orleans Roast Beef Po-Boys.

uMp’s Pub & grill

14502 Cantrell Road 501-868-7600

stEAk sonny WilliaMs

Satellite Cafe - Heights techno-pop coffee shop that serves up the best coffee and breakfast in town, along with great lunch options (dine in or to go). And dinner is served every night except Sunday. Half-off happy hour spot - 4 until 6:30. Remember the drive thru window, just call in and pick up!! BLD - Mon-Sat. B Sunday

Dickey-Stephens Park Broadway at the bridge North Little Rock (501) 324-BALL (2255) www.travs.com

BIstRO lulaV

saTelliTe CaFe

Kavanaugh and University, 501-663-6336

Attention: Members and Guests. Denton’s Trotline is known for their award winning catfish and seafood buffet.

Outstanding appetizer menu. Family owned, featuring a newly remodeled building with live music. Full service catering available.

Homemade Comfort Food daily Specials • Monday: Spicy Shrimp Stir-fry. Tuesday: Pot Roast.

Wednesday: Meatloaf. Thursday: BBQ Plate or Shepherd’s Pie. Friday & Saturday: Fried Catfish.

lilly’s diMsuM Then soMe

Look no further…voted Best Asian again by the Arkansas Times readers. Lilly’s serves up extraordinary dishes made from the freshest, premium local and organic ingredients.

Also enjoy warm and inviting ambiance as you dine on any one of the tasty house specialties. Sundays are wine day: all wine by the bottle, half off.

suPer king buffet

One of central Arkansas’s largest Chinese buffets, we offer all your favorites with our sushi bar and Mongolian Grill included for one low price. Our dinner and all-day Sunday buffet include your lunch favorites as well as all-you-can eat crab legs, whole steamed fish, barbecue spare ribs, crispy jumbo shrimp and grilled steaks. Take-out buffet and menu available.

11121 Rodney Parham 501-716-2700

Super King Buffet

4000 Springhill Plaza Ct. North Little Rock (Just past Wal-Mart on McCain) 501-945-4802 Sun-Thurs 11am to 9:30pm Fri & Sat 11am to 10:30pm

REAL ESTATE b

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b

o

R

h

o

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d

J A n u A Ry 1 4 , 2 0 1 0

Lafayette Square offers affordable downtown living opEn SundAy JAnuARy 24 2 pm - 4 pm

Step inside the grand lobby of the historic Lafayette Building to discover a bustling community of condominium dwellers, all enjoying the convenience and excitement of downtown living along with the stylish comfort of the Roaring Twenties hotel’s beautifully converted and spacious condominiums.

Lafayette Square’s one and two-bedroom condominiums, which feature open floor plans of 1,026 to 1,667 square feet, are competitively priced for lease and for sale. Agent Melissa Bond with The Charlotte Bond Company rolled out an exciting sales campaign in 2010, with sales prices starting as low as $116/SF – from $119,900 for a one-bedroom unit and $169,900 for a two-bedroom unit. An Open House is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 24, from 2-4 p.m., and all are invited to take a look and take advantage of this opportunity. Upscale urban living has never been so accessible and affordable.

All units feature open and inviting living and dining areas — ideal for entertaining — along with large kitchens complete with granite marble countertops and classic,

The grand lobby is beautiful.

Bathrooms feature garden tubs & walk-in showers.

high-quality hardwood cabinetry with extensive storage space. Stainless steel appliances and washers/dryers are also included in every condominium.

Large bathrooms feature beautiful tile flooring, jetted garden tubs and walk-in showers. Pella windows provide amazing views of downtown, and crown molding adds an upscale traditional touch to each unit. Condominiums on the penthouse floor — priced starting at just $145,900—feature 14-foot ceilings and 10-foot arched windows.

Building amenities include reserved gated parking, an exercise room and sauna, storage units and meeting/event space.

For additional information, visit www.LafayetteSquare-LR.com. For sales inquiries, please contact Melissa Bond at 664-5646 or 960-0665. For condo leasing or office leasing and special event rental information, contact Flake & Kelley Commercial at 375-3200.

Stainless appliances are standard in each unit.

Enjoy city views from lots of windows.

ArkAnsAs Times • jAnuAry 14, 2010 35

REAL ESTATE by neighborhood TO ADVERTISE, CALL TIFFANY HOLLAND AT 375-2985 DOWNTOWN CONDO

Hillcrest

Jacksonville

205 N. WOODROW - Large family home with 4Br/4.5Ba & 4,639 SF. Private office with walnut tile floor, 950 SF finished basement with separate entry. john Selva, Pulaski Heights realty, 993-5442

804 TIMBERWOLF - $213,900. upscale home located between Sherwood & jacksonville features 3Br/2Ba, huge greatroom w/FP. awesome kitchen, built in 2006, 2100 SF. Gail Ott, Choice real Estate Group 680-2444 or 850-8500

601 N. PINE - 3Br/2Ba, 1839 SF in the Heart of Hillcrest! Beautifully landscaped. Many updates including new bathrooms. john Selva, Pulaski Heights realty, 501-9935442. www.PulaskiHeightsrealty. com MLS#10234348

• Architectural design • Modern features • Fabulous amenities Featured 4 times in At Home in Arkansas!

Call Gerald White, 680-3640 or Mary Johnson, 952-4318.

Visit www.LRCONDO.com for more pictures & info.

Gold Star Realty

Sherwood 40 OAKBROOKE DR - $225,000.

Great location for this 4Br/2Ba home featuring luxury master suite, sunroom, etched concrete flooring, eat-in kitchen & formal dining room. Shirley Knox, Choice real Estate Group 5165669 or 850-8500

Reverse mortgage

• Supplement your income • Cover your health care expense • Reduce your credit card debt Susan Williams • Reverse Mortgage Specialist ����� Cantrell Rd. ���� • Little Rock, AR ����� Office: ���-���-���� ext. ���� • Fax: �-���-���-���� susan.j.williams@wellsfargo.com �. Must be at least �� years old. Call for more detailed program information.

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. � ���� Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. ������ ��/��-�/��

PuBLISHER’S NOTICE

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll-free 1-800-669-9077.

The toll-free number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.

Gail Ott, Owner/Broker The Best Choice for Residential Real Estate Service Shirley Knox 516-5669

A.J. Cathey 350-1875

Bobbie McCluskey 680-0981

Chrissie Cook 580-5878

Debbie Butler 680-8571

Gary Zulfer 413-1400

Judy Roberts 744-0181

Susan Flake 517-1150

501.850.8500 • 5532 JFK Blvd., N. Little Rock, AR www.choicearkansas.com

Hers, inc. presents pULAsKi cOUntY reAL estAte sALes Over $135,000 robert C. Ludwig, julie L. Ludwig to Daniel a. Knight, Chet roberts, L26, Sherrill Heights, $610,000.

Graham F. Greene, Maryanne M. McMinn, Maryanne M. Greene to jennifer C. nolan, 11 Maisons Dr., $575,000.

Woodhaven Homes Inc. to Eric L. Shelley, natalie P. Shelley, L1642, The Country Club Of Arkansas Phase 23, $424,000.

Beverly Hill, Elijah Hill to uS Bank na, 44 Courts Dr., $422,381.

Lori allen to Todd Stewart, L46, Forest Heights Place, $415,000.

Chenal & Wellington Hills 2007 LLC to Main Carr Development LLC Series Ix, L1, CWH, $396,000.

Sharlow Builders & Developers LLC to Billy Goff, Martha j. Floyd, L7 B14, Woodland Edge, $375,000.

Marshall Watson, ruth Watson to Stephen T. McCain, Stephanie C. McCain, 26 Farnham Loop, $364,000.

Chenal Valley Construction LLC to jeremy Warford, Erin Warford, 13808 Fox Field Ln., $359,000. robb Boyles Construction Co. to anthony robeson, Carla robeson, L47 B72, Chenal Valley, $332,000.

Taypac Homes LLC to Matthew Bradford, Shaye Bradford, L18 B13, Woodland Edge, $323,000. james r. Harris, Sr., joann Harris to Promisor relocation, L31, Montagne Court Phase 5, $320,000.

Promisor relocation to nonie Pedro, L31, Montagne Court Phase 5, $320,000.

Michelle a. Hudson, Michelle a. Gentry, richard Hudson to jesse n. Barnes, joan Barnes, 5021 Calico Creek Cove, NLR, $314,000. norman Moore & rose a. Moore Family Trust, norman Moore, rose a. Moore to

Mario a. Cleves, alice L. Cleves, 318 Maranes Cir., Maumelle, $309,000.

DKS Custom Homes LLC to anthonyW. Smith, Laura L. Smith, L28 B23, Maumelle Valley Estates, $304,000.

Eric L. Shelley, natalie P. Shelley to Kevin j. McDaniels, 204 Maranes Cir., Maumelle, $300,000.

Christopher Pyle, Chris Pyle, Melinda Pyle to Martin Kajevski, Courtney Kajevski, L12 B29, Pleasant Valley, $300,000.

WSLIC Properties LLC to Lothlorien Properties LLC, 11809 Hinson Rd., $290,000.

Courtney n. Kajevski, Martin B. Kajevski to Sondra Boone, 31 Bronte Ct., $285,000.

David B. Mangan, rachel r. Mangan to randy M. Tolbert, L2 B22, Chenal Valley, $283,000.

Samuel T. Lamb, allyson Lamb to Marlene F. Christian, Donald D. Christian, L171, Foxcroft 4th, $267,000.

Scott Smith, Linda Pfeifer, Eugene M. Pfeifer, II to Phillip Grace, Ls11-12 B20, Park View, $265,000. allison L. Elko, Patrick j. Elko to Melissa Christopher, Elizabeth Fowler, 1405 Mellon St., $264,000. rozanne M. Winger to jeremy Lashbrook, Melissa D. Lashbrook, 608 Lynx Ln., Jacksonville, $263,000.

Graham Smith Construction LLC to ashley Smith, L17, Longleaf Cove, $250,000.

Mary E. Gulley, Bill Gulley to Wallace C. Vaughan, Mary Vaughan, LS3, Westriver Tower HPR, $250,000.

PhilipW. Carlson to Carey L. Fortenberry, 22 Keswick Cove, $242,000. jace a. Bourque to Prudential relocation Inc., 4 Ison Creek Cove, $236,000.

Prudential relocation Inc. to renee M.

HERS, INC.

Dehart, 4 Ison Creek Cove, $236,000.

Brendan L. rowland, Meredith E. rowland to uS Bank national association, L15 B70, Chenal Valley, $232,235.

William r. Woodland, Elaine L. Woodland to Pamela j. Kelley, L5 B36, Pleasant Valley, $230,000. john robinson, Mary L. robinson to Patrick a. Beck, amber j. Beck, L149, Waterside Replat, $229,000.

Stuart a. norton, Lea a. norton to Tammy Stafford, 119 Lily Dr., Maumelle, $226,000. rick P. Gammill, M. D. Gammill to andrew richards, Tracey richards, L11, Country Club Villas, $222,000.

D a n i e l W. H e l m s , C a r o l y n r .

Tumbleson, Carolyn r. Tumblesonhelms to Lee Brunson, W/2 SE 12-1S-13W, $215,000.

Paul M. Christensen to raymondW. Clinton, ruth L. Clinton, 901 Cherry Hill Dr., NLR, $210,000.

Bobby r. Wood, jr., autumn Wood to joachim r. Sathianathan, jennifer E. Sathianathan, L924, Fairway Woods Phase 3, $205,000. ryan reid, Sumitra reid to Paula abraham, L866, Fairway Woods Phase 1 Otter Creek Community, $205,000. jimmie G. Bradley to BaC Home Loans Servicing LP, SE SE 14-1S-13W, $203,805. albert j. Hanson, joan C. WhisenhuntHanson to jWj Investments LLC, Ls1-2 B19, Park Hill NLR, $200,000.

Mary K. Gee to Christine a. Cryer, 14220 Westbury Dr., $196,000. john D. Lax, Michele Lax to alicia M. Pattillo, L6M B8, Hollenberg’s, $190,000.

Sanders Enterprises Inc. to Kezia r.

Sterling, L34, Crystalwood, $188,000. renaissance Homes Inc. to aaron M.

Hines, jennifer E. Hines, 1813 Reveille Cir., Jacksonville, $187,000.

Graham Smith Construction LLC to jennie S. Davis, L14 B5, Taylor Park Phase 2, $186,000.

William j. Glasscock, II, robyn Glasscock to Walter D. Dees, II, L6 B2, C. H. Taylor, $185,000. julie Morris Bailey, WayneW. Bailey to amanda Butler, Matthew David Galbraith, 34 Nancy Lopez Ct, Maumelle, $185,000. james Tritt, jodiane Tritt to Ben P. Freasier, jr., Georgann r. Freasier, 3014 Valley Park Dr., $185,000. jeff Fuller Homes LLC to Tera L. Hoskins, 19 Dauphine Pl., Maumelle, $185,000. john P. McKay, II, Cecelia McKay to aaron a. Hudson, L279, Sturbridge Phase 4, $183,000.

Kathaleen S. Keane, Kathaleen S. Thompson, jerry r. Keane to Caleb Shamlin, Kristen Shamlin, L51 B4, Stonehill Phase 2, $183,000. renaissance Homes Inc. to john Z. johnson, L194, Base Meadows Phase II, $182,000.

Kevin T. Lyons, nicole a. Sheffield to Kim r. Byers, L42 B4, Cherry Creek, $181,000.

Deere Builders LLC to Marlo Lovelace, L22, Hearndon, $181,000.

Patricia a. Love to Mark S. Coco, Sonya L. Coco, 12 Thornhill Dr., Sherwood, $177,000.

Deere Builders LLC to Diane M. ravnik Trust, Diane M. ravnik, L19, Hearndon, $177,000.

Hometime Builders Inc. to Steven j.

Lee, 68 Bentley Cir., $176,000.

Mark Coco, Sonya L. Coco to justin M. Guthrie, 1405 Pickett Rd., Jacksonville, $175,000.

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David Messner to joe M. Clay, Sr., NW SE 3-1S-12W, SW SE 3-1S-12W, $175,000.

Graham Smith Construction LLC to robert C. Birdsong, Margaret a.

Birdsong, L15 B5, Taylor Park Phase 2, $175,000.

Hometime Builders Inc. to Cary L. Brink, natalie B. Brink, L38, Crystalwood, $175,000.

Douglas L. Woodall, Lita Woodall to Corwin L. Britton, L278, Otter Creek Community Phase 2B, $174,000.

Laura a. Story to joellen Greenhill, L79, Sandpiper Creek, $172,000.

Edward Morin to Margaret I. Beeler, L30 B7, Cherry Creek, $170,000. john r. Combs, Buenah H. Combs to richard a. Manson, L113, Cammack Woods, $170,000.

Kimberly a. Washburn to rafael a. rodriguez, Casey D. rodriguez, L61F, Collenwood, $168,000.

Stephen a. Hudgens to Claiborne Durham, Kay Durham, L327, Colony West 3rd, $165,000. amanda ann Sams to Melissa M. Holley, 712 N. Harrison St., $165,000.

George Worthen, Sherry Worthen to Kelley L. Williams, L7 B5, Altheimer, $165,000. r&D Investment Partnership to anita Williams, L42 B1, Stagecoach Crossing Phase 2, $164,000.

DouglasW. Loftin, jr., Cindy C. Loftin to Debra Sloan, L19, Lakeside Mountain, $158,000. johnny r. Setzer, Lindsey B. Setzer to jasmine jones, L20 B4, Stonelink, $157,000. ricky D. rice to BaC Home Loans Servicing LP, SE NW 20-3N-13W, $156,495. r. Sanford rhodes, Diane D. rhodes

to Brian Edelmann, L106, Echo Valley 1st, $154,000.

Elizabeth Prause to Chase Home Finance LLC, 1419 Cherry Brook Dr., $152,625. nathan M. rollins, rebecca rollins to johnW. Ellis, II, L12, Fairhills, $152,000. ronald j. Kaplon, Vicki a. Kaplon to Heather E. Carter, L5 B223, Park Hill NLR, $151,000.

Hardy Credit Company to amy L. Howard, L29, Shenandoah Phase 2, $150,000. joachim r. Sathianathan, jennifer Sathianathan to april n. Kersten, arturo Torres, L174, Sandpiper Phase 2, $150,000. rhonda M. ryan, David E. ryan to jeffery K. Wheeler, 118 Berkshire Cir., Jacksonville, $149,000.

Patrick L. Loggins, Stephanie y.

Loggins to Kendra a. Webb, Matthew L. Webb, Ls39-40 B2, Brown, $149,000.

Brad rice to Brad j. Williams, Ediane F. Williams, 44 High Timber Dr., Maumelle, $147,000.

David P. Wilson to Melynda S. rea, 124 Barton St., $145,000. andrew j. Smallwood, rachel Smith to Paul a. Brewer, joann Brewer, 9704 Merlot Ln., NLR, $143,000.

Katherine Best to George Worthen, Sherry Worthen, L7 B5, Altheimer, $140,000. anthony Walter, Bonita L. Walter to Bank Of new york Mellon, L43, Stone Links, $139,455.

Stagecoach Crossing LLC to javier Salcedo, 110 Bracey Ln., $139,000. jeremy S. Lashbrook, Melissa Lashbrook to Matthew I. Carder, Teryn n.

Horton, 106 Whitewood Dr., Sherwood, $135,000.

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No. 1217

edited by Will shortz

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by neighborhood ArkAnsAs Times • JAnUArY 14, 2010 ArkAnsAs Times • sepTember 4, 200837 37

Swami sez n Below are a few predictions for the year 2010.

• It is revealed within the next few days that at the annual David O. Dodd memorial service last week, the Boy Martyr himself appeared in zombie form, his head bobbing wildly at the upper end of his 5-foot-long neck, but that he was discreetly wished back to his resting place in Mount Holly Cemetery by an attendee-admirer, a man named Griffin Dweeb, using a mysterious monkey’s paw.

• An unannounced and uninscribed Zoroastrian monolith rises on the State Capitol lawn next Christmas; Family Council blames godless abortion advocates.

• ED crisis threatens Duggar Guinness pursuit.

• Like a sawblade in the cake, Betsey Wright attempts furtive entry into the Miss Arkansas pageant as Miss Cummins Unit.

• Oaklawn Park announces that its spring race meeting will reduce the payout on wagering to 0 percent, with all proceeds, minus taxes, going to the track.

Payout on poker machines in the casino also reduced to 0 percent. Bettors barely notice the policy change, since the bottomline outcome for practically all of them is little affected.

• Frank Broyles experiences transfigu-

Bob L ancaster ration, oinked off to glory by winged and ululating cherub boars.

• As a change of pace, the Gillett Coon Supper this year features possum innards.

There are more predictions where those came from, but I want to use the rest of today’s space to make an apology. I know you’re already at least a week beyond being sick and tired of New Year’s predictions columns, and this offering is even harder to justify inasmuch as the year is already 4 percent gone. Making predictions for 96 percent of a year is not timely journalism.

It’s about as stale as the journalism gets in a publication as cutting-edge as this one.

About as lame as it gets, too.

But this isn’t altogether my fault. Our Arkansas Times publication schedule here in the bleak midwinter is a little unconventional, and this being our first regular issue of 2010, it’s my first opportunity to peer into the 2010 glass ball and give you a fair and balanced report on what I’ve espied there. The ball remains cloudy until the year actually turns, so those prognostica-

C

tors who plunged early were just making stuff up. They’re no different from astrologers or necromancers or televangelists mind-melding Biblical prophesy.

If you wonder why they even bother — why the charade — I can answer that.

It’s because bogus predictions are a lot easier of composition than hard-thought treatments of important topics such as politics, finance, education or dog-peter gnats. If even the op-ed feebs at the local daily can hoke up a few predictions that are either too earnest or wholly lacking in earnestness, and get them published, then you know that there can’t be a hell of a lot to it. So they get a little extra holiday time off to be with their families, probably to their families’ considerable dismay.

If you’re a week past being sick and tired of columns looking ahead to 2010, you must be two weeks past being weary of those looking back on 2009. My guess is that you were already worn out thinking about 2009 along about mid-May, and that by mid-October you had quietly resolved that if you made it through to the end of the son-of-a-bitch, you would put it out of your mind for the duration.

History or psychology ought to develop a process similar to the judicial one that would allow a year like 2009 to be declared a nullity and then put away some place in a musty archive where it wouldn’t trouble immediate memory. I don’t mean ignoring history or rewriting it like the Soviet or Oceania drones — because then we’d have

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to repeat the sorry thing. But what would it hurt to put the memory of it in a drawer with a Don’t-open-for-50-years sign on it like on Mark Twain’s blasphemies or John F. Kennedy’s brain?

The denouement of 2009 not only brought out the usual depressing year-end rehashes, it also obliged you to to look back in sorrow over the decade that’s being called The Aughts. I thought it should be called the Double Aughts, like the buckshot, because each of its crummy years had the two zeroes in the middle. Jethro Bodeen, recalling the spy, would have called it the Double Naught decade.

It was a vile decade — the most inane of the seven I’ve lived in or through.

Willful ignorance was ascendant and boundless greed ruled, obnoxious guised up as clever, and courtesy died, as did felicity of public expression, and the old-time cheerful willingness to agree to disagree. The Double Aughts threw journalism to the dogs, and tried to do as much for science. And maybe the worst thing about it was how shallow it got, and stayed. Imbeciles rose to prominence in the Double Aughts. If you had gumption enough to come in out of the rain, you probably didn’t fare as well.

Let the dead bury the dead, it is written.

Double Aught ghoulies and boy martyrs with stretched necks. The late stinky ano.

To the extent that I’ve been complicit in keeping them topside and a-dangle, I do humbly beg your pardon.

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