Hello, Little Rock! I am beyond thrilled to introduce you to Little Rock City Lifestyle, a new magazine written for and about our community.
Little did I know when my family moved here a year ago, I’d embark on this wild journey to create a publication, but what an amazing and enriching experience it has been.
Some things I’ve learned about Little Rock this year: First, It is absolutely beautiful. I see why Arkansas has earned its title: the Natural State. Every season has been magical. The fall leaves, the perfect measure of winter snow, the spring flowers and summer fireflies. We are absolutely smitten.
Second, it is so multi-faceted. From historic downtown, to art-laden SoMa; from charming Hillcrest to the stylish Heights to the friendly suburbs of West Little Rock… Every corner of our city has its own endearing personality.
Third, it is a kind community. From the moment we moved here, we have felt as if we belong. My son was warmly welcomed into his high school without hesitation. Our neighbors have been the definition of neighborly. And the business community has been so supportive. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting so many of you who have graciously cheered on this endeavor. It’s been humbling, to say the least.
I could continue to list the attributes of Little Rock for days, but instead, we will write about it within our pages. Think of Little Rock City Lifestyle as a series of love letters to and about our community that you will receive each month in the mail. We hope you will enjoy taking a moment out of your busy day to unwind with us and experience the joy of print.
We are so happy to feature the story of Herron Horton Architects in our first issue. Jennifer Herron and Jeff Horton have been integral forces in “Building Little Rock.” Their vision and creativity are unmatched. In addition to his architectural prowess, Jeff is an accomplished artist whose work can be seen locally at Boswell Mourot Fine Art. Jeff’s oil and mixed media on canvas piece titled “Coming Together” is featured on our cover this month.
Jeff begins Little Rock City Lifestyle ’s tradition of art-only covers in celebration of our vibrant arts community. It is our hope that our covers will bring an extra bit of beauty into your home each month.
And with that, I present to you, our premiere issue. Ready, set … read.
STEPHANIE HASBROUCK, PUBLISHER @LITTLEROCKCITYLIFESTYLE
PUBLISHER
Stephanie Hasbrouck stephanie.hasbrouck@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Chelsey Juarez | chelsey.juarez@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Alex Hardgrave alexandra.hardgrave@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Stephanie Hasbrouck, Daniel Schowengerdt, Leann Parker, Allison Gibeson, Tara Norris
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Mellon Studio, Rett Peek, Nancy Nolan Photography, Adalyn Sinclair, Leann Parker, Natalie Luna Photography, Robert Ray Photography, Charlie Hasbrouck
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe
LAYOUT DESIGNER Eva Tucker
Stanley is central Arkansas’ most trusted name in jewelry, and Laura Stanley is proud to continue the family tradition. A 3rd generation jeweler, she specializes in custom design, personal shopping for just the right piece, estate jewelry, or re-designing those pieces that just aren’t working for you anymore. Working by appointment is a private and personal experience, and once you visit her salon, you’ll feel the difference! Laura’s passion for fine jewelry comes through with every project. We
1: Vonda Rainey, Greg Lahti, Shelley Gentry and artist April Burris at Art Group Gallery’s Night & Day Exhibit. 2: Glass Artist James Hayes showcased his stunning work recently at Art Group Gallery. 3: Community members gathered for the RIP (Restore In Perpetuity) Picnic Fundraiser at Mount Holly Cemetery. 4-5: The Coldwell Banker RPM Group had a heartwarming experience attending the 16th annual Easterseals Arkansas Fashion Show recently. 6-7: Boswell Mourot Fine Art recently held a reception featuring Arkansas artists Mark Blaney, Lisa Thorpe and Jeff Waddle.
“My
Well-known Little Rock potter, Fletcher Larkin, will be at Art Group Gallery with a special display of his pottery June 7-9 — just in time for Father’s Day. Fletcher’s work mostly includes functional pottery. He believes the function of his pottery is part of the artistic aesthetic. Stop by to meet Fletcher and pick up a gift! Art Group Gallery is located at 11525 Cantrell Road in Pleasant Ridge Town Center.
Crain Ford of Little Rock recently presented the Children’s Protection Center with a donation to help in its mission to provide hope and healing to families impacted by child abuse. Throughout 2024, Crain Ford will donate a portion of each vehicle sale to the CPC. Additionally, Crain Ford is a sponsor of CPC’s major fundraiser, the River Cities Dragon Boat Festival, to be held June 7-8 at Lake Willastein Park in Maumelle. For more information, visit rivercitiesdragonboatfestival.com
Boswell Mourot Fine Art will hold an opening reception 6-9 p.m. Saturday, June 15, to celebrate new works by Arkansas artists Michael Warrick and Jason McCann. The show will run through July 6 and is open to the public. Boswell Mourot Fine Art is located at 1501 South Main Street, Suite H, in the SoMa neighborhood.
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ART, ARCHITECTURE AND A THREE-DECADE LOVE STORY
ARTICLE BY STEPHANIE HASBROUCK PHOTOGRAPHY BY MELLON STUDIO, RETT PEEK, NANCY NOLAN PHOTOGRAPHY
Little Rock Architects Jennifer Herron and Jeff Horton are much like the structures they create. Artistic and intricate, they fit together perfectly. Theirs is a love story that extends beyond each other and into the community they call home.
Their story began while attending the architecture program at the University of Kansas School of Architecture and Urban Design.
“Jennifer had this mysterious quality to her. I could tell she was creative,” Jeff says. “She has a great sense of humor, loves to laugh.”
“I remember thinking he is really worldly, talented and creative, and he’s kind,” Jennifer says of Jeff. “He was a person you could just comfortably be with and always have a good conversation with many laughs.”
Though Little Rock was only meant to be a short stop on their professional journey, it became home to the couple, who have lived here for more than three decades. During that time, Jennifer and Jeff formed the immensely successful Herron Horton
Architects firm and have devoted their professional careers to helping build the city they love.
The two have created some of Little Rock’s most captivating custom homes, but it is their work in the non-profit realm that is most gratifying to them. They are the visionaries behind the Our House campus, the Our House Children’s Center, the Our House Career Center, the Max Milam Library renovation and addition and the Birch Tree Communities Hope House - just to name a few.
“Helping our community and working with non-profits was where our heartstrings were and still are today,” Jennifer says. “We have been working with Our House since
“Helping our community and working with non-profits was where our heartstrings were and still are today.”
2008 and have worked with CALS (Central Arkansas Library System), Thea Foundation and Birch Tree Communities.”
Jennifer says creating buildings that enhance the lives of those in the community is important “because we are creating the environment we all live in. The built environment has such an impact on our souls.”
The couple also enjoy building custom homes because it brings the opportunity to form one-on-one relationships with homeowners.
But don’t ask them to choose a favorite project, because they can’t. They take pride in each and every one. “There’s pleasure in seeing people in the space, and it’s an extra
when they tell you what it is about the space that they like or what their favorite space is or how they feel in the space,” Jennifer says.
Some of their upcoming projects include a new master plan for Christ Episcopal Church, a renovation to Calvary Episcopal Church in downtown Memphis and a Housing and Operations Center on the Our House campus.
Both say seeing a project through from conception to completion elicits mixed emotions.
“You’re so involved with the people and the details of the project, and then you turn it over to the family or clients to use, and it’s over,” Jennifer says. “Sometimes
it’s like reading a good book — you don’t want it to end.”
Jeff and Jennifer’s architectural creations are exquisite examples of practical fine art. The two also are artists in the truest sense of the word.
While studying architecture at KU, Jennifer pursued an interest in photography, and still enjoys it as a creative outlet.
Jeff’s first love was art, which eventually led him to architecture. His painting has become a second career. The nationally renowned artist refers to his work as Architectural Abstract paintings. His art is shown at Boswell Mourot Fine Art in the SoMa neighborhood, Michael Warren Contemporary in Denver and Embrace Creatives in Detroit.
“I have been making art since second grade. That’s when I fell in love with creating art. I was painting and drawing figurative work all the way through college,” he says. “I had a breakthrough — or maybe a revelation to combine the architecture and art during my final college painting class. I used my architectural project as the inspiration for my final class painting. This was the first time the idea of merging architecture with painting occurred, which I have been pursuing to this day.
“I love the process,” Jeff says. “I love making something and adjusting it. The process of going back and forth — erasing and remaking. I’ve always enjoyed the process of creating.”
To see examples of Jeff’s work, visit jhortonartist.com . For more information about Herron Horton Architects, visit hh-architects.com
Our family had so much fun creating this At-Home Movie Theater party for our son Ezra’s 8th birthday. All you need is a projector and an outdoor space, but I wanted to jazz it up just a little bit more.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEANN PARKER
I created a ticket booth and concession stand for a full movie theater experience to ensure that our movie night felt like our guests were actually going to a movie theater and not just our house. In attempt to achieve that, we set up a ticket booth at the front door using our kids old puppet theater.
Materials:
• Tickets
• Ticket Booth (optional)
Before entering our theater (aka our backyard), I set up a shadow box for guests to place their entry ticket.
I love displaying food in a creative way at our parties. I made this simple DIY Popcorn Display Wall as a statement piece in our concession stand. We have also used it in many other ways for other parties such as a donut wall, bagel wall, pretzel wall and more. You can easily recreate your own for your next party.
Materials:
• Pegboard. I chose the 4ft square size at Lowe’s for $10 and spray painted it white.
• Frame (optional). I bought two 1x4’s for $5 each, cut two pieces 4ft long and two pieces 3.5ft long, stained minwax walnut, attached to pegboard with screws through the back.
• Twine to string popcorn bags. Or, if you’re using the pegboard display for donuts, bagels or pretzels then use golf tees hot glued into holes from behind!
• Clothes pins to hang popcorn bags.
• Popcorn bags
My daughter handed out tickets for guests to use to “purchase” their popcorn, candy and drinks at the concession stand.
Materials:
• Popcorn Machine (optional)
• Popcorn
• Popcorn flavors for guests to get creative!
• Candy - Use boxes rather than bags for movie theater vibes!
• Soda - Use bottles rather than cans
• Napkins
• Cupcake toppers & Plates (if it’s a birthday celebration)
• Reused boxes and spray painted them white for guests to easily carry their snacks
I cut out red stars (from foam sheets) and stuck them to the floor (with adhesive putty) to lead guest through the house to the concession stand and back outside to where our movie was going to take place.
Finally, our guests could choose their seating on chairs or blankets around our yard. I also set up a little bug-spray table for people to grab as needed. Dramatic play, even as an adult, is so much fun! Who says staying home can’t be just as entertaining?
I hope you have as much fun at your party as we did! I’d love if you tagged me @silvertoothfarmhome so I can see your At-Home Movie Theater too!! In reflecting on the party, my son said that “the best part of the night was eating candy with my friends.” After all, people are what matter most!
“Find the things that you love. Take the stress out of food. Feed people because all they really care about is spending time with you. Bring joy back into the kitchen.
Whether you know him from the Netflix hit Restaurants on the Edge or from his absolutely mouth-watering food photos as @dennistheprescott on the ‘gram, this former-musician turned internationally-renowned Chef is an amazingly talented, thoughtful, and globe-trotting force to be reckoned with. When it comes to inspiration for creating experiences around food and your community, as well as creating travel bucket lists to some of the world’s
most unique and delicious destinations off the beaten path, Chef ‘Dennis The Prescott’ is a culinary change maker whose feed you’ll want to feast on.
Originally an aspiring musician, Canadian-born Dennis Prescott’s journey began while in university with a single invitation from another solo musician who asked him to tour with him around the US. This eventually took him to Nashville where they began making records and pursuing their musical dreams.
In the midst of all of this eating take out, dollar menus, etc, had become a way of life for Dennis. A friend stressed that he needed to start taking care of himself, and the advice was simple: “You need to start eating better.” He knew his bad eating habits weren’t good for mind, body or spirit, but he didn’t know where to begin to make changes. However, Prescott thought to himself, “I KNOW good food because I have literally traveled all over America, all over Canada, and into Europe with my music, eating great food and learning what I like.”
Dennis went to a nearby library and borrowed three books only to have his friend ask why he chose those in particular. Dennis remembers saying verbatim, “I don’t know? The guy on the cover looks kinda good looking, and I feel like I could probably pull these recipes off, and he seems really happy too!” As it turned out they were three books by Jamie Oliver; it’s just that he had no idea who Jamie Oliver was at the time.
Flash forward and Dennis’ first dinner-hosting experiment was made up of twenty people from the music studio, all sitting in camping chairs with beer koozies and makeshift tables in his apartment.
“I remember at the time this moment of, okay, the food is on the table, it’s a stressful thing, and then everybody tucks in and they take their first bite, and there’s a moment of hush that kind of came over everyone; it got really quiet just for a second, and then everyone started talking and getting into it and I fell in love with food right there at that moment. I didn’t realize that you can create these beautiful experiential moments at the table in the same way that I did playing someone’s favorite love song. Knowing that that was a thing to me was the most fascinating thing in the world.”
Dennis even got to the point where he was cooking so much that he started to forget what recipes he had successfully made, so he began a photo journal and started taking photos of all his completed dishes. And so it began like it does for most; Dennis began posting food photos to Instagram for the next few years.
“All of that was initially with no agenda, no intentionality; I just loved it and I wanted to share. I fell in love with feeding people.”
Regarding social media, Dennis’s professional advice is to check your DMs. A person who worked at Food & Wine Magazine at the time sent him a DM, asking if he would do recipes for the magazine, which turned into writing a monthly column. That experience helped him land a cookbook deal, which led to a wealth of TV and media publicity and Dennis feels he owes a lot of his success to that first opportunity with Food & Wine Magazine. Oh, and did we mention he is a self-taught photographer who now does all of his own food shots? This guy has drive.
His drive and innate talents ultimately led him to the opportunity of a lifetime via another DM. This time, it was a Netflix executive producer who offered him the chance to work for two seasons on Restaurants on the Edge, a show where “three food and design experts travel the world to revive failing restaurants by connecting them to the local culture beyond their gorgeous views.“
If I can inspire more time as a community at the table, then that’s a win.”
What followed were 13 episodes over nine months where they traveled to and filmed restaurant revivals that included three in Canada, one in the continental US, one in Hawaii, and others outside of North America, including Hong Kong, Slovenia, Austria, Malta, St. Lucia and Finland.
“Slovenia borders Italy and Croatia, which is to say there are a lot of shared values in and around food; they have really great cheese, dairy, beef, pasta, but very few tourists, hardly any. So if you love Italy, that kind of specific travel and food experience, particularly Northern Italy, because you can see the Alps from where they are. It’s picture perfect, a beautiful place, and also where orange wine is from.”
Dennis also highly recommends Costa Rica, Hawaii and Finland.
“Most people love the idea of travel, but we tend to pick the same places when we travel, and there is nothing wrong with that, they are amazing for a reason, but when you get off the beaten path a little bit, you learn the difference between vacation and travel.”
One of the most common fears Dennis hears from people cooking and/or grilling at home is, ‘where do I start? I don’t know how to get going, so I just don’t.’
Rather than overcomplicating it, Dennis recommends cooking the things that bring you joy — things that are on a restaurant menu you can’t NOT order because you’re so pumped that those dishes are on there.
“Find the things that you love. Take the stress out of food. Feed people because all they really care about is spending time with you. Bring joy back into the kitchen.”
Nothing says spring like the aroma of fresh-cut herbs in a crisp, cold, cocktail. With warmer weather finally here, growing herbs at home can transform your cocktail hour and add a fresh kick to your springtime favorites.
Growing herbs is incredibly easy and can be done in a variety of ways—from a container in a window, to a planter box in the yard. With a container or garden full of fresh herbs, you will be ready to take your cocktails up a notch.
Basil is a bright herb that is easy to grow and perfect for cocktails. Make sure to harvest immediately before mixing drinks and take leaves from the top to ensure a continual harvest. Fresh muddled basil leaves lend a crispness to the Gin Basil Cucumber cocktail.
Sage is easy to grow and does well in containers. The leaves add an earthy freshness to a refreshing cherry-infused Bourbon.
Mint is also easy to grow, but give it lots of room, as it likes to spread out and is virtually indestructible in the garden. Mint is a versatile herb but is especially lovely in the Rhubarb Mint Mojito.
Try recreating these refreshing cocktails with herbs grown at home and take your cocktail game to new heights!
ARTICLE BY TARA NORRIS PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADALYN SINCLAIR
• 2 oz. cherry-sage infused Bourbon
• 0.75 oz. apple brandy or apple jack brandy
• Place over an ice ball in an old-fashioned glass
• Top with ginger beer and garnish with Bordeaux cherries and leaf of sage
• 2 oz. white rum
• 1 oz. rhubarb puree (2 cups rhubarb, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water)
• 0.5 oz. fresh lime juice
• 8-10 fresh mint leaves
• soda water
• lemon-lime soda
• ice
• Muddle mint, lime juice, and rhubarb puree in a glass or small cocktail shaker
• Once muddled, add the white rum and ice
• Top with large cocktail shaker and shake for a few seconds
• Remove large shaker and pour everything into a glass
• Top with more ice
• Add soda water and lemon-lime soda (equal parts to your liking)
• Garnish with mint leaf and lime wheel
• 2-3 fresh basil leaves
• 0.5 oz. fresh lime juice
• 0.25 oz. simple syrup
• 2-3 cucumber slices
• 2 oz. gin
• tonic water
• Muddle basil, lime juice, simple syrup and cucumber slices together in a small cocktail shaker
• Add gin and ice to cocktail shaker
• Shake well
• Strain over an ice ball
• Top with tonic water and garnish with basil leaf and a cucumber slice
Whether you are a new golfer or have been playing for decades, we all want the same thing—to be a single-digit handicap (or better). In some professions, golfing with clients is a must, and slicing off the tee box can kill the deal.
01. Get
If you are buying clubs off the rack, you aren’t giving yourself the best chance for success. Golf technology is evolving every year, and although you don’t need to buy a new driver each year, if you’ve been playing with the same clubs for 5+ years, it’s time to take advantage of the new equipment. Newer clubs have lower and deeper center of gravity (CG), creating an easier launch off the face. Any major golf store will fit you for free—just make sure you get the correct length club and size grip.
On drivers and hybrids, some of the newest equipment have premium shaft options off the rack. Generally, a $300 driver has a low-grade $15 shaft that you should change. The shaft is the engine of the club, so getting custom shafts will add distance and forgiveness—guaranteed.
As for the putter, you use it more than any other club in your bag on every round of golf. It should be the most tailored club in your bag.
02. Get good golf instruction, REGULARLY.
We’ve all heard someone say, “I should get a lesson sometime.” To be effective, you need regular lessons from a PGA certified pro, not just one lesson. Getting quality instruction from the same instructor can turn slices into draws and give you the confidence to play with anyone on any course. Years ago, golf instructors started instruction with chipping and putting and then graduated to the driver. Now, instructors have been pressured to start with the driver because we all want to outdrive our friends. Resist that temptation! Get instruction on your short game and irons first. My friend regularly outdrives me by 50 yards, but my ball is in the hole first most of the time because of my training and practice on the short game.
03.
There are thousands of golf books, but don’t worry, you only need to read a handful of them to up your golf IQ. Here are some top reads:
Short game: Dave Pelz’s Short Game Bible by Dave Pelz
Mental game: Golf is Not a Game of Perfect by Bob Rotella
Mechanics: Practical Golf by John Jacobs
Ball flight laws: The Practice Manual by Adam Young (only read the first 50 pages)
Practice your short game every day.
04.
You don’t even have to spend time away from your family while practicing if you don’t have a golf simulator. You can practice putting and chipping on the carpet while watching TV with your family.
Chipping and the bump and run: The only mechanical advice I will give is the most important lesson you can learn in the short game. When you miss your approach shot you must be able to chip the ball within 8 feet of the hole for a one putt. Try this shot from Dave Peltz’s short game book. It gets me up and down from 25 yards out to just off the green.
JUNE 1ST, 8TH, 15TH, 22ND, 29TH
Little Rock Farmers Market
River Market Pavillions | 7:00 AM
The Little Rock Farmers Market takes place each Saturday through Aug. 31, rain or shine. The market features farm-fresh produce, as well as handmade arts and crafts.
JUNE 1ST
CARTI's Tour de Rock
CARTI Cancer Center | 6:30 AM
Tour de Rock is one of the state’s largest cycling events and is considered the fastest Century Ride in the south. More than 1,000 cyclists will take part in the event benefitting CARTI Cancer Center.
JUNE 14TH
An Evening with James Taylor
Simmons Bank Arena | 8:00 PM
James Taylor will perform his beloved hits Friday, June 14, at Simmons Bank Arena. For tickets, visit ticketmaster.com
JUNE 15TH
Juneteenth Arkansas Festival '24
First Security Amphitheater | 4:00 PM
The Juneteenth Arkansas Festival promotes economic empowerment, agriculture, education and community involvement through entertainment and a family-friendly environment.
JUNE 15TH
All Arkansas Preps
Statehouse Convention Center | 6:00 PM
All Arkansas Preps celebrates high school athletes from across the state and their accomplishments in 12 sports. For more information, visit littlerock.com
JUNE 16TH
Father's Day at the Little Rock Zoo
Little Rock Zoo | 9:00 AM
Celebrate dad at the Little Rock Zoo. Visit the dads at the zoo, including Bhandar the orangutan, and Brenton, the penguin. All dads receive $2 off of admission.
JUNE 18TH-30TH
Pride & Prejudice
The Arkansas Repertory Theatre Various Times
Enjoy a fresh, comedic take on Jane Austen’s classic novel. This retelling of literature’s tale of love explores the insanity and exhilaration of finding your perfect - or imperfect- match.
JUNE 19TH-23RD
Arkansas Travelers vs. Wichita
Dickey-Stephens Park | 12:05 PM
Come watch the Arkansas Travelers play! Be sure to check the Travelers website, milb.com/arkansas, for special promotions like fireworks, Brunch at the Ballpark and more.
At Restoration Health, our mission is to serve God by serving our community through the vehicle of neurologically-based corrective Chiropractic care. Our vision is to change the health of our community by empowering every individual who comes through our doors to make informed decisions about the health of their entire family. In doing so, we seek to raise up a healthy generation, less dependent on drugs and medicine and able to achieve their God-given purposes in life.
Auburn Graduate & Devoted Fan
I graduated with a journalism degree from Auburn University, and I take college football extremely seriously. War Eagle!
We have three amazing sons, Oliver, Henry and Charlie. Oliver is a recent graduate of the University of Arkansas. Henry will be a sophomore at the University of Arkansas. And Charlie will be a sophomore at Little Rock Christian Academy. They are my world.
Dave and I have been married for 26 years. During that time, we’ve embarked on numerous adventures. We’ve perfectly mastered the leap of faith, and we’re so glad the last one brought us here.
We also are the proud parents of two fur children, Wiley (pictured) and Lucy, and one granddog, Finn. I’m a firm believer that dogs make the world a better place.
I began my career at a community newspaper, where I covered everything from hard news to fishermen’s big catches. There I learned that everyone has a story that deserves to be told.
Story Teller at Heart Wife of Dave Fur Mom
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