Local Magazine - March/ April 2016 by Local. Magazine

MARCH / APRIL 2016

Making Change Local Self-Starters Dream Big in the Natural State

local row tedX favorites arkansas Markham St.

LEGACY WINE AND SPIRITS 16 Beers on tap

jake dell certified cicerone速

Call us for all of your insurance needs! Auto

Home

Business Life

Retirement 2

Shellie Stingley

Senior Sales Associate

Betsy Boyette Agency Owner

The Betsy Boyette Agency

5110 Kavanaugh Blvd. Ste. 2 Little Rock, AR 72207

501.227.5987

w w w. i n s u re t h e ro c k . c o m

TABLE OF CONTENTS SERVING UP HOPE 5

At Flavours catering and restaurant, compassion is the key ingredient.

FEATURED ARTIST: RYAN SAUDERS 6 LOCAL FAVORITES 8-9

Discover some of your local restaurants, shops and services in Central Arkansas.

GIFT GUIDE 10

A few local options to help you pick the perfect gift for Mother's Day.

A TRULY UNIQUE VENUE 11

The legacy of LaVada's event space..

NATIONAL PARK SPOTLIGHT 12

A Look at President William Jefferson Clinton's birthplace home.

ROW ARKANSAS 13 LOCAL FEATURED FAVORITE 15

Award-winning restaurant SŌ challenges the common dining experience in Little Rock.

BE A LOCALIST: INNOVATION HUB 16 A non-profit organization dedicated to increasing innovative and entrepreneurial business activity in Arkansas.

KRAFTING A COMMUNITY 18 PLAYING FOR KEEPS 23

Little Rock Rangers Soccer Club kickstarts the soccer craze in Arkansas and sets a goal of growing it for future generations.

THE RIGHT MIX 26 FIRST LOOK: TEDX MARKHAM ST 28 A first look look at this year's TedX event.

WHAT'S THAT SOUND? 29

Local musicians helping local musicians.

NATIONAL PARK CENTENNIAL 30

A few events from our National Parks during the Centennial celebration.

(left to right)

JONATHAN WARDLAW FRED NORMAN WARWICK SABIN

Location

CACHE RESTAURANT

Photographer MIKE RUSSELL

mikerussellphotography@gmail.com

ON THE COVER

www.localmag411.com Local. Magazine Local_LittleRock

PUBLISHERS

Rich Niemeyer Kaitlin Schmidt

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kaitlin Schmidt

COPY EDITOR Stacey Bowers

CONTRIBUTORS

Adam Cherepski Susie Cowan Melanie Riedmueller Melissa Tucker Slade Wright

PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Mike Russell [cover photo]

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Susie Cowan Rich Niemeyer

For advertising information, please call 501-554-1126 For Subscription services, please call 501-476-4200 Local. Magazine is published bimonthly by 411 Publications, Inc. P.O. Box 1835, N. Little Rock, AR 72115 411publications@gmail.com The contents of Local. are copyrighted and material contained herein may not be copied or reproduced in any manner without the written consent of the publisher. CONTRIBUTOR SPOTLIGHT MELISSA TUCKER Melissa Tucker has spent nearly a decade in journalism, but these days she's a copywriter for the Sells Agency in Little Rock. When not writing quippy slogans, you'll probably find her playing roller derby, taking her kids to the library or ordering a second cup of coffee. SLADE WRIGHT Slade’s diverse interests led to an eclectic work history taking him from cubicles in Little Rock to remote research stations in Antarctica. As a Certified Cicerone®, Slade’s biggest passion outside of writing is craft beer and he can often be found at brewpubs throughout Little Rock with a pint in one hand and a pen in the other.

Entertaining ALL of Arkansas!

TIMBO

PROMOTIONS

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MOBILE DJ SERVICE

Mark Timmons (Owner)

501.993.6264

www.timbopromotions.com (Online Booking Available)

Professional building maintenance and heating and air conditioning services for:

Spectacularly innovative and contemporary. Cilantro’s cuisine is inspired by authentic central Mexican flavors and ingredients with a unique twist. Come experience the hospitable staff in a cozy, intimate atmosphere. Entrees include a variety of specialties that you can not find at an average Mexican restaurant.

Residential ClientsHomes & Rental Properties Commercial ClientsOffices, Restaurants, etc New Home Construction HVAC installation Replacement HVAC Systems Interior and Exterior Lighting Maintenance Family Owned & Operated

501-960-8971

2629 Lakewood Village Dr. N. Little Rock, AR

25914 Hwy 10 Ste. A Roland, AR 72135 www.yatesmaintenance.com

(501) 812-0040

Personal Local Service... It’s what I do.

(501) 907-5747 April Pollard 4

april.pollard@edwardjones.com 11601 Pleasant Ridge Rd. Ste 303 Little Rock, AR 72212

coming soon! Nacho’s Grill in Cabot

Serving Up Hope

At Flavours catering and restaurant, compassion is the key ingredient.

ON THE C OV E R

Melanie Riedmueller

Local sat down with Fred Norman, owner of Flavours catering and restaurant (and also the founder of S.W. Chance) where the menu states “At Flavours We Proudly Hire People with Abilities. Please Don’t Diss My Abilities”. This emphatic statement is what Fred Norman wants central Arkansas to know: everyone has an ability. He aims to bring out each person’s natural aptitude, assist them to learn new skills, and give them resources that may not have been there otherwise. When asked about what motivated him to begin Flavours, he said that he has loved to cook since he was eight years old, and that he wanted to provide a place where people with developmental disabilities could enhance their knowledge and find out what they excelled at. As we talked more, Norman discussed his work with many organizations, one being Civitan International, the civic club for men and women that has a focus on helping people with disabilities and volunteerism. Norman first became involved as a teenager in Junior Civitan, and that led to a lifelong interest in helping others. Civitan also started the Civitan International Research Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, known as the best research center in the United States for developmental disabilities. The research that has been done here includes trials using estrogen to heal spinal cord injuries and using scorpion venom to treat certain types of cancer. Norman organized a bicycle relay to Birmingham, Alabama from North Little Rock to raise funds for Down syndrome research. Fred explained that the money raised during the bicycle relay led to funding a researcher to study the incidence of Alzheimer’s in people with Down syndrome. There has been a breakthrough with that research, and Norman hopes for more strides to be made to prevent Alzheimer’s.

The volunteer work with Civitan has allowed Norman to meet many influential figures, raise money for research and events, travel around North America, and over time become involved with other organizations such as the Arkansas Down Syndrome Association. Norman has helped build Civitan clubs around Arkansas, including the Argenta Civitan Club, which meets every 2nd and 4th Tuesday at noon, and is located in the 1st Presbyterian Church at 4th and Maple Streets. In 2011 Norman quit his day job to focus full time on S.W. Chance, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit. S.W. Chance promotes independence, productivity, integration, and inclusion into the community for individuals with developmental disabilities. The motto is “Helping all of our children be all they can be.” When Norman started S.W. Chance, he also opened Flavours and hired people with developmental disabilities to help him with catering jobs. S.W. Chance also has community partnerships with the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department, UAMS, The Academy at Riverdale, Arkansas Enterprises for the Developmentally Disabled, Inc., and Workforce Services. The mission of S.W. Chance is to empower people with disabilities to reach their full potential and be all they can be, which lines up exactly with what Flavours is doing. Roughly five years ago, Norman was approached by some parents who wanted a twoyear college to start a program for kids with developmental disabilities in order to further their education. As it happened, Norman was catering a party in 2012 when he began talking to Diane Bray, a board member at Pulaski Technical College about the possibility of a modified program that would admit people with developmental disabilities into the Culinary Arts and Hospitality area of study at Pulaski Tech. Bray thought this was something that should be implemented, and a few months later she put together a program with Pulaski Tech to accept up to ten students with developmental disabilities per year. This program provides classroom and kitchen instruction and teaches critical thinking skills and professionalism in the workplace. Four people enrolled during the first year, with three of those four having Down syndrome. In the next year, there were thirteen enrollees. With the uptick in enrollment, Norman began to need more vans to transport and hired three other drivers to help him. He also brings people to Project Search at UAMS and Childrens Hospital. Project Search is a program that trains people in a specific area, such as physical therapy. Norman has made a life of helping others, and his restaurant is a natural extension of that. The menu at Flavours consists of soups, salads, sides, sandwiches, and desserts. There

are grilled cheese and grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the kids. You could easily get a sandwich, soup, side, drink, and dessert for under $20. There are also gluten free options as well as getting your dessert a la mode. There was a fruit tart special the day we met, and it could become part of the regular menu, as well as a Spanish bean soup. Norman offered tastings of his New Orleans style bread pudding and his famous skillet apple pie, which we happily accepted. We recommend treating yourself to an extra order of dessert.

Goals for the restaurant now are to continue growing their customer base, with future goals including more seating, opening up locations around Little Rock, and begin hiring veterans with physical disabilities and children who have aged out of the foster care system. Hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with Saturday open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The restaurant is located at 13120 Crystal Hill, Suite I, in Maumelle. You can reach Flavours at 501-256-4747. You can learn more about Norman’s nonprofit at swchance.org and on the S.W. Chance or Flavours Facebook page. Also visit www.ardownsydrome.org to find out more about what is being done for Arkansans with Down syndrome. Norman especially suggests that you visit www.timsplace.com/ the-restaurant for the inspiring story about Tim Harris, owner of Tim’s Place, which is the first and only restaurant to be owned by a man with Down syndrome.

Flavours Directions

Coming from 430, go down Maumelle Blvd. and pass McDonalds and IHOP on the right. Turn right at the driveway beside the Sherwin Williams Paint store located at 11825 Maumelle Blvd. Dead ahead is Flavours sign. 5

FEATURED ARTIST What stands out about a singer/songwriter? Is it a smooth voice? Is it great song structure? Maybe they help you remember something more vividly than you could have on your own? I think it is about telling a story, and Ryan Sauders' newly released debut album "Giving up the Ghost" does just that. Sauders' music could be considered indie/ alternative but also pays homage to the storytelling of folk. The album, recorded at Blue Chair Studios, is a showcase of stories from Sauders life. From nonchalant references of time spent in prison on the song "The Pavement" to blatant looks into drug use and

suicide on the song "Self Portrait," Sauders' freshman album looks deeps into his past while tipping its hat to the future. Sauders, a Dallas native and now Hot Springs local, has been quoted saying, "Music transcends all boundaries. Whether it is race, religion or sexual orientation, we all 'feel' through music." And bring about feeling his music does. Whether in an intimate solo acoustic set or a full-band stage show, you can tell that Sauders is singing his memories. Although many of the tracks on "Giving up the Ghost" are older songs, a couple of the newer ones, Sauders said, are written for and about his mother and her struggle with drug use that ultimately led to her suicide. Traveling down that road himself, and after some time spent "away," he has brought himself out of that dark time, citing music as a major factor of his inspiration and motivation. Sauders stated, "When I was down at my lowest point and nothing felt like it would help, not drugs, not girls, not god, music brought me out. I want to give some of that back. I want to let people know that you are not alone." I know that's pretty heavy, but fear not, for those of you who aren't into a stroll down memory lane or a reflective journey, Sauders' songwriting comes across surprisingly lighthearted...usually. Look for Ryan Sauders on Facebook/ ryansaudersmusic or download the album at ryansauders.bandcamp.com. You can catch him live at Maxine's in downtown Hot Springs, and

at Kings Live Music in Conway. If you are up for a vacation, he will be playing in New York City at Pianos or with his band at the Valley of the Vapors Music Festival in Hot Springs on March 19. Musicians featured on the album are; Adam Marriott (lead guitar), Brandon "bear" Alanis (drums), Darian Stribling (bass and backup vocals), Wren Jea Whiteseven (violin) and Ryan Sauders (vocals). Be on the lookout, as Sauders' is writing new material between shows to be recorded later this year.

Grab the album now and support your local musicians. Stay tuned to Facebook for all upcoming shows.

Uncommon Threads different. boutique !

Dare to be

Now offering tux & suit rentals, vintage bridal & bridesmaid dresses!

501.358.5220

1103 Oak St. · Downtown Conway

“Taste the Sunshine in Every Sip!” ◦ Citrus Wine ◦ Tropical Fruit Wines ◦ Champagnes ◦ Specialty Wine ◦ Berry Wine

◦ Vegetable Wine ◦ Port ◦ Wine Pouches ◦ Wine Smoothie Mix ◦ Gifts & Accessories

258 Central Ave ◦ Hot Springs, AR

501-617-6256

Q. What is vaping and how is it different from smoking?

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A. Smoking involves igniting tobacco and inhaling the smoke that's produced. Vaping is using a battery-powered vaporizer to deliver nicotine via a propylene-glycol and vegetable glycerin solution. The vapor is inhaled like smoke from a cigarette, but does not contain the carcinogens found in tobacco smoke. It mimics the experience of smoking, without the lingering smell of smoke. Q. What exactly am I inhaling when I vape? A: Vaping liquids — referred to as juice, e-juice or e-liquid —are propylene glycol- or vegetable glycerin-based. Nicotine is added at different levels (sometimes none at all) to gradually get people off nicotine entirely. Juice flavors often mimic desserts, cereals and mixed drinks — which vaping critics say tempt young adults, but others have concluded that these flavors help smokers quit. Q. Is vaping safer than cigarettes? A: Vapor supply manufacturers and retailers promote their products as a safer alternative to cigarettes, as you can gradually reduce the nicotine. Some vaping fans insist it helped them kick the habit. Vaper Zach Fruend from Greenbrier once smoked three packs a day, and within a few months was completely done with cigarettes. “After a year, I have no more smokers cough or any other health problems associated with smoking,” said Fruend. Scout Stubbs, owner of Drippers Vape Shop says, “I hear success stories every day from people who quit smoking and feel physically better. Some have even said their doctor has taken them off asthma and heart medications.”.

Q. What kinds of upcoming regulations are there on the vaping industry? A. Actually some pretty expensive ones – and those will be passed on to the consumer, if not kill the industry entirely. The proposed regulations dictate that products that were marketed after 2007 (basically everything vaperelated) will have to go through an approval process. That’s not the problem. The problem is that it would cost $2 million per flavor, per nicotine strength. At a small mom n’ pop like Drippers Vape Shop which has 75 flavors/5 nicotine strengths each, the regulations would effectively put them out of business. There is hope – Congressional bill HR2058 would change the grandfather date of the regulations, so that a more reasonable date than 2007 could be arranged. Actively contacting your legislators asking for their support of HR2058 could really make a difference. Q. What is a vapor lounge? A: A true vapor lounge is a bit like a cigar bar; you can sample the products, buy the goods and puff away with other vapers. At Drippers Vape Shop, experienced vapers try out different liquids at a long bar and talk about new devices and upcoming regulations on the industry. Newbies stop by for advice about mods. There are comfy couches and a big screen TV. .

Visit Drippers at:

164 South Broadview · Greenbrier, AR

(870) 805-9669

• all juice made in house • knowledgeable staff with years of vaping experience

www.drippersvapeshop.com

ABBY ROAD · Tie Dyes & Gifts · Smoking Accessories · Adult Novelties

1400 S. University Little Rock, AR

501-614-6400 7

eat

A.W. Lin’s Asian Cuisine offers a variety of dishes from traditional Chinese and Japanese dishes to sushi and Thai curries. You are sure to find a new favorite dish. Located at 17711 Chenal Parkway (in The Promenade at Chenal) in Little Rock. 501-821-5398

Roots Juices are 100% natural fresh-pressed fruits and vegetables. It takes an estimated 3 pounds of fruits and vegetables to create one refreshing 16-ounce juice. The juices are cold pressed, and there of plenty of tasty options. 5501 Kavanaugh Blvd. in Little Rock. 501-313-5028

Red Door offers fabulous comfort foods with a modern twist, bargain-priced wine list, full bar with four 42" LCD TV's for your sporting events, great daily blackboard specials, $5 glass wine features and homemade desserts. 3701 Cantrell Rd. in Little Rock. 501-666-8482

Fat Jacks is known for having the best oysters in Arkansas. Serving appetizers, baskets, poboys, pasta, salads, Mexican, famous burgers & sandwiches, come enjoy great food, great music and great friends. 11400 N. Rodney Parham Rd. in Little Rock. 501-954-2026

Blue Cake Company created over 15000 cakes over the past 10 years. It is a family owned business making home made customized cakes, cookies and more. They love turning your visions into a reality for any special occasion. 6800 Cantrell Rd. in Little Rock. 501-868-7771

@ The Corner focuses on “finer diner” foods. Gourmet breakfast, burgers, hotdogs, sandwiches, salads & soups will all get unique flavor twists by using as many local ingredients as possible. Great daily specials and homemade desserts. 201 E. Markham in Little Rock. 501-400-8458

Local Union is a new bar, restaurant & private club. With signature cocktails and a full menu all night long, you are sure to find Local Union your new favorite bar. Serving locally sourced products on their menu until 5 AM Wed-Sat. 1501 N. University Ave. in Little Rock. 501-660-4200

Cheers in Maumelle is a great locally owned restaurant with a family atmosphere and a menu that ranges from homemade soups and sandwiches to a hand cut filet and fresh seafood. Check Facebook for daily specials. 1901 Club Manor in Maumelle. 501-851-6200

Black Angus is a locally owned and operated restaurant that serves fresh, homemade food including hand-cut steaks, catfish and burger patties using a charcoal grill. 10907 N. Rodney Parham Rd. 501-228-7800

Bray Gourmet Deli & Catering is located in downtown Little Rock. They feature smoked turkey spreads, smoked meats, fresh salads, soups and desserts with fresh, homemade breads. Have an office meeting coming up? Call now! 323 Center St. in Little Rock or call 501-353-1045.

shop

The Label is a locally owned men's clothing store that specializes in unique and high quality items from brands such as Cult of Individuality, Joe's, Citizens, Mavi, Alternative, and JACHS. 1525 Cantrell Rd. #301 (in Pleasant Ridge Shopping Center) in Little Rock. 501-353-0658

Beauty Cuts is a new salon on Main Street right behind The Green Corner Store. We offer regular to special services such as Japanese Magic Straight Perm, Protein Ample Treatment and more. We also feature world renowned Kevin Murphy products. 110 E. 15th in Little Rock. 501-398-8377

Galaxy Office Furniture is not your ordinary furniture store. It is one of the most eclectic stores in town. Specializing in office furniture, retro, vintage and one-of-a-kind art...you never know what you will find at The Galaxy! 304 Main St. in North Little Rock, 501-375-3375

Liquid Concepts specializes in custom finishes including carbon fiber, camouflage, wood grain and other custom designs for all your needs. These finishes can be applied to firearms, ATVs, automotive accessories and much more. 200 Cornerstone Rd. in Alexander. 501-455-5500

The Humble Thread supports local crafters, locally made items and provides a fun atmosphere where you can purchase trendy clothing, shoes, jewelry, gifts and children's items. Feel good about where you shop! 621 W. Main St. in Cabot. 501-422-0811

Angry Daveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bicycles caters to all cyclists whether you ride road, mountain or BMX. With more than twenty years of experience, they will build the bicycle or custom wheel sets of your dreams to a standard few can match. 3515 JFK Blvd. in N. Little Rock. 501-753-4990

Argenta Bead Company is a full service bead shop. Make your own jewelry to adorn yourself with a one-of-a-kind creation or have them make it for you. They also do repairs, classes & host parties. We have fun here â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you should, too! 703 Main St., Argenta, NLR, 501.537.0928 argentabead.com

Freckled Frog features a variety of handcrafted items made by Arkansans. Their inventory is continually updated with new and one-of-a-kind items as well as a constant stock from your favorite local designers and crafters. 419 President Clinton Ave. in Little Rock. 501-351-5245

Papa Joe's Furniture offers high quality, preowned furniture as well as custom built rustic furniture for an unbeatable price. Come and see them in downtown Conway and check out their Facebook page for more items! 719 Front St. in Conway. 501-504-6665

The iPhone Guys is your solution for iPhone repair. They specialize in all things iPhone and iPad, keeping current with the latest trends and techniques to keep your iPhone/iPad performance at its peak. 2700 N Prickett Rd. Ste 1B in Bryant. 501-374-2474

GIFT GUIDE Get your charm party on at Bella Vita. Custom stamped pendants, birthstones and more; perfect for Mother's Day. 523 S. Louisiana - Little Rock (in the Lafayette Bldg) 501.396.9146 www.bellavitajewelry.net

L A C O OP L

SH Little Rock's Distinctive Flower Shop, featuring creative and stylish floral design. 3400 Old cantrell Rd Little Rock 501.603.9200 www.aboutvase.com

y a D s â&#x20AC;&#x2122; er h t o M For Sunday, May 8

Handcrafted soap & bath luxuries made on Historic Bathhouse Row. 366 Central Ave Hot Springs 501.52507627 www.bathhousesoap.com

A unique boutique that offers clothing, gifts, jewelry and home decor. We are also an exclusive carrier of G. Spinelli Jewelry.

An artist driven, eclectic boutique specializing in fine artisan jewelry, home decor, women's clothing, candles, quirky gifts, toys and cards.

1101 Oak St. - Conway 501.499.6436 www.grandonoak.com

2616 Kavanaugh Blvd - Little Rock 501.661-1167 www.shopboxturtle.com

LaVadas

a truly unique venue Charlette Beasley

istory and elegance meet in North Little Rock's well-kept venue La'Vada's. Now owned by Ernie and Kay Alonzo, it serves an array of customers seeking a space for weddings, receptions, corporate conferences, workshops, holiday events and more. The venue consists of one original building called the “Old House” that was built in 1913 and a new building behind it that was designed in 2007 and built in 2009. Kay operates the majority of the La'Vada's business out of the new building, and since business kicked off, it has become obvious that she and her husband Ernie have succeeded in melding the antique with the new in a way that has kept visitors pondering the age of the building. Before La'Vada's came into existence, the Old House was known as the "Kazcka House." Stanislaus J. and Angela Kaczka, who raised eight children, were the only family to ever reside there. Maria Kazcka Bargiel, the last surviving daughter, was reluctant to sell it after her last sister passed away. Luckily, the Alonzos had a weakness for historical houses. Kay and her husband Ernie renovated the old North Little Rock Railroad Depot in addition to many other buildings. Once the Alonzos assured Maria that they would preserve the building to the best of her ability, the house was theirs. Upon purchasing the house, it became evident to the Alonzos that some changes would have to be made. Holly bushes had grown into huge trees and carved out the wood on the outside of the house every time the wind blew. The trees had to be cut down, peeling wallpaper scraped, fresh paint applied to the plaster and all the wood was cleaned. There were and still are four bedrooms and one bathroom upstairs and cedar beaded board closets. The house is solid; rumor has it

that the Kaczkas were part-owners of a lumber company, which, if true, could explain the sturdiness of the house. Revamping the Old House was a success, but Ernie and Kay quickly realized they would need more space in order to hold larger events and still preserve the property. They credit the opportunity to expand La'Vada's to “having good neighbors.” Once they expressed interest in expanding her business, it became clear to them that the City would not approve the expansion if they did not have adequate parking. Without the church parking area beside her property, their parking would have been considered too limited to pursue the idea. Kay contacted Reverend D.L. Richardson and the deacons of First Baptist Church about the issue she was facing, and they couldn’t have been more kind. Soon after, Ernie started to build the new addition from the ground up. There was a garden that was overgrown behind the Old House in addition to a garage that had to be removed before the new building could be built. Once space was cleared for construction, it was designed, built and decorated with respect to the Victorian style of the Old House. The roof pitches were matched to the 1913 home, as were the 1875 hand-milled board placed on the outer walls of the house. The custom windows and painted black sashes are two of the defining characteristic of the Old House. Good neighbors weren’t the only people who helped make the Alonzos’ business a success. Family played a big part as well. Kay named the business La’Vada's to honor her grandmother, LaVada Johnson, also known as “Big Momma." She was a woman who “didn't fit the pattern and lived life to the fullest,” said Kay. LaVada was 93 when she passed away in the Alonzo home. Kay could not imagine living

life without her, and there's no way she could ever envision doing anything fun, like opening La'Vada's, without putting her name on it. Kay recalls that her grandmother's favorite words were "don't tell your mom" and that her mother prayed every time Kay and “Big Mama” left the house. Brenda Lynn Strebeck, Kay's daughter, passed away in 2001, and Kay named the ballroom “Brenda's Ballroom” in her honor. During the time that Ernie was building the new addition, his mother, Heddie Caudillo, passed. The reception area was named "Heddie's Reception Room." "MaMa Faye's Kitchen" was named after Kay’s mother, Verna Fay Johnson, as she was the best cook in the family. Faye, who passed away in 2012, once joked about how thrilled she was to actually be a part of the business while she was still alive.

Togetherness, fun and humor are ingredients for success in Kay’s book. She’s an impressive woman who works hard to provide all the services needed to hold superb events. As it stands, she currently books more weddings than anything but plans to secure more corporate clients in the near future. Whether it’s a family birthday, boss’s retirement party, sister’s wedding or corporate retreat, La’Vada’s can personalize any event to fulfill clients’ needs and definitely is a unique venue worth seeing for yourself.

2005 Main Street N. Little Rock, AR 72114 Call 501-771-9099 for more information or to schedule a tour. 11

President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home

824 W. 7th St. DOWNTOWN LITTLE ROCK

#suite102salon

} } Best stylist (Alli summers) and nominated best hair salon of 2015

The President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home in Hope, Ark. preserves the space where William Jefferson Blythe III (Bill Clinton) spent his formative years and learned many childhood lessons that defined his life and his presidency. He lived in the house for the first four years of his life (1946-1950) with his mother and maternal grandparents. Clinton visited his grandparents at the house until his grandfather's death in 1956. The house itself was built in 1917 for Dr. H. S. Garrett, who designed the house to imitate his previous dwelling in France. The two-and-a-half-story, 2,100-square-foot building contains six rooms, including a kitchen, living room, bedroom and the nursery where Clinton slept. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 19, 1994, bypassing the usual rule that a structure must have achieved significance more than fifty years before being registered. An exception to the fifty-year benchmark was granted because (according to the nomination form) the home was “the single property most significantly and exclusively associated with President William Jefferson Clinton’s humble beginnings, the inner strength that he learned from his mother and the dedication to purpose that has sustained him throughout his distinguished career.” The Clinton Birthplace is one of roughly 2,000 structures among the more than 80,000 places on the register to receive such an exception. Young Bill was named for his father who had died two months earlier in a tragic auto accident. Billy Blythe and his widowed mother Virginia lived with her parents Eldridge and Edith Grisham Cassidy in the two-story white frame home at 117 South Hervey Street. Virginia continued work as a Registered Nurse, Mrs. Cassidy worked as an LVN with invalid patients and Mr. Cassidy had a small neighborhood grocery store. The Cassidy's home was built in 1917 by Hosea Garrett, son of Dr. H. M. Garrett, who had a large formal home where the parking lot is now. Later the Garrett house became rental property, and the Cassidy family moved into the home in 1938 when Virginia was fifteen and purchased it in 1946. Bill was in and out of his grandparents' home until he was ten, when his beloved grandfather died and the house was sold. During those years, South Hervey Street was a narrow tree-lined street of family residences and his grandparents’ home was nestled among other family homes. Billy and his pals played across the yards, up the Pecan trees and down the sidewalks and

enjoyed a sandbox and swing set in the south yard, where his grandmother or other family members watched young Billy and his friends at play. President Clinton recalls games in the adjoining yards with his neighbor and best friend, Vince Foster. Bill writes that although he lived many places during his life, this is home, where he learned the important tasks and values of life. Bill spent much of his childhood with his grandfather at Mr. Cassidy's neighborhood grocery, a place where both the black and white communities were welcomed. This was unusual during 1940s-1950s, thus Billy heard a diversity of ideas, witnessed his grandfather's hospitality and generosity and gained perspectives that would later influence his ideas and policies. Bill was ten when his grandfather died, but the influence remained: "My grandfather was the kindest man I ever knew, teaching me social justice, the dignity and equality of all people." Bill credits his grandfather and his small grocery store with planting the seeds that became the Clinton Global Initiative.

Hope was not a rural town. It had daily passenger train service, two hotels, three movie theaters and an abundance of shops and cafes, with 8,000 people and a vibrant downtown surrounded by residences and churches. Clinton's Uncle Buddy and Aunt Ollie Grisham lived nearby, where the families often gathered. The interior of Bill's 1st Home is restored to the 1940s-1950s when Bill lived there, furnished with help from Virginia, family snapshots and memories of those who lived there. On December 25, 2015, it was reported that an overnight fire had heavily damaged the home, and investigators suspected arson as the cause of the fire. The fire damaged the back wall of the east side of the home and spread through the second floor, as well as causing smoke and water damage inside. The house itself is currently closed to tours due to the damage, but will be open in the near future. The museum and Visitor Center, however, is still open, and park rangers are available to offer interpretive information. For more information, call 870-777-4455.

Rowing Arkansas The tradition of rowing is alive and well in Little Rock, thanks to the partnership of Arkansas Boathouse Club (ABC) and RowAmerica. But did you know rowing on the Arkansas dates back to the 1800’s? Started originally as a club for local businessmen, ABC was a popular destination for social activities and athletics, but declining membership during the mid-1900’s forced the Club to close its doors. In 2006 a group of excited Little Rock residents set out to revive this wonderful activity and began offering recreational rowing for youth and adults. In 2015, recognizing that the Club would need professional management to reach its potential as a major contributor of Central Arkansas recreation, ABC hired RowAmerica, a nationallyrecognized leader in rowing club management, boat manufacturing and equipment sales, to provide programming and services to the newly renamed RowAmerica North Little Rock. RANLR has just announced its spring and summer 2016 programming schedules. With a wide variety of programming for all abilities and fitness levels, novice rower to experienced competitor, everyone will be sure to find a program, summer camp, fitness class or special event that will fit their schedule. “Rowing is a sport that can be enjoyed by anyone”, says Ted Riedeburg, RANLR Director and Head Coach. “We are most excited to share the sport of rowing as it offers so much to the wider Little Rock community.” Since its partnership with RowAmerica was established, ABC has focused on developing opportunities for local youth to join the sport of rowing. Most recently, a $20,000 grant for scholarships was received from Mike Coulson, an ABC Board member and active rower himself. “With rowing being the top sport for collegiate athletic scholarships for both boys and girls, engaging the local youth will create new scholastic opportunities for these kids to access quality education and achieve their goals. Being a part of that process is the best reward that we can get as a youth coach”, adds Riedeburg. Rowing is a safe, low-impact, full body workout that can be enjoyed at any age, and for those who wish to compete rowing is one of the most physically intense sports. ABC is also developing plans for a new, fullservice rowing and water sports facility which will provide a place for the residents of Pulaski County to enjoy the outdoors and the area’s beautiful river. To learn about programming options and scholarship opportunities, visit our website at www.rownorthlittlerock.com or contact Director Ted Riedeburg at 501-313-5441. 13

Attention members & guests

NOW OPEN!

FOURQUARTER

BA R

Live Music, Billiards, Food, & Fun on Tap. Open Daily 11am-2am

MARCH

4th

Luke Williams

5th 11th 12th

Dirty Lindsey Third Degree

17th

St. Patty’s Day w/ Nerd Eye Blind

18th

River City Overdrive

25th

Jeff Coleman & The Feeders

Southbound 420

26th

The Great Whiskey Rendevous

APRIL

1st 2nd 8th 9th 15th 16th

Live music Friday & Saturday nights March 11: Ed Bowman & Rock City Players

Dancing to the best Tropical Music! SALSA / BACHATA / MERENGUE CUMBIA / REGGAETON LATIN TOP 40

Luke Williams

Dirty Lindsey

More info at:

Third Degree w/ Mark Taylor

1611 EAST OAK ST. Conway , AR 72032

10800 Colonel Glenn Rd. Little Rock, AR 72204

No Experience Required. No Partner Required.

Shotgun Billy’s

TCSMIDTOWN.COM

9PM - 2AM

March 19: Electric Rag Band

Monroe County

For the complete schedule, check out:

CLUB

EVERY FRIDAY

Night starts with a basic Salsa lesson at 9PM

Third Degree

Home of the 1/2 lb Midtown Burger!

2 7

March 12: Black River Pearl

Bombay Black

22nd

Open daily at 3pm until 2am. Kitchen is open until 1:30am

March 25th:

Bonnie Montgomery For the updated schedule: www.fourquarterbar.com

415 Main St. N. Little Rock, AR

Facebook/littlerocksalsa

www.littlerocksalsa.com

{

{Favorite

Featured

Every Day Is Wine Day!

Award-winning restaurant SŌ challenges the common dining experience in Little Rock. Adam Cherepski When you walk into SŌ, you get a feeling of comfort and a sense of belonging. Even if it is your first time walking through the door, you may feel as if you have been coming there every week for the ten years that the restaurant has been open. When you cross the threshold, you may feel as if you have been transported to a New York City hotspot, but it won’t take long to receive that warm welcome that reminds you that you are, in fact, close to home. This is the realized vision of owner Jeannie Smith. Smith has not always been in the restaurant business, but as soon as she opened SŌ, she knew this is where her heart resided. With the help of general manager Thomas Spencer and executive chef Casey Copeland, the staff at SŌ have created something special in which Little Rock can take pride. SŌ brings to the table one of the most extensive and impressive wine lists in the area, with more than 400 wines to choose from. In fact, the restaurant has been awarded the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for the last six years. And they are not done there; Thomas Spencer aspires to achieve a Best of Awards of Excellence level, an award bestowed upon restaurants that exceed the requirements of the Award of Excellence. A unique feature of this wine list is the number of wines that are sold by the glass. Thomas does not feel that guests should have to buy an entire bottle of wine if they want to enjoy something exceptional—a refreshing approach, indeed. Casey Copeland always finds himself in an area of challenge when it comes to food. He challenges himself to provide the guest a unique dining experience. He challenges his staff to look at food in a different way than they ever have before—to come to work each day with fresh eyes and open minds. This can be said for a number of executive chefs, but what struck

this writer as most intriguing is the sense that Copeland also wants to challenge the guest. He wants to challenge guests to step outside of their comfort zones and look at dining in a new light, and to appreciate the art of it. This last idea is a challenging notion here in the South, but one that Copeland is passionate about, and to him it is worth the risk. Most people in the metropolitan area know of the amazing dinner offerings available at SŌ, which include an 8-ounce Cold Smoked Prime Filet as well as a remarkable Raw Bar, but there are lesser known offerings as well. Lunch is available Thursday through Saturday; menu items range from the heralded Seafood Fondue to the 3-Way Grilled Cheese. Brunch service is presented on Saturday and Sunday, when you can indulge in dishes such as the Duck Confit Hash and the Chicken and Waffle. Catering and private parties are also ways that you can experience what SŌ has to offer, and these menus can be tailored to meet your individual needs. SŌ is located at 3610 Kavanaugh Boulevard. Hours are Monday through Wednesday, 4 to 10 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. You can call (501) 663-1464, or go to sorestaurantbar.com and on Facebook.

Great craft beer selection and growler bar! 501.834.2134 Intersection of Kiehl Ave. & Hwy 107

1 0 7 l iqu o r . c om

301 N. Shackleford Rd, Ste F1 Little Rock, AR (Behind Jason’s Deli)

501-217-9355

Non-Pharmacological, Non-Surgical treatment for Non-Life Threatening musculoskeletal conditions. Full service custom orthotics center for treatment of biomechanical foot pain. Clinical Nutritional assessment focusing on whole food supplementation. Ethical outcome based practices, eliminating unnecessary office visits. Personal Injury (Auto Accident, Slip and fall) consultation and treatment.

Dr. Julian N. McMurray Chiropractic Physician

BE A LOCALIST. By Kaitlin Schmidt

Innovation Hub "Creativity is thinking up new things. Innovation is doing new things." — Theodore Levitt

oing new things is exactly what Warwick Sabin had in mind when the vision for the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub came to him. Fueled by an interest in developing the local economy and numerous other innovation hubs sprouting up all over the country, he had to ask, “What can we do to make these resources available here in Arkansas?” By resources, he meant programs and partnerships that would lead to the development and retention of talent in Arkansas through education, training, prototyping and startup and entrepreneurial opportunities. In 2014, the platform from which those resources are now offered finally arrived. Today, the Innovation Hub carries out its mission of increasing innovative and entrepreneurial activity in Arkansas through the Innovation Center, located in the Argenta District of North Little Rock. The Center has four components, “The Launch Pad, which is a maker space with cutting-edge equipment and technology; The STEAM Lab, a STEM classroom and laboratory; The Silver Mine, a

co-working space for entrepreneurs and startup incubation; and The Art Connection, which is a work program for high school students that develops leadership and innovation through hands-on training in the visual arts industry.” The non-profit also offers a myriad of programs, Hub X Gen being one of the newest. It’s a youth entrepreneurship program that partners with Junior Achievement of Arkansas to help some of our youngest talent learn how to generate, develop and execute business plans and strategies. One of the best attributes of the program is that some of the businesses that students start could end up being longterm enterprises here. The opportunities seem endless. Another one of the Hub’s newest programs is the Hub X Life Sciences Accelerator. It’s the first privately funded and industry specific business accelerator program that’s been developed in the state. Focused on the health care industry, digital healthcare platforms, health care services and medical devices specifically, it is supported by Baptist Health and Blue Cross Blue Shield, Arkansas’ largest providers and payers for health care. The plan is that some of the most innovative health care startups in the world will be innovated, grown and sustained here. Applications for entry were accepted through February 15, and the program will launch April 4. This is a true game-changer for Central Arkansas. The Innovation Hub’s Maker Space has been open since January 2015 and served more than 6,000 people, children and adults, through education, programs and memberships. The organization has also provided support for the prototyping and development of at least 100 new products and the launching of several new businesses. Members receive assistance finding access to mentorship, capital and any other needs they discover they have. The road to entrepreneurship is a balancing act, and even with superb mentorship, a lack of sufficient capital can send any new business plummeting to rock bottom. This is what makes the Hub even more spectacular. Providing access to capital in all of its various forms, microfinance, traditional bank financing, angel investing, venture capital, etc., really helps some businesses that otherwise wouldn’t have been able to get off the ground.

The art and design studios are creative spaces that provide access to a variety of media sure to attract even the most novice artistic talent. With drawing, pottery/ceramics, illustration, printmaking, graphic design and screen printing all serving as viable options for anyone visiting the facility, the resources needed to transform an artist’s idea from concept to completion are readily available. What’s great about the Innovation Hub is that virtually anyone can become a member. It’s like joining a gym: You pay a monthly fee and get access to everything in the building. It’s an inexpensive way to have a place to work, access to equipment and be around other people who are working on projects and may have expertise that can help you advance your concept. Membership also comes with free admission to classes. Adult classes are offered every evening, and children ages 10 to 15 may sign up for the After-School Warrior Membership. This provides them with entry into the afterschool workshops on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. A few concepts the workshops delve into, including robotics, coding, graphic design, video game design and woodworking, are all explored using various lessons that keep the youth members engaged and excited about everything that goes on at the Hub. During the upcoming spring months, After-School Warriors will have access to two additional workshops, Digital Storytelling, in which students will learn to create videos using audio, photography and music as well as effective video plots, and Intro To Adobe Photoshop, introducing students to the basic tools used to edit graphics. As an incentive to join the Hub, teachers, seniors and teams of up to three receive special membership rates. Want to take your class on a school field trip? The Innovation Hub works with educators to create custom learning experiences to support each class that steps foot inside the facility. Programs offered are based on four platforms: electricity, advanced manufacturing, computers and handmade products. The idea that kids can become proficient at coding and programming, product design, etc. just by going on a field trip is mind blowing. The Hub was designed to be a very comfortable place to encourage everyone to

ON THE C OV E R

visit and access what is available there. On your first visit, you may be introduced to a new piece of equipment or a new person you wouldn’t have otherwise met. Some newcomers have come looking for a safe place to express their artistic talent and found their way into starting a business using that talent. Others had no idea what they wanted but learned to design a robot during their time spent there and went on to compete in the annual ‘Beer, Brats, and Bots’ competition, a one-day, throw-down of robot wrestling challenge. Regardless of gender, age, education level, previous experience or artistic abilities, the Hub makes it easy to carve out your place. According to Director Warwick Sabin, “No matter who you are or where you’re coming from, this can be a home for you.” There’s never a shortage of excitement at The Innovation Hub. For instance, the next Maker Faire Community Night will be held Friday, March 18, 2016, from 6 to 8 p.m. If you’ve ever dreamed of creating something mind-blowing, this is where you need to be. Held every 3rd Friday of the month, participants gear up for this free event in preparation for the annual Mini Maker Faire (to be held Saturday, May 7, 2016). For anyone wishing to drop in and see what all of the hype is about, the Grand Opening

Celebration will be Thursday, March 3, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Grand Opening Ceremony, which will feature local, state and federal officials, will begin at 1:30 p.m. There will be food, tours, activities and demos. All who are interested in seeing the Innovation Hub’s workspaces for designing, making and co-working are encouraged to drop in. Information regarding programs, resources and memberships will also be available. Even more exciting than establishing an innovation hub within Central Arkansas is developing replicas around the state. Plans are already in process for a hub to be built at the Square in Fayetteville, Arkansas. In addition, Arkansas State University (ASU) was just approved for a $500,000 federal grant to build an East Arkansas Regional Innovation Center in Jonesboro. “The grant was one of 25 totaling $10 million to advance innovation and capacity-building across the nation.” Taking one spectacular idea and copying it statewide is expected to boost the Arkansas economy in ways one couldn’t have imagined before. Warwick Sabin states, “Although we are a small state, we are competing on a national and global level. Instead of competing within our state, we’d be much better off pulling our assets together and truly becoming the sum

of our parts, leveraging all of our strengths and working together.” With everything the Innovation Hub has accomplished and made available thus far, Arkansans can continue to look forward to greater innovation, talent and business development within the state. - Charlette Beasley

201 E Broadway Street North Little Rock, AR 72114

(501) 907-6570 www.arhub.org

Krafting a Community With outreach and education at heart, Piano Kraft strikes a chord in Central Arkansas. Slade Wright

A word popped into my head frequently during my hour-long conversation with Piano Kraft owner Richard Deutsch. Though he never said it himself, this word encompasses the entirety of his business plan and his personality. That word is “integrity.”

Deutsch is the kind of guy who will gladly sell you the piano that you ask for, but he’ll also take the time to point out why a different option may be better suited to your needs, even if it potentially affects his bottom line. “What we never want to do is pass inflated retail prices onto our customers. That is not a game that we are ever going to play,” he said. His experience and reputation have helped Piano Kraft become the exclusive provider of Kawai pianos in Arkansas, and his showroom has a massive selection of close to 100 new and used pianos. Deutsch has been in the business for more than 25 years, and coming out of Dallas, he saw Arkansas as a unique market with a strong sense of community. “We’ve never really wanted to be just a

retail piano shop; community outreach and community education have always been our goals,” Deutsch said, and as he listed Piano Kraft’s involvement in the surrounding areas, it became evident to me that he means it. For one, Piano Kraft sponsors the Central Arkansas Library System’s Sounds in the Stacks concert series. Sounds in the Stacks is a monthly series of free piano concerts in local area libraries, and Piano Kraft is the sole provider of pianos for the series. They partners with their SoMa neighbor, Oxford American, as part of the magazine’s Jazz Series, as well. Deutsch also sells pianos at consignment prices to charities for auctions and provides his space for tours for elementary schools and piano-building workshops for STEM programs in the city. Pulaski County School District buys its pianos from Piano Kraft for music classes and, as Piano Kraft does for all of its customers, it offers the district tuning and repair services. All home repairs and tunings are done only by Piano Kraft employees. Deutsch doesn’t want to use contract labor for customer service, because “It just provides another level of separation that we want to avoid. We want our customers to feel confident knowing that the people we send are the same people that work on repairs in our store.” Piano Kraft isn’t shipping pianos out of state to have them serviced or repaired. In fact, with the exception of refinishing, which takes place in Pine Bluff, all of their rebuilds happen within the store itself. All of this adds up to the high level of familiarity that Deutsch strives for in

his business. He also believes in surrounding himself with high quality employees and business partners; the craftsman that runs the repair shop and does in-home tunings has a master’s degree in Music. Deutsch leases space for in-store music lessons to two talented and credentialed musicians: Brian Hamby is a jazz and gospel pianist who has performed in venues throughout Arkansas and Texas, and Matthew Stone, who has been teaching guitar for more than ten years and performs for several different bands throughout the state, is Piano Kraft’s guitar instructor. Deutsch tells me that the make-up of their classes is split evenly between adults and children.

The music instructors and Piano Kraft employees all share Deutsch’s passion for passing knowledge onto the consumer. “Anyone can sell you a piano,” he said, “But we want to make sure that you get the exact piano that you need for what you want to do.”

Your

MOST TRUSTED

LOCAL piano shop 18

The largest selection of grand, vertical & digital pianos in Arkansas. NEW: Yamaha · Kawai · Young Chang USED: Steinway · Baldwin & More! Offering Service, Tuning, Repair, Moving, & Complete Restoration Guitars & Guitar Assessories now available!

1222 South Main Street · Little Rock , AR · 501-372-1446 · www.pianokraft.com

Since 1870 Bennett’s Military Supplies has been Arkansas’ oldest and largest store of its kind.

Ceiling Lights • Wall Lights • Fans • Exterior Lighting LED • Furniture • Lamps • Home Accents

w w w.t e c e l e c t r i c .c o m We specialize in: · Genuine Military Items · Boots Clothing · Packs & Gear & Airsoft Products

608 Main Street · Little Rock

501-372-2944

9221 Maumelle Blvd. • North Little Rock, AR • 501.758.5483

ne, i W ff 1/2 O r u o H y Happ ngs i t s a T e & Win

n fu Join us on

MondayS

for 1/2 off wine!

Bottles $30-$65 are half price Bottles over $65 are $25 off

Monday Wine Tastings

5:30 PM $20 per person • 4 wines plus small bites Different region or theme featured each Monday. Stay for dinner and get 10% off your meal!

Lunch • BRUNCH • Dinner • Catering • Private Dining

Happy Hour: Mon.-Fri., 3-6 P.M. $5 You-Call-It Martinis (Top Shelf excluded) $5 house wine $2 DOmestic bottles 1/2 price appetizers at the bar

(501) 821-1144 • 17711 Chenal Parkway • Little Rock • yayasar.com 19

Bringing a unique twist to central Arkansas Kaitlin Schmidt What started eight years ago, has evolved into a weekly event for many people in Little Rock. Little Rock Salsa began in 2008 at The Rev Room, offering a weekly lesson and Salsa night to local dance enthusiasts. The group moved to a few different restaurants around Little Rock, outgrowing each space one by one. With the growing attendance, the group sought a larger facility that could host more than 250 people. Little Rock Salsa teamed up with Juanita’s to have Salsa Night every Friday in the concert space. When it closed late last year, Little Rock Salsa moved with the Juanita’s promoters over to the Metroplex Event Center to continue having Friday night Salsa lessons and dancing; growing the attendance once again. The interesting part about participating in an event like this is the dynamic of the night. This is what really drives Little Rock Salsa. Jorge Gutierrez tells us, “You go to any bar or club and have to approach people and meet new faces, but at our Salsa nights, we start out each night with a lesson.” During each of these lessons, dancers rotate with other beginners that they may have never met before and get to know everyone. An added bonus is that you already have something in common. “From the get go, you start meeting people. Once the lesson is over, you can stick around for dancing all night with people you’ve met," Gutierrez said. "Its almost in a sense, speed dating. The funny part is how many people have gotten to know each other and have ended up getting married. I can count at least 10 couples I know that have met at Salsa night and ended up getting married. It is a great way to have fun and experience something different here in Little Rock.” After having success with Salsa nights over the years, a couple of other groups began hosting dance nights as well. “We were the first in Little Rock, and we provide our audience with the best entertainment experience. Our teachers are highly experienced and teach beginners that are interested in going out dancing but don’t know how. The teachers and our music selection truly make a difference”, said Gutierrez. “We have very experienced instructors that include Lisa Harper, myself and Andy Davis, all of which have been dancing for around 10 years.” Head over to the Metroplex every Friday night and check it out for yourself. The lessons start at 9pm, and general dancing starts at 10pm. See the ad on page 14 for more information. 20

FOR APPLE & ANDROID

Stay tuned to Facebook & Instagram for updates!

APP LAUNCHING

in march!

Where Food & Wine Intersect... Come Have A Taste!

LOCALLY GROWN

HEALTHY FOODS

Meats Vegetables Fruit Honey Ice Cream Coffee Flowers

Walk-ins or weekly meal plans by Chef Ryan MerrittMcGehee

SPECIALTY/ GOURMET Fine Wines & Spirits Cheese Artisan Products Imported Foods

405 E 3rd St. Little Rock, AR (501) 791-6700

www.strattonsmarketlr.com

What started as a personal desire for quality, fast, healthy food options has turned into a local fitness and clean-eating staple. The Clean Eatery, located within Stratton’s Market in downtown Little Rock, takes great pride in offering only the freshest organic foods and maintaining five-star quality ratings. The biggest gap in fitness, weight loss/gain and athletics are the foods we eat. When trying to stay on track, it’s nice to have somewhere to go that supports your goals and satisfies your taste buds. The Clean Eatery does just that.

In this issue, we wanted to ask owner Ryan about the types of meals he prepare and the importance of a balanced, correctly portioned diet. You may be wondering what kind of meals Clean Eatery offers. Ryan told us, “The meals are new every week. Everything from vegetarian, to paleo to vegan to pescetarian (vegetarian with fish), and even the occasional ‘pegan’ which is the paleo/vegan combo. Every client’s needs are different, so we make sure that each individual meal is tailored to their specific needs and tastes.” The food itself in this program is based on helping a person achieve his goals, not just for subsistence. When it comes to portion control, Ryan says this is important for controlling your metabolism. If you are eating correctly portioned meals throughout the day, your metabolism can operate at a high speed. “Think about if you’re doing 80 miles per hour and you hit a speed bump. It’s the same thing for your body. Not to mention the types of food you’re filling it with. Different types of fats, types of sugars… they provide a different type of viscosity, so to speak. Think of the motor oil in your car. If it’s really heavy and thick, your car is not going to run correctly. The cleaner it is, the better it runs. So you have to constantly change that out regularly,” says Ryan.

Ryan and the Clean Eatery team want you to stay motivated during 2016. Each prepared meal program has a variety of options to hold you accountable and successful. Along with the online support and information group we mentioned in the last issue, Ryan has added a few more dimensions to the business. “We have partnered with the Diet Shop which is on Hwy 10 to bring supplements into our programs that people can buy from them and we can deliver with the meals. Whether it is proteins, fat burners, testosterone, all the different things

that people really need. Secondly, we have also been working with Ken Clark of Chenal Family Therapy to create a psychological or counseling side that people can take of advantage of if they are struggling with mental health as well as physical health. A lot of the times the two correlate.” Clean Eatery can help a person at any level. Whether it be at the gym, body building, training for a marathon or just losing 20 pounds, The Clean Eatery has options. If you feel like getting healthy is going to be difficult or that food is just not going to taste as good as what you’re used to, give Clean Eatery a call and chat about your options. Go by The Clean Eatery today to find out how they can lead you down the road a new view of eating clean and living well. Visit The Clean Eatery at their new location

10720 N Rodney Parham Rd. Little Rock, AR

501-259-5491

Meal Prep Programs Complete Plan - 20 Meals+5 Snacks - $165 Basic Plan - 15 Meals - $125 Plan Add Ons Add a Spouse - $65 Add a Child - $25 Bulking Option - $30 Meals are prepared fresh daily and delivered immediately. Our food is not meant to be sustainable beyond 72 hours. It is meant to be eaten. Meals are typically 50% veggies, 30% meat & 20% grains and nuts. Male: 40g protein, 8-10oz veggies, 18-22% fat Female: 30g protein, 8-10oz veggies, 18-20% fat 21

Playing for Keeps

Little Rock Rangers Soccer Club kickstarts the soccer craze in Arkansas and sets a goal of growing it for future generations.

ON THE C OV E R

Melissa Tucker When Jonathan Wardlaw’s children began taking soccer more seriously, he did, too. As his kids began competing in tournaments in neighboring states — and losing — he realized how much soccer is lagging in Arkansas. So, with the state’s future players in mind, he set up the Little Rock Rangers Soccer Club to unite fans and to help create a more stable root system for kids as they grow into the sport. “The sport here is so far behind, and we

lose a lot of our kids to the more traditional sports,” he said. “And our town is so small, but yet we have so many different clubs that our youth talent gets spread out. I wanted to start this club to somehow unify the clubs and at the same time give the younger kids something to maybe aspire to, so they didn’t quit and go play something else instead.” “By bringing in these college age players to play for this team that we’ve started, some of these guys may stick around and become coaches,” he said. “And that’s so valuable because the kids relate to a 20-something much better than a 40-year-old dad.” Wardlaw knew he wanted Little Rock to be part a national soccer system, but his initial research unearthed leagues that were “crazy expensive.” When he learned about the much more affordable National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), he set off for the league’s championships in Chattanooga, Tenn. He was completely sold. “They had around 18,000 people at their championship game,” he said. “Chattanooga is a little smaller than Little Rock, and although they’re a bit more progressive, the cities aren't much different. I thought, ‘If they can do it, we can do it.’”

So, the process continued. From start to finish, setting up the local club took about three months. “We went to the championship game, and the following week I filled out the application, and it was basically just wait-and-see mode from that point on. We started designing our crest — my wife and I designed that, I have a Landscape Architecture degree so that was the fun part — and then I went out and found some of these founders to help come up with the buy-in fee. We were approved in October.” Wardlaw became president and general manager of the nonprofit Little Rock Rangers Soccer Club and secured War Memorial Stadium for the home games, which will host the first home game on April 22 — a friendly first-leg of the series against Memphis for the I-40 Cup. Subsequent games are scheduled through conference play-offs in July and the NPSL Championship on August 7. He says the Rangers’ season shouldn’t conflict with the Razorbacks athletics and will give the state’s rabid fans another thing to cheer about during the summers. “If I can get more than 1,000 fans at each of our games this year, I think it’ll be a success. That’s my goal,” he said. “I think if people in Little Rock would give it a chance and go to some games, they’d fall in love with it. Our fan base in Arkansas is a little crazy … we’re kind of notorious for being the rabid crazy fans, and this would be another outlet for that. Soccer is also a very easy sport to schedule around. Basically there are two 45 minute halves and the clock doesn’t stop. For the most part you’re at a game for a max of around two hours.” Though the games will be at War Memorial, Wardlaw is looking into non-traditional concessions ideas that cater to the sport’s fanbase. “We’re not going to have just a traditional ‘show up, buy your $10 ticket, and go inside and sit down’ deal. Stadium management is allowing me have a pre-game tailgate with various food trucks, and we will also serve local beer in the stadium during the game from breweries in town,” he said. Wardlaw said his all-volunteer coaching staff is in place, and all of them coach at different youth clubs and at different levels. “One is a college coach, a couple are youth club directors or coaches here in central Arkansas. Then one is the director of coaching for the state for all the youth organizations,” he said. “Most clubs all look to the Arkansas State Soccer

Association (ASSA) — it’s the league the youth organizations play in — and she’s the one who teaching the coaching clinics, providing curriculum for the youth coaches. Having her on staff is such an asset in that she can see where our older (Rangers) players might be lacking and attempt to make changes in our youth programs. It’s basically a ‘coaching by committee,’ they all just want to see the sport grow and get better here.” The league is for adult men but technically has no age requirements. It’s geared towards the college-aged soccer player, Wardlaw said. “The season runs basically through the summer when those college players are on break, but a soccer player is kind of like a marathon runner, they have to stay fit. If they take a month off, they can basically lose all of their game time fitness. So all of the college coaches, players, parents, they love this league. It keeps the kids out of trouble, and they’re actually able to stay fit the whole summer. It’s kind of a win, win for everybody.” The first round of tryouts were held in January and brought about 130 hopefuls to the field. Wardlaw and his staff whittled those down to just under 40 players. Another round of tryouts will be held April 2, which will have more of a red/white scrimmage feel, Wardlaw said. He was amazed by the people who came out of nowhere to try out, and he says that with this club, he feels like he’s unearthed a latent love of the game in Arkansans. “Kevin Kelly with Channel 16 came and tried out, and we asked him if he wanted to coach,” Wardlaw said. “It’s been really awesome, all of the people who you had no clue were interested in the sport that’ve been really supportive — guys that run pizza places, Matt Jones, the former Razorback. I don't think he ever played soccer, but he’s a huge soccer fan.” Despite the enthusiasm the Rangers generate this season, Wardlaw continues to plan for future generations. He hopes to eventually offer scholarships to young players — especially minorities whose families can’t afford the expenses of club soccer. “It’s too expensive for some families to put their kids in club soccer. With all the travel and the uniforms and everything you have to buy, it can be $3,000 to $4,000 a year,” he said. “So, one of my goals with this is to start giving those kids scholarships to play for club teams, and to get all of these kids playing together.” 23

Open Hours Thurday: 1pm - 9pm Saturday: 11am - 10pm Friday: 1pm - 10pm Sunday: 11am - 8pm

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501-301-4963 | 323 S. Cross St, Suite C, Little Rock, AR

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Why is

Local

Shopping

Important to You

JACK SUNDELL

Shopping local keeps dollars in our community. If you spend your money at a chain store, the majority goes out of state, whereas if you spend your dollars with a locally owned business the money stays right here in Central Arkansas. The goal is for that same money to be spent over and over again right here in our community, and each time it changes hands it benefits our local economy, our schools, our libraries, and our city parks. Talk about getting the best bang for your buck!

EARTH DAY Join us April 23rd at The Bernice Garden in SoMa for an Earth Day celebration! 12-4 PM

Owner of The Root Cafe

Where every day is Earth Day!

Not only are you supporting the dream of a local entrepreneur, but local businesses tend to have more character. There is a greater sense of community, and definitely a more personal experience to be had when shopping, eating, or drinking locally. I am so proud of what Argenta and the rest of central Arkansas has done to support their local businesses. Local is my jam!

1423 Main St, Little Rock, AR 501-374-1111 thegreencornerstore.com

HEATHER BABER Owner of Maddox

We are as passionate about our beads as our customers are about the jewelry they create. It’s a joy to go to market and not have to buy with some rigid national sales plan, but to buy with our customers in mind – Marsha would love these pearls, Amy would die for this garnet, Carol is going to be thrilled with this monkey pendant, we can’t wait to see what Tamara will do with this carved bone piece. Our shop is a reflection of our customer’s interests and desires. We sift through box after box, climb ladders and even crawl under tables to find just the right beads and pieces that appeal to them.

ELLEN ROY Owner of Argenta Bead Company

We are invested in this community we call home. We love setting up at the Argenta Farmer’s Market and letting kids (of all ages) make a free bracelet. We are thrilled to drop into a Hillcrest boutique or walk the booths at The SOMA Cornbread Festival and recognize our beads in the jewelry sold there. We glow when our waitress at Diamond Bear proudly shows off the earrings she just made. Why buy local? It helps keep us all connected.

Jewelry ♥ Home Decor ♥ Apparel ♥ Vintage Finds Rent our party crafting room for your special occasion! 27 N. Broadview St. Greenbrier, AR

501-679-2461

Wed-Fri: 10am-5pm Sat: 10am-4pm

The Right Mix By combining throwback vibes and fresh updates, the Metroplex aims to bring a better live music experience to Little Rock. - Slade Wright

The new venture at the Metroplex is in many ways a throwback. Metroplex promoter James Snyder said, “We really wanted to bring back the vibe of the early 2000’s in the Little Rock music scene.” After hearing him lay out his plans for the next several months, it is clear that he means it. From the start, the team at the Metroplex has been planning a series of $5 “low-dough” shows to hammer home that throwback feel— like the high quality, but affordable shows that were the hallmark of the music scene in Little Rock circa 2005-2006. Working with 100.3 The Edge radio, low dough shows with grammy nominated Highly Suspect, 90’s grunge rock

band Candlebox, and newer popular acts like Devour The Day, and Shaman’s Harvest are all coming to the venue soon. Before you assume this is simply a nostalgia pull, just as many things are going to change as are staying the same. Using a powerful line array of full range speaker boxes and the latest technologies in amplification and processing brings a professional sonic quality to the venue that is a far cry from its warehouse days of old. The venue itself has had a facelift, both aesthetically, with a lighting design that borders on elegant, and functionally, with a fully scalable room and mobile stage. It is this scalability that truly sets the Metroplex apart from other venues in the area. The size of the venue can range anywhere from intimate shows of 300 people that Snyder affectionately referred to as “Juanita’s shows” to the 800 person club shows that made the Village a Little Rock staple in years past to shows of up to 2,500 people like we’ve seen in Robinson Auditorium. This kind of adaptability really opens the doors to a wide variety of artists in both style and notoriety. The Metroplex will also host Salsa lessons and dancing on Friday nights. All of this comes with the added benefit of easy access to I-430 and a large dedicated parking lot. Complete with a full bar and ample seating, shows that were once standing room only at Juanita’s will become more comfortable for crowds of any size. As for Juanita’s, Snyder tackled the question

head-on: “We know, obviously, that Juanita’s didn’t work out the way that we wanted, but we want to continue to do the part we were good at, which is to aggressively seek out great artists and bring those shows to Little Rock.” The initial plan is to present between five and ten shows a month, ranging from hard rock and metal to alt-country, alt-rock, and folk. For Snyder and company, all genres are on the table. They simply want to bring the best music and bands to Little Rock. “We look at venues like Minglewood in Memphis or The Pageant in St. Louis and the types of shows that they bring in and we ask, ‘Why do I have to travel to see shows like this?’ Those are the shows we are targeting,” Snyder said. High-end production value, club-show visual appeal and venue adaptability are the biggest changes to hit this venue, and they without a doubt are all improvements, but as stated previously, this place is still a bit of a throwback. The legacy of what has been left behind is not lost on James. “I’m sure there are people who are sad Juanita’s is gone, and maybe some that are happy too,” he said. “But for those worried about our local scene with the absence of Juanita’s, the spirit of that place and those shows are alive and well, and we think you’ll like this even better.” Several shows are already in the works at the Metroplex. Check out www.metroplexlive.com for upcoming dates and details.

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March 1st

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24218 I-30 N Bryant, AR 72022 (take exit 126) Just 2 miles from the old location at 9700 Hwy 5 N.

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See our full line up of Turf, Ag and Construction Equipment 26

FEATURED RECIPE

RIBEYE WITH CUTTING BOARD CHIMICHURRI INGREDIENTS: Ω 22 oz. Bone-In Ribeye Ω 1 Jalepeno Ω 3 Cloves Garlic, chopped Ω 1 Lemon, halved Ω 1 Bunch Parsley Ω 2 tbs. Olive Oil Ω 1 tsp. Fresh Cracked Pepper Ω 1 tsp. Course Salt

DIRECTIONS: 1. Rub Steak with 1 tbs. olive oil,1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. pepper, and 1 1/2 chopped garlic cloves; and let sit out for 20 minutes (while charcoal is getting ready) 2. Grill steak for 4-6 minutes on each side, closing lid of grill for the last 4 minutes, also grill lemon until slightly charred. 3. On cutting board add parsley, jalapeños, and rest of salt, pepper, garlic, olive oil and chop until incorporated.

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4. Remove steak from grill and let rest on parsley mixture for 6 minutes, flipping half way throughout. 5. Slice steak into 1/2 inch slices and squeeze grilled lemon to taste

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MarkhamSt Hundreds of Little Rock’s most impassioned TEDx enthusiasts will come together Friday, September 30 for a day of networking and dialogue around the theme "New Beginnings." The event will take place at the Ron Robinson Theater in Little Rock, Ark., and will feature an incredible line-up of speakers on topics ranging from innovations in education to health to technology and the arts. An art show will be held concurrently with the conference in the atrium of the Ron Robinson Theater. Attendees will also have an opportunity to network at an on-site lunch event and off-site dinner event. The event will be on live webcast as well, and people can watch from satellite locations set up in Little Rock. “We had an amazing turnout last year and hope to capitalize on the enthusiasm and support from the community. A foundation has been set to make a lasting impact, and we hope to continue this positive growth. It is my hope that TEDxMarkhamSt becomes a mainstay in the Little Rock community and helps shed light on students and professionals alike,” said

Salil Joshi, TEDxMarkhamSt founder and organizing committee member. “The event will offer the Little Rock community an opportunity to share its passion and ideas with communities in the United States and the world.” TEDxMarkhamSt is also hosting a Student Speaker Competition, sponsored by Webster University Little Rock Area on February 27, 2016. Dr. Kelly Lyon, Director of Webster University Little Rock, said this about TEDxMarkhamSt: “Last year, the inaugural TEDxMarkhamSt demonstrated Little Rock was ready to embrace new ways of thinking. I was moved and motivated to get involved with TEDx Markham St, and hosting the student competition enables us to simultaneously support a community asset and offer students an opportunity to hone their critical thinking and communication skills. It’s a win-win.” The independently produced event, operated under a license from TED, was organized by community volunteers and is aimed at creating dialogue as well as giving people a forum to share their passions, ideas and experiences. Event sponsors will be officially released on a later date.

More Information Tickets are $15 for students, $45 for general admission and $90 for general admission with dinner. A formal gala will also be held this year honoring current and former TEDxMarkhamSt speakers on September 29. Those who wish to attend can purchase tickets at www.tedxmarkhamst.org, where you can also find more information about the event, how to volunteer or learn how your company can sponsor.

About TED TED is a non-profit organization devoted to "ideas worth spreading." Started as a fourday conference in California 25 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing

501-343-7225 mikerussellphotography.com

ideas with multiple initiatives. The annual TED Conference invites the world's leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes. In the spirit of "ideas worth spreading," TED has created TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, selforganized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.

Designing Hope is a non profit organization committed to the empowerment of burn survivors by promoting physical and emotional healing. Designing Hope ensures the success and growth of programs like Camp Sunshine and SOAR for survivors.

www.designing-hope.org 501-301-4913.

What’s That Sound?

Locally-owned Dogtown Sound turns the music-buying experience up to 11. By Susie Cowan

520 North Maple St. North Little Rock, AR 501.712.1214 www.argentaﬂats.com

835 S. Donaghey Ave Conway, AR 72034 501.328.2179 www.centerstoneconway.com

Dogtown Sound, a new music store in North Little Rock, is lovingly and appropriately referred to as “Local musicians serving local musicians.” Longtime friends and fellow musicians, Andy Warr, Jason Tedford and Adrian Bozeman opened Dogtown Sound with the old momand-pop independent business model, but with a contemporary and community-minded approach. According to Bozeman, “This town [North Little Rock] is starved for a local music store,” and Dogtown’s intention is to feed that hunger. Musicians themselves, all three owners know the familiar story of buying and trading instruments. According to Bozeman, “When you’re a musician; you’re broke. So you trade up, trade up, trade up.” Dogtown Sound makes this a more efficient process. One thing they didn’t count on that has been a welcomed surprise is the rare instruments that have come through the door since they opened. Even if they don’t have something you are specifically looking for in stock, they very well could have a line on someone who does have it available. Bozeman mentioned that even if you made a deal on Craigslist, Dogtown Sound is a safe place to meet up and have your transaction supervised by someone in the industry. Dogtown Sound is more than just a music store. Yes, they sell, buy, set up, repair and trade musical instruments, but they also have an inhouse micro-venue to hold open workshops, performances and a jam space. The first workshop is set for October 29 with the world renowned finger picker Richard Gilewitz. He will hold two finger picking guitar workshops and a ukulele workshop as well as perform the night before. Dogtown Sound will work with local community radio to promote and broadcast different shows from the store, where the micro-venue provides an intimate and family-friendly environment.

Another aspect of the business is the ability to rent out pro audio equipment and set up sound at private and community events. Basically, if you need help with anything to do with instruments, music or sound, these guys can help you find an answer; whether or not they provide the service, they can lead you in the right direction. This writer’s conversation with the Dogtown Sound crew kept returning to how they want to support the music scene in Arkansas by working in conjunction with local venues, production companies and musicians. When asked what made Dogtown Sound different from other music stores, Tedford compared the corporate music stores to corporate radio by saying that they force-feed you the products that they want you to buy. He said those stores do serve their purpose, but Dogtown Sound is where you go when you are looking for something different and unique by a small staff that can cater to your specific needs. Bozeman continued by saying that they want Dogtown Sound to be a place where people from all walks of life can connect through music. Dogtown Sound caters to musicians of all levels of expertise. You don’t have to be a professional gigging musician to appreciate what these guys have to offer. You don’t even have to play an instrument to enjoy visiting the store. Dogtown Sound is located in Park Hill Shopping Center at 4012 John F. Kennedy Blvd. in North Little Rock. Find them online at www. dogtownsound.com or on Facebook.

BUY, SELL OR TRADE NEW and USED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS SETUP & REPAIRS PRO AUDIO RENTALS 4012 JFK Blvd. N. Little Rock, AR

www.dogtownsound.com Local Musicians Serving Local Musicians

501.478.9663 Tues-Fri 12-8 Sat 10-8 Sun 12-4 29

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Subscriptions now available! Call 501.554.1126 for more info! Keeping you connected to everything local.

JANUARY 1 - DECEMBER 31: Centennial Iron Ranger Challenge

APRIL 9 - NOVEMBER 12 Just HIKE (Hot Springs)

This year-long program is open to anyone who accepts the challenge of hiking, biking, walking, running, or paddling 100 miles over the course of the year on public lands in Arkansas. Guided hikes will be offered at Buffalo national River the first weekend of every month. See www. ironranger2016ar.com for info about logging your miles. Participants who complete the program will earn a certificate and patch.

Every second Saturday you are able to join Hot Springs National Park staff for a recreation hike. This program is designed for people wanting to learn how to hike;experienced hikers are welcomed, too. Starting with a program about hiking and short hike, the hikes will gradually be lengthened and become more difficult to build your hiking endurance and confidence. MAY 20 - 21 BioBlitz (Hot Springs)

N OPE

314 Maple Street N. Little Rock (in Argenta)

HOURS: WED / THURS 4-9 PM FRI / SAT 12-9 PM SUN 12-8 PM

Jayson Cain Interiors

501-350-8868

FEBRUARY 20 - DECEMBER 17 Centennial Cinema (Pea Ridge) Every 3rd Saturday Pea Ridge National Military Park will host Centennial movie nights where we will showcase national park films from parks across the United States. Please check the Facebook page for the latest information on dates and times. MARCH 12, 26 at 1 PM APRIL 9, 23 at 10 AM Central High Bicycle Tours (Little Rock) Pedal the crisis of 1957 on a Civil Rights Bike Tour. Tours are approximately 7 miles and last 1-1.5 hours. Participants need to be at least 13. For more info or to make your reservation, call 501-374-1957. Miles from this tour can be counted towards your Iron Ranger Challenge. APRIL 16-24: National Park Week & Earth Day (Buffalo)

501.960.4802

• On Saturday, April 16 the Buffalo National Park will host a paddleboard workshop at the Ozark Campground. • On Friday, April 22 Buffalo National Park will celebrate Earth Day by doing a river cleanup. • On Saturday, April 23 the upper district will host a float from Steel Creek to Kyles Landing followed by a concert at Steel Creek by National Park Radio.

Lace up your boots and join park staff and subject knowledge experts in the field to find and learn about the park's fungi and reptiles. Or, join one of the programs about fungi and reptiles along bathhouse row..This BioBlitz will expand the park's and your knowledge about the natural environment at Hot Springs. MAY 20 - 21 Caddisfly BioBlitz (Buffalo River) This BioBlitz will allow park staff & students to participate in citizen science program and survey adult caddisflies in the vicinity of Steel Creek. OCTOBER 16 Buffalo River Biathlon This inaugural event will consist of a 6.1 mile trail run on the Buffalo River Trail from Dillards Ferry to Spring Creek followed by a 4.6 mile canoe/ kayak race from Spring Creek back to Dillards Ferry.

Come out for the Grand Re-opening! Nov 5th 5-7pm

food games

prizes fun

www.SubaruofLittleRock.com 12121 Colonel Glenn Rd. Little Rock, AR 72210 501-503-5454

Disclaimer: subject to vehicle msrp price and availabilty one or more stock numbers to choose from.

2016 Subaru Forester STOCK NUMBER: S5958 MSRP: $27,984.00 LOCAL SALE PRICE: $26,080.00 31

411 Publications P.O. Box 1853 N. Little Rock, AR 72115

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T H E I R O N YA R D.C O M / L I T T L E R O C K G I V E U S A C A L L : (5 01) 2 6 0 - 7 9 98