ARKANSAS’S WEEKLY NEWSPAPER OF POLITICS AND CULTURE ■ december 2, 2010
www.arktimes.com
‘My heart to shatter’ A family recovers, a friend visits, a child calls a sex-abuse hotline. BY MARA LEVERITT PAGE 10
2 December 2, 2010 • ARKANSAS TIMES
The INsIder
Wills’ ‘good deed’
n House Speaker Robbie Wills, who lost a primary race for Congress in the spring, mailed letters to all state political candidates following the general election. He congratulated winners and offered praise to losers for trying. When we say “all” candidates we mean “all.” Wills sent letters to write-in candidate, too. One them, white supremacist Billy Roper, a write-in candidate for governor, posted Wills’ letter on his White Revolution website. That drew the notice of the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups. It commented on its website: “Wills may have been blithely unaware of Roper’s malodorous reputation, but state and national media, as well as Roper’s opponents, were well informed of it.” Roper is proud of his views and Wills’ letter, which said in part, “It takes a special person to put their name on the ballot, and it says a lot about you that you had so many willing to help you with your campaign.” Roper got 49 votes. After the Arkansas Blog noticed the attention given Wills, he responded: “Oh, for crying out loud. Yes, I sent a letter to every person who ran for office. But to suggest that that means anything other than that I appreciate the democratic process is just silly. After all, the ACLU has repeatedly fought to protect the first amendment rights of the KKK. That doesn’t mean they — or you — endorse the substance of what they are saying. I don’t endorse anything Mr. Roper stands for and have asked that he stop using the form letter to imply such on his website. Honestly, until the Southern Poverty Law Center contacted me, I didn’t know that much about him or his extreme views.”
Griffin’s stunt backfires
n Tim Griffin, heading to Congress in January to succeed U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder, managed to get himself featured prominently in a Wall Street Journal feature on freshmen Republicans who’ll bed down in their offices to save rent and demonstrate they are not professional politicians intent on embedding themselves permanently in the Washington culture. Griffin said he’d shower in the House gym and spend every weekend in Arkansas. Ben Smith of Politico wasn’t unduly impressed. He noted Griffin’s career, composed almost entirely of political work for the Republican Party and the White House and his controversial effort to wangle a U.S. attorney slot by deposing Bud Cummins. After reciting Griffin’s resume, Smith wrote: “Which is to say — and this is perhaps more praise than criticism — that the sleepovers might better be described as ‘the ultimate I-am-aprofessional-politician stunt.’ ”
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Smart talk
Contents
Thank-you note gone awry
9 Big spending
at the airport brian chilson
n The Southern Poverty Law Center gave House Speaker Robbie Wills a little unwanted publicity last week. Wills, who lost a race for Congress this year, sent form letters to all state political candidates — congratulations for winners and attaboys for losers. And we mean ALL can- REP. ROBBIE WILLS didates. He even wrote white supremacist Billy Roper, who piled up all of 49 votes as a write-in candidate for governor. “It takes a special person to put their name on the ballot, and it says a lot about you that you had so many willing to help you with your campaign,” Wills’ letter reads. “You should be very proud of your campaign and you have my admiration and respect for making the effort. … I hope you will consider running for office again in the future.” Roper touted the letter on his White Revolution website, which is apparently where the discrimination-fighting SPLC picked up on it. Wills said in response to criticism that he treated all candidates equally and the letter constituted no endorsement of Roper or his ideas. Said Wills: “He was a candidate and thus received a letter. The fact is anyone can run for office — no matter how crazy — and that’s what makes America great. I was just trying to be nice but, as it usually happens when I do that, no good deed goes unpunished.”
BIG TICKET: Arkansas-LSU tickets became pricey.
Premium tickets n Ticket scalping is illegal in Arkansas, but it occurs. There was a busy eBay market in tickets to last week’s sold-out Razorback-LSU game at War Memorial Stadium. A pair on the 50-yard-line went for $235 each the day before. Vendors also worked the fringes of the tailgating crowd, seeking and selling tickets, with prices quoted in the $150 to $250 range for the tickets, which had a $65 face value. Some sold items of nominal value, with tickets thrown in, as a scalping avoidance device. A sign on one truck read: “Two Cokes for sale — $16,000. 16 game tickets included.” We didn’t inquire if the offer was serious. As usual, prices dropped rapidly as kickoff approached. We have reports that several tickets were sold at face value right at game time. Police were at work, too. Undercover Little Rock cops made three scalping busts.
Tracking hate n The Southern Poverty Law Center, which caused a little discomfort for House Speaker Robbie Wills (see adjacent item), also made headlines last week for officially declaring that the Family Research Council, a leading promoter of conservative political causes, was a hate group on account of its anti-gay speech. Council leaders have suggested imprisonment of gays, among other things, and have cast gays as more likely to commit sex crimes. There’s a local angle. James Dobson, the rightwing preacher, established the Family Research Council. He also helped establish the Arkansas Family Council. It is actively anti-gay, also, and is listed on DOBSON the national Family Research Council’s website as an allied organization. The Arkansas group is independent financially and legally, however, if not in spirit.
The review continues of spending practices at Little Rock National Airport, the latest of our reports of hundreds of thousands of dollars in expense account spending by top officials. — By Leslie Newell Peacock
10 A phone call away
A hotline call finally brought an end to an 11-year-old child’s molestation by a family friend. But they are still picking up the pieces. — By Mara Leveritt
16 LR budget ideas
A suggestion for City Hall: Hire more cops, firemen or garbage men instead of sending taxpayer money for secretive use by the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce. — By Max Brantley
Departments 3 The Insider 4 Smart Talk 5 The Observer 6 Letters 7 Orval 8-15 News 16 Opinion 19 Arts & Entertainment 37 Dining 39 Crossword/ Tom Tomorrow 46 Lancaster
Words n Block that lateral: A TV announcer said the other day that the word lateral no longer appears in the football rulebook. What used to be called a lateral is now referred to as a “backward pass,” he said. Disturbing news. The lateral was a part of gridiron tilts as far back as I can remember. What’s next? Elimination of the flying wedge? Speaking of gridiron, Nathania Sawyer says she’s working on a project related to the old Farkleberry Follies, and “I’m trying to figure out when/how political satire, sketch-based shows became known as gridiron shows.” The question is surprisingly difficult. Learning how a football field came to be called a gridiron is easy. The original gridiron was “a utensil consisting of parallel metal bars on which to broil meat or 4 DECEMBER 2, 2010 • ARKANSAS TIMES
Doug smith doug@arktimes.com
other food.” Somebody looking down on a football field from the stands thought the yard-line stripes made the field resemble a gridiron. The usage appeared in print no later than 1897, according to “Listening to America.” But the use of gridiron to refer to “political satire, sketch-based shows” is not so easily explained. Though it’s been around for awhile, this use isn’t acknowledged by some dictionaries. My guess is somebody reasoned that the people who were mocked in these shows were “feeling the heat,” figuratively — that is, be-
ing broiled. Similar programs, involving several speakers humorously deriding an honoree/butt, are called roasts. On the other hand, one definition of gridiron is “a structure above the stage of a theater, from which hung scenery and the like are manipulated.” But why would that sense be applied to political satire shows more than any other kind of show? n Richard Portis, M.D., responds to our discussion of bites and cuts Nov. 18. He agrees that the wound left by a pit bull wouldn’t normally be called a cut, but he says that doctors wouldn’t call it a bite, either, because a bite implies only a puncture, whereas pit bulls bite and then rip the flesh from the victim. A physician would probably call such a wound a laceration, Portis says.
VOLUME 37, NUMBER 13 ARKANSAS TIMES (ISSN 0164-6273) is published each week by Arkansas Times Limited Partnership, 201 East Markham Street, 200 Heritage Center West, P.O. Box 34010, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72203, phone (501) 375-2985. Periodical postage paid at Little Rock, Arkansas, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ARKANSAS TIMES, P.O. Box 34010, Little Rock, AR, 72203. Subscription prices are $42 for one year, $78 for two years. Subscriptions outside Arkansas are $49 for one year, $88 for two years. Foreign (including Canadian) subscriptions are $168 a year. For subscriber service call (501) 375-2985. Current single-copy price is 75¢, free in Pulaski County. Single issues are available by mail at $2.50 each, postage paid. Payment must accompany all single-copy orders. Reproduction or use in whole or in part of the contents without the written consent of the publishers is prohibited. Manuscripts and artwork will not be returned or acknowledged unless sufficient return postage and a self-addressed stamped envelope are included. All materials are handled with due care; however, the publisher assumes no responsibility for care and safe return of unsolicited materials. All letters sent to ARKANSAS TIMES will be treated as intended for publication and are subject to ARKANSAS TIMES’ unrestricted right to edit or to comment editorially.
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The Observer got a summons last week: Time for jury duty. We duly reported for the orientation and got the skinny on what our citizenship required of us. Then the judge came in, and injected a little humor into the proceedings. He asked how many folks had never been in the Pulaski County Courthouse before and a smattering of hands went up. “I’ll bet you were surprised to see Elvis Presley’s bust” in the lobby, he said. He was referring, of course, to the bust of Count Pulaski, and it’s probably a joke he tells every jury, but we’ve never been called and we thought it was pretty funny. Elvis would have loved the count’s outfit. Then the judge assured us that it was extremely unlikely we’d be sequestered for any trial. There’s only been one sequestered jury in the past 30 years, he said, during the celebrated murder trial of Mary Lee Orsini. “We had a state police guard out there” to protect the jury, the judge — who was deputy prosecutor at the time — said, “because we had a crazy sheriff.” Guffaws from the older future members of the jury.
Our man in Hot Springs was musing last week about the number of churches in his town and their unusual names. “The Church of Philadelphia seems to be missing the mark by about a thousand miles. Harvey’s Chapel begs the question: Who is Harvey? Do the Living Water and River of Life Churches have some connection? Will the Clean Heart Ministry interfere with a pacemaker? The Holy Ghost Headquarters is on West Hobson Avenue. It seems a bit odd to me that an entity that knows all and sees all would choose that particular stretch of Hobson for a corporate HQ. “Upon hearing the name of the Gospel Light Church I mistook it to be Gospel Lite. My comment that a church that delivers its sermons with a little less fire and brimstone might be refreshing was not received as the compliment it was intended to be. “It is against this backdrop of hundreds of churches with complex and confusing names that this next story should be viewed. “One afternoon I was driving slowly
down a side street here in town, doing my best to avoid potholes and pit bulls, when I noticed a sign that said ‘Church of Christ Parking.’ While not a student of religion, I am familiar with Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints, Church of Christ in Science and even Church of Christ on the Mount, but this Church of Christ Parking was a new one on me. “Now even a Sunday school dropout knows that Jesus had a proclivity for performing miracles, and churches were sometimes built on the miracle’s site. But I have no recollection of any that involve parking. An image of an event that may have led to the formation of the Church of Christ Parking began to form in my mind’s eye. “It was a bright, sunny morning in a major city of the Holy Land when Jesus and his disciples came upon a multitude. (Although crowds and gangs are the way people prefer to gather today, multitudes were a common sight in Biblical times.) “It soon became apparent that this multitude had assembled for the purpose of ridiculing an elderly lady who was trying to parallel park her Mercury Grand Marquis. The Mercury was 16 cubits long and the parking space a mere 17.5 cubits in length and it was easy to see that granny was overmatched. Her failures were delighting the crowd to no end. People were hooting, cat-calling and blowing raspberries in the direction of the frustrated senior citizen behind the wheel. “Jesus stepped into the street and, holding up his hand, quelled the multitude. He opened the door to the Mercury and helped the old lady out. He then slid in behind the wheel and adjusted the seat and mirrors. What happened next was beyond belief. Jesus threw the gear selector into reverse, gunned the engine and, with one finger, spun the steering wheel. “The big car slid into the parking space as slick as if it had been anointed. There was much cheering from the crowd and more than a few hosannas were offered up. “At this point I turned the corner and reality struck; my internal narrative stopped. I was in front of the Church of Christ; parking was incidental.” www.arktimes.com • DECEMBER 2, 2010 5
Letters arktimes@arktimes.com
La belle vie n Your headline, “La belle vie” — is that French for “or how to steal from the saps back home”? I don’t speak French but that’s the attitude people like Ron Mathieu and “Mayor” Stodola must have after reading your article (November 25, 2010). A 500 euro ticket for one supper is outrageous, even if it is allegedly not at the taxpayer’s expense (and while not at the taxpayers expense, try flying out of the only public airport in Little Rock without paying those “passenger fees” that support airport operations). The only thing you missed in the article was pointing out the following: the total bill (in US dollars) was approximately $670, with $289 (US) being spent on alcoholic beverages. That is some drunk that Mathieu, Stodola and company put on — at Arkansans’ expense mind you, not their own. Now maybe you know why Stodola won’t demand an accounting of funds from the Chamber of Commerce. What wonderful expenses does the CC have associated with “the mayor” that would be disclosed? Your article stated that “almost all of the commissioners ... have taken trips. ...” Could it be that the reason for the lack of concern
by the commissioners is they too are feeding at the trough, like fat swine? A $180k job, unlimited credit card expenses for booze and lavish dinners, trips to places most Arkansans can’t afford to go, vehicles provided by the “board” — the smell from the Little Rock National Airport Commission and the Executive Suites is rising above the city like the stench from an old paper mill. Joseph Cooper Little Rock
Sundays are also wonderful features in this modest but delicious bakery. The Arkansas Times claims to support local businesses, but for whatever reason, your weekly periodical failed to even mention this staple in the local restaurant scene. This bakery supplies goods to such local favorite as Dave’s Place, Acadia, Cafe 42 and Capers. It’s astounding to me that it could just be so casually overlooked. It mills its own flour for god’s sake! Lilyan Kauffman Little Rock
our proudest moments are those when we close ranks and pull together for the sake of family, faith and country. Being encouraged to shop somehow fell short of those lofty aspirations. Without disaster to motivate us it is unlikely those in charge in Washington will risk their cozy fiefdoms to do the right thing, but we can always hope. Pamela Kell Little Rock
Hire instead of raise
Adults found
n With unemployment so high and Little Rock proposing a 4 percent raise for all of its employees, my question is: Wouldn’t it be more helpful to hire someone that’s been unemployed for the last 2 years, rather than give a raise to people that have been gainfully employed for the last 2 years? Isn’t that the concept someone tried to foster with the “each business hire one person” idea? James Garner North Little Rock
At last!!! An actual responsible adult in Washington, D.C. has stood and listed, out loud, the hard choices that must be made in order for this country to avoid the inevitable financial catastrophe that will land squarely on the backs of our grandchildren. Any thinking person who has ever had to balance a checking account knows a country, just like an individual, cannot continue indefinitely spending far more than it takes in without ever having to pay the piper. We have avoided taking responsibility, on both sides of the aisle, for more than two decades by denying the problem exists. Well the jig is up and kudos to Alan Simpson and Erskine Bowles for putting on their big boy hats and telling the truth. An opportunity to have begun this difficult process was squandered after 9/11 when every American was ready and eager to sacrifice for the greater good. As a nation
n I just heard about the non-profit organization “Clean the World” today on NPR. I was so impressed that I immediately started contacting major hotels in Little Rock. This amazing organization collects used soaps and other products from premium hotels across the U.S. and Canada, sanitizes them for re-use, and then distributes them to those in need across the globe. Currently they are active in Haiti where the deaths from cholera are increasing daily. Millions of lives are lost every year to diseases that could be prevented with access to hygiene products and proper education about hygiene. “Clean the World” does so much good in so many communities while also keeping barely-used products from going into landfills. Please, readers, contact the hotels in your area and ask them to participate. One can also donate directly to them. Here is their website: www.cleantheworld.org. Angela Hunter Little Rock
A plug for Old Mill n It has come to my attention that the Arkansas Times rarely mentions Old Mill Bread and Flour Co. Especially after reading “Best Breakfast in Arkansas.” I’m aware that this local business mainly focuses on specialty breads, but muffins, scones, cinnamon rolls, breakfast sandwiches and a breakfast casserole you can only find on
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501.228.7296 www.arktimes.com www.arktimes.com••DECEMBER December 2, 2010 7
The WEEK THAT was Nov. 24-30, 2010 It was a good week for …
The RAZORBACKS. The football team rocked a packed War Memorial Stadium with a 31-23 win over favored LSU that put the 10-2 Hogs in line for a major bowl game. BRIAN MULLER. An Ozark native discharged from military duty defusing explosives in Afghanistan because he is gay lobbied Congress to end discrimination against gay troops. SHEFFIELD NELSON. The former gas executive and former Republican gubernatorial candidate is telling anyone who’ll listen that the severance tax wasn’t raised enough to pay for damages the drillers are causing to state roads. For good measure, Nelson has been a one-man wrecking crew on Game and Fish Commission efforts to do business in private. CLIFF LEE, the major league pitcher, and his wife KRISTEN, who gave $1 million to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in recognition of cancer treatment their son once received. It was a bad week for …
SEN. MARK PRYOR, who tipped his 2014 election strategy (go waaaaaay right) by: 1. Declaring opposition to open service by gay people in the military. Homosexuality is a sin, Pryor said. 2. Declaring opposition to the DREAM Act, which would use college education or military service as a path to citizenship for children brought to the U.S. by undocumented immigrants. His talking points on both issues were erroneous and a depressingly verbatim parroting of right-wing playbooks. NORTH LITTLE ROCK ELECTRIC CUSTOMERS. Mayor Pat Hays signaled that he’ll continue to shore up a city budget hit by declining sales tax revenue with electric rates. Talk about regressive taxes. Think about the mayor’s submarine every time you hit a light switch in NLR. ERNIE PASSAILAIGUE. The state lottery director continued to deflect questions about his high-handed, big-spending ways and lottery audit shortcomings by talking about college scholarships. Arkansas could provide more than 60 more scholarships a year by firing Passailaigue. It’s time. 8 DECEMBER 2, 2010 • ARKANSAS TIMES
The Arkansas Reporter
Phone: 501-375-2985 Fax: 501-375-3623 Arkansas Times Online home page: http://www.arktimes.com E-mail: arktimes@arktimes.com ■
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Make your mark 2010 saw write-in candidates galore. by David Koon
n In a world where hundreds of thousands of dollars are routinely spent to win even lackluster political offices, the write-in candidacy might seem like the longest of long shots. Still, it can pay off, as seen this year in Alaska, where incumbent Sen. Lisa Murkowski — after losing the Republican primary to Sarah Palin-anointee Joe Miller — apparently became the first write-in candidate to win a senate race since South Carolina’s Strom Thurmond in 1954 (as of this writing, the vote in Alaska is still not official, with Miller having secured a federal injunction to keep the state from certifying the results). In Arkansas, the vote totals for write-ins are often miniscule, but that doesn’t keep folks from trying. According to the secretary of state’s office, there were 13 certified write-in candidates in Arkansas for election 2010, up from only four in 2008. Arkansas state law says that in order to be certified, write-in candidates must file with the secretary of state’s office a political practices pledge (certifying, among other things, that they are not a felon), an affidavit of eligibility and a short statement notifying the secretary of state that they plan to run as a write-in. In addition, write-in candidates must notify the election commission in each county in which he or she intends to seek office, All the paperwork must be filed a minimum of 90 days before the election. The process for becoming a certified write-in, said secretary of state’s office spokesperson Sandra McGrew, is fundamentally the same as with any other candidate — though candidates running as independents have to collect signatures from registered voters to get on the ballot. While many a wiseacre has gotten a thrill from penciling in “Mickey Mouse” during a year when the candidate choices are particularly dismal, don’t bother. Only votes for certified write-ins make the cut. “[The law] only specifies to count votes for certified candidates,” McGrew said. “We advise counties to add the votes for uncertified candidates to the number of undervotes for that particular contest.” While Joe Miller’s camp has contested tens of thousands of Alaska votes because voters often misspelled Murkowski’s last name, Arkansas law stipulates that “any abbreviation, misspelling or other mi-
nor variation in the form of the name of the candidate shall be disregarded if the intention of the voter may be ascertained.” Marc Rosson of Gillham, who ran as WIDEST NET: Rosson got the most write-in votes in Election a write-in candidate 2010. for attorney general, received the most votes of any write-in candidate in the 2010 election: 2,009 votes. He wasn’t the most successful write-in, however. 2010 write-in candidates That has to be Robert Dittrich of StuttStephan “Troublemaker” Hercher gart, who ran — and won — as an unopof Barling for U.S. Senate posed write-in for prosecuting attorney, 519 write-in votes total (.07 percent of the total) District 11 East. Because Dittrich ran with 172 to Hercher. unopposed, the county election commisMickey Higgins of Paragould sion wasn’t required to count or record for U.S. Congress, District 1 the number of votes for him, so the total 205 write-in votes total (.11 percent) with 198 he received isn’t known. Rosson said that to Higgins. he decided to file as a write-in when he Danial Suits of Bryant heard that Attorney General Dustin Mcfor U.S. Congress, District 2 Daniel had no Republican challenger. 54 write-in votes total (.03 percent) with 14 to Suits. “It’s worth doing anything, any kind of candidacy, if somebody doesn’t have an David E. Dinwiddie of Pine Bluff for Governor opponent running against them. I believe Elvis D. Presley of Star City for Governor everybody should have an opponent Billy Roper of Russellville for Governor 700 write-in votes total (.09 percent) with 20 to ... I don’t believe in anybody getting a Dinwiddie, 49 to Roper, and 66 to Presley. free ride.” Rosson’s candidate website lists him Marc Rosson of Gillham for Attorney General 3,216 write-in votes total (.44 percent), with 2,009 as a Republican, but he said he really to Rosson. doesn’t belong to either party. While he said his candidacy wasn’t David “Cowboy” McMillian of Mountain Pine expensive (“The only thing I can think for State Senate, District 19 of that I spent was on stamps, and I had 221 write-in votes total (.89 percent) with 221 some stamps laying here”), it was trying to McMillan. at times. Like all write-in candidates for H. Edwards of Stuttgart statewide offices, Rosson had to send for State Rep., District 14 letters of intent to the election commis79 write-in votes total (1.32 percent), with 54 to sioners in all 75 counties in the state. He Edwards. suspects some of those letters found their Willie Gammon of Marion way to the circular file. for State Rep., District 54 “The hardest part was trying to get Ray Nassar of Marion people to be honest about it,” Rosson for State Rep., District 54 840 write-in votes total (19.28 percent) with 779 said. “There were different counties to Gammon, and 0 to Nassar. that didn’t have my name on the ballot, and they claimed they didn’t receive the Abel Tomlinson of Fayetteville for State Rep., District 92 proper information... I know they got 30 write-in votes total (.74 percent) with 30 to it, they just didn’t want to fool with it. Tomlinson. That’s my opinion.” Asked to elaborate, Robert Dittrich of Stuttgart Rosson said he suspects it’s because for Prosecuting Attorney, District 11-East write-in ballots have to be reviewed and Dittrich won the seat, but the write-in votes were counted manually, which leads to more not counted because he ran unopposed. work for election officials.
How they fared
Flying good for business Airport director defends travel. By LesLie NeweLL Peacock
n Little Rock National Airport expenditures on travel, meals and miscellaneous items that totaled $272,000 last year were not beyond the norm in the business, Airport Executive Director Ron Mathieu said Monday. The Arkansas Times determined the amount after looking at credit card charges for the past 12 months at the airport after discovering the airport had written a check for $40,000 to Mathieu’s son’s school, the private Little Rock Christian Academy, for an advertisement painted on the football field. Charged to the credit cards were travel to conferences in Hawaii, Brussels and various U.S. destinations for Mathieu, his assistant director Bryan Malinowski, other airport personnel and members of the Airport Commission. In 2009, the airport sent Mathieu and Mayor Mark Stodola to meet with Dassault Falcon in Paris, where a single meal for four, for example, cost $842.68; the airport’s full tab for the Paris trip was $15,121.31. The airport paid for Stodola’s airfare and for meals for Stodola, Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce President Jay Chessir and others.
Mathieu said the trip was made to encourage Dassault Falcon, which has a manufacturing plant at the airport, to “keep jobs in Little Rock.” (Stodola has said the same thing.) The airport didn’t pick up every meal, he said; the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce picked up the meal tabs every other night. The Chamber won’t say if that money came from its $200,000 taxpayer subsidy. Nor will it reveal the specific amounts spent. Commission Chairman Bob East said he believed the trip to Paris was made at the request of Gov. Mike Beebe, who also traveled to Paris as part of a threecity European business tour, and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. Still, he said, the amount of money being spent by airport administration “concerns me, and I want to know what the money is being spent on.” He noted that Commissioner Tom Schueck is looking into airport expenditures and policies to determine what is appropriate and will report his findings to the full commission in December. “Public money is a pretty serious responsibility,” East said. The Times compared Little Rock’s
airport travel with Albany’s, which like Little Rock is in a capital city and which had a similar number of travelers last year. That airport’s director travels only five times a year, and never abroad. But Mathieu said the number of travelers was not a good basis for comparison. “You have to look at where the city, the state, wants to go. … It depends on what that commission is trying to accomplish.” He said Little Rock and Arkansas officials are working together to bring business to Little Rock, and the airport plays a role in that. He praised local leadership, saying they “do a better job than other states” at collaborating on ways to grow the city. As an example of how travel benefits the city, Mathieu cited a December 2009 trip he made to Washington with Malinowski. They went there, he said, to work to get a non-stop flight from Little Rock to D.C., something the Arkansas congressional delegates especially would like to see happen. It didn’t happen, because of complexities involved in a lawsuit, but it was a necessary trip, he said. East said the commission trusted Mathieu because of the work he has done since becoming director in June 2008. He credited Mathieu with saving the airport “millions of dollars” by increasing revenues from concession rentals, parking fees, gate fees and the like and by winning federal grants for energy
conservation and other airport improvements. Revenues are such that coupled with federal grants and stimulus dollars, the airport has in hand the $54 million it will spend on an expansion. Despite the activity, travel at the airport has not been rising. People boarding planes at Little Rock National hit a high in 2007, at 1.27 million. Year to date enplanements as of September 2010 were 848,895. Mathieu became interim director in December 2007 and director the following year. The Visa card issued to Mathieu, Malinowski and others is being used for a variety of things; Malinowski’s charges seem to be largely for meals. An example: Malinowski’s receipts attached to the January 2010 statement for Dec. 5, 2009, to Jan. 6, 2010, includes numerous charges for local meals at Chili’s, Sonny Williams Steak Room, and Senor Tequila, as well as meals in Chicago and Washington on business. Washington charges also included three nights at a hotel and taxi fare. Other charges on the card were for a carwash and Spanish-language learning CDs from Rosetta Stone. The card was also used in 2010 by staff in Hawaii, where Mathieu was attending the annual Airport Issues conference of the American Association of Airport Executives, and by other employees in Florida, Texas, Nevada, Missouri, Minnesota, Tennessee and Georgia.
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A different kind of
Christmas
‘I promised not to tell. He thought I wouldn’t. But I did.’
brian chilson
By Mara Leveritt
10 DECEMBER 2, 2010 • ARKANSAS TIMES
Editor’s note: The parents in this story acknowledge that for years they were unable to deal with serious personal problems. Both sought help and they now say their family is healing—even from the shock last January, when the couple learned that their 11-year-old daughter had called a sexabuse hotline, accusing a close family friend of rape. The parents and the girl, now 12, wanted their names used in this article, both to counter the stigma associated with sex crimes and to encourage other troubled families to seek help. Due to the age of the child, however, the Times required pseudonyms for the family. All other names are real.
A
lle is wearing a green Riverfest T-shirt and gray workout pants. She’s barefoot and her hair’s tied back in a ponytail. She sits on a couch in her grandfather’s house, responding easily to questions. At her request, her parents have left the room. They sit outside on a porch swing. She says it’s “embarrassing” to talk about this in front of them. “I was four when they got divorced,” she says. “They fought all the time. When they got divorced, my mom moved to Texas and my brother left me. He was about 14 or 15 and he moved in with friends. “The chaos of my whole life has been horrendous. For so long, my dad was an alcoholic. I was scared it was literally going to kill him. And my mom was caught up in being a teenager again. That’s why I went to a hotline instead of her.” In separate interviews, Alle’s parents, Powell and Annette Dell, talked about Alle’s call to the sex-abuse hotline—and what preceded and followed it. Both believe that the timing of her call, on Jan. 4 of this year, 10 days after Christmas, is central to their story. As Annette put it: “Of course, this was after Powell had been sober for a year and one week.” On the surface, Alle has good life. She lives in Hillcrest, just a few blocks from the house where her father grew up and where her grandfather still lives. Her parents used to own a local business. From kindergarten until last year, Alle attended the private Cathedral School, which she loved. “It was very calming and I felt very relaxed there,” she says. “We had chapel on Tuesdays and Thursdays and we’d sing songs, and the music would touch me. I would just sit there and be happy, and I would think how good I actually did have it.” But that placid surface hid a number of deepening fractures. Some are evident even in the brief history recounted by Alle’s parents, Powell and Annette. Having met at Central High School, they married at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church in 1982. She was 19. He was 23. Their first child, a son, was born eight years later, in 1990. Four years after that, they started their business. Powell liked his work, but found he hated owning a business. It was all-consuming. He
brian chilson
missed seeing his son grow up. Annette, having abandoned hope of becoming a veterinarian, turned to accounting and kept the shop’s books. “We lived in the neighborhood,” she said, “so it was 24/7.” The couple felt close to Powell’s parents. “My own family was so, so dysfunctional,” Annette says, “it was as if God had blessed me to have this family as my family.”
‘Family sickness’
B
ut by 15 years into their marriage, Powell, who’d begun drinking after high school, was an alcoholic. “I was scared of my shadow,” he now says. “I was scared of people, places, anything that was new. I was always scared, and alcohol just took that away. Then, somewhere in the last 10 years, the alcohol quit working for me, and I wanted to quit but I couldn’t.” When Powell’s mother, the “rock of the family,” died unexpectedly in 1997, he says, “I didn’t know how to grieve. That is when my substance abuse got out of control.” He tried to quit drinking the next year, when the couple’s second child, Alle, was born. He failed. And Alle was not a healthy baby. “She was diagnosed with asthma by the time she was 2,” An-
nette says. “She couldn’t eat any solid food until she was 4 and a half. She was on a lot of medicine. So all her life she was not able to do what other children were able to do.” Struggling, but determined to be more present for both their children, the Dells quit their business and took jobs. Then, when Alle was 2 and her brother
to seven years in prison for sexual abuse. It’s a family sickness, for sure, in my dad’s side of the family. But it was swept under the carpet.” For Annette, the result was “a mental breakdown.” Between 2002 and 2004, she was admitted four times to a mental hospital. She also found spiritual help. “I went through three and a half
“The chaos of my whole life has been horrendous. For so long, my dad was an alcoholic. I was scared it was literally going to kill him. And my mom was caught up in being a teenager again. That’s why I went to a hotline instead of her.” 10, Annette’s grandmother—the woman who had raised her—died. The next year, so did her brother, at the age of 37. Looking back, Annette thinks that those three deaths, combined with Powell’s worsening alcoholism and her own unaddressed problems from childhood, pushed her over the edge. “I was sexually molested between the ages of five and nine by a second cousin,” she says. “It wasn’t rape and I never reported it. It stopped when he went into the military. I have another relative who was sentenced
years of cognitive behavioral therapy,” she says. “I wanted to understand what was wrong with me. I wanted to help myself, plus my family.” Upon returning from her fourth hospitalization, she kicked Powell out of the house. Alle was six years old. “That’s right,” Powell says. “Annette booted me out and filed for divorce, which is what I needed.” Needing a place to stay, Powell called his friend Zay Dee Whitaker, who was also recently divorced, and moved in with him.
The couple divorced in 2005. Alle and her brother visited their father at Whitaker’s every Wednesday and every other weekend. But the “chaos” of Alle’s life, with an alcoholic father and a mentally disturbed mother, did not end with the separation. Annette married again and moved to Texas, leaving Alle with Powell’s father, so that she could stay at her school. When that marriage failed, Annette returned to Little Rock, where she struggled to make it on her own, moving often, taking Alle with her. Powell’s alcoholism, meanwhile, had worsened, and he’d moved in with his father. Their son was getting into trouble with drugs. Finally, Powell says, “I started realizing my drinking was making me and my family miserable. I started asking for help. Actually, I started to pray.” In 2008, Powell’s boss told him, “Go get help.” Powell checked into a hospital for four days of detox, then joined Alcoholics Anonymous. By Christmas, things were looking up. He and Annette were discussing getting back together. For the first time in four years, the family was going to spend Christmas Eve together. But Powell blew it. A drink after Continued on page 12
www.arktimes.com • DECEMBER 2, 2010 11
about where to turn. Powell had met Whitaker when he owned the family business and Whitaker managed Hillcrest Liquor. Powell acknowledges, “We became friends, partly because I was over there every day.” Annette recalls, “He was not somebody I liked. I wasn’t a drinker, so I didn’t fit in with them and their drinking. I didn’t dislike him. I accepted him because he was Powell’s best friend.
with Whitaker, became bounded by attention and abuse, confidence and threats. Throughout her parents’ and Whitaker’s various moves, Whitaker was often at the house, and she was often at his. Alle says this was because he would demand that she tell her parents she wanted to go see him and back up those demands with threats. “When I was seven, or maybe six,” Alle says, “he started telling me he
“I was just done. My dad had been sober for a year. I don’t know what shifted, but I was done taking orders from somebody who didn’t scare me anymore. I knew that I’m my own person and no one but my parents could tell me what to do.”
‘I was just done’
J
‘Like my god-uncle’
F
or most of her life, before her parents’ reconciliation, “I just felt terrible,” Alle says. “I would cry myself to sleep and not know if I was going to wake up to a dead dad or my mother moving out of the country or my brother dying from an overdose.” By this time last year, she says, she was also carrying a terrible secret. “I felt isolated from the whole world. Hopeless. My self-confidence was low. I wanted to be alone all the time.” The secret, she says, concerned her father’s best friend, Zay Whitaker. According to Alle, Whitaker began sexually abusing her when she was five years old, even before her parents’ divorce; the abuse, which she says included rape, continued throughout the chaotic years of alcohol, moves, and mental hospitals; and was maintained, even as she grew older, through a combination of trust on her part, threats on his and confusion
12 DECEMBER 2, 2010 • ARKANSAS TIMES
I wanted every bit of attention I could get. So I’d say it was 50 percent due to Zay. The other 50 percent was me, me and my life. My life was just terrible.” Yet, in fifth grade, Alle wrote an essay titled “All about Me.” It began: “People may be the same on the outside, but on the inside we are all totally different.” When she considers how she’s lived most of her life in one neighborhood, close to a grandfather she loves and attends school like other kids, she says, “I lived a very normal life, beside the rape. That’s the only thing that wasn’t normal, but yet it was normal, for me.” By September 2009, Powell and Annette could see that “Alle’s moods were swinging,” as Powell put it. They attributed part of that to the fact that she had just changed schools, and part to her medications, many of which were steroidal. They never suspected Whitaker.
anuary 4 of this year fell on a Monday. It was the day that classes resumed after the holiday break. Alle stayed home from school with a sinus infection. Her parents were at work. Whitaker, who was then unemployed, came to the house. That day everything changed. While Whitaker was taking a shower, Alle picked up the phone her father had given her for Christmas and dialed 800-4483000, The Boys Town National Hotline. She says she had no intention of revealing her true identity or of getting police involved, though she believes she’d been moving toward that moment for some time. “I was just done,” she says. “My dad had been sober for a year. I don’t know what shifted, but I was done taking orders from somebody who didn’t scare me anymore. I knew that I’m my own person and no one but my parents could tell me what to do.” The woman who answered identified herself as Betty and asked how she could help. At first, Alle did not speak. Then, sounding like she had a cold and/or had been crying, she answered: “Umm. Well, there’s this person that won’t stop touching me and I don’t know how to deal with it.” “Well, I’m glad you called, Honey,” the woman replied. “When did all this happen?” The phone call lasted half an hour, during which Betty alternately soothed brian chilson
work turned into a night of drunkenness. His promise to bake cookies with Alle crumbled in the ruins. “In the past I would have ‘fixed’ it,” Annette says, “but this time, when he came home, I told Alle, ‘You go in there and ask him why he’s doing this.’ ” “She was very angry and hurt,” Powell recalls. “She said, ‘What if you died? Why did you do this to me?’ She glared at me through her tears. ‘Why did you drink that stuff? You promised me you wouldn’t. Why did you do it?’ I just remember her face and her hurt.” He now says, “Alcoholism wants you to kill yourself and it wants you to hurt everyone who loves you the most while you do it.” That Christmas, Powell stopped drinking for good. After Alle confronted him, he says, “the obsession went away.” Annette, too, was back on a course she wanted in life, studying to be a nurse. The couple remains together. “We’re not trying to rush anything,” Annette says. “We’re trying to lay a good foundation, and not screw this up by doing something silly.” On Christmas 2009, with their son doing better and now in college, he, Alle and their parents celebrated the holiday—and Powell’s first year of sobriety— together. Powell’s gift to Alle, now 11, was a cell phone. It was a happy time, or so Powell and Annette believed. They did not realize how badly their daughter was faring.
“And he’s funny,” she adds. “We kind of felt we were sharing a family with him, because he didn’t have a good family life growing up.” Powell agrees. “For the last three years, Zay has been part of this family. He would play cards with Alle. I didn’t have the patience to do that. He was like a grandfather to her, or an uncle. He liked to spoil her, so it felt good to me that there was somebody who would try to indulge her.” To Alle, “He was more like my goduncle. I called him that. He would buy me presents for no reason. Lots of stuff. For my birthday. For Christmas. I liked it. I liked the stuff and the attention. But at the same time I felt violated, like, ‘You’ve got no right to touch me.’ ” Though she says she tried to hide it, she describes an insecure childhood that,
loved me. That would have been two years into our unhealthy relationship. Even so, sometimes he would throw me up against walls and yell at me and throw me around like I was a rag doll. He was very abusive, but at the time, I thought he actually did love me.” Picking up a framed photograph of herself from a table beside the couch, she says, “This is my third-grade picture. Zay got someone to do my hair so I would look good in this picture. And I do look good, don’t you think? I was glad he did that. It was just very confusing.” She adds: “In some part of my mind, I didn’t want it to stop. But I did. I was sort of half-and-half. I wasn’t getting attention from anybody but him. My parents were in their own worlds for a really, really long time. “I felt completely, utterly alone, and
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WHITAKER: Still unregistered. Alle, told her she’d been brave to call, and tried to elicit precise information about Alle, the “person” and her family. Much of what Alle reported matched the facts of her life and what she later told police. She said she lived with her mom and dad, that the man had threatened to beat her or kill her, that she lived in Little Rock, the companies where her parents worked, and that she didn’t tell them about the abuse because, “my dad trusts him.” She also said things that were not true and that didn’t conform to later accounts. She said that she was home alone at the time; that she’d gotten the Boys Town number, first, by “looking in the phone book” and then from a friend who “was having a little trouble with sort of the same thing”; that she had two brothers and two sisters; that she went to Forest Park school; that she didn’t know where her attacker lived, and that she had visible bruises at the time of the call. When “Betty” asked for the name of the person who’d hurt her, she gave a false name. When asked for her own last name, she said it was, “Whitaker.” The woman on the hotline tried, with little success, to get Alle to identify some adult in whom she would confide. When the woman gently asked Alle how she would feel about her notifying the police, a note of alarm came into the girl’s voice. “I thought you were a place where you wouldn’t tell anybody,” she said. “I just need somebody to talk to.” A bit later, she told the woman, that if she reported the call, “I’ll get really, really hurt.” “I told them I was going to call them back, but I didn’t,” Alle says. “I was scared. I don’t really know what I was scared of. I was making things up because I didn’t want them to call the police. I just was not ready to go through that.” Alle hung up. Unbeknownst to her, the staff at Boys Town notified the Little Rock police.
‘I’m sending an officer’
A
short time later, a Little Rock police officer called Alle on her phone. She said she couldn’t talk and hung up. With information from the phone company, the officer then called Alle’s father, who had the contract for the phone. Powell was just coming home for lunch. He recalls: “Zay had brought her lunch. He’d showered, and a few minutes after I got there, he left. My phone rang and somebody asked for Zay. When I said he’d just left, they asked for his number. I asked Alle, ‘Do you know Zay’s number?’ “The voice on the phone said, ‘Is Alle with you?’ Then, ‘How long have you been there?’ I said, ‘About two minutes.’ The person on the phone said, ‘I’m sending an officer to your house.’ That was the first I knew that something was going on.” Alle’s own memory of that day is blurry. When she heard that police were coming, “I was freaking out,” she says. “I was pacing. Then the police came.” “They took Alle into a room alone,” Powell says. “When they came out, they told me that Alle had called a hotline. They said she was denying ever saying this man was raping her. “I sat down next to Alle and I said, ‘Alle, has Zay touched you?’ She fell apart. She said she was afraid if she told me I’d hurt him and I’d go to prison. The police officer was wonderful. She held Alle while she cried. Then she said we had to go to the hospital.” “I got tested—that whole thing,” Alle recalls. “I felt grossed out. They were touching me in places I don’t want to ever be touched again. “And then came telling my story. I told it like 37 times. On top of that, I was sick. I had a sinus infection. That’s why I was home from school. I was feeling terrible, and they would wake me up between naps and stuff. The police, the DA’s office. Continued on page 14
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Over and over again. I got over it because I knew they were doing it for my own good. But it felt like…” She doesn’t complete the sentence, then adds: “This is like the last time I’m going to tell this story. Maybe I’ll tell my grandchildren.”
‘I wasn’t really a person’
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14 DECEMBER 2, 2010 • ARKANSAS TIMES
hile it is known that many, perhaps most, sexual assaults of children go unreported, and that follow-up is sometimes patchy, action in this case was swift. The day after Alle’s call, police further questioned her parents. “I’ve been investigated by everyone from Day 1, which is fine,” Powell says. “I should be investigated. But they couldn’t find anything.” During questioning, Powell and Annette told detectives that Alle had recently begun seeing a therapist—at Whitaker’s suggestion. Powell told the police, “Well, Zay said that she had been talking to him and telling him that she was wanting to talk to somebody.” When Powell didn’t promptly make an appointment, Whitaker raised the issue with him again, Powell said. He said that Whitaker said Alle had mentioned it again, adding that now she was talking about suicide. This time, Powell immediately made an appointment for her. Neither he nor Annette could explain why Whitaker might have taken the apparent risk of encouraging Alle to speak with a therapist. “I did want to talk to someone,” Alle says. “I felt like I was worthless. I didn’t really have a purpose. I felt that no one really cared about me, that I didn’t really matter, that I wasn’t really a person. I started thinking about it when I was 10. I wanted to die, my heart to shatter.” But in her meetings with the therapist, Alle did not mention the abuse. “I couldn’t tell that one thing,” she says, “because I was scared.” She says Whitaker was confident of his power over her—that she both loved and feared him—and that she wouldn’t tell. “He made me promise I wouldn’t,” she says. “And he thought I wouldn’t. But I did.” The day after Alle’s call, a Little Rock judge granted a temporary order of protection, which was later made permanent. Whitaker was not to go within 500 feet of Alle, her home or her school. In March, Whitaker was charged with rape and sexual assault. Circuit Judge Herbert Wright set bond at $100,000. Whitaker was jailed, declared indigent and appointed a public defender. Three months after his arrest, Whitaker wrote a letter to the judge complaining that his courtappointed attorney was not preparing adequately for his Aug. 11 trial. In April, police received reports from the State Crime Laboratory. Tests showed
a high probability that DNA found on cuttings from a comforter taken from a bed in a trailer where Whitaker was living had come from both him and Alle. She had visited the trailer often. However, because the trailer was small, it seemed possible that the bed was one of the few places a person could have sat, even to watch television. Prosecutors had to decide whether to go to trial or offer Whitaker a plea deal. When the trial date arrived, officials of the Pulaski County prosecuting attorney’s office offered a deal. The rape charge would be dropped if Whitaker pleaded guilty to sexual assault in the second degree, a Class B felony. Whitaker agreed. John Johnson, the county’s chief deputy prosecutor, says, “It was a hard decision for us.” One consideration was that “the girl” did not want to testify, he says, and her parents supported that decision. (Alle says, “I did want to testify.”) Another factor, Johnson says, was that, “Aside from her statement, there was no evidence that directly pointed to his guilt.” Whitaker was sentenced to the time he’d already spent in jail, plus five years’ probation and a $1,000 fine. He was free, but was required to register as a sex offender. In the four months between Whitaker’s arrest and guilty plea, Alle attempted suicide twice. When she was hospitalized for a week after the first attempt, she remembers thinking, “Why am I here? I’m not mental. I’m not anything. I’m just wanting to die.” She was hospitalized again after the second attempt, this time “on total lockdown.” Nothing seemed to help, she says, until she began seeing a counselor at Safe Places, a Little Rock non-profit that works with victims of sexual assault, child abuse and family violence.
‘Not just about Alle’
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“
afe Places is an amazing place,” Alle says. “It makes you feel good about yourself. You’re told you’re good enough, you’re a survivor. I think there are a lot of young girls like me who would love to go and be able to talk to someone.” Alle’s parents also credit Safe Places, particularly her counselor there, Angela McGraw. “There for a while, she had nowhere to put the pain,” Powell Dell says. “It had developed into a sick, toxic relationship, where they were going to be together forever. Finally, she said, ‘I quit.’ And she wanted to die. But since she’s been with Angela, there’s been such a change.” Alle now had her family for support too. “I used to always tell myself, ‘One day at a time, Alle,’ ” she says. “That’s what my dad would tell me. You can’t take it all in in one day. You’ve got to spread it out and process it. You have to go through a bunch of different emotions.’” Despite that advice, Alle was jolted when
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the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported on Whitaker’s plea, even though her name was not mentioned in the article. “Basically everyone knew,” she says. “It said his name, Zay Whitaker, and my age. It scared me. At the time, I didn’t think I wanted people to know that I was hurt and abused. I barely wanted to admit it to myself.” Now, Annette says, Alle sees McGraw every week, and a psychiatrist, less often, for her medications. Difficult as it has been, she says, the process of “breaking these silent, generational bonds has truly helped our family.” But Annette wants to see more help for children who’ve been victims of sexual abuse. She is concerned that, even after she’d brought the no-contact order to Alle’s school, officials there thought it applied to Powell, rather than Whitaker. And both parents wish school officials had a better understanding of the impact of sexual abuse. “Alle went to court two weeks before school began,” Powell says. “And now she has a lot of appointments. She misses a lot of school.” He and Annette don’t think teachers realize that she needs time to recover. “I get the impression that they think we want them to handle her with kid gloves, and that’s not what we’re asking,” Powell says. “We’re just asking for a little extra consideration for a little while.” Both parents praise the work of police, prosecutors, social workers and the staff at Safe Places. “They were all so compassionate, so caring. They were fabulous,” Annette says. But in her view, “Once it hit the court system, all hell broke loose.” Annette Dell is particularly upset about the delay—which police have told her could be as long as a year—in conducting the assessment required for Whitaker’s registration as a sex offender. The Arkansas Department of Correction conducts the screening process to determine a convicted offender’s community notification level. The levels range from one to four. Level 4 offenders are considered “sexually violent predators,” and require the “highest and most visible means of community notification.” But the lag between a conviction and assessment, during which an offender’s status is not publicized and no
restrictions are imposed, has allowed many convicted offenders to skirt laws such as those forbidding them to live near schools. In September, Gov. Mike Beebe asked the Arkansas Crime Information Center and the Department of Correction to institute changes to assess sex offenders more quickly. If the changes do not adequately speed up the process, Republican state Rep. Jon Woods of Springdale has said he will introduce legislation in January to require a faster system. Meantime, Annette Dell was distressed to see Whitaker, after his conviction, living so close to a public school that he could “see the playground from his backyard.” “Where is it that we’re actually, truly standing up for our children,” she asks, “especially in cases of rape and molestation? We are grateful that because of Alle, this is coming out now, rather than when she’s 39 years old. But we know it’s not just about Alle, it’s about all children who are in this situation. I really, truly want to reform what we do for the victims.” Powell is still somewhat confounded by all that has happened concerning his daughter and his former friend. “To this day,” he says, “I still cannot picture the person I know doing this. But the police and prosecutors, everyone has told us, ‘People who do this hide it very, very well.’ ” On Nov. 17, Whitaker petitioned the court for post-conviction relief, claiming that he signed the plea agreement, “under intense pressure and with literally no time at all to ponder it,” due to the ineffectiveness of his public defender. He declined comment for this article, citing the advice of his new attorney. Alle appears comfortable now. “Dad is in recovery,” she says, “and my mom is doing a lot better because she doesn’t have to run away from everything anymore.” Alle also seems comfortable with people knowing her story. “Even though I’m not quite proud of it, I am proud, in a way, because I’m healing. I’m getting a little better as days go by. I go to bed feeling good about myself.” She adds: “The good thing is, I have parents who care. Because a lot of kids don’t have that.”
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eye on arkansas
Editorial n It has been revealed through articles in the Arkansas Times that an already warm relationship between the Little Rock mayor’s office and the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce was heated still further by a sumptuous dinner in Paris, paid for by those inveterate romantics, the taxpayers of Little Rock. It would have been nice if Mayor Stodola and C of C director Jay Chesshir could have at least brought back a doggy bag for the rest of us. The taxpayers’ generosity was funneled through officials of the Little Rock Airport, which picked up a sizeable tab – more than $800 in U.S. currency — for dinner and drinks for Stodola, Chesshir, airport executive director Ron Mathieu and a fourth, unidentified, person. The festivities broke out during one of many overseas junkets by airport officials and their guests. When they’re not in Paris, they’re in Maui, it seems, or Prague or Las Vegas. Their duties have not yet taken them to Shreveport. (Everybody except the Airport Commission seems to have had enough of Mathieu, incidentally. Every report the Times publishes uncovers more offenses at the airport — overpaid executives, overpadded expense accounts, oversneaky diversions of public funds to inappropriate purposes.) The affair between the mayor and the chamber is a longrunning thing. Through its political action committee, the chamber has contributed to Stodola’s campaigns. For his part, the mayor supports the city’s annual $200,000 subsidy of the chamber, a private organization, and he evidently approves of the chamber’s refusal to reveal what this money is used for. It’s likely that part of it, at least, is used for the same sort of thing that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce spends millions of dollars on. That is, supporting causes and candidates that promote corporate well-being and keep the working class in its place. Wages are never quite low enough for the chamber of commerce. Whatever the chamber spends the public’s money on, the public is entitled to know. How many firefighters or police officers could be hired with the dollars now going in the pocket of a special-interest group that lobbies against the interests of most Little Rock residents? The U.S. Chamber just spent an estimated $75 million attacking candidates who wouldn’t follow corporate orders, and it appears that some of that $75 million may have come from foreign governments, in violation of federal law. Both the U.S. Chamber and the Little Rock branch believe that if the politicians are in your pocket, you don’t need the law. Government by crony is very much to their taste; progress is arrested.
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brian chilson
They’ll always have Paris
THE BOOT: Brandon and Jerry Mitchell carry the 175-pound trophy given to the winner of the annual Arkansas-LSU game. Arkansas’s win over LSU keeps the Hogs’ BCS hopes alive. An Auburn win in the SEC championship game will likely put the Hogs in the Sugar Bowl.
Another good year for Chamber n The holiday season is happier this year for Little Rock city employees than 2009. Thanks to functional deficit spending (a windfall from bond refinance and reserves), most employees will get a 4 percent pay raise and there will be none of the firings Christmas 2009 brought. It is always a good year at City Hall for the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Mark Stodola made it clear from the outset that the chamber would continue to receive its taxpayer subsidy for a sham “services contract” to work on economic development. The contract provides that city money won’t support the chamber’s pro-corporate lobbying effort and that the Freedom of Information Act will be observed. The former is probably not true; the latter certainly is not. Between Little Rock taxpayers and Little Rock sewer customers, the chamber receives $225,000 for an “economic development fund.” How is it spent, precisely? Chamber President Jay Chesshir (Mayor Stodola’s Paris dining companion courtesy of publicly paid airport credit cards last year) won’t say. And Stodola won’t make him. He won’t even require him to name the employees receiving a hefty public subsidy for nearly a half-million in salary, retirement and group health insurance. Is the city subsidizing workers whose mission includes standard chamber practice -- beating down unions, deriding the public schools and fighting taxes and environmental regulation and workers comp benefits? The public isn’t allowed to know. I do know this. The public’s money — which is of no measurable value in economic development — could be put to measurable use in the city of Little Rock. The city has 201 vacant jobs. Many of them have duties very close to the people who pay the taxes. To name a few: The city is short 11 code enforcement officers.
Max brantley max@arktimes.com
You could hire at least six, at $33,349 each, from the Chamber’s $225,000 public welfare payment. The city is short eight parks maintenance workers, who make about $26,000. You could fill all those jobs and have enough leftover to fill the urban forester slot half time. We’re nine firefighters short. At $33,000 starting pay, the chamber’s dole could cover almost seven. The police force is short 16 patrol officers and many higher level officers, dispatchers and the like. A patrol officer starts at $37,000. Public money given the chamber would pay six. And so it goes. We need a 911 call taker at $32,168. The city fleet is short mechanics. They make $34,793. The zoo is short animal keepers, slotted at $29,211. Happy about your garbage service? Problems may be due to the five-person shortage in the “refuse collector” force. Garbage men and women make about $25,000. The city could fill those slots and have plenty left over from the chamber’s handout. But that’s not how the Old Boys Club works. Good suits must be served first. If throwing public money at economic development efforts and corporate welfare were tickets to prosperity, Little Rock would be Silicon Valley. Here’s a better plan. The people’s government should invest in an educated workforce and a sparkling, safe city with good streets, world-class parks, rational zoning and such amenities as good public transportation. Let the suits invest THEIR money, not ours, in activities to enhance their profits (the stated mission of the chamber). That’s how the free enterprise system is supposed to work.
brian chilson
President Huckabee n It is only a little premature to ponder the unthinkable, a Mike Huckabee presidential nomination and, yes, even a Huckabee presidency. Let’s quickly put the latter in the only reassuring context, Huckabee vs. a President Palin or a President — here plug in the name of any other Republican wannabe: Newt Gingrich, Eric Cantor, Mitt Romney, John Thune, Tim Pawlenty, Haley Barbour ... . See, he starts to grow on you. Is there anyone, Republican or Democrat, who doesn’t think Huckabee would have been a better president than George W. Bush? He wouldn’t have started a war in Iraq or forked over the national treasury to the rich and the big corporations. God would have told him not to do either. He might even have passed a universal health-insurance law, as he once said he planned to do in Arkansas. Mike Huckabee is still only a distant prospect even for the nomination, but he’s better placed than he’s ever been, better certainly than in 2008, when he finished a distant second by dint of his vanity run. After everyone else folded when John McCain became unbeatable, Huckabee stayed in the race to get the last anti-McCain vote until McCain officially clinched the nomination. If you’re old enough to appreciate the analogy, he salvaged the Monroe Schwarzlose vote. Huckabee and Sarah Palin have led the polling on potential Republican nominees
Ernest Dumas all year although neither does well enough to earn the description “frontrunner.” Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, is the only Republican who consistently outpolls President Obama, but it is hard to see him doing any better in the Republican primaries and caucuses than he did in 2008, when he raised $62 million, spent $45 million of his personal fortune and collected only 291 delegates. Romney is the putative father of Obamacare, the health insurance law so loathed by Republicans everywhere. With a little help from Sen. Edward Kennedy, Romney got the Democratic Massachusetts legislature to pass his universal insurance plan, which was patterned on the Republican plan of the 1990s and the plan pushed 36 years ago by Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. Is it conceivable that Republicans could do something so perverse as to nominate the man who brought to the national stage the idea that the government could cover the uninsured by requiring businesses and individuals to purchase private insurance when Republicans are suing all across the country to stop Washington from doing exactly that? The big question is whether Huckabee
Mark Pryor’s rightward plunge n Mark Pryor is the luckiest politician in Arkansas and now he apparently also is the most nervous. His good fortune began at birth by which inherited the most valuable surname in Arkansas politics. It was unfair of that Republican operative to say that time that Mark would be working at Taco Bell without his last name. Instead he would be working as a lawyer at Wright Lindsey Jennings in Little Rock and maybe preaching at the interdenominational church. Then Pryor got elected to the U.S. Senate by ousting a religious-right Republican who had squandered his base by getting a divorce and embracing a new sweetheart. Then Pryor got re-elected in 2008 without any Republican opposition whatsoever. That was because the GOP saw no point in wasting effort to take on a Democratic senator in Arkansas while a quasi-favorite daughter of the state, Hillary Clinton, was atop the Democratic ticket as the presiden-
John Brummett jbrummett@arkansasnews.com
tial nominee. Between the time the Republicans gave Pryor the free ride and the Democrats nominated a candidate for president, Hillary Clinton had been defeated by a man whose “otherness,” to use a politically gentle and sanitizing term, relegated him to a mere 39 percent of the vote in other-averse Arkansas. That “otherness” would prove such a drain on the state’s second Democratic U.S. senator, Blanche Lincoln, that she would get drubbed by 20 points two years later. Pryor’s people could be heard saying the key to successful politics was being on the ballot in the right year. Pryor, who got cancer and fundamentalist religion along the way, always has leaned
or Palin will run. Republicans will line up to run in the first quarter of the year. Palin and Huckabee won’t need to because their Fox News gigs assume they are presidential candidates. The minute they announce, you assume they will lose those jobs, which both of them may want more than the presidency. That, for sure, is the case with Palin, who abandoned the Alaska governorship after only a little more than two years on the job because of ethics investigations, led mainly by Republicans. If she can’t stand the heat in the easiest executive job in the country—running a docile state where the state government’s main jobs are to tax energy, send everyone a welfare check and ask national taxpayers to supply its infrastructure needs—how could she handle a job where every act and every utterance has earthshaking consequences? But Sarah Palin is Huckabee’s key to the presidency. Without her as a foil, his path is harder. There aren’t enough dumb white guys over 40 to get her the nomination. Huckabee beats her decisively with Republican women, even — especially — Alaskan Republican women. Huckabee’s principal weakness — he says one thing and does the opposite in almost every endeavor — in the end could be his strength in a matchup against Palin or any of the other hard-eyed, inconsiderate conservatives who are apt to make up the field. He takes a back seat to no one in pandering to bigotry and ignorance, but when he was actually invested with power he was the ultimate pragmatist. In 10 years as governor, he embraced practically the entire Democratic
program and then claimed it as his own. He called himself the anti-tax governor but he raised more taxes, ran up more debt and increased the size of government more than any Arkansas governor in history. He now opposes raising taxes on the rich when the economy is in shambles, but when Arkansas was struggling through a long recession in 2003 he called the legislature into special session to raise personal and corporate income taxes to shore up government health programs. He rails against government-run health care on his TV and radio shows, but government health care was his signal achievement as governor. He began his tenure in 1997 by expanding Medicaid for tens of thousands of children and ended it in 2006 by expanding Medicaid to cover adults working for small businesses. He talks about building the fence and expelling immigrants, but no governor was friendlier to illegal aliens, mainly their children. He wanted them to have in-state tuition and scholarships. No governor, not even Michael Dukakis, freed more rapists and murderers to continue their depredations. He thought the Bible required him to be compassionate. Huckabee will take a hit from the Club for Growth and the Tea Party crowd for much of that record, but remember that in 2008 the party in the end went not with the true believers but the pragmatist, the guy who had changed his position at least once on everything. If that is still the Republican Party in 2012, Mike Huckabee could be its man.
to the considerable right of his father and to the more-distant right of his mother. Now he positively plunges in that direction, somewhat imaginatively, actually, strongly suggesting that his natural leanings have been accelerated by fear of the Republican sweep that took place in his state a few weeks ago and presumably could threaten him four years hence when he ventures back to the ballot. It is beginning to appear, in fact, that Pryor and John Boozman may be able to work in a single-minded senatorial tandem reminiscent of that of Pryor’s father and Dale Bumpers in the ’80s and ’90s. I refer to two issues to arise in this lameduck session of Congress. First is whether to repeal the military’s don’t-ask-don’t-tell policy on homosexuality. A Pentagon report issued this week will say that most troops do not care about sexual orientation and that the problems of openly gay service would be isolated and minimal. Most Democrats will support repeal, but Pryor intends to go Republican on this one. He says times are changing and that attitudes toward gays will soften, but that, for now, he worries about how a military chaplain might be affected if he must accept the open practice of something he preaches to
be a sin. Of course a chaplain might find fornication to be a sin even as someone in the military had committed it. He is entitled to preach as he wishes. But he is not entitled to deny all fornicators the right to serve the country in the military. Thank goodness. The second issue is whether to allow children of illegal immigrants who go into our military or who successfully complete two years of college to be put on a path to citizenship. Pryor, nearly alone among Senate Democrats, says that is wrong because these youngsters getting college benefits would be taking money that might go to natural-born citizen children. By that reasoning we should stop educating these illegal immigrants’ youngsters in our public elementary and secondary schools. I would challenge Pryor to take that position except that, considering his current state of nervousness and his current rate of Republicanization, I am concerned he might just do it. John Brummett is a columnist and reporter for Stephens Media’s Arkansas News Bureau. You can read additional Brummett columns in The Times of North Little Rock. www.arktimes.com • DECEMBER 2, 2010 17
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arts entertainment
This week in
Circus comes to town
Buble to Verizon Page 21
Page 20
and
The Rep brings ‘A Christmas Story’ to the stage.
CINDY MOMCHILOV
By Werner Trieschmann
FAMILY FUN: Cole Ewing, Georgette Reilly Timoney, John Logan Darr and Bill Timoney star in The Rep’s production of “A Christmas Story.”
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“I don’t think there will be anyin the movie and in the stage play body that comes to the Rep that I will be on stage the whole time. doesn’t know the story.” Ralph is the narrator but is literally That’s from Jason Harper, the in the action. When the mashed former familiar face on KATV, Ch. potatoes are flying in the kitchen 7, and now lead performer for the and the tongue is stuck on the froArkansas Repertory Theatre’s upzen flagpole, I am right there. That coming holiday production of “A is probably the biggest change Christmas Story.” from the movie.” Harper is right, of course. The For the role of young Ralphie, movie “A Christmas Story” was director Nicole Capri selected released in 1983 and, thanks to Cole Ewing, a seventh-grader at the magic of TV reruns, quickly Arkansas Baptist High School. became embedded in American Ewing is only 12 but has had roles Christmas culture. in “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” and The story of young Ralphie’s other plays at the Arkansas Arts dogged pursuit of a Red Ryder BB Center’s Children’s Theatre. EwGun despite all the warnings that ing has also taken part in Capri’s he’ll shoot his eye out is somepopular Summer Music Theatre thing practically every adult and Intensive program. child can understand. The film, set in Indiana in the 1940s “A Christmas Story” Arkansas Repertory Theatre and adapted from Performances: Friday, Dec. 3, through a short story colSunday, Dec. 26, with performances 7 p.m. lection by Jean Wednesday through Sunday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Shepherd, is a A preview performance on Thursday, Dec. 2, will follow a pre-show discussion with director Nicole perfect mixture Capri at 6:15 p.m. of cynicism and Tickets: $25-$50 sentiment about www.therep.org the Christmas season. It certainly doesn’t hurt that it’s one of the funniest Ewing says that as soon as he Christmas movies out there. found out he was getting the role For the Rep, which always that he watched “A Christmas Stoschedules a big holiday show in ry” several times with his father. December before Christmas, the Ewing’s answer for what part of name recognition of “A Christhis big role he is looking forward mas Story” was too appealing to to playing the most is a surprise. pass up. “I might embarrass myself but I Cast members say there’s very am really looking forward to wearlittle difference between the stage ing the bunny suit,” Ewing said. play and the movie. Harper, who Though Ewing’s character will plays the character Ralph, be aiming to get that “official Red says the way he’ll play his Ryder carbine action 200-shot role is perhaps the biggest range model air rifle with a comchange that audiences will nopass in the stock and this thing that tice. tells time” night after night, Ewing “When you watch the movie, is wishing for an altogether differthe whole story is told by a grown ent, modern Christmas gift. up Ralph. You only hear the voice “I want an Xbox.” www.arktimes.com • DECEMBER 2, 2010 19
a den of lions. Magician? No! Extreme magician? No! He’s a “thrillusionist!” (This show is a parade of portmanteaus.) There’s Viktoriya and Widny, who dangle 35 feet off the ground, hanging only by their hair; Francleib Rodrigues, who walks upside down; and The Clowning Caveagna Family who, you know, do clown stuff. Expect other circus mainstays like ninjas jumping on, in, around and through stuff on fire, lions going out of their way not to eat people and trapeze artists making you feel inadequate. The show continues with a 7 p.m. show on Friday; 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. performances on Saturday; and a final 1 p.m. circus on Sunday. JT.
FRIDAY 12/3
‘THE CONTROVERSY OF VALLADOLID’ 7:30 p.m., The Weekend Theater. $14.
HOT UNDER THE COLLAR: The Catholic Church’s 1550 debate over the religious legitimacy of Native Americans is explored in The Weekend Theater’s production of ‘The Controversy of Valladolid.’
■ to-dolist By Lindsey Millar and John Tarpley
THURSDAY 12/2
ARKANSAS TIMES READERS NIGHT OUT All day, throughout Little Rock.
n Call it Black Friday redux. Except it’s on Thursday and it probably won’t attract the glut of humanity that the day after Thanksgiving does. In other words, the Times’ Readers Night Out is another chance for you to score bargains without having to camp outside your favorite retailer and worry that you’ll be caught in a stampede. In the tradition of Hillcrest’s Shop and Sip, we’ve enlisted retail outlets and restaurants all across the city — Hillcrest, Heights, Riverdale and West Little Rock including Market Street Center, the Promenade in Chenal and Pleasant Ridge Towne Center — to offer one-day specials to readers of the Arkansas Times. Find all the details starting on page 32. LM.
OLD 97s
9 p.m., Revolution. $16 adv., $18 d.o.s.
RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM AND BAILEY: “ILLUSCINATION” 7 p.m., Verizon Arena. $45.75-$56.00
n I’m already lit up off the words and names surrounding the newest Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey circus that’s coming to town: “Illuscination.” It’s the best Nas album title that never was and the big, flash20 DECEMBER 2, 2010 • ARKANSAS TIMES
n The Weekend Theater isn’t a house to stray too far from productions with heavy themes, especially when human rights are involved. Their latest offering, “The Controversy of Valladolid,” follows the infamous deliberations in 16th century Spain in which the Catholic Church debated whether indigenous Americans were mere savages or actual humans, worthy of the same theological consideration as, well, whitey. It’s a period piece with courtroom drama underpinnings, but don’t let that dissuade you. “Valladolid” is a psychopolitical thriller at its core. Think “Law & Order: Soul Quantifying Unit.” The topic may be half a millennia old, but with all the condom and sex abuse controversies latched onto headlines out of the Vatican, it should have little problem being relevant today. The play runs through Dec. 18. JT.
BACK TO THE BIG TOP: The circus rolls into town this weekend when Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey’s “Illuscinations” tour lands in Verizon Arena. ing name of this big top show, suggesting a bit of illusion, fascination — maybe even a bit of hallucination — in store for the audi-
ence. It’s led by David DaVinci, a flashy, spiky-haired fellow who can escape a straitjacket while being hung upside down over
n Since hitting its stride in the mid-’90s, alt-country has maintained a precarious position in the musical landscape. The standard-bearers of Uncle Tupelo bisected into Son Volt and Wilco, Ryan Adams became a megastar after shedding extra weight of Whiskeytown, and Drive-By Truckers upgraded their three-chord, three-minute songs for epic, ambitious lit rock. But Rhett Miller and his Old 97s have aged slowly and gracefully, toeing that rough shod road of twang and punk ethos while Jeff Tweedy is huddled away with an echo pedal and a pile of Can records. Through 13 releases, an essential best-of compilation and years of critical backslapping, Old 97s have stuck to doing what it knows well and doing it, well, well. Really well. It’s a twangy blend of roots rock, British invasion and powerpop, mixed with folk heartache and classic country mope. And their live shows are notorious, shuffling blasts of pure altcountry. Little Rock’s proved itself an alt-
Title Ever” even before it sees a release. Leave it up to Sweet Eagle, the local rock and rock and rock ’n’ roll supergroup, to come up with it. For the uninitiated, think MC5 with a Thin Lizzy bent. The band’s pieced together from folks from Smoke Up Johnny, Brother Andy and his Big Damn Mouth and other bands that could rock you under a table and drink you straight to an early grave which, considering the album release party offers $3.50 pitchers of Pabst, isn’t much of a stretch. The Eag is set to be joined by Memphis partners-in-crime, The Dirty Streets. JT.
EYEHATEGOD/ GOATWHORE LIFERS: Architects of the alt-country movement, Old 97s, bring their infamously wild live show to Revolution this Friday. country town for years and years, so expect an elbow-to-elbow house for this one. The gypsy-tinged Texas sound of Fort Worth’s Whiskey Folk Ramblers open the night. JT.
SLOBBERBONE
9 p.m., White Water Tavern. $12.50
n And here’s where it gets interesting for the hordes of alt-country devotees in Arkansas. While Old 97s are downtown, White Water Tavern hosts Slobberbone, the ’90s alt-country cult heroes who reformed last year; Glossary, the Tennessee roots rockers with an electric following in Arkansas; Two Cow Garage, a raspy punk-country outfit; and Kevin Kerby, the unofficial poet laureate of Pulaski County. Thankfully for the folks torn between the two nights, the four-band lineup, a loose “This is American Music” revue, is in town for two nights. It’s a double-header birthday party for Last Chance Records’ Travis Hill that has the bands doing regular sets on Friday night before getting loose on Saturday night (also at White Water; same time and price) for a roundtable of pickin’ and grinnin’ through covers and rarities. Also, Saturday afternoon has Joey Kneiser, Micah Schnabel and Brent Best (of Glossary, Two Cow Garage and Slobberbone, respectively) at Arkansas CD & Record Exchange for an in-store performance around 4 p.m. Birthday boy Hill says he’s confirmed visitors from 16 different states who are driving and flying in for the weekend shindig, so Little Rock, be sure to be on your rowdiest behavior for our guests, y’hear? JT.
Verizon Arena, sprinkling that blue-eyed, non-threatening charm through the Great American Songbook and probably touching a lot of hands in the crowd along the way. For years, Canadian standard-bearer Michael Buble has been the Coldplay to Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett’s Beatles, racking up awards and album sales every step of the way. Like the bulk of the traditional crooner-loving world, Buble rubs me in a generally wrong way. Try as he may, he’s no Rat Packer — not even a Pat Boone — but, dang it, I can’t commit to hating the guy. He’s got a “Today Show” charm that’s broad enough to leave even snobs like me susceptible. And, hey, if he’s leading people on the right track to picking up Sinatra’s Capitol records or any of the Tony Bennett/Count Basie Orchestra collaborations, he can fawn and pander as much as he needs. JT.
SWEET EAGLE ALBUM RELEASE
10 p.m., White Water Tavern. Donations.
n “Super 1968 Dog Shit E.P.” It’s instantly on the shortlist for “Greatest Local Album
7 p.m., Downtown Music. $15 adv., $17 d.o.s.
n When I was 12, I saw a video at church about the evils of pop music — George Michael’s “I Want Your Sex” wasn’t about standard copulation so much as “soul sex,” whatever that is; Metallica, Megadeth and Motley Crue were in legion with the devil (the “m’s” had some significance I’ve forgotten); and, surely you’ve heard, KISS is an obvious acronym for “Knights in Satan’s Service.” Unless you’re on the Arkansas Family Council’s team, those ideas have become laughably passe. These days, if you want to tweak moral convention, you’ve got to dig a little deeper. Like, say, into legendary New Orleans underground metal bands with names that sound like madeup swear words. Sludge kings Eyehategod, whose sound owes a debt to The Melvins and (of course) Black Sabbath, are playing new material in preparation for their first new release in a decade. Goatwhore specializes in black metal, or according to the band, “the sounds of utter madness that take us to a new level of understanding through disturbing tones and an overwhelming purge of depravity.” As underground metal shows go, it doesn’t get much bigger than this. Phobia opens. LM.
TUESDAY 12/7
MICHAEL BUBLE
7 p.m., Verizon Arena. $51.50-$91.50
n Good god, it’s about to be Ladies’ Night 2010 in Little Rock when the Justin Bieber for the 40-and-up crowd croons his way to
SHOOBY DOOBY DOO: Curious Canadian heartthrob Michael Buble croons the classics this Tuesday night at Verizon Arena.
■ inbrief
THURSDAY 12/2
n Downtown Music Hall cranks up with Misfits-flavored horror rock from Blitzkid and melodic punk from the masked locals in The Kill Crazies, 7 p.m., $8 adv., $10 d.o.s. Hot Springs gets a night of some of the best Little Rock has to offer when local singer/ songwriter J.R. Top brings down his Missouri-based band, Sweetwater Abilene, to Maxine’s for a night of Southern sounds alongside Brother Andy and His Big Damn Mouth and Big Silver, 9 p.m., $5.
FRIDAY 12/3
n The new Mediums Art Lounge at 521 Center St. hosts a night of “Cool Jazz” from Rodney Block and the Real Music Lovers, 9:30 p.m., $10 general admission, $15 V.I.P. Sticky Fingerz offers up a night of Texas country from up-andcomer Johnny Cooper and Southern rockers Culpepper Mountain Band, 9:30 p.m., $7. The Ghost Town Blues Band takes its electric roots sound to the late-nighters and their steel livers at Midtown Billiards, 12:30 a.m., $8 nonmembers. Bar rock abounds all over town with Bushdog at Fox and Hound, 10 p.m., $5; Mayday by Midnight at Cornerstone Pub & Grill, 9 p.m., $5; Thread at Thirst n’ Howl, 9 p.m.; and Mister Lucky in Benton at Denton’s Trotline, 9 p.m. Get your blue-eyed soul, R&B and soul fix at The Afterthought from local favorites Cody Belew and the Mercers, 9 p.m., $7.
SATURDAY 12/4
n Get in the holiday spirit early at the annual Big Jingle Jubilee Holiday Parade, which begins at Second and Broadway and winds through downtown Little Rock, 3 p.m. It’s followed by the secretary of state’s annual treelighting ceremony at the State Capitol, 4 p.m. Kingsdown hosts a holiday drive for “Toys For Tots” at Revolution alongside rockers A Good Fight and locals Ilia and EKG, 8:30 p.m., $7 over 21, $10 under 21. Juanita’s brings radiorock heavies Saliva downtown, 8 p.m., $16. Vino’s hosts a “Local Metal” night with Misery Index, In the Fade and A DarkEnd Era, 9 p.m., $8 adv., $10 d.o.s. Discovery Nightclub churns up for another Saturday night with music from Kramer in the lobby, Wendy Hunt taking to the techno room and Brandon Peck manning the theater, 10 p.m., $12. The party organizers of RSVP Society premiere their “High Society” night with DJs g-force, Epiphany and Big Brown spinning hip-hop and house in the Peabody penthouse, 8 p.m., $20. www.arktimes.com • DECEMBER 2, 2010 21
www.arktimes.com
afterdark
Hotel, 6:30 p.m., $30. 239 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-623-7771. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents “Illuscination.” Verizon Arena, 7 p.m.; Dec. 4, 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m.; Dec. 5, 1 p.m., $11.75-$55.75. 1 Alltel Arena Way, NLR. “River Market on Ice” 2010. The River Market Pavilions turn into an outdoor ice skating rink for the holidays. For hours and more information, visit holidaysinlittlerock.com. River Market Pavilions, through Jan. 9, 2011, $8. 400 President Clinton Ave. 375-2552. www.rivermarket.info. “Tie One On.” Live and silent auctions for artistdesigned aprons, food, drinks and live music to benefit Our House shelters. For tickets or more information, visit ourhouseshelter.org. Pavilion in the Park, 6:30 p.m., $50. 8201 Cantrell Road.
Books
All events are in the Greater Little Rock area unless otherwise noted. To place an event in the Arkansas Times calendar, please e-mail the listing and all pertinent information, including date, time, location, price and contact information, to calendar@arktimes.com.
Cary Bradburn. The author discusses his new book, “On the Opposite Shore: The Making of North Little Rock.” Hays Senior Citizens Center, 10:30 a.m. 401 W. Pershing Blvd., NLR. Mark Spitzer. UCA’s creative writing professor discusses his new book, “Writer in Residence: Memoir of a Literary Translator.” Faulkner County Library, 7 p.m., free. 1900 Tyler St., Conway. 501-327-7482. www.fcl.org.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3 Music
Music
Blitzkid, The Kill Crazies. Downtown Music Hall, 7 p.m., $8 adv., $10 d.o.s. 215 W. Capitol. 501-3761819. downtownshows.homestead.com. Brian & Nick. Markham Street Grill And Pub, 9 p.m. 11321 W. Markham St. 501-224-2010. www. markhamst.com. “V.I.P. Thursdays” with DJ Silky Slim. Sway, 8 p.m., $3. 412 Louisiana. 501-907-2582. Hendrix College Choir’s “Candlelight Carol Service.” Hendrix College, 7:30 p.m., free. 1600 Washington Ave., Conway. www.hendrix.edu. J-One Presents: “In Too Deep.” Deep Ultra Lounge, 10 p.m. 322 President Clinton Ave. Insane Clown Posse. The Village, 8 p.m., $24 adv., $28 d.o.s. 3915 S. University Ave. 501-570-0300. www.thevillagelive.com. Jeff Coleman. The Afterthought, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbar.com. Jim Dickerson. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www. sonnywilliamssteakroom.com. Kevin Gordon. White Water Tavern, 10 p.m. 2500 W. 7th. 501-375-8400. www.myspace.com/whitewatertavern. Kyle Turley. Revolution, 9 p.m., $7. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom.com. Ol’ Puddin’head. Thirst n’ Howl, through Dec. 31: 8 p.m. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www. tnhrocks.com. The Platters. RayLynn Theater, 7:30 p.m., $18.50. 701 Central Ave., Hot Springs. Sweetwater Abilene, Brother Andy and his Big Damn Mouth, Big Silver. Maxine’s, 9 p.m., $5. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. maxinespub.com. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 5 p.m., free. 111 W. President Clinton Ave. 501-374-7474. www. capitalhotel.com/CBG. Trademark (headliner), Josh Green (happy hour). Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 and 9 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf.com. University of Central Arkansas Wind Ensemble. Reynolds Performance Hall, University of Central Arkansas, 7:30 p.m., free. 201 Donaghey Ave., Conway. Zoogma, Montu. George’s Majestic Lounge, 9 p.m., $10. 519 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479-4424226.
coMedy
Tony Tone. The Loony Bin, 8 p.m.; Dec. 3, 8 and 10:30 p.m.; Dec. 4, 7, 9 and 11 p.m., $6-$9. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. www.loonybincomedy.com.
events
Hillcrest Shop & Sip. Shops and restaurants offer discounts, later hours, and live music. Hillcrest, first Thursday of every month, 5 p.m. P.O.Box 251522. 501-666-3600. www.hillcrestmerchants.com. “Ice on Ice.” An evening of food, drinks and light jazz to benefit the Junior Auxiliary of Hot Springs. Arlington 22 DECEMBER 2, 2010 • ARKANSAS TIMES
APING THE MASTERS: This spider monkey’s painting, and artworks by other animals at the Little Rock Zoo, will be sold by silent auction Dec. 9 in a Zoo fund-raiser sponsored by Boswell-Mourot Fine Art and the Little Rock Chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers. The event is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; the gallery is at 5815 Kavanaugh Blvd. Christmas ornaments painted by Zoo animals will be on sale. Call 664-0030 for more information.
Bushdog. Fox And Hound, 10 p.m., $5. 2800 Lakewood Village, NLR. 501-753-8300. www.foxandhound.com/locations/north-little-rock.aspx. Chant (headliner), Some Guy Named Robb (happy hour). Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 and 9 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf.com. Cody Belew and the Mercers. The Afterthought, 9 p.m., $7. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www. afterthoughtbar.com. The Dirt Daubers, Seryn, Kevin Gordon. Maxine’s, 9 p.m., $5 adv., $7 d.o.s. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. maxinespub.com. DJ Ja’Lee. Sway, 8 p.m., $5. 412 Louisiana. 501-907-2582. Ed Burks. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, Dec. 3-4, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www. sonnywilliamssteakroom.com. Ghost Town Blues Band. Midtown Billiards, Dec. 4, 12:30 a.m., $8 non-members. 1316 Main St. 501-3729990. midtownar.com. Glossary, Slobberbone, Kevin Kerby. White Water Tavern, Dec. 3-4, 9 p.m., $12.50. 2500 W. 7th. 501-375-8400. www.myspace.com/whitewatertavern. Hendrix College Choir’s “Candlelight Carol Service.” Hendrix College, 7:30 p.m., free. 1600 Washington Ave., Conway. www.hendrix.edu. Hourglass, Veridium, Livid, Paradigm. Vino’s, 8 p.m., $7. 923 W. Seventh St. 501-375-8466. www. vinosbrewpub.com. Jason Boland and the Stragglers. George’s Majestic Lounge, 9 p.m., $15. 519 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479-442-4226. Johnny Cooper, Culpepper Mountain Band. Sticky Fingerz Rock ’n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9:30 p.m., $7. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www. stickyfingerz.com. Larue and Wagner. Grumpy’s Too, 8:30 p.m., free. 1801 Green Mountain Drive. 501-225-9650. Lyle Dudley. Capi’s, 8:30 p.m., free. 11525 Cantrell Suite 917. 501-225-9600. www.capisrestaurant. com. Mayday by Midnight. Cornerstone Pub & Grill, 9 p.m., $5. 314 Main St., NLR. 501-374-1782. cstonepub.com. Mister Lucky. Denton’s Trotline, 9 p.m. 2150 Congo Road, Benton. 501-315-1717. Old 97s, Whiskey Folk Ramblers. Revolution, 9 p.m., $16 adv., $18 d.o.s. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom.com. The Platters. RayLynn Theater, through Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m., $18.50. 701 Central Ave., Hot Springs. Ramoth Gilliad. Reno’s Argenta Cafe, 9 p.m. 312 N. Main St., NLR. 501-376-2900. www.renosargentacafe.com. Rodney Block and the Real Music Lovers. Mediums Art Lounge, 9:30 p.m., $10 general admission, $15 V.I.P. 521 Center St. RSVP Society: “High Society” with Epiphany, g-force, Big Brown. The Peabody Little Rock, 10
p.m., $20. 3 Statehouse Plaza. 501-906-4000. www. peabodylittlerock.com. Seth Freeman Band. West End Smokehouse and Tavern, 10 p.m., $5. 215 N. Shackleford. 501-2247665. www.westendsmokehouse.net. Steve Bates. Cregeen’s Irish Pub, 8:30 p.m., free. 301 Main St., NLR. 501-376-7468. www.cregeens. com. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 9 p.m. 111 W. President Clinton Ave. 501-374-7474. www.capitalhotel.com/CBG. Thread. Thirst n’ Howl, 9 p.m. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www.tnhrocks.com. Thriving Ivory. Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $13 adv., $15 d.o.s. 1300 S. Main St. 501-372-1228. www.juanitas.com. The Trustees. Markham Street Grill And Pub, 9 p.m. 11321 W. Markham St. 501-224-2010. www. markhamst.com. Will Gunselman. Flying Saucer, 9 p.m., $3. 323 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-7468. www.beerknurd.com/stores/littlerock. University of Central Arkansas “Madrigal Feaste.” Food, drinks and caroling from UCA Chamber Singers. For more information, call 501-4505751. University of Central Arkansas, through Dec. 5: 6:30 p.m., $40. 201 Donaghey Ave., Conway. www. uca.edu.
Comedy
Mike Speenburg. The Loony Bin, Dec. 3-4, 8 p.m.; Dec. 5, 8 and 10:30 p.m.; Dec. 6, 7, 9 and 11 p.m., $6-$9. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. www.loonybincomedy.com. Tony Tone. The Loony Bin, Dec. 3, 8 and 10:30 p.m.; Dec. 4, 7, 9 and 11 p.m., $6-$9. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. www.loonybincomedy.com.
events
32nd Annual Christmas Showcase. Handcrafted jewelry, glass, pottery, photography, paintings, fiber, metal, wood and more. Statehouse Convention Center, 10 a.m., $5. 7 Statehouse Plaza. Arkansas Craft Guild “Christmas Showcase.” An array of hand-crafted traditional and contemporary arts and crafts. For more information, call 269-4120 or visit arkansascraftguild.org. Statehouse Convention Center, Dec. 3-5, $5. 7 Statehouse Plaza. CARTI “Festival After Dark.” Dancing, live and silent auctions, food, drinks and music from Dr. Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster, all to benefit CARTI. For tickets or more information, call 660-7634 or visit carti.com. Statehouse Convention Center, 7 p.m., $40 adv., $50 d.o.e. 7 Statehouse Plaza. CARTI “Festival of Fashion.” A midday runway show from local designers to benefit CARTI. For more information, visit carti.com. Statehouse Convention Center, 11 a.m., $50. 7 Statehouse Plaza. Haunted Evening Tour. A two-hour tour of locations said to be the city’s most haunted and a visit with paranormal investigators. Visit hauntedtoursoflittlerock.com for more information. MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, through : 7 p.m., $25. 503 E. 9th St. 376-4602. www.arkmilitaryheritage.com. LGBTQ/SGL Youth and Young Adult Group. Diverse Youth for Social Change is a group for LGBTQ/ SGL and Straight Ally Youth and Young Adults age 14 to 23. For more information, call 244-9690 or search “DYSC” on Facebook. 800 Scott St., 6:30 p.m. 800 Scott St. “River Market on Ice” 2010. See Dec. 2.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4 musiC
Conway Symphony’s “Tinsel, Tutus, Tunes and Tubas.” Reynolds Performance Hall, University of Central Arkansas, 7:30 p.m. 201 Donaghey Ave., Conway. DJ Ja’Lee. Sway, 8 p.m., $5. 412 Louisiana. 501-907-2582. Ed Burks. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www.sonnywilliamssteakroom.com. The Gettys. Denton’s Trotline, 9 p.m. 2150 Congo Road, Benton. 501-315-1717. Glossary, Slobberbone, Kevin Kerby. White Water Tavern, 9 p.m., $12.50. 2500 W. 7th. 501-3758400. www.myspace.com/whitewatertavern. Grace Askew. Reno’s Argenta Cafe, 9 p.m. 312 N. Main St., NLR. 501-376-2900. www.renosargentacafe.com. Greyson Shelton. Cregeen’s Irish Pub, 8:30 p.m., free. 301 Main St., NLR. 501-376-7468. www. cregeens.com.
UpCoMiNg EvENTS Concert tickets through Ticketmaster by phone at 975-7575 or online at www.ticketmaster.com unless otherwise noted. Dec. 18: Trans-Siberian Orchestra. 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., $27-$63. Verizon Arena. 800-7453000, ticketmaster.com. Dec. 22: Lucero, Cory Branan. 9 p.m., $16. Revolution, 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-8230090, revroom.com. Dec. 23: The Big Cats. White Water Tavern, 2500 W. 7th. 375-8400, myspace.com/whitewatertavern. Dec. 31: Hayes Carli. 9:30 p.m., $18. Revolution, 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-8230090, revroom.com.
Hendrix College Choir’s “Candlelight Carol Service.” Hendrix College, 7:30 p.m., free. 1600 Washington Ave., Conway. www.hendrix.edu. Interstate Buffalo. Midtown Billiards, 12:30 a.m., $8 non-members. 1316 Main St. 501-372-9990. midtownar.com. “Independent Music Night” Hip Hop Showcase. Downtown Music Hall, 9 p.m., $5. 215 W. Capitol. 501-376-1819. downtownshows.homestead.com. The Intruders (headliner), Lyle Dudley). Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 and 9 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf.com. Janet Air. Cornerstone Pub & Grill, 9 p.m., $5. 314 Main St., NLR. 501-374-1782. cstonepub.com. Jill Stringham Band. Fox And Hound, 10 p.m., $5. 2800 Lakewood Village, NLR. 501-753-8300. www. foxandhound.com/locations/north-little-rock.aspx. JJ Grey and Mofro. George’s Majestic Lounge, 9 p.m., $15. 519 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479-4424226. Karaoke at Khalil’s. Khalil’s Pub, 7 p.m. 110 S. Shackleford Road. 501-224-0224. www.khalilspub. com. Kingsdown, Ilia, EKG, A Good Fight. Revolution, 8:30 p.m., $7-$10. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom.com. Kramer (lobby); Wendy Hunt (techno); Brandon Peck (tehater); Shawn Tyler Andrews, Jasmine Turrell, Dominique Sanchez (theater). Discovery Nightclub, 10 p.m., $12. 1021 Jessie Road. 501-6644784. www.latenightdisco.com. Misery Index, In the Fade, A Darkend Era. Vino’s, 9 p.m., $8 adv., $10 d.o.s. 923 W. Seventh St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com. The Platters. RayLynn Theater, 7:30 p.m., $18.50. 701 Central Ave., Hot Springs. Raising Grey. West End Smokehouse and Tavern, 10 p.m., $5. 215 N. Shackleford. 501-224-7665. www. westendsmokehouse.net. Rip Van Schizel. Thirst n’ Howl, 9 p.m. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www.tnhrocks.com. Saliva, Star City Meltdown, Seven Day Sonnet. Juanita’s, 8 p.m., $16. 1300 S. Main St. 501-372-1228. www.juanitas.com. The See, Catskill Kids, Reptar. Maxine’s, 9 p.m., $5. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. maxinespub. com. Shannon McClung. Flying Saucer, 9 p.m., $3. 323 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-7468. www.beerknurd.com/stores/littlerock. Taylor Made. Sticky Fingerz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9:30 p.m., $5. 107 Commerce St. 501-3727707. www.stickyfingerz.com. Team Lieblong. Grumpy’s Too, 8:30 p.m., free. 1801 Green Mountain Drive. 501-225-9650. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 9 p.m. 111 W. President Clinton Ave. 501-374-7474. www.capitalhotel.com/CBG. Tommy O’Sullivan. Unitarian Universalist Church of Little Rock, 7:30 p.m., $12. 1818 Reservoir Road. Top of the Rock Chorus presents “Jingle Jam 2010.” State Capitol, 5:30 p.m., free. State Capitol.
Comedy
Mike Speenburg. The Loony Bin, 8 p.m.; Dec. 5, 8 and 10:30 p.m.; Dec. 6, 7, 9 and 11 p.m., $6-$9. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. www.loonybincomedy.com. Tony Tone. The Loony Bin, 7, 9 and 11 p.m., $6-$9. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. www.loonybincomedy.com.
events
Arkansas Craft Guild “Christmas Showcase.” See Dec. 3. “Big Jingle Jubilee” Holiday Parade. The annual holiday parade returns with floats, classic cars, horses and music. For more information, visit holidaysinlittlerock.com. Downtown Little Rock, 3 p.m., free. downtown. “A Capitol Event.” Dinner, silent auction and Christmas carols from the Arkansas Chamber Singers. For tickets or more information, call 377-1121 or visit ar-chambersingers.org. The Little Rock Club, 5 p.m., $12-$18. 400 W. Capitol, 30th Floor. “A Celebration of Living Gifts .” Information on Heifer International with opportunities to purchase animals for families in need. For more information, call 907-2697 or visit heifer.org/heifervillage. Heifer Village, 10 a.m. p.m., free. 1 World Ave. 501-376-6836. heifer. org/heifervillage. “Christmas & Candlelight” 2010. The annual tour of historic Washington, Ark., returns with candlelight tours, surrey rides and more. For more information, visit historicwashingtonstatepark.com. Historic Washington State Park, $10 adults, $5 children. US Hwy. 278, Washington. Falun Gong meditation. Allsopp Park, 9 a.m., free. Cantrell & Cedar Hill Roads. “Holidays on Ice.” Arkansas Skatium, Dec. 4, 12 p.m.; Dec. 5, 5 p.m., $8. 1311 S. Bowman Road. Jingle Bell Run/Walk. The 19th annual holiday run returns, benefiting the Arkansas Arthritis Foundation. For more information, call 664-7242 or visit arkansasjinglebellrun.org. River Market Pavilions, 7 a.m., $25 registration. 400 President Clinton Ave. 375-2552. www.rivermarket.info. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents “Illuscination.” Verizon Arena, Dec. 4, 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m.; Dec. 5, 1 p.m., $11.75-$55.75. 1 Alltel Arena Way, NLR. “River Market on Ice” 2010. See Dec. 2. State Capitol Lighting Ceremony. State Capitol, 4 p.m., free. State Capitol. “Tux ‘n Trees.” A black tie event offering an elegant dinner, live and silent auction items and dancing, all to support CARTI and cancer patients of Arkansas. For more information, visit carti.com. Statehouse Convention Center, 6 p.m., $200. 7 Statehouse Plaza.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5 musiC
“Climax” with Cruise Control, Mike Blaze, DJ Swagger. Ernie Biggs, 9 p.m. 307 Clinton Ave. 501-372-4782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com. Hendrix College Choir’s “Candlelight Carol Service.” Hendrix College, 4 p.m., free. 1600 Washington Ave., Conway. www.hendrix.edu. River City Men’s Chorus Holiday Concert. Trinity United Methodist Church, 3 p.m.; Dec. 6, 7 p.m.; Dec. 9, 7 p.m., free. 1101 N. Mississippi St. 501-666-2813. www.tumclr.org. “S.I.N. Sunday” with The Weisenheimers, San Antokyo, Jeff Coleman and the Feeders. Ernie Biggs, 10 p.m. 307 Clinton Ave. 501-372-4782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com. Sunday Jazz Brunch with Ted Ludwig and Joe Cripps. Vieux Carre, 11 a.m. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.vieuxcarrecafe.com.
Comedy
Mike Speenburg. The Loony Bin, 8 and 10:30 p.m.; Dec. 6, 7, 9 and 11 p.m., $6-$9. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. www.loonybincomedy.com.
Live Music THuRsDay, DecemBeR 2ND KeviN GoRDoN (NasHviLLe, TeNNessee) FRiDay, DecemBeR 3 LasT cHaNce RecoRDs pReseNTs NiGHT oNe: GLossaRy (muRFReesBoRo,TN) sLoBBeRBoNe (DeNToN,TX) micaH scHNaBeL (FRom Two cow GaRaGe) saTuRDay, DecemBeR 4 LasT cHaNce RecoRDs pReseNTs NiGHT Two: GLossaRy sLoBBeRBoNe moNDay, DecemBeR 6 RomaNy Rye
myspace.com/whitewatertavern Little Rock’s Down-Home Neighborhood Bar
7th & Thayer • Little Rock • (501) 375-8400
Thursday, Dec. 2nd • 7PM $24/$28 Tickets Available @ ArkansasLiveMusic.com
s cajun’ wharf presents
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3
Chant
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4
The Intruders
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9
Cody Belew & The Mercers
events
Arkansas Craft Guild “Christmas Showcase.” See Dec. 3. “Christmas Frolic and Open House.” The 43rd annual Christmas celebration returns with dancing, cider, and historic reconstructions and reenactments. For more information, visit historicarkansas.org. Historic Arkansas Museum, 1 p.m., free. 200 E. Third St. 501-324-9351. www.historicarkansas.org. “Christmas in the Quarter.” A tour of the neighborhood’s historic homes with refreshments, music and local art. For tickets or more information, visit qqumc.org. Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church, 2 p.m., $20. 1601 S. Louisiana. “Holidays on Ice.” Arkansas Skatium, 5 p.m., $8. 1311 S. Bowman Road. Mosaic Templars Cultural Center Holiday
Continued on page 24
live music every night Big Swingin’ Deck Parties on Thursdays
cajunswharf.com
mon-sat from 4:30 p.m.
2400 cantrell road • on the arkansas river
375-5351
www.arktimes.com • DECEMBER 2, 2010 23
CALENDAR
Continued from page 23 Open House. Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, 2 p.m. 501 W. 9th St. 501-376-4602. www.mosaictemplarscenter.com. North Little Rock Christmas Parade. Main Street, North Little Rock, 1 p.m. Main St., NLR. Old State House Museum Holiday Open House. Old State House Museum, 1:30 p.m., free. 500 Clinton Ave. 501-324-9685. www.oldstatehouse.com. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents “Illuscination.” Verizon Arena, 1 p.m., $11.75$55.75. 1 Alltel Arena Way, NLR. “River Market on Ice” 2010. See Dec. 2. Toys for Tots “Motorcycle Parade.” Motorcycle fundraiser to benefit Toys for Tots. Line-up at 9 a.m., departure at 2 p.m. For more information, call 562-6336 or visit rodneyscyclehouse.com. Rodney’s Cycle House. 8120 Doyle Springs Rd. University of Central Arkansas “Madrigal Feaste.” See Dec. 3.
SportS
UALR Men’s Basketball vs. Tulsa. UALR - Jack Stephens Center, 2 p.m. 2801 S. University Ave.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6 MuSic
Chase Coy, Backseat Goodbye, Plug In Stereo. Downtown Music Hall, 7 p.m., $8 adv., $10 d.o.s. 215 W. Capitol. 501-376-1819. downtownshows.homestead.com. River City Men’s Chorus Holiday Concert. Trinity United Methodist Church, Dec. 6, 7 p.m.; Dec. 9, 7 p.m., free. 1101 North Mississippi St. 501-6662813. www.tumclr.org.
coMedy
Mike Speenburg. The Loony Bin, 7, 9 and 11 p.m., $6-$9. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. www.loonybincomedy.com.
eventS
“River Market on Ice” 2010. See Dec. 2.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7 MuSic
Arkansas Symphony Orchestra: “River Rhapsodies.” Clinton Presidential Center, 7 p.m., $22. 1200 President Clinton Avenue. 370-8000. www. clintonpresidentialcenter.org. Eyehategod, Phobia, Goatwhore. Downtown Music Hall, 7 p.m., $15 adv., $17 d.o.s. 215 W. Capitol. 501-376-1819. downtownshows.homestead.com. Jim Dickerson. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www. sonnywilliamssteakroom.com. Karaoke Night. Cornerstone Pub & Grill, 8 p.m. 314 Main St., NLR. 501-374-1782. cstonepub.com. Karaoke Tuesday. Prost, 8 p.m., free. 120 Ottenheimer. 501-244-9550. Karaoke with Big John Miller. Denton’s Trotline, 8 p.m. 2150 Congo Road, Benton. 501-315-1717. Koffin Kats. Sticky Fingerz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9 p.m., donations. 107 Commerce St. 501-3727707. www.stickyfingerz.com. Lucious Spiller Band. Copeland’s, 6-9 p.m. 2602 S. Shackleford Road. 501-312-1616. www.copelandsofneworleans.com. Michael Buble. Verizon Arena, 8 p.m., $51.50$91.50. 1 Alltel Arena Way, NLR. Sweet Eagle Album Release with The Dirty Streets. White Water Tavern, 10 p.m. 2500 W. 7th. 501-375-8400. www.myspace.com/whitewatertavern. Tequila Tuesdays with DJ Hy-C. Bill St. Grill and Pub, 8:30 p.m. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-3531724. Tuesday Jam Session with Carl Mouton. The Afterthought, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbar.com.
dance
“Latin Night.” Revolution, 7 p.m., $5 regular, $7 under 21. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. www.revroom.com.
eventS
“River Market on Ice” 2010. See Dec. 2.
SportS
UALR Men’s Basketball vs. Philander Smith. 24 DECEMBER 2, 2010 • ARKANSAS TIMES
UALR - Jack Stephens Center, 7 p.m. 2801 S. University Ave.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8 MuSic
10 Years, American Fangs, Grand Facade. Juanita’s, 8 p.m., $15 adv., $17 d.o.s. 1300 S. Main St. 501-372-1228. www.juanitas.com. Acoustic Open Mic with Kat Hood. The Afterthought, 8 p.m. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-6631196. www.afterthoughtbar.com. Bolly Open Mic Hype Night with Osyrus Bolly and DJ Messiah. All American Wings, 9 p.m. 215 W. Capitol Ave. 501-376-4000. allamericanwings. com. Brian & Nick. Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf.com. D-Mite and Tho’d Studios Showcase. Cornerstone Pub & Grill, 8 p.m. 314 Main St., NLR. 501-374-1782. cstonepub.com. Fjord Mustang. Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf. com. Jim Dickerson. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www. sonnywilliamssteakroom.com. Karaoke at Khalil’s. Khalil’s Pub, 7 p.m. 110 S. Shackleford Road. 501-224-0224. www.khalilspub. com. Karaoke with Big John Miller. Denton’s Trotline, 8 p.m. 2150 Congo Road, Benton. 501-315-1717. Lucious Spiller Band. Sticky Fingerz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9:30 p.m., $5. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyfingerz.com. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 5 p.m., free. 111 W. President Clinton Ave. 501-374-7474. www. capitalhotel.com/CBG.
coMedy
Red Octopus Presents: “Pagans on Bobsleds XIX: The Spawn of Santa.” The Public Theatre, Dec. 8-11, 8 p.m., $10. 616 Center St. 501-374-7529. www.thepublictheatre.com.
eventS
“River Market on Ice” 2010. See Dec. 2.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9 MuSic
Arkansas Genealogical Society Workshop. An introduction to FamilySearch, the largest genealogical website for records, resources, and services in family history research. Arkansas Studies Institute, 6 p.m., free. 401 President Clinton Ave. 501-320-5792. Chris Henry. Grumpy’s Too, 8:30 p.m., free. 1801 Green Mountain Drive. 501-225-9650. Cody Belew & the Mercers (headliner), Rob & Tyndall (happy hour). Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 and 9 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-3755351. www.cajunswharf.com. “V.I.P. Thursdays” with DJ Silky Slim. Sway, 8 p.m., $3. 412 Louisiana. 501-907-2582. J-One Presents: “In Too Deep.” Deep Ultra Lounge, 10 p.m. 322 President Clinton Ave. Jim Dickerson. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www. sonnywilliamssteakroom.com. Ol’ Puddin’head. Thirst n’ Howl, through Dec. 31: 8 p.m. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www. tnhrocks.com. River City Men’s Chorus Holiday Concert. Trinity United Methodist Church, 7 p.m., free. 1101 North Mississippi St. 501-666-2813. www.tumclr. org. Robert Earl Keen. George’s Majestic Lounge, 9 p.m., $25. 519 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479-4424226. T-Model Ford. White Water Tavern, 10 p.m. 2500 W. 7th. 501-375-8400. www.myspace.com/whitewatertavern. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 5 p.m., free. 111 W. President Clinton Ave. 501-374-7474. www. capitalhotel.com/CBG. Tragikly White. Denton’s Trotline, Dec. 9-10, 9 p.m. 2150 Congo Road, Benton. 501-315-1717.
coMedy
Red Octopus Presents: “Pagans on Bobsleds XIX: The Spawn of Santa.” The Public Theatre, through Dec. 11, 8 p.m., $10. 616 Center St. 501-3747529. www.thepublictheatre.com.
Continued on page 25
I could f-up a ball bearing
“It needs two kinds of oil?” I ask. “You followed the directions, huh?” OK, technically, I hadn’t opened the instruction manual. “I followed the directions the guy I bought it from gave me,” I said guiltily. He turns the chainsaw on its side, sticks his thumb in the empty hole, then sticks it in his mouth to prove a point, “Bone ... dry. You’re lucky you didn’t burn the whole damn motor out.” There are areas of knowledge that simply don’t adhere to any part of my brain — names the first time I hear them, trigonometry, anything involving financial planning, the presidents between the first 10 and the last 10. I suppose that portion is taken up with state capitals, whole scenes from John Hughes movies and esoteric blues lyrics.
Hardware is another one. I can juggle. I can follow a recipe. I can lift a good number of pounds up over my head. But if the heat goes out in my house, I’m feckless. I’m George Costanza railing against a mechanic telling him he needs a new “Johnson rod.” I’m “like a pig looking at a wristwatch” to quote my father. Speaking of Dad, was he the cause? Did he just not give me the right rugged education? Or is it simply my lack of aptitude? I always marveled at his ability to know the name of every bird and every tree and every bush. And I marvel nonetheless at these other men. The sturdy ones. There’s something fundamental about them. It’s as if they are more at ease with a tool in their hand. They’re unflinching in the face of the internal combustion engine. A monkish serenity sets in as they look at the threading of a screw. It’s as though they are the evolutionary successes, while men like me are genetic deviants, unfit to create, build, fix or repair real-world tangible things that help support, sustain and promote life. When I’m freezing on the side of the road because my car won’t start, I don’t need a theory on why bad things happen to good people to keep warm; I need a goddamn set of jumper cables. I see these men and am reminded, as a
candy-ass like me would be, of the section of “Anna Karenina” when Levin works in the field for the first time in his life. “In the midst of his work moments came to him when he forgot what he was doing and began to feel light, and in those moments his swath came out as even and good as Titus’s. But as soon as he remembered what he was doing and started trying to do better, he at once felt how hard the work was and the swath came out badly.” I envy the feeling of the first part. I’ve seen glimpses of it, but a day’s work, even an honest one, has almost always felt like drudgery. The last part, however, that last part is me. The clumsy one. The one trying, but thinking too much about it. And in those moments, I’m left foundering, incompetent, helpless to manhood. Would I trade the hours spent attempting to learn about Hegel or the SpanishAmerican War or metonymy for a touch of innate know-how in small engine, motor or electrical repair? God yes. Like Jack Gladney in DeLillo’s “White Noise” says when feeling these same inadequacies in the face of his excessively handy father-in-law, “What could be more useless than a man who couldn’t fix a dripping faucet — fundamentally useless, dead to history, to the messages in his genes?”
B. Ashley and multi-media by Scinthya Edwards, through Jan. 30; “Model Trains of Bill Albright,” Eclectic Collector show, through March 14, 2011; “Natural Wonders: Paintings and Drawings by Laura Terry,” through Dec. 5. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. $2.50 adults, $1.50, $1 children for tours of grounds. 324-9351. oLd STaTE hoUSE, 300 W. Markham St.: “holiday open house,” 1-4:30 p.m. dec. 5, card-making, singing, cookies; “Brown Bag Lunch Lecture — CSS Pontchartrain: arkansas’s Forgotten Warship,” noon-1 p.m. dec. 7; “Arkansas/ Arkansaw: A State and Its Reputation,” the evolution of the state’s hillbilly image; “Badges, Bandits & Bars: Arkansas Law & Justice,” state’s history of crime and punishment, through March 2011. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 324-9685. STaTEhoUSE CoNVENTIoN CENTEr: 32nd annual “Christmas Showcase,” art and crafts by members of the Arkansas Craft Guild, including fine jewelry, glass, handwoven clothing, pottery, furniture, spa products and more, with entertainment by mountain dulcimer player Charlie Mink. $5 at door. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. dec. 3, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. dec. 4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. dec. 5. 870-269-4120, www.arkansas-
craftguild.org. ThEa FoUNdaTIoN, 401 Main St.: argenta holiday art Sale, with work by 15 area artists, including doug Norton, Kandy Jones, mary Shelton, marty ann Smith, Chris dole and Sister maria Leibeck, John Kushmaul, robin hazard-Bishop, rene hein, Tim Jacob, Patricia davis, Ted Parkhurst, robin Steves, Peggy roberson, Larry Pennington and the argenta Bead Chicks, with food, drinks, music by Gentlemen Jazz, 5:30-9 p.m. dec. 8. 379-9512. 993-1234. ToBy FaIrLEy FINE arT, 5507 Ranch Drive, Suite 103: Large acrylic abstracts by Jane Booth, reception 6-8 p.m. dec. 2. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tue.-Fri. or by appointment. 868-9882. UNIVErSITy oF arKaNSaS aT LITTLE roCK: 2nd annual “UaLr holiday Sale,” work by local artists, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. through dec. 3; student work by John R. Cater, Osas Oyara, Dallas Jones and Mary Colleen Somers, Gallery III, through Dec. 9. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat., 2-5 p.m. Sun. 569-8977. n Eureka Springs LUX WEaVING STUdIo, 18 White St.: 10th
annual Christmas open house with work by weaver Eleanor Lux, potter Karen Foster and woodworker doug Stowe, 5-8 p.m. dec. 4, noon-5 p.m. dec. 5. 479-253-9636. n Fayetteville FayETTEVILLE UNdErGroUNd, 1 E. Center St.: “art for the holidays,” affordable works of art by FU Studio artists, including Christian demare, Thomas Krapausky, Thomas Patillo, Kat Wilson, marianne Wilson, Christopher Baber, Lin Chen and others, 5-8 p.m. dec. 2, First Thursday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Wed.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. www.fayettevilleunderground.blogspot.com. GoodFoLK hoUSE, 229 N. Block: 10th annual “holiday art Sale,” featuring work by Victoria mcKinney, Vajra Engber, don house, Greg mitchell, marie demeroukas, debra duBois, Elizabeth Nevin and others, 7-9 p.m. dec. 3, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. dec. 4, noon-5 p.m. dec. 5. n hot Springs amErICaN arT GaLLEry, 724 Central Ave.: Thomas Kinkade, Jimmy Leach, Jamie Carter, Govinder, Marlene Gremillion, Margaret Kipp and others. Open 5-9 p.m. dec. 3, Gallery Walk.
By Graham Gordy
n “Didya use the right gas/oil mix?” Contemptuous. Surly. Almost seething. He’d seen guys like me in there before. Soft guys. Hoodies. Bright sneakers. Shiny new chainsaws that broke after using them for one afternoon. He sniffed at the air. Fearing he would trace it to my overpriced hair product, I answered quickly, “Yeah, I just followed the directions.” I looked at his hands. His knuckles were busted, fingers crooked, nails cracked, as if the man had been strip-mined, dredged, and left. What do you do to get hands like that? It’s in the presence of men like this — men who can eyeball a wall stud from 100 yards, men who exfoliate with sandpaper and moisturize with Pennzoil 10W-40 — that I feel the most incompetent as a man. They can see, from under lowered brows, the part of me that’s most lacking. And, sure enough, this man finds it immediately. “Jee-zus, son. Where’s your bar oil?” He has unscrewed a little cap on the back of the chainsaw, a cap I hadn’t seen up to now.
calendar
Continued from page 24
EvEnts
“river market on Ice” 2010. See Dec. 2.
GALLERIES, muSEumS GrEG ThomPSoN FINE arT, 429 Main St., NLR: “holiday open house” (in conjunction with “argenta holiday art Sale”), portion of proceeds from sales to benefit Argenta Arts Foundation, Camp Aldersgate and Centers for Youth and Families, 5:30-9 p.m. dec. 8; “Twice Told Tales,” paintings by Rebecca Thompson; also work by Glennray Tutor, William Dunlap, Donald Roller Wilson, Carroll Cloar, Barry Thomas and others. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat. 664-2787. hISTorIC arKaNSaS mUSEUm, 200 E. Third St.: 43rd annual “Christmas Frolic and open house,” with Arkansas Country Dancers, hot cider and ginger cake in the 1850s Log House Farmstead, tour of new reconstruction the Woodruff Print Shop, 1-4 p.m. dec. 5; “All in the Touch,” sculpture by Diana
Graham Gordy
WEBSTER UNIVERSITY’S Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)
Continued on page 28
THE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
Little Rock Metropolitan Campus 200 West Capitol Ave. • Little Rock, AR 72201 • 501.375.1511
webster.edu/littlerock www.arktimes.com • DECEMBER 2, 2010 25
It’s Just Around the Corner! Presents
The
Nutcracker featuring the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra
DANGER IN JUAREZ: Little Rock natives Brent and Craig Renaud have produced a series of short-form documentaries for the New York times about drug-fueled violence in Juarez, Mexico.
Hell on the Border Renaud Brothers in Juarez for NY Times. By DaviD Koon
Dec. 11th at 7pm • Dec. 12th at 3pm Robinson Center Auditorium Tickets & Info (501) 666-1761
rent a trolleY FOR HOLIDAY PARTIES!
Dolly, Polly and Wally are decorated and waiting to be a part of your holiday celebrations! Our wheeled trolleys are fun, easy, safe and hold up to 24 passengers! CheCk out these rental options: Dasher Comet $200. Don’t have $100 each way. enough for a trolley The trolley will — use a 14-passenpick your group ger mini bus instead up and take you Great for a smaller almost anywhere group of up to 14 for in Central Arkansas a 1 1/2-hour tour. and back. Perfect as a “party shuttle”, family get together or planned tour!
Donner $350. This 2-hour tour includes the Christmas Lights of Central Arkansas with a professional guide and driver to entertain the entire group.
ruDolph Blitzen $1,000. Turn-key Parties for 50 start package that at $2,000. includes a holiday Several venue and meal and tour. tour destinations Plan is flexible are available. Have and can easily be an idea? We’ll customized. Final make it happen! price based on menu selection and other amenities.
Give us a call today and let’s party! Individual tickets available on some dates.
Downtown Little Rock 26 DECEMBER 2, 2010 • ARKANSAS TIMES
501.603.0113
n Yeah, we know this column is called The Televisionist, but in our way of thinking, that covers a lot more than just television. It’s a brave new world, with new choices for entertainment and information, and we take it where we can get it, sweetheart. Increasingly, the stuff to be found online outshines even the best of what can be found on television. A great example is Brent and Craig Renaud’s new short-form documentaries on the drug-fueled violence in Juarez, Mexico, that debut Dec. 8, 9 and 10 on the New York Times website, video.nytimes. com. Originally from Little Rock, the Renaud brothers are the brains behind the Little Rock Film Festival, and have often put themselves in harm’s way in pursuit of their documentary projects, which take viewers from the battlefields of Iraq to the rubble-strewn streets of post-earthquake Haiti. In this new doc, the Renauds bring us all a glimpse of the border hell created by this country’s seemingly insatiable appetite for drugs. (You can also find earlier Renaud docs from Juarez on the Times’ video page). Though the three docs are less than 10 minutes each, their weight and power shines through, mostly thanks to the willingness of the Renauds to go beyond the dry statistics and easy answers and seek out the always-more-dangerous truth. In one documentary, titled “Juarez Youth,” the filmmakers brave some of Juarez’s roughest slums to speak to members of the city’s burgeoning street gangs — baby-faced killers who often wind up as cannon fodder in the wars between the cartels. These are just kids, but they’ve grown up in a world were life is so cheap that people no longer get alarmed at stepping over a dead body in the street. After that, the brothers seek out the head of social services in Juarez, a man charged with running the largest juvenile lockup in Latin America. In another short doc, titled “Security
in an Insecure Land,” which is already posted on the Times’ website, the Renauds tell the story of one of the few legal growth industries in Juarez: private security. In this segment, they profile the owner of a private security firm, a man who knows that violence is good for his business but who is still crushed by the violence he sees on the streets where he played as a boy. In one scene, he interviews former Juarez policemen looking to become security officers, but has to turn them away when it becomes clear they’re entirely unqualified; in another, he shares a quiet dinner with his family, lamenting with his wife that they may have to soon move the children to El Paso, Texas, so they can be safe. In maybe the most touching scene, he shows off his collection of intricate toy soldiers, which he paints late into the night when the faces of the dead men he has seen make it impossible for him to sleep. Given that I’m a journalist, it might be the third segment, titled “The World’s Most Dangerous Beat,” that was the most moving. Here, the Renaud brothers profile several members of the media in Juarez, who face the constant threat of death because something they wrote or said on air was deemed threatening to the cartels or corrupt local police. More than 50 journalists have been killed there in the last five years. The amazing heroes from this short doc are enough to make you thank your lucky stars you were born in America: Augustine Mesa, a cameraman and reporter for Juarez’s channel 44, who covers local Continued on page 31
A& E N Ew s
New on Rock Candy n Here’s some good news, especially for those who have watched with horror as Billy Bob Thornton made the long, slow slide from indie genius (“Sling Blade”) through life as Mr. Jolie, to bitpart craphood in dreck like “Armageddon” and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s “Faster”: Thornton says that he’s finished a new script with old writing partner Tom Epperson called “Jayne Mansfield’s Car” and plans to direct, probably this spring. Will he come back home for the production, as with “Daddy and Them”? Cross your fingers, both for a Central Arkansas shoot and that he can recapture some of the “Sling Blade” magic. The boy needs a hit.
THORNTON: Looking to get back on track. n Kid Rock returns to Verizon Arena early next year on his “Born Free Tour.” He’ll be in town at 7 p.m. Feb. 9, with country singer Jamey Johnson opening. Tickets, which range from $25 to $89, go on sale this morning at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster outlets and the Verizon Arena box office.
Books calendar
What’s happening in December. Unless indicated, event is a reading and/or book signing. To list your event in the calendar, contact Lindsey Millar at “Books,” Arkansas Times, P.O. Box 34010, Little Rock, AR 72203, or by phone, 375-2985; fax, 375-3623, or e-mail, lindsey@ arktimes.com. 2 Mark Spitzer (“Writer in Residence: Memoir of a Literary Translator”), 7 p.m., FL. 4 Justice Robert Brown (“Defining Moments: Historic Decisions by Arkansas Governors”), 11 a.m., WW. 4 Taylor Eubank (“Alone, Unarmed, Unafraid: Unarmed Reconnaissance during the Vietnam Conflict”) 2 p.m., WW. 4 Shannon Taylor Vannatter (“The White Rose Trilogy”), 12 p.m., TBIB. 5 Tom Franklin (“Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter”), 4:30 p.m., TBIB.
GET YOUR VERY OWN PICK ME UP, I’M FREE!
ONLY $15
T- S H I R T AVA I L A B L E AT 2616 KAVANAUGH HILLCREST 501.661.1167
Or call Phyllis at 375.2985 ext 364 or e-mail phyllis@arktimes.com
KID ROCK: Returns to Little Rock Feb. 9. n Time’s tickin’, y’all. We’re looking for local acts to enter our annual battle of the bands, the Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase, to be held beginning Jan. 27 of next year at Sticky Fingerz and concluding on March 4 at Revolution. As usual, the contest is open to any act (solo or group) in Arkansas who specializes in original material. We encourage comers from all genres. Christmas Eve is the deadline for submission. Uploading artist/band info and mp3s of your material online, via a link at arktimes.com/showcase11, is the easiest method. We’ve also got an entry form in the paper, so, if you’re averse to the digital world, you can fill out that form and mail it and a CD in. The way the competition works: Reps from the Times and Sticky Fingers/Rev whittle the submissions down to a group of semi-finalists, then each week, four acts square off before five judges (four regular judges and one weekly guest judge). Each week’s winner moves on to the finals. Write showcase@arktimes.com with questions.
6-12 Central Arkansas Library System’s “Food for Fines” week; one non-perishable food item for cancels fine for overdue books. 10 Marshall Chapman (“They Came to Nashville”), 7 p.m., TBIB. 11 Bill Jones (illustrated comic adaptation of Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol”) 1 p.m., WW. 12 Judson Hout (“The Ghost of Bud Parrott”), 3 p.m., WW. 13 The Pulpwood Queens discuss “The Imperfectionists” by Tom Rachman, 6:30 p.m., TBIB. Area bookstores and libraries: CS: Clinton School of Public Service, Sturgis Hall, 1200 President Clinton Ave., 683-5200. FCL: Faulkner County Library, 1900 Tyler St., Conway, 501-327-7482 ML: Main Library, 100 Rock St., 918-3000 TBIB: That Bookstore in Blytheville, 316 W. Main St., Blytheville, 870-763-3333 WW: WordsWorth Books & Co., 5920 R St., 663-9198 www.arktimes.com • DECEMBER 2, 2010 27
Arkansas in Color
Landscape Paintings by Carole Katchen at the rep December 3-26
In Hot Springs Legacy Gallery In Little Rock Cantrell Gallery Or call the artist (501) 617-4494
Holiday
open House Carols, Cookies and Family Fun! sunday, december 5, 1 to 4:30 p.m. Free admission
Hours: 9 am–5 pm, Monday–Saturday; 1 pm–5 pm, Sunday The Old State House Museum is a museum of the Department of Arkansas Heritage.
28 DECEMBER 2, 2010 • ARKANSAS TIMES
calendar
Continued from page 25 501-624-0550. BLUE MOON GALLERY, 718 Central Ave.: “Holiday Gifts of Original Art,” work priced under $300 by gallery artists Kay Aclin, Diana Ashley, Megan Chapman, Kelly Edwards, Suzi Dennis, Cassie Edmonds, Thad Flenniken, Caren Garner, Randall Good, Marc Hatfield, Janice Higdon, James Hoff, Steve Lawnick, Nancy Nolan, David Rackley, Tom Richard, Ann Shedelbower, Jeanne Teague, Bart Soutendijk and Wayne Summerhill, through December. Open 5-9 p.m. Dec. 3, Gallery Walk. 501-318-2787. GALLERY CENTRAL, 800 Central Ave.: James Hayes, featured artist. Open 5-9 p.m. Dec. 3, Gallery Walk. 501-318-4278. JUSTUS FINE ART, 827 A Central Ave.: Elizabeth Borne, Mike Elsass, Robert Frank, Rebecca Thompson,JoAnne Oliver, Robin Hazard-Bishop, Steve Griffith, Dolores Justus, paintings; Kari Albright, Cynthia Bowers, pottery, also limited edition prints by Andrew Vincent. Open 6-9 p.m. Dec. 3, Gallery Walk. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sat. 501-321-2335. LINDA PALMER GALLERY, 800-B Central Ave.: Demonstration of painting technique by new gallery artist Jason Sacran, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 3, gallery open until 9 p.m., Gallery Walk, exhibit of Sacran’s work through Jan. 3rd. 501-620-3062. MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART, 425 Central Ave.: “Magic of Christmas Art,” silent auction of artist- and celebrity-designed ornaments to benefit Garland County CASA, 5-9:30 p.m. Dec. 3, Gallery Walk. Regular admission $5, $4 for seniors. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sat., noon-5 p.m. Sun. 501-609-9955. TAYLOR’S CONTEMPORANEA, 204 Exchange St.: Sheila Cotton, oils, opening reception 5-9 p.m. Dec. 3, Gallery Walk. 501-624-0516.
OngOing gallery exhibits
ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER, MacArthur Park: “Currents in Contemporary Art,” “Masterworks,” “Paul Signac Watercolors and Drawings,” ongoing. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. 372-4000. ARKANSAS STUDIES INSTITUTE, 401 President Clinton Ave.: “2010 Design Awards Exhibition,” Arkansas Chapter of the American Institute of Architects exhibit, Mezzanine Gallery, through Jan. 29, 2011; “Making Pictures: Three for a Dime,” photographs and text by Maxine Payne, through Dec. 10. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 320-5700. BOSWELL-MOUROT FINE ART, 5815 Kavanaugh Blvd.: Paintings by Eleanor Dickinson. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat. 664-0030. CANTRELL GALLERY, 8206 Cantrell Road: “40th Anniversary Group Show,” work by 28 artists represented by the gallery, through Dec. 24. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 224-1335. CHROMA GALLERY, 5707 Kavanaugh Blvd.: Work by Robert Reep and other Arkansas artists. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat. 664-0880. GALLERY 26, 2601 Kavanaugh Blvd.: 16th annual “Holiday Art Show,” paintings, sketches, pottery, photographs, glass, sculpture, ornaments, scarves, jewelry, mixed media by more than 70 Arkansas artists, through Jan. 8, 2011. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.-Sat. 664-8996. HEARNE FINE ART, 1001 Wright Ave.: “Pioneers of the Paint: Masters of the 19th Century,” paintings by Edward Michael Bannister, Charles Ethan Porter, Robert Scott Duncanson and Henry Ossawa Tanner, through January. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat. 372-6822. HEIGHTS GALLERY, 5801 Kavanaugh: “Do You Believe …?” Seasonally themed works by Deborah Allen, Elizabeth Bogard, Thad Flenniken, Rene Hein, Jim Johnson, Betty Jones, William McClanahan, Beverly McLarty Burrows and others, through Dec. 24. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. 664-2772. KETZ GALLERY, 705 Main St.: John Kushmaul, “Cityscapes.” 529-6330. LAMAN LIBRARY, 2801 Orange St.: “Quilts and their Stories,” Arkansas Quilters Guild show, through Dec. 12. 758-1720. LOCAL COLOUR GALLERY, 5811 Kavanaugh Blvd.: Art and jewelry by members of artists’ cooperative. 501-265-0422.
M2GALLERY, 11525 Cantrell Road (Pleasant Ridge Town Center): Charles Henry James, retrospective, also work by Jason Twiggy Lott, William Goodman, Char Demoro, Cathy Burns and others. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 225-6257. STEPHANO’S FINE ART, 5501 Kavanaugh Blvd.: Sculpture by Tony Dow, through Dec. 15, also work by George Peebles, Jared Vaughn, Joy Schultz, TSmithDesigns, Rachel Carroccio, Mike Gaines and Stephano. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 563-4218. UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK: Student work by John R. Cater, Osas Oyara, Dallas Jones and Mary Colleen Somers, through Dec. 9. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat., 2-5 p.m. Sun. 569-8977. n Bentonville CRYSTAL BRIDGES AT THE MASSEY, 125 W. Central Ave.: “David Hockney: Six Fairy Tales,” 39 etchings from Hockney’s book, through Jan. 7, 2011. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thu.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 479-4185700. sUgAR GALLERY, 114 Central Ave.: “Architecture by Way of Biology,” inventory, drawings and models by Kendall Buster, through Dec. 18. 479-575-4704. n Fayetteville UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS, Fine Arts Center Gallery: “Drawing the Line: Utilitarian Pots,” national juried exhibition of functional ceramics by 20 artists, through Dec. 17, opening reception 4-6 p.m. Dec. 2. 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 2-5 p.m. Sun. 479-5757987.
MUseUMs, OngOing exhibits
ARKANSAS INLAND MARITIME MUSEUM, NLR: Tours of the USS Razorback submarine. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wed.-Sat., 1-6 p.m. Sun. 371-8320. CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL MUSEUM VISITOR CENTER, Bates and Park: Exhibits on the 1957 desegregation of Central and the civil rights movement. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily. 374-1957. CLINTON PRESIDENTIAL CENTER, 1200 President Clinton Ave.: Standing exhibits about policies and White House life during the Clinton administration. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. $7 adults; $5 college students, seniors, retired military; $3 ages 6-17. 370-8000. MacARTHUR MUSEUM OF ARKANSAS MILITARY HISTORY, MacArthur Park: “In Search of Pancho Villa,” artifacts from soldiers of the period, medals and original sketches of the Mexican Punitive Expedition, the United States retaliatory action in 1916 against the Mexican general who attacked a small border town in New Mexico, through May 2011; “Warrior: Vietnam Portraits by Two Guys from Hall,” photos by Jim Guy Tucker and Bruce Wesson, through April 2011; exhibits on Arkansas’s military history. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat., 1-4 p.m. Sun. 376-4602. MOSAIC TEMPLARS CULTURAL CENTER, Ninth and Broadway: “The Fine Art of Jazz,” photographs of Kansas City jazz musicians by Dan White; exhibits on African-Americans in Arkansas, including one on the Ninth Street business district, entrepreneurs, the Mosaic Templars business and more. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat. 683–3593. MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY, 500 President Clinton Ave.: “Illusion Confusion,” optical illusions, through March 2011; “Harry’s Big Adventure: My Bug World!” through Jan. 9, 2011; interactive science exhibits. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. Admission: $8 adults, $7 children ages 1-12 and seniors 65 and up, children under 1 free, “Pay What You Can” second Sunday of every month. 396-7050. www.museumofdiscovery.org. WITT STEPHENS JR. CENTRAL ARKANSAS NATURE CENTER, Riverfront Park: Exhibits on wildlife and the state Game and Fish Commission. n Jacksonville JACKSONVILLE MUSEUM OF MILITARY HISTORY, 100 Veterans Circle: Exhibits on D-Day; F-105, Vietnam era plane (“The Thud”); the Civil War Battle of Reed’s Bridge, Arkansas Ordnance Plant (AOP) and other military history. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. $3 adults; $2 seniors, military; $1 students. 501-241-1943. n Morrilton MUSEUM OF AUTOMOBILES, Petit Jean Mountain: Permanent exhibit of more than 50 cars from 1904-1967 depicting the evolution of the automobile. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 7 days. 501-727-5427.
The Central Arkansas Library System is proud to present the 2010 Dishongh Distinguished Lecture featuring
Dr. Carl Moneyhon Abraham Lincoln, the Constitution, and Public Opinion
Thursday, December 9, 6:30 p.m. Main Library’s Darragh Center 100 Rock Street, Little Rock
BRian bRIAN Chilson chIlSoN
The program is free and open to the public. RSVP to mmurray@cals.org or 918-3032.
ONE STEP CLOSER: Joe Adams and the Hogs topped LSU and now await their bowl destination.
A boy named
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The biggest win of a year that isn’t over
INVITES YOU AND A GUEST TO A SPECIAL ADVANCE SCREENING OF
By Derek Jenkins
n Arkansas fans should be getting pretty familiar with the odd Rube Goldbergian operations of the BCS this week. Lots of outcomes have to fall in place, get checked off the list and tumble like dominoes before postseason fates are sealed every season. An apt analogue for the selection process might be the elaborate automatic breakfast preparation that begins “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure” — only our eventual morning meal would be a meeting with the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Sugar Bowl. I like that matchup, both in terms of our chances and what it means for the program going forward and indulged in a little premature note-taking during what most northerners call simply The Game this weekend. While the Buckeyes took care of their biggest rival in short order on Saturday, I’m not sure we haven’t beaten better teams this season. Enough gun-jumping, though: there’ll be plenty of time in December to assess our bowl opponent, whatever team that may be, and Arkansas already played and won its biggest game of the season. To quote Bobby Petrino: “Whew!” What a glorious performance. The Razorbacks overcame a sloppy first quarter to explode
right before half. By the end of the third, LSU looked thoroughly beaten. When Knile Davis wasn’t muscling the ball down their throats, one receiver or another was making their coverage look foolish. By now you’ve relived those moments again and again, and that won’t be the end of it. We may never forget the details of this game. Those helpless safeties slamming into each other at Cobi Hamilton’s feet. That little dance Joe Adams used to hypnotize a cornerback. Ryan Mallett’s “legendary” bullet to Hamilton on the sideline. The endless television timeouts that repeatedly confounded our eagerness. The point in the game where Davis ran the ball so well that Petrino couldn’t even think about calling in a pass play. Jerico Nelson’s pure ownage. That hilarious “Sacred Hoops”-like ESPN segment with Garrick McGee and Mallett’s chinstrap beard. Alex Tejada’s tackling skills. That final minute and a half when we all thought the refs might find a way to screw us over. The near-safety/fumble that sealed the deal and the victory formation that wound down the clock in the most respectful way possible. Continued on page 31
LOG ON TO ARKTIMES.COM BEGINNING THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2 FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A COMPLIMENTARY PASS FOR TWO. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Employees of participating sponsors are ineligible. Please arrive early! Theatre is overbooked to ensure a full house.Seats are not guaranteed, are limited to theatre capacity and are first-come, first-served. Everyone entering the theatre must have a pass. This film is rated This film is rated PG-13 for some intense sequences of western violence including disturbing images.
www.TrueGritMovie.com
RETRIBUTION DECEMBER 22ND www.arktimes.com • DECEMBER 2, 2010 29
alliedim.com
Film: True Grit Paper: Arkansas Times Run Date: Thursday, December 2 Ad Size: 6.875x8.875 Publicist: D. Collins
Friday, Dec 3 – Thursday, Dec 9
HELP WANTED ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
CELEBRATING OUR 10th YEAR! LeAvINg – NR 2:00 4:20 7:00 9:15
Kristin Scott Thomas, Sergi Lopez, Yvan Attal Cesar Awards
MoNSTeRS – R 2:00 4:20 7:00 9:00 Whitney Able, Scott McNairy British Independent Film Awards
FRee wI FI IN The LobbY
A FILM UNFINIShed – R 1:45 4:15 6:45 9:15
Alexander Beyer. Sundance Film Fest
The gIRL who KIcKed The hoRNeTS NeST – R 1:30 4:15 7:00 Noomi Rapace, Michael Nyquist
coNvIcTIoN – R 2:15 7:15
Hillary Swank, Sam Rockwell, Minnie Driver Boston Film Festival
SToNe – R 4:15 9:15
Rober DeNiro, Edward Norton, Milla Jovovich
White Christmas • tues 12/14 • 7pm • ONLY $5 9 PM ShowS FRI & SAT oNLY
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PLAME AND SIMPLE: After the New York Times published an op-ed piece about the Bush administration’s manipulation of WMD intelligence in 2003, the author’s wife, Valerie Plame (Naomi Watts, above), was promptly outed as a CIA operative in retaliation. Director Doug Liman returns to the director’s chair in his look at “Plamegate” with the new political thriller, “Fair Game.”
DEC. 3-5
movielistings All theater listings run Friday to Thursday unless otherwise noted.
Showtimes for Riverdale 10 were unavailable at press time. Check www.arktimes.com for updates. Market Street Cinema showtimes at or after 9 p.m. are for Friday and Saturday only.
Northside WomeN’s Boot Camp is the QuiCkest, easiest Way to Jumpstart your FitNess program. A specialized program of fitness instruction, nutritional counseling provided by Certified Class Instructor LoCAtIon: Lakewood nLR, classes at 5:15am and 9:15am M,W,F
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30 DECEMBER 2, 2010 • ARKANSAS TIMES
NEW MOVIES Fair Game (PG-13) — Director Doug Liman dives into the Valerie Plame controversy of 2003 in which White House officials outed a CIA agent. Chenal 9: 12:05, 2:50, 5:45, 8:30, 11:20. A Film Unfinished (R) — A Holocaust documentary surrounding the discovery of a long-lost tin of film from the Warsaw ghetto and the historic reverberations it caused. Market Street: 1:45, 4:15, 6:45, 9:15. Leaving (R) — A woman in the south of France decides to go back to work as a physiotherapist, but falls in love with a carpenter her husband hired to build her office. With Kristin Scott Thomas. Market Street: 2:00, 4:20, 7:00, 9:15. Monsters (R) — With half of Mexico quarantined after samples of alien life began to emerge on its shores, an intrepid American journalist agrees to inspect the dangerous terrain. Market Street: 2:00, 4:20, 7:00, 9:00. The Warrior’s Way (R) — A warrior-assassin is forced to hide in a small town in the American badlands after refusing a mission. With Dong-gun Jang, Kate Bosworth. Breckenridge: 1:15, 4:45, 7:30, 10:00. Chenal 9: 11:45, 2:30, 5:10, 7:45, 10:25. RETURNING THIS WEEK Alpha and Omega (PG) — Two wolves try to find their way back home after being kidnapped from their pack. But things go awry when the two opposites attract. Voiced by Hayden Panettiere and Justin Long. Movies 10: 12:35, 2:55, 5:05, 7:25, 9:35. Animalopolis (NR) — A half-hour film of goofy animals being goofy in enormous 3D. Aerospace IMAX: 11:00 Thu., 11:00 Fri. Burlesque (PG-13) — A small-town girl from Iowa lands a job waitressing at a struggling Los Angeles burlesque club, and quickly takes the limelight as the revue’s star attraction. With Cher and Christina Aguilera. Breckenridge: 140, 4:25, 7:15, 10:10. Chenal 9: 10:35, 12:15, 1:35, 4:35, 5:35, 7:40, 10:35, 11:25. Rave: 11:05, 1:40, 4:20, 7:10, 9:40. Conviction (R) — A working mother puts herself through law school in order to defend her brother, wrongly charged for murder. With Hillary Swank and Sam Rockwell. Market Street: 2:15, 7:15. Despicable Me (PG) — A skittish criminal mastermind hiding in the suburbs plans to steal the moon, if only he can keep three orphaned girls away. Movies 10: 12:30, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:50. Due Date (R) — A tightly-wound father-to-be is forced to carpool cross-country with a clueless slacker so he can make it to his child’s birth on
time. With Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis. Breckenridge: 1:40, 4:25, 7:35, 9:55. Chenal 9: 12:35, 3:10, 5:50, 8:25, 11:05. Rave: 10:15. Easy A (PG-13) — A straight-laced, all-star high school student uses the school’s rumor mill to give her social life a boost in this loose adaptation of “The Scarlet Letter.” With Emma Stone. Movies 10: 12:25, 2:40, 5:00, 7:15, 9:30. Faster (R) — After being double-crossed during a heist years ago, an ex-con sets out to avenge his brother’s death while evading a hitman and a veteran cop. With Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Billy Bob Thornton. Breckenridge: 1:25, 4:40, 7:00, 9:45. Chenal 9: 11:25, 2:10, 3:05, 4:50, 7:35, 8:40, 10:20. Rave: 11:25, 1:50, 4:05, 7:35, 10:10. For Colored Girls (R) — Tyler Perry adapts Ntozake Shange’s award-winning play about women of color for the big screen. With Janet Jackson. Breckenridge: 1:10, 4:05, 6:55, 10:00. Chenal 9: 10:45, 5:05, 8:05. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest (R) — Cyber-genius Lisbeth Salander finds herself in the hospital after taking a bullet to the head and up for charges on attempted murder upon her release in the final chapter of the “Millenium Trilogy.” Market Street: 1:30, 4:15, 7:00. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I (PG-13) — With Voldemort in control over Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic, Harry, Ron and Hermione have to race against time to overthrow the evil lord. Breckenridge: 1:30, 4:00, 4:35, 7:00, 7:40, 10:00. Chenal 9: 11:30, 12:10, 1:00, 3:00, 3:30, 4:25, 6:30, 7:00, 8:00, 10:00, 10:40, 11:30. Rave: 10:00, 10:25, 1:00, 1:25, 4:00, 4:25, 7:00, 7:25, 10:00. Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole (PG) — Soren, a young, orphaned barn owl, joins a band of wise, noble owls to fight wouldbe conquerors. Movies 10: 1:25, 3:45, 6:05, 8:25 (2D); 12:15, 2:35, 4:55, 7:20, 9:40 (3D). Love and Other Drugs (R) — A charming free spirit meets her match in a slick pharmaceutical salesman as their casual trysts turn into a budding relationship. With Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway. Breckenridge: 1:35, 4:20, 7:40, 10:10. Chenal 9: 11:15, 2:15, 5:15, 8:15, 9:15, 11:15. Rave: 11:15, 1:45, 4:30, 7:15, 9:50. Megamind (PG) — A blue, maniacal supervillain turns into a restless mess when his sworn superhero enemy is accidentally killed. Voiced by Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Brad Pitt. Breckenridge: 1:05, 4:35, 7:05, 9:40. Chenal 9: 10:40, 1:30, 4:15, 6:55, 9:30. Rave: 11:20, 2:05, 4:40, 7:25, 9:35. Morning Glory (PG-13) — An accomplished television journalist has to revive a struggling morning show in spite of its always-bickering divas. With Harrison Ford and Rachel McAdams. Breckenridge: 1:05, 7:25. Chenal 9: 12:20, 2:55, 5:30, 8:20, 10:50. Rave: 11:10, 1:30, 7:20. My Soul to Take (R) — Sixteen years after his
death, a serial killer returns to fulfill his final promise to murder the seven children born the night he died. Directed by Wes Craven. Movies 10: 12:00, 2:25, 4:50, 7:35, 10:15. The Next Three Days (PG-13) — A college professor at his wit’s end decides to break his wife out of prison, years after she was wrongfully accused of a grisly murder. With Russell Crowe and Elizabeth Banks. Breckenridge: 4:10, 9:50. Chenal 9: 10:30, 1:40, 4:45, 7:50, 11:00. Rave: 4:10, 9:45. Resident Evil: Afterlife 3D (R) — In the newest installment of the video game-based franchise, zombie-killing, pistol-packing Alice (Milla Jovovich) returns to shepherd innocent Los Angelenos to safety. Movies 10: 12:20, 2:50, 5:20, 7:45, 10:05. Saw 3D (R) — People tortured for the amusement of creepy mouthbreathers and sociopaths-in-training. More of the same abhorrent, sadistic stuff. Chenal 9: 1:50, 11:10. Stone (R) — Intentions blur when a convicted arsonist arranges for his wife to seduce the parole officer in charge of his case. With Robert DeNiro and Edward Norton. Market Street: 4:15, 9:15. Takers (PG-13) — Five meticulous bank robbers elude a hard-boiled detective so they can pull off one last heist. Movies 10: 12:10, 2:45, 5:10, 7:40, 10:05. Tangled (PG) — Daring bandit Flynn Rider, Princess Rapunzel and Rapunzel’s 70 feet of hair find adventure and romance during their journey through the outside world. Voiced by Mandy Moore. Breckenridge: 1:20, 4:50, 7:20, 9:45. Chenal 9: 10:35, 1:10, 3:55, 6:35 (2D); 11:10, 12:00, 1:45, 2:45, 4:40, 5:40, 7:10, 8:10, 9:45 (3D). Rave: 11:35, 2:00, 4:45, 7:30, 9:45 (3D). Thrill Ride (NR) — This IMAX movie takes viewers on some of the fastest, scariest roller coaster rides on earth. Aerospace IMAX: 1:00 Thu., 1:00, 8:00 Fri., 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, 8:00 Sat. The Town (R) — Ben Affleck directs and stars in this heist thriller as a ruthless, master bank robber stuck in a web of paranoia in urban Boston. With Jon Hamm. Movies 10: 12:45, 4:00, 7:00, 10:00. Unstoppable (PG-13) — Denzel Washington has to stop an unmanned freight train full of explosives and poisonous gas from wiping out a city. Breckenridge: 1:45, 4:30, 7:45, 10:05. Chenal 9: 12:20, 2:55, 5:30, 8:20, 10:50. Rave: 11:30, 1:55, 4:35, 10:05. You Again (PG) — A woman sets out to expose her brother’s fiancee, who bullied her throughout high school. With Kristen Bell and Betty White. Movies 10: 1:00, 4:15, 7:10, 9:45. Chenal 9 IMAX Theatre: 17825 Chenal Parkway, 821-2616, www.dtmovies.com. Cinemark Movies 10: 4188 E. McCain Blvd., 945-7400, www.cinemark.com. Cinematown Riverdale 10: Riverdale Shopping Center, 296-9955, www.riverdale10.com. IMAX Theater: Aerospace Education Center, 376-4629, www.aerospaced.org. Market Street Cinema: 1521 Merrill Drive, 312-8900, www.marketstreetcinema.net. Rave Colonel Glenn 18: 18 Colonel Glenn Plaza, 687-0499, www.ravemotionpictures.com. Regal Breckenridge Village 12: 1-430 and Rodney Parham, 224-0990, www.fandango.com.
n There’s something curiously ambitious about Edward Zwick’s romantic comedydrama “Love and Other Drugs.” The pairing of hot young things Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway (seemingly to re-execute their sexual encounter from “Brokeback Mountain” with slightly less tragedy) will surely lure audiences — they’re naked and gorgeous, they copulate in alleys and fall in love against their cringe-worthy self-proclaimed wills. But this is clearly not all this movie is going for. Based on the 2005 memoir “Hard Sell: The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman” by Jamie Reidy, “Love and Other Drugs” is set in 1997, when America was still wallowing in economic plenitude. And from the looks of it, anyone under the age of 30 with any kind of gumption could become a millionaire. Reidy, who becomes Randall in the film, is an electronics-store clerk college dropout with Disney-prince good looks, and whose only asset seems to be his pathological charm. After he gets fired, his dot-com-rich loathsome younger brother (played with everything but pit stains by professional annoyance Josh Gad) sets him up with a gig to become a
Pfizer rep, and the sexiness begins. The Pfizer training sequence montage reveals laughable excess, nearly combative sex appeal between young reps-to-be, and even includes cheerleaders dancing to “The Macarena” in what feels like a pep rally for the Evil Empire. These glittery images and micro-scenes are intercut with Randall memorizing empty facts about drug reactions and fudged statistical data to be regurgitated to doctors everywhere along with a fistful of complimentary ballpoint pens. Yes, we’re being told something about Big Pharma, but it’s not exactly clear what it is yet. During a genius maneuver to seize a general practitioner’s account, Randall meets Maggie (Hathaway), who likes us enough to drop a boob out in her inaugural scene. But really Maggie is a 26-year-old suffering from stage I Parkinson’s disease, whose expertise in pharmaceuticals is unfortunately related to her incurable condition. She and Randall are matched in their sexual aggression and disregard for serious relationships. After several weeks of inventively sleeping together, though, things start to get weird, as they are wont to do.
Traditionally superficial Randall has to decide if he wants to move up the ladder of drug sales with a terminally ill girlfriend. It seems even pretty people have afflictions and harrowing choices to make. The very inclusion of Parkinson’s disease is like an instant dagger plunged into the side of the health care industry. We see heartbreaking sequences of how misunderstood the illness is, and how helpless it is to live with. Drugs fall short, doctors fall short, nothing works, and barely anything helps. Thankfully, Maggie isn’t a brokendown Victorian-style weakling, she’s a strong-willed and realistically neurotic woman, who terrorizes her new boyfriend with the same onslaught of insecurities that even a perfectly healthy young woman is capable of. Her character doesn’t serve the sole purpose of being the voice of reason, or just showing her breasts, or merely embodying an indictment against Big Pharma and health care, in general. She does all of these things, and while it’s refreshing, it’s perhaps a little too much for a mainstream film of this capacity to hold together. Randall naturally makes his big money with the advent of Pfizer’s cash cow Viagra, the appearance of which in the film leads to a pointless slapstick sequence involving an orgy scene and priapism. While the movie does its best to lampoon the excesses of sex and money in the ’90s, it paradoxically loses itself in the glitzy portrayal of that sex-and-money-ness. “Love and Other Drugs” wants to take itself seriously. It wants to be a scathing critique of what big, nasty companies like Pfizer did to the health care industry. It wants you to be able to have universal health care and afford your medications. But it can’t help peering into the soft valley of Gyllenhaal’s chest hair, or ripping off Hathaway’s shirt at any given moment. Their love story is unique in itself, without the trappings of self-conscious commentary, but the film is presented as only halfaware of its potentially rousing storylines. There is just enough sex to eclipse the critical trajectory of the movie, and audiences who come with the sole desire to see Gyllenhaal and Hathaway show their asses will probably leave pleased. — Natalie Elliott
TV
cartels; an editor for El Diario who runs his reporter’s stories un-bylined for fear she will be murdered. Watching such things from here in safeand-sane America, they seem like — for lack of a better word — absolute madness; the perfect example of what happens when society reaches its breaking point. That the Renaud brothers went there, riding in bulletproof cars with machine-gun-toting bodyguards, is amazing and moving in and
of itself. That they came back with these stories is proof that there are still some people in the world who value the truth over their own lives. While the New York Times series isn’t all that long, it is mighty, and should give every one of us a good bit of pause — enough, at least, to say thanks that we live where we do, in a country where power and justice amount to more than what can be found in the barrel of a gun.
‘LOVE AND OTHER DRUGS’: Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway star.
■ moviereview Sex sells But obscures the heft of ‘Love and Other Drugs.’
Continued from page 26 gang murders in horrific detail, but doesn’t investigate any further because he knows it could mean death; a female crime reporter who works across the hall from the office of a co-worker who was assassinated for doing the same job; a journalist who was actually granted permanent political asylum in the U.S. because of threats by the
sooie
Continued from page 29 High-level performances propagate more high-level performances. Recruits see Ryan Mallett throwing for 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns two seasons in a row and take note. Recruits do a double-take at three of our receivers accruing 600-plus receiving yards. Recruits find a disconnect between our defensive performances and our defensive reputations. Recruits recognize a coach who knows how to put his team in a position to win. Recruits notice how many players get a chance to make something happen every week and file that away in the dreams. More important than anything Petrino has done as a head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks, he has begun to instill a culture of winning. That means not simply coming out on top in 10 of 12 regular season games, but also feeling fairly certain that the team is capable of winning all season long. It means remaining competitive in every contest, losing only according to the breaks of the game rather than some native lack. Clearly, this program is finding its way back to that level, and there’s every reason to believe and expect that it will be there into the future. Coaches, players and administrators move on, depth of experience waxes and wanes, but the culture of winning is a lasting thing. I’m glad that the Hogs are enjoying the prospect of a Sugar Bowl berth. A BCS appearance would be great for the program. The players would have a lot of fun and get an opportunity to perform on their biggest stage yet. But more important than any series of events — any circumstance that places them in contention with this team or that and in this bowl or that — is the overwhelming sense that they belong among the best teams in the country, that they could play and win against any team in the country. I think many commentators underestimate the number of players who feel that way at the end of every season, and in turn how that sense of accomplishment resonates throughout the rest of their lives, how it binds them to their teammates and, further, to a given community. One day, maybe soon, I’ll use this space to share my thoughts on the BCS system. The debate between playoff and status quo is in the air, as it is every season, but it seems to be reaching new levels of partisanship. In the meantime, I’ll leave you with this: If we’re going to find any value in amateur sport, regardless of what some computer or voter or hypothetical tournament outcome suggests, the final assessment — the only assessment that truly matters — is determined by a player’s heart. Follow Derek Jenkins throughout the week and during games on Twitter @aboynamedsooie. www.arktimes.com • DECEMBER 2, 2010 31
READERS NIGHT OUT
12.02.10
It’s this Thursday, December 2nd Arkansas Times is hosting its first (but not last) 2010 Readers Night Out – a citywide, one night holiday event dedicated to shopping and dining. Visit the Heights, Hillcrest, Riverdale, Midtown and several locations in West Little Rock including the Market Place Shopping Center, Pleasant Ridge Town Center, Hwy 10 and the Promenade At Chenal. Our favorite retailers are staying open late and offering great shopping incentives and the neighborhood restaurants invite you to enjoy dinner and drink specials, too.
32 DECember 2, 2010 • ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE ARKANSAS TIMES
Arkansas Times SHOP ‘N’ SIP Readers Night Out Out Come Visit 20% Off Hillcrest Our Christmas Sale! Any One First Thursday each month—Shop ’til 8pm and enjoy dining in one of the many area restaurants. HILLCREST SHOPPING & DINING
The Full Moon
Shop n’ Sip TIL 8:
3625 Kavanaugh Blvd. (501) 663-4367 20% Off Any One Item 5pm-7pm
Box Turtle
Dining:
2616 Kavanaugh Blvd. (501) 661-1167 shopboxturtle.com 20% off all clothing & shoes
Haus Werk 2919 Kavanaugh (501) 663-5251 20% off all clothing, shoes & accessories from 5:30-7:30 PM
Rhea Drug Store 2801 Kavanaugh Blvd (501) 663-4131 • (501) 663-6202 masearcy2@aol.com Drop by for a special discount!
River City Coffee, Tea and Cream 2715 Kavanaugh Blvd. (501) 661-1496 rivercitycoffeeteaandcream.com Come in for hot buttered rum and mulled wine
The Shoppes on Woodlawn 4523 Woodlawn Drive (501) 666-3600 shoppesonwoodlawn.com Come visit our Christmas sale
Thurs, Dec 2 Only • 5-7pm
Café Bossa Nova 2701 Kavanaugh Blvd. #103 (501) 614-6682 cafebossanova.com DINNER SPECIALS
Ciao Baci 605 N. Beechwood (501) 603-0238 Gulf Shrimp with Asparagus Risotto - $18
Acadia 3000 Kavanaugh Blvd. (501) 603-9630 • (501) 603-0477 20% off Bottles of Wine
The House 722 N Palm St. (501) 663-4500 Happy Hour Prices All Night!
SO Restaurant-Bar 3610 Kavanaugh Blvd. (501) 663-1464 3-course Prix Fixe Menu available - $35
4523 Woodlawn (Historic Hillcrest) 501.666.3600
(501) 663-4367 • 3625 Kavanaugh
Shop ‘N’ Sip Special!
20% Off clothes, shoes and accessories from 5:30-7:30 pm this Thursday!
2919 Kavanaugh • 663.5251
$2 Diamond Bear Draft During Shop & Sip 2710 Kavanaugh Blvd. (501) 663-2198
20% off all clothing and shoes!
tons of new toys in stock
2616 Kavanaugh • 661-1167 M-F 10-6, SAT 10-5
2616 Kavanaugh Blvd. (501) 661-1167
US Pizza Co. 2710 Kavanaugh Blvd. (501) 663-2198 uspizzaco.net $2 Pints on the Patio
Look for the fantastic duo PolkaYourEyeOut on the streets! They’ll visit Hillcrest then up to the Heights for the Lighting of the Promenade then off to Pleasant Ridge Town Center.
Item
river city tea, coffee anD cream live music by jeff coleman and amy garland 2715 Kavanaugh Boulevard • (501) 661-1496 Mon-Thur 7am-9pm; Fri-Sun 7am-7pm www.rivercityteacoffeeandcream.com
gifts for all ages! RHEA DRUG
2801 KAVANAUGH • LITTLE ROCK • 663-4131
A Taste of Brazilian Cuisine
For Your Dining Pleasure The Brazilian Way
2701 Kavanaugh Blvd., Ste. 105 501-614-NOVA (6682) • www.cafebossanova.com
ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE ARKANSAS TIMES • DECember 2, 2010 33
Arkansas Times Readers Night O Out
15% Off Storewide
12.2.10 only
Heights
5623 Kavanaugh Little Rock, AR 603.5373
6:00 Holiday Lighting of the Promenade
12.. 02 10
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Beyond the Garden Gate 5619 Kavanaugh (501) 660-4082 20%ART off Christmas Items FINE
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Red Mango 5621 Kavanaugh
November 13, 2010 • 6pm - 10pm (501) 663-2500
OPENING RECEPTION
November 13, 2010 • 6pm - 10pm
10% off
15% Off
storewide!
all products from 5-7pm excludes all frasier fir products
12.. 02 10
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redmangousa.com Free $5 voucher with purchase of $25 gift card
Bella Boutique 5623 Kavanaugh Blvd. (501) 603-5373 15 % off All Purchases from 5-7pm
Fringe Benefits
Celebrating our first year serving you
5815 KAVANAUGH BLVD · LITTLE ROCK, AR 72207 · (501) 664.0030 5600 Kavanaugh Blvd. 5600 Kavanaugh WWW.BOSWELLMOUROT.COM The heighTs gallery (in the Heights) (501) 664-1515 ����������������� 5801 Kavanaugh Boulevard 501|664|1515 (501)Eleanor 664-2772Dickinson fringebenefitssalon.com fringebenefitssalon.com 5815 KAVANAUGH BLVD · LITTLE ROCK, AR 72207 · (501) 664.0030
November 13 - December 4, 2010 10% OFF ALL HAIR PRODUCTS
5709 Kavanaugh Blvd (501) 225-3220 Enjoy 20% off all purchases!
The Heights Gallery 5801 Kavanaugh Blvd (501) 664-2772 15% Off Store Wide 5-8pm
Boswell Mourot Fine Art Gallery 5815 Kavanaugh (501) 664-0030 boswellmourot.com
Tulips 5817 Kavanaugh Blvd (501) 614-7343 tulipsarkansas.com 25% off Premium Denim
go! Running 1819 North Grant Street (501) 663-6800 gorunning.com Free Go! Running tech-shirt with $100 purchase! Plus, free gift with any purchase!
Heights Toy Center 5918 R Street (501) 663-8383 Stop by for some free hot cocoa
WWW.BOSWELLMOUROT.COM
drivers Please be aWare, Eleanor Dickinson 5815 KAVANAUGH BLVD • LITTLE ROCK, AR 72207 • (501) 664.0030 November 13 - December 4, 2010 it’s arkansas state laW: WWW.BOSWELLMOUROT.COM Quick Turn Around • All Work Done in House No Job Too Small • Custom Designs Are Available 5815 KAVANAUGH BLVD • LITTLE ROCK, AR 72207 • (501) 664.0030 We Embroider Our Items and Yours
WWW.BOSWELLMOUROT.COM Embroidered Items make a very special Hostess Gift, Baby Gift, Christmas or Birthday Present or any gift you want to add that personal touch to!
5918 R Street, Little Rock • (501) 663-8383 • heightstoycenter.com 34 DECember 2, 2010 • ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE ARKANSAS TIMES
Use of bicycles or animals
Every person riding a bicycle or an animal, or driving any animal drawing a vehicle upon a highway, shall have all the rights and all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except those provisions of this act which by their nature can have no applicability.
overtaking a bicycle
The driver of a motor vehicle overtaking a bicycle proceeding in the same direction on a roadway shall exercise due care and pass to the left at a safe distance of not less than three feet (3’) and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken bicycle.
yoUr cycling friends thank yoU! http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ • Go to “Arkansas Code,” search “bicycle”
12. 02. 10
Out
New Traditions 1920 N. Grant (501) 663-2388 Cartise Trunk Show 5-7pm
Dining: Boulevard Bread Co. 1920 N. Grant (501) 663-5951 • (501) 663-7335 10% off Christmas Items
Sushi Café 5823 Kavanaugh Blvd. (501) 663-9888 sushicaferocks.com Come in for Happy Hour 5-7 PM! Don’t forget to check out our heated patio!
US Pizza Co. 5524 Kavanaugh Blvd. (501) 664-7071 uspizzaco.net $2 Pints on the Patio
20% Off Storewide 12.02.10 Only
Dining: US Pizza Co. 3307 Fair Park Blvd. 501-565-6580 uspizzaco.net $2 Pints on the Patio
Riverdale Loca Luna 3519 Old Cantrell Road (501) 663-4666 localuna.com 20% off Wines by the Bottle
West Little Rock
Evolve
Jones & Son Fine Jewelry
PREMIUM DENIM 12.2.10 ONLY
Tu ips
f f o % 0 2 y o j Come En ases during all purch night Out! Readers
12.. 02 10
3701 Old Cantrell Road FF 5 7 0 9 K a v a n a u g h B lv d (501) 666-8482 20% O JEANS reddoorrestaurant.net 20% off Wines by the Bottle
Midtown
25% OFF
5501 Kavanaugh Blvd 501.664.6900
Red Door
Market Place Shopping Center
Midtowne Shopping Center 207 N. University (501) 661-0644 shoplikeaman.net 25% off storewide
12.. 02 10
1121 Rodney Parham Market Place Shopping Center (501) 224-3433 jonesandson.com Open late till 7PM
15% Off All Holiday Items! 12.. 02 10
Excluding Treats 12.02.10 Only
501.225.3220
GIVE $25. GET $5. RIGHT NOW.
Buy a $25 Red Mango gift card,
Get a Free $5 Red Mango Voucher!
12.. 02 10 5621 Kavanaugh Blvd. (501) 663-2500 Offer valid 11/15/10 – 12/24/10, only while vouchers last.
Trunk Show Thurs,-Sat. Open till 7pm Thursday Night
12.. 02 10 Receive a FRee Gift w/ every purchase. & FRee Go! Running tech-shirt w/ $100 purchase.
- IN THE HEIGHTS 5817 Kavanaugh BLVD Little Rock, AR 72207 501-614-7343 tulipsarkansas.com
17711 Chenal Pkwy, Ste I-113 (501) 821-5774 www.justdogsar.com
1920 N. Grant • 663-2388
12.. 02 10
ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE ARKANSAS TIMES • DECember 2, 2010 35
The Ultimate Gift 80 Minutes of Luxurious Bliss & Relaxation
$99
Only
Ultimate massage • $150 ValUe
we guarantee you’ll step away from this service like you’re walking on clouds
Ultimate Facial • $160 ValUe
walk away with skin so glowing, your friends will accuse you of having something done
Ultimate PedicUre • $69 ValUe (add this service for only $49)
you’ll have feet so soft and toes so shiny even the red carpet isn’t ready
or
The Ultimate Collection Indulgences A $385 Value Only $229
Please See Website for Details • Only 30 Packages will be sold at these prices! 14524 Cantrell rd. little roCk, ar 72223
by body bronze
501.868.8345
www.indulgencesbybodybronze.com
12.. 02 10
FF 20% O ide w e r stO
Arkansas Times Readers Night O Out Dining:
1620 Restaurant 1620 Market Street (501) 221-1620 20% off selected bottles of wine Special 3-course prix fixe dinner
The Pantry Restaurant 11401 N. Rodney Parham Road (501) 353-1875 littlerockpantry.com Happy Hour from 4-close! Get $2 Brats, $2 Draft Beer, $4 Well Cocktails, $4 Appetizers & $5 Glasses of Wine!
US Pizza Co.
11525 Cantrell, Suite 102 (501) 221-0017 30% off Asics 2150 and Kayano 16 running shoes
Thread 11525 Cantrell, Suite 306 (501) 223-8188 20% off storewide plus ½ off a purchase in January
Vesta’s 11525 Cantrell, Suite 610 (501) 375-7820 vestasboutique.com Girls Night Out…No Boys Allowed! Plus, 20% off storewide!
Dining:
9300 Rodney Parham Rd. (501) 224-6300 uspizzaco.net $2 Pints on the Patio
Capi’s
Pleasant Ridge Town Center Beyond Cotton 11525 Cantrell, Suite 904 (501) 221-9195 20% off storewide from 5-8 PM
Gary Smith’s Easy Runner
11525 Cantrell, Suite 917 (501) 225-9600 capisrestaurant.com regular Happy Hour til 6. $1 domestic draft all night!
Cheeburger Cheeburger 11525 Cantrell, Suite 905 (501) 490-2433 cheeburger.com $1 off a Serious Burger $2 off a Delirious Burger $3 off a Famous Pounder
Shop GREEN for the Holidays at Little Rock’s newest Eco-Boutique. 12.. 02 10
FF 25% O ide w e r O t s plus ½ off a purchase in January
HOLIDAY HOURS: 7 DAY/WK 10-6PM
HOLIDAY HOURS: 7 DAY/WK 10-6PM
36 DECember 2, 2010 • ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE ARKANSAS TIMES
Chenal Promenade (next to Bravo) www.ecofabstore.com 501.821.3171 Ask us about fundraising for your group!
HWY 10
Indulgences by Body Bronze 14524 Cantrell, Suite 130 (501) 868-8345 indulgencesbybodybronze.com Receive savings on packages of up to 60% Off All Day!
Promenade at chenal EcoFab Store 17815 Chenal Parkway (501)821-3171 ecofabstore.com Free Organic Coffee 5-8pm Just In: Latest Shipment of FEED Bags, Pouches and Bracelets! Plus, 10% Off Entire Store!
Asics 2150 Men’s and Women’s Reg. $100 ONLY $69.99
Look for the fantastic duo PolkaYour EyeOut on the streets!
weeks
12.. 02 10
RK Collections 7717 Chanal Parkway (501) 821-5590 rkcollections.com 25% Off Total PURCHASES (full priced items only) Food and Wine 6-9pm
12.. 02 10
Thursday, December 2nd 5:30 pm Martinis & Shopping. Door Prizes & Fun!
20% off
They’ll visit Hillcrest then up to the Heights for the Lighting of the Promenade then off to Pleasant Ridge Town Center.
CLUBS, CONCERTS & MORE @ arktimes.com
FROM ROCK CANDY
LIST
SMILES & CORN DOGS AT THE ARKANSAS STATE FAIR
AT THE BACKSTAGE PASS
full price merchandise all day long and an additional 10% off from 6-8pm. 12.02.10 Only!
II 12.. 02 10
Pleasant Ridge Town Center 11525 Cantrell Rd. 501.221.1539
total purchase (full price items only)
12.. 02 10
promenade at chenal 17717 chenal pkwy 501-821-5590
come Join Us For Readers Night Out! open ‘til 7p.m.
S U B S C R I B E
DAILY UPDATE
WEEKLY ROCK CANDY
TO-DO LIST
WEEKLY
EATARKANSAS DIGEST
WEEKLY
UPDATE
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ARKANSASBLOG
SubScribe for thiS local newS email!
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Stop in for
RIVERMARKET BAR & GRILL
The comprehensive list of everything worth doing this weekend from Times entertainment editor, Lindsey Millar. Whether it’s live music, dance, theater or an exhibit, Lindsey steers you to the best. The To-Do List email newsletter arrives in your in-box every Wednesday afternoon with an eye toward planning for your weekend. The To-Do List is a sure bet for your active life!
25%
Girls Night Out!
11525 Cantrell Rd. Pleasant Ridge Town Center 501.375.7820
The To-do lisTTO-DO ➤➤➤
Pleasant Ridge Town Center • 11525 Cantrell, Ste. 102 Little Rock • 221-0017 • Mon.-Sat. 10am – 6pm Special Holiday Hours for Sunday 1 – 4pm Arkansas’ Premier Running Store
HECK WITH MALLS, Y’ALL!
Just Dogs Gourmet 17711 Chenal Parkway (501) 821-5774 10% off all holiday merchandise excluding treats
Asics Kayano 16 Men’s and Women’s Reg. $140 ONLY $94.99
wine and food 6-9
Out
12. 02. 10
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ArkTimes.Com
iT’s Free! Go To cats
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ROBINSON AUDITORIUM THIS WEEKEND
111 21 Rod ney PaRham, LittL e Roc k • 50 1 . 224. 3 433 • w w w. J on e sa n dson . c om ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE ARKANSAS TIMES • DECember 2, 2010 37
Feel right at home
as you enter the warm and romantic environment of 1620. You’ll find a worldwide blend of fine foods and the finest wines your palate will ever experience. 1620 is more than a restaurant - it is an opportunity to indulge in a first class experience.
Don’t Miss Our Annual Saturday
Holiday Artist Market!
EvERy SAtuRDAy thRough DEC • NooN-3pM Come have a fantastic lunch and buy original artwork from local artists who will be on hand to talk to.
• Gift Certificates Available 8am-10pm • 50% Off Selected Bottles of Wine Monday thru Thursday • 3 Course Prix Fixe Menu Available • 2 Private Dining Rooms • Full Service Catering Available For Your Home or Office Party • Go to our website and join our email list to receive weekly dinner and brunch specials.
411 Main St. • Argenta Arts District • Downtown North Little Rock
1620 Market Street Little Rock 221-1620 www.1620restaurant.com
www.StarvingArtistCafe.net
Best Steakhouse 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Union Bistro
NEIGHBORHOOd EATS ANd dRINKS Live Music Mon and Tues 10pm –Close Happy Hour Mon- Thurs 4 to 6 Daily Drink Specials Including $1.50 Drafts • Full Dinner Menu until 12:30am
NOW BOOKING CHRISTMAS PARTIES CAll ABOuT NEW YEAR’S EvE 3421 Old Cantrell Road Little Rock, Arkansas 72202 • (501) 353-0360
eat local Small Town
support your community
38 December 2, 2010 • ARKANSAS TIMES
Best Steak 2005-2010
2008 2009 2008
n On Eat Arkansas, Kat Robinson has an early review of Pho Thanh My, the new Vietnamese noodle restaurant at 302 North Shackleford Road. It’s open 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. Sunday. The phone number is 312-7498. n Much buzzed-about chef Nick Castleberry kicks off lunch at Castleberry’s at White Water Tavern this Friday, Dec. 3, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., with a two-option menu and dessert. n The House, 722 N. Palm St., is no longer serving weekday lunches. n Fans of Greek breakfast rejoice. Leo’s Greek Castle, home of breakfast gyros and gyro-meat omelets, is now serving breakfast (and lunch) on Sunday, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. The restaurant is otherwise open 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The address is 2925 Kavanaugh Blvd. and the phone number is 666-7414.
Restaurant capsules Every effort is made to keep this listing of some of the state’s more notable restaurants current, but we urge readers to call ahead to check on changes on days of operation, hours and special offerings. What follows, because of space limitations, is a partial listing of restaurants reviewed by our staff. Information herein reflects the opinions of the newspaper staff and its reviewers. The newspaper accepts no advertising or other considerations in exchange for reviews, which are conducted anonymously. We invite the opinions of readers who think we are in error. Restaurants are listed in alphabetical order by city; Little Rock-area restaurants are divided by food category. Other review symbols are: B Breakfast L Lunch D Dinner $ Inexpensive (under $8/person) $$ Moderate ($8-$20/person) $$$ Expensive (over $20/person) CC Accepts credit cards
Little Rock/ N. Little Rock American 4 SQUARE GIFTS Vegetarian salads, soups, wraps and paninis and a daily selection of desserts in an Arkansas products gift shop. 405 President Clinton Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-244-2622. L daily. D Mon.-Sat. APPLE SPICE JUNCTION A chain sandwich and salad spot with sit-down lunch space and a vibrant box lunch catering business. With a wide range of options and quick service. Order online via applespice.com. 2000 S. University Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-663-7008. ARGENTA MARKET The Argenta District’s neighborhood grocery store offers a deli featuring a daily selection of big sandwiches along with fresh fish and meats and salads. Emphasis here is on Arkansas-farmed foods and organic products. 521 N. Main St. NLR. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-379-9980. BL daily, D Mon.-Sat. ARKANSAS BURGER CO. Good burgers, fries and shakes, plus salads and other entrees. Try the cheese dip. 7410 Cantrell Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-6630600. LD Tue.-Sat. ASHLEY’S The premier fine dining restaurant in Little Rock marries Southern traditionalism and haute cuisine. The menu
■ dining Italian icon Despite occasional misses, Graffiti’s still holds up. n Graffiti’s is one of the iconic fixtures on the Little Rock dining scene. Many of its customers likely don’t remember eating out before there was a Graffiti’s, and some veterans probably have forgotten it was one of the many fabulous restaurants born out of the ashes of Restaurant Jacques and Suzanne, the city’s first truly fine dining establishment. Its heritage surely helped build instant momentum, but it’s the years of dishing up consistently good, reasonably priced food served in a comfortable, sometimes boisterous atmosphere that has kept it thriving for decades. Meals at Graffiti’s can be about as light or heavy as you want them to be, and while not huge, the menu still has enough variety to remain fresh, even for frequent visitors. Our last meal at Graffiti’s wasn’t our favorite, owing to our choices that evening. (We’ve come to realize the roulette-like nature of picking two or three among dozens of menu items often sets diners’ opinions of whether a particular restaurant is “good” or “bad.” That’s unfortunate.) Things started well with the homemade meatballs appetizer ($4.75), a half-dozen hearty, flavorful, tender, ample meatballs coated with — but not swimming in — a tangy marinara. But neither of us was very fond of our main courses, Simply Scallops ($18.95) and veal scallopini ($22.50). What possessed us to order a dish labeled “Lite” we can’t say, but the “liteness” was one of our problems with Simply Scallops, which included uncharacteristically fishy scallops with tomato, garlic and shallots tossed with pasta. The white wine and “touch of butter” that made up the sauce didn’t provide enough flavor to carry the dish, particularly given the off-putting scallops. We know lemon is an essential ingredient in veal scallopini, but a little lemon
goes a long way, and a lot of lemon goes way, way too far. Besides lemon juice in the sauce that covered the not-quite-tenderenough medallions, slices of lemon were laid across them. And the net result was a citrus tartness that overwhelmed the dish, which is best when chefs treat it delicately. The accompanying pesto pasta was done well. On past visits we’ve feasted on the veal osso buco, eye-rollingly tender, savory and delicious, and the Fettucine Wild and Creamy — a mushroom-studded, cheesy pasta dish that is almost legendary among our friends. But this trip we ventured off the beaten path and found the going a bit rough. Dessert joined our appetizer as pleasant bookends to our meal. The words “truffle ball” in the description of Chocolate Extreme ($4.75) caught our eye, and the rich, decadent, gooey dessert really delivered — the intense chocolate experience tempered by toasted almonds and whipped cream (as
well as by raspberry sauce; it seems you can’t get chocolate desserts without raspberry these days, a trend we’re tiring of). Graffiti’s is fun, and it’s good, and that’s why it’s been around so long. Given our impressions developed over years of dining there, we’re betting the odds of us enjoying our next visit are high.
is often daring and always delicious. 111 W. Markham St. Full bar, All CC. $$$-$$$$. 501-374-7474. BLD Mon.-Sat. BR Sun. BELWOOD DINER Traditional breakfasts and plate lunch specials are the norm at this lost-in-time hole in the wall. 3815 MacArthur Drive. No alcohol, No CC. $. 501-7531012. BONEFISH GRILL A half-dozen or more types of fresh fish filets are offered daily at this upscale chain. 11525 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $$$. 501-228-0356. D daily. BRAVE NEW RESTAURANT The food’s great, portions huge, prices reasonable. Diners can look into the open kitchen and watch the culinary geniuses at work slicing and dicing and sauteeing. It’s great fun, and the fish is special. 2300 Cottondale Lane. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-6632677. LD Mon.-Fri. D Sat. BUFFALO WILD WINGS A sports bar on steroids with numerous humongous TVs and a menu full of thirst-inducing items. The wings, which can be slathered with one of 14 sauces, are the staring attraction and will undoubtedly have fans. 14800 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-8685279. LD daily. BURGER MAMA’S Big burgers and oversized onion rings headline the menu at this down home joint. 10721 Kanis
Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-225-2495. LD daily. BY THE GLASS A broad but not ridiculously large list is studded with interesting, diverse selections, and prices are uniformly reasonable. The food focus is on high-end items that pair well with wine — olives, hummus, cheese, bread, and some meats and sausages. 5713 Kavanaugh Blvd. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-663-9463. D Mon.-Sat. CAFE HEIFER Paninis, salads, soups and such in the Heifer Village. With one of the nicest patios in town. 1 World Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-907-8801. BL Mon.-Fri., L Sat. CAPI’S UPDATE: The eatery has abandoned its previous small plates format for Nuevo Latino cuisine heavy on tamales, enchiladas and Central American reinterpretation of dishes. Fortunately, they kept the great desserts. 11525 Cantrell Suite 917. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-225-9600. LD Tue.-Sun., BR Sat.-Sun. CAPITAL BAR AND GRILL Big hearty sandwiches, daily lunch specials and fine evening dining all rolled up into one at this landing spot downtown. Surprisingly inexpensive with a great bar staff and a good selection of unique desserts. 111 W. President Clinton Ave. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-3747474. LD daily. CAPITOL BISTRO Formerly a Sufficient Grounds, now operated by Lisa and Tom Drogo, who moved from
Delaware. They offer breakfast and lunch items, including quiche, sandwiches, coffees and the like. 1401 W. Capitol Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-371-9575. BL Mon.-Fri. CATERING TO YOU Painstakingly prepared entrees and great appetizers in this gourmet-to-go location. 8121 Cantrell Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-664-0627. L Mon.-Sat. CATFISH HOLE Downhome place for well-cooked catfish and tasty hushpuppies. 603 E. Spriggs. NLR. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-758-3516. D Tue.-Sat. CHEEBURGER CHEEBURGER Premium black Angus cheeseburgers, with five different sizes, ranging from the Classic (5.5 ounces) to the pounder (20 ounces), and nine cheese options. For sides, milkshakes and golden-fried onion rings are the way to go. 11525 Cantrell Rd. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-490-2433. LD daily. CIAO BACI The focus is on fine dining in this casually elegant Hillcrest bungalow, though tapas are also available, and many come for the comfortable lounge that serves specialty drinks until 2 a.m. nightly. 605 N. Beechwood St. Full bar, All CC. $$$-$$$$. 501-603-0238. D Mon.-Sat. COCK OF THE WALK Yes, the chicken and shrimp are great, but go for the unbeatable catfish. Plus, we say the slaw
brian chilson
what’scookin’
MEATY GOODNESS: Graffiti’s homemade meatballs are full of flavor.
Graffiti’s
7811 Cantrell Road 501-224-9079 Quick bite
We were thrilled to learn all wines sitting on the counter at one end of the dining room were $25, particularly when we found a luscious chardonnay from the Carneros region of California among the grab-bag selections. Wine list prices also are reasonable at Graffiti’s.
Hours
5-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 5-9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Other info
Credit cards accepted, full bar.
Continued on page 40
www.arktimes.com • DECEMBER 2, 2010 39
Restaurant capsules Continued from page 39
is the world’s best, 7051 Cock of the Walk Lane. Maumelle. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-758-7182. D Mon.-Sat., LD Sun. CRAZEE’S COOL CAFE Good burgers, daily plate specials and bar food amid pool tables and TVs. 7626 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-221-9696. LD Mon.-Sat. CUPCAKES ON KAVANAUGH Gourmet cupcakes and coffee make this Heights bakery a great spot to sit and sip on a relaxing afternoon. 5625 Kavanaugh Blvd. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-664-2253. L Mon.-Sat. DIVERSION Hillcrest wine bar with diverse tapas menu. From the people behind Crush and Bill St. 2611 Kavanaugh Blvd., Suite 200. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-414-0409. D Mon.-Sat. DOE’S EAT PLACE A skid-row dive turned power brokers’ watering hole with huge steaks, great tamales and broiled shrimp, and killer burgers at lunch. 1023 W. Markham St. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-376-1195. LD Mon.-Fri., D Sat. DOUBLETREE PLAZA BAR & GRILL The lobby restaurant in the Doubletree is elegantly comfortable, but you’ll find no airs put on at heaping breakfast and lunch buffets. 424 West Markham St. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-372-4311. BLD daily. DOWNTOWN DELI A locally owned eatery, with bigger sandwiches and lower prices than most downtown chain competitors. Also huge, loaded baked potatoes, soups and salads. 323 Center St. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-3723696. BL Mon.-Fri. DUB’S HAMBURGER HEAVEN A standout dairy bar. The hamburger, onion rings and strawberry milkshake make a meal fit for kings. 6230 Baucum Pike. NLR. No alcohol, No CC. $-$$. 501-955-2580. BLD daily. EJ’S EATS AND DRINKS The friendly neighborhood hoagie shop downtown serves at a handful of tables and by delivery. The sandwiches are generous, the soup homemade and the salads cold. Vegetarians can craft any number of acceptable meals from the flexible menu. The housemade potato chips are da bomb. 523 Center St. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-666-3700. LD Mon.-Fri FIVE GUYS BURGERS & FRIES Nationwide burger chain with emphasis on freshly made fries and patties. 2923 Lakewood Village Dr. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-246-5295. LD daily. 13000 Chenal Parkway. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-225-1100. LD daily. FLYING FISH The fried seafood is fresh and crunchy and there are plenty of raw, boiled and grilled offerings, too. The hamburgers are a hit, too. It’s self-service; wander on through the screen door and you’ll find a slick team of cooks and servers doing a creditable job of serving big crowds. 511 President Clinton Ave. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-3753474. LD daily. HOMER’S Great vegetables, huge yeast rolls and killer cobblers. Follow the mobs. 2001 E. Roosevelt Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-374-1400. BL Mon.-Fri. THE HOUSE A comfortable gastropub in Hillcrest, where you’ll find traditional fare like burgers and fish and chips alongside Thai green curry and gumbo. 722 N. Palm St. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-663-4501. LD daily. JIMMY’S SERIOUS SANDWICHES Consistently fine sandwiches, side orders and desserts. Chicken salad’s among the best in town. Get there early for lunch. 5116 W. Markham St. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-666-3354. L Mon.-Sat. KRAZY MIKE’S Po’Boys, catfish and shrimp and other fishes, fried chicken wings and all the expected sides served up fresh and hot to order on demand. 200 N. Bowman Road. Beer, All CC. $$. 501-907-6453. LD daily. LOCA LUNA Grilled meats, seafood and pasta dishes that never stray far from country roots, whether Italian, Spanish or Arkie. “Gourmet plate lunches” are good, as is Sunday brunch. 3519 Old Cantrell Rd. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-663-4666. L Sun.-Fri., D daily. LULAV Comfortably chic downtown bistro. 220 A W. 6th St. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-374-5100. BL Mon.-Fri., D daily. MILFORD TRACK Healthy and tasty are the key words at this deli/grill, featuring hot entrees, soups, sandwiches, salads and killer desserts. 10809 Executive Center Drive, Searcy Building. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-223-2257. BL Mon.-Sat. NEW GREEN MILL CAFE A small workingman’s lunch joint, with a dependable daily meat-and-three and credible corn bread for cheap, plus sweet tea. Homemade tamales and chili on Tuesdays. 8609-C W. Markham St. No alcohol, No CC. $. 501-225-9907. L Mon.-Sat. OYSTER BAR Gumbo, red beans and rice (all you can eat on Mondays), peel-and-eat shrimp, oysters on the half shell, addictive po’ boys. 3003 W. Markham St. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-666-7100. LD Mon.-Sat. PERCIFUL’S FAMOUS HOT DOGS If you’re a lover of chilidogs, this might just be your Mecca; a humble, stripmall storefront out in East End that serves some of the best around. The latest incarnation of a LR joint that dates to the 1940s, longdogs are pretty much all they do, and they do them exceedingly well, with scratch-made chili and slaw. Our fave: The Polish cheese royal, add onions. 20400 Arch St. No alcohol, All CC. $. 501-261-1364. LD Tue.-Sat. PLAYTIME PIZZA Tons of fun isn’t rained out by lackluster eats at the new Playtime Pizza, the $11 million, 65,000
40 DECEMBER 2, 2010 • ARKANSAS TIMES
■ update YA YA’S EURO BISTRO If you’re looking for a really nice dinner — a great place for a date, anniversaries, birthdays — and don’t mind dropping a little change for it, then YaYa’s is one of your best bets in Little Rock. The atmosphere is cozy, with lots of rich wood furnishings and decor that’s a touch upscale but not too bawdy. Each course is prepared with care and using at least 80 percent local ingredients. The wait staff is courteous and friendly, always ready with a drink suggestion, wine pairing or a nudge toward their favorite entree. For starters, try the Marsala Chicken Pizzetta, a miniature pizza made with chicken, Marsala wine and caramelized onions. The spiced roasted duck breast was some of the best we’ve had in years — not overdone and served with a perfectly complementary side of roasted peaches and almond basmati rice. If you’ve still got room for dessert, try the creme brulee, which comes in three small ramekins: vanilla, Grand Marnier and chocolate. 17711 Chenal Parkway. Full bar. $$-$$$. All CC. 501-821-1144. LD daily, BR Sun. square foot kidtopia that recently opened near the Rave theater. While the buffet is only so-so, features like indoor mini-golf, laser tag, go karts, arcade games and bumper cars make it a winner for both kids and adults. 600 Colonel Glenn Plaza Loop. 501-227-7529. LD Thu.-Sun., D Mon.-Wed. SALUT! Elevated pub grub that’s served late Wed.-Sat. With a great patio. 1501 N. University. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-660-4200. L Mon.-Fri., D Tue.-Sat. SCALLION’S Reliably good food, great desserts, pleasant atmosphere, able servers — a solid lunch spot. 5110 Kavanaugh Blvd. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-666-6468. L Mon.-Sat. SHIPLEY DO-NUTS With locations just about everywhere in Central Arkansas, it’s hard to miss Shipley’s. Their signature smooth glazed doughnuts and dozen or so varieties of fills are well known. 7514 Cantrell Rd. No alcohol, All CC. $. 501-664-5353. B daily. SHORTY SMALL’S Land of big, juicy burgers, massive cheese logs, smoky barbecue platters and the signature onion loaf. 1100 N. Rodney Parham Road. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-224-3344. LD daily 1475 Hogan Lane. Conway. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-764-0604. LD daily. SONNY WILLIAMS’ STEAK ROOM Steaks, chicken and seafood in a wonderful setting in the River Market. Steak gets pricey, but the lump crab meat au gratin appetizer is outstanding. Give the turtle soup a try. 500 President Clinton Ave. Full bar, All CC. $$$. 501-324-2999. D Mon.-Sat. STAGECOACH GROCERY AND DELI Fine po’ boys and muffalettas — and cheap. 6024 Stagecoach Road. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-455-4157. BL daily. D Mon.-Fri. TERRI-LYNN’S BAR-B-Q AND DELI High-quality meats served on large sandwiches and good tamales served with chili or without (the better bargain). 10102 N. Rodney Parham Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-227-6371. LD Tue.-Sat. (10:30 a.m.-6 p.m.). WINGSTOP It’s all about wings. The joint features eight flavors of chicken flappers for almost any palate, including mild, hot, Cajun and atomic, as well as specialty flavors like lemon pepper and teriyaki. 11321 West Markham St. Beer. $-$$. 501-224-9464. LD daily.
Asian ASIA BUFFET Massive Chinese buffet. 801 S. Bowman Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-225-0095. LD daily. FU XING Chinese buffet. 9120 N. Rodney Parham Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-223-0888. LD daily. GINA’S A broad and strong sushi menu along with other Japanese standards. 14524 Cantrell Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-868-7775. LD daily. HANAROO SUSHI BAR Under its second owner, it’s one of the few spots in downtown Little Rock to serve sushi. With an expansive menu, featuring largely Japanese fare with a bit of Korean mixed in. 205 W. Capitol Ave. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-301-7900. L Mon.-Fri., D Mon.-Sat. PHO THANH MY It says “Vietnamese noodle soup” on the sign out front, and that’s what you should order. The pho comes in outrageously large portions with bean sprouts and fresh herbs. Traditional pork dishes, spring rolls and bubble tea also available. 302 N. Shackleford Road. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-312-7498. ROYAL BUFFET A big buffet of Chinese fare, with other Asian tastes as well. 109 E. Pershing. NLR. 501-753-8885. LD daily. SEKISUI Fresh-tasting sushi, traditional Japanese, the fun hibachi style of Japanese, and an overwhelming assortment of entrees. Nice wine selection, sake, specialty drinks. 219 N. Shackleford Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-221-7070. LD daily. SHOGUN JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE The chefs will dazzle you, as will the variety of tasty stir-fry combinations and the sushi bar. Usually crowded at night. 2815 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-666-7070. D daily. WASABI Downtown sushi and Japanese cuisine. For lunch, there’s quick and hearty Sushi samplers. 101 Main St. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-374-0777. L Mon.-Fri., D Mon.-Sat.
Barbecue BARE BONES PIT BAR-B-Q A carefully controlled gas oven, with wood chips added for flavor, guarantees moist and sweet pork, both pulled from the shoulder and back ribs. The side orders, particularly the baked potato salad, are excellent. 5501 Ranch Drive, Suite 4. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-868-7427. LD daily. CHIP’S BARBECUE Tasty, if a little pricey, barbecue piled high on sandwiches generously doused with tangy sauce. Better known for the incredible family recipe pies and cheesecakes, which come tall and wide. 9801 W. Markham St. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-225-4346. LD Mon.-Sat.
DIXIE PIG Pig salad is tough to beat. It comes with loads of chopped pork atop crisp iceberg, doused with that wonderful vinegar-based sauce. The sandwiches are basic, and the sweet, thick sauce is fine. 900 West 35th St. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-753-9650. LD Mon.-Sat. KENT’S DOWNTOWN Big sandwiches, barbecue and plate lunches served up at the River Market’s Oppenheimer Hall. Affiliated with Kent Berry’s other operation, The Meat Shoppe in Gravel Ridge. 400 President Clinton Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-325-1900. L Mon.-Sat. PIG AND CHIK Well-smoked meat with a thick, sweet sauce, plus nachos, huge burgers, country vegetables and lots of other stuff. 7824 Highway 107. Sherwood. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-834-5456. LD Mon.-Sat.
European / Ethnic ALI BABA’S HOOKAH CAFE This eatery and grocery store offers kebabs and salads along with just about any sort of Middle Eastern fare you might want, along with what might be the best kefte kebab in Central Arkansas. Halal butcher on duty. 3400 S. University Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-379-8011. LD daily. CREGEEN’S IRISH PUB Irish-themed pub with a large selection of on-tap and bottled British beers and ales, an Irish inspired menu and lots of nooks and crannies to meet in. 301 Main St. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-376-7468. LD daily. LEO’S GREEK CASTLE Wonderful Mediterranean food — gyro sandwiches or platters, falafel and tabouleh — plus dependable hamburgers, ham sandwiches, steak platters and BLTs. Breakfast offerings are expanded with gyro meat, pitas and triple berry pancakes. 2925 Kavanaugh Blvd. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-666-7414. BLD daily. SILVEK’S EUROPEAN BAKERY Fine pastries, chocolate creations, breads and cakes done in the classical European style. Drop by for a whole cake or a slice or any of the dozens of single serving treats in the big case. 1900 Polk St. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-661-9699. BLD daily.
Italian AMERICAN PIE PIZZA (MAUMELLE) Handmade pizza on perfect thin crust with varied toppings, and inexpensive. We liked the olive-oil-based margherita and supreme, plus there are salads, sandwiches and appetizers, all for cheap. 9708 Maumelle Blvd. Maumelle. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-758-8800. LD daily. 4830 North Hills Blvd. NLR. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-753-0081. LD daily. 10912 Colonel Glenn Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-2251900. LD daily. CAFE PREGO Dependable entrees of pasta, pork and the like, plus great sauces, fresh mixed greens and delicious dressings, crisp-crunchy-cold gazpacho and tempting desserts in a comfy bistro setting. 5510 Kavanaugh Blvd. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-663-5355. LD Mon.-Fri., D Sat. CIAO Don’t forget about this casual yet elegant bistro tucked into a downtown storefront. The fine pasta and seafood dishes, ambiance and overall charm combine to make it a relaxing, enjoyable, affordable choice. 405 W. Seventh St. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-372-0238. L Mon.-Fri., D Thu.-Sat. GRADY’S PIZZAS AND SUBS Pizza features a pleasing blend of cheeses rather than straight mozzarella. The grinder is a classic, the chef’s salad huge and tasty. 6801 W. 12th St., Suite C. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-663-1918. LD daily. IRIANA’S PIZZA Unbelievably generous thick-crust pizza with unmatched zest. Good salads, too; grinders are great, particularly the Italian sausage. 103 W. Markham St. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-374-3656. LD Mon.-Sat. OW PIZZA Good pizzas in a variety of ways, sandwiches, big salads and now offer various pastas and appetizer breads. 8201 Ranch Blvd. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 868-1100. LD Mon.-Fri. 1706 W. Markham St. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. LD Mon.-Fri. (closes at 7 p.m.). U.S. PIZZA Crispy thin-crust pizzas, frosty beers and heaping salads drowned in creamy dressing. Multiple locations: 4001 McCain Park, NLR, 753-2900; 3324 Pike Ave., NLR, 758-5997; 650 Edgwood Drive, Maumelle, 851-0880; 8403 Highway 107, Sherwood, 835-5673; 9300 N. Rodney Parham, 224-6300; 2814 Kavanaugh, 663-2198. 5524 Kavanaugh. Beer, All CC. $$. 501-664-7071. LD daily. 710 Front Street. Conway. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-4509700. LD Mon.-Sun.
Mexican CANON GRILL Creative appetizers come in huge quantities, and the varied main-course menu rarely disappoints, though it’s not as spicy as competitors’. 2811 Kavanaugh Blvd. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-664-2068. LD Mon.-Sat.
COTIJA’S A branch off the famed La Hacienda family tree downtown, with a massive menu of tasty lunch and dinner specials, the familiar white cheese dip and sweet red and fiery-hot green salsas, and friendly service. 406 S. Louisiana St. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-244-0733. L Mon.-Sat. EL JALAPENO Less a taco truck than a snack bar that also has a few Mexican offerings, including tacos, flautas and mega-tortas. 9203 Chicot Road. No alcohol, No CC. $. 501-772-7471. LD Mon.-Sat. LA MARGARITA Sparse offerings at this taco truck. No chicken, for instance. Try the veggie quesadilla. 7308 Baseline Road. No alcohol, No CC. $. LD Tue.-Thu. TAQUERIA KARINA AND CAFE A real Mexican neighborhood cantina from the owners, to freshly baked pan dulce, to Mexican-bottled Cokes, to first-rate guacamole, to inexpensive tacos, burritos, quesadillas and a broad selection of Mexican-style seafood. 5309 W. 65th St. $. 501-562-3951. LD Tue.-Thu. TAQUERIA LAS ISABELES Mobile taco stand with great authentic tacos, Hawaiian hamburguesas (burgers topped with pineapple and avocado) and more. 7100 Colonel Glen Road. No alcohol, No CC. $. 501-563-4801. L Mon.-Sat., D Sat.
Around arkansas Conway
BEAR’S DEN PIZZA Pizza, calzones and salads at UCA hangout. 235 Farris Road. Conway. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-328-5556. LD Mon.-Sat. BLACKWOOD’S GYROS AND GRILL A wide variety of salads, sandwiches, gyros and burgers dot the menu at this quarter-century veteran of Conway’s downtown district. 803 Harkrider Ave. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. 501-329-3924. LD Mon.-Sat. BOB’S GRILL This popular spot for local diners features a meat-and-two-veg cafeteria style lunch and a decently large made-to-order breakfast menu. Service is friendly. 1112 W. Oak St. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-379-9760. BL Mon.-Sat. CASA MARIACHI Mexican fare. 2225 Prince St. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-764-1122. LD daily. DAVID’S BUTCHER BOY BURGERS Burgers, fries, shakes and drinks — that’s all you’ll find at this new Conway burger joint. 1100 Highway 65 N. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. (501) 327-3333. DUE AMICHE ITALIAN RESTAURANT Stromboli, pasta, pizza, calzones and other Italian favorites. 1600 Dave Ward Drive. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-336-0976. LD Mon.-Sun. ED’S CUSTOM BAKERY Bakery featuring pastry classics, rolls, cakes, doughnuts and no-nonsense coffee. 256 Oak St. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $. 501-327-2996. B Mon.-Sat. EL MEXICANO Three types of stuffed fried avocado are on the menu, along with nachos and a decent white cheese dip. Good sopapillas. 2755 Dave Ward Drive. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-764-1113. L daily, D Mon.-Sat. FABY’S RESTAURANT Unheralded Mexican-Continental fusion focuses on handmade sauces and tortillas. 1023 Front Street. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-513-1199. L daily, D Mon.-Sat. 2915 Dave Ward. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-329-5151. LD Mon.-Sun. FU LIN RESTAURANT Japanese steakhouse, seafood and sushi. Good variety, including items such as yam tempura, Karashi conch, Uzuzukuri and a nice selection of udon. 195 Farris. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-329-1415. LD Mon.-Sun. HOG PEN BBQ Barbecue, fish, chicken 800 Walnut. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-326-5177. LD Tue.-Sat. HOLLY’S COUNTRY COOKING Southern plate lunch specials weekdays. 120 Harkrider. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $. 501-328-9738. L Mon.-Fri. MICHAELANGELO’S ITALIAN RISTORANTE Fine Italian dining in downtown Conway. Menu features brick oven pizzas, handmade sauces and pasta, salads, fish and seafood, steaks. Serves up champagne brunch on Sundays. Try the Italian Nachos, wonton chips topped with Italian sausage and vegetables coated in Asiago Cheese Sauce. 1117 Oak St. Conway. Full bar, All CC. $$$. 501-329-7278. LD daily. ORIENTAL KITCHEN Traditional, reasonably priced Chinese food favorites. 1000 Morningside Drive. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-328-3255. L Sat. D Mon-Sat. PAYTON CREEK CATFISH HOUSE All-you-can-eat buffet featuring excellent catfish, quail, shrimp, crawfish, frog legs and a host of sides. 393 Highway 64 East. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-450-7335. D Wed.-Sat. SHORTY SMALL’S Same burgers, steaks and such as the original. 1475 Hogan Lane. Conway. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-764-0604. LD daily. TAQUERIA MICHO’S Breakfast and lunch are served daily at this inventive little Mexican restaurant on Dave Ward Drive. 2751 Dave Ward Drive. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-329-2142. BL daily. WHOLE HOG CAFE The pulled pork shoulder is a classic, the back ribs are worthy of their many blue ribbons, and there’s a six-pack of sauces for all tastes. A real find is the beef brisket, cooked the way Texans like it. 150 E. Oak St. Conway. All CC. $$. 501-513-0600. LD Mon.-Sat., L Sun. ZAZA The Conway spin-off of the beloved Heights wood oven pizza, salad and gelato restaurant is bigger than its predecessor, with a full bar and mixed drink specials that
rely on a massive orange and lime juicer. 1050 Ellis Ave. Conway. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-336-9292. BLD daily.
Can YOU Tackle the “PeaceMaker”?
Hot SpringS ENGLISH MUFFIN, THE The muffins referenced in the name are those famed Wolfermann muffins brought in fresh each day in a dozen or so different flavors. Breakfasts are well-balanced with light omelets in a wide variety. Blue plate specials are also available. 4832 Central Avenue. Hot Springs. All CC. $-$$. (501) 525-2710. BL daily. THE PANCAKE SHOP The Pancake Shop’s longevity owes to good food served up cheap, large pancakes and ham steaks, housemade apple butter and waitresses who still call you “honey.” Closes each day at 12:45. 216 Central Avenue. Hot Springs. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-6245720. BL daily. PURPLE COW DINER 1950s fare — cheeseburgers, chili dogs, thick milk shakes — in a ’50s setting at today’s prices. Also at 11602 Chenal Parkway. 1419 Higden Ferry Road. Hot Springs. Beer, All CC. $$. 501-625-7999. LD daily, B Sun.
eureka SpringS CASA COLINA Nuevo Mexican with some truly innovative dishes, accompanied by traditional favorites and several mighty fine steaks. 173 S. Main St. Eureka Springs. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 479-363-6226. D Wed.-Mon. GARDEN BISTRO This locavore and organic restaurant nestled down Eureka Springs’ Main Street features fresh and innovative dishes on a creative ever-changing menu so fresh it’s written anew each night on the wall. 119 N. Main St. Eureka Springs. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$-$$$. 479-2531281. L Tue.-Sun. D Wed.-Sat. KOTO EXPRESS Japanese and Thai favorites and sushi. The only sushi bar in Carroll County. 5 Forest Park Drive. Holiday Island. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 479-253-8888. LD. THE OASIS This Eureka Springs lunch spot may not be easy to find, but its hefty menu and daily specials incorporate Arkansas flavors in traditional Mexican dishes for a one-of-a-kind taste experience. 53 Springs St. Eureka Springs. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 479-253-0886. L. home fries. 15228 Interstate 30. Benton. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. (501) 315-3663. BLD. SHAKE’S FROZEN CUSTARD Frozen custard, concretes, sundaes and other ice cream delights. 17328 Hwy I-30 Suite 6. Benton. No alcohol, All CC. $. 501-3157353. LD daily. TOUCHDOWN SALLY’S A family oriented sports bar and pizzaria with an emphasis on “manfood” like appetizers, wings and seafood. 17332 I-30 North. Benton. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-778-9444. LD daily.
WITH PURCHASE OF FULL ENTRÉe
16 INChES OF FOOD bLISS
Half off least expensive entrée
Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner Dine in • Take Out • Patio • full Bar Mon. -Fri. 10-10 • Sat. 9-10 Sun. 9-9
400 President Clinton Ave. (In the River Market)
Hours: 8 am 5:30 pm Mon - Sat 501-280-9888 372-6637 6820 Cantrell • 9am -10 pm The BesT AuThenTic MexicAn seAfood in Town
support your community Small Town
The Faded Rose
®
LITTLE ROCK’S WORLD FAMOUS RESTAURANT
400 N. Bowman Road 501-224-3377 1619 Rebsamen Road 501-663-9734
Fayetteville area CAFE RUE ORLEANS Top quality Creole food and a couple of Cajun specialties (a soupy gumbo, a spicy and rich etouffee) from a cook who learned her tricks in Lafayette, La., and the Crescent City. Best entree is the eggplant Napoleon. Oyster bar downstairs to make your wait for a dining table pleasant. 1150 N. College Ave. Fayetteville. Full bar, All CC. 479-443-2777. LD Tue.-Sat., BR Sun. DOE’S EAT PLACE This may be the best Doe’s of the bunch, franchised off the Greenville, Miss., icon. Great steaks, and the usual salads, fries, very hot tamales and splendid service. Lots of TVs around for the game-day folks. 316 W. Dickson St. Fayetteville. 479-443-3637. D. ELLA’S Fine dining in the university’s vastly reworked Inn at Carnall Hall. A favorite — it figures on the UA campus — is the razor steak. 465 N. Arkansas Ave. Fayetteville. 479-582-1400. BLD. HAWG CITY GRILL Burger and barbecue joint is hit or miss — burgers are pretty plain, but the barbecue hits the spot. 1270 Highway 412 West. Siloam Springs. Full bar, All CC. $$. (479) 238-0289. LD Mon.-Sat. HUGO’S You’ll find a menu full of meals and munchables, some better than others at this basement European-style bistro. The Bleu Moon Burger is a popular choice. Hugo’s is always worth a visit, even if just for a drink. 25 1/2 N. Block St. Fayetteville. Full bar, All CC. 479-521-7585. LD Mon.-Sat. JAMES AT THE MILL “Ozark Plateau Cuisine” is creative, uses local ingredients and is pleasantly presented in a vertical manner. Impeccable food in an impeccable setting. 3906 Greathouse Springs Road. Fayetteville. Full bar, All CC. 479-443-1400. JOSE’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT Epicenter of the Dickson Street nightlife with its patio and Fayetteville’s No. 2 restaurant in gross sales. Basic Mexican with a wide variety of fancy margaritas. 234 W. Dickson. Fayetteville. Full bar, All CC. 479-521-0194. LD daily. PENGUIN ED’S BAR-B-Q Prices are magnificent and portions are generous at this barbecue spot with an interesting menu, a killer sausage sandwich, burgers, omelets and wonderful lemonade. 2773 Mission Blvd. Fayetteville. 479-587-8646. BLD. PESTO CAFE This nice little Italian restaurant in, yes, a roadside motel offers all the traditional dishes, including a nice eggplant parmesan. 1830 N. College Ave. Fayetteville. Beer, Wine. $. 479-582-3330. LD Mon.-Sun. WAFFLE HUT Waffles are of course the emphasis of this 35 year old Springdale stalwart, and they’re done right. 2223 Sunset Avenue. Springdale. No alcohol, All CC. $. (870) 751-8476. BL daily.
50% OFF 2ND ENTREE *
Full Bar • Take out • Dine in For Gourmet Seafood lovers
501-868-8822 Monday • Friday: 10-10 • 18321 Cantrell Rd. • Hwy. 10 Saturday: 9-10 • Sunday: 9-9 *Must present coupon. One per party. Not valid with any other offers. Offer Expires 11/23/10.
THE
SEARCH
IS ON
It’s the return of the annual Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase as performers compete for an array of prizes. All acts who have at least four songs of original material are encouraged to enter. All styles are welcome. Semifinalists will compete throughout January, February and March at Sticky Fingerz and Revolution. Weekly winners will then face off in the finals in March.
2010 WINNER BROTHER ANDY AND H HIS BIG DAMN MOUT
Check out arktimes.com/showcase11 for information on how to enter online and upload your files. Door prizes will be given away to fans in attendance!
ARKANSAS TIMES MUSICIANS SHOWCASE ENTRY FORM
DEADLINE FOR ENTRY DEC. 24, 2010 FOR MORE INFO EMAIL showcase@arktimes.com
NAME OF BAND HOMETOWN DATE BAND WAS FORMED AGE RANGE OF MEMBERS (ALL AGES WELCOME!) CONTACT PERSON ADDRESS CITY, STATE, ZIP PHONE
¡REVOLUTION!
E-MAIL SEND ENTRIES AND DEMO CD TO: ARKANSAS TIMES MUSICIANS SHOWCASE, P.O. BOX 34010, LITTLE ROCK, AR 72203
www.arktimes.com • DECEMBER 2, 2010 41
Food for Thought
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To place your restaurant in Food For Thought, call the advertising department at 501-375-2985
AMERICAN
SEAFOOD Cajun’s Wharf 2400 Cantrell Road 501-375-5351
Food and fun for everyone when you pair Cajun’s Wharf’s succulent seafood and steak with the ever-evolving live entertainment. Enjoy the fabulous fresh seafood or aged Angus beef while listening to the rolling Arkansas River on the famously fantastic deck! They also boast an award-winning wine list.
Black Angus
Homemade Comfort Food Daily Specials • Monday: Spicy Shrimp Stir-fry. Tuesday: Pot Roast. Wednesday: Meatloaf. Thursday: BBQ Plate or Shepherd’s Pie. Friday & Saturday: Fried Catfish.
Capers Restaurant
Indulge in the culinary creations and intimate environment that define Capers Restaurant. Food and wine enthusiasts agree Capers’ sophisticated approach to dining is key to it’s many accolades including receiving the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for six years running.
Copper Grill & Grocery
An endless array of delicious dishes available in the Grill or grab your Gourmet-to-Go from the Grocery. Offering products by French Farm, Bella Cucina & Bittersweet Herb that promise to turn any recipe into a memorable masterpiece Copper Grill & Grocery is a wonderland for the gourmand.
SO
Contemporary metropolitan bistro meets Southern smalltown hospitality in a neighborhood bar. SO offers the best in fresh seafood and hand-cut rustic meats, complimented by an extensive and diverse wine list, honored with Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence. Whether casual dinners, special occasions, meetings with clients, or private parties, our service will impress. Reservations six and more. Private Lounge.
10907 N. Rodney Parham Mon-Sat 10:30am-9pm Breakfast 6-10:30am 501-228-7800
BISTRO Lulav
220 West 6th St. 501-374-5100 Breakfast Mon-Fri 6:30 am -10:30 am Lunch Mon-Fri 11am-2pm Dinner Tues-Sat 5-10pm V Lounge til 1am, Thurs-Sat
Dizzy’s Gypsy Bistro 200 S. Commerce, Suite 150 (501) 375-3500 Tues-Thurs 11am-9pm Fri & Sat 11am-10pm
Fresh seafood specials every week. Prime aged beef and scrumptious dishes. Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, over 30 wines by the glass and largest vodka selection downtown. Regular and late night happy hour, Wednesday wine flights and Thursday is Ladies Night. Be sure to check out the Bistro Burger during lunch. Jump start your day with bistro breakfast from Lulav featuring scrumptious omlettes, pancakes and more. For the salad lover, Dizzy’s is an absolute paradise. Its list of eleven “Ridiculously Large Entrée Salads” runs the gamut of what you can do with greens and dressing. For example Zilpphia’s Persian Lime Salad, featuring grilled turkey breast, tomato, cucumber, onion, lime and buffalo mozzarella over romaine. For another: Mary Ann’s Dream, with grilled chicken breast, baby spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, cranberries, mandarin oranges, bourbon pecans and bleu cheese. Don’t that sound good?
chinese
14502 Cantrell Road 501-868-7600
300 West 3rd Street 501-375-3333
Brunch Sunday 11 am to 4 pm Lunch Mon-Sat 11 am to 4 pm Dinner Mon-Sat 4 pm to close 3610 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1464
Fantastic China
Sharing good things with good friends is the motto at Fantastic China. A Central Arkansas favorite offering the Freshest Chinese Food in town. It’s made to order with 100% Vegetable Oil. The presentation is beautiful, the menu distinctive, and the service perfect. Fantastic China is one of the heights most reliable and satisfying restaurants and a local favorite. Full bar.
Butcher Shop
Tremendous steaks, excellent service, fair prices and a comfortable atmosphere make The Butcher Shop the prime choice for your evening out. In addition to tender and juicy steaks, The Butcher Shop offers fresh fish, pork chop, 24 hour slow roasted Prime Rib, char grilled marinated chicken and fresh pasta. Ideal for private parties, business meetings, and rehearsal dinners. Rooms accommodate up to 50-60 people.
Hunan Oriental Cuisine
Hunan Oriental Cuisine is a Little Rock institution that has been serving great Chinese food for over 24 years. Come dine in a calm, relaxed atmosphere where the food can be enjoyed as it was meant to be enjoyed; fresh right out of the kitchen. Or, if you prefer to order takeout, be prepared to come pick up your food quickly, since most orders are ready in 10 to 15 minutes. Lunch Specials are available everyday. Try something different. You never know what you might come to like.
Capi’s
Lunch offers creative and fresh entree-sized salads; a daily special and homemade soup; plus superb sandwiches sure to satisfy. Serving continuously all-day, global appetizers, then Chef Capi’s fabulous After 5 Menu. Advanced acoustics in place for focused business lunches. Happy Hour all day Tue, late afternoon daily, and late night weekends. Cozy patio atmosphere under the canopy. www.capisrestaurant. com. Now serving new Saturday & Sunday brunch menu, and Sunday dinner.
Flying Saucer
“A great place to hangout, experience great beer and authentic German specialties”. The Flying Saucer definitely offers a unique range of domestic and international draft and bottled beers, carrying over 80 beers on draft and 120+ different bottled beers, many which are seasonal. Accompanying their unique beer line-up is a menu packed with flare. Bratwurst is the house specialty served with German coleslaw, or you can try Brat Con Queso or Beer Brat Nachos. Be sure to leave room for dessert: Young’s Double Chocolate Stout Ice Cream Float offers the best of both worlds.
Buffalo Grill
The crispy off the griddle cheeseburger and hand-cut fries star at this family friendly stop and will keep you coming back. The casual atmosphere will have everyone feeling right at home. The options are endless for whatever dining mood you are in. Grilled Tuna Steak sandwhich to a loaded foot long hotdog to the crispy chicken tender salad. Buffalo Grill does not disappoint. Fast and friendly staff. Very affordable prices!
Morningside Bagels
Morningside Bagels café is a full service bagel bakery. We serve breakfast, lox and deli sandwiches on a bagel. Our fresh cream cheese schmears and Guillermo’s coffee compliments our bagels. We serve espresso drinks hot and iced. Our soups and bagel chips have developed their own following. Come visit with Roxane and David Tackett and enjoy.
1900 N Grant St Heights 501-663-8999
Sunday 11:30 am to 9:30 pm Mon-Thur 11 am to 9:30 pm Fri 11 am to 10:30 pm Sat 11:30 am to 10:30 pm 11610 Pleasant Ridge Drive 501-223-9966
mexican Casa Manana Taqueria
400 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-6637 6820 Cantrell Road • 501-280-9888 18321 Cantrell Road • 501-868-8822
Voted Best Mexican 2007. Featuring authentic fare from the Puebla region of Mexico, the selections seem endless at your choice of 3 locations in the Little Rock area. You will find an array of dishes ranging from the salient Shrimp Veracruzana at La Palapa out west to great Guacamole in the River Market Taqueria. Or try tasty Tostadas that share the name of the original Cantrell location, Casa Manana.
Mediterranean Layla’s
Enjoy regional specialties such as Lentil soup, a huge serving of yummy Hummus, Baba Ghannnouj or Tabbouleh. And don’t forget about the Gyros, they’re sure to be heroes in your book!
9501 N. Rodney Parham 501-227-7272
Brazilian Café Bossa Nova 2701 Kavanaugh Blvd 501-614-6682 Tues-Sat 11am-9pm Sunday Brunch 10:30-2pm
Try something different! Café Bossa Nova serves up cozy atmosphere and unique Brazilian dishes guaranteed to satisfy and served with that special Latin flare. Don’t deny yourself one of the delectable desserts prepared fresh daily or for an A+ apertif, drink in the authentic flavor of the country in the Caipirinha~a perfect blend of lime, sugar and Brazilian sugar cane rum. Dine with them tonight!
Shackleford & Hermitage Rd. (501) 312-2748
11525 Cantrell Rd, Suite 917 Pleasant Ridge Town Center 501.225.9600
323 President Clinton Ave 501-372-8032
400 N. Bowman Rd 501-224-0012 1611 Rebsamen Park Rd 501-296-9535 11am-9pm 11am-10pm Friday & Saturday
10848 Maumelle Blvd North Little Rock 501-753-6960 Mon-Fri: 6am-2pm Sat & Sun: 7am-2pm www.morningsidebagels.com
steak
brew pub Vino’s Pizza•Pub•Brewery 923 West 7th Street 501/375-VINO (8466)
Beer, pizza and more! Drop in to Vino’s, Little Rock’s Original Brewpub! and enjoy great New York-style pizza (whole or by-the-slice) washed down with your choice of award-winning ales or lagers brewed right on site. Or try a huge calzone, our new Muffaletta sandwich or just a salad and a slice with our homemade root beer. The deck’s always open, you don’t have to dress up and the kids are always welcome (or not). Vino’s is open 7 days, lunch and dinner. You can call ahead for carry-out and even take a gal. growler of beer to-go. And guess what?? The bathrooms have just been re-done!
asian panda Garden
2604 S. Shackleford Road, Suite G 501-224-8100.
Fresh, flavorful, all-you-can-eat sushi. With fresh and authentic Chinese dishes, nice decor, great dessert choices and excellent sushi, Panda Garden raises the bar.
42 december 2, 2010 • ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE ARKANSAS TIMES
Sonny Williams
If you have not been to Sonny Williams lately, get there immediately and check out the martini/wine bar. Now you can enjoy 35 wines by the glass, 335 selections of wine, 6 single barrel bourbons and all different kinds of Scotch from the many regions of Scotland. Of course, don’t miss out on the nightly entertainment by Jeff at the piano. Sonny’s is a River Market mainstay and perfect for intimate private parties; free valet parking! As always, Sonny Williams has the best steaks in town along with fresh seafood and game. No Skinny Steaks… Call ahead for reservations (501) 324-2999
Faded Rose
Featuring the Best Steaks in town with a New Orleans flair from a New Orleans native. Also featuring Seafood and Creole Specialties. As Rachel Ray says “This place is one of my best finds ever.” Back by popular demand…Soft Shell Crab and New Orleans Roast Beef Po-Boys.
500 President Clinton Avenue Suite 100 (In the River Market District) 501-324-2999 DINNER MON - SAT 5:00 - 11:00 pm PIANO BAR TUES - THU 7:00 - 11:00 pm FRI & SAT 7:00 - Late
400 N. Bowman 501-224-3377 1619 Rebsamen 501-663-9734 Open Sunday
REAL ESTATE b
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Renovated Hillcrest home mixes charm, amenities open Sunday
2 pm - 4 pm
A stunning renovation on a classic Hillcrest house located at 109 Ridgeway mixes the charm of an older home with the amenities that people long for in a newer home. It features three bedrooms, two-and-one-half-bathrooms and a garage – a rarity in most Hillcrest homes. The extensive renovation was undertaken by noted Architect John Thomas Greer of WER who has been described by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette as “a man whose architectural first principles are a state of timelessness”. Greer has been highlighted in many publications for his exemplary work; among the most notable was the Old State House in Little Rock. If entertaining is something you love to do, you will be able to host many wonderful gatherings here. The center of the home is the downstairs living area that has been transformed into an open design living space that encompasses not only the kitchen and breakfast room, but the great room as well. The kitchen boasts a
An open floor plan makes living easy.
The home is light-filled.
professional-grade 48-inch stove with pot filler, island and beautiful granite counters. Once upstairs the real treat is the master bedroom that has been renovated to include a sitting area as well as a master bathroom with jetted tub, double vanities and subway tile. The master suite also boasts a large walk-in closet that, especially for an older home, is a true delight. The remaining bedrooms are both light-filled and spacious. The upstairs bathroom in the hallway is shared by the two bedrooms and has been remodeled to include double sinks and a claw-foot tub. This home is unbelievable and offers plenty of extras including a guest house/ bonus room over the garage and much, much more. It is offered for $427,000 and is listed with Janet Flegal of The Charlotte John Company. An open house is planned for Sunday, Dec. 5 from 2-4 p.m. Contact Janet at 501-307-6860 to schedule a private tour or for more information.
The kitchen has professional features.
Rooms are spacious. www.arktimes.com • December 2, 2010 43
REAL ESTATE by neighborhood TO ADVERTISE, CALL TIFFANY HOLLAND AT 375-2985
Great Properties in Two of Little Rock’s Most Desirable Neighborhoods! OPEN SUNDAY, 2-4 PM!
501-690-2726
Capitol View/ Stiffts Station
5408 HAWTHORNE Stunning Heights home with 2BR/2BA and large eat-in kitchen and master suite. Open House hosted by Jan Hollenberg, 765-0717.
$399,900 1108 N. SPRUCE Adorable Hillcrest bungalow with 2BR/1BA, updated kitchen, open floor plan, ample closets, den, garage and fenced yard.
330 MIDLAND - $795,000 Little Rock 72205 • Approx. 4200 sq. ft. Shown by Appointment
Details at REALTOR.com
$194,900
Call JANET FLEGAL at
501.307.6860
400 S. VALENTINE - $109,750. 2BR/1BA updated in 2008 with HVAC, roof, kitchen, bath, flooring, paint, lighting, etc. Large fenced yard w/great deck. Walking distance to UAMS & Hillcrest. Call JoJo Carter 773-9949 or www.pulaskiheightsrealty.com for more info. 123 N. SUMMIT - Rare find close to ACH, UAMS, & Hillcrest. 2 BRs and a separate office, 2050 SF. Totally updated including cherry wood laminate flooring throughout, all new plumbing & electrical wiring, new kitchen counters, sink & dishwasher, new tank-less H2’ 0 heater, wired for computer network, audio/video and IR remote, a deck, fenced yard and oversized 2 car garage. A 21X17.6 ft sunroom w/vaulted ceiling, tile floor, water proof walls, lots of windows and sunken Jacuzzi hot tub. Located in Union Depot next to AR School for the Blind. Call Clyde Butler of CBRPM at 240-4300.
Hillcrest
to see these properties today! Publisher’s Notice
All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll-free 1-800-669-9077. The toll-free number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.
4101 C ST - $224,900. 3BR/2BA, 1836SF. Recently renovated! Enter MLS# 10255320 on www. PulaskiHeightsRealty.com for more photos. John Selva, Pulaski Heights Realty, 993-5442
1620 Restaurant Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Big Whiskey’s American Bar & Grill Capi’s Restaurant SOLD Catfish City & BBQ Grill Cheeburger Cheeburger SOLD Hampton Inn Heights Toy Center Juanita’s Mexican Cafe and Bar Loca Luna Restaurant SOLD Pizza Cafe Red Door Restaurant Smile Bright Teeth Whitening Starving Artist Café Sticky Fingerz StoneLinks Golf Course Trio’s Restaurant SOLD
halfoffdepot.com/littlerock 44 December 2, 2010 • ARKANSAS TIMES
1110 TRILLIUM - $152,000. Newly refreshed 3BR/2BA split plan w/new countertops, kitchen faucet and paint throughout. Gas log FP, wood floors and fenced yard. Close to schools! MLS# 10266757 Linda Roster White Real Estate, 501-730-1100 or 501679-1103
712 N. WALNUT - $159,900. 2BR/1BA in the heart of Hillcrest. Just 1/2 block of Kavanaugh. Renovated kitchen w/custom maple cabinets, tile floors, solid surface counters. Enter MLS 10257444 at www.PulaskiHeightsRealty.com
West Little Rock
9204 CYNTHIA - $122,500. 4BR/2BA, 1426 SF. Great two-story home centrally located. New paint, new lighting fixtures & other updates throughout. Large fenced backyard. John Selva, Pulaski Heights Realty, 993-5442 14615 BROWN BEAR DR $299,900. Great 4BR/2.5BA, approx. 3015 SF home in the new Don Roberts School District. Plenty of space for the entire family. Formal dining room, office, family room & eat-in kitchen all downstairs. All bedrooms have large walk-in closets and master bath & closet are huge. Side-loading garage & fully fenced yard. Call Bob Bushmiaer of Pulaski Heights Realty @ 501352-0156 for more info or a private showing. 9 LISA COURT - $174,900. This 3BR/2BA approx. 1770 SF, 1-level home in Marlow Manor is super clean & move-in ready! Updates include new HVAC, hardwoods & carpet in bedrooms. Large eat-in kitchen, open family room & fully fenced yard make this a perfect starter home or great for someone looking to downsize. Call Bob Bushmiaer of Pulaski Heights Realty @ 501-352-0156 for more info or a private showing.
Neighboring Communities
1220 TRENTON - $123,000. Charming 3BR/2BA with all new carpet, paint, tile, appliances including refrigerator, light fixtures, countertops, door knobs and pulls. Must see! MLS# 10262073 Linda Roster White Real Estate, 501-730-1100 or 501-679-1103 31 BERNARD - $149,000. Sparkles and shines like new! 3BR/2BA, huge living room with cathedral ceiling, oversized breakfast area, woodburning fireplace, large bedrooms, 2” blinds thru-out. Fenced yard. MLS# 10253781 Linda Roster White Real Estate, 501-730-1100 or 501-6791103 3535 HOMESTEAD - $103,900. Adorable 3BR/2BA split open plan with breakfast bar, side-by-side refrigerator, 2-inch faux wood blinds, laundry room and large deck with access thru kitchen and master. MLS# 10272778 Linda Roster White Real Estate, 501-730-1100 or 501679-1103 5125 GALLERIA COVE - $209,000. Stunning 3BR/2BA with open split plan, an abundance of built-ins and storage. Extraordinary lighting throughout, smooth top cooking surface, breakfast bar, walk-in pantry. FP, screened in porch and fenced yard. MLS# 10268505 Linda Roster White Real Estate, 501-730-1100 or 501-679-1103
Greenbrier
edited by Will Shortz
4924 HILLCREST AVE - $459,900. 3BR/3BA plus 3-car garage. 2600 SF. Recently renovated home on large corner lot. Call John Selva at Pulaski Heights Realty at 501-993-5442.
No. 1102
Conway
Across 1 Office device appropriate for this puzzle? 7 Await 11 Rte. suggester 14 Setting for many a fairy tale 15 Assistant played by Charles Bronson in “House of Wax” 16 Drama set in Las Vegas 17 Command agreement 18 “That s of little importance” 20 Out of service?: Abbr. 21 Road hazards 23 Fence builder s starting point 24 Small doses may come in them 26 “Charlotte’s Web” girl 27 One half of an old comedy duo 28 Like the Paris Opera
■ CROSSWORD
Hillcrest
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31 Airport need 34 Substitute 37 I.R.S. 1040 line item 38 They might give each French kisses 39 Way to get around something 40 No longer interested in 41 Undecided: Abbr. 42 Album half 43 Space under a desk 44 End of a perfect Sunday drive? 46 Grill 48 Impulse path 49 33-Down’s group, with “the” 53 Kitchen tool 55 Physicist Bohr 56 Jim Beam product 57 Like some patches 59 1940s British P.M.
61 Times in classifieds 62 Game played on a world map 63 Quick outing for Tiger Woods … or what this completed puzzle contains 64 Violin cutouts 65 What a peeper uses to peep 66 Can t stand
Down 1 Game item usually seen upside-down 2 Check writer 3 Is of ___ (helps) 4 Some Windows systems 5 The Cutty Sark, for one 6 Lifesavers, say 7 Features of homemade cameras 8 Big ones can impede progress 9 Montréal or Québec 10 Window dressing TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE 11 Feigns ignorance A C H B R I D G E S M O E R E M O R S E 12 Play ___ (perform some I S A I S O L A T E songs) D E R M T V B A T 13 Seal’s opening? S T O P E R A T O 19 Conflicted T S F A V O R I T E 22 Photography aid S E R I O 25 Portable infoD E S S E R T M I X storing devices E N I E M I N E 26 Below-ground sanctuary B E R R Y P I E A N D 29 Almond or pecan A S A U C Y T R E K L E E N E X 30 Batting helmet feature I O N I S C R E A M 31 Filthy place N T O M E A A V E 32 Prefix with valent G E L A S P T E N 33 See 49-Across
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Puzzle by Mike Nothnagel
35 Pre-schoolers? 36 Light-blocking 39 Part of a home security system? 40 French eleven 42 Ones who sleep soundly? 43 Alley behind a bar on TV? 45 They re drafted for service
47 Higher ground 49 Topographical feature formed by underground erosion 50 1957 hit for the Bobbettes 51 Parts of masks 52 “Thou ___ I have more flesh than another man”: Falstaff
53 Role for which Marion Cotillard won a 2007 Best Actress Oscar 54 Vest feature 55 Like a quidnunc 58 Feature of many a ballroom dance 60 “We Know Drama” channel
For answers, call 1-900-285-5656, $1.49 a minute; or, with a credit card, 1-800-814-5554. Annual subscriptions are available for the best of Sunday crosswords from the last 50 years: 1-888-7-ACROSS. AT&T users: Text NYTX to 386 to download puzzles, or visit nytimes.com/mobilexword for more information. Online subscriptions: Today s puzzle and more than 2,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year). Share tips: nytimes.com/wordplay. Crosswords for young solvers: nytimes.com/learning/xwords.
37 INDIAN SPRINGS - $152,000. New construction! Charming 3BR/2BA home w/gas fireplace, breakfast bar, tile backsplash, smooth top cooking surface. Jet tub, stained & scored concrete floors. Deck with view. MLS# 10253103 Linda Roster White Real Estate, 501-730-1100 or 501679-1103 39 INDIAN SPRINGS - $166,500. 3BR/2BA new construction with gas fireplace, tile backsplash, smooth top cooking surface, microwave, pantry, jetted tub in master. Large deck with country view. MLS# 10257991 Linda Roster White Real Estate, 501-7301100 or 501-679-1103 53 WIN MEADOW - $239,900. A little bit of country with all the modern amenities! 4BR/3BA with large kitchen w/oak cabinetry, double pantry, cook’s dream island, breakfast nook with large windows. Across from 55-acre lake. MLS# 10257940 Linda Roster White Real Estate, 501730-1100 or 501-679-1103
Sherwood
1480 W. LAWSON RD - $189,900. All brick on 3.5 acres in Alexander! 1850 SF, 3BR/2BA, hardwoods in great room and formal DR. Bryant schools. Clyde Butler, CBRPM, 501240-4300.
400 MAXINE - $119,000. 3BR/2BA, 1452 SF all brick home on corner lot w/a fully fenced yard! Heated and cooled craft room/workshop, new roof in 2010. Clyde Butler, CBRPM, 240-4300
21854 WILLIAM BRANDON DRIVE - $168,500. Enjoy country living on five level acres only 15 minutes from downtown Little Rock! Like-new home with 4BR/2BA, wood-burning fireplace, granite counters, stainless appliances & more! Call Clyde Butler of CBRPM at 501-240-4300.
REAL ESTATE
GREERS FERRY LAKE - Spectacular view! 5 acres. Utilities, covenants, seller financing. Owner/agent. 501825-6200
Call 375-2985 for more information.
by neighborhood
December 2, 2010 45 www.arktimes.com • december
Bare nubs n Here’s another column of distilled wisdom for those with attention spans short already and getting shorter all the time. Pithy observations. Boiled down to just the bare nubs. Nuance-free. Money-back guarantee if you’re not completely satisfied. OK, then, here we go. You think you know what’s important in life … and then the toilet stops up. Doesn’t it make you wonder what high elective office Warren Carpenter would be about to assume if only he’d lived this long? We’re all kidding ourselves because not one among us can squirm through the eye of that needle. Unless you give it all up — and all of it really does mean all of it — you can’t get there from here. Think what a swell government we’d have if we held congressmen to the same standards of performance and behavior that we do Boy Scouts. 2010 U.S. voters used their ballots to punish themselves similar to the way European flagellants in the Middle Ages used scourges embedded with metal spikes — long solemn spattered processions flogging themselves to hamburger. That old way was gorier, probably more effective, certainly more honorable. There’s no esthetic component now. All Calvin or Cromwell, their way or the highway, be there or be square. I’ll not have anything to do with any-
Bob L ancaster body who uses the expression “Spot on.” Saraspeak rules now so why go on wasting space — this space right here, for example — with the old Jeffspeak? If you hold truths to be self-evident, why enumerate them? Just say yodda yodda or you know. The whole GettAdd when just the of, by & for would suffice. The whole quaint DecInd when all you need is the life, lib and happy chase. Eliminate most of the old-timy verbiage and you eliminate most of the remaining pesky thought. Discourse, ratiocination — who needs ’em? Deer season notes: (1) You don’t have to hunt deer now. They find you. (2) A deer don’t have no filet mignon. (3) Where you see a dollar bill, a hunter sees both a buck and dough. On a church marquee: “Jesus said if you love me feed my sheep.” Trouble with that, they get to expecting it. A good run of luck at the track lately reminds me of a metaphor in common use at the old House of Dominos: “He’s so lucky right now he could shit into a swinging jug.”
C
Seems to me a big part of the problem is that we’ve lost all ability to exteriorize things. Dancing pixils have lured us into a kind of subjectivism that thinking people abandoned with embarrassment two centuries ago. Far as I know, there’s not a whit of scientific evidence to back up the claim that friction heat emanating from a single Duggar bedroom has been determined to be a significant contributing factor in global warming. I wonder if those who indulge the popular zombie motifs give any real credence to the happy afterlife metaphors that festoon most newspaper obituaries these days. Remember V-E Day (May 8) and V-J Day (September 2), when we’d always have a parade (not a big one, no) and a modest tribute by a Normandy survivor at one and by a Bataan survivor at the other? When do you think we’ll get our first V-A Day, marking the triumphal conclusion of our purpose-driven campaign in Afghanistan? Before or after Hell freezes over? This is Kansas: “All we are is dust in the wind.” This is Assmunch: “Yeah, so?” This is Pascal: “We say in vain, he has grown; he has changed. He is also the same.” This is Assmunch again: Very little that I used to consider funny is funny to me now. That’s not because the material is different; it’s because I’m different. Something else is also different but I don’t know what. The first part of this century will be remembered as the time when human beings
S
LASSIFIED LASSIFIED
Employment Crawfish Farming-12 temp positions; 4 _ months; job to begin 1/15/11 and end on 5/31/11; Duties: to operate boats in the ponds during the crawfish harvesting season and preparing the crop for distributing. $9.10 per hour; 2 months experience in job offered required. All work tools provided. Housing and transportation provided to workers who can not reasonably return to their permanent residence at the end of the work day; _ hours guaranteed in a work day during contract. Employment offered by Michael Dwain Buller Farms located in Port Barre, LA. Fax resumes to Dwain Buller at 318-8382268. Job order number 368611.
COLLEGE OF MEDICINE DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL FINANCE
The Director of Clinical Finance will provide detailed financial review and reporting, develop funds-flow models and clinical service line financial models and will serve as a resource to department chairs and administrators. The role will prepare financial reports for the Dean and FGP Executive Committee and develop proposals for financial policies and conduct financial reviews. The minimum qualifications are a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or field and 5 years of progressively responsible cost-accounting and financial analyses experience. Must have CPA or CMA or equivalent certification. Experience in a healthcare environment is desired.
Apply on-line at: http://www.uams.edu/job Reference position #50043532. UAMS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to excellence through diversity.
december 2, 2010 • ARKANSAS TIMES 46December 2, 2010 • ARKANSAS TIMES 46
$$$HELP WANTED$$$ Extra Income! Assembling CD cases from Home! No Experience Necessary! Call our Live Operators Now! 1-800-405-7619 EXT 2450 http://www. easywork-greatpay.com 50 Driver Trainees Needed Now! Learn to drive for Covenant Transport! Earn $700 per week! No Experience Needed! Benefits & 401K, Local CDL Training. Gets you job ready! 1-888-248-1364 Crawfish Farming-5 temp positions; 4 months; job to begin 1/15/11 and end on 5/31/11; Duties: to operate boats in the ponds during the crawfish harvesting season and preparing the crop for distributing. $9.10 per hour; 2 months experience in job offered required. All work tools provided. Housing and transportation provided to workers who can not reasonably return to their permanent residence at the end of the work day; _ hours guaranteed in a work day during contract. Employment offered by Kent Soileau Farms, Inc. located in Bunkie, LA. Fax resumes to Kent Soileau at 318-838-2268. Job order number 368607. Engineering Specialist, Dassault Falcon Jet Corp. in Little Rock, Arkansas. Resp for the dsgn of equipped cabinets, interior dsgn,& the computer aided dsgn for the aerospace business jets. Be the main point-of-contact of all activities in that area of dsgn. Bachelor’ s or higher deg& 8 yrs of exp incl substantial aircraft rel dsgn exp, Exp. Must incl. 5 yrs exp in Avionics/Mechanical, Sound, Materials, Systems, Furniture Dsgn or rel, Must incl 2 yrs exp in Leading& Mentoring Engineering Design Teams. Exp must incl (a) CAD (CATIA V5 & V6), (b) PLM data mgmt skills, (c) Program Design leadership, (d) Structural dsgn,& stress analysis, (e) EASA& FAA rqmts for Part 25 aircraft. Apply at https://dassaultfalcon.applicantharbor. com/jobmainlist.php?a=m
Paid In Advance! Make $1,000 a Week mailing brochures from home! Guaranteed Income! FREE Supplies! No experience required. Start Immediately! http://www.homemailerprogram.net/ Senior Stress Engineer, Dassault Falcon Jet Corp. in Little Rock, Arkansas. Resp for review of dsgn draw’gs for the Aerospace business jets. Ensure structural adequacy of dsgn by hand calculations & judgment. Build CATIA V5 / Elfini Finite Element models & perform comprehensive stress analysis. Bachelor’ s deg& 5 yrs of aircraft exp, incl applied stress engg. Exp. Must incl. 3 yrs w/ (a) composite material mechanics & stress substantiation, (b) Elfini, NASTRAN, or Industry accepted finite element s/w. Exp. Must incl. (a) CAD, CATIA V5, & classical hand calculations (b) FAR Part 25 compliance as it pertains to interior cabinet structure, (c) EASA certification rqmts incl. modification process;& (d) Supplemental Type Certification (STC) rqmts& activities. Apply athttps://dassaultfalcon. a pplicantharbor.com/jobmainlist. php?a=m
Furniture GREAT FOR CHRISTMAS!! Couch for sale. Beautiful stain-resistant ultra suede sectional, 4 piece. Purchased at Cantoni in Dallas for $3,200. Barely used, asking $1,500. call 501-607-3100 can send pictures upon request.
actually typed text messages on tiny wireless telephone keyboards and sent those messages to friends and relatives, and received and read instant replies from those same friends and relatives, and from other people, while at the same time inattentively piloting giant steel vehicles at high speeds along crowded streets and busy highways. We did some other things, too, but none as impressive as that. I’ve received an inquiry about a proposed historical melodrama that presents David O. Dodd, the Boy Martyr of the Confederacy, as a black youngster. Not black black but more woodpile for plausibility. I can’t get my mind around that, but I would like to see a treatment with the Boy Martyr as gay. I don’t mean a lot of nudge nudge wink winkery, or byplay with Gen. Steele over being well “hung,” etc. It could be subtle. Only problem, they didn’t have gay people back then — but I’m thinking that could be finessed. You shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth. Or in the other end either. Got debts? You don’t have to pay them off or do anything responsible like that. You just hit something called the Reset button and they magically disappear. A bankruptcy lawyer here can show you how. I learned about this from his TV commercial. It’s obvious from George W. Bush’s book that he found the presidency boring. He seems always to have found life itself boring. What you’d expect from a man whose hobby was cutting brush on the ranch — fake brush on a fake ranch. Imaginary sling blade.
HELP WANTED: Full-Time Receptionist/Bookkeeper. Hours-8:30 to 5:30, MF. Responsible for answering multi-line phone and data entry. Should be proficient with Word, Excel and Outlook.
Call Weldon @ 501-375-2985 or email: weldon@arktimes.com
Legal Notices CITATION BY PUBLICATION THE STATE OF TEXAS, COUNTY OF HARRIS To: GENO BARRETT BONNER, AND TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, WHOSE RESIDENCE AND WHEREABOUTS ARE UNKNOWN, RESPONDENT: You have been sued. You may employ an attorney. If you or your attorney do not file a written answer with the Clerk who has been issued this citation by 10:00 a.m. on the Monday next following the expiration of 20 days after you were served this citation and ORGINAL Petition, a default judgment may be taken against you. The Petition of VIVIAN OBIAJULU BONNER Petitioner, was filed in the 310\super TH\super0 Court of Harris County, Texas, on the 12\super TH\super0 day of July, 2010, against GENO BARRETT BONNER, Respondent, and the said suit being numbered 2010-42325 on the docket of said Court, and entitled “ In the Matter of the Marriage of BONNER, VIVIAN OBIAJULU and BONNER, GENO BARRETT and in the interest of their child: MELVIN C. BONNER- 9/15/2004, nature of which suit is a request to PETITION FOR DIVORCE. “ The court has authority in this suit to enter any judgment or decree dissolving the marriage and providing for the division of property and custody and support of the children, which will be binding on you” ISSUED AND GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL OF SAID COURT AT HOUSTON TEXAS ON THIS 23\super RD\ super0 DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2010. Issued at the request of:VIVAN BONNER, 9797 LEAWOOD BLVD #502, HOUSTON, TX 77099. LOREN JACKSON, District Clerk, Harris County, Texas Notice of Filing Application for permits to sell wine and beer in cafe or restaurant. Notice is hereby given that the undersigned has filed an application with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division of the State of Arkansas for permits to sell and serve wine and beer with food on the premises described as:1900 w. 3rd St., Little Rock, AR, Pulaski County. Said application was filed on November 17, 2010. The undersigned states that he is a resident of Arkansas, of good moral character; that he has never been convicted of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude; that no license to sell alcoholic beverages by the undersigned has ever been revoked within five (5)years last past; and, that the undersigned has never been convicted of violating the laws of this State, or any other State, relative to the sale of controlled beverages. Telly Noel for Twelve.
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The Arkansas Times is accepting resumes for a full-time graphic designer. Must be proficient with Macs and all Adobe software, deadlineoriented and highly organized, with at least four years experience in publication layout, ad design and web design/maintenance. BA or BFA in Design preferred. Salary is negotiable depending on skill and experience. Benefits include health, dental, and 401-K. Email resumes in PDF format to sheryl@arktimes.com. No phone calls please. www.arktimes.com • December 2, 2010 47