Arkansas Times

ARKANSAS’S WEEKLY NEWSPAPER OF POLITICS AND CULTURE ■ april 8, 2010

www.arktimes.com

July 12, 2007

Lots of

Lit

At Arkansas’s annual celebration of books, where a panel discussion on a new Nolan Richardson biography headlines. page 10

Anthony Fletcher, M.D. Georgetown University

Fred Meadors, M.D. Baylor College of Medicine

Carlos Roman, M.D. Tulane University

Kathleen Sitarik, M.D. Duke University

Ali Krisht, M.D. Emory University

Lowry Barnes, M.D. Harvard

QUALITY PHYSICIANS HELP MAKE A QUALITY HOSPITAL You can tell a great deal about a hospital by the physicians who choose to practice medicine there. The superior quality, extensive training and outstanding reputation of the physicians who practice here is yet another reason you should choose St. Vincent.

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The INsIder Landfill battle

For nearly two years, it’s been taken for granted, by the city and the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, that BFI would be required to shut down its landfill in Southwest Little Rock in May. BFI was granted a minor modification to expand the landfill in 2007, and planned at the time to extend the life of the landfill only 17.9 months — which exempted its request for the modification from a public hearing.

Now, BFI argues that under ADEQ regulations, it can operate the landfill until it’s full — or until its original permit expires in 2013 — and an administrative hearing officer for the Pollution Control and Ecology Commission ruled March 8 that BFI is right.

Teresa Marks, director of the ADEQ, and City Attorney Tom Carpenter told the Southwest Little Rock United for Progress group about the situation Monday night. ADEQ will argue at the PC&E’s monthly meeting April 23 that the hearing officer was wrong, and that BFI’s permit expires in May. “We are ready for [the landfill] to be shut down,” Carpenter said. Carpenter added that had BFI wanted to keep the landfill open longer than 18 months, it would have had to have a public hearing and might have lost.

“They welched on their agreement,” Mayor Mark Stodola said. “It’s a noxious intrusion into the neighborhoods.”

The city was on the losing side of a legal fight to keep BFI from taking drilling waste after neighbors complained about the smell emanating from the landfill.

More art

An Arts Journal writer reports that the chief operating officer of the High Museum in Atlanta is in talks with Alice Walton’s Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art about a collection-sharing arrangement. The High’s collection of 900 works of art from 19th and 20th century America includes works by William Merritt Chase, Ben Shahn, Georgia O’Keeffe and John Singer Sargeant.

Walton has sought other collectionsharing deals, most publicly with Fisk University in Nashville. Crystal Bridges has offered Fisk $30 million for a half ownership in its Stieglitz Collection, and Fisk recently filed a motion in a Tennessee chancery court asking that it be allowed to deviate from donor Georgia O’Keeffe’s instructions that the Stieglitz Collection not be sold so it can take advantage of the offer.

Will the Walton reward the High Museum with millions to bring more art to Bentonville? A call to the High was not returned by press time.

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

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Smart talk

Contents

8 When judges

There was a senator from Arkansas ...

collide

n Stuart Jay Silverman of Hot Springs has passed along a group of limericks making fun of certain politicians, mostly Republicans. Some of the limericks are a bit naughty, and muses: Pryor and Lincoln inspire therefore unsuited to limerick.

Arkansas Times readers, but here’s a non-naughty sample: “Sarah Palin — well, what can one say When her faults are on public display?

That she’s stupid? A start.

Has pack ice for a heart?

And the kick of a mule, and its bray?”

Arkansas readers might be most interested in the last of the group, titled “Renegades: A Coda”: “Mark Pryor — though not on the ballot: One whack on the head with a mallet.

I believe one will do For Blanche Lincoln, too.

Then, bundle them off on a pallet.”

Thank God for Mississippi n A recent study by the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York has found that only 22 percent of Arkansas girls aged 13-17 have received the vaccine for Human Papilloma Virus, which can cause cervical cancer. Published in the most recent issue of the medical journal The Lancet, the study also found that only 16 percent of Mississippi girls in that age group had received the shots.

In some northern states like Rhode Island, where 55 percent of teen-age girls have received HPV vaccine since it was introduced in 2006, rates of cervical cancer are half of what they are in Arkansas.

According to the Centers of Disease Control, HPV

Judicial races this year may be a little warmer than usual. — By Doug Smith

10 Booked

On Friday, the Arkansas Literary Festival kicks off three days of readings, panel discussions, writing workshops and other events. — By the Arkansas Times staff

19 Watering hole RECORD SALE: This house built in 1927 in the Heights has fetched a tidy $2.85 million in a sale to Seattle Mariners pitcher Cliff Lee. The English Revival house on Sherwood Road in Prospect Terrace was built by residential developer Sidney Kahn and was later home to the family of the late Alston Jennings, a founder of the Wright Lindsey Jennings law firm. The house was designed by Max Mayer. causes 70 percent of all cervical cancers. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2007 found that around 27 percent of women are carriers of HPV, making it the most widespread venereal disease.

The same study found that around 2 percent carried the strain that causes cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine is not a cure, but can protect a woman from contracting the disease if it is administered before she becomes sexually active.

One factor in Arkansas’s low use may well be the cost.

The HPV vaccine costs $120 a dose, and three doses (along with three doctor visits) are required over six months for full immunity. Another, no doubt, is the attitude in conservative Arkansas that teens won’t have sex if you don’t give them protective drugs.

Brockmeier, work by Echols at Times’ Pub or Perish event at Prost. — By David Koon

Departments

3 The Insider

4 Smart Talk

5 The Observer

6 Letters

7 Orval 8-15 News

16 Opinion

18 Arts & Entertainment

38 Dining

45 C rossword/ Tom Tomorrow

46 Lancaster

Words n Our March 25 column noted the misuse of the word noisome in a newspaper article about The Oxford American magazine. Marc Smirnoff, editor of the magazine, responds: “Ironically, that word is part of an editing test we force on interns. Most of these kids, naturally, think ‘noisome’ relates to noisy, but they learn.”

In a casual “oh, by the way” manner, Smirnoff then calls attention to a sentence written by an Arkansas Times editor in the same March 25 issue: “Rep. John Boozman of the Party of No, joined Orval Faubus, George Wallace, etc., on the wrong side of history.” He quotes a usage authority: “In strict usage, et cetera (and the rest) is neuter and so can refer only to things, and et alia (and others) can refer 4 april 8, 2010 • Arkansas Times

Doug smith doug@arktimes.com

only to persons. Do not end a list of persons with etc.; instead, use and others.

Using etc. at the end of a list introduced by for example, such as, or a similar expression is also incorrect. (Note: A comma is required after etc. unless it ends the sentence. Also note that et does not require a period but al. does; et is a word, al. is an abbreviation.)”

Smirnoff writes: “While I realize that the matter of usage is hardly a science, and varies with different media, our preference at the magazine is

to recognize the etc./et al. distinction.

What’s yours?”

My preference is the same, and I’d add that one should never write and etc. either. But I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that I’ve occasionally put an etc. in the wrong place. Anyone who finds an example of this can just go ahead and keep it to himself.

Though sometimes unavoidable, etc. is easily overused. Garner’s Modern American Usage says, “Writers should generally try to be as specific as possible rather than make use of this term.” n Headline: “Bush and Clinton visit devastated Haitian capital.”

An exaggeration, surely. The earthquake did most of the damage.

VOLUME 36, NUMBER 31 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.

©2009 ARKANSAS TIMES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

FOR INFORMATION OR SUBSCRIPTIONS CALL 501-375-2985

From our bureau chief in

Rouseau, Dominica, this dispatch from the island’s daily newspaper, the Chronicle: “The body of Mr. Felix Christmas was found floating off Mero Beach yesterday by a tourist. His son said the death was very, very fishy. Police are investigating.”

Where to begin? Felix as in Merry?

Fishy as in smelly?

Air Force Master Sgt. Bubba

Beason, a native of Cabot, with the 305th Air Mobility Wing at McGuire Air Force Base, is doing his seventh tour of duty in Afghanistan and would like a favor.

He’s not asking for a handout, DannaKay Duggar of the Jacksonville Museum of Military History says.

He’s written the museum to ask for information on how to buy at a discount 30 3-by-5-foot nylon American flags.

He wants to fly the flags on American helicopters delivering school supplies to Afghan schools and then return the flags to the many American communities that donated the supplies.

Duggar says we can do better than direct him to a place to buy flags. She’s asking organizations to buy the flags and donate them to Beason; the museum will get them to him.

It’s not just that he’s from Arkansas or that he’s in Afghanistan. It’s also that Beason ran across New Jersey last summer to raise money for Gold Star Moms, mothers who’ve lost a military son or daughter. The run won him the Chevy America’s Hero award.

After a long week at the job,

The Observer was looking to relax a lot, drink a little and maybe even listen to some live music. So we headed down to the Town Pump after punching the clock late Friday afternoon to sit out on the porch, sip beers and listen to Bonnie Montgomery (an Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase stand-out) and Mandy McBride pick a few tunes.

All of our requirements were met.

A few good friends showed up to help run up the bar tab, the music was stellar and the beautiful Arkansas spring weather provided the perfect backdrop for it all.

There’s something about sitting

around with a few good friends, enjoying the breeze and listening to unamplified folk standards that made us feel like we were in on some kind of secret. Montgomery and McBride took requests and threw in a few originals to boot. The duo will be doing a similar show at the Pump each Friday this month.

The audience, a small one by normal standards but enough to pack the porch, sat quietly, talking only in between tunes, happy to just be there.

GLASS NITE WED., APRIL 14 7pm

The Age of Pollen is upon us,

citizens. When we walked out to The Mobile Observatory this morning to get in, it looked like it had been dipped in yellow cornmeal and was ready for the fryer.

The Observer’s aunt has a

pond at the back of her place, and when the sun popped out and the weather got warm the other weekend, she talked us into going to wet a hook. It’s been five years or more since the last time Yours Truly went fishing, mostly because we don’t have the equipment anymore, but also because we’re an early-life burnout on the sport. Ma and Pa Observer were freaks on the subject, taking us on weekend fishing trips all summer back when we were a young’un. In our youth, we loved it, but as the years bore on, we came to hate it with a purple passion reserved for things a teen-ager once loved as a child and has put away, but is forced to do against his or her will once he/she hits The Difficult Age. Standing there on the bank, The Difficulties of being between boy and man long behind us, we found again that simple joy of standing almost perfectly still in a warm place with a fishing pole in your hand. In the shallows, the cattails rustled, and minnows speckled the surface of the water, fleeing before what our father’s voice — him 10 years in the grave — told us was probably an unseen bass. Corks and lures festooned a tree that hovered over the edge of the water, the shadow below tempting both perch and anglers. Water trickled over a small spillway and down into the marsh.

We didn’t catch a damn thing, but it was lovely, lovely, lovely.

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Letters arktimes@arktimes.com

Protecting kids The Insider reported in the March 18 issue that Rep. Andrea Lea, R-Russellville, plans to introduce a bill in 2011 that would ban lottery ticket vending machines. She said, “I usually don’t like to enact legislation that inhibits adult behavior … but when it comes to protecting children, I think it can be helpful and this is the right thing to do.”

We’ll observe prevention of child abuse for a month in April so it’s a good time to consider school corporal punishment in the context of “protecting children.” Being “helpful” and doing “the right thing” is appropriate any time of the year.

In the Russellville School District, similar in area to the region Rep. Lea serves, administrators reported that they had resorted to paddling 64 times last year, a relatively modest amount. Eliminated, it might not even be missed. However, nine times the recipient was a child enrolled in Special Education classes. Corporal punishment was used at will nearly 40,000 times last year. It is not uncommon for there to be injuries and sometimes teachers are charged with assault.

In the 70-page report, “Impairing Education: Corporal Punishment of Students

with Disabilities in US Public Schools,” the ACLU and Human Rights Watch found that students with disabilities made up 18.8 percent of students who suffered corporal punishment at school during the 2006-2007 school year, although they constituted just 13.7 percent of the total nationwide student population.

If our legislators are afraid to ban the practice for all Arkansas students, they should at least ban the paddling of disabled students. It is a form of abuse and it’s time to stop it — especially for those who are not very good at understanding why they are being hit in the first place.

What do you say, Rep. Lea? It would be the right thing to do.

Randy Cox, LCSW neverhitachild.org/Arkansas Little Rock

Lincoln v. Halter Little Rock was recently visited by Rachel Maddow, thanks to the Clinton School of Public Service speaker series program. On the morning after the landmark decision where the health care bill earned enough votes to pass the house, Maddow explained how the bill worked.

When asked about Sen. Blanche Lincoln, Maddow pointed out that by “casting a vote both for health care reform and against health reform … Blanche Lincoln has provided zero percent of those people

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6 april 8, 2010 • arkansas Times

The health debate Bravo to Butch Stone for his letter about the national health debate, saying what he thinks about Republicans. I say to hell with them.

My husband lost his job. He is a very proud man who has worked since he was 19 years old to take care of his family. We are getting old now. And my husband has bad health problems. The doctors think

he may have MS. And he definitely has spinal cord damage from bone spurs in his neck. And we have no insurance. The doctors want my husband to have a full MRI from head to toe. How can we afford this with no insurance? Also why are there millions of starving people and children in the United States of America?

And why is everyone blaming President Obama? Bush put us in debt.

Butch is absolutely correct. President Obama has only been president a year.

Where were all these squealing people who criticize President Obama when George W. Bush was putting us in debt?

Sherry Kivo North Little Rock With this nation’s health care system currently in reform and so many health issues in question, I would like to make a plea for the unborn. There is no doubt that President Obama is establishing one of the most pro-abortion administrations in history. Join me in being a voice for the voiceless. Let your senators and representatives know that you oppose taxpayerfunded abortion mandates.

Branson Bolden Little Rock ■ Submit letters to The Editor, Arkansas Times, P.O. Box 34010, Little Rock, AR 72203. We also accept letters via E-mail.

The address is arktimes@arktimes.com.

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with a reason to vote for her.”

Opponent Bill Halter has consistently urged Lincoln to set aside special interests, lobbyists, and insiders and pass the legislation. “I hope Senator Lincoln will change her mind again and join me in supporting this important legislation.

The delay and bickering in Washington must stop. The time is now to pass health care and student loan reforms without delay.”

It’s pretty clear which Democratic candidate puts Arkansans first and our health care. Unlike Blanche Lincoln, Bill Halter has provided ample reasons to vote for him. Simply put, a vote for Lt. Gov. Bill Halter is not only a vote in the right direction as it relates to health care reform, it’s the right thing to do. We can no longer allow our fellow citizens, neighbors and friends to go unserved by health care, insurance and the like.

Judy Watts Moveon.org member of Little Rock

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The WEEK THAT was M AR C H 3 1 – APRIL 6 , 2 0 1 0

The Arkansas Reporter

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

It was a GOOD week for …

RESOLUTION. Volunteer retired detectives who make up the North Little Rock Police Department’s cold-case unit announced that they had cracked the city’s oldest unsolved murder, that of Myrtle Lee Hoggard in 1977. The murderer died in prison in 2009.

■­

■

Taking the robes off Judicial politics may be rougher this year.

By Doug Smith

PHILIP MANN. The assistant conductor of the San Diego Symphony was hired as the new music director of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.

KENNETH HARRISON. The convicted murderer, acting as his own attorney, persuaded a judge to overturn his conviction and order a new trial.

MORE HUCKABEE. The former governor and presidential candidate revealed that he has gained back about 35 pounds of the 100 he lost a couple of years back. He wrote a best-selling book about the weight loss that helped bring attention to his 2008 presidential campaign.

It was a bad week for …

HUMANKIND. Police revealed that Hannah Grace Dowdie, nearly 2, was alive when she was strapped into a car seat in a truck that was then set afire. Two men arrested in the death of Hannah and her father awaited trial.

READERS. One of the few remaining independent book stores in the state, That Bookstore at Mountebanq Place in Conway, closed its doors because of insufficient business.

STACEY JOHNSON. The state Parole Board recommended that Gov. Mike Beebe reject Johnson’s request for clemency. Johnson is scheduled to be executed April 12 for the 1993 murder of a De Queen woman.

CRANKS. A group called the Guardians of the Free Republics sent letters to most governors, including Gov. Mike Beebe, demanding that they leave office. The letters said that governors who didn’t leave voluntarily would be removed, in an unspecified fashion.

Beebe stayed put. A few hundred more of the confusedly disgruntled milled around at the Capitol, this group including passengers on three Tea Party buses that are touring the country, protesting federal health-care legislation and people who don’t agree with them.

8 april 8, 2010 • ARKANSAS TIMES

running: (Clockwise from top left) Henry, Fogleman, Baker, Fox. n With a few exceptions, judicial races in Arkansas have been historically dull, the candidates refraining from criticizing each other or from saying much of anything except monotonous boasting about their own qualifications. But a couple of Supreme Court races this year seem on the verge of becoming interesting. In one, a former prosecutor in a sensational murder case is targeted by people who say that his misconduct helped convict three innocent defendants. In the other, supporters of a circuit judge who invalidated an anti-gay regulation believe that his opponent is quietly and wrongfully maligning their candidate because of that ruling. Retaliation is not out of the question.

The possibility of noisier-than-usual judicial races is further enhanced by the Arkansas Supreme Court’s relaxation of its restrictions on what judicial candidates can say. This year’s elections are the first since that change was made a year ago.

Residents of a certain white, middleclass Little Rock neighborhood recently found in their mailboxes or on their windshields a small card that said on one side “Defeat the PROSECUTOR to the WM3.

Vote ‘no’ to John Fogleman May 18.” The reverse side bore the logo of The Center for Public Integrity, and quoted from an article the Center published in 2003 about alleged prosecutorial misconduct around the country. Fogleman’s actions in the West Memphis Three case were mentioned in the article. He’s now a circuit judge and a candidate for the Arkansas Supreme Court.

The Center for Public Integrity is a nonprofit, nonpartisan institution that does investigative journalism. It’s headquartered in Washington. The Center’s logo on the card gave the impression that the Center had printed it, but the organization’s media relations manager, Steve Carpinelli, said, “It’s not from us.

We don’t do anything political. Sometimes people take data from our website, but we’d have nothing to do with it.”

Brent Peterson of Little Rock is chairman of Arkansas Take Action, a group supportive of the West Memphis Three (Jason Baldwin, Damien Echols and Jessie Misskelley). Indeed, a book, a documentary, news stories and web sites have produced many supporters who hope to have the Three’s convictions overturned.

Peterson said he knew nothing about the

card. If someone in his group was responsible, “They didn’t discuss it with me,” he said. But Peterson is planning to run antiFogleman ads in Arkansas newspapers the week of the election. He said many people were just finding out about the case, and were outraged by new evidence that had been presented. “I’m getting three or four e-mails a day.”

Another person who says she had nothing to do with the anti-Fogleman card is Fogleman’s opponent, Judge Courtney Henry of Fayetteville, a member of the Arkansas Court of Appeals. “I have not mentioned the West Memphis Three case at all,” she said. “I don’t plan to. I’m going around the state shaking as many hands as I can.”

Fogleman didn’t know who was behind the card either, and hadn’t seen it until a reporter faxed him a copy. He said that when he’s out campaigning, he occasionally hears about the West Memphis Three case, “but not much.” Henry hasn’t mentioned the case in his presence, he said.

Fogleman said he had little reaction to the card. “I know there’s a small group in Central Arkansas that’s very vocal [about the West Memphis Three] and some from out of state,” he said. “The folks in Australia seem particularly interested.” As for his prosecutorial conduct, “I completely stand by every step I took in that case.”

The Arkansas Supreme Court upheld the convictions of the three.

While the rules on judicial campaigning may have been relaxed slightly, Fogleman said, “I’m not sure that judges should be expressing opinions, especially on things that might come before them.” He said that he was running the same type of campaign as when he first ran for circuit judge, 16 years ago. “I don’t have anything bad to say about my opponents.”

Henry would be a formidable opponent even if the West Memphis Three weren’t mentioned. She’s raised $317,000 in contributions, according to her latest financial report, considerably more than any other Supreme Court candidate.

Fogleman has raised $203,000. Judicial races in Arkansas are nonpartisan, and Henry likes to point out that she’s been endorsed by both former President Bill Clinton, a Democrat, and former Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt, a Republican. (Her in-laws, Ann and Morriss Henry of Fayetteville, are prominent Democrats, he a former member of the state legislature, she a former candidate for Congress.)

On the other hand, she has no trial experience to speak of (her background

is all in appellate law) and some lawyers consider that a serious deficiency. Some of the best-known lawyers in her hometown signed a public letter endorsing Fogleman. Judicial candidates need the support of lawyers, who have a greater interest in who’s on the bench than do laymen. The lawyers know the candidates better too; many laymen will ask a lawyer friend for advice on judicial candidates.

And some people find Henry presumptuous and over-ambitious. She was elected to the Court of Appeals, her first elective office, just two years ago. One lawyer said privately, “She was on the Appeals Court about 15 minutes before she started running for the Supreme Court.” Henry’s mother-in-law was highly regarded by liberals when she ran for Congress, but Henry does not enjoy that same high standing in the liberal community, perhaps because her contributors list includes so many Waltons and Tysons and other corporate types who generally prefer conservative candidates, and who always want a return on their investment.

Henry’s colleague on the Court of Appeals, Judge Karen Baker of Clinton, is running for the Supreme Court also.

Her opponent is Circuit Judge Tim Fox of Little Rock. Fox made news in 2005 when he struck down a state Department of Human Services regulation banning homosexuals from being foster parents.

The Arkansas Supreme Court upheld Fox’s decision, but in 2008, voters approved an initiated act that prohibits unmarried couples, gay or straight, from adopting or fostering children. Some of Fox’s supporters claim that in appearances before certain groups — conservative Republicans, say — Baker has criticized Fox’s decision and said that she would have ruled otherwise. Fox himself, asked about these allegations, said only, “I have no comment on that at this time.”

Baker said that in her campaign appearances, “I talk a little about general judicial philosophy, not any particular issues. As part of my campaign, I haven’t mentioned it [Fox’s ruling in the gay-foster-parents case]. I haven’t brought it up myself. If somebody asks me privately about issues, I may talk about them.”

Baker has borrowed $245,000 for her campaign, but she’s raised only $20,000 in contributions, compared to Fox’s $154,000. Cox has borrowed $100,000 also. But one would expect a Little Rock judge to raise more money than a judge from Clinton. Court of Appeals judges are elected from designated geographic districts. They don’t run statewide, as Supreme Court candidates do. There’s a third candidate in the race with Fox and Baker, Evelyn Moorehead of Little Rock.

The Arkansas Supreme Court changed the rules governing what judges

tion, when he ran for the Supreme Court and lost.

In one of the biggest rules changes, the commission simply deleted the prohibition against judges speaking out on political issues. That was one Griffen was accused of breaking. But the new rules continue to violate the Constitution in places, according to Griffen, including prohibitions against publicly endorsing or opposing candidates, and against making speeches on behalf of a political organization. Such speech is still protected by the First Amendment, Griffen said.

Griffen’s running again this year, for a circuit judgeship in a predominantly

and judicial candidates can say largely because Wendell Griffen challenged the old rules, and won. Griffen was a Court of Appeals judge from Little Rock when the state Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission threatened to punish him for various public statements he’d made, such as criticizing then-President George W. Bush and accusing the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville of practicing racial discrimination. Griffen replied that judges had a right of free speech under the First Amendment, like other Americans, and that the federal courts had so ruled. The commission eventually agreed, and Griffen went unpunished. At least until the 2008 elec-

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black subdistrict in Little Rock. He and two other candidates, Causley Edwards and Judge Rita Bailey, are seeking the judgeship formerly held by Willard Proctor Jr. The Arkansas Supreme Court removed Proctor in January for ethical violations, and said that he couldn’t run for the judgeship again.

Though still unimpressed with the rules on judicial speech, Griffen’s not pressing the point. He said he’s conducting a quiet, old-fashioned judicial campaign, running on his record. But Proctor wants his judgeship back, and has filed suit to be allowed to run. It’s hard to believe that a race with both Griffen and Proctor in it could stay quiet.

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Get lit No big names at this year’s Arkansas Literary Festival, but who cares?

I

n July 2008, the Central Arkansas Library System took over the Arkansas Literary Festival from the Arkansas Literacy Council. The festival wasn’t broken, new director Brad Mooy told the Times last April; it had become too large for the small non-profit to manage and the library wanted to grow it still.

This go-round, the festival brings together 80 writers, where last year’s featured 60 and 2008’s hosted 45. There are new partnerships: The National League of PEN Women is hosting its biennial conference in Little Rock to coincide with the festival, and the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center is hosting several race-centered programs.

The Writer in the Schools initiative, which places festival authors in Pulaski County schools, has broadened; this year 14 writers will appear in local classrooms, kindergarten through college. The Times-sponsored Pub or Perish returns, this time at Prost (get the lowdown on page 19), and, as we 10 april 8, 2010 • ARKANSAS TIMES

By Lindsey Millar

detail below, there is a host of panels and workshops well worth your time.

Still, amid this year’s lineup, it’s hard to find the A-list talent of years past, established names most anyone who’d consider going to a literary festival would know, such as past festival authors Rick Bragg, Nikki Giovanni, Garrison Keillor and Joe Klein.

Mooy is reluctant to concede the point. “If someone’s sold over 200,000 copies of her books [as children’s author Gwendolyn Hooks has], or had his first four books on the New York Times Bestseller list [as novelist Christopher Rice has], I think that’s pretty impressive.

“It’s hard to make people understand that authors like John Grisham or Stephen King aren’t coming. Those authors come with a pretty hefty price tag. Many of the larger festivals around the country pay their presenters or performers. CALS is not in a place to do that. Some literary fests may do a special event and some charge admission to go to everything.

CALS really wants to keep the event free.”

That financial philosophy is not a departure from the five festivals the

Literacy Council helmed. All were free and, according to past director Katie McManners, no one was ever paid. As they are today, travel and accommodations expenses were covered by the festival.

This year’s festival also has competition. The massive Association of Writers & Writing Programs holds its conference this weekend in Denver. And, of course, the book business hasn’t exactly been minting money lately.

“The publishers that actually will foot expenses for authors often want to pick the bigger book festivals,” said Rod Lorenzen, manager of Butler Center Books and a member of the talent committee that selects the lineup. “It’s going to take another year or two, I think, for us to get more established and gain some clout with the publishers, especially in a time of such drastic cuts for everyone.”

In the meantime, Mooy asks folks to dig a little deeper.

“I’m really hopeful that people will spend a little time with the program and look at the pretty amazing and impressive credits of our writers.”

On the facing page, a start.

Best Bets Our picks for the Lit Fest

FRIDAY, APRIL 9 n Ken Gormley, Clinton School, Sturgis Hall, noon. A constitutional law professor and the dean of Duquesne University law school, Gormley followed up his acclaimed biography of Watergate special prosecutor Archibald Cox with the recently released “The Death of American Virtue: Clinton vs.

Starr.” Reviewers — including Max Brantley in the Times­ — agree: It’s the tome to end all tomes on White Water.

“Exhaustive” is a word that comes up often. Janet Maslin, reviewing the book in The New York Times, wrote, “There are times when this book seems akin to climbing Mt. Everest in house slippers: impressive but not entirely necessary.”

But here’s betting plenty of folks around here will revisit those Ken Starr-plagued times, gory details and all. n Also: Steve Weinberg discusses his book “Taking on the Trust” about pioneering muckraker Ida M. Tarbell, who exposed Standard Oil’s unethical business practices in the early 20th century (Ottenheimer Theater, Historic Arkansas Museum, 2:30 p.m.). And the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center hosts a forum on African-American fiction, with Daniel Black, RM Johnson and Alice Randall (5:30 p.m.).

SATURDAY, APRIL 10 n Alice Randall, Main Library, Darragh Center, 10 a.m. The first African-American woman to write a No. 1 country hit — Trisha Yearwood’s “XXX’s and 000’s (An American Girl)” — Randall’s

better known for her novels: “The Wind Done Gone,” “Pushkin and the Queen of Spades” and “Rebel Yell.” All deal, often allusively, in themes of race and identity.

“The Wind Done Gone,” for instance, tells the story of “Gone with the Wind” from a slave’s point of view. n Marcus Sakey, Main Library East Room, 10 a.m. Maybe the preeminent young crime-fiction writer working today, Sakey’s the author of four novels, three of which have been optioned for films by people like Ben Affleck and Tobey Maguire. His latest, “The Amateurs,” keeps “readers gasping with fright and pleasure,” according to the Chicago Tribune. n Jonathan Mahler, Arkansas Studies Institute, room 124, 11:30 a.m. A contributing writer to the New York Times magazine, Mahler’s the author of two nonfiction books with provocative premises. His 2006 bestseller, “Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bronx Is Burning,” delves into the combustible milieu of 1977 New York — when “Son of Sam” stalked the streets, punk rock and Studio 54 started to emerge and mercurial personalities on the Yankees grabbed all the headlines. His latest work, 2009’s “The Challenge,” offers an account of the landmark Supreme Court case Hamdan v. Rumsfeld that, according to reviews, reads like a legal thriller. n Christian Lander, Main Library, Darragh Center, 1 p.m. A not-so-bold prediction: More people will show up to hear Lander, the man behind the Stuff White People Like blog and book, than any other festival author. Grab a seat

early; the Darragh Center isn’t huge.

And read John Tarpley’s Q&A with Lander on page 15. n Rus Bradburd, Main Library, Darragh Center, 2:30 p.m. If Lander doesn’t boast the festival’s biggest crowds, Nolan Richardson biographer Rus Bradburd is bound to. As Derek Jenkins details in “Personal Fouls” on page 13, Bradburd's new book, “Forty Minutes of Hell: The Extraordinary Life of Nolan Richardson,” isn’t so much a hagiography of the Arkansas legend as it is a look back at the sordid history of race in college sports. That Bradburd’s panel also includes (white) former Razorback basketball player Pat Bradley and Darrell Brown, the first African-American Razorback football player, should make it all the more compelling. n The Oxford American Southern Food Issue Panel, Ottenheimer Theater, Historic Arkansas Museum, 2:30 p.m. Panels on sports and food at the same time? What’s a red-blooded Southerner to do? This one featuring recent Oxford American contributors looks especially tasty. Two New Orleans Times Picayune contributors, columnist Lolis Eric Elie and restaurant writer Brett Anderson, join Arkansas Business’ Sam Eifling to talk Southern foodways and food-writing and sense of place (Eifling will rep for Arkansas cuisine, naturally). n Brock Clarke and Kevin Brockmeier, Cox Creative Center third floor meeting room, 4 p.m. Best I can tell, the “Brock” connection these two authors share is all that ties them together.

Save that both are young, decorated fiction writers. Twice a National Magazine Award winner for fiction, Clarke’s latest, “An Arsonist’s Guide to Writers’ Homes in New England,” is part mystery, part faux-memoir, all postmodern comedy.

You probably wouldn’t be reading this preview if you didn’t know Brockmeier.

Long Little Rock’s brightest literary light, the fabulist’s latest is “The View from the Seventh Layer,” a short story collection. n Also: Literary scion Christopher Rice — son of Anne — has hit the New York Times bestseller list with all

four of his novels (Cox Creative Center, Third Floor Meeting Room, 10 a.m.). Pico Iyer, author of “The Open Road,” an account of 34 years of time spent with the Dalai Lama, has written two novels and seven books of nonfiction (11:30 a.m., Darragh Center, Main Library). LGBQT activist and spoken word performer Staceyann Chinn talks about her memoir, “The Other Side of Paradise.” (1 p.m., Cox Creative Center, third floor meeting room). The Times’ David Koon moderates a panel with poets Sy Hoahwah and Patricia Dorsey (ASI Ozark Classroom, 4 p.m.). Arkansas’s biggest literary awards, the Porter and Worthen prizes, are presented to playwright Robert Ford and historian Grif Stockley, respectively (Darragh Center, Main Library, 7 p.m.)

SUNDAY, APRIL 11 n Marjorie Rosen (Main Library, Darragh Center, 1:30 p.m.). Last year, David Koon wrote in the Times about Rosen’s book on the impact of Wal-Mart’s growth on Bentonville, “Boom Town: How Wal-Mart Transformed an AllAmerican Town into an International Community,” after Rosen had scheduled readings in Bentonville and Rogers libraries canceled. n Lauren Hall (ASI Room 124, 3 p.m.)

Author Dave Eggers came to the Clinton School last year and talked about 826 Valencia, the nonprofit he founded to promote childhood literacy. Some of those in attendance expressed interest about starting a branch of 826 (there are seven throughout the country) in Little Rock.

Now, Hall, a former Little Rocker and the current development director for 826 National, comes to town to talk about youth writing programs and, hopefully, about how we can get an 826 here. n Also: “Arkansongs’ ” Stephen Koch introduces the Butler Center’s David Stricklin (1:30 p.m., Cox Creative Center third floor meeting), author of “Louis Armstrong: The Soundtrack of the American Experience.” And novelists Ben Farmer and Matt Baker (3 p.m., Main Library East Room) talk about writing their first novels, “Evangeline” and “Drag the Darkness Down,” respectively. www.arktimes.com • april 8, 2010 11

HISTORY DOESN’T CHANGE,

BUT OUR EXHIBITS DO.

“Read My Pins: The Madeleine Albright Collection” February 15 – June 1, 2010 Features more than 200 pins, many of which became part of Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s personal diplomatic arsenal. The exhibit examines the expressive power of jewelry to communicate through a style and language of its own.

Enhance your visit!

For an in-depth tour of “Read My Pins”, take advantage of our special audio tour narrated by former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. With purchase of an audio tour, you will also receive a narration by President Clinton, who serves as your personal guide through the 20,000 square feet of exhibit space.

Read My Pins: The Madeleine Albright Collection has been organized by the Museum of Arts and Design. Generous support for this exhibition was provided by Bren Simon and for the exhibition book by St. John Knits.

Leadership in a Time of Crisis March 1 – June 1, 2010 In partnership with the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, the exhibit focuses on President Clinton’s ability to lead the country in what was one of its darkest hours and helped rebuild a city that was torn apart by terrorism.

1200 President Clinton Avenue • Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 • 501-374-4242 • clintonpresidentialcenter.org

Personal

T

fouls

Biography probes racism and Richardson at the U of A.

By Derek Jenkins

he first thing Arkansas Razorback fans might notice about Rus Bradburd’s “Forty Minutes of Hell: The Extraordinary Life of Nolan Richardson” is that the book seems awfully short.

How could anyone tell a story of the greatest years of Arkansas basketball — one so central to our self-identification, mingling our finest hopes and our secret shame — in anything less than 500 pages? The answer is simply that the book is not about the Arkansas Razorbacks. The games that captivated us in the mid-’90s play a glancing role in the drama and are given a summary gloss at best. This book is about Nolan Richardson, and, through the towering prism of Nolan Richardson, this book is about race.

“Like a lot of people, I was perplexed by what I saw in the 2002 press conference,” Bradburd said in a recent phone interview of the public meltdown that might have cemented Richardson’s termination.

“Every article I read, except one, said basically that he got what he deserved.”

Bradburd spent eight years on staff at the University of Texas at El Paso. Richardson is something of a legend in El Paso, having begun coaching high school basketball there after a brilliant athletic career at Texas Western (now UTEP).

Bradburd felt a kinship with Richardson, and set out to discover what happened to the local hero.

The details about Richardson’s El Paso youth are some of the most revealing passages in the book. The unusual racial mix of the town and its proximity to Mexico, where a black man could enter a restaurant through the front door, helped

The scope, the nastiness, the many flavors of the racism recounted here are overwhelming. define Richardson’s character. To prepare the reader to understand what happened in Arkansas, Bradburd realized he had to start from the beginning, not just of Richardson’s career, but from before a black man in this country could rise to such stature.

In the process, Bradburd takes in the whole sordid history of race in amateur athletics, the long struggle of black coaches to rise to prominence as witnessed and exemplified by Richardson, and puts it between two covers with chapter headings drawn from some of the greatest works of African-American literature. This is an

ambitious book, to say the least.

Richardson confronted and overcame racism on every stop leading to his position at Arkansas, where some combination of personal matters, a retrograde athletic director, and often unreasonable fan expectations eventually did him in — but only after close to two decades of unparalleled success.

Hired away from Tulsa in the midst of his beloved daughter’s terminal bout with cancer, Richardson had a rocky start. “Immediately he was crossways with the fans and Frank Broyles because of the high expectations,” Bradburd says. “I don’t

think he ever got over that: the feeling that winning was more important than his daughter.”

The death of his daughter drove Richardson as much as it challenged him, as did the shameful cultural history and racism of his new home. Operating on a campus where a black sorority mixer was once broken up with police dogs, long after Alabama had permanently loaded such actions with racist implications, couldn’t have been easy. Bradburd takes great pains to describe the place where something so unacceptable could still happen.

“I don’t pretend to be an expert in Ar-

kansas history,” he said, “but I thought it was important for readers who hadn’t spent time in Arkansas to understand what a complicated place both Fayetteville and the state were.”

At times, the book reads like a litany.

The scope, the nastiness, the many flavors of the racism recounted here are overwhelming. Surveying the voluminous anecdotal evidence, I was reminded of the fourth section of Roberto Bolano’s “2666,” in which the author digs up the skeletons of hundreds of murdered women in excruciating detail, in penance and anger over the thousands of women disappearing every year in border towns.

Bradburd drags the skeletons out of our closet with the same ruthless aplomb.

In Fayetteville, Frank Broyles has a brick and mortar legacy that isn’t going anywhere soon (his name graces athletic complexes, playing fields and practice facilities), but his private legacy, the memory that maybe really matters and will last longest, comes in for a real beating here.

There are numerous examples of Broyles’ casual racism, but one of the most condemning is the harrowing story of Darrell Brown, the first African-American Razorback football player, a walk-on who was basically used as a tackling dummy, prey to the most vicious racism from players and coaches alike and cast aside without even a hint at a scholarship offer. Brown later enrolled in the University of Arkansas law school and was shot on campus by an unknown sniper while agitating for civil rights. Broyles never called him a name or spit on him or refused to block for him, but he sat in the bleachers and oversaw it all.

Times had indeed changed by the time Richardson came to campus, but history bubbled under the surface. Broyles reportedly hired Richardson because basketball was, in his own words, “a black man’s game.” Richardson’s willingness to speak out on racial matters bristled the establishment, and Broyles attempted to remove the Arkansas coach no less than three times.

“What we’ll never know is how well Coach Richardson would have done if his athletic director had been behind him,” said Bradburd.

Did Nolan Richardson say and do all the right things? Maybe not, but Bradburd has “grown to believe that Richardson will say what he thinks is the truth whether or not it is politically expedient, and the former athletic director will say what is politically expedient whether or not is the truth.”

Bradburd states toward the end of the book, in an uncharacteristic generalization, “[T]he criteria white people in Arkansas use to determine what constitutes racism is fuzzy.” I have to disagree. White people in Arkansas know racism when we see it; we just don’t know what to do with racism. Bradburd reminds us time and time again that far too often we have simply condoned it. www.arktimes.com • april 8, 2010 13

ARKANSAS LITERARY FESTIVAL 2010 THURSDAY, APRIL 8

n 11 a.m.: Gathering of the Groups. Book club event with moderators Amanda Ferguson, Maribeth Murray. Darragh Center, Main Library. n 6:30 p.m.: Super Family Fun Night. With illustrator Rich Davis. Youth Services, Main Library. n 7 p.m.: Spoken Word Live! Poetry competition. Mosaic Templars Cultural Center.

FRIDAY, APRIL 9

n 9:15 a.m. Kevin Luthardt on “Flying!”

Author and illustrator, family session. Mosaic Templars Cultural Center. n Noon: Ken Gormley on “The Death of American Virtue: Clinton vs. Starr.” Sturgis Hall, Clinton School of Public Service. n Noon: “Arkansas & Oklahoma: Parallels in Racial Histories” panel. With Hannibal Johnson and Grif Stockley. Moderator: Jajuan Johnson. Mosaic Templars Cultural Center. n 2:15 p.m.: Pen Women Mini Fest I. With photographer Joan Liffring-Zug Bourret. Moderator: N. Taylor Collins. Oppenheimer Theater, Historic Arkansas Museum. n 3:30 p.m.: Pen Women Mini Fest II. With “Taking on the Trust: How Ida Tarbell Brought Down John D. Rockefeller and Standard Oil” author Steve Weinberg. Moderator: N. Taylor Collins. Oppenheimer Theater, Historic Arkansas Museum. n 5:30 p.m.: “Forum on African-American Fiction” panel. With: Daniel Black, Alice Randall and RM Johnson. Moderator: Patricia McGraw.

Mosaic Templars Cultural Center. n 7 p.m.: “Author! Author!” cocktail reception. $15. Concordia Hall, Arkansas Studies Institute. Reserve at 918-3009.

SATURDAY, APRIL 10

n 10 a.m.: Alice Randall on “Rebel Yell.”

Moderator: Lena Moore. Darragh Center, Main Library. n 10 a.m.: Brooks Blevins on “Arkansas/ Arkansaw: How Bear Hunters, Hillbillies & Good Ol’ Boys Defined a State.” Moderator: Rod Lorenzen. Room 124, Arkansas Studies Institute. n 10 a.m.: RM Johnson on “Why Men Fear Marriage.” Moderator: Jajuan Johnson. 2nd Floor Meeting Room, Cox Creative Center. n 10 a.m.: Christopher Rice on “The Moonlit Earth.” Moderator: Amy Bradley-Hole. 3rd Floor Meeting Room, Cox Creative Center. n 10 a.m.: Steve Rushin on “The Pint Man.” Moderator: Jay Jennings. Ozark Classroom, Arkansas Studies Institute. n 10 a.m.: Marcus Sakey on “The Amateurs.” Moderator: Karen Martin. East Room, Main Library. n 10 a.m.: Qaisra Shahraz on “The Holy Woman” and “Typhoon.” Moderator: Ann Nicholson. Delta Classroom, Arkansas Studies Institute. n 11:30 a.m.: Lucha Corpi on “Death at Solstice” and “Hit List: The Best of Latino Mystery.” Moderator: Paul Yoder. 2nd Floor Meeting Room, Arkansas Studies Institute. n 11:30 a.m.: Anna Fields on “Confessions of a Rebel Debutante.” Moderator: Barbara Graves. Ozark Classroom, Arkansas Studies Institue. n 11:30 a.m.: Pico Iyer on “The Open Road.” Moderator: Kane Webb. Darragh Center, Main Library. n 11:30 a.m.: Jonathan Mahler on “The Challenge” and “Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bronx is Burning.” Moderator: Warwick Sabin. Room 124, Arkansas Studies Institute. n 11:30 a.m.: Adam Schwartzman on “Eddie Signwriter.” Moderator: Amy Bradley-Hole.

Delta Classroom, Arkansas Studies Institute. n 11:30 a.m.: Steve Yarbrough on “Safe from the Neighbors.” Moderator: Carol Ann Fitzgerald. East Room, Main Library. n 11:30 a.m.: “Four Times the Romance” panel. With Christine Lynxwiler, Gina Wilkins, Amanda Stevens and Laura Parker Castoro. 3rd Floor Meeting Room, Cox Creative Center.

14 april 8, 2010 • ARKANSAS TIMES

porter prize winner: Robert Ford, playwright and co-founder of Theatre Squared in Fayetteville. n 1 p.m.: Staceyann Chin on “The Other Side of Paradise.” Poetry. Moderator: Chad Rogers. Cox Creative Center. n 1 p.m.: Dr. David Lipschitz on “Dr. David’s First Health Book of More (Not Less).” Moderator: Sally Browder. Room 124, Arkansas Studies Institute. n 1 p.m.: Malcolm Jones on “Little Boy Blues.” Moderator: Mary Gay Shipley. East Room, Main Library. n 1 p.m.: Christian Lander on “Stuff White People Like.” Darragh Center, Main Library.

Moderator: Butler Yates. n 1 p.m.: “Session Internationale” panel.

With Adam Schwartzman, Qaisra Shahraz and Steve Yarbrough. Moderator: Dave Stricklin. Ozark Classroom, Arkansas Studies Institute. n 1 p.m.: “Sop it Up” panel. With Martha Hall Foose and Katherine Whitworth. Moderator: Rex Nelson. Hands on History Room, Historic Arkansas Museum. n 1 p.m.: “Secrets to Getting Published” workshop. With Marcus Sakey. Arkansas Studies Institute. Delta Classroom, Arkansas Studies Institute. n 1 p.m.: “History as Impetus” workshop.

With Angie Macri, Wade Derden, Steve Teske. 2nd Floor Meeting Room, Cox Creative Center. n 2:30 p.m.: “Nolan, Razorbacks & Race.”

With author Rus Bradburd, Pat Bradley and Darrell Brown. Moderator: Jim Harris. Darragh Center, Main Library. n 2:30 p.m.: Jordan Christy on “How to Be a Hepburn in a Hilton World.” Moderator: Becki Moore. Room 124, Arkansas Studies Institute. n 2:30 p.m.: Kate Harding on “Lessons from the Fat-O-Sphere: Quit Dieting and Declare a Truce with Your Body.” Moderator: Becca Krukowski. 3rd Floor Meeting Room, Cox Creative Center. n 2:30 p.m.: Manny Howard on “My Empire of Dirt.” Moderator: Jody Hardin. Ozark Classroom, Arkansas Studies Institute. n 2:30 p.m.: Tito Perdue on “Fields of Asphodel.” Moderator: Sharon Lee. 2nd Floor Meeting Room, Cox Creative Center. n 2:30 p.m.: Oxford American Food Issue panel. With: Lolis Elie, Brett Anderson and Sam Eifling. Moderator: Sara Camp Arnold. Ottenheimer Theater, Historic Arkansas Museum. n 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.: “Teacher Training on Parental Involvement” workshop. With Dr. Peggy Sissel-Phelan. Moderator: Kay Bland.

Hands-on-History Room, Historic Arkansas Museum. n 2:30 p.m.: Personal Essay workshop.

With Pat Hoy. Delta Classroom, Arkansas Studies Institute. n 4 p.m.: Brock2: Brock Clarke on “An Arsonist’s Guide to Writers’ Homes in New

England” and Kevin Brockmeier on “The View from the Seventh Layer.” Moderator: Hope Coulter. 3rd Floor Meeting Room, Cox Creative Center. n 4 p.m.: Steve Goreham on “Climatism!

Science Common Sense, and the 21st Century’s Hottest Topic.” Moderator: Brett Cummins. Delta Classroom, Arkansas Studies Institute. n 4 p.m.: Two Poets: Sy Hoahwah on “Velroy and the Madischie Mafia” and Patricia Neely-Dorsey on “Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia.” Moderator: David Koon. Ozark Classroom, Arkansas Studies Institute. n 4 p.m.: Kathy L. Patrick on “The Pulpwood Queens’ Tiara-Wearing, Book-Sharing Guide to Life.” Moderator: Marie Bruno.

Room 124, Arkansas Studies Institute. n 4 p.m.: Norb Vonnegut on “Top Producer.”

Moderator: Faye Hanson. Cox 2nd Floor Meeting Room, Cox Creative Center. n 4 p.m.: “Silhouette City/A Kingdom at Any Cost.” Film and discussion with Natalie Zimmerman and Michael Wilson. Moderator: Kristi McKim. Main Library. Darragh Center, Main Library. n 7 p.m.: A Prized Evening: Presentation of the Porter and Worthen Literary Prizes.

Honoring Robert Ford and Grif Stockley. Darragh Center, Main Library. n 8 p.m.: “Pub or Perish” open mic. Featuring Lorri Davis reading work by Damien Echols.

Moderator: David Koon. Prost.

Family sessions

n 10 a.m.: “Begin With Books: Literacy for Young Children” workshop. With Cindy Young.

Moderator: Becca Green. Hands on History Room, Historic Arkansas Museum. n 10 a.m.: Lucha Corpi on “The Triple Banana Split Boy.” Moderator: Philip Buck. n 10 a.m.: Rob Reid. Storyteller. Family session.

Youth Services, Main Library. n 10 a.m.: Gwendolyn Hooks on “Freshwater Feeders.” Moderator: Dwain Gordon. Room 356, Main Library. n 10 a.m. Peggy Sissal Phelan on “A Visit to the Farmer’s Market” and Beth Mahoney on “Meet Robby the C-130.” Moderator: Sarah McClure. Youth services, Main Library. n 11 a.m.: Origami workshop. With: Pamela Kirkpatrick. Youth Services, Main Library. n 11 a.m.: Art to Go. Wildwood Park performance. Ottenheimer Theater, Historic Arkansas Museum. n 11 a.m.: The Kinders. Concert. Youth Services, Main Library. n 11 a.m.: Rich Davis on “Tiny on the Farm.” Illustrator. Room 356, Main Library.

n 11 a.m.: Janis Percefull on “Three Strangers Come to Call.” Moderator: Ray Bland. Historic Arkansas Museum Hands on History Room. n Noon: “Poets to Be” workshop With Angie Macri. Youth Services, Main Library. n Noon: Jason Edwards on “The Monster Chronicles.” Moderator: Freddy Hudson. Puppet Room 333, Main Library. n Noon: “Wolfe at the Door.” Puppet show.

Room 356, Main Library. n Noon: Dori Butler on “The Buddy Files.”

Moderator: Darcy Pattison. n 1 p.m. Kevin Luthhardt on “Flying!” Youth services, Main Library. n 1 p.m. Puppet making workshop. With Jan Wolfe. Puppet Room 333, Main Library. n 1 p.m. Trent Stewart on “The Mysterious Benedict Society” and “The Prisoner’s Dilemma.” Moderator: Don Ernst. Room 356, Main Library. n 1 p.m. “Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp.” Historic Arkansas Museum Hands-onHistory Room. n 2 p.m. “Wooed and Won.” Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre. Youth services, Main Library. n 2 p.m. Georgia Ann Butler on “Of the Wing.” Moderator: Haley Rugger. n 2 p.m. Margaret McMullan on “Sources of Light.” Moderator: Latina Sheard. n 2 p.m. Chess for Kids. Led by Faye Hanson.

Youth Services, Main Library. n 3 p.m. Youth Poetry Competition. Youth Services, Main Library.

SUNDAY, APRIL 11

n 1:30 p.m.: Bill Eakin on “Redgunk Tales.”

Moderator: Dorothy Graves. East Room, Main Library. n 1:30 p.m.: Marjorie Rosen on “Boom Town: How Wal-Mart Transformed an AllAmerican Town into an International Community.” Moderator: Bobby Roberts. Darragh Center, Main Library. n 1:30 p.m.: David Stricklin on “Louis Armstrong: The Soundtrack of the American Experience.” Moderator: Stephen Koch. 3rd Floor Meeting Room, Cox Creative Center. n 1:30 p.m.: Mel White on “National Geographic Complete National Parks of the United States.” Moderator: Kimble Talley. 2nd Floor Meeting Room, Cox Creative Center. n 1:30 p.m.: “Graphically Comic or Comically Graphic?” panel. With authors/illustrators Eric Shanower, Randy Duncan, Dusty Higgins and Ron Wolfe. Room 124, Arkansas Studies Institute. n 1:30 p.m.: “Gathering the Bones: Art as Poetic Inspiration” workshop. Teen session with Caroline C. Lewis and Maribeth Anders. Ozark Classroom, Arkansas Studies Institute. n 1:30 p.m.: “Oh, the Horror” workshop.

Writing workshop with Deborah LeBlanc. Delta Classroom, Arkansas Studies Institute. n 1:30 p.m.: “Blessed is the Match” screening. Film about poet and paratrooper Hannah Senesh. Youth Services, Main Library. n 3 p.m.: Alda Ellis on “The Gentle Art of Hospitality.” Moderator: Hollyann Crum. Darragh Center, Main Library. n 3 p.m.: Rick Niece on “The Side-Yard Superhero.” Moderator: Steve Straessle. Youth Services, Main Library. n 3 p.m.: Dotty Oliver on “Mistress of the Misunderstood.” Moderator: David Stricklin.

2nd Floor Meeting Room, Cox Creative Center. n 3 p.m.: “Your First Time” panel. With authors Ben Farmer and Matt Baker. Moderator: Philip Martin. East Room, Main Library. n 3 p.m.: 826 Valencia/The Memory Project panel. With Lauren Hall. Moderator: Alex Vernon.

Room 124, Arkansas Studies Institute. n 3 p.m.: “The Undead Ladies” panel. With authors Stacey Jay, Melissa Francis and Deborah LeBlanc. Moderator: Amy Miller. 3rd Floor Meeting Room, Cox Creative Center. n 3 p.m.: “Navigating the World of Electronic Books” workshop. With Robert Bailey.

Ozark Classroom, Arkansas Studies Institute.

Q&A

The Jane Goodall of Caucasians comes to town.

BY JOHN TARpLeY

with Christian Lander

A

n erudite, tongue-in-cheek Jeff Foxworthy for the urbane, liberalarts set, Christian Lander has turned his notorious “Stuff White People Like” blog into a legitimate media sensation and a bestselling book. The unsettlingly familiar idiosyncrasies he points out range from irony (No. 50) and Banksy (No. 129) to “knowing what’s best for poor people” (No. 62).

Sure, the culture-stuff is funny enough by itself, but he hits cringingly close to home when he focuses in closer on the tropes, carving away all the pretension and expounding on just why white people like, say, expensive sandwiches and Mos Def. And no, Little Rock, kickball hasn’t escaped his scrutiny.

Christian chatted with us for a bit about the blog and white stuff at large.

How did the blog start?

It started in January 2008, just goofing around with a friend of mine on-line and he said he didn’t trust any white person who didn’t watch “The Wire.” And from there — you know how these conversations go — we asked “what are they doing instead of watching ‘The Wire?’ ” They’re doing yoga, going to therapy, getting divorced … I thought “that’s pretty funny; let’s start a blog.” So I just started writing with the intent to make this little, fun side-project that’ll make my friend Miles laugh and it just totally blew up from there.

And now you’ve been on the New York Times best-seller list and, even cooler, if you type in, simply, “stuff” in Google, your blog is the first thing that it suggests.

I’m more excited that when you type in “white people” in the box it says “I hate white people” first and “why are white people so annoying” second; then my blog popped up third, so I’m happy to bridge that gap.

To what do you attribute the success of the blog? White people being really into self-deprecation?

Well, let’s not forget that number one is luck. But I think when people saw [the blog], they clicked on it, thinking “OK: golf, mayonnaise, I’ve seen this a million times before” and they clicked through and were like “no, no, no, no: this is all me!” and they sorta freaked out and found it kinda funny.

But the more likely answer is that someone was clicking through the site like “yep, yep, yep, yep; I know this asshole” and boom: they forward it on. They either think “this is really funny, this is a new perspective” or “I can’t wait to send this to someone else to show them they’re

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a stereotype despite their intentions.”

What’s the next big white person thing?

Um, “growing your own food” is trending pretty hard. I spent $80 to grow two tomatoes last summer. They were terrible tomatoes, but I lied to myself and told myself they were delicious.

What about backlashes? Or backlashes against backlashes. White people love those.

Yeah, that’s implied throughout all of it. There’s a certain limit with things to come. More people start paying attention to something and then they go against it.

It was like the whole backlash against bacon after everyone wanted to go vegetarian, then people started getting annoyed with vegetarians so they went as far the other way as possible.

So you’re visiting Little Rock, home of one of the most beloved people by whites, Bill Clinton. Why do you think he’s so adored by whites?

The story’s great: small town guy, not much afforded to him, pulls himself up by the bootstraps, law school, governor, so forth. But also whites really like history and looking back on the past. But it’s because whites always put a happy spin on things, so they get to forget about all the bad stuff he did. It’s perfect. He existed back in the past.

Speaking of people adored by white folks, you were housemates with Win Butler from Arcade Fire, huh?

Yep. It’s a major white trump card I keep in my back pocket when people try to step to my whiteness.

Christian Lander will speak at the Arkansas Literary Festival at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 10, in the Main Library’s Darragh Center.

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e y e o n a r k a n sas

Editorial n From a reader: “My grandfather used to say ‘There’ll be more doctors in hell than anybody.’ Is there any truth to this?”

Maybe not more than anybody. The lawyers have to be considered, and radio talk-show hosts. Texas Longhorn fans can’t be overlooked. But it’s safe to say the docs will be well represented. Consider Dr. Jack Cassell, a Florida urologist.

He posted a sign on his office door that said, “If you voted for Obama, seek urologic care elsewhere. Changes to your health care begin right now, not in four years.”

What is the correct response to such a brute? “Changes to the shape of your nose begin right now, not in four years,” might be appropriate, or “Changes to the length of your neck begin right now, not in four years.” But most Americans will not respond in such a fashion. They are not so selfish as Jack Cassell, not so eaten up with hatred of their fellow man, and they understand and appreciate American democracy. Cassell seems to want the same kind of America as the Hutarees. Perhaps they have a medical corps he can join.

It was not so long ago that the women’s auxiliary of the medical profession was conducting itself disgracefully in a Little Rock restaurant. A group of women, including at least one rich doctor’s wife, took turns leaving their table — no telling how many martini glasses were on it — to hector U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder and his wife, who were trying to enjoy a quiet dinner. They told Snyder that he should not have voted for the health-care bill, that they would do their utmost to defeat him at the next election. They did not spit in his face, so far as we know, though some probably considered it. Snyder accepted their abuse graciously. His wife was open-mouthed with shock, as would be any person who treats others civilly and expects the same in return.

It was a truly disgraceful exhibition, and the doctor’s wife, resourceful soul, managed to make it worse. She sent an e-mail to friends bragging about what had been done. Bragging, for God’s sake. The e-mail circulated widely, and well-bred Little Rock folks found themselves trying to convince outsiders that these women were no more representative of their city than the mobs outside Central High had been.

Not all doctors are like Jack Cassell and the harpy’s husband, either, we’re forced to admit, confronted with unshakeable evidence. Vic Snyder, the perfect gentleman and near-perfect representative, a man who believes that even people who can’t go to fancy restaurants are entitled to health care, is himself a physician. Pray they didn’t break the mold.

201 East Markham Street, 200 Heritage Center West, P.O. Box 34010, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203 Home page: http://www.arktimes.com • E-mail: arktimes@arktimes.com Publisher Alan Leveritt editor

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Windy Richards

Raised by wolves

LOVE U: A bench and two parking meters make a three-dimensional rebus on the east side of Main Street between 12th and 13th. Photographer was Windy Richards; she posted the photo on the Arkansas Times’ eyeonarkansas flickr webpage.

Families first n As a boy, I learned a lot from the values my parents lived everyday — hard work, faith in God, living within your means, and doing right by others. Those are values Shanti and I work to teach our daughters, and they’re values that most Arkansas families are providing their children, too.

Arkansans are offended by Washington and Wall Street, which are sending a completely different set of messages to our families.

They’ve been lining their pockets with insider deals, and too often they’ve been sticking Arkansas families with the bill. While Washington has changed some in recent years, it’s clear that we haven’t yet changed the special-interest culture that helped put our economy into the mess it’s We badly need a strongly in now.

For example, look at independent how late and lame the Senate’s response to fi- consumer nancial regulatory reform financial has been. The bill that’s protection supposed to make sure this mess never happens agency. again is an important step forward, but it doesn’t include something we badly need: a strongly independent consumer financial protection agency.

Such an agency would help avoid a repeat of the disaster that has been visited on Arkansas families and small businesses.

An independent agency will take on one of our toughest problems: Elected officials too willing to do the bidding of special interests. And too many senators gave Wall Street a big bailout with no strings attached, and are still taking Wall Street’s side, while leaving key needs unaddressed.

For another example, just this past week, the Senate adjourned for vacation without extending the

Lt. Gov. Bill Halter guest writer

unemployment benefits that help many unemployed individuals pay the bills while they look for work.

This means that on April 5, thousands of Arkansans will lose access to the badly-needed safety net that unemployment provides.

Arkansans have worked hard to keep their families secure during the worst economic conditions in the last 25 years. We can’t have politicians putting their vacations ahead of getting their own jobs done.

If I were in the Senate right now there is no way I would leave town without making sure the Arkansas families who are struggling the most are taken care of. It’s time for the Senate to get back to the work of taking care of Arkansas workers, and getting our economy going again.

I’m running for Senate to take on the go-alongto-get-along culture that defines Washington. To make sure I’m reflecting Arkansans’ priorities, I’ve promised to hold a town hall meeting in every county in Arkansas, every year I’m in the Senate. And just as I turned down a pay raise as lieutenant governor, I’ll never take a pay raise in the Senate until we get our budget balanced. And I will never become a lobbyist.

It’s past time we had a senator who will stand up to special interests.

Together we can put Arkansas families first.

Max Brantley invited the Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate to contribute columns on subjects of their choice while he’s on vacation. U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln will write next week.

Uncle Sam’s lifeline n To be chronically poor and in the backwaters has sometimes seemed like a blessing because our modest state government has not been in nearly as much distress as northern and coastal states where there has been talk of defaults, government shutdowns and sheer cataclysm.

The worst economic conditions in 70 years may feel mild if you had little to give up in the first place. Because Arkansas has little manufacturing and little production of goods and services that are affected when global demand goes slack, unemployment rose only a little more than a couple of percentage points in nearly two and a half years of a nationwide freefall.

State government also has had to trim spending a little, but the pain has been more in the postponement of promised benefits than the curtailment of services.

Governor Beebe looks frugal and wise and remains hugely popular because unlike Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and others he has not had to take unpopular steps.

There is a partial explanation that no one in the government or the political arena wants to talk about. More than nearly all the other states, Arkansas depends upon that genial but hated old spendthrift, the U.S. government. While the once rich coastal states have to bear half the costs of nearly all the life-giving services that the state provides to needy elderly, children and the disabled, Arkansas puts up only one dollar to the feds’ three. Since more of our people — nearly a third of

Ernest Dumas the population —fall into that unfortunate lot at some time, the federal government is an economic lifeline in Arkansas as in only a few other states.

As I have pointed out before, the new health care law will be an entirely new bonanza for Arkansas, contrary to the hand wringing of the governor and a couple members of the congressional delegation.

Arkansas has not had to make any reductions yet in services to the 775,000 people who receive some form of medical assistance or rehabilitation partly because federal stimulus allotments to the state have kept the Medicaid Trust Fund healthy. It has protected or created tens of thousands of jobs and provided the margin of life for thousands more.

When the Republicans and the Tea Party crowd rage against the stimulus and federal spending, remember that they are not talking so much about Connecticut or New York, Michigan or Ohio, but about severing the pipeline that keeps the Arkansas economy and social order afloat.

But the point of all this is that a reckoning is at hand, as early as the next fiscal year. It will not be so wrenching — and

Reason out of season n In the Republican congressional race in the Third District of Northwest Arkansas, Rogers Mayor Steve Womack keeps flirting with good answers and these flirtations keep getting called blunders.

It’s a matter of place and time.

The place is one of the most solidly conservative districts in the country, where pragmatic centrism can be a vulnerability.

The time is one of uncommon fear, anger and backlash over a center-left regime in Washington. It turns that vulnerability into an outright vice.

The hottest candidate in the region right now, the demagogic Gunner DeLay of Fort Smith, couldn’t even get elected judge in his home county in 2008. But the times they are a changin’.

DeLay is making like a modern-day Orval Faubus or Ross Barnett or George Wallace. He wants to stand in the hospital door, figuratively speaking.

He calls for people to disobey this new law requiring them to get health insurance.

Please understand that he doesn’t call for people to sue the law as an overreach of federal authority. He says to break it.

John brummett jbrummett@arkansasnews.com

So DeLay keeps chortling as Womack keeps slipping up with these flirtations with reason.

That is to say that the guy talking sensibly gets in more trouble than the guy talking about breaking the law. Welcome to 2010 in America.

Womack first got heard seeming to suggest receptiveness to some unspecified path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, which he promptly took back. DeLay is on record from his last demagogic congressional bid, against John Boozman nearly a decade ago now, as falling somewhere to the intolerant right of Jim Holt on immigration.

Then Womack got caught talking about how the federal government might help people get healthier and save itself Medicare and Medicaid money by entering into partnerships with local governments

politically risky for the governor — if the Obama government renews stimulus and special Medicaid assistance after this year, but the state government is not going to look so providential for long.

The political leadership will have to make some unbearable cuts or else do the currently unthinkable, raise taxes.

The latter looks to be next to impossible in an ugly political climate.

The federal and state governments took a series of steps to erode the state general revenue tax base, including the popular reduction in sales taxes on groceries. The most fiscally imprudent was the elimination of the 100-year-old tax on big estates. President Bush and the Republican Congress, with the help of Arkansas members except Rep. Vic Snyder, repealed the federal estate tax and, with it, the Arkansas tax. The 2001 law confiscated the estate taxes collected by most states for the U.S. treasury by phasing out the federal credit for state taxes, which improved the federal government’s bottom line. The Republican House of Representatives in 2003, with the help of Arkansas’s delegation except Snyder, tried to make the estate tax repeal permanent in the belief that the most privileged people in America, those who inherit great fortunes, should not pay taxes like other people do on their earnings.

This year, there is no federal or state estate tax. Arkansas collected its last estate taxes, a trifling amount, in 2008. But the 2001 federal estate tax and presumably the credits for state-level taxes will resume next year unless Congress and the president enact a different kind and

level of estate tax.

But unlike nearly all the other states Arkansas will get none of the resurgent taxes when the estate tax is restored because the legislature and Gov. Mike Huckabee repealed the state tax permanently in 2003. The state has missed a couple hundred million dollars since 2002 — $127 million in 2003 alone — and it will lose hundreds of millions more in the years ahead, all of it going to the federal government. If the state levied the estate tax again, heirs would not pay a dollar of it because the Arkansas tax would be credited against the federal tax liability.

You would think that it would be a no-brainer for Arkansas legislators: Levy the tax and take our share back from Uncle Sam. But a different philosophy prevailed in 2003: Giving a free ride to the lucky rich is a matter of principle.

Every Republican running for state and legislative office in Arkansas is pledging never to vote for a tax of any kind. Common sense and ordinary prudence will play no role in it. Republicans will control a third or more of the legislative seats next year, which will make it impossible to restore the tax since it will take 75 percent of both houses.

Meantime, the chamber of commerce and manufacturers will be back next year to finish off the sales tax on industrial power and who knows what else. No session of the legislature ever passes without eroding the gross-receipts tax base.

The federal government has always come to our rescue. Maybe it will again.

for “wellness centers” of the type he touted in Rogers.

“Billion-dollar boondoggle,” cried DeLay, saying the federal government shouldn’t take our tax money and spend it on gyms and spas.

Then there was the thing that happened Friday at a candidate forum in Fayetteville. It led a right-winger to phone me Saturday morning and say the Republican congressional race effectively had ended the day before with Womack’s implosion.

It seems the candidates got asked what to do long-term about bankruptcybound Medicare and that the question was phrased in Charlie Rose style, meaning with several potential answers, one of them a tax increase, enumerated.

Womack said everything needed to be on the table for discussion.

DeLay pounced. He said Womack had just called for consideration of a tax increase and that it “boggles the mind.”

Womack tried to recover from being reasonable, saying DeLay was putting words in his mouth. But then, asked to follow up by reporters afterward, Womack said he simply meant that “never” and “always” are words he tries to avoid.

So you have one guy — DeLay —

saying “uninsured now, uninsured forever,” in essence, while Womack is trying to engage in reason when reason is out of season.

All of this probably works to the benefit of DeLay or a third candidate, ever-unnoticed Cecile Bledsoe of Rogers, who is sitting politely by with a pleasant smile and hoping people will reject the flirtations with reason of the one guy and the demagoguery of the other.

By the way, just so you’ll know: Sometime in the next decade we’re going to have a serious discussion about a national value-added tax so that we can get this deficit down before we all become wards of the Chinese.

And it’ll be fair. Let’s not blame the politicians for the deficit and debt. Let’s blame ourselves. We took the tax cuts, embraced the earmarks, started the wars, and recoiled when they tried to cut spending on our health care.

That’s me saying that. Don’t blame poor old Steve Womack.

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 • april 8, 2010 17

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arts entertainment

This week in

WWT smokes no more

Slick Rick rules

Page 28

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and

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20

calendar

22

Movies

34

Dining

39

PUB OR PERISH 2010!

Brockmeier, Echols top the bill.

By David Koon

n Here at the Arkansas Times, we’re big fans of the written word. We’re also big fans of bars. Once again this year, those two loves collide like tanked-up Jell-O wrestlers as we present our annual free-admission reading series, Pub or Perish 2010.

After debuting in 2004 — the first year of the festival — with a borrowed sound system and a homemade lectern, Pub or Perish opens the book on 2010 at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 10, at Prost, 120 Ottenheimer — just around the corner from Willy D’s and across the street from the River Market’s Ottenheimer Hall. The event runs to 10 p.m.

On tap are readings by festival authors and local writers, including the always amazing Little Rock fictionist-fabulist in good spirits: Pub or Perish audience of yore listens to poet Scott Standridge.

Kevin Brockmeier, Comanche poet Sy are now convinced he didn’t commit – Echols has disMeaning, of course, us.”

Hoahwah, Cherokee author Holland Colclasure, poets tinguished himself as an essayist and poet during his Koon is particularly excited about having Prost as Bryan Borland and Lennon Simpson, and a special apyears in prison.

His wife, Davis, has graciously agreed this year’s venue.

He said it might be the best space pearance by Lorri Davis, reading from the work of her to read from his work. “Having Damien’s work Pub or Perish has ever had.

“You pretty much husband, Damien Echols of the West Memphis Three. at Pub or Perish is something that I’ve wanted couldn’t ask for a better location for a literary As is our custom, there will also be a very limited numPub or to do for years, but could never quite make it reading,” he said.

“Lots of art, brick walls, great ber of 2-minute open mic slots available at the door on a Perish come together,” Koon said. “As I told Lorri, acoustics.

Maybe best of all, they’ve got an infirst-come, first-served basis, starting at 7:40 p.m.

8 p.m. to I’m confident that one of these days we’ll have tegrated sound system throughout the bar so we Once again this year, Yours Truly will serve as the 10 p.m., Prost him there to read in person.” hopefully won’t have the problems with audio genial host of Pub or Perish. Given that, I graciously While the top of the bill is impressive, Koon that Pub or Perish has suffered in recent years.” Free agreed to give myself an interview about the event. said he’s also excited to introduce the audience Immediately after saying that, he knocked on Asked what’s so great about Pub or Perish in general, to some of the lesser-knowns on the bill. “The local the faux wood of his desk, then resumed fashioning a founder David Koon said it has always been an opporwriters we have lined up this year are really terrific,” he large megaphone out of poster board and duct tape. tunity for authors and fans of literature to get together said.

“Bryan Borland, who recently published a book Koon said that the always-entertaining Brockmeier in a relaxed setting and just have a good time enjoycalled ‘My Life as Adam,’ is a really stunning poet, as and great poet Hoahwah (whose book “Velroy and the ing language. “As you know better than anyone, David, are Lennon Simpson and Holland Colclasure. They’re Madische Mafia” was just published by West End Press) that has always been the heart of Pub or Perish: getincredibly varied in their delivery and style.” are bound to be a treat, and added that he’s particularting writers and readers together in a setting where it’s ly excited about hearing the work of West Memphis OK to cheer if you like what’s coming from the stage,” For more information about Pub or Perish, call DaThree author Echols. Arrested in 1993 for the murders Koon said. “After all, celebration and literature come vid Koon at 375-2985, ext. 345, or e-mail david@arkof three young boys in West Memphis – crimes which from the same place — the joy of being alive — so a times.com. hundreds of thousands of supporters all over the world reading in a bar has always made perfect sense to me. www.arktimes.com • april 8, 2010 19

■ to-dolist

a whim — this is a trippy one. Written by a 22-year-old Ron Cowen as a reaction to the then-ongoing Vietnam War, “Summertree” revolves around a teen-ager, soon to be killed overseas, and his memories and musings of his thick-headed father, possessive mother, blase girlfriend and his own, younger self. JT.

By Lindsey Millar and John Tarpley

TH U RS D AY 4 / 8

‘THAT EVENING SUN’ 7 p.m., UA Breckenridge. $20

n After jumping from film festival to film festival last year and racking up the Audience Choice Award for Best Feature at SXSW and the Golden Rock at our Little Rock Film Festival, “That Evening Sun” returns for a one-night engagement at the UA Breckenridge theater. An adaptation of a William Gay short story, the movie concerns itself with a widowed ex-farmer on the run from a nursing home and the occupant of his former farm, an obstinate, malicious, white-trash rube. The screening will be followed by a discussion with the filmmakers, including local actor Ray McKinnon, who was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for his work in the movie, and a reception at Oyster Bar. Stay for the food, go for the awesome character names (Abner Meecham, Lonzo Choat, Thurl Chessor). Tickets are $20 and available at the Chamber of Commerce office and website. The screening is part of the Arkansas Film Series; all proceeds benefit the Little Rock and Arkansas Film Commissions’ efforts to attract filmmaking in Arkansas. “That Evening Sun” opens to wider release to Central Arkansas on Friday. JT.

FRID AY 4 / 9

APPLE BLOSSOM INVITATIONAL/ ARKANSAS DERBY

10 a.m., Oaklawn Park, Hot Springs. $4.50

n When Zenyatta, the 3-year-old superhorse that’s been unbeaten in 15 starts,

TIM MCGRAW/ LADY ANTEBELLUM

7 p.m., Verizon Arena. $36.50-$69.50.

SPECIAL SCREENING: Little Rock’s Ray McKinnon answers questions about “That Evening Sun,” on Thursday. landed in Hot Springs on Tuesday, more than 200 people showed up at the airport, all cheers and signs, including one saying “marry me, Zenyatta” in Sharpie. This weekend, with the Apple Blossom Invitational on Friday and the 74th Arkansas Derby on Saturday, is expected to be the biggest derby weekend, in attendance and bucks, ever held at Oaklawn. Folks who can’t watch the Derby in person will be able to see it on NBC, which is telecasting live. JT.

ZENYATTA! Headlines at the Apple Blossom Handicap in Hot Springs.

20 april 8, 2010 • ARKANSAS TIMES

‘SUMMERTREE’

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

n An anti-war play not directly about the war, a stream-of-consciousness piece whose actions are projected from the nameless main character’s subconscious, a work that jumps from past to future on

n Nowadays, country singers don’t come much more prepackaged and ready for fame than Tim McGraw. A balladeer who doesn’t write his own songs, a razorjawed metrosexual in a metallic-colored, pre-distressed cowboy hat, he exemplifies all the excesses and successes to be found in “pop with a drawl,” Clear Channel-country. But he’s put 11 consecutive albums atop the Billboard charts, has a gazillion dollars and sleeps with Faith Hill, and he’s sure to pack Alltel Arena this Friday night. Especially in the South, the man’s music is inescapable; he has three Greatest Hits albums and, chances are, you’ve either danced or scoffed to at least a few of his songs if you’ve been to an Arkansas high school dance in the last 18 years. He’ll be accompanied by fellow country megastars, Lady Antebellum, a wholesome, harmony-heavy trio with two platinum albums under their belt buckles. This should be a biggie, so prepare to steer clear of the river bridge that evening, travelers. JT.

LOVE GHOST/ THE SEE/THE EASYS 10 p.m., Town Pump. $5.

n This might be the biggest bill Little Rock’s new go-to hangout spot’s hosted.

You’ve got The See, which we’ve writ-

‘SUMMERTREE’: (From left) Sarah Johnson, Elizabeth Reha, Will Moon and Jackson Tucker star.

■ inbrief THURSDAY 4/8

n Revolution hosts “Rock Out for Research,” an event to benefit Arkansas Children’s Hospital, featuring local music by A Plea for Justice, Whale Fire, Haley Stephens and Brothers with Different Mothers, 7 p.m., $15.

Continuing its tradition of booking young, popular screamo and metal acts with peculiar names, The Village hosts Carnifex, Suffokate, Upon a Burning Body, Enfold Darkness and Collapsing Nation, 7 p.m., $12 adv., $15 d.o.s. Fronted by local pathologist and jazz pianist, the Dr. Rex Bell Jazz Trio gets smooth at Afterthought, 8 p.m., $5. Good Time Ramblers, twangrockers with licks to spare, play Sticky Fingerz, 9:30 p.m., $5.

TRIPLE BILL: Love Ghost shares a good one at Town Pump. ten about a lot in this section. The quartet specializes in brawny indie rock with a lot of spots for hollering along. The band’s not too far removed from playing house shows and pool parties in Austin during SXSW. Then there’s Love Ghost, which has played out sparingly since its formation late last year because guitarist/ back-up vocalist Jeff Matika has been busy touring the world with Green Day. The Jason Weinheimer-fronted band is punchy, power-pop-rock. If that’s up your alley, best see it now. Who knows when LG will play again? Ditto for The Easys, one of Isaac Alexander’s seemingly unlimited projects (Weinheimer, Rob Bell and John Crowley round out the line-up). They haven’t played in several months — or maybe years. But after recording an EP at Bruce Watson’s Water Valley, Miss., studio last week, the band’s ready to show it off. Heck, there’s talk of going ahead and releasing the EP, tentatively titled “Sparky,” Friday night. Find a preview track on Rock Candy. LM.

S ATU RD AY 4 / 1 0

afternoon performance of the Mahler symphony at 3 p.m. Sunday, as well. Tickets are flying fast, so order soon. JT.

T UE SDAY 4 /1 3

HEARTLESS BASTARDS 9 p.m., Juanita’s. $10 adv., $12.

AFRICAN DRUM AND DANCE FESTIVAL. 5 p.m., Philander Smith. $5-$10.

n What began in the ’90s as a living room party with former Peace Corps workers playing and dancing to African drums has become an annual local event. Entering its 11th year, the African Drum and Dance festival promotes multiculturalism while raising money for charitable African endeavors; after funding projects in Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe, this year’s donations are allotted to build and maintain a new well in the Congo. As well as hand-made African crafts for the bidding in a silent auction, the event features a Parade of Nations, in which Central Arkansans from Africa represent their home nations and, yes, drumming and dancing galore. If there’s any time of year to don your dashiki and dust off your djembe, this is it. JT.

n Erika Wennerstrom’s voice has been compared to Janis Joplin’s and PJ Harvey’s and (hilariously) Robert Plant’s, none of which, to these ears at least, quite capture her particular sound. But there is a clear connection between them all — that big burst of feeling they can summon in huge swoops between quiet and gale-force howling. Wennerstrom, who came up in Dayton, Ohio, when Guided by Voices and Braniac and The Breeders were still hanging around, caught a break from another member of Ohio rock royalty, when The Black Keys’ Patrick Carney caught the Bastards at a sparsely attended gig in Akron and hooked the band up with Fat Possum, where they’ve since recorded three critically acclaimed albums of bluesinflected anthemic rock. They’re joined on Tuesday by two of Little Rock’s finest, swaggering rockers Jonathan Wilkins and the Reparations and recent Arkansas Times Musician Showcase winner Brother Andy and His Big Damn Mouth. LM

‘FAREWELL, MAESTRO’

n Blues legend and unrivaled showman Bobby Rush plays in Jonesboro for a special free show at ASU’s Centennial Hall as part of the school’s 16th annual Delta Symposium, 7:30 p.m. Always guaranteed to bring out a crowd, synth-happy Boom Kinetic return to Sticky Fingerz, 9:30 p.m., $8.

White Water Tavern hosts one of Little Rock’s favorite Memphians, Cory Branan, alongside Tumbledown, a new project from MxPx frontman Mike Herrera, 9:30 p.m. If you find yourself in Texarkana with a hankering for Elvis, you’re in luck: Elvis impersonator Donny Edwards plays with former “American Idol” contestant Sundance Head at the Perot Theater, 7 p.m. Local singer Grayson Shelton returns for another of his regular weekend gigs at Cregeen’s, 8 p.m., $5. Super cute, super buzzy duo Mandy and Bonnie play lovely summer porch music on a porch in the summer at Town Pump, 5:30 p.m., free. Underground Pub brings one of the best bands with a Coen Brothers allusion for a name in Unpainted Arizona, 9 p.m., $5.

SATURDAY 4/10

8 p.m., Robinson Center Music Hall. $35$58.

n Little Rock is soon to lose a major strand of the town’s artistic fabric. After 17 years as music director and conductor of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, David Itkin will step down, but not without a bang. This weekend will see Maestro Itkin conducting Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 (“Resurrection”), a symphony that calls for, in layman’s terms, as many strings as you can humanly wrangle. Philip Mann, assistant conductor of the San Diego Symphony, will replace Itkin, who leaves for Denton, Texas, to continue his position as director of Orchestral Studies at the University of North Texas. The ASO will present an

FRIDAY 4/9

GLORIOUS BASTARDS: Erika Wennerstrom and co. come to Juanita’s.

n Dirtfoot, a romp-stompin’ band of Southerners with a heavy following, head to Hot Springs to play Maxine’s, 8 p.m. Vino’s houses a benefit for the Humane Society with performances by regulars Maybe We Should, Science of Sleep, Nick Ward, Chad Robb and 16th Walk, 7 p.m. The rooftop of Conway restaurant Michelangelo’s plays home to a birthday party for local musician and Afterthought regular Rodney Block. His band, Rodney Block and the Real Music Lovers, and Cody Belew provide the soundtrack, 9 p.m., $10 regular, $15 reserved. www.arktimes.com • april 8, 2010 21

www.arktimes.com

afterdark

calendar

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

THURSDAY, APRIL 8 MUSIC

ACH’s Rock Out for Research with A Plea for Justice, Whale Fire, Brothers with Different Mothers. 7 p.m., $15. Revolution, 300 President Clinton Ave. 823-0090, www.rumbarevolution.com.

Bearfoot. 8 p.m., $16-$26. Starr Theater, Baum Walker Hall, 495 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479443-5600, waltonartscenter.org.

Brian Martin. 9 p.m., free. Maxine’s, 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-321-0909, maxinespub. com.

Carnifex, Suffokate, Upon a Burning Body, Enfold Darkness, Collapsing Nation. 7 p.m., $12 adv., $15 d.o.s. The Village, 3915 S. University.

570-0300, thevillagelive.com.

Crisis (headliner), Lyle Dudley (happy hour).

9:30 p.m. headliner, 6 p.m. happy hour, $5 after 8:30 p.m. Cajun’s Wharf, 2400 Cantrell Road. 3755351, cajunswharf.com.

DJ Mikey Mike. 8 p.m. Counterpoint, 3605 MacArthur, NLR. 771-5515, myspace.com/bogiescounterpoint.

Dr. Rex Bell Jazz Trio. 8 p.m., $5. Afterthought, 2721 Kavanaugh. 663-4176, www.afterthoughtbar.com.

Good Time Ramblers. 9:30 p.m., $5. Sticky Fingerz, 107 Commerce St. 372-7707, stickyfingerz. com.

Jill Stringham Band. 9 p.m., $5. Juanita’s, 1300 S. Main St. 374-3271, juanitas.com.

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

Karaoke with Big John Miller. 8 p.m. Denton’s Trotline, 2150 Congo Road. 501-315-1717.

Shindig Shop. 8 p.m. George’s Majestic Lounge, 519 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479-527-6618, georgesmajesticlounge.com.

The Ted Ludwig Trio. 5 p.m. Capital Bar & Grill, 111 W. Markham. 370-7013, www.capitalhotel. com/CBG.

EVENTS

Celebrate the Grape. Wine-tasting fund-raiser for Argenta Downtown Council and the Arkansas Arts Foundation with music by Rodney Block project. 5:30-8 p.m., $50. 6th and Main, NLR. Aafadc. eventbrite.com or dhardcastle@argentacdc.org.

Crappie Fishing Seminar. 6:30 p.m., free. Witt Stephens Jr. Nature Center, 602 President Clinton Ave., centralarkansasnaturecenter.com.

Fashion Fete. Fashion show to benefit Easter Seals clients. 6:30 p.m., $50. Chenal Country Club, 10 Chenal Club. 227-3700, www.ar.easterseals. com.

COMEDY

Julie Scoggins. 8 p.m., $6. Loony Bin, I-430 and Rodney Parham. 228-5555, loonybincomedy.com.

22 april 8, 2010 • arKaNSaS TiMES

MAILER, MEMOIRIST: Norris Church Mailer, the Russellville-born writer, painter, model and sixth (and final) wife of Norman Mailer, comes to Little Rock for two days next week to promote her new memoir, “A Ticket to the Circus,” which came to bookstores on Tuesday. On Monday, April 12, she’ll be at WordsWorth at 4 p.m. to sign copies, and on Tuesday, April 13, she’ll give a lecture at Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall at UALR at 6 p.m. and sign books afterwards. Both appearances are free and open to the public.

FILM

“That Evening Sun.” Screening of the movie followed by a Q&A with filmmakers and cast and a post-screening reception. 7 p.m., $20. UA Breckenridge, 1200 Breckenridge Drive. createlittlerock. com.

“Man of Aran.” Screening of 1934 film as part of “Picture the Past” Archeology Film and Lecture Series. 7 p.m., free. Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, 1 Rockefeller Drive, Morrilton. 501-727-5435, uawri.org.

LECTURES

Karen Mathis. The CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America speaks. Noon, free. Sturgis Hall, Clinton School of Public Service. 683-5239, publicprograms@clintonschool.uasys.edu.

FRIDAY, APRIL 9 MUSIC

Alize. 10 p.m., $5. Fox and Hound, 2800 Lakewood Village Drive, NLR. 753-8300.

Battle of the Bands. 7 p.m. Vino’s, 923 W. Seventh. 375-8466, vinosbrewpub.com.

Bearfoot. 8 p.m., 10 p.m., $16-$26. Starr Theater, Baum Walker Hall, 495 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville.

479-443-5600, waltonartscenter.org.

Bless the Fall, Miss May I, Greeley Estates, Before Their Eyes, Fear the Aftermath. 8 p.m., $12 adv., $15 d.o.s. The Village, 3915 S. University570-0300, thevillagelive.com.

Bobby Rush. 7:30 p.m., free. Centennial Hall, ASU, Jonesboro 870-972-3043, clt.astate.edu/ blues.

Bombay Black. 9 p.m., $5. West End, 215 N. Shackelford. 224-7665, www.westendsmokehouse.com.

Boom Kinetic. 9:30 p.m., $8. Sticky Fingerz, 107 Commerce St. 372-7707, www.stickyfingerz.com.

Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh, Vivica A. Fox. Chris Bowen Birthday Bash. 9 p.m., $30 general, $60 v.i.p. Revolution, 300 President Clinton Ave. 823-0090, www.rumbarevolution.com.

Cory Branan, Tumbledown. 9:30 p.m. White Water Tavern, 2500 W. Seventh. 375-8400, myspace.com/whitewatertavern.

Covershot (headliner), Legoria Peyton (happy hour). 6 p.m., 9:30 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. Cajun’s Wharf, 2400 Cantrell Road. 3755351, cajunswharf.com.

DJ Debbi T. 8 p.m. Counterpoint, 3605 MacArthur, NLR. 771-5515, myspace.com/bogiescounterpoint.

Elvis by Donny Edwards, Sundance Head. 7 p.m., Perot Theater, 221 Main St., Texarkana. 903792-4992.

Grayson Shelton. 8 p.m., $5. Cregeen’s, 301 Main St., NLR. 374-7468, cregeens.com.

Intimate Stranger, The Ganjas, Casin. 9 p.m.

Maxine’s, 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-3210909, maxinespub.com.

Jessica Carder, Amanda Rook and Katherine Durham. 9:30 p.m., $5. Juanita’s, 1300 S. Main St. 374-3271, juanitas.com. 18 and up.

Jeff Coleman. 7 p.m. Sonny Williams’, 500 President Clinton Ave. 324-2999, www.sonnywilliamssteakroom.com.

Katmandu. Capi’s, 9 p.m., free. 11525 Cantrell Road. 225-9600.

Love Ghost, The See, The Easys. 10 p.m., $5. Town Pump, 1321 Rebsamen Park Road. 6639802.

Mandy and Bonnie. 5:30 p.m. Town Pump, 1321 Rebsamen Park Road. 663-9802.

Memphis Yahoos. 9 p.m. Flying Saucer, 323 Clinton Ave. 372-7468, beerknurd.com.

Ryan Couron. 8 p.m., $5. Denton’s Trotline, 2150 Congo Road, Benton. 501-315-1717.

Midnight Shuffle Kings. 8 p.m. Odie’s House of Blues, 3413 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-6236343, odieshouseofblues.com.

The Old School Band. 7 p.m., free. Faulkner County Library, 1900 Tyler St., Conway. 501-3277482.

The Ted Ludwig Trio. 9 p.m. Capital Bar & Grill, 111 W. Markham. 370-7013, capitalhotel.com/ CBG. Tim McGraw, Lady Antebellum, The Lost Trailers. 7 p.m., $36.50-$69.50. Verizon Arena.

800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.

Tonya Leeks Band. 9 p.m., $7. Afterthought, 2721 Kavanaugh. 663-4176, afterthoughtbar.com.

Unpainted Arizona. 9 p.m., $5. Underground

UPcOMINg EvENTS Concert tickets through Ticketmaster by phone at 975-7575 or online at www.ticketmaster.com unless otherwise noted.

APRIL 16-MAY 2: “Frost/Nixon.” 7 p.m.

Wed.; 8 p.m. Thu.-Sat.; 2 p.m., 7 p.m. Sun.; $20$40. Arkansas Repertory Theatre, 601 Main St. 378-0405, therep.org.

APRIL 24: Les Claypool. 8 p.m., $22 adv., $25 d.o.s. The Village, 3915 S. University. 5700300, thevillagelive.com.

APRIL 26: Local Natives. 9 p.m., $10 adv., $12 d.o.s. Sticky Fingerz, 107 Commerce St. 372-7707, stickyfingerz.com.

APRIL 29: Tony Joe White. 9 p.m., $10.

Juanita’s, 1300 S. Main St. 374-3271, juanitas. com.

MAY 1: Hunt! Little Rock. A city-wide team scavenger hunt with a $500 grand prize. 10 a.m., $22 person. Riverfront Park Belvedere.

314-565-9441, cityhunts.com.

MAY 4: Deer Tick. 9 p.m., $10. Sticky Fingerz, 107 Commerce St. 372-7707, stickyfingerz.com.

MAY 10: Neil Hamburger. 9 p.m., $8 adv., $10 d.o.s. Sticky Fingerz, 107 Commerce St. 372-7707, stickyfingerz.com.

MAY 14-29: “Glengarry Glen Ross.” Desperate real estate salesmen hustle worthless Florida real estate; tension and greed ensue.

7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., $14. The Weekend Theater, 7th and Chester. 374-3761, weekendtheater. org.

MAY 28-30: Riverfest 2010. Arkansas’s biggest music, arts and food festival. Riverfront Park, River Market District and North Shore Riverwalk. 255-3378, www.riverfestarkansas.com.

JUNE 2-6: 4th Annual Little Rock Film Festival. Documentary and wide-release films at several venues, including Riverdale 10, Clinton School and the Chamber of Commerce.

960-0864, www.littlerockfilmfestival.org.

Pub, 500 President Clinton Ave. 707-2537, www. theundergroundpub.com.

Whurm. 12:30 a.m., $5 non-members. Midtown Billiards, 1316 Main St. 372-9990, midtownar. com.

EVENTS

“Friday Night Out.” Meal of locally-grown food followed by a presentation by the Arkansas Rice Depot. 6:30 p.m., $5 kids, $12 adults. Christ Episcopal Church, 6th and Scott. therootcafe@ yahoo.com.

“Phantom of the Pharaoh” Murder Mystery.

6:15 p.m., $49. MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, 503 E. Ninth St. 372-4000, arkarts.com.

Scimitar Shrine Circus. 7 p.m., $5-$10. Barton Coliseum. 565-5992, www.scimitarshrine.com.

COMEDY

Julie Scoggins. 8 p.m., 10:30 p.m. $9. Loony Bin, I-430 and Rodney Parham. 228-5555, loonybincomedy.com.

LECTURES

Dr. Jack Zibluk. As part of the Delta Symposium XVI, the associate professor of journalism at ASU offers a photography workshop on documenting the landscape and culture of the Delta. 8 a.m., free.

Student Union, ASU Campus, Jonesboro. 870972-3043.

SATURDAY, APRIL 10 MUSIC

Brittney Paige, Kamrin Mikaels, Brooklyn Bissett. 8 p.m. Pulse at OffCenter, 307 W. Seventh. www.pulseatoffcenter.com.

Darril “Harp” Edwards. 10 p.m., Union, 3421 Old Cantrell Road. 661-8311.

Daylight Dimlight. 9 p.m. Flying Saucer, 323 Clinton Ave. 372-7468, beerknurd.com.

Dirtfoot. 8 p.m. Maxine’s, 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-321-0909, maxinespub.com.

DJ Shaintrain. 8 p.m. Counterpoint, 3605 MacArthur, NLR. 771-5515, myspace.com/bogiescounterpoint.

Dread Noughts (headliner), Greg Madden (happy hour). 5:30 p.m., 9 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. Cajun’s Wharf, 2400 Cantrell Road. 3755351, cajunswharf.com.

Ed Bowman & the Rock City Players. 9 p.m., $5. Cornerstone Pub, 314 Main St., NLR. 3741782, cstonepub.com.

Grayson Shelton. 8 p.m., $5. Cregeen’s, 301 Main St., NLR. 374-7468, cregeens.com.

Humane Society Benefit with Maybe We Should, Science of Sleep, Nick Ward, Chad Robb, 16th Walk. 7 p.m. Vino’s, 923 W. Seventh.

375-8466, vinosbrewpub.com.

J.A.M.E., Andrew Goff. 8 p.m., $6. Soundstage, 1008 Oak St., Conway. www.soundstageshows.com.

Jeff Coleman. 7 p.m. Sonny Williams’, 500 President Clinton Ave. 324-2999, www.sonnywilliamssteakroom.com.

Justin Sane (disco), g-force (lobby). 9 p.m., $10. Discovery, 1021 Jessie Road. 664-4784, latenightdisco.com.

Kevin Devine, Parashos Parachutes, Sam Walker 9 p.m., $10 adv., $12 d.o.s. Juanita’s, 1300 S. Main St. 374-3271, juanitas.com.

Paul Sammons. 10 p.m., $3. Town Pump, 1321 Rebsamen Park Road. 663-9802.

Raising Grey. 10 p.m., $5. Fox and Hound, 2800 Lakewood Village Drive, NLR. 753-8300.

Rodney Block and the Real Music Lovers, Cody Belew. Birthday celebration for Block. 9 p.m., $10, $15 reserved seating. Michelangelo’s Rooftop, 1117 Oak St., Conway. 442-0679.

Starroy, Ernie Halter. 9 p.m., $6. Sticky Fingerz, 107 Commerce St. 372-7707, www.stickyfingerz. com.

The Gettys. 9:30 p.m., $5. Revolution, 300 President Clinton Ave. 823-0090, www.rumbarevolution.com.

The Ted Ludwig Trio. 9 p.m. Capital Bar & Grill, 111 W. Markham. 370-7013, capitalhotel.com/ CBG. Weakness for Blondes. 9 p.m. White Water Tavern, 2500 W. Seventh. 375-8400, myspace. com/whitewatertavern.

Whurm! 12:30 a.m., $5-$8. Midtown Billiards, 1316 Main St. 372-9990, midtownar.com.

William Staggers. 9 p.m., $7. Afterthought, 2721 Kavanaugh. 663-4176, afterthoughtbar.com.

Zac Harmon. 8 p.m. Odie’s House of Blues, 3413 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-623-6343, odieshouseofblues.com.

EVENTS

“The HIPPY Champion Event.” HIPPY honors Ann Kamps and Dr. Chad Rodgers for their support of the field of early childhood education. 6:30 p.m., $100. Union Station, 1400 W. Markham St. hippyusa.org.

“Let’s Dance To Health.” Dancing, design show and silent auction to benefit local charities.

5:30 p.m., $35. Wildwood Park for the Arts, 20919 Denny Road. 993-8867, starscomeoutinc.net.

11th Annual African Drum & Dance Festival. African music and a silent auction to benefit Arkansas Conference’s Congo Initiative. 5 p.m., $5-$10 suggested donation. Philander Smith campus. 372-2256, philander.edu.

Little Rock Gun Show. 9 a.m., $8. Clear Channel Metroplex, 10800 Col. Glenn Road. 918-6592201, gandsgunshows.com.

Scimitar Shrine Circus. 10 a.m., 2 p.m., 7 p.m., $5-$10. Barton Coliseum. 565-5992, www.scimitarshrine.com.

Simon Kidgits Club Eco-Fest . Kids and parents can learn about environmental appreciation, conservation and recycling through hands-on gardening activities and games. 10 a.m., free. McCain Mall, 3929 McCain Blvd., NLR. simon.com.

Walk MS. A one mile walk for multiple sclerosis awareness. 10 a.m., free. Riverfest Amphitheatre.

212-986-3240.

Walk to Defeat ALS. A city walk to raise awareness for Lou Gehrig’s Disease. 9 a.m., free. Dickey Stephens Park, NLR. 580-6672, crismammarelli@ sbcglobal.net.

COMEDY

Julie Scoggins. 7 p.m., 9 p.m., 11 p.m. $12.

Loony Bin, I-430 and Rodney Parham. 228-5555, loonybincomedy.com.

SPORTS

74th Annual Arkansas Derby. 1 p.m. Oaklawn Jockey Club, 2705 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501623-4411, www.oaklawn.com.

St. Vincent’s “Tour de Paul” 5K. 8 a.m., $25 registration. St. Vincent LR campus. www.StVincentHealth.com/TourdePaul.

SUNDAY, APRIL 11 MUSIC

“Jamaica Me Crazy.” 8 p.m., $8. Revolution, 300 President Clinton Ave. 823-0090, www.rumbarevolution.com.

Curt Collins, Britton Wesson Band. 6 p.m., free. First Church of the Nazarene, 1200 N. Mississippi. 225-6632, lrfcn.org.

Karaoke with DJ Mikey Mike. 8 p.m. Counterpoint, 3605 MacArthur, NLR. 771-5515, myspace. com/bogiescounterpoint.

Sunday Jazz Brunch with Ted Ludwig. 11 a.m. Afterthought, 2721 Kavanaugh. 663-4176, afterthoughtbar.com.

The SED Trio. 3 p.m., $10 adults, $5 kids.

Pocket Community Theatre, 170 Ravine St. Hot Springs.501-844-4083. www.pockettheatre.com.

EVENTS

Little Rock Gun Show. 9 a.m., $8. Clear Channel Metroplex, 10800 Colonel Glenn Road. 918659-2201, gandsgunshows.com.

MONDAY, APRIL 12 MUSIC

Monday Night Jazz with Steven Michael Suter. 8 p.m., $7. Afterthought, 2721 Kavanaugh.

663-4176, afterthoughtbar.com.

Richie Johnson. 5:30 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m.

Cajun’s Wharf, 2400 Cantrell Road. 375-5351, cajunswharf.com.

Traditional Irish Music Session. 7 p.m., free.

Khalil’s Pub & Grill, 110 S. Shackleford. 224-0244, khalilspub.com.

EVENTS

Extreme Midget Pro Wrestling. 9 p.m., $12 a.d.v., $15 d.o.s. $25 ringside. Revolution, 300 President Clinton Ave. 823-0090, www.rumbarevolution.com.

LECTURES

Gordon Marino. The professor of philosophy at St. Olaf College will deliver a lecture, “Self Deception in Ethics and Politics: A Kierkegaardian Perspective.” Noon, free. Sturgis Hall, Clinton School of Public Service. 683-5239, publicprograms@ clintonschool.uasys.edu.

Live Music Thurs, April 8 Magic HassLe & THe see Fri, April 9 cORY BRaNaN & TuMBLeDOwN feaTuRiNg Mike HeRReRa Of MXPX sAT, April 10 weakNess fOR BLONDes Tues, April 13 gRassHOPPeR & OuTsTaNDiNg ReD TeaM Thurs, April 15 fLasH LaRue

myspace.com/whitewatertavern Little Rock’s Down-Home Neighborhood Bar

7th & Thayer • Little Rock • (501) 375-8400

Empty Porch? Come fill it up.

We’ve got lots of PORCH STUFF! • Rockers • Lawn Chairs • Patio Sets • Bird Houses • Gates & More!

Oliver’s Antiques

501.982.0064 1101 Burman Dr. • Jacksonville Take Main St. Exit, East on Main, Right on S. Hospital & First Left to Burman Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-5

TUESDAY, APRIL 13 MUSIC

ASO Brass Quintet’s “Brilliant Brass … Stirring Strings.” Pieces by Bach, Schoenberg and Ewald. 7 p.m., $28. Clinton Presidential Center.

666-1761, arkansassymphony.org.

Brian & Nick. 5:30 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. Cajun’s Wharf, 2400 Cantrell Road. 375-5351, cajunswharf.com.

DJ Mikey Mike. 8 p.m. Counterpoint, 3605 MacArthur, NLR. 771-5515, myspace.com/bogiescounterpoint.

Heartless Bastards, Brother Andy & His Big Damn Mouth, Jonathan Wilkins & the Reparations. 9 p.m., $10 adv., $12 d.o.s. Juanita’s, 1300 S. Main St. 374-3271, juanitas.com.

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

Outstanding Red Team, Grasshopper. 9 p.m.

White Water Tavern, 2500 W. Seventh. 375-8400, myspace.com/whitewatertavern.

Saliva, Since October, Anchored. 8 p.m., $15 adv., $20 d.o.s. Revolution, 300 President Clinton Ave. 823-0090, www.rumbarevolution.com.

Tuesday Jam Session. 8 p.m., free. Afterthought, 2721 Kavanaugh. 663-4176, afterthoughtbar.com.

Within the Ruins, I am Abominatino, And the Angels Were Silent, Tomorrow Brings the Agony. 8 p.m., $10. Vino’s, 923 W. Seventh.

375-8466, vinosbrewpub.com.

EVENTS

“Business After Hours.” 5 p.m., $10 adv., $15 d.o.e. Dickey-Stephens Park, NLR. 372-5959.

BOOKS

Norris Church Mailer. The native Arkansan promotes her latest book, “A Ticket to the Circus.” 6 p.m., free. Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall, UALR. ualr.edu.

Continued on page 26 www.arktimes.com • april 8, 2010 23

Savor City the

30 Dates 60 Plates Lunch $15 2 courses

April 2010 Little Rock Restaurant Month

ends april 30

TIER ONE

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our favorite chefs have put together special, prix fixe lunch and dinner menus for the month of April that are priced below what you would ordinarily pay for each course separately. Go to

www.experiencelittlerockdining.com for more information.

Dinner $35 3 courses

1620 Restaurant (DINNER ONLY) www.1620restaurant.com 1620 Market Street • (501) 221-1620

Ferneau (DINNER ONLY) www.ferneaurestaurant.com 2601 Kavanaugh Boulevard • (501) 603-9208

Arthur’s Prime Steakhouse (DINNER ONLY) 27 Rahling Circle • (501) 821-1838

Lulav www.lulaveatery.com 220 West 6th Street • (501) 374-5100

Cafe Bossa Nova www.cafebossanova.com 2701 Kavanaugh Boulevard • (501) 614-6682 Camp David Restaurant www.campdavidrest.com 600 Interstate 30 • (501) 975-2267

Sushi Cafe www.sushicaferocks.com 5823 Kavanaugh Boulevard • (501) 663-9888 So Restaurant-Bar 3610 Kavanaugh Boulevard • (501) 663-1464

Capi’s www.capisrestaurant.com 11525 Cantrell Road • (501) 225-9600

Trio’s Restaurant & Catering www.triosrestaurant.com 8201 Cantrell Road • (501) 221-3330

Capriccio Grill www.peabodylittlerock.com 3 Statehouse Plaza • (501) 399-8000

Vesuvio Bistro (DINNER ONLY) 1501 Merrill Drive • (501) 225-0500

Cheers In the Heights www.cheersith.com 2010 North Van Buren Street • (501) 663-5937

Vieux Carre www.vieuxcarrecafe.com 2721 Kavanaugh Boulevard • (501) 663-1196

Ciao Baci (DINNER ONLY) www.ciaobaci.org 605 Beechwood Street • (501) 603-0238

Lunch $12 2 courses

TIER TWO

Dinner $25 3 courses

acadia www.acadiahillcrest.com 3000 Kavanaugh Blvd. • (501) 603-9630

The Butcher Shop Steakhouse (DINNER ONLY) www.thebutchershop.com 10825 Hermitage Road • (501) 312-2748

Best Impressions (LUNCH ONLY) www.bestimpressionsrestaurant.com 501 East 9th Street • (501) 907-5946

Cajun’s Wharf (DINNER ONLY) www.cajunswharf.com 2400 Cantrell Road • (501) 375-5351

Big Whiskey’s www.bigwhiskeys.com 225 East Markham Street • (501) 324-2449

Capers www.capersrestaurant.com 14502 Cantrell Road • (501) 868-7600

Boscos Restaurant & Brewing Co. www.boscosbeer.com 500 President Clinton Avenue • (501) 907-1881

Capital Bar and Grill www.capitalhotel.com 111 West Markham Street • (501) 374-7474

Bruno’s Little Italy (DINNER ONLY) www.brunoslittleitaly.com 315 North Bowman Road • (501) 224-4700

Casa Manana www.casamananamexicanfood.com 6820 Cantrell Road • (501) 280-9888 18321 Cantrell Road • (501) 868-8822

www.experiencelittlerockdining.com Menu Items differ with each restaurant. Tax and gratuity not included

y

m

Lunch $12 2 courses

TIER TWO CONTINUED

Dinner $25 3 courses

Copper Grill & Grocery www.coppergrillandgrocery.com 300 East 3rd Street • (501) 375-3333

Krazy Mike’s SHRIMP ’N’ Wings www.krazy-mikes.com 200 North Bowman Road • (501) 907-6453

Copeland’s www.copelandsofneworleans.com 2602 South Shackleford Road • (501) 312-1616

Lilly’s Dimsum Then Some www.lillysdimsum.com 11121 North Rodney Parham Road • (501) 716-2700

Loca Rock Luna Restaurant Dizzy’s Special prixGypsy fixe Bistro menus at reduced prices at these Little restaurants. www.localuna.com 200 Commerce Street • (501) 375-3500 3519 Old Cantrell Road • (501) 663-4666 The Faded Rose Maddie’s Place www.thefadedrose.com www.maddiesplacelr.com 1619 Rebsamen Park Road • (501) 663-9734 1615 Rebsamen Park Road • (501) 660-4040 400 N. Bowman Road • (501) 224-3377 FORTY TWO (LUNCH ONLY) AT WILLIAM J. CLINTON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY

www.dineatfortytwo.com 1200 President Clinton Avenue • (501) 537-0042 Graffiti’s Italian Restaurant (DINNER ONLY) 7811 Cantrell Road • (501) 224-9079 The house 722 N. Palm Street • (501) 663-4500 Juanita’s Cafe & Bar www.juanitas.com 1300 Main Street • (501) 372-1228

Masala Grill+Teahouse 9108 N. Rodney Parham Rd. • (501) 414-0643 The Pantry www.littlerockpantry.com 11401 North Rodney Parham Road • (501) 353-1875 Red Door www.reddoorrestaurant.net 3519 Old Cantrell Road • (501) 666-8482 Salut!

1501 North University Avenue • (501) 660-4200 Terrace On the Green 2200 North Rodney Parham Road • (501) 217-9393

One of the most vibrant Lunch $7 Dinner $15 restaurant scenes 2 courses TIER THREE 3 courses of any small city Markham Street Grill & Pub Alley Oops 11900 Kanis Road • (501) 221-9400 www.markhamst.com in America!

11321 West Markham Street • (501) 224-2010

Black Angus 10907 North Rodney Parham Road • (501) 228-7800 Cheeburger Cheeburger www.cheeburger.com 11525 Cantrell Road • (501) 490-2433 Corky’s Ribs & Barbecue www.corkys4bbq.com 12005 Westhaven Drive • (501) 954-RIBS (7427) Damgoode Pies www.damgoodepies.com 2701 Kavanaugh Boulevard • (501) 664-2239 THE Flight Deck Restaurant (LUNCH ONLY) www.central.aero 1501 Bond Avenue • (501) 975-9315 gusano’s www.gusanospizza.com 313 President Clinton Avenue • (501) 374-1441 IRIANA’S 201 E. Markham St. • (501) 374-3656 Koto Restaurant 17200 Chenal Parkway • (501) 821-7200

Pizza Cafe 1517 Rebsamen Park Road • (501) 664-6133 Purple Cow www.purplecowlr.com 8026 Cantrell Road • (501) 221-3555 11602 Chenal Parkway • (501) 224-4433 Rumba Mexi Cuban Kitchen www.rumbarevolution.com 300 President Clinton Avenue • (501) 823-0090 Tropical Smoothie Cafe & Deli www.tropicalsmoothie.com 11900 Kanis Road • (501) 221-6773 12911 Cantrell Road • (501) 224-1113 the villa italian restaurant www.thevillaitalian.net 12111 W. Markham, 310 Rock Creek Square • (501) 219-2244 Underground Pub www.theundergroundpub.com 500 President Clinton Avenue • (501) 707-2537 Zack’s Place www.zacks-place.com 1400 S. University • (501) 664-6444

www.experiencelittlerockdining.com Menu Items differ with each restaurant. Tax and gratuity not included

calendar

Continued from page 23

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14 MUSIC

Butterfly, Irie Soul. 9:30 p.m., $5. Sticky Fingerz, 107 Commerce St. 372-7707, www.stickyfingerz.com.

Cindy Woolf. 8 p.m., $5. Afterthought, 2721 Kavanaugh. 663-4176, afterthoughtbar.com.

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

Karaoke with DJ Debbi T. 8 p.m. Counterpoint, 3605 MacArthur, NLR. 771-5515, myspace.com/ bogiescounterpoint.

Little Rock Jazz Quintet. 8 p.m. Bill Street, 614 President Clinton Ave. Paul Sammons. 8 p.m., free. Maxine’s, 700

Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-321-0909, maxinespub.com.

Sarah Hughes. 5:30 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. Cajun’s Wharf, 2400 Cantrell Road. 375-5351, cajunswharf.com.

The Ted Ludwig Trio. 5 p.m., free. Capital Bar & Grill, 111 W. Markham. 370-7013, www.capitalhotel.com/CBG. Whitney Paige, Zia D’Yor, Roxie Starlite. 8 p.m. Pulse at OffCenter, 307 W. Seventh. www. pulseatoffcenter.com.

COMEDY

The Sandman. 8 p.m. $7. Loony Bin, I-430 and Rodney Parham. 228-5555, loonybincomedy. com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 15 MUSIC

DJ Mikey Mike. 8 p.m. Counterpoint, 3605 MacArthur, NLR. 771-5515, myspace.com/bogi-

escounterpoint.

Falcon Scott, Sean Michel. 9 p.m., $8. Juanita’s, 1300 S. Main St. 374-3271, juanitas.com.

Flash LaRue. 9:30 p.m. White Water Tavern, 2500 W. Seventh. 375-8400, myspace.com/whitewatertavern.

Interstate Buffalo. 10 p.m., $3. Town Pump, 1321 Rebsamen Park Road. 663-9802.

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

Karaoke with Big John Miller. 8 p.m., Denton’s Trotline, 2150 Congo Road, Benton. 501315-1717.

Little Rock Jazz Quintet. 8 p.m. Ferneau, 2601 Kavanaugh. 602-9208, ferneaurestaurant.com.

The See. 9 p.m., free. Maxine’s, 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-321-0909, maxinespub.com.

The Ted Ludwig Trio. 5 p.m., free. Capital Bar & Grill, 111 W. Markham. 370-7013, www.capitalhotel.com/CBG. The Youth Rock Orchestra with the Mark

Wood Experience. 7:30 p.m., $31. Robinson Center Music Hall. 800-745-3000, ticketmaster. com.

White Noise Theory (headliner), John & Kenny (happy hour) 6 p.m., 9:30 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. Cajun’s Wharf, 2400 Cantrell Road. 3755351, cajunswharf.com.

EVENTS

“Arkansas a la Carte.” Fund-raiser for Arkansas Children’s Hospital. 6:30 p.m., $100. Chenal Country Club, 10 Chenal Club. 364-1476, archildrens.org.

COMEDY

The Sandman. 8 p.m. $12. Loony Bin, I-430 and Rodney Parham. 228-5555, loonybincomedy. com.

POETRY

inVerse Open Mic Poetry Night. 6 p.m., $5.

ACAC, 900 S. Rodney Parham Road. 244-2979, myspace.com/acacarkansas.

LECTURES

John Warner. The former Republican senator from Virginia will talk about climate change and national security. 6 p.m., free. Sturgis Hall, Clinton School of Public Service. 683-5239, publicprograms@clintonschool.uasys.edu.

THIS WEEK IN THEATER

Join us for Brunch Every Sunday 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Special Holiday Brunch Mother’s Day – May 9

Make Reservations Today!

“Annie: The Musical.” Musical about a precocious orphan and her rich, adopted father. 7 p.m.

April 15, $8-$15. Pulaski Academy, 12701 Hinson Road. 868-7839, pulaskiacademy.org.

“First Baptist of Ivy Gap.” In Tennessee, five women worry about their husbands and sons during WWII. 7 p.m. Wed.-Sat. through April, $10 general, $8 senior, $5 student. Royal Theatre, 111 S. Market, Benton. 501-315-5483, theroyalplayers.com.

“Lend Me a Tenor.” A theater’s assistant company manager has to stand in for a drunken Italian tenor, through April 18. Dinner: 6 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 5:30 p.m. Sun. Lunch: 11 a.m. Sun. and special Wed. matinees. Curtain: 7:45 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 12:40 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. Sun. $30-$32. Murry’s Dinner Playhouse, 6323 Col. Glenn Road. 562-3131, murrysdinnerplayhouse.com.

“Summertree.” A young man, soon to die in the Vietnam War, goes through a series of stream-ofconsciousness visions from both past and future.

7:30 p.m. April 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, $14. The Weekend Theater, Seventh & Chester. 374-3761, www. weekendtheater.org.

“The Skin of Our Teeth.” The odd Thornton Wilder classic about the entire history of mankind.

7:30 p.m. April 8-9, 14-16. $8 public, free for students. Snow Fine Arts Center, UCA, Conway. 501450-3265, uca.edu/tickets.

CALL FOR ENTRIES Auditions for the Community Theatre of Little Rock’s production of “Fame: The Musical” will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 10, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 11, at The Public Theater, 616 Center St. Actors and actresses must bring sheet music for the provided accompanist. There will also be a dance audition and cold readings from the script. For more information, call the Community Theater at 663-9494 or visit communitytheatreoflittlerock.org.

GALLERIES, MUSEUMS

Located on the Lower Level of the Clinton Presidential Center Monday thru Saturday: Sunday: 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Lunch 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Brunch Daily lunch specials ($23.99 for adults and $8.99 for children 12 and under, 4 and under free)

1200 President Clinton Avenue • Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 • 501.537.0042 • www.clintonpresidentialcenter.org 26 april 8, 2010 • arKaNSaS TiMES

New exhibits, upcoming events ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH, 1100 Napa Valley Drive: 8th annual “Empty Bowls” art auction and buffet benefiting Arkansas Foodbank, featuring bowls and other works in all media by local artists, including Rhonda Reeves, James Hayes, Barbara Seibel (demonstrating), Heather Beckwith, Norman and Robin Taliaferro, Greg Thomas and others, 6-9 p.m. April 8, $50. 565-8121.

ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER’S TERRY HOUSE COMMUNITY GALLERY, 7th and Rock: “49th Annual Young Arkansas Artists Exhibition,” April 9-May 23. 372-4000.

ARKANSAS STUDIES INSTITUTE, 401 President Clinton Ave.: “Paper Trails,” large-scale charcoal drawings by David Bailin, main gallery, through May 29; “The Big Bear’s Arkansas

ABCs: Original Artwork and Storyboard,” original illustrations by Leslie A. Przybylek for Butler Center children’s book, atrium gallery, through April 30; “Book Arts,” books transformed into art, April 8-June 30, mezzanine gallery, reception 2 p.m. April 10; “AAE State Youth Art Show 2010,” Concordia gallery, April 10-May 29. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. 320-5792.

CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 509 Scott St.: “Lynn Bell: Watercolors, Collage & Sandblasted Glass,” reception 5-8 p.m. April 9, 2nd Friday Art Night, exhibit through May 10. 9 a.m.5 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 9 a.m.-noon Sun. 375-2342.

CLINTON PRESIDENTIAL CENTER, 1200 President Clinton Ave.: “Leadership in a Time of Crisis: President Clinton and the Oklahoma Bombing,” through June 1; “Read My Pins: The Madeleine Albright Collection,” more than 200 pins the former secretary of state wore during her diplomatic tenure, through June 1 (video at www.arktimes.com); “Become an Illustrator,” children’s book author and illustrator Kevin Ludthardt reads and leads a workshop, 9 a.m.

April 10; 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.

HISTORIC ARKANSAS MUSEUM, 200 E. Third St.: “National League of American Pen Women Juried Exhibit,” sculpture and painting, April 9-June 6, reception 5-8 p.m. April 9, 2nd Friday Art Night; “Stretched Foundations: Works by Lee Anthony, Jon Hayden and Mary Shelton,” through May 10. 324-9351.

MOSAIC TEMPLARS CULTURAL CENTER, Ninth and Broadway: “K.I.D.S. Volunteer Day,” volunteer opportunities for children ages 10-15, 1-4 p.m. April 10; exhibits on African-Americans in Arkansas, including one on the Ninth Street business district, Dunbar High School, entrepreneurs, the Mosaic Templars business and more. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat. 683–3593.

MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY, 500 President Clinton Ave.: “The Science of Makeup,” hands-on event for children grades K-6, 1-4 p.m. April 10; 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, free second Sunday of every month. 396-7050. www. museumofdiscovery.org.

OLD STATE HOUSE, 300 W. Markham St.: “100 Years of Scouting: Celebrating the Adventure and Continuing the Journey,” Scouts in Arkansas, through May 1; “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.

STEPHANO’S FINE ART GALLERY, 5501 Kavanaugh Blvd.: New jewelry by Teresa SmithMulkey, reception 6 p.m. April 9. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Tue.-Sat. 563-4218.

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK: Student shows by Lindsey Bloom, Carl J. Hardwick, Candice C. Bass, Kristie N. Kelch, Jennifer A. Fitzhugh, Aariona L. McCann and Brandi L. Snead, April 10-21; “UALR Annual Student Competitive,” through May 6, Gallery I. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat., 2-5 p.m. Sun. 569-8977. n Conway UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS: “Stonehenge: 1,000 Years of the World’s Most Famous Ancient Place,” 7:30 p.m. April 8, “Ancient Autobiographies in Rock Art,” 3 p.m. April 9, lectures by Dr. Christopher Chippindale in conjunction with Arkansas College Art History Symposium; student papers 8:30-3 p.m. April 9. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Wed., Fri.; 10 a.m.-7 .m. Thu. 501-450-5793. n Dardanelle LAKE DARDANELLE VISITORS CENTER: Betty N. Snellings, paintings, through April.

479-968-2452. n Eureka Springs EUREKA SPRINGS GALLERY STROLL: Exhibits, music, refreshments at nine galleries on Spring Street 6-9 p.m. April 10, including fabric by Sandy Wythawai Starbird at the Crescent Moon.

n Springdale SHILOH MUSEUM OF OZARK HISTORY, 118 W. Johnson Ave.: “Answering the Call,” history of the Springdale Fire Department, April 12-Sept.

18; “Carl Smith’s Fayetteville,” photographs from the 1910s-1950s, April 13-Aug. 21. “All Dressed Up,” men’s, women’s and children’s fancy clothing, through January 2011; “Disaster! A Photo Exhibit of Crashes and Catastrophes,” through April 10. 479-750-8165. n Yellville P.A.L.’s FINE ART GALLERY, 300 Hwy. 62 W.: Clay sculpture by Anni Worster, paintings and prints by Janet Goodyear, reception 1-3 p.m.

April 10. 870-405-6316.

GALLERIES, onGoInG ExhIbItS.

ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER, MacArthur Park: “Capturing the Orient,” lithographs by David Roberts and works by other 19th century artists who traveled to Egypt and the surrounding region,

through May 16; “World of the Pharaohs: Treasures of Egypt Revealed,” artifacts from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, through July 7, $22 adults, $14 students; “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 COMMUNITY ARTISTS COOPERATIVE, 900 S. Rodney Parham Road: “Wait ... What?” Large-scale paintings and installation pieces by Henson Flye, through April. 2-6 p.m.

Tue.-Fri. 244-2979.

BOSWELL-MOUROT FINE ART, 5815 Kavanaugh Blvd.: New work by Kyle Boswell, Hans Feyerabend and Lam Tze Sheung. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Tue.-Sat. 664-0030.

CANTRELL GALLERY, 8206 Cantrell Road: “Faces of the Frontier,” history paintings by John Deering, through April 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. 6640880.

GALLERY 26, 2601 Kavanaugh Blvd.: Celebrating 15th anniversary with exhibit of work by Steven Wise, Jeff Waddle, Emily Galusha and Kevin Kresse, through May 8. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.-Sat. 664-8996.

GREG THOMPSON FINE ART, 429 Main St., NLR: “Isolated Encounters,” paintings by Kendall Stallings, through May 15. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat. 664-2787.

HEIGHTS GALLERY, 5801 Kavanaugh Blvd.: Arkansas artists. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. 664-2772.

KETZ GALLERY, 705 Main St., NLR: “Susan Harris: Southern Perception,” abstract paintings, show through April 15; also work by Robin Hazard-Bishop, John Kushmaul, Marty Smith, Dan Thornhill, Arlette Miller, Melverue Abraham and new artist Vernon Oberle. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat. 529-6330.

Continued on page 32

diNE ON OUR PATiOs AT U.s. PizzA CO.!

Pizza sandwiches salads

.

S .

U

Y N A P M O C A Z PIZ

ts raf d ic t est m o igh d n 0 t in 1.5 y: $ $2 p a d s : tue day s r LittLe Rock thu 5524 Kavanaugh • 664-7071 2710 Kavanaugh • 663-2198 9300 N. Rodney Parham • 224-6300 3307 Fair Park Blvd. • 565-6580 NoRth LittLe Rock 3324 Pike • 758-5997 4001 McCain Park • 753-2900 5524 JFK • 975-5524 MauMeLLe 650 Edgewood Dr. • 851-0880 coNway 710 Front Street • 501-450-9700 FayetteviLLe 202 W. Dickson • 479-582-4808

CHECK OUT OUR GREAT NEW PARTY ROOM! www.arktimes.com • april 8, 2010 27

CLEAN AIR COMING: To White Water Tavern.

No butts at White Water A stinky tradition comes to an end.

By John Tarpley

n Since it was founded in 1972, White Water Tavern has been, at various times and often all at once, a biker bar, a rendezvous for Arkansas politicos and the definitive Mecca for live, local music. Yet it seems throughout all of the bar’s incarnations, the only constant has been the ever-present cloud of cigarette smoke, affixing itself indiscriminately to any piece of clothing that passes through the door.

So after hearing “I’d love to come out to the show, but I just can’t handle the smoke� one too many times, the owners — all in their mid-20s and some smokers themselves — are kicking the butts out the door, to a small back deck and yard area to accommodate their patrons’ nicotine fits. “We’re not trying to push our values on anyone, but the heavy smoke keeps a lot of people away,� said co-owner Matt

White.

It’s a move that’s not without controversy. White was quick to point out that some of the older, daytime regulars “aren’t feeling it.� “But by and large, people have been overwhelmingly kind and enthusiastic,�

White said. “Even folks that smoke have said they’d prefer to go outside if it means not taking the smoke smell home with them.�

White Water regular Amy Bowers is happy about the change. “As a nonsmoker, it will be nice to enjoy seeing my favorite bands at one of my favorite bars and breathe at the same time. Hopefully other venues that still allow smoking will follow suit,� she said.

The move leaves the River Market’s Sticky Fingerz as the only music venue in town that books national touring bands while allowing indoor smoking. “We expect the change to be a step in the right direction of becoming a more professional music venue,� White said.

The bar’s last night of smokiness will be this Saturday, April 10. Puffing will be soundtracked by jazz-jam band Weakness For Blondes. The 38-year-long reign of smoke ends Monday, April 12.

The young guns eager to have their White Water coming-of-age a bit earlier thanks to the smoke ban are out of luck.

Despite the switch, it’ll remain a venue open only to those 21 and up.

The Second Friday Of Each Month • Apr. 9, 5-8 pm SponSored by

The next 2nd Friday Art Night for the ASI is May 14

Reopening May 14, 2010, 8-11 p.m.

2nd Friday Art Night Libations, Models, Art Supplies, Poetry & Music $10 cover at the door 806 W. Markham, Little Rock Side Entrance

Next door to our previous location s 4HE!RTS3CENE'ALLERY GMAIL COM

Due to Arkansas Literary Festival events taking place in the Arkansas Studies Institute April 8-11, 2010 (including the Authors’ Party on April 9 in the ASI), the ASI Galleries will not participate in April’s 2nd Friday Art Night. For a complete schedule of Arkansas Literary Festival events, please visit www.arkansasliteraryfestival.org.

However, please join us for a reception in the ASI, Saturday, April 10, at 2 p.m. for the opening of two exhibitions: the Arkansas Art Educators State Youth Art Show 2010 and Book Arts.

BUTLER CENTER

FOR ARKANSAS STUDIES

Arkansas Studies Institute - Central Arkansas Library System The Butler Center for Arkansas Studies - www.butlercenter.org/art

Gypsy Bistro

Reception for Lynn Bell watercolors | collage sandblasted glass

April 9, 5-8 p.m.

Christ Episcopal Church 509 Scott Street | 375-2342 www.christchurchlr.org

28 april 8, 2010 • arKaNSaS TiMES

Guest artist: roBert f. walker

New on Rock Candy

n Ludacris has been added to the Sunday line-up at Riverfest. He’ll play the amphitheater stage. So far the line-up includes Gary Allan (Friday, Clinton Center), Black Crowes (Saturday, Clinton Center), Robert Cray (Sunday, Triple-S), Cross Canadian Ragweed (Friday, Clinton Center), The Juke Joint Duo: Cedric Burnside and Lightnin’ Malcolm (Sunday, Triple-S), Little River Band (Friday, Triple-S), Lucero (Saturday, Clinton Center), Blake Shelton (Saturday, amphitheater) and Steve Miller Band (Sunday, Clinton Center). Get more info about the line-up on Rock Candy. n The erstwhile Natives — Jesse Bates, Ryan Hitt, Judson Spillyards and Joshua Spillyards — who backed

FREE PARKING at 3RD & CUMBERLAND – Catch the trolley at Historic Arkansas Museum FREE STREET PARKING ALL OVER DOWNTOWN AND BEHIND THE RIVER MARKET (Paid parking available for modest fee.)

National League of

American Pen Women

A Tahoe Magical Meadow, by Dixie Murnane.

These venues will be open late.

There’s plenty of parking and a free trolley to each of the locations.

Don’t miss it – lots of fun!

A & E NEw s

Opening reception with live music by Michael Carenbauer.

A museum of the Department of Arkansas Heritage

200 E. Third Street • 501-324-9351 • www.HistoricArkansas.org

Guest Artist:

Teresa Cates

501.375.3500

200 S. CommerCe, Ste. 150 river market DiStriCt (olDvermillion loCation)

300 Third Tower • 501-375-3333 • coppergrillandgrocery.com

A&E N e w s c o n t i nu ed Chris Denny until fairly recently, have found a new lead singer. Through members of Dawes, who toured with Denny and the Natives, the guys met Luke MacMaster, once the leader of a buzz-y California band called The Colour, who now records as The Romany Rye and has already been endorsed by Kings of Leon.

Now, in two weeks, MacMaster’s headed to Little Rock for a couple days.

Then, he’ll return in May, live and practice and play out with the band in advance of an already-booked two-month North American tour opening for The Delta Spirit. The band’s farewell-to-Little Rock gig will be Sunday at Riverfest.

Keyboardist Whitman Bransford (of Mammoth Orange and Silverton) is also part of the group.

Get a preview of Romany Rye songs on Rock Candy. n A friendly reminder: The Rock Candy 500 is on the horizon. We race on Thursday, May 6. But, new this year, we’re requiring advance registration by April 29. You can print out the registration form on page 37.

You can get pinewood car kits, which come with a block of wood, wheels and axles, at just about any hobby store in town. Or you can order all kinds of pre-cut car shapes and slick add-ons — decals, fenders, speedier axels — from Pine Pro online (pinewoodderby.com). If you mention the Rock Candy 500, they’ll give you free shipping.

And remember, you don’t have to be handy to put together a car. If you get one pre-cut, all it takes is a good coat of paint to get you in the race. n After a months-long search, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra announced last week that it had selected Philip Mann as its new music director. Currently an American Conducting Fellow and the San Diego Symphony’s assistant conductor, Mann will join the ASO in October. n Herb Ellis, the legendary jazz guitarist who called Fairfield Bay home since the 1980s, died last week in Los Angeles after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. While most notable for his tenure as member of the Oscar Peterson Trio, he also backed Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Stan Getz, Joe Pass and Louis Armstrong amongst scores of others. So respected was the man in jazz circles that in 1991, Gibson introduced a Herb Ellis signature model guitar, one of the most esteemed honors available to musicians.

Rick tha Rula and the Human Beatbox Hip-hop pioneers come to Revolution on Friday.

By Lindsey Millar

he shot his cousin — who’d made threats n “La-di-da-di, we like to party / We on his life — and ended up serving some don’t cause trouble, we don’t bother nofive years in prison for attempted murbody / We’re just some men that’s on the der. Upon his release, he put out a vastly mic / And when we rock upon the mic we underrated album, “The Art of Storytellrock the mic right.” If you can read those ing”; collaborated with Outkast and then lines without breaking out your coolest, spent several years battling with INS smoothest voice, you were either born over deportation proceedings. New York too early or too late. Correct the wrong Gov. David Patterson finally intervened fate dealt you and go, quick-like, to Youlast year and gave Slick Rick a full parTube.

You’re searching for Friday night’s headliners at Revolution, Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick, two of early hip-hop’s most bizarre characters. The former is a beatbox pioneer, widely regarded as the first to make music with his mouth, mimicking drums and other effects with unbelievable accuracy. The latter is an eye-patch-wearing London-born, Bronxraised rapper with an affinity for more gold jewelry than Mr. T. And you’re looking, in particular, for their 1985 song “La-Di-Da-Di.” With it and its (equally awesome) A-side “The Show,” the two made rap fun and cartoonishly weird in a way it wasn’t before — Doug E., of course, with his sound effects, and Rick with a hint of a British accent, a singsong cadence and knack for weaving a tale that earned him, duly, a reputation as rap’s greatest storyteller.

“La-Di-Da-Di” isn’t really about much. For much of the song, Rick raps about getting ready in the morning. But he has a keen sense of narrative detail — he brushes his “gold teeth,” and uses Oil of Olay because his slick rick: Weaves a great tale. “skin gets pale” — and he’s don, which allowed him to remain in the always employing other voices (memoracountry and perform shows like the one bly of women) and sound effects (a lusty on Friday night. yawn comes early in the song).

The concert, which is be hosted by The duo didn’t stay together long. actress Vivica Fox (“Independence Day,” Doug E. Fresh went on to cut a single for “Kill Bill”), is a birthday celebration for “The Ghostbusters II” soundtrack, colChris Bowen, the man behind One Stone laborate with Living Colour and Prince Productions, easily the biggest promoand record the theme song for the Knicks. tional outfit in Central Arkansas.

Slick Rick released one of hip-hop’s landBowen, who was born in Kingston mark albums, “The Great Adventures of and moved to Little Rock in 1994 to be Slick Rick,” in 1988; but in early 1990,

a music minister, first started booking shows in 1998, often with his group, One Stone Reggae Band, in the bill. His events — like Divas on the Rock and Reggae on the River — have become known for the tag line, “grown and sexy,” where no one under 25 is admitted and a strict dress code is employed.

Last year, Bowen had big success with Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. Now, after Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh, he’s got Mint Condition and Joe coming to Robinson Auditorium on June 10, and he’s working to get Patti LaBelle and Ron Isley and the Isley Brothers to town.

A brick and mortar club could be in the cards sometime before this fall, too, Bowen says.

Friday, he’ll be busy celebrating — he’s

turning 39 — in the VIP section of Revolution, where he says there’ll be champagne service all night (poured by models) and complimentary hors d’ouevres, including Jamaican jerk wings.

Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh 9 p.m. Friday, April 9 Revolution, $30 adv., $60 adv. VIP 21 and older

www.arktimes.com • april 8, 2010 29

FREE ADMISSION

The Arkansas Times Presents:

Pubor Perish 2010

live readings of poetry , fiction and essay

Saturday, April 10 • 8-10 p.m. new location! prost (Around the corner from willy d’s) 120 Ottenheimer FEATURING: Kevin Brockmeier • Sy Hoahwah Bryan Borland • Holland Colclasure Lennon Simpson With special guest: Lorri Davis, wife of Damien Echols of the West Memphis 3, reading his work.

w.arkansasliteraryfestival.org

SmallTown

SPONSORED BY

Get Your BOOK ON!

For more information, call David Koon at (501)375-2985 ext. 345 or e-mail to: david@arktimes.com ARKANSAS LITERARY FESTIVAL April 2009 April16-19, 8-11, 2010

www.arkansasliteraryfestival.org

rett peek

portis: Award winner not a fan of the camera.

Chasing Charles Portis At the Oxford American’s ‘Best of the South’ gala.

By Jaman Matthews

Grit,” chief among them. Cult classics, they’re often called now, though if the Coen brothers’ adaptation of “True Grit,” starring Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon and due Christmastime, comes off well, the cult could broaden.

The author has become well known for not being well known, earning him sidelong compliments from his devotees. A 2003 article in the magazine The Believer called him “a guy you’ve never heard of, but should,” and the Oxford American’s founder and editor Marc Smirnoff said, “Mr. Portis should be the most popular writer in America.”

A four-foot tall photograph of a young Portis, taking a drag from a cigarette, flanked the entrance to the Capital Hotel.

“I don’t know what he looks like, and that photo is freeman: Called the event one of his best evenings. so old,” the first cameraman said of Portis. “I tried to do a dinners upstairs, the lobby was transGoogle search, but I’m telling you, dude formed into an auditorium. A man aligned is like a recluse.” chairs into 14 rows facing a small stage But Charles Portis, in a suit and tie, near the hotel’s front entrance. was already safely inside the VIP recepA few minutes before 9 p.m., Portis tion area. He had slipped by earlier, largewandered into the largely empty lobby ly unnoticed by the media. And that was, from a back hallway. Now he was wearing apparently, fine with him. sand-colored trousers, a button-up shirt As the crowd milled around over and a zip-up khaki jacket. He claimed, Southern-themed appetizers before dinto no one in particular, “I forgot all about ner, a photographer announced: “Charles rett peek

n High heels clicked across the tiled lobby floor of Little Rock’s Capital Hotel Saturday evening. Cheeks were kissed, bowties straightened and spaghetti straps adjusted. It was the first Oxford American “Best of the South” Awards Gala, with Morgan Freeman and Charles Portis honored for Outstanding Contributions to Southern Culture and Lifetime Achievement in Southern Literature, respectively.

Even at $500 a pop, all 200 tickets sold.

Freeman — wearing a double-breasted black tuxedo sans tie, a gold hoop earring in his right ear and sunglasses — gave an interview to a TV crew and then paused briefly at the media corral for photos. An all-star lineup of Arkansas entertainers trailed him: Kris Allen, the reigning “American Idol” and Conway native, his hair perfectly mussed, his shirt collar unbuttoned and his skinny black tie pre-loosened; Mary Steenburgen, the Oscar-winning actress who grew up in North Little Rock; Joey Lauren Adams, the actress best known for her roles in Kevin Smith movies like “Chasing Amy,” also from North Little Rock; Ray McKinnon, most recently of “The Blind Side,” and his wife, the actress Lisa Blount.

Once the recognizable celebrities had come and gone, there were fewer flashes and TV cameras rested on shoulders.

“Have we seen this Portis guy?” a photographer asked.

This Portis guy, of course, is the author of several wickedly funny novels, “Norwood,” “Dog of the South” and “True

Portis does not like to have his picture taken.” The photographer had followed him around the room, trying desperately to get one good photo of the author, only to be rebuffed at every attempt. “That son of a bitch took off every time he saw a camera.

I got about a dozen shots of the side of his head.”

Soon there was another Portis update.

“I think he left the building. Somebody told me they saw him leave.” Dinner was just starting and the awards ceremony was still a couple of hours away.

While attendees enjoyed four-course

this.” No one seemed to buy it.

Then a gaggle of older women surrounded him. He tried on the explanation of his disappearance for them. “Well, I forgot all about all this,” he said. “I was at home watching television and somebody called me.” One of the ladies asked him about the remake of “True Grit”: Did he like it? “I’m all for it,” he said, “as long as the checks don’t bounce.” Then another asked the author if he’d like to be on the cover of a local society magazine. To which he said, “I don’t think it would be a big seller for you.”

A glass of white wine in hand, Portis took a seat in the 14th row, as far from the stage as he could manage. Morgan Freeman took his seat on the front row.

Mary Steenburgen hosted the ceremony, which included a radio-style dramatic reading from Portis’ novel “Dog of the South” (including the “Dix puts William Shakespeare in the shithouse” scene), with Adams, McKinnon and Blount reading parts. Portis laughed at some of his old words. When the time came to present the award, Marc Smirnoff, the Oxford American’s editor, said a few words by way of introduction, then, holding a bronze statuette of a rooster high and scanning the crowd, said, “Mr. Portis, if you’re here …”

Portis made his way to the stage, where he accepted the statuette and an envelope with a $10,000 check enclosed. He offered a few words of thanks, then returned to his seat in the back row. Before he was seated again, the crowd had moved on, the applause for Portis swallowed up by the applause for Kris Allen, as the “Idol” took to the stage.

Allen performed a couple of songs, and then it was Morgan Freeman’s turn. Before his award was presented, there was a video biography of his life, directed by Harry Thomason and narrated by Bill Clinton. A choked-up Freeman said of the honor, “This is the best evening I’ve had in … memory.”

Meanwhile, at the back of the crowd, Portis held the envelope in his hand.

He opened it, pulled out the check, studied it for a minute, then leaned over to show it to the woman seated next to him before sliding it back into the envelope.

Then, the event over, Portis tried his best to escape the admirers and photographers, but did stop to shake a hand and even pause for a quick snapshot.

All the while, he held a bronze rooster in one hand and his car keys in the other.

Portis eventually made his way to a side door that exited onto an empty sidewalk.

He climbed into his truck parked curbside and drove away for the second time that night. www.arktimes.com • april 8, 2010 31

calendar

Springs: Baseball’s First Spring Training Town,” 24 photos from the early part of the 20th century.

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

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

RICIANO ART GALLERY, 833 Central Ave.: Featuring work by Riciano, Lacey Alysse, Char DeMoro and other artists. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. 501339-3751.

TAYLOR’S CONTEMPORANEA, 204 Exchange St.: Work by area and regional artists. 624-0516. n Fayetteville UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS: “Winslow,” 29 photographs by MFA student Suzanne Countryman, through April 9, Fine Arts Center Gallery. 479575-7987. n Pine Bluff ARTS AND SCIENCE CENTER, 701 Main St.: “Expressions of African Culture,” masks, figures, thrones, clothing, musical instruments and more, through April. 870-536-3375.

Continued from page 27 LAMAN LIBRARY EXHIBIT HALL, 2801 Orange St., NLR: “Lasting Light: 125 Years of Grand Canyon Photography,” Smithsonian Institution exhibit, through May 29; artist demonstration by 758-1720.

LOCAL COLOUR GALLERY, 5811 Kavanaugh Blvd.: Work by artists in cooperative. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Mon.-Sat. 265-0422.

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

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

Mon.-Fri. 372-7373.

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

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

Mon.-Thu., 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri., 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sun. n Benton DIANNE ROBERTS ART STUDIO AND GALLERY, 110 N. Market St.: Area artists. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Wed.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. 860-7467. n Bentonville CRYSTAL BRIDGES AT THE MASSEY, 125 W. Central: “Looking at Our Landscape,” juried community photography exhibit by more than 100 contributors, through May. 479-418-5700. n Hot Springs ALISON PARSONS GALLERY, 802 Central Ave.: Paintings by Parsons. 501-625-3001.

ARTISTS WORKSHOP GALLERY, 810 Central Ave.: Jane Fitch, watercolors; Linda Shearer, Chinese brush painting, through April. 501-623-6401.

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

‘DAHLIA AND WATERFORD’: Soon Y. Warren’s watercolor and other two- and three-dimensional work by members of the National League of American Pen Women go on exhibit Friday, April 9, at the Historic Arkansas Museum. The museum will be open 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. for Second Friday Art Night.

501-624-0550.

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

501-463-4932.

BLUE MOON GALLERY, 718 Central Ave.: Raku pottery by Kelly Edwards, through April, “Way of the Cross,” oils by Randall Good, through April 17.

501-318-2787.

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

FINE ARTS CENTER, 610 Central Ave.: “Awak-

enings,” work by area artists. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Wed.Sat. 501-624-0489.

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

Tue.-Sat. 501-623-9906.

GALLERY 726, 726 Central Ave.: Jim Oberst, landscapes, through April. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.Sat. 501-624-7726.

GALLERY CENTRAL, 800 Central Ave.: Equine art by Bob Snider, Renee Torbit, Jan Gartrell, Elaine Irwin, Sandy Hubler and others. 501-318-4278.

HOT SPRINGS CONVENTION CENTER: “Hot

MUSEUMS, ongoing ExhibitS

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.

MacARTHUR MUSEUM OF ARKANSAS MILITARY HISTORY, MacArthur Park: “Warrior: Vietnam Portraits by Two Guys from Hall,” photos by Jim Guy Tucker and Bruce Wesson, through Aug. 8; 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.

WITT STEPHENS JR. CENTRAL ARKANSAS NATURE CENTER, Riverfront Park: Exhibits on wildlife and the state Game and Fish Commission. n England TOLTEC MOUNDS STATE PARK, State Hwy.

Continued on page 36

rock candy R CAR

500

YOU

HERE!

Make plans to compete in

tHe RoCk CanDy 500 pinewood derby race!

7-9 PM • May 6, RiveR MaRket Pavilion With music, drink and general merriment

entRy FoRM Name___________________________________________________ Phone_________________Email______________________________ Send entry form and fee to: ArkAnsAs Times • rock cAndy 500 P.o. Box 34010 • LiTTLe rock, Ar 72203 • Or call 375-2985, to register via credit card.

Advance registration before April 29 is required. The entry fee is $8 before April 15 and $10 from April 16 to April 29. The day of the race, there will be a $5 admission charge for all non-racing spectators. Prizes will be awarded for speed, paint, design, best kid’s entry (under 14) and best of show. All proceeds go to benefit Boy Scout Troop 726 at the Centers for Youth and Families. Get more info on the Arkansas Times entertainment blog, Rock Candy.

www.arktimes.com 32 april 8, 2010 • arKaNSaS TiMES

ApRIL 8-14

by a 17-year-old high school student from Moscow, the site has skyrocketed in popularity over the past year, with an estimated 35,000 visitors online there at any one time. As the name implies, chatters — who must have a working webcam — are randomly paired with another visitor to the site. If the conversation gets boring (or you notice the guy has a poster of Buffalo Bill from “Silence of the Lambs” on his wall), all you have to do is hit a button and you automatically flip to the next chatter. I’ve tried it out, and it’s loads of fun — a great way to breach some of the coldness and distance that digital interaction is notorious for, not to mention kill off some of the deceitfulness that people can get up to online when

FRINGE Fox 8 p.m. Thursdays n As someone who loved (loved, loved) “The X-Files” back in the day — back before Mulder and Scully did the deed and birthed the obligatory, series-killing kid, anyway — “Fringe” sure takes me on a trip down cultural memory lane.

Fox’s latest sci-fi hit is back now for an all-new season, and it’s looking better than ever. Often a very conscious homage to “The X-Files” — “Fringe” creator J.J. Abrams is apparently an X-fan too — the show tends to cover a lot of the same ground: secret FBI investigations, monsters, teleportation and other weekly doses of High Weirdness that would make ol’ Spooky Mulder feel right at home. Though I BETTER THAN A WANG: Man and dog interoriginally questioned the chemis- acting on Chatroulette. try between “Fringe” stars Anna you’re not looking at them face to face.

Torv and Joshua Jackson (who play FBI If you don’t deal well with rejection, agent Olivia Dunham and polymath/danhowever, you might want to pop in a gerous man Peter Bishop, respectively), movie instead. their relationship has grown on me quite a bit in the last season in a way that is DOCUMENTARY HEAVEN strangely reminiscent of two standoffish www.documentaryheaven.com FBI agents I once knew. Add to that John n My name is David, and I’m an addict.

Noble in his always-brilliant portrayal of I’ve been mainlining documentaries Peter’s father Walter Bishop — a man straight into my prefrontal lobe for about so brilliant that it kinda drove him crazy, 20 years now. What’s more, I’m proud not to mention through doorways into of it. As a newspaper guy, I appreciate parallel dimensions — and you’ve got the fact that documentary filmmakers a real winner of a series that is some of are a lot like reporters. Both of us, I said the best science fiction on television, not once, are grubbing around in the dirt of to mention what might well grow into happenstance, trying to make something a worthy successor to the best episodes interesting out of the truth. And there is of “The X-Files” and “Lost.” Check out something about the truth — the unvarfull episodes at: www.fox.com/fringe nished, warts-and-all truth — that fiction is never going to be able to touch.

CHATROULETTE Remember that flap of folks making up www.chatroulette.com their memoirs a few years back? That’s n There are folks I know who comwhy. People love the truth, especially pletely and utterly freak out every time when it’s something amazing. Given they learn there is some new bit of inthat: If you’re a fan of documentaries formation about them on the Internet. like I am, you’ll find a lot to like over at Reverse address lookup that reveals Documentary Heaven. The site has over my phone number? Ahhhhhhh! Prop900 documentaries, everything from erty tax records online? We’re all goshort-form docs about hemp to the longing to die! Google has a photo of my form works of Michael Moore. Like a house taken from outer space? Roving lot of the legit — that is, non-illegal — bands of criminals are going to come websites that stream movies, you have to my home — out of the millions of to watch commercials to keep the goodothers that can be seen on the same site ness coming, but it’s completely worth — and kill me! It’s enough to make the it. If you’re a lover of the form, be sure dedicated anti-Luddite smile. Those to check it out. people probably DO NOT want to give — David Koon Chatroulette a try. Developed in 2009

let the e light

SHIN SHINE

Open those curtains and use natural light whenever possible.

You’ll conserve resources and save money. Doing a little can do a lot.

SHINE.

To learn more about our organization, visit KeepArkansasBeautiful.com or call 888-742-8701.

www.arktimes.com • april 8, 2010 33 KAP 0310 013 WindowNC_4.5x12_4C.indd 1

3/29/10 3:53:00 PM

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NEW MOVIES The Runaways (R) — A biopic about the drug-fueled rise of 1970s all girl, teen-age rock band The Runaways and their inevitable fall from grace. Market Street: 1:45, 4:15, 7:00, 9:10.

The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry (PG) — A 12-year-old on summer vacation forms a friendship with an elderly man from church, learning life lessons along the way. Market Street: 2:00, 4:20, 7:15, 9:20.

Date Night (PG-13) – When a bored couple tries for a romantic evening in New York City, a case of mistaken identity sends them off into a night of danger. Breckenridge: 2:15, 5:10, 7:35, 10:05. Chenal 9: 11:20, 1:25, 4:05, 7:20, 9:50. Lakewood: 11:05, 1:40, 4:25, 7:25, 9:45. Rave: 11:50, 12:45, 1:30, 2:20, 4:00, 5:10, 7:00, 7:45, 8:35, 9:45.

Letters to God (PG) — When a young boy undergoing chemo begins to write letters to God, he inspires the entire neighborhood.

Rave: 1:15, 4:15, 7:20, 10:15.

RETURNING THIS WEEK Alice in Wonderland (PG) — Tim Burton’s 3D sequel to the Carroll classic finds Alice back in the rabbit hole as a rebellious 19-year-old. Breckenridge: 1:20, 4:20, 6:50, 9:20. Chenal 9: 11:45. Lakewood: 11:00, 1:30, 4:15, 7:15, 9:40. Rave: 1:40, 4:45, 7:35, 10:10. Riverdale: 12:05, 2:30, 4:55, 7:20, 9:45.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (G) — Alvin, Simon and Theodore take a break from stardom and return to school. Movies 10: 1:15, 3:25, 5:40, 7:50, 10:00.

Animalopolis (NR) — A half-hour film of goofy animals being goofy in enormous 3D. Aerospace IMAX: 11:00, 7:00 Fri.; 1:00, 3:00, 7:00 Sat. The Blind Side (PG-13) — A homeless black teen-ager is taken in by a family that coaches him into becoming a star studentathlete. Movies 10: 1:20, 4:15, 7:05, 9:55.

The Bounty Hunter (PG-13) — A down and out bounty hunter lands a dream job when he’s assigned to track down his exwife, a bail-hopping crime reporter. Breckenridge: 1:55, 4:40, 7:25, 9:55. Chenal 9: 11:35, 2:00, 4:40, 7:25, 10:10. Lakewood: 10:55, 1:30, 4:10, 7:10, 9:40. Rave: 1:00, 4:30, 7:30, 10:40. Riverdale: 11:40, 2:10, 4:40, 7:10, 9:40.

Brooklyn’s Finest (R) — Three police officers end up at the same deadly scene. Riv-

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erdale: 11:05, 1:50, 4:35, 7:20, 10:05.

Chloe (R) — When a doctor suspects her husband, a professor, of infidelity, she hires an escort to seduce him and report back.

Market Street: 2:15, 7:15.

Clash of the Titans (PG-13) — Perseus, son of Zeus, leads a band of warriors into uncharted dimensions while attempting to defeat the evil Hades, God of the Underworld. Breckenridge: 1:15, 2:10, 4:15, 5:00, 7:10, 7:40, 9:40, 10:10. Chenal 9: 11:40, 2:10, 4:55, 7:55, 10:35. Lakewood: 11:05, 1:35, 4:15, 7:00, 9:50. Rave: 11:20, 2:05, 5:05, 7:50, 10:25 (2D); 11:00, 11:45, 1:20, 2:00, 2:40, 4:05, 4:55, 5:35, 7:10, 8:00, 8:30, 9:50 (3D). Riverdale: 11:00, 1:15, 3:30, 5:45, 8:00, 10:15.

Cop Out (R) — Two New York City police officers (Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan) try to track down the gangster who stole an exceptionally rare baseball card in this send up of 1980s buddy movies. Riverdale: 11:40, 2:05, 4:30, 6:55, 9:20.

Crazy Heart (R) — Seeking redemption, fallen country star Bad Blake (Jeff Bridges) finds a friend and confidante in a struggling music journalist. Market Street: 2:00, 4:30, 7:00, 9:15.

Dear John (R) — An active soldier falls in love with a conservative college student while on leave from Iraq in this adaptation of a novel by Nicholas Sparks. Movies 10: 4:35, 9:50.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid (PG) — Greg, a 6th grade runt, can’t stand the ceaseless bullying, wedgies and swirlies he puts up with at school, so he retreats to his journal and his imagination. Breckenridge: 1:35, 4:10, 6:45, 9:30. Rave: 11:40, 2:10, 4:25, 7:15, 10:05.

Edge of Darkness (R) — A detective inadvertently uncovers a complex yarn of conspiracies while solving his daughter’s murder. Movies 10: 1:50, 7:15.

That Evening Sun (PG-13) — Men battle when a proud ex-farmer on the lam returns to his old farm to find a disrespectful, drunken tenant. Breckenridge: 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 10:00.

The Ghost Writer (R) — A British author finds himself in danger after he realizes the former prime minister he writes for acted as a political puppet for the CIA. Market Street: 1:45, 4:15, 6:45, 9:15.

Green Zone (R) — A political thriller revolving around a rogue soldier during the 2003 search for Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. Movies 10: 1:35, 4:25, 7:00, 9:35.

How to Train Your Dragon (PG) — A timid young Viking, raised to slay dragons, ends up befriending one. Breckenridge: 4:30, 6:55, 9:25. Chenal 9: 11:05, 1:35, 4:15, 7:05, 9:25. Lakewood: 10:50, 1:15, 4:00, 7:00, 9:35. Rave: 12:55, 4:10, 8:05 (2D); 11:15, 11:55, 1:45, 2:30, 4:40, 5:15, 7:25, 9:55 (3D). Riverdale: 11:00, 1:10, 3:20, 5:30, 7:40, 9:50.

Hot Tub Time Machine (R) — Four best friends, bored with adult life, take a ski vacation only to find themselves transported back to 1986. Breckenridge: 1:50, 4:50, 7:45, 10:05. Chenal 9: 11:10, 1:30, 4:10, 7:10, 9:55. Lakewood: 11:00, 1:25, 4:05, 7:20, 9:50. Rave: 12:25, 2:55, 5:40, 8:20.

Riverdale: 11:05, 1:15, 3:25, 5:35, 7:45, 9:55.

The Hurt Locker (R) — Three members of the Army’s elite bomb squad battle insurgents and one another as they search for and disarm roadside bombs on the streets of Baghdad. Academy Award winner for Best Picture 2009. Market Street: 4:20, 9:00.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (PG-13) — The leader of a traveling show

who traded the soul of his future daughter to the devil thousands of years ago wagers the collection of five souls to prevent the devil from collecting on the deal. Movies 10: 1:30, 4:30, 7:35, 10:15.

The Last Song (PG) — Miley Cyrus and Greg Kinnear star in this father/daughter tale in which an alienated teen is forced to spend a summer in Georgia with her pianist father.

Breckenridge: 1:10, 4:25, 7:20, 9:50. Chenal 9: 11:30, 1:55, 4:35, 7:35, 10:05. Lakewood: 10:50, 1:15, 4:20, 7:25, 10:00. Rave: 11:25, 2:25, 5:00, 7:40, 10:30.

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

Aerospace IMAX: 1:00, 9:00 Fri.; 5:00 Sat. Remember Me (PG-13) — After tragedy befalls their families, two young New Yorkers find solace in each other and, eventually, begin to fall in love. Riverdale: 11:35, 2:05, 4:35, 7:05, 9:35.

Repo Men (R) — After receiving a top-ofthe line mechanical heart transplant from a futuristic company, the company’s star repo man falls behind on payment and finds himself on the wrong end of the knife. Rave: 4:20, 10:20. Riverdale: 11:30, 1:55, 4:20, 6:45, 9:10.

Sherlock Holmes (PG-13) — The master detective and his stalwart partner Watson embark on their latest challenge. Movies 10: 1:10, 4:05, 7:20, 10:05.

The Spy Next Door (PG) — A CIA spook retires in order to marry his girlfriend and must gain approval of her kids, who mistakenly download a top secret documents, making the family a Russian target. Movies 10: 1:00, 3:10, 5:20, 7:30, 9:40.

Valentine’s Day (PG-13) — Los Angelenos make, break, and take hearts on Valentine’s Day in this ensemble movie. Movies 10: 1:05, 4:00, 7:25, 10:10.

Why Did I Get Married Too? (PG-13) — When four couples get together for their annual vacation in the Bahamas, their rest and relaxation is interrupted by an ex-husband determined to reunite with his remarried wife. Breckenridge: 1:05, 2:00, 4:05, 4:45, 7:05, 7:30, 9:45, 10:15. Chenal 9: 11:15, 1:50, 4:45, 7:45, 10:20. Lakewood: 11:10, 1:50, 4:30, 7:10, 10:00. Rave: 11:05, 11:45, 1:20, 2:00, 2:40, 4:05, 44:55, 5:35, 7:10, 8:00, 8:30, 9:50. Riverdale: 11:15, 1:50, 4:25, 7:00, 9:35.

Wildfire: Feel the Heat (NR) — Discover how firefighters all over the planet fight the biggest, hottest fires on the planet. Aerospace IMAX: 10:00, 12:00, 2:00, 8:00 Fri.; 12:00, 2:00, 4:00, 8:00 Sat. The Wolfman (R) — In this reboot of the classic horror film, Benicio del Toro stars as the cursed werewolf, wreaking horror on late 19th century villagers. Movies 10: 1:45, 4:10, 7:10, 9:30.

MOVIE THEATERS 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.

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

■moviereview Titan of boredom … Bon Appetit

‘Clash’ is a dull remake.

… Arkansas Times, Arkansas Business, & Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

… Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Gourmet Magazine New York Times Washington Post Atlanta Journal USA Today Food Arts

THE KRAKEN!: From ‘Clash of the Titans.’ n One of the major appeals of B-movies has always been the tension between imagination and budget. Ideas outpace resources; ambition runs up against reality. But cut-rate visionaries don’t let anything get between them and their accomplishments. All the ingenuity and problem-solving put into cutting corners is matched by enthusiasm and creativity.

Sometimes the film that results turns out to be pretty good, or at least entertaining.

It gets bonus points for charm.

Like a lot of the cult faves rehashed for modern audiences lately, to the gasping disapproval of the Internet, “Clash of the Titans” wasn’t exactly a masterpiece to begin with. The 1981 pseudo-mythological effects-fest gets by mostly on the strength of Ray Harryhausen’s remarkable stop-motion monsters, all of which are no less fascinating for their stuttering, handmade unreality — even for audiences who had moved on from King Kong to the slick aliens of H.R. Giger.

The cast wasn’t exactly cut-rate, with stars like Laurence Olivier, Burgess Meredith, Ursula Andress and Harry Hamlin.

Those names may not seem very impressive from this distance, but they were enough to power a pretty successful run in theaters for such a modestly budgeted toga-fest with antiquated FX work and cheesy dialogue.

I can’t imagine that the remake will meet the same response. Director Louis Letterier showed talent when emerging as a director in the garish, zany style of fellow Frenchman Luc Besson. But a succession of edgeless snoozers has dulled his promise and revealed him to be your garden-variety hack. Here his direction is entirely functional and without character.

I’d wager he wasn’t even there for a good chunk of the shoot; at least half of this movie is digital and another 10 percent is composed of sweeping B-roll landscapes shot from a helicopter by the second unit.

The character of Greek antiquity pro-

vides plenty of opportunity for the kind of gleeful boundary-crossing so prevalent in French action filmmaking, but nothing in this movie treads even the lamest taboo, earning it a tame rating and an audience full of bored teens.

Sam Worthington stars, which is apparently what he was hatched to do. The “Where did this guy come from?” meme has pretty much been exhausted on the Internet, but in his three blockbuster starring roles he’s provided little evidence for Hollywood’s inordinate faith in his potential.

He whispers his way through this performance, like a bad singer who covers up by slowing everything down and singing in a hushed voice.

The cast is rounded out with fine actors who are clearly just cashing a check.

Along with big names like Ralph Fiennes and Liam Neeson, lesser-known greats like Mads Mikkelsen and Pete Postlewaithe toil against an unfocused and confused screenplay that does them no favors.

One of the most wonderful traits of the gods of Greek mythology is their volatile, petty, and vengeful natures. They’re always acting out of spite or jealousy or simple caprice. There’s nothing rational about it.

Here, the so-called conflict manifests from a cycle of violence more like what you might find in Greek drama. Gods are mistreating humans because humans are dissing gods because gods are mistreating humans. There’s no root to it all, save the need to have some driving force in the plot.

That would be fine if the action in this movie were more central and the exposition more gestural. Instead, we sit through a lot of inexplicable explanations and too little monster-killin’. And that’s my main complaint against this movie. I don’t mind the pat acting, the ridiculous script, the silly characterization, the outright heresy of remaking a cult favorite.

The most damning charge against this film is that it is boring.

— Derek Jenkins

… Southern Living and Bon Appetit

Seafood Poultry Meats Soups Pastas Wild Things Bakery

3519 Old Cantrell

663-4666

www.arktimes.com • april 8, 2010 35

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March 16 - April 18

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165: Major prehistoric Indian site with visitors’ center and museum. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., noon-5 p.m. Sun., closed Mon. $3 for adults, $2 for ages 6-12. 961-9442. n Eureka Springs EUREKA SPRINGS HISTORICAL MUSEUM: History of the Ozark Folk Festival, in photographs, programs, documents. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.Sat., 11 a.m. a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sun. 479-253-9417. n Hot Springs MID-AMERICA SCIENCE MUSEUM: “Not So Separate,” science and art, through May 9. $8 adults, $7 seniors, military and youth. 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. 501-767-3461.

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART, 425 Central Ave.: Steve Kaufman, celebrity photographs, including Jimmy Hendrix, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra and Coca Cola. $5, $4 for seniors.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thu.-Sat., noon-5 p.m. Sun. 501609-9955. n Jacksonville JACKSONVILLE MUSEUM OF MILITARY HISTORY, 100 Veterans Circle: Exhibits on DDay; F-105, Vietnam era plane (“The Thud”); the Civil War Battle of Reed’s Bridge, Arkansas Ordnance Plant (AOP) and other military history. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. $3 adults; $2 seniors, military; $1 students. 501-241-1943. n Morrilton MUSEUM OF AUTOMOBILES, Petit Jean Mountain: Permanent exhibit of more than 50 cars from 1904-1967 depicting the evolution of the automobile. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 7 days. 501-727-5427. n Rogers ROGERS HISTORICAL MUSEUM, 322 S. 2nd St.: “Rogers Auto-Biography: An Automotive History of Rogers,” through 2011; “Of Promise and Pain: Life Between the Wars,” through June; “Virgil Lovelace and Life on the Farm,” through April. 479621-1154. n Scott PLANTATION AGRICULTURE MUSEUM, U.S.

165 S and Hwy. 161: Artifacts and interactive exhibits on farming in the Arkansas Delta. $3 adults, $2 ages 6-12. Open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 501-961-1409.

SCOTT PLANTATION SETTLEMENT: 1840s log cabin, one-room school house, tenant houses, smokehouse and artifacts on plantation life. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thu.-Sat. 351-0300. www.scottconnections.org.

ART ANNOUNCEMENTS Submissions for the THEA Foundation’s first annual filmmaking scholarship are being accepted from any Arkansas high school senior through April 9. Call 379-9512 or go to www.theafoundation.org for more information.

ArtWeek ’10 is inviting visual and performing artists to participate in the May 13-22 arts festival in downtown Little Rock and North Little Rock. For more information, got to art-week.org. Deadline is May 1.

The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program is holding an art contest for fifth- and seventhgrade students. Artwork should for work based on any Arkansas property that is at least 50 years old include an essay on how that property reflects on Arkansas history or why it’s important to save historic places. Entries must be postmarked by April 15. For more information, write AHHP Art and Essay Invitational, 1500 Tower Building, 323 Center St., Little Rock 72201 or call 324-9786 or e-mail rachelm@arkansasheritage.org. Winning entries will be displayed at the Old State House in May. The Shiloh Museum is asking patrons to select artifacts to be displayed in its October exhibit, “The Music of Our Lives.” The curator has selected 40 artifacts to choose from. Ballots are available at the museum or the museum’s website, www. springdalear.gov/Shiloh. Votes will be collected through April 30.

ART CLASSES The River Valley Arts Center in Russellville is offering an art class for persons with disabilities every Thursday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Classes are free. Call 479-968-2452 to register.

Music Andrew Lloyd Weber Lyrics Tim Rice Starring Ted Neeley, best known for his Golden Globe nominated role as Jesus.

Tickets available online: www.uca.edu/tickets By phone: 450-3265 • 1-866-810-0012 toll free

Friday, April 16 • 7:30 pm

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Rocks!

A Wild and Wonderful Modern Southern Bistro TWo GreAT PATioS! “Change is good ... delicious as a matter of fact!”

“Fans rejoice ... you’ll love every bite!”

— AY Magazine “Friends say the Baby Backs are the best ribs they’ve ever had, and that’s saying something in a barbeque town like Little Rock.”

— Arkansas Times “ ... an eclectic collection of past glories and new adventures. ... the list of entrées contains some genuine jewels.”

— Arkansas Democrat Gazette “There’s a palpable fun vibe at Red Door. ... fun, casual and the food is outstanding.”

— Hotinlittlerock.com “Entrées were grilled to juicy perfection!”

“The oyster’s were perfectly prepared.”

— Arkansas Life, Arkansas Democrat Gazette

3700 Cantrell Rd. next door to Loca Luna

good Friends • Fine sPirits • great taste

Best Steakhouse 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

Martini / Wine Bar • Piano Bar • 35 Wines By the glass 335 Wine seleCtions • Fine sPirits FroM around the World (sCotCh list FroM every region oF sCotland) 6 single-Barrel BourBons • Private CorPorate lunChes

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FREE VALET PARKING 38 April 8, 2010 • ArKANSAS TiMES

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666-8482 RedDoorrestaurant.com

what’scookin’

n On Saturday, April 15, the Argenta Market celebrates its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Located at 512 Main St. in North Little Rock, in the former home of Argenta Seafood Co., the local- and organic-foods-focused grocery and deli has already launched an extensive website (argentamarket.com), with descriptions of many of the products it will offer, plus a list of local farmers supplying the store and even a how-to video on making blueberry cobbler — the first of a promised series.

Neal Augustine, formerly with Harvest Foods in Little Rock, is the store manager. Jody Hardin is head of marketing and farming. And Shane Henderson is chef. He’ll make gourmet to-go items and deli meals. The grocery’s hours will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. n In related news, the Certified Arkansas Farmers Market kicks off on Saturday, April 17, at 6th and Main Street in North Little Rock. It continues, from 7 a.m. until noon, every Tuesday and Saturday until October. n Meanwhile, the Little Rock Farmers Market opens Tuesday, April 27, in the River Market, and continues, from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m., every Tuesday and Saturday until October.

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

The newspaper accepts no advertising or other considerations in exchange for reviews, which are conducted anonymously. We invite the opinions of readers who think we are in error.

Restaurants are listed in alphabetical order by city; Little Rock-area restaurants are divided by food category. Other review symbols are:

B Breakfast L Lunch

D Dinner

$ Inexpensive (under $8/person)

$$ Moderate ($8-$20/person)

$$$ Expensive (over $20/person)

CC Accepts credit cards

LITTLE ROCK/ N. LITTLE ROCK AMERICAN

APPLE SPICE JUNCTION A chain sandwich and salad spot with sit-down lunch space and a vibrant box lunch catering business. With a wide range of options and quick service. Order online via applespice.com. 2000 S. University Ave. No alcohol. CC $-$$ 663-7008 L Mon.-Fri. ARTHUR’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE Restaurateur Jerry Barakat brings the classic New York steakhouse formula to Chenal Valley. The main event is prime beef, or even more expensive Australian wagyu beef. The steak’s crusty on the outside, just right on the inside. There’s a wide choice of seafood, too. The truffle fries are spectacular. Good wine list. 27 Rahling Circle. Full bar. CC $$$ 821-1848 D Mon.-Sat.

Continued on page 40

■ dining Ciao for cheap Downtown Italian restaurant corners the bargain lunch market. n Ciao Italian Restaurant has been around a quarter century in its quiet Seventh Street digs.

The unassuming hole-in-the-wall eatery sports white walls, black tablecloths, red napkins and a display of local artwork. What comes out of Chef Tony Mobly’s kitchen, though, could be described as dressy and delicious.

For the lunchtime diner on a budget, there’s much good Italian food to be had.

Ten meals are offered as “Express Lunches” at the rather reasonable rate of $5.45.

Standards include specials, the salmon with spaghetti Bolognese, cheese dill cream sauce ($9.99). tortellini pesto and Caesar The plate came with the salad. But there are also same linguini and vegetaspecials that range from the bles served up with the beef modest to the extravagant. tenderloin. It was a little We’ve made several more done than we’re used stops in lately to escape to, but with the sauce it was the workday world and a lovely lunch. enjoy companionship and We didn’t give into the good food. On one recent temptation of finding out visit, we gave the fried beef about that $46.99 ultimate ravioli ($5.45) a try. The beef tenderloin; leave that crispy little morsels are just for those unconcerned as good as any you’d find in with keeping the budget.

St. Louis, the birthplace of Our lunch tickets every fried ravioli. Our companion time we’ve visited, even went for a daily special, the with multiple desserts, spicy crawfish fettuccini came to less than that lofty ($8.99). The big bowl of heaping: The tenderloin and spicy seafood and focaccia bread. amount. fettuccini noodles comes topped with perhaps the deliciously soft on the inside, along with spiciest Cajun-enhanced Alfredo we’ve two boats — one filled with a blend of sampled. The crusty crab cake on top roasted garlic, olive oil and balsamic vinaiincluded lots of crabmeat and noticeable grette, the other with bits of Feta cheese, 405 W. Seventh St. bits of corn and veggies, a nice, un-spicy red onion and scallions. It alone would be 372-0238 balance to all that crawfish and sauce. worthy of a light lunch, and it took a lot to Plus, an assortment of fresh veggies, Quick bite be able to set the half-full basket aside to flavored deliciously with black pepper, Desserts change on a daily basis. At lunch, minidesserts go for $2.99. Especially recommended: enjoy our main courses. salt, olive oil and garlic. a diminutive but perfect chocolate creme Brule, Our companion chose another of We also paired our tortellini Alfredo the flown-in-from-Key-West Key lime pie and the specials, the beef tenderloin topped ($7.99) with a cup of lobster bisque, a salty the chocolate truffle (a half-round as a minidessert). Also: vanilla gelato with berries soaked with spicy seafood ($14.99). If we had yet heavenly bath of flavor. The delicate in Frangelico. any complaint, it was that the tenderloin tortellini was filed with a cheese and plenty itself was hidden under large shrimp and of tender veal, which matched well with Hours 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, 5:30 p.m. chunks of crawfish. The 4-ounce steak the cheesy Alfredo. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. was fork-tender, perfectly cooked and Another visit, we decided to give the Other info tasty. house focaccia ($3.79) a try. Out came a Credit cards accepted. Full bar.

We also sampled another of the daily basketful of crusty-edged herbed wedges,

Ciao Italian Restaurant

www.arktimes.com • april 8, 2010 39

Restaurant capsules Continued from page 39 ASHLEY’S Perfect seafood, unusual ingredients, careful cooking and gorgeous presentation make meals here a feast for eyes, mind and stomach. Incredible wine list. Capital Hotel. Full bar. CC. $$$. 374-7474 BLD Mon.-Sat. B Sun. BONEFISH GRILL A half-dozen or more types of fresh fish filets are offered daily, grilled (perfectly in our experience) over a wood fire. Several sauces are available, but the fish is good enough on its own. Shrimp, mussels and scallops star on the appetizer list and there’s plenty of meat and chicken for those who resist seafood. 11525 Cantrell Road. Full bar. CC $$. 228-0356. D daily.

BONNIE’S BUFFET Small buffet teeming with homecooked classics. Friday is catfish day, a big draw. 8622 Chicot Road. No alcohol. CC $-$$ 565-5604 LD Mon.-Fri. BRAVE NEW RESTAURANT The food’s great, portions huge, prices reasonable. Diners can look into the open kitchen and watch the culinary geniuses at work slicing and dicing and sauteeing. It’s great fun, and the fish is special.

2300 Cottondale Lane. Full bar. CC $$-$$$ 663-2677 L Mon.-Fri., D Mon.-Sat. CAMP DAVID Inside the Holiday Inn Presidential Conference Center, Camp David particularly pleases with its breakfast and themed buffets each day of the week.

Wonderful Sunday brunch. I-30 and 6th Street. Full bar.

CC $$-$$$ 975-2267 BLD daily.

CAPI’S Sophisticated yet friendly, the latest offering from the folks who created Trio’s features easy to share small bites in larger than expected portions. Selections range from the expected to more unconventional fare. Don’t skip one the fresh desserts offered each day. 11525 Cantrell Suite #917 (in the Pleasant Ridge Town Center). Full bar.

CC $-$$$ 225-9600 LD daily.

CAPITOL BISTRO Breakfast and lunch items, including quiche, sandwiches, coffees and the like. 1401 Capitol Ave. No alcohol. CC $-$$ 371-9575 BL Mon.-Fri. COCK OF THE WALK Yes, the chicken and shrimp are great, but go for the unbeatable catfish. Plus, we say the slaw is the world’s best. 7051 Cock of the Walk Lane, Maumelle. Full bar. CC $$ 758-7182 D daily. L Sun. CORNERSTONE PUB Numerous beers and heavier drinks along with regular live music make this a fine stopping-off spot, but it succeeds on the food end as well with the usual pub selections and sandwiches. We like this version of the muffaletta, though it’s lighter than the soakedwith-olive-oil kind they love in N’awlins. 314 Main St., NLR. Full bar. CC $-$$ 374-1782 LD Mon.-Sat. CREGEEN’S IRISH PUB Draft pints, fine single-malt Irish whiskey and a choice of food from American (chicken wings) and Irish (fried Irish camembert) pub favorites to burgers, Irish stew, fish and chips and even broiled salmon for the health-conscious. 301 Main, NLR. Full bar. CC. $-$$.

376-7468 LD daily.

DAVID FAMILY KITCHEN Call it soul food or call it down-home country, the food here ― neckbones, ribs, sturdy cornbread, mustard greens and the like ― is good, the desserts especially so. 2301 Broadway. No alcohol. CC $ LD Sun.-Fri. 371-0141.

FADED ROSE The Cajun-inspired menu seldom disappoints. Steaks and soaked salads are legendary. 1615 Rebsamen Park Road, 663-9734; Bowman Curve, 224-3377. Full bar. CC $$-$$$ LD daily.

FLIGHT DECK A not-your-typical daily lunch special highlights this spot, which also features inventive sandwiches, salads and a popular burger. Central Flying Service at Adams Field. Beer and wine. CC $-$$ 375-3245 BL Mon.-Sat. FLYING FISH The fried seafood is fresh and crunchy and there are plenty of raw, boiled and grilled offerings, too. The hamburgers and fish tacos are big hits. It’s counter service; wander on through the screen door and you’ll find a slick team of cooks and servers to get you in and out in good time. 511 President Clinton Ave. Beer and wine. CC $-$$ 375-3474 LD daily.

FROSTOP A ’50s-style diner has been resurrected, with big and juicy burgers, great irregularly cut fries, and a selection of Greek dishes as well. 4517 JFK Boulevard., NLR. CC $ 758-4535 B Mon.-Sat., LD daily.

HOMER’S Great vegetables, huge yeast rolls and killer cobblers. Follow the mobs. 2001 E. Roosevelt Road. CC $$ 374-1400 BL Mon.-Fri. JASON’S DELI A huge selection of sandwiches (wraps, subs, po’ boys and pitas), salads and spuds, as well as red beans and rice and chicken pot pie. Plus a large selection of heart-healthy and light dishes. 301 N. Shackleford Road.

Beer and wine. CC $-$$ 954-8700 BLD 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. No CC $ 666-3354 L Mon.-Sat. LOCA LUNA Grilled meats, seafood and pasta dishes that never stray far from country roots, whether Italian, Spanish or Arkie. “Gourmet plate lunches” are good, as is Sunday brunch. 3519 Old Cantrell Road. Full bar. CC $$-$$$ 663-4666 L Sun.-Fri., D daily.

MASON’S DELI AND GRILL Heaven for those who believe everything is better with sauerkraut on top. The Reuben is among the best in town. There are wraps and chicken strips on the menu, too. Ottenheimer Hall, River Market. No alcohol. CC $$ 374-0000 L Mon.-Sat. NEW GREEN MILL CAFE A small workingman’s lunch joint, with a dependable daily meat-and-three and credible

40 april 8, 2010 • Arkansas Times

cornbread for cheap, plus sweet tea. Homemade tamales and chili on Tuesdays. 8609-C W. Markham St. No alcohol.

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

CC $ 663-7319 BL Tue.-Sun. RENO’S ARGENTA CAFE A vast selection of sandwiches, from Cuban pork to French dip to a muffaletta, plus gyros, wraps and specialty pizzas. 312 Main St., NLR. Full bar. CC $$ 376-2900 LD Mon.-Sat. SONNY WILLIAMS’ STEAK ROOM Steaks, chicken and seafood in a wonderful setting in the River Market. Steak gets pricy, but the lump crab meat au gratin appetizer is outstanding. Give the turtle soup a try. 500 President Clinton Ave. Full bar. CC $$$ 324-2999 D Mon.-Sat. SPECTATOR’S GRILL AND PUB Burgers, soups, salads and other bar food, plus live music on weekends. 1012 W. 34th St., NLR. Full bar. CC $-$$ ($2 cover) 791-0990 LD Mon.-Sat. SUFFICIENT GROUNDS Great coffee, good bagels and pastries, and a limited lunch menu are at the downtown location. 1 Union Plaza. No alcohol. CC $-$$ 372-1009 BL 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. No CC $-$$ 227-6371 LD daily.

VIEUX CARRE A pleasant spot in Hillcrest with specialty salads, steak and seafood. The soup of the day is a good bet. At lunch, the menu includes an all-vegetable sandwich and a half-pound cheeseburger. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. Full bar. CC $$-$$$ 663-1196 LD Mon.-Fri., D Sat., BR Sun. WILLY D’S DUELING PIANO BAR Willy D’s serves up a decent dinner of pastas and salads as a lead-in to its nightly sing-along piano show. Go when you’re in a good mood.

322 President Clinton Ave. Full bar. CC $$-$$$ 244-9550 D Tue.-Sat. 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.

CC $-$$ 224-9464 LD Mon.-Sun.

ASIAN ASIA BUFFET Formerly Dragon Palace Buffett, with the delicious Mongolian grill, sushi, crab legs, and Asian and American items. Bowman Station, Hermitage and Bowman.

Beer and wine. CC $ 225-0095 LD daily.

BANGKOK THAI CUISINE Get all the staple Thai dishes at this River Market vendor. The red and green curries and the noodle soup stand out, in particular. Ottenheimer Hall, River Market. No alcohol. CC $-$$ 374-5105 L Mon.-Sat. CHI’S CHINESE CUISINE A huge menu spans the Chinese provinces and offers a few twists on the usual local offerings, plus there’s authentic Hong Kong dim sum available daily until 3 p.m. Multiple LR locations, including 5110 W. Markham St., 604-7777, with delivery; a Chi’s Express at 17200 Chenal Parkway, 821-8000, and the original at 6 Shackleford Drive, 221-7737. Full bar. CC $$-$$$ LD daily.

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

HUNAN ORIENTAL CUISINE Old favorites, such as orange beef or chicken and Hunan green beans, are still prepared with care in very nice surroundings out west. 11610 Pleasant Ridge Drive. Full bar. CC $$ 223-9966 LD daily.

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

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

NEW CHINA 8 A burgeoning line of massive buffets, with hibachi grill, sushi, mounds of Chinese food and soft serve ice cream. 201 Marshall Road, Jacksonville. 982-8988.

4617 JFK Blvd., NLR 753-8988, No alcohol, CC, LD all week, $-$$.

PANDA GARDEN Expansive buffet with sushi and a dessert bar. 2604 S. Shackleford Road. CC Beer and wine $$ 224-8100 LD daily.

P.F. CHANG’S Make a reservation to get seated immediately and enjoy some terrific flavors and presentations. 317 S. Shackleford Road. Full bar. CC $$ 225-4424 LD daily.

SAKURA Standard Japanese steakhouse and sushi fare; it’s hard to go wrong choosing from the extensive menu. 7307 Alcoa Road, Bryant, 778-9585. E. Kiehl Ave., Sherwood. Full bar. CC $$-$$$ 834-3546 LD daily.

BARBECUE CORKY’S RIBS & BBQ The pulled pork is extremely tender and juicy, and the sauce is sweet and tangy without a hint of heat. Maybe the best dry ribs in the area. 12005 Westhaven Drive, 954-7427; 2947 Lakewood Village Drive, NLR, 753-3737. Full bar. CC $$-$$$ LD daily.

CROSS-EYED PIG Huge portions of marvelous barbecue, including amazingly tender pulled pork; lean-and-meaty, fall-off-the-bone-tender ribs; and crusty-brown, juicy half-

chickens. 1701 Rebsamen Park Road. Full bar. 265-0000.

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

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

CC $-$$ 834-9696. LD Mon.-Sat. SMOKEY JOE’S BAR-B-QUE A steady supplier of smoked meat. With catering. 824 Military Road, Benton.

CC $-$$ No alcohol. 315-8333. L daily D Mon.-Sat.

EUROPEAN / ETHNIC AMRUTH AUTHENTIC INDIAN CUISINE Nice spicy Indian dishes in a small but shiny storefront and at a price you can afford. Lunch specials, available weekdays, are only about $6.50. Lamb and shrimp dishes accompany any number of vegetarian delights. 11121 N. Rodney Parham Road, 224-4567. LD daily, hours vary. CC. $$. No alcohol.

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

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

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

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

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

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

TERRACE ON THE GREEN This Greek-Italian-Thai-andwhatever restaurant has a huge menu, and you can rely on each dish to be good, some to be excellent. Portions are ample. 2200 Rodney Parham Road. Full bar. CC $$-$$$ 217-9393 LD Mon.-Fri. D Sat.

ITALIAN BOSTON’S Unremarkable chain fare—pizza, pasta, sandwiches and salads—out by the airport. 3201 Bankhead Drive. Full bar CC $$ 235-2000 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. CC $$-$$$ 663-5355 LD Mon.-Fri., D Sat. GRAFFITI’S The casually chic and ever-popular Italianflavored bistro avoids the rut with daily specials and careful menu tinkering. 7811 Cantrell Road. Full bar. CC $$-$$$ 224-9079 D Mon.-Sat. LUIGI’S PIZZARIA Excellent thin-crust pizza; whopping, well-spiced calzones; ample hoagies; and pasta with tomatoey, sweet marinara sauce. 8310 Chicot Road. Beer and wine. CC $$ 562-9863 LD Mon.-Sat. NYPD PIZZA Plenty of tasty choices in the obvious New York police-like setting, but it’s fun. Only the pizza is cheesy.

Even the personal pizzas come in impressive combinations, and baked ziti, salads and more also are available. 6015 Chenonceau Blvd., Suite 1. No alcohol. CC $$ 868-3911 LD daily.

PIZZA D’ACTION Some of the best pizza in town, a marriage of thin, crispy crust with a hefty ingredient load.

Also, good appetizers and salads, pasta, sandwiches and killer plate lunches. 2919 W. Markham St. Full bar. CC $$ 666-5403 LD daily.

U.S. PIZZA AND SALAD EXPRESS A downtown offshoot off the original with a distilled menu that includes pizza, salad and sandwiches. Call in pizza orders early. 402 S. Louisiana St. No alcohol. $-$$ CC L Mon.-Fri. VILLA ITALIAN RESTAURANT Hearty, inexpensive, classic southern Italian dishes. Rock Creek Square, West Markham Street and Bowman Road. Full bar. CC $$ 219-2244 LD Mon.-Sat.

MEXICAN BLUE COAST BURRITO You will become a lover of fish tacos here, but there are plenty of other fresh coastal-Mex choices served up fast-food cafeteria style in cool surroundings. Don’t miss the Baja fruit tea. 4613 E. McCain Blvd., NLR. Beer only. $-$$ CC 945-8033 LD Mon.-Sat. L Sun. CANON GRILL Creative Southwest-flavored appetizers come in huge quantities, and the varied main-course menu rarely disappoints, though it’s not as spicy as competitors’. 2811 Kavanaugh Blvd. Full bar. CC $$ 664-2068 LD Mon.-Sat. COTIJA’S From the famed La Hacienda family tree comes a massive menu of tasty lunch and dinner specials, the familiar white cheese dip, sweet red and fiery-hot green salsas, and friendly service. Try the brochets (combo meatseafood cooked ka-bob style and eaten with tortillas). 406

S. Louisiana. CC $$ 244-0733. LD Mon.-Sat. EL DORADO More creative fare found here than at most of the locally owned restaurants, including a great chili verde and, occasionally, carnitas. Portions are huge, the cheese dip is tasty, the margaritas are great. 5820 Asher Ave. Full bar. CC $$ 562-1025 LD daily.

JUANITA’S Menu includes a variety of combination entree choices — enchiladas, tacos, flautas, shrimp burritos and such — plus creative salads and other dishes. And, of course, the famed “Blue Mesa” cheese dip. 1300 Main St., 372-1228. Full bar. CC $$ LD Mon.-Sat. LAS DELICIAS SUPER MERCADO Y TAQUERIA A Hispanic grocery store with a cluster of tables in a back corner, offering authentic, generous and cheap food. A surefire pick is the big burrito, stuffed with rice, beans, lettuce, avocado and a choice of meats. Tamales are made fresh, but heavier on the masa than those accustomed to Delta tamales will like. 3401 Pike Ave., NLR. Beer. CC $ 812-4876 LD daily.

RUMBA Don’t forget that the popular bar and live music venue does a fine job with its creative, Latin-themed food – particularly the entrees. The “Ay Caramba” Mexican casserole is cheesy, just right greasy and easy to love.

300 President Clinton Ave. Full bar. CC. $-$$ L Mon.-Fri. D Mon.-Sun. BR Sat-Sun. SAN JOSE GROCERY STORE AND BAKERY This mercado-plus-restaurant smells and tastes like Mexico, and for good reason: Fresh flour tortillas, overstuffed burritos, sopes (moist corncakes made with masa harina) and chili poblano are the real thing. 7411 Geyer Springs Road. Beer.

CC $ 565-4246 LD daily.

around arkansas CONWAY

LOS AMIGOS Authentic Mexican food where everything is as fresh and tasty as it is filling. At lunch, go for the $4.99 all-you-can-eat special. 2850 Prince St. No alcohol. CC $-$$ 501-329-7919 LD daily.

MARKETPLACE GRILL Always draws a crowd for its flaming appetizers, prime rib, steaks, pasta in big ceramic bowls ― all in a wide-open, loud dining area. One menu for all day means lunch can get pricey in a dinner kind of way.

Interstate 40 and U.S. Highway 65. No alcohol. CC $-$$ 501-336-0011 LD Mon.-Sun. OLD CHICAGO Pizzas, pastas, calzones, sandwiches, burgers, steaks and salads and booze. The atmosphere is amiable and the food comforting. 1010 Main St. Full bar. CC $$ 501-329-6262 LD daily.

SMITTY’S Meat so tender it practically falls off the ribs, and combos of meat that will stuff you. Hot sauce means HOT. 740 S. Harkrider. No alcohol. CC $$ 501-327-8304 LD Mon.-Sat. STOBY’S Great homemade cheese dip and big, sloppy Stoby sandwiches with umpteen choices of meats, cheeses and breads. 805 Donaghey. No alcohol. CC $-$$ 501-3275447 BLD Mon.-Sat.

DARDANELLE SAVANAH’S Now overlooking the river, this hot spot in Yell County may have as good a prime rib as any around, up to 16 ounces. Filets, steak and lobster, crablegs, salmon, stuffed flounder and more. Homemade bread and homemade desserts, too. 208 N. Front St. No alcohol (BYOB).

CC $$-$$$ 479-229-3425 L Tue.-Fri., D Tue.-Sat.

DEVALLS BLUFF CRAIG’S A tiny, no-frills barbecue joint where the meat attracts people from all over, and the hot sauce means business. U.S. Highway 70 west of town. No alcohol. No CC $-$$ 998-2616 LD daily.

FAMILY PIE SHOP Mary Thomas is deservedly famous for the pies she’s been selling out of a backyard kitchen since 1977. The $6 chocolate pie we bought there lately was deeply, heart-breakingly chocolate. You can get fried pies (usually apple), coconut pie and egg custard pie regularly.

If you want a pecan pie — or, in the fall, mincemeat or pumpkin — call a day ahead. U.S. Hwy. 70 West. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 870-998-2279 Wed.-Sat.

EUREKA SPRINGS CAFE LUIGI Homemade bread, pasta and red sauce make this a great Italian spot. 91 S. Main St. Beer and wine. CC $$-$$$ 479-253-6888 LD daily.

CAFE SANTA FE Well-prepared, generous servings of traditional and trendy Tex-Mex at this Arkansas-based chain that is growing quickly. 179 N. Main St. Full bar. CC $-$$ 479-253-9617 LD daily.

ROGUE’S MANOR Great food in gorgeous surroundings. Some say it’s the finest dining in Northwest Arkansas.

Bar and humidor, too. 124 Spring St. Full bar. CC $$-$$$ 479-253-4911 D Mon.-Sat. SONNY’S PIZZERIA Home of some of the state’s very best pizza. Don’t miss the garlic knots ($2.50 for four) — fresh-baked wads of pizza dough, slathered with chopped garlic and a bit of olive oil, served with homemade marinara. 119 N. Main St. BYOB No CC $-$$ 479-253-2307 LD Wed.-Mon.

FAYETTEVILLE AREA BORDINOS Exquisite Italian food, great wines and great service in a boisterous setting. 324 W. Dickson St. Full bar.

CC $$-$$$ 479-527-6795 D Mon.-Sat. COPELAND’S New Orleans-based chain features tasty Cajun and Creole delights as well as top steakhouse-quality steaks.

The top grossing restaurant in the market in 2003. 463 N. 46th St, Rogers. Full bar. CC $$$ 479-246-9455 BLD daily.

GRUB’S BAR AND GRILLE A commendable menu that includes pub fare and vegetarian both is full of tasty offerings.

The Hippie Sandwich and the Santa Fe burger come to mind.

But what’s really great about Grub’s is the fact that kids under 12 (with their parents) eat free, and there’s no stale smoke to fill their little lungs, thanks to good ventilation. 220 N. West Ave. Full bar. CC $$ 479-973-4782 LD Mon.-Sat. JAVA ROASTING ON THE SQUARE THE place to be in downtown Bentonville. Muffins are such standouts they’ll make you remember why you liked them when they weren’t on every menu. The lunch and dinner menu feature soups and sandwiches and quiches. 102 E. Central. CC $-$$ 479-657-6070 BLD Mon.-Sat. MARY MAESTRI’S Great homemade pasta, lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, ravioli, chicken picatta and spumoni. U.S. Highway 412, Tontitown. Beer and wine.

CC $$-$$$ 479-361-2536 D daily.

MERMAIDS It’s seafood you’ll want here, of course — crab cake sandwiches, coconut-coated shrimp, smoked fish quesadillas and oyster and crawfish po’boys, tilapia, grilled salmon, yellowfin tuna, shrimp alfredo. The scaly girls serve up beef and pork for landlubbers and tempt all with huge desserts. 1815 Green Acres. Beer and wine. CC $$-$$$ 479-443-3737 LD Mon.-Sat. RIVER GRILLE Great steaks, fresh seafood flown in daily, and some out-of-this-world creme brulee. But though some pricy offerings are splendid, others are just average. Service is outstanding. Membership required. 1003 McClain Road, Bentonville. Full bar. CC $$$ 479-271-4141 LD. UNCLE GAYLORD’S The fare is billed as “variety,” but that description just gives the kitchen license to dabble in all of the great cuisines, and breakfast is fabulous, though the weekend offerings aren’t as elaborate as they once were. 315 W. Mountain St. Full bar. CC $$-$$$ 479-4440605 BLD daily.

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■ update WILMA’S Southern-style down-home cooking isn’t as common in Northwest Arkansas as in other parts of the state, and that’s one reason why Wilma Walker opened her restaurant here after previously doing business in Little Rock. Chicken and dumplings, chicken and dressing, and turkey and dressing are among the specialties, along with turnip greens made from scratch, yams, and a selection of traditional desserts, including banana pudding, peach cobbler and a very good lemon cake. If the name Wilma Walker sounds familiar, it may be because she served three terms in the state House of Representatives from Little Rock, before she was term-limited out. 1618 N. College Ave. 479-521-6968 No alcohol CC $-$$ LD Mon.-Sat., noon to 4 p.m. Sun.

HOT SPRINGS ARLINGTON HOTEL Massive seafood buffet on Friday nights, breakfast buffet daily, served in the splendor of a grand old hotel. 239 Central Ave. Full bar. CC $$-$$$ 501-623-7771 BLD daily.

BRICK HOUSE GRILL Good steaks, burgers and a fresh seafood selection; kids’ meals, too. 801 Central Ave., Suite 24. Full bar. CC $$-$$$ 501-321-2926 LD Mon.-Sat. CAJUN BOILERS Expertly prepared boiled shrimp, crawfish and such, served in a fun atmosphere. 2806 Albert Pike.

Beer and wine. CC $$-$$$ 501-767-5695 D Tue.-Sat. DOE’S Locally owned branch of the Greenville, Miss., icon offers the familiar steaks and soaked salad. The owners didn’t get the same tamale recipe, but they’re good, too. Biggest difference from other Doe’s eateries: It’s strikingly clean. 4904 Central Ave. Full bar. CC $$-$$$ 501-525-8585 LD daily.

DON JUAN’S Mex-style enchiladas, runny white cheese dip, great guacamole and great service in strip-mall locale.

1311 Albert Pike Road, No. A. Full bar. CC $$ 501-3210766 LD daily.

HOT SPRINGS BRAU HAUS All the usual schnitzels are available, an inviting bar awaits as you enter, and the brickwalled place has a lot of history and coziness. 801 Central Ave. Full bar. CC $$-$$$ 501-624-7866 LD Tue.-Sun. HUNAN PALACE Dependable Chinese cuisine, good soups, nicely priced combos for two or three. 4737 Central Ave., No. 104. No alcohol. CC $$ 501-525-3344 LD Mon.-Sat. MCCLARD’S Considered by many to be the best barbecue in Arkansas — ribs, pork, beef and great tamales, too. 505 Albert Pike. Beer. No CC $ 501-624-9586 LD Tue.-Sat. MICKEY’S BAR-B-Q Tasty, meaty spare ribs, huge plates of sliced pork and beef, and decent chopped meat sandwiches, served cafeteria style. 1622 Park Ave. No alcohol.

Amex only $-$$ 501-624-1247 LD Tue.-Sat. POMPEII CAFE Bubbling over with gourmet pizzas, steaks and pasta. 2012 Central Ave. Full bar. CC $$ 501-318-3287 LD Tue.-Sun. ROCKY’S CORNER Knock-out pizza at a hopping eatery across the street from Oaklawn Park. 2600 Central Ave. Full bar. CC $$ 501-624-0199 LD daily.

SCHAPIRO’S ON CENTRAL Family-friendly spot specializes in smoked barbecue ribs and chicken, along with a tasty Reuben sandwich. Occasional live music. 510 Central Ave. Full bar. CC $-$$ 501-624-5500 LD Sun.-Thu.

FREE READINGS, BOOK DISCUSSIONS, PANELS AND MORE! 501.918.3098 www.arkansasliteraryfestival.org www.arktimes.com • april 8, 2010 41

Food for Thought

a paid advertisement

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

AMERICAN

SEAFOOD CAJUN’S WHARF

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

DENTON’S TROTLINE

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

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

2400 Cantrell Road 501-375-5351

DENTON’S CATFISH & SEAFOOD BUFFET — 24 Years In Business —

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

BISTRO LULAV

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

YAYAS

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

DIZZY’S '9039 ")342/ 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.

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

Mediterranean Euro Delights share the menu with pizzas from our wood-burning oven, rich creative pastas and an array of the freshest of seafood dishes and innovative meat entrees.

Live music resumes on the patio this spring. Join us for live, local music through the week. Don’t forget our Sunday Brunch ($16.95 & only $13.95 for the early bird special, 10 am to 11 am). Reservations are preferred.

For the salad lover, Dizzy’s is an absolute paradise. Its list of eleven “Ridiculously Large EntrĂŠe Saladsâ€? 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 FANTASTIC CHINA 1900 N Grant St Heights 501-663-8999

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.

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Homemade Comfort Food Daily 3PECIALS s -ONDAY 3PICY 3HRIMP 3TIR FRY 4UESDAY 0OT 2OAST 7EDNESDAY -EATLOAF 4HURSDAY ""1 0LATE OR 3HEPHERD S 0IE &RIDAY 3ATURDAY &RIED #ATlSH

UMP’S 05" '2),,

Whether the Travs are at home or on the road, come enjoy the unique Dickey-Stephens Park Atmosphere at Ump’s, an upscale sports pub and restaurant, featuring sandwiches, salads, steaks, seafood, good times and more! Come treat yourself to a meal prepared by Chef’s Ball award winning sous chef Richard Lindsey. Open 6 days a week for lunch, 11am-2pm. Open nightly for all Travellers home games. Regular dinner hours Friday and Saturday only.

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.

WEST END 3-/+%(/53% AND TAVERN

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

SO

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

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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.

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

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

14502 Cantrell Road 501-868-7600

300 West 3rd Street 501-375-3333

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

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

501-663-1464

Shackleford & Hermitage Rd. (501) 312-2748

MEXICAN CASA MANANA TAQUERIA

400 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-6637 #ANTRELL 2OAD s #ANTRELL 2OAD s

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

ASIAN LILLY’S DIMSUM THEN SOME 11121 Rodney Parham 501-716-2700

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

Look no furtherâ&#x20AC;Śvoted Best Asian again by the Arkansas Times readers. Lillyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s serves up extraordinary dishes made from the freshest, premium local and organic ingredients.

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

One of central Arkansasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest Chinese buffets, we offer all your favorites with our sushi bar and Mongolian Grill included for one low price. Our dinner and all-day Sunday buffet include your lunch favorites as well as all-you-can eat crab legs, whole steamed fish, barbecue spare ribs, crispy jumbo shrimp and grilled steaks. Take-out buffet and menu available.

STEAK 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, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss out on the nightly entertainment by Jeff at the piano. Sonnyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 Steaksâ&#x20AC;Ś 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 â&#x20AC;&#x153;This place is one of my best finds ever.â&#x20AC;? Back by popular demandâ&#x20AC;ŚSoft Shell Crab and New Orleans Roast Beef Po-Boys.

DOEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S EAT PLACE

Doeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offers more than just high-flying politicos, it has the best steaks, burgers and tamales in Little Rock. Come by today and check it out!

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

Markham & Ringo 501-376-1195

MEDITERRANEAN STAR OF INDIA

North Shackleford Road 501-227-9900

LAYLAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

9501 N. Rodney Parham 501-227-7272

Authentic North Indian Cuisine at its very best! Vegetable and Non-vegetable Buffet daily with Special. Saturday and Sunday Brunch. Mention this ad for a complimentary Indian Mango Drink.

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

And donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget about the Gyros, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re sure to be heroes in your book!

BREW PUB VINOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S 0)::!s05"s"2%7%29 923 West 7th Street 501/375-VINO (8466)

Beer, pizza and more! Drop in to Vinoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Little Rockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 deckâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always open, you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to dress up and the kids are always welcome (or not).

Vinoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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!

REAL ESTATE b

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Remodeled Heights home has everything open Sunday

2 pm - 4 pm

Located at 5209 Kavanaugh Blvd., this beautiful home is in the heart of the Heights. With so many wonderful shops and restaurants just steps away from the front porch, the buyer will enjoy all that this Heights home has to offer.

Extensively remodeled, this beautiful four-bedroom, three-bathroom home has all the features today’s buyers expect. With newly refinished hardwood floors, newer windows, and a 30-year roof with architectural shingles, this home offers too many updates to list. Entertain guests in the formal living and dining rooms and head to the spacious den with built-ins and stained concrete floors to relax after a long day at the office.

The remodeled kitchen features all of the amenities desired by the modern chef.

With plenty of cabinet space, granite countertops, stainless appliances and custom lighting, the kitchen makes preparing meals for family and friends an enjoyable and relaxing experience.

The master suite on the main level boasts stained concrete floors, two large

The home has been remodeled.

The kitchen is fantastic.

walk-in closets and a spacious master bath. A true retreat, enjoy the privacy this stunning master suite provides. The large bonus room upstairs serves as an additional entertaining space for the home and could double as a large fourth bedroom.

With built-in storage and a full bathroom, this space is the perfect getaway for guests and a fun hangout for teen-age children.

Head outside to enjoy the extensive landscaping, fenced yard and two-car carport in the back outfitted with a garage door system. Take advantage of the fun to be had in the heart of the Heights or unwind in all this charming home has to offer. This home is offered at $435,000 with Eric Wilkerson at the Charlotte John Company.

Stop by the open house planned for April 11, 2-4 p.m. to check out this home. For a private tour, please call Eric at 804-2633. You can also reach him by visiting his website at www.ericandcarawilkerson.com. For more information of this fabulous property, visit Little Rock’s premier real estate blog at www.livethehomelife.com.

The master bathroom is spacious.

The master suite is like a retreat. www.arktimes.com • April 8, 2010 43

REAL ESTATE by neighborhood TO ADVERTISE, CALL TIFFANY HOLLAND AT 375-2985 Could one of these properties be your

DREAM HOME? HEIGHTS/HILLCREST 5209 Kavanaugh 3BR/3BA Heights cottage w/bonus room $425,000 1220 Kavanaugh 3BR/2.5BA beautifully remodeled Hillcrest home $449,900 1315 Kavanaugh #3 1BR/1BA charming Hillcrest condo $124,900 1315 Kavanaugh #5 Just listed! 1BR/1BA 2nd floor condo $129,900 201 N Ash 2BR/1.5BA updated home. Walk to UAMS! $199,900 DOWNTOWN 1521 Cumberland #A & B Spacious 2BR/2.5BA new construction townhomes $264,900 300 E Third #1003 Stunning 2BR/2BA condo w/sunset views!

Real Estate FT. WALTON BEACH - Gorgeous sunsets on Santa Rosa Sound. 2BR/2BA waterfront condo for sale. Call Judy @ Dream Team Realty. 850865-5839

Land LOTS FOR SALE Greenbrier. 1/3-1/2 acres starting at $23K. Trees, all utilities. Just 8 miles from Conway. 501-4725807

Downtown LAFAYETTE SQUARE One & two BR condos which feature open floor plans of 1,026 to 1,667 SF and are competively priced for lease and for sale. Urban upscale living has never been so accessible and affordable.

Each unit has large kitchens complete with marble counters, classic hardwood cabinetry & stainless steel appliances.

Washers & dryers are included in every condo. Building amenities include reserved gated parking, an exercise room & sauna, storage units and meeting/event space. Pricing starts at $145,900. Call Melissa Bond of the Charlotte John Company for sales inquires at 960-0665.

300 THIRD CONDO Competitively priced 2BR/2BA condo with French balcony, black-out shades, limestone counters and stainless appliances.

Enjoy spectacular views of the sunset. Call Eric or Cara Wilkerson of the Charlotte John Company for a private tour at 501-804-2633.

UALR Area/ Broadmoor

1 HOLLY HILL - $90’s. One level 3BR/2BA. Some hardwoods. D. Hastings, CBRPM, 680-5340. Open Sunday, 2-4 PM!

Buying Lake Hamilton Condos!

$369,000 WEST LITTLE ROCK 28 Montvale Wonderful 5BR/3BA in Pebble Beach! $299,900 2 Old Delmonte Drive Beautiful 3BR/2.5BA patio home! $279,900 JACKSONVILLE 1305 Tupelo Gorgeous 4BR/2BA home on lake!

G $275,000

Call Eric or Cara Wilkerson for more information or a private tour.

501.804.2633 www.ericandcarawilkerson.com

Please Visit Our Blog! www.livethehomelife.com

501.664.6629 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.

Hers, inc. presents PULASKI COUNTY Real Estate sales over $100,000 Mary L. Pickering to Jeffrey H. Neuhauser, 8 Chenal Cir., $1,350,000.

2610 Acres LLC to Gregory D. Wood, 14001 Ridge Pointe Ln., Roland, $1,250,000.

Wayne Moore Construction Company to Robert A. Porter, Jr., Marilynn M. Porter, 1900 Shadow Ln., $1,233,333.

Commissioner In Circuit to BOE Acquisition Company, Inc., L35, River Manor Estates Phase B, L53 B6, Maumelle Valley Estates, L41, River Manor Estates, L9 B28, Maumelle Valley Estates, L33, Scott Plantation, $890,000.

Margaret H. Mosley to Kenneth R. Meacham, Meacham Revocable Trust, 82 Quercus Cir., $750,000.

Paul H. Guess to RSR Trust, Rickey D. Medlock, 3 Falata Ct., $570,000.

Kevin M. Barre, Karen K. Barre to Andrew P. Stepka, Lee E. Stepka, 5512 Tulley Cove, $558,000.

Joe A. Solomon, Miriam W. Solomon to David T. Matchet, David T. Matchet Revocable Trust, L12A B13, Chenal Valley, $465,000.

Freddie L. Johnson, Barbara Johnson to Wael Karakra, Ls1-2 B2, Fleming And Bradford,

$292,000.

Kea thley Properties, Inc., Keathley Construction to Jonathan Rushing, Stacey Rushing, 7016 Lucea Rd., $287,000.

Eve L. McNeel, Andrew McNeel to Diana E. Borgognoni, 4220 Lee Ave., $285,000.

Martin F. Higley, Bernice Higley to Della L. Tyson, L21, Riverland Heights, $265,000.

Shane P. Werling, Susan D. Werling to Eric C. Farmer, Mica C. Farmer, 7401 Glenn Hills Dr., Sherwood, $258,000.

Subodh Salwekar, Sayli Salwekar to Michael D. Sellers, 106 Mountain Valley Dr., Maumelle, $256,000.

Ian F. Atkinson to Larry Johnson, Felicia M. Johnson, 13921 Saint Michael Dr., $250,000.

Martin J. Applebaum, Rosalie Applebaum to George R. Taylor, Beverly A. Heron-Taylor, 921 Gillette Dr., $247,000.

Chuck P. Winkelman, Carol D. Winkelman to Marilyn D. Newman, 50 Bascom Dr., $245,000.

Keathley Properties Inc. to Leonard Williams, Vikki Williams, 53 Waters Edge Dr., $245,000.

Bosley Construction, Inc. to Roy Joseph Monroe & Janice Judith

HERS, INC.

Monroe Revocable Inter Vivos Trust, Roy J. Monroe, Janice J. Monroe, L10, Stonecreek Village, $240,000.

Matthew A. Hill, Beth C. Hill to Michael W. Delon, Jill L. Delon, 2 Shepard Hills Ct., $232,000.

Thomas W. Bond, Gabriel Bond to Thomas R. Bond, Patricia Bond, SE NE 17-3N-10W, $230,000.

Herbert N. Moore, Karen A. Moore, Karen A. Johns to Bank Of Ozarks, 3612 Baseline Rd., $210,000.

Humberto R. Merayo, Sarah M. Merayo to Kartik Shankar, 1 Worthington Ct., $204,000.

Kevin L. Leavitt, Katie Leavitt to John Vincent, Jessica Vincent, 11 Waldron Cir., $200,000.

Kimberly Z. Dye, Kimberly A. Zerr to Jacob J. Stover, 2402 Wentwood Valley Dr., $191,000.

Kanis Premium Properties LLC to Mary L. Wilcox, Lot E, Meridian Crest Townhomes Phase 1, $188,000.

Suzanne Bennett to Paula B. Schmidt, L8R B6, Newton’s, $182,000.

Wayne W. Harris, Nina C. Harris to Mason R. Atkinson, Deanna M. Atkinson, 4536 Somers Ave., NLR,

$180,000.

Kikuyu M. Calhoun, Robyn Calhoun to Eric Baugh, Daleah S. Baugh, 1709 Pilot Ct., Jacksonville, $180,000.

Bradley D. Glass, Amelia C. Glass to Michael J. Lewis, 90 Emerald Dr., Maumelle, $172,000.

Spring Valley Equestrian Center Inc. to Pinnacle View Farm LLC, RH Farms, SW SE 25-2N-15W, $170,000.

Robert H. Hudgens, Patricia Hudgens to Matthew A. Hill, Beth C. Hill, LE B2, Killarney, $169,000.

Jessie W. Bennett, Jason Bennett to Richard D. Long, Hideko Long, L17, Crooked Creek Phase I, $165,000.

Douglas Woodall, Lita Woodall to Mariama L. Balla, 10 Chateaus Ln., $164,000.

Allgood Custom Homes LLC to Christopher D. Kohler, Mariah J. Kohler, 5905 Flight Ct., Jacksonville, $163,000.

Paul G. Hayes, Lee A. Hayes to Frederick B. White, 19 Wedgeside Dr., $163,000.

Charles J. Pugh to Scott M. Morey, 6307 Ridgecrest Dr., $160,000.

Cheryl Mathis to Diane Hinkle,

Request an Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) Add up to $7,618 in Energy Improvements Home Energy Rating Systems Pay off with Utility Savings Certified Home Energy Rating Professionals

501-353-0605 44 April 8, 2010 • ARKANSAS TIMES

8101 Chatham Dr., $159,000.

Dorothy J. Ruffin to BAC Home Loans Servicing LP, L3 B3, Summerwood , $158,682.

Doris J. Johnson to Kristi N. McDonald, 1720 Mesquite Cir., $155,000.

SDW Enterprises LLC to John Duhart, 11 Libby Ln., $145,000.

Rausch Coleman Mid Ark LLC to Korey Isbell, 1108 Bittercress Dr., NLR, $143,000.

Kristina L. Case to Federal National Mortgage Association, 137 Apple Blossom Loop, Maumelle, $141,885.

Michael R. Starks, Christy A. Starks to Midfirst Bank, 1020 Jamison Ave., NLR, $137,661.

Shane Scott, Karen Scott to Kay Crawford, 2001 Broken Bow, NLR, $130,000.

Robinette D. Terry, Michael L. Terry to James S. Williams, 110 Robin Glen Dr., Sherwood, $130,000.

Daphne Puckett, Daphne P. Key, Marcus Key to Sabrina Spann, 5101 C St., $125,000.

James M. Hall, Jr., Sherry D. Hall to Lascica N. Cooper, 5508 Wren Rd., $122,000.

Fred Goff to Pixel Properties LLC,

3417 Ridge Pass Ct., $121,000.

Shirley A. Marvin to KJ Properties Of Arkansas LLC, L90, Turtle Creek, $120,000.

Arthur W. Hall, Sue A. Hall to Kaley N. Wren, 12206 Shawnee Forest Dr., $120,000.

David L. Roetzel, Donna L. Roetzel to Glenn E. Hersey, Debbie D. Hersey, L149, Broadmoor, $120,000.

Shauna L. Thomas to BAC Home Loans Servicing LP, SE SE 13-4N11W, $119,954.

Sarah K. Warford-Richmond, Cody Richmond to John P. Kvetko, Rhonda Kvetko, 3737 Lakeshore Dr., NLR, $118,000.

James F. Spencer, Jr., Kimberly Rice-Spencer to Joni L. Pippen, 6205 Pontiac Dr., NLR, $117,000.

Belinda G. Ward, Larry Ward to R&D Holding Limited Partnership LLLP, S W S W 1 0 - 1 S - 1 3 W, $105,000.

David L. Roetzel, Donna L. Roetzel to Glenn E. Hersey, Debbie D. Hersey, L149, Broadmoor, $101,000.

Isaac Jackson, Sr., Tessie Jackson to PB General Holdings Wrightsville LLC, N/2 SW 20-1S11W, $100,000.

First Time Buyer $8,000 Energy Improvements $7,600

NO ADDITIONAL DOWN PAYMENT! TOTAL Incentives

$15,600!

Conway

16 RESERVOIR HEIGHTS CONDO - $129,900. 2BR/2BA, 1384 SF. Great open floorplan and stress free living. Condo fees includes pool access.

Qualifies for $8K tax credit.

Seller to pay $2500 towards closing costs and 6 months condo dues w/acceptable offer. Call John, Pulaski Heights Realty, for showing at 993-5442.

1110 TRENTON - $130,000.

3BR/2BA split plan with FP, XL kitchen, lots of cabinets with walk-in pantry, new paint 2010.

Close to UCA. Move-in ready. MLS# 10245823 Linda Roster White Real Estate, 501-730-1100 or 501-679-1103.

West Little Rock

12 VALMONT - $179,900.

Extremely nice 4BR/2BA with 12’ ceiligns, gas FP, extensive trim, custom maple cabinets, custom tile shower. Walk to school!

MLS# 10242940 Linda Roster White Real Estate, 501-730-1100 or 501-6791103.

Longlea 7 WOODBERRY - $368,000.

4BR/3.5BA, approx. 3500 SF. See more online at www. pulaskiheightsrealty.com or call Bob Bushmiaer, Pulaski Heights Realty, 352-0156.

Roland 20300 DWIGHT LITTLE ROAD - $260,000.

4BR/3.5BA, approx.

2650 SF. See more online at www.pulaskiheightsrealty.com or call Bob Bushmiaer, Pulaski Heights Realty, 352-0156

5 COUNTRY COVE - $399,000.

5BR/4.5BA country estate.

Perfect for horses! Den w/ FP, granite counters in kitchen. More land available. MLS# 10238516 Linda Roster White Real Estate, 501-730-1100 or 501-6791103.

53 WIN MEADOW - $239,000.

4BR/3BA, bright & cheery open concept on 55-acre lake. Lg kitchen with oak cabinetry, double pantry, island. Lots of windows, covered porch, large patio.

MLS# 10237231 Linda Roster White Real Estate, 501-730-1100 or 501-6791103.

edited by Will shortz

9809 VINON COURT - $149,900.

2BR/2BA, approx. 1720 SF. See more online at www. pulaskiheightsrealty.com or call Bob Bushmiaer, Pulaski Heights Realty, 352-0156.

Greenbrier

■ CROSSWORD

51 BROOKRIDGE - $147,500.

3BR/2BA, approx. 1720 SF. See more online at www. pulaskiheightsrealty.com or call Bob Bushmiaer, Pulaski Heights Realty, 352-0156.

No. 0311

Midtown

Sherwood 611 GRANDVIEW ST $136,900. Approx. 1674 SF, split 2BR/2BA, open LR/ DR/KIT. For info, pics or appt call 835-7396.

Apartment managers Are first-time home buyers affecting your occupancy levels?

Advertise with Hip Apartment Living.

501.375.2985

REAL ESTATE

by neighborhood www.arktimes.com • April 8, 2010 45 ArkAnsAs Times • sepTember 4, 2008 45

More Q’s A’ed n Oh no, not another of those stupid Ask Assmunch columns.

Afraid so. Since I’ve got enough inquiries saved up.

Q: I moved here recently from a different region, one in which the residents speak English. My first day here, I found it necessary to ask directions from one of you local yokels, and his response was “Do what?” Needless to say, this was pronounced dew whut. I repeated my question, and he said, “Do what now?” I’m assuming by his puzzled look that he was answering my question with a question of his own, but for all I know this dew whut is a common declarative observation in these benighted parts, or even an interjection, perhaps meaning “Your fly is open” or “Your hair is on fire!” Can you shed some light?

A: He was trying to tell you that he didn’t understand your question any better than you understood his. Or if your hair really was on fire, he might have been making colloquial reference to that.

Q: Have you been outdoors lately? Big changes going on out there.

A: I stuck my head out just the other day, first time since the big snark hunt last fall, long enough to renew my acquaintance with fresh air. Looks like a good year for pink and yellow bushes that end

Bob L ancaster in the letter a. I didn’t see any polar bears, but saw lots of sign, and understand they’ve been forced down this way by the advancing glaciers that exist only in the imaginations of the global-warming deniers. Lots of birds of different kinds than I remember, such as rodeo eagles and albatrosses. Gave me the hankering to angle, but I hear all our native fishes have been snapped up by the invading hordes of northern snakeheads. That’s a real shame. The wind was down from Montana and I thought I got a whiff of Custer loess. It smelled of old foolhardy.

Q: My doctor says I need a sense of purpose. I have to admit I don’t have one.

Any suggestions?

A: I borrowed one from Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, who thought a noble everyday ambition would be “… to hammer out as compact and solid a piece of work as one can, to try and make it first rate, and to leave it unadvertised.”

Q: I see that great swarms of grass-

hoppers are appearing in the American West. Isn’t that one of the signs of the Apocalypse, or one of the horsemen of the Apocalypse, or whatever? Aren’t there four of these? What are the others?

A: I wouldn’t know about that. I came away from Sunday School as a youngster thinking there were four Apocalypse thingies, all right, but in my junior cosmos, instead of portents or horsemen, they were dogs. The four Dogs of the Apocalypse as far as I was concerned were Rin Tin Tin, Lassie, the Hound of the Baskervilles, and Lon Chaney Jr. when the moon was full.

Later on, I came to think of the apocalyptic foursome as Deacon Jones, Lamar Lundy, Merlin Olsen, and Rosie Grier, and later still as fire, rain, sunny days that I thought would never end, and lonely times when I could not find a friend. Makes no sense, I know. But as much as an orangeskinned congressman (Boehner, R-Ohio) seeing enactment of a minor health-care law in one of the lesser nations of the earth in one of the more inconsequential epochs as the Big A trigger.

Q: I’ve got an old song on my mind that I can’t think of the name of. This has gone on for two weeks. It’s driving me crazy. It goes dum-dum dum-dum-de-dum dumdum-de-dum-dum dum-de-dum, and then repeats. Can you help me out?

A: From the combination of dums you described, I’m guessing it’s a snippet from the overture of the musical Candide

C

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Send cover letter, resume, and references to 1400 West Markham St., Ste. 306, Little Rock, AR 72201 nleonhardt@aradvocates.org .

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Minorities encouraged to apply.

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46 april 8, 2010 • ARKANSAS TIMES 46 august 13, 2009 • aRKaNsas tIMEs

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by Leonard Bernstein — the one that Dick Cavett used as the theme music for his TV talk show back in the good ol’ days. I could be wrong, but that’s the only yore tune I can think of that fits your unusual 2-5-4-3 dum pattern.

“Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” comes close, but that’s not a title that would slip your mind. I’m pretty sure your music isn’t the Huntley-Brinkley news theme that they stole from Beethoven, or the jungle crow theme that the cartoon stole from Mendelssohn. It’s also not “You Done Stomped on My Heart and Mashed That Sucker Flat.”

Anyway, I feel your pain because I’ve been there, having one time hummed an unremembered song from the old “Your Hit Parade” for two solid years before Lawrence Welk dropped in one night and told me the title. That’s embarrassing, yes. Champagne Music was anathema to hep cats like I was then. My only excuse was that I was channel surfing on the TV, OK? Back when it was called that. And I caught a passing strain of the damnable maddening 4-5-5-dum melody that had dogged me through 700 nights. The Little Lennon Sisters were singing it, and the maestro thoughtfully identified it when they concluded. I’m not proud of how it happened, but the sumbitch hasn’t bothered me since, and I’m fairly certain that otherwise, in restraints, I’d be humming “Under Paris Skies” in the nuthouse today.

SHEEPHERDER/GOATHERDER. Experienced Sheep Herder/Goat Herder wanted to fill 2 temporary positions, from 05/01/2010 to 04/30/2011. Requires workers to tend/move sheep/goat flocks grazing on range; prevent animals from straying; protect flock from predators/bad weather; assist with lambing/kidding. Worker/s will b on-call 24 hours a day/7 days a week, including Holidays.

3/4 of contract period guaranteed, starting w/arrival at worksite.

Employer provides tools, supplies & equipment at no cost to worker; and transportation & subsistence expenses to/from worksite. $1,200 monthly + room & board.

3 months experience and 1 verifiable reference required. Contact the nearest ARKANSAS Workforce Service Agency and reference job listing #373601 Jason Davenport, Wapanucka, OK.

ALL CASH VENDING! Be the boss of your own local route with 25 new machines and candy for $9,995. Call today 1-800-9209563. Multivend, LLC. BO#200003 (AAN CAN)

Electronics GET 2 COMPUTERS FOR PRICE OF ONE! Bad/Credit? NO PROBLEM! Starting at $29.99/week. Up to $3000 credit limit Guaranteed Approval! Call Now! 888-860-2420 (AAN CAN)

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Land LOTS FOR SALE - Greenbrier. 1/31/2 acres starting at $23K. Trees, all utilities. Just 8 miles from Conway.

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Satisfaction guaranteed. cindy@movingtomac.com www.movingtomac.com (501) 681-5855

Advertise here for $50!

Call Challis to find out how.

375-2985

The Nation’s Leading Wildlife Control Firm for over 28 Years Over 120 Offices Coast-to-Coast • Bats, Raccoons, Squirrels, Bees, Skunks, Opossum, Armadillo, Rats, etc.

• Animal Removal, Repairs, Prevention • Attic Cleanups, Deodorization & Insulation

www.CritterControl.com (501) 834-8727 1-800-CRITTER

HUGHESer Friendly IT Services’ goal is to be your home’s IT Department.

We can repair or upgrade your PC or Mac, work with you to determine your hardware and software needs and offer ways to secure your data against hack attempts.

For More Info On Our Services:

www.hugheserfriendlyit.com info@hugheserfriendlyit.com

501.588.1663

ARE YOU HAVING TROUBLE CLIMBING STAIRS? If Yes, You need a Stairlift!

➧ Regain Mobility and Access to Your Home ➧ Reduce the Stress and Fear of Falling ➧ Make your home an enjoyable living environment again

CALL US! (501) 255-6687 OR 1-800-426-1018 www.updownstairlifts.com

Psychic Reader & Advisor Looks into Past, Present, Future Specialized Reading in Tarot Card-Metal Object-Shakra call & consult for an appointment

501-223-9046

20 years public experience All major credit cards accepted $10 off your reading with this ad.

have fun. see results!

Northside WomeN’s Boot Camp is the QuiCkest, easiest Way to Jump-start your FitNess program.

A specialized program of fitness instruction, nutritional counseling provided by Certified Class Instructor/Personal Trainer Kaytee Wright.

LoCATIons: Lakewood NLR, 5:15am M,W,F • Jacksonville, 6:00pm M,T,TH

New MeNs BootcaMp-caLL Now! • New woMeNs cLass at 10:15aM, BriNg your chiLd 2 aNd up. eveNiNg cLasses startiNg May 3rd, MoN., tue.,aNd thur., 6pM-7pM

swim suit season is closer than you think!! it is not to late to get in shaPe!

Kaytee wright Northside caLL501-607-3100 a c h i ev e . B e l i ev e . s u cc e e d.

FitNess

For more information and the women’s Boot camp calendar,

visit www.northsidefitness.net Arkansas Times • april 8, 2010 47