NEWS + POLITICS + ENTERTAINMENT / JULY 25, 2012 / ARKTIMES.COM
WE RATTLE OUT OUR ANNUAL
BEST OF ARKANSAS ISSUE.
Thank you for voting us
2012
BEST LOCAL GROCERY STORE
Cleo, Ron, Thomas, Kendrick & Mike
Ms. Teresa and her salad bar
Alex at The Butcher Shop
Gerald, Janice, David, & Greg
Come meet the meat people. Where you are always #1
Central Arkansas Locations 1701 Main Street, LR • 7525 Baseline Road, LR • 10320 Stage Coach, LR 7507 Cantrell Road, LR • 2203 North Reynolds Rd., Bryant www.edwardsfoodgiant.com
OUTLET
ARKANSAS’S SOURCE FOR NEWS, POLITICS & ENTERTAINMENT
2nD SaTUrDay S a l e !
201 East Markham Street 200 Heritage Center West P.O. Box 34010, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203 www.arktimes.com arktimes@arktimes.com @ArkTimes www.facebook.com/arkansastimes
OnLy OPEn OnCE a MOnTH Rugs • Pillows • Throws • Mirrors
PUBLISHER Alan Leveritt
Jerry Wilson
EDITOR Lindsey Millar SENIOR EDITOR Max Brantley MANAGING EDITOR Leslie Newell Peacock CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Mara Leveritt ASSOCIATE EDITORS Cheree Franco, David Koon, Bob Lancaster, Doug Smith ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Robert Bell EDITORIAL ART DIRECTOR Kai Caddy PHOTOGRAPHER Brian Chilson ADVERTISING ART DIRECTOR Mike Spain ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR Patrick Jones GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Katie Cook, Rafael Méndez, Bryan Moats, Sandy Sarlo DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Phyllis A. Britton SPECIAL PROJECTS Michelle Miller, Manager SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Tiffany Holland ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Katherine Smith Daniels, Sarah DeClerk, Darielle D’Mello, Angie Wilson CLASSIFIED SALES EXECUTIVE Nidia Otero AUTOMOTIVE ADVERTISING MANAGER Heather Baker ADVERTISING TRAFFIC MANAGER Roland R. Gladden ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Kelly Carr PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Tracy Whitaker SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Kelly Ferguson SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Josh Bramlett IT DIRECTOR Robert Curfman CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Anitra Hickman CONTROLLER Weldon Wilson BILLING/COLLECTIONS Linda Phillips OFFICE MANAGER Angie Fambrough RECEPTIONIST Paige Parham PRODUCTION MANAGER Ira Hocut (1954-2009)
association of alternative newsweeklies
VOLUME 38, NUMBER 47 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.
©2012 ARKANSAS TIMES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
Regional Manager
MarK yOUr CaLEnDar
august 10 and 11
100% U.S.A. MAde
1201 S SPRing ST • (501) 371-0447 facebook.com/ DreamweaversOutletStore
(501) 687-1331 4310 Landers rd. nLr M-F 8-5 sat. 9-5
Living! IT’S TIME TO START
• NO YARD CARE • NO WINDOW CLEANING • NO MAINTENANCE • SECURED ENTRY ACCESS • VIDEO SURVEILLANCE • LIFE SAFETY SYSTEM • SECURED PARKING DECK • THE COMFORT OF KNOWING YOUR HOME IS SAFE WHEN YOU'RE GONE
3700 OLD CANTRELL ROAD • LITTLE ROCK, AR 501.747.1234 • RivieraLittleRock.com
FOR SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE CALL: (501) 375-2985 www.arktimes.com
JULY 25, 2012
3
COMMENT willing to take the political and fiscal responsibility of paying for them. Unless you are willing to take such responsibility, then spare us your compassion. Michael Emerson Little Rock
What do we know? Eight years of Regressive (Republican) policies deregulated banks, and these banks destroyed the economy. The practice still continues (Libor, Peregrin, etcetera) and it’s obvious
Horrible Max Brantley’s column “We are Penn State” is a horrible article. You’re normally a very factual and well-spoken journalist, but you should be ashamed of this article. What a horrible attempt to put down the athletic program. To compare the situations at Arkansas with the scandal at Penn State is just plain ignorant. It’s not fair to bash all athletic programs for what happened at Penn State. Jeff Long/Arkansas did the right thing in their situation and don’t deserve this low class smash job you are attempting. Drew Albritton Little Rock
the Fed is complicit. Those banks are foreclosing on middle class families when THEY are to blame. The Regressives are blocking presidential job-creating policies so they can destroy the economy and stage a power grab in the election. “Our No. 1 job is to get rid of Obama!” they’ve said since day 1. Not to create jobs, not to fix the economy. To rid the country of our black president. Oh, yes, precious; I will play the race card. Regressives are racists. “Because TEA Party sounds so much nicer than ‘Raving Homophobes and
save your money • save our water
The choice is obvious
Why expand Medicaid? While Gov. Beebe considers expanding Medicaid eligibility, let’s keep a few simple facts in mind. According to the Arkansas Medicaid director, Andy Allison, the total cost of Medicaid for Arkansas in 2011 was $4,700,000,000 (that’s right, billion). We pay only 30 percent of this amount, the rest being picked up by federal deficit spending. The total Medicaid bill is the same amount as the entire state budget for 2013. Per Mr. Allison, we are running a $400,000,000 deficit. Why on earth would we expand a program we cannot currently afford? To the proponents who flaunt their compassion, my question is: Why haven’t you been advocating the expansion of this program before now? It is only because someone else is paying for it. I cannot think of a better example of the failure of modern liberalism: legislating benefits that someone else has to pay for. The simple solution is to not award public benefits unless you are 4
JULY 25, 2012
Racists.’ ” One fine bumper sticker. Credit for the small businessman and for the middle class is gone. Retirement is a thing of the past. You work until you die. The only business the Regressives care about is BIG business. Forget the little guy. CRUSH the little guy. Make him into a servant. SERVICE economy? Bull. It’s a SERVANT economy. Serve the Rich. Now an investment banker (yes he is) wants to be president. He promises to deregulate banks further. Regressives actually complain that the present president is a community organizer. As if that’s a bad thing. If the banker wins, it proves that the Regressives have been successful. Successful in sabotaging public education for the past 20 years. What do we know? NOTHING. Figures. Vote for Obama. Or serve others. Jim King Roland
avoid the Peak! During the Lawn and Garden Season!
Although we are fortunate to have an abundant water supply in the metropolitan area, customers are encouraged to be good stewards of our water sources by practicing efficient outdoor water use. Customers are asked to alter timing of outdoor watering patterns to avoid the peak time of day demand during the hot summer months and to avoid operating sprinkler systems between 5:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.
Learn more about the Sprinkler Smart Program at carkw.com, uaex.edu, or by calling
501.340.6650 carkw.com
The current administration wants to encourage family planning by making contraception available to all, at no charge through their health insurance. Under the current provisions of the “Affordable Care Act” no one’s religious freedom is compromised, nothing states that a person must use contraceptives, everyone can choose based on their religious beliefs. Mitt Romney now says he is prolife yet he profits from his ownership in Stericycle, a company that collects and disposes of fetuses. The Securities and Exchange Commission lists Romney as an active participant in this investment. His deal helped Stericycle grow, while yielding tens of millions of dollars in profits for Romney and his partners. I agree with my fellow Catholics: We must not leave our beliefs behind when we vote. Who is best to vote for, Obama who is reducing abortions by making contraceptives available to all or Romney who profits from abortions? Robert Ricker Melbourne
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. We also accept faxes at 375-3623. Please include name and hometown.
ARKANSAS TIMES
CAW Ark Times Avoid The Peak Ad.indd 1
7/24/12 10:25:38 AM
ORVAL
National Cheesecake Day is Coming!
Find us on
Buy One Slice -
Get One
Monday July 30th
! e e r F
Plus
Enjoy Cheesecake Specials the Rest of the Week! Buy a slice of cheesecake, get a free slice of cheesecake, of equal or lesser value, on Monday, July 30 only. Dine in only. One per person. Toppings extra.
*
Handmade copper and brass magnet pins and ornaments.
t r A Hog
From $10.95
*
Shackleford Crossing • Shackleford & I-430 www.copelandsrestaurantlittlerock.com 501-312-1616
Clinton Museum Store 610 President Clinton Ave. | Little Rock | 501-748-0400
www.arktimes.com
JULY 25, 2012
5
EDITORIAL
EYE ON ARKANSAS
Eat a burger Aug. 1
Shameless Rick Crawford
C
an Democrat Scott Ellington do better as the 1st District’s congressman? He could hardly do worse than incumbent Republican Rep. Rick Crawford. During recent work on the farm bill, he opposed an amendment meant to restore cuts in the food stamp program. He supported additional government spending and regulation of catfish inspection, a move targeting imported fish. Expensive bureaucracy in the name of local catfish protectionism is OK for teabagging congressmen. Crawford also added an amendment in support of a controversial biomass fuel project. MFA Oil Biomass said the money in Crawford’s amendment would be critical to its future in developing fuel from a type of grass. MFA showed its appreciation the day after Crawford’s amendment was approved. Former state Sen. Tim Wooldridge, northeast Arkansas project manager for MFA, announced that he’d lead a coalition of Democrats in support of Crawford’s re-election. It didn’t exactly set off a groundswell for Crawford among Democrats, but he could nonetheless mark his biomass amendment “PAID IN FULL.” 6
JULY 25, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
DAVID KOON
F
ormer Gov. Mike Huckabee can surprise on occasion with tolerance toward minorities, such as immigrants. But brotherly Huckalove is little in evidence when it comes to homosexuality. Last week he called on Americans to join him Aug. 1 in eating at Chick-fil-A. Why? He claimed the fast food chain had been “smeared by vicious hate speech and intolerant bigotry from the left.” Chick-fil-A has indeed been criticized for its evangelical president’s recent outspoken opposition to same-sex marriage. He said the U.S. would invite the wrath of God by approving it. In Huckabee world, disagreement with this point of view is intolerant. Want some intolerance? Chick-fil-A owners have spent millions to fight not just same-sex marriage, but also to oppose a law to outlaw discrimination in employment on account of sexual orientation. They support the unconstitutional federal law that prohibits providing equal benefits to families of legally married gay people. Huckabee’s record is no better. In recent defense of a ban on gay Boy Scouts, he equated homosexuality with pedophilia. He’s described children of same-sex couples as “guinea pigs” in an experiment. He has suggested people with HIV/AIDS should be quarantined. He has compared same-sex marriage with incest. He has proposed amending the Constitution to God’s standards — God being a Southern Baptist, no doubt. You can demonstrate your support for legal discrimination against gay people by joining Huckster at a Chick-fil-A on Aug. 1. We think we’ll look for a pint of Ben & Jerry’s “Hubby Hubby” instead.
SEEKING JUSTICE: (From left) Tracy Martin and Sabrina Fulton, the parents of Trayvon Matin, with their attorney Benjamin Crump and National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executive President Jiles Ship. Martin and Fulton were in Little Rock on Tuesday.
Health care: We’re pro and con
A
new Talk Business/Hendrix College poll sharply illustrates how messaging influences the health care debate. In Arkansas, a solid 58 percent say opponents should continue to fight implementation of health care reform, despite its validation by the U.S. Supreme Court after its earlier passage by Congress. The clear message: Obamacare is bad! At the same time, in the same poll, the opinion among more than 500 Arkansans was about evenly split — 42 for to 46 against — on expanding the Medicaid program in Arkansas, probably the most expensive part of Obamacare. That message: Obamacare may not be so bad after all! These contradictory results are not hard to analyze. For a couple of years now, Republicans have been painting the move toward universal health coverage of Americans as socialism at best, sheer evil and the end of our wonderful health care system at worst. (Wonderful if you don’t count those who can’t access it, our poor results and our high costs.) It doesn’t hurt in Arkansas that the symbol for the message is a black man (suspected by many to be foreign-born and a Muslim). He’s reviled in these precincts. The counter-message from Democrats has been almost non-existent. Well, there is poor ol’ Jay Bradford, the Arkansas insurance commissioner, who is valiantly trying to put in place a system by which previously uninsured Arkies will be able to get health insurance. But in Arkansas, the real problem is Obama. And I’ll leave it to you to decide why he’s such a problem. Jay Barth notes in analysis of the poll: “Arkansans’ views are in significant contrast to national polling on the issue. Our poll question replicated a recent poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation showing that by a 56 percent to 38 percent margin,
Americans were ready for opponents to move on now that the Court had ruled. By a 58 percent to 34 percent margin, Arkansans continue ongoing opposition.” Noted: Arkansas whites MAX polled disproportionately BRANTLEY maxbrantley@arktimes.com favored continued obstruction. Arkansas’s seeming opposition to better health care is reminiscent of nothing so much as Arkansas’s dogged defense of a system of education that was a national disgrace as late as the mid-1970s. There, too, we were poor in service to our people, but somehow perversely proud of it. The poll results thrill Republican campaign operatives. They plan to make 2012 a rerun of 2010. Every race, from dog catcher on up, will be pitched as a referendum on the black president. If the pitch is successful, a Republican tsunami will ensue. Then come the consequences. When sick people lose the insurance rights they’ve just won; when kids are tossed off parents’ insurance; when the new health insurance exchanges crumble; when the added cost for seniors’ drugs returns; when Medicaid becomes but a shadow program for a tiny slice of the population and kids start losing primary coverage in droves — maybe then Arkansas voters might reconsider just who’s wearing the black hat. Is it the black man working for broader health coverage or is it the Arkansas legislators who’d sacrifice the health of hundreds of thousands of their fellow citizens to finance tax cuts for millionaires?
A version of this column appeared earlier on the Arkansas Blog.
DAVID KOON
OPINION
History proves tax cuts hurt jobs
R
epublican politicians everywhere, or at least in Washington and Arkansas, are approaching a rare harmonic convergence. They are selling their elections on a single idea, lowering taxes on people with reasonably high incomes — well, that idea and stopping the expansion of health insurance to the sick and poor in 2013. The tax cut is Mitt Romney’s plan for unshackling the economy and creating jobs, and Republicans in both houses of Congress put it at the top of their agenda. The tax cut along with repealing healthinsurance and deep cuts in programs for the aged, poor and disabled was the heart of the big budget blueprint that all Republican congressmen embraced in April and vow to enact into law if they and Romney carry the day in November. It is the Republican plan for Arkansas if the party captures both houses of the legislature. GOP leaders say it will end years of stagnation in Arkansas and create good jobs for everyone. It is the one conservative political principle that in Washington and Little Rock has proved to be simple, tested, and wrong.
The actual numbers for the seven and a half years after the Clinton tax increase and a similar span after the Bush tax cuts? Clinton, 23 million net new jobs, Bush 1.1 million net new jobs. But the evidence already was ample. The theory that cutting taxes on the wealthy — “the job creators” — began Yes, it is the only economic notion I with Arthur Laffer, and President Reaknow of that has gan tested it in 1981. The big tax cuts were been thoroughly supposed to produce unparalleled growth vetted, over and and new jobs — Laffer’s parabolic curve over, and proven on an envelope proved it would happen. ERNEST Instead, the country fell into the deepest to be fallacious. It DUMAS recession since the ’30s. Unemployment has never worked. People who get the tax cuts are happier soared above 10 percent for 10 straight and the government may get by without months, and over 8 percent for 27 months. the money, but it doesn’t create jobs, at But Reagan began raising taxes the next least not in detectable numbers. You can year to stop the hemorrhaging and the hire an economist to craft a study saying massive deficits. Reagan and Bush would that it will produce growth and jobs, but raise taxes eight times, the big one being the truth is in simple numbers. the tax reform act of 1986, which taxed All that you need to do is hail Bill Clin- capital gains fully like wages, repealed ton and George W. Bush. One raised taxes the investment tax credit and generally modestly on high incomes a few months closed tax loopholes for big investors like into his first term and the other drastically Mitt Romney. slashed taxes on high incomes in his first What happened then? The current thefew months in office and again the next ory is that taxing capital gains kills jobs, two years. Remember the hoopla each time. but unemployment fell from 7 to 5 perEvery Republican voted against Clinton’s cent over Reagan’s final two years and the tax increase, which closed the huge budget hefty job growth accounts for the Reagan deficits of the previous 12 years, and they “economic miracle.” But surely the story is different in our warned of a new depression. The Bush tax cuts were supposed to create a boom the little confined economic laboratory in likes of which the nation had never seen. Arkansas.
The threadbare gun debate
E
very time we have one of these increasingly frequent ritualized killing sprees in the United States, we have essentially the same national conversation. And then nothing happens. Between the First and Second Amendments as currently understood, mass murder may as well be a constitutional right. Arguments about guns have been worn so threadbare that people may as well be having them in their sleep. Observing friends bickering on Facebook, I wondered what was the point? To start with, guns will never be banned entirely. Saying they should be only empowers crackpots. So shut up with that, alright? The Second Amendment, however, consists of one twenty-six word sentence, two of which are “well-regulated.” Furthermore, it was written to protect a citizen’s right to own a single-shot, muzzle-loading musket with an effective range of fewer than 50 yards. I’m all for that. No limits. However, the notion that it’d be an impediment to liberty to limit ownership of semi-automatic assault rifles with 100shot magazines, or to make it harder to buy 6,000 rounds of ammo online strikes me as not merely foolish, but downright childish. So when I read about somebody like
Dudley Brown, executive director of Rocky Mountain gun owners, telling reporters there’s no need to inconveGENE nience “law-abidLYONS ing sportsmen and target shooters [who] ... can easily blow through 400 or 500 rounds in one vigorous day at a shooting range,” I just want to say: How about growing up? Do you think your kid should be able to buy booze online? To me, target shooting’s kind of a harmless, dorky hobby like bowling. But people should have to buy their ammo the same way I buy Irish whiskey: live and in person from somebody with a responsibility to deny service (and to report) obviously impaired individuals. As for military assault rifles, I’d put it this way: As much as I like cats, I’ve sometimes thought it’d be cool to have a pet lion. However, I realize it’d be anti-social and borderline crazy. So’s letting anybody with a driver’s license own an AR-15 or AK-47. Surveys show most responsible gun-owners agree. Alas, they don’t vote that way. What’s more, as fond as I am of revenge comedies like “Die Hard” and “Lethal
Weapon,” this fantasy some of you have about fighting it out against totalitarian government agents with a hot young thing by your side ... Well, that’s all it is, a daydream. And daydreams have a way of growing malignant. NRA-inspired scenarios of citizen-gun owners taking down the Aurora shooter— outfitted in a gas mask and more protective gear than the Navy Seals who took down Osama bin Laden — have no basis in reality. Will Saletan got it right in Slate: “Holmes didn’t just kill a dozen people. He killed the NRA’s answer to gun violence.” So shouldn’t the media quit giving mass murderers the notoriety they crave? My first instinct was to agree with Roger Ebert, in the New York Times. “I’m not sure there is an easy link between movies and gun violence, he wrote. “I think the link is between the violence and the publicity. ... I don’t know if James Holmes cared deeply about Batman. I suspect he cared deeply about seeing himself on the news.” Grandiosity is a big part of the delusions that drive these spree killers. “Mass shooting cases have the common motive of an attacker seeking immortality,” writes forensic psychiatrist Michael Welner. “Each of the attackers has different degrees of paranoia and resentment of the broader community.”
State income taxes have been raised only one time since 1929 if you don’t count two temporary hikes. The permament one was in 1971, when the top marginal rate was raised from 5 to 7 percent. Arkansas experienced some of its sharpest business and job growth in the three years that followed. Until then, Arkansas had by far the lowest per-capita state and local taxes of the 50 states, yet was last or 49th in percapita income year after dreary year. We also tested the theory that cutting taxes for the investor class — “the job creators” — will get people off the jobless rolls. In 1999, in his one legitimate claim to be a tax cutter, Gov. Mike Huckabee got the legislature to cut income taxes on capital gains by 30 percent. Things got very bad after that, so bad that Huckabee called the legislature into special session and begged the legislators to raise taxes instantly, including the income tax, so the state would not have to cut people off the health rolls. A 3 percent surtax on personal and corporate incomes for two years put the state back on sound footing. Huckabee came back on the last day and thanked the lawmakers for their courage. Still, doesn’t it make sense that if you cut the Walton heirs some slack and let them keep a few hundred million more each year they will call up the headquarters and tell them to hire more greeters? If you keep at it, some day it is going to work, even if by accident.
Wouldn’t we be better off if the news media covered these atrocities the way they cover drunk drivers who run off the highway and die at 3 a.m.? That is, with a brief paragraph on page 3B. Alas, that’s never going to happen. Anderson Cooper’s refusal to pronounce the killer’s name amidst CNN’s 24/7 coverage of the Colorado tragedy may have been a heartfelt gesture, but a futile one. For better and worse, people do want to know. This too: It’s a good bet we’ll learn that the Aurora shooter — a Phd candidate in neuroscience — came into contact with many people who knew or should have known that something had gone dreadfully wrong. Like most states, Colorado law permits any adult to petition a sanity investigation. Should a police officer or qualified social worker find what amounts to psychological probable cause, an individual can be held in a psychiatric facility for 72 hours pending a court hearing. If the court finds that person gravely disabled or a threat, hospitalization and treatment can be required. Romantic notions of liberty aside, psychosis has no rights. Alas, too few people in our increasingly lonely, fragmented society feel a duty to intervene. As at Penn State, it’s always easier to tiptoe away. www.arktimes.com
JULY 25, 2012
7
W O RDS
Room for the ins RY
R
E M M U S F O AN END-
GAMES,
BRA I L N A M LA BASH AT
! S E Z I R P MUSIC,
FRIDA,Y2012 3 T S U G AU -8:30PM 5PM
2801 Orange Street • nOrth LittLe rOck (501) 758-1720 • www.LamanLibrary.Org mUSt haVe a VaLiD Laman Library tO be eLigibLe FOr PriZeS
Spring And Summer Shoe Sale
F F O 1/ 2 u g e
H ion tyles t c e l • S Se
Sizes
•
s Color
“For the second successive day, tens of thousands protested in several cities across Yemen to demand that Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi prosecute army commanders suspected of negligence or collaboration with al-Qaida in the Sunday attack, in which headless bodies of soldiers were dumped in the desert in the deadliest defeat for the army in its nearly year-long campaign against the militant movement in the south.” That’s seven “in’s” in one sentence; Michael Klossner counted. And it’s a real sentence from a real news story too, not something dreamed up for the purpose of cramming in’s in. Seven may not be a record, but surely it’s close. I dassn’t be too critical, though. Like most journalists, I’ve done a little “in”-abusing myself. “Of” can be addictive too. “The city’s youngest councilman, Monte Sorey, suggested that the city ‘Cut out a big chunk of it [a mural] and put it back down at an elementary school with a sandpit underneath and climbing holds on the reverse side.’ ” The schoolyards of long ago had no sand pits, only sand boxes. But if we’ve lost one box, we’ve gained another. Automobiles now have glove boxes instead
www.shoeconnectiononline.com best shoes 8
JULY 25, 2012
2806 Lakewood ViLLage dr., NLr 501-753-8700 9100 N rodNey Parham, Lr 501-225-6242
ARKANSAS TIMES
DOUG SMITH Max Brantdougsmith@arktimes.com ley spotted a new euphemism: “Gov. Mike Beebe has named the owner of a Little Rock vegetation management company as the newest member of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.” I’m sure the governor has thought carefully about this, but just because a person can manage vegetation doesn’t mean he can manage game and fish. And what is vegetation management anyway? The next sentence of the news release explains, sort of: “Beebe said in a statement that Ford Overton, owner of West Tree Service, will replace George Dunklin of DeWitt. His term expires July 1, 2019.” Could we call what those forest fires are doing out west vegetation management? Is the kid mowing the grass a vegetation management trainee? I can manage a mess of fried okra pretty good my own self. Should I get some kind of certificate?
WEEK THAT WAS
It was a good week for … MEDICAID PREDICTIONS. The state Department of Human Services put pen to paper and discovered that expanding the Medicaid rolls will, thanks to federal contributions, save the state $372 million by 2021. Still, for political appearances, the Republicans in the legislature will try to keep Arkansas from taking advantage of the expansion. CHECKING UP ON CORPORATE WELFARE. The state’s Economic Development Commission wants state auditors to have the authority to determine whether taxpayer-paid incentives — tax credits, sales tax refunds, etc. — are creating promised jobs.
It was a bad week for …
Real Prices • Real Savings
of glove compartments. The chances of finding gloves inside are still slim, I imagine.
THE GAS TAX DRIVE. The Committee for a Fair Severance Tax had to throw in the towel after it was revealed that 70 percent of the signatures turned in to place the initiative on the general election ballot were bad. (Nancy Todd’s casino amendment
came up short as well.) Among other things, the tax would have helped pay to repair roads damaged by shale exploration companies. Voters don’t want to raise sales taxes to pay for road damage either, a Talk Business/Hendrix College poll indicated. CROPS AND CATTLE. Make that a bad couple of months. Arkansas’s drought continues, with 14 counties now listed as being in exceptional drought — the worst classification — and the rest of the state in either extreme or severe drought. Farmers and cattle ranchers are facing economic disaster; the state’s secretary of agriculture called the situation “catastrophic.” INTERSTATE TRAFFIC. The $125 million project to build a new exchange at Interstate 630 and 430 means one-lane traffic for the next couple of weeks. The highway department is encouraging motorists to find a detour “if at all possible.” GAME AND FISH. An employee morale survey released last Wednesday gave poor marks to the administration at the agency, with only 35 percent saying their opinions matter, 24 percent saying they’d recommend working there to a friend and 21 percent being optimistic about the future of the agency. There is a perception, the survey found, that hiring and promotion is not merit-based but politically motivated.
$2 EX
THE OBSERVER
TS
HIS
O
ER VIC
EC
CO U
FF
No tV Pr alid o W Or moti ith A o A Dia pplie n, Co ny O gn d T upo the n, r Fe osis o e
TT
R FO
RN
5
SE N
N PO
YO U
P RE
AL
L
NOTES ON THE PASSING SCENE
The man upstairs THE OBSERVER’S CEILING FAN in
the Great Hall of the Observatory went on the blink over the weekend. That’s not a biggie. We’ve replaced ceiling fans before. Only after we’d taken it down, though, did we find that the problem wasn’t the fan, nor was it the wall switch. No, it was Something Else — something in that dark and dusklit netherworld where no homeowner ever wishes to travel if he or she can help it (especially in July): the unfinished attic of a 1930s bungalow house. The Observer has lived in our little house on Maple Street for close to 10 years now, but we can count the number of times we’ve climbed the rickety, folddown attic stairs — even to poke a box of Christmas decorations up through the hole — on one hand. There could be a chest full of Spanish pirate doubloons or the only uncut sheet of Honus Wagners in existence up there. We don’t know, and we don’t care. They can stay. You see, The Observer, that intellectual beast among mortals, has a thing about tight spaces. It’s not bad enough to be called a phobia, but it is definitely an issue, and the attic, dusty and dark, always looked bad for business in that regard. Still, we had a reputation to uphold with Spouse, so with her looking on, we warily pulled down the foldaway stairs, hoisted our flashlight, screwdriver, and the $4 non-contact voltage detector we were counting on to help us slay electrical serpents before they could slay us, and ventured up. In Greek mythology, somebody is always heading off to the Underworld to meet up with some old dead somebody. It was, we heard a lit prof say once, a way for the great old bards to let croaked heroes and villains of stories long past make their cameos and then get the hell out of the way (literally) so the storyteller could look well-rounded while getting on with the tale in short order. Going into the attic felt just like that: a mere mortal venturing into a dark, spottily lit place, bisected by a crazy-quilt of splintery wood, mysterious wires, and odd angles. It’s that way in most any house: you can bet that no matter how squeaky-clean and spiffy-
neat the living areas are, there’s bound to be someplace under any roof that looks like the set of “Saw 9: The One Where Spiders Impregnate A Guy’s Face.” It was noon by the time we got out gumption enough to head into the attic, and it was hot up there. One-hundredand-five outside, and locked-in-thetrunk-of-a-black-sedan-at-the-airport-hot inside. Nonetheless, we soon found the problem and got to work on it. Pouring sweat, with Spouse shouting up the stairs periodically to check on us, unable to even rise above a stoop under the coffin-lid ceiling, we found ourself thinking of words like “hydration” and “core body temperature.” We saw ourselves going face-down in the ancient mouse turds and insulation, and seriously considered whether or not the fire department would have to chainsaw through the roof to hoist our big ass out. We might have had sweat lodge visions. We don’t know. It’s all a little hazy. Work finished and clothes literally wringing wet, we gathered our tools and skedaddled over to the rectangular hole where Spouse was looking up and waiting anxiously, then back down the stairs from the Underworld, into the cool house so painted and neat and blessedly cool that it’s hard to believe it’s the same place. Goodbye attic. Here’s hoping it’s another nine years before we have to brave your depths again. NOW THAT CORPORATIONS are people, according to the U.S. Supreme Court, I guess P.A.M. Transport thought it would be a good idea to express its animus toward the president of the United States on its trucks, as their wheels pound down our roads. “Nobama” was stenciled on the truck The Observer saw in Northwest Arkansas, the company’s home, making for a free and highly mobile political ad. This “person,” meanwhile, is publicly held; those who think that bashing the president on the side of a truck is unseemly can break off their friendship (but not the taxes they pay to keep the nation’s highways in shape so Mr. P.A.M. can make a buck).
Consistently Voted The Best Of Central Arkansas
• Thanks For Voting! • BEST PLUMBER
ANgIE’S LIST - SUPER SERVICE AWARD • ARkANSAS BUSINESS - BEST PLUMBINg CONTRACTOR ARkANSAS DEMOCRAT gAzETTE - BEST OF ThE BEST
921 Rushing CiRCle little ROCk 501.664.0940
7318 nORth hills Blvd. nORth little ROCk 501.753.1515
L ake Liquor
Thanks Arkansas, we appreciate your votes!
Best Liquor Store
Drop In
LOCATED RIGHT BY THE MAUMELLE-MORGAN EXIT ON I-40 COMING FROM LITTLE ROCK, TURN LEFT OFF MAUMELLE-MORGAN EXIT www.arktimes.com
JULY 25, 2012
9
Arkansas Reporter
THE
IN S IDE R
Cool to taxes New polling by Talk Business and Hendrix College indicates coolness to taxes for highway work among Arkansas voters. On July 19, the robopoll questioned 585 voters on a proposed initiated act to raise the severance tax on natural gas, with proceeds to go to state, city and county road work and also on a legislatively referred constitutional amendment that would raise the state sales tax by a half-cent to support a bond issue to build four-lane roads. Voters were cool to both ideas, particularly to the severance tax increase, which won’t make the ballot anyway. A petition drive fell far short of gathering sufficient signatures. On the severance tax, the poll said: 33 percent yes; 54.5 percent no, and 12.5 percent don’t know. On the sales tax, the poll said: 42 percent yes; 49 percent no, and 8.5 percent don’t know. The results mirrored March polling. Demographic notes: men and Democrats tended to be more favorable to the ideas.
Waltons make money count Statewide petition drives were notoriously unsuccessful this year. An ethics reform drive was dropped after a canvassing firm failed to deliver. A casino amendment was rejected for lack of signatures. Petition drives for a gas severance tax, another casino amendment and a medical marijuana law all met initial signature targets, but reviews showed huge percentages of signatures – 50 to 70 percent – were not from registered voters. Perhaps future petitioners should look to the Walton family. In Benton County, a drive to put a retail alcohol sales ordinance on the county ballot was successful. Tom and Steuert Walton, grandsons of Walmart founder Sam Walton, paid for most of the drive, with contributions of $180,000 each. For future reference, most of the money went to National Ballot Access of Lawrenceville, Ga., to hire canvassers to obtain signatures. Needing about 41,000 signatures, the group gathered more than 56,000. But here’s CONTINUED ON PAGE 11 10
JULY 25, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
Power play Entergy paying customers to let it turn down their A/C. BY CHEREE FRANCO
E
ntergy Arkansas is trying to enlist its residential customers in a program that would automatically let temperatures go up to keep the utility’s costs down. Residential customers taking part in Entergy’s Summer Advantage Program agree to the installation of a device called a Direct Cycling Unit on their central air conditioning units that will shut down compressors during periods of peak electricity use. Those who sign up before July 31 will get rebates either $50 or $80, depending on the reduction in A/C. The utility announced the program to its 700,000 customers last month. Entergy is upfront about the fact that, while the compressor is off, indoor temperatures will rise. And with a relentless chain of 100-plus highs in our immediate future, some Central Arkansans are wary about signing up. “There’s many things in my life that I don’t have control over … therefore, I like to keep control over what I can control. And I like being in control of my own thermostat,” Peggy Young Seamon wrote on the Arkansas Times Facebook page. But other customers, especially those who keep their thermostats high anyhow, seemed to welcome the rebate. About 1,895 Entergy Arkansas
customers have volunteered for Summer Advantage so far, and 756 DCUs have been installed. The compressor in an air conditioning unit turns itself on and off multiple times throughout the day to protect its motor from overheating. The DCU, which is about the size of a child’s shoebox, connects to the appliance and measures how many minutes the compressor cycles on each hour. During the hottest part of the day, generally midmorning to mid-afternoon, compressors’ switch on en masse to keep interior temperatures stable. In times of peak usage, the DCU shuts off the compressor either 50 to 75 percent longer than it did during the previous hour. If a compressor blew cold air for 30 minutes in the previous hour, and the customer is on a 50 percent cycle, the compressor would only blow cold air for 15 minutes of every hour during peak usage. According to Entergy, “peak usage” can last up to four hours. Summer Advantage will primarily cycle down compressors on weekdays before 7 p.m. The DCUs, which are remotely controlled by the utility, would only be activated on weekends and holidays in the case of an unforeseen crisis. “When commercial businesses aren’t in operation, it offsets demand considerably. We’re
still monitoring that demand level every day, especially during the summer when we’re in triple digit temps, but it’s usually lighter on weekends and holidays,” said Julie Munsell, an Entergy spokesperson. Customers who sign up for the program at 50 percent cycling will receive $50, paid out as $25 upon installation and $25 in December. Those who select 75 percent cycling will receive a $40 upon installation and $40 in December. Munsell said most customers won’t notice a change on their bills, but if there is a change, it should be for the better. “When the compressor cycles off, the fan continues to run, which helps mitigate the change in temperature and keep the house as cool as possible. This is so your unit doesn’t have to work harder when it cycles back on to get back to its setting,” she said. The program should, however, save the utility, and ultimately the customers, money. “We estimate how much power we’re going to need, and then we procure that,” said Munsell. “If we find ourselves in a situation where there’s a peak demand and we can’t supply that, then we have to go out and purchase it,” which is expensive on the open market. “If we can better manage that load for power during peak periods, then it’s ultimately better for the customer in terms of keeping those costs down and also reducing the carbon footprint.” Through September 2013, implementing Summer Advantage will cost Entergy $5 million — a cost that, as of July 2012, has been passed along to customers as the “Energy Efficiency Cost Rate Rider” detailed on each bill. (For most customers, it averages $2.11 a month, according to Entergy.) Entergy Arkansas has 16 different efficiency programs, all of which are paid for in part by the consumer, and all of which have been approved by the Arkansas Public Service Commission. According to David Lewis, another Entergy representative, high demand loads can sometimes cause transformer failures, which may result in rolling outages lasting half an hour at a time and affecting a few thousand customers. “It is very unusual to have to take this step, like maybe once every few years. This has happened once that I know of this summer, in the Stuttgart area June 29,” he said via e-mail. CONTINUED ON PAGE 69
LISTEN UP
THE
BIG PICTURE
ARKANSANS IN THE OLYMPICS There are several Arkansans to keep track of this year in the Olympic Games that kick off with the opening ceremony on Friday, July 25. Here’s a look at some of the athletes and when they can be seen on NBC television (all times listed are in Central Standard Time), online at NBCOlympics.com or through NBC’s “Live Extra” mobile phone app.
WALLACE SPEARMON Spearmon, former Razorbacks and Fayetteville High sprinter, has been given a second chance at the Olympics. Spearmon, who finished third in the 200-meter race in 2008’s Bejing Olympics, was later disqualified for stepping out of his lane. The first round of the men’s 200-meter race is set to begin at 5:50 a.m. Aug. 7, with semifinals at 2:10 p.m. Aug. 8 and the final scheduled for 2:55 p.m. Aug. 9. MARGEAUX ISAKSEN Isaksen hopes to bring home the gold in the modern pentathlon, an event that combines running, fencing, riding, swimming and shooting. Born in Fayetteville, she grew up on a farm in Northwest Arkansas and has been riding and shooting since she was a young girl, she says. Isaksen competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics at age 16, but did not medal. See her play in this five-part event starting at 2 a.m. Aug. 12. JANET CHEROBON-BAWCOM Cherobon-Bawcom, a former runner at Harding University, qualified for the 2012 London Olympics in the 10K race last month. A native of Kenya, she started running at age 20 when she was told it could help her get a scholarship. She will be Harding’s first Olympic athlete. After becoming a naturalized citizen in 2011, Cherobon-Bawcom was able to represent Team USA in championships and now will represent the nation at the 2012 Olympics. See her in the 10,000-meter race at 3:25 p.m. Aug. 3. TYSON GAY Gay is a former Razorback (originally from Kentucky) who will be competing for Team USA in track and field. He is hoping to bring home the gold for Team USA in the men’s 100-meter race, an event for which he holds the American record. Gay, known for being one of the two sprinters to have beaten the legendary Jamaican runner Usain Bolt, helped the Razorbacks win a national championship in 2003. The preliminaries for the 100-meter will be at 4 a.m. Aug. 4, with the first round beginning at 6:30 a.m. on the same day. See the semifinal at 1:45 p.m. and final at 3:50 p.m. Aug. 5.
MICHAEL TINSLEY Tinsley is a Little Rock native who has made it onto the 2012 Olympic track team running the 400-meter hurdles. He attended Pulaski Robinson High School. The first round of men’s 400-meter hurdles begins at 5:15 a.m. Aug. 3, with semi-finals the following day at 1 p.m. and the final round on at 2:45 p.m. Aug. 6. JEREMY SCOTT Scott, who completed his master’s degree at the University of Arkansas, will be competing in the games as a member of the USA’s pole vaulting team. The pole vault qualifying round begins at 4 a.m. Aug. 8 and will be followed by the final at 1 p.m. Aug. 10. REGINA GEORGE Regina George, a University of Arkansas sprinter, will represent Nigeria during the Olympic Games in London this summer. A rising senior, George broke her school record, set in early June 2012, at the 2012 All Nigeria Athletics Championships. She will be running both the women’s 400-meter (qualifying round: 6 a.m. Aug. 3, at semifinal: 2:05 p.m. Aug. 4, at final: 3:10 p.m. Aug. 5) and the 4x400meter relay (round one: 1:10 p.m. Aug. 10, final: 2:25 p.m. Aug. 11.). MARY ALICE MITFORD Mary Alice Mitford is a 26 year-old Magnolia native who will be playing for the U.S. Paralympic Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team. Mary Alice graduated from the University of Alabama. See her play for Team USA starting Aug. 30 with a 9:15 a.m. game against France. ALISTAIR CRAGG Cragg was born in Johannesburg and under Arkansas Razorbacks track and field coach John McDonnell won NCAA titles in 3,000- and 10,000-meter races on the track. He was 2004 Southeastern Conference athlete of the year. He’ll compete in the 5,000-meter races for Ireland in his second Olympics appearance. Round 1 is at 4:45 a.m. Aug. 8; the final is 1:30 p.m. Aug. 11. TINA SUTEJ Sutej, 23, a native of Slovenia, was a pole-vaulter for the Arkansas Razorbacks and was named an NCAA Champion in 2011 and is an a.m.erican collegiate record holder with a best of 4.54 meters. She’ll compete for Slovenia. Qualifying round is 4:20 a.m. Aug. 4, final 1 p.m. Aug. 6.
Tune in to the Times’ “Week In Review” podcast each Friday. Available on iTunes & arktimes.com
INSIDER, CONT. the key thing: County Clerk Tena O’Brien, who certified the proposal for the ballot, said about 76 percent of the signatures were those of duly registered voters, a reverse of the experience of some statewide efforts. Signers in Benton County report that canvassers there were careful and seemed wellinformed about the initiative. Fraudulent signatures were a problem on some of the statewide initiatives, along with thousands of invalid signatures. Volunteers were used heavily in some drives, but all the failed efforts also used paid canvassers, sometimes poorly informed about the petitions they carried. Canvassers also found organized opposition campaigns attempting to discourage signers on the severance tax and casino petitions, something that apparently didn’t happen in Benton County.
Aurora fallout in LR The mass shooting at a Colorado theater during the showing of a Batman movie left people antsy all over the country. In Little Rock, for example, police distributed this notice for the weekend after the shooting: “Although the Little Rock Police Department has not received any known threats a Directed Patrol has been put in effect for all movie theatres in the City of Little Rock. From now until Monday, July 23, 2012, officers are required to check theatres in their respective districts and document each patrol. “Should an officer receive a call concerning suspicious activity at a specific location, the officer will complete an incident report documenting the incident. All Directed Patrol documents, along with copies of incident reports pertaining to this directive, will be forwarded to Captain Michael Davis.”
Big Orange targets Midtowne It won’t happen sooner than 2013, but owners of Big Orange, the custom burger and salad restaurant in the Promenade at Chenal, are firming up plans for a location in Midtowne Little Rock, the shopping center at Markham and University. It will be adjacent to Cantina Laredo, according to a spokesman for Big Orange. www.arktimes.com
JULY 25, 2012
11
You’ll never ask ‘where?’ again Best place to get a milkshake? Check. To gamble? Check. From subwoofers to spas, the readers of the Arkansas Times have spoken, and provided, for the 17th year running, a list of Arkansas’s best. Besides the results for the zillions of categories voted on (the list begins below), the Times offers several features, and we might just win a Pulitzer with one of them. That’s because this year, the Times blows the lid off the mysterious Forbidden Hillcrest, scoring an interview with reclusive blogger Paul Carr. Other stories: Where to drop several large on audio equipment for your car. A defense of the River Rail, which our voters named Best Misuse of Public Funds but which makes our writer David Koon misty-eyed. The place men have gotten their pants for nearly a century and will for a century more. Onion rings and how they crumble. Of course, there are our own personal picks, where readers will discover the best place to see painted buntings and big cats and the best mobile phone game invented by an Arkansas company and the best place to buy sardines while you’re waiting for a prescription to be filled.
ANTIQUES Fabulous Finds RUNNERS-UP: Blue Suede Shoes, Twin City Antique Mall, Mid-Towne Antique Mall APARTMENT COMPLEX Rivercliff RUNNERS-UP: The Links, The Enclave, The Park at Riverdale ART GALLERY Gallery 26 RUNNERS-UP: M2 Gallery, Cantrell Gallery, Stephano’s Fine Art Gallery AUTO DEALER Landers RUNNERS-UP: Parker Auto Group, Bale, Landers Toyota AUTO SERVICE Jett’s Service Station RUNNERS-UP: Landers Toyota, Austin Brothers Tire Service, Bale Kia AUTO STEREO Best Buy LOCAL WINNER: Auto Audio RUNNERS-UP: Arkansas Car Stereo, Bryant Car Stereo, Audio Express BANK Metropolitan National Bank RUNNERS-UP: NBA, Centennial Bank, 12
JULY 25, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
Bank of the Ozarks BARBERSHOP Jerry’s RUNNERS-UP: Sport Clips, Great Clips, Salon Karizma BICYCLE SHOP Chainwheel RUNNERS-UP: Spokes, Community Bicyclist, Arkansas Cycling & Fitness BOOKSTORE Barnes & Noble LOCAL WINNER: WordsWorth Books & Co. RUNNERS-UP: Books-A-Million, Dickson Street Bookshop, River Market Books & Gifts CARWASH Splash RUNNERS-UP: Best, Suds, Boomerang CHILDREN’S CLOTHING The Toggery in the Heights RUNNERS-UP: Gymboree, The Children’s Place, Target CHIROPRACTOR Beverly Foster RUNNERS-UP: Steve Fender, Brady DeClerk, Richard Riley CLEANERS Hangers RUNNERS-UP: Comet, Moose, Schickel’s
BRIAN CHILSON
GOODS AND SERVICES
GALLERY 26: The winning art gallery.
DECORATOR Larry West (Interiors West) RUNNERS-UP: Tobi Fairley Interior Design, Heather Owens (George James Creative), Jason Edwards ELECTRONICS Best Buy LOCAL WINNER: Carnes Audio Visual RUNNERS-UP: Apple Store, Radio Shack, Sam’s Club EYEWEAR Burrow’s & Mr. Frank’s
RUNNERS-UP: LensCrafters, Kavanaugh Eye Care, James Eyecare & Optics Gallery FRESH VEGETABLES The Fresh Market RUNNERS-UP: Argenta Market, Kroger, Little Rock Farmers’ Market FLORIST Tipton Hurst RUNNERS-UP: About Vase, Frances Flower Shop, The Empty Vase
CONTINUED ON PAGE 19
BRIAN CHILSON
BRIAN CHILSON
BEST ART PLAYGROUND: Jose Hernandez and the issue’s cover in progress at Dedicated.
Editor’s picks The Times staff weighs in. BEST ART PLAYGROUND
Pump the brakes on your letter writing campaign, you who see graffiti and immediately think “defacement.” You won’t find our cover image on the back of some downtown building. The walls are props courtesy of The Rep, and the painting, done by Jose Hernandez, happened inside Dedicated, the gallery and venue he runs on the corner of Seventh and Spring. When we featured Dedicated in the Times earlier this year, Hernandez explained his motivation for the space: “I just want to paint. And I want to see other people paint. I want to see people do what they love, whether it’s music, art, writing, whatever ... and teaching about it, so that kids can see that there’s alternative ways to getting a job, working all your life for nothing.” That plan seems to be going well. The night before our photo shoot, interpretive dancers contorted to improvised music from members of the local band
Ginsu Wives, while artists spray-painted eight-foot stretches of Saran wrap in the middle of the warehouse performance space. Other times, Hernandez says, skateboarders might take to the half-pipe at one end of the space, while DJs spin and muralists work. Mixed media always, he says. Check it out, art-y types. There’s nothing else like it in Little Rock. BEST TIME-KILLER
If you’re the type who can’t countenance an empty moment without whipping out your smart phone and hurling some furrowed-browed birds at pigs or angling for a triple-word score against your “friends,” consider a new iPhone game from Mobile FWD, a new mobile app development company based in Northwest Arkansas. It’s called Trivi.al, and it’s habit-forming. Particularly when it’s played as it’s intended — against people you know. Think Words with Friends, but
trivia. Or if you’re ignorant of mobile gaming, think a lightning-round of Trivial Pursuit played on your phone against people you know. Trivi.al just launched a couple weeks ago, so to get the fullest experience, you’ll need to recruit some friends to play. We’ve already got an intra-office grudge match going. One of us, who prides himself in knowing more inane trivia than your average “Jeopardy” contestant and isn’t shy about telling everyone, is getting destroyed by the quiet guy in the office. But not for long! BEST HIGH
If you’re not into recreational pharmaceuticals, this award has to go to Mount Magazine State Park, which sits atop the highest point in Arkansas (2,700 feet!) and looms over the tiny hamlet of Havana in Yell County. With truly amazing views, a stunning, multi-million-dollar lodge complex or romantic private cabins, hiking, biking, flora and fauna, it’s a great escape. BONUS: It’s about 15 degrees cooler at the top of the mountain at any given time, making it the perfect destination in the wilting season of summer. BEST LOCAL BOY MADE GOOD
For literary types like us, that’s gotta be
Bryan Borland, who started the Alexander, Ark., Sibling Rivalry Press on his kitchen table a few years back and has since grown it into a powerhouse in the niche of gay/ lesbian/transgender literature. In an era when we regularly hear that print is dead, Borland is actually making a profit publishing poetry, and is expanding rapidly into the world of fiction as projects present themselves. As an added bonus, Sibling Rivalry is home to the journal Assaracus, which is — if you can believe it — the only journal dedicated to poetry by gay authors in the U.S. Something tells us that if you informed the literati in NYC or San Fran that the only gay poetry journal in America is headquartered in a guy’s spare bedroom in Alexander, Arkansas, they’d solemnly dump their crantinis into the gutter, cast down their black turtlenecks, and resolve to rethink their life choices. BEST USED BOOKSTORE IN THE KNOWN UNIVERSE
Without a doubt, that would be Dickson Street Bookshop up in Fayetteville, a bookworm’s labyrinth of floor-to-ceiling shelves that just goes on and on and on, winding up and down and around until a bibliophile might be convinced he’s CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
www.arktimes.com
JULY 25, 2012
13
Thanks To All Who Voted!
Everything Happens For A Reason
Thanks for voting us the Best!
EDITOR’S PICKS
Best Performing Arts Group
David A. Glaze, Director
Please Join Us For The Opening Concert Of Our 10th Anniversary Season September 23, 24, 27
Performances Held At Trinity United Methodist Church 501-377-1080 • Free And Open To The Public
www.rivercitymenschorus.com
Best Place to take Yoga
3515 Old Cantrell Rd | 501.661.8005 www.BarefootStudio.com
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 somehow wandered into heaven. We go in there every time we’re in Fay’ville, and we’re convinced that they somehow have amassed an entirely new selection every time we go in, Hogwarts Academy Library style. Though we’ve spent hours there on occasion, we find whole sections we seemed to have missed the last time we were in. For the kind of person who loves the smell of old books, it’s definitely a destination. BEST FOODSTUFF SAFARI
In addition to stuff like furniture, jewelry, toys and more, the gigantoKroger out on Chenal Parkway in West Little Rock has a truly amazing array of canned goods and condiments from around the world, with big sections devoted to the prepackaged foodstuffs from various countries and regions. Looking for Indian curries and sauces, but don’t want to hit the Indian grocery? They’ve got lots of that. Need a can of Heinz Beans (in a blue can which simply says: “BEANS”) to make yourself feel like you’re huddling in a bomb shelter during the London Blitz? They’ve got that as well, along with that most Brit of Brit desserts: canned Spotted Dick. And yes, you are required to photograph yourself with the Spotted Dick can. African brands, Caribbean brands, Australian brands, real-deal Italian and German brands. For the adventurous sort when it comes to food, going in and browsing can have sweet rewards. BEST PLACE TO SEE BIG CATS IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
You could tramp through the woods looking for the mountain lions that locals report from time to time, but they’re hard to find. And according to the Game and Fish Commission, they don’t even exist, which makes sightings that much more difficult. It’s easier to go to the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge outside Eureka Springs. Boy, do they have big cats here — tigers, the biggest; almost-as-big lions; beautiful black leopards; bobcats bobbob-bobbing along. There are non-feline hangers-on as well: bears, birds, monkeys. To all appearances, the animals are well cared for. If you’re there in the afternoon, you can watch feeding time. The inmates are hearty eaters. You can even stay on the grounds overnight in a cabin, if you’ve nerve enough. 14
JULY 25, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
Radiation oncology kid ad AT.indd 5
7/18/12 12:38 PM
ds n e er 12 off 31, 20 July
BRIAN CHILSON
30 Rock on NBC
BEST NEW BRIDGE: The Two Rivers Bridge.
BEST PLACE TO SEE PAINTED BUNTINGS IN CENTRAL ARKANSAS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY
If you want to see the closest thing North American has to a parrot (since we killed off all our parakeets in the 19th century), drive over to Terry Lock and Dam, to the farthest parking lot (which affords a view of the dam), park your car and start looking in the scrubby brush and trees along the road. It’s best to do this in spring when they are singing, but they are so colorful — red, blue and yellow — that you might catch a quick sighting in summer. Forget winter; that’s when they abandon Arkansas for Central America, though the way the climate is changing, they might only go no further south than Union County in future. BEST PLACE TO GET HIGH-QUALITY SARDINES WHILE FILLING A PRESCRIPTION
We’ve all known that sudden, irresistible craving for sardines. Sometimes it comes at night, and sometimes it strikes just as we realize we need to refill a prescription too. Must we make two separate trips? Not if we go to the Walgreens on 12th Street. There’ll be a pharmacist on duty until 10 p.m. and in the grocery section you’ll find the thing that you really wanted. The local supermarkets have sardines in soybean oil, in mustard sauce, in Louisiana hot sauce, even in water. But they don’t have the “lightly smoked” sardines, what Julia Child called “the prince of sardines.” Walgreens does. They’re Chicken of the Sea, too. No off-brand ’dines here. Enjoy. BEST NEW BRIDGE
Though its name isn’t as provocative as the Big Dam Bridge’s, Two Rivers
Bridge is a handsome addition to Little Rock’s biking and hiking trails and its new appeal as a city of spectacular river crossings and trails. On the Little Rock side, a landscaped wetland, nicely crafted rock-walled sidewalks and a long steel sculpture cut in the shape of the Arkansas River make a beautiful entrance (accessible by car or the River Trail). The bridge rises gently as it crosses the Big Maumelle River, offering a unique view of the peninsula ahead, a place of tall pines and green undergrowth, where deer nibble and birds flit. There are picnic tables, places to fish and a trail to the rest of the 1,000acre Two Rivers Park, encompassing woods, marsh and meadow. The best way to cross the bridge this particular summer, it seems, would be on a bicycle, to get a breeze; otherwise, you might perish in the heat. Take water. BEST MUSEUM
OK, this is an easy pick. Walmart heiress Alice Walton has invested nearly $2 billion (an educated guess, not fact) in building Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville and filling it with American masterpieces, in a gorgeous Ozark mountain ravine surrounded by 120 acres of woods. Surely everyone in Arkansas knows the details by now: Seven galleries in a Moshe Safdie-designed structure that spans two pools fed by Crystal Springs, with artworks from the 1600s to the present, along with a library, classrooms, auditorium and Eleven, a restaurant. That’s indoors. The grounds are spectacular, threaded with seven trails for hiking, biking, and art, bird and plant enthusiasts. Sargent, Copley, Cole, Catlin, Peale, Stuart, Durand, Moran, Eakins, Cassatt, Heade, CONTINUED ON PAGE 17
the entertAinMent you love.
ThE PRICE yoU wANT. gET sTARTED wITh xfINITy® TV
$
10
No TERM CoNTRACT REQUIRED
ToP NETwoRK ChANNELs
A MONTH FOR 12 MONTHS
AcT NOw. OuR lOweST OFFeR OF THe yeAR iS eNdiNg SOON. ALL THE MAJOR NETWORKS Get the top network channels including NBC, ABC, CBS and FOX so you can enjoy your favorite TV shows. STEP UP TO A DIGITAL TV PACKAGE Enjoy thousands of free movies and TV shows with XFINITY® On Demand. Plus, ask how to get access to HD channels and premium networks like HBO,® SHOwTImE ® and STArz.®
offer ends July 31, 2012
Don’t wait — call 1-877-477-5593 today!
All backed by the 30-Day Money-Back Comcast Customer Guarantee.SM Offer ends 7/31/12, and is limited to new residential customers. Not available in all areas. Requires subscription to Basic TV service. After promotional period, or if any service is cancelled or downgraded, regular rates apply. Comcast’s current monthly service charge for Basic TV ranges from $9.49 – $24.99 depending on area. TV service limited to a single outlet. Equipment, installation, taxes, fees, the Regulatory Recovery Fee and other applicable charges extra. May not be combined with other offers. Not all programming available in all areas. Money-Back Guarantee applies to one month’s recurring service and standard installation charges up to $500. ©2012 Comcast. All rights reserved. Call for restrictions and complete details, or visit comcast.com. NPA107663-0017
www.arktimes.com
78765_NPA107663-0017_PB BasicTV 4.5 x 12.indd 1
JULY 25, 2012
15
7/5/12 5:48 PM
BRIAN CHILSON
THE TROLLEY: Yes, it’s a tourist trap, but is that all bad?
A defense of the trolley Rethinking this year’s winner for Best Misuse of Taxpayer Funds. BY DAVID KOON
L
ike a lot of you, I have had my doubts over whether the River Rail trolley system — a $20-million-dollar-plus project that links Little Rock and North Little Rock by way of rails and a barn full of yellow, bus-sized streetcars — was a good idea. Just like you, I see the trolley cars rumbling by my office at Markham and Scott with nobody but the driver aboard sometimes. It’s easy to see why, then, that the River Rail won our Best of Arkansas award for Best Misuse of Taxpayer Funds, narrowly edging out Bobby Petrino (and oh, how much more interesting would this piece have been if that particular unhappy accident had won?). I see the places the money could have been spent — where it could still be spent every year. Because I worked up the numbers for the Times a few years back, I know how much it costs to run the trolley system: somewhere over $400 an hour every hour it runs, 16
JULY 25, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
even after you subtract the amount they make every year on car rentals and rider fares. They’re clearly not getting anywhere close to breaking even. Only a fool could deny that, and I like to think of myself as at least a click or two above fool. Up until a few weeks back, I was actually looking forward to wholeheartedly agreeing with the majority of our balloteers. Then something changed for me. I’ll get to that later. To be sure, there are lots of critics of the trolley, and I’m not saying they’re wrong in the least. A friend of mine from North Little Rock who I deeply respect is one of them. He has worked in violence prevention and youth outreach for over 30 years, and he takes to his Facebook page often to deride the trolley, pointing out areas on his side of the river like Baring Cross and Dark Hollow that could change for the better if the money spent on the trolley was spent there instead. I respect him.
He’s really been there, and has seen the bloody fruit to be reaped from the seeds of neglect. Too, I know he’s got a point. I know he’s right. In the last few weeks, though — ever since somebody painted over the massive public mural of a hibiscus that graced the side of a building on Main Street — I’ve been thinking. The mural was created with the help of federal funds way back in the summer of 1980, and for no other reason than somebody though it would make Little Rock a more beautiful place to live. I’ve thought a lot about that idea since somebody slathered a coat of muddy brown over it a few weeks back — about how, if somebody tried to use $100,000 in public money to take on a similar artfor-art’s-sake project today, the howls of protest from armchair economists would ring off the Capitol dome. It also got me thinking that a great city isn’t great because it does solely what is needed for its people to survive. A
great city is great because it takes pains to beautify itself, to make itself lovely, to make itself a place where people don’t just live, but want to live. Yes, we could spend the trolley money elsewhere. Yes, it would cost less to park it except on weekends when ridership is high. It would also cost less to build every public building like a concrete pillbox, to buy battleship gray paint in 100,000-gallon lots and paint every school that color, to forego the little, lovely, expensive details in our libraries and courthouses that make them more beautiful but not a smidgen more useful. Plow the soccer fields in Murray Park into soybean turns. Demolish Robinson Auditorium and put up a convenience store. Throw some stripes on the Big Dam Bridge and roll traffic over that sucker. It would all be cheaper. But would it make us better? I’ve spent several hours on the trolley over the past few weeks, gliding through the streets of Little Rock and North Little Rock, growling through the turns, feeling the car sway in the long straightaways. Sometimes, yes, I was the only paying rider. I saw a few people who were legitimate commuters. More often, though, I was on there with people who were clearly tourists: people in shorts and sunglasses, listening and looking around as the conductor called out the sights we were passing; old people with their grandkids; parents with their children; folks from someplace else. I talked to quite a few of them, people who came here to try our city on for awhile and see what we’re made of, all of them looking at Little Rock and North Little Rock as the trolley rolled over the bridge with our river below, maybe imagining what it would be like to live under one of our rooftops. In a few years — if we’ve got the stomach and the budget for it (both of which seem to be dwindling by the minute in this country) — more track might get laid up Park Hill or down Markham or out to the airport, and the trolley might become a real, viable option for commuters. Until then, though, I’d make the case that even if nobody but tourists ever rides it, even if the cars are often empty, even if it is technically a “waste,” the trolley is worth more than money — to our pride, to the way we think about this city we call home, and to the way people from elsewhere see us. Maybe there’s a reason beyond simple place that the streetcar in that famous play was named Desire.
ThankWeYou, Arkansas! appreciate you! EDITOR’S PICKS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 Homer, Bellows, Henri, Parrish, Hartley, Gorky, Nevelson, O’Keeffe, Noland, Bearden, Rockwell, Calder, Thiebaud, Lichtenstein, Hofmann, Hopper, Marisol, Warhol, Oldenburg, Holzer, Walker, di Suvero, Turrell, Rothko, Catlett … need we say more? There is more, but you have to stop somewhere. BEST PLACE TO SEE ANIMATED ART: WWW.WARRENCRISWELL.COM
Warren Criswell is a painter and sculptor of some renown in Arkansas, but he also creates art that moves, and not by CGI either, but laborious drawing. They are short — the longest is 4 minutes, and some run only seconds — but they are wondrous, funny, philosophical and set to excellent music, including original compositions by pianist Robert Boury. Stick with “Fading” to see clouds become people then not people then silhouettes and finally, Criswell’s omnipresent crow. There’s a nice bit of soft porn, too, with a terrific animation of one of the artist’s familiar strippers pole-dancing (“William Wilson”). BEST MUSIC BY ARKANSAS ARTISTS TO SING WITH YOUR CHILDREN
The recordings of Trout Fishing in America — aka Keith Grimwood and Ezra Idlet — ought to be part of every child’s collection, and we do mean every child in the U.S.A., not just Arkansas. The fine Fayetteville musicians’ lyrics aren’t sappy or preachy and you will find yourself singing … “Oh, I used to be a dinosaur I thought I was so cool. Future fossil fuel, that’s all I ever was. When I was a dinosaur …” … with your kid even when she’s in college. BEST STARGAZERS
The Central Arkansas Astronomical Society doesn’t keep the heavens to itself. Members share their love for the unfathomable with star parties for folks who don’t know telescopes from telephones. They turn their scopes to the skies to share what they know about Saturn and Mars, meteor showers, nebulae, special stars, at Pinnacle Mountain and Woolly Hollow
state parks. Yes, there’s some light pollution at Pinnacle from Little Rock’s glare. But you can still see, and what you’re looking at is the light of things billions and billions of miles away. (And yes, you should say that in your Carl Sagan voice). Ponder the universe and puts things in perspective. See you at the Perseids. BEST LITTLE ROCK NEIGHBORHOOD FOR SHOWING OFF THE TALENTS OF ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
If you haven’t been to the Pettaway neighborhood, you’re missing out on seeing the latest in affordable housing: Modular homes designed by the fourth and fifth year students in the UA Fay Jones School of Architecture’s Design/Build program. The first UA Design Build home, a glass and wood one-story partly prefabricated in Fayetteville, was built in 2010 at 1519 Commerce St. That was followed by a cantilevered design at 1805 Commerce in 2011; a new house is going up now at 1901 Cumberland. The Downtown Little Rock Community Development Corp. is partnering with the Design/Build program, as well as its other efforts to revitalize the neighborhood: It’s rehabilitated historic homes, installed Little Rock’s first shipping container homes (on Twenty-first Street) and worked with the University of Arkansas’s Community Design Center, which designed a Pettaway Pocket Neighborhood model that clusters homes around a central common area.
Frances Flower Shop is glad to have served you since 1950 and through two generations of florists. Thank you very much for your support!
best florist
Frances Flower Shop, Inc.
1222 West Capitol • little RoCk • 501.372.2203 • fRanCesfloWeRshop.Com
Just add water! we have you covered for everything! thankS for VotinG uS the BeSt!
BEST CHEAP FURNITURE
On the first three Wednesdays of each month, from 7:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., you can pick through all the stuff the State of Arkansas decided it didn’t need anymore at the Arkansas Marketing and Redistribution warehouse at 6620 Young Road in Little Rock. Among the things you can score: cheap, sturdy furniture and God only knows what else. For a mere $20, Times editor Lindsey Millar scored a nice desk, one of those pieces of utilitarian, institutional-type furniture designed to withstand the rebirth of the New Madrid Fault. The warehouse is packed with scores of desks, chairs, tables, lamps, shelves and more, all at prices that are dramatically cheaper than similar stuff sold at the big thrift stores. In addition to the no-frills furniture and rows of old calculators and laptops, we’ve seen scuba gear, microscopes, power tools of various sorts, DVDs, speakers and
Best Marina
H
R SPRIN E GS EB
H M MARINA
on Beautiful GreerS ferry lake Marina Store • Boat rentalS Daily/annual Slip rentalS ScuBa air
Hwy 110 West & Park Rd. at the Heber Springs Recreation Park
(501) 362-8838
CONTINUED ON PAGE 42 www.arktimes.com
JULY 25, 2012
17
We’re expanding in Downtown Little Rock!
Now open at 111 Center Street! (501) 748-1450
For 125 years, we have served clients well. We look forward to continuing that tradition and to exceeding client expectations at our newest branch location in Little Rock. Recognized as one of the strongest banks in the Southeast, we offer the strength and stability you deserve.
You can also visit us at any one of our other 10 convenient branches in Central Arkansas. www.iberiabank.com |
Serving Heights & Hillcrest and West Little Rock Since 1964
DRUG STORE
• Delivery Available • Competitive Prices • Good Neighbor Pharmacy • Most Insurance Accepted • Gifts • Greeting Cards • Vitamins & Herbal Products • Vaccinations Available
bEST DRUG STORE
Kathryn Wright
Adam Wheeler
(501) 664-4444 • 6815 Cantrell Rd. • Located Next to Stein Mart •www.TanglewoodDrug.com 18 JULY 25, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
BEST OF ARKANSAS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12
FUNERAL HOME Ruebel RUNNERS-UP: Roller-Chenal, Ashby, North Little Rock Funeral Home FURNITURE Hank’s Fine Furniture RUNNERS-UP: Ashley Furniture HomeStore in Bryant, I.O. Metro, Cleo’s West GARDEN STORE/NURSERY The Good Earth in Little Rock RUNNERS-UP: Cantrell Gardens, Hocott’s Garden Center, Lowe’s GIFT SHOP Box Turtle RUNNERS-UP: The Crown Shop, The Green Corner Store, The Full Moon
GUN SHOP Ft. Thompson’s RUNNERS-UP: Don’s Weaponry, Bullseye Guns & Ammo Inc., Gander Mtn. HARDWARE Kraftco RUNNERS-UP: Fuller & Son downtown, Lowe’s, Jacksonville Home Depot HIP CLOTHING Box Turtle RUNNERS-UP: Scarlet, Forever 21, E.Leigh’s, Evolve HOTEL Capital Hotel RUNNERS-UP: Embassy Suites, Peabody Little Rock, Hampton Inn & Suites INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER AT&T LOCAL WINNER: Conway Corporation RUNNERS-UP: Comcast, Aristotle, Verizon CONTINUED ON PAGE 23
Natural American Spirit® is a registered trademark of Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Co. © SFNTC 3 2012
GROCERY STORE Kroger LOCAL WINNER: Edwards Food Giant RUNNERS-UP: Fresh Market, Whole
Foods Market, Argenta Market
BRIAN CHILSON
get your trial offer.
BURROW’S & MR. FRANK’S: The eye’s have it.
TryAmericanSpirit.com or call 1-800-435-5515 CODE: 80171
Trial offer restricted to U.S. smokers 21 years of age or older. Offer void in MA and where prohibited. Additional restrictions may apply.
cigarettes www.arktimes.com
Arkansas Times 07-25-12.indd 1
JULY 25, 2012
19
6/22/12 8:03 AM
A neighborhood shop for all ages! Brought to you By Box turtle. Featuring fun and nostalgic toys and candy from our past and unique toys from the present.
& soda fountain BEST TOYS
Thank You for supporting local!
BRIAN CHILSON
Best Gift Shop
RINGS NOW: Onion arcs when you pick them up.
Lord of the rings
Thanks For Voting For Us!
1423 Main St, Little Rock Mon-Fri 11am-7pm | Sat 10am-7pm Soda Fountain: Mon-Sat 12am-7pm
www.thegreencornerstore.com Located below Box Turtle 2616 Kavanaugh • Hillcrest • (501) 661-1167
Arkansas Burger Co. tops in onion rings. BY DAVID KOON
W
hile we tend to prefer French fries with our big ol’ nasty burgers, every once in awhile we get a hankering for onion rings, those second-fiddle players that are sometimes (though rarely, in our experience) good enough to take a starring role. The problem with onion rings, and the reason they’re probably not as popular as Freedom Fries, is usually one of execution. Most places just slice ’em too dang thick and bread ‘em too heavy. This is clearly the case with our overall onion ring winner found at Sonic. You bite in, draw back, and more often than not the onion slithers right out of the breading, leaving you with a limp noodle of blanched veggie on your lip and a weird tube of fried dough between your fingers. Sorry, dear voters, but nobody wants that, ballots be damned. Then there are the rings at our local winner, Arkansas Burger Co. on Cantrell. They know how to do rings right. Though they won’t divulge the recipe for their breading — even under pain of seeing a grown man cry — the real secret appears to be how thin they
slice their onions. We’re talking paper thin, string thin, so thin you could probably read the sports page through those pearly-white Vidalias by the time they’re done. Then they drop ’em in batter, followed by a bath in the hot grease. What comes out the other side of that trial by fat is a real treat, one that would make even the most ardent pommes frites freak think twice: a hot, crispy, fragrant tangle of rings, each so thin that the onion has fried up crispy along with the golden-brown batter. They’re perfect when dipped in a little ketchup, and like manna when riding alongside one of Arkansas Burger Co.’s big ol’ namesakes. The only problem with all that crispiness is that once you touch them, the onion rings at Arkansas Burger Co. crumble into something better described as onion arcs, which will have further disintegrated to onion bits by the time you hit the wax paper in the bottom of the basket. Only rarely will you fish out a thin, perfect ring. Doesn’t matter though. One bite, and you and the rest of the folks at your table will likely be scrabbling after those tasty crumbles with your fingertips.
We Love Our Customers! Thanks For Voting For Us! Best Gift Shop
Best Hip Clothing
box turtle GIFTS CLOTHING ART
2616 Kavanaugh Blvd. • Little Rock 501.661.1167 • www.shopboxturtle.com www.arktimes.com
JULY 25, 2012
21
thanks for voting us one of the best Best Salon • Best Barbershop
Text Karizma to 90210 for Exclusive Offers 400 N. Bowman Rd • Little Rock
501.217.8953
salon-karizma.com
Thank You arkansas Times readers For VoTing For us!
auTo sTereo
YOUR “1” STOP SHOP • Mobile Video • Autostart Alarms
• Bluetooth Hands Free • Keyless Entry
We also carry Pioneer, JVC, Clarion, Soundstream and Rockford Fosgate
arkansas Times special • Keyless/Autostart Starting at $249.99 • Backup Sensors Installed Starting at $199.99
5017 S. University • Little Rock • 562-0064 Tues-Fri 9am-5pm • Sat 9am-4pm
See Why We’re Voted the Best! Join us at Ya Ya’s for sundaY Jazz Brunch! featuring local Jazz Musicians, Wine & roses everY sundaY froM 11aM to 2pM for onlY $19.95 earlY special Begins at 10aM for onlY $17.95
Winner best Wine list since 2007
Happy Hour 4-7 everyday every otHer Monday Wine tasting $10
tues tHru sat 4pM-7pM $5 House wine (2 wines off the list) $1 off beer (import and domestic)
Best Brunch priMe riB, hoMeMade Brick oven pizzas, eggs Benedict, signature Ya Ya’s house specialtY’s, house infused BloodY MarY’s & so Much Much More!!
tuesday
any bottle of wine $40 and under is just $20 all night
Wednesday $2 off all tapas
tHursday
Happy Hour all night live entertainMent on tHe patio
Crush Wine Bar
ReseRvations PRefeRRed 501.821.1144 Hours: sun. 10am to 9pm • mon. - tHurs. 11am to 10pm Fri. - sat. 11am to 11pm Located in the Promenade at Chenal 22 JULY 25, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
JosepH st. ana oWner/ soMMelier
318 North MaiN Street • argeNta
501-374-9463
BEST OF ARKANSAS
REALTOR Janet Jones Realty RUNNERS-UP: Charlotte John, CryeLeike, McKimmey Associates
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19
JEWELERS Stanley Jewelers RUNNERS-UP: Sissy’s Log Cabin, Jones & Son, Roberson’s
RETIREMENT COMMUNITY Fox Ridge RUNNERS-UP: Parkway Village, Woodland Heights, Hot Springs Village
BRIAN CHILSON
LINGERIE Barbara Graves RUNNERS-UP: Victoria’s Secret, Cupids, Dillard’s MATTRESS Denver Mattress RUNNERS-UP: Mattress Firm, Mattress King, Ashley Furniture Home Store
PROMENADE AT CHENAL: Best shopping center.
MEN’S CLOTHING Baumans Fine Men’s Clothing RUNNERS-UP: Dillard’s, Greenhaw’s Fine Men’s Wear, Evolve
OUTDOOR STORE Ozark Outdoor Supply RUNNERS-UP: Academy Sports, Gander Mtn., Gene Lockwood’s
PLUMBER Ray Lusk RUNNERS-UP: Don M. Houff, Advantage Service Co., Russell and LeMay
MOBILE PHONE AT&T Wireless RUNNERS-UP: Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile
PAWN SHOP Braswell & Son RUNNERS-UP: Pawnderosa, Bob’s, Big Daddy’s
PRIVATE SCHOOL Pulaski Academy RUNNERS-UP: Episcopal Collegiate, Catholic High School, Little Rock Christian Academy
MUSIC EQUIPMENT Guitar Center LOCAL WINNER: Jacksonville Guitar Center RUNNERS-UP: Bryant Music Center, Best Buy, Saied Music Co.
PHARMACY Walgreens LOCAL WINNER: USA Drug RUNNERS-UP: Smith-Caldwell, Tanglewood, The Drug Store
PUBLIC SCHOOL Little Rock Central High School RUNNERS-UP: Forest Park Elementary, Bryant School District, Conway School District
SALON Fringe Benefits RUNNERS-UP: Joel’s Downtown, Caracalla, Salon Karizma SHOES Dillard’s RUNNERS-UP: DSW, Warren’s, Shoe Connection SHOPPING CENTER Promenade at Chenal RUNNERS-UP: Pleasant Ridge, Park Plaza, Midtowne SPA Caracalla RUNNERS-UP: Rejuvenation Spa, Ava Bella, Indulgences by Body Bronze SPORTING GOODS Academy LOCAL WINNER: Gene Lockwood’s RUNNERS-UP: Ozark Outdoor Supply, Dick’s, Sports Authority CONTINUED ON PAGE 26
www.arktimes.com
JULY 25, 2012
23
Winning Beginning Since the
Thank You Arkansas For Voting Us Best Florist!
Celebrating 126 years
BRIAN CHILSON
666.3333 | tiptonhurst.com
NEW TASTES: Rick Maldonado fits a customer.
Suits for a century
mountaiharboresrt.co m moun mo ou un ntta ai iha ha h arb arb bore o o re res srt. s rt rt.c co o (870) (8 870 70) 867-2191 867867 86 7-21 2191 2191 1
Baumans the best. BY DOUG SMITH
N
Thank you, readers, for voting us as your choice for runner-up among Arkansas’ resorts. It’s our pleasure to serve you! Visit us soon at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa - Lake Ouachita’s premiere resort destination. www.mountainharborresort.com (870) 867-2191
W E ’ R E
of
B L U S H I N G
FIFTY SHADES GREY!
Thanks For Voting Us Among The Best
BEST LINGERIE
We Have All Of The Essential Accessories For Your Red Room
shopcupids.com Little Rock West, Little Rock South*, North Little Rock, Cabot*, Conway and Hot Springs *open 24 hours! 24
JULY 25, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
early a century old, Baumans Fine Men’s Clothing has outlived many competitors, and it bests the ones that are still around, according to Arkansas Times voters. It’s pricy, but it’s good. “Baumans has been recognized by almost every Arkansas weekly, daily and monthly publication in readers’ polls as ‘The Best Men’s Store’ in the state,” the Baumans website says. “Additionally, we have been recognized by Esquire magazine as one of the top 100 Men’s Specialty Stores for 10 consecutive years and recently were honored by MR. magazine, a national trade publication, as one of the 25 most exciting retail stores in America.” Many of Baumans’ longtime, somewhat mature, customers might be surprised by that “exciting” label. Besides the quality of the clothing, they go to Baumans because it’s familiar and comfortable. They’re not big on surprises. They want pinstripe suits, silk neckties, Allen Edmonds shoes. But lots of customers of this sort have retired, and don’t need as many suits, or have died and need only one. Now there’s a younger group that wants more casual clothing. Baumans meets their needs too, according to its owner, Wayne Ratcliff. “We’ve had to bend with the times,” Ratcliff
said. “There’s a new customer coming. There always is. But we’re not going to abandon the one that brought us to the dance.” Baumans offers casual, business and formal wear. It has tailoring too, which is rare these days, Ratcliff said. Ratcliff joined the Baumans’ sales staff in 1973, when the store was 54 years old. The store was founded by Simon Bauman, who had worked for the Blass family. The Blass department store was a fixture on Main Street in Little Rock for many years. Bauman opened his own store downtown after World War I. Since then, there have been several different owners, at several different locations. (And the name has changed as well, from Bauman’s to Baumans.) Baumans has been at its present location (8201 Cantrell Road, in the Pavilion in the Park shopping center) for nearly 20 years. It has a small branch downtown too, in the Capital Hotel. The Capital branch can provide shirts and other items for travelers, Ratcliff said. “But we can accommodate most anything.” Part of Baumans’ popularity is that the salesmen and saleswomen seem knowledgeable about men’s clothing. That can’t always be said of some of Baumans’ competitors.
RestauRant • Cabins & Rooms ski boats & PaRty baRge Rentals Full seRviCe maRina & shiPs stoRe Diving • hoRsebaCk RiDing Jet ski Rentals
best maRina
4120 Brady Mtn. Rd. • Royal, AR 71968 • 501-767-3422 • www.waterwayadventures.com
Best Funeral Home
501.666.0123
thank You little rock! We LIVE it • We LOVE it We SELL it! 501.664.5646 charlottejohn.com Best realtor www.arktimes.com
JUly 25, 2012
25
BEST OF ARKANSAS
GAY BAR Discovery RUNNERS-UP: Trinity, Sidetracks, Sway
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23
LATE NIGHT SPOT Midtown Billiards RUNNERS-UP: Discovery, Electric Cowboy, Waffle House
TATTOO STUDIO Electric Heart Tattoos RUNNERS-UP: 7th Street Tattoos, The Parlor, Golden Lotus Tattoo Studio
LIVE MUSIC FESTIVAL Riverfest RUNNERS-UP: Wakarusa, King Biscuit, Edgefest BRIAN CHILSON
TOYS Toys R Us LOCAL WINNER: Heights Toy Store RUNNERS-UP: Learning Express, Cheeky Marshmallows, Walmart TRAVEL AGENCY Poe RUNNERS-UP: Sue Smith/Vacation Valet, Dillard’s, AARP Travel Center USED AUTO Landers Toyota RUNNERS-UP: Bill Fitts, North Point Toyota, America’s Car-Mart VETERINARIAN Hillcrest Animal Hospital RUNNERS-UP: Allpets, Bellevue, Cantrell Animal Clinic VINTAGE CLOTHING Savers RUNNERS-UP: Vintage Socialite,
E. LEIGH’S: Hip clothing runner-up.
Goodwill Industries, Paddy Wacks
ENTERTAINMENT
WOMEN’S CLOTHING Dillard’s LOCAL WINNER: Scarlet RUNNERS-UP: Barbara/Jean, Beyond Cotton, Kohl’s
BAND Amasa Hines RUNNERS-UP: Tragikly White, Boom Kinetic, The Rockets
YOGA STUDIO Barefoot RUNNERS-UP: Floating Lotus, Argenta Healing Arts, Little Rock Athletic Club
DJ Ugly Ed Johnson RUNNERS-UP: DJ King Akeem, Mike Poe (Poebot), DJ Deja Blu
MOVIE THEATER Rave LOCAL WINNER: Market Street RUNNERS-UP: Breckenridge, Chenal 9, Riverdale MUSEUM Arkansas Arts Center RUNNERS-UP: Museum of Discovery, Crystal Bridges, Clinton Library PERFORMING ARTS GROUP The Rep RUNNERS-UP: Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Red Octopus, River City Men’s Chorus CONTINUED ON PAGE 28
Thanks For Voting Us One Of The Best Chiropractors In Arkansas! We Are Here To Serve You! Offering Military And Student Discounts. Visit Us To Feel Your Best.
Best ChiropraCtor Dr. Brady DeClerk
CenTrAl ArkAnSAS
Chiropractic 501.850.8400 4196 East McCain Blvd North Little Rock
501.716.9999 6801 W 12th St Little Rock
www.centralarkansaschiropractic.com 26
JULY 25, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
thank you arkansas for all your votes! Best Jeweler
3422 JFK Blvd • North Little Rock 501.753.1081 • www.stanleyjewelers.com
thanks to you
Thank you for voting us one of your favorite Marinas!
EDEN ISLE We have great things going on at Eden Isle MARINA Marina this summer! Come visit us this weekend!
Best Decorator
rocking rooms since 1995
Best Marina
501.362.2232 | 10 Yacht Harbor Road Heber Springs, AR | on the Greers Ferry Lake www.edenislemarina.com
CARNES AUDIO VISUAL The Leader in Home Entertainment Technology
Complete T heater Pack ages Starting at $ 6,500
Thank you for voting us “Best of Arkansas”! 2011 | 2012 HDTV Outdoor Theater Packages Audio/Video Packages
BEST LOCAL ELECTRONICS
Complete Smart Home Calibration Packages
CarnesAudio.com | 5919 Kavanaugh Blvd. Little Rock AR, 72207 | 501-658-0932 All Packages include Installation. Prices Exclude Tax. Shown at $9,500.
www.arktimes.com
JUly 25, 2012
27
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26
PLACE FOR LIVE MUSIC Stickyz RUNNERS-UP: White Water Tavern, Revolution, Juanita’s PLACE TO DANCE Discovery RUNNERS-UP: Electric Cowboy, Cajun’s Wharf, Sway PLACE TO GAMBLE Oaklawn RUNNERS-UP: Southland, Grand Strike, Harrah’s in Tunica
SPORTS BAR West End RUNNERS-UP: Buffalo Wild Wings, The Tavern, Fox and Hound
PEOPLE ARTIST Stephano RUNNERS-UP: Barry Thomas, Lisa Krannichfeld, Kevin Kresse ATHLETE Tyler Wilson
RUNNERS-UP: Cliff Lee, Darren McFadden, Derek Fisher
RUNNERS-UP: Mark Martin, Bobby Petrino, Little Rock Technology Park
CHARITY Heifer International RUNNERS-UP: Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Easter Seals, Susan G. Komen
PHOTOGRAPHER Brian Chilson RUNNERS-UP: Nelson Chenault, Nancy Nolan, Lance Johnston
CONSERVATIVE Mike Huckabee RUNNERS-UP: Tim Griffin, Bill Vickery, Mark Darr
POLITICIAN Mike Beebe RUNNERS-UP: Kathy Webb, Joyce Elliott, Warwick Sabin
LIBERAL Kathy Webb RUNNERS-UP: Max Brantley, Mike Beebe, Warwick Sabin
WORST ARKANSAN Mike Huckabee RUNNERS-UP: Tim Griffin, Bobby Petrino, Bill Clinton
MISUSE OF TAXPAYER FUNDS River Rail Trolley
Since 1988 • 3rd Generation Pawn Brokers Buy • Sell • Trade!
Merchandise At Bargain Prices 60-Day Grace Period On All Loans Retail Jewelry At Wholesale Prices Guns & Ammo Discounted For Men In Uniform Musical Instruments, Tools, Electronics, Guns We Pay Top Dollar For Gold Lay Away Plan Available
A WN
P
• • • • • • •
DERO N S W
A
PA
We Give More And Hold Longer
CONTINUED ON PAGE 30
P
PLACE TO SEE SOMEONE FAMOUS Capital Hotel RUNNERS-UP: Clinton Library, River Market, Oaklawn
BEST OF ARKANSAS
SHO
Monday-Friday 8:30-5:30 • Saturday 10-2
6416 Colonel Glenn Rd • Little Rock 501-568-7296 • pawnderosapawn.com
Best Pawn
Thanks For Voting Us One Of The Best Banks In Central Arkansas!
BesT BAnk
Come See Why Our Customers Are The Apple Of Our Eye www.NBABank.com 28
JULY 25, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
Being thethe Bes Being Best is is Something Something We Work Towa We Work Toward Every Day. Every Day.
Thanks for yourfor vote as the vote as Thanks your “Best“Best Chiropractor.” Chiropractor.” Your trust is important!
Your trust is importan
Dr. Bev Foster
NANCY NOLAN
Dr. Bev Foste
ChiropraCtiC health & rehabilitation 2701 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72205 (501) 371-0152 DrBevFoster.com
CHIROPRACTIC HEAL & REHABILITATION
Quality wins out
2701 West Markham Stree Little Rock, Arkansas 7220 501 Best371-0152 Chiropractor • DrBevFoster
Amasa Hines is the best band in Little Rock. BY ROBERT BELL
A
lot of bands — most of them, probably — will toil away for years without getting much acknowledgment. They’ve got good intentions, they practice all the time. Hell, maybe they’ve even got good taste. But face it: They didn’t make it because they just weren’t that good. It’s an unfortunate but common scenario. Other groups will work their asses off, become really good and still won’t earn much recognition. That’s a drag, and a mystery to boot. Everybody has one of these “why-didn’t-they-evermake-it-bigger?” favorites. Then there are those precious few bands that are great — and recognized as such — right at the outset. Amasa Hines is just that. The Little Rock band is one of those rare examples of when talent and taste and hard work and focus and good timing meet up with that mystery element and voila: We have a new, awesome band that seemingly everyone can agree is awesome. Though they been together less than two years, Amasa Hines has built a buzz not only locally (though they’ve gotten plenty of love from Central Arkansas critics), but with bloggers and music fans in far-flung locales. Chicagobased blog Words & Fire noted that the band melds “the rich, sensuous sound of grassroots soul with the grit and aggression of bluesy rock,” and dug the track “Earth and Sky,” calling the
lyrics “unpretentiously poetic.” Amasa Hines was one of the dozen bands included in Paste Magazine’s recent feature “12 Arkansas Bands You Should Listen to Now.” SYFFAL.com posted a video of the band performing “Earth and Sky” and “She’s Alright,” gushing that “halfway through the first song I was pissing blood because the soul oozing out of this group kicked me in the gut hard and repeatedly. Think James Brown meets the Black Keys.” And this week, the venerable Daytrotter posted a four-song session from Amasa Hines. Over the last several years, the music website has posted exclusive live recordings from an amazingly large and diverse array of performers, from up-and-comers to seasoned vets such as Wilco, The Walkmen, Los Lobos, Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks and hundreds more. The band hit the road up to Daytrotter’s studio in Rockville, Ill., and recorded two originals and covers of Nina Simone’s “Sinner Man” and Kraftwerk’s “The Model.” The group just finished the tracking and mixing on its debut album as well, recorded by Mitchell Vanhoose, who also plays trumpet on the record and with the band onstage as well. While Amasa Hines is a relatively recent arrival, the band members aren’t exactly newcomers. In 2010,
Foster ad_09.indd 1
10/12/09
Saturday, October 6th 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Street food, music, art & family fun activities! Brought to you by Downtown Little Rock Partnership & the Main Street Revitalization Committee www.downtownlr.com
CONTINUED ON PAGE 48 www.arktimes.com
JULY 25, 2012
29
BEST OF ARKANSAS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28
MEDIA
RUNNERS-UP: Aaron Peters, Wess Moore, Kerri O’Hara
RUNNERS-UP: Big Dam Bridge, Movies in the Park, River Market
RUNNERS-UP: Racquet Club, Burns Park, Otter Creek Racquet Club
TV STATION KATV RUNNERS-UP: KARK, KTHV, KLRT
GOLF COURSE Rebsamen Golf Course RUNNERS-UP: Pleasant Valley Country Club, The Alotian Club, Country Club of Little Rock
PLACE TO MOUNTAIN BIKE Pinnacle Mountain State Park RUNNERS-UP: Burns Park, Camp Robinson, Allsopp Park
BLOG Arkansas Blog RUNNERS-UP: Forbidden Hillcrest, Arkansas Foodies, Eat Arkansas
TV WEATHERMAN Ed Buckner RUNNERS-UP: Ned Perme, Todd Yakoubian, Barry Brandt
NEWSPAPER WRITER Max Brantley RUNNERS-UP: John Brummett, David Koon, Wally Hall
TWITTER FEED Hot Dog Mike RUNNERS-UP: Arkansas Blog, Forbidden Hillcrest, Son of Conway
RADIO PERSONALITY Heather & DC RUNNERS-UP: Tommy Smith, Bob Robbins, Corey and Jay
WEBSITE Arkansas Times RUNNERS-UP: Forbidden Hillcrest, Arkansas Foodies, Encyclopedia of Arkansas
RADIO STATION KUAR 89.1 RUNNERS-UP: Alice 107.7, 103.7 The Buzz, The Point 94.1
RECREATION
TV NEWS PERSON Craig O’Neill RUNNERS-UP: Donna Terrell, Beth Hunt, Dawn Scott
ATHLETIC CLUB Little Rock Athletic Club RUNNERS-UP: Jim Dailey Fitness & Aquatic Center, Little Rock Racquet Club, 10 Fitness
TV SPORTS PERSON Steve Sullivan
CHEAP DATE Arkansas Travelers
30
JULY 25, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
HIKING Pinnacle RUNNERS-UP: Petit Jean State Park, Two Rivers Park, Allsopp Park CHARITY EVENT Race for the Cure RUNNERS-UP: CARE’s Paws on the Runway, CARTI Ragin’ Cajun Bash, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families’ Soup Sunday MARINA Heber Springs Marina RUNNERS-UP: Brady Mountain Marina and Resort, Eden Isle Marina, Jolly Roger’s Marina PARK Burns Park RUNNERS-UP: Allsopp Park, Murray Park, Pinnacle Mountain State Park TENNIS COURTS Little Rock Athletic Club
PLACE TO SWIM Greers Ferry RUNNERS-UP: Lake Ouachita, Little Rock Athletic Club, Little Rock Racquet Club RESORT Red Apple Inn RUNNERS-UP: Mountain Harbor Resort & Spa, Gaston’s White River Resort, DeGray Lake Resort State Park WEEKEND GETAWAY Hot Springs RUNNERS-UP: Eureka Springs, Petit Jean State Park, Buffalo River
FOOD AND DRINK BREAD Boulevard RUNNERS-UP: Rosalia’s, Old Mill, Panera CONTINUED ON PAGE 47
You voted AT&T the Best Mobile Phone Service Provider. Thank you.
HTC ONE™ X
Screen images simulated. ©2012 AT&T Intellectual Property. Service provided by AT&T Mobility. All rights reserved. AT&T and the AT&T logo are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
Saved at
ATM_OKA_P2_2561_ArkTimes_O.indd DEPARTMENT:
Art Director
APPROVAL: Addl. Notes: None
Copywriter
Acct. Manager
Studio Artist
7-23-2012 5:14 PM Proofreader
Printed At None Traffic
Production
Client Media Type Live Trim Bleed Job Title Pubs Ad Code
AT&T Magazine 9.25” x 12” 10” x 12.5” 10.5” x 13” ”Best Of” Print Arkansas Times None
Untouchable
up stories. And there’s a lot of crime, but not a lot of crime reporting, so there’s a hole in the market there. Even if it’s small, if it’s in somebody’s block, they care a lot about it.
Forbidden Hillcrest taps into catnappers and other crime.
AT: Sometimes it’s difficult to know what’s true and what isn’t on Forbidden Hillcrest. Is this intentional? Carr: It isn’t intentional. The catnapper was reported by all the papers and TV channels. ... Now, if I make up a story, I make it so ridiculous that you don’t have to ask. Now it’s straight journalism. I do post fiction on the site, but it should be clear to a reasonable person that it’s fiction. The Children’s Vigilante Network is not real.
BY CHEREE FRANCO
P
aul Carr may live in Hillcrest, but then again, he may not. He grew up in Arkansas, but he won’t say where. What we do know is he earned a B.A. in physics from Hendrix, played in a handful of mid-’90s bands and two years ago started a quirky neighborhood blog called Forbidden Hillcrest. And Arkansas Times readers love Forbidden Hillcrest so much that it came in first runner-up in our Best of Arkansas reader’s poll.
AT: You mean these commenters were actually involved in that situation? Carr: Well, the one who was being
CHEREE FRANCO
AT: Let’s start with something that could be either simple or loaded. Who are you? Carr: There are a couple of things I want to avoid. One is where I grew up. I have to keep that a mystery for reasons I won’t go into. There are some fairly questionable people out there, now that we get beyond Hillcrest with the stories. We do a lot of stories that aren’t really in Hillcrest, like some of these strange West Little Rock neighborhoods where the people are kind of, well, do you follow some of these dramas on the Forbidden Hillcrest Facebook page, like where the boyfriend was shooting at the girlfriend from two different vehicles? It was real Jerry Springer stuff. Everybody that wasn’t a fugitive or in jail got on the page and started commenting within a few hours.
AT: What about the Italian UFO Cult? Carr: Everybody thinks that’s phony. That’s a 100 percent true story.
MYSTERY MAN: Forbidden Hillcrest’s Paul Carr.
shot at got on there ... she liked 2,700 things on Facebook, and Forbidden Hillcrest wasn’t one of them, but these days you don’t have to like something to comment. AT: Why did you start Forbidden Hillcrest? And do you actually live in Hillcrest? Carr: I either live there now, or I have lived there in the past. Originally I wanted to learn about the technicalities of blogging, and I just starting making up these ridiculous stories about Hillcrest, and I had so much fun doing it, I kept cranking them out. I think I did five the first day. There was a lot of buzz right off the bat, because people related to it. There
wasn’t any reporting. It wasn’t a journalism site at all. AT: When and why did you start incorporating more actual news? Carr: It’s kind of evolved. First it was fiction, then it was about exploring, then it was about history, then it was about crime. We had this big story back in November of 2010 about the catnapper. And I was all about that story, but that confused it, because it was very similar to the Pug Strangler [an earlier Forbidden Hillcrest story], which was not true. The reason I started doing true stories is, I would come across things that were just as interesting as anything I made up, and people like true stories better than made-
AT: Do you remember the first true story you wrote? Carr: Yeah, I saw this woman fall into a manhole. AT: I read that. I didn’t believe it. Carr: No one believes it! I don’t know why I bother writing true stories when no one believes them! It happened just like I said, she was talking on her cell phone. ... I think that was before I told people when it was true. I don’t blame people for being confused. I used to have a truth meter where I would pretty much just say if it’s true. Did you see the one about CALS, the creatures that lived in the downtown library? AT: Is it the one where you’re describing the homeless people that hang out in the library? Carr: Yeah. CONTINUED ON PAGE 34
named one of the nation’s top 100 salons by elle magazine! We’ve said it before and we’re honored to say it again,“thanK you arkansas times Readers!” for all of our existence you have selected fRinge best of.
BEST SALON 32
JULY 25, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
5600 Kavanaugh blvd 501.664.1515 fringebenefitssalon.com
best fries. best milkshake. great guests.
THANK YOU
ARKANSAS TIMES READERS for choosing BIG ORANGE BURGER AS
WINNER
BEST FRENCH FRIES …and for voting us as runners up for
BEST MILKSHAKE AND THANK YOU TO ALL THE BURGER LOVERS, SHAKE SIPPERS, and FRENCH FRY FANATICS WHO ALLOW US TO DO WHAT WE LOVE EVERYDAY.
Located in THE PROMENADE at CHENAL 17809 Chenal Parkway, Ste.G-101 Little Rock, AR 72223 | 501.821.1515 BigOrangeBurger.com
Thank you Arkansas Times readers for choosing ZAZA as:
WINNER
BEST SALAD BEST AND AS RUNNER-UP FOR
VEGETARIAN Discover what Arkansas Times Readers are talking about.
We invite you to experience salads made fresh from a gorgeous array of over 60 ingredients, wood-oven fired Napoli style pizzas and all natural Gelato made everyday using authentic Italian recipes. LITTLE ROCK : In the Old Heights Theater, 5600 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, AR, 72207 501-661-9292
CONWAY : In The Village at Hendrix, 1120 Ellis Ave., Conway, AR, 72032 501-336-9292
ZazaPizzaAndSalad.com
www.arktimes.com
JUly 25, 2012
33
Thank you for voting us one of your favorites! FORBIDDEN HILLCREST Best spa
301 N Shackleford Rd # C3 (501) 954-8888 • www.avabelladayspa.com
Little Rock’s House Ware Provider For 61 Years! Best Hardware
We have all your hardware needs and front door parking too!
Over 61 Years Experience 6711 Cantrell • 666-5471
8
winner for the Past
15 years thanks to all the
late night Partiers!
late night sPot
Partying ‘til sunrise 7 days a week! 1316 Main Street 501-372-9990 34
JULY 25, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 32
AT: Your description seems pretty classist. Carr: I prefaced that by saying this story is 20 to 60 percent true or something like that. Clearly I took some liberties with that. Was I speaking about the homeless or was I speaking about some fiction that I created? I mean, clearly it was just an over-the-top exaggeration. AT: You talk about “shambling bearded madmen, degenerated woodland people, badly soiled lunatics.” It could be considered Ginsberg-esque, or it could be considered straight-up offensive. Carr: Well it was inspired by H.P. Lovecraft. That’s about as classist as you can get. AT: That post or the whole blog? Carr: Well I was talking about that post, but actually, the whole blog was inspired by a trip to New York in July 2010. I was stalking H.P. Lovecraft’s history. He lived there briefly, in Brooklyn, and wrote about it, and one day I just went off wandering through Red Hook. It’s not a very good story, even Lovecraft didn’t like it, but it’s called The Horror of Red Hook. But I liked it. He mentioned specific addresses, so I used that in Forbidden Hillcrest. If you tell your little bullshit story and you mention real crossroads or whatever, I think it makes the story juicier. AT: OK, so what’s your deal with H.P. Lovecraft? Carr: We share obsessions. AT: Do you care to elaborate? Carr: I don’t know how to answer that question. I wish that I could. (He writes the question on his notebook, in case he wants to take a shot at it later.) AT: Sometimes you scoop the papers. How do you get your information? Carr: We basically have a giant amateur news group spread all over the city. Somebody sees something, they tell me about it immediately. Everyone thinks I’m on the scanner all the time. I’m pretty much never on the scanner. A big resource for me, the thing that has made my site a go-to for many people, I would respond to people’s questions. I would help them get information on things.
AT: You still have a day job, right? Carr: I work from home. I’m in finance. I arrange bridge loans. AT: How much time does Forbidden Hillcrest take on a daily basis? Carr: Well, I spend way too much time reading the Facebook comments. Otherwise, I can do it in about an hour a day. Facebook runs the site. I seldom post on the blog. AT: Do you think you’ll always keep the blog going? Carr: Yeah, for sure. You can have more in-depth stuff on there. AT: What kind of traffic does Forbidden Hillcrest get? Carr: The Facebook site averages 18,000 different people a week. The way it works on the blog, I have to drive traffic there, or it will only get about 100 visitors a day. I can send about 3,000 viewers to it. AT: Who do you consider your target demographic? Carr: I’m writing for the north half of Little Rock, basically the band between the river and 630, I guess. People I understand, maybe. Except for West Little Rock. I don’t really understand the McMansion people. ... Little Rock is, you can point to different cultural realities geographically. Hillcrest and surrounding areas are basically a bunch of Hendrix graduates, kind of hyper-liberal, hyper-educated professional types. AT: Do people ever get upset, like the guy you label the “gnome?” Carr: That’s a good question. Yeah, it’s pissed off a lot of people. I don’t want to be unfair to anybody. I’d rather not show everybody’s warts. If I wouldn’t want it done to me, I try not to do it to anybody else. AT: Would you be okay with somebody taking your picture and making fun of what you look like in a public forum? Carr: I’m not sure that I would be (laughs). Maybe I couldn’t help myself. Actually I was told he wasn’t upset. He knows he looks like that. It’s on purpose. AT: Was the pug strangler based on somebody? Carr: No. Everybody thought it was based on [local musician] Alan [Disaster.] If it was, it was purely unconscious. ... Back when I had a small audience, I would be a little jerkier than I would be now. You
kind of think, well no one’s going to see this, so I’d just do it. AT: Sometimes the Forbidden Hillcrest Facebook page reads like a bunch of scared white people just egging each other on. Carr: My comments aren’t like that. AT: You called the people who live in Valley View “feral beings foraging for food,” and when a reader said we share the blame, we should get off on our cell phones when we drive, you said we should stay on our cell phones and just drive faster. It’s sarcasm, but it could be taken, well ... it’s just disturbing. Carr: Well, all of those things, I actually believe. ‘Feral beings,’ I think that’s an accurate description. It’s not a race thing. We’ve got plenty of white feral humans. AT: Is it a class thing? Carr: It’s definitely a cultural thing. I think all these issues people blame on race aren’t really race issues at all, they’re cultural issues. AT: You know people justified segregation as a cultural thing. Carr: People post on it [Forbidden Hillcrest Facebook], and they end up making it a race thing. I don’t like that at all. It’s really alienating. It’s just wrong to make people feel like they’re not welcome on a site like this. But I don’t like to delete comments either. AT: What are your future plans for Forbidden Hillcrest? Carr: I don’t want to open up another story here, because I won’t be able to answer a lot of questions on it, but I’m really bored with the crime writing. I don’t really know where else to go with Forbidden Hillcrest. I need to write more ridiculous stories. It just keeps evolving. Do you know anything about Nox Signum? I think I hid all those stories about Nox Signum. That’s the new thing, the new direction. Nox Signum is my cult. AT: Are you the leader of this cult? Carr: It’s the fun thing I’m working on. I can talk to you off the record on it, but it’s something I have to do a lot of media management on. But that’s the future of Forbidden Hillcrest. AT: Is it going to be open to everybody? What will happen to fans of Forbidden Hillcrest, when it’s Nox Signum? CONTINUED ON PAGE 39
the awards are stacking up THANK YOU
Winner 2005-2012 – Best of Arkansas | Arkansas Times Winner 2010-2011 – Toast of the Town, Best Liquor Store | Arkansas Times Winner 2007-2012 – Best Liquor Store | ADG | Arkansas Magazine | Soiree
11200 W. Markham (West of Shackleford on Markham) Little Rock 501-223-3120 866-988-vino info@colonialwineshop.com
Sound investments Auto Audio winner for best local car stereo.
A
uto Audio salesman Ian Meek plugs a thumb drive containing what seems to be a single, constant bass-note into a radio built into a wall of big subwoofers and punches a button to activate a pair of 12-inch speakers. The effect of standing two feet from those speakers is hard to describe: a vibration that thrums in my voice box and makes me want to have a coughing fit, the sound rolling at me and around my body like a wall of liquid mercury. Meek has worked at West Little Rock’s Auto Audio — this year’s local winner for best car stereo installation — for nine years. Even at that, he’s still a whippersnapper when compared to the age of the shop as a whole, which has been installing car stereos in Little Rock since 1978. Though the shop does all kinds of
automotive customization work, its stereo systems — some costing upwards of $10,000 dollars — it’s best known for. Meek said that like the rest of the world of electronics, aftermarket car stereos have become about a multi-media experience and seamless integration with portable devices, from iPads to USB drives. Some of the stereos on display there these days — many of them big flat panels featuring touch-screen navigation — look like something from the Star Ship Enterprise to a guy like me, who grew up in an era when having an astroturf-covered plywood speaker box crammed in your trunk set you apart from the next guy. I’m apparently not the only one caught in a time warp. Meek said that by the time an automobile manufacturer designs, tests and implements a new stereo for a new car, the technology is already three
BRIAN CHILSON
BY DAVID KOON
THEY LIKE IT LOUD: Ian Meek at Auto Audio.
years old, and three years behind the features you can find in an aftermarket stereo. For example, Meek said the aftermarket had jacks for iPod input three
years before the stereos in most new cars. Though he’s clearly got a dog in the hunt, he says that even “designer” CONTINUED ON PAGE 38
would like to thank Arkansas Times readers for voting us among the best!
BEST FRENCH FRIES 2923 Lakewood Village Drive • North Little Rock • (501) 246-5295 13000 Chenal Parkway • Little Rock • (501) 225-1100 www.fiveguys.com 36
JULY 25, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
Little R 2012 ock Cent ra Best of Ar l High S ch kansa s Win ool ner
It’s Back to School Time!
Check-in August 1-2 10am - 7pm
Students with assignment letters for the 2012-13 school year may check in at their assigned school. All other students go to the Student Registration Office. 501 Sherman St. • 447-2950
First Day of School August 20 ____________________________ LRSD Open Houses
September 6
Elementary Schools
September 13 Middle Schools September 18 High Schools
NEW
Giveaw ! ays & Celebr ity Gu ests
Research shows that the most successful schools have a high percentage of parent involvement. Make plans to attend your child’s Open House this year. • •
•
Show your child your support Tour your child’s school and become familiar with the campus Make a personal connection with your child’s teachers
Little Rock School District
Creating Excellence for Tomorrow
PERFORMANCE WORKPLAN
FOR TOMORROW www.lrsd.org ING EXCELLENCE CREAT
Since 1995 Thank you Arkansas Times readers for voting us the
We have a large selection of Gold, and Silver Jewelry, Guns, Guitars, Tools and much more. Come on down, look around, take something home!
Buy, Sell, Trade, Pawn.
BeSt travel agency In 2012 We Celebrated Our 50th Anniversary
Many Thanks To Our Customers!
501-771-2340
Best Pawn Shop
Follow us on
3713 MacArthur Drive • North Little Rock
PLEASE GO AWAY!
BEST CHEESE DIP
10 S Y R E A A N G N D C O N T I U
13924 Cantrell Rd.
Little Rock • 501-217-0700
11406 W. Markham St.
Mex-To-Go • 501-217-0647
4511 Camp Robinson Rd.
North Little Rock • 501-7711604
1524 W. Main St.
Jacksonville • 501-982-0533
1135 Skyline Dr.
Conway • 501-205-1985
mexicochiquito.net TEXT MexToGo To 90210 For A Chance To Win A $25 Gift Card 38
JULY 25, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
AUTO AUDIO
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 36 stereo systems that can be ordered as pricy options in new cars often feature speakers with paper sound cones. “The easiest way to put it is, a factory stereo is like watching regular TV,” Meek said. “Ours is like watching HD. You get a fuller, richer sound, with less distortion. It’s a cleaner signal. That’s across the board.” Meek said that as cars have become more complicated and computerized, doing something seemingly as simple as installing a radio becomes a delicate process, one best left to professionals. “You get a Mercedes in there and do something, even just probing wires, you can mess up that whole system,” he said. “It’s a lot more complicated than people perceive. You’ve got fiber optics. You’ve got to know what not to touch. These cars are computers, and you’ve got to know what you’re doing. You’ve got to know the car.” “Anything that’s high end, we’re going to be the ones working on it,” Meek said, and by high end, he means high: The shop installed a half-million dollar custom stereo system in one car in recent years. Meek walked me back to the garage area and showed off a new Honda Civic coupe, a $25,000 car, that’s getting $22,000 worth of stereo equipment, exhaust, wheels and trim items poured into it by a customer. I am definitely too old for that to make any sense. Still, you can get a full entry-level system with a quality head unit, four aftermarket speakers and a subwoofer for somewhere between $1,600 and $2,000, Meek said. The cost isn’t small potatoes, but compared to what you might pay for an optional Bose system or the like, it’s definitely reasonable, and the shop can turn a simple job around in a few hours. “What you buy today is installed today,” Meek said. “That’s our motto.” Josh Montgomery, one of the lead installers, has been at the shop for almost 10 years. During his time there, he said the shop’s installed stereos in boats, golf carts, off-road go carts, you name it. The shop does everything but engine work. Customizing a car, Montgomery said, is a way of making it just a little different from everybody else’s. “We have everything from 16-yearold kids to 80-year-old men who come in here,” he said. “Your car, unless you own your house, is your prized possession. ... If you’re making payments on that thing, you want it to be yours.”
FORBIDDEN HILLCREST CONTINUED FROM PAGE 34
Carr: Well, Forbidden Hillcrest will keep doing what it’s doing. You can forget about the Nox Signum thing. I used to write Forbidden Hillcrest stories on it, but everyone thought it was totally made up. Which it is, but it’s a made up thing that’s real. AT: What’s happening with your other site, Station X-ray? Carr: It became a very technologyburdened project. I’m still working on it, but I’m procrastinating severely. [Ultimately, Carr plans for Station X-ray to be an interactive map tracking police and fire calls.] AT: How would you describe Forbidden Hillcrest? Carr: Underworld news. AT: What about the other Facebook pages you’ve created, like the Valley Heights Apartments Facebook group? Carr: The reason I made it secret is because I didn’t want people reading our comments, because it’s just a fumbling effort. I’m not a civic leader, I’m just a facilitator of communications for those who would like to be civilly active. I started it so people would have a place to talk about the subject. Problem is, when I got in there, nobody was doing any kind of leadership in there. We had a city leader in there, we had a couple of reporters who were scaring everybody to death. Max [Brantley] was in there, everybody’s afraid to say anything in front of him, and so it clammed up. Not a lot really went on there, except as a way to disseminate information to people who were interested in the subject. The goal was to come up with a solution to the crime that was coming out of that apartment. There’s a lot of readers in Kingwood, which is the neighborhood by there. AT: You created it as a platform because your readers were interested? Carr: Yeah. It was a big deal, a crime wave that reached Hillcrest. Their last crime was at Rosalia’s. It was a group of four residents, I think only two of them were from Valley Heights. Valley Heights averages one police call a day. People in Kingwood are at the end of their rope. A lot of them are just one step from moving to Conway. And the high profile crime wave of commercial burglary those guys did, it made a big stir, actually I think,
because of Forbidden Hillcrest. I was the only one covering it for a few days, and then everybody else picked it up. By the way, Valley Heights is something I never even think about anymore. I did my part by starting that and walked away from it. When the catnapper thing happened a while back, I created a Facebook page for those who were upset about their cats getting stolen. I created a forum for everybody to meet and exchange information, and it became a big deal. I accidentally deleted the original one, but that was where all the lunatics got together. Basically it was a mob, and they all met on my page. There was a huge amount of hysteria in those days. Every cat that went missing was blamed on the catnapper. He was caught red-handed taking two cats. He was a real life boogey-man and in our imaginations, we built it up into something a lot bigger than we should. Anyhow, there was a mob that escaped from my Facebook page. They were the craziest people in Hillcrest. They banded together and roved through the neighborhood, terrorizing homeless camps. The TV news guys were following them around, trying to get pictures of the catnapper posse. I ended up having a great deal of conflict with them myself. AT: You never went out with them? Carr: No. But they met in this forum I created. Initially I tried to help with their work, but their work quickly became madness. So I banned them from the forum, and they can’t access Forbidden Hillcrest anymore.
Thanks Arkansas Times Readers for voting us Best Pharmacy. We are proud of our team’s dedication and commitment to improving your wellness. !
AT: Do you consider yourself a journalist? Carr: I think I’m becoming a journalist. I didn’t start off one. I’ve never had any training or background in it. Never really wanted to be a journalist. Never really wanted to be a blogger, either. Blogger’s like the worst thing you can be, right?
AT: Do you think your content is objective? Carr: It’s reported objectively. I write lyrically. Sometimes that makes it look not objective ... AT: That post on the hobo camp full of “stolen” goods was objective? Carr: Keep in mind, that was one of the first non-totally made up stories I ever did. I haven’t gone back and re-read that. Maybe it’s cringe-worthy now. I can’t remember. If I rewrote that hobo bridge story it’d be different now. You’d probably like it better now. www.arktimes.com
JULY 25, 2012
39
It’s back! Ask For These Specials Throughout August Arkansas Burger Co 7410 Cantrell Road 501.663.0600 www.facebook.com/ ArkansasBurgerCompany $1 Off Any Lunch Or Dinner Platter B-Side 11121 N. Rodney Parham 501.716.2700 A Full Order Of Beignets For The Price Of A Half Order Big Orange 17809 Chenal Parkway 501.821.1515 www.facebook.com/bigorangeburger Featuring Our Arkansas Heirloom Tomato BLT Sandwich Big Whiskey’s American Bar & Grill 225 East Markham Street 501.324.2449 www.bigwhiskeys.com Half Price Appetizer With The Purchase Of An Entrée Black Angus 10907 North Rodney Parham Road 501.228.7800 www.blackanguscafe.com Two hamburger steak dinners for $12.50. Boulevard Bread Co. 1920 N Grant St # A 501.663.5951 www.boulevardbread.com contact restaurant directly for special Bumpy’s Texmex Grill & Cantina 400 N Bowman Rd, Ste. A28 501.379.8327 www.bumpysmexican.com Free Appetizer With Purchase Of 2 Entrees Lunch And Dinner Butcher Shop 10825 Hermitage Road 501.312.2748 www.thebutchershoplittlerock.com Half Price Drinks And Appetizers In The Bar
Cajun’s Wharf 2400 Cantrell Road 501.375.5351 www.cajunswharf.com $30 Prix Fixe 3 Course Dinner Menu
Camp David I-30 & 6th St 501.975.CAMP(2267) Inside Holiday Inn Presidential Conference Center $1 Off Dinner Entrée Capers 14502 Cantrell Road 501.868.7600 www.capersrestaurant.com $30 Prix Fixe 3 Course Dinner Menu Casa Mañana 6820 Cantrell Road 501.280.9888 www.casamananamexicanfood.com Get a free small Cheese Dip when you spend $15 or more at Casa Mañana Chip’s 9801 West Markham Street 501.225.4346 www.chips-barbecue.com Free piece of Pie with purchase of dinner or platter from 4:30-8 M-Sat Ciao Baci 605 Beechwood Street 501.603.0238 www.ciaobaci.org 20% off all bottles of wine Community Bakery 1200 Main Street 501.375.6418 www.communitybakery.com Iced Coffee, Iced Latte, Espresso Frappe, Espresso Milkshake, Fruit Smoothie. Present ad for $1 OFF. Copper Grill 300 E 3rd St., Suite 101 501.375.3333 www.coppergrilllr.com $12 Prix Fixe 3 Course Lunch Menu $30 Prix Fixe 3 Course Dinner Menu
Your favorite Little Rock chefs have put together a variety of specials for the month of August that are great values on the city’s most delicious dining.
Curry in a Hurry 11121 North Rodney Parham Road 501.224.4567 www.curryinahurryar.com $5 Off when you spend $25 or more Dizzy’s Gypsy Bistro 200 River Market Avenue # 150 501.375.3500 www.dizzysgypsybistro.net Half Price Cheese Dip and All Other Appetizers $1 Off Adult Beverages, Tea and Soda Doe’s Eat Place 1023 West Markham Street 501.376.1195 www.doeseatplace.com Prime 8oz Filet Served With Salad, Potatoes, And Toast Dugan’s Pub 401 East 3rd Street 501.244.0542 www.duganspublr.com $8.95 Fish And Chips Fantastic China 1900 North Grant Street 501.663.8999 Located In The Heights Free Drink With Dinner Far East Asian Cuisine & Bar Pleasant Ridge West Shopping Center 11610 Pleasant Ridge Road, Suite 100 501.219.9399 www.fareastasiancuisine.com Free Eggroll With Dinner Entrée Forbidden Garden 14810 Cantrell Road 501.868.8149 www.facebook.com/ForbiddenGardenAR $1 Off glass of wine Graffiti’s Italian Restaurant 7811 Cantrell Road #6 501.224.9079 www.littlerockgraffitis.net Summer salad special with feta and spiced pecans featuring citrus vinaigrette and choice of shrimp, salmon, chicken or beef.
Hillcrest Artisan Meats 2807 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501.671.6328 (MEAT) www.facebook.com/HillcrestArtisanMeats “Olli-Day” Every Friday. Olli Salami Out Of Virginia, 20% Off. Also Featuring Daily Sandwich And Soup Specials. The Hop 201 E. Markham 501.224.0975 $1 Off Cheeseburger Combo Meal Iriana’s Pizza 201 E. Markham 501.374.3656 www.irianaspizza.com 15% Off Any Whole Pizza Layla’s Gyros And Pizzeria 9501 N. Rodney Parham • 501.227.7272 8201 Ranch Blvd. • 501.868.8226 www.laylasgyro.com Gyro Sandwich, Fries & Drink $6.65 Lilly’s Dim Sum And Then Some 11121 N. Rodney Parham 501.716.2700 www.lillysdimsum.com All You Can Eat Dim Sum Made To Order And $3 Microbrew Specials On Saturdays From 12-4. Sunday 50% Off Every Bottle Of Wine All Day. $5 Glass Of Wine On Tuesdays And Wednesdays. Loblolly Creamery 1423 Main Street (Inside Green Corner Store) 501.396.9609 www.loblollycreamery.com Beat The August Heat With $1 Off Anything At The Soda Fountain Loca Luna 3519 Old Cantrell Rd. 501.663.4666 www.localuna.com Monday: Surf or Turf 7 oz. Angus Filet or Sea Bass Filet with Sides $16.95 Tuesday: Large Pizza $9 & $2 Draft Beer Wednesday: Lady’s Night Happy Hour $2 Domestic Bottle Beer, $4 House Wine, Margaritas & Cozmos
Be sure to ask your server about Little Rock Restaurant Month Specials! Thursday: Guy’s Happy Hour $2 Domestic Bottle Beer, $4 House Wine, Margaritas & Cozmos Sundays: Kid’s 12 and under Eat Free From Kids menu with adult entrée order. Loganberry Frozen Yogurt 6015 Chenonceau Blvd. 501.868.8194 www.facebook.com/ LoganberryFrozenYogurt 10% Off All Yogurt Sales Markham Street Grill & Pub 11321 W Markham St # 6 501.224.2010 www.markhamst.com Serving Brunch Saturday And Sunday 11-3. Featuring A Bloody Mary Bar And $1.50 Mimosas. Mexico Chiquito 13924 Cantrell Rd. 501.217.0700 www.mexicochiquito.net Text MexToGo To 90210 For Daily Discounts & New Menu Items Mexico Chiquito Mex-To-Go 11406 W. Markham www.mexicochiquito.net Cheese Dip And Salsa With Chips, Entreé And Soft Drink $5.29 (Punch Extra) NYPD Pizza 6015 Chenonceau Blvd. 501.868.3911 www.facebook.com/NYPDPizzaLittleRock Yonker Sticks – Free With Purchase Of Two Entrees. Our Yonker Sticks Are Made Fresh Daily With A Mixture Of Garlic, Herbs, And Mozzarella Cheese. Dipped In Homemade Marinara. The Oyster Bar 3003 W. Markham 501.666.7100 www.LRoysterbar.com $2 Off Lb Of Shrimp $1 Off Half Lb Of Shrimp
The Pantry 11401 Rodney Parham 501.353.1875 www.littlerockpantry.com Dinner Only - Spend $25 before tax and gratuity per person and receive a $10 gift certificate valid on the next visit. Pizza Café 1517 Rebsamen Park 501.664.6133 www.pizzacafe.wetpaint.com $1 Off Pizzas Anytime Red Door 3701 Old Cantrell Rd. 501.666.8482 www.reddoorrestaurant.net Monday: All Bottles of Wine under $28 are Half OFF Tuesday: All appetizers are Half price Wednesday: Steak Night 7 oz. Angus Filet with Sides $16.95 Thursday: Ladies Happy Hour $2 Domestic Bottle Beer, $4 House Wine, Margaritas & Cozmos Redbones Downtown 300 President Clinton Ave. 501.372.2211 www.facebook.com/RedbonesDowntown $1 Off Hurricanes. $1 Off Po Boys The Root Café 1500 S. Main 501.414.0423 www.therootcafe.com Free Chocolate Chip Cookie With Lunch Purchase Salut Bistro 1501 N. University Ave., Suite 160 501.660.4200 www.salut-bistro.com $39 Prix Fixe 3 Course Meal for 2 people from The Classic Italian Menu. Sharing an Appetizer and Dessert
Sky Modern Japanese 11525 Cantrell Rd. • Pleasant Ridge Town Center 501.224.4300 www.skylittlerock.com Happy Hour Sunday-Wednesday 5-7pm and Thursday-Saturday 9pm-Close. Every Second Drink Is $1. Ladies Night On Thursday. SO Restaurant-Bar 3610 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501.663.1464 www.Sorestaurantbar.com Contact restaurant directly for special Sonny Williams’ Steak Room 500 President Clinton Ave. 501.324.2999 www.sonnywilliamssteakroom.com 25% off all Premier Auction wines. Star Of India 301 N. Shackleford Rd. 501.716.2700 www.lrstarofindia.com 15% Off Dinner Entree Sushi Café 5823 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501.663.9888 www.sushicaferocks.com Sunday-Thursday: Chef’s Special, 2 For $50 Terry’s Restaurant 5018 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501.663.4154 www.facebook.com/ Terrysfinerfoodstherestaurant Half Priced Lunch Tartines (Open Faced Sandwiches On Imported Poilane Bread With Small Green Salad) Trio’s 8201 Cantrell Rd. 501.221.3330 www.triosrestaurant.com Dog Days Of Summer - Bring your doggie to dine with you on our patio after 5:30 and receive a goody bag filled with canine
treats from Hollywood Feeds.* Lunch Deal - Peck’s Special Salad or Trio’s Chicken Salad, beverage, dessert $15 plus tax.* Dinner Deal - Old School Favorites: your choice of appetizer, soup or salad, Chicken Enchiladas, Shrimp Enchiladas, Voodoo Pasta or Thai Shrimp Curry, beverage and dessert $26 plus tax ...celebrating our 26th anniversary this month!* *Specials good thru August 31. Dinein only, no carry out and the customer must ask for the Restaurant Month special. Union Bistro 3421 Old Cantrell Rd. 501.353.0360 www.unionbistrolittlerock.com $35 Dinner For Two – includes choice of one small plate, two Entrees and a dessert. Vesuvio Bistro 1501 Merrill Drive 501.225.0500 www.vesuviobistro.com Contact restaurant directly for special West End Smokehouse & Tavern 215 North Shackleford Road 501.224.7665 www.westendsmokehouse.net Free Hour Of Pool WT Bubba’s 500 President Clinton Ave. 501.224.2277 www.wtbubbas.com Free Appetizer With Minimum $10 Purchase YaYas EuroBistro 17711 Chenal Parkway 501.821.1144 www.yayasar.com Select Appetizers: 2 For 1 From 3-5:30 PM
Thanks For The Votes! Best Food Festival
Saturday, October 20, 2012 Clinton Presidential Center 11am - 4pm Voted by Gourmet.com and Roadfood.com as one of America’s top 10 food festivals!
cheesedip.net
facebook.com/CheeseDipContest
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Institute for Economic Advancement (IEA) is seeking a Director for its Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Laboratory. Responsibilities include developing web and desktop mapping applications; maintaining Arkansas’s municipal and legislative boundaries; direct/coordinate research projects and provide GIS analysis/mapping support; grant/contract writing; direct GIS projects; meet with clients; supervise staff; create/maintain spatial databases in ArcSDE environment; direct administration of Arkansas’ ESRI Higher Education Site License; provide technical support in use/extraction of census data; creating/ maintaining GIS databases; produce maps. Education requirements: Bachelor’s in GIS, MIS or related field plus four years of GIS Analyst experience or a Master’s degree in GIS, MIS or related field plus two years of GIS Analyst experience, or any suitable combination of education, training, or experience is acceptable. Please send a letter of application (referencing Position R99053), a resume, and the name and contact information for three professional references to: Ms. Phyllis Poché, Data and Research, Institute for Economic Advancement, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 2801 S. University Ave, Little Rock, AR 72204. This position is subject to a pre-employment criminal background check. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and actively seeks the candidacy of minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. Under Arkansas law, all applications are subject to disclosure. Persons hired must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States.
42
JULY 25, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
CHEREE FRANCO
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS APPLICATIONS LABORATORY DIRECTOR BEST FORGOTTEN MURAL: In an old Dairy Queen parking lot.
EDITOR’S PICKS
BEST PLACE TO MOSEY INTO AND GET LOST IN A WORLD OF PRE BIGBOX RETAIL WONDER
electronics of mysterious function. You never know what you’ll find, but one thing is nearly guaranteed: At 7:30 a.m. on the first Wednesday of the month, the place will be swarming with savvy pickers looking for bargains.
Kraftco Hardware & Building Supply. Every single square inch of this place is filled with all manner of hardware, tools, cooking utensils, camping equipment, doo-dads, whatchamacallits and more. The selection of cast-iron cookware is formidable, and the staff is incredibly knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. But don’t let Kraftco’s oldschool charm fool you: This place is a serious hardware store and in many respects, its selection puts Lowe’s and the like to shame.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17
BEST CITY IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS TO DRINK FANTASTIC HOUSE-BREWED CRAFT BEER
That’d be Fayetteville, no question. The brewpub scene up there has really taken off in the last year or so, what with West Mountain Brewery (Tiny Tim’s Pizza’s Siamese twin) finally, after more than a decade, living up to its name by actually brewing some beer. And it is very, very good beer. Brewmaster Andy Coates is a vet of Chicago’s Goose Island and Colorado’s Great Divide Brewing Co. Get at least one round of the sampler so you can try all the varieties. They’re all great, but the saison and the blonde are especially delicious and incredibly fresh-tasting. There’s also Tanglewood Branch Beer Co. at the corner of South School Avenue and Fifteenth Street. We haven’t ventured to Tanglewood yet, but by all accounts the former convenience store has been transformed into a haven for suds lovers. We also hear the nosh — mostly sandwiches and salads — is exceptional. Then there’s the brand spanking new Fossil Cove Brewing Co., which opened in June. Fossil Cove is a microbrewery that produces beer for local restaurants and bars and expects to begin bottling soon. It offers brewery tours and has a bar that’s open Wednesday through Sunday.
BEST PLACE DOWNTOWN TO GET SOME THAI GREEN CURRY
Bangkok Thai Cuisine. This little booth in the River Market’s Ottenheimer Hall serves up some very reliable Thai standards, such as Pad Thai, spring rolls and a variety of curries. But the green curry is the standout. It’s rich, delicious, with plenty of chicken and vegetables and just the right touch of heat. Getting there early won’t hurt; there’s often a line by about 11:45 or so. BEST FORGOTTEN MURAL
Keep going south on Broadway, a few blocks past Little Rock’s Mount Holly Cemetery. On your left, you’ll come to a shuttered Dairy Queen that obviously has a storied history, most recently housing a nail salon. There, on a concrete wall in the parking lot of the Dairy Queen, you’ll find it. It curls in homage to the elements, nearly smothered by vines and small trees, with huge chunks missing altogether. But it’s still there, and it’s still beautiful. That wall CONTINUED ON PAGE 48
FOR YOU, ONLY THE BEST!
For the 14th consecutive year, Arkansas Times readers have chosen Metropolitan as the “Best Bank.” We hold this honor in the highest regard, because it is confirmation that our customers are getting the exceptional service they deserve. We value the opportunity to serve our communities, and we look forward to many more years of providing nothing but the best!
Member FDIC 866-79METRO • MetBank.com
MNB 0712 005 BestOfARTimes_10x12.75_4C.indd 1
7/20/12 10:23 AM
Whisker world Patients can’t vote, so owners did, for Hillcrest Animal Hospital.
Best Photographer The photographer’s photographer 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Thanks from everybody at
44
JULY 25, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
thank You so Much Arkansas times Readers For Voting us Your Favorite Antique store. We Are Honored!!!
R
eaders raised their paws for Hillcrest Animal Hospital as best veterinary clinic, and Arkansas Times intern Kim Lane decided to make some Instagram photos of the clinic’s patients. The busy clinic’s seven doctors see cats and dogs, of course, but they have also bathed bunnies and treated birds, reptiles, guinea pigs, rabbits, ferrets and even sugar gliders for various ailments. Here, Dr. Larry Nafe and assistant Alex Fortner (opposite, middle) greet a lab and Fortner cuddles Mr. Waggles (opposite, lower right), a Siamese cat and a hound dog (opposite, left and right) while collies Jack and Lady and fluffy rabbit Roxy (on this page) wait their turn.
Best Antiques
Come celebrate with us during our 18th Anniversary Sale throughout the month of August!
Fabulous Finds
ANTIQUE & DECORATIVE MALL
OVER 40 DEALERS
501-614-8181 • 2905 CANTRELL RD. • MON-SAT 10-5 • SUN 1-5
Y
MMUNIT
O T OUR C SUPPOR
SHOP L. LOCA
Best Local Auto Stereo
Thank You For Voting Us Your Favorite Auto Stereo Store. We Appreciate Our Customers!
“In Tune With The Times Since 1978”™ 11301 West Markham Street | (501) 225-7737 | autoaudioextreme.com
Custom Auto InstAlls - AudIo, mobIle VIdeo, seCurIty, nAVIgAtIon www.arktimes.com
JULY 25, 2012
45
Thank You, Arkansas Times Readers!
Best Vegetarian
Best French Fries • Best salad Best OutdOOr dining Building Community through loCal Food 1500 s. Main st./15th & Main downtown • 501.414.0423 • therootcafe.com
books From the arkansas times
THE UNIQUE NEIGHBORHOODS OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS Full of interesting voices and colorful portraits of 17 Little Rock and North Little Rock neighborhoods, this book gives an intimate, block-by-block, native’s view of the place more than 250,000 Arkansans call home. Created from interviews with residents and largely written by writers who actually live in the neighborhoods they’re writing about, the book features over 90 full color photos by Little Rock photographer Brian Chilson.
Also Available: A History Of Arkansas
A compilation of stories published in the Arkansas Times during our first twenty years. Each story examines a fragment of Arkansas’s unique history – giving a fresh insight into what makes us Arkansans. Well written and illustrated. This book will entertain and enlighten time and time again.
Almanac Of Arkansas History
This unique book offers an offbeat view of the Natural State’s history that you haven’t seen before – with hundreds of colorful characters, pretty places, and distinctive novelties unique to Arkansas. Be informed, be entertained, amaze your friends with your new store of knowledge about the 25th state, the Wonder State, the Bear State, the Land of Opportunity. Payment: check or credit card Order by Mail: Arkansas Times Books, P.O. Box 34010, Little Rock, AR 72203 Phone: 501-375-2985 Fax: 501-375-3623 Email: anitra@arktimes.com Send ______book(s) of The Unique Neighborhoods of Central Arkansas @ $19.95 Send______book(s) of A History Of Arkansas @ $10.95 Send______book(s) of Almanac Of Arkansas History @ $18.95
Shipping and handling $3 per book
Open Mon-Fri 10-6 • Sat 10-5
CALL 224-7651 / I-430 @ RODNEY PARHAM
www.chainwheel.com 46 JULY 25, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
Name______________________________________________________________ Address_____________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip_________________________________________________________ Phone______________________________________________________________ Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc #__________________________________ Exp. Date____________
BEST OF ARKANSAS
RUNNERS-UP: Loca Luna, Dizzy’s, El Porton, Senor Tequila (four-way tie)
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30
BRUNCH YaYa’s RUNNERS-UP: Loca Luna, B-Side, The Root BUSINESS LUNCH Capital Bar and Grill RUNNERS-UP: Copper Grill, Trio’s, Brave New Restaurant
COCKTAIL Capital Bar and Grill RUNNERS-UP: Ciao Baci, Rocket Twenty One, Bar Louie FOOD FESTIVAL Greek Food Festival RUNNERS-UP: World Cheese Dip Championship, Main Street Food Truck Festival, Jewish Food Festival
CATERER Catering to You RUNNERS-UP: Simply the Best, Dinner’s Ready, Trio’s
FRENCH FRIES McDonald’s LOCAL WINNER: Big Orange RUNNERS-UP: The Root, The House, Five Guys Burgers and Fries
CHEESE DIP Mexico Chiquito
LIQUOR STORE Colonial Wines & Spirits
RUNNERS-UP: Sullivant’s Liquor Store, Lake Liquor, Heights Fine Wines & Spirits MILKSHAKE Purple Cow RUNNERS-UP: Big Orange, Cheeburger Cheeburger, Shake’s ONION RINGS Sonic LOCAL WINNER: Arkansas Burger Co. RUNNERS-UP: Cheeburger Cheeburger, Dugan’s, Hunka Pie OUTDOOR DINING U.S. Pizza in Hillcrest RUNNERS-UP: Brave New Restaurant, Cajun’s Wharf, The Root
RIBS Whole Hog RUNNERS-UP: Sims, Corky’s, McClard’s SALAD ZaZa RUNNERS-UP: U.S. Pizza, The Root, Jason’s Deli SUSHI Sushi Cafe RUNNERS-UP: Sky Modern Japanese Restaurant, Tokyo House, Mt. Fuji VEGETARIAN The Root RUNNERS-UP: ZaZa, Bossa Nova, Whole Foods WINE LIST Crush RUNNERS-UP: By the Glass, Zin Wine Bar, So
We have tons of delicious seasonal produce. Come join us on the deck in the evening for dinner and enjoy your favorite beer or glass of wine!
Thank you
Best Bread
Thanks for voting us one of your favorite antique stores! 105 N. Rodney Parham • Little Rock •
501.223.3600 • www.midtownantiquemall.com
arkansas Times readers for voTing us your favoriTe!
1920 N Grant St • (501) 663-5951 • www.boulevardbread.com
iBs Best R
09, 008, 20 2 , 7 0 0 2 1, 2012 1 0 2 , 0 201
NOW OPEN ON SUNDAYS!
Visit www.wholehogcafe.com for other locations throughout Arkansas! 2516 Cantrell Road Little Rock 664-5025
12111 W. Markham Little Rock 907-6124
5107 Warden Rd North Little Rock 753-9227
150 E. Oak St. Conway 513-0600 www.arktimes.com
5309 Hwy 5 North Bryant 653-2244 JULY 25, 2012
47
Jerry’s Barber Shop We’ll Buzz your hair and Shine your shoes! 5815 Kavanaugh• In the Heights
EDITOR’S PICKS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 42
663-9875 Thanks For Voting Us Best Barbershop 1996-2004, 2006-2012 PHOTO BY : BARB RANEY | LANCE JOHNSTON PHOTOGRAPHERS
hosts a fantastic mural, a swirl of history and myth depicted in time-faded colors and glittering tile. There’s the Titanic sinking between a Chinamen and an African village, an octopus dancing alongside a matador. An ocean, teaming with aquatic life, threatening to overtake a pink and yellow pagoda. A green cat plays jazz sax, his overall-clad feline friend plucks a banjo, and all of this is juxtaposed with a mermaid, a Chinese dragon and a grinning Howard Finsteresque moon. This thing is layered and amazing, employing a mix of primitive and sophisticated design techniques and inviting a gaggle of questions. Who created it and why and when? Why this particular array of whimsical subject matter? We’d love to know more, but for now, we’re just grateful that, even in its current state of disrepair, it’s still accessible to visitors. BEST PLACE TO CLIMB A WALL
Diamond State Rodeo Association Presents
Dashin’ For Charity uP to $1,000 added 4d oPen JackPot barreL race!
Sunday July 29, 2012
Lorance arena • east end, ar IntersectIon of arch st. PIke (hwy 367) and honeysuckLe rd exhIbItIons 12Pm • JackPot 3Pm $5 Gate Fee: $5 Office Fee: $4 Exhibition or 3 for $10 $30 Entry Fee (50/50 split) • No Entries After 3pm Time Split will be 1/2, 1/2, whole ConCessions Will Be AvAilABle. PleAse Bring Your oWn ChAirs!
www.dsra.org
All Proceeds To Benefit 2013 Rodeo In The Rock • All Proceeds of 2013 RITR Benefit: Children at Center for Artistic Revolution and Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches 48
JULY 25, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
Let’s be clear — we are not gym people. Most of us choose to get our exercise (or lack thereof) under more natural, less repetitive conditions. But an evening (usually Wednesdays, since that’s when the ladies get a reduced rate) at the Little Rock
AMASAS HINES
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29 Judson and Josh Spillyards and Ryan Hitt — who’d played together with Chris Denny and in The Romany Rye — began a weekly gig with saxophonist Norman Williamson, playing improvised music and some funk covers at what was then Ferneau restaurant. Joshua came onboard as a vocalist a few months later. “We didn’t really have any set things to play, we were just kind of going improv, making it up as we went along,” Williamson said. “Over time, we started to develop some set songs and Joshua started to write stuff and eventually we gelled into Amasa Hines.” In terms of inspiration, Williamson cited Afro-beat giant Fela Kuti and Ethio-jazz innovator Mulatu Astatke as influences. But “all of our music tastes are pretty eclectic,” he said. “It’s not limited to that, it just happens to be what we’ve been into lately.”
Climbing Center has never let us down. If we were to purchase a gym membership, this would undoubtedly be the place. You don’t need any experience going in, because the staff will quickly school you in “belaying” your partner, and if you don’t have a partner, there are automatic belay stations. If you’re timid, there’s a climbing treadmill where you can find your bearings before heading up a 30-foot wall. And you’re hooked into a harness the whole time which, you know, greatly minimizes the potential for death and serious injury. Not only is playing like Spiderman loads of fun and a little surreal, it’s also an amazing workout. Our first experience left us with such jelly arms that even yanking open the refrigerator door seemed like more effort than it was worth. If you’re trying to slim down, just think of that as a free bonus. BEST RESTAURANT PATIO
Set in the heart of downtown Conway, Michelangelo’s gourmet Italian dinners are sure to please any restaurateur, but Michelangelo’s best kept secret is the patio on the top level. On weekends guests are led by an escort to the rooftop where they are greeted by strands of cafe lights, a live band, a dance floor, and the Arkansas sunset in the background. Pair this with the decadent menu and drink specials and you’ve got the best patio seat in Arkansas.
In addition to the Nina Simone and Kraftwerk tunes (the latter inspired by Brazilian troubadour Seu Jorge’s version) the band also does a version of the Clash classic “Straight to Hell,” and makes it their own. The debut album will most likely have nine or 10 songs and be selfreleased on vinyl and online, Judson Spillyards said. But Spillyards said they’ll probably shop it around to some labels as well. “I’m not opposed to signing with a label, as long as it’s right,” he said. Along with the album, Amasa Hines also has some touring on the horizon. Though the details haven’t yet been finalized, the group is in the process of buying a van and taking advantage of some of the contacts they’ve have made through their other bands, Spillyards said. Because even with the ubiquity and endless reach of the Internet, touring is “kind of what you have to do this day and age if you want people to know about you at all,” he said.
Courtesy Of
www.militaryheadgear.com
ONLY AT
FOUND
WWII Helmets On Display In Our Store Come See!
302 MAIN STREET • LITTLE ROCK
501.372.2944
MON.-FRI. 9-6 • SAT. 9-5 www.bennettsmilitary.com
BENNETT’S
CELEBrATINg 142 YEArS IN BUSINESS
ATTENTION RESTAURANTS! This is it! Little Rock’s official dining and entertainment guide. Complete and pocket sized! L I T T L E
&
R O C K
dining entertainment g u i d e
Don’t be left out! Contact Michelle Miller • 375-2985 michelle@arktimes.com
12 Award Winning Fresh, Healthy Flavors And 50+ Toppings Corner Of Cantrell Blvd. And Chenonceau (Next To NYPD Pizza) 501.868.8194
We make a difference by
“expanding to meet the needs of the community.”
Since Conway Regional was founded in 1938, our county’s population has more than quadrupled. To meet the needs of this growing demand and build a foundation for future growth, we have recently completed a $32 million addition. It includes a 95,000-square-foot renovation and expansion with eight obstetrics rooms, a new surgery department with eight operating rooms and pre- and post-op areas. These new, larger operating rooms have the most up-to-date Stryker equipment including highly integrated booms that extend from the ceiling and keep surgical equipment, monitors, cameras and lighting at eye level for surgeons during procedures. We’re excited about our continued growth and are committed to meeting the demands of our ever-growing community and the healthcare needs of those we serve.
Making better healthcare a reality.
www.arktimes.com
JUly 25, 2012
49
Arts Entertainment AND
OLD CHUMS ON STAGE
THE CAST: Back row, from left: Brittany Rorie, Brandon Higdem, Sydney Ippolito, RaeLeigh Narisi Front row, from left: Bailey Lamb, Rachel Powell, Emily Karne
‘Cabaret’ ACT’s first production. BY KIM LANE
50
JULY 25, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
STACY KINZLER
T
he Argenta Community Theater, one of the region’s newest performing arts venues, will soon host its first ever in-house show, a production of “Cabaret” that has already sold out its four-night run July 25 through 28. Theater founder Vincent Insalaco wanted to bring back the idea of a summer musical, a tradition he cherishes from his past, he said. The musical, set in pre-WWII Berlin, is a show with a strong message that “almost seems to be relevant again,” Insalaco said. The musical is about German naivete about the rise of Nazi intolerance; as the violence grows, the caberet performers blissfully proclaim that “Life is a cabaret, old chum.” The production has already drawn numerous community members to help with the performance, from acting to preparing the set. The program is 36 pages, to accommodate the almost 100 names on the thank-you list, Insalaco said. “Every day there’s a new face that shows up,” he said. One of the community members involved with the production is Bob Hupp, producing artistic director of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, who was asked to direct. “I wanted to be a part of the project because I believe in the mission of the Agenta Community Theater and because I believe very strongly in what Vincent Insalaco and Judy Tenenbaum are doing there at Argenta Community Theater,” Hupp said. Tenenbaum co-founded the theater with Insalaco.
The ACT is not North Little Rock’s version of The Rep, Insalaco stressed. ACT is a community theater. “I mean everyone here is volunteering. That’s what community theater is,” Insalaco said. Despite the production’s being a volunteer-only project, there has been no lack of talent in the theater. “The Little Rock-North Little Rock metropolitan area is very culturally rich, and we have a remarkable resource in how many talented performers there are in our area,” Hupp said, acknowledging that many of the actors have other jobs and this is something people are doing in their free time. “Nobody, not a single person — myself, the actors — nobody’s getting paid. And that’s what the community theater is all about, is doing it for the love of the process and the love of the art form,” he said. Hupp compared the experience of directing at the ACT to that of The Rep: “In terms of how we approach the work, and my expectations, and the work of the people involved, I wouldn’t say that there’s a huge difference,” he said. Even the casting process, which took place in January, never ceased to amaze the crew with the wealth of raw talent that
came forward, Insalaco said. He noted a particular character that he feared would have to be cut from the script because it is such a pivotal, precise role. “And all of a sudden this kid walked in and nailed it,” said Insalaco, recalling the firm reassurance he had in that moment that the play was meant to happen. Auditions drew a diverse array of actors, from experienced actors to those who had only been in school performances, an element of community theater that adds to the “collaborative effort,” Insalaco said. “We are the Argenta Community Theater, which means we are going to do community theater, but we are also a theater that belongs to the community,” he said. “For the arts to thrive, the arts have to be strong at every level, at the community level, at the semi-professional level and the professional level,” Hupp said. “The arts thrive because they’re strong from the ground up, and we really see that in Central Arkansas. There is an interest for the arts, there is support for the arts and there are people who love being a part of the arts, and those are all the ingredients you need to have a thriving arts scene.”
The mission of the Argenta Community Theater is to educate the community of the importance of the arts. “It comes from the belief that a microphone, a script, a paintbrush, is just as important as a baseball or a football,” Insalaco said, “it’s about getting the community to understand that the arts can be an integral part of a child’s learning process.” It’s no coincidence that the theater is right next to the THEA Foundation, whose mission is to promote the arts in education, he said. Profits from “Cabaret” will be used for grants and scholarships in the community, Insalaco said. The Theater is just one drop in the bucket, Insalaco said, “but it’s our drop in the bucket.” Next summer, the Argenta Community Theater will produce “Jesus Christ Superstar.” In addition to being a show with a powerful message, it is an homage to Insalaco’s late wife, Sally Riggs, who was in the original production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” in London when she worked for Andrew Lloyd Webber. “It’s a great show that needs to be done here locally, and I think it will capture a lot of people’s attention,” Insalaco said.
ROCK CANDY Check out the Times’ A&E blog arktimes.com
A&E NEWS WHILE IT’S NOT OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, this bit of news
is nonetheless pretty tantalizing: On July 26, the Memphis chapter of the Recording Academy is screening a new full-length documentary about the inestimable power-pop band Big Star, a group whose negligible chart success during their brief tenure in the ‘70s was in inverse proportion to the massive influence the band had on subsequent generations of guitarwielding pop acts. “Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me” blends archival footage with unreleased music and photos, and interviews with drummer Jody Stephens, legendary Little Rock-born producer Jim Dickinson (who produced Big Star’s “Third/Sister Lovers,” one of the most devastatingly beautiful and timeless works in all of rock ‘n’ roll) and others involved with the band. If you’re a member of the Recording Academy, you can watch the film free. The screening starts at 6 p.m. at Malco Studio on the Square in Midtown’s Overton Square.
50% OFF 2ND ENTREE *
WITH PURCHASE OF FULL ENTRÉE Half off least expensive entrée
Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner Dine in • Take Out • Patio • Full Bar Mon.-Fri. 10-10 • Sat. 9-10 Sun. 9-9
400 President Clinton Ave. (In the River Market)
Hours: 8 am 5:30 pm Mon - Sat 501-280-9888 372-6637 6820 Cantrell • 9am-10 pm THE BEST AUTHENTIC MExICAN SEAFOOD IN TOWN Full Bar • Take out • Dine in For Gourmet Seafood lovers Monday • Friday: 10-10 • 501-868-8822 18321 Cantrell Rd. • Hwy. 10 Saturday: 9-10 • Sunday: 9-9
*Must present coupon. One per party. Not valid with any other offers. Offer Expires 8/31/12.
EstatE salE! Friday & Saturday July 27 & 28 • 8am-2pm 22 Cedaridge road • Sherwood, ar
Oliver’s Antiques
www.facebook.com/arkansastimes
501.982.0064 1101 Burman Dr. • Jacksonville Take Main St. Exit, East on Main, Right on S. Hospital & First Left to Burman. While in town, Shop Double R Florist & Gift Shoppe
tues-fri 10-5; sat 10-3 or by appointment
We’re just the right fit.
Wherever you are in life, wherever you are in Central Arkansas, we’re just the right fit for you. Visit us at www.pulaskitech.edu to find classes that fit your busy schedule.
THE HOT WATER HILLS MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL is back for its second year.
This time around, the festival will have two stages and nearly 20 bands. One of the stages — The Front Porch Stage — will be powered using solar energy panels. Headliners include Dikki Du & The Zydeco Crew and Adam Faucett & The Tall Grass on Friday night, and Dirtfoot and Water Liars on Saturday night. The festival is getting particularly artsy this year with its Cardboard City competition. Festival attendees are invited to participate by registering in teams of four. Each team will have four hours to bring all of their cardboard creations to life, with a shot at a $400 first-place prize and a $100 prize for second place. Arkansans might not get too many shots at snowman-building competitions, but cardboard cities are definitely something we can master. Space in the competition is limited to 10 teams. More information is available at www.hotwaterhills.com. In addition to the music and contest, the festival offerings include beer, wine, soft drinks, food and a wealth of family-friendly activities.
Find Us On Facebook
New student enrollment for Fall 2012 July 10 - August 15
Find us on Facebook.
3000 West Scenic Drive North Little Rock, AR 72118 (501) 812-2200 www.pulaskitech.edu
www.arktimes.com
JULY 25, 2012
51
THE TO-DO
LIST
BY ROBERT BELL
THURSDAY 7/26
DRUM CORPS INTERNATIONAL
7 p.m. War Memorial Stadium. $25.
In terms of staggering live productions, Drum Corps International will be hard to top. DCI bills itself as “marching music’s major league,” and after more than three decades of showcasing insanely complicated performances and ridiculously talented dancers and musicians, that seems like an indisputable claim. If you need evidence of the awesomeness of these upper echelon band geeks, I suggest a quick YouTube search for “DCI highlights.” This show includes performances from The Cadets of Allentown, Pa.; The Cavaliers of Rosemont, Ill.; Bluecoats of Canton, Ohio; Blue Knights of Denver, Colo.; Glassmen of Toledo, Ohio; Academy of Tempe, Ariz.; Pacific Crest of Diamond Bar, Calif.; Crossmen of San Antonio; Cascades of Seattle; and Pioneer of Milwaukee, Wis.
FRIDAY 7/27
COOL SHOES
9 p.m. Downtown Music Hall. $5.
Damn. This qualifies as a bona fide “End of an Era” To-Do: Cool Shoes will no longer be a thing in Little Rock (Cool Shoes Fayetteville will continue to host monthly shows, though). From the Cool Shoes Facebook: “When we started this party over 4 years ago, we didn’t know what would come of it. A dance party at a metal venue in Arkansas? It could’ve been a disaster but it worked. We’ve packed the place out with 500+ sweaty kids with lines wrapping around the block, brought in national headliners, and even had our own stage at RiverFest.” This farewell show includes DJs Wolf-e-Wolf, Kichen and Raphe.
HOOBASTANK: The modern rock group called Hoobastank plays Juanita’s Friday night.
FRIDAY 7/27
HOOBASTANK
For the last several years, I’d seen the band name. It popped up in the usual places: magazines, newspapers, the margins of web pages. But what could it mean? I found myself repeating it over and over in my head: “Hoobastank. Hoobastank. Hooooooooobastank” — sometimes drawing it out like that until it lost all meaning (or, well, you know). Based solely on the name, I though perhaps Hoobastank was some kind of Insane Clown Posse or
Limp Bizkit type thing with Nu metal chuggery and rapping about weed and boobs and so forth. You know, music for guys who wear gigantic pants and have those skull jester tattoos. It was to remain a mystery for me until very recently when I actually listened to some Hoobastank and discovered that the band trafficked not in goofy clown rap, but in crunchy, lower middle-brow modern rock with actual singing. They wrote songs about feelings and breaking up with your girlfriend and stuff like that. As for the name, it’s kind of genius. It’s highly Googleable and it
sticks in your head way better than the names of other bubblegrunge acts like Sister Mary Seven, Point of Solitude, Jars of the Day, Trading Templeton and a bunch of other ones that I made up because I couldn’t remember any real ones. Hoobastank reminded me of an important lesson that I learned several years ago, when I bought a Lamb of God CD for my Aunt Sally, a devout Missionary Baptist: Never, ever judge a band by its name alone, because it can get you in trouble. The opening acts at this show are Stellar Revival and Stars in Stereo.
That would be one big stack of CDs. But then what would we do with them? Jeremy Brasher — one of the state’s best musicians and most trenchant cultural observers — once said that all Christmas albums should be melted down and somehow converted into low-income housing. So that’s an idea. I don’t know if CDs melt all that good, so maybe we just make a big CD castle out of them and it could be like a play-
land type thing for underprivileged kids. Well, anyways, that’s one idea. Shifting gears somewhat, here’s another bit of Creed news: this very fall, in October, to be precise, we will finally get a look inside the brain of Creed singer Scott Stapp, when he releases his memoir, “Sinner’s Creed.” We’ll just have bide our time until then. I know, I know. But check this: he recently offered some sneak-peek quotes on the book’s Face-
book page (yes, these days, even books can have Facebook pages). Here’s a good one: “When it comes to music, rapport can’t be explained. It just is. Why a guitarist and a singer are able to strike a common chord and produce something magical is something I don’t understand.” That right there is some truth, courtesy of Scott Stapp. No one can explain what musical rapport is, not even him. And he sold 26 million CDs.
9 p.m. Juanita’s. 15 adv., $17 day of.
SATURDAY 7/28
CREED
7:30 p.m. Magic Springs’ Timberwood Amphitheater. $30-$65.
People, there are 26 million Creed CDs out there in the United States. Twenty. Six. Million. Creed CDs. That’s a lot of CDs for a band once described by music producer and funny guy Jack Endino as “Whitesnake without the snake.” Could we get all 26 million CDs back together in one place? Probably. 52
JULY 25, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
IN BRIEF
WEDNESDAY 7/25
SATURDAY 7/28
DAVID OLNEY, SERGIO WEBB
8 p.m. Maxine’s. $5 adv., $7 door.
David Olney might not be a household name like John Prine or Guy Clark or Townes Van Zandt. Or he might be, depending on the hipness of your particular household. But over the last three decades or so, this veteran singer/songwriter has created a huge body of songs that hit many of
the same folk/country/blues sweet spots as those aforementioned greats. Olney’s voice has an unadorned appeal to it. There aren’t a lot of flourishes or fanciful flitting arounds or affected gravelliness. It’s more like a simple but well-made tool that does its job without getting in the way. The job in this case is the telling of stark tales of lean times, of the monsters of his-
tory, of losers’ lamentations, of criminals’ plots and of the bad old fashioned blues, all delivered with a great storyteller’s knack for detail and the occasional touch of bone-dry humor. Olney is playing with Sergio Webb, an excellent guitarist and singer out of Nashville. Webb and Olney have collaborated before, so expect a great onstage rapport.
Movies in the Park screens the stone-cold classic American comedy “Caddyshack,” free, Riverfest Amphitheatre, sundown. Countrified Southern rockers The Cadillac Black are back in town, with Nashville singer/songwriter Logan Mize, Stickyz, 9 p.m., $6.
THURSDAY 7/26 For a big-ass heaping plate of chugga-chugga scream-y emo what-have-you, Downtown Music Hall hosts The Scarlet Letter, Crashing Broadway, Mysuicide and As Tall As Giants, 6 p.m., $7. Little Rock crew The LabRatz bring their eclectic take on Southern hip-hop to White Water Tavern, 10 p.m., $5. The Joint in North Little Rock has two of the best young rock bands in the state, The Tricks and Whale Fire, 9 p.m., $5.
FRIDAY 7/27 Holly Cole & The Memphis Dawls are back in Hot Springs for a show with indie troubadour Brandon Cunningham, Maxine’s, 8 p.m., $5 adv., $7 day of. If you’re jonesin’ for some Red Dirt, Stickyz has your fix, with the roots-y folk rock of Micky & The Motorcars with fellow travelers Big Casino, of Fort Worth, 18-and-older, 9 p.m., $8 adv., $10 day of. The Weekend Theater’s production of the musical version of “The Full Monty” continues, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, $16-$20. Cornerstone Pub hosts The OD-15, the latest jampacked lineup of the hip-hop showcase, with Bully Gang, Southwest Boaz, Nick Broadway, J-Fuego, Mista Mayhemm, Gadah, Aye Tell Em JT, Kamikaze, DJ Silky Slim and host Epiphany, 9 p.m., $10, $5 for ladies before 11 p.m.
SATURDAY 7/28
SHARP STORYTELLER: David Olney plays Maxine’s Saturday night.
SATURDAY 7/28
TERROR, BANE
6 p.m. Downtown Music Hall. $13 adv., $15 day of.
All you floor-punchin’ windmill maniacs better dust off your moshin’ britches, because one of — if not the — biggest hardcore tours of the year is stopping off in Little Rock. The coasts are united, at least on this tour. From Los Angeles comes Terror, which has been among the lead practitioners of Integrity-esque metalcore, releasing a raft of albums and EPs full of brutal, fist-pumping, circle-pit initiating insanity. From Bawston comes Bane (no, not that one), with mosh-friendly, posi-core anthems engineered to make you feel good while running around in a frenzy and pointing and shouting along whatnot. Also on the tour are the thrash-leaning L.A. five-piece Rotting Out and the breakdown-happy throat-shredders Naysayer, of Richmond, Va. Little Rock is by far the smallest market on this tour, so good on Downtown Music Hall for booking it.
TUESDAY 7/31
CONTINENTAL
9:30 p.m. White Water Tavern.
White Water Tavern regulars are likely familiar with Continental, the four-piece fronted by former Dropkick Murphys guitarist Rick Barton. Barton formed Continental in 2009, and the group includes his son Stephen Barton on bass, Dave DePrest on guitar and Tommy Mazalewski on drums. Continental has played the WWT a couple of times in the year and a half or so. The band just released “All a Man Can Do,” a full-length follow-up to its debut EP, “Death of a Garage Band.” In the band’s online bio, the elder Barton described their sound as “a blend of folk, punk and country with a heartfelt message of love, loss, pleasure and pain.” That’s a pretty spot-on description. The album will probably resonate with fans of such blue-collar punk ’n’ rollers as Social Distortion, The Swingin’ Utters and the Dropkick Murphys.
White Water Tavern hosts the state’s leading two-dude electrorock band, Collin Vs. Adam, with the soaring guitar heroics of Grand Serenade, 10 p.m., $5. Stickyz has roots-y rock of Texas troubadours The Band of Heathens, 9 p.m., $10. If you’re in the mood to stay up late and get your mind blown by swaggering blues rock played at top volume, check out Iron Tongue at Midtown, 12:30 a.m., $5.
SUNDAY 7/29 The Arkansas Repertory Theater hosts The Four Reps, the accappella/rock/doo-wop/barbershop group that’s made up of members of The Rep’s Young Artists program. The quartet will give their farewell performance, as two of the members recently graduated high school. After the musical performance, there will be a screening of the Arkansas-made short film “Cain & Abel,” 7 p.m., $10.
www.arktimes.com
JULY 25, 2012
53
AFTER DARK 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.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25
MUSIC
Acoustic Open Mic. The Afterthought, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www. afterthoughtbar.com. The Cadillac Black, Logan Mize. 18-and-older. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9 p.m., $6. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www. stickyz.com. Grim Muzik presents Way Back Wednesdays. Cornerstone Pub & Grill, 8:30 p.m. 314 Main St., NLR. 501-374-1782. cstonepub.com. Karaoke at Khalil’s. Khalil’s Pub, 7 p.m. 110 S. Shackleford Road. 501-224-0224. www.khalilspub.com. Karaoke. Maxine’s, 8 p.m., free. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. www.maxinespub.com. Karaoke with Big John Miller. Denton’s Trotline, 8 p.m. 2150 Congo Road, Benton. 501-3151717. Onward to Olympas, Letters to Exiles, Something to Stand For, Derivative. Downtown Music Hall, 7 p.m., $8. 211 W. Capitol. 501-376-1819. downtownmusichall. com. Ricky David Tripp. Rocket Twenty One, 5:30 p.m. 2601 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-603-9208. www. ferneaurestaurant.com. Rob & Tyndall. Cajun’s Wharf, 5 and 9 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-3755351. www.cajunswharf.com. Rockusaurus. Senor Tequila (Maumelle Blvd.), 6 p.m. 9847 Maumelle Blvd., NLR. 501-758-4432. Smokey. The Tavern Sports Grill, 7:30 p.m., free. 17815 Chenal Parkway. 501-830-2100. www. thetavernsportsgrill.com. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 5 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www.capitalhotel.com/CBG.
COMEDY
James Johann. The Loony Bin, 8 p.m., $7. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-228-5555. www. loonybincomedy.com. The Joint Venture. Improv comedy group. The Joint, 8 p.m., $5. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com.
DANCE
Little Rock Bop Club. Beginning dance lessons for ages 10 and older. Singles welcome. Bess Chisum Stephens Community Center, 7 p.m., $4 for members, $7 for guests. 12th & Cleveland streets. 501-350-4712. www.littlerockbopclub.
EVENTS
Arkansas Foodbank Summer Feeding Sites. Two meals a day served at the Billy Mitchell Boys and Girls Club, Thrasher Boys and Girls Club, Penick Boys and Girls Club, and Dalton Whetstone Boys and Girls Club in Central Arkansas, and the Boys and Girls Club in Benton in Saline County. Arkansas Foodbank, through Aug. 20: 8:30 a.m. and 12 p.m., free. 4301 W. 65th St. 501-565-8121. www.arkansasfoodbank.org. Science After Dark: “Science Fiction”. Learn about science fiction, cash bar available, 21-and-
54
JULY 25, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
POP SONGSTRESS: Georgia native Meiko brings her quirky, bright and sunshine-y pop to Juanita’s Sunday night, 7:30 p.m., $12 adv., $15 day of. older. Museum of Discovery, 6 p.m., $5, free for members. 500 Clinton Ave. 396-7050, 1-800880-6475. www.amod.org.
FILM
Movies in the Park: “Caddyshack.” Film begins at sundown. Riverfest Amphitheatre, 8 p.m., free. 400 President Clinton Ave.
CAMPS
Museum of Discovery Summer Camps. Rocket Science, Your Evil Genius, Amazing Bugs, Tinkering Academy, all 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for ages 4 to 13. Prices vary; register at 501-5373073. Museum of Discovery. 500 Clinton Ave. 396-7050, 1-800-880-6475. www.amod.org.
CLASSES
Children’s Pottery Class. Ages 6-12. Claytime Pottery Studio, through July 27, 10 a.m., $150. 417 Main St. 501-374-3515.
THURSDAY, JULY 26
MUSIC
“After 7.” Includes open mic performances, live band, drink specials and more. Porter’s Jazz Cafe, 7 p.m. 315 Main St. 501-324-1900. www. portersjazzcafe.com.
The Bootheel, Insomniac Folklore. 21-andolder. Maxine’s, 8 p.m., free. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. www.maxinespub.com. Dogtown Thursday Open Mic Night. Cornerstone Pub & Grill, 8:30 p.m. 314 Main St., NLR. 501-374-1782. cstonepub.com. Drum Corps International Arkansas. War Memorial Stadium, 7 p.m., $25, discounted group rates available. 1 Stadium Drive. 501663-0775. ElectroniQ. 18-and-older. Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $5. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www. juanitas.com. Fire & Brimstone Duo. Browning’s Mexican Food, 6-9 p.m. 5805 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-6639956. www.browningsmexicangrill.com. “Inferno.” DJs play pop, electro, house and more, plus drink specials and $1 cover before 11 p.m. Sway, 9 p.m. 412 Louisiana. 501-907-2582. Jason Greenlaw & The Groove, Randy Harsey, Project 7, Silly Puddles. Revolution, 9 p.m., free over 21, $5 under 21. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom.com. Karaoke. Zack’s Place, 8 p.m. 1400 S. University Ave. 501-664-6444. Karaoke Thursday. Twelve Modern Lounge. 1900 W. Third St. 501-301-1200. Karaoke with Doc Bryce. Flying DD, 9 p.m. 4601 S. University. 501-773-9990. flyingdd.com.
Karaoke with Larry the Table Guy. The Afterthought, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbar.com. LabRatz. White Water Tavern, 10 p.m., $5. 2500 W. 7th. 501-375-8400. www.whitewatertavern. com. Ol’ Puddin’haid. Thirst n’ Howl, 7:30 p.m. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www.thirst-n-howl. com. PG-13, Chris Henry. Cajun’s Wharf, 5 and 9 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-3755351. www.cajunswharf.com. Port Arthur Band. Parrot Beach Cafe, 9 p.m. 9611 MacArthur Drive, NLR. 771-2994. Rockusaurus. Senor Tequila, 7 p.m. 10300 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-224-5505. Rodge Arnold. The Tavern Sports Grill, 8 p.m., free. 17815 Chenal Parkway. 501-830-2100. www. thetavernsportsgrill.com. The Scarlet Letter, Crashing Broadway, Mysuicide, As Tall As Giants. Downtown Music Hall, 6 p.m., $7. 211 W. Capitol. 501-376-1819. downtownmusichall.com. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 5 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www.capitalhotel.com/CBG. The Tricks, Whale Fire. 21-and-older. The Joint, 9 p.m., $5. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-3720205. thejointinlittlerock.com.
COMEDY
James Johann. The Loony Bin, 8 p.m., $7. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-228-5555. www. loonybincomedy.com.
EVENTS
Arkansas Foodbank Summer Feeding Sites. See July 25. Remington College Blood Drive. Remington College and the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America team up to increase the number of minority blood donors. For more information, call 800-448-6405 or visit 3lives.com. Remington College-Little Rock, 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. 19 Remington Drive. 501-312-0007. www. remingtoncollege.edu. Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey presents Barnum Bash. Verizon Arena, July 26, 7 p.m.; July 27, 7 p.m.; July 28, 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m.; July 29, 1 and 5 p.m., $11-$51. 1 Alltel Arena Way, NLR. 800-745-3000. verizonarena.com.
CAMPS
Museum of Discovery Summer Camps. See July 25.
CLASSES
Children’s Pottery Class. Ages 6-12. Claytime Pottery Studio, 10 a.m., $150. 417 Main St. 501374-3515.
KIDS
Kids Cook -- Pizza Party. Eggshells Kitchen Co., $40. 5501 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-664-6900. eggshellskitchencompany.com. Mission: Possible! Next Level Events, $50. 1400 W. Markham St. 501-376-9746. www.nextleveleventsinc.com. Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey. Verizon Arena. 1 Alltel Arena Way, NLR. 501-975-9001. www.Ringling.com.
FRIDAY, JULY 27
MUSIC
After Eden. West End Smokehouse and Tavern,
COMEDY
James Johann. The Loony Bin, 8 and 10:30 p.m., $10. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-2285555. www.loonybincomedy.com. The Main Thing. Sketch comedy show. The Joint, 8 p.m., $20. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-3720205. thejointinlittlerock.com.
EVENTS
Arkansas Foodbank Summer Feeding Sites. See July 25. Basic acrylic painting for adults. Walton Arts Center, 10 a.m. 495 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479-443-5600. Food Truck Fridays. Three food trucks on the corner of Main Street and Capitol Avenue. Main Street, Little Rock, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Main St. 501-375-0121. LGBTQ/SGL Youth and Young Adult Group. Diverse Youth for Social Change is a group for LGBTQ/SGL and straight ally youth and young adults age 14 to 23. For more information, call 244-9690 or search “DYSC” on Facebook. 800 Scott St., 6:30 p.m. 800 Scott St. Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey presents Barnum Bash. Verizon Arena, July 27, 7 p.m.; July 28, 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m.; July 29, 1 and 5 p.m., $11-$51. 1 Alltel Arena Way, NLR. 800-745-3000. verizonarena.com. Zoo Story Time. Little Rock Zoo, through Aug. 31: 10 a.m. 1 Jonesboro Dr. 501-666-2406. www. littlerockzoo.com.
CAMPS
Museum of Discovery Summer Camps. See July 25.
CLASSES
Children’s Pottery Class. Ages 6-12. Claytime Pottery Studio, 10 a.m., $150. 417 Main St. 501374-3515.
KIDS
Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey. Verizon Arena. 1 Alltel Arena Way, NLR. 501-975-9001. www.Ringling.com.
Sushi Café Rocks!
SATURDAY, JULY 28
Closing Date: 7/24/12 QC:cs Pub: Arkansas Times
Band of Heathens. 18-and-older. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9 p.m., $10. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz.com. Chris DeClerk. Cajun’s Wharf, 5 and 9 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf.com. Chris Henry. The Tavern Sports Grill, 8 p.m., free. 17815 Chenal Parkway. 501-830-2100. www.thetavernsportsgrill.com. Collin Vs. Adam. White Water Tavern, 10 p.m., $5. 2500 W. 7th. 501-375-8400. soundcloud.com/ collinvsadam. Creed. Magic Springs’ Timberwood Amphitheater, 7:30 p.m., $30-$65. 1701 E. Grand Ave., Hot Springs. Dan Wagner. Flying Saucer, 9 p.m., $3. 323 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-8032. www.beerknurd.com/stores/littlerock. David Olney, Sergio Webb. 21-and-older. Maxine’s, 8 p.m., $5 adv., $7 d.o.s. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. www.maxinespub.com. Drew Henderson, Wolf Creek. Denton’s Trotline, 9 p.m. 2150 Congo Road, Benton. 501-315-1717. Exit Strategy. Cornerstone Pub & Grill, 8:30 p.m. 314 Main St., NLR. 501-374-1782. cstonepub.com. Iron Tongue. Midtown Billiards, 12:30 a.m., $5. 1316 Main St. 501-372-9990. midtownar.com. Jam Rock. Twelve Modern Lounge. 1900 W. Third St. 501-301-1200. Karaoke at Khalil’s. Khalil’s Pub, 7 p.m. 110 S. Shackleford Road. 501-224-0224. www.khalilspub.com. CONTINUED ON PAGE 58
Trim: 2.125x12 Bleed: none Live: 7.875x11.75
MUSIC
Ad Name: Grab Some Buds Item #: PBW201110076 Order # 242803
10 p.m., $5. 215 N. Shackleford. 501-224-7665. www.westendsmokehouse.net. Barrett Baber. The Tavern Sports Grill, 8 p.m., free. 17815 Chenal Parkway. 501-830-2100. www. thetavernsportsgrill.com. Bluesboy Jag and His Cigar Box Guitars. Dogtown Coffee and Cookery, 6 p.m., free. 6725 John F. Kennedy Blvd., NLR. 501-833-3850. www.facebook.com/pages/Dogtown-Coffeeand-Cookery. Cool Shoes. Downtown Music Hall, 9 p.m. 211 W. Capitol. 501-376-1819. downtownmusichall.com. DJ Silky Slim. Top 40 and dance music. Sway, 9 p.m., $5. 412 Louisiana. 501-907-2582. Down for Decades. Holiday Inn Presidential, 7 p.m., $10. 600 I-30. 501-375-2100. “The Flow Fridays.” Twelve Modern Lounge, 8 p.m. 1900 W. Third St. 501-301-1200. Holly Cole & The Memphis Dawls, Brandon Cunningham. 21-and-older. Maxine’s, 8 p.m., $5 adv., $7 d.o.s. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. www.maxinespub.com. Hoobastank, Stellar Revival, Stars in Stereo. Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $15 adv., $17 d.o.s. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www. juanitas.com. Insomniac Folklore. Vino’s. 923 W. 7th St. 501375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com. Katmandu. Thirst n’ Howl. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www.thirst-n-howl.com. Kayla Reeves & Wes Jeans. Denton’s Trotline, 9 p.m., $10. 2150 Congo Road, Benton. 501315-1717. Micky & The Motorcars, Big Casino. 18-andolder. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9 p.m., $8 adv., $10 d.o.s. 107 Commerce St. 501-3727707. www.stickyz.com. The OD. Cornerstone Pub & Grill, 9 p.m., $5-$10. 314 Main St., NLR. 501-374-1782. cstonepub. com. Raj. Flying Saucer, 9 p.m. 323 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-8032. www.beerknurd.com/stores/ littlerock. RJ Mischo. George’s Majestic Lounge, 6 p.m. 519 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479-442-4226. Rodge Arnold. Flying Saucer, 9 p.m., $3. 323 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-8032. www.beerknurd.com/stores/littlerock. Scott Holt Band, Ashley McBryde. Cajun’s Wharf, 5 and 9 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf. com. Starroy. Midtown Billiards, 12:30 a.m., $5. 1316 Main St. 501-372-9990. midtownar.com. Steve Pryor. George’s Majestic Lounge, 7 p.m. 519 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479-442-4226. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 9 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www.capitalhotel.com/CBG. Velvet Kente Soul Dance Party. White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m. 2500 W. 7th. 501-375-8400. www.whitewatertavern.com. The Wicked Good. The Afterthought, 9 p.m., $7. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www. afterthoughtbar.com. “YOLO.” Featuring four DJs and beach volleyball, 18-and-older. Flying DD, $5. 4601 S. University. 501-773-9990. flyingdd.com.
Best Sushi Thanks For The Votes!
East + West = Modern Fusion Become a Fan at Facebook!
www.sushicaferocks.com 5823 KAVANAUGH • THE HEIGHTS (501) 663-9888 www.arktimes.com
JULY 25, 2012
55
PEARLS ABOUT SWINE
The undoing of Penn State
T
here is likely a substantial pocket transfer or attend of people who, after the NCAA school elsewhere, wrought its judgment on Penn is this really that State this week, felt like the organizagiant of a leap for tion had stepped far afield and gone the NCAA? This down some kind of uneasy road of moral organization has BEAU authority. I can understand that. crippled or shut WILCOX down programs For years, the governing body of collegiate athletics has been — right or before for much less. It has imposed wrong — the arbiter of what constitutes its judgments on those programs for fair play and what represents impropriunseemly tactics. Penn State students and fans recoiled at the horror of havety within the walls of the stadiums and athletic departments. ing its program effectively and forceBut in moments of heightened fully dismantled, but realistically could awareness and concern, the focus shifts. offer no rebuttal. Arkansas fans watched a beloved footThe message Long sent to Petrino ball coach implode in a matter of days, in April is that your 21 wins over two and an athletic director make an unpopyears, your exceptional performance ular but fitting choice to end that man’s in rebuilding a program in tatters in tenure. In State College, Pennsylvania, a matter of four seasons, and your extraordinary abilan even more revered patriarch was ousted, ity to cultivate a new, then died, and now upbeat culture in The outcome was has a legacy flecked the fan base are not with humanity’s worth anything if predictable, painful general reproach for you are unprincipled. and almost beyond his inaction, largely It wasn’t sent out of criticism even as it because an athletic fear of the NCAA’s tested our notion occasionally arbidirector (and a bevy of what the NCAA trary hand, but was of other administracould and could not do. delivered with the tors) made disastrous choices over a period underlying idea that of years. no man should ever hold serve over the institution as a We all like to pretend that the NCAA is nothing more than a regulatory body, whole. Penn State abjectly and repeatone that makes certain that each game edly failed when opportunities to check is played within certain acceptable conPaterno’s power and influence were fines and that no one player, coach, presented. The outcome was predictsport or institution is tainted by the able, painful and almost beyond critizealousness of competition. What hapcism, even as it tested our notion of pened in Northwest Arkansas this fall what the NCAA could and could not do. was anything but a sweeping tragedy, Long was obviously not willing to risk a future fraught with questions about even if personal lives of many were the football coach’s propriety, feeling unduly affected by one man’s acts and that a fleeting moment of weakness by omissions. So the comparison of the hubris of Petrino and Paterno really Petrino might well augur something begins and ends with them both being worse down the line. large fish in a medium-sized bowl, and The lack of temerity or forethought having remarkably similar surnames. demonstrated at Penn State was in such That said, don’t be so myopic to think sharp and sad contrast that it made all of that Jeff Long’s decision to discharge us uneasy about the state of college athBobby Petrino was made in a vacuum. letics. Now we have a conclusive, hard The NCAA lords over college athletics example of just how costly a laissezand has had a well-documented history faire, money-first approach to football can be. While we all mourn the awful, of being intertwined in the most subtle machinations within an athletic departsurreal nature of Penn State’s undoing, ment. For those that suggested that the those of who admittedly embrace Hog organization did not have the power to sports a bit too tightly can at least draw impose $60 million in fines upon Penn some comfort from the fact that the State, or impact the educational tracks man in charge is mindful of the place they hold in our culture. of young men by compelling them to
56
JULY 25, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
AFTER DARK, CONT. Karaoke. Casa Mexicana, 7 p.m. 6929 JFK Blvd., NLR. 501-835-7876. “KISS Saturdays” with DJs Deja Blu, Greyhound and Silky Slim. Sway, 10 p.m. 412 Louisiana. 501-907-2582. The Compositions of Dr. James Greeson. KUAF Summer Jazz Series Composer’s Showcase. Walton Arts Center, 8 p.m. 495 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479-443-5600. Lagniappe with Genine Perez. The Afterthought, 9 p.m., $7. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbar. com. Land of Mines. Vino’s. 923 W. 7th St. 501-3758466. www.vinosbrewpub.com. Pickin’ Porch at the Library. Faulkner County Library, through Aug. 4: 9:30 a.m., free. 1900 Tyler St., Conway. 501-327-7482. www.fcl.org. Rip Van Shizzle. Thirst n’ Howl. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www.thirst-n-howl.com. Saturday night at Discovery. Featuring DJs, dancers and more. Discovery Nightclub, 9 p.m., $10. 1021 Jessie Road. 501-664-4784. www.latenightdisco.com. Songwriters Showcase. Parrot Beach Cafe, 2-7 p.m., free. 9611 MacArthur Drive, NLR. 771-2994. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 9 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www. capitalhotel.com/CBG. Terror, Bane, Naysayer, Rotting Out, Snakedriver. Downtown Music Hall, 6 p.m., $13 adv., $15 d.o.s. 211 W. Capitol. 501-3761819. downtownmusichall.com. Thread. West End Smokehouse and Tavern, 10 p.m., $5. 215 N. Shackleford. 501-224-7665. www.westendsmokehouse.net.
COMEDY
James Johann. The Loony Bin, 7, 9 and 11
p.m., $10. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.com. The Main Thing. Sketch comedy show. The Joint, 8 p.m., $20. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. thejointinlittlerock. com.
DANCE
Little Rock West Coast Dance Club. Dance lessons. Singles welcome. Ernie Biggs, 7 p.m., $2. 307 Clinton Ave. 501-247-5240. www.arstreetswing.com. Soul Spirit Zumba with Ashan. Soul Spirit Zumba fuses Latin rhythms with soulful inspirational music. Canvas Community Art Gallery, 9:30-10:30 a.m., $5. 1111 W. 7th St. 501-414-0368.
EVENTS
Argenta Farmers Market. Argenta, 7 a.m.12 p.m. Main Street, NLR. Falun Gong meditation. Allsopp Park, 9 a.m., free. Cantrell & Cedar Hill Roads. Hillcrest Farmers Market. Pulaski Heights Baptist Church, 7 a.m.-12 p.m. 2200 Kavanaugh Blvd. Little Rock Farmers’ Market. River Market Pavilions, through Oct. 27: 7 a.m.-3 p.m. 400 President Clinton Ave. 501-375-2552. rivermarket.info. Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey presents Barnum Bash. Verizon Arena, July 28, 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m.; July 29, 1 and 5 p.m., $11-$51. 1 Alltel Arena Way, NLR. 800-745-3000. verizonarena.com. Super Summer Saturdays. Free family event celebrating baseball. Clinton Presidential Center, through Aug. 11: 10 a.m., free. 1200 President Clinton Ave. 370-8000. www.clintonpresidentialcenter.org.
BOOKS
Booksigning with Dr. Fitzgerald Hill. Hill will sign his book “Crackback! How College Football Blindsides the Hopes of Black Coaches,” which he wrote with Mark Purdy. Hastings, 1 p.m. 1360 Old Morrilton Hwy., Conway. 501-329-1108.
KIDS
Breakfast with Siamangs. Little Rock Zoo, 8 a.m. 1 Jonesboro Drive. 501-666-2406. www. littlerockzoo.com. Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey. Verizon Arena, through July 29, 6 p.m. 1 Alltel Arena Way, NLR. 501-975-9001. www.Ringling.com.
Garden, through Oct. 14: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 1401 S. Main St. 501-617-2511. www.thebernicegarden.org. “Live from the Back Room.” Vino’s, 7 p.m. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com. Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey presents Barnum Bash. Verizon Arena, 1 and 5 p.m., $11-$51. 1 Alltel Arena Way, NLR. 800-745-3000. verizonarena.com.
KIDS
Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey. Verizon Arena, 6 p.m. 1 Alltel Arena Way, NLR. 501-9759001. www.Ringling.com.
SUNDAY, JULY 29
MONDAY, JULY 30
MUSIC
MUSIC
Gorilla Music — Battle of the Bands. Downtown Music Hall, 3:30 p.m. 211 W. Capitol. 501-3761819. downtownmusichall.com. Karaoke. Shorty Small’s, 6-9 p.m. 1475 Hogan Lane, Conway. 501-764-0604. www.shortysmalls.com. Karaoke with DJ Sara. Hardrider Bar & Grill, 7 p.m., free. 6613 John Harden Drive, Cabot. 501-982-1939 . Meiko. Juanita’s, 7:30 p.m., $12 adv., $15 d.o.s. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www. juanitas.com. Summer Concert Series: The Boomers. Faulkner County Library, 2 p.m., free. 1900 Tyler St., Conway. 501-327-7482. www.fcl.org. Sunday Jazz Brunch with Ted Ludwig and Joe Cripps. Vieux Carre, 11 a.m. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.vieuxcarrecafe.com.
EVENTS
Bernice Garden Farmers’ Market. The Bernice
7th Street Peep Show. Featuring three or four bands per night. Bands sign up at 6:30 p.m. and play 35-minute sets (including setup) on a first come, first served basis. House band is The Sinners. Solo artists, DJs and all other performers welcome. Vino’s, 7 p.m., $1. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com. Ashley McBryde. The Tavern Sports Grill, 7 p.m., free. 17815 Chenal Parkway. 501-830-2100. www. thetavernsportsgrill.com. Eve to Adam, The Sesh, Apocalypse. Juanita’s, 8 p.m., $5. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-3721228. www.juanitas.com. Handmade Moments. The Afterthought, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www. afterthoughtbar.com. Karaoke. Thirst n’ Howl, 8:30 p.m. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www.thirst-n-howl.com. Reggae Nites. Featuring DJ Hy-C playing roots, reggae and dancehall. Pleazures Martini and CONTINUED ON PAGE 60
ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
UAPB-MISRGO·SOS
58
JULY 25, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
unNATURAL It takes more than 500 years for many fast-food containers to decompose. They belong in the trash – not in nature.
This ad is 100% recyclable.
Keep Arkansas clean. Make it SHINE.
KeepArkansasBeautiful.com
KAP 0312 017 unNATURAL_9.25x5.87_4C.indd 1
www.arktimes.com
JUly 25, 2012
59
7/3/12 9:31 AM
LIVE MUSIC THURSDAY, JULY 26 LABRATZ (HIP HOP SHOW)
FRIDAY, JULY 27
VELVET KENTE SOUL DANCE PARTY!
SATURDAY, JULY 28 COLLIN VS. ADAM
TUESDAY, JULY 31 CONTINENTAL (BOSTON, MA)
CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL SHOWS AT
WHITEWATERTAVERN.COM
Little Rock’s Down-Home Neighborhood Bar
7th & Thayer • Little Rock • (501) 375-8400
AFTER DARK, CONT.
Cool Drinks For Hot Days! Iced Coffee, Iced Latte, Espresso Frappe, Espresso Milkshake, Fruit Smoothie. PReSent thIS aD foR $1 off Hurry In! Offer Good Thru 8/01/12.
Cakes • Pastries • Desserts • Breads • Coffee Downtown West Little Rock 1200 Main (I-630 & Main) 270 S. Shackleford 375-6418 224-1656
Grill Lounge, 6 p.m., $7-$10. 1318 Main St. 501-376-7777. www.facebook.com/pleazures. bargrill. Some Guy Named Robb. Cajun’s Wharf, 5 and 9 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf.com. Touch, Grateful Dead Tribute. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 8 p.m., $5. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz.com. Ugly Lion. 18-and-older. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 8:30 p.m., $5. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz.com. A Work of Art — Minors in Music. Little Rock City Hall, 12 p.m., free. 500 W. Markham St.
EVENTS
Arkansas Foodbank Summer Feeding Sites. See July 25.
CAMPS
Kids Cook! and Create!. Camps promoting learning through the arts for students ages 6-12. Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts, July 30-Aug. 3, 9 a.m. 20919 Denny Road. Museum of Discovery Summer Camps. See July 25.
TUESDAY, JULY 31
MUSIC
Attaloss. Pizza D’Action. 2919 W. Markham St. 501-666-5403. Bass & Brown. Cajun’s Wharf, 5 and 9 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-3755351. www.cajunswharf.com. Brian Martin. Maxine’s, 8 p.m., free. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. www.maxinespub.com. Cheyenne Marie Mize. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack. 107 Commerce St. 501-3727707. www.stickyz.com. Continental. White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m. 2500 W. 7th. 501-375-8400. www.facebook. com/ContinentalBand. Jeff Long. Khalil’s Pub, 6 p.m. 110 S. Shackleford Road. 501-224-0224. www.khalilspub.com. Karaoke Night. Cornerstone Pub & Grill, 8 p.m. 314 Main St., NLR. 501-374-1782. cstonepub. com. Karaoke Tuesday. Prost, 8 p.m., free. 322 President Clinton Blvd. 501-244-9550. Karaoke with Big John Miller. Denton’s Trotline, 8 p.m. 2150 Congo Road, Benton. 501-3151717. Lucious Spiller Band. Copeland’s, 6-9 p.m. 2602 S. Shackleford Road. 501-312-1616. www.copelandsofneworleans.com. mychildren mybride, Tear Out My Heart. Juanita’s, 8 p.m., $12 adv., $15 d.o.s. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www. juanitas.com. Ricky David Tripp. Rocket Twenty One, 5:30 p.m. 2601 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-603-9208. www. ferneaurestaurant.com. Top of the Rock Chorus rehearsal. Cornerstone Bible Fellowship Church, 7-10 p.m. 7351 Warden Road, Sherwood. 501-231-1119. www. topoftherockchorus.org. Tuesday Jam Session with Carl Mouton. The Afterthought, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbar.com. Tuesday Night Jazz/Blues Jam. The Joint, 8 p.m. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com. Vino’s Picture Show: “Midnight Cowboy.” Vino’s, 7 p.m., free. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com. A Work of Art — Jazz Concert. Metropolitan Tower, 12 p.m., free. 452 W Capitol Ave.
DANCE
“Latin Night.” Revolution, 7 p.m., $5 regular, $7 under 21. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-82360
JULY 25, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
0090. www.revroom.com.
EVENTS
Arkansas Foodbank Summer Feeding Sites. See July 25. Little Rock Farmers’ Market. River Market Pavilions, through Oct. 27: 7 a.m.-3 p.m. 400 President Clinton Ave. 501-375-2552. rivermarket.info. Share Our Strength’s “No Kid Hungry Dinner.” Oxford American, 6 p.m., $150. 1300 Main St. Tales from the South. Authors tell true stories; schedule available on website. Dinner served 5-6:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m. Call for reservations. Starving Artist Cafe, 5 p.m. 411 N. Main St., NLR. 501-372-7976. www.starvingartistcafe.net. Trivia Bowl. Flying Saucer, 8:30 p.m. 323 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-8032. www. beerknurd.com/stores/littlerock. Wiggle Worms: “Local Foods Local Foods with Argenta Market.” Weekly program designed specifically for pre-K children. Museum of Discovery, 10:30 a.m., $8-$10, free for members. 500 Clinton Ave. 396-7050, 1-800-8806475. www.amod.org.
SPORTS
Arkansas Travelers vs. Springfield Cardinals. Dickey-Stephens Park, July 31, 7:10 p.m.; Aug. 1, 7:10 p.m. 400 W. Broadway St., NLR. 501-6641555. www.travs.com.
CAMPS
Kids Cook! and Create!. Camps promoting learning through the arts for students ages 6-12. Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts, through Aug. 3, 9 a.m. 20919 Denny Road. Museum of Discovery Summer Camps. See July 25. Watercolor like Stained Glass. Ages 16 and up. Walton Arts Center, July 31-Aug. 2, 6:30 p.m. 495 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479-443-5600.
KIDS
Wiggle Worms. Weekly program designed specifically for pre-K children. Museum of Discovery, 10 a.m. 500 Clinton Ave. 396-7050, 1-800-8806475. www.amod.org.
THIS WEEK IN THEATER
Auditions for Lily and the Apple Seed. Seeking 2 female actors, 1 male actor and 1 stage manager. Company members need to be over 18 years of age, have local housing and be available for rehearsal at Wildwood Park from Aug. 20-Sept. 9. Auditioners will read from the script and have a short interview. Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts, Thu., July 26, 5:30 p.m. 20919 Denny Road. 501-821-7275 ext. 253. “Cabaret.” Argenta Community Theater, July 25-28, 7 p.m., $15-$35. 405 Main St., NLR. 501-353-1443. argentacommunitytheater.org. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). Pocket Community Theater, through July 28, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., July 29, 2:30 p.m., $5-$10. 170 Ravine St., Hot Springs. The Four Reps final farewell concert. The concert will feature a special showing of the short film, “Cain and Abel.” Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Sun., July 29, 7 p.m., $10. 601 Main St. 501-378-0405. www.therep.org. “The Full Monty.” A group of unemployed steelworkers find an unconventional way to make some money, revitalizing their selfesteem in the process. This musical is based on the hit British film of the same name. The Weekend Theater, through July 28, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., July 29, 2:30 p.m.; through Aug. 4, 7:30 p.m., $16-$20. 1001 W. 7th St. 501-374-3761. www.weekendtheater.org. CONTINUED ON PAGE 62
Thank you fans for voting us as
Best Cheap Date!
Frequent Sports Injuries and how to prevent them
Best Cheap Date
Michel Leidermann Moderator
EL LATINO Program AETN-TV 10:30 pm, Sunday, July 29 Broadcast in Spanish
AUGUST PROMOTIONAL HIGHLIGHTS Aug 2
THIRSTY THURSDAY! $2.00 Domestic 16 oz. draft beers and 12 oz. cans
Aug 3
Post-Game Fireworks!! Courtesy of New Belgium Brewing Co. and KATV
Aug 4
Corona / Dos Equis Post-Game Concert featuring Walter “Wolfman” Washington!
Aug 16
THIRSTY THURSDAY! $2.00 Domestic 16 oz. draft beers and 12 oz. cans
Aug 17
CLUNKER CAR NIGHT! Used Cars Given Away Between Innings Presented by Arkansas State Police, Click It or Ticket and 103.7 The Buzz
The only app you need after 5 o’clock.
Aug 18
THE MIDGETS ARE BACK! AGAIN!!!!!- BEFORE THE GAME AT 6:15 PM! • Presented by Midtown Billiards and Fox 16
The new Cocktail Compass is faster, easier, and knows exactly what you want: the nearest Happy Hour, and fast.
Aug 30
THIRSTY THURSDAY! $2.00 Domestic 16 oz. draft beers and 12 oz. cans
Aug 31
HALOS POSTERS To First 1000 Adults Courtesy of Diamond Bear and Southern Blonde
Sept 1
POST-GAME FIREWORKS !!! – Courtesy of KTHV
DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETELY NEW COCKTAIL COMPASS FOR IPHONE & ANDROID
get it
iPhone
FOR TICKETS CALL
Presented by your drinking buddies at
Android
501-664-1555 www.travs.com www.arktimes.com
JUly 25, 2012
61
AFTER DARK, CONT. “Hairspray.” Campy, fun musical about an unlikely teen dance idol, based on the John Waters film. The Public Theatre, through July 28, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., July 29, 2 p.m., $14-$16. 616 Center St. 501-374-7529. www.thepublictheatre.com. “Little Rock and a Hard Place.” The Main Thing theater presents its play about a man who dies in a car accident and is sent to Little Rock by St. Peter to earn his wings through helping the city. The Joint, through Aug. 31: Fri., Sat., 8 p.m., $20. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com. “The Sound of Music.” Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most beloved musical is the story of the Von Trapp family and how their governess, Maria, brings music, hope and prayer into their lives in pre-World War II Austria. Murry’s Dinner Playhouse, through Aug. 26: Tue.-Sat., 6 p.m.; Wed., 11 a.m.; Sun., 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., $15-$33. 6323 Col. Glenn Road. 501-562-3131. murrysdinnerplayhouse.com.
GALLERIES, MUSEUMS
NEW EXHIBITS, ART EVENTS
J.W. WIGGINS NATIVE AMERICAN ART GALLERY, University Plaza, Suite 500: “Medicine and Magic,” work by Robert Taylor, paintings, July 27-Aug. 17, Sequoyah National Research Center. 569-8336. LAMAN LIBRARY, 2801 Orange St.: “Outside the Pale: The Architecture of Fay Jones,” artifacts from the Old State House Museum and Special Collections at the University of Arkansas, July 27-Aug. 25. 758-1720 MacARTHUR MUSEUM OF ARKANSAS MILITARY HISTORY, MacArthur Park: “Vietnam: America’s Conflict,” opens with reception 5:30-7:30 p.m. July 26 with decorated pilot Hugh L. Mills Jr., talk by Mills 11 a.m. July 27; exhibits on Arkansas’s military history. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat., 1-4 p.m. Sun. 376-4602. MOSAIC TEMPLARS CULTURAL CENTER, Ninth and Broadway: “A Voice through the Viewfinder: Images of Arkansas’ Black Community by Ralph Armstrong,” opens with reception 4:30-6:30 p.m. July 26, show through Jan. 5, 2013; permanent exhibits on African-American entrepreneurial history in Arkansas. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat. 683–3593. UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK: Kerry Hartman, senior exhibition, July 25-Aug. 3, Gallery II. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. 569-3182. EL DORADO SOUTH ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER, 110 E. 5th St.: “2012 Annual Juried Art Competition,” 62 works by national and Arkansas artists, through July 30. 870-862-5474.
EVOLVE or
62
JULY 25, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
CALL FOR ARTISTS
The Arkansas Arts Center is accepting entries for its 38th annual “Toys Designed by Artists” exhibition, which runs Nov. 21 through Jan. 6. Deadline to enter is Sept. 14. Artists may submit up to three entries; all must have been completed since 2010. Entry fees are $15 for first and $10 for each additional. For more information, go to www.arkarts.com or call 372-4000. The Hot Springs Fine Arts Center is accepting entries to its 9th annual “Diamond National Art Competition” that will be on exhibit in September. Deadline to enter is Aug. 13. Twoand three-dimensional work in all media will be considered. Jurors are Thad Flenniken, Jim Larkin and Gary Simmons. There will be cash awards. For more information, call 501-624-0489 or go to www.hsfac.org. The Jim Elder Good Sport Fund, which benefits several area non-profits, is seeking artists to participate in its annual Home Plate Heroes exhibition and auction. Artists are provided wood panels in the shape of home plate to paint or otherwise decorate for the event, to be held at the Thea Center Sept. 17-28. Blank plates are available at Thea; deadline is Aug. 15. For information, e-mail Susan Elder at selder52@ gmail.com.
CONTINUING EXHIBITS
ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER, MacArthur Park: “Tattoo Witness: Photographs by Mark Perrott,” 25 large-scale black and white photographs of tattoed men and women, documenting tattoos over 25 years, with murals painted by Arkansas tattoo artists Robert Berry, Richard Moore, Caleb Pritchett, Chris Thomas, Brooke and Ryan Cook, Nancy Miller and Scott Diffee, through Sept. 9; “The Rockefeller Influence,” 57 works donated or loaned by the Rockefeller family, through Aug. 19; “11th National Drawing Invitational: New York, Singular Drawings,” through Sept. 9, curated by Charlotta Kotik; “The New Materiality: Digital Dialogues at the Boundaries of Contemporary Craft,” through Aug. 5; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. 372-4000. THE ART LOFT, 1525 Merrill Drive: Work by Dan Thornhill, Catherine Rodgers, Rosemary Parker, Kelly Furr, Melody Lile and others, with music by Rico Novales. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat. 251-1131. BOSWELL-MOUROT FINE ART, 5815
NOTHING for
H
T
FAYETTEVILLE SARAH LEFLAR STUDIO, 2650 S. School St.: “Black Hearts,” recent work by Sarah Leflar with musical performance by David Slade, 7 p.m. July 28. 479-575-5202.
A
Kavanaugh Blvd.: New work by Robin Hazard Bishop. 664-0030. BUTLER CENTER GALLERIES, Arkansas Studies Institute: “Invasion or Liberation? The Civil War in Arkansas,” letters, diaries, photographs, and artifacts, Concordia Hall; “Pattern in Perspective: Recent Work by Carly Dahl and Dustyn Bork,” through Sept. 29; “Arkansas Art Educators State Youth Art Show 2012,” through July 28; “Small Town: Portraits of a Disappearing America,” through Aug. 25. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.Sat. 320-5790. CANTRELL GALLERY, 8206 Cantrell Road: “Still Crazy …,” paintings, prints, drawings, sculpture by Warren Criswell, through Aug. 18. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 224-1335. CHRIST CHURCH, 509 Scott St.: Arkansas Pastel Society members show, through through Aug. 30. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Thu. 375-2342. CHROMA GALLERY, 5707 Kavanaugh Blvd.: Work by Robert Reep and other Arkansas artists. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat. 664-0880. GALLERY 221, 221 W. 2nd St.: “Colors Abound,” impressionist landscapes, florals by Jennifer Cox Coleman. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.Fri. 801-0211. GALLERY 26, 2601 Kavanaugh Blvd.: Robert Bean, drawings; Jill Storthz, woodcuts, through Sept. 8. 664-8996. GREG THOMPSON FINE ART, 429 Main St.: “Southern Women Artists,” work by Linda Burgess, Sheila Cantrell, Sheila Cotton, Claudia DeMonte, Robyn Horn, Valerie Jaudon, Ida Kohlmeyer, Laura Raborn, Denise Rose and Rebecca Thompson. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. 664-2787. HEARNE FINE ART, 1001 Wright Ave.: “Montage 24,” 24 artists with the gallery for 24 years. 372-6822. L&L BECK GALLERY, 5705 Kavanaugh Blvd.: “The Wild Ones,” animal paintings and giclees by Louis Beck. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.-Sat. 660-4006. LOCAL COLOUR, 5811a Kavanaugh Blvd.: Robin Parker, featured artist for June. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 265-0422. M2GALLERY, 11525 Cantrell: New work by William Goodman, Dan Thornhill, Robin Tucker and Peter Razatos. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.-Sat. 225-6257. REFLECTIONS GALLERY AND FINE FRAMING, 11220 Rodney Parham Road: Work by local and national artists. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.Fri., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat. 227-5659. SHOWROOM, 2313 Cantrell Road: Work by area artists, including Sandy Hubler. 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri. 372-7373. STATE CAPITOL: “Arkansans in the Korean War,” 32 photographs, lower-level foyer. 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat.-Sun. THEA FOUNDATION, 401 Main St., NLR: Seis
my man
K N S
Puentes’ student work. 379-9512. BENTON DIANNE ROBERTS ART STUDIO AND GALLERY, 110 N. Market St.: Work by Chad Oppenhuizen, Dan McRaven, Gretchen Hendricks, Rachel Carroccio, Kenny Roberts, Taylor Bellott, Jim Cooper and Sue Moore. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Wed.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. 860-7467. BENTONVILLE CRYSTAL BRIDGES MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART, 600 Museum Way: “Declaration: Birth of America,” 1776 broadside announcing the Declaration of Independence and other Revolutionary War documents, through Sept. 17; “Focus: The Portrait, Picturing Women at the Turn of the Twentieth Century,” paintings by James McNeill Whistler, John Singer Sargent and George Bellows, on loan from the National Gallery of Art, through June 2, 2013; “American Encounters: Thomas Cole and the Narrative Landscape,” six paintings, including two from the Louvre Museum, through Aug. 13; “The Hudson River School: Nature and the American Vision,” 45 paintings from the New-York Historical Society, through Sept. 3, permanent collection of American masterworks spanning four centuries. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon., Thu., Sat.-Sun.; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Wed.-Fri. Tickets free but timed; reserve at 479-418-5700. CALICO ROCK CALICO ROCK ARTISTS COOPERATIVE, Hwy. 5 at White River Bridge: Paintings, photographs, jewelry, fiber art, wood, ceramics and other crafts. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tue.-Thu., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun. calicorocket.org/artists. HARRISON ARTISTS OF THE OZARKS, 124 ½ N. Willow St.: Work by Amelia Renkel, Ann Graffy, Christy Dillard, Helen McAllister, Sandy Williams and D. Savannah George. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thu.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun. 870-429-1683. HEBER SPRINGS BOTTLE TREE GALLERY, 514 W. Main St.: Work by Maeve Croghan, Jonathan Harris, George Wittenberg. 501-590-8840. HELENA DELTA CULTURAL CENTER, 141 Cherry St.: “John Ruskey: The Downstream Painter,” watercolors of the Mississippi River, landscapes, handcolored maps, hand-carved canoes, through Aug. 25, reception recognizing KIPP students who worked with Ruskey on carving the canoe 4-5:30 p.m. Aug. 2. CONTINUED ON PAGE 69
Thank You Central AR Stop by & check out why we keep getting voted Best Of AR. 6800 Cantrell Road Mon - Sat = 10 to 8
In my wallet is a tattered Fat Tire label which I’ve had for 11 years. Ever since my first one, I immediately fell in love with this refreshing ale and the company’s ecoconscience ways. Amongst friends, this label has led to many discussions such as,
“ Is it possible to jump a recycling bin on a banana seat bike?” (Yes, but next time don’t pedal so fast!) Thanks Fat Tire for making recycling and biking so much fun. Frances M. of South Carolina
A lot of people have discovered the tasty joy bottled and canned in Fat Tire Amber Ale. Join them on newbelgium.com and enjoy the ride!
fat tire amber ale is brewed by new belgium brewing fort collins co
HILLCREST SHOP ‘N’ SIP 50-75% Danke...Merci...Grazie...
OFF
ThankYou!
SUMMER Clothing, Handbags and Shoes
BEST COCKTAIL
box turtle GIFTS CLOTHING ART
2616 Kavanaugh • 661-1167 M-F 10-6, SAT 10-5
we love you, little rock!
501-353-2504 2612 Kavanaugh Blvd. Find your dream home at www.LiveInLittleRock.com
Congratulations To Our Winning Neighborhood Stores!
Thank You Arkansas Times Readers! Join us as we showcase our signature cocktails and wine list
Happy 9th Birthday To Us! Storewide sales!
4523 Woodlawn (Historic Hillcrest) 501.666.3600
BEST wine list 3610 Kavanaugh Blvd (501) 663-1464 sorestaurantbar.com
605 N. Beechwood In the heart of Hillcrest 501.603.0238
BEST hip clothing store
Featuring Daily Soup And Sandwich Specials For Lunch Come See Us Each Friday For “Olli Day” 20% OFF Olli Salame
$1.50 bud light draft!
2807 Kavanaugh Blvd. • 501.671.6328
2811 Kavanaugh Blvd • Hillcrest (501) 664-2068
local organic meats Charcuterie soups & Sandwiches
3-10 pm
See why WE’RE THE BEST at the next Shop -N-Sip! First T
First Thursday each month Shop ’til 8pm and enjoy dining in one of the many area restaurants.
Enjoy A Better Experience, Achieve Better Results. With 24/7 aCCess for memBers
HILLCREST SHOPPING & DINING the next one is August 2!
Serving Downtown Little Rock In The Victory Bldg
Open House
snapfitness.com/littlerockdowntown
5-7pm 2821 Kavanaugh Blvd. Suite 3A 501-420-4657 Come Join Us For Refreshments + To See Our New Space
1401 W. Capitol • 246-8266 West Little Rock
snapfitness.com/littlerock
400 N. Bowman • 353-0224
A Taste of Brazilian Cuisine
YOUR MOM 501.614.6682
CAN’T TELL YOU TO
TURN IT DOWN
ANYMORE!
best Vegan Gluten Free & Vegan Options Available Here!
THE BEST IN CUSTOM FINE JEWELRY THE LOWEST DIAMOND PRICES IN TOWN 246-3655 • 3000 KAVANAUGH STE. E
best bread
LITTLE ROCK
WORKSHOPS GUITAR • BASS DRUMS • PIANO VOICE Breckenridge Village • 501.312.1800 www.littlerockjams.com
go greek!
501.319.7035 RHEA DRUG 2801 KAVANAUGH LITTLE ROCK • 663-4131
E MUSIC L SSONS JAM SESSIONS
2701 Kavanaugh Blvd Hillcrest
irst Thursday of every month
Pinot is a sweet 8-9 month pup rescued from Benton Animal Control. She is a complete LOVE BUG! Very obedient and wants nothing more than to please her person. Pinot has wonderful house manners. Never chewed on anything other than her toys and never had an accident inside. Completely potty trained, spayed, micro-chipped and up to date on shots. DNA test results show her to be a mix of Dachshund, Basset Hound and Bull Terrier. Pinot loves to entertain herself with a tennis ball or other toys. Gets along well with the two male adult dogs in her foster home even resting her head on them to sleep. She and the female adult dog do not see eye to eye, therefore Pinot would do best with a male dog who’s not dominant or just as an only dog. She is sweetness at it’s best and would make an excellent companion! Weighs 40 lbs but should weigh about 35 lbs according to the vet. For specific questions about Pinot, please email: sharonandtucker@yahoo.com. Also, read about the adoption process and get an application at ootwrescue.org. www.arktimes.com
JUly 25, 2012
65
Whatever The Time of Year .
MOVIE LISTINGS
JULY 27-28
Market Street Cinema times at or after 9 p.m. are for Friday and Saturday only. Lakewood showtimes were not available by press deadline. Rave showtimes are valid for Friday and Saturday only. Find up-to-date listings at arktimes.com.
When you need us, we’ll be here for you.
6400 Mabelvale Pike Little Rock, AR 72209
(501) 565-4644 7700 Highway 107 Sherwood, AR 72120 ©adfinity
(501) 834-1191
HusonFuneralHome.com
Get Fit.
BeSt AtHLetiC CLUB
zUmBA & AqUA zUmBA wHirpooL & SAUnA indoor joGGinG/wALkinG trACk Boot CAmp perSonAL trAininG FULL-Size GymnASiUm CArdiovASCULAr eqUipment weiGHt mACHineS pLUS mUCH more!
never A ContrACt never A joininG Fee
300 South Monroe • Little Rock 501.664.6976 • www.lrpr.org 66
JULY 25, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
NEW MOVIES Darling Companion (PG-13) – Diane Keaton is unhappily married to Kevin Kline, so she adopts a stray dog. But then it runs away and she has to go find it. Market Street: 1:45, 4:15, 6:45, 9:00. The Intouchables (R) – An improbable friendship blossoms between a rich disabled man and his ex-con caretaker. Market Street: 2:00, 4:20, 7:00, 9:15. Step Up Revolution (PG-13) – That’ll do, “Step Up” franchise, that’ll do. Breckenridge: 11:50 a.m., 4:45, 10:15 (2D), 2:15, 7:40. Chenal 9: 10:30 a.m., 1:30, 4:30, 7:30, 9:55. Rave: 9:25 a.m., noon, 2:30, 5:15, 8:00, 10:40 (2D), 11:00 a.m., 1:30, 4:15, 7:00, 9:30, midnight (3D). Riverdale: 9:20 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:50, 4:05, 6:25, 8:50. The Watch (R) – Bunch of dudes form a neighborhood watch group on account of they think there’s going to be an alien invasion, which, fortunately for the movie, there is. Breckenridge: 11:45 a.m., 2:10, 4:35, 7:25, 10:05. Chenal 9: 10:15 a.m., 1:15, 4:15, 7:15, 10:15. Rave: 9:10 a.m., 10:10 a.m., 11:40 a.m., 12:40, 2:15, 3:15, 4:45, 5:45, 7:30, 8:30, 10:15, midnight. Riverdale: 9:25 a.m., 11:40 a.m., 1:55, 4:10, 6:30, 9:00. RETURNING THIS WEEK Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (R) – Pretty much what it sounds like, from producer Tim Burton and director Timur Bekmambetov. Movies 10: 12:10, 2:35, 5:00, 7:30, 10:00. The Amazing Spider Man (PG-13) – Already? It’s like, jeez, Tobey MaGuire’s Spider Man body ain’t even cold yet. Starring Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone. Breckenridge: 4:15, 10:15 (2D), 12:30, 7:20 (3D). Chenal 9: 10:10 a.m., 1:15, 4:20, 7:25, 10:30. Rave: 9:50 a.m., 1:05, 4:10, 7:25, 10:35 (2D), 8:25, 11:35 (3D). Riverdale: 9:25 a.m., 12:35, 3:40, 6:45, 9:45. Battleship (PG-13) – Action adventure film starring Rihanna. Movies 10: 12:45, 4:00, 7:00, 9:50. Bernie (PG-13) – Based on a murder in smalltown Texas, starring Jack Black, Matthew McConaughey and Richard Linklater. Market Street: 2:00, 4:15, 7:00, 9:15. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (PG-13) – British senior citizens go to India and learn that it’s OK to eat weird stuff and it’s all very heartwarming. Market Street: 4:00, 9:00. Riverdale: 9:30 a.m., 12:15. Brave (PG) – Animated fantasy tale of a Celtictype girl who must save her kingdom from something or other. Breckenridge: 11:35 a.m., 2:05, 4:30, 7:10, 9:35. Chenal 9: 12:25 a.m., 1:25, 4:25, 7:25. Rave: 1:10, 3:45, 6:35, 9:05, 11:40 (2D), 10:35 a.m. (3D). Riverdale: 9:05 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1:25, 3:35, 5:45, 8:00, 10:05. The Dark Knight Rises (PG-13) – Third gloomy Batman flick from director Christopher Nolan. Breckenridge: 11:10 a.m., 11:40 (open-captioned), 12:10, 2:50, 3:20, 3:50, 6:30, 7:00, 8:00, 10:10, 10:40. Chenal 9: noon, 3:30, 7:00, 10:30 (IMAX), 10:00 a.m., 12:30, 1:00, 4:00, 7:30, 8:00, 10:10. Rave: 9:00 a.m., 12:45, 4:30, 8:15 (X-treme), 9:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 12:15, 1:15, 3:00, 3:30, 4:00, 5:00, 5:30, 6:45, 7:15, 7:45, 8:45, 9:15, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30. Riverdale: 9:30 a.m., 1:20, 5:35, 9:15. Dark Shadows (PG-13) – Kinda like Dracula goes to “Austin Powers,” starring Johnny Depp
HEY ‘WATCH’ THIS: In “The Watch,” Jonah Hill, Ben Stiller, Richard Ayoade and Vince Vaughn fight aliens with a bowling ball that shoots lightning. and Helena Bonham Carter, directed by Tim Burton. Nah, baby. Movies 10: 11:55 a.m., 2:30, 5:05, 7:45, 10:20. For Greater Glory (R) – Andy Garcia is a retired general who leads a ragtag bunch of Catholic soldiers in a fight against the totalitarian Mexican government of the late 1920s. Movies 10: 3:15, 9:45. The Hunger Games (PG-13) – Teen-lit version of “The Running Man,” starring Jennifer Lawrence. Movies 10: noon, 1:15, 3:00, 4:15, 6:00, 7:15, 9:30. Ice Age: Continental Drift (PG) – Latest iteration in the series about a crew of wacky animated animals. Breckenridge: noon, 2:30, 5:00, 7:35, 10:00 (2D), 11:30 a.m., 2:00, 4:25, 7:05, 9:30 (3D). Chenal 9: 10:05 a.m., 1:05, 7:05 (2D) 4:05, 9:30 (3D). Rave: 10:25 a.m., 1:00, 3:25, 5:55 (2D), 9:05 a.m., 11:35 a.m., 2:00, 4:35, 7:10, 9:40 (3D). Riverdale: 9:10 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 1:30, 3:45, 5:55, 8:10. Katy Perry: Part of Me (PG) – Yeah, but which one? Rave: 9:40 a.m. The Lorax (PG) – A 3D CGI adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ classic tale. Movies 10: 12:15, 2:50, 4:55. Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (PG) – The Dreamworks franchise rolls on, with Chris Rock, Ben Stiller and other people who make stupid amounts of money as talking animals. Riverdale: 4:00, 6:20, 8:55. Magic Mike (R) – Former male stripper Channing Tatum stars as a male stripper in a story inspired by Tatum’s former life as a male stripper. Rave: 1:25, 7:40. Moonrise Kingdom (PG-13) – With Ed Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand and Bruce Willis, from director Wes Anderson. Breckenridge: 12:05, 2:15, 4:40, 7:15, 9:40. Rave: 10:50 a.m., 1:50, 4:50, 7:50, 10:50. People Like Us (PG-13) – Family drama/comedy about a twenty-something salesman who must confront a family secret after the sudden death of his father. Riverdale: 9:20 a.m., 11:50 a.m., 2:20, 4:50, 7:20, 9:55. Prometheus (R) – Shiny sci-fi from Ridley Scott. Supposed to be an “Alien” prequel. Movies 10: 12:40, 3:30, 6:15, 9:05 (2D), 10:15 p.m. (3D). Rock of Ages (PG-13) – Two hours of Ol’ Middletooth doing butt-rock karaoke sounds just slightly less appealing than a gunshot wound to the crotch. Also starring Alec Baldwin. Movies 10: 7:10, 9:55. Safety Not Guaranteed (R) – A trio of reporters
follow a strange lead on a lark, but unexpectedly uncovers a fascinating character. Market Street: 2:15, 4:30, 7:15, 9:00. Savages (R) – A hippie and a former Navy SEAL take on Mexican drug lords, from director Oliver Stone. Breckenridge: Chenal 9: 10:00 a.m., 4:30. Rave: 10:15 a.m., 4:25, 10:25. Snow White and the Huntsman (PG-13) – Dark and foreboding Snow White reboot No. 2 for the year, this time with Kristen Stewart and Charlize Theron. Movies 10: 12:30, 3:45, 7:20, 10:05. Ted (R) – From the mind of the inescapable Seth MacFarlane, the story of a talking teddy bear named Ted. Breckenridge: 11:50 a.m., 2:20, 4:50, 7:45, 10:15. Chenal 9: 1:30, 4:20, 7:20, 10:20. Rave: 9:45 a.m., 12:25, 3:10, 5:50, 8:35, 11:45. Riverdale: 9:40 a.m., 12:05, 2:30, 4:50, 7:15, 9:40. To Rome with Love (R) – Latest charmingly aimless Eurocentric comedy from Woody Allen, with Jesse Eisenberg, Alec Baldwin, Penelope Cruz, Ellen Page and Roberto Benigni. Market Street: 1:45, 6:45. Think Like a Man (PG-13) – Based on Steve Harvey’s best-selling book. Movies 10: 12:35, 7:05. Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Witness Protection (PG13) – Latest product churned out by the Tyler Perry machine. Breckenridge: 12:20, 4:00, 6:50, 9:50. Rave: 10:20 a.m., 1:20, 4:20, 7:20, 10:20. Riverdale: 9:15 a.m., noon, 2:45, 5:30, 8:45. What to Expect When You’re Expecting (PG13) – Film mines bestselling pregnancy book for attempt at comedy. If that’s what you were expecting, you were right. Movies 10: 12:05, 2:40, 5:10, 7:40, 10:10.
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. Lakewood 8: 2939 Lakewood Village Drive, 7585354, www.fandango.com. 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.
MOVIE REVIEW
Dark night The Batman movie is no longer about Batman. BY SAM EIFLING
A
bout a third of the way into “The Dark Knight Rises,” the villain Bane and his henchmen storm a stock exchange. To breach security, Bane, a human with the physique of a gorilla, clobbers and shoots some guards. Upon entering the trading floor itself, he and his goons train assault rifles and handguns on traders and blast them indiscriminately. If you see this film in a theater, this is the point where your eyes will dart to the lit exit signs that flank the screen. And you’ll imagine what it was like for the folks in a theater in Aurora, Colo. when a maniac armed with an assault rifle and handguns stalked in and began blasting them indiscriminately. For all the mass shootings in the bloody recent history of America, the greatest country in the world where a 3-monthold baby can get shot to death during a superhero movie, this massacre in Aurora may be the first to ride mass media in quite this fashion. The shooter did not conscript news media in the way that the 9/11 hijackers did. They implicitly goaded cable news networks to re-run images of murder so that instead of a few thousand people seeing a terrorist act in Manhattan, we all became witnesses. That’s how terror works, of course. Killing 3,000 people is not the point; the explosive anger, fear and grief of 300 million is. When in those dark weeks after 9/11 people in flyover America repeated earnestly that “We are all New Yorkers,” it was more than symbolic. We all had experienced, vicariously, the horror bearing witness to slaughter. Who knows if this James Holmes fellow turns out to be so coldly rational as al Qaeda, which succeeded in igniting multiple wars and steering the freedom-loving United States toward becoming a cowering surveillance state. Barring some revelation of design, we’ll merely evoke Brad Pitt’s lines from “Se7en” when addressing this fellow Holmes: “When a person is insane, as you clearly are, do you know that you’re insane? Maybe you’re just sitting around, reading ‘Guns and Ammo,’ masturbating in your own feces — do you just stop and go, ‘Wow! It is amazing how fucking crazy I really am!’?” He’s no messiah. He’s a movie of the week, at best. But what Holmes has done, whether he meant to or not, is to baptize this particular Batman movie in anger and fear and grief. Whenever we watch television or attend a concert or a play or — especially — watch a movie in a theater, we pay for the pleasure of sharing a hallucination with people
presents
The Argenta Film Series ‘DARK KNIGHT’: No forgetting Aurora.
around us and many others around the world. The most beloved films are those which lull us into a hallucination so vivid and real that our rational senses do not pull us out until it finishes. Filmmakers who accomplish this are revered as geniuses and visionaries. Audience members who whisper or open their glowing phones during this experience are scorned. And the result is one that is unique to each film. Where you see “The Dark Knight Rises” is no more consequential than where you drink a can of Coke. The hallucination, like the soda, is fungible. As we share the hallucination on a mass scale, so too do we share such a massive disruption to it as occurred in Aurora. Nightclub fires make us more aware of emergency exits in dark, crowded rooms. Cruise ship disasters prompt us to make mental note of lifeboats. Seventy-one people got plugged in a public theater as they watched “The Dark Knight Rises” and so now anyone who goes to see “The Dark Knight Rises” in a public theater is condemned to feel that twinge of awareness. We hold our breath when driving past graveyards to acknowledge exactly this mortal sensation — there but for the grace of God. At nearly three hours, “The Dark Knight Rises” requires that you breathe. To attend is to visit a crime scene and to attend a hallucination already punctured. No movie is strong enough to overcome that association, at least not yet, and not when it features scenes that mirror the shared collective vision we’ve all had in recent days: trying to imagine how we would clamber out of a crowded theater panic with children in arms and spouse at hand while a man shot and shot and shot and shot and shot and shot.
the third Thursday of every month 7:00 P.M. at Argenta Community Theater
beginning August 16th
at
H HA AL LF FO OF F FA FA R RK KA AN NS SA AS S .. C CO OM M
TAN THE EASY WAY AT
ISLAND TAN C CO OU UR RT TE ES SY Y O OF F
YOUR MONEY CAN GO TWICE AS FAR HERE, TOO! RESTAURANTS
3 Flamingos Bleu Monkey Grill Dugan's Pub Far East Asian Cuisine Hunka Pie Lilly's Dim Sum, Then Some Lulav NYPD Pizza Delicatessen Razorback Pizza Salut Italian Bistro Vesuvio Bistro Zin Urban Wine & Beer Bar
ENTERTAINMENT
Arkansas Skatium Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Playtime Pizza Rock Town Distillery Splash Zone Willow Springs
SERVICES
Argenta Market Cantrell Gallery Crowne Plaza Hotel Little Rock
RETAIL
Pyramid Art, Books & Custom Framing Kitchen Co
HEALTH & BEAUTY
Island Tan Indulgences By Body Bronze Bella Bronze
Brought to you by
www.arktimes.com
JULY 25, 2012
67
Half-Off Arkansas
50% off at all of your favorite local spots!
ArkTimes.com es as a weekly newspaper, If you only know the Arkansas Tim es. We break news and you don't know the Arkansas Tim Search the site for provide analysis on a daily basis. Find info about life in Central restaurant and bar information. Natives Guides. Read our Arkansas through our dozens of our archive. All for free. latest feature stories and browse
halfoffarkansas.com
On Facebook
Arkansas Times Eat Arkansas Eye Candy Rock Candy Observer The Arkansas Times
12:00 PM
m.arktimes.com Use our mobile-optimized web site to keep up with the news of the day on the go. Decide where to eat or what to do with our location-aware guides.
N I K E E Wreview D PO
CA
from
ST
Week In Review PODCAST An audio digest of the week’s biggest news with Max Brantley and Lindsey Millar. Every Friday. Subscribe via arktimes.com/podcast or by searching “Arkansas Times” in iTunes.
Cocktail Comp a
ss
Now available for An droid AND completely rebuilt for iPhone us ers! It's faster, easie r, smarter, and gets yo u to the nearest happ y hour fast. It can even get you a cab.
arktimes.com/cocktai
ls
er Twitt es @arktim sasblog @arkan ansas @eatark acock ndype @eyeca
HOT SPRINGS ALISON PARSONS GALLERY, 802 Central Ave.: Large-scale oil sketches and installation, “Left,” by Gabrielle Ray, through August. Summer hours 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tue.-Sat. 501-625-3001. ARTCHURCH STUDIO, 301 Whittington: Artwork by studio and new artists. 655-0836. ARTISTS’ WORKSHOP GALLERY, Joanne Kunath and Terry Odell, paintings, through July. BLUE MOON, 718 Central Ave.: “sUZI mADE,” mixed media pieces by Suzi Dennis, through August. 501-318-2787. GALLERY CENTRAL, 800 Central Ave.: Work by new gallery artists Sandy Newberg and Amy Hill-Imler and others, “Spirittiles” by Houston Llew. 501-318-4278. JUSTUS FINE ART, 827 Central A: Rene Hein, Dolores Justus, Donnie Copeland, Steve Griffith, Mike Elsass, Robyn Horn and others. 501-321-2335. MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART, 425 Central Ave.: “The Lost Highway: Constructions in Miniature by David Rose,” through Oct. 13. 501-609-9966. HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE THE WOODLANDS: L. Allan Schaefer, nature photography, through July. JACKSONVILLE RB MCGRATH STUDIO AND GALLERY, 118 S. First St.: Paintings by RB McGrath. Appointment only. 985-2165.
PERRYVILLE SUDS GALLERY, Courthouse Square: Paintings by Dottie Morrissey, Alma Gipson, Al Garrett Jr., Phyllis Loftin, Alene Otts, Mauretta Frantz, Raylene Finkbeiner, Kathy Williams and Evelyn Garrett. Noon-6 p.m. Wed.-Fri, noon-4 p.m. Sat. 501-766-7584. PINE BLUFF ARTS AND SCIENCE CENTER: “Jazz with Class: Pine Bluff High School Annual Art Exhibition.” 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 1-4 p.m. Sat. 870536-3375. VAN BUREN CENTER FOR ART & EDUCATION, 104 N. 13th St.: “Disciplined Imaginations,” paintings by Patricia Lappin and John Lasater IV; “The Arc of the River Valley,” art by disabled persons, through July 27.
ONGOING MUSEUM EXHIBITS
ARKANSAS INLAND MARITIME MUSEUM, NLR: Tours of the USS Razorback submarine. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wed.-Sat., 1-6 p.m. Sun. 371-8320. ARKANSAS SPORTS HALL OF FAME MUSEUM, Verizon Arena, NLR: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 663-4328. CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL MUSEUM VISITOR CENTER, Bates and Park: Exhibits on the 1957 desegregation of Central and the civil rights movement. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily. 374-1957.
CLINTON PRESIDENTIAL CENTER, 1200 President Clinton Ave.: “Play Ball! The St. Louis Cardinals,” memorabilia, including World Series trophies, rings and Stan Musial’s uniform, through Sept. 16; “Dorothy Howell Rodham and Virginia Clinton Kelley,” through Nov. 25; permanent 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.: “Barbie Doll: The 11 ½-inch American Icon,” from the Strojek Family collection; “A Collective Vision,” recent acquisitions, through March 2013; “Creating the Elements of Discovery: Tim Imhauser, Jason Powers and Emily Wood,” sculpture, drawings and paintings, through Aug. 5. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 324-9351. MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY, 500 President Clinton Ave.: “Extreme Deep: Mission to the Abyss,” through July 29; “Astronomy: It’s a Blast,” through Sept. 17; “Wiggle Worms,” science program for pre-K children 10 a.m.10:30 a.m. every Tue., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun., $10 ages 12 and older, $8 ages 1-11, free under 1. 396-7050. OLD STATE HOUSE MUSEUM, 300 W. Markham: “Battle Colors of Arkansas,” 18 Civil War flags; “Things You Need to Hear: Memories of Growing up in Arkansas from
1890 to 1980,” oral histories about community, family, work, school and leisure. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 324-9685. WITT STEPHENS JR. CENTRAL ARKANSAS NATURE CENTER, Riverfront Park: Exhibits on wildlife and the state Game and Fish Commission. CALICO ROCK CALICO ROCK MUSEUM, Main Street: Displays on Native American cultures, steamboats, the railroad, and local history. www.calicorockmuseum.com. ENGLAND TOLTEC MOUNDS STATE PARK, State Hwy. 165: Major prehistoric Indian site with visitors’ center and museum. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., noon-5 p.m. Sun., closed Mon. $3 for adults, $2 for ages 6-12. 961-9442. HOT SPRINGS MID-AMERICA SCIENCE MUSEUM, 500 MidAmerica Blvd.: “Odyssey’s Shipwreck! Pirates and Treasure,” artifacts recovered from several wrecks, through Sept. 4. 501-767-3461. 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.
POWER PLAY, CONT. From page 10 There’s a Summer Advantage hotline to address customer questions. According to a hotline representative, customers who choose to enroll in Summer Advantage can opt out at any time and receive a prorated rebate. “We put the serial number on a list so that when we send out a radio signal, there’s a group of houses that aren’t affected. We just add that one to the group that isn’t affected. … If we need to remove it [the DCU] we can, but it doesn’t end up being necessary,” the representative said. Entergy’s plan is to leave the DCU in place, so that next summer it can be used again if the resident chooses. One heat and air company said the DCUs should have no negative effects on the life of an A/C unit. According to
a Middleton Heat and Air customer service agent, more frequent cycling does not harm the unit, nor will the DCUs invalidate the warranty on a unit purchased from Middleton. Entergy addresses the comfort question on its website: “During this time [a conservation event], the temperature may rise a few degrees but, if you’re like most customers in similar programs, it’s unlikely you’ll notice the change.” (But in July 2011, just after the start of the Pennsylvania-based PECO utility’s similar program, the “Upper Southampton Patch” noted that the temperature inside at least one home rose 7 degrees.) Entergy studied similar compressor cycling programs, including those of the Public Service Company of New
Mexico, Georgia Power, Gulf Power and Rocky Mountain Power, before designing its Summer Advantage. According to Entergy, 30 U.S. utilities with more than four million residential customers use a similar program. Since 2003, Rocky Mountain Power, which supplies most of Utah’s power, has been using a voluntary compressor cycling program open to both residential and business customers. One hundred thousand customers are currently enrolled, with 115,000 control devices in place. The extra 15,000 are attributed both to dropouts and businesses with multiple units and devices. According to Jeff Hymas, a spokesperson for the company, “Participation has increased every year since its inception in 2003. Currently, the number
of participating customers remains steady, and we’re not seeing the same growth as in past years.” In March 2010, the Utah legislature passed a bill that, among other things, would have made enrollment in this compressor cycling program mandatory. Two weeks after it passed, the governor vetoed the bill. When Entergy has 3,000 DCUs installed in Arkansas, it will began to remotely cycle the registered compressors. By the end of 2012, Entergy expects to have 10,000 participating customers. “This program’s cost effectiveness analysis demonstrates net benefits, on a per kWh basis, are about two times better than the cost of building generation facilities to provide summer peak energy in Arkansas,” Munsell said.
Neighborhood care from Arkansas’ leader in care. With 27 clinics across the state, Baptist Health Family Clinics provide convenient, affordable family care
Scan here to find a physician.
from a community physician. And they’re backed by the care provider you trust most: Baptist Health. To find a Baptist Health Family Clinic physician near you, visit baptist-health.com/locations or scan the QR code now.
for all our best, visit baptist-health.com/locations To schedule an appointment, call Baptist Health HealthLine at 1-888-BAPTIST. www.arktimes.com
JULY 25, 2012
69
A FUSIO N OF FLAVORS F O R LITTLE ROCK
OPENING SOON wINE / dINE / ENERgIzE
ExpEriEncE History BIg BOdACIOUS STEAKS | EXOTIC MEATS FONdUES | PACIFIC RIM CUISINES ULTRA LOUNgE 5 501 K AVANAUGH B LVD. STE. G I N THE HEIG HTS 501.603.0080 RE S E RVAT I O NS STR O NGLY SU G G ESTED WWW.R JTAOROCKS.COM LIKE US ON FA C EB OOK FOR M O R E DETAI LS 70 JULY 25, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
501 W. Ninth St. · Little Rock 501.683.3593 mosaictemplarscenter.com Tuesday-Saturday 9am-5pm Mosaic Templars Cultural Center is a museum of the Department of Arkansas Heritage.
Dining
Information in our restaurant capsules 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.
B Breakfast L Lunch D Dinner $ Inexpensive (under $8/person) $$ Moderate ($8-$20/person) $$$ Expensive (over $20/person) CC Accepts credit cards
BELLY UP Check out the Times’ food blog, Eat Arkansas arktimes.com
JESS MILLER
WHAT’S COOKIN’
BETTER THAN MOST: Aladdin Kabab’s gyros sandwich.
Aladdin’s opening A meat-eaters treat.
I
t seems like everywhere we look these days, folks are talking about “fusion cuisine.” When we first came across Aladdin Kabab, a restaurant that boasts a menu featuring both Persian and Mexican dishes, we feared we’d stumbled onto another attempt at taking two wildly different styles of food and jumbling them up into something that just makes a mess of everything. After dining at the small establishment tucked away in the Ashley Square shopping center, we’re pleased to report that Aladdin Kabab isn’t some sort of strange fusion restaurant, it’s a place where two partners — one from Iran and one from Central America — decided to combine their techniques into a restaurant that boasts classic (but separate) dishes from each tradition. And while it may sound strange to have chips and salsa sharing the table with hummus and pita, we left our meal deciding that as strange as the bedfellows might be, they’re doing something right. We ordered the aforementioned hummus ($5) to start our meal and were pleasantly surprised when a complimentary basket of corn tortilla chips and a bowl of salsa arrived first. The chips were warm and crisp, and the salsa had a fresh tomato and herb flavor and a pleasant heat that crept up on the back of the tongue. When the hummus arrived,
Aladdin Kabab
9108 N. Rodney Parham Road 219-8787
Quick bite Aside from the Persian and Mexican menu, there are a few American influences as well such as a Philly Cheese Steak, hamburgers, and a cheese fries appetizer. Diners with dietary restrictions will also be happy to know that Aladdin is a certified Halal/ Kosher eatery. Hours 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Other info No alcohol. All major credit cards accepted
we thought at first that we had been given an order of cheese dip because the chickpea puree was smoother than any we’ve ever been served. Accompanying the hummus was something else that scored points with us — a piece of warm, soft pita bread instead of the hard pita “chips” that so often come with restaurant hummus. The creamy hummus had a just the right amount of lemon tartness balanced by the nutty flavor of tahini. For a simple dish, the flavors in hummus can be difficult to get into balance, and Aladdin’s version succeeded admirably.
We also started with the Tabouli Salad ($4.95), and were served a version that’s unique to the Little Rock area — a Lebanese-style salad that is far heavier on the fresh parsley than on the bulgur wheat. This was a nice change from many of the grain-heavy salads we’re used to, and coupled with the ample amount of diced tomatoes, chopped onions, and a dressing of lemon juice redolent with garlic made for a very refreshing dish. While most restaurants view parsley as something useful only in adding color, this salad used a very fresh and fragrant strain of the herb which provided a good herbal compliment to the wheat and tart tomatoes. We decided to order our entrees from both sides of the menu, with our Middle Eastern choice being the Gyros ($8.70), a mixture of ground lamb and beef roasted, sliced thin, and served with a choice of rice or fries. The sandwich was a hearty portion of well-seasoned meat, topped with grilled onions, grilled tomatoes, and a sauce that was somewhere between a yogurt-based tzatziki and a vaguely cucumber-flavored sour cream. While we were more than pleased with the meat and vegetables, with the grilled tomatoes being an extra-nice touch, the sauce was a touch too bland and really needed the stronger cucumber flavor we’ve come to expect from quality tzatziki. It’s still one of the best gyros we’ve had around, thankfully avoiding the dryness from which so many of the shaved meat sandwiches suffer. We picked the Persian rice as a side, and while it wasn’t anything amazing, the extra-long grain rice was flavored nicely with saffron and made a light pairing to the heavier sandwich. From the Mexican side of the menu, we chose the California Burrito ($8.29), and what we got was a massive amount of steak, refried beans, lettuce, and tomato wrapped in a flour tortilla and covered in a thin cheese sauce — and when we say massive, we mean that this thing was the size of a kindergartener’s forearm. While the lettuce was simply chopped iceberg and the beans were nothing out of the ordinary, the wellseasoned steak was tender and had a nice flavor from the grill. The quality of the steak used helps separate the burrito from the crowded Mexican dining scene in Little Rock, but we felt that it lacked the flair present in the gyros. CONTINUED ON PAGE 72
IT’S JUST TOO DAMN HOT to
cook in the summertime. Luckily, those looking for an excuse not to turn on the oven in August can look forward to the second annual “Savor the City,” a month-long event featuring discounts, tastings and special events at some of Little Rock’s best restaurants. Sponsored by the Little Rock Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, the event runs Aug. 1-31. Those interested in getting their fancy grub on can begin visiting www. dineLR.com on Wednesday, July 25, for details about participating restaurants, schedules and pricing. The list will be updated every Wednesday in August, so go back often for new details. You can also get info on daily Savor specials by signing up for the LRCVB’s Twitter feed at twitter.com/LittleRockCVB.
DINING CAPSULES
AMERICAN
ADAMS CATFISH CATERING Catering company with carry-out restaurant in Little Rock and carry-out trailers in Russellville and Perryville. 215 N. Cross St. All CC. $-$$. 501-374-4265. LD Tue.-Sat. ALL AMERICAN WINGS Wings, catfish and soul food sides. 215 W. Capitol Ave. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-376-4000. LD Mon.-Fri (LD on Sat. beginning after Jan 2012). ALLEY OOPS The restaurant at Creekwood Plaza (near the KanisBowman intersection) is a neighborhood feedbag for major medical institutions with the likes of plate lunches, burgers and homemade desserts. Remarkable Chess Pie. 11900 Kanis Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-221-9400. LD Mon.-Sat. B-SIDE The little breakfast place in the former party room of Lilly’s DimSum Then Some turns tradition on its ear, offering French toast wrapped in bacon on a stick, a must-have dish called “biscuit mountain” and beignets with lemon curd. Top notch cheese grits, too. 11121 Rodney Parham Road. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-716-2700. BL Wed.-Sun. BIG WHISKEY’S AMERICAN BAR AND GRILL A modern grill pub in the River Market with all the bells and whistles: 30 flat screen TVs, boneless wings, whiskey on tap. Plus, the usual burgers, steaks, soups and salads. 225 E. Markham St. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-324-2449. LD daily. BOBBY’S COUNTRY COOKIN’ One of the better plate lunch spots in the area, with some of the best fried chicken and pot roast around, a changing daily casserole and wonderful homemade pies. 301 N. Shackleford Road, Suite E1. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-224-9500. L Mon.-Fri. CONTINUED ON PAGE 72 www.arktimes.com
JULY 25, 2012
71
Of course we couldn’t leave a place called “Aladdin Kabab” without trying its take on a skewer of charred meat, and we were pleased to see that they offer their kababs as a side dish. We chose the Chicken Kabab ($4), and when the huge plate of marinated grilled chicken arrived we knew we had found the dish that should make Aladdin a must-eat place for anyone in the city. Large, tender pieces of white meat chicken came out sizzling hot from the grill with the edges crisp with a smoky char that had our mouths watering. The chicken itself was juicy and tasted of lemon juice and spices, all melded together by the heat of the grill. Served with fresh onion and a tomato-cucumber salad, this side dish was the only time in the meal where we wished we’d ordered extra, and it
will be the full kabab menu we’ll turn to on our next visit. In each of the main dishes we ordered, one theme emerged: the cooks at Aladdin Kabab know how to season and cook meat. The gyros meat was juicy, tender, shaved at just the right thickness and seared perfectly before being served, and the steak in the burrito carried a nice grilled flavor while still being tender. The chicken kabab was seasoned and grilled so well that it’s something we’ll be craving for days after. The restaurant itself is nothing particularly distinctive, but carnivores in search of well-charred flesh can’t do much better than the way they’re doing it at Aladdin, and with the quick, friendly service we received on our visit, we can’t think of a more pleasant way to do so.
JESS MILLER
DINING REVIEW, CONT.
GIGANTE: The California burrito at Aladdin Kabab.
DINING CAPSULES, CONT.
DINING CAPSULES, CONT.
BOGIE’S BAR AND GRILL The former Bennigan’s retains a similar theme: a menu filled with burgers, salads and giant desserts, plus a few steak, fish and chicken main courses. There are big screen TVs for sports fans and lots to drink, more reason to return than the food. 120 W. Pershing Blvd. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-812-0019. D daily. BUFFALO GRILL A great crispy-off-the-griddle cheeseburger and hand-cut fries star at this family-friendly stop. 1611 Rebsamen Park Road. Full bar, CC. $$. 501-296-9535. LD daily. 400 N. Bowman Road. Full bar, Beer, All CC. $$. 501-224-0012. LD daily. CAFE 201 The hotel restaurant in the Crowne Plaza serves up a nice lunch buffet. 201 S. Shackleford Road. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-2233000. LD daily. CATFISH CITY AND BBQ GRILL Basic fried fish and sides, including green tomato pickles, and now with tasty ribs and sandwiches in beef, pork and sausage. 1817 S. University
LITTLE ROCK’S MOST AWARD-WINNING RESTAURANT 1619 REBSAMEN RD. 501.663.9734 • thefadedrose.com
UPDATE THE VILLA ITALIAN RESTAURANT One of the oldest restaurants in town and still serving up the old-fashioned Italian comfort food – spaghetti, lasagna, veal parmigiano, etc. – that old-timers remember. Ken’s Pasta, one of our favorites from way back is still on the menu too, and still good. (“A dieter’s delight! Fresh mushrooms, onions, celery, bell pepper, garlic and diced tomatoes in a tomato sauce, served over cavatapi.”) The minestrone here is thick and hearty, perfect for a cool day. There’s pizza too, some of the selections out of the ordinary. Monday through Thursday, every night is a “special” night of one kind or another. Tuesday night, when kids eat free, is especially popular with families. The servings are generous. 12111 W. Markham St. (Rock Creek Square). Full bar. CC. $$-$$$ 501-219-2244. LD Mon.-Sat.
72
JULY 25, 2012
ARKANSAS TIMES
You AlreAdY recYcle. Get rewArded For It. Get rewarded for recycling. Visit recyclebank.com/littlerock to sign up for Free today. or call 888-727-2978
Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-663-7224. LD Tue.-Sat. CHEERS Good burgers and sandwiches, vegetarian offerings and salads at lunch and fish specials, and good steaks in the evening. 2010 N. Van Buren. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-6635937. LD Mon.-Sat. 1901 Club Manor Drive. Maumelle. Full bar, All CC. 501-851-6200. LD daily, BR Sun. CORNERSTONE PUB & GRILL A sandwich, pizza and beer joint in the heart of North Little Rock’s Argenta district. 314 Main St. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-374-1782. LD Mon.-Sat. DAVE AND RAY’S DOWNTOWN DINER Breakfast buffet daily featuring biscuits and gravy, home fries, sausage and made-toorder omelets. Lunch buffet with four choices of meats and eight veggies. 824 W. Capitol Ave. No alcohol. $. 501-372-8816. BL Mon.-Fri. DAVID’S BUTCHER BOY BURGERS Serious hamburgers, steak salads, homemade custard. 101 S. Bowman Road. DOGTOWN COFFEE AND COOKERY Although the down-home name might suggest to some a down-home, meat-andthree kind of place, this is actually an up-todate sandwich, salad and fancy coffee kind of place, well worth a visit. 6725 John F. Kennedy Blvd. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-8333850. BL Mon.-Sun., BLD Fri.-Sat.,. E’S BISTRO Despite the name, think tearoom rather than bistro -- there’s no wine, for one thing, and there is tea. But there’s nothing tearoomy about the portions here. Try the heaping grilled salmon BLT on a buttery croissant. 3812 JFK Boulevard. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-771-6900. 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, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-375-3245. BL Mon.-Sat. GREEN CUISINE Daily specials and a small, solid menu of vegetarian fare. Try the crunchy quinoa salad. 985 West Sixth St. No alcohol, CC. $-$$. Serving. HILLCREST ARITSAN MEATS A fancy charcuterie and butcher shop with excellent daily soup and sandwich specials. Limited seating is available. 2807 Kavanaugh Blvd. No alcohol, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-671-6328. L Mon.-Sat. THE HOP DINER The downtown incarnation of
JESS MILLER
DINING CAPSULES, CONT. the old dairy bar, with excellent burgers, onion rings, shakes and breakfast. Plus, daily specials and desserts. 201 E. Markham. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-244-0975. KITCHEN EXPRESS Delicious “meat and three” restaurant offering big servings of homemade soul food. Maybe Little Rock’s best fried chicken. 4600 Asher Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-666-3500. BLD Mon.-Sat., LD Sun. LETTI’S CAKES Soups, sandwiches and salads available at this cake, pie and cupcake bakery. 3700 JFK Blvd. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-708-7203. LD (closes at 6 p.m.) Mon.-Fri. L Sat. LYNN’S CHICAGO FOODS Outpost for Chicago specialties like Vienna hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches. Plus, other familiar fare -- burgers and fried catfish, chicken nuggets and wings. 6501 Geyer Springs. No alcohol, All CC. $. 501-568-2646. LD Mon.-Sat. MADDIE’S If you like your catfish breaded Cajun-style, your grits rich with garlic and cream and your oysters fried up in perfect puffs, this Cajun eatery on Rebsamen Park Road is the place for you. 1615 Rebsamen Park Road. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-660-4040. LD Tue.-Sat. PHIL’S HAM AND TURKEY PLACE Fine hams, turkeys and other specialty meats served whole, by the pound or in sandwich form. 11121 N. Rodney Parham Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-225-2136. LD Mon.-Fri. L Sat. RED MANGO National yogurt and smoothie chain whose appeal lies in adjectives like “all-natural,” “non-fat,” “gluten-free” and “probiotic.” 5621 Kavanaugh Blvd. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-663-2500. LD daily. RESTAURANT 1620 Steaks, chops, a broad choice of fresh seafood and meal-sized salads are just a few of the choices on a broad menu at this popular and upscale West Little Rock bistro. It’s a romantic, candlelit room, elegant without being fussy or overly formal. 1620 Market St. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-221-1620. L Mon.-Fri., D Mon.-Sat., BR Sun. SAY MCINTOSH RESTAURANT Longtime political activist and restaurateur Robert “Say” McIntosh serves up big plates of soul food, plus burgers, barbecue and his famous sweet potato pie. 2801 W. 7th Street. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-664-6656. LD Mon.-Sat. L Sun. SLICK’S SANDWICH SHOP & DELI Meat-and-two plate lunches in state office building. 101 E. Capitol Ave. 501-375-3420. L Mon.-Fri. SPECTATORS GRILL AND PUB Burgers, soups, salads and other beer food, plus live music on weekends. 1012 W. 34th St. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-791-0990. LD Mon.-Sat. SPORTS PAGE Perhaps the largest, juiciest, most flavorful burger in town. Grilled turkey and hot cheese on sourdough gets praise, too. Now with lunch specials. 414 Louisiana St. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-372-9316. L Mon.-Fri. STARVING ARTIST CAFE All kinds of crepes, served as entrees or as dessert, in this cozy multidimensional eatery with art-packed walls and live demonstrations by artists during meals. The Black Forest ham sandwich is a perennial favorite with the lunch crowd. Dinner menu changes daily, good wine list. “Tales from the South” dinner and readings at on Tuesdays; live music precedes the show. 411 N. Main St. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-372-7976. L Tue.-Sat., D Tue., Fri.-Sat. THE TAVERN SPORTS GRILL Burgers, barbecue and more. 17815 Chenal Parkway. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-830-2100. LD daily. UNIVERSITY MARKET @ 4CORNERS A food truck court where local vendors park daily. Check facebook.com/4cornersmarket to see what carts are scheduled to be parked. 6221 Colonel Glenn Road. CC. $-$$. 501-515-1661. LD daily. 6221 Colonel Glenn Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-413-3672. LD. VICTORIAN GARDEN We’ve found the fare quite tasty and somewhat daring and different with its healthy, balanced entrees and crepes. 4801 North Hills Blvd. NLR. $-$$. 501-758-4299. L Tue.-Sat.
CROSSWORD EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ ACROSS 1 “Deliverance” instrument 6 Return of a lob, maybe 11 Corp. money manager 14 Reason for a February thank-you speech 15 Chaplain, to a G.I. 16 PC hookup 17 Actor’s order to sock an N.B.A. legend? 19 Get totally right 20 Julian Assange posting 21 Bobble 22 Ladies’ man 24 Teammate of the 17-Across legend avoiding toilet trainin’? 28 Saturday morning cartoon dog, informally 31 “C’est ___” (“Camelot” song) 32 Veracruz vane direction
33 Old comic actor’s Little Bighorn headline? 37 Some purse items, for short 38 California’s Big ___ 39 Bedevil 40 Grimm tale figure 43 Threaten a classic comedienne like a talkshow host? 46 Maritime greeting 49 Noted flagraising site, for short 50 Full of passion 51 Writerturned-Utah carpenter? 55 Delivery doc 56 Barrister’s deg. 57 “Copernican revolution” philosopher 61 Sac fly stat 62 Controls a prison guard like a pop singer? 66 Public-house offering
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE N O M A D
A M A Z E
P E N T A
A R P E L S
A I M P L A Y B A J A O R B I R D U N E L O T S B U T A S T E W
J A W E X O O W E R C S S P T S T O O Y A M P I N T I N G W I O S T H O L H O U S E R O I L O F A N N E V I E D E B
A T H E N A
S H O W E R
T H S A A N K S I T E A B
I D E S R O W N T T E A M L I W A L L A T I R A Q F I R E X E D G E L S O L E N T A T E R T H R O O E D S
67 Greek gathering spot of old 68 Rapscallion 69 ___ Paul guitars 70 “Full court” tactic 71 Go along (with) DOWN 1 Postseason grid matchup 2 ___ Stadium (facility near Citi Field) 3 Org. with brackets 4 Super payoff 5 Mork’s planet 6 Have on 7 Kneeler’s words 8 Put in 9 Mrs. abroad 10 Artist Rousseau 11 Jumper cable ends 12 “Let’s be honest!” 13 Score in a pitcher’s duel, maybe 18 Riff, e.g., in “West Side Story” 23 Taking customers 25 Eligible for “The Biggest Loser” 26 Dry Italian wine 27 Falsified, as a check 28 Many an ology: Abbr. 29 It’s a mouthful 30 Old spy org. 34 Brush with the law 35 He-man’s asset 36 Banish to Siberia 40 Loop transports
1
2
3
4
5
6
14 17
18
20
21 24
28
29
8
9
10
11
26
51
44
58
59
60
45
49
50
52
53
55
54
56 63
42
36 39
43 48
41
32
35
38
47
40
23
27
31 34
13
19
25
33
12
16
22
30
37
46
7
15
64
57
61
62
66
67
65 68
69
70
71
Puzzle by Alan Arbesfeld
41 Call for a do-over 42 Suffer from the heat 43 “Dear me!” 44 Some fuel transporters 45 Hiding in the shadows 46 Unconcerned with right and wrong 47 Walk haltingly
48 Saturnalias 52 In-a-bottle alternative 53 “Casablanca” heroine and others 54 Pres. with an on-board swearing-in 58 Withdrawn apple spray
59 Campbell of “Scream” 60 Site of many a cat rescue 63 U.S.D.A. part: Abbr. 64 2012 role for Chris Diamantopoulos 65 Blotter letters
For answers, call 1-900-285-5656, $1.49 a minute; or, with a credit card, 1-800-814-5554. Annual subscriptions are available for the best of Sunday crosswords from the last 50 years: 1-888-7-ACROSS. AT&T users: Text NYTX to 386 to download puzzles, or visit nytimes.com/mobilexword for more information. Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 2,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year). Share tips: nytimes.com/wordplay. Crosswords for young solvers: nytimes.com/learning/xwords.
THIS MODERN WORLD
ASIAN
CHI’S DIMSUM & BISTRO 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. 6 Shackleford Drive. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-221-7737. LD daily. 17200 Chenal Parkway. No alcohol, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-821-8000. FAR EAST ASIAN CUISINE Old favorites such as orange beef or chicken and Hunan green beans are still prepared with care at what used to be Hunan out west. 11600 Pleasant Ridge Drive. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-219-9399. LD daily. FORBIDDEN GARDEN Classic, American-ized Chinese food in a modern setting. Try the Basil Chicken. 14810 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-868-8149. LD daily. FU LIN Quality in the made-to-order entrees is high, as is the quantity. 200 N. Bowman Road. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-225-8989. LD daily. IGIBON JAPANESE FOOD HOUSE It’s a complex place, where the food is almost always good and the ambiance and service never fail to please. The Bento box with tempura shrimp and California rolls and other delights stand out. 11121 N. Rodney Parham Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-217-8888. LD Mon.-Sat. CONTINUED ON PAGE 78
www.arktimes.com
JULY 25, 2012
73
Hey, do this!
AUGUST FUN!
Arkansas Travelers Home Games Root Root Root for the Home Team
All home games are played at Dickey Stephens Park in North Little Rock.
August 1-2 vs. Springfield Cardinals 7:10 p.m. August 3-4 vs. Northwest Arkansas Naturals, 7:10 p.m. August 5 vs. Northwest Arkansas Naturals, 6 p.m. August 6 vs. Northwest Arkansas Naturals, 7:10 p.m. August 15-17 vs. Corpus Christi Hooks, 7:10 p.m. August 18 vs. San Antonio Missions, 7:10 p.m. August 19 vs. San Antonio Missions, 6 p.m. August 20 vs. San Antonio Missions, 7:10 p.m. August 28-31 vs. Northwest Arkansas Naturals, 7:10 p.m.
Food, Music, Entertainment and everything else that’s
➧
THROUGH JULY 28
Argenta Community Theater presents Cabaret directed by Bob Hupp and produced by Vincent Insalaco with choreography by Christen Pitts and Marisa Kirby and musical direction by Kurt Kennedy. For tickets and show times, visit www. argentacommunitytheatre.org or call 501-353-1571.
THROUGH JULY 29
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey bring their big-top Barnum Bash to Verizon Arena. Children of all ages will delight in the hippest circus spectacular that the Greatest Show on Earth has ever produced. The fun begins as soon as the audience enters the arena with a pre-party featuring music, clowns, juggling demonstrations, a meet-and-greet with circus performers and an up-close glimpse at exotic animals. The action begins an hour before show time and is FREE to all ticket holders. Tickets are $20.75-$50.75 and are available at the Verizon box office and through Ticketmaster online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 800-745-3000. Visit www. verizonarena.com for a list of show times.
AUGUST 2
For Hillcrest’s Shop & Sip, local shops, restaurants, galleries and other venues are open after hours until 9 p.m. with special discounts as live music, nibbles and drinks. The event takes place every first Thursday of the month.
AUGUST 4
Don’t miss the Arkansas Repertory Theatre’s Young Artists’ Production, an annual performance by The Rep’s Summer Musical Theatre Intensive theatre training program. This summer’s production, Singin’ on a Star, is all about the actor’s journey from stardust to stardom. With song selections from the pop charts and the Great White Way, The Rep’s young artists sing about big dreams in the Big Apple. Performance times are 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. For tickets, visit www.therep.org or call 501-378-0405.
AUGUST 16
Don’t miss Heights
Happy Hour
from 5-8 p.m. Local restaurants, shops and galleries offer discounts and free samples of food and drinks. This event takes place every third Thursday of the month.
AUGUST 30
AUGUST 17
Argenta Art Walk takes place
from 5-8 p.m. as dozens of local artists display and sell their work along Main Street in North Little Rock. For more information, visit www. argentaartwalk.com.
The Old State House Museum continues its Brown Bag Lunch Series with “Jacksonport in the Civil War.” In this program, Mark Ballard, superintendent of Jacksonport State Park, will discuss the town’s role as a strategic objective for both sides. The town was occupied several times throughout the war. The lecture will take place from 12-1 p.m. Admission is free. Participants are encouraged to bring a sack lunch. Drinks are provided. 74
JULY 25, 2011
ARKANSAS TIMES
All home games are played at Dickey Stephens Park in North Little Rock.
AUGUST 10
2nd Friday Art Night
is a once-a-month event in the heart of downtown Little Rock. River Market shops, restaurants, museums and galleries stay open until 8 p.m. Take the free trolley from place-to-place or enjoy free parking at 3rd and Cumberland and behind the River Market Pavilions.
AUGUST 3
AUGUST 1
Everybody loves a summer sale. All month long, Fabulous Finds on Cantrell Road in Little Rock is hosting an anniversary sale for the entire month of August. Score rare vintage pieces at deeply discounted prices. Like Fabulous Finds Antique & Decorative Mall on Facebook for more details.
➧
The Joint in North Little Rock’s Argenta district hosts comedy and live music almost every night. On Friday and Saturday nights, The Joint’s professional comedy team, The Main Thing, performs original two-act comedies unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. This three-member act stars veteran performers whose work has been featured on “Saturday Night Live,” NPR’s All Things Considered, two off-Broadway runs, and in literally thousands of live stage performances all around the country. Now they are The Joint’s permanent resident company. Check the online calendar for additional events at www.thejointinlittlerock.com.
AUGUST 11
Grammy Award-winning R&B singer-songwriter Anthony Hamilton performs at Robinson Auditorium on Saturday, August 11 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $60.50 and $70.50 and available through Ticketmaster online at www. ticketmaster.com or by phone at 800-745-3000.
AUGUST 25
Does your band rock? Vino’s “Backroom” is calling for submissions for a Battle of the Bands competition. The winning band will receive $1000 in cash and a 90-minute set on the 2012 Arkansas State Fair Main Stage on “College Night,” October 17. There is no band entry fee for the contest. Simply mail a sample CD to Arkansas State Fair Office, ATTN: Backroom to Main Stage Contest, 2600 Howard Street, Little Rock, AR, 72206. Submissions will be accepted through Saturday, August 25. The three-week series of performances will take place on August 30, September 6 and September 13 with the finals on September 20. Three bands will perform a 45-minute set each. A panel of three judges will carry a 25% decision weight each with the final 25% based on audience participation on a voting ballot. For more information, email vinosbooking@gmail.com. Visit VinosBrewPub.com and ArkansasStateFair.com to keep up with the latest news.
AUGUST 31
Make new friends this month at the Little Rock Zoo. The
Laura P. Nichols Cheetah Outpost is now open. For more information, visit www. littlerockzoo.com for details.
THROUGH SEPT 1
THROUGH SEPT 9
Dinner Playhouse. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most beloved musical is the story of the Von Trapp family and how their governess, Maria, brings music, hope and prayer into their lives in pre-World War II Austria. Songs include “Do Re Mi,” “Climb Every Mountain” and “My Favorite Things.” Bring the family and relive the magic that is The Sound of Music. For show times and prices, visit www.murrysdinnerplayhouse. com. Call 501-562-3131 for reservations.
Witness: Photographs by Mark Perrott,” featuring large-scale black-and-
The Sound of Music is currently running at Murry’s
The Arkansas Art Center presents “Tattoo white photographs documenting 25 years of tattoo culture. In these stark potraits of both the tattoos and their owners, photographer Mark Perrott investigates the very personal and public nature of tattoos. For more information, visit www.arkarts.com.
Ri d e the
!"#$%
BUS Bus transportation provided by
ARROW COACH LINES
KING BISCUIT BLUES FESTIVAL OCTOBER 6, 2012 Ĺ at HELENA
PRICE INCLUDES: Š4170& 64+2 6174 $75 64#052146#6+10 Š6+%-'65 +061 6*' )#6'& %10%'46 #4'# Š.70%* #6 %4#+)ř5 $#4$'%7' +0 &'8#..5 $.7(( Š.+8' $.7'5 2'4(14/#0%'5 '0 4176' 61 *'.'0# Š2.75 $'8'4#)'5 10 $1#4&
$
2'4 2'4510
%*#4)' $; 2*10' (all major credit cards)
1T OCKN EJGEM QT OQPG[ QTFGT VQ Arkansas Times Blues Bus $QZ Ĺ .KVVNG 4QEM #4 Ĺ
FEATURING
Bonnie Raitt With the release of her nineteenth album, Slipstream, Bonnie Raitt is starting anew. The album marks her return to studio recording after seven years; it’s coming out as the launch of her own label, Redwing Records; and it delivers some of the most surprising and rewarding music of her remarkable career, thanks in part to some experimental sessions with celebrated producer Joe Henry. PLUS! Samantha Fish, Kenny Smith Band with Bob Margoolin & Ann Roabson, Reba Russell Band, The Cate Brothers, Randall Bramblett Band, Roy Rogers, James Cotton Band and more!
R ESERV E YOUR SEAT TODAY!
The Blues B us leaves at 10 a.m. October 6 th from the pa rk in g garage at 2nd and Main in dow ntown Little Rock and re turns after th e concert same day.
It always happens — we write about cool stuff and then find more cool stuff after the story runs. Here’s a few great watches from DESIGN INSPIRATIONS:
Leather wrap style watch with metal studs from AJS Company, $29.99.
JULY 25, 2012
A match made in heaven BY JANIE GINOCCHIO PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN CHILSON
I These Jimmy Crystal watches feature three-hand quartz movement and a stainless steel case. They’re custom-designed at the time of order with hand-placed Swarovski crystals. Prices start at $129.99.
We Are Celebrating 5 Years In Business! Thanks To All Of Our Clients And Making M Salon One Of The Best!
Sofie-Blended with 20% Belgian Style Ale Aged in Wine Barrels with Orange Peel and Matilda-Pale Ale Re-Fermented with Brettanomyces.
Pepe NeroBrewed with Peppercorns and Pere Jacques-Abbey Ale Inspired by Visits to Belgium.
n my limited experience, there are two ways to approach drinking beer – quantity or quality. Quantity drinking is what you do when you’re sitting in a sweltering garage fighting off mosquitoes with people you don’t necessarily like because you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere and it’s your only social outlet. There are usually copious amounts of Natural Light and self-loathing involved. Fortunately, I got to experience some quality beer drinking last Friday night when I attended a beer dinner hosted by Sonny Williams Steak Room and featuring beers from Goose Island, a craft brewery based in Chicago. I have attended plenty of wine dinners in my day, but this was my first Goose Island Sumertime poured in a time to experience beer thoughtfully paired proper stange glass. with some amazing dishes. It was heaven on a tabletop. The first course of chilled colossal crab Rounding out the dinner was a dark cocktail with pico de gallo granita and chili chocolate and blackberry cheesecake, lime cream was paired with Sofie, made in which is hands-down the best dessert I the style of a Belgian saison, which is a pale have had in ages. The cheesecake was decale brewed by farms for workers during the adent without being too filling, and the harvest. Sofie has a light, citrusy taste that chocolate crust had just the right amount complimented the chili lime cream withof sweetness. Even the blackberries used as out intensifying the heat from the peppers. garnish were perfect: plump, juicy, and not It also contrasted nicely with the buttery too tart. Pere Jacques, a Belgian dubbelscrab meat. density of the steak’s flavor. Tom Korder, style ale, added a malty heft. Sonny Williams and Goose Island hit a Of course the standout of the dinner was Goose Island’s brewery operations manthe huge, bone-in cowgirl ribeye. Cooked ager, said Pepe Nero is a dark saison meant home run with this dinner, as evidenced by to the perfect medium-rare, it was tender to show dark beers can be drinkable. John the enthusiastic applause from the attendand flavorful with a nice crust of char on the Wells, of John the Beer Snob fame, was ees. If you have a chance to sample some outside. Goose Island’s Pepe Nero, which seated to my left during the dinner and was of Goose Island’s fine brews, especially at means black pepper, packed enough flavor a font of information. He said the beer’s dark Sonny Williams, my advice is to run – don’t to not be overwhelmed by the depth and color comes from toasting the malt. walk.
hearsay
3000 Kavanaugh Blvd. • Little Rock 501.663.6643 www.msalonlittlerock.com 76
JULY 25, 2012
➥ “Impersonating the Impressionists,” a series of reproductions of works by Impressionist masters, combined with a few originals in the same style, is the August exhibit at L&L BECK ART GALLERY. The show will run through the end of August, and the monthly giclee drawing will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 16. ➥ In other art news, GALLERY 26 is showcasing works by Robert Bean and Jill Storthz through Sept. 8. Bean and Storthz are both from Little Rock; Storthz currently lives in San Francisco.
ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO ARKANSAS TIMES
➥ THE CHILDREN’S PLACE is open at The Promenade at Chenal. The store located between Warren’s Shoes and Big Orange Burgers. It’s known for its quality children’s apparel for babies, toddlers and kids through size 14. ➥ SWAY has been the place to spot professional athletes in town for the last few weeks, most recently Mikki Moore of the Golden State Warriors. Sway is located at 412 Louisiana. ➥ HAUS WERK has a summer sale on clothing, purses, belts and shoes for women and children, with special deals such as buy one item, get 20 percent off.
!"#$%&'($)"*#$&+$#,"$*(-*+)*)$#./")$0*),$1')2
0*),
!"#$$%
/').0$6")#.7*8 FEATURING
WILLIE NELSON
0,*(!"$1%$5,&+"
GHII"+HJKL"MLNOPQ"MHLORS
E$%<)'E<#TUE
0L"+HPI"MVNMW"KL"+KXNY<KLONL"QK ,LWHXRHR"3P+NR"/HRV"8ZR 8K[")\$%$"&":PQQIN"6KMW!",6"&"'##$)
ROSEANNE CASH DIERKS BENTLEY THE CIVIL WARS
44
3
5"( 5"()&+
&0#&1"($9!"#$%#"&"'()$*+"&",-."/0120/,3401"/51356"&"7015-8060!",6 964/5"41/:.;5-"&"60.1;<3649"30.6"8.-"36,1-9063,3401"30",1;"=60>"/01/563"&"?5156,:",;>4--401"34/@53-" #&$#,"$0&+0"(#"&";41156"85=065"3A5"-A0B"&":425">.-4/"5160.35"&"@5?"01"80,6; 65-5625"C0.6"-5,3"30;,CD"3A5",6@,1-,-"34>5-">.-4/"8.-":5,25-":433:5"60/@",3")9>"=64;,C!"0/30856"E",1;" B4::"653.61"3A,3"14?A3",=356"3A5"/01/563F"B5"B4::"A,25";41156",1;"3A51"A5,;"=06"3A5"/01/563",3"'()$9>F
DINING CAPSULES, CONT. KOBE JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI Though answering the need for more hibachis in Little Rock, Kobe stands taller in its sushi offerings than at the grill. 11401 Financial Centre Parkway. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-225-5999. L Mon.-Sat. D daily. VAN LANG CUISINE Terrific Vietnamese cuisine, particularly the way the pork dishes and the assortment of rolls are presented. Great prices, too. Massive menu, but it’s user-friendly for locals with full English descriptions and numbers for easy ordering. 3600 S. University Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-570-7700. LD daily.
BARBECUE
CAPITOL SMOKEHOUSE AND GRILL Beef, pork and chicken, all smoked to melting tenderness and doused with a choice of sauces. The crusty but tender backribs star. Side dishes are top quality. A plate lunch special is now available. 915 W. Capitol Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-372-4227. BL Mon.-Fri. CROSS EYED PIG BBQ COMPANY Traditional barbecue favorites smoked well such as pork ribs, beef brisket and smoked chicken. Miss Mary’s famous potato salad is full of bacon and other goodness. Smoked items such as ham and turkeys available seasonally. 1701 Rebsamen Park Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-265-0000. L Mon.-Sat., D Tue.-Fri. 1701 Rebsamen Park Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-227-7427. LD daily. FATBOY’S KILLER BAR-B-Q This Landmark neighborhood strip center restaurant in the far southern reaches of Pulaski County features tender ribs and pork by a contest pitmaster. Skip the regular sauce and risk the hot variety, it’s far better. 14611 Arch Street. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-888-4998. LD Mon.-Fri. HB’S BAR B.Q. Great slabs of meat with fiery
barbecue sauce, but ribs are served on Tuesday only. Other days, try the tasty pork sandwich on an onion roll. 6010 Lancaster. No alcohol, No CC. $-$$. 501-565-1930. L Mon.-Fri. MICK’S BBQ, CATFISH AND GRILL Good burgers, picnic-worth deviled eggs and heaping barbecue sandwiches topped with sweet sauce. 3609 MacArthur Dr. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-791-2773. LD Mon.-Sun. SIMS BAR-B-QUE Great spare ribs, sandwiches, beef, half and whole chicken and an addictive vinegar-mustard-brown sugar sauce unique for this part of the country. 2415 Broadway. Beer, CC. $-$$. 501-372-6868. LD Mon.-Sat. 1307 John Barrow Road. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-2242057. LD Mon.-Sat. 7601 Geyer Springs Road. Beer, All CC. $$. 501-562-8844. LD Mon.-Sat.
EUROPEAN / ETHNIC
KHALIL’S PUB Widely varied menu with European, Mexican and American influences. Go for the Bierocks, rolls filled with onions and beef. 110 S. Shackleford Road. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-224-0224. LD daily. BR Sun. THE PANTRY Owner and self-proclaimed “food evangelist” Tomas Bohm does things the right way -- buying local, making almost everything from scratch and focusing on simple preparations of classic dishes. The menu stays relatively true to his Czechoslovakian roots, but there’s plenty of choices to suit all tastes. There’s also a nice happy-hour vibe. 11401 Rodney Parham Road. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-353-1875. LD Mon.-Fri., D Sat. STAR OF INDIA The best Indian restaurant in the region, with a unique buffet at lunch and some fabulous dishes at night (spicy curried dishes, tandoori chicken, lamb and veal, vegetarian). 301 N. Shackleford. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-227-9900. LD daily.
TASTE OF ASIA Delicious Indian food in a pleasant atmosphere. Perhaps the best samosas in town. Buffet at lunch. 2629 Lakewood Village Dr. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-812-4665. LD daily. TAZIKI’S Offers gyros, grilled meats and veggies, hummus and pimento cheese. 8200 Cantrell Rd. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-2278291. LD daily 12800 Chenal Parkway. Beer, Wine, All CC. 501-225-1829. LD daily.
ITALIAN
DAMGOODE PIES A somewhat different Italian/pizza place, largely because of a spicy garlic white sauce that’s offered as an alternative to the traditional red sauce. Good bread, too. 2701 Kavanaugh Blvd. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-664-2239. LD daily. 6706 Cantrell Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-6642239. LD daily. 10720 Rodney Parham Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-664-2239. LD daily. 37 East Center St. Fayetteville. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 479-444-7437. LD daily. GUSANO’S They make the tomatoey Chicagostyle deep-dish pizza the way it’s done in the Windy City. It takes a little longer to come out of the oven, but it’s worth the wait. 313 President Clinton Ave. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-374-1441. LD daily. 2915 Dave Ward Drive. Conway. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-329-1100. LD daily. NYPD PIZZA Plenty of tasty choices in the obvious New York police-like setting, but it’s fun. Only the pizza is cheesy. Even the personal pizzas come in impressive combinations, and baked ziti, salads are more also are available. Cheap slice specials at lunch. 6015 Chenonceau Boulevard, Suite 1. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-868-3911. LD daily. PALIO’S Not quite artisan-grade, but far better than the monster chains and at a similar price
point. With an appealingly thin, crunchy crust. 3 Rahling Circle. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-8210055. LD daily. VESUVIO Arguably Little Rock’s best Italian restaurant is in one of the most unlikely places – tucked inside the Best Western Governor’s Inn within a nondescript section of west Little Rock. 1501 Merrill Drive. Full bar, All CC. $$$. 501-225-0500. D daily. VILLA ITALIAN RESTAURANT Hearty, inexpensive, classic southern Italian dishes. 12111 W. Markham St. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-219-2244. LD Mon.-Sat.
LATINO
CASA MANANA Great guacamole and garlic beans, superlative chips and salsa (red and green) and a broad selection of fresh seafood, plus a deck out back. 6820 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-280-9888. BLD daily 18321 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-8688822. BLD daily 400 President Clinton Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. L Mon.-Sat. CASA MEXICANA Familiar Tex-Mex style items all shine, in ample portions, and the steakcentered dishes are uniformly excellent. 6929 JFK Blvd. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-8357876. LD daily. EL PORTON (LR) Good Mex for the price and a wide-ranging menu of dinner plates, some tasty cheese dip, and great service as well. 12111 W. Markham St. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-223-8588. LD daily. 5201 Warden Road. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-753-4630. LD daily. 5507 Ranch Drive. Full bar, All CC. $$. LD daily. TAQUERIA Y CARNICERIA GUADALAJARA Cheap, delicious tacos, tamales and more. Always bustling. 3811 Camp Robinson Road. NLR. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-753-9991. BLD daily.
ARKANSAS TIMES CLASSIFIEDS Ventech Solutions seeks a Senior Programmer/Analyst for its Little Rock office with experience in the following areas: Bachelors Degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering. Candidate must have 5 yrs exp. in the IT industry, and 2 years experience with ASP.Net, C#, VB, SQL Server. Ventech Solutions offers competitive salaries. Please send resume to Human Resource, Ventech Solutions, Inc., 8760 Orion Place, Suite 204, Columbus, OH 43240. Please refer to Ref. No. SAS2011 in your cover letter.
Cardiac Interventionalist. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, AR is seeking a candidate who will be responsible for providing medical care of the highest quality at inpatient and ambulatory sites approved by the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and the Department of Internal Medicine. Serves primarily in the catheterization laboratory performing diagnostic studies and interventions, in the ambulatory clinics and on the inpatient cardiology service. Candidate must have MD degree, should be Board-certified in Cardiology and Board-Certified or eligible as a Cardiac Interventionalist and have 3 years of experience. Reference number 50049847
Send contact information to: Michael Legate 4301 West Markham St. Slot 532 Little Rock, AR 72205 7825, JULY 2012 ARKANSAS TIMES 2012 25, ARKANSAS TIMES 78 July
Employment $$$HELP WANTED$$$ Extra Income! Assembling CD cases from Home! No Experience Necessary! Call our Live Operators Now! 1-800-405-7619 EXT 2450 www.easyworkjobs.com (AAN CAN) HELP WANTED!!! Make money Mailing brouchures from home! FREE Supplies! Helping HomeWorkers since 2001! Genuine Opportunity! No experience required. Start Immediately! www. theworkhub.net (AAN CAN)
Rest hills - side by side, two lots, lake view section, plot 530, graveside 3 & 4, price $2,000 Rest hills - long cript with hedge stone section, 25B row 7 lot 817 and 818, price $4,000
Call Joe at 501-961-1230 or 501-580-0885
Field Workers7 temporary positions; approx 4 _ months; Duties: to operate farm equipment in sugar cane fields; to assist with the operation and performing minor repairs and maintenance of farm vehicles and equipment. Able to work in hot, humid weather for long periods of time. Once hired, workers may be required to take random drug test at no cost to the workers. Testing positive or failure to comply may result in immediate termination. $9.30 per hour; Job to begin on 9/20/12 through 2/1/13. 3 months experience required in job offered. All work tools, supplies and equipment provided. Housing expenses provided to workers who can not reasonably return to their permanent residence at the end of the work day; transportation and subsistence expenses to the worksite will be provided upon completion of 50% of contract; _ guaranteed of contract. Employment offered by Lane Blanchard LLC located in New Iberia, LA. Worksite located in Jeanerette, LA. Qualified applicants may call employer for interview (337)519-5683 or may apply for this position at their nearest State Workforce Agency located at 5401 S. University, Little Rock, AK, 72209.
Business Opportunities CASH FOR CARS: Any Car/Truck. Running or Not! Top Dollar Paid. We Come To You! Call For Instant Offer: 1-888-420-3808 www.cash4car.com Do you have a family business since decades but having a hard time to catch up with the internet business? Or you just interested to learn about computer and internet use in general? I am a UALR business management major with over 16 years of experience in helping my community members to take their businesses to the internet and learning basic computer and internet skills. Call (501) 708-1950 Pick my brain. Get truly Free advice. I have local references and would love to help you. rEACH 5 MILLION hip, forwardthinking consumers across the U.S. When you advertise in alternative newspapers, you become part of the local scene and gain access to an audience you wont reach anywhere else. http://www.altweeklies.com/ads
Adoption & Services PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOPTION? Talk with caring agency specializing in matching Birthmothers with Families nationwide. LIVING EXPENSES PAID. Call 24/7 Abby’s One True Gift Adoptions 866-413-6293
Legal Notices
In The Matter of the Estate of , Deceased NO. 60PR011-1571 Last known address of decendent: 6 Lakeside Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas. The date of death: July 1,2011 An instrument was on the 19th day of July, 2012, admitted to probate as the Last Will of the above-named decendent and the undersigned has been appointed executor thereunder. Contest of the probate of the Will can be effected only by filing a petition within the time provided by law. All persons having claims against the estate must exhibit them, duly verified, to the undersigned within three (3) months from the date of the first publication of this Notice, or they shall be forever barred and precluded from any benefit in the estate. However, claims for injury or death caused by the negligence of the decedent shall be filed within six (6) months from the date of this publication of this Notice, or they shall be forever barred and precluded from any benefit in the estate. This Notice first published the 25 day of July, 2012.
Heart Connections Brings You The Health & Wellness
Saturday, July 28, 2012 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 29, 2012 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. NLR Community Center 2700 Willow St • North Little Rock Admission: $5 per day or $9 for the weekend (Bring 2 cans of food and receive $2 off admission.) For More Information: 501.955.2063 or 501.351.0962 www.bodymindsoulexpos.com
FLIPSIDE
It’s happening right now on
Arkansas Blog www.arktimes.com
Macximize
Learn to get more from your Mac at home or office.
• Aid in choosing the right Mac for you and your budget • iMac, MacBook, iPad, iPhone • Troubleshooting • Wireless internet & backup
• Data Recovery • Hardware Installs • Hard drive installation & memory expansion • Organize photos, music, movies & email
7301 Baseline Rd Little Rock AR 72209 (501) 565-3009
Call Cindy Greene - Satisfaction Always Guaranteed
MOVING TO MAC
www.movingtomac.com
cindy@movingtomac.com • 501-681-5855
YOUR PERSONAL
DESIGNATED DRIVER
Beautiful Smiles makes Happy People!
We'll drive you for a night out or on a long distance trip in the comfort of your own car. You'll enjoy the skills of a professional driver as well as added security for you and your guests. Be worry free, call Ski at 501-551-1075.
Meet Chica! This brilliant Terrier recently completed Canine Good Citizen training with the Paws in Prison program and is available for adoption! Visit careforanimals.org to view more adoptable pets & apply to adopt today!
Children’s & Adults
We accept: AR-KIDS, Medicaid and all types of insurance Payment Plans
This is Patty Cakes. She was found along with her two sisters, Dottie and Magic, on a country road. She is in a great foster home but needs a home to call her own. Her coat has changed over the months and she looks like a very dark chocolate with white socks on her back legs. She loves to play with other dogs, but is not hyper. She is housetrained, crate trained and well behaved in the house. She walks well on a leash and is always ready for a walk. She loves to snuggle on the couch. If you like puppy kisses and snuggles, this one is for you! She has had all vetting needed including a spay, microchip and shots. We think she will be a medium-sized dog, she is about 48# at 7 months old.
For more information, contact Kitty at kittylane252@hotmail.com Out Of The Woods Animal Rescue, www.ootwrescue.org
$50 - $100!
8211 Geyes Springs Ste P-4 Little Rock AR 72209 (501) 562-1665
Monday-Saturday
Katie is a beautiful German Shepherd. She is full grown and very gentle with everyone. She would make a perfect addition to your family. Sherwood Animal Shelter 6500 North Hills Blvd Sherwood, AR 501-834-2287
12-D376 Titan is a golden retriever mix. He is a handsome man and needs a great home! Please come meet him. Sherwood Animal Services 6500 North Hills Blvd Sherwood, AR 501-834-2287
Find out how! Call Nidia now at 375-2985 www.arktimes.com July 25, 2012 79
from Here
Retirement looks good
WE HAVE IT ALL...
fun people, gourmet food and activities!
WOODLAND H E IG H TS Call Christy Treat Tucker to schedule your tour today!
• Nightly Dining Prepared By Our Executive Chef • “Happy Half-Hour” Nightly Before Dinner • 24 Hour Controlled Access • Large Apartments With Balconies • Scheduled Transportation Available • All Utilities Paid • Weekly Housekeeping & Linen Service
• Small Pets Welcome • Indoor Heated Saltwater Pool & Whirlpool • Emergency Pull-Cords • Billiards & Game Room • Beauty Salon & Barber Shop • Fitness Room, Exercise Classes & Activities/Fitness Director • Close To Four Of Arkansas’Best Medical Facilities
B
501.224.4242
reathtaking views of the surrounding hills, deluxe modern amenities and more – the luxurious high-rise residences of Woodland Heights take retirement living to a whole new level. Tucked away in the serenity of nature yet only minutes from the bustle of the city, you’ll love life from our point of view.
BEST RETIREMENT
8700 Riley Road
|
Little Rock
|
woodlandheightsllc.com