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OUTLET

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VOLUME 38, NUMBER 49 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.

• Bicycles are vehicles on the road, just like cars and motorcycles. Cyclists must obey all traffic laws. Arkansas Uniform Vehicle Code #27-49-111 • Cyclists must signal, ride on the right side of the road and yield to traffic normally. Code #27-51-301/403 • Bicycles must have a white headlight and a red tail light visible from 500 feet and have a bell or warning device for pedestrians. Code #27-36-220 • Make eye contact with motorists. Be visible. Be predictable. Head up, think ahead. • On the Big Dam Bridge... go slow. Represent! • As you pass, say “On your left... thank you.” • On the River Trail... use a safe speed, don’t intimidate or scare others. Watch for dogs and leashes.

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For more information... Bicycles are vehicles on Bicycle Advocacy of Arkansas

www.bacar.org the road, just like cars and League of American Bicyclists motorcycles. Cyclist should www.bikeleague.org/programs/education Share the Road obey all traffic laws. Arkansas For Cyclists Tips forVehicle SAFE cycling on the road. Uniform Code #27-49-111

• Bicycles are vehicles on the road, just like cars and motorcycles. Cyclists must Cyclists should signal, rideobey on all traffic laws. Arkansas Uniform Vehicle Code the right side of the road, and #27-49-111 •yield traffic likeside Cycliststo must signal,normally ride on the right of the road and yield to traffic normally. any other road vehicle. Code Code #27-51-301/403 •#27-51-301/403 Bicycles must have a white headlight and a red tail light visible from 500 feet and have a bell device for pedestrians. Giveor 3warning feet of clear space when Code #27-36-220 passing (up to a $1000 fine!) • Make eye contact with motorists. Be visCodeBe#27-51-311 ible. predictable. Head up, think ahead. • On the Big Dam Bridge... go slow. Cyclist by law can not ride on Represent! •the As you pass, say “On left... thank you.” sidewalk in your some areas, • On the River Trail... use a safe speed, don’t some bikes can only handle Share the Road intimidate or scare others. Watch for dogs and leashes.roads For Cyclists smooth (no cracks, For morecycling information... Tips for SAFE on the road. potholes, trolley tracks).

Advocacyonofthe Arkansas • BicyclesBicycle are vehicles road, just like www.bacar.org LR Ord.#32-494 cars andLeague motorcycles. Cyclists must obey of American Bicyclists allwww.bikeleague.org/programs/education traffic laws. Arkansas Uniform Vehicle Code Make eye contact with cyclists. #27-49-111 • Cyclists must signal, ride on the right side Drive predictably. of the road and yield to traffic normally. Code #27-51-301/403 prevent bikes. and a •Please Bicycles must have aghost white headlight red tail light visible from 500 feet and have a www.ghostbikes.org bell or warning device for pedestrians. Code #27-36-220 • Makefor information: eye more contact with motorists. Be visible. Be predictable. Head up, think ahead. Bicycle advocacy of arkansas • On the Big Dam Bridge... go slow. Represent!www.bacar.org • As you pass, say “On your left... thank you.” • On the River Trail... use a safe speed, don’t intimidate others. Watch for dogs Leagueorofscare American Bicyclists and leashes.

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AUGUST 8, 2012

COMMENT

Shale game According to Sen. Jason Rapert’s Facebook posting, “activists complaining about the roads and making the natural gas industry feel unwelcome in our state” is the reason the gas producers are pulling out. As leader of the legislature’s shale caucus, I hope he actually knows the real reason. Arkansas produces dry natural gas, which has fallen from favor due to excess availability and lower demand. High methane content gas is dryer than natural gas containing evaporated liquids like ethane, butane and pentane. When combined they are referred to as natural gas liquids (NGLs) and “wet” gas. Producers obligated with heavy debt service that cannot be met with low dry gas prices have shifted to plays rich in wet gas. One of the NGL constituents having much greater economic advantage is ethane. This feedstock for ethylene is used to make plastics. Bill Powers, writer for Financial Sense, a publication cited by Barron’s as one of the top financial websites, wrote as early as May 2011, “The Fayetteville Shale Peaks.” Powers goes on to provide an extensive analysis showing the Fayetteville Shale to be on a downhill run. Production has never met earlier projections and Estimated Ultimate Recovery (EUR) is also questioned. What was considered to have as much as a 30-year production run now appears to have topped out in six. Companies are simply looking for better production opportunities. While it may be hard to accept, the Fayetteville Shale play is not the prettiest girl at the dance right now. Joyce Hale Fayetteville

Obama/Clinton 2012 Ten reasons why Barack Obama should select Hillary Clinton as his vice president running mate and name Joe Biden Secretary of State: 1. She is the second most qualified person in the country to be president. 2. They would make history with the first female VP. 3. She will help his re-election just by being on the ticket. 4. She will help his re-election because she is a dynamic campaigner. 5. She will do an outstanding job in the VP debate. 6. He will retain the option of resigning one day, one week, or one month before the end of his term and creating the first female president. 7. She deserves a less stressful job after a superb job as Secretary of the 4

AUGUST 8, 2012

State. 8. She will be good for Arkansas. 9. Her selection will help ratings for the “Political Animals” TV show, which is far better than its audience numbers. 10. I will win a bet. Robert Johnston Little Rock

City priorities wrong I have proudly lived in Little Rock my entire life. While others flee from the crime and over-taxing I have stuck

through in the capital city. Recently the city passed an ordinance to make it un-lawful for otherwise law-abiding landowners to park their legally tagged and insured vehicles in their “yard.” After getting a citation for being in violation of this ordinance I began to park one of my vehicles on the street, where it was side-swiped in a hit and run. My vehicle was of course insured and the damage paid for but my premiums have increased due to the crime rate in my neighborhood (what happened to all those police officers the city was hiring?)

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and the claim I was forced to make. I was recently cited again for parking in my yard, even though my vehicle was parked on concrete pavers (as indicated in the ordinance). At the time of this citation there was a broken down, untagged car parked against traffic in the street. I called the police to complain about the vehicle and a notice was left that it be moved. No citation; just a warning. The dilapidated structure that was once a residence next to my property was passed by code enforcement officers. I and my neighbors have been after the city for months to take action against the current owner of this property for back taxes, owning an unsafe or dilapidated structure, or just for the tall grass and brush. I have been informed by code enforcement officers that they have done what they can in this case. I have come to only one conclusion: that in the city’s opinion it is less unsightly and detrimental to have a falling down house used by criminals and vagrants surrounded by grass and weeds than a road legal and insured car parked in a perfectly manicured lawn. R. Bennett Little Rock

From the web: Commenting on “Harrison fights racist reputation” (Arkansas Reporter, Aug. 1):

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

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Arkansas Times maintains its antiwhite bigot reputation — persecuting powerless whites with a permanent system of legal discrimination in employment and education, which never affects them and condemning white communities for the same attitudes they embrace in African-American and Hispanic communities. Just for votes for socialism, or are they just trying to pick a fight! Thomas Pope Thank you for writing and printing an article that highlights the efforts of those people who live in Harrison who are working toward improving race relations. In the words of Dr. King: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” MM21

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.

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AUGUST 8, 2012

EDITORIAL

EYE ON ARKANSAS

Priorities

Show them

hen the member institutions of the Southeastern Conference debated whether to admit the University of Missouri, their biggest concern was that Missouri would lower the academic standards of the SEC. Several participants pointed out, for example, that Rush Limbaugh is from Missouri, hardly suggesting a regard for learning. But, Missouri’s supporters countered, Harry Truman was a Missourian too, and Truman was a voracious reader. Sadly, the fears about academic shortcomings now seem well founded. The new University of Missouri president has announced that the university press will be closed for unprofitability, making Missouri the only SEC member without a university press. Critics have noted that a mere $400,000 would be needed to save the press, while the salary of the Missouri football coach is $2.7 million. The president replied, unpersuasively, that the coach has to work outside, sometimes in inclement weather. Missouri needs reminding by the more scholarly institutions of the SEC, perhaps in the form of a joint refusal to play the Tigers until they wise up, that the university experience is not just about football. Not in the SEC. The Big 12, maybe.

AUGUST 8, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

BRIAN CHILSON

hat is the difference between a handgun massacre, such as the one that occurred at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin, and voter fraud? The answer is that mass shootings are common in this country; fraud at the polls is practically non-existent. And, that conservatives cry for action to prevent further outrages only in regard to voter fraud. They counsel against over-reaction to the slaughter of American citizens. Wade Michael Page only killed six people at the temple, they will say, but he could have done real damage had he tried to vote illegally. When the Arkansas legislature convenes in January, Republican members will continue and probably intensify their efforts to make it harder for people to vote. Especially if President Obama is re-elected. And they’ll probably succeed, should they win a legislative majority in the November elections. No member, Republican or Democrat, will introduce a bill to make it harder for homicidal maniacs to acquire guns. The NRA wouldn’t approve. The blood hadn’t dried in Wisconsin before conservative congressmen and commentators were again shouting that we better not try to get any gun control in this country, not if we know what’s good for us. These same people clamor for legislation to require more identification from voters, although they never present evidence that the “voter fraud” they purport to fear has actually occurred. The real purpose of additional identification requirements is to discourage from voting those who might have difficulty obtaining the surplus ID — the poor, the elderly, minorities. People who might vote Democratic, in other words. In Venezuela, President Hugo Chavez is demanding more voter ID in the form of thumbprint readers. Look for Arkansas Republicans to add this to their bill. They might ask Chavez to speak at a committee meeting. Easy to shoot, hard to vote. These are strange priorities.

WHERE IN ARKANSAS?: Know where this slice of life in Arkansas is? Send along the answer to Times photographer Brian Chilson and win a prize. Once a month in this space, he’ll post a shot from a relatively obscure spot in Arkansas for Times readers to identify. We also invite photographers to contribute submissions of both mystery and other pictures to our eyeonarkansas Flickr group. Write to brianchilson@arktimes.com to guess this week’s photo or for more information. Last month’s winner was Mason Ellis, who correctly guessed that the photo was the Hwy. 7 bridge across Fourche La Favre River. Our first winner was Steve Martin who correctly guessed a photo of a gas station in Hoxie.

GOP extremism v. Beebe

f the Southern Republican tide is to be stopped short of a takeover of the Arkansas legislature this year, it will require a triumph of moderation. Gov. Mike Beebe is the template — an informed middle-of-the-roader with populist tendencies who manages to dodge damaging association with the passion issues. His success produced business establishment financial support that he’s putting to work to retain a legislative majority for his last two years in office. The problem is that the legislative candidates generally are not Mike Beebes, whether in political acumen, financial support or familiarity bred by long service. And passion is running against mushy middle-of-the-roaders. Look to our borders. Missouri went to the polls this week on a “Right to Pray” constitutional amendment. Yes, the 80 percent Christian population of the Show Me State believes it is sufficiently “under siege,” as one news account put it, to require further state protection for religious witnessing. When I commented jokingly that the situation was the same in Arkansas — don’t non-believers have Baptists on the run from Eudora to Gravette? — I was accused by an extremist Republican of mocking Christians. I was, of course, mocking the notion that Christians are under attack in a state where a liberal view of church-state separation means the local School Board or City Council might politely urge those giving the invocation to try to leave Jesus out of it. Then there’s Kansas, the symbol for the Republican future in Arkansas. In primaries this week, conservative Republicans backed by the Koch Brothers’ Americans for Prosperity, hope to toss out the last of remaining “moderate” Republicans. The moderates include an evangelical, pro-gun, anti-abortion preacher who’s been a tiny bit reluctant to cut taxes to the extent the extremists desire. He recognizes government provides the occasional useful service. The extremists control the Arkansas Republican Party. The Republican platform originally was to call

for abolition of the state income tax, but provide for an increase in the sales tax to offset part of the loss. Not now. The platform simply calls for abolition of the income tax, which produces MAX $3 billion a year. Its loss would BRANTLEY cripple everything from medical maxbrantley@arktimes.com services to colleges and public safety. The extremists don’t like criticism, either. To them, it is intolerance. If you criticize the views of a chicken magnate who opposes gay marriage, his followers will make eating chicken nuggets a sacrament. Question the bona fides of a preacher/Republican legislator on his professed interest in serving the poor while working to block expansion of Medicaid — as I did — and he’ll change the topic and call you a murderer. Abortion — though legal and constitutional — is murder to this legislator, from the nanosecond an egg collides with sperm. And he sees as accessories to murder the clinics that provide pills and devices to prevent successful meetings between those microscopic particles. I’d be willing to bet moderate Arkansans — cut off from Koch Bros.’ stealth-financed messaging — find this emerging brand of Republican dogma too extreme. We like government services. We like religion, too, though not necessarily proselytizing. A Baptist, for example, might not feel too comfortable in a Catholic Arkansas River Valley community if a new wave of public prayer exercises included a lot of genuflecting. Can Democrats make a winning message from Mike Beebe’s moderation and the extremism of the radical Republicans? Recent Southern history isn’t encouraging. Moderation lacks the emotional heat that moves people to the polls. Plus, if the extremists have their way, voting is going to be a lot harder to do. Let us pray.

BRIAN CHILSON

OPINION

Foul air: the GOP lies on jobs, regs

n the fifth year of a sick economy jobs have reached an exalted status. Polls show they are people’s No. 1 concern, so if they are exploited smartly they are sure vote getters. Like the terrorist attacks of 2001 and the threat of school integration in an earlier time, jobs have become the flexible all-purpose political issue. They can suit any politician’s agenda and provide cover for chicanery you couldn’t otherwise get away with. When President Obama postponed the Keystone XL pipeline because its route cut through the Nebraska Sandhills, the most sensitive agricultural aquifer in the country, Republicans and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said he had blocked 250,000 new jobs. An independent analysis concluded that the pipeline would create 500 to 1,400 temporary jobs. The Canadian pipeline giant that will build it acknowledged that the principal effect would be temporary employment and that the project would create only “a few hundred” per-

manent jobs. But the most asinine exploitation of the national jobs mourning has to be the attacks ERNEST on government DUMAS regulation, always a good whipping boy. From the presidential nominee to congressional candidates, Republicans are claiming that rules laid down by the Obama administration to carry out federal laws are killing jobs. Two weeks ago, the House of Representatives by a partyline vote (Republicans and Arkansas’s Mike Ross) passed a package of seven Republican bills to stop or roll back new environmental, banking and safety rules. One bill, written by the House Republican leader’s office, was sponsored by Tim Griffin, who got to say with his reelection approaching that he had passed a bill, although everyone knew it was a dead issue. It would block all significant new gov-

The death of Chavis Carter

ny time a suspect dies in police custody, there’s sure to be trouble. As, indeed, there should be. The mysterious death of Chavis Carter, 21, of a gunshot wound to the temple inside a locked patrol car in Jonesboro was certain to attract outsized scrutiny from the news media. Even without the ever-combustible racial angle — black victim, white cops — the Sherlock Holmes aspect of the tragedy naturally aroused interest. Very briefly, Carter and two white kids in a pickup truck with Missouri plates struck local residents as suspicious, cruising around with no headlights at 9:50 p.m. on a Sunday night. Jonesboro officers responding to a 911 call confirmed the identities of two of the three young men by running their driver’s licenses. The identity of the third, who had no ID but called himself Larayan Bowman, could not be verified. The others claimed they’d met him only that night. After finding a small amount of marijuana in “Bowman’s” pockets, officers placed him unrestrained in the back seat of a patrol car. After he admitted his real name, they determined that there was a bench warrant for Chavis Chacobie

Carter’s arrest on a parole violation out of DeSoto County, Miss. According to the Memphis GENE CommercialLYONS Appeal, Carter had failed to comply with the terms of a drugdiversion plan after pleading to a single count of selling marijuana — hardly a one-man crime wave. According to their written report, officers took Carter out of the patrol car, placed him under arrest, searched him, handcuffed his hands behind his back, and then locked him inside with the vehicle’s windows tightly closed. Several witnesses observed it all. An aunt of Carter’s arrived at the scene, presumably summoned by cell phone. Informed of the charges, she drove off. As the officers walked toward the second patrol car to interview the other suspects, the report says, “I saw a vehicle driving north on Haltom and then heard a loud thump with a metallic sound. I thought the vehicle had ran over a piece of metal on the roadway.” They subsequently gave Carter’s two friends a warning, and allowed them to drive away.

ernment regulation until the employment rate drops below 6 percent, which economists say will not happen before 2017. It was front-page news for a day: Republicans, Griffin fight for jobs. The net effect of the moratorium would be the opposite — fewer jobs, heavy economic costs and poorer health. Have government rules really been responsible for big job losses in the recession, as Griffin said? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics actually tracks such things. Its monthly survey asks employers the reasons for layoffs. Here are the numbers for the first three recession years, 2008-10: 1,726,317 jobs abolished owing to low demand for products and services, 13,330 jobs canceled for government rules and mandates. Nearly half the rule-related job losses were on George W. Bush’s watch. The regulation moratorium had absolutely nothing to do with jobs. It was a genuflection to the coal and petrochemical industries, utilities, banks, insurance companies, some parts of the food industry that don’t want to comply with new food-safety rules, manufacturers that resist efficiency standards that will require a range of products to use less energy, car and truck makers that would prefer not to meet new fuel-efficiency

standards, and those who want to stop Clean Air Act rules curtailing emission poison from coal- and oil-burning plants. If you don’t think carbon, mercury, sulfur and other emission poisons are important, you might review one of many earlier versions of this story — leaded gasoline. After medical research began showing in the 1960s that the lead that ramped up fuel octane escaped into the air and damaged children’s brains, the American Petroleum Institute insisted for two decades that it was not a health risk and that making the oil and car industries eliminate gasoline lead would lay a heavy cost on the economy. The Environmental Protection Agency and Congress diddled. That is, until a pediatrician named Philip J. Landrigan went down to El Paso and tested children attending schools near a giant smelting plant. Sixty percent of them had highly elevated levels of lead in their blood, and he demonstrated that even small amounts lowered a child’s IQ. Other research findings verified all of it. By 1996, lead had been banned from the fuel of on-road vehicles. By 2005, the levels of lead in American kids’ blood had fallen by 88 percent. You never hear about the results of those infernal government regs. Griffin just wants you to worry about jobs.

Only after returning to his unit did one handcuffs. Despite the incredulity of journalists officer smell gun smoke, and find Chavis Carter “in a sitting position slumped for- like New York Times columnist Charles ward with his head in his lap. There was Blow regarding Carter’s alleged “suicide,” a large amount of blood on the front of the term Jonesboro cops have used is his shirt, pants and floor. His hands were “self-inflicted gunshot wound” — not still cuffed behind his back.” the same thing. Preliminary investigaAs Carter was still breathing, officers tions aided by dashboard cameras, audio called EMS, which transported the griev- recordings and witness statements indiously wounded man to a hospital where cate that neither officer went anywhere he died that night. near Carter subsequent to his being A subsequent search of the patrol car placed in the patrol car. That’s not to found a .380 caliber Cobra pistol — a hold them blameless. A proper search cheaply made, semi-automatic weapon should have found the gun. recently reported stolen in town. The department has invited the FBI to Admirably responsive to the news conduct a separate probe. At minimum, media — local reporters say they had a a painstaking investigation is required to full report from the Jonesboro PD on maintain — or, if necessary, to restore — their desks first thing Monday morning public confidence in the integrity of law — police chief Michael Yates hasn’t nec- enforcement. essarily helped himself by describing the Contrary to insinuations in the tragedy as “bizarre” and saying it “defies national media, this isn’t 1935, and logic at first glance.” Jonesboro — a pleasant college town of Because at second glance, the Sherlock roughly 70,000 — is hardly the kind of Holmes aspect of Carter’s death strikes place where a racial atrocity would be me as not so mystifying at all. Analysis of covered up. If nothing else, it would be text messages on his cell phone appear terrible for football recruiting. “We are not here to hurl accusations,” to indicate that Carter had carried a gun earlier that night. It’s common for sus- said Rev. Adrian Rogers of Jonesboro’s pects to ditch contraband in the backs Fullness of Joy Church at a rally in Cartof patrol cars; not uncommon for cheap er’s memory. “We don’t know what hapsemi-automatic handguns to discharge pened. We are not here to hurl conspiracy accidentally. As tempting a storyline as it theories. We are here to pray.” makes to suggest otherwise, any reasonAmen to that. The last thing this counably agile young man can do all kinds of try needs is yet another racially inflamseemingly improbable things wearing matory media spectacle. www.arktimes.com

AUGUST 8, 2012

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AUGUST 8, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

Fooball preview, part one

earls prides itself on being unconventional, if not downright off-kilter, so for the 2012 Razorback football preview we will dispose of the customary position-by-position breakdown. Instead, for the next month this space will examine the Hogs’ prospects for success by the schedule. This week we start with the September slate of games, before plunging into October and November games, respectively, the next two weeks. After that, holy crap, the season is here and 100-degree tailgating is upon us. Arkansas opens, yet again, with an FCS opponent. This time, though, there is a subtext. Jacksonville State comes to Fayetteville on September 1, two years removed from a memorable visit to Oxford, where the Gamecocks rallied from a 21-point deficit in the second half and bounced Ole Miss in double overtime. That upset was the flashpoint for Houston Nutt’s ultimately forgettable four-year stint there, a moment when Rebel fans went from conservatively optimistic to embittered within a matter of hours. It also gave former Hog coach Jack Crowe a measure of redemption for the infamous Citadel defeat that now, amazingly, is 20 years in our rear view. Crowe quietly has proved he was always more competent than the fateful two-year run in Fayetteville showed. He has won an average of eight games per year at Jacksonville State, and been to the FCS playoffs three times. He no doubt feels a pang of resentment for being dumped a day after the Citadel loss in 1992. You can expect that his team will play poised and smart, but there’s simply no substitute for talent. Arkansas will outlast the Gamecocks after the usually sluggish opening half, and Knile Davis will score the first TD and take most of the remainder of the night off. Razorbacks 45, Gamecocks 13. (1-0) The next week finds LouisianaMonroe coming to Little Rock. With the LSU game now rightly diverted to Fayetteville, and Ole Miss hardly being an adequate replacement for the dwindling pro-War Memorial contingent, the Warhawks will be what they always are: pesky but grossly outmatched, and the game will be a sellout that looks like something much less by halftime. This will be a coming-out party for a defense that wants to acquit itself well before the Alabama game the following week. Two defensive touchdowns, one via the much-derided Dar-

ius Winston, will propel the Hogs to a routine 2-0 start. Razorbacks 49, Warhawks 3. (2-0) BEAU After AlaWILCOX bama’s muchhyped visit to Fayetteville in 2010, and the Hogs’ agonizing second-half collapse that September afternoon, this year’s game against the Tide takes on even greater meaning. The facts are stark: the Hogs have not beaten Alabama since a fluky one-point overtime victory in Fayetteville in 2006, have lost all five games against Saban-coached Tide teams, and are now faced with a psychological barrier that is arguably more imposing than the actual one. Alabama is going to be really good. Again. Big surprise. But what the Tide lack this season, at least on the proverbial paper, is defensive experience. The draft purged Bama of a uniquely seasoned batch of defensive stars, and also robbed the Tide of their best offensive weapons (Marquis Maze and Trent Richardson). That may not matter. Arkansas has amassed about six feet of rushing yardage in the past four meetings with the Tide, and pass protection last year was nothing short of horrid. This will be the close game everyone expects, but I fear it will not be the result that Razorback fans desire. Crimson Tide 27, Razorbacks 23. (2-1, 0-1) The Hogs will bounce back to end September, starting with the home side of the two-game stint with Rutgers, which has a new coach, no feel for SEC competition, and theoretically no desire to take on the Hogs after the Alabama game, regardless of how that one shakes out. If it’s a Hog team stung by a loss, Rutgers gets embarrassed by a blood-thirsty squad. Razorbacks 38, Scarlet Knights 14. (3-1, 0-1) Closing out the month, the Hogs will apparently be playing new league entry Texas A&M somewhere in Texas. It’s a familiar team, also steered by a new coach in Kevin Sumlin, and one that also had a lot of its experience wiped out by the draft and graduation. The Hogs have hardly feared the Aggies...well, ever. And even a trip to Kyle Field likely will not alter that. Tyler Wilson will again have a monster day through the air, and Davis will churn out the first 200-yard game of his career. Razorbacks 42, Aggies 24. (4-1, 1-1) We’ll proceed with an analysis of October’s games next week.

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AUGUST 8, 2012

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Snookie lies out Stanley Johnson writes, “I heard on the ‘news’ that Snookie Whatever-her-name-is, one of the ‘Jersey Shore’ bimboes, is pregnant and proudly plodding around showing off. I made a remark about needing to revive the old practice of lying in and was met by puzzlement from my companion, a well-read gentleman who is actually older than I am. I was kind of surprised he’d never heard of it. Surprised and saddened. The Good Old Days are apparently farther gone than I thought.” Lying in is still in the Random House, though: “To be confined to bed in childbirth.” Michael Klossner also is looking back fondly, after seeing this item in the newspaper: “A final steel beam was lifted Monday atop a new World Trade Center skyscraper — the first expected to open at the site next year since the twin towers were decimated on 9/11.” Klossner writes: “Decimate used to refer to the practice of punishing Roman soldiers for mutiny by requiring them to choose and kill one man in ten. In Wiktionary, it means ‘To reduce by one-tenth’ or ‘to severely reduce, to destroy almost completely.’ Now apparently it means to

destroy totally. I wish it hadn’t expanded so that the original meaning gets lost.”

DOUG “Boy Scouts SMITH dougsmith@arktimes.com sticks with ban of gays.” I’d use a singular verb with “Boy Scouts of America,” the official name of an organization. But when you hear “Boy Scouts,” you think of a bunch of individual boys. Make it “stick.” Glory holelujah: Jerry Jones, the former Arkansas Razorback now reduced to owning the Dallas Cowboys, caused a stir at a press conference when he said: “I’ve been here 23 years. I’ve been here when it was glory hole days and I’ve been here when it wasn’t. And so, having said that, I want me some glory hole.” Jones apparently was thinking of an expression from the oil and gas business, where he made his first fortune. A quite different, quite unsavory meaning of the term “glory hole” is more common today. It’s in the Urban Dictionary on-line. Be prepared.

WEEK THAT WAS

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AUGUST 8, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

It was a good week for…

It was a bad week for…

MICHAEL TINSLEY. The graduate of Little Rock’s Joe T. Robinson High, who competed in college at Jackson State, took the Olympics silver medal in the 400-meter hurdles, one of the toughest events on the track. He finished less than threetenths of a second behind Felix Sanchez of the Dominican Republic.

THE ARKANSAS VETERANS AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT. Repair and renovation of the facility in Little Rock on Charles Bussey Drive, closing because of its poor condition following a lengthy period of financial mismanagement, could cost $7.5 million to $10 million, according to an assessment by the Arkansas Building Authority. Those numbers don’t include potential costs for environmental inspections or abatement of any hazards found, though the estimate cautions that design and other considerations could alter the figure significantly.

CHICK-FIL-A SALES. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee’s Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day, for the chain leaders’ endorsement of anti-gay causes, was a massive success, with enormous crowds turning out throughout Arkansas and across the country to demonstrate their solidarity with the restaurant owners’ views on gay people. Arkansas outlets were mobbed, though greeted by probrotherhood demonstrators at one Little Rock store. The chain itself didn’t want to talk about it. LAYOFFS. Troubled Hawker Beechcraft, which finishes its private planes in Little Rock, notified 170 employees that they will be laid off. The company, which is in bankruptcy and has been talking about a sale to a Chinese firm, is also laying off workers in Wichita. It had employed about 450 in Little Rock.

ARKANSAS STATE TROOPER ROYCE DENNEY. The State Police announced that Denney had been terminated after 11 years with the agency in highway patrol. Denney made the traffic stop in March that ultimately led to the dismissal of Michael Dyer from the Arkansas State University football team. Denney gave Dyer a speeding ticket. But the Searcy Daily Citizen began inquiring about the incident last week and Friday received video that showed Denney had found a gun and a substance believed to be marijuana during the course of the stop. State Police Director Col. J.R. Howard said Denney had appealed his firing for policy violations and “repeated demonstrations of lack of judgment.”

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NOTES ON THE PASSING SCENE

Fifty cents THE OBSERVER’S PAL ROLAND

had a yard sale the other day, one of those Great American Adventures that mostly goes to show you how cheap your fellow man and woman can be when you’re sweating bullets under a tree with a significant amount of your stuff spread out on folding tables. As you know if you’re not one of the mole people who lurk in the sewers of Little Rock, stealing Comcast and high speed Internet by tapping underground cables, you know it’s been hot. Like, Venezuela hot. Liquid-inside-ofa-cheese-stuffed-jalapeno-popperfresh-from-the-deep-fryer-at-Sonic hot. Stick-your-hand-to-a-lightbulb hot. Jamb-your-foot-into-a-bathtubfull-of-molten ... OK, you get it. IT’S HOT. Because of that, our ol’ pal Roland’s yard sale was a bust. In three hours, only three people came by. Only one bought anything: two coffee pots for 50 cents, with the woman blessing the sale and telling Roland and his kids to have a blessed day before rushing back out of the sun. Something tells The Observer that Roland and Co. would have gladly paid that 50 cents for somebody to douse them with a bucket of water by then — even tepid water. Water from a bowl a slobbery, large-breed dog had recently drunk out of. Thoroughly demoralized and not wanting to lug all the knickknacks back inside, Roland and Progeny decided to load up everything and take it all to a thrift store they frequent on Asher Avenue. Diehard junkstore treasure pickers, they often go there to browse. After they’d dropped everything off, they went inside to look around. They’d only been there a few minutes when Roland’s son, Jackson, picked up a hardbound copy of a Star Wars tie-in book. You should know that Roland and Son are just as jazzed about Star Wars as they are about panning for thrift store gold. Roland was about Jackson’s age when he saw the originals multiple times as a kid growing up in Hot Springs, and

never forgot the thrill of seeing Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader face off. When his son was born, he quickly initiated him into the Church of The Force as well. Roland recognized the book, because he’d had one like it when he was a kid. His mother — who always called him by his boyhood nickname, Rowdy — had bought it for him for Christmas in 1979, but he’d inexplicably lost it about 15 years ago, probably during one of his umpteen moves in the freewheeling days before kids and responsibility. He knew he and Jackson had to have this copy, and this one just so happened to be priced exactly right: 50 cents. The dust jacket was off, but Roland soon found it in the same bin where Jackson had found the book. He picked it up, and when he opened the front cover to slip on the jacket, this is what was written inside:

Ah, sweet mystery of life. Sweet, dark-haired Coincidence, and your pale, smiling sister, Serendipity. We don’t get to see you often, but when we do, you always give us hope and faith that Something Out There wants good things for all of us. That kind of recharge is hard to come by for The Observer’s jaded old heart, but is always welcome when it inevitably comes.

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AUGUST 8, 2012

Arkansas Reporter

THE

IN S IDE R

Tom Cotton of Dardanelle, who came home from a Washington consulting job to run for 4th District Congress as a Republican, hasn’t won his first election yet but people are already talking about higher office. He’s so impressed conservative bloggers that his name popped up last spring on conservative blogs as a potential candidate for U.S. Senate in 2014 against incumbent Democrat Mark Pryor. This was even before he’d won the Republican primary for the nomination. More recently, Republican politicos have been chattering about alleged Cotton positioning for the Senate race. With big money, Cotton has emerged as a favorite in the 4th District and one of his opponents, Libertarian Party nominee Bobby Tullis, pulled out a time-honored political ploy last week, demanding that Cotton pledge not to seek higher office in 2014, but to keep working for the people he might be elected to serve this year. All politicians are ambitious, of course, but it’s long been thought effective to accuse a candidate of using an office as a stepping-stone. It took a few days, but the Times finally wrung a response out of Cotton spokesman Doug Coutts: “You can quote Tom as follows: ‘I don’t have time to think about anything but working 24/7 to serve the people of the 4th Congressional District.’ “I can confirm that your reporting on NRSC contacts is incorrect. Neither Tom nor anyone acting on his behalf have had contact with the NRSC. Don’t trust everything you hear in the LR echo chamber...” Credit Cotton’s campaign with a sense of humor. That “quote” from Cotton was the sentence crafted by our Arkansas Blog as a suggested response when it first announced Tullis’ challenge.

Neighborhood group quits coalition The board of the Forest Hills Neighborhood Association, which has been vigorously fighting the Little Rock Tech Park Authority’s moves to demolish the neighborhood to build a park there, announced last week that it will no longer be part of the We Shall CONTINUED ON PAGE 13 12

AUGUST 8, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

BRIAN CHILSON

Is Tom Cotton looking ahead?

WILDMAN: Josh Hankins, with Absolute Wildlife.

In the belfry Nuisance animal control largely unregulated. BY DAVID KOON

f you’ve lived in a freestanding house for awhile — especially an older home — chances are you’ve heard it at least once or twice: the disconcerting rattle of tiny toenails in the attic. Animals run on instinct, and for creatures like raccoons, rats, squirrels and bats, their instinct tells them that one of their top priorities in life should be to find a dark, dry space and make it their personal crash pad. Whether that’s a hollow tree or the place you store your Christmas decorations all summer doesn’t really enter their furry little heads. Nuisance wildlife control is a multimillion dollar industry in Arkansas, with most of the calls coming from urban homeowners who don’t feel comfortable deal-

ing with the problem themselves, or who can’t take the matter into their own hands because of various cities’ regulations on not-so-PC solutions like traps, poisons and discharging a firearm. Though other states have varying degrees of licensure and regulation over the industry, like a lot of smaller, niche professions in Arkansas, nuisance wildlife control is largely unregulated. Those on both the business and government side of things say that can be a problem. Still, as with anything, there are ways to help make sure you get a company that will get those noises out of your attic or crawlspace without causing an even bigger mess than you were trying to solve. Josh Hankins is the owner of Abso-

lute Wildlife Nuisance Animal Removal, a 5-year-old company that travels all over the state, removing animals and making repairs to damaged caused by invading critters in both private homes and government buildings. Hankins is one of a handful of nuisance animal control operators in the state that hold both residential and commercial contractors’ licenses through the state contractor’s board. The residential license is required to repair any damage over $2,000. The commercial license certifies his company to repair damage over $20,000. As for the removal of the animals that has to take place before those repairs can begin, Hankins said that there is some basic regulation of the industry through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (which oversees the control of furbearing animals) and the Arkansas Plant Board (which deals with issues related to the removal and relocation of unwanted honeybee colonies), but he believes there needs to be more. Lax regs, he said, open the door to “fly-by-night” operators who might not know what they’re doing. “There is no regulative body that watches over this industry in particular, and it’s unfortunate because it hurts people like us who try to go in and do it right,” he said. “It makes a bad name for the industry if a customer has dealt with two other companies that didn’t do it properly.” In most urban cases, Hankins’ company live-traps animals before relocating them outside the city limits. While people in rural areas generally handle the issue of nuisance animal control themselves in ways that would probably get PETA’s knickers in a bunch, Hankins said that taking an animal issue into your own hands isn’t always feasible, comfortable or wise. He’s seen jobs, for example, where a homeowner patched an exterior entry hole and unwittingly sealed an animal inside an attic, with the creature then proceeding to either find a way to bust through into the living space or dying in there, turning a $300 problem into a stench that costs thousands to clear out. “People will hear something in their attic and see a hole and think: Well, if I’ll patch the hole, it’ll fix it,” he said. “I always tell customers: if you see a hole, the last thing you want to do is patch it if you’ve got any indication that there’s something inside. A lot of the animals that we deal with are communal. If you go patching a hole, you could potentially trap hundreds of critters inside.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

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BECAUSE IT’S OTHERWISE UNBEARABLE OUTSIDE: A GUIDE TO AREA PUBLIC POOLS AND BEACHES

Jim Dailey Fitness and Aquatic Center (War Memorial Pool) 300 S. Monroe St., 664-6976 Pools: Indoor lap, outdoor play with slide and diving, kids’ splash. Rates: $5 adult, $3.50 ages 16-19 and seniors, $2.50 under 16. Hours: Noon-4:45 p.m., 6:15-8 p.m. Mon.-Fri., noon-5:45 Sat., 1-4:45 Sun. Southwest Community Center 6401 Baseline Road, 918-3975 Pools: Outdoor with high and low diving, kids’ splash. Rates: $4.50 adult, $3.50 ages 16-19 and seniors, $2.50 under 16. Hours: Noon-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-6 p.m. Sun. Peabody Park 202 E. LaHarpe Blvd. (Riverfront Park), 371-4770 Kids’ splash pad. Rates: Free. Hours: 8 a.m. to dusk War Memorial Park Natural Play Area War Memorial Park, 371-4770 Pool: Splash pad in playground. Rates: Free. Hours: 8 a.m. to dusk Willow Springs Water Park 3903 Willow Lake Road, 888-4148 Lake with beach, water trampoline, slide. Rates: $15 adults, $10 ages 4-15 and seniors, under 3 free. Hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Sat., noon-8 p.m. Sun. Maumelle Recreation Center Swimming Pool 1100 Edgewood, Maumelle, 851-6990 Pools: Outdoor with diving and slides. Rates: $7 adults, $1 under 3. Hours: Noon-7 a.m. Mon.-Fri., 1-6 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Glenview Community Center 4800 E. 19th St., NLR, 945-2921 Pools: Outdoor with diving, kids’ splash. Rate: $4, under 3 free. Hours: Noon-8 p.m. Tue., Thu., Fri., Sat., 1-6 p.m. Sun., Wed. North Heights Community Center 4801 Allen, NLR, 791-8576 Pools: Outdoor with diving, kids’ splash with fountain. Rate: $2. Hours: Noon-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. Sherman Park Community Center 624 N. Beech, NLR, 340-5373 Pools: Outdoor with diving and slide. Rate: $2. Hours: Noon-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat. Wild River Country 6820 Crystal Hill Road, NLR, 753-8600 Water Park with slides, pools, kids’ attractions. Rates: $30 adult, $20 under 12. Hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Sat., noon-8 p.m. Sun. Bill Harmon Recreation Center 51 Shelby Road, Sherwood, 835-6893 Pools: Indoor lap Rate: $5, under 5 free. Hours: 5:30 a.m.-8:45 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 5:30 a.m.-6:45 p.m. Fri. (kids welcome in indoor pool after noon on weekdays), 8 a.m.-5:45 p.m. Sat., 1-5:45 p.m. Sun. Fairway Pool 800 Fairway, Sherwood, 834-8217 Pools: Outdoor with diving, kids’ splash. Rate: $4, under 3 free. Hours: closed Mon., noon-6 p.m. Tues.-Sat., 1-6 p.m. Sun.

INSIDER, CONT.

Indianhead 33 Deerfield, Sherwood, 835-3487 Pools: Outdoor with diving, kids’ splash. Rate: $4, under 3 free. Hours: Noon-6 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 1-6 p.m. Sun., closed Mon. Thornhill Pool 2201 Thornhill Drive, Sherwood, 835-4832 Pools: Outdoor with diving, kids’ splash. Rate: $4, under 3 free. Hours: Noon-8 p.m. Tue.-Sat., noon-6 p.m. Wed., 1-6 p.m. Sun., closed Mon. Bishop Park 6401 Boone Road, Bryant, 213-0113 Pools: Indoor lap, kids’ splash pad. Rate: $6 adults, $4 ages 4-17 and seniors, under 4 free. Hours: 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Sat., noon-8 p.m. Sun. Splash Zone 201 W. Martin St. (Pleasure Park), Jacksonville, 982-4171 Pools: Outdoor pool, kids play pool, slide pool. Rate: $5 ages 2 and up, $1 for slide pool. Hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon.-Fri., noon-6 p.m. Sat., Sun., holidays.

AN HOUR AWAY: Lake Sylvia From Perryville, take Hwy. 9S nine miles and Hwy. 324W four miles. 501-889-5176. Lake with beach, diving. Distance from Little Rock: 45 miles. Rate: $3 per car. Hours: 8 a.m. till dusk. Walnut Creek Charlton campground, 20 miles west of Hot Springs on Hwy. 270. 501-321-5202. Dammed spring-fed creek, icy water. Distance from Little Rock: 77 miles. Rate: $3 per car. Hours: Sunrise to sunset. Lake Hamilton 688 Majestic Lodge Road, 530 Lake Park Drive, Hot Springs. 501-321-2835. One lake, two beaches. Distance from Little Rock: 55 miles. Rate: Free. Hours: Sunrise to sunset. Lake Catherine Carpenter Dam Park, 301 Powerhouse Lane, Hot Springs. 501-321-2835. Lake and beach. Distance from Little Rock: 55 miles. Rate: Free. Hours: Sunrise to sunset. Magic Springs 1701 E. Grand Ave., Hot Springs. 501-624-0100 Water park with pools, slides, kids’ attractions. Distance from Little Rock: 55 miles. Rate: $40 adults, $30 under 48 inches tall and seniors. Hours: 11 a.m.-7 or 8 p.m., check website. Lake Bennett 82 Woolly Hollow Road, Greenbrier. 501-679-3032 Lake with paddle boats, kayaks, beach Distance from Little Rock: 43 miles Rate: $2.75 over 6, $1.75 under 6. Hours: Noon-7 p.m. daily.

Not Be Moved Coalition, which arose after the neighborhood’s own “Not for Sale” protest began. What that means is that the neighborhood association is distancing itself from Occupy Little Rock’s activities against the park and will fight its own fight. (Arkansas Community Organizations is also a member of WSNBMC.) It does not mean, association head Rohn Muse said, that the neighborhood is giving an inch in its opposition to the Authority board’s plans regarding Forest Hills. The announcement, signed by the seven members of the association board, said: “As we all know, time is of the essence at this crucial point in the lives of The Forest Hills Neighborhood, and, to address the needs of our residents most effectively, we believe it is best to withdraw and apply more of our time and focus on preparing for future encounters. Our intent, on taking this position of separation, is to alleviate any possible confusion or conflict and allow each separate organization an opportunity to act and speak according to its respective best interest. ... The FHNA and its membership thereupon resume full responsibility for carrying forth our message and actions.” Muse declined to say anything critical of WSNBMC, noting that it was “not uncommon” for groups with different agendas to come together for a time over an issue and then separate. Before the association made its announcement, members of the We Shall Not Be Moved Coalition hinted that Muse had been meeting with members of the Little Rock City Board separately. Muse said he hasn’t met with any board member since early summer, when Director Ken Richardson introduced an ordinance that would have prohibited the Authority from using its power of eminent domain to take property from residents. Muse said the association supported both Richardson’s ordinance and the one that was approved, by Director Dean Kumpuris, which instructed the Authority board to widen its search for a location to include alternatives to residential neighborhoods. Muse said Kumpuris’ ordinance was a significant boost to Forest Hills protests. Muse also said that rumors he was thinking of running for the City Board were untrue. However, two members of Occupy Little Rock — Adam Lansky and Kaitlin Lott — have said they do plan to run. www.arktimes.com

AUGUST 8, 2012

Acumen Brands, Rockfish and PrivacyStar propel the state’s start-up culture. BY LINDSEY MILLAR COVER PHOTO BY MEGAN CLEMENCE

BRIAN CHILSON

ROBOTS AT WORK: Shuttling products at Acumen Brands in Fayetteville.

AUGUST 8, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

ristian Andersen has big ideas. When he talks about them, they come out in paragraph bursts. Of 10-part plans. Of sweeping visions. Of theories built on tangents supported by other theories. A 38-year-old Conway native who built a successful design and management company in Indianapolis that works with web-based enterprises like Angie’s List and Groupon, he’s become the oracle of Arkansas’s burgeoning technology start-up business scene since moving his family back to Arkansas four years ago, the person with the clearest — or at least most articulate — vision for how Arkansas can grow that culture into a national force. So far, his grand ideas have come to fruition at an impressive rate. He laid out the vision for The ARK Challenge, a start-up accelerator that provides entrepreneurs access to business leaders, office space and seed money to launch fully formed technology companies in only three months. On Monday, the ARK’s 15 teams of entrepreneurs — eight from Arkansas, five from elsewhere in the U.S. and two from outside of the country — started work in Fayetteville. All aim to develop companies tied to retail, food processing and logistics industries, not coincidentally the three industries in which Northwest Arkansas, and especially Walmart, Tyson and J.B. Hunt, excel. Andersen’s also behind the forth-

DUSTIN BARTHOLOMEW, COURTESY FAYETTEVILLE FLYER

JAMES: Says Acumen could be a billion-dollar company.

it’s hard to establish the necessary culture of investing for a start-up community to thrive. “When Dell popped, it made lots and lots of millionaires. It made lots of extreme millionaires — Michael Dell and his early lieutenants. And hundreds of people who were made lower millionaires. You know who invests in start-ups? People who’ve built and or worked in start-ups. So even if you look at the local investment community, the really active angel investors are people who come out of start-up culture. “There’s no shortage of really wealthy investors in Arkansas, but they’re not predisposed to invest in high-risk tech start-ups. If you want

COURTESY ARLTON LOWRY

coming Arkansas Fellowship Program, a competitive post-graduate apprenticeship at innovative companies in Arkansas aimed at slowing the exodus of the state’s best and brightest, and he led the way in launching Gravity Ventures I and II, a pair of seed-stage venture capital funds that actively invest in and provide guidance for Arkansas tech start-ups. Even though he still spends much of his time in Indianapolis running his business, managing two Indianapolis-based Gravity Ventures funds and operating an 8,000-square-foot converted warehouse he co-founded that he describes as a “Moose Lodge for nerds,” he mixes and mingles in Arkansas regularly. He squeezes a lot into a short time. In early July, his meeting with a reporter was the first of two lunches he was having that day. To understand why Arkansas hasn’t flourished, Andersen offers a formula successful tech cultures share. “There’s a recipe that no successful start-up ecosystem has ever deviated from: You need capital, you need talent, you need a corporate patron and you need a culture of risk.” Take Austin, for instance. “If you don’t have Michael Dell assembling work stations in his dorm room in the ’80s, there is no Austin start-up scene. Were there other substantive businesses in the Hill Country of Texas, between San Antonio and Austin? Absolutely. But you needed a company that would attract and grow a highly trained technical workforce.” Preferably a workforce trained by a local research institution. All of the most vibrant start-up cities and areas — Boulder, Boston, Seattle, Silicon Valley — boast at least one significant university as well as at least one corporate patron, Andersen noted. Without the success of the latter, however, he said

ANDERSEN: Speaking at the Made By Few conference in Little Rock in March.

to go start a community bank or a new subdivision, I’ve got a list a mile long who you could go talk to. But rarely is the wealthy commercial developer or banker writing checks to high-risk, early-stage firms.” The elements — a corporate patron that trained or attracted talent and made a lot of them rich enough to go start their own businesses — still hold true. Now, however, developments in technology have eliminated the need for a large workforce, so the Dell model is outdated. “Fifteen years ago if you wanted to start a tech company, you had to go raise five million bucks,” Andersen said. “Because you needed a million dollars worth of hardware. You needed to hire 30 engineers on day one. You needed 100 Aeron chairs. That’s not the way it works anymore. For every 10 engineers, you need one. I don’t buy hardware anymore; I just shove it up in the cloud and pay $500 a month for it, instead of paying $1 million. Most successful start-ups today start out as a couple of guys working out in the coffee shop. They may be making $100,000 in monthly revenue before they start thinking about getting an office.” So if not a behemoth like Dell or Google or Facebook, what’s the future? “I think we’ve reached the end of the $50 billion company that employs 35,000 people. The new big company is a billion dollar company that employs

1,000 people and there’s a lot more of them.”

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ohn James, the 36-year-old CEO of Acumen Brands in Fayetteville, bears a passing resemblance to Kenneth Parcell of “30 Rock”: blond, smiley and baby-faced. His elevator pitch for his company ends with a goal. “We want to build a billion dollar company in Northwest Arkansas. I know it seems audacious, but we’re well on our way.” Without knowing anything about Acumen, James’ bio might make you a believer. His story rivals any Silicon Valley wunderkind’s. The Benton native could do long division before kindergarten. He wrote his first computer program at 6. At 15, in the early days of the web, he started his first business, a subscription-based Internet bulletin board. As a teen-ager, he turned a high school passion for Quiz Bowl into a direct mail and early e-commerce business selling quiz bowl questions that he wrote in his spare time. His company, Champions Quiz Preparation, which he started as a college sophomore, eventually sold Quiz Bowl questions to one out of every nine schools in the country and made enough money for James to pay for medical school, where he told those who asked what he did for a living that he was an entrepreneur. CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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While working 100-hour weeks as a medical resident and fulfilling Quiz Bowl orders on weekends, he started an e-commerce site with his older brother selling barbecue grills online. “We said, ‘Hey, if we could have a $30,000 year in 2002 [their first full year in business], we’ve built a great business.’ Well, we had a $30,000 day at the end of 2002,” James recalled, laughing. After the success of the site (grillstuff. com), James and his brother started selling auto racing safety equipment online (saferacer.com), which proved to be an even bigger success. Then, while still in residency, with three e-commerce businesses and a young family, James started buying from Google millions of keywords, which he directed to websites he owned and filled with topics that attracted high-paying ads (Google frowns on this today, and makes it much, much harder to do). By the time Google went public, James told a group at a Fayetteville speaker series in May that he represented 1.6 percent of the search giant’s partner revenue. James sold his share of the e-commerce business at the end of 2008, and promptly started Acumen Brands in Fayetteville with four people and one website called scrubshopper.com. The idea, James said, was that if they could sell scrubs, they could sell anything. After six months of tinkering with the back end of their site and fine-tuning marketing, Acumen turned it into a company worth between $3 million and $4 million. From there Acumen launched a work wear online store (toughwield. com), which was an immediate success. Venture capital money came. In a year, the company grew from four to 70 employees. Acumen used a big chunk of its initial venture funding to buy the Kiva System, a robotic “fulfillment system” — finding and moving orders from a warehouse — that counted Amazon as a customer until the retail giant bought the company for $775 million in March. The squat orange boxy robots that power the system — think Roomba, not C-3PO — follow a grid in the 50,000-squarefoot Acumen factory. When a customer places an order in one of Acumen’s stores, the order goes to the robots who know on which shelving the item sits. The bots then pick up the shelf and zip it to the shipping area, where a small team only has a few feet to walk from the drop-off point to the packaging area to the shipping conveyor belt. Before Acumen, the quickest the system had ever been installed was 14 months. Acumen managed it in three months. That success brought Alex Dillard,

president of Dillard’s, which also uses the Kiva system, to Fayetteville for a visit last fall. James saw an opportunity, which he recounted in May. “I told him, ‘Mr. Dillard, here’s the deal, I never have presidents of publicly traded companies in my office, much less one of a company I shopped at for my entire life, so I want to ask you three things: I’d like you to invest in our company, I’d like access to your supply chain and I’d like to help you with Dillard’s. com.’ He stands up, and I’m like, ‘Oh gosh, he’s going to hit me or take his team and leave,’ and he shakes my hand, and says, ‘Done.’ ” Dillard’s invested $4 million, and all the first-round investors came back with a collective $1 million. Today, James said, Acumen’s most successful store is countryoutfitter.com, which primarily sells cowboy boots. The company also recently did a deal to be the e-commerce provider for capezio.com, which James has described as “the Nike” of dancewear. He said the five e-commerce pillars of the company — building the underlying technology of a site, the front-end website, fulfillment, customer service and driving traffic to the sites — can easily be rolled into other companies. “Move fast and break things” is a motto. So is “In God we trust, all others bring data.” Acumen has been successful by trying a lot of different approaches and seeing what sticks, something at which a younger workforce might be more constitutionally adept. “Our goal is to hire the younger kids, the 20 to 25 year olds, and teach them how to do things,” James said. “I hope we spring a lot of companies out of Acumen.” His decision not to practice medicine after going through medical school and residency was easy on a lot of fronts, James said. “I enjoyed being a physician. I enjoyed the science and the people. It wasn’t the lifestyle for me. There wasn’t a lot of innovation going along with a family practice physician, and how can I cram 35 to 40 patients in a day and support my family and find time for sleep? But really, I want to do something to change the world, and I think I’ve got a better chance of doing it over here than I did in the medical system. I don’t know if that’s a sad commentary on the medical system, or a sad commentary on my personality.”

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t’s not hard to imagine Acumen’s Josh Clemence, 25, leaving the company to start a business of his own. Like James, he’s a boy wonder. At Acumen,

BRIAN CHILSON

CLEMENCE: The Iceberg visionary.

tions, it’s been used to host coding clubs for kids, a networking event called Tech Drinks and other events organized by the Entrepreneurship Alliance. The ARK Challenge is based in The Iceberg. The networking imperative of the Iceberg is especially important to Clemence. For some time, he said he tried to meet with someone he didn’t know or had a weak relationship with every

eration that feels entitled but is willing to put the sweat into getting what they want. “If I want it, I’ll get it,” he said. “No matter what, nobody is going to tell me that I can’t do something.”

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lemence refers to James, his boss, as his mentor. The idea of mentorship is one the start-up community talks about often. James said that, in addition to a lack of start-up capital, lack of mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs is holding back the state’s start-up culture. “So few people in the community who are successful entrepreneurs are getting in the trenches with the next generation. No one did that for me.” James is both mentor and angel, investing in local start-ups and giving them advice when he can. One of those companies, Mobile FWD, has a symbiotic relationship with James and Acumen. About a year ago, Mobile FWD’s founders, Matt Hudson and Joey Nelson, came to James with ideas CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

BRIAN CHILSON

he works as a brand manager with companies like capezio.com. But he’s also at the center of Fayetteville’s start-up culture. He is the visionary and designer behind The Iceberg Co-Working Facility, a 5,600-square-foot basement space in downtown Fayetteville where, for a small monthly fee, members get access to whiteboards, wireless Internet and plenty of workstations. As an undergrad studying architecture, Clemence co-founded the Northwest Arkansas Entrepreneurship Alliance to foster the start-up community by pairing budding entrepreneurs with seasoned ones. He said his architectural background made him particularly interested in the idea of creating a space that could serve as a “physical resource” for the entrepreneur community. In this new, leaner start-up environment, the alternative to the coffee shop, The Iceberg provides a niche venue that can be good for innovation, suggests Kristian Andersen, whose “Moose Lodge for nerds” in Indianapolis follows a similar model. “Being in proximity to other smart people can have a profound impact on what you’re working on,” he said. With polished concrete floors, exposed brick, IKEA-type furniture and desks, brilliant lighting and a lot of white paint, the basement space has the look of “a business gym,” start-up evangelist and consultant Jeff Amerine observed on a recent tour. Since it opened in March, funded by donations from local individuals and organiza-

day. He’d figure out if he could help them with a project and if he could, he would. “If you’re going to meet with me, be prepared for me to be invested in you,” he said. Help might come in a lot of ways, he said. “I don’t know that I’m a pro in anything except getting things done. I don’t think I fall into any silo — a coder, a hacker, a marketer, a business mind. I’m a little bit of each.” Naturally, he has some start-ups of his own. Two that he mentions are StyleBy.Me, a hyper-local, user-generated look book where users upload photos of themselves and tag what they’re wearing, and Picnic with Me, a Groupon-type app where users get deals on restaurants by bringing friends along to eat. They’re on the back burner for now, ready to be revived or scrapped in favor of some new idea, Clemence said. Clemence talks a lot about the Fayetteville entrepreneurial culture from the perspective of his generation. He’s a millennial, a group often maligned as a solipsistic bunch of over-parented, entitled brats. Naturally, he sees it differently. He thinks he’s part of a gen-

THE ICEBERG: ARK Challenge director Jeanette Balleza offers a tour.

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ARKANSAS TIMES

HUDSON: Launched a trivia game.

for mobile games. He suggested they use his database of Quiz Bowl questions to build a trivia app. Trivi.al, a trivia take on the popular mobile game Words with Friends, emerged from that partnership. James has suggested that, down the road, Mobile FWD might help Acumen with mobile e-commerce. Hudson, 32, and Nelson, 33, learned app development at Rockfish Interactive, a digital services agency based in Rogers that’s experienced perhaps the most meteoric rise in Arkansas business in recent history. Since it was founded as a one-man start-up in 2006, the company has grown by 60 perecent to 100 percent every year, CEO Kenny Tomlin said. Tomlin, 39, explains that success as a byproduct of the talent he’s been able to attract and, crucially, having Walmart as a “champion client,” which has given Rockfish a portfolio that’s helped it land other big names such as Proctor & Gamble and EA Sports. National press hasn’t hurt. In 2009, Advertising Age named the company its small agency of the year and put it on its cover. The following year, the publication called Rockfish the thirdbest agency in its industry-wide survey. Kristian Andersen and other local tech observers see Rockfish as central to the future of Arkansas’s start-up culture not just because it’s growing (200 people in offices in Rogers, Little Rock, Dallas, Cincinnati and Austin) and it presumably made a number of entrepreneurial types rich as part of the terms of its sale last year to the ad giant WPP (terms of the sale weren’t disclosed), but also because

it’s intentionally fostered a culture of entrepreneurialism. In fact, Tomlin says innovation is a foundational principle of Rockfish. “The company was founded to be one part services business to clients and one part incubator of our own platforms,” he said. To that end, Rockfish Labs, the business incubator side of the business, has launched everything from a specialty coffee shop (Silver Joe’s) to a digital coupon creator (couponfactory.com). Its latest venture, an employee rewards platform called youearnedit.com, launched three months ago. Already more than 70 companies are using it. “That’s a business that we’re putting more and more resources on,” Tomlin said. “We’ve validated the business model, we’ve validated the receptivity of the market. Now we’re all in on growing that company. Now we’ll hire dedicated people — which doesn’t mean there aren’t other parts of Rockfish that don’t contribute to that company as-needed.” Because of that culture and the success Rockfish has had, Tomlin said a number of former employees have left to start their own entrepreneurial businesses. Hudson, the former Rockfish mobile developer who started Mobile FWD, said he feels like a seed that’s been watered by the big institutions in Northwest Arkansas. “I went to the [University of Arkansas] business school, and I was told that we were one of the best in the country. When I got out I felt like I could do something

BRIAN CHILSON

good. I’d always worked for Walmart or at Rockfish, and the natural progression for me was, ‘Hey, I’ve learned how to build these apps. I’ve learned from the best companies in the world, I have the confidence to do it and go pitch [my ideas] to someone.’ ”

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cxiom certainly fits Kristian Andersen’s mold of a corporate germinator. It’s a 40-year-old, billion-dollar company that’s unquestionably one of the leaders in big data analysis. Conway’s PrivacyStar might represent the beginning of the ripple effect of Acxiom’s success — and a nudge in the right direction for Central Arkansas’s start-up community as it tries to catch up to Northwest Arkansas’s. The 4-year-old company, officially held by former Acxiom CEO Charles Morgan’s First Orion Corp. and co-founded by former Acxiom management, makes smartphone apps that allow users to, among other things, block unwanted calls and automatically file nuisance reports to the federal Do Not Call registry. The company recently announced that as part of its expansion of its corporate headquarters in downtown Conway, it will add 121 jobs at an average hourly wage of $38 over the next two years. For all the tech talent in Arkansas, PrivacyStar co-founder and COO Josh Smith says he’s having to go outside of the state to find mobile developers. But PrivacyStar has pledged to work with local universities to develop talent. “The awareness is out there, from the

governor to all the universities,” Smith said. “But there’s got to be 100 different, smaller conversations going on throughout the state [about the opportunities].” Smith sees the University of Central Arkansas’s new EPIC (Entrepreneurship, Public Scholarship, Innovation and Community Engagement) residential program, where teams of students work on innovative projects that often combine science and business, as a hopeful sign for the future. It’s an example Arkansas Economic Development Commission Director Grant Tennille cites as a positive step as well, and one that Tennille hopes can work in tandem with AEDC’s tools. “AEDC is probably best known by the public at large for pursuing companies you’ve heard of to locate in the state,” he said. “The reality is that a lot of the work we do is focused on trying to generate entrepreneurial activity to grow Arkansas companies and help companies that are already here expand.” AEDC tries to do that with tax credits and incentives. For equipment for its new headquarters, PrivacyStar got $224,000 from the Governor’s Quick Action Closing Fund. The company also got money from the Risk Capital Matching Fund, which is aimed at helping promising tech companies get off the ground quickly. It allows the state to match as much as one dollar for every four raised by a technology company in the early stages of development up to $750,000. Since it was first funded in 2010, it’s made commitments to 15 Arkansas companies (Acumen is one). Tennille said to look for the AEDC and other agencies working on expanding the tech community to ask the legis-

lature to shift some of its funding from the General Improvement Fund to the General Revenue Fund to give the programs a more assured and sustainable source of funding.

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“P

eople often want to compare places like Fayetteville and Little Rock to Austin, Texas, both positively and negatively,” Tennille said. “The one thing I think we’ve got to get focused on is a chicken and egg question: Which comes first, the cool environment that spawns the entrepreneurs? Or the entrepreneurs who ultimately are responsible for creating the cool environment that sustains that kind of effort?” Little Rock residents have been asking themselves that question thanks to the proposed Technology Park here, which only has tax dollars invested in it so far. “I’m not a big advocate of build-it-andthey-will come, but I think that Little Rock has enough going on between UALR and UAMS and a growing number of smart companies that there is enough infrastructure and environment to take something like a proactive, speculative investment in a tech park and make it go,” Tennille said. Kristian Andersen is skeptical. Even though he’s one of the most connected people in the Arkansas start-up world, he didn’t know anything about the Little Rock Technology Park until a reporter asked him about it. “Why do people move to Portland? Why does a young entrepreneur go to Silicon Valley? Is it because they’ve got

a new tech park? No way, man. If you’re in San Francisco in the Mission District, all those start-ups, they’re just in old ratty buildings shoved off the street somewhere. Even the big ones. “The most vibrant start-up communities I’ve been in look like communities. Within two square blocks, there are 30 start-ups and 16 restaurants and four bars. That being said, I’m not saying [the tech park] can’t work or is even a bad idea, I’m just saying there are better ideas.”

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hile Central Arkansas works on developing talent and growing companies like PrivacyStar, one of those better ideas for sparking a vibrant tech culture might be figuring out a way to further empower someone like Arlton Lowry. The 30-year-old contract designer in Little Rock has become the go-to person for hosting tech conferences in Arkansas. He expected to draw 40 to his first in 2010 and 140 people came. In June, on the same weekend as the Little Rock Film Festival and Wakarusa, he still managed to attract nearly 250 people to a tech conference in Conway called BarCamp. Before he started organizing conferences, Lowry sold his car to raise money to open a co-working space in Conway. It was short-lived. The demand for the space wasn’t there, he said. Asked if he regretted selling his car, he said, “I can’t take that with me when I die. It takes a certain kind of person who’s willing to take chances. Life doesn’t just happen. You’ve got to do things to make it happen.”

IN THE BELFRY, CONT. From page 12 Blake Sasse is the non-game and furbearing mammal biologist for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and is in charge of what oversight there is of nuisance animal control companies in the state. He said that when it comes to the issue of animal removal, companies currently operate under the same regulations that any private homeowner would be required to follow. While Sasse said that others states do have tighter regulations on their nuisance animal companies and there has been some discussion in the past in Arkansas over whether there should be more regulation, the creation of any new rules wouldn’t have much effect on the practices of the industry as it stands. New requirements would require an outlay of cash for new enforcement needs. He said he “personally goes back and forth” over whether there needs to be more regula-

tion of the nuisance animal industry, but admits that without spending more money and manpower on administration and enforcement, it’s hard to see the benefit. “We just haven’t seen much advantage to it,” Sasse said. “We’re already pretty liberal in what sort of activities we allow people to do to control nuisance animal problems. Generally a license lets you do extra things that normal people wouldn’t be able to do. There just isn’t much beyond what we allow now that would be of much help to [companies and customers].” Sasse said that animal issues can become expensive quickly, depending on the species and how long it has been there. His specialty is bat colonies, and he said that while bats don’t usually chew on things or damage exterior walls and roofs like a squirrel, rat or raccoon might, a quiet, long-established colony of bats in an attic can leave behind large quanti-

ties of guano. While the droppings aren’t necessarily harmful, Sasse said old piles can begin to grow a fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum, which can infect humans (if you’ve ever been pregnant, you’ve probably heard of histoplasmosis. It’s the disease that leads doctors to warn pregnant women against cleaning their cat’s litter box). Sasse said most Arkansans have already been exposed to the fungus because it’s common in the state, but it can have serious health complications for those with compromised immune systems. For those looking to both get an animal out and fix the damage so an infestation doesn’t reoccur, Sasse said homeowners should talk to the nuisance animal control contractor and make sure of their specialty. Depending on the contractor, he said it might turn out better (and possibly cheaper) to have the animal removed, then hire a non-animal-control carpentry

company to come fix the entry points. “You might be basically hiring somebody who is really good at catching animals to catch the animals as well as fix the damage,” he said. “There might be people who are able to fix the damage a lot cheaper who specialize in carpentry and home repair and all that. That’s kind of a different ballgame. That might be like asking a heart specialist to give you your annual physical.” The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission website has a list of about 100 nuisance animal companies around the state (which Sasse called “fairly comprehensive”) as well as links to pages that help homeowners know what kinds of questions to ask to help find a reputable nuisance animal control contractor. For more information, go to www.agfc.com/ species/Pages/SpeciesNuisanceWildlifeResources.aspx. www.arktimes.com

AUGUST 8, 2012

It’s back! Ask For These Specials Throughout August

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Curry in a Hurry 11121 North Rodney Parham Road 501.224.4567 www.curryinahurryar.com Monday - Free Appetizer with purchase of two entrees Wednesday - 1/2 off bottles of Wine Thursday - $5 Off when you spend $25 or more. Friday - Free dessert with purchase of anything. Try our weekly Lunch Buffet at $7.95 or our Sunday Dinner Buffet at $10.95 $1 Pabst Blue Ribbon 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.net Feed 2 on a 2.5 lb. Porterhouse with all the trimmings, only $48 Dugan’s Pub 401 East 3rd Street 501.244.0542 www.duganspublr.com $8.95 Fish And Chips 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 $11.50. With chicken, salmon, or shrimp for $18.50 or beef for $26.50. Gusano’s Chicago Style Pizzeria 313 President Clinton Ave. 501.374.1441 www.gusanospizza.com $7.49 Lunch Special - 8” One Topping Pizza, Side Salad and Soft Drink. Happy Hour 4-7pm - Half off appetizers, $1 off all draft beers, $2 well drinks, $2 domestic bottles. 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

Be sure to ask your server about Little Rock Restaurant Month Specials! $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 & Cosmos Thursday: Guy’s Happy Hour $2 Domestic Bottle Beer, $4 House Wine, Margaritas & Cosmos 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.

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.

Lunch M-F 11-2; Dinner M-Sat 5-10; Live Music Fri-Sat 10-1am

The Oyster Bar 3003 W. Markham 501.666.7100 www.LRoysterbar.com $2 Off Lb Of Shrimp $1 Off Half Lb Of Shrimp

Rosalia’s Family Bakery 2701 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501.319.7035 www.facebook.com/RosaliasFamilyBakery 1/2 off on Specialty Coffee Drinks

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 & Cosmos

Mexico Chiquito 13924 Cantrell Rd. 501.217.0700 www.mexicochiquito.net From $2 off to buy one get one free deals - Text 90210 For Daily Discounts & New Menu Items

Redbones Downtown 300 President Clinton Ave. 501.372.2211 www.facebook.com/Redbones-Downtown $1 Off Hurricanes. $1 Off Po Boys

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)

Rocket Twenty One Restaurant 2601 Kavanaugh Blvd., Hillcrest (501) 603-9208 www.twentyonerestaurant.com Frank’s Famous Chicken Wrap with Cayenne Sauce and Homemade Parm. Chips $6.95

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 3 course prix fixe menu $40 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. 501.227.9900 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. West End Smokehouse & Tavern 215 North Shackleford Road 501.224.7665 www.westendsmokehouse.net Free hour of Billiards with lunch or dinner purchase. 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

Arts Entertainment AND

ADAM PETERSON

IRON CREW: (From left) Mark Chiaro, Stephanie Smittle, Tiffany Phillips, Chris Terry, Stan James, J.R. Top, Jason Tedford, Andy Warr, (front) producer Billy Anderson.

HEAVY ORE A

LITTLE ROCK’S IRON TONGUE GETS IT DOWN FOR THE RECORD. BY ROBERT BELL

s far as alloys go, Little Rock’s Iron Tongue might seem to have been formed from oppositional elements. You’ve got members who play or have played in, among others, Ashtray Babyhead, Rwake, Afrodesia, Jeff Coleman & The Feeders, Booyah! Dad and Brother Andy & His Big Damn Mouth. On first blush, those groups might not seem to have much in common. Hell, they don’t have much in common on second or third blush. But you wouldn’t guess it to hear Iron Tongue. The band sounds like a cohesive, ass-kicking blues-rock machine. Their take on the blues is far removed from the sort of paint-by-numbers, scrunch-faced 12-bar wankery made to soundtrack the happy hour patio drinking of leatherclad Baby Boomers. No, Iron Tongue plays bludgeoning, brooding, swaggering, crushingly loud songs of pain that share musical DNA with the likes of Blue Cheer, Cactus, Deep Purple and The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation. They swing with the tempo of a dude who’s on his way to deliver a much-deserved ass-whoopin’ but who’s taking his time about getting there. Exhibit A: Iron Tongue recently released a split 7” EP with Memphis power trio The Dirty Streets (who Iron Tongue opens for at Stickyz on Aug. 8). Their side of the vinyl is taken up by a soulful, utterly transformative cover of “Two Timer” by Kiss, revealing a depth and pain that the original, classic though it is, can’t touch. Back in late June, the members of Iron Tongue were entrenched in guitarist Jason Tedford’s Wolfman Studios in midtown Little Rock, recording their debut full-length with producer and engineer Billy Anderson. Anderson’s CV reads like a who’s who of the most critically respected and innovative heavy bands of the last two decades, including The Melvins, Neurosis, Sleep, Eyehategod and another Arkansas band, Deadbird. Most of the basic tracking was done by the time I got 22

AUGUST 8, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

there. Tedford, guitarist Mark Chiaro and singer Chris Terry — known to everybody as CT — were hanging out at the studio with friends. Anderson was working his magic at the mixing board, listening with furrowed brow, playing the same section back over and over, dropping the level on one track, raising it on another. He called CT over to sit down and give it a listen. The song — a cover of Free’s “Fire and Water” — sounded incredible blasting out of the speakers. There were a lot of nodding heads. The chorus features singers Tiffany Phillips and Stephanie Smittle, and the power of their singing can’t be overemphasized. It’s a room-filling, goose bump-raising sound. The two have performed live with the band, but Robinson moved to St. Louis recently and Smittle has several other projects going on, including her pop/jazz ensemble The Smittle Band, so getting them together can be logistically challenging. “It was awesome, because they’d never really worked together before they got in the studio, but they both speak the same language,” Tedford said. “They’re probably more competent musicians in their instrument as vocalists than we are in our own instruments. They both really could communicate well. They were like peas in a pod.” Tedford and CT said they’re very happy with the way the record sounds. CT had hung out and partied with Anderson quite a bit over the years, but had never worked with him in a professional capacity. “It was completely different,” CT said. “It was like night and day. He’s one of those guys that can party ’til the cows come home, but when he’s working, he’s a real serious dude.” It was also work that had to be completed in a relatively short span of time, as Anderson was in town for nine days. But even with the time constraints, “Billy was extremely laid back and really went with it and let us kind of go more or less on our own instincts,” Tedford said. Mastering for the record was recently finished, and

it’s scheduled to be released in mid-February on Neurot Recordings, the label founded by Oakland’s Neurosis, a group that has probably done as much or more than any other band in the last 25 years to advance the scope and the language of heavy music. CT had first connected with Scott Kelly, guitarist and vocalist for Neurosis, via his other band, Rwake. Neurosis was “like the Bible” for Rwake, CT said, so the idea that his musical heroes were considering releasing a record from one of his bands, that they were all listening to it and that they all gave it the thumbs up was a pretty heavy deal. “It’s been intense to deal with those dudes,” he said, “just being heroes and all.” “I got a surprise text from them saying, ‘We love the album,’ instead of me hunting them down and being like, ‘Did you like it? Did you like it?’ So that was cool,” he said. Via e-mail, Steve Von Till, guitarist and vocalist for Neurosis, also seemed pleased with the final results, calling the album “a solid slab of balls to the wall shameless rock with a power and an edge and soul that rarely exists in music today.” Every release on Neurot must be approved by all members of the band. Neurosis is an autonomous outfit that has always blazed its own trail, so naturally its approach to running a record label is going to be similarly independent and free of BS and trend-chasing. “We are always seeking passion and emotional intensity, no matter what the style of music may be. That is the common thread and unspoken spirit connection between all the albums we have released,” Von Till said. “The music has to move us, it has to move us in some way. When we first heard Iron Tongue’s demo recordings and jam tapes, even though it was a bit different than anything we have released stylistically, we knew instantly that it was right for us. Their music oozes the sound of men who belong to a certain place and have absorbed the musical history of the region and the emotional landscape of their home.”

arktimes.com

A&E NEWS IF THERE’S ONE THING THE TIMES

HEY THERE ALL YOU MUSICIANS

Create your Business

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Visit the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, Your First Point of Contact.

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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.

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

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IN THE AREA, could you use a cool $1,000 and a 90-minute set playing in front of thousands of people at this year’s State Fair? Of course you could. Well you are in luck, because Vino’s, the Times and the Arkansas State Fair are hosting “Back Room to the Main Stage,” in which three bands per night will compete on Aug. 30, Sept. 6 and Sept. 13, with the winning band from each night going on to the final round, Sept. 20. Each night of the competition is at Vino’s. The winner of the final round will nab the aforementioned stack of 10 hundos and will also get to play a full set on Oct. 17. The contest is open to any band. A cover song here or there is kosher, but most of the tunes should be original. To enter, either mail a CD to the address below (or drop one off) or email your songs to geccoinc@mail.com or vinosbooking@gmail.com. Deadline is Aug. 25. Here’s that address: Arkansas State Fair Office, 2600 Howard Street, Little Rock, AR 72206.

• LuNch specIaLs aND hOmemaDe sOup • hOmemaDe suNDay BuffeTT

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KNOWS about our readers, it’s that they love some live music. If there’s another thing the Times knows about our readers, it’s that they love some food and drink. So it would follow that Times readers would really love a chartered bus to an excellent music festival, with live music and drinks en route to said music festival and a stop for some delicious nosh on the way, right? Well it just so happens that at 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 5, the Times wagon train will depart for Jonesboro for the second annual Johnny Cash Music Festival, featuring The Civil Wars, Dierks Bentley, Rosanne Cash and Willie Nelson. The very next morning at 10 a.m., another bus will head over to Helena for the King Biscuit Blues Festival, featuring headliner Bonnie Raitt, plus The Cate Brothers, The James Cotton Band and a multitude of others. There’ll be a stopover for lunch at Craig’s Barbecue in De Valls Bluff, as well as on-board drinks and music. Both buses will return after the concerts, both are $99 and include tickets, food and drinks.

Whether you’re looking to….

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ROCK CANDY

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AUGUST 8, 2012

THE TO-DO

LIST

BY ROBERT BELL

WEDNESDAY 8/8

FRIDAY 8/10

RANDY ROGERS AND WADE BOWEN

‘SOUTHERN CROSS’

7:30 p.m. The Weekend Theater. $12-$16.

9 p.m. Revolution. $25.

This is being billed as Round VI of the “Hold My Beer and Watch This” tour, in which Texas Red Dirt giants Randy Rogers of San Marcos and Wade Bowen of New Braunfels join forces to showcase their tunes acoustically. They’ll often tell the story of how a particular song came into existence, offering fans a glimpse behind the songwriting process. Rogers and his band have a new album coming out soon called “Trouble.” The album’s lead single, “One More Sad Song,” was released last week. Bowen’s latest is “The Given,” 10 tracks of his hybrid classic rock, country and thoughtful singer/ songwriter fare. This is an 18-and-older show.

WEDNESDAY 8/8

SOULFLY

9 p.m. Juanita’s. $20.

Guitarist and vocalist Max Cavalera formed Soulfly back in the mid ’90s after splitting from Sepultura, the enormously popular Brazilian metal band he’d co-founded. While his work with Sepultura looms large in metal history, Cavalera has nonetheless carved out a distinct space and his own legacy in the landscape of heaviness with Soulfly and his other band, Cavalera Conspiracy (which features his brother Igor Cavalera on drums). The band’s latest album, “Enslaved,” is a particularly brutal slab of harsh vocals, relentless double bass drumming and crushing riffage. This show is a stop on what’s billed as “The Maximum Cavalera Tour,” which seems appropriate given that the opening bands — Lody Kong and Incite — include his sons Igor, Zyon and Richard. It’s important to note that the very next day after this show, Soulfly is headed up to Cave-in-Rock, Ill., to play The Gathering of the Juggalos, described by a dude on the festival’s promo video as “a safe haven of free thinking.” On the Soulfly website, Cavalera elaborated: “It’s a challenge and at the same time it’s an honor that they specifically asked for Soulfly to play at the festival. We’re gonna give our best show possible and we’re going to [eff] [stuff] up at the Gathering of the Juggalos.” So good luck and Godspeed to the members of Soulfly as they face the uncertainty and high potential for chaos that’s always lurking at the Gathering. Oh, and dudes, if they start tumping over Portapotties, just get the hell out of there as quickly as possible. 24

AUGUST 8, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

SOUTHERN STORY: The Weekend Theater’s production of “Southern Cross” opens Friday and stars (standing, from left) Joe Ochterbeck, Doug Kilgore, Byron Taylor, Malcom Glover, (seated, from left) Shanika Thompson, Drew Ellis and Madison Hannahs.

This work, by playwright Jon Klein, is an epic that spans many decades of Southern history, touching on major figures and happenings, as well as lesser-known events. According to a synopsis of the play, some of the more familiar stories it tells are of Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman’s march to the sea, the rise and fall of the legendary Louisiana politician and populist firebrand Huey Long and the Civil Rights struggles of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, Ala. Among others, the play stars Byron Taylor as Long, KUAR reporter Malcolm Glover as King and Joe Ochterbeck as Elvis Presley. The Weekend Theater’s production, directed by Frank O. Butler, runs Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. through Aug. 25.

SATURDAY 8/11

ARKANSAS BOOK AND PAPER SHOW

9 a.m. Jacksonville Community Center. $5.

OK, so I suppose that some awful day in the (hopefully distant) future, the printing presses will shut down and everything anyone reads will be on some sort of glowing screen on a device that’s so magical and hightech that my feeble imagination can’t

even conceive of it. But until then, there will still be those old souls who want to have it on a physical format, be it vinyl, cassette, 8-track or CD for the music heads or hardbound, paperback or book-on-tape for the bibliophiles. If you’re the sort who fits that description, you might want to head to the 27th annual Arkansas Book and Paper Show, which “promises to be an exciting event for collectors, historians, and those who want to view

museum quality materials all available for purchase,” said Jeff Baskin, show director in a press release. “Many dealers are from out of state, bringing with them postcards, rare books, leather-bound books, printed ephemera, maps, children’s books and much more.” Sounds like a good time for book geeks, obsessive map collectors and other assorted lovers of the printed word. The show continues Sunday, opening at 10 a.m.

inestimable 13th Floor Elevators, as well as the slightly more recent sturm und drang of Loop, The Spacemen 3 and the like. In other words, if you’re looking for a dark, druggy, droning, churning, Farfisa-fied fuzz fiesta, The Black Angels have your fix. The band is on tour with Seattle’s Night Beats, a three-piece that trucks in similarly reverb-drenched dark psych, with

lots of pounding drums, scorching guitar licks and a generally acid-fried vibe. Opening up the show is Brut Choir, featuring Everett Hagen and Arkansas expat Jimmy Spice. The two create an awesomely foreboding, claustrophobic sort of coldwave that reminds me of “Sparks in a Dark Room” by Belgian gloom-meisters Minny Pops.

SATURDAY 8/11

THE BLACK ANGELS

9 p.m. Stickyz. $12 adv., $15 day of.

Austin, Texas, fuzz-merchants The Black Angels have spent the last several years creating pitch-perfect drone-y psych that pulls equally from the vintage psychedelic sounds of such timeless influences as the Velvets, Jefferson Airplane and the

IN BRIEF

WEDNESDAY 8/8

If you have a hankering for a fauxJapanese psych/surf rock band that shreds like Man or Astroman? jamming with the Trans Am, look no further than Vino’s, which hosts Birmingham, Ala., quartet Daikaiju, 9 p.m. Texas singer/songwriter Hayes Carll plays White Water Tavern with Adam Faucett, 9 p.m., $20.

SATURDAY 8/11

ANTHONY HAMILTON

8 p.m. Robinson Center Music Hall. $61-$71.

Anthony Hamilton might have gotten his start as a background singer (for D’Angelo), but in the nearly 10 years since his breakout album, “Comin’ From Where I’m From,” he’s proven many times over that he fully deserves his place in the spotlight. Hamilton has released six full-length albums of solid, highly acclaimed neo-soul that sounds fresh and contemporary, but at the same time hints at some lost-treasure Southern soul album that was criminally overlooked. He’s got a voice that can shift from honey sweet to world-weary in the span of a moment and that has drawn numerous comparisons to the great Bill Withers. If you like contemplative, gritty R&B in the vein of Donny Hathaway, Bobby Womack or D’Angelo, don’t skip out on this one. Opening the show is Detroit singer K’Jon.

THURSDAY 8/9

For gritty, soulful rock and classic cover songs, Brown Soul Shoes should do nicely, 7 p.m., The Tavern, free. Ginsu Wives play what is sure to be an evening of debauched rock ’n’ roll excess at White Water Tavern, with Austin, Texas, power-sleaze act Hamburguesa (featuring former Ginsu Wife Goose), 9:30 p.m., $5. The Goodtime Ramblers rumble into Laman Library for a free show, 7 p.m. The Joint has Se7en Sharp, Interstate Buffalo and Laney Wade, 9 p.m., $5. Memphis blooze-rockers The Dirty Streets play Maxine’s, with an opening act in the form of a solo Brother Andy, 8 p.m., free. SOUL SINGER: Neo-soul favorite Anthony Hamilton plays at Robinson Center Music Hall Saturday night.

TUESDAY 8/14

THE CHRIS ROBINSON BROTHERHOOD

9 p.m. Revolution. $17 adv., $20 day of.

Besides possessing one of the greatest voices in rock music, Chris Robinson exudes amiable hippie charm like nobody else. But behind that laid-back exterior lies a restless spirit with a tireless work ethic. With The Black Crowes once again on hiatus, co-founder Robinson is heeding the call of the endless golden road with his new crew, The Chris Robinson Brotherhood. Back in June, the band released “Big Moon Ritual,” seven tracks of gorgeous, meandering, Dead-inspired rock and roll. The shortest song clocks in at a shade over 7 minutes, but the record never drags. “I think I’ll take my own sweet time,” Robinson sings on opener “Tulsa Yesterday.” He and the band proceed to do just that. There’s soulful funk aplenty, but overall, the CRB has a way more cosmic kinda vibe going on than the Crowes. The echoing, outer space-gurgling midway through “Rosalee” wouldn’t sound out of place on a Gong record, and the synthesizer that pops its head up

FRIDAY 8/10

Lookout now, because outlaw country legend David Allan Coe is coming to town for an 18-andolder show at Revolution, 9 p.m., $20. Downtown Music Hall hosts the Quit Your Band and Get a Job Tour, featuring A Plea for Purging, As Hell Retreats, Soundcult and Every Knee Shall Bow, 6 p.m., $12 adv., $15 at door. The Old State House Museum has a Salute to Louis Jordan, with a screening of “Is You Is: A Louis Jordan Story” and a live set from The Greasy Greens, 5 p.m., free. Memphis retro-rockers extraordinaire John Paul Keith & The One Four Fives return to White Water Tavern, with The Memphis Dawls, 10 p.m., $7. For a night of feisty indie rock, check out The Tricks and Tsar Bomba at The Town Pump, 9:30 p.m., $3.

SATURDAY 8/11 COSMIC BROTHERS: The Chris Robinson Brotherhood plays at Revolution Tuesday night.

throughout the record sounds like 1971. Not like something recorded in 1971, like the year 1971 itself. There’s a real subdued middle section, with the beautiful “Reflections on a Broken Mirror” and the forlorn “Beware, Oh Take Care.” “Big Moon Ritual” is a fantastic album, but it’s not exactly party music. If you’re looking for a soundtrack to some skinny-dipping

at the swimming hole with a couple of cases of beer and a bunch of your best friends, that worn-out cassette copy of “The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion” will do fine just like always. But if you need the perfect companion for getting lost in thought on a long, late-night drive by yourself, definitely pick up “Big Moon Ritual.” This is an 18-and-older show.

CCM giants Newsboys are at Magic Springs’ Timberwood Amphitheater, 7:30 p.m., $30-$65. The Top of the Rock Chorus presents “Hot August Night: Fireworks!” at UALR’s University Theatre, 7 p.m., $15-$25. Local country stalwart Ryan Couron plays Shooter’s Sports Bar & Grill, 5 p.m., $5. Anybody looking for a hearty toke of heavily Mary Jane-influenced circus-rap insanity will surely find it with Muck Sticky, who plays Juanita’s with Taco & Da Mofos, 9 p.m., $8. The Muck-man and crew also play at Maxine’s on Sunday, 8 p.m., $7. www.arktimes.com

AUGUST 8, 2012

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, AUGUST 8 Acoustic Open Mic. The Afterthought, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www. afterthoughtbar.com. Chris DeClerk. Cajun’s Wharf, 5 p.m., $5 cover after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-3755351. www.cajunswharf.com. Daikaiju. Vino’s. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com. The Dirty Streets, Iron Tongue, Peckerwolf. 18-and-older. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9:30 p.m., $5. 107 Commerce St. 501372-7707. www.stickyz.com. Gil Franklin & Friends. Holiday Inn, North Little Rock, first Tuesday, Wednesday of every month. 120 W. Pershing Blvd., NLR. Grim Muzik presents Way Back Wednesdays. Cornerstone Pub & Grill, 8:30 p.m. 314 Main St., NLR. 501-374-1782. cstonepub.com. Hayes Carll, Adam Faucett. White Water Tavern, 9 p.m., $20. 2500 W. 7th. 501-375-8400. www. whitewatertavern.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. Mad Conductor. Downtown Music Hall, 8 p.m., $8. 211 W. Capitol. 501-376-1819. downtownmusichall.com. Randy Rogers & Wade Bowen — Hold My Beer & Watch This Tour. 18-and-older. Revolution, 9 p.m., $20 adv., $25 d.o.s. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom.com. Ricky David Tripp. Rocket Twenty One, 5:30 p.m. 2601 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-603-9208. www. ferneaurestaurant.com. Rodge Arnold. The Tavern Sports Grill, 7 p.m., free. 17815 Chenal Parkway. 501-830-2100. www. thetavernsportsgrill.com. Soulfly, Lody Kong, Incite. Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $18 adv., $20 at door. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www.juanitas.com. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 5 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www.capitalhotel.com/CBG.

COMEDY

The Joint Venture. Improv comedy group. The Joint, 8 p.m., $5. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com. Robert Hawkins. The Loony Bin, 8 p.m.; Aug. 9, 8 p.m., $7. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.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 26

AUGUST 8, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

JERED SCOTT

MUSIC

CATCHY POP: Ohio’s Relient K brings impossibly catchy CCM pop-punk to Juanita’s, with opening act Hellogoodbye, 10 p.m., $16 adv., $18 day of. 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.

CLASSES

Artists by Destination: Summer Series Session No. 2. Speaker: Director of Curatorial David Houston. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, 6:30 p.m.; Aug. 15, 6:30 p.m.; Aug. 22, 6:30 p.m., $30. 600 Museum Way, Bentonville. 479418-5700. crystalbridges.org. Drawing in the Galleries: Sketching Crystal Bridges through Architectural Design. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., $10 per session. 10% discount for members. 600 Museum Way, Bentonville. 479-418-5700. crystalbridges.org.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 9

MUSIC

7 Toed Pete (headliner), Darril Edwards (happy hour). Cajun’s Wharf, 5 and 9 p.m., $5 cover after 8:30pm. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351.

www.cajunswharf.com. Achewater. Thirst n’ Howl. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www.thirst-n-howl.com. “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. Brown Soul Shoes. The Tavern Sports Grill, 7 p.m., free. 17815 Chenal Parkway. 501-830-2100. www.thetavernsportsgrill.com. The Dirty Streets, Brother Andy Solo. 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. 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 Grill, 6-9 p.m. 5805 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-9956. www.browningsmexicangrill.com. Hamburguesa, Ginsu Wives. White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m., $5. 2500 W. 7th. 501-3758400. www.whitewatertavern.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. Markham Street Grill And Pub, 8:30 p.m., free. 11321 W. Markham St. 501-2242010. www.markhamst.com.

Karaoke. Zack’s Place, 8 p.m. 1400 S. University Ave. 501-664-6444. 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. Last Band Standing: Burning Waco, This Holy House. Revolution, 9 p.m., free over 21, $5 under 21. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-8230090. revroom.com. Live at Laman: Goodtime Ramblers. Laman Library, 7 p.m., free. 2801 Orange St., NLR. 501758-1720. www.lamanlibrary.org. Mornin’ Old Sport. Vino’s. 923 W. 7th St. 501375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com. Port Arthur Band. Parrot Beach Cafe, 9 p.m. 9611 MacArthur Drive, NLR. 771-2994. Se7en Sharp, Interstate Buffalo, Laney Wade. 21-and-older. The Joint, 9 p.m., $5. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 5 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www.capitalhotel.com/CBG.

COMEDY

Robert Hawkins. The Loony Bin, 8 p.m., $7. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.com.

DANCE

The Arts in Motion: Tango. Arkansas Arts Center, through May 9: second Thursday of every month, 7 p.m., $10, free for members. 501 E. 9th St. 501-372-4000. www.arkarts.com.

EVENTS

Arkansas Foodbank Summer Feeding Sites. See Aug. 8. Dog Days of Summer Kick-Off Party. Benefiting Centers for Youth and Families. Live performance by Boom Kinetic, beverages compliments of Glazers, and hors d’oeuvres courtesy of Whole Foods Market. Bess Chisum Stephens Community Center, 7 p.m. 12th & Cleveland streets. Gallery Talk: Forms of Color and Music by Romare Bearden. Speaker: Public Programs Coordinator Sara Segerlin. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, 1 p.m. 600 Museum Way, Bentonville. 479-418-5700. crystalbridges. org. Pleasant Ridge Town Center Shop & Sip. Pleasant Ridge Town Center, 7:30 p.m. Cantrell Rd., just west of I-430. www.schickels.com/directory.htm. Watermelon Festival. Events include the Watermelon Idol Talent Contest on Thursday, performances by Allen Frizzell and Night Hawk on Friday and a performance by Easton Corbin and Logan Mize on Saturday. Aug. 9, 12 p.m.; Aug. 10, 9 a.m.; Aug. 11, 9 a.m., $6-$20. Fair Park Drive, Hope. 870-777-3640. www.hopemelonfest.com.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 10

MUSIC

Adam Faucett & The Tall Grass, Bravo, Max!, Damn Arkansan. 21-and-older. Maxine’s, 8 p.m., $5 adv., $7 at door. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. www.maxinespub.com. Adrenaline (headliner), Tiffany Christopher (happy hour). Cajun’s Wharf, 5 and 9 p.m., $5 cover after 8:30pm. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-

EVERY NIGHT HAS POTENTIAL.

COMEDY

The Main Thing. Two-act comedy play called “Little Rock and a Hard Place.” The Joint, 8 p.m., $20. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-

FILM

Film Series: “North Star: Mark di Suvero.” Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, 6:30 p.m. 600 Museum Way, Bentonville. 479-4185700. crystalbridges.org.

SPORTS

Eurekan Multisport Fest. Downtown Eureka Springs, Aug. 10-12. Downtown Eureka Springs, Eureka Springs. eurekasportsfestival.com.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 11

MUSIC

Anthony Hamilton, K’jon. Robinson Center, 8 p.m., $60.50-$70.50. 426 W. Markham St. 501376-4781. www.littlerockmeetings.com/convcenters/robinson/. The Black Angels, Night Beats, Brut Choir. 18-and-older. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9 p.m., $12 adv., $15 at door. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz.com. Cold Dark Highway. Cornerstone Pub & Grill, 9 p.m. 314 Main St., NLR. 501-374-1782. cstonepub.com. Darren Barry Trio. The Afterthought, 9 p.m., $7. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www. afterthoughtbar.com. An Evening with Grady Nichols. Arlington Hotel, 7:15 p.m., $20 adv., $25 door. 239 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-623-7771. Flash Larue Record Release Show. White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m., $5. 2500 W. 7th. 501-375-8400. www.whitewatertavern.com. The Freds. Denton’s Trotline, 7:30 p.m. 2150 Congo Road, Benton. 501-315-1717. Greatest Love. Magic Springs’ Timberwood Amphitheater, 3 p.m., free. 1701 E. Grand Ave., Hot Springs. The Intruders. The Tavern Sports Grill, 7 p.m.,

CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

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2nd Friday Art Night: A Special Salute to Louis Jordan. Old State House Museum, 5 p.m., free. 500 Clinton Ave. 501-324-9685. www. oldstatehouse.com. Arkansas Foodbank Summer Feeding Sites. See Aug. 8. 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. Political Animals Club: Congressman Mike Ross. Reservations required. Full breakfast will be served. Wyndham Riverfront Hotel, 7 a.m., $20 per person. 2 Riverfront Place, NLR. 501371-9000. www.wyndham.com. Second Annual Dr. Curtis Ridout Scholarship Fund Banquet. Greater Second Baptist Church, 7 p.m., $50. 5615 Geyer Springs Road. 501-5699988. www.greatersecond.org. Watermelon Festival. See Aug. 9. Zoo Story Time. Little Rock Zoo, through Aug. 31: 10 a.m. 1 Jonesboro Dr. 501-666-2406. www. littlerockzoo.com.

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AUGUST 8, 2012

Pub: Arkansas Times

EVENTS

free. 17815 Chenal Parkway. 501-830-2100. www. thetavernsportsgrill.com. Jet 420 (headliner), Jeff Madden (happy hour). Cajun’s Wharf, 5 and 9 p.m., $5 cover after 8:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www. cajunswharf.com. Karaoke at Khalil’s. Khalil’s Pub, 7 p.m. 110 S. Shackleford Road. 501-224-0224. www.khalilspub.com. 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. KSSN 96 FM Presents: Texaco Country Showdown. Featuring Greg Gardner and Voodoo Cowboy Revolution, 8 p.m., $10. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom. com. KUAF Summer Jazz Series: Vic Juris. Walton Arts Center, 8 p.m., $26-$31. 495 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479-443-5600. Maxine’s All That Jazz, Chuck Dodson Trio. 21-and-older. Maxine’s, 7 p.m., $5. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. www.maxinespub.com. Mondo Boogie. West End Smokehouse and Tavern, 10 p.m., $5. 215 N. Shackleford. 501-2247665. www.westendsmokehouse.net. Muck Sticky, Taco & Da Mofos. Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $8. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-3721228. www.juanitas.com. Myron Flilppin Vocal Recital. The Auditorium, 7:30 p.m. 36 Main St., Eureka Springs. Newsboys. Magic Springs’ Timberwood Amphitheater, 7:30 p.m., $30-$65. 1701 E. Grand Ave., Hot Springs. The Pauly D Projects, DJ Biggie, JROC. DJ Brandon Peck, Big Shane Thornton Band, Dominique Sanchez & The Disco Drag Queens, VJ Kramer. Discovery Nightclub, 9 p.m., $8-$15. 1021 Jessie Road. 501-664-4784. www.latenightdisco.com. Pickin’ Porch. Bring your instrument. All ages welcome. Faulkner County Library, 9:30 a.m. 1900 Tyler St., Conway. 501-327-7482. www. fcl.org. Raj Arnold. Flying Saucer, 9 p.m. 323 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-8032. www.beerknurd. com/stores/littlerock. Ryan Couron. Shooter’s Sports Bar & Grill, 5 p.m., $5. 9500 I-30. 501-565-4003. www.shooterslittlerock.com. Songwriter Showcase: Brian Martin, Poor Ol Uncle Fatty, Andrew Anderson, Anthony Watkins II. 21-and-older. Maxine’s, 8 p.m., $5 adv., $7 at door. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. www.maxinespub.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. Tool vs. Pantera. Featuring Far Beyond Driven, Opiate and BKI Alice in Chains Tribute George’s Majestic Lounge, 9 p.m. 519 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479-442-4226. Top of the Rock Chorus presents: “Hot August Night: Fireworks!” UALR University Theatre, 7 p.m., $15-$25. 2801 South Unversity Ave. www. topoftherockchorus.org. The Woodies. Markham Street Grill And Pub, 8:30 p.m., free. 11321 W. Markham St. 501-2242010. www.markhamst.com.

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0205. thejointinlittlerock.com. Robert Hawkins. The Loony Bin, 8 and 10:30 p.m., $10. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.com.

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375-5351. www.cajunswharf.com. Almost InFamous. Hibernia Irish Tavern, 8:30 p.m., free. 9700 N Rodney Parham Road. 501246-4340. www.hiberniairishtavern.com. The Bel Airs, Mississippi Fever. George’s Majestic Lounge, 6 and 7 p.m. 519 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479-442-4226. Boom Kinetic. 18-and-older. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9:30 p.m., $10. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz.com. Brown Soul Shoes. Markham Street Grill And Pub, 8:30 p.m., free. 11321 W. Markham St. 501224-2010. www.markhamst.com. Chris Henry. Flying Saucer, 9 p.m. 323 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-8032. www.beerknurd. com/stores/littlerock. David Allan Coe. 18-and-older. Revolution, 9 p.m., $20. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-8230090. revroom.com. DJ Silky Slim. Top 40 and dance music. Sway, 9 p.m., $5. 412 Louisiana. 501-907-2582. An Evening with the Distinguished Gentlemen. Performances by Rodney Block & The Real Music Lovers. Club Trois, 9 p.m., $10 g.a., $15 reserved seating. 4314 Asher Ave. 501-529-1681. Fauxnz, Send and Return, Friday, Maybe Saturday. George’s Majestic Lounge, 10 p.m. 519 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479-442-4226. “The Flow Fridays.” Twelve Modern Lounge, 8 p.m. 1900 W. Third St. 501-301-1200. Flying Balloon-O Brothers. Thirst n’ Howl. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www.thirst-n-howl. com. Free Verse. The Afterthought, 9 p.m., $7. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbar.com. John Paul Keith & The One Four Fives, The Memphis Dawls. White Water Tavern, 10 p.m., $7. 2500 W. 7th. 501-375-8400. www.whitewatertavern.com. Mayday by Midnight. Denton’s Trotline, 9 p.m. 2150 Congo Road, Benton. 501-315-1717. Moonshine Mafia. The Tavern Sports Grill, 7 p.m., free. 17815 Chenal Parkway. 501-830-2100. www.thetavernsportsgrill.com. Quit Your Band and Get a Job Tour. Performances by A Plea for Purging, As Hell Retreats and Soundcult. Downtown Music Hall, 6 p.m., $12 adv., $15 at door. 211 W. Capitol. 501-376-1819. downtownmusichall.com. Relient K, Hellogoodbye. Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $16. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www. juanitas.com. Salute to Louis Jordan. Featuring The Greasy Greens. Old State House Museum, 5 p.m., free. 500 Clinton Ave. 501-324-9685. www.oldstatehouse.com. Sensory 2. West End Smokehouse and Tavern, 10 p.m., $5. 215 N. Shackleford. 501-224-7665. www.westendsmokehouse.net. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 9 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-374-7474. www.capitalhotel.com/CBG. Tho’d Studio presents South Side Reggie. Cornerstone Pub & Grill, 9 p.m. 314 Main St., NLR. 501-374-1782. cstonepub.com. The Tricks, Tsar Bomba. Town Pump, 9:30 p.m., $3. 1321 Rebsamen Park Road. 501-663-9802. “YOLO.” Featuring four DJs and beach volleyball, 18-and-older. Flying DD, $5. 4601 S. University. 501-773-9990. flyingdd.com.

AFTER DARK, CONT.

COMEDY

The Main Thing. Two-act comedy play called “Little Rock and a Hard Place.” The Joint, 8 p.m., $20. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-3720205. thejointinlittlerock.com. Robert Hawkins. The Loony Bin, 7, 9 and 11 p.m., $10. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-2285555. www.loonybincomedy.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.

EVENTS

Argenta Farmers Market. Argenta, 7 a.m.-12 p.m. Main Street, NLR. Artinfusion Event: Artmazing Race. Open to members of the artinfusion affinity group and their guests. Pre-registration required by August 9. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, 4 p.m. 600 Museum Way, Bentonville. 479-4185700. crystalbridges.org. Celebration for Brother Miles Harshaw. Glenview Community Center, 5 p.m. 4800 E 19th Street, NLR. 501-945-2921. *DIVAS Inc. 2nd Annual Kick-Off Soiree. Guest speaker: Sen. Joyce Elliott. RSVP required. Arkansas Studies Institute, 2 p.m., $10 donation. 401 President Clinton Ave. 501-320-5700. www.butlercenter.org. Falun Gong meditation. Allsopp Park, 9 a.m., free. Cantrell & Cedar Hill Roads. Gallery stroll. Downtown Eureka Springs. 479253-7679. Garden Gourmet. Cooking demonstrations will feature various recipes incorporating two Arkansas in-season produce selections. River Market Pavilions, Aug. 11, 9 a.m.; Sept. 8, 9 a.m.; Oct. 13, 9 a.m., free. 400 President Clinton Ave. 501-375-2552. www.rivermarket.info. Helena Second Saturdays. Art and music along historic Cherry Street in downtown Helena. Through Sept. 8: second Saturday of every month, 5-8 p.m. 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. Super Summer Saturdays. Free family event celebrating baseball. Clinton Presidential Center, 10 a.m., free. 1200 President Clinton Ave. 3708000. www.clintonpresidentialcenter.org. Watermelon Festival. See Aug. 9.

SPORTS

Eurekan Multisport Fest. Downtown Eureka

Springs, through Aug. 12. Downtown Eureka Springs, Eureka Springs. eurekasportsfestival.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. 501-4140368.

BOOKS

27th Annual Arkansas Book and Paper Show. Jacksonville Community Center, 9 a.m., $5. 5 Municipal Drive, Jacksonville. Author D. K. Caldwell Book Signing Event. Hastings, 1 p.m. 1360 Old Morrilton Hwy., Conway. 501-329-1108.

CLASSES

Herbs and Spices with Robert Hall. Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, 10 a.m. p.m., $80. 1 Rockefeller Drive, Morrilton. 727-5435. www. uawri.org.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 12

MUSIC

Greatest Love. Magic Springs’ Timberwood Amphitheater, 12:30 p.m., free. 1701 E. Grand Ave., Hot Springs. 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 ‎. Live from the Back Room. Vino’s, 7 p.m. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com. Muck Sticky, Taco & Da Mofos. 21-and-older. Maxine’s, 8 p.m., $7. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. www.maxinespub.com. Point of Grace. Magic Springs’ Timberwood Amphitheater, 7:30 p.m., $30-$65. 1701 E. Grand Ave., Hot Springs. School Boy Humor, Voted Most Random, Six Stories Told, The Drive. Revolution, 7:30 p.m., $10. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-8230090. revroom.com. Summer Concert Series: It’s About Time. 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 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.vinosbrew-

pub.com.

LECTURES

Great Hall Lecture Series: Revealing the Artist’s Story through Documentary Film. Presented by Los Angeles-based Filmmaker Dale Schierholt. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, 2 p.m., free with online reservations. 600 Museum Way, Bentonville. 479418-5700. daleschierholt.com.

SPORTS

Eurekan Multisport Fest. Downtown Eureka Springs, through. Downtown Eureka Springs, Eureka Springs. eurekasportsfestival.com.

BOOKS

27th Annual Arkansas Book and Paper Show. Jacksonville Community Center, 10 a.m., $5. 5 Municipal Drive, Jacksonville.

MONDAY, AUGUST 13

MUSIC

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. Evans Blue, The Vail, State Your Cause. Downtown Music Hall, 7:30 p.m., $10 adv., $12 at door. 211 W. Capitol. 501-376-1819. downtownmusichall.com. Irish Traditional Music Session. Khalil’s Pub, Fourth and second Monday of every month, 7 p.m. 110 S. Shackleford Road. 501-224-0224. www.khalilspub.com. Jazz@Afterthought featuring Julia Buckingham Quartet. The Afterthought, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-6631196. www.afterthoughtbar.com. Karaoke. Thirst n’ Howl, 8:30 p.m. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www.thirst-nhowl.com. Reggae Nites. Featuring DJ Hy-C playing roots, reggae and dancehall. Pleazures Martini and Grill Lounge, 6 p.m., $7-$10. 1318 Main St. 501-376-7777. www.facebook.com/pleazures.bargrill. Richie Johnson. Cajun’s Wharf, 5 p.m., $5 cover after 8:30pm. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-3755351. 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.

EVENTS

Argenta Restaurant Week. Specials include $8 two-course lunch menus, and $25 threecourse, prix fixe dinner menus, along with

s d n a B k Roc

regular menus at participating restaurants. Argenta, Aug. 13-18. Main Street, NLR. Arkansas Foodbank Summer Feeding Sites. See Aug. 8. DIVAS Inc. 2nd Annual Girls Leadership & Empowerment Summit. Arkansas Studies Institute, Aug. 13-17, 9 a.m., $50. 401 President Clinton Ave. 501-320-5700 . www.butlercenter. org. Spotlight Talk: Images of Women and Books in Nineteenth-Century Paintings: What are those ladies reading? Speakers: Library Director Catherine Peterson and Chief Financial Officer Tracy Cude. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, 1 p.m. 600 Museum Way, Bentonville. 479-418-5700. crystalbridges.org. UAMS luncheon featuring animal scientist and autism activist Temple Grandin. Governor’s Mansion, $40. 1800 Center St. 501-526-4232.

SPORTS

Dog Days of Summer Golf Tournament. Benefiting Centers for Youth and Families. Payment includes golf fees, cart, practice range, and reception. Pleasant Valley Country Club, 3:30 p.m., Individual player fee: $75, 3-Man team fee: $225. 1 Pleasant Valley Drive. 501-666-9436. dbarbieri@cfyf.org.

CLASSES

Finding Family Facts. Rhonda Stewart’s genealogy research class for beginners. Arkansas Studies Institute, second Monday of every month, 3:30 p.m. 401 President Clinton Ave. 501-320-5700 . www.butlercenter.org.

KIDS

Chia Friends Session 4. For ages 5-7. Walton Arts Center, $80. 495 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479-443-5600. Youth Pottery Wheel Session 5. For ages 10 and up. Walton Arts Center, $80. 495 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479-443-5600.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 14

MUSIC

12 Stones, Smile Empty Soul, Edisun, Evacuate the City. Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $5. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www. juanitas.com. AJ Gaither. 21-and-older. Maxine’s, 8 p.m., free. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. www. maxinespub.com. Brian & Nick. Cajun’s Wharf, 5 p.m., $5 cover 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. CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

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MOVIE LISTINGS

AUG. 10-11

Market Street Cinema times at or after 9 p.m. are for Friday and Saturday only. Riverdale showtimes were not available by press deadline. Rave showtimes are valid for Friday and Saturday only. Find up-to-date listings at arktimes.com. NEW MOVIES Bourne Legacy (PG-13) – Latest in the Bourne franchise, starring Jeremy Renner and not starring Matt Damon. Breckenridge: 11:30 a.m., 4:30, 7:05, 7:35, 10:00, 10:30. Chenal 9: 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 10:00. Lakewood 8: 1:15, 4:05, 7:00, 9:50. Rave: 9:40 a.m., 12:45, 4:00, 7:15, 10:30 (XTreme), 10:15 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:30, 2:15, 4:45, 5:30, 8:00, 8:45, 11:15, midnight. The Campaign (R) – In which Ricky Bobby goes to Washington with the weird-beard from the “Hangover” films. Breckenridge: 11:50 a.m., 2:15, 4:45, 7:40, 10:10. Chenal 9: 11:30 a.m., 1:55, 4:20, 7:15, 9:45. Lakewood 8: 11:20 a.m., 1:55, 4:40, 7:35, 10:00. Rave: 10:00 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:30, 1:30, 2:45, 3:45, 5:15, 6:15, 7:30, 8:30, 9:45, 10:45. Hope Springs (PG-13) – Tommy Lee Jones and Meryl Streep try to reignite the spark of love with the help of Steve Carrell, in this lighthearted, 100-minute long Cialis commercial. Breckenridge: 11:20 a.m., 1:45, 4:20, 7:30, 9:50. Chenal 9: 11:20 a.m., 1:45, 4:10, 7:05, 9:30. Rave: 11:30 a.m., 2:00, 4:30, 7:00, 9:30, midnight. The Magic of Belle Isle (PG) – Kind of like “The Bucket List” only this time Morgan Freeman is a recovering alcoholic novelist with writer’s block. Market Street: 1:45, 4:00, 6:45, 9:00. Nitro Circus (PG-13) – The Pepsi to the Jackass series’ Coca-Cola, produced by Red Bull (not kidding). Rave: 12:35, 2:55, 5:20, 7:40, 10:00.

RETURNING THIS WEEK Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (R) – Pretty much what it sounds like, from producer Tim Burton and director Timur Bekmambetov. Movies 10: noon, 2:25, 4:50, 7:15, 9:40. The Amazing Spider Man (PG-13) – Already? It’s like, jeez, Tobey MaGuire’s Spider Man’s body ain’t even cold yet. Starring Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone. Lakewood 8: 10:30 a.m., 5:00, 8:10, 11:25. Beasts of the Southern Wild (PG-13) – Critically acclaimed story of a southern Louisiana community and a plucky young heroine. Rave: 11:10 a.m., 1:40, 4:05, 6:30, 9:00. 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. 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. Rave: 9:35 a.m. The Dark Knight Rises (PG-13) – Third gloomy Batman flick from director Christopher Nolan. Breckenridge: 11:10 a.m., 12:10, 2:50, 4:00, 6:30, 8:00, 10:00. Chenal 9: 11:40 a.m., 3:10, 6:40, 10:05 (IMAX), 1:00, 4:30, 8:00. Lakewood 8: 11:00 a.m., 2:20, 6:30, 9:50. Rave: 9:30 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 12:50, 3:20, 4:25, 7:05, 8:15, 10:40, 11:50. 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. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (PG) – Based on the children’s book series. Breckenridge: 11:25 a.m. (open-captioned), 1:50, 4:45, 7:20, 9:45. Chenal 9: 11:15 a.m., 1:45, 4:15, 7:00, 9:20.

AUGUST 8, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

‘BOURNE LEGACY’: Following Matt Damon in one of the most popular action/espionage franchises ever in a sequel that doesn’t star Matt Damon? Good luck with that, Jeremy Renner. Lakewood 8: 11:25 a.m., 1:45, 4:35, 7:15, 9:30. Rave: 10:10 a.m., 11:25 a.m., 1:50, 4:20, 6:45, 9:10. The Hunger Games (PG-13) – Teen-lit version of “The Running Man,” starring Jennifer Lawrence. Movies 10: 12:40, 3:40, 7:00, 10:00. 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, 9:55. Chenal 9: 11:05 a.m., 1:25, 7:00 (2D), 3:45, 9:25 (3D). Lakewood 8: 11:15 a.m., 1:35, 4:05, 7:20, 9:25. Rave: 1:35, 6:40 (2D), 10:50 a.m., 4:15 (3D). 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. Katy Perry: Part of Me (PG) – Yeah, but which one? Movies 10: 12:10, 2:30, 4:45, 7:10, 9:35. The Lorax (PG) – A 3D CGI adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ classic tale. Movies 10: 12:35, 2:50, 4:55, 7:35. Men in Black 3 (PG-13) – This go-round, they’ve got to travel backwards in time or something. Movies 10: 1:15, 3:45, 6:15, 8:40 (2D), 12:05, 2:35, 5:00, 7:25, 9:50 (3D). Moonrise Kingdom (PG-13) – With Ed Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand and Bruce Willis, from director Wes Anderson. Breckenridge: 11:20 a.m., 1:45, 4:20, 7:30, 9:50. 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. Movies 10: 9:45 p.m. Safety Not Guaranteed (R) – A trio of reporters follows 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. Movies 10: 12:45, 4:00, 7:05, 10:10. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (R) – Ever wondered what Steve Carrell and Keira Knightley would do if they knew the world was about to end? Movies 10: 12:25, 2:45, 5:05, 7:30, 9:55. 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, 4:10, 7:20, 10:05. Step Up Revolution (PG-13) – That’ll do, “Step Up” franchise, that’ll do. Chenal 9: 4:15, 9:40 (2D), 11:10 a.m., 1:40, 7:15 (3D). Lakewood 8: 11:30 a.m., 4:30, 9:40 (2D), 1:50, 7:25 (3D). Rave: 2:10, 7:20 (2D), 11:40 a.m., 4:50, 9:50 (3D). Ted (R) – From the mind of the inescapable Seth MacFarlane, the story of a talking teddy bear named Ted. Rave: 12:20, 3:05, 5:45, 8:50, 11:40. That’s My Boy (R) – Proof that Andy Samberg made a deal with the devil, who happens to be Adam Sandler. Movies 10: 1:00, 4:05, 7:40, 10:15. Total Recall (PG-13) – This remake might be an elaborate excuse to show the threebreasted alien lady again. Starring Colin Farrell. Breckenridge: 12:15, 4:00, 7:00, 9:40. Chenal 9: 11:00 a.m., 1:45, 4:30, 7:15, 10:00. Lakewood 8: 11:00 a.m., 1:40, 4:20, 7:05, 9:45. Rave: 9:30 a.m., 11:05 a.m., 12:10, 2:00, 3:00, 4:55, 5:50, 7:45, 8:40, 10:35, 11:30. Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Witness Protection (PG13) – Latest product churned out by the Tyler Perry machine. Rave: 9:45 a.m., 2:05, 9:20. 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, 9:50. Lakewood 8: 11:10 a.m., 1:30, 4:10, 7:10, 9:35. Rave: 12:05, 2:40, 5:10, 7:55, 11:00. 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, 758-5354, 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

Paralyzed with laughter French film offers winning look at a paraplegic and his caregiver. BY SAM EIFLING

o there’s an old joke, known better in France than here, in which a child asks his mother to get him a piece of chocolate from a high shelf. She tells him to get it himself. He reminds her that he can’t, for he hasn’t any arms. The mother’s Reaganesque reply is the punchline: “Well … no arms, no chocolate.” “The Intouchables,” the very funny drama now running sparsely in the U.S. after becoming one of the top-earning movies in French cinematic history, conveys the joke a bit differently. Driss, a charismatic petty criminal unexpectedly turned caregiver, is visiting a gallery with his employer, Philippe, a wealthy older man whom an accident has left paralyzed below his neck. After a short debate over the merits of a canvas smattered with an image of bright scarlet blood, Philippe, irritated, changes the subject by asking for one of the M&Ms Driss is munching. The young man tells him to his face, “no arms, no chocolate.” The English subtitles read “no handy, no candy.” Still, you get that Driss is having a laugh at Philippe’s expense — one of many, in fact. Against your better impulses, you too will be giggling in a paraplegic’s face. Philippe and Driss are based on two real people: Philippe Pozzo di Borgo, an aristocratic former Champagne executive who was paralyzed in 1993, and his caretaker Abdel Sellou, whose memoir of their friendship, “You Changed My Life,” inspired the film. Both the directing and screenwriting credits are shared between Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache; they favor dredging the dark humor out of Philippe’s paralysis and burnishing it to a high sheen. Philippe deadpans his grim acceptance, and welcomes Driss’ complete lack of babying — on down to the chagrined caretaker’s revulsion at the prospect of manually aiding Philippe’s bowel movements, or “ass-emptying,” as he puts it. When the phone rings, Driss hands it toward Philippe and goes back to his business. Rather than bristle, Philippe rather appreciates that Driss forgets Philippe’s incapacities. In such oversights friends are made. Though it does fall waist-deep into cliches of race and class, the story arc and tone of “The Intouchables” work more as a nontraditional romantic comedy than

‘THE INTOUCHABLES’: Omar Sy and Francois Cluzet star.

the lachrymose tear-jerker that Hollywood might’ve burped out given the same source material. Foremost, the lead actors astonish throughout. Francois Cluzet plays Philippe with a deadpan reserve that complements Omar Sy’s hyperexpressive Driss. Sy is blessed with features that fill the screen: an ample nose, a long face, a broad smile — his every expression and emotion are amplified, and yet the hilarious performance he spins also feels stealthily natural, from his irrational cockiness to a curious infatuation with Earth, Wind & Fire (exemplified in a highspeed driving sing-along to “September” in phonetic English). Early on in “The Intouchables” you won’t be certain whether you’re laughing with a quadriplegic or at him, and it’s only Philippe’s pleasure at being treated indelicately that allows the audience to relax. In an interview the real Pozzo di Borgo gave recently to the German newspaper Der Speigel, he advocated humor for anyone who, like him, owes every basic need to the good will of others. “People are afraid of us,” he said. “The only thing we can do is to seduce them, with our smiles and with our humor. Once we’ve made the connection, we’re home free. Touch us!” Perhaps if it weren’t for the famous Prohibition movie of the same name, the film’s English title would be translated as “The Untouchables,” though in every facet of the word, the film insists that no one cannot be touched. The overall effect, in its compassion and joy, is downright disarming.

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AFTER DARK, CONT. The Chris Robinson Brotherhood. 18-andolder show. Revolution, 9 p.m., $17 adv., $20 d.o.s. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. revroom.com. Evans Blue. George’s Majestic Lounge, 10 p.m. 519 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479-442-4226. In Fear and Faith, As Tall As Giants, At the Skylines, Secrets. Downtown Music Hall, 7:01 p.m., $10 adv., $12 at door. 211 W. Capitol. 501376-1819. downtownmusichall.com. 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. 501-315-1717. Lucious Spiller Band. Copeland’s, 6-9 p.m. 2602 S. Shackleford Road. 501-312-1616. www.copelandsofneworleans.com. Magic Hassle, The See. White Water Tavern, 10 p.m. 2500 W. 7th. 501-375-8400. www.whitewatertavern.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. Turbid North. 18-and-older. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9 p.m., $5. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz.com.

DANCE

“Latin Night.” Revolution, 7 p.m., $5 regular, $7 under 21. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-8230090. www.revroom.com.

EVENTS

Argenta Restaurant Week. See Aug. 13. Arkansas Foodbank Summer Feeding Sites. See Aug. 8. DIVAS Inc. 2nd Annual Girls Leadership & Empowerment Summit. Arkansas Studies Institute, through Aug. 17, 9 a.m., $50. 401 President Clinton Ave. 501-320-5700. www. butlercenter.org. The Dyslexia Project. The speaker for the event will be Becca Keith. Faulkner County Library, 7 p.m., free. 1900 Tyler St., Conway. 501-3277482. www.fcl.org. 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. 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.

FILM

“Fit 2 Live.” Screening of the 4-part HBO documentary film, “The Weight of the Nation,” followed by discussion with Fit 2 Live Coordinator Bernadette Gunn Rhodes. Laman Library, through Aug. 28: 6:30 p.m. 2801 Orange St., NLR. 501-758-1720. www.lamanlibrary.org. “The Flight of the Phoneix.” Market Street Cinema, 7 p.m., $5. 1521 Merrill Drive. 501-3128900. www.marketstreetcinema.net. Vino’s Picture Show: “The Big Lebowski.” Vino’s, 7 p.m., free. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. 32

AUGUST 8, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

www.vinosbrewpub.com.

KIDS

Wiggle Worms. A weekly program designed specifically for pre-k children (ages 6 and younger). Museum of Discovery, through Aug. 28: 10 a.m., $8-$10. 500 Clinton Ave. 396-7050, 1-800-880-6475. www.amod.org.

THIS WEEK IN THEATER

Auditions for “The Nutcracker.” 10 a.m. for children age 6, 11:30 a.m. for children ages 7-9; 1 p.m. for children ages 10-12; 2 p.m. for ages 13 and older; 3:30 p.m. for adults (for the roles of Drosselmeyer and party guests). Intermediate and advanced-level female dancers are asked to bring pointe shoes. Shuffles & Ballet II, Sat., Aug. 11, 10 a.m. 1521 Merrill Drive. 501-2239224. www.shufflesdancestudio.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 by 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. Open Auditions for Reginald Rose’s “12 Angry Men.” There will be cold readings from the script. Parts for 15 actors. The Public Theatre, Aug. 11-12, 2 p.m. 616 Center St. 501-410-2283. www.ctlr-act.org. “The Sound of Music.” Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 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. “Southern Cross.” Jon Klein’s play spans many decades of Southern history, touching on crucial events with familiar names as well as the stories of figures who, though not as renowned, played important roles in the struggle for freedom and civil rights. Directed by Frank O. Butler. The Weekend Theater, Aug. 10-11, 7:30 p.m.; Aug. 17-18, 7:30 p.m.; Aug. 24-25, 7:30 p.m., $12-$16. 1001 W. 7th St. 501-374-3761. www. weekendtheater.org.

from the Strojek Family collection, through Jan. 6, 2013; “A Collective Vision,” recent acquisitions, through March 2013. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 324-9351. OLD STATE HOUSE MUSEUM, 300 W. Markham: “Louie Jordan Tribute,” with music by the Greasy Greens and documentary “Is You Is: A Louis Jordan Story,” 5-8 p.m. Aug. 10, 2nd Friday Art Night; “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. STUDIOMAIN, 1423 S. Main St.: SOMAtters: Pop-Up Planning,” a Better Blocks event, 5-8 p.m. Aug. 10, 2nd Friday Art Night. www. studio-main.com. TERRY HOUSE COMMUNITY GALLERY, 7th and Rock: “Mid-Southern Watercolorists Annual Show,” through Sept. 9. 372-4000. UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK: “Solitude,” prints and drawings by Win Bruhl, Aug. 15-Sept. 21. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. 5693182. EUREKA SPRINGS EUREKA THYME, 19 Spring St.: Night photography of Charles Chappell, receptions 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Aug. 11, Second Saturday Gallery Stroll. 479-363-9600. ZARKS FINE DESIGN GALLERY, 67 Spring St.: Proceeds and donations to benefit Good Shepherd Humane Society, 5-9 p.m. Aug. 11, Second Saturday Gallery Stroll. 479-253-2626. HOT SPRINGS FINE ARTS CENTER, 626 Central Ave.: First annual juried photography show, through Sept. 2. 501-624-0489. MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART, 425 Central Ave.: New work by Carole Katchen, through December, reception 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sept. 13; “The Lost Highway: Constructions in Miniature by David Rose,” through Oct. 13. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tue.-Sat., noon-3 p.m. Sun. 501609-9966.

GALLERIES, MUSEUMS

SPRINGDALE ARTS CENTER OF THE OZARKS, 214 S. Main St.: 18th annual “Regional Art Exhibition,” juried show of work from 10-state area, through Aug. 30, reception 1-3 p.m. Aug. 11. 479-751-5441.

NEW EXHIBITS, ART EVENTS

CALL FOR ARTISTS

BUTLER CENTER GALLERIES, Arkansas Studies Institute: “Hope and Despair,” Farm Security Administration photographs by Dorothea Lange, Walker Evans, Ed Locke and Carl Mydans, through Sept. 29, reception 5-8 p.m. Aug. 10, 2nd Friday Art Night; “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; “Small Town: Portraits of a Disappearing America,” through Aug. 25. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.Sat. 320-5790. GALLERY 221, 2nd and Center: “Works on Canvas,” paintings by Jennifer Cox Coleman, reception 5-8 p.m. Aug. 10, 2nd Friday Art Night. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri. 801-0211. HISTORIC ARKANSAS MUSEUM, 200 E. Third St.: “Arkansas Contemporary: Selected Fellows from the Arkansas Arts Council,” work by 17 artists, including work by David Bailin, Aj Smith, Kevin Kresse, Baxter Knowlton, Kristin Musgnug, Catherine Siri Nugent and others, opens with reception and music by the Pickoids 5-8 p.m. Aug. 10, 2nd Friday Art Night, show through Nov. 4; “Barbie Doll: The 11 ½-inch American Icon,”

The Fine Arts Center of Hot Springs is accepting entries for its “Self Portraits” exhibition set for Oct. 5-27 at the Arts Center, 626 Central Ave. No entry fee; deadline to enter is Sept. 10. For a prospectus and more information go to hsfac.com. 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. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. 372-4000. 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. 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. 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, through Aug. 25. 758-1720. J.W. WIGGINS NATIVE AMERICAN ART GALLERY, University Plaza, Suite 500: “Medicine and Magic,” work by Robert Taylor, paintings, through Aug. 17, Sequoyah National Research Center. 569-8336.

ONGOING MUSEUM EXHIBITS

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL MUSEUM VISITOR CENTER, Bates and Park: Exhibits on the 1957 desegregation of Central and the civil rights movement. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily. 374-1957. CLINTON PRESIDENTIAL CENTER, 1200 President Clinton Ave.: “Play Ball! The St. Louis Cardinals,” memorabilia, including World Series trophies, rings and Stan Musial’s restored 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. MacARTHUR MUSEUM OF ARKANSAS MILITARY HISTORY, MacArthur Park: “Vietnam: America’s Conflict,” other military exhibits. 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,” through Jan. 5, 2013; permanent exhibits on AfricanAmerican entrepreneurial history in Arkansas. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat. 683–3593. MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY, 500 President Clinton Ave.: “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. More gallery and museum listings at www.arktimes.com.

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

WHAT’S COOKIN’

STELLAR SOPE: A pork sope from Taqueria Samantha III.

Third time’s a charm Taqueria Samantha III does authentic Mexican fare even better than its predecessors.

f Little Rock has anything that might be called a food truck franchise, it’s Taqueria Samantha. For several years, Samantha I and II have provided some of the best tacos in town, but it’s with this most ambitious addition, Samantha III, that the business has really come into its own. Unlike the other Samantha taco trailers, Samantha III is a full-sized food truck that sports an expanded menu to match its new roomier digs. The women who run the truck, one of the most regular at the University Market at 4 Corners, have added some tasty new dishes to their already stellar selection. Samantha is one of the best meal values in town, with huge portions available for prices that are almost shockingly low, and the food is made with skill and care and served with a friendly smile. Plus, they sell liter bottles of Mexican Coca-Cola products — the kind still made with cane sugar. Since we’re talking taco trucks, let’s talk tacos. Samantha’s tacos are piled so high with ingredients that it’s sometimes an ordeal to plan a method of attack. They offer a choice of steak, chicken, pork, or tongue with their tacos, and there really isn’t any way to go wrong with those

Taqueria Samantha III

Various locations, but typically at the food truck hang-out, University Market at 4Corners, 6221 Colonel Glenn Road 501-442-9703

QUICK BITE An impromptu dinner party? Got to feed a whole crew of Olympics obsessives? The Taqueria Samantha chain has become our go-to spot for feeding a crowd. You can’t get a mess of delicious food any cheaper in town. HOURS Usually 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. OTHER INFO Accepts credit cards.

choices. Each meat is tender and moist, and seasoned with just the right amount of spice. The tongue tacos at Samantha are particularly good, with meat reminiscent of high-quality roast beef that is fall-apart tender and juicy. Tongue is one of those foods that a lot of us Norteamericanos are squeamish about, but we assure you that you’re missing out if you avoid it at this truck. Each

taco is heaped with lettuce, cheese and cilantro and served with a fire-roasted jalapeno pepper and a slice of lime. Be sure to take a liberal squirt of the homemade salsa verde provided; it isn’t all that hot, but the tangy flavor adds just the right balance to each taco. If it’s something more substantial you’re craving, the Samantha burrito will suit you fine. These burritos are a twohanded affair, and unlike some popular chains that serve large burritos that are mostly rice, Samantha gives you the protein you crave in the form of whole pinto beans and your choice of meat, wrapped tightly in a flour tortilla and toasted on the grill. For cheese lovers, the quesadilla is loaded with cheese and larger than the plate on which it’s served. The new portion of the menu has separated Samantha from the taco truck pack. Recent additions include tacos and quesadillas filled with succulent shrimp prepared with the staff’s usual flair. The last shrimp quesadilla we ordered was so full of the shellfish that they spilled out onto the plate in tasty pink piles. Shrimp is something that we would normally be skeptical about ordering from the back of a truck, and it’s a testament to the high quality of Samantha’s food that we didn’t hesitate for a moment before ordering the seafood. We’re hoping that this addition of shrimp to the menu means more things of that nature to come, because a fish taco would really make this menu complete. The newest item on the Samantha menu, the sope, has also become a favorite. A sope is sort of like a tostada, but instead of a regular crispy corn shell, the toppings are piled on a circle of fried masa, the same corn meal and lime mixture used to make tamales. Using masa gives the entire dish a richer flavor, and since the masa shell is thicker and more absorbent than the usual corn shell, it soaks up all the good flavors from the meat and beans. Plus, at only $2.25, it’s quite possibly the cheapest lunch in town. Sopes are traditionally considered snack food and not a full meal, but the size and generous portions of the Samantha version really go beyond what we’d consider snack food. They can be made with any of the truck’s available meats, and we’ve found that the marinated pork goes best with the rest of the flavor profile. Little Rock is blessed with several excellent taco trucks, but it’s the service and quality of Samantha that makes its food one of our favorites.

AN INVETERATE CRAIGSLIST SCOURER on staff points us to

a posting in the for-sale category for “World Famous Restaurant & Bar — $250,000.” That’d be Juanita’s, which co-owners Joe Cates and Jim O’Brien purchased in August 2010 and moved to the River Market in May 2011. “It’s like trying to grab a tiger by the tail,” Cates said of the business. “It’s a restaurant and bar. We have to open up at 8 a.m. and close at 2 a.m.” Cates, an account executive at Clear Channel, said the grind had become too much for him and O’Brien, who runs several franchises of Larry’s Pizza. Cates said he placed the ad on Craigslist to see who would “bite.” Selling doesn’t have anything to do with the fortunes of the business, he said. “It’s a good cash-flow business. If I can’t get the right amount of cash for it, I’ll keep it and keep making money on it. I’m not going to give it away.” He said the Craigslist posting had already sparked 10 calls of interested parties.

DINING CAPSULES

AMERICAN

65TH STREET DINER Blue collar, meatand-two-veg lunch spot with cheap desserts and a breakfast buffet. 3201 West 65th St. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-5627800. BL Mon.-Fri. ACADIA Unbelievable fixed-price, threecourse dinners on Mondays and Tuesday, but food is certainly worth full price. 3000 Kavanaugh Blvd. Full bar, CC. $$-$$$. 501-603-9630. D Mon.-Sat. BIG ORANGE: BURGERS SALADS SHAKES Gourmet burgers manufactured according to exacting specs and properly fried Kennebec potatoes are the big draws. 17809 Chenal Parkway. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-821-1515. LD daily. BLACK ANGUS CAFE Charcoal-grilled burgers, hamburger steaks and steaks proper are the big draws. 10907 N. Rodney Parham. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-228-7800. LD Mon.-Sat. BOBBY’S CAFE Delicious, humungo burgers and tasty homemade deserts at this Levy diner. 12230 MacArthur Drive. NLR. No alcohol, No CC. $. 501-851-7888. BL Tue.-Fri., D Thu.-Fri. BOSCOS RESTAURANT & BREWERY CO. Along with tried and true things like sandwiches, burgers, steaks and big salads, they have entrees like black bean and goat cheese tamales, open hearth pizza ovens and muffalettas. 500 President Clinton Ave. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-907-1881. LD daily. BR Sun. CONTINUED ON PAGE 34 www.arktimes.com

AUGUST 8, 2012

DINING CAPSULES, CONT. BOUDREAUX’S GRILL & BAR Serves up all sorts of variations of shrimp and catfish. With particularly tasty red beans and rice, jambalaya and bread pudding. 9811 Maumelle Blvd. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-753-6860. L Sat., D Mon.-Sat. BUTCHER SHOP Several menu additions complement the calling card: large, fabulous cuts of prime beef, cooked to perfection. 10825 Hermitage Road. Full bar, All CC. $$$. 501-312-2748. D daily. CAJUN’S WHARF The venerable seafood restaurant serves up great gumbo and oysters Bienville, and options such as fine steaks for the non-seafood eater. 2400 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-375-5351. D Mon.-Sat. CAPERS Offers a menu that covers a lot of ground — seafood, steaks, pasta — and does it all well. 4502 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-868-7600. LD Mon.-Sat. COAST CAFE A variety of salads, smoothies, sandwiches and pizzas. 400 President Clinton Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-371-0164. BL Mon.-Sat. COPPER GRILL Comfort food, burgers and more sophisticated fare at this River Marketarea hotspot. 300 E. Third St. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-375-3333. LD Mon.-Sat. DAVE’S PLACE A popular downtown soupand-sandwich stop at lunch draws a large and diverse crowd for the Friday night dinner, which varies in theme, home cooking being the most popular. 201 Center St. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-372-3283. L Mon.-Fri., D Fri. DAVID FAMILY KITCHEN Call it soul food or call it down-home country cooking. Neckbones, ribs, sturdy cornbread, salmon croquettes, mustard greens and the like. 2301 Broadway. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-3710141. BL Sun.-Fri. DELICIOUS TEMPTATIONS Decadent breakfast and light lunch items that can be ordered in full or half orders to please any appetite or palate. 11220 Rodney Parham Road. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-225-6893. BL daily. DIZZY’S GYPSY BISTRO Interesting bistro fare, served in massive portions at this River Market favorite. 200 River Market Ave. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-375-3500. LD Tue.-Sat. THE FADED ROSE The Cajun-inspired menu seldom disappoints. Steaks and soaked salads are legendary. 1615 Rebsamen Park Road. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-663-9734. LD daily. FRANKE’S CAFETERIA Plate lunch spot strong on salads and vegetables, and perfect fried chicken on Sundays. 11121 N. Rodney Parham Road. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-2254487. LD daily. 400 W. Capitol Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-372-1919. L Mon.-Fri. FRONTIER DINER The traditional all-American roadside diner, complete with a nice selection of man-friendly breakfasts and lunch specials. 10424 Interstate 30. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-565-6414. BL Mon.-Sat. FROSTOP A ’50s-style drive-in has been resurrected, with big and juicy burgers and great irregularly cut fries. 4131 JFK Blvd. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-758-4535. BLD daily. GADWALL’S GRILL & PIZZA Mouth-watering burgers and specialty sandwiches, plus zesty pizzas with cracker-thin crust and plenty of toppings. 12 North Hills Shopping Center. NLR. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-834-1840. LD daily. THE HOP DRIVE-IN Old line dairy bar with burgers, fries and milkshakes. 7706 Cantrell. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-228-5556. LD Mon.-Sat. HUNKA PIE A drive-up diner with burgers, other sandwiches, onion rings and a number of different pies, available whole or by the slice, fresh baked daily. 250 East Military Drive. NLR.

AUGUST 8, 2012

ARKANSAS TIMES

No alcohol, No CC. $-$$. 501-612-4754. BLD Mon.-Sat., BL Sun. IZZY’S Wholesome, all-American food prepared with care, if rarely far from the middle of the culinary road. With full vegan and glutenfree menus. 5601 Ranch Drive. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-868-4311. LD Mon.-Sat. KIERRE’S KOUNTRY KITCHEN Excellent home-cooking joint for huge helpings of meat loaf and chicken-fried steak, cooked-down vegetables and wonderful homemade pies and cakes. 6 Collins Place. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-758-0903. BLD Tue.-Fri., BL Sat. MARKHAM STREET GRILL AND PUB The menu has something for everyone. Try the burgers, which are juicy, big and fine. 11321 W. Markham St. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-2242010. LD daily. MOOYAH BURGERS Kid-friendly, fast-casual restaurant with beef, veggie and turkey burgers, a burger bar and shakes. 14810 Cantrell Road, Suite 190. No alcohol, All CC. 501-868-1091. RED DOOR Fresh seafood, steaks, chops and sandwiches. 3701 Old Cantrell Road. Full bar,

All CC. $$-$$$. 501-666-8482. BL Mon.-Fri. D daily. REDBONE’S Piquant Creole and Cajun food that’s among Little Rock’s best. 300 President Clinton Ave. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-3722211. LD daily. RENO’S ARGENTA CAFE Sandwiches, gyros and gourmet pizzas by day and music and drinks by night in downtown Argenta. 312 N. Main St. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-3762900. RIVERFRONT STEAKHOUSE Steaks are the draw here — nice cuts heavily salted and peppered, cooked quickly and accurately to your specifications. 2 Riverfront Place. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-375-7825. D Mon.-Sat. ROCKET TWENTY ONE Great seafood, among other things. 2601 Kavanaugh Blvd. Full bar, All CC. $$$-$$$$. 501-603-9208. L Mon.-Fri., D Tue.-Sat. RUDY’S OYSTER BAR Good boiled shrimp and oysters on the half shell. 2695 Pike Ave. NLR. Full bar, All CC. 501-771-0808. LD Mon.-Sat. SO RESTAURANT BAR A French brasserie with

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a sleek, but not fussy American finish. The wine selection is broad and choice. 3610 Kavanaugh Blvd. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-663-1464. TRIO’S Fresh, creative and satisfying lunches; even better at night, when the chefs take flight. 8201 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-221-3330. LD Mon.-Sat., BR Sun. VIEUX CARRE A pleasant spot with specialty salads, steak and seafood. The soup of the day is a good bet. At lunch, the menu includes an all-vegetable sandwich and a half-pound cheeseburger. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-663-1196. LD Mon.-Fri., D Sat., BR Sun. W.T. BUBBA’S COUNTRY TAVERN A fried bologna sandwich, a nacho bar and burgers and such. 500 President Clinton Ave. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-244-2528. LD Mon.-Sat. ZACK’S PLACE Expertly prepared home cooking and huge, smoky burgers. 1400 S. University Ave. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-6646444. LD Mon.-Sat.

ASIAN

CHI’S CHINESE CUISINE This Chinese mainstay offers a broad menu that spans the Chinese provinces and offers a few twists on the usual local offerings. 5110 W. Markham St. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-604-7777. CRAZY HIBACHI GRILL Tapanaki cooking, sushi bar and sit-down dining with a Mongolian grill. 2907 Lakewood Village. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-812-9888. LD daily. FANTASTIC CHINA The food is delicious, the presentation beautiful, the menu distinctive, the service perfect, the decor bright. 1900 N. Grant St. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-663-8999. LD daily. LILLY’S DIMSUM THEN SOME Innovative dishes inspired by Asian cuisine, utilizing local and fresh ingredients. 11121 N. Rodney Parham Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-716-2700. LD daily. MT. FUJI JAPANESE RESTAURANT The dean of Little Rock sushi bars offers a fabulous lunch special and great Monday night deals. 10301 Rodney Parham Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-227-6498. LD daily. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-227-6498. OSAKA JAPANESE RESTAURANT Finedining Japanese dishes and a well-stocked sushi bar. 5501 Ranch Drive, Suite 1. $$-$$$. 501-868-3688. LD. PAPA SUSHI Hibachi grill with large sushi menu and Korean specialties. 17200 Chenal Parkway. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-821-7272. SAIGON CUISINE Traditional Vietnamese with Thai and Chinese selections. 14524 Cantrell Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-8687770. L Tue.-Fri., D Tue.-Sun. SUSHI CAFE Impressive, upscale sushi menu with other delectable house specialties like tuna tataki, fried soft shell crab and, believe it or not, the Tokyo cowboy burger. 5823 Kavanaugh Blvd. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-663-9888. L Mon.-Sat. D daily.

BARBECUE

CHATZ CAFE ’Cue and catfish joint that does heavy catering business. 8801 Colonel Glenn Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-562-4949. LD Mon.-Sat. CORKY’S RIBS & BBQ The pulled pork is extremely tender and juicy, and the sauce is sweet and tangy without a hint of heat. 12005 Westhaven Drive. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-954-7427. LD daily. 2947 Lakewood Village Drive. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-7533737. LD daily, B Sat.-Sun. WHITE PIG INN Go for the sliced rather than chopped meats at this working-class barbecue cafe. 5231 E. Broadway. NLR. Beer, All CC. $-$$.

DINING CAPSULES, CONT. 501-945-5551. LD Mon.-Fri., L Sat. WHOLE HOG CAFE The pulled pork shoulder is a classic, the back ribs are worthy of their many blue ribbons, and there’s a six-pack of sauces for all tastes. 516 Cantrell Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-664-5025. LD Mon.-Sat. 12111 W. Markham. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-907-6124. LD daily 150 E. Oak St. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-513-0600. LD Mon.-Sat., L Sun. 5107 Warden Road. NLR. Beer, Wine, All CC. $$. 501-753-9227.

EUROPEAN / ETHNIC

CAFE BOSSA NOVA A South American approach to sandwiches, salads and desserts, all quite good. 701 Kavanaugh Blvd. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-614-6682. LD Tue.-Sat., BR Sun. DUGAN’S PUB The atmosphere is great, complete with plenty of bar seating and tables. There’s also a fireplace to warm you up on a cold day. 403 E. 3rd St. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-244-0542. GEORGIA’S GYROS Good gyros, Greek salads and fragrant grilled pita bread highlight a large Mediterranean food selection, plus burgers and the like. 2933 Lakewood Village Drive. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-7535090. LD Mon.-Sat. HIBERNIA IRISH TAVERN This traditional Irish pub has its own traditional Irish cook from Ireland. Broad beverage menu, Irish and Southern food favorites and a crowd that likes to sing. 9700 N Rodney Parham Road. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-246-4340. D Mon.-Fri., BR, L, D Sat.-Sun. LAYLA’S Delicious Mediterranean fare that has a devoted following. All meat is slaughtered according to Islamic dietary law. 9501 N. Rodney Parham Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-227-7272. LD daily (close 5 p.m. on Sun.). 612 Office Park Drive. Bryant. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-847-5455. LD Mon.-Sat. TAJ MAHAL The third Indian restaurant in a one-mile span of West Little Rock, Taj Mahal offers upscale versions of traditional dishes and an extensive menu. Dishes range on the spicy side. 1520 Market Street. Beer, All CC. $$$. (501) 881-4796. LD daily. THE TERRACE MEDITERRANEAN KITCHEN A broad selection of Mediterranean delights. 2200 Rodney Parham Road. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-217-9393. L Mon.-Fri., D Mon.-Sat. YA YA’S EURO BISTRO Best bet is lunch, where you can explore the menu through soup, salad or half a sandwich. 17711 Chenal Parkway. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-821-1144. LD daily, BR Sun.

ITALIAN

GRAFFITI’S The casually chic and ever-popular Italian-flavored bistro avoids the rut with daily specials and careful menu tinkering. 7811 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-224-9079. D Mon.-Sat. PIZZA CAFE Thin, crunchy pizza with just a dab of tomato sauce but plenty of chunks of stuff, topped with gooey cheese. Draft beer is appealing on the open-air deck — frosty and generous. 1517 Rebsamen Park Road. Beer, Wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-664-6133. LD daily. PIZZA D’ACTION Some of the best pizza in town, a marriage of thin, crispy crust with a hefty ingredient load. Also, good appetizers and salads, pasta, sandwiches and killer plate lunches. 2919 W. Markham St. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-666-5403. LD daily. RISTORANTE CAPEO Familiar pasta dishes will comfort most diners, but let the chef entertain you with some more exotic stuff. 425 Main St. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-376-3463. D Mon.-Sat. ROCKY’S PUB Rocking sandwiches and a fine selection of homemade Italian entrees, including as fine a lasagna as there is. 6909 JFK Blvd. NLR. Beer, Wine. $$. 501-833-1077. LD Mon.-Sat. SHOTGUN DAN’S Hearty pizza and sandwiches with a decent salad bar. 4020 E. Broadway, NLR, 945-0606; 4203 E. Kiehl Ave., Sherwood, 835-0606, and 10923 W. Markham St. Beer, CC. $-$$. 501-224-9519. LD Mon.-Sat., D Sun. ZAZA Here’s where you get wood-fired pizza with gorgeous blistered crusts and a light topping of choice and tempting ingredients. 5600 Kavanaugh Blvd. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-661-9292. LD daily. 1050 Ellis Ave. Conway. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-336-9292. BLD daily.

CROSSWORD EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ ACROSS

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58 59 62 63 64

Chalcedony variety 7:30 or 8:15, say Singer David ___ Roth Pitcher’s stat Soak

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BUMPY’S TEXMEX GRILL & CANTINA The menu includes Tex-Mex staples but also baby back ribs, fried fish and a grilled chicken salad. 400 N. Bowman Road. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-379-8327. LD daily. CANTINA LAREDO This is gourmet Mexican food, a step up from what you’d expect from a real cantina. 207 N. University. Full bar, All CC. $$$. 501-280-0407. LD daily. JUANITA’S Menu includes a variety of combination entree choices — enchiladas, tacos, flautas, shrimp burritos and such — plus creative salads and other dishes. And of course the “Blue Mesa” cheese dip. 614 President Clinton Ave. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-372-1228. LD Mon.-Sat. ROSALINDA RESTAURANT HONDURENO A Honduran cafe that specializes in pollo con frito tajada (fried chicken and fried plaintains). With breakfast, too. 3700 JFK Blvd. NLR. No alcohol, No CC. $-$$. 501-7715559. LD daily.

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AUGUST 8, 2012

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Cantrell Ace Hardware features a full line of Craftsman tools .

ACE in Riverdale

BY JANIE GINOCCHIO PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN CHILSON

nyone in need of tools or hardware in the Riverdale area now has a convenient place to go: Cantrell Ace Hardware opened its doors July 31 at 2516 Cantrell Road, in the same shopping center as Whole Hog Café and the recently opened Walmart Neighborhood Market. It’s also a handy distance for those who live in the Capitol View and Stifft Station neighborhoods. Cantrell Hardware general manager Brian Carty said he’s pleased with customer response in the first week of operation. “We opened the doors, and people started coming in,” he said. “People seem to be anxious for a hardware store in the area. I’m happy with what we’ve done in the first week.” The store is 12,500 square feet and is an authorized Stihl

power tools dealer. Cantrell Hardware carries Benjamin Moore paints and a full line of Craftsman tools, among other namebrand hardware items. Carty said future expansion plans include a section devoted to gifts and housewares. Carty said what sets it apart from big box hardware and lumber stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s is the personal service offered to customers. As part of the Ace Hardware brand, Cantrell Hardware has a commitment to being “The Helpful Hardware Store” for its customers in providing knowledgeable help and quality products. The store’s grand opening celebration is scheduled for Sept. 21-22. Store hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and the phone number is 501-280-0626.

hearsay ➥ Animal lovers — plan to attend the BARBARA GRAVES INTIMATE FASHIONS Dog Days of Summer Super Sale Event on Aug. 30. The Animal Village Mobile Unit will be there with lots of furry friends all ready for adoption and proceeds will benefit the Animal Village. There will be fun shopping, refreshments and door prizes, plus pet-themed sleepwear, totes and lots of other goodies. ➥ A flower workshop with floral designer Tanarah Haynie of TANARAH LUXE FLORAL is planned for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 15 at the THEA CENTER, 401 Main St., North Little Rock. Haynie, a native of Fort Smith, has studied with many well-known floral designers, both in the U.S. and abroad. She also holds American Institute of Floral Designers status. The cost of the workshop is $100 and includes lectures, tools and floral product. Proceeds benefit the Thea Foundation. ➥ FRINGE BENEFITS, located in the Heights, has garnered a local reputation as one of the best salons in Little Rock and the state. But now it has claimed an even bigger title: it’s been

named one of America’s top 100 salons by Elle, the world’s largest fashion magazine. In business for only five years, owner Randall Miles said, “We are all thrilled and honored to be recognized by a publication of this caliber!” ➥ Need to get rid of some old stuff so you can do more shopping? GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF ARKANSAS has two new attended donation centers in west Little Rock: 7001 Cantrell Road (next to Steinmart). It is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. The second location is at 12719 Cantrell Road (in the Iberia Bank parking lot), and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Sunday. ➥ CANTRELL GALLERY will present “A Photographic Celebration: The 40th Anniversary of the Buffalo National River” by Paul Caldwell. The opening night reception is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. Aug. 24, with the exhibit running through Oct. 20. Known for his finely crafted images, Caldwell has spent more than 40 years hiking and photographing the Buffalo River and its surrounding mountains and valleys.

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Homo chickens

no insurance company would pay for it, and no chicken owner, however fond he or she might be of the chicken wanting the operation, would agree to that kind of outlay for eaving aside last week’s big foofaraw, That screening a creature with so brief a life expectancy. there are good reasons why normal equipment, called people should buy their fast-food a Chicken Sex-oIt’s said that the Sex-o-meter is just as chicken only at Chick-fil-A. meter, is very nearly effective in identifying homo catfish, but Chief among those reasons is the Chick- foolproof. If the none of the big catfish chains give much of fil-A guarantee that they’ll never serve you chicken was gay, the a damn about the nad proclivities of their BOB any meat that might have come from a homo Sex-o-meter will finLANCASTER stock. Nobody gives much of a damn about chicken. ger the rascal. Alarms any aspect of catfish sex because it’s so weird All Chick-fil-A chicken comes from reg- will go off. You’ll be spared the indignity. and so different from our own. The Bible is ular old hetero chickens, just as the Bible The Sex-o-meter consists of a kind of utterly silent on the subject, so it’s chicken prescribes. scale onto which every piece of Chick-fil- sex not catfish sex that gets all the time on It’s an important guarantee, even if you A chicken is deposited and examined on the Sex-o-meter. aren’t totally grossed out by the idea of eating its way to breading. The scale “reads” the The Bible does specifically condemn a chicken that did all the disgusting things chicken part and activates a pointer, which chicken homoism as an abomination, perthat homo chickens do back when it was like a compass needle arcs into one of three haps even more abominable than the human marked areas shown on an overhead moni- variety, this being attributable to the peralive. There’s only a very small chance that tor. One of those areas, the smallish one to sistent rumors about St. Paul and to the allyou’ll get full-blown chicken-transmitted the left, is marked “Homo,” the big one to the boy make-up of the Inner Circle. One of the AIDS from eating poorly prepared homo right is marked “Hetero” and between them newer translations favored by charismatchicken parts at one of those other franchises there’s a tiny wedge marked “Iffy.” ics avers that everybody at the Last Supper — at Popeye’s, say, or Church’s, or KFC — I’m told that a chicken part might fall got a take-out box of guaranteed not-homo but you can never be 100 per cent sure with into the “Iffy” area if the live chicken it came chicken to go along with the more important, those other chicken outlets. You can with from was bi. Or a latent homo chicken. Or a more symbolic but less filling comestibles. reformed homo chicken. Or a rooster that Also, one of the dietary laws of Leviticus Chick-fil-A. Well, maybe not 100 per cent because Ted Haggard took indecent advantage of. proscribed homo chicken, but that verse was The pointer will swing wildly back and removed because the King James translait’s always remotely possible that an otherwise normal hetero chicken who got it forth if the chicken piece came from a her- tors could make no sense of it, having been from a blood transfusion — or would that maphrodite chicken. The pointer won’t totally in the dark about the homoism that be a broth transfusion? — got past the pat- react at all if the nugget or strip came from ran rampant in ancient fowl. So rather than ented Chick-fil-A chicken sex-pref screening a transgender chicken, possibly because leaving the space blank where the Lord had equipment that identifies and separates out there are no transgender chickens. A chicken inveighed against homo chicken-eating, the homo chicken parts. couldn’t afford a sex-change operation, and translators filled it with another insult to

the pig. Colonel Harlan Sanders wanted to exclude homo chickens but at the time he assembled his 11 herbs and spices there was no way to determine whether a drumstick or a gizzard was from a homo chicken, a hetero one, or one that liked to cross-dress, had a mug like a bulldog, smoked cigars, and ran the FBI. I know that a chicken under hypnosis can be induced to reveal its sex prefs, but I’m frankly skeptical of these ex post chickeno claims for the Chicken Sex-o-meter. If the analysts can’t be sure about the Shroud of Turin, they’re bound to be even less sure about chicken gaiety. But the Sex-o-meter is said to be the product of high-quality scientific research – the same faith-based research that proved climate change is a hoax and the earth is only 6,000 years old — and the screening results are regularly reviewed and attested by a blueribbon panel of experts that includes David Barton, David Gergen, Donald Wildmon, Marcus Bachmann, Glenn Beck, Michelle Duggar, Foghorn Leghorn, and Lillie, who might’ve been the last of the celebrated tictac-toe chicken clan that first found fame at the IQ Zoo at Hot Springs 60 years ago. One of those experts has confided to the National Enquirer a belief that the Sex-ometer works to some extent by hunch, and that virtually all the chickens adjudged to have been homos were, in life, either cocks with prissy walks or butch hens.

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