Arkansas Times - April 21, 2016 by Arkansas Times

THE WAR ON LITTLE ROCK SCHOOLS

NEWS + POLITICS + ENTERTAINMENT + FOOD / APRIL 21, 2016 / ARKTIMES.COM

Superintendent Baker Kurrus is the latest casualty in the Walton-directed assault on the LRSD. BY MAX BRANTLEY AND BENJAMIN HARDY

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APRIL 21, 2016

COMMENT

Lyons on Clintons In his latest column, Gene Lyons was true to form watering down the record of the Clintons. I’m wondering what gyrations he’ll go through in explaining away Hillary Clinton’s strange remarks at the Brooklyn Navy Yard about her position on the federal minimum wage. Besides making fact-free claims worthy of Donald Trump, she contradicted what is written on her own campaign website. Lyons also makes some strange claims. Like the one that “the 1994 crime bill has little political salience in 2016.” While Bernie Sanders did vote for it, the implication is that Clinton was also in a position to vote on it. But she was not in Congress in 1994. By the way, that was two years before she declared in public that black men must be “brought to heel.” Lyons poohpoohs the incident as “one time, twenty years ago” when she was just using “a comic book term.” Why does Lyons refer to the Clintons’ confrontations with Black Lives Matter activists during the campaign as “hubbub”? We must remember that

no one seems to be forcing Clinton to wrap herself in her husband’s reputation. We must remember that he signed off on the Crime Bill, the Welfare Reform Act of 1996 and the abolition of banking regulation in 1999. Oh, and the 1993 Defense of Marriage Act. Clinton has set herself up for criticism. And defenses of her actions are becoming more desperate by the minute. I hope there’ll be coverage of the latest Fight for $15 protests in Central Arkansas, part of a national day of action. Now, that’s newsworthy. Anthony Newkirk North Little Rock

Make recycling easier I have been a dedicated recycler for my entire adult life. I live in the county, just outside of the city limits, and Pulaski County Sanitation does not provide recycling pickup. Ever since the city closed its drop-off locations, I’ve been driving to Waste Management HQ on I-440, a 14-mile drive. But they recently shut down their drop-off. (They closed their electronics drop-off

some time ago.) Natural State Recycling, also on I-440, has bins, but they require recyclables to be separated, and they don’t accept glass. I would like to do the right thing, but it’s getting very difficult, and other concerned county residents have the same problem. I’m not sure, but I suspect apartment dwellers in the city likewise have no options. For a city that likes to consider itself progressive, I think this situation is disgraceful. Please help. Matt Patton Pulaski County

Trusting Ray I learned what I needed to know about Ray Thornton the night in 1972 when Roger Glasgow was arrested for allegedly smuggling marijuana across the border with Mexico (Arkansas Times, Feb. 25). Glasgow was an assistant to Attorney General Thornton and was acquitted at trial. Properly so, I’m convinced. I was the anchor and managing editor of KTHV-TV, Channel 11, new to Arkansas, young, and I’d spent the

previous three years in Athens, Greece. I had little history with General Thornton, or Glasgow, though I’d certainly met and covered them. I learned of the arrest just after the 6 p.m. broadcast. I called Thornton’s home. Mrs. Thornton answered and told me that he was not yet home, but on the way. I asked her to have him call me as soon as he arrived. I told her why. He soon returned the call, said he had to check on some things, talk to Roger, and drive back to Little Rock. He knew I wanted an interview (he probably did, too) and asked me to meet him at his office in an hour or so. Remember, these are the days of film, not videotape, not live transmission. It required 30 minutes to process and several minutes more to edit. Thornton, our cameraman (I think it might have been John Miller) and I met outside the AG’s office. In those days the anchor (me) wrote and produced the entire broadcast, so all of us felt a great deal of pressure, but none more than the attorney general. The interview was straightforward. Too much time has passed to get this exactly right, but here is what I remember Ray Thornton saying: “I hired Roger Glasgow because I thought he was a fine lawyer and a trustworthy man. He has told me he is innocent. I trust my judgment in hiring him, and I will stand by him as this develops.” Please don’t take the quotation marks to mean that’s an exact quote. It’s a paraphrase at best. That’s why I say I learned about Ray Thornton that night. He was a man who trusted himself, so he could trust his own judgment about others. It also meant we could trust him. J. Craig Barnes Phoenix, Md.

GOP craziness The presidential primaries have become more contentious. Donald Trump is still the frontrunner for Republicans, but the Republican establishment hates Trump, so House Speaker Paul Ryan will likely reject Trump as nominee for president and Republican delegates at this summer’s nominating convention in Cleveland will likely be instructed to vote for Ted Cruz. In a nutshell, there are at least four host committee chairs, but Ryan is in charge. Even if Trump wins the magic 1,237 delegates in the primaries, he may still be rejected. The really heavy lifting would start if Cruz were nominated. Speaker Ryan and Sen4

APRIL 21, 2016

ARKANSAS TIMES

ate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell would be required to motivate the Republican-dominated U.S. Congress to quickly pass a constitutional amendment to allow foreign-born citizens to serve as president. Cruz was born in Canada, and if the case of Cruz’s eligibility to serve as president goes to the Supreme Court, Cruz might be disqualified. The Democrats have a bigger problem. Obviously, for political purposes, the FBI is maintaining an open investigation of Hillary Clinton’s emails and will likely press charges for an October surprise. Of course, Hillary is innocent and most of the charges would be dismissed, but a hearing would naturally follow. If the FBI could charge Hillary now, Bernie Sanders could be the nominee, Congress could refuse to amend the Constitution, and Bernie Sanders would be in like Flynn. Gene Mason Jacksonville

Dominionist influence in Arkansas A recent CBS article revealed the source of the plethora of so-called religious freedom restoration laws that were introduced in some 20 states across the country and that specifically disenfranchise LGBT people. The culprit is Liberty Counsel, a conservative law group devoted to imposing a Christian Dominionist version of Sharia law on everyone else through force of legislation. The minions of Liberty Counsel here in Arkansas are legislators like Sens. Bart Hester, Jason Rapert, Cecile Bledsoe and Reps. Justin Harris and Bob Ballinger. The head of LC is Matt Staver: According to Jeff Sharlet, author of the books “C Street: the Fundamentalist Threat to American Democracy” and “The Family: the Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power,” the twin political pillars of Christian fundamentalism are the public legislation of morality and the privatization of resources. The latter agenda endeared the Dominionists to the corporate state and secured their rise to power. But in the intervening years, corporations have realized that discriminating against LGBT people is a dead-end street that ultimately affects the bottom line. So now, the corporate state and the Christian Dominionist movement have reached an impasse. Power-drunk after decades of rule,

the latter refuses to sacrifice its writtenin-stone religious ideology on the altar of the free market. But more and more people are finding out what the Christian Dominionist movement really is: a garden variety form of fascism with a long hit list of undesirables to eliminate in its utopian quest to establish a “Kingdom of God” on earth. And like most fascist movements, democracy and an open society are chief among its enemies. Brad Bailey Fayetteville

On the web In response to Max Brantley’s April 14 column, “Bootstraps for me, not thee” on Rep. Josh Miller (R-Heber Springs): While I sympathize with the situation in which Miller finds himself through nobody’s fault but his own, I find him otherwise repugnant and despicable. He made sure he has his. Everyone else can go screw themselves. And just who are these deadbeats to which he refers? How about some names or photos? Let’s put a face to these living off the largesse of the public dole. Of course any such lineup would have to include Miller himself. He really needs to crawl back in his hole, and the people of his district need to elect someone a little more concerned about the public good rather than making sure the young, the elderly and the disabled have no chance of getting government assistance. HolyGuano Dear Arkansas 66th District, Really? You can’t do better than this cretin? Seriously. There’s gotta be someone with more appeal who can run against this excuse of a legislator and win. Vanessa No. Our district CAN’T come up with better. Before Josh, we had a rodeo clown. Lasted one term. Had an old theft conviction on his record when running for sheriff and dropped out. Ran again and lost. Josh was not working while receiving all of his benefits until he was elected. Our district should win an award for the most mean/un-Christian pols in the state. We also have Missy Irwin as our senator and she is even more of a tea-bagger, mean-spirited pol. David Smith www.arktimes.com

APRIL 21, 2016

EYE ON ARKANSAS

WEEK THAT WAS

Quote of the Week: “Secularism and communism, there is no difference. ... They’re both godless.” — Evangelist Franklin Graham, speaking to a crowd of thousands at the state Capitol last week as part of his “Decision America Tour.” Graham, the son of legendary preacher Billy Graham, urged those in attendance to support political candidates who hold “biblical principles” and advocated the installation of more Ten Commandments monuments on public grounds.

Last week, it appeared as if Gov. Hutchinson had finally found a way to break the stranglehold imposed on the state’s Medicaid budget by 10 diehard, tea-party enemies of the private option (a.k.a., “Arkansas Works”) in the state Senate. The governor’s workaround: The anti-PO senators will get to vote for a Medicaid appropriation that includes an amendment to kill the private option… but once the bill reaches Hutchinson’s desk, he’ll use a line-item veto to strike that amendment, thus saving the private option. The small minority of tea-party hardliners gets to say they held the line on Obamacare, and everyone else in the legislature joins in on the “no” vote to ultimately get to “yes.” Make sense? The plan is both patently absurd and — probably — politically necessary to save health coverage for the hundreds of thousands of Arkansans whose insurance is being held hostage by the tea partiers. But some Democrats understandably balked at the governor’s proposal, in part because of worries the plan could be subject to a legal challenge, and the no-means-yes amendment failed to pass out of committee last Thursday, before f ina lly advancing on Tuesday. Hopefully, by the time you read this, disaster will have been 6

APRIL 21, 2016

ARKANSAS TIMES

BRIAN CHILSON

Arkansas Works, does it? FOGGY, FOGGY NIGHT: The glow of the Junction Bridge is reflected in the water of the Arkansas River on a recent humid night.

averted and the Medicaid expansion will remain in place for another year.

Highway Department hasn’t changed its plan, just its branding. The public meeting will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 26 at the Wyndham Riverfront Hotel in North Little Rock.

More of the same

When 10 = 6 The state Highway and Transportation Department will hold another public hearing next week on the controversial “30 Crossing” project that would widen Interstate 30 to 10 lanes in downtown North Little Rock and Little Rock. Except, wait — the Highway Department now describes the proposal as containing only six lanes, not 10. In addition to the six lanes, the department acknowledges, there will also be four “collector/distributor lanes” running alongside the highway. This is, of course, ridiculous: Six plus four equals 10. The

Attorney General Leslie Rutledge has filed an appeal of Circuit Judge Tim Fox’s ruling that allowed the names of three married same-sex couples to appear on their child’s birth certificate. The state acknowledged important “policy” questions on birth certificates, but said Fox erred in finding the current law was unconstitutional. The attorney general argued that parental rights don’t flow from marriage. “The Court should recognize that although [the couples] may have reasonable policy arguments, policy decisions are left to the democratic process in the legislature or vote of the people,” read the attorney general’s brief. But since we first wrote about this last year, we’ve seen little tangible evidence of the Health Department,

the Board of Health, the Hutchinson administration or anybody in the legislature moving to improve birth certificate procedures to accommodate families with two mothers or two fathers. It is not very hard. Same-sex couples could, for example, be allowed the same affidavit procedure about parenthood given heterosexual couples. Ample precedent in other states exists for quick fixes. Absent a court ruling, don’t expect one. Would this legislature give favorable review to a Board of Health rule recognizing that equal rights for gay couples is now the law of the land? Not with the Republican strategy in the South to attempt to defeat LGBT rights by incremental burdens, much as the anti-abortion forces have limited abortion rights.

A ray of light The unemployment rate in March fell to 4 percent from 4.2 percent the month before. That’s a historic low. The state’s workforce grew by more than 7,000 in March.

OPINION

Asa to LR: Drop dead

he Asa Hutchinson administration made clear this week its contempt for the residents, children and voters of Little Rock, at least those in the Little Rock School District, if not the red precincts of Chenal Valley. Hutchinson’s state education director, Johnny Key, sacked Baker Kurrus as superintendent of the Little Rock School District, effective June 30. The firing wasn’t for cause. Kurrus has cut the budget, moved forward with a new middle school, brought in Teach for America, reinvigorated needy schools with new leadership and generally won warm praise from just about every segment of the community. He’s not a trained educator, but his long tenure on the School Board and his diligence made him probably the singularly most informed person to lead this difficult urban school district. And results are evident all over in rising performance and confidence. So why was he fired? One word will

suffice: Walton. The Walton Family Foundation and its billions now control education policy MAX in Republican BRANTLEY maxbrantley@arktimes.com Arkansas. They own a propaganda mill at the University of Arkansas. They support a charter school advocacy organization and a full-time slashing critic of Little Rock schools. They underwrite just about anybody who’s willing to try to start a new charter school in Little Rock to siphon its students, particularly the higher income ones. And this is where Baker Kurrus came a cropper. Honesty prevented him from lying. He said charter schools have been bad for the Little Rock School District and recent expansion by eStem and LISA Academy into large, freestanding school districts mean more damage. His real mistake was presenting data (which

Exxon’s climate

ven when it has been hidden for half a century, a little scientific knowledge can open windows to change — even when the hidden knowledge matches what the scientific world already knew. Now we know, thanks to a document dump last week by the Center for International Environmental Law, that long before the phrases “global warming” and “climate change” entered the public lexicon, the oil industry knew that burning coal, oil and gas was heating the planet and that it might wreak havoc upon generations down the line. It is being treated as a giant public relations problem for Exxon Mobil, the world’s biggest energy company, because the documents reinforce the charges that Exxon Mobil, back when it was Humble Oil Co. some 60 years ago, knew all about the environmental threats of atmospheric carbon dioxide, kept the knowledge from investors and the public and supported the highly successful climatechange denial campaign to ward off regulation of the industry.

Exxon Mobil insisted this week that it had never denied the threat of carboninduced warming ERNEST or financed the cliDUMAS mate-denial campaign. The same day, it redoubled efforts to thwart investigations of its confidential work on the issue by attorneys general of New York and other states (no, not Arkansas’s attorney general, who is squarely in the camp of the climate deniers) by claiming that the investigations violated Exxon’s speech rights and its freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures. But the surfacing documents about old chemical studies and the petrochemical industry’s acknowledgments of climate change in the face of daily climate scares are changing the political climate and sharply improving the prospects of at least scaling down the pace of warming. States from California to the Deep South are moving to meet the Obama administration’s new atmospheric car-

the Education Department itself won’t gather) to the state Board of Education. The door was opened by Board of Education member Diane Zook, aunt of the Walton-paid charter school lobbyist Gary Newton. She wanted data to make the schools look bad. Baker gave her the full Little Rock story. It’s not good for the charter school cause. But the board approved charter expansions anyway — with votes from a member who runs an organization that depends on financial benevolence from power brokers; from a former Walton employee; from an employee of the Murphy fortune, also charter school backers; from a tool of the home school- and voucher-advocating Family Council hate group, and from Zook, not only related to a Walton lobbyist but married to the head of the big business lobby in Arkansas. The Kurrus presentation to the board was the last straw, I believe. Key told Kurrus last week his contract would not be renewed. He found a replacement in, where else, Bentonville, family seat of the Walton fortune. Superintendent Mike Poore knows how to work with Waltons (though not with some board members who once wanted to fire him.) Now comes the great experiment in Little Rock — 26,000 kids for the Waltons to use as lab rats. Hutchinson

has spit on Little Rock. He’s spit on its school supporters. He’s spit on Baker Kurrus Hutchinson has a tin ear politically. See his fumbling with the continuation of the Obamacare Medicaid expansion in Arkansas. He’s taken Democrats for granted in the process, though he can’t preserve his budget without them. With a critical vote on that issue pending, it wasn’t the best time to fire a widely respected, trusted and capable leader of a school district that is home to many legislative Democrats. Money talks and a good man walks. P.S. — I had to scrap a column prepared earlier on middle school performance on the state school report card. It’s central to the larger story that charter schools targeted middle schools first in Little Rock. Results: Four of Little Rock’s seven middle schools had higher report card scores than vaunted eStem, allowed to expand on the presumption it was superior to Little Rock. One other, the reviled-by-Walton-lobbyist Henderson Middle (all black and poor), was in a virtual dead heat with eStem. The other two Little Rock middle schools (one decimated years ago by LISA Academy creaming of its students) were just a whisker behind. Don’t confuse Key, Hutchinson or Zook with facts.

bon standards. That includes Arkansas, where denial is the uniform public policy, embraced by every Republican official, which is to say those in power. Arkansas had about the toughest road owing to its heavy reliance on coal combustion for electricity and its continued building of coal plants when the rest of the country was turning to cleaner gas or renewable energy. Entergy Arkansas, which produces most of the electricity in Arkansas, is moving to curtail emissions from its dirty coal units well ahead of deadlines in the president’s carbonemission rules. It is buying a big gascombustion unit near El Dorado, contracting for solar power from a Stuttgart plant and seeking 500 megawatts of wind power from the Oklahoma panhandle. Next month it will put out a request for bids for another 100 megawatts of renewable power. The cache of studies dumped by the environmental group included the work of the Swedish chemist Svante Arrhenius, who in 1896 quantified the impact of carbon dioxide on the climate. During the great oil booms of the 1920s and ’30s, when my cousins in the brownfields around refineries, wells and poisoned streams in Union County were being

born with severe mental and physical disabilities, Guy Callendar documented a steady increase in global temperatures, correlated it to rising fossil-fuel use and furnished the results to the American Petroleum Institute. Humble (Exxon Mobil) Oil’s H.R. Brannon was engaged in carbon-14 research in the 1950s. His paper for the oil company, building on the work of scientists at the Scripps Institute, overturned the old theory that the oceans would absorb all the CO2 from fossil burning and save the earth from warming. But the scientist did argue in a 1957 report to Exxon that the CO2 from fuel burning conceivably might stay in the oceans longer than the Scripps scientists figured and delay cataclysmic climate change for decades or centuries. A scientific study delivered to industry experts at the World Petroleum Congress in 1971 concluded that the risk of dramatic climate change from fossil fuel burning was real, but a committee of high-level oil executives emphasized uncertainties and supported a wait-andsee stance on climate action. No, it doesn’t approach the criminal conduct of the cigarette industry, but then the stakes are greater. www.arktimes.com

APRIL 21, 2016

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ARKANSASâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;TIMES

uite a few people make noises about leaving the country if the wrong person gets elected president. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been making discreet inquiries in the vicinity of Kinsale, County Cork, myself â&#x20AC;&#x201D; from whence my people emigrated after 1880. Picturesque, 18th century harbor untouched by modern commerce â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the British made sure that the industrial revolution never happened in whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s now the Irish Republic â&#x20AC;&#x201D; great walks, terrific restaurants, friendly, talkative people and regular ferry service from nearby Cork City to Normandy. But, alas, no baseball, no Arkansas Razorbacks, and chill, rainy weather. My wife would get lonely without her small army of girlfriends and their complicated problems to sort. Also, what would become of the dozens of animals that wait expectantly for me to feed them every afternoon? Properly vaccinated cats are welcome in Ireland, but cows? Anyway, like the dread specter of President Trump, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only a fantasy. Am I the only observer who suspects the whole thing could be settled by a sudden medical crisis? How surprising would it be to learn that one geriatric aspirant or another had been felled by a stroke? Garrison Keillor advises voters to â&#x20AC;&#x153;check out that 25th Amendment about presidential disability and how, if the bossâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; brain turns to tapioca and he crouches behind bushes in the Rose Garden talking to Grover Cleveland, the vice president must conspire with the Cabinet to bounce him out of office.â&#x20AC;? I go back so far that during the recent Democratic debate I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t quit chuckling about Bernieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s close resemblance to Phineas T. Bluster, the grouchy marionette from the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Howdy Doody Showâ&#x20AC;? (1947-60). Perpetually indignant and waving his finger in the air, Mr. Bluster would stamp his little feet and make faces whenever Buffalo Bob tried to get a word in edgewise. Even so, to me the most telling moment of the Democratic campaign was when MSNBCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chris Hayes asked Bernie if heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d ever thought heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d been wrong in his career. Sanders clumsily ducked the question. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Well, let me say this, you know, to be honest with you, I almost, what I fervently wish is we had more time.â&#x20AC;? See, if Bernie had it to do all over again, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d have â&#x20AC;&#x153;put more emphasis on bringing working-class people together to fight for a government that works for

all of us, not just wealthy campaign contributors.â&#x20AC;? Not one mistake, ever? Not even voting for GENE the 1994 crime LYONS bill? Voting against the Brady gun control bill? Chris Hayes lobbed him a slow pitch right down the middle and Bernie took a called third strike. Actually, make that Dr. Bluster, Ph.D. The manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a caricature of every left-wing faculty lounge lizard one encountered during the â&#x20AC;&#x2122;60s â&#x20AC;&#x201D; doctrinaire, humorless and incapable of admitting error. Temperamentally, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be a disaster in the Oval Office. And then thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hillary Clinton, a woman seemingly so persuaded of her own moral rectitude that she still canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see how her actions can be misconstrued, not even after being dragged unwilling through one make-believe scandal after another, from Whitewater to Benghazi. The inimitable Charlie Pierce on Hillaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Goldman Sachs speeches: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Why any politician with presidential ambitions would get within five miles of the people who wrecked most of the economy and stole the rest of it in the 2000s is its own answer. The reason is that politics is money now, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s where the easy money is. For myself, I think there isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a damned thing in any of those speeches that should cause HRC a millisecond of agita, but also that going on 30 years of pestiferous [dirty tricks] has made her jump at shadows. So she digs in, and the debate becomes about her digging in.â&#x20AC;? Exactly. A $275,000 honorarium for a politician is downright preposterous, regardless of the content of Hillaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s remarks. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s amazing and somewhat worrying that she didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see that. But then if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a working definition of chutzpah you want, how about the curious adventures of Stage Door Bernie? Imagine the uproar if Clinton had flown to the Vatican, and after having been denied an audience with the Pope , stationed herself at his door for an ambush interview, which her campaign tried to spin into a quasi-endorsement. Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be caricatured as a power-mad shrew or worse. Bernie gets a pass essentially because a) heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s her opponent, and b) his time in the in the spotlight is almost done. Please, please let it soon be over.

Why now?

ARORA PRESENTS

BY PATTY BATES-ABRAHAM, JULIE JOHNSON HOLT AND ANTWAN PHILLIPS

CLINTON PRESIDENTIAL CENTER Y 1200 President Clinton Ave.

ust a year ago, our community was reeling from the loss of the Little Rock School Board and then the forced resignation of the superintendent. Tensions were high, and the smart move by the state was to make the untraditional hire of Baker Kurrus, a longtime Little Rock businessman and a former member of the Little Rock School District’s board. Hiring him proved to be the salve this community and this school district needed. Therefore, state Education Commissioner Johnny Key’s abrupt, unilateral decision to not renew Baker Kurrus’ contract as superintendent strikes us as shortsighted, misguided and detrimental to the education of our children and the health of our community. If Kurrus’ leadership had caused the people of Little Rock to lose faith in our schools, nonrenewal might be acceptable or even advisable. However, hope for Little Rock schools is higher now than it has been in years. But that hope has been dashed. As Kurrus said at a press conference at the Arkansas Department of Education on Tuesday — and it’s something he’s said repeatedly since he became the LRSD superintendent — where education occurs is in the classroom between a dedicated teacher and his or her student. Yet the environment that allows that important interaction to occur is largely determined by the quality and stability of a school system and its leadership. No one — not even Arkansas Department of Education leaders — doubts that Kurrus has provided strong and transformational leadership for the LRSD for all of 10 months now. In fact, many agree that Kurrus took on a challenge that few others would have the guts to do.

When he did, he did so passionately and employed his skillful leadership style to empower his employees, build relationships with and gain support from diverse groups within the community, and initiate large and needed changes in system organization and physical facilities. Kurrus is admired by teachers, administrators, parents and community members alike for his compassion, his visibility in every school in the district, his analytical use of data to plan for change and his vision for a school district that not only makes Little Rock proud, but serves each and every LRSD student. Anyone who’s listened to him talk about his plans and visions knows Kurrus looked forward to continuing his work in the district. Commissioner Key said at Tuesday’s press conference that Kurrus has served his usefulness. So he unilaterally decided to hire a new superintendent (which by law he’s allowed to do, but which in the spirit of doing what’s best for Little Rock is highly questionable). He said he made the decision and Gov. Hutchinson approved. Unfortunately, this action by the commissioner — with approval from the governor — harms any trust the state had earned by its appointment of Kurrus less than a year ago. Therefore, we ask: Why now? Why institute a change in leadership at this precarious point in time? Our state leaders need to hear from all of us in hopes that we can continue the impressive progress we have made with Kurrus.

If Kurrus’ leadership had caused the people of Little Rock to lose faith in our schools, nonrenewal might be acceptable or even advisable. However, hope for Little Rock schools is higher now than it has been in years. But that hope has been dashed.

We are joined by Greg Adams, John Adams, Rebecca Finney, Eugene Levy, Debra Milam and Vince Miller in submitting this opinion.

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ARKANSAS TIMES

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Don’t despair about baseball

rkansas’s baseball freefall is not something atypical for a Dave Van Horn team. Being 21-15, 4-11 at the midway point of the conference season would seem so distressing, if you bought into the belief that records mattered all that much. For as accomplished as Van Horn has been over 14 seasons in Fayetteville, he’s had his share of obstacles when the team enters league play, which is to be expected in the SEC. The sheer depth of talent in the conference is jarring, and no team ever escapes a momentary funk. It’s baseball, a game that a high school pitching coach once succinctly told me “works best on an even keel.” Van Horn’s Razorback teams have actually posted losing conference records five times over 13 years, and barring some kind of insane turnaround, the 2016 squad will make that 6 of 14. The thing is, all five of those “losing” teams made the NCAA Tournament anyway, and the 2009 bunch shook off a 14-15 middling conference record to thunder all the way to Omaha and end up finishing in the last four, thanks in large part to Brett Eibner’s memorable last-out tying home run against Virginia. The cause for panic at the moment is this: Van Horn’s team is mired in an eightgame losing streak that seemed to come out of the great nether. An early sweep at the hands of South Carolina was quickly reversed when the Razorbacks got back to Baum Stadium to do the same to Auburn. Then they had a seemingly hapless Mizzou team coming in, and got a tough Friday night win to start that home series and get above .500 in SEC play. Missouri charged back from its own 0-7 start, though, winning the last two of the series and then taking two more from Auburn the next week, so it’s clear Mizzou may have been better than advertised. But troublingly, the Hogs were losing because the starting pitching that seemed destined to be a foundation to support a less than experienced lineup has faltered dramatically. In fact, as the Hogs go into the latter half of the conference slate, it’s still a huge liability. The last five league series, in sequence, are daunting as ever: first, a road swing to Kentucky this weekend, followed by a return home to take on Texas A&M. The annual clash with LSU at Baton Rouge looms thereafter, and then the last series at Baum Stadium against Alabama precedes

the season-ending trio of games in Starkville against Mississippi State. All five opponents are ranked in one BEAU poll or another, and WILCOX all five boast conference marks ranging from 8-7 to 10-5. Needless to say, the challenge is enormous enough without all the baffling instability of Arkansas’s own rotation. The Aggies are the unquestioned titan of the conference from an offensive standpoint, ranking at the top in most major categories, but they hurl it well, too. LSU is the only remaining foe with a team ERA above 4.00, and Alabama and Mississippi State both boast well-rounded clubs. So what to do? Well, remind yourself that Arkansas was a robust 15-15 overall last season before launching into a second-half tear that included six straight series wins. Further, note that the Hogs’ woeful pitching still hasn’t completely taken them out of games; they’ve got the second-most homers in the league, some cagey veteran leaders like Michael Bernal and Clark Eagan who tasted that success and will be motivated to bring this bunch back from an apparent death, and a stillviable nucleus of pitchers that simply need something positive after weeks of hard luck and flagging command put the team in this rare position. It’s hard to project the Hogs’ finishing ability but there may be something beneficial about the lulls that have occurred. Van Horn has always adjusted and tweaked his lineups and rotations to the point that even if the Hogs clearly aren’t among the most talented or deepest in the field, they’re always feisty and competitive and completely unwilling to just settle to the bottom of the pond. Remember the earlier statistic about all those losing SEC seasons? Remarkably, the Hogs have also never notched fewer than 13 wins in conference play, either. Consistency has been a hallmark, and it’s one that even a team that dropped eight straight — some of which were pretty ugly to watch, in fact — can recapture. Don’t tune out yet, if that 4-11 start had you on the precipice. The great virtue of the viciousness of this league is that the clear-cut frontrunners could always slip, and the dregs at the midway point can always rise.

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Battling dragons

he Observer, Lord help us, is coming into what we bitterly call The Groundskeeping Season. In addition to not feeling like we’re a stick of butter slowly melting on the dash of a Ford Fiesta, one of the reasons The Observer loves the fall and winter is that we don’t have to ever even touch the lawn mower or motorized weedwhacker between late October and mid-April. Though we know some folks get off on lawn care and making their front yard look like a putting green, The Observer just can’t get joy out of decapitating dandelions and whipping the English ivy into shape. As such, the spacious grounds of The Observatory are bound to look a little shaggy more often than not, as they do now. For the umpteenth year, ol’ Mother Nature has pulled a fast one on Yours Truly, the intermittent rain and warm sunshine turning our driveway — in a week, tops — from brown and patchy into something Indiana Jones would hack through with a machete in search of the Temple of Doom. Our streak of letting things get a little out of hand stands unbroken for the 14th spring in a row. If we were out in the sticks, we would have long since let it all go back to weeds and wildflowers, telling anyone who complained that it was “An Installation Art Statement on Suburban Conformity or Restored Prairieland Ecosystem Project” or a “Five-Year Study on the Efficacy of Nontraditional Horticulture.” Unfortunately, we have set up our base of operations in the midst of a major metropolitan city instead of inside the cone of a dormant volcano, as we had originally planned. Here in town, such experiments would eventually draw the attention of the proper authorities with their ticket books and dire threats, as they probably should. Nobody wants some tick-andrabbit-infested patch of sawbriars in the middle of their quaint little neighborhood, no matter how much “The Feasibility of Small-Site Organic Poke Salat Production” is being explored. So it begins, as soon as the rain will slack off: our yearly battle with the little

green dragon that is our yard. To be honest, we don’t HATE it. Once our grumbling is drowned out by the whine of the string trimmer, we kind of understand the appeal: making things look nice, squaring the edges, rounding the corners and generally keeping the steadily encroaching wilderness at bay. It’s the story of America! writ tiny. That said, we do like “I have mown” a hell of a lot better than “I have to mow.” Wish us luck. It’s deep enough at this point that we might scare up a snake. SOMETIMES, WORKING IN a newspaper office, as The Observer has for longer than we’d like to admit now, folks send you free stuff. The swag harvest used to be bigger at the beginning of our career back in Ought-Two, but we still get some goodies coming in over the transom around here every now and then: T-shirts and tickets to things, CDs (yes, they still make those) and DVDs, the occasional comic book or coffee cup, and lots (and lots) of press releases. Once, years ago, when a studio was promoting some island-themed kids’ movie, the mailman delivered a husked coconut. No box, no crate, just a coconut plastered with stamps, stickers promoting the movie, and a mailing label. God bless you for that one, U.S. Postal Service. Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night shall stay these couriers from delivering coconuts to slightly confused reporters. We got to thinking about swag because recently we received a box containing free booze. Specifically, vodka reportedly made with American grains and the pure, free-flowing waters of Lake Fort Smith. Yes, that Lake Fort Smith. In Arkansas. Bottled there, too. We haven’t quite worked up the nerve to try it yet. Might be the best thing since apple pie and ice cream. But there’s something about the company proudly printing “Lake Fort Smith” right on the label that puts us off. Too, if there’s one thing we’ve learned over all these years, it’s that just because something’s free doesn’t mean it’s good.

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APRIL 21, 2016

Arkansas Reporter

THE

A Readers’ Map debuts

462 Arkansas authors make the cut. BY LESLIE NEWELL PEACOCK

virtue of founding the newspaper. (But Mara Leveritt is there, having published several books since the 1994 map.) Writers need not have been born in Arkansas, but their time here must have left a mark on their writing. The Gentleman of Elvas — a Spaniard who wrote a chronicle of his travels to Arkansas with DeSoto in the 17th century — remains on the map. The new map also differs from

hen C.D. Wright mentioned in 2013 that she’d like to see her Reader’s Map of Arkansas updated, Hope Coulter thought, “How hard could that be?” As it turned out, it was nearly three years hard, as Coulter, director of the Hendrix-Murphy Programs at Hendrix College, and her colleagues on the steering committee found themselves laboring over a number of questions. Who should be included? Well, they should have published a book. What does publish mean? What sort of a book? What does it mean to be an Arkansas writer, anyway? What is literature? What if we left someone out? And so forth. In the end, the committee came up with 462 authors. Their names, alongside one of their writings, appear, in no particular order, on the new 2-by3-foot Readers’ Map of Arkansas, unveiled April 12 at the Oxford American Annex. Wright’s original Reader’s Map, which was part of her “Lost Roads Project” with photographer Deborah Luster, an exhibition of writings, photographs and an accompanying book, contained around 150 names and included musicians and journalists as well as writers. It was her belief that Arkansas’s writers and artists stood apart in the way the state’s geography and topography is distinct from the named regions around us. “My stance is that Arkansas culture, the artful expression of an internally autonomous territory in letters, has been both precisely and uncommonly expressed, and that this record is cause for assertion,” Wright said in her introduction to the “Lost Roads” book. “I arkansas,” she wrote, much as you would say “I write” or “I read.” 12

APRIL 21, 2016

ARKANSAS TIMES

C.D. WRIGHT: The late author wanted to see the Reader’s Map she created updated, and Hope Coulter, director of the Hendrix-Murphy Programs at Hendrix College, took it on.

There is no such lyrical introduction to the new Readers’ Map, but the map’s website explains, “Arkansas is still relatively small in population, close-knit, and uniquely tied to the land. These are among the factors in its distinctive literary heritage … .” There is still cause for assertion, but our knowledge of who is writing in Arkansas — our ability to know — has grown by leaps and bounds. The new map, designed by H.K. Stewart, includes only authors of published — but not self-published — books. No more musicians. No more Alan Leveritt, the publisher of the Arkansas Times, who was listed by

the 1994 map, in a WPA-ish woodcut design (and “Reader’s” instead of “Readers’ ”) in that names are not listed alphabetically, a device that encourages readers of the Readers’ Map to explore Arkansas letters in the way you might go through a bin of old 33s, knowing jewels are there. Readers won’t find academic tomes, but they will find all their favorite Arkansas writers, as well as writers they never heard of. Besides great poets and novelists, there are nonfiction writers as well, like George William Featherstonhaugh (“Excursion through the Slave States,” published in 1844) and Joseph Neal (“Arkansas Birds, Their Distribu-

tion and Abundance)” and Bill Clinton (“My Life”). Orville Henry is on the map (“The Razorbacks: The Story of Arkansas Football”) and so is Arkansas School for the Blind alumnus Ved Mehta (“Sound-Shadows of the New World.”) And while musicians no longer appear, critics are there, such as Marvin Schwartz (“We Wanna Boogie: The Rockabilly Roots of Sonny Burgess and the Pacers.”) Readers will find romance writers — Christian, paranormal, Amish and suspenseful. Science fiction. Vampire literature. It is democratic: No particular test of taste or literary merit was applied. (“Who am I to judge?” Coulter said in an interview.) It is, as the website says, as diverse as Arkansas, “from John Gould Fletcher to Maya Angelou, Charles Portis to Padma Viswananthan.” Around 200 of the authors are living. Tuesday night’s unveiling was bittersweet, as two people crucial to the project did not live to see it completed. Wright, a poet and writer of prose, died unexpectedly in January at her home in Rhode Island. She was 67 and a professor at Brown University. Amy Edgington, the cataloger for the Central Arkansas Library System and the new project, died after a brief illness in November. Authors who appear on the map read not from their own writings but from those of writers they admired: Jo McDougall read a poem of Miller Williams; Jay Jennings read the first few pages of “Dog of the South” by Charles Portis. Sanderia Faye read from Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”; Guy Lancaster read from Sanderia Faye’s “Mourner’s Bench.” Sandy Longhorn read from Wright’s “One With Others,” about Mrs. Vittitow and her journey with Sweet Willie Wine and the racist Delta. You don’t get much more arkansas than that. The Arkansas Humanities Council, the Department of Arkansas Heritage, the Arkansas Library Association, the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, the Central Arkansas Library System Foundation, The Hendrix-Murphy Foundation Programs in Literature and Language, the Porter Fund, Pulaski Technical College and the University of Central Arkansas supported the project.

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APRIL 21, 2016

Turmoil at the top In exchange for guiding the Little Rock School District to stability, Superintendent Baker Kurrus was dumped after just one year. BY MAX BRANTLEY AND BENJAMIN HARDY

APRIL 21,14 2016APRIL ARKANSAS TIMES 21, 2016 ARKANSAS TIMES

TRUTH TELLER: After meticulously analyzing Little Rock charter schoolsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; performance relative to the LRSD, Kurrus (right) lobbied against charter expansion. That likely led to his boss, Education Commissioner and stalwart charter backer Johnny Key, opting not to renew Kurrusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; contract.

www.arktimes.com www.arktimes.com APRIL 21, 2016 APRIL 15 21, 2016

BRIAN CHILSON

A ‘BREACH OF FAITH’: That’s how Sen. Joyce Elliott, here with Rep. Clarke Tucker and Kurrus (right), described Education Commissioner Johnny Key’s dismissal of Kurrus.

after less than a ON MONDAY, APRIL 18, year on the job, Little Rock School District Superintendent Baker Kurrus informed LRSD staff and stakeholders that he was being let go. Kurrus’ last day will be June 30, which is when his one-year contract expires. Normally, the decision to hire and fire a superintendent is the domain of the local school board. But the LRSD has no school board. That elected, seven-member panel was forcibly dissolved in January 2015, when the state Board of Education voted to take over the district based on the low academic performance of six schools (out of 48 campuses total). With the LRSD now under state control, such decisionmaking authority rests in the hands of a single man: Education Commissioner Johnny Key, who heads the state Department of Education. Key, a former Republican legislator from Mountain Home, named Kurrus as superintendent last May after the previous head of the district, Dexter Suggs, departed under the cloud of a plagiarism scandal. Kurrus was an unconventional choice: A Harvardtrained lawyer, successful businessman and lifelong resident of Little Rock, his long years of experience serving on the local school board from 1998 to

2010 gave him an intimate knowledge of the LRSD’s political fault lines, but he lacked the background in education that most superintendents are required to have. At the time, Key requested a waiver of law from the state Board of Education so that he could hire Kurrus. Many in the education community had their doubts about selecting a businessman to run the public schools. But in the past 10 months, Kurrus has moved with alacrity. He’s replaced multiple principals, reorganized systems throughout the district, entered a contract to open a new middle school in West Little Rock by the coming 2016-17 school year and begun planning a new high school in Southwest Little Rock, and tirelessly visited every school in the LRSD to identify needs. He’s identified major budget cuts at a time when the district faces an impending loss of $37 million annually due to the end of payments from the state in a decades-old desegregation settlement. By refinancing bonds and identifying operational savings — while avoiding mass layoffs — he’s developed a plan to pay for the new construction. He continued a contract with the Little Rock Education Association, the classroom teachers’ union, though one dramatically reduced in scope from past agreements. Nonetheless, he’s also worked hard to build a

relationship with the LREA and teachers in general. As word of Kurrus’ unexpected dismissal spread, so did a sense of outrage among parents, teachers, community leaders and other Little Rock residents, many of whom have often found themselves on opposite sides of the district’s fractious public education issues. On Monday evening, Mayor Mark Stodola — normally reluctant to engage in political controversy — wrote in a Facebook post, “Can’t believe Baker Kurrus’ contract will not be extended. He has put LRSD on the right track. I have call in to the Governor to try and get this decision reversed. I predict major blow back from LR citizens if this decision is not changed.” In a statement, the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce said it was “surprised and concerned” about the news. Others had stronger words. “I’m sick,” said Cathy Koehler, president of the LREA. “He has led the district in a way that has restored faith and hope.” State Sen. Joyce Elliott (D-Little Rock), one of the legislature’s foremost public education advocates, said “the firing of Baker Kurrus is an unspeakable breach of faith with the families, students and the rest (mostly anyway) of Little Rock.” Greg Adams, a former Little Rock School Board president and CONTINUED ON PAGE 25

APRIL 21, 2016

ARKANSAS TIMES

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF CHANGING LIVES THROUGH COMPASSIONATE HEALING

ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT www.arktimes.com ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT www.arktimes.com ARKANSAS TIMES APRIL APRIL21, 21,2016 2016 17 1

RIVENDELL CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF CHANGING LIVES THROUGH COMPASSIONATE HEALING!

ecause the name “Rivendell” ” originated orrig iginat igin in nated atted d in in JRR J R JR he R he ings in g , ou gs ourr st staf aff af aff Tolkien’s Hobbit & Lord of tthe Rings, staff m tthe h n he o el ov elss. s. O ne often refer to quotes from novels. One

hirt hi rt sslogan rt lo loga oga g n fo forr th the e that we recently used as our tee shirt revven nti tion n’ss “Out “Ou Outt American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s e wh w o wan wa and nder of the Darkness” Walk, “Not all those who wander ay amongst amon am o gs on g t are lost…” has become popular today o h ea artt a many. And, we certainly take it to heart att per erso s n so Rivendell! We understand that each person

hile w we don’t live and work in the fantasy world of Tolkien’s novels, we d do find great value in encouraging those seeking refuge at

Rivende ell We believe in each individual and the opportunity to begin Rivendell. again. It is our job to help others find the tools within themselves and again. provvi new ones for continuing down the road to a brighter future. provide T May, Rivendell Behavioral Health Services of Arkansas is This cce celebrating 30 years of following our mission: “Changing lives t through compassionate healing”. The children, adolescents and adults we treat at Rivendell are treasured by us, their

e, difdiiffhas his own path in this world, unique,

families, friends and community. Helping our patients see

tthis hiss ferent from anyone else’s, and, yet, a att th

and feel that worth by promoting dignity and respect is

ross moment in time, we have met at a cross

how we transform hope to healing. Our patients and em-

ch h roads. It is our hope that we help each

ployees can expect the highest quality of care including

“traveler” find rest, healing, nourish--

medication management and compassionate care from

ment, direction, and the ability to

our treatment team, delivered in a comfortable setting.

continue better equipped for what

By treating psychiatric conditions and addictions in both

lies ahead. As described in Tolkien’s

inpatient and outpatient settings, Rivendell’s team of Board

stories, Rivendell was, “despite its

Certified physicians, psychologists, nurses, therapists and

semi-isolation…, worldly and never

mental health associates provides each guest in our care

fully cut off from other peoples

exceptional outcomes. Rivendell also is Joint Commission

or their troubles. For outsiders

accredited and has been awarded Joint Commission’s high-

it proved to be a ‘refuge for the

e honor of being a Key Top Performer in Behavioral Health. est

weary and the oppressed, and a

This year, Rivendell has expanded its inpatient hospitaliza-

treasury of good counsel and wise

tio on program for adults to 46 beds, focusing on alcohol and drug tion

lore,’ and was visited by peoples off

detto cation and acute psychiatric care for ages 18 and above. detoxifi

g, all races seeking sanctuary, healing, JRR JR The inspiring poem below by JRR op pe that that a Tolkien offers some insight to the hope

g trauma, grief, addiction and impulsivity. In addition to the inpatient n for adults, Rivendell recently opened a partial hospitalization expansion for adults. This program meets Monday through Friday from 8 program for

is offered at Rivendell: “All that is gold does not glitter,

p.m m and involves intense counseling with four hours of group a.m. to 3 p.m.

Not all those who wander are lost;

m therapy daily, medication management, psychiatric evaluation and a life

The old that is strong does not wither,

n which participants work through the 10 phases of recovery. skills seminar in

Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

these expanded services and avenues of treatment, Rivendell can Through these

From the ashes a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring; Renewed shall be blade that was broken, The crownless again shall be king.” — JRR Tolkien

2 18 APRIL APRIL21, 21,2016 2016

a The addition of these acute beds for adults allows us to treat the p many people calling us daily for help with depression, anxiety, anger,

and… wisdom.”

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e care for the entire person, their loved ones and community. W hope h We this special section explains what Rivendell does and how it can help you or someone you know who may be in need. Thank you for helping make our first 30 years successful, and we look forward to the next 30 as we travel with you on this journey of life! — Jay Shehi, Chief Executive Officer

HISTORY

REFUGE FOR RECOVERY

or more than 30 years, Rivendell Behavioral Health Services of Arkansas has offered access to a full continuum of emotional and behavioral health services for adults, children and adolescents. Our philosophy of treatment is to promote

the dignity and respect of the patients we serve. The foundation of providing quality and compassionate care is through a strong and supportive relationship between Rivendell staff members and our patients. With an engaged and encouraging staff, the environment we create promotes our patients’ safety and is optimal for positive change. At all times, the essential patient rights of dignity and respect are preserved to the greatest extent possible.

1985

Founded as a private psychiatric treatment center on 18 acres in central Arkansas. Launched with 64 beds for inpatient child/adolescent psychiatric patients.

1991 1994

Expanded to 77 beds. Developed “Progressive Care Units” for intermediate-stay patients.

1995

Established AltaCare and Therapeutic Day Schools for children and teens.

2000

Opened outpatient and communitybased services, creating Rivendell Outreach.

2000-2010

Developed 15 outpatient and affiliate clinics throughout Arkansas.

2005 2010

Opened the Acute Adult Services Unit. Purchased 12 outpatient clinics and implemented dialectical behavior therapy in our Residential Treatment Center (RTC) Program for Teens.

2010 2012

Celebrated 25th anniversary on June 17. Conglomerated Rivendell Outreach with The Pointe Outpatient Behavioral Health.

2015

Added two licensed beds to make 79 total licensed beds and reached 30th anniversary.

2016

Converted 46 beds to acute care for adults.

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CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Changing the Perception of Children and Adolescents with Mental, Emotional and Behavioral Issues and Disruptive Psychiatric and Behavioral Problems

ince 1985, Rivendell has offered emergency care for children experiencing acute psychiatric and behavioral health issues. Today, we continue to help children through evaluation and stabilization, and we educate these patients and their families on the risks and potential

complications of behavioral and emotional disorders. This short-term process includes:

SCREENING Assessments are available at no charge 24 hours a day, seven days a week through our Assessment and Referral Department. The assessment is confidential, available to all ages (four and above) and typically completed within 30-60 minutes. The assessment helps us determine the level of care recommended for an individual seeking behavioral healthcare, whether that be outpatient treatment or admission to an inpatient program.

EVALUATION Once admitted to inpatient or partial hospitalization at Rivendell, a physician

Inpatient Treatment for Youth and Adults Acute care for children (ages 4 to 12), adolescents (ages 13 to 17) and adults (ages 18 and up) Dual diagnosis treatment Partial hospitalization Outpatient follow up plan

will conduct a psychiatric evaluation of the patient taking into consideration social influences and stressors, education and physical health.

DIAGNOSIS The admitting physician will initiate a diagnosis in an emergent situation in order to stabilize any acute symptoms and continue assessing the patient for further psychiatric conditions throughout treatment.

TREATMENT Treatment entails numerous interactions with healthcare professionals but is guided by the primary therapist and attending physician. Our staff looks at each facet of the patient’s lifestyle, developing an individualized treatment plan that takes into consideration the patient’s goals for a life well-lived. This process may involve lab work, psychological test-

Inpatient Care Components Psychiatric evaluation

Emotional stabilization

ing, health screenings by nursing staff, a visit with an internal medicine doctor or dietician and

Behavioral intervention

discussions with mental health counselors.

Medication management

EDUCATION During inpatient acute care, children and adolescents are able to continue working on their education in a classroom specifically designed for youth with behavioral and emotional issues. Our teachers are Special Education Certified and follow the Bryant Public Schools calendar, maintaining records for each student and contact with the schools so the child can reenter without delay once treatment is completed.

DISCHARGE PLANNING/CONTINUUM OF CARE Each patient receives counseling to prepare for the next step in his/her treatment. As each person is unique, we work

Group, individual and family therapy Recreational therapy Education Aftercare planning Visitation with family and loved ones Immediate safety for patient and others

with individuals and their families to assist in arranging aftercare, whatever that may entail. We

Access to medical treatment

assist in making referrals to outpatient clinics, residential treatment, rehabilitation programs,

Around-the-clock clinical observation

support groups, medical assistance and many other options for continuing care beyond what

Reduced anxiety and depression

Rivendell offers. For adults, we may suggest inpatient treatment for detox and stabilization with medication management and a “step down” to a two-week partial hospitalization program for follow up. After completion of “partial”, we would refer the patient to an outpatient provider who would continue care.

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Improved overall health

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

YOUTH SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT

or youth facing substance abuse-related

substances helps both the patient and family

treatment plan designed to safely reintegrate

issues, Rivendell takes an in-depth look

prepare for treatment. Rivendellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s staff takes

the youth into his or her home environment and

at coinciding emotional and behavioral

into account the social, educational and medical

community where support services are acces-

factors. Our acute care unit for adolescents,

ramifications of chemical dependence, and we

sible. A case manager will assist in scheduling

ages 13-18, offers a dual diagnosis track,

teach how abusing drugs and alcohol can have

a follow-up outpatient appointment prior to

which is specifically designed to evaluate

long-term effects on the body and mind, and

discharge, ensuring the family and patient have

and stabilize early destructive behaviors and

also may result in serious legal consequences.

a clear path to recovery in aftercare.

psychiatric disorders.

These services are provided to patients in

At Rivendell, we understand how dif-

Educating both the patient and his or her

a structured, safe environment where they can

ficult it can be to address problems arising

family is a primary focus of this short-term

detox along with group, individual and family

in adolescence, and that many children are

program. Understanding and recognizing the

therapy sessions for processing and developing

experimenting with drugs at an early age.

risks and potential complications of minors

coping skills. Our medical director works with

Seeking professional help is the first step to

experimenting with drugs and other harmful

the patient and his or her therapist to create a

successful treatment.

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SERVICES FOR ADULTS

PEACE OF MIND FOR ADULTS

n 2005, Rivendell expanded its services to

many, it can be difficult to leave the safety and

recreation, transportation and breaks also are

include adults in its continuum of care, provid-

security of an inpatient treatment program and

provided. Upon completion of the program,

ing treatment for those ages 18 and above

return home immediately to a monthly follow-up

patients are referred to a counseling provider of

suffering from psychiatric illness or a combination

appointment as is often all that is available. To

choice so they can continue counseling on an

of mental illness and substance abuse issues.

aid in this recovery phase, Rivendell launched a

individual basis.

Today, Rivendell offers a dual diagnosis track in

new partial hospitalization program for adults in

Rivendell’s clinical team consists of seasoned

our acute inpatient program for adults coping with

February 2016, which involves day treatment at the

counselors, medical staff and mental health as-

chemical dependency along with emotional and

hospital, typically from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday

sociates who will guide each patient toward a plan

behavioral issues. We understand that breaking the

through Friday, for two-to-three weeks. Each day,

for success. With care and compassion, our staff

cycle of substance abuse requires ongoing support

the patient is engaged in four hours of therapy and

develops a unique treatment plan based on each

as well as medical oversight. In addition, we offer

works independently through a guided journal as

individual’s needs. Patients are invited to select

a wide array of therapy groups to encourage and

they learn about the 10 phases of recovery. The

from a menu of group therapy options specific

educate our patients entering this program along

team psychiatrist is able to continue working with

to their goals. Rivendell also provides a private

with medication management by a psychiatrist.

patients individually on medication management

setting for Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings

Taking the “next step” in treatment is always

and a clearer understanding of their diagnoses.

that our patients are welcome to attend during

a consideration of the patients we serve. For

Lunch and refreshments along with therapeutic

treatment as well as after discharge.

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THE RIVENDELL TREATMENT TEAM

WE SALUTE OUR TEAM! PHYSICIANS

GARY THARP, M.D., Psychiatry, Medical Director and

their treatment, leading them to make positive lifestyle changes for better mental and overall health.

Deon Aaron, LCSW; John Norris, LCSW; Melanie

Attending Physician, Acute Care Unit for Children and Adolescents Dr. Tharp has practiced medicine for more than 20 years with much of that time spent caring for patients at Rivendell. He is a board certified child and adolescent psychiatrist serving both inpatient and outpatient clients from all across Arkansas. Dr. Tharp leads our treatment team in providing psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis, medication management and behavioral modification for children ages four to 18. As the medical director, he also assists with rounds on our adult unit. DAVID STREETT, M.D., Psychiatry, Attending Physician, Adult Services Unit Dr. Streett brings more than 15 years of work in both outpatient and inpatient psychiatric settings as well as a passion for aiding patients through the steps of recovery. At Rivendell, he treats adults ages 18 and older seeking help for issues with depression, suicidal thoughts, self harm, aggression, mood swings, irritability, psychosis, anxiety, impulsivity and addiction. Dr. Streett encourages patients to take an active role in

MOBILE ASSESSORS/ COMMUNITY LIAISONS

Paulman, MS; Kellee McCoy, Pending May 2016

Russell Burton, M.D., Internal Medicine,

LMFT, LAC ; Kellie Mayle, BA ; Elizabeth Baker,

Jill Bryson, M.D., Internal Medicine

MA; Holli Courson, BA; Amy Aukes, LCSW

NURSING LEADERSHIP

ADMINISTRATION

Jessica Rouse, R.N., Nurse Manage; Jennifer Bowen, R.N., Infection Preventionist/Clinical

Jay Shehi, Chief Executive Officer; Stefanie

Educator; Randy Griffith, R.N., Supervisor; Jessica

Ballard, Director of Health Information and Privacy;

Supervisor; Mystic Thompson, R.N., Supervisor

Performance Improvement; Shawn Duncan, Chief

Henley, R.N., Supervisor; Phillip Wilkerson, R.N.,

Laura Davis, Director of Risk Management and

Nursing Officer; Misty Juola, Director of Clinical

CLINICIANS

Services; Fred Knox, Director of Assessment

Lynne Baer, LCSW ASU, Therapist; Laura Huff,

Development; Spencer Smith, Director of

Misty Juola, LPE, Director of Clinical Services;

and Referral; Sara McClain, Director of Business

LCSW ASU, Social Services Coordinator; Lisa

Environment of Care; Shirley Spurlock, Director

Murray, LCSW, Therapist; Brandi Bailey- ACU/

ASU, Adult and Child Therapist; Terri French- ACU, Child and Adolescent Therapist; Marilyn Lipton, LCSW ASU, Contract Therapist

of Human Resources; Kelly Stewart, Director of

Utilization Review; J. Gary Tharp, Medical Director; Dorothy Travis, Chief Financial Officer; Wanda

Calvin, Executive Assistant and Communications Supervisor; Jennifer Goodman, Director of

Outpatient Services; Lynn Bledsoe, Dietary

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CONTACT RIVENDELL TODAY Help is available for you or someone you love. Contact Rivendell today to speak with an assessment and referral counselor to answer any questions you may have. This assessment is available to you at no charge, 24-hours a day, seven days a week, and is completely confidential. You are not alone, and we can help.

100 RIVENDELL DRIVE BENTON, ARKANSAS 72019 501-316-1255 TOLL-FREE: 1-800-264-5640 WWW.RIVENDELLOFARKANSAS.COM

8 24 APRIL APRIL21, 21,2016 2016

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J. ADRIAN STANLEY AND COLORADO SPRINGS INDEPENDENT

GROW grow LOCAL

co-chair of the district’s Civic Advisory Committee, said “it is a sad day for the LRSD and for Little Rock.” Even Rep. John Walker (D-Little Rock), the civil rights lawyer who has filed a federal lawsuit over both the state takeover of the LRSD and the district’s construction of the new West Little Rock middle school, offered measured support for the man he’s named as a defendant in court: He told the Arkansas DemocratGazette that Kurrus was “an advocate for public education” and “seemed to be the voice of some moderation.” Why, then, given the community support for a superintendent in a district that has suffered such chronic instability, is Kurrus being removed? At a press conference Tuesday, Key offered a vague and unconvincing explanation. The commissioner praised the superintendent’s work, saying the district has “turned the corner” and that Kurrus was the “one person who could do that” in the tumult following the takeover and Suggs’ departure. But Key said it is now time to “make a turn on the academic side and have an academic leader who has a track record to turn around a large urban district.” The commissioner said Gov. Hutchinson, to whom he directly reports, was aware of his decision. Kurrus, the commissioner said, “didn’t do anything wrong. He did everything right. He set the stage for the next direction of leadership.” To that end, Key continued, he was

ARKANSAS TIMES

NEW GUY IN CHARGE: Key said Michael Poore has a strong track record, but his experience is primarily in cities with less diversity, poverty and historic tensions than Little Rock.

hiring Michael Poore, the former superintendent of Bentonville Public Schools United who unexpectedly stepped down last night from his post atop the affluent Northwest Arkansas district. Key said Poore had a “stellar career” in Colorado turning around schools. He also said Kurrus was not fired: June 30 merely marked “the end of the contract,” and it is time to move on to a “true, strong academic leader.” (Kurrus, who was also present at the press event, offered few remarks but made it clear the decision was Key’s.) Kurrus’ lack of academic background in education is not immaterial, but Key’s statement contains an unspoken irony: The commissioner himself also has no such academic experience. When Gov. Hutchinson hired Key a little over a year ago, the legislature had to change state law regarding the mandatory credentials for the position. And, of course, the only legal justification for the entire state takeover of the LRSD was the district’s purported state of “academic distress.” If Kurrus is not qualified to steward an academic turnaround, why was he ever hired in the first place? It seems far more likely that Kurrus fell out of favor with Key for a different reason: his outspoken challenge these past months to the expansion of two charter school operators in Little Rock, eStem Public Charter Schools and LISA Academy. A divided state Board of Education on March 31 approved plans by

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APRIL 21, 2016

LRSD Forest Heights STEM* . . . . . . . B

248

LRSD Pulaski Heights . . . . . . . . . . . C

235

LRSD Mann . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C

232

CHARTER: Quest . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C

228

LRSD Mabelvale Middle . . . . . . . . . .C

222

CHARTER: Lisa Academy . . . . . . . . . C

215

CHARTER: eStem . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C

212

LRSD Henderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C

210

LRSD Cloverdale . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D

208

CHARTER: Little Rock Prep Academy . . D

208

LRSD Dunbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D

207

CHARTER Covenant Keepers . . . . . . .D

182

*Forest Heights STEM Academy is a K-8 school

APRIL 21, 2016

ARKANSAS TIMES

eStem and LISA to double their current combined enrollment in the coming years, with eStem declaring its intentions to expand further beyond that. The charters argued that expansion is necessary to meet latent parent demand, but advocates of the LRSD — including Kurrus — argued that the expansions will further concentrate disadvantaged students in the district. Compared to the LRSD, eStem and LISA contain lower percentages of children who live in poverty, African-American and Hispanic students, Englishlanguage learners and special education students — all of which give the charters a strong demographic edge, statistically speaking. By drawing a cohort of students from disproportionately more affluent households away from traditional public schools, a growing charter school sector threatens to leave students in the LRSD in a worse situation, since a school’s performance tracks largely with its concentration of poverty. A district with growing poverty percentages is a district with compounding problems — and, of course, those problems are inherited by its students. Kurrus amassed significant data illustrating that charter schools have tended to take higher income and white students from the LRSD and that expanded charter schools would likely continue this trend, further segregating education in Little Rock. He presented this information to the state Board of Education at its public hearing on the issue. At Tuesday’s press conference, Kurrus said he asked Key about his future with the district on April 1 (“a propitious date,” he added with a slight smile). Key later told him his contract would not be renewed. Kurrus said they didn’t discuss the reason. Kurrus’ highly public stand on the charter question perhaps did not sit well with Key, who as a state senator was a proponent for an “education reform” agenda promoting school “choice” — the unlimited ability for students to transfer from district to district, even for racially motivated reasons; promotion of charter schools; policies that diminish the power of unions, which are already attenuated in Arkansas; and so forth. If speaking out against charter school growth is what doomed Kurrus’ chances in the LRSD, it’s hard not to see the hand of Jim Walton at work. Arkansas’s richest man is one of the country’s foremost advocates for education “reform,” and the Walton Family Foundation directly

and indirectly lobbies state government on behalf of charters, along with advocating for other education issues. Walton has taken a direct interest in the growth of charters in Little Rock: In 2015, legislation that would have opened the door to widespread privatization of LRSD schools originated with a Walton-backed lobbyist. The bill failed in committee after public outcry and lobbying from traditional public school organizations, but education advocates fear it will return in the 2017 legislative session. Kurrus’ leadership, it should be mentioned, hasn’t always been at odds with the Walton vision for education. He played hardball with the teachers’ union on their contract renegotiation and agreed to bring a number of Teach for America corps members into the district. (TFA, a program that places high-achieving young college graduates in teaching positions with little formal training, is much beloved among education reformers such as the Waltons.) But on the charter school question, Kurrus was unyielding in his advocacy for traditional public education — something that flies in the face of education reform orthodoxy. At Tuesday’s press conference, Key was asked directly by reporters whether the charter decision was behind Kurrus’ dismissal. The commissioner said that was not the case, but others are not convinced. Bill Kopsky, an LRSD parent and political activist (and occasional columnist for the Arkansas Times), said, “What Little Rock needs more than anything is stability and confidence and Baker was supplying that. Johnny [Key] and the governor have now torn that to shreds to wage their ideological war. And children will suffer. I don’t know how parents can have any confidence now in the direction the district is taken.” Kopsky also lamented that charter schools caused the change. It’s a needless distraction from larger issues, he said, noting that research doesn’t support the presumption that charter schools are superior to their traditional counterparts. Indeed, that conclusion is borne out by the state Education Department’s “report cards” issued to public schools just last week and based on 2014-15 testing data — a letter-grade system mandated by the legislature to make it easier, supposedly, for parents to compare schools. Such single-letter grading systems are perhaps more misleading

than helpful, considering how difficult it is to compare schools with dramatically disparate populations based on standardized test scores. But since such quantitative accountability measures are emphasized so heavily by education reform advocates, it is instructive to compare the scores of charters and traditional public schools in Little Rock. Consider the scores for public middle schools in the city on the chart on the opposite page. The rating system, which is based on a scale of 1 to 300, derives from a weighted score based on both student performance on a standardized test and student growth compared to previous years. (Elementary and high school scores can be found at the Arkansas Department of Education website.) EStem Middle School fell from a B the year before to a C in 2014-15. All the Little Rock schools but Dunbar rose in 2014-15, Henderson by two letter grades. Again, overreliance on scores can be wildly misleading — note that a mere point for Cloverdale, and for Little Rock Prep Academy, kept these schools out of the C grade ranking. However, the state’s own numbers clearly contradict the narrative of thriving charter schools and failing public schools. To be clear, Kurrus can’t take the credit for the 2014-15 rankings, since he was hired last summer. Nor, for that matter, can the state Education Department. Substantially all of the education that went into the 2014-15 scores occurred while the Little Rock schools were still under the control of the elected local school board and before the state took over the entire district for the “failure” of six of 48 schools, including Henderson and Cloverdale. The numbers raise anew questions about whether the LRSD’s academic situation necessarily warranted a takeover in the first place. Kurrus said at the Tuesday press conference that test scores in Little Rock are improving and efforts to produce academic results are bearing fruit. “I don’t think we’ll be in academic distress for five years,” the superintendent said. “Compare Little Rock to its peer group right now, and I think there’s a good question about the relative [academic] distress.” Sen. Elliott said she had little respect for the report card as a legitimate measure of school performance, but was “stunned” that Kurrus would be let go just as, according to the grading system, the Little Rock School District was mak-

Kurrus amassed significant data that illustrating that charter schools have tended to take higher income and white students from the LRSD and that expanded charter schools would likely continue this trend, further segregating education in Little Rock. ing progress. Kurrus and the teachers’ union were working together “to make sure things are better — just when we see progress and just when we begin to get some stability in this district, the very people who supposedly took over the district because of instability are just creating more instability. They were supposed to be the ones who were going to make sure that families and students in this district knew that there was a way forward.” Elliott still has doubts about appointing noneducators to govern districts, she said. But, “I think Baker Kurrus had done a terrific job under circumstances that were not amenable to anybody taking this position. I just know personally, he virtually worked around the clock to be inclusive and to try to build up morale in this district so that people would believe there was a reason for moving forward, so that teachers would know somebody was making a difference. “It seems to me that, apparently, Johnny Key and the governor seem determined to snatch success away from this school district because [success] is what was going on by their own measures,” she said. It remains to be seen whether Michael Poore, the Bentonville superintendent, can fill Kurrus’ shoes, and it would be unfair to judge him prematurely. Poore has headed the Bentonville schools since June 2011, during which time he developed a strategic

plan for the district and implemented a new “Response to Intervention” plan targeting struggling students. Before that, Poore served as deputy superintendent and chief academic officer for a school district in Colorado Springs, Colo., from July 2007 to June 2011. But although Colorado Springs may be an urban district (unlike Bentonville), it too faces challenges of poverty proportionally smaller than those in Little Rock: A look at U.S. Census data shows the city of Colorado Springs has a poverty rate of 13.9 percent (below the national average) compared to 18 percent in Little Rock, well above the national average. Then there are Little Rock’s fraught racial dynamics — rooted in a long history of discrimination and segregation — which bring additional challenges to bear on any LRSD superintendent. Little Rock is a majority-minority city, around 42 percent African American, 7 percent Latino and 47 percent non-Hispanic white. Colorado Springs is 71 percent non-Hispanic white. That doesn’t mean Poore can’t succeed, but he’ll have a lot of learning to do about the LRSD, the city and its history — the sort of granular knowledge that Kurrus has accrued over decades of living here and years of public service. Then there is the fact that Bentonville is, of course, the seat of the Walton fortune that brings so much influence to bear over education in Arkansas. What is Poore’s philosophy regarding charter schools, equity, teachers’ unions and a host of other issues? We simply don’t know. One thing is clear: Poore will be better compensated than Kurrus, to the tune of around $75,000 annually. A draft contract with the Education Department calls for pay of $225,000 to lead the district through the next school year, plus a car and phone allowance. It allows for his termination without cause before June 30, 2017, with 30 days notice. Poore made $209,500 in Bentonville. Kurrus worked for $150,000. As for Kurrus, what will he do after June 30? He didn’t seem particularly enthusiastic about Key’s proposal of a partnership or consultant work. “Life marches on,” he said at the Tuesday press conference. He touted some recent scholarships won by Little Rock students; he mentioned how proud he was of the district’s teachers. “I work here, I live here, “ he said. “I’ll be here.”

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APRIL 21, 2016

Arts Entertainment AND

NO SMALL TALK Kari Faux on her new album, ‘Lost en Los Angeles.’ BY STEPHANIE SMITTLE

“I

’m hot. I’m black. I control culture.” The words headlining Little Rock rapper Kari Faux’s Instagram page wield the same power and selfassurance that pulsed through her 2014 EP, “Laugh Now, Die Later.” That swagger certainly makes its way into her recent release, “Lost en Los Angeles” (Wolf & Rothstein), but it’s the swagger of a soul grown older. It’s matured, mixed with shades of vulnerability and wonder. After a rapid ascent to fame and a whirlwind stint in L.A., Kari Faux is back in Little Rock, and I spoke with her recently about her new album. The title track is a slow groove that begins with a siren loop and moves into a dreamy snapshot of Faux as a pioneer in Southern California, simultaneously enchanted and disoriented: “Mountains stacked for miles and miles/Living life in the domesticated wild/Before I got here, I was a child/Now I’m here, tryin’ to figure it out.” I asked Faux, whose real name is Kari Johnson, about that sense of displacement. “You know how you work on something for so long that you don’t even take a step back to realize what you’ve created? That’s kind of how I am. I’m always really critical of myself, and I’m always thinking about what I’m doing, and how can I do more, and then I take a step back and I’m like, 28

APRIL 21, 2016

ARKANSAS TIMES

‘Shit, how did I get here?’ ” It shouldn’t come as a shock to any Kari Faux fans that she found little time for reflection after the success of her debut EP. Her choice to make tracks in L.A. was, in part, thrust upon her by a surprise endorsement from actor and musician Childish Gambino (Donald Glover), who liked her song “No Small Talk” so much he wrote an additional verse. Conceived as a birthday gift for Faux’s friend Shanice, who inspired the track’s punchline, the video for “No Small Talk” is a comedic throwback, one Faux describes as a “DIY” piece. It includes a particularly sarcastic segment in which the word “EXOTIC” is superimposed over a freeze frame of one of Faux’s AsianAmerican friends. The word flashes up in an 8-bit font, one you’d likely recognize from its heyday, when it was used to display words like “Donkey Kong” and “Space Invaders.” It’s fun, but it’s also a dig at the way women are sexualized based on their ethnicity. “Yeah, it’s like, ‘Oh, she’s so exotic.’ She was born in Arkansas — what does that even mean?” Faux said. “Lost en Los Angeles” is produced by Faux’s longtime collaborator and fellow Little Rock native Malik Flint (a.k.a. BLACK PARTY, of Flint Eastwood, Weekend Warriors), and if “No Small Talk” represented the dawning of Flint’s sensibility for a 1970s/1980s aesthetic, then Faux’s new track “Sup-

CONTROLLING CULTURE: Little Rock rapper Kari Faux is recording in L.A.

plier” is its stylistic offspring. A synthesizer-driven dance groove, the video is filmed in disco-era soft focus. Were it not for Faux’s modern flow and a passing reference to a text message, one might think the whole ordeal was a steamy champagne advertisement, perhaps filmed on Donna Summer’s yacht circa 1978. The album version of “Supplier” that appears on “Lost en Los Angeles” has a gorgeous outro that was missing from the previously released video, an ethereal fade-out with strings and breathy background vocals. The same lush instrumentation is present throughout the album, often as a platform for Faux’s spoken-word interludes, like “Don’t,” a warning and admonishment to a future partner about the perils of becoming too complacent in a relationship. I told Faux they remind me fondly of the interludes from Outkast’s “The Love Below.” She said I must be pulling her leg, that I “must have read somewhere”

“YEAH, IT’S LIKE, ‘OH, SHE’S SO EXOTIC.’ SHE WAS BORN IN ARKANSAS — WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?” FAUX SAID.

about the album being her favorite. Another track, “Fantasy,” employs a plunking upright bass, a tinkly piano arpeggio, and a clipped saxophone riff that sounds like it’s being played in reverse. Faux’s cadence in “Fantasy” has the measured rhythm of a jumprope rhyme, as if it could accompany a hand-clapping game on a school play-

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ground. Lyrically, though, it’s decidedly adult: “I won’t caress your ego/I’ll only snuff your pride/I’ll probably leave you empty/If our bodies do collide.” The song’s hook comes across as staunchly feminist: “I’m no man’s fantasy,” despite a caveat thereafter (“I haven’t got the chance to be.”) Like most labels, “feminist” is one with which Faux admits to having a complicated relationship. “I already know this is gonna be a feminist anthem. I’m cool with it. I didn’t have that intention, but I’m not mad at it. Empowerment of women is not something that I’m against. I don’t necessarily call myself a feminist, but I believe in the empowerment of women, so maybe it makes no sense that I don’t call myself a feminist?” Faux talks often about her longtime collaboration with Little Rock’s Flint, but I asked about another Malik: the recently deceased Malik Taylor (a.k.a. Phife Dawg) of A Tribe Called Quest, which Faux referenced lovingly on her first EP. “Honestly, it made me realize how separated the hip-hop [communities] from now and the hip-hop then are. I wish everybody could come together, old and new, and teach other. You know what I mean? There are so many people that are like, ‘Oh, you don’t know anything about him.’ Even if that person doesn’t know anything about A Tribe Called Quest, or any of the music from that era, then teach them. The same goes for old people. Teach them what’s cool, what’s hip. That’s how hip-hop stays alive. That’s how we move the culture forward.”

LITTLE ROCK DIRECTOR Jeff Nichols, whose stature as a young auteur has been steadily growing with the success of films like 2012’s “Mud” and his most recent sci-fi offering, “Midnight Special,” will get a chance to put a very big feather in his cap next month. His latest film, “Loving,” has been selected to compete for the prestigious Palme d’Or at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival in France. The film is based on the story of interracial couple Richard and Mildred Loving, who filed suit in federal court in the mid-1960s to overturn Southern bans on interracial marriage. Their case, Loving v. Virginia, eventually went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled that restrictions on racially mixed marriages were unconstitutional. The case has been cited heavily in more recent efforts to see bans on LGBT marriage ruled unconstitutional. Written and directed by Nichols, “Loving” stars Joel Edgerton, Ruth Negga, Nick Kroll and Nichols regular Michael Shannon. The film, which began production in Richmond, Va., in September 2015, is scheduled for release Nov. 4. Twenty other films, including offerings from directors Paul Verhoeven, Jim Jarmusch, Pedro Almodovar and Sean Penn, will also compete for Cannes’ top prize.

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BELOVED SOUL CROONER Maxwell is coming July 16 to Verizon Arena on tour behind his forthcoming album “blackSUMMERS’night,” his first in seven years. Fantasia and Ro James share the bill. Tickets, which run from $29.50 to $125, go on sale on Thursday, April 21, via Ticketmaster. THE 2016 SCULPTURE IN the River Market show comes to the River Market pavilions Saturday and Sunday, April 23-24. There will be a $100-aticket preview Friday night from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, when the Public Art Competition winner will be announced. The winner will receive a commission worth between $60,000 and $80,000, paid from the Sculpture at the River Market nonprofit, for a sculpture to be located in Riverfront Park.

SATURDAY, APRIL 23 THE THEATER AT VERIZON ARENA ON SALE NOW AT TICKETMASTER.COM • ALL TICKETMASTER LOCATIONS • CHARGE BY PHONE AT 800-745-3000

www.arktimes.com

APRIL 21, 2016

THE TO-DO

LIST

BY SARAH STRICKLIN

SATURDAY 4/23

HANDMADE IN THE HEIGHTS 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Kavanaugh Boulevard in the Heights. Free.

If you are someone who laments the fact that your jewelry does not include baby doll parts, your soap is not made of goat’s milk, your drink cozies are not knitted and your dog treats are not gluten-free, lament no more. Heather Zbinden of the Yarn Mart, Heather Smith of Domestic Domestic and Erin Lorenzen of local crafty art and yoga fame have organized a replacement for Etsy Fest this year (Etsy Fest will return in 2017). Handmade in The Heights will host crafters, vendors and local artists along Kavanaugh Boulevard selling offbeat items that we all are likely to decide on the spot that we need. Sponsored by the Heights Business Association.

SATURDAY 4/23

NO JOKE: The Coathangers bring hook-y riffs to Low Key Arts in Hot Springs.

INTERNATIONAL FOOD FESTIVAL

THURSDAY 4/21

THE COATHANGERS, GHOST BONES, BAD MATCH

8 p.m. Low Key Arts, Hot Springs. $10 adv., $15 day of.

Story is, The Coathangers started as a joke. Listening to them, it sounds more like a handful of naturally skillful women wanted to explore the idea of making killer music but still look cool and not seem like they cared too

Noon. Islamic Center of Little Rock. Free.

much. Regardless of their true initial intention, that’s what they ended up doing. Their stuff is all hook-y riffs and confident vocals and sweet punk. Stopping in Hot Springs for its only Arkansas show, the band will be playing songs from its latest release, which, from what’s out there for the listening so far, is more complex than earlier material. The Coathangers are play-

ing with rhythm and layering harmonies, and, believe what you will about origin stories, it’s three multitalented musicians making sink-your-teeth-in rock that doesn’t sound like a joke in any way. Opening the night will be Hot Springs’ consistently and increasingly impressive post-punk darlings Ghost Bones and, full disclosure, my band, Bad Match.

High Priestess of Soul is understandably and heartbreakingly outraged and disconsolate at the casting of notably lightskinned and thin-nosed Zoe Saldana in the titular role. After much call and response snark on Twitter between the family and Saldana, the estate offered an alternative to patronage of the film: listening parties. They said, “We can use this date as another opportunity to celebrate Nina’s life and music. Let’s create a positive from a negative by coming together and acknowledging the

authentic Nina Simone. Nothing can diminish Nina or her legacy. No one can rob Nina of her gift — or rob us of the gift she shared with us.” The Arkansas Association of Black Professionals will host a listening party at the House of Art in North Little Rock, a community art and poetry space run by The Roots Art Connection, which advocates “the integration of arts in education and community” and supports “the transformation and development of underserved communities.”

FRIDAY 4/22

NINA SIMONE LISTENING PARTY 6 p.m. The House of Art. $15.

Ta-Nehisi Coates, writing for The Atlantic, put his unwaveringly keen finger on the controversy surrounding “Nina,” the upcoming biopic of legendary soul and jazz singer and pianist Nina Simone, saying, “There is something deeply shameful in the fact that even today a young Nina Simone would have a hard time being cast in her own biopic.” The estate of the late 30

APRIL 21, 2016

ARKANSAS TIMES

So, if goat soap isn’t your thing, head over to the International Food Festival on Anna Street, just east of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, for Indian, Pakistani, Chinese, Persian and Mexican foods (among other cuisines), a bouncy castle, train AND pony rides, henna tattoos and “multicultural bazaar-style vendors.” Apparently, there will also be a clown show. (I understand if maybe that isn’t your thing.) The Islamic Center of Little Rock is hosting, and it expects food items to run between $3 and $8. Poignantly, a representative wrote on their Facebook event page, responding to whether this was its inaugural event: “We have had this event in the past but on a much smaller scale, but because of all the negative media attention we would like to start opening up more within the community.” Inexpensive ethnic food, bouncy houses, henna, ponies, a bazaar, and the opportunity to address and, hopefully, begin healing the growing distrust in our communities? See you there.

IN BRIEF

THURSDAY, APRIL 21

SATURDAY 4/23

CONWAY CRAWFISH CRAWL

SMASHING PUMPKINS, LIZ PHAIR

Noon. Kings Live Music, Conway. Free.

A few years back, John McCusker and Rusty Costanza, two award-winning photographers with the New Orleans Times-Picayune, demonstrated their apparent expertise on the art of the crawfish boil in an article for their paper’s website. They shared a number of handy tidbits on topics such as equipment (be sure to buy a top-notch propane burner), ingredients (powdered celery and frozen — not fresh — corn), cooking (think “poach” more than “boil”) and timing (“When the crawfish sink, they’ve absorbed all the flavor they’ll absorb. The trick is to make sure they’re not overdone by the time they sink.”). But perhaps the most useful information if you’re attending a boil is how to eat an already perfectly cooked crawfish. On that, they had this to say: “Break the crawfish at the natural spot in the middle, then put your lips on the opening to the body and draw in the juices. McCusker peels off the first segment of the shell around the tail, then pinches the end to make the rest of the tailmeat pop right out” — a more definitive version of “suck the heads, eat the tails.” So, keep all that in mind when you attend the fourth annual Conway Crawf ish Crawl. A section of Front Street will be shut off to accommodate multiple food trucks, games and, of course, the traditional long tables covered in newspaper, cheerfully anticipating the pounds of crawfish ($15 for two pounds). When you’ve sated your appetite for the mudbug, check out the lineup of music inside Kings: The Hooten Hallers, Jacob Pledger, The Curvy Soprano, Jamie Patrick, Stuart Thomas, Amber Wilcox and more.

7 p.m. Verizon Arena. $70-$91.50.

This Saturday, one of the ’90s most internally tortured alt-rock bands, The Smashing Pumpkins, will perform at Verizon Arena, reuniting front man Billy Corgan with original drummer Jimmy Chamberlin and rhythm guitarist Jeff Schroeder. “What started as an interest in playing a truly different kind of show and looking for a different way to explore their storied musical past morphed into something new and exciting,” The Pumpkins’ management promises. Fans are told to expect “a blend of acoustic music complete with electronic soundscapes.” After that, “The Smashing Pumpkins will head back to the studio.” After the

band’s official breakup 16 years ago, Corgan has filled his life with a seemingly endless stream of odd decisions: opening a teashop, berating millennials about social media on social media (then quitting social media), creating an eight-hour instrumental accompaniment to “Siddhartha” … . Perhaps the most bizarre nugget that emerged from news of their forthcoming album is that one track Corgan originally intended for the new release (titled “Roustabout”) has instead become the theme song of TNA Wrestling, for which Corgan is a senior producer of creative and talent development. Joining them for the tour is another ’90s throwback, singer-songwriter Liz Phair, making her first U.S. tour in six years.

Little Rock native Adam Faucett, now living in Nashville, Tenn., brings his big voice, full band and new songs to the White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m. Rockers Chrome Pony come to Stickyz Rock ’n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 8:30 p.m., $7. Soul legends The Bar-Kays (“Soul Finger”) and Lakeside (“Fantastic Voyage”) headline a gala dinner and fundraiser for Arkansas Baptist College, 6 p.m., $250, at the Metroplex. The Little Rock Wind Symphony performs selections from Aaron Copland and Johann Strauss Jr. with euphonium player Gail Robertson as featured performer at Second Presbyterian Church, 7:30 p.m., $10. Acclaimed French-Algerian guitarist Pierre Bensusan performs a wide variety of genres at The Joint, 7:30 p.m., $20. The Travs return to DickeyStephens Park to take on the Springfield Cardinals for a four-game home stand, $6-$12, 7:10 p.m. (same time Friday and Saturday, 2:10 p.m. Sunday). Madonna impersonator Chris America headlines Rock Star Lounge, a benefit for the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at Club Level, 7 p.m., $50-$75.

FRIDAY, APRIL 22

GASS AT VINO’S: With Mike Bray, 9 p.m. Saturday.

SATURDAY 4/23

KYLE GASS, IRON TONGUE 9 p.m., Vino’s, $10

Fans of braggadocio-filled comedic rock band Tenacious D might be excited to see half of the “mighty” duo, Kyle Gass, play in a venue as intimate as Vino’s. They can expect similar levels of theatricality, reliably facetious lyrics and plenty of chest pounding. Singer and multi-instrumentalist Mike Bray will be on lead vocals with Gass’ self-professed “immense talent and perfect timing” on guitar, flute and recorder. However, a lot of the success of Tenacious D lies in the presence of Jack Black and his undeniable vocal talent. It’s reasonable to worry that, without his frantically gifted partner Jack Black, Kyle Gass is more on the child

side of “Manchild” (“Don’t be thinkin’ it’s so strange/That I always pay with change/I don’t know what to do/I can barely tie my shoe/All my bills are overdue/But I can play a mean kazoo.”). Bray falls far short of that standard. True, a side-project can be forgiven for paling in comparison. But, you better be seriously vocally endowed and produce a stage show that rivals KISS to pull off performing the lyrics in “Bro Ho” about women “gaming on my Xbox always leveling up but there’s a meal on the table and my laundry is done.” Still, they’ll probably have lots of fun costumes. Opening will be Little Rock’s own Iron Tongue, a band overflowing with unquestionable talent playing unfailingly epic heavy rock.

The Children’s Theatre at the Arkansas Arts Center debuts “The Adventures of Peter Rabbit” at 7 p.m., $10-$12.50 (it continues 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; the run is through May 8). The Randy Rogers Band brings its Texas country to Revolution, 9 p.m., $22 adv., $25 d.o.s. Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase finalists Sean Fresh and Collin vs. Adam share a bill at White Water, 9:30 p.m. Electro artist Freddy Toddy plays Stickyz, 9:30 p.m., $10 adv., $13 d.o.s. UALR Opera Theatre presents “Shakespeare’s Enchantment” at the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall, 7 p.m. (and 3 p.m. Sunday). The Hooten Hallers of Columbia, Mo., specialize in raucous roots music; they share the bill with The Wall Chargers, Fiscal Spliff and Poor Ol Uncle Fatty at Maxine’s in Hot Springs, 9 p.m.

SATURDAY, APRIL 23 Old-time folk group Sad Daddy, featuring Joe Sundell of the late Damn Bullets, comes to Maxine’s in Hot Springs, 9 p.m., $7. Nashville folk five-piece Humming House performs at South on Main with local group A Rowdy Faith, 10 p.m., $10. Local jam band FreeVerse shares the stage at Stickyz with Flatland Funk Donors, 9 p.m., $6. Texas singer/songwriter and Hendrix alum Graham Wilkinson returns to White Water, 9:30 p.m. Singer/ songwriter Mark Currey plays Kent Walker Artisan Cheese, 6 p.m.

www.arktimes.com

APRIL 21, 2016

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

THURSDAY, APRIL 21

MUSIC

Chrome Pony. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 8:30 p.m., $7. 107 River Market Ave. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz.com. The Coathangers, Ghost Bones, Bad Match. Low Key Arts, 8 p.m., $10. 118 Arbor St., Hot Springs. Cross Me, No Victory, Terminal Nation, Inrage. Vino’s, 7 p.m., $10. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com. Eli Young Band, Ryan Hurd. Revolution, 8:30 p.m. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. www. rumbarevolution.com/new. “Inferno.” DJs play pop, electro, house and more, plus drink specials and $1 cover before 11 p.m. Sway, 9 p.m. 412 Louisiana. Jim Dickerson. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www.sonnywilliamssteakroom.com. Little Rock Wind Symphony. Second Presbyterian Church, 7:30 p.m., $10. 600 Pleasant Valley Drive. Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 President Clinton Ave. 501-3724782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com. Open Jam. Thirst n’ Howl, 8 p.m. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www.thirst-n-howl.com. Open jam with The Port Arthur Band. Parrot Beach Cafe, 9 p.m. 9611 MacArthur Drive, NLR. 771-2994. Pierre Bensusan. The Joint, 7:30 p.m., $20. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com. RockUsaurus. Casa Mexicana, 7:30 p.m. 7111 JFK Blvd., NLR. 501-835-7876. Supper & Soul: The Bar-Kays, Lakeside. Metroplex Event Center, 6 p.m., $250. 2305 S. 8th St., Rogers. 479-636-5333. www.metroplexeventcenter.com. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 8 p.m., free. 111 W. Markham St. 501-370-7013. www. capitalbarandgrill.com/.

COMEDY

Mike Merryfield. The Loony Bin, 7:30 p.m., $8. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.com.

EVENTS

2016 Diamond Chef Arkansas Recut. Pulaski Technical College Culinary Institute, South Campus, 6 p.m., $125. Exit 128, I-30. Antique/Boutique Walk. Shopping and live enter-

MARVELOUS MILLIE: Soul legends Millie Jackson, Latimore and Clarence Carter headline Blues on the River at the First Security Amphitheater. Big John, J-Won, Terry Wright, Jeff Floyd, Mr. Pokey, Malcolm Allen, Bishop Bullwinkle and the On Call Band round out the bill, 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $40 for both days or $30 for one day. tainment. Downtown Hot Springs, third Thursday of every month, 4 p.m., free. 100 Central Ave., Hot Springs. #ArkiePubTrivia. Stone’s Throw Brewing, 6:30 p.m. 402 E. 9th St. 501-244-9154.

FILM

“Love Thy Nature.” Ron Robinson Theater, 7 p.m., $5. 1 Pulaski Way. 501-320-5703. www.cals.lib.ar.us/ ron-robinson-theater.aspx.

LECTURES

“From the University of Arkansas to the Oval Office: Skip Rutherford Interviews Mack McLarty.” Old Main Building. University of Arkansas, 6:30 p.m. University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

POETRY

POETluck. Literary salon and potluck. The Writer’s Colony at Dairy Hollow, third Thursday of every month, 6 p.m. 515 Spring St., Eureka Springs. 479-253-7444.

SPORTS

Arkansas Travelers vs. Springfield. Texas League baseball. Dickey-Stephens Park, 7:10 p.m., $6-$12. 400 W. Broadway, NLR. 501-664-1555. www.travs. com.

BENEFITS

Rock Star Lounge. Benefit for UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute featuring Madonna impersonator Chris America. Club Level, $50$75. 315 Main St.

FRIDAY, APRIL 22

MUSIC

All In Fridays. Envy. 7200 Colonel Glenn Road. 501-562-3317. Arkansas Jazz Festival. River Market pavilions, April 22-23, free. 400 President Clinton Ave. 3752552. www.rivermarket.info. Blues on the River 2016. With performances by Milly Jackson, Latimore, Jeff Floyd and more. North Shore Riverwalk, 7 p.m. $32.64-$43.19. Riverwalk Drive, NLR. www.northlittlerock.org. Bob Boyd Sounds. Arkansas Sounds. Ron Robinson Theater, 7 p.m., $5. 1 Pulaski Way. 501-320-5703. www.cals.lib.ar.us/ron-robinsontheater.aspx. Bobby Bones. A concert at the Bank of the Ozarks Arena. Hot Springs National Park Cultural Center, 7 p.m., $22. Ozark Bathhouse, Hot Springs. 501620-6715. Freddy Todd. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9:30 p.m., $10 adv., $13 day of. 107 River Market Ave. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz.com. Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 President Clinton Ave. 501-3724782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com.

Phillip Huddleston. Kent Walker Artisan Cheese, 6 p.m. 1515 E. 4th St. 501-301-4963. www.kentwalkercheese.com. Randy Rogers Band. Revolution, 9 p.m., $22 adv., $25 day of. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-8230090. www.rumbarevolution.com/new. Route 66. Agora Conference and Special Event Center, 6:30 p.m., $5. 705 E. Siebenmorgan, Conway. Salsa Dancing. Clear Channel Metroplex, 9 p.m., $5-$10. 10800 Col. Glenn Road. 501-217-5113. www.littlerocksalsa.com. Sean Fresh, Collin vs. Adam. White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m. 2500 W. 7th St. 501-375-8400. www. whitewatertavern.com. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 8 p.m., free. 111 W. Markham St. 501-370-7013. www. capitalbarandgrill.com/. Tyler Kinchen and the Right Pieces. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 9 p.m., $10-$15. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbistroandbar.com. UALR Opera Theatre: “Shakespeare’s Enchantment.” UALR, Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall, 7 p.m. 2801 S. University Ave. 501569-8977. Upscale Friday. IV Corners, 7 p.m. 824 W. Capitol Ave.

COMEDY

Mike Merryfield. The Loony Bin, 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., $12. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.com. “Rednecks in Spandex.” An original production by The Main Thing. The Joint, 8 p.m., $22. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com.

DANCE

Ballroom dancing. Free lessons begin at 7 p.m. Bess Chisum Stephens Community Center, 8-11 p.m., $7-$13. 12th and Cleveland streets. 501221-7568. www.blsdance.org. Contra Dance. Park Hill Presbyterian Church, 7:30 p.m., $5. 3520 JFK Blvd., NLR. arkansascountrydance.org.

EVENTS

LGBTQ/SGL weekly meeting. 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 501-244-9690 or search “DYSC” on Facebook. LGBTQ/SGL Youth and Young Adult Group, 6:30 p.m. 800 Scott St. Sculpture at the River Market Preview Party. River Market pavilions, 7 p.m. 400 President Clinton Ave. 375-2552. www.rivermarket.info.

LECTURES

“Whistleblower Summit.” A panel discussion featuring Michael McCray, author of “Race,

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ARKANSAS TIMES

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KIDS

“The Adventures of Peter Rabbit.” Arkansas Arts Center, 7 p.m., $12.50. 501 E. 9th St. 501-372-4000. www.arkarts.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 23

MUSIC

Arkansas Jazz Festival. River Market pavilions, free. 400 President Clinton Ave. 375-2552. www. rivermarket.info. Blues on the River 2016. With performances by Milly Jackson, Latimore, Jeff Floyd and more. North Shore Riverwalk, 2 p.m., $32.64-$43.19. Riverwalk Drive, NLR. www.northlittlerock.org. The Flex Crew, Butterfly & Irie Soul. Revolution, 9 p.m., $15. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-8230090. www.rumbarevolution.com/new. FreeVerse, Flatland Funk Donors. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9 p.m., $6. 107 River Market Ave. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz.com. Graham Wilkinson. White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m. 2500 W. 7th St. 501-375-8400. www.whitewatertavern.com. Humming House, A Rowdy Faith. South on Main, 10 p.m., $10. 1304 Main St. 501-244-9660. southonmain.com. K.I.S.S. Saturdays. Featuring DJ Silky Slim. Dress code enforced. Sway, 10 p.m. 412 Louisiana. 501-492-9802. The Kyle Gass Band, Iron Tongue. Vino’s, 8:30 p.m., $10. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www. vinosbrewpub.com. Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 President Clinton Ave. 501-3724782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com. Mark Currey. Kent Walker Artisan Cheese, 6 p.m. 1515 E. 4th St. 501-301-4963. www.kentwalkercheese.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. The Smashing Pumpkins, Liz Phair. Verizon Arena, 8 p.m., $70-$91.50. 1 Alltel Arena Way, NLR. 501975-9001. verizonarena.com. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 8 p.m., free. 111 W. Markham St. 501-370-7013. www. capitalbarandgrill.com/. Tyler Kinchen and the Right Pieces. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 9 p.m., $10-$15. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbistroandbar.com.

COMEDY

SPORTS

Arkansas Travelers vs. Springfield. Texas League baseball. Dickey-Stephens Park, through April 23, 7:10 p.m.; April 24, 2:10 p.m., $6-$12. 400 W. Broadway, NLR. 501-664-1555. www.travs.com. Downtown Dash. Junior League of Little Rock, 8 a.m., $35. 401 S. Scott St. 501-375-5557. www. jllr.org/.

BENEFITS

Cardiac Classic. Proceeds benefit the Arkansas Heart Foundation. Burns Park, 9 a.m., $40. 2700 Willow St., NLR. 501-791-8537.

KIDS

“The Adventures of Peter Rabbit.” Arkansas Arts Center, 2 p.m., $12.50. 501 E. 9th St. 501-372-4000. www.arkarts.com.

SUNDAY, APRIL 24

MUSIC

Al White. Kent Walker Artisan Cheese, 3:30 p.m. 1515 E. 4th St. 501-301-4963. www.kentwalkercheese.com. The Bellfuries. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 8 p.m., $12. 107 River Market Ave. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz.com. Irish Traditional Music Session. Hibernia Irish Tavern, 2:30 p.m. 9700 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-246-4340. www.hiberniairishtavern.com. Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 President Clinton Ave. 501-3724782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com. UALR Opera Theatre: “Shakespeare’s Enchantment.” UALR, Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall, 3 p.m. 2801 S. University Ave. 501569-8977.

EVENTS

Artists for Recovery. Located in the Wesley Room, a secular recovery group for people with addictions, open to the public. Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church, 10 a.m. 1601 S. Louisiana. Bernice Garden Farmers Market. Bernice Garden, 10 a.m. 1401 S. Main St. www.thebernicegarden.org. Mount Holly Annual Picnic. Fundraiser for Little

MUSIC

Closing Date: 3/18/16

CD: AD:

Pub: Arkansas Times

AM:

Trim: 2.125" x 5.5" Bleed: none

CW:

QC:

Live: 1.875" x 5.25"

MONDAY, APRIL 25

PM:

UALR Equinox Launch Party. Vino’s. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com.

KIDS

“The Adventures of Peter Rabbit.” Arkansas Arts Center, 2 p.m., $12.50. 501 E. 9th St. 501-372-4000. www.arkarts.com.

Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 President Clinton Ave. 501-3724782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com. Monday Night Jazz. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 8 p.m., $5. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbistroandbar.com. Open Mic. The Lobby Bar. Studio Theatre, 8 p.m. 320 W. 7th St. Richie Johnson. Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf. com. The Struts, Made Violent. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 8:30 p.m., $13 adv., $15 day of. 107 River Market Ave. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz.com.

TUESDAY, APRIL 26

PO:

BOOKS

SPORTS

Arkansas Travelers vs. Springfield. Texas League baseball. Dickey-Stephens Park, 2:10 p.m., $6-$12. 400 W. Broadway, NLR. 501-664-1555. www.travs. com.

Job/Order #: 279609 QC: cs

Arkansas Travelers vs. Springfield. Texas League baseball. Dickey-Stephens Park, 7:10 p.m., $6-$12. 400 W. Broadway, NLR. 501-664-1555. www.travs. com.

EVENTS

Brain Awareness Day. Hands-on learning activities about the brain. Main Library, 10 a.m., free. 100 S. Rock St. www.cals.lib.ar.us. Every Day Is Earth Day Celebration. Bernice Garden, noon, free. 1401 S. Main St. www.thebernicegarden.org. Falun Gong meditation. Allsopp Park, 9 a.m., free. Cantrell and Cedar Hill Roads. Handmade in the Heights. Featuring local vendors and artisans. Kavanaugh Boulevard in the Heights, 11 a.m. Hillcrest Farmers Market. Pulaski Heights Baptist Church, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. 2200 Kavanaugh Blvd. Historic Neighborhoods Tour. Bike tour of historic neighborhoods includes bike, guide, helmets and maps. Bobby’s Bike Hike, 9 a.m., $8-$28. 400 President Clinton Ave. 501-613-7001. International Food Festival. Huda Academy, noon, free. 3224 Anna St. Pork & Bourbon Tour. Bike tour includes bicycle, guide, helmets and maps. Bobby’s Bike Hike, 11:30 a.m., $35-$45. 400 President Clinton Ave. 501-613-7001.

Rock’s oldest cemetery, with auction, dinner, wine and live music. Mount Holly Cemetery, 5 p.m., $100. 1200 Broadway.

Brand: Bud Not Ponies Item #: PBW20167305

SPORTS

littlerock.com.

MUST INITIAL FOR APPROVAL

Power and Politics: Memoirs of an ACORN Whistleblower.” Sturgis Hall, noon. 1200 President Clinton Ave. 501-683-5200. clintonschool.uasys. edu.

MUSIC

Arkansas Symphony Orchestra: Brahms, Gershwin and Sting. UAMS, 4:30 p.m., free. 4301 W. Markham St. Jeff Ling. Khalil’s Pub, 6 p.m. 110 S. Shackleford Road. 501-224-0224. www.khalilspub.com. Jim Dickerson. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www.sonnywilliamssteakroom.com. Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 President Clinton Ave. 501-3724782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com. Music Jam. Hosted by Elliott Griffen and Joseph Fuller. The Joint, 8-11 p.m., free. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com. Tuesday Jam Session with Carl Mouton. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbistroandbar.com.

COMEDY

Stand-Up Tuesday. Hosted by Adam Hogg. The Joint, 8 p.m., $5. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com.

EVENTS

Civil Rights Bike Tour. Central High School, 10 a.m. 2120 W. Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive. Trivia Bowl. Flying Saucer, 8:30 p.m. 323 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-8032. www.beerknurd.com/ stores/littlerock. World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series. I-30 Speedway, 7:30 p.m., $37. 12297 Interstate 30. www.i-30speedway.com/.

FILM

“Office Space.” Riverdale 10 Cinema, 7 p.m., $7.50. 2600 Cantrell Road. 501-296-9955.

Shop shop LOCAL ARKANSAS TIMES

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27 www.arktimes.com

APRIL 21, 2016

AFTER DARK, CONT.

MUSIC

Acoustic Open Mic. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbistroandbar.com. Band of Heathens. Revolution, 8 p.m., $10 adv., $12 day of. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-8230090. www.rumbarevolution.com/new. Brian and Nick. Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf. com. Cornmeal. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 8:30 p.m., $8 adv., $10 day of. 107 River Market Ave. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz.com. Drageoke with Chi Chi Valdez. Sway. 412 Louisiana. Jazz in the Park: SynRG. Riverfront Park, 6 p.m., free. 400 President Clinton Avenue. Jim Dickerson. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www.sonnywilliamssteakroom.com. Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 President Clinton Ave. 501-3724782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com. Mark Currey. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 5:30 p.m. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www. afterthoughtbistroandbar.com. Open Mic Nite with Deuce. Thirst n’ Howl, 7:30 p.m., free. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www.thirst-n-howl.com. RockUsaurus. Senor Tequila, 7 p.m. 10300 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-224-5505.

COMEDY

The Joint Venture. Improv comedy group. The Joint, 8 p.m., $7. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com.

DANCE

Little Rock Bop Club. Beginning dance lessons for ages 10 and older. Singles welcome. Bess Chisum Stephens Community Center, 7 p.m., $4 for members, $7 for guests. 12th and Cleveland streets. 501-350-4712. www.littlerockbopclub.

LECTURES

Shannon Watts. A talk by the founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. Sturgis Hall, 6 p.m. 1200 President Clinton Ave. 501-683-5200. clintonschool.uasys.edu.

POETRY

Wednesday Night Poetry. 21-and-older show. Kollective Coffee & Tea, 7 p.m., free. 110 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-321-0909. maxineslive. com/shows.html.

ARTS

THEATER

“Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Shakespeare’s play will be presented in the new Center for Humanities and Arts. 10 a.m. April 20 performance is free. Pulaski Technical College, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., $10 ($5 students). 3000 W. Scenic Drive, NLR. “Rapture, Blister, Burn.” Walton Arts Center’s Nadine Baum Studios, through April 24: Wed.Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Fri., Sat., 2 p.m., $15-$45. 505 W. Spring St., Fayetteville. 479-443-5600. theatre2.org. “Time Stands Still.” Hendrix College, April 22-23, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., April 24, 2 p.m., free. 1600 Washington Ave., Conway. www.hendrix.edu.

GALLERY EVENTS, NEW EXHIBITS 34

APRIL 21, 2016

ARKANSAS TIMES

‘VISUAL ANTHROPOLOGY’: That’s the name of the Blue Eyed Knocker Photo Club’s exhibition at the Laman Library’s Argenta branch, featuring Brandon Markin’s “Pharmacologic Argenta” (above) as well as the work of 10 other members of the club. They include coordinator Rita Henry, Ann Bryan, Cary Jenkins, Cindy Adams, Darrell Adams, George Chambers, Jamusu, Jeff Smithwick, Kelly Hicks and Rachel Worthen. The show runs through May 14.

ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER, MacArthur Park: Lecture by Dr. Stanton Thomas, “Bouguereau and the Hazards of Love,” 6 p.m. April 29, free to members, $10 nonmembers; “Dorothea Lange’s America” and “Industrial Beauty: Charles Burchfield’s ‘Black Iron,’ ” through May 8; “Miranda Young: A Printed Menagerie,” museum school gallery, through May 29; “Admiration,” painting by William Adolph Bouguereau, on loan from San Antonio Museum of Art, through May 15; “Life and Light: “Nathalia Edenmont: Force of Nature,” photographs, through May 1. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. 372-4000. RIVER MARKET PAVILIONS: “2016 Sculpture Show & Sale,” 9 a.m.-5 p.m. April 23, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 24; show winner announced at closing. www.sculptureatherivermarket.com. UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK, 2801 S. University Ave.: B.A. senior exhibitions, April 20-May 4, Gallery II and III. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, 2-5 p.m. Sun. 569-3182. BENTONVILLE CRYSTAL BRIDGES MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART, One Museum Way: “Spotlight Talks: Sir John Leighton,” discussing his book on 100 masterpieces of the National Galleries of Scotland, 7-8 p.m. April 21, free; “The Open Road: Photography and the American Road Trip,” 100 images by 19 photographers of America from 1950 to today, through May 30; American masterworks spanning four centuries in the permanent collection. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon., Thu.; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Wed., Fri.; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat.-Sun., closed Tue. 479-418-5700. FAYETTEVILLE MAMA CARMEN’S COFFEE, 2850 N. College St.: “In Her Shoes,” exhibit on sex-trafficking by Helen Taylor. 479-521-6262. HOT SPRINGS HOT SPRINGS FARMERS AND ARTISANS MARKET, 121 Orange St.: “UpCycle Sculptural Festival,” turning salvage into sculpture,

9 a.m. April 23. 501-624-0489. JONESBORO ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY: “Spring 2016 Senior Exhibition,” reception 5-6:30 p.m. April 21, Bradbury Art Museum, show through May 14. 870-972-3687.

MUSEUM EVENTS, NEW EXHIBITS CLINTON PRESIDENTIAL CENTER: “American Champions: The Quest for Olympic Glory,” photographs, film and memorabilia from athletes, through Sept. 11; permanent exhibits on the Clinton administration. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. $10 adults; $8 college students, seniors, retired military; $3 ages 6-17. 370-8000.

CALL FOR ENTRIES

The 2nd annual Delta des Refuses, an exhibition of work not accepted into the Delta Exhibition at the Arkansas Arts Center, is accepting entries through May 15. The exhibition will be held at the Thea Foundation, 401 Main St., North Little Rock. Entry forms are available at the Delta des Refuses Facebook page. Rachel Trusty is organizer. The Arkansas Arts Council is taking applications from teachers of the performing, literary or visual arts who would like to join the Arts in Education Roster. Deadline to apply is July 8. Applications are available at arkansasarts.org. For more information, call the Arts Council at 501-324-9769 or email cynthia@arkansasheritage.org.

ONGOING GALLERY EXHIBITS

ARKANSAS CAPITAL CORP., 200 River Market Ave., Suite 400: “Complete Spaces,” sculpture by Marianne Hennigar, jewelry of Christie Young. www.arcapital.com. BUTLER CENTER GALLERIES, Arkansas Studies Institute, 401 President Clinton Ave.: “Culture Shock: Shine Your Rubies, Hide Your Diamonds,”

work by women’s artist collective, including Melissa Cowper-Smith, Melissa Gill, Tammy Harrington, Dawn Holder, Jessie Hornbrook, Holly Laws, Sandra Luckett, Morgan Page and Rachel Trusty, through Aug. 22, Concordia Hall; “Twists and Strands: Exploring the Edges,” ceramics by Barbara Satterfield and jewelry by Michele Fox; “Jeanfo: We Belong to Nature,” sculpture; “Painting 360: A Look at Contemporary Panoramic Painting,” Underground Gallery, through April 30. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 320-5790. CANTRELL GALLERY, 8206 Cantrell Road: “Beyond the Photographs,” paintings by Daniel Coston, show through May 7. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 224-1335. CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 509 Scott St.: “Interconnections,” paintings and drawings by Maria and Jorge Villegas, through June 30. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 9 a.m.-noon Fri. and Sun. 375-2342. CHROMA GALLERY, 5707 Kavanaugh Blvd.: Work by Robert Reep and other Arkansas artists. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat. 664-0880. CORE BREWING, 411 Main St., NLR: “Salud! A Group Exhibition,” through May 20. corebeer.com. COX CREATIVE CENTER, 120 River Market Ave.: Arkansas League of Artists, through April 30. 918-3093. DRAWL, 5208 Kavanaugh Blvd.: New work by Emily Galusha. 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. 240-7446. GALLERY 221 & ART STUDIOS 221, 2nd and Center Sts.: “William McNamara,” watercolors, through May 21, “The Literary Muse,” group show. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. 801-0211. GALLERY 26, 2601 Kavanaugh Blvd.: “Edges,” photography by Rita Henry; also drawings and pastels by Dominique Simmons and David Warren, through May 14. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.Sat. 664-8996. GALLERY 360, 900 S. Rodney Parham Road: “Shrunken,” more than 150 small works by 30 artists, through May 15. 663-2222. GINO HOLLANDER GALLERY, 2nd and Center: Paintings and works on paper by Gino Hollander. 801-0211. GREG THOMPSON FINE ART, 429 Main St., NLR: “21st Anniversary Exhibition,” works by John Alexander, Walter Anderson, Gay Bechtelheimer, Carroll Cloar, William Dunlap, John Ellis, Charles Harrington, James Hendricks, Pinkney Herbert, Robyn Horn, Clementine Hunter, Richard Jolley, Dolores Justus, Henri Linton, John Harlan Norris, Sammy Peters, Joseph Piccillo, Edward Rice, Kendall Stallings, Rebecca Thompson, Glennray Tutor and Donald Roller Wilson. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. 664-2787. HEARNE FINE ART, 1001 Wright Ave.: “Off the Page: Illustrations from Nikki Grimes’ ‘Danita Brown’ Series and Other Titles,” watercolors by E.B. Lewis and mixed media by Floyd Cooper, through June 3. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat. 372-6822. HISTORIC ARKANSAS MUSEUM GALLERIES, 200 E. 3rd St.: “Hugo and Gayne Preller’s House of Light,” historic photographs, through October ; “A Diamond in the Rough: 75 Years of the Historic Arkansas Museum,” works from the permanent collection; “Arkansas Contemporaries: Then, Now and Next,” through May 8. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 324-9351. J.W. WIGGINS CONTEMPORARY NATIVE AMERICAN ART MUSEUM, UALR Sequoyah Center, University Plaza: “Return from Exile: Contemporary Southeastern Indian Art,” through May 6. 658-6360.

L&L BECK ART GALLERY, 5705 Kavanaugh Blvd.: “Spring Flowers,” paintings by Louis Beck, drawing for free giclee 7 p.m. April 21. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.-Sat. 660-4006. LAMAN LIBRARY ARGENTA BRANCH, 420 Main St., NLR: “Visual Anthropology: Welcome to Our Neighborhood,” 55 photographs by 11 members of the Blue Eyed Knocker Photo Club. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat. 687-1061. M2 GALLERY, Pleasant Ridge Shopping Center: “Manscape,” paintings by Charles Henry James, through April 29. 225-6257. MATT MCLEOD FINE ART GALLERY, 108 W. 6th St.: “New, Fresh, Vibrant,” paintings, sculpture and jewelry by David Clemons, Jude Harzer, Wayne Salge and Jeremy Couch. 725-8508. MUGS CAFE, 515 Main St., NLR: “Networks,” paintings by Kasten Searles. 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.Sat. 379-9101. PULASKI TECHNICAL COLLEGE, 3000 W. Scenic Drive: “Merging Form and Surface,” sculpture by Robyn Horn and Sandra Sell, Windgate Gallery, Center for the Humanities and Arts. 812-2324. RED DOOR GALLERY, 3715 JFK, NLR: New work by Matt Coburn, Paula Jones, Theresa Cates and Amy Hill-Imler, new glass by James Hayes, ceramics by Kelly Edwards, sculpture by Kim Owen and other work. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. 753-5227. STEPHANO AND GAINES FINE ART, 1916 N. Fillmore St. Work by Arkansas artists. 563-4218. BENTON DIANNE ROBERTS ART STUDIO AND GALLERY, 110 N. Market St.: Work by Dianne Roberts, classes. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Wed.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. 860-7467. EL DORADO SOUTH ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER, 110 E. 5th St.: “Due South,” paintings by William Dunlap, through April, coffee and donuts with the artist at 10 a.m. April 30, “Due South” dinner that evening with the artist at 6:30 p.m., $50; “The Polaroid Show,” large format photographs by Lisa Burton Tarver, April 22-30, lobby gallery. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. 870-862-5474. FAYETTEVILLE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS: “2016 Small Works on Paper,” Fine Arts Gallery, through April. FORT SMITH REGIONAL ART MUSEUM, 1601 Rogers Ave.: “The Life and Art of Mary Petty,” works by New Yorker cartoonist, through June 30; “Beverly Conley: Photographic Journeys,” through June 26, closing reception June 24. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 479-784-2787. UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT FORT SMITH, 510 Grand Ave.: “Sammy Peters: Then & Now,” Windgate Art & Design Gallery, through May. 479-788-7530. HOT SPRINGS GARVAN WOODLAND GARDENS: “Fabulous Fibers,” artwork by Darlene Garstecki, through April, Magnolia Room. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. JUSTUS FINE ART, 827 A Central Ave.: Work by Beverly Buys, Taimur Cleary, Rebecca Thompson and others. 501-321-2335. JASPER NELMS GALLERY, 107 Church St.: Work by Don Kitz, Don Nelms, Pamla Klenczar, Scott Baldassari and others. 870-446-5477.

PERRYVILLE SUDS GALLERY, Courthouse Square: Paintings by Dottie Morrissey, Alma Gipson, Al Garrett Jr., Phyllis Loftin, Alene Otts, Mauretta Frantz, Raylene Finkbeiner, Kathy Williams and Evelyn Garrett. Noon-6 p.m. Wed.-Fri, noon-4 p.m. Sat. 501-766-7584. PINE BLUFF ARTS AND SCIENCE CENTER FOR SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS, 701 S. Main St.: “A Flower’s Shade: Installation by Dawn Holder,” through April 21, STEAM Studio and Tinkering Studio. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 1-4 p.m. Sat. 870-536-3375.

HISTORY, SCIENCE MUSEUM EXHIBITS ARKANSAS INLAND MARITIME MUSEUM, North Little Rock: The USS Razorback submarine and USS Hoga tugboat tours. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 371-8320. ARKANSAS NATIONAL GUARD MUSEUM, Camp Robinson: Artifacts on military history, Camp Robinson and its predecessor, Camp Pike, also a gift shop. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Mon.-Fri., audio tour available at no cost. 212-5215. ARKANSAS SPORTS HALL OF FAME MUSEUM, Verizon Arena, NLR: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 663-4328. CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL MUSEUM VISITOR CENTER, Bates and Park: Exhibits on the 1957 desegregation of Central and the civil rights movement. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily. 374-1957. ESSE PURSE MUSEUM & STORE, 1510 S. Main St.: “Caro Nan: The Women Behind the Baskets,” hand-painted basket purses from the 1960s to the early 1980s by Carolyn McDaniel and Nancy Steele, through May 1, $10, $8 for students, seniors and military; also “What’s Inside: A Century of Women and Handbags,” permanent exhibit. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tue.-Sun. 916-9022. HISTORIC ARKANSAS MUSEUM, 200 E. 3rd St.: Refurbished 19th century structures from original city, guided tours Monday and Tuesday on the hour, self-guided Wednesday through Sunday, $2.50 adults, $1 under 18, free to 65 and over. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 324-9351. MacARTHUR MUSEUM OF ARKANSAS MILITARY HISTORY, 503 E. 9th St. (MacArthur Park): “Clothesline Project,” T-shirts that tell stores of sexual assault in the military, through May 7; “Waging Modern Warfare”; “Gen. Wesley Clark”; “Vietnam, America’s Conflict”; “Undaunted Courage, Proven Loyalty: Japanese American Soldiers in World War II. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-4 p.m. Sun. 376-4602. MOSAIC TEMPLARS CULTURAL CENTER, 9th and Broadway: “African-American Treasures from the Kinsey Collection,” through July 2; permanent exhibits on African-American entrepreneurship in Arkansas. 683-3610. MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY, 500 President Clinton Ave.: “Wiggle Worms,” science program for pre-K children 10 -10:30 a.m. every Tue. Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun., $10 ages 13 and older, $8 ages 1-12, free to members and children under 1. 396-7050. OLD STATE HOUSE MUSEUM, 300 W. Markham: “Lost + Found: Saving Downtowns in Arkansas,” photographs of eight projects completed or renovated by Cromwell Architects Engineers. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 324-9685. WITT STEPHENS JR. CENTRAL ARKANSAS NATURE CENTER, Riverfront Park: Exhibits on fishing and hunting and the state Game and Fish Commission. 907-0636.

E C U A S SS OF

O B E H T

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APRIL 21, 2016

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

WHAT’S COOKIN’ IT’S CHEF VS. CHEF VS. CHEF vs. chef vs. chef vs. chef at the 2016 Diamond Chef “Recut!” competition set for 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 21, at Pulaski Technical College’s Culinary Arts and Hospitality Institute, 13000 Interstate 30 in Alexander. Competing head-to-head in “quickfire challenges” will be hot Little Rock stovemeisters Philippe Ducrot of the Culinary Institute; Donnie Ferneau, the executive chef of the 1836 Club; Bonner Cameron of Bistro Catering & Gourmet Take Away; Angela Nix, executive chef of The Quarter; Justin Patterson, executive chef of The Southern Gourmasian; and Jason Knapp, executive chef for Sysco Arkansas. A mystery ingredient that chefs will have to incorporate prominently in their three required courses will be announced 60 minutes before the grand finale. Sous chefs will help. Signature cocktails and international hors d’oeuvres will be served to those watching the sumptuous showdown, and attendees will be able to buy chances for a “Bon Apetit Bag Pull” lottery for gifts of merchandise or culinary events and the “Wine Pull.” Single tickets are $125; for more information, call Shannon Boshears at 812-2221. PUT MID-JUNE ON YOUR calendar for the opening of Soul Fish in the former home of Dundee’s at 306 Main St., next door to the forthcoming Bruno’s Deli. Soul Fish is owned by Memphis restaurateurs Tiger Bryant and Raymond Williams, former University of Tennessee roommates who opened their first restaurant in midtown Memphis. Everything is prepared fresh in Soul Fish kitchens, and diners can expect to be served within 10 minutes of their order hitting the kitchen, Bryant said. On the menu: fried catfish and hushpuppies, hickory-smoked chicken and pork chops, po’boys made with Gambino bread from New Orleans, fresh vegetables, fried pickles and green tomatoes, dinner-sized salads, shrimp, burgers … even tacos. The restaurant will be family-friendly, with “fairly healthy” options for kids, Bryant said. When the Memphis native started looking at Little Rock to open a fourth Soul Fish, realtors suggested West Little Rock. But Bryant had seen the rejuvenation of his hometown’s downtown and he liked what he saw on our Main Street. Too, he and Williams like to “repurpose” old sites — all Soul Fish restaurants in Memphis are repurposed — and will keep the Dundee window and some of the old fixtures indoors. 36

APRIL 21, 2016

ARKANSAS TIMES

ANYTHING BUT GIMMICKY: Bash’s Bacon Mac n Cheese Burger is a standout.

Bash does better burgers New joint hits the mark with appetizers, fries and brunch, too.

ime was, a good burger was a little harder to find in Little Rock than it is now. When Big Orange opened we remember a friend saying he thought it was a “game changer.” Turned out he was right. Everybody’s burger had to get better to keep up. Now there’s no shortage of good ground meat between buns, and they come cooked a few different ways. There’s the aforementioned Big Orange, which seems stately, almost high-falutin’ when compared with the simply sizzled and consistent offerings of someplace like The Box. Then there’s the grass-fed gorgeousness of The Root, and the pimento-cheese-

topped staple at the Capital Hotel. The real question now is how does any new burger joint distinguish itself enough to stand out from the crowd? Bash Burger Co. in West Little Rock manages, somehow, to pull off the seemingly unlikely: offer something new to the Central Arkansas burger game. Its burgers are, as promised, “hearty,” but there’s another term we might use to describe them: familiar (but a good kind of familiar, you know?). They taste like the ones our grandmother used to make for our grandfather at lunch during a workday: flattened out patties given a good cooking,

but not enough to dry them out, sandwiched between buttery homemade buns. Mammaw never put mac and cheese on ’em, though. The Bacon Mac n Cheese Burger ($10.99), sure to sound to some as gimmicky, comes off as anything but. Topped with a slice of cheese, an adequate layer of welldone (not too goopy) mac and cheese, and three strips of thick bacon, it’s very tasty, and not too much. A side of french fries (included with all burgers) was hand-cut, not over-salted, and fried twice, we’d be willing to bet. They were as fries should be, hot and almost creamy on the inside, with a nice crispy shell. The macaroni-topped burger was just one of a list of special creations: the Atomic Bomb (jalapenos, bacon, pepperjack cheese and atomic sauce), the Standard Man (queso, grilled jalapenos, bacon, fried onion strings), the Aloha (ham and grilled pineapple) and the Pitmaster (cheddar, pulled pork, barbecue sauce and fried onion strings) are others. But Bash also serves up classic burgers (these come

BELLY UP

Check out the Times’ food blog, Eat Arkansas arktimes.com

Bash Burger Co.

315 N. Bowman Road, Suite 15 501-904-2694 QUICK BITE The cheesecake, made with cold-brewed Mylo coffee, was exactly what you’d expect from good, homemade cheesecake. It was thick and stout with a lightto-medium brown crust on the top. Our server told us a partnership was in the offing between Bash and Honey Pies, another popular mobile food establishment. Honey Pies is set to move in next door and take over the desserts, we were told. HOURS 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. OTHER INFO Credit cards accepted, beer and wine coming soon.

with cheese, which is not mentioned on the menu, so be warned if you frown upon fromage). It’s what you’d expect: lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, mayonnaise and mustard. But let’s get back to those buns. A chef who ventured out from the kitchen told us they were homemade, which is evident in the tasting. They’re yeasty and warm, but not too thick. They remind us of the homemade buns from the old Dixie Diner in Texarkana, a taste we’ve yet to find nearly anywhere else. That same chef also told us the fried pickles ($6.99) and the chicken wings ($13.99 for a dozen) we’d scarfed earlier were homemade and hand-battered as well. He told us how Bash had started as a food truck and took pride in making everything at the restaurant. He was modest about the buns, though he needn’t

be, and was kind enough to remind us that wings are 50 cents on Tuesday nights. We tried two different varieties and left nothing but bare bones. The Diamond Bear BBQ wings could have done with a little more sauce, but the Asian Chili variety was well-covered. They were big, lightly fried, tossed in sauce, and made for a great appetizer. The pickles didn’t disappoint, either. As our friend said, fried pickles are pretty much always just fried pickles, but these stood out. Homemade batter helps. When Bash gets its license to sell beer and wine (soon, they promised), they’ll go down even better. Buoyed by our experience, we came back for brunch the next morning. The previous night’s meal left us full. But after a solid eight and a dog walk, we were ready to give it another go. It was later in the morning, so burgers won out for most around our table. All were, once again, pleased. We can report there is one absolute standout dish among the brunch offerings. An order of the Sweet and Spicy Chicken ($6.99) will get you three good-sized, handbreaded chicken tenders drizzled with a honey-based hot sauce, all on top of a few slices of French toast. As someone who has always loved both chicken and waffles but has never been wowed by the combination of the two, this sings to our soul. The tenders were great, fried up in a tasty, but thin and crispy, batter. The toast was thick and came with grill marks. The hot sauce was the perfect combination of sweet and savory. Don’t eat this dish every week, but do let yourself eat it once in awhile.

WHAT’S COOKIN’, CONT. Soul Fish will be open daily, probably around 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., depending on demand, Bryant said. He caters in Memphis, but will test the waters here to see what the Little Rock market wants. He expects there will be demand for takeout, as there is in Memphis. Soul Fish will also serve beer and wine. SONNY WILLIAMS’ STEAK Room,

at 500 President Clinton Ave. in the River Market district, has remodeled to add separate dining areas to accommodate corporate dining customers and private parties. Corporate customers now have access to audio-visual equipment, including three 55-inch monitors. There is also a new celebrity booth, upholstered in tufted red leather, for a party of six. The restaurant is open 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

NO SKINNY

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APRIL 21, 2016

MOVIE REVIEW

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE SPECIALIST and a PAYROLL/ACCOUNTS PAYABLE SPECIALIST DISNEY’S ‘JUNGLE’: Neel Sethi (as Mowgli) and gigantopithecus King Louie (voiced by Christopher Walken) meet.

STAY UP LATE! PLAYIN 4TH FRIDAYS

FRIDAY APRIL 22

APRIL 21, 2016

ARKANSAS TIMES

Wild things Despite being a mostly digital creation, the new ‘Jungle Book’ feels real. BY SAM EIFLING

he earliest Disney features formula was absolutely brilliant, when you look back at it. By animating beloved fables, fairy tales and other works in the public domain, they locked in kids and parents on the cheap. The 1967 version of “The Jungle Book,” which you watched as a kid and frickin’ loved, drew from the copyright-expired 1890s Rudyard Kipling stories that became free to adapt in the mid-1950s. It’s relatively young for such a timeless story, and the challenge in adapting it in 2016 is to make a feral-orphan wilderness tale convincing, even as it’s rendered with heaps of CGI. What you’ll find in the newest of “The Jungle Book” iterations, the one that just swung into cineplexes, is something that strives for timelessness and, at times, actually manages to feel old. As long as there are little boys, or people who remember being little boys, there’s going to be a market for stories where a kid, Mowgli (Neel Sethi, the rare live being in this film), has buddies who are bears and panthers and wolves, and there’s only so much anyone can possibly screw up. Here, you have a director in Jon Favreau, who knows dude stuff (“Swingers” 4eva, “Iron Man” holla), and a pretty fantastic set of digitized animals. It’s live-action populated with animals animated to the brink of real, with great talking monkeys and antelopes and rhinos and elephants and the rest of the menagerie that, if you were a boy and lived like an animal in the wild, you would call over for fruit and cold water and bull sessions every so often. Bounding through the forest with your adopted wolf siblings ought to be

enough for any single boy, but as this is “The Jungle Book,” you know there has to be a problem, in the form of a tiger. Shere Khan (voiced by Idris Elba) sniffs out Mowgli at a watering hole and tells his wolf family, in no unclear terms, that he wants the boy dead and that he’ll be by to make sure it happens. Mowgli later hears the wolves arguing about whether to keep him around; he decides to keep the tiger away by striking out on his own. The sage black panther Bagheera (Ben Kingsley), who found and brought a toddler Mowgli to the wolves in the first place, comes along, aiming to see him safely to a human village. Mowgli thinks of himself as a wolf, but without claws or wings or fangs, everyone knows he’s a canape for the big cat. What follows is a mirrored revenge story. Shere Khan, we learn, disfigured by man’s red fire, has reason to stalk Mowgli. And events eventually dictate that Mowgli return to face Shere Khan, irate. In between, though, we get a gentle story of discovering your talents. Mowgli’s gifts with braiding vines and rigging little pulleys make him a formidable little inventor in the forest. The Bill Murray-voiced bear Baloo recognizes this, and puts Mowgli immediately to work snaring honey off an unreachable cliff. And King Louie, an impossibly large orangutan (Christopher Walken), tries to ensnare the boy into a jungle-domination scheme before, per the story you’d expect, everything falls straight apart. This you can give “The Jungle Book,” if nothing else: It doesn’t lose sight of its targets. It’s packed with great moments of peril, and hinges on real friendship.

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ARKANSAS TIMES MARKETPLACE Have a Class A CDL w/ Tanker? Live in or around Hensley, AR? Interested in being Home Every Night? Terra Renewal Services Inc. offers medical, dental, vision, prescription, 401k plan, shortterm and long-term disability, life insurance, education assistance, dependent scholarship program, etc. We have an Excellent Benefit and Compensation program! All you need is…. Class A CDL, 21 years old, Tanker Endorsement. If you are qualified and interested, please contact us. We want to hear from you! Call Jeremy @ 479.462.2756 or Email bthomas@darlingii.com or fax resume to 479.229.3734 EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled

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sip LOCAL ARKANSAS TIMES

Board Vacancy Board of Commissioners Central Arkansas Water The Board of Commissioners, Central Arkansas Water (CAW), is seeking letters of interest and resumés from Little Rock residents interested in serving on the Board. CAW is the largest public water supplier in the state of Arkansas and serves the Greater Little Rock-North Little Rock area. The water commissioners have full and complete authority to manage, operate, improve, extend and maintain the water works and distribution system and have full and complete charge of the water plan. The governing board consists of seven members who serve seven-year terms. The Board appointee for the existing vacancy will fill a seven year term beginning July 1, 2016 and ending June 30, 2022. In accordance with Ark. Code Ann. § 25-20-301, the Board must consist of four residents of Little Rock and three residents of North Little Rock. The current vacancy is for a Little Rock representative. CAW is committed to diversity and inclusiveness in all areas of our operations and on the CAW Board of Commissioners. All interested Little Rock residents are encouraged to apply and should submit a letter of interest and resumé by 12:00 p.m. (noon) Friday, May 6, 2016. Resumés will be accepted until filled. Submit to: Board of Commissioners Central Arkansas Water C/O Becky Linker, Chief Administrative Officer P. O. Box 1789 Little Rock, AR 72203 Telephone: 501-377-1357 Fax: 501-377-7051 humanresources@carkw.com www.arktimes.com

APRIL 21, 2016

CRANK IT UP AT

Bon Qui Qui with Crew 1 Group Presented by Anjelah Johnson Saturday, April 23 | SOLD OUT

Bill Engvall

Saturday, May 7 | SOLD OUT

CENTERSTAGE

Tickets available ChoctawCasinos.com, Ticketmaster.com or charge-by-phone at 800.745.3000.

LIVE AT GILLEY’S SHOWS START AT 10PM

LARRY B. & THE CRADLE ROCKERS

AARON WOODS FRIDAY, APRIL 29

MR. CABBAGE HEAD LESLIE SERRANO & THE SCREAMING BAND SATURDAY, MAY 14 RADISHES FRIDAY, MAY 6 THE TIPTONS FRIDAY, MAY 20 DEAD METAL SOCIETY T. J. BROSCOFF SATURDAY, MAY 7

TRAGIKLY WHITE

RIVER’S EDGE

FRIDAY, APRIL 22

OCTANE BLUE SATURDAY, APRIL 23

SATURDAY, APRIL 30

SATURDAY, MAY 21

FRIDAY, MAY 13

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APRIL 21, 2016

ARKANSAS TIMES

JILLIA JACKSON FRIDAY, MAY 27

BIG JOE WALKER SATURDAY, MAY 28