Arkansas Times - February 5, 2015 by Arkansas Times

FEBRUARY 5, 2015 / ARKTIMES.COM / NEWS + POLITICS + ENTERTAINMENT + FOOD

THE FOR LONG THE FIGHT VOTE The struggle for black voting rights and representation continues By John A. Kirk Dr. John Robinson, founder of the Arkansas Negro Democratic Association

I AM THE AEA

When Thelma Forté leaves home for school each day, she transforms into Master

Evan Lewis

rincipal of Union Elementary DaVinci Magnet School in Texarkana, Arkansas, Forté’s experience in teaching, managing and, most of all, children is what makes her a master. “My official title changes as the day progresses,” Forté said. “At the beginning of the day, I am simply Mrs. Forté. My students who get a skinned knee at recess are quick to call me mommy, and my fourth grade students refer to me as ‘Master P’ because I am a designated master principal. I wear and accept all of my official titles with great pride.” Among her duties, Forté supervises curriculum and instruction, and she also is responsible for the implementation of projectbased learning integrated with a focus on science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. In fact, Union Elementary DaVinci Magnet School specializes in liberal arts and technology instruction such as graphic arts, drumming, broadcasting and coding, and its step team is a particular source of pride. Prior to being a principal at Union Elementary, Forté was an assistant principal at Arkansas High School and an elementary teacher at Vera Kilpatrick Elementary. For two decades, Forté has committed herself to her life’s calling: teaching. “Some individuals live for a lifetime, and they never discover their purpose and their gifts,” Forté said. “I enjoy my career most because I know I have been called to teach. Educators who are called to the profession have a gift that allows them to reach and teach every individual student. Serving as a principal gives me the opportunity to foster change for an entire school.” Forté’s passion for education was born from a family legacy. Her father was both a teacher and a coach, and her mother, two sisters and two aunts are teachers, too. “When you add all of our years of in education, we have 236 years of experience,” Forté said. “My mom and dad instilled the importance of becoming a member of my professional organization, and my dad told me, ‘The two most important documents you can sign as an educator are your contract and your AEA membership form.’ I can remember my family discussing the benefits of being a member of AEA, which was a large part of my parents’ ability to purchase their first car and home and to obtain affordable insurance for all of us. We’d also talk about the lobbying power of AEA and how hard they worked to make sure the teaching profession remains attractive for future generations of teachers who will accept the call and

the challenge of educating our students.” Forté believes the AEA serves as her voice when it comes to protecting her rights as an educator and individual. She knows there is always someone who is working to ensure she receives compensation for the rising cost of living, and she particularly appreciates that the association doesn’t just work for the benefit of teachers, but also that of students. “As professionals, it’s important that we become a part of our professional organization. AEA provides so many resources for educators to keep us abreast of the most current research-based instructional methods, and educators have an opportunity to have their voices heard. It is reassuring to know that AEA is a professional organization willing to work for its members to give us some much deserved rest and peace of mind.”

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COMMENT

Truth told on legal aid I have been practicing law for 41 years. Much of that time was spent in Pine Bluff and over my time I have represented thousands of defendants and tried cases from capital murder to public intox. Years ago, post Gideon, but prior to public defenders, private lawyers represented indigents by appointment. The fee ranged from a princely $75 for a negotiated plea to a max of $1,000 for a murder case trial. I handled many. I like to say the hardest $350 I ever earned was a full week trial by appointment on an aggravated robbery case. Your article was not just good; it was excellent. Fair, unbiased reporting of a leaking ship waiting to sink. I regret with the Little Rock School District, ledge in town, and other events, it is perhaps not receiving the attention and, frankly, acknowledgment that it should. It is a well-written, true account of lawyers doing their best and poor defendants still suffering because the current climate is to build more prisons and lock them up instead of determining what is just and proper. I can assure you that for every $1,000 spent on the public defender system that a multiple amount would be saved on corrections. Excellent writing, highest example of your profession. Don Eilbott Little Rock

Carl Buchanan Scott

From the web In response to an Arkansas Blog item noting that 13 students at Central High — in a district supposedly so in need of improvement that the state took it over — were chosen for consideration in the annual United States Presidential Scholars program: While I would like to have seen other LRSD high schools represented, my rough calculations show that LRSD had more than five times the number cho-

sen for the program than you would statistically expect from a district its size. I notice that the New Orleans “miracle” [charter schools] only produced eight nominees from a much larger school district. Even in Little Rock, Central had 1.5 times as many as the four private schools represented, which probably have about the same total number of students as Central (more if you include Mount Saint Mary with Catholic). Whit E. Knight What you fail to mention is that these

On an Arkansas Blog post about a plan to build a new facility for the Arkansas Arts Center in North Little Rock:

Racing form Concerned for the welfare of animals, Oaklawn Park will not allow dogs to be left in cars in its parking lots. With no admission fee, it’s now free to get in the stands of Oaklawn Park with the possibility of actually seeing horses killed on the track. Look closely at the bottom when draining a beverage in the slot machine room to read the words, “It is not gambling when you just give us your money.” There will be no washroom attendant after the fourth race due to parole violations. Patrons are warned to bring a sack lunch on 50-cent Corned Beef Sandwich Day because the lines for the concession stands are six furloughs long. It is a faux pas to wear a bolo tie if also missing a shoelace. On Arkansas Derby Day, ladies wearing those god-awful ugly big hats have to be at least 70 years old, and their big, ugly purses will contain spare body parts. When doing this year’s 15-minute interview with King Charles Cella, Wally Hall will be wearing skid-resistant knee pads. Losing tickets swept up off the floor are recycled into Habitat for Humanity. The day after racing season ends the tombstones are put back in the infield. 4

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

kids would perform well regardless of where they go. So what’s the race/ethnicity of this group of stars. Looks like they’re dominated by Asians. Look at the parents. How many have advanced degrees. How many parents are UAMS/UALR professors? How many of the kids actually spent all 12 years in the LRSD? Let’s see some stats from the rest of the class. You’ve cherry-picked results from the top students. How well are the other Central High students doing who don’t benefit from the special attention in the gifted program? How many in the bottom 100 can read at grade level? How many can do math at grade level? How many have to do remedial math/ English if they go on to college? What percentage of Central High School students gets an adequate education? Viper

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For a while great things were happening when Little Rock, North Little Rock, Sherwood and Pulaski County quit squabbling and were getting together. Alltel Arena (now Verizon), Big Dam Bridge, River Trail and River Trolley. I believe all that paved the way for the Clinton Library. Then North Little Rock started raiding the surrounding cities and killed the unity. NLR lured Best Buy and Walmart from Sherwood into NLR to reap the sales taxes. NLR next teamed up with Stephens, got Stacy Hurst to sell off the War Memorial Park portion of Ray Winder Field and move the Arkansas Travelers over to NLR. For decades the team was the Arkansas Travelers, then NLR changed the name and logo to the “NLR Arkansas Travelers”. (Now their mascot is a swamp possum — don’t possums scavenge dead stuff and eat bugs?) I guess NLR is envious of how the LR River Market took off and NLR Main Street/Argenta is limping along. Soon Argenta will start leasing to stores and restaurants on a weekly basis since few things last over there. So now, instead of building something in NLR, they will just poach the Arkansas Arts Center from Little Rock. So, now, instead of dog town, we can just refer to them as possum town. Citizen1 Lots of folks prefer to do bidness in Dogtown. And there are plenty of progressive thinkers there. Maybe they’re not to blame so much, Citizen. Maybe LR’s power structure is stuck in a rut. Yellowdogdaughter

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FEBRUARY 5, 2015

EYE ON ARKANSAS

WEEK THAT WAS

Tweet of the week:

“Lots of military medals, mustache wax and riled up folks.” — Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reporter Claudia Lauer describing the audience at a legislative committee considering a bill by Rep. Nate Bell (R-Mena) that would separate official state recognition of Robert E. Lee’s birthday from that of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The mustache wax lobby won: Bell’s bill failed on a voice vote.

“She would fight for me simply because I was one of her babies … . These are the stories you’re not hearing about Hall.” — A University of Central Arkansas student and recent Hall High grad, speaking to the State Board of Education prior to its takeover of the Little Rock School District. The student, who is Latino, said he nearly dropped out of school after his father was deported, but was saved by the intervention of caring teachers at Hall. The high school is one of the LRSD’s six campuses deemed to be in “academic distress,” which triggered the takeover (see full article in this issue).

The private co-option Remember when reauthorizing the private option Medicaid expansion was supposed to split moderates and diehard conservatives within the Arkansas GOP? Remember how the Republican wave in last fall’s election placed the policy in imminent jeopardy? Pretty much every media outlet, the Arkansas Times included, said as much. Then Asa Hutchinson became governor, gave a speech and asked for a two-year reauthorization of the private option. He called for a task force to recommend major changes to Medicaid for later down the road, which opened the rhetorical wiggle room for former GOP opponents of the policy to claim they were actually voting to end it. And just like that, serious Republican opposition vanished: The appropriation for the private option sailed through the Senate last week, 29-2, and the House will likely vote later this week. It’s a great start for Hutchinson as governor (see column, opposite page) and happy 6

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

BRIAN CHILSON

Quote of the week VACANCY: After the state takeover of the Little Rock School District, the seven seats on the local school board sit empty. Name plates for the former board members were removed in time for a press conference with the superintendent the next afternoon.

news for the 200,000-plus Arkansans the private option benefits.

Anti-antidiscrimination Sen. Bart Hester (R-Cave Springs) has filed a bill to prevent cities from passing anti-discrimination ordinances, as Fayetteville attempted last fall. Hester, a legislator the Washington County Tea Party called “a treasure,” purports to believe in local government, but he’ll seek to quash it if a town does something he dislikes, such as prohibiting discrimination against gay and transgender people. Kendra Johnson, leader of Human Rights Campaign Arkansas, called Hester’s bill “an attack on liberty and democracy, pure and simple.”

Mane attraction The Little Rock Zoo said that two maned wolf pups born in December are now moving around and soon will be ready for visitor viewing. Maned wolves, a species native to South America, are not true wolves, nor are they foxes, coyotes or dogs; they belong to their own distinct genus. Welcome, guys.

Doc Huck Busy man. In addition to contemplating a 2016 run for president, Mike

Elected official pay, by the numbers Last fall, Arkansas voters approved an ethics amendment that created an independent citizens commission to set the pay of elected officials, including legislators, judges and constitutional officers. Here are some of the proposed percentage salary increases the commission has settled upon (the numbers will be finalized after a public hearing March 2):

For governor, from $79,132 to $130,000.

For attorney general, from $73,132 to $130,000.

145 For legislators, but with a caveat. In return for raising their pay from $15,896 to $39,000, lawmakers have promised to give up a big perk in the form of expense accounts. Those accounts have allowed some legislators to pad their meager takehome pay by an additional $14,400.

0 For lieutenant governor, which would stay at $42,315. Evidently, the Mark Darr era convinced the commission that the mostly ceremonial office is already amply compensated.

Huckabee has “officially signed on as a sponsor for ‘the Diabetes Solution Kit’ ” in return for a “nominal fee,” announced the product’s manufacturer, Barton Publishing. The kit includes a video about healthy habits to fight Type 2 diabetes — good diet and exercise are the key, surprise — and a plug for herbal supplements,

such as cinnamon. Huckabee, who reversed his own Type 2 diabetes with improved nutrition and exercise regimen, said in a Barton Publishing press release, “I’ve personally used many of the techniques in the Diabetes Solution Kit and I can tell you from firsthand experience that they work.”

OPINION

Legislators order cake, eat it

o the surprise of most, Arkansas voters easily approved Amendment 94, a multi-faceted amendment that placed limits on corporate campaign contributions, changed term limits and changed ethics laws. The proposal arose as a straight ethics amendment by the grassroots group, Regnat Populus. It was going nowhere until Republican Sen. Jon Woods (R-Springdale), whose only readily visible means of support outside the legislature is playing in a rock band, offered to help out. Additions included a mechanism to provide politicians with pay raises through a citizens commission, not their own vote. The prospect of more years of service — a senator like Woods could serve up to 18 consecutive years in the Senate — and higher pay made it appealing enough to win legislative ballot approval. But the expansion of term limits angered term limits foes. The Republican Party officially opposed the amendment.

It passed anyway. Legislators are now devouring the cake they baked. The independent citizens comMAX mission, including BRANTLEY nominees of legismaxbrantley@arktimes.com lative leaders, has just recommend more than doubling legislative pay, from $15,800 to $39,000. They’ll still get to claim per diem — a tax-free payment of up to $150 that is supposed to cover expenses but is a pay supplement when it is paid, as it often is, for days they don’t work. They still get higher mileage reimbursements than other state employees. The commission was persuaded to increase salary substantially by an offer by legislative leadership to give up the $14,400 home expense legislators have been abusing with phony expense claims for spouses.

Trying to tax the rich: hard for Asa, Obama too

ast month we discovered that Gov. Asa Hutchinson and President Obama shared a determination, from opposite ends of the political spectrum, to see that some 250,000 lowincome Arkansans enjoy medical coverage and that Arkansas small businesses have a chance to get low-cost insurance for their employees through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. Obamacare. But what else do Obama and Hutchinson have in common? Well, last week both discovered what they should have already known: It’s hard to get legislators from either party to go along with the popular idea of “tax reform” if it involves raising taxes on the class that funds election campaigns. Hutchinson proved slightly better at it than the president, or luckier. Maybe it is just the hon-

eymoon with the legislative wing of his own party. In his State of the Union speech, which outlined tax ERNEST reforms that would DUMAS lower burdens on the middle class while closing loopholes for people with high incomes, Obama proposed repealing the tax exemption for college savings accounts, a little preference that mainly advantages people who make more than $200,000 a year. The tax-free college accounts are always on the chopping block when Congress talks reform because it is one of the leastdefensible shelters, since nearly all the benefits go to those who need it least, if at all. Obama expected Republicans to cavil

Legislators will take home more for lunch and cocktails most days at a Capitol part-time work than the average full- Hill hideaway. It couldn’t possibly hold time Arkansas worker. They’ll also get 135 legislators, nor is it intended to given an income tax cut in that new pay bracket that there are often multiple “scheduled thanks to Gov. Asa Hutchinson, though activities” at the same time. It’s the modern they agreed with him that the 40 per- day incarnation of the Electric Racetrack, cent of Arkansas workers making less Chicken House and Choo Choo Room, lobthan $21,000 a year are undeserving of byist retreats of yore where stiff drinks and an income tax cut. big shrimp were always on offer. Now you Pay for other state officials jumped sig- merely have to schedule events and keep nificantly, too, including 11 percent pay the drinks coming. The Bureau of Legislative Research is raises for judges who already ranked 28th in pay in the country in a state where the also serving as party liaison. It schedules average wage ranks about 48th. “activities” for committees. In other words, The amendment also gave more it schedules powwows at swank dining enforcement power to the state Ethics spots for more intimate lobbying with key Commission, but big deal. It recently Senate and House committees, all on the decided that $300,000 in dark money TV lobbyists’ tab. Arthur’s Prime, Brave New advertising to elect Attorney General Leslie Restaurant, Sonny Williams, Copper Grill. Rutledge, featuring Leslie Rutledge, was These are the sorts of places “scheduled not a contribution to Rutledge’s election. activities” are taking place. Then there’s the new rule to eliminate If all goes well, one of these lobby gifts to legislators by lobbyists and those groups will sue and get a Citizens Unitedstyle ruling against the ban on corporate who employ them. It was supposed to stop wining and dining. Except … legisla- campaign contributions. Come the day, Woods and his chums tors included an exception for “scheduled activities” to which all members of a gov- can have a “scheduled activity” at Arthur’s ernmental body are invited. Prime to celebrate. With their new pay Wouldn’t you know it? There’s a sched- raise — and the power they’re likely to uled activity every day — breakfast, lunch, accrue over 16 to 18 years — they could cocktail hour, dinner. The nursing home even volunteer to pick up a check for lobby has a standing “scheduled activity” of once.

but he was taken aback when Democratic congressmen openly rebelled. On an Asian diplomatic flight, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi told him the rebellion was so strong that it was pointless to continue the battle. One week out, he caved. One imagines that Pelosi reminded him that Democratic campaigns were funded not by the same people, but by the same class that funds Republicans, people making upward of $200,000 a year. Democratic claims on the relatively well to do were tenuous enough already. The president’s whole plan for elevating the economic status of the middle class and lower incomes had plenty of populist appeal: free community college, a giant highway-building work program, a series of tax breaks for middle-class families, a tax on accumulated overseas corporate profits and higher taxes on capital gains for the very rich and those inheriting estates with big capital gains. But ending tax preferences for college savings accounts would hit too many of the well-heeled professionals that Democrats count on in election years. Let’s briefly recapitulate tax policy in the United States and Arkansas the past 50 years. Federal taxes have fallen dramatically for the richest 5 percent

of Americans through income-tax and estate-tax reductions but risen slightly for those on the low end of the ladder owing to higher payroll taxes in the Reagan years and periodic excise-tax increases. The Arkansas tax burden has flattened or fallen for the wealthy. Estate taxes, which were levied only on those inheriting estates valued at more than a million dollars, were lifted entirely in the past decade. Taxes on the poor and middle class have risen with successive hikes in sales and excise taxes, which far more than offset the occasional tax break, like former Gov. Mike Beebe’s groceries exemption. Like all modern governors, Hutchinson wanted to begin his administration with a tax cut and, laudably, it was targeted at the middle class rather than the rich. (It would have been even more laudable if he had included a little help for low-wage working families, those earning below $21,000 a year, but who’s perfect these days?) Hutchinson asked the legislature to alter the brackets and rates to give some relief to people earning from $21,000 to $71,000. Here’s the astonishing part: The same bill repealed the big capital gains tax cut his party passed in 2013, one of the most egregious tax bills of the modern era. The CONTINUED ON PAGE 38 www.arktimes.com

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his just in: “Study Finds Fruitcake Right, Anti-gravity Left Share Similar Traits, Tactics.” OK, so I made that up, although I’m confident that there’s no end of psychological studies confirming the observation. Have you ever known somebody who did a 180-degree ideological switcheroo, say from the Progressive Labor Party to the Ayn Rand Marching and Chowder Society? Were they less dogmatic and morally superior afterward? Not hardly. There’s a reason religious people are leery of converts. In my own tradition, “holier than the Pope” is one way to express it. So anyway, New York Magazine’s Jonathan Chait recently caused an uproar on the left by pointing out how many sanctimonious, puritanical progressives “attempt to regulate political discourse by defining opposing views as bigoted and illegitimate.” Particularly on college campuses, this isn’t news. A single example will suffice: “A theater group at Mount Holyoke College recently announced it would no longer put on ‘The Vagina Monologues’ in part because the material excludes women without vaginas.” Seriously, people, send your daughters to Texas A&M. Encourage them to study engineering. It’s long been this way on fashionable campuses. Things show no sign of improving. If they’d canceled ‘The Vagina Monologues’ for witless vulgarity, the Mount Holyoke campus would have gone up in smoke. Armed convoys would have arrived from Northhampton and Amherst. Indeed, I’d advise any ambitious youth to avoid the Omphalic Studies wing of the university altogether in favor of subjectmatter disciplines where competence brings respect, if not a lifetime guarantee against bigots and fools. Devoting one’s entire academic career to the minute dissection and magnification of every imaginable ethnic and gender grievance can lead to a kind of auto-paralysis that can take years to overcome. But I digress. Chait’s broader point is that “political correctness,” a hackneyed term everybody nevertheless understands, has made inroads into the broader political culture via Facebook, Twitter, etc. “And since social media is also now the milieu that hosts most political debate,” Chait worries “the new p.c. has attained an influence over mainstream journalism and commentary … . [It] has assumed a towering presence in the psychic space of politi-

cally active people in general and the left in particular.” I don’t know from “psychic space,” but he’s corGENE rect that campus LYONS culture warriors sneer at liberal pieties like free expression exactly as doctrinaire Marxists once did. One immediate result is that friends of Chait’s, such as feminist author Hannah Rosin, who offended militant Soldier Sisters over some damn thing, have found themselves so bruised by Twitterbased insult campaigns that they’ve fled the medium. “The price is too high,” she explained “You feel like there might be banishment waiting for you.” Sounds like junior high, no? Two responses: One, hurt feelings didn’t prevent Rosin from playing a critical role in the takedown of the recent Rolling StoneUniversity of Virginia rape hoax. So I think she can handle herself. Two, it comes with the territory. Every death threat I’ve gotten has come from demented “Christian” right-wingers. I once had to start unplugging the bedroom phone to prevent my wife from talking to a guy who’d call after midnight from a phone booth outside a liquor store to say he was coming to kill me and rape her. She’d pick up the receiver worried something had happened to our sons. The police assured me that anonymous callers are cowards who never show up. But they did trace the calls. To me, anybody intimidated by cant terms like “mansplaining,” “whitesplaining,” “straightsplaining,” etc. must not have much to say anyway. So MSNBC’s Melissa Harris-Perry called you racist. Boohoo-hoo. A list of public figures she hasn’t charged with bigotry would be shorter. For that matter, I disagree with Justice Clarence Thomas on just about every topic but one: the baleful effect of ethnic groupthink on African-American life. It’s amazing how many responses to Chait were exactly the kind of ad hominem name-calling he criticized. Apparently, they can’t help themselves. Slate’s J. Bryan Lowder mocks “the whining of an out-of-touch white guy.” To Gawker’s Alex Pareene, he’s a “sad white man” and “petulant man-baby.” Salon’s Joan Walsh plays mind-reader, speculating that the author “has been wounded personally.” She thinks he needs proper instruction in “his own racial subCONTINUED ON PAGE 38

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More than one bad call “He would step across the line. Habitually. He’s a habitual line stepper.” — Charlie Murphy, on Rick James, c. 2003

o summarizes, in a way, Arkansas’s ongoing fight for equitable treatment with the Southeastern Conference. It was discovered not long after the buzzer sounded on the Hogs’ 57-56 road loss to Florida that two men on the officiating crew, Tony Greene and John Hampton, had officiated about 40 Razorback road games over the years and, oh, Arkansas had ended up winning maybe three of those. Then came the most surreptitious and scandalous factoid: Hampton, who blew the last of a number of controversial whistles on Alandise Harris’ largely clean block of Michael Frazier with two seconds left, is a former Kentucky baseall player and a known acquaintance of Florida assistant and deposed head Hog John Pelphrey, a guy whose reliability and judgment has been called into question before. Hog fans will no doubt recall that when the unranked football team trekked to Gainesville in 2009 to take on the topranked Gators, a series of calls went fully and fatally against the Razorbacks in a narrow loss. That farce was so extreme that the SEC took rather unprecedented steps of apologizing for the blown calls and then suspending the officiating crew for three games. Such is life in this conference, yet again and again. Scheduling undermines the Razorbacks at every turn. For years, they were forced to take on Alabama to open conference play on the gridiron and then after that stopped, oh, by the way, you get to travel to Auburn to open the whole damn season. The basketball team has inexplicably begun league play the past three years with a road game. It is replete with irony that Arkansas fans leap on this majestic and pitifully corrupt bandwagon when all the SEC has done is treat the Razorback programs with stepchild-level indignity at every turn. Missouri and Texas A&M were both welcomed into this league with rose petals; Arkansas still has to walk on broken beer bottles to try to climb uphill. It’s an imbalance that Mike Anderson skirted around in his postgame comments on Saturday, but he was correct and, for the first time as a coach here, truly assertive in defense of his team against something resembling injustice.

Florida went to the line 18 more times than Arkansas in the game and of course ended up with a significant BEAU point advantage WILCOX there. It absolutely was the deciding factor in a game where the Hogs played some invigorated defense to offset their own offensive woes. Florida was bailed out numerous occasions early, then got a complete rescue when Harris alertly contested Frazier’s putback attempt. Moments later, Anderson was calling out Hampton by name, and the league office had stayed mum as of Tuesday morning. There seems to be no penalty in the offing for Anderson, which suggests that he’s going to get a pass altogether at this point. And that in turn seems to be a tacit condemnation of the officiating issues that plagued that game, and by and large are evident in just about every SEC contest of note. Hampton is that aforementioned habitual line-stepper, the guy who, against all ethical soundness, accepts assignments to oversee Razorback games despite being clearly abusive of his discretion in that regard. Does he think his friend Mr. Pelphrey was treated unfairly here? Quite possibly. He should be aware of Pelphrey’s utter failure to build on the relatively decent foundation that remained after Stan Heath’s forced exit, which included two losing seasons in his five undistinguished ones, as well as Pelphrey’s constant pattern of recruiting and then evicting talented but troubled players. This league’s reputation is a house of cards. What good does it do to tout having the “best and fastest and strongest athletes” when you also have the shadiest and most untrustworthy officials in charge of the proceedings? The entire conference is done a grave disservice when week after week, its crews are subject to even a smidgen of amateur investigation. Good and bad calls happen. There’s no doubting the human element of this. But when the appearance of impropriety shrouds a competition between two teams that are fighting hard to win on the merits, the league office’s plausible deniability disappears and it is forced to address the issue head-on. But do you honestly think Commissioner Mike Slive is going to ever offer any kind of worthwhile commentary on the situation, much less any just reproach?

THE OBSERVER NOTES ON THE PASSING SCENE

Cut up

t’s been a great shame of The Observer’s life that we’ve never taken much to the work of novelist, short storyist, junkie, poet, chemical astronaut, painter and essayist William S. Burroughs. The Beats, in general, have long flummoxed Yours Truly, even though their art is a veritable three-ring circus of linguistic acrobatics, which we normally love. Burroughs, who died in 1997, would have been 101 this week. We recently caught a BBC audio documentary about Burroughs and learned much about the great man, including his use of what he called “Cut Ups” — in which he’d take stories from the newspaper, whack them to bits with scissors, then stir them around until they approximated poetry. Thanks to the Internet, you don’t even need a pair of scissors anymore. There are Cut Up Generators all over cyberspace (do people still say “cyberspace”?) and The Observer has spent hours plugging things in — the Gettysburg Address, a recipe for chicken soup, directions from Little Rock to Jackson, Miss. Throw some brief editing and punctuation at the results, and it makes for serviceable Beat Poetry if you squint. So, a demonstration is in order. Below is the Cut Up version (with The Observer’s edits and punctuation) of a blog post by Arkansas Times Senior Editor Max Brantley on former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee’s comparing being gay to drinking and cussing during a recent public appearance. Great verse it ain’t, but it’s got that something you can put your finger on while high on mescaline. Happy Birthday, Mr. Burroughs.

Reprehensible. Later a Slate, similes shut to it: The slap, the true offensive, long and base. ALSO: Stassen (possibly Mike Stassen). His silly past, his keeper, the caucus. Anti-gay, awful Huck, liking foreheads to excuse. Huckabee’s doing, serving accounts, an Iowa same-sex wedding over drink abuse. Really: Dana, or disapproval? A baker of morning, got in trade? Huckabee, Sunday, offended. “I don’t like asking again,” right, Mike? Today, the wedding has been dirty to him: “I prevent religious homosexuality!” subject Huckabee has cursed, Huck long offended. Could everything be orientation? Liking the disapproval of law, Huckabee approved. Arkansas has become his point, his Carolina Friends, past nonsense, legal alcohol, bad gays, Silly, flawed, discriminate and overestimate. Carry life, serve reasoning! Ballet dirty and know that shrimp! Christian: out, up! Defend that Cornpone past! The Internet, not Beyonce’s marriage, dogs Huckabee’s publicity. GOP clicks added, coddling hotel voters.

HUCK

Rough talk, morning view, His back to logic.

His GOP slot. His Iowa. How can he want publicity?

Profanity influences religion to lesbians.

The fifth installment in Arkansas Times’ new film series collaboration with the Little Rock Film Festival at the CALS Ron Robinson Theater. 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21 • $5 CALS Ron Robinson Theater • 100 River Market Avenue

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www.arktimes.com

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

Arkansas Reporter

THE

IN S IDE R

Multiple sources have confirmed to the Arkansas Times that a plan is being considered to raise $100 million in public and private money to build an arts complex on the North Little Rock riverfront, with a relocated Arkansas Arts Center as its centerpiece. The complex would be funded by $60 million from a 10-year, 1-cent sales tax in North Little Rock and at least $40 million from private sources, specifically the Stephens family of Little Rock, long the major patrons of the Arkansas Arts Center. North Little Rock Mayor Joe Smith has confirmed the financial scope of the project, but not specific players. The plan targets property between Main Street and Verizon Arena and extending southward across Riverfront Drive to the Arkansas River. That property currently includes such uses as a bus station, pawn shop and barber college. The project envisions a multi-building “campus” that would include buildings cantilevered over Riverfront Drive as well as plazas and water features, Smith said. He said the project could make the city a national draw for arts — not only on par with but potentially better than Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the Walton-financed arts museum in Bentonville that has been a smash hit with visitors and critics. That seems an exaggeration, given the Waltons’ resources. But it also supports the idea of a connection to the Arkansas Arts Center. At today’s prices you couldn’t build and stock an arts center with much for $100 million. But if you started with a big collection, it would be another matter. Another tentative piece of the idea could be a move of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre from Main Street in Little Rock. Under this idea, the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre would combine with the Rep’s effort for children in the old facility. Robert Hupp, The Rep’s director, declined to comment. North Little Rock residents were polled about a sales tax increase in late January. Smith said the polling was paid for by a private party, and he’s bound to honor their wishes for confidentiality. He said he has not yet been told the results of the poll and it’s possible nothing will go forward if the results aren’t favorable. But he said his city has shown a willingness to get behind “unique” projects, with past tax support for the Dickey-Stephens ballpark to which the Arkansas Travelers were relocated from Little Rock and Verizon Arena.

BRIAN CHILSON

Arts exodus to North Little Rock?

THE STATE BOARD: Voted 5-4, the chair casting the tiebreaking vote, to take over Little Rock’s schools.

The state in charge What’s next for the LRSD? No plan yet. BY BENJAMIN HARDY

t’s an odd thing to see the political authority of seven public officials evaporate with a single word, but that’s what happened in a small room at the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) on Jan. 28. When Sam Ledbetter, who chairs the State Board of Education, cast a tiebreaking vote in favor of a motion to take over the Little Rock School District (LRSD), the locally elected LRSD board dissolved into thin air. The state is now in charge of all 48 schools and 25,000 students in the district, including the six schools in academic distress whose low testing performance prompted the move in the first place. Some sort of aggressive ADE intervention in the district was widely expected, but the LRSD’s defenders hoped that a compromise plan from state board member Jay Barth would carry the day. Barth (an Arkansas Times columnist) wanted to give the local board a chance to turn around its foundering schools. His proposal called for a memorandum of understanding that would establish shared governance between the LRSD and ADE while retaining the threat of a full takeover as a “hammer … over the

district.” Barth’s compromise split the state board as well, 4-4, until Ledbetter voted to reject it. Ledbetter said after the meeting that he felt full takeover provided a “cleaner” governance structure than “to have another layer of management between the board and the ADE and the local district,” as in Barth’s plan. Ledbetter explained that his decision was ultimately driven by a lack of faith in the LRSD board, which has clashed with Superintendent Dexter Suggs. True, over half of the members of the LRSD board were elected only in the past 18 months, but in the eyes of its critics, the district’s local governing body had developed a culture of dysfunction and mistrust over the years that required wiping the slate clean entirely. “There’s continuity in how boards work,” Ledbetter said. “People come and go from [the State Board of Education], but we kind of establish a continuity of values and the ability to work together towards those common goals. We don’t always agree, obviously — we had a split vote today — but a board is not made up of one person. It’s a collective effort. And

if that effort has failed, in this case, it’s ultimately — under the Constitution and Lake View — the state’s responsibility. We have that responsibility.” Ledbetter was referring to the landmark 2003 decision by the Arkansas Supreme Court that ushered in a new era of greater state involvement in the affairs of school districts. In Lake View, the court found that the state of Arkansas is required to provide an “adequate and equitable” public education to its children; state government is not allowed to wash its hands of responsibility for failing schools by simply ignoring bad local practices. Ledbetter, who is an attorney, seems to believe that the state board would be derelict in its statutory duty to students if it opted not to shake up the LRSD’s sometimes chaotic status quo. The Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Arkansas DemocratGazette and other takeover advocates cheered the news as a victory for children, especially the poor and minority students who tend to perform the lowest in the LRSD (and everywhere). Others in Little Rock saw it differently, including the dozens of students, parents, teachers and community leaders who pleaded the case for keeping local control before the state board made its fateful decision. Parent Emily Kearns said that Hall High (one of the six distressed schools) provided effective remedial math intervention to her daughter after she received a subpar education from a charter school. CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

THE

BIG PICTURE

Inconsequential News Quiz: Double Down Dog Edition. Play at home!

LISTEN UP

Tune in to the Times’ “Week In Review” podcast each Friday. Available on iTunes & arktimes.com

INSIDER, CONT.

1) On Jan. 28, Arkansas Sen. John Woods (R-Springdale) performed a heroic act at the Arkansas State Capitol. What did he do? A) Arrived in the nick of time to stop Secretary of State Mark Martin from transferring the deed to the state Capitol building to Nigerian scammers. B) After receiving a mysterious call on a phone hidden in his shoe, shouted “TO THE WOODSCAVE!” then disappeared behind a pivoting bookcase, followed closely by Rep. Warwick Sabin. C) Placed a hand firmly over the mouth of Sen. Jason Rapert, then tenderly whispered: “Shhhhh. You’re embarrassing everyone. Just ... don’t speak.” D) Performed CPR on a woman who had a heart attack during a subcommittee meeting, possibly saving her life. 2) The day after he was arrested for allegedly pointing a handgun at a family following Little Rock’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parade, boxer Jermain Taylor posted a video to his Facebook page in which he said he was disappointed in himself and others. Who were the others, and why did Taylor say he was disappointed in them? A) The NRA, for obvious reasons. B) KFC, for introducing the “Double Down Dog,” a hot dog wrapped in a deep-fried chicken breast. C) The cereal company General Mills, for turning down his idea for an all-charms version of Lucky Charms. D) The organizers of the parade, for not handing out enough candy, with Taylor saying: “Y’all need to get it together ... if you’re disappointed in me, I’m disappointed in you, too.” 3) A person recently cleaning out a desk at the Fayetteville home of a University of Arkansas professor who died in June 2013 was quite alarmed to find something unusual. What was it? A) A much-used wheel labeled “Essay-Grade-o-Matic,” which assigns a random grade of A through F by flicking a spinning arrow. B) Racy photos from 1909 featuring coeds showing their bare ankles. C) Mummified body of the REAL Bret Bielema. D) A glass jar containing a small quantity of Uranium 235, the same material used in nuclear bomb cores. 4) During a committee meeting last week to vote on whether a bill to split the joint state holiday honoring both Gen. Robert E. Lee and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. should go forward, supporters of keeping the holidays together showed up en masse to speak. What were some of the arguments supporters made in favor of keeping the Lee and King holidays together? A) That Lee — who, as you might remember, helped lead a bloody, four-year rebellion aimed at splitting the United States in two — “committed no crimes, broke no laws, and violated no part of the Constitution.” B) That King (a Southern black man who presumably would have been born a slave had the Confederacy prevailed) would have approved of a joint holiday for himself and Lee (a slave owner). C) That “separate is not equal,” a phrase lifted from the words the U.S. Supreme Court used in forcing Southern states to integrate schools for blacks and whites in the 1950s. D) All of the above. 5) Little Rock police recently arrested two men after, police say, they saw one of them doing something rather alarming. What was the man allegedly doing? A) Eating Mentos and drinking Diet Coke simultaneously. B) Smoking a Cohiba cigar prior to full, normalized trade relations with Cuba. C) Giving a friend the dreaded Purple Nurple, as forbidden by the 1603 Treaty of Montenegro. D) Dancing next to a gas pump while waving a loaded handgun over his head in time with the music from his car’s sound system. 6) While reporting on an effort to pass a bill that would require the teaching of cursive in Arkansas public schools, Arkansas Times reporter Benjamin Hardy was unable to find any legislator who would agree to perform what would normally be a simple task. What was the task Hardy asked them to perform? A) Lift the seat before taking a leak, man. I mean, we’re all adults, right? B) Correct administration of the Expecto Patronum charm. C) Shoot 10 the hard way in the raucous, back alley craps game behind the Capitol. D) Copy a short phrase from the oath of office in their own cursive handwriting.

The Stephens family donated the land for the ballpark, which can be seen from their headquarters in the Stephens Inc. tower across the river in Little Rock. Smith said this potential project was not related to a recent city land sale for development of a hotel west of the Broadway Bridge. The Arkansas Arts Center occupies a city-owned building in MacArthur Park and is governed by a board appointed by the mayor, with City Board confirmation. Until Crystal Bridges came along, it was the state’s pre-eminent arts institution. A new home — and possibly new additions from the Stephens family’s collection (we’re just speculating here) — would lift its stature considerably. But its loss would create a gaping hole in Little Rock, far more so than the lost of a minor league baseball team. Little Rock officials were given no advance notice of the plan. The city just this year increased its appropriation for maintenance of the Arts Center from $400,000 to $500,000 and also contributed $50,000 to capital costs. The Stephenses have long been prominent supporters of the Arts Center, and Chucki Bradbury, wife of Stephens Inc.’s chief operating officer, Curt Bradbury, is chair of the Arts Center board.” Smith told the Arkansas DemocratGazette, which first reported on the poll, that he’d been working on the project for seven or eight months. It caught many city leaders by surprise and all said they knew only what little Smith had told them in warning them that a poll was underway. Smith repeated to the Arkansas Times’ Max Brantley what he’d told the Democrat-Gazette: that he could not support a 1-cent increase in the city sales tax unless half was devoted to police and fire equipment. The city currently assesses a penny sales tax, in addition to county and state levies for a total of 8 cents on the dollar. A hamburger tax adds 3 more cents to restaurant and hotel bills. Smith said the sales tax produces $16 million a year. If half of that was devoted to a bond issue paired with a $40 million “philanthropic contribution,” the city could come up with a total of $100 million with a $60 million bond issue that could be paid off in 10 years, he said. Our efforts to get more specifics from potential players have been unsuccessful. Warren Stephens, CEO of Stephens Inc., told Times reporter Leslie Newell Peacock: “I’m not in a position to say anything about that.” Todd Herman, director of the Arkansas Arts Center, said, “I can’t comment.” www.arktimes.com

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

ANSWERS: D, D, D, D, D, D

THE STATE IN CHARGE, CONT. “The Little Rock School District provided that for my child. She came out of Hall High School with scholarship offers. She’s doing well. There are thousands of stories like that. Now, I’m not saying Hall is perfect … but it has promise,” she said. Kearns, like many others, told the state board she has more faith in her local board than in the ADE. “Not only am I a mom, I’m a voter. I vote in each and every election I can get to. I voted for my Little Rock School Board. Frankly — I don’t know you people.” No one has been more critical of the takeover than Jim Ross and Joy Springer, the two LRSD board members who were elected last fall. Both longtime educational activists and critics of the district, Springer and Ross saw themselves as anything but agents of the status quo. With the backing of the teachers’ union and much of the city’s African-American community, they campaigned on addressing inequalities entrenched within the district. They promised especially to hold Superintendent Suggs “accountable” for choices that some saw as detrimental to the LRSD’s more disadvantaged students, such as his decision to end a popular but expensive reading intervention program. To advocates of takeover, the election of Springer and Ross last September seemed to signal an even deeper level of dysfunction within the LRSD and a future in which the superintendent was incapacitated by micromanagement. But to their supporters, Jim Ross and Joy Springer were the face of positive, communitybased change: They regularly solicited input from teachers, asked pointed questions of district administrators, and recently persuaded the often fractious LRSD board to unite behind a major facilities improvement plan. (Although, admittedly, the board accomplished this feat a week before the takeover vote, with the state’s “hammer” prominently displayed.) For those who believe that Springer and Ross were indeed beginning to steer the district toward a new era of equity, that their election heralded the arrival of real progressive change in the longsuffering LRSD, the takeover looks tragically misguided at best, and approaches racial discrimination at worst. “Tonight, five members of the Arkansas state board completed the mission of Orval Faubus,” Ross declared after the state board meeting, referencing the former governor who blocked the desegregation of Central High in 1957. Ross (who is white) said that “a white, elite minority of businessmen who couldn’t beat us in a campaign … voted to get rid of democracy and put a dictatorship in place. “What happened a few months ago is 14

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

the LRSD board included four AfricanAmerican reformers and one white guy willing to vote for equity. That’s what pissed off the Chamber people. That’s the bottom line.” Springer (who is black) agreed: “The decision was based upon race … . You had a majority [local] board that was committed to take action, and the powers that be decided we were going to be too strong … this is about us not having the authority to make sure that all children are educated.” Equating state takeover with the Central High crisis is probably going too far: Much has changed in 58 years. Two of the five pro-takeover votes on the state board, Toyce Newton and Kim Davis, are black, and many advocates of takeover have a long history of positive involvement in schools mostly composed of low-income, minority children. Yet it’s also true that the loudest public voices supporting takeover these past weeks have tended to be white and affluent, and that many such advocates have their own children installed in private or charter schools rather than the LRSD. Many in Little Rock’s black community still remember firsthand the threats of violence hurled against AfricanAmerican children in Little Rock who dared to ask for the same education as white students in the 1950s and ’60s; it should be no surprise they view dissolution of a majority black school board with intense suspicion. It certainly didn’t help that on the same day that the state board took over the LRSD, a legislative committee at the state Capitol, only a few hundred yards down the street, defeated a bill that would have finally stopped the official state practice of honoring Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee along with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the third Monday of January.

Waiting for a plan

At a press conference the morning after the takeover vote, Superintendent Suggs assured the parents of the district that “school buses are running, teachers are in our classrooms teaching … for our students, today is no different than any other day.” But he also said that “change will soon be coming.” “That being said,” he continued, “what change will look like at this particular time I am not sure.” Suggs said that no immediate staffing modifications were in the works, and the district’s contract with the Little Rock Education Association (the local teachers’ union) would remain intact. Mostly, he urged cooperation in the wake of the divisive state board decision. “We can have our 48 hours of vent-

ing, but at the end of the day we’re going to have to all come together. We cannot afford what has happened over the decades to happen to any more of our kids,” he said. He also told the community to “please hold me accountable. Hold the ADE accountable,” and to turn out for town halls and community forums, which he said have been too sparsely attended in the past. The next LRSD town hall is 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9, at Chicot Elementary. With no board, and thus no public board meetings, such forums may be the best opportunity for the public to interface with the district in the coming months, or years. The state board retained Suggs to run the LRSD on an interim basis as part of the same motion by which it took over the district, a decision that some have questioned. In the Pulaski County Special School District, which was taken over by the state in 2011 and is often cited as a relative success story, widely respected veteran Superintendent Jerry Guess was handpicked to turn things around. Can Suggs, who never occupied the chief executive role in a district before landing the post atop the LRSD just 18 months ago, really navigate the treacherous waters ahead? State board member Mireya Reith (who opposed the motion for takeover) said to her colleagues that she wanted to see an evaluation process for Suggs. “I’ve heard from so many teachers and families not just concern with the [LRSD] board, but with Superintendent Suggs as well,” Reith said. Vicki Saviers, the state board member who made the motion for takeover, said Suggs needed to stay on with the LRSD for the sake of continuity. It’s unclear how long he’ll be around, however. Under normal circumstances, the superintendent is hired or fired by the school board, but now that the LRSD board is dissolved, that power falls to one man: Education Commissioner Tony Wood, who runs the ADE. “In essence, I now serve in the capacity of a [school] board,” Wood explained. Although Suggs will run the day-to-day operations of the district, he’ll report to the commissioner on a regular basis. Wood has a long history in public education — he ran the schools in Searcy for almost two decades and served as a deputy superintendent in the LRSD itself before that — and stressed that he plans to keep the public involved. “As we work through this together, we certainly want to be just totally open in all the processes,” Wood said. “I want it truly to be a partnership between the state and the Little Rock School District.” He said the ADE is a long way from announcing

any concrete turnaround plans for the six distressed schools, or even a timeline for making such plans. The first step is to form a citizens’ advisory group to work with the district, an instruction the state board included in its motion for takeover. (Such a group will have no decision-making power.) Many fear that the LRSD’s future will be determined by private actors even less accountable to the Little Rock public than state government. Two days after the takeover, district administrators notified teachers that the Walton Family Foundation and the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation were seeking LRSD participants for a series of focus groups to be performed in conjunction with a company called the Boston Consulting Group. The Waltons have actively promoted charter schools around the nation, and the Boston Consulting Group has consistently recommended that troubled public schools be privatized. When asked whether the LRSD might turn over its distressed schools to charter management companies (as has happened in cities such as New Orleans and Memphis), Wood told the Times he was unaware of any such plans. “I just have not heard any discussion in that realm,” he said. “Our focus has been on working with the district and hopefully in a reasonable amount of time, seeing the district returned to local control. “I’m really strongly supportive of local control. I think communities should elect representation to govern their districts to make good decisions for kids. It’s really troubling when we’re not able to continue that model.” With his decades of experience running public schools, Wood sounds credible when he defends traditional democratic governance. And yet, just as Suggs’ future is unclear, so is Wood’s. The education commissioner, like any state agency head, serves at the pleasure of the governor. Wood was appointed to run the ADE by former Gov. Mike Beebe, and although Gov. Asa Hutchinson has asked the commissioner to remain in his post for now, Wood is widely expected to retire sometime this summer. A spokesperson for the new governor said that “timing hasn’t been determined on [Wood’s] replacement.” So, add this to the long list of unknowns about the fate of the Little Rock School District: By the time school starts again this fall, ultimate control of decision-making in the LRSD will likely rest in the hands of some as-yet-undetermined person. Whether his or her opinions regarding local governance will echo those held by Tony Wood is an open question.

GUEST COLUMN

Don’t give up on LRSD Drivers Please be aWare, BY BILL KOPSKY

hate it. I hate that the Arkansas Board of Education took control of the Little Rock School District. I hate that the board ignored the broadbased community support for the LRSD, including the incredibly powerful voices of student leaders. I hate that the takeover will overshadow the great schools, educators and programs in the LRSD. I hate that families of means will see the LRSD as a failure and move their kids to private schools and move from Little Rock as quickly as they can. I hate that race and class divide — and in many ways define — Little Rock and the division will only grow worse because of the state action. I hate that this is where we are, and I hate how we got here. But I love my kids, and I love my community too much to let that be the final word. Now I’m going to work my tail off to make sure the takeover is a success. I hope you will, too. Little Rock has no future without a great public school system. And there is no education system that works without the community engaging, shaping and supporting it. I know that many reasonable public education defenders supported takeover. But some of the small factions who pushed the takeover are frightening. Some blame the teachers and their union for the districts’ woes. Some think the LRSD simply needs a silver bullet, a magical superintendent or a new whiz-bang program. Others do not believe a public education system can work at all. They see an opportunity to replace it wholesale with charters, for-profit schools and private school vouchers, a la the failed New Orleans and Philadelphia experiments. I don’t want my kids, or yours, to be part of some grand ideological experiment. I’m afraid that these radical factions are organized and have the resources to push their agendas and drown out reasonable voices. The path forward in Little Rock engages teachers, students, parents and our whole community as partners in education to make sure the LRSD serves everyone. The LRSD’s problems, by and large, are not about programs but are about culture, trust and division. Our community is the only place to solve those challenges. Blaming the teachers union for our education system’s failures is a cop out. The teachers union wants ineffective teachers out of the classroom, too. It just wants due process. The vast majority of

teachers care a lot about the students they serve, and bad teaching makes them angry, too. The path forward must use researchproven strategies and not fall victim to the ideological bents of powerful interest groups. My kids are at the amazing Rockefeller Early Childhood Center, but the LRSD needs far more early childhood seats. We need quality afterschool and summer programs. We need to improve teacher quality and cut administrative bloat. We need an equity scan to make sure students across the district have access to high-quality facilities, curriculum, programs and teachers. We need racially, culturally and economically diverse campuses that welcome all. We need to make sure our students aren’t hungry or sick, and we need to make sure they can read well by third grade. The path forward knows that even the best schools cannot overcome all of the challenges that poverty, segregation and displacement create for our families. The path forward quickly needs some clarity from the state on the plan ahead. The state board cited a 2010 strategic plan repeatedly in its deliberations. Is it now the template forward? The longer questions fester the more fear, rumor and division will grow. We are in this together. I hope you, too, will stay involved. Ask the teachers and students you know what they need. Join your PTA. Volunteer in one of the great programs that are supporting our schools and students. Come to community forums on the future of the LRSD and share your needs and concerns. Bring your concerns to state board meetings. Join one of the groups organizing to make sure the path forward includes everyone. Don’t give up. Little Rock has some incredibly successful schools and is such a strong community. Public school systems with far greater challenges are overcoming the odds and excelling. The constant in their success is meaningful community engagement, stakeholder collaboration, research-proven reform and stable leadership. A great Little Rock requires a great public school district that serves every student well. Maybe the state just made that easier; maybe it just got harder. Either way we have to make it work. Bill Kopsky is a parent of two children in the LRSD, is active with his school’s PTA and is a long-time education reform advocate.

it’s arkansas state laW: Use of bicycles or animals

Every person riding a bicycle or an animal, or driving any animal drawing a vehicle upon a highway, shall have all the rights and all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except those provisions of this act which by their nature can have no applicability.

overtaking a bicycle

The driver of a motor vehicle overtaking a bicycle proceeding in the same direction on a roadway shall exercise due care and pass to the left at a safe distance of not less than three feet (3’) and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken bicycle.

anD cyclists, Please remember...

You’re vehicles on the road, just like cars and motorcycles and must obey all traffic laws— signal, ride on the right side of the road and yield to traffic normally. Make eye contact with motorists. Be visible. Be predictable. Heads up, think ahead.

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Rep. George W. Lowe of Monroe County, circa 1891.

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

COURTESY OF UALR CENTER FOR ARKANSAS HISTORY AND CULTURE

COURTESY OF UALR CENTER FOR ARKANSAS HISTORY AND CULTURE COURTESY OF UALR CENTER FOR ARKANSAS HISTORY AND CULTURE

Rep. John Gray Lucas of Jefferson County, circa 1891.

A LONG Rep. Henry N. Williams of Lincoln County, circa 1891.

G STRUGGLE

On the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, a brief history of African-American enfranchisement and disfranchisement in Arkansas. BY JOHN A. KIRK

COURTESY OF UALR CENTER FOR ARKANSAS HISTORY AND CULTURE

Rep. Henry A. Johnson of Chicot County, circa 1891.

ne hundred and forty-five years ago, the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, guaranteeing equal votes to all men regardless of “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” Fifty years ago, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed by Congress to try to make the 15th Amendment’s guarantee, which had often been circumvented or ignored altogether in the intervening years, a reality. Today, the struggle for voting rights and African-American political representation continues. The unfolding story of black enfranchisement and disfranchisement has profoundly shaped Arkansas history. Even before African-Americans received the 15th Amendment right to vote, black Arkansans were being elected to the state legislature. Just three years after the abolition of slavery, in 1868, six black men served. Between 1868 and 1893, a total of 84 blacks were elected: six in the Senate, 74 in the House and four in both chambers. They were drawn mainly

from the ranks of the black professional class who worked as lawyers, merchants, ministers, educators and landed farmers. Most came from areas of the Arkansas Delta heavily populated by blacks. Twenty-five continuous years of black representation in Arkansas politics came to a screeching halt in 1893. After the last black legislator left the General Assembly that year, it would be 80 years before the next arrived. The emergence of Jim Crow laws and disfranchisement measures sidelined blacks from mainstream society and politics. The election law of 1891 began the process of black disfranchisement in Arkansas. Although passed with the intention of combating electoral fraud in the state, its measures proved disastrous for black political participation. The law centralized the electoral system and put it under the control of the white supremacist Democratic Party. A secret ballot and a standardized ballot paper required by the act appeared CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 www.arktimes.com

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

innocuous enough, but it essentially introduced a form of literacy test. At the time, over a quarter of the population in the state could not read or write, including 93,090 whites and 116,665 blacks. In 1892, the first election governed by the new rules, voters passed a poll tax amendment. By requiring the purchase of a poll tax receipt, many poorer Arkansans, black and white, were excluded from the electoral process. Because of the combined measures, the vote just two years later, in the 1894 elections, was a third lower than in the 1890 elections, a drop of around 65,000 people. Some blacks continued to demand a political voice in the state. In the Democratic Party, black voters cast ballots in primary elections to influence the outcome of elections. In response, in the late 19th and early 20th century all-white party primaries were introduced that banned black voters from the polls. Democrats claimed that their primaries were private party elections and therefore not subject to state and federal laws. Black attempts to have a say in the Republican Party fared little better. Most black voters and politicians gravitated toward the Republicans after the Civil War as the party of President Abraham Lincoln, the party of emancipation, and the party that had defeated slaveholding Southerners. Republicans actively courted blacks during Reconstruction to help shore up their control over the region. But as the Dem-

ocratic Party regained power and disfranchised black voters, blacks became of little use to the Republican Party. Instead, lily-white Republicans tried to kick blacks out of their party in an effort to appeal to white voters. Blacks continued to seek to play a role in Republican politics albeit with limited success. In 1928, blacks launched a new bid to gain a foothold in the Arkansas Democratic Party. That year, Little Rock physician Dr. John Marshall Robinson founded the Arkansas Negro Democratic Association (ANDA). The association’s first move was to sue the party for the right to vote in its primaries. Although temporarily successful in doing so, a number of legal maneuvers ended when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case. Shortly after, the onset of the Great Depression curtailed black political organizing efforts as the focus shifted to economic survival. Nationwide, the election of 1936 saw a decisive swing of black voters away from Republicans to Democrats. Black voters decided that President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s proactive federal response to managing the social and economic challenges that the country faced served their interests better. The next push for black voting rights in Arkansas came from young Pine Bluff lawyer William Harold Flowers. In 1940, Flowers formed the Committee on Negro Organizations (CNO). Though a staunch Republican, Flowers insisted there should be a nonpartisan push to register black voters. He stumped

the state making appeals to black business, civic, religious, political and fraternal organizations to use the vote as leverage for civil rights demands. The number of black registered voters grew from 1.5 percent in 1940 to 17.3 percent in 1947. Flowers was instrumental in establishing the Arkansas State Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People branches in 1945. After World War II, more new black political groups sprouted in the state. In Little Rock, returning black veterans under the leadership of Charles Bussey (who in 1981 became the city’s first black mayor) formed the Veterans’ Good Government Association (VGGA). Jeffery Hawkins formed the East End Civic League (EECL) to fight for improvements in impoverished black neighborhoods, becoming the unofficial “Mayor of the East End” for decades after. Such groups looked to capitalize on a growing black political consciousness and opportunities in the city, state and nation. One important national breakthrough was the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Smith v. Allwright (1944) that outlawed all-white party primaries. Initially, attempting to evade the law, the Arkansas Democratic Party set up a “double primary” system to run city and state primaries excluding blacks, and separate federal primaries with segregated ballot boxes. It quickly collapsed due to its expense and complexity. The election of reformist governor Sid McMath in 1948 paved the way

for blacks to be accepted as full party members in 1950. A new leadership under I.S. McClinton and the Arkansas Democratic Voters Association (ADVA) shaped African-American efforts to establish a voice in the party. McMath’s protege, Gov. Orval Faubus, appointed the first blacks to the Democratic State Committee in the 1950s. The 1960s transformed voting rights in Arkansas. Different groups worked independently and sometimes together to modernize state politics. Pine Bluff attorney Wiley Branton ran the Southern Regional Council’s Voter Education Project (VEP) efforts from Atlanta. In the state, Ozell Sutton headed up the Arkansas Voter Project (AVP). The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) added impetus to grassroots political mobilization with various community-based projects. A coalition of progressive groups, including unions, campaigned to get rid of the poll tax in Arkansas. In 1964, the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolished the use of poll taxes in federal elections. The same year, Arkansas abolished the poll tax in city and state elections and adopted a free permanent personal voter registration system. In 1966, Winthrop Rockefeller’s successful bid to become Arkansas’s first Republican governor in the 20th century led to his throwing his considerable resources behind black voter registration efforts. In his reelection campaign in 1968, Rockefeller won 88 percent of black votes CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

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WEDNESDAY FEB 11, 2015 Begins 7 p.m.

Bless the Mic: Chopped and Screwed Arvin Mitchell, August 8, 2014 Arvin Mitchell, born in the heart of St. Louis, is known for Coming to the Stage (2003), Dance Fu (2011) and BET’s Comicview (1992). Comedian Arvin Mitchell has hit the comedy scene running since his debut on BET’s Coming to the Stage in 2003. Arvin Mitchell has also starred in two gospel hit plays, A House Divided (Fox Theater- STL, Norfolk, Peoria) and If They Only Knew (Wichita, Oklahoma City). He was the co-host of BET’s Club Comic View and host of Spring Bling 21 Questions.

in the M.L. Harris Auditorium, free and open to the public. For more information call

501-370-5354.

No tickets or RSVPs required.

Season 10: Bless the Mic Opener Dr. Walter Kimbrough, August 21, 2014 Kimbrough has been recognized for his research and writings on HBCUs and African American men in college. In October of 2004, at the age of 37, he was named the 12th president of Philander Smith College. In 2012 he became the 7th president of Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana. In February of 2013 he was named to NBC News/ JERRY JEWELL: The state senator briefly became governor while Gov. Bill Clinton and The Griot.com’s 100 African Americans making history today, joining another impressive Lt. Gov. Jim Guy Tucker were out of state. group including Kerry Washington, Ambassador Susan Rice, Kendrick Lamar, Mellody Hobson, and RG III. Jasmine Guy, September 16, 2014 Performer, director, writer, and choreographer Jasmine Guy became a national sensation playing iconic southern belle “Whitely Gilbert” on The Cosby Show spinoff A Different World, for which she won six consecutive NAACP Awards. Her other television roles include the mini-series Queen with Halle Berry, The Vampire Diaries, Anne Rice’s Feast of All Saints, The Boy Who Painted Christ Black with Wesley Snipes, NYPD Blue, Melrose Place, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The Parkers, Touched by an Angel, and Showtime’s hit series Dead Like Me with Mandy Patinkin. On the big screen, Guy’s first film work was in Spike Lee’s School Daze. She co-starred with Eddie Murphy in Harlem Nights and also starred in several independent fils including Kalsh, Guinevere, Diamond Men, and The Heart Specialist with Zoe Saldana. Prentice Powell, October 9, 2014 James Logan High School alumnus and spoken word artist. Prentice is one of two poets that appeared on two episodes of Verses & Flow season one, and was brought back for season two. Powell uses poetry to speak on issues of race, social justice and fatherhood, often challenging stereotypes of black men. Powell was named the Best Poet by the East Bay Express in 2010, as well as 2007 Spoken Word Artist of the Year at the Black Music Awards.

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Talib Kweli, November 6, 2014 Talib Kweli is a rapper from Brooklyn. His gain in popularity started when he rapped with Mos Def in a group called Black Star in the late 90s. Kweli has been in the rap game for more than 20 years, with songs like “Black Girl Pain”, “Broken Glass”, and “Brown Skin Lady”. He released an album in early 2014 called Grativitas.

2014-2015 Lecture Elaine Brown Schedule

Elaine Brown is an American prison activist, writer, singer, All events in the BlessTheMic and former Black Panther Party chairman; she is the only series begin at 7 p.m. in the woman to have held that posiM. L. Harris Auditorium, tion. As a Panther, Brown also are free andforopen to the public. ran twice a position on the City Council of Oakland. Since For more information please the 1970s she has been active 501-370-5354. incall prison and education reform and juvenile justice.required No tickets or RSVPs

Pooch Hall, January 22, 2015 Actor Pooch Hall didn’t get started with “The Game”; he began in commercials and then made his debut in the film Lift (2001). He played Derrick, a shoplifter. Pooch was in several movies, including the hit film Black Cloud (2004) written and directed by Rick Schroder. His latest acting role is playing Ty’ree Bailey in the new miniseries based on the book, Miracle’s Boys (2005). Elaine Brown, February 11, 2015 Elaine Brown is an American prison activist, writer, singer, and former Black Panther Party chairman; she is the only woman to have held that position. As a Panther, Brown also ran twice for a position on the City Council of Oakland. Since the 1970s she has been active in prison and education reform and juvenile justice. Amy Dubios Barnett, April 16, 2015 Amy DuBois Barnett is an award-winning print and online media executive, writer and She is theRichard author of an empowering advice book forand women, Get Yours! How LEGISLATIVE LEADERS: State representatives (from left) Grovermotivator. Richardson, Mays, Cal Ledbetter William To Have Everything You Ever Dreamed Of And More. Her vision has shaped the pages Townsend in 1975. of Harper’s Bazaar, Essence, Teen People, Honey magazine, and Ebony - the oldest and largest black magazine in the country where she was editor-in-chief until 2014.

900 Daisy Bates Drive Little Rock, AR 72202 900 Daisy Bates Drive www.philander.edu Little Rock, AR 72202 www.philander.edu

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COURTESY OF UALR CENTER FOR ARKANSAS HISTORY AND CULTURE

Rep. Sebron Williams Dawson of Jefferson County, circa 1891.

in Arkansas, bucking the national trend of solidly Democratic black voting patterns. Democrats in the state, learning from the experience, dumped segregationist candidates and began to run more progressive politicians for office who successfully won back the black vote in the state from Republicans. It was under one of these New Democrat governors, Dale Bumpers, that the first redistricting maps were drawn under the provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, creating some majority black districts. The impact of these changes became fully apparent in the 1970s. In 1972, for the first time in the 20th century, four African-American legislators were elected to the General Assembly, making Arkansas the last Southern state to elect black legislators in modern times. The four were dentist Dr. Jerry Jewell, a former NAACP state president, in the Senate; and optometrist Dr. William H. Townsend, attorney Richard L. Mays and university professor Henry Wilkins III in the House. All four were Democrats who had defeated black Republican candidates. In all,

the state on the grounds that the 1982 redistricting had diluted black voting strength. A federal court subsequently ordered the creation of two new majority-black Senate districts and seven new majorityblack House districts. In 1991, the number of blacks in the General Assembly doubled to 12. The court also placed Arkansas under the preclearance requirements of the Voting Rights Act, meaning that any further changes in voting requirements would have to be approved by the U.S. Justice Department. This earned Arkansas the dubious distinction of being one of only two states, along with New Mexico, to have ever been “bailed-in” to the Voting Rights Act. The Jeffers ruling had the largest impact on black political representation since Reconstruction. Blacks have added comparatively few seats in redistricting since. The number of blacks in the General Assembly today stands at 16, with four Senate seats and 12 in the House. Blacks have fared even worse in higher elected offices. Arkansas remains to this day the only former Confederate state to

COURTESY OF UALR CENTER FOR ARKANSAS HISTORY AND CULTURE

Arkansas remains to this day the only former Confederate state to have never elected an African-American to a statewide or federal office.

Rep. Anderson Ebberson of Jefferson County, circa 1891.

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

Arkansas boasted 99 black elected officials, the second highest number of any Southern state. Blacks won offices as aldermen, mayors, justices of the peace, school board members, city councilors, city recorders and city clerks. These gains further stimulated black voter registration. By 1976, 94 percent of Arkansas’s voting-age blacks were registered, the highest proportion of any Southern state. Despite this, black advancement at the state level stalled. There was no expansion beyond the one Senate seat and three House seats until redistricting occurred in 1982, when just one extra house seat was added. This led to the election of the first black woman to the General Assembly, Irma Hunter Brown. A disputed primary election and a court battle in 1988 added another house seat filled by Ben McGee from Crittenden County, the first African American elected outside of Pulaski and Jefferson counties in the 20th century. A defining court battle came a year later in Jeffers v. Clinton (1989) when a group of black citizens sued

have never elected an African-American to a statewide or federal office. Other opportunities have been few and far between. In 1993, as president pro tempore of the Senate, Dr. Jerry Jewell became governor of Arkansas for all of four days in the absence of Bill Clinton, who was being sworn in as president of the United States, and Lt. Gov. Jim Guy Tucker, who was in Washington to attend the ceremonies. In 2010, Sen. Joyce Elliott (D-Little Rock) became the first black politician chosen by a major party to run for the U.S. House of Representatives in Arkansas. Republican Tim Griffin defeated her in the General Election. In 2012, Rep. Darrin Williams (D-Little Rock) was poised to become the first black speaker of the House only for the Republicans to win the chamber. The 54 seats won by blacks in the General Assembly in the 43 years since 1972 remain far short of the 84 seats won by blacks in just 25 years in the 19th century. Challenges facing black political representation still abound. A steadily declining black popula-

About the author

ELLIOTT: The first black politician chosen by a major party to run for Congress.

tion in the state since 1940 has hindered electoral progress. The courts and Congress are in retreat from ordering measures to advance black political fortunes. Meanwhile, new measures reminiscent of the disfranchising tactics used in the late 19th century are being introduced, such as voter I.D. laws, that threaten black participation along with that of poor whites. The Arkan-

sas Supreme Court struck down the state’s voter I.D. law last year. The conservative Republican ascendency in Arkansas does not augur well, since overwhelmingly after the 19th century most advances in black politics have taken place within and aided by the Democratic Party. The struggle for black voting rights and political representation in Arkansas, as elsewhere, is far from over yet.

No one writes about the history of race in Arkansas more perceptively than John Kirk. The author of this article and the chair of the UALR History Department, Kirk is the pre-eminent authority on civil rights history in Arkansas. If you’re interested in understanding how racial divisions in the state, and especially in Little Rock, came to be and persisted (and persist), his published work is essential reading. It includes “Redefining the Color Lines: Black Activism in Little Rock, Arkansas, 1940-1970)” (2002) and “Beyond Little Rock: The Origins and Legacies of the Central High Crisis” (2007), an essay collection that’s especially apropos as Little Rock’s racial divisions remain at the heart of Little Rock school politics. Late last year, the University of

Arkansas Press published a new book edited by Kirk, “Race and Ethnicity in Arkansas: New Perspectives.” The central role of the Central High crisis has eclipsed the complete historical picture of race and ethnicity in Arkansas, Kirk writes in his introduction. This collection is meant to be part of a remedy for that. It includes essays by Carl Moneyhon, writing about the experience of blacks in Arkansas just after Emancipation; radio reporter Jacqueline Froelich, on Harrison’s history as a sundown town and long struggle to escape that history; Grif Stockey, examining the structural racism to blame for the deaths of 21 black boys in Wrightsville in 1959; and Julie Weise, writing about Mexican workers in the Arkansas Delta from 1948 to 1964.

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Arts Entertainment AND

story together, put your world back in frame, Open Fields’ ethereal, otherworldly crooning punctuated with vaudeville and psychedelic thump might just hold the key.” Early Pink Floyd and Galaxie 500 and Elephant 6 were all cited as antecedents. Crisp summed up the judges’ general feeling, noting, “I freaking love this band.” Here’s the lineup for Round 2, which will be at Stickyz on Thursday, Feb. 5, at 9 p.m.:

BRIAN CHILSON

Big Still River

OPENING WINNER: Open Fields hypnotized to take round one.

Blissed Out with Open Fields The showcase continues Thursday, Feb. 5. BY WILL STEPHENSON

he 2015 Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase kicked off last Thursday night with Secondhand Cannons, who wore blue jeans and flannel shirts and very early on announced their sincere intention to “pack as much rock as we can” into their set. On their score sheets, three out of five judges described them as “solid.” The highlight of their performance might have been their drummer, who wore sunglasses and was a dead-ringer for Ron Jeremy. Judge Mitchell Crisp wrote understandably that she “totally wanted to ride around his 1970 Chevelle listening to T-Rex.” They dutifully packed as much rock as they could into their 30 minutes, and for this we were grateful. Off to the side of the stage, I noticed 22

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

and became briefly entranced by three women in their mid-40s wearing red, white and blue sweaters who were swaying to the Cannons in perfect sync, making hand motions that seemed, but couldn’t possibly have been, rehearsed. The lights swelled dramatically while they danced, and they were each beaming, and whoever they were, they were the best part of the night. Redefined Reflection showed up with their own banner, which they hung behind the stage over the official showcase design. This struck me as self-assured and fearless in an endearing way. They wore a lot of leather, which only furthered this impression. Guest judge Jeremy Glover described their set as “guttural rock that puts me in the mood for a

bit of the old ultraviolence,” while judge Derek Brooks wrote that they “punch you in the face with their hard rock sound.” Sherwood alt-metal band Consumers went last and impressed with what judge Joe Holland characterized as that elusive, “ ‘seasoned veteran’ vibe.” Judge Shayne Gray deemed them “radio-ready,” and Brooks complimented their “stage presence” and “good range.” The night’s big winner, however, by something like common consensus, was Little Rock psych-rock band Open Fields, which played hypnotic cosmic-rock jams and a kind of carnivalesque ’60s pop that occasionally mutated into something darker and harder-edged. Their front man had long, wild hair and a moustache that contributed to a general Laurel Canyon/David Crosby vibe, and at one point paused the show to thank “God and the devil and ‘My Dog Skip’ and ‘That Darn Cat’ and all manner of highs and lows.” Brooks was a fan of their “awesome melodic texture,” and Gray of their “mesmerizing rock psychedelia.” “This is Sunday music,” Glover wrote. “If you are attempting to piece the

Little Rock’s Big Still River, formerly known as Big Steel River, plays upbeat, outlaw bluegrass about “dark and shallow” graves and lovers on the run and “Hillbilly Sweat.” Its presence in this year’s showcase promises to infuse the proceedings with a sense of rustic, pre-industrial sophistication. Also, mandolin solos.

The Federalis

The members of Hot Springs band The Federalis have been making music together since high school, and play blues-inflected alternative rock. Guitarist Zakk Binns also plays with CeDell Davis, which is a pretty good endorsement. Also, and this seems significant, they have a song called “Fox and the Hound,” which was the first movie that ever made me cry.

Ghost Bones

The night’s most danceable band, Ghost Bones, is based in Hot Springs and specializes in jagged, four-onthe-floor post-punk. Front woman Ashley Hill sings in a languid, captivating near-monotone, and the result sounds like ESG or Pylon and is generally great.

Black Horse

Black Horse is the brainchild of Little Rock’s David Richmond, who boldly claims of his own songs on Facebook, “Most are terrible but some are good.” Richmond is being radically, irresponsibly modest here, as his songs are only terrible in the sense that they are unhinged and antic and wired and brutal, which is to say they aren’t at all terrible. They’ll close out the night with their own brand of wild, energetic garage punk.

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A&E NEWS THIS MONTH IN THE ARKANSAS TIMES Film Series (co-sponsored by the Little Rock Film Festival), we’re showing Charles Burnett’s legendary 1978 independent film “Killer of Sheep.” Filmed in L.A.’s Watts neighborhood in the early ’70s, it’s a gorgeous and powerful and deeply mysterious document of its time and place, set to music by Dinah Washington and Louis Armstrong and Earth, Wind & Fire. The New York Times has called it “an American masterpiece, independent to the bone,” and the Washington Post described it as, “unlike any American film of its time or any other ... See ‘Killer of Sheep.’ Then see it again, and again. It’s one of those truly rare movies that just get better.” And as Chicago Reader’s Jonathan Rosenbaum wrote, “Charles Burnett is the most gifted and important black filmmaker this country has ever had.” The screening will be at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21. Tickets are $5. DEADLINE HOLLYWOOD REPORTS this week that Cinemax has picked up “Quarry,” a 1970s-set drama created and produced by North Little Rock’s Graham Gordy and Michael D. Fuller, as an eight-episode series. The show, based on novels by Max Allan Collins, will star Logan Marshall-Green (“Prometheus”) and will be directed by Greg Yaitanes (“House,” “Lost”). According to Deadline: “Quarry tells the story of Mac Conway (Logan Marshall-Green), a Marine who returns home to Memphis from Vietnam in 1972 and finds himself shunned by those he loves and demonized by the public. As he struggles to cope with his experiences at war, Conway is drawn into a network of killing and corruption that spans the length of the Mississippi River. Jodi Balfour, Peter Mullan, Nikki Amuka-Bird and Damon Herriman co-star, along with Jamie Hector, Edoardo Ballerini and Skipp Sudduth. ‘This nuanced and dynamic show marks an exciting moment in the evolution of Cinemax programming,’ said HBO’s Michael Lombardo.” WHATEVER YOU THOUGHT YOU were doing on the night of April 19, drop it: ’70s studio rock legend Todd Rundgren has added a Little Rock stop to his “Global Tour 2015,” and is playing at the Rev Room. Didn’t know Rundgren was still making music? Never liked his music in the first place? Doesn’t matter — this is too important to be left up to issues of musical taste. For anyone who worried 2015 would be as hopeless and barren as 2014, Happy New Year: Todd Rundgren has come to save us from ourselves. Tickets are on sale now at rundgrenradio.tix.com

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zin·fan·del

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11200 W. Markham | 501-223-3120 11200 www.colonialwineshop.com W. Markham facebook.com/colonialwines 501-223-3120

www.colonialwineshop.com

11200 W. Markham | 501-223-3120 facebook.com/colonialwines www.colonialwineshop.com youtube.com/colonialwineshop facebook.com/colonialwines

www.arktimes.com

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

THE TO-DO

LIST

BY DAVID KOON, LESLIE NEWELL PEACOCK & WILL STEPHENSON

FRIDAY 2/6

HOT SPRINGS GALLERY WALK

5-9 p.m. Central Avenue, Whittington Avenue

The month’s first Friday gives all those people who’ve spent the day betting on the ponies and slurping beer in somewhat seedy surrounds to redeem themselves culturally with the evening’s Gallery Walk receptions at the Spa City’s many venues of fine art. Those who got lucky at the track may want to start first at Alison Parsons Gallery (802 Central Ave.), where her paintings of thoroughbreds are available for sale. The Arkansas Sculpture Guild has a show at the Fine Arts Center (626 Central Ave.), and artists from the community have contributed to “We Are All Others,” an exhibition celebrating diversity at the Emergent Arts Community Center (341-A Whittington Ave.). A number of artists, including Dustyn Bork, Donnie Copeland, Carly Dahl, Robert Fogel, Tony Saladino and Dan Thornhill, are showing work in an exhibit called “Pattern and Form” at Justus Fine Art (827 Central Ave.), and Gallery Central (800 Central Ave.) also has a group show, featuring work by Tracee Gentry, Trey McCarley, Sandy Newberg, Renee Torbit, Houston Llew and Susan Shaw. Linda Williams Palmer’s “Arkansas Champion Trees: An Artist’s Journey,” large colored pencil drawings of majestic trees, continues at the Hot Springs National Park Cultural Center (Ozark Bathhouse). LNP

FRIDAY 2/6

GUY BELL’S ‘FOURTEEN MINUTES AND FIFTY-NINE SECONDS’ 6:30-9 p.m. Thea Foundation. $10.

PARTY DRUGS: Jessica Lea Mayfield plays at White Water Tavern 9:30 p.m. Thursday.

THURSDAY 2/5

JESSICA LEA MAYFIELD

9:30 p.m. White Water Tavern.

Ohio native Jessica Lea Mayfield first emerged as an earnest indie-folk singer, a reputation she’s now spent years shedding in favor of a post-grunge, alterna24

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

tive rock vibe — a genre pivot that cultivated in last year’s “Make My Head Sing ... .” “This is the record I’ve always wanted to make,” Mayfield told the Times in an interview last summer. “I don’t think I could have made it at another

time. I think I had to grow to be able to make this record. This is the record I want people to know me by.” She’ll headline at White Water on Thursday with Little Rock garage rock four-piece The Uh Huhs opening. WS

Little Rock artist Guy Bell, who was one of only four Arkansans included in Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art’s wide-ranging “State of the Art” exhibition, is putting some space between himself and his art. More accurately, he’s putting space between his art and his art: On Friday, Bell will unveil a levitating pyramid sculpture at the Thea Foundation, where he’ll also show paintings as part of Thea’s The Art Department series of exhibitions by young artists. The floating pyramid will include an eye on one face, inspired by the “Eye of Providence” on our dollar bills, and will have a special effect: It will be watching you as you watch it. A camera hidden in the pyramid just below the eyeball will send images of viewers via a wireless transmitter in the base of the pyramid to a television screen in the gallery. The sculpture is something Bell’s been thinking about creating for some time. Thanks to help from engineeringminded folks at the Innovation Hub maker space in Argenta, he’s achieved his goal. Friday’s reception will include an open bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres and music by John Willis and Late Romantics. Thea is at 401 Main St. in North Little Rock. LNP

SATURDAY 2/7

CULT FICTION GRINDATHON

7:20 p.m. The Public Theater. Donations.

IN PASSAGE: The Wandering Lake is at White Water Tavern with Isaac Alexander 10 p.m. Saturday.

SATURDAY 2/7

THE WANDERING LAKE, ISAAC ALEXANDER 10 p.m. White Water Tavern.

Fayetteville’s Brian Kupillas has been recording as The Wandering Lake for several years — you can find a backlog of his releases at wanderinglake.bandcamp. com, all of them full of moody ambient exercises and bright songwriting steeped in warped, warbling home-recording atmospherics. Along with Jack Lloyd (his bandmate in Fayetteville garage pop band

SW/MM/NG), Kupillas has smoothed out some of the rougher edges and made a new record, a four-song sample of which they released in late January to help fund the full-length release and a tour that’s winding down this weekend. After a show at the Lightbulb Club in Fayetteville on Feb. 6 (with High Lonesome and Gibberish), they’re playing White Water on Saturday, Feb. 7, with the always great, unassumingly devastating singer-songwriter (and self-proclaimed “sad dad”) Isaac Alexander. WS

In 2009, Little Rock’s own John Schafer, Rhett Brinkley and Zach Turner collaborated on a no-budget, partially improvised feature film called “Slumberland” about post-collegiate, service industry ennui, a comedydrama on relationship dysfunction and roommates and minor run-ins with the law. The film, shot on MiniDV and loosely based on the actor’s real lives, came at the height of the Mumblecore moment in independent cinema, and seemed in concert with similar efforts by filmmakers like Andrew Bujalski, Joe Swanberg and the Duplass brothers. It went on to win the Charles B. Pierce Award for Arkansas Film at the Little Rock Film Festival and was screened only very rarely after that. It’s especially exciting, then, that the film, which the Times back then described as having “a strong story, even stronger characters and a lot of smart, almost lyrical camera work,” will be revived this weekend as part of the Public Theater’s Cult Fiction Grindathon. Brinkley and Turner will be on hand to re-enact a scene from the film before the screening, which starts at 9:20 p.m. Before “Slumberland,” the hosts of the KABF show “Girls” will present a screening of the iconic 1975 exploitation movie “Switchblade Sisters” (7:20 p.m.), a girl-gang epic that gained an enormous reputational boost and commercial second wind in the ’90s when it was rereleased by Quentin Tarantino. Conway band Becoming Elephants will perform at 11 p.m., followed by a midnight screening of John Waters’ “Desperate Living” (on VHS, natch). WS

TUESDAY 2/10

‘STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN’ 7 p.m. Riverdale 10 Cinema. $5.

Let’s face it: Even the most diehard Trekkie will admit that the movies based on the “Star Trek” franchise have been a little hit or miss over the years. OK, a LOT hit or miss. Remember the one where Cap’n Kirk and the gang flew a Klingon ship back in time to 1986 San

Francisco and kidnapped some humpback whales, with Spock having to wear an Olivia Newton-John headband the whole movie to keep his ears covered? Yeah, I’m trying to forget that one, too. One Trek flick that doesn’t suck, however, is 1982’s “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.” Featuring the oiledup, impossibly buff and hairless chest of Ricardo Montalban (reprising his role as the genetically enhanced super

villain from the 1967 episode “Space Seed”) on a quest for bloody revenge against Kirk and his crew, it’s just good old fashioned fun, with one of the better endings in all of sci-fi. Bonus: horrifying, hypnotic ear slugs and Shatner shouting “KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!” Catch it on the big screen at Riverdale 10 this week, part of a classic movie lineup, with admission only $5. DK

IN BRIEF

THURSDAY 2/5 The Harlem Globetrotters, the basketball team that rarely loses, return to Verizon Arena at 7 p.m., $27.05$36.50. Jessica Fellowes, author of “The World of Downton Abbey,” speaks at Reynolds Performance Hall in Conway at 7:30 p.m., $15. Comedian John Evans performs at the Loony Bin through Saturday, Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m., $7 (with shows at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, $10). Open Fields plays at the Afterthought with Midwest Caravan and Whole Famn Damily at 8 p.m., $6. The Hot Sardines perform at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville, 7:30 p.m., $10-$25. Round 2 of the Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase is at Stickyz at 9 p.m., $5.

FRIDAY 2/6 The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center presents the Living History Tribute to Maya Angelou at 10 p.m. The Ron Robinson Theater screens “Pretty Woman” at 7 p.m. as part of its new Rewind series, $5. Comedy troupe The Main Thing performs its original production, “Frost Bite Me!” Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., $22. The B Flats play at the Afterthought at 9 p.m., $7. Austin songwriter Bob Schneider is at Revolution at 9 p.m., $15-$25. Raleigh Experience plays at Vino’s with Harvester and Tie Die Love Affair, 9 p.m., $5. Local country favorites The Salty Dogs play at White Water Tavern, 9 p.m. That 1 Guy performs at Stickyz with DJ Feels Goodman, 9 p.m., $10 adv., $12 day of.

SATURDAY 2/7 The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center hosts a panel discussion, “The Roots of African American Education in Arkansas,” 10 a.m. The Clarice Assad Trio plays at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., $20. Jamaican reggae singer Duane Stephenson comes to Revolution to headline the 8th annual Bob Marley Birthday Bash, alongside Tim Anthony, Butterfly, Tricia Reed and more, 9 p.m. The Cons of Formant play Vino’s with The Harmaleighs and the Ozark Mountain Maybelles, 9 p.m., $5. The Intruders are at the Afterthought, 9 p.m., $7. Headcold plays at ZAZA in Conway with Nouns and Mean Ends, as a benefit for KABF, 9:30 p.m. www.arktimes.com

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

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, FEB. 5

MUSIC

Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase Round 2. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9 p.m., $5. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz. com. Collin Vs. Adam, Midwest Caravan, Whole Famn Damily. Afterthought Bistro & Bar. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbistroandbar.com/. The Hot Sardines. Walton Arts Center, 7:30 p.m., $10-$25. 495 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479443-5600. “Inferno.” DJs play pop, electro, house and more, plus drink specials and $1 cover before 11 p.m. Sway, 9 p.m. 412 Louisiana. 501-907-2582. Jessica Lea Mayfield, The Uh Huhs. White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m. 2500 W. 7th St. 501-375-8400. www.whitewatertavern.com. Jim Dickerson. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www.sonnywilliamssteakroom.com. Josh Green. Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf. com. Karaoke. Zack’s Place, 8 p.m., free. 1400 S. University Ave. 501-664-6444. Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 Clinton Ave. 501-372-4782. 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. RockUsaurus. Senor Tequila, 7-9 p.m. 10300 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-224-5505. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 7:30 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-370-7013. www.capitalbarandgrill.com/.

COMEDY

John Evans. The Loony Bin, through Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m.; through Feb. 7, 10 p.m., $10. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.com.

EVENTS

Harlem Globetrotters. Verizon Arena, 7 p.m., $27.05-$36.50. 1 Alltel Arena Way, NLR. 501975-9001. verizonarena.com. Hillcrest Shop & Sip. Shops and restaurants offer discounts, later hours, and live music. Hillcrest, first Thursday of every month, 5 p.m. P.O.Box 251522. 501-666-3600. www.hillcrestmerchants. com.

LECTURES

Jessica Fellowes. The author of “The World of Downton Abbey.” Reynolds Performance Hall, UCA, 7:30 p.m., $15. 350 S. Donaghey, Conway.

FRIDAY, FEB. 6

MUSIC

All In Fridays. Club Elevations. 7200 Colonel 26

JANUARY 15, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

BURDEN OF PROOF: Austin’s Bob Schneider is at Juanita’s 9 p.m. Friday, $15-$25.

Glenn Road. 501-562-3317. B Flats. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 9 p.m., $7. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbistroandbar.com/. Bob Marley Mixer. A meet and greet with Duane Stephenson and Butterfly. Afrodesia Studio, 9 p.m., $10. 9700 Rodney Parham Rd. Bob Schneider. Revolution, 9 p.m., $15-$25. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. www.rumbarevolution.com/new/. Club Nights at 1620 Savoy. Dance night, with DJs, drink specials and bar menu, until 2 a.m. 1620 Savoy, 10 p.m. 1620 Market St. 501-2211620. www.1620savoy.com. Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 Clinton Ave. 501-372-4782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com. Raleigh Experience, Harvester, Tie Die Love Affair. Vino’s, 9 p.m., $5. 923 W. 7th St. 501-3758466. www.vinosbrewpub.com. Riverbilly (headliner), Richie Johnson (happy

hour). Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 and 9 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf. com. Route 66. Agora Conference and Special Event Center, 6:30 p.m., $5. 705 E. Siebenmorgan, Conway. The Salty Dogs. White Water Tavern, 9 p.m. 2500 W. 7th St. 501-375-8400. www.whitewatertavern.com. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 9 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-370-7013. www.capitalbarandgrill.com/. That 1 Guy, DJ Feels Goodman. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9 p.m., $10 adv., $12 day of. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www. stickyz.com. Trey Johnson. Another Round Pub, 6 p.m. 12111 West Markham. 501-313-2612. www.anotherroundpub.com/. The Wandering Lake, Gibberish, High Lonesome. The Lightbulb Club, 9 p.m. 21 N.

Block Ave., Fayetteville. 479-444-6100.

COMEDY

“Frost Bite Me!”. An original comedy by The Main Thing. The Joint, through March 14: 8 p.m., $22. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com. John Evans. The Loony Bin, through Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m.; through Feb. 7, 10 p.m., $10. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.com.

DANCE

Ballroom Dancing. Free lessons begin at 7 p.m. Bess Chisum Stephens Community Center, 8-11 p.m., $7-$13. 12th & Cleveland streets. 501-2217568. www.blsdance.org. Contra Dance. Park Hill Presbyterian Church, first and third Friday of every month, 7:30 p.m.; Fourth Friday of every month, 7:30 p.m., $5. 3520 JFK Blvd., NLR. arkansascountrydance.org. “Salsa Night.” Begins with a one-hour salsa lesson. Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $8. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www.littlerocksalsa.com.

EVENTS

39th Annual Arkansas RV Show. Statehouse Convention Center, Feb. 6-8, 10 a.m. 7 Statehouse Plaza. 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 244-9690 or search “DYSC” on Facebook. LGBTQ/SGL Youth and Young Adult Group, 6:30 p.m. 800 Scott St. Living History Tribute to Maya Angelou. Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, 10 a.m. 501 W. 9th St. 501-683-3593. www.mosaictemplarscenter.com.

FILM

“Pretty Woman.” Ron Robinson Theater, 7 p.m., $5. 1 Pulaski Way. 501-320-5703. www.cals.lib.

ar.us/ron-robinson-theater.aspx.

SATURDAY, FEB. 7

MUSIC

8th Annual Bob Marley Birthday Bash. Featuring Duane Stephenson, Tim Anthony, Butterly, Tricia Reed and more. Revolution, 9 p.m. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. www.rumbarevolution.com/new/. Canvas. Another Round Pub, 9 p.m. 12111 West Markham. 501-313-2612. www.anotherroundpub.com/. Clarice Assad Trio. Walton Arts Center, 7 and 9 p.m., $20. 495 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479-443-5600. Club Nights at 1620 Savoy. See Feb. 6. The Cons of Formant, The Harmaleighs, Ozark Mountain Maybelles. Vino’s, 9 p.m., $5. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com. Coyote Union, American Lions. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9:30 p.m., free. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz.com. Headcold, Nouns, Mean Ends. A benefit for KABF. ZaZa, 9:30 p.m. 1050 Ellis Ave., Conway. 501-336-9292. www.zazapizzaandsalad.com. The Intruders. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 9 p.m., $7. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www. afterthoughtbistroandbar.com/. Karaoke at Khalil’s. Khalil’s Pub, 7 p.m. 110 S. Shackleford Road. 501-224-0224. www.khalilspub.com. Karaoke. Casa Mexicana, 7 p.m. 7111 JFK Blvd., NLR. 501-835-7876. Zack’s Place, 8 p.m., free. 1400 S. University Ave. 501-664-6444. Karaoke with Kevin & Cara. All-ages, on the restaurant side. Revolution, 9 p.m.-12:45 a.m., free. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. www.rumbarevolution.com/new/. K.I.S.S. Saturdays. Featuring DJ Silky Slim. Dress code enforced. Sway, 10 p.m. 412 Louisiana. 501-492-9802. Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 Clinton Ave. 501-372-4782. littlerock.erniebiggs.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. Raising Grey (headliner), R and R (happy hour). Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 and 9 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf.com. Schwag and Friends of the Phamily. George’s Majestic Lounge, 9 p.m., $12. 519 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479-442-4226. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 9 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-370-7013. www.capitalbarandgrill.com/. Wandering Lake, Isaac Alexander. White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m. 2500 W. 7th St. 501-375-8400. www.whitewatertavern.com. Yokohama Drifters, Rival Monsters. The Lightbulb Club, 9 p.m. 21 N. Block Ave., Fayetteville. 479-444-6100.

COMEDY

“Frost Bite Me!”. An original comedy by The Main Thing. The Joint, through March 14: 8 p.m., $22. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-3720205. thejointinlittlerock.com. John Evans. The Loony Bin, 7:30 p.m., $10. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-228-5555. www. loonybincomedy.com.

DANCE

Little Rock West Coast Dance Club. Dance

lessons. Singles welcome. Ernie Biggs, 7 p.m., $2. 307 Clinton Ave. 501-247-5240. www. arstreetswing.com.

EVENTS

39th Annual Arkansas RV Show. Statehouse Convention Center, through Feb. 8, 10 a.m. 7 Statehouse Plaza. Central Arkansas 2015 Heart Ball. Statehouse Convention Center, 5:30 p.m. 7 Statehouse Plaza. Falun Gong meditation. Allsopp Park, 9 a.m., free. Cantrell & Cedar Hill Roads. 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. 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. Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Piece. Hosted by poetry troupe Foreign Tongues. Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, 7 p.m. 501 W. 9th St. 501-683-3593. www.mosaictemplarscenter.com.

FILM

Cult Fiction Grindathon. Screenings of “Switchblade Sisters,” local film “Slumberland” and “Desperate Living,” plus a performance by Becoming Elephants. The Public Theatre, 7:20 p.m., donations. 616 Center St. 501-374-7529. www.thepublictheatre.com.

All American Food & Great Place to Watch Your Favorite Event

Shop shop LOCAL ARKANSAS TIMES

LECTURES

“The Roots of African American Education in Arkansas.” Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, 10 a.m. 501 W. 9th St. 501-683-3593. www.mosaictemplarscenter.com.

SUNDAY, FEB. 8

MUSIC

Arkansas Symphony and Arkansas Youth Symphony Side By Side. Maumelle High School, 7 p.m., $10. 100 Victory Drive. 501851-5350. Descended From Wolves, Echiridion, Burning Addison, Abandon the Artifice. Vino’s, 7 p.m., $7. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com. Karaoke. Shorty Small’s, 6-9 p.m. 1475 Hogan Lane, Conway. 501-764-0604. www.shortysmalls.com. Karaoke with DJ Sara. Hardrider Bar & Grill, 7 p.m., free. 6613 John Harden Drive, Cabot. 501-982-1939 ‎. Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 Clinton Ave. 501-372-4782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com.

EVENTS

39th Annual Arkansas RV Show. Statehouse Convention Center, 10 a.m. 7 Statehouse Plaza.

MONDAY, FEB. 9

MUSIC

Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 Clinton Ave. 501-372-4782. litCONTINUED ON PAGE 30 www.arktimes.com

JANUARY 15, 2015

THEATER REVIEW

THE UNIQUE NEIGHBORHOODS OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS Full of interesting voices and colorful portraits of 17 Little Rock and North Little Rock neighborhoods, this book gives an intimate, block-by-block, native’s view of the place more than 250,000 Arkansans call home. Created from interviews with residents and largely written by writers who actually live in the neighborhoods they’re writing about, the book features over 90 full color photos by Little Rock photographer Brian Chilson.

FREEDOM MEANS SELFISHNESS: What Damian Thompson’s character, Simon, believes.

Payment: CHECK OR CREDIT CARD Order by Mail: ARKANSAS TIMES BOOKS, P.O. BOX 34010, LITTLE ROCK, AR 72203 Phone: 501-375-2985 Fax: 501-375-3623 Email: JACK@ARKTIMES.COM Send _______ book(s) of The Unique Neighborhoods of Central Arkansas @ $19.95 Send _______ book(s) of A History Of Arkansas @ $10.95

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ARKANSAS TIMES

Them bones, them bones

an the master love the slave? This question sits at the core of the talky, philosophical first act of “The Whipping Man,” as two freed slaves and their former master wrestle over faith, freedom and the last of the bourbon in 1865 Virginia. Matthew Lopez’ play is a slow-paced, contemplative drama filled with long, uncomfortable — but nonetheless compelling — moments that force the characters to examine the lives they hope to build for themselves in the new world. Devout family man Simon (Michael Shepperd) centers the play, dedicated to the family that once owned him but eager to begin his life anew as a free man. In an early scene, after his former master shouts at him to get water, he says firmly, “By all rights, what you’re telling me to do, you should be asking me to do.” He still fetches the water, but on his own terms and demanding the respect such an act of compassion deserves. Caleb (Ryan Barry) swears his family was kind to their slaves, offering them the best lives they could’ve had in the Old South. Grievously injured fleeing the Civil War, he’s helpless without his former charges, eventually realizing he has been all along. Ryan Barry plays Caleb with a mercurial intensity, increasingly anxious, guilty and desperate as his illusions of how the world was (that slave owners were benevolent) and fears of how the world will be (the slaves freed, the South impoverished) collide, forming a deeply conflicted character and a solid performance.

John (Damian Thompson) has dreams of escaping to New York City following emancipation and starting fresh. But he’s selfish, a thief and a liar; for him, living freely means living only for himself. Thompson’s crisp comedic timing is effortless, but a key dramatic scene in act two — where John recounts a story involving the titular Whipping Man — he doesn’t manage to convey introspection. Unlike the rest of the play, it felt like acting. A minor quibble, but one that only goes to show how well (with a minimalist set, costuming and score) “The Whipping Man” and its crew crafted an immersive atmosphere. The highlight is Shepperd. He dominates the stage. His is a charismatic, dynamic performance that remains grounded and believable. He portrays Simon as an imposing, physical force, a gentle father figure and a browbeaten old man with the weight of decades of servitude, and what happens after, on his shoulders. Simon illustrates how true acts of love and kindness only exist when people are on equal footing, a possibility that never existed in his life before emancipation. Early on, Simon says to John: “You’re not just serving in this world, you’re living in it.” The line resonates not because it means slaves have only recently stopped serving, but because they’ve only recently started living freely. What that means is, for the first time, up to them. The play completes its run with performances at 7 p.m. Feb. 5, 8 p.m. Feb. 6-7 and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Feb. 8.

MOVIE REVIEW

FELLOW TRAVELERS: Allen Evangelista, Sofia Black-D’Elia and Jonny Weston star.

Time travel trifle ‘Almanac’ goes down easy. BY SAM EIFLING

he Saturday night openingweekend screening of “Project Almanac” was without a doubt the talkiest, chattiest movie I’ve ever sat through — and that’s a title that takes some serious wrestling to win, after something like 500 movies in theaters. I saw a “Friday the 13th” reboot on Valentine’s Day, in a theater where shoddy parents on bad dates brought yapping children. I’ve seen multiple “Paranormal Activity” flicks, full of self-deputizing narrators. I once jumped over the back of my seat to shush yappy teenagers in the Gus Van Sant “Psycho” remake; I was 18 at the time, and the shock of seeing me leap back a row and sit down startled one 15-year-old to blurt to me, “Sorry, sir.” I saw “Toy Story 2” at the cheaper-than-a-babysitter dollar theater, packed with tots. During a showing of “The Others” in Miami Beach, eight cell phones rang over the two hours. The “Project Almanac” showing just blew them all away. It was populated with pockets of teenagers talking throughout this sucker — but almost charmingly, somehow, because they were talking about the movie. This wide-eyed, fast-paced, found-footage junk-food flick about a group of teens who find a nearly finished time machine and DIY it to life scarcely needs dialogue anyway. The tall blond boy (Jonny Weston) just got into M.I.T. and needs a science idea for a scholarship. He rummages through his deceased nerd father’s notes and stuff in the attic and finds an old videotape of his 7th birthday party … where he catches a glimpse in the background of his present-day self, wearing his current clothes. Sufficiently spooked, he and some cronies wind up in dad’s basement lab, long left fallow,

and dig up plans for his military-commissioned time device. They sacrifice an Xbox and a score of car batteries on the way to willing it to life, and soon manage to dial themselves short distances through time (actual discarded title for this film: “Welcome to Yesterday”). This is actually a masterstroke of plotting. You can’t see dinosaurs and you can’t kill Hitler (unfortunately, as that mission is “time travel 101,” one character says). What you can do is win the lottery and pass chemistry. Small beer, on the grand scale, but leave it to teenagers to conflate the picayune with the epic. When our hero nerd wants a do-over on a particular moment, the bad choices begin, and we see hubris and monomania develop. At one level, “Project Almanac” plays as an addiction film, with a protagonist chasing a fix and forgetting the first law of holes: When you find yourself in one, stop digging. The audience, loquacious throughout, kept chewing over plot points and whatwould-you-do scenarios even into the lobby and onto the street. Don’t let anyone tell you kids these days can’t multitask. They hear everything even when they can’t shut up. High cinema, or even “Back to the Future,” this ain’t. But like a can of PBR or a cab ride to the airport, it doesn’t need to be profound to do the trick. There’s something to be said about a movie whose characters, among mentioning “Terminator” and “Groundhog Day,” at one point are casually watching “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure” to get a feel for how they should travel through time. That movie came out in 1989, by the way — ancient history for those who can’t go back further than a few days at a time. www.arktimes.com

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

AFTER DARK, CONT. tlerock.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. Sounds So Good. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 8 p.m., $5. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbistroandbar.com/.

LECTURES

“Shortcut: How Analogies Reveal Connections, Spark Innovation, and Sell Our Greatest Ideas”. A presentation by author and former Bill Clinton speechwriter John Pollack. Sturgis Hall, 6 p.m. 1200 President Clinton Ave. 501683-5200. clintonschool.uasys.edu.

CLASSES MONDAY, FEB. 9

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

TUESDAY, FEB. 10

MUSIC

Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, “Gran Partita” Serenade. Clinton Presidential Center, 7 p.m., $23. 1200 President Clinton Ave. 370-8000. www. clintonpresidentialcenter.org. Emma Branch. White Water Tavern, 10 p.m. 2500 W. 7th St. 501-375-8400. www.whitewatertavern.com. Irish Traditional Music Sessions. Hibernia Irish Tavern, second and Fourth Tuesday of every month, 7-9 p.m. 9700 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-2464340. www.hiberniairishtavern.com. 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. Karaoke Tuesday. Prost, 8 p.m., free. 322 President Clinton Blvd. 501-244-9550. willydspianobar.com/ prost-2/. Karaoke Tuesdays. On the patio. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 7:30 p.m., free. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz.com. Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 Clinton Ave. 501-372-4782. 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. 501-

in the Wilds of Arkansas.” Old State House Museum, 12 p.m. Brown Bag Lecture by UCA’s Kelly Jones. Old State House Museum, 12 p.m. 500 Clinton Ave. 501-324-9685. www.oldstatehouse.com.

372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com.

DANCE

“Latin Night.” Juanita’s, 7:30 p.m., $7. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www.littlerocksalsa.com.

EVENTS

Little Rock Green Drinks. Informal networking session for people who work in the environmental field. Ciao Baci, 5:30-7 p.m. 605 N. Beechwood St. 501-603-0238. www.greendrinks. org. Trivia Bowl. Flying Saucer, 8:30 p.m. 323 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-8032. www.beerknurd. com/stores/littlerock.

FILM

“Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.” Riverdale 10 Cinema, 7 p.m., $5. 2600 Cantrell Road. 501296-9955.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 11

MUSIC

Acoustic Open Mic. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbistroandbar.com/. The Acousticatz. Local Live. South on Main, 7:30 p.m., free. 1304 Main St. 501-244-9660. southonmain.com. Brian and Nick. Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf. com. Drageoke with Chi Chi Valdez. Sway. 412 Louisiana. 501-907-2582. Jim Dickerson. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www.sonnywilliamssteakroom.com. Karaoke at Khalil’s. Khalil’s Pub, 7 p.m. 110 S. Shackleford Road. 501-224-0224. www.khalilspub.com. Karaoke. MUSE Ultra Lounge, 8:30 p.m., free. 2611 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-6398. Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 Clinton Ave. 501-372-4782. littlerock.erniebiggs.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. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 7:30 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-370-7013. www.capitalbarandgrill.com/.

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 & Cleveland streets. 501-350-4712. www.littlerockbopclub.

LECTURES

“Opportunity on the Edge of the South: Slaves

POETRY

Wednesday Night Poetry. 21-and-older show. Maxine’s, 7 p.m., free. 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs. 501-321-0909. maxineslive.com/shows. html.

ARTS

THEATER

“Elvis Lives!.” Walton Arts Center, Fri., Feb. 6, 8 p.m., $32-$62. 495 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479-443-5600. “Rumpelstiltskin.” Arkansas Arts Center, through Feb. 8: Fri., 7 p.m.; Sat., Sun., 2 p.m., $12.50. 501 E. 9th St. 501-372-4000. www.arkarts.com. “The Whipping Man.” Arkansas Repertory Theatre, through Feb. 8: Fri., Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m., $35. 601 Main St. 501-378-0405. www. therep.org.

NEW GALLERY EXHIBITS, EVENTS NEW

ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER, MacArthur Park: “Aalto’s Identities,” free lecture by Peter MacKeith, dean of the UA Fay Jones School of Architecture, on Finnish designer Alvar Aalto, part of the Architectural Design Network series, reception 5:30 p.m., talk 6 p.m. Feb. 10, lecture hall. 372-4000. ESSE PURSE MUSEUM & STORE, 1510 S. Main St.: “rhwhlwithandwithoutrhwhl,” contemporary tribal masks by Kwendeche, through March 1; vintage purses and other women’s accessories. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tue.-Sun., $8-$10. 916-9022. GREG THOMPSON FINE ART, 429 Main St., NLR: “20th Anniversary Show,” work by William Dunlap, Rebecca Thompson, Pinkney Herbert, John Harlan Norris, Glennray Tutor, Sheila Cotton and others, through March 21. 664-2787. L&L BECK ART GALLERY, 5705 Kavanaugh Blvd.: “Landscapes,” by Louis Beck, through January; “Ducks in Arkansas,” February exhibit, giclee giveaway 7 p.m. Feb. 19. 660-4006. LAMAN LIBRARY, 2801 Orange St., NLR: “Mail Call,” Smithsonian traveling exhibition that tells the history of the military postal system with artifacts, including a “Victory Mail” kit, Feb. 7-April 15. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri.Sat. 758-1720. THEA FOUNDATION, 401 Main St., NLR: “Fourteen Minutes and Fifty-Nine Seconds,” paintings and sculpture by Guy W. Bell, opening reception 6:30-9 p.m. Feb. 6, part of The Art Department series, $10, beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres. 379-9512. ARKADELPHIA HENDERSON STATE UNIVERSITY: “Hot Off the

Press,” invitational exhibit of work by Arkansas student printmakers, Russell Fine Arts Gallery, through Feb. 25. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. 870230-5178 BENTONVILLE 21C MUSEUM HOTEL, 200 N.E. A St.: “Duke Riley: See You at the Finish Line,” sculpture; “Blue: Matter, Mood and Melancholy,” photographs and paintings. 479-286-6500. CRYSTAL BRIDGES MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART, One Museum Way: Lecture by architecture critic Sarah Goldhagen on the effect on urban design on life, 5-6 p.m. Feb. 8; art talk by Tyson Scholar Lacey Baradel on Eastman Johnson, 1-2 p.m. Feb. 9; permanent collection of American masterworks spanning four centuries. 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. EL DORADO SOUTH ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER, 110 E. Fifth St.: “Delta Landscapes by Norwood Creech,” paintings, Merkle Gallery; “Line and Form: Graphic and Organic Art by Mike Spain,” Price and Lobby galleries, both through February, reception 6-8 p.m. Feb. 21. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.Fri. 870-862-5747. FAYETTEVILLE WALTON ARTS CENTER, 495 W. Dickson St.: “Our Fragile Home,” installation by Pat Musick and Jerry Carr, Joy Pratt Markham gallery, through March, reception 5-7 p.m. Feb. 16. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri., noon-4 p.m. Sat. 479443-5600. HELENA DELTA CULTURAL CENTER, 141 Cherry St.: “House of Light: The Art and Photography of Hugo and Gayne Preller, 1894-1950,” photos taken along the White and Mississippi rivers, through April 4, Visitors Center. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat. 870-338-4350. BESSIE HUNT EDUCATION CENTER, 105 Missouri St.: Paintings by Ed Wade, through February, reception 5:30-7 p.m. Feb. 9. HOT SPRINGS ALISON PARSONS GALLERY, 802 Central Ave.: Paintings of thoroughbreds by Alison Parsons, reception 5-8 p.m. Feb. 6. 501-625-3001. EMERGENT ARTS COMMUNITY GALLERY, 341-A Whittington: “We Are All Others,” artwork celebrating diversity, reception 5-8 p.m. Feb. 6, show through Feb. 27. Noon-5 p.m. Thu.-Sat. 501-613-0352. FINE ARTS CENTER, 626 Central Ave.: Arkansas Sculpture Guild, through February, reception 5-8 p.m. Feb. 6. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat. 501-624-0489. GALLERY CENTRAL, 800 Central Ave.: New work by Tracee Gentry, Trey McCarley, Sandy Newberg, Renee Torbit, Houston Llew and Susan Shaw, reception 5-8 p.m. Feb. 6. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 501-318-4278. HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK CULTURAL CENTER, Ozark Bathhouse: “Arkansas

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AFTER DARK, CONT. Champion Trees: An Artist’s Journey,” colored pencil drawings by Linda Williams Palmer, through August, reception 5-8 p.m. Feb. 6. Noon-5 p.m. Fri.-Sun. 501-620-6715 JUSTUS FINE ART, 827 Central Ave.: “Pattern and Form,” work by Dustyn Bork, Donnie Copeland, Carly Dahl, Robert Fogel, Tony Saladino, and Dan Thornhill, through February, reception 5-8 p.m. Feb. 6. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sat. 501-321-2335. NATIONAL PARK COMMUNITY COLLEGE, 101 College Drive: “The Lost Highway,” scale models of roadside architecture of the 1950s by David Rose, library, through June. 501-760-4222. MONTICELLO UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT MONTICELLO, 346 University Court: 2015 “Small Works on Paper,” through Feb. 25. 870-460-1033. PINE BLUFF ARTS AND SCIENCE CENTER FOR SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS GALLERIES, 701 S. Main St.: “Familiar Figures: Drawings by Alonzo Ford,” through May 16, artist’s demonstration 11 a.m.-3 p.m. March 5; “Bombs, Bones and Bacteria,” mixed media by Robert Reep and Tom Richard, reception 5-7 p.m. Feb. 5, show through June 20. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 1-4 p.m. Sat. 870-536-3375. SPRINGDALE ARTS CENTER OF THE OZARKS, 214 S. Main St.: “A Life of Color,” paintings by Zeek Taylor; “Vox Femina,” women artists, Feb. 5-27, reception 6-8 p.m. Feb. 12. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat. 479-751-5441. YELLVILLE P.A.L. GALLERY, 300 Hwy. 62 W.: Jerry Preator, watercolors, through February, reception 4-6 p.m. Feb. 13. 870-656-2057.

HISTORY, SCIENCE EXHIBITS NEW

MOSAIC TEMPLARS CULTURAL CENTER, 501 W. 9th St.: “Living History Tribute to Maya Angelou,” featuring Gwendolyn Tilley, 10-11:30 a.m. Feb. 6, register at 683-3592; “The Roots of African American Education in Arkansas, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 7, with Peggy Lloyd, Dr. Joe Hale, Amanda Paige and Gwendolyn Tillie, register at 682-6892. “Freedom! Oh, Freedom! Arkansas’s People of African Descent and the Civil War: 1881-1886”; “2014 Creativity Arkansas Collection.” 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat. 683-3593. OLD STATE HOUSE MUSEUM, 300 W. Markham: “The Victorian Valentine MagicLantern Show!” from the American MagicLantern Theater, 7 p.m. Feb. 12; “Different Strokes,” the history of bicycling and places cycling in Arkansas, featuring artifacts, historical pictures and video, through February 2016; “Lights! Camera! Arkansas!”, the state’s ties to Hollywood, including costumes, scripts, film footage, photographs and more, through March 1. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 324-9685. ROGERS ROGERS HISTORICAL MUSEUM, 322 S. Second St.: “Here Comes the Bride,” objects from the museum’s collection tells the story of the changes in weddings from the 1870s through today; “IMAGINE: A NEW Rogers Historical Museum,” conceptual designs of new exhibition areas to be built. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon., Wed.-Sun., 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tue. (new hours). 479-6210-1154.

CALL FOR ARTISTS

The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center is taking requests for proposals for artwork that interprets the theme “Ancestral Landscapes: From Africa to Arkansas” for its “Creativity Arkansas” collection. Work may be 2D or 3D and in any medium. The application form requires an artist statement/biography and three images. Deadline to apply is 4 p.m. March 9. A committee will review the applications March 16. For more information, go to www.mosaictemplarscenter.com.

Medicines and Sweet Poisons,” mixed media assemblages by Alfred Conteh and Charly Palmer, show through Feb. 14. 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.: “Capturing Early Arkansas in Depth: The Stereoview Collection of Allan Gates,” through April 5; “The Great Arkansas Quilt Show 3,” juried exhibit of contemporary quilts, through May 3; “Arkansas Made,” ongoing. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 324-9351.

LAMAN LIBRARY ARGENTA BRANCH, 506 Main St.: “Beyond Layers: Delita Pinchback Martin,” mixed media printmaking, through Feb. 15. 758-1720. L&L BECK ART GALLERY, 5705 Kavanaugh Blvd.: “Ducks in Arkansas,” February exhibit, giclee giveaway 7 p.m. Feb. 19. 660-4006. LOCAL COLOUR, 5811 Kavanaugh Blvd.: Rotating work by 27 artists in collective. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 265-0422. CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

CONTINUING GALLERY EXHIBITS

ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER, MacArthur Park: “How to Kill,” war images in watercolor by Robert Andrew Parker, through March 8; “Color, an Artist’s Tale: Paintings by Virmarie DePoyster,” through Feb. 15, Museum School Gallery. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. 372-4000. ARKANSAS CAPITAL CORP. GROUP, 200 River Market Ave., Suite 400: “Life by Design,” paintings by Elizabeth Weber, Dan Thornhill and Ashley Saer. 374-9247. BUTLER CENTER GALLERIES, Arkansas Studies Institute, 401 President Clinton Ave.: “Reflections on Line and Mass,” paintings and sculpture by Robyn Horn, through April 24; “Of the Soil: Photography by Geoff Winningham,” through Feb. 28; “Echoes of the Ancestors: Native American Objects from the University of Arkansas Museum,” Concordia Gallery, through March 15. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 320-5790. CANTRELL GALLERY, 8206 Cantrell Road: “45th Birthday Party/Big Group Show,” through February. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 224-1335. CHROMA GALLERY, 5707 Kavanaugh Blvd.: Work by Robert Reep and other Arkansas artists. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat. 664-0880. THE EDGE, 301B President Clinton Ave.: Paintings by Avila (Fernando Gomez), Eric Freeman, James Hayes, Jerry Colburn, St. Joseph Thomason and Stephen Drive. 992-1099. ELLEN GOLDEN ANTIQUES, 5701 Kavanaugh Blvd.: Paintings by Barry Thomas and Arden Boyce. 664-7746. GALLERY 221, Pyramid Place, Second and Center streets: “Love and Romance of Art,” works by Tyler Arnold, Kathi Couch, Jennifer “Emile” Freeman, Brenda Fowler, Greg Lahti, Sean LeCrone, Elizabeth Nevins, Mary Ann Stafford, Gino Hollander, Siri Hollander, Fire Flies Metal Art and Rae Ann Bayless, through Feb. 15, reception 5-8 p.m. Feb. 13. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. gallery221@gmail.com. GALLERY 26, 2601 Kavanaugh Blvd.: Amy Edgington, Sulac, recent work, through March 14. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.-Sat. 664-8996. GALLERY 360, 900 S. Rodney Parham Road: “Icebox,” new work by Jordan Wolf, Brian Wolf, Ike Plumlee, Matthew Castellano, Nathan Fellhauer, Elgin Venable, Leeaux and Robot Blood, through Feb. 7. 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: “20th Anniversary Show,” work by William Dunlap, Rebecca Thompson, Pinkney Herbert, John Harlan Norris, Glennray Tutor, Sheila Cotton and others, through March 21. 664-2787. HEARNE FINE ART, 1001 Wright Ave.: “Bitter www.arktimes.com

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

AFTER DARK, CONT. M2GALLERY, 11525 Cantrell Road (Pleasant Ridge Shopping Center): Works in all media by Robin Tucker, Dan Thornhill, Milan Todic, Caleb McNew and others. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. 944-7155. MUGS CAFE, 515 Main St., NLR: “Giants Among Us,” paintings by Perrion Y. Hurd, through Feb. 18. 379-9101. RED DOOR GALLERY, 3715 JFK, NLR: Paula Jones, new paintings; Jim Goshorn, new sculpture; also sculpture by Joe Martin, paintings by Amy Hill-Imler, Theresa Cates and Patrick Cunningham, ornaments by D. Wharton, landscapes by James Ellis, raku by Kelly Edwards and other works. 753-5227. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mon.Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. ST. JAMES UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 321

Our Biggest Sale

Of the Year!

Pleasant Valley Drive: “People, Places and Things,” paintings by Emile, through March 10. 217-6700. STUDIOMAIN, 1423 Main St.: “Designs of the Year,” AIA, ASLA and ASID design awards. facebook.com/studio.main.ar. TABLE 28, 1501 Merrill Drive: “Puzzling Narratives,” work by Robert Bean and Patrick Fleming, Burgundy Hotel, through Feb. 28. 224-8051. UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK: “The Penland Experience,” art objects made by almost 50 Penland School of Crafts instructors, resident artists, fellowship students and workshop participants, through March 6, guest lecture by Jean McLaughlin, Penland director, and Steve Miller, letter press artist, 6 p.m. Feb. 25; “Revere,” metalware installation by Jeffrey Clancy, Maners/Pappas Gallery (Gallery II), through Feb. 26; “Facade (To Face),” paintings by Taimur Cleary, through Feb. 26, artist talk 4:30 p.m. Feb. 17. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat., 2-5 p.m. Sun. 569-3182. WILDWOOD PARK FOR THE ARTS, 20919 Denny Road: Recent work by UALR faculty, students and alumni, including professors Tom Clifton, Eric Mantle and Mia Hall, through Feb. 15. 821-7275. 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. BENTONVILLE 21C MUSEUM HOTEL, 200 N.E. A St.: “Duke Riley: See You at the Finish Line,” sculpture; “Blue: Matter, Mood and Melancholy,” photographs and paintings. 479-286-6500. CALICO ROCK CALICO ROCK ARTISTS COOPERATIVE, Hwy. 5 at White River Bridge: Paintings, photographs, jewelry, fiber art, wood, ceramics and other crafts. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tue.-Thu., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun. calicorocket.org/artists. CONWAY ART ON THE GREEN, Littleton Park, 1100 Bob Courtway: New paintings by Trey McCarley. 501499-3177. UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS: “Practice What You Preach: New Works by the UCA Faculty,” works by 14 arts faculty members, Baum Gallery, McCastlain Hall, through Feb. 22. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thu. uca. edu/art/baum. FAYETTEVILLE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS: “Radcliffe Bailey: Storm at Sea,” found-object installation exploring ancestry, race, slavery and memory, through Feb. 20, Fine Arts Center Gallery, lecture by the artist 5:30 p.m. Feb. 19, Room 206, Hillside Auditorium, reception immediately following at the gallery. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 2-5 p.m. Sun. WALTON ARTS CENTER, 495 W. Dickson St.: “Our Fragile Home,” installation by Pat Musick and Jerry Carr, Joy Pratt Markham gallery, through March, reception 5-7 p.m. Feb. 16. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri., noon-4 p.m. Sat. 479-443-5600. FORT SMITH REGIONAL ART MUSEUM, 1601 Rogers Ave.: “Apron Strings: Ties to the Past,” vintage and contemporary aprons, through March 22. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 479-784-2787. HARRISON

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

ARTISTS OF THE OZARKS, 124½ N. Willow St.: Work by Amelia Renkel, Ann Graffy, Christy Dillard, Helen McAllister, Sandy Williams and D. Savannah George. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thu.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun. 870-429-1683. HEBER SPRINGS BOTTLE TREE GALLERY, 514 Main St.: New silver collection by Mary Allison; also work by George Wittenberg, Judy Shumann, Priscilla Humay, April Shurgar, Julie Caswell, Jan Cobb, Johnathan Harris, Antzee Magruder, Ann Aldinger, Sondra Seaton and Bill and Gloria Garrison. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Tue.-Sat. 501-590-8840. HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK COMMUNITY COLLEGE, 101 College Drive: “The Lost Highway,” scale models of roadside architecture of the 1950s by David Rose, library, through June. 501-760-4222. JONESBORO ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY: “2015 Delta National Small Prints Exhibition,” 55 prints selected by juror Ruth Lingen of Pace Paper in New York, Bradbury Gallery, through Feb. 27. Noon-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 2-5 p.m. Sun. 870-9722567. 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.

CONTINUING HISTORY, SCIENCE MUSEUM EXHIBITS

ARKANSAS INLAND MARITIME MUSEUM, North Little Rock: The USS Razorback submarine 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. CENTR AL HIGH SCHOOL MUSEUM VISITOR CENTER, Bates and Park: Exhibits on the 1957 desegregation of Central and the civil rights movement. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily. 374-1957. CLINTON PRESIDENTIAL CENTER, 1200 President Clinton Ave.: “Pigskin Peanuts,” Charles Schulz’s football-themed “Peanuts” cartoons, and “Heartbreak in Peanuts,” lovethemed cartoons, plus 5-foot sculptures of Charlie Brown and Snoopy and ephemera, in partnership with the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa, Calif., through April 5; permanent exhibits on the Clinton administration. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. $7 adults; $5 college students, seniors, retired military; $3 ages 6-17. 370-8000. HISTORIC ARKANSAS MUSEUM, 200 E. 3rd St.: Historic tavern, refurbished 19th century structures from original city, permanent exhibits on the Bowie knife and Arkansas’s Native American tribes (“We Walk in Two Worlds”), also changing exhibits. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 324-9351. MacARTHUR MUSEUM OF ARKANSAS

MILITARY HISTORY, MacArthur Park: “First Call – American Posters of World War I”; “Capital In Crisis: Little Rock and the Civil War”; “Through the Camera’s Eye: The Allison Collection of World War II Photographs”; Conflict and Crisis: The MacArthur-Truman Controversy.” 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-4 p.m. Sun. 376-4602. 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. WITT STEPHENS JR. CENTRAL ARKANSAS NATURE CENTER, Riverfront Park: Exhibits on fishing and hunting and the state Game and Fish Commission. 907-0636. CALICO ROCK CALICO ROCK MUSEUM, Main Street: Displays on Native American cultures, steamboats, the railroad and local history. www. calicorockmuseum.com. ENGLAND TOLTEC MOUNDS STATE PARK, U.S. Hwy. 165: Major prehistoric Indian site with visitors’ center and museum. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., noon-5 p.m. Sun., closed Mon. $3 for adults, $2 for ages 6-12. 961-9442. FORT SMITH REGIONAL ART MUSEUM, 1601 Rogers Ave.: “Apron Strings: Ties to the Past,” vintage and contemporary aprons, through March 22 (free to members, $5 to nonmembers). 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 479-784-2787. JACKSONVILLE JACKSONVILLE MUSEUM OF MILITARY HISTORY, 100 Veterans Circle: Exhibits on D-Day; F-105, Vietnam era plane (“The Thud”); the Civil War Battle of Reed’s Bridge, Arkansas Ordnance Plant (AOP) and other military history. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. $3 adults; $2 seniors, military; $1 students. 501-241-1943. MORRILTON MUSEUM OF AUTOMOBILES, Petit Jean Mountain: Permanent exhibit of more than 50 cars from 1904-1967 depicting the evolution of the automobile. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 7 days. 501-727-5427. PINE BLUFF ARTS AND SCIENCE CENTER FOR SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS, 701 S. Main St.: “Exploring the Frontier: Arkansas 1540-1840,” Arkansas Discovery Network hands-on exhibition; “Heritage Detectives: Discovering Arkansas’ Hidden Heritage.” 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 1-4 p.m. Sat. 870-536-3375. POTTSVILLE POTTS INN, 25 E. Ash St.: Preserved 1850s stagecoach station on the Butterfield Overland Mail Route, with period furnishings, log structures, hat museum, doll museum, doctor’s office, antique farm equipment. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wed.-Sat. $5 adults, $2 students, 5 and under free. 479-968-9369. SCOTT SCOTT PLANTATION SETTLEMENT: 1840s log cabin, one-room school house, tenant houses, smokehouse and artifacts on plantation life. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thu.-Sat. 351-0300. www.scottconnections.org.

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ARKANSAS TIMES

PLENTY OF PARKING IN THE WAREHOUSE DISTRICT AND AT RIVIER CONDOMINIUMS www.arktimes.com

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

Dining WHAT’S COOKIN’ ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER CHAIN restaurant heading to Little Rock. This time it’s Boneheads, a casual fishchicken-taco salad wrap eatery that previously entered the Arkansas market with a location in Bentonville. The latest one will open in a newly constructed building at The Promenade at Chenal on Feb. 13.

DINING CAPSULES

AMERICAN

1620 SAVOY Fine dining in a swank space, with a menu redone by the same owners of Cache downtown. The scallops are especially nice. 1620 Market St. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-221-1620. D Mon.-Sat., BR Sun. ADAMS CATFISH & CATERING Catering company in Little Rock with carry-out trailers in Russellville and Perryville. 215 N. Cross St. All CC. $-$$. 501-336-4399. LD Tue.-Fri. AFTERTHOUGHT BISTRO AND BAR The restaurant side of the Afterthought Bar (also called the Afterthought Bistro and Bar) features crab cakes, tuna tacos, chicken tenders, fries, sandwiches, burgers and, as entrees, fish and grits, tuna, ribeye, chicken and dumplings, pasta and more. Live music in the adjoining bar, also private dining room. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. Full bar, All CC. 501-663-1196. ALL ABOARD RESTAURANT & GRILL Burgers, catfish, chicken tenders and such in this trainthemed restaurant, where an elaborately engineered mini-locomotive delivers patrons’ meals. 6813 Cantrell Road. No alcohol, All CC. 501-975-7401. LD daily. ALLEY OOPS The restaurant at Creekwood Plaza (near the Kanis-Bowman intersection) is a neighborhood feedbag for major medical institutions with the likes of plate lunches, burgers and homemade desserts. Remarkable chess pie. 11900 Kanis Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-221-9400. LD Mon.-Sat. ASHER DAIRY BAR An old-line dairy bar that serves up made-to-order burgers, foot-long “Royal” hot dogs and old-fashioned shakes and malts. 7105 Colonel Glenn Road. No alcohol, No CC, CC. $-$$. 501-562-1085. BLD Tue.-Sat. ATHLETIC CLUB SPORTS BAR & GRILL What could be mundane fare gets delightful twists and embellishments here. 11301 Financial Centre Parkway. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-312-9000. LD daily. B-SIDE The little breakfast place in the former party room of Lilly’s DimSum Then Some turns tradition on its ear, offering French toast wrapped in bacon on a stick, a must-have dish called “biscuit mountain” and beignets with lemon curd. 11121 Rodney Parham Road. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-716-2700. B-BR Sat.-Sun. BAR LOUIE Mammoth portions of very decent bar/bistro fare with an amazingly varied menu that should satisfy every taste. Some excellent drink deals abound, too. 11525 Cantrell Road, Suite 924. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-228-0444. LD daily, BR Sat.-Sun. BIG WHISKEY’S AMERICAN BAR AND GRILL 34

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

FOUND AT LOST: Ale, stout.

FRIED BOLOGNA AND EGG: A great reason to go to Lost Forty.

Pub grub perfection Lost Forty’s beer is good, but it’s the food we can’t get enough of.

e appreciate what Lost Forty Brewery is doing: Opening a brewpub in a broken-down part of town takes guts, and while Yellow Rocket Concepts — the restaurant group behind Big Orange, Local Lime, ZaZa and the coming Heights Taco and Tamale Co. — surely isn’t hurting for capital, it just as surely doesn’t want to lose any. Judging by the crowds that keep the Byrd Street brewpub standing room only most nights, the group doesn’t have much to worry about. It’s cavernous inside the converted warehouse, with massive windows dividing the brewery and brewpub. Long, family-style tables stretched out parallel to the main bar provide most of

the seating. A side bar offers a nice view of the brewing equipment and two enormous flat-screen TVs line the opposite wall. Like other Yellow Rocket restaurants, it’s highly stylized. The name Lost Forty comes from the name of a 40-acre forest in Calhoun County where virgin hardwood and pine trees still grow. In keeping with that, most of the beers have outdoorsy names, the tap handles at the main bar are made of various old tools (a hack saw, a couple of axes) and the menus include some intricate Roll & Tumble Press letterpress printing. Like the look of the brewpub, Lost Forty’s beers hit all the right notes, and even if they don’t stand out from the current pack of Arkansas craft brews, they

are technically sound enough to suit any craft beer lover. The Lost Forty Pale Ale is a solid signature beer — rich and crisp with a flavor that opened up nicely as it warmed in our glass — while the Forest King Stout provided a nice, deep flavor that was perhaps a touch over-hopped for the style. We tried a glass of the Love Honey Bock at the urging of some friends, and while we could understand why they liked the sweet beer, it was a little cloying to us — a matter of personal preference, to be sure. Our favorite of the brews we sampled, the Rockhound IPA, was mild in terms of booziness but loaded with flavor, a one-two punch of excellence that we wish more beers in the style could pull off. We expect that the beer at Lost Forty will get more experimental as time goes by, but when it comes to the menu, we hope that nothing much changes. On our first trip in, we were drawn to the fried Italian bologna with egg ($8) openface sandwich, a thick piece of bologna topped with a lovingly fried egg, its yolk perfectly thick and creamy but not solid. Almost as enjoyable was the smoked turkey and Brie ($8.50), although with both sandwiches we would have liked another slice of bread on top. With a bar as packed as this, there’s not always elbow room to eat an open-faced sandwich with a knife and fork. Our favorite bite of the night was the smoked jalapeno pimiento cheese ($5.50), a spicy, tangy cheese spread served with lavash and celery that was more than enough for two people to share. Like your cheese hot? Go for the

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.

Petit Jean bacon cheese dip ($6.50), a thick, creamy queso served with corn chips. There’s hardly a bar menu in this state that is without cheese dip, and Lost Forty’s version can stack up with any. Like other Yellow Rocket restaurants, Lost Forty offers nightly dessert specials. We sampled a bread pudding served in a mini cast-iron skillet, a sweet, spicy dessert with a crunchy nut topping and moist, tender center. It was scrumptious. Look for Lost Forty’s brewing operation to expand rapidly. The brand has been popping up at bars and restaurants all over town — including all of the Yellow Rocket restaurants, where Lost Forty growlers can be refilled — and the plan, at least prior to opening, was for the brewery to begin canning three months into operation. Next up: regional expansion.

QUICK BITE Like free video games? Our inner 10-year old gave a cheer when we saw a Dig Dug machine, and we basically stopped dead in our tracks at the sight of a free vintage Nintendo Play-Choice 10. We might not be able to make up for the misspent quarters of our youth, but Contra is still just as fun as it was in 1987.

arktimes.com

sandwiches, vegetarian offerings and salads at lunch, and fish specials and good steaks in the evening. 2010 N. Van Buren. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-663-5937. LD Mon.-Sat. 1901 Club Manor Drive. Maumelle. Full bar, All CC. 501-851-6200. LD daily, BR Sun. CHICKEN WANG & CAFE Regular, barbecue, spicy, lemon, garlic pepper, honey mustard and Buffalo wings. Open late. 8320 Colonel Glenn Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-562-1303. LD Mon.-Sat. COLD STONE CREAMERY This national chain takes a base flavor (everything from Sweet Cream to Chocolate Cake Batter) and adds your choice of ingredients or a combination of ingredients it calls a Creation. Cold Stone

* FEBRUARY 4 - FEBRUARY 10, 2015

1.75L SPIRITS

Chivas Regal 12yo Blended Scotch Reg $76.99................... Sale $66.99 George Dickel No.12 Tennessee Whiskey Reg $41.99.................... Sale $32.99 Grey Goose Vodka Reg $57.99....................Sale $49.99 Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin Reg $47.99.................... Sale $37.99

BEER SPECIALS

WINE BUYS 750ML

Shiner Bock 12pk Bottles Reg $16.99.................... Sale $14.99

Sean Minor 2011 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reg $19.99 .................... Sale $14.99

750ML CONNOISSEUR SELECTIONS

New Belgium Brewing Slow Ride IPA 6pk Bottles Reg $10.39 ..................... Sale $8.99

Chateau Coutet 2010 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Reg $34.99 ................... Sale $26.99

Dalwhinnie 15yo Single Malt Scotch Reg $62.99 .................. Sale $48.99

North Coast Brewing Scrimshaw 6pk Bottles Reg $21.59..................... Sale $17.99

Educated Guess 2012 Carneros Pinot Noir Reg $24.99.....................Sale $19.99

Tin Cup Colorado Whiskey Reg $29.99.................... Sale $22.99

Saison Dupont Cuvee Dry Hopping 750ML Bottle Reg $9.29 ........................ Sale $7.99

Predator 2013 Lodi Old Vines Zinfandel Reg $17.99 .................... Sale $14.99

Don Julio Blanco Tequila Reg $47.99....................Sale $36.99 Patrón Citronge Orange Liqueur Reg $21.79.................... Sale $16.99 *In Store Only • While Supplies Last.

HOURS 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. OTHER INFO All major CC; Beer, (some) wine.

Check out the Times’ food blog, Eat Arkansas

food cousins. 1023 W. Seventh St. No alcohol, CC. $-$$. 501-372-8735. L Mon.-Fri. BUFFALO GRILL A great crispy-off-the-griddle cheeseburger and hand-cut fries star at this family-friendly stop. 1611 Rebsamen Park Road. Full bar, CC. $$. 501-296-9535. LD daily. CAFE 201 The hotel restaurant in the Crowne Plaza serves up a nice lunch buffet. 201 S. Shackleford Road. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-2233000. BLD Mon.-Fri., BD Sat., BR Sun. CATFISH CITY AND BBQ GRILL Basic fried fish and sides, including green tomato pickles, and now with tasty ribs and sandwiches in beef, pork and sausage. 1817 S. University Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-663-7224. LD Tue.-Sat. CHEERS IN THE HEIGHTS Good burgers and

Lost Forty Brewing 501 Byrd St. 319-7335

BELLY UP

B Breakfast L Lunch D Dinner $ Inexpensive (under $8/person) $$ Moderate ($8-$20/person) $$$ Expensive (over $20/person) CC Accepts credit cards

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11200 W. Markham Street · 501-223-3120 · colonialwineshop.com · facebook.com/ColonialWines

DINING CAPSULES, CONT.

2013

DCEL o u Eb Bl eR AT L EV iRnES e yPaO r dN SPIiBnLY. ot Noir

appellation: v i n eya rd : ro o t s t o ck : cl o n e s : soils: cl i m at e : alcohol: acidity: ph: cooperage: production:

s a n ta l u c i a h i g h la n d s d o u bl e l 1 1 0 - 1 4 , 3 3 0 9 , r i pa r i a glo i re , s 0 4 lt, p 5 , p 4 , 1 1 5 , swa n, 7 7 7 a r royo s e c o & ch ua la r loa m ve ry c o o l , re g i o n i ( u c d ) 14.4% 5.9 g/l 3.51 1 0 m o n t h s i n 1 0 0 % f re n ch oa k 1,211 cases

THE EVERYDAY SOMMELIER

BOBBY’S COUNTRY COOKIN’ One of the better plate lunch spots in the area, with some of the best fried chicken and pot roast around, a changing daily casserole and wonderful homemade pies. 301 N. Shackleford Road, Suite E1. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-224-9500. L Mon.-Fri. BOGIE’S BAR AND GRILL The former Bennigan’s retains a similar theme: a menu filled with burgers, salads and giant desserts, plus a few steak, fish and chicken main courses. There are big-screen TVs for sports fans and lots to drink, more reason to return than the food. 120 W. Pershing Blvd. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-812-0019. BD daily. BOOKENDS CAFE A great spot to enjoy lunch with friends or a casual cup of coffee and a favorite book. Serving coffee and pastries early and sandwiches, soups and salads available after 11 a.m. Cox Creative Center. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501- 918-3091. BL Mon.-Sat. THE BOX Cheeseburgers and french fries are greasy and wonderful and not like their fast-

THE GRAPE

Pinot Noir demands the most from winegrower and vintner. Morgan’s Double L Vineyard and winemaking team have, for years, set the standard for world-class Pinot Noir... THE PLACE

The Double L Vineyard’s location in the northern end of the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA is widely regarded as one of the best spots for growing world-class Pinot Noir. Planted on east facing terraces overlooking the Salinas River Valley, the north-south vineyard row orientation provides optimum sun exposure and access to the strong afternoon breezes. The winds moderate the afternoon temperature, thickening the grape skins and concentrating flavors. The vineyard has been Certified Organic since 2002, making it the first SLH vineyard to be achieve both organic and sustainable certifications.

MORGAN WINERY DOUBLE L VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2012

Reg $54.99 - Special $41.99

“Certified Organic and Sustainable, only 70 cases of this delicious Pinot Noir were produced. Our allocation won’t last long. You’ll kick yourself if you miss this.” – O’Looney

The 2013 growing season was a fairly textbook one throughout the Santa Lucia Highlands. Winter storms gave way to a warm spring and summer, with trademark afternoon winds off the Bay. With very few weather events, the fruit was allowed to develop slowly. Mildew pressure was at a minimum, insuring “clean,” high quality fruit. The Pinot grapes from the Double L displayed full phenolic ripeness, with good sugar and acid balance. THE WINE

The grapes were hand picked and sorted in the vineyard, then were sorted a second time at the winery before being destemmed. Whole berry fermentation started with native yeasts in small, open top tanks. Supple texture and soft tannins are the result of daily manual punch downs. After fermentation, the wine was transferred into a combination of 50% new oak, along with one and two year-old barrels.

#theeverydaysommelier Your friendly neighborhood wine shop. Morgan’s 2013 Double L Pinot Noir presents aromas of coffee cake, black @ Chenal Parkway cherry, and forest floor withRahling hints of leather Road and cedar. Flavors of blackberry pie, dates, and plum are backed by a deft touch of toasty oak and structuring tannins. 501.821.4669 • olooneys@aristotle.net • www.olooneys.com An exquisite match for duck confit, lamb shank, and prime rib. 5 9 0 - c

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also serves up a variety of ice cream cakes and cupcakes. 12800 Chenal Parkway. No alcohol, All CC. $. 501-225-7000. LD daily. DAVE AND RAY’S DOWNTOWN DINER Breakfast buffet daily featuring biscuits and gravy, home fries, sausage and made-to-order omelets. Lunch buffet with four choices of meats and eight veggies. 824 W. Capitol Ave. No alcohol. $. 501-372-8816. BL Mon.-Fri. DAVID’S BURGERS Serious hamburgers, steak salads, homemade custard. 101 S. Bowman Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-227-8333. LD Mon.-Sat. 1100 Highway 65 N. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. (501) 327-3333 4000 McCain Blvd. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-353-0387. LD Mon.-Sat. E’S BISTRO Despite the name, think tearoom rather than bistro — there’s no wine, for one thing, and there is tea. But there’s nothing tearoomy about the portions here. Try the heaping grilled salmon BLT on a buttery croissant. 3812 JFK Boulevard. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-771-6900. L Tue.-Sat., D Thu.-Sat. FLIGHT DECK A not-your-typical daily lunch special highlights this spot, which also features inventive sandwiches, salads and a popular burger. Central Flying Service at Adams Field. Beer and wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-975-9315. BL Mon.-Sat. FORTY TWO Solid choice for weekday lunch, featuring entrees and sandwiches from around the world. 1200 President Clinton Ave. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-537-0042. L Mon.-Sat. HILLCREST ARTISAN MEATS A fancy charcuterie and butcher shop with excellent daily soup and sandwich specials. Limited seating is available. 2807 Kavanaugh Blvd. Suite B. No alcohol, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-671-6328. L Mon.-Sat. JASON’S DELI A huge selection of sandwiches (wraps, subs, po’ boys and pitas), salads and spuds, as well as red beans and rice and chicken pot pie. Plus a large selection of heart healthy and light dishes. 301 N. Shackleford Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-954-8700. LD daily. JIMMY JOHN’S GOURMET SANDWICHES Illinois-based sandwich chain that doesn’t skimp on what’s between the buns. 4120 E. McCain Blvd. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-945-9500. LD daily. 700 South Broadway St. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-372-1600. LD daily. KITCHEN EXPRESS Delicious “meat and three” restaurant offering big servings of homemade soul food. Maybe Little Rock’s best fried chicken. 4600 Asher Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-666-3500. BLD Mon.-Sat., LD Sun. LASSIS INN One of the state’s oldest restaurants still in the same location and one of the best for catfish and buffalo fish. 518 E 27th St. Beer and wine, All CC. $$. 501-372-8714. LD Tue.-Sat. LINDA’S CORNER Southern and soul food. 2601 Barber St. 501-372-1511. MADDIE’S PLACE Owner/chef Brian Deloney has built quite a thriving business with a pretty simple formula — making almost everything from scratch and matching hefty portions of Cajun and Creole food with reasonable prices in a fun, upbeat atmosphere. Maddie’s offers a stellar selection of draft beers and a larger, better wine list than you might expect. 1615 Rebsamen Park Road. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. CONTINUED ON PAGE 35 www.arktimes.com

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

DINING CAPSULES, CONT.

hearsay ➥ L&L Beck Gallery’s February exhibit will be “Ducks in Arkansas.” The giclée giveaway of the month will be a piece titled, “Mallards in the Woods”. The exhibit will run through the month of February, and the giclée drawing will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 19. ➥ Ozark Outdoor has all of their winter jackets and fleece 25 percent off, so now is the time to stock up. ➥ Bella Vita Jewelry and Gifts, located in Lafayette Square, now features a selection of Coca Rouge chocolates, the Arkansas-made confections that have had everyone talking lately. For store hours and other information, visit the Bella Vita’s website at www.bellavitajewelry.net. ➥ Need some time to just take a break from everything and center yourself? Consider attending Sunday meditation at The Wolfe Street Center, located at 1015 Louisiana. Sponsored by the Wolfe Street Foundation, this weekly event is from 9-9:50 a.m. Sundays and is a time for meditation, prayer and reflection. For more information, call 501-303-0004. ➥ The Art Group Gallery, located in the Pleasant Ridge Town Center, will have chocolate dipped strawberries and fine art for your enjoyment from 4-8 p.m. Feb. 6. ➥ Do you have aches and pains? Baptist Health Physical Therapy will conduct a free injury screening from 9-11 a.m. Feb. 7 at Fleet Feet Easy Runner. ➥ Feeling crafty? Then enter the women’s beard contest for best DIY beard during the third annual beard growing contest, sponsored by The Root Café and the Times. Ladies can craft their beards out of anything they want. The festivities begin at noon Feb. 14 at Bernice Garden. Check out the ad in this week’s issue for more information. ➥ Congratulations to Wally Gieringer, owner of Krebs Brothers Restaurant Store, for receiving the President’s Award from the Central Arkansas Hospitality Association. Stop by the store and check out their new items in stock, like flat whisks and the handy automatic electric corkscrew from Rabbit.

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

501-660-4040. LD Tue.-Sat. MARIE’S MILFORD TRACK II Healthy and tasty are the key words at this deli/grill, featuring hot entrees, soups, sandwiches, salads and killer desserts. 9813 W Markham St. No alcohol, CC. $-$$. 501-225-4500. BL Mon.-Sat. MARKETPLACE GRILLE Big servings of steak, seafood, chicken, pasta, pizza and other rich comfort-style foods. 11600 Pleasant Ridge Road. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-221-3939. LD daily. MASON’S DELI AND GRILL Heaven for those who believe everything is better with sauerkraut on top. The Bavarian Reuben, a traditional Reuben made with Boar’s Head corned beef, spicy mustard, sauerkraut, Muenster cheese and marble rye, is among the best we’ve had in town. 400 President Clinton Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-376-3354. LD Mon.-Sat. MIDTOWN BILLIARDS You’ll find perhaps the city’s finest burgers in this all-night dive. But be prepared to smell like stale cigarette smoke and grease once you’re finished. 1316 Main St. Full bar, CC. $-$$. 501-372-9990. D daily. MIMI’S CAFE Breakfast is our meal of choice here at this upscale West Coast chain. Portions are plenty to last you through the afternoon, especially if you get a muffin on the side. Middle-America comfort-style entrees make up other meals, from pot roast to pasta dishes. 11725 Chenal Parkway. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-221-3883. BLD daily, BR Sun. MORNINGSIDE BAGELS Tasty New York-style boiled bagels, made daily. 10848 Maumelle Blvd. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-7536960. BL daily. NEWK’S EXPRESS CAFE Gourmet sandwiches, salads and pizzas. 4317 Warden Road. NLR. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-753-8559. LD daily. ORANGE LEAF YOGURT Upscale self-serve national yogurt chain. 11525 Cantrell Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-227-4522. LD daily. RED MANGO National yogurt and smoothie chain whose appeal lies in adjectives like “allnatural,” “non-fat,” “gluten-free” and “probiotic.” 5621 Kavanaugh Blvd. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-663-2500. BLD daily. SADDLE CREEK WOODFIRED GRILL Upscale chain dining in Lakewood, with a menu full of appetizers, burgers, chicken, fish and other fare. It’s the smoke-kissed steaks, however, that make it a winner — even in Little Rock’s beef-heavy restaurant market. 2703 Lakewood Village. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-812-0883. SAM’S SOUTHERN EATERY Shreveport, La., chain features large menu of salads, shrimp, fried fish, po’boys, burgers, cheesesteak sandwiches and more. Also in Pine Bluff: 1704 E. Harding Ave., 879-774-1974. 6205 Baseline Road. 501-562-2255. SIMPLY NAJIYYAH’S FISHBOAT & MORE Good catfish and corn fritters. 1717 Wright Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-562-3474. BLD Mon.-Sat. SLICK’S SANDWICH SHOP & DELI Meatand-two plate lunches in state office building. 101 E. Capitol Ave. No alcohol. 501-375-3420. BL Mon.-Fri. SPECTATORS GRILL AND PUB Burgers, soups, salads and other beer food, plus live music on weekends. 1012 W. 34th St. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-791-0990. LD Mon.-Sat. SPORTS PAGE One of the largest, juiciest, most flavorful burgers in town. Grilled turkey and hot cheese on sourdough gets praise, too. Don’t want a burger or sandwich? They have good daily lunch specials. 414 Louisiana St. Beer and wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-372-9316. L Mon.-Fri., D Fri.

SUFFICIENT GROUNDS Great coffee, good bagels and pastries, and a limited lunch menu. 124 W. Capitol. No alcohol, CC. $. 501-372-1009. BL Mon.-Fri. 425 W. Capitol. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-372-4594. BL Mon.-Fri. SUGIE’S Catfish and all the trimmings. 4729 Baseline Road. No alcohol, All CC. $. 501-5700414. LD daily. T.G.I. FRIDAY’S This national chain was on the verge of stale before a redo not long ago, and the update has done wonders for the food as well as the surroundings. The lunch combos are a great deal, and the steaks aren’t bad. It’s designed for the whole family, and succeeds. Appetizers and desserts are always good. 2820 Lakewood Village Drive,. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-758-2277. LD daily. THE TAVERN SPORTS GRILL Burgers, barbecue and more. 17815 Chenal Parkway. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-830-2100. LD daily. TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE Smoothies, sandwiches and salads in an art deco former YMCA. 524 Broadway. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 246-3145. BLD Mon.-Fri. (closes at 6 p.m.) 10221 N. Rodney Parham Road. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-224-2233. BLD daily 12911 Cantrell Road. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-376-2233. BLD daily. TWIN PEAKS ‘Hearty man food,” such as “wellbuilt sandwiches” and plenty of cleavage on the side. 10 Shackleford Drive. Full bar. 501-2241729. VICTORIAN GARDEN We’ve found the fare quite tasty and somewhat daring and different with its healthy, balanced entrees and crepes. 4801 North Hills Blvd. NLR. $-$$. 501-758-4299. L Mon.-Sat. WHITE WATER TAVERN Good locally sourced bar food. 2500 W. 7th St. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-375-8400. D Tue., Thu., Fri., Sat.

ASIAN

BENIHANA JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE Enjoy the cooking show, make sure you get a little filet with your meal, and do plenty of dunking in that fabulous ginger sauce. 2 Riverfront Place. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-374-8081. LD Sun.-Fri., D Sat. CHI’S DIMSUM & BISTRO A huge menu spans the Chinese provinces and offers a few twists on the usual local offerings, plus there’s authentic Hong Kong dimsum available. 6 Shackleford Drive. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-221-7737. LD daily. 17200 Chenal Parkway. No alcohol, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-821-8000. LD Mon.-Sat., D Sun. 3421 Old Cantrell Road. 501-916-9973. CHINA TASTE Conventional menu with an online ordering system (though no delivery). 9218 Rodney Parham Road. No alcohol. $-$$. 501-227-8800. LD Mon.-Sat. FAR EAST ASIAN CUISINE Old favorites such as orange beef or chicken and Hunan green beans are still prepared with care at what used to be Hunan out west. 11610 Pleasant Ridge Road. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-219-9399. LD daily. FORBIDDEN GARDEN Classic, American-ized Chinese food in a modern setting. Try the Basil Chicken. 14810 Cantrell Road. Beer and wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-868-8149. LD daily. FU LIN Quality in the made-to-order entrees is high, as is the quantity. 200 N. Bowman Road. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-225-8989. LD daily, BR Sun. IGIBON JAPANESE RESTAURANT It’s a complex place, where the food is almost always good and the ambiance and service never fail to please. The Bento box with tempura shrimp and California rolls and other delights stand out.

11121 N. Rodney Parham Road. Beer and wine, All CC. $$. 501-217-8888. LD Mon.-Sat. KIYEN’S SEAFOOD STEAK AND SUSHI Sushi, steak and other Japanese fare. 17200 Chenal Parkway. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-821-7272. LD daily. KOBE JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI Though answering the need for more hibachis in Little Rock, Kobe stands taller in its sushi offerings than at the grill. 11401 Financial Centre Parkway. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-225-5999. L Mon.-Sat. D daily. NEW FUN REE Reliable staples, plenty of hot and spicy options and dependable delivery. 418 W. 7th St. No alcohol, All CC. $. 501-664-6657. LD Mon.-Sat. PANDA GARDEN Large buffet including Chinese favorites, a full on-demand sushi bar, a cold seafood bar, pie case, salad bar and dessert bar. 2604 S. Shackleford Road. Beer and wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-224-8100. LD daily. PEI WEI Sort of a miniature P.F. Chang’s, but a lot of fun and plenty good with all the Chang favorites we like, such as the crisp honey shrimp, dan dan noodles and pad thai. 205 N. University Ave. Beer and wine, All CC. $$. 501-280-9423. LD daily. P.F. CHANG’S CHINA BISTRO Nuevo Chinese from the Brinker chain. 317 S. Shackleford Road. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-225-4424. LD daily. SUPER KING BUFFET Large buffet with sushi and a Mongolian grill. 4000 Springhill Plaza Court. NLR. Beer and wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-945-4802. LD daily. THE SOUTHERN GOURMASIAN Delicious Southern-Asian fusion. We crave the pork buns. Various. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-954-0888. L Mon.-Fri. VAN LANG CUISINE Terrific Vietnamese cuisine, particularly the way the pork dishes and the assortment of rolls are presented. Great prices, too. Massive menu, but it’s user-friendly for locals with full English descriptions and numbers for easy ordering. 3600 S. University Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-570-7700. LD daily.

BARBECUE

CAPITOL SMOKEHOUSE AND GRILL Beef, pork and chicken, all smoked to melting tenderness and doused with a choice of sauces. The crusty but tender backribs star. Side dishes are top quality. A plate lunch special is now available. 915 W. Capitol Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-372-4227. L Mon.-Fri. CROSS EYED PIG BBQ COMPANY Traditional barbecue favorites smoked well such as pork ribs, beef brisket and smoked chicken. Miss Mary’s famous potato salad is full of bacon and other goodness. Smoked items such as ham and turkeys available seasonally. 1701 Rebsamen Park Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-265-0000. L Mon.-Sat., D Tue.-Fri. FAMOUS DAVE’S BBQ 225 North Shackleford Road. No alcohol. 501-221-3283. LD daily. FATBOY’S KILLER BAR-B-Q This Landmark neighborhood strip center restaurant in the far southern reaches of Pulaski County features tender ribs and pork by a contest pitmaster. Skip the regular sauce and risk the hot variety, it’s far better. 14611 Arch Street. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-888-4998. L Mon.-Wed. and Fri.; L Thu. HB’S BBQ Great slabs of meat with a vinegarbased barbecue sauce, but ribs are served on Tuesday only. Other days, try the tasty pork sandwich. 6010 Lancaster. No alcohol, No CC. $-$$. 501-565-1930. LD Mon.-Fri. MICK’S BBQ, CATFISH AND GRILL Good CONTINUED ON PAGE 38

Gourmet. Your Way. All Day.

FEBRUARY 13

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

THE 2ND FRIDAY OF EACH MONTH 5-8 PM

GYPSY BISTRO 200 S. RIVER MARKET AVE, STE. 150 • 501.375.3500 DIZZYSGYPSYBISTRO.NET

LIFE BY DESIGN

AN EXHIBITION OF ARTWORKS BY ELIZABETH WEBER, DAN THORNHILL, AND ASHLEY SAER

NEW WORKS BY THREE AMAZING ARKANSAS BASED ABSTRACT ARTISTS!

Opening receptiOn fOr twO new exhibits

John Harlan Norris: Public Face • Lisa Krannichfeld: She

GRAND OPENING

GALLERY 221 & ART STUDIOS 221 JOIN U S TO LOVE AND CELEBRATE! ROMANCE PM OF5-8ART

• Live Music by Whale Fire • Year of Arkansas Beer continues with Chocolate Stout from Stone's Throw Brewing

FEB. 1ST-15TH  Fine Art

REID, TOP DAVID Cocktails & Wine BOTTOM TIM HorL.,d’oeuvres

Join Us 5-8pm Pyramid Place

ENJOY HOT DRINKS PROVIDED BY

MUGS CAFÉ

200 RIVER MARKET AVE., STE 400 501.374.9247 ELIZABETH WEBER IS REPRESENTED BY WWW.ARCAPITAL.COM BOSWELL MOUROT GALLERY. DAN THORNHILL ROBERT BEAN, CURATOR IS REPRESENTED BY M2 GALLERY.

A museum of the Department of Arkansas Heritage

Foreign Observer by John Harlan Norris

Free parking at 3rd & Cumberland

FREE TROLLEY RIDES!

Free street parking all over downtown and behind the River Market (Paid parking available for modest fee.)

♦ Fine Art ♦ ♦ Cocktails & Wine ♦ ♦ Hors d’oeuvres ♦

The Old State House Museum

These venues will be open late. There’s plenty of parking and a FREE TROLLEY to each of the locations. Don’t miss it – lots of fun!

“HOT SEAT” BY CATHERINE RODGERS

nd Place St 2Pyramid & Center 2nd & Center St (501) 801-0211 (501) 801-0211

Presents Chamber Music by

2015

February 13 March 13 April 10 May 8 June 12 July 10 August 14 September 11 October 9 November 13 December 11

Geoff Robson with

Felice Farrell Event is casual, drop-ins welcome!

Friday, February 13, 5 – 6:30 p.m.

Free Admission • Museum open until 8 p.m.

Drivers Legal Plan Drivers Legal Plan

The Old State House Museum is a museum of the Department of Arkansas Heritage. www.arktimes.com

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

DINING CAPSULES, CONT. burgers, picnic-worth deviled eggs and heaping barbecue sandwiches topped with sweet sauce. 3609 MacArthur Drive. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-791-2773. LD Mon.-Sun. SIMS BAR-B-QUE Great spare ribs, sandwiches, beef, half and whole chicken and an addictive vinegar-mustard-brown sugar sauce unique for this part of the country. 2415 Broadway. Beer, CC. $-$$. 501-372-6868. LD Mon.-Sat. 1307 John Barrow Road. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-224-2057. LD Mon.-Sat. 7601 Geyer Springs Road. Beer, All CC. $$. 501-5628844. LD Mon.-Sat.

EUROPEAN / ETHNIC

ALI BABA A Middle Eastern restaurant, butcher shop, and grocery. 3400 S University Ave. No alcohol, All CC. 501-379-8011. BLD Mon.-Sat. BANANA LEAF INDIAN FOOD TRUCK Tasty Indian street food. 201 N Van Buren St. No alcohol, CC. $-$$. 501-227-0860. L Mon.-Fri. KHALIL’S PUB Widely varied menu with European, Mexican and American influences. Go for the Bierocks, rolls filled with onions and beef. 110 S. Shackleford Road. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-224-0224. LD daily. BR Sun. THE PANTRY Owner and self-proclaimed “food evangelist” Tomas Bohm does things the right way — buying local, making almost everything from scratch and focusing on simple preparations of classic dishes. The menu stays relatively true to his Czechoslovakian roots, but there’s plenty of choices to suit all tastes. There’s also a nice happy-hour vibe. 11401 Rodney Parham Road. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-353-1875. LD Mon.-Fri., D Sat. STAR OF INDIA The best Indian restaurant in the region, with a unique buffet at lunch and some fabulous dishes at night (spicy curried dishes, tandoori chicken, lamb and veal, vegetarian). 301 N. Shackleford. Beer and wine, All CC. $$. 501-227-9900. LD daily.

ITALIAN

CHUCK E. CHEESE’S Games, rides, prizes, food and entertainment for kids, big and small. 2706 S. Shackleford Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-225-2200. LD daily. DAMGOODE PIES A somewhat different Italian/pizza place, largely because of a spicy garlic white sauce that’s offered as an alternative to the traditional red sauce. Good bread, too. 2701 Kavanaugh Blvd. Beer and wine, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-6642239. LD daily. 6706 Cantrell Road. Beer and wine, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-664-2239. LD daily. 10720 Rodney Parham Road. Beer and wine, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-664-2239. LD daily. 37 East Center St. Fayetteville. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 479-444-7437. LD daily. GUSANO’S They make the tomatoey Chicago-style deep-dish pizza the way it’s done in the Windy City. It takes a little longer to come out of the oven, but it’s worth the wait. 313 President Clinton Ave. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-374-1441. LD daily. 2915 Dave Ward Drive. Conway. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-329-1100. LD daily. JAY’S PIZZA New York-style pizza by the slice. 400 President Clinton Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-374-5297. L Mon.-Sat. LARRY’S PIZZA The buffet is the way to go — fresh, hot pizza, fully loaded with ingredients, brought hot to your table, all for a low price. Many Central Arkansas locations. 1122 S. Center. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-224-8804. LD daily. 12911 Cantrell Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-22438

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

8804. LD Mon.-Sat. NYPD PIZZA Plenty of tasty choices in the obvious New York police-like setting, but it’s fun. Only the pizza is cheesy. Even the personal pizzas come in impressive combinations, and baked ziti, salads are more also are available. Cheap slice specials at lunch. 6015 Chenonceau Blvd., Suite 1. Beer and wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-868-3911. LD daily. VESUVIO Arguably Little Rock’s best Italian restaurant. The cheesy pasta bowls are sensational, but don’t ignore the beef offerings. 1315 Breckenridge Drive. Full bar, All CC. $$$. 501-246-5422. D daily.

LATINO

CANTINA CINCO DE MAYO Friendly, tasty American-ized Mex. 3 Rahling Circle. Full bar, CC. $$. 501-821-2740. LD daily. CASA MANANA Great guacamole and garlic beans, superlative chips and salsa (red and green) and a broad selection of fresh seafood, plus a deck out back. 6820 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-280-9888. LD daily 18321 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-868-8822. LD daily 400 President Clinton Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. (501) 372-6637. BL Mon.-Sat. CASA MEXICANA Familiar Tex-Mex style items all shine, in ample portions, and the steak-centered dishes are uniformly excellent. 7111 JFK Blvd. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-835-7876. LD daily. EL PORTON Good Mex for the price and a wide-ranging menu of dinner plates, some tasty cheese dip, and great service as well. 12111 W. Markham St. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-223-8588. LD daily. 5021 Warden Road. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-753-4630. LD daily. ELIELLA You’ll find perhaps the widest variety of street-style tacos in Central Arkansas here — everything from cabeza (steamed beef head) to lengua (beef tongue) to suadero (thin-sliced beef brisket). The Torta Cubano is a belly-buster. It’s a sandwich made with chorizo, pastor, grilled hot dogs and a fried egg. The menu is in Spanish, but the waitstaff is accommodating to gringos. 7700 Baseline Road. Beer, All CC. $. 501-539-5355. LD daily. THE FOLD BOTANAS BAR Gourmet tacos and botanas, or small plates. Try the cholula pescada taco. 3501 Old Cantrell Road. Full bar, CC. $$-$$$. 501-916-9706. LD daily. LA CASA REAL 11121 N Rodney Parham Road. Full bar, All CC. 501-219-4689. LD Mon.-Sat. LA HACIENDA Creative, fresh-tasting entrees and traditional favorites, all painstakingly prepared in a festive atmosphere. Great taco salad, nachos, and maybe the best fajitas around. 3024 Cantrell Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-661-0600. LD daily. 200 Highway 65 N. Conway. All CC. $$. 501-327-6077. LD daily. LA VAQUERA The tacos at this truck are more expensive than most, but they’re still cheap eats. One of the few trucks where you can order a combination plate that comes with rice, beans and lettuce. 4731 Baseline Road. No alcohol, No CC. $. 501-565-3108. LD Mon.-Sat. LAS DELICIAS Levy-area mercado with a taqueria and a handful of booths in the back of the store. 3401 Pike Ave. NLR. Beer, All CC. $. 501-812-4876. BLD daily. LAS PALMAS Mexican chain with a massive menu of choices. 10402 Stagecoach Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-455-8500. LD daily

DUMAS, CONT. 4154 E. McCain Blvd. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. LD daily. LONCHERIA MEXICANA ALICIA The best taco truck in West Little Rock. Located in the Walmart parking lot on Bowman. 620 S. Bowman. No alcohol, No CC. $. 501-6121883. L Mon.-Sat. M A R I S C O S E L J A R O C H O Tr y t h e Camarones a la Diabla (grilled shrimp in a smoky pepper sauce) or the Cocktail de Campechana (shrimp, octopus and oyster in a cilantro and onion-laced tomato sauce). 7319 Baseline Road. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-565-3535. Serving BLD Fri.-Wed. MERCADO SAN JOSE From the outside, it appears to just be another Mexican grocery store. Inside, you’ll find one of Little Rock’s best Mexican bakeries and a restaurant in back serving tortas and tacos for lunch. 7411 Geyer Springs Road. Beer, CC. $. 501-565-4246. BLD daily. MEXICO CHIQUITO Some suggest cheese dip was born at this Central Arkansas staple, where you’ll find hearty platters of boldly spiced, inexpensive food that compete well with those at the “authentic” joints. 13924 Cantrell Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-217-0700. LD daily. 1524 W. Main St. Jacksonville. No alcohol. $$. 501-982-0533. LD daily. 4511 Camp Robinson Road. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-771-1604. LD daily. 11406 W. Markham. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-217-0647. LD daily. MOE’S SOUTHWEST GRILL A “build-yourown-burrito” place, with several tacos and nachos to choose from as well. Wash it down with a beer from their large selection. 12312 Chenal Pkwy. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-223-3378. LD daily. RAY’S MORE THAN MEX Mexican menu includes starters like fundido and taquitos, also taco salad, tortilla soup, all kinds of tacos, cheeseburgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, Mexican plates and sides, including something called Lonoke slaw. The more: Buttermilk pancakes at brunch, gelato for dessert. 10815 Col. Glenn Road. No alcohol. 501-228-4089. SUPER 7 GROCERY STORE This Mexican grocery/video store/taqueria has a great daily buffet featuring a changing assortment of real Mexican cooking. Fresh tortillas pressed by hand and grilled, homemade salsas, beans as good as beans get. Plus soup every day. 1415 Barrow Road. Beer, No CC. $. 501-219-2373. BLD daily. SUPERMERCADO SIN FRONTERAS Shiny, large Mexican grocery with a bakery and restaurant attached. 4918 Baseline Road. Beer, All CC. $$. 501-562-4206. BLD daily. TAQUERIA JALISCO SAN JUAN The taco truck for the not-so-adventurous crowd. They claim to serve “original Mexico City tacos,” but it’s their chicken tamales that make it worth a visit. They also have tortas, quesadillas and fajitas. 11200 Markham St. No alcohol, No CC. $. 501-541-5533. LD daily. TAQUERIA SAMANTHA On Friday and Saturday nights, this mobile taqueria parks outside of Jose’s Club Latino in a parking lot on the corner of Third and Broadway. 300 Broadway Ave. No alcohol, No CC. $. 501-568-5264. D Fri.-Sat. (sporadic hours beyond that). TA Q U E R I A Y C A R N I C E R I A GUADALAJARA Cheap, delicious tacos, tamales and more. Always bustling. 3811 Camp Robinson Road. NLR. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-753-9991. BLD daily.

2013 act eliminated taxes altogether on the capital gains of Arkansans as long as their net incomes exceeded $10 million. If you were not that wealthy you didn’t get the tax break. But you still would get a substantial tax cut: Half of your profits would be off limits to the tax collector. Salaried and wage people would still be taxed on every dime of their income. Hutchinson — a Republican! — set out to repeal that law, and he justified it to wary Republicans by saying if his tax cut was loaded on top of the 2013 cut, the state budget would be in such dire shape that big cuts in important services or future tax increases would be necessary. Before Hutchinson, appeals like that went unheeded. The governor actually got the Senate to pass the bill, although several, most notably Sen. Linda Collins-Smith (R-Pocahontas), had to be told by some rich constituents back home what they had done and tried to get the bill back to change their votes. The Republican leader in the Senate told Collins-Smith to start reading important bills before she voted. But, like the president’s congressional party, Republicans in the state House of Representatives revolted. They insisted on keeping at least some of the rich folks’ capital-gains tax cut. Hutchinson folded. Investors will have only 40 percent of their net capital gain shielded from taxes rather than 50 percent. But more important, the super-rich — those with net capital gains of more than $10 million a year — will have to pay some taxes on 60 percent of their profits rather than none at all. The idea that some people are too rich to be bothered by taxes apparently was too much for at least one Republican. But stay tuned. It isn’t over. LYONS, CONT. jectivity, and privilege.” I expect she thinks I do, too, and you, Dear Reader, as well. In America, that’s always a losing argument. As Chait observes, “Politics in a democracy is still based on getting people to agree with you, not making them afraid to disagree.” But the real damage isn’t to opinionated loudmouths like Chait and me. Ordinary Americans are repelled by humorless dogmatism. Most would prefer to have race and gender play a smaller, rather than larger, role in their lives. Some are even naive enough to resent being called racist, sexist, etc. when they’re trying hard not to be. If that’s what they think progressivism is, they’ll want no part of it.

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NOTICE OF FILLING APPLICATIONS FOR ON PREMISES WINE & NATIVE BEER/MALT BEVERAGES PERMIT Notice is hereby given that the undersigned has files an application with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division of the State of Arkansas for a permit to sell and serve wine and Arkansas native beer and malt beverages at retail on the premises described as: 323 S. Cross Unit C Little Rock, Pulaski County. Said application was filed on January 12, 2015. the undersigned states that he/ she is a resident of Arkansas, of good moral character; that he/she has never been convicted of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude; that no license to sell alcoholic beverages by the undersigned has been revoked within five (5) years last past; and, that the undersigned has never been convicted of violating the laws of this State, or any other State, relative to the sale of controlled beverages. Name of Applicant: Kent Walker. Name of Business: Kent Walker Artisan Cheese. Sworn to before me this 26th day of January, 2015. Nicholas Wayne Taylor, Notary Public, Pulaski County. My commission Expires: December 13, 2015.

SUMMONS TO: David Potts

You have been sued by Christine Goldman, the Plaintiff, in the District Court in and for Bonneville County, Idaho, Case No. CV-145948. The nature of the claim against you is a Complaint for Divorce. Any time after 20 days following the last publication of this Summons, the Court may enter a judgment against you without further notice, unless prior to that time you have filed a written response in the proper form, including the Case Number, and paid any required filing fee to the Clerk of the Court at the Bonneville County Courthouse, 605 N. Capital, Idaho Falls, ID 83402, and served a copy of your response on the Plaintiff’s attorney, Alan Johnston, Pike, Herndon, Stosich & Johnston, P.A., at 151 N. Ridge, Suite 210, Idaho Falls, ID 83403-2949. A copy of the Summons and Complaint for Divorce can be obtained by contacting either the Clerk of the Court or the attorneys for Plaintiff. If you wish legal assistance, you should immediately retain an attorney to advise you in this matter. Dated this 7th day of January, 2015. Ronal Longmore Bonneville County Clerk Deputy Clerk

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FEBRUARY 5, 2015

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