Arkansas Times - January 22, 2015 by Arkansas Times

ARKANSAS TIMES

MUSICIANS SHOWC ASE ‘15

The search is over. ANNOUNCING THE SEMI-FINALISTS! Round 1 - Jan 29 9pm - Secondhand Cannons 10pm - Open Fields 11pm - Redefined Reflection 12am - Consumers Round 2 - Feb 5 9pm - Big Still River 10pm - The Federalis

Semifinalists will compete the last Thursday in January and throughout February at Stickyz. The winner from each round will then face off in the finals at Rev Room on Friday, March 6.

11pm - Ghost Bones 12am - Black Horse Round 3 - Feb 12 9pm - Brothel Sprouts 10pm - Landrest 11pm - Becoming Elephants 12am - Young Gods of America Round 4 - Feb 19 9pm - Space Mother 10pm - The Casual Pleasures 11pm - High Lonesome 12am - American Lions Round 5 - Feb 26 9pm - Katie Johnson 10pm - Comfortable Brother 11pm - Arkansas Bo 12am - Enchiridion

JANUARY 22, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

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Friday, January 23

Lucie’s Place Benefit Show: The Sea Nanners w/ Canehill Engagement & DJ Baldego

Saturday, January 24

KABF Benefit featuring the music of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

Tuesday, January 27

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JANUARY 22, 2015

COMMENT

Publish the cartoon In last week’s issue (Jan. 15), The Observer commented, “… And so we can do nothing more than to write the names of the dead.” I think, instead, if you really wanted to make a comment, you could have published that which we all want to see. That which apparently angered the Muslims to the point where they murdered all those people. It isn’t like the cartoons are child porn. It isn’t like they were such an offense to our infidel sensibilities. The media, our hifalutin journalists with their supposed ethics and free speech, somehow across the board are all now scared shitless that the same might befall them, I think. If the “media” had published the cartoons, what would the Muslims have done? Killed everyone? I doubt it. The New York Times, and other media, published Piss Christ for crying out loud. Really, what is your rationale for shrinking in the face of this controversy? James R. Moneypenny Little Rock

with increasing the tax base then he also must know that instituting a more progressive tax on both personal and corporate income is a much more effective way to improve the tax base than more heavily taxing low income people, as has been deﬁnitively demonstrated both historically and statistically. If Gov. Hutchinson believes that poor people should pay a greater percentage of their already low income than they do now for access to health care, then he is morally bankrupt. I strongly suggest that he read the New Testament of the Christian Bible and consult with his chosen deity before seeking

to impose greater burdens upon those who are less fortunate than he. I think the message offered in the New Testament is “Jesus loves you,” not “Jesus will bill you for his services.” David Stedman Damascus

Accommodate Palestinians Reuven Rivlin, the president of Israel, said, “Jews have the right to live in many countries, and it is their right to live in perfect safety. But I believe that they know deep in their hearts that they have only

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A recent post by Max Brantley on the Arkansas Blog (“ ‘Working’ for private option’s survival,” Jan. 16) noted that our new Gov. Asa Hutchinson and a few of Protect your outside faucets his allies were headed to D.C. and the Disconnect water hoses and insulate faucets to speculation was that they were going to prevent freezing. seek waivers from the Obama administraWinterize your sprinkler system tion allowing them to increase the barriDrain your sprinkler system and remove or ers between poor people and access to insulate your backflow device (RPZ). health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Specifically, the speculation Locate your shutoff valve was that Hutchinson wants to add some Know how to turn your water off using your work requirements and perhaps a requireshutoff valve or at your meter in case of an ment that poor people pay a greater peremergency. centage of their already lowthe income for During Lawn and Garden Season! health care insurance. A statistic noted in Leave a faucet running overnight the same post implied that 40 percent of Running a thin stream of water will reduce your those served by the Medicare expansion chance ofsupply pipesinfreezing when temperatures Although we are fortunate to have an abundant water the approved in Arkansas are not engaged in reach the low teens. metropolitan area, customers are encouraged to be good stewards gainful employment. sourcesabout by practicing efficientNever outdoorthaw waterause. frozen pipe with an open flame If either of ofour thewater speculations Use a hairdryer or heat tape to thaw the pipe Hutchinson’s motives for seeking ACA Customers are asked to alter timing of outdoor watering patterns to slowly in order to avoid damaging the pipe. waivers is correct, then it’s apparent that avoid the peak time of day demand during the hot summer months Hutchinson views work as punitive and an 221 East Capital Ave and to avoidapplied operating sprinkler systems appropriate punishment to poor P.O. Box 1789 between 5:30 a.m. 7:30 a.m. people. Otherwise, why seek theand waivLittle Rock, AR 72203 ers? If Hutchinson believes that work is a beneficial activity thatabout having more Customer Service: Learnand more the Sprinkler people gainfully employed would be good 501.372.5161 Smart Program at carkw.com, both for individuals and for the state, then uaex.edu, or by calling there are many more efficient and more Emergencies: 501.377.1239 cost-effective501.340.6650 ways of accomplishing that goal than attaching a work requirement to access to health care. If our new govYou Likeus on carkw.com carkw.com Facebook Tube ernor is connecting a work requirement

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one country, the state of Israel, the historic homeland that will accept them with open arms, like beloved children.” Prime Minister Netanyahu added, “Today more than ever, Israel is our true home, and the more numerous we are, and the more united we are in our country, the stronger we are in our one and only state.” I hope he will also say, “Palestinian Muslims and Christians have the right to live in many countries, and it is their right to live in perfect safety, but I believe that they know deep in their hearts that they have only one country, Palestine, that will accept them with open arms, like beloved children. Today more than ever, Palestine is their true home, and the more numerous they are, and the more united they are in their country, the stronger they will be in their one and only state.” Robert Johnston Little Rock

Torture damages America So a new year has arrived. Last year was both good and bad. Toward the end of 2014, the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee released its conclusions on the CIA’s torture practices. The worst attitude was expressed by former Vice President Dick Cheney, who vowed to continue promoting the use of human torture. I never thought I would need to explain this to my fellow Americans, but human torture is wrong. People who resort to human torture are depraved and need psychological counseling. Political leaders who condone torture are the cause of unraveling of society’s moral fabric. Those who claim to have extracted information via torture have admitted their guilt and must be punished, starting at the top of the command chain. No excuses. Any “what if” scenario is the stuff of TV drama. The Bush-Cheney administration’s promotion of torture has made the world more dangerous for America. Worst of all, Bush and Cheney spawned a new torture culture in America that thinks the United States has the raw power to get away with it. Some Republicans, like John McCain and Asa Hutchinson, warned Bush and Cheney not to promote torture. Unfortunately, McCain and Hutchinson supported Bush and Cheney in every other endeavor, so McCain and Hutchinson are guilty of aiding and abetting torture criminals. Let us hope America finds its spine this year and punishes the leaders of our new torture culture. Gene Mason Jacksonville

2015

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Since 1981, Arkansas Times has asked readers to vote for their favorite restaurants. Our annual Readers Choice Restaurant Awards are the first, and most renowned restaurant awards in the state. We’re introducing new rules for the survey this year: From Jan. 12 through Jan. 30, vote online at arktimes.com/ restaurants15 for your favorite restaurants in Central Arkansas and around the state in the 35 categories listed here. You may only submit your votes once, but you can return to your ballot as often as you need during the voting period. Only online votes will be accepted. After Jan. 23, we will determine the top four vote getters for each category. Those four and last year’s winner will then advance to a final round of voting that will run Feb. 16 through March 6. The winners will be announced in the April 2 issue of the Arkansas Times, and the awards party will be held on April 7 at the Pulaski Technical Culinary and Hospitality Institute. We’re excited about this new voting system and look forward to your participation and the final results.

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Overall

REST OF STATE

arktimes.com/restaurants15

LITTLE ROCK

BEST RESTAURANTS IN THE AREAS AROUND Benton/Bryant ________________________________

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Fayetteville/Springdale/Rogers/Bentonville _________________________________________________________ www.arktimes.com

31 NOVEMBER 9, 2011 ARKANSAS TIMES

JANUARY 22, 2015

EYE ON ARKANSAS

WEEK THAT WAS

Quote of the week “Listen, we’re writing a Hillary Clinton book now. We’ve got a research team that is in Little Rock, so, I mean, we’re not going to be shy about what we’re doing.” — Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus speaking to a Bloomberg reporter about efforts to dig up dirt in advance of a possible 2016 Hillary campaign. Priebus said the RNC has “two or three” people in Little Rock and added, “We’re going to get whatever we have to in order to share with the American people the truth about Hillary and Bill Clinton.”

In 2013, the legislature passed a bill by Rep. Charlie Collins (R-Fayetteville) that permitted staff members of colleges and universities to carry concealed handguns on campus but allowed individual institutions to opt out of the law. Every single public college in the state did so. Now Collins is back with another bill that would remove that option — that is, college administrators will be unable to set their own gun policy and must allow licensed staff to bring their weapons on campus. Private schools could still opt out.

Drone fence me in Rep. Justin Harris (R-West Fork) has introduced a bill that would prohibit photographing private property using an unmanned aircraft — a drone — without the property owner’s permission. As drones have proliferated, states have been passing laws to regulate their activity, but the restrictions contained in Harris’ bill go further than most. There is a legitimate need to protect privacy; there is also a public interest in preserving the right to take photographs from a public right of way.

Tax time Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s first priority in office is to pass an income tax cut that would benefit the 50 percent of Arkansas taxpayers who make between $21,000 and $80,000 per year. It’s a mixed bag. The good news is that by resisting the urge to cut taxes for the 6

JANUARY 22, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

BRIAN CHILSON

Magnum cum laude LIVE AND LOCAL: Amyjo Savannah performs at the White Water Tavern Saturday, Jan. 17, for the Shoog Radio fundraiser for KABF.

wealthy, it makes the system somewhat fairer. The bad news is that it leaves out 40 percent of the state’s working population, taxpayers who make under $21,000. The worse news, though, is that it whittles away at the state budget at a time when many public services — pre-K, for example — sorely need more money.

Telemedicine abortion, by the numbers

The pauper judge

The number of facilities in Arkansas that actually offer such a service. The bill’s sponsors call it a preventative measure.

The number of states in the nation (Iowa and Minnesota) in which medically induced abortions via telemedicine are performed. The Iowa Supreme Court will likely decide this year whether the practice can continue in that state. Planned Parenthood argues that allowing doctors to dispense drugs remotely is necessary in rural states with limited clinical facilities.

Shawn Womack, a circuit judge and former Republican state senator, told the new independent citizens commission on elected official pay that the Arkansas judiciary needs bigger raises. Arkansas judges’ compensation ranks ninth in the nation when cost of living is factored in, while the state’s per capita income ranks 41st by the same measure. Womack himself makes over $140,000 annually, yet he complained that judicial salaries increased “only” 15 percent from 2004 to 2013, compared to larger jumps in some neighboring states. The nerve.

Legislation was filed last week that would ban so-called “telemedicine” abortions, in which a doctor visits with a patient via a video connection to sanction use of a drug to end an early-term pregnancy (see column, opposite page).

38 The percentage of Arkansas voters who say they favor no change in existing abortion laws, according to the 2014 Arkansas Poll. Another 12 percent want laws to be less restrictive, while 40 percent favor laws making it harder to get an abortion.

Targeted practice Last fall, a Hot Springs gun range owner declared she would turn away any Muslim patrons because of “public safety” concerns. The Times heard last week from a college student who said he and his father were refused service by the owner of the Gun Cave, Jan Morgan. They’re not Muslim, but they do happen to be South Asian. “My dad asked, ‘Why is it Muslim free?’

and they started having a conversation,” said the student, who asked to remain

anonymous. “Then, all of a sudden, I don’t know what went wrong, but she stopped us from filling out the paperwork and said ‘I don’t think you guys should be here.’ She told us to leave or she’d call the cops on us.” On her Facebook page, Morgan denied that she threw out the pair because of their race or color (she claims they were behaving suspiciously) and posted pictures of other South Asian patrons whom she’s courteously refrained from kicking out in the past.

OPINION

Women’s rights under attack

urprise. A group of Republican congresswomen, led by Rep. Renee Ellerbee of North Carolina, expressed concerns last week about a pending bill to attempt to ban abortion at 20 weeks, well before fetal viability. Ellerbee thinks the continuing GOP focus on moral issues doesn’t play well with millennial voters. The bill also requires a police report of rape for a woman to qualify for the rape exception. Imagine where this puts a woman impregnated when her husband forced her to have sex against her will. But that’s North Carolina. All the top Republicans in Arkansas, including Gov. Asa Hutchinson, participated in the annual march against abortion last Sunday. And the legislature continues its work to make abortion harder to obtain in Arkansas. Two Republican women, Rep. Julie Mayberry and Sen. Missy Irvin, have revived Irvin’s unsuccessful 2013 bill to

ban telemedicine abortions. None is done here. Which is too bad for rural women who face additional hardMAX ship in reaching BRANTLEY maxbrantley@arktimes.com the providers of abortion by pill. Yes, I said pill. It is the most common form of abortion now and done no later than nine weeks after a woman’s last menstrual period. It has smaller risks than a full-term pregnancy. There’s concern that Irvin’s bill is a Trojan horse aimed at hampering all chemical abortions, not just those supervised remotely by a doctor. It’s telling that the desire to limit telemedicine applies only to women’s reproductive rights, not more serious health issues. When complications do arise, they rarely, if ever, occur immediately after a woman swallows a pill,

Judges bought, juries sold out

udge Mike Maggio gave Faulkner the Koch brothers County, the judiciary and the nurs- and their oil, gas ing home industry a bad name by and coal fortunes taking bribes to knock 81 percent off a — dwarf them in $5.2 million jury award to the family of a buying favorable woman who died of neglect in a Conway regulatory and tax ERNEST nursing home, but let’s be fair. Maggio policies from the DUMAS did not start this stinking business of government. But buying and selling public policy and ju- nursing homes have always depended dicial decisions. on the state for their prosperity. Actually, Sadly, he won’t end it, either. the federal government is the primary Sunday, the Arkansas Democrat- source of their livelihood, but the state Gazette joined bloggers and others controls the spigot. that have chased down the hundreds Bear with me as we trace this Maggio of campaign gifts that nursing home matter back a few years. magnate Michael Morton gave to In 2000, a nursing home could be politicians, including court candidates pretty profitable if it kept costs low like Maggio who could influence policies without scrimping too much on care. favoring his businesses. Over 15 years, the Ohio and a couple of other states had checks have totaled at least $1.2 million, found a way to collect massive federal according to the newspaper’s research. aid under Medicaid: levy a big tax on But Morton’s gifts go back further. each nursing home bed of private-paying It seems unfair for nursing homes patients and use the money to match that Maggio has focused all the attention federal aid. In Arkansas it would mean on them when other industries — say, three more federal dollars for each

yet Irvin and Mayberry insist a doctor should be present. It might help to know how a chemical abortion is “performed.” If a woman is considering abortion, she must have an ultrasound. She then receives information about the test and counseling about alternatives, including becoming a parent. If she wants an abortion, she must wait 24 hours. When she then sees a doctor, she’s again counseled. If she decides to proceed, the doctor gives her a pill, Mifepristone. She takes it and goes home with a dose of another drug, Misoprostol. It is supposed to be taken by mouth within 48 hours. In most cases, a miscarriage eventually follows. The clinic schedules a follow-up within two weeks of a woman’s initial visit. Insurance doesn’t cover this. Insurance does pay for birth control pills (most places). The pill is a part of comprehensive health services offered by Planned Parenthood, which anti-abortion forces want to run out of business. Readily available birth control pills and comprehensive sex education drastically reduce the need for abortion. The sponsors of the anti-telemedicine legislation patronize women by suggesting they are uninformed and taking risks. It’s not a back alley procedure, but a med-

ically tested process that puts a woman with clinic professionals on three separate occasions. The woman is far from alone, as Irvin has suggested. The drugs can be obtained illicitly. It’s better for a doctor to be involved — including by TV — than by Internet acquisition of the drug without a doctor’s help. The bare facts — taking a pill induces an early term miscarriage — isn’t the language abortion foes prefer. They find it more effective to talk of abortionists killing unborn children. They use the construction even when doctors give a morning-after pill to a woman 24 hours after a rape. Opposition is often an article of faith, I know, just as faith drives many who’d make it hard for women to get birth control pills. But I also know the public at large isn’t wholly in this camp, as last Sunday’s parading politicians might have you believe. The most recent Arkansas Poll, a poll that correctly predicted big victories for the Republicans who led Sunday’s antiabortion march, showed that Arkansas voters, by a 10-point margin, favored keeping abortion legal as now regulated. Some of that number would even make it easier to obtain. Women who want a choice when faced with an unwanted or problem pregnancy are not alone.

dollar of bed tax. To get it done, the industry generated campaign money for legislators and the governor, Mike Huckabee, who got about $25,000 from Michael Morton alone. Huckabee announced in 2001 that nursing homes were in crisis and the state needed new taxes to increase payments to the homes and maintain good care for their 18,000 Medicaid patients. He chose the industry’s plan: a $5.25 a day tax on each private bed (now more than $16 a day). It passed and Huckabee signed it, although when he ran for president in 2008 he told Fox News that it was not a tax but a “quality assurance fee.” Owing to the bed tax, Medicaid payments to the homes have more than doubled to $700 million a year at no new cost to the state. Care improved, but the owners, including the largest one, Mike Morton, pocketed millions. The other problem for the nursing homes was the risk of jury awards for negligence, a concern shared by much of the medical business as well as manufacturers and other industries. The legislature in 2003 took care of that by passing a sweeping “tort reform” bill, which made it harder to get sizable judgments for personal injury, wrongful death and negligence.

State Sen. Gilbert Baker, the new Republican star, future state Republican chairman and facilitator of the Mortonto-Maggio gifts last year, was a sponsor of the act and a driving force to elect judges who would be sympathetic to business in injury lawsuits. But in three cases — in 2009, 2011 and 2012 — the Arkansas Supreme Court voided major parts of the act because they either clearly violated the state Constitution’s mandate that the legislature not restrict people’s right to be compensated for wrongs or because the act infringed on judicial prerogatives. Industry found itself in the shoes of the Texas corporate lawyer who explained after he and other defendant lawyers regained control of the Texas Supreme Court in 1988: “We woke up one morning and found that the plaintiff bar had bought the Supreme Court, so we bought it back.” Retiring Arkansas Justice Robert L. Brown, in an Arkansas Law Review article in 2011, warned that the Arkansas judiciary was about to be corrupted, like Texas’, by a wash of secret money into campaigns from groups with axes to grind and that the state should take steps to maintain an independent judiciary. David Stewart, the retiring head of CONTINUED ON PAGE 31 www.arktimes.com

JANUARY 22, 2015

Love in our time

If you support the rights of all Arkansans to…

If you support the rights of all Arkansans to… • Have children, to not have children, and to raise the children we have in safe and healthy environments.

• Have children, to not have children, and to raise the children we have in safe •Access the full range of affordable, confidential andhealth healthy environments. reproductive services and age-appropriate, medically accurate sexual health education.

personalconfidential and private decisions about • Access the full range ofintensely affordable, reproductive health services •Make our own reproductive health, free from sexual shame, health education. and age-appropriate, medically accurate religious dogma and interference by politicians…

• Make intensely personal and Join private us decisions for the about our own reproductive health, free from shame, religious and interference by politicians… 5thdogma Annual

Reproductive Justice Rally! Join usJanuary for the 24th, Saturday, 5th Annual Reproductive 1:00 pm Justice Rally! Saturday, January 24 • 1:00pm Steps of the Arkansas State Capitol Rain or shine facebook.com/ACforRJ Steps of the Arkansas State Capitol@ACforRJ Rain or Shine bit.ly/rjrally2015

facebook.com/AcforRJ

@AcforRJ

bit.ly/rjrally2015

ACRJ will host an after-party and silent auction featuring music performed by The Whole Famn Damily Band at Satchemo’s Bar & Grill located at 1900 W 3rd St. from 2:30 - 5:30pm. ACRJ will host an after-party and silent auction featuring music performed by The Whole Famn Damily Band at Satchemo's Bar & Grill located at 1900 W. 3rd St, from 2:30 – 5:30pm.

CHANGES IN ARKANSAS AFTER THE MIDTERM ELECTION

Michel Leidermann Moderator

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29 AT 10:30 PM In Spanish with English subtitles

aetn.org 8

JANUARY 22, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

or a guy who watches maybe 250 ballgames a year, I’ve always taken an interest in what was once called the women’s page. After studying the sports section every morning, it’s the next thing I turn to. Newspapers no longer have women’s pages. For complicated reasons I’m reluctant to parse, they now have sections euphemistically devoted to “Style,” “Food,” “Home,” etc., featuring fad diets, exercise crazes and home decorating trends. I head straight to the advice columns. It’s there you learn what should be obvious from the massacres and catastrophes elsewhere in the news: Human beings are irreducibly mad, and women no saner (if less dangerous) than men. Read Emily Yoffe’s “Dear Prudence” column at slate.com regularly, and no front page headline will ever shock you. Lunatic mothers-in-law are a regular feature. I’m also devoted to the New York Times’ “Modern Love” series, a recurring feature almost invariably written by women mainly about less dire relationship issues: husbands who watch too many TV ballgames, say, rather than impatient mothers-in-law who sabotage birth control devices. What do women want? Freud famously asked. The most-emailed “Modern Love” column ever featured this timeless lament: “I wanted — needed — to nudge him a little closer to perfect, to make him into a mate who might annoy me a little less … a mate who would be easier to love.” The answer was to leave off nagging and handle the dumb brute as an animal trainer would, rewarding behaviors you like and ignoring the rest. Works for me. Somewhat paradoxically, the other main topic of “Modern Love” is how to capture a man in the first place. And there, I’m happy to report, the Times has recently published an all-time classic, an essay by Mandy Len Catron entitled “To Fall in Love With Anyone, Do This.” Catron, who teaches writing at the University of British Columbia, met a man she fancied. So she reacted by administering a pop quiz — specifically a 36-item questionnaire of extremely personal questions formulated by a psychology professor to be answered by a man and woman sitting across from one another in a bar. The exercise is supposed to end with the couple, all soppy with “vulnerability,” staring into each other’s eyes for four

minutes. I have to think the object of her experiment must have been hoping the last bit would be performed naked. Otherwise, what would be the point? Now to me, the storied ’60s of legend and song were bad enough the first time. DreamGENE ing up appropriLYONS ately “sensitive” answers to questions like “What roles do love and affection play in your life?” much less “When did you last cry?” would strain my impoverished imagination. All too often my honest, uncensored thought would have been something like “Actually I wasn’t thinking about you. I was wondering if the Red Sox are going to sign another starting pitcher.” Even the first item in Mandy’s quiz, formulated by psychologist Arthur Aron, would cause most guys a problem. “Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?” The first name that pops into my head is “Shakira.” Somehow I think that’d be an unwelcome answer. So I’d be lying right out of the box. So much for vulnerability. And she’s going to say Pope Francis? However, by the time we get down to No. 25, “How do you feel about your relationship with your mother?” why not go all in? Freud wrote a famous essay about Dostoyevsky, arguing that a man raised by a quarrelsome, termagant mother would end up gay. Wrong. Farcically wrong. Freud certainly never met me or my brother. Reading that essay soon after meeting the woman who eventually took me home from the shelter was the first time I suspected that the father of psychoanalysis might be as daft as that other 19th century genius Karl Marx. No questions were involved. I was drawn to her from across the room before I knew her name. The graduate school dean who introduced us put me on the spot. Had I ever heard of her alma mater, Hendrix College? “No sir,” I said. “They must not play football.” An Arkansas coach’s daughter, she laughed. Both because she thought it was a funny answer under the circumstances, and because I was right. Dear reader, she’s still laughing.

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BOOKS FROM THE ARKANSAS TIMES

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.

A HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

A compilation of stories published in the Arkansas Times during our first twenty years. Each story examines a fragment of Arkansas’s unique history – giving a fresh insight into what makes us Arkansans. Well written and illustrated. This book will entertain and enlighten time and time again.

ALMANAC OF ARKANSAS HISTORY

This unique book offers an offbeat view of the Natural State’s history that you haven’t seen before – with hundreds of colorful characters, pretty places, and distinctive novelties unique to Arkansas. Be informed, be entertained, amaze your friends with your new store of knowledge about the 25th state — the Land of Opportunity.

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JANUARY 22, 2015

PEARLS ABOUT SWINE

Blame Mike Anderson

Tradition. Achievement. Brotherhood.

don’t purport to be clairvoyant at all. One look at my prognostications for the 2012 football season where John L. Smith was at the helm should validate that. But when Mike Anderson was hired to shepherd Arkansas basketball simply back to respectability, I had concerns. Namely, I felt that the athletic department set back football’s progress in late 1997 when a search committee recommended hiring Houston Nutt when othAnnual Open House ers with greater acumen and experience Now accepting Now accepting Sunday, January 28, 2007 seemed desirous of the job. There was a applications for applications for the homer angle to it, a rah-rah sort of thing the 2007-08 2010-11 school year. Freshman Entrance Exam that the late Orville Henry memorably school year. Now accepting applications for the February 10, 2007 Saturday, bristled at, and it did not seem that a 2014-15 school year. Boise State coach with all of four Division I wins would be the type of indiAnnual Freshman Entrance Exam AnnualOpen OpenHouse House Freshmen Entrance Exam CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL vidual to construct a program from its Sunday, Saturday, February 2014 Sunday,January January 26, 25, 2014 2015 Saturday, February 7, 8, 2015 FOR BOYS roots outward. The real shame was that 12:30 - 2:30 12:30 - 2:30 6300 Father Tribou Street once Nutt was entrenched after a couple Little Rock, Arkansas 72205 Website of decent years, it took controversy and CATHOLIC HIGH501-664-3939 SCHOOL www.lrchs.orgfan fatigue to drive him away almost FOR BOYS eight years later. lrchs.org 6300 Father Tribou Street Anderson’s hiring wasn’t quite like Little Rock, Arkansas 72205 that, to be sure. He had been success501-664-3939 ful at two prior stops, and he clearly had know-how to match his passion. In this case, his standing as the sentimental choice didn’t make him an illogical one in the same stroke. But where the Nutt-Anderson comparison resonates is in the results. As the departed football coach’s tenure wore on, it became something of a dark comedy. There were farcical moments on the field that were emblematic of poor game planning, and Nutt fueled fan discontent by alternating between smug and petupresents… lant about almost everything for which he was questioned. The squad would be devilishly inconsistent, remarkable in stretches and hideous in the ones to follow. Anderson’s got his program on those same rickety rails as we speak. Arkansas basketball is by all rights worthy of being a ranked team and an NCAA Tournament lock, maybe even a second-weekend type of feel-good story, GRAMMY® award-winning but it continues to flounder right after 301 Main Street guitarist heard on the it soars. Talent is there, and it’s not just North Little Rock soundtracks of Ken Burns' in the form of Bobby Portis — easily documentaries the state’s best homegrown product to don Hog gear since Joe Johnson — or Michael Qualls. You can look at this Available at the door or online at squad and get frustrated with guys who www.argentaartsacousticmusic.com should be playing far, far better than they have been. The Hogs were ranked early in the Sponsored by… year, then got pounded at Iowa State and sickeningly toppled at Clemson a couple

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of days later. Returning home got their bearings recovered, they won two games to open SEC play, and had what appeared to be a puncher’s chance of being 4-0 after last week, which BEAU WILCOX would’ve likely vaulted them toward the Top 15 again. Wouldn’t happen, of course, because the first thing they needed to do was show homecourt fire on a road court, and that’s been the Achilles’ heel for far too long anyway. Tennessee had just been pummeled in Knoxville by a fairto-middlin’ Alabama team, but of course, when Arkansas comes out of your tunnel you get a lot more excited. For a good 30 minutes of action, the Volunteers were doing the usual bit, with untested guys sinking improbable jumpers and bouncing back to the defensive end with decisive and confident hops and chestpounds. It added up to a big lead, and predictably, Arkansas looked utterly confused and defeated. A late surge drew the Hogs within a point, and then freshman Anton Beard was gifted three free throws that he could have tied the game in the final seconds. Of course, he clanked them all, and the Vols ended up winning by 74-69. An aggravating loss to be sure, but there was the promise of recovery looming, obviously. Arkansas got to play Ole Miss at home, in a prime time Saturday night game, with about 18,000 plus bringing the din to Bud Walton Arena. Surely things would go just to plan, Arkansas would shake off the disappointment, and the Hogs would be sitting pretty at 3-1 and preserve their ranked status for another week. This was, instead, the game that sent many leaping off Anderson’s bandwagon for good. Arkansas lost, 96-82. Ole Miss was deadly from tipoff, and rarely did the Rebels’ shots get contested. An 8-for-9 showing would’ve been bad enough if the Hog defense had ever bothered to sport any semblance of its old aggression. But this is now a team that, bereft of leadership, simply goes through those proverbial motions even when the fans actually turn out to be the necessary buffer for that kind of thing. These Rebels, not nearly as physical in the paint as recent Andy Kennedy teams have been, just kept on penetrating, passing and pulling up from all CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

JANUARY 22, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

THE OBSERVER NOTES ON THE PASSING SCENE

BFFs

he Observer and friend go way back. Like way, way back. Like when you could ride the bus downtown for so little we can’t even remember what it cost and then go to the movies for less than a dollar. We would hop on — who would drive a kid those days when they could get where they wanted to go on a city bus? — track our fathers down downtown, beg a couple of bucks from them, and go to the Center or the Arkansas or the Capitol theaters. The buck would get us in, and we’d have enough left over for a suicide (a soda with all the flavors mixed together) and a box of Milk Duds (and the bus ride back home). We saw “Cleopatra” a couple of times, and all the James Bond movies. Then we’d catch the bus on Main and head back to our stop on Kavanaugh. So that’s how far back our movie-going goes. We went again to the movies a couple of weekends ago. The tickets were cheap — only $7 — because we went to the matinee. We didn’t stand in line like we did as kids because we’d bought our tickets in advance online and all we had to do to get in was show our phones to the usher, who scanned them. We didn’t buy drinks and candy, because that would have cost about a million dollars. But in a fine departure from the old days — the seats! Not to sound like an advertisement or anything, but if you haven’t been to the Breckenridge movie theater, you may not know that all the seats are like La-Z-Boy recliners. We took our seats and, with the help of a neighbor, figured out how to pull the lever on the side and whoop! the leg rests popped up at the speed of light, sending us into gales of embarrassed laughter, but who would blame two old ladies for laughing at a) having to figure out how to work our seats and b) finding ourselves nearly prone in a blink of an eye? No longer does the usher have cause to shine his flashlight at you because you’ve rested your dogs on the seat in front of you. (The usher did come after us, however, because we wanted to sit together and seating these days is reserved and one of our seats had been reserved by someone else. Fortunately, and amazingly, the someone else decided not to break us up and went

to a different movie, and for that we thank him.) So here’s the thing. If you’re tired, you may find that you’ve paid $7 for a nice snooze in a darkened theater. But we were giddy at the comfort of the thing, our smuggled in coffees resting in cup holders built into our recliners, our coats wrapped around us. An hour plus of Benedict Cumberbatch. Heaven! When the movie was over, we had to struggle to pull the levers to get the leg rests down, no easy feat with your feet eased out in front of you. More obnoxious laughter. Movie-going has changed; we haven’t. Speaking of good times with BFF’s, The Observer spent Sunday in the park with Junior. He’s grown these days to top his Old Man both in height and shoe size, the baby boy we knew a couple hundred pounds of solid rock these days, even though he doesn’t seem to do anything except play computer games, watch the occasional episode of “South Park” and empty the fridge down to the mustard and sweet relish. We were there to test his science fair project: a trebuchet he designed and built himself, relying on Yours Truly to run the table saw and miter saw only because he’s scared of power tools and we’re scared of him losing a finger. Not the best way to prepare him for the coming apocalypse, we know, but surely he’ll have a better shot against the zombie hordes with all his digits intact. A trebuchet, by the way, is a siege weapon that uses the power of gravity to throw stuff long distances. Look it up. Junior’s is an impressive thing, a long vee of lumber, with the throwing arm turned by a large wooden wheel. Load her up with fitty pounds and pull the pin, the weight goes down, the sling and ball comes around with a “swwwhip!” and then the baseball is airborne, up so high into the blue sky over the Murray Park soccer fields that it looks like it’s going to the moon. His best throw of the day was 198 feet. Probably could have done much better with a little tinkering to yield a flatter trajectory, but Junior was constantly worried about knocking out the dog walkers in the far distance.

WE HAVE THE HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE.

425 West Capitol Avenue #300 Little Rock, AR 72201 501.375.3200 flake-kelley.com

Observer Overset

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JANUARY 22, 2015

Arkansas Reporter

THE

Hucksterism Mother Jones reports in detail what has long been obvious — Mike Huckabee used his personal PAC to funnel money into his family and for fundraising for his personal political operation. It’s a story that reveals Hucksterism in all its glory: “Politics is a family business for potential Republican presidential candidate and former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee. Over the last six years, the Fox News host’s political action committee, which was created to raise money for GOP candidates, has paid nearly $400,000 to members of Huckabee’s extended family, while spending just a fraction of its multimillion-dollar fundraising haul on the Republican contenders. “Huck PAC, which Huckabee launched in 2008 after dropping out of the Republican presidential race, ‘is committed to electing conservatives across the nation at all levels of government,’ according to a statement on its website. But according to review of Federal Election Commission records, a significant portion of the money the PAC has collected has gone into the salaries of family members or the coffers of direct-mail fundraising firms. “Katherine Harris, Huckabee’s niece, was paid $165,042 between 2008 and 2013 (plus benefits), first as a staffer for the PAC and then as a contract worker. Sarah Huckabee, his daughter, received $104,308 between 2008 and 2010 as the PAC’s executive director. “And Huckabee’s daughter-in-law, Lauren Huckabee, who Politico reported in 2012 manages her father-in-law’s schedule, donor relations, and endorsements, has been paid $111,274 for her work at Huck PAC. The ex-governor’s short-lived non-profit, America Takes Action, Inc. previously paid her $60,548.” Chad Gallagher, a spokesman for Huckabee, said family members haven’t been paid by the PAC in the last two years. But nepotism isn’t the only angle. “Since its inception, Huck PAC has never spent more than 12 percent of its funds on candidates or other PACs. It gave only 5 percent of its revenues — that is $47,000 of $1,063,142 — to candidates during the 2012 cycle, when Huckabee briefly flirted with a second presidential run. Meanwhile, the PAC’s budget has increasingly flowed to firms that specialize in direct-mail fundraising, a notoriously inefficient process that can cost a PAC almost as much money as it yields. So to a certain degree Huck PAC 12

JANUARY 22, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

LRSD faces takeover State board will decide Jan. 28. BY BENJAMIN HARDY

hings are moving quickly. In October, administrators from the Little Rock School District (LRSD) and its local board were issued a warning by the State Board of Education: The fact that six of the district’s schools are in “academic distress” placed it in danger of takeover from the state authorities. Vicki Saviers, who heads the board subcommittee on academic distress, said at the time, “We have a crisis in the Little Rock School District. It’s not new, but I think those of us on this board decided we just couldn’t watch it anymore.” She then recommended the district appear before the board again in January to review its progress. The January meeting happened two weeks ago, and based on the board’s comments at that time, imminent state intervention of some kind seems likely. The board heard from LRSD Superintendent Dexter Suggs, officials from the state’s Education Department and a number of others. Business leaders, such as Entergy Arkansas’s Hugh McDonald and former LRSD board member John Riggs, urged state takeover of the district, while civil rights attorney John Walker threatened a lawsuit if a takeover moved forward. The date to watch now is Jan. 28, when the board is expected to make a decision. A full takeover of Arkansas’s largest school district would be an extraordinary development. Traditionally, a school district is an autonomous local political entity, its day-to-day governance the duty of its elected board and superintendent. But the legislature has also created a means for the state board to interject itself into districts plagued by poor student performance, budget problems or both. It’s a potent weapon that’s used infrequently. Sam Ledbetter, a lawyer and former state legislator, is chair of the state board. “The options are set forth in the statute on academic distress, which basically gives

the state board broad authority for dealing with districts or schools in academic distress,” he told the Arkansas Times. The board could take the six academically distressed schools away from the LRSD and run them under the auspices of the state, or it could establish an agreement with the district to share management of those schools. Alternatively, it might seize control of the entire district and dissolve the locally elected school board; this is what happened in the Pulaski County Special School District in 2011, which remains under state control even now. It could appoint a new superintendent or it could retain Suggs. It could even redraw the geography of the LRSD, perhaps annexing a portion of the surrounding Pulaski County district into the Little Rock district. Or, it could do nothing for the time being.

Takeover advocates have the advantage of a clearer narrative than their opponents. In their telling, what ails the LRSD is complacency, bad teachers and a dysfunctional local board that distrusts and micromanages Suggs rather than supporting the superintendent’s initiatives. Advocates of takeover seem to have coalesced around the idea that Suggs remains the right guy to turn around the district’s troubled schools. In a Jan. 11 editorial, the Arkansas DemocratGazette, a takeover proponent, urged the state board to allow Suggs “a freer hand — so he can clear the classrooms of those teachers who are just sleepwalking to retirement.” Suggs’ comments before the state board have reinforced this narrative: “There is a sense of status quo throughout our district,” he said earlier this month. Walker and others who oppose a takeover note that over half of the district’s board was elected only in the past 18 months. Two members, Joy Springer and Jim Ross, took their seats last October; it may be premature to call their governance dysfunctional. Also, not everyone watching the LRSD believes in Suggs’ leadership; what some call micromanaging the superintendent, others call holding him accountable. Though he’s also held his job for just one year, CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

BRIAN CHILSON

IN S IDE R

RIGHT GUY?: Takeover advocates seem to believe in LRSD Superintendent Dexter Suggs, shown addressing the state Board of Education.

THE

BIG PICTURE

LISTEN UP

Ore in Argenta

On the short strip of North Little Rock’s downtown — Argenta — news is always being made. A new restaurant, a new gallery, a new tech enterprise: The revitalization of this area continued apace in 2014, and there’s already something new to look forward to in 2015. Not included here but worthy: new restaurant Mugs Cafe at 515 Main St. and a new acoustic music festival at The Joint.

OUTPUT, INPUT: The Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub’s Launch Pad draws entrepreneurs, Good Food By Ferneau draws the hungry and thirsty.

ORNERSTONE CHANGES HANDS: John Chandler, a Little Rock businessman who owns several buildings in downtown Little Rock and North Little Rock, has purchased the building at 312 Main St., North Little Rock, that once housed Cornerstone Deli and Pub. Chandler plans to restore the 9,100-square-foot building “to its 1900 glory,” spokesperson Tanya Fitzgerald said. The awnings will go, the second floor will be gutted and all the windows that have been covered up over the years will be reopened. Chandler is in negotiations with a restaurant for downstairs; upstairs will be either quiet office or loft space. THE ARKANSAS REGIONAL INNOVATION HUB: This is the year, the Hub says, that its Launch Pad for new businesses goes into high gear. The multipronged nonprofit at 201 E. Broadway meant to give entrepreneurs a place to experiment and start new businesses has opened the workshop areas that house the Launch Pad, where inhouse engineer Georg Seyerle Fleck of Germany is available to work with inventors and start-up promoters, and the Steam Lab, a partnership with the EAST Initiative. (The Hub’s Art Connection, at 204 E.

4th St., which provides training for high school students interested in a career in the arts, has been in operation since 2012.) Not content with promoting new businesses and the arts, the Hub is also working to open a Regional Food Innovation Center, to work with the food industry. Ideally, the food innovation center will include a kitchen for developing new food products, will take advantage of the Hub’s facilities to create new farming technologies and create a “gleaning” facility for fresh food collection. GOOD FOOD BY FERNEAU, BUTCHER & PUBLIC. The space that was once the Argenta Market grocery store is now a combo deli/ fine dining/chic drinking spot. Donnie Ferneau and pig roaster extraordinaire Travis McConnell teamed up to bring red quinoa and smoked pork chops and vegan butternut squash and pistachio pate and more to Argenta, in a urban-groovy atmosphere complete with Sputnik chandeliers at the bar. A good place to drop in after Argenta ArtWalk on the third Friday of every week, especially since ArtWalk participant Mugs Cafe is right next door. LAMAN LIBRARY ARGENTA BRANCH: The William F. Laman Public Library in North Little Rock’s

handsome $2.8 million renovation of the old Post Office on Main gave downtown a branch library with 12,000 books in 15,300 square feet, a gallery, an auditorium and public meeting room. It opened in 2014. As welcome as it was, cost overruns in operating the branch have required cutbacks in library personnel, hours and the cessation of the Laman Writers Fellowship. North Little Rock has worked out a deal with Centennial Bank to restructure loans to the library and is seeking an extension on bond due dates to give Laman more operating capital, and just recently the Mid-America Arts Alliance announced it would underwrite the cost of two exhibitions at the library. ARGENTA GALLERY: John Gaudin, who with business partners Harold Tenenbaum and Greg Nabholz have helped transform North Little Rock’s Main Street, in 2014 finally realized the dream that brought him to North Little Rock in the first place: He opened an art gallery. The gallery is actually two narrow adjacent spaces, at 413A and 413B Main, and because it is Gaudin’s, a portion of sales benefits the Art Connection art career program for students at the Innovation Hub, which he also helped found.

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

INSIDER, CONT. donors are not underwriting Huckabee’s favorite conservative causes; they’re financing more fundraising. “As a first-time presidential candidate in 2008, Huckabee projected an image of a thrifty up-and-comer, cutting costs at every opportunity and staying at the cheapest motels. Before he dropped out of the race, he even left the campaign trail to give a paid speech in the Cayman Islands because, he said, ‘you’ve got to work for a living and pay your bills.’ “Since then, he’s made a bundle as a Fox News host, book author, and commentator, and he’s also cashed in on his status as a social conservative favorite much in demand at GOP events. Last July, Politico reported on Huckabee’s penchant for charging state Republican parties for expensive, chartered flights — $15,944 for one trip to Iowa — when traveling for meetings and fundraisers. In 2009, an Alabama congressional candidate was forced to take out a loan after Huckabee’s $33,990 speaking fee ended up costing more than the candidate had raised at the fundraiser.” Could the bloom that Huckabee enjoyed from a generally unquestioning media in 2008 be fading for his 2016 presidential candidacy?

DeCample’s next gig Matt DeCample, the former TV newsman who learned a lot about the other side of the camera as spokesman for the Beebe administration for eight years, is going into the consulting business. His Capital C Consulting will focus on “strategic communications and media relations, as well as on crisis media, corporate improvisation training and public speaking.” We’re sure the Hutchinson administration doesn’t think it needs any consulting help from DeCample, but we’re hopeful they’ll be as quick with responses to phone, email and in-person requests for information — even of the nasty, impertinent and accusatory variety. The Huckabee administration definitely COULD have used some advice in this area. Improv? DeCample has done improvisational comedy for 12 years. He writes: “One skill that can benefit any professional is improvisation. While an entertaining form of spontaneous comedy, improv has real-world applications for business interactions. A popular team-building pursuit in other parts of the country, there is very little corporate improv training available in the MidSouth.” www.arktimes.com

JANUARY 22, 2015

KLofts

Aloft Hotel

Future Tech Park

Man

Jones Video Arkansas Symphony

The Rep

Samantha’s Tap Room

Bruno’s

JANUARY 22, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

CJRW Mann on Main

Lot’s going up downtown Mann Lofts

Wave of Main Street development lifts boats on Center Street as well.

week ago Wednesday, the owners of properties on Capitol Avenue and Center Street announced three new businesses that would open in what is being called, by the Downtown Little Rock Partnership at least, “Center City.” In an apparent coincidence, a collaboration of architects, developers and downtown boosters met the following day to discuss a design plan for what they are calling the “Financial Quarter,” a rebranding effort to bring more daytime street traffic to Capitol’s banktower row and neighborhood north. Then the Arkansas Times learned

of plans for new restaurants (as yet unidentified) that would turn the 200 block of Capitol into “restaurant row.” Thank the new life on Main — the “Creative Corridor” — for the tide of interest flowing west from Capitol and Main, what another monikermaker, Buckley O’Mell of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, called “the intersection of Commerce and Entertainment.” What’s in a name? The tags Center City, Creative Corridor (a.k.a. the Technology Corridor, thanks to the Little Rock Technology Park’s plans for Main) and Financial Quarter may or may not stick, but the fact is that

new businesses in the city’s original commercial heart are once again happy to say they’re Downtown. A new hotel, new restaurants, new ad agencies, video production studios, new apartments, a new gym, a new gallery, expansions of existing businesses. State agencies. The loyal Arkansas Repertory Theatre. Renovated architectural classics. The promise of a technology park. A fierce devotion south of Interstate 630, in SoMa. The last time the Times looked at how Main Street was changing was 2013. It’s a good time to look again, from north to south on Main, with a jog down Capitol. CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

www.arktimes.com

JANUARY 22, 2015

Little Rock 1

09 and Co., bar (formerly Maduro Cigar Bar), 109 Main St., opened December 2014. 1

New home of Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods, 300 Main (the 1900 Fulk Building, formerly home to Bennett’s Military Supplies). Doug Meyer of Terraforma Inc., owner of the building, said renovation of the 21,000-square-foot historic property at Third and Main should be complete by July of this year; CJRW, now located at 303 W. Capitol Ave., will occupy all three floors. 2

9 Possible future Tech Park

Jones Video, 301 Main. The lot was formerly occupied by Mr. Cool’s; Terraforma is building a four-story building on this lot. Jones Video, a subsidiary of CJRW, will occupy the ground floor; upper floors will be offices. 3

4 7

3 5 6 8 9 10

4 Mann Lofts, Bruno’s Little Italy, 310 Main. The lofts, 19 apartments on the second floor, and Bruno’s, on the ground floor, opened in 2013. 5 KLofts, 315 Main St. Josh Blevins of Reed Realty developers said the 32-apartment development is awaiting delivery of appliances and leasing should start by March, with occupancy later this year. This project has been in the works since 2011. Grain of salt accompanies this information.

Possible future Little Rock Technology Park property (now an empty lot), 319 Main. Park director Brent Birch says negotiations with the owner, the Little Rock Teacher Retirement System, on a purchase should begin in February.

18 14 15

JANUARY 22, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

10 Possible future Tech Park

property, 415 Main. Owned by Mays Byrd and Associates law firm.

22 20

11 Capitol Lofts, 215 W. Capitol

23 24

vated, leased to state agencies and opened in 2013). Samantha’s unofficially opened last Friday and officially opens Thursday, Jan. 22, co-owner Chris Tanner said last week. Hours are 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday; Tanner said he expects to start lunch business in February,

property, 405-411, 419, 421 Main St., now owned by Warren Stephens (500 Main LLC). It includes the Exchange Building, designed by architect Charles Thompson in 1920 and renovated in 2012 by Stephens. The Tech Park board is in negotiations with Stephens, which has leased the Exchange Building to the state Department of Education. The annex to the Exchange Building, which is vacant, is likely to be the first building on the block to be occupied by the Tech Park; work on RFPs on consultants and contractors for redevelopment is scheduled to start in February.

7 Samantha’s Tap Room and Wood Grill, 322 Main St. On the ground floor of the Mann on Main office building (formerly the sevenstory Blass Department Store, reno-

is now KATV; presumably, KATV would have to have somewhere to go before the Tech Park took over this property. The board is still debating whether it would be best to restore this building, the original Worthen Bank, or tear it down and start all over. Downtown preservationists are urging a rehab to preserve its remaining original features.

when the restaurant will open at 11 a.m. and stay open until closing at 10 p.m. The restaurant features dozens of beers and wines on tap. Tanner also owns Cheers in the Heights. 8 Possible future Tech Park

property, 401 Main St. This

Ave. The 1924 Hall Davidson building and annex are being developed by Reed Realty into 56 apartments. Construction is scheduled to begin this year. Four restaurants will occupy the ground floors, developer Josh Blevins said; he hopes those restaurants plus Southern Gourmasian and Mylo Coffee Co. down Capitol will redefine the block as “restaurant row.” Confirming local rumors, one of the four restaurants is “likely to be a brewery,” Blevins said. 12 Southern Gourmasian, 219 W.

Capitol. Southern food with an Asian twist is how Justin Patterson describes his menu, which he now serves from a popular food truck. He hopes to open a bricks-and-morCONTINUED ON PAGE 18

BRIAN CHILSON

Jones 3 Video will occupy the first floor of a new four-story structure being built at 301 Main by Terraforma Inc. Jerry Currence of Taggart Architects provided this computer-generated image of the building, which will house offices on the upper floors. The building that once housed Mr. Cool men’s store was torn down.

BRIAN CHILSON

The Mann on Main, a renovation of the 1912 Blass Department Store at the corner of Third and Main streets, opened in 2013; new is Samantha’s Tap Room and Grill, which opened last week on the ground floor.

19 The heart of the so-called “Creative Corridor” is the west side of the 500 block of Main, where the Arkansas Symphony performance space, The Rep’s educational space, Ballet Arkansas and McLeod Fine Art will open in the historic buildings adjacent to the future Aloft Hotel going into the former Boyle Building (far right). The construction equipment in the foreground is creating bioswales — landscaped places to capture water runoff — along the block, thanks to a federal Greening America’s Capitals grant to the city.

www.arktimes.com

JANUARY 22, 2015

BRIAN CHILSON

11 Capitol Lofts, in the old Hall Davidson building at 215 Capitol Ave., shown here in a computer-generated artist’s rendering, will feature loft apartments on the top floors and restaurants on the ground floors.

tar home for his gingery short ribs “within the next couple of weeks” in this space in the Sterling annex. 13 The Sterling building, 229 W.

Capitol, now owned by Jordan Haas and partners, will be the downtown home of Mylo Coffee Co. (facing Capitol) and Crossfit Composure (entrance on Center Street). It was just a year or so ago when Stephanos Mylonas was serving his 18

JANUARY 22, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

BRIAN CHILSON

The long-abandoned but recently bought Sterling store, 229 Capitol Ave., will house Mylo Coffee Co. and Crossfit Composure gym in two of its available spaces on the ground floor. The gym entrance will be on Center Street.

23 Little Rock artist Matt McLeod will paint this mural on the northern exterior wall of Bennett’s at Sixth and Main streets. McLeod Fine Art will be located on the ground floor of the Arkansas Building (which the Main Street Lofts will top out) opposite the mural, with an entrance at 108 E. Sixth St.

famed pour-over coffees and pastries at farmers markets. He opened Mylo on Kavanaugh Boulevard in Hillcrest less than a year ago, and is now ready to give downtown a jolt. “I always knew my second location would be downtown,” Mylonas said. “I knew [the Sterling building] was the right choice when I walked into the space. … I don’t consider this a risky move at all.” Adam Funmaker — that really is his last name — is open-

ing the Crossfit gym in 3,700 square feet in the southeast corner of the first floor of the Sterling Building. 14 Jerky’s Spicy Chicken and

More, 521 Center St. John Walker Jr. plans to move his “Jamerican” restaurant from 2501 Arch St. to the Charles Thompson building, newlychristened by owners Jordan and June Haas, Jim and Christy Miners, Danny Brickey, Dan Jones and Dr. Mike and

Akemi Bauer. (It was once Draughn’s School of Business). Walker hopes to be open by March; he plans for the restaurant to be open Monday through Saturday. 15 Few, 523 Center St., which

designs web and mobile applications and hosts yearly conferences for technology entrepreneurs, moved into space on the second floor of the Thompson (formerly Mathis) build-

BRIAN CHILSON

Jerky’s Spicy Chicken and More is going in this storefront at 521 Center St., next to EJ’s Eats. On the second floor, the entrepreneurial talents of Few are going to expand into another 1,200 square feet to accommodate a new business.

ing above EJ’s Eats last year. Now it’s moving into 1,200 additional square feet in the building. Few founder and COO Arlton Lowry said the space would be used for a new business, but he clammed up when we asked for more information. Aloft Hotel, 501 Main. The Chi 16 Hotel Group of Little Rock purchased the historic 12-story Boyle Building from Main Street Lofts LLC (Scott Reed’s group) last year and will renovate it as a 140-room hotel at a projected cost of $18 million, including the $4.5 million purchase price. The hotel — which Chi said he believes is the first new hotel on Main in 80 years — will include an upscale restaurant, meeting space and a rooftop pool. Jacob Chi, the managing partner of the Chi Group, said the hotel should be open by the first of next year. Arkansas Symphony Orches17 tra, 514 Main. It’s been a long time coming — two years, in fact —

to transform the M.M. Cohn Co. into the symphony’s performance space, but Josh Blevins of developers Reed Realty said the space should be complete in February, after special lighting and flooring have been installed. The Rep, 518 Main, on the 18 ground floor of the Main Street Lofts LLC, in the old Pfeifer Department Store annex. Same story as the Symphony — in the works since 2013, not yet open. Director Bob Hupp is hoping the space is ready by summer. 19 Ballet Arkansas, 520 Main.

Same story as the Symphony and The Rep space — in the works since 2013, nearly done. The sprung floor has been installed; the marley flooring is next. A Feb. 15 move-in date is the plan.

20 Cranford Co., 524 Main. The

Cranford Co. advertising agency — whose principals include Wayne Cranford (CJRW founder) and

sons — will be located in this corner ground floor spot on Sixth and Main St., and will have a film and video studio in the basement of the building, once known as the Pfeifer Brothers Department Store (a.k.a. the Arkansas Building). 21 Main Street Lofts South, 108 W. Sixth St. The second and third floors of the Arkansas Building are being configured to hold 36 one-bedroom apartments; they’re now under construction. A later phase of apartment construction will extend the lofts on the floors over the symphony and include 34 two- and maybe three-bedroom apartments, Reed Realty’s Josh Blevins said. 22 McLeod Fine Art, 108 W. Sixth.

On the ground floor of the Main Street Lofts (and around the corner from Cranford Co.) Matt McLeod, who is also painting a mural on the side of Bennett’s new location at 608 Main St., will represent both known and

emerging artists (and his own work) at his 1,000-square-foot gallery. He’ll also have another 1,000 square feet of exhibit space in the hallway entrance to his gallery and the Main Street Lofts. 23 Bennett’s Military Supplies,

608 Main. This downtown mainstay moved into the former home of Phillips Men’s Store last year after the owners, Sheree and Doug Meyer, decided to lease their Third and Main Street storefront to Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods. Thanks to Matt McLeod, the exterior north wall of Bennett’s will be painted as a koi pond. 24 Urban Garden Montessori, 610

Main. This primary school opened in fall 2014 in the old S.H. Kress and Co. building; founders hope to take advantage of the “Creative Corridor” offerings of music, dance and theater. The dulcet tones you hear coming from the school? Each kid has been given a violin and is getting lessons as part of the curriculum. www.arktimes.com

JANUARY 22, 2015

What’s cooking in SoMa Dinner at the Root, pizza too.

BRIAN CHILSON

ain Street south of Interstate 630 calls itself SoMa, and there’s a cohesiveness and young vibe to its development: Early on, there was the Bernice Garden, which showcases sculpture, at the southeast corner of Daisy Gatson Bates (14th Street) and Main; the Green Corner Store at the northwest corner of 15th and Main; the Root Cafe at the southwest corner of 15th and Main; and Esse, the purse museum. Last year, two new businesses opened in the area; this year, watch for an expanded Root, thanks to its $150,000 Chase grant announced Wednesday, Jan. 21, and a new pizza parlor.

TOTALLY TRANSFORMED: The funky Moxy Mercantile is part of a redone 1400 block of Main.

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ARKANSAS TIMES

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Piro Brick Oven and Barroom, 1318 Main St., is the brainchild of The Fold’s Bart Barlogie, who says the new venture will serve 12 different Neapolitan pizzas in a family atmosphere. You’ll be able to wash down the 12-inch pies with 20 draft beers and four wines on tap. Barlogie says he hopes Piro will be a neighborhood favorite; he plans to open sometime in February. Former Hillcrest favorite Clement and Sweet Home Furnishing, 1324 Main St., is now part of the SoMa vibe, offering all manner of antiques from funky to French. Like 1318 Main St., this building is owned by Cassie Toro, who removed the old façade from the former Lenderman Paint store and the future antique store to discover Art Deco glass tiles over the corner-positioned entrance. Moxy Mercantile, 1419 Main St., is a great place that combines funky vintage collectibles, new decorative items and other stuff — like pillows stuffed to look like poodles, 3-foot-long wings, cute lunch boxes, knee socks, bar stools, lamps, rubber ducky tub mats, soaps, jewelry — in a storefront between Boulevard Bread Co. (next to the Bernice Garden) and the StudioMAIN architecture and design collaborative (next

to the Green Corner Market). In other words, the 1400 block of Main on the east side of the street is utterly transformed since Anita Davis bought the corner where the Bernice Garden is now located in 2007. The Root Cafe, 1500 Main St., opened by Jack and Corri Sundell in 2009 after three years of dogged planning, has stuck to its locavore promise, from the hamburgers to the beer. It’s gained acclaim from beyond our borders, thanks to a feature in Southern Living, its $25,000 prize for winning HLN TV’s “Growing America: A Journey to Success” last December, and its $150,000 Mission Main Street Grant awarded by Chase bank Wednesday. Chase chose 20 winners in the national grant program for small businesses. Here’s what it means for Root lovers: an expanded dining area and dinners Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, when a small menu and a special of the evening will be served. The kitchen will get an add-on as well that will allow The Root to open a bakery and offer baking workshops as well. Jack Sundell says he hopes you’ll be adding The Root to your date-night eating “possibly this year.”

Financial Quarter. Also: outdoor dining, a park, special events — maybe even a Riverfest extension. All with an eye to giving the same vibrant feel to Capitol that exists in the River Market district today. The idea is an extension of StudioMAIN’s “gateway” design contest a few years ago to make Capitol Avenue a major entrance to the city from Interstate 30, taking advantage of its view of the state Capitol. At a meeting last week, Jimmy Moses noted that the now-lively

River Market area was once desolate, offering less to work with than Capitol and surrounding streets. He said the River Market itself, a public investment, was key to the redevelopment of the area, and wondered what sort of dynamo the city could add to Capitol. He added that he thought Third Street from Main to Broadway — which is lined by parking lots — was also sorely in need of transformation. The group will talk to law firms and major businesses, like Stephens Inc., to get input in coming weeks.

BRIAN CHILSON

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he architecture and design collaborative StudioMAIN is meeting with interested developers and business people to think about branding a 30-block area they’re calling the “Financial Quarter.” The boundaries (not written in stone) would be Broadway and Main on the west and east and the Arkansas River and Sixth Street on the north and south. The idea of the rebranding is to rejuvenate Capitol Avenue and points north, and StudioMain said it hopes the community will engage to create “solutions for the most basic of spaces to the most engaging of spaces:

We believe that innovative design will draw people back into the financial heart of our City.” Chief among the ideas was to brand and re-energize the street by, for example, transforming the “mausoleum” (the apt description by Moses Tucker developer Rett Tucker) bank lobbies — such as the vast and empty lobby of Bank of America — with retail entered from the street; liven the cold-looking plazas in front of the banks with such things as pop-up eateries or stores; and paint the crosswalks — or even the streets — in a color that would signal to pedestrians that they were in the

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JANUARY 22, 2015

Arts Entertainment AND

WORKING IT OUT: The Rep’s “The Whipping Man” is a Civil War drama told from a Jewish family’s perspective.

THE REP CONFRONTS HISTORY IN ‘THE WHIPPING MAN’ Matthew Lopez’s post-bellum drama opens Jan. 23. BY JAMES SZENHER

ow do we interact with the past? How do we come to terms with our family history and reconcile the good with the bad? How do we address the scars of slavery that are seared into our memory and still haunt us today? How do we move forward? The Arkansas Repertory Theatre’s new play, “The Whipping Man” by Matthew Lopez, aims to tackle these questions, taking us back to 1865 and the aftermath of the Civil War. It’s Passover, and a 22

JANUARY 22, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

Jewish Confederate soldier comes home badly wounded to find his Virginia home in ruins and the rest of his family missing. Two of his family’s former slaves attend to his wounds and the three men are forced to reconcile their past and navigate their shifting relationships now that slavery has ended. Though the play’s dealing with serious issues, it avoids being overly preachy or somber. “Despite the historical context, it’s not a historical play; it’s about

relationships,” said Ryan Barry, who plays the soldier. At its core, it’s a family drama with a wide range of emotions, where characters are having to make choices on how to move forward while peeling back the layers of their shared history. “It’s not a tragic play. It’s well balanced with suspense, laughter and entertainment,” said Michael Shepperd who plays Simon, one of the former slaves. “It brings in the Southern Gothic element of family secrets, lies and cover-ups. The audience is constantly wondering what’s going to be discovered next.” The unique aspect of “The Whipping Man,” what sets it apart from other period-piece Civil War dramas, is that it’s told from the perspective of a Jewish family. There are plenty of implied connections between the family’s observance of Passover — which commemorates the freedom from slavery and the exodus of Jews in Egypt — and the newly obtained freedom of the slaves in the wake of the Civil War’s end. “This story allows us to think outside the box a bit. It’s not quite as simple as the black/white dynamics that we’re used to

in this setting,” said Damian Thompson, who plays John, another former slave. “It’s not a play that gives answers, it asks us to think about what’s around us.” Shepperd elaborates: “In the play, we observe Passover with a Seder dinner. One of the purposes of a Seder is that people will ask questions about what we’re doing and why, what’s the reason for remembering this history.” The Rep’s production team has also put in a lot of work to find authentic props and materials to recreate the feel of the setting of the play. The material for the soldier’s costume comes from the original mill that produced actual uniforms during the civil war. “That authenticity does a lot to help the actors. It really puts us in the place of the play,” Barry said. One of the most widely produced plays in the last few years, “The Whipping Man” asks us to look at our past in the context of the present and how race relations have changed (and not changed) since the Civil War, Shepperd said. “The play’s set in 1865, so 100 years later, with the Voting Rights Act in 1965, black people are finally given the right to vote. Now, 50 years after that, we’re here in 2015, and we’ve still got issues with redistricting, voter ID laws, and the like. The play addresses the fact that though things have changed, we see many of the same issues then and now.” In the tradition of Passover and the Seder meal, “The Whipping Man” calls for its audience to ask serious questions about our history and about the reasons why we come together to remember it. As we follow the characters through their journey of discovering their past, we’re left with more questions than answers. But perhaps those questions will provide the space for us to have the conversations we need to move forward and heal from the wounds of the past. “There’s no tied-up-in-a-bow ending,” Shepperd said. “The audience has to ask themselves, ‘What happens next, where do we go from here?’ ” “The Whipping Man” opens Friday, Jan. 23, and runs through Sunday, Feb. 8. Special events include a discussion with Dr. Carl Moneyhon of the UALR History Department on Monday, Jan. 26, at 5:30 p.m., talk-back discussions after the shows on Thursday, Jan. 29, and Thursday, Feb. 5, and a panel discussion at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3.

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A&E NEWS AFTER WEEKS OF DELIBERATION, violent debate and black magic, we’ve come up with our final and definitive list of semifinalists for the 2015 Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase. If you’ll notice, there are 20 of them. Also, this is one of the strongest lineups we’ve ever had, with great artists in a variety of genres from all over the state. Beginning Jan. 29, we’ll be hosting five showcase concerts with four bands each on consecutive Thursday nights at Stickyz. The bands will perform for a panel of judges (the audience will have a vote, too). The winners of each of those rounds will perform at the finals in March. This year’s esteemed panel of judges includes local artists and musicians Mitchell Crisp, Derek Brooks, Shayne Gray and Joe Holland (representing the winning band from last year’s Showcase, Mad Nomad). Each week will also feature a distinguished local luminary as a guest judge, including Spero, Maxwell George, Bijoux, John Willis, Matt White and Sean Fresh. In addition, there will be hosts from all your favorite shows on KABF-FM, 88.3, who are partnering with us for the first time this year to make the showcase great. The prize package includes cash, a Riverfest set on the main stage, a spot at Valley of the Vapors, a set at the 2015 Arkansas State Fair, four hours recording time at Blue Chair Studio, a $350 gift certificate to Jacksonville Guitar, a T-shirt package from States of Mind Clothing, a gift certificate to Trio’s Restaurant and a celebration party (and drink named after you) courtesy of Stickyz and Revolution.

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JANUARY 22, 2015

THE TO-DO

LIST

BY WILL STEPHENSON & LESLIE NEWELL PEACOCK

THURSDAY 1/22-FRIDAY 1/23

MOZART’S MAGIC FLUTE

7 p.m. Albert Pike Memorial Temple. $25.

The first interesting thing you learn from Mozart’s Wikipedia page is his full name: Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart. Born 1756, the year St. Patrick’s Day was celebrated for the first time in New York and the first chocolate-candy factory opened in Germany. There is an anonymous portrait painted of him at age 7. He looks pompous, bratty, unbearable even: There is an unearned adult intensity to his expression, and one hand is kept tucked arrogantly into his regal button-up vest. It is hard not to hate him. The youngest of seven children, at this point he has been composing harmonically complex music for years (he’d write his first symphony at 8). By 35, as Alex Ross has written, “Mozart was a sick man who felt his life slipping away.” Paraded around Europe in his youth, he’s spent the bulk of his career in Vienna. A contemporary, a singer, describes him as “a remarkably small man, very thin and pale, with a profusion of fine, fair hair of which he was rather vain.” He has two pet birds, one of which he has taught to sing. When he isn’t writing music, he’s shooting darts with his buddy Emanuel Schikaneder, a Bavarian actor, singer and notorious womanizer. Schikaneder operates a theater with his ex-wife known for “flying machines, trapdoors, thunder, elaborate lighting and other visual effects including fires and waterfalls.” The theater’s fall season culminated in “The Magic Flute,” which Mozart wrote fairly quickly with help from Schikaneder (who also wrote the libretto). Mozart died a few weeks after the premiere, and we still don’t know why. Antonio Salieri, best remembered as the jealous friend in “Amadeus,” said “The Magic Flute” was “worthy of being played at the greatest festival for the greatest monarchs,” an impression that has generally held up over the years. On Thursday and Friday night, it will be performed at the Albert Pike Memorial Temple (appropriately, as Mozart was a lifelong Freemason), in collaboration with Opera in the Rock. WS 24

JANUARY 22, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

THE PATHOS OF SNOOPY: The Clinton Presidential Center hosts a special exhibit on Charles Schulz’s seminal cartoon.

THURSDAY 1/22-SUNDAY 4/5

“PIGSKIN PEANUTS” AND “HEARTBREAK IN PEANUTS” Clinton Presidential Library. Free with library admission except for special free family days.

For 50 years, Lucy pulled the football out from under Charlie Brown

in funny papers all over the country. Fans of Lucy’s treachery will be able to see her do it again at the Clinton Presidential Center, which is showing “Peanuts” football and lovethemed cartoons by way of celebrating the life and career of cartoonist Charles M. Schulz. The exhibitions

won’t just be two-dimensional: They’ll be accompanied by 5-foottall replicas of Charlie Brown and Snoopy. There will be free family programs in conjunction with the exhibitions on Jan. 31 (a pre-Super Bowl party), and Feb. 7 and 14 (Valentine’s Day programming). LNP

“house parties, small clubs or makeshift venues.” “As a photographer,” he writes at his blog, “it stands as the largest and most extensive body of work I’ve done ... it is doubtful that I can ever do something greater.” As the Fayetteville Flyer put it recently, “No one has captured the Fayetteville underground music scene better.” Friday night, Moore will host a release

party for his new book, a small slice of this ongoing project, titled “Lightbulb Club: A Year in the Life.” The book records performances by over 75 bands and, in its own way, marks a significant contribution to the cultural history of the region. The night will also feature sets by Grim Creeper, Thunderlizards, Mud Lung and Auric. WS

FRIDAY 1/23

‘LIGHTBULB CLUB: A YEAR IN THE LIFE’

9 p.m. Lightbulb Club, Fayetteville.

In the past seven years, Fayetteville photographer John Moore, who maintains the blog noir33, claims to have shot over 15,000 images documenting the city’s music scene on his 1974 Minolta rangefinder, in the form of

IN BRIEF

THURSDAY 1/22 The cast and director of The Rep’s new production of “The Whipping Man” will hold a panel discussion about the play at the Clinton School’s Sturgis Hall, noon. The Ron Robinson Theater presents a screening of “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark,” 7 p.m., $5. Comedian Will Marfori is at the Loony Bin through Saturday, Jan. 24, with performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, $7, and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, $10. The Argenta Arts Foundation’s new monthly music series, the Argenta Arts Acoustic Music Series, kicks off at The Joint at 7:30 p.m. with a performance by Al Petteway, $20. KABF’s Shoog Radio presents Isaac Alexander at the Afterthought, 9 p.m., $7. Colorado bluegrass group Taarka is at Stickyz, 8:30 p.m., $7. Garage punk band The Uh Huhs plays at White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m., $5.

FRIDAY 1/23 ANYTHING GOES: Florida Georgia Line is at Verizon Arena 7:30 p.m. Saturday with Thomas Rhett and Frankie Ballard, $45-$71.50

SATURDAY 1/24

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE

7:30 p.m. Verizon Arena. $45-$71.50

From Ormond Beach, Fla., and metro Atlanta they came to Nashville looking for God. Not to agnostic Vanderbilt, that is, but to Belmont, the state’s largest Christian university, known increasingly as a backdoor into the still-vital country industry (with an alumni rollcall that includes Brad Paisley, Trisha Yearwood and Lee Ann Womack). Tyler Hubbard had shoulder-length blond hair, a vaguely distracted look and a propensity for denim vests. Brian Kelley wore a gold chain, gelled his hair verti-

cally and looked winningly stoned. “Me and my friends rode trucks, listened to Garth Brooks, Alabama, Lil Wayne and Eminem,” Brian would brag, and Tyler’s did, too. They met at worship group, where they shared personal testimonials, cried openly and played uplifting, spiritual music on acoustic guitars. They began spending time together, creating together. Their masterpiece was a song called “Cruise” that would spend a record 24 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. In it they watched a woman emerge “right out of the South Georgia water,” and fantasized about driving with her

through “every little farm town” with their windows rolled down. It is tempting to imagine all their music set in this particular geography, this zone around the actual Florida-Georgia line. It is their “apocryphal county,” as Faulkner once described Yoknapatawpha. Their music evokes the warm physicality of the area, with song titles like “Sun Daze,” “Dirt,” “Smoke,” “Hell Raisin’ Heat of the Summer.” It’s like you’re standing by an apartment complex swimming pool, your mouth dry and sticky from cigarettes, a solo cup in one hand, thinking, “I will never be alone.” WS

SATURDAY 1/24

KABF TRIBUTE TO TOM PETTY 9 p.m. White Water Tavern.

Community radio station KABFFM, 88.3 has made a tradition of its benefit tribute concerts, all-night odes to The Rolling Stones or Neil Young or whomever, performed by a revolving cast of local artists. We should consider ourselves blessed that they’ve finally made their way down the classic rock canon to Tom Petty, a counterintuitive but genuinely promising choice. Petty is from Florida, which shouldn’t be at all surprising considering his accent, his hair, his boldness

Comedy troupe The Main Thing performs their original comedy, “Frost Bite Me!” 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at The Joint, $22. Stephen Neeper and The Wild Hearts play at Stickyz with the Kris Lager Band, 9 p.m., $5. I Was Afraid is at Vino’s with Headcold and Vacant Sea, 9 p.m., $7. White Water Tavern hosts a benefit for Lucie’s Place featuring Sea Nanners, The Canehill Engagement and DJ Baldego, 9:30 p.m.

SATURDAY 1/24 The Ron Robinson Theater presents a screening of “Anastasia” at 2 p.m., $5. Christian rappers Swoope and Christon Gray are at Revolution with B. Reith, 9 p.m., $12 adv., $15 day of. Whale Fire plays at The Lightbulb Club in Fayetteville with Jungle Cycle and Dividend, 9 p.m. Country singer and Ozark-native Lance Carpenter plays at Juanita’s with David Byrnes, 9 p.m., $8. Foul Play Cabaret performs at Stickyz, 9:30 p.m.

TUESDAY 1/27 and his genius. He was abused by his father, he worked as a gravedigger, he met Elvis Presley on the set of a movie in 1961. He started bands with awful names like The Epics, The Sundowners, Mudcrutch. He played dive bars all over Gainesville and recorded a white reggae anthem called “Depot Street” that’s better than it should be. With The Heartbreakers, Petty would go on to record something like 13 albums — two of them nearly perfect, a handful great. He has declared bankruptcy once or twice. He specializes in a brand of deceptively straightforward guitar rock that wasn’t all

that different, most of the time, from what Jonathan Richman or Lou Reed was doing. But, you know, he’s from Florida. Usually considered a patriotic, heartland-rock icon, there has nevertheless always been a darker, more enigmatic edge to Petty’s music, too. It’s why Bret Easton Ellis has a heroin addict in “Less Than Zero” sing Petty’s “Straight Into Darkness.” Or for that matter, listen to “Luna,” the song right before the much betterknown “American Girl” on the band’s self-titled debut. It’s a prog dirge, and when he sings “I am a prisoner,” he is too convincing. WS

The Joint presents Stand-Up Tuesday hosted by Adam Hogg, 8 p.m., $5. Kevin Kerby plays at White Water Tavern with The Boondogs’ Indy Grotto, whose long delayed solo record — featuring drum work by Pete Thomas, Elvis Costello’s longtime drummer — is soon to be released, 9:30 p.m., $5.

WEDNESDAY 1/28 The Clinton School presents a lecture by Sedef Akgüngör, “Turkey: A Crossroads Between Two Continents,” noon. Bijoux and Onyx the Band perform at South on Main as part of their Local Live series, 7:30 p.m., free.

www.arktimes.com

JANUARY 22, 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, JAN. 22

MUSIC

Al Petteway. Argenta Arts Acoustic Music Series The Joint, 7:30 p.m., $20. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. www.argentaartsacousticmusic.com. “Inferno.” DJs play pop, electro, house and more, plus drink specials and $1 cover before 11 p.m. Sway, 9 p.m. 412 Louisiana. 501-907-2582. Jim Dickerson. Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, 7 p.m. 500 President Clinton Ave. 501-324-2999. www.sonnywilliamssteakroom.com. Karaoke. Zack’s Place, 8 p.m., free. 1400 S. University Ave. 501-664-6444.≠ b Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 Clinton Ave. 501-372-4782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com. Mozart’s Magic Flute. A collaboration between the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and Opera in the Rock. Albert Pike Memorial Temple, 7 p.m.; Jan. 23, 7 p.m., $25. 712 Scott St. 501-375-5587. www.littlerockscottishrite.org. 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. Shoog Radio Presents: Isaac Alexander. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 9 p.m., $7. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbistroandbar.com. Taarka. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 8:30 p.m., $7. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www. stickyz.com. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 7:30 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-370-7013. www.capitalbarandgrill.com. Tragikly White (headliner), Gregg Madden (happy hour). Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 and 9 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf.com. The Uh Huhs. White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m., $5. 2500 W. 7th St. 501-375-8400. www.whitewatertavern.com.

COMEDY

Will Marfori. The Loony Bin, through Jan. 24, 7:30 p.m., $7. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.com.

EVENTS

Mother’s Brewing Beer Dinner. Flying Saucer, 6:30 p.m., $45. 323 President Clinton Ave. 501372-8032. www.beerknurd.com/stores/littlerock.

FILM

“Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.” Ron Robinson Theater, 7 p.m., $5. 1 Pulaski Way. 501-320-5703. www.cals.lib.ar.us/ron-robinsontheater.aspx.

LECTURES

“The Whipping Man” Panel Discussion. Sturgis Hall, noon. 1200 President Clinton Ave. 501-68326

JANUARY 22, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

VAGABONDIA: Taarka performs at Stickyz 8:30 p.m. Thursday, $7.

5200. clintonschool.uasys.edu.

FRIDAY, JAN. 23

MUSIC

All In Fridays. Club Elevations. 7200 Colonel Glenn Road. 501-562-3317. Big Stack. West End Smokehouse and Tavern, $5. 215 N. Shackleford. 501-224-7665. www. westendsmokehouse.net. 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. I Was Afraid, Headcold, Vacant Sea. Vino’s, 9 p.m., $7. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www. vinosbrewpub.com. Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 Clinton Ave. 501-372-4782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com. Mozart’s Magic Flute. See Jan. 22. Route 66. Agora Conference and Special Event Center, 6:30 p.m., $5. 705 E. Siebenmorgan, Conway. Sea Nanners, The Canehill Engagement, DJ Baldego. A benefit for Lucie’s Place. White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m. 2500 W. 7th St. 501-3758400. www.whitewatertavern.com. Stephen Neeper and The Wild Hearts, Kris Lager Band. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack,

9 p.m., $5. 107 Commerce St. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz.com. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 9 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-370-7013. www.capitalbarandgrill.com. Third Degree (headliner), Richie Johnson (happy hour). Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 and 9 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf.com. Weakness for Blondes. Another Round Pub, 9 p.m. 12111 West Markham. 501-313-2612. www. anotherroundpub.com.

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. Will Marfori. The Loony Bin, 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., $10. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501228-5555. 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 and Cleveland streets. 501221-7568. 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

33rd Annual Arkansas Marine Expo. Statehouse Convention Center, $5. 7 Statehouse Plaza. Fantastic Friday. Literary and music event, refreshments included. For reservations, call 479-968-2452 or email artscenter@centurytel. net. River Valley Arts Center, Every third Friday, 7 p.m., $10 suggested donation. 1001 E. B St., Russellville. 479-968-2452. www.arvartscenter.org. 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.

BOOKS

John Moore (book release), Grim Creeper, Thunderlizards, Mud Lung, Auric. The Lightbulb Club, 9 p.m. 21 N. Block Ave., Fayetteville. 479-444-6100.

SATURDAY, JAN. 24

MUSIC

Almost Infamous (headliner), Brian Ramsey (happy hour). Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 and 9 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf.com. Club Nights at 1620 Savoy. See Jan. 23. Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Frankie Ballard. Verizon Arena, 7:30 p.m., $45-$71.50. 1 Alltel Arena Way, NLR. 501-975-9001. verizonarena.com. Foul Play Cabaret. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9:30 p.m. 107 Commerce St. 501-3727707. www.stickyz.com. Karaoke at Khalil’s. Khalil’s Pub, 7 p.m. 110 S. Shackleford Road. 501-224-0224. www.khalilspub.com. KABF Benefit: A Tom Petty Tribute. White Water Tavern, 9 p.m. 2500 W. 7th St. 501-3758400. www.whitewatertavern.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. Lance Carpenter, David Byrnes. Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $8. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-3721228. www.juanitas.com. 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. Another Round Pub, 9 p.m. 12111 West Markham. 501-313-2612. www.anotherroundpub.com. Swoope, Christon Gray, B. Reith. Revolution, 9 p.m., $12 adv., $15 day of. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. www.rumbarevolution.com/ new. Taylor Made. West End Smokehouse and Tavern, $5. 215 N. Shackleford. 501-224-7665. www. westendsmokehouse.net. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 9 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-370-7013. www.capitalbarandgrill.com. Undercover Devil, Attack the Mind, Vent Blunt Force Trauma. Vino’s, 9 p.m., $7. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com. Whale Fire, Jungle Cycle, Dividend. 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. Will Marfori. The Loony Bin, 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., $10. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501228-5555. 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

Falun Gong meditation. Allsopp Park, 9 a.m., free. Cantrell and 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.

FILM

“Anastasia.” Ron Robinson Theater, 2 p.m., $5. 1 Pulaski Way. 501-320-5703. www.cals.lib.ar.us/ ron-robinson-theater.aspx.

All American Food & Great Place to Watch Your Favorite Event

SUNDAY, JAN. 25

MUSIC

Drummerboyinfinity 2015 Showcase. With Paul Campbell, Corey Harris, Dre Franklin, Lucas Murray, Steve Struthers and more. Revolution, 8 p.m., $10-$50. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. www.rumbarevolution.com/new. 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.

MONDAY, JAN. 26

MUSIC

Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 Clinton Ave. 501-372-4782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com. Monday Night Jazz. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 8 p.m., $5. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbistroandbar.com. Open Mic. The Lobby Bar. Studio Theatre, 8 p.m. 320 W. 7th St. Richie Johnson. Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf. com.

TUESDAY, JAN. 27

MUSIC

Brian and Nick. Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf. com. Irish Traditional Music Sessions. Hibernia Irish Tavern, second and fourth Tuesday of every month, 7-9 p.m. 9700 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-246-4340. 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. Kevin Kerby, Indy Grotto. White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m., $5. 2500 W. 7th St. 501-375-8400. www. whitewatertavern.com. Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

Shop shop LOCAL ARKANSAS TIMES

ViNO’S

SEVENTH&CHESTER

501-375-VINO ALWAYS ALL AGES F R I D AY J A N U A RY 2 3

| I Was Afraid | Headcold | Vacant Sea | S AT U R D AY J A N U A R Y 2 4

Vino’s Brewpub Cinema presents 8 The War Of The Worlds (1953) F R I D AY J A N U A RY 3 0

Vino’s Brewpub Cinema presents 8 Attack Of The 50 Foot Woman (1958) W E D N E S D AY F E B R U A RY 4

www.vinosbrewpub.com www.arktimes.com

JANUARY 22, 2015

AFTER DARK, CONT.

SEHABLAESPAÑOL El Latino is Arkansas’s only weekly circulation-audited Spanish language newspaper. Arkansas has the second fastest growing Latino population in the country, and smart business people are targeting this market as they develop business relationships with these new consumers.

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COMEDY

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

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

EVENTS

Trivia Bowl. Flying Saucer, 8:30 p.m. 323 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-8032. www.beerknurd. com/stores/littlerock.

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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.

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WEDNESDAY, JAN. 28

MUSIC

Acoustic Open Mic. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbistroandbar.com. Bijoux with Onyx the Band. Local Live South on Main, 7:30 p.m., free. 1304 Main St. 501-2449660. southonmain.com. 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 and Cleveland streets. 501-350-4712. www.littlerockbopclub.

LECTURES

“Turkey: A Crossroads Between Two Continents.” A lecture by Sedef Akgüngör. Sturgis Hall, noon. 1200 President Clinton Ave. 501-683-5200. clintonschool.uasys.edu.

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 28

JANUARY 22, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

THEATER

“No Exit.” Adapted from the play by Jean-Paul Sartre. The Weekend Theater, through Jan. 31: Fri., Sat., 7:30 p.m., $16. 1001 W. 7th St. 501-3743761. www.weekendtheater.org. “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 CLINTON PRESIDENTIAL CENTER, 1200 President Clinton Ave.: “Pigskin Peanuts,” Charles Schulz’s football-themed “Peanuts” cartoons, and “Heartbreak in Peanuts,” love-themed 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. CONWAY FAULKNER COUNTY LIBRARY, 1900 W. Tyler St.: “And then, I: Monuments to Pivotal Moments,” ceramic figurative installation by Barbara Satterfield, through Jan. 30, reception for the artist 2 p.m. Jan. 25. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 327-7482. UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS: “Practice What You Preach: New Works by the UCA Faculty,” works by 14 arts faculty members, Baum Gallery, McCastlain Hall, opening reception 4-6 p.m. Jan. 22, show 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, Jan. 26-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. FORT SMITH REGIONAL ART MUSEUM, 1601 Rogers Ave.: “Apron Strings: Ties to the Past,” vintage and contemporary aprons, Jan. 29-March 22, reception 5-7 p.m. Jan. 29 (free to members, $5 to nonmembers). 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 479-784-2787. 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, Jan. 29-Feb. 27. Noon-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 2-5 p.m. Sun. 870972-2567.

CONTINUING ART EXHIBITS

ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER, MacArthur Park: “William Beckman: Drawings 19672013,” through Feb. 1; “Color, an Artist’s Tale: Paintings by Virmarie DePoyster,” through Feb. 15, Museum School Gallery. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

MOVIE REVIEW

‘AMERICAN SNIPER’: Jake McDorman(left) and Bradley Cooper star.

Hero study ‘Sniper’ doesn’t delve into character. BY SAM EIFLING

t’s hard to evaluate “American Sniper” on its merits alone, without considering its subject, the late Chris Kyle. The sharpshooter killed something like 255 people in Iraq, a stupefying total for a single lifetime, even if you accept only the confirmed number of 160. That’s a hell of a lot of humans to perforate across four tours, and it raises plenty of questions about who could accomplish such a grisly feat. What we get, with Clint Eastwood directing an adaptation of Kyle’s autobiography, is a view into the events and the mind of a triggersqueezing maestro. It’s gripping, gritty and tense. What it isn’t, in any meaningful way, is surprising. If anything, this is a too-reverent, too-pat depiction of a soldier who became something of a folk hero. He lived an exceptional life, but this is not a particularly exceptional film. Part of the deficiency may stem from Kyle’s version of his own story — being the sort of person whose job it is to execute people at the end of a rifle scope, self-reflection might not have been his strongest suit. But if you were going to check off boxes in the list of what, say, a German or Argentine or Russian or an Egyptian might assume about American military hagiography, it would start with something along Kyle’s thumbnail bio. Born in West Texas; scenes of hunting and church as a kid; sticking up for his kid brother on the playground; unfulfilling stint as a rodeo cowboy … then he finds the Navy Seals and a wife just in time for 9/11 to dragoon him into the Middle East. Kyle is not a perfect man, but he is a righteous man, family man, whose only stated regrets about shooting people is that he couldn’t save all his friends. Sticking the word “American” in front of a title is a shade grandiose, but Kyle really feels like an everyman who became known among his comrades simply as “The Legend.”

Bradley Cooper’s up for the Oscar for his portrayal of Kyle, and he’s quite fine in the role. He brings a long stare and a paunchy lower lip that looks like it’s concealing a plug of dip. The Oscarnominated script, adapted by Jeff Hall, isn’t much given to soliloquy, to say the least — if Cooper gets to say four consecutive sentences anywhere in the movie, it didn’t happen often, and those tended to be short-burst sentences. Cooper won’t get to haunt you, because the plot feels skimpy, rushed. Even at 132 minutes, it might be 20 minutes too lean. As the war grinds Kyle down, we finally see his façade crack in the final act, and Cooper’s portrayal of Kyle’s keyed-up snap judgments to shoot or not carry a frightening weight. The scenes of Kyle’s life in Texas are less steady. The dialogue still has to pull too hard to feel quite natural, and aside from Kyle’s grim ending — treated here with admirable restraint — none of it feels particularly new. Sienna Miller ably plays Kyle’s wife, but insofar as every scene focuses on Kyle, she’s primarily support for childrearing and to clock in to tell him (and the audience) that the war is changing him. So everyone watch for that transformation. On balance “American Sniper” is more subtle than that, and crafted well enough. There’s just a sense of having been here before. It plays like a real-life “Hurt Locker” as much as anything. That surprise low-budget flick roared to the Best Picture Oscar in 2010, becoming the lowestearning movie ever to do so. “American Sniper” cost four times as much to make, and in its first weekend earned six times what “Hurt Locker” did in total. I suspect, in large part, it’s doing gangbusters because it’s how America wants to see its soldiers right now, less through messy geopolitics, more through individual sacrifice and righteousness, with a splash of martyrdom. www.arktimes.com

JANUARY 22, 2015

AFTER DARK, CONT. 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; “Johnny Cash: Arkansas Icon,” photographs and recorded music, Underground Gallery, through Jan. 24; “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. COX CREATIVE CENTER, 120 River Market Ave.: “One of Us,” drawings and paintings by Justin Bryant, Lilia Hernandez and Logan Hunter, through Jan. 30. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 918-3093. THE EDGE, 301B President Clinton Ave.: Paintings by Avila (Fernando Gomez), Eric Freeman, James Hayes, Jerry Colburn, St. Joseph Thomason and Stephen Drive. 9921099. ELLEN GOLDEN ANTIQUES, 5701 Kavanaugh Blvd.: Paintings by Barry Thomas and Arden Boyce. 664-7746.

GALLERY 221 & ART STUDIOS 221, Pyramid Place: “Small Works,” political satire art by Charles Bragg, Mel Fowler and others. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. 8010211. 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. HEARNE FINE ART, 1001 Wright Ave.: “Bitter 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.: “this is the garden; colors come and go,” paintings, sculpture and mixed media by Rachel Trusty, through Feb. 2; “Under Pressure: The Arkansas Society of Printmakers Exhibition,” through Feb. 4; “Capturing Early Arkansas in Depth: The Stereoview Collection of Allan Gates,” through April 5; “The Great Arkansas Quilt Sho 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. L&L BECK ART GALLERY, 5705 Kavanaugh Blvd.: “Landscapes,” by Louis Beck, through Jan.. 660-4006. LAMAN LIBRARY, 2801 Orange St., NLR: 2015 “Small Works on Paper,” Arkansas Arts Council

annual competitive show, through Jan. 27. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 758-1720. LAMAN LIBRARY ARGENTA BRANCH, 506 Main St.: “Beyond Layers: Delita Pinchback Martin,” mixed media printmaking, through Feb. 15. 758-1720. LOCAL COLOUR, 5811 Kavanaugh Blvd.: Rotating work by 27 artists in collective. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 265-0422. 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. MOSAIC TEMPLARS CULTURAL CENTER, 501 W. 9th St.: “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. NORTH LITTLE ROCK HISTORY COMMISSION, 506 Main St., NLR: “Fought in Earnest: Civil War Arkansas,” documents, maps, photographs, drawings, paintings and artifacts through Jan. 23. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri. 371-0755. 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 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, reception 2-4:30 p.m. Feb. 1, 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, reception and talk by artist 2-4:30 p.m. Feb. 1; “Facade (To Face),” paintings by Taimur Cleary, through Feb. 26, reception 2-4:30 p.m. Feb. 1, artist talk 4:30 p.m. Feb. 17. 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 CRYSTAL BRIDGES MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART, One Museum Way: Permanent collection of American masterworks spanning four centuries. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon., Thu.; 11 a.m.-9

JANUARY 22, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

p.m. Wed., Fri.; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat.-Sun., closed Tue. 479-418-5700. CALICO ROCK CALICO ROCK ARTISTS COOPERATIVE, Hwy. 5 at White River Bridge: Paintings, photographs, jewelry, fiber art, wood, ceramics and other crafts. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tue.-Thu., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun. calicorocket.org/artists. CONWAY ART ON THE GREEN, Littleton Park, 1100 Bob Courtway: New paintings by Trey McCarley. 501-499-3177. EL DORADO SOUTH ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER, 110 E. Fifth St.: “A Brush with Arkansas: A Collection of Arkansas Landscapes in Oil,” paintings by Bill Garrison, Merkle and Price galleries; “Timeless: A 35-Year Retrospective of Watercolor Work,” paintings by DeLeath Ludwig, lobby gallery, through Jan. 28. 870-862-5474. HARRISON 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. 501590-8840. HOT SPRINGS ALISON PARSONS GALLERY, 802 Central Ave.: Paintings by Parsons, mixed media by Lori Arnold, glass by Sharon Barrett. 501-6253001. FINE ARTS CENTER, 626 Central Ave.: “Winter Wonderment,” works by dozens of Hot Springs artists, through Jan.. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat. 501-624-0489. HOT SPRINGS NATURAL PARK CULTURAL CENTER, Ozark Bathhouse: “Arkansas Champion Trees: An Artist’s Journey,” colored pencil drawings by Linda Williams Palmer. Noon-5 p.m. Fri.-Sun. 501-620-6715 JUSTUS FINE ART, 827 Central Ave.: Work by Matthew Hasty, Rene Hein, Dolores Justus, Tony Saladino, Robyn Horn, Matthew Hasty and others, through January. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sat. 501-321-2335. PERRYVILLE SUDS GALLERY, Courthouse Square: Paintings by Dottie Morrissey, Alma Gipson, Al Garrett Jr., Phyllis Loftin, Alene Otts, Mauretta Frantz, Raylene Finkbeiner, Kathy Williams and Evelyn Garrett. Noon-6 p.m. Wed.-Fri, noon-4 p.m. Sat. 501-766-7584. PINE BLUFF ARTS AND SCIENCE CENTER FOR SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS 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; SUB|URBAN: Work by Dennis and Jason McCann, through Jan. 28. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 1-4 p.m. Sat. 870-536-3375.

AFTER DARK, CONT.

HISTORY, SCIENCE EXHIBITS

NEW ARKANSAS NATIONAL GUARD MUSEUM, Camp J.T. Robinson, North Little Rock: “A Young Soldier at Central High in 1957,” talk by Buddy Mayhew, 11 a.m. Jan. 22. 212-5215. 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.

CONTINUING

ARKANSAS INLAND MARITIME MUSEUM, North Little Rock: 371-8320. ARKANSAS SPORTS HALL OF FAME MUSEUM, Verizon Arena, NLR: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 663-4328. CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL MUSEUM VISITOR CENTER, Bates and Park: Exhibits on the 1957 desegregation of Central and the civil rights movement. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily. 374-1957. ESSE PURSE MUSEUM & STORE, 1510 S. Main St.: “Barbie®: The Vintage Years, 19591972,” private collection. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tue.Sun., $8-$10. 916-9022. 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. MOSAIC TEMPLARS CULTURAL CENTER, 501 W. 9th St.: Permanent exhibits on AfricanAmerican history and entrepreneurship in Arkansas. 683-3593. MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY, 500 President Clinton Ave.: “Wiggle Worms,” science program for pre-K children 10 -10:30 a.m. every Tue. Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun., $10 ages 13 and older, $8 ages 1-12, free to members and children under 1. 396-7050. OLD STATE HOUSE MUSEUM, 300 W. Markham: “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. WITT STEPHENS JR. CENTRAL ARKANSAS NATURE CENTER, Riverfront Park: Exhibits on fishing and hunting and the state Game and Fish Commission. 907-0636.

GROW grow LOCAL ARKANSAS TIMES

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.

DUMAS, CONT. the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission, penned a similar essay. But the bidding had already begun. Arkansas law bars a person from giving more than $2,000 to one candidate in an election, but U.S. Supreme Court decisions have made mincemeat of federal and state efforts to limit the influence of big money on public officials. Until this year, corporations also could give, so Morton could send a judicial candidate like Maggio not only his $2,000 check and his wife’s $2,000 but $2,000 more through each of the many nursing home LLCs he controlled. Baker and his friends also set up a passel of political action committees to which Morton and others could send checks, and each PAC in turn would channel the money anonymously to the candidates. Morton sent the new attorney general, Leslie Rutledge, who is now in charge of Medicaid nursing-home fraud, $88,000. From 2010 to 2014 Morton gave

$145,000 to six Supreme Court candidates, five of whom now sit on the court. It would have been beautiful as ever but no one counted on a judge being dumb or arrogant enough to keep evidence of his sellout. When the relentless Blue Hog Report reported that Maggio slashed the judgment that Morton would have to pay the family by $4.2 million on the same day he got a bundle of PAC checks originating from Morton, and after the FBI found incriminating texts and emails spelling out the quid pro quo, the judge had to give up his alibi that it was all coincidence. Now every judge’s protestations of impartiality after getting bushels of special-interest money will sound lame. Justice Rhonda Wood of Conway, newly robed after $40,000 in gifts from Morton, was bolder. After taking the oath, she let it be known that she would look askance at constitutional challenges to acts of the legislature. www.arktimes.com

JANUARY 22, 2015

Dining

Information in our restaurant capsules reflects the opinions of the newspaper staff and its reviewers. The newspaper accepts no advertising or other considerations in exchange for reviews, which are conducted anonymously. We invite the opinions of readers who think we are in error.

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

WHAT’S COOKIN’ LOBLOLLY CREAMERY HAS ANNOUNCED that it’s going to be doing a series of collaborative ice creams with the “top kitchens in Arkansas,” and that the first participant in this series will be its SoMa neighbor, Matthew Lowman of South on Main. The flavor from Lowman and Loblolly is called “Turtle Love,” and will feature “rich sea salt chocolate ice cream with caramel nougat, dark chocolate flecks and roasted Arkansas pecans.” It will be available at the Green Corner Store Soda Fountain and at South on Main.

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 32

JANUARY 22, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

BAR WITH GREAT FOOD: From appetizers to entrees to this Bourbon Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie, Apple Blossom blooms.

Apple Blossom’s special Fayetteville brewpub does everything right.

pple Blossom Brewing was not what we expected, from the moment we walked into the large, open bar area to our final swallow of beer and bite of dessert. To say that the Fayetteville brewpub exceeded expectations has to go down as one of the biggest understatements we’ve ever penned, because Apple Blossom proved to be one of the most excellent dining experiences we’ve ever had in the state of Arkansas. The interior of the pub is full of warm, antique wood that started life

in an Irish pub (in Ireland), made its way to the United States as part of a failed start-up, and finally wound up in the hands of Apple Blossom, which purchased the hardwood bar, shelves, and fixtures on eBay. A strange journey for sure, but the classic setup adds a touch of originality to a pub that from the outside blends in with its modern shopping center neighbors. Seating is varied, with small high tables, bar seating or larger booths available. We started out our meal with a flight of house-brewed beers, and were

immediately impressed with the clean, fresh taste of each brew we sampled. Beers of particular note include the Hazy Morning Stout, a rich, creamy coffee stout that just might be the perfect hair of the dog; the Fayette-Weisse, a crisp and flavorful wheat beer; and the Ouachita Dunkelweissen, which pleased us perhaps the most because it wasn’t overwhelmingly sweet like many beers in this style. Fans of other styles will be pleased with Apple Blossom’s selection of IPAs, APAs, porters and even “out there” beers like the Earl Grey ESB, a tea-kissed brew made in collaboration with Little Rock’s Moody Brews. But here’s the thing about brewpubs: Because the owners generally come from brewing backgrounds, the food is often an afterthought — or so we thought. The reality of the situation is that Apple Blossom puts just as much emphasis on its kitchen as it does the brewhouse, and the result is a lineup CONTINUED ON PAGE 35

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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 A modern grill pub in the River Market District with all the bells and whistles - 30 flat-screen TVs, whiskey on tap, plus boneless wings, burgers, steaks, soups and salads. 225 E Markham St. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-324-2449. LD daily. BOBBY’S COUNTRY COOKIN’ One of the better plate lunch spots in the area, with some of the best fried chicken and pot roast around, a changing daily casserole and wonderful homemade pies. 301 N. Shackleford Road, Suite E1. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-224-9500. L Mon.-Fri. 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 fastfood 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 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 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. $$. 501-372-8714. LD Tue.-Sat. LINDA’S CORNER Southern and soul food. 2601 Barber St. 501-372-1511. MADDIE’S PLACE Owner/chef Brian Deloney has built quite a thriving business with a pretty simple formula – making almost everything from scratch and matching hefty portions with reasonable prices in a fun, upbeat atmosphere. Maddie’s offers a stellar selection of draft beers and a larger, better wine list than you might expect. 1615 Rebsamen Park Road. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-660-4040. LD Tue.-Sat. MARIE’S MILFORD TRACK II Healthy and tasty are the key words at this deli/grill, featuring hot entrees, soups, sandwiches, salads and killer desserts. 9813 W Markham St. No alcohol, CC. $-$$. 501-225-4500. BL Mon.-Sat. MARKETPLACE GRILLE Big servings of steak, seafood, chicken, pasta, pizza and other rich CONTINUED ON PAGE 33

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JANUARY 22, 2015

PEARLS ABOUT SWINE

ANDERSON: Needs to lead.

over, and the 96-82 final accordingly was shocking only in the sense that it wasn’t worse and that the Rebels’ 56 percent floor clip was actually that low. It was, in short, a humiliation, and one that reflected directly on Anderson. The team was unprepared, listless and thoroughly outclassed at both ends by a weaker opponent. So what did the coach have to say? “In conference play, you’ve got to bring it and Ole Miss did something I didn’t think they would, especially here. But they came in and they stole one.” “Stole one,” Mike? And you didn’t think they’d be motivated to win? This is what we’ve come to in college basketball. Teams are so disjointed from year to year that coaches now have the apparent temerity to say anything and it will make some limited degree of sense. Ole Miss played hard, Arkansas didn’t. When that happens, the victor doesn’t steal anything; rather, the winner happily accepts what the sad-sack loser hands over willingly. If you give Ole Miss credit for anything, it should be for sportsmanlike conduct in restraining their scoring in this glorified and unbalanced scrimmage. I’m thoroughly flummoxed, but I’m annoyed, too. This is a time where Arkansas basketball should be preying upon its lesser foes, irrespective of cite. Instead, the team looks a whole lot like something John Pelphrey would’ve at least, to his credit, pitched a fit over being cursed to coach. Anderson winces and grimaces plenty but he’s not getting through to his players any more than I am by screaming obscenities at the Samsung. 34

JANUARY 22, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

DINING CAPSULES, CONT. 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 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 Yorkstyle boiled bagels, made daily. 10848 Maumelle Blvd. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-753-6960. BL daily. NEWK’S EXPRESS CAFE Gourmet sandwiches, salads and pizzas. 4317 Warden Road. NLR. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-753-8559. LD daily. ORANGE LEAF YOGURT Upscale self-serve national yogurt chain. 11525 Cantrell Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-227-4522. LD daily. RED MANGO National yogurt and smoothie chain whose appeal lies in adjectives like “all-natural,” “non-fat,” “gluten-free” and “probiotic.” 5621 Kavanaugh Blvd. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 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. 10221 N. Rodney Parham Road. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-224-2233. BLD daily; 524 Broadway. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 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 “well-built sandwiches” and plenty of cleavage on the side. 10 Shackleford Drive. Full bar. 501-224-1729. 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, Americanized 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. $$. 501-2178888. LD Mon.-Sat. KIYEN’S SEAFOOD STEAK AND SUSHI Sushi, steak and other Japanese fare. 17200 Chenal Parkway. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-821-7272. LD daily. KOBE JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI Though answering the need for more hibachis in Little Rock, Kobe stands taller in its sushi offerings than at the grill. 11401 Financial Centre Parkway. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-225-5999. L Mon.-Sat. D daily. NEW FUN REE Reliable staples, plenty of hot and spicy options and dependable delivery. 418 W. 7th St. No alcohol, All CC. $. 501-6646657. LD Mon.-Sat. PANDA GARDEN Large buffet including Chinese favorites, a full on-demand sushi bar, a cold seafood bar, pie case, salad bar and dessert bar. 2604 S. Shackleford Road. Beer and wine, All CC. $-$$. 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. $-$$. 501-954-0888. L Mon.-Fri. VAN LANG CUISINE Terrific Vietnamese cuisine, particularly the way the pork dishes and the assortment of rolls are presented. Great prices, too. Massive menu, but it’s userfriendly for locals with full English descriptions and numbers for easy ordering. 3600 S. University Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 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

DINING CAPSULES, CONT. 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. $-$$. 501-565-1930. LD Mon.-Fri. MICK’S BBQ, CATFISH AND GRILL Good burgers, picnic-worth deviled eggs and heaping barbecue sandwiches topped with sweet sauce. 3609 MacArthur Drive. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 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. $-$$. 501-372-6868. LD Mon.-Sat. 1307 John Barrow Road. Beer, All CC. $-$$. 501-2242057. LD Mon.-Sat. 7601 Geyer Springs Road. Beer, All CC. $$. 501-562-8844. 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. $-$$. 501-225-2200. LD daily. DAMGOODE PIES A somewhat different Italian/pizza place, largely because of a spicy garlic white sauce that’s offered as an alternative to the traditional red sauce. Good bread, too. 2701 Kavanaugh Blvd. Beer and wine, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-664-2239. LD daily. 6706 Cantrell Road. Beer and wine, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-664-2239. LD daily. 10720 Rodney Parham Road. Beer and wine, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-6642239. LD daily. 37 East Center St. Fayetteville. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 479-444-7437. LD daily. GUSANO’S They make the tomatoey Chicagostyle deep-dish pizza the way it’s done in the Windy City. It takes a little longer to come out of the oven, but it’s worth the wait. 313 President Clinton Ave. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-374-1441. LD daily. 2915 Dave Ward Drive. Conway. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-329-1100. LD daily. JAY’S PIZZA New York-style pizza by the slice. 400 President Clinton Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 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. $-$$. 501-224-8804. LD daily. 12911 Cantrell Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-224-8804. 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. $-$$. 501-8688822. LD daily 400 President Clinton Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. (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.

APPLE BLOSSOM’S SPECIAL, CONT.

TAKING FLIGHT: The best way to start your meal is this beer sampler.

of dishes that ranged from the merely delicious to mind-blowing. The backbone to any good bar menu is the quality of its shared plates, and we know we’re not alone in enjoying a plate of food with friends over a round of drinks. Our first shared plate was the Fayette-Weisse Alfredo Fries ($8), and if we had stopped there we could have left happy. A mound of fries, made in the double-fry method we love so much, came smothered in cheese, bacon and a beer-based Alfredo sauce that shouldn’t have worked for fries but did. After the fries, we went for a plate of Caribbean Barbecue Shrimp ($7) and found one of our best bites of the night in the huge well-seasoned shrimp. A squeeze of lime and these shrimp were ready to go, which they did with great swiftness right into our mouths. Our follow-up, the Tempura Chicken Fingers ($7), was almost as good; we ate the crisp, lightly battered chicken pieces with great haste. By this time we realized that we weren’t dealing with the typical “bar with a restaurant attached” that we expected. Entrees came in the form of two huge sandwiches made with Apple Blossom’s delicious house-made bread. The first, the “Cubano” ($11), featured piles of ham and sliced pork tenderloin, homemade pickles, provolone cheese and spicy mustard. Flavors were balanced, with the tang of the pickles and mustard adding high notes to the deep flavors of pork, held between two pieces of perfect bread. Do they write songs about sandwiches? If they do, this one deserves a tune. The second sandwich, the French Dip ($11), didn’t quite bowl us over like the Cubano, but it was still fantastic. Thin-sliced prime rib, gooey cheese and an authentic, not-from-a-packet au jus made this sandwich exactly what an excellent French Dip should be. It’s

Apple Blossom Brewing 1550 E. Zion Road Fayetteville 479-287-4344 appleblossombrewing.com

QUICK BITE Remember the name Cody Johnson, because we predict you will see it more in 2015. He’s currently Apple Blossom’s head pastry chef and baker, and will soon move into his own space as part of a new partnership with Arsaga’s Coffee. This will mean more great baked goods on the Fayetteville food scene. HOURS 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday. OTHER INFO All credit cards accepted, full bar

good enough that we would make it our go-to example of the style if we lived nearer the area. Last but certainly not least are the Apple Blossom desserts. Apple Blossom’s head baker bakes bread specifically for the house Bread Pudding ($7), and the richly flavored pudding shows it. For our money, though, the dessert to get is the Bourbon Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie ($7), a decadent and rich take on classic pecan pie that arrives on a plate dotted with a creme anglaise redolent with real vanilla bean. It’s this attention to style and quality ingredients that make Apple Blossom stand above many in the business. The pub is set up for lunch and dinner, and the kitchen will happily get one of these excellent dishes ready for a lunch time pick-up. We ate Apple Blossom leftovers for dinner the night after our huge meal there, so we can confirm that the food stays good for a long while after it’s boxed up. But for the best experience, get yourself into the elegant Apple Blossom dining room, get a pint of some of the best Arkansasmade beer around, and get anything on the menu. We promise it will suit your taste perfectly. www.arktimes.com

JANUARY 22, 2015

LRSD ON BRINK OF TAKEOVER, CONT. Suggs has gained plenty of critics who say he’s been less than forthright with the LRSD board and with teachers on a variety of issues. At the January meeting of the state board, Walker pointed out that the LRSD board is majority black, while the voices calling for state intervention are mostly white and affluent and do not send their children to public schools. Although the district has been troubled by low performance for decades, Walker said, there was no talk of removing local control when the LRSD board was run by whites. “You have no evidentiary basis before you for taking over the district board and eliminating the will of black voters,” he told the state board. The one fact nobody disputes is that a large number of students are being left behind in the LRSD, especially poor and minority children. Whether a state takeover can actually improve the fortunes of those kids depends on three questions: First, exactly why are some Little Rock schools performing so poorly? Second, is the local board truly too dysfunctional to govern? And third, if the state takes over the district, can it really effect a major turnaround? The numbers “Academic distress” is a damning categorization. It indicates that more than half of the students in a school have scored below “proficient” on standardized math and literacy tests over a three-year period. Out of the 26 schools statewide in academic distress, six are in the LRSD: one elementary (Baseline), two middle schools (Henderson and Cloverdale) and three high schools (Hall, McClellan and J.A. Fair). At the January board meeting, takeover advocate John Riggs pointed out that other schools in the district are also subpar. “The facts speak for themselves,” he said. “Sixtyseven percent of our elementaries perform in the last quartile [in the state].” Yet such facts are dependent on context. For one thing, not every school in the LRSD is doing poorly; for example, Central and Parkview are among the best high schools in Arkansas. Less well known is that even low-performing Fair and McClellan were acknowledged by the University of Arkansas’s Office of Education Policy in November for having relatively good scores on Algebra and Geometry End-ofCourse exams. The numbers weren’t stellar in themselves, but for a high-poverty school they “beat the odds,” in the language of the UA report. Education research everywhere shows that schools with high concentrations of children from poorer households usually score lower on standardized tests. Although Little Rock has many affluent families, their children tend to not go to 36

JANUARY 22, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

public school: 75 percent of LRSD students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch and 77 percent are black or Latino. The district also has a growing number of students who don’t speak English at home, which brings its own challenges. At the January meeting, Sen. Joyce Elliott (D-Little Rock) offered this perspective to the state board: “There is what I consider a myopic view that schools can be sustainably turned into world-class entities without addressing social and economic conditions in our neighborhoods, myopic to the point that most well-meaning folks don’t even discuss that schools and neighborhoods are connected. And that’s not an excuse. It’s just reality.” (As a legislator, Elliott is not a decision-maker on the question of takeover.) So how can the school system rectify the unequal playing field created by poverty? One answer is to allocate more money and staff to schools serving poorer kids — but the LRSD has had a great deal of extra cash at its disposal in the past and too few results to show for it. The district received hundreds of millions of dollars from the state over the last 30 years because of a desegregation court order (the suit was recently settled), and several of the academically distressed schools have also received direct federal “school improvement” grants. Though he’s sympathetic to the fact that the LRSD faces special challenges because of its size and poverty rate, state board chair Ledbetter said that Little Rock has had “resources galore” compared to many other places in the state. “The amount of money to spend per pupil far exceeds most districts,” he said. “With the resources and human capital in Central Arkansas you just feel like the district could have done a much better job in raising student achievement.” Ledbetter cited the Marvell-Elaine district in the Delta as an example of a highpoverty, majority-minority public school system making big gains with less money than Little Rock, although he noted they’re partnering with the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation. “They don’t have many human resources in that area, but they’re doing great things. It’s exciting to see a school like that.” ‘Hostile, degrading and unconscionable’ The weekend before the state board convened in January, Vicki Saviers received an unusual letter from LRSD board member Leslie Fisken, who represents a portion of Little Rock that includes the prosperous Heights and Hillcrest neighborhoods. Fisken, who often finds herself on the opposite side of her colleagues on the local board, said the body had become “dysfunctional,” especially in its relationship with Suggs.

“There is only a shred of an indication that the seven board members are willing to work together with the superintendent for the best interest of the students,” she wrote. “The language and attitude used when speaking with others, including the superintendent, is, at a minimum, unprofessional, and I would consider such behavior hostile, degrading and unconscionable.” While she stopped short of calling for takeover explicitly, it was implied: Fisken said that “significant changes must occur in order to ensure the educational opportunities for the students of the LRSD.” She praised Suggs, whom she called “an aspiring, honest and driven leader that our community … cannot afford to let leave the LRSD.” Board members Jim Ross and Joy Springer both wrote letters of their own to Saviers contradicting Fisken’s accusations of dysfunction point by point. “Suggs is a capable leader for our district,” Ross wrote, “but as he has said on numerous occasions, the work of one man or woman will not fix the district. Our community must work together. As the elected representatives of the people, the board has the responsibility to make sure effective personnel, programs, and policies are in place. “It is [the district board’s] job to question the superintendent when we believe he has left the mission of our district or has stepped outside the bounds of the law or board policy. It is also our duty to support him when he is following the mission of the district and within the bounds of the law. The current board is doing both of these things very well.” Ledbetter acknowledged that accountability from a local board is necessary, but he also told the Times that a district must also be behind the leadership of the superintendent. “You’ve got to have a board that supports the leader. The board can’t be going in eight different directions and secondguessing everything,” he said. “At some point you chart a course, and your leader executes that course … and the LRSD has struggled in getting to that point.” “I have no question that everybody on that board is sincere and is trying to do what they see as best for the district,” he continued. “There’s also no question that, given the attention on the district in the last six months or so, there’s a pretty significant shift in the attitude. There’s more of a focus on how can we make this better, to find common ground and build consensus. … But the question is, is it too little too late, and can it be sustained?” Charting a course Advocates of takeover stress the urgency of action. “We’ve got to do something bold … if we don’t do something, the

same problem will exist in another 20 years,” Riggs said at the January meeting. But what, exactly, can the state do differently that the LRSD has failed to do? The state is already intimately involved in the six academically distressed LRSD schools. A team of Education Department staff works closely with their principals in an advisory and monitoring capacity, recommending changes and watching performance metrics. At the January meeting, Dr. Richard Wilde, the leader of the state’s team, gave a report to the state board that painted a somewhat different picture than the one drawn by Suggs and takeover advocates such as Riggs. According to Wilde, the problem among LRSD administrators is not that they cynically accept the status quo, but that they’re overwhelmed by trying to make too many changes too quickly in an atmosphere of perpetual low-level crisis. “The district is trying to do too many things at once to fix itself,” he said. “They do not have enough time in the week to truly bring the staff along ... they’re moving along too many fronts and can’t logistically support all the time needed to do those things.” Despite his sympathy toward the district’s plight, Wilde also called for the state to intervene in some capacity, to “focus the turnaround.” At the January meeting, Sen. Elliott questioned whether the state can run the district any more effectively. “I don’t see how the Department of Education is positioned either with personnel or by a record of success in other district takeovers to add LRSD to its responsibility. Just as the LRSD’s track record matters, so should the department’s record,” she said. Despite the complexity of running a large district, said Ledbetter, there’s also “a simple formula for successful schools … leadership at the top that has a vision and a board that supports that. You put the resources where they’re most needed, and that is in the classroom.” So how would things change if the state were to dissolve local control? “You have the ability to make decisions and not have to be challenged,” he said. “You’re able to be more nimble.” As chair, Ledbetter says he’ll cast a vote on Jan. 28 only if the state board is split on what it wants to do with the Little Rock School District. He didn’t indicate whether he believes the state board will initiate a full takeover or take a less drastic step. But he, like so many others, feels that action of some sort is urgent. “Everybody says, ‘Well, why now? Why didn’t you do this sooner? Why don’t you wait until later?’ That’s all a bunch of noise. When the history of all this is written, they’re probably not going to say we acted too quickly to intervene.”

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hearsay ➥ Looking for a unique way to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your sweetie? Then sign up for FLOATING LOTUS’ special partners’ yoga event, scheduled from 4-7 p.m. Feb. 14. Learn the basics of partner yoga and Thai yoga massage with your loved one, a friend, or family member. Those without a partner are welcome to come on their own and find a new friend. During the class, partners will take turns learning to massage each other. Thai yoga massage involves a series of rhythmic compressions using the feet, palms, elbows, and fingers. There is no oil involved and no table and you remain fully clothed. There will be music and refreshments, including chocolate and a champagne toast. It’s the perfect way to relax and get close before heading out to other celebratory festivities or a romantic night at home. No prior yoga or massage experience is necessary. The cost is $30 per individual or $50 per couple. Sign up by visiting floatinglotusyogastudio.com. ➥ EMBELLISH INTERIORS, located in the Please Ridge Town Center, is making room for new arrivals by hosting a storewide clearance sale. Items are marked down 20 to 75 percent off. ➥ Also over at Pleasant Ridge, PURE BARRE is offering special deals on packages through the month of January. Six-month unlimited class packages are $783, a 10 percent savings, while 12-month packages are $1,275, a 15 percent savings. As an added bonus, buying these packages also gets you a gold membership, which means 15 percent off all retail items for the duration of the package; two buddy passes a month; the ability to freeze your package for only $10 a week for two to four weeks, depending on the package; and free admission to all intensive classes and workshops. For more information, call 501-246-3258. ➥BOSWELL MOUROT FINE ART is sponsoring the exhibit, “Beyond Layers: The Art of Delta Pinback Martin” at the Argenta Branch of the North Little Rock Library now through Feb. 13.

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