Arkansas Times - March 5, 2015 by Arkansas Times

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

FALLOUT In 2014, an adopted girl was abused in a home where she'd been left indefinitely by her adopted parents. One of those parents was a state legislator. Now, the state is studying a law to stop 'rehoming.' By Benjamin Hardy

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VOLUME 41, NUMBER 26 ARKANSAS TIMES (ISSN 0164-6273) is published each week by Arkansas Times Limited Partnership, 201 East Markham Street, Suite 200, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72201, phone (501) 375-2985. Periodical postage paid at Little Rock, Arkansas, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ARKANSAS TIMES, 201 EAST MARKHAM STREET, SUITE 200, Little Rock, AR, 72201. Subscription prices are $42 for one year, $74 for two years. Subscriptions outside Arkansas are $49 for one year, $88 for two years. Foreign (including Canadian) subscriptions are $168 a year. For subscriber service call (501) 375-2985. Current single-copy price is 75¢, free in Pulaski County. Single issues are available by mail at $2.50 each, postage paid. Payment must accompany all single-copy orders. Reproduction or use in whole or in part of the contents without the written consent of the publishers is prohibited. Manuscripts and artwork will not be returned or acknowledged unless sufficient return postage and a self-addressed stamped envelope are included. All materials are handled with due care; however, the publisher assumes no responsibility for care and safe return of unsolicited materials. All letters sent to ARKANSAS TIMES will be treated as intended for publication and are subject to ARKANSAS TIMES’ unrestricted right to edit or to comment editorially.

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MARCH 5, 2015

COMMENT

Conway takes positive step I couldn’t be more proud of the six Conway City Council members who voted for the city ordinance extending anti-discrimination protections to city of Conway employees. After sitting through the public hearing portion and rising to speak in favor of the ordinance, I continue to be struck by the amount of sheer ignorance and intolerance of so many in that courthouse, including council members Mark Ledbetter and Mary Smith. Those in opposition to the ordinance are simply devoid of any logical argument against extending these protections to the LGBT community. After reflecting on the public hearing on the matter, I would like to respond to the sometimes incoherent, fallacy-filled rhetoric of those opposed. Time and time again, the opponents presented their side using four completely unfounded and, in some cases, scientifically disproven fallacies. The idea that the city of Conway should not extend anti-discrimination protections because of religious reasons has no place in governmental policies. Those who say that it should be a factor cannot seem to realize that the very idea of the separation of church and state serves to protect their views as much as those who have other beliefs. Propagating policy based on religious beliefs is a dangerous and delusional endeavor. Christ said nothing about homosexuality, but He did say to love your neighbor as you love yourself. I am continually baffled to see those using Christ as their reason to oppose viewing people who are different as less than human or deserving of fewer rights. This ideology flies in the face of Christ’s teachings. To call yourself a Christian and then oppose offering equal protection from discrimination to the LGBT community is the epitome of hypocrisy. By opposing this ordinance on religious grounds, you are saying that Christ Himself would believe that it is fair to fire someone based on the fact that they are gay. If you believe that to be true, you need to consider adopting a non-Christian religious philosophy, because only a twisted rationale can reconcile such a ridiculous idea that we all know Jesus Himself would disavow. Regarding those who hold on to the belief that homosexuality is a choice, I imagine no amount of scientific evidence will be able to change your mind. The only question I have for that false assumption is to ask, “When did you choose to be straight?” It seems to me that making the conscious choice to be gay or straight should be a celebrated day in life — like a Jewish boy’s bar mitzvah. There should 4

MARCH 5, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

be gifts, cake and the big reveal for the audience of the sexual path you have “chosen” to undertake. The simple fact is that homosexuality is not a choice. I can point to countless studies by reputable organizations like the American Psychological Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Adolescence, and the American Journal of Sociology that provide significant evidence that no “choice” is ever made to be straight or gay. The “slippery-slope” fallacy is a staple of those with little evidence to support their assertions. I heard numerous opponents state that this is “opening a door”

to further problems (I’m not sure what door or how). This ordinance will lead to “lawsuits” that could bankrupt our city, an assertion made by the incomparable and incompetent Sen. Jason Rapert. This ordinance will even lead to naked gay men in a public bathroom! This type of logical fallacy is a tactic used by the weaponless, a form of fear-mongering in a desperate attempt to scare people into supporting a morally reprehensible and ultimately untenable position. One citizen took umbrage to my assertion that this ordinance is not a slippery slope by bringing up a previous

READERS CHOICE AWARDS 2015

ordinance regarding the sale of alcohol. He asserts that the people of Conway were told that the licensing of alcohol sales to certain restaurants wasn’t a slippery slope and that “now, there are bars in Conway!” Oh no! Remember that time when the sale of alcohol plummeted Conway into a deep economic recession? Remember that time when alcohol killed hundreds of Conway residents? Remember that time when alcohol led to prostitution and the dramatic increase in robbery? Me neither. Scare tactics are used when that is all they have. Let’s just stop with the hyperbole and view this ordinance for what it really is — the acceptance of the LGBT community as members of humanity. This is a minute step toward the type of statement that the LGBT community really needs. This is but a drop of water to a raging river. Those that oppose LGBT rights are indeed afraid, for they see the writing on the wall. This country is rightly heading to the just decision that all men and women are created equal. And as such, they deserve the respect of the citizens with whom they share their lives. As American citizens, they deserve equal protection under the law. Regardless of the opposition’s deeply held convictions or beliefs, I have faith that true virtue will triumph over those misguided souls who cling to the idea that their citizenship is somehow more valuable than another’s. Jim Harris Conway

Almost funny The Arkansas legislature seems to be off to a great start in fulfilling its regressive agenda. Anti-equal rights, anti-vaccination, anti-fluoridation, anti-education, anti-minimum wage and pro-guns. Why, it even wants to arm university and college faculty and staff while the good Sen. Rapert wants to drop a tactical nuke in Syria. It all would be amusing if it weren’t so serious. God help us. Bill Russell Maumelle

Israel gets a pass We’re nearing the end of the final round of our annual Readers Choice restaurant survey. We’ve tallied the nominations from the first round, determined the top four vote getters and added the WINNER from last year – for a total of five finalists.

The final round of voting ends March 8! Vote online at: arktimes.com/restaurants15

Notice the White Elephant in the room? Notice the Emperor has no clothes as he addresses Congress? Notice he does not explain why it is OK for Israel to have dozens or hundreds of nuclear weapons but not OK for Iran to have any — even 10 years from now? Notice the media does not explain anything about Israel’s nukes? And why the asymmetry? Why? Robert Johnston Little Rock

ARKANSAS TIMES

MUSICIANS SHOWC A SE ‘15 5 WEEKS • 20 BANDS

1 WINNER

Round 1 Winner: Open Fields

WHO WILL BE THE OVERALL 2015 ARKANSAS TIMES MUSICIANS SHOWCASE WINNER?

Find out this Friday, March 6 at the Finals!

Round 2 Winner: Ghost Bones

Live at Rev Room Doors open at 7:30 PM • Show begins at 8:30 PM $5 cover 21+ • $10 cover under 21

Round 3 Winner: Becoming Elephants

Support your favorite band! A crowd vote is part of the overall score! Round 4 Winner: American Lions

Round 5 Winner: Enchiridion

www.arktimes.com

MARCH 5, 2015

EYE ON ARKANSAS

WEEK THAT WAS

“This is nothing new. ... This is 1896 old, Plessy versus Ferguson, and it is wicked.” — Judge Wendell Griffen, a circuit judge and Baptist pastor, speaking against Rep. Bob Ballinger’s “conscience protection” bill, which would allow individuals to claim religion as a pretext for discriminating against LGBT people. Griffen, who was born in 1952, said he had lived firsthand under Jim Crow laws and remembered when discrimination against African Americans was similarly justified with religious claims. “I can quote you chapter and verse,” he said. A Senate committee voted down the bill, but it will be back.

Death to capital punishment The Senate Judiciary Committee endorsed a bill by Sen. David Burnett (D-Osceola) that would repeal the death penalty. Burnett 6

MARCH 5, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

BRIAN CHILSON

Quote of the Week

CHEERING THEM ON: Angela Wilcox and daughter Amelia watch and provide inspiration to runners in Little Rock Marathon on Sunday, March 1.

once prosecuted capital crimes and later sat as a judge on five death cases; he said the death penalty, because of lack of enforcement, has become meaningless. “It’s broken. It doesn’t work because you have no certainty,” he said. (For various reasons, Arkansas’s last execution happened 10 years ago.) The bill faces long odds in the full General Assembly, but it makes both moral and practical sense. When a prosecutor testifying against the bill said the murder rate has declined in Texas, which does have a death penalty, Burnett replied, “I don’t give a damn about the whole state of Texas.” More common sense.

possibility of abuse if there’s no court oversight. The legislature, he said, was “giving license to anybody in the world upon having a friendly policeman to locate us, wherever we are, whatever the circumstances may be.”

its passage to condemn “wicked rulers,” those “unwilling to obey the Lord” and “moral rot within a nation.”

Born in a small town Twelve years ago, the legislature and former Gov. Mike Huckabee created a controversial school consolidation mandate that required districts with fewer than 350 students to merge with their neighbors. It’s been bitterly opposed by many rural communities ever since, and now it may be rolled back somewhat. The House has voted 95-0 to create consolidation waivers for tiny districts if they meet fiscal and academic standards.

Location, location, location

Conway leads the way

The Arkansas House approved by 70-8 a bill by Rep. Rebecca Petty (R-Rogers) to require phone companies to provide location information for cell phones in response to an emergency situation. Petty, the mother of a murder victim, made the case that allowing the cops to obtain such information could save lives. But Rep. John Walker (D-Little Rock) said there is already a process for the police to obtain phone records, and raised the

Faulkner County may be home to the likes of Sen. Jason Rapert (R-Conway), but last week the Conway City Council proved itself ahead of the Arkansas curve by voting 6-2 to extend protections for LGBT city workers. The ordinance adds the words “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression” to the attributes covered in the city’s equal opportunity statement. Rapert, for his part, spoke against the ordinance, and took to Twitter after

Accounting 101 Meanwhile, in Arkansas’s largest school system, change rolls forward with the naming of a committee to work on the finances of the now state-controlled Little Rock School District. Baker Kurrus, a lawyer and former member of the local school board, will head the group. Also included: Little Rock City Manager Bruce Moore, Central Arkansas Library System director Bobby Roberts and representatives with ties to the business community and the teachers’ union.

OPINION

Asa’s team

t’s a measure of Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s appointments that the most widely praised appointment so far was of a man ineligible to hold the job. This week, Hutchinson said he wanted University of Arkansas System lobbyist and former state Sen. Johnny Key to be head of the state Education Department. Key is currently ineligible. He has neither a master’s degree, nor a teaching certificate nor 10 years of experience as a teacher and school administrator, as the law requires. The law will be changed to say that if an education commissioner has a deputy qualified for the job, that’s good enough. Key’s appointment was widely applauded. He has experience as an education policy-maker. He’s a nice guy. He has a reputation for an even temper and bipartisan tendencies. Key is a lot like Hutchinson. His amiability makes him seem more moderate than the avengers like Bart Hester. But beware judging philosophy by amiability.

Hutchinson is no less responsible for legalizing discrimination against gay people than Bart Hester. He simply MAX didn’t want to affix BRANTLEY maxbrantley@arktimes.com his signature to the law. Key ran a preschool that opened each day with a prayer and Bible readings. Unlike Rep. Justin Harris (R-West Fork), he quietly complied with the Constitution after objections were raised. Key also pulled some special language committee trickery to up the cap of statesupported virtual charter school students from 500 to 3,000. That put the state on the hook for an additional $20 million a year in support for home schoolers equal to that given schools with cafeterias, gyms, buses, a full complement of teachers and other expenses. Those virtual students have lagged behind regular school counterparts, by the way.

The changeable absolutist

ntonin Scalia, the longest-serving justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, is arguably the most important person in the land this approaching spring, since the president and Congress, disabled by gridlock, are out of the running. You can make a case that he is eclipsed by Anthony Kennedy or John Roberts, the “swing” justices who have kicked over their Republican traces on rare occasions and assented to the constitutionality of some Democratic undertaking. But Scalia is the undisputed leader of the court’s antimodernist bloc, which everyone is watching for signs that it will succeed in the biggest enterprises of the season: killing the national health-reform law on its second attempt and stopping people with similar sexual attributes from enjoying the benefits of marriage and family. As I write, the justices are hearing arguments on whether a quirky phrase in the massive Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, discovered by a Columbia, S.C., employment lawyer nine months after its passage, annihilates the

whole thing, which here in Arkansas could mean ending medical coverage for as many as 300,000 people. By ERNEST early summer the DUMAS justices will also decide the marriage question, which federal and state trial judges in Arkansas have already decided affirmatively and which has sent the elected judges of the Arkansas Supreme Court into a catatonic state, fearful of making a decision that could defeat them in their next elections. So when Scalia goes to Fort Smith to give a lecture for the town’s new U.S. marshals museum, you hustle over to hear him. Part of the lure is Scalia’s beguiling personality. Given his dour and often angry pronouncements from the bench, you always expect a sullen but natty John C. Calhoun but get a merry fellow who delivers Calhoun certitudes in a way that makes him almost lovable. When he tells you jovially that you are just flat wrong — say, in wanting to amend the Constitution in some

Key also pushed the legislation that all but ended bars to interdistrict schools transfers, choices that are driven too often by race. His philosophy aligns with that of the Waltons and other wealthy activists pushing charter schools, vouchers, online education and other tactics to upend the conventional public school system. If Key’s appointment signals a transformation of the Education Department, it will be apparent first in Little Rock, where Key will become the “school board.” Will he allow continuation of the district’s own plan for improvement, with assistance from such solid helpers as Baker Kurrus? Or will he propose an outsourcing of schools to private management organizations? For his equanimity and hard work and amiable demeanor, Key is more welcome than some other Hutchinson appointments. For the first time ever, the Securities Department isn’t led by a lawyer, but by a retired stock broker. The governor put a non-tenure track UALR instructor in a $100,000-a-year higher education department job because Ann Clemmer ran for office as a Republican. The same political consideration made Stacy

Hurst, who’d worked in her husband’s florist business, head of the Department of Arkansas Heritage. Marcus Devine, who left leadership of the Department of Environmental Quality to run a rules-breaking oilfield waste disposal firm and whose personal court record includes tax and private debt suits, is leading the Department of Youth Services because of his putative managerial skills. Tracy Steele, who made a mess of a couple of state jobs but gave Hutchinson a rare endorsement from a black Democrat, got a $100,000-a-year job heading an agency that oversees permits for health agencies. David Sterling, who ran for attorney general on a hate-federal-regulations platform, is now a top lawyer at the most federally regulated and financed agency in state government, Human Services. So if Key is cut more from Hutchinson’s mold, good. The governor has preserved Obamacare in Arkansas for two years. He’s taken a balanced approach to corrections between punishment and rehabilitation. He’s emphasized tech education (though not — so far — the pre-K building blocks of good students). Now if he could just up his game on appointments.

way, as a couple of questioners did — you want to clap him on the back. The other motive is to detect a hint if he will live up to expectations on the Obamacare and marriage cases. He will and he might. To loud applause, Justice Scalia expounded on his famous originalist doctrine for interpreting the Constitution: When you are called upon to determine the meaning of lofty constitutional terms — freedom, liberty, rights, due process of law, equal protection, full faith and credit, domestic tranquility, the general welfare, cruel and unusual punishment, and so on — you try to establish the mindsets of the 55 white land-owning men who wrote the document or the several hundred men in the 12 states who ratified it and the Bill of Rights in 1787-91. Succeeding generations and their judges, Scalia said, have had no right to substitute their notions about humanity and freedom for those that the 55 men in Philadelphia must have held. Their ideas about which people had rights that should be protected by the government are paramount forever. The question of what constitutes “cruel and unusual punishment” is settled, Scalia said, because in 1787 the correct punishment for felons was to kill them all. Since it is easy to determine who the original 55 authors thought enjoyed human rights (free black men in 1787 in

their minds were only three-fifths of a human being for government purposes, slaves nothing and females citizens of the republic in name only), the question of protected rights for gays and lesbians is settled in the justice’s mind. He was sure of it when he voted against them in 1996 in Romer v. Evans, in 2003 in Lawrence v. Texas and again in last year’s cases where he voted against the majority that all but declared matrimony to be a universal right that the government could not deny people of the same sex. Without addressing the issue directly, Scalia left no doubt at Fort Smith that he would vote again to deny equality to samesex couples because the Bill of Rights authors didn’t expect it and the states have a long history of actually punishing samesex relationships. Justice Kennedy abandoned the Scalia bloc on all the sexuality cases and is expected to swing the court the other way again. Obamacare is a harder question. If Scalia follows the “original intent” of the authors in interpreting statutory as well as constitutional law he will hold in favor of the health law, that it offers tax credits for health insurance to every citizen in America whose income qualifies them, regardless of whether their state operates its own insurance exchange, or its people buy plans through the federal exchange or, like Arkansas, through a joint statefederal exchange. All 280 members of CONTINUED ON PAGE 35 www.arktimes.com

MARCH 5, 2015

What’s at stake

Drivers Please be aWare, it’s arkansas state laW: Use of bicycles or animals

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

overtaking a bicycle

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

anD cyclists, Please remember...

You’re vehicles on the road, just like cars and motorcycles and must obey all traffic laws— signal, ride on the right side of the road and yield to traffic normally. Make eye contact with motorists. Be visible. Be predictable. Heads up, think ahead. 8

MARCH 5, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

he real question before the Supreme Court in the ballyhooed case of King v. Burwell isn’t merely the continuance of “Obamacare’s” mandated health insurance subsidies. It’s whether or not the United States has essentially become a banana republic — an oligarchy whose legal institutions exist to provide ceremonial cover for backroom political power plays. Almost regardless of what you think of the Affordable Care Act, legalistic chicanery of the kind on display shouldn’t be rewarded. That King vs. Burwell has reached the high court is bad enough. Should the Roberts court hand down a 5-4 decision based upon a tendentious misreading of the statute, several things will happen: an estimated 8.2 million Americans will lose health insurance coverage, the U.S. health care system will be thrown into economic chaos, and a few thousand citizens will no doubt die. To a certain kind of person styling himself “conservative,” this would be perfectly all right. In an op-ed titled “End Obamacare, and People Could Die. That’s Okay,” one Michael R. Strain argues that higher death rates are “an acceptable price to pay for certain goals,” including “less government coercion and more individual liberty.” Acceptable to Strain and his colleagues at the American Enterprise Institute, that is, a plutocrat-funded Washington think tank whose resident “scholars” are handsomely paid to mimic the values of 19th century Russian aristocrats. Along with the human casualties, the U.S. Supreme Court’s prestige as a fair arbiter would also be irrevocably damaged. As New York Times legal correspondent Linda Greenhouse argues, “The court has permitted itself to be recruited into the front lines of a partisan war. Not only the Affordable Care Act but the court itself is in peril as a result.” And that would damage what’s left of American democracy. During his 2005 confirmation hearings, Chief Justice Roberts likened himself to an umpire. His job would be to call balls and strikes, not to reinvent the rules of baseball. It was a very shrewd formulation, as most Americans prefer a non-partisan judiciary. “It is a very serious threat to the independence and integrity of the courts to politicize them,” Roberts has said repeatedly. With the signal exception of Citizens United, a 5-4 decision invalidating campaign finance laws and pushing the nation in the direction of plutocracy, some observers do credit the chief justice with making an effort to move the court away from overt partisanship. Almost two-thirds of recent

Supreme Court rulings have been unanimous. However, Roberts’ deciding vote legitimizing ObamGENE acare’s insurance LYONS mandate infuriated many Republicans. They see in King vs. Burwell an opportunity for the chief justice to redeem himself. All he needs to do is persuade a majority of the justices, presumably including himself, that because the Affordable Care Act speaks of subsidies being available through a health insurance “exchange established by a state,” it means only, exactly, and literally that. If your state, say, New York, set up and ran its own marketplace, then you’re eligible for Obamacare. If not, you’re not. No more health insurance subsidies for residents of Texas, Oklahoma and 32 other states that let the feds set up exchanges for them. Never mind that the law specifically requires the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to “establish and operate such exchange[s] within the states.” Never mind that nobody anywhere understood the Affordable Care Act to have such a restrictive meaning when it was being debated, enacted and put into operation. Such an interpretation certainly never came up during the difficult period when the healthcare.gov website labored to get up to speed. Never mind too that time-worn Supreme Court precedents direct judges interpreting laws to consider not isolated snippets of language, but “the specific context in which that language is used, and the broader context of the statute as a whole.” (The wording is from a 1997 opinion by Justice Clarence Thomas.) For that matter, if anybody in Congress on either side thought the law meant what plaintiff’s lawyers in King vs. Burwell claim, why have we been having the political battle of the century about it? Why vote 56 times to repeal a law that only applies in 16 of the 50 states? It’s an odd form of legalistic fundamentalism the justices must consider, the constitutional equivalent of a guy trying to beat a ticket for driving 95 mph in a school zone because a typo reads “ozone.” The wonder is that the court elected to hear the case at all after a three-judge appeals court in Richmond rejected it unanimously. And the scary question is why?

Are you good without God? H HE EL LL LO O !!

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HEY! SO ARE WE! Join us for Reason in the Rock 2015 March 14 at the Riverfront Wyndham Hotel in North Little Rock

On March 14, the third annual convention hosted by the Arkansas Society of Freethinkers features a day of speakers from around the country addressing issues of separation of church and state, science education, and skepticism. Workshops and a screening of An Honest Liar, the documentary of the life and career of James “The Amazing” Randi, will take place at the Cox Creative Center Sunday, March 15.

Event Is FREE • Register Today! MORE INFO AT:

www.reasonintherock.org • www.arfreethinkers.org

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MARCH 5, 2015

PEARLS ABOUT SWINE

The Kentucky era

presents…

Ed Gerhard Thursday March 19 7:30 p.m. The Joint

301 Main Street North Little Rock

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GRAMMY® award-winning guitarist who has played to sold-out concerts from Japan to Europe.

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7 P.M. FRIDAY, MARCH 20

Shorts program from Court 13, the production collective behind "Beasts of the Southern Wild"

RON ROBINSON THEATER

SHORTS SELECTION INCLUDES

100 RIVER MARKET

“Glory At Sea”

MARCH 5, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

rkansas was probably not well equipped to defeat Kentucky over the weekend, just to be thoroughly blunt. At the outset of Saturday’s much-anticipated game, the Wildcats scored on a lob dunk within the first 10 seconds, and then seemingly strangled all possible momentum away from Arkansas anytime it dared attempt creation thereof. This is Kentucky’s epoch, my disillusioned friends. While the rest of the powerhouses that dot the country still have to continually wrestle with one-and-done posturing from mercurial teens, John Calipari wears his Ponzi zealotry without compunction and sells it with aplomb. “Spend two semesters here,” I envision him saying in a clandestine, darkened room to wide-eyed power forwards and twoguards, “and the next 15 worrying only about which color Bentley you’ll buy.” (In said vision, for edification, Calipari is also curiously wearing a trenchcoat lined with knockoff wristwatches and a slightly tarnished wizard hat.) Give the devil his due, earnestly. This Cat squad is supremely balanced and a paragon of execution in all possible phases, and utilizes bursts of momentum in a fashion that is simply crippling to the opponent. Kentucky started ablaze against the Razorbacks, and then jockeyed with the Hogs for a good 15 minutes before ending the first half on yet another scoring spurt. It’s that exacting precision and discipline that makes a 42-26 halftime score feel doubly unmanageable. When the Razorbacks nibbled away at the lead here and there, then tried to assert backcourt traps, it was an endeavor of futility against an obscenely fast stable of players who can all weather that sort of pressure deftly. All hope wasn’t lost, though. Arkansas didn’t fig ure to clang another 10, typically unguarded three-point attempts, nor be so haphazard passing. The first half had been a case study in Murphy’s Law, save for a steady free-throw stroke. Four days earlier, having severely punished Texas A&M over 20 minutes, the Hogs watched the Aggies bull ahead with a fiendish attitude despite all apparent impediments at Bud Wal-

ton . L esson learned. Can’t q u it . G o t t a push onward, even when the opponent has BEAU that impeneWILCOX trable veneer. So, on the plus end, Arkansas still fought like hell and got some of those shots to drop. The Hogs made it a focal point to boost tempo and continue getting tough on the glass despite the physical disparity. When the officiating threatened to prop up Kentucky even further, Mike Anderson’s temperature crescendoed nicely and nearly to the point of a forced exit. He earned one technical foul with a nifty entry into the court after Rashad Madden was victimized without a whistle, and seethed so much afterward that a disqualification seemed imminent. There, in a lost cause of a game, we all witnessed the progressions by which a team has emerged. Michael Qualls restored confidence in his patented corner trey, scampered for loose balls, and bodied up against anyone who felt blue and white garb connoted superiority. Anderson smugly called for a final stoppage with eight seconds remaining and the outcome verging on historical permanence. Bobby Portis posted solid numbers in a game effort to persuade voters that he is, in fact, the conference’s Player of the Year front-runner. What stung the Hogs in the end was an absence of depth. The starters played to 60-all, but Kentucky’s reserves posted the decisive 24-7 edge that spelled the 84-67 final margin. The Wildcats did exhibit a sneering disdain for having lost three straight close ones to Arkansas, as many predicted. They handled their business in the selfsame way in which the handful of unbeaten champs have done. If this is indeed Kentucky’s year, so be it. What Anderson hopes and believes is that it also serves as the catalyst for program building, which in all fairness, is what makes more sense at Fayetteville. The Wildcats’ lease-to-own model is one that likely could not and would not be sustainable in any other locale.

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efore we get started, a request: The Observer got a press release earlier this week that said the office of Gov. Asa Hutchinson is asking Arkansans to send in their photos that shout Arkansas! — anything from the great outdoors to festivals to picturesque town squares — for possible use on the gov’s new website. “We’re looking for images of what makes Arkansas Arkansas,” the release said. Coming off the last few weeks in the Arkansas legislature, we’re of a mind that this would be a fine way for our LGBT neighbors to remind Gov. Hutchinson that they’re Arkansans, too. So, LGBT folks, if you get a second, please submit photos of you and/or your family enjoying life in fun, scenic or historic spots around Arkansas to: governor.arkansas.gov/photo-submission, making sure to let him know in the description box that you’re a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender Arkansan. While you’re at it, send us a copy at the Arkansas Times Twitter account or Facebook page with the hashtag: #WeMakeArkansasArkansas and we’ll post some of them over the next few days. Deadline for photo submissions to the governor’s office is March 23. Now, on with the show: While The Observer will not cop to being either a Trekkie or a Trekker (there’s apparently a difference, apparently, and the last thing we want to do is cause an interstellar diplomatic incident), we must admit how saddened we were to hear of Leonard Nimoy’s passing. Of all the characters on the old “Star Trek” series and the movies the series spawned, the character Yours Truly gravitated toward, was Mr. Spock. He made it cool to be smart, but he was also a stranger in a strange land: half-human, and thus the only officer on the bridge of the Enterprise who wasn’t fully of Earth. Growing up, The Observer felt like that a lot of the time, too bookish for our own good, never knowing quite what to say in the thick of a conversation, other than to think that most Spockish of thoughts: “That is highly illogical.” The struggle of Spock’s human half and the Vulcan half was infinitely more interesting to The

Observer than which green hottie Cap’n Kirk would teach the Horizontal Prime Directive. The Observer, as you know, is of the Generation of Three Channels, and back when we were but a lad, one of those channels showed reruns of the original “Star Trek” series after the late local news. Pa, God rest his soul, was a fan. He’d seen ’em all, and knew most by heart. If The Boy Observer had bathed, washed out our ears and brushed our teeth by the time the news went off, sometimes Pa would let us stay up to watch an episode with him, a highlight of our young life and a treasured memory to the old whaling ship captain, hunter of Moby Dick and a passable cheeseburger that we have become here on the front range of our 40s. We were too young to realize it then, of course, but the show was a love song to the way things could be for humanity. Pa was more of a Capt. Kirk man. But even then, I knew the true hero of the show was Mr. Spock. Kirk is cool, sure. But he’s flat. He starts out a rogue and ends up a rogue. Nimoy, though, had the arc: going from a distant alien to a being who truly came to love his friends, even though they were intellectually beneath him most of the time. Not that The Observer is some intellectual giant, but we get that. The Observer was 8 years old when “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” came out, and we begged and cajoled Pa into taking us to see it. SPOILER ALERT: Spock dies at the end, zapped to death with gamma rays after sacrificing himself to save the Enterprise and everybody aboard by going into the radiation-flooded engine room to patch up the bum warp drive. You cannot imagine how bitterly the young lad cried at that ending, especially when Spock, talking to Kirk through the clear blast wall of the engine room, groaned out the line that has, come to think of it, guided so much of The Observer’s life, and should guide more of our lives here on planet earth: “It is logical: The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one.” How bitterly indeed. Thanks for the memories, Mr. Nimoy, from a young fan who has grown into an old fan. Wherever you are: Live long and prosper.

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MARCH 5, 2015

Arkansas Reporter

THE

IN S IDE R

Texarkana reporter assisted police

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported last week that, at Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s urging, the state Workers Compensation Commission had chosen administrative law judge Barbara Webb to be the new head of the agency, to succeed the retiring James Daniel. Webb will get a pay increase from $98,852 to $126,572, the DemocratGazette reported. Webb is the wife of Doyle Webb, chairman of the state Republican Party. The news follows by two weeks the announcement that Gov. Hutchinson had named Becky Keogh, who’s been a gas and oil company regulatory manager, as head of the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality. Becky Keogh is Doyle Webb’s sister-in-law — Barbara Webb’s sister. It so happens that a message from Doyle Webb came to our inbox last week. He joined the orchestrated Republican Party attack on likely presidential candidate Hillary Clinton for donations made by foreign governments to the Clinton Foundation while she was secretary of state. It’s a fair issue and worth inspection. In many cases, it can easily withstand scrutiny — money for Haiti relief from Algeria, for struggling farmers in Malawi from the Dutch and for HIV detection and treatment in Africa from Germany. Webb’s statement said the money for hurricane victims and HIV patients and three-acre soybean farmers should be returned. It’s the only solution, he said. He commented: “Hillary Clinton is a walking conflict of interest. … By taking money from foreign governments, she has compromised the integrity of the American political process — essentially showing that anyone can buy a favor from a Presidential candidate.” None dare edit that sentence to make it apply to a political party chief whose wife and sister-in-law just got fat jobs courtesy of the man he helped elect as governor. And they head agencies where major players in campaign contribution politics have important business every day.

The shadow Nine years after it was unveiled,

EVAN LEWIS, COURTESY TEXARKANA GAZETTE

Conflicted

HOWARD: Confers with supporters at Feb. 24 hearing.

Howard trial delayed Judge fumes over evidence issues. BY MARA LEVERITT

n Arkansas circuit judge on Tuesday, Feb. 24, delayed Tim Howard’s retrial on charges of the 1998 murder of Brian and Shannon Day because a key witness was to be unavailable the week of March 2, when the new trial was to begin. It is now scheduled to start on April 23. At Tuesday’s hearing, Circuit Judge Charles Yeargan denied a motion by Howard’s attorneys to dismiss the charges against Howard. Defense attorney Patrick Benca had argued that, because the prosecutor failed to provide several “important” pieces of evidence as required, it will be impossible for the new trial to be fair. When Prosecuting Attorney Bryan Chesshir acknowledged that several items of evidence sought by Benca could not be provided, Yeargan interjected: “It’s frustrating for me to sit here and listen to all this. As you know, this court

took a giant leap to order this new trial. “We all agreed that there would be full and complete discovery. Now we’ve got all these holes that you’ve come up here with. It’s very frustrating — I swear — it’s frustrating to this court.” When Yeargan acknowledged that the situation was probably frustrating for the attorneys as well, Howard, who has been jailed for the past 17 years and who has thus far sat quietly throughout every proceeding, spoke up. “It’s frustrating for me!” he said. Yeargan admonished him to let his attorneys do the talking. Finally, Yeargan dismissed Howard’s argument that he is being subjected to double jeopardy because he was tried unfairly once and now faces the prospect of an unfair second trial because of “continuing” misconduct by state officials. That issue, the judge said, was for a court CONTINUED ON PAGE 31

MARCH 5, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

The headline in the Wednesday, Feb. 25, Texarkana Gazette, above an story by reporter Jim Williamson, reads: “Second trial on hold for convicted killer.” There are at least three problems with that. The first, as noted in the accompanying article, is that Howard is no longer a “convicted killer.” When Judge Charles Yeargan vacated Howard’s conviction in 2013, he rendered it void. Legally, Howard became an innocent man; he ceased being a “convicted killer.” The second problem is that this grossly inaccurate headline appeared in the biggest paper in the region where Howard’s retrial is to take place. It may complicate seating a jury. The third, and perhaps biggest, problem is that Williamson may have an unacknowledged conflict of interest. (I acknowledge mine.) Howard’s attorneys believe that Williamson may have assisted police at the time of the murders. In his motion alleging prosecutor misconduct, Patrick Benca described photos of the site where Brian Day’s body was found that Benca says the prosecutor has not provided. The motion notes that Investigator Hays McWhirter testified he took the photos. “However,” the motion says, “the defense has learned that to not be accurate.” Rather, Benca wrote, “Jim Williamson, who at the time owned part of the Ashdown newspaper and was an auxiliary police officer, took photographs of the scene as well. It was common for Williamson to take pictures of crime scenes back then because he had better photography equipment and access to a dark room.” At Tuesday’s hearing, Benca told the court that Williamson had provided defense attorneys with negatives of photos of the crime scene they had never seen before. Benca also quoted Williamson as saying that, after he shot the photos, “he was asked to ‘develop these ASAP.’ ” — Mara Leveritt

BIG PICTURE

Ask the Times:

INSIDER, CONT. the painting of former President Bill Clinton in the National Portrait Gallery is in the news because artist Nelson Shanks told a Philadelphia newspaper that a shadow in the portrait is meant as a reference to Monica Lewinsky. From Talking Points Memo: “Artist Nelson Shanks, 77, told the newspaper that a shadow falling across the left side of the painting ‘literally represents a shadow from a blue dress’ the artist kept on a mannequin while he worked on the painting outside of Clinton’s presence. “ ‘It is also a bit of a metaphor in that it represents a shadow on the office he held, or on him,’ “ he added. “Shanks, who described Clinton as ‘probably the most famous liar of all time,’ said: ‘He and his administration did some very good things, of course, but I could never get this Monica thing completely out of my mind.’ ” Shanks contends the Clintons want the portrait removed. The National Gallery disputes that.

Why have the trees along Markham and War Memorial Golf Course been cut down?

he Little Rock Parks and Recreation Department recently cut 33 hackberry trees along West Markham Street, from the War Memorial Golf Course clubhouse to Monroe Street, trees they plan to replace with 60 non-native Chinese pistaches. Mark Webre, assistant director of the department, said he understands and shares the passion for native trees, and that the department considered planting redbuds. But members of the staff who attended an international arborist convention heard Dr. Kim Coder, a winner of the International Society of Arboriculture’s Achievement Award, speak about the Chinese pistache as a tree that can withstand being planted next to a busy road generating toxic hydrocarbons. Entergy had been trimming the hackberries to an ungainly shape to keep them off the power line. The city would have cut the hackberries down earlier, but it did not have the money to do so. The tree replacement was funded by midtown developers on University under a new Planning Department rule that allows developers who fail to meet landscape requirements on their property to fund landscaping on property within their section on a quad map. Webre described Markham and the packed soil along the four-lane as a “harsh environment” for native trees. The droughttolerant, long-lived pistache, however, can thrive there, and should not, Webre said, grow as high as the power lines. (Depending on climate, the tree grows to between 30 and 60 feet tall, according to online nurseries and garden sites.) The leaves of the pistache change to red and orange in the fall. The Heights promenade on Kavanaugh is also planted in pistaches. The pistache “attracts wildlife, birds and insects, too,” Webre said. Webre said some people who complained to the department suggested dogwood, which, as an understory tree, does not like full sunlight. The problem with redbud, he said, is that it “becomes unruly after a while” and is not as long-lived.

James and Westerman part ways

BRIAN CHILSON

THE

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K. Ryan James, who went to Washington with freshman 4th District U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman in January as his chief of staff, is heading home. He and Westerman decided over the weekend that he’d leave the staff. James said, “It’s all on me.” He said he’d created some potential embarrassment for his boss by getting a speeding ticket (60 mph in a 40 zone near Hope) Feb. 19. He learned after the stop that, unbeknownst to him, his license had been suspended for failure to pay a Hot Springs parking ticket. He’s straightening that all out, he said. Meanwhile, “The congressman and I both agreed that continued service would be a distraction and take away from the work he’s doing as representative of the 4th district. I apologize not only to him, but to the 4th District staff for my error and look forward to them continuing to represent the people of the 4th District.” He said he’d be looking for new work in government or politics back in Arkansas. www.arktimes.com

MARCH 5, 2015

A child left unprotected State Rep. Justin Harris and his wife adopted a young girl through the state Department of Human Services. How did she, six months later, end up in the care of a man who sexually abused her? BY BENJAMIN HARDY

n April 4, 2014, a 38-year-old resident of Bella Vista named Eric Cameron Francis was arrested by the Arkansas State Police for the rape of a 6-year-old girl in what the police said was his temporary care. Sexual crimes against children always attract a certain horrified attention, but this particular case earned additional scrutiny because Francis had recently worked as head teacher at a Christian preschool in West Fork owned by state Rep. Justin Harris (R-West Fork) and his wife, Marsha. Harris, who said he was “devastated and sickened” by news of the abuse, told the Arkansas Times in April 2014 that Francis had been in his employ only about three months, from November 2013 to 14

MARCH 5, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

January 2014, before being fired for poor work attendance. “He came with a pristine record,” Harris said at the time, noting that Francis was also a youth pastor at a church and had worked previously in early childhood education for the Bentonville School District and with a Head Start program. Harris added that he was confident nothing had happened to any of the children at Growing God’s Kingdom Preschool, because of strict security protocols (the classroom contains a continuously operating camera that generates a permanent record). Indeed, no further charges against Francis resulted from subsequent State Police interviews of families at the preschool, although investigators uncovered at least

two other incidents of sexual abuse of children in the community outside of the school. In November, he was sentenced to 40 years in prison on a negotiated plea. What Harris did not publicly disclose last spring, however, is how Francis came into contact with the 6-year-old victim. In prosecutor documents recently obtained by the Arkansas Times, state police investigators and multiple witnesses concur that the child was in fact the legally adopted daughter of Justin and Marsha Harris. The Harrises had adopted the girl and her 3-year-old sister through the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS). The couple also has three biological sons who are older than the girls. Pictures of the girls appeared on Justin Harris’

social media accounts in early 2013 (the images have since been deleted), and Harris announced on Twitter and Facebook on March 6, 2013, that the couple had officially adopted the girls. Because DHS adoptions require an in-home trial period of at least six months prior to papers being signed, the girls likely entered the home no later than September 2012. And then, something evidently went amiss in the household. For unknown reasons, about six months after the adoption was finalized, the Harrises sent the two girls to live with Eric Francis and his family in Bella Vista. According to an Arkansas State Police investigative report prepared by Sgt. Kimberly A. Warren dated April 3, 2014, she

BRIAN CHILSON

HARRIS: Refused to confirm that he rehomed his adoptive children with another family.

BRIAN CHILSON

contacted Crimes Against Children Division Supervisor Terri Ward who advised that “Mr. and Mrs. Harris placed the girls into the care of Eric Francis and his wife Stacy [sic] Francis in October 2013.” The report further states that “It was later reported to the Department of Human Services that Mr. and Mrs. Harris had left the children with another family and had basically abandoned them. This incident was reported to the child abuse hotline and the children were interviewed.” After her husband’s arrest, Stacey Francis told a state police investigator that she and Eric “met [the girls] through friends of theirs, Justin and Marsha Harris, who were looking for a new adoption plan for themselves … Stacey Francis reported that she and Eric Francis brought [the girls] into their home with the hopes of being able to adopt them.” The Francises already had three older children — two girls and a boy — who were adopted internationally. Stacey Francis said the Harris girls stayed with her and Eric “until February or March of 2014.” That means the Harrises left the girls with Eric Francis and his wife even after firing him. The sexual abuse of the 6-year-old girl came to light only because of a call placed to the state’s child maltreatment hotline on Friday, March 28, from an unidentified caller who said the Harrises “gave their adoptive children to a family” and “that family in turn gave the children to another family” and that they had “continued to accept adoption subsidy money even after giving the children away.” Investigators evidently determined that this third home was a safe place for the girls because they remain there today. Arkansas’s child maltreatment hotline is operated by the Crimes Against Children Division (CACD), a semiautonomous arm of the State Police tasked with performing the sensitive and highly confidential work involved in cases of child abuse and neglect. When the CACD needs additional resources, however, it can also draw upon the assistance of the State Police’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID). “On the afternoon of March 28, 2014, the CID was asked by the commander of the Crimes Against Children Division to assist in determining where two minor age children might be, who had been adopted,” said Bill Sadler, spokesman for the State Police. “By sometime late in the afternoon, CID had told CACD that the girls were accounted for — at the home of a family who appeared not to be the custodial parents of the girls.” By the morning of Monday, March 31, the prosecutor documents

indicate, the girls were interviewed by a CACD agent. During this interview, the 6-year-old disclosed the abuse by Francis, which Francis later told police occurred sometime in January 2014, while his wife was out of state. Although the hotline caller alleged that Justin and Marsha Harris had given away their adopted children, no criminal charges were brought against them, according to Sadler. If some readers are startled to learn that it’s legal for adoptive parents to give their children to another family, they’re in good company. As the State Police investigation unfolded last spring, one person kept apprised of its progress was then-Gov. Mike Beebe. Matt DeCample, Beebe’s former spokesperson, said the governor was surprised as anyone to hear about the practice of “rehoming,” as it’s called in the adoption world. (DeCample said it was common practice for the State Police to alert the governor’s office whenever it discovered a state elected official had an ancillary connection to a criminal investigation.) “As we were briefed on the State Police investigation into Mr. Francis and the circumstances around that case, none of us in the office, including the governor, had ever dealt with the rehousing of children who had been adopted through DHS,” DeCample recalled. “It’s not something that had ever come up before, and, frankly, we didn’t know that it was something that could happen, or why it would ever happen. “The governor asked some of our legal folks to look at how that was legally possible in the state — or at least why there wasn’t anything preventing it from happening. And everything we got back said there was not anything definitive in Arkansas Code prohibiting such an activity.” In February, the Arkansas Times asked Rep. Harris to comment on the case and explain what became of the girls he and his wife had adopted. He refused, and

stated that the Times was attempting to “smear” him. “It’s evil,” he said, becoming visibly upset. When asked whether he rehomed his adoptive children with another family, he replied, “I’m not confirming that.” When asked about the statements made in the State Police report in the Francis case, Harris said he hadn’t read the file because of the disturbing descriptions of sexual abuse that they contain. Harris then quoted Isaiah 54:17: “No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.” “You don’t know what we’ve been through this past year. You have no idea what my family has been through,” he said emphatically. “I don’t care what the people of Arkansas think about me. I don’t care if I lose my position. I care what my wife thinks about me, and I care what my three sons think about me.” Overcome with emotion, he then turned and walked away. Harris has not responded to repeated requests for further comment, even again this week when advised this story would be published.

‘It’s just nuts’ DHS spokesperson Amy Webb said the agency cannot comment on any specific adoption. Almost all records relating to foster care, adoption or child maltreatment are closed to the public under state law. However, she said the agency was aware of nine instances of rehoming that have occurred in Arkansas in the past two years. In some cases, the adoptive parents gave the children to families they barely knew. Webb acknowledged that the real number could be higher, since rehoming is by definition something that takes place off the state’s radar. (DHS learned of the nine cases through the families themselves or by word of mouth.) “Even a few cases are concerning to us because the families do not go through

“ … there should never be a transfer of custody of a child from one family to another — who are strangers; we’re not talking about relatives here — without a court being involved. That’s just the absolute bottom line.” — Joe Kroll

the vetting process before caring for the children,” she said. “If we hear of a situation in which there was rehoming, we will reach out to families. It’s not something we want to see happen.” Rehoming is a national issue. In 2013, a Reuters investigative series titled “The Child Exchange” drew attention to Internet forums in which parents sought to give away unwanted adopted children to complete strangers. Kids adopted from overseas are especially at risk: Stories abound of overwhelmed American families struggling to deal with Russian and Eastern European orphans with mental health issues, extreme behavioral problems and sometimes destructive or violent tendencies. Sometimes the families on the receiving end of such transactions turn out to be good parents seeking an easy alternative to the expense and bureaucracy of legal adoption; sometimes they turn out to be abusive or predatory. Reuters uncovered harrowing stories of kids passed between homes like unwanted puppies, of pedophiles effectively shopping for children online, of prospective parents whose backgrounds bristled with red flags but were never remotely vetted by any authority. In most states, with a simple power of attorney document, a child’s guardian can delegate temporary parental responsibility to another adult. “We’ve got to protect these kids! It’s just nuts!” Joe Kroll, the executive director of the Minnesota-based North American Council on Adoptable Children, said. Last summer, he testified before the U.S. Senate on the need for a federal law to address rehoming. “The bottom line is, two things,” Kroll told the Times. “One, there should never be a transfer of custody of a child from one family to another — who are strangers; we’re not talking about relatives here — without a court being involved. That’s just the absolute bottom line. The second thing is, it should not occur without background checks and some preparation for the family.” Adopting a child through DHS is no small task for prospective parents. It typically involves six months’ worth of various background checks and training. “We do home visits, home studies, and it’s just a full and thorough vetting process,” Webb said. If the parents pass muster, DHS will then place the children in the potential adoptive home for a period that lasts at least another six months. “It’s basically kind of a trial, to make sure it works for CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 www.arktimes.com

MARCH 5, 2015

everybody. We like to make sure it’s the right fit for the kid, the right fit for the family, because we want it to last long term. And, of course, there’s also court supervision all along the way. … There’s a [DHS] caseworker for the family and the kid, and there’s an attorney ad litem who’s representing the kid.” Eventually, if everything goes smoothly, the adoption is finalized by a judge. “It’s very thorough and extensive on the front end, and quite frankly we have some people complain,” Webb continued, “but the reason is that we want to make sure that these families provide stable, loving homes for these kids, and we’re going to take our time to do that.” Once the adoption is complete, DHS and the courts step out of the picture almost completely in regard to oversight. In the eyes of the state, adopted parents should be treated essentially the same as biological parents. “We want these families to go out and live and be real families like anybody else,” she said. “We want those kids to have a sense of normalcy, and if they’re having to visit a DHS caseworker every week, that’s not normalcy.” But in the case of some adopted families, there are two ways that the state does remain involved. The first is subsidies. One of the sad realities of adoption is that some types of children are more in demand than others, so the state incentivizes, for example, the adoption of kids with physical disabilities. Families tend to want babies, so parents receive a subsidy for children who are 9 years or older. Then there’s the racial dimension: Children of color who are 2 years or older come with a subsidy. DHS also subsidizes the adoption of sibling groups and kids with special emotional needs. Because DHS can’t comment on any particular case, it’s impossible to know for certain whether the Harrises received a subsidy for their children, but it’s likely. The girls in question were adopted as siblings, and the prosecutor documents indicate at least one of the girls had significant behavioral problems stemming from past trauma. According to the CACD interview, the 6-year-old said she was sexually abused by someone in her biological family before entering the foster system. (In that same interview, the girl also indicated she was unhappy in the Harris home. A CACD agent writes, “She said she had to stay in her room; she said she had her books, but then they took away her books and she had nothing in there, just her bed. When asked why she had to move away from Marsha’s house, [the girl] said ‘because I didn’t like it.’ ”) 16

MARCH 5, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

Webb said the pre-adoption training provided by DHS includes specialized instructions “on how to deal with children who have experienced trauma.” The agency wants families to know what they’re getting into when they adopt a child with a difficult past. “When that family is going through the adoption process, one of the things we do is make them fully aware of that kid’s history … the trauma they’ve experienced, any special needs they might have or special concerns,” she said. The second way that DHS may become involved with a family postadoption is if the parents are in need of help coping with a child’s behavior. “There can be situations where down the road, the families go, ‘This is not working,’ ” Webb said. “Maybe it’s a kid who’s had behavioral issues and they’ve tried everything they can think of to address it. Or maybe they have concerns about protecting other kids in the home, and they just feel like they can’t protect those kids from one of the adopted kids.” In such cases, the family can ask DHS for a hand, Webb said. “We can intervene in a number of ways — do they need respite on the weekends? Does the kid really need some inpatient psych services, or additional therapy? “If none of that works, then they can come to us and say, ‘We have exhausted all of our available resources. Please, help us. We cannot take care of this child.’ And we will take that child back into custody if the family has exhausted all available resources, and we will do that without any repercussions for the family.” (What exactly constitutes “exhausting all available resources” would be a question for a judge to answer, Webb said.) It is quite rare for an adoption to be dissolved after a family obtains full custody of a child. DHS facilitated 4,055 adoptions in the state between July 1, 2006, and June 30, 2013. Among those, only 67 children were returned to foster care — that is, 1.65 percent of the total. Those figures are consistent with national estimates. A 2012 fact sheet published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says that “studies consistently report that only a small percentage of completed adoptions dissolve — probably between 1 and 5 percent.” The document also notes a variety of risk factors that increase the likelihood of a failed adoption, ranging from the age of the child to unrealistic expectations on the part of adoptive parents to inadequate parental preparation on the part of the agency. Perhaps the single biggest

GROWING GOD’S KINGDOM: The West Fork preschool owned by Justin and Marsha Harris, where Eric Francis worked about three months.

FRANCIS: “Everyone made mistakes before all this blew up, and I obviously made the biggest mistake.”

predictor is past trauma: “Children who had experienced sexual or emotional abuse had the highest rates of disruption.” Webb said DHS sees dissolution as a last resort, but adoptive parents are made aware that it’s a possibility. “Families who

adopted from us would know that if they were having troubles, we want them to contact us. ... It’s clear that they know there are options.” This is one of the most puzzling aspects of the Harris case: Why didn’t

KAT WILSON

Justin and Marsha Harris ask DHS to take the children back into custody? With international adoptions, parents often have nowhere to turn after the adoption is complete — thus, for example, the infamous 2010 incident in which a Tennessee woman placed her 7-year-old Russian adopted son on a plane back to Moscow with a letter in hand declaring she was terminating custody of the child. Most rehoming takes place in the context of adoptions performed through private agencies; unlike those parents, families who adopt through DHS have an official emergency exit. “That makes no sense whatsoever,” Kroll said when the facts of the Harris case were described. “I really haven’t heard a lot of those kinds of situations. … Usually, if you adopt a kid from the state with special needs, what you’re going to do is go back to the state. You have somewhere to go back to. If you work with some private adoption agency overseas, once the child comes to you, they’re done with you. They’re not going to give you any support. But with a state agency, you should be getting support.

“I hope they stopped getting the state subsidy when they transferred those kids.” This, too, is a question that can’t be answered by DHS in specific terms. However, in August 2014, the agency began requiring those families receiving subsidies to sign off on this statement: “I (we) will not under any circumstances rehome my adopted child/children.”

The definition of abandonment Child maltreatment investigators sit at the intersection of social services and state criminal law. Although the State Police operate the child abuse hotline, it’s DHS that maintains the central registry archiving the findings of the CACD investigation that follows any allegation of child maltreatment. Reports made to the hotline are determined to be either true or unsubstantiated, and this data is an essential part of background checks used for employment, professional licensing and other purposes. If one works with children,

one’s name is checked against the central registry as a matter of course. Although rehoming a child may not be a criminal offense, it could still potentially constitute a civil offense with serious consequences: child abandonment. The original call to the hotline that triggered the investigation is specifically noted as an “abandonment” referral. So what became of that claim? “We’re in a situation where I can’t confirm or deny if we were involved in a case or not,” Webb said. “What I can tell you is that in order for an allegation to be determined true, it would have to meet the letter of the law as the law defines it. … If it were an allegation of abandonment, it would have to fit within the abandonment law in order for us to find that true.” Arkansas Code 12-18-103 states the definition of “abandonment” as follows: “[T]he failure of a parent to provide reasonable support and to maintain regular contact with a child through statement or contact when the failure is accompanied by an intention on the part of the parent to permit the condition to continue for an indefinite period in the future or the failure of a parent to support or maintain regular contact with a child without just cause; or an articulated intent to forego parental responsibility.” “Essentially, in layman’s term, abandonment would be providing no care or support for the children,” Webb said. If a mother sends a child to Moscow with a note announcing her intent to terminate custody, that’s clearly abandonment. However, what if a family gives their adopted children to someone else yet continues to pay for some or all of their care? “Financial support is support,” Webb replied. “There is some case law and precedent on that.” In a later email, she said that none of the nine recent cases of rehoming known to the state resulted in a true finding of abandonment. As mentioned previously, only 67 out of over 4,000 DHS adoptions from 2006 to 2013 resulted in a child being returned to the foster system. That number includes both parents attempting to terminate their adoption, and other situations: illness, abuse or neglect and so on. Of those 67 cases, 11 were considered “abandonment.” So why did the Harrises rehome their children rather than attempt to dissolve their adoption through DHS? For one thing, it appears rehoming brings little risk of either civil or criminal penalty; it can be performed quickly and quietly. Meanwhile, recall that DHS will take a child back into its custody with no repercussions for the

adoptive parent if and only if they have “exhausted all resources” to the satisfaction of a judge. To dissolve an adoption through DHS can take some time, Webb acknowledged, because “we want to try to work with the family to make it work.” Perhaps, in a tragic miscalculation, the Harrises felt the girls would be better off living with a family known to them rather than being returned to the foster system. Marsha Harris, according to social media posts from Justin Harris, was ill around this time — did that factor in? And Justin Harris has had a prickly relationship with DHS in the past. In late 2011, he tangled with the agency over overtly Christian practices at Growing God’s Kingdom, which receives public funding under the Arkansas Better Chance program. At the request of an organization promoting separation of church and state, a DHS inspector investigated whether the preschool was using taxpayer money to teach a Christian curriculum; she found regularly scheduled Bible study in most classrooms, scripture posted on the walls and children singing “Jesus Loves Me.” Around the same time, Harris tweeted that Webb was “giving out false info to the press.” It must also be noted that Harris, as a legislator, has direct influence over the DHS budget. He serves on the Joint Budget Committee, which oversees all appropriations for state agencies. He also serves on the influential House Education Committee and is the vice-chair of the House Committee on Aging, Children and Youth. Other questions remain. Who originally called the hotline, and how did he or she know about the issue? Why were the children moved to a third family sometime in February or March — that is, before the call to the hotline was made — and was this a choice made by the Harrises? Did the Harrises give all or part of any state subsidy that they may have continued to receive to the Francises or to the third family? None of the people who know the answers to these questions are forthcoming. Stacey Francis divorced her husband in August 2014; she has changed her name and moved out of state. When contacted by the Times, she declined a request for an interview, as did another witness cited in the prosecutor file who was familiar with the Francis family. When this reporter recently attempted to interview Eric Francis at the Benton County Jail, he said he had no interest in talking about the past. “Everyone made mistakes before this all blew up, and I obviously made the biggest mistake,” Francis said. He said he originally met the Harrises CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 www.arktimes.com

MARCH 5, 2015

through Stacey, who attended high school with Marsha Harris: “My ex knew them better than I did.” Francis also confirmed that DHS was not officially informed when the Harrises transferred the girls to his home in Bella Vista in October 2013. “I’ve got to move on with my life,” he said through the reinforced glass, clad in stripes. “I’m sorry, but that’s all I’m going to say.”

*** Perhaps no function of state government is more potentially fraught, subjective and morally complex than the child welfare system. The patchy safety net woven by DHS workers and CACD investigators is stretched across an impossibly wide chasm, between the statutory obligations of state bureaucracy and the most intimate and idiosyncratic of human relationships: those of parents and their children. There are sincere dilemmas contained in balancing our collective moral responsibility toward protecting children with the privacy of families to raise their kids — adopted

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and otherwise — with minimal intrusion. Yet rehoming is an example of a genuine flaw in the system. In May 2014, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a memorandum to state social service agencies (including DHS) that cited the Reuters investigation. “Parents have a legal responsibility to protect and care for their children,” the memo said. “Delegating responsibility for a child to an unfit and unsafe individual through a power of attorney does not insulate parents from state laws regarding imminent risk of serious harm. … We encourage states to review their laws that govern these areas to ensure that the issues that arise through the practice of rehoming are adequately addressed.” Four states — Wisconsin, Colorado, Florida and Louisiana — have passed laws regarding rehoming. The laws in Wisconsin, Colorado and Florida focus on criminalizing the advertisement of adoptable children, although Wisconsin also requires any family that wishes to transfer custody to a non-relative for more than a year to get court approval. The Louisiana law is the toughest — it requires

court approval for transfer of custody to a non-relative for any length of time. In Arkansas, DHS has taken a first step by adding new language on an adoption form that would allow the agency to stop subsidy payments in cases of rehoming. Marilyn Counts, the state adoption manager for the Division of Child and Family Services within DHS, is spearheading Arkansas’s attempts to address the problem. She joined a national workgroup on rehoming in May 2014 and was recently elected to the executive committee of the National Association of State Adoption Managers. “Even if there is just one [rehoming case] that’s a problem; it’s atrocious,” Counts said. She told the Times that the agency was also considering proposing legislation. “We’re at a point where we’re studying and looking at the issue, but not at a point where we make a recommendation,” she said. This is a story about how adoption can go wrong. The most fundamental problem facing children in the foster system, however, is not that adoptive parents sometimes do the wrong thing. It’s that

the kids desperately need good homes. The adoption and foster system depends on the willingness of the right adults to make a lifetime commitment to a child. It’s easy to find fault with the actions of the Harrises from a safe remove; it’s not so easy to be the right parent. We can only hope the third family, the one that eventually ended up with the two girls, is the right place for them. After the events of last spring, DHS presumably vetted the home, because the sisters continue to live there with the evident knowledge of the agency. The Times was able to identify and contact the adoptive parents, who declined to be interviewed for this story. The mother did, however, offer one comment. “I don’t like that they took this path to get here, but they are home now, and they are loved and cherished. This is God’s plan. They are our daughters. They are precious, precious, amazing girls, and we are so blessed to have them.” Leslie Peacock contributed reporting to this story.

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ARKANSAS TIMES

I AM THE AEA social studies and oral communication teacher at Westside Junior and Senior High School, Caudle began as a special projects teacher for the elementary school summer program, Rockin’ Rebels. Johnson County Westside is a public school district in the Arkansas River Valley. Consolidated in 1983, the Westside Elementary campus is located in Hartman, and the Westside High School is in Coal Hill. The district serves a total of about 625 kids. Westside’s junior and senior girls’ basketball teams recently won games that will send them on to conference championships, and Caudle has taught many of the players in his classroom over the past four years. “The thing I enjoy most about my career is when I know I have made a difference in a student’s life,” he said. “I enjoy the fact that my existence now has a positive impact on the lives of others. Although the confirmations that a difference has been made are rare, when they occur, I know that not only have I done my job, but I also, in that moment, have upheld my calling as a teacher.” Caudle has taught a myriad of subjects, including seventh grade world geography and Arkansas history, ninth grade civics and economics, and ninth through twelfth grade oral communication and drama. Today, he teaches ninth grade civics and economics, eleventh grade U.S. History, eleventh and twelfth grade personal finance, and ninth through twelfth grade oral communication and drama. “I also sponsor the chess and drama clubs,” Caudle said. “The chess club has an annual tournament, and the winner gets a trophy as well as a chance to play myself and the principal, Chase Carter. The drama club performs an annual play for the student body each spring, and also hosts an Open Mic Night and Breakfast with Santa for the community.” As if Caudle didn’t have enough to keep him busy, he also is an active member of the Arkansas Education Association. The AEA is the professional public education membership organization dedicated to improving the quality of education offered to students and making it attractive to teach in Arkansas public schools. To do so requires learning and working environments where teachers and support professionals are equal partners with the board and administration. “I am a member of the AEA for many reasons,” Caudle said. “I was advised while in college by a few of my professors to join the

Brian Chilson

Daniel Caudle has been a Westside Rebel in Johnson County since 2011.

professional association, and they often cited the benefit of the legal services or the various other financial advantages such as discounts on insurance or travel.” He continues, “When I began my internship, I signed up for the student AEA membership. Once I received my first teaching assignment, I was reminded by my mother-in-law, a 35 year kindergarten teacher, and my wife, a middle school teacher, to join the AEA. Initially, I joined because of the advice of the people I trust, but as my involvement with the AEA progressed and I became more involved with my local association, I found a whole new meaning for being a member of the AEA. AEA is the only organization working on the state level to protect my interests as a professional educator. I now know that the AEA works tirelessly to lobby on the behalf of all public school employees.”

1500 W. 4th St. Little Rock 501.375.4611 aeaonline.org www.arktimes.com

MARCH 5, 2015

Arts Entertainment AND

BALANCED: Vocalist Erickson Skinner fronts finalist Enchiridion.

Enchiridion wins last semifinal round. BY WILL STEPHENSON

ast week’s round of the Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase, the last of the semifinals before this Friday’s finals concert,

was opened by Pine Bluff singersongwriter Katie Johnson, who claims on Facebook that she aims “not just to make feel-good music but to

make feel-everything music.” Judge Joe Holland, of last year’s showcase winners Mad Nomad, called her a “pretty damn good songwriter” in his ballot. “She’s got the voice of a star,” judge Mitchell Crisp wrote. “A real class act.” It was another cold night in the

River Market, with the occasional passing cars spraying mushy ice up onto the sidewalk and patio, where concertgoers huddled around cigarettes and avoided gusts of freezing wind. Johnson’s lyrics echoed through the venue, seeming to grow increasingly, bizarrely intimate as CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

MARCH 5, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

BRIAN CHILSON

HERE COME THE ARKANSAS TIMES MUSICIANS SHOWCASE FINALS

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NEXT UP FOR THE ARKANSAS Times Film Series: At 7 p.m. Friday, March 20, we’re screening short films and music videos from Academy Award-nominated director Benh Zeitlen and the film and arts collective that he cofounded, Court 13. The program includes “Glory at Sea,” the film Zeitlen made in Louisiana before shooting “Beasts of the Southern Wild”; Sundance honorable mention “Death to the Tinman” by Ray Tintori; and music videos from MGMT and Big Freedia by Tintori, Bob Weisz and Josh Ente. Casey Coleman, the head of Court 13 Arts, and Nathan Harrison, a Court 13 producer who’s casting director for the next Zeitlen film, will attend and participate in a post-screening Q&A. Tickets are $5. THE ARKANSAS REPERTORY THEATRE has announced the lineup for its 40th anniversary season, one that runs the gamut from Shakespeare and Tony Award winners to Disney movie adaptations. The season kicks off in mid-September with Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” which producing Artistic Director Robert Hupp describes in a news release as “The original ‘House of Cards.’ “ The October show is the Tony Award-winning musical “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” — “Never the same musical twice,” in Hupp’s words. “If you can spell ‘cow,’ then this musical is for you.” Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” will be staged in December and throughout the holidays, and “Peter and The Starcatcher,” the prelude to Peter Pan (“This rollicking new play with music is to ‘Peter Pan’ what ‘Wicked’ is to ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ “ says Hupp), will be performed in January, followed by “The Bridges of Madison County,” a 2014 Tony Award winner, in April. The last show of the season will be “Windfall,” a world premiere production directed by Jason Alexander (“Seinfeld”), in June. “I am thrilled and grateful that Arkansas Repertory Theatre is giving us the chance to bring this fascinating and funny play to their audience,” Alexander says of the premiere. “Within this play is what many would consider an American Dream and it becomes an American nightmare. To be able to make our world premiere in this beautiful theater and for this appreciative audience is a real gift and I am looking forward to it immensely.”

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HERE COME THE ARKANSAS TIMES MUSICIANS SHOWCASE FINALS, CONT.

DIVERSE FINALISTS: Joining Enchiridion are, from left, Open Fields, Ghost Bones, Becoming Elephants and American Lions.

her set wore on: “Inside your soul is the only place I know,” she sang at one point. “You’ll never be alone.” I think I gulped. Next up was Fayetteville’s Comfortable Brother, most of whose members were previously in Conway band Don’t Stop Please. Despite some technical difficulties, their set was the night’s most purely fun, all low-brow psychedelia and back-porch indie rock. They made lots of jokes and traded instruments and showed off with what Holland called “some fuckin’ sweet guitar solos.” “Not boring at all,” in judge Derek Brooks’ words. “Flippantly adolescent,” in

Mitchell Crisp’s. After what appeared to be the most complex soundcheck of the night — especially surprising, given his total instrument tally consisted of one acoustic guitar — singer-songwriter Michael Leonard Witham took the stage third. Someone standing next to me pointed out that he looked like an earnest, young Matthew McConaughey. He wore a harmonica around his neck, in a metal holster like Bob Dylan. His songs invoked failed relationships in Saline County, most of which seemed to be his fault (“Some nice ‘I’m kind of a dick’ honesty

in his songwriting,” as judge Shayne Gray put it). The whole thing felt like a scene from the movie “Inside Llewyn Davis.” The last band of the night was Little Rock’s Enchiridion, who Mitchell Crisp described as a “perfect metal band.” The other judges agreed: “Arkansas should be proud of these guys,” Gray wrote. “Great balance of power, finesse, timing and groove,” said Holland. Crisp: “The drunk dude in the audience playing air guitar seals the deal.” Enchiridion will go on to compete in the finals at 8:30 p.m. Friday, March

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MARCH 5, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

6, at Revolution, along with the other semifinal winners: Open Fields, which makes hypnotic, slow-building psych-rock filtered through prismatic layers of reverb and delay. Ghost Bones, the showcase’s most danceable band, specializing in jagged, four-on-the-floor post-punk. Becoming Elephants, the Conwaybased progressive metal outfit featuring a saxophone player in place of a singer. American Lions, makers of indie rock rooted in what they call “humble hearts and Southern charm.”

A&E FEATURE

BERT AND MARY: Disney’s classic hits The Rep’s stage.

‘Mary Poppins’ dropping in to The Rep Theater’s biggest production ever. BY JAMES SZENHER

ight now, huge sets are being furiously constructed, massive dance routines meticulously choreographed and special effects carefully engineered all in preparation for what director Donna Drake has called “the biggest production The Rep has ever done.” The Arkansas Repertory Theatre opens the musical March 6, giving audiences of all ages the chance to relive memories of the catchy songs and magical whimsy of “Mary Poppins” with several surprises along the way. “Poppins” is so deeply embedded in our

culture that “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” is recognized by spellcheck. The essence of what those familiar with the movie recall will all be there — spoiled children, uptight bankers, flying nannies, and extravagant musical dance numbers — but the play includes additional elements that fans of the original P.L. Travers book may recognize and that give a new appeal to those who’ve only seen the classic Disney-produced film. In place of dancing penguins (notoriously difficult to train, I’m told), we’ll have statues coming to life. “It’s a great combination of all the things

you love along with new characters that bring some additional depth to the play,” said Tom Souhrada, who plays Mr. Banks, the aptly-named, financially focused father of the children in the play. One of the main new characters is Miss Andrew, the strict and overbearing former nanny of Mr. Banks. She is played by Q. Smith, who Souhrada said will “knock your socks off” with her voice. “She’s worth the price of admission alone,” he added. Smith, who’s played the character several times on Broadway and elsewhere said, “We’re not duplicators; once I finish a production, I leave it there so I can try new things for the next one. I love connecting with new people and new actors each time.” Fans of the PBS hit “Downton Abbey” should also take note that the show’s creator, Julian Fellowes, wrote the “Poppins” script. “He knows the Edwardian period so well, but he writes for a contemporary audience,” Souhrada said. Fellowes’ script gives more background to the story of Banks family and their journey. “While the kids will love it, this is really for the whole family,” Drake said. “All families have similar issues to work through and I think many parents can relate to Mr. Banks’ story.” Mr. Banks is worried about losing his job and his house. “I think the play does what theater does best: gives us a mirror for us to see a reflection of our own lives,” Souhadra said. Alongside the play’s insights into family dynamics is a slew of musical dance classics like “Step in Time,” “Let’s Go Fly a Kite,” and, of course, “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” which choreographer Rhonda Miller called a “showstopper.” “I fell in love with all these numbers as a kid, and it’s been exciting for me to chan-

nel my love for the play into my work,” she said. “ ‘Step in Time’ has been a favorite piece of mine for a long time and I love that I’m finally getting to choreograph it.” The rest of the cast can relate: Souhrada said “Mary Poppins” was the first movie he remembers seeing as a child. “It was a big inspiration for me, made me want to be a performer, and now getting to see it through other kids’ eyes, watching them find the same joy in it that I did, it’s great.” The play will also feature two Arkansas fifth-graders, Addison Rae Dowdy and Madison Stolzer, both members of the Rep’s Summer Musical Theatre Intensive program. “The roles these kids do are probably the hardest of all musicals; they’re on stage the whole time, doing comedy and drama, and performing with a British accent. They are really talented,” Souhrada said. “It’s a lot for them, surrounded by adults asking for them to understand and show complex emotions, but they’re really stepping up,” Drake said. “It’s great to watch them ‘get it,’ to see the light bulbs go on.” Those who experienced the joy of “Elf” over the Christmas season can expect much of the same opportunities for kids to enjoy themselves before, during and after the play, including treats, photos with cast members and surprises. “Mary Poppins” opens Friday, March 6, and plays through Sunday, April 12. Special events include “Pay What You Can Night” Wednesday, March 4, a panel discussion at the Clinton School at noon on Thursday, March 5, and “Cabaret With the Cast,” where cast members perform their favorite numbers, on Monday, March 16, at 7 p.m. Find more information at therep.org.

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MARCH 5, 2015

THE TO-DO

LIST

BY WILL STEPHENSON

THURSDAY 3/5

TOO LONG DIDN’T READ 8 p.m. The Joint. $7.

Inspired by the comedy-plus-current-events format of “The Daily Show” and SNL’s “Weekend Update,” Too Long Didn’t Read is a new monthly show to be held every first Thursday at The Joint, in Argenta, featuring a panel of comedians (most of whom are regular participants in the venue’s Tuesday night “Hogging the Mic” stand-up series) riffing and opining on “everything from celebrity gossip, hyper-local news and Internet memes to global economic policy.” “I love sitting in a circle with my comedian friends and just talking about top-

ics and see who can get the biggest laugh,” creator and panelist Levi Agee said. “We wanted to bring this dynamic to the stage.” The show will also feature a special guest each program, the first of whom will be Paul Carr, proprietor of the news blog turned Facebook page Forbidden Hillcrest (Agee’s dream guest is Sen. Jason Rapert). It’s another encouraging move in The Joint’s ongoing support for local comedy, which isn’t exactly thriving elsewhere. “Some stand-up comedy and improv is insufferable,” Agee concedes, “not just in Arkansas but even in L.A. and New York, but the key is creating a community around it.”

FRIDAY 3/6

CEDELL DAVIS

9 p.m. White Water Tavern. $10.

Helena native CeDell Davis calls his new album, the release of which he’ll be celebrating this weekend at White Water, “Last Man Standing.” He is 88 years old, and has been wheelchair bound since the late 1950s. The first single — glacial, grungy swamp punk that sounds more like Public Image Ltd. than the Delta Blues — is called “Catfish and Cornbread.” “Catfish was a big deal in the old days,” Davis told the L.A. Times by way of explanation. “The old days,” for him, means the 1930s, when he lived in rural poverty and lost the full use of his limbs in a bout with polio. “You would go out to a house party on the planta24

MARCH 5, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

tion, and somebody always be cooking up some catfish to sell. That, and some bootleg whiskey, or some bathtub gin. I left that gin alone, had one of my cousins go blind drinking that stuff. I believe the first time I heard anyone play ‘Catfish Blues’ was when Elmore James came to play at my daddy’s juke joint. Man, he could play some blues for sure.” For sure. Davis was a regular guest on Helena station KFFA’s “King Biscuit Time” program in those days, and he learned the harmonica and slide guitar (using a table knife, in his case) from Robert Nighthawk and Sonny Boy Williamson. Since the early ’60s, he’s lived in Pine Bluff, home to, he says, “more fat women there than any place I ever saw.”

TRY HER: DeJ Loaf is at Clear Channel Metroplex 10 p.m. Friday, $20.

FRIDAY 3/6

DEJ LOAF

10 p.m. Clear Channel Metroplex. $20.

DeJ Loaf’s “Try Me” was one of last year’s best and most surprising songs, like the alien negative image of a street rap anthem. Think of these puffy, circular, inspirational synthesizers, over which a very young woman with an odd, fragile voice is calling herself a Nazi and saying, “I don’t want to do no songs.” And it’s danceable, and it’s all over the radio, echoey and distant-sounding like house music from the next car over. “I hear it all the time,” she told

The Fader last year. “ ‘It’s your voice, it’s your voice.’ It’s just a melodic thing I do with it. I don’t want to sound like other people.” And she doesn’t. A 23-year-old from East Detroit, she feels so refreshing and welcome partly because she actually, and I mean sonically, doesn’t sound like too many other people. “Try Me” was a hit, but it became world-famous the same way most rap songs became world-famous in 2014: Drake quoted it on Instagram. Now that’s out of the way, she can’t be stopped. “We Be On It,” her new single, is just as infectious and, I hope, will be just as worn out on rap radio.

IN BRIEF

THURSDAY 3/5 The world-famous Vienna Boys’ Choir will be at Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts, 7 p.m., $35. Comedian Matt Sadler is at the Loony Bin through Saturday, March 7, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, $7; 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, $10. The Whole Famn Damily plays at White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m., $5.

FRIDAY 3/6

MAC BACK: Classic rockers return to Verizon Arena, this time with Christine McVie.

WEDNESDAY 3/11

FLEETWOOD MAC

8 p.m. Verizon Arena. $52.50-$174.

Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” was engineered and recorded by a young producer named Ken Caillat, who had previously worked on records by, among others, North Little Rock free jazz legend Pharoah Sanders. Caillat had a beagle named Scooter Brown who accompanied him at every stage of the process. They made the record in a studio in Sausalito, Calif., living in gorgeous seafront properties while gorging themselves on cocaine. As Caillat describes

it, the situation was emotionally intricate, all “the crying and swearing and, ‘I hate you,’ and ‘How could you cheat on me?’ ” Virtually every song would become a hit. One of the songs would even help elect an Arkansan to the White House. “Keep putting people first,” Bill Clinton would say years later, at the 2000 DNC. “And don’t stop thinking about tomorrow!” Caillat and Scooter next worked on the band’s followup album, “Tusk,” which had virtually no hits and was the most expensive rock album ever made at the time. “Fleetwood Mac is

subverting the music from the inside out,” the critic Greil Marcus wrote of the record at the time, “very much like one of John le Carre’s moles — who, planted in the heart of the establishment, does not begin his secret campaign of sabotage and betrayal until everyone has gotten used to him.” Today these two albums together seem to tell a compact but basically comprehensive history of 1970s rock. “I can’t say I have always counted on good luck,” Caillat wrote in a memoir about the making of “Rumours,” “but I’m never surprised when it happens.”

TUESDAY 3/10

SATURDAY 3/7

‘SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN’

NAPPY ROOTS

Once, at a film festival, I met Stanley Donen, best known for directing the 1952 Gene Kelly musical “Singin’ in the Rain,” about the end of the silent era in Hollywood. A brilliant and really funny movie, it’s one of the best and most visually ambitious musicals ever produced at MGM, which made better musicals than anyone else. Donen looked like a cross between Robert Evans and Hyman Roth from “The Godfather,” with an extreme tan, aviator sunglasses too big for his eyes, a white blazer and a thick gold chain. I shook his hand, but before I got a chance to ask him a question (maybe something about how he’d made Fred Astaire dance on the ceiling in “Royal Wedding”), a woman came up, interrupted and introduced herself as Valerie. Without missing a beat, Donen launched into the Steve Winwood song “Valerie,” and kept on singing through at least the first chorus. While he sang, she didn’t say a word, just nodded her head quietly along with the beat, as if thinking, “He’s earned this.” After a while I walked away and let them be.

The only good rap group ever to emerge from Bowling Green, Ky., Nappy Roots was the biggest emblem, for a while, of the long tail of the sound and legacy of the Dungeon Family, the Atlanta rap collective that spawned Goodie Mob, Outkast, Sleepy Brown and Witchdoctor. Nappy Roots went after the same confluence of 808s, church organs, country-soul posturing, George Clinton theatrics and progressive politics. The same heavy twang, embracing an accent that once wasn’t cool. What Jon Caramanica called “guitar-plucking, front-porch funk,” complete with a nostalgic insistence on the importance of tight-knit community (compare to Scarface’s “My Block”). In some sense, they were the conscious-rap alternative to fellow Southerners Lil Jon and Ludacris, though even in this they never seemed as searingly honest or as forward-thinking as David Banner or Field Mob. Instead, they were the last gasp of this one brand of country rap, the kind with acoustic guitars and singing and fiery populist rhetoric. What looked like a renaissance, in 2002, was a lot closer to an ending.

7 p.m. Riverdale 10 Cinema. $5.

9 p.m. Revolution. $10.

Arkansas’s annual deep-winter outdoor festival LANTERNS!, a nighttime celebration of lights, entertainment, and themed food and beverages, is at Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts through Sunday, March 8, 6 p.m., $5-$10. Brad Williams, front man for beloved local country band The Salty Dogs, plays at The Undercroft, at Christ Episcopal Church, 7 p.m., $10. The Koresh Dance Co. is at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville, 8 p.m. Comedy troupe The Main Thing presents “Frost Bite Me!” at The Joint Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., $22. Rodney Block and The Real Music Lovers are at The Afterthought, 9 p.m., $10. Bluesboy Jag and The Juke Joint Zombies are at Vino’s, 9 p.m., $5. The Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase Finals are at Revolution, featuring Open Fields, Ghost Bones, Becoming Elephants, American Lions and Enchiridion, 9 p.m. $5.

SATURDAY 3/7 AnimeCon Arkansas is at the Little Rock Marriott beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, $10-$25. Country singer-songwriter (and East Arkansas native) Barrett Baber and Ashley McBryde play at Stickyz at 9 p.m., $10. Nashville indie rock group Whoa Dakota, fronted by Little Rock native Jessica Ott, is at The Afterthought, 9 p.m., $7.

SUNDAY 3/8 Authors Robert Cochran and Suzanne McCray discuss their new book on Arkansas film history, “Lights! Camera! Arkansas!”, at the Old State House Museum, 2 p.m.

MONDAY 3/9 U.S. Reps. Martin Frost (D-Texas) and Tom Davis (R-Va.) discuss “The Partisan Divide: Congress in Crisis” at the Clinton School’s Sturgis Hall, noon. Texas native Leon Bridges, the much-hyped and very talented stripped-down-soul songwriter billed as “the second coming of Sam Cooke,” returns to White Water Tavern (where he played a small, last-minute concert a few months back), 9:30 p.m., $7. www.arktimes.com

MARCH 5, 2015

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

COMEDY

“Frost Bite Me!” An original comedy by The Main Thing. The Joint, 8 p.m., $22. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com. Matt Sadler. The Loony Bin, 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., $10. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.com.

THURSDAY, MAR. 5

DANCE

MUSIC

“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. Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 Clinton Ave. 501-372-4782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com. Lucious Spiller Band. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9 p.m., $5. 107 River Market Ave. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz.com. Mayday by Midnight (headliner), Chris DeClerk (happy hour). Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 and 9 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf.com. Open Jam. Thirst n’ Howl, 8 p.m. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www.thirst-n-howl.com. Open jam with The Port Arthur Band. Parrot Beach Cafe, 9 p.m. 9611 MacArthur Drive, NLR. 771-2994. RockUsaurus. Senor Tequila, 7-9 p.m. 10300 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-224-5505. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 7:30 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-370-7013. www.capitalbarandgrill.com/. Vienna Boys Choir. Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts, 7 p.m., $35. 20919 Denny Road. The Whole Famn Damily. White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m., $5. 2500 W. 7th St. 501-375-8400. www. whitewatertavern.com.

COMEDY

Matt Sadler. The Loony Bin, 7:30 p.m., $7-$10. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road. 501-228-5555. www.loonybincomedy.com. Too Long Didn’t Read (TL;DR). The Joint, first Thursday of every month, 8 p.m., $7. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com.

EVENTS

Hillcrest Shop & Sip. Shops and restaurants offer discounts, later hours, and live music. Hillcrest, first Thursday of every month, 5 p.m. 501-6663600. www.hillcrestmerchants.com.

SPORTS

SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament. Verizon Arena, noon and 6 p.m., $100 for tournament book, $20.50 and $13 per session (discounts for military and children). 1 Alltel Arena Way, NLR. 501-975-9001. verizonarena.com.

FRIDAY, MAR. 6

MUSIC

All In Fridays. Club Elevations. 7200 Colonel Glenn Road. 501-562-3317. Almost Infamous (headliner), Richie Johnson (happy hour). Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 and 9 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajun26

MARCH 5, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

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. Koresh Dance Company. Walton Arts Center, 8 p.m. 495 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. 479443-5600. “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.

EVERYBODY WANTS A COWBOY: The Frontier Circus, the cosmic-cowboy post-punk collective led by Hendrix College professor Danny Grace, is readying a new release via Little Rock’s own Max Recordings: an eight-song collection called “Made In Japan” that comes in the typically offbeat form of a box-set of vinyl 45s. With twisted new takes on songs by George Jones, Skeeter Davis, Lou Reed and The Modern Lovers, the album is a limited-edition pressing and features contributions from members of The Boondogs and Bloodless Cooties. They’ll play an album release show at White Water Tavern with Marvin Berry at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, $7. swharf.com. Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase Finals. With Open Fields, Ghost Bones, Becoming Elephants, American Lions and Enchiridion. Revolution, 9 p.m., $5. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. www.rumbarevolution.com/new/. Bluesboy Jag and The Juke Joint Zombies. Vino’s, 9 p.m., $5. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com. Brad Williams. Christ Episcopal Church, 7 p.m., $10. 509 Scott St. 501-375-2342. Cedell Davis (record release). White Water Tavern, 9 p.m., $10. 2500 W. 7th St. 501-375-8400. www.whitewatertavern.com. 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. Dej Loaf. Clear Channel Metroplex, 10 p.m., $20.

10800 Col. Glenn Road. 501-217-5113. Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 Clinton Ave. 501-372-4782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com. The Revolutioners, The Muddlestuds, Galaxy Tour Guides. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 8 p.m., $7. 107 River Market Ave. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz.com. Rodney Block and The Real Music Lovers. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 9 p.m., $10. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbistroandbar.com/. Route 66. Agora Conference and Special Event Center, 6:30 p.m., $5. 705 E. Siebenmorgan, Conway. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 9 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-370-7013. www.capitalbarandgrill.com/.

EVENTS

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. LANTERNS! Festival. Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts, 6 p.m., $5-$10. 20919 Denny Road. 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. Robotics Regional Competition. Barton Coliseum, 8:30 a.m., free. 2600 Howard St. www. arkansasstatefair.com.

SPORTS

SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament. Verizon Arena, through Mar. 8, 12 and 6 p.m., $100 for tournament book, $20.50 and $13 per session (discounts for military and children). 1 Alltel Arena Way, NLR. 501-975-9001. verizonarena. com.

SATURDAY, MAR. 7

MUSIC

Barrett Baber, Ashley McBryde. Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 9 p.m., $10. 107 River Market Ave. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz.com. Club Nights at 1620 Savoy. See Mar. 6. The Frontier Circus (record release), Marvin Berry. White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m., $7. 2500 W. 7th St. 501-375-8400. www.whitewatertavern.com. Hazy Nation (headliner), Alex Summerlin (happy hour). Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 and 9 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf.com. Karaoke at Khalil’s. Khalil’s Pub, 7 p.m. 110 S. Shackleford Road. 501-224-0224. www.khalilspub.com. Karaoke. Casa Mexicana, 7 p.m. 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

  Come celebrate

restaurant side. Revolution, 9 p.m.-12:45 a.m., free. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. www.rumbarevolution.com/new/. Kingsdown, My Brother My Friend, Becoming Elephants. Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $8-$16. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www. juanitas.com. K.I.S.S. Saturdays. Featuring DJ Silky Slim. Dress code enforced. Sway, 10 p.m. 412 Louisiana. 501-492-9802. Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 Clinton Ave. 501-372-4782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com. Nappy Roots. Revolution, 9 p.m., $10. 300 President Clinton Ave. 501-823-0090. www. rumbarevolution.com/new/. Opera, Flushing Virtual. Vino’s, 9 p.m., $5. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.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. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 9 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-370-7013. www.capitalbarandgrill.com/. Whoa Dakota. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 9 p.m., $7. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www. afterthoughtbistroandbar.com/.

COMEDY

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

AnimeCon Arkansas. Little Rock Marriott, Mar. 7-8, 10 a.m., $10-$25. 3 Statehouse Plaza. 501906-4000. www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/litpblittle-rock-marriott. Falun Gong meditation. Allsopp Park, 9 a.m., free. Cantrell & Cedar Hill Roads. Hillcrest Farmers Market. Pulaski Heights Baptist Church, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. 2200 Kavanaugh Blvd. Historic Neighborhoods Tour. Bike tour of historic neighborhoods includes bike, guide, helmets and maps. Bobby’s Bike Hike, 9 a.m., $8-$28. 400 President Clinton Ave. 501-613-7001. LANTERNS! Festival. Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts, through Mar. 8, 6 p.m., $5-$10. 20919 Denny Road. 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. Robotics Regional Competition. Barton Coliseum, 8:30 a.m., free. 2600 Howard St. www. arkansasstatefair.com.

SPORTS

SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament. Verizon Arena, through Mar. 8, 4 p.m., $20.50 and $13 per session (discounts for military and children). 1 Alltel Arena Way, NLR. 501-975-9001. verizonarena.com.

SUNDAY, MAR. 8

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St. Patty’s Day with us! Green beer and drink specials start at 5pm.

MUSIC

Karaoke. Shorty Small’s, 6-9 p.m. 1475 Hogan Lane, Conway. 501-764-0604. www.shortysmalls.com. Karaoke with DJ Sara. Hardrider Bar & Grill, 7 p.m., free. 6613 John Harden Drive, Cabot. 501-982-1939 ‎. Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 Clinton Ave. 501-372-4782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com.

EVENTS

AnimeCon Arkansas. Little Rock Marriott, 10 a.m., $10-$25. 3 Statehouse Plaza. 501-9064000. www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/litpblittle-rock-marriott. LANTERNS! Festival. Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts, 6 p.m., $5-$10. 20919 Denny Road.

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LECTURES

“Lights! Camera! Arkansas!.” Authors Robert Cochran and Suzanne McCray discuss their new book on Arkansas film history. Old State House Museum, 2 p.m. 300 West Markham Street. 501-324-9685. www.oldstatehouse.com.

SPORTS

SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament. Verizon Arena, 2:30 p.m., $20.50 and $13 per session (discounts for military and children) 1 Alltel Arena Way, NLR. 501-975-9001. verizonarena.com.

MONDAY, MAR. 9

MUSIC

Leon Bridges. White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m., $7. 2500 W. 7th St. 501-375-8400. www.whitewatertavern.com. Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 Clinton Ave. 501-372-4782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com. The Maension, Dreakiller, Redefined Reflection, Attack the Mind. Vino’s, 9 p.m., $8. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.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.

LECTURES

“The Partisan Divide: Congress in Crisis.” Congressmen Martin Frost and Tom Davis. Sturgis Hall, noon, 1200 President Clinton Ave. 501-683-5200. clintonschool.uasys.edu.

CLASSES MONDAY, MAR. 9

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

TUESDAY, MAR. 10

MUSIC

Fox and Cats, wisc, Blue Side. Juanita’s, 8 p.m., $5. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228.

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MARCH 5, 2015

AFTER DARK, CONT. www.juanitas.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 River Market Ave. 501-372-7707. www.stickyz.com. Little Rock Wind Symphony, ‘Diabolical!’ Second Presbyterian Church, 7:30 p.m., $10. 600 Pleasant Valley Drive. Live music. No cover charge Sun.-Tue. and Thu. Ernie Biggs. 307 Clinton Ave. 501-372-4782. littlerock.erniebiggs.com. Music Jam. Hosted by Elliott Griffen and Joseph Fuller. The Joint, 8-11 p.m., free. 301 Main St. No. 102, NLR. 501-372-0205. thejointinlittlerock.com. Root Seller. White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m., donations. 2500 W. 7th St. 501-375-8400. www.whitewatertavern.com. Tuesday Jam Session with Carl Mouton. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbistroandbar.com/.

COMEDY

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

DANCE

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

EVENTS

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

FILM

“My Name is Nobody.” Vino’s, 7:30 p.m., free. 923 W. 7th St. 501-375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com. “Singin’ in the Rain.” Riverdale 10 Cinema, 7 p.m., $5. 2600 Cantrell Road. 501-296-9955.

WEDNESDAY, MAR. 11

MUSIC

Acoustic Open Mic. Afterthought Bistro & Bar, 8 p.m., free. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-663-1196. www.afterthoughtbistroandbar.com/. AMFMs, Charon Creek. Juanita’s, 9 p.m., $2. 614 President Clinton Ave. 501-372-1228. www. juanitas.com. Brian and Nick. Cajun’s Wharf, 5:30 p.m. 2400 Cantrell Road. 501-375-5351. www.cajunswharf. com. Charlie and Jake. Another Round Pub, 6:30 p.m. 12111 West Markham. 501-313-2612. www. anotherroundpub.com/. Drageoke with Chi Chi Valdez. Sway. 412 Louisiana. 501-907-2582. Fleetwood Mac. Verizon Arena, 8 p.m., $52.50$174. 1 Alltel Arena Way, NLR. 501-975-9001. 28

MARCH 5, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

verizonarena.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 Fields, Born Cages, Dreamers, The Kickback. Vino’s, 8 p.m. 923 W. 7th St. 501375-8466. www.vinosbrewpub.com. Open Mic Nite with Deuce. Thirst n’ Howl, 7:30 p.m., free. 14710 Cantrell Road. 501-379-8189. www.thirst-n-howl.com. Ted Ludwig Trio. Capital Bar and Grill, 7:30 p.m., free. 111 Markham St. 501-370-7013. www.capitalbarandgrill.com/.

COMEDY

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

DANCE

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

FILM

Fantastic Cinema Festival. The Studio Theatre, Mar. 11-14, $7-$40. 320 W. 7th St. fantasticcinema2015.bpt.me/.

POETRY

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

ARTS

THEATER

Dr. Seuss’ “The Cat in the Hat.” Arkansas Arts Center, through Mar. 29: Fri., 7 p.m.; Sat., Sun., 2 p.m., $12.50. 501 E. 9th St. 501-372-4000. www. arkarts.com. “Mary Poppins.” Arkansas Repertory Theatre, through April 4: Fri., Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.; Wed., Thu., Sun., 7 p.m.; Sat., 2 p.m., $35. 601 Main St. 501-378-0405. www.therep.org.

NEW GALLERY EXHIBITS, EVENTS

CANTRELL GALLERY, 8206 Cantrell Road: Figurative paintings by Sandra Graves (R.S. Perry), March 6-14, reception 6-8 p.m. March 6, 70 percent of sales go to Central Arkansas Rescue Effort for Animals (CARE). 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 224-1335. ESSE PURSE MUSEUM & STORE, 1510 S. Main St.: “Common Threads,” art, fabric crafts, button and notions collection by Donna Ward and Florine Thomason, mandalas by Pamela Nelson, steel wire replicas of sewing machines by Chelsye Mae Garrett, March 7-31; “What’s Inside: A History of Women and Handbags, 1900-1999,” vintage purses and other women’s accessories. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tue.-Sat., $8-$10. 916-9022. GALLERY 221, Pyramid Place, Second and Center streets: Abstract paintings by Christopher

Brandon Williams, also works by Tyler Arnold, Kathi Couch, Jennifer “Emile” Freeman, Greg Lahti, Sean LeCrone, Elizabeth Nevins, Mary Ann Stafford, Gino Hollander, Siri Hollander and metal and jewelry artists, reception 5-8 p.m. March 13, 2nd Friday Art Night. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. gallery221@gmail.com. L&L BECK ART GALLERY, 5705 Kavanaugh Blvd.: “Potpourri,”paintngs by Louis Beck, through March; giclee giveaway drawing 7 p.m. March 19. M2GALLERY, 11525 Cantrell Road (Pleasant Ridge Shopping Center): “M2 8YRS,” celebration of gallery’s 8th anniversary, 6-9 p.m. March 6, work by new gallery artist Sabine Danze, V.L. Cox, Dan Holland and others. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. 944-7155. OPEN STUDIO TOUR: Friends of Contemporary Craft tour of studios of Delita Martin, Shep Miers, David and Paula Smith and Donnell Williams, 1-4 p.m. March 7, followed by reception at the Arkansas Arts Center Museum School Studio 1 and courtyard, 4:30-6:30 p.m., free, donations accepted. 396-0324. SOUTH ON MAIN, 1304 Main St.: Unveiling of “River Bridge” painting by V.L. Cox based on historic picture of 1909 iron truss bridge that spanned the Ouachita, 5-8 p.m. March 5 (rescheduled from March 3). UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK: “Scholarship Exhibition,” through March 19; “Making Public Art,” lecture by Aaron P. Hussey, 6 p.m. March 5, Fine Arts Building 157. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat., 2-5 p.m. Sun. 569-3182. BENTONVILLE CRYSTAL BRIDGES MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART, One Museum Way: “Van Gogh to Rothko,” masterworks from the Albright-Knox Gallery, through June 1; “Native American Perspectives,” talk by curator Mindy Besaw about artists George Catlin, John Mix Stanley, Edmonia Lewis and Edward Curtis, 1 p.m. March 9, free; American masterworks spanning four centuries. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon., Thu.; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Wed., Fri.; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat.-Sun., closed Tue. 479-418-5700. CONWAY UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS: “Annual Student Art Competitive,” through March 19, Baum Gallery, opening reception 4-6 p.m. March 5. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thu. uca.edu/art/baum. FORT SMITH REGIONAL ART MUSEUM, 1601 Rogers Ave.: “The Orlanda Series,” printmaking by Anne Reichardt, opening reception 5-7 p.m. March 5 with music by Gary Hutchinson, $5 for nonmembers, show through May 24; “Apron Strings: Ties to the Past,” vintage and contemporary aprons, through March 22. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. 479-784-2787. HOT SPRINGS ALISON PARSONS GALLERY, 802 Central Ave.: Paintings of thoroughbreds by Alison Parsons, sculpture by Lori Arnold, open 5-9 p.m. March 6 for Gallery Walk. 501-625-3001. FINE ARTS CENTER, 626 Central Ave.: Arkansas Sculptors Guild, through March. Open 5-9 p.m. March 6, Gallery Walk. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat. 501-624-0489. GALLERY CENTRAL, 800 Central Ave.: New work by Bill and Gloria Garrison. Open 5-9 p.m. March 6, Gallery Walk. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 501-318-4278. JUSTUS FINE ART, 827 Central Ave.: Robyn

Horn, wood sculptures and mixed media paintings, open until 9 p.m. March 6, Gallery Walk, with talk by the artist at 6:30 p.m., show through March. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sat. 501-321-2335.

CALL FOR ARTISTS

The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center is taking requests for proposals for artwork that interprets the theme “Ancestral Landscapes: From Africa to Arkansas” for its “Creativity Arkansas” collection. Work may be 2D or 3D and in any medium. The application form requires an artist statement/ biography and three images. Deadline to apply is 4 p.m. March 9. A committee will review the applications March 16. For more information, go to www.mosaictemplarscenter.com. The Batesville Area Arts Council is accepting submissions through March 13 for its third annual “National Juried Exhibition,” a show of 2D media. The show will run April 28 through June 13 at the BAAC Gallery on Main Street. For more information, go to batesvilleareaartscouncil.org.

CONTINUING GALLERY EXHIBITS

ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER, MacArthur Park: “Mid-Southern Watercolorists 45th Annual Juried Exhibition,” through April 12, Strauss Gallery; “How to Kill,” war images in watercolor by Robert Andrew Parker, Rockefeller Gallery, through March 8; “Humble Hum: Rhythm of the Potter’s Wheel,” recent work by resident artist Ashley Morrison, Museum School Gallery, through June 21. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. 372-4000. ARKANSAS CAPITAL CORP. GROUP, 200 River Market Ave., Suite 400:“Life by Design,” paintings by Elizabeth Weber, Dan Thornhill and Ashley Saer. 374-9247. BUTLER CENTER GALLERIES, Arkansas Studies Institute, 401 President Clinton Ave.: “Captured Images,” photographs from the permanent collection; “Reflections on Line and Mass,” paintings and sculpture by Robyn Horn, through April 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. COX CREATIVE CENTER, 120 River Market Ave.: Arkansas Society of Printmakers exhibition. 918-3090. CHROMA GALLERY, 5707 Kavanaugh Blvd.: Work by Robert Reep and other Arkansas artists. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat. 664-0880. THE EDGE, 301B President Clinton Ave.: Paintings by Avila (Fernando Gomez), Eric Freeman, James Hayes, Jerry Colburn, St. Joseph Thomason and Stephen Drive. 992-1099. 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: “Poison Into Medicine,” work by Melissa “Mo” Lashbrook and Kelley Naylor Wise. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat. 663-222. GINO HOLLANDER GALLERY, 2nd and Center: Paintings and works on paper by Gino Hollander. 801-0211. GREG THOMPSON FINE ART, 429 Main St., NLR: “20th Anniversary Show,” work by William Dunlap, Rebecca Thompson, Pinkney Herbert, John Harlan Norris, Glennray Tutor, Sheila Cotton and others, through March 14. 664-2787.

MOVIE REVIEW

IN ‘FOCUS’: Will Smith and Margot Robbie star as thieves.

The hustle ‘Focus’ is a rom-com hidden in a crime film.

GROW grow LOCAL ARKANSAS TIMES

BY SAM EIFLING

nly lately could Will Smith play the sort of world-weary con artist at the center of “Focus” without seeming like he was trying on a jacket three sizes too wide. The Fresh Prince is now in his mid-40s, older than George Clooney in the first “Ocean’s 11,” and clearly aiming for a similar character here: game-tired, lucky to have made it this far in one piece, still able to turn up the charm, still able to notice a good woman when she descends a flight of stairs in a fabulous dress. For Smith in “Focus,” the dame is an eager hustlerin-training, Jess (Margot Robbie), who tries to rustle him only to come pleading for tips when she realizes he’s the Yoda of petty thievery. Wouldn’t you know it, they develop a thing. Clooney would have been fine in this role a few years ago, in fact, but it suits the Smith of 2015. His Nicky doesn’t have the same chuckling pluck that you’ve come to know Smith for, though he’s still wry enough. Early on he discerns that his meeting with Jess is a setup — a basic honey trap, wherein they meet and head to her hotel room to snuggle, before her partner bursts in with a gun, playing the jealous lover, to scare a wallet up. Anyway, Nicky, back on the bed, facing down a chump with a pistol, cajoles the guy to pull the trigger, which of course was never going to happen, and then critiques the ham-handed ruse. He could’ve pulled off the same scene 10 years ago, but it would’ve contained 100 percent more smirk. Something happened to Smith since then. Maybe it was making only one noteworthy movie (and that’s being generous to “Men in Black 3”) during the past seven years or so? The hustle takes its toll.

In “Focus” the lady turns out to be a quick enough study, and even though writers/directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa don’t give her much to work with — it’s hard to flesh out a character with a threadbare past, nothing monumental to say in the present, and no definable future plans — Robbie is enough of a charmer herself to make the part pop. (You may know her previously as the bombshell wife on “The Wolf of Wall Street” who had Leonard DiCaprio all-foursing across the floor.) She turns out to be a natural at the streethustles and pickpocket misdirection that, in quantity, can make small scores accumulate into big ones. The week of the Super Bowl the pair descend on New Orleans with Nicky’s crew and make a lucrative team. There an encounter with a high-rolling compulsive gambler (BD Wong) builds into the movie’s most memorable scene, albeit one that revels in such contrivance that you can’t take the rest of “Focus” seriously. Maybe you don’t have to, to enjoy it. After a falling-out with his protege, Nicky’s next big score takes him to Formula One racing in Argentina, all cacophony and color. Will romance get in the way of work? (Would a romance even qualify as such if it didn’t?) The secret of a good heist movie, or even a passable one such as “Focus,” is to throw some impediment of the heart or conscience in front of a mercenary’s path, for what’s the fun of seeing anyone but the crook himself (or herself) unwittingly make the collar? Following that formula while adding enough cuteness for a proper date movie, “Focus” might best be seen as a stealth rom-com. Come for the grifting and the gunplay, stay for the boy-meetsBonnie. www.arktimes.com

MARCH 5, 2015

MARCH 13 IN CELEBRATION OF THE 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF 2ND FRIDAY ART NIGHT

Gourmet. Your Way. All Day.

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

ART IN EXTRAORDINARY PLACES

THE 2ND FRIDAY OF EACH MONTH 5-8 PM

Opening reception for Recent Acquisitions Live Music by The John Burnette Band Year of Arkansas Beer continues with Ozark Beer Co.

During the March 2nd Friday Art Night event

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

INSIDE THE VALLEY

ARTISTS OF THE ARKANSAS RIVER VALLEY

A museum of the Department of Arkansas Heritage

200 E. Third St. 501-324-9351 HistoricArkansas.org

Local artists will set up on the sidewalks of President Clinton Avenue in the River Market showcasing their work and talent.

AN EXHIBITION OF ARTWORKS BY NEAL HARRINGTON, TAMMY HARRINGTON, AND DAVID MUDRINICH. NEAL HARRINGTON IS REPRESENTED BY CANTRELL GALLERY.

200 RIVER MARKET AVE., STE 400 501.374.9247 WWW.ARCAPITAL.COM ROBERT BEAN, CURATOR

Arkansas Chamber Singers

GRAND OPENING

Don’t miss it – lots of fun!

Friday, March 13 and Saturday, March 14 at 7 PM Sunday, March 15 at 3 PM

Free parking at 3rd & Cumberland Free street parking all over downtown and behind the River Market (Paid parking available for modest fee.)

The Old State House Museum is a museum of the Department of Arkansas Heritage. 30

MARCH 5, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

GALLERY 221 & ART STUDIOS 221

These venues will be open late. There’s plenty of parking and a FREE TROLLEY to each of the locations.

JOIN US TO

ARTISTIC

CELEBRATE! ABSTRACTIONS

2015

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

GINO HOLLANDER, TOP EMILE, BOTTOM

“HOT SEAT” BY CATHERINE RODGERS

5-8PM MARCH 4-28 FEATURED ARTIST  Fine Art CHRISTOPHER  Cocktails & Wine BRANDON WILLIAMS  Hor d’oeuvres Join Us 5-8pm Pyramid Place nd Place St 2Pyramid & Center 2nd & Center St (501) 801-0211 (501) 801-0211

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

(

2nd FRIDAY ART NIGHT Tenth Anniversary

FREE TROLLEY RIDES!

Celebration Food Drive benefiting Arkansas Foodbank

Join the friends and the people that make 2nd Friday Art Night possible – on March 13th from 5 – 8 pm.

See old and new friends and help a great cause – a Food Drive benefiting The Arkansas Foodbank. See the ad on page 35 for more information

FOODBANK NEEDS: Canned goods

(chicken, tuna, veggies, beans, fruit) Canned/packaged meals

Soup Peanut Butter Cereal 100% Juice Powered Milk Diapers Bath Tissue

(Non perishable only, no glass or jars or homemade foods)

EVAN LEWIS, COURTESY TEXARKANA GAZETTE

HOWARD TRIAL DELAYED

STYMIED: Prosecuting Attorney Bryan Chesshir (right) hasn’t provided evidence sought by Howard’s defense team.

higher than his to decide. Before the hearing began, sheriff’s deputies served me with a subpoena, ordering that I appear at the trial and bring “all notes and recordings, both audio and visual” — presumably of my interviews with Howard. I told Chesshir I would not comply. He has listed me as a prosecution witness, despite my acknowledged friendship with Howard stemming from years of reporting on his case. When asked whether that would bar me from the courtroom, making it impossible for me to report on the trial, Chesshir said that “at this time” he thought he would allow me to attend. The conduct of prosecutors in this case has been at issue for years. A finding of prosecutor misconduct led Yeargan to vacate Howard’s original conviction and death sentence, handed down in 1999. And complaints about misconduct by Chesshir since Howard was granted a new trial have dominated recent hearings. Yeargan has heard it all. He officiated at Howard’s first trial in 1999. Fourteen years later, in 2013, it was he who vacated Howard’s conviction and death sentence. Yeargan took that unusual step after finding that Tom Cooper, the prosecutor at the original trial, had not provided Howard’s public defenders with notes about DNA the state presented as evidence. At Howard’s original trial, Cooper told jurors that DNA found on a pair of boots was of “monumental” importance in linking Howard to the murders. Years later, however, attorneys appealing Howard’s death sentence learned that the technician who tested the DNA had made notes about contamination that had occurred while the tests were being conducted. Those notes were never provided to Howard’s defense counsel. Even when their existence became known, the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office resisted

releasing them for years. A court finally ordered state officials to surrender the notes. Once they were obtained, Howard’s attorneys took his claim of prosecutor misconduct to the state Supreme Court. That court eventually sent the case back to Yeargan for review. Yeargan concluded that Cooper’s failure to provide the lab notes to Howard’s attorneys had been “inadvertent.” Nevertheless, he ruled that, as the violation did constitute misconduct, Howard’s conviction would be vacated and a new trial granted. At that point, Howard officially became an innocent man, a man never convicted of a crime. Chesshir could have declined to charge Howard again — a decision that might not seem outrageous in light of the fact that when Howard filed the direct appeal of his sentence, three of the state’s seven Supreme Court justices wrote that they found the evidence presented by Cooper insufficient to sustain a conviction. But Chesshir chose to charge Howard with the murders again. He now has the burden of proving Howard’s guilt. Among the items of evidence that Howard’s attorneys said have not been provided and that Chesshir said cannot be found are: a tape recording of a witness made at Millwood Lake by Sheriff Danny Russell and Arkansas State Police Investigator Hays McWhirter; Russell’s interview notes of another witness who said the sheriff questioned him; a report by a state Game and Fish officer who assisted at the scene where Brian Day’s body was found in a U-Haul truck and later at the Days’ home, where Shannon Day’s body was found in a closet; the coroner’s report for Shannon Day; X-rays that were taken of Brian Day’s body; and photos that were taken of the Brian Day crime scene by Jim Williamson, a reporter for the Texarkana Gazette who at the time was also an auxiliary police officer. (See sidebar, pg 12.) www.arktimes.com

MARCH 5, 2015

Dining WHAT’S COOKIN’ KAMIYAH MERRICK, WHO WITH business partner Leila King has been working since the first of December to get her cafe @ the corner open at the corner of Scott and Markham streets, says she can’t wait to offer “something new to downtown.” Now, if the health inspector comes this week, you won’t have to wait long, Merrick said, when @ the corner opens in the space formerly occupied by the Hop Diner. It will be a soft opening for the first week, with just two items a day to try out before the full menu is served a week from Monday. One of those dishes Merrick, a native of Canada, is bringing to downtown is poutine, french fries and cheese curds covered in brown gravy. @ the corner will be open for breakfast and lunch, and besides poutine the menu will include hamburgers, sandwiches (the cafe’s Facebook page features a picture of a ham sandwich with blue cheese, strawberries and a Girl Scout Cookie-encrusted bread), Butcher & Public-supplied bologna and hot dogs, homemade soup and specialty salads. The cafe will open at 7 a.m. for breakfast, and you can eat in or order a breakfast sandwich to go. You can also order a lunch sandwich and soup to go while you’re at breakfast. Jordan Williams, a former chef at the Pine Bluff Country Club, will be @ the corner’s chef. Merrick and King have overhauled the look of the Hop, decorating in a black, red and gray color theme, with retro booths overhung with paper ribbon shades, retro chairs, a curving counter and a gleaming white subway tile wall. @ the corner will seat 70, and prices will average $6 to $7 for breakfast and $10 to $12 for lunch (drink and side included). Way down the road, Merrick hopes to get a beer and wine license. Hours will be 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays and brunch 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

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 32

MARCH 5, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

MAH-VELOUS: The mahi mahi is excellent with seasoned rice and remoulade sauce.

Piri Piri good African pepper sauce, roast chicken and grilled fish make Boneheads a destination.

s many times as we read “fast casual” as a description for Boneheads Grilled Fish and Piri Piri Chicken, the restaurant which recently opened at the Promenade on Chenal, we just couldn’t get our mind around “fast casual.” Maybe it was because Boneheads, an Atlanta-based outfit, sounded like the hifalutin chain Bonefish Grill. Maybe it was because it was another new restaurant among many good ones in the fancy Promenade. Having never experienced a Boneheads anywhere else, it proved to be nothing like we expected. Four of us took in the new Boneheads, which occupies an outbuilding abutting Chenal at the main turn into the Promenade shopping center. It was busy as it should be for a Friday night, but we had no wait to order. We recognized friends who were coming and going with pickup orders. We saw a bright, smallish dining area — not something fancy that screamed $20 or more a plate. We saw two tops and four tops amid the sky-blue walls and fish market art. Diners who had ordered placed navy cards with white numbers into the rings of a holder on their table

that also contained condiments. We noted the menu on the wall as we breezed right up the entryway to the counter, where a friendly fellow (the owner of the franchise, we presume) was ready to help. And then we realized that Boneheads was yet another one of these new chain restaurants that specialize in what is typically better than the usual fast food. You pay a little more, but you get a lot more, and it tastes really good. Think Chipotle. Or perhaps Pei Wei. Also some locally owned spots have opened up recently, for that matter, with the menu-on-the-wall, order-from-thecounter-and-sit-down approach. This is less-than-fancy dining for the 21st century. Another friendly employee brings out the food, sometimes all at once if you’re lucky. And there you go. In this case, Boneheads has latched onto two items as its signatures — obviously grilled fish and Piri Piri (pronounced peeree pee-ree) chicken — and has included plenty of other choices, most of them healthier and tastier than a diner might find at many other “fast casual” places. Before you think Boneheads is a bone-

Boneheads Grilled Fish and Piri Piri Chicken 17711 Chenal Parkway (Promenade on Chenal) 501-821-1300 eatboneheads.com

Quick bite Don’t fear something you’ve never heard of, in this case the Piri Piri sauces that spice up many of the dishes. The story is that it’s a sauce created when the Portuguese cooks discovered the African Birdseye pepper in Mozambique. There are four options of heat. Expect everything on the menu to have a little kick unless you request it served tame. Hours 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Other information All credit cards. Beer and wine permit pending.

headed name, understand that supposedly (perhaps apocryphally) one Georgia fellow, with an idea for selling grilled fish in a casual setting, and a South African chef, who wanted to market a new pepper sauce with African Birdseye peppers providing the potent kick, happened to collide in their cars on an Atlanta street. When they got finished thinking how boneheaded they both had been, they realized they had visions that meshed. We know, it seems too good to be true. But nevertheless, welcome to the flavor of Piri Piri pepper sauce. Boneheads was born as a restaurant in 2006 and grew into

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

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

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

DINING CAPSULES, CONT. a small group of eateries in the Southeast. But now a three-man management group that includes one franchisee and a couple of successful operators with other recognizable food companies have set their sights on opening 15 or so new stores through the end of this year, and they plan on 150 franchises being sold over the next five years, according to the company. Maybe Piri-Piri sauce will indeed take the country by a storm. We liked it in at least two of its varieties: mild and hot. There’s a lemon-and-herb version, extremely tame and vinegary, and an extra hot that we’ll perhaps try someday. Hot is plenty hot for the average palate. So, how do you enjoy Piri Piri sauce? You have Boneheads serve up a halfroasted chicken ($10.99) that has been cooked in the stuff. We went with the hot, recommended by the man at the counter, who also assured us that a half chicken would not be too much to handle. For an oven-roasted chicken, it more than lived up to expectations. We suppose you don’t put it on your sign as your specialty if it won’t. The chicken was moist and not too spicy (we also sampled the various bottles of Piri Piri sauce at the table with each bite, and that brought the heat). All we had left at the end were bones, several soiled napkins and grins from our dining partners who enjoyed watching us take down a bird. For an appetizer, we chose the calamari ($6.99), which was surprisingly fresh-tasting considering this was fast-casual and far inland, and it was enhanced both with a thick, nicely seasoned batter and a Thai chili sauce. The rings sat on a bed of cilantro slaw (thankfully a more Asian style of slaw instead of a creamy mayo mixture). The calamari and its extras got four nods of approval. Then, besides the half chicken, we tackled three other entrees, including a couple of grilled fish versions ($12.99). We were happy to see a large portion of salmon, impressive considering the cost (this would have run $20 or more at a finedining restaurant) and perfectly cooked and seasoned. The restaurant, having only been open a short time, didn’t have all its fish available on this night (we were a day early, we were told), but it did have a nice serving of mahi-mahi that, like the salmon, was plenty of fish for one diner, moist and flaky and expertly seasoned.

The sides were a blend of hit and miss: The seasoned rice, which must have been prepared in rich chicken broth and herbs, was sensational. The sweet potatoes — cut into large slices — were outstanding, as were the large sweet potato fries. However, the grilled asparagus left us wanting (just three spears), and there just wasn’t much to the grilled zucchini, especially considering how well the entrees came across. The only entree disappointment was an order of shrimp skewers (two for $10.99). The shrimp were too small for skewers, not to mention skewered too long on the grill, leaving them a little tough. We capped the night off with a chocolate chip cookie (the Otis Spunkmeyer version) and a humongous chunk of strawberry layer cake ($3.99) that cooled the palate after all that Piri Piri. Beer and wine weren’t available yet, but Boneheads has one of those newfangled Coca-Cola dispensers that offers about every Coke product available, along with tea. As Little Rock midtowners, we probably wouldn’t make the West Little Rock eatery a regular destination, but the newcomer is an attractive option for folks shopping around Chenal or living in the neighborhood and wanting a nice, healthy “fast” change of pace. There are Angus beef burger options if you must, as well as fish (even catfish) or shrimp tacos, fried shrimp, and plenty more offerings to keep it interesting.

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 train-themed 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. $-$$. 501-221-9400. LD Mon.-Sat. ASHER DAIRY BAR An old-line dairy bar that serves up made-to-order burgers, footlong “Royal” hot dogs and old-fashioned shakes and malts. 7105 Colonel Glenn Road. No alcohol, No CC, CC. $-$$. 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

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“Is your cellar deficient on older Napa Cab? Well so was mine, so we called Rob Davis (winemaker) and got a special allocation of the 2004 Jordan direct from the winery. This one’s for you. Enjoy.” – O’Looney

Rahling Road @ Chenal Parkway 501.821.4669 • olooneys@aristotle.net • www.olooneys.com

varied menu that should satisfy every taste. Some excellent drink deals abound, too. 11525 Cantrell Road, Suite 924. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-228-0444. LD daily, BR Sat.-Sun. BIG WHISKEY’S AMERICAN BAR AND GRILL A modern grill pub in the River Market District with all the bells and whistles - 30 flatscreen TVs, whiskey on tap, plus boneless wings, burgers, steaks, soups and salads. 225 E Markham St. Full bar, All CC. $$. 501-3242449. LD daily. BOBBY’S COUNTRY COOKIN’ One of the better plate lunch spots in the area, with some of the best fried chicken and pot roast around, a changing daily casserole and wonderful homemade pies. 301 N. Shackleford Road, Suite E1. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 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. $$. 501-812-0019. BD daily. BOOKENDS CAFE A great spot to enjoy lunch with friends or a casual cup of coffee and a favorite book. Serving coffee and pastries early and sandwiches, soups and salads available after 11 a.m. Cox Creative Center. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501918-3091. 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. $-$$. 501-372-8735. L Mon.-Fri. BUFFALO GRILL A great crispy-off-thegriddle cheeseburger and hand-cut fries star at this family-friendly stop. 1611 Rebsamen Park Road. Full bar, CC. $$. 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. $$. 501-223-3000. BLD Mon.-Fri., BD Sat., BR Sun. CATFISH CITY AND BBQ GRILL Basic fried fish and sides, including green tomato pickles, and now with tasty ribs and sandwiches in beef, pork and sausage. 1817 S. University Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 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. www.arktimes.com

MARCH 5, 2015

DINING CAPSULES, CONT.

hearsay ➥ It hardly seems possible, but downtown’s Second Friday Art Night will celebrate its 10th anniversary from 5-8 p.m. March 13. Partake in a party atmosphere while viewing artists’ works on display at locations including the Old State House, Cox Creative Center, the Butler Center galleries, Arkansas Capital Corporation, the Historic Arkansas Museum, Gallery 221, the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, Studio Main, Hearne Fine Art, the River Market, Copper Grill and Dizzy’s Gypsy Bistro. There will also be a food drive to benefit Arkansas Food Bank during the event. You can drop off items from the following list at any of the participating locations, including the free trolley. Needed items are canned goods, canned/packaged meals, soup, peanut butter, cereal, 100 percent juice, powdered milk, diapers and bath tissue. Nonperishable items only. ➥ As part of Second Friday Art Night, Gallery 221 will host a reception to honor artist Chris Williams, whose exhibition, “Christopher Brandon Williams” opened March 4. This will mark Williams’ debut show with the gallery. A second exhibition, “Artistic Abstraction”, featuring works from select private collections, also opened March 4. ➥ In other art news, L&L Beck Gallery’s March exhibition will be “Potpourri”, and the giclee giveaway of the month will be a piece titled, “Bodemeister by 9 ½”. The exhibit will run through the end of March, and the giveaway is scheduled for 7 p.m. March 19. ➥ Vesta’s recently announced that it has expanded its store hours and will now be open noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. ➥ Thinking about taking up a new activity when spring finally gets here? Interested in finding out more about backpacking? Then check out Ozark Outdoor’s backpacking workshops, scheduled for March 14-15 at Pinnacle Mountain. Packing for Hiking 101 will be from 1-3 p.m. March 14 and the Ouachita Trail Hiking Workshop will be from 1-3 p.m. March 15. Advance registration is required. Call 501-868-5806 for more information or to sign up. Advertising Supplement 34

MARCH 5, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

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-toorder omelets. Lunch buffet with four choices of meats and eight veggies. 824 W. Capitol Ave. No alcohol. $. 501-372-8816. BL Mon.-Fri. DAVID’S BURGERS Serious hamburgers, steak salads, homemade custard. 101 S. Bowman Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-227-8333. LD Mon.-Sat. 1100 Highway 65 N. Conway. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. (501) 327-3333 4000 McCain Blvd. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-353-0387. LD Mon.-Sat. E’S BISTRO Despite the name, think tearoom rather than bistro — there’s no wine, for one thing, and there is tea. But there’s nothing tearoomy about the portions here. Try the heaping grilled salmon BLT on a buttery croissant. 3812 JFK Boulevard. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-771-6900. L Tue.-Sat., D Thu.-Sat. FLIGHT DECK A not-your-typical daily lunch special highlights this spot, which also features inventive sandwiches, salads and a popular burger. Central Flying Service at Adams Field. Beer and wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-975-9315. BL Mon.-Sat. FORTY TWO Solid choice for weekday lunch, featuring entrees and sandwiches from around the world. 1200 President Clinton Ave. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-537-0042. L Mon.-Sat. HILLCREST ARTISAN MEATS A fancy charcuterie and butcher shop with excellent daily soup and sandwich specials. Limited seating is available. 2807 Kavanaugh Blvd. Suite B. No alcohol, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-671-6328. L Mon.-Sat. JASON’S DELI A huge selection of sandwiches (wraps, subs, po’ boys and pitas), salads and spuds, as well as red beans and rice and chicken pot pie. Plus a large selection of heart healthy and light dishes. 301 N. Shackleford Road. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-954-8700. LD daily. JIMMY JOHN’S GOURMET SANDWICHES Illinois-based sandwich chain that doesn’t skimp on what’s between the buns. 4120 E. McCain Blvd. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-945-9500. LD daily. 700 South Broadway St. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-372-1600. LD daily. KITCHEN EXPRESS Delicious “meat and three” restaurant offering big servings of homemade soul food. Maybe Little Rock’s best fried chicken. 4600 Asher Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-666-3500. BLD Mon.-Sat., LD Sun. LASSIS INN One of the state’s oldest restaurants still in the same location and one of the best for catfish and buffalo fish. 518 E 27th St. Beer and wine, All CC. $$. 501-372-8714. LD Tue.-Sat. LINDA’S CORNER Southern and soul food. 2601 Barber St. 501-372-1511. MADDIE’S PLACE Owner/chef Brian Deloney has built quite a thriving business with a pretty simple formula: making almost everything from scratch and matching hefty portions of Cajun and Creole with reasonable prices in a fun, upbeat atmosphere. Maddie’s offers a stellar selection of draft beers and a larger, better wine list than you might expect. 1615 Rebsamen Park Road. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 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. $-$$. 501-225-4500. BL Mon.-Sat. MARKETPLACE GRILLE Big servings of steak, seafood, chicken, pasta, pizza and other rich comfort-style foods. 11600 Pleasant Ridge Road. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-221-3939. LD daily. MASON’S DELI AND GRILL Heaven for those who believe everything is better with sauerkraut on top. The Bavarian Reuben, a traditional Reuben made with Boar’s Head corned beef, spicy mustard, sauerkraut, Muenster cheese and marble rye, is among the best we’ve had in town. 400 President Clinton Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-376-3354. LD Mon.-Sat. MIDTOWN BILLIARDS You’ll find perhaps the city’s finest burgers in this all-night dive. But be prepared to smell like stale cigarette smoke and grease once you’re finished. 1316 Main St. Full bar, CC. $-$$. 501-372-9990. D daily. MIMI’S CAFE Breakfast is our meal of choice here at this upscale West Coast chain. Portions are plenty to last you through the afternoon, especially if you get a muffin on the side. Middle-America comfort-style entrees make up other meals, from pot roast to pasta dishes. 11725 Chenal Parkway. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-221-3883. BLD daily, BR Sun. MORNINGSIDE BAGELS Tasty New Yorkstyle boiled bagels, made daily. 10848 Maumelle Blvd. NLR. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 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 “allnatural,” “non-fat,” “gluten-free” and “probiotic.” 5621 Kavanaugh Blvd. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-663-2500. BLD daily. SADDLE CREEK WOODFIRED GRILL Upscale chain dining in Lakewood, with a menu full of appetizers, burgers, chicken, fish and other fare. It’s the smoke-kissed steaks, however, that make it a winner — even in Little Rock’s beef-heavy restaurant market. 2703 Lakewood Village. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-812-0883. SAM’S SOUTHERN EATERY Shreveport, La., chain features large menu of salads, shrimp, fried fish, po’boys, burgers, cheesesteak sandwiches and more. Also in Pine Bluff: 1704 E. Harding Ave., 879-774-1974. 6205 Baseline Road. 501-562-2255. SIMPLY NAJIYYAH’S FISHBOAT & MORE Good catfish and corn fritters. 1717 Wright Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-562-3474. BLD Mon.-Sat. SLICK’S SANDWICH SHOP & DELI Meatand-two plate lunches in state office building. 101 E. Capitol Ave. No alcohol. 501-375-3420. BL Mon.-Fri. SPECTATORS GRILL AND PUB Burgers, soups, salads and other beer food, plus live music on weekends. 1012 W. 34th St. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-791-0990. LD Mon.-Sat. SPORTS PAGE One of the largest, juiciest, most flavorful burgers in town. Grilled turkey and hot cheese on sourdough gets praise, too. Don’t want a burger or sandwich? They have good daily lunch specials. 414 Louisiana

St. Beer and wine, All CC. $-$$. 501-372-9316. L Mon.-Fri., D Fri. SUFFICIENT GROUNDS Great coffee, good bagels and pastries, and a limited lunch menu. 124 W. Capitol. No alcohol, CC. $. 501-3721009. BL Mon.-Fri. 425 W. Capitol. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-372-4594. BL Mon.-Fri. SUGIE’S Catfish and all the trimmings. 4729 Baseline Road. No alcohol, All CC. $. 501-5700414. LD daily. T.G.I. FRIDAY’S This national chain was on the verge of stale before a redo not long ago, and the update has done wonders for the food as well as the surroundings. The lunch combos are a great deal, and the steaks aren’t bad. It’s designed for the whole family, and succeeds. Appetizers and desserts are always good. 2820 Lakewood Village Drive,. NLR. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-758-2277. LD daily. THE TAVERN SPORTS GRILL Burgers, barbecue and more. 17815 Chenal Parkway. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-830-2100. LD daily. TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE Smoothies, sandwiches and salads in an art deco former YMCA. 524 Broadway. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 246-3145. BLD Mon.-Fri. (closes at 6 p.m.) 10221 N. Rodney Parham Road. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-224-2233. BLD daily 12911 Cantrell Road. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-376-2233. BLD daily. TWIN PEAKS ‘Hearty man food,” such as “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. $$-$$$. 501-3748081. 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. $$-$$$. 501-8218000. 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

DUMAS, CONT. always good and the ambiance and service never fail to please. The Bento box with tempura shrimp and California rolls and other delights stand out. 11121 N. Rodney Parham Road. Beer and wine, All CC. $$. 501-217-8888. LD Mon.-Sat. KIYEN’S SEAFOOD STEAK AND SUSHI Sushi, steak and other Japanese fare. 17200 Chenal Parkway. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-821-7272. LD daily. KOBE JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI Though answering the need for more hibachis in Little Rock, Kobe stands taller in its sushi offerings than at the grill. 11401 Financial Centre Parkway. Full bar, All CC. $$-$$$. 501-225-5999. L Mon.-Sat. D daily. NEW FUN REE Reliable staples, plenty of hot and spicy options and dependable delivery. 418 W. 7th St. No alcohol, All CC. $. 501-6646657. LD Mon.-Sat. PANDA GARDEN Large buffet including Chinese favorites, a full on-demand sushi bar, a cold seafood bar, pie case, salad bar and dessert bar. 2604 S. Shackleford Road. Beer and wine, All CC. $-$$. 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. $-$$. 501-954-0888. L Mon.-Fri. VAN LANG CUISINE Terrific Vietnamese cuisine, particularly the way the pork dishes and the assortment of rolls are presented. Great prices, too. Massive menu, but it’s user-friendly for locals with full English descriptions and numbers for easy ordering. 3600 S. University Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-570-7700. LD daily.

BARBECUE

CAPITOL SMOKEHOUSE AND GRILL Beef, pork and chicken, all smoked to melting tenderness and doused with a choice of sauces. The crusty but tender backribs star. Side dishes are top quality. A plate lunch special is now available. 915 W. Capitol Ave. No alcohol, All CC. $-$$. 501-372-4227. L Mon.-Fri. CROSS EYED PIG BBQ COMPANY Traditional barbecue favorites smoked well such as pork ribs, beef brisket and smoked chicken. Miss Mary’s famous potato salad is full of bacon and other goodness. Smoked items such as ham and turkeys available seasonally. 1701 Rebsamen Park Road. Full bar, All CC. $-$$. 501-265-0000. L Mon.-Sat., D Tue.-Fri. FA M O U S DAV E ’ S B B Q 2 2 5 No r t h Shackleford Road. No alcohol. 501-221-3283. LD daily. FATBOY’S KILLER BAR-B-Q This Landmark neighborhood strip center restaurant in the far southern reaches of Pulaski County features tender ribs and pork by a contest pitmaster. Skip the regular sauce and risk the hot variety, it’s far better. 14611 Arch Street. No alcohol, All CC. $$. 501-888-4998. L Mon.-Wed. and Fri.; L Thu.

Congress who wrote and voted for the law, the industries and professions that it affected, the administration that supported it, and the press that reported on it always explained that the tax credits could be taken by people in every state. All five members of the conservative bloc have held over and over that statutory language must be understood in context and that a single phrase that conflicts with the overall aim of a law cannot be used to undermine its goals, which in Obamacare’s case was to make health insurance available and affordable

to everyone. Only six weeks ago, Scalia uttered that principle from the bench in arguments over interpreting the Fair Housing Act. “When we look at a provision of law,” he said, “we look at the entire provision of law. … We try to make sense of the law as a whole.” But of what value is consistency? When he wrote the minority opinion in 2012 that Obamacare was unconstitutional because the commerce clause prohibited the federal government from regulating things like health care, Scalia

ignored his prior opinions approving federal interference with matters that states had handled exclusively. Most notable for us here in the Bear State was his holding in 1988 and 1989 that the commerce clause allowed President Reagan’s energy regulators to require Arkansans to pay $4.5 billion to subsidize electric rates in Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, although federal law made retail ratemaking the exclusive job of the states. Wait, that was a Republican administration and those were Republican states. Never mind.

2nd FRIDAY ART NIGHT Tenth Anniversary Celebration Food Drive benefiting Arkansas Foodbank

Join the friends and the people that make 2nd Friday Art Night possible – on March 13th from 5 – 8 pm.

See old and new friends and help a great cause – a Food Drive benefiting The Arkansas Foodbank.

We also honor friends who were instrumental in the formation of 2FAN, like Debra Wood, owner of ArtSpace, now with the Arkansas Foodbank; Louise Terzia, retired from HAM, now with Argenta Gallery; and Reita Walker, formerly with CALS, now with the Regional Recycling District. A special thanks to all the art lovers across Arkansas that support the participating museums and galleries.

OLD STATE HOUSE COX CREATIVE CENTER BUTLER CENTER GALLERIES ARKANSAS CAPITAL CORPORATION GROUP HISTORIC ARKANSAS MUSEUM IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP GALLERY 221 & ART STUDIOS 221 THE RIVER MARKET And our long time restaurant supporters:

COPPER GRILL AND DIZZY’S GYPSY BISTRO Food collection areas will be at all locations including the Trolley!!

FOODBANK NEEDS:

Canned goods (chicken, tuna, veggies, beans, fruit) • Canned/packaged meals • Soup Peanut Butter • Cereal • 100% Juice • Powered Milk • Diapers • Bath Tissue (Non perishable only, no glass or jars or homemade foods)

FREE TROLLEY RIDES!

www.arktimes.com

MARCH 5, 2015

VOTE!

FINAL ROUND

READERS CHOICE AWARDS 2015

Overall Little Rock Last year’s winner: The Pantry 2015 finalists: Brave New Restaurant, Big Orange, The Root Cafe, South on Main

Brunch Little Rock Last year’s winner: Trio’s Restaurant 2015 finalists: Loca Luna, Red Door Restaurant, The Root Cafe, YaYa’s Euro Bistro

Around the state Last year’s winner: Onyx Coffee Lab (Fayetteville) 2015 finalists: Arsaga’s Cafe (Fayetteville), Blue Sail Coffee (Conway), Jitterbug Coffeehouse (Heber Springs), Perfect Cup (Camden)

Around the state Last year’s winner: The Hive (Bentonville) 2015 finalists: Arkansas Fresh Bakery Cafe (Bryant), James at the Mill (Johnson), Mike’s Place (Conway), Postmasters Grill (Camden)

Around the state Last year’s winner: The Hive (Bentonville) 2015 finalists: Arlington Hotel Venetian Dining Room (Hot Springs), The Depot (Fayetteville), Emelia’s Kitchen (Fayetteville), Stoby’s Restaurant (Conway)

Deli/Gourmet to Go Little Rock Last year’s winner: Hillcrest Artisan Meats 2015 finalists: Boulevard Bread Co., Bray Gourmet, Good Food by Ferneau, Jason’s Deli

New Little Rock Last year’s winner: Not applicable 2015 finalists: Baja Grill, Kemuri, Pantry Crest, Three Fold Noodles and Dumpling Co.

Buffet Little Rock Last year’s winner: Franke’s Cafeteria 2015 finalists: Larry’s Pizza, Star of India Restaurant, Taj Mahal Indian Cuisine, Tokyo House

Around the state Last year’s winner: Not applicable 2015 Finalists: Arkansas Fresh Bakery Cafe (Bryant), Delta Q (Forrest City), The Farmer’s Table (Fayetteville), Wood Stone Craft Pizza (Fayetteville)

Around the state: Last year’s winner: Brown’s Country Store & Restaurant (Benton) 2015 finalists: Dondie’s White River Princess (Des Arc), India Orchard (Bentonville), Kelley’s Restaurant (Wynne), The Skillet Restaurant (Mountain View)

Desserts Little Rock Last year’s winner: Trio’s Restaurant 2015 finalists: Community Bakery, LePops Gourmet Ice Lollies, The Pie Hole, South on Main

Chef Little Rock Last year’s winner: Matthew Bell (South on Main) 2015 finalists: Peter Brave (Brave New Restaurant), Donnie Ferneau (Good Food By Ferneau), Alexis Jones (Natchez Restaurant), Scott McGehee (Big Orange, Local Lime, Lost Forty, ZAZA Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Co.)

Burger Little Rock Last year’s winner: Big Orange 2015 finalists: Buffalo Grill, David’s Burgers, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, The Root Cafe

Around the state Last year’s winner: Charlotte’s Eats & Sweets (Keo) 2015 finalists: The Bulldog Restaurant (Bald Knob), Cocoa Rouge (Bryant), The Depot (Fayetteville), The Hive (Bentonville)

Around the state Last year’s winner: David’s Burgers (Conway) 2015 finalists: CJ’s Butcher Boy Burgers (Russellville), Greenhouse Grille (Fayetteville), The Hive (Bentonville), Postmasters Grill(Camden)

Food Truck Little Rock Last year’s winner: Southern Gourmasian 2015 finalists: Katmandu MoMo, The Pie Hole, Southern Salt Food Co., Waffle Wagon

Around Arkansas Last year’s winner: Matthew McClure (The Hive) 2015 finalists: Tyler Hensley (Postmasters Grill, Camden), Miles James (James at the Mill, Johnson), Patrick Lane (The Depot, Fayetteville), Rob Nelson (Tusk & Trotter, Bentonville) Server Little Rock Last year’s winner: Joann Sims (Cache Restaurant) 2015 finalists: Brad Knighten (Big Orange), Kelly Lambert (The Pantry), Scott Robertson (Brave New Restaurant), Sheri Smith (South on Main) Around the state: None

We’re nearing the end of the final round of our annual Readers Choice restaurant survey. We’ve tallied the nominations from the first round, determined the top four vote getters and added the WINNER from last year – for a total of five finalists. The final round of voting ends March 8! Vote online at arktimes.com/restaurants15 Winners will be announced in the April 2 issue of the Arkansas Times. An awards party for all winners and finalists will be held at the Pulaski Technical Culinary and Hospitality Institute on April 7.

MARCH 5, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES

Bakery Little Rock Last year’s winner: Community Bakery 2015 finalists: Boulevard Bread Co., Rosalia’s Family Bakery, Silvek’s European Bakery, Sweet Love Around the state Last year’s winner: Sugarbelles Cupcakes (Ward) 2015 finalists: Ambrosia Bakery Co. (Hot Springs), Apple Blossom Brewing Co. (Fayetteville), Arkansas Fresh Bakery Cafe (Bryant), Serenity Farm Bread (Leslie) Barbecue Little Rock Last year’s winner: Whole Hog Cafe 2015 finalists: Chip’s Barbecue, Corky’s BBQ, HB’s Bar-B-Q, Sims Bar-B-Que

Business Lunch Little Rock Last year’s winner: Capital Bar & Grill 2015 finalists: Brave New Restaurant, Cache Restaurant, Copper Grill, One Eleven at the Capital Around Arkansas Last year’s winner: Mike’s Place (Conway) 2015 finalists: The Depot (Fayetteville), Belle Arti Italian Ristorante (Hot Springs), The Hive (Bentonville), Fayrays (El Dorado) Butcher Little Rock Last year’s winner: None, new category 2015 finalists: Butcher & Public, Edward’s Food Giant, Hillcrest Artisan Meats, Hogg’s Meat Market Around the state: None Catfish Little Rock Last year’s winner: Flying Fish 2015 finalists: Burge’s, Cock of the Walk, Faded Rose, Lassis Inn Around Arkansas Last year’s winner: Eat My Catfish (Benton) 2015 finalists: Catfish Hole (Fayetteville), Dondie’s White River Princess (Des Arc), Flying Fish (Bentonville), Woods Place (Camden)

Around the state Last year’s winner: McClard’s Bar-B-Q Restaurant (Hot Springs) 2015 finalists: Craig’s Bar-B-Q (DeValls Bluff), Delta Q (Forrest City), Jones’ Bar-B-Q Diner (Marianna), Whole Hog Cafe (Conway)

Chinese Little Rock Last year’s winner: Fantastic China 2015 finalists: Chi’s Chinese Cuisine, Mr. Chen’s Authentic Chinese Cooking, Fu Lin Chinese Restaurant, Three Fold Noodles and Dumpling Co.

Breakfast Little Rock Last year’s winner: The Root Cafe 2015 finalists: Delicious Temptations, Mugs Cafe, Mylo Coffee Co., Red Door Restaurant

Around Arkansas Last year’s winner: Jade China Restaurant (Conway) 2015 finalists: Hunan Manor (Fayetteville), Madame Wu’s Hunan Restaurant (Russellville), Oriental Gardens Restaurant (El Dorado), Wok Express (Hot Springs)

Around the state Last year’s winner: Mud Street Cafe (Eureka Springs) 2015 finalists: Arkansas Fresh Bakery Cafe (Bryant), The Depot (Fayetteville), The Hive (Bentonville), Stoby’s Restaurant (Conway)

Coffee Little Rock Last year’s winner: Boulevard Bread Co. 2015 finalists: Community Bakery, Mugs Cafe, Mylo Coffee Co., River City Coffee

Around the state Last year’s winner: Cafe 1217 (Hot Springs) 2015 finalists: Arkansas Fresh Bakery Cafe (Bryant), Bentonville Butcher & Deli (Bentonville), Cabot Cafe and Cake Corner (Cabot), The Green Submarine Espresso Cafe & Sub-Shop (Fayetteville)

Around the state Last year’s winner: None 2015 finalists: Crepes Paulette (Bentonville), Hammontree’s Grillenium Falcon (Fayetteville), Natural State Sandwiches (Fayetteville), Nomad’s Natural Plate (Fayetteville) Fried Chicken Little Rock Last year’s winner: Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken 2015 finalists: Popeyes, Slim Chickens, South on Main, Stickyz Rock ’N’ Roll Chicken Shack Around the state Last year’s winner: Monte Ne Inn (Rogers) 2015 finalists: A.Q. Chicken House (Fayetteville), The Hive (Bentonville), Holly’s Country Cookin’ (Conway) Fun Little Rock Last year’s winner: Big Orange 2015 finalists: The Fold, Local Lime, South on Main, Stickyz Rock ’N’ Roll Chicken Shack Around the state Last year’s winner: The Hive (Bentonville) 2015 finalists: The Depot (Fayetteville), Central Park Fusion Cuisine (Hot Springs), Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse (Eureka Springs), Mike’s Place (Conway) Gluten Free Little Rock Last year’s winner: Dempsey Bakery 2015 finalists: Baja Grill, Big Orange, Izzy’s, Local Lime Around the state Last year’s winner: ZAZA Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Co. (Conway) 2015 finalists: The Depot (Fayetteville), Greenhouse Grille (Fayetteville), Rolando’s Restaurant (Hot Springs), Serenity Farms Bakery (Leslie) Home Cookin’ Little Rock Last year’s winner: Homer’s Restaurant 2015 finalists: Bobby’s Country Cookin’, David Family Kitchen, Kitchen Express, Sweet Soul

Around the state Last year’s winner: Holly’s Country Cooking (Conway) 2015 finalists: Anne’s Country Cafe (Pine Bluff), Calico County (Fort Smith), Mama Max’s Diner (Prescott), Monte Ne Inn (Rogers) Ice Cream/Cool Treats Little Rock Last year’s winner: None, new category 2015 finalists: Loblolly Creamery, LePops Gourmet Ice Lollies, Red Mango, Yogurt Mountain

Place for Kids Little Rock Last year’s winner: Playtime Pizza 2015 finalists: All Aboard Restaurant and Grill, Big Orange, Larry’s Pizza, Purple Cow Restaurant Around the state Last year’s winner: Purple Cow Restaurant (Hot Springs) 2015 finalists: Bulldog Restaurant (Bald Knob), Calico County (Fort Smith), Stoby’s (Conway), ZAZA’S Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Co. (Conway) Romantic Little Rock Last year’s winner: Not applicable 2015 finalists: Brave New Restaurant, Cache Restaurant, One Eleven at the Capital, South on Main

Around the state: None Indian Little Rock Last year’s winner: Star of India Restaurant 2015 finalists: 4square Cafe and Gifts, Banana Leaf, Taj Mahal Around the state Last year’s winner: None 2015 finalists: Desi Den Indian Restaurant (Bryant), India Orchard (Bentonville), The New Delhi Cafe (Eureka Springs), R&R’s Curry Express (Fort Smith) Italian Little Rock Last year’s winner: Bruno’s Little Italy 2015 finalists: Ciao, Graffiti’s, Ristorante Capeo, Vesuvio Bistro

Around the state Last year’s winner: None 2015 finalists: The Depot (Fayetteville), Gaskin’s Cabin (Eureka Springs), The Hive (Bentonville), Luna Bella (Hot Springs) Sandwich Little Rock Last year’s winner: None, new category 2015 finalists: Boulevard Bread, Hillcrest Artisan Meats, The Root Cafe, Whole Hog Cafe Around the state Last year’s winner: None, new category 2015 finalists: Arkansas Fresh Cafe (Bryant), Craig’s Bar-B-Q (DeValls Bluff), Green Submarine Espresso Cafe & Sub-Shop (Fayetteville), Hammontree’s Grillenium Falcon (Fayetteville).

Around the state Last year’s winner: Ermilio’s Italian Home Cooking (Eureka) 2015 finalists: Bordinos (Fayetteville), DeVito’s Restaurant (Eureka Springs), Pasta Grill (Conway), Pesto Cafe (Fayetteville) Japanese Little Rock Last year’s winner: Sushi Cafe 2015 finalists: Hanaroo Sushi Bar, Igibon Japanese Food House, Kemuri, Mt. Fuji Japanese Restaurant Around the state Last year’s winner: Umami Sushi Lounge and Grill Fusion (Conway) 2015 finalists: Crazy Samurai (Hot Springs), Fuji Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar (Searcy), Kimono Japanese Steak House (Paragould), Meiji Japanese Cuisine (Fayetteville) Mexican Little Rock Last year’s winner: Local Lime 2015 finalists: Baja Grill, Cantina Laredo, Casa Manana, La Hacienda Around the state Last year’s winner: Taco Mama (Hot Springs) 2015 finalists: Burrito Loco (Fayetteville), El Acapulco (Conway), Table Mesa (Bentonville), Vina Morita Restaurant and Wine Bar (Hot Springs) Other Ethnic Little Rock Last year’s winner: Layla’s Gyros and Pizzeria 2015 finalists: Cafe Bossa Nova, kBird, The Pantry, Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe

Seafood Little Rock Last year’s winner: Brave New Restaurant 2015 finalists: Bonefish Grill, Flying Fish, Oceans at Arthur’s, The Oyster Bar Around the state Last year’s winner: Mike’s Place (Conway) 2015 finalists: Central Park Fusion (Hot Springs), Dondie’s White River Princess (Des Arc), Eat My Catfish (Bryant), Fisherman’s Wharf (Hot Springs)

BEST RESTAURANTS IN AREAS AROUND THE STATE Benton/Bryant Last year’s winner: Not applicable 2015 finalists: Arkansas Fresh Bakery Cafe, Desi Den Indian Restaurant, Eat My Catfish, La Hacienda Conway Last year’s winner: ZAZA’S Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Co. 2015 finalists: Blackwood’s Gyros and Grill, Hot Rod Wieners, Mike’s Place, Umami Sushi Lounge and Grill Fusion Eureka Springs Last year’s winner: Ermilio’s Italian Home Cooking 2015 finalists: Bavarian Inn, DeVito’s Restaurant, Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse, Local Flavor Cafe Fayetteville/Springdale/Johnson Last year’s winner: None, new category 2015 finalists: The Depot (Fayetteville), Bordinos (Fayetteville), Hugo’s (Fayetteville), James at the Mill (Johnson) Rogers/Bentonville Last year’s winner: The Hive (Bentonville) 2015 finalists: Carrabba’s Italian Grill (Rogers), Havana Tropical Grill (Rogers), Eleven (Bentonville), Tusk & Trotter (Bentonville) Hot Springs Last year’s winner: Rolando’s 2015 finalists: Deluca’s Pizzeria Napoletana, Don Juan Authentic Mexican Restaurant, Osaka Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar, Taco Mama

Steak Little Rock Last year’s winner: Sonny Williams’ Steak Room 2015 finalists: Arthur’s Prime Steakhouse, The Butcher Shop, Doe’s Eat Place, Faded Rose Last year’s winner: Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse (Eureka Springs) Around the state: Doe’s Eat Place (Fayetteville), Herman’s Ribhouse (Fayetteville), Mike’s Place (Conway), Tamale Factory (Gregory) Vegetarian/Vegan Little Rock Last year’s winner: The Root Cafe 2015 finalists: Cafe Bossa Nova, Izzy’s, Three Fold Noodles and Dumpling Co., The Veg Around the state Last year’s winner: ZAZA’S Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Co. (Conway) 2015 finalists: The Depot (Fayetteville), Farmer’s Table (Fayetteville), Greenhouse Grille (Fayetteville), Local Flavor Cafe (Eureka Springs)

Around the state Last year’s winner: Layla’s Gyros and Pizzeria (Conway) 2015 finalists: A Taste of Thai (Fayetteville), Rolando’s (Hot Springs), Salathai (Fayetteville), Wiederkehr Weinkeller Restaurant (Altus)

Wine List Little Rock Last year’s winner: Not applicable 2015 finalists: Cache Restaurant, By the Glass, One Eleven at the Capital, SO Restaurant-Bar

Pizza Little Rock Last year’s winner: Damgoode Pies 2015 finalists: Pizza Cafe, U.S. Pizza, Vino’s, ZAZA’S Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Co. Around the state Last year’s winner: ZAZA’S Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Co. (Conway) 2015 finalists: Deluca’s Pizzeria Napoletana (Hot Springs), Rocky’s (Hot Springs), Tommy’s Famous (Mountain View), Wood Stone Craft Pizza and Bar (Fayetteville)

Around the state Last year’s winner: The Hive (Bentonville) 2015 finalists: Bordinos (Fayetteville), Central Park Fusion Cuisine (Hot Springs), Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse (Eureka Springs), Tavola Trattoria (Bentonville)

LAST CHANCE TO VOTE. VOTING ENDS MARCH 8! www.arktimes.com

MARCH 5, 2015

Ride the ARKANSAS TIMES

BLUES BUS APRIL 11, 2015

TO THE JUKE JOINT FESTIVAL IN CLARKSDALE, MS

IT'S ALL ABOUT

THE DELTA!

Enjoy small stages with authentic blues during the day and at night venture into the surviving juke joints, blues clubs and other indoor stages. Reserve your seat by calling 501.375.2985 or emailing Kelly Lyles at kellylyles@arktimes.com BUS TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED BY ARROW COACH LINES

$125

PRICE INCLUDES: + + + + +

Round-trip bus transportation Live blues performances en route Adult beverages on board Lunch at a Delta favorite Wristband for the nighttime events

BUS LEAVES AT 9 A.M. FROM IN FRONT OF THE PARKING DECK AT 2ND & MAIN STREETS IN DOWNTOWN LITTLE ROCK AND RETURNS LATE NIGHT.

The Arkansas Times Blues Bus is a Related Event and not affiliated with Juke Joint Festival or the non-profit Clarksdale Downtown Development Association. 38

MARCH 5, 2015

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WANTED A KIND AND HONEST HOUSEKEEPER

SOMEONE THAT CAN TAKE CARE OF KIDS AND DRIVE MY KIDS TO SCHOOL

SALARY PER WEEK: $550

EMAIL: DENISEKLOSE01@OUTLOOK.COM

Calling All UBER DRIVERS! Contact Robert Combs to see a demonstration and sign-up for your free recording dash-cam system, (501) 563-2197 RkimC@hotmail.com. Share this information with all your Uber Driver friends, supply is limited to the first 100 Uber drivers who sign-up.

BRAIN IMAGING RESEARCH STUDY FOR NEW MOTHERS • Mothers ages 15-45 years • Full term delivery of baby within the past 8 weeks • Involves a brain imaging scan and questionnaires • All responses are kept confidential • Must be medically healthy • Monetary compensation provided Contact Dr. Lisa Brents at 501-413-6058 psychiatry.uams.edu/research/birc NOTICE OF FILLING APPLICATIONS FOR RETAIL BEER PERMIT OFF PREMISES

FULL-TIME DIRECTOR OF NURSING (Master’s Degree Required) Apply at www.nwacc.edu & click on employment opportunities NWACC practices equal opportunity in education and employment and is strongly and actively committed to diversity within the college community.

CUSTOM SUITS & ACCESSORIES FULL SERVICE TAILORING FREE TAILORING ON IN-HOUSE PURCHASES PICK UP & DELIVERY AVAILABLE 417 President Clinton Ave, Little Rock, 501.244.9670

FULL-TIME NURSING FACULTY

(Master’s Degree Required) Apply at www.nwacc.edu & click on employment opportunities NWACC practices equal opportunity in education and employment and is strongly and actively committed to diversity within the college community.

by MOATS available at

bit.ly/hulk-tired

IN LOVING MEMORY OF DOMINO On February 26th, 2015, Domino Waltermire, beloved pet of Arkansas Times graphic artist Kevin Waltermire and his wife, Kristina Hancock, left this world and ascended into Doggie Heaven. Having been abandoned and subsequently rescued by Kevin at 6 months, Domino knew the meaning of gratitude, and loved his family unconditionally as a best friend, son, and right hand man for twelve years. Domino lived a long and happy life, and will forever be remembered by those whose lives he touched. If we had to guess, we would say Domino is enjoying the finer things in life right now, like endless snuggles, belly rubs, and all the frozen peas and carrots his lil' belly can hold. But the one thing we know for sure is his love for his family will last forever, and the happy memories of his time on Earth will never fade. Love, Your family at the Times

Notice is hereby given that the undersigned has files an application with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division of the State of Arkansas for a permit to sell beer at retail for consumption off the premises described as: 5412 Baseline Road, Little Rock, AR 72209, Pulaski County. Said application was filed on February 13, 2015. the undersigned states that he/she is a resident of Arkansas, of good moral character; that he/she has never been convicted of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude; that no license to sell alcoholic beverages by the undersigned has been revoked within five (5) years last past; and, that the undersigned has never been convicted of violating the laws of this State, or any other State, relative to the sale of controlled beverages. Name of Applicant: Raul Narvaez. Name of Business: LA POTOSINA. Sworn to before me this 4th day of March, 2015. Linda L. Phillips, Notary Public. My commission Expires: September 28, 2016. #12350768.

www.arktimes.com

MARCH 5, 2015

Van GoghO’Keefe Kahlo PicassoDali WarholRothko Van Gogh Dali Kahlo Van Gogh Rothko Rothko O’KeefeDali Warhol RothkoO’Keefe TO

MASTERWORKS FROM THE

ALBRIGHT-KNOX ART GALLERY

76 ARTWORKS • 73 ARTISTS FROM THE LATE 19TH CENTURY TO THE PRESENT Experience these masterpieces through the

ARKANSAS TIMES ART BUS TRIP to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

MAY 2, 2015

149

per person

Price includes: Round-trip tour bus transportation Boxed lunch Tickets to the Van Gogh to Rothko exhibit at Crystal Bridges Dinner at The Hive restaurant

PLUS A special dinner by Award-Winning Chef Matthew McClure at The Hive restaurant inside the 21C Museum Hotel

AND See the two current exhibits on display at 21C Museum Hotel: Duke Riley: See You at the Finish Line • Blue: Matter, Mood and Melancholy

RESERVE YOUR SEAT BY CALLING 501.375.2985 OR EMAILING KELLY LYLES AT KELLYLYLES@ARKTIMES.COM

ARKANSAS TIMES

Round-trip bus transportation provided by Arrow Coachlines. Admission into Crystal Bridges Museum of Modern Art is free. 40

MARCH 5, 2015

ARKANSAS TIMES