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contents
April 2010 PAGE 27
Everybody’s Doing It Going green is easier than you think. In this special section, we explore the many options Arkansas has to offer from tax rebates to changing your diet.
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Green Built Follow the progress of The Home Builders Association of Greater Little Rock’s first ever GREEN BUILT home. PAGE 89
Fight for a Cause Read the story of three brave northwest Arkansas women who have battled breast cancer, and get details on the Susan G Komen Ozark Affiliate Race for the Cure happening this month. PAGE 93
Close to Home The Greater Arkansas Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation honors philanthropist Lisenne Rockefeller, whose son battles diabetes, with its Living and Giving Award.
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22 ON THE COVER Ralph and Marketa Burns' Faytteville home. Photo by Mark Jackson.
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contributors
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Since 2001, Nate Allen has covered the Razorbacks for more than 40 daily and weekly newspapers through his Nate Allen Sports Service. He previously covered the Hogs for 14 years for the Arkansas Gazette and also formerly was the Razorback bureau for Donrey Media. Tracy Courage is a public relations professional and freelance journalist. She worked as a reporter and editor for 15 years at daily newspapers, including eight years at the Arkansas DemocratGazette. She left newspapers in 2006 to work in public relations at Pulaski Technical College. She lives in North Little Rock with her husband, Peter, and their 4-year-old daughter, Madison.
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DEPARTMENTS Publisher's Letter 08 Mailbag 10 Calendar 18 My Opinion 21 A List 22 Artscene 24 Home 38 Tobi's Tips 44 P. Allen Smith 46 Gardening Tips 51 Dining Guide 68 Recipe File 71 Destination 73 Murder Mystery 83 Sports 86 Your Health 89 Crossword 94 The View from Park Hill 96
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Joe David Rice has served as Arkansas’s Tourism Director since May 1987. Prior to his transfer to the Tourism Division, Rice was employed by the Arkansas State Parks system. He wrote the department’s award-winning community park handbook, edited its festival manual, and produced the “Arkansas Floater’s Kit.” He has been inducted into the Arkansas Hospitality Association Hall of Fame. Sonny Rhodes has been committing journalism for more than 35 years. After stints with four newspapers, he stays busy these days teaching journalism at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He lives in North Little Rock with his wife, Julie, and their daughter, Abby. In his increasingly rare spare moments, he pretends to loaf.
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Janet Warlick of Camera Work Photography is a commercial photographer based in Little Rock. She began her career as a photojournalist for the Associated Press and Arkansas Democrat then expanded those skills to include all aspects of photography. She especially enjoys shooting architectural and editorial assignments. Her work has appeared in national and regional publications such as Southern Accents, Inc. Magazine, The Old House, Sailing World and many others. When not working on assignment, she spends her time hiking Pinnacle Mountain with pups, Canon and Nikon or sailing on Lake Maumelle.
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from the publisher
During the month of April, Mother Earth decides to model her spring line. The runway show begins with displays of daffodil yellows, tulip tree pinks and dogwood whites. Of course, green is the underlying color that weaves the thread of life. This year’s show is beautiful… Mother Earth is feeling good. April 22 marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Earth Day evolved from a national outpouring of concern for cleaning up the environment, and today, the movement is strong. This month, in celebration with Earth Day, we devote numerous pages to green living. Whether it’s purchasing hybrids or building sustainable homes with a minimal impact on the environment, this issue explores ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Nationally renowned gardener P. Allen Smith shares the rationale of designing his Garden Home Retreat with green in mind. If you haven’t had an opportunity to visit his retreat, I recommend going. The home is simply amazing and well worth the drive. Arkansas designer Tobi Fairley offers her advice on decorating with eco-friendly products. Fairley’s interior design of a Fayetteville, Ark., home was recently featured on the cover of House Beautiful. Another celebration this month is the Ozark Race for the Cure, April 24 at the Pinnacle Hills Promenade mall in Rogers, Arkansas. Three extraordinary breast cancer survivors share their message of hope, love and laughter. As the spring show begins, I hope Mother Earth continues to feel good. And I hope we remember that green never goes out of season.
ay APRIL 2010 | VOLUME XXI | ISSUE 11
Happy Earth Day! PUBLISHER Vicki Vowell
EDITOR Angela E. Thomas athomas@aymag.com
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Rhonda Penn admin@aymag.com
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Amy Bowers abowers@aymag.com
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Bethany Robinson brobinson@aymag.com
ART DIRECTOR Jennifer Freeman jfreeman@aymag.com
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Lauren Bridges lbridges@aymag.com
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Lauren Hampton lhampton@aymag.com
Erin Homeyer ehomeyer@aymag.com
CIRCULATION MANAGER Wanda Lair wlair@aymag.com
Jessica Franklin jfranklin@aymag.com Linda Burlingame lindaaymag@aol.com
REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS Nate Allen, Faith Anaya, Eliza Borné, Steve Bowman, Roby Brock, Jill Conner Browne, Mary Ann Campbell, Marilyn Collins, Cindy Conger, Tracy Courage, Vic Fleming, Rob Holdford, Janie Jones, Beth Phelps, Sonny Rhodes, Joe David Rice, P. Allen Smith, Susan Wallace, Rebecca Ward
Please recycle this magazine. AY Magazine is published monthly by Active Years , Inc. ®
CORPORATE OFFICE 910 W. 2nd St., Ste. 200, Little Rock, AR 72201 Phone: (501) 244-9700 Fax: (501) 244-9705
Vicki Vowell, PUBLISHER
aymag.com The contents of AY are copyrighted, and material contained herein may not be copied or reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publisher. Articles in AY should not be considered specific advice, as individual circumstances vary. Products and services advertised in the magazine are not necessarily endorsed by AY. Subscription rate is $15 for one year (12 issues). Single issues are available upon request for $5.
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AYMAG.COM . 9
mailbag
ay
fantasy floral
top 5
+
Women in Banking
P. Allen Smith deSignS with the BrockintonS in mind
Your March issue is the best yet. They just keep getting better … from
green living: dreSS the PArt tAke A hike!
the looks of all the ads, I
Scenic trAilS in ArkAnSAS
reBeccA wArd tAlkS Sex
am not the only one who enjoys your magazine.
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Our 2010 POwerful wOmen AY IS About You March 2010
aymag.com
Gary Flynn, Network Services Group North Little Rock, Arkansas
Proud To Be In The Number I just got a copy of the March issue with the Powerful Women feature. I am so proud to be a part of such a distinguished group of Arkansas women! Thank you for this honor!
seeing the magazine, I had to get a Kleenex out ... things have really been tough with the economy and business, and you gave me such a boost. You will never completely know how much this means to me.
Linda Dorn, PhD The Center for Literacy University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Suzie Stephens Fayetteville, Arkansas
Thank you so much for including me in AY’s Powerful Women of 2010. I feel honored to be included with this list of amazing women. Thanks for all you do to support the many worthwhile charities in our state. Shelia Vaught Little Rock, Arkansas I just wanted to say thank you. It is such an honor to be included with such amazing women! [My inclusion as one of the 2010 Powerful Women] caught me quite off-guard because I had just returned from Africa and had these plans to open my little restaurant on Feb. 15., honestly I don’t think I was aware of anything around me. After
AY Magazine 910 W. 2nd St. #200 Little Rock, AR 72201
10 . APRIL 2010
Thank You for Your Support Thank you for being a sponsor of our 2010 Arkansas Bar Association Mid-Year Meeting. We had a record attendance of more than 180 attorneys. Our governing body, the House of Delegates, also met and enjoyed the Sponsors’ hospitality. We appreciate your continuing support … Rosalind M. Mouser Arkansas Bar Association On behalf of the Ozark Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and its board of directors, staff and volunteers, I would like to personally thank you for your in-kind race sponsorship valued at $16,600 in support of the 2010 Race fore the Cure. Your donation
will most definitely help ensure the continuation of our mission to provide breast health services to those uninsured and underinsured individuals throughout our eight-county service area. … we are humbled by the overwhelming support that we receive from individuals like you. Can you imagine a world without breast cancer? Alison J. Levin, LMSW Executive Director Susan G. Komen for the Cure Ozark Affiliate Thank You for the Coverage The story [“Wild About Art,” March 2010], photos and layout are beautiful! Thank you for considering my story worthy of print. I look forward to seeing, you, Angela in the future. Robin Steves North Little Rock, Arkansas Mission Accomplished I want to send my heartfelt thank you to AY Magazine and Runway for a Cause for the most generous $23,000 donation to the Twentieth Century Club. Our mission is to provide no-cost housing for cancer patients receiving radiation and/or chemotherapy at any of Little Rock’s world-renowned cancer treatment facilities … on April 8, 2010, the first shovel of dirt was turned as construction started for our new, $3-million, state-of-theart Twentieth Century Club Lodge. Without your continued support, we would still be a ways away from the reality. Your early confidence in our fundraising efforts has proven to be a catalyst within our organization. AY and Runway for a Cause make Little Rock a community to be reckoned with and one we can all be extremely proud of. Dana Kleine Twentieth Century Club Capital Campaign Chair
We love hearing from you. Write to Angela at athomas@aymag.com, or at AY Magazine, 910 W. Second St., Ste. 200, Little Rock, AR 72201
@
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Remember your Mother on Mother’s Day! Gift Certificates available. Ask about our Obagi eye cream with gift.
singles Are you 35 or older? Are you a professional who is single? Check out AY’s Singles in the City archive and sign up today. vicki's blog You’ve read about our publisher Vicki Vowell and her battle with Meniere's disease. Find out how she’s doing as well as her opinion about dating, going green and more in Vicki’s Blog. videos Get a behind-the-scenes look at AY’s photoshoots. Find out what Editor Angela E. Thomas is talking about on Wednedays’ segments on KARK. recipe contest Got a family recipe that everyone just raves about? Have you invented a delicious culinary treat? Enter it in the 2010 AY Reader Recipe Contest. Finalists win a chance to perfect their recipe with some of the state’s finest chefs. giveaway Get your feet sandal ready with Arbonne’s NutriMinC RE9 body care system. The Reactivating Body Serum and Refinish Hydrating Body Lotion uses a botanical formula and antioxidant vitamins to replenish dry skin. One lucky winner will receive the travel set of Arbonne’s NutriMinC RE9 Reactivating Body Serum and Refinish Hydrating Body Lotion courtesy of Amy Darcy, regional vice president/ independent consultant, Arbonne International, freeyourmind.myarbonne. com, (501) 831-5210. Deadline for entries is May 1, 2010.
We are grateful to those who voted for us, and to our beautiful patients who make us look good every day!
Board Certified Phone: 501.224.1044 / Toll Free 866.831.1044 12600 Cantrell Road / drsuzanneyee.com
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AYMAG.COM . 11
12 . APRIL 2010
inspiration
mint julep traditional
The mint julep is as southern as black-eyed peas and magnolias. During this year's Kentucky Derby, April 30 through May 1, tens of thousands of this refreshing beverage, which dates back to the 1700s, will be served. AYMAG.COM . 13
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inspiration
Happy Easter There are many fun events for the whole family happening this Easter in the Natural State. Here are two to consider: Easter Weekend at Mountain Harbor!; April 3 through 4, Mount Ida. Enjoy the festivities at the beautiful Mountain Harbor Resort & Spa. There will be: a kid’s hunt for more than 2,000 colored eggs; a Doggie Easter Hunt; and more. Admission is free. (870) 867-2191 or mountainharborresort.com. Community Easter Sunrise Service; April 4, Little Rock. Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church has hosted this special service for the community since 1989. Come out to the Riverfest Amphitheatre at 7 a.m., for a worship service, scripture readings by community leaders and students, performances by choirs from several churches and schools and more. (501) 6643600 or phumc.com. AYMAG.COM . 15
16 . APRIL 2010
inspiration
daffodils Daffodils have been a long time passion of mine. As a child I remember exploring, with my siblings and cousins, old homesites where all that remained were remnants of old farmsteads … chimneys, bits of the foundation and daffodils blooming among the ruins. It has become a tradition, each spring, to share our daffodils with the ACCESS and Episcopal Collegiate Schools. The children, teachers and parents arrive to gather and bundle daffodils to sell as fundraisers for various school projects. It is always a happy occasion for the farm staff and me to see the splendor of the blooms and the joy expressed in the children’s faces. As of last November, we have planted more than 175,000 daffodils at the Garden Home. The bloom time ranges from February to early May, with the peak occurring about mid- to late March. The varieties seem endless, but I counted about 67 different types last year. Someone recently asked me “don’t you think you have enough?” I simply replied, “Never … I’ll plant them every year as long as I am able.” — P. Allen Smith
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calendar
april events
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Arkansas Earth Day Festival April 24, North Little Rock. This festival at the North Shore Riverwalk celebrates the environment with exhibits, workshops, food, live music and children’s activities. Admission is free. arkansasearthday.org.
Denim and Diamonds During the Derby; April 8, Hot Springs. Celebrate the end of the Spa City’s racing season with a bang at this unique fundraiser at the beautiful Garvan Gardens. Enjoy southern fried catfish with all the fixings; a full bar; entertainment by the popular act, “Brenda & Ellis”; and the entertaining “Daisy Derby.” Proceeds from the event benefit the Gardens’ educational programs. (501) 2629300 or garvangardens.org.
7th Annual Arkansas Literary Festival; April 8 through 11, Little Rock. Take in a weekend celebrating literature in downtown Little Rock. National and local authors will be on-hand for readings, lectures and book signings. Writing workshops, children’s events, shopping at vendors’ booths and more will be included. Admission to most events is free. (501) 918-3098 or arkansasliteraryfestival.org.
CASA’s 5th Annual Pedal Car Races; April 10, Little Rock. This fundraiser, for the Pulaski County’s Court Appointed Special Advocate, at the River Market Pavilion is kid-friendly and promises to be a good time. (501) 340-6946 or pulaskicountycasa.org.
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Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Presents “Farewell, Maestro!”; April 10 through 11, Little Rock. Join the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra as they send off Maestro Itkin in style at Robinson Center Music Hall with a spectacular performance of Mahler’s “Resurrection Symphony.” Admission is $17 to $58. (501) 666-1761 or arkansassymphony.org. Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis; April 11, Fayetteville. Jazz fans won’t want to miss this evening at Walton Arts Center’s Baum Walker Hall with the talented 15-piece ensemble led by trumpet legend Wynton Marsalis. Tickets start at $45. (479) 443-5600 or waltonartscenter.org. 48th Annual Arkansas Folk Festival; April 15 through 18, Mountain View. Enjoy this southern celebration featuring handmade crafts, frontier life demonstrations, a parade and live folk and bluegrass music. (870) 269-5004 or yourplaceinthemountians.com. 10th Annual Wild Hog Music Festival and Motorcycle Rally; April 22 through 25, Helena-West Helena. Enjoy a weekend full of music, motorcycles, vendors, food and more. Participate in the bike
rally, or just enjoy the scenery. Admission is $10. (870) 572-3408 or wildhogmusic.org. 31st Arkansas Scottish Festival; April 23 through 25, Batesville. Attend this festival on the Lyon College campus, which celebrates Scottish heritage with: bagpipes; dancing; athletics; Celtic music; clan and family histories; sheepdog demonstrations; Gaelic goods and services; and more. Admission: two-day passes are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors, one-day passes are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. (870) 307-7242 or lyon.edu. 8th Annual Strawberry Festival; April 23 through 24, Cabot. Get your hands on some of the best strawberries in the state. Local growers will be on site to provide samples and berries for sale at this festival complete with a carnival, pageant and games. Admission is free. (501) 6284044 or juniorauxiliaryofcabot.com. Craws for a Cause; April 24, North Little Rock. This fun event at Dickey Stephens Park raises funds for Baptist Health’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Enjoy all the crawfish and fixings you can eat as well as ice-cold beverages. Live music provided by the popular Boom Kinetic and Brian Nahlen. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door. (501) 690-6909 or crawsforacause.com.
Alzheimer’s Arkansas Auxiliary Art to Remember; April 27, Little Rock. Don’t miss this evening of fine art and fine company to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Arkansas Family Assistance Program, which provides financial assistance to caregivers of those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. The event at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion includes dinner and live and silent auctions of art donated by some of Arkansas’ most notable artists. (501) 224-0021 or alzark.org. Baptist Health Foundation Bolo Bash Luncheon; April 28, Little Rock. Baptist Health’s largest fundraising event of the year is sure to be a good time. The luncheon will be at the J.A. Gilbreath Conference Center at Baptist Health Medical Center and feature guest speaker Blake Mycoskie, founder and chief shoe giver of TOMS Shoes. (501) 202-1206 or baptist-health.com. CARTI Ragin’ Cajun Bash; April 29, Little Rock. This annual fundraiser at the River Market Pavilions benefits the Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute (CARTI). It is a fun night that features a New Orleansstyle crawfish boil, live entertainment and dancing. (501) 296-3202 or carti.com. Bark in the Park; April 29, North Little Rock. The Arkansas Travelers invite baseball fans and their dogs to this fun event. The evening begins with an on-field dog parade and an owner/dog look-a-like contest as well as other dog-related activities. The Humane Society will also be there with dogs available for adoption. After the ballgame, fans are invited to stay for a concert by The Baha Men, known for their Grammy Awardwinning song “Who Let The Dogs Out.” Admission to the post-game concert is included with the purchase of a ticket to the game. (501) 664-7559 or travs.com. 29th Annual Toad Suck Daze; April 30 through May 2, Conway. This festival has it all: entertainment, carnival rides, crafts, concessions and more. Join in the fun with Stuck on a Truck; the 5K/10K race; Toadal Kids Zone; Toad Suck SuperStar; and the World Famous Toad Races! Admission is free. (501) 327-7788 or toadsuck.org.
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good reads
@
$25 amazon.com 40 Minutes of Hell: The Extraordinary Life of Nolan Richardson by Russ Bradburd is a journey through the fascinating life and exceptional career of one of the University of Arkansas’ most successful basketball coaches. His style of breakneck tempo on the court is second only to his fearless confrontation of society.
The Almond Tree is the story of Joshie Levitt and a mystical, spiritual journey that helps the 8-year-old come to grips with the loss of his parents and changes his life forever. It’s written by Robin Steves, Arkansas native and artist; available in hardcover; Xlibris.com; $20.
E. Fay Jones was one of Arkansas’ treasures. The DVD Sacred Spaces: The Architecture of Fay Jones pays homage to Jones, one of the most significant architects of the 21st century and includes presentations about his work and footage from the renaming ceremony of the UA Architecture School to the Fay Jones School of Architecture; Uapress.com; $20.
Thinking of taking one of the hikes featured in last month’s Sports feature? Perhaps you’ll find one of the awe-inspiring waterfalls featured in Tim Ernst’s Arkansas Waterfalls, Scenic Icons of The Nature State. The book includes more than 100 images of these natural wonders; Cloudland.net; $30.
I 10700 N Rodney Parham Rd Little Rock, AR 72212-4113 (501) 221-9195
New spring 20 . APRIL 2010
FLAX arrivals!
by Jill Conner Browne
my opinion
congratulations
it’s a boy!
WE’RE BIG ON ADOPTIONS IN OUR FAMILY. Babies, animals, causes … you name it, we’re for it. Mama and her sister were adopted. The Cutest Boy in the World (TCBITW) and The Cutest Sister in the World were adopted. TCBITW and I adopted a three-legged rescue dog of diverse parentage. But then, one day, we found that we ourselves had been adopted by another canine, also of unknown origins. BD (Boy Dog) just arrived and moved in with us, with no advance notice and very little ceremony. It’s always surprising when that happens. You walk outside one morning to get the paper and a New Guy follows you back inside and never leaves. Now it seems TCBITW’s parents, The Cutest Mama in the World and The Cutest Daddy in the World, have been adopted. Clearly, they have been specifically selected for this honor after great deliberation, because they live on the side of a mountain several miles past the center of nowhere. It is not easy to find them, is what I’m telling you, and yet, this four-legged GPS has homed in on them — and made himself AT home. They feigned resistance initially: Mom blaming the dog’s continued presence on Dad when he was out of earshot, Dad returning the favor when she was in the next room. Neither of them admitted to the slightest bit of growing fondness or even interest in the mutt, but both insisting that the other one was secretly feeding and petting her. Oh yeah, they both constantly refer to the dog as a female — in spite of the fact that “she” just required neutering. Yes, The Dog We Are Definitely Not Keeping has now been to the vet — twice, AND she/he has been given the most sacred name from the childhood of TCBITW, the name of his “lovely,” the 45-year old stuffed poodle (with no remaining hair and the
remnant of what clearly was once a fancy nylon net HAT on its head — I haven’t given him much ribbing about THAT!): “Dog-Dog.” The Dog We Are Definitely Not Keeping, even though we have taken him to the vet (twice), bought collars and leashes and beds and crates and ICE CREAM for — we are DEFINITELY NOT KEEPING THIS DOG — is named “Dog-Dog.” The moniker is embroidered on the collar that she/ he will, I suppose, be wearing when she/he is finally successfully run off the premises. Uh-huh. I told Mom they had been adopted, and that there was nothing they could do about it. She begged to differ … or at least she insisted that This Dog We Are Definitely Not Keeping will not EVER set any of those four feet INSIDE the house. No, ma’am. Nosireebobtailcat. On the porch will be good enough for This Dog We Are Definitely Not Keeping. On the porch, in the crate, with the down bed and several blankets will do just fine, especially since WE’RE NOT KEEPING HER/HIM. But, Mom, I said, HE’S KEEPING YOU, and where’s Dad anyway? Out walking Dog-Dog. Today I called to check on Dog-Dog’s progress after her/his surgery. Mom reported that she/he is doing fine; and I quote, “BUT SHE STILL WON’T COME IN THE HOUSE! We even left the storm door propped open and put the ice cream down just inside, and she just got it and took it outside” (bwahahaha! “Outside dog,” my hind leg! I’m betting Dog-Dog is IN the bed with them by June). I told Mom I guessed they hadn’t really counted on having another baby at this point in their lives, apparently God and Dog-Dog knew better. How wonderful it is when someone picks us to love. That’s the wonder of adoption … Being Chosen.
Jill Conner Browne is a multiple #1 New York Times® Best Seller. Simon & Schuster published her latest book American Thighs: The Sweet Potato Queen’s Guide to Preserving Your Assets. She is featured regularly in national and international magazines and television shows. You can learn more about “Her Royal Highness” at sweetpotatoqueens.com.
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a list
photography by Janet Warlick
Bare it all
Nothing welcomes the arrival of warm weather like a new pair of sandals. Pair them with jeans for a casual look or a cocktail dress for a night on the town.
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1. These Steve Madden cork-soled wedges are the best of both worlds: a little rugged for casual daywear mixed with just the right amount of femininity; $40; provided by DSW; (501) 821-5368 or dsw.com. 2. Cork, platform thongs by Tory Burch are a season must-have and work for the pool or a casual night out with friends; $165; provided by B. Barnett; (501) 223-2514 or bbarnett.com.
11525 Cantrell Road Little Rock, AR 72212 501.375.7820 vestasboutique.com
3. Step in style in these braided leather heels by Chie Mihara; $398; provided by B. Barnett, (501) 2232514 or bbarnett.com. 4. Spring into fashion with this playful leopard print sandal with a metallic gold kitten heel by Lalla; $50; provided by Walk This Way; (501) 32-SHOES or wtwshoes.com. 5. Yellowbox is known for its casual, comfortable and eye-catching sandals. This wedge thong is no different with beautiful beaded designs; provided by Warren’s Shoes; (501) 225-3515 or (501) 791-3236. 6. This low-heeled sandal by Bandolino is amped up with gold and white beaded detail and dainty straps; $45; provided by DSW; (501) 821-5368 or dsw.com.
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art scene
by Tracy Courage / photography courtesy of Karlyn Holloway
Talen§ IN BLOOM
For more than four decades, artist Karlyn Holloway has painted and drawn with a passion that she said is as important as life itself.
Blissful Dream
For Karlyn Holloway, art is as much about a personal journey as it is a profession. By the age of 9, she was learning to draw by copying the sketches of models she saw in newspaper advertisements. In high school, she was “the girl who carried around a sketch book,” penciling portraits of her friends. Over the last 40 years, Holloway’s portfolio has expanded to include oil portraitures, florals and the occasional landscape and still life, but drawing remains the fundamental element of her art. “Drawing is the most important part,” she said. “Sometimes the spiritual element will emerge. Usually I intend for the art to inspire someone else, then I’m the one who ends up getting a lesson out of it.” Though oil is her primary medium, Holloway also uses watercolors and has been experimenting with florals for the past few years. She often finds inspiration in the beds of irises, peonies, roses, hydrangeas and other spring beauties that brighten the three acres surrounding her Austin, Ark., home, where she paints in a bedroom she converted into a studio after her daughter left for college. Lately, she has been experimenting with florals, often swapping the 24 . APRIL 2010
soft hues for bold duotones in browns and blacks. The distinctive style forces the viewer to see beyond the flower’s color and to focus on the linear quality of the petals and leaves. “A lot of people say they like the light, but I like the shadows and the patterns that the light makes, and I try to capture that,” Holloway said. “Flowers have their own uniqueness. Each one has its own design.” A collection of 16 of her black and white florals is part of Searcy Art Gallery’s “Spring in Bloom” show opening this month. Although she has been drawing and painting for more than 40 years, Holloway’s art career didn’t blossom until she returned to college in 1994; she earned an associate degree in art from Arkansas State University in Beebe and then studied fine art at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. For the past decade, she has worked full-time as an artist. “It’s hard to convey the innate need to create,” she said. “I just know for me it’s as important as breathing.” Working in the realistic tradition, Holloway’s work reflects the master techniques she has studied, “but I try to blend the realistic into more of a contemporary, elegant design. When I do a portrait, I try to
Doubly Delightful
make it more than just something you can get in a photograph,” she said. “Portraits should be more than that. It should capture the person’s spirit.” One of her oil portraits, a little girl reading a book, was included in the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion Exhibit last fall. Another oil piece, called “Nature’s Glory” depicting a cannas flower, was included in the 2008 Arkansas Governor’s Calendar. Holloway’s work has also been featured in several national and regional juried shows, including the Mid-Southern Watercolorists annual juried national exhibition in Little Rock; the Watercolor USA show at the Springfield Art Museum in Missouri; and the Bosque Conservatory Art Classic in Texas. She has donated pieces to the THEA Foundation as well as to the Arkansas Repertory Theatre’s Artworks Auction. As for Holloway’s favorite piece: “It’s usually the one I’ve just finished,” she said.
11121 Rodney Parham Rd. Little Rock, AR 72212 501-224-3433
STOP FIGHTING OVER THE LAST ISSUE OF AY!
Karlyn Holloway’s florals will be featured in the “Spring in Bloom” collection on exhibit April 2 through May 29 at Searcy Art Gallery, in the historical Black House at 300 E. Race St., Searcy, Arkansas.
AYMAG.COM/GO/SUBSCRIBE AYMAG.COM . 25
26 . APRIL 2010
guide to
This year's Green Guide is all about how the green movement has been embraced in Arkansas ... from driving to cleaning, from conserving to pampering, and from building to planting. Green is a Natural State of mind.
AYMAG.COM . 27
2010 GUIDE TO GREEN LIVING
CONTRIBUTORS
It’s great to live in a natural state. Did you know Arkansas has about as many acres in our national forests as we do citizens? There are nine national wildlife refuges that span more than 360,000 acres. We have 52 state parks and more than 120 stateowned wildlife management and natural areas, many of which have conserved some of the most scenic and ecologically important spots in Arkansas. We’re home to the first national river — the Buffalo River — and a great number of private landowners and several organizations, like The Nature Conservancy, have added thousands of more acres to the state’s natural spaces. Not only do these conserved lands and waters provide habitat for wildlife, they provide places for people to enjoy the outdoors … places where our children can learn about nature outside of a classroom or television. Our forests help clean our rivers and the groundwater that provides the water we drink, and they clean the air we all breathe. They conserve beautiful areas that are part of the state’s natural heritage, and because people visit these places, they help fuel our economy. These places are investments that make our state a better place in which to live. While all of this is good news, we must be diligent if we’re to ensure our children and future generations inherit a healthy and sustainable natural world. While conservation on a large scale is important, so too are the steps we take in our daily lives to conserve energy, recycle what we can and reduce waste. The decisions we make as consumers are equally important. Making purchases that take into consideration the health of our natural world help as well. Working together, we can keep Arkansas the Natural State.
Scott Simon, director The Nature Conservancy in Arkansas
28 . APRIL 2010
Eliza Borné is the assistant Web editor at BookPage and has written for the Boston Globe Magazine, Every Day with Rachael Ray, and the Arkansas Times. Her favorite natural spots in Arkansas are Blanchard Springs Caverns and the White River. Tobi Fairley is the owner of Tobi Fairley Interior Design and Tobi Fairley Gallery, a full-service luxury residential interior design firm and fine art gallery in Little Rock. She was selected by Traditional Home magazine as one of the “Top 20 Young Designers in America” in 2009, and her work has been featured in media and periodicals nationwide including Traditional Home, Dream Bedrooms by Better Homes and Gardens, MSNBC.com and Design and was recently featured on the cover of House Beautiful. Jay Harrod, who once served as communications manager for Arkansas Parks and Tourism, has written travel features for AY in the past. Over the last four years, Harrod, a native to the Natural State, has worked as a spokesperson for the Nature Conservancy, where he’s gained a deep insight into conservation challenges and opportunities. Outside of AY, Harrod has written for and been published in the Dallas Morning News, the Daily Oklahoman, Insight Travel Guides, Odyssey Magazine, National Parks Magazine and others. Mark Jackson, a photographer of 18 years, recently came off two years of sailing through the eastern Caribbean and Bahamas with his wife and three kids without any substantive trauma. He returned to northwest Arkansas where he shoots advertising and editorial work from his Fayetteville studio. Despite his preoccupation with leisure, he loves his photographic work and the creative process. Little Rock native, P. Allen Smith is an award-winning garden designer and host of the public television program, “P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home” and the syndicated “P. Allen Smith Gardens.” Smith is the garden design editor for national magazines, such as Woman’s Day, and the author of the Garden Home series, which includes his latest Bringing the Garden Indoors.
AYMAG.COM . 29
2010 GUIDE TO GREEN LIVING
ARKANSAS The Nature Conservancy in
by Jay Harrod / photography by Ethan Inlander
With chapters in all 50 states and in more than 30 other countries, The Nature Conservancy is among the leaders in national and global conservation. Since its inception in 1982, the Arkansas chapter of the Conservancy has worked with a variety of partners to conserve more than 265,000 acres in the Natural State. While the Conservancy has transferred much of this land to public agencies, like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the Arkansas Game and Fish and Natural Heritage commissions, the Conservancy owns 41 preserves that are found in each of the state’s eco-regions and encompass more than 24,000 acres. A few of The Nature Conservancy’s key priorities are listed below. To learn more about the Conservancy, view photos and watch videos, or to join the millionplus members who support the organization, visit nature.org/arkansas or call (501) 663-6699. RIVERS IN THE OUACHITA MOUNTAINS AND OZARK HIGHLANDS — Many people are surprised to learn the No. 1 threat to many of the state’s upland streams is excessive sediment, which, in addition to destroying the aesthetics of a stream, can fill in gravel beds, choke out small organisms at the bottom of the food chain and affect those at the top, like smallmouth bass. The Conservancy focuses much of its efforts on reducing sediment. Protecting forested corridors or riparian zones is important. Sometimes, however, banks are collapsing or areas have been cleared to the river’s edge. In these instances, the Conservancy works with partners to restore eroding stream banks and reforest riparian zones. The Conservancy has also mapped eroding features on hundreds of miles of unpaved roads in key watersheds and works with landowners and county maintenance crews to fix troublesome spots and implement practices that save money by keeping sediment on roads and out of rivers. BIG WOODS — Delta forests once covered 24 million acres. Today, less than 5 million remain in scattered patches. Fortunately, east Arkansas is home to one of the largest remaining blocks: the 550,000-acre Big Woods, which provides habitat for 265 bird 30 . MARCH 2010
species and the largest population of wintering mallards in the world. A slew of conservation actions and partners have protected most of the remaining forested areas here. The Conservancy and partners are now at work to connect these forested areas by reforesting marginal croplands. Private landowners, who’ve reforested and conserved thousands of acres, play a critical role in this endeavor. FIRE RESTORATION — The pine-oak forests of Arkansas are adapted to fire; it is as essential in maintaining healthy forests as is rain and sunshine. Without it, our forests become too dense, and when too many trees compete for the same amount of moisture and nutrients, the trees become weak and susceptible to disease, drought and uncontrollable wildfires. In Arkansas, the Conservancy’s partners in restoring fire to fire-dependent landscapes include: the U.S. Forest Service; U.S. National Parks Service; the U.S. Army; private landowners and companies; Arkansas State Parks; and the Arkansas Game and Fish, Natural Heritage and Forestry commissions. In addition to restoring fire to as many as 14,000 acres each year on its preserves and projects, the Conservancy and its partners also host classes each year to train land managers in effective conservation planning and the safe application of prescribed fire. CONSERVATION FORESTRY — The Conservancy works with forest landowners in South Arkansas to demonstrate conservation forestry … the merging of good economic returns and a healthy ecosystem. For example, the Conservancy purchased its first conservation forestry site, the 820-acre Kingsland Prairie Preserve, in 2002. Just six years later, proceeds from sustainable timber harvests had offset 84 percent of the land’s purchase price. In 2006, the Conservancy teamed with several agency partners to purchase a 16,000-acre conservation easement on Potlatch Corporation property where sustainable timber harvesting continues to provide local jobs and forest products. The site is now open for hunting and other recreation as the Moro Big Pine Wildlife Management and Natural Area. •
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2010 GUIDE TO GREEN LIVING
by Jay Harrod / photography by Ethan Inlander
DOWN to earth
The Ozark karst ecosystem is an underground wilderness of caves, springs and aquifers that over the millennia have formed in the carbonate bedrock of the Ozark Highlands.
Sherfield Cave (entrance shown above) harbors the largest wintering population of Indiana bats, an endangered species, in Arkansas. With its partners, the Conservancy’s karst program continues to monitor rare species and water quality at more than 200 sites throughout the Ozarks. Conservancy researcher Mike Slay prepares to enter a cave.
32 . APRIL 2010
Stretching from northern Arkansas and southern Missouri and into eastern Oklahoma, an amazing underground landscape harbors bats, salamanders, fish, crustaceans and other invertebrates, including at least 60 species found nowhere else on Earth. Because they have such limited home ranges, most Ozark karst species are considered globally imperiled, though only seven are listed for protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. This landscape is also a precious groundwater source; safeguarding the subterranean ecosystem means safeguarding drinking water for humans and keeping the water that feeds beautiful Ozark streams clear and clean. The porous and fractured nature of karst terrain makes it very susceptible to pollution. After rains, runoff from streams and the ground can enter aquifers quickly, transporting unfiltered contaminants that pollute groundwater and threaten aquatic karst animals. This ecosystem’s sensitivity is complicated by the fact that northwest Arkansas is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States. Residential and industrial developments have been built or are planned in the watersheds — or even directly on top — of fragile underground ecosystems. Incompatible agricultural activities as well as careless fertilizer, gas and oil, and household chemical uses or disposals can pose threats. The animals that live in the caves are also threatened by incompatible (oftentimes illegal) entries and vandalism. Since 1978 The Nature Conservancy in Arkansas has worked with many private landowners and partner agencies to acquire 20 caves, install or repair two dozen cave gates, and remove 230 tons of garbage near caves or sinkholes. A prime example of the Conservancy’s karst work is at Smith Creek, which flows over one of the largest caves in Arkansas and is a tributary to the Buffalo National River. In 2006, the Conservancy purchased 1,226 acres above the cave, which is home to the state’s largest hibernating colony of endangered Indiana bats, to create Smith Creek Preserve. A protection agreement on adjacent property that harbors the cave’s main entrance limits
Gay White, former first lady of Arkansas, is an avid outdoorsman. She loves to
potentially fatal disruptions to the bats during hibernation. Smith Creek also connects the Ozark National Forest and the Buffalo National River Wilderness Area, protecting a forested corridor for gray bats, black bears and elk, as well as critical foraging and roosting sites for the Indiana bats. To give city planners and developers the means to avoid sensitive karst areas or plan developments in ways that won’t harm groundwater or karst species, the Conservancy used data gathered from years of research to create a map depicting Northwest Arkansas in terms of most sensitive to least sensitive to groundwater pollution. Having specific information about karst areas prompted three developers to donate to the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission 80 acres located directly above Cave Springs Cave, which harbors gray bats and the largest known population of the extremely rare Ozark cavefish. While the land was quite valuable from a development perspective, the donors received tax incentives, and the value of the surrounding lots increased, particularly those adjacent to the green spaces. •
snorkel, kayak, canoe, hike, camp … but that wasn’t always the case. The California native moved here in 1971. “I chose to move here, to be closer to my sister. LA is so big and fast. Arkansas is very personal and warm. When my cat and I moved here, I owned my car, my clothes and a chest of drawers,” White said. “I’ve never, ever looked back.” Several years later, White married the late Frank White, Arkansas’ governor from 1981 to 1983. “Frank loved the outdoors … camping, canoeing … he took me on outings, and it’s because of his patience that I learned to love it too. We were married 28 years. It was 28 years of joy, doing all the stuff we loved to do. White said living in Arkansas and being outdoors allows one to “enjoy the journey” of life. “I love the Buffalo National River and the Big Piney River; they’re just treasures. I love to hike the Sylamore Creek in the Ozark National Forest. Do you know I’ve met people who have not floated the Buffalo, hiked or even visited our state parks? They don’t know what they are missing." When a friend suggested White become a member of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Board, she met with Scott Simon, director of the organization. “I was amazed, just floored by the work they do. They are some of the busiest, most dedicated individuals … it’s scientists, biologists, botanists … all working to preserve our state’s beauty,” White said. That was in 2004, and she’s worked to promote the organization’s mission ever since. Her favorite TNC projects involve Arkansas Rivers; she’s particularly proud of the work they’ve done to preserve the integrity of the Saline River and the work they do through prescribed fires. “I really was ignorant of the whole process of prescribed burns and how they benefit forests. I’ve since learned about it and come to appreciate the science,” she said. White also put her money where her heart is — into the TNC’s Legacy Club. “It’s very simple. Everyone should have a will. I simply designated The Nature Conservancy as a recipient of my estate.” White said incidents like global warming and mass construction are all the more reason to become involved in the move to preserve nature. “We must continue to step up and speak out about protecting what we have. I encourage everyone to get out in nature. Nature sells itself. When you spend time outdoors, you’ll become drawn to it, and you’ll want to protect it.” She also encourages people to become members of the TNC. “Investigate what they do. Once you find out, you’ll be excited and want to be a part of this work.” For more information about TNC, log onto nature.org; for the Arkansas branch, click on the dropdown map “Find a Conservancy program near you” and click on “Arkansas,” or call the Little Rock office at (501) 663-6699. — by Angela E. Thomas / photography by Cindy Dyer
AYMAG.COM . 33
34 . APRIL 2010
2010 GUIDE TO GREEN LIVING
RECIPE Mother Nature's
Why add harsh chemicals and preservatives to beauty products when everything we need to look our best can be found in nature? A few leading brands have come forward with wonderful collections of all-natural products that are preferred by many.
photography by Janet Warlick
Kiehl’s ACAI DamageMinimizing Cleanser is a gently foaming, antioxidant-rich cleanser that rids skin of impurities and promotes a healthy, vibrant look and even tone; $25; Bella Boutique, (501) 6035373.
Restore youth and vibrancy to overworked, dry hands with the rich and fragrant Burt’s Bees Almond Milk Beeswax Hand Crème; $9; wholefoods.com.
Replenish skin’s moisture just in time to bare it all in spring attire with Burt’s Bees Naturally Nourishing Milk and Shea Butter Body Wash; $8; wholefoods.com.
Soften, shine and detangle hair with C is for Hair Care Hair and Scalp Moisturizing Mud Mask by Yes to Carrots. It contains extracts of carrot, pumpkin and orange, and is rich with betacarotene, vitamin E and other enzymes. $6; walgreens.com.
Carry this fresh Evian Mineral Water Facial Spray in your beach, pool or gym bag to rinse away salt, chlorine or sweat, or use it daily for a quick pick-me-up, to set makeup and revitalize the skin; $15; Barbara/Jean Ltd, (501) 227-0054.
Eradicate break-outs naturally with new Boscia Makeup-Breakup Cool Cleansing Oil designed to cleanse skin with a blend of botanical oils that dissolve makeup and impurities and brighten skin; $26; Sephora, JCPenney, (501) 224-0347.
Touch ups on-the-go are so much easier with bareMinerals Matte Foundation with Mini Refillable Buffing Brush. This retractable brush is pre-filled with foundation specially formulated to absorb oil, eliminate shine and prevent dry skin. $29; sephora.com.
Enhance your look with Korres Mango Butter Lipstick SPF 10. This vibrant shade offers sheer color for the lips as well as protection from sun damage; $18; Sephora, JCPenney, (501) 224-0347.
AYMAG.COM . 35
36 . APRIL 2010
2010 GUIDE TO GREEN LIVING
HYBRIDS by Eliza Borne
shopping for
(From top) Mercedes S400 Hybrid, Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid
The Prius may be the most popular hybrid, but it’s not the only one.
If you drive a hybrid, there’s a good chance you drive a Prius; according to Forbes, the Toyota Prius accounts for 48 percent of hybrid sales. It’s not hard to see why the Prius is so popular. In the city, the car, which is now in its fourth generation, gets a whopping 51 miles per gallon, and pricing starts at $22,800. “It’s the most economical car out there. The Prius employs a propulsion system that combines the best of the technolgy of an electric motor and gas engine to give the most fuel efficient means of transportation,”said Scott Young, sales manager, Landers Toyota, Little Rock, Arkansas. In February, Toyota Motor Sales announced a voluntary safety recall on Prius vehicles (2010 model) in order to update the cars’ anti-lock brake systems, and recently, reports of brake failure have flooded the news. “If you were to research, you’d find there are 44 recalls on vehicles at this time — only three of those involve Toyotas. We sell transportation solutions. We are standing by our products, and we will take care of the customer first,” Young said. In fact, he reports that sales for the Prius, “Toyota’s crowing jewel,” and other models remain strong. If you’d like to shop around for other hybrids, consider the following offerings from other manufacturers. The rankings used in this report are from the EPA’s Green Vehicle Guide. The annual fuel cost is based on the assumption that the car will be driven 15,000 miles a year, with the price of a gallon of fuel determined by the Department of Energy. Price points for the cars are straight from the individual manufacturers’ Web sites. The Honda Insight is a hybrid with an air pollution score of eight out of 10 and a greenhouse gas score of 10 out of 10. The car creates 2.81 pounds of smog-forming pollution a year and emits 3.62 tons of greenhouse gases. In the city, the vehicle should get approximately 40 miles to the gallon; 43, on the highway. An added feature of the Insight is its Eco Assist™ system, an interface that provides instantaneous feedback on the efficiency of braking and acceleration, factors that effect fuel economy. The annual fuel cost for an Insight driver is estimated to be $970, and the car’s pricing starts at $19,800. The Ford Escape hybrid (available in two-wheel and four-wheel drive) is marketed as “the most fuel-efficient SUV on the planet.” The two-wheel drive model has a better green ranking, with an air pollution score of eight out of 10, and a greenhouse gas score of nine out of 10. The car creates 2.81 pounds of smog-forming pollution a year and emits 4.62 tons of greenhouse gases. In the city, the vehicle should get approximately 34 miles per gallon; 31, on the highway. The annual fuel cost for a Ford Escape hybrid is estimated to be $1,242, and pricing starts at $29,860. The Cadillac Escalade hybrid has an air pollution and greenhouse gas score of six out of 10. The car creates 5.29 pounds of smog-forming pollution a year and emits 6.71 tons of greenhouse gases. In the city, the vehicle should get approximately 21 miles to the gallon; 22, on the highway. The annual fuel cost for an Escalade hybrid is an estimated $1,807, and pricing starts at $73,425. The Mercedes-Benz S400 hybrid has an air pollution score of seven out of 10 and a greenhouse gas score of five out of 10. The car creates 3.64 pounds of smog-forming pollution a year and emits 7.03 tons of greenhouse gases. In the city, the vehicle should get approximately 19 miles per gallon; 26, on the highway. The annual fuel cost for a Mercedes-Benz S400 hybrid is estimated to be $1,893, and pricing starts at $87,950. To determine the efficiency of your vehicle, visit the EPA’s green vehicle Web site and enter the year, make, and model of your car. •
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2010 GUIDE TO GREEN LIVING
MODERN Magnificently
The northwest Arkansas home of Ralph and Marketa Burns offers the semiretired couple all the conveniences of state-of-the-art energy-efficiency methods with a classic, chic and modern style. by Amy Bowers / photography by Mark Jackson
38 . APRIL 2010
j
The exterior of the Burns' home is covered in long-lasting, energy-efficient Galvalume metal. Balconies at each end of the home offer the couple a comfortable place to enjoy the scenery.
Just on the eastern edge of Fayetteville, Ark., nestled in the woods of the Ozarks, you can find a modern marvel — the home of Ralph and Marketa Burns. This couple sought the help of Tim deNoble and Tim Maddox, partners at deMx Architecture, to help them make their modern dream a reality. After living in Harrison, Ark., for nearly 30 years, where they owned a pharmacy, the couple was looking for a way to downsize their lives without sacrificing style. “Most of the other houses in the area kind of resembled the ‘cookie cutter’ style,” Marketa said. “We wanted something different and very modern, I was put in touch with Tim Maddox; he sent me a design and it was exactly what we wanted. We loved it.” Maddox and deNoble came up with a sustainable design that allows the couple to live in the home with minimal impact on the environment as well as minimal impact on their monthly budget. The home takes advantage of natural light with abundant windows; uses locally-quarried natural stone; features a Galvalume metal roof and siding, which is the most energy-efficient metal to use for roofing; and a water-collecting system on the roof, should the homeowners ever decide to recycle rainwater. The home has a unique “bowtie” shape — it is referred to by the architects as “The Bowtie Home ” — that not only creates a striking and memorable form, with covered balconies at each end, but aids with the water collecting systems as well. One of the most interesting energy-saving aspects of the home is the geothermal heat pump system, which uses the earth’s constant temperature to heat or cool the air in the home, cutting the Burns’ energy bills up to 80 percent. It works on a system of underground pipes that in the summer provides a source of cooling and in the winter, a source of heat. For instance, in the winter, water circulating in the underground pipes absorbs heat from the earth and carries it to the heat pump and into the home, where it arrives as warm, comfortable air. The Burns confirm that they have noticed a drastic reduction in their utilities. “Our gas bill is almost nothing,” Marketa said. On extremely cold nights, they use the fireplace in the living room, but most of the time, they said, they don’t have to. While the modern design of the home is Marketa’s pet project, the outdoors is Ralph’s territory. “I was fine with anything — I just wanted to have a tractor,” Ralph said. According to AYMAG.COM . 39
“WITH THIS HOME, WE WANTED TO MAKE A MODERN DESIGN WITH OPEN SPACE AND LOTS OF NATURAL LIGHT AND ALSO USE AS MANY SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS AS POSSIBLE." Marketa, he spends most of his time riding it around their 10 acres, hauling rocks, removing debris from the woods and moving items for projects on the grandchildren’s tree house, which is a model of the couple’s home. The 2,700 square-foot home is made even larger by the wall of windows along the rear and throughout. Every room is flooded with vast amounts of natural light; however, the surrounding woods offer privacy and a sense of seclusion for the couple. The interior is stunningly modern — the most striking feature is the abundance of maple wood. It can be found in the floors, built-in cabinets, trim and doors. “With this home, we wanted to make a modern design with open space and lots of natural light and also use as many sustainable materials as possible,” Maddox said. The floor plan is very open, but the architects designed spatial dividers, such as a beautiful maple and cherry pocket door, to close off rooms.
40 . APRIL 2010
Marketa furnished the home primarily through nationally-known retailers specializing in modern design, such as Crate and Barrel, CB2 and Fayetteville furniture store, Lacuna Modern Interiors. The style is sleek and minimalist with streamline chairs, a sectional sofa and a hide-away, built-in entertainment center in the living room. A simplistic solid wood dining table with unobtrusive red leather and metal dining chairs sits below a beaded chandelier in the dining room. The kitchen is unassuming and thoughtfully laid out with flourishes of granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. The open floorplan and many windows allow dinner to be prepared in the kitchen with the kids’ treehouse in plain sight. The Burns have lived in their modern marvel for three years and still love it. “The Bowtie Home” fits their lifestyle perfectly. It requires minimal upkeep, low monthly utility costs, comfort, style and a small carbon footprint.•
Mercedes-Benz of Little Rock congratulates
Lisenne Rockefeller for her work with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation #8 Colonel Glenn Plaza Drive Little Rock, AR 72210 501.666.9457 littlerockmercedes.com
(opposite page, from top left) Built-in cabinetry in the master bedroom offers ample storage. The grandchildren's treehouse design echoes that of the Bowtie House. The dining room exhibits sleek, modern design. A fireplace in the center of the lower level offers added heat on extremely cold nights.
Love this? Learn more at aymag.com/go/pallensmith AYMAG.COM . 41
THE HOUSE THAT
GREEN BUILT The Home Builders Association of Greater Little Rock (HBAGLR) is constructing its first ever GREEN BUILT model home. The house is located in west Little Rock’s Woodland’s Edge, the 2009 Green Development of the Year. The project is a sustainable construction set to ANSIapproved National Green Building Standards. The standards state: “a builder, remodeler or developer must incorporate a minimum number of features in the following areas: energy, water and resource efficiency, lot and site development, indoor environment quality and homeowner education.” Last month’s spring-like weather afforded the builders of the GREEN BUILT home a muchneeded break. The home is in frame and at press time, much of the electrical, plumbing and heating/air conditioning hookups were in roughin. Keith Wingfield, co-project coordinator and president of the HBAGLR, said insulation and drywall should be installed soon. Wingfield gave AY a tour of the site. The home will have about 2,600 square feet of living space, including a master bedroom with a large window oriented to take advantage of natural light, three additional bedrooms, three full baths, pull-down stair access to the attic and a tornado shelter by Tornado Shelter Systems. The rear will feature a covered deck. The GREEN BUILT home has a crawl-space foundation with piers and beams that run beneath the home. Cinderblocks wrap the foundation’s sides and rear, and a tour of the large storage area allows a view of the home’s support system, which includes engineered I joists. “These I Joists are actually made of OSB, oriented strand board, which is actually a fairly green product,” Wingfield said “The boards are made of chips that are randomly-oriented and com-
42 . APRIL 2010
pressed with adhesive. The chips come from small trees versus plywood, which is made of large trees.” OSB, according to the Engineered Wood Association, is “manufactured from waterproof, heat-cured adhesives and rectangularlyshaped wood strands.” The chips, or strands, are obtained from smaller, fast-growing tree species making the OSB a more environmentally-friendly product. The material has the strength of plywood and that can be used, in many instances, instead of plywood. Subflooring has been laid, and according to Wingfield, builders often apply a chemical to the wood to prevent damage due to rain and moisture. “We use a KleenWrap to protect the flooring; this eliminates the use of chemicals, which could run off and damage the surrounding ground,” Wingfield said. To minimize financial and material waste, the amount of wood and the number of cuts to be made during the framing process has been taken into account. “Often crews use the most convenient piece of wood, so a 10-foot piece may be cut out of a 14-foot or 16-foot piece. We plan our cuts, so a 10-foot piece will be cut from a 12-piece of wood,” Wingfield said. Leftover wood will be given to an environmental company to make mulch. Concrete and brick is also being accounted for — to eliminate excess waste — and leftover materials will be recycled as well. Bracing and scaffold used during the construction process will later be used in the attic. For more information about the GREEN BUILT house, log onto hbaglr.com. •
Royal FAMILY
OF COMPANIES
Check AY each month, as we’ll feature monthly updates through the completion of the GREEN BUILT home in May or June.
Making your house a home.
Tribute Paying
to Family, Friends & Patients
who have had breast cancer
with much love,
Liz Clouse aymag.com . 43
2010 GUIDE TO GREEN LIVING
by Tobi Fairley
ECO
With a little thought you can create a room that looks great and saves the planet all at the same time.
fabulous
Chair by Lee Industries, fabrics by Rubie Green, a botanical print taken from an old book and zeroVOC paints by Sherwin Williams help create a look like one inspired by the room shown above. 44 . april 2010
It seems Kermit the Frog was wrong … it’s not that hard to be green after all. There are so many eco-friendly products popping up on the market these days that just about any inspirational photo can be translated into a green design for your home. This look is already off to a great start with the sofa and chair by Lee Industries. They come standard with the “Natural Lee” construction, which uses soy-based cushions paired with recycled and natural materials to create a gorgeous product that is kind to the earth. For every piece sold, Lee Industries donates one tree to American Forests.
The artwork shown here by Soicher Marin is available with frames made of sustainable materials. To add a punch of color to your space, try brightly-colored organic cotton from companies like Rubie Green. Keep in mind that natural fibers, like wool, are great for rugs, and don’t forget to create a great backdrop for your look by using zero-VOC paint like Sherwin Williams’ Harmony line. This certified green product doesn’t sacrifice performance and comes in all the great Sherwin Williams colors, such as “Baguette” shown here. For more of Tobi’s Tips and style, log onto her Web site tobifairley.com. •
Shop For A Cause May 1st, 2010
1:30 pm until you can’t shop anymore! Get ready for a fun filled day full of discounts, giveaways, and activities for the whole family!
Horse drawn carriage rides, trackless trains, kids crafts and sidewalk chalk 25% off everything at RK Collections! 15% off select brands at Kay Jewelers 300 Free goodie bags at Just Dogs! Gourmet PLUS 15% off everything 15 Free cards & 1 calendar for all booked appointments at Portrait Innovations 800 Free movie tickets for entries to win the Promenade Shopping Spree! Don’t forget to stop by Ya Ya’s patio party for a free live concert and samples!
MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON! Purchase a $10 passport to be eligible for a chance to win a $500 gift card!
Proceeds Benefit AY Magazine’s Runway for a Cause Visit chenalshopping.com for more information
Congratulations Tobi! Tobi’s innovative and clean design was featured on the cover and in the pages of March’s House Beautiful. The “Spring Color Issue” was “All About Blue.” The 10-page article featuring a design Tobi created for a Fayetteville, Ark., homeowner was titled “Blue As An Opal.”
The living room of a northwest
Arkansas home Tobi designed is featured as the center spread.
aymag.com . 45
2010 GUIDE TO GREEN LIVING
by P. Allen Smith / photography by Jane Colclasure, Kelly Quinn and Hortus Ltd.
green A Green Look at P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home Retreat that will make you
with envy
46 . april 2010
The word green at the Garden Home Retreat has many meanings and applications. The organic gardens are the first to come to mind for those who visit us. In a relatively short time, six years, we have planted acres of flower gardens, orchards and vegetable gardens — even the pastures for our sheep and free-range poultry are organic. But it is the house that surprises visitors. At first glance it looks as though it has been sited overlooking the river valley below for 175 years, actually it has only been two years since construction was completed. The style of the house is Greek Revival, and
(left) The Garden Home Retreat's Daffodil Hill hosts more than 175,000 bulbs in more than 65 varieties. (below) Ward Lile, creative director, and Allen discuss green options for the Garden Home.
its proportions, details and materials were all chosen to reflect the age of the farm, circa 1840. Since that time, the site has been farmed and the large Post Oak (Quercus stellata) centered in front of the house stands as a testament to the age of the farmstead. One of the greatest compliments we receive is when first-time guests, thinking it is a recently-refurbished, 19th century house, ask how long the house was under restoration. There are lots of words and phrases thrown about these days that suggest “green,” such as sustainable, environmentally-friendly, reduced carbon footprint, zero-energy, etc; our focus was to make the house as green as possible and apply aspects of all of this. In short, the house
serves as a bridge from a conventional (traditional) approach to a greener one. For my TV show, “Garden Home,” we wanted to illustrate that being greener is, in part, about making better choices. We can make choices that impact the planet in a more positive way. The methods of construction and materials were considered during each phase of the design process. Some of these approaches apply to new construction and others can be employed when renovating or retrofitting an existing home or structure. Our goal was not to make the project platinum LEED-certified and zeroenergy, but to show the public that there are more green choices than one might think. For instance, we used Benjamin Moore’s Aura series of no-VOC paints. No-VOC simply means these paints do not put chemicals into the air when applied. Here, there is no shortage of designer colors; we chose “Nantucket Whisper” green for the main rooms, and many who visit remark on the color’s soothing effect. The foundation of the home was made from interlocking Styrofoam blocks (Amvic) filled with concrete. This allowed us to create a well-insulated, waterproof basement level and a solid foundation for the house. Once the walls went up and the brick (Boral, 17th Century blend, regionally-proaymag.com . 47
The terrace gardens, pictured above, are full of color from April until early November. (bottom, from left) Beneficial insects are used in the vegetable garden to keep the “bad bugs” at bay. Allen and Bill Poleatewich, from Dawn Solar, on the roof of the Garden Home discussing the radiant heat system. Heat collected from the roof is transferred into the basement floor of the house. The radiant heat system preheats the water resulting in less energy usage.
duced and fired with the heat of peanut hulls used as fuel) was applied, soy-based insulation was sprayed between the framing and joists of the ceilings, walls, and floors. This made the “R” value (used to measure the insulations ability to resist heat flow) of the house much more appealing from the standpoint of long-term energy efficiency, comfort and surprisingly, sound reduction. Like many of these features, we had to weigh the initial cost — investment — with the long-term pay-off. As an example, the radiant heat system installed under the standing seam Follensbee roof. The system (Dawn Solar) takes the radiant heat from sunlight warming the metal roof and transfers it through a series of undulating PEC tubing from the roof into the basement. The same tubing system is set in the floor 48 . april 2010
and covered with brick pavers. The heat from the roof heats the floors; as we know, heat rises and therefore helps keep the house cozy even on the coldest, sunny days. This system also “pre-heats” the water for the house, which is a huge boost when warming water for a comfortably hot shower. As you can see, the roof is one of the most important aspects of our green initiatives. The Follensbee standing seam system is based on a time-honored method of roof design. In fact, Thomas Jefferson used a standing seam metal roof on Monticello. Our country is full of examples of these roofs that have endured the perils of time and weather for more than a century and a half — so, we will not have to replace the roof for another
100 years (unless some disaster occurs, of course, heaven forbid!) This innovative design cuts down on the use of materials to replace conventional shingle roofs (with an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years) and reduces waste as traditional roofing materials go into landfills. This roof also has a direct relationship to the gardens as it serves an integral part of our rainwater harvesting system. With extreme weather conditions and water scarcity, we wanted to create a system that would collect and store rainwater to irrigate the gardens rather than draw from the five wells on the farm. Currently, we are able to store 6,000 gallons. The tank/reservoir is under the lawn between the two out buildings. The gutter system (Follensbee) is made of a terne-coated metal that is inert — meaning no heavy metals will be deposited into our collection reservoir and find their way into the organic flower and vegetable gardens and orchard. We also collect run off water in six ponds (soon to be nine) as another way of collecting water. From the beginning, the land that surrounds the house and garden has been as important to me as the previously mentioned aspects of the property. We have spent the last several years working on soil conservation — maintaining the old organic pastures and creating new ones. We have our annual bluebird program with a dozen nest boxes placed around the property. This year, we hope to re-establish our Bob White Quail population with the help of regional experts. I have learned throughout this project that the idea of living a greener life has many applications and each day more opportunities open up to all of us. The key, it seems to me, is to think about the choices you have and make the greenest one possible. Our entire design team, lead by Ward Lile, has been conscious from the start of finding ways to make the house, garden and farm greener and more energy efficient. We have had the good fortune to design in the beginning with the end in mind. It has been a source of pride for all of us to use this project in my national media and to show green living from the great state of Arkansas. •
P. Allen Smith is an ardent vegetable gardener; professional garden designer; host of two national TV programs; a regular guest on the “Today Show,” and author of P. Allen Smith’s Bringing the Garden Indoors and other books in the Garden Home series. For more video tips and ideas, sign up for his free weekly newsletter at pallensmith.com.
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Green Grants An innovative program, made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, will not only make The Natural State a bit more green, it’ll address the need to put an at-risk population to work. Arkansas received nearly $4.9 million to create three energy centers of excellence “that will develop and deploy materials and programs” to 22 two-year colleges and seven apprenticeship programs. The program will include 2,800 participants — high-school dropouts, unemployed workers and other hard-to-serve individuals — who will gain green skills. Partners in the program include: Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Arkansas Apprenticeship Coalition, Winrock International, Arkansas Department of Career Education and several Workforce Investment Boards. Arkansas also received more than $2.5 million in grants and will create centers to provide training for green jobs at Pulaski Technical College and Northwest Arkansas Community College. The two-year colleges will offer classes for energy auditors and raters, weatherization workers and heating and cooling jobs. The grants were granted by the ARRA and are being administered by the Arkansas Energy Office.
Recycling rebates If your home is in need of a major repair or a major appliance needs replacing, your investment may just qualify you for a federal tax credit. Credits of 30 percent of purchase costs, up to $1,500, are available for existing, primary residences for: air source heat pumps; central air conditioning units; energy-efficient natural gas, propane or oil furnaces; insulation as well as weather stripping, spray foam, caulk and house wraps; energy-efficient natural gas, propane or oil water heaters; and energy-efficient windows, doors and skylights. Geothermal heat pumps, small wind turbines for residential use and solar energy systems may qualify for a tax credit of 30 percent of purchase costs with no limit if installed in new or existing homes, used as primary or secondary homes. For more information, log onto energystar.gov. 50 . april 2010
Just beginning to bloom, Knock Out roses are beautiful shrub roses that flower spring through fall.
APRIL GARDENING TIPS
• By mid-April, tomatoes, squash, beans, melons, cucumbers and basil should be planted in the garden to ensure a tasty harvest. • Mowing season begins. Raise the height of your mower. Don’t collect your grass clippings – recycle those nutrients.
Knock-Out Roses Plant of the Month
With resistance to black spot, these roses do not have to be sprayed to keep the foliage healthy and the blooms coming, making them a lowmaintenance plant. Traditionally available in a pastel pink or bright hot pink, newer selections offer yellow and a yellow and pink “rainbow.” Add Knock Out roses to your landscape, and you will not be disappointed.
• Keep the garden green; control insects with environmentally-friendly alternatives, such as insecticidal soaps, horticultural oils and Bt products. • Get the hummingbird feeder cleaned, filled and out. Keeping the nectar fresh and cleaning the feeder every few days as temperatures climb will keep hummers healthy. • Garden centers and nurseries are exploding with color. In your shopping frenzy, remember to choose annuals and perennials that will be bloom through the summer. AYMAG.COM . 51
T: 501-225-4134 C: 501-416-8986 W: riverrockbuilders.net CERTIFIED GREEN PROFESSIONALS IN ARKANSAS The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is a professional organization dating back to 1942. The organization serves members in several capacities, including continuing
Keith Wingfield, River Rock Builders LLC, became the first Certified Green Professional in Arkansas in 2008 and has also earned the designation of LEED AP (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, Accredited Professional).
education for its members, one being the NAHB
River Rock Builders prides itself as the only 100% ENERGY STAR builder in Central Arkansas.
Certified Green Professional (CGP) program,
Save energy, be green, save green!
which allows building professionals to marry their extensive skills set and knowledge with the principles of conservation and sustainability.
KEITH WINGFIELD
CGPs work with homeowners to build houses that “meet and exceed green building energyefficiency requirements”; to implement water and energy conservation practices; “to achieve indoor air quality”; to “create safe, comfortable and sustainable buildings”; and much more. Further, CGPs work with homeowners who are remodeling or adding onto their homes, whether the structure is a single-family dwelling, townhome, duplex, tri- or quad-plex, or a pre1980 home, to earn Emerald, Bronze, Silver or Gold certification levels. To learn more about the NAHB Green Certification program or to find a CGP, log onto hbaglr.com and click on GREEN BUILT Arkansas.
Greenbrier Custom Homes, Inc. T: 501-733-2636 F: 501-679-2164 W: greenbriercustomhomes.com Greenbrier Custom Homes, Inc specializes in building energy efficient homes in Faulkner County and Central Arkansas. Owner Herb Evans is a member of The Green Built Arkansas Council. He serves as Builder Member to the Board of Directors of the Faulkner County Home Builders Association as well as State Director to the Arkansas Home Builders Association. Greenbrier Custom Homes, Inc. is dedicated to building quality homes with an eye towards efficiency.
HERB EVANS 52 . APRIL 2010
T: 501-868-8900 W: www.curtiscustomhomes.com Frank Curtis, Owner of Curtis Contracting, started building and remodeling homes in the northeast in the early 80s. He was employed by a custom builder who built large custom homes and additions from the ground up. A few years later, he began working for a kitchen and bath design center designing and coordinating remodeling projects. Four years later, Frank started Curtis Contracting, Inc., where he now specializes in all types of remodels and new home construction.
FRANK CURTIS
T: 501-680-1238 F: 501-868-4486 W: bretfranks.com Bret Franks Construction, Inc. has been building homes in Central Arkansas for more than 11 years and is honored to be a member of the Southern Living Custom Builder Program - which invites only the top builders in the South. With backgrounds as Certified Public Accountants working for Fortune 500 companies, Bret and Jen Franks bring professionalism, attention to detail, and sound financial sense to your project.
BRET FRANKS
T: 501-753-5006 C: 501-351-3822 W: renaissancehomesonline.com Renaissance Homes, Inc. was founded in 2002 by Owner Brandon Tedder and has since grown into one of Arkansas’ premier home building firms. With 39 years combined construction experience, we are committed to helping customers create new homes and renovation projects that reflect their personality and style, with a unique approach to navigating “GREEN”. Renaissance provides free estimates, consultations & site visits.
BRANDON TEDDER
T: 501-225-2729 F: 501-225-8094 W: bosleyconstructioninc.com Bosley Construction Inc. has been developing subdivisions and building residential housing in Central Arkansas for 36 years. Bill Bosley also serves on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Home Builders Research Center. The research center developed the Green Building Standards over the last 6 years. Bosley Construction Inc. utilizes green products in all homes in order to promote efficiency and enviromental benefits.
G.L. “BILL” BOSLEY AYMAG.COM . 53
2010 GUIDE TO GREEN LIVING
ROOM BY ROOM saving energy
The kitchen and laundry rooms are two areas in the home where energy saving is most important. The largest, most energyusing appliances are located in these rooms; according to Energy Efficiency Arkansas, “electrical appliances, lighting and refrigeration can account for 43 percent or more of your household energy consumption. For the average Arkansas household, this could add up to $820 a year.” In the long run, it may be best to replace old appliances with new ENERGY STAR-rated appliances to reduce your monthly utility bills. The U.S. Department of Energy awarded $2.74 million to the Arkansas Energy Office to launch an ENERGY STAR® Appliance Rebate Program in March. This program encourages consumers to replace inefficient appliances with new, ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances. ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. 54 . APRIL 2010
The program aims to save consumers’ money, protect the environment, stimulate the economy and create jobs. Rules stipulate that consumers must purchase an ENERGY STAR appliance from a participating retailer and replace their old appliance with the new model in order to qualify for the rebate. Check the Arkansas Energy Office Web site — arkansasenergyoffice.org — for more information. Appliances that qualify include refrigerators, clothes washers and hot water heaters. If purchasing new appliances is not an option for you, here are a few tips on how to reduce energy consumption in your kitchen and laundry rooms, courtesy of The Arkansas Economic Development Commission Arkansas Energy Office: REFRIGERATORS s Clean your refrigerator’s condenser coils, located either behind or under the unit, every other month. Don’t place your refrigerator or freezer in direct sunlight or near any heat source, such as an oven or furnace register. s Make sure the refrigerator door is closed and well sealed. Periodically check the door
seals by closing several pieces of paper around the door’s gasket. If the paper pulls out easily, the gasket (rubber seal) needs to be cleaned, adjusted or replaced. s Keep the refrigerator and freezer at the right temperatures: refrigerator at 38 to 42 degrees, and the freezer between 0 and 5 degrees. s When checking out a new refrigerator, select a model with the freezer on top instead of a side-by-side unit. This will save about 20 percent. Also, icemakers, especially in the door, increase energy consumption. RANGES/OVENS s Keep the oven and cooktop clean. Bakedon spills can inhibit the heating of the elements and shorten their lifespan. s Keep the oven door closed during baking. Every time you open your oven door during cooking, you lose 25 to 50 degrees or more. s Complete combustion of natural gas can be checked by looking for a blue flame. A yellow flame indicates improper combustion and results in wasted energy. If the flame is mostly yellow, have it checked. s Consider cooking meals with small
appliances. Microwaves, electric skillets, grills or toaster/broilers use less energy than the range. s When checking out a new range or oven, evaluate all of the options for heating elements (e.g. solid, smooth, radiant, halogen, magnetic -induction) and styles (freestanding, selfcleaning, convection). DISHWASHERS: s Instead of using the drying cycle, open the door and allow the dishes to air dry. s Wash only full loads to save money and time, and use cold water to rinse your dishes. s Don’t overload your machine; this prevents the spray-arms from rotating properly. s When checking out a new dishwasher, look for a model with an air-dry setting and a built-in heater to boost the water temperature. This allows the temperature in the water heater to be reduced by 10 degrees, which will cut water-heating costs up to 6 percent. CLOTHES WASHERS/DRYERS: s Most clothes can be washed using a coldor warm-wash setting with a cold-water rinse. These settings can save up to 65 percent of the energy used for hot-wash, warm-rinse loads. Also, use the right laundry detergent; most detergents can clean many lightly-soiled clothes. s Wash full loads, but don’t overload the machine. s Don’t use your dryer if you don’t have to. Hang clothes to line dry whenever possible. s Check your dryer’s exhaust vent periodically; make sure it’s clean and clear of obstructions. Keep the exhaust hose clear, and clean the lint filter after each use. Also, don’t vent the dryer indoors; it will dump not only a lot of lint and other pollutants, it will add an undesirable amount of moisture to the air. s Dry full loads, but don’t overload the machine. s When checking out a dryer, look for a model with “moisture sensors” that turn the dryer off automatically when the clothes are dry. This can cut energy use from 10 to 15 percent. Try these energy-saving tips throughout the rest of your home: IN THE BATH AND BED ROOMS s Contemplating the purchase of a window unit air conditioner? Be sure to look for an ENERGY STAR-qualified unit — they use up to 10 percent less energy than standard models. AYMAG.COM . 55
Better yet, purchase one with a timer. Insulate the unit from the outside with a tight-fitting air conditioning cover. s Use storm windows in the winter. Caulk and weatherstrip around windows and doorframes. Unplug any unused battery chargers or power adapters. Use surge protectors so you just have one button to push to power items on and off. s Use ENERGY STAR-qualified CFLs (compact fluorescent light bulbs) for overhead, vanity and lamp lighting. The bulbs use up to 75 percent less energy, last up to 10 times longer and pay for themselves in six months. s Always turn off lights in unoccupied rooms. s Limit showers to 10 minutes. Showers use less water than a full bath. Replace your showerhead with a 2.5 gallon-per-minute or low-flow showerhead. This could add up to a savings of more than $100 per year on electricity. s Repair or replace leaky faucets; a hot water leak can waste up to $35 in gas or electricity and more than 1,600 gallons of water during a year. IN YOUR LIVING AREAS s Use ceiling fans to circulate air and heat. In the winter, reverse the motor to create an updraft forcing warm air down. In the summer, make sure the fan blows downward. Use lowwatt CFLs in the light fixture. s Keep drapes open during the day to take advantage of the sun’s warmth; keep them closed during the day in the summer to keep the heat of the summer sun out. s Close your flue damper when your fireplace is not in use, so cool/warm air doesn’t escape. s Keep air registers and vents clear so air flows freely throughout the room. s Electronics account for a large amount of energy consumption in a home — up to 15 percent of electricity use — some even when the power is off. ENERGY STAR-qualified electronics help save energy while maintaining clock displays, channel settings and remotecontrol functions. • 56 . APRIL 2010
AYMAG.COM . 57
2010 GUIDE TO GREEN LIVING
TAKING the LEED
Arkansas often ranks nationally at the bottom of the list for this, that or the other; however, we are at the forefront for embracing the green building movement. by Angela E. Thomas / photography courtesy of arkansas.com and the recipients
(From top) Platinum LEED certified in Arkansas are: Stitt Energy Systems Inc., Rogers; Heifer International Center, Little Rock; and The William J. Clinton Presidential Center, Little Rock.
58 . APRIL 2010
The U. S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a nonprofit organization “committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings.” The LEED, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, program is an internationally-recognized green building certification system that provides builders and building owners a “concise framework to identify and implement practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.” While smaller, practical steps, such as using less plastic, recycling when possible and eating locally-produced food, make a difference, buildings impact our environment immensely. According to the USGBC, buildings in the United States are responsible for 39 percent of carbon dioxide emissions, 40 percent of energy consumption and 13 percent of water consumption. So it stands to reason that building green will make a huge impact on the environment. “People think gas guzzling cars are the big culprits, but the fact is buildings use a lot of energy. We spend 80 to 90 percent of our lives indoors — unless you’re an ‘outdoors person,’ and even then it’s hard to find an ‘unbuilt environment.’ We spend time in our homes, cars, office buildings, schools … so, of course, the buildings use a lot of energy. The USGBC is about being proactive, not reactive,” said Steve Kinzler, principal at Polk Stanley Wilcox. He said LEED came of age in the late ‘90s. Arkansas realized its own chapter of the USGBC in 2002. “The Arkansas chapter of the USGBC was one of the earliest chapters; now there are 70 or more nationwide. Our members, ranging from architects, commercial contractors, nonprofit members, and others, number up to 300,” said Linda K. Smith, executive director of the chapter. “Members can be anyone. You don’t have to be an architect to be a member of the USGBC. Anyone who has an understanding of engineering, waste, and sustainability … we take a holistic approach to building. In fact, the whole idea is to be open to the community,” Kinzler said. Arkansas has nearly 30 LEED-certified buildings. One of the first structures built to LEED guidelines was a College of Health building at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (the building is not officially listed as the college chose not to go through the certification process); Kinzler’s firm built it. Other LEED-certified buildings include the Fayetteville Public Library and BioBased Corporate Headquarters, both in Fayetteville; Camp Aldersgate Commons Building, Heifer International Headquarters, and the Pulaski County Prosecutor’s Office, all in Little Rock; and Caldwell Toyota in Conway. “By 2030, The American Institute of Architects wants all facilities in America to be designed to be carbon neutral. While building carbon neutral may cost more money now — our culture hasn’t caught on just yet — it costs less in the long run. A building is like an iceberg. You see the tip; this is comparable to the costs associated with construction. But the part that’s not seen, the largest portion, is comparable to the costs associated with the maintenance and operation of that building; in 10 years these costs equal that of the construction costs,” Kinzler said. He said the American culture, in the past, has been to use a building and when it gets old, “to throw it away.” The USGBC’s
goal is to renovate and adapt properties for reuse after 20, 30 years, to retrofit the building and get more life out of it. Danielle Shafer is a sustainability building consultant with TME, Inc. She worked with the contractors and subcontractors on construction of Baldwin & Shell’s gold LEEDcertified building in downtown Little Rock. “The first thing to consider with LEED buildings, as with any building, is the owner’s desire for the building,” Shafer said. Then marry those functions with LEED guidelines. “For instance, the owner may want to ensure responsible sustainable behaviors, so we use LEED guidelines for waste diversion. In the case of the Baldwin & Shell building, we addressed the quality of air. During construction, materials, such as mechanical units, lumber and sheeting were covered so exposure to dust, mold and mildew were [contained]. We also used low-VOC (Volatile organic compound) products during the finishing process.” Light and energy were also taken into account. The building was constructed to take advantage of natural light and task lighting was introduced. “Occupants have the ability to close off areas and dim lights, and auto sensors are used in areas like bathrooms. The design of the building allows it to use 18 percent less energy than a similar size building,” Shafer said. Dual flush toilets and waterless urinals help reduce water usage. “This is important because most water used in bathrooms is actually potable water,” she added. While the majority of the LEED-certified buildings in Arkansas are public spaces and business buildings, the Arkansas USGBC listing includes several buildings under the LEED for Homes rating. They are in the CityGrove Townhome development in the Argenta community, located in the hub of downtown North Little Rock. Residents have access to public transportation and enjoy living in homes that have been built to use less energy and water, capitalize on natural sunlight and are equipped with ENERGY STAR appliances and finished with low-VOC products. •
For more information about the USGBC Arkansas or LEED-certified buildings, log onto usgbc-ar.org; for information about CityGrove Townhomes, log onto citygrovetownhomes.com.
ay
MAGAZINE
Arkansas’ Premier Lifestyle Magazine
aymag.com/go/subscribe AYMAG.COM . 59
ARKANSAS’ LEED (LEADERSHIP IN ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN) CERTIFIED PROJECTS PLATINUM William J. Clinton Presidential Center, Little Rock Heifer International Center, Little Rock Stitt Energy Systems Inc., Rogers GOLD Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, North Little Rock Baldwin & Shell Office Building, Little Rock Beaver Water District Administrative Building, Lowell Caldwell Toyota, Conway Camp Aldersgate Commons Building, Little Rock Mars Petcare Arkansas Plant, Fort Smith Winrock International, Little Rock SILVER American Electric Power’s Rogers Service Center, Rogers Benchmark Group, Rogers Bethel Middle School, Bryant BioBased Corporate Headquarters, Fayetteville Coca-Cola TI, Rogers Composite A-10 Aircraft Hangar, Fort Smith Fayetteville Public Library, Fayetteville Hurricane Creek Elementary School, Benton Wooster Elementary School, Greenbrier CERTIFIED Arkansas Support Network, Springdale Hanesbrands, Inc. at Bentonville Plaza, Bentonville Horizon Group USA, Bentonville Innovation Center, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Metro Lot 13A, Rogers Pulaski County Prosecutor’s Office, Little Rock Pulaski County Road and Bridge Department, Little Rock Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, Little Rock Sylamore Ranger District Office, Mountain View
Baldwin Shell
Camp Aldersgate
BudgetBlinds.com/Springdale BudgetBlinds.com/Rogers 479-751-6655
“America’s Leader in Custom Window Treatments” 60 . APRIL 2010
Winrock International
2010 GUIDE TO GREEN LIVING
SPRING by Eliza Borné
cleaning
Shopping for cleaning products doesn’t require much thought, right? Think again, and take a minute to assess the ingredients in your household cleaners.
Do your cleaning products include petroleum-based ingredients, a nonrenewable resource? What about phosphates, a culprit of water pollution? Are your products labeled with words such as danger or poison? If the answer is yes, it’s time for a cleaning-product overhaul. Lucky for consumers, there are now a wide range of environmentally-friendly cleaners on the market. Before you go shopping, think about what your grandmother might have used. Making your own cleaning products is easy, affordable and sometimes all you need is a box of baking soda. This may be a no-brainer, but it bears repeating: instead of using air fresheners, come springtime, air out your home the old-fashioned way — open your windows. Clean and deodorize drains, garbage cans and bathroom surfaces with a few shakes of Arm & Hammer. A simple solution of vinegar and water can “take away nasty smells,” said Shelley Green, the owner of the Green Corner Store in Little Rock, Arkansas. For customers who wish to make more complex cleaners, Green has ordered bottles printed with cleaningsolution recipes. When you do need to buy soaps and scrubs, Green has some advice: “You can feel comfortable using a product that fully discloses all ingredients. We try to use renewable resources, so a product that uses petroleum, when there are alternatives, is not a good choice.” There are many different products available at the Green Corner Store, such as laundry soap and hypoallergenic all-purpose cleaner manufactured by It’s All Green and More, a company based in North Little Rock, Ark., that uses plant-based ingredients and essential oils to create nontoxic products that are safe for children and pets. Owner Laquita Smith decided to create chemical-free cleaners after she realized that the harsh smell of traditional products gave her headaches. Regular laundry detergent caused her daughter’s eczema to flare up. “When we started washing her clothes with fragrance-free laundry detergent she got better,” Smith said. “That got me [interested in] nontoxic and chemical-free products.” You can also purchase It’s All Green and
More cleaners online or at Ritzy Kids Consignment in Maumelle, Arkansas. The top-selling cleaning products at the Green Corner Store are made by Chartreuse, a national company that cuts down on the environmental impact of shipping by sending concentrated cleaners in small pouches, which customers pour, along with water, into reusable bottles (the bottles are also available for purchase). For biodegradable soap — good for personal washing, dishwashing, or cleaning countertops — try Robert’s Castile Soap, also sold at the Certified Arkansas Farmers Market. The soap is made from olive and canola oils, lye and distilled water at the Willow Springs Market Garden, a threeacre farm just south of Little Rock. Felted wool dryer balls created by local jewelry artist Tara FletcherGibbs can replace dryer sheets, which contain harsh chemicals. “They can be used over and over,” Green said. “They’re anti-static, and they reduce your drying time, since they’re wool and they absorb water.” If you prefer to shop at chain stores, look for products that specifically list their ingredients; an ambiguous “green” label is not enough. A great company is Seventh Generation, which manufactures everything from baby laundry soap, chlorine-free bleach to tub and tile cleaner — all nontoxic, with fully-disclosed ingredients. Their products are available at Walgreen’s, Kroger or Whole Foods. At Home Depot, you’ll find Martha Stewart Clean, a line of cleaners that carry the Design for the Environment logo, an indication that the products are “effective and protective of health and the environment,” according to the EPA. The line includes plant and mineral-based dishwasher detergent, carpet stain remover, toilet cleaner and more. Besides the environmental and health benefits of using natural cleaners — and the fact that you won’t have to worry about poisoning your dog the next time you scrub the toilet — an added bonus of green cleaning is a fresher smell. Just imagine: from now on, you’ll be able to clean and breathe through your nose at the same time. • AYMAG.COM . 61
5507 Ranch Drive, Suite 103 • Little Rock, AR • 501.868.9882 • tobifairley.com
62 . APRIL 2010
2010 GUIDE TO GREEN LIVING
eat your
GREENS by Angela E. Thomas
DINING OUT A group of Little Rock restaurateurs founded the Arkansas Green Restaurant Alliance (AGRA) with one goal in mind — to reduce their impact on the environment. They approached this goal in several ways including looking at their maintenance and packaging practices and by serving local foods. Restaurant owners Scott McGehee, owner of Zaza Fine Salad & Wood-Oven Pizza Co., and former owner of Boulevard Bread Co.; Kathy Webb of Lilly's Dimsum Then Some; and Capi Peck and Brent Peterson, owners of Capi’s Restaurant and Trio’s spearheaded the effort. “Capi and I are both ‘green hippies …’ our parents were products of the Great Depression, so we were trained to conserve,” Peterson said. “We began to read more and more about opportunities to [reduce our carbon footprint], and the more we read, well, to be honest, the more guilty we felt. So, we decided we had to do something.” He addressed the hardware and paper goods, Peck addressed the food. The manufacturing process used to create Styrofoam is the fifth largest creator of hazardous waste. Styrofoam, as well as standard plastic cups and bags, are made with petroleum, a nonrenewable resource, and these products, oftentimes, are not completely recyclable. As an alternative, the AGRA recommends the use of take-out products made of corn or potato products. “These products are made of a renewable source and break down versus Styrofoam that just stays around forever,” Peterson said. Peterson acknowledges the money factor involved in the use of these products. “Corn- and potato-based products are more expensive. The AGRA’s hope is to poll resources and cut costs by ordering in volume. Cost is the main reason most restaurants don’t use these products.” Peck echoed this sentiment. “Most restaurants have really seen a down in business, including us. For many, the profit margin is so small, the owners want to [implement] green practices, but they really cannot afford to.” When establishing Capi’s Restaurant, the duo addressed other envi-
There’s a food revolution and Arkansas is staging a coup. Whether you’re eating in or dining out, you can eat green and aid the environment while doing so.
ronmental issues, such as energy consumption. “We use as much CFL lighting as possible; we also installed equipment to prevent power surges. The ‘boxes’ act as a buffer and prevent the release of emissions. Though not cheap — we spent about $12,000 to install this equipment — we’ve already seen a 7 percent reduction in our energy bills, and this will allow us to extend the life of our refrigeration products,” Peterson said. They also use hybrid vehicles to make deliveries for their catering jobs; use cloth napkins versus paper whenever possible; and use citrus-based cleaning products. Peck has always served as much locally-produced food as possible at Trio’s Restaurant and practices the same at Capi’s Restaurant. “We opened Trio’s 24 years ago, and I’ve always used local farmers for our produce. I’ve established relationships with the farmers. I’m there every Saturday,” Peck said. “Often, farmers will ask if I’d like to use certain items at the restaurant, and they’ll plant accordingly.” From about mid-April to October, Peck visits the markets to purchase in-season foods. “It takes time to go there, pick out items and plan your menu … and it costs a bit more, but the customers appreciate the effort and that makes it worthwhile.” Peck shops both farmer markets — Little Rock’s and the Certified Arkansas Farmers’ Market (CAFM) — and often runs specials, like the Farmer’s Market Splendor, notating where the produce was grown. "It’s customer demand that can and will cause more restaurants to serve locally-grown produce and to use more sustainable practices. They will challenge owners to ‘do the green thing.’” BRING THE FARM HOME Don’t let Jody Hardin fool you; he’s a modest fellow. Underneath that famous hat, he’s storing a wealth of knowledge, and he and several other Arkansas farmers and progressive thinkers are out to change the way you eat. The concept of community-supported agriculture (CSA), according to AYMAG.COM . 63
(from left) Biodegradable utensils made from potato starch at Boulevard Bread Co. • A selection of fruit from local growers.
the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, dates back to the 1960s in Europe. Hardin said it caught on in the United States in the ‘70s. “Instead of farmers using money from a bank to purchase equipment and capital, they get customers to purchase their food goods in advance. This allows them to fund the supplies needed (seed, tractors, etc.) and even pay their overhead expenses. It’s a holistic approach to farm planning,” Hardin said. Customers receive a return of fresh, locally-gown produce in exchange. Farms that participate in CSAs in Arkansas may or may not be certified organic, a process that Hardin said is quite involved; however, many use time-honored methods to grow their crops and raise their livestock. Heifer International’s Ranch in Perryville has a CSA program that is limited to 70 shares. The season’s investment is $350 (about $15/week), and the produce is all organic-certified and fresh. For more information, call (501) 889-5124 or e-mail csa@heifer.org or ryan.neal@heifer.org. Whitton Farms in Whitton, Ark., (about an hour outside of Jonesboro) is a family-owned farm. Their CSA program is available in half and full shares; a half-share is $15/week, full is $25/week. Owner Keith Forrester pointed out the value CSA members get for their investment. “In July, for instance, a full share may consist of a pound of okra, a pound of purple hull peas, tomatoes, squash, leafy greens and peaches. The selection varies from week-to-week; some weeks we’ll offer shitake mushrooms or watermelon. You simply get more for your dollar when you shop with your local farmer.” For more information about Whitton Farms, log onto whittonfarms.com or call (870) 815-9519. Dripping Springs Garden, in northwest Arkansas, has a 22-week CSA program that runs from May to mid-October. Subscribers pay $550 and in exchange receive a variety of the 30 types of vegetables and fruits the farm grows in $25 boxes delivered weekly. For more information, call (870) 545-3658 or visit their Web site drippingspringsgarden.com. Hardin’s CSA program, originating from his farm FoodShed Farm, is Basket-A-Month (BAM). They serve about 200 investors in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway, Hot Springs Village and Searcy. Subscriptions run three months at a time and cost $180. The baskets’ contents vary 64 . APRIL 2010
from month-to-month. For information about the BAM program, log onto arkansasfood.net. Hardin is also one of the forces behind CAFM, the Certified Arkansas Farmers Market. There are about 40 or so members. “Participants have been inspected to verify that they are the source of the product they are selling. We deal directly with the source farms, and nothing grown outside of Arkansas can be sold in our online or outdoor farmer’s markets.” The outdoor CAFM will open April 17 at Sixth and Main Streets in downtown North Little Rock. The market, Hardin said, is one of the largest access points to locally-produced food in the state. The CAFM has a goal “to create fair trade, to keep money flowing in the community. Studies show that dollars used in rural communities turn over as much as five to six times versus only two or three times when spent in larger corporate stores,” he said. “The goal is not only to create ‘Locavores,’ but ‘Arkovores,’ people who eat food produced by Arkansas farmers.” One of the more innovative ideas being used at the CAFM is tokens. Consumers purchase tokens to use in the farmers market with their credit, debit or EBT cards. An EBT card (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card is the identification card for the Food Stamp Program. “This allows individuals who participate in the Food Stamp Program to purchase our goods without embarrassment. Everyone is on equal ground here,” Hardin said. This also allows the CAFM to address the issue of making produce accessible to lower income consumers. The CAFM is employing a four-prong approach: farm to home, farm to market, farm to chef and farm to schools. This past year, they launched a program to deliver locally-produced goods to restaurants. Ashley’s in the Capital Hotel is one of their best customers; in fact, they invested money in the CAFM to promote their services. The last aspect, farm to schools, Hardin said, is “a biggie.” Heifer International is partnering with the group to help address this. The CAFM, for which Hardin was recently elected president, will host a meeting of local and state officials in November to address the goal of getting locally-grown, healthier food into area schools. Hardin said, “Eating locally is one of the greenest things a person can do. It strengthens the economy, is good for the environment — less gas is used to transport goods — and it’s good for our bodies.” •
AYMAG.COM . 65
2010 GUIDE TO GREEN LIVING
FOOD with thought
Fresh Caesar salad
by Amy Bowers / photography by Jennifer Freeman
481 S. School St. / Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 444-8909 / greenhousegrille.com Open Tue. through Thu., 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fri. and Sat., 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sun. brunch, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 66 . APRIL 2010
Owners Jerrmy Gawthrop and Clayton Suttle decided to take the concept of eating responsibly, which they have personally practiced for many years, and make it available to the public. “Fayetteville is a very progressive town in the sense that there are many local farmers who are growing organically, yet no restaurant served their products,” said Gawthrop. The two opened the Greenhouse Grille in its first location in May 2006, and quickly outgrew the tiny space. “The restaurant was very popular. During peak hours, we would often have to turn people away due to lack of space.” Gawthrop had his eye on a larger building in the Mill District on School Street, and when the building became available, he jumped at the opportunity. The new location at 481 S. School St., offers twice the space as well as room for the live music that Gawthrop had always envisioned. The large dining area, painted in soft earth tones of brown and yellow, The Greenhouse Grille in Fayetteville, houses two elevated platforms Ark., offers diners a unique option to eat that function as extra seating healthy, organic foods, many of which areas during dining hours and are grown locally. The dishes are not only good for you, but also prepared in a stages for the jazz, bluegrass and singer/songwriters the creative and delicious way. restaurant hosts weekends. Though the bar has become an essential part of Fayetteville’s nightlife scene, the “conscious cuisine” is still the star of the show. Gawthrop, who also acts as executive chef, picked up on the art of cooking in his younger years as a server and stand-in cook at local restaurants. “I would help out in the kitchens when the chefs needed me. One of them thought I had a knack for cooking asked me to stay in the kitchen to help out.” Gawthrop earned a degree in public relations and advertising, but decided to go into the catering business. Through catering, he developed some of the delightful dishes found on the Greenhouse Grille menu. The menu offers quite a variety of sandwiches, salads, wraps, gyros and entrees. Gawthrop stresses that while most of the items are organic, not every item is. “Lots of times the word ‘organic’ scares people, which is odd. They are afraid of free-range chicken, but not afraid of [fast food burgers], which they should be,” he said, joking. Free-range chicken simply means the birds are allowed to roam and develop naturally as opposed to being confined to small cages and injected with unnatural hormones to promote growth. The concept of grass-fed beef is similar; it ensures the cows are able to graze on grass instead of the industrial method of feeding them small amounts of hay enhanced with additives and hormones to promote faster development. In addition to organic meats, the Greenhouse Grille supports a variety of local farmers and organically-producing establishments for vegetables, herbs, teas, sodas, beer, wine, alcohol, bread, coffee and more. On our visit, we sampled three delicious, organic options. The Caesar salad was fresh and crisp with a bed of romaine topped with grape tomatoes, carrot ribbons, sautéed organic shiitake mushrooms, cucumbers, Parmesan cheese and garlic herb croutons. The spicy Caesar dressing, created by Gawthrop, was the most creative touch. The Grilled Free Range Chicken Gyro was a highlight. The flavorful chicken was grilled to tender perfection and surrounded by homemade hummus, mixed greens and tomatoes, topped with tiziki sauce and wrapped in fresh grilled pita bread. The fish tacos, recommended by our waitress, were also worth mention. The flash-fried tilapia filets had a Latin flair with a layer of black beans and fresh citrus cumin slaw wrapped in two all-natural corn tortillas. Other popular choices include: Lemon-infused Grilled Meatloaf, Grilled Buffalo Burgers and Sweden Creek Farm Organic Shiitake Mushroom Fries. We suggest you give the Greenhouse Grille a try … there is nothing to be afraid of, we promise. •
Experience
LITTLE ROCK DINING
t h e
re s t a u ra nt
1620 MARKET ST., LR, AR 72212 (501) 221-1620 M-T 5:30-10 • F-S 5:30-10 1620RESTAURANT.COM SUNDAY HOURS 10AM-2PM
11525 Cantrell Road Little Rock, AR 72212 501-225-9600 capisrestaurant.com
Sunday 1/2 off Wine Nite
Now serving lunch Mon - Fri. LATENIGHT EVERYNIGHT • Mon - Fri 11am-2pm & 5pm-2am • Sat 5pm-1am • Sun 6pm- 12am
8201 Cantrell Rd., Ste 100 Little Rock, AR 72227 501-221-3330 www.triosrestaurant.com
Shortcake returns April 12 AYMAG.COM . 67
DINING GUIDE
Fish tacos from Greenhouse Grille
D
Breakfast or Brunch
Live Music
'
*
Membership Required
+
See Ad in this Issue
Outdoor Dining
w
AGRA Member
$ Most entrées are less than $10; $$ Most entrées are $11 to $25; $$$ Most entrées are $26 or more
68 . APRIL 2010
BRANSON
EUREKA SPRINGS
ANDY WILLIAMS MOON RIVER GRILL 2600 W. Highway 76, (417) 337-9539. Located next to the Moon River Theatre; you can now enjoy lunch or dinner before or after the show. Menu choices include some of Andy’s mother’s recipes, such as rhubarb shortcake (in season). Enjoy a glass of Andy’s signature wine along with your meal. Sun. through Sat., 11 a.m. until 1:30 a.m.; $$; andywilliams.com.
CASA COLINA MEXICAN GRILL & CANTINA 173 S. Main St. (479) 363-6226. Casa Colina serves authentic Mexican cuisine in a beautifully-restored 1890 home. Try the Chihuahua Chorizo Flamada appetizer or specialties like Casa Colina Crepes and the House Specialty Aztec Boudin; Mon., Wed. through Sun., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 5 to 9 p.m., happy hour: 3 to 5 p.m., closed Tue.; $$; casacolinagrill.com. I*
THE CHATEAU GRILLE 415 N. State Hwy. 265, (417) 334-1161. Lakeside dining at the Chateau on the Lake features unique dishes such as pecan-crusted salmon and grilled filet and South African Lobster; special dining experiences available such as the Chef’s Table; Daily 7 a.m. until 9 p.m.; $$$; chateauonthelakebranson.com. I*
GASKINS CABIN STEAK HOUSE 2882 Hwy. 23 North, (479) 253-5466; Prime Rib is the specialty at the renovated, beautifully-landscaped 1864 log cabin just north of Eureka Springs; cozy, rustic atmosphere. Enjoy dishes like Atlantic Salmon and Shrimp Scampi; Wed. through Sat., 5 to 9 p.m., Sun. 5 to 8 p.m.; $$; gaskinscabin.com.
BUCKINGHAM’S PRIME RIB & STEAKHOUSE 2820 W. Hwy. 76 (417) 337-7777. Located at the Clarion Hotel, you will find a very special restaurant hidden inside. Specialty items include steaks, seafood and pasta dishes. Enjoy the safari atmosphere and cocktails before dinner or after the shows in the Oasis Lounge. Lounge opens noon to 4:30 p.m., dinner served 4:30 to 9 p.m., Mon. thru Sun.; $$$; clarionhotelbranson.com.
CONWAY MICHELANGELO’S ITALIAN RISTORANTE 1117 Oak St., (501) 329-7278. Dine on fine Italian fare at affordable prices in this fully-renovated historic downtown location. Daily lunch specials include the Value-Express Pasta Bar from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Happy hour from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., with drink specials and $5 appetizers. Look for live music on the
rooftop during the warm months; Mon. through Thu., 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m.; $$; michelangelosconway.com. I'* MIKE’S PLACE 808 Front St., (501) 269-MIKE. New Orleans by the way of Conway, this bistro combines outstanding service and food for a winning formula. With delicious entrees like their seafood crepes, Shrimp Brantley and mouthwatering steaks, you’ll soon become a regular; Sun. through Thu., 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fri. and Sat., 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; $$; mikesplaceconway.com. '*
FAYETTEVILLE BORDINO’S 310 W. Dickson St., (479) 527-6795. Northern Italian cuisine in a relaxed dining atmosphere, fullservice bar and an extensive wine list. Reservations required; Lunch: Tue. through Fri., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dinner: Mon. through Thu., 5 to 11 p.m., Fri. and Sat., 5 p.m. to 12 a.m., After Work, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.; $ and $$; bordinos.com. THEO’S 318 N. Campbell Ave., (479) 527-0086.Gourmet appetizers and entrées, great martinis, extensive wine list. Heated patio. Reservations recommended; Mon. through Thu., 5 to 10 p.m., Fri. and Sat., 5 to 11 p.m.; Lounge open Mon. through Sat., until 2 a.m. $$ and $$$; theosfayetteville.com. * GREENHOUSE GRILLE 481 S. School St., (479) 4448909. This organically-themed bistro offers a variety of delicious sandwiches, salads, wraps, gyros and entrees prepared mostly with organic items, many from local farmers. Tue. through Thu., 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fri. and Sat., 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sun. brunch, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. $ and $$; greenhousegrille.com. I
FORT SMITH ROLANDO’S 223 Garrison Ave., (479) 573-0404. Unique blend of North and South American foods, Nuevo Latino cuisine, fine wines. Reservations recommended; Mon. through Sat., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mon. through Sat., 5 to 9 p.m; $$; rolandosrestaurante.com. 21 WEST END 21 N. 2nd St., Ste. 102, (479) 434-4213. This modern, fine dining eatery and martini bar offers an eclectic menu and an extensive bar featuring more than 40 martini options. Entrees include Spinach Fettuccini, Chicken Oscar and Cognac Pork Loin, and more; Tue. through Thu., 5 to 9 p.m., Fri. and Sat., 5 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.; $ and $$; 21westend.com.
HOT SPRINGS CENTRAL PARK FUSION CUISINE 200 Park Ave., (501) 623-0202. This upscale, yet affordable, restaurant is a cozy place to dine in the Spa City. The menu includes items from a hearty steak cobb salad to Hawaiian rib-eye, burgers, Okinawa purple sweet potatoes and much more. Look for daily specials including a popular fresh fish dish on Fridays; Tue. through Sun., 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; $$ and $$$; centralparkfusion.com. *
J’S ITALIAN VILLA 4836 Central Ave., (501) 525-1121. Enjoy fresh fish or one of the many pasta dishes, outdoor dining available with view of beautiful Lake Hamilton. Happy hour from 4 p.m. to close. Reservations recommended; Mon. through Sat., from 5 p.m. until close; $$; jsitalianvilla.com.
JONESBORO BRICKHOUSE GRILL 218 S. Main St., (870) 336-2441. This New Orleans-influenced menu touts a wide range of eclectic Cajun cuisine including Rockin’ Chicken Salad, Born on the Bayou Pasta and Chair de Crabe. Enjoy lunch or dinner on the New Orleans-style balcony or come inside for the live music up to five nights a week. Sun. through Tue., 4 p.m. until close, Wed. through Fri., 11 a.m. until 2 a.m., Sat., 12 p.m. until 2 a.m. $; mightybrickhouse.com. '* GODSEY'S GRILL 226 S. Main St., (870) 336-1988. Godsey’s Grill is a lively location for lunch, dinner, drinks and entertainment. They have a delicious menu featuring burgers, sandwiches, salads, pizza and more. Try more than 15 different variations of the burger including the Godsey’s Burger, Fire Burger, Jtown Burger and more. Pizzas are cooked in a woodburning oven and are built-to-order; Mon. through Wed., 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Thu. through Sat., 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; $ and $$; godseysgrill.com. ' OMAR’S STEAKHOUSE 2628 Phillips Dr., (870) 972-6501. Casual elegance, ambiance; specialties include filet mignon, veal marsala. Reservations required for parties of 8 and up; Mon. through Thu., 5 to 9:30 p.m., Fri. and Sat., 5 to 10:30 p.m.; $$; omars501club.com. ' PIERO’S RESTAURANT AND CLUB 320 S. Main St., (870) 802-3636. Fine art adds to the atmosphere of this downtown eatery. Menu features antipasto platter, delicious salads, pasta and entrées including scaloppini and piccata dishes; watch for daily specials — up to 14 each day; Mon. through Fri., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Mon. through Sat., 6 to 10 p.m.; $$. ' *
LITTLE ROCK ARTHUR’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE 27 Rahling Circle, (501) 821-1848. This American steakhouse serves only the finest cuts of beef; they are aged and cut in-house. Or choose from a wide variety on the upscale entrée menu including pork, lamb, fish, chicken and seafood. Enjoy great food, a beautiful presentation and friendly staff; Mon. through Thu., 5 to 9:30 p.m., Fri. through Sat., 5 to 10:30 p.m.; $$$. ASHLEY’S 111 W. Markham, (501) 374-7474. One of the crowing jewels of the luxury, boutique Capital Hotel. Each meal is a stellar experience … traditional Southern local and organic ingredients, prepared on-sight with imagination. Don’t miss chocolate French toast; gulf shrimp (or any seafood selection); purple hull peas with pot liquor; roasted chicken; and homemade ice cream and sorbets. Elegant, yet relaxed atmosphere, excellent service; breakfast: daily 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.; lunch: Mon. through Fri., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; dinner: Mon. through Thu., 5:30 to 9 p.m., Fri. and Sat., 5:30 to 10 p.m.; brunch: Sun., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; $$ and $$$. I
BEST IMPRESSIONS RESTAURANT 501 E. 9th St., (501) 907-5946. Located in the Arkansas Arts Center, this upscale café offers diners an assortment of fresh and delicious lunch items from soup and sandwiches to salads and pasta; popular Sunday brunch menu offers an array of egg-based dishes such as the popular Traditional Eggs Benedict; Tue. through Sun., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; $; bestimpressionsrestaurant.com. I* BRAVE NEW RESTAURANT 2300 Cottondale Lane, Suite 105, (501) 663-2677. Restaurant, staff and menu live up to owner Peter Brave’s reputation for innovation, excellence; favorite lunch spot for locals, beautiful for nighttime dining. Seasonal menus, great selection of fresh seafood; don’t miss dessert, includes ice cream, local produce; scenic deck overlooks Arkansas River. Lunch: Mon. through Fri., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dinner: 5 to 10 p.m.; $ and $$; bravenewrestaurant.com.* YCAPI’S RESTAURANT 11525 Cantrell Road, Suite 917, (501) 225-9600. Fresh, locally-grown produce, international influence, delicious mixture of flavors, textures and colors. Menu includes small plates, tapas, as well as big plates. Don’t miss Cuban picadillo, artisan cheese sampler, tequila minishots. Any dessert is well worth every calorie. Tue. through Thu., 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; brunch, Sat. and Sun., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; capisrestaurant.com; $ and $$. I*w CAPRICCIO GRILL ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE 3 Statehouse Plaza, (501) 399-8000. Relaxed atmosphere with stylish dining in one of the city’s premier hotels; great selection of prime steaks and chops, traditional Italian dishes; Mon. through Sun., 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Mon. through Thu., 6 to 10 p.m., Fri. and Sat., 5 to 10 p.m., Sun., 6 to 9 p.m.; $$$; peabodylittlerock.com. I CIAO BACI 605 N. Beechwood, (501) 603-0238. Great selection of appetizers featuring seafood, entrées with unique sides. Daily soups and specials; known for marvelous martinis; Mon. through Fri., 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Sat., 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.; $$; ciaobaci.org. * FATSAM'S LOUISIANA CAFÉ 400 President Clinton Ave., (501) 244-4720. Selections, all tasty and filling, include hot water cornbread and purple hull peas along with traditional Louisiana dishes, such as po’ boys, gumbo and jambalaya. Barbecue ribs and chicken, catfish and jerk chicken sandwiches with owner’s secret sauce and desserts like peach cobbler, bread pudding and sweet potato pecan pie are all a feast for taste buds; Mon. through Fri., 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat., 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; $. FERNEAU 2601 Kavanaugh Blvd., (501) 603-9208. If you love breakfast, but don’t like rising with the birds, check out brunch served Sun., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the menu includes a BLT with Applewood smoked bacon, spinach, hot house tomatoes and black pepper mayo on toasted bread. Don’t miss Late Night at Ferneau, Thu. and Fri., 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., Sat., 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. Dinner: Tue. through Sat., 5 to 10 p.m., Bar 5 p.m. to close; $$$; ferneaurestaurant.com. * LOCA LUNA 3519 Old Cantrell Road, (501) 663-4666. This “bold Arkansas bistro” is well known for its flair, flavor and AYMAG.COM . 69
creative dishes featuring grilled meats, fresh seafood, delicious pastas and brick oven pizzas. Loca Luna is open for happy hour Mon. through Fri., 4 to 6:30 p.m.,Lunch Mon. through Fri., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sun., from 11 a.m., until 2:30 p.m. Dine from the dinner menu Sun. through Thu., from 5:30 to 9 p.m., and Fri. and Sat., from 5:30 to 10 p.m.; $$; localuna.com. *
+SONNY WILLIAMS’ STEAK ROOM 500 President Clinton Ave., Ste. 100, (501) 324-2999. Quality service and excellent food — variety of sides, steaks prepared to perfection; extensive, award-winning wine list; Mon. through Sat., 5 to 11 p.m., Piano bar: Wed. and Thu., 7 to 11 p.m., Fri. and Sat., 7 p.m. until close; free valet parking; $$$; sonnywilliamssteakroom.com.
MADDIE’S PLACE 1615 Rebsamen Park Road, (501) 660-4040. Maddie’s features New Orleans-infused southern comfort foods, such as fried green tomatoes with crabmeat remoulade and po’boys. Don’t miss the hot sausage po’boy, the sausage is made in-house. You’ll also find smothered green beans, cornbread pudding and for dessert traditional bread pudding and pecan pie with homemade butter crust; Tue. through Thu., 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fri. and Sat., 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; $ and $$; maddiesplacelr.com. *
VIEUX CARRE, 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd., (501) 663-1196. A delicious mix of Creole, French, Italian and Southerninfluenced foods; inventive dishes, fresh locally-grown ingredients. Don’t miss jazz brunch! Mon. through Fri., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Mon. through Sat., 5 p.m. until close, Jazz Brunch, Sun., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; $$; afterthoughtbar.com.
RED DOOR BISTRO 3701 Old Cantrell Road, (501) 6668482. Eclectic menu comprised of inventive dishes; check out the blackboard specials, which include a $5 glass of white or red wine. Entrees available in small or big plates. Customer favs include the Red Door Outrage, a sandwich with six ingredients, and dishes from the adjacent Loca Luna; Mon. through Fri., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. lunch; Sun. through Sat., 4 to 7 p.m. Happy Hour; 5:30 p.m. until about 10 p.m.; $ and $$. *
I ZAZA FINE SALAD & WOOD OVEN PIZZA 5600 Kavanaugh Blvd., (501) 661-9292. This bistro uses locallymade products and produce in a health-conscious menu of gourmet salads, Italian-style wood-fired pizzas, homemade gelato, beer, wine and more. The “salad bar” includes your choice of more than 100 farm-fresh ingredients, and a choice of 15 dressings, eight of which are low or no fat. The fast-cooking Italian-style pizzas are baked in the 900-degree wood-burning oven in 90 seconds. Sun. through Thu., 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fri. through Sat., 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. $ and $$. *w
WINES OF THE MONTH
NORTH LITTLE ROCK CREGEEN’S IRISH PUB 301 Main St., (501) 376-PINT. Irish from ship to stern, you’ll find every meal well prepared, well portioned and tasty. Try their fish and chips, their authentic bangers and mash; and delicious desserts. Don’t leave without having a perfect, two-part pour pint of Guinness. Monthly beer dinners feature multi-course meals paired with beers; lunch, daily 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., dinner, Sun. 3 to 10 p.m., Mon. through Wed. and Sat., 3 p.m. to 1 a.m., Thu. and Fri., 3 p.m. to 2 a.m.; $; cregeens.com. I* RISTORANTE CAPEO 425 Main St., (501) 376-3463. Located in charming Argenta District. Intimate gathering place serving authentic Italian food, fine wines. Mon. through Thu., 5 to 10 p.m., Fri. and Sat., 5 to 11 p.m. $$; capeo.us. STARVING ARTIST CAFÉ 411 Main St., (501) 372-7976. The Starving Artist Café is known not only for its fantastic fare, but also for its beautiful artwork by local artists. Enjoy lunch and dinner items, such as panini, crepes, gourmet salads and soups as well as daily specials; Tue. through Sat. 11 a.m. until 9 p.m.; starvingartistcafe.net. $ and $$.* UMP’S PUB & GRILL Dickey-Stephens Park, 400 W. Broadway, (501) 324-BALL. Enjoy a variety of Italian and American entrees, such as veal chops, lasagna and ribeye steaks, as well as sandwiches, burgers and subs in this upscale ballpark restaurant. Sit on the patio or dine inside; Tue. through Sat., 5 p.m. until close; $ and $$. *
ROGERS BASIL’S CAFÉ 3300 Market St., Ste. 136, (479) 4644190. Basil’s Café specializes in “global flavors,” acquired by foodies/world travelers/owners Kelly and Wade Jones. Everything on the varied menu is creative, hearty and pleasing to the palate. Enjoy a lunch or dinner of entrees ranging from Crab Cake Pasta to Rack of Lamb Au Poivre. Lunch: Mon. through Fri. 11a.m. to 2 p.m.; Dinner: Mon. through Thu. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Fri. through Sat. 5 p.m. to close. $$ and $$$. *
month's See this ile Recipe F -72) 1 7 s (page es. for recip
Bargain: Audrey House Chateau Aux Arc 8045 Champagne Drive Highway 186 Altus, AR 72821 (479) 468-4400 chateauauxarc.com
AMERICAN DRAGONFLY RED
A melot-zin blend … dark cherries and black pepper spice create smoky character. Pair with stuffed lamb burgers. Everyday: 2005 ALTUS CHARDONNAY
Bright, crisp citrus flavors of green apples and pears … refreshing! Pair with parmesan baked catfish.
BREAD-N-BUTTER 113 W. Walnut St., (479) 246-0100. Located in historic downtown Rogers, this cozy restaurant is tucked inside Steamboat Annie’s Antique Shop. Delicious, all-natural products create hearty soups, sandwiches, quiche and fresh salads. Don’t miss the “baby” cakes — petite and scrumptious to top off your lunch; catering available. Mon. through Fri., 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; $. MISTER B’S STEAKHOUSE 1043 W. Walnut St., (479) 636-3122. Good and consistent quality, delicious and expert preparation. Steak, ribs, salmon, pork … it’s all prepared to perfection. Don’t miss the salad wedge or potatoes — fried or mashed — and save room for the chocolate cake. Great dining experience; Tue. through Sat., 5 to 9:30 p.m., $$; misterbsteakhouse.com.
Splurge: AMERICAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Earthy with black cherries, light tannins and a crisp herbaceousness. Pair with the TaDa Drums.
70 . APRIL 2010
Please note, this list of restaurants is in no way exhaustive. AY welcomes suggestions from our readers. Send an e-mail to athomas@aymag.com.
Too busy to cook? Not with these menu ideas! Tested with small children underfoot, these suppers come together quickly and deliciously, and even quicker — though messier — if you let the kids help. Consider eating locally when possible; these items,
30-Minute
Five-Ingredient Meals
used in this month’s recipes, are available from local farmers: chicken, lamb, honey, milk, eggs and spinach. by Faith Anaya
•
TaDa Drums
8 chicken drumsticks or 24 drumettes ¼ cup honey ¼ cup soy sauce ½ cup freshly-squeezed lemon juice (from 3 to 4 lemons)
Brush each drumstick with lemon juice, then the soy sauce, then the honey (a great kid activity!). If you have time, put them all in a baking dish, cover with plastic wrap, and leave in the refrigerator for an hour. Bake for 35 minutes at 375 degrees, about 20 minutes for the drumettes. Serves four. Serve this dish with a green salad with ginger dressing and a baked potato. -Submitted by Kaye Ratchford, Little Rock, Arkansas
•
Parmesan Baked Catfish Baked catfish? Quicker and with a lot less fuss and mess than frying, not to mention better for you. ½ cup grated parmesan cheese ½ cup flour ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon pepper 1 teaspoon paprika 1 egg ¼ cup milk 3 pounds catfish fillets
Mix all dry ingredients together in a shallow pan. Whisk together the egg and milk in a separate shallow pan. Dip each fillet into the egg mixture, then dredge through the flour mixture, and place in a lightly greased baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes, until fish flakes. Serve with cornbread and coleslaw or summer garden vegetables. Serves nine.
Have questions? Want to submit a recipe? E-mail Faith at info@kidscookarkansas.com. AYMAG.COM . 71
Stuffed Lamb Burgers Lamb burgers stuffed with feta cheese are simple and tasty. Serve this quick dish with fresh baby spinach, either on the bun or as a salad with lemon vinaigrette. 1 pound ground lamb ¼ cup breadcrumbs 1 egg 4 ounces feta cheese 4 whole-wheat buns Fresh baby spinach
Combine the lamb, breadcrumbs and egg. Divide the mixture into four equal portions. Stuff a small cube of cheese into the center of each burger. Be sure the cheese is completely covered by the meat or it will run out all over the grill. Grill on the stovetop or an outdoor grill, 5 to 6 minutes on each side. Serves four.
Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Fennel Don’t be put off by the number of steps. Browning the meat and sautéing the fennel first makes a difference in the final flavor. For a richer sauce, use unsalted chicken broth instead of water when you reduce the vinegar at the end.
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72 . APRIL 2010
1-pound pork tenderloin 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 fennel bulbs, trimmed, sliced into strips, fronds discarded 1 shallot, peeled and sliced 6 tablespoons best-quality balsamic vinegar
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Warm the oil in an ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat; and when hot, sprinkle the pork with salt and pepper, then brown the meat, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove the pork from the skillet, add the fennel and shallot. Sauté, stirring, 4 to 5 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons vinegar, and cook until liquid is nearly evaporated. Return the pork to the skillet, and arrange on top of the fennel. Transfer to oven and roast until a thermometer registers 150 for medium rare, about 12 to 15 minutes. When the tenderloin is done, remove from the oven and wrap in foil to rest for at least five minutes. Remove fennel to a warmed platter. Put the skillet back on the stove; add the remaining 4 tablespoons vinegar and ¼ cup water. Bring to a boil and reduce by half. To serve, slice the pork into medallions, place on fennel and drizzle over sauce. Serves 3 to 4. Serve with baby greens dressed with balsamic vinaigrette. - Adapted from williams-sonoma.com
story by Joe David Rice / photography courtesy of arkansas.com
destination
White & Buffalo Rivers
Taking in the beauty of Arkansas while floating on one of its rivers is not only fun, it's awe-inspiring and relaxing. Grab a boat, an oar, your life jacket and a picnic, and get ready to enjoy Mother Nature at her finest.
It’s spring — and there’s no better way to see the Natural State than by river. Two Arkansas streams come to mind — the Buffalo and the White — and they offer vastly different, but enjoyable experiences. Let’s start with the Buffalo National River. Only 150 miles long, it begins in the very heart of Ozarks and flows pretty much due east until its confluence with the White near Buffalo City. Undammed from start to finish, it’s known for some of the best canoeing in mid-America, especially in its upper reaches. Most Buffalo River floaters have canoed the upper stretch (from Ponca to Kyle’s Landing or Pruitt) or the lower river in the Buffalo Point area. They’re both great trips. The run downstream from Ponca is usually a springtime adventure while the one at the opposite end of the river more often involves a summer or fall excursion. My suggestion for AY readers: follow a paraphrase of Walt Whitman’s famous line, and take the stream “less traveled by.” That would be the Buffalo’s 41.6-mile middle section flowing between Arkansas Highway 7 (Pruitt) and the Tyler Bend Visitor Center near U.S. Highway 65. The scenery’s not quite as spectacular as the Ponca to Pruitt trip, but there are still plenty of impressive bluffs, deep pools and tempting gravel bars. Perhaps the most compelling reason to float this stretch of water is that it doesn’t get nearly the use of the others, particularly if you can schedule a mid-week trip. Do this, and there’s a good chance you can paddle for hours without seeing another human. That means, of course, your chances for spotting wildlife are much better, plus the pools aren’t as heavily fished — that’s good news for those wanting to experience the thrill of hooking a smallmouth bass. While this 40 plus-mile run of the river makes for a perfect multiday trip, don’t feel you have to do it all at once. There are five take-out/ put-in locations along the middle section, so single-day floats are an option. Visit arkansas.com for a list of Buffalo River outfitters. Strangely enough, the White River begins just a stone’s throw from the Buffalo’s headwaters. It flows in a westerly direction before turning north near Fayetteville. The stream crosses into Missouri, heads east and then bends back into Arkansas for a total length of 722 miles. In the upper third of its watershed, the stream has been dammed to create five lakes: Sequoyah, Beaver, Table Rock, Taneycomo and Bull Shoals. The best way to experience the White River, in my humble opinion, is to do it from a johnboat below Bull Shoals Dam — with a good guide at the helm. While it’s certainly possible to experience it by canoe, float-
White RIver
Buffalo River
ing the White is not the same as floating the Buffalo. For one thing, it’s a much bigger river. Not only does it fluctuate rapidly due to power generation, the stream is really, really cold. Tump over, and you’re gasping for breath! That said, the White is worth a visit for the scenery alone … big bluffs often tower over the river on one side and pastoral farmland is featured on the other. There’s a surprising amount of wildlife along the shoreline (something birders already know), not to mention world-class trout lurking in the pools and riffles. The river passes through several historical communities, places like Cotter, Norfork and Calico Rock, as it flows southeast. Nearby resorts and outfitters can be found at the arkansas.com Web site. Grab your camera, get out and enjoy The Natural State this spring! AYMAG.COM . 73
74 . APRIL 2010
special promotion written by linda burlingame / photography courtesy of the venues
destination
Branson, Missouri
Spring is gorgeous in the Ozarks, and it’s the perfect time to visit Branson. You’ll find special events, new shows, new rides and more. Big Cedar Lodge
Whether you’re a traveling party of two or it’s a family reunion, golf trip, fishing trip or girlfriends getaway, you’ll find fabulous fun, exceptional food and lodging, great shows and shopping. Cross the gangway of the Titanic Branson, and meet new mascots Molly & Carter. These adorable, unassuming stars join the crew as the world’s first tribute to the 10 dogs known to be onboard the doomed ship. You’ll find new displays and artifacts as well — a Titanic team of curators and technicians recently executed a $1 million renovation including Lady Duff Gordon’s display in the First Class Dining Salon. An eminent fashion designer, Gordon was a “darling” of the royals. Upcoming events at Titanic include the British Motoring Club’s Classic Car Show April 10 and 11, Titanic Princess Tea Parties April 24 and 25, and a Bass Pro Boat Show Father’s Day weekend. Branson’s newest show, "Chun Yi: The Legend of Kung Fu," is on stage at Branson’s White House Theatre. An exciting blend of precision acrobatics and modern dance, it’s the story of Chun Yi pursuing
Thousand Hills Golf Resort
AYMAG.COM . 75
76 . APRIL 2010
The Titanic Branson is an ideal place to say "I do." Couples take their vows on the grand staircase. The Missouri Food and Wine Festival features cooking demos by some of the area's finest chefs. Big Cedar Lodge offers picturesque views and a family-friendly, peaceful setting.
spiritual and physical harmony. The young boy is taken to the temple to study the art of Zen and skills of Kung Fu. It is a poignant story with a wide range of emotions. The cast has 60 Chinese performers; some were in the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics in Beijing. Visually, it’s a riot of color, and the performers are extraordinarily talented. Enjoy the spring scenery at Big Cedar Lodge, nestled in a beautiful hillside area on Table Rock Lake. Fireplaces, hot tubs, grand views you'll find this as well as rustic elegance in cottages, log cabins or a room in one of three wonderful lodges. Bent Hook Marina at the Lodge has everything for boating and bass and trout fishing — even guides to help find the big ones! Horseback riding and hiking also offer outdoor fun;
inside, bask in services offered at Carriage House Spa. Dining venues, some in legendary, historic structures, include Truman Coffee & Café, Buzzard Bar, Devil's Pool Restaurant and Worman House. Big Cedar's restaurants each offer delicious cuisine ranging from smoked meat sandwiches to a champagne brunch. Big Cedar is the place for those who enjoy being outdoors and on the lake. Don’t miss the Second Annual Missouri Food & Wine Festival at Chateau on the Lake April 24 through 25. The days’ exhibits include: cooking expositions; seminars; chefs’ demonstrations; organic and green grocers; gourmet delis; kitchen products; and wines and beers from around the world. Taste, sip, shop and enjoy live music all day. The outAYMAG.COM . 77
78 . APRIL 2010
door smoker and barbecue area is the site for the Barbecue and Burger Contest. You might catch your favorite entertainer in the “kitchen.” Andy Williams will be there for a book signing of his autobiography Moon River and Me. The Keeter Center at The College of the Ozarks offers fine dining and lodging. Dobyns Dining Room is fabulous and offers something for every palate. The college is known as Hard Work U; students pay no tuition, but are required to work at one of more than 80 campus work areas to help defray costs. Work areas include a mill and a dairy, and they’ve started growing produce, so some of what’s on your plate hasn’t traveled far. Turndown service at The Keeter Center includes cookies and milk from their own bakery and dairy. Each room and suite has a fireplace and is distinctively decorated. The building has an extraordinary story, modeled after the State of Maine Building from the 1904 World’s Fair. There’s quite a bit to see on campus — don’t miss the Ralph Foster Museum! "Noah — the Musical" is an original musical production with a cast of 45 people, 75 live animals and more than 100 animatronics. It brings to life the story of Noah and his family following God’s commandment to build an ark. The 40-foot tall ark rises before our eyes on a 300-foot stage that wraps around three sides of the audience. The animals are amazing, live and otherwise. It’s a remarkable production. For more lodging options, Thousand Hills Golf Resort has three locations, all close to shows, shopping and attractions. Thousand
"Chun Yi: The Legend of Kung Fu" and " Noah — the Musical" are just two of the feasts for the eyes and ears offered this spring in Branson.
AYMAG.COM . 79
Dining options abound at the Keeter Center.
Hills Golf Resort is on Thousand Hills Golf Course, an 18-hole course with Zoysia fairways and Crenshaw Bentgrass greens. Located in the middle of Branson, it’s hilly terrain, with lakes and creeks; water comes into play on 16 holes. There is a lot to do here: swimming pools, tennis and basketball, and all units in their properties are uniquely decorated and have kitchen areas. Majestic at Table Rock is their luxury condo development. Glassed and open patios provide breathtaking views of the lake. Cabins at Grand Mountain are in the woods, but still close to the “action.” Check out Ozark Mountain Spring events and all there is to do in the city where "someone you love is always playing" at exploreBranson.com/OMS.
o RESOURCES Big Cedar Lodge (866) 871-0975, bigcedar.com The Keeter Center (417) 239-1900, keetercenter.edu White House Theatre (417) 335-2396, kungfubranson.com Missouri Food & Wine Festival (800) 785-1665, mofoodfest.com Sight and Sound Theatre (800) 377-1277, sight-sound.com Thousand Hills Golf Resort (888) 733-3816, thousandhills.com Titanic Museum Attraction (866) 488-6760, titanicattraction.com 80 . APRIL 2010
AYMAG.COM . 81
2010 BAPTIST HEALTH Bolo Bash® Luncheon Chair
Shot on location at Whole Foods Market in Little Rock, Arkansas
Renata Byler Vice President of Marketing and Facilities of Roller Funeral Homes This year’s Bolo Bash® promises to be a stellar event. Byler, a long-time supporter has worked on Bolo Bash® for more than 20 years … starting when the Bash was a dinner held at the Chenal Country Club — attendees wore bolo ties, thus the name. “Arkansas has been so good to my family,” Byler said. “It’s our responsibility to give back.” She worked with the Junior League of Little Rock, when her daughter Christina was young and often took her along. “I wanted her to know ‘You’ve been blessed.’ Giving back to the community isn’t necessarily about money … it’s about giving your time as well.” The mother-daughter duo worked on projects, big and small, learning the true meaning of service whether it was cleaning restrooms or planning events. “Nothing is too big or too small. And we gave our time with the same principle we practice in business: we don’t ask anyone to do something we’re not willing to do ourselves.” Byler’s history with BAPTIST HEALTH began a number of years ago when her family walked from their business to eat lunch in the BAPTIST HEALTH cafeteria. “It’s been wonderful to see Bolo Bash® grow from a seed, an idea to a big event with more than 500 people in attendance,” Byler said. She noted some of the Luncheon’s most recent speakers: Niecy Nash, host of “Clean House,” Paula Deen and Dixie Carter, best known as Julia from the series “Designing Women.” This year’s speaker is Blake Mycoskie, Founder and Chief Shoe Giver of TOMS Shoes. TOMS shoes was founded by Mycoskie in 2006 with its “one for one” policy (for each pair sold, a pair is given to a child in need) that has benefited more than 500,000 children nationally and internationally through their Shoe Drops. Each year’s Luncheon is quite an undertaking; with more than 500 attendees, who enjoy a meal, seated at fully-decorated, themed tables. More than 125 volunteers from BAPTIST HEALTH and the community orchestrate the successful fundraiser. Byler said, “Everyone works because it’s something they want to do. Bolo Bash® is something everyone buys into, and just like the BAPTIST HEALTH slogan — “All Our Best” — they all work giving their all. They realize they’re only as good as their weakest link, and we strive for excellence. We’re there to help the hospital continue its mission and provide [outstanding patient] care.” Byler also likes that each year, the money raised at Bolo Bash® benefits a specific cause. This year’s Luncheon will benefit the BAPTIST HEALTH Little Rock Emergency Department waiting room. The Emergency Department was built 30 years ago and was designed to accommodate 10,000 patients annually; last year, the department treated 58,000 patients. Plans for improvement include: revamping the entrance; enlarging the waiting and triage areas; adding restrooms, a second family room and more. Byler is excited about the 2010 Bolo Bash® Luncheon. “Guests can look forward to the Starbucks Coffee House prior to the Luncheon’s start; décor with a ‘green theme’; a silent auction with themed baskets and more,” she said.
The Bolo Bash® Luncheon is sponsored by The Stephens Group, LLC and will be held at 11:30 a.m., April 28 in the J. A. Gilbreath Conference Center at the Little Rock Campus. For more information, contact Amanda Smith at (501) 202-1206 or amanda.smith@baptist-health.org.
82 . APRIL 2010
story by Janie Jones
WINDOWS
to the
SOUL
murder mystery
A well-liked former Arkansas State Teachers College student shocked his friends when news broke that he had been accused of brutally murdering and removing the eyes of three Dallas women.
That same year he had his first encounter — and let him tell it, his only On the morning of March 19, 1991, a waitress getting off work encounter — with a prostitute, who gave him a case of crabs. at an all-night diner in Dallas discovered the bloody, naked body of a woman lying in the street. The victim, later identified as a prostitute While still a juvenile, Charlie was charged with burglarizing a named Shirley Williams, had been shot to death. It was the third such church and a store but received probation. After being expelled from murder in four months, and authorities knew they had a serial killer on North Texas State University in 1951, he was arrested on multiple the loose because of the similarities between the murders. Mary Lou counts of stealing. Sentenced to two years in prison, he served a portion Pratt and Susan Peterson, like Williams, were prostitutes who worked of that, and then began his studies at ASTC. in the same south Dallas area. They, too, had been shot. Murders of The boy from the big city impressed a lot of his classmates, many hookers don’t usually get much news coverage, but these did because of of who were from the small Arkansas town of Harrison. Among them one more startling similarity … in all three cases, the killer had taken was J. E. Lawrence, who was on the football team with Albright and the victims’ eyes. remembers him as “a good story teller, an entertainer.” Within a month, a Dallas man was charged with the slaying of Albright pulled stunts that amused his pals. One prank that Williams and suspected of killing Pratt and Peterson. His friends, would come back to everyone’s mind after the Dallas slayings was a including many in Arkansas, were in disbelief. They described him practical joke he sprang on his best friend and Lawrence’s roommate as charming, considerate and generous — Bud Grisham. When Grisham’s girlfriend not to mention smart and talented. He dumped him, he tore up her pictures was a regular Salvador Dali (prominent and threw the pieces in the dorm room Spanish surrealist painter) with palette trashcan. Then Grisham started dating a and brush. Those who had known him for new girl and put her picture in his room. years couldn’t comprehend how the same While Grisham was out one day, Albright man who committed such ugly, savage came in, retrieved the torn photos from crimes could also create beautiful works of the trash, cut out the eyes and stuck those art. Yet, today, you can visit Old Main at eyes on the new girlfriend’s picture. He the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) also put some of the eyes on the wall above in Conway, and see two pictures painted the urinal in the boys’ restroom. by Charles Frederick Albright aka “The “He got a lot of mileage out of that,” One of Albright’s illustrations drawn for ASTC’s Eyeball Killer.” Lawrence said. 1954 yearbook. Note the eye on the severed wrist. Albright’s Arkansas connection began in Albright often ditched class, so he 1952, when his mother Delle Albright sent him to her former alma could play softball, a lifelong passion. He was such a consummate liar, the mater, then Arkansas State Teachers College (ASTC), now UCA. It same ruse worked several times. According to another friend, Richard was her attempt to save her son from a life of crime. Delle had been Ruble, Albright had more than the usual number of grandmothers who raised by an aunt in Arkansas and was teaching school when she met died: “They called his hand on about the eighth one,” Ruble said. and married Fred Albright. During the Depression, the couple moved Such prevarication may have seemed harmless at the time, but it was to Amarillo, Texas, where they adopted baby Charlie in 1933. He was part of a lifelong pattern — so was stealing. their only child; they doted on him, and they were a bit overprotective. “He would take keys, have copies made and put the originals back,” For instance, Delle tethered him on a rope to prevent him from straying Ruble said, remembering. “And he would steal tests. If he liked you, he out of their yard. After the Albrights moved to Dallas, Charlie Albright would give them to you. If you weren’t a friend, he would sell them to took a mail order course in taxidermy. Delle helped her son chloroform you.” the pigeons he practiced on, but she was too frugal to let him buy glass Unfortunately, the thievery didn’t stop with test papers. Ruble said, eyes. She told him to use buttons instead. “He was a brilliant fellow who just went wrong. It’s amazing, the things he would do. Once, we went out to eat, and there was a man sitting in a Albright had a mischievous streak, but no more than other boys his booth with his hat beside him. Charlie picked up the hat, put it on his age. He snipped a little girl’s ringlet curls in Sunday school and doctored head — never broke his stride — and walked out with it. When I would his report cards to show As and Bs, instead of Ds and Fs. Though an ask him why he did all this stuff, he’d laugh and say, ‘Just to prove I can.’” unexceptional student, he graduated from high school when he was 15. AYMAG.COM . 83
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“This is the side of his personality that irked me so,” said another Albright acquaintance, Theo Vincent. “He had no conscience about having done wrong or hurting anybody else’s feelings.” Still, Vincent added, “I liked Charles for his good and fun side, his sense of humor, his cleverness.” Albright had a keen scientific mind and explored areas along the Arkansas River in hopes of discovering a new species of salamander. He collected specimens of lizards, tarantulas and other small creatures. “He wasn’t squeamish about killing the animals and doing experiments on them,” Vincent said. “That didn’t bother him at all. He would dissect anything and do it with precision.” Albright’s deft touch was also apparent in artistic endeavors, such as the surrealistic images he drew for the 1954 Scroll, ASTC’s yearbook. “He also enjoyed painting portraits,” Vincent said, “Of girls especially … emphasizing their eyes.” As Albright’s second year at ASTC came to a close, and he prepared to leave town, college authorities realized he had stolen school property, much of it from the athletic department. “When they caught him at the train station,” Ruble said, “he had shipped about 400 pounds of goods back home to Texas.” ASTC officials couldn’t overlook this last transgression. Though they didn’t press charges, they expelled Albright, and he returned to Dallas. Through the years, he stayed in contact with his college chums and visited from time to time. Then one night in 1991, Vincent and his wife were watching the evening news. “All of a sudden,” Vincent said, “here came a body across the screen and a reporter was saying ‘the Dallas police are …,’ I caught a glimpse of his hair, and I said ‘Charles Albright!’ They were saying he was arrested for the murder of soand-so, and I nearly jumped out of my skin.” Albright was 57 years old at the time of the murders. That’s old for someone to start a new career as a serial killer. He had been caught stealing several times, but could he have been better at getting away with murder? Or did the Dallas police arrest the wrong man?
1209 Malvern Ave • Hot Springs, AR 71901 501-624-MAMA (6262)
Next Month: The case against Charles Albright 84 . APRIL 2010
Reader
recipe contest
Three exciting categories …
Appealing Appetizers, Enticing Entrees and Decadent Desserts … and added this year … Creative Cocktails. Finalists will receive a fabulous prize pack and the opportunity to “perfect” their recipe with one of our celebrity chefs. Sponsored by the PTC Foundation Arkansas Culinary School LOG IN TO AYMAG.COM TO SUBMIT YOUR RECIPE TODAY!*
*Entry deadline is September 4, 2010
AYMAG.COM . 85
sports
story by Nate Allen / photography courtesy of University of Arkansas Sports Media
Cold temperatures and gloomy forecasts for rain greeted the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville Razorback baseball team at the opening of their season in February at Baum Stadium. Yet with weather to make the hardy stay home, a reported — and underestimated in Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn’s view — 4,847
Are You Ready for Some BASEBALL? (top) The Razorback baseball team, after a 2009 appearance at the College World Series, is enjoying enthusiastic crowds this season. (above) All American third baseman Zack Cox, No. 7, though not an Arkansas native, is a fan favorite.
came out to watch Arkansas win, 10-2. On Feb. 20, an announced crowd of 5,887, including Panama President and UA alum Ricardo Martinelli, suffered the cold and a 5-2 Arkansas loss.
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Sunday morning greeted baseball fans with more than an ominous forecast. It pelted rain that would have only Charlie Brown, alone on the mound while teammates Lucy, Schroeder, Pig Pen and Snoopy stayed home. But with a bare chance of a dry afternoon window interrupting the deluge, they delayed the game’s 1 p.m. start by 20 minutes and played on. An announced 918, sat on damp seats and weathered it all; most watched every inning of Arkansas’ 9-3 victory. The unpleasant conditions and the number of fans weathering them speak volumes about the Razorbacks’ baseball fever afflicting Arkansas. As the opponents, particularly SEC visitors Alabama, Kentucky, Georgia, Auburn and South Carolina, increase in stature and traditional rivalry, and the weather presumably warms, increased attendance is guaranteed. Every Baum Stadium sky box has been purchased said Norm DeBriyn, Razorback Foundation’s vice president and retired longtime Razorbacks baseball coach. Baum Stadium ticket sales went briskly, exceeding 6,000 early in the ticket purchasing game. And it’s not just at Baum Stadium where Arkansans are attracted. The Razorbacks’ May 11 foray to Central Arkansas to play Louisiana Tech in a nonconference game at the Arkansas Travelers’ Dickey-Stephens Stadium in North Little Rock sold out all reserve seats before March. Van Horn said the response ensures a Razorbacks’ game at Dickey-Stephens game becoming an annual event. Arkansas and the University of Memphis
already have scheduled a home-and-home series in 2011. Memphis will come to DickeyStephens, and Arkansas will play Memphis at the Memphis Redbirds’ Autozone Park in downtown Memphis. What feeds this Razorbacks’ baseball fever? Many things. Baum Stadium, built on the tradition of the DeBriyn era, is one of college baseball’s best and fan-friendliest facilities. At a time when Razorbacks football ticket prices are going up and the Razorbacks’ basketball success going down, Razorbacks baseball is both affordable and successful. Van Horn’s Hogs come off winning the four-team Regional in Norman, Okla. and beat Florida State in the Super Regional at Tallahassee, Fla., to qualify for the 2009 College World Series, the eight-team Mecca in Omaha, Neb., deciding college baseball’s national champion. In Omaha, the Hogs beat favored Cal State-Fullerton and beat Virginia in a 12-inning classic before getting eliminated by LSU, the 2009 SEC champion and eventual 2009 national champion. Also in its favor, Arkansas baseball is decidedly Arkansas. Van Horn and men’s tennis coach Robert Cox are the lone UA alums head coaching UA teams. Van Horn was a junior college-transfer, second baseman for DeBriyn’s 1982 Razorbacks before playing professionally. He had two College World Series appearances at Nebraska making him Broyles’ hands-down choice as DeBriyn’s successor upon DeBriyn’s 2002 retirement. With his Arkansas roots, Van Horn “gets” Arkansas. He recruits nationally — as successful college coaches must do — but he hits the recruiting trail hard throughout Arkansas and the Tulsa area, which DeBriyn established and Van Horn retained as a virtual Arkansas West. Van Horn has 11 players from Arkansas. “I’ve always loved Razorback baseball,” DJ Baxendale said. He’s a Jacksonville native and a highly-sought freshman pitcher from Sylvan Hills High. “To finally reach the goal of playing for my home state, it’s a great feeling.” Jordan Pratt, a pitcher from Harrison, had to take a more convoluted journey through junior college at Arkansas-Fort Smith to become a Razorback. “I had to go to Fort Smith for two years, but it was well worth it,” Pratt said. “It was a dream come true, the day I signed here.” As for the players Van Horn and assistant coaches Dave Jorn and Todd Butler recruit
from out of state, Arkansas fans more than adopt them as Arkansas’ own. Third baseman Zack Cox of Louisville, Ky., pitcher-center fielder Brett Eibner of The Woodlands, Texas, and first baseman Andy Wilkins of Broken Arrow, Okla., are preseason All-Americans and fan favorites. Also popular with fans is Mike Bolsinger, the McKinney, Texas, native moving from reliever to No. 1 starting pitcher, and James McCann, the sophomore catcher from Santa Barbara, California. Van Horn said, “I wouldn’t trade for any catcher in the country.” It’s a baseball love fest that likely can be jaded only by too-great expectations and short memories. Fans guaranteeing themselves Arkansas will advance to Omaha again should recall last year’s Hogs only went 14-15 in the SEC and lost their last eight straight SEC games. They righted themselves going 2-2 in the SEC Tournament, then swept six straight through Norman and Tallahassee and the College World Series opener against Fullerton State. Better Arkansas teams than the 2009 squad — some of which won championships in the SEC and the old Southwest Conference — never made it to Omaha. “There is more to it than the physical part,” Jorn said, “that’s for sure. We shouldn’t have made it last year, maybe, but that team magically just had something going in the clubhouse as far as getting together. Nobody gave us much of a chance, but we had some pretty good leadership.” Most of those 2009 leaders return, just like, Van Horn recalled, key leaders returned to his 2002 Nebraska College World Series team from Nebraska’s first-ever CWS team in 2001. “I think the main reason we went in 2002 is because we knew how to get there.” What about this Arkansas 2010 team getting weighed down by great expectations? “Expectations would be self-inflicted,” Van Horn said. “Our players know it’s a long season.” A long season Razorbacks fans have committed to watch.
The Miracle League of Arkansas plays at its specially-designed field in the Junior Deputy Ballpark Little Rock. The barrier-free, flat field is made of recycled tire tiles and is designed to prevent injuries, accommodate wheelchairs, walkers and other devices. For more information, contact McCall at (501) 940-3405 or log onto their Web site miracleleaguear.com.
AYMAG.COM . 87
Q&A
ASK THE PHARMACIST genetics, family history, race, and previous chest radiation. Other risk factors for breast cancer are unique to each person and might be able to be changed. For example, having children at an early age, having multiple children, and breast-feeding reduces breast cancer risk. On the other hand, use of hormones such as birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy may increase the risk of breast cancer. Alcohol use, obesity, and physical inactivity are also linked to increased risk of breast cancer.1
Meet our Pharmacist:
Kammy Krisell, Pharm.D
USA Drug | 5209 J.F.K. Blvd | North Little Rock, AR
• 12%
of women will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime
• 2.5 Million
breast cancer survivors live in the United States1
Q: What is breast cancer? A: Breast cancer is a type of tumor that begins
in the cells of the breast. Some tumors may be benign, meaning they do not spread to other parts of the body and are very rarely life-threatening. Other tumors may cause cancer, and are called malignant tumors. These types of tumors begin to grow in the breast but may spread to other parts of the body such as the liver or bones. Breast cancer affects both men and women, although women are 100 times more likely to develop this disease.1
Q: How did I get breast cancer? A: Some risk factors for breast cancer cannot
be changed. These risk factors include age,
Q&A SPONSORED BY
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Q: What are the symptoms of breast cancer? A: Breast cancer often starts with a very small
tumor, too small to be felt or cause pain to the patient. Breast cancers that are found when they are larger may have already spread to areas outside of the breast. Women who perform self breast exams (SBEs) should look for changes in their breasts such as a lump or swelling, skin irritation, nipple pain or retraction (turning inward), redness or scalyness, or discharge from the breast (apart from milk during nursing).1
Q: What parts of the body can be affected by breast cancer? A: Breast cancer usually begins in the part of
the breast called the ducts. Ducts are tiny tubes that carry milk from the lobule where it is formed to the nipple where it is expressed. But breast cancer may also begin in the lobule. If breast cancer spreads, it may cause tumors in the lymph nodes, bones, lungs, liver, or other organs.1
Q: How is breast cancer treated? A: Breast cancer can be treated in a variety
of ways. Some types of treatment are directed specifically at the tumors, such as surgery and radiation. Other types of treatment may affect the entire body, such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted treatments called monoclonal antibodies (MABs). Monoclonal antibodies are
man-made versions of chemicals in the body that make tumors grow more slowly and also help the body attack the cancer.1
Q: Is breast cancer preventable? A: Although breast cancer cannot be
prevented, there are several steps you can take to reduce your risk. These include avoiding alcohol, exercising regularly, and keeping a healthy body weight. It is also very important to talk to your doctor about breast cancer screenings. Beginning in her 20s, a woman should have a clinical breast exam (CBE) from her doctor every 3 years. Women in their 20s may also benefit from performing a breast self examination on a regular basis. A woman 40 years of age or older should have a clinical breast exam by her physician or health professional and a mammogram every year. These yearly screenings should continue as long as she is in good health. Women at a high risk of breast cancer may also be recommended to have an MRI done yearly in addition to their CBE and mammogram.1 It is a good idea to discuss this with your doctor if you have more questions.
Q: Why go to USA Drug? A: Every day, USA Drug pharmacists and staff
work hard to provide you with exactly what your doctor ordered. As a vital link in your healthcare chain, we’re committed to meeting all your healthcare needs, and at the lowest price possible. If you find a local competitor with a lower price, let us know and we’ll gladly match it. The best part is that we strive to fill your prescriptions in a timely manner – generally in 15 minutes or less. We invite you to visit your local USA Drug store today and experience what our customers have come to expect ... convenience – service – price.
– By Michelle Lamb, Pharm.D
References: 1. American Cancer Society. Breast Cancer Detailed Guide. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_7x_CRC_ Breast_Cancer_PDF.asp (accessed on Sept 2nd, 2008).
It is important to discuss the benefits and risks of any treatment with your doctor. For medication questions, ask our pharmacists • 870-535-2411• www.usadrug.com Customer Service USA Drug Corporate Office • 3017 N. Midland • Pine Bluff, AR 71603
H
Hop◊
by Susan Wallace / photography by Mark Jackson
your health
Every breast cancer case is different, just as each survivor’s story is unique. Yet there is one gathering thread that runs through these stories … hope.
SPRINGS ETERNAL
JULIE CASEY, 36, a RN and Nurse Manager at WRMC Walker Heart Institute, is a mother with three children under 4. As you can imagine, her life is pretty busy. In 2008, Casey discovered a lump during a selfexam; she suspected it was a clogged milk duct, but a mammogram at the Breast Center and the subsequent biopsy said differently. “It was hard to think past the C-word. Life was a whirlwind after that,” Casey said. Within two weeks, she began chemotherapy under the direction of Dr. Thad Beck of Highlands Oncology Clinic. Chemo was used to shrink her tumor in preparation for a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction. Though she works in the medical field, Casey said the world of breast cancer was new to her. The six chemo rounds from July to November wiped her out. But with the help of her husband, Sean, her in-laws and her parents, Casey made it through those horrific months. Ironically, losing her long, thick hair bothered Julie the most. On her birthday, two weeks after the start of chemo, handfuls of hair fell out while taking her shower. That evening the Caseys turned the trauma into a family game as the kids helped Sean shave designs on their mom’s head. Today, Casey is back at work and doing well. She is happy to share her story. “While having the support of survivors was wonderful, I wished there were women closer to my age to talk to.” She credits the support of her husband, her family and her faith for getting her through the hard times. And, just as she’s witnessed in the general medical field, a positive attitude does wonders. MONIKA MCCURDY has Walmart and a co-worker to thank for her early diagnosis. In 2004, to appease a persistent friend, she had a mammogram at the Breast Center’s mobile unit at the Walmart home office where she
worked. The next day, her own doctor called with instructions to go to the Breast Center in Fayetteville, Ark., for further testing. After a biopsy confirmed, she had breast cancer McCurdy “mobilized,” calling her friends and her prayer list partners. Within a week, Dr. Donna Johnson of Mercy Health performed a lumpectomy. Unfortunately, McCurdy’s lymph nodes showed signs of cancer and she needed surgery. “That was rough. I thought I was going to die during surgery.” McCurdy was then treated with radiation daily for the next two months. She received her treatments from Dr. Joseph Ross of NARTI in Rogers, now part of Highlands Oncology. A year later a tumor appeared in her other breast and she followed the same course of treatment. It was different the second time — McCurdy was confident she had the best treatment team she could have. Though a busy woman, McCurdy, who works as marketing director for Ferry-Morse Seed Company, takes care of herself with regular exercise, eating healthy and taking vitamins along with nutritional supplements: turmeric, cinnamon and calcium. She also
believes in the healing effects of a positive attitude and laughter. Her advice is to not keep it inside, reach out to your family, friends and prayer groups. She said in addition to her wonderful husband, her survivor group meetings at Mercy Health are sources of support and hope. McCurdy also shared: “find out the facts. The devil is in not knowing the details. Then take it one ‘bite’ at a time.” CONNIE WILLIAMS, head counselor
(above from left) Monika McCurdy is wearing a silk/linen open cardigan by Line, $156; a tie-dye tee by Vince, $88; and dark chrome hoop earrings by Ben Amun, $62; provided by Ropa, 3201 Market St., Suite 103, Rogers, AR, (479) 273-0022. Julie Casey is wearing a tropical stretch jacket with shirring in “hibiscus” by 600 West, $140; gum drops print tee with ring detail, $66, provided by Town and Country Shop, 9 S. Block Ave., Fayetteville, AR, (479) 442-5561. Connie Williams is wearing a reversible jacket in aqua to pewter by Beluva, $178; three-row mesh necklace by Lordane; $92; provided by By Request, 24 E. Meadow St., Fayetteville, AR, (479) 442-7525.
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at Springdale High, was one of the founders of the NWA Komen Race for the Cure and even gives instructions for self-exams. So, on July 10, 2008 when she felt the lump she knew exactly what it was. Williams, having just had an unusually stressful spring, ended up with pneumonia in April. This was totally foreign to her since she prided herself in never being sick. During those hectic months Williams missed her annual mammogram, but with the scans and xrays from her pneumonia she knew there had not been any tumors. So, finding the lump in July she suspected, if it was cancer, it was fast growing. Her OB/GYN couldn’t see her for weeks, but Williams told them, “That is not acceptable.” Then, when scheduling her mammogram, she was advised it would be weeks. Williams informed them she’d be in their waiting room every morning, noon and afternoon until they could see her. After four days, she had her mammogram and further tests, followed by a call confirming her suspicions. Up until that point Williams had not told anyone. She and husband John had a special way of discussing major issues referring to them as “opportunities.” That night Williams surprised John with an elaborate meal and a bottle of champagne and told him, “We have an opportunity. I have a little breast cancer.” After explaining about what had transpired, they calmly discussed the options agreed it would all be fine. Then Williams called her daughters, who live in California, and broke the news to them. Williams elected to have a double mastectomy. Before performing her surgery, Dr. Michael Cross, an oncology surgeon, and Dr. Thad Beck from Highlands Oncology Clinic recommended six doses of chemotherapy during a six-month period to first shrink her tumor. In spite of chemo complications, Williams kept a positive attitude. When faced with losing her hair, she threw a party with 50 friends in attendance as her head was shaved. Initially, Williams tried to balance her busy life around treatments. After expressing her irritation after a long wait in his office, one doctor gently conveyed to Williams that if she wanted her medical team to help then she needed to work on their schedule, not hers. “This was one of those ‘ah-ha’ moments,” Williams said. 90 . APRIL 2010
After that, her schedule went on the back burner. To limit her exposure to germs, she decided only to leave the house for work and medical appointments. That drastic change proved to be a blessing as she and her husband drew closer, realizing they didn’t need all of their previous busyness. Today, Williams is doing great and has advice for those newly diagnosed: “Learn all you can; ask questions; take a recorder to appointments; be aggressive; keep a positive attitude; send regular e-mail updates to friends so everyone knows the latest; and rely on your faith, family and friends.” For those who have loved ones battling cancer she suggested they stay in contact either by e-mail, a card or a brief drop-in. Williams said, “During treatment I had to force myself to eat and, at times, it was hard to look at food. ” So, she suggests not taking food to patients undergoing chemotherapy or if you do, make small portions. Once again, Williams will work with the Komen Race for the Cure; the difference: this year, she’ll wear the pink cap of a survivor.
on your mark
Set your sights on northwest Arkansas for the 12th annual Race for the Cure, April 24, sponsored by the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Ozark Affiliate. The race will take place at the Pinnacle Hills Promenade Mall in Rogers, Arkansas. Chad Sullivan serves as this year’s chair, and Dr. Danna Grear, a clinical breast radiologist, and husband Dr. Tim Grear, pediatrician, serve as honorary chairs. This year’s race activities include: the survivor parade; the survivor breakfast; a Kids Zone; Sleep in for the Cure; and Bark for the Cure. The Pinnacle Hills Promenade registration office will open April 14; participants may also register online or on site the day of the race. For more information, call (479) 750-7465 or log onto komenozark.org.
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by Angela E. Thomas / photography by Jennifer Freeman
This year the Arkansas organization will honor Lisenne Rockefeller with its Living and Giving Award. Rockefeller is most often recognized as the widow of Lt. Gov. Win Rockefeller. What is less known is that she serves on several boards, including The Nature Conservancy and Easter Seals Arkansas, and is dedicated to the wellbeing and education of youth. Her desire to see all children, including those with learning challenges, receive a quality education led her, along with her husband, to establish The Academy at Riverdale. “Win and I have a son with Down’s Syndrome,” Rockefeller said. “While our public schools do a great job, they cannot be expected to be all things to all children; we wanted our son to be in an environment focused on his needs.” The Academy at Riverdale was established in 2003 and provides services for children in kindergarten to 12th grade. They offer a full curriculum along with instruction in life and social skills for children with developmental disabilities. Rockefeller said, “Our students simply need an environment that is child-focused. If you do a good job, it’s labor intensive and if that includes pediatric therapy, it’s even harder.” Two of the Rockefellers’ five children, Grace and John, attend the school. Rockefeller said the transition to being a single parent has been an adjustment, “It’s a real juggling act.” As a single parent, Rockefeller has learned to prioritize, and family, as it was when husband Win was alive, remains priority No. 1. She and the children, as one would expect, miss him terribly. “My husband was a hilarious and quirky man. We laugh about him all the time,” Rockefeller said. “He was very involved in their lives … he cooked a full breakfast for them each morning. He did Boy Scouts. Now, I do Boy Scouts, and Will [the Rockefellers’ older son] does the outdoor Boy Scout stuff with his brothers.” Rockefeller remembers fondly the 23 years she and Win were married and is happy to work on projects that were dear to him. “Win was an inspiration to others. While we were in Seattle [for Win’s bone marrow transplants], he’d stop by the doors of other patients and insist that they get up and walk. One of those patients, who had the same thing Win had, has trekked the Himalayas.” Several months after Win lost his battle with the bone marrow disorder, Dr. J. Suen, former director of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Caner Institute called Rockefeller and asked if the institute could be named in Win’s honor. “I am honored that they did this in his honor,” Rockefeller said. The center was renamed the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute in 2007. Rockefeller, who referred to single parenthood as a juggling act, was handed an additional “ball” last year when John, 17, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. “Type 1 diabetes is all consuming. You cannot stop thinking about it. You must monitor your blood sugars; a blood sugar that is too high or too low can damage your kidneys, cause a stroke or even death,” Rockefeller said. Type 1 diabetes, according to JDRF literature, is an autoimmune disease — the pancreas does not work at all — that is irreversible. It strikes suddenly and often in childhood. As many as 3 million Americans may have Type 1 diabetes. The JDRF is the world’s largest charitable organization for Type 1 diabetes; they provided $174 million to diabetes research in 2009. There are more than 120 chapters worldwide. Rockefeller’s involvement with JDRF began before John’s diagnosis. She is a longtime friend of R. Renay Dean, executive director, Greater
≤ivin‚ AND GIVING
Each year, the Greater Arkansas Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) hosts a gala to raise funds to “find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.”
The 2010 JDRF Gala will be held at 5:30 p.m., April 17. The evening will include silent and live auctions, including the FundACure Auction, in which all the proceeds benefit research and are 100 percent tax deductible; cocktails; a seated dinner; a program, during which Rockefeller will be honored; and dancing to the band Crisis!
Arkansas Chapter, JDRF. “Renay and I are good friends. She taught me to drive. I always try to be supportive of anything she does … I’m always along for the drive,” Rockefeller said. Dean said of Rockefeller, “Lisenne is so caring and genuine. She’s the same as she was years ago and anything that she does, she does from the heart. I really could not be more proud of her and all the work she does.” For more information, log onto jdrf.org/greaterarkansas or call (501) 217-0321. AYMAG.COM . 93
PRIMARY FOE
by Victor Fleming
Here’s a linguistic reminder from a columnist in Arkansas’ statewide daily newspaper! ACROSS 1 Dem.-Gaz. carriers have them 5 Peek follower? 9 “Language that rolls up its sleeves, spits on its hands and goes to work,” per Sandburg 14 Jason’s vessel 15 Long pass by Ryan Mallett 16 Conical shelter 17 False god 18 56-Down-A-___ 19 Whirlybird whirler 20 Start of a quotation by Otus the Head Cat, aka Michael Storey 23 Sent forth 24 ___ Alpha Beta (‘80s grocery chain) 28 “Parsley, ___, Rosemary and Thyme” (1966 Simon & Garfunkel album) 30 Part 2 of the quotation 31 Recipient of many returns, briefly 34 Instant ending? 36 One who’s suckered 37 Two-time U.S. Open winner of the ‘90s 39 Part 3 of the quotation 40 Ripple pattern on a stamp 41 Leave in stitches 42 Treat like a mama’s boy 44 Rocky hill 45 Part 4 of the quotation 47 Road Runner chaser ___ E. Coyote 1
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the view from park hill
by Sonny Rhodes
I’m sitting next to a picture window overlooking a Stone County valley. The Middle Fork of the Little Red River has spent centuries upon centuries carving out this view. On the far side of the valley, maybe a mile away, are bluffs that look to be 100 feet tall. Below them a rocky hillside slopes down about another quarter mile to a wide meadow. The top third of what was once a 50- to 60-foot-tall hickory dangles just outside the window, clinging to what’s left of the standing tree, a casualty of an ice storm that ravaged northern Arkansas last year. Today the wind is blowing hard, whistling through the tree tops. A turkey vulture streaks past my view, the strong winds making for a rough ride. On a day similar to today about 10 years ago, I was sitting in this spot and saw a bald eagle glide by. I’m at a place called the Mount Eagle Retreat Center, a roughly 1,000-acre, heavily-wooded property connected with the United Methodist Church. I’m surrounded by places with intriguing names: Sally Flats, Lute Mountain, Bee Bluff, Half Moon Mountain. The closest town of any size is Shirley, population 337, a little ways down Arkansas 110. When Mount Eagle is not being used for church activities, the camp’s cabins and lodge are open to folks like yours truly. My family comes here every so often to celebrate my mother- and father-in-law’s birthdays. The last time we were here, November 2008, we celebrated not only Thanksgiving and my mother-in-law’s birthday, but a 31-30 Razorback victory over the LSU Tigers. Oh, that was so sweet. This time, we’re celebrating my father-in-law’s 85th birthday. The afternoon promises cake, ice cream and other goodies. So I won’t feel too guilty about consuming all those calories, I’ve just gone for a five-mile hike out to the highway and back. Along the way, I heard spring peepers singing their high-pitched, froggy love songs; saw a roadrunner, which was so surprised it not only ran, it eventually took flight; and scared up a bobwhite quail. It was the first bobwhite I’ve seen in the wild in a long time. Bobwhites haven’t been doing well lately because of habitat destruction. Pesticides and herbicides have killed the insects and the plants upon which the birds feed and find cover. I have read of efforts to protect the birds, however, so that makes me hopeful. Seeing that quail made me more hopeful. In my February column, I wrote about Natural State places of which I am fond. I couldn’t work them all in, so this is sort of an addendum to 96 . APRIL 2010
that earlier piece. Mount Eagle is a fine place to flee a hectic pace … a place that’s good for the soul. Changing the subject, my hat is off to a legislator from this neck of the woods: state Rep. Roy Ragland of Marshall. You might recall that Ragland and his wife, Gail, were driving along a Little Rock street one Monday night in February when their car was hit by a sport utility vehicle. The SUV’s driver got out, asked if anyone was hurt, then fled, according to news reports. Mrs. Ragland was hurt, all right. She wasn’t breathing, and Ragland thought his wife was dead, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported. Ragland asked for divine help and breathed into his wife. She groaned and opened her eyes. Meanwhile, people at a nearby parking lot called 911, and Mrs. Ragland was soon on her way to the hospital, where she was treated for a broken collar bone, 10 broken ribs and a punctured lung. The following Wednesday, Little Rock police tracked down the SUV driver and arrested him on charges that included felony hit-andrun and running a red light. Later that day, Ragland, a pastor of the nondenominational Welcome Home Church, told his colleagues at the Capitol he forgave the other driver. He did not want any special prosecution or harshness. On the other hand, he was not asking for leniency. Essentially, he said he didn’t want anyone to think they could just leave an innocent person hurt in the street and get away with it. That evening, television station KTHV carried a news report in which Ragland said, “I knew the Bible said, ‘To whom much is given, —Crossword Answers R T E S A B O O S L A N G much is required.’ And I forgave B O M B T E P E E A R G O this guy. I know he probably didn’t R O N I R O T O R B A A L mean to hurt us. That wasn’t his in- B Y D E F I N I T I O N I S S U E D S K A G G S tention when he got in the vehicle, S A G E A P E R S O N R E P L A Y D U P E I R S and so I forgave him of that.” C A N M O I R E S E L E S In short, forgive and let the law C O D D L E T O R S L A Y W I L E H A V E B U T run its course. Ragland showed E X E T E R G E R B I L O N E A R C H E N E M Y amazing grace. R I O T E T A S C A G E D Forgiveness is something else A C R E S T L O O N R Y E B E E N T E L L T Y P E D that’s good for the soul.