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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2018
CORNBREAD FESTIVAL LAUREN GRAY THE PRICE OF LOCAL
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Hear the stories of other Arkansas creatives through the Sustaining Craft podcast on iTunes and Spotify.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS CORNBREAD FESTIVAL 5
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The Arkansas Cornbread Festival celebrates a truly southern staple and its delicious variations, all the while supporting a thriving community built on variety.
JOSHUA ASANTE 7
Thea Foundation's emerging artists series.
MOONLITE MARKET 8
Arkansas is known for numerous flea markets and craft fairs, but this market has taken it one step further.
EAT LOCAL / SHOP LOCAL 10-11
Discover local restaurants, shops and services in central Arkansas.
BE A LOCALIST 12
Being a “localist” means supporting local food, products and services, but local costs more— sometimes a lot more. Read more to find out why in this 3 part series on the cost of local.
FEATURED FAVORITE 15
Cypress Knee Food is serving Southern and Cajun cuisine unlike any other!
COUNTRY DEEP 16
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Learn the story behind a highly successful local clothing line that has made coast-to-coast traction, flying off shelves nationwide.
SUICIDE AWARENESS 19
September ushers in National Suicide Awareness month. This is a topic of great importance, but not a topic that is openly and relevantly discussed on a regular basis.
ME AND MCGEE MARKET 20 THE MUSIC OF LAUREN GRAY 23 Local musician hitting the big stage!
28 download the app
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MEDITATION FOR BEGINNERS 27 A PLACE OF HIS OWN 28
Chris Crain has worked in the automotive industry for 25 years and is shaking things up at Crain Hyundai in Conway!
LONOKE COUNTY SAFE HAVEN 30
www.localmag411.com Local. Magazine
Local_LittleRock
PUBLISHERS
Rich Niemeyer Kaitlin Schmidt
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kaitlin Schmidt
COPY EDITOR Stacey Bowers
COVER PHOTOGRAPHER C. Neumann Mural by X3MEX
STAFF WRITER Adam Cherepski
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
April Lane, Richard Ledbetter, Elizabeth Silverstein, Melissa Tucker
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Crystal Gibson Rich Niemeyer Ginnie Oliver
For advertising information, please call 501-476-4200. For Subscription services, please call 501-554-1126. Local. Magazine is published bimonthly by 411 Publications, Inc. 1100 W. 2nd St. Ste. 1, Little Rock, AR 72201 411publications@gmail.com The contents of Local. are copyrighted, and material contained herein may not be copied or reproduced in any manner without the written consent of the publisher.
CONTRIBUTOR SPOTLIGHT ADAM CHEREPSKI Adam received his Master’s degree in Education from UALR. He enjoys everything there is to do with food, from cooking at home to dining at locally-owned establishments. Writing is a passion of his. Be sure to check out his blog, oneflewovermyhouse.tumblr. com and on Facebook at One Flew Over My House. ELIZABETH SILVERSTEIN Elizabeth Silverstein received her first paycheck as a writer in 2006, and she’s been interviewing others ever since. With a background in journalism, she especially loves telling the stories of passionate, local business. In 2018, Sustaining Craft, her interview series about creative business became a podcast. Elizabeth writes at hewandweld.com.
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SoMa has added these ingredients at a rapid pace, and with each new part, the whole becomes better and takes on a new flavor, a uniqueness that was not there before. Come to SoMa now, and you will witness the new elements added to the recipe; it is the mission of the Arkansas Cornbread Festival to present this product for all to try. Once people make it to SoMa, they always come back for more. The festival is now in its eighth year, and each installment has seen marked growth from the year before. Last year’s event brought in approximately 4,000 attendees, and the committee anticipates even more for this year. With this growth, there is a need for even more cornbread, and the organizers are taking the proper steps to ensure that plenty will be made available. Let’s not forget that this is a competition, and this year, the participants will be separated into professional and amateur categories in an effort to level the playing fields. Another way this is being addressed is by instituting blind judging for a blue ribbon panel separate from the public voting - one such judge being Executive Chef Matthew McClure of The Hive in Bentonville, a culinary celebrity that has been a James Beard semifinalist for the last 5 years. If you know you have the best recipe and are interested in pitting your cornbread against others, entry forms can be found at arkansascornbreadfestival.com. While admission to the festival is free to enjoy music, stroll through the shops and vendors, and enjoy the other activities, you will need a ticket to sample all the cornbread and vote for your favorite. Tasting tickets can be purchased early for $8 on the website and at The Green Corner Store, or you can get them at the festival for $10. All proceeds go right back into the community and the further development of SoMa. While cornbread is the draw, there will be plenty of things to see and do. Local vendors and artisans will be there to showcase their wares and products. You will find an assortment of items such as jewelry, art, clothing, and tchotchkes. Food vendors and trucks will also be there to complement the star of the festival. Local breweries will be ready to help you wash down your samples in the most delicious way.
Cornbread Festival - Adam Cherepski
At some point in your life, as a southerner, or even a transplant living in the south, you most likely have sat down at a table and had cornbread placed in front of you. This is both an exciting and daunting event. We all have preferences for the kind of cornbread we favor. Some choose sweet and cake-like, and some opt for the dense and savory. The good thing is there is no right or wrong; there is only preference. So, the cornbread is placed in front of you, and you think to yourself, “What am I in for?” Will this be what I enjoy, or will this be something I endure? The first bite occurs, and regardless of what transpires in flavor, texture, or presentation, you are surprised.
Different recipes abound in the realm of cornbread, and there are plenty of preparations to be had at this year’s Arkansas Cornbread Festival. It can be treated as a side item that complements the meal, or it can be seen as a separate entity that is to be regarded on its own. The most basic of recipes calls for a sweetness that exhumes naturally from the corn itself. Past recipes presented include unique entries such as The Root Café’s vegan and gluten free version. To say that cornbread is adaptable would be an understatement. Start with a basic recipe, add ingredient A, and you have a sweet treat. Or, start with that same recipe, add ingredient B, and you have a spicy side item. Subtle differences can make large impacts. Adding different elements that work together is what makes cornbread unique. In that way, cornbread and the South Main neighborhood are a lot alike. For too long, when someone mentioned South Main, there was a sense of trepidation that came about. Like many urban neighborhoods that have existed for decades, some of them become forgotten and neglected. So was the way of SoMa. For years, venturing to this area of downtown was seen as unnerving. The unexpected often kept visitors away. What was fortuitous for the area was the good base recipe that was there already – people who could see the potential and who brought ingredients to remake an old recipe. It just needed these ingredients added to appeal to the masses. Over the last ten years or so,
Bands and musicians will provide a backdrop of melodies to which toes will inevitably tap. If you are interested in being a vendor yourself, you can find more information on the website. Also, for this year, there will be an expanded family and kids’ area – in fact, it will take up an entire block. In this special area, there will be a small performance area for interactive fun like a storytime with Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre characters, get pumped up with Sparkfit, then warm up your vocal chords with sing-along activities, and of course various animals from Heifer International will be in attendance. The organizers are really going above and beyond to make sure there is something for everyone.
The Arkansas Cornbread Festival celebrates a truly southern staple and its delicious variations, all the while supporting a thriving community built on variety. What makes up a specific cornbread recipe is what makes it unique. While most recipes start the same way, the end result is often vastly different. Cornbread can be prepared many ways, and it is ultimately the sum of its parts that set it apart, much like SoMa itself. One of the reasons the Arkansas Cornbread Festival was created in 2011, was to bring people to the SoMa area who have not seen the changes, such as new shops, restaurants, gardens, and residences, in this part of the city. Over the last eight years, the festival has grown in popularity, and so too has the area – all that was needed was the right ingredients, people with a passion and vision. The Arkansas Cornbread Festival takes place on October 27, 2018 from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Festival goers vote for their favorite cornbread throughout the event and the tallying ends at 3:00 p.m., with the winners announced at 3:30 p.m. The festivities will be located on South Main between 13th and 17th Streets. Be sure to check out arkansascornbreadfestival. com for details, and be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. 5
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Thea Foundation Exhibits the - Adam Cherepski Work of Joshua Asante This November, Joshua Asante’s painting and photography will be on display at Thea Foundation in North Little Rock. His show is part of The Art Department emerging artists series. This series is a quarterly exhibition hosted by the Thea Foundation that features dynamic artists from across the state. The mission of the The Art Department is to engage young arts patrons and to help cultivate a community of arts-focused young professionals who are involved in central Arkansas’s greater arts community.
The Foundation If you are not familiar with the Thea Foundation, it is definitely an organization that warrants your attention. The purpose of Thea is to promote arts for young people which, in turn, encourages confidence and personal success. The foundation accomplishes this through scholarships and philanthropic, educational and outreach activities. These activities include workshops, exhibitions and other similar events. Another major focus of the foundation is advocating for arts-based curricula in local schools through the Arts Reconstruction program and Thea’s Art Closet. This approach has been shown to improve students’ overall learning processes and success in all subjects. Thea scholarships are offered in areas such as visual arts, performing arts, creative writing,
slam poetry, fashion design, and film to ensure that all artists are given opportunity. The scholarships are based solely on talent and are open to all Arkansas high school seniors. Another program, Arkansas A+ Schools (recently acquired by the University of Arkansas), provides professional development for teachers and principals to empower them to integrate the arts into a multi-disciplinary strategy to improve students’ learning. Preparing school staff to think more creatively about curricula creates a collaborative, hands-on approach to instruction. Placing an emphasis on the arts in schools and in the community as a whole is the mission of the Thea Foundation, and in doing so, they work to provide opportunities for everyone, from those just beginning their foray into art to those who are established in the community. The Exhibition Have you ever been walking past something that you have walked by a hundred times, and for some reason, this one time, you see it differently? Well, that is exactly what local Renaissance man Joshua Asante looks for in everything he does. In his words, he celebrates the mundane. Asante is a musician, a painter, a writer and a photographer. For all intents and purposes, he is self-taught in each of these disciplines, although he is not a fan of this phrase, since he feels that no one is truly self-taught—we all receive the help and support of others to accomplish our goals. He stated that he wouldn’t be where he is today without the people in his life. People are at the forefront of Asante’s work, and that is evident in his photography in that he mainly focuses on portraits. His photos encourage onlookers to find the layers of people. All too often, we take for granted the people around us. This is the case for those who are close to us as well as those we do not even know. These layers he references are what make us remarkable. A portrait provides us the opportunity to truly see someone and what it means to be individual. When looking at Asante’s works, you get to know the people without ever having met them. While his photos are incredibly powerful storytellers, his true message is that we shouldn’t have to photograph someone or something to appreciate them. Whether it be a flower we walk by every day or a person passing on the street,
Asante implores us to look at them just a bit differently. I hate to be cliché, but we are forced to look at things through a different lens. Asante really doesn’t know how he came into art as his passion. Since he is skilled in many different media, I thought it best to concentrate on the subject at hand – photography. He stated that his interest in photography stemmed from playing with cameras as a child. Initially, he liked the different shapes and sizes of the cameras themselves more than what they could produce. He was enamored by the mechanics of them. He knew that when he pushed the button and heard that click, that something magical happened. When reeling the film and listening to the gears working, there was the knowledge that another opportunity was presenting itself. At this time, one would send the film off to be developed and after some time, the images that were captured through the eyepiece of the camera were now tangible. The fascination was real. Some years ago, Asante began taking selfportraits. At first he did this by holding the camera out in front of him and pointing the lens directly back at him. We joked how he was taking selfies before selfies were cool. Soon he found himself utilizing the timer on his cameras while manipulating lighting, shadows, focus and color to create different views, to evoke different responses. Asante has been concentrating on portrait photography for the last 15 years or so. He has what can be called a societal message in his portraits. This message is one that goes beyond acceptance of others and progresses to celebration of all. Through his art, he has an outward desire for civility, which, sadly, is perceived as a political statement. He does his best to remain apolitical, but perception has the power to disrupt. Whether you see his message as societal, political or merely visual, you find yourself appreciating every component. His upcoming show at Thea Foundation will consist of photography, mixed-media paintings and a video installation, each of which will have you looking at things just a bit differently, with a new appreciation. Asante’s exhibition will be up the entire month of November beginning Friday, November 2 from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. with a reception with drinks and heavy hors d’oeuvres. Thea Foundation is located at 401 Main Street in Argenta. For more information on Thea, check them out at theafoundation.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To see more on Joshua Asante, you can find him and his work on his website, churchofchaos.format.com and on Instagram at @joshua_asante. 7
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Arkansas is known for numerous flea markets and craft fairs, but Mandy Ledbetter and Kristian Miller had something else in mind. Looking for a new way to showcase their crafts and candies and a dream to make their homemade businesses their full time jobs, the Moonlite Market was born. The duo also desired to provide an opportunity for other small business owners and women who dream, like themselves, to follow their passions and grow their own businesses by connecting with new customers and building community. “The goal was to bring something fun and new to Arkansas. We wanted something that was really for everyone, for your Junk Hunters, Art Lovers, Shop-till-you-Droppers, Saturday Date-Nighters, Food Truck Junkies, Music lovers, and Small Business Supporters. You’re sure to find, taste or hear something you never knew you wanted.” It started as a monthly show in Arkadelphia at the Fair Grounds, but soon evolved into fewer, but larger shows around central Arkansas. “In 2019, we want to expand into doing more street shows.”
options. If you are interested in becoming a vendor, check out the website for more information and a vendor application. There are no informational or political booths. Member of the band Posey Hill, Kristian has always loved music. Live bands have become an important aspect of Moonlite Market, and they are always on the scout for Arkansas’ best musical talent. Past acts include Posey Hill, John Neal, Stephen Neeper and the Wild Hearts and The Cons of Formant. “Its just a neat experience when everything is lit up, live music is playing, gourmet food trucks are serving their amazing dishes and you can shop products that are all homemade from really talented people.”
In 2017, Food and Wine Magazine named Moonlite Market the Best Holiday Market in Arkansas. “This market may run (almost) yearround, but because it requires all its vendors to run Christmas lights in and on their tents, it always feels like the holidays here.” To add a little more holiday spirit, be sure to come visit Santa at the Conway market happening December 15th! The Moonlite Market is sure to have something for everyone whether you’re on the hunt for vintage treasures or an art lover. Feel good about supporting local businesses, eating great food, and listening to live music by attending one of the upcoming markets!
November 10th, 2018 Saline County Fairgrounds. Benton, AR, 12-9 PM
Just to take it one step further, it is a night time market! Think hot chocolate, festive lights at every booth, live music, holiday shopping, and delicious food. That is what you will find at the upcoming market at the Saline County Fairgrounds on November 10. Close to 100 different vendors will be participating from Missouri, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. There will be booths with crocheted items, bath soaps, wood art, furniture, stained glass, on-site printed teeshirts, jewelry, paintings, and more. There will definitely be a wide variety of shopping
Music Acts to include: Christine Demeo, Sarah, Cecil, Howard and Skye and more TBA $3 Admission. Kids 10 and Under Free Food Trucks to Include: Bragg's Big Bites, Count Porkula and more TBA
December 15th, 2018 Conway Expo Center, 12-9 PM
A Very Merry Moonlite Market is coming to the Indoor Conway Expo Center!! We are currently accepting Vendor and Food Truck applications! Stay Tuned for more information!
501-229-3634 Please contact Kristian or Mandy at moonlitemarket@gmail.com
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eat
Blue Canoe Brewing is one of downtown’s favorite breweries. Featuring a brand new menu with items to pair perfectly with every beer. New menu includes dips, paninis, tacos, BBQ sandwiches, nachos, pretzels, and more! 425 E 3rd St. in Little Rock. 501-492-9378
EJ's Eats & Drinks specializes in all things breakfast, delicious sandwiches, scratch soups, HUGE salads, juicy burgers and so much more! Stop by for smiles and beer. Come in and give your inner foodie something special. 523 Center St. in Little Rock. 501-666-3700
Fat Jack's Oyster Bar and Grill provides live music, cold beer and great food. Come try the variety of cajun food, burgers and fish while watching your favorite sports team. Don't forget to try the best oysters in Arkansas! 101 Central Ave. in Hot Springs. 501-623-5225
Brave New Restaurant provides a casual, warm environment, delicious food and excellent service at a reasonable cost with a goal to have every meal be a celebration of food. 2300 Cottondale Ln. in Little Rock. 501-663-2677
Cypress Knee Food delivers a food truck experience like no other around AR; serving scratch made, gourmet southern and Cajun. Book us for your next event! www.cypresskneefood.com. 870-415-9494
Black Angus is a locally owned and operated restaurant that serves fresh, homemade food including hand cut steaks, catfish, and burger patties using a charcoal grill. 10907 N. Rodney Parham Rd. 501-228-7800
Ohia Poke is bringing healthy Hawaiian cuisine to Little Rock. Try the daily fresh veggies and fish as you build your bowl in an upbeat environment that is fun for the whole family. Come join us for the best Poke of your life! 220 West 6th Street in Little Rock. 501-502-6330
Doe's Eat Place features Little Rock's favorite steaks, hot tamales with chili, succulent broiled shrimp, tasty grilled salmon, mouth watering hamburgers and more. It is filled with memorabilia that makes the experience what it is. 1023 W. Markham St. in Little Rock. 501-376-1195
Crush Wine Bar is the perfect neighborhood bar located in the heart of the Argenta Arts District and offers a large variety of wine. Be sure to enjoy your glass with one of the meat and cheese plates on the outdoor patio this summer! 318 N. Main St. in North Little Rock. 501-374-9463
Southern Table is a boards, bites and bruschetta eatery specializing in seasonal small plates and a shared menu with world dining options. Proudly serving Southern Table produced cheeses and Raimondo Winery wines and products. 323 S. Cross St. in Little Rock. 501-379-9111.
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shop
Altura Graphics offers screen printing services, t-shirts, banners, signs for your business, yard signs, trade show displays, vehicle lettering, and so much more! They can supply you with exactly what you need for any occasion. www.alturasigns.com. 501-753-4925
Reinvented Vintage specializes in bringing new life to worn furniture and accessories. They offer Arkansas made goods, vintage furniture, workshops, chalk paint & so much more! If you would like a piece reinvented for you, come by 1222 S. Main St. in Little Rock. 501-753-4925
Montalvo Interiors & Apparel offers home decor, interior design, womens' and mens' apparel, jewelry, shoes, and more! They carry exceptional pieces and service with customized attention. 201 Edison Avenue in Benton. 501-794-6677
Lindsey’s Resort is a full service trout fishing resort located on the Little Red River that has been serving families for more than 50 years. They offer rustic cabins, camping, the Pot O’ Gold Restaurant and nearby attractions. 350 Rainbow Loop in Heber Springs. 501-362-3139
A State Customs specializes in oversized tires and wheels for any vehicle. They also offer LED conversions, lifts/lowering, window tint, audio installations, tire rod ends, ball joints, brakes and rotors and more. 4250 Rixie Rd. Ste A in North Little Rock. 501-833-2205
Thrive Argenta is a luxury community located in the heart of the Argenta Arts District. Positioned right off of Main Street, dining, shopping and nightlife are literally a few steps away. Apply today at www.thriveargenta.com or give us a call at 501-612-0799. Live Inspired.
Arc Welding is a full service welding company. Whether it is gas pipes, trailer repair, boat repair, heavy equipment repair, or on-site welding, David has you covered! Fully insured. Call now at 501-514-8302
Ann's Health Foods offers award winning health food, vitamins, specialty foods, diet products, and body building products. Come by and speak with our knowledgeable staff Monday-Friday from 9am-6pm. 9800 Highway 107 in Sherwood. 501-835-6415
Legacy Jewelers offers a wide variety of unique jewelry pieces for every budget as well as custom design, jewelry and watch repair, battery replacement, engraving and strap adjustment..Over 40 years of experience. 1604 S. Pine St. Ste B in Cabot. 501-941-3003
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BE A LOCALIST. By Kaitlin Schmidt
The Price of Local Food (Part 1) - Elizabeth Silverstein
Local farms don’t have the space. Farming in central Arkansas often means working on a smaller farm, which results in less produce. A larger farm makes more money by scaling operations. While there is a higher upfront cost to buy the land, there is less risk of loss, since the sheer amount of production covers expenses and guarantees a profit. “It’s one guy putting all that time in for all that product you’ve got to move,” explained Ferneau, a long-time local chef. “Smaller batches are like buying from a smaller winery. Smaller production is going to cost more because it costs them more to produce that amount. They don’t have as much land to farm from, and they’re doing it in smaller batches. And it’s dependent on their chefs.”
Local crops aren’t always predictable. A crop might not produce the yield a farmer expected due to drought, flooding, issues with the soil, light, temperature or a number of other variables. “You don’t know what your outcome is going to be,” said Duvall, who runs Me and McGee Market, an open roadside location that sells local produce, meat, cheese and handmade items. Duvall is co-partner in the market with his mother, Neva Collier, while his grandmother, Debbie McGee, remains involved in what has become a family business. McGee and her late husband, Larry, started the market with produce from their garden. The market grew and now operates as a venue for other local farmers, producers and craftspeople. Duvall has to price what the market sells considering waste and storage. If an item doesn’t have a long storage life or can’t be frozen and doesn’t sell, the market absorbs the loss and has to price accordingly. “Waste is an inevitable part of the produce business,” Duvall said.
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Me & McGee Market
have a retail outlet. It is difficult for farmers to both farm and sell. While farmers stand to make a higher margin through direct sales, working markets is timeconsuming and hard work. There is a lot involved on both sides. Our partners are able to focus on farming, and we can focus on marketing and selling. That partnership has really proven to be a win-win.” On the other hand, Ferneau, who can use up to 300 pounds of okra within a few weeks, goes straight to the farmer. Ferneau buys in bulk, finds ways to eliminate waste and considers quality over pure cosmetics. “When people are buying five to ten pounds at a time, how is that farmer going to make any money?” asked Ferneau.
"They can feel good about what they’re putting in their bodies."
Local farmers prize quality over quantity.
Cathead's Diner
locally-minded clients. “I think it's important to highlight the pride and hard work of local farmers. Most do it because they love it and strive to make money at it. One of the benefits of Me and McGee is our ability to advertise and
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t doesn’t always make sense. That bright tomato sitting in the basket at the local market, grown in the area and merely transported a few miles, sometimes costs more than the red tomato sitting in the grocery store, transported from hundreds of miles away. Being a “localist” means supporting local food, products and services, but local costs more— sometimes a lot more. Donnie Ferneau, owner of Cathead’s Diner, and Logan Duvall, co-partner of Me and McGee Market, shared some of the hidden costs behind local farms.
Grocery store produce turns a profit by being sold in quantity. “Your smaller farms can’t do it,” explained Duvall. “There’s no way to do the quantity that commercial farms can do. That’s where the disconnect is, mainly.” Then there’s the rise in monoculture—a farm will produce only strawberries or tomatoes. “It has to be something that’s very hardy,” Duvall said. “It looks good.” However, growing hardy, beautiful food on a larger scale means sacrificing taste. Local farmers, producing smaller amounts of food, care more about quality. "It's hard work to farm, and it's difficult for most to make a living at it,” said Duvall. Duvall offers the opportunity through the Me and McGee Market to connect farmers with
Overhead impacts the cost of local food. Every business needs to look at the numbers and price accordingly, including a local farm. To grow a crop means overhead—time, energy, resources, water and more. Me and McGee Market aims for a 50% gross margin with 20% for overhead and loss. Gross margin is determined by how much an item costs to grow
or make (including all the extras) compared to what the consumer pays. But if part of a crop doesn’t sell and can’t be frozen or used another way, Me and McGee absorbs the loss. The overhead is a little different for Cathead’s Diner, but also impacts the cost of food. Ferneau tries to run what he called a true 25% food cost. In addition to the cost of the food on the plate, Ferneau still has to cover the expenses of his employees, rent, loans, lights, water, paper cups, even the ketchup and mustard. “I really look at the cost of my food,” Ferneau said. “There is a lot of local food out there that’s a lot more expensive.” As a result, Ferneau can offer an $11 lunch that’s effective as a hot lunch counter— functioning as a buffet, customers can pick their own sides and Ferneau can purchase more from a local farmer. “It’s great for us, our concept,” Ferneau said. “We’re able to fill those cans up. We can cook 50 pounds of squash for lunch and go through it. For me, the scoop and serve and hot lunch counter just made sense. If I had a restaurant where I had to cook one meal at a time, I’m at the mercy of the customer.” However, a little ingenuity goes a long way. By rethinking a traditional format while committing to sustainability and local food, Ferneau averages $2 a pound for produce, capitalizing on the okra, squash, zucchini and lettuce all grown right in Arkansas. His cost for chicken and beef are a bit higher, but all sustainable and humanely raised. And he’s committed to using as much of the animal as possible. “We’re using all of the products we’re buying,” Ferneau explained. “We’re doing old school cooking and doing it proper.”
Me & McGee Market
And sustainability means a long-term positive impact on local farms and counties. Ferneau sources produce from local farms such as Barnhill Orchards in Lonoke, Ark., and Heifer Village & Urban Farm in Little Rock. The diner’s catfish comes from Mississippi and Arkansas. When not able to find local options, Ferneau seeks out sustainable and humane options. “My biggest philosophy of food right now is ‘less is more.’ It’s what we’re not putting into our food that makes it so great,” Ferneau explained. “We get as much local stuff as we can. I tend to buy in bulk. We can forecast with our farmers what we plan to use, so it helps them plan what to plant. Sometimes that drives the price down.” Sustainability sourced food means a longterm vision of supporting local farms and communities. “At the end of the day, locally farmed stuff does cost more, but it’s worth it,” said Ferneau. “It’s stimulating economic growth for the region, helping local farms, and, as a chef, it makes your food taste better, too. In the long run, you can’t afford not to. You’re putting money back into your own state and county. It’s up to you to price properly so you’re not losing money.”
Stay tuned for Part 2 in this series coming in the November issue!
Cathead's Diner
With his particular mission, Ferneau does have more narrow profit margins, but he’s also built up a clientele that is willing to pay for honest, local ingredients. “Our customers—they get it,” he shared. “They’ve tried the product, they like what it tastes like. … They know there’s no sodium hidden in anything. They can feel good about what they’re putting in their bodies. We’re very busy.”
Toni Frazier, CIC Agent NPR #1743997
Richard Frazier Agent License 23436
(501) 225-1818 Are you turning 65 or under 65 disabled on Medicare? We are an independent Insurance Agency. I can help make sense of it for you!
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Cathead’s Diner opened in June of 2018 and focuses on sustainable and local food. Ferneau works directly with local farmers to forecast crops he’ll use in his restaurant, which offers breakfast and lunch. By utilizing a method where diners can pick their sides through a hot plate option, Ferneau can reduce costs while maintaining his margins and supporting his mission of delicious, locally-based food.
Home · Auto Business
Duvall’s grandparents, Larry and Debbie McGee, started Me and McGee market in 2012 with produce from their garden. As the stand on the side of Route 70 became a full market, the pair grew the business into a family affair and started selling the local products, produce and crafts of others. The market allows farmers and craftsmen to raise and create more while getting their wares directly in front of consumers.
808 Reservoir Road, Suite B Little Rock, Arkansas 72227 P: 501-225-1818 · F: 501-223-8682 choicematters@frazieragency.com www.frazieragency.com
Multiple Carriers
13
Attention members & guests
Open daily at 3pm
Live Music, Billiards, Food, & Fun on Tap. Open Daily 11am-2am
7th 8th
SEPTEMBER Tragically White Nerd Eye Blind
14th Greg Ward & The Good Times Band 15th Jason Kinney Band 21st Shotgun Billy’s 22nd Modern Vintage 28th Big Shane Thornton 29th Lypstick Hand Grenade
5th 6th
OCTOBER Markus Pearson I-40 Ramblers
12th 80’s costume party w/ Dirty Lindsey 13th Buh Jones Band 19th Bombay Black 20th Tone Kat’s 26th The Muddlestuds 27th Halloween costume contest w/ Lypstick Hand Grendade
Home of the 1/2 lb Midtown Burger!
1611 EAST OAK ST. Conway , AR 72032
14
A Counter Culture Shop
Live music Fri. & Sat. nights
SEPTEMBER
5th
Lost 40 Octoberfest Party
7th
Big Dam Horns
8th
Cherry Red w/ Trey Johnson and Jason Willmon
13th Montu w/ Kadela 14th Homeschool Drop-Outs 15th
Good Foot
16th The Steve’N’Seagulls w/
The Restless Leg String Band
21st
Mulehead
22nd Henry and the Invisibles 28th Lydia Lunch Retrovirus w/ Mouton + Listen Sister
29th El Dub
OCTOBER
5th The Big News 6th Smoking Flowers 19th Big Red Flag w/ Jamie Lou and the Hullaballo
26th Combsy 27th Negro Terror 31st The Crumbs presents “The
Rocky Horror Pickin’ Show”
Sunday Brunch 12-3pm! TCSMIDTOWN.COM
PARTHENON
full schedule & food menu: www.fourquarterbar.com
415 Main St. N. Little Rock, AR
(501) 565-5000 Hookahs•Shisha•Papers•Supplements•Games Detox Products•Tapestries•Flags•Candles Incense•Hand pipes•Gift Items•Vaporizers Open 7 days a week! Mon. - Sat. 10 - 7 - Sun. 1pm - 6pm
CHECK OUT THE NEW LOCATION: 8000 Hwy 107 Ste 4 • Sherwood, AR
The Magick Cottage
•Incense sticks •Resin Incense •Florida Water •Herbs •Pendulums •Stones •Jewelry •Soaps •Washes •7 Day Candles •Incense Burners •Fairy statues •Cauldrons •Crystal Balls •Books •Salt Lamps •Leather Journals
Mon. - Sat. 10:30am - 6pm
6221 Colonel Glenn Rd. • Little Rock, AR
(501) 916-9622
{
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Featured
Cypress Knee Food - Adam Cherepski
In May of 2016, LaFoon decided to pursue his foodservice dreams, and he quit his 9-to-5 job to begin researching and developing what would become Cypress Knee’s menu offerings. After almost a year of honing these dishes, he began normal operations in February of 2017 in southeast and central Arkansas. Also during this time, the construction of that custom food trailer took place. If you have ever seen it at local festivals or events, you know that it is truly a unique structure. I asked LaFoon why he didn’t just get online and find a used food trailer rather than build his own from what was once a flatbed car hauler. He said it was this uniqueness that was most important to him. It seemed like more work to build something from scratch when there are plenty of readymade options out there, but he justified this by
saying that there are many different food trucks and trailers around, and often you can forget which is which at first glance. Not Cypress Knee; it definitely stands out from the crowd, and people are drawn to it. It is this approach that is truly refreshing in the mobile cuisine arena, and the time and effort he took with the trailer translates into what he does with his food. One look at his menu and it is apparent that hard work and care went into each item. This scratch-made philosophy is more time-consuming, and there are many ready-made ingredient options out there, but just as it is with the trailer, this culinary craftsmanship sets Cypress Knee apart from the rest. Dishes such as Shrimp-N-Grits, Gumbo, Mornay Melt and Alligator Love Bites are all made with fresh ingredients and every bit is homemade. Everything about Cypress Knee is different, or as some would say, special. While you will find LaFoon and Cypress Knee Food at many upcoming food truck festivals and events this fall, I would be remiss if I did not mention their catering and special event offerings. If you are planning a wedding, party or a corporate gathering, they can take care of it all. With nine different carefullycrafted menu options, you will be sure to create a bill of fare that any group would enjoy. For these events, LaFoon will sit down with you and determine the best approach for your guests. Typically, he prepares three to four different choices, along with sides and desserts, if needed. Be sure and check them out next time you find yourself planning a gathering. This fall, when you find yourself at a festival with food trucks, look for the trailer with the metal and wood siding that resembles a tiny house. That is where you will find Cypress Knee Food. The menu, small in stature, is big on flavor. LaFoon insists on doing things right, from his path to being a chef to the trailer he pulls behind his truck and the food he hands out of the window. Everything is done with attention to detail and an insistence on quality, as it should be. Look for Cypress Knee Food on Facebook, Instagram and at cypresskneefood. com.
LET US
HELP YOU BUILD YOUR
Cypress trees are native to the southeast region of the United States. In fact, they don’t grow north of Virginia or west of Texas, to be exact. It is this region, and thus this name, that serves as inspiration for Cypress Knee Food. Chef Benjamin Lee LaFoon grew up in Crossett, Ark., before embarking on a series of adventures. However, no matter where life took him, he insisted on being true to his roots. These roots are found in the food that he prepares in his custom-made food trailer. At the age of 23, LaFoon joined the Air Force and traveled the world. During and after his time in the service, he earned two Bachelor’s degrees, one from a culinary school. This training is evident in his menu, which is unlike any other that can be found prepared locally in a mobile kitchen.
BRAND
501.554.1126 Contact us now for all your Design & Print Services
wokocreative@gmail.com 15
ON THE C OV E R
Country Deep
- Richard Ledbetter | Photography by C. Neumann
‘Country Deep’ conjures up rural images and recollections of life on the farm, just as intended. It’s the name chosen by founders of a highly successful local clothing line that has made coast-to-coast traction, flying off shelves nationwide. Chris Hess and Mathew Taylor began the company some four and a half years ago. Over the past two and a half years, they’ve had their screen-print shop and storefront at 2400 Cantrell Road, Suite 105. A visit to their business location is a worthy sojourn to delight the senses with a plethora of creativity in various art forms and assorted casual wear. Walls throughout the establishment are covered with original Hess paintings along with a collection of other interesting pieces the fellows have picked up in their broad travels. But the assorted T-shirt and cap designs filling the selves on all sides, containing well-rooted music images and slogans from popular artists, are the main focus of the offerings. Fun-stuff, no doubt, but it hasn’t come easy. 16
Hess took time out of his hectic printing and shipping schedule early one Monday morning to visit with Local, sharing the remarkable saga of how Taylor’s and his growing business came to be. “Mathew and I own a Country and Western and Rock & Roll clothing brand. We don’t get a lot of walk-in business, but that’s OK because we stay so busy printing, packing and shipping,” Hess said. “But, of course, walk-ins are always welcome.” “We wanted to show some U.S. and country pride, so it seemed fitting to call it ‘Country Deep,” Hess said, adding that the brand can be found in 500 stores across the country. “I originally went to fashion design school for six years, learning shirt and pants design,” Hess said. “After I figured out how it’s a lot easier to print and flip T’s as opposed to shorts and pants, we discovered our own unique niche. So now we do mostly T’s, tank tops, caps and hats. It’s not
really like a job to me; it’s more of a passion and love. The money is a bonus, and I’m very grateful for that.” Referencing a blog he wrote regarding the oft-asked question, “how do you start a brand?” Hess said, “From the moment you opened your eyes, you started the brand of ‘you,’ which is the strongest, most believable and trustworthy brand on the market and the best you can offer,
because no one knows or does it better than you. I can’t really tell you how to design your T-shirts or how to sell them. I can’t tell you what your logo should be or if you should even have one. These are exciting problems that are best solved by you. “We were taught in school and passed down from our elders to always shoot for the stars. You can do anything if you put your mind to it; dream big. But the reality of the matter is dreams are nothing without hard work. Goals are zero without diligence, and this relates to any kind of passion in life, not just creating a clothing line. “Hard work is the trophy, and unlike money or connections or all the other excuses people use as to why someone else got the breaks. Hard work is something everyone has access to; it’s just that simple. Work harder than the next guy, and you’ve already one-upped them. It’s an unsung art and the answer to creating a clothing line or any other successful endeavor in this life.” When asked about the effort required to gain the sales and popularity they now enjoy, Hess shared, “We do a lot of music fests all over the U.S., where we team up with the likes of Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Chris Young and Florida/Georgia Line. We’ll work three or four large Country fests each year, from Alabama to Minnesota and Texas. We set up shop at those fests and sell our clothes there. It’s proved a great way to market and get our brand out to a broader audience. “We also work with my good friend John Hardin, of Proclaim Justice, who helped free the West Memphis 3. Through that group, we’ve had the pleasure of working with Eddie Vedder, Johnny Depp and Natalie Maines. As result, we helped the Dixie Chicks with their recent tour.” Looking back to where it all got started, Hess said, “I’ve always loved to draw and paint. It’s my joy, my Zen and my relaxation. Growing up, I always took my pad and pencil to church and sketched throughout Sunday services. I took art classes all four years of high school in Sheridan and graduated from Henderson State University with a degree in Art and Business. “After college, I attended Jamileh Kamran’s Fashion Design School in Little Rock. As far as graphic design, I’m pretty much self-taught. Section 8 is another arm of our business that specializes in custom graphics design and screen-printing. It’s been around for 20 years. That
side of our operation still provides custom shirt and cap printing for churches, schools, police departments and a lot of local businesses.” Explaining how he partnered with Taylor, Hess said, “Back in the day, I was doing ‘Hess Clothing’ and Mathew had a screen printing business and another clothing line called ‘Phunkee Love.’ We were both going around doing music festivals when we decided to do a project together. We got our designs on CountryOutfitters.com, and it suddenly blew up. We started selling over 100 shirts a day for them. Then we got a rep named Kati Hammett out of Austin who’d been doing it for 20 years. She took us under her wing and got our product out there on a whole other level. “We also go to Dallas, Atlanta and Vegas spring, summer and winter trade markets every year. It’s a lot of work and travel, but it really helps put our product in a lot of new stores and promote our brand even further.” When asked where he sees the Country Deep line headed in the future, Hess said, “We feel like we’re just getting started good. One of our biggest goals is to make Country fashion more modern. We are growing every month, and as long as we continue going in a positive direction and keep our creative minds flowing, the potential for the Country market is huge.”
Find an original painting by Hess at CARTI’s annual Christmas benefit, Festival of Trees on November 15-17. The painting, “Jazzy Date Night”, will be auctioned off with all proceeds benefiting CARTI’s patient assistance program. “God gave me a talent so it's only right for me to use it in a positive way.” CARTI is the state’s largest not-for-profit, private cancer care provider, offering medical, surgical and radiation oncology and diagnostic radiology to more than 20,000 newly diagnosed patients each year. Since its inception, Festival of Trees has raised in excess of $6.5 million to support the mission of CARTI and provide direct financial support to the patients it serves.
countrydeepclothing
Concluding our conversation, Hess added, “Countrydeep.com is our online store, we’re on a couple other major websites, like Southern Fried Chics, and you can find us on Facebook and Instagram. We love and appreciate our customers and are ever thankful for our genuine country roots.”
countrydeep.com 2400 Cantrell Rd. Suite 105 Little Rock, Arkansas 72202 17
September
Autumn Jazz in the Park Sept. 12, 19, 26
T IMBO
P ROMOTIONS Autumn
MOBILE DJ SERVICE
BACKGROUND
September 12 – Tawanna Campbell September 19 – Dizzy 7 September 26 – The Rodney Block Collective Location: Riverfront Park 6PM - 8PM
ACANSA Arts Festival Sept. 18-23 ACANSA exists as a visual and performing arts festival dedicated to building a more dynamic and engaging community through the arts and enriching the cultural vitality of the region. By fostering creative collaborations among artists, patrons, businesses, and community institutions, we facilitate the creation and presentation of more compelling art that encourages public dialogue, economic innovation, exposes people to a wider array of artistic experiences, and makes our community a stronger and more vibrant place to live. Location: Main Street Creative Corridor
7th Annual Tinkerfest Sept. 22 Tinkering will take over the entire museum and neighboring streets for a day-long event with a wide variety of interactive activities! Each activity engages children and adults, teaches visitors how everyday objects such as cars and computers work and provides opportunities to explore the engineering and science behind building objects
Weddings Birthdays Corporate Events Class Reunions
BACKGROUND
Mark Timmons (Owner)
501.993.6264
www.timbopromotions.com (Online Booking Available)
FOUNDATION FOOTWEAR FRENCH CONNECTION CULTURE EXCLUSIVES ROWDY GENTLEMEN CRYSP DENIM VITALY AG JEANS RVCA HIPPYTREE BRIXTON BARNEY COOLS EMBELLISH DENIM HUDSON DENIM ZANEROBE
Location: Museum of Discovery 9AM - 3PM
4th Annual Festival in the Park Sept. 22 This family-friendly event is complete with games, contests, food, and live music. This festival is truly a hidden gem of the Central Arkansas festival scene with its picturesque location and eclectic list of activities.
PROVISIONS FOR THE CULTURED GENTLEMAN
BACKGROUND
Autumn
Location: Two Rivers Park 11AM -6PM
11220 N. RODNEY PARHAM RD. SUITE 3 LITTLE ROCK 72212
5 0 1 . 2 4 6 . 5 4 6 6
18
Suicide Awareness - April Lane
S
eptember ushers in National Suicide Awareness month. This is a topic of great importance, but not a topic that is openly and relevantly discussed on a regular basis. It is painful and hard to understand but has likely touched everyone’s life in some way, whether we have lost someone very dear to us that has chosen to end their life or we ourselves have had moments of contemplation when the pressures and pains of this life feel unbearable. In honor of this month, we wanted to take an opportunity to pull this issue into the light and talk openly about how many of us are affected by the growing issue. To put into perspective just how many people in the US and the world are affected, we gathered a few statistics from Save.org to start the conversation. • Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US for all ages. (CDC) • Every day, approximately 123 Americans die by suicide. (CDC) • There is one death by suicide in the US every 12 minutes. (CDC) • Depression affects 20-25% of Americans ages 18+ each year. (CDC) • Suicide takes the lives of over 44,965 Americans every year. (CDC) • The highest suicide rates in the US are among Whites, American Indians and Alaska Natives. • Only half of all Americans experiencing an episode of major depression receive treatment. (NAMI) • 80% -90% of people who seek treatment for depression are treated successfully using therapy and/or medication. (TAPS study) • An estimated quarter million people each year become suicide survivors (AAS). • There is one suicide for every estimated 25 suicide attempts. (CDC) • There is one suicide for every estimated 4 suicide attempts in the elderly. (CDC) • Nearly 800,000 people die by suicide in the world each year, which is roughly one death every 40 seconds. • Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in the world for those aged 15-24 years. • Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide. When you start really thinking about how many people this affects, you begin to quickly realize that there are not many people living on this planet that have not been affected by depression and suicide in some form. This
alone is enough for us to take a moment to really sit down. We can take a seat at the table of our choice and take a moment to notice that, since the problem affects us all, we are all responsible for taking a closer look at the causes and potential solutions to begin shifting the tides of these statistics and keep the numbers from continuing to climb. These statistics are numbers on the page, but once taken off the page they are our mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, friends and other loved ones. They are our people, and sometimes the “they” are us. We are all people who have real pain and real suffering and many of us have come to a place where there seems to be no way of dealing with that pain and suffering. There doesn’t seem to be a yellow brick road to follow, and there is often not a reasonable avenue seen to seek outside help. According to healthline.com nearly 90 percent of suicides are directly linked to mental illness. Depression is the top risk factor, and many people who have suffered from it can tell you that it led to thoughts of suicide. That is why understanding this world-dominating illness is so vital to us, especially within our communities. We no longer have time to continue to misunderstand the impacts that is has and turn a blind eye to the many causal factors that lead to it. There are many things that may contribute to mental illness and depression: physical illness, loss of loved ones, substance abuse, traumas, bullying, loss of a job and the list really does go on and on, but once mental illness and depression have taken hold, the pathway to healing can be long, and it requires a lot of resources and support. The more we know about how many people are affected and just how many people battle with this every day, the more resources and support we can acquire. We can reduce the numbers by increasing our awareness, compassion and understanding of the issue. If we elevate the conversation and continue to destigmatize the topic of mental illness, depression and the causes and effects that surround them, we will continue to see more survivors and continue to see progress made and these staggering numbers will hopefully begin to fall. There are some organizations working very hard to support the suicide awareness platform and host ways to get educated and get involved. Arkansas has begun to take a solid step forward by providing the nation’s first local lifeline
operated by the state health department. The lifeline went live in December and has been servicing Arkansas residents ever since to assist residents in crisis and provide local resources. Another organization is AFSP Arkansas, or American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. They are hosting the Central Arkansas “Out of the Darkness” walk on Nov. 4, 2018, at Dickey Stephens Ball Park from 2 to 5 p.m. Registration ends the Friday before the walk and can be done online. Check in time the day of the walk begins at noon. This is a great way to get additional information and to suit up and show up for all of those who have been and are affected by suicide. Each day we join together to understand each other better while finding the compassion to reach out to one another in a meaningful way, the more lives will be forever changed. We can put forth a united effort to address mental health issues. For more information on the walk, visit www. afsp.donordrive.com.
If you or someone you know needs to talk, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is always available. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Just call: 1-800-273-TALK. 19
Fall at Me & McGee Market is a fun and exciting time. With the changing season comes the cool weather, football, autumn colors and the holidays. We remain focused on creating a welcoming, positive environment. As a small outdoor family-owned market, we showcase local products while we build personal relationships. We are fortunate to have the opportunities to make memories with some truly special people and form new relationships in the local food scene in a wide array of areas. The Mighty Rib, Scott McGehee, Ben E Keith and Loblolly Creamery highlight a few of the many we’ve been blessed to get to know. Kevin Shalin of The Mighty Rib, a food blog, has been absolutely incredible. Kevin’s sincerity, insight and willingness to share the gravely underappreciated food establishments in Arkansas makes for a fun resource and interactive online community. He routinely uncovers hidden gems and has yet to disappoint with his recommendations. If you don’t already, I highly recommend following The Mighty Rib on Facebook and Instagram.
Scott McGehee, the executive chef and owner with Yellow Rocket Concepts, is an innovator in the restaurant industry. His involvement with the amazing food of ZAZA Fine Salad + Wood Oven Pizza, Big Orange, Local Lime, Heights Taco & Tamale Co. and Lost Forty Brewing exemplify his talent and vision. Apart from the business accomplishments of Scott and his associates, the quality about him I find so admirable is his dedication to supporting local farmers and other businesses. He strives to buy directly from farmers. The kicker for me is he even goes to farmers markets toward the end of the day and buys produce the farmer would potentially have to waste. This is a much bigger deal than it first appears. The ability to sell fruits and vegetables, even at a discount, is so beneficial to the farmer and their bottom line. The reduction in waste and loss makes a 20
huge impact and for that, I applaud and respect him immensely. I look forward to learning and building our relationship with him. As mentioned before, Ben E Keith, a food and beverage distribution company, continues to impress me with their support for Me & McGee Market. I’m glad to call many at Ben E Keith friends. The executive chef, Shane Henderson, is one of the most talented people in the food industry I’ve ever encountered. He and his wife, Kim have Heritage Catering which allows everyone the opportunity to experience some of the best food in the world. We have had talks of a farm to table brunch at Me & McGee Market so stay posted for a potential announcement.
Another exciting partnership is with Serenity Farms Bakery in Leslie, Arkansas. A longstanding artisan bakery using a wood-fired brick oven and hand-shaped sourdough bread loaves. Preorder your Country French, Cranberry Pecan, Multigrain Sourdoughs! We will have their bread a few times a month available for pickup on Saturdays. Their dedication to quality and service seem to set up a perfect partnership. It blows me away with how many exceptional food experiences we have right here in central Arkansas. With Me & McGee Market being a hub of sorts, the relationships and exposure to the wonderful people associated with the different facets of food are exciting and rewarding. It’s a true honor to be a part of it even in a very small way. Our goal as always is to create a relaxing and enjoyable experience with the products we offer and the relationships we build. In the fall, we will have mums, locally grown specialty pumpkins, cornstalks and other fall staples. To all of those who support the Me & McGee family, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. To stay up to date, check us out on Facebook. Me & McGee Market 10409 Highway 70 NLR, Arkansas 72117
OMNIVORES, HERBIVORES, VEGANS . . .
HEAD NORTH.
October
Little Rock Tech Fest Oct. 4-5
Little Rock Tech Fest is an annual developer conference featuring popular web, mobile, database, and related developer topics from industry leaders. It is an event for both professional and aspiring software developers.
Gluten Free & Vegan Options Unique Burgers Local Beer on Tap Wings & More!
THE NLR GOURMET BAR @501NORTHBAR
3812 JFK Blvd. North Little Rock, AR • 501-420-1117
NOW LE A SI NG FOR FA L L 2 018
Location: Statehouse Convention Center
4th Annual Arkansas Honey Festival Oct. 6 A family-friendly and educational event that celebrates honey and the bees that make it. Whether you're a beekeeper or a honey enthusiast, there is something for everyone to enjoy. The day will be filled with workshops, honey tasting, kids’ activities, food trucks, and more. Location: Bemis Honey Bee Farm in Little Rock
AR Razorbacks vs Ole Miss Oct. 6 Come call the Hogs at the Razorback's only Little Rock game of the season! Location: War Memorial Stadium
6th Annual Central AR Pride Festival Oct. 20 Admission is FREE (but a suggested $5 donation is at the gate is welcomed!!) and open to the public! Enjoy live entertainment, vendors,food trucks, adult beverages,Pride Talks, a family zone, and more!! All are welcome! Location: River Market
Creep 'N Crawl 5k / 10k Oct. 27 The Creep ‘N Crawl Fun Run & Lil’ Monsters Dash is a family oriented event offering some Halloween fun with a healthy dose of physical fitness. Grab the scariest, funniest, wildest, goofiest, most creative costume you can think of and join us for a Howlin’ Ghoul Time! Location: Two Rivers Park
501.327.5035 1050 SPENCER CONWAY, AR WWW.JLOFTSDOWNTOWN.COM
21
The ited Methodist Ch n U urc ry u b h As
Crisp, fall air, pumpkin scented candles, tasty pumpkin drinks, Halloween decorations, all have one thing in common: PUMPKINS!
October 5
10-5 Mon - Fri · 11-6 Sat - Sun
This year, Asbury United Methodist Church will be able to supply all your pumpkin needswhether it’s for decorating, for carving, or for cooking/baking purposes! Pumpkins range from $1 & up. Individuals, families, birthday parties, as well as preschools for story time with juice & cookies, are all welcome to purchase pumpkins! All proceeds will benefit the church’s youth program, as well as the church’s childcare program, ACCDC. The pumpkins will also be sold at the church’s annual community event, Hog on the Hill, on Sunday, October 14 from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm. Hog on the Hill will feature a silent auction, food trucks, music, as well as a KidsFest with entertainment for children. Proceeds from Hog on the Hill benefit Shared Ministries & community charity.
1700 Napa Valley Rd. Little Rock, AR · 501-225-1511 · accdcdir@asbury-lr.org
Donny L. Quick, D.D.S. John P. Batson, D.D.S.
¬ Surgical Extractions ¬ Dental Implants ¬ Facial trauma ¬ Outpatient Anesthesia ¬ Corrective Jaw Surgery ¬ Wisdom Teeth Surgery ¬ Oral Pathology ¬ Bone Grafting
2425 Prince St., Ste. 2 Conway, AR 501-329-3223 | 1212 W. 2nd St. Russellville, AR 479-567-5152 22
NOW OPEN IN CABOT! 1802 S. Pine St. Cabot, AR
Dill Pickle, Cinnamon Bun, Jalapeño, Birthday Cake, Red Hot Cinnamon & over 40 more made fresh daily! Nostalgic candies & old fashioned sodas, too!
4812 J.F.K. Blvd North Little Rock, AR
501-246-3547
The Music of Lauren Gray - Adam Cherepski
L
auren Gray has been a singer all her life. From the time she was a toddler, she has been singing in some form or fashion. As a child, she sang in her church choir, and at the age of 13, she performed backup vocals for her father’s band. During her teenage years, she entered and won many different singing competitions, and when she turned 16, she was on her way to Memphis to audition for American Idol when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf, and as a result the audition was canceled. She returned home to Pocahontas, Ark., and continued chasing her dream. She would not be deterred. She only knew that she had to sing. After graduating from high school, she moved to Hardy, Ark., and began performing in her family’s dinner theater. She kept singing whenever and wherever she could, and in 2011 she got her break. With the support of her family and friends, Gray headed to St. Louis to once again try out for American Idol. She made it, and before long she was standing in front of Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson singing her rendition of Adele’s “One and Only.” The judges were wowed by this teenager from rural Arkansas and her mature, soulful voice. Comparisons to artists such as Joss Stone, Etta James and Aretha Franklin have all been showered upon her at one point or another, and it was this televised stage that gave her the opportunity to showcase her talents and live up to these comparisons. Gray advanced to the Top 25 before sadly being eliminated. But, she had already made a name for herself and had developed quite the fanbase. In fact, one of those fans is none other than Ellen Degeneres. After Gray was eliminated, Ellen invited her on her show to perform.
Under the American Idol contract, Gray performed at many benefits and festivals, mainly
throughout Arkansas and Missouri. After the contract expired, she signed with a record company, and, unfortunately, this is where the trials and tribulations of the entertainment industry took a turn for the worse. After a legal battle in which she lost the rights to quite a few of her songs, Gray has come out on the other side even more resilient and determined. This learning experience has given her the necessary tools to advance her career with clearer eyes. The tattoo on her arm says it all – “Determined and Inspired.” Between then and now, Gray has fronted many notable acts, including .38 Special, Jack Ingram, and The Ohio Players, among others. She even performed at Coachella on more than one occasion. All the while, she has been honing her craft and determining the artist she wants to be. Currently, she is working on her first true album. While there is not a title to the album yet, the songs on it will speak to the hardships and successes that Gray has encountered during her career, and how no matter what comes her way, failure is not an option. When discussing this upcoming project, it lead me to delve a little deeper into the type of artist and music with which Gray identifies. In her nature, as evidenced by her television performances, are blues and soul. This is the music she was raised on, and she embraces it wholly. However, she does see the need to reach out to a broader audience. She knows that she is a younger artist, and therefore it is incumbent upon her to address her age group. To do this, she is incorporating electronic elements to develop what she deems a new genre of “electro-funk soul.” After listening to a few tracks, this is a more than accurate description. While most music is pleasing to the ear, Gray’s goes deeper and tackles the emotions.
Gray’s love for what she does means that she performs as much as she possibly can. You can see her at many different venues across northeast Arkansas as well as a few shows here and there across the state and the region. To learn more about Gray and to hear some of her music, be sure and check out her site, laurengraysings.com. There you will find videos, her performance calendar, booking information and a brief history of Gray and her music. You can also follow her on Facebook at @ greysongreyhound1. Look for her videos on YouTube and be sure and keep an eye out for her forthcoming album, due out by the end of the year.
www.laurengraysings.com 23
DECEMBER 12-13. 2018 24
Why is
Local
Shopping
Every Day Is Wine Day!
?
Important to You
Shopping locally makes you a participating part of the community. Your neighbors and friends are serving you. Trading w them has a direct and immediate positive impact on the local area. It's also fun to visit with locals and get caught up on the news and gossip that comes with the territory. Shopping locally is really who we are and where we're from.
KEN BUCK
Great craft beer selection and growler bar!
Owner at Toad Suck Buck's Restaurant
Shopping locally is important because you're supporting your community and your neighbors in it. If we don't support our neighbors, then we aren't really building that sense of community that is so vital. We have to all have each others' back because that is what being a community is all about; loving and supporting everyone in hopes that they would do the same for you in a heartbeat.
501 . 8 34 . 2 1 3 4 Intersection of Kiehl Ave. & Hwy 107
107liquor.com
KATELYNN GIBSON Receptionist at Crain Hyundai
It is important to shop locally so that the communities we live in will continue to prosper. When local businesses prosper, so do the people that work there as well as other who live in the community. The taxes you must pay no matter where you shop are better spent in the communities in which you live. SUSAN & SHANE DICKSON
KABF 88.3 FM Mondays 5-7pm
Owners at 8 Mile Store / 64 Country Store
In a time where big corporate entities pretend to care when we as customers are nothing more than a number, I think it’s becoming more important to support local businesses that actually develop a relationship with their customers. I truly believe “Mom & Pop” stores are making a comeback. People see and feel the difference in the way they are treated. Support local businesses. They’re the backbone of our great country!
TUNE IN: Catch a glimpse into the realities of homelessness for the thousands of Arkansans living unsheltered.
GREG PETERS
Executive Manager at Mountain View Chevrolet
Catch past episodes on: unshelteredarkansas.com
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281 Newman Dr North Little Rock
501.309.9970
501-379-9101 515 MAIN ST. N. LITTLE ROCK Mon-Sat: 7AM-6PM MUGSCAFE.ORG
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• Tesla, Mclaren, Lamborghini, Porsche, Audi and MORE! • If we don’t have what you’re looking for, we’ll find it for you! • Financing is available
Meditation for Beginners - April Lane
• • • • • • • • • •
Lower blood pressure Improved blood circulation Lower heart rate Less perspiration Slower respiratory rate Less anxiety Lower blood cortisol levels More feelings of well-being Less stress Deeper relaxation
A simple meditation for beginners would include either a mindfulness meditation or a simple relaxation meditation. These are excellent exercises to introduce meditation techniques.
1. Sit or lie comfortably. You may even want to invest in a meditation chair or cushion. The most important element here is to keep a straight spine, and this can sometimes be difficult when just beginning if you have had poor posture. 2. Close your eyes and begin relaxing the body by scanning the body mentally and releasing tensions held, such as unclenching the jaw, releasing the shoulders down from the ears and just noticing the tightness in the body and gently attempting to relax it.
SCHAEFERS & Collins PUMPKIN PATCH
3. Once relaxed, focus on the breath and practice abdominal breathing. Don’t force the breath, but let it flow in and out while noticing the cooling effect on the in breath and the warmer sensation on the out breath. Follow the breath and how it moves through the body. If your mind wanders off to thoughts, grocery lists or what to cook for dinner, just acknowledge that it has done so and return your focus back to the breath. Maintain this meditation practice for two to three minutes to start, and then try it for longer periods. No amount of time is too short to begin. As someone who started out meditating this way, I can tell you that even small amounts of practice in a busy day can really make an impact, and it is one of the most useful practices that I have added to the mix. You can also think of it like going to the gym and putting in time to acquire physical fitness. The more you go and the more committed you become, the greater the results will be, but even making a short trip every day will provide immediate and beneficial results. For those who very much dislike going to the gym, you may fall completely in love with meditation since the primary objective physically is to sit and just be. For a few additional tips and information on meditation, you can visit www. theconsciouslife.com.
Your mind is a powerful thing. When you filter it with positive thoughts, your life will start to change.
"
· Pick Your Own Pumpkin · Farm Animals · Hay Tunnels & Slides 29th! · ·Swings Huge Sandbox · Train & Hayrides · Pony Rides · Concessions · Music & Crafts · Shop Fall Decor ·& More!
Opens
Sept.
"
Meditation is starting to re-emerge as a widely utilized practice that has a vast landscape of benefits. Traditionally and historically, meditation was utilized more in the east, but now it’s gaining popularity here in the west as a means of dramatically improving one’s daily life. These techniques are not just being used by individuals but by professionals as well. Businesses are noticing the benefits for their employees, and even law enforcement in Canada has implemented morning mediation sessions with Canadian police in some areas to assist in dealing with situations more calmly without agitation. It is a valid practice being acknowledged by more and more people every day. There are many different techniques for how to meditate and what meditation is. To put it simply, meditation is the direct approach of understanding and cultivating an active relationship with the mind and implementing ways to develop the strengths and skills it needs to solve problems. In the book With Each and Every Breath, a guide to meditating, it discusses how meditation is a cure to our mind’s basic problem. This basic problem is the stress and suffering the mind brings on itself through its own thoughts and actions. The mind wants happiness but manages to be limited by the mental pain that so often recurs. Meditation helps to uncover reasons for why the mind does this and, once finding them, helps to make genuine, true and lasting happiness possible. Meditation, like most practices, will take you as far as you are willing to go. There is a vast list of benefits of meditation. Some can be measured, and some can’t. Serious meditation is a means to freeing the mind from the mental constraints of stress and suffering, but even if you don’t want to commit to be a serious meditator, just participating in meditation regularly in some form will help you handle your suffering more skillfully. Some of the additional benefits include:
864 Lollie Rd. Mayflower, AR
501-470-3127
Do you need the most amazing books for your children, grandchildren, daycare, or school? Shop online anytime while earning free books for various charities & schools at ReadWithUsborneToLearn.com
TONIA SHUE Educational Services Representative
Specializing in on-site school book fairs!
501-250-6386
usbornebookfair@gmail.com
/toniasusbornebooks
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A Place of His Own - Nita Kay Freeman
C
hris Crain has been working in the automotive industry for 25 years. More than 16 years ago, Crain Automotive came to Conway when they acquired Jodie Brown Motors. Crain worked exclusively at Crain Buick GMC at that time, but as the Crain Team grew, he began working at the corporate Level.
July 1, Chris Crain became the Dealer/ Principal of his own dealership, Crain Hyundai of Conway & More, in the same building where he worked all those years ago. To him, it feels like home. He loves connecting with associates and customers on a daily basis. He and his wife Jennifer and their girls, Camryn (a senior at the University of Arkansas) and Caroline (a junior at Conway High School), have been residents of Conway for almost 20 years. They enjoy the community and love this opportunity they have to be involved as business owners. Their priority is to make the dealership a familyfriendly environment, not only for customers, but for their employees. You will find Crain visiting with service customers, new or preowned customers or Motor Sport Authority customers every day at Crain Hyundai of Conway’s location, 1003 Museum Road. Crain’s fantastic team provides the best customer service around, with Heath Boothby as the General Manager. Boothby has more than 20 years of experience in the car business. He has worked in sales and finance and can help a customer with almost anything they need for their current car or help them get into a new or pre-owned car. Brett Barry also has more than 20 years of experience. Barry is the General Sales Manager and is very knowledgeable about all makes and models. Jason Hollis, New Car/ Finance Director, and Chad Smith, Pre-owned Sales Manager, round out the management team. 28
Ray Talley, Shop Foreman and Gwen Langley have been employed at this location for more than 40 years. Danielle Burnell has been named Controller/Office Manager with 14 years of accounting experience, 11 years in human resources and a Masters of Accounting. Nita Kay Freeman, with more than 20 years in marketing and retail, has also joined the team as Marketing Director. The Crain Hyundai of Conway team is experienced and ready to help customers. The all new Crain Hyundai of Conway is really about more. There are great deals on a big selection of brand new Hyundais, such as the Santa Fe, Tucson, Sonata, Elantra and the all-new Kona. There is a huge selection of quality pre-owned cars. You will find anything from a Mazdas to Mercedes, Toyotas to Tahoes and Buicks to BMWs. If they don’t have it on their lot, they have access to the other Crain dealerships to help find the very best vehicle for the very best deal. In addition to that, there is a sensational service department that is pleased to service all makes and models. Nick Boyer leads the charge in the service department as Service Manager. With 18 years of experience, Boyer can either figure out what’s going on with your vehicle or point you to who on his talented, experienced staff can. If you’re looking for parts, Crain Hyundai of Conway has those, too. Parts Manager Allen Mallett has almost 30 years of experience. He can find the parts you need at the best possible price. Motor Sports Authority, which is also located onsite, is a one-stop shop for all things amazing. There you can shop for lifts, tints, leather kits, wraps and much more. Leading the team of skilled technicians is Rob Page. Page, also with 20 years of experience, puts the “Authority” in Motor Sports Authority. If you need to make your vehicle look spectacular, Page is your guy. If you need a back-up camera or a stereo, they do that, too. They work on all makes and models. Not only do they work on vehicles, they do personal and commercial work as well. MSA has done numerous wraps for restaurants and other businesses and can tint your windows for your home or business. All
of these services can be found in one location. To get the business started, Chris and Jennifer Crain hosted Fresh & Free Fridays at the dealership from mid-July until Labor Day. On Fridays and Saturdays, customers, family and friends were invited to enjoy free food from local food trucks. They could enjoy a free car wash, and the Crains gave money to charities that came and washed cars. Delta Beta Sigma, the Wampus Cat Football Moms and the UCA Dance Team all received donations to help their organizations. This is part of the Crains’ vision for their own dealership—giving back to the community of Conway and Faulkner County. Jennifer decorated tables with hand-cut flowers and has been very involved in the start-up of the new Crain Hyundai of Conway. To her, it’s is a labor of love. During the month of August, customers and social media followers received chances to win a tailgate package worth more than $800. September will bring a chance to win a trip to the Alabama/Arkansas game. UCA packages and family trips are planned as incentive contests for the upcoming months. The first month, July 2018, that Chris Crain had his own dealership, Crain Hyundai of Conway was the No. 1 Hyundai Dealership in the state. With energy and excitement, Crain goes to work each day with new ideas and motivation for his team. He loves his business, his employees and his customers. It’s a recipe for success and a big reason why “We Say Yes” at the new Crain Hyundai of Conway & More.
Professional building maintenance and heating and air conditioning services for: Residential ClientsHomes & Rental Properties Commercial ClientsOffices, Restaurants, etc New Home Construction HVAC installation Replacement HVAC Systems Interior and Exterior Lighting Maintenance Family Owned & Operated
501-960-8971 24300 Chenal Pkwy #4023 Little Rock, AR 72223 www.yatesmaintenance.com
3890 W Main St Cabot, Arkansas
501.940.0059 www.nomistattoos.com
Tattoos & Piercings Since 1998
Mon - Sat 5pm - 10pm
www.sonnywilliamssteakroom.com 500 President Clinton Ave. Little Rock, AR • 501-324-2999
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Providing hope for healing to those affected by domestic violence.
- Melissa Tucker
S
arah Brown knows domestic violence and assault are not everyday topics of conversation in Arkansas, but as executive director of Lonoke County Safe Haven, she’s not afraid to have an open dialogue with shelter residents, donors or even teenagers in the community. Founded in 2005, the shelter provides a place to escape domestic violence, a relief from bills, help finding jobs and help with any other public assistance victims may need. “My staff and advocates are there to navigate those waters for people who might not know how to get into government systems and apply for aid. Having someone come alongside you in an already stressful time in your life is really what you need,” she said. In March of 2007, the shelter opened with 12 beds in Cabot. Then in June of 2008, Safe Haven finished construction of a 16-bed shelter on land in Lonoke County, where services are currently offered. The shelter has counseling and outreach services and also operates a thrift store in Cabot to provide additional funding. Brown started as a volunteer and is now in her second year as executive director. Each day begins at the shelter, helping the residents progress and return to an independent position in the community. “I’m usually looking at everyone’s goals to see how we are on track. Our goal is to help them get their life back to an independent state where they're able to pay bills and get their own place,” she said. “Many of us have been in bad
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relationships before in our lives and can see there's something wrong with that, but some people don't have support groups and family to help get out of them.” Brown also spends time mentoring teens about building healthy relationships, discussing the disparities between real life and the relationships portrayed in the media. “I often talk about teen dating violence and what healthy relationships look like,” she said. “I think they're comparing themselves to the media, and the situations that go on in the media, and that's all been scripted by somebody else. It’s not reality.” She talks to them about common dating scenarios like a boyfriend or girlfriend demanding passwords or access to phones or other devices. “They think it’s a standard thing to give out that information, but the truth is, if you're dating someone and they want your password, it means they don't trust you,” she said. “You wouldn't marry someone you don’t trust, so why would you date someone you don't trust?” She says these talks always get the kids’ attention, and they’re engaged the whole time. “I never thought I would be a public speaker, but once you find something you can be passionate about — your cause — it's easy to talk to people and get them involved,” she said. Other parts of her day are spent coordinating with donors, drumming up community support and planning for the future. “It’s not like a regular business where we're able to budget, because for the most part what we can do depends on the community's giving and gifts,” she said. Fundraisers, like the annual Jeans and Jewels
event to be held on Nov. 2, offer opportunities to gather community members, donors and partners to focus on a common goal. “It’s by far our largest fundraiser every year,” she said. “It’s our end-of-year celebration to say thanks to donors and new partners in the last year. It’s a very social event, and tickets usually sell out. I get to flit around the room and have one-on-one conversations about what we’ve accomplished during the year.” The next item on Brown’s wish list is adding a full-time counselor to her staff. Counseling is usually done off-site, and residents don’t always feel comfortable participating in group meetings. “When we have someone come to the shelter and meet them where they're at, we see them open up a lot more,” she said. “They feel safe at our shelter and gain self-confidence, and it's a place where they feel safe enough to open up.” Additional staff could also help improve outreach in the schools. “I would like to see us doing more things in the schools and finding more opportunities to be involved on campus,” she said.
Jeans and Jewels Gala - Friday, Nov. 2 Auction and gala benefiting LCSH Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Get your tickets now!
HOTLINE # 501.941.HELP (4357) www.LCSH.org 501.941.0899
“Taste the Sunshine in Every Sip!” ◦ Citrus Wine ◦ Tropical Fruit Wines ◦ Champagnes ◦ Specialty Wine ◦ Berry Wine
501-492-9378 Tasting Room: 425 East 3rd St. little rock, ar • warehouse: 1637 E. 15th St. little Rock, AR
◦ Vegetable Wine ◦ Port ◦ Wine Pouches ◦ Wine Smoothie Mix ◦ Gifts & Accessories
258 Central Ave ◦ Hot Springs, AR
501-617-6256
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Buffalo River Outfitters is authorized to provide canoe rentals and transportation services within the Buffalo National River.