Advertisement
← Back to issues

March 30, 2006

Vol 4 • No 11

Now what?

Little Rock elementary teachers spoke decisively last week on a proposal to test "merit pay" in the Little Rock School District. But is there trouble ahead?

Ritzy bars

Evidence is emerging that the quantity and quality of contraband found in a horse barn at Tucker maximum security prison on March 10 might be more extensive — and potentially dangerous — than what was first reported by the Arkansas Department of Corre

Arkansas: low on the evolution scale

Arkansas isn’t the only state with science teachers who fail to teach evolution, or who “balance” lessons on Darwin with non-scientific explanations of how life develops.

Stemming the tide

After another vacation, our representatives and senators are now back at work in Washington with the promise that they will finally do something about the overflow of 11 million illegal immigrants slipping into this country for the past 15 years.

The Observer

An oxygen bar, a stale story in bigger cities, is relatively rare in Little Rock, so The Observer followed our nose to the bar at the Underground Pub.

Smart Talk March 30

This week: Where you could still smoke if state law changes; Johnny Cash inspires some Brits; mom pays for a teen drinking party.

Who Cares?

It seems sometimes that every generation since Hemingway has been given up by their parents for lost. Luckily for us, the stereotypical image of hordes of doomed young losers is no more real now than it was when “The Great Gatsby” was a bestseller. Yo

This Modern World March 30

Saul, meet Helen Thomas

Unlike King Saul, President Bush knew that he was not consulting with the Witch of Endor when he called on Helen Thomas at his famous news conference last week, but the result might have been the same.

Words March 30

Mardi Gras, which begins in earnest in New Orleans today, will be no less boisterous and luxuriant as previous ones, organizers say.” This is from the Penguin Dictionary of American English Style and Usage: “One as is usually not enough when a sen

Orval March 30

Double indemnity

I can sympathize with state legislators who are opposing the substantial increases in school funding that have been proposed for the coming special session.

Editorial cartoon

Do kids really count?

Once Gov. Huckabee finishes baiting the courts for the right-wing gallery, he can spend days on end doing a passable imitation of a good Democrat. Maybe it is in service of his presidential ambitions, in which case he finally gives political expediency a

Dolph and Eva redux

Sweetness and I have decided to open the bushbunker here at the house as a historical tourist attraction. This is the plastic-lined duct-taped facility in which we cowered through several months — or maybe it just seemed like months — back during the earl

A protest of innocence

Re: Jan. 5 broadcast of “Arkansans Ask: Gov. Mike Huckabee.” Dear Governor Huckabee: You say you haven’t seen proof of our innocence [the West Memphis Three]. I say that is possible but only if you haven’t searched.

Crowd-pleasers

Outside of the occasional momentum-breaking chats with the audience, young country superstars Rascal Flatts had a crowd of 14,119 fans whooping and hollering last Friday night.

White Water goes hip-hop

Conduit Entertainment’s family of rappers plays the White Water Tavern, at 7th and Thayer streets, on Saturday, April 1.

White Water goes hip-hop

Conduit Entertainment’s family of rappers plays the White Water Tavern, at 7th and Thayer streets, on Saturday, April 1.

Jennings takes his best shot

Though he made his acting debut playing his famous father, Waylon Jennings, in the Johnny Cash biopic “Walk the Line” last year, make no mistake about Shooter Jennings — it’s all about music for him, and he has no plans for thespian pursuits.

Hell of a show

If you showed up wanting to see the circus, you might have been disappointed. Otherwise, you were in for a hell of a show.

TV highlights March 23-29

BIG LOVE 9 p.m. Sunday, April 2 HBO (Comcast Digital Ch. 301) P. ALLEN SMITH’S GARDEN HOME 11 a.m. Saturday, April 1 AETN (Comcast Ch. 3, Broadcast Ch. 2) FRONTLINE: THE METH EPIDEMIC 8 pm. Tuesday, April 4 AETN (Comcast Ch. 3, Broadca

Crib notes

The Rib Crib in Benton is a carnivore’s delight — a place that would probably make your average vegan break out in hives if he ventured any closer than the sidewalk.

Ozark Foothills Filmfest finds Little Rock

The Ozark Foothills Filmfest, which was started in Batesville by professor and film lover Bob Pest and his wife, Judy, has after five years found its way to Little Rock.

Basically, it stinks

“Basic Instinct 2” is a goofy, plodding pachyderm of a thriller.

Sculpture guild puts on first show

The public will be allowed to vote for the Best in Show award at the new Arkansas Sculptors Guild’s first juried show and sale Friday and Saturday, March 31 and April 1, in the east pavilion of the River Market.

What's cooking/Capsule reviews March 30

What's cooking: Lenny’s Sub Shop; Hooters. Capsule reviews: Purple Cow, Terri-Lynn's.

Celebrate zoo’s 80th

The Little Rock Zoo will celebrate its 80th birthday Saturday, April 1,with the Verizon Wireless “Call of the Wild” event, a half day of fun for all ages.

Nailing it

Nine Inch Nails’ concert last week reminded the audience of a time when modern rock radio was dominated by bands that seemed to matter.

New shops to open in Heights

Cold weather makes me scatter-brained (I write a week in advance, so if it’s 75 degrees when you read this, I swear I’m not that divorced from reality), so it’s an all-briefs column this week.

'Undraped' uncovers local talent

John Haman and I arrived at Arkansas Business about a week apart in July 1992. In hindsight, one may wonder what either of us was doing there.

2006 Arkansas Literary Festival Schedule

Dates and times for each event in this weekend's celebration of the book in downtown Little Rock.

Words April 6

Doug Smith is off this week. His Words column will return next week.
Advertisement