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May 28, 2009

Vol 7 • No 20

Stuck at Toad Suck

Every year, somewhere around the first weekend in May, thousands descend upon Conway for Toad Suck Daze, an annual festival to celebrate, well, who knows?

Kris Allen by the numbers

1 in more than 100,000: The odds of Kris Allen winning “American Idol,” considering the amount of people who tried out.

Silencing critics

I continue to be puzzled by the full-throated fury with which the Arkansas Public Service Commission, its staff and the attorney general are resisting intervention requests by groups with environmental and cost objections to the proposed SWEPCO coal-burning power plant in Hempstead County.

Senate campaign manager?

Various twitterers say Clint Reed, former state Republican Party director and now in the private political consulting business, is seeking resumes for someone to manage a campaign for U.S. Senate.

Open line

I'll check back if I can.

Stuck on a truck

Every year, somewhere around the first weekend in May, thousands descend upon Conway for Toad Suck Daze, an annual festival to celebrate, well, who knows?

Eye on Arkansas

Orval, May 28

What's Cooking, May 28

Late-night dining and drinking just got a little better in Little Rock.

Raising the bar

While the River Market bustles with a concentration of fine dining and pub offerings, elsewhere downtown the lunch options are scattered about, some great, some good, some not so good.

Eureka turns blue

One of the highlights/lowlights of the recently completed legislative session came courtesy of Rep. Beverly Pyle, an easy nominee for Worst Member of the General Assembly.

Eye on Arkansas, May 28

Health care optimism cause to worry

The history of health care reform the past 40 years imparts one lesson: Beware of an abundance of good news and optimism.

Riverfest 2009

Nearly continuous rain on Sunday may have turned the Riverfest grounds into soup, prevented all but two headliners from performing and kept the festival from breaking an attendance record, but it wasn’t enough to sour our weekend.

Inside job

Several weeks back, a former Hendrix College mate of Tom Courtway, interim president of the University of Central Arkansas, told me he’d heard Courtway would be named director of the new state lottery.

May 20-26, 2009

It was a GOOD week for … RAIN. The deluge returned Sunday, just in time to wipe out most of the last day of Riverfest, which was otherwise heading toward record attendance.

The BS on Bias

This weekend, the annual conference of the International Communication Association was held in Chicago. Scholars

To-do list, May 28

Static X, the See, Jimbo Mathus, Charlie Daniels Band, Hot Springs Music Festival, Found Magazine's 'Denim and Diamonds' Tour, 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off', and Mr. Lif are happening this week.

Inside job

Several weeks back, a former Hendrix College mate of Tom Courtway, interim president of the University of Central Arkansas, told me he’d heard Courtway would be named director of the new state lottery.

Eye on Arkansas

In brief, May 28

On the strength of dozens of performances at White Water, the twangy rock ’n’ roll act the Magpies has developed a fan base in Little Rock that might rival the one in its hometown of Cleveland, 9 p.m., $5; at White Water.

Empty arms, mostly

We’re cheering U.S. Rep. John Boozman for his vote on credit-card reform.

Smart talk, May 28

Chief Justice John Roberts has appointed federal District Judge Susan Webber Wright of Little Rock to the 11-member Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.

More info on trauma

I would like to respond to some of the comments that my friend and colleague Rep. Davy Carter made in a guest column March 14 concerning our trauma system bill.

Words, May 28

Dennis Barry of Little Rock writes:

Blockage at The Artery

Eureka Springs, that city of contrasts, is at it again. This

Whither the Walton?

When the Walton Arts Center announced that it had hired a new CEO who’d run the New York City Pops at Carnegie Hall for 10 years you knew it was serious about moving into the big leagues.

This modern world, May 28

Swamped

Clinton Foundation and Riverfest representatives are getting together this week to talk about the damage to the sod, and perhaps sprinkler heads, Sunday’s festival crowd inflicted on the library park.

The observer, May 28

Last week, just before the American Idol finale/coronation, an Idol worshipping co-worker of ours started talking about how she was going to make Jello shots for her Idol party.

Name ‘That Jew’

OK, here’s Part 2 of the newsmaker ID pop quiz to see how well you’re keeping up.

Establishment guy for the lottery

The prospective hiring of Tom Courtway of Conway as the first state lottery director might otherwise be troubling.

System failure

When it comes to “Terminator: Salvation,” I’m torn.

To the pulpit

Wendell Griffen, the former state Court of Appeals judge, is to be the charter pastor of the New Millennium Church.

Obama's nominee

Brummett predicts little more than token, if noisy, opposition to Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominee, Sonia Sotomayor.

The health care debate

NY Times today reports on the dueling media campaigns over health care. Will the U.S. provide health care for all?

Arkie angle, Prop. 8

I made an erroneous prediction about where Hope, Ark., native Chad Griffin, a California political consultant, would be active in the aftermath of the California court ruling upholding Prop.

The business of Arkansas is ....

... government. Sounds like another good Republican political ad.

Body found

Fox 16 reports that searchers have found the body of 13-year-old Otis Smith, who apparently drowned Monday in a Hindman Park pond.

Citizen Clinton

Bill Clinton, who's now been an ex-president longer than he was president, is subject of an extensive profile (accompanied on the web by photo above) by Peter Baker for the coming edition of the NY Times Magazine.

Citizen Clinton

Bill Clinton, who's now been an ex-president longer than he was president, is subject of an extensive profile (accompanied on the web by photo above) by Peter Baker for the coming edition of the NY Times Magazine.

Thursday News Round-up

Ruven Afanador for The New York Times Being Bill: What's it like to be Bill Clinton in a brave new Obama-world?  The New York Times Magazine has this interesting - and long - retrospective.  The piece takes a look at Clinton's work since he has left office, complete with quotes from the likes of Bono and the Clinton School's Skip Rutherford. 

But that was then

Q: Who said the following? When I get a case about discrimination, I have to think about people in my own family who suffered discrimination because of their ethnic background or because of religion or because of gender.

Deep thought

You know you're aging when someone sends you a clipping in which your name appears in your hometown newspaper's "50 Years Ago" column.

Solidarity forever

A 24-hour vigil at Sen. Blanche Lincoln's Little Rock office culminates at 4:30 p.m. today with a march to the Capitol for a rally in support of the Employee Free Choice Act.

At the Supreme Court today

They accepted the surrender of Gene Cauley's law license. He's to be sentenced  plead guilty June 1 in a financial scam.

Why Vic Snyder? UPDATE

A state legislator calls my attention to an item about a coordinated National Republican Congressional Committee ad campaign trying to tie 17 Democratic members of Congress to the perceived evils of Speaker Nancy Pelosi in saying she was misled about the use of torture.

Publishing to Perish ?

In an interesting twist, the Arkansas Supreme Court today amended Ark. Sup. Ct. Rule 5-2 and will now allow all cases to be cited, doing away with the distinction between published and unpublished opinions.

I want my two dollars !!!

In the movie, "Better Off Dead," with John Cusack, there is this sub-plot of the local newspaper delivery boy stalking Cusack to get his $2.  Some people will go to great lengths to get their $2 in real life as well.

No parking

The Little Rock Parks Commission met again today on  a policy for acquisition and disposition of park land.

Thursday To-Do: Static X

STATIC X7 p.m., Village, $20 adv., $25 d.o.s.Self-described as “evil disco,” industrial metal heavyweights Static X haven't lost momentum since their 1998 debut “Wisconsin Death Trip,” which reached platinum status in 2001.

Thursday: Magpies, Thrones and more

The Magpies. On the strength of dozens of performances at White Water, the twangy rock 'n' roll act the Magpies has developed a fan base in Little Rock that might rival the one in its hometown of Cleveland, 9 p.m., $5; at White Water.

Stimulating

Little Rock National Airport announced today that it would use $3 million in new federal money to install greener LED lights on taxiway D and to rehab the taxiway's surface to handle bigger planes.

Welcome guv

The Republican Party of Arkansas will have Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty as speaker at the annual "governor's dinner" fund-raiser June 26 at the Embassy Suites.

Future governor?

American Idol Kris Allen.

You're on

Open line.

You're on

Open line.

The values party

Some Republicans have been hungering to out former evangelist Curtis Coleman's unpleasant divorce 16 years ago.

Beebe and the good ol' boy

It's official. Gov. Mike Beebe doesn't overmuch care about lottery experience for the $350,000 director of the state lottery commission.

Beebe and the good ol' boy

It's official. Gov. Mike Beebe doesn't overmuch care about lottery experience for the $350,000 director of the state lottery commission.

When scholars collide

Although the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville is only 20 miles from Northwest Arkansas Community College at Bentonville, the two institutions seem to be drifting apart philosophically.

Ready for combat

A couple of robbers targeted a Jonesboro pizza joint. Bad pick.

Judicial temperament

Opponents of Barack Obama's Supreme Court pick are grasping at straws. Latest is the issue of temperament.

Does the U.S. have anti-trust laws?

I ask the headline question because, under the Bush administration, there wasn't much evidence of it.

2010 is just around the corner

It's less than a year to the next primary election. Political gossip is picking up. Chew upon this from the western reaches of Little Rock and beyond.

This is green?

Irony, paradox, laughable? You choose.

That Dog Won't Hunt

Tom Ricciardone, president of Thinc Marketing here in Little Rock, has launched an extensive, well-researched campaign to stop the Turk power plant now under construction in Hempstead County.  His website, www.coalpowerispoison.com, is a one-stop shopping center for anyone concerned about the new plant, the impact it will certainly have on the environment and public health of the citizens of this state.  Ricciardone prepared a very detailed report on the events leading up to the decision to build the plant and points out chinks in the armor of those who wish to complete it. 

Friday News Round-up

On the Defensive: Execs from Centerpoint Energy and American Electric Power will be on hand today at the Clinton School.  They will no doubt be faced with questions from environmental groups about the logic of going forward with the Turk power plant.  From Max's post earlier today?

Friday To-Do: The See EP release show

Check out the See in the latest Rock Candy Presents video on our home page player.

Education Director James resigns UPDATE

Surprise. State Education Director Ken James, 58, has announced his resignation June 30 after a bit more than five years on the job.

Your opportunity to do the Halle Berry at Alltel scuttled

Halle Berry, celebrating her anthem, courtesy of Hurricane Chris. The latest consequence of the recession: Your good time.

Chicken deal dead

The blog of the El Dorado News-Times reports that an effort by local investors to work out a deal to purchase the closed Pilgrim's Pride poultry processing plant is dead.

The 'death tax' scam

The latest Rolling Stone has a fine article (sorry, only a portion is on-line) by Michael Crowley about the effort by the country's richest families to roll back or eliminate the estate tax -- a windfall in the billions if successful.

The 'death tax' scam

The latest Rolling Stone has a fine article (sorry, only a portion is on-line) by Michael Crowley about the effort by the country's richest families to roll back or eliminate the estate tax -- a windfall in the billions if successful.

The Weekend: Cool Shoes, g-force, 'Coppelia Ballet,' Revfest and more

FRIDAY 5/29Cool Shoes celebrates its one-year anniversary with DJ sets and performances by all the folks above.

Saturday To-Do: Charlie Daniels Band

"Ho, ho, ho, you commie bastards." THE CHARLIE DANIELS BAND7 p.m., Timberwood Amphitheater, Magic Springs and Crystal Falls.

Saturday To-Do: Jimbo Mathus

JIMBO MATHUS10 p.m., White Water Tavern. $10.Clarksdale-born Jimbo Mathus makes “Mississippi music,” he says.

Coal is Good For You. Didn't You Know?

Centerpoint Energy CEO David McClanahan and American Electric Power CEO Mike  Morris were at the Clinton School today to talk about energy efficiency.  Basically it was exactly what you would expect.  It's kind of interesting to watch people who make a living selling energy talk about having to sell less because of that ol' pesky environment.    SWEPCO is part of American Electric Power and, as expected, there was some criticism from opponents of the coal-fired power plant being built - while an appeal is pending - in Hempstead County.  Glen Hooks of the Sierra Club was on hand and asked Morris why, if hundreds of coal plants were being turned down by states all across the US, one was being built in Arkansas?  Morris answered jokingly - some might say dismissively - that Arkansas was "more visionary" than other states and then trailed off into anecdotes about Russia in the Clinton era and said that if everyone was producing it, it didn't matter if it came from Arkansas or anywhere else in the world.  Hooks said "visionary" was hardly the right word.  "I think the real reason is – and this came out during the PSC hearings – that the regulatory environment here was a little more appealing.

Sunday To-Do: 'Hot Springs Music Festival'

HOT SPRINGS MUSIC FESTIVAL6:45 p.m., Arlington Hotel. $5-$125.Now in its 14th season, the Hot Springs Music Festival continues to pair musician mentors from respected orchestras, conservatory faculties and the like with promising pre-professional musicians, all of whom receive full scholarships and housing for the two-week festival.

No white smoke

Banker French Hill never did return my call yesterday about mounting talk in Republican circles that he'll make a run for Second District Congress.

It's happy hour somewhere

The rest of you are up.

Good news for travelers

Little Rock National Airport today announced new service -- three flights daily -- by United Airlines to Chicago.

Experience. Schmexperience.

I hear a former director of the New York Lottery (along with others with relevant experience) has filed an application to direct the Arkansas Lottery.

Now it's Baker

Brummett figures recent developments make Sen. Gilbert Baker the front-runner for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate.

Obama's 'racist'

NY Times columnist Charles Blow has an entertaining piece this morning about the mind-blowing hypocrisy of Republican claims of racism on the part of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor.

Sports rebellion

NY Times reports that students at colleges across the country are bucking -- and voting down -- increases in student fees to pay for intercollegiate athletics.

D-I-V-O-R-C-E

Don't half of marriages end in divorce? I hate it.

Tax havens UPDATE

Think U.S. corporate use of off-shore tax havens is a bad thing? How about in-country tax havens that give companies a way to dodge state taxes.

Prison break

              Calling Jimmy Cagney, though I don't mean to make light.

Keep Cleburne dry

Dan Limke photo There's been a bit of reporting lately about a new Dry County Coalition aimed at pressuring the legislature to roll back the law that has expanded private club permits at restaurants in dry counties and also aimed at pressuring the ABC not to approve the permits.

Stop the presses; open the line

Susan Boyle finished second in "Brtiain's Got Talent." Lost to a dance troupe.

Musical chairs

Brummett describes the coming shuffle in which most of the current statewide ministerial officeholders expect to move from one term-limited job to another, led by the eternal Charlie Daniels, who'll seek to add a third of the jobs, auditor, to his resume.

The Catholic Court

When Judge Sonia Sotomayor joins the U.S. Supreme Court, she will be its sixth Catholic.

Ex-Hog describes cheating

I don't follow sports closely. Maybe I missed this previously.

Foodie alert

KATV reports a fire last night at Klappenbach Bakery, Fordyce's claim to food fame. No word yet on extent of the damage.

Abortion doctor slain

George Tiller (pictured in Talking Points Memo photo), a Wichita doctor who was a lightning rod for "pro-life" protesters and who was shot in his clinic in 1993, was slain in his Lutheran church today, news outlets are reporting.

The line is open

Also open, I noticed at the gym this afternoon, is the War Memorial Pool. Good day for it.

Can I have a Definition please?

I meant to write this post days ago, but it's been one of those weeks where I just couldn't convince myself to do the things I should.  But I wanted to talk for just a minute about the Scripps-Howard Spelling Bee that was on TV this week.  The first thing I want to say is that I am an abysmal speller (and don't think I didn't get a little help on the spelling of 'abysmal.')*  When I lived in Austin, I applied for some jobs with UT, and they required a spelling test.  I took the test twice and never scored high enough to apply for a secretarial position with the school.  So, I was never a viable spelling bee candidate.  But there's a documentary about students participating in the National Spelling Bee called Spellbound that I am in love with.  I'm actually watching it as I type this.

In defense of the judge

Pat Lynch is proud of his column today on Judge Sonia Sotomayor, a rebuke of the tired old white male pontificators who play the victim card whenever a female or person of color is in line for promotion.

Morning headlines

As expected, GM filed for bankruptcy. An Air France jet with 228 people aboard is missing after encountering an electrical problem and turbulence over the ocean on a flight between Rio and Paris.

Senate candidate

Cabot Mayor Eddie Joe Williams has announced he'll seek term-limited Democratic state Sen. Bobby Glover's seat in 2010.

The Big Face-Off.

The time has come.  Tuesday night, Chef Michael Powell from Chenal Country Club will face off against 2008 Arkansas Diamond Chef winner Chef Donnie Ferneau to see whose cuisine will reign supreme at the 2009 Diamond Chef Finals.

Catfish Comfort.

I have grown rather fond of The Oyster Bar's po-boys and (only available on Tuesday) Shrimp Creole over the years, but this weekend was my first experience with Cat-touffee ($9.95).  This hearty platter of Shrimp Etoufee topped with a crispy whole catfish fillet and served up with soft buttery French bread rounds... oo-ee.  It's a pleasant balance between creamy and crisp.  Not a whole lot of rice, but that's all right (less fillers, as it were).  You can taste the tomato and the celery somewhere between cream and roux in the sauce.  The fillet itself is saltier than I'm used to but very, very hot.  Probably not the sort of dish you consider for summer -- but under the galactically icy AC at Oyster Bar, it works great.

Catfish Comfort.

I have grown rather fond of The Oyster Bar's po-boys and (only available on Tuesday) Shrimp Creole over the years, but this weekend was my first experience with Cat-touffee ($9.95).  This hearty platter of Shrimp Etoufee topped with a crispy whole catfish fillet and served up with soft buttery French bread rounds... oo-ee.  It's a pleasant balance between creamy and crisp.  Not a whole lot of rice, but that's all right (less fillers, as it were).  You can taste the tomato and the celery somewhere between cream and roux in the sauce.  The fillet itself is saltier than I'm used to but very, very hot.  Probably not the sort of dish you consider for summer -- but under the galactically icy AC at Oyster Bar, it works great.

Citizen journalism

You need not be a paid newspaper employee to dig up information on public officials.

Godspeed, Zonker

A sad note this morning: Dear Max, You knew my husband, Tommy (Jerry) Donoho, Jr., from his many blog entires as "Zonker".  Through the Arkansas Times blog he spent many happy hours in debate and idea exchange.   Jerry passed away Sunday after a long illness and I wanted you and his fellow bloggers to know how much pleasure this interaction brought him.   Mary Nell (Mrs. Zonker) Donoho

Monday To-Do: Found Magazine's 'Denim and Diamonds' Tour

From the FOUND collection. FOUND MAGAZINE'S ‘DENIM AND DIAMONDS' TOUR8 p.m., ACAC Building.

Incitement

Watch this. Then give me odds on whether the man suspected of killing Dr. George Tiller was a regular viewer.

Panel: Remove Proctor from bench

A three-judge panel of the state Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission said it was presented a "compelling" case that Circuit Judge Willard Proctor of Little Rock should be removed from the bench.

Jail break under review UPDATED

Prison spokeswoman Dina Tyler said five Cummins prison employees have been suspended without pay while reviewing what contributed to the escape Friday of two killers.

Mano a Webbo

Gerard Matthews will have a report later. But, in the meanwhile, Gabe Holmstrom of the attorney general's office is doing an excellent job of live Twittering the Political Animals Club faceoff between Democratic Party Chair Todd Turner and Republican Chair Doyle ("Where there's a will there's a") Webb.

Mano a Webbo

Gerard Matthews will have a report later. But, in the meanwhile, Gabe Holmstrom of the attorney general's office is doing an excellent job of live Twittering the Political Animals Club faceoff between Democratic Party Chair Todd Turner and Republican Chair Doyle ("Where there's a will there's a") Webb.

Let's play Powerball UPDATE

The state Lottery Commission meets at 2:30 p.m. today to begin winnowing the list of 55 or so applicants to direct the new state agency.

Annals of crime

This one defies snark.

Monday News Round-up

It's been a long day, getting caught up and spending more time with the Political Animals Club and the Arkansas Lottery Commission than I would have liked.  But, in my efforts to re-dedicate myself to this blog, here is your Monday round-up.

Still hazy after all these words

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel's office has again rejected as unclear and ambiguous the Republican straw man ballot issue that would make any but secret ballot union votes unconstitutional in Arkansas.

Three cheers for Dick Cheney

He's right far less often than a broken clock. But today's an exception.

Cops: double shooting terror act

-- Brian Chilson SHOOTING SUSPECT: At LRPD this evening. BREAKING: The shooting of two young soldiers, one fatally, outside the Army recruiting station on Rodney Parham about 10 a.m. this morning, has taken on a much broader dimension.

Meanwhile ...

... been so busy today I forgot to leave an open line.

Beebe best ever?

Gov. Mike Beebe gets cover status in a publication aimed at people in government. None other than Dale Bumpers is quoted as saying he may be Arkansas's best governor ever.

Cheating claim to be reviewed

UA Chancellor David Gearhart says the campus will review former Hog basketball player Patrick Beverley's allegation that he was not alone among players in receiving outside help on papers.

Looking good for Franken

Observers think questioning went in Al Franken's direction as the Minnesota Supreme Court considered Norm Coleman's bitter-end challenge of Franken's election to U.S. Senate.

Questioning motives

House Speaker Robbie Wills sends props to his friend Tom Courtway, who dropped out of the race for lottery director yesterday, and now turns attention to others who've applied, particularly those with lottery experience who've applied from out of state

Jet debris spotted UPDATE

Searchers have spotted airline seats and other debris in the ocean along the path of the missing Air France plane.

Could have been worse

Fox 16's David Goins is Twittering tidbits from the report released by LRPD this morning on the arrest of the man charged with killing one soldier and wounding another in a drive-by shooting outside a military recruiting station in west Little Rock yesterday.

Affirmative action

Little Rock Director Erma Hendrix has tweaked her ordinance to encourage selection of more women and minorities on city boards and commissions.

Housing: an uptick?

Here's the April home sale report for major metro areas in Arkansas. It's not as uniformly awful as some recent monthly reports.

Gone with the wind

Warren Stephens' razing of his empty commercial property on Main Street continues. This one should stir a bit of nostalgia.

Shrinking revenue

The monthly state revenue report shows no sign of recovery. For the month, income is down about 1 percent against the same month last year and slightly below the conservative forecast as well.

Tuesday News Round-up

It's a Gas Gas Gas: In true rockstar fashion, Chesapeake Energy CEO Aubrey McClendon rolled out the first ever natural gas-powered chopper, which was built by the Teutels of Orange County Choppers fame.   McClendon said, "all of us already know that American natural gas is the best answer to our future transportation needs."  He might want to check with Centerpoint CEO David McClanhan who said at the Clinton School of Public Service on Friday that he did not believe natural gas would solve modern transportation needs.  The costs to build the infrastructure are simply too high.  Gas would be a more likely solution, as even T. Boone Pickens has admitted, for fleets and commercial vehicles, he said.     

Related parties in government UPDATED

More on the real estate deal I reported yesterday, in which Prosecuting Attorney Marcus Vaden of Conway, after questions were raised by state auditors, has been attempting to remove conflict of interest from his office's renting of office space from MVW Partnership LLC, a partnership in which he has a 25 percent interest.

Related parties in government UPDATED

More on the real estate deal I reported yesterday, in which Prosecuting Attorney Marcus Vaden of Conway, after questions were raised by state auditors, has been attempting to remove conflict of interest from his office's renting of office space from MVW Partnership LLC, a partnership in which he has a 25 percent interest.

Mid-day Report

In Bloom: The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks looks pretty amazing this time of year.

Back to the private sector

Rex Nelson, former newspaperman, political flack and lately a government employee at the Delta Regional Authority, is moving into the Little Rock government relations/PR world.

Terror shooting probe broadens UPDATE

Here's developing news from ABC: The suspect arrested in the fatal shooting of one soldier and the critical injury of another at a Little Rock, Ark., Army recruiting booth today was under investigation by the FBI's Joint Terrorist Task Force since his return from Yemen, ABC News has learned.

Wind Power

Little Rock's first wind turbine will be erected today around 5:00 p.m. at the Dunbar Garden at 18th and Chester.  Feel free to head out if you want to take a look.

Tuesday: The Detroit Cobras, Little Rock gets a windmill, more

Perhaps the finest rock 'n' roll cover band in modern times is at Sticky Fingerz tonight.

Escapees caught in NY

Our news partner Fox 16 reports that the escaped Arkansas killers have been caught in New York.

Clinton School and Movies in the Park team up

On Sunday, June 14, the Clinton School and Movies in the Park are collaborating to host “Sunday at the Movies,” a double feature of two documentaries.

Just ducky

Say quack to the latest sculptural addition to the growing collection in Riverfront Park. It's a duck sculpture, purchased by the Peabody Hotel for $12,500, for the part of the park under the hotel's, er, wing.

Just ducky

Say quack to the latest sculptural addition to the growing collection in Riverfront Park. It's a duck sculpture, purchased by the Peabody Hotel for $12,500, for the part of the park under the hotel's, er, wing.

Finding poor teachers

The Arkansas Education Association sends around a statement cheering a new national report that suggests part of the problem with poor teachers is that there's a "pervasive indifference" to evaluating teachers.

The race to the rear

No Republican can muster more than 22 percent in polling for a GOP nominee in 2012, but our man Mike Huckabee notches the 22, one statistically insignificant point ahead of Caribou Barbie and Mitt.

Your turn

Line is open.

Late to the party

Arkansas moved last session to catch up with other states in giveaways to filmmakers. For the record:

Look for the union libel

Surprise. Employers that have had unpleasant labor relations are lobbying members of Congress from Arkansas to vote against the Employee Free Choice Act.

Look for the union libel

Surprise. Employers that have had unpleasant labor relations are lobbying members of Congress from Arkansas to vote against the Employee Free Choice Act.

Editorial

Dream team

Whether or not you're a futbol fan, it's hard to comprehend just how much winning this year's boys 4A state soccer championship means for De Queen — both for the players and the community they live in.

Oh, never mind

Patrick Beverley, re his interview that he and others at UA had cheated on papers, rolls it back in interview with Morning News:

While we're on sports

It's never too early to talk football, right? I understand Channel 4 will announce this morning that it will televise a full slate of live high school football games this fall, one every Thursday night.

Murder in LR

The New York Times is covering today the shooting of soldiers outside a recruiting center by a man who told police of anti-war and religious motives.

Jacksonville elects mayor

Did I miss this in morning paper? Gary Fletcher won the runoff in the special election for Jacksonville mayor last night, beating Alderman Kenny Elliott 1,367 to 1,142, according to unofficial results.

Terror targets UPDATE

News partner Fox 16 reports: The FBI believes the LR terror shooting suspect had a list of many other possible targets.

Movies in the park CANCELLED

The popular Movies in the Park series returns to the Riverfest Amphitheater tonight with the classic "Ferris Bueller's Day Off."

Movies in the park CANCELLED

The popular Movies in the Park series returns to the Riverfest Amphitheater tonight with the classic "Ferris Bueller's Day Off."

Lincoln walks the line

U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln won't support the Employee Free Choice Act with an election coming, so she trumpets  sympathy for union workers at Cooper Tire against Chinese imports.

Wednesday To-Do: 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off'

‘FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF'Sundown, Riverfest Amphitheatre. Free.After two special presentations — “Fried Green Tomatoes” to celebrate the opening of the Farmer's Market and “Field of Dreams” at Dickey-Stephens during the film festival — the summer movie series Movies in the Park officially launches its fifth season with what's surely John Hughes' greatest teeny bop film.

Wednesday To-Do: Mr. Lif

MR. LIF10 p.m., Sticky Fingerz. $8-$10.Pitchfork, with a measured amount of snark, recently said, “If Kanye West came into the game as ‘the first with a Benz and a backpack,' then Mr. Lif was surely ‘the first with dreadlocks and Harry Potter glasses.'

It's Miley!

Hide your kids. She's coming again.

Wednesday News Round-up

A Mighty Wind: Little Rock's first wind turbine will be unveiled today, as will the results of a recent survey on Arkansans attitudes toward energy efficiency.  From the release: Audubon Arkansas the Ecological Conservation Organization (ECO), Pew Environmental Group, Sierra Club, and Arkansas Wildlife Federation will gather at a community event to showcase a new wind turbine and to release polling showing that Arkansans across the state are engaged and supportive of changing how the Natural State gets energy.  The poll shows Arkansans are engaged and supportive of proposed federal climate and energy legislation.  Public is welcome.  Dunbar Community Center, 2nd floor.  1001 W. 16th Street in Little Rock.  Starts at noon.

Thank goodness for Arkansas

Courtesy of Rep. Mark Martin (R-Twilight Zone), a link to a conservative group's annual complaint that says colleges -- particularly the top ones -- invite too many liberals to be commencement speakers.

Political Will

Well, the turbine at the Dunbar Community Center isn't up just yet, but that didn't stop local environmental groups from holding a press conference to talk about a recent poll that shows Arkansans prefer renewable energy sources to dirty fossil fuels like coal.  You can read an executive summary here.

Movies in the Park cancelled

Stupid rain. "Ferris Bueller" is rescheduled for July 29.Next week: "The Princess Bride."

Protecting Forests

How novel?  Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack is taking steps toward protecting forests by restoring a rule constantly undermined by the Bush administration.  This from Niel Lawrence via Amy Mall, both of whom work for the Natural Resources Defense Council.   

BITE ME . . .

  Don’t think I’m not happy to be back in The Rock from Cannes because I am.

I forgot

To leave an open line. Sorry.
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