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July 5, 2007

Vol 5 • No 25

Believe it when I see it

Beebe says he'd err on side of environment in power plant case. Two words come to mind.

Fun on the fourth

I have work to do most of the day. I'm throwing the line open.

Holding forth

The Fourth of July means little or nothing to two of our largest groups — the really stupid and the not very patriotic.

What we're reading, July 5

Reshaping a park

The golf course is key.

The supermom myth

Cruel necessity often motivates the mother who does it all.

Nice talk

Al Sharpton’s public career was founded on racial controversy, and on hearing that he was coming to West Memphis, some expected him to worsen an already bad situation.

Appreciated

Your responsible editorials concerning the Little Rock School District are greatly appreciated.

A prime spot in WLR

The question: What took Arthur’s so long?

Orval

Back pages

“Flood Summer”: an Arkansas book deserving of a second look.

What's cooking, July 5

Copper Grill and Grocery to open on July 16 in the new 300 Third Tower in the River Market district.

'Red: Beyond Football: The Legacy of Coach Jimmy ‘Red’ Parker'

Got an itch for Redbug lore?

To-do, July 5

Lez Zeppelin, an all-girl Led Zeppelin cover band, plays on Friday; DMX performs at the Village on Monday; Widespread Panic returns to the Riverfest Amphitheatre on Tuesday.

In brief

A quick look at the week's best best and a peek into the week ahead.

The Observer, July 5

Summer has a rhythm for The Observer, the high spots being the arrival of peaches and tomatoes.

Future to-do, July 5

The White Stripes and JT should prove worth the drive.

What's happening in July

A round-up of readings and book signings.

Editorial

Sparklers

New exhibits feature Latin artists, modernist Matulka and Arkansan Darrell Loy Scott.

Merle Haggard and Kelly Willis

Merle Haggard and Kelly Willis rocked Robinson Center Music Hall on June 27.

This Modern World

The Week that Was, June 27-July 2

It was a good week for …LITTLE ROCK. Welspun, an Indian manufacturer, announced plans to build a $100 million plant near the Little Rock Port to produce tubular steel for pipelines. It should employ hundreds beginning in 2008.

An ‘essential’ Civil War memoir

Plus lawyers and lawyering and the authoritative book on Katrina.

Swing and a miss

Conventional Democratic political wisdom in Arkansas decrees that you reach swing voters with a pro-God, pro-gun, anti-gay agenda.

Smart talk

The experts say that starting young is the key to mastering new languages.

Words

The Word Detective is one of many authorities who refute the claim that 'picnic' is racist.

Cross neighbors

Neighbors of the Cathedral School are raising Cain over the school’s application to close Spring Street between 16th and 17th streets to allow children to safely cross the street that divides the school’s campus.

Ban trans fats?

Banned in New York City. Banned in Philadelphia. Banned in Brookline, Mass. Banned in Montgomery County, Md. But what about Arkansas? Could it be a battleground in the struggle against trans fats? .

Vic Snyder's day

Brummett on U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder's ascension to a powerful military committee post in a time of war.

The Clinton combo

I think the press herd is a whole lot more concerned about the political dynamics of having Bill Clinton alongside Hillary Clinton at campaign appearances than the people who go to see them are.

Most unpopular president?

Statistically, it looks like a dead heat between Tricky and Cheney's veep, the man who just gave Scooter an installment-plan pardon.

Silly money

  This kid from Russellville won $25,000 earlier this spring for this video. The backstory: In 2004, Gary Brolsma put a webcam in front of his computer and lip synched to an obscure Romanian pop song, "Numa Numa."

Jail report Tuesday

The UALR Task Force on Public Safety convened after defeat of a sales tax to support the jail will report tomorrow Tuesday morning at 10 a.m.

Money for Dumas hospital

Gov. Mike Beebe has released $250,000 in emergency money for Delta Memorial Hospital in Dumas to offset uncompensated medical care provided to victims of a tornado four months ago.

To-Do List: Lez Zeppelin, Louis Jordan Tribute, Michael Jukes and more

THURSDAYAmped-up Arizona rockabillies the High Rollers are at Vino’s with local hellraisers Josh the Devil and the Sinners, 8:30 p.m.

Public art in NLR

Argenta News has a good discussion going on public art, specifically the idea of painting traffic control boxes in North Little Rock as has been done here.

Arrivaderci Lucchesi's

Lucchesi's in the Heights, the Italian restaurant and takeout shop on the back side of the Heights Theater center on Kavanaugh, served its last meal Saturday night.

Arrivaderci Lucchesi's

Lucchesi's in the Heights, the Italian restaurant and takeout shop on the back side of the Heights Theater center on Kavanaugh, served its last meal Saturday night.

State secrets

Thanks to a blog reader who chastised me the other day. He complained that I'd said nothing about the fact that Gov. Mike Beebe's annual statement of financial interest was not posted on the web.

To-Do List podcast: Supa Tight and more

I was remiss not to mention our lead A&E story this week in the rundown of the To-do list.

Test scores improve

Here's the Education Department release on public school test scores last year. They are improving and, for the first time, the gap between black and white students narrowed.

Test scores improve

Here's the Education Department release on public school test scores last year. They are improving and, for the first time, the gap between black and white students narrowed.

Swimming hole mystery

State Editor Piney Woods turns up an intriguing tale in the Paris Express. Just what is the Forest Service trying to cover up in a recent incident at the Half Bushel swimming hole in Logan County?

Arkansan for chutzpah

Bush's mouthpiece Tony Snow went and dragged us into it today when asked for comment on Bill Clinton's criticism of the Scooter Libby installment-plan pardon.

When it rains

Rumors that an outbreak of meningitis among the Rainbow Family huddled up on National Forest land in Newton County near Fallsville have been clarified: Ed Barham of the state health department confirms that one person was hospitalized with bacterial meningitis last Saturday and that three health department nurses spent their Independence Day at the campout giving prophylactic Cipro (an antibiotic) to 43 people who'd come in contact with the woman who was hospitalized.

Independence Day freedom rock

   Rod, Zach, Billy, and Steve are four normal, slightly nerdy-looking dudes who happen to be rock stars.

Huckabee and the teachers' union

Mike Huckabee appeared before the National Education Association convention today, the only Republican to accept the invitation.

Dog laws need strengthening, county residents complain

Two bitten in Hilaro Springs say county needs to take attacks more seriously.

Cheney: No laughing matter

A typically brilliant piece of commentary by the New Yorker's Hendrik Hertzberg on the commander in chief, Dick Cheney, includes this summary:

Cheney: No laughing matter

A typically brilliant piece of commentary by the New Yorker's Hendrik Hertzberg on the commander in chief, Dick Cheney, includes this summary:

Wal-Mart story on film

Morning News story on "docu-drama" in production on the story of Sam and Helen Walton and their retail store empire.

Traction for Walton U.

The New York Times (at least in the person of one of its susbscription-only columnists) has joined a list of outlets giving attention to the report by members of the education reform department up at Walton U. on the decline in the number of public schools named after historic figures.

Traction for Walton U.

The New York Times (at least in the person of one of its susbscription-only columnists) has joined a list of outlets giving attention to the report by members of the education reform department up at Walton U. on the decline in the number of public schools named after historic figures.

Raving about Eureka Springs

The NY Times real estate coverage today includes a love letter about Eureka Springs as a place to buy a vacation home.

Second Saturday

If you want to expand your cooking horizons, the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute is offering a few cooking classes in the upcoming months.  Topics include (but not limited to) Sauces, Cajun Cooking, Sushi, Chocolates, Soups, Custards, Bread making, Fish, and Spices.  Some of these classes look downright fun, plus you get to do it all on top of Petit Jean Mountain.  Click here for more information.

What is Arkansan for chutzpah?

Politico.com takes a stab at the question. The Arkansas Blogger gets his 15 seconds.

What is Arkansan for chutzpah?

Politico.com takes a stab at the question. The Arkansas Blogger gets his 15 seconds.

Lake Maumelle watch -- UPDATE

Central Arkansas Water has scheduled a public hearing at 6 p.m. Monday at the county conference center at 501 W. Markham to discuss a settlement with developer Rick Ferguson over development of acreage overlooking Lake Maumelle.

Sacrifice is for suckers

I mentioned Paul Krugman's latest in an earlier item, but it's worth its own. You see, the Iraq war, although Mr. Bush insists that it’s part of a Global War on Terror™, a fight to the death between good and evil, isn’t like America’s other great wars — wars in which the wealthy shared the financial burden through higher taxes and many members of the elite fought for their country.This time around, Mr. Bush celebrated Mission Accomplished by cutting tax rates on dividends and capital gains, while handing out huge no-bid contracts to politically connected corporations.

3 gritty, dudely videos, for no good reason

Video for Nick Cave's new-ish band Grinderman doing "No Pussy Blues."If your work frowns on heavy petting and animal sex (eagles and giraffes!), this video is NSFW.

LR National: Low misery

U.S. News publishes an airport misery chart, ranking regional 53 airports on a combination of late flights and load factor, or crowding.

The latest LR sculpture

“Forever a Rose,” a life-sized bronze of a kneeling woman holding a rose, has been installed in Riverfront Park just west of the Main Street Bridge.

Sens. Pryor and Lincoln: First in war

You've perhaps been seeing the names of Sen. Mark Pryor and Sen. Blanche Lincoln pop up as an emerging bipartisan group looking for solutions on the war.

Mike Huckabee's got name

The game at mikehuckabee.com now is information from the former governor's presidential exploratory committee, which recently purchased the domain  from website building Kurt Sims for $5,000.

Catch 22: Spy at will

A Bush I and a Bush II judge have overturned the ruling against the Bush II warrantless wiretaps because the plaintiffs don't have standing.

g'd up

New fire from DJ g-force to download.  From, as you'll see above,  a split mix with DJ Max.

Jim Bob's Live Bait and Sushi Shop

OK- not really.  We like Sushi.  Others around here must like it as well, since the Sushi places keep popping up and seem to stay in business.  I thought we'd share two of our recent faves- First- Wasabi , 101 Main St.

Bank robbery

Today"s: Bank of America branch at 4024 W. Markham (Med Center branch). One man took cash from teller shortly before noon.

Arkansas Flickr Friday: Images of Arkansas, by Arkansans

Click on any image to go to its flickr page, where you can enlarge it for optimum viewing."Swamp" by Mandy Gann of North Little Rock, shows an amazing image of the oxbow that runs behind Cotham's Merchantile in Scott.  Note the detail of the mimosa blooms and their reflection in the center of the photo.For "Reaching For the Clouds," Flickr user "Jim-AR" got down low and shot these amazing yellow daisies from his own back yard in Monticello.

Raising the severance tax

Brummett talks about why and how. My observation: We're missing: a chief executive who'll lead the way.

Faith of a candidate

The New York Times, at length, examines Hillary Clinton's religious faith. It's a kinder article than typical.

Talk is cheap

So fire away. I'm sorry for problems with our server.

Fred Thompson: Pro-choice?

Well, no. But an abortion rights group said the former senator lobbied for them some years back, the LA Times reports.

One Last Look Back at the 4th

Just because it was too pretty to pass up, and I missed it during my Friday round-up!  Thisis the view of the fireworks show from "Pops on the River" over Little Rock, from the vantage point of Ft. Roots, beautifully captured by Alton Roberts of Sherwood.  Click the image to view more of his work.

Crime watch

Lots of houses in the upper Heights lack garages. Thus, cars are often parked on the street overnight.

At the NEA: Oh, Arkansas

I received a report last night from Little Rock teacher and Classroom Teachers Association leader Cathy Koehler about the National Education Association convention.

Clinton-Obama: Oh, momma

Brummett, meanwhile, is firing arrows and they're nothing but up for Hillary Clinton's inevitability and a "dream ticket" of Clinton and Obama.

End of the Rainbow

The Forest Service says the Rainbow Gathering is winding down, with about 1,000 of a crowd of 6,000 remaining on land near Fallsville in the Ozarks National Forest.

Bush: A coward

That's Frank Rich's assessment this morning.

The LR crisis 50th: Where's Bushie?

I heard last night that Obama, Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton are all confirmed particpants in the Little Rock School Crisis 50th in late September.

Q: Why does UA hate LR?

A: Because the Waltons instruct them to do so. My ire is over news reported in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette this morning that the University of Arkansas, in the person of the Walton-financed charter school development arm, wants to establish a branch of the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Science and the Arts in Little Rock.

Q: Why does UA hate LR?

A: Because the Waltons instruct them to do so. My ire is over news reported in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette this morning that the University of Arkansas, in the person of the Walton-financed charter school development arm, wants to establish a branch of the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Science and the Arts in Little Rock.

Fighting for the evangelical vote

In Iowa, NY Times says, voters are torn between their pet issues and nominating an electable Republican presidential candidate.

Bet you can eat just one

Ninjapoodle shares a fine photo from WestieMama of the Double Swamp Burger, the specialty of the Bayou Bridge Cafe, she thinks in Dover, near Russellville.

Catching up with Levon

Good feature in the New York Times on a musical program for children by Levon Helm at his Woodstock, N.Y. home.

Huckabee: More surge

With all due respect, I don't think Mike Huckabee gets it. Says here that he said on the Today Show this morning that the U.S. perhaps should consider sending still more troops to Iraq.

Reaching kids

Hendrix College reports on a project in which a team from Hendrix reported success in improving the benchmark test results of Forrest City third-graders.

Bush stonewalls -- UPDATE

He refuses Congressional requests for testimony re the U.S. attorney political purge. Kos has a useful discussion.

Bingo blues

Interesting story in the Baxter Bulletin full of complaints from bingo operators about new excise tax and reporting rules arising from the new charity bingo law.

Bingo blues

Interesting story in the Baxter Bulletin full of complaints from bingo operators about new excise tax and reporting rules arising from the new charity bingo law.

Go fish

Bonefish Grill, the new chain seafood restaurant, will open Saturday, July 14, in Pleasant Ridge Town Center with a benefit for Easter Seals.

Health coverage

Gov. Mike Beebe touts a state health insurance program for small businesses. (Release on jump.) Little state efforts such as this are better than nothing.

Harry Potter alert

Wal-Mart goes all out to market the final Harry Potter book and vows silence at registers about the outcome after sales begin.

Harry Potter alert

Wal-Mart goes all out to market the final Harry Potter book and vows silence at registers about the outcome after sales begin.

Kirk Cameron is going to save you!!!!!

Well, Kirk Cameron, from Growing Pains fame, has been busy since the cancellation of the show.  As you probably know, he found the Lord during Growing Pains and became a "born-again Christian."  Since then, he's been building quite a career and financial empire in Faith-based Entertainment, most notably, the Left Behind movies.  So Kirk met up with this former Surf Shop owner turned "roving preacher" and they came up with a whole Born-again system as outlined on their website, www.wayofthemaster.com, which I think is an unfortunate name, it sounds like it's either going to be about ninjas or leather and chains, but it's working for them so what do I know.

Tastes Like Chicken?

Gator bites from Cajun Broilers in Hot Springs.  Boneless chunks of gator spiced, breaded, and deep fried in vegetable oil, these "bites" arrive at your table tender and juicy.  An appetizer plate runs about 5-6 bucks.   I think it tastes like alligator, but our cohorts (who had never had gator) believed it to taste like taste like very chewy chicken.  Blasphemy I tells ya.

Tastes Like Chicken?

Gator bites from Cajun Broilers in Hot Springs.  Boneless chunks of gator spiced, breaded, and deep fried in vegetable oil, these "bites" arrive at your table tender and juicy.  An appetizer plate runs about 5-6 bucks.   I think it tastes like alligator, but our cohorts (who had never had gator) believed it to taste like taste like very chewy chicken.  Blasphemy I tells ya.

All in the family

Newsweek offers a 10-photo slideshow of political family black sheep who've earned unflattering headlines. Lots of Arkansas angles.

All in the family

Newsweek offers a 10-photo slideshow of political family black sheep who've earned unflattering headlines. Lots of Arkansas angles.

Execution stay lifted

The 8th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals today vacated a stay of the execution of Don Davis, convicted of a 1990 murder of Jane Daniel of Rogers.

Free speech? Not in Bush's America

Here's why I  think George Bush will be disinclined to show his face at Central High in September.

Sorry, again

Thanks for all the notes about server problems. I think we're back.

Giving Huckabee his due

Brummett writes today, almost exclusively, about the good Huckabee. Quote: "Mike Huckabee -- the one in this column -- is somebody desperate Republicans might want to give a look."

The D.C. madam

Among her clients: Louisiana's family values champion, U.S. Sen. David Vitter. Salon recalls an earlier report on Vitter's fondness for prostitutes in which Mrs. Vitter made a memorable vow:

The D.C. madam

Among her clients: Louisiana's family values champion, U.S. Sen. David Vitter. Salon recalls an earlier report on Vitter's fondness for prostitutes in which Mrs. Vitter made a memorable vow:

Sun rises in east

Alberto Gonzales lies to Congress.

LRSD: The next round

John Walker, the lawyer who represents black parents in the Little Rock desegregation lawsuit, has gotten a second extension of time to file an appeal of federal Judge Bill Wilson’s ruling that the district is constitutionally desegregated and thus free from further court proceedings.

LRSD: The next round

John Walker, the lawyer who represents black parents in the Little Rock desegregation lawsuit, has gotten a second extension of time to file an appeal of federal Judge Bill Wilson’s ruling that the district is constitutionally desegregated and thus free from further court proceedings.

The Pulaski jail report

UALR has completed its task force study on public safety and the Pulaski County Jail.

29 pct. of U.S. voters are nuts

They view Bush's performance favorably. On the other hand, they are not all as nuts as the 9 percent who actually gained confidence in Bush when he commuted Scooter's sentence.

I'm postin, I'm postin....

Well, I don't have a lot of time these days, I've got work, and "my hobby" (which is totally innocent, for the most part, but would give away whats left of my annymity), and family stuff, and friend drama, and re-reading the Harry Potter books, 6&7.... so I haven't been posting as often or energetically.  Plus, I loathe movable more and more.  Anywho, some things that caught my fancy:

Lining up for Harry Potter

We linked yesterday to Wal-Mart's marketing effort for sales of the final installment of the Harry Potter series.

Lining up for Harry Potter

We linked yesterday to Wal-Mart's marketing effort for sales of the final installment of the Harry Potter series.

McCain implodes

Deservedly, I should add. He showed again today that he's a 29 percenter.

Tribute in Action: Damion Maynard

I came across this story thanks to Gayle Nicholson of Little Rock, and was so touched by it that I wanted to share it in its entirety, as written by Gayle herself.  The photos are hers also, and you can click on any of them here to see more.

Now he tells us

Science according to G.W. Bush: The first U.S. surgeon general appointed by President George W. Bush accused the administration on Tuesday of political interference and muzzling him on key issues like embryonic stem cell research.

Rainy afternoon hobby

Search through the D.C. madam's phone records for familiar numbers.

Rainy afternoon hobby

Search through the D.C. madam's phone records for familiar numbers.

MarketPlace coming to LR

From a news release (on jump), it appears a MarketPlace Grill is in the works for the Leonard Boen-developed shopping center going up at I-430 and Col. Glenn.

Movin' on up

The latest Moses Tucker downtown project -- River Market Place -- has already been announced.

Movin' on up

The latest Moses Tucker downtown project -- River Market Place -- has already been announced.

Legislative announcements

A Fayettevillian says Uvalde Lindsey, a long-time figure in NWA development circles, will announce for House District 88 at 2 p.m.

Judge's hearing postponed

The Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission hearing on Appeals Court Judge Wendell Griffen has been postponed from July 20 to Aug. 23-24.

Sigur Ros side-project coming to Hot Springs

Huge news out of Hot Springs: Joshua Varnedore, owner of Gallery 801, has booked the first U.S. exhibition of the artwork of Riceboy Sleeps, a show that will debut on Friday, August 3, as part of Hot Springs’ monthly gallery walk.

That bus crash

That woman passenger who caused the crash of a Greyhound on I-40 yesterday? She'll be in the State Hospital for a few days, State Police news release says.

Racial terrorism

Have you read about the Jena 6? It's gotten a fair amount of attention. This story, a summary with the first court verdict, will curl your hair.

Sherwood mayor -- UPDATED

That special election for Sherwood mayor is today. By poll worker count, one politico I talked to seem to like the chances of former Mayor Bill Harmon and City Clerk Virginia Hillman being in the runoff.

"Order of the Phoenix" Preview Impressions

We were fortunate enough to be on the receiving end of free VIP passes, courtesy of Smith Barney, to a preview showing of the new Harry Potter movie tonight at Breckenridge Village (it opens tomorrow).  In attendance was, as my Granddad would have said, "The whole fam damily," consisting of Alex, myself, and our nearly-5-year-old daughter Bella, my mother, my sister and her husband, along with their 10-year-old nephew, who is a Harry Potter FANATIC, books and films.  The boy's a genius, and has every detail of these stories committed to memory.  As you can see, both kids were mighty excited to be there.

To the Wonder Boys we say goodbye

Another college in Arkansas maybe changing mascots. Arkansas State is going to leave Indians behind.

And speaking of colleges

An e-mail calls to my attention today an unofficial fan site for the University of Arkansas.

With friends like these -- UPDATE

Interested in the whoring family values champion from Louisiana, U.S. Sen. David Vitter? You know you are.

Wal-Mart cracks down

Wal-Mart is cracking down on youthful shoplifters, though it claims the crackdown is unrelated to a rise in losses through shoplifting and employee theft, reports the Wall Street Journal.

Wednesday To-Do: Anchorman at Movies in the Park

"Oops, I almost forgot — I won't be able to make it fellas. Veronica and I trying this new fad called uh, jogging.

Boondog TV

The Boondogs will play “AETN Presents: Front Row” July 25 at 7 p.m. It's sort of like AETN's stab at "Austin City Limits," where at least ideally, the band tells stories between songs and such.

Those blasted Internets

More technical glitches this afternoon. Down for a couple of hours on my end and a variety of things have stacked up.

Who supports the troops?

Not most Senate Republicans (and faux Democrat Joe Loserman). They filibustered successfully against Sen. Jim Webb's bill to give troops more time between deployments.

Marrying young -- real young

A Code Revision Commission meeting is underway as I write to see if a solution can be found to an inadvertent error in legislation intended to clarify the age of consent for marriage in Arkansas.

Surf and Turf

  Mar y Tierra- Sizzling shrimp and beef mixed with bell pepper, tomato and onion, griddled, and baked with a special chipotle sauce on top.  Comes with rice, beans, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, and warm tortillas.  I will never order anything else from Casa Manana again.  $10.99 and its enough for two meals.  Dang.  I'm gettin hungry just thinkin about this dish.

What took him so long?

Mike Huckabee on Michael Moore.  Sorry, Mike. The health care system isn't expensive because Moore is fat.

New Oxford American

The new Oxford American "Best of the South" issue is on newsstands. I've only had a chance to flip through it.

Super Sweet Sixteen!!!!

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