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July 11, 2012

Vol 38 • No 41

Starring Monica Staggs, as 'The Death Doll'

The Hollywood stuntwoman and North Little Rock native defies death and considers life.

Tuesday talk

The line is open. Final words: * $12 MILLION MAN: Attorney General Dustin McDaniel quoted here as saying 2014 governor's race could cost him alone $10 to $12 million.

Dispatches from the farm

The Observer is raising about 700 heirloom tomato plants this year, along with sheep, goats, chickens and peacocks on his great-grandfather's farm in North Pulaski County.

Democracy goes electric

An online experiment in governance.

By the Numbers: Direct democracy across time

The recent flurry of activity around a series of proposed ballot initiatives led some to suggest that direct democracy may well be coming into its own in Arkansas politics.

Risk-free familiarity

'The Amazing Spider-Man' takes no chances.

The Magazine Mountain Shagreen thrives, other species at risk

The Magazine Mountain Shagreen, a tiny snail found only on Magazine Mountain, is speeding — relatively speaking — toward a historic achievement. It is about to become the first invertebrate ever removed from the federal list of endangered species.

Hit the road for 'Lost Highway'

Rose exhibit at MOCA; 2nd Friday Art Night in LR.

Fireworks failing

In banning fireworks in Garland County, our GOP County Judge, Rick Davis, reminded folks of the burn ban in effect due to extreme drought (the highest level), lack of rain, low humidity, and tinderbox conditions. He even spoke about ashes (fortunately not live embers) falling on his Bonnerdale property — all the way from the Amity fire in Clark County miles away.

The Romney doll

Believe it or not, you can still buy a George W. Bush "Elite Force Aviator" 12-inch action figure — to commemorate his 2003 aircraft carrier "Mission Accomplished" photo op prematurely celebrating victory over Iraq.

Down-home fusion

Southern Gourmasian adds Asian twist to dumplings and more.

Off with his head!

Unless you rely exclusively on the local daily for your news, you probably saw the account last week of a rodeo over at Greenwood that concluded with an effigy of a black man being brought out, abused for a time by bulls and clowns, whereupon an announcer issued an altar call of sorts, inviting spectators to come on down and join the ritual lynching. "Who wants to rip Obama's head off?" he said.

The Chamber's anti-gas-tax pitch

Sure enough, Sheffield Nelson and the Arkansas Municipal League reported enough signatures last week to clear the first hurdle for an act that will for the first time in history decently reimburse Arkansans and their descendants for the profiteering from vanishing natural gas resources.

Politics then and now: The court's grand gulf

Do you have the patience for another postscript on the weird but momentous U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, or "Obamacare"?

The Amy Garland Band at Laman

Plus Miss Arkansas in Hot Springs.

Criteria confusion

The Little Rock Technology Park Authority released Tuesday a summary of the criteria it wants alternative park sites to meet, and it does not mention a five-minute drive time requirement that the Authority board has said was crucial to success.

Buice buy on hold

Brian Teeter, who is proposing to buy the building housing Buice Drug at 3011 W. Markham and an adjoining parking lot, may return to the Board of Adjustment to seek a new variance to allow off-street parking for a restaurant he hopes to put in the building, he said Tuesday.

The next great teen fiction trilogy

Summer book picks

Times staffers' recommended reading.

Arkansas farmers shaking up their gardens with African cukes

Guy Lancaster is best known, perhaps, for his work editing the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, a project of the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, but the kiwano he's slicing into at his desk downtown is something new to Arkansas.

It was a good week for separation of church and state

It was also a good week for Main Street in Little Rock and Dr. Jay Barth. It was a bad week for Ken Aden and ethics reform.

Jagoff nixed

After the word "jagoff" appeared in an article on, David Shribman, the executive editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, sent a memo to his staff.

Ethics fight still on

Friday was the deadline to submit signatures for initiated acts and constitutional amendments.

Your corporate democracy

'The Full Monty' at Weekend Theater

Plus, Eden's Edge at Shooter's, King Tuff at Stickyz, Twista at Revolution, the Mole.fm showcase at Vino's, Switchfoot at Magic Springs and The Tedeschi Trucks Band at Robinson.

Smith's money troubles no cause for concern

Were this a stage production of "Razorbacks 2012: A Football Odyssey," the act where John L. Smith dutifully and matter-of-factly discloses his personal financial turmoil should probably be the one the playwright excises first from the draft.

Easter Seals sent eviction notice on Lee Ave. building

The board of the Arkansas Schools for the Blind and Deaf has sent an eviction notice to the Arkansas Easter Seals Society and other occupants of the former Easter Seals training center at the east end of Lee Avenue across a wooded draw from the campus of the schools.

Rep. Justin Harris still proselytizing at tax-paid pre-school

A West Fork reader sends a current view of the sign at the West Fork pre-school operated by Republican state Rep. Justin Harris.

Who's a progressive? Democrat-Gazette backs gas tax increase

While Arkansas Republicans are busily trying to brand Democrats as a bunch of liberals to counteract the growing lunatic fringe element in the GOP ranks, Democrats are busy self-identifying themselves as members of the corporate party.

Episcopalians approve blessing for same-sex unions

This religion news, reported in New York Times, already has some conservative religionists in Arkansas a-Twitter: The Episcopal Church on Tuesday approved an official liturgy for blessing same-sex unions, enabling priests who have the approval of their bishops to bestow the church’s blessing on gay couples whether they live in a state where same-sex marriage is legal or not.

Tim Wooldridge backs Rick Crawford

Good fit. The only question is why Tim Wooldridge still claims to be a Democrat.

Cheerleader moms in Sherwood get national ABC exposure

If you somehow overlooked it, be sure to check out Robert Bell's post on Rock Candy about an ABC feature on the Tiger Moms who are wild about competitive cheerleading.

Wednesday To-Do: Eden's Edge

Eden's Edge plays at Shooter's Bar & Grill Wednesday.

To the right, march. Secure Arkansas warns of ALEC influence

The Republican Party in Arkansas grows ever more extreme, with unhinged members like Jon Hubbard and Loy Mauch (the anti-Lincoln Southern rights defender) characterized as mainstreamers.

Wednesday To-Do: King Tuff

King Tuff plays at Stickyz Wednesday night.

A double dip on the Cheese Dip Championship

Registration is now open for teams wishing to compete in this year's World Cheese Dip Championship.

Pulaski deputy put on leave after marina damage

Channel 4 has a full report, except for naming the suspect, in $15,000 damage done at the Brady Mountain Marina.

Wednesday: Fleur Delicious, 'Jaws' and more

Movies in the Park screens "Jaws" Wednesday at Riverfest Amphitheatre.

A call for help for immigrant children

The Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families released a report today on improving the lives of children of immigrants in Arkansas.

Yet another reason to approve Obamacare

Arkansas Republicans — abetted by the Koch lobby and other corporate interest groups — are loudly selling the message that the coming of expanded health coverage is a ticket to a November Republican electoral sweep.

Mike Ross joins Republicans again on health law

It was pure theater, but the U.S. House today voted again to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

Midweek line

The line is open. Closing out: * The future of legal ads in newspapers. Pressure on Children's Hospital over the Technology Park. A new state parks website.

Texas casino amendment won't qualify for ballot

Michael Wasserman, the Texas casino proposal who turned up with what he represented were sufficient signatures to qualify his constitutional amendment for an exclusive right to open seven casinos, won't make it to the November ballot.

Mike Huckabee: Tales of the Titanic and Krispy Kreme

Florida media mogul Mike Huckabee gets some typically unflattering attention in the American Spectator, a Club for Growth-oriented conservative publication that has long ripped the former Arkansas governor.

In defense of John Roberts

Linda Greenhouse, the former New York Times Supreme Court reporter, does some in-depth legal commentary for the Times still on its Opinionator blog.

Thursday: Melanie, Amy Garland and more

Melanie plays at The Auditorium in Eureka Springs Thursday.

Friday To-Do: 'The Full Monty'

The Weekend Theater's production of "The Full Monty" opens Friday.

Senate candidate promises ethics reform UPDATE

Democratic state Senate candidate Zac White of Heber Springs has pledged, if elected, to introduce ethics legislation similar to that proposed in a recent ballot initiative.

Report: Penn State, Paterno failed kids

Penn State has released its report on its role in sexual assault of children by former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.

Lottery profit smaller than it appears

Big headlines this morning for the news yesterday that the Arkansas Lottery finished the fiscal year June 30 $3.4 million ahead of last year.

Romney's lies

Despite efforts by some to cover up for Mitt Romney, evidence mounts that lies have been told about whether Romney was still active at Bain Capital when it was outsourcing jobs abroad.

Lights, camera, West Memphis Three action

Mara Leveritt has been in Cartersville, Ga., where filming is underway of the movie "Devil's Knot," based on her book about the West Memphis Three case.

UPDATE: Justice Dept. says drug firm campaign contribution spurred helpful Ark. law

Mother Jones has some strong additional reporting on details that led to a $3 billion settlement — the largest fraud settlement ever — with GlaxoSmithKline over, among others, kickbacks, illegal marketing of drugs and encouraging state medical programs to prescribe their drugs for off-label uses.

Ford Overton named to state Game and Fish Commission

Flash from state Game and Fish Commission news conference: Gov. Mike Beebe's latest appointment to the sometimes controversial and always powerful group is Ford Overton of Little Rock.

Friday To-Do: Twista

Twista performs at Revolution Friday night.

Philly cheesesteaks from Rocky's Pub deliver a knock-out punch

Rocky's cheesesteaks deliver a knock-out punch

Ozark Foothills FilmFest Screenwriting Competition accepting entries

The Ozark Foothills FilmFest is accepting entries for its screenwriting competition.

Friday and Saturday To-Do: Mole.FM Showcase

Vino's hosts a showcase of Mole.FM artists Friday and Saturday.

Friday: Laundry for the Apocalypse, Fat Tire Festival and more

The annual Fat Tire Festival kicks off in Eureka Springs Friday.

Signatures filed on Walton-financed drive for Benton County alcohol sales

The Walton grandson-backed drive to allow retail alcohol sales in Benton County is making progress.

Here are the winners of our Tedeschi Trucks Band ticket giveaway

Jason Browne and Carol Moore each won a pair of tickets to see The Tedeschi Trucks Band.

ACLU sues to protect women's medical rights

The ACLU announced today that it would sue over an Arizona law that criminalizes virtually all abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, with an exception so tightly drawn that doctors say it forces women with high-risk pregnancies to wait until only threat of death or major medical damage would allow an abortion to proceed.

Thursday night line

The line is open. Finishing up: * ASU CHANGE CHEERED: Arkansas State reported a bureaucracy shuffle this week.

Hear a new track from the forthcoming Velvet Kente album

Here's a track from the forthcoming Velvet Kente album "Good News for Sinners."

The Early, Rapid Fire Edition

How a giant fraud settlement relates to Arkansas, the Arkansas lottery, the D-G's endorsement of the severance tax increase, the end of Ken Aden's campaign and more — all covered this week.

Women in the Arkansas General Assembly

Start your morning with a new documentary on the history of women in the Arkansas legislature, the first appointed in 1922.

The Republican attack on universal health care

Supreme Court ratification of the Affordable Health Care Act didn't tamp down Republican opposition to universal health care, it set it afire.

Obama clowns shut down

A Facebook poster made a comment yesterday I hope to run down today relative to the Greenwood rodeo where clowns abused an effigy of President Obama and roused the crowd with an exhortation to tear its head off.

Saturday To-Do: Switchfoot

Switchfoot plays Magic Springs' Timberwood Amphitheater Saturday.

Saturday: Miss Arkansas 2012, 2 Live Crew and more

2 Live Crew plays Discovery Nightclub Saturday.

Memorial fund for cyclist killed in wreck near UAMS

Bicycle Advocacy of Central Arkansas has been joined by the family of Jevon Newman in establishing a memorial fund in honor of the UAMS resident killed recently when his bicycle was struck by a pickup near Plateau and Pine by the med school campus.

Curb your craving for carbs at Community Bakery

Big, beautiful baked goods fill the room at Community Bakery

Help for the landlocked at the Little Rock Oyster Bar

Cold oysters and even colder beer make this Stift Station mainstay a must

Sunday To-Do: Tedeschi Trucks Band

The Tedeschi Trucks Band comes to Robinson Center Music Hall Sunday.

Bryant arrest for theft from Boys and Girls Club

Busy day on the police beat in Bryant. Channel 4 reports that the former finance director of the Bryant Boys and Girls Club has been arrested in the theft of almost $17,000 from the club.

Fact check: Yes, Obama's ad on Romney tax plan correct

In case you missed it, the New York Times this week fact-checked an Obama TV ad hitting Mitt Romney's tax plan.

Final album from Michael 'Iron Man' Burks set for Aug. 21 release

Alligator Records will release the final album from Michael Burks on Aug. 21.

Technology Park siting criteria posted

After some confusion earlier, the Little Rock Technology Park Authority has announced release of "site measurement criteria" for place the authority will build an office building with $22 million in city tax money under authority granted by legislation written and promoted by the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Interview: The Tricks

Little Rock trio The Tricks just released its debut full-length.

Shots fired at pharmacy robbery

Fox 16 is reporting that a gunman jumped over a counter and stole drugs from the Medic Pharmacy at 6222 Col. Glenn Road this afternoon.

Casino, marijuana amendments clear first hurdle UPDATE

The Nancy Todd Poker Palace amendment has cleared a hurdle that tripped up another casino amendment.

Friday night, let's fly

The open line is, well, open. Final words:

An aerial look at Bearcat Hollow habitat project in Ozarks

Environmental activist Shawn Porter has sent around a collection of satellite photos of of U.S. Forest Service/Game and Fish Commission work in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest on the Bearcat Hollow project to, among others, improve wildlife habitat for non-native elk and other animals.

Sharp County alcohol campaigners try again

Despite the Lu Hardin Law that makes it all but impossible to put alcohol sales laws on the ballot (signatures of 38 percent of registered voters are required), proponents keep trying.

Gilbert Baker: Poster boy for ethics reform

One of the poorest kept political secrets is the plan that Republican Sen. Gilbert Baker is heading to the lobby when he's term limited at the end of this year.

Saturday night line

Over to the public. Final note: * LR HOMICIDE: Channel 4 reports a fatal shooting in the 6800 block of Col. Glenn about 1 a.m. today when three men resisted two robbers and shots were fired.

Sunday school is in session: Republicans and the Good Samaritan

This tit-for-tat roused Lt. Gov. Mark Darr, another of the Republicans who often use religious witnessing as a core part of their campaigning.

Sunday morning mailbag

Some odds and ends popped up overnight in the mailbox. * MISS ARKANSAS: This relic of a bygone time continues to drawn an enthusiastic crowd to Hot Springs.

To expand Medicaid or not to expand Medicaid

The nation's governors are meeting and the New York Times reports that — political bluster aside — the decision by states on whether to move forward with the Medicaid expansion provided by federal law is nuanced.

Vespers line is open

Nothing else here. You're up.

Transparency in politics: Let's start with Kochs

Nice feature in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette this morning by Michael Wickline on a political figure who appears in this space with some frequency — Teresa Oelke of Rogers, the tireless paid leader of the Arkansas chapter of the Koch brothers' political operation, Americans for Prosperity.

Glen Campbell to Robinson Sept. 6

Glen Campbell plays Robinson Center Music Hall Sept. 6.

McDaniel joins fight against Mississippi pollution controls

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel today announced that he'd joined other states in a fight against environmental groups seeking stronger anti-pollution standards on nutrients discharged into the Mississippi River.

Retail news: Whole Foods contemplating move; Walmart set

A couple of items of interest on the grocery front: * WHOLE FOODS: The store, currently at Rodney Parham and I-430, has an application on file with the city for something of a lateral geographic move, to the space adjoining Best Buy at Bowman and Chenal.

Founder and editor Marc Smirnoff out at Oxford American

Founder and editor Marc Smirnoff and managing editor Carol Ann Fitzgerald are no longer employed by the Oxford American, publisher Warwick Sabin said today.

Challenge filed on casino amendment

I've talked some previously with Todd, the political consultant who's leading the casino drive for Branson, Mo., investors about this criticism.

Money: Is that all there is?

If money counts alone decided elections, why hold them? That said, it's a rare race not decided by money.

Trayvon Martin's parents to appear in Little Rock

A news release says the National Association of Black Law Enforcement Executives, meeting in Little Rock next week, will hear from the parents of Trayvon Martin at a civil rights breakfast at 8 a.m.

Bo Derek, John Corbett back to World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Bo Derek and John Corbett will return to Hot Springs for the First Ever 10th Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The week begins

Tea Party congressman spend taxpayer money on personal vehicles.

Review: Tedeschi Trucks Band

The Tedeschi Trucks Band played Robinson Center Music Hall Sunday night.

Complaint made on campaign contribution gimmick

I received overnight this copy of a complaint supposedlyfiled with the state Ethics Commission on the ruse by which Arkansas politicians — Republican senators are cited here — are funneling their excess campaign cash into the campaign funds of other Republican politicians.

Gun slaughters in the morning headlines

Morning headlines: * ALABAMA: 17 people shot at a downtown Tuscaloosa bar by a man who opened fire from outside.

A Rockefeller for the future?

Is there another Rockefeller who might pursue public office? One potential candidate mightbe Will Rockefeller, Lt. Gov. Win Rockefeller's son, who talked about politics recently with Steve Brawner for Roby's Brock's Talk Business Quarterly.

Tuesday: Quintron & Miss Pussycat, Mara Leveritt and more

Quintron & Miss Pussycat play at Stickyz Tuesday.

Republicans should name an airport for Frank Luntz

Ernest Dumas writes this week about the tribute Republicans should pay to Frank Luntz, the message master whose sloganeering — from the disingenuous to the blatantly dishonest — has done everything from killing the estate tax to making evil out of health care legislation that's good for tens of millions of people.

Baja Grill is among the best

Benton taco truck is tops in Central Arkansas

Big mess at Big Rock: The I-430-630 interchange work explained

My position is unchanged. I don't need to know about the 20 days of nightmarish lane shifting contemplated for major work on the big construction project at the Interstate 430-630 interchange at "Big Rock" (named for the rock formation uncovered during construction).

Appeals court upholds conviction of bomber's wife

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals today upheld the conviction of Sangeeta Mann on charges that arose from prosecution of her husband, Dr. Randeep Mann, in the bombing of Dr. Trent Pierce, the chairman of the state Medical Board.

Social networking prevails in NLR pretzel twist

A grass-roots Facebook effort to bring back the beloved McCain Mall German restaurant Mr. Dunderbak's — which closed in 2000 — has apparently prevailed, with the original owner of the pretzels-and-brats shop planning to bring a new-and-improved version of the store back to the mall this fall.

Iowa governor commutes youthful lifers

Because of a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has commuted the life sentences of 38 people sentenced as juveniles to life without parole sentences for murder.

Romney: Editing, lying — you decide

The Koch-heads and fellow Republican travelers have been blasting Twitter and other social media with the supposedly unfeeling remark made by President Obama: “if you’ve got a business you didn’t build that” Republican candidate Mitt Romney has now gone so far as to release a video containing that sentence and only that sentence, repeated over and over. It's a lie.

Tuesday topics

The line is open. Final words: * $2.2 MILLION GIFT TO CHILDREN'S: Arkansas Children's Hospital announced today a $2.2 million gift from the estate of Thomas Stephens, a retired metallurgical engineer who lived in Hot Springs Village and died last October.

New figures: Medicaid expansion would save Arkansas money

Late this afternoon, the state Human Services Department released estimates on the cost of Medicaid expansion.

'Wich Trials: The sandwiches of Boulevard Bread

Sandwiches pack a punch at Boulevard
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