This Is Arkansas

Dr. Blake Weber

2012-01-25T11:33:00.000-08:00

Blake Weber
Dr. Blake H. Weber loves being a dentist, relieving pain both physical and psychological, and enjoying being part of his patients' lives, many of whom he has treated from their childhoods.

"I am very blessed to be able to enjoy what I do," Dr. Weber said. "I love what I do mostly because of the human contact. I see people from three to 93. A lot of patients I've been seeing since I started practice. These personal contacts are the great part about it.

"I've treated the children and watched the kids grow up. Seen them graduate from college and get married. It's been nice. It's really neat to be part of that and be connected to families."

Blake, who specializes in preventative and family dentistry, as well as cosmetic and implant restoration, has been in practice for 23 years.

His parents may have set him on the road to his profession with a joke. While other kids replied "policeman," "fireman" or "cowboy" to the question of what they wanted to be when they grew up, Blake's answer was a bit different.

"When I was a little kid, my parents thought it was a good laugh to teach me how to say 'orthodontist.' When anyone would ask what I wanted to be when I grew up, I'd say 'orthodontist.' I can't remember actually wanting to do anything else (except dentistry)."

John Novelle of Maumelle, owner of two drug and alcohol treatment centers for adolescents, said one thing he likes about Dr. Weber is the warm, welcoming atmosphere of his office.

"It's just kind of a family thing. I walk in, grab a cup of coffee, share pictures," Mr. Novelle said.

"Blake has been my dentist since 1989, something like that. He did my daughter Lauren's teeth when she was two years old. She's 23 now, and my granddaughter, Kristin, her daughter, who is five years old, goes there. She doesn't have a great need for work. We just put her in the chair and make her comfortable with it.

"I would trust no other. I would not go to another dentist."

The base of Blake's practice is family dentistry, but he does a good number of cosmetic procedures, too. This side of his practice is heartwarming, with his biggest reward often being "a big hug around the neck."

Not all patients are that emotive. Blake remembered a teenage boy who had brown and white splotchy teeth replaced with porcelain veneers. Clearly, the teen was pleased when he looked at the result in the mirror, but he said very little.

"I ran into his mother ... who said, 'I can't tell you how much you did for "Billy." Literally, his personality has changed. He interacts with people. And he laughs.' When someone tells me, "it literally changed my personality,' those are really the coolest moments of what I do."

Then there are those folks who are terrified of going to the dentist. Blake said he understands their fears and works to make visits less stressful.

"We handle it two or three different ways. We encourage parents to bring their children in with them, as early as two or three years old, when they get their teeth cleaned. So kids see it's no big deal. The ones that already are (afraid) ... we sit down and visit with them and let them know that their fears are not uncommon, that a lot of people feel like that. Also that dentistry has changed a lot. And that we are going to let them know exactly what we are going to do. And, that they are in complete control. All they have to do is raise their hand, and we'll stop immediately.

"And then, there's nitrous oxide."

The fact that dentistry has changed a lot with advances in technology helps patients in both physical and psychological ways. The digital x-rays Dr. Weber uses greatly reduce exposure to radiation. He gets an image almost immediately and pops it up on a video machine, so that not only he, but his assistants and the patient can see. Also, he utilizes oral cameras that can snap photographs the patients can see. Light-activated bleaching allows for tooth whitening in a couple of hours. And, far better materials than mercury amalgams are available.

In addition to his practice, Blake works with a group of dentists who volunteer their skills for the Harmony Health Clinic on East Roosevelt Road. The non-profit clinic opened in December 2008 offering free medical care, and its free dental clinic opened in March 2009. It serves local residents ages 13 to 64 whose income does not exceed 200% of the Federal poverty level.

Since opening, it has provided $369,731 in free medical services and $517,943 in free dental services. In addition, it has given out $739,238 in free medications and performed $643,021 worth of free lab tests.

"The people there are so incredibly thankful," Blake said. "I am touched by my patients in my office every day. But the patients at the clinic are so thankful, many of whom are homeless and very disadvantaged, and I am touched by that as much as anything."

Story by Bobbi Nesbitt, February 2012 Shoppe Talk.

Getting to Know Dr. Blake Weber

2012-01-25T11:23:00.000-08:00

Blake Weber

Tell us about your family. I have two teenage boys, both seniors at Central. Paul is 18, and Hunter is 17. I have a daughter, Jessica, who is 12 in 7th grade and lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with her mom. I am incredibly blessed with all three of my kids. They are smart and handsome and beautiful, really good kids.

Do you have any pets? I have Spot, a two-year-old rescue dog, and Buddy, who is an 11-week-old goldendoodle.

Goldendoodle? It's a standard poodle and a golden retriever (mix).

What do you like to read? I read a lot of different magazines, and I like spy thrillers. I like John La Carre and James Lee Burke. I like the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Robert Ludlum. Tom Clancy.

What's your favorite Little Rock restaurant? Brave New Restaurant is always exceptionally good. Trios is great, and Arthur's is great.

Where were you born? I was born and raised in Little Rock and went to public schools here and graduated from Parkview High School in 1979. I went all the way through Little Rock public schools.

Do you support any charities? I support Harmony Health Clinic and Camp Pfeifer and we do a lot of things through the office. We support different charitable auctions, offering tooth bleaching. We support eight to 10 organizations that way. I am active at the church (Pulaski Heights Christian Church) and on the board.

Is there anything you'd like to learn how to do? I did that about six to eight years ago. I took up flying. I was in my early 40s ... had to retest my brain and learn all that material.

What do you do in your spare time? I love to fly. And most of what I do revolves around relationships, kinships, and kids.

What do you watch on the tube? I'm getting addicted to The Iron Chef and Chopped. It's kind of laughable, because I don't cook that much. To be perfectly honest, I've tried to cut back on my TV watching.

What's your favorite city? Taos, New Mexico, or Pagosa Springs, Colorado. I really love it out west. If we go out of the country, I like literally 'end-of-the-road' places where no one speaks English.

Is there anything you'd like to see Little Rock do differently? I wish that somehow they'd find the way and the ability to complete the bike path. I love to bike ride.

Do you have a favorite movie? I've seen two incredible movies in the past week, Mission Impossible and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

What would you do if you won a large lottery? The first thing, family things ... all my family members and extended family members, pay off their houses. And give a big chunk to the church and create a charitable organization. So, I've got a plan - if anybody wins and wants to share the booty.

Hillcrest Artisan Meats - The Happy Meat

2012-01-25T11:13:00.000-08:00

Hillcrest Artisan Meats - The Happy Meat

Hillcrest Artisan Meats is the latest wonderful addition to the neighborhood.

Brandon Brown, owner of the shop at 2807 Kavanaugh Blvd., offers all-natural, all-organic meats and a variety of great soups and sandwiches.

Mr. Brown makes fresh sausages and other delicious concoctions at the full-service butcher shop, which obtains all of its meat from farms in Arkansas. Farms he buys from include Freckled Face Farm, Falling Sky Farm and Farm Girl.

If you're looking for a free-range chicken, the kind of bird that tastes like what you had at Sunday dinner when you were a child, this is the place to go.

"We call it 'happy meat' here. The end result is the same, but it lives all its life naturally," Brandon said. "It tastes better, and it's better for you ... and it's morally right, I believe."

It's also expensive. "You are not buying a 99 cent per pound Tyson chicken breast. I am a firm believer that you get what you pay for," Brandon said, adding that only one customer had balked at the prices.

"He kind of huffed at the price (of a 4-pound chicken). Later he wrote on our web site that it was the best chicken he'd ever had, and that he and his wife got four meals out of it. Now he buys Falling Sky Farm's chickens exclusively."

Brandon does fresh ground beef each morning, and the shop offers a variety of soups and sandwiches, a menu that changes every day. Some examples of soups are vegetable barley, broccoli cheddar, beef barley and chicken noodle.

He offers "charcuterie" (shahr-KOO-tuhr-ee) services, which is the fancy French culinary art of curing, salting and smoking meat. He explained that at its most basic form, it's smoked bacon.

If there's something special you want, and it is not in stock, Brandon will make it for you. "You want spicy Italian sausage? Give us an hour."

At an open house at Hillcrest Designer Jewelry attended by Shoppe Talk in December, folks were oooing and aaahing over a tray from Hillcrest Artisan Meats. It was not just the taste, but the presentation. Even the decorative smoked almonds got raves.

The shop is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It is located on Kavanaugh between the post office and Hillcrest Gallery. 671-6328.

Story by Bobbi Nesbitt

Little Rock Events February 2012

2012-01-25T10:16:00.000-08:00

Donate to FuRR by buying Avon

Avon fans can help Feline Rescue and Rehome by buying Avon products.

FuRR friend Penny Shore is running an email party to benefit FuRR from
now until February 8.

Anything purchased from her website will benefit the organization.

Visit http://pshore.avonrepresentative.com.

Click on "shop my eparty," select your items, and, at checkout, enter
FURRAISER in the code box.

If you order $30 or more, shipping is free and will be delivered to your
door in time for Valentine's Day.

For more information, call 661-0956 or visit saveacat@teamfurr.org.

Chili with a Kick
The 4th Annual Big Red Ball Charitable Foundation's Chili with a Kick will
be held 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. February 25 at Dickey-Stephens Park.

It will benefit Youth Home. Admission is $5.

The event will include games, a kickball tournament, a chili cook-off,
a jalapeno eating contest, live music, arts and crafts, and fare from
Hot Dog Mike.

Bands include Whale Fire, Booyah! Dad, The Year of The Tiger,
Grayson Shelton & War Chief, Suburban Legend, DNR,
Echo Canyon and Falcon Scott.

For information about participating as a chili cook, a player,
or to reserve booth space, contact Larry Betz at lrka@yahoo.com.

Blue Man Group
Blue Man Group will perform
7:30 p.m. February 14
and 15 and 1 p.m. and
7:30 p.m. February 16 at
Robinson Center Music Hall.

The group's popular
shows combine comedy,
music and technology
for fantastic performance
pieces. Loud, funny and
visually arresting fun for all ages.

Tickets are $24 - $51. 501-244-8800 or ticketmaster.com.

Shen Yun
Enjoy Shen Yun 7 - 9:30 p.m. February 27 & 28 at Robinson
Center Music Hall and discover the glory of classical
China's rich culture.

Shen Yun Performing Arts seeks to revive this majestic tradition
through beautifully choreographed dance, drama and music.

Tickets are $50 - $120. Charge by phone at 800-745-300, or visit ticketmaster.com.

Chamber Singers Event at Governor's Mansion

The Arkansas Chamber Singers will hold "A Valentine Soiree" 6:30 p.m.
February 9 at the Governor's Mansion.

Celebrate Valentine's Day with romantic music in a grand setting
featuring local singer Beau Humble.

Tickets are $65 per person. 377-1121.

Flower & Garden Show
The Arkansas Flower and Garden Show will be held
February 24 - 26 at the Statehouse Convention Center.

Landscape architect and author Chris Olsen will present
Five Seasons of Gardening at 11:45 a.m. February 25
and will be signing copies of his book all weekend.

Show times are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday and Saturday
and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

$8, $6 for seniors, and free for
children ages 12 or younger.

Parking is free at Dickey-Stephens Park.
A round-trip shuttle ride is $1 and
free for kids.

Chris Olsen

Arkansas Custom Knife Show

The 2012 Arkansas Custom Knife Show will be held February 18 and 19 at Robinson Center.

Admission is $5.

The show will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

arkansasknifemakers.com.

ASO's February Lineup
"Valentine's in New York" will be presented by the Arkansas Symphony
Orchestra February 11 and 12 at Robinson Center Music Hall.
Hear beloved hits from the stage with featured soloists.

ASO will present "Ode To Joy" February 25 and 26 at the music hall.
It includes Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 and Schoenberg's A Survivor
from Warsaw. Philip Mann will conduct.

ASO River Rhapsodies will present "Ode to Beethoven" 7 p.m. at the
Clinton Presidential Center.

arkansassymphony.org or 666-1761.

Love Poems Inspired Carmina Burana

The Little Rock Wind Symphony will present Carmina Burana
3 p.m. February 26 at Second Presbyterian Church,
600 Pleasant Valley Drive.

Jamie Lipton will be featured on the euphonium, and
Michael Chance will conduct.

Admission is $10 and $8 for seniors.
Free admission for students. For more information, call
666-0777 or visit lrwindsymphony.org.

Hay Ride at Pinnacle

Enjoy a hay ride followed by a cozy campfire
February 11 at Pinnacle Valley Road, a quarter
mile east of Highway 300. The ride is sponsored
by Pinnacle Mountain State Park.

$10 adults, $5 children ages 6 to 12. 868-5806.

Shop Hillcrest Designer Jewelry for Unique Gifts

2011-12-11T08:56:00.000-08:00

Open House December 16

Hillcrest Designer Jewelry, 3000 Kavanaugh, has the perfect gift for that special person on your list.

Kelley Naylor Wise, assistant jeweler and business manager for the shop, said it offers unique, hard-to-find pieces for folks with eclectic tastes.

"We're different, not like everyone else. We are the go-to people. If we don't have it, we can make it," Mrs. Wise said.

"We have Eric's signature cuff bracelets, earrings, rings, pendants, diamonds, belt buckles, cuff links. We have it all."

John Eric Coleman, owner of the shop, makes exquisite cuff bracelets that incorporate unusual stones, fossils, diamonds and colored stones.

Mr. Coleman's custom pieces, including pendants, rings and earrings, range from $100 to $5,000. He works in platinum, gold, silver and copper.

"We specialize in colored stones," Kelley said. "And we have the lowest diamond prices in town - guaranteed. We are a diamond wholesaler."

The shop also supports a number of local artists. Their work ranges from fields of bright, beautiful flowers to fantastic abstract works to sculptures.

Kelley and Eric will be holding an open house 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., Friday, December 16.

On that day only, visiting artist Dana Brock will have a special trunk show at the shop.

Kelley invites everyone to the open house. "We will be having outrageous sales. We have items in all price ranges."

Stephano's Event to Help Youth Home

2011-12-02T12:02:00.000-08:00

Christmas
Extravaganza
at Stephano's

Stephano's Fine Art Gallery in the Heights will hold a "Christmas Extravaganza" December 8 - 11.

The event includes eggnog (sponsored by Terry's Finer Wines), homemade ice cream tasting by Tal Dodson, live portrait painting by artist Amy Eichler and great gifts from more than 40 artists.

Bring new or gently used items for Youth Home's In-kind Wish List in a tote bag, and receive 20% off any purchase.

Some examples from the wish list are playing cards, chess games, folders without brads or staples, loose-leaf notebook paper, wooden pencils, colored markers, Post-It notes, crayons, coloring books, construction paper, graph paper and non-violent video games. For the full list, go to youthhome.org.

Stephano's is located at 5501 Kavanaugh. For more information, call 614-7113.

Shop Diane's in Little Rock for Gourmet Foods

2011-12-02T11:53:00.000-08:00

Diane's Gourmet Gifts

For more than 30 years, Diane's has brought the finest gourmet goodies to Arkansas.

At Diane's, you park at the door and walk into a fun, friendly shop brimming with food gifts and scrumptious prepared dishes - all ready to go.

The shop, which is located in The Market Place on Rodney Parham, has been chosen by Fanny May chocolates to bring their fine candy to Little Rock this holiday.

There are tins of holiday cookies, toffee, cheese straws, nuts, divinity, cashew crunch, pecan and peanut brittle, and beautiful packages of famous Yoku Moku cookies arrive weekly.

You can find hand-painted dish and bar towels, chic rubber gloves for kitchen divas, Christmas platters, and holiday paper plates, napkins and cups.

There are lots of fun stocking stuffers under $10. Let the crew at Diane's help you pick out the perfect gift. Remember, food always fits.

Mailing and delivery services are available. 224-2639.

NorthSide Aquatics

2011-12-02T11:47:00.000-08:00

Aquariums Are Perfect
Gifts for Kids
Aquariums are perfect Christmas gifts for children - as learning tools, ways for parents to interact with kids, and for the simple enjoyment of living with and caring for beautiful creatures.

NorthSide Aquatics, 7610 Counts Massie, is Arkansas' largest aquarium store. It is a visual delight for all ages. In addition to everything you need for fresh or salt water water aquariums, the shop also offers disappearing fountains, outdoor ponds and water gardens.

Shannon Goins, co-owner of NorthSide, recommends that folks plan ahead and not make aquariums a last minute gift. Come in and talk with the staff to find tips for your children getting the best experience. NorthSide offers gift certificates you can put in the tank. Later, kids can come in and select gravel, decorations and fish. 803-3434 or nsaquatics.com.

Destin Fun in the Sun

2011-12-02T10:21:00.000-08:00

Treat Yourself to a Destin Get-away

Plant your feet in the sugary white sand, bask in the sunshine and swim in the clear blue water.

Mickey and Larry Drennan's beautiful condo at Destin is just a phone call away.

It's a three-bedroom, three-bath Gulf front condo at Surfside. It can sleep 10 people and has a fully equipped kitchen. There are balconies all across the front. It can be fully rented, or as a one-bedroom or a two-bedroom.

Rates are extremely good. 627-4152 or destinfuninthesun.com.

Free Christmas event for children

2011-12-02T10:18:00.000-08:00

Cocoa with the Clauses

Santa, Mrs. Clause and Rudy the Reindeer will share hot cocoa and the joys of Christmas with children who stop by 1 - 4 p.m. December 11 at Arvest River Market on Ice.

Kids are invited to this free event at the River Market Pavilions to share their wish lists with Santa. Cookies and free photos with Santa and Mrs. Clause will be available.

For more information, call 375-2552 or visit holidaysinlittlerock.com

Bucks Chimney Service

2011-12-02T10:14:00.000-08:00

Make your chimney safe for your family
and all your special guests

A roaring fire can set a wonderful mood for gatherings with family and friends over the holidays. But, Eloise "Weezie" Lukas says that before you light that fire, you need a chimney inspection by someone who has earned a certification from the Chimney Safety Institute of America.

Mrs. Lukas' husband, Bob, owner of Buck's Chimney Service, has been CSIA certified for 25 years.

Weezie recommends the institute's web site - www.csia.org - which contains a good deal of educational material. The safest insurance against house fires or carbon monoxide poisoning or smoke odors is a good annual chimney inspection, she said.

Buck's Chimney is bonded and insured. 455-9285.

Wags & Whiskers Holiday Pet Sitting

2011-12-02T10:09:00.000-08:00

Holiday Pet Sitting
Michelle Wilkerson at Wags & Whiskers can take care of your "furry babies" in their own home environment while you enjoy the holidays.

Mrs. Wilkerson started her business almost three years ago, and it has been a great success in no small part due to her genuine love for animals and their happy response to their care.

Care includes walking, feeding, playing ball, petting, loving and making a pet as happy as it can be when its family is gone.

Michelle is licensed and bonded. She is a member of the National Association of Pet Sitters.

"I am responsible and security conscious. I do take what I do very seriously. I treat every dog like I would treat mine, and mine are treated very well."

You may call Michelle at 416-7380 or visit wagsandwhiskerslittlerock.com.

2011-11-18T08:40:00.001-08:00

The Floating Lotus
A dozen years ago, Cassandra Smith fell in love with yoga, and now folks in Little Rock are falling in love with her yoga studio, The Floating Lotus.

"I just love Cassandra," Pam Rusch of Little Rock said. "I started going when she opened her studio about two years ago, so I've been with her from almost the beginning. I always look forward to going. It's so warm and welcoming. I always feel really good after I leave. I've just become addicted to The Floating Lotus and Cassandra."

Ms. Rusch said she'd always been active and was a runner until an injury brought her to yoga.

"I just turned 54, and I feel stronger and healthier than I have ever felt in my life, and I've always exercised. Yoga is my real passion now," Pam said.

When Ms. Smith graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway in 1998, she was athletic too, but she was looking for a different type of exercise that was more calming and "not so harsh."

Cassandra bought a book about yoga and began practicing at home.

"After six months, I felt like I really needed guidance. I started taking classes with Katherine Rogers at Barefoot Yoga."

Then she began workshops and worked with other instructors.

"I started really falling in love with it."

Ms. Rogers told Cassandra that she should teach, and she took the advice and became certified in 2000. Then, she studied with a number of yoga instructors who were coming to Arkansas to teach in the early part of the decade, and later became "big names" in the yoga community. Later, she took individual instruction with Shiva Rea in California.

"There comes a point when you need to study with one person. Shiva has a background in dance, and I love dance. I met her in 2001, and knew she was the person I wanted to study with."

Cassandra began working at different gyms and day spas in 2008 and opened The Floating Lotus in 2009. Recently, she relocated the studio to a bright, colorful new space at 900 North University.

"Business has been good, very good, especially with the new digs, The space is very inviting, very welcoming."

Alana Tyson of Little Rock enjoys her classes at the new location. "Now she has this new, huge space. It's really gorgeous."

Ms. Tyson likes Cassandra's teaching style too.

"I think her style is kind of structured. She's got an intention in mind, and she works to help you get there. She teaches very gently, and she explains what is happening. You get a lot of information while you learn the poses. She tells you 'why.' I like knowing why. I think she invests in your foundational learning," Alana said.

She had attended other yoga classes that were sort of "free floating," where she was instructed to do one pose and then another, but with no real sense of progress. "Working with Cassandra, it's like we are moving toward the intended goal."

Cassandra said the practice of yoga has many benefits, including stress reduction, improved strength and flexibility, and the gaining of self knowledge. She said the Sanskrit word "yoga" literally means "yoke," from a root word meaning to unite or join.

"The practice helps settle the mind and enables you to get in touch with your body. You connect with your body in a way that is just not possible running on a treadmill and watching TV at the same time. Yoga turns the satellite dish inward. It allows you to come into your own body and experience what is there."

The physical movement of the poses helps to put you in a better mental place for meditation, she said.

"If someone comes to yoga to get more flexible, to lose some weight - whatever brings them, it's great. To just sit and meditate, that's so hard. The mind is like a brand new puppy. Tell it to sit, stay - you have to train the mind. If you go through the poses, you can come into a place where you can sit and meditate. You will be clearheaded, calm and relaxed. The poses prepare you for meditation."

The first class at The Floating Lotus is free.

"The first class is always free, and the reason I do that, in my journey, and I have been teaching for 11 years, I hear these negatives associated with it. Often times I find it's a Type A personality who went to a Iyengar class, which is a long, slow class with a focus on body alignment. But for them, that's not going to speak to them. I wanted it to be a free experience. Maybe it's for them, maybe it's not. The free class is a welcoming for the community to just be able to experience it for the first time. They are not out anything."

Cassandra teaches vinyasa flow yoga, which has much more movement than lyengar. She and other instructors at The Floating Lotus also offer restorative, therapeutic, and "hot" yoga. During hot yoga, the temperature in the studio is turned up to help muscles open up and stretch better.
The other yoga instructors there are: Mary Anne Wildman, who has been with Cassandra for two years and also offers physical therapy at the studio; Emma Gray, who has been there for a year; and Kali Empl, who started teaching there in July.

Cassandra said you need no special equipment to practice yoga. Just bring yourself.

Unlimited classes are $65 a month. There is no contract, and you may begin at any time during the month. A four-day class pass for use during one month is $40. A six-day class pass for use during a two-month period is $60. An 11-day pass for use during four months is $100. It's $13 to just drop in for a class.

Yoga classes are not the only adventures at The Floating Lotus. It's also an organic day spa offering facials, physical therapy, massage, waxing and eyelash extensions. It carries Eminence Organics, an organic skin care line that has been available since 1958.

Cassandra, who received her esthetician license in 2005, really enjoys doing facials. "I like to put people in a relaxed state. When I do a facial, people usually fall asleep."

Facials offered there include deep cleaning organic, biodynamic organic, Eminence paprika, Eminence yam and pumpkin enzyme peel, "fire and ice" with natural fruit acids, gentleman's facial, back facial, and ultrasound facial.

Microdermabrasion is available, as well as LED therapy, which is a non-invasive light treatment that reduces the signs of aging and promotes collagen production.

You can also avail yourself of wraps, Shirodhara warm oil therapy, and ultrasound skin treatments.

Massage services include Swedish, pre- and post-natal, sports, aromatherapy, deep tissue, hot stone, and reflexology. Pre- and post-natal massage is done by Kenley Throgmartin, a labor and delivery nurse at a Little Rock hospital.

For detailed information about spa services and prices, visit floatinglotusyogastudio.com.
Don't you need a bit of relaxation and healing in your life? A little bliss? Call Cassandra at 664-0172 or 940-9642 or e-mail yogafairy2003@yahoo.com.

Getting to Know Cassandra Smith

2011-11-18T08:33:00.000-08:00

Cassandra Smith

What's your favorite Little Rock restaurant? I really like Sushi Cafe.

What's your favorite movie? Billy Elliot. It's an English film about a young boy who lost his mother. His coal miner father sends him to a boxing gym, where he stumbles onto a ballet class. He wants to learn ballet. It's about loving someone for what is their true nature. There's this moment at an audition when they ask him what he feels when he dances. He says, 'Like a bird, like I'm free, like electricity.' That's what yoga feels like.

Do you have favorite actors? Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.

Is there anything you'd like to learn how to do? Oh, yeah. Lots of things. I would like to learn to write ... to tell a story more poetically.

Where were you born? Beebe, Arkansas.

How long have you lived in Little Rock? Since 1998.

Where did you go to school? Beebe and then UCA.

Where do you live? West Little Rock.

Tell us about your family. My mother lives in Beebe with my stepdad, and my father lives in Hot Springs with his wife. (Both couples) have great relationships with the other. I'm very blessed with that.

What's your favorite city? Venice Beach, California. I love that area. I go and do my teacher training out there. The beach is right there. It's like my own little slice of heaven.

Do you have any pets? I have two dogs. Jager is a 12-year-old Weimaraner, and Frank is two years old. He's a mixed breed.

What do you like to do in your spare time? Walk my dog and cook. I walk Frank. Jager is too old to walk.

Do you have a favorite writer? Tom Robbins and David Sedaris.

What do you like to watch on the tube? I love anything on HBO. Their shows are just phenomenal. And I'm really into Terra Nova.

What would you do if you won a large lottery? Give it all away. Secure the future for any future child, and, then, build my mom a house. I'd invest in seeing my mom happy, and, then, laying it out for different causes.

What are your favorite charities? CARE for Animals and Our House.

Do you have a favorite book? The Autobiography of a Yogi, by Yogananda. It is really one of the most profound books I've ever read from the aspect of spirituality.

If you could have a dream dinner party and invite any three people, who would you choose? Yogananda. I would love to be in his presence. the Dalai Lama and the Buddha. I would have a dinner party surrounded by great spiritual thinkers.

The Go!bbler Thanksgiving Day Race

2011-11-18T08:27:00.000-08:00

The Go!bbler
Go!Running, the specialty running store in the Heights, will hold The Go!bbler Thanksgiving Day beginning at 8 a.m. at the shop, 1819 North Grant Street.

The Turkey Trot has grown into a great way to start Thanksgiving Day for thousands of runners across the country, and The Go!bbler is Little Rock's addition to this tradition.

It is a fun, family course that will cover all aspects of running: covering road, track, trails, and a few other "surprises," Gary Taylor, owner of the shop, said.

"Last year, we were a new shop, and we had people coming in who had lived in other states saying, hey, where is Little Rock's Turkey Trot? It was embarrassing to say we didn't have one," Mr. Taylor said.

"So, we are having this. It is a social run, not a race. And we'll have some fun with it."

There will be a t-shirt swap; bring an old one with you to add to the mix and pick out a different shirt. Pies will be awarded as prizes for some surprise categories.

Bring a can of food to enter. All collected foods will be given to donation programs serving the community for Thanksgiving. The event is cosponsored by the shop and the Little Rock Racquet Club and LRAC.

For more information, stop by the shop or call Gary at 663-6800.

Fashion Exchange

2011-10-17T11:20:00.000-07:00

Trecia and assistant Michelle Brazeal

Second Year Anniversary Party October 22

Trecia Francois' Fashion Exchange in Bowman Curve II celebrates its second year anniversary this month.

The chic, popular shop at 200 North Bowman offers juniors', misses' and women's "gently used" brand name clothing and accessories at great prices. Mrs. Francois also sells new handbags, fashion jewelry and cotillion gloves.

"I am very selective in my inventory," Trecia said. "I try to take the very best of what people bring in to me. I buy outright, so I am picking the best."

Stop by the shop October 22 to enjoy refreshments and door prizes as part of the anniversary celebration.

"Right now, we are focusing on fall and winter clothing. We sell lots of boots. I carry a good selection of bags and designer jeans."

Many of her items come from higher end boutique shops, but she also strives to have clothing to fit any budget.

"The longer I've been here, I've been getting better quality and better brand names. But, I don't just carry high end designer (clothing). I try to make sure I can fit into everybody's budget."

If they are trendy, she will even take items from Target or from department stores. Other brands include Miss Me, Seven for All Mankind, True Religion, Citizens of Humanity, Ann Taylor Loft, Ann Taylor, Chicos, Ralph Lauren, BCBG, American Eagle Outfitters, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Coach.

"Three generations can shop here - teen, mother and grandmother. It has happened before, and they can all find something."

When interviewed in September, Trecia was getting ready for a fashion show at her church. The church gets to sell tickets, and Trecia's six models show off some of the latest finds.

"They will be modeling my clothes. I will be dressing them from head to toe. We fully accessorize their outfits. It's a fun thing."

Trecia is willing to do this at no cost for other church groups or for women's organizations.

Another fun idea is a private shopping party after hours at the shop. "We will be open for two hours for groups of at least 12 people. We have refreshments and give them a special discount for that night only."

Fashion Exchange has enjoyed a quite successful two years. Trecia has been utilizing Facebook to preview new items, and she offers exclusive discounts there that are not available in the shop. In addition, she offers a $50 gift certificate to customers for detailing their "favorite Fashion Exchange find."

Trecia likes to help her customers find what they need, and like the Macy's Santa in Miracle on 34th Street, she sends shoppers to her competition if she thinks other re-sale shops can help them.

The shop will begin taking heavy winter items in October. Call Trecia at 227-7776 for an appointment. Fashion Exchange is open late on Thursday nights to make shopping easier for working women. Hours for the shop are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday.

Art in the Garden at White Wagon

2011-10-13T15:42:00.000-07:00

Art, Food, Fun, & Plants on Sale

White Wagon Farm and Sage House Gallery will be holding Art in the Garden 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. October 22.

There will be painters in the garden, paintings on the clothesline, refreshments in the kitchen, soap makers on the stove, vegetable gardeners in the collards and plants everywhere you look.

This delightful fall event is always a treat. It features painters Pat White, David Cook, Jan Crummer, Marvin Crummer, Tom Herrin, Bill Lewis and Susan Waggoner. Potters are Judie Henderson, Rita Mackintosh, Jean Mross, Cindy Turax and Elaine Luber. Photographer Kathy Wagenknecht also exhibits, as well as jeweler Roberta Coyne.

Sheep Arbor by Pat White

White Wagon is known for its roses and for the largest selection of herbs in central Arkansas. Ms. Wagenknecht recommended lemon grass for this fall's premiere herb.

"It is planted around villages in India to keep the tigers away. Lemon grass has proved similarly effective in Arkansas. We have not had a single tiger invade the nursery since planting this tall, stately herb nearly 20 years ago."

There will be lots of beautiful plants on sale for this event. Y'all come.

Is The Good Book All Good?

2011-10-02T12:05:00.000-07:00

The Rev. Holly Patton Teaches Bible Study on Wednesdays

A class entitled "Is the Good Book All Good?" will be offered 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays in October at Pulaski Heights Christian Church.

It will be taught by The Rev. Holly Patton. It is free and open to the public.

"I think this class is immensely important. People who love God, but have 'issues' with parts of the Bible can bring their questions, and we can have an authentic dialogue," Rev. Patton said.

"It will be a discussion of the role of the church in a broken and fragmented world in accepting and serving all people."

Rev. Holly said it will address such issues as how the Bible is used in legitimately and illegitimately in teaching, and if the Bible and the church are helping people understand the most important precept of all - love.

Questions covered include:
* Is God a bigot?
* Does the Bible teach slavery?
* Does the Bible teach that women should not be leaders in the church?
* Should LGBT persons be accepted in the church?
* What does the Bible teach of tolerance and intolerance?
* How can misunderstandings of the Bible cause harm to people?
* Should all be welcome to take communion?
* Is "radical hospitality" biblical?

"People who want to 'have faith,' but who think the Bible has been used as a club to hit people over the head or keep them away from church, away from God, away from community, can come and learn the historical context of some of the scriptures that are used to alienate and hurt people," Rev. Holly said.

"God is a God of love. The ultimate goal, for me, at least, as a minister, is for all of us to have our lives transformed by that mysterious immense majestic love of God for us ... transforming us, our community and our world."

The church is located at 4724 Hillcrest Avenue in Hillcrest. For more information, call 663-8149.

Ozark Country Restaurant Open for Dinner

2011-10-02T12:00:00.000-07:00

Dan Is Cooking Up Some Great Grub

Daniel Haase, owner of Ozark Country Restaurant, is cooking up a storm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

The venerable restaurant, known for years for its super good breakfasts, is now offering dinner from 5 - 9 p.m. The plate dinners cost $9.59 and include rib eye steak, half rib eye and eggs, fried chicken, ham steak, pork chops, and chicken fried steak. All choices are served with two sides. Sides include carrots, corn, green beans, black-eyed peas, mashed potatoes and brown gravy, a biscuit and white gravy, and toast.

Or, if you're in the mood for pasta, try the spaghetti for $6.95.

All of the breakfast dishes are available at night, including omelets, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, hash browns, and a selection of really good tasting meats.

The restaurant is located at 201 Keightly Drive just of Cantrell Road (at the corner of
Cantrell and Mississippi).

Diva Night at Go!Running

2011-10-02T08:44:00.000-07:00

Enjoy a Fashion Show, a New Line & Go!Tinis

Go! Running, the
specialty running store
in the Heights, will have
Diva Night 6-9 p.m.
October 11.

"Grab your 'sisters' and head over to Go! Running for the best Girls' Night Out," Erin Taylor said. Mrs. Taylor and her husband, Gary, own the shop at 1819 North Grant St.

"Girls just want to have fun, and at Go! Running, we definitely like to enjoy the best of life; and what better way to do that than with your best girlfriends, a glass of wine and a little bit of shopping," Erin said.

The shop is introducing a new line of running and fitness apparel called "Moving Comfort." The all-female firm focuses only on women.

The event includes a "run"way fashion show, custom sports bra fittings, music, 20 percent off specials - and Go! Tinis. For more information, call Erin at 663-6800.

Erin shows off light-weight jacket that rolls up as small as a sock.

Events in Little Rock August 2011

2011-10-01T13:15:00.000-07:00

The Big Boo!seum Bash

The Big Boo!seum Bash, always a great fun free event for kids, will be held 6 - 8:30 p.m. October 27 at eight museums around Little Rock.

Start out at Historic Arkansas Museum for games and treats. Other participating museums are Heifer Village, Central High School National Historic Site, the Old State House Museum, EMOBA, the Clinton Presidential Library, MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, and Mosaic Templars Cultural Center.

And bring cans of food for the Arkansas Foodbank for a chance to win prizes. The Foodbank serves more than 23,000 people weekly in central and Southern Arkansas.

Free parking will be available at each museum. For more information, call 376-4781.

Enjoy Free John Steinmetz Concert

A free concert, "Chopin, Listz & Steinmetz! Piano Masterworks," will be held 3 p.m. October 16 in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

The UALR Music Department is sponsoring a residency by composer John Steinmetz October 15 and 16. The centerpiece of his time in Little Rock will be the regional premiere of his piece "A Little Traveling Music," featuring UALR professor of music Linda Holzer (piano), and guest artists Kelly Johnson (clarinet) and David Renfro (horn) of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.

Mr. Steinmetz will speak before the performance and will engage with the performers and the audience in a panel discussion immediately following the concert.

For more information call 569-8436.

Arkansas Challenge Ride

Support wounded veterans in Arkansas by joining in this year's Arkansas Challenge Ride 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. October 15 at the Clinton Presidential Center.

Ride your bike through Little Rock and North Little Rock alongside 23 wounded veterans; Later, enjoy lunch and music on the lawn. Lunch will be provided by Whole Hog Cafe of North Little Rock.

Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., and the ride starts at 8:30 p.m.. Registration is $25. For more information, call Mark Leonard at 517-5388 or visit ArkansasFreedomFund.org.

Annual Spaghetti and Italian Sausage Dinner

St. Francis of Assisi Church in Little Italy will be holding its annual spaghetti and Italian sausage dinner 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. October 2.

The church is located on Highway 300 north of Lake Maumelle. The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 7 - 12, and free for kids 6 and younger. The day includes activities and games. Mass will be held at 10 a.m.

Boo at the Zoo

The 20th Annual Boo at the Zoo will be held 6 - 9 p.m. October 20 - 23 and October 27 - 31.
It includes trick-or-treating, a hay maze, carnival rides, a haunted train, a haunted house, a costume contest, a magic show and Frankenstein's Dance Party.

Tickets are $7 per person, $15 all-inclusive armband, and $1 off for members or for advance purchase. littlerockzoo.com.

Dancing Into Dreamland Dance Contest

Dancing Into Dreamland dance contest auditions will be held 6 - 10 p.m. October 3 at Dreamland Ballroom, 800 West 9th St.

Eight teams will be selected to compete November 4 at the Governor's Mansion.
The contest is open to all styles of dance and to all ages. Applications are $25. For more information or an application, visit dreamlandballroom.org.

Family Fun Fest in North Little Rock

The 3rd Annual Family Fun Fest will be held 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. October 1 at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock.

There will be music by Trout Fishing in America, a Kids' and Teens' Zone with inflatables, games, rock climbing, creative crafts, community dancers and other performers. It promises good food, fun and prizes. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children 12 and younger. For more information, call 372-5959 or visit nlrfamilyfunfest.org.

The First Main Street Food Truck Festival

The first Main Street Food Truck Festival with street food vendors, music and art will be held 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. October 1. Main Street will be blocked off from 3rd to 7th for the festivities. 375-0121.

The 11 Annual Hearts & Hooves Hoedown

The 11th Annual Hearts & Hooves Hoedown will be held 6 p.m. October 29 at the Hearts & Hooves facility, 2308 Kellogg Acres Road in Sherwood.

Hearts & Hooves is a nonprofit riding center enriching the lives of people with disabilities through partnerships with horses. The activities allow children and adults to work with horses and certified riding instructors to improve physical, emotional and mental health.

Tickets are $65 per person, or $500 for a table of eight.

There will be dinner, dancing, silent and live auctions and, most importantly, a fashion show by the group's special equestrians. Smell the steaks cookin' on the grill, feast your eyes on the horses in the pasture, kick back and enjoy the evening.

For additional information, or for tickets, call 834-8509. The event is entirely volunteer based, and all proceeds go to the benefit of the program. If you cannot attend, but wish to make a tax-deductible donation, sent it to the above address in Sherwood, AR, 72120.t will be held 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. October 1. Main Street will be blocked off from 3rd to 7th for the festivities. 375-0121.

The King Biscuit Blues Festival
October 6 - 8 in Helena

The King Biscuit Blues Festival, one of the nation's foremost showcases of blues music, will be held October 6 - 8 in downtown Helena.

It is the 26th year for the festival, which is typically attended by thousands of blues enthusiasts from around the world.

The stated mission of the festival is to sustain the culture, the heritage, and the authenticity of the Delta blues. There will be five stages and more than 80 groups performing during the three-day event. The music lineup is headed by Buddy Guy (9:30 p.m. Thursday), Delbert McClinton (9:30 p.m. Friday) and Keb' Mo' (9:35 p.m. Saturday).

Early ticket sales on line are $25. Admission is $30 at the gate. For more information, go to kingbiscuitfestival.com.

LifeQuest Luncheon and Lectures

2011-10-01T12:41:00.000-07:00

Conversations with Arkansans: My Life in Public Service

LifeQuest of Arkansas will present "Conversations with Arkansans: My Life in Public Service" noon October 28 in the Grand Hall of the Governor's Mansion.

At the luncheon, guest speakers will share insightful stories and personal observations about their years in public service, Ann C. Leek, LifeQuest executive director, said.

The speakers include: Vic Snyder, former U.S. Representative and former State Senator; Mary Mel French, author of United States Protocol, and former U.S. Chief of Protocol; Ray Thornton, Jr., former U.S. Representative and former Arkansas Supreme Court Justice; and Bob Nash, former assistant to the President of the United States & Director of Presidential Personnel and former Undersecretary in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

It is appropriate that LifeQuest chose older speakers for the luncheon. LifeQuest strives to embrace history and personal experiences of all kinds as part of life long learning, the group said in a news release. It provides opportunities to interact, serve and grow, regardless of age.

"Some of our role models are in their mid and later years, and they are still active, still interested in things," Ms. Leek said. "When you stop learning, you die. It's very appropriate that LifeQuest would have guests in their later years."

The speakers will talk about how their experiences have influenced their present work and their visions for the future, Ann said.

Tickets are $60 each and $600 for a table of ten. Scholarships begin at $1,000. Proceeds will help LifeQuest continue to offer and expand Adventures in Learning, its flagship educational program, and to fulfill its mission of enhancing life's journey through intellectual stimulation and meaningful volunteerism. For more information, call 225-6073.

The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

2011-10-01T08:42:00.000-07:00

The Race for the Cure Will Be October 22

The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure will be held October 22 in downtown Little Rock and North Little Rock.

This year's honorary chair is Denna Burnett Bailey, widow of Tom Burnett, a passenger on United Airlines flight 92 on September 11.

The Race for the Cure, the largest 5k/fitness run in the world, raises significant funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer. It celebrates survivors and honors those who have lost their battle with the disease. More than 1 million people are expected to participate in races worldwide in 2011, and Little Rock has been host to some of the largest races since the race's inception in 1983.

The race website states that "up to 75 percent of the funds raised at the race remain here in Arkansas to provide breast health research, diagnostics, screening, treatment, services and education for uninsured or underinsured women."

It states the remaining 25 percent goes to fund national research to discover the causes of breast cancer and research to find a cure.

HarvestFest Is October 15 in Hillcrest

2011-10-01T08:24:00.000-07:00

HarvestFest Is Bigger
Than Ever This Year

Don't miss this year's HarvestFest October 15 in Hillcrest.

"HarvestFest is twice as big this year. We have four streets instead of two, and we have two music stages. I think it is an accomplishment," Sylvia Payne, HarvestFest publicity chair, said.

The day-long event will be held on Kavanaugh Boulevard between Walnut and Spruce streets.

Early activities include a 5k, an Audubon birding walk in Allsopp Park, and a pancake breakfast cooked by the Hillcrest Residents Association at Pulaski Heights Presbyterian Church.

There will be an antique car show, a cheese dip contest, and a fashion show at Box Turtle. Kids will enjoy Radio Disney and other children's activities.

It's a good time to show your green side. Goldman & Company will be shredding paper and accepting electronics for recycling.

This is the music line up for the West Stage, located in front of Delta Bank:
1 p.m. Mandy McBryde
2 p.m. Rob & Tyndall
3 p.m. Boondogs
4 p.m. The Salty Dogs
5 p.m. Jim Mize
6 p.m. Bonny Montgomery &
Montgomery Trucking
8 p.m. Mulehead

The East Stage, located in front of River Rock Realty and Box Turtle, will have John David at 4 p.m. and The Elise Davis Band at 5 p.m.

A portion of HarvestFest proceeds are donated to the Center for Children and Families and the Allen School.

Hillcrest Run For Shelter 5k

2011-10-01T08:21:00.000-07:00

The Hillcrest Run for Shelter 5K and fun run will begin at 8 a.m. October 15 at HarvestFest.

The event, which was organized by the Pulaski Heights Methodist Church, will benefit the efforts of Little Rock's Canvas Community to "end homelessness one life at a time."

Runners and "virtual runners" may register on line at runforshelter.net. Runners can help raise funds by getting friends to sponsor them, and virtual runners can support the cause without actually running in the race. Race fees are $30 for adults and $15 for the kids' fun run. Registration closes on October 12.

Nouveau Cleaners

2011-09-03T09:55:00.000-07:00

New Cleaners in the Neighborhood - Nouveau

Attention to detail is what sets Nouveau Cleaners apart, said Larry Wilkerson, who along with his wife, Diana, opened the cleaners last February on T Street.

Nouveau does alterations, dry cleaning and laundry. "We are a full-service clothing care store," Mr. Wilkerson said. The alterations are done by Olere Hughes and Frankie Jordan.

"I think the big difference is that we are detail oriented with a high concentration on you getting the very best cleaning and alterations. For people who really care about their wardrobe, I think we are head and shoulders above the rest.

"We make sure we protect your buttons and that your creases are in the right place. We are just a good cleaners. All of our linens, laundered and dry cleaned, are hand finished. We inspect and touch up every piece. We lean heavily on the laundry side."

The folks there certainly have the experience. Larry's mother, the late Wanda Jones, was in the cleaning business when Larry moved to Little Rock from Texas in 1988.

"She had a little store on Rodney Parham, and she tricked me into this stuff," he said with a laugh. "When we got into business together, we opened Boulevard Cleaners. We had nine stores.

"Gary Saulsberry used to be a partner of mine. He acquired River Market Cleaners. He's a really highly qualified cleaner. He's helping me and I am helping him. Gary has 20 years experience spotting and cleaning. I have been in the business since 1989. Mrs. Hughes has been doing alterations for over 50 years, and Frankie, for 30 years. Our combined experience is quite a bit."

Mrs. Hughes said she began sewing because she had seven children who needed clothing.

Frankie, Larry & Olere

She said she's performed alterations for "anything and everything," and will even make things like duvet covers from scratch if she has the time. She worked in the neighborhood for almost 20 years with the late Nadine Mason until Mrs. Mason passed away five years ago. Most of her customers from that time have remained with her, Olere said.

In addition to altering everyday clothing and evening gowns, "people ask for everything. There's nothing hardly myself and Frankie wouldn't do."

Nouveau Cleaners is conveniently located to both the Heights and West Little Rock. It is at 7616 T Street in the triangle bounded by T Street, Cantrell Road and Keightley Drive. A full-sized mannequin - named "Dillard" - which Larry placed by the front door to beckon customers in, can be seen from Cantrell Road.

Larry wanted a French name for the cleaners, because he said his methods mimic the French style of cleaning with the use of hand finishing and attention to detail.

"I picked Nouveau, a French word that means having recently appeared or become fashionable. We recently appeared, and we do desire to be fashionable."

Business is "going great," he said. "We are in the process of developing a pick up and delivery route."

Larry said he aims for his business to be "environmentally friendly."

"Most things are now washable. We wash it if it's washable. Our cleaning is odor free."

Larry would like folks in the neighborhood to stop by and try Nouveau. He said no appointment is necessary for custom fittings for alterations. Ask about "the neighborhood special" and the "back-to-school" special. For more information, call him at 223-5700.

Hillcrest Designer Jewelry September Showcase

2011-09-02T09:42:00.000-07:00

Art, reception & ring give-away

Hillcrest Designer Jewelry will be holding its 1st Annual September Showcase 5 - 9 p.m. September 1 - 3.

It will showcase the new works of Eric Coleman, owner of Hillcrest Designer Jewelry, as well as local artists Kelley Naylor Wise, Billy Hicks, Raylene Finkbeiner, Carroll Hertzfeld, Christy Bournes, Judy and Jeff Goodwin, Kathlene Kennally, Janet Alexander, Dana Burke, Larry Pennington, Carol Robby and others.

A reception will be held 5 - 9 p.m. September 2.

That night, Mr. Coleman will be giving away one of his custom-made pieces, a positively gorgeous rare fine moss agate ring set in hand-cast sterling silver and set off by sapphires. It is a $400 value. Be sure and put your name in the hat for the drawing.

When one of the featured artists, Mrs. Finkbeiner, retired from teaching elementary school after thirty-five years, she was excited to finally have the time to pursue her passion for painting, Eric said in a press release.

"As a member of the Perry County Arts League and the North Central Arkansas Art League, she became active and began weekly lessons in oil and acrylic painting.

"Her father was a commercial artist for a large movie production company, but his daughter, Raylene, couldn't draw a straight line. She went to several workshops in watercolor and found that straight lines were not needed. In fact, they were to be avoided This was the medium that offered her the freedom of expression she had been seeking."

During the past three years, she has received several first and second place awards locally and nationally for her work. Her watercolors are in private collections in Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas. She exhibits at several galleries around the state - and now in Little Rock at Hillcrest Designer Jewelry. The shop is located at 3000 Kavanaugh Blvd., Suite E. 246-3655.

Caracalla

2011-08-03T08:43:00.001-07:00

Caracalla

Fourteen years ago this November, Ella Carol Hunt opened her popular Caracalla Spa in the Heights.

For two years prior, Ms. Hunt had carefully planned out the spa after having visited a number of day spas around the country. Since opening Caracalla, planning and developing spas has become her forte, and she's helped a number of spa owners get their businesses off the ground.

For the Little Rock spa, everything was painstakingly detailed towards fulfilling her vision. That included installing surgical lighting, providing a double water filtration system to ensure the purest water, and selecting the name, "Caracalla." Ella, who has some Italian ancestry, has visited Italy several time for hair shows. Later, she became enamored of the famous Caracalla spa outside of Rome, because it was "democratic."

"It was the first in recorded history for everyone, the rich and the poor, the educated and the uneducated. They had areas where kids were taught. There were healers. It was so large, it was just enormous."

The bath complex could accommodate more than 1,600 people at a time. The site also had two public libraries and a number of shops.

Ella wanted that democratic feel, not just a spa that catered to the elite. And she wanted it to be integrated into the community.

"It was born out of not doing something fancy. When we opened the spa, we wanted more of a community feeling. I don't like attitudinal hair salons.

"I didn't like a lot of the spas I visited, especially in the South. I had to dress up to impress them ... . They had it right longer ago. It should be about customers being served."

For her, the name "Caracalla" denoted a willingness "to heal, to serve."

"That's what took my breath away about the name," she said. "Even though we are in the Heights, and the Heights is old money, it's a beautiful, relaxing atmosphere. It's not stuffy, not highbrow.

"It's not about you being beautiful when you come in. It's about us doing for you. It should be about the customer - always."

Caracalla has two associates who do facials, two who do manicures and pedicures, four body workers, and seven stylists.

"The quality of our hair stylists is amazing."

She loves the fact that a stylist has the opportunity to make a client feel better. You have the opportunity as a hair stylist to make someone feel great - not just creating a beautiful hair style, but by being a friend in a pleasant atmosphere and teaching a client how to maintain a look with quality products.

"No one is paid commission on products. If they recommend it, it's because they truly want to help your hair be better."

As an aside, Ella said that although many salons are still offering the "Brazilian blowout," Caracalla will not do the procedure.

"The Brazilian blowout is seriously poison," she warned, adding that one of her stylists wound up in the hospital from breathing the fumes. Her spa now offers a natural relaxer instead.

Caracalla offers extensive massage services, including Reiki, hot stone massage, sports massage, pre-natal massage and couples massage.

"Michael Dawn is a bodyworker who worked for us for years, and he was the 'most popular' massage therapist we ever had. He is back! He moved to Kealakekua, Hawaii, for five years and worked at one of the top national spas in America called the Hawaii Healing Ohana. It has been ranked in the top 10 nationwide!"

Speaking of top rankings, Caracalla 's body wraps are winners too.

"We won a national award for our body wraps, because they are hand-made from organic flowers and materials. We don't use anything that is 'store bought.'

"We do some really nice body scrubs with Dead Sea salts and hand-made organic oils and flowers."

Ella makes the ingredients herself.

"I don't buy anything in a tub. It costs me more time and money, but that's the beauty of it and what makes me want to keep doing this.

"We sell our products nationwide. They are all organic, and we've done really well with them."

The manicurists there offer the new shellac gel nail polishes that are not only good for your nails, but last for about three weeks.

Folks who perform facials have a new tool, LED lamps, that are quite beneficial, she said.

And, she said her body work associates are "just fabulous."

"We have the two best wax people in the world. They are wonderful. People just love them."

And when someone doesn't have a good experience at Caracalla, Ella encourages them to e-mail her. The spa offers "so sorry" gifts. "We want to admit we made a mistake and correct it."

In addition to the spa services, Caracalla offers vintage items at Christmas and lots of jewelry year round.

"All of the jewelry we sell is hand-made by individual artisans I connect with. And the hair clips. This stuff I love. You get to know the people who create it, and you're helping feed the little guy."

That's a nice touch, because Ella started out as one of those young artists trying to make ends meet.

After studying art at Fayetteville, she worked as an artist and was successful, having exhibited in The Delta. Convinced that she needed another vocation to help support her art, she decided to go to barber school and then trained as a stylist too.

"I thought I'd get in and get out and support my art, but I just loved it. It really is much more fascinating and complex than you would think."

Ella worked as a stylist for 13 years at one salon, and was happy there, but felt like there was more out there for her.

"I had been there, done that, learned as much as I could and was ready to venture out and take a big step."

She studied spas for two years and saved her money. In addition, she sold her home. "I am not married and had no family money.

"I went to every spa you can name out West and down South and some in the East."

Ella took the best from what she saw and came up with lots of innovations of her own, such as her on-line scheduling system created by local software engineer Troy Rinker. It allows the staff to check and shuffle appointments from home computers or I-phones.

She also pre-adds tax into the total price of products and services for the convenience of customers. And she's tried hard to be an integral part of the neighborhood.

"We are now opening up a space for community gatherings. We will offer it to businesses and individuals at minimum to no money. We have seating up to 24. Anybody interested can e-mail me at ella@caracalla.com."

Associates at Caracalla will be teaching free classes there too on such subjects as how to stretch and yoga.

"I really want to serve all. Giving back to the community really means everything to me."

Ella said Caracalla went through a stressful phase for a time, when associates were leaving, and she was struggling to learn how to be a better manager.

"I'm not good at management, I'm good at design," she said frankly.

Now she feels the spa has turned the corner.

"Caracalla is going through a huge transition. It's becoming this incredible place. One of the things I've noticed, really great people keep walking in the door.

"The last three associates we hired are all three past business owners ... . Rhonda Bauman owned a day spa/salon, and Anna Hoerrmann owned a salon. Stephanie Johnson is in the corporate department and owned a salon and day spa in Woodstock, Georgia. So she brings so much knowledge to the table, it benefits all of us!

"It just feels like a family there now. I feel like this might be my favorite time at Caracalla. I am grateful. It is turning into what I always wanted it to be."

Story by Bobbi Nesbitt in the August 2011 issue of Shoppe Talk.

Check out Caracalla on Facebook and on the web at caracalla.com.

Ella Carol Hunt Profile

2011-08-03T08:33:00.000-07:00

Ella Carol Hunt

Tell us about your family. I have a sister who is a chef. My brother is a doctor, and I have a sister who works with me.

You said you have no children and are not married. Do you have an extended family of friends? My best friend is Cathy Browne. She and her husband are the owners of Hank's Fine Furniture. I met her in Florida. My massage therapist there said, there's someone here from Arkansas you should meet. I was really not interested, but we met, and now we are best friends. My other best friend I met over the internet, Nancy Hopkins. (Ella said their common interest was Borzoi dogs.) She's helped me learn a lot about dog language. I have two best friends who work for me, Meredith Hawkins and Don Edwards. And Quendy Gaither, who worked here for 13 years. She moved to Fort Smith to teach school and get married.

Is there anything you'd like to learn how to do? Be a better boss. I just don't think I've learned the joy of bossing. I don't even like the word "boss." I like "leader." To me, they are not staff, they are associates.

Where do you live? In the Heights.

What's your favorite city? New Orleans and San Francisco.

What would you do if you won a large lottery? I would open up a small retail business, mostly green, on a beach in Florida.

What do you like to read? I end up reading a lot about management stuff. I like self-improvement books. I love reading Cesar Millan's books. Two of my favorite books on business that have been great tools for me are Why We Buy and Corporate Lifecycles.

Who's your favorite writer? Vita Sackville-West.

Where were you born? Columbus, Georgia. I grew up in Florida on the panhandle.

Do you have any pets? Luther, a Borzoi. He's the first dog I've ever had in my life. He's such an amazing creature. (She ran him in a recent competition in Texas.) I haven't ever trained a dog, and he took two places and was the best in show.

Do you have any hobbies? Running my dog, fishing, hiking and swimming.

What's your favorite food? Mexican.

Is there anything you would not eat? I'm not big on clams - anything mushy - clams, oysters, squid.

What's the most unusual thing you have in your fridge? Quendy Gaither made these cookies, and one was a snowman. He's about three inches long and he lives in there. He's like controlling the refrigerator. He's always there for me when I open the door.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party? Cesar Millan, the Dalai Lama, and John Lennon.

What do you like to watch on the tube? I am a big fan of Suze Orman. I watch Cesar Millan. I love NOVA and Antiques Road Show and Til Debt Do Us Part.

Do you support any charities? Our favorite charity is the Little Rock Humane Society, and we give to a non-kill shelter out west. And we supported Brad Pitt's charity for New Orleans.

Is there anything you'd like to see Little Rock do differently? I appreciate the fact they did the bike paths and dog areas, and the Big Dam Bridge is awesome. I'd like to see those kinds of things in all areas of town. It gives a comradely safe feeling. It makes people feel more loved and safe and encourages health.

The nation? Let's start it all over.

Ozark Country Restaurant Open for Dinner August 18

2011-08-01T08:26:00.000-07:00

Ozark Country Open for Dinner
Starting on the 18th of August, Ozark Country Restaurant will be open 5 - 9 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Owner Daniel Haase said he will be offering three or four different supper specials and a kids' menu, along with the restaurant's regular menu.

For all you folks familiar with the dining spot at 201 Keightly Drive, you know it offers the best breakfast in Little Rock. That includes omelets, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, hash browns, and a selection of really great-tasting meats.

You can also get sandwiches, including Reubens, pork barbecue, subs, and really fantastic burgers. There are salads, cole slaw and potato salad made from scratch.

Sliced cheeses and meats are available by the pound. (You can make a yummy, yummy Reuben from Dan's corned beef.)

Join Dan "The Man" and his friendly staff for dinner this August. 663-7319.

Historic Arkansas Museum Exhibit Opening August 12

2011-08-01T08:07:00.000-07:00

Jorge Villegas
Jim Volkert
Brittany McDonald
Ross Burnham
BY ELLEN KORENBLAT
Historic Arkansas Museum is proud to present The J.V. Double: Jorge Villegas and Jim Volkert in the Trinity Gallery for Arkansas Artists and Digital Exposure: Ross Burnham and Brittany McDonald in the Second Floor Gallery.

There will be a free opening reception for both exhibits 5 - 8 p.m. August 12, in conjunction with downtown Little Rock’s 2nd Friday Art Night. The artists’ works will be available for purchase in the Museum Store. A free shuttle is available to transport visitors to other Art Night venues. Shuttle service ends at 8:30 p.m.

The J.V. Double, on exhibit through November 6, is an unexpected pairing featuring new drawings by Mr. Villegas of El Dorado and conceptual sculpture by Mr. Volkert of Conway.

In his latest series, Jorge departs from earlier abstract works and explores portraiture, observing, “I realize with surprise how much I am taken with human beauty.” His deepest memories have always been visual, from his father’s hands to the beauty in his mother’s eyes. These works acknowledge this and reflect his sentiment, “Through the eye, love attains the heart.”

Jim's work is the natural result of his boyhood interest in hobby shops, his studio art training, his many years as a museum professional and his fascination with “the object” and its next level of engagement. “Some objects are machines that sit strangely at the cusp of pivotal art historical moments. Some are illogical extensions of the idea of the work,” he explains, “And some are simply referential bon-bons.”

Digital Exposure, on exhibit through October 9, reveals the creative process of two Little Rock-based emerging artists. The exhibit features Mr. Burnham’s digital paintings, which transpose the natural world into the digital realm in a surprisingly painterly and naturalistic way. It also presents a series of photographs by Ms. McDonald that take the environment to abstraction through reductive, tactile compositions. Ross and Brittany each navigate traditional out-of-doors subject matter in a new way through contemporary digital media.

Historic Arkansas Museum is open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 - 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission to the galleries and parking are free; tours of historic grounds are $2.50 for adults, $1 for children under 18, $1.50 for senior citizens. The Historic Arkansas Museum Store is open 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 1 - 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Historic Arkansas Museum is an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, which was created in 1975 to preserve and enhance the heritage of the state of Arkansas. Other agencies of the department are Delta Cultural Center in Helena, Arkansas Arts Council, Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, Mosaic Templars Cultural Center and Old State House Museum.

Events in Little Rock August 2011

2011-08-01T07:54:00.000-07:00

 August 3
George Lankford's accounts of the Civil War
George Lankford's collections of accounts of the Civil War in Independence County will be presented noon to 1 p.m. August 3 in the Darragh Center of the Main Library.

Mr. Lankford will describe the process of collecting contemporary accounts of the complexities of life in the White River area through four years of the Civil War, throughout which Batesville survived even with six military occupations. The collection became "War Chronicles: Independence County's Civil War," and that turned into two Readers' Theatre productions set to highlight the Sesquicentennial years. George and several of the actors will illustrate the talk by giving a few readings from the first performance. 

Lankford, professor emeritus of Lyon College in Batesville, is the author of a number of books and has received awards, including the Arkansas Historical Association's Lifetime Achievement Award. He is the editor of Bearing Witness: Memories of Arkansas Slavery and also wrote the introduction to Cavorting on the Devil's Fork: The Pete Whetstone Letters of C .F. M. Noland.
Bring a sack lunch; drinks and dessert will be provided. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 320-5717 or visit butlercenter.org.

August 4
First Thursday in Hillcrest - Shop 'n Sip
Enjoy this monthly event in Hillcrest with its sales, food, music and libations. The fun begins at 5:30 p.m. 666-3600.

And don't forget the new Hillcrest Farmers' Market will be open 7 a.m. to noon every Saturday through September 7. It is located at 2200 Kavanaugh Blvd., in front of Pulaski Heights Baptist Church.

August 5
5th Annual Walk for Children and Families
The Methodist Family Health's 5th Annual Walk for Children and Families will be held August 5 at the Big Dam Bridge to benefit those served by MFH. Registration begins at 6 p.m. on the North Little Rock side at Cook's Landing. The walk begins at 7 p.m.. There will be live music, free ice cream and pizza.

The cost to participate in the walk is $20 or $50 for a family. For more information, call Maggie Beeler at 412-6178.

August 5
LAMANPALOOZA
This end-of-summer bash 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. August 5 will feature Trout Fishing in America. The free event at the Laman Library, 2801 Orange Street in North Little Rock, includes games, crafts and prizes. 758-1720.

August 12 & 13
Shooting Stars!
View shooting stars (weather permitting) from the middle of Lake Maumelle on a guided cruise August 12 and 13 starting at Jolly Roger's Marina. $10 adults, $5 kids ages 6 to 12. Advance payment to Pinnacle Mountain State Park is required. 868-5806.

August 13
Some Like It Hot
Beth Phillips will lecture 10 a.m. August 13 about plants that flourish in our hot Arkansas weather. Ms. Phillips of the Cooperative Extension Service will speak at the Laman Library, 2801 Orange Street in North Little Rock. The event is free and open to the public. 758-1720.

August 13
 Garden Gourmet Chef Series
The Garden Gourmet Chef Series focuses on summer squashes and cantaloupe August 13 at the River Market Pavilions Farmers' Market. Participants will be able to enjoy complimentary bite-sized tastings from some of Little Rock's best chefs. Cooking demonstrations take place from 9 to 10 a.m. and 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. For more information, visit rivermarket.info/farmersmarket.

August 27
Central Arkansas Iris Society Annual Sale
The Central Arkansas Iris Society Annual Iris Rhizome and Plant Sale will be held 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. August 27 in the Grace Lutheran Church Family Life Center in Hillcrest.
Bring this notice for one free iris rhizome. 455-1478.

My Home Therapy

2011-07-02T08:56:00.000-07:00

My Home Therapy in the Heights

Felicia Watkins' My Home Therapy in the Heights offers the services of an upscale spa - at a fraction of the price.

From her detoxifying and moisturizing body treatments - think French Green Seaweed Clay Wrap - to facials, powerdermabrasion, alpha hydroxy peels, hair removal, massage and lash extensions.

When Ms. Watkins' clients talk about her work, they rave about her skills, and when they talk about her, they use words like "personable," "professional," "thoughtful," "sweet,"
and "a blessing."

Fefe demonstrates the ancient
Chinese art of cupping on her
son, Wallace. Cupping uses
a vacuum to localize healing.

A while back, Janice Stanford of Gastroenterology Associates noticed one of Felicia's specials for massage and decided to give it a try.

"I was very pleased," Ms. Stanford, a Heights' resident, said, adding that she'd been to a number of massage therapists and Felicia ranked "at the very top."

"I've recommended her to a number of people. If you haven't gotten one of her massages, you need to. I am seated all day long at a computer. (Her massage) just really relaxes me and helps work a lot of kinks out.

"She's very personable. She makes sure the client is comfortable and their needs are getting met. I am just real pleased with her. I think she's excellent."

Darry Teeter of Little Rock was in a motorcycle accident in March that left him wheelchair bound, and Felicia goes to his home for his massage therapy.

"She's been a blessing in recovery," Mr. Teeter said. "She went the extra mile to make sure I was safe getting on the massage table.

"She's very thoughtful and thorough. She's a sweet person, a good person."

Darry said he has achieved about 50 percent recovery in his shattered lower leg and now can walk with a walker.

When Felicia, nicknamed "Fefe," was deployed in Iraq during 2006 to 2008, often she gave females in her unit neck and shoulder massages. They were wowed by her talents and advised her to work as a massage therapist when she went home.

Fefe has a quite diverse background, having served in the military for 17 years working in computers, phone technology and satellites. When she returned home to Arkansas, she could have opened a shop employing those technical skills. But she chose massage therapy instead as her second career. "I saw this as an opportunity to meet other people."

Before she was even stateside, she had called Arkansas and enrolled in the Touching America School of Massage Therapy.

Today, she provides a number of different massage therapies at her office at 5018 Club Road, including Swedish, oncology, prenatal, deep tissue, sports, and trigger point. In addition, she does activated isolated stretching, acupressure, aromatherapy and hot stones.

The different types of massage all start at $45 for 45 minutes.

"I offer free hot stones with all my massages," Fefe said.

Also, she offers a target massage, which is 30 minutes of intense massage focusing on your problem areas for $35, but it is $25 for new clients.

Andrea Butler of Little Rock likes Felicia's services so much that she obtained some of her coupons to hand out to friends.

Ms. Butler likes to get her eyebrows and legs waxed there.

"She's really good at her job. She knows what works and how to keep the skin from being red. I used to do the threading at the mall. But threading is painful, and (Fifi's waxing procedure) lasts a lot longer," Andrea said. "I like the privacy. Her room is nice and quiet. Other places, you have people looking at you, but there it's really calming and relaxing.

"And I like the area. After I get finished, I visit the little shops in the area."

In Arkansas, one must be licensed for such procedures as hair removal and the use of acids in facials, so after Fefe trained as a massage therapist, she studied aesthetics at Bee Jay's in Little Rock to earn that needed license.

The hair removal she offers is:
Full Legs - $50 Half Legs - $30
Full Arms - $30 Half Arms - $20
Under Arm - $15 Bikini - $20
Back or Chest - $30 Stomach - $20
Hands or Feet - $10 Lip/Chin/Neck - $10
Eyebrow $10 Cheek - $10

A 20 percent discount is also available if you do more than three areas.

The skin care treatments Fefe offers are extensive.

Her basic facial is $40. All of her facials include steamed hot towel treatments with neck, shoulder, arm and hand massage.

A deep facial is $70 and includes skin consultation, deep cleansing, massaging, facial scrub, extractions, steam treatment and a mask followed by toning and moisturizer.

There's a "tender years facial" for girls ages 16 and younger that includes instruction on skin care and make-up application, a discussion about home products that may be used for a fraction of the cost, and an eyebrow wax (with permission from mom).

Single peel facials are $95, Vitamin C infusion facials are $85, and double peel facials are $120. In addition, she offers an acne clearing facial, a men's facial, and a treatment for in-grown facial hairs.

Fefe does seven different masks that range from $5 to $25.

Now that your face is absolutely beautiful, check out the body treatments.

How would you like to be "scrub'n butter'd"? This treatment stimulates circulation and removes dead skin cells, leaving you with radiant skin. You can be scrubbed and buttered in various scents from chocolate to champagne and roses.

How about a Dead Sea mud masque with clays that will soothe and cleanse you? Or a French red clay mask? "This blend purges toxins, leaving the skin soft and re-mineralized with a noticeable glow. Vitamin E, grape seed, bladderwrack, Irish moss, and sage essential oils are infused into Sedona clay and French red clays, rich in magnesium, Vitamins A, B, B12, E, iron and amino acids," her website states.

The French green clay-seaweed wrap was mentioned at the top of the story. Add to that a garden mint algae wrap and a "sensitive wrap," for women with sensitive skin or who are allergic to shellfish.

If you are so inclined, there are packages that may be bought to acquire additional discounts on multiple services.
Asked how business is going, Fefe said, "Business is AWESOME!"

As a matter of fact, she is planning to offer a number of new services, including teeth whitening, laser hair removal, tattoo removal, photo facials that reverse skin damage and sunless tanning.

Asked about her business philosophy, Fefe said, "My business is built on honesty."

She wants to provide needed services to everyone at reasonable rates and believes that working folks need and deserve her services just as much - or maybe more - than the more pampered in our society.

"Everyone needs to relieve stress and find ways to help them be more beautiful. It's a confidence booster."

Fefe works by appointment only. 541-4070.

This story was written by Bobbi Nesbitt and first appeared in the July 2011 edition of Shoppe Talk.

Felicia Watkins Profile

2011-07-02T08:50:00.000-07:00

Felicia Watkins

Tell us about your family. I have two sons 15 and 14 who drive me crazy. Wallace Watkins is 15 and Quintarious Watkins is 14. And I am engaged to Paul Bailey.

How did you get the nickname Fefe? My nieces and nephews thought of it. I have 63 nieces and nephews. I have 23 siblings.

Is there anything you'd like to learn how to do? My new hobby for this summer is I am going to learn how to can food. And I'm going to learn how to knit. Those are my two goals.

Is there anything you'd like to change about yourself? No, I love me.

What would you do if you won a large lottery? First of all I'd pay people to hide me, she said with a laugh. On a more serious note, I would actually want to boost Ebony B. Free, a non-profit that teaches women how to escape abuse.

What do you like to read? Right now, I am reading Robert Greene's 48 Laws of Power.

What is your favorite Little Rock restaurant? Copeland's.

Favorite food? Fish.

Is there anything you would not eat? Armadillo. That's the first thing that popped in my mind. They freak me out.

What is the strangest thing in your fridge? Homemade experimental facial remedies. My kids never know what it is. What is this? Don't eat it!

If you could have a dream dinner party and invite any three people, who would you choose? Dwyane Wade, Oprah, and Wayne Newton to keep my mama happy.

Wayne Newton? That's like the only person my mom (Mary Mosson of Pine Bluff) has ever had a crush on. I asked her what she'd do if she won a lottery, and she said I'd buy me a house right next to Wayne Newton.

Do you have any pets? I have a dog, Missy, I was forced to have, but now I would not get rid of her, because I love her. You just talk to her like a little person. She understands.

What do you watch on the tube? I do not watch TV - at all.

What do you do in your spare time? I fish, and I read a lot.

Do you support any charities? We are hoping to launch the Ebony B. Free program by the end of the year. My younger sister, Ebony, was 20 and in an abusive relationship. He shot her five times. The program was named after her and gives women information they need to have the courage to walk away or sneak away. To find a way to be free.

Paul Caldwell Exhibit at Cantrell Gallery

2011-07-01T09:36:00.000-07:00

Opening Night Reception July 22

Cantrell Gallery will hold an opening night reception 6 - 8 p.m. July 22 for "Arkansas and the Range of Light," a photographic study by Paul Caldwell of Little Rock.

"This will be an excellent opportunity to meet the artist and view a collection of amazing Arkansas scenes. Join us for refreshments and live music by Diane and Barry McVinney," Cindy Scott-Huisman of the Gallery said.

Mr. Caldwell has been a photographer for more than 30 years.

"Paul's subject matter reflects his love of the outdoors and seasonal changes in his home state of Arkansas, and stunning abstract compositions of natural subjects," Mrs. Scott-Huisman said.

"Most remarkable about Paul's work is that every individual shot has a unique story, in a short narrative, which reflects Paul's dedication to sharing his craft."

When referring to this new exhibit of work, Paul states: “Throughout my photographic career, I have been attuned to the scenic beauty within the State of Arkansas. With this show I am hoping to draw attention to the wondrous range of light that can be captured through a lens. The images that are featured range from sunrise to sunset with a special focus on nighttime. Please take some time to enjoy this selection of my most recent photography.”

The exhibit will remain on display through September 3, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, at 8206 Cantrell Road. 224-1335.

Feather Hair Extensions

2011-06-14T11:01:00.000-07:00

@The Freckled Frog

Feather hair extensions are all the rage. These whimsical adornments are offered by The Freckled Frog, 2715 Kavanaugh Blvd., in Hillcrest, starting at only $8 for one feather.

Sadie Nuffer's and Erika Robbins' shop offers a beautiful array of different colors, lengths and shapes. Some salons in town offer the extensions, but they run about $35. At The Freckled Frog, they are $12 for two and $15 for up to five in one crimp. The feathers have been hand-dyed by Ms. Robbins and Ms. Nuffer.

Erika said the feathers, which are crimped to a small section of hair, will last from one to three months. You can shampoo the feathers with your hair - dry, iron or curl them.

"I was so busy with them yesterday, I was up here until 8 doing feathers last night," she said. "I put them in four guys yesterday. They put them right behind their ears."

It's a quick process. "It will take longer for you to pick out what you want than for me to put them in."

For additional information, call 514-2060.

New Jewelry Shop in Hillcrest

2011-04-21T09:10:00.000-07:00

John Eric Coleman's
Hillcrest Designer Jewelry

Fresh, chic, trendy, unique. If that's the kind of jewelry you love, do yourself a favor and stop by John Eric Coleman's Hillcrest Designer Jewelry.

Mr. Coleman, who opened his shop the last half of April at 3000 Kavanaugh Blvd., in Hillcrest, makes exquisite pendants, bracelets, rings and earrings that embody his long-standing love of stones, gems and metals.

In addition to the custom pieces, Eric offers diamonds, traditional wedding sets, appraisals and repairs.

"I can beat anybody's price on diamonds," he said.

Eric worked as a diamond broker for a number of years in Texas and was graduated from the Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology in Paris with degrees in gemology and jewelry technology.

Eric, who lives in Little Rock with his wife, Catherine, and son, Cross, fell in love with stones when he was a child.

"When I was a kid, it started off on the porch where I was taking rocks and cracking them open."

There was treasure there. And then one Christmas, he received a rock tumbler. "It came with a set of stuff to make jewelry."

That was fun, but what he really wanted to do was to be a geologist. While other kids were getting into dinosaurs, video games, and Dungeons and Dragons, Eric was fascinated with minerals, rocks and different kinds of gem stones from around the world.

When he was 22, he began making jewelry in a serious way when he worked in South Arkansas. "I was working for an older gentleman as an apprentice for about three years. We specialized in hand fabricating. We also did wax carving."

Now Eric works in platinum, gold, silver and copper. His custom creations, which he calls his "therapy jewelry," range from $100 to $5,000.

But what he really wants to do is be your personal jeweler. He said he's "old school," and can take care of an individual's needs from creating to re-setting and repairing. He works with traditional pieces and can accommodate you, from a sweet sixteen necklace to a diamond/platinum combo for your 70th anniversary.

The feel of the shop is like a boutique in an upscale tourist area. In fact, he has sold his jewelry in different galleries in Hot Springs. Look in the trays of loose stones in the Hillcrest shop and enjoy the wow factor of nature's artistry. Lots of nice quartz, such as clear stones shot through with golden fibers. These one-of-a-kind pieces may be incorporated into your own designs.

And like every other jewelry shop owner in the world, Eric is buying gold and silver. At $1,500 an ounce at this writing, now is a good time to get rid of those broken or odd gold chains or pieces you'll never wear again.

Go by and welcome Eric to the neighborhood and watch for his grand opening this month. For additional information, call him at 246-3655.

johnericcolemanjewelrydesign.com

By Bobbi Nesbitt

Go Green Box - Stress-free moving

2011-04-05T10:11:00.001-07:00

Jeff and Landon
Go Green Box

If you want a stress-free, cost efficient, eco-friendly move, call Landon Eddleman and Jeff Byers at Go Green Box.

"It's absolutely the only way to go," Little Rock jeweler Mary Healey said.

"I've recommended them to people. I loved it."

Go Green Box is not a franchise, but a home-grown business created by Mr. Byers and Mr. Eddleman. They deliver reusable moving boxes and recycled packing paper to your door. The boxes are clean and easy to pack. They're all the same size, so you can stack them four or five boxes high. They are so tough, you can stand on them.

Ms. Healey said Jeff and Landon helped with her move a few months back. "They were very good about servicing them and letting me keep them longer. The boxes stack well, and the movers loved them."

Landon and Jeff brought over all the packing materials she needed "from peanuts to paper," Mary said. "They were just as easy to work with as can be.

"And, you're not killing any trees!"

That's a major consideration for many Arkansans who are interested in reducing their carbon footprints.

For Shannon Shenker of Landmark, after two other hectic moves, her main concern, unabashedly, was convenience.

"We moved three times in four months. It was just craziness. I have two kids and a Great Dane. After the second move, I called them. They were just great. They brought the boxes out the same day. It made moving so easy. I could do a box at a time and stack them back in the garage," Mrs. Shenker said.

"The same with unpacking. It was just a smoother process. It sounds funny, but it's just the perfect box. And the guys were just great. At one point I realized I needed more boxes, and they brought them out that same day with more packing material. I've recommended them to two or three friends who've moved."

Leasing Agreements
The two young men started their business in April 2010. Jeff had owned Fixed Rate Moving Inc., for several years, so they first began working with his customers and area apartments. Now, they are expanding the business through licensing agreements.

"We are creating a network of licensed Go Green Box dealers starting in the major Arkansas markets and expanding from there," Landon said. "Customers will be able to take our boxes to any city with a GGB dealership, and the local dealer will pick them up. We are finishing up the paperwork and will have licenses available soon."

Jeff's experience as a mover enabled them to create bundles of boxes that would fit almost anyone's moving needs.

The bundles start with the "studio" and go up to the extra large. Each has an appropriate amount of packing materials - recycled packing paper and "puffy stuff," a 100% biodegradable product made in Tennessee that is used instead of packing peanuts.

Landon said the boxes hold more than traditional cardboard moving boxes and start at only $1.89 per box, which includes free delivery and pickup.

"If you need 22, not 15 or 25, we can do that as well," he said. "If you need extra, it's just $2 for each extra one.

"One big thing that's included with this, we will drop them off at your current house. You pack and move yourself or pick a mover. And then, we will come back to your new house and pick everything back up, so there truly is zero waste with the move, and you don't have to worry about what to do with a big stack of cardboard boxes."

The smallest bundle of boxes is the "Studio," which includes 15 boxes. The largest bundle is 100 boxes, and there are several sizes in between.

Customers get to keep the studio and small bundle boxes for two weeks and all the larger packages for a month.

"If you need an extra week to unpack, just give us a call, and we can do an extra week for a small fee."

Besides the time savings and convenience, Go Green boxes can save you money.

"One thing that usually shocks people, we are typically quite a bit cheaper than using cardboard from a moving company or a box retailer," Landon said. For example, he quoted the price of a two-bedroom kit from another Little Rock company, and Go Green's price was 30 percent less.

What's wrong with just getting your boxes behind the liquor store and then recycling the cardboard?

Nothing, Landon replied. Free is good. But the boxes are not uniform size, often dirty, and though recycling cardboard is better than not recycling it, there are some drawbacks.

"With recycled cardboard, only about 40 percent of it is used. The other 60 percent is just sludge that is dumped into a landfill."

In addition, the Go Green boxes are sturdy and will take care of your possessions. "And each one is throughly cleaned and sterilized."

If you attend the Arkansas Earth Day Festival April 23 in Riverwalk Park in North Little Rock, check out the "box maze" Jeff and Landon are erecting for the kids' section.

For more information, call 1-888-417-3873 or GetaGreenBox.com.

Profile: Getting to know Jeff Byers

2011-04-05T10:06:00.000-07:00

Jeff Byers

Tell us about your family. I have a wonderful father and mother, Larry and Betsy Byers, who live in Mt. Ida and a wonderful brother who lives in Las Vegas, a niece and nephew there. And an absolutely wonderful, beautiful wife, Angela.

Where were you born? Omaha, Nebraska.

How long have you lived in Arkansas? Twenty-four years.

What's your favorite city? Chicago.

What's your favorite Little Rock restaurant? Sushi Cafe on Kavanaugh.

What do you do in your spare time? I like to be outdoors. And I play guitar and piano.

What do you like to read? I like real crime stuff and anything non-fiction.

What do you watch on the tube? I like the Disney Channel and the Travel Channel ... Two and a Half Men; it's absolutely insane.

What's the strangest thing in your fridge? It's empty. A bag of mini carrots.

Do you have a favorite movie? The Star Wars series.

Movie star? Kate Beckinsale.

Is there anything you'd like to learn how to do? I would like to learn how to rock climb, rappel. And learn a foreign language, maybe Spanish.

What would you do if you won a large lottery? I would definitely invest in the business and donate quite a lot of it to charity and give to friends. I'm not stingy, so I'd share the wealth.

Cantrell Gallery Opening for Lee Nora Parlor

2011-04-05T10:01:00.000-07:00

Cantrell Gallery Opening

Lee Nora Parlor's Painted Photo Album

An opening night reception will be held 6 - 8 p.m. April 15 at Cantrell Gallery for an exhibit entitled “Lee Nora Parlor’s Painted Photo Album.” Refreshments will be served. The public is invited, and admission is free.

Ms. Parlor said her oil paintings were inspired by photographs in her grandmother’s album.

"The complex and powerful faces of my ancestral works of art are inherent with deep feelings of humility and simplicity, reminders of their humble beginnings, their perseverance and fortitude. There can be no doubt that our ancestors bore the brunt of a lot of hard work and struggle in order for us to be 'who we are today'," Lee said in her artist's statement.

"In my work, I hope to show that we can recapture the devotion to honesty and purity of spirit that seem to be absent in many of us today. I believe that a 'spiritual freeing' and a peace spring forth from each of my paintings and are communicated to anyone who visits my work."

Lee is a self-taught artist who has participated in or been featured in many galleries, special exhibits and museums throughout this region, most notably a one-year installation beginning in February 2007 at the Old State House Museum. She lives in Camden.

The exhibit will continue through May 28. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The gallery is located in the Cantrell Heights Shopping Center, 8206 Cantrell Road. For additional information, contact Cindy Scott-Huisman at 224-1335 or visit cantrellgallery.com.

Earth Day - North Little Rock

2011-04-05T09:53:00.000-07:00

Get your green on at this year's
Earth Day Fest, "Gateway to Green."

The Arkansas Earth Day Festival 2011 will be held 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 23 in Riverwalk Park in North Little Rock. This year's theme is "Gateway to Green."

Thousands of Arkansans typically enjoy this event, which features green products, hand-made crafts, services, food, games and lots of entertainment.

Meet eco-entrepreneurs, chow down on fresh, local, organic food, or even lend a hand to help pick up litter.

It's an event for the whole family. A kids' area will be open for games, demonstrations and recycled crafts.

Bring your recyclable items, including cell phones, ink cartridges, paper and glass.

CARTI's Ragin'Cajun Bash

2011-04-05T09:30:00.000-07:00

Ragin' Cajun Bash

CARTI's Ragin' Cajun Bash will be held 6 - 9 p.m. April 14 at the River Market Pavilions in downtown Little Rock. The seventh annual fundraiser is presented by Iberiabank.

Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door, and $650 for a table of 10 guests with a personal server for the evening.

It includes a New Orleans-style crawfish boil, libations and music by Lagniappe. Proceeds benefit CARTI cancer patients. For tickets, visit carti.com.

Greater Little Rock Council of Garden Clubs Spring Tour

2011-04-05T09:25:00.000-07:00

Spring Tour

"Garden Artistry" is the theme of this year's Spring Garden Tour.

The eleventh annual tour sponsored by the Greater Little Council of Garden Clubs will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 30 and 1 - 5 p.m. May 1st.

It will take you on an odyssey of nine private gardens in close proximity in North Little Rock, as well as The Old Mill, a site on the National Register of Historic Places.

"There will be garden 'art' everywhere, such as bonsai, sculpted trees, geometric grass patterns, water features, garden sculpture of every medium and beautiful stone retaining walls and pathways," Rosemary Arnold of the council said.

"Most of this sits lakeside," she said. "The gardens are from three to 44 years in the making. There will be ideas galore for visitors to take home to their own gardens, and garden club members and Master Gardeners will be on hand to guide and answer questions."

Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 the day of tour, and free for children under age 14. Additional information is available from Hillcrest Hall, 663-7515. Tickets may be obtained there or from many Central Arkansas garden centers and flower shops.

White Wagon Farm's Art in the Garden

2011-04-05T09:10:00.000-07:00

Art in the Garden

It's spring and time for warm days, cold rain, frost threats, new growth, blooms, and White Wagon Farm's annual open house, "Art in the Garden - Spring Edition."

It will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 9.

Classes:
10 a.m. Plein Air Painting Demo - David Cook
11 a.m. Pottery Demo - Jean Mross
noon Pottery Demo - Elaine Luber
1 p.m. Vegetable Gardening - Jack Cornett
2 p.m. Soap Making Demo - Tammy Pope
3 p.m. Oil Painting Demo - Jan Crummer

There will be a clothesline sale of unframed art, pottery and jewelry for sale, and, of course, plants galore.

You can enjoy herbal refreshments, painting in the gardens, and strolling through the grounds.

A new exhibit, "Her Land and People," will continue in the Sage House Gallery until June 30.

 
Barn on Hwy 16, beyond Scott by David Cook

The exhibit features  Shirley Brainard, David Cook, Janice Crummer , Marvin Crummer, Tom Herrin, Bill Lewis,  Suzann Waggoner, Pat White ,  Judie Henderson, Elaine Luber, Jean Mross , Rita Mackintosh, Cindy Truax and Kathy Wagenknecht. 

Bugabooo

2011-03-03T14:33:00.000-08:00

Come into
Balance at
Bugabooo

"When life throws you a challenge, Bugabooo Massage Clinic is the place you can help restore yourself," Theo Lever said.

Mr. Lever and Sergio Espinoza own the Hillcrest massage therapy clinic, which specializes in integrated fusion massage.

"That's one of the values we have. We focus on helping people with their issues," Theo said.

"We want our clients to be centered in their mind, body and spirit. This is how I see health and wholeness. This is being healthy.

"We want to be a resource for our community ... to help them stay balanced in a busy life."

Theo Lever and Elizabeth Weber

Bugabooo, 3000 Kavanaugh Blvd., offers Swedish, relaxation, deep tissue, and sports massage. It specialty is an integrated fusion massage developed by Mr. Espinoza after he was involved in a high-speed auto accident.

After about three years of non-stop, agonizing pain, and no relief from pain medication, he developed his method of fusion massage, concentrating on what gave him the fastest relief with long-term effects. Sergio practiced the method in California for about four years before moving to Arkansas.

He taught the method to Theo and to Caroline McDanial, a massage therapist at Bugabooo.

Theo said fusion massage works well for their clients, because many of them are experiencing extreme pain, just as Sergio did after his accident.

"A great many people who come to see us have issues with pain, with very stressful jobs. The majority seek something a little more than relaxation," Theo said.

Sergio Espinoza, Caroline McDanial, and Theo

Dr. Wolf Heberlein, a Little Rock physician, began therapy at Bugabooo about a year ago after experiencing back and chest pain.

"I stand in an awkward position for quite some time," Dr. Heberlain said, adding that it was a problem common to many physicians.

But massage therapy by Sergio and Theo gave him needed relief, he said.

"They took care of me. It was really helpful."

Wolf continues his massage therapy at Bugabooo and has recommended the clinic to others. He likes its therapeutic approach versus "the American approach where you take a pill and everything is hunky dory." And he likes the idea that the client is sharing in the healing. "You still have to do stuff yourself."

Tracey Campbell, a Little Rock police officer, is a big believer in Bugabooo.

"I carry her cards ..."

"I read about Bugabooo in Shoppe Talk," Ms. Campbell said, referring to an August 2010 story.

"I had shoulder surgery in April, and before that, I had five knee surgeries. I was always hurting, my shoulder and my knees. I had 10 weeks of physical therapy, but it was still hurting.

"After I read Shoppe Talk, I called Caroline who got me right in there. She worked on me an hour and a half that first day. It hurt so bad when she was doing it, but afterward that day I felt better than I had prior to my surgery. So, I am a big believer," Tracey said.

She continues to do fusion massage therapy with Caroline.

"I recommend it to everyone, and I carry her cards with me now."

About three weeks ago, Tim May of Little Rock, who is training for the Little Rock Marathon, went to Bugabooo for the first time with the goal of shaving 30 minutes off his running time. He'd had a conversation with Theo, who had told him about another runner who successfully reduced his race time by that much.

"I don't keep time when I train, but I can tell a difference in stride and the looseness of my muscles."

In addition, Mr. May went in one day after experiencing hip pain while running. After Theo's massage, he ran the next day with no pain.

"I am a believer," Tim said. "And I will be more of a believer when I qualify for the Boston (Marathon)."

Theo said serenity and joy are involved in helping people in pain come into balance.

"Then they are able to engage their lives with ease. All awareness is not taken up by pain. We can help them find a sense of ease again.

"When you finish with a massage, often you feel a profound sense of clarity, so the effects are more than just physical effects.

"I've always been interested in the mind-body-spirit connection.

"I've done martial arts and I did energy work - techniques to affect the body on emotional-spiritual levels. Massage therapy was the next step."

And working in Africa and France helped shape his attitudes about health, wellness and balance. He worked in the Peace Corps for two years in Burkina Faso, an impoverished nation in west Africa.

"At that point in time, I really wanted to go to Africa and do some type of humanitarian work. The Peace Corps seemed like the best route. The type of people I met in the Peace Corps, I really connected with. I wanted to serve Africa, and at the same time, serve my country, to be an ambassador and let them see there are many types of Americans."

He went to help them, and they helped him in turn.

"I learned the value of taking care of myself and the value of good health. In the village, if you are having a problem, they say, 'as long as you have your health, everything else will fall into place.' That's something that really grabbed a string in my heart, and I always think about.

"It really opened my eyes to what's real and what's important. I really enjoy the life and the privileges we have in this country. We are very blessed to live with the abundance we have. But I got the opportunity to live a very simple life, and during that experience I learned the value of relationships and community and friendships. These things are truly important in life ... the value of simplicity. It's happiness."

Then Theo moved to France for a year, where he taught English in elementary to post high school classes. He said his experiences there continue to influence him and his work. "The French, they value a balanced life - family, work, friends, recreation. This is a core value of their country.

Bugabooo opened in Hillcrest in November 2009.

"The Hillcrest area is an awesome location," Theo said. "A lot of people are healthy and into taking care of their minds and bodies, so they are very open to this kind of work. It seems like a good fit."

To schedule an appointment or for information on discounted massage packages, call 663-7333.

This story was written by Bobbi Nesbitt and appeared in the March 2011 edition of Shoppe Talk .

Profile: Getting to know Theo Lever

2011-03-02T15:18:00.000-08:00

Theo Lever
Tell us about your family. I was born and raised in Little Rock. I am the child of a single mother who was a very meaningful influence on my life, even now.

What's your mom's name? Loretta Lever. She's the business manager (of Bugabooo), so we work alongside one another. I think it's great to have someone on your team who wants to see you excel and will push you to your potential. She's a pretty strong business lady, so I think I'm pretty lucky. Not to say it doesn't come with challenges, but she's a good mom and a good business partner. I am very blessed to be where I am in my life, and a lot of that comes from having a strong mother. (Moms all over Little Rock are going aww.)

What's your favorite city? I really like the (San Francisco) Bay area. It's great weather, and the people have a diversity, open-mindedness and progressiveness that I value. I love New Orleans.

If you could go on vacation next week, where would you go? I visited Japan a couple of months ago. I'd like to visit Japan again or go to India.

Did you go to Japan to perfect your massage skills or just for fun? Martial arts training. My interest in martial arts, I feel as though it's connected to the healing arts.

What do you like to read? I like to read travel-adventure books, science fiction, fantasy, and books pertaining to health and wellness. Spirituality books.

What do you watch on the tube? I don't watch a lot of TV. I like Treme. It's about post Katrina.

Is there anything you'd like to change about yourself? It seems like I am a little more serious about a lot of things. Once upon a time, I used to be a lot lighter. I'd like to find that again ... have more fun and lightness.

What do you do in your spare time? Yoga, martial arts, meditation, hiking.

Is there anything you'd like to learn how to do? I'd like to learn how to speak Spanish and Japanese. I would like to learn an instrument.

What kind of music do you like? Oh, what do I not like? Lately I've been listening to a lot of electronic trance music. It's very calming. I love jazz. I love hip hop. I love Reggae and rock.

What's your favorite Little Rock restaurant? Boulevard Bread.

Favorite food? Sushi.

If you could have a dinner party and invite any three people, who would you choose? Oprah Winfrey, Lance Armstrong, and Shiva Rea.

What's your favorite thing in your home? I think the most interesting thing I have in my room is a painting that I really love by a local artist, Elizabeth Weber. Every time I look at this painting, I see something new.

This profile was written by Bobbi Nesbitt and appeared in the March 2011 edition of Shoppe Talk.

Clean dryer vents, sweep chimneys

2011-03-01T15:28:00.000-08:00

Buck's Chimney Service

While spring is a time for cleaning, one thing missing from your list might be your chimney, but Janelle Lukas Widel, schedule coordinator for Buck's Chimney Service, said spring's actually a good time to get your chimney swept.

"Right now is a really good time to get chimneys swept and inspected. If they need work, you can get it done in the spring and be ready for fall. It's also a good time for pressure washing and waterproofing. We put on a waterproof seal that keeps water from getting into your home and can save the life of your fireplace. It keeps metal from rusting and fire brick from cracking," Mrs. Widel said.

Janelle's father, Bob Lukas, owner of Buck's Chimney Service, has been in business 28 years in Central Arkansas. Both Mr. Lukas and Janelle's husband, David Widel, are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America, which involves taking continuing education classes and periodic re-certification exams. Buck's Chimney is bonded and insured.

Last October, Janelle took over the job of schedule coordinator after Bob's wife, Eloise "Weezie" Lukas, retired.

It's a job Janelle enjoys. "I love to get on the phone and talk with people."

Years ago, Bob had a retail store where she worked selling stoves and scheduling appointments.
Although there's no longer a retail store, Bob and David stay quite busy installing prefab fireplaces, wood and pellet stoves, soapstone stoves, stove inserts, gas logs, gas-burning fireplaces, and glass and decorative fireplace doors. In addition, the company services fireplaces, sweeps chimneys, waterproofs masonry and pressure washes homes, driveways and decks.
"We do custom chimney caps and even do critter removal."

They build fireplaces from scratch. "David is real skilled in metal work. He worked eight years as a structural mechanic in the Navy. We can do some really nice custom jobs with metal."

Janelle said one popular item right now is the pellet burning stove with some customers opting to have gas logs removed and pellet stoves installed in their place.

The pellets, which come in 10-pound bags, are fed automatically into the stove according to the temperature, she said.

"It burns extremely clean, so it needs a smaller pipe, and you don't have all that ash to clean out. You still get the heat and benefit of wood burning without all the mess. Dad and Weezie have a pellet stove. You get the wood smell, the wood feel, the warmth of having a wood fire."

They can be installed closer to the wall and can be vented out of the wall instead of straight up, so they are less expensive to install, she said. In addition, there are several different brands from which to choose.

One other neglected thing that should be cleaned this spring is your dryer vent, Janelle said.

"Dryer vents are actually one of the leading causes of fires in your home."

Even if the lint trap in a dryer is cleaned thoroughly, sticky lint builds up in the vent. Bob and David grind the lint out with a special brush and drill, and then vacuum the vents.

Janelle advised consumers to look beyond the "deals" and the catchy names in the business. There have been a number of instances where customers have called Buck's Chimney in to fix the mess made by uncertified sweeps, she said. "We've gone behind them, and we've seen the work they do."

When it comes to the safety of your home, opt for a company with training and experience. For more information call Janelle at 455-9285.

Murray Haupt of Capitol Automotive

2011-02-03T08:42:00.000-08:00

Murray Haupt

Murray Haupt of Hillcrest is an interesting guy. He's the owner of Capitol Automotive and several other business ventures. He's chairman of the board of an alcohol and drug rehab center in Heber Springs and sits on the board of another non-profit in Little Rock. Many women would envy his wife, SuAnn, because he calls her the most beautiful woman in the world. His favorite movie is a romantic comedy, and his favorite thing to watch on the tube is UFC cage fighting. He rides a motorcycle and likes to get his hands dirty doing a challenging auto repair job. He played in a rock and roll band at The Cavern in Liverpool when he was a teenager. More than 50 shows. Oh, and did I mention that he owns a fire truck?

Capitol Automotive Inc., 817 South Izard Street (on the corner of 9th Street and Izard), is a full-service mechanical repair and auto body collision shop. It is the culmination of Mr. Haupt's life-long fascination with cars.

"I've been a mechanic my whole life. I'm a car freak," Murray said.

"The first car my parents gave me, I took the motor out."

His parents, Bill and Jackie Haupt, had given their son an MG 1000 sedan only to return home one day and find the motor in pieces strewn around their carport.

"My mother came home, and she liked to have had a heart attack. That was the first time I did it too. (Took apart a motor.) There was nothing wrong with it. I just took it out to see how it worked."

His mom bet his father that Murray would never get the motor back together. She lost the bet.

"I'm mechanically inclined; it just comes natural to me."

Murray with shop dog, Bandit

Capitol Automotive has been in its current location for more than three years. Before that, it was called Little Rock Automotive Center, but Murray changed the name to reflect the fact that the business was so close to the State Capitol. In addition to mechanical and auto body repair, a subsidiary of Capitol Automotive is Little Rock Auto Sales, a licensed dealer in pre-owned vehicles.

"Quite honestly, I think we are probably the best kept secret in Little Rock," Murray said.

"In my business, people are pretty naive, and there are a lot of people who are taken advantage of. I try to be fair in our pricing. I offer basically an unlimited warranty. My customers, if something goes wrong, I take care of it. I don't charge a diagnostic fee. My existence in Little Rock all these years has been based on our business practices."

"I think if a person spends money with you, you are basically married. You owe them as much as they owe you."With restored 1968 Mustang Coupe 289

James Swindoll, a Little Rock attorney, said he'd been taking his cars to Murray for about 15 years.

"I get excellent service. Murray has kept all of my cars running for all of my family for all these years, and I have four kids. Murray helped me get cars for everyone of them," Mr. Swindoll said.

"He's a quality guy. I started out a kind of poor, but honest lawyer, and he's always been fair with me. We've had major and minor repairs. He's really a nice guy. If you need to know something about a car, call Murray. He can fix it for you or find it for you."

Mike Rebick of Little Rock, general manager of a copy machine business, also called the 10 or so years of service he's gotten at Capitol Automotive "excellent."

"He's fixed a lot of difficult to diagnose problems and has done body work on collisions," Mr. Rebick said. "He pretty much tries to get things out in a timely fashion. Stuff doesn't sit over there like some other places."

The 8,000-square-foot repair area of Capitol Automotive includes a state-of-the-art paint booth, as well as in-house paint mixing and tinting equipment.

"We do complete auto repair and service on any make or model. We've got the equipment to do 99% of the cars out there. Be fair, and do a good job. That's our business philosophy," Murray said.

"My business is 85% word-of-mouth."

He has several customers who have been with him for more than 20 years. He remembers the name of his very first customer, Carol Kennedy, who remains a customer to this day.

Another of his customers, Diane McKim of North Little Rock, neatly sums up what many others say: "He's just honest and dependable and will bend over backwards to accommodate customers."

Mrs. McKim said she's known Murray for about 10 years, during which time he's done a number of minor repairs, major body work, and sold autos to her family.

"He's always a very reasonable price and very quick. I've gotten same-day service; if it's within his power, he will. Plus, I bought a vehicle from him for my daughter. She probably put 150,000 miles on that car, and it was still running when she totaled it. About last week, she and her finance bought another car from him. And they love, love, love it. He checks them (the vehicles) out and knows what he's selling.

"Murray has helped me out many times."

Murray is a busy fellow. In addition to Capitol Automotive, he is a co-partner of K & M Capital, which owns and leases commercial real estate. He is also chairman of the board for the Sugarloaf Center in Heber Springs, Arkansas, a state-licensed alcohol and drug treatment center. And he sits on the board of the non-profit Firehouse Hostel & Museum. (Google This Is Arkansas to read more about this interesting group, or visit firehousehostel.org/about.html.)

Murray said the Sugarloaf Center is one of the premier treatment facilities in Arkansas and has been used as a model for other rehab centers in the state.

"My director up there, Kelly Shelton, the state has her do talks with other facilities to teach them the right way to do it, and she talks with schools to raise drug awareness and tell about the options there are in Arkansas as far as treatment and rehabilitation."

Before coming to Arkansas, Murray worked as a sales rep for a large California company that imports and distributes carburetors. Then he opened an auto repair shop there in 1984.

"In 1987, my parents, I thought at that point, were getting elderly. So I moved my family back to Arkansas. I thought my parents were getting elderly, but mother passed away last July, and father is 90 and going strong. He's still driving and lives by himself. So I probably didn't need to move back quite that quick, but I'm glad I did."

Murray has several employees at Capitol Automotive, but he's hands-on at the shop. "I still like to get dirty if it's something I like to do. I like to get in there and make things run."

He also likes to buy and resell autos. And he sells motor cycles, trailers and RVs.

"I sell just about anything that rolls. I have my very own fire truck, a 1974 Howe, for which my wife almost divorced me. She thought I'd lost my mind completely."

And what possessed him to buy a fire truck?

"I looked in the paper on Sunday. I drove to Bradford, Arkansas, gave the man the money, and drove it home."

Eventually, he said, the fire truck will probably end up at the Firehouse Hostel & Museum.

Owning a fire truck is only one unique page in Murray's life. When he was a sophomore in high school, his family moved to Southport, England, and he ended up performing at The Cavern Club.

"I used to play in a rock and roll band called 'In Transit,' and we used to play on a regular basis at The Cavern where the Beatles were discovered."

The Liverpool club is where Brian Epstein first saw the Beatles performing; the group's musical exploits there made the club famous during the 1960s.

"I played in The Cavern probably 50 times. I've met a lot of rock stars in my life."

Isn't it fun getting to know the folks in our community - like Murray - who build things, repair stuff, and keep us functioning tip top; who are not afraid of getting their hands dirty; and who take the time to get involved and to help others?

To get in touch with Murray, call 370-5099; or his lovely wife, SuAnn, owner of Simply Seafood, at 519-7515.

(This story was written by Bobbi Nesbitt and first appeared in the February 2011 edition of Shoppe Talk.)

Profile: Getting to know Murray Haupt

2011-02-02T09:20:00.000-08:00

Murray Haupt

Tell us about your family. I am one of five children. I have three sisters and one brother. I am the luckiest man in the world, because I have the most beautiful wife in the world, SuAnn. I have two sons, Will and Shane. I have a charming stepson named Nick and a stepdaughter named Erin.

Where do you live? On Ridgeway in Hillcrest.

Where were you born? Tulsa, Oklahoma.

What's your favorite Little Rock restaurant? So.

What do you like to do in your spare time? We like to camp. We love to go to the lake. We just bought a house on top of Petit Jean mountain. We go to Heber, and to Ouachita both. We're big outdoors people. We love the outdoors. I love to ride my motorcycle.

Is there anything you'd like to learn how to do? I'd love to learn how to fly an airplane, but I'm scared to death. Pretty much anything else I want to do, I do. Perhaps skydiving. Perhaps in tandem with my wife. Honey, would you go skydiving with me? (SuAnn from the other room: Absolutely not.)

What's your favorite movie? Pretty Woman.

Do you have favorite actors? Sam Elliott and Julia Roberts.

What do you watch on the tube? I love UFC cage fighting. It's mixed martial arts. I mean these guys try to kill each other. It is very popular, as popular as boxing. I watch Barrett-Jackson Auto Auctions and Mecum Auctions; it's called "muscle cars and more." I watch the usual - Grey's Anatomy, Brothers and Sisters. I watch a lot of TV. I love Nascar.

If you could have a dream dinner party, who would you invite? I would ask George Washington ... Douglas MacArthur, Madame Curie, and Howard Hughes.

What kind of music do you like? I'm a huge blues fan. I like country too, and real rock and roll - old school rock and roll.

What is your favorite food? I like fish. That's a revelation that's come only in the past few years. I like tuna, talipia, and since my wife owns a seafood company, it's pretty easy to go over and steal a tuna steak out of the freezer. Seafood. I like shrimp and crab too. (SuAnn is owner of Simply Seafood.)

Is there anything you'd like to change about yourself? My intensity. I think I'm a little too intense about a lot of things. I'm very opinionated. I'm intense about work and work ethic. I would like to be a little bit calmer person, a little bit laid back ... . I've got too many things going on.

February Calendar of Events - Little Rock

2011-02-01T13:17:00.000-08:00

February

Ongoing until February 20
Toys Designed by Artists. This is the 37th year for this delightful international juried exhibition. At the Arkansas Arts Center. FREE. 372-4000.

Ongoing until February 20
53rd Annual Delta Exhibition at the Arkansas Arts Center. FREE. 372-4000.

February 1
Arkansas Symphony's River Rhapsodies Chamber Music 7 p.m. at the Clinton Presidential Center. 666-1761.

February 4
Sandwiching in History Tour of Taborian Hall. Bring your lunch and enjoy an hour lecture by a member of the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program. FREE. 324-9880.

February 10 - March 17
Voluntary Simplicity six-week courses at 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays at Heifer Village. $40 (includes course and materials.) 907-2697.

February 12 & 13
Arkansas Symphony's Couples that Stole Your Heart. Bring your Valentine to hear music to remind you of some of the best movie couples. Robinson Center Music Hall. Tickets start at $20; $10 for students. 666-1761.

February 12, 13 & 14
Sweetheart Hay Ride. Hay ride through remote areas of Pinnacle Mountain State Park followed by a cozy campfire. $10 adults, $5 children 6 - 12. Advanced payment required. 868-5806.

February 15
Nonviolence Youth Summit. Location to be determined. FREE. 683-1304.

February 18 - 20
Lanterns! Celebrate the first full moon of the lunar year and enjoy food from around the globe at Wildwood Park for the Arts. $10 adults, $ kids 6 - 12, children under 5 free. 821-7275.

February 25 - 27
20th Annual Arkansas Flower and Garden Show at The Statehouse Convention Center. Seed swap. Locally grown produce. 821-4000.

February 26 & 27
Arkansas Symphony's Incredible Beethoven at Robinson Center Music Hall. Tickets start at $20; $10 for students. 666-1761.

February 27
Little Rock Wind Symphony's Perennials and a Premier 3 p.m. at Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Drive. $10; $8 seniors; $5 students.

Honor Daisy Bates at Central High

2011-02-01T09:14:00.000-08:00

Celebrate Daisy Bates Day

Daisy Bates, one of Arkansas' most revered civil rights activists, will be honored February 21 at the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site.

The late Mrs. Bates was steadfast in her support for The Little Rock Nine. She and her husband, L.C. Bates, started the Arkansas State Press in 1942, and the newspaper quickly became a voice for the rights of black citizens in our state.

Daisy also served as president of the Arkansas branch of the NAACP, worked on anti-poverty programs for President Lyndon Johnson's administration, and worked for the Democratic National Committee.

The third Monday in February has been established as an official state holiday: George Washington's Birthday and Daisy Gatson Bates Day. She has been honored also by having The Daisy Bates Elementary School named for her. The event is free. For additional information, call 374-1957.

Pleasant Ridge Town Center Christmas Windows

2010-12-03T09:38:00.000-08:00

Pleasant Ridge

Beautifully decorated window displays have always been a pleasant Christmas tradition.

Pleasant Ridge Town Center is going all out this year in that department. The shops are abuzz to see which one will win the best windows contest.

Lou Schickel's Pleasant Ridge offers sophisticated "big city" shopping right in the neighborhood. And it's a distinct advantage that most of the shops are locally owned, keeping money spent in Arkansas in Arkansas.

The fantastic Roberson's Fine Jewelry makes you feel as if you've stepped into a posh shop in New York or L.A. The shopping center has several smart women's clothing shops from Thread City Wear to Pinky Punky. You'll find the latest in shoes at Warren's and Solemates. And the center has the cutest collection of kids' clothing shops you'll find anywhere.

Did I mention the food? From a cupcake shop to fine dining, and everything in between, Pleasant Ridge has it all.

Shop Smart at Carolyn's Keyboard Corner

2010-12-02T12:04:00.000-08:00

Carolyn's Keyboard Corner
Carolyn's Keyboard Corner, 11121 North Rodney Parham in the Market Place, is chock-full of never-before-offered, clever, and inexpensive items for the holidays.

"What I really tried to do this year was to find things you could buy and not break the bank doing it," owner Carolyn Hamm said.

"We have these great music boxes. I've sold four of them, and I've had them only one day."

The small wooden boxes can be customized. They sell for $24.95.

"You have a selection to pick from. The topics are mother, daughter, granddaughter, grandmother, love, wedding, baby, friends, music, nature and more," Mrs. Hamm said.

A small purchase in Carolyn's shop this Christmas can help a community in Southeast Asia.
"We have these lovely ornaments from Thailand that are layered. They are made in a village in
Thailand. They were starving until a company called Pilgrim Imports was originated 25 years ago and contracted with the people in the village. They make these ornaments, and now it is a thriving community."

The ornaments sell for $10.

"And also, from the same company, we have magnet frames with ornaments. They are $5. They are really pretty, and I had to reorder them already they are so popular."

Also new are coasters with musical and bird designs that sell for $3.25 each. There's a ukulele package for $79.95 that includes the ukulele, gig bag and tuner. It's sold in the concert or tenor size for $79.95.

"We have musical animals that sing. They are just darling - Scottie dogs, alligators, frogs, teddy bears and even one for motorcycle enthusiasts." They sell for $24.95.

The shop carries gifts with a musical theme, offers music lessons for a number of instruments, and sells beginner violins, harps and guitars. 217-0275.

The Stitchin Post

2010-12-02T11:56:00.000-08:00

Linda Bowlby and Dr. Jane Bell

The Stitchin' Post in West Little Rock is having a big sale on sewing machines this month.

"All of our sewing machines will be on sale," Dr. Jane Bell said.

Dr. Bell and Linda Bowlby own the bustling shop that is typically filled with women using their talents and creativity to make heirloom garments.

On Saturday, December 4, the shop will offer a class in making jewelry bags.

"It's a very simple project. You could make several," Jane said. "The pattern will be provided, and there is no class fee. The only thing needed would be fabric."

Registration is required; just call or come by the shop to register. The class is one of a regular "bag lady class" held the first Saturday of each month.

You can check out the shop's monthly and special classes on the web at stitchinpostinc.com. The Stitchin' Post offers classes for children and adults. And there are regular "sit and sew" and "sit and quilt" sessions where women come together to work and learn from one another.

The shop has a bit of everything for folks who like to sew.

"We have Christmas kits - apron kits, quilt kits and fabric bundles. These make nice gifts," Jane said.

The shop has sewing books and offers and gift certificates.

The Stitchin' Post is located at 1520 Macon Drive. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. 227-0288

Holiday Pet Sitting in Central Arkansas

2010-12-01T10:59:00.000-08:00

Wags & Whiskers

Michelle Wilkerson at Wags & Whiskers can take care of your "furry babies" in their own home environment while you enjoy the holidays.

Mrs. Wilkerson started her business almost two years ago, and it has been a great success in no small part due to her genuine love for animals and their happy response to their care.

Care includes walking, feeding, playing ball, petting, loving and making a pet as happy as it can be when its family is gone.

Michelle is licensed and bonded. She is a member of the National Association of Pet Sitters.

"I am responsible and security conscious. I do take what I do very seriously. I treat every dog like I would treat mine, and mine are treated very well.

You may call Michelle at 416-7380 or visit wagsandwhiskerslittlerock.com.

Begin Holiday Shopping at Kahler . Payne

2010-12-01T10:40:00.000-08:00

For Everyday Antiques & Flair

Kahler . Payne, the antique shop at 700 North Van Buren in Hillcrest, is a good spot to begin holiday shopping.

"We have recycled glass vases from Spain. They come in really pretty colors," Sylvia Payne, co-owner of the shop, said.

"We have portrait frames hand-made in Tennessee. They are really unusual; the frames are very wide. Our hottest items are our hand-pulled candy canes. They are chocolate filled, cherry, raspberry, peppermint and Cabernet."

Cabernet? Yes, Ms. Payne said. They taste like the wine.

The shop has some pretty wool and silk scarves. "They are made by a local artist. No two are alike," Sylvia said.

"We have granite lazy susans. They are very popular. And 'baby cakes," shea butter soaps that are only $1. We have kitchen textiles - tablecloths, dishcloths."

Shoppe Talk loves the pretty switch plates in the shop. They have even hand-painted the screws to make them match.

"There are a number of really nice candles in pretty gift containers and a fuller line of Aspen Bay candles," Sylvia said.

"Our refillable water bottles are socially conscious and chic."

Sylvia said the shop has antiques, of course, if you want to "spiffy up" your home for the holidays. And crystal, china, silver and lamps. 663-0608.

Give Cool Stuff & Support Arkansas Artists

2010-12-01T10:25:00.000-08:00

Give Cool Stuff from The Freckled Frog

You can help support 59 Arkansas artists by doing some holiday shopping at The Freckled Frog, 2715 Kavanaugh.

All of the items in the shop are handcrafted in Arkansas.

The shop offers a wide variety of jewelry, including pieces made of recycled vinyl records, hemp, crystals - and even bottle caps.

Clothing ranges from tees to patch-work pants and skirts. There are some great kids' items, such as Razorback baby gear and hand-sewn tutus.

You'll find whimsical, imaginative accessories, fragrant candles and cute cards.

The shop is located inside River City Coffee, Tea & Cream. 514-2060.

To read more about owners Sadie Nuffer (right) and Erika Robbins, go to our November archive.

The Freckled Frog

2010-11-03T07:38:00.000-07:00

Support Arkansas Artists

Erika and Sadie

The Freckled Frog - Sadie Nuffer's and Erika Robbins' charming shop in Hillcrest, supports the work of 57 Arkansas artists and crafts folk making hip, fun, whimsical, original, affordable, smart art.

"That's a lot of people," Ms. Nuffer said. "We started with eight other people besides ourselves, so we have grown quite a bit."

The two women had been making their own crafts for years when they opened a shop in the Heights in October 2009.

"Everybody thought we were crazy opening a store in a closet," Ms. Robbins said of the 12 x 25 foot Heights' shop.

But by March 2010, when they moved to a larger, light-filled space inside River City Coffee, Tea and Cream in Hillcrest, they were representing the work of 22 Arkansas artists.

"We've been doing really good. It's almost three times the space here," Sadie said.

"Oh, the shop is doing wonderfully in Hillcrest," Erika said. "Having our window that close to the street is great, and the neighborhood is really digging what we're doing."

The shop only sells work by Arkansans.

"We've got a little bit of everything - tee shirts, scarves, hats, apparel, and a lot of really interesting jewelry," Erika said.

Sadie and Erika met at the Farmers' Market in the River Market and became fast friends.

Sadie has been making jewelry and other crafts since 2001. "I was recently divorced and wanted to stay home with my sons, Damon and Jake.

"My parents were farmers at the Farmers' Market. I would help them out and put out a few of my things."

"I do a lot of recycled items out of old vinyl records. There are two sizes of cuff bracelets ($7 to $10) and earrings ($10)."

Sadie uses upholstery samples to make patchwork messenger bags, which are European-style shoulder bags. She makes patchwork skirts, pants and shorts too. Her hemp jewelry ranges from $3 to $8 and includes necklaces, bracelets and anklets.

Now she's making really neat leather flower hair clips with buttons as the middle of the flower. They range from $8 to $15. "I use leather furniture samples that were going to be thrown away. So it's close to a free supply of materials.

"Erika calls me 'the queen of repurposing.' I'm always doing something new with things like buttons and bottle caps. My parents were hippies. They are organic farmers, The Nuffers ... That's where my love of repurposing comes in."

Erika had a serendipitous entry into jewelry making. She was working an at insurance company when she bought a new suit and wanted to find the perfect big, chunky aquamarine necklace to go with it. But luckily, she found aquamarine nugget beads on eBay and made one herself - at quite a cost savings. Later she began making Christmas and birthday gifts for friends. And then, creating for the fun of creating.

"I got quite an inventory built up. So I took them to the Farmers Market. That's where I met Sadie, and we were instant friends, and we started doing different shows - craft fairs and music shows."

Sadie and Erika participated in craft shows and festivals for years and met other Arkansans who needed a place to show their work in the winter. Both women knew they eventually wanted a shop, and each was amused to learn that the other had been collecting and storing shelves too in anticipation.

They found a tiny space on the side of a restaurant in the Heights, and some of their fellow artists trusted them with their work and allowed them to build up their inventory. From the beginning, their shop carried Matt Abbott's Nativ tees and Ron Locke's LockStar soy candles.

And Jerry Hamilton's wire-wrapped jewelry. Mr. Hamilton cuts and polishes all kinds of gem stones for his jewelry, incorporates antique buttons and even employs old-fashioned typewriter keys in clever pieces. "He's an all-around talented guy," Ericka said.

Sadie said they just got in Mr. Abbott's fall line of long sleeved shirts with Arkansas themes. (They are wearing his tees in our cover photo.) Mr. Locke's candles are made to burn soot free and have lead-free wicks.

You will find items at The Freckled Frog that are sold nowhere else.

"I think that what folks like, because we're different," Erika said. "Everybody around here is just so talented, and its just so neat to be able to provide an outlet for their work. Most stores are corporate retailers, and they can't do something like that."

Not only are the wares unique, the prices are rare too.

"The most fun thing about our shop is that we have items for $3, and we have a ton of $5 things," Sadie said.

Another thing you'll enjoy is Erika's wire wrapping on the spot, Sadie said.

Customers can pick out their own stones or beads and have Erika make them a piece instantly.
Some people like to bring in coins, rocks, or items that have sentimental value and have them incorporated into a piece, Erika said. She also likes the challenge of duplicating pieces. Just bring her a magazine clipping and watch her do her magic - for a fraction of the cost.

"Most of the things I do on the spot. If I don't do it while you're in the store, it will take a while. If I do it while you're here, it could be five to 20 minutes."

When it's time to do your holiday shopping, have some fun. Visit The Freckled Frog and enjoy the laid-back, super-pleasant, pet-friendly atmosphere. Visit with Delilah, the dear wee shop dog who captivates everyone's heart. Best of all, spend $25 and cross off half your list!

The Freckled Frog is located at 2715 Kavanaugh Boulevard. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday. 514-2060.

*

Sadie Nuffer Profile

2010-11-02T07:32:00.000-07:00

Sadie Nuffer

Tell us about your family. My boys are great - A, B students, most of the times straight As. We have a small farm ourselves. We kind of take after my folks, Rusty and Sue Nuffer. They live in the mountains north of Morrilton surrounded by National Forest. That's where I grew up, and I love it. My boys (Damon, 14, and Jake, 11) like to go up there and go hunting with them. So, we are outdoorsy people. My finance's name is Granger Roberts.

Where were you born? On the farm. It was the community of Lost Corners. Jerusalem is the post office address now.

What do you do in your spare time? Playing in my garden would be my fun time.

Where do you live? Vilonia. I have a vegetable garden and a berry garden and two little miniature goats.

What's your favorite Little Rock restaurant? Cafe Bossa Nova (on Kavanaugh in Hillcrest) is one of my favorite places to eat. That and Boulevard.

Is there anything you'd like to learn how to do? Yes, I'd like to learn how to blow glass.

Do you support any charities? Arkansas Earth Day.

Do you have any pets? I have three cats, a chocolate lab, the two goats, which are pets, and, oh, like 15 fish. We have two fish tanks.

What would you do if you won a large lottery? I would pay all debts off and teach people how to garden - how to be more self-sustainable and grow your own food. And hire someone to run The Freckled Frog.

What's your favorite food? Anything Mexican.

What kind of music do you like? I like a wide assortment. I like blue grass and jam bands a lot.

Is there anything you'd like to see the nation do differently? Get a little more grounded and down to earth.

*

Erika Robbins Profile

2010-11-02T07:25:00.000-07:00

Erika Robbins

Tell us about your family. Erika said her mom and dad, who had encouraged her creativity and work, passed away in 2008 before The Freckled Frog opened. "I really hate that they didn't get to see me take advantage of it."

Where were you born? Chattanooga.

What is your favorite Little Rock restaurant? Cantina Laredo (in midtown). I love Mexican food passionately. I could eat it every day.

Is there anything you would like to learn how to do? Casting precious metal.

What do you do in your spare time? "I hula hoop. If I can't sleep, I'll go out at 4 o'clock at night and hula hoop. I've got my neighbors doing it too."

Do you have any pets? Delilah, my chihuahua.

Where do you live? I have a house in the Heights that I put up for rent and moved to the Valley View Apartments in Hillcrest. I absolutely love this neighborhood. It's a little self-contained area, and it's wonderful. I never have to get in the car.

Do you support any charities? The Pulaski County Humane Society. It's very important. We love critters.

What kind of music do you like to listen to? I like a little bit of everything other than pop country; I like old country, rock, jazz, rap.

What is the strangest thing in your refrigerator? An insane amount of Haribo gummy bears and blue Gatorade. I live off those things.

Is there anything you'd like to see Little Rock do differently? Yes, I would like to see the streets taken care of better. In our little neighborhood park, the grass has not been mowed in a year ... things are not taken care of like they were five years ago.

What would you do if you won a large lottery? I want an island and a helicopter. I'd set me and my friends up on our own little island with a helicopter. I think that would be paradise. And, of course, we'd still have The Freckled Frog.

*

November Events Little Rock

2010-11-01T08:32:00.000-07:00

Little Rock Calendar for November 2010

November 2
Art of Architecture lecture series by Mauricio Rocha at the Arkansas Arts Center. 5:30 p.m. reception, lecture follows. arkansasmexico2010.com.

November 3 - 14
Wicked at Robinson Center Music Hall. wickedthemusical.com.

November 4
Hillcrest Shop & Sip. Join with friends and neighbors 5 - 9 p.m. to enjoy music, food, libations - and, of course, great shopping!

November 4 - 6
20th Annual Holiday House at the Statehouse Convention Center. 375-5557.

November 5
In the Blue with Blue Dog Artist George Rodrigue 7 p.m. at the Clinton Presidential Center benefits the THEA foundation. theafoundation.org.

November 5
Celebration of Life Wine & Cheese Kick-off to the 2010 AIDS Walk 7:30 p.m. at MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History. $20. Benefits the Arkansas AIDS Foundation. 376-6299 or araidsfoundation.org.

November 5 & 6
Fall Seminar and Book Fair for the Arkansas Genealogical Society at Holiday Inn, 3201 Bankhead Drive (at the airport) $25 or one day, $40 for both (includes lunch and program.) Call Susan Boyle at 425-2742 or visit ags.genealogy.org.

November 5 - 20
Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead at The Weekend Theater. Directed by Frank Butler. 374-3761 or weekendtheater.org.

November 6 2010
Cinderella Ball 6 - 11 p.m. at the Embassy Suites. Cocktails, gourmet dining, ballroom dancing, live entertainment and a silent and a live auction. Black tie event to benefit Safe Places. $125. 351-4673 or SafePlacesLR.org.

November 6
8th Annual Arkansas AIDS Walk 8:30 a.m. registration at the River Market East Pavilion, 10:30 a.m. walk, and at the River Market East Pavilion, and awards ceremony and lunch at 11:30 a.m. araidsfoundation.org/events.

November 6
Fall Craft Show and Used Book Sale 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church. Proceeds benefit Basket of Hope. 291-3751 or e-mail gracecraftsshow@gmail.com.

November 6
Reigning Cats and Dogs 7 p.m. at the Double Tree Hotel. Silent and live auctions, hors d'oeuvres, wine and beer, and music by Blue Slate. To benefit the Humane Society of Pulaski County. $50 in advance and $60 at the door. 227-6166.

November 6
Wounded Warrior Project's Soldier Ride 9 a.m. at the Clinton Presidential Center. ArkansasFreedomFund.org.

November 7
11th Annual Walk for CommUNITY 2 - 4 p.m. at River Market Pavilions. Celebrate diversity with walk, music, refreshments, and entertainment. Benefits JCA's youth and community leadership programs.
arkansasjustcommunities.org/events.

November 8
A Witches Night Off 7 p.m. at Sway, 412 Louisiana. Party with the cast of Wicked to benefit the Arkansas AIDS Foundation. $40. araidsfoundation.org.

November 8 - 11
Hunter Education Course 6 - 9:30 p.m. at The Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center. Anyone born on or after January 1, 1969, must complete a hunter education course and carry a valid hunter education card to hunt in Arkansas. All three days of instruction required to complete the course. FREE, but space is limited and registration is required. 907-0636 or centralarkansasnaturecenter.com.

November 9
March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction 6 p.m. at the Statehouse Convention Center. Reception, dinner, live auction. 663-3100 or marchofdimes.com/arkansas.

November 9
Victorian Christmas Magic Lantern Show 6:30 p.m. at the Old State House Museum. FREE, but seating is limited. Call 324-8663 to make a reservation.

November 10
Film Festival: Arkansas Arts Center and UALR Mexican Film Festival 6:30 p.m. in the Arts Center lecture hall. FREE. Los Albaniles (1976) will be shown in Spanish with English subtitles. 372-4000.

November 10
Wine Tasting Event 7 p.m. at Eggshells Kitchen Company, 5501 Kavanaugh in the Heights. $100. To benefit Stonewall Democrats. Call Libby Gardner at 664-6900 or e-mail eggshellkitchencompany@gmail.com.

November 11
Pasta Cooking Class 6:30 p.m. at Eggshells Kitchen Company. $50. 664-6900.

November 11 - 14
God's Favorite at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, 4823 Woodlawn. 7:30 p.m. Thursday - Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. $10, except for "pay what you can" Sunday. 978-0522 or phumc.com.

November 12
2nd Friday Art Night 5 - 8 p.m. in the River Market District. Begin your gallery walk at Historic Arkansas Museum and enjoy a night of art at other galleries. FREE and free Art Night shuttle. 2ndfridayartnight.com.

November 13
6th Anniversary of the Clinton Center 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. FREE admission. 370-8000 or clintonpresidentialcenter.org.

November 13
Breakfast with Big Cats 8 a.m. at the Little Rock Zoo. $12.95 to $21.95. 666-2406.

November 13
Holidays for Kids cooking class for kids 8 to 12 at Eggshells Kitchen Company. $40. 664-6900.

November 13
Lil' Wild Ones: Nature Stories and Activities 2 p.m. at The Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center. For ages 4 to 8. FREE. 907-0636.

November 14
Christmas in the Heights. Photos with Santa, carolers, rides in a horse-drawn carriage, Christmas treats and shopping are all part of the day.

November 16 - December 31
Boeing Boeing at Murry's Dinner Playhouse. 562-3131 or murrysdinnerplayhouse.com.

November 18
Dancing Into Dreamland Dance Contest Gala 6 - 9 p.m. at the Governor's Mansion features Broadway star Lawrence Hamilton. $75. 993-7502 or dreamlandballroom.com.

November 18
Happy Hour in the Heights 5:30 - 8 p.m. Shop, nosh and support your local business owners. 614-7113 or e-mail stephanostudios@comcast.net.

November 18
The Mexican Mural Tradition by Phaedra Siebert 6 p.m. at the Arkansas Arts Center lecture hall. Reception 6 p.m., lecture 6:30. $5. arkansasmexico2010.com.

November 20
River Market on Ice 2010 Grand Opening Celebration 9:30 p.m. at River Market Pavilions. The rink will be open until January 9. 376-4781 or HolidayinLittleRock.com.

November 20 & 21
Beethoven & Blue Jeans. Arkansas Symphony Orchestra 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at Robinson Center Music Hall. Sharon Isbin, guitar. 666-1761 or arkansassymphony.org.

November 21
Pleasant Ridge Town Center Holiday Open House 1 - 4 p.m. Santa will be on hand for photos, and dozens of shops will be offering holiday treats and specials.

November 24
Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker 7:30 p.m. at Robinson Center Music Hall. $34.60 to $369.10. nutcracker.com or ticketmaster.com.

November 30
Arkansas Symphony Orchestra River Rhapsodies 7 p.m. at the Clinton Presidential Center. 666-1761 or arkansassymphony.org.

Birds Must Have Clean Feathers to Survive in Winter

2010-11-01T07:13:00.000-07:00

A Bath for All Seasons

Jim Allen, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in the Heights, wants to encourage folks to help birds this winter by providing them water sources.

"Basically, just like you or I, they have to hydrate year round. And to be able to stay healthy, they have to keep their feathers clean. It's a must for them to survive in cold weather," Mr. Allen said.

The importance of water sources during freezing weather cannot be overstated, Jim said.

Bird friendly folk should keep the water in their birdbaths fresh and keep it at a proper level.

"You want to keep the level usable for the birds, keep it filled up enough for them to get in." If your birdbath is deep, you can reduce the level of the water or put in a stone or brick. "If it's too deep, little birds won't want to get in."

Wild Birds Unlimited offers heaters beginning at $24, if you want to ensure the water does not freeze. These are low-wattage devices that must be plugged in and unplugged. The shop also sells de-icers that may be plugged in and left. These come on automatically when the temperature gets to a certain level. They run up to $60.

The shop carries a wide variety of bird baths and fountains, including hanging water sources, decorative wall fountains, and stand-alone birdbaths. They come in concrete, cast aluminum, and wrought iron. Prices start at $35.

"It's just as important, and in some ways more important, to keep a functional bird bath in the winter," Jim said.

Wild Birds Unlimited is located at 1818 North Taylor across from Kroger. It is a full service shop offering a wide range of bird feeders, bird houses, bat houses, yard art, wind chimes, bird seed, and decorative items that would make wonderful gifts for the holidays. Hours of operation are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. You may contact Jim at 666-4210.

Go!Running Reflective Gear Keeps You Safe

2010-11-01T06:58:00.000-07:00

Be Safe, Be Seen

Go!Running offers a variety of products to keep walkers and runners safe.

"It's all about being seen and being safe," Erin Taylor said. Mrs. Taylor and her husband, Gary, are the owners of the running shop at 1819 North Grant in the Heights.

"A lot of people are getting up early when it's dark, or they are running after work, and it's critically important to be seen."

The NightLife product line offers jackets, vests, long and short sleeve tops, shorts, reflective bands and light assortments. They come in sizes for both men and women.

This gear is pretty sweet. The fabrics are 1,500 times more visible than a white tee shirt, Erin said.

The color is a "true fluorescent and the the first color the eye sees in the spectrum."

It's the same sort of reflectivity technology that emergency personnel use and is super-reflective when headlights hit it.

"It's amazing when you see how visible your are."

The photos above show Erin in a NightLife jacket and holding a jacket that's she's rolled up - about as fast as rolling up a pair of socks - but the jacket is actually lighter.

"The jackets are 4.4 ounces. They are really light, and they fold down into a little zip pocket," she said.

The whole line is "really good performance athletic gear for runners and walkers."

It's just as important that walkers wear such gear, Erin said. "It's very dangerous with people driving and texting and other distractions. It's negligent not to take precautions and be safe."

Go!Running is open seven days a week. For more information, call Erin at 663-6800, visit GoRunning.com, or Google This Is Arkansas and go to the July archive.

RunWILD 5K

2010-10-08T09:54:00.000-07:00

RunWILD 5K
Wildwood Park for the Arts will have runners, children and dogs running wild in West Little Rock October 9 with its inaugural 5K RunWILD. The race begins at 8 a.m., followed by live entertainment and hayrides to Pumpkin Hill's hay fort.

Kicking off the Park's fall festivities, Wildwood welcomes runners to a morning fun run beginning at the Promenade at Chenal and ending with a victory lap inside Wildwood Park. A shuttle will transport runners from the park to the Promenade. Children and dogs, too, are welcome to participate in a 1K run through Wildwood's unique botanical gardens.

RunWILD will host an assortment of activities including entertainment by Radio Disney, music, games, prizes, and free hayrides to the Pumpkin Hill pumpkin patch, where each child will receive a free pumpkin and get to play in a hay fort designed by Amoz Eckerson of Jameson Architects.

Registration fees for the 5K are $25 in advance, $30 the day of the race. Registration fees for the kid and dog 1K are $10 in advance, $15 the day of the race. Registration fees include a RunWILD 5K t-shirt and race packet. Chip timing is provided by Mac's Race Timing Service.

Runners may register at: Go! Running, 1819 North Grant St in the Heights; Wildwood Park for the Arts, 20919 Denny Rd., in West Little Rock; or online at active.com or wildwoodpark.org. For more information, call 821-7275.

Big Boo!-seum Bash

2010-10-08T09:51:00.000-07:00

Big Boo!-seum Bash
The 15th Annual Big Boo!-seum Bash will be held 6 - 8:30 p.m. October 28 downtown.

The free event offers candy, games and story telling at various locations: Historic Arkansas Museum; Museum of Discovery; Central High School National Historic Site; Old State House Museum; The Clinton Presidential Library; MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, Heifer Village; Mosaic Templars Cultural Center; and EMOBA Museum.

For information on specific activities at the various sites, visit littlerock.com or call 376-4781.

Boo at the Zoo - Little Rock

2010-10-08T09:48:00.001-07:00

Boo at the Zoo
Boo at the Zoo will be held 6 - 9 p.m. October 21 - 24 and October 28 - 31. There will be some new attractions, including a new haunted house. $7, $6 in advance. 666-2406 or visit littlerockzoo.com.

Run as Your Favorite Superhero

2010-10-08T09:43:00.000-07:00

Run as Your Favorite Superhero
The first annual "Youth Home Hero Hustle-Relay for Hope!" will be held 7 p.m. October 30 at the Big Dam Bridge. Dress as your favorite superhero and join the relay race back and forth across the bridge. All proceeds benefit Youth Home.

Prizes will be awarded for best team time, best team costume and best individual costume. The $150 per-team cost is tax deductible. Space is limited to the first 40 teams. E-mail larry.betz@youthhome.org or call 821-5500, ext. 212.

October calendar of events Little Rock

2010-10-08T09:34:00.000-07:00

October

October 2
Walk Now for Autism 10 a.m. to noon at the Clinton Presidential Center. 515-0115.

October 2
Amethyst Ball 7 - 10 p.m. at the Peabody Hotel. To benefit the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Dustin and Bobbi McDaniel will be honored for their efforts in fighting domestic violence. Cocktails, buffet, auctions, music. $100. 907-5612.

October 2
Hank Williams Jr. with Jamey Johnson, Colt Ford, Josh Thompson and The Grascals 7 p.m. at Verizon Arena. Annual tribute to men and women in the armed services. $35.15 - $149.45. 800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

October 3
Italian Sausage & Spaghetti Dinner at St. Francis Church in Little Italy. Mass 10 a.m. Serving 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. $10, kids 7 - 12 $5, and free for ages 6 and younger. Fun and games for everyone.

October 3
All That Jazz 6 p.m. at Next Level Events. All proceeds benefit the CARTI Kids, pediatric cancer patients treated at CARTI. Food, libations, live entertainment and silent and live auctions. Attire is country club casual. $50. Jill McIlroy at 296-3429 or carti.com.
See October, Page 4

October 3
Downtown Music presents Oh, Sleeper and The Bled 7 p.m. 215 Capitol Avenue. $10 advance, $13 at the door. arkansaslivemusic.com.

October 5
River Rhapsodies 7 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Clinton Presidential Center. 666-1761 or arkansassymphony.org.

October 7
Festival of Wines 2010 6 - 9 p.m. at Dickey-Stephens Park. Benefits the American Heart Association of Central Arkansas. Silent auction and cuisine from local restaurants paired with more than 600 wines from around the world. $60 in advance, $75 at the door. 379-1198 or americanheart.org.

October 8
2nd Friday Art Night 5 - 8 p.m. in the River Market District. Begin your gallery walk at Historic Arkansas Museum and hop on the free Art Night shuttle to enjoy a night of art, food, wine, music and visiting with friends. 2ndfridayartnight.com.

October 8 - 17
Arkansas State Fair. arkansasstatefair.com.

October 8 - 24
Chicago at The Weekend Theater, 7th and Chester. Superbly crafted razzle-dazzle of musical theater. Directed by John Thompson. Music direction by Jeannie Smith. 374-3761 or weekendtheater.org.

October 9
2011 Little Rockers Kids Marathon Training Kick-off, "The Great Lace Up," 9 a.m. at War Memorial Stadium. littlerockmarathon.com.

October 9
Elite Events' Project UPSTAGE 6:30 p.m. at Wildwood Park for the Arts. To benefit Simone's Home Inc., a residential girl's home. $25 in advance, $30 at the door, $45 V.I.P. 541-9983.

October 9
RunWILD 5K 8 a.m. to noon at Wildwood Park for the Arts. Fun run and a 1 K in which kids can include their dogs. There will be live entertainment, games, hay rides, and a hay fort on Pumpkin Hill, where each child gets a free pumpkin. $25 in advance, $30 race day for the 5K; $10 advance and $15 race day for the 1K.

October 15
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Pasta Party 5:30 - 8:30 in Dickey-Stephens Park. Time to load those carbs. $20. komenarkansas.org.

October 16
Komen Race for the Cure in downtown Little Rock to raise funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer. komenarkansas.org.

October 16
Tale of Two Farms Pumpkin Fest at P. Allen Smith's Garden Home Retreat to benefit the Oxford American and the Heritage Poultry Conservancy. $300 per couple, $200 per person. gardenhome@pallensmith.com.

October 16 & 17
HARVEST! Festival 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Wildwood Park for the Arts. Music by Mountain Heart and more. $10 adults, $5 for children, free for kids under age 5. wildwoodpark.org.

October 21
Happy Hour in the Heights 5:30 - 8 p.m. See what the Heights has to offer and support local businesses. 614-7113.

October 21
Monster Ball Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper with Murderdolls 7 p.m. at Verizon Arena. $48.25 and $59.30. ticketmaster.com.

October 23
Mud Run 9 a.m. at Two Rivers Park. 371-4770 or visit mudrun.org.

October 28
Gala for Hope - An Evening with the Legendary Al Green 6 - 10 p.m. at the Statehouse Convention Center. A black-tie evening with Mr. Green, a Grammy Award winner and a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. To benefit Arkansas Baptist College. $250. Contact Janell Mason at 539-0913 or visit arkansasbaptist.edu.

October 30 & 31
Arkansas Symphony Orchestra presents Titan 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at Robinson Center Music Hall . David Renfro, horn. 666-1761.

2010-10-08T07:43:00.000-07:00

Miracle Wiff, a Hat Club Production, will take place November 6 at Dickey-Stephens Park to benefit The Miracle League of Arkansas.

The Miracle League provides opportunities for children to play baseball regardless of any disability. It has a field at Junior Deputy with a synthetic surface cushioned to prevent injuries when youngsters fall. It accommodates wheelchairs and walkers and has a barrier-free, flat dugout. In September, the organization opened a second field in Northwest Arkansas.

Matthew Abbott, a member of The Hat Club, a nonprofit group of young men who raise money for charitable organizations, said the entry fee for the wiffle ball competition is $500 per team. There is a 10-player maximum, with five players on the field at a time. All ages will be admitted to the event, but you must be 21 or older to compete.

The entire Dickey-Stepens field will be divided off, he said, and as many as 64 teams may register.

Peggy McCall, executive director of The Miracle League, said The Hat Club created the event.
"These guys are funny, so awesome. They are 21- to 40-year-old young professionals. They have a sense of humor and adventure. They've come up with awards for most creative team name, best dressed team, a home run derby, and a baggo contest."

Mrs. McCall said there will be a big screen for viewing football games, live music, food, and a kids' zone. All the proceeds will benefit The Miracle League.

You might also mark your calendar for "Double Header," The Miracle League's baseball camp December 4 at Dickey-Stephens Park.

"It's for typical kids eight to 18," Peggy said. "Major and minor league players will coach. At 6:30 (p.m.), there is a live and silent auction. It is a neat event. It's very casual."

You may go to miracleleaguear.com for more information on this organization and ways to support it, including buying a "brick" for one of its special baseball fields.

Fashion Exchange's First Anniversary

2010-10-07T12:58:00.000-07:00

Trecia Francois' popular and very successful Fashion Exchange is having its first anniversary in Bowman Curve.

If you haven't stopped by this delightful shop, do yourself a favor and check it out. You will find "gently used" brand name up-to-date fashions at incredible prices, and Mrs. Francois also has a large selection of new jewelry, watches, and handbags. In addition to the latest jeans, dresses, tops and skirts, she offers cotillion dresses.

"Business has been great," Trecia said. "We have been on 'Good Morning Arkansas' and have participated in a couple of fashion shows. All of that has brought us a lot of business.

"We've started carrying a good selection of cotillion dresses and gloves this season, and this is doing great as well."

Trecia invites everyone to her anniversary celebration 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday October 23.

"Thank you for your business, and come help us celebrate. We have a special sale, door prizes and refreshments."

She will also be giving a $40 store gift certificate.

Fashion Exchange offers junior sizes zero to 16, misses sizes 2 to 18, and women's sizes 1X to 3X. Brands include Seven for All Mankind, True Religion, Citizen of Humanity, Chicos, Ann Tayor, Ralph Lauren and many more. Trecia buys outright; she does not consign. She pays on the spot for clothing that fits her specifications - freshly laundered items in up-to-date styles and good brands.

The shop changes constantly, as she gets in new items every day.

Trecia has a knack for selecting stylish, fun jewelry at market. And the prices cannot be beat. She has stocked watches, handbags and jewelry in red for Razorback season.

Fashion Exchange is located at 200 North Bowman in Bowman Curve II. It is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday. 227-7776.

Sage House Gallery's Art in the Garden

2010-10-07T07:28:00.000-07:00

Sage House Gallery in Maumelle will be exhibiting a new collection, "Farm to Table," in conjunction with the Art in the Garden event at White Wagon Farm.

Art in the Garden - Fall Edition will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. October 30 at the nursery, 24627 Highway 365 North.

It will be a fun day of refreshments, a soap-making demonstration, a "clothesline" sale of unframed art works, and a plant sale.

Beginning in 2006, the artists of Sage House Gallery have met weekly to paint together, either from a model or from still lifes.

They devoted much of this summer to painting food - vegetables grown in their gardens or bought at farmers' markets.

Martin Crummer has provided a farm view of pumpkins in the field, and Pat White has a series of vendors and customers at the Argenta Farmers' Market. These accompany still life paintings by Jan Crummer, Bill Lewis, Shirley Brainard, and Tom Herrin. And a painting by Mrs. Crummer of the restaurant atop Petit Jean closes the food circle.

The show will continue through November. Images of the collection may be seen at sagehousegallery.com.

White Wagon Farm is a nursery that specializes in perennials, roses and herbs. It was opened by Ms. White and Kathy Wagenknecht in 1986. Sage House Gallery is located on the nursery property.

Destin Fun in the Sun

2010-09-03T08:23:00.000-07:00

Destin is Open for Business

Destin dodged the bullet. It is gorgeous - amazing sugary white sand, clear blue water, and sunshine.

Mickey and Larry Drennan of Hillcrest want you to come on down and enjoy the beauty of Florida in their Gulf front Destin condo.

"The weather is just beautiful, the crowds are gone. You can enjoy the silver-white sands. It's still warm enough to swim. The kids have gone back to school. The water is clean," Mrs. Drennan said.

Above photo is the Drennan's grandson, Noah, on the beach at Destin.

Mickey and her husband had been visiting Destin for almost four decades when they decided to buy a condo there in March 2009. It was their second season to have the condo when one of the nation's worst environmental disasters occurred. BP Plc's crippled Macondo well began gushing millions of barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico after its Deepwater Horizon drilling rig exploded April 20.

"Our condo is on Miramar Beach in Destin. It was never affected like some of the other beaches in Florida or Louisiana. We were never hit like the other beaches. A few tar balls washed up. BP was there, but they just stood around; there was not much for them to do. BP is still combing the beaches each morning, but there's little there, thankfully," Mickey said.

Thankfully. The stretch of the Florida panhandle that includes Destin has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world - better than the French Riviera or Cancun - for my money.

President Barack Obama vacationed in Panama City Beach last month, declaring the area "open for business." That was good news for a lot of folks heartbroken by the spill, Southerners who grew up vacationing with their families along the "Miracle Strip," collecting shells and sand dollars, and playing miniature golf at wacky surf side parks. And a great ad, of course, for area businesses that rely on tourism.

Even though the oil crisis did not exist in Destin, business owners lost money, because vacationers were wary of coming to the Gulf coast.

Mickey and Larry were very fair to folks who had rented their condo, but then decided not to come.

"People were scared. My husband and I made the decision to refund all money if people didn't feel comfortable in coming. People save for a long time for their vacations," Mickey said.

She and Larry are just "very grateful" the area escaped the pollution caused by the spill. And now, they want folks to know it's time for them to once again enjoy the beauty of the Destin area.

"We have a three-bedroom, three bath Gulf front condo at Surfside. We bought it in March 2009, and we went in and completely redid it - put tile throughout, replaced all the appliances, and the beds.

"The condo itself will sleep 10 people. It has a fully equipped kitchen. There are balconies all the way across the front. They can sit outside on the balconies, having a Gulf front is really nice. You can watch the sun set from the balcony. We've done that many times.

"The prices depend on the season. The rates are extremely good. We will negotiate a little bit for people from Arkansas. We love to have people from Arkansas book our condo, because they take such good care of it."

It is a three-bedroom condo and can be rented fully or as a one-bedroom or a two-bedroom. All rooms open onto a 28-foot, 400-square-foot balcony with clear glass railings that enhance the view.

When you go to the website - destinfuninthesun.com - a chart gives you the rates for different time periods. For example, the rate for all three bedrooms during the time period from October 23 to December 31 is $995 a week, a fantastic deal, especially if you are splitting the cost with two other couples.

"Book early," Mickey advises.

"I think it's really tough to beat the beaches in Destin. And Destin offers a lot of things, the wonderful restaurants, coffee shops, three huge shopping centers, golf - even a course that stays open all night, and the fishing. They are still taking people out to fish. There's no problem with that.

"The most important thing people should know, the beaches are clean, and the water shimmering."

By Bobbi Nesbitt

Mickey Drennan Profile

2010-09-03T08:13:00.000-07:00

Mickey Drennan

Tell us about your family. My husband, Larry, and I have been married for about 37 years. We've been going to Destin for most of that 37 years. I have one daughter, Angelea, and a son-in-law, Billy, and my grandson, Noah, who's two and a half. He thinks he owns the condo - he calls it his "re-tweet." He can find Florida on a map.

What's your favorite Little Rock restaurant? Acadia, and Brave New Restaurant, and Scallions.

What do you like to read? I just finished The Other Wes Moore ... and I just finished Doris Buffet's Giving It All Away.

What's your favorite movie? My favorite thing in the world is to laugh. The last thing that made me laugh would be my favorite movie. Blind Side right now is my favorite.

What do you like to watch on the tube? My favorite show is The Amazing Race. You get to see all of these other countries and how we deal with it.

Do you have favorite actors? My favorite actress was Farrah Fawcett. She was amazing, but underutilized. My favorite actor is John Travolta, hands down.

What do you like to do in your spare time? Read and spend time with my grandson. I have every Tuesday with my grandson, "Tuesday with Nonni," we call it.

Is there anything you would like to learn how to do? Play the piano.

If you could have a dream dinner party and invite any three people, who would you choose? Ronald Reagan, Bob Dole, and Hillary Clinton. I think it would be a great conversation.

Do you support any charities? Yes. We are lucky enough to be able to donate to several. The Juvenile Diabetes Association, and we often donate to Donors Choose.

What is that? It's a great on-line organization. You can choose a school and help supply a poor school with books, desks ... You get to see pictures of (the kids) getting them. And we donate to our church, Mosaic Church.

Is there anything you would like to see Little Rock do differently? Not really. I love Little Rock. I think it's just one of the greatest cities. We have a lot to offer.

The nation? I would like to see us more spiritually inclined.

What is the strangest thing you have in your refrigerator? A bottle of champagne that's been in there three years. We need to pop the top on that.

What's your favorite food? We eat a lot of fish, and I love anything that someone else prepares.

What would you do if you won a large lottery? That's pretty easy. I think everyone has that fantasy. I would give a lot to charity, and to our employees to set themselves up, and then tell them I'll see them when I get off the beach.

2010-09-03T06:27:00.000-07:00

Buddy Needs a Good Home

This is Buddy, he's an 8 to 12 month old Black and Tan coon hound in need of a good home and family.

Buddy is a wonderfully energetic dog that loves to play with kids and is VERY social with other dogs as well.

He is a medium sized dog that has been neutered and is current with all of his vaccinations. Buddy is house trained, potty trained, and loves to get baths. Our neighborhood has made sure that he gets his heart worm and flea medicine on a regular monthly basis.

Buddy is what you could call a cuddle butt. He is a VERY sweet dog that needs a family who can give him the love and attention he deserves.
If you know of a family in need of a loyal companion please call Neysa @ 501.658.0312

September Calendar of Events Little Rock

2010-09-02T15:23:00.000-07:00

September

September 1
United Way Campaign Kick-off 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Dickey-Stephens Park. The public is invited to enjoy free hot dogs, chili, ice cream and bottled water from Golden Corral, Sonic Drive-In, Coleman Dairy and Central Arkansas Water. Door prizes, music, information booths and more. 376-4567.

September 2
Hillcrest Shop & Sip 5 - 9 p.m. Music, libations, food and lots of great shopping. Spend time with your friends, get to know your neighbors. Spearheaded by the Hillcrest Merchants Association. FREE.

September 2
Taste History as It Happens - Brandon's World Premiere 6 - 9 p.m. at the Arkansas Arts Center. The first tasting of Brandon's vodka and gin from Arkansas' first craft distillery. Hors d'oeuveres, open bar, entertainment by Tragikly White. $30 advance, $40 at the door. Benefits the Arts Center. 907-5244.

September 3, 10, 17 & 24
Friday Night Is Family Night at the Aerospace Education Center. Small popcorn and cola with each $5.75 movie ticket purchase. 376-4629.

September 3
Arkansas State Horse Show at Barton Coliseum. 372-8341 or arkansasstatefair.com.

September 5
Bootfest featuring John Conlee. Gates open 3 p.m. at War Memorial Stadium. Opening ceremonies at 3:45 p.m. Riverbilly, Spinrad, Cliff Hudson, and Matt Huff perform at the top of each hour and Conlee at 9 p.m. Benefits the Arkansas Fallen Firefighters' Memorial $10, kids under age 10 free, active first responders and military $5. (Bring ID). Tickets available at Metropolitan Bank locations, the stadium ticket office or arfallenfirefighters.org. 663-6385 or 377-1110.

September 6
Labor Day.

September 6
RazorRock doins. Bike rally begins 11 a.m. at River Trail Station in North Little Rock. For more information, call David Fike at 374-5505 or e-mail info@rivertrailrentals.com. The RazorRock Foodie Festival 4 - 7:30 p.m. at Dickey-Stephens Park is presented by Argenta Downtown Council. For information, call Drue Patton at 517-3127 or e-mail dpatton@argentadc.org. RazorRock movie night 7:45 - 10 p.m. at Dickey-Stephens. For complete schedule of events, go to razorrockrally.com.

September 8
Dona Barbara at UALR/Arkansas Arts Center Film Festival 6:30 p.m. in the Arts Center Lecture Hall. Film is in Spanish with English subtitles. FREE.

September 8
Start of Rosh Hashanah.

September 9 - 11
Cropping Party benefiting the Museum of Discovery. Four time slots available; at the museum. $25. 396-7050 or museumofdiscovery.org.

September 10
2nd Friday Art Night 5 - 8 p.m. in the River Market District. Come to the city after work and enjoy a concentrated night of art. Start at Historic Arkansas Museum, hop on the free Art Night shuttle. Music, food, libations, shopping. FREE. 2ndfridayartnight.com.

September 10
L'espirt de la Fleurs and The People I Have Known exhibit opens with a reception 6 - 8 p.m. at Cantrell Gallery. It features recent tarpaper and ceramics works by Rhonda Hicks and Sarah Noebels. 224-1335. Work at right by Sarah Noebels

September 10
Boys and Their Toys 6:30 - 9 p.m. at the Jack Stephens Center at UALR. Casual football-themed dinner to benefit the Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation. Dr. Fitz Hill, president of Arkansas Baptist College is the 2010 honoree. $50. 748-1308 or e-mail rwallis@arprostatecancer.org.

September 10 - 25
Crumbs from the Table of Joy at The Weekend Theater. Directed by Crystal C. Mercer. $10, $14. 374-3761 or weekendtheater.org.

September 10 - October 3
Evita at The Rep. Directed by Cliff Fannin Baker and Bob Hupp. 378-0405 or therep.org.

September 11
Footsteps for Life: A Family Walk for Literacy 5:15 - 9 p.m. on the North Little Rock side of the Big Dam Bridge. $25 adults, $15 12 - 17, $45 family 247-3150 or pclearningcenter.org.

September 12
Family Funanza - It's a commUNITY thing! 3 - 6 p.m. at Highland Valley United Methodist Church. Help the Red Cross, the Rice Depot, Central Arkansas Center for Women and other groups. Arts, crafts, door prizes. FREE admission. 224-6047.

September 16
3rd Annual Harvest of Hope Live & Silent Auction 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. at The Little Rock Club. Benefit for Arkansas Health Care Access Foundation. $75. harvestofhope2010.com.

September 16
Duck Duck Goose sale of more than 100,000 items of kids clothing. duckduckgoosesale.com.

September 16
Dancing with "Our" Stars for Children's Tumor Fund 6:30 p.m. at Chenal Country Club. $125. For more information, call Lesley Oslica at 759-2710.

September 17
12th Annual Kaleidoscope Kids Auction 6:30 p.m. at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Proceeds benefit Kaleidoscope Grief Center. Emcee Anne Jansen, cocktails, heavy hors d'oeuvres, music, a wine pull, and more than 200 live and silent auction items. $75, $125 per couple. 661-0720 or methodistfamily.org.

September 17
Brown Bag Lunch Lecture - Fent and Pete: Arkansas' Southwestern Humor noon to 1 p.m. at the Old Statehouse Museum. FREE. Bring a sack lunch; beverages are provided. 324-9685. oldstatehouse.com.

September 17
Wine and Food Festival 6:30 - 9 p.m. at Wildwood Park for the Arts, 20919 Denny Rd. Grape stompers and roaming musicians will transport guests to wine country. More than 150 specially selected wines and artful edibles created by the area's finest chefs and restaurants. $75. 821-7275.

September 18
8th Annual Arkansas Pagan Pride 7 - 9 p.m. at Riverfest Ampitheatre. 589-3600.

September 23
17 Annual Taste of the Town 5:30 - 7:3- p.m. at Verizon Arena. 30 plus local restaurants participating. $20. $15 advance. 372-5959.

HarvestFest in Hillcrest

2010-09-02T07:57:00.000-07:00

HarvestFest

Mark your calendar for October 2 so you won't miss HarvestFest, Hillcrest's annual day of music, family fun, food, fashion and all around revelry.

The day begins with a pancake breakfast from 9 - 11 a.m. at Pulaski Heights Presbyterian at Woodlawn and Walnut.

The festival along Kavanaugh Boulevard begins at 11 a.m. and lasts until 10 p.m. In addition to great area restaurants, there will be lots of food vendors and this year's first "BurgerFest," Jessica Davis, chairman of the Merchants and Residents Committee, said.

Matthew Abbott, who is in charge of the event, said BurgerFest is "a hamburger culinary challenge." It's a competition with prizes from local merchants; it replaces the annual chili cook off.

"It's going to be an all-day event with judges from local restaurants. Anybody can enter; it's open to the public," Mr. Abbott said. The $100 entry fee includes a goodie bag.

"It's too warm for chili. Put down your chili spoons and fire up your grills. It's time to grill and chill," Matthew said.

HarvestFest is sponsored by the Hillcrest Merchants Association and the Hillcrest Residents Association. The groups donate a portion of the proceeds from beer and wine sales to local charities, Ms. Davis said.

Antique cars and hot rods will be on display, and kids are encouraged to jazz up their bikes or other rides for the "Hot Wheels at HarvestFest" contest. There are lots of other kids' activities in the Kids' Zone - face painting, a bouncy house, pumpkin painting, a bean bag toss, sidewalk art, crafts such as making pet rocks, and Radio Disney.

And bands will play throughout the afternoon: Chris Denny, 1 - 2 ; The See, 3 - 4:30; Kevin Kerby + Battery, 5 - 6:30; and American Princes, 8 - 9:30.

Jessica said Box Turtles' fashion show was a big hit last year, and the shop will be presenting another wonderful show at 7 p.m.

The festival is always a shoppers' delight with vendors of all stripes, unique wares, and fantastic prices. You could get lots of holiday shopping out of the way in one day! Y'all come.

2010-09-01T06:46:00.000-07:00

Laura Terry Explores the Southern Landscape in New Exhibit

Historic Arkansas Museum is proud to present Natural Wonders: Paintings and Drawings by Laura Terry in the Second Floor Gallery, September 10 through December 5.

There will be a free opening reception 5 – 8 p.m. September 10, in conjunction with downtown Little Rock’s 2nd Friday Art Night. Live music will be provided. The artist’s works will be available for purchase in the Museum Store. As part of 2nd Friday Art Night, a free shuttle is available to transport visitors to other Art Night venues. Shuttle service ends at 8:30 p.m.

Natural Wonders: Paintings and Drawings by Laura Terry is presented in conjunction with the Arkansas Arts Council , an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage. This exhibit was created with resources identified in the Arkansas Artist Registry, a program of AAC.

Laura Terry’s paintings capture what she calls “ghosts,” or aspects of the Southern landscape that she believes often go unnoticed. She says, “There is no need to search far for these natural wonders, no need to look beyond the garden.” Terry borrows imagery from the natural world and infuses her painting with rich colors and textures. Originally from Georgia, Terry is an assistant professor in architecture at the Faye Jones School of Architecture at the University of Arkansas where she has worked since 1998.

Also on exhibit:
· Guns in Arkansas History through January 31, 2010
· We Walk in Two Worlds: The Caddo, Osage and Quapaw in Arkansas (permanent)
· Unprivate Mail: Arkansas Postcards and Cryptic Messages through September 26, 2010
· Aspects of Abstraction: Donnie Copeland and Gene Sparling through October 31, 2010
· The Knife Gallery (permanent)

Historic Arkansas Museum is open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 1 - 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission to the galleries and parking are free; tours of historic grounds are $2.50 for adults, $1 for children under 18, $1.50 for senior citizens. The Historic Arkansas Museum Store is open 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 1 - 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Historic Arkansas Museum is an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, which was created in 1975 to preserve and enhance the heritage of the state of Arkansas.

Salon Bella In Hillcrest

2010-08-01T12:26:00.000-07:00

Kim Bomar

Salon Bella in Hillcrest: That Friendly Place

You could call Salon Bella in Hillcrest that friendly salon. People praise its welcoming, relaxed atmosphere and the graciousness of the folks who work there.

Kim Bomar, owner of the salon, has had some of the same clients for 23 years. Mr. Bomar opened one salon 14 years ago in Hillcrest Square at the corner of Spruce and Kavanaugh, and now has two bright, spacious suites on the ground floor there.

Greta Gray of Little Rock has been going to Salon Bella for about five years. "It's friendly, it's clean, and everybody is so professional in a nice way, and they just make you feel so comfortable.

"Kim is a very genuinely decent person," Ms. Gray said. "He is sweet and kind and genuinely cares about people, and he's a very good stylist, by the way. He does an excellent job. I found out about him through my daughter. I was looking for someone, and she said, 'Try Kim, you'll love him,' and I do."

Kim decided in college that he wanted to own his own business.

"I went to college for three years at ASU (Arkansas State University) and UALR (the University of Arkansas at Little Rock), but I wanted to be in the fashion industry, and I decided that I would focus on hair. Plus, my grandfather was a barber, and I had a cousin and an aunt who were hair stylists. I've been in hair for 26 years.

"I love it. Every five years I used to check myself to see if there was anything else I really wanted to do. Hair won out every time."

His clients are awfully glad.

Just ask The Rev. Holly Patton, pastor of Pulaski Heights Christian Church.

"I used to hate going to get my hair done, because the person is distracted - trying to do several people at once - and Kim focuses on one person at a time, so it's a calm and fun experience," Rev. Patton said.

"He's great - professionally and personally - won't just do something for the sake of doing something to make money. He is very honest and faithful!"

James Carlton

Sara Rebecca Hill of Little Rock said Kim has been styling her hair for about 23 years. "He's real nice, and he does a good job. Everybody up there is just real nice. I reckon that's why I keep going back.

"It's a feel-good salon, you know, one of those places that makes you feel so welcome and look so good, you just want to come back."

The staff that everyone raves about includes James Carlton, Melissa Johnson aka MoJo, and Christopher Copeland.

The salon offers color, permanents, cuts, area waxing, manicures and pedicures. A basic cut is $25, cut and style $50, one-tone color and cut $75, and highlights start at $130.

"We have great retail lines: Aquage, Schwarzkopf, and Paul Mitchell products. The dominant color line we use here is Goldwell."

Kim said his philosophy is to keep hair as natural and healthy as possible. "The client tells us what they would like to have, and it's our job to get what they want. I love to style people's hair, cut people's hair. It's just a passion for me. I like to play with hair and make people feel better about themselves."

Salon Bella, 3000 Kavanaugh, is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Walk-ins are welcome.

So why should folks come to Salon Bella?

"I'm smiling," Kim said. "It's a very fun and comfortable place with talented stylists."

Kim Bomar

Where were you born? Kennett, Missouri, and I was brought up in Piggott, Arkansas.

What do you like to watch on the tube? Comedies and sci-fi. I love Glee. That's probably my favorite show.

What's your favorite movie? Fried Green Tomatoes.

I love that movie. I have a copy of it and have watched it probably a dozen times.

Do you have a favorite actor? Jack Nicholson.

What do you like to read? People. And I read the news on the internet.

What is your favorite food? Italian.

What's your favorite Little Rock restaurant? Vesuvio in West Little Rock.

Do you have any pets? I have three, two dogs and a cat. The dogs are RK and Bella, and the cat is Satene. I am a pet lover. I've always had pets. My last two, my dog lived for 18 years and my cat for 15.

Is there anything you'd like to learn how to do? I'd love to learn how to do (hair) extensions.

What do you do in your spare time? I like to leave the city on occasion to travel in the car to places like Eureka Springs or Fairfield Bay at Greers Ferry.

Is there anything you'd like to see Little Rock do differently? Yes. I would love to see them focus on more building in downtown and midtown and not out west.

The nation? Peace. I want peace on earth.

What would you do if you won a large lottery? Pay off everything I owe and move to South America. Or Costa Rica sounds great.

If you could have a dream dinner party and invite any three people, who would you include? Holly Patton, Blake Weber, and Rusty. I am very simple; I don't want any movie stars I have to impress.

Do you support any charities? The AIDS Foundation and The Humane Society.

Melissa Johnson aka MoJo
Kim says: "MoJo and I met through friends. She just graduated in March from the Paul Mitchell
Academy. It's a must to have a natural instinct about how to do hair, and she's got it. She loves to do hair color."

MoJo says: "I was first interested in (hair styling) when I saw what a change it made in my mother. She was disabled, and I got her hair done for her one year at Mother's Day, and it did a lot for her personally."

She said a close friend told her "to go for it and get my butt in school."

That she did, and now she does manicures, pedicures, cuts, color, and waxing.

"I love doing this, because I like to see people happy. It can change their lives. I saw it with my mom. I like to make people feel good."

For the June Shop & Sip, Salon Bella put out an incredible spread of cheeses, meats, sandwiches, dips, and fruit, all beautifully arranged along with vases of flowers with lemon and lime slices at their base. It was a visual and epicurean delight - but the biggest hit of the night was Melissa's Pear Sangria.

For your future soirees, enjoy her recipe:

Pear Sangria a la MoJo.
1/2 cup of lime juice
2 bottles of Pinot Grigio
1 quart of white grape juice
2 cups of fresh blackberries
2 cups fresh raspberries
3 pears sliced
1/2 cup mint, chopped
Combine and allow to chill overnight.

Check Out the Amazing Fusion Massage

2010-08-01T12:16:00.000-07:00

Fusion Massage at Bugabooo in Hillcrest

Fusion massage is energizing, relieves pain rapidly, will improve posture, help you sleep, and can even make you taller.

It is offered by Bugabooo, 3000 Kavanaugh Blvd., in Hillcrest.

"Nobody in Arkansas does what we do," Sergio Espinoza, co-owner of Bugabooo, said.

"Fusion massage is an integrated massage I had combined by using Eastern and Western modalities," Mr. Espinoza said. "I had been in a car accident and suffered major multiple injuries."

Fusion massage typically combines different massage therapies. After Sergio's accident he used his extensive knowledge of massage techniques to come up with a new combination with the aim of helping people suffering from pain and muscle aches.

He also taught his technique to Theo Lever, co-owner of Bugabooo, and to Caroline McDanial, another massage therapist there.

"I was involved in a 70-mile-per-hour car impact that left doctors telling me I would never be able to do the same activities and would have to take Vicodin for the rest of my life. I did not accept that answer after two to three years of non-stop, agonizing, no relief pain. I could not tolerate taking pain medication and the pain."

Sergio was determined to find a holistic solution.

"Because of my desperate attempt to find a remedy, I concentrated on what gave me the fastest relief with long-term effects. This is what fusion massage is about."

Sergio has been doing his combination of fusion massage for about four years, mainly in California, where fusion massage is quite popular.

One of his clients, Jacob Edge of Little Rock, participates in triathlons, and when he came to Bugabooo, he was suffering from lots of muscle cramping in his calves and shoulders.

"I was having really bad charley horses at night. My spine was contracted," Mr. Edge said.

After the fusion massage, not only were his muscle cramps relieved, Jacob improved his triathlon time - and was taller.

"My spine was so contracted, I was actually about an inch taller. I felt so good afterward. It really helped me in getting in top physical shape. I was kind of in a plateau in my training. I beat my best time by 30 minutes. I would definitely recommend people going, for sure."

George Ramser of Little Rock, a psychotherapist and clinical director for Vista Health, said he was suffering from glut and hamstring tightening, as well as lower back tightening, from driving so many miles each day.

Sergio's massage not only relieved those problems, but enabled him to relax and get some sleep.
"Sergio is excellent in his technique, and I began seeing results from the very first time. I felt more flexible, and my sleep began to improve from that first time, so much so that a sleep med I was taking, I was able to cut in half, and now, I am pretty much weaned from it. It was a low dose, but I still rather not be on it."

Fusion is excellent massage for folks who have low back pain, loss of movement or need more flexibility, Sergio said.

"They may be sore for a day or two - nothing major - it just feels like a workout."

John Paul Jones, a stylist at Salon Bella next door to Bugabooo, said one of the biggest benefits he received from the massage was a big boost in energy.

Sergio said neck tension like Mr. Jones suffered from strains a person, and when muscles are relaxed, energy flows.

Melissa Johnson, another stylist at Salon Bella, was undergoing a head-to-toe evaluation at Bugabooo July 22. Ms. McDanial took notes while she, Sergio and Mr. Lever assessed Ms. Johnson. They found that Melissa's left side was higher, that her neck was shifted, and she was shifting to the right to compensate. They noted a number of other physical traits, including carrying her neck forward, strain in her lower back and foot pain. Then she had fusion massage later that afternoon.

"It made me an inch and three-quarters taller," Melissa said the next day.

"I'm really sore today, but it's good. I feel a lot better. I found out it's not just my back; I have problems all over - my legs, my feet. During the massage, they talked about what to do to keep (the progress) from reverting. You can actually train your body to be different, reset your muscle memory."

And would she recommend fusion massage? "I already have, actually. I've already put it up on my Face Book. I've had other massage and hot stone therapy, but I've never had one like that. I had spasms. I got relief in these areas I've never had relief in at all. I am addicted, damn it. Yes, I would definitely recommend it."

Sergio said the team improved Melissa's sitting posture, extended and straightened her neck, and straightened her shoulders. "She was getting carpel tunnel. She was having numbness. I worked on a nerve that will deter the carpet tunnel."

Bugabooo opened in Hillcrest Square in November. It also offers Swedish massage, deep tissue, sports massage, and shiatsu. The cost for an hour massage is $50. For appointments, call 663-7333.

Buck's Chimney Service Special Discount

2010-08-01T12:06:00.000-07:00

Bob Lukas, a certified chimney sweep and owner of Buck's Chimney Service, is offering a special discount for the month of August.

"It is for Shoppe Talk only people for August," Eloise "Weezie" Lukas, Mr. Lukas' wife, said.

"If you can produce this coupon, we will give 10 percent off sweeps (regularly priced at $125) and 10 percent off stoves and stove inserts (regularly $140). That's for full inspection as well," she said.

Bob has been in business 29 years in Central Arkansas and is certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America, which includes his taking continuing education classes and periodic re-certification exams. He is bonded and insured.

He installs prefab fireplaces, wood and pellet stoves, stove inserts, gas logs, gas-burning fireplaces, and glass and decorative fireplace doors. In addition, he services fireplaces, cleans dryer vents, installs chimney caps, relines chimneys, waterproofs masonry and does pressure washing.

10% OFF
Chimney Sweeping
Special for Shoppe Talk Readers
Expires August 31
455-9285

Peridot Sale at Hillcrest Jewelers

2010-08-01T11:54:00.000-07:00

Peridots, pearls, cut glass and more on sale in August

Peridot is the August birthstone, and Hillcrest Jewelers & Trade Shop is offering peridots for 20 percent off until August 31st.

Peridot (pronounced pair-a-doe) is the gem variety of olivine. These yellow-green to vibrant green stones are beautiful set in yellow or white gold.

The shop has a wide selection of peridots in all sizes and shapes at incredibly low prices:

An 8 x 10 mm emerald cut sells for $129;

A large number of 9 x 7 mm ovals, your choice for $49;

1 8 mm round peridots, your choice for $59;

1 6 mm round peridots are $29.

"We have a vast selection, and you can get mountings the next day. And we have settings in stock in silver and gold," owner Brandon McCormack said.

Pearls are really hot this year, and Mr. McCormack has a great inventory of pearls you can check out if you want to get in on this fashion trend.

"We have a large selection of cut glass and crystal ware and antique glass," Brandon said.

"And this is the best place in town for costume jewelry."

The shop, which is located at 1212 South Bowman Road, also buys gold and silver jewelry, flatware, bullion and coins. It is a member of the Arkansas Gold Buyers Association.

Hillcrest Jewelers & Trade Shop is open 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday. 615-3656 or 225-8887.

August Events Little Rock, Arkansas

2010-08-01T08:19:00.000-07:00

August

August 4 & 11
Lil' Wild Ones: Nature Stories and Activities 10 a.m. at the Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center. For children ages 4 - 8. FREE. 907-0636.

August 4
Twilight at Movies in the Park. Movie starts at sundown. Bring a picnic. FREE. moviesintheparklr.net.

August 5
Hillcrest Shop & Sip is always great fun with sales, food, libations, local bands and more. Y'all come. hillcrestmerchants.com.

August 6
Brown Bag Lunch Lecture: Slavery and Law in Arkansas noon to 1 p.m. at the Old State House Museum. 324-9685.

August 6, 13, 20, & 27
Friday Night is Family Night at the Aerospace Education Center. $5.75 for admission, small popcorn and small cola. 376-4629.

August 7
Literacy in the Park 10 a.m.to 9 p.m. in MacArthur Park. Live entertainment, books signings, arts and crafts, Little Rock Steppers and more. FREE. 247-8118.

August 13
2nd Friday Art Night 5 - 8 p.m. in the River Market District. 2ndfridayartnight.com.

August 13 - 15
Arkansas Kennel Club Dog Show at the Arkansas State Fair Grounds Hall of Industry. arkansaskennelclub.com.

August 19 - 29
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the Weekend Theater, 7th and Chester. Musical comedy. 374-3761 or weekendtheater.org.

August 22 & 23
Ronald McDonald Golf Classic at Pleasant Valley Country Club. The 17th annual Golf Classic begins with a reception August 22 that includes appetizers, drinks and a silent and live auction. Team, $2,500. Reception tickets, $50; call Emily Piechoki, 978-3119.

August 28 & 29
Arkansas Gun & Cartridge Collectors Club Gun & Knife Show at the Arkansas State Fair Grounds Hall of Industry. 833-8064 or e-mail agccc@comcast.com.

August 28
Rollin' on the River 5k/2k Family Walk 8 - 11 a.m. at the Clinton Presidential Center. Walk, enjoy a children's area with games, bouncy houses, and a petting zoo. Kids are encouraged to decorate their bikes. Prizes will be awarded. Registration, $25. 227-3711.