New African-American Exhibit at the State Capitol
February 21, 2012 2:00 PM
In 1868, something very important happened in Arkansas history. Six African-American legislators took office, the first to do so. A new exhibit, Arkansas’s African American Legislators, 1868-1893, opened early this week in the Arkansas State Capitol. Created by the Black History Commission of Arkansas and the Arkansas History Commission, it honors the African Americans who were a part of Arkansas’s legislature during the 1860s and early 1870s. It won’t be on display for long; it runs through the end of February, which is Black History Month.
According to the
Arkansas History Commission, African Americans participated in Arkansas politics for the first time following the Civil War. The state adopted a new constitution in 1868 which provided the right to vote and hold public office for black males.
Between 1868 and 1893, there were 85 African Americans known to have served in the General Assembly. They came from varied backgrounds, including lawyers, merchants, ministers, educators, farmers, and other professions. The majority served in the House with nine in the Senate. Election laws passed in 1891 and new poll tax regulations in 1893 ended the election of African Americans to the legislature. They did not serve again in the General Assembly until 1973.
The exhibit features photographs which have survived for 45 of the African Americans who served during the 19th century. Forty-three of the photos belong to the Arkansas History Commission. The photos are also viewable
online. The Arkansas State Capitol offers free tours between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Call 501-682-5080 to schedule a guided tour.
Celebrate a “Blue” Valentine’s Day
February 13, 2012 1:00 PM
Not everything this Valentine's Day has to be red. Have a different hued one by taking your special someone to see the extremely original
Blue Man Group,
Feb. 14-16 at
Robinson Center Music Hall. The show creates experiences that defy categorization.
The feature three “bald and blue characters” are best-known for their theatrical performances which take the audience through a multi-sensory, multi-media journey. Theatre, percussion, music, art, science and Vaudeville are combined into a masterpiece of entertainment. Ticket prices vary. Visit
www.celebrityattractions.com or phone 501-244-8800 for more information. Robinson Center is located at 426 West Markham in downtown
Little Rock.
2012 is Full of Noteworthy Anniversaries
February 8, 2012 10:00 AM
Once again this year, the citizens of
Piggott will honor
Independence Day as they have for the past 84 years. It’s been three-and-a-half decades since Burt Reynolds and Sally Field roared across the screen in “
Smokey and the Bandit.” What does Arkansas have to do with this iconic film? You’ll have to keep reading to learn the answer.
You’ll find information on these and more attractions and events celebrating milestones in 2012 by visiting the anniversaries section of Arkansas.com. Click on over and enjoy the slideshow, then start making your plans to be a part of the activities.
Make a Valentine’s Day Memory Aboard the Arkansas Queen
February 6, 2012 12:00 PM
Everyone has their own definition of romantic. To me there’s nothing more romantic than being on the water. You can give your special someone a treat this St. Valentine’s Day by taking a cruise aboard the Arkansas Queen on the Arkansas River.
The $59.95 price includes the trip and a full-course dinner. The mouthwatering buffet includes garden salad, prime rib, baked salmon, shrimp cocktail, scalloped potatoes, green beans, corn, dinner rolls, and chocolate delight for dessert. A glass of champagne and chocolates are also a part of the package. Coffee, tea and water come with dinner; soda and alcoholic beverages available for purchase. 
Boarding begins at 6:30 p.m. in North Little Rock with the cruise from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Dates are Feb. 11 and 14. The Jay Jackson Band returns to perform on the Saturday, Feb. 11 trip. Vocalist Angelyn Jolley, with the Jay Jackson Band, provides entertainment for the Feb. 14 event.
Visit
www.arkansasqueen.com
or phone 501-372-5777 for more information or to make reservations. Better hurry...they are filling up fast!
Tickets for “An Evening with Martin & Langston” in Conway Going Fast
February 3, 2012 12:00 PM
Renowned actors
Danny Glover and
Felix Justice present "
An Evening with Martin and Langston" on Thursday,
Feb. 9 in
Conway. This production “draws audiences inside the worlds of two of the greatest orators of the 20th-century: Martin Luther King, Jr. and Langston Hughes.”
The show begins with Justice’s critically acclaimed portrayal of Dr. King through the words of his most memorable speeches. Glover brings to life the words and poetry of Langston Hughes through readings of his work. A question and answer session follows at Reynolds Performance Hall on the UCA campus where the event takes place. Visit
http://www.uca.edu/reynolds or phone 501-450-3406 to order tickets, which are $10-$40.
Danny Glover photo, copyright Chris Buck
Arkansas-Made Chocolates Are Perfect for Valentine’s Day
February 2, 2012 11:00 AM
Valentine’s Day gift options for your loved ones are numerous, ranging from zany and practical to very expensive and out-of-this world. But you can’t beat the number one standard – chocolate. Here are some suggestions for doing chocolate but not just any plain, run-of-the-mill chocolate. 
How about presenting your special person with candies handmade in The Natural State? Now that’s a February 14th they’ll long remember. I have sampled some of these suggestions, others have been tried by co-workers. This is not, by any means, a complete list; just some ideas.
Plan your visits now or if you can’t make the road trips, order by phone or online. Remember, the Cupid’s Big Day is about a week and a half away!
River City Tea, Coffee and Cream
(top photo courtesy River City) has been around for as long as I can remember. Located in
Little Rock’s historic Hillcrest neighborhood, their homemade candy is to be savored. If you don’t try anything else, don’t miss the truffles. You can pick up some gourmet coffee to round out the experience.
People always remember the
Two Dumb Dames Fudge Factory (photo left) in
Eureka Springs because of the catchy name. After trying their products, the shop get remembered for its sweet treats which are offered in addition to their famous fudge. You can even get sugar free items. The store’s website says they are closed until February 6 but you can still place Valentine’s Day orders.
Kopper-Kettle Candies
(photo right courtesy Grav Wheldon)
in Van Buren has been offering their handmade goodies since 1925 so they have to be doing something right. They have a wonderful selection of chocolates and other sweets, including some scrumptious candy trays. Kopper-Kettle also has sugarless items.
Martin Greer’s Candies
(photo left)
in Gateway uses recipes dating to 1896 describes itself as “A Father to Son Tradition.” Greer’s uses all fresh ingredients with no preservatives. A gorgeous eight-pound heart of associate chocolates is pictured on the website…now who wouldn’t love that?
Here are some other delicious sounding Arkansas candy-makers. So much to choose from…you’ve got Heart Day covered for the next few years!
Lambrecht Gourmet Toffees
Ozark Candy & Nuts
Stonebrook Fudge Factory
Free Admission to National Parks January 14-16
January 11, 2012 11:00 AM
The National Park Service is offering
free admission to all 397 national parks across the country
January 14-16 in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. You can pay homage to Dr. King and his dream by visiting the
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site. This monument to the Civil Rights movement is still a working school and has an interesting visitor center full of exhibits.
Other National Park locations in Arkansas are the
Fort Smith National Historic Site, the
Buffalo National River,
Pea Ridge National Military Park,
President Bill Clinton’s Birthplace Home,
Arkansas Post National Memorial, and
Hot Springs National Park.
Don’t miss this great opportunity to experience the National Park sites in Arkansas.
Grand Reopening of the Arkansas Museum of Discovery is Saturday
January 10, 2012 10:00 AM
A completely different and exciting
Arkansas Museum of Discovery is being unveiled to the public on
Jan. 14. If you’re a past visitor, you won’t recognize the place. Even the front door is in a new location for easier access. During the past year, the facility was gutted and redone from top to bottom. The result is three innovative galleries containing 85 very entertaining and interactive exhibits for all ages. In addition to the redesign, the focus of the museum is expanding as well.
The areas of exploration are the Amazing You, dealing with the amazing human body; Discovery Hall, where physics, engineering and math are investigated; and Earth Journeys, which examines global earth processes and extreme weather in Arkansas. The Science Museum of Minnesota worked with the museum to design the three gallery format, select the exhibits and to develop interpretive signs, according to Museum Director Nan Selz. Visitors can learn about “Amazing Airways,” learn to build things in the “Tinkering Studio,” play with a puzzle of the Arkansas River, visit the “Extreme Weather Station,” and view a huge topographic map of the state. New to the museum is “Tornado Alley,” where visitors can “ride out” the 1999 twister that hit Little Rock while listening to memories of those who experienced it.
A few favorites have been held-over from the old property. The “Room to Grow” area is still there but the area gets a facelift. The theatre remains, but has been relocated to accommodate larger audiences. Many of AMOD’s resident critters are back in new and expanded quarters. The 18 live animal habitats on the museum floor include ferrets, birds, spiders, snakes, owls, and flying squirrels.
The Window of Wonder (WOW) Gallery is where traveling exhibits will be located. Coming attractions include “Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Ideas (Jan. 14-Apr. 7), Extreme Deep (Apr. 28-Jul. 29), Design Zone (Aug. 11-Dec. 2), and Grossology (Dec. 15-May 26, 2013). A packed calendar of events is already scheduled, including African Rhythms and Music in Nature (Feb. 16-18), Sport Science (Mar. 8-10), the State Science Fair (Mar. 31), Nano Days (April 26-28), Bug Out (May 10-12) and Summer Fun Extravaganza (Jun. 14-16).
The redesigned facility isn’t just for kids anymore….adults will have a great time as well. It’s located at 500 President Clinton Avenue in downtown
Little Rock. Visit
www.museumofdiscovery.org or phone 501-396-7050 for more information.
My Arkansas Destination Wish List for 2012
December 29, 2011 11:00 AM
I am VERY blessed with my job in that I get to travel this wonderful state we live in. But believe it or not, there are places I haven’t been. I have a “want to visit” wish list which I hope to put a dent in this year. What places are on your Arkansas
“must see” wish list for 2012?
Here are some of my “hope to visit” locations…in no particular order. This is by no means all of them; just a start.
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
, Bentonville – I am thrilled that something of this caliber is in my home state. To be able to see Rosie the Riveter and other great works in person in Arkansas is incredible.
New Arkansas Museum of Discovery
, Little Rock – I’ve had the pleasure of getting a sneak peak at what it’s going to look like. It is going to be, in a word, AWESOME!!! Opens January 14.
Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum
,
Piggott – Having an English degree, this is of particular interest. It’s amazing to me that someone of the stature of this great American writer not only lived in Arkansas but wrote portions of some of his masterpieces here.
Bass Reeves Statue,
Fort Smith – Ever since I began learning about the rich Fort Smith history, Bass Reeves has fascinated me. Fort Smith pays homage to this larger-than-life lawman with a larger-than-life statue. It’s not completed yet but dedication is scheduled for
May 26.
Lakeport Plantation
,
Lake Village – An incredible example of the fine work Dr. Ruth Hawkins and Arkansas State University is doing to preserve the Arkansas Delta heritage. Life in plantation Arkansas wasn’t all barbecues and ball gowns.
The Beatles Sculpture
,
Walnut Ridge – I never got to see the Fab Four in person. This is the closest I’ll ever get. Impressive piece of work, judging from the photos I’ve seen. While I’m there, I absolutely have to eat at the
Parachute Inn. Since I hate to fly and airlines rarely serve meals anymore, the Parachute Inn gives me the chance for dining on a plane, albeit a stationary one.