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50 Years of Rock ‘n Roll

No Comments 24 December 2008

ffw-1225-pacers
50 Years of Rock ‘n Roll

Bobby Crafford talks about Arkansas rock pioneers The Pacers
by Bill Wright

When the Beatles first started creating a stir across America in 1964, Sonny Burgess and The Pacers – formed in Newport, Arkansas in 1955 – were already entertaining audiences on their own circuit ranging from the Ozark Mountains to the Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee Delta.

These Arkansas rock ‘n roll legends have not only outlasted the Beatles by almost 40 years, they’re still out there getting after it today and their average age is 70-something. The original Pacers were: Sonny Burgess, vocals and guitar; Kern Kennedy, piano; Johnny Ray Hubbard, bass; Russ Smith, drums; Joe Lewis, guitar; and Jack Nance, trumpet.
After a few years, Lewis, Smith and Nance left the band. Smith left to work with Jerry Lee Lewis and Lewis and Nance left to play with Conway Twitty. Bobby Crafford replaced Smith on drums and J.C. Caughron joined The Pacers on lead guitar. In the ‘60s, Jim Aldridge joined the band on sax and Fred
Douglas replaced Hubbard on bass.

The current lineup is: Burgess, Kennedy, Crafford, Aldridge and Douglas. Crafford provided some history about himself and The Pacers, now known as Sonny Burgess and The Legendary Pacers.

“I first played drums only,” Crafford said. “Singing came later, in about 1960. My first performance was about 1956 at age 20.” Crafford said he felt fortunate to get paid to perform. “I never thought that I had a special talent,” he said. “I just loved to play.”

Crafford acquired a taste for big band music by listening to his car radio late at night. His favorite drummers were Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa. He first played with a band called the Nite Owls, from his hometown of Cotton Plant. One of their first gigs was in nearby Brinkley.

“We played a drive-in cafe one night after it closed for business, and the tables were moved so people could dance,” Crafford said. “I made a big $20.” In August 1957, Crafford got the word that The Pacers needed a drummer. Crafford found a phone number for The Pacers’ manager and gave him a call. Following an audition at the Silver Moon club in Newport, Crafford landed the job.

The first time Crafford played with The Pacers was for a dance at the American Legion in Stuttgart.

“They came to my home town and picked me up in their big green Caddie limo,” Crafford said. During the early years, in addition to countless high school proms, The Pacers played clubs in Arkansas and college gigs in Mississippi, Arkansas and Tennessee. During the same time period, they also did a tour in Canada. On their circuit they shared venues and opened for other soon to be legendary entertainers including Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ace Cannon, Charlie Rich, Bill Riley, Conway Twitty and Elvis.
Crafford mentioned meeting Elvis and getting to know Roy Orbison as special memories of his career. The Pacers opened for Elvis five times before Crafford joined the band. Although Crafford enjoyed playing in the early years with all of the big stars, he maintains that the highlight of his career is the opportunity to still play at his age and tour with The Pacers like he is doing now.

“Playing in different countries is great,” Crafford said. “But playing in Washington, D.C. three years ago at the Kennedy Center and the Library of Congress, plus the National Folk Festival in Richmond, Virginia had to be some of the best of times.” The Pacers first recorded in Memphis for Sam Phillips at the famous Sun Studio.

Their five Sun singles are: ‘Red Headed Woman’/ ‘We Wanna Boogie’, ‘Ain’t Got A Thing’/'Restless’, ‘Buckets Got a Hole In It’/'Sweet Misery’ and ‘Thunderbird’/'Itchy.’
“Then on Phillips, Sonny did ‘Sadies Back In Town’/'Kiss Good Night’.
We recorded a lot at Sun and only had the five released, but a lot more have since been released on Bear Records in Germany.” One big hit for The Pacers in Europe that Crafford likes to talk about is ‘Find My Baby For Me.’ It was recorded one day as The Pacers were preparing to leave for a tour, and needed some background vocals. Roy Orbison happened to pop in during the recording session and ended up singing background. It is still a favorite request among European fans, along with ‘Prisoners Song’, ‘Fannie Brown’ and ‘Higher’. At one point in their career, The Pacers were shopping for a label to record and distribute some of their songs. As a result they started Razorback Records.

“We started the label in about 1960,” Crafford said. “In 1965, we did ‘Short Squashed Texan’, and I did the vocal.”
Bobby still gets a thrill when the band is in Europe and someone walks up with one of those records and asks him to autograph it. Incidentally, ‘Short Squashed Texan’ that was recorded on Razorback Records received heavy airplay throughout Arkansas during football season when Arkansas and Texas were big Southwest Conference rivals. The Pacers have been induction into the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame, the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in Jackson, Tenn. and the Walk of Fame in Hot Springs.

Last year The Pacers played at the annual Buddy Holly tribute show at the Surfball Room in Clear Lake, Iowa where Holly gave his final performance in 1959 before dying in a plane crash. For that performance Yhe Pacers were joined by Arkansas rockabilly legend, Sleepy LaBeef, along with The Diamonds, Jay and the Americans, The Crickets, The Belmonts and The Chiffons. Today, The Pacers maintain a busy schedule appearing at festivals, casinos and other venues and do about four shows a year in Europe. This year, they played in the UK, Las Vegas and Japan.

For 2009, they have plans to appear at the Sam Phillips Music Celebration in Florence, Ala., as well at shows in Sweden, Spain, the UK and maybe France. In October, The Pacers performed at the Bella Vista Arts & Crafts Festival. The show was packed and the crowd was captivated. The Pacers were as full of energy as a band of youngsters just starting out. Toward the end of the performance, they called the ladies from the audience to participate in a dance contest. Between the dance contest, the phenomenal rock ‘n’ roll riffs and Crafford playing ‘Wipeout’ while blindfolded, the crowd went wild. Checkout The Pacers website at: www.legendarypacers.com

8 Days A Week Calendar

8 Days a Week

No Comments 24 December 2008

All events listed in 8 Days a Week are open to the public. To submit a listing, send to FFW, 203 N. College Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72701, or fax to 444-7289, at least two weeks prior to event. Submissions are printed as space allows. Photographs and art are also considered.

Special Events
OMNI CENTER DEMONSTRATION FOR U.S. TROOP WITHDRAWAL FROM IRAQ: 1 p.m. Jan. 3 at the corner of Mall Avenue and Joyce Boulevard in Fayetteville. Signs provided. Follow up demonstrations first Saturdays of the month at this location. makejobsnotwars.com or 586-2053.

Holiday Events
ILLUMINATED FIGURES: 5 p.m. daily through New Year’s Eve along the drive at the Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs. Free. eurekaspringschamber.com.
FIRST NIGHT FAYETTEVILLE: 6 p.m.-midnight New Year’s Eve at the Northwest Arkansas Mall. Music, art, dance, family activities and more. $5-$30. firstnightfayetteville.com or 443-4797.
“OH CHRISTMAS TREE” THEME TOURS: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, through Jan. 3 at Hawkins House, Rogers Historical Museum. rogersarkansas.com/museum or 621-1154.

Stage & Screen
FAMILY MOVIE MARATHON: “Sleeping Beauty”: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, “Kung Fu Panda”: 2 p.m. Monday, “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”: 2 p.m. Tuesday, “Wall-E: 2 p.m. Jan. 2, and “The Wizard of Oz”: 10:30 a.m. Jan. 3 at the Fayetteville Public Library. Free; all movies G or PG. faylib.org or 856-7170.
STAGE PRODUCTION OF THE WIZARD OF OZ: 7 p.m. Jan. 6-8 and Jan. 11, and 8 p.m. Jan. 9-10, and 2 p.m. Jan. 10-11 at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $20-$58. waltonartscenter.org or 443-5600.
FILM “THE WORLD OF THE MAYA”: 1 p.m. Jan. 8 at the Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale. $9-$10. artscenteroftheozarks.org or 751-5441.

Words
OMNI’s OPEN MIC FOR PEACE: 7 p.m. Jan. 4 at Nightbird Books. nightbirdbooks.com or 582-2291.
LIFEWRITING: 10 a.m. Jan. 5 at the Shiloh Museum. For people interested in writing the stories of their own lives or those of family and friends. springdaleark.org/shiloh or 790-2588.

Music
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS SACRED HARP SINGERS: 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the Shiloh Museum. springdaleark.org/shiloh or 750-8165.

Learning
GREENDRINKS: 5:30-7 p.m. Jan. 6 at The Wine Cellar, 509 W. Spring St. in Fayetteville. Organized by a coalition of Northwest Arkansas environmental groups, as an opportunity for people from the community to talk about how to create a “greener” local environment and economy. Age 21 or older only. 966-4383.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 6 at the Presbyterian Disciples of Christ Campus Center in Fayetteville. 521-0808.

Mind, Body, Spirit
FAYETTEVILLE FREE THINKERS: 2 p.m. Saturday at the Fayetteville Public Library. fayfreethinkers.com or 442-6738.
BUDDHIST MEDITATION: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Arkansas Yoga Center in Fayetteville. 422-6526.
A COURSE IN MIRACLES: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at Unity of Fayetteville. unityfay.org or 442-0680.
DHARMA TALK: 11 a.m. Sundays at Dramis Hardwood Floors, 2275 S. School Ave. in Fayetteville. With Tibetan Buddhist Monk Ven. Geshe Thupten Dorjee. tcia.com or 587-8920.
STILL MIND MEDITATION AND CHANTING: 9 p.m. Sundays at the School of Metaphysics in Fayetteville. som.org or 527-6804.
COMMUNITY BIBLE STUDY: 9:15 a.m. Wednesdays at the Jones Center for Families. 601-4984.

Outdoors
“TRIATHLON REVOLUTION: Talk and booksigning by Terri Schneider at 2 p.m. Saturday at Lewis & Clark in Springdale. Free. 756-1344.
GUN SEASON: through Sunday. Be careful and aware during hunting season, and check for trail closures at arkansasstateparks.com.
Minor Matters
RESCHEDULED: “Alice in Wonderland Junior” auditions will be held 1-4 p.m. Feb. 21-22 at Arts Live Theatre, 1378 N. College in the Evelyn Hills Shopping Center in Fayetteville. Open to ages 7-18; acapella song, script readings. Production information and audition material at mtsishows.com. Show dates are May 8-10. artslivetheatre.com or 521-4932.

Auditions, Call for Volunteers, Entries
“KISS ME KATE” AUDITIONS: 7 p.m. Jan. 5-6 at the Rogers Little Theater. RogersLittleTheater.com or 631-8988.

CALL FOR ARTWORK BY SID SARGENT: Seeking all types of artwork produced by Sid Sargent including works on paper, paintings, sculpture, 3D, boxes, charms, letters, cards, sewn works such as bags, hats, dolls. All accepted artwork will be catalogued, insured, displayed professionally and returned after close of exhibit. Work will be accepted Jan. 7-13. Exhibition will be Jan. 21 thru Feb. 21 at ddp gallery in Fayetteville. For information, contact Dede Peters at dede@ddpgallery.com or 442-0001.

“HANSEL & GRETEL” AUDITIONS: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 12-13 at the Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale. artscenteroftheozarks.org 751-5441.

“SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN” AUDITIONS: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9-10 at the Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale. artscenteroftheozarks.org 751-5441.

“RUMORS” AUDITIONS: 7 p.m. Feb. 16-17 at the Rogers Little Theater. RogersLittleTheater.com or 631-8988.

“THE ODD COUPLE” AUDITIONS: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16-17 at the Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale. artscenteroftheozarks.org 751-5441.

ENTRIES FOR BIENNIAL QUILT SHOW: due Feb 28. Specific details on the web. Show is April 3-4. quiltguildnwa.org, JoeAnnReaves@aol.com or 925-7001.
ffw-1225-8-d
Art
ANNE KITTRELL ART GALLERY: Arkansas Union, Fayetteville. 575-5255.
ARSAGA’S: 1582 Crossover Road, Fayetteville. arsagas.org or 527-0690. Paintings by Ashley Burgos and Bobbie Yeager through December.
ARSAGA’S: 2418 N. Gregg Ave., Fayetteville. arsagas.org or 444-6557. Multimedia pieces by WWAM!, Women With A Message, through December.
ARTS CENTER OF THE OZARKS: 214 S. Main St., Springdale. artscenteroftheozarks.org or 751-5441.
CITIZENS BANK GALLERY: 116 E. Buchanan, Prairie Grove. 846-0899. Contemporary ceramics, sculpture, paintings, photography and more.
THE COMMON GROUNDS: 412 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. commongroundsar.com or 442-3515. Paintings and photographs by Steve Adair, LaDonna Shub and Courtney Knieff through December.
CORNER GIFT SHOP: 3582 N. Highway 112, Fayetteville. 521-2674. Art by more than 30 local artists and craftsment.
CRYSTAL BRIDGES AT THE MASSEY: 125 W. Central Ave., Bentonville. massey.crystalbridges.org or 418-5700. “Post Secret” by Frank Warren through Feb. 1.
DDP GALLERY: 7 E. Mountain St., Fayetteville. ddpgallery.com or 442-0001. Small Works through Jan. 10.
FOUR SQUARE FINE ART GALLERY: 112 W. Center St., Fayetteville. FourSquareFineArt.com or 422-8607.
THE GALLERY: 509 W. Spring St., Ste. 225, Fayetteville. artexponwa.org or 361-1211. A downtown Fayetteville artists’ collective.
HEARTWOOD GALLERY: – An Artists’ Collective. 428 S. Government St., Fayetteville. 444-0888. Jewelry, pottery, glass, handmade books, textiles, sculpture, photography, paintings, drawings, mixed media, music CDs, wood turnings. More than 30 local artists.
JULIE WAIT DESIGNS ART GALLERY: 318 S. First St., Rogers. juliewaitdesigns.com or 631-8706. Works by Helen Thomas Jan. 2 through Feb. 27. Works by Robert Glick through Monday.
MULLINS LIBRARY: University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. 575-6702. “The Subjective History of a Tiger” by Tony Tiger through December.
OZARK GLASSWORKS, GALLERY & SCHOOL: 675 E Huntsville Rd., Fayetteville. 387-6773.
POOR RICHARD’S ART: 116 S. First St., Rogers. poorrichardsart.com or 636-0417. Works by Hank Barnes, Sharon Goodson and Diane Hill through December.
RICHLAND NURSERY AND ART GALLERY: Hwy 23 South, Huntsville. 738-5305.
ROGERS LITTLE THEATER: 116 S. Second St., in Rogers. RogersLittleTheater.com or 631-8988. “Off to the Races’ by Phillip Leonard Monday through Feb. 17. “Candle Series” by Sarah Creasman through Monday.
TERRA STUDIOS, MUSE GALLERY & COFFEE HOUSE: 12103 Hazel Valley Road, off Hwy 16E in Durham. terrastudios.com or 1-800-255-8995. Featuring art work by more than 30 artists, 10 acres of gardens in the Art Park with murals and sculpture installations. Home of the Original Bluebird of Happiness. Local artists showcase, Angel Oil Lamps, and Bluebirds of Happiness giveaway through December.
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FINE ARTS CENTER GALLERY: Fayetteville. 575-7987. “New Hybrids: Ink and Graphite” by John Swindler through Jan. 23. Gallery closed for the holiday from Saturday to Jan. 4.
WALTON ARTS CENTER: 495 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. waltonartscenter.org or 443-5600.

Museums
ARKANSAS AIR MUSEUM: Drake Field, 4290 S. School Ave., Fayetteville. 521-4947. Aircraft from all eras of aviation history.
ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER: Ninth and Commerce Streets, Little Rock. arkarts.com or (501)372-4000. “Edge of the Sublime: Enamels by Jamie Bennett” through Feb. 22. “Factories: Warhol, Sex and Disasters” Photographs by Tim Hursley , and “Andy Warhol: 15 Weeks of Fame” through Feb. 1. “40th Collectors Show & Sale” through Jan.4.
CLINTON HOUSE MUSEUM: 930 California Drive, Fayetteville. clintonhousemuseum.org or 444-0066.
GRAVETTE HISTORICAL MUSEUM: 503 Charlotte St. SE, Gravette. 787-7334. Early 1900s restored home with displays representing Gravette’s history.
PEA RIDGE NATIONAL MILITARY PARK: 15930 U.S. 62, Garfield. 451-8122. Self-guided road tour, 10-mile hiking trail, Civil War museum and bookstore.
PEEL MANSION MUSEUM AND HISTORIC GARDENS: 400 S. Walton Blvd., Bentonville. 273-9664. 1875 Italianate mansion with historic roses and plants.
PRAIRIE GROVE BATTLEFIELD STATE PARK: 506 E. Douglas St., US Hwy. 62, Prairie Grove. 846-2990. Civil War battlefield with original buildings.
PRICE TOWER ARTS CENTER: 510 Dewey Ave., Bartlesville, OK. pricetower.org or 877-424-2424. “3-ology Triennial 2008: Imaginative Qualities of Actual Things” through Jan. 4.
ROGERS HISTORICAL MUSEUM: 322 S. Second St., Rogers. 621-1154. rogersarkansas.com/museum. “Virgil Lovelace and Life on the Farm” through August 2010. “Down a Lazy River: Float Fishing on the White River” through April 2009. “Discovering the Bluff Dwellers” through Jan. 2009.
SHILOH MUSEUM: 118 W. Johnson Ave., Springdale. 750-8165. springdaleark.org/shiloh. Exhibits of early life in the Ozarks. Original buildings on the grounds. “Good Eats” through April 11. “Ozark Voices: Personal Stories from Northwest Arkansas” through Jan. 17.
SILOAM SPRINGS MUSEUM: 112 N. Maxwell St., 524-4011. “Collector’s Collections” through Jan. 14.

Coming Soon
HELEN THOMAS ARTIST’S RECEPTION: 4 p.m. Jan. 9 at Julie Wait Designs Art Gallery, 318 S. First St. in Rogers. juliewaitdesigns.com or 631-8706.
NATURALLY BRASS: 8-10 p.m. Jan. 10 at Rogers Little Theater. $15-$40. rogersjazz.com.
EUREKA GRAS MARDI GRAS KICK OFF: 3:30 p.m. Jan. 11 at the Rowdy Beaver, 417 W. Van Buren St. in Eureka Springs. krazo.ureeka.org.
FOR PET’S SAKE ARTISTS RECEPTION: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at the Arts Center of the Ozarks, 214 S. Main St. in Springdale. artscenteroftheozarks.org or 751-5441.
SHILOH MUSEUM REOPENING CELEBRATION: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Shiloh Museum. springdaleark.org/shiloh or 750-8165.
HORTICULTURE INDUSTRIES SHOW CONFERENCE: Jan 16-17 at the Holiday Inn City Center in Fort Smith. Lectures, trade exhibits, classes and more. $60. uark.edu/ArkHort or 405-711-6460.
JUNIE B. JONES: 7 p.m. Jan 20 at the Alma Performing Arts Center, 103 E. Main St. in Alma. $10-$20. almapac.org or 632-2129.
HOW FORRESTINA CAMPBELL BECAME WHITE RIVER RED: Presentation by Susan Young at noon Jan. 21 at the Shiloh Museum. springdaleark.org/shiloh or 750-8165.
DRUMLINE LIVE: 7 p.m. Jan. 22 and 8 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $20-$45. waltonartscenter.org or 443-5600.
QUILT: DOROTHY DAY: 6:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Holiday Inn in Springdale. quiltguildnwa.org or 273-7153.
COMEDIAN BRIAN REGAN: 7 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $39.50. waltonartscenter.org or 443-5600.
HOT CLUB OF SAN FRANCISCO: 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $15-$30. waltonartscenter.org or 443-5600.
THEATRE SQUARED’S”RABBIT HOLE”: 8 p.m. Jan. 30-31, Feb. 5-7 and Feb. 12-14, and 2 p.m. Feb. 1, Feb. 8, and Feb. 15 at Nadine Baum Studios in Fayetteville. $22. theatresquared.org or 445-6333.
STELLALUNA: 11 a.m. Jan. 31 at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $10-$16. $5 Family workshop at 12:30 p.m. waltonartscenter.org or 443-5600.
IRA GLASS: 8 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $20-$38. waltonartscenter.org or 443-5600.
“A MURDER ANNOUNCED”: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6-7 and Feb. 13-14, and at 3 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale. $9-$20. artscenteroftheozarks.org or 751-5441.
PHILLIP LEONARD ARTIST’S RECEPTION: 6-8 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Zephyr Blevins Gallery at Rogers Little Theater. poorrichardsart.org or 631-8988.
“KISS ME KATE”: 8 p.m. Feb. 13-15, Feb. 19-20 and Feb. 26-28, and 2 p.m. Feb. 22 and March 1 at the Rogers Little Theater. $7.50-$42. Valentine’s Spectacular Feb. 14. RogersLittleTheater.com or 631-8988.
FOOTLOOSE, THE MUSICAL: 8 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Alma Performing Arts Center, 103 E. Main in Alma. $30-$40. almapac.org or 632-2129.
THE CCC AT DEVILS DEN presentation by Tim Scott at noon Feb. 18 at the Shiloh Museum. springdaleark.org/shiloh or 750-8165.
ACO BALL: Feb. 21 at the Northwest Arkansas Mall. artscenteroftheozarks.org or 751-5441.
THE SIDE STREET STRUTTERS: 2 p.m. Feb. 22 at Arend Arts Center, 1901 S.E. J St. in Bentonville. $5-$25. bentonville.k12.ar.us/arendarts or 855-1968.

Features

The Best of Northwest Arkansas

2 Comments 24 December 2008

The Best of Northwest Arkansas
The readers have spoken

Every year the Free Weekly asks readers to tell us their favorite spots in Northwest Arkansas, from places to bank and shop, and where to grab a cup of coffee or burger. Here’s what they said.

Shopping and Services

Best Music Store: Sound Warehouse
Runner Up: Hastings

Best Bookstore: Nightbird Books
Runner Up: Dickson Street Bookshop

Best Sports Store: Pack Rat
Runner Up: Uncle Sam’s

Best Jewelry Store: Underwood’s
Runner Up: David Adams

Best Women’s Clothing and Accessories: Cheap Thrills
Runner Up: Something Urban

Best Flower Shop: ZuZu’s Petals
Runner Up: Flora

Best Thrift/Vintage Shop: Cheap Thrills
Runner Up: The Flying Dog

Best Furniture Store: IO Metro
Runner Up: Lacuna Modern Interiors

Best Salon: Shine
Runner Up: Razor’s

Best Bank: Bank of Fayetteville
Runner Up: Arvest Bank

Best Spa: La Vida
Runner Up: Pink Papaya

Eating Out

Best Salad: Greenhouse Grille
Runner Up: Smiling Jack’s

Best Burger: Hugo’s
Runner Up: Brenda’s

Best Barbecue: Penguin Ed’s
Runner Up: Boar’s Nest

Best Steak: Herman’s
Runner Up: Doe’s

Most Romantic Restaurant: 1936 Club
Runner Up: Bordino’s

Best Seafood: Mermaids
Runner Up: Powerhouse

Best Late Night: IHOP
Runner Up: Sunrise Café

Best Southern Cooking: Mama Dean’s
Runner Up: Neal’s

Best Pizza: US Pizza
Runner Up: Guido’s

Best Vegetarian Selection: Greenhouse Grille
Runner Up: Ozark Natural Foods

Best Asian: A Taste of Thai
Runner Up: Thai Diner

Best New Restaurant: Smiling Jack’s
Runner Up: Urban Table

Best Brunch: Emelia’s
Runner Up: Uncle Gaylord’s

Best Mexican: El Camino Real
Runner Up: Oseguera’s

Best Breakfast: Rick’s Iron Skillet
Runner Up: Common Grounds

Best Sushi: Shogun
Runner Up: Kobe

Best Italian Restaurant: Pesto Café
Runner Up: Bordino’s

Drinking Out

Best Coffeeshop: Arsaga’s
Runner Up: Jammin’ Java

Best Beer List: Brewski’s
Runner Up: Powerhouse

Best Cocktails: Powerhouse
Runner Up: Theo’s

You can still vote in two categories at www.freeweekly.com. Winners in these categories will be announced on Jan. 8.

FFW SOUND WAREHOUSE.JPG

Doug Thompson, Features

Holiday cheer attempted

No Comments 24 December 2008

Holiday cheer attempted
By Doug Thompson

Some say the recession might not last long.
OK. I don’t believe it either. What’s a wise guy to do, however? Write something depressing over the holidays?

Robert Samuelson of the Washington Post talks about how central banks worldwide have slashed interest rates. The Bank of England is now offering the lowest interest since its founding in 1694, he says. The article leaves room for doubt that this coordination is the result of planning. So far it seems to be the following of the same playbook. Still, unison is unison. More important, low interest is low interest. We’ll see what happens.

One of the more bizarre theories I’ve seen is that the recession will end soon because we’ve already had one. The theory goes that most recessions since the big one in the 1930s have only lasted a year to a year and a half. Economists recently admitted we’ve been in a recession for a year now. Ergo, prosperity’s just around the corner.

Somehow, I don’t think this recession is like most recessions. Neither does Bill Fleckenstein over at MSN Money: “Most of the recessions in this country over the past 50 years were caused by the Federal Reserve raising interest rates to battle inflation. The two most recent recessions, though, were created not by Fed tightening but as a consequence of its reckless easy-money policies followed by the exhaustion of, first, the tech-stock bubble and, later, the housing bubble.”

“Thus, this is not a recession that can be easily stopped by the Fed simply relaxing monetary policy, as might have occurred in the old days,” he goes on. “Of course, the Fed hasn’t just relaxed policy — it has moved the monetary equivalent of heaven and earth.”
The newly minted Nobel laureate Paul Krugman says in the New York Times that he’s “fairly optimistic about 2010.” That’s the good news. He prefaces that by saying we’re in for months, maybe a year, of “economic hell.”

“Too much of the economic commentary I’ve been reading seems to assume, however, that (two years of government stimulus spending is) really all we’ll need — that once a burst of deficit spending turns the economy around we can quickly go back to business as usual,” Krugman writes.

Recent prosperity was dependent on a bloated housing bubble that isn’t coming back, he writes. Future spending will depend on real wages, not on borrowing off an inflated value in your house. People will be able to make a living, but the wild spending won’t come back.

This has global consequences. China, for instance, has an economy built around massive exports to the United States, as Krugman and others point out. China will miss massive American spending too.

Whatever else is going on, the Thompson house has been spared any layoffs so far. The prospect of it, however, is not unimaginable anymore. That has an effect.

Christmas will be ample but not as lavish as before. The amount we’ve spent on gasoline is less than half as much as a few months ago. The saved money is going straight into paying down debt. We’re not nearly so bad off debt-wise as the average American household either. In fact, we look positively frugal when you look at the national statistics.

There are no big-screen TVs in our future. We will concentrate on fundamentals. I suspect most other Americans will too. We did pick out charities this year and contributed to them for Christmas, with our kids full agreement. Even they know times are tough.

To quote Warren Buffett from another context, it’s time to consider that the length of the hangover might be proportional to the size of the binge. I’ve no doubt that future generations will forget all the lessons of this one. This generation, however, will never let itself get stretched this far again. Frankly, this is not a bad thing. We need to buy less from China and we need to buy less imported oil. We need to add up how much we spend on interest every month. We need to take a hard look at government spending.

We need to get our house in order. Doing that, even if forced, is not a wholly bad thing.

Daddy Warbucks, Features

Yule news in doggerel

No Comments 24 December 2008

Daddy Warbucks
Yule news in doggerel

At this joyous time of year,/
Daddy W. would like to share the holiday cheer/
And wish all the FFW readers well/
On the occasion of Noel./

Ready to decorate the Christmas tree,/
The election results gave us a new future you see/
A wild runoff brought Mayor Coody down/
Now, Lioneld Jordan is the new Mayor in Fayetteville town./

XNA saw airfares shoot through the sky/
And mercy, gasoline prices were once oh, so high./
Now gas prices are down, but oh my, money is tight/
Growth at XNA isn’t likely, with less and less flights./

Now’s the time to make tasty almond bark treats/
Drama over Wal-Mart’s new chief seem complete./
Retail sales seem strong as the recession rages/
While Tom Coughlin is back on the society pages./

There’s reason to decorate every stitch and seam,/
What a hit was Springdale’s new pro baseball team/
NWA Naturals made quite an opening last spring,/
Area folks sure heard their cash registers ring,/

We’ll hang a bow for the prettiest limb/
Wishing the best to the Walton kids, Rob, Alice and Jim,/
Alice has been busy buying more art,/
Her Crystal Bridges is pretty smart./

We’ll nail a wreath to the front door,/
While Tyson Food trys to stay off the poor house floor./
The grand hall grandfather’s clock goes tick, tock,/
Don Tyson’s sold almost all of his preferred stock./
Dick Bond and others now run the Tyson show./
For them we’ll wish profits as thick as snow./

There’s little forecast of ice and snow/
And Daddy W. and everyone just want to know,/
Economic forecasting is bleak, times are tight,/
We’ve all got to scrimp and save and do it right./
Hoping President Obama’s economic plan is a hit,/
We all know President Bush’s plan was pure spit./

Here come the presents! Bright boxes and crates,/
Stock analysts say watch for lower interest rates./
Arkansans voted in lottery tickets a plenty,/
And, if you don’t like Powerball, just don’t buy any./

Give the very best, the finest gift if you could/
To help celebrate 51 years of jeweler – Underwoods./
While everyone downtown needs joy, harmony and peace,/
Now there are condos and parking garages every 100-feet./

Daddy W raises a glass of holiday bubble cheer,/
To Collier’s Drug which celebrated its 91th year./
While the Collier gang all makes good things go,/
Carl, the Mayor of Dickson Street, is still in the know./

There’s fresh baked cinnamon rolls hot in the pan/
Washington County’s new judge knows the lay of the land,/
Marilyn Edwards ran a hard campaign and won the seat./
She will prove to us all, she’ll land on her feet./

Don’t miss the tiny elves and their nubby knees,/
There’s more to the WAC study than seats and parking fees./
Folks in Benton County want their very own art spot/
But it is gonna take putting some major dollars in the pot./

Kids are always proud of their Christmas booty,/
We’ll have to see how quiet, will be, old Dan Coody./
Friends of his, will do well and not be so snooty,/
Making fun of workers was really, really poopy./

Hear the sleigh bells jingle as the horses eat hay,/
City employees will now have an advocate for better pay/
Six folks ran for mayor, more than our guess/
And as predicted, a runoff was necessary to sort out the mess./

Recall the old angels and their shouts of glory,/
The AMPs financial woes did tell a tragic story./
Now’s the time for holiday cards, so neat,/
Steve Clark will fill the Chamber President’s seat/

It stunned us, like waking to new fallen snow,/
How much new UA Athletic Director Jeff Long is in the know,/
He’s healed the sore wounds with Nolan and the campus/
It’s time for honoring the National Champs./
Fifteen years has literally flown by/
It’s time we raise a banner to Nolan way up high/

Slap the reigns on the horses and let’s go/
Big thanks for football improvements by Coach Petrino/
Hog’s didn’t go bowling and that’s a fact/
But just wait baby, them Razorbacks are headed back/

Among the best of holiday soups and stews,/
Is our very own schoolman, Dr. Bobby New./
He’s in his final curtain call as CEO/
Some question if it’s really time for him to go/
He directs the Fayetteville schools to be the best,/
As academics and athletics soar, we all puff our chests./

We’ll watch out the frosty window for ice and snow,/
Our local prosecutor, John Threet, has been on the go./
Thanks to our cadre of Judges Storey, Smith and all the rest,/
They rank high among the state’s busiest and best./

What’s under the Christmas tree is always a guess,/
But wishing continued success to the U of A Press./
Never forgetting Miller Williams and Willard Gatewood./
Founding fathers of a well respected publishing-hood./

When the presents are opened, wrappings are a mess,/
Yes, we like making new friends, but we like old ones best./
So to tradition and history we say Hooray,/
Keeping the wild trends of pop star at bay./

Any Christmas poem wouldn’t be complete/
Without noting some eateries that still compete./
So here’s to Noodle’s, Hugo’s Penguin Ed’s, Gaylord’s and AQ/
Thanks for you all and for all that you do./

In any list like this, I’ll miss a few friends/
Next year, I will include you to make amends./
To those whom I missed, they can only say “Whew!”/
Until next year, Merry Christmas to you./

Wine of the Week

'e'Wine of the week

No Comments 24 December 2008

Don’t Discount Dry Rosé

Hello Everyone,

The holidays are a great time to try new wines, especially with holiday menus. This week we’ll look at a style that’s gaining a lot of fans. It’s good for entertaining, especially when food is involved, and you want to serve something a little different, but not too different.

Try a new wine this week!
Bruce

“Roseum” from Vina Robles
The growing interest in dry rosés continues, as more wine lovers discover them. Most consumers have viewed any pink wine as sweet. But the dry roses are delicious and food-friendly. Rosé is also good for groups.

For almost a generation, just about every pink wine available has been sweet, since that style’s huge popularity squeezed the dry versions right off the shelves. Those who made dry rosé, and their fans, were browbeaten to the point where they just gave up. And, as things sometimes go, that was just about the time when things began to change.

The traditional grapes for dry rosés include grenache and syrah, red wine varieties that are originally from southeastern France, and cabernet franc, originally from western France. Today these varieties are grown in California and around the world.

You’ll see several good ones on retailers’ shelves and restaurant wine lists this summer as dry rosé gets more attention from wine writers and members of the wine trade.

A good one for around $10- $12, that I distribute, is called “Roseum” from Vina Robles. The grapes, primarily syrah, are grown near Paso Robles on California’s Central Coast. Roseum has lots of color for a pink wine, and lots of flavor, with hints of raspberry, cherry and white pepper, with a crisp, clean finish. I think it pairs well with bruschetta, I love it with chicken dishes, and I’d really like to try it with cioppino or another seafood recipe that includes tomatoes.

Highlights

Ring in the New Year at First Night

No Comments 24 December 2008

Ring in the New Year at First Night

First Night, Northwest Arkansas’ no-alcohol family New Year’s Eve celebration, will be Dec. 31 at the Northwest Arkansas Mall. Activities will take place both inside and outside the mall.
One of the highlights will be the Ozark Blues Society’s Blues Stage. Something new in the blues stage area is the Blu-Zoo, an “instrument petting zoo” for kids. OBS will be giving away 50 student harmonicas to the winners of a drawing and the kids will be invited to a harp blowout.

First Night activities will begin at 6 p.m. with a giant puppet parade in the parking lot near JC Penney. Indoor activities will begin at 6:45 p.m. First Night will close with fireworks at midnight. Tickets are $5 for children 3-12 and $10 for adults. For a schedule and tickets go to www.firstnightfayetteville.org.

Party Down the Last Night
If you subscribe to the theory that kicking out the jams on the last night of the year is the way to go, you’ve got lots of choices in NWA.

The hip and creative will be at The OPO at the Urban Table on the Fayetteville square where Art Amiss will host the second annual Blue Masquerade. This is a great venue for an event like this. There will be two levels filled with video installations, costumed models and music by DJ Shortfuze, EQ, Beat Bachs and Bizar. Anyone who’s been around the SF Bay Area, will think Anon Salon—on a smaller scale, of course.
ffw-1225-bds
On Dickson Street, George’s will be having some of NWA’s hottest acts, Benjamin Del Shreve, Fayetteville Funk Ensemble, Apartment 5 and Very Special Guests. Tickets are $15 and are available now.

Up the street at Froggy’s, the first 100 folks will get in free and after that it’s a bargain $5. But the low price doesn’t reflect the quality of the music, which will be NAMA Hall of Fame rockers, Hunkr Down. Froggy’s opened in 2008, so they’re keeping the cover low as a thank you to their patrons.

Fans of Boom Kinetic (formerly Molten Lava) will be packing into the UARK Ballroom on Dickson for New Year’s Eve. Tickets are $25 general and $75 reserved and are available at George’s.

We hear that there will be a musicians jam at The Gypsy on North College Avenue, if you’re looking for a spot away from Dickson Street.

And, if you want a more laidback night, or want to start the club crawl with a fancy dinner, the historic Inn at Carnall Hall on the University of Arkansas campus, just a block from Dickson, has several packages. For $70 a person, enjoy a five-course dinner at Ella’s and if you want to add wine with each course, bump the ticket to $90 a person. Or, start with dinner and tickets to the Boom Kinetic show for $250 a couple. If you want to dine at Ella’s, dance with Boom Kinetic and spend the night at the inn, your tab will be $425 a couple, which includes a buffet breakfast on New Year’s Day. For those who want to stay-in, but want a memorable New Year’s Eve, for $375 a couple you can dine at Ella’s, stay at the inn and watch the ball drop from your room with a complimentary bottle of champagne and snacks. Playing at Ella’s will be the fantastic jazz group Pentomino Players.

Some folks like to spend New Year’s Eve in the nearby village of Eureka Springs and that’s always fun. Eureka is a spa town with great gourmet restaurants, so if you go early, you can enjoy some spa time before you go out for the big night. There are many hotels in all price ranges where you can bed down. In addition to the historic hotels, we like the Joy motel. Our pick for music is Opal Fly & Thy Faery Pranksters at Chelsea’s. So head north, party and then enjoy a brisk walk in this mountaintop village on New Year’s Day.

The magic of “The Wizard of Oz,” will come to the Walton Arts Center for a five day run beginning Jan. 6. Young actors from Northwest Arkansas’ Tricycle Theatre will join the cast of the national tour company as munchkins for the NWA shows. The musical will feature classic songs “Over the Rainbow,” “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead” and “If I Only Had A Brain.” Performance at 7 p.m. Jan. 6, 7, 8, 11 at 8 p.m. Jan. 9, 10 and at 2 p.m. Jan. 10, 11. Tickets are $20-$58.

Live Music, Music

LIVE MUSIC & CLUBS

No Comments 24 December 2008

LIVE MUSIC & CLUBS

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Friday, Dec. 26
Bayou: The Larrys
Chelsea’s: Ozarkwambe
Deja Vu: DJ Derrick
Fatty Hacker’s: Karaoke
George’s: Earl Cate, Steve Pryor, Dave Stiles Birthday Party Jam
Speakeasy: DJ Greg
Tangerine: DJ Jux
Tony C’s Italian Gardens: Furious George

Saturday, Dec. 27
Arsaga’s Crossover: Julie Yount
Arsaga’s Gregg: Buddy Shute
Bayou: 90 lb Wrench
Deja Vu: DJ Cody
George’s: My Tea Kind, Elephant Revival
Little O’Oprey: Live Jam
The OPO: Deadbird, Seahag, Queen Beast
Soul: Jazz
Speakeasy: DJ Greg
Tangerine: DJ Jux
Tony C’s Italian Gardens: Furious George

Sunday, Dec. 28
Chelsea’s: Maia Artchote Band
Common Grounds: Jeff Fox, Benjamin Del Shreve
Copeland’s: Claudia Burson Trio
George’s: Pope County Bootleggers
Pesto Cafe: Shannon Wurst

Monday, Dec. 29
The Perk: Acoustic Jam
Pesto Cafe: Darren Ray

Tuesday, Dec. 30
Bayou: Blues Jam
George’s: Electro Lounge

New Years Eve
Bayou: Trick Bag, L Street Band
Chelsea’s: Opal Fly & Thy Faery Pranksters
Deja Vu: DJ Cody
Drifters: Open Mic
Ella’s: Pentomino Players
Fatty Hacker’s: Karaoke
Froggy’s: Hunkr Down
George’s: Benjamin Del Shreve, Fayetteville Funk Ensemble, Very Special Guests, Apartment 5
Iron Horse: Open Jazz
Tony C’s Italian Gardens: Furious George

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Friday, Jan. 2
Bayou: Revolving Doors
Deja Vu: DJ Cody
Fatty Hacker’s: Karaoke
George’s: Bel Airs, Contagious, Open Addiction, Amure, Black Leaf Clover
Speakeasy: DJ Greg
Tangerine: DJ Jux
Tony C’s Italian Gardens:

Saturday, Jan. 3
Bayou: Durham
Chelsea’s: Areils
Deja Vu: DJ Cody
George’s: Anthony Gomes, Kory Montgomery Band
Little O’Oprey: Live Jam
Soul: Jazz
Speakeasy: DJ Greg
Tangerine: DJ Jux
Tony C’s Italian Gardens:

Sunday, Jan. 4
Common Grounds: DJ SoulFree, Pope County Bootleggers
Copeland’s: Claudia Burson Trio
Dickson Theater: Drag Show
George’s: Buddha
Pesto Cafe: Shannon Wurst

Monday, Jan. 5
The Perk: Acoustic Jam
The OPO: Dreamfast, The Inner Party, The Heat Machine
Pesto Cafe: Darren Ray

Tuesday, Jan. 6
Bayou: Blues Jam
George’s: Electro Lounge

Wednesday, Jan. 7
Drifters: Open Mic
Ella’s: Jazz
Fatty Hacker’s: Karaoke
George’s: Fuggins Wheat Band
Iron Horse: Jazz Jam

Thursday, Jan. 8
Drifters: Karaoke
George’s: Nate Hancock & The Declaration
Pesto: Kevin Bennoch
Speakeasy: DJ Peaches

Venues
Arsaga’s Crossover: 527-0690, Arsaga’s Gregg: 444-6557, Bayou: 246-9337, Chelsea’s: 253-6723, Common Grounds: 442-3515, Copeland’s: 246-9455 ,Deja Vu: 464-9677, Dickson Theater: 575-0500, Drifters: 444-1997, Ella’s Restaurant: 582-0400, Fatty Hacker’s: 751-0881, Froggy’s: 521-FROG, George’s: 442-4226, Iron Horse: 631-9977, Jose’s Streetside: 521-0194, Little O’Oprey: 839-2992, The OPO at Urban Table: 935-4646, The Perk: 251-7375, Pesto Cafe: 582-3330, Soul Restaurant & Lounge: 442-0800, Speakeasy: 443-3279, Tangerine: 443-4600, Tony C’s Italian Gardens: 925-3401.

Film, Film Review

On the Aisle

No Comments 24 December 2008

On the Aisle
By Tony Macklin

The 10 Best Films of 2008

“The Visitor” leads the pack
My four basic critical criteria are: 1) Does a film do what it set out to do? 2) Was it worth doing? 3) How well did it do it? 4) How human is it? (Even an animated movie such as “Ratatouille” can be profoundly human.)
The following films, in different degrees, meet those criteria. Here are the best films of 2008, according to one man’s personal perceptions:

1) The Visitor.
“The Visitor” is a pitch-perfect anthem of decency. Richard Jenkins portrays 62-year old Walter Vale, an alienated, widowed professor from Connecticut, who goes to New York City to deliver a paper at a convention. Walter has an apartment in the city, and he finds it inhabited by a young couple of illegal immigrants. Illegal immigrants! The film lost half its audience there. The young man Tarek (Haaz Sleiman) is from Syria, and his girlfriend (Danai Gurira) is from Senegal. The relationship between the weary teacher and the gregarious young man, who is a talented drummer, is tested by fate and inhumanity. But, blessedly, communication prevails. Jenkins, a character actor of the first order, gets a chance at a leading role, and he is wonderful. Writer/director Tom McCarthy, who did “The Station Agent,”
has crafted an intimate gem.

2) Vicky Cristina Barcelona
This is the triumphant return of Woody Allen. Allen wrote and directed “Vicky Christina Barcelona,” but didn’t act in it. Reminiscent of Francois Truffaut’s “Jules and Jim,” and like “The Visitor,” this is a film about communication and the human spirit. “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” is a travelogue through relationships, psyches and human hearts. Vicky (Rebecca Hall) has to make a life-defining decision about the risks she is willing to take for love. Allen has made a provocative mixture of character, theme and style. “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” is among Woody Allen’s best films.

3) Frost/Nixon
This is actor Frank Langella’s film. Like Richard Jenkins, Langella is not a household name. He’s not even an apartment name. He may be a New York and London stage figure, and a face one might recognize from TV’s “Law and Order,” but he’s hardly known. In this Ron Howard-directed movie about the TV interview between President Richard Nixon and David Frost (Michael Sheen), Langella remarkable as the former president…willful, wounded, crude, cunning. And totally memorable.

4) Gran Torino
I really feared Clint Eastwood’s return to acting. He has been a stellar director lately, but how could this 78-year old return to the screen? I hoped he just wouldn’t embarrass himself. Me of little faith. Eastwood is terrific as a gruff, ferociously anti-social, bigoted, Korean War veteran, who bonds with a young Asian lad and faces gang conflict. Eastwood beautifully plays off his own image. Watch how many times he fires his guns. And, the last image of Eastwood in Gran Torino is classic. Clint is “The Man.”

5) Transsiberian
Every year I seek a Hitchcockian movie, and “Transsiberian” is this year’s choice. Artfully directed by Brad Anderson, “Transsiberian” is mostly set on a train trek across threatening tundra from China and Mongolia to Moscow. Emily Watson and Woody Harrelson portray a young couple caught in the wheels of drug smuggling. Ben Kingsley, who has moved far away from playing Gandhi-like roles, adds menacing character to this intriguing, suspenseful movie.

6) Changeling
I’m still a sucker for Clint Eastwood. This movie, based on an actual case that began in 1928, has texture and impact. Directed by Eastwood, Angelina Jolie gives a bravura performance as a woman whose son is kidnapped. Like Eastwood himself, the woman will not settle, and goes on a harrowing mission to seek the truth.

7) Milk
Sean Penn and director Gus Van Sant combine to create this warm tribute to Harvey Milk, who was the first openly gay person to be elected to major political office (the San Francisco Board of Supervisors). Milk then was murdered and martyred. James Franco and Alison Pill add to the sanguinity of the film.
The Dark Knight
The first half of this action adventure is among the best moviemaking of the year. But director Chris Nolan loses control and is smitten by special effects in the second half. The first half has interesting characters; the second half is caricature. Heath Ledger is memorably volatile as The Joker.

9) W.
Oliver Stone seems an improbable director to create a human portrait of president 43, but with Josh Brolin’s brilliance, he does. Brolin is outstanding as G.W. Bush. Richard Dreyfuss is spot-on as Dick Cheney. This is an entertaining, amusing movie that draws chuckles from unlikely sources. Better to laugh than cry.

10) Seven Pounds
This may be my albatross. I may be in the distinct minority in affirming this movie. I don’t yet know how it will play with the public. I do know some reviewers who
detested it. “Seven Pounds” worked for me, and I would make a small wager it will with the general public. It’s about a tormented good Samaritan who tries to help seven strangers. I accepted the premise and loved Rosario Dawson. I think Will Smith, director Gabriele Muccino, and writer Grant Nieporte, have made a bold, challenging movie.

Some other movies I favored: “The Wrestler,” “Appaloosa,” “Iron Man,” “Bottle Shock,” “Street Kings,” “Man on a Wire,” “Mongol,” “Bolt,” “Under the Same Moon,” and “Smart People.”
And so it goes. Theaters beckon, and movies sparkle. At least a few.

Risa's Astrology

Risa's Astology

No Comments 24 December 2008

Esoteric Astrology for December 25-31
Holy Days

The holidays originated as “holy days” marking sacred times in the yearly cycle of life. We’ve come to the end of an eventful year, when changes began. There will be even more changes in 2009. Christmas day has Sag moon, joy approaches. Our hearts find refuge in family, village, community (sangha), cheerfulness, honesty, right relations, hope and faith.
Amidst gifts and plentiful tables, alongside Sag moon, is the presence and mystery of Capricorn. At midnight, Christmas morn, in Catholic and Christian churches, Holy Mass is celebrated welcoming the birth of the Sun’s new light, the nativity of the Holy Child (new life, love & will anchored on Earth) in a stable (among humanity) in Bethlehem. He becomes the Bread of Life. Each year since that first holy birth over 2,000 years ago, humanity has risen higher and higher within a spiral of light. One day that spiral will reach heaven. We’re half way there. Love, goodwill and joy to everyone. Till next year. Risa.
Read Risa’s complete column and her column for Jan. 1 at nightlightnews.com.

ARIES: You’re being called to world service, working with the New Group of World Servers. You have two choices—to focus on your personal satisfaction, or work toward the stabilization of humanity. Either choice depends on your level of conscious awareness. Both choices are “on the path.” One is more difficult than the other. One sings, the other’s learning. The world needs help. Especially from a gifted Aries.

TAURUS: Your thoughts are quite unlike other people’s. Your mind is far away, flying toward the future. You’re concerned with providing knowledge so everyone becomes aware of the times ahead and are preparing for the future in ways only our ancestors knew thus fulfilling their destiny. How can you bring this information into the daily lives of families, friends and your community? Begin in your own home. Then you become an initiating model to others. A gift, actually.

GEMINI: It’s time to offer the gift of practical graphic communication concerning resources and future investments. Our world is different now and will continue to be. Prior management of money and resources is no longer safe. Investments now must be for land, gardens, greenhouses, community, perishables, non-perishable, medicines, etc. The present instability will create a new stability when humanity learns equitable responsibility and sharing. Because you understand, you are to become the ambassador, spokesperson and representative for all of these.

CANCER: Read Gemini first. Then look to your relationships. Be sure to focus all energy and love onto those you work with and are close to. Take the time to communicate with them on deeper levels, especially if forming a company, partnership or marriage. Communication is the core, foundation, and heart of all partnerships. Come out from under your shell. Give the gift of sharing through what you say, know, sense, feel and how you speak.

LEO: You are to think in details, facts, information and minutiae in order to steer successfully (an important word for you now) through daily workdays (and service to others, especially the animal kingdom). Perhaps you realize goals haven’t been met, tasks are half done, and conclude daily life is uncontrollable. It is, but don’t fret. In the coming weeks you’ll firmly anchor that ladder of responsibilities and climb each step till all’s accomplished. The gift’s in the details.

VIRGO: What seemed simple routines are now challenging! So, change in routines is needed giving you more incentive to tend to creative details under which a gift is hidden. As you become more and more inspired, constantly tidy up so no accidents occur. Have patience, work with focused intention, take time to rest each afternoon to observe the subtle shadows of afternoon light. Visualize the Sun’s light entering your heart. Liberation and love are then yours.

LIBRA: You will think fondly this year of home and family. If you have a home you will cherish and be devoted to it. But first you will go about cleaning and tending, creating an environment worthy of royalty. Your home is indeed a gift, don’t you think? And so you will think about children, nurturing, food and gardens and even about building a gate. Desires repolarize, intuition appears, seeking the way toward your spiritual home.

SCORPIO: As your awareness unfolds, a gift in itself, and noting tensions and extreme duality, you seek to relate and join these dual realities within yourself. This esoterically symbolizes the soul and personality. A space forms between these two poles and it intensifies. This tension and intensity have purpose, giving clarity of distinction between the higher and lower self. Eventually a marriage of opposites occurs. A triangle forms. Ponder these words.

SAGITTARIUS: Read Scorpio’s words first. Then, note the battle of attachment that is occurring, a struggle. Know that Vulcan the forger is attempting to make you into a golden chalice. Your approaching new identity is the gift. Previously and perhaps even now, you’re at war, magnetically attracted to materiality. Later you’ll cultivate a proper rapport with Venus and right relationships will materialize. Silence and serving others makes this so.

CAPRICORN: You may feel in a state of sacrifice, always assisting others in need. This is the gift of care you offer others, even though at times it may feel tedious. Sometimes we must do battle with ourselves (desires). These battles create challenges Caps are supremely able to overcome. During this month notice that others “notice” and trust you. They will tell you secrets. This is temporary. However, for a bit of time you will be other people’s solace.

AQUARIUS: Try not to be swept away by emotions, political or religious idealism or self-criticism concerning your inabilities (judgment). All are illusions. Aquarians are often worried and fearful beings. Here’s a prayer (mantram), a gift to you during these holy days, that dissolves and dissipates illusion, worry and fear: “Lead me from darkness to light, from the unreal to the real, from death to immortality.” Say it ceaselessly. It instills courage, hope and reality.

PISCES: Two levels occur here. One fits you. The first is that you will seek to have others bend to your will offering ideas you believe to be true. The second is your will begins to work harmoniously in service to the group. The first is personality experiential learning. The second is under the direction of the soul. The gift here is knowing, discriminating, understanding and identifying the differences. One leads eventually to the other. One creates joy, the other gift.

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