TFW - The Free Weekly | Monthly Archive

Low Cost Culture and Entertainment

1 Comment 26 February 2009

UA Jazz Ensemble Free Concert
Although we’re all watching our budgets these days, there are top shelf things happening that won’t cost you a dime.
For example, this week there’s a free concert by the University of Arkansas Jazz Ensembles. Two 17-piece big bands under the direction of James Greeson and Gerald Sloan will perform at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the University of Arkansas Arkansas Union Theater. The program will include music by Sammy Nestico, Count Basie, Thad Jones, Bill Holman, Tito Puente and others.
Undergraduate and graduate musicians will be featured in solo roles, including trombonists Matthew Shipes, Matt Cope and Michael Olefsky, trumpeter Michael Howland, and saxophonists Jason Cooney and Sid Winford. Pianist Claudia Burson will also be featured as a soloist.
A highlight of the program will be a performance of Bill Holman’s composition “A View from the Side” which won a Grammy award in 1996 for “Best Instrumental Jazz Composition.”

3 Penny Acre Debuts New Album

The roots Americana band, 3 Penny Acre, which is based in Fayetteville, will release their debut, self-titled album at a show this Friday night at GoodFolk. All four of the band members are songwriters and the band won three awards at the Walnut Valley New Song Contest in Winfield, Kan., last year. The band is made up of Shannon Wurst, Bayard Blain and Bryan and Bernice Hembree. This is the only local CD release show scheduled, so reservations are recommended. The show is at 8 p.m. and tickets are $12 by calling 521-1812.

Soup Sunday
Enjoy a nice warm bowl of soup and help Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, a statewide policy advocacy organization that opened its first NWA office last year.
The organization works to improve the state’s health, education, tax, child welfare and juvenile justice systems so that all children have the opportunity to live up to their full potential. Soup Sunday will be from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 206 W. Johnson St. in Springdale. The cost is $15 for adults and $5 for children. For tickets call 927-9800.

The Goddess Festival

A new festival, The Goddess Festival, will be headquartered at Ultra Studios, 118 South St. in Fayetteville. The month-long festival will honor the power and divinity of women as expressed in the archetypes of goddess, angel and amazon. Vickie Kelley, one of the organizers said the festival will bring attention to the idea that the world needs a shift in consciousness from a paradigm of war and aggression to one of peace and cooperation, which can be achieved by honoring women’s values. The opening reception will be at 5 p.m. Sunday with an art show, followed by the opening ritual at 7 p.m. The festival producers, Diana Rivers and Vickie Kelley will be there. The opening ritual, will focus on three words: invocation, dedication, and celebration and will include a staged reading of “Sisters Let Us Remember” and “Time to Bring the Goddess Home Again.” Both events are free. Other opening week activities are a panel presentation “Creating Ritual” at 7 p.m. Monday. Iyengar style yoga for all levels led by Renee Janski at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. African drumming with Shelia Richards ($10 donation and bring your drum) at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Cajun dance lessons ($6) with Jamey Hall. For a complete schedule, go to www.goddessfestival.com

Features

The Long Road to Bentonville

1 Comment 26 February 2009

Just as day and night are different, the morning and evening drives are distinct experiences.

By Jessica Riedmueller

It’s 5:45 in the morning and the alarm goes off for the first time. First thought: I need to get ready for work. Thirty minutes later the alarm goes off again. Still trying to decipher that last bit of dream, I automatically get up and start my day: breakfast, teeth, clothing and keys … where are the keys? A short time later, I’m in a car and on the road to Bentonville with the rest of the bleary-eyed throng. This is a routine I repeat every Monday through Friday barring vacations, holidays and the dreadful sick days. Like many, I willingly spend time and money driving between Fayetteville and Bentonville. And I couldn’t be happier about it.
That’s not to say that I am happy when I’m actually on the road. As much as I try to be one of those drivers who is always considerate and never gripes, many times I find myself talking to the traffic, as if my tongue-lashings are going to make the cars in front of me move faster or better.
One of the most frustrating things about the interstate we all call “five-forty” is the utter unpredictability of it. Some days you breeze through with no problem. Other days you barely make it a half-mile before you have to start crawling and inching. Some days it may rain, but traffic will move along fine. Other days it may rain and traffic will add another 20 minutes to your commute.
But, a few things are guaranteed. If there is any hint of a car off of the road, you will not go over 45 mph until you pass it. Many times, you will not make it over 35. If you stay in the right lane, you will eventually get behind someone going 60 mph or less. If you move to the left lane, you will eventually be tailgated even if you are going 80 mph. If you leave any amount of space between you and the car in front of you, someone will force in. And, the biggie, you will eventually have to deal with a wreck.
Oh, the wreck. First of all, as bad as we may think 540 traffic is, we are lucky that most wrecks are nonfatal and many do not cause serious injury. That said, it is still a traumatizing and humiliating experience. There you are, somewhere on the side of the road or maybe in the median, trying to figure out what happened and what exactly you are going to do next. Everyone passing is staring directly at you. Eventually the emergency crews show up, maybe a tow truck, and hopefully someone you know. The cars are still passing by and people are still staring. It’s not something you forget easily.
Just as day and night are different, the morning and evening drives are distinct experiences.
The morning is a strange time to be on 540. People are in a hurry to get where they are going. And somehow, that one car in front of you that is actually leaving a safe amount of space between it and the next car, is just about more than you can take. The way you use the accelerator feels like the ebb and flow of an ocean, surging forward, falling back. The clock constantly moves forward while you are stuck in one place. You are trying to judge whether you will be on time or whether you should call in late; it’s quite a fine line. At least twice a week, brake-stomping will be necessary. And there may be a car or two that actually has to swerve off the road to avoid a wreck. Mornings are an angry and stressful time to be on the road to Bentonville.
The evening is typically a more predictable drive. You will usually have to slow down at the Pleasant Grove exit, the Springdale exits and the Fayetteville exits. Brakes are still necessary, but for the most part, a screeching halt is not a part of the experience. The feeling of the road is more of relief with only an edge of urgency. People are still in a hurry, but some of the viciousness is alleviated by thoughts of home.
The best way to deal with the drive is to stay calm and understand that this is the price you have chosen to pay to live in Fayetteville. But, that’s easier said than done. So what can you do to make the drive better? Carpool for one.
Carpooling saves money, reduces your carbon footprint and helps preserve the world’s dwindling supply of oil. And even more than being better for the planet, it may turn out to be better for you. Carpooling introduces you to people whom you might never have met otherwise. Who knows? You may end up with a new friend. Carpooling may also help keep you calm and give you some reprieve from the road. It is a bit harder and more embarrassing to lose your temper in front of someone than it is when you are alone in the car.
Another trick: Think of the drive as down time. One of the inevitable truths of 540 is that you will be stuck in traffic at some point, and likely more than once, every week. And guess what? You can’t do anything about it. So, rather than complaining and making yourself angry, take this time to meditate or at the very least, organize your to-do list. Take a few deep and cleansing breaths, put on some music and focus on something pleasant. If you’re carpooling, it’s a time to talk with the other people about something nonwork related. Try to see this as just a life experience rather than a hardship.
So why do I continue to make this daily drive, to seemingly punish myself twice daily? I could easily move to Bentonville. I could sleep later, save money on gas. Or maybe, I could find a job in Fayetteville. Then, I wouldn’t really have a need for 540 except for getting around town or maybe the odd trip to Pinnacle Promenade. Instead I insist on commuting.
The easy answer is that I like living in Fayetteville, and with the economy the way it is, it’s best to stick with the job I have.
The not-so-easy answer is exactly why I like living in Fayetteville. There is a draw to Fayetteville that I haven’t felt for any other city in Arkansas. Perhaps it’s the energy of the downtown area: Dickson Street, Wilson Park, the square. Perhaps it is the quirkiness of the city, its crazy roads and the way its modern parts juxtapose with its older part. Or maybe it is the laid-back feeling, the trees or the hills. Whatever it is, I can’t seem to separate myself from this town. Fayetteville is my retreat away from the job. This is why I continue to drive the 25 miles to and from work everyday.
So there it is, my love note to Fayetteville, and my “let’s just be friends” note to 540. And yet I wonder how I would feel if I wasn’t commuting via 540. I’d have extra time in my day, but I doubt I would use that time to actually get something done. Northwest Arkansas has undergone many changes in just the five years that I have lived here and much of that growth and change is visible from the road … the 540. I think of all of the people and relationships I would have missed out on. And mostly, I wonder if I would appreciate coming home as much if I didn’t have to try quite so hard to get there. Exactly how much would I have missed if I didn’t have to make that drive everyday? More than I’ve considered, I’m sure.

Live Music, Music

Son Volt plays George's Saturday night

1 Comment 26 February 2009

Thursday, Feb. 26
Boomer’s Time Out: Arthur Hervey
Deja Vu: DJ Brock
Froggy’s: Nick Noltes
George’s: Waka Winter Classic
Pesto: Kevin Bennoch
Smoke & Barrel: Opal Fly & Friends
Speakeasy: DJ Peaches
Tangerine: Drag Show
Teatro Scarpino: DJ Jerry Kendrick

Friday, Feb. 27
Arsaga’s Crossover: Scotty Walters
Arsaga’s Gregg: Chris Craig
Bayou: Terry Quiett Band
Boomer’s Time Out: Trick Bag
Chelsea’s: Big Smith
Deja Vu: DJ Cory B
Froggy’s: After the Scars, The Venditos, Fade 2 Fall
George’s: Michael Burks, Joe Giles, Ben Del Shreve, Ben Miller Band
Goodfolk: 3 Penny Acre Album Release
ROTC: Mudcat
Speakeasy: DJ Greg
Tangerine: DJ Jux
Teatro Scarpino: DJ Adam Richardson
The Wine Cellar: Emily Kaitz

Saturday, Feb. 28

Arsaga’s Crossover: Jag
Arsaga’s Gregg: Buddy Shute
Bayou: 90 lb Wrench
Boomer’s Time Out: Black Water
Chelsea’s: Gaylords
Deja Vu: DJ Brock
Froggy’s: 100 Proof & Friends, The Great Scotts
George’s: Son Volt
GoodFolk: Roy Zimmerman
Little O’Oprey: Live Jam
Soul: Jazz
Speakeasy: DJ Greg
Tangerine: DJ Jux

Sunday, March 1
Common Grounds: DJ SoulFree, Elise Davis
Copeland’s: Claudia Burson Trio
Dickson Theater: Drag Show
George’s: Keith Nicholson, Dreamfast, The Inner Party, JV All-Stars, Hercules
Pesto Cafe: Shannon Wurst

Monday, March 2
Pesto Cafe: Darren Ray

Tuesday, March 3
Bayou: Blues Jam
George’s: Electro Lounge

Wednesday, March 4
Boomer’s Time Out: Blues Jam
Ella’s: Claudia Burson Trio
George’s: Hayes Carl, Band of Heathens
The Gypsy: Jam
Iron Horse: Open Jazz
Union Theatre: UA Big Band
Thursday, March 5
Boomer’s Time Out: Arthur Hervey
George’s: Casey Donahue, Emory Quinn, Elise Davis
Pesto: Kevin Bennoch
Smoke & Barrel: Opal Fly & Friends, Matt Smith Group
Speakeasy: DJ Peaches
Tangerine: Drag Show
Teatro Scarpino: DJ Jerry Kendrick

Venues
Arsaga’s Crossover: 527-0690
Arsaga’s Gregg: 444-6557
Bayou: 246-9337
Boomer’s Time Out: 715-6530
Chelsea’s: 253-6723
Common Grounds: 442-3515
Copeland’s: 246-9455
Deja Vu: 464-9677
Dickson Theater: 575-0500
Ella’s Restaurant: 582-0400
Froggy’s: 521-FROG
George’s: 442-4226
Goodfolk: 521-1812
The Gyps: 444-1945
Iron Horse: 631-9977
Little O’Oprey: 839-2992
Pesto Cafe: 582-3330
ROTC: 521-2674
Smoke & Barrel Tavern: 521-6880
Soul Restaurant & Lounge: 442-0800
Speakeasy: 443-3279
Tangerine: 443-4600
Teatro Scarpino: 409-3772
The Wine Cellar: 966-4383.
Casinos
Buffalo Run Casino
Miami, Okla.
buffalorun.com
Friday: Jimmy Wayne.

Cherokee Casino
West Siloam Springs, Okla.
cherokeecasino.com
Thursday: Michael Stacey
Friday: Sofa Kingdom,
Saturday: FOS Project.

Downstream Casino Resort
Quapaw, Okla.
downstreamcasion.com
Thursday: Sabin & Dehoyos, American Mariachis
Friday: Beer & Chicken Band, Oreo Blue

Want your band listed? E-mail information two weeks in advance to: sporter@nwaonline.net.

Daddy Warbucks, Features

Cox Cable Throws Money At The AMP

No Comments 26 February 2009

It came as a bit of a surprise, but then again, Daddy W. is guessing the $50,000 gift from Cox Cable to the Arkansas Music Pavilion was in the works long before the January ice storm.
Daddy W. is glad to see businesses (and Cox is a B-I-G moneymaker in our community) give back. But is tossing $50,000 for a concert really giving back?
The AMP, the outdoor venue under a big top in the parking lot of the Northwest Arkansas Mall is a marginal venue and in today’s economic downturn, well … But back to the Cox contribution. The Sept. 5 event will feature Collin Raye — who was born in south Arkansas — and the band Restless Heart. Do your fingers itch for those tickets?
Sept. 5, oh yeah, is the night the Razorbacks open against Missouri State in Little Rock — first game of the year — so don’t count on any Hog fans to be flicking lighters for ole Collin.
Even if it’s free to the public, there’s to be a donation to split between the Boys & Girls Club and Jones Center coming from the sale of VIP tickets, sold to those who just gotta get close to the stage.
Woo Pig. Let’s hope this deal works. And by the way, look at your cable, computer and cell phone bills closely. Cox may be a generous company, but not that generous. And the AMP is a business.
Big Question
How much stuff is laying around the typical American home that could be sold for quick cash? (Answer at the end)
Gone Almost
Parkway Bank, that southeastern Arkansas transplant bank, has closed two of its three offices in Northwest Arkansas. Gone are the West Walnut digs in Rogers, and a storefront on S.E. Walton Boulevard in Bentonville. Still open, the bank’s main office at 3350 Pinnacle Hills Parkway. The bank, which relocated its charter from tiny Portland in Ashley County to Rogers in 2004, lost $1.59 million in 2008 after losing $490,000 at the end of 2007. The bank has offices in Portland, Crossett and Monticello, all in south Arkansas.
New Burger
Burger lovers look at this. The Über Burger Bistro has opened on Dickson Street under the direction of Peter Steinhart, co-owner and chef of the 36 Club. The eclectic burger menu has classic beef burgers and an assortment of more exotic offerings such as antelope, alligator, crab and salmon. Pricing ranges from $7 to $15 for the Emperor Burger with Japanese Waygu beef. The Über Burger Bistro is open for lunch Tuesdays through Fridays and for dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays. Über Burger Bistro shares a common kitchen with the 36 Club, a Dickson Street favorite for many years. The word ‘über’ has German origins just like Steinhart, so it’s a natural fit. View the menu online at www.36clubfayetteville.com.
Big Oops
Seems like J.B. Hunt Transport made a wrong delivery that has cost nearly $100,000. The Lowell trucking company said it hired PGT Trucking of Monaca, Pa., in January 2008 to deliver a shipment of finished forged steel from Grand Rapids, Mich., to Ellwood City Forge in Ellwood City, Pa. Instead, the shipment was sent to Ellwood Quality Steel in New Castle, Pa., which handles scrap metal, the lawsuit said. The shipment was then turned into scrap metal. Uh oh.
New Man
Tyson Foods of Springdale has added Robert C. Thurber, former vice president of purchasing for Sysco Corp., as one of 10 Tyson directors and one of seven independent members of the meat processing company’s board. The association with a past at Sysco couldn’t hurt.
Rent Flap
Questions are still pouring in over the rent issue between the partners of Mary Maestri’s in Tontitown. Will the restaurant survive? Is this just a tiff? Is this a Tontitown thing? Daddy W. knows this: Mary might rise up out of her grave with a wet dish rag and whip the snot out of some businessmen over this black mark on her valued name.
Not A Barber
But still another local developer has gone bust. This time it was Rogers developer Carmen Lehman who filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection under her C.R. Lehman Properties LP. According to the bankruptcy paperwork, Lehman Properties declared assets between $0 and $50,000 and liabilities between $10 million and $50 million, including a $27.3 million unsecured loan with Arvest Bank-Rogers. Lehman was the developer of the posh Village on the Creeks retail and office park in Rogers, just north of the Pinnacle Point developments.
Big Answer
According to a Nielsen study, the typical American family has about $2,200 in stuff laying around their home that they could quickly sell for cash. Wow.

Music, The Set List

Slightly Stoopid's Live Show A Definate Must-See

No Comments 26 February 2009

The Set List

by Brian Washburn

I am not even remotely discrete about the fact that I am not a fan of the whole American rap/rock/ska/reggae music genre. You know, the one made famous by white kids across America trying to emulate Bob Marley?
Sublime might have about a bazillion fans across the nation — mostly stoner hippies — but I have to say I’m not one of them. Sublime is not the only band in this genre. They just popularized it.
One of Sublime’s main proteges stopped by Fayetteville to play to the American reggae/ska/punk fan base last week. I was a bit skeptical about attending Slightly Stoopid’s show at George’s Majestic Lounge, but after two hours of nonstop party music, I have to say, my skepticism was put to rest. In fact, I was downright impressed.
The California six-piece band — guitarist/bassist/vocalist Miles Doughty, guitarist/bassist/vocalist Kyle McDonald, drummer Ryan Moran, percussionist Oguer Ocon, saxophonist DeLA and trumpet player C-Money — took the stage amidst a sold out and hazier than usual crowd.
The band’s sound is nothing original, nor is it anything to write home about, but Slightly Stoopid’s live show is a sight to see.
While McDonald and Doughty have their own unique voice in the band, it’s really no different than any other voice in the American reggae genre. It is fun to see them switch instruments with one another in between songs and, in some instances, right in the middle of songs. It was also a nice breath of fresh air to see the band switch more frequently during the concert between their signature reggae/hip hop sound to a hardcore punk jam that would have opened up mosh pits at any other place but George’s.
Though Slightly Stoopid did put on a remarkable live show filled with excitement and American/Jamaican sing-alongs, it was the always great crowd at George’s that really made this concert one of the year’s best so far. While many would suspect the attendees would be more “out of it” than Joaquin Phoenix on Letterman (which some were), fans jumping up and down in the front of the stage and singing along to their favorite Stoopid jams never stopped.
It really is true that a concert is better if the crowd is into it. The six-piece played all crowd favorites, including “Officer,” “Collie Man” and “Bandelero.”
The guitar work and vocals do add much of the base to Slightly Stoopid’s sound, but it is the solid percussion during the live set that really puts concert goers in the mood and gives the band its spice.
Moran’s spot-on drumming gives the sound the backbone and Ocon’s side-percussion, including bongos and other various percussion instruments, gives the band the sound fans want. Though the percussion is well put together, the bass lines perfected by McDonald and Doughty are the backbone for the live set. It gives Slightly Stoopid the funk every band in the same genre is striving to copy. The Slightly Stoopid live show is something music buffs should not pass up.
Final Thought: George’s Majestic Lounge has been hitting hard this year so far with spectacular and mind-blowing concerts from the likes of Stoopid and Citizen Cope. I’m just praying this will continue (which it should) through the remainder of the year. Sold-out concerts in a college town, is what life is meant to be.

8 Days A Week Calendar

Calendar

No Comments 26 February 2009

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
SARAH CREASMAN ARTIST’S RECEPTION: 5-7 p.m. today at the Anne Kittrell Art Gallery in the Arkansas Union in Fayetteville. uark.edu/up or 575-INFO.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS CATFISH FRY: 5:30-8 p.m. Friday and March 27 at St. Joseph’s Church Hall, 1722 N. Starr Ave. in Fayetteville. $5-$8. KatfishKnights.com or 751-1560.
DAVID BERRY ARTIST’S RECEPTION: 6-8 p.m. Friday at the Zephyr Blevins Gallery at Rogers Little Theater. poorrichardsart.org or 631-8988.
KISS A PIG GALA: 6 p.m. Saturday at the John Q. Hammons Convention Center in Rogers. Dinner, auctions, entertainment. $150. diabetes.org/nwakissapig or 464-4121.
NWA SOUP SUNDAY: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church, 206 W. Johnson in Springdale. Benefiting Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. $5-$15. 927-9800.
THE GODDESS FESTIVAL: Opens Sunday at Ultra Studios, 114 W. South St. in Fayetteville. Art, music, workshops, rituals, celebrations and more. Special events every weekend in March. goddessfestival.com or 521-8562.

Stage & Screen
LEAVING FEAR BEHIND: Film screening at 6:30 p.m. today at the Giffels Auditorium in Fayetteville. Students for a Free Tibet. comp.uark.edu/~tibet.
KISS ME KATE: 8 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Rogers Little Theater. $7.50-$42. RogersLittleTheater.com or 631-8988.
ROMARE BEARDEN: VISUAL JAZZ AND THE LIFE AND ART OF WILLIAM H. JOHNSON: At noon Friday at Crystal Bridges at the Massey, 125 W. Central Ave., Bentonville. Free. massey.crystalbridges.org or 418-5700.
THE PASSING ZONE: 8 p.m. Friday at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $15-25. waltonartscenter.org or 443-5600.
FRENCH AND ITALIAN OPERA: 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at the University of Arkansas Fine Arts Concert Hall. $5-$10. music.uark.edu or 575-4701.
LA THEATRE WORKS: WAR OF THE WORLDS AND THE LOST WORLD: At 7 p.m. March 5 at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $25-35. waltonartscenter.org or 443-5600.
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD: 7:30 p.m. March 5 at the Alma Performing Arts Center, 103 E. Main St. in Alma. $20-$30. almapac.org or 632-2129.

Words
LOCAL AUTHOR JIM FAIRBANKS: At 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Nightbird Books in Fayetteville. nightbirdbooks.com or 582-2291.
BEYOND WORDS: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Arsaga’s on Crossover Road in Fayetteville. arsagas.com or 527-0690.
LIFEWRITING: 10 a.m. Monday 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
UA CONCERT BAND & WIND SYMPHONY: At 7:30 p.m. today at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $1-$10. waltonartscenter.org or 443-5600.
ARKANSAS WINDS COMMUNITY CONCERT BAND: At 3 p.m. Saturday at the Central United Methodist Church in Dickson Street in Fayetteville. $5; 18 and under free. arkansaswinds.org or 521-4293.
U.S. NAVY BAND SEA CHANTERS: 4 p.m. Saturday at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. Free. waltonartscenter.org or 443-5600.
ESPERANZA SPAULDING: Monday at the Fort Smith Event Center, 12 N. 11th St. in Fort Smith. secondstreetlive.com or 369-2221.
UA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA “ASSURANCE”: At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $1-$10. waltonartscenter.org or 443-5600.
AVAN YU PIANO RECITAL: 8 p.m. March 6 at the University of Arkansas Fine Arts Concert Hall. Free. 575-4701.

Learning
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE: 7 p.m. today at the Shiloh Museum. springdaleark.org/shiloh or 750-8165.
SALSA, SWING AND OTHER DANCE LESSONS: 8:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays at Teatro Scarpino in Fayetteville. With Jerry Kendrick and Adam Richardson. $10. scarpino.com or 409-3772.
OZARK WIRELESS SOCIETY: 10 a.m. Saturday at the Shiloh Museum. springdaleark.org/shiloh or 750-8165.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Presbyterian Disciples of Christ Campus Center in Fayetteville. 521-0808.
GREENDRINKS: 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday at the Wine Cellar, 509 W. Spring St. in Fayetteville. Environmental groups. Age 21 and older only. 966-4383.
SALSA LESSONS: At 8:30 p.m. Fridays at Deja Vu, 3404 S.E. Macy Road in Bentonville. Free; taught by Arkansas Dance Connection. dejavubentonville.com or 464-9677.

Mind, Body, Spirit
FAYETTEVILLE FREE THINKERS: 2 p.m. Saturday at the Fayetteville Public Library. fayfreethinkers.com or 442-6738.
TIBETAN MANDALA PROJECT: 10-11 a.m. Monday at the University of Arkansas Mullins Library. Mandala to be created 9-11:30 a.m. and 2-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 2-5 p.m. Sunday, March 8, with a finishing ceremony: 7 p.m. March 11. The Mandala will be on display to the closing ceremony at 3 p.m. March 29. 575-2509.
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
BICYCLE COALITION OF THE OZARKS RIDE: AT 8 a.m. Sunday, out and back from 525 S. School in Fayetteville to Brentwood (36 miles) or Mountainburg (75 miles). Benefits Bicycle Coalition of the Ozarks. Bring unneeded helmets for donation. All skill levels welcome; Sag-wagon picks up around 1 p.m. $15, includes BCO membership. bconwa.org or 521-4619.
SIGMA PHI EPSILON GOLF TOURNAMENT: Register by Friday for the March 28 event at the Razorback Park Golf Course in Fayetteville. $300 per team by Friday; $400 per team by March 9. Includes golf cart, 18 holes, BBQ lunch; Benefits YouthAIDS. 443-5862.

Minor Matters
SHAKY BUGS: 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Mom’s Club at the Jones Center. $5 per family; for kids younger than 6.
SHAKY BUGS: 10 a.m. March 5 at Tricycle Theatre in Bentonville. $5 per family; for kids younger than 6. triketheatre.org or (888) 331-3681.
SHARING STORIES WITH PRINTS: 3-4:30 p.m. March 5 at Crystal Bridges at the Massey, 125 W. Central Ave., Bentonville. Ages 5-12, with adult. Free. massey.crystalbridges.org or 418-5700.

Auditions, Call For Volunteers, Entries
CALL FOR ARTISTS: For “Women to Watch 2001” featuring emerging women artists, through March 5 to Joey Halinski, 403 Long Leaf Cove, Vicksburg Miss., 39180 or dmhalinski@pol.net. E-mail for information.
DANCE AUDITION: Ballet Arkansas Professional Dance Company 2 p.m. March 15 at Shuffles & Ballet II Dance Studio, 1521 Merrill Drive in Little Rock. Must be older than 18; two male and two female spots open. (501) 223-5150.
WASHINGTON REGIONAL HOSPICE TRAINING: for volunteers or for the care of loved ones at home 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays March 17 through April 23 at the WRMC Hospice office, 34 W. Colt Square in Fayetteville. Registration required; Free. 463-7394.
ENTRIES FOR “SHOW YOUR STUFF”: Filmmakers, videographers, bloggers and documentarians: enter your up to 10 min. short or excerpt for inclusion in Community Access TV’s video reception March 27 at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Fayetteville. $10 per entry, due March 13 by mail or hand at CAT, 101 W. Rock St., Fayetteville, AR 72701. 444-3433.
VOLUNTEERS: Your talent and time are needed now for the Northwest Arkansas Music Awards on April 23. Go to www.namaawards.com or e-mail namaawards@gmail.com.

Art
ANNE KITTRELL ART GALLERY: Arkansas Union, Fayetteville. 575-5255. “My Atmosphere” by Sarah Creasman through March 13.

“Landscape in Red” is part of an exhibit by Sheila Richards on display at Arsaga’s on Crossover.

The exhibit runs March 2 through April 5. A reception for the artist will be from 5-8pm on March 5.

ARSAGA’S: 1582 Crossover Road., Ste. 2, Fayetteville. arsagas.org or 527-0690. Paintings by Diane Adams through February.
ARSAGA’S: 2418 N. Gregg Ave., Fayetteville. arsagas.org or 444-6557. Multimedia by Dorylyn Thomas through February.
THE ART GALLERY: 509 W. Spring St., Fayetteville. ArtExpoNWA.org or 521-1816.
ARTS CENTER OF THE OZARKS: 214 S. Main St., Springdale. artscenteroftheozarks.org or 751-5441. Celebrate Art! K-8th Graders, March 6-April 4.
BOTANICAL GARDEN OF THE OZARKS: 4703 N. Crossover Road in Fayetteville. bgozarks.org or 750-2620.
CENTER FOR ART & EDUCATION: 104 N. 13th St., Van Buren. art-ed.org or 474-7767.
CITIZENS BANK GALLERY: 116 E. Buchanan St., Prairie Grove. 846-0899. Contemporary ceramics, sculpture, paintings, photography and more.
CORNER GIFT SHOP: 3582 N. Arkansas 112, Fayetteville. 521-2674. Art by more than 30 local artists and craftsmen.
CRYSTAL BRIDGES AT THE MASSEY: 125 W. Central Ave., Bentonville. massey.crystalbridges.org or 418-5700. “Proof Positive: Master Prints from the Collection of Fisk University Galleries” through May 3.
DDP GALLERY: 7 E. Mountain St., Fayetteville. ddpgallery.com or 442-0001.
FOUR SQUARE FINE ART GALLERY: 112 W. Center St., Fayetteville. Artists Books exhibit through March 14. FourSquareFineArt.com or 422-8607.
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. Paintings by Charles Pearce Friday through April 24. Photographs by Helen Thomas through Friday.
MULLINS LIBRARY: University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. 575-6702. Artists Books exhibit Monday through March 25.
OZARK GLASSWORKS, GALLERY & SCHOOL: 675 E Huntsville Road, Fayetteville. 387-6773.
OZARK NATURAL FOODS: 1554 N. College Ave., Fayetteville. 521-7558. “Wall Faxx” by Gehojo-holley Jones Sunday through March.
POOR RICHARD’S ART: 116 S. First St., Rogers. poorrichardsart.com or 636-0417.
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. Photographs by David Berry through March 31.
TERRA STUDIOS, MUSE GALLERY & COFFEE HOUSE: 12103 Hazel Valley Road, off Hwy. 16E in Durham. terrastudios.com or 1-800-255-8995. Work by more than 30 artists, 10 acre art park with murals and sculpture installations. Home of the Original Bluebird of Happiness.
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FINE ARTS CENTER GALLERY: Fayetteville. 575-7987. Work by Hank Kaminsky through May. Artists Books exhibit Monday through March 25. “The Inspired Line” Selected Prints of Albrecht Durer and Rembrandt Van Rijn” through March 13.
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. “What Comes After Nothing: Post Minimalists Drawings from the Collection” through Sunday.
CLINTON HOUSE MUSEUM: 930 California Drive, Fayetteville. clintonhousemuseum.org or 444-0066.
GRAVETTE HISTORICAL MUSEUM: 503 Charlotte St. S.E., 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., U.S. 62, Prairie Grove. 846-2990. Civil War battlefield with original buildings.
ROGERS HISTORICAL MUSEUM: 322 S. Second St., Rogers. 621-1154. rogersarkansas.com/museum. “Of Promise and Pain: Life Between the Wars” through December. “Virgil Lovelace and Life on the Farm” through December. “Down a Lazy River: Float Fishing on the White River” through April 18.
SHILOH MUSEUM: 118 W. Johnson Ave., Springdale. 750-8165. springdaleark.org/shiloh. Exhibits of early life in the Ozarks. Original buildings on the grounds. “Squeaky Clean” on the history of hygiene through Jan. 16, 2010.
SILOAM SPRINGS MUSEUM: 112 N. Maxwell St., 524-4011.

Coming Soon
FLYING TOMATO CABARET: 7 p.m. March 6-8 and March 13-15 at NWACC’s Shewmaker Center in Rogers. Includes spaghetti dinner served by NWACC Chamber Singers singing Broadway tunes. $15, reservations required; benefits Chamber Singers’ Spring Concert Tour. scooper@nwacc.edu or 619-4261.
‘NIGHT, MOTHER: March 6-8 at the Rogers Little Theater. $7.50-$42. RogersLittleTheater.com or 631-8988.
WASHINGTON COUNTY MEMORY WALK: March 7 at the Northwest Arkansas Mall. Benefits the Alzheimer’s Association. 273-5559.
MAGIC TREE HOUSE: THE MUSICAL: 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. March 7, and 2 and 5 p.m. March 8 at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $16-$28. MAGIC TREE HOUSE FAMILY FUNDRAISER: 12:30 and 2 p.m. March 7, and 3 p.m. March 8. $7.50-$10. waltonartscenter.org or 443-5600.
HANSEL & GRETEL: 3 p.m. March 7-8 at the Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale. $8-$16. artscenteroftheozarks.org or 751-5441.
JAMIE BAUM SEPTET: 7 and 9:30 p.m. March 7 at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $15-$30. waltonartscenter.org or 443-5600.
ARTISTS BOOKS TALK: 9:30 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 4 p.m. March 10 at the UA Fine Arts Center in Fayetteville. With Bill and Vicky Stewart. vampandtramp.com or 575-6714.
WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. March 13 at the Continuing Education Center on the Square in Fayetteville. With keynote speaker Ronnie Caropreso, senior VP and business unit executive of technology and operations for Bank of America. Panel discussion, networking lunch and other breakout sessions. Registration required. itri.uark.edu/719.asp or 575-5291.
VICTORIAN CLASSIC RUN/WALK & SOUPER SOUPS: 9 a.m. March 14 at the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center in Eureka Springs. Wine and Cheese Preregistration Social 4-6 p.m. March 13. 2-Mile Run/Walk or 10K Run. Rotary project benefiting ECHO free health clinic. Souper Soup 11 a.m.-1 p.m. March 14 at the ES High School Cafeteria, benefiting the Eureka Springs Historical Society following the race. arkansasrunner.com, eurekarotary.org or 253-6723. Souper Soups info: 253-9417
NWA WRITERS WORKSHOP FREE CONFERENCE: 8:30 a.m. March 14 at Ozarks Electric, 3641 W. Wedington Drive in Fayetteville. With Molly Lemmons, Pam Thompson, Velda Brotherton and Dusty Richardson. Classes all day; Lunch is $6. Pre-registration required. vebrotherton@gmail.com or dustyrichards@cox.net.
SURVIVING THE JOURNEY COMMUNITY WALK: 10 a.m. March 14 at JB Hunt Park in Springdale. $25; register by March 5 for a T-shirt. Supports the NWA Crises Intervention Center and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. ktownsley@nwacrisiscenter.org or rilla.tolliver@gmail.com.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE: 2 p.m. March 14 on Spring Street in Eureka Springs. Floats, bands, walkers. Free. dan@ureeka.org.
JULIE DAVIS AND KELLY DOW: 7:30 p.m. March 14 at the Arts Center of the Ozarks, 214 S. Main St. in Springdale. $8-$16. artscenteroftheozarks.org or 751-5441.
BEER CAN AND BREWERIANA COLLECTORS: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. March 15 at the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks in Eureka Springs. $1-$10. arbeerclub.com or bcca.com.
PIANAFIDDLE: 2 p.m. March 15 at Arend Arts Center, 1901 S.E. “J” St. in Bentonville. $5-$25. bentonville.k12.ar.us/arendarts or 855-1968.
SPRING ANTIQUE SHOW AND SALE: March 20-22 at the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks in Eureka Springs. $2.50-$10. 253-7551.
CIRQUE ELOIZE-NEBBIA: 7 p.m. March 24-26 and March 28, 8 p.m. March 27-28 and 2 p.m. March 28-29 at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $20-$48. waltonartscenter.org or 443-5600.
OZARK FOOTHILLS FILMFEST: March 25-29 in Batesville. tickets are $8-$12. Ozarkfoothillsfilmfest.org or 870-251-1189.
COMMUNITY MEDIA SUMMIT: March 27-28 at Community Access TV in Fayetteville. Radio, TV, film, print, the arts and Internet. summit.catfayetteville.org or 444-3433.
ARKANSAS NEW PLAY FESTIVAL: 7 p.m. March 27-28 at Nadine Baum Studios in Fayetteville. $5. theatresquared.org or 445-6333.
NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: 7 p.m. March 30 at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $15-$75. waltonartscenter.org or 443-5600.
WILDFLOWER WEEKEND: April 11-12 at Devil’s Den State Park in West Fork. Free. arkansasstateparks.com or 761-3325.

Film, Film Schedule

Film Times are for February 26 – March 4

No Comments 26 February 2009

FS — Fiesta Square, Fayetteville, 575-0393; R-12 — Razorback 12, Fayetteville, 521-4080; MT — Mall Twin, Fayetteville, 521-4080, S9 — Sunset 9, Springdale, 751-2600; PC — Pinnacle Cinema 12, Rogers, 631-5927; TC — Town Center, Rogers, 631-5927.

Opening

Jonas Brothers 3D Concert (G) R12. PC.

Street Fighter (PG-13) Action Sci-Fi based on the video game. Kristin Kreuk. R12. TC.

Also Playing

Confessions of a Shopaholic (PG) Comedy. A “Sex in the City”-type gets a job as a financial journalist. Isla Fisher, Hugh Dancy, Joan Cusack. FS.R12. S9. PC.

Coraline (PG) 3-D on select screens. Animation about a young girl who adventures into another reality. FS. R12. S9. PC.

Curious Case of Benjamin Button (PG-13) Story of a man who ages backwards. Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Julia Ormand. PC.

Fired Up (PG-13) High school comedy. R12. S9. PC.

Friday the 13th (R) The horror returns. FS. R12. S9. TC.

Gran Torino (R) Clint Eastwood film about a crusty war vet who works through his differences with a young Hmong neighbor. R12. PC.

He’s Just Not That Into You (PG-13) Romantic comedy. Jennifer Aniston, Scarlett Johansson, DrewBarrymore, Ben Affleck. FS. R12. S9. PC.

Hotel For Dogs (PG) Comedy about kids who turn a vacant house into a hotel for mutts. Emma Roberts, Jake Austin, Don Cheadle. FS. PC.

The International (R) An Interpol agent investigates a dirty bank that is bringing down the government. Clive Owen, Naomi Watts. R12. PC.

I’ve Loved You So Long (PG-13) A woman returns to her family after her discharge from prison. Kristen Scott Thomas. FS.

Last Chance Harvey (PG-13) Love story set in England with Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson. FS.

Madea Goes to Jail (PG-13) Tyler Perry comedy. FS. R12. TC.

Milk (R) True story of Harvey Milk, the first gay elected to pubic office in San Francisco, who along with the mayor, was murdered by a SF Supervisor. Sean Penn won best actor Oscar for this role.

New In Town (PG) Romantic comedy with Renee Zellweger and Harry Connick Jr. MT. PC.

Paul Blart, Mall Cop (PG) Kevin James as a bumbling security guard. FS. R12. S9. TC.

Pink Panther 2 (PG) Comedy. Steve Martin, Emily Mortimer. MT. TC.

Push (PG-13) Sci-fi about young clairvoyants hiding from a corrupt government agency. FS. R12. S9. TC.

The Reader (R) Story about a couple who meet during WWII, are separated and then meet again during a War Crimes trial. Kate Winslet received best actress Oscar for this role. FS. TC.

Revolutionary Road (R) Set in the 1950s, an inside look at a young couple who want more from their lives. Kate Winslet, Leonardo DiCaprio. FS.

Slumdog Millionaire (R) Winner of best picture Oscar. The life of a young Indian man is revealed, when he becomes a contestant on India’s version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire.” FS. R12. TC.

Taken (PG-13) Luc Besson film about a former spy who is tracking his daughter’s kidnappers. Liam Neeson. FS. R12. S9. PC.

Twilight (PG-13) Teenage girl falls for a vampire. Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart. TC.
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (R) Action fantasy film about the feud between vampires and their former slaves. Michael Sheen, Rhona Mitra. FS. TC.

The Uninvited (PG-13) There’s a ghost in the house. David Strathairn, Emily Browning. FS. S9. TC.

Waltz with Bashir (R) First animated film nominated for a best foreign film Oscar. Story of a war flashback. FS.

The Wrestler (R) Story of a has-been wrestler, trying to turn his life around. Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei.FS.TC.

Film, Film Review

‘Coraline’ A Must See

No Comments 26 February 2009

On The Aisle

by Tony Macklin

‘Coraline’
“Coraline” is a mesmerizing tale with macabre stitching.
There’s no blood, but “Coraline” is a haunting horrorfest located in a weird wonderland.
“Coraline” is the animated story of Coraline Jones (winningly voiced by Dakota Fanning), who has moved with her parents (voiced by Teri Hatcher and John Hodgman) from Pontiac, Mich., to part of a remote house in Oregon. They have traveled there to try to complete writing a garden catalogue.
The 11-year-old, precocious Coraline is left alone. Her parents are preoccupied; they also are pedestrian — the mother occupied with busy work and the father a mediocre cook. Their book project is their overriding concern.
So Coraline explores the 150-year-old house with its squeaky doors and rusty pipes. She finds a small door in the wall, through which she eventually is able to transport herself.
Her dream-enhanced exploration beyond the door leads her to another mother and father who look like her parents except they have buttons for eyes.
Her “other” parents in the alternate world beyond the door in the wall offer Coraline a tantalizing world of treats and fun, but it may be a dangerous trap.
The house has nothing on the house above the Bates motel. The old house is not the only similarity to “Psycho.” Beware, the mother.
One of the best elements to “Coraline” is that it is unique. In the contemporary world of cookie cutter cinema, “Coraline” is a welcome one of a kind.
But it’s not just odd. It is an impressive feat of arresting imagery and clever story. The visuals do not leave the story behind; it keeps up. The dialogue is smart, characters even quote Shakespeare.
The imagery is beautifully compelling: a theater full of Scottish Terriers as the audience, an attack of bats, acrobatics, a vivid garden suddenly flourishing, a hideous adversary and many other piquant delights.
Coraline is a valiant young heroine. Her allies against evil are a feral cat and a stalking boy. They make an intrepid trio.
The evocative imagery is enhanced by the lilting music of Bruno Coularis, and especially the Children’s Choir of Nice. They contribute distinctly to the magic.
It’s all concocted by director/screenwriter Henry Selick, who adapted the novel by Neil Gaiman. Selick directed “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993) and “James and the Giant Peach” (1996). Despite fumbling “Monkeybone” (2001), Selick has remarkable gifts for invention and fantasy.
There are two versions of “Coraline,” stop-motion animation in 3-D, and one in 2-D. One should attempt to view the 3-D version, but unlike many other 3-D movies, the 2-D version also can captivate.
TV’s Monk will not see it however, since the clunky 3-D glasses are passed on from show to show, and one has to leave an ID to get them.
But “Coraline” transcends the annoying glasses. It has its own brilliant vision.
‘Happy-Go-Lucky’
“Happy-Go-Lucky” is flibbertigibbet cinema. Mike Leigh directed Sally Hawkins in this paean to a peahen.
Sally Hawkins plays Sappy … I mean Poppy. Poppy is a primary school teacher in London; she’s on a journey to see the silver lining in everything, but she doesn’t know the difference between silver and dross.
So she gushes over everything. She’s intrusive and self-serving. She’s loud and she’s vapid. I tried to take a snooze, but Poppy kept giggling inanely and braying.
Whether shrieking at a rave, being a live wire at an after-rave party, or clucking with a girlfriend, she never lets up. She even chatters during lovemaking.
She’s a human gasoline can spraying herself on every ember she encounters. She pours her giddy gasoline on teachers, turning a flamenco teacher into a stomper and crier, and turning a cynical driving teacher (Eddie Marsan) into a ranter and rager. Having scorched her path, she blithely walks away.
British director Mike Leigh has tried to create a nice antidote to his downbeat “Vera Drake” (2004). Sally Hawkins didn’t get an Oscar nomination, but she won a Golden Globe award as Best Actress for her ebullient turn.
Hallelujah, Poppycock!
Mike Leigh, let me introduce you to Fran Drescher, Kathy Griffin and Nancy Grace. They’re your kind of women.

Book Review

Literary

No Comments 26 February 2009

Bookworm

by Terri Schlichenmeyer

‘Basketball Jones’

Author: E. Lynn Harris

You’ve waited almost exactly a year for this. March Madness will be dribbling in soon, and if you’re nuts for nets, you’re probably overjoyed. If you’re not a watcher, well …
Basketball fans are bonkers over buckets. They pore over stats, fill in charts and offer prayers for their teams during this time. Nonfans, on the other hand, look forward to having their beloved’s attention back when the season’s over.
So which end of the court are you on? In the new book “Basketball Jones” by E. Lynn Harris, a man chooses sides but it might cost him the game.
AJ Richardson is crazy in love. Dray Jones is everything AJ could want in a man. He’s tall, with six-pack abs and smooth dark skin. His hands are strong, and he smells so good. Dray is smart and generous and, as a pro basketball player, he’s got good money and can take care of AJ.
There’s just one little problem: Dray is married. And wifey doesn’t know that Dray is on the DL and sleeping with Aldridge James “AJ” Richardson, who is definitely a man.
Creeping around is just fine with AJ. He knows Dray loves him, and he knows that Dray’s marriage is just a cover-up. Dray thinks he’d be dropped from his fans’ radar in a hot minute if they knew his “friend” was more than just his friend, so he and AJ are discreet.
Still, it’s not easy. AJ knows he has to share Dray’s free time with that woman, but it’s all worth it. Besides, someday, he and Dray will be able to live together without hiding. In the meantime, AJ won’t breathe a word about Dray to anybody, including his gossipy best friend, Maurice, who lives and snarks in the ATL.
But discretion may not be enough. Online sites hint that a “certain” NBA player has a double life and that this “certain” b-baller is about to come out. Dray begins to panic. His wife is newly pregnant, his beloved father would be horrified to learn of Dray’s “secret life” and Dray can’t afford rumors. He accuses AJ of yakking, because somebody knows something and they’ve got to be stopped.
Then Dray’s phone rings and a dark voice rumbles at the other end, demanding $100,000.
And AJ’s phone rings …
Looking for slam-dunk entertainment, something a little foul and lots of fun? Then don’t pass “Basketball Jones.”
Harris presents his readers with a basically nice “boi” who gets into not-so-nice trouble and has to use his wits to save himself. This novel is plenty satisfying, quick to read, not too taxing on the brain and, while I probably wouldn’t hand it to my mother (there are steamy-enough bedroom scenes between these covers), I think reading it and tossing it your friends’ way will get you points.
If you’ve got a little time on your hands and want to run down the clock, reading this book is a good way to do it. “Basketball Jones” is a big score.

Risa's Astrology

We're Now In Pisces

No Comments 26 February 2009

We’re in Pisces now, ruled by Neptune, dissolver of all things obstructing humanity’s next developmental stage, that of the soul, the new kingdom being built bridging spirit and matter. We could call this Neptune time a pre-collapse stage. Before the new culture and civilization is built, the old must be dissolved away.
Who watched Glenn Beck’s interview with Bill O’Reilly? See www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/127171/. Beck, facing the TV audience, said “Here’s what’s going to happen, depression and revolution.”
O’Reilly said that Beck’s assessment makes the common person dispossessed. But Beck’s right. With Pluto in Capricorn, Uranus in Pisces opposite Saturn in Virgo and Libra, Ray 3, restructuring our unsustainable economy, collapse, a good thing, is as plain as day. It’s time to read J. Trippi’s “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.”
What must begin to realize humanity is no longer organizing its world against liberals or conservatives, Democrats or Republicans, but against the forces of materialism, darkness, obstruction and centralization (big corporations, banks, stock market, etc.).
Humanity, the forerunners, the New Group of World Servers, is choosing to take back personal and state’s rights, forming local sustainable communities such as the Transition Towns Initiative, which includes permaculture, bio-dynamic farming, “green technology” and a communication process called Open Space Technology, the new thinking providing the seeds for the new culture and civilization. This Aquarian “decentralization” is the beginning of the revolution. Film alert! Go see “The Class.” It’s about education, intelligence, the Light of the Mind. Read more at www.nightlightnews.com.

ARIES: What social networks are you presently on? What’s social in your life? There’s such a push for you to be part of or create a group, to lead, instruct and interact with various communities around town that I wonder if you need a calming homeopathic like Aconite Napellus? Groups and community endeavors could be electrifying and overwhelming, and so deeply into the future that grounding is almost impossible. Keep at them.

TAURUS: Venus, the planet that helps you build your personality, is about to retrograde so if you need to be with groups, working in the world, do what you can this week for soon you’ll move deeply inward and be unavailable. This is a natural rhythm. More next week.

GEMINI: Are you sharing what you’re learning? Are people listening? Your thinking is gradually changing, encompassing a greater range of ideas, becoming more inclusive. These are preparations for becoming a world server. As Venus, your soul ruler, retrogrades next week, more inner spiritual intelligence will call to you. How will Venus find you and whom are you serving?

CANCER: You have many gifts and resources, but they are hidden. You must begin sharing and blending your abilities. This creates new resources, new ideas and techniques which will help transform humanity. The fact that others like and respond to you and share their secrets comes as a surprise. Then it becomes a comfort and then an intimacy. This is good.

LEO: It’s time for new adventures in terms of relationships, intimacy, partnerships and for some, marriage. If already married or committed search for ways to bring vitality and excitement to the relationship, shedding old and tired interactions, habits and expectations, some of which wound. Have the intention to penetrate deeper into feelings, have more devotion and loving. It’s always about intention.

VIRGO: You continue to organize and order externally. Internally, a new consciousness is affecting your relationships creating new communication and ideas, new obligations and responsibilities. Small things may disturb you along with a temporary sensitivity to sounds. This means you need more B vitamin.

LIBRA: Here’s a heart mantram for you. “At the center of all love I stand. From that center I the soul will outward move. From that center I the one who serves will work. May the love of my divine self be shed abroad, in my heart, through my group, and throughout the world.” Recite this throughout the day. It will heal your mind, heart wounds, all relationships and create a vitality that is irresistible.

SCORPIO: Wherever you call home, create intentions of beauty and calm, love and healing, a reflective contemplative space with the sound of bells. Make your home and environments into a temple, welcoming travelers such as yourself into a restful peace. Make foods that purify, cleanse and penetrate deep into your body’s cells. Call yourself home. Play a little jazz.

SAGITTARIUS: Scorpio’s words are also for you. However you have a bit more interaction occurring. You might begin talking ceaselessly about your hopes, wants and needs. You’ll wonder why you can’t stop. Somehow reality will creep in and you’ll understand more about yourself, your choices, your wound, your ability to be brilliant and then you’ll fall asleep exhausted by the uncovering. Sleep now.

CAPRICORN: You wonder if you should follow a dream or become more practical. Following dreams is practical. So the question is what do you dream about and who do you envision yourself being in these unusual times? It’s important to place yourself within the context of the world changes. You’re an extraordinary server. If you place your dreams within the context of serving humanity, your dreams come true.

AQUARIUS: This is a defining time historically and a defining moment for Aquarians. We’re entering a new state of being, one influenced by the sign Aquarius which brings forth the new culture and civilization under new laws and principles. It would be good if you understood these and work with them. This will ensure your success and call forth your gifts coming from that new future and needed now.

PISCES: Something new is beginning for the fishes, linking the personality and the soul. You want to be free of anything old and previous, you want to swim in new waters. You’re very intuitive now, sensing things coming, you seek artists like yourself who have the Transition Town, green, Gaia, community vibe. They’re seeking you, too, but shyness prevails. It’s time for new shoes and a new ‘do. See to these first.
Risa is founder and director of the Esoteric & Astrological Studies & Research Institute, a Wisdom School in Santa Cruz, Calif. E-mail risagoodwill@gmail.com. Web site www.nightlightnews.com.

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