TFW - The Free Weekly | Monthly Archive

Renewable Energy's Success Depends on Storage

No Comments 27 August 2009

Living Green

By John Coleman

We’ve all heard and probably participated in the bashing of the Federal government from time to time; whether it’s stimulus funding for corporate CEOs, the war in Iraq, or the latest cry about universal health care.

The sunny disposition in me tends to look for the positives in life (I like to think anyway) so this article calls out the 1980s federally funded SEMATECH project and the recent attempt to emulate its success.

In the 1970s, the United States had fallen far behind the rest of the world in the research and development of semiconductors; to the point where there were genuine concerns about our ability to remain a player in the high tech economy.

In response, the Fed pulled together a coalition of the most advanced U.S. firms in the semiconductor world and bankrolled a consortium called SEMATECH to revitalize the U.S. market. Austin, Texas landed the project back then and is now home to almost 30 semiconductor companies; including AMD, Freescale, Sun and the $3.5 billion wafer plant developed by Samsung. More importantly, the U.S. is a leader in the industry.

Today, semiconductors are a fundamental component of just about every gadget on the market, from phones to computers to hybrid vehicles, and SEMATCH consortia members make up over 50 percent of the worldwide chip market. What would the U.S. economy look like if we were not at the top of this field?

Similarly, batteries are expected to be the next semiconductor if you will. Already, we see cell phones, laptops and solar photovoltaics rely heavily on batteries. Plug-in hybrid vehicles and renewable energy installations, large and small, will depend even more on the technology in order to be successful.

Whoever cracks the code on lithium-ion or other long term storage devices will take a big step in the global economy. Wind energy could then be stored in large volumes and used to draw down peak energy demands. Laptops, cell phones and electric bicycles could go days or weeks without being recharged. The potential is limitless and success is essential in order to draw down global carbon emissions while growing the economy.

With this in mind, the Department of Energy awarded $2.4 billion in grants in early August to go towards battery research and development and jump start the U.S. economy. Personally, I was disappointed to see so much of it go to the big three auto companies instead of rising companies like Fayetteville-based Arkansas Power Electronics International.

Nonetheless, it’s important to recognize obvious future markets like semiconductors and battery development and then be aggressive in pursuing them. In both of these instances the Fed jumped out in front of Adam Smith’s invisible hand to stake its ground. SEMATECH was incredibly successful and a decade from now we’ll be saying the same thing about the battery industry.

Risa's Astrology

The Virus and The Vaccine

No Comments 27 August 2009

Esoteric Astrology as news for week August 27-Sept. 2, 2009

By Risa D’Angeles

We’ve entered Virgo, sign of service, health, wellness, purity and our food systems. Virgo is also the sign that organizes detailed health information. Virgo is mother of the plant kingdom, bearing sheaves of corn and wheat, and mother (Demeter) of Persephone soon to enter the underworld (Autumn). There are many crisis and concerns in our world today. The one concern falling under Virgo’s health rulership is the H1N1 virus and specifically the flu vaccine. (Has anyone noticed the word “viral” now being used in the media? This is significant. The words we use describe our thinking and reality. This is what www.halfpasthuman.com is hearing as they trawl the web.) The flu vaccine arrives in the U.S. this Autumn. It’s most important that each of us be informed, research and analyze the ongoing data on the purpose, chemical contents, and possible consequences of the vaccine. The data has not been favorable. However, each of us, especially parents and those whose primary task is the care and well being of children (and the elderly), must decide if the flu shot is advisable. Information protects and safeguards us.

Here is one website to read (solari.com/blog/?p=3532) concerning the virus and vaccine. More sources are on my website. Please follow up with your own research. Humanity (this round) is called the 5th Root Race. Our purpose is to develop our mind, to become deep thinkers, to compare and analyze information in order to make appropriate and life-affirming decisions. Many of us are responsible for two vulnerable age groups – children and elders. Our children are the 6th subrace of the (our) 5th Root Race. The 6th subrace is called the “Loving Understanding Ones”. Let us as their parents (and caretakers of our elders), consciously tend and safeguard them through information gathering, discussion, pondering and analysis. In this way we provide intelligently informed, loving and responsible care. This is the Virgo task for our time. Read more at nightlightnews.com.

ARIES: Is there great activity with family and where you’re living? Are you working hard around the house or interacting with relatives and getting much accomplished? Agree with everyone. This neutralizes the possible unanticipated conflicts that could arise. If you are living with parents, you’ll want to be free. Don’t be irritable. Try to cook and bake as much as you can. This directs the red Martian energy you feel.

TAURUS: Your behavior looks to others as if you’ve become a Leo, expressing yourself with an “I am” focus, almost beating your chest with self-proclamations and need for recognition. Self-denial, discipline, and setting aside any gratifications are not your strengths at this time. However, so that you don’t become overly aggressive, invite others to enter your sport of self-awareness. Relationship-wise you’re the best (right now).

GEMINI: Do all you can to expand your mind. As you create new dimensions of contact and communication you share your experiences and beliefs with others. You need not push others to agree with your thinking. They already do. Young people come into your life. They have freer points of view concerning life. Assess these newer points of view. What you believe in now frames the future. And do everything within the law.

CANCER: As your life continues its erratic motion, information is absorbed quickly, having a profound effect on your mind. The solitude you’re experiencing allows deep thinking and then choices to occur. You reflect on death at times, on those who have passed over. These thoughts give your life great perspective. Much of the past seems to be shadowing you.

LEO: Your thoughts are toward the future, where hopes, wishes and dreams take up most of your mental activity. You want to do things today that summon your potential. Don’t attempt to be alone all the time. Although you are quite independent, there’s a need for balance by interacting with those you trust and have fun with. Therefore, coordinate your needs with the needs of others. And do rigorous physical workouts.

VIRGO: Each day we see you’re working hard on the mountain of tasks set before you. You suspend all pleasure and focus on each day’s labor, some of which is surprising for the unexpected and unforeseen challenges. Tend to your health carefully, resisting any foods, drinks, people and/or events that would lower or imbalance your immune system. Think green foods in abundance.

LIBRA: You have many good ideas – a result of your Ray 3 mind. However, you can become prideful, creating polarized arguments instead of sharing information. This is a phase. Observe the results and how you feel. The freewill we have at this time is limited to our choosing actions and attitudes. And free will only occurs when we are aware, awake and observant. Have the intention to work on balance and greater harmony.

SCORPIO: Money is a special energy. It helps us have what we want and need. It allows us choices between this or that, to have beauty, make purchases, nurture our body and spirit, and if used wisely money helps us accomplish goals and most importantly to share with and assist others in need. Money is made out of the mineral and plant kingdoms. We thank them. And many thank you, too, for what you share and give. Give more.

SAGITTARIUS: What you think and feel are most important now. What otherуs think and feel are most important to them, now, too. Therefore, stand back and observe everyoneуs daily routines and ways of speaking. Other people are mostly unable at this time to tend to your needs, wishes and wants. A sad situation but one that allows you time to be creative, innovative, avant garde and surreal if you need be. A trip and travel are in the works, too. You just may meet someone.

CAPRICORN: Allow all difficult experiences to simply pass you by. It seems the world’s acting on unconscious patterns, which undermine your intentions. You could feel frustration, and irritation. To ease this situation work a bit in solitude and consider everything you do as service to humanity. Then all experiences benefit your well-being. Radiate, even in times of unpleasantness, Goodwill.

AQUARIUS: Do be sensitive to others because your energy, impressive, vigorous and active, affects others. Without sensitivity you can create relationship difficulties. Not inclined at this time to bend to others’ needs, it’s best to work alone allowing you freedom and independence. Careful of illness or accidents. You could overwork and be less than aware of your body’s requirements. You will undertake, achieve and accomplish much at this time.

PISCES: Identify your most promising goal and ambition and watch as you work hard and independently, with initiative and great effort. You work best on your own and anyone’s efforts to stop you will feel like a threat. Very carefully and subtly align your interests with everyone around you and help will suddenly appear. Do not see life at this time as a challenge. See everything as opportunity. Study growing, harvesting, storing and preserving foods.

Features

Civil Air Patrol 115th Composite Squadron Covers NWA

No Comments 27 August 2009

Story And Photos By Shannon Caine

You are flying in a small aircraft. It’s just a minor business flight, one you’ve taken plenty of times before. But this time, something goes wrong. Despite all of the pilot’s efforts, it is clear that your plane is going to crash.

And it does.

You, and the wreckage, are now deep inside a forest in Northwest Arkansas. There is no town nearby, and no people around for miles. It is getting dark. Soon enough, you find the pilot, or at least you find her lifeless body. As for you, you’ve got a massive gash on your right arm, and suspect that at least one rib is broken. Since you had expected this to be a brief flight, the only food you packed was a bag of potato chips. Good luck finding those. You planned on staying in a comfortable hotel tonight. However, you are now in the middle of a forest in a location you can only guess at, with no food, water or camping supplies. Your cell phone is among the wreck of the airplane. The weather is threatening to turn bitterly cold, and you need medical attention.

Who will come to your aid?

There’s a good chance that assistance will come from the Civil Air Patrol. More specifically, it will likely be from the 115th Composite Squadron of Rogers.

The aircraft you chartered was equipped with an ELT, an emergency locator transmitter. You, as a passenger, do not realize this, nor do you understand how it works. But you’re going to make it. The 115th is on the way.

Civil Air Patrol members at a training session

Since 1994

The 115th Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol was founded in 1994 by Lt. Col. Byron McLaird. The squadron operates out of Rogers, and serves Northwest Arkansas. Its membership is composed of individuals from across the region, including the Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, Siloam Springs and Bentonville areas. Its headquarters are located at the Carter Field airport in Rogers.

The Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force, engages in both air and ground operations, with a strong emphasis on search and rescue missions.

Capt. Jonathan VerHoeven, 23, of Fayetteville, is the Public Affairs Officer of the 115th Composite Squadron. He said that although the Civil Air Patrol is numerically larger than the United States Coast Guard, many people have not heard of them. Because Civil Air Patrol members wear military-style uniforms, it is easy for civilians to mistake them for members of various branches of the armed forces. VerHoeven describes the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) as one of “America’s best-kept secrets.” Although the 115th Composite Squadron is highly active in Northwest Arkansas, many people are not even aware that they exist.

Trained And Dedicated

CAP members are trained for emergency service and disaster relief, often working behind the scenes to ensure public safety. One remarkable aspect of the Civil Air Patrol is that its members are unpaid. Members undergo intensive training and are often first responders to crashed aircraft and natural disasters, and they work on a volunteer basis. CAP members are highly dedicated.

“They perform countless missions 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for nothing more than a handshake and a ‘job well done,’” said Brig. Gen. Reggie Chitwood of the Civil Air Patrol. “It is awesome to see them perform their duties in a professional and exemplary manner.”

CAP is divided into units knowns as “wings,” and these wings are subdivided into squadrons. All CAP units in Arkansas fall under the jurisdiction of Arkansas Wing, which is broken up into different squadrons, including the 115th Composite Squadron.

A Cessna 182 at Civil Air Patrol headquarters in Rogers

CAP Cadets

The cadet program is pivotal to the CAP. Cadets are accepted as early as age 12. If a cadet joins prior to age of 18, he or she may remain a cadet until age 21. However, if joining at age 19, the applicant has a different status, and can be designated as a flight officer within the squadron.

These young people enter into military-style training, are issued uniforms, learn about a wide variety of subjects, including aerospace education and actively participate in drills. For youth interested in aviation, CAP offers multiple opportunities for getting involved with aircraft. Cadets are not merely lectured about aviation, emergency preparedness and other topics, but work directly with these subjects on a first-hand basis.

Although some people might feel that military-style training is too intense for kids, many young people actually like the structure and discipline of CAP training. For parents who are worried about safety, it should be noted that safety is a primary concern within the CAP.

All cadet activities and training are carefully monitored by senior members. The cadets are around functional aircraft, but are heavily supervised. There are uniforms, drills, tests and training aplenty, but the CAP is unarmed. CAP training, although military in nature, does not involve combat drills that might jeopardize a cadet’s safety. As VerHoeven said, “There is so much more to military training than learning how to fight.”

VerHoeven himself began his days in CAP as a cadet, and is now a senior member. Looking back on his cadet years, he observes that military training was a very positive force in his life.

“I learned about setting goals, taking responsibility, following directions, time management, attention to detail, and looking out for others as a result of my Civil Air Patrol cadet training. I became achievement-oriented, and learned how to focus on group-oriented goals. The Civil Air Patrol is not about individualism, but rather, about functioning as a team.”

Cadets start at the bottom of the rank system and work their way up. VerHoeven says that the goal of gaining rank kept him going. “I never once lost focus on the Civil Air Patrol.”

Some cadets use CAP training as a springboard for military careers, particularly in the U.S. Air Force, but others decline military service and choose to focus on civilian careers instead. There is no obligation for cadets to join the military or to remain in the CAP any longer than they wish to.

Civil Air Patrol volunteers gather at Carter Field in Rogers

All Ages Involved

In some cases, CAP membership can involve entire familes. VerHoeven has relatives who are active in the CAP and it is not uncommon to find family groups working together. CAP is open to middle-aged people and retirees as well as to cadets, so it’s not inconceivable that grandparents could be active in a squadron alongside their grandchildren.

Second Lt. Bill Wright of Bella Vista, 79, is in this position. His grandson, Cadet Staff Sgt. Nathan Paine, is a member of the 115th, as are other relatives. Wright is a former Air Force member who joined the CAP following his retirement.

“It’s a great program,” Wright said. “I just found myself becoming increasingly involved, and ended up joining.” As a ham radio operator, he found a niche in the 115th as a communications officer.

“There are many different specialties within CAP,” Wright said. “Even if you don’t initially have a clear idea of what you want to specialize in, something can doubtless be found for you.”

Specialties include communications, public relations, finance, logistics, safety, recruiting and more.

When asked if he would recommend participation in the CAP to retirees as well as to young people, Brig. Gen. Reggie Chitwood said that he would recommend CAP to “any citizen, young or old, who has the desire to volunteer to assist our local communities, the state of Arkansas and the United States of America.”

Although men tend to be more active than women within the CAP, there are a growing number of female members. One of those members, Cadet Second Lt. Juli Lestina, 17, from Bentonville, serves with the 115th. When asked if males and females are treated equally within CAP, she replied, “Absolutely. In the Civil Air Patrol, female cadets have the same opportunities as everyone else. There is no discrimination against women.”

Lestina is proud to wear the Civil Air Patrol uniform. “Being able to wear the uniform is a great honor and privilege. When you are in that uniform, you know that you are part of something larger than yourself.”

It’s that kind of pride that makes Lestina confident about recommending CAP to other young people.

“The Civil Air Patrol has a way of bringing out the best in everyone,” Lestina said. “We are defined by integrity, service, excellence and respect. CAP inspires the motivation and determination needed for cadets to meet their goals.”

She said that CAP training carries over into one’s daily life. “Every standard that is expected of you in Civil Air Patrol stays with you at the meeting and at home. We’re expected to define our lives by our core values. They’re not something you leave at the meeting every Tuesday night. We take these values home.”

VerHoeven said that although there are fewer female members, they tend to perform “disporportionately well.” Female members often have a reputation for excellence and achievement.

Training Day

On Aug. 15, the 115th engaged in a training exercise at their headquarters in Rogers, and also at another location in Missouri. The training involved simulating a search mission for a lost aircraft. CAP members were joined by civilians who took on the roles of victims, families of victims, media personnel and other parties one might potentially encounter at the scene of an emergency.

Cole Penick, 24, of Fayetteville played the part of the brother of both the pilot and a passenger on a missing Cessna 152. In this hypothetical scenario, the plane was being flown by a newly-licensed pilot who also had his 14-year-old sister on board as an undocumented passenger. The aircraft, which was en route from Benton, to Joplin, Mo., never arrived. Intense thunderstorms were reported in the area, and it was not known if the plane had crashed, or if the pilot had made an emergency landing to avoid hazardous weather conditions. Additionally, the pilot reported mechanical problems southeast of the Springdale Municipal Airport and briefly landed there, but took off again. The location of the pilot, passenger and plane were unknown.

Penick’s job was to confront CAP members who were on their lunch break and aggressively question why they weren’t busy doing more to find his brother and sister. Next, individuals acting as press members showed up attempting to extract information about the missing flight from CAP cadets. Yet another press member went around the hangar taking numerous photographs while cadets were distracted by a reporter. It was a test to see how they would react to random variables, such as distraught relatives and media personnel descending upon an already potentially chaotic scene.

Regular training in exercises such as these ensure that when an emergency occurs in the Northwest Arkansas area, the 115th Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol will be ready to render assistance with precision and professionalism.

The CAP also provides a long list of non-emergency services to the public. As Chitwood said, “Whether providing personnel and aircraft for a search and rescue mission, traffic control at a local airshow, giving orientation flights to teachers in the local school districts, or taking photographs of a disaster area for the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, the Civil Air Patrol is available 24 hours a day to assist the state of Arkansas in many, many ways.”

Film, Film Review

(500) Days of Summer

No Comments 27 August 2009

On The Aisle

By Tony Macklin

The independent film “(500) Days of Summer” is as refreshing as hot air. It might be subtitled “The Dog Days of August.” It’s as independent as a hula-hoop.

“(500) Days of Summer” was cheered by sweaty reviewers at the Sundance Film Festival. At the time, it may have been a welcome respite amidst the usual swelter of harrowing independent films.

It has the staples of independent success. It’s cute, coy and contrived. It has an attractive cast, good music, film allusions and a precocious little sister. But it’s as formulaic and calculating as the Hallmark greeting cards to which it feigns superiority.

“(500) Days of Summer” begins by introducing Tom Hansen as a boy who is wrong about love, because he “totally misread” the ending of the movie “The Graduate.” Huh? How so? Maybe the narrator misread Tom’s misreading. Or something like that. Where is Morgan Freeman when we need him?

We are told by the narrator (Jean-Paul Vignon) that the relationship between Tom (Joseph Gordon-Leavitt) and Summer (Zooey Deschanel) will not work out, so this puts a heavy burden on the characterization.

At a greeting card company where both work, Tom meets Summer Finn — Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn? Or Finn may refer to “more fish in the ocean,” to which the film often refers.

The whole film is a long joke until another girl reveals the punchline, her name. It’s a shaggy dog story.

The shaggiest dog is the character of Summer. Tom falls head over cliches in love with her. She makes it clear that she doesn’t want a long-term relationship. But they slog on.

Summer is supposed to be independent, but she seems more a simple soul than a woman of mystery. The writers, Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, graduated from writing “Pink Panther 2.” So, it is no surprise they lack wit.

Their idea of making Summer independent is that her favorite Beatle is Ringo. Would you want to date a girl whose favorite Beatle is Ringo? Would you want to date these writers?

Summer’s idea of fun is to sit on a park bench and yell the word “penis.” Great times. If somehow you didn’t get your fill of penis references in “Funny People,” here’s a knee-slapper for you.

Maybe 2010 will be the year of hysterical clitoral comedy.

The thing that most disheartened me about “(500) Days of Summer” is that it wasted the talent of Gordon-Leavitt. He is fine in the role of Tom, but it’s no challenge. Any of Judd Apatow’s stable of plow horses could perform the role.

When the stunning “Mysterious Skin” was released in 2004, Gordon-Leavitt blew me away with his brilliant, bold, very human performance as a misbegotten male prostitute. At that time I predicted that someday he would win an Academy Award.

In 2005 Gordon-Leavitt carried “Brick,” and in 2007 he shone as a damaged soul in “The Lookout.” But, still, no breakout. His gliding through “(500) Days of Summer” will make him better known, but at what cost? Robert Redford was never again the actor he was after the success of “The Way We Were.”

Deschanel is a one-dimensional actress (like Sarah Palin). I almost expected Zooey to wink at me. Deschanel was the cute love interest in “Elf,” but she gave an awful performance deserving of a Golden Raspberry last year in M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Happening.” She’s on the edge of vapidity.

Chloe Moretz is patently adorable as Tom’s sage little sister.

Director Marc Webb directs his first feature after a career directing music videos, e.g., Ashlee Simpson’s “Didn’t Steal Your Boyfriend.”

Webb is like an earnest film school grad, including second-rate allusions to Godard and Bergman, and referencing “Song of the South.” His sequence showing Tom’s love euphoria is as corny as anything from Hallmark.

Webb tries to have it both ways. He’s pro-Hallmark and anti-Hallmark at the same time. Tom writes, “I love us” for a card, and later rails against greeting cards.

This melange is humid. Summer falls.

Garden Clock

Lightning Bugs Beneficial Insects

No Comments 27 August 2009

The Garden Clock

By Pauline Keegan

Do lightning bugs damage plants?

No, the lightning bugs, also called fireflies, that you see on summer evenings are all males looking for lady friends. The females do not have wings, they wait in the grass flashing their light to attract males. These are beneficial insects. The larvae eat the eggs of slugs and grasshoppers, as well as small maggots and caterpillars.

Should I pinch the suckers off my pepper plants as is suggested for tomato plants?

To pinch or not to pinch is a constant topic among gardeners. Pinching tomatoes results in fewer tomatoes, but larger ones. With peppers it is best to not pinch and let the plant form a good leaf canopy to protect the fruit from sun scald.

Can I use hardwood sawdust from a box company as a mulch. Must it be composted first?

Sawdust can be used as a mulch on top of the ground where it will decay slowly. If it is dug into the soil, it will use up nitrogen in the decaying process.

How can I get rid of poison ivy that is growing in my crownvetch, without killing the vetch?

Unless you want to pull or dig each poison ivy plant with a gloved hand, you will have to sacrifice some of the crownvetch. Spot spray the menace with an herbicide containing 2,4D. The crown vetch will quickly fill in the spaces.

Send your gardening and landscaping questions and tips to Washington County Master Gardeners, 2536 N. McConnell Ave., Fayetteville, 72704 or call 444-1755.

Wine of the Week

A Hearty Red That's Great With Food

No Comments 27 August 2009

‘E’Wine of the Week

By Bruck Cochran

Hello Everyone,

This week we’re back in Italy, a bittersweet issue for me as this is the first time in many years for me to visit Italy only once and that was earlier this year. For those of you who have asked about the next trip, it probably will be to Italy, but not this year. However, our good friend Giovanni Sidoli plans to visit Arkansas this fall.

Try a new wine this week!

Bruce

Ferrari & Perini Barbera

The barbera grape typically makes a hearty, deeply colored yet drinkable red wine that’s great with food. Its native home is northwestern Italy, where it’s grown primarily in three adjoining states: Piedmont, Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna. In Piedmont, it is sometimes confused with wines from the village of Barbaresco, a village whose wines are made from the nebbiolo grape. The best barbera’s of Piedmont are made near that village, and while not as strong and tannic as a typical nebbiolo they are longer-aged than most other Italian barbera’s. The best village in my opinion is Alba (of white truffle fame), followed closely by Asti (better known for its moscato-based spumante).

Lombardy (Lombardia in Italian) is best known for its capital Milan in its center and Lake Como in its north. In the south, where it joins Piedmont and Emilia, is a little known vineyard area called Oltrepo Pavese.

Not many tourists here, and few notable wineries, but the quality of grapes, including barbera, is so high that many Piedmont producers purchase grapes here to take back to their own wineries.

Just south of Milan, across the Po River into northern Emilia, is a little known, locally loved wine region around the ancient city of Piacenza, western anchor of the old Roman road Via Emilia. In its western hills is a fine barbera region, called Colli Piacentini (“Hills of Piacenza”). The style here is deeply colored, a little more fruit-centered than the ones over the mountain in Piedmont. This will be familiar to many readers who have traveled with me (you can see a photo on my Web site, www.brucecochran.com), as we discovered this wine at a restaurant I frequent.

Barbera is a deeply colored red wine whose style tends to fall somewhere between a cabernet and a merlot, though in flavor it’s probably more reminiscent of something between a pinot noir and a syrah (shiraz). In Milan this is the preferred accompaniment to their classic dish Osso Buco (veal shanks).

The one we discovered at that Emiliana restaurant (La Rocca), is made by Massimo Perini, at Ferrari & Perini. And yes, this is the Italian region where Ferrari’s are made, but Massimo’s town of Piacenza is at the opposite side of Emilia, so it’s not a direct enough family connection for me to get a discount!

Massimo’s “Ferrari & Perini Barbera” retails in the $15-$20 price range.

Book Review

'The Eleventh Hour'

No Comments 27 August 2009

The Bookworm

By Terri Schlichenmeyer

Whatever it was, you’re sorry. You’re sorry for the youthful indiscretion that actually did go on your “permanent record” in school. You wish you hadn’t had one for the road, hadn’t lied on an official form, hadn’t gotten involved with the wrong friend. You’d apologize for the wrong thing said, the wrong person married, the wrong path taken.

If you knew then what you know now — that your past will come back to haunt you — you would’ve taken different actions.

In the new book “The Eleventh Victim” by Nancy Grace, a successful woman tries to forget what happened years ago, until her past collides with her new life in a deadly way.

Not too long ago, Hailey Dean was happy. Her wedding dress was hanging in a closet and she was about to be married to the man of her dreams. But then, Will was murdered and Hailey plunged herself into her career to try to forget.

As a criminal prosecutor in Atlanta, Hailey was highly effective; in fact, she never lost a case. But when Clint Burrell Cruise was charged with murder — a case for which Hailey successfully argued for the death penalty — Hailey had had enough. She left her family and her horrible memories behind in Georgia and moved to New York City to work as a therapist.

Judge Clarence E. “C.C.” Carter had his eyes set on the Governor’s Mansion. He knew it would take every good ol’ boy favor he could pull in, and he might have to make some promises he wouldn’t like. But imagine how good the bourbon would taste in the office of the Governor of the State of Georgia. Imagine what the girls at the Pink Fuzzy would say. C.C. sure liked that kind of thinking.

So when the payback for a “good word” meant letting a killer go free, C.C. was only too happy to comply. The Governor’s position was his legacy. He was willing to allow Clint Burrell Cruise to walk out of jail.

Clint Cruise remembered what it was like to kill a woman. He recalled how a feminine neck felt beneath his fingers. He remembered the rush of stabbing a woman. He could still feel that final struggle.

And Hailey Dean would pay for taking that all away from him.

Filled with tired clichés and several improbable scenarios, “The Eleventh Victim” also contains — inexplicably — a separate plot line that had very little to do with the main story. Hailey Dean was a rather unexciting heroine and I was likewise disappointed to see several “stock characters” straight out of an old stereotypical B-movie. Even the killer was pretty ho-hum, maybe because the tease-chase-attack was too brief and not very scary.

That’s the bad news.

The good news is that author and HLN show host Nancy Grace still has her day job.

If you’re a hard-core Nancy Grace fan and you’re curious, go ahead and give “The Eleventh Victim” a try. But if you like fast-paced thrillers with realistic characters, read this and you’ll be sorry.

Live Music, Music

Hardaway & The Commoners CD release party

No Comments 27 August 2009

Thursday, Aug. 27

Cheers: What Army

George’s: Casey Donahue

Gypsy: Hurt, Veer Union, Adelita’s Way

Jose’s Southwest Grill: Karaoke

Mellow Mushroom: East of Zion

Pesto Cafe: Kevin Bennoch

Powerhouse: Full House

Smoke & Barrel: Opal Fly

Friday, Aug. 28

Arsaga’s Crossover: Woaka

Bayou: Joe Giles & The Homewreckers

Boomer’s Time Out: Red Ambition

Drifters: On The Run

Ella’s: Timothy Paul

Fatty Hacker’s: Kincaid Karaoke

George’s: Bobby Lee Rogers Trio, Earl’s Garage, Tiffany Christopher

Jammin Java: Melody Marty

Jose’s Southwest Grill: L-Street Band

Louie’s: Effron White

Mellow Mushroom: Odis Elevator & The Flights

The Perk: Open Mic

Smilin’ Jacks: Bent Grass Green

Smoke & Barrel: Graham Wilkinson, The Underground Township

Teatro Scarpino: DJ Adam Richardson

Saturday, Aug. 29

Arsaga’s Crossover: Guy Ames

Bayou: 90 Lbs. Wrench

Boomer’s Time Out: Blue Condition

Jammin Java: Hogeye Ramblers

Jose’s Southwest Grill: Red Ambition

Little O’Oprey: Live Jam

George’s: Hardaway & The Commoners CD Release Party, The OneUps, Nate Hancock & the Declaration, Groovement

Mellow Mushroom: Keith Nicholson

Smoke & Barrel: RJ Mischo

Soul: Jazz

Teatro Scarpino: Fayetteville Jazz Collective

Sunday, Aug. 30

Common Grounds: Casual Flyze, Spinrad

Copeland’s: Claudia Burson Trio

Fez Hooka Lounge: Jovan Arellano

George’s: Nate Hancock

Jose’s Streetside: Isayah Warford, Kory Montgomery & Friends

Mellow Mushroom: The Crumbs

Pesto Cafe: Shannon Wurst

Smiling Jack’s: Effron White

Monday, Aug. 31

George’s: American Aquarium

Gypsy: Songwriter Night with Jovan Arellano

Jose’s Southwest Grill: Open Mic

The Perk: Open Acoustic Jam

Pesto’s: Darren Ray

U.S. Pizza: Jeff Kearney

Tuesday, Sept. 1

Bayou: Blues Jam

Copeland’s: Darren & Russ

George’s: Lounge Party

Gypsy: Vadimvon, Vore

Teatro Scarpino: McLeod Burson Jazz Quartet

Wednesday, Sept. 2

Ella’s: Jazz

Ironhorse: Open Jazz

Jose’s Streetside: Karaoke

Mellow Mushroom: Jovan Arellano

Modern Cafe: Open Bluegrass Jam with Ron Wilbourn

U.S. Pizza: Matt & Gus Smith

Thursday, Sept. 3

George’s: Radiohead Tribute

Jose’s Southwest Grill: Karaoke

Pesto Cafe: Sarah Hughes

Mellow Mushroom: East of Zion

Smoke & Barrel: Opal Fly

Casinos

Buffalo Run Casino

Miami, Okla., buffalorun.com

Saturday: Pat Green

Cherokee Casino

West Siloam Springs, Okla., cherokeecasino.com

Thursday: Brian Odle

Friday: Tragically White

Saturday: Band Camp

Sunday: Fat Dixie

Downstream Casino Resort

Quapaw, Okla., downstreamcasino.com

Friday & Saturday: Big Bad Bubba

Saturday: Grady Nichols

Wednesday: Centrefire

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

Music, The Set List

Fall Preview

No Comments 27 August 2009

The Set List

By Brian Washburn

It might not be officially fall yet, but the school year is here, so summer is definitely over, at least for students. While the summer might offer plenty of festivals and big name tours, the fall will also offer those returning to college campuses the chance to see big names, local favorites and wait for the release of the next great album of the year.

For Fayetteville, a number of concerts and events are already on the calendar. The biggest of which, so far, will take place at George’s Majestic Lounge Sept. 21 when up-and-coming indie rockers the Silversun Pickups will perform alongside rising stars Manchester Orchestra and Cage the Elephant. Even though this concert will be a highlight for those on the inside of the indie music scene, the biggest event of the year in Northwest Arkansas will also take place in September.

Bikes, Blues & BBQ will roll into town Sept. 23 and will offer attendees some blues and good old southern rock that those in NWA have become accustomed to over the past few years. While last year featured the Allman Brothers Band and an array of local and national acts, this year will feature a few more big names because of a new partnership between the festival and the Arkansas Music Pavilion, aka The Amp.

On Sept. 24 classic rockers Molly Hatchet and Blackfoot, will be at The Amp. The following night The Amp will host southern rockers the Marshall Tucker Band, bluesman Steve Pryor and Oreo Experience, a tribute to Jimi Hendrix by NWA’s award-winning Oreo Blue.

However, these are not the only shows of note for the fall. September will also feature sets by techno act and local favorite Boombox (Sept. 18 and 19 at George’s), rockers Framing Hanley (Sept. 10 at George’s), Ghostland Observatory (Sept. 4 at The Amp), Cross Canadian Ragweed and Lucero (Sept. 12 at The Amp), and Brandi Carlile and Amy Ray (Oct. 12 at the Fayetteville Towncenter).

This fall the UA will offer its fall edition of the headliners concert series. While bands have not even been discussed yet, it is certain the committee will lock down a musician popular with the UA students, as they have done in the past.

These are just some of the acts that will be performing in NWA this fall.

Several local acts, too, will be performing, release music and attempt to break through the NWA scene into a bigger national spotlight. Some of the bands that will be hitting the local stages include Silverstone, A Good Fight, Kory Montgomery, Boom Kinetic and Benjamin Del Shreve. However, this is not to say some new bands will not pop up on the local scene and have instant success this fall.

Concerts are not the only musical aspect to be new in the fall. Several different bands are releasing albums this fall that might prove to be some of the year’s best. Releases in September alone include Shwayze, The Used, Brand New, Paramore, Madonna, Muse and Jay-Z.

Fall 2009 is looking to be a step up in the music industry, and not just nationally, but in the NWA area, as well. It’s only a matter of time until Fayetteville is hopefully on the list of every big name tour stop in the nation.

8 Days A Week Calendar

Frisco Festival

No Comments 27 August 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, 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

ARTISTS’ RECEPTION: Linda Dian Stair from 1-3 p.m. and Rob Andes and Golsa Yaghoobi from 6-8 p.m. today at the Arts Center of the Ozarks, 214 S. Main St. in Springdale. artscenteroftheozarks.org or 751-5441.

VW WEEKEND: Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks in Eureka Springs. nwavwa.com or 253-9768.

FRISCO FESTIVAL: Friday and Saturday in Frisco Park in Rogers. Rides, Chili-salsa-peno competition, Frisco Chicken BBQ, Lake Atalanta 5K at 6:45 a.m. Saturday, Frisco Idol at noon Saturday, Jalapeno eating contest Saturday, car shows, street dance both nights. Entries for Salsa and Jalapeno contest due 11 a.m. Saturday; walk-up sign in for Frisco Idol. friscofestival.com or 936-5487.

TASTE OF THE INNS: 3-7 p.m. Saturday at 12 hotels and bed & breakfasts in Eureka Springs. $25; includes “mock”tails and two appetizers at each inn. 253-8916.

CASINO NIGHT: 7 p.m. Saturday at the Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale. Music by Mike and Grady, hors d’oeuvres. artscenteroftheozarks.org or 751-5441.

MICHAEL PEVEN ARTIST’S RECEPTION: 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday at the University of Arkansas Fine Arts Center Gallery in Fayetteville. 575-7987.

THOMAS KRAPAUSKY, KELLEY HATFIELD WILKS, STEVE MOORE ARTISTS’ RECEPTION: 5-8 p.m. Sept. 3 at the Fayetteville Underground Gallery, East Square Plaza Basement, 1 E. Center St. in Fayetteville. fayettevilleunderground.com or 422-8607.

Stage & Screen

FRIDAY NIGHT MOVIE “KICKING & SCREAMING”: 7 p.m. Friday at Lewis Soccer Fields in Fayetteville. Free. 444-3471.

“THE BIG LEBOWSKI”: 6:30 p.m. Friday at the UARK Ballroom, 644 W. Dickson St. in Fayetteville. $15, includes dinner, movie and popcorn. Wii bowling and drinks at 6:30 p.m.; show and dinner at 8 p.m. uarkballroom.com or 582-0400.

THE SECOND CITY ANNIVERSARY TOUR: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $20-$32. waltonartscenter.org or 443-5600.

“COMPLEAT WRKS OF WLLM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED)”: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 3-5, Sept. 10-12 and Sept. 17-19, and 2 p.m. Sept. 5-6, Sept. 12-13 and Sept. 19-20 at TheatreSquared at Nadine Baum Studios in Fayetteville. $10-$22. theatresquared.org or 445-6333.

Words

LOCAL AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Nightbird Books in Fayetteville. With Dan Borengasser author of “Whiskers’ Pond” and Georgia Alderink author of “Pea Brain and Wheelchair Willie.” nightbirdbooks.com or 443-2080.

READING, RECEPTION & BOOKSIGNING: 6 p.m. Saturday at Nightbird Books in Fayetteville. “The Altar of Amazing Chance” with poet Margot Lavoie. nightbirdbooks.com or 443-2080.

Music

BACKPORCH BLUEGRASS: Free concert at 7 p.m. Friday at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, 4703 N. Crossover Road in Fayetteville. BYO blanket and picnic, or order from Greenhouse Grille. bgozarks.org or 750-2620.

LEAH RANDOLPH AND THE OZARK MOUNTAIN DRIFTERS: 7 p.m. Friday at Riordan Hall, 7 Kingsdale Drive in Bella Vista. 855-8170.

KENNY ROGERS: 8 p.m. Friday at Downstream Casino Resort in Quapaw, Okla. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. $20-$50. downstreamcasino.com or 866-977-6849.

SIZZLIN SUMMER MUSIC FEST: Saturday at the North Logan County Fairgrounds in Paris. Featuring Willie Stradlin, Charlie Robinson and the Eli Young Band. Gates open at 5 p.m. $20-$26. arkansasmusicpavilion.com.

Learning

QUILT: With Lola Jenkins at 6:30 p.m. today at the Holiday Inn in Springdale. $20 quiltguildnwa.org or 273-7153.

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE: 7 p.m. today at the Shiloh Museum. springdaleark.org/shiloh or 750-8165.

RAINBARREL WORKSHOP: 9 and 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the East and West Shelters near the Prairie Creek boat ramps on Beaver Lake. Make your own rain barrel. Registration required. $37. 271-1060.

ART CLASSES: Classes begin Tuesday at NWACCC, 505 W. Spring Street in Fayetteville. For adults and children. Dates, times, subject and costs vary. www.nwaccc.org or 571-2706.

MASTER YOUR MONEY: 6 p.m. and Financial Freedom at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday at Credit Counseling of Arkansas at 1732 Moberly Lane in Bentonville. Fundamentals of budgeting, saving, spending plans and expense tracking and cutting. Free. ccoacares.com or 800-889-4916.

FAMILY CAREGIVER WORKSHOP: “Physical Skills for the Family Caregiver» from 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 3-4 at the Schmieding Center in Springdale. With Kathryn Sweetser, ADN, RN. Registration required. $20. 888-866-8991.

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.

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.

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION: 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 9 Oak St. in Rogers. 616-8043.

Outdoors

BEAVER LAKE SECCHI DAY: 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at the East and West Shelters near the Prairie Creek boat ramps. awilson@bwdh2o.org or 717-3807.

ADULT COED KICKBALL REGISTRATION: Open through Sept. 4 with the Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Department. All games at Wilson Park. League fees $200 per team. Season starts Sept. 25. 575-8323.

Minor Matters

“THE NUTCRACKER” CHILDREN’S AUDITIONS: Friday at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. Boys 5-13, Girls 7-17. Registration required. Performances Nov. 27-29 with the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet. waltonartscenter.org.

“THE HOBBIT” CHILDREN’S AUDITIONS: 6-8:30 p.m. Monday and Sept. 3 at Arts Live Theatre, 1378 N. College Ave. in the Evelyn Hills Shopping Center in Fayetteville. Kids grades 3-12. artslivetheatre.com or 521-4932.

REGISTER NOW FOR ACTING & PRODUCTION CLASSES: Sept. 14-Nov. 10 at Arts Live Theatre, 1378 N. College in the Evelyn Hills Shopping Center. Offerings for Grade K-12. $110-$150. artslivetheatre.com or 521-4932.

FAMILY SATURDAYS: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays at the Northwest Arkansas Community Creative Center in Fayetteville. For ages 4 and up; $10 per child. nwaccc.org or 927-2491.

Seniors

AARP’S DRIVER SAFETY PROGRAM: 12:30-5 p.m. Friday at the Schmieding Center in Springdale. Designed for drivers over 50; no test given, AARP membership not required. $14. Registration required. 757-3043.

BALANCED BODIES: 9 a.m.-9:45 a.m. Fridays, and STRETCH & FLEX: 9-9:45 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Jones Center in Springdale. Free. Designed for Seniors who may need to sit to exercise. dhenders@jcf.jonesnet.org or 756-8090, ext. 2526.

Auditions, Call For Volunteers, Entries

ENTRIES FOR ADULT ARTISTS COMPETITION: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through today to the Center for Art & Education, 104 N. 13th in Van Buren. art-ed.org or 474-7767.

VOLUNTEERS FOR BEAVER LAKE SECCHI DAY: 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at the East and West Shelters near the Prairie Creek Boat Ramps. Collect water samples, record depths and clarity measurements around Beaver Lake. Contact Amy Wilson at awilson@bwdh2o.org or 717-3807.

MASHBURN FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP AUDITIONS: 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. Performing Arts scholarships for College Students. Application due Monday. mashburnfoundation.org or 582-1936.

WASHINGTON REGIONAL HOSPICE TRAINING for Volunteers or for the Care of loved ones at home 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Thursdays Sept. 10 through Oct. 15 at the First United Methodist Church, 307 W. Elm St. in Rogers. Registration required; Free. 463-7394 or 888-611-1094.

ENTRIES SOUGHT FOR THE OZARK QUILT FAIR: Sept. 12 at the Shiloh Museum. $10 for exhibitors; cash prizes for viewers choice awards in both antique and new categories. springdaleark.org/shiloh or 750-8165.

“THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER” AUDITIONS: 1 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Arts Center of the Ozarks, 214 S. Main St. in Springdale. artscenteroftheozarks.org or 751-5441.

“BROADWAY BOUND” AUDITIONS: 7 p.m. Sept. 21-22 at the Rogers Little Theater. RogersLittleTheater.org or 631-8988.

ENTRIES FOR PHOTO CONTEST: due Sept. 23 at AETN website. Open to all ages. Must be a photo taken at an Arkansas State Park between June 1 and Sept. 23, 2009. aetn.org/parks/photocontest.

“IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE” AUDITIONS: 7 p.m. Sept. 29 at the Rogers Little Theater. RogersLittleTheater.org or 631-8988.

ENTRIES FOR “CHRISTMAS IN THE OZARKS: THE NEXT BIG HOLIDAY HIT”: due Nov. 1 to the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra. Winning composition to be arranged and performed at the Dec. 12 Holiday Pops concert in Bentonville. milesfish@mac.com or http://web.me.com/milesfish/Site_29/Songwriting_Contest.html.

ENTRIES FOR OZARK FOOTHILLS FILMFEST: due Jan. 1, 2010, to Ozark Foothills FilmFest, 195 Peel Road, Locust Grove, AR 72550. Categories are: Official Selection (narrative or documentaries), Indie Films and College Student Film Showcase. Submission must be on DVD; $10 entry fee. For more information: ozarkfilm@wildblue.net, ozarkfoothillsfilmfest.org or 870-251-1189.

“From the Earth to the Moon,” recent photographs by Michael Peven are on display at the University of Arkansas Fine Arts Center Gallery through Sept. 16. A reception for the artist will be from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

Art

ANNE KITTRELL ART GALLERY: Arkansas Union, Fayetteville. 575-5255. Campus Fashion Exhibit through Sept. 9.

ARTS CENTER OF THE OZARKS: 214 S. Main St., Springdale. artscenteroftheozarks.org or 751-5441. Works by Linda Dian Stair through Sept. 13. “Face & Memories” by Golsa Yoahoobi & Rob Andes through Sept. 11.

CITIZENS BANK GALLERY: 116 E. Buchanan St., Prairie Grove. 790-0342 or 846-2738. Contemporary ceramics, sculpture, paintings, prints, photography and gifts.

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. “Harry Miller’s Vision of Arkansas: 1900-1910” through Oct. 25.

DDP GALLERY: 7 E. Mountain St., Fayetteville. ddpgallery.com or 442-0001.

FAYETTEVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY: 401 W. Mountain St., Fayetteville. faylib.org or 856-7000. FHS design models by Fay Jones School of Architecture students through September.

FAYETTEVILLE UNDERGROUND GALLERY: East Square Plaza Basement, 1 E. Center St., Fayetteville. fayettevilleunderground.com or 422-8607. “Fayetteville: A Panoramic Project” by Steve Moore Wednesday through Sept. 26. “Let’s Party!” by Kelley Hatfield Wilks and “Supremacy and Myth” by Thomas Krapausky Wednesday through Sept. 27. “So Close to Farewell” by Maggie Ivy through Saturday.

FOUR SQUARE FINE ART GALLERY: 3996 Frontage Road, Ste. 2 in Fayetteville. FourSquareFineArt.com or 422-8607. Works by Timothy C. Tyler, Robert Andes, Golsa Yaghoobi, Robert Glick, Cindy Wiseman, David Mudrinich, MM Kent, Doug Randall, John L Newman, Nichelle Wilson-Parish, Amber Perrodin, Suzanne Countryman, Szilvie Kadas, Hisai Kamamura Yale and Kirk Lanier.

HEARTWOOD GALLERY: 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 Cheryl Harris through Sept. 10.

MULLINS LIBRARY: University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. 575-6702. “Scissors, Paper, Cloth: Collages by Amy Edgington” through August.

OZARK NATURAL FOODS: 1554 N. College Ave., Fayetteville. 521-7558. Photographs by Laney Butler and Stephanie Conway through August.

POOR RICHARD’S ART: 116 S. First St., Rogers. poorrichardsart.com or 636-0417. Works by Kathy Mayhue and Erin Neal for August.

RICHLAND NURSERY AND ART GALLERY: Arkansas 23 South, Huntsville. 738-5305.

ROGERS LITTLE THEATER: 116 S. Second St., Rogers. RogersLittleTheater.org or 631-8988. Works by Ruby Pope through Sept. 25.

TERRA STUDIOS, MUSE GALLERY & COFFEEHOUSE: 12103 Hazel Valley Road in Durham. 35 regional artists, 10-acre art park with murals and sculpture installations. Home of the original Bluebird of Happiness. terrastudios.com or 800-255-8995.

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FINE ARTS CENTER GALLERY: Fayetteville. 575-7987. “From the Earth to the Moon” by Michael Peven through Sept. 16.

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS GLOBAL CAMPUS CENTER FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION: 2 E. Center St., Fayetteville. 575-6489. Sculptures by Deborah Terry through August.

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. Works by Meg Webster through Oct. 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.

MUSEUM OF NATIVE AMERICAN ARTIFACTS: 202 S.W. “O” St., Bentonville. museumofnativeamericanartifacts.org or 273-2456. Free self guided audio tours of Paleo, Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian and tribal artifacts.

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.

PRICE TOWER ARTS CENTER: 510 Dewey Ave., Bartlesville, OK. pricetower.org or 877-424-2424. “UK to OK: Exploring Traditions in Contemporary Design” through Jan. 3, 2010.

ROGERS HISTORICAL MUSEUM: 322 S. Second St., Rogers. 621-1154. rogersarkansas.com/museum. “Of Promise and Pain: Life Between the Wars,” “Virgil Lovelace and Life on the Farm,” and “Rogers Auto-Biography: An Automotive History of Rogers” through December.

SHILOH MUSEUM: 118 W. Johnson Ave., Springdale. 750-8165. springdaleark.org/shiloh. Exhibits of early life in the Ozarks. Original buildings on the grounds. “Prized Possessions”, photos of people with their favorite things, through Dec. 19. “Squeaky Clean” on the history of hygiene through Jan. 16, 2010. “Carry On” featuring baskets, purses, trunks and other artifacts for transport and containment through Sept. 26.

SILOAM SPRINGS MUSEUM: 112 N. Maxwell St., 524-4011.

Coming Soon

GHOSTLAND OBSERVATORY: 6 p.m. Sept. 4 at the Arkansas Music Pavilion at the Northwest Arkansas Mall. $15-$50. arkansasmusicpavilion.com.

SONGS IN THE VILLE: 7-11:30 p.m. Sept. 4 at the UARK Ballroom, 644 W. Dickson St. in Fayetteville. With Effron White. uarkballroom.com or 582-0400.

COLLIN RAYE & RESTLESS HEART: 6 p.m. Sept. 5 at the Arkansas Music Pavilion at the Northwest Arkansas Mall. Free; benefits the Boys & Girls Club of NWA. arkansasmusicpavilion.com. Free.

CHARLIE HUNTER DUO: 8 and 10 p.m. Sept. 5 at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $15.50-$32.50. waltonartscenter.org or 443-5600.

THE BEACH BOYS: 2 p.m. Sept. 6 at Downstream Casino Resort in Quapaw, Okla. Rain or shine. $10, open seating is all that remains. downstreamcasino.com or 866-977-6849.

SUMMER COCKTAILS: MOONFLOWERS & MARGARITAS: 6 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, 4703 N. Crossover Road in Fayetteville. Casual attire, live music, appetizers. $15-$20. bgozarks.org or 750-2620.

GALLERY TALK: noon-1 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Fayetteville Underground Gallery, East Square Plaza Basement, One E. Center St. in Fayetteville. With Kelley Hatfield Wilks. BYO sack lunch. fayettevilleunderground.com or 422-8607.

KING OF THE BLUES GUITAR COMPETITION: Sept. 10 at Guitar Center in Fayetteville. Final round of local competition; winner moves on district competition in Dallas Sept. 30. guitarcenter.com/kingoftheblues.

“COOK COUNTY” (NC17): 8 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Continuing Education Auditorium on the Square in Fayetteville. Critically acclaimed award-winning dramatic indy-film on three generations of crystal meth addicts. For adult audiences. Q&A with writer/director David Pomes. $8. cookcountymovie.com.

LIVING IT GREEN EXPO and ARTS & FOOD FESTIVAL: Sept. 11-13 at Pinnacle Hills Promenade in Rogers. Fine art, food, music and more. 899-6294.

LPGA’S P&G BEAUTY NWA CHAMPIONSHIP: Sept. 11-13 at the Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers. Practice rounds Sept. 7-8; Pro-Am Sept. 9-10. PGBeautyChampionship.com.

DINNER & A MOVIE: “CASABLANCA”: 7-11 p.m. Sept. 11 at the UARK Ballroom, 644 W. Dickson St. in Fayetteville. $25-$45, includes dinner, movie and popcorn. uarkballroom.com or 582-0400.

TENNESSEE WILLIAMS’ “THE GLASS MENAGERIE”: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11-12 and Sept. 18-19, and 3 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale. Pre-show dinner Sept. 11-12. $9-$20. artscenteroftheozarks.org or 751-5441.

LEE CREEK CLEAN-UP: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 12 on Lee Creek from Devil’s Den to Natural Dam. Check in points at the Buckhorn trailhead near Fall Creek, Natural Dam and the day-use horse parking just off Highway 220. Clean up by teams on foot, canoe, horseback and car. jhpennington@uaex.edu or 444-1755.

OZARK QUILT FAIR: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Shiloh Museum. Music by Shout LuLu. $10 for exhibitors, free for viewing. springdaleark.org/shiloh or 750-8165.

CROSS CANADIAN RAG WEED WITH LUCERO: 6 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Arkansas Music Pavilion at the Northwest Arkansas Mall. With Special Guests: Jonathan Tyler and Northern Lights. $25. arkansasmusicpavilion.com.

BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at the UA Global Campus, 2 E. Center St. in Fayetteville. fayettevillebanff.com

DAVID GARRETT: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $25-$50. waltonartscenter.org or 443-5600.

MOUNTAINFEST: noon-6 p.m. Sept. 18, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 19 and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 20 at Queen Wilhelmina State Park, Hwy 88 W. in Mena, AR. Arts & Crafts, Music, food, children’s games and more. 243-0713.

“OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS”: 8 p.m. Sept. 18-19 and 24-26, and 2 p.m. Sept 20 and 27 at the Rogers Little Theater. $9.50-$42. RogersLittleTheater.org or 631-8988.

LITTLE BIG TOWN WITH THE LOST TRAILERS: 8 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $40.50-$62.50. waltonartscenter.org or 443-5600.

SUGAR CREEK ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY PROGRAM: 6 p.m. Sept. 19 at Hobbs State Park Conservation Area east of Rogers. Society members will provide several high-powered telescopes. Bring a chair, binoculars, telescopes, shielded flashlight (use a red balloon), and star chart. 789-5000.

BIKES, BLUES & BBQ: Sept. 23-26 in Fayetteville. Music at the WAC Parking lot, Randall Tyson Track Center and the AMP. Free show Saturday 9/26 at the AMP. Classic Car show, Bike rides, BBQ and more. bikesbluesandbbq.org.

MOLLY HATCHET AND BLACKFOOT: 6 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Arkansas Music Pavilion at the Northwest Arkansas Mall. $10-$50. arkansasmusicpavilion.com.

MARSHALL TUCKER BAND: 6 p.m. Sept. 25 at the Arkansas Music Pavilion at the Northwest Arkansas Mall. With Hendrix tribute band, Oreo Experience, and Steve Pryor. $10-$50. arkansasmusicpavilion.com.

WRITER’S WORKSHOP: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 26 at Ozark Folkways between Mt. Gayler and Winslow on U.S. 71. $25. vebrotherton@gmail.com or 634-3791.

“ANDROCLES & THE LION”: 3 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale. $8-$16. artscenteroftheozarks.org or 751-5441.

“THE WEDDING SINGER”: 7 p.m. Sept. 28-29 at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $30.50-$45.50. waltonartscenter.org or 443-5600.

GRIDIRON SHOW: 8 p.m. Oct. 2-3 at Roger’s Little Theater in Rogers. $25. nwagridiron.com.

TOWER OF POWER: 8 p.m. Oct. 2 at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. With Full House. $28.50-$48.50. waltonartscenter.org or 443-5600.

UNIVERSITY THEATRE: ARTHUR MILLER’S “DEATH OF A SALESMAN”: 8 p.m. Oct. 2-3 and Oct. 9-10, and 2 p.m. Oct. 4 and Oct. 11 at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. Directed by Michael Landman. $18.50. waltonartscenter.org or 443-5600.

FALL FESTIVAL: Oct. 3 in Downtown Rogers. Build a Scarecrow, hay rides, Fall plant sale, cookies, hot chocolate and more. mainstreetrogers.com or 936-5487.

AMERICAN GIRL FASHION SHOW: 12:30 and 4 p.m. Oct. 3-4 at the Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale. artscenteroftheozarks.org or 751-5441.

BRANDI CARLILE: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Fayetteville Town Center. With Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls. $21. georgesmajesticlounge.com.

DAVID SEDARIS: 7 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $32.50-$48.50. waltonartscenter.org or 443-5600.

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