Commentary, The Kruth Talks, Uncategorized

The Kruth Talks

No Comments 06 October 2011

Savor Closes, Mermaids Moves

Savor restaurant has closed its doors. The staff of Savor was notified Friday that at the close of business on that evening Savor would be officially closed. Manager Chad Williams and head chef Mario Maggi were let go while the remainder of the staff will go through the application process to see if they will remain employed. Mermaids restaurant will relocate into the building that was formerly Savor on Oct. 10.

New Pub-Restaurant in South Fayetteville

The Tanglewood Branch Beer Co. opened Sept. 27 at 15th Street and South College Avenue in Fayetteville. Tanglewood serves draft beer and expects to be providing home-brewed beer by the end of this year. The restaurant serves a selection of sandwiches, including a house-made chicken salad with craisins, bacon and cayenne candied walnuts. Each Sunday night a “comfort meal” will be served as a dinner special.

Last Days For Food Drive

The University of Arkansas food drive will continue through Oct. 14. A list of drop-off locations and items of high demand can be found at newswire.uark.edu/article.aspx?id=16760. Monetary donations can be made online at fullcircle.uark.edu or nwafoodbank.org.

Bentonville Book Sale

The Friends of Bentonville Library will hold a used book sale in the Walmart Community Room of the Bentonville Library from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Shoppers can purchase thousands of gently used books, videos, CDs and audio books. Proceeds from the sale benefit the Bentonville Public Library. Cash transactions only.

New Orleans Chef Serves Arkansas

Commanders Palace executive chef Tory McPhail and chef Mike Johnson will team up to serve four meals Friday-Saturday. Friday’s lunch will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the UARK Bowl in Fayetteville. The Friday night event will begin with a reception at 7 p.m. at South Walton Suites in Bentonville. Saturday lunch will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Laughlin House in Bentonville. The Saturday evening event will begin at 7 p.m. at Cafe Rue Orleans in Fayetteville. Tickets are limited and available online at arconventionsandevents.com.

Halloween Pet Pageant

The fourth annual Fayetteville Holiday Pet Parade will be held at 5 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Fayetteville Square. The theme for this pet fashion competition is “Howl-O-Ween Pet Pageant.” The parade is organized by the University of Arkansas’ Event and Convention (Hospitality) Management students and the Fayetteville Visitors Bureau. All proceeds will benefit the Fayetteville Animal Shelter. To donate or sponsor the event contact Shelly Walters at 479-571-4731.

Commentary, The Kruth Talks

The Kruth Talks

No Comments 29 September 2011

 

Library Offers Digital Downloads

Kindle format books are now available through Northwest Arkansas libraries that participate in the Library2Go digital website. Members of participating libraries can login using their library cards to download e-books, audiobooks, music and videos. The Library2Go selection is also supported by Windows, Mac, iPod, iPhone, Sony Reader, NOOK, Android, Blackberry and Windows Phone.

Beer permit for Dollar General
Fifty Dollar General stores in the state have been approved to sell beer, according to the Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Division. Stores that were approved for the permits include three in Fayetteville. Applications were denied where residents, churches, elected officials or law enforcement officials submitted a written notice of opposition.

Accident results in death
An accident on Sept. 21 on Joyce Boulevard in Fayetteville resulted in the death of a construction worker and the arrest of the woman who caused the accident. Jo Jackson was driving east on Joyce when she drove through a closed construction lane and struck city workers, Bradley Robbins and Jackie Luper. Luper died the following day because of complications from the accident. Jackson admitted to being under the influence of prescription drugs and she is facing charges in connection with driving while intoxicated, endangering the welfare of a minor and negligent homicide.

Free youth soccer clinic
Youth Sports is hosting a free soccer clinic on Oct. 6 at Randall Tyson Recreation Complex in Springdale and Oct. 7 at Ben Geren Park in Fort Smith. The clinic is for boys and girls ages 6-14 and will be led by former goalkeeper of FC Dallas Major League Soccer, Dario Sala. Registration is free but limited. Visit www.chevyyouthsports.com/soccer, select NWArkansas as the market and use the password kickit. Check-in each day is from 4 to 4:45 p.m. and the clinic runs from 5 to 8 p.m.

Fall foliage report
Arkansas Parks and Tourism posts a weekly status update of fall foliage reports on www.arkansas.com/fall-update.aspx. The reports are updated at 5 p.m. each Thursday and identify the color changes in three regions: Ozarks (northwest/north-central), Ouachitas (central) and the Delta (southern/eastern) Arkansas. These reports are helpful for travelers seeking out the best scenic experiences. The reports can also be retrieved by calling 1-800-NATURAL.

Foul tasting water not harmful
The unpleasant taste to tap water is caused by the annual algae turnover, where the top layer of the lake settles to the bottom, but has no harmful affects, according to a report by the Beaver Water District. A fact sheet and educational information about reducing watershed runoff, a main factor to the algae growth, is available at www.bwdh2o.org. Customers can take a few steps to minimize the taste and odor including chilling the water, adding lemons or using carbon filters.

Grant for startup companies
A collaborative application by Winrock International, the University of Arkansas and Northwest Arkansas Community College won a grant for $2.1 million to develop new technology startup companies in Washington, Benton and Madison counties. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration for the project designated “Launching the ARK.”

Commentary, The Kruth Talks, Uncategorized

The Kruth Talks

No Comments 15 September 2011

Gym Offers Free Classes to Aid Special Needs

Powerhouse Gym and Fitness Centers of Bentonville and Fayetteville will be offering a free boot camp class for children with special-needs and free memberships to families of special-needs children. For more information, call Randall Curry at 442-6800.

Thorup Gains New Position
The former executive director of the Fayetteville Public Library, Shawna Thorup, has been hired on as the director of sales and marketing at Southern Hospitality Management Company. A search committee for the Fayetteville Public Library is seeking a new executive director.

Big Bucks Granted for New Music Venue
The Fayetteville A&P Commission unanimously approved a $500,000 grant for the construction of the new Arkansas Music Pavilion. $250,000 will be allocated immediately, and the remainder will be available in 2012. Seating for the new venue will increase to 6,400, including 2,400 permanent seats and a lawn area that will accommodate 4,000. Additional amenities include an improved concessions area, air-conditioned restrooms and permanent backstage dressing rooms.

Spay Shop
Spay Arkansas has opened a resale shop inside the Fayetteville Trading Post at 2600 N. College Ave. Donations, except for clothing, are welcome. More information is available by calling 756-1100.

Mentors Needed For LBGT Youth
The NWA Center for Equality is seeking mentors for LBGT youth. A peer facilitator training session will be held at the center from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 24. More information is available online at nwacenterforequaltiy.org or by emailing peercommunity@nwaequality.org.

Construction to Begin on Major Roads
Road construction is expected to begin in the next couple of weeks on Crossover Road between Mission and Joyce Boulevard. The improvements will widen the road to four lanes and include a raised median. The project is expected to be completed by late 2013.

Mug Club Offers Perks
The Tanglewood Branch Beer Co., a new pub opening at the intersection of 15th Street and S. College Ave., is offering half-price memberships to their mug club called The Fifth Legion now through Sept. 28. A one year membership is $150 and a lifetime is $500. Members get their own 20 oz. mug and beer to fill it will be the cost of a 16 oz. draught. Members also get a T-shirt and their names listed on the Legion V Wall of Honor at the pub. The Fifth Legion commemorates Julius Caesar’s troops who were nicknamed the drunken barbarians by other Roman soldiers. To sign up, visit the Fifth Legion Facebook page.

Commentary, News, The Kruth Talks, Uncategorized

The Kruth Talks

No Comments 08 September 2011

Bikes, Blues & BBQ to Include Motocross
Scheduled Sept. 28-Oct. 1, Bikes, Blues and BBQ will be expanding to Springdale. ArenaCross will be held at The Rodeo of the Ozarks’ Parson’s Stadium which is located at 1423 E. Emma in Springdale.
Two days of professional and amateur motocross events will start at 4 p.m. on Sept. 30 and feature an exhibition at 8 p.m. by Kenny ‘Cowboy’ Bartram and the Steel Rodeo team.
Events will run from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Oct. 1 and will include amateur racing, kids race and another production by the Steel Rodeo. The main hub of the event will occur on Dickson Street in Fayetteville and the Arkansas Missouri Railroad will shuttle people between Dickson Street and Baum Stadium.
The Washington County Fairgrounds will host the annual barbecue cook-off. Musical performances by Candlebox on Sept. 30 and Jamey Johnson on Oct. 1 will be held at the Arkansas Music Pavilion located at the NWA Mall.
More information is available online at bikesbluesandbbq.org.

Recycled Water Essential to Fracking
Fountain Quail, a Canadian water management company, is planning to recycle water used in hydraulic fracturing at the Fayetteville Shale location and sell it to the companies that drill there for natural gas.
The water is an essential component to fracking that uses a mixture of sand, chemicals and water to inject into the ground and break up rock to release natural gas.
Fountain Quill will distill the water that returns to the surface and store it in a pit onsite to be drawn on by the natural gas companies. For more information visit, www.fountainquail.com.

Library Director Resigns
Executive director Shawna Thorup resigned Aug. 25 from the Fayetteville Public Library. Thorup received a separation agreement providing six months salary and benefits. Lolly Greenwood was named interim executive director.

Come Fly With Me

Commentary, Community, News, The Kruth Talks

Come Fly With Me

No Comments 25 August 2011

The Kruth Talks: Aug. 25

A new concourse at Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA) will open Sept. 1. The new $20 million wing will provide an additional eight gates for travelers. Other improvements to the airport include a new sit-down restaurant and lounge, gift shop, newsstand, workstations to charge electronics, free Wi-Fi and the state’s first moving walkway. Additionally, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that a new segment of U.S. 412 will improve access between Interstate 540 and Arkansas 112 where the airport is located.

Scrolling Up

A Torah scroll written was dedicated to the community by Joe Ratner and his family. The Torah is a handwritten scripture of the five books of Moses and takes approximately one year to complete. The estimated cost of the Torah transcription is between $30,000 and $50,000.

Hog Football Heaven

Following high anticipation of the successful Arkansas Razorback football team, the University of Arkansas announced the groundbreaking ceremony for the $28 million Football Center will be held on Nov. 4. According to the press release, the new facility will include a locker room, team meeting rooms, athletic training rooms, equipment room, a student-athlete lounge and study area, coaches offices, a recruiting reception area and a museum celebrating the tradition of Razorback Football. Razorback Athletics met a grant challenge by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation and raised $18.4 million. The Donald W. Reynolds grant will add 
$10 million to funds raised. The estimated cost of the project is $35 million.

Clothesline Turns 60

More than 200 artisans and 
crafts people will participate in the 60th annual Prairie Grove Clothesline Fair held Sept. 3-5 at the Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park. The park is located on Arkansas 62 and parking is $5 per vehicle. Living history demonstrations, musical entertainment, square dancing and food vendors are all important features to this annual event.

Library Leave

Executive director of the Fayetteville Public Library, Shawna Thorup, is on administrative leave while an investigation about her conduct with staff is held, according to libraryjournal.com. The library board of trustees unanimously voted to place Thorup on leave.

Scam Alert

The Bentonville Police Department issued a warning about an Internet scam involving threatening messages. One Bentonville resident notified the police about an email that threatened to kill the recipient if $3,000 was not sent to the sender. If anyone receives an email from an unknown sender requesting money be sent, they are encouraged to file a police report.

ACT-ing Up

Congratulations to Taylor Tilmon of Washington Junior High in Bentonville for her achievement on the Duke TIP (Talent Identification Program). Tilmon was selected to take the ACT as an eighth-grader and scored in the top 10 percent of all Arkansas students who took the test. She attended a three-week program at Trinity University in San Antonio to participate in an engineering problem solving program.

A Legacy With The Blues

Commentary, Community, News, The Kruth Talks

A Legacy With The Blues

No Comments 18 August 2011

The Kruth Talks: Aug. 18

The Legacy building in downtown Fayetteville is taking on a tenant who promises to open a blues club. Named Legacy Blues, the establishment will offer local and regional blues and jazz musicians beginning in September. The lounge will also offer a menu of classic American food including steaks, seafood, barbecue, po-boys and more. More information is available at legacyblues.com.

Fair Days

The Washington County Fair will run Aug. 30 to Sept. 3. The opening night, all rides are $2. Sept. 2 arm bands are $25 with a Pepsi can, and on Sept. 3, all arm bands are $20 until 3 p.m. $20 value passes good for one gate pass and armband are available at Harps grocery stores until Aug. 29.

The Benton County Fair started on Wednesday and runs until Aug. 21
at Barron Road off Arkansas 12. The event presents exhibitions of livestock, horticulture, photography and art as well as pageants, bull riding and carnival rides. Admission is $5 for age 7 and older.

Senior Classes

The University of Arkansas has waived tuition for Arkansas residents who are 60 years or older. Based on space availability, senior citizens are welcome to apply online on apply.arkansas.edu or by visiting the admissions office. Registration for the fall semester is open until Aug. 19.

SONA Choral Group

The Symphony of Northwest Arkansas is forming a choral group and hosting auditions 1-5 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Bentonville High School Choir Room and 1-5 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Walton Art’s Center McBride Studio in Fayetteville. Participants will need to perform a solo, pitch memory exercises, intervals and scales. To sign up for an audition slot, email Barrett Johnson at barrett@sonamusic.org.

Hog Man Out

Knile Davis, a junior running back sporting the No. 7 jersey on the Arkansas Razorback football team, suffered a season-ending ankle injury in practice. During the last two seasons, Davis racked up 1,485 rushing yards, 18 touchdowns and caught 21 passes for 140 yards.

A Purrfect Deal

Commentary, The Kruth Talks

A Purrfect Deal

No Comments 28 July 2011

The Kruth Talks: July 28

The Fayetteville Animal Shelter hopes to continue its success finding homes for cats with a “name your price” promotion.
From now to Aug. 25, cats can be adopted for a minimum $5, and they will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated and implanted with a microchip.

Go, Hogs, Go

The Razorback football schedule is posted, and the broadcast information and times for the first three games is known. The Hogs play Missouri State at 6 p.m. Sept. 3 at home, and the game will be shown on pay-per-view.
The game against New Mexico State in Little Rock starts at 6 p.m. Sept. 10 and will be shown on ESPNU.
The Razorbacks return to Fayetteville to face Troy State Sept. 17 starting at 6:30 p.m. and televised on CSS/CST. CSS is only available on Cox Communications channel 119.

Crystal Bridges

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art offered exclusive benefits to the first 3,000 members to sign. Within one week of launching the membership campaign, that number was surpassed. The museum will open for 24 hours on Nov. 9 allowing original members a sneak preview. Memberships can be purchased by calling 418-5728 or visiting crystalbriges.org.

Ready For Tourists

Bentonville is preparing for the expected growth in tourism due to the museum by adding information signs, parking spaces and upgrading water and sewer lines for the new 21c Museum Hotel. The signs will help visitors get orientated in downtown Bentonville, and more than 200 new ground-level parking spaces are planned. The museum hotel is an extension of the 21c Museum Hotel in Louisville, Ky., that combines contemporary art with a boutique hotel.

See Change Sees More Than Change

The Walmart Foundation granted $40,000 to See Change, the region’s first nonprofit organization management certificate program. The program is a six-month course that tackles issues such as board development, marketing, human resource responsibility and financial responsibility for nonprofit groups. Margaret Reid, professor of political science at the University of Arkansas, is the See Change program director.

Goodbye, Yarnell’s

Commentary, The Kruth Talks

Goodbye, Yarnell’s

No Comments 14 July 2011

The Kruth Talks: July 14

 

After 75 years of production, Yarnell’s Ice Cream closed up shop late last month. The company was based in Searcy and employed about 200 workers. The dairy industry has been struggling for many years, and several years ago, the main dairy farm producer for Yarnell’s converted to a beef cattle ranch. That is among several financial factors that led to the shutdown.

Recently, Yarnell’s featured Razorback specialty flavors like the Pig Trail Mix and Razor Tracks. The local, family-run, independent business is seeking investors to purchase and perhaps reopen the facility.

 

 

Dog House

 

All but one of the Joplin, Mo., rescued dogs has found a home. 
An 8-month-old pointer mix named Eggs is the last dog looking for a home. For more information, contact the Joplin Humane Society at 417-623-3642 ext. 101.

 

 

News of the News

 

As part of the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship LPGA tournament, Huey Lewis and the News is scheduled to perform a free concert in the Walton Arts Center parking lot on Sept. 9. No tickets are needed, and the show will begin at 8 p.m.

 

Summer’s Fading

 

The summer is just melting away … not only the heat, but the season. University Housing is already recruiting move-in volunteers for the upcoming fall semester. Volunteers are needed on Aug. 14, 17 and 18 in shifts from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sign up as an individual or group by sending an email to fperrod@uark.edu. Include name(s), email addesses, T-shirt sizes, day and time you wish to volunteer and any medical restrictions. A variety of duties will be requested, including directing traffic, unloading cars, assisting residents moving into their rooms and helping with paperwork.

 

 

Appreciated, Naturally

 

Ozark Natural Foods in Fayetteville is hosting an Owner’s Appreciation weekend Saturday and Sunday. Owners will receive a 10 percent discount and can sign up for goody bag door prizes. The co-op’s board members will socialize over complimentary refreshments on Saturday morning.

 

 

Hog Hall Pass

 

The Razorback Student Access Pass went on sale on Monday. Available to students only, the pass gives admission to football and men’s basketball games for seating in the student section. The cost is $65 and can be purchased at the Student Tickets page on arkansasrazorbacks.com.

The first public tickets for the inaugural 2011 Razorback football game are also up for sale. The Hogs will challenge Texas A&M at Cowboys Stadium on Oct. 1. Seats start at $85.

States Of The Union

Commentary, The Kruth Talks

States Of The Union

No Comments 30 June 2011

The Kruth Talks: June 30

Same-sex marriage is now permitted in six states with New York passing the Marriage Equality Act by a vote of 33-29 on June 24.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo was a key figure in promoting and getting the bill signed. The other states that recognize same-sex marriage are Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont, as well as Washington, D.C., and the Coquille Indian Tribe of Oregon. Rhode Island, Maryland and New Mexico recognize the union but do not grant licenses.

Cheese!

Attention cheese dip aficionados: the second World Cheese Dip Championship will be Sept. 24 on the AT&T Field at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. A regional classic will happen on Sept. 10 at the Arkansas Music Pavilion in Fayetteville. The competition will host both an amateur and professional division, and a panel of local celebrities, politicians and food critics will rank the cheese dips through a series of blind tastings. Visit cheesedip.net for more information.

Crystalized

Crystal Bridges Museum will launch its membership program on the Bentonville town square as part of the First Friday festivities July 1. On Saturday, museum staff will be at the Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale and Fayetteville farmers markets to encourage membership.
Also on Saturday, the stone, concrete and stainless steel sculpture “The Way of Color” by James Turrell will be available for public viewing from 5 to 9:30 p.m. This sculpture manifests in both an optical and auditory experience. Sit against the walls and gaze up at the sky through the oculus. Stand in the center and hear how your voice amplifies. An hour before sunrise and 10 minutes before sunset, the artist creates a visual experience through the use of LED lights that lasts approximately
45 minutes.
The sculpture is located on the Art Trail, which branches off the Crystal Brides Trail, accessible from Compton Gardens.

Carnall-Raimondo Pairing

The Inn at Carnall Hall has paired with Raimondo Winery to offer a signature collection of wines touting Carnall Hall on the label. A launch reception and tasting will start at 5:30 p.m. today at Carnall Hall in Fayetteville and is open to the public. Raimondo has roots that trace back to Palermo, Sicily, and now has a cellar in Gamaliel, Ark., at the Blue Lady Resort. The Carnall Hall series will include 2010 chardonnay and viognier, 2009 cabernet sauvignon and merlot, as well as a 2008 syrah.

Summer Fun Ammunition

Commentary, The Kruth Talks

Summer Fun Ammunition

No Comments 16 June 2011

Summer has come, and kids are going to be looking for something fun to do. Have an ammo list of cheap excursions ready. Here are a few suggestions:

  • Dive in Movies at Wilson Park: June 24, “Yogi Bear;” July 15, “Megamind;” July 29, “The Goonies” Wilson Pool: $2 youth, $3 adult, season packages available, swim lessons, closed on Mondays
  • Gulley Park Summer Concert Series: June 23, Waylon Pierce; July 14, Casual Flyze & the Earth; July 28, Tim Brantley; Aug. 11, Uncrowned Kings. All shows start 7 p.m. Free and family friendly
  • Boys & Girls Club of Fayetteville: $5 daily use or memberships available; pool, indoor track and fitness center, rock climbing wall
  • Jones Center, Springdale: ice arena, pool, gymnasium, park and trail, summer programs
  • Rogers Skate & Splash Park: near Rogers Activity Center, open 1-8 p.m. Sat and Sun
  • Lawrence Plaza: splash pad; free; 9 a.m.-10 p.m. daily; closes at 4 p.m. first Friday of each month for First Friday Flicks
    First Friday Flicks: July 1, “Shrek;” Aug. 4, “Finding Nemo;” Sept. 2, “Toy Story;” Oct. 7, “Miracle”
  • Melvin Ford Aquatic Center: 1-7 p.m. Monday to Friday and noon-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; $1.25 age 16 and younger, $1.50 adults; 10 punch passes available
  • Boys & Girls Club, Benton County: four facilities, bgbentoncounty.org

For an inclusive list of parks, activities, camps, day trip ideas and more visit nwakidsguide.com.

City Newsletter

The city of Fayetteville has revamped its Newsletter with expansive coverage of the area. The newsletter is a downloadable form that has embedded interactive links and a wealth of information. The June 2011 edition boasts 24 colorful pages. Suggestions are welcomed by the editor at jmcquade@ci.fayetteville.ar.us. To subscribe, visit accessfayetteville.org.

CommonPlace

Discover the new, local social network CommonPlace. This website intends to bring the community together by providing a location for neighborhood posts, community announcements, events and a directory. Check it out and sign up at Fayetteville.ourcommonplace.com.

Cats In The Bag

The summer heat has many effects on the natures of creatures. One effect is the influx of homeless animals at the shelters. In attempt to relieve some of the overcrowding, the Fayetteville Animal Shelter will waive the adoption fee on all cats and kittens on Friday, June 17. All cats and kittens will be spayed or neutered, microchipped and vaccinated. Fill out an application in advance to streamline the process. Applications are available at accessfayetteville.org or at 1640 S. Armstrong Ave.

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