A&E Feature
Showcase showdown
To-Do List
Pat Green at Revolution
Arkansas Blog
Sound familiar?
Texas on my mind today, I guess: The New York Times reports that Texas has been paying $400,000 a month for Gov. Rick Perry's security while he traveled around the country campaigning.
Aside from President Obama, Mr. Perry — the only sitting governor in the 2012 race — has the largest security contingent, and apparently the only one on the Republican side financed by taxpayers.Weeks before he officially announced his presidential bid, Mr. Perry said it was appropriate for the Texas Department of Public Safety to pay for his security and called any criticism of his government-provided protection a “diversion.” He also said that Texans would benefit from his travels. “I’m going to be promoting Texas,” Mr. Perry said in July, as he began to traverse the country. “I’m going to be traveling to places where the Texas story needs to be told, and we will tell it.”
Takes you back, doesn't it? Read here about the erstwhile Arkansan who liked to travel on the state's dime.
Media
Fun with headlines
AR Dem-Gaz, paraphrasing Bloomberg News headline: "U.S. economy grew less than forecast in fourth quarter"
Washington Post: "U.S. GDP grew at fastest pace in 1.5 years in fourth quarter 2011"
Arkansas Culture and Characters
Treasurer Shoffner, VISA team up to teach finance
That headline is not a joke.
* Arkansas Treasurer Martha Shoffner — whose campaign finance reports were a disaster just for starters and who's raised a number of questions about her handling of state investments.
* VISA — a credit card company. Tens of thousands of Arkansas families owe perilous or ruined finances to the predatory effects of credit cards. It's also worth mentioning the credit card companies' purchase of Congress to make sure, whatever else happened, ruined families would have to go through hell to discharge plastic card debt in bankruptcy.
The gimmick is described as an "NFL themed educational video game and classroom curriculum" known as Financial Football.
Shoffner and VISA will be joined by an NFL quarterback Christian Ponder for the media event next week. Perhaps Shoffner will answer some questions about her campaign and personal finances that she's been reluctant to field. Maybe VISA also can tell us how much the outfit spent to lobby Congress on bankruptcy "reform." I presume someone in the Education Department gave Shoffner the go-ahead to roll out this new offering, rich next week in VISA and NFL branding into public schools? Right?
Call me cynical. As much as kids can use sound financial training, the key players here sound too much like Newt Gingrich coming to town to promote a course on successful marriage.
UPDATE: VISA is unhappy with my lumping them in with interest rates, consumer debt and all the rest. It's the banks that do that; credit card companies merely extract a fee from merchants for use of their cards. It is but a network, they insist. To blame them for financial problems is like blaming FedEx for the quality of goods the delivery company delivers, a spokesman told me. The financial game is just good corporate citizenship to encourage better habits among kids, a spokesman says. Even if I were to grant the innocence of credit card companies in personal financial disasters (I don't), there's still an old saying that applies. Lie down with dogs ....
Rock Candy
Theater
Rep adds two more "Mockingbird" performances
- Cindy Momchilov
- Abby Shourd as Scout in Arkansas Repertory Theatre's production of 'To Kill a Mockingbird.'
The Arkansas Repertory Theatre's current show, "To Kill a Mockingbird," has been pretty popular. In fact, all the shows are sold out, so The Rep is adding two additional matinees on Feb. 4 and Feb. 11 at 2 p.m.
From The Rep:
"In response to overwhelming demand, the theatre has opened two additional matinee performances February 4 and 11. These added performances will open for public sale this Saturday, January 28 at 9:00 a.m. Tickets are $30-$40.
"The Rep will also sell Standing Room Only tickets to sold out performances throughout the run starting Saturday, January 28. SRO seating may include bench seating in the back of the theatre, open seating that has become available for that evening, or actual standing areas in the back of the theatre. A limited amount of SRO tickets will be available for sale in person only, one hour before curtain. SRO tickets for To Kill a Mockingbird are $30 for all performances through Feb. 12."
Music / Showcase
2012 AT Showcase Round 1: The Holy Shakes
The Holy Shakes impressed the judges last night. In fact, the band was the No. 1 pick of every judge, decisively taking Round 1 and moving on to the finals, Fri. March 2 at Revolution.
Guest judge Mary Chamberlin: "True Punks. Flippant disregard for 'coolness,' studied but unique." and "My record collection called, it wants The Holy Shakes."
Epiphany "knew that frontman had to come out of that leather jacket sooner or later because he was putting in work."
Perhaps Cheyenne Matthews put it best: "... more like Holy Shit! Holy Shit!!!"
Photos after the jump.
Music / Showcase
2012 AT Showcase Round 1: Vore
Fayetteville's Vore brought the brutal death metal to Round 1 of the 2012 Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase.
Judge Sammy Williams appreciated the band's "classic sound, never straying far form the path forged in Florida years ago." Clay Fitzpatrick wrote that he was glad to see some legends of the genre and loved the set, but "wanted to see more drum work from bands like this."
Check out some photos of Vore after the jump.
Cover Story
Sympathy for the devil
Event Calendar
-
Re: Racial stereotyping continues in U.S.
That Jan Brewer thinks she matters enough to any man anywhere any time, past, present…
- on January 27, 2012
-
Re: Racial stereotyping continues in U.S.
Well, when you make it a 'perfect' world, please let me know but I won't…
- on January 27, 2012
-
Re: English competency for legislators?
Belgium
Ireland
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Bull, I have been to each of these countries and…- on January 27, 2012
The Insider
PMS at state agency
Editorials
Foiled again
Slideshows
-
Opening Jan. 5 at William F. Laman Library in North Little Rock.
Fox16 Local News and Weather
-
Johnson & Johnson recalls baby lotion from stores
January 27, 2012Johnson & Johnson is recalling baby lotion that may have excess bacteria from stores in nine states. fox16.com /more/ -
Super Saturday event gives Arkansans free help with taxes
January 27, 2012We are just over a week away from the Super Bowl and a pre Super Bowl event-- Super Saturday. fox16.com /more/
Site Index
News
Cover Story / Arkansas Reporter / The Week That Was / Smart Talk / The Insider / The Observer / Editorial / Max Brantley / Ernest Dumas / Gene Lyons / Bob Lancaster / Words / Guest Writer / Letters
Entertainment
A&E Feature / To-Do List / In Brief / Movie Reviews / Music Reviews / Theater Reviews / A&E News / Art Notes / Graham Gordy / Books / Media / Dining Reviews / Dining Guide / What's Cookin' / Calendar / The Televisionist / Movie Listings / Gallery Listings
This Week's Cover
Quick Links
Special Publications
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
