Got to see something amazing last night. I mean, Empty Bowls is always amazing, with the spectacular art offered and the great eats. I love being able to go and be part of the big deal the Arkansas Foodbank puts on each year.

But the amazing thing. Attorney General Dustin McDaniel came to the podium and anniounced that the state has received a deal of money in a settlement with Dannon Yogurt, which the state joined suit against over the issue of validity claims over Activia. That settlement money’s going to be divided three ways between Arkansas’ biggest hunger warriors. McDaniels then presented a check last night for more than $141,000 to Arkansas Foodbank’s Phyllis Haynes. Boy, I thought she was going to break out into interpretive dance… you could just see the joy.

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Empty Bowls, the event where this was announced, was phenomenally attended last night. There were more than 600 people inside the brand new facility on 65th Street, with cars parked all the way out to the thoroughfare and in every available space. I had to leave before the event was over; my date for the evening was my daughter Hunter, my husband having to work. We enjoyed fine dishes from several fantastic local eateries, including 1620, Lilly’s Dim Sum Then Some, Whole Hog Barbecue, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Carpaccio Grill at the Peabody, Golden Corrall and many, many more. There were fantastic amounts of great artwork and donated items on-hand, as well as four different live working artists and a band.

This was my 6th year to participate as an artist. I’m not a great artist; I just go paint and have fired a bowl or two each year and put them in, hoping to raise a few more bucks for the Foodbank. Maybe next year I’ll have gained some decent notoriety to bring in some really good money for the Foodbank. It’s a cause close to my soul.

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I wish my camera hadn’t have wimped out on me — entirely my fault, grabbing my rechargable batteries from the dead bin instead of the recharged bin. There were a couple of Gail Miller’s gorgeous handthrown and sculpted bowls I coveted… and so many neat packages offered by local folks and businesses. And the new facility… hm. I may have to go back and take some shots and write you a story about it. It’s phenomenal. And it’s right down the street from the Arkansas Rice Depot, too.

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