Arkansas Times

The Observer, July 29

If you haven't seen the video that got four folks fired at KARK awhile back, you should look it up online and watch it. In the video — apparently a fictionalized version of the life of an Arkansas TV reporter — one of that channel's now-former on-air folks cusses, talks ill of his co-workers, and gushes about how much he loathes the subjects of his interviews.

Report warns of water shortage

Is Arkansas drying up?

• by Gerard Matthews

Smart Talk, July 29

The Arkansas Arts Center filed a report with Little Rock police last week accompanied by an audit of a former employee's credit card charges that suggested the card had been used improperly for personal expenses.

Best of Arkansas 2010

Readers have spoken in our annual Best of Arkansas contest.

Enforce the law

I keep hearing folks calling for immigration reform. What I don't get is why those folks are not calling for strong enforcement of existing laws on that issue.

Eye on Arkansas, July 29

Bridges of sighs

The trash cans are full to brimming and the bird droppings carpet the Junction Bridge in places, but you've got to climb five sets of stairs to see the sad state of affairs, because the south side elevator is broken.

The Week That Was, July 21-27, 2010

Good week: careful spending, vehicle inspection, the Green Party, Little Rock School Board, Little National Airport, prayer. Bad week: comfort, North Little Rock Mayor Pat Hayes.

Food fight

At least in the locavore world, the idea that vendors in the Little Rock Farmer's Market — this year's readers' choice for the best place to find fresh vegetables — sell produce that's not grown in Arkansas makes folks fighting mad.

• by Lindsey Millar

Clean breaks

Fox and Hound is a winner for pool.

• by David Koon

Start your engines

And head to The Pit Stop.

• by John Tarpley

Is there such a thing as a good conservative?

If so, our readers say it's Bill Vickery.

• by Gerard Matthews

Toggery: A constant

But keeping up with the times.

• by Leslie Newell Peacock

A rock for the ages

Sissy's can sell you one.

• by Bernard Reed

Painting it softly

Pistols give Galusha shot at top.

• by Leslie Newell Peacock

More to like at Sushi Cafe

An expansion's in the offing for triple winner.

• by Gerard Matthews

Zowie!

ZaZa is the new salad champ.

• by Bernard Reed

Editor's choice

Some bests of our own choosing, from flan to funeral homes.

Words, July 29

Brain food, wimwams and more.

• by Doug Smith

The real Tim Griffin

Republican candidate last week dodged deserved damage.

• by Ernest Dumas

Serial hurter

Was Jack the Ripper a Republican? Some historians say "no," pointing out that Jack's crimes — all those we know of — were committed in London, suggesting that the perpetrator was an Englishman, and unlikely to be affiliated with an American political party.

Here we go again

A Little Rock School Board election this September again could figure in the fate of the school superintendent.

• by Max Brantley

Answering pesky critics

Not to make a habit of it, but let's do one of those columns responding to critics.

• by John Brummett

Refutiating

You Betcha says what the country needs is more refutiating, and I think she might be right.

• by Bob Lancaster

Nashville's new outlaw

Eric Church bucks Music City's current trends.

• by Werner Trieschmann

Little worlds, big impact

Coming up: "The Art Show."

• by Leslie Newell Peacock

Dream a little dream

I'm as starry-eyed as the next person. I sometimes think an SEC championship is within reach. In my weaker moments, I start imagining that the Hogs might even put together a run at the national title.

• by Derek Jenkins

French find

'Amelie' director returns with charming 'Micmacs.'

• by Sam Eifling

Don Draper, reborn

There's a part of every great film and television show that is wish fulfillment for the viewer. We love mob movies and shows because the wish-fulfillment is instant justice.

• by Graham Gordy

To-Do List, July 29-August 3

Justin Bieber, Curren$y, Pronoia, Sweet Eagle, The See, Wicked Good, Dax Riggs, Randy Travis, Chuck Ragan

• by John Tarpley

In Brief, July 29

Willie Stradlin, Cool Shoes, a Jerry Garcia birthday bash and more.

The Televisionist, July 29

While AMC used to be known mostly for dusting off movies that anyone under 70 years old hadn't seen in decades, the network's created quite a name for itself in recent years with groundbreaking, wholly unique original dramas.

• by David Koon

Slam dunk

Alley Oops does casual food right.

• Tags: Dining Review, Alley Oops

What's Cookin', July 29

Taj Mahal Mediterranean and Indian Cuisine plans to open on Aug. 10 or soon thereafter at 1520 Market Street in Little Rock.

This Modern World, July 29

• by Tom Tomorrow