'Lincoln,' Lincoln and Little Rock: Some Arkansawyers Were Blue

Union Gen. Frederick Steele

This isn't a history blog, and it's not going to become one. However, the past never really leaves us. Its fruits, its by-products are all around us. To understand a place and the present, any place, a place like Little Rock, you have to know its story and its history.

The Jenny and I went to see an early show of Stephen Spielberg's "Lincoln" yesterday, and it was mesmerizing. About 20 minutes to 30 minutes before the end, President Abraham Lincoln tells Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens that even if quickly readmitted to the Union, the southern states will not be able to block the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery. He explains this is because all the northern states will ratify it, and he already controls Louisiana, Tennessee and ARKANSAS. Friendly Reconstruction governments already existed in those states because their capitals and large sections of them were retaken earlier in the war. Stephens, despite being an avowed white supremacist, recognizes the reality of this, and you can see the defeat on his face. (BTW, casting Jack Earle Haley as Stephens — brilliant!) Lincoln then says, "Slavery is done. It's finished."

My master's thesis was on Gen. Frederick Steele and the politics of wartime Reconstruction in Arkansas, so I really enjoyed this tiny little factoid in the middle of this big, sprawling historical film. I also was so proud of my state and the small role it played in ending slavery. Not many people know or acknowledge it, but the number of Arkansawyer who wore the blue and fought for the United States in the Civil War totaled at least 36,000. That's a conservative estimate. Many Southerners did NOT want to secede. Many Ozark Arkansans were passionate defenders of the Union. Little Rock probably was predominantly secessh, but after 1863, it was the the headquarters of the military Department of Arkansas and a reconstituted state government under Isaac Murphy. Murphy, on the final vote tally, was the lone dissenting vote in the Arkansas secession convention of 1861. (Notice they did not put it to a popular vote).

So, Murphy and other unionist leaders bravely were trying to bring Arkansas back into the United States well before the conclusion of the larger conflict. Murphy was not a carpetbagger either. They did a lot of that work here in Little Rock. Much of it with the help of other loyal, patriotic Arkansawyers — obviously with a big assist from Steele and the Feds. In the course of doing that, they ultimately helped free thousands and thousands of other Arkansawyers, African-American Arkansans, from bondage. Many African-American Arkansawyer men also took up arms against the Confederates knowing they would be killed if captured. They fought and died for their own freedom and the freedom of their families, too. Often we talk about Southerners as if they only were white. They weren't. In fact, I'd dare say a good part of Southern culture stems from the influence and contributions of African-Americans who were Southerners.

As we come up on the 150th anniversaries of the Civil War during the remainder of this year and in 2013, 2014 and 2015, let's all remember the role Little Rock, Arkansawyers and Arkansas played not just in fighting for the Gray but in fighting for the Blue, the Stars and Stripes and Emancipation. I don't see Lee's surrender at Appomattox to be a defeat for the South. It was a defeat for one element of the South. It was a triumph for the Union nationwide, North and South.

Arkansas Cornbread Festival A Delicious Addition to Little Rock Scene

Folks at the 2012 Arkansas Cornbread Festival
on South Main Street in Little Rock

Although it's a small benefit to you to tell you about an annual event after the fact, it's still a benefit. Hey, you'll be up on it next year, and in 2013, it'll still only be the third annual Arkansas Cornbread Festival.

Finally, let it not be said that there's nothing to do in the Rock. This and some other festivals prove it. I could have gone Friday to a beer festival in the Argenta district of North Little Rock. I could have gone last week to the cheese dip festival. Guess I'll have to put those two on my own to-do for 2013.

First, if you're on a diet, then not to worry. Samples are bite size. The Jenny and I sampled a dozen or more offerings but didn't get too full. To one end of the multi-block stretch of South Main Street, there were some hot dog stands and other food vendors if you wanted to make a lunch out of the visit.

I can honestly swear on the Bible that I did not have one piece of bad cornbread. Even the worst was merely above ordinary. My favorite was the sampling from the El Dorado folks. It was deep fried and had a hush-puppiness to it. The Boulden Prize for Best Beans & Cornbread goes to Redbones. Their black beans had a smoky, meaty flavor you might expect from a BBQ place but its extra flavorful quality won me over.

Turnout was quite good, and it was nice to see this unabashedly Southern staple get its due. Entrees tend to dominate such affairs. I fully expect this festival to continue to grow and possibly become a genuine big deal in a few years.

The South Main setting was a plus. Jenny and I sought momentary refuge from the unexpectedly hot sun and air at the Green Store on South Main. She had a honey-ginger soda from the soda fountain, and I had some sweet cream-and-pear ice cream from the same. We cooled ourselves and our palettes, then went back for our second and final round of cornbread.

If I had one suggestion, then it would be a less confusing ballot. Each booth should have had a unique number instead of having, for example, two 5s — one for the professional competition between restaurants and caterers and one for amateurs. That probably would have worked better had there not also been a short Overall category. Also, next year, throw in a water vendor somewhere in the center of the strip of cornbread booths. Such a thing likely could be a good moneymaker for the festival if it's in the 80s again for the festival in 2013.

Keep it on your calendar for next autumn.

Rating: Arkansas Cornbread Festival — A.

Famous Dave's Achieves Great BBQ With Hits Down the Middle At Little Rock Spot

Lunch at Famous Dave's — ribs, a hot link
 and Wilburs' Beans

Famous Dave's, Famous Daves. I am stunned and surprised. If you had told me I ever would be writing here in praise of a chain restaurant, and in praise of a chain barbecue restaurant at that, then I would have asked you to step outside, so I could give you some what-for. Nevertheless, I sit here writing, gobsmacked by the pleasure of my experience there.

Brisket, pulled pork and some delish cole slaw

Before I go on, I need to mention that yes, we have tried Sims Bar-B-Que more than once and been very pleased with it. Service has been good, and I have a real weakness for their greens as well as their ribs. However, the ribs I had at Famous Dave's beat them. A retired friend of mine who is a certified barbecue judge and acts as one in the summers at barbecue festivals explained to me how he rates ribs. The meat should come off easily in your teeth, but it should not fall off. If you have to tear, then it is undercooked. If it falls at the touch of your lips, then it is overcooked. Overcooking weakens the strength of the meat flavor, which should work at full force with the sauce. I happen to agree with this. The ribs I ordered received at FD's hit that spot in the middle for good ribs. Their table sauces are in my order of preference are "Sweet & Zesty,""Rich & Sassy," "Hot & Sassy," "Texas Pit" and "Devil's Pit." There's also a Georgia Mustard that I didn't try. The "Sweet & Zesty" was my favorite, especially for the ribs. Vingeary sauces are not my thing, but they are there for you if they are yours. My hot link was excellent. I can say that I've never had a link quite like it. Its mouth-feel was a little looser and less dense that I am accustomed to but very flavorful. I'd definitely order it again.

Sides sampled by me and The Jenny include cole slaw, Wilbur's Beans and a corn muffin. FD makes their own slaw from fresh cabbage and the sauce is custom-made for them. It rocks. Seriously, I'm not a big fan of cole slaw, or should I say bad cole slaw. It either comes to me gloppy and thick or watery and soupy. Again, they found the ideal middle. Their slaw was neither, and it provided the cool antidote between bites of barbecue meat. Jenny liked it just as well as I did but was far more generous with it than I would have been. (Hey, growing up in a house with four older brothers makes you protective of your vittles.) My beans were a little watery but still tasty. Oh, and the corn muffins were not dry at all. How the heck do they do that without being doughy?!

The Jenny liked her brisket, but it was my least favorite. I have to say for brisket it also passed the test. I just don't have a love-affair with that particular part of the barbecue spectrum. Her plate's pulled pork was quite the hit though. I'm looking forward to eating the leftover portion in the fridge. (Don't remind Jenny it's there. She usually forgets what we bring home).

Our waitress was new, but she was competent and personable, no complaints there either. Dang nice folks, they gave us a complimentary bottle of "Sweet & Zesty" barbecue sauce when they found it was our first time there. Salut.

Rating: Famous Dave's — A.

Elizabeth Armstrong: A Little Rock Woman Who Knew Where She Wanted To Be

Last week, I posed some questions about Little Rock along with some speculative answers to the same. Those questions still stand. I invited people to discuss them here. That invitation remains open even after this new post. This blog isn't meant to be a personal one, but sometimes the personal and the urban convergence even here.

I didn't update the blog Sunday because on Sunday morning the Jenny and I learned her grandmother, Elizabeth Armstrong, had died at age 89. There are two houses on the family property in south Little Rock. One is the house in which she was born. The other is the house in which she raised her family along with her husband, Lyle, and it's also the house in which she passed away. That's a rare, rare thing these days — to be born, live and die in essentially the same place. Now, that's not to say she never left Little Rock or never got out of her neighborhood. Jenny's grandmother had a life of quiet but significant accomplishment. You can read about it below. However, the thing I want to note here is her strong sense of place and attachment to her home, her church and, I think, her hometown. Little Rock may not always appear to have a strong, clear sense of itself, but I think my grandmother-in-law had a strong sense of what it was, or at least a strong sense of what it was to her.

I wish I could have had more time to talk to her about it, her memories and her thoughts. One thing life has taught me though is that there never is enough time. We all need to savor our time, really pay attention to where we are and remember to cherish each other. That gets said at almost every funeral. It'll likely get said or be felt by those at Wednesday's funeral. Elizabeth Armstrong was a great Little Rock native and person. I could have learned more from her. However, I'm going to use her passing to motivate me to continue to get to know and study her city. I think she would have liked that. Until next week when we will resume our regular blogging, read a little bit about her.

Elizabeth 

Fawn Jones Armstrong, 89, of Little Rock, passed away Sunday morning, October 14, 2012 at her home. She was born July 31, 1923 in Little Rock. Elizabeth was a life-long musician, organist and church leader at Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church for over 40 years. She was also an assistant librarian and music teacher at the Arkansas School for the Blind, translating words and music into Braille, and taught piano and organ to countless private students.
She married Lyle E. Armstrong on October 16, 1943. While he was serving overseas for two years she worked for the Army Corps of Engineers during World War II, drawing maps. Once Lyle returned from the war they moved from Little Rock to Norfolk, Nebraska, where they started a family. In 1951 they moved to Cuba, Missouri, and co-owned and operated Armstrong Jewelry. In 1958 the family moved back to Little Rock. Elizabeth and Lyle were married for 54 happy years until his death in 1998. They raised four children, who all graduated from Hendrix College in Conway, Ark. and became United Methodist ministers serving Arkansas churches.

Finishing a degree she began in 1943, she graduated summa cum laude at age 65 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Composition from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She composed a number of choral and instrumental works and collaborated with her children in writing several published musicals.

She was an avid amateur radio operator under the call sign KB5PLQ and made friends over the airwaves throughout the country.

Elizabeth was passionate about her church, her family and outreach to the needy. She included everyone she met in her circle of love and welcomed people of all beliefs, opinions, race, and persuasions to her home, a place that was always filled with caring, laughter, whimsy and hugs. She valued Christian love far more than judgment.

In her later years, Elizabeth baked many loaves of bread each week and distributed them to friends old and new, demonstrating the spirit of generosity and openness that defined her life.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Sam E. Jones and Hattie May Myers Jones, her brother Donald Ross Jones, her husband Lyle Eugene Armstrong and their son Rev. Donald F. Armstrong, all of Little Rock.

Surviving family members include her sons Rev. Roger E. Armstrong (Linda) of North Little Rock and Rev. Robert C. Armstrong (Mary) of Dubuque, Iowa; daughter-in-law Yvonne Armstrong of Little Rock; daughter Rev. Anne Holcomb (David) of Little Rock; grandchildren Jennifer Boulden (Ben) of Little Rock; Laura Shachmut (Kyle) of Newton, Massachusetts; Michael Armstrong of Little Rock; Patrick Holcomb of Little Rock; and great-granddaughters Abigail Shachmut and Elizabeth Shachmut of Newton, Massachusetts. She leaves a host of other extended family and friends young and old who loved her well and will miss her smile and spirit.

Visitation with the family will be held Tuesday, October 16 from 7-9 p.m. at Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church, 1601 Louisiana Street in Little Rock. A memorial service in celebration of her life and legacy will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, also at the church, with Rev. Thompson Murray officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to the Music Fund at Quapaw Quarter UMC.

But, What Is Little Rock?

Almost since the beginning of this blog, I've been mulling a question over with which I want your help. It's this: What is Little Rock's identity as a city, place and community? Those last three nouns really are all the same thing, but feel free to use them to break it down into those categories if needed.

The reason I am asking this question is because I want an answer myself. Although I've invited comments, and a few of you have done so, I hope many more will do so here on this question. People new to Little Rock may provide special insight, but I'd also love to hear from longtime residents as well. I only have some thoughts on the subject, no answers, so this blog entry will be a shortish one.

First, as many of you know, I come from Fort Smith. Although Fort Smith often fluctuates between defining itself as Southern or Western or some combination of these influences, it does, right or wrong, good or bad, have a strong sense of itself and what it is. Second, I don't feel like Little Rock does. That could be completely wrong and unfair. I truly don't know.

I think there are several reasons. Namely, those are size coupled with post-World War II growth, status as a capital city and geographic/demographic position. I suspect Little Rock had a much stronger identity as a Southern city before World War II and the modernism that came after it. Having lived in some cities like Manchester, England and Boston, I think cities need decades to absorb rapid growth, then redefine themselves. Culture has to marinate. Those two cities have strong identities, but I also know they had identity crises during periods of boom and immigration. Capital cities often are pulled between their roles in their respective states, provinces and nations and their local, indigenous roots. Even Washington, D.C., does, I think. D.C. is a great city, but it has a sterility and a something-missing component to its makeup, too. Notice how many institutions there are branded "National" or "U.S." Notice in Little Rock how many institutions even outside of government are branded "Arkansas" or "State." Finally, there is geographic position. Where Fort Smith struggles with two major regional influences and types, I perceive Little Rock as wrestling with even more of these — Southern, upper and Deep; major metropolitan versus medium-size city; Ozark versus Delta; et cetera.

Folks, I may be off-base here and all those thoughts are misguided, but I just want to get this conversation started because I think it might be interesting and instructive for me and maybe for everybody else too. Weigh in, opine, comment, and let the games/discussion begin.

Of Doughnuts, Neighborhoods and the Broadmoor Area of Little Rock

Shipley Do-Nuts on University Avenue

 Ah, let the fat man sing the praises of doughnuts. I shall regale you with epic tales of pastry, coffee and the coming of Shipley Do-Nuts to the Broadmoor neighborhood.

Seriously, it was a bright day when a few weeks ago the Shipley shop opened up just a few blocks east of us on University Avenue. It's nice on Saturday or Sunday morning to be able to dash down there, pick up some donuts and a kolache or two, maybe some coffee and return home for breakfast. The new Shipley is very basic and located in what I think used to be a Captain D's or some other chain. There's a drive through, but I usually like to go in and see the pastry. Most of the staff is Cambodian-American. They're quite friendly. Service is good.

Some people think Shipley is a local or regional chain, but the company actually is Houston-based. Whatever its origins and size, it gives off a strong, local vibe. I prefer it over Krispy Kreme. That's not just because it feels local. It's because the doughnuts there are better. Don't get me wrong, KK makes some damn fine doughnuts. Heck, I've eaten them from time to time on a weekend morning. I'd say that the glazed doughnut you get in a KK is slightly superior to the one at Shipley. However, wait for that doughnut to cool a bit, then it's no better. Wait two hours, and the Krispy Kreme one is definitely inferior — at least that's what my mouth tells me. A Shipley doughnut has a much better shelf life. From the cake doughnut to the yeast or filled, the variety is good. Another thing I like about Shipley v. Krispy Kreme is that Shipley does a good, traditional cake doughnut. KK's is crusted with sugar and far too sweet for my palate. Even that would be OK with me if they still offered me the option of a traditional cake doughnut.

Another selling point for me is the Shipley breakfast sandwiches — kolaches and a variety of egg biscuits. I always feel a little better when there's some meat in my breakfast. It would be nice and Shipley would get more of my money if they offered a larger size of coffee than they currently do. You won't find fancy espresso drinks or cappuccinos there. If that's your thing, then you're probably headed to Starbucks anyway. The coffee is quite drinkable though — a good traditional cuppa joe.

This new store is another nice addition to the Broadmoor area. Some folks are leery of the neighborhood, and it's close proximity to some dodgier areas. I think this is mostly overblown, and I've written about this issue here in the blog before. This time, I do want to mention how wonderfully situated Broadmoor is. It's close to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is even closer if you've got business there or just attending a guest lecture. Shopping is convenient. (Did I mention the new Shipley Do-Nuts?) And we're minutes from downtown. I really dig that. Finally, the people here are great. I have some pretty good neighbors. Here's a minor quibble though, I wish it had sidewalks. There are a few but not nearly as many as there should be. Marlowe and I hate walking in the street.

Rating: Shipley Do-Nuts — A. Broadmoor — A-.

NOTE: I apologize for not blogging for a fortnight. Having a regular job again — thank, God — has played havoc with my work-life balance.

Enjoy Yourself Before You Join Them, Visit Little Rock's Mount Holly Cemetery

The Dibrell family plot at Mount Holly Cemetery,

The Jenny and I were out and about last weekend gathering many blogable experiences. Like thousands of others after the storm Sept. 7, the electricity in our home was out. The black out lasted almost 48 hours. Despite the inconvenience and some spoiled food, there was a bright side. We found things to do.

On Saturday, we resolved to have a good breakfast at Root Cafe but got there about 30 minutes before the 9 a.m. opening time. So, we drove around Quapaw and looked all the beautiful, late Victorian homes. While cruising down the blocks of Broadway south of Interstate 630, I noticed the gates of Mount Holly Cemetery were open. We decided to pay a visit to the dead.

Of course, I was somewhat aware of the graveyard's historicity, but I guess I had forgotten just how storied the antebellum necropolis is — 11 Arkansas governors, four U.S. senators, 21 Little Rock mayors and four Confederate generals. Wow. As long as the participants are respectful and discrete inside the grounds of the cemetery, I could see that being a great daytime Halloween scavenger hunt. Find the most graves, take photos and upload them to the party's Facebook page.

That aside, it's just an interesting, different place to walk around on a sunny day. The funerary sculpture is wonderful — some of the best specimens of the Victorian period that I have seen. Graves are well maintained, and walkable. Remember to walk along the foot of each grave in such a way that you're behind the headstones of the next row. This isn't always possible in a really old cemetery like Mount Holly because of some irregular plot sizes and other oddities of layout, but if you make a good faith effort, then I'm sure the residents won't mind.

I particularly enjoyed (Is that ghoulish of me?) finding the grave of Dr. James A. Dibrell. I worked with the late Jim Dibrell, his great-great-grandson at the Times Record. Little Rock's James Dibrell was from Crawford County, as was Jim. Mount Holly's James Dibrell relocated to Little Rock and became one of the first deans of the medical school, today's University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. I recently went to work there and found James Dibrell's portrait near the office suite where I occupy a cubicle. A few minutes after the discovery of the grave, I stumbled on a large, brick Victorian manse that I told Jenny was one of my favorites in the Quapaw Quarter. On closer examination, we discovered it is the Dibrell house. It was a very Dibrell weekend.

If you're looking for a zero-dollars way to while away a few minutes or more, saunter through Mount Holly some bright, fall day. You might surprise yourself by having an interesting time. Enjoy it now. You won't get much of a chance after you're in a cemetery full-time.

Rating: Mount Holly — A.

The Catfish Hole Offers Down-Home Charm, Great Catfish To Little Rock/NLR Area

Before we get down to the nitty-gritty here, I need to clear off some other business. First, you won't find any photos here of the Catfish Hole experience the Jenny and I had. That's because we've been without power all weekend and both our phones were at Jenny's parents house charging up so neither one of us had our cameras. Second, I am not a big catfish fan.

The Jenny and I had set out to eat at the newish restaurant in North Little Rock, Newk's, but got a little sideways looking for the back way there from my in-laws' house. We drove past the turn for the Hole before dead-ending at a gate to Camp Robinson. I'll have to draw you a word picture of it. The Hole is in the middle of BFI Pulaski County, six blocks off a backroad in a residential area. I don't know the history of the structure, but I'd guess it once was a country home that got added on to over the years. Some stray cats were loitering about the parking lot, doubtless waiting for catfish scraps. It was a pretty slow Saturday night at the Hole, and we grabbed a seat near one of the interior walls. Imagine walls that are carpeted (beige and brown shag, thank you very much) and a scuffed hardwood floor. (How do you vacuum a wall anyway? Handheld dustbuster?)

Our waitress was cute, young woman with a big pregnant belly. She had pushed her apron to below her baby bump. Here's the exchange:

Me: Slow night?
Her (with a sweet, slow drawl): Yeah, there's the game (Razorbacks) and the air show (at Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville). I guess everybody is doin' that.
Me: Well, I guess it's good to have a night like that now and then to get caught up on things.
Her: Yeah, get caught up on tal-kin'.

She went on to explain a half-order is three pieces of catfish and a full order is five pieces. They also have a combo which is two of any of the six or so items on dinner list — frog legs, chicken, catfish steak, catfish fillets et cetera. The Jenny and I each got the half-order dinner of fillets. It comes with fries and hush puppies but you can substitute a veggie side for the fries at no extra cost. Jenny got the pinto beans and I order okra. We shared.

Now, like I said before, I am not a big catfish fan. Bottom feeders generally repulse me. That does not mean I am not willing to give it a try now and then. If it is really done well, then I MIGHT like it OK.

Well, folks, I loved it.

My experience of catfish is not wide for obvious reasons, but the Hole gave me the best possible catfish of my life. That's to say nothing of the hush puppies, and I do have a wide experience of them. The hush puppies were out of this world. They fall apart in your mouth because they were fried just the right amount of time, with a thick, crumbly crust. It's tough getting them fried enough on the outside without drying out the hush puppy but they did it at the Hole. Oh, and they didn't try to spice it up with jalapeno bits like some other folks foolishly try to do. I always think they're trying to get something by me when they do that to make up for an inferior product. The fried okra was very good and the pinto beans were even better.

Between servings, the waitresses plop down at a big table back near the kitchen entrance and eat. (I'm pretty sure they are not called 'servers' here). Between bites, our waitress even hollered over, "Y'all need any more Dr. Pepper?"

The clientele was a mix of white and black folks. One older, white woman well into her eighties shambled in with a large black man in a white doo-rag. She introduced him to the waitress as her best  friend. The Catfish Hole is the sort of place you might find a beat-up, rusted-out Malibu parked next to a new Mercedes. Apparently, the black patrons are okay with the TWO autographed photos of Orval Faubus on the wall. Actress and North Little Rock native Mary Steenburgen must be okay with them, too. Her photos also are up behind the counter, one of which shows here dining at the Catfish Hole. My cashier told me she hasn't come in in a couple of years but usually shows up with Ted Danson when she does. Also there last night, a burly, redneck farmer in bib overalls and a tractor cap.

If you're looking for a true Southern dining experience without pretense, then journey on over to the Hole. As my brother says, "your tongue will slap your brain to death" with delight.

Rating: The Catfish Hole — A+.

From the business card:
"The Catfish Hole Restaurant, Family Owned & Operated Since 1976.
603 Spriggs Road, North Little Rock, AR 72118
Strictly Fresh Pond Raised
Open Tues.-Thurs. 4:30 till 9:00
Fri. & Sat. 4:30 till 9:30
...
For Group Reservations Call 758-3516"

Closed Sunday and Monday

Short Subjects Bring Long Fun At Little Rock's 48 Hour Film Festival

A shot of the screen at 48 Hour Film Festival on Aug. 30
at the Argenta Community Theatre in downtown
North Little Rock.

Would-be filmmakers in Little Rock recently got the chance again to prove their creative mettle by trying to produce a 7-minute movie that was entertaining or made some kind of sense.

I've heard about this contest for years from Fort Smith, but only recently got the chance to attend.  It's one of the things our recent move to the Rock has made possible. Before I proceed further in describing that experience, I want to declare loudly and clearly that my brother-in-law Michael Armstrong along with his friends Jim Patterson and Brad McLelland entered the competition with "Fire Engine Red." I'll return to that, but let's move on.

There were about 30 entries altogether and they were screened for the public over three nights. Judges and folks like me got a chance to see all of them. (Actually, the Jenny saw all of them. I went on the last night). Ten finalists, voted the best by the audience, made it to a final screening Aug. 30. Prizes were awarded in several categories — Best Film, Best Music, Best Use of a Prop. Every movie had to include some kind of melon, the line "What have we here?" and a singer character named Tommy or Tammy Shuttles.

Some rose to the challenge and some did not. Hey, I'll cut anyone some slack though for just trying. The deadline is tight to say the least. Although it will be another year before there's another such contest, I would recommend attending all or some of the nights. It's fun. If you encounter some less than stellar material from time to time — well, hey, it'll be over in 7 minutes. You get to hear short talks with each filmmaker, most of which are entertaining too, and learn exactly what they were up against besides a short production timeline.

My favorite was FER because it broke form. Instead of hipster cynicism, it rebellious went for genuine sentiment and poignancy. "La Petite Morte" was the winner, narrowly beating out FER for the top prize. It is very, very good. Everyone said the music in it would get in my head. "Ha!" I said. "That will not happen." It didn't ... until Saturday morning. They should call it "La Petite More, More More."

What were the movies like? The genres ranged from time travel to holiday to romance. A few were incoherent, at least to me. Others were tight little gems. Many were funny, and even many of the sub-par ones were entertaining on some level. Check it out in 2013. You'll be supporting local artists and enjoying some movies you definitely will not see anywhere else.

Rating: Little Rock 48 Hour Film Festival — A.

Watch "Fire Engine Red" here. 

Boyle Park, Little Rock's Emerald Gem, Is In Need Of A Polish

Boyle Park was a great Little Rock park. Boyle Park is a good park. Boyle Park can be great again. Boom! Done! See you later.

No, I can't let it go at that. Let me give you some brief personal background, so this blog post has some context. On March 31, the Jenny, Marlowe and I moved into the Broadmoor neighborhood next to Boyle. We truly are about a 1-minute drive from the place. Both of us daily walk Marlowe there and have gotten to know it very well. It's convenient to us, and often beautiful.

Dense underbrush at Boyle Park needs
 thinning and could present a fire risk
 in dry, hot weather.

However, (come on, you knew a "however" or "but" was coming) it has been greatly neglected of late. Boyle Park is in desperate need of some Operations & Maintenance money from the city parks department. I'm going to give a brief list of deficiencies necessary corrections broken down into two categories: "sweat equity" and capital investment. Here they are:

"Sweat Equity" — applying existing resources and personnel
• Cut the grass, sweep the walkways, pick up the piles of brush and clear out the underbrush.
• Step up the police presence. Have patrol cars drive through more regularly.
• Use the city's new ranger program to employ docents who can give nature tours.
• Talk it up more as part of existing advertising and promotions of the parks and recreation. Make use of the inexpensive social media tools.
• Have parks personnel really monitor Boyle more rigorously to take care of the trash and dumping problems.

Broken and cracking asphalt with some
sidewalks is so bad as to present a
pedestrian hazard.

• Remove the washed out slaps of pavement which are just lying on the ground.

Capital Investment
• FIX the walkways. Several paths are very bumpy and broken up. Tree roots have done this and there likely isn't an easy way to repair some of them so they stay smooth, but the foot bridge approaches could be redone with concrete.
• Install more trash cans and empty them more frequently.
• Post signs identifying trees and other natural, growing features.
• Build in some more amenities like restrooms.
• Construct on or two more foot bridges to close some loops for joggers, walkers and bicyclists.
• Allow one or two private vendors to set up snack stands or places where park goers can relax and rehydrate.

Grass and reeds along some walkways
is so high as to present a visibility and
safety issue, too.

Boyle is an older park in what is now the center of the city. It is not Central Park and Little Rock is not Manhattan, but it could be as much of asset to the Little Rock in its own way as that more famous greenspace is to the Big Apple. I easily could see it becoming an arboretum and teaching tool, too. Of course, it's had problems. Someone told me that it once had a cruising problem. I think some people perceive it as dangerous. Like any place, it's good to stay alert, but I've never had a problem there in terms of safety — unless you count nearly tripping on a bumpy park of a paved pathway.

Although bicyclists and others do use the park now, I expect many, many more would if these paved trails were smoothed out. More activity actually strengthens the atmosphere of safety. Don't get me wrong. The park is heavily used. Several times this summer it has been so hot that I have thought to myself, "No one will be here today" only to find one of the pavilions full of people with a group or family. Picnickers and other celebrants use the pavilions daily. The small, scruffy basketball court also is gets frequent play. Children almost always are playing on the recreational equipment there.

Just some Roundup could take care of a weed problem
in some areas of Boyle Park.

Before I go any further, I want to say that I am sure in these financially strapped times the city Parks Department is doing whatever it can, but some of these things just needs greater diligence. Others will require appropriations of money. I hope that that the city of Little Rock, which is making needed improvements to MacArthur Park, will not forget its other parks like Boyle.

I've read that Little Rock made a conscious decision to allow some park areas, where appropriate, to go wild. That's fine but that presents its own set of problem. The thick underbrush in a dry, hot summer like recent ones could be a fire hazard. If Boyle ignited and got out of control, it actually could threaten some nearby homes. The brush and tall grass catch litter. Finally, the overgrown areas obscure lines of sight and could make it easier for folks with less than honorable intentions to lurk and loiter with impunity.

Despite all its minor problems, Boyle Park still is a good park. I love it, Jenny loves it and Marlowe really loves it. Discover it if you haven't already, and let's all show it some real love and care.

Rating: Boyle Park — B; Potential — A+.

We Interrupt This Program

Folks, I normally post sometime on Sunday night. Here it is late Monday afternoon, and I still haven't posted. If you've been waiting on me, then I want to say I'm flattered, and I'll resume work on the blog starting this weekend. I'm starting a new, FT job in about 10 days, and that has me a little distracted. It also means I need to wrap up several pending free-lance assignments in fairly short order. It always has been my intent to post weekly and regularly, at least for 52 weeks following my first blog post here. Despite recent improvements in my career prospects, that's still the case — minus one. Apologies, and I hope to see you here next week.

Getting to Know Little Rock With a Little Help From Historical Sandwiches

Sandwiching in History at the Lafayette

Yep, I had lunch with a piece of the city — the old and renewed Lafayette Hotel. It's pretty dang cool and a Craftsman-style gem. The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program runs the "Sandwiching" events once a month, and Rachel Silva with AHPP was our guide. Oh, by the way, I think I was the only one who brought his lunch. Nobody else was eating. A veteran attendee said brown-bagging often is awkward because folks mostly are standing. I got there early enough that I was able to wolf mine down and not look too newbie. 

Stripped ceiling before restoration (photo courtesy of AHPP)

Silva taught us much and the 50 plus people there were attentive and interested. I won't reproduce her lecture, but here are some of the basic facts:

• Built and opened in 1925, the Lafayette closed in 1933 during the depths of the Depression and did not reopen until 1941.

• Peter Heerwagen, a noted interior designer, created the building inside look, including its lobby.

• John Oehrlie, Heerwagen's foreman, updated the look of the lobby and the rest of the hotel in 1941 for its reopening.

• A restoration team of four women worked on the lobby in 1984 during its rehabilitation. They could not restore its original 1925 look but what's there now is close and impressive.

Restored ceiling, August 2012

That restoration team left some traces: some tiny self portrait in the eyelets of the ceiling design. If you happen to go to the Lafayette for a meeting or event — the current owners rent out the lobby and mezzanine for such — then you can see if you can find them. Downstairs once was the Gaslight Club, a downtown nightclub in the 1960s and early 1970s, but now it's a private gym for the tenants who own the condominiums in the top half of the Lafayette. We Sandwichers were allowed to visit a model condo, which was quite nice.

The Lafayette truly is a great asset to downtown, and some other developers hope to magnify its positive effect. The Democrat Gazette reported this week that a redevelopment group has granted a wish expressed here in another blog; they're giving Main Street a boost by taking on several large buildings there. The Bright Knights will turn the Boyle Building, the M.M. Cohn and a few more addresses from vacant ghosts into venues for a variety retail, residential and office uses. Maybe some equally fun "Sandwiching" tours are in the offing in the future.

Little Rock has an interesting architectural history. Become familiar with its face with a drive through Quapaw Quarter, take a walk and look around downtown, and of course, take advantage of the free Sandwiching in History program for some introductions.

Rating: Sandwiching in History: A.

For more information and a schedule, go to: Sandwiching in History

Franke's: A 'Cafeterial' Institution Survives and Thrives in Little Rock

My lifetime has seen the decline and fall of the cafeteria. It has become a very endangered species. However, Little Rock can boast of having a hardy survivor — Franke's at 400 Broadway in the basement of the Regions Center Building.

I could bother to write an exhaustively detailed review here or sing its praises, but I won't. That's because it has been thoroughly reviewed in other places and frequently makes the best lists. Townies know it and know it's there. I'm really mentioning it here because it is the sort of place many newcomers might easily overlook.

Roast beef, mac and cheese, greens and a roll. Note: This
is technically the "Lite Plate" portion, believe it or not.

My wife, the Jenny, has many fond memories of eating at Franke's with her grandmother. I can't share those, but I can say that I always feel good about eating there. If you want a hot plate lunch with some tasty veggies and a roll, then it's the downtown place to go. 

Because my eating habits are not always the healthiest, I almost always feel good about eating there because I can get some tasty servings of vegetables — a food group I often lack in my daily diet. One of my personal favorites is the greens. In true Southern style, they cook them with a hunk of pork, but it's not just pork fat like in most places. It's actual pork meat, and it seems to make all the difference. Good stuff. If you don't want to stuff yourself and you want to save a dollar or two, then just ask your server for the "Lite Plate." They'll give you a smaller portion of the entree. The last time I asked for a Lite Plate of roast beef though, they gave me too big slabs of it. Hey, I'm not complaining.

Ham, pinto beans and carrots

I don't know for a fact that they know me on sight, but I'm beginning to feel like they do. Rumor has it that once you start working at Franke's you don't leave. The eatery has many veteran employees, and they know the food and clientele. At lunch, it's mostly downtown workers, many of whom give the appearance of being bankers.

When you patronize Franke's, you'll be helping to maintain a Southern tradition that sadly has taken it on the chin from the rise of fast food. The cafeteria used to define casual dining and it was an efficient way to serve lunch briskly. Obviously though, it does not allow for a drive-through and other such late 20th century innovations. Cafeterias were not exclusive to the South, but they were more fully embraced there. Clearly they continue to thrive at some universities and hospitals, but Franke's is a wonderful, still thriving example of the standalone commercial cafeteria. Franke's website details its own history more fully. I do need to mention though it has been around and in downtown for 88 years. For atmosphere, friendliness and down-home cooking, it can't be beat. Long Live Franke's!

Rating: Franke's — A+

Franke's, 400 Broadway Ave. Regions Center Building, 372-1919; also at 11121 N. Rodney Parham Ave., 225-4487.

Encouraging Signs and Portents on Little Rock's Main Street

Blass Building at 317 Main Street

Waiting for redevelopment to occur in an abandoned downtown sometimes feels like watching and waiting for a glacier to move at least one foot. Maybe it's global warming or just the summer heat that finally has melted Little Rock's block of ice. There's definitely a thaw in the works.

Before we move on, some of you doubtless are thinking, "Hey, the River Market has been going strong for years, and the Clinton library, too. What the h-e-double-hockey sticks is Ben Blogger talkin' about?" You're right. That area has done a lot for Little Rock, giving folks some interesting places to dine, shop and be entertained. However, much has been lacking just a few blocks south and west on Main Street and other nearby rues.

With a few exceptions between Markham and Ninth streets, vacancies abound. The closer one gets to Markham, Main Street gets deader. Whole blocks with one or two active stores. I'm happy to say two big projects might be the catalysts that reverse all that in the right direction.

Exchange Building at Main Street and Capitol Avenue

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported Saturday that the developers — the Doyle Rogers Co. and Moses and Tucker firms — behind a plan to restore and renovate the Blass Building at 317 Main St. have secured financing. According to a March news release from the partners, when complete the $20 million project will provide space for "first class office, ground floor retail and loft-style multifamily residential." Stephens is restoring the old Exchange Building in the 500 block of Main, and crews are well into that $6.1 million endeavor.

Main Street has long since hit the wrong side of the tipping point. At a certain level of vacancy in a single block of store fronts, it becomes very tough for whomever is left behind to survive. People overlook it or just are interested in passing through. If there's more to draw their eye, then they often do stop. Plus, a bunch of empty buildings, especially big commercial ones, just feel weird and unsafe.

Top of the Main Street facade of the Fulk Building

Putting some people living on Main Street along with some new retail at 317 Main will help to change that dynamic. New commercial at the Exchange Building will help push things along, too. With some luck, it eventually will have a spillover effect that will benefit other buildings in need of TLC like the Fulk building at the other end of the same block as the Blass.

The Fulk is one of my favorites. It has Richardsonian Romanesque windows and beautiful late Victorian brickwork. (One document I found stated it was rebuilt in the early 20th century, but I have my doubts. It looks 1880ish to me.) If Little Rock lets itself lose architectural assets like the Fulk, then it's doing something seriously wrong. As architects and developers say sometimes about old buildings, it's got "good bones." Main Street Little Rock has good bones.

Last week, I wrote a little about a farmers market on Main Street south of Interstate 630. That area recently has seen some rejuvenation, but it hasn't been able to jump the pedestrian and traffic river that his I-630. The stretch to the north also is at another, more expensive scale-level that makes it more formidable to redevelopment. Wouldn't it be wonderful though if one half of Main could offer boutique shops and some funky alternatives while the other presents cocktail lounges, some upscale retail and loft apartments all with another stone's throw of the River Market. The River Market strikes me as the place where tourists and townies meet. Main Street could continue that vibe with a slightly more townie focus — a place for business people and locals to entertain and congregate after hours. Such an eventuality would might get us closer to a more 24/7 downtown cycle of activity instead of having so much hollow out after 5 p.m.

Kudos to the state of Arkansas for moving some agencies to the Blass and the Exchange when they are done. I also understand that the offices they are vacating in another part of downtown will be converted into living spaces. A good distribution of residential uses and space is only a good thing for the whole district in the long term

Anyway, the Exchange and Blass projects might be enough to awaken old Main. We shall see and we shall hope. Things are about to get interesting. Oh, I'm not doing my usual rating thing here, but an A+ to everyone involved anyway. You rock.

A.M. Sunday on Little Rock's Main Street

Bernice Garden Farmers Market, 1401 S. Main St.

Little Rock has a great farmers market on Saturday and Tuesday mornings at this time of year in the  River Market, and Sunday mornings has another much smaller one several blocks away on Main Street just south of Interstate 630. That's where the Jenny and I went early this morning.

In case you forget:
this is Arkansas.

When I say the Bernice Garden Farmers Market, 1401 S. Main St., there is small, that doesn't mean inferior. That, I think, is actually the Main Street venue's major selling point. You won't be overwhelmed and exhausted. In just a minute or two,  a shopper can get a good idea of everything on offer at the six to 12 booths and vendors in the small, private park. A wood canopy provides some shade and a suspended fans move the air around when nature isn't. The Jenny and I found some excellent peaches, tomatoes, fresh basil, purple-hull peas and more. Don't get me wrong. We like the River Market's offerings, too. We've been there, and we'll be back, but if you're looking for something a little more laid back on a Sunday morning to do some shopping for fresh produce, then check Bernice Garden out.

Just down the street a bit, we stepped into the Green Corner Store, a home-grown retail establishment featuring all manner of Arkansas-made products, gifts and treats. Near the front entrance is an old, marble soda fountain. 

Little Rock Restaurant Review: Mr. Chen's Authentic Chinese Cuisine

Don't dig to china for great Chinese food. It's right here in Little Rock. One of the first and best discoveries my wife and I made upon moving here this spring was Mr. Chen's Authentic Chinese Cuisine at University and Asher avenues.

I won't claim to have eaten in all the other Chinese restaurants in town. I haven't needed to.  After all, I've already found at Mr. Chen's what I want — fresh, nutritious and tasty Chinese cuisine in an interesting setting. It's seriously good.

Coming from Fort Smith, I was somewhat hip to Asian cuisine. When The Jenny and I were dating and trading weekends in each other's towns, she took me to a local Vietnamese place she raved about. It was OK. To her, Asian cuisine still was uncommon enough in the Rock that it was special. To me, Vietnamese food still was great food, but nothing at this particular venue impressed me. One of the Fort's little talked about assets is the number and diversity of its Asian restaurants. Honestly, that's a whole other blog. Suffice it to say, Fort Smith has several noodle shops, quite a few Vietnamese restaurants and a noticeable contingent Thai eateries. Heck, you can even get French-Vietnamese provincial dishes at one spot: The eccentric and delightful Pho Vietnam.

Small Steam Bun appetizer

Mr. Chen's gives Little Rock an entry that I'm sure can hold its own with its Fort Smith peers. Because I like to test a new place with a simple, staple dish, I ordered the Cashew Chicken on my first visit. (For example, if I'm in an Italian restaurant, then I might order spaghetti and meatballs. A venue that can't get the basics right probably isn't going to do the fancy stuff all that well either). Well, folks, the Cashew Chicken was so good it was nuts. It may have been the best yet. It certainly equals it.

One thing you won't find at Mr. Chen's is a buffet. Nope, there's no long line of overcooked pot stickers and drying out noodles. They give you a menu, you order and boom. OK, it's more of a long sizzle then boom Management warns you at the top that service may be a little slower than you're used to because they cook to order. However, when your food comes, it's damn tasty. I especially loved the diced zucchini cooked with my Cashew Chicken. As for appetizers, they range in quality from the slightly above ordinary egg rolls to surprisingly excellent Small Steam Bun--juicy and meaty with a hint of ginger. A lunch menu is available with prices from $6.50 to $7.50. They offer 22 Ice Flavored Milk Teas (ice flavored?) and 10 Hot Flavored Teas. One of our dinner mates on one visit is a fan of these and gave his drink his own a seal of approval.

Taiwanese Pan Fried Noodles

Pork with Bamboo & Bean Curd

In addition to the aforementioned Cashew Chicken, we along with our tablemates on multiple visits have ordered or sampled Orange Chicken (delicious, with orange peel and peppers in the sauce), Mr. Chen's Kung Pao Shrimp, Salted Crispy Chicken (tasty, but it's a street food that feels like it should come in a paper bag and be eaten with fingers), General Tso's Chicken and Taiwanese Pan Fried Noodles, Beef and Broccoli, Taiwanese Braised Pork, and other dishes. Most were excellent to superior.

Sizzling Tofu

Don't assume you'll get a ton of veggies. Mr. Chen's does not skimp on the meat, but veggies with some dishes are in short supply. One of our friends said next time she's going to order some veggie fried rice with her General Tso's to finish it out. The menu also contains a plentiful number of vegetarian options (try the Steamed Sweet Pea Leaves or Sizzling Tofu) and many more exotic (read: non-Americanized) Chinese dishes we have not yet been adventurous enough to try.

Crab Rangoon

The service is good — attentive but not hovering. Now, some constructive criticism. Some of the table condiments, particularly the packets of take-out mustard on the table, could do with an upgrade though. The temperature could be a little cooler, but it was not unpleasant. To be fair, it has been a very hot summer. An outside entrance also might help. We almost forgot to tell you that to get into Mr. Chen's you have to go through the Oriental Supermarket. This gives you the expectation of eating at a deli with a few tables. When you get your first glimpse, you're relieved to find a quite nice restaurant. Oh, I think the lighting could be taken down just a notch to distinguish it from the market. Finally, instead of Fox or CNN on the flat-screen television that is now required in every restaurant, Mr. Chen's has Chinese television; pretty cool.

Every time we've been in there has been an Asian family or group of Asian diners chowing down. That's good circumstantial evidence that the restaurant's claim that it serves "Authentic Chinese Cooking" may be more than braggadocio. It's probably no coincidence that the quality pledge on the front window is in English and in Chinese. One final word about the food itself. Most of the ingredients appear to be fresh. As you know, that can make all the difference.

One of the semi-private booths at Mr. Chen's

We really dig the interior, too. Although we've yet to test them out, I'm particularly taken with the tables inside private booths that seem especially suited for large parties. 

All in all, Mr. Chen's is a gem. We've been there a bunch and we'll keep going back.

Rating: Mr. Chen's — A.


Mr. Chen's: 3901 University Ave, 562-7900.

Dont Be Afraid. Don't Be Very Afraid; Crime in Little Rock (or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Rock)

"Be afraid. Be very afraid." That's what one character warned another in the 1986 classic horror remake of "The Fly" with Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis. I'm here to say the opposite about Little Rock.


Little Rock often ranks up high in crime, especially after adjusted by population size. You may have seen a recent report of such and freaked out just a little bit. (Can you freak out a little bit?) Using the FBI's Uniform Crime Report, Wall St. 24/7 recently awarded Little Rock the number six slot in its list of the Most Dangerous Cities in America. They looked at violent crimes like murder and aggravated assault.


When describing a one of my favorite bars in my hometown to folks, I would often call it "the safest dangerous bar in Fort Smith." It also had a 5 a.m. license, and after about 1 a.m. or 2 a.m., it got really interesting. One time, I saw a one-limbed man get in a fistfight. Another night, I counted among its patrons two transvestites, a couple of full-blood Cherokee, an off-duty pizza delivery guy still in uniform, some military dudes and three guys working on a classified project at Fort Chaffee for the Department of Energy. (They do some security training out there). I digress. My point is if you weren't laid back about life in general, then the crowd might have made you a little anxious. The fact is many years ago when I was a night page proofer for the paper, I didn't get off work until midnight. Many a Wednesday or Thursday night found me there with some friends kicking back. I never had anything bad happen to me at this Mos Eisley Spaceport Tavern (not its real name, of course). Could it have happened? Sure, it could. Was I always just a little on my guard? Damn straight. Did that wariness keep me from having a good time? Hell, no.

Little Rock and Arkansas: They're Great But Don't Tell Anyone

Whether you're from around here or not, it's likely a couple of things have happened to you in Arkansas and probably in Little Rock. First, you've encountered the Inferiority Complex, aka the IC. Second, city and state have exceeded expectations


Hey, the IC may be inside you if you're a native or longtime resident or it may be in your neighbor. Let's deal with that first. Arkansas was carved out of land that neither Louisiana and Missouri wanted. It was just too far from St. Louis and too far from New Orleans. Almost certainly they looked at all those swamps in eastern Arkansas near the Mississippi and said, "Thanks, but no thanks." This state was defined from the beginning by its geographic isolation. — 1,500 miles from either ocean coast and good riverboat ride from the Gulf of Mexico. Despite all this, Arkansas boomed in the 1840s and 1850s with new plantations until hit by the freight train of the Civil War. It struggled with rural poverty, racism and a extremely unenlightened political elite. Successes occurred along the way, but Arkansas quickly became burdened with the negative and persistent mythologies of the hillbilly and the bigot.


As a capital city, Little Rock has fought that imagery and fed into it. The Little Rock Central High School Crisis helped give new life to the stereotype, despite such relatively progressive political voices as those coming from Sen. William J. Fulbright, Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller, Sens. David Pryor and Dale Bumpers, and finally, the Big Dog — President Bill Clinton. Still, even today, there is a part of nearly every Arkansawyer that believes every negative thing that has been said about us, every joke about inbreeding, every jibe about our rural culture.

Five Burgers of Little Rock But Not Five Guys

If you're new to Little Rock, then it's easy to fall back on the National Fast-Food Chain hamburger. It's the same everywhere, and you can depend on it. If you're ready to explore some other options though, then New to Little Rock has five burger venues to offer you: The Hop Diner, David's Burgers, Dugan's Pub, Big Orange and Capital Bar & Grill. All are Little Rock places, and we've grouped them into two categories: Traditional and Gourmet. All of them are good, but we'll still rank them accordingly.

The Traditional: The Burger in a Diner or Burger Joint Setting

David's Burgers. This is the Double I ordered before I knew better.
Keep your babies close. 

The Hop and David's fall into this group. The Hop is on the edge of the River Market area near Main Street. It cultivates a Fifty-ish vibe with the occasional image of Elvis on the wall and a genuinely relaxed, family-run atmosphere. It seems to track a mix of downtown working folks, tourists and folks visiting the city center from the 'burbs. I've enjoyed more than one good, well-cooked patty. The last time I was there, I especially enjoyed the fries, although I'm not sure why. I'm all but certain these are frozen fries cooked in hot oil, but they were done just right. I could argue with my mouth, but I won't try. On the menu, you'll find a bacon burger, a mushroom and swiss as well as other fairly conventional offerings. Nothing is bad and most is much better than OK.

Beers on the Rock: Rating 3 Little Rock & North Little Rock Liquor Stores

Have a drink, Really, any newcomer deserves it after unpacking, starting work at a new workplace and coping with a new street grid. We'll get to bars later. For now, you just want to buy a six pack, a bottle of wine or some Knob Creek, sip and put your feet up on that cardboard box. What follows are three places to find the libation you seek. 

Colonial Wines & Spirits has a great selection of beers. It really does. In fact, it may have the best selection of the those foamy, sudsy beverage wonders. The rest of the stock of wines and liquors looks to be good to excellent, too. They do tend to win the awards. What Colonial needs to work on is their customer service. Seriously. I, my wife, and several friends we know have all had unpleasant experiences there recently. 


First, I'll briefly give you mine, so you can assess it. Hey, maybe it's just me. A friend of mine and I stopped by Colonial one weekend night to pick up some brew. I don't even remember what we bought. It may have been something as prosaic as Sam Adams, or it may have been a fancy Belgian white ale. In any case, I mentioned that I was into Belgian ales just to see if one of the clerks knew of something I might have missed or wasn't out front yet. Almost instantly I got some 'tude. "No, man, I mostly drink IPAs." His tone clearly let me know he was in that camp that views Belgian beers as wussy beers, compared to real beers like IPAs. Nevermind that the Belgians have been brewing for at least as long as the Germans or Czechs; that is most of the last millenium. He was totally nonplussed when I retorted that hops were added to beer as a preservative (IPA stands for India Pale Ale and the extra hops were needed to preserve the ale on the long voyage), so in a way, enjoying highly hopped beers is like enjoying Chinese restaurant food because of its MSG. It's perfectly fine if you like IPAs, but that hops elitism that seems to be rampant these days gets to me. Especially when I'm a paying customer who prefers the Belgians. 


Last week my wife had a clerk ask her in a very disinterested voice as she was checking out if she'd found everything okay. You know the voice. Jenny said, no, actually she'd been looking unsuccessfully for some more beers from the Unibrew (my spelling) brewery in Chambly, Quebec, then asked if they had more in stock that she'd missed. Unibrue makes some fantastic beers (my favorite of theirs is Fin du Monde). The clerk just gave her a surly stare and said, "That'll be $13.97." She never even answered her question. From what we've heard from others, this kind of service is fairly typical there. So, Colonial, they're good at buying beer but awful at selling it. If you know what you want, then my advice is to go in, make your choice, buy it quickly and just engage the staff as little as possible. If only they had self check out.