Monthly Archives: November 2014

2014 Mississippi GOP Senate Primary focus of Clinton School lecture today

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uacs coch mcdanThe 2014 GOP Primary for the US Senate seat featured longtime incumbent Thad Cochran against upstart State Senator Chris McDaniel. The presence of a third candidate meant that a runoff would be possible in this race, which is what came to pass. This race pitted establishment GOP against dissatisfied Tea Partyers.

The discussion, featuring Austin Barbour who worked on the Cochran campaign, will take place at noon today at the Clinton School.

Few gave McDaniel, a favorite of the Tea Party, much chance of unseating Cochran, but he gradually chipped away at the veteran’s lead until the race became a virtual dead heat.  Trying to avoid repeats of 2010 and 2012 when undisciplined candidates won nominations but lost the general election, the national GOP joined state leaders in coalescing around Cochran.

The primary was also beset by scandals involving supporters of McDaniel and charges of Democratic party interference.  For those on the sidelines it made interesting fodder, but for those in the race it was anything but funny.

Austin Barbour is the nephew of former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour and a key strategist for Senator Thad Cochran’s successful primary defeat of challenger State Senator Chris McDaniel. Most recently, Barbour has been recognized as one of the nation’s top fundraisers through his positions as one of the National Finance Chairmen for Romney for President in 2012 and a member of the National Finance committee for the Republican Governor’s Association. Barbour runs a consultancy based in Jackson, Miss. with his brother, Henry.

*Reserve your seats by emailing publicprograms@clintonschool.uasys.edu or calling (501) 683-5239.

46th Collectors Show at Arkansas Arts Center

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Bill Vuksanovich, American (Belgrade, Yugoslavia, born 1938), Sisters I, 2006, color pencil and Nero pencil on paper, courtesy of the artist and Forum Gallery.

Bill Vuksanovich, American (Belgrade, Yugoslavia, born 1938), Sisters I, 2006, color pencil and Nero pencil on paper, courtesy of the artist and Forum Gallery.

The Collectors Show and Sale is an annual Arkansas Arts Center tradition that brings the vibrant New York gallery scene to Little Rock. Arkansas Arts Center Executive Director Todd Herman and curators carefully select the finest drawings and contemporary craft from prominent New York galleries.

This year is the 46th edition.  All works are for sale and vary in price, from $400 to $100,000.  The works also vary in size, styles and media.  This is the perfect time for seasoned buyers to add to their collections and for new collectors to enter the field!

Presented by Landers Fiat; sponsored by Holleman & Associates, P.A.

Local Live tonight features Handmade Moments

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Handmade-Moments-This week’s installment of the free Local Live concert series features the Fayetteville folk due Handmade Moments! Presented by the Oxford American magazine with help from sponsor Landers FIAT of Benton, Local Live showcases the best of local and regional music talent. Call ahead to make your reservations at South on Main to ensure a table.

Handmade moments is a folk/jazz duo from Fayetteville, Arkansas. Their music is reminiscent of 20’s dance hall hits and viper era jazz standards mixed with current themes… Plus some beatboxing. Although modern and fresh, Joel Ludford and Anna Horton‘s songwriting contains a subtle and humble vibe. Every show leaves fans lusting over Anna’s prolific voice, while Joel’s guitar grooves continue to ring in their bobbing heads. The duo will be heading west this fall and embarking on a European tour next summer. This is a band you want to catch while they’re in town. They wont be playing small venues for very long.

The music starts at 7:30 p.m.

Film CHOCTAW CODE TALKERS shown tonight at MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History

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MacMus Code TalkTonight from 6:30 to 9:30 pm, in celebration of Native American Heritage Month and in commemoration of the beginning of World War I, the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History will host a free film event, showing Choctaw Code Talkers, a PBS documentary that explores the military history legacy of Native American code talkers during World War I.

The free event is in partnership with the Sequoyah National Research Center at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.  Light refreshments will be provided. Click here to watch a trailer for Choctaw Code Talkers. 

The MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History is a program of the City of Little Rock’s Parks & Recreation Department.

Little Rock Look Back: Skip’s Game Day

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SkipTen years ago today was known simply as “Game Day” for a group of people.  The chief one was Skip Rutherford.

Overseeing the planning for the Clinton Presidential Center and the events surrounding it had been the focus of James L. “Skip” Rutherford for many years. A FOB for decades, he had stayed in Little Rock when so many went to Washington DC in 1993.

He oversaw the planning for the Clinton Library and led the Clinton Foundation.  No detail was too small or insignificant for him to consider. For months leading to the opening he led meetings to help restaurants, hotels, and attractions understand the scope of the opening.

Together with Dean Kumpuris and Bruce Moore on behalf of the City of Little Rock, he reviewed plans for the Clinton Presidential Park and the streets and neighborhoods around the Clinton Presidential Center.

He used his connections with the business community in Little Rock and throughout the state to discuss the importance of a Presidential Library regardless of one’s personal political affiliations.  He withstood critics who second-guessed everything from the cost, the design, the location, the purpose, and even the anticipated tourism and economic impacts.

Finally the big day had come.  If the weather was not ideal, that was almost inconsequential. It was still the culmination of more than seven years hard work.

However, the opening of the Clinton Presidential Center was not the end of the task. It merely was the move from one phase to another. A few years later, Skip’s role would change as he would leave the Foundation and become the second Dean of the Clinton School of Public Service.

Little Rock Look Back: The Opening of the William J. Clinton Presidential Center

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wjcopenrainArkansas Globecoming was the name given to the series of events in connection with the opening of the Clinton Presidential Center.  The week had been warm and sunny as Al Franken entertained at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Aretha Franklin performed with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and Senator John Glenn held court at the Museum of Discovery.  By Wednesday, November 17, Little Rock was filled with stars from the political and entertainment fields.  As many dignitaries as were here, there were rumors of even more who were supposedly here.

On Wednesday night, things reached a fever pitch. A reception at the Arkansas Arts Center was literally shoulder to shoulder. A preview tour of the Clinton Presidential Center was only slightly less crowded (because the space was so much bigger). Mary Steenburgen, Ted Danson and the Downtown Little Rock Partnership hosted a late night party at Nu.

As midnight approached, things slowed ever so slightly as people realized they had to be on site for the opening ceremony in a matter of hours.

Overnight a storm system came in. Not only did water fall, but so did the temperatures.

Those that did brave the weather had an unforgettable experience.  From performances by a rain-soaked Bono and The Edge to remarks by Presidents Carter, Bush 41, Bush 43 and Clinton, the event was memorable.  It was a Who’s Who of Washington, New York and Los Angeles.  All in Little Rock.

It took several hours for people to warm up and dry off after the event. But everyone agreed it was a memorable day for numerous reasons.

Free Admission today to Clinton Presidential Center

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lib-clinton-lCelebrate the Clinton Center’s 10th anniversary with a FREE admission day at the Library. Take advantage of the opportunity to see the special exhibit, Chihuly, as well as all the permanent exhibits. Also available are FREE Acoustiguide audio tours narrated by President Clinton!

Monday, November 17, 2014, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 18, 2014, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.