Tag Archives: Little Rock

Sculpture Vulture: Toy Blocks

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toyblocks1While imposing pieces of public art are certainly impressive, it can also be delightful to find a smaller piece tucked away along a sidewalk.  Such is the case of one of Little Rock’s newest sculptures.

Olivia Myers Farrell, chair and CEO of Arkansas Business Publishing Group, is a long time supporter of the arts.  She had the vision of including public art as ABPG is remodeling their offices.  Therefore, nestled on Scott Street in downtown Little Rock  next to the ABPG headquarters is Kevin Robb’s Toy Blocks.

The piece enhances not only the new entrance to the ABPG offices, but it also is a whimsical touch along the street.  The brushed stainless steel gleams against the red brown brick building behind it and the paved sidewalk and street in front of it.

toyblocks2Over the past three decades, Robb has made his mark on the national and international art scene. With a unique style and consummate welding quality that have defined and differentiate his work, his sculptures are not created according to a set plan.

In 2004, Robb suffered a massive stroke. Although he has been challenged physically in the creation of his sculptures, he is in the studio creating the sculptures that he loves so much. His ideas remain free flowing and his commitment to quality is as high as ever – with a resolve that offers a physical testament to the dedication, expertise, and amazing recovery of this remarkable artist.

He has participated in several of the Sculpture at the River Market shows.  He has won the Best in Show award at that annual show and sale.

LR Look Back: Mayor John Widgery

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LR sealOn June 17, 1802, future Little Rock Mayor John Widgery was born in Portland ME to Mr. and Mrs. William Widgery.  His father died in 1804.  At the age of 11, John Widgery entered Bowdoin College.  He was the youngest student admitted to the college.

Widgery studied law with his uncle, Nathan Kinsman.  He married Ann L. Woodward, who was from Boston MA.  According to Bowdoin College records, he later “wandered away into the Southwest” spending time “in the Cherokee country.”

Widgery spent most of his adult life in the south. For a time Widgery was clerk of the Mississippi House of Representatives.  He then moved to Little Rock prior to 1840.  By 1840, he was Recorder for the City of Little Rock.

According to media reports at the time, several tradesman groups encouraged Widgery to run for Mayor in January 1841.  He did run but lost to Rev. Samuel H. Webb.  The next year, Widgery ran again and this time was elected Mayor.  He took office in January 1842.  On May 24, 1842 he resigned from office.  He later served as Secretary of the Arkansas Senate (where he made $8 a day when the Senate was in session).

Widgery eventually settled in St. Louis.  He later returned up north.  He died on August 2, 1873 in Portland ME and is buried there.  He and his wife did not have any children.

Brooks Robinson at Lamar Porter Field Tonight

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brooksrobinsonLittle Rock native Brooks Robinson, who was inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983, returns to his hometown on Saturday, June 15, to lead the birthday festivities for the field where he first honed his playing skills.

Lamar Porter Field, at the corner of 7th and Johnson Streets in the Stifft Station neighborhood, will mark its 77th year, making it the oldest actively-used baseball stadium in the state of Arkansas. The complex also includes the Billy Mitchell Boys and Girls Club.

Robinson, who played his entire 23-year major league career with the Baltimore Orioles, will help kick off a multi-million dollar effort to restore the facilities and grounds to better serve the city’s youth.

The program will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Lamar Porter Field (3200 West 7th Street). Tickets are $10 each and are available at Sportstop (10720 Rodney Parham Road). Each ticket includes admission to the event, a hot dog, soft drink and popcorn. Robinson will be available to sign autographs as well. All proceeds will benefit the campaign to restore the Lamar Porter Field and complex

May 28 Architeaser: AP&L Building

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The Arkansas Arts Center just opened an exhibit on Bauhaus architecture. Though Little Rock doesn’t have any strictly Bauhaus style buildings, there are a few buildings designed in the International Style which was related to Bauhaus.

The Arkansas Power & Light Building on Louisiana and 9th Streets was announced in 1953 and completed in 1959. The design was by Fred Arnold of the Wittenberg Delony & Davidson firm. The reason for the delay was due to uncertainty regarding a rate case and labor contracts.

The four story building features a combination of glass, marble and brick. The second and third stories float over an open space as they extend eastward. In 2010, the marble panels on the second and third stories were replaced because of buckling. They were replaced with marble from the same quarry as the original marble.

The orb atop the building once bore the likeness of Reddy Kilowatt, a mascot used by AP&L as well as many other electric utilities in the post-World War II era. When AP&L changed its name to Entergy Arkansas (as part of the system-wide rebranding of various companies into Entergy), the orb was replaced with one which features a three-dimensional version of the Entergy logo.

Sunday Food Trucks at LR Film Festival

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IMG_5408Along with an amazing line-up of films, music and parties at the 7th Annual Little Rock Film Festival this year, the LRFF in association with FOOD XING has a mouth watering line-up of Little Rock’s finest mobile eateries (a.k.a. FOOD TRUCKS!) open and available from during the festival weekend Friday  through Sunday -10:30 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Take your pick from a variety of options as you stroll down downtown Little Rock this year, while waiting on your next screening/event or are simply just hungry and want a taste of Little Rock’s finest. Eat you heart away!

Sunday, May 19 at 6th and Main at the BEST Day Parking lot (across from The Rep). Open from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.

1. Blackhound BBQ– pit smoked meats and sides, turkey legs, lemonade, sausage sandwiches

2. Bryant’s BBQ– fresh cut fries, smoked pork and beef, jerk chicken and Cajun beans and rice, hand squeezed lemonade

3. Trott’s Place– burgers, gizzards, wings and fries

4. Roxie’s Hot Dogs– hot dogs, nacho’s and Frito pies

Some of the vendors will stay from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m.

Saturday Food Trucks at LR Film Festival

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lrff_mp_hdr_logoAlong with an amazing line-up of films, music and parties at the 7th Annual Little Rock Film Festival this year, the LRFF in association with FOOD XING has a mouth watering line-up of Little Rock’s finest mobile eateries (a.k.a. FOOD TRUCKS!) open and available from during the festival weekend Friday  through Sunday -10:30 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Take your pick from a variety of options as you stroll down downtown Little Rock this year, while waiting on your next screening/event or are simply just hungry and want a taste of Little Rock’s finest. Eat you heart away!

Saturday, May 18 at 6th and Main at the BEST Day Parking lot (across from The Rep). Open from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.

1. The Food Commander– catfish straws, boneless chicken wings, slaw burgers and dogs, crawfish etouffee, fried noodles, homemade fried pies

2. The Southern Gourmasian– shrimp and grits, steamed buns

3. Haygood’s BBQ– pulled pork and chopped beef sandwiches, BBQ ribs, baked beans, potato salad, turkey legs

4. KBird– garden rolls with peanut sauce, papaya salad, pad Thai (chicken/tofu), fried rice (pork/chicken/tofu), vegetable red curry with fried egg, red curry beef, green curry salmon, fresh mango & coconut sticky rice

5. Red River Catering– BBQ Nachos, catfish basket, BBQ sandwich, fried pies

6. Mexicana Alicia’s– tacos, tostadas, fajitas, burritos and quesadillas

7. Kona Ice– savor your OWN flavor! Make your own shave ice flavor.

8. LePops– gourmet popsicles

Some of the vendors will stay from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m

LR Look Back: Mayor J. V. Satterfield Jr.

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SatterfieldOn May 14, 1902, future Little Rock Mayor John Vines Satterfield, Jr. was born in Marion.   He grew up in Little Rock and Earle. J.V. was a star quarterback for the Earle football team and is ostensibly featured in a painting of that team by respected painter Carroll Cloar.

Following high school, J.V. taught and coached and sold Fords.  He then moved to Little Rock and sold insurance and later securities.  In 1931 he opened his own business; that same year he built a house at 40 Beverly Place in Little Rock, which would serve as his home until his death.

J. V. Satterfield was elected to serve as Mayor of Little Rock in 1939 and served one term, until 1941.  He was credited with saving the City from bankruptcy because of his fiscal policies. Among his efficiencies were the creation of a central purchasing office and using grass moved from the airport to feed the Zoo animals.

Satterfield was a staunch supporter of the airport and worked to expand it.  He would serve as the chair of the first Municipal Airport Commission.  He also established the Little Rock Housing Authority (on which he would later serve on the board) and oversaw the bonds needed to finish constructing Robinson Auditorium.  He was mayor when the building opened.  Mayor Satterfield also served as President of the Arkansas Municipal League in 1941.

Following the outbreak of World War II, Satterfield enlisted in the Army and was given the rank of a Major. He later was promoted to a Colonel and worked in the Pentagon during its early days.

In the late 1940s Satterfield became president of a small Little Rock bank called People’s Bank.  The bank changed its named to First National Bank when it moved into new offices at 3rd and Louisiana in 1953.  By focusing on smaller customers and courting corporate customers, Satterfield grew the bank into one of the state’s largest banks.  He maintained his desk in the lobby of the bank so he could interact with the customers and ensure they were having a positive experience.

Due to some health issues, Satterfield retired from the bank in 1964. He died in March 1966.