In 1980, more than 125,000 Cubans fleeing Fidel Castro's communist regime were boatlifted to America and processed at military compounds including Fort Chaffee in Arkansas. Among the population were gay Cubans and prisoners that Castro had purged from his prisons. The Cubans were widely portrayed by the press as criminal—a stigma that's persisted. But as Jacqueline Froelich reports, historians are working to clarify the record. Photo: "Task Force Commander, Colonel Don E. Karr with Cuban refugee family"--Courtesy Fort Chaffee Museum
Ozarks At Large
In 1980, more than 125,000 Cubans fleeing Fidel Castro's communist regime were boatlifted to America and processed at military compounds including Fort Chaffee in Arkansas. Among the population were gay Cubans and prisoners that Castro had purged from his prisons. The Cubans were widely portrayed by the press as criminal—a stigma that's persisted. But as Jacqueline Froelich reports, historians are working to clarify the record. Photo: "Task Force Commander, Colonel Don E. Karr with Cuban refugee family"--Courtesy Fort Chaffee Museum
The biennial fiscal session of the Arkansas Legislature began yesterday, leading with talks about the Private Option and preventing a special election for Lt. Governor. USA Truck's most recent earnings report still shows continued, but shrinking losses. And the special election regarding a rural ambulance service district in Benton County is today.
Roby Brock, from Talk Business Arkansas, looks back at a week that included new inductions to the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame and conversations about political tax plans.
The city of Springdale says it is prepared for more winter weather with restocked supplies of sand and salt, and long-range planning for dealing with roads slickened by winter storms. Governor Mike Beebe says that the repeated winter weather is hitting Arkansas farmers especially hard. And Allens Canning Co. has a new owner.
Several musicians and singers will gather for a free Pete Seeger concert and sing-a-long. Here we hear another song from a collection of some of those musicians.
Becca tells us about a new exhibit at the Ft. Smith RAM that explores the wide-ranging history of valentines, and anti-valentines.
Here is our list saluting the letters ES. On some we ESchew the usual rules of capitalization to highlight our special letters.
1) Ed Sullivan introduces a famous band 50 years ago today.
2) Edward Scissorhands (Johnny Depp) says goodbye.
3) Ed Sheeran sings Kiss Me.
4) Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by a ghost. This ES is played by Albert Finney.
5) The theme to ESpn's Sports Center.
6) Emma Stone sees Ryan Gosling in Crazy, Stupid Love.
7) Esperanza Spalding performs Precious.
8) Kreskin, famed "mentalist" during the height of the ESp craze on TV. (OK, we're stretching it...)
9) Elizabeth Shue meets the Karate Kid for a date.
10) Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros (soon to be seen at Wakarusa) sing Home.
Apologies to Elliot Smith, Emmitt Smith and Eureka Springs (we thought of playing a clip from Pass the Ammo...too obscure?)Maybe next time.
1) Ed Sullivan introduces a famous band 50 years ago today.
2) Edward Scissorhands (Johnny Depp) says goodbye.
3) Ed Sheeran sings Kiss Me.
4) Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by a ghost. This ES is played by Albert Finney.
5) The theme to ESpn's Sports Center.
6) Emma Stone sees Ryan Gosling in Crazy, Stupid Love.
7) Esperanza Spalding performs Precious.
8) Kreskin, famed "mentalist" during the height of the ESp craze on TV. (OK, we're stretching it...)
9) Elizabeth Shue meets the Karate Kid for a date.
10) Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros (soon to be seen at Wakarusa) sing Home.
Apologies to Elliot Smith, Emmitt Smith and Eureka Springs (we thought of playing a clip from Pass the Ammo...too obscure?)Maybe next time.
The sweet treats of Martin Greer's Candies near Gateway are the product of a father-son candy-making tradition that's been going on for nine decades.
Echo Sibley's one-woman show, "Flipping Channels in the Estrogen Zone," will be performed Sunday and Monday nights at the Stolen Glass, and Friday night at Caribe Restaurant in Eureka Springs.Despite several schools, businesses and municipalities being closed for winter weather, it was still a busy week in Arkansas politics.
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Ahead on this edition of Ozarks: we visit the traditions surrounding Ozark foods, and we learn the secret to a perfect pot of beans. Plus, we continue our series of conversations of this year's Arkansas gubernatorial candidates with Republican hopeful Asa Hutchinson.
Two Carroll County men are the first to convicted under a newly expanded federal hate crimes law known as the Matthew Shepard and James Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Jacqueline Froelich reports.
Photo: US Attorney Connor Eldridge
“Kind of Blue” by Miles Davis
Michael Tilley of www.thecitywire.com explains that opponents of a one-percent prepared food tax in Fort Smith want the tax put on hold pending a lawsuit challenging the tax.
Brooks Blevins has researched many of the early white settlers in the Ozarks and this week discussed some of the early pioneers of the region during an appearance at Shiloh Museum of Ozark History in Springdale.
“Ponce de Leon” by Big Smith
Jodi Beznoska, vice-president of communications for Walton Arts Center, discusses the conclusion of the Nature of Strings Chamber Music Series and more.
The old KUAF building was torn down earlier this week. To see video of the demolition, click here.
