Sneak Peek : Inside Arkansas Symphony Designer House

Only a few more days to see the Arkansas Symphony Designer House.  So many decorating ideas to see, here is a sneak peek at the Lewis Lighting and Home upstairs kids bath and a couple of other room highlights.  Check it out.

Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Guild hosts Symphony Designer House XXII, central Arkansas's premier designer home event that supports music education programs in our schools and throughout the state.

More than 20 leading interior and landscape designers join talents to create a showcase home. Located at 9 Bella Rosa Court off Highway 10 in west Little Rock, the home will be open until Mother's Day, May 12. Hours are 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Tuesday-Saturday, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Sundays. Tickets are $20 single-day, or $35 run-of-show.

My favorite room wasn't really a room at all but the garage that had been transformed into the Designer House Cafe.  

What We're Listening To : Fleetwood Mac - Sad Angel

Fleetwood Mac came to Little Rock, Arkansas last night and we had the pleasure of attending.  We also had the pleasure of having both Bill and Hillary Clinton attend the concert as well.  The concert was superb and the band played both old and new songs.  I thoroughly enjoyed this new song titled "Sad Angel."  Check it out.

American Chronicles The ART Of Norman Rockwell

I am looking forward to seeing the Norman Rockwell exhibit at the Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas. 

"One of the most popular American artists of the past century, Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) was a keen observer of human nature and a gifted storyteller. This traveling exhibition features 50 original paintings and 323 Saturday Evening Post covers that document Rockwell's engagement in American life in all its glory and tragedy over five decades. The exhibition also includes materials from the Museum's archives demonstrating how Rockwell worked: proceeding from preliminary sketches, photographs, color studies, and detailed drawings to the finished painting. Timed, reserved tickets will be required to view this exhibition." via Crystal Bridges 

Admission sponsored for youth ages18 and younger. General Admission $12 per person. March 9 - May 27, 2013  Travel Directions v

Art Exhibit: Scrapbook Inspires Art

For my grandmother's 87th birthday, my mother gave our family copies of my grandmother's scrapbook.  I've enjoyed having this so much that after some thought decided to use the scrapbook as the inspiration for a collection of works titled Quilt.  The mixed media paintings and drawings are on exhibit now through October in Lake Village, Arkansas at the Guachoya Art Center. 

Art Exhibit Information:

Quilt by C. J. Ellis

Through October 2012

Guachoya Art Center

1652 U.S. 65  

Lake Village, AR 71653

(870) 265-6077

Happy Trails: Roy Rogers Exhibit

One of the most beloved Hollywood couples and a true piece of Americana, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans trotted their way into our hearts with their many movies and television specials.  Visit the Gann Museum to see the Roy Rogers Exhibit showcasing many pieces of Western Americana and memorabilia from the Mid-Century Era.

Gann Museum of Saline County

218 South Market Street

Benton, AR 72015
501-778-5513

Toad Suck, Arkansas Named Worst Town Name

After a poll of seven English speaking countries, Toad Suck, Arkansas receives the honor of being the worst town name ever.  Toad Suck was once a drinking location for boaters on the Arkansas River.  The toadsuck.org site explains, "While they waited, they refreshed themselves at the local tavern there, to the dismay of the folks living nearby, who said: 'They suck on the bottle 'til they swell up like toads.' Hence, the name Toad Suck."  Congratulations Toad Suck.

Here's the Top Ten Worst Town Names:

1. Toad Suck, Ark.
2. Climax, Ga.
3. Boring, Ore.
4. Hooker, Okla.
5. Assawoman, Md.
6. Belchertown, Mass.
7. Roachtown, Ill.
8. Loveladies, N.J.
9. Squabbletown, Calif.
10. Monkey's Eyebrow, Ky.  (Get's my vote.)

Gossip Is Doing Fine And Moving In The Right Direction

Beth Ditto, lead singer for the band Gossip and a native of Searcy, Arkansas, is doing fine.  Gossip worked with song writer and producer Brian Higgins on their latest single "Move In The Right Direction."  The more pop sounding song is a different step for the band that normally writes their own independent music.  Ditto has become a fashion and pop icon herself modeling for magazine covers and runway shows.  She also caused a British controversy when admitting in a magazine interview her family ate squirrel.  You go Beth!

Oxford American To Open Cultural Center And Restaurant

Oxford American, the southern magazine of good writing, music, film, literature, fashion, art, and food, which also contributes to NPR, plans to broaden their brand by opening an Oxford American themed restaurant and cultural center.  The restaurant will be located on Main St. in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas.

Publisher, Warick Sabin announces the upcoming cultural center called "South On Main."  The project is being developed with an Art Place grant.  The government grant was created to help specifically develop cultural centers.  The South On Main project was chosen from over 2000 projects from across the country and was one of only forty projects to receive an Art Place grant.  It is an exciting endeavor and we look forward to seeing more from our friends at Oxford American as the center develops.  Sabin explains his vision and the scope of the project in this interview.

The Last Baby Angel By Sam Calvin Brown

I will be adding the novel The Last Baby Angel by our friend and author Sam Calvin Brown to the summer reading list.  Check it out.

“We stood, watching it burn—me crying, Momma laying on the curb, Daddy shaking his head, whispering, ‘They burned the house down. They burned the house down. They burned the house down.’” Mattie Gray is a young girl from central Arkansas who is no stranger to sorrow and pain. Mattie’s father, Nathan, tries to keep her safe from her mother, his friends, and his business, all of which threaten her survival. But when a ghost comes back and demands repayment from Nathan for past sins, Mattie must join her father on a quick descent into hell that changes how she looks at him and her life, forever. The book by Sam Calvin Brown is available for pre-order.

First edition copies with the author’s electronic signature are limited so order now to reserve your copy. The book will ship by August 20th.

Another Marlo Moment: The Time Burt Reynolds . . .

Marlo slides me this photo sealed in a zip lock bag.  Glancing down, immediately I know it's Burt Reynolds!  Giggling I ask who? what? when? where?  She tells me this photo is of her cousin Lynn and Burt Reynolds at the I-30 Speedway during the filming of the movie White Lightning and that movie was filmed in Arkansas back in 1972.  Interesting side note: Marlo's uncle had a role in the film.

Besides Burt, we both had a good laugh at Lynn's t-shirt (notice the Archie Bunker for President logo).  Classic.  Marlo, you're always holding back these little nuggets of information.  I tell ya, it's like pulling teeth . . .

Still laughing.  Classic.

Just Arriving: Razorback Watches Are Here

We've been unpacking new arrivals today - I will be posting pictures of more new arrivals soon.  But, I just wanted to stop and show you these Razorback watches that just came in.  They're mad sparkly. You know you're a true Arkansas Razorback Fan when . . . you want a mad sparkly Razorback watch.  Oh, yeah.  The watches are being featured in the Arkansas Times.  So, visit Lewis Lighting and Home and check them out!

Virtual Reality : Tour The Lewis Lighting and Home Showroom

Walk through the showroom as if you were here in person. Take a virtual tour powered by Google Maps.  Thanks to our friend Skyler, for taking pictures with his Google camera, and creating this interior map.  You can browse the entire showroom in a sweeping 360 degree panoramic picture.  Drag your mouse across the image to look up, down, left, or right.  Click the image to move around and walk through the showroom.  Happy browsing.  And, thanks again to Google and Skyler for this awesome feature!

View Larger Map

Visit Stunningly Beautiful Thorncrown Chapel

Thorncrown Chapel was designed by world renowned architect E. Fay Jones. Fay was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas in 1921. He studied under his mentor Frank Lloyd Wright at the Taliesin Fellowship.

Constructed in 1980, Thorncrown rises forty-eight feet in the Ozark sky, nestled in the woods of Eureka Springs, AR.  The stunningly beautiful chapel has 425 windows and over 6000 sq. ft. of glass.  Resting on 100 tons of native flagstone it was designed to blend into its Ozark Mountain setting.

In order to preserve Thorncrown’s natural setting, Fay decided that no structural element could be larger than what two men could carry through the woods. The building materials are primarily pressure treated pine 2x4s, 2x6s, and 2x12s. The larger elements of the building such as the trusses were assembled on the floor and raised into place.

Light, shadows, and reflections play a major role in Thorncrown’s ambiance. Because of the chapel’s elaborate trusses and the surrounding trees, constantly changing patterns of light and shadow appear during the day. At night reflections of the crosses in the lights appear to surround the entire building. Consequently, Thorncrown never looks quite the same. Its appearance changes during each hour of the day and during the different seasons of the year.

 more info and photos

Oaklawn Opens

Opening Day at Oaklawn is this Friday, January 13th. 
 

Oaklawn Corn Beef sandwiches here I come. 

 

Event Calendar
Friday, Jan. 13:          Opening Day (First post 1 p.m. (CST)).
Saturday, Jan.14:        50-cent Corn Beef Sandwiches
Monday, Jan. 16:        Oaklawn Ball Cap Giveaway
Monday, Feb. 20:        President’s Day Progressive Cash Giveaway
Saturday, March 17:     Boat and Truck Giveaway
Wednesday, April 11 – Saturday, April 14: Racing Festival of the South