The third Downtown Rogers Restaurant Week includes chefs swapping kitchens and bartenders inventing drinks.
Ozarks At Large
The world’s largest retailer is testing a new convenient store format near the home office. And as Jacqueline Froelich reports, the company aims to corner a burgeoning quick check market, offering fresher faster, but at supply chain prices. 
We speak with a visitor communications specialist with the caverns to find out what precautions are being undertaken to insure the safety of the caves bats, other caves, and visitors. A new fellowship program in Arkansas aims to stem the flow of highly skilled college graduates from the state to other areas. And, two of the longer-operating hospital systems in the state announce a merger.
The latest revenue collections by the state came in again above what was originally forecast, while one gubernatorial candidate issues his plan to put mroe funding into Pre-K programs.
Ahead on this edition of Ozarks, those amphibious harbingers of spring--frogs and toads--are being counted all over Arkansas. We'll find out how the frog watch works, and if the number of frogs in the state is diminishing. And, the AMP is being prepared for its first show. The seats aren't in yet, but work is going on almost around-the-clock to meet a June 1 completion date.
This month, visitors to a bustling Bentonville square can step inside the Visitor's Bureau to take in the serene landscapes of pastel artist Judy Howard.
We meet Tom Krohn, Arkansas Regional Coordinator for FrogWatch USA. Krohn hosts free workshops across the state, training citizen scientists to become certified frog listeners. He will be in Northwest Arkansasa April 8 & 15th at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History in Springdale. To learn more visit Arkansasfrogsandtoads.org.There have been spies and spying in American history since before the formation of the country. Our history doctor, Bill Smith, reminds us of a few historic episodes.
In January, the Old Fort Homeless Coalition held its annual Point-in-Time Count of sheltered and unsheltered homeless people in the community. Overall, the number of homeless in Fort Smith decreased from last year, though the need for a homeless campus is still apparent.
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Friday, May 30, 2014
Ahead on Ozarks, Michael Tilley talks about a potential multi-billion dollar acquisition by Tyson Foods and a less-than-expected participation rate for upcoming elections in the City of Fort Smith. And, a preview of two very different ways to spend tomorrow night: the rumble of monster trucks will be in Springdale, and music from the Artosphere Festival Orchestra will be in Fayetteville.
Last week Tyson Foods and Dillard’s released their latest earning figures, while a new project designed to help small business in Arkansas online was launched. Roby Brock from talkbusiness.net has his weekly review.
Becca Martin Brown, features editor for Northwest Arkansas Newspapers, gives us advanced notice of the annual Elvis Week in Memphis and a show tonight closer to home featuring the Ten Foot Polecats.
"Birds" by Kate Nash
The third annual Fayetteville Roots Festival adds another day to the schedule this year and brings John Prine to the Walton Arts Center stage. Bryan Hembree and Jerrmy Gawthrop, two co-founders of the festival list some of this year’s events and musicians.
Inside the interview we heard “Please Don’t Bury Me” by John Prine and “Stepping Stones” performed by MilkDrive.
For more information, visit the Fayetteville Roots Festival website at fayettevilleroots.com
Web extra: Workshops, Bicycle Rides and Other Rootsy Activities
John Jeter, the music director for the Fort Smith Symphony, explains the upcoming season includes Holst, Beethoven, Mozart and a first-ever concert across the border in Poteau.
The Fort Smith Symphony Concert season includes:
Sounds of the Universe, September 29th
A Swingsational Classical Makeover, October 20th
A Simply Sinatra Christmas, December 1st
Evening Serenade, January 26th
The Musical Magic of John Williams, April 20th
Sonic Boom!, May 4th.
All concerts are at the Arkansas Best Corporation Performing Arts Center and begin at 7:30.
Visit the symphony’s website here.
Colonel William Pogue is one of very few Americans who have flown, lived and walked in space. OAL’s Christina Thomas spoke with him at his home in Bella Vista.
For more information, visit Colonel Pogue's website here.
