Ozarks At Large
Another ballot initiative group is moving forwarrd with petitions after the state's attorney general approved the wording of its measure, which would raise the minimum wage in Arkansas to $8.50. Booneville Community Hospital starts the new year with a new name and new management. Fayetteville is set to be recognized as a compassionate city. Thirteen Arkansas counties are declared disaster areas after the early December ice and snow storm. And with a budget set, the Sebastian County Quorum Court and Fort Smith Board of Directors agree on amenities to be placed in the future Ben Geren Aquatics Park.
On this first Monday of the first month of the year, we have the first installment in a monthly series looking more closely at the number of that month. Edmond Harris, math professor at the University of Arkansas, spoke with Christina Thomas about the importance of the number 1.


Here are out ten clips relating to Buffalo, New York and the War of 1812.
1) Ten Thousand Maniacs (from the Buffalo area) sing Because the Night,
2) Robert Redford and Wilford Brimley in The Natural (filmed in Buffalo).
3) Bruce Springsteen sings about Buffalo's Erie Canal.
4) A trailer, featuring Marilyn Monroe, for the movie Niagara…set in nearby Niagara Falls. 5) Buffalo native Rick James ponders a Super Freak.
6) A BBC documentary about the assassination of President McKinley. The shooting happened in Buffalo. (as did the subsequent swearing-n ceremony of Theodore Roosevelt).
7) The only electronic song we know of about Buffalo native Grover Cleveland.
8) Judy Garland sings Somewhere Over the Rainbow…written by Buffalo native Harold Arlen.
9) Amanda Blake, another Buffalo native, as Miss Kitty on an early episode of Gunsmoke.
10) Johnny Horton sings The Battle of New Orleans, about the final battle of the War of 1812. Arkansas connection: written by Jimmy Driftwood.
1) Ten Thousand Maniacs (from the Buffalo area) sing Because the Night,
2) Robert Redford and Wilford Brimley in The Natural (filmed in Buffalo).
3) Bruce Springsteen sings about Buffalo's Erie Canal.
4) A trailer, featuring Marilyn Monroe, for the movie Niagara…set in nearby Niagara Falls. 5) Buffalo native Rick James ponders a Super Freak.
6) A BBC documentary about the assassination of President McKinley. The shooting happened in Buffalo. (as did the subsequent swearing-n ceremony of Theodore Roosevelt).
7) The only electronic song we know of about Buffalo native Grover Cleveland.
8) Judy Garland sings Somewhere Over the Rainbow…written by Buffalo native Harold Arlen.
9) Amanda Blake, another Buffalo native, as Miss Kitty on an early episode of Gunsmoke.
10) Johnny Horton sings The Battle of New Orleans, about the final battle of the War of 1812. Arkansas connection: written by Jimmy Driftwood.
Justin Minkel, a Springdale elementary school teacher and 2007 Arkansas Teacher of the Year, has just written a new book aimed at young readers.


Our insect expert Dr. Donald Steinkraus suggests a few gifts to encourage children's interest in insects and nature.
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Friday, May 23, 2014
On this edition of Ozarks, we take a look at a new study that analyzes high school graduation rates in Arkansas. Also Dick Johnson stops by the Firmin-Garner Performance Studio.
The Lincoln Echo, published in Fort Smith, appears to be the end of a long tradition in black newspapering in Arkansas. Jacqueline Froelich talks with Echo publisher, Napolean Black, as well as Executive VP Cecil Greene (pictured).
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.
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.
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.
Bill Mendieta, who plays Ricardo Ricardo in “I Love Lucy Live on Stage” talks about the show, which is at Walton Arts Center this week.