A legislative task force is ironing out its recommendations for a new state veterans' home to be built in one of four potential cities. And, early voting begins today on a zoning issue in Russellville that could determine whether a Walmart Neighborhood Market will be built in that city.
Ozarks At Large

Becca Martin Brown gives us the details on an exhibit at the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, as well as music happening in the region in the coming week.
While it may not be an award you'd be thrilled about if informed ahead of time, the award bestowed upon the University of Arkansas last week would likely please any entity after the fact.
Meredith Martin Moats continues her summer series on books about Arkansas with a review of a biography about Harvey Couch.
You can read more from Meredith at theboileddownjuice.com.

A small, but consistent, effort is underway in Fort Smith to connect firms with job openings to people seeking work.
In the first month of the fiscal year, Arkansas state revenue shows signs of growth. The Bentonville-Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce is supporting the millage proposal to be decided by voters next month. The Illinois River Watershed Partnership gets more than $1 million in grant funding for green infrastructure. And a former Razorback wins the British Open.


Here are our ten clips dedicated to leather-wearing cool guys and gals everywhere:
1. Staying Cool in West Side Story
2. Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark.
3. The theme from Sons of Anarchy, performed by Curtis Stigers and The Forest.
4. The Fonz.
5. Joey, Dee Dee and Johnny Ramone sing I Wanna Be Sedated.
6. Marlon Brando in The Wild One.
7. Billy Idol sings Dancing With Myself.
8. Trinity looks for an escape in The Matrix.
9. Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman.
10. A transformed Olivia Newton John goes for John Travolta at the end of Grease.
Apologies to Uncle Jessie from Full House, James Dean from that iconic poster (was his red jacket in Rebel Without A Cause leather?) and Born to Run-era Bruce Springsteen.
1. Staying Cool in West Side Story
2. Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark.
3. The theme from Sons of Anarchy, performed by Curtis Stigers and The Forest.
4. The Fonz.
5. Joey, Dee Dee and Johnny Ramone sing I Wanna Be Sedated.
6. Marlon Brando in The Wild One.
7. Billy Idol sings Dancing With Myself.
8. Trinity looks for an escape in The Matrix.
9. Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman.
10. A transformed Olivia Newton John goes for John Travolta at the end of Grease.
Apologies to Uncle Jessie from Full House, James Dean from that iconic poster (was his red jacket in Rebel Without A Cause leather?) and Born to Run-era Bruce Springsteen.
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
On this special edition of Ozarks at Large we listen again to some of our favorite stories from 2013, including: skydiving for charity, an odd windy phenomenon that is at home in the Ozarks, Dave Barry on writing and everything you wanted to know about the Wiener Mobile.
Becca Bacon Martin from Northwest Arkansas Newspapers has some suggestions.
Jazz saxophonist Tia Fuller will perform inside Starr Theatre at Walton Arts Center this Friday. Fuller spoke with KUAF’s Robert Ginsberg about her career and music.
“Look before You Leap” by Derrick Morgan
Megan Bassing, who teaches English at Gravette High School, volunteered time last year to help clean up Joplin after the deadly tornado. Bassing shares her thoughts about her experience.
(Music used in the essay, in order: “Brothers” by Ry Cooder; “Exit Music” by Brad Mehldau; “Aragon” by Brian Eno; and “Spritual” by Charlie Haden and Pat Metheny)
We end our four-part series on the important role of social workers in our lives--from education to end of life. We visit with two hospice social workers and hear from Buddy Hawkins (photo), who lost his wife, Cindy, to ALS last summer.
The National Child Protection Training Center on the Northwest Arkansas Community College campus received $500,000 from the Walmart Foundation last Friday.
“New Chautauqua” by Pat Metheny