Ozarks At Large

Fourth Congressional District Representative Tom Cotton weighed in on several prescient national issues over the weekend during a stop in Texarkana. Congressman Tim Griffin urges President Obama to disclose more to the American public about the nation's financial situation. State House Speaker Davy Carter says that the issue of a Medicaid funding shortfall is the biggest issue facing the upcoming legislative session in Little Rock. And the Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History has a new director.


Here is the list of pop culture references included in today's montage honoring food service workers:
- Billy Joel sings "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant."
- Kermit, Miss Piggy and Steve Martin confer in The Muppet Movie.
- Jennifer Aniston complains (understandably) about her flair in Office Space.
- The very underrated band The Bus Boys and the song "Minimum Wage."
- Meg Ryan defines high maintenance as a customer in When Harry Meets Sally.
- The Austin-based Asleep at the Wheel sings "House of Blue Lights."
- Judge Reinhold gets a raw deal in Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
- Homer is disappointed with the slow service at Moe's Family Feedbag in a classic Simpsons episode.
- Arlo Guthrie and the most famous restaurant song ever, "Alice's Restaurant."
- Linda Lavin, Vic Tayback and Polly Holiday inside Mel's Diner on the situation comedy Alice.
- Cab Calloway sings "Everybody Eats at My House." The best rhyme in the song: Want a pancake, Mandrake?
January is "Be Kind To Food Servers Month." Ozarks at Large's Christina Thomas speaks with local server David Jelinek to talk about the difficulty of the food service industry.

Several cities made news this week with talks of real estate deals. Ozarks at Large's Timothy Dennis takes a look back at some of those stories
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Ahead on this morning’s show: a rundown of theater as the area’s stages get ready for the autumn season. We’ll also conclude our summer series on what the approach Affordable Care Act means for Arkansas with a report on a little-known provision that provides for long-term care in the home.
Governor Mike Beebe says that while a special legislative session will likely be necessary to solve the problems with the state's public school employee insurance program, no session will be called until consensus can be reached. The two candidates for governor have differing opinions on how and when the state's minimum wage should be increased, and the Fayetteville Animal Shelter warns dog owners that hot cars are particularly dangerous for pets.
New (and widely varied) businesses are coming to Fort Smith. Michael Tilley from The City Wire explains what it means for the city.
The Arkansas Department of Human Services Division of Child Protective Services operates a Child Maltreatment Central Registry. This year the registry is undergoing revision. Jacqueline Froelich reports.
Becca Martin Brown, from Northwest Arkansas Newspapers, says the solstice will be celebrated in many ways this weekend...most of the opportunities are free.
Tonight is opening night for another season featuring some of the country's brightest young opera talent.