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.
Roby Brock, from our content partner Talk Business ands Politics, reports the state of Arkansas is targeting motorcyclists as potential tourists.
at end of show: "Keep on the Sunny Side" Roe Family Singers
Congressman Tom Cotton and Mark Pryor traded verbal blows late last week as each addressed the Delta Grassroots Caucus, which held its annual meeting in Little Rock. Enrollment in the state's Private Option continued to grow last month, as evidenced by a new report released by the Arkansas Department of Human Services, and the University of Arkansas System moved forward with its future online university programs last week by hiring the school's first three employees.
"Shuckatoom" by American Top 40
Students begin to lose gains made throughout the academic year almost as soon as the final bell rings for summer vacation. An open forum tomorrow at the Jones Center in Springdale will address opportunities to keep students' minds active during out of school times. Many organizations will be involved, including the Arkansas Out of School Network.
Roby Brock, from Talk Business and Politics, says it was an especially busy week for economic matters in Arkansas, including Tyson Foods' attempt to acquire Hillshire Brands.
Children's House in Springdale is designed to help some of the youngest victims of abuse and neglect in northwest Arkansas.
"Twilight" by U2