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.
This weekend Fayetteville shoppers will be able to shop at local businesses and have an easy way to adopt a dog. More information is available at www.facebook.com/faydogdaysofsummer.
“The Dog Days Are Over” by Florence and the Machine
New cell phone devices and other portable electronics are providing new ways for people to communicate with each other even if they have trouble seeing the keys. Hali Phillips from our content partner KUAR has this report on the benefits of assisted technology.
Governor Mike Beebe says he continues to look into the benefits and fiscal feasibility of Arkansas opting into the expansion of Medicaid coverage that is part of the Affordable Care Act; the Arkansas Forestry Commission says despite some recent rains in parts of the state, much of Arkansas’ fire danger remains high; and more.
“Blue in Green” by: Mods Tolling
A notable part of Ramadan is prayer so the Center for Multicultural and Diversity Education on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville has allocated its lecture hall as a place where Muslims can go to pray during certain times of the day. In this interview, Hameed Naseem, faculty adviser for the Al-Islam Student Association, explains more about the holy month of Ramadan. For more information, visit Multicultural.uark.edu.
Roby Brock from www.TalkBusiness.net talks with Arkansas’ Surgeon General, Joe Thompson, and Micheal Stock, the CEO of QualChoice, one of the state’s largest health insurance companies, about what to expect now that the Affordable Health Care Act has been upheld by the United States Supreme Court. Roby began the conversation by asking Michael Stock what the new law means for Arkansans.
“Chelsea Bridge” by:Vince Guaraldi Trio