Food truck festival is Saturday
Early voting continues; Grand opening set for the Benson/McAdams Academy at the Argenta theater; Simmons Bank Championship held; Friday Night Lights plus sports and headlines
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Meetings: The Maumelle City Council will meet next Monday night at City Hall.
Events: Halloween is today! So prepare to have some candy ready. The Food Truck Festival is Saturday. So prepare for some greasy deliciousness. The time change is Sunday morning. So prepare for the fall back. Election Day is next Tuesday. So prepare to not go back.
Eye on the sky
Today: Rain. Lots of rain. There might be a late afternoon gap in the rain clouds for the trick and treating crowd. High near 75 and a low around 58.
Friday: Morning rain then partly sunny with a near 70 and a low around 57.
Saturday: A decent chance of showers with a high near 73 and a low around 62.
Sunday: More rain! High near 79 and a low around 66.
Food truck festival is Saturday
Saturday will be hopping at Maumelle’s Lake Willastein is the first Food Truck Festival will be held, starting at 11 a.m. and ending at 6 p.m.
The first-year event is a partnership between the city of Maumelle and the Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce and admission is free, but the food will cost.
Chamber CEO Kellie Wall said that more than 40 food trucks will be on hand for the event and attendance is expected to be in the thousands.
It is also more than food.
“We will have live music from DJ Multi-Talented, a ‘Kiddie Korner’ for the young ones and adoptable pets from Maumelle Animal Services,” Wall said. “And there’s a lot of excitement around the pet show hosted by the Rotary Club of Maumelle, a blue-ribbon pie competition and a competitive hot dog- eating contest.”
Editor’s note: I was invited to compete in the hotdog eating contest. Noom said I can’t, so the invitation has been declined.
Among the food trucks that will be on hand are: Joyful Baking, Wings Express, TMW Kettle Corn and Flyway Brewing among others.
Editor’s note: Flyway!
“The Maumelle Chamber and the City have answered the call and collaborated closely to organize what we hope will become a signature, annual community event,” said Courtney Dunn, the city’s director of economic development.
This year’s very successful Blackout on the Boulevard for the total solar eclipse was also a joint production of the city and Chamber, so Dunn and Wall have some experience in putting on a good event.
“We know how much our community enjoys food trucks, and we’re confident this festival will bring people together from our community and draw others from nearby cities,” Wall said. “We hope this will become an annual tradition that people can put on their calendars and look forward to.”
For more information on the festival go to maumellechamber.com or call 501-851-9700. That’s where you can also sign up for the hotdog eating contest.
City of Maumelle Budget meeting on Nov. 7
City Clerk Tina TImmons passes along that the next meeting to discuss the city’s 2020 budget will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7. The meeting will be held in the Blue Room at City Hall and is open to the public. It will also be streamed on the city’s YouTube channel.
Grand opening set for the Benson/McAdams Academy at the Argenta theater
The Argenta Contemporary Theatre will have the grand opening of The Benson/McAdams Argenta Contemporary Theatre Academy this Saturday, Nov. 2.
A ribbon-cutting will be at 3:45 p.m. and there will be a drop-in from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 401 Main St., in downtown North Little Rock.
The academy is named after Pris Benson and Carol Ann McAdams, who were both long-time educators at North Little Rock High School, where they both taught drama.
The facility is 3,700 square feet and will have camps, classes and workshops among other educational opportunities.
The academy was funded by donors Pat Carlton of Little Rock, Dr. Tucker and Laura Patterson of Sheridan, and Bob Bidewell of Little Rock.
The theater is slowly taking over downtown as the main stage is at 405 Main St., while The Sharon Heflin Performing Arts Center is at 315 Main St.
For more, go to argentacontemporarytheatre.org.
Upcoming community events
Election 2024: Early voting underway
Early voting is now on week 2 in Pulaski County for next week’s election on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
More than 30,000 people have already voted early or more than 10 percent of Pulaski County’s 240,061 registered voters in just the first three days of early voting.
There’s two new early voting sites with one at the gym at Shorter College in North Little Rock and the other is the Dunbar Recreation Center in Little Rock.
North of the River sites also include the Jess Odom Community Center in Maumelle, Laman Library in North Little Rock, the gym at Shorter College in downtown North Little Rock, First Christian Church of Sherwood and the Jacksonville Community Center.
Pulaski County residents can vote on any of the early voting sites.
Times, generally, are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Early voting will mostly conclude on Saturday, Nov. 2 with the exception of the Pulaski County Administration Building in downtown Little Rock where one can vote early on Monday, Nov. 4 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
There will be no early voting on Sundays at any location.
Polls open at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5 and will close at 7:30 p.m. that night.
North of the River Early Voting Sites
Jess Odom Community Center
Thursday, Oct. 31: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 1: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 2: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
William F. Laman Library
Thursday, Oct. 31: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 1: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 2: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Shorter College (Gym)
Shorter College(Gym) North Little Rock
Thursday, Oct. 31: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 1: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 2: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
First Christian Church of Sherwood
Thursday, Oct. 31: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 1: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 2: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Jacksonville Community Center
Thursday, Oct. 31: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 1: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 2: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
For South of the River early voting sites, click here.
Sports
Friday Night Lights: Maumelle heads to Searcy
Maumelle 55, White Hall 0
Last week: The mercy rule was in effect in the second half as Maumelle blew out White Hall, 55-0, last Friday. The Hornets had 484 yards of total offense in the win as five players rushed for a touchdown each, while quarterback Levi Warrior passed for two more.
This week: Maumelle hits the road for 5A-Central newcomer Searcy in a conference showdown that will go a long way in determining playoff seeding in November. Both teams carry identical overall and conference records and are tied for second place in the league. The winner is essentially guaranteed a home playoff game as at least the No. 2 seed. The fine folks at hootens.com have Maumelle picked to win the game.
Records: Maumelle - 6-2, 4-1; Searcy - 6-2, 4-1
Maumelle schedule
Aug. 31`: ... Maumelle 36, Sylvan Hills 0
Sept. 6 … Parkview 51, Maumelle 6
Sept. 13 … Maumelle 32, Vilonia 21
Sept. 20 … Bye week
Sept. 27 ... Beebe 22, Maumelle 0
Oct. 4 ...Maumelle 21, Pine Bluff 18
Oct 10 … Maumelle 50, Watson Chapel 12
Oct. 18 ... Maumelle 17, Jacksonville 0
Oct. 25 … Maumelle 55, White Hall 0
Friday, Nov. 1 ... at Searcy
Thursday, Nov. 7 … vs. Robinson
Friday, Nov. 15 … First round of playoffs
For the online roster, click here.
Little Rock Central 27, North Little Rock 21
Last week: North Little Rock hasn't had a winless season since 2001. But, 2024 is shaping up to be that way after the 'Cats lost to Little Rock Central, 27-21, on Friday night. Things haven't been easy in Clint Reed's second season, but there's two games left, and still a chance. The problem is the remaining games are against Bryant, 8-0, where a win doesn't seem likely and the season finale is against Cabot, 2-6 on the year. So, the best remaining chance are the Panthers. Both games are also at home.
This week: Bryant is undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the Class 7A poll from hootens.com. The Hornets are loaded and headed to a season finale against Conway,as the Wampus Cats are also undefeated.
Records: North Little Rock - 08, 0-5; Bryant - 8-0, 5-0
North Little Rock schedule
Aug. 31... Rogers 43, North Little Rock 0
Sept. 6 … Bye
Sept. 13 ... Benton 42, North Little Rock 13
Sept. 20 ... Catholic 27, North Little Rock 17
Sept. 27 ... Pulaski Academy 47, North Little Rock 0
Oct. 4 ... Conway 63, North Little Rock 7
Oct. 11 ... Little Rock Southwest 38, North Little Rock 21
Oct. 18 ... Little Rock Christian 42, North Little Rock 15
Oct. 25 ...Little Rock Central 27, North Little Rock 21
Friday, Nov. 1 ... vs. Bryant
Friday, Nov. 8 ... vs. Cabot
For the online North Little Rock roster, click here.
Central Arkansas Christian 49, Bald Knob 14
Last week: CAC mercy-ruled Bald Knob as the Mustangs have gotten into a bit of a groove behind freshman quarterback Jackson Plumlee, the son of coach JD Plumlee. The younger Plumlee passed for two touchdowns and ran for another in the first half against the Bulldogs before taking a mercy-rule break in the second half.
This week: The schedule gets a significant upgrade as undefeated Mills heads to Mustang Mountain. Regardless, CAC is in a good position to make the playoffs this season with this game and Forrest City remaining.
Records: CAC - 3-5, 3-2; Mills - 8-0, 5-0
CAC schedule
Aug. 31 … DeWitt 31, CAC 7
Sept. 6… Stuttgart 41, CAC 7
Sept. 13 ... vs. Harding Academy 53, CAC 20
Sept. 20 … Bye
Sept. 27 ... Heber Springs 31, CAC 29
Oct. 4 ... CAC 42, Riverview 14
Oct. 11 ... CAC 35, Little Rock Hall 28
Oct. 18 ... Lonoke 39, CAC 0
Oct. 25 ... CAC 49, Bald Knob 14
Friday, Nov. 1 ... vs. Mills
Friday, Nov. 8 ... at Forrest City
Friday, Nov. 15 … First round of playoffs
All games kickoff at 7 p.m. unless noted
Rankings from hootens.com
Harrington win inaugural Simmons Bank Championship
As the sun went down Sunday evening, Pádraig Harrington, was still on the 18th green, signing autographs, taking pictures and generally celebrating the win at the Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens at Pleasant Valley Country Club in west Little Rock.
Harrington shot an 67 on Sunday for a three-day total of 199, with a 67 and 65 on the first two days of action.
A native of Ireland, Harrington was making his first visit to Arkansas for the championship.
“Didn't know what to expect, but it's been a fabulous week,” Harrington said in a post-match press conference for local media. “Pleasant Valley has been in great condition, really exciting course. I don't think I could ask for anymore, to be honest. Played nicely, got a few breaks along the way and closed it out. Very pleased, indeed.”
Harrington was one of four World Golf Hall of Fame members in the field as he was joined by Ernie Els, Retief Goosen and Wijay Singh.
For more click, here.
High school All-Star games dropped
Once a summer tradition, the Arkansas Activities Association announced this week the annual high school all-star games have been discontinued.
Participation in the games, long held at UCA, has dropped over the years as both players and coaches opted out from playing.
The AAA will continue to name All-Star rosters for the sports though.
Football, Volleyball brackets posted
With an eye toward the postseason, the postseason brackets for volleyball and football are now live on High School on SI, formerly SBLive.
The volleyball state finals return inside the Hot Springs Convention Center on Saturday, Nov. 2.
CAC’s volleyball squad faces Harrisburg at 5:30 p.m. today at Paris with a trip to Hot Springs on the line this Saturday. The other semifinal features hosts Paris and Episcopal Collegiate. North Little Rock also made the 6A tournament but was eliminated in the first round.
The football playoffs begin on Nov. 15. Below the state finals schedule for both football and volleyball as well as links to both sets of brackets.
Volleyball State Finals Schedule
Nov. 2, 11 a.m. - 5A state championship
Nov. 2, 1 p.m. - 6A state championship
Nov. 2, 3 p.m. - 2A state championship
Nov. 2, 5 p.m. - 3A state championship
Nov. 2, 7 p.m. - 4A state championship
Football State Finals Schedule
Dec. 5, 7 p.m. - 8-man state championship
Dec. 6, noon - 2A state championship
Dec. 6, 6:30 p.m. - 5A state championship
Dec. 7, noon- 6A state championship
Dec. 7, 6:30 p.m. - 7A state championship
Dec. 14, noon - 4A state championship
Dec. 14, 6:30 p.m. - 3A state championship
Volleyball postseason brackets
Saturday's SEC schedule
Ole Miss (6-2, 2-2 SEC) at Arkansas (5-3, 3-2 SEC): 11 a.m. CT • ESPN; SiriusXM: 137/190 - 162/192
Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football?start_date=2023-08-25&end_date=2024-01-08
Vanderbilt (5-3, 2-2 SEC) at Auburn (3-5, 1-4 SEC): 11:45 a.m. CT • SEC Network; SiriusXM: 374 - 158/191
Maine (4-4) at Oklahoma (4-4, 1-4 SEC): 1:30 p.m. CT • SEC+/ESPN+; SiriusXM: 388
Florida (4-3, 2-2 SEC) vs. Georgia (6-1, 4-1 SEC): 2:30 p.m. ET • ABC; SiriusXM: 162/192 - 137/190
UMass (2-6) at Mississippi State (1-7, 0-5 SEC): 3:15 p.m. CT • SEC Network; SiriusXM: 374
Texas A&M (7-1, 5-0 SEC) at South Carolina (4-3, 2-3 SEC): 6:30 p.m. • ABC; SiriusXM: 84 - 137/190
Kentucky (3-5, 1-5 SEC) at Tennessee (6-1, 3-1 SEC): 6:45 p.m. • SEC Network; SiriusXM: 374 - 158/191
Open: Alabama (6-2, 3-2 SEC); LSU (6-2, 3-1 SEC); Missouri (6-2, 2-2 SEC); Texas (7-1, 3-1 SEC).
Pandemic deaths unknown
The state Department of Health didn’t update the state’s dashboard this week, and still shows 409 for the year. The virus has now killed 14,053 Arkansans since the pandemic began four years ago. That would mean the pandemic death toll has now passed Marion’s 13,635 people, the state’s 29th largest city.
Covid toolkit
There’s now a one-stop shop to learn about vaccination sites and other Covid related information. Click here to learn more.
If you don’t want to get sick and die, there’s some things you can do:
Get vaccinated
Get boosted
Wear a mask
Avoid crowds