Inauguration Day 2021 was glorious. Not because my candidates won, but because it was an event designed to unify us as a country, albeit a staged show of national symbolism. But the contrast to the previous week was, to say the least, significant and astounding.
Lady Gaga sang the National Anthem beautifully. Amanda Gorman’s reading of her poem, “The Hill We Climb,” was incredibly moving and poignant. JLo added a little spice like only she can do. And Garth Brooks’ fans are already “burning their records” for his betraying them by singing “Amazing Grace.” Not much grace to be found in that crowd.
Then we had Presidents Bush, Clinton, Obama and Biden gather at Arlington National Cemetery to honor our fallen. The Petulant One had left the building and moved on to hopefully play golf full time in a land far away. Something he is qualified to do.
“For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it.”— Amanda Gorman
There Are Dumb People Out There
A Louisiana woman faces up to 10 years in prison after she was charged in an attack on a 17-year-old restaurant hostess who was punched multiple times in the face and hit with a “Wet Floor” sign when she tried to enforce Covid-19 dining rules. Was it worth it?
Seems that the place most people ignore the masking ordinance is at convenience stores. I always spot two or three — usually male — customers who have no regard for the safety of others. I had my own personal encounter with the stupid at the Kum and Go. I spotted a man in a vest with “Safety” emblazoned on the back. On the front was the name of a recognizable national company. Ironically, Safety Man was not wearing a mask. I said to him, “Really man, you’re in safety and you can’t wear a mask?” He grunted something and moved away from me. You just can’t fix stupid.
Wear your mask.
Maumelle Convenience Store Comes in at Number 41
The Maumelle Food Mart at 10920 Maumelle Boulevard ended the fiscal year (June 30 ,2020) with sales of $831,582 in lottery tickets and a state ranking of No. 41 compared to No. 1 Quik Run on Baseline Road, at $2.3 Million.
Foodie Note
The McClard's Bar-B-Q truck from Hot Springs is coming to town! Don’t miss your chance to get some really good Q. They will be parked at, Fuller & Son, 9728 Maumelle Boulevard, Feb. 3 - 6, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (or when they sell out).
Beaker Street Lives On
Those of a certain age were exposed to great music by radio legend Clyde Clifford. Clifford would broadcast late at night on the “Mighty 1090” KAAY, an AM station with a big signal at night reaching places as far away as Chicago.
As adventurous lads in Dallas County, Ark., we would head to the big woods to listen to Clyde play deep cuts from classic rock albums by artists that many of us had not heard. He would often play Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, etc. That was almost 50 years ago, and Clyde is still doing it. His real name is Dale Seidenschwarz, and he is having something of a resurgence.
Here’s how you can listen each Friday from 9 p.m. to midnight. I haven’t had much luck actually dialing them in on a traditional radio, but you can get them online by searching Arkansas Rocks on Facebook. In Little Rock – KLRG, 94.5 FM and 889 AM.
For requests, call 501-794-6994, or go to requests@ArkansasRocks.com
Don’t be numb. Don’t be dumb. Wear your mask. Keep your distance. Get your shot when you can.
I so enjoyed Lady Gaga's rendition of our National Anthem! Garth's Amazing Grace wasn't so good. Didn't seem to be his style of music. I too recall tuning into K double A Y from Fordyce to hear top forty music as played by high-energy, entertaining announcers. This was in the late 60s.
Just because someone doesn’t wear a mask doesn’t make them “stupid”. Possibly the man has a medical condition that prohibits him from wearing a mask. Either way you have no right to say anything to him anymore than he has a right to say anything to you for wearing a mask. Maybe you keep 6 feet away and say nothing.
I think Ga Ga should be the official singer laureate of the nat'l anthem...If Garth can't sing the 1st word of the song without a breath he should stay home..
Neal, not in Maumelle, but I witness the same in convenience stores. I went to my Main Street, SoMa, store for milk early one morning and three people were in there without masks. While two fiddled with the ice and soda fountain, I said to the one standing close to me, "you are scaring me by not wearing a mask, check out the sign on the door". They were from out of town I think, because he responded in a very thick Arkansas accent, "Dern, lady you shouldn't be scared of that, you live in downtown Little Rock". The young male cashier, made it worse by loudly and aggressively, not getting onto him about the non-masking, but by telling him "dude, you cannot talk to a older lady like that. You need to show respect to old people!" I do not go there unless necessary.
I so enjoyed Lady Gaga's rendition of our National Anthem! Garth's Amazing Grace wasn't so good. Didn't seem to be his style of music. I too recall tuning into K double A Y from Fordyce to hear top forty music as played by high-energy, entertaining announcers. This was in the late 60s.
Thanks Neal!
Betcha can’t eat a whole McClard’s Tamale Spread
Just because someone doesn’t wear a mask doesn’t make them “stupid”. Possibly the man has a medical condition that prohibits him from wearing a mask. Either way you have no right to say anything to him anymore than he has a right to say anything to you for wearing a mask. Maybe you keep 6 feet away and say nothing.
I think Ga Ga should be the official singer laureate of the nat'l anthem...If Garth can't sing the 1st word of the song without a breath he should stay home..
Neil- Love your letters! There will always be haters out there. Please continue bringing us the news.
Neal, not in Maumelle, but I witness the same in convenience stores. I went to my Main Street, SoMa, store for milk early one morning and three people were in there without masks. While two fiddled with the ice and soda fountain, I said to the one standing close to me, "you are scaring me by not wearing a mask, check out the sign on the door". They were from out of town I think, because he responded in a very thick Arkansas accent, "Dern, lady you shouldn't be scared of that, you live in downtown Little Rock". The young male cashier, made it worse by loudly and aggressively, not getting onto him about the non-masking, but by telling him "dude, you cannot talk to a older lady like that. You need to show respect to old people!" I do not go there unless necessary.