Reasons to be thankful
Early voting numbers and runoff election on Tuesday; Maumelle's Mistletoe Market is this Saturday plus news, sports and headlines for North of the River
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MEETINGS: The Maumelle City Council will meet next Monday night at City Hall.
EVENTS: Today is Thanksgiving, in case, for some reason, you didn’t know. The various government offices will be closed today and Friday for the holiday. The two-day holiday means trash and recycling routes will be delayed one or two days, depending on locality. Early voting in the Maumnelle run-off picks back up on Monday with Election Day being Tuesday. For more, keep scrolling.
Reasons to be thankful
As Thanksgiving is here, it is time to give thanks for what has been.
It is purely coincidental that Thanksgiving this year nearly lines up perfectly with ArkansasNewsroom.com’s birthday, which will be a healthy 4 on Saturday.
Well, it isn’t exactly a coincidence. The site’s launch four years ago was timed to be after the general election but ahead of the runoff between North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick and Tracy Steele. This time around, Hartwick ran for his second consecutive, and third overall, term unopposed while Steele ran for the State House, and was also unopposed.
This time, there are no runoffs in North Little Rock, but Maumelle has one, for Council Member, and that keeps the news going as this election season comes to an end next week.
It has been the subscribers that keep the site going as we enter Year 5.
Those numbers continue to increase, as does traffic and page views and all the rest of the online metrics used to measure success.
In 2020, it was a bit of a gamble to see if readers would support a local news and sports site, and they have. Remarkably so even.
Sometimes the numbers are a headscratchers, like why is a Panda Express coming to Maumelle Boulevard still have legs year after it was first reported?
One of the things that you learn doing news, whether it is in print or online, is you can’t always parse out what gets widely read.
The big projects that take months to report out, maybe they hit and don’t leave a ripple, while a quickie on a fast food restaurant is read for years.
Anyway, the goal was to build and then maintain a local news and sports website that replicates the look and feel of a weekly newspaper. With a decade plus of experience at The Times of North Little Rock and Maumelle Monitor, among others and more than three decades of work experience in reporting and publishing, it felt like that there was a need for a spot for North of the River news that other outlets weren’t delivering.
Somehow, and someway, the current metrics exceed in terms of readership and subscribers for those former print publications and that’s been great.
That hockey stick of growth, always pointed up, has been extremely gratifying to see. Part of that has been a consistent publishing schedule, every week with a newsletter on Wednesday night or Thursday morning, with other stories going up during the week. There’s now been nearly 2,000 articles published since Nov. 30, 2020 or, on average, more than one a day.
There’s also been two candidate forums, in 2022 and earlier this year, and looking at ways to do even more in the coming years.
But that’s all because of ya’ll, so for that, I am extremely thankful and grateful for the support.
Early voting numbers
There were 737 people who voted early in Pulaski County, the clerk’s office reported on Wednesday night.
It is important to note that Maumelle isn’t the only runoff, as there’s also one in Jacksonville.
Early voting continues on Monday with the Election Day to follow on Tuesday.
Early voting will be held at the Jess Odom Community Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday for the runoff between LJ Wesley and Barry Brown for the Ward 1, Pos. 1 seat.
Early voting can also be done at the Election Commission building in downtown Little Rock, if that’s more convenient for voters.
Election Day voting information
Election Day for the Maumelle Ward 1, Pos. 1 race will be Tuesday, Dec. 3 from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Polling locations are:
5 - Hampton Inn of Maumelle, 11920 Maumelle Boulevard, Maumelle
6- Jess Odom Community Center, 1100 Edgewood Drive, Maumelle
Mistletoe Market is this Saturday
Maumelle’s now annual Mistletoe Market will be this Saturday at the Jess Odom Community Center.
The event will start at 4 p.m. and continue until 8 p.m.
Saturday is also Small Business Saturday, a national event sponsored by American Express, and the market will be a good opportunity to support the local small businesses that will be on hand selling handmade crafts, ornaments and more. Hopefully Sarge’s Pickles will be back, running low. A new feature this year will be a gift-wrapping station.
The first 50 attendees will receive a swag bag.
Food trucks will also be at the community center selling food and drinks.
Other upcoming holiday events in Maumelle include:
A Very Merry Maumelle Holiday House Competition: Dec- 2 - 11
Holiday Stock the Pantries Kick-Off: Monday, Dec. 2
Christmas in the Park: Friday, Dec. 6, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. and tree lighting at 6 p.m., Lake Willastein
Breakfast with Santa: Saturday, Dec. 7, 8 a.m. - 11 a.m., hosted by the Lions Club at the Jess Odom Community Center
Annual Holiday Parade: Saturday, Dec. 7, 5 p.m., Audubon and Club Manor drives.
For more information, go to Maumelle.org.
Arkansas Craft Guild sets Christmas Showcase
The 46th Annual Arkansas Craft Guild Christmas Showcase featuring fine handmade art and crafts will be Dec. 6-8 at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds Hall of Industry, 2600 Howard Street, Little Rock.
Hours are Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There is free gated parking and casual dining on site. Admission is $5 per person. There's free admission during 'Art After Dark' Friday 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., and 'Early Bird Shopping' on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Returning and new juried artisans attract loyal customers every year in several categories of craft: photography, jewelry, glass, pottery, wood, painting, sculpture, fabric, rugs, candles, honey, home décor, and soaps.
Skip Mathews is the "Father of Flame Painting," when in 1981 he was the first to create and develop the skills to paint with flames on copper and bring out colorful patterns. The copper shapes become jewelry or home décor, some representational, some abstract. Since 2007 metalsmiths Skip and Racheal Mathews, Copper Colorists, have returned to Christmas Showcase, becoming Guild members in 2012 when they moved to Mountain View from Missouri.
The new piece pictured “Butterfly Flower Branch” was done cooperatively, with Skip making and flame-painting the branch and flower, and Racheal creating the butterfly. It sells for $78 and can hang on the wall, or it can sit on a table or shelf as a sculpture.
In their Copper Colorists booth at Christmas Showcase, three artists are represented: Skip, Racheal, and their son-in-law Phillip Cook. Phillip began his apprenticeship 15 years ago, spending 6 years learning flame-painting, becoming a generational artist. He works from Ozark, MO, demonstrating at Silver Dollar City, and will join them in Little Rock.
Real time coverage on Facebook/ChristmasShowcase and Instagram/arkansascraftguild will feature photos of current works of every participating vendor. Take a photo tour at our website, arkansascraftguild.org/christmas-showcase. Year round, the Arkansas Craft Guild cooperatively operates the Arkansas Craft Gallery where many Showcase artists sell their work at 104 E. Main, Mountain View, open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Other upcoming events
Now through the leaves get sucked up
North Little Rock leaf collection, as promised, has begun, and for more details check out the flier above.
Now through Dec. 13
The Methodist Family Health Christmas site is open and one of the best ways to help those in need this holiday season. I promise giving will make you feel great. For more, click the graphic above.
Business news
Today’s Power, North Little Rock flip the switch on solar array
Today’s Power, Inc. and North Little Rock Electric recently energized a 5 megawatt solar facility with an event dubbed “flip the switch” at Today’s Power headquarters at 7300 Industrial Drive in North Little Rock.
“This project exemplifies such collaboration and will deliver significant benefits to the citizens of North Little Rock over the next 25 years,” said Today’s Power John Elkins. “Today’s Power, Inc. is proud to be part of this impactful initiative.”
The solar array covers 30 acres with over 16,000 collar panels and once fully operational, will generate 7 megawatts of energy, or enough power for around 1,200 homes.
The facility will also host a number of goats that will roam the acreage munching on the grass between and around the collar panels.
For more photos from the event, click here.
New advisor join North Little Rock’s Sowell Management
Three New Advisors Team Up with Sowell Management in 3rd Quarter
Sowell Management, a financial services firm in North Little Rock’s Northshore Business Park, recently added three new financial advisers.
They are:
Michael Ellis, founder of Ellis Wealth Advisors
Daniel Rivers, founder of Rivers Investment Group
Gregg Brant, of Barclay Breland Family Office
"We are thrilled to announce the affiliation of three highly accomplished wealth advisors and welcome their practices to Sowell," said Jason Inglis, Chief Revenue Officer of Sowell Management. "They are seasoned professionals with impressive advisory businesses who have built solid long-term relationships with their investor clients. While each had unique reasons for choosing Sowell, they were all looking to partner with a firm to help them run their businesses efficiently and build equity and enterprise value in their advisory businesses."
Ellis founded Ellis Wealth Advisors, LLC in Madison, Alabama, in 2015, while Rivers, is the founder of Rivers Investment Group, of Camden and Brant has been a financial advisor in Palm Beach County, Florida.
“These newly affiliated advisors are the latest to see Sowell as the partner to help them bridge the gap to true independence,” said Bill Sowell, CEO and Founder of Sowell Management. “While our scale allows us to provide the technology, operations and compliance support that have become table stakes in our industry, we also offer the culture, advisor-centric service approach and personal relationships increasingly lacking at many of the larger firms. We welcome Michael, Daniel and Gregg to the Sowell family and look forward to helping them thrive."
Sowell Management was founded in 2001.
North Little Rock’s First Orion announces leadership changes
North Little Rock’s First Orion, recently announced that Scott Hambuchen will become the company’s new CEO.
Hambuchen, previously the company’s Chief Product Officer, will replace Joe Stinziano, said Charles Morgan, the company’s Chairman of the Board.
"Joe helped pave the way for our growth, bringing invaluable structure to our product solutions that have set us on a strong path forward,” Morgan said.
Also changing roles is Jeff Stalnaker, a Co-Founder and the current CFO, will add the title of President to his responsibilities.
Hambuchen has been with the company for 13 years while Stalnaker, as co-founder, started the company 16 years ago.
In other changes, Josh Whitehurst has been promoted to Head of Product.
Christmas Story the Musical coming to North Little Rock
The Argenta Contemporary Theater will be having performances of its up-coming production of the holiday favorite A Christmas Story the Musical. This classic tale with book by Joseph Robinette and music and lyrics by Benji Pasek and Justin Paul is based on the movie classic that runs round-the-clock on TV every Christmas.
A Christmas Story the Musical is directed by Anna Kimmell of Asheville, North Carolina making her debut at ACT with music direction by Leann Jones. The show features Jaydon Clark as Ralphie, Craig Wilson as Old Man, Michele May Clark as Mother, Pate Wilson as Randy and Chris Flowers as Jean along with a talented cast of 20 other central Arkansas performers.
Performances start on Dec, 4 and run through Dec. 22 and includes three student matinees sponsored by Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Janna Knight & Blackberry Market. Evening performances begin at 7 p.m. and the Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m. Ticket prices range from $10-$88 and are available at argentacontemporarytheatre.org.
A Christmas Story the Musical is sponsored by Karla and Will Feland, The City of North Little Rock, The Tenenbaum Foundation, Legacy Termite & Pest Control, The Arkansas Arts Council, North Little Rock Tourism and The Insalaco Family. The VIP Balcony is sponsored by Gwatney Chevrolet and Colonial Wine & Spirits.
Sports
Friday Night Playoff Lights extinguished: Maumelle loses to Parkview
9 HRS AGO
Parkview 48, Maumelle 7
Last week: Maumelle got the rematch it wanted against Little Rock Parkview but the Patriots got the mercy-ruled, 48-7 win. Parkview was up 41-0 at the half, as the second half saw a running clock. Maumelle’s offense was held to just 170 total yards as offensive lineman Landon Canady scored on a 5-yard trick play to give the Hornets their lone touchdown with 7:23 remaining in the game.
This week: Football season is over for North of the River schools. See ya’ll next August or at a basketball gym near you.
Record: Maumelle - 7-5
Playoff picture
Valley View - LR Parkview
Hot Springs Lakeside - Farmington
State championship schedule at Little Rock’s War Memorial Stadium
Thursday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. – 8-Man Championship.
Friday, Dec. 6, at noon – 2A Championship.
Friday, Dec. 6, at 6:30 p.m. – 5A Championship.
Saturday, Dec. 7, at noon – 6A Championship.
Saturday, Dec. 7, at 6:30 p.m. – 7A Championship.
Saturday, Dec. 14, at noon – 4A Championship.
Saturday, Dec. 14, at 6:30 p.m. – 3A Championship.
Games to be broadcast live in Arkansas PBS.
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
Nov. 1 ... Maumelle 24, Searcy 23 - OT
Nov. 7 … Robinson 37, Maumelle 15
Nov. 15 … First round of playoffs - Maumelle 10, Greenbrier 9
Friday, Nov. 22 … Second round of playoffs - Parkview 48, Maumelle 7
For the online roster, click here.
Maumelle football stats for the season
Rushing No Gain Loss Net TD Lg Avg
Jacob Henry 75 617 8 609 8 61 8.1
Marshaun Wiley 72 569 11 558 4 85 7.8
Bubba Johnson 54 288 14 274 1 35 5.1
Levi Warrior 68 388 129 259 1 57 3.8
Austen Timmons 36 196 37 159 2 34 4.4
Nathan Thomas Jr 31 134 6 128 1 15 4.1
Mohammed Qtouf 9 109 13 96 1 72 10.7
TEAM TOTALS.............. 369 2360 294 2066 19 5.6
Passing Cmp / Att / Int Yds TD Long
Levi Warrior 122 / 241 / 5 1410 14 67
Austen Timmons 23 / 51 / 4 318 3 47
TEAM TOTALS.............. 146 / 294 / 9 1784 18
Receiving No. Yds TD Long
Jackson Hampton 24 347 2 52
Josiah Warrior-Benson 32 343 3 65
Jacob Henry 23 242 2 56
Not listed 10 175 2 67
Jaiden Gabriel 8 120 1 27
Tari Ransom 8 113 1 44
TEAM TOTALS.............. 146 1784 18
Touchdowns (1)P.A.T.(2) Tot
Scoring Rsh Rcv KO Pnt Fmbl Int FG K Rsh Rcv Sfty Pts
Jacob Henry 8 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 60
Marshaun Wiley 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 48
Cooper Forest 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 22 0 0 0 34
Josiah Warrior-Benson 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 18
Jackson Hampton 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 14
Not listed 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12
Austen Timmons 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12
BJ Beets 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12
TEAM TOTALS.............. 19 18 0 0 1 1 4 23 0 1 1 273
Friday’s SEC schedule
Mississippi State (2-9, 0-7 SEC) at Ole Miss (8-3, 4-3 SEC): 2:30 p.m. CT • ABC; SiriusXM: 83 – 84
Georgia Tech (7-4) at Georgia (9-2, 6-2 SEC): 6:30 p.m. • ABC; SiriusXM: 84
Saturday's SEC schedule
Louisville (7-4) at Kentucky (4-7, 1-7 SEC): 11 a.m. • SEC Network; SiriusXM: 106/190
South Carolina (8-3, 5-3 SEC) at Clemson (9-2): 11 a.m. • ESPN; SiriusXM: 160/192
Tennessee (9-2, 5-2 SEC) at Vanderbilt (6-5, 3-4 SEC): 11 a.m. • ABC; SiriusXM: 119/191 – 381
Auburn (5-6, 2-5 SEC) at Alabama (8-3, 4-3 SEC): 2:30 p.m. • ABC; SiriusXM: 160/192 - 81
Arkansas (6-5, 3-4 SEC) at Missouri (8-3, 4-3 SEC): 2:30 p.m. • SEC Network ; SiriusXM: 106/190 - 119/191
Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football?start_date=2023-08-25&end_date=2024-01-08
Oklahoma (6-5, 2-5 SEC) at LSU (7-4, 4-3 SEC): 6 p.m. • ESPN; SiriusXM: 119/191 - 106/190
Florida (6-5, 4-4 SEC) at Florida State (2-9): 6 p.m. • ESPN2; SiriusXM: 160/192
Texas (10-1, 6-1 SEC) at Texas A&M (8-3, 5-2 SEC): 6:30 p.m. • ABC; SiriusXM: 82 - 84
Pandemic deaths jump
The state Department of Health updated the state’s dashboard this week, and showed 72 new deaths for 481 deaths for the year. The virus has now killed 14,125 Arkansans since the pandemic began more than 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
I look forward to reading your paper every week. Congratulations on its success. Keep up the good work. FG