Vietwiches on the menu
Maumelle Planning Commission to meet tonight; Letter to the Editor; North Little Rock travels to PA for a game tonight plus headlines and sports.
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MEETINGS: The Maumelle Planning Commission meets tonight and for more on that, keep scrolling. The School Board for PCSSD is having a special call meeting tonight and for the agenda, click here. Both meetings will be livestreamed on the city’s YouTube page and PCSSD’s YouTube page. As next Monday is the fifth Monday of the month, there’s no City Council meeting schedule for Maumelle or North Little Rock.
EVENTS: The Six Bridges Book Festival starts this Sunday in Little Rock at different locations around town. For the complete list of events, click here. Most intriguing is Mississippi writer W. Wright Thompson, who will be talking about his book, “The Barn” at 7:30 on Thursday, Oct. 2 at the Ron Robinson Theater. Also of note, the Splashpad and train at Burns Park in North Little Rock will be closing for the season next Monday, Sept. 29. Funland, however, will remain open.
Letter to the Editor
Thank you for your comments in your August 27th publication in which you criticized the City for an apparent, insufficient public notification about a special Planning Public Meeting on August 28th. I went to that meeting as well as the immediately following regular meeting of the Planning Commission to find out what was going on. It turned out to be an important evening for residents involving the strip of commercial property along Maumelle Blvd and across from Riverland right at the main entrance to the City.
To be as brief as possible, the Planning Commission acted in their regular meeting to approve a replat of that property which effectively allowed that property to be developed into several commercial business lots. It also essentially granted permission for the developer to begin some work on the property and allow for the property to be accessed by a new road/entrance that would connect into Maumelle Blvd at the Riverland Drive intersection. During public comments, I and 3 or 4 other residents spoke voicing our concerns in regard to possible City Code requirements for a tree buffer between the Blvd right-of-way and the developed portion of the property, appropriate landscaping, as well as safety concerns and rush hour traffic congestion that would be created by a new stop light at Maumelle Blvd and Riverland Drive.
As to how this is playing out, despite the Planning Director eventually confirming to us that there is a City Code requirement to leave a 50 foot tree buffer, it appears this City Code 90-84 was violated as the trees for the buffer were effectively bulldozed on 3 or 4 lots with only some trees in the Blvd right-of-way and perhaps along the front property line left standing. Three of us met with the developer’s engineering firm to step this off and verify. The City has since issued an order to stop grading activity on this site until further notice due to the buffer violation.
As I understand it, this issue is likely to be addressed at Thursday’s September 25th Planning Commission. At this point, it appears unclear as to what entities are responsible for this damage to the most visible and important portion of Maumelle’s tree canopy.
Steve Mosley, Maumelle
Maumelle Planning Commission to meet tonight
The Maumelle Planning Commission will have its regular monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. tonight at City Hall.
The agenda can be viewed by clicking here.
There’s four items of new business, three of which are brought by the city to make changes to existing code amendments and also an update to the master street plan.
The fourth item of business is for a proposed development at 102 Orleans Drive and is the Phase 15 of Country Club of Arkansas and would be for Lot 700A.
But it would not be residential and instead a commercial development for a restaurant called Vietwiches, and would, obviously, serve “Vietnamese based cuisine.”
And one assumes the Bahn Mi’s would be delicious but time will tell, etc.
The building would be 4,000 square feet with the proposed restaurant taking half, and the other half would be for “quiet office of light retail,” according to the letter submitted by Phillip Lewis Engineering.
The owner of the proposed restaurant is Trang Thuy Pham and contact information wasn’t listed in the Planning Commission packet.
It appears that it will be unique to Maumelle as there’s a Vietwich in the Houston, Texas suburbs, but no other restaurant chain, or franchise opportunity, for “Vietwiches.”
The packet included the rendering below of the front of the restaurant and the second image is a rendering of what it would like inside.
TASTE OF THE BOULEVARD: An elegant evening benefiting the White Oak Bayou
The White Oak Bayou Wetlands Conservancy is proud to present the first Taste of the Boulevard: An Elegant Evening Benefiting the White Oak Bayou.
This signature event will take place on Thursday, Oct. 16, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Venue 10 in Maumelle.
This year's program will also feature Deputy Director Ben Batten from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission as the evening's guest speaker. With extensive experience in conservation and natural resource management, Batten will highlight the importance of wetlands, wildlife, and community partnerships in shaping the future of outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship in Arkansas.
Spots are limited for this elegant evening. For more information, to become a sponsor, or to purchase tickets, contact Kellie Wall at 501-851-9700, email Kelly French or visit https://www.whiteoakbayou.com/news-events.
Sports
Friday Night Lights
It was mostly quiet on the football front last week as only North Little Rock was in action as Maumelle and Central Arkansas Christian both had the week off.
North Little Rock notched its first win this season by taking down Little Rock Catholic, 42-13.
Conference games start for all three schools this week as North Little Rock travels to Pulaski Academy tonight in a game that will be televised on KARZ, while Maumelle hosts Beebe on Friday night and CAC travels to Heber Springs.
Maumelle
Last week: Maumelle had the week off.
This week: Maumelle (1-2) hosts Beebe (2-1) in the 5-A Central opener.
What to expect: The Hornets remain ranked No. 10 in Class 5A by hootens.com and host Beebe this Friday. The Badgers have a pair of wins against northeast Arkansas teams Nettleton and Greene County Tech but lost the season-opener to Vilonia. Maumelle defeated Vilonia, 38-24, on Sept. 12. Hootens.com has picked Maumelle to win.
For the roster, click here.
Thursday, Aug. 28: Sylvan Hills 55, Maumelle 54
Thursday, Sept. 4 … at Parkview 42, Maumelle 15
Friday, Sept. 12 ... Maumelle 38, Vilonia 24
Friday, Sept. 26 ... vs. Beebe* ... 7 p.m. … Hornets Nest
Friday, Oct. 3 ... ... vs. Pine Bluff* ... 7 p.m. … Hornets Nest
Friday, Oct. 10 ... at Watson Chapel* ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 17 ... vs. Jacksonville* ... 7 p.m. … Hornets Nest
Friday, Oct. 24 ... at White Hall* ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 31 ... vs. Searcy* ... 7 p.m. … Hornets Nest
Thursday, Nov. 6 ... at Robinson* ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 14 … First round of the playoffs
North Little Rock
Last week: North Little Rock 42, Little Rock Catholic 13
This week: North Little Rock (1-2), Pulaski Academy (0-3)
What to expect: North Little Rock travels to a winless Pulaski Academy in a game to be played tonight. The Bruins are 0-3 but that’s deceiving as they’ve lost to out-of-state powers West Monroe, La. and Highland Park, the aspirational neighborhood for many Arkansans, and they already know that’s in Dallas.
For the roster, click here.
Friday, Aug. 29: Rogers 41, North Little Rock 3
Friday, Sept. 12 ... vs. Benton 24, North Little Rock 7
Friday, Sept. 19 ... North Little Rock 42, Little Rock Catholic 13
Thursday, Sept. 25 ... at Pulaski Academy* ... 7 p.m. (Game to be televised on KARZ)
Friday, Oct. 3 ... vs. Conway* ... 7 p.m. … Wildcat Field
Friday, Oct. 10 ... at Little Rock Southwest* ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 17 ... vs. Little Rock Christian ... 7 p.m. … Wildcat Field
Friday, Oct. 24 ... ... vs. Central* ... 7 p.m. … Wildcat Field
Friday, Oct. 31 ... at Bryant* ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 7 ... at Cabot* ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 14 … First round of the playoffs
CAC
Last week: CAC had the week off.
This week: CAC (0-3) travels to Heber Springs.
What to expect: CAC is 0-3 and so is Heber Springs, so someone is guaranteed to win. Hootens.com has Heber Springs favored in the game.
For the roster, click here.
Friday. Aug 29: DeWitt 38, CAC 8
Friday, Sept. 5 ... vs. Stuttgart 48, CAC 14
Friday, Sept. 12 … at Harding Academy 48, CAC 27
Friday, Sept. 26 … at Heber Springs … 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 3 … at Riverview … 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 10 ... vs. Hall … 7 p.m. ... Mustang Mountain
Friday, Oct. 17… at Lonoke … 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 24 ... vs. Bald Knob … 7 p.m. ... Mustang Mountain
Friday, Oct. 31 … at Mills … 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 7 ... vs. Forrest City … 7 p.m. ... Mustang Mountain
Friday, Nov. 14 … First round of the playoffs
Sports
SEC Games: Week 5
SATURDAY
Notre Dame (1-2) at Arkansas (2-2, 0-1 SEC): 11 a.m. • ABC/SiriusXM: 85
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
Utah State (3-1) at Vanderbilt (4-0, 1-0 SEC): 11:45 a.m. CT • SEC Network/SiriusXM: 106 / 190
LSU (4-0, 1-0 SEC) at Ole Miss (4-0, 2-0 SEC): 2:30 p.m. • ABC/SiriusXM: 161/191 – 84
Auburn (3-1, 0-1 SEC) at Texas A&M (3-0, 0-0 SEC): 2:30 p.m. • ESPN/SiriusXM: 162/192 - 81
Tennessee (3-1, 0-1 SEC) at Mississippi State (4-0, 0-0 SEC): 3:15 p.m. • SEC Network/SiriusXM: 145 - 106/190
UMass (0-3) at Missouri (4-0, 1-0 SEC): 6:30 p.m. • ESPNU/SiriusXM: 161 / 191
Alabama (2-1, 0-0 SEC) at Georgia (3-0, 1-0 SEC): 6:30 p.m. • ABC/ SiriusXM: 81 – 84
Kentucky (2-1, 0-1 SEC) at South Carolina (2-2, 0-2 SEC): 6:45 p.m. • SEC Network/SiriusXM: 374 - 106/190
Open Dates: Florida (1-3, 0-1 SEC); Oklahoma (4-0, 1-0 SEC); Texas (3-1, 1-1 SEC).
Tickets on sale for Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens
Tickets for the Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens – a PGA TOUR Champions playoff event – are now on sale to the public. For a complete listing of ticket options or to purchase tickets, please visit the tournament website at simmonsbankchampionship.com.
The Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens will be held at Pleasant Valley Country Club , Little Rock with activities throughout the week of Oct. 20-26. Tournament play will take place Friday, Oct. 24 through Sunday, Oct. 26. The tournament will serve as the second round of the PGA TOUR Champions' annual Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs. The field will consist of the top 54 players in the standings competing for $2.3 million in prize money and a chance to earn their spot among the top 36 in the final event of the season.
"There's so much momentum heading into this year's Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens," said Freddie Black, Tournament Chair of Simmons Bank Championship. "Being selected for the PGA Tour Champion's Player Award last year – a recognition voted on by the players themselves – speaks volumes about the experience we're building here. We can't wait to welcome fans back this fall for another incredible week of golf."
General admission ticket options include daily Friday, Saturday or Sunday tickets for $30, Good Any One Day tickets for $35 or $85 weekend tickets for all three days of competition rounds. Children ages 15 and under will receive free general admission access with a ticketed adult. An upgraded 15th green shared hospitality ticket is also available to purchase for $300 per day or $850 for the weekend and provides access to an open-air venue with ballpark style food, beer, wine and seltzers. Liquor is available for purchase.
Active, reserve, and retired military will receive two (2) complimentary Good Any Day tickets (single use ticket good for one of Friday, Saturday, or Sunday) with an option to purchase up to four (4) discounted Good Any Day tickets. In order to checkout, military status will be verified through GovX. Complimentary military tickets are limited and only available while supplies last.
For more information, visit the simmonsbankchampionship.com or contact sales@simmonsbankchampionship.com.
For more information about the Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens, to purchase tickets and to stay up to date on tournament news, visit the tournament website, simmonsbankchampionship.com.
Health
Pandemic deaths unknown
The state Department of Health didn’t update the state’s dashboard this week, again, and deaths still total 532 for the past year. There’s no tab created for 2025 either and the virus has now killed 14,162 Arkansans since the pandemic began then. 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