February 2012

AY's Best of Northwest Arkansas

We love to travel northwest to take in a game, but the area features more than just a great university and exciting football. Check out our first-ever AY’s Best of Northwest Arkansas listing, which includes dining and entertainment venues, professional services and much more.

A New Discovery for All Ages

The Museum of Discovery unveiled its new look to the masses last month. After closing its doors for nine months for extensive renovations, the museum re-emerged with a whole new mission, new design and exciting new exhibits.

By Amy Bowers

Tales From The South: The Purple Balloon

It was 1991, and I couldn’t even remember my grandmother’s favorite color … purple just seemed to fit. I also had brought along some purple irises with a splash of pencil-yellow in the centers, wrapped in green, crinkly florist paper. I wrote to God Himself instead of writing a letter to Nanny directly. It seemed more theologically honest to me.

By Tim Bennett

Money: Planning for your Retirement: Rule of 100

Whether we’re programming our GPS, planning a dinner party or simply checking the day’s forecast, we want to know what to expect and how to prepare for it. So why are some people so intimidated when it comes to planning for one of the most important events in their lives: retirement.

By Gary Garrison

Sports: Good for the Gander?

It is always interesting when wildlife come into contact with humans. In a world where the humans are the apex predators and basically assumed as “in charge,” it’s fun to watch as the majority of us have no idea of what to do or when to do it when it comes to dealing with the furry, feathered critters of the world.

By Steve Bowman

Green Living: Community and Conscious Consumerism

Shelley Green opened Little Rock, Arkansas’ The Green Corner Store, which stocks environmentally-friendly products, in the summer of 2009. AY contacted Green for the scoop on upcoming events in her store and why it’s important to shop local.

By Eliza Borné

All Through Your House with Tobi Fairley

Welcome to “All Through Your House” with Tobi Fairley, a yearlong design journey to help you make your home more beautiful … NEXT stop — The Family Room.

By Tobi Fairley

Murder Mystery: Innocence Devoured

The mysterious disappearance and murder of 15 year old Leslie Haag and the struggle for justice and peace for her and her family.

By Janie Jones

Health: Matters of the Heart

When a woman suffers the effects of heart disease it affects many others. So it’s vital that women take care of themselves … for their families and for themselves. The American Heart Association (AHA) for eight years has actively campaigned to help women recognize their lives are in their hands.

By Angela E. Thomas

Preserving the History of Arkansas’ African Americans

The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center (MTCC) museum is housed at Ninth and Broadway Streets in downtown Little Rock, and the dignified structure is a reminder of the successful business district built by enterprising African Americans during the post-Reconstruction era.

Angela E. Thomas

Create: The Fun of Fondue

As you can imagine many foods can be cooked and eaten on a stick, but even I was surprised by the number of recipes from around the globe that popped up. Here are some basic versions to get you started: cheese and chocolate. After you get the basics down, just go with your imagination.

By Faith Anaya

Final Thoughts: She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not

What to get your Sweetie on Valentines day and what bad choices can do for your relationship.

By Sonny Rhodes

Indulge: Unwind with Your Valentine

The chilly temperatures of February are perfect to relax and unwind … especially with that special someone. This month, we feature lovebirds Dr. Alonzo and Susan Williams who don fashions — comfy, casual and boudoir sexy — perfect for an evening in.

North by Northwest: The University of Arkansas Gives New Life to Nursing Program

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing is expanding into a new building on campus, the Epley Center for Health Professions, to better serve students seeking to become nurses.

By Mille Alderman

North by Northwest: Chocolate, Wine & A Good Cause

The Jackson L. Graves foundation puts on a Wine and Chocolate Pairing Event for raising awareness for the importance of neonatal care.

By Mille Alderman

P Allen: Peas, For Beauty and the Feast

P Allen talks about the different kind of peas, beautiful and tasty.

By P. Allen Smith

North by Northwest: Building a New Legacy for Fayetteville

Behind Dickson Street, there’s a prestigious building housing luxury condos. Behind the booming pop and techno music spilling out of bars on the street, there are the faint sounds of exceptional blues and jazz. Behind the lone hot-dog stand catering to college students at 2 a.m., there’s a new restaurant serving up delectable down home cooking.

By Mille Alderman

Excursion: Off the Eaten Path

Our state is undoubtedly blessed in the “great food” department. Arkansans have a certain knack for perfecting comfort foods, and there are a few restaurants whose names have traveled far and wide, through word-of-mouth, “road food” websites and even national television and magazines.

By Amy Bowers

Dwell: Where the Heart Is

Lawrence Finn serves as CEO for The Village at Hendrix in Conway, Arkansas. Welcome to his home in Argenta.

By Angela E. Thomas

My Opinion: As Years Go By

Good grief, I have done messed around and got old when I wasn't paying attention! Jill goes over the highs and lows of life and how fast it passes by.

By Jill Conner Browne

Art Scene: Contemporary Artist Finds Inspiration From The Past

The impact Mattingly-Benson is hoping to achieve is a connection to rural life in the South. In our overly-scheduled, technology-driven life, she wants to help us connect to our pasts and to these people.

By Jodie Spears