An item in last week’s Insider recounted the presence of an MTV crew in Little Rock to film a Sweet 16 party for Alyson Walker, daughter of Bill Walker, the state workforce education director and former state senator. It reported filming at Sissy’s Log Cabin of what we had been told by the store was the purchase of $167,000 in jewelry for the event.

Walker said he didn’t purchase the jewelry. He said the jewelry had been loaned for use on the show. “Even if I could afford that kind of purchase, I wouldn’t have spent it. My values are different than that.” He said all the jewelry listed was now “back in their possession.” A store spokesman told us, after Walker called, that he’d told us the items had been sold because that’s how the show would represent the transaction and he didn’t want to give away the plan.

Advertisement

The Sweet 16 party was held last Saturday at the Clear Channel Metroplex. A local DJ provided the music, Walker said. Sometimes big-name entertainers appear for segments of the MTV reality show.

Foodie alert

Advertisement

Plans are taking shape on the redevelopment of the former Rye Furniture building next to North Little Rock’s Wyndham Hotel. In addition to a bank and cleaners, the plans of the V3Partners apparently call for a full-service local grocery to serve the burgeoning residential community in downtown LR-NLR.

The grocer reportedly would be Jody Hardin, who sells fresh produce at Hardin Mercantile in the River Market, with expert advice from the founder of Beans and Grains and Things, the pioneering natural foods grocery. There’d be the same emphasis Hardin now has on local products and monthly food baskets filled with seasonal specialties.

Advertisement

The talk is that the Argenta Market could open next spring.

Judicial opening

Advertisement

Still no word from U.S. Rep. John Boozman on the recommendations he’ll send to President Bush on a replacement on the federal bench for the late Judge George Howard. Republicans kick these names around, all Little Rock lawyers: Kevin Crass, who’s been Mike Huckabee’s personal attorney; Patricia Hays, who had an interim appointment as a district judge from Huckabee, and Jonann Chiles, a former hand in the Huckabee administration who’s been mentioned for some other judicial openings. None is African-American. Sens. Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln, though they won’t control the nomination, have urged appointment of a black person since Howard was the only black on the district court bench in Arkansas.

Help to Keep Great Journalism Alive in Arkansas

Join the fight for truth and become a subscriber of the Arkansas Times. We've been battling powerful forces for 50 years through our tough, determined, and feisty journalism. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, our readers value great journalism. But we need your help to do even more. By subscribing and supporting our efforts, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers to expand our coverage. Together, we can continue to hold the powerful accountable and bring important stories to light. Subscribe now or donate for as little as $1 and be a part of the Arkansas Times community.

Previous article Why not? Next article Why not?