We went 9-0 on our college football picks last week. That’s right. 9-0. Now before you get all excited, remember that the first week of the college football season has become cannon fodder week. Many of the picks were easy. It gets much harder this week.
Read MoreCollege football — Week 2
posted by rexnelson on September 7th, 2010Razorback football at the Hall of Fame
posted by rexnelson on September 7th, 2010It’s a smart move for a coalition of business and civic leaders in Little Rock and North Little Rock to have a full week of activities leading up to the first of two University of Arkansas football games this season at War Memorial Stadium. Those of us associated with the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame figured we should be a part of these activities. So on Wednesday at noon, the Hall of Fame will host a panel discussion featuring former Razorback football players Anthony Lucas, Clint Stoerner and Kevin Scanlon. I hope to see many of you there.
Read MoreOff to Washington — Arkansas, that is
posted by rexnelson on September 2nd, 2010I need to get back to Washington — the one in southwest Arkansas. It’s a special place. Washington was founded on George Washington’s birthday in 1824 on the Southwest Trail, which ran all the way from St. Louis to the Fulton Landing on the Red River. It was one of the major trails used by the pioneers headed to Texas. Washington became the economic, political and cultural center for the whole region. Sam Houston, Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie were among those who passed through Washington on their way to Texas.
Read MoreThose big Hope melons
posted by rexnelson on September 1st, 2010September has arrived. Football season has started. Another Hope Watermelon Festival came and went last month. But the big melons — the really big ones — often stay in the fields into September and even October.
Read MoreCollege football — Week 1
posted by rexnelson on August 30th, 2010Thank goodness it’s football season. Like many of my fellow Southerners, I love this time of year. More than 400 people showed up today at the Embassy Suites in Little Rock for the season’s first meeting of the Little Rock Touchdown Club. Former Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach was an entertaining speaker. But I think the crowd would have been large for most anyone. That’s because we’re hungry for some football.
Read MoreBringing back Browning’s
posted by rexnelson on August 30th, 2010The Facebook group Fans of Browning’s Mexican Grill (which had 1,225 members when I checked it this morning) is reporting that the Heights institution will reopen in late October. It will be interesting to see if the restaurant really does reopen then and what form this version of Browning’s will take.
Read MorePress boxes and Pryors
posted by rexnelson on August 26th, 2010I’ve attended two fun, uplifting events the past two days. Yesterday, the David and Barbara Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History at the University of Arkansas announced that it’s moving the KATV collection of videos to the Arkansas State Library. Today, I stood outside War Memorial Stadium as the new $7.3 million press box was dedicated.
Read MoreThe most Southern city
posted by rexnelson on August 25th, 2010Let’s decide what’s the most Southern inland city of any size. Little Rock? Birmingham? Jackson? Memphis? Nashville? Montgomery? Lexington? Columbia? Richmond? How do you vote and why? And should port cities like New Orleans, Charleston and Savannah be considered in a separate category?
Read MoreBack to Grady (and other Arkansas favorites)
posted by rexnelson on August 20th, 2010I was in Grady again Thursday night. The fact that I’ve attended the Grady Fish Fry for almost 20 consecutive years got me to thinking about favorite places and activities in our state, many of which I’ve written about before. What are your favorites?
Read MoreBobby Thomson and Red Nelson
posted by rexnelson on August 18th, 2010Bobby Thomson died Monday night. Those of us who love the game of baseball never really tire of hearing Russ Hodges’ call of The Shot Heard Round the World. It was October 1951. My dad was likely listening to the radio that day.
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