ARTSEVENTSTASTEj u l y / 2 0 1 1 • w w w . i c o n w a y . n e t

LOCAL GUIDE TO

THEBESTLIVEMUSIC

FIREFIGHTER & TRAILBLAZERDIANA BURKS

LOCAL ICON

PEYTON HILLISCONWAY FOOTBALL ROYALTY

AUTHOR ROBIN BECKER

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(((FEEDBACK)))

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LOCALSITUATION

June 21 is the Summer Solstice. That is the longest period of daylight all year long. Summer Solstice for many means the time has come to watch baseball, grill hot dogs and lounge on the deck. Last year, Summer Solstice took on a whole new meaning to community members in Central Arkansas.

It is a simple concept to United Ways all across the country. June 21, with that extra bit of daylight, is the perfect day to do something good for the community. With this idea in mind, a committee was formed, comprised of community members from all over Faulkner and Perry Counties. The goal was to figure out something that could be done in one day, by a handful of volunteers, to have an impact in the community. Initially, plans were made to have 3-4 service projects on June 21 that anyone looking to get involved could do. Day of Action 2010 had a plan and it was brewing. And then it exploded…

Looking back, that week was a bit of a blur for everyone involved. Things moved quickly. People were eager to lend a hand and the needs kept rolling in to be met. It wasn’t until after Week of Action was finished that everyone on the planning committee realized what a tremendous feat had just been accomplished. I thought about the extreme heat wave that hit during that week, and the vague call to action and I began to wonder just exactly what it was that made people respond when United Way asked them to “do something” on June 21. Was it the strong support we received from companies like Kimberly Clark, HP, Simmons First National Bank, Nabholz Construction, and many, many more? Was it the fact that it was summer time and folks were looking for something to do? Or was it just because volunteering feels good, and people like to feel good and know that they’ve helped someone in the process?

Honestly, I believe it was all of the above. I won’t speculate about the exact motivations that led those individuals to answer that call to action. But I will say that, having volunteered for a number of different causes over the years and having the oppor-tunity to speak with many of the participants in Week of Action, I do know that quite often volunteers feel they receive just as much, if not more, than they give. That’s the nature of volunteer-ing…it feels good.

A little boy opted to celebrate his birthday last year by volun-teering with his grandmother during Week of Action. His grand-

A CAll to ACtion,A SurpriSing reSult

BY JENNIFER BICKERS

Before anyone knew it, our simple plan to mobilize a handful of volunteers to complete a few projects on Day of Action (June 21) grew to 375 volunteers who served over 1,100 hours to complete 35 projects that week. Books were collected. Wheelchair ramps were built. Homes of the elderly were given a facelift. There was a call to action and the people of Faulkner and Perry Counties met it with an overwhelming

response. Week of Action was born.

Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to contribute. The spread turned out fantastic! I picked up a couple of copies this morning and was indeed, very pleased.Thanks again!

Jennifer BickersUnited Way of Central Arkansas

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ONTHEMOVE DREW WILLIAMS BY JENNIFER STANLEY You can find me in

Drew Williams is living the dream of many red-blooded, American males in being employed by the St. Louis Cardinals. A native of Conway and a graduate of both Conway High School and the University of Central Arkansas, Drew is an avid fan of the great American pastime and couldn’t be happier with the trajectory of his career.

We had an opportunity to speak with Drew about his path to St. Louis and his ambitious future plans.

Icon: Did you play baseball? Drew: I am proud to say I was part of the best softball team ever assembled — Woodland Heights Baptist in 2006. I also played in college — fantasy baseball.

Icon: What did you earn your degree in?Drew: I have a degree in business administration.

Icon: Have you always been a baseball fan? I really got into the game when Mark McGwire was traded to St. Louis in late 1997. I was at a friend’s house when the trade went down, and the excitement of it got me hooked. Ever since then I’ve bled Cardinal (and Razorback) red.

Icon: So the Cardinals have always been your team? Drew: As long as I have been a baseball fan, its been the Cardinals, and that is it.

Icon: You were employed by the Arkansas Travelers for a while. What exactly did you do for them? Drew: Thanks to a broken ankle, I started off working in the ticket office. I was originally slated to work in concessions but couldn’t stand up or walk, so I got to sit in the air conditioning. After that it evolved into almost every aspect of the ballpark. In Minor League Baseball, everyone from top to bottom in the front office has done, and is willing to do, anything to make the game experience bet-ter for the fans. Being the mascot, picking up trash, cooking food, selling tickets, and even pulling tarp during a rain delay — they are all part of the job description.

Icon: What did you enjoy about working with their organization? Drew: I enjoyed the staff most. They were helpful from day one and taught me everything I know. The hours in this industry can get tough, so they become your second family. Even though I don’t work there anymore I still consider them that.

Icon: When did you start working for the St. Louis Cardinals? Drew: I started in May of 2010.

Icon: What is your role with the St. Louis Cardinals organization? Drew: I am a Ticket Services Representative.

Icon: What exactly does being a Ticket Services Representative entail? Drew: It can change from day-to-day, even hour-to-hour, but it entails a lot of fulfilling orders and customer service. Whether it is taking care of internal employees or customers on the outside, my job is to make sure people get into the ballpark and have a great time.

Icon: How did you hear about the job? Drew: Through contacts I’d made throughout the years, I was put in touch with some current Car-dinal employees. I bombarded them with emails and phone calls until they hired me.

Icon: What are the biggest challenges of your job? Drew: I would say trying to make sure every customer has a great time. Problems are going to arise from time-to-time, and you want to take care of them in a timely fashion.

Icon: What do you do in the off-season? Drew: Not sure. I haven’t experienced a full off-season here. But I hope it involves a nice, long vacation.

Icon: What are some of the most popular series? Drew: The Chicago Cubs are always a hot ticket. After our run-ins with the Cincinnati Reds last year, that has become a popular series as well.

Icon: Are the majority of tickets now sold online? What are other ways people can buy tickets? Drew: Most tickets are sold online, but there are still other avenues fans go through. Our box of-fice stays busy with customers. Sales representatives also take incoming calls and make sales in that way.

Icon: Do most of your home games sell out? Drew: Full capacity for Busch Stadium is almost 46,000. Once school lets out and the weather is warm, we will sell out just about every game. Over 81 home games we will draw over 3 million fans, so do the math.

Icon: How has living in St. Louis been different from living in Conway? Drew: Well, now I am six hours away from my family and most friends. I have friends up here, but it’s nice seeing everyone back home. The buildings are taller, and there are a couple more people. I live downtown, so I rarely get in my car; I walk to work, the grocery store, a place to grab a cold beverage, everywhere. Conway may be a little more laid back, and I miss that. And I don’t get to see my girlfriend much (Hi Meg) and Conway’s favorite pet, my dog, Missy.

Icon: Most important question: do you think Albert Pujols will stay? Drew: For the sake of millions of fans, I hope so. Cardinal fans want him here, but I also think baseball fans in general want him here too. The days are long gone of a player staying with one team his entire career. Hopefully this is the exception.

Icon: Who is your favorite player of all time?Drew: This conversation ends with former St. Louis Cardinal (and Arkansas Traveler) Rick Ankiel.

Icon: What are your future plans for your career?Drew: Nothing too big….just to be the youngest general manager in the history of the game. I have about five years to accomplish it.

CARDINALSSCHEDULEThank you for the article…It was

really well done. I know Drew (Williams) will be bragging about

this to us for months! Thanks to your help, Conway Community Night was our most successful night of the year by far. Thank you again for all of your help,

and I too look forward to work-ing with you again in the future.

Brian Lyter, Arkansas Travelers

Thank YOU! for the opportunity to get some exposure :)

Tiffany Barr

Thank you @iconwaymagazine

and @RachelDickerson for the kind article in

this month’s issue.

Mark McCuin

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contentsvv

localiconvv31 From the Wampus Cats weight

room to the NFL Cleveland Browns, the only thing larger than Peyton Hillis’ guns is the size of his heart.

roadu u

b tourr undabout

R

Conway happenings: iCon has you covered with our events calendar. Check out photos from past area events. PAGES 6-11

14 ON STAGE: WHO’S PLAYING WHERE IN CONWAY

20 ICON TECH: THE (NEAR) FUTURE OF GAMING

22 WWDC 2011: APPLE’S SHINING MOMENT

27 DOWNTOWN: RICH IN HISTORY AND REVITALIZATION

34 ZOMBIES: YES, ZOMBIES

36 LOCAL SITUATION: VEGGIN’ OUT IS SO IN!

FLAVOR: JJ’s Grill is serving up tasty food and great entertainment.12

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JULY 2011 / VOL. I, ISSUE 5

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15 Steve Hurdwww.westworkdesigns.com

STAFFEDITOR / LORI QUINN

CREATIVE DIRECTOR / STEWART COLEADVERTISING SALES MANAGER / RHONDA OVERBEYGRAPHIC ARTISTS / JAY PRINCE & KELLIE MCANULTY

SPECIAL EVENTS / LEAH BROWNEVENT PHOTOGRAPHER / SARA BLACK

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COMMENTS?We want your feedback!

Write to us at feedback@iconway.net.

iCon, Conway City Magazine, is a publicationof the Log Cabin Democrat. All rights reserved. iCon is published monthly, 12 times per year.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes toiCon, Conway City Magazine

P.O. Box 969Conway, AR 72033

For subscriber service, please call (501) 327-6621

Unauthorized use of materials contained hereinis strictly prohibited.

Follow us on Twitter: @iconwaymagazinewww.iconway.net

Check out our Facebook page for weekly calendar of events.

ON THE MOVE

Danny Patel, owner and general manager of the Country Inn and Suites in Conway, and his wife Ami are proud to call Conway home.

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38 LOCAL HERO: DIANA BURKS IS A CONWAY FIRST

40 ICON WELLNESS: TARGETING GLUTES AND ABS

41 ICON RECOVERY: THE HEALING POWER OF MASSAGE

42 LAST LOOK: LIVING LEGEND NO. 844

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THE RANCH RIDE

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n SUBMIT AN EVENTTO ICON: FEEDBACK@ICONWAY.NETEVENTSCALENDARroadu u

b tourr undabout

Rin partnership with

Bowling for Business07.08 {Friday} The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s sec-ond annual Bowling for Business networking event at Conway Family Bowl, for info call 327-7788.

Car Show07.09 {Saturday} Conway High School Car Show 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. for info Bryan Lin at 501-327-6637.

Faulkner County Film Society07.16 {Saturday} Two classic films starring Robert Mitchum “Night of the Hunter” & “Cape Fear” 5 p.m. at the Faulkner County Library, 1900 Tyler St., Conway.

Arkansas Alzheimer’s Pancake Breakfast07.30 {Saturday} Pancake breakfast fundraiser 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Stoby’s Restaurant.

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Documentary & Discussion: “Waiting for Superman”07.19 {Thursday} Filmmaker Davis Guggenheim reminds us that education “statistics” have names: Anthony, Fran-cisco, Bianca, Daisy and Emily, whose stories make up the engrossing foundation of Waiting for Superman, 7 p.m. at the Faulkner County Library, 1900 Tyler St., Conway.

Basketball Tournament07.21-07.24 {Monday-Sunday} Hoop Play USA.com 5-game minimum basketball tournament boys & girls grades 3rd-12th teams, contact 327-7788.

Auction Extravaganza07.21 {Thursday} Boys & Girls Club of Faulkner County 17th Annual Auction Extravaganza 6:30 p.m. Centennial Valley Events Center; Band: Boom Kinetic/Silent & Live Auc-tion/ Heavy Hors d’Oeuvres. Tickets $25 advance/ $30 at door/ For tickets call Kristie 529-5222.

Golf Tournament07.22 {Friday} Boys & Girls Club 13th Annual Golf Tourna-ment at The Greens at Nutters Chapel 7 a .m. registration; 8:30 a.m. shot gun start. Cost: Four person scramble $340/Hole Sponsorship $200. Deadline July 8th. To register call Reggie 472-1978.

Moonlight Madness07.29 {Friday} Businesses around Conway stay open late with the best deals of the season! Watch the Log Cabin Democrat for more information.

Arkansas Alzheimer’s Silent Auction07.30 {Saturday} Arkansas Alzheimer’s Silent Auction and dinner 6-10 p.m.at Conway Country Club.

St. Joseph Catholic School Bazaar08.05-08.06 {Friday-Saturday} 99th annual St. Joseph Catholic School Bazaar with old-fashioned midway and flea market.

Summer Commencement08.12 {Friday} Summer commencement at UCA.

Teacher Breakfast and Education Fair08.12 {Friday} Teacher Breakfast and Education Fair at Si-mon Intermediate hosted by the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, for info 327-7788.

New School Year08.15 {Monday} Conway Public Schools 2011-2012 aca-demic year starts.

Arkansas Outdoors Expo08.20-08.21 {Friday-Saturday} Arkansas Outdoors Expo, Arkansas’s largest pre-season hunting and fishing expo will include outdoor vendors, as well as a jam-packed weekend of events featuring a duck calling competition, steak cook-ing contest, 3D archery tournament, the Ultimate Air Dogs, and multiple seminars and demonstrations from industry pros. A portion of the expo’s proceeds will benefit Arkansas Children’s Hospital at the Conway Expo Center and Fair-grounds.

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Welcome to UCA!08.22 {Monday} Beginning of ‘Welcome Week’ at UCA.

Wampus Cat Football08.23 {Tuesday} Conway plays Ft. Smith Northside in a benefit game 6 p.m. in Fort Smith.

Welcome UCA Students!08.24 {Wednesday} Welcome to UCA! Conway Daze event 3-5:30 p.m. at the practice field on the UCA campus. For info, contact MalloryMJS06003@uca.edu.

Bears Football09.01 {Thursday} First UCA Bears home game against Henderson State 7 p.m. at Estes Stadium, UCA, Conway, ucasports.com.

Warriors Volleyball09.02 – 09.03 {Friday-Saturday} Hendrix Warrior Invita-tional at Hendrix College, Conway.

Wampus Cat Football09.02 {Friday} Conway plays Fort Smith Southside at 7:30 p.m. in Fort Smith.

Razorback Football09.03 {Saturday} Arkansas plays Missouri State in Fay-etteville.

Warriors Field Hockey09.04 {Sunday} Hendrix plays Lindenwood University at noon at Hendrix College, Conway.

Labor Day09.05 {Monday} Happy Labor Day!

Warriors and Mustangs Volleyball09.06 {Tuesday} Hendrix plays Central Baptist College at 7 p.m. at Hendrix College, Conway.

Warriors Women’s Soccer09.07 {Wednesday} Hendrix plays Ouachita Baptist Uni-versity at 4 p.m. at Hendrix College, Conway.

Wampus Cat Football09.09 {Friday} Conway plays Jonesboro at 7 p.m. at John McConnell Stadium, Conway High School West.

Bears Football09.10 {Saturday} UCA Bears at Louisiana Tech at 6 p.m. in Ruston, LA, ucasports.com.

Razorback Football09.10 {Saturday} Arkansas plays new Mexico in Little Rock.

EcoFest09.10 {Saturday} EcoFest! Fun, local food, activities, live music and an exploration of our environment. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Laurel Park, Conway, for info www.conwayecofest.com.

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Wes Hinesley, Megan Taylor, Liz Mosley

Megan Jones, Brent Rhoades, Michael Kordsmeier, Mallory DeSalvo

Leta Kirkland, Jamelle Brown

Monty Longing, Jon Garrett, Chris Jaquez, Brittani Garrett, Rusty Parks

THIRD THURSDAY

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ST. PETER’S EPISCOPAL PRESCHOOL SPRING FUNDRAISER

Antoinette Bunting, Jamie Dyer

Christina Brady, Samantha Brady

Wampus Cat Football09.16 {Friday} Conway plays Rogers Heritage at 7 p.m. at John McConnell Stadium, Conway High School West.

Bears Football09.17 {Saturday} UCA Bears at Sam Huston State (SLC game) at 6 p.m. in Huntsville, TX, ucasports.com.

Razorback Football09.17 {Saturday} Arkansas plays Troy in Fayetteville.

Fair Parade09.20 {Tuesday} Faulkner County Fair Parade downtown Conway.

Faulkner County Fair09.20-09.24 {Tuesday-Saturday} Faulkner Fair at the Conway Expo Center and Fair-grounds.

Wampus Cat Football09.23 {Friday} Conway plays Cabot at 7 p.m. in Cabot.

Bears Football09.24 {Saturday} UCA Bears at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, {on KATV}. Get your tickets now! Only $20 bucks for a reserved seat! ucasports.com.

Razorback Football09.24 {Saturday} Arkansas plays Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL.

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ICONFLAVOR JJ’S GRILL

FAVO

RITE

FLAV

ORS

HOME-MADE ONION RINGS FRIED EGG BURGER PHILLY CHEESE STEAK CHEESEBURGER QUESADILLA CLUB SANDWICH BUFFALO WINGS

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‘DO YOUR MOUTHA FAVOR’

A perfect night in downtown Conway includes a fried egg burger. You’ll come to JJ’s for the live music and energized atmosphere. You’ll come back to JJ’s for an enormous plate of the best nachos on the planet.

Being a regular at JJ’s Grill in Conway doesn’t guarantee you a seat, but it’s worth a short wait to find the perfect table for you and your family. Order up cheeseburger quesadillas, wraps, salads, sandwiches or any of their phenomenal burgers, oh, and don’t worry about the kids under 12, they eat free all day, every day at JJ’s. Not only is the great food prepared fresh on-site daily at JJ’s Grill, but every night, guests are treated to the best local live entertainment in town.

Jody Thornton, who already owned two JJ’s Grills in north-west Arkansas, chose Conway as the site of his third location because of the community’s progressive outlook and its ap-preciation for music and culture. The vibrancy of Downtown Conway was the perfect spot for JJ’s Grill that opened in Au-gust 2010.

The attention that JJ’s puts on hand-selecting its nightly enter-

tainment is minor compared to their time spent putting together the menu of classic, fun and diverse food. Yes, the food is de-livered quickly, but don’t expect the typical bar fare. The menu is all homemade and exceeds your palette’s expectations.

Each restaurant has a family-friendly, fun, music atmosphere while maintaining its own individualism. Conway’s JJ’s Grill is known for its fun and energetic staff who truly love their res-taurant. You’ll feel it from the minute you’re greeted when you walk in the front door and treated like family.

Pulling the best live entertainment from central Arkansas and around the state to play in Conway, the JJ’s staff knows that buffalo wings with JJ’s spicy nuclear sauce are best enjoyed with live music {and a side of home-made onion rings.}

Coming up on their one-year anniversary, it’s never been a better time to visit JJ’s Grill in Downtown Conway for great food, entertainment and service.

Time to do your mouth a favor…did I mention JJ’s burgers are phenomenal?

FAVO

RITE

FLAV

ORS

HOME-MADE ONION RINGS FRIED EGG BURGER PHILLY CHEESE STEAK CHEESEBURGER QUESADILLA CLUB SANDWICH BUFFALO WINGS

STEW

ART

CO

LE P

HO

TOS

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Jocko07.05 {Tuesday} Jocko live at 6 p.m. at JJ’s Grill, Conway.

Edward Briggler07.06 {Wednesday} Edward Briggler live at 6 p.m. at JJ’s Grill, Conway.

Breaking Eden07.07 {Thursday} Breaking Eden live at 8:30 p.m. JJ’s Grill, Conway.

Mayday by Midnight07.08 and 07.09 {Friday & Saturday} Mayday by Midnight live at 8:30 p.m. JJ’s Grill, Conway.

Tommy Nolen07.11 {Monday} Tommy Nolen live at 6 p.m. JJ’s Grill, Conway.

Justin Brooks07.12 {Tuesday} Justin Brooks live at 6 p.m. JJ’s Grill, Conway.

Larry Lee Cheshier07.13 {Wednesday} Larry Lee Cheshier live at 6 p.m. JJ’s Grill, Conway.

Some Guy Named Robb07.14 {Thursday} Some Guy Named Robb live at 8:30 p.m. JJ’s Grill, Conway.

Mr. Lucky07.15 {Friday} Mr. Lucky live at 8:30 p.m. JJ’s Grill, Conway.

Ed Bowman & the Rock City Players07.16 {Saturday} Ed Bowman & the Rock City Players live at 8:30 p.m. JJ’s Grill, Conway.

John & Buddy07.18 {Monday} John & Buddy live at 6 p.m. at JJ’s Grill, Conway.

Mayday by Midnight07.19 {Tuesday} Mayday by Midnight live at 6 p.m. at JJ’s Grill, Conway.

Ashley McBryde07.20 {Wednesday} Ashley McBryde live at 6 p.m. at JJ’s Grill, Conway.

Justin Brooks07.21 {Thursday} Justin Brooks live at 6 p.m. at JJ’s Grill, Conway.

Wes & Karl07.22 {Friday} Wes & Karl live at 8:30 p.m. JJ’s Grill, Conway.

Mockingbird Hillbilly Band Concert07.22 {Friday} Fine purveyors of Hillbil-ly psychedelia, Mockingbird is rooted in Ozark folk music, 7 p.m. at the Faulkner County Library, 1900 Tyler St., Conway.

Keith Nicholson07.23 {Saturday} Keith Nicholson live at 8:30 p.m. JJ’s Grill, Conway.

Sam Williams07.25 {Monday} Sam Williams live at 6 p.m. JJ’s Grill, Conway.

Jocko07.26 {Tuesday} Jocko live at 6 p.m. at JJ’s Grill, Conway.

Edward Briggler07.27 {Wednesday} Edward Briggler live at 6 p.m. at JJ’s Grill, Conway.

Mr. Lucky07.28 {Thursday} Mr. Lucky live at 8:30 p.m. JJ’s Grill, Conway.

Mayday by Midnight07.29 {Friday} Mayday by Midnight live at 8:30 p.m. JJ’s Grill, Conway.

Barett Baber07.30 {Saturday} Barett Baber live at 8:30 p.m. JJ’s Grill, Conway.

Dionne Warwick09.13 {Tuesday} Dionne Warwick performs at 7:30 p.m. Reynolds Perfor-mance Hall part of the UCA Public Ap-pearances program, for info www.uca.edu/tickets.

Erin Brockovich09.19 {Monday} Erin Brockovich at 7:30 p.m. Reynolds Performance Hall, part of UCA’s Distinguished Lecture Se-ries sponsored by the Log Cabin Demo-crat, for info www.uca.edu/tickets.

ONSTAGE

LATEST EVENTS: FOLLOW ICONON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER

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LOCALART STEVE HURD BY BECKY HARRIS

GO HAND IN HAND. THE ELEMENTS OF DESIGN ARE USED IN BOTH, AND THEY ARE ENHANCED BY THEIR DEPENDENCE ON EACH OTHER. MY

ARCHITECTURE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN ME, THE CLIENT AND THE BUILDER. BUT MY ART WAS

ALWAYS BY AND FOR ME FIRST. FINDING THAT MY ART IS LIKED AND WANTED BY OTHERS IS

SATISFYING BEYOND WORDS.

-STEVE HURD

“

FOR ME,ART AND ARCHITECTURE“

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Steve Hurd is a Conway architect with Hurd Long Architects. His buildings and restorations of historic homes are scattered throughout Central Arkansas.

Hurd’s hobby is making building blocks for castles and cathedrals, and the boxed sets are prized possessions in many Conway homes.

Recently, he’s added simple games using alphabet blocks that also have be-come works of art.

While working on an architectural project requiring drawings of people to pro-vide scale, someone noticed that each little person in the drawing had a per-sonality of its own.

Hurd expanded on these and was encouraged to take the sketches along when making a delivery to a Eureka Springs gallery, Iris at the Basin Park, that sells his blocks and toys.

The shop owner squealed with delight at the simple black and white drawings and made plans to use the Hurd People on T-shirts and framed as art. She especially liked the set of drawings that resembled ballet’s five positions.

Another outlet for Hurd’s talent was born.

See more of Steve Hurd’s work at www.westworkdesigns.com.

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ICONTECH E3

THe (NeAR) FUTURe OF GAMiNG

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The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) is held in June in Los Angeles every year. The video game press assembles at the Los Angeles Convention Center for the biggest conference of the year.

Each year during E3 all of the major developers hope to steal the show with press conferences, surprise announcements, and elaborate booths, all designed to capture the gaming public’s attention and get their products on the collective consumers’ radar. This year was certainly no different. Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo all pulled out their big guns during individual press conferences. There were a multitude of stories coming out of this year’s E3, but these stood above the others.

NINTENDO ANNOUNCES ITS WII SUCCESSOR, THE WII-UThe biggest announcement of the conference came a few days early, as Nintendo revealed plans to unveil a follow-up to their smash hit console, the Wii. During their press conference, Nin-tendo talked details on what they hope will be a continuation of the Wii’s dominance into the casual gaming market as well as an attempt to generate market share among the hard core gaming public. Unlike the Wii, the Wii-U will finally see Nintendo venture into the High Definition gaming era. This was a crucial change, as the Wii’s graphics always looked dated and simplistic when compared to Microsoft’s Xbox360 or Sony’s Playstation 3.

The biggest change is a new innovative controller that was an-nounced. The main Wii-U controller will be a ‘tablet’ like device. The controller includes all the usual buttons and directional pads as well as an accelerometer and gyroscope; speakers, front-fac-ing camera, and microphone; and a 6.2 inch touch-screen. It will be interesting how game developers will put all of these new features to use, as there could be some nice applications for the new controller. Whether it’s selectable inventory or combat maps or incorporating the touch screen as part of the game en-vironment, it’s expected that this could change gameplay simi-larly to how the motion controllers on the original Wii did.

While the move to HD and the new controller have certainly piqued interest in the console, due out sometime in 2012, critics of the announcement have pointed out that the Wii-U will be underpowered as soon as it hits the market, compared to the current (5 and 6 year old) iterations of the Xbox360 and PS3. A glaring omission during the announcement was the games that will be coming for the Wii-U, but Nintendo has a lot of time to remedy that. Nintendo seems to have the Midas touch, though, and it’s expected that the Wii-U will be a hit when it’s released next year.

THE NExT-GENERATION HANDHELD – THE PS VITASony’s introduction to PlayStation Vita handheld gaming con-sole created a surprising amount of buzz coming out of E3. The PS Vita is Sony’s follow-up to the underwhelming Playstation Portable (PSP) handheld console. For the Vita, Sony answered every criticism of the PSP and upped the stakes with some in-novative features and controls.

The Vita will have dual analog sticks, an OLED front touch-screen, rear touchpad, front and back cameras, and will facili-tate wireless internet access and multiplayer gaming. Driving all of this will be a processor as powerful as the current PS3, which should produce stunning game play and graphics.

Where Nintendo stumbled with the Wii-U, Sony excelled by an-nouncing an all-star launch game lineup. The true star of the batch will be a new Uncharted game that features touchscreen controls, gorgeous visuals, and a brand new Uncharted story. Also sure to be a hit at launch will be a sequel to Sony’s hit platformer, Little Big Planet.

The Vita will be released this holiday season with two models, a WiFi only model priced at $250, and a 3G model at $300. The PS Vita’s feature set, highly anticipated games, and con-sumer-friendly price point should make the Vita a hit this holiday season.

MODERN WAREFARE 3 VS. BATTLEFIELD 3Every year a new version of Activision’s monster hit shooter, Call of Duty, is released, and every year it tops the sales, and multiplayer gaming charts. This year, as with the last two odd-numbered years, the Modern Warfare iteration will be released and it will likely dominate again, but there could be a new chal-lenger on the horizon. Battlefield 3 came out of this year’s E3 conference with great reviews and a building sense of anticipa-tion that it could be the first person shooter to finally stand up to the big bully on the block, Modern Warfare.

Battlefield 3 features destructible environments and a multitude of controllable vehicles for the player to play with. Modern War-fare 3 will extend the story to a global conflict with war waging simultaneously in New York, Paris, Berlin, and other locations.

At the end of the day, Modern Warfare 3 will probably stand on top, but it’s exciting that there’s a new challenger.

HOT IN TECHHot Video Game: Infamous 2. Continue the story of reluctant superhero Cole McGrath as he inhabits the city of New Marais, a fun New Orleans look-alike. The gameplay remains intact from the first Infamous, as you must constantly make choices to use your new-found superpowers for good or evil.

Hot App: Instapaper. Ever run across a link or story on the internet that you’d like to read, but just don’t have time at the moment? If so, then Instapaper is the app for you. After a quick install, one click saves the story/page and aggregates it to one common site for you to peruse later.

Hot Website: Grantland.com. Bill Simmons, ESPN’s “The Sports Guy” was the most widely read writer on ESPN’s web-site. This month, he’s launched an off-shoot website that will cover sports as well as pop culture, providing a different sort of content than you’d find on the original ESPN.com.

BY JAMES RYKEN

WWDC2011 DEVELOPERS’ CONFERENCE

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BY LUKE IRVIN / IOS DEVELOPER / IRVIN MEDIA

San Francisco, CaliforniaWWDC 2011

June 6 – June 10, 2011

The World Wide Developer Conference is Apple’s shining week for announcing upcoming software and hardware. Ticket pricing at $1,600 sold out in just eight hours this year, a new record. Apple also gives out student scholarships, which is how I was able to attend. WWDC has occurred every summer since 1983 with the number of attendees normally varying from 2,000 to 4,200 with this year having 5,200.

APPLe’S SHiNiNG MOMeNT

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HTTP://ABOUT.ME/LUKEIRVIN

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Last year Apple announced the iPhone 4 and iOS 4, a major breakthrough for Apple. This year Apple wanted to focus strictly on software. The main focus was Lion, iOS 5, and iCloud, an even bigger breakthrough.

Lion is the new addiction to the OSX collection. Available in July for only $29 in the Mac App Store, Lion will have new features including LaunchPad, Resume, Autosave, Versions, AirDrop, and Mail.

The iPhone and iPad are about to get a massive update with iOS 5. There are nearly 200 new features coming to these devices but only a few where covered. They include the new notification center (which is my favorite), iMessages, Twitter integration, Newsstand, and an update to the Game Center.

Steve Jobs returned to the stage to talk about the highlight of the keynote… iCloud. The quote of the day was “It just works”. iCloud is focused around six apps that syncs all data to all your devices via the cloud. The best part about it, it’s free. That’s right, completely free. Users will get 5 gigs for free and it does not include purchased music, photos, or books. This is huge news for Apple that launches this company to a level that no one has mastered yet.

LiON

iOS 5

iCLOUD

{ } IT JUST WORKS.— STEVE JOBS“

“

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This is largest conference I have attended so far and I picked up some fun facts.

1. TWITTER: Business cards are a thing of the past. Twitter was a key tool for communicat-ing during the conference with all my new friends. Make sure you have a Twitter account and know how to use it! Need any help? Ask away! Just follow @thelukeirvin

2. TRAVEL LIGHT: Seriously, if you are going to a major tech conference, travel as light as you can. I didn’t know that I would collect so much swag from tech start-ups. Just from the night before the big event people where walking away with four T-shirts they gathered from local tech companies.

3. SHOW OFF YOUR APP: WWDC is devoted to Apple geeks. One of the funniest parts at

this conference is showing off your awesome iOS apps. Even if you don’t have one in the app store yet, make something that shows off your creativity that you can gloat about.

4. ASK qUESTIONS: This is the one week where Apple engineers surround developers. Come prepared with your questions. They are there to help you learn and will even fix any bugs you have in your apps.

5. SIGHT SEE: Yes this is a week devoted to Apple but you have to make some time to sight see! The highlight of my trip was getting to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge to Petaluma, CA where myself and my friend Justin Scott visited Leo Laporte at the This Week in Tech Cottage, followed up by a visit through wine country and back to San Francisco. That day has climbed the charts to one of greatest days ever.

Last year Apple announced the iPhone 4 and iOS 4, a major breakthrough for Apple. This year Apple wanted to focus strictly on software. The main focus was Lion, iOS 5, and iCloud, an even bigger breakthrough.

Lion is the new addiction to the OSX collection. Available in July for only $29 in the Mac App Store, Lion will have new features including LaunchPad, Resume, Autosave, Versions, AirDrop, and Mail.

The iPhone and iPad are about to get a massive update with iOS 5. There are nearly 200 new features coming to these devices but only a few where covered. They include the new notification center (which is my favorite), iMessages, Twitter integration, Newsstand, and an update to the Game Center.

Steve Jobs returned to the stage to talk about the highlight of the keynote… iCloud. The quote of the day was “It just works”. iCloud is focused around six apps that syncs all data to all your devices via the cloud. The best part about it, it’s free. That’s right, completely free. Users will get 5 gigs for free and it does not include purchased music, photos, or books. This is huge news for Apple that launches this company to a level that no one has mastered yet.

LiON

iOS 5

iCLOUD

THeeXPeRieNCe

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IT’SCOOLDOWNTOWN

RiCH iN HiSTORYAND ReViTALiZATiON

BY KIM WILLIAMS

Downtown Conway is excited to be Arkansas’ leading edge city that offers small-town flexibility and charm with big-city attractions, hotels, restaurants, shopping and entertainment.

Our downtown is a destination that’s growing, revitalizing, and renewing. You will notice many of the amenities that make visitors, prospective residents and businesses, and our own citizens feel appreciated and at home.

Our rich traditions and our role in history are cherished and preserved. Recent additions to our downtown include cultural and entertainment mix compliments our revitalization of historic build-ings and attractions in the area. Our ongoing desire to update and modernize is evident, while we facelift and polish the best that our ancestors left for us to enjoy.

You will find that there is so much to do here – concerts, musicals, theatre, museums, athletics, and special events will fill your calendar.

Relax, rediscover, and reconnect in Downtown Conway!

Happy 4th of July!07.01 {Friday} You’ll enjoy the patriotic music and atmosphere when the Conway Community Band performs at 8 p.m., Fri., July 1, part of the Concert in Simon Park series. This is free to the public. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and enjoy music under the stars.

Third Thursday07.21 {Thursday} There’s something for everyone ... dining, shopping and tons of entertain-ment. Third Thursday events are a great time to come downtown and explore. You’ll find cur-rent ‘flair’ from our unique boutiques, cool shoppes, art offerings, diverse restaurants. For more information, visit: www.downtownconway.org.

Farmers Market{Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays} Conway farmers market offers a fresh selection of

locally-grown fruit, vegetables and herbs, as well as flowers, handcrafts and much more. Fol-low your taste buds to the corner of Main and Parkway streets every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 7 a.m.-1 p.m.

REMEMBER,IT’SCOOLDOWNTOWN!

MOONLIghTMaDNESS07.29{Friday}Thesummertime

MoonlightMadnessisoneofthemostanticipatedeventsoftheyear.TheshoppesofdowntownConway

arepreparedtoextendthebestmarkdownsoftheseasontoyou

duringthisannualevent.Busi-nesseswillbeopenfrom6-9p.m.

Staydowntownandshopunderthestars,andyou’llfindallthebest

summersales!

JULY HAPPeNiNGS

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ONTHEMOVE DANNY PATEL BY RACHEL PARKER DICKERSON

The family trade has become a passionate pur-suit for Danny Patel.

Owner and general manager of the Country Inn and Suites in Conway, Patel has also opened a La Quinta in Bryant and recently acquired the Hilcrest Inn of Sheridan.

“I’m trying to take over the family traditions,” he said. “My parents used to have (hotels). I’m try-ing to take over the business and do something nice.”

Born in India, Patel moved to Malvern, Ark., at age 13. He attended Ouachita Tech where he earned an associate’s degree, and he studied nursing at National Park Community College in Hot Springs. However, he decided nursing was not the right field for him. Patel attended a col-lege in India where he earned a degree in hotel management.

“We started building hotels after that,” he said.

In 2008, he built the Country Inn and Suites in Conway, located on Amity Road.

“I enjoy watching the hotels go up from scratch,” he said. “It’s a lot of headaches, but when they open, it’s really nice. It’s very hard when you’re in the construction. It’s very stressful. But then, when it opens, it’s very fruitful. There’s a lot of happiness. The guests are happy; my busi-ness partners are happy; the brand is happy. The brand used this hotel for marketing for the company.”

Patel said one thing he loves about his job is in-teracting with the guests. He loves to hear their stories and make sure they are happy.

“I’m a people person. I like to talk to the guests. I like to be in the hospitality business. I love my guests. I love my employees. My family pushes me to be involved with a lot of stuff. My wife motivates me.”

Patel married on Dec. 28, 2010. His wife, Ami, has joined him in the family business and now runs the Country Inn and Suites.

“We have known each other eight years,” he said, noting they are working toward buying a home in Conway. Both he and his wife like Con-way, and so they plan to settle here.

“Usually, we build a hotel and find a good man-

ager and leave. I want to grow with the town, see what other business opportunities there are, work with the chamber of commerce. Maybe build more hotels, but not necessarily in Conway.

“Raising a family in town would be a good thing. It’s a good place to raise a family, especially with the new school coming in, and all the col-leges.”

As he continues to be part of the community, he said, “I love to stay involved in community work. I like to do charity, like with Habitat for Human-ity. I do a lot of stuff with the chamber, like com-munity service. I enjoy stuff like business after hours and ribbon cuttings or grand openings.”

With the support of his family, Patel said he has seen a lot of hard work pay off. The first year the Country Inn and Suites was open, he said, he was named Young Business Leader of the Year by the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce and received the President’s Award from the brand, based on overall service, customer sat-isfaction, community awards and total revenue. Several awards are on display behind the front desk in the entry.

He said he did not realize he was doing award-winning work.

“My sister asked me how we got an award. I told her, ‘I don’t know. I just go do it.’ I just put an effort in there. The first step was really hard. Once the first step was achieved, the following steps kept coming. I took the first step really aggressively, and the following steps just keep coming.”

“The first year, we did good,” Patel said. “It was a lot of hard work. We met all expectations with the help of the chamber and the city and my employees. They are the ones that make it pos-sible.

“It’s good to see all the hard work for two years pay off. I get a lot of motivation from my busi-ness partner and my family.

“My family is very supportive. They never say no to whatever I do. Whenever I say I can’t do something, they say, ‘Why not?’ I could not have possibly done that without their help, their support. My family and the employees are kind of like a backbone for the hotel. We work as a family.”

HOTeL HAPPiNeSS

HAPPINESS. THE GUESTS ARE HAPPY; MY BUSINESS PARTNERS

ARE HAPPY; THE BRAND IS HAPPY.

“ “

THERE’SA LOT OF

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THAT KIDS REALLY LOOK UP TO YOU AND REALLY WANT TO SEEEVERY MOVE YOU MAKE. YOU’VE GOT TO MAKE SURE IT’S A POSITIVE ONEAND MAKE SURE YOU ARE A POSITIVE ROLE MODEL FOR THE COMMUNITY.

-PEYTON HILLIS

“ “THERE’S A POINT

LOCALICON PEYTON HILLIS BY DAVID McCOLLUM

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THAT NOiSe AT CONWAY

HiGH?{iT’S JUST HiLLiS}During a recent phone conversation with Conway High football coach Kenny Smith, there was a steady pounding sound from near his office, like major construction.

“Oh, that’s just Peyton Hillis in our weight room,” said Smith of the former CHS Parade All-American who is a running back for the Arkansas Razorbacks. “He’s getting after it. I’ve never seen him this excitable and he’s an excitable young man.”

Smith is more than happy to have Hillis pay a visit to the Wampus Cats’ weight room, especially when younger players are around.

“These kids remember watching him years before and they watch him play now,” he said. “For them to see him still coming back to the school and still working hard is a great model.

“I know they really appreciate seeing that work ethic in him.”

Excerpt from David McCollum’s ‘David’s Appetizer’s’ column, Log Cabin Democrat, May 19, 2006. Hillis graduated from Conway High School in 2004.

06.27.11 PeYTON HiLLiS DOiNG THe TOP 10 LiST ON THe LATe SHOW WiTH

DAViD LeTTeRMAN

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(EDITOR’S NOTE: David McCollum, Log Cabin sports columnist, caught up with former Conway High, Razor-back and Cleveland Browns star Peyton Hillis during his recent football clinic in Conway):

WHAT MAKES THESE CAMPS SPECIAL?Because it gives you a chance to give back to the community. There’s a point that kids really look up to you and really want to see every move that you make. You’ve got to make sure it’s a positive one and make sure you are a positive role model for the community.

ARE YOU ExCITED ABOUT THE CLINIC YOU ARE DOING WITH MICHAEL VICK (THE OTHER MADDEN ’12 SEMIFINALIST)?Very much so. It’s for kids in Arkansas to experience something great and for a big name like him to come to town (Little Rock) is great for the kids, and I think the kids will be excited about it.

WHAT KIND OF RELATIONSHIP HAVE YOU FORMED WITH VICK SINCE YOU TWO WERE THE MAD-DEN FINALISTS?We’ve become real good buddies. He’s a great guy, tremendous man. There’s nobody else I’d rather work with.

IS VICK NOW LIKE HIS IMAGE TO MOST OF THE PUBLIC?Not at all. From what I’ve seen, he has changed and changed dramatically and turned into a great Christian man. It’s fun being around him and listen to his life story of how he came to where he was.

WHAT ABOUT MAKING THE MADDEN COVER? HOW ExCITING HAS THAT BEEN FOR YOU?It’s very exciting. It gets your name out there and makes you feel good for all the work you’ve put in. And it shows people that a small-town boy can do it.

DO YOU THINK THERE WILL BE PRO FOOTBALL THIS YEAR?We will. We’ll be back mid-July, I think. We’ll play.

WHAT ABOUT THE MADDEN COVER jINx?It doesn’t bother me. I’m a Christian guy, and I don’t believe in curses. I look to the good Lord to take care of me, and everything else will fall into place.

BUiLDiNGCHAMPiONS

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LOCALAUTHOR ROBIN BECKERBY COURTNEY SPRADLIN

So said Robin Becker of Conway, author of “Brains – a Zombie Memoir.”

“I was watching a lot of zombie movies in ’04 and ’05 when I suddenly realized that everything was from the human’s perspec-tive. At that point, there hadn’t been any attempt at the zombie’s point of view. I wanted to get inside the head of the zombie. The zombie needed his story told,” said Becker.

Her protagonist is a former college professor and a zombie. He hungers for brains, but he retains some sentience, and some brains of his own.

“I thought it would be interesting to do an experiment and see what it would be like if a zombie didn’t become completely brain dead. If you think about basic evolution, some of them would have to have some sentience in order to survive. It makes sense.”

FROM HER BOOK’S DESCRIPTOR:Forget contemporary American literature--former college profes-sor Jack Barnes has a new passion: Brains. It’s in his nature…he’s a zombie. But he’s not your normal, vacant-eyed, undead idiot. No, Jack Barnes has something most other victims of the zombie apocalypse don’t have: sentience. In fact, he can even write. And the story he has to tell is a truly disturbing - yet strange-ly heartwarming - one. Convinced he’ll bring about a peaceful co-existence between zombies and humans if he can demonstrate his unique condition to the man responsible for the zombie virus, Howard Stein, Barnes sets off on a grueling cross-country jour-ney to meet his maker. Along the way he meets more like him, rotting brain-eaters who have retained some sort of cognitive abil-ity, and soon forms a small army that will stop at nothing to reach their goal. There’s Guts, the agile, dread-locked boy who can run like the wind; Joan, the matronly nurse adept at re-attaching rot-ting appendages; Annie, the young girl with a fierce quick-draw; and Ros, who can actually speak coherent sentences. Together they make their way through an eerie new world of roving zombie hunters, empty McMansions, and clogged highways on a quest to attain what all men, women - and apparently zombies - yearn for: equality.

WHY ZOMBIES?Becker said that she loves zombie movies, but more than that, she is intrigued by their use as a means to project human fears.

“What I love about zombies is how much humans project onto

them. That’s why they’re so popular. They’re scary but because they’re generally unthinking, undeveloped characters, they’re a blank slate. We project our fears on them - the military industrial complex, war, disease, fear of other people. It’s stranger-danger, the idea that someone might snap and attack. Zombies are our family and friends who have undergone a transformation and want to kill us. In that way, they are a kind of unique monster.”

“Brains” is 44-year-old Becker’s first published work and third book. She is working on the revisions of a fourth book now that is classified as a supernatural thriller and stars a woman who has the ability to kill people simply by willing it. Somewhere along the line, she becomes an assassin.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Becker started writing “seriously” about 10 years ago. Until then, she journaled and scripted poetry only. She finished her first novel by 2002. She’s lived in numerous places, which is easily done if you occupy one van, and claims Philadelphia as a stomping ground, along with New Jersey, her place of birth, Austin, Tex., and a small town in Missouri. She said she traveled wide and far while convinced that the only way to grow as a person and to learn about the world was to get to see new places and new people.

“Now, as I’ve gotten older I understand the pleasures you get from staying in one place and getting to know the people and place on a deeper level - rather than having everything new all the time,” she said.

She’ll be in Conway for a while, it seems, because her husband, Mark Spitzer, locally known Alligator Gar advocate, author and creative writing instructor is employed by the University of Central Arkansas. This local author’s winding road to our area has been “quite a journey,” she said.

Let’s read her book and wonder if the presumably odd characters occupying a post-apocalyptic earth featured on the professor’s expedition bare semblance to any of the truly weird and suppos-edly brain-powered humans that she met out there on her own journey.

One doesn’t have to journey too far around here to wonder if in some forgotten corners of Arkansas, the virus hasn’t already begun. Links to purchase her book, available through HarperCol-lins Publishers, can be found at her website, www.robinzbecker.com.

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Zombies,The miNdLess, sLOW-mOviNg, BRAiN-eATiNg, ARm-muNChiNg, TATTeRed CLOThes WeARiNg

ANd pRediCTABLe uNdeAd

ARe misuNdeRsTOOd CReATuRes.

PREVIEW BOOK ONLINE

LOCALSITUATION

Vegetable and herb gardening is in and studies indicate it will continue to grow in popularity. If you’re not growing your own yet it’s time to start. Why? The reasons are as varied as the people who garden.

Some do it to save money. Others want to ensure their food ischemical-free, and as safe as possible. Still others grow their own vegetables because fresher is just better. Many do it be-cause gardening is good for you and some because it’s still fun to play in the dirt.

Whatever your reason for opting to join the 7 million Americans who grabbed their gardening gear and grew their own veg-etables and herbs last year, your road to success is basically the same as everyone else’s - planting at the right time, mak-ing sure your soil’s in shape, weeding and watering responsibly, and feeding and nurturing your plants.

This season, you won’t have to buy your fresh herbs and veg-etables from a farmer’s market; you can grow them on your own, and you don’t need a farm-sized backyard - or pocketbook - to do it.

Avid gardener Stan Cope, president of Bonnie Plants, the larg-est producer of vegetable and herb plants in North America, growing locally in 75 locations nationwide, offers some time-saving tips to make the growing easy:

• Survey your soil - Your first step is to decide where you’ll put your vegetable and herb garden. Good soil is key. The best soil is loam, a soft, dark, crumbly dirt. Loamy soil holds water, allows for drainage and is easy to dig. If you encounter clay or sandy soil, add peat moss and bone meal so that these soils can also be productive gardening bases.

• Size up your space - When plotting out the size of your garden, you’ll want to be sure it’s big enough to yield a good harvest to

make your efforts worthwhile. But if you’re limited on yard space - or have none at all - you can grow vegetables and herbs in con-tainers on a deck, terrace, balcony or even on the windowsill.

• Let the sunshine in - Your plants need plenty of sun - at least six hours a day. A sunny and open location is your best bet for producing a plentiful harvest.

• Pick your plants for your plot - Grow vegetables that are expen-sive to buy in the grocery store or at the farmer’s market, such as tomatoes and peppers.

A tried-and-true prolific producer, the Bonnie Original Tomato, was developed exclusively for Bonnie Plants in 1967. They come in environmentally friendly, biodegradable pots that you plant right into the soil.

If peppers are your passion, the Yummy Bell Pepper, ripening from green to apricot orange, is a best bet. Trial garden testing of five plants averaged 248 peppers per plant during the sum-mer growing season.

• Time-saving transplants - When you’re ready to begin planting, opt for transplants - seedlings that have already been started - rather than starting from seed. Transplants will buy you lots of time because plants are six weeks or older when you put them in the ground, and you’ll begin harvesting much sooner.

• Feed your food - Your vegetable plants will need food and water to survive and grow. When feeding plants, try to avoid chemical fertilizers that could potentially seep into groundwater. Bonnie Plant Food is a unique, organically based, soybean oil-seed extract formula that has demonstrated superior results in the health and vigor of plants.

Give your garden a good watering once or twice a week, al-though some crops may need more water.

VeGGiN’ OUT iS SO iN

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HoW To GRoW iTiN CoNWAY!

Do you like to eat fresh fruits and veggies? Would you like to know how to grow your own fresh pro-duce? Well, keep reading to found out how easy it can be to get started!

There is a national movement to grow our own fruits and veggies, and you can be part! The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension service provides many resources on how, what, when and where to grow produce in Arkansas. Visit www.uaex.edu for more information and a list of fact sheets for the be-ginning gardener.

• How to grow• Calendars on when to grow• Q & A• What varieties to grow

Kami Marsh is your horticulture agent in Faulkner County, she can help you discuss the steps to get-ting started:

• Choosing a proper location • Taking a soil sample• Developing a plan for the garden• Deciding what to plant

Once you have a garden and start getting produce you can work with County Agent Melanie Malone to learn how to cook with all your new herbs, veggies and fruits.

So get started today, you will enjoy eating the food from your hard work! For more information contact Kami Marsh, 501-329-8344, kmarsh@uaex.edu

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HAve You sTopped bYsHAke’s NeW loCATioN?

It’s on Oak Street next to Wendy’s and Jimmy John’s.

Nothing can cool you down better {or faster} than a Shake’s frozen custard!

* It’s made fresh hourly! * Has all natural ingredients! * And NO preservatives!

CONCRETE.SHAKES.MALTS.SUNDAES

And don’t forget the Shake’s frozen custard CAKES! YUM!

Stop by and celebrate Shake’s 20th anniversary by asking for the anniversary Wedding Cake concrete!

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ICONHERO DIANA BURKS

Growing up, Diana Burks said she was told she could be anything she wanted to be. Maybe it was that constant affirmation that led her to be Conway’s first female firefighter. Maybe it was just her fascina-tion with the profession. No matter which way she looks at it, she considers a com-ment from fire chief Bart Castleberry, a little bit of foreshadowing.

This hint of what was to come happened when Burks was still in high school. An assignment from her English teacher saw Burks interviewing Castleberry for infor-mation on the profession.

“I spoke with the chief and we talked a lot about what it meant to be a firefighter and what was expected of the people that do the job,” she said. “I had hoped that there was already a female firefighter with the department but the chief told me there wasn’t. He also said that maybe I could be the first one.”

It would take many more years before that comment came to be. Burks finished high school and then graduated from the Uni-versity of Central Arkansas.

She was working at a job in Little Rock that she couldn’t see herself doing for the rest of her life when she decided to follow the path that had always been her dream and pursue a career with the fire department.

“I tried out for the test and that took a lot of courage”, she joked. “I ended up wearing the wrong clothes and had to run home to change before I could start the physical part of the test, so I already felt like I was at a disadvantage.

“I passed the tests and was added to the waiting list of people available to be picked up by a department and started filling in at stations all over the city before getting hired full time at the Central sta-tion.”

Being the first one into a situation has its share of advantages, but it also can be daunting. Burks says she wanted to prove that she fit in, and it was a struggle for the guys to know she wasn’t there to intrude.

“I really wanted the guys to know that I could do the job,” she said. “I wanted to show that I belonged there and that I wasn’t trying to ruin their fun. The fire-house was theirs first and I never wanted to feel like I had spoiled that for them.”

Almost eight years later, Burks says that her co-workers have accepted her and that she has gained a second family.

Burks’ boss, Captain Phillip Short said he never had any worries about Burks being the first female firefighter. He just wanted to know that she could do the job.

“I didn’t think about it one way or the other,” he said. “The thing that matters is if a firefighter can do the job because we all have to rely on each other. She proved that she could do the job and has been a part of the team ever since.”

Burks says that although the good-na-tured teasing she takes from the guys is like having a bunch of brothers, she wouldn’t think of doing anything else.

“These guys are great,” she said. “We work together and live here at the station for a third of the time, so we get to know each other each other’s families. Coming to work and leaving my family is like walk-ing into a room with another part of my family. I don’t think I could have chosen a better career.”

Having blazed a trail for women firefight-ers in Conway, she has a few words of wisdom to girls thinking about a career in the field.

“Don’t let people tell you that you can’t do it,” she said. “Also, don’t let yourself get in the way of what you want to do. There is no harm in trying, don’t look back and regret that you didn’t give it a shot.”

When Burks is not at work, she is at home with her husband, who is also a firefighter in Little Rock and their two-year-old son.

“We balance things pretty well,” she said. “I love what I do and who I get to do it with. I have a great family, both home and at work.”

TRAiLBLAZeRCONWAY’S FIRST FEMALE FIREFIGHTER

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BY CANDIE BECK

OUTSTANDING ROOKIEArticle from the Log Cabin Democrat, Dec. 29, 2003, after Burks was named the Outstanding Rookie at the Arkansas Fire Training Academy graduation ceremony.

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Hello to all the readers of ICON magazine! Hopefully, your fitness and physique levels have improved, eating 5 or 6 small meals per day (once every 2-3 hours), and performing

your Dr. FiT’s Interval

Training mentioned in my previous article. This will

assist you in obtaining the fitness and physique that you desire in 2011!

This article once again is geared toward my ladies; but fellows, I promise to have something for you next month. Now back to the ladies!

In my years of training and trav-eling, I’ve always heard ladies mention two body parts they would love to improve. Ladies, does that ring a bell? The first one allows you to wear that

sports bra or fitted shirt with ease, sleekness and confidence.

The other allows you to captivate a room and gain

everyone’s attention when you walk in.

The two “Most Wanted in Fitness” by far are sculpted abs and sexy buns (glutes)! There’s something sexy about having sculpt-ed abs and sexy buns that make you feel extremely proud and confident. In gyms all across the country, you see ladies doing squats, walking lunges, side lunges, 45-degree and glute raises to develop the perfect pair of buns.

You see men and women doing cardio on top of cardio trying to develop washboard abs. That is one of our sequential quests to obtain in fitness. How liberating does it feel to walk around in the gym with a sports bra, wear a fitted shirt with a nice skirt or jeans out with friends knowing you have a flat mid-section?

The first thing I encourage you to do is change your cardio plan and make minor adjustments to your meal plan. Say bye-bye to countless hours on the treadmill or elliptical and pick up the kettlebell and interval training. Research shows us that nothing is more efficient at burning body fat and helping preserve lean muscle mass than interval training. If you’ve been on the ellipti-cal or treadmill forever and still haven’t experienced significant body composition changes, then switch over to interval training. Also, the kettlebell is a must!

When using the kettlebell, move from the hips first and not from the back or knees. Kettlebell exercises strengthen the glutes and keep your heart rate high, so you’re body is burning more calories in and out of the gym. Your body’s ability to burn calo-ries more efficiently post-workout is CRUCIAL!

Squats build a perfect pair of glutes. However, what can be done more to activate the glutes when you squat? When you are in the ascending phase of the squat before you reach the

top, move your hips forward and you’ll experience a new feeling in your glutes if done correctly!

Lunges and walking lunges are excellent exercises to help you build glute supremacy. As you lunge, make sure your upper body is erect and not bending over. If you desire perfect glutes, go for a longer lunge. Shorter lunges activate the quads more. Remem-ber to keep the front knee at 90 degrees and directly above the toes. The back knee should nearly touch the ground. Keep your total lower body sets between 10-12 sets with reps between 12-20, depending on your fitness level and specific goals.

For the abs, I love having my clients keep their reps high! In some cases, we’ll go upwards of 50 reps on toe raises or jack-knives. (However, they have been with me for several months and their fitness level is in the advanced category.)

For beginners, I would recommend staying between 10-15 reps. Crunches and elevated crunches, without pulling your neck, are great exercises for the abs.

These few exercises mentioned will allow you to train your lower, middle and upper abs. Keep reps high for those of you who have been training for one year or more and work them daily. Be care-ful not to add excessive amounts of weight when you perform an ab exercise because abs are a muscle group. This will cause them to bulk up and extend your stomach outward.

ICONWELLNESS BY PATRICK ‘DR. FIT’ JAMERSON

TARGeTiNG GLUTeS AND ABS

— Patrick “Dr. FiT” Jamerson is president and founder of NXT

Fitness Professionals, LLC (501) 513-9833 (office)

info@nxtlevelfitness.org (business e-mail)

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ICONRECOVERY BY SOTAIRA A. MORRIGAN

MASSAGe: PAMPeRiNG + MUCH MOReMassage therapy is as vital to a healthy mind and body as ex-ercise and diet. All too often, we turn to temporary solutions to deal with our stressful lives. Massage therapy is no longer con-sidered just for “pampering.” It has become vital to one’s health from fighting diseases and medical conditions to preventing them all together. Massage improves one’s life.

Many specialty areas of massage have been finding there way to clinics and spas around the world. In Conway, we have skillfully trained massage therapists in fibromyalgia, injury recovery, post surgery recovery, migraines, PMS, high-risk pregnancies, reflex sympathetic dystrophy and many more. Helping your body deal with stress and making massage therapy part of preventative health care will improve posture, range of motion, insomnia and decrease stress levels that plague our everyday lives.

Patients seeking pain relief is one reason for massage therapy. Pain is the body’s way of saying something is wrong. Pain is lo-cated in the soft tissues of the body, muscles and nerves; mas-sage therapy can help calm over-stimulated nerves and reduce pain levels or remove the pain all together over time. Continued massage therapy can keep pain away.

With a wide range of massage techniques available, being in pain is no longer an option. Massage affords us the physical benefit of a more relaxed body and the psychological benefit of a more balanced perspective as you face the demands of life.

Make a smart choice and add a massage to your busy sched-ule once a month. It will provide you with mental and emotional clarity to perform every day. Choosing a massage therapist is as important as choosing the right doctor for your stage of life, building that relationship on trust and health can make the little stressors in life fade away. Don’t trust you body to just anyone,

especially if you have medical conditions, disease or are look-ing to preventing hereditary ones. When looking for a massage therapist ask about their education, their specialties and train-ing they have received, and above all else make sure they are licensed massage therapist in Arkansas.

By paying attention to your body’s needs, finding the massage therapist that works best with you and informing your doctor, you are taking important steps to achieving your health goals.

Sotaira A. MorriganLicensed Master Massage Therapist; Certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Therapist; Certified Pre/Post-natal Massage Therapist; Certified Reflexologist; Owner of

Sotaira’s Organics & Spawww.Sotaira.com

(501) 733-8313

42

LASTLOOK

STEWART COLE PHOTOUnion Pacific No. 844 and the Little Rock Express won the ‘Union Pacific Railroad’s Great Excursion Adventure - You Route the Steam Contest’ and passed through Conway ‘ahead of schedule’ on Thursday, June 9, 2011.

NOW

Steam Locomotive No. 844 is the last steam locomotive built for Union Pacific Railroad. It was delivered in 1944. A high-speed passenger engine, it pulled such widely known trains as the Overland Limited, Los Angeles Limited, Portland Rose and Challenger.

When diesels took over all of the passenger train du-ties, No. 844 was placed in freight service in Nebraska

between 1957 and 1959. It was saved from being scrapped in 1960 and held for special service.

The engine has run hundreds of thousands of miles as Union Pacific’s ambassador of goodwill. It has made appearances at Expo ‘74 in Spokane, the 1981 opening of the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, the 1984 World’s Fair in New Orleans and the 50th

Anniversary Celebration of Los Angeles Union Station in 1989.

Hailed as Union Pacific’s “Living Legend,” the engine is widely known among railroad enthusiasts for its excur-sion runs, especially over Union Pacific’s fabled cross-ing of Sherman Hill between Cheyenne and Laramie, Wyoming.

LiViNG LeGeND NO. 844THE LASTOF THE STEAMLOCOMOTIVES

OKLAHOMA

ICO

G

NEBRASKA

COLORADO

KANSAS

MISSOURI

IOWA

ILLINOIS

ARKANSAS

Cheyenne NorthPlatte

KansasCity

St.Louis

Omaha

Little Rock

Gibbon

Sidney

Topeka

Grand Island

JeffersonCity

Claremore

Durand

Coffeyville

WagonerVan Buren

Russellville Bald Knob

Poplar BluffDexter Jct.

Cape Girardeau

Gorham

FallsCity

Marysville Atchison

Little Rock Express TourNo. 844

Outbound

Little Rock ExpressExcursion Adventure

Inbound

LIVING LEGEND NO. 844

HISTORIC STEAM ENGINE TRAVELS

THROUGH CONWAY