This 2014 photo provided by The Satanic Temple shows a bronze Baphomet, which depicts Satan as a goat-headed figure surrounded by two children. The Satanic Temple, a group advocating the separation of church and state, is considering proposing that the statue be placed outside the Arkansas Statehouse after their first choice of the Oklahoma Capitol grounds was scuttled in 2015 by a state Supreme Court ruling barring all religious monuments. (The Satanic Temple via AP)
STATUES OF LIMITATIONS
Back in April, Arkansas state legislators approved a privately funded statue of the Ten Commandments to be erected on the Capitol lawn.
Naturally, this caught wind with some other religious groups; namely the Satanic Temple and the Universal Society of Hinduism. The Satanists want a bronze statue of Baphomet, a demonic goat-headed figure with horns, hooves and wings, and the Hindus want a statue for Lord Hanuman, who has an ape-like face and a tail known for incredible strength, perseverance and devotion.
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said during a news conference that he doesn’t support the Hindu plan or that from The Satanic Temple. Sen. Jason Rapert (R-Conway), who sponsored the bill for the Ten Commandments statue, also condemned the other statues and said the Ten Commandments were part of the historical foundation of law around the world and in the U.S., to which the Satanists and Hindus disagree. Hutchinson said any of the groups would need to petition the secretary of state or have their own legislation sponsored.
Several other groups, including PETA, have shown interest in building or placing monuments to represent their deeply held beliefs. It’s only a matter of time before The Church of the Latter-Day Dude, inspired by the film “The Big Lebowski”, and the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster come on down to Little Rock.
Oklahoma’s Supreme Court recently ruled that their Capitol’s Ten Commandment statue must be removed and that no religious structures can be built on government land. It might come to that in Arkansas.
HAMMOCK CITY APPROVED
Hammock lovers rejoice, thanks to Girl Scout Troop 5114 the Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board approved a proposal to build a “hammock hotel” at Wilson Park.
The plan is for seven 12-foot-long posts that will be placed 5 feet into the ground, 14 feet apart in the shape of a hexagon surrounding a single post in the center. The posts will have hooks that people can use to hang their hammocks. At max capacity, the “hotel” can hold up to 12 hammocks. It’s gonna be chill.
Without a doubt, the unofficial logo of Fayetteville could very well be a hammock. For that matter, it might as well be a Subaru Outback in a hammock with Chacos on the tires wearing a lil’ Fayettechill hat. Hey Fayetteville A&P Commission, could be cool… just sayin’.
WHATABURGER OPENS MONDAY
Guys, guys, guys, Whataburger, that fast food chain from Texas is opening this week. In no way related to the Russelville Feltner’s Whatta-Burger (C’mon…), the burger joint is going to grace MLK Jr. Blvd.—next to Braum’s —with their hot meats, potatoes and honeybutter chicken biscuits this Monday.
That’s not all, there are plans now for a Whataburger at the corner of College Ave. and Joyce Blvd. in north Fayetteville. The building that used to house Oreck Vacuums, Cash for Gold, Boost Mobile, Game X Change and others — all of which have since closed — will be torn down to make way for the new restaurant.
Rogers will soon be seeing a new Whataburger on Pleasant Crossing Drive, and the Springdale Planning Commission approved plans for another one last week.
Y’all, looks like Whataburger got a taste of the NWA and just can’t get enough.
HOG HAUS CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS
Down on the corner of West Ave. and Dickson Street in Fayetteville, Hog Haus will be closed for the next two weeks while renovations are underway.
The american style restaurant will be getting an overhaul. There are plans for repainting, hardwood floors, new windows, a new kitchen and a HVAC unit. In addition to all the shiny new upgrades, the menu is going to be updated and minimized. Hog Haus beers will cease brewing off-site, and the beer menu will feature state and local beers.
The plan is to get everything finished by Aug. 1.
