As designated by Sports Illustrated

By Daddy Warbucks

Fayetteville High has again been recognized for having the top high school sports program in Arkansas. The designation by Sports Illustrated magazine does not surprise anyone who has seen the magic that athletic director Dick Johnson has worked since he came to the campus almost 20 years ago.

This past year Fayetteville won state titles in girls golf, girls basketball, baseball and boys basketball. This year was the first time ever that any school in Arkansas has reigned as state champs in both boys and girls basketball. FHS finished as runner-up in other sports.

This athletic prowess of the local high school teams should not be lost on the academic side of things as many, if not most, of these athletes are also scholars. And this needs to be said: Sports does not run the high school. But the high school sure runs better when the sports teams thrive.

Big Question

How many Americans would like to limit the salaries of athletes and movie stars to $1 million a year? Answer at the end.

Top Ranking

The Natural Resources Defense Council has released the findings in its Smarter Cities study. Fayetteville ranked sixth overall in the small cities category. Besting our hometown were: Bellingham, Wash., Mountain View, Calif., Norwalk, Conn., Sarasota, Fla., and Burnsville, Minn. The study looked at nine different categories to create the rankings. Of those nine, Fayetteville came out in the number one spot for environmental standards and participation.

New On Dickson

Nightbird Books on Dickson Street now shares its space with Hammontree’s Grilled Cheese, a great little café specializing in several variations of tasty grilled cheese sandwiches that range from your standard grilled cheese to gourmet grilled cheese, one of the best comfort foods known to the palate. Homemade soups like the Smoked Artichoke, Crawfish Bisque and Spinach Gorgonzola are made with loving care by owner Chad Hammontree. There are also salads, and beer and wine are on the way.

Pretty Paint

Looks like the old red building that recently housed Wilma’s has gone green … green as in the color of the paint. The Greenhouse Grille is moving into the spot and word is that lots of good things are in store when GHG moves to this new space with about double the seating.

History

The Butterfield Overland Mail Route Fayetteville Segments Historic District in Washington County has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The area is west of Arkansas 265 near Lake Fayetteville Park and was used by the stagecoach company between 1858 and 1861.

Small Niche

While Arkansas towns like Harrison, Hot Springs, El Dorado and Jonesboro are cheering about their new air service, let’s take a good look at it. SeaPort Airlines will establish daily service beginning Oct. 1 to these fine cities, but they will be flying nine-seat, single prop planes.

Car Wash Down

Looks like one of the car washes on Wedington is being torn down. Probably good news for the IHOP restaurant that was sandwiched between two car washes.

New In Town

There are a half-dozen future MDs training at the new UAMS-Northwest Campus in the old Washington Regional Medical Center. These third-year students will rotate through various clinics and hospitals in the area.

AERT Pays

AERT, the Springdale-based manufacturer of poly-based building products has paid a $5,000 fee to the NASDAQ to have a hearing to see why its stock prices should continue to be listed on the national exchange. The stock has been below the threshold of $1 for more than a year. It has ranged from as low as 3 cents to a high of 75 cents in the last 52 weeks.

World Premiere

TheatreSquared’s artistic director Robert Ford will take his play, “My Father’s War,” to Italy and Germany this summer. The play will be presented in a staged reading in Berlin where a German cast will join associate artistic director Amy Herzberg reprising her lead role. In Italy, Compagnia Dei Demoni will present a full-scale production July 25 in Genoa at the Valle Christi Festival Internazionale before the play tours throughout Italy. Congratulations Robert, Amy and TheaterSquared.

Sales Still Lag

Washington County was still No. 3 in home sales in Arkansas for May. Some 188 homes were sold in Washington County in May with a median price of $164,703. Benton County was No. 2 with 325 units sold. Pulaski County was No. 1 with 393 homes sold.

Big Answer

A survey says three out of every 10 Americans would like to limit the yearly income of athletes and movie stars to $1 million a year.