When you get to work on Monday – we want you to remember one thing:  Argenta Restaurant Week!  Yes, Argenta Restaurant week has quickly become a fun and anticipated event that happens twice a year in downtown North Little Rock.  And it starts on Monday.

Even more restaurants are participating in the lunch and dinner specials this summer – and it’s all designed to celebrate and showcase this amazing area of town.  So don’t pack a lunch this week – and if you don’t make plans to eat even one dinner in Argenta this week, you’re really missing out.

Lunches are only $8 for a two course meal.  And dinners are only $25 for three courses!  And they are happening at all your favorite places:  Starving Artist Cafe, Ristorante Capeo, Reno’s Argenta Cafe, Cornerstone Grill & Pub, Creegan’s Irish Pub, Riverfront Steakhouse, Benihana, Argenta Market and Ump’s Pub & Grill.  That’s a lot of choices!

Plus – for each time you eat at one of these restaurants this week, you will be entered into the drawings for some great prizes.  These prizes include a Waterford decanter and glasses, gift certificates to area merchants, and more.  So there’s really no excuse not to visit Argenta for many meals this week.

So first thing on the agenda for Monday morning: plan out your dining schedule.  There are enough delicious restaurants to keep you coming back for more and only repeating if you choose.  We can’t wait.

It’s the middle of summer.  Are these the ‘dog days’ everyone talks about?  This is when we think about fall and back to school – and maybe even a cooler temperature or two.  And now that we’ve got a new ministaffer on board (granted, she can’t yet do anything but eat and sleep) we are highly motivated to get rid of this extra weight – just in time for the fall fashions!

There are exciting things happening at Regeneration Fitness, and we’re going to be right there burning off the calories we took in preparing for a new life.

Regeneration Fitness specializes in personalized fitness training, health, and fitness consulting.  They offer yoga and pilates classes in addition to their  fitness training and injury recovery.

But the expansion really has us excited.  They are currently renovating new space that will be open in late August.  This new space will enable them to offer monthly memberships starting at around $30 and they’ll be open from early morning to late night to accommodate everyone’s busy schedules.

With the expansion, they will also be able to offer small group training classes and an expanded class schedule at convenient times for all.

It is so exciting to see the Argenta area continue to grow and expand.  Businesses continue to meet the growing needs of the folks to live and work here everyday – making this one of the nicest places around!  So be sure to check out Regeneration Fitness – and watch for news about their Grand Opening – we certainly will.

Regeneration Fitness
(501) 324-1414
www.regenerationfitnessar.com

Yes, we are firm believers that Third Friday Night ArtWalk is the best party in town.  Why?  Because it’s progressive!  Where else can you eat, drink, be merry, and see great art all in a 5 block area?

With tents going up along Main Street, the Argenta Arts District of North Little Rock teems with artists from all over.  The galleries stay open late, and the restaurants and bars have all kinds of specials.  Each month it gets better and attendance continues to grow.

This Friday, it’s time for the party again.  And there are new openings at the galleries that you just can’t miss!  The THEA Foundation is going to be bursting at the seams with activity.  Pastel artist Virmarie DePoyster will be doing a live demonstration of her vibrant pastel work.  Also on tap are two special performances by Isaiah Bailey – the 2010 Performing Arts Scholarship Recipient – at 6:30 and 7:30.  And upstairs, the THEA Artists will host a meet and greet in their studio spaces.

Down the street at Greg Thompson Fine Art, venture in for a look at the opening of their new exhibit, Roger Carlisle: Light in the Landscape.  Carlisle will be at the opening – and we love meeting the artist!  A teacher in the art department at Arkansas State University, Carlisle’s use of color as he maps out beautiful landscapes is breathtaking.  Have a glass of wine and enjoy the view.

Continuing the walk, Ketz Gallery will feature work by local artist Tim Jacobs that focuses on scenes viewed from the highways.  And in between it all are restaurants and artists on the streets.  It’s the best Friday night entertainment around – and you don’t even need a babysitter…unless, of course, you just want one.

Third Friday ArtWalk
Argenta Arts District
Downtown North Little Rock
Friday, July 16, 2010
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

One of the best hidden treats in North Little Rock is the Laman Library’s gallery.  But, judging by the size of the crowd at the opening of their latest exhibit, Draw Me A Story, it’s not such a secret anymore.  This is a good thing.

We love the Laman Library.  And their passion and commitment for the arts is encouraging and exciting.  Their latest exhibit is all about the drawings from children’s books.  You know – those enticing and sweet images that still bring you back to your childhood when you read books to your kids and grandkids.

Draw Me A Story brings one man’s beautiful collection of original drawings and paintings from over 100 years of children’s books to North Little Rock.  How exciting it was to see Tommy dePaola’s original drawings.  And Max from Where the Wild Things Are – staring right back at you in pen and ink.

The stories the collection tells are from the sublime to the surreal – but they all are beautiful.  And the history lesson of children’s book illustration that you get along with the drawings makes the exhibit even more special.  This is truly an exhibit for kids from 1 – 92.

Draw Me A Story
Through August 11
William F. Laman Public Library
2801 Orange Street
(501) 758-1720
www.laman.net

Oh boy.  It’s July already!  Does that mean that the heat waves are only going to get worse?  Maybe.  But it also means the parties are only getting better, too!

This weekend is a holiday weekend.  We’re excited about that.  And with the celebration of the Fourth of July, it’s time to get out and celebrate in Argenta.  Yes, the Foodie Fest is back!  This is a great celebration of food that you don’t want to miss.

Participating this year are ten local restaurants that will bring you mouthwatering local food.  Ashley’s will be serving their famous chicken and andouille gumbo, and Starving Artist Cafe will feature a local watermelon and honey sorbet that sounds just perfect for the weather we’ve been having.

Of course, you don’t want to miss the food by the other great restaurants, including Argenta Market, Ferneau, Boulevard Bread, Hunka Pie, and more!  There will be live music and the Certified Arkansas Farmers Market going on, too.  So plan to make one stop for some great family fun this Saturday.

Foodie Fest
July 3
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Downtown North Little Rock
Between 6th and 7th Streets
Across from Argenta Market

By now you should know that we’re a big fan of the arts.  How could we not be and work in Argenta?  It always excites us when we see great venues for the arts come together.  Tomorrow night is one of those nights: Greg Thompson Fine Art is hosting a glimpse into the Arkansas Repertory Theatre’s 35th MainStage Season.

This is a great chance to meet and visit with Producing Artistic Director Bob Hupp in an intimate and casual setting.  Are you curious about what happens during a casting call in New York City?  Did you know that after opening night, a director can’t make changes to the production anymore?

There are lots of interesting things that take place backstage before a show takes on a life of its own.  And now’s your chance to ask Bob Hupp all the questions you’ve always thought about asking, but never had the chance.  You’ll also get to hear about the exciting 35th Season at The Rep and get your subscriptions now at discounted rates.

This is a unique opportunity – and only open to a small group of people.  So if you want to be among the fabulous art at Greg Thompson Fine Art and have a one-on-one conversation with Bob Hupp, make sure you make your reservation today!

Exclusive Rep Subscriber Party
Greg Thompson Fine Art
429 Main Street
North Little Rock, AR

FREE – but must make reservation.
Call (501) 920-2778 to make your reservation.

Our favorite night of the month happens tomorrow: Third Friday Art Walk!  We still can’t believe how many people we talk to that don’t know about this fabulous and most fun evening.

When the third Friday of the month arrives in Argenta, everyone gets ready for a party.  The streets take on a different look as tents go up all down Main Street and shops and restaurants get ready with special events.

5:00 on Friday is always a happy time.  But when it’s the third Friday in Argenta – it’s party time.  By 6:00 the festival is in full swing, with art lovers of all kinds walking the streets, taking in the art, and grabbing a bite to eat.

Tomorrow will be no different.  The artists will be setting up their works of art on the streets and getting ready to greet all the visitors.  THEA Foundation welcomes Robert Bean, who will be on hand giving a demonstration.  The THEA Artists will be showing off their studio space upstairs, too.

Greg Thompson Fine Art will continue it’s one-man show of recent works by Little Rock artist Matt McLeod.  Argenta Bead Company always has something fun to do for all ages, and the Argenta Branch of the Laman Library has joined in the fun by featuring a different artist each month.

Make plans to stop by or spend the evening at the best place to be on a third Friday:  Argenta.

Third Friday Art Walk
Friday, June 18, 2010
5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Downtown North Little Rock

Summer.  It may be hot during the day, but the nights have been pretty nice.  And with the kids out of school, we’re all looking for different things to do – and things that don’t necessarily cost lots of money.

Do you remember the days of the drive-in movie theater?  We do.  The rush of being outdoors as the sights and sounds of the big screen come rushing up on you … while wearing your pajamas.

Well, beginning tomorrow night, River Flicks kicks off its 2010 summer movie nights on the Northshore River Walk.  It may not be a drive-in, but it’s the next best thing.  Bring your cooler and your lawn chairs and blankets, and sit on the bank of the Arkansas River, all while enjoying some great movies (and you can still wear your pajamas).

Tomorrow night brings “Blindside.”  In the coming weeks, you’ll enjoy “Iron Man,” “Coraline,” and “The Lovely Bones.”  And best of all?  It’s free.

2010 River Flicks
Northshore Riverwalk
“Blindside” – June 10, 2010
Gates Open at 7:00 p.m.
Movies start at dark!
www.facebook.com/riverflicks

Do your kids love to read?  Our ministaffers sure do.  And it’s always a joy to see them pick up a book instead of reaching for the remote.  This summer, the William F. Laman Library has made it fun to read.

Kids of all ages can register at either the main branch or the Argenta branch for the summer reading program.  There will be prizes and lots of fun activities throughout the summer.

It’s easy – just get your kid a library card and have them start reading.  They’ll report chapters and books read and be able to track their progress throughout the summer at the library.

Then, at the end of the summer – on August 6 – Lamanpalooza will honor all the participants with a fun, outdoor party on the grounds of the main library.

Don’t wait any longer!  Now that school’s out – send the kids to the library.   Reading is cool.

Summer Reading Program
William F. Laman Library
Visit www.lamanlibrary.org for more information and a full schedule of events.

It’s almost Memorial Day weekend.  And you know what that means, right?  Riverfest!  Well, as a part of Riverfest this year is the Rock-N-Stroll 5K fun run/walk.  And it’s happening right here in Argenta.

This race has a new course for you to run.  It’s fast.  It’s fun.  It’s flat.  And best of all, it runs right through the historic Argenta District of downtown North Little Rock.

So, there’s the running and fitness aspect of this race.  And then there’s the chance to run a flat and fast course through a great part of town.  But there’s more:  you can dress up as your favorite rock and roll star!  There will be prizes awarded for the best costumes – so get busy and get dressed!

Plus, with your registration, you’ll also gain admission to Riverfest and a ticket to one of the Arkansas Travelers games at Dickey-Stephens park this weekend.

So lace up those sneakers and grab your guitar.  The race is on!

Rock-N-Stroll 5K
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Click Here for all the details.