Arkansas Business articles from December 2004

Arkansas Business archives from December 2004

Daisy diversifies lines to hit revenue target.(Daisy Manufacturing Company Inc.)(Company Profile)
December 6, 2004... ST. NICK IS PACKING MORE than a Red Ryder BB gun this December. Daisy Manufacturing Co. has enjoyed three straight years of double-digit sales growth triggered by the same component that made its legendary BB guns the stuff of Christmas...

Arkansans find gold on coast: proposed sale of Destin Bank set at whopping 5.7 times book.(Banking & Finance)
December 6, 2004... A$115 MILLION PAYDAY is in the works for a group of Florida bank investors led by a trio with Arkansas roots. The proposed deal to sell Destin Bancshares Inc. to Whitney Holding Corp. of New Orleans tips the scales at a whopping 5.7 times...

Bank theft victim wants teller punished; prosecutor who declines to file charges is bank of Salem director.(Banking & Finance)
December 6, 2004... DEBRA FOUNTAIN, owner of Salem Fuel Center, thought the prosecution had a slam-dunk case against a bank teller who allegedly helped herself to the convenience store's night deposits. Not only did Sandra Layne, a former teller at the Bank of...

Head's up.(Whispers)(White River Bancshares Co. have found a friendly banker willing to sell them an existing charter)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... In honor of this week's emphasis on banking and finance, we offer you the following tale. You may need a scorecard to keep track of the players. Gary Head, former president of Arvest Bank at Fayetteville, and other investors in the newly...

Sign here.(Whispers)(Community First Bancshares has a 20 percent stake in White River.)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Head was bragging to us that White River had raised "a lot" of capital for what is essentially a startup bank, despite the 1933 charter date. He wouldn't say how much, but if you start thinking in the neighborhood of $40 million, you won't...

Future options.(Whispers)(Home Bancshares will be going public by 2006 )(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... The investment by Home Bancshares, Allison said, will also give White River investors the future option of being acquired by a company that will be publicly traded. Home Bancshares will be going public by 2006 because its investment in...

Residential demo?(Whispers)(Country Club of Little Rock is abuzz with talk of a high-dollar teardown in the neighborhood.)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... The Country Club of Little Rock is abuzz with talk of a high-dollar teardown in the neighborhood. Word has it that a 5,574-SF home will be torn down by new ownership to make way for a new mansion. Talk places the purchase price alone...

Thanks, Bill.(Whispers)(hotel revenues for the week of the Clinton Presidential Library opening are pretty sweet.)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Little Rock hotel owners have more than a million reasons to send former President Bill Clinton a Christmas card this year. While exact figures won't be known until the end of the month--when hotel tax receipts are reported--hotel revenues...

Million-dollar manor.(Whispers)(Rick Ferguson Inc., bought the house from Joseph and Brenda Blankenship.)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... A 6,600-SF home along west Little Rock's prestigious Chenal Circle tipped the scales at $1.2 million. Rick Ferguson Inc., led by its namesake upscale homebuilder, bought the house. The sellers? Joseph and Brenda Blankenship.

Corrections.(Whispers)(Correction Notice)
December 6, 2004... The Little Rock firm of Witsell Evans Rasco Architects is co-designer of the Choctaw Station renovation, which transformed the historic structure into the home of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Policy. The firm's...

Jerry Davis.(Brief Article)(Editorial)
December 6, 2004... JERRY DAVIS' DEATH LAST week was a loss not only to the Arkansas business community but to the entire state. As CEO of Affiliate Foods Southwest for the past 17 years, he built that company into one of the state's largest privately owned...

Possibilities.(Editorial)
December 6, 2004... FROM OUT OF THE DELTA region last week came a story about a circuit judge saying a vote on a proposal to merge Helena and West Helena can take place before the 2006 general election. Why would West Helena, with a population of 8,689, want...

Auto update.(Hino Motors Manufacturing USA)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
December 6, 2004... A RECENT STORY IN THE LOS Angeles Times carried news of interest to those thinking the state can land an automotive assembly plant. The article said Toyota Motor Co. wants a bigger bite of the commercial delivery truck business in the...

Return to Bombay.(Commentary)(outsourcing of tax preparation services)
December 6, 2004... YOUR NEXT INCOME-TAX return maybe, prepared in Arkansas, but it s just as likely to be prepared in Bombay or New Delhi. Outsourcing, the trend of sending jobs overseas, which has primarily affected high-paying manufacturing and information...

Heifer home.(Real deals: a look at important real estate transactions)(new 100,000-SF headquarters of Heifer International is taking shape in downtown Little Rock)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Caption: HEIFER HOME: The new 100,000-SF headquarters of Heifer International is taking shape in downtown Little Rock. The $12.8 million structure at 200 Shall St. should be completed in November 2005. The general contractor is CDI Contractors...

Dual auto deal.(Real deals: a look at important real estate transactions)(Astar Asb Ar2 LLC of Dallas purchased the 7.9-acre North Point Nissan project at 1 Col)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Related parties were on either side of two automotive property transactions valued at $7.1 million. Astar Asb Ar2 LLC of Dallas purchased the 7.9-acre North Point Nissan project at 1 Col. Glenn Plaza Drive in Little Rock for more than $4.7...

Maumelle acreage.(Real deals: a look at important real estate transactions)(Osborne Development Ltd bought 42.5 acres close to the northeast corner of Maumelle Boulevard and Bringler Drive)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Undeveloped commercial land in Maumelle changed hands in a near $1.5 million deal. Osborne Development Ltd., led by Cindy Birder, bought 42.5 acres close to the northeast corner of Maumelle Boulevard and Bringler Drive. The sellers are...

Brokerage buy.(Real deals: a look at important real estate transactions)(Kevin Dugan acquired the 0.6-acre Vouk Truck Brokerage development at 3200 Spring Hill Drive from The L.J. Muncy Jr. Revocable Trust)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... A North Little Rock commercial property tipped the scales at $590,000. Kevin Dugan acquired the 0.6-acre Vouk Truck Brokerage development at 3200 Spring Hill Drive from The L.J. Muncy Jr. Revocable Trust. The deal is backed with a...

Ranch land.(Real deals: a look at important real estate transactions)(Focus Properties LLC purchased the location on Valley Ranch Drive from FC Grass Farms Partnership)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... A near 1.8-acre commercial site drew a $408,000 transaction. Focus Properties LLC, led by Morris Lavender Jr., purchased the location on Valley Ranch Drive. The seller is FC Grass Farms Partnership, led by Robert Shults and Edward Willis....

Hickory creek home.(Real deals: a look at important real estate transactions)(Stephen and Carla Boatright bought the house from Samuel Gaston III and his wife, Barbara Gaston)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... A 4,526-SF home in west Little Rock's Hickory Creek neighborhood sold for $714,000. Stephen and Carla Boatright bought the house from Samuel Gaston III and his wife, Barbara Gaston. The deal is financed with a 30-year loan of $570,800...

Chenal sale.(Real deals: a look at important real estate transactions)(Richard Milton and Sally Ederington acquired the house from Keathley Construction, led by Charles Keathley)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... A 3310-SF home in west Little Rock's Chenal Valley neighborhood rang up a $527,000 deal. Richard Milton and Sally Ederington acquired the house from Keathley Construction, led by Charles Keathley. The deal is funded with a 30-year loan...

Chenal sale II.(Real deals: a look at important real estate transactions)(Michael and Judy Shelley purchased the house from Susan Collins Smith. The deal is backed with a 10-year loan of $169,700 from U.S. Bank of Minneapolis. )(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... A 3,036-SF home in west Little Rock's Chenal Valley neighborhood changed hands in a $520,000 deal.. Michael and Judy Shelley purchased the house from Susan Collins Smith. The deal is backed with a 10-year loan of $169,700 from U.S. Bank of...

Plaza loan.(Real deals: a look at important real estate transactions)(Plaza Health Care Center Inc., led by Leon Catlett, obtained the loan from Twin City. Bank)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... The owner of a North Little Rock nursing home landed a $2.7 million funding agreement. Plaza Health Care Center Inc., led by Leon Catlett, obtained the loan from Twin City. Bank. The Lakewood Plaza facility at 2323 McCain Blvd....

Nursing mortgage.(Real deals: a look at important real estate transactions)(Greenbriar Inc., secured the loan from Twin City Bank)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... The owner of a Jacksonville nursing home picked up a $500,000 financial package. The Greenbriar Inc., led by Leon Catlett, secured the loan from Twin City Bank. The 1-acre Greenbriar Retirement Living Center development at 1500 Graham Road...

Stagecoach note.(Real deals: a look at important real estate transactions)(William and Yvonne Fitts received the three-year loan from Metropolitan National Bank)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... A 13.1-acre property in west Little Rock was used to secure a $1.8 million mortgage. William and Yvonne Fitts received the three-year loan from Metropolitan National Bank. The property, which includes the Bill Fitts Auto Sales project...

Foxy funding.(Real deals: a look at important real estate transactions)(Jackson-Norwood Development Co. Ltd., led by Minor Booth, got the 10-year loan from Paul Bekkela and Claude Skelton.)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... A nightclub and land in northwest Pulaski County are backing a $764,551 financing deal. Jackson-Norwood Development Co. Ltd., led by Minor Booth, got the 10-year loan from Paul Bekkela and Claude Skelton. The financing is tied to the...

Accounting loan.(Real deals: a look at important real estate transactions)(EGGP Building Partnership obtained the three-year loan from Twin City Bank)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... The home of a CPA firm in downtown North Little Rock is backed with a $500,000 funding agreement. EGGP Building Partnership, led by Bruce Engstrom, Michael Grayson, John Green and Randy Patterson, obtained the three-year loan from Twin...

Another ranking hits state's business climate.(Economic)
December 6, 2004... The most recent "State Business Tax Climate Index," a study from the nonpartisan Tax Foundation, ranks Arkansas' "tax climate" for business 43rd. That's down from 39th in the 2003 index. The study said the 10 states at the bottom of the...

Arkansas economy weakest in region.(Inside Business)
December 6, 2004... Supply managers and business leaders reported somewhat weaker economic conditions in Arkansas, according to the monthly survey of manufacturing conditions conducted by Ernie Goss, economics professor at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. ...

State raises its revenue forecast.(Inside Business)
December 6, 2004... The state Department of Finance & Administration, flush with revenue that has exceeded its forecast each month for the first five months of the fiscal year, revised its general revenue forecast on Nov. 10. Gross general revenue in fiscal...

Wal-Mart reports weak November sales.(Public Company Reports)(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said same-store sales for the four weeks ended Nov. 26 were up 0.7 percent when compared with the similar period of the previous year. On Nov. 27, Wal-Mart lowered its comparable-store sales forecast to 0.7 percent for...

Dillard's November sales fall 3 percent.(Public Company Reports)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Dillard's Inc. said November same-store sales dropped 3 percent from sales recorded in November 2003. Total sales for the department store chain also dropped 3 percent. Sales for the four weeks ending Nov. 27 were about $558 million, down...

Bosch-skill to close Heber Springs plant.(Industry)(Robert Bosch Tool Corp.)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... The Bosch-Skill manufacturing plant at Heber Springs will close by 2007, affecting more than 500 employees. The first job cuts at the 26-year-old plant, which makes circular saws, are set for next year. The company attributed the move...

Alltel completes wireless buys.(Communications)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Altel Corp. has completed its $143 million purchase of wireless assets from U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom. Alltel announced the purchase of wireless assets from the companies, subsidiaries of Telephone and Data Systems Inc., in August. The...

Online service helps motor carriers.(Trucking & Transportation)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Arkansas introduced new online services last week that allow motor carriers to renew International Registration Plan accounts electronically and complete International Fuel Tax Agreements through the state's Web site at www.arkansas.gov. ...

Report says pros shun Craftsman tools.(NW journal: a look at news from northwest Arkansas)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Although Sears sells $3.1 billion worth of hand tools a year and accounts for 32 percent of the U.S. market, a recent contractor survey from Merrill Lynch Global Securities indicates consumers--not professionals--buy Sears Craftsman hand tools,...

Delta Queen steams back to Fort Smith.(NW journal: a look at news from northwest Arkansas)(Delta Queen Steamboat Co.)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Ten years after its first stop in Fort Smith, the legendary Delta Queen steamboat docked at the city's Harry E. Kelley Park on Nov. 17 during a seven-day trip up the Arkansas River. The 174-passenger boat is one of three excursion vessels...

3Q home improvement flat, Merrill Lynch report says.(NW journal: a look at news from northwest Arkansas)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Merrill Lynch Global Securities of New York City said home improvement appears to have been flat nationally in the third quarter, compared to the same quarter of 2003, and slightly down from the second quarter of 2004. Merrill Lynch gave...

Clinton Presidential Library.(Business Briefs)(admission is now $7 for adults and $5 for senior citizens and students)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... * The Clinton Presidential Library drew 21,525 people in the three free days after Thanksgiving, when there was no admission charge. Admission is now $7 for adults and $5 for senior citizens and students. It's open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through...

East-Harding Inc. and Hensel Phelps have been selected by Moses Tucker Real Estate to build the 300 Third residential tower planned for downtown Little Rock.(Business Briefs)(Hensel Phelps Construction Co.)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... * East-Harding Inc. and Hensel Phelps have been selected by Moses Tucker Real Estate to build the 300 Third residential tower planned for downtown Little Rock. The 17-story, $45 million building will have retail space on the ground floor, a...

Simmons Plastic Injection of Little Rock will open a new 10,000-SF facility at Vilonia on Dec. 9.(Business Briefs)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... * Simmons Plastic Injection of Little Rock will open a new 10,000-SF facility at Vilonia on Dec. 9. The plant will open with a single machine and two employees, but owner Carl Simmons hopes to have around 15-25 employees in the future.

Bernie Boyle of Danville, Iowa, won the World's Championship Duck Calling Contest at the Wings Over the Prairie Festival at Stuttgart for the second time in three years.(Business Briefs)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... * Bernie Boyle of Danville, Iowa, won the World's Championship Duck Calling Contest at the Wings Over the Prairie Festival at Stuttgart for the second time in three years. The $15,000 prize package draws duck callers from all over the country....

Baptist Health of Little Rock is the first in Arkansas to offer Visicu Inc.'s eICU Care, an advanced ICU technology for critically ill patients.(Business Briefs)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... * Baptist Health of Little Rock is the first in Arkansas to offer Visicu Inc.'s eICU Care, an advanced ICU technology for critically ill patients. The patented technology uses early warning software and electronic monitoring to connect and...

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.(Business Briefs)(studies show pain from breast surgery can be reduced by injections of Botox)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... * University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences researchers say studies show pain from breast surgery can be reduced by injections of Botox. Although the botulinum toxin is used mainly to combat wrinkles, the study showed it eases pain from...

The Consumer Confidence Index took an unexpected fall to 90.5 points in November, the fourth straight month it has declined; it's now at its lowest level since March.(Business Briefs)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... * The Consumer Confidence Index took an unexpected fall to 90.5 points in November, the fourth straight month it has declined; it's now at its lowest level since March. The number of those planning to buy a car in the next six months fell to...

The U.S. economy grew at a 3.9 percent annual rate in the third quarter.(Business Briefs)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... * The U.S. economy grew at a 3.9 percent annual rate in the third quarter. The revisions to real gross domestic product were largely due to higher exports, consumer spending and business investments, which were offset by lower inventory...

Commerce Department.(Business Briefs)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... * Consumer spending rose 0.7 percent in October; the Commerce Department reported. Disposable incomes rose 0.6 percent, boosted by a 337,000 pickup in hiring.

The Arkansas Arts Council said the deadline for nominations for the Arkansas Living Treasure is Dec. 17.(Business Briefs)(Public Notice)
December 6, 2004... * The Arkansas Arts Council said the deadline for nominations for the Arkansas Living Treasure is Dec. 17. The award recognizes an Arkansan who is outstanding in the creation of a traditional craft and has elevated his or her work to the status...

The Central Arkansas Chapter of the National Association of Residential Property Managers was recently awarded the Chapter Excellence Award at the national convention at Baltimore.(Business Briefs)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... * The Central Arkansas Chapter of the National Association of Residential Property Managers was recently awarded the Chapter Excellence Award at the national convention at Baltimore. Betty Fletcher of Fletcher Property Management received the...

Pine Bluff National Bank likes its conservative image.
December 6, 2004... PINE BLUFF NATIONAL BANK has long been thought of as a conservative bank. And that image suits John Garrison, president and CEO since 1979, just fine. To him, it means a solid, safe and profitable bank. Many in Jefferson County apparently...

Banks ease into electronic clearing despite 'Check 21'.
December 6, 2004... AT A MEETING IN AUGUST OF bankers from about 40 Arkansas institutions, banking consultant Don Ebbert was surprised to find that only a couple had made or were ready to make the transition to electronic check clearing--the essence of the "Check...

Off the market, Capital Bank plans profitable future.(Banking & Finance)(Capital Bank of Little Rock)
December 6, 2004... CAPITAL BANK ISN'T GOING to conquer the state anytime soon. In fact, the humble operation doesn't even plan to join the rush to populate every intersection with branches. But that's just fine with the bank's president, Kyle Patton, who...

Arkansas business list: largest Arkansas banks.(Banking & Finance)(Directory)(Illustration)
December 6, 2004... ARKANSAS BUSINESS LIST: LARGEST ARKANSAS BANKS Banks chartered in Arkansas ranked by deposits as of June 30, 2004 (all dollar amounts in millions) Total Assets Institution ...

Elizabeth Anne's Moore Than Enough Salon.(New businesses: a listing of business start-ups in Arkansas)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Owner: Janice Moore Address: 9862 Hwy. 107, Sherwood 72120 Phone: (501) 833-3460 Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, by appointment or walk-in Startup: Oct. 19 After completing cosmetology school, Fordyce native Janice Moore began...

Gadwall's Pizza.(New businesses: a listing of business start-ups in Arkansas)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Owners: Neil, Karen, Shea and Bart Bryant Address: 7311 North Hills Blvd. #14, North Little Rock 72116 Phone: (S01) 834-5200 Hours: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; 11...

Maria Carpenter & Co.(New businesses: a listing of business start-ups in Arkansas)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Owner: Maria Carpenter Address: 116 N. First St., Jacksonville 72076 Phone: (501) 985-9115, (501) 258-8819 Fax: (501) 985-0189 Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday; weekends and after hours by appointment Startup: June 30 E-mail:...

Calendar.(Calendar)
December 6, 2004... DECEMBER * 7--Starting a Business in Arkansas Small Business Developing Center and Arkansas National Bank Time: 6-9 p.m. Location: Arkansas National Bank, Fayetteville Fee: $20 For more information, call (479) 575-5148. * 10--How to...

American Society for Training and Development.(Business Services)(appointments)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Mary Deville of Pulaski Technical College in North Little Rock has been named president of the board of directors for the Arkansas chapter of the American Society for Training and Development. Other members include Stacey Witherell of the City...

Arkansas Homebuilders Assocition.(Construction)(appointments)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Julie Mills has been named executive director of Arkansas Homebuilders Association. Mills is a lender with Countrywide Home Loans in Jonesboro.

Hudson Cisne & Co.(Financial Services)(appointments)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Amy E. Breeding has joined Hudson Cisne & Co. in Little Rock as a certified public accountant. Breeding has three years' public accounting experience.

Simmons First National Bank.(Financial Services)(Nancy L. Walker and Ronald A. Scott have been promoted )(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Nancy L. Walker and Ronald A. Scott have been promoted by Simmons First National Bank in Pine Bluff. Walker is assistant vice president in the consumer banking group. Scott is information systems officer in the operations group.

College for Financial Planning.(Financial Services)(appointments)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Paul Mayabb has earned the Accredited Asset Management Specialist designation from the College for Financial Planning in Denver. Mayabb is a representative for Edward .Jones.

Twin City Bank.(Financial Services)(appointments)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Jim Delgado has joined Twin City Bank in Little Rock as a commercial loan officer. Delgado has 31 years of banking experience.

Planco.(Financial Services)(Steven Kiefer has earned a top sales honor)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Steven Kiefer has earned a top sales honor, membership in the 2004 Captain's Club, from Planco, a division of Hartford Mutual Funds and wholesaler of investment and insurance products. Kiefer is a representative with Raymond James Financial...

Bank of the Ozarks.(Financial Services)(appointments)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Lesa Jester has been named mortgage loan originator for Bank of the Ozarks in Benton. Jester has 16 years of banking experience.

Liberty Bank of Arkansas.(Financial Services)(Billy Finley has been promoted vice president/controller )(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Billy Finley has been promoted to vice president/controller at Liberty Bank of Arkansas. Finley will work at the bank's main branch in Jonesboro.

Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce.(Government)(appointments)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Tom Cloninger of Acxiom Corp. in Little Rock has been elected to a three-year term on the board of directors of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce.

Associated Industries of Arkansas.(Government)(appointments)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Bert Parke and Lee Pittman have been elected to three-year terms on the board of directors of the Associated Industries of Arkansas. Parke is chairman of the board at Democrat Printing & Lithographing Co. in Little Rock. Pittman is public...

Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System.(Health Care)(appointments)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Sallie Houser-Hanfelder has been appointed associate medical center director at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System in Little Rock. Houser-Hanfelder previously worked as associate medical center director at Asheville VA Medical...

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.(Health Care)(appointments)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Dr. Billy Thomas has been named associate dean of diversity affairs for the College of Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. Thomas will guide efforts to foster diversity within the medical school's...

United States Foreclosure Network.(Legal)(appointments)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Jennifer Wilson-Harvey has been elected to the United States Foreclosure Network board of directors. Wilson Harvey is an attorney with Wilson & Associates in Little Rock.

The Producers Studio.(Media)(appointment of Joel Smith )(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Joel Smith has joined The Producers Studio in Little Rock as director of motion graphics and special effects. Smith previously worked at Waymack and Crew Inc. as an editor and motion graphics artist.

Stock Summary.(Illustration)
December 6, 2004... STOCK SUMMARY 12/1/04 Weekly YTD Arkansas Public Company Stocks Close Change Change Acxiom Corp. (ACXM) 25.89 -0.23% 39.57% A.E.R.T. (AERTA) ...

Shaken, stirred.(Outtakes: an inside look into Arkansas media)(Frank Cox and Boyd Blackwood resigned from Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods )(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Last week brought word of a shakeup at the state's largest advertising and public relations firm, Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods of Little Rock. CEO Frank Cox and Creative Director Boyd Blackwood resigned on Wednesday. Cox had been with...

Bank withdrawal.(Outtakes: an inside look into Arkansas media)(banks are competitors, leaving it downright impossible for one advertising agency to handle both accounts)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... And speaking of Metropolitan, one stone left unturned during last week's exploration of the bank's move to Mangan Holcomb Rainwater Culpepper was the fate of MHRC client Pulaski Bank. Bob Magee, Pulaski Bank's chief operating officer, told...

Winter Oxfords.(Outtakes: an inside look into Arkansas media)(re-launch of the Oxford American)(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Add The Oxford American to the list of things--cockroaches, Keith Richards--that will survive worldwide nuclear war. The self-proclaimed "Southern magazine of good writing" entered its third era last week, now published in association with...

Hair apparent.(Outtakes: an inside look into Arkansas media)(Tommy Smith and David Bazzel are back on the airwaves--their new morning radio show )(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... If all goes as planned, Tommy Smith and David Bazzel are back on the airwaves--their new morning radio show was set to debut on KABZ-FM, 103.7, Monday. Teaser ads promoting the "odd couple" featured the two men's distinctive foreheads...

TCBY returns with new plan for Little Rock.(TCBY Enterprises Inc.)
December 13, 2004... SINCE 2000, TCBY HAS VIRTUALLY melted away from central Arkansas. Not only did the number of standalone stores dip from 16 to five in central Arkansas, but its name has been wiped off the state's tallest building. But the former Little...

Profitability on tap at Diamond Bear: Little Rock Brewery survives four years of doubts, challenges.(Diamond Bear Brewery)(Company Profile)
December 13, 2004... AFTER FOUR YEARS, Arkansas' only retail brewery, Diamond Bear Brewing Co., is offering a new toast: Here's to profitability. November was the Little Rock brewing company's first month in the black. Diamond Bear founder and president...

A place for your stuff: storage industry booming.
December 13, 2004... "THAT'S WHAT YOUR "house is: a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get more stuff. Sometimes you gotta move, gotta get a bigger house. Why? No room for your stuff anymore." In the quarter-century since comedian George Carlin...

More info.(Whispers)(Brief Article)
December 13, 2004... Remember that high-dollar tear down near the Country Club of Little Rock we told you about last week? That acquisition actually closed at $1.28 million, according to real estate records. The 5,574-SF home, now undergoing deconstruction...

Up from the ashes?(Whispers)(Brief Article)
December 13, 2004... The Phoenix Village Mall of Fort Smith recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection listing more than $5.3 million in debts. The 489,000-SF mall, which lists its assets at just over $7 million, owes $5 million to Imperial Capital...

Mystery case solved.(Whispers)(Brief Article)
December 13, 2004... Do you remember our story detailing the legal troubles circling Mystery Properties Corp. of Little Rock and its owner Eula Mystery Willis-Mitchell? Well, she has one less case to worry about. Chase Manhattan Bank recently asked the...

Tickets please.(Whispers)(Brief Article)
December 13, 2004... Ever wonder what happened to Dogpatch USA, the defunct theme- t park straddling the Newton-Boone County line in north Arkansas? Well, it's still there, and most of it is still for sale. But a 25-acre piece of the project is under new...