Appearing each Saturday," All Thumbs "is The Benton County Daily Record's take on the people, events and issues deserving a "thumbs up "for a noteworthy accomplishment or good deed or a "thumbs down "for magnificent failure or just general stupidity.
Thumbs down to the Rogers City Council candidates who continue to pledge only to continue what the city has been doing. While there is nothing wrong with where the city is and how it got there, the improvements of the last few years were not accomplished through a more-of-the-same attitude.
If Rogers is as good as it is going to get, then that attitude is sufficient; but if the city is going to improve as it has, then it is time for someone to offer up an idea that is anything but more of the same.
Thumbs up to state Sen. Sue Madison, D-Fayetteville, who wants to make cruelty to animals a felony in Arkansas.
Right now, animal cruelty in Arkansas is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum sentence of one year in jail. The legislation Madison plans to bring up is the same bill she tried to get passed in the state Senate last year, but she said there are a few revisions and it is still being refined. Best of luck to her, and here's hoping the bill makes it this time.
Thumbs up to the opening of the new Rogers Heritage High School on Monday. Rogers becomes the first city in Benton County with two high schools. A second high school has been much needed in that city. As always, Rogers continues to be forward thinking on almost every issue in northwest Arkansas.
Thumbs up to Crystal Bridges at the Massey for continuing to bring quality events to downtown Bentonville.
Nationally recognized illustrator Wendell Minor has works on display now. The paintings have appeared on the covers of such popular pieces of literature as "The Call of the Wild"and "The Red Badge of Courage."
Several programs for children, families, adults and anyone curious about Crystal Bridges and the arts are scheduled through the closing of the Wendell Minor exhibit on Oct. 19.
Thumbs up to the $ 5 million lead-gift commitment made by Bill and Donna Berry of Texas for a performing-arts center at John Brown University in Siloam Springs.
The gift, announced Monday, is the fourth-largest pledge in school history. The performing-arts center is expected to cost $ 8. 5 million. Bill Berry graduated from JBU in 1956, and his wife attended the school in 1953. The gift will go toward construction of the 500-seat auditorium and center, which will host theater productions, music recitals, lecturers, meetings large and small, and other campus events.
Thumbs up to the Frisco Festival, which will be held all day today in downtown Rogers. Through the years, this has become a signature event of the summer. The format has been simple and successful - very family friendly, lots of food, music and activities.
It's events like the Frisco Festival that make the summer great in northwest Arkansas.
Here's to continued success in the future.
Thumbs up to the renovation project being done on the Bentonville Square. While people now may have their gripes about detours, etc., and more than a few downtown merchants just hope they can hang in long enough to see the project completed, when it is done it will be something all of Bentonville can be proud of.
We agree there is no good time to do a project of this scale, but we also know it needed to be done - several years ago.
Mayor Bob McCaslin and the city have taken a few lumps over the project, but we think when people see a turn lane at Central Avenue and A Street, much of those bad feelings will be a thing of the past. And we will have a new and improved Square, too.
Thumbs up to Northwest Arkansas Community College for holding an Alumni Association Welcome Back to NWACC picnic from noon to 2 p.m. today. In the 19 years since Northwest Arkansas Community College has been open, almost 44, 000 people have taken college-credit classes at the college. Here's to a successful event today and many more in the future.
Thumbs up to Bella Vista resident Jack Mitchell, a great musician and all-around nice guy.
Mitchell is the leader of Jack Mitchell and His Big Band, an icon in Bella Vista since the 1990 s.
Mitchell and the band will perform their final concert Sept. 7 at the Arend Arts Center at Bentonville High School. Mitchell and his wife, Betty, are relocating to Tennessee to be closer to family. The impact Mitchell and his music had here won't be forgotten anytime soon. Thanks for the memories, Jack.
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