Ozarks at Large for Thursday, December 9, 2021
By Kyle Kellams, Jacqueline Froelich & Timothy Dennis & Lia Uribe • Dec 9, 2021
On today's show, the University of Arkansas Office for Sustainability has partnered with the U of A Herbarium to inventory plants and collect seeds from an on-campus remnant native tallgrass prairie. Plus, music galore: upcoming shows and new favorites from Lia Uribe with Sound Perimeter.
U of A Herbarium, Office of Sustainability Partner to Preserve Tall Grass Prairie Remnant on Campus
Eric Boles, director of the University of Arkansas Office for Sustainability, has partnered with Jennifer Ogle, collections manager at the U of A Herbarium, to inventory plants and collect seeds from a 4.5 acre remnant native tall-grass prairie on campus. With volunteer help, they are grooming out invasives and plan to install native grass and flower starts, grown from collected seed.
Ozarks at Large for Wednesday, December 8, 2021
By Kyle Kellams & Jacqueline Froelich • Dec 8, 2021
On today's show, a new minor in diversity studies at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith. Plus, plans for a roundabout are coming to Eureka Springs, and much more.
Eureka Springs to Construct Traffic Roundabout
Courtesy / City of Eureka Springs
Eureka Springs city council has approved a resolution to build a roundabout at the intersection of Highway 62 and 23 South — which currently has only one stop sign — to ease increasing tourist, commercial and school traffic congestion. The roundabout, proponents say, is a cost-effective solution compared to a traffic light. But opponents claim simply adding two more stop signs is best.
Ozarks at Large for Tuesday, December 7, 2021
On today's show, certain rural electric cooperatives in Arkansas charging extra fees to residential solar customers has caught the attention of the Arkansas Public Service Commission. Plus, our Militant Grammarian gives us a list of words that don't exist, and much more.
Residential Solar Installation Fees Required by Arkansas Electric Coops Raise Concern
Courtesy / Patrick Villines
A growing number of Arkansas Electric Cooperatives are charging extra fees for residential solar installation and net metering, fees not sanctioned by the Arkansas Public Service Commission — which holds oversight so is investigating the matter. Patrick Villines, proprietor of New Farm Solar says the additonal fees are deterring solar adoption in at least one rural electric cooperative district.
Ozarks at Large for Monday, December 6, 2021
On today's show, examining another month of a pandemic's effects on Arkansas. Plus, The ancient history of the osage orange, and much more.
Osage Orange Tree Yields Mysterious Prehistoric Fruit
Remnant Osage Orange trees which were once plentiful across the eastern U.S. continue to grow on the Ozark Highlands as well as in a few other southern states. The unusual trees produce a highly valued decay-resistant wood, as well as large strange-looking green fruit – that only extinct megafauna relished. Noted author, Steven Foster, meets us under an elder Osage Orange on Mt. Sequoyah Center to share stories about the remarkable and little-understood tree.
Bunnies, Magic Muffins Subject of New Children's Book by Cheri White
Courtesy / Cheri White
"Seven Lucky Bunnies and the Magic Muffin Dance," is a delightul new children's book authored by long-time Eureka Springs resident, Cheri White. The story is inspired by a whimsical illustration of rabbits created by Fayetteville artist, Christina Smith. The book also contains a recipe for magic muffins as well as several magical songs performed by the late Christy Simpson.
By Kyle Kellams, Jacqueline Froelich & Matthew Moore • Dec 1, 2021
On today's show, the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks LGBTQ+ care coordinator says the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is expanding benefits to all LGBTQ+ service members. Plus, bringing Sister Rosetta Tharpe to the stage in her home state, and much more.