InArkansas.com

An exhibition titled The Fine Art of Jazz will open with a reception and performance by local jazz musicians at 5 p.m. today (Sept. 2) at The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center in downtown Little Rock. 

The exhibition, which will remain through Jan. 7, focuses on the big names of the Kansas City tradition of American jazz. An additional exhibit will feature black Arkansas jazz masters and entertainers.

Admission is free. Call (501) 683-3593 for more information. 

Razorback red is a great accessory color year-round, but it has even more pop come football season.

Work. That thing we do in between Razorback games in the fall.

Unless your job requires a specific uniform (you know, like the entrepreneur's ensemble of flip flops, Abercrombie shirts and ripped jeans, perhaps with a navy blazer for formal occasions), then you may as well do that thing you do -- selling widgets, pushing paper, or yikes, blogging -- in style.

Razorback apparel exists to suit any work environment.

Work Blogger resolved to commemorate opening game week (the Hogs open against Tennessee Tech Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. in Razorback Stadium) by wearing Razorback apparel each day this week. On Monday we donned the cardinal-and-white checkered button-down with a white Hog on the breast and khakis. And don't forget the leather belt.

Tuesday we went with the cardinal Hog sweater vest over a white polo with jeans. Yes, it pops. (And don't think the Soiree account reps haven't noticed).

On Wednesday we took it up a notch with gray dress pants and white coaches' polo (haven't gotten the new Nike stuff yet, but Work Blogger has a birthday coming up).

Thursday saw the all cardinal button-down (actually it's almost maroon), again with white Hog on the breast, with khaki pants. Friday's plan calls for old faithful -- the cardinal coaches' polo (again, for us, it's still Adidas) that Work Blogger usually wears to games. The battle shirt. We may wear some pants with it, too. We'll see.

(Anyone know where we can get some of those old school red-and-white checkered coaches' pants?)

For those who paid attention and applied themselves in school and now work at a job that requires a loftier dress code, options exist as well. Razorback dress shirts, golf shirts and ties can be had in Little Rock at Dillard's, Hogman's, Academy Sports, Sports Authority, Gene Lockwood's, Cherry's Hallmark in Benton ... those are just a few. And there's always the Hog Heaven store in Fayetteville.

Point is, options abound. Whether work attire means dress shirt and tie or polo and jeans, you can show your Hog love -- and your premium taste in clothes -- at work all week.

Get lost in Cave Springs' corn maze.

The Ozark Corn Maze, opening today (Sept. 2) in Cave Springs, has 10,000 feet of pathways with loops, dead ends and multiple choice intersections in over five acres of corn. Can you find your way out?

The size is equivalent to winding through the space of five football fields filled with corn. You can’t see through it; 40,000 seeds per acre were planted. You can’t see over it; the corn stands eight feet tall.

Precision Mazes of Lee's Summit, Mo. used GPS technology to create and cut the labyrinth design. The unique pattern adds to the degree of difficulty. “We received permission from the University of Arkansas to do a Razorback shape,” says owner Rod Wallis. However, he explained, you can’t see the hog shape from the ground, only by aerial view.

Directional arrows will be posted within the maze for families with younger kids who need a shorter experience. Others can ignore those signs and make their way through on their own.

 “We will provide maps if people want them,” Wallis said. “I think it’s more fun to just walk in, take your time, then come out the exit.” After dark, flashlights will be provided.

In addition to the maze, there is a Corn Cannon that can shoot corn cobs 300 feet in the air at a cost of $1 and a 12-car Cow Train, built by hand and pulled by a 1939 Ford tractor, that kids can ride for $2. A free petting zoo offers goats, pigs, and a calf.

There's also a pumpkin patch where visitors can purchase a pumpkin at a price based on size. 

The maze will be open through Nov. 14. Hours are 4 p.m.-9 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m.-6 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $7 per individual and $5 each for groups of 10 or more.

Concessions such as hot dogs, popcorn, sodas, and other snacks, will be available. 

Directions:

From Interstate 540, take exit 78 (same exit as Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport) to Arkansas 264. Follow 264 to Cave Springs. At its intersection with Arkansas 112, turn left (south) and drive approximately one mile. The corn maze is on the right.

Phil Brandon, founder of Little Rock's Rock Town Distillery, will premiere Brandon's Vodka and Brandon's Gin from 6-9 p.m. today (Sept. 2) at the Arkansas Arts Center.

The evening will include an open bar, hors d'oeuvres by Simply the Best Catering, and entertainment by Tragikly White. 

Admission is  $40 at the door. To purchase click here. Proceeds will benefit the Arkansas Arts Center. For more information send an e-mail. 

Rock Town Distillery is the state's first craft distillery. Its spirits, now available statewide in liquor stores, bars and restaurants, are hand-made in small batches using a copper pot still. Each batch is made from all Arkansas grains and produce. The distillery, 1216 E. Sixth St., Little Rock (near the River Market and Heifer International) features a tasting room and offers tours and tasting events.

More on Rock Town

See video of the Rock Town Distillery's grand opening.

Strawberries are a good source of Vitamin C and are low in calories.

An apple a day just doesn’t cut it anymore, and too many apples can contribute to weight gain.

So says Iva Young, a nutritional expert who warns that some fruits might not be as healthy as you think they are.

“We really should be smart about the fruits we consume,” said Young, author of Healthy Mom. “Remember that fruits are very similar to breads, pastas, rice, and other carbohydrate-rich foods. That is one reason why we should only consume a certain amount, and choose fruits that are lower in sugar. If you pick the right fruits and eat the proper portions, you will give your body what it needs.”

So which fruits offer the biggest health boost? Young named the following, all comparatively low in sugar, as her top five:

Raspberries -- Raspberries are an excellent source of fiber, offering 30 percent of our recommended daily value of 8 grams per serving. Raspberries are also a rich source of vitamin C, with about 50 percent of our daily value. In addition, they are a rich source of manganese, delivering 60 percent of what we should have each day. Raspberries rank near the top of all fruits for antioxidant strength and contain many anti-disease properties if consumed regularly.

Blackberries -- Blackberries are notable for their high nutritional contents of dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, folic acid, and manganese. They are well-ranked for having strong antioxidant levelsand contain copious amounts of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Kiwi -- Kiwi is a rich source of vitamin C and vitamin K, which is a natural blood thinner. It’s also a good source of potassium, just slightly less than that of a banana. Potassium is one of those nutrients that’s absolutely essential for heart health, yet many people don’t get nearly enough. Kiwi also delivers a mild laxative effect, possibly because of the high level of dietary fiber.

Strawberries -- Strawberries are low in calories compared to many other fruits, and are a good source of fiber. They are an excellent source of vitamin C and flavonoids, promoting lots of antioxidant activity in the body.

Oranges -- Oranges are an excellent source of vitamin A and C, along with antioxidants. Oranges also provide a good source of fiber when the pulp is consumed. The white pith of the orange contains flavonoids, and some doctors are using extracts from the pith to help fight certain types of cancer.

“Sugar is also something that you should keep your eye on because it affects the health of your teeth and the functioning of your hormones, specifically leptin,” Young said. “Leptin is the important hormone responsible for telling the body that you should stop eating. With excess amounts of sugar in your body, the amount of leptin is diminished, which causes you to overeat."

The new Delta Group Electronics plant being constructed in Fayetteville will manufacture, among other things, circuit boards like this one.

The Northwest Arkansas economy will receive a nice little infusion of jobs by next year when Delta Group Electronics finishes construction of a 36,000-SF facility in Fayetteville.

Arkansas Business reports that the wiring and circuit plant will employ 75 people over the next few years. The facility is going up along I-540 near the UA campus.

Check it out Saturday (Sept. 4) as you drive in for the game.

Delta, based in New Mexico, already has an Arkansas presence with a facility in Prairie Grove.

Its main business entails assembling custom wiring harnesses, printed circuit boards and performing "turnkey assembly" services throughout the South, primarily for customers in the aerospace, medical, defense and commercial industries, according to Arkansas Business.

Capital Bar and Grill in downtown Little Rock's Capital Hotel will feature a single malt Scotch as the house Scotch every day during September, priced at $6. Normally the house Scotches are blends J & B or Cutty Sark, so getting a single malt for the same price is a good deal. 

T-shirts by Erin Lorenzen

Little Rock designer Erin Lorenzen is staging a back to school studio sale from 5-9 p.m. Sept. 1 at The Kramer School, 715 Sherman St., No. 4, Little Rock.

You'll find slashed prices on summer styles -- T-shirts, jewelry, art and clothing made from local recycled materials -- and a special pre-sale on fall items. 

For more information call (501) 590-6072 or send Erin an e-mail.