Melanie Kramer, Author at AY Mag

Arkansas Author Shines a Light on State's Athletic Past

August 23, 2017

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In an effort to learn about past racial diversity in sports, author Evin Demirel recently published a nearly 200-page anthology entitled African-American Athletes in Arkansas: Muhammad Ali’s Tour, Black Razorbacks & Other Forgotten Tales. "I don’t want to shy away from our past," says the former-Latin-teacher-turned-writer. "I want to learn more about it[...]

Dinner Plans? Rock House Gets Alcohol Permit, Restaurant Reopens, Half Off Wine

August 21, 2017

Melanie Kramer

Blog, Food

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Central Arkansas food news for the week: The town of Searcy made history last week when Rock House restaurant won an appeal to the Alcoholic Beverage Control to serve alcohol – effective immediately. This will be the first time a restaurant in Searcy is allowed to serve alcohol to customers. See the full story on the KARK website. Stoby’s Restaurant is [...]

Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Launches Subscriptions

August 2, 2017

Melanie Kramer

Arts & Culture, Blog, Out & About

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The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra (ASO) is trying out a different business model this season: Beginning on August 1, for $9 per month, tickets buyers can become ASO concert members and will be able to attend an unlimited number of subscription concerts at no additional cost. It’s “basically like a Netflix membership,” says Brandon Dorris, director of mark[...]

Lost Forty: Little Rock Brews

July 28, 2017

Melanie Kramer

August 2017, Food

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s the seasons begin to change so do the local craft beer offerings. We checked in with Lost Forty to find out what they’ve got on tap to help combat the late Arkansas summer heat and humidity and ease the transition into early fall. All brews will be available on draft at restaurants and bars statewide, in cans for your next barbecue or outdoor adventure [...]

The Best Fresh Food in Memphis

July 28, 2017

Melanie Kramer

August 2017, Food, Travel

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sually when you think of Memphis and food, barbecue is the first thing that comes to mind. Clearly, food in this Delta city is much more, and is ever-evolving past mouth-watering dry ribs and award-winning pulled pork. Fresh and local have become synonymous with the food scene in Memphis. Two local restaurants, Wild Beet Salad Co. (formerly Lettuce Eat), and[...]

Little Rock City Director Candidate Shares Mental Health Struggle

June 30, 2017

Melanie Kramer

Health, Mental Health Guide

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t was an important race – the biggest of her life so far. Ousting veteran Little Rock City Director Joan Adcock from her position would have been a big win for Molly Miller. At just 28 years old, Miller saw the need for a progressive candidate in the city and she didn’t hesitate to jump into the race. A few months later, her supporters – and many around t[...]

Suicide Survivor Advocates for Mental Health Reform in Arkansas

June 29, 2017

Melanie Kramer

Health, Mental Health Guide

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or Mary Wood, maintaining good mental health requires “maintenance, support, practice, planning and plain old effort,” she says. “I believe most people have sound minds and self-discipline, but when they are living in fear, feel helpless, or they have little or no control over their situations, then they may act like they don't have good judgment, or discipl[...]

Online Exclusive: A Happy Lake Hamilton Cottage

June 29, 2017

Melanie Kramer

Blog, Real Homes

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We had so much fun photographing Kay Koonce and Marvin Itzkowitz's warm and inviting Hot Springs home for our July issue. We had more photos than we were able to use in the magazine. To celebrate this great couple and their beautiful new home, we wanted to share more with our readers. We also want to thank Cabbage Rose for creating two beautiful flower ar[...]

Not All Vodkas Are Created Equal

June 29, 2017

Melanie Kramer

Food, July 2017, Magazine

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Rock Town Distillery puts Little Rock on the vodka map with its top-of-the-line offerings. even years ago when Phil Brandon started distilling vodka at his downtown Little Rock warehouse, he knew he wanted to make his vodka special. Not only has Rock Town Vodka become his number one seller, but it has evolved and the company now makes grapefruit, basil an[...]

A Peaceful Lakeside Cottage: Little Rock Couple Builds Happy Home on Lake Hamilton

June 29, 2017

Melanie Kramer

Home & Garden, July 2017, Magazine

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wning a home in Hot Springs after living in Little Rock for nearly four decades was an easy decision for Kay Koonce. Koonce grew up in Hot Springs at the former Alpine Chalets Lake Resort on Lake Hamilton. Her parents, Elza and Martha Young, owned and operated Alpine until they decided to sell in the 1980s. The resort was turned into condominiums and the[...]

Author archives: Melanie Kramer