Then, join us for the Third Annual Krewe of Barkus Parade Feb. 19 @ 2:00 p.m. The parade starts and ends at the CityGrove Art Park on 5th Street between Main and Maple. Bring your dogs and beads to join in the parade fun!

The Wise Kids, directed by Stephen Cone, is a feature film set in and around Charleston, South Carolina and deals with questions of faith and friendships. It follows the lives of Brea, an introspective pastor’s daughter experiencing debilitating doubt; the hyperactive Laura, Brea’s best friend and a devout believer; and Tim, the open-hearted son of a single father, confronting his homosexuality for the first time.

Ride the River Rail February 6-14 and register for a chance to win a free night’s stay at Baker House Bed & Breakfast in Argenta or to have a private part on the trolley or to win a gift basket. Wear red and you’ll have two chances! Regular fares apply. Sponsored by the Arkansas Heart Association, Central Arkansas Transit Authority, Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau, Downtown Little Rock Partnership, Argenta Arts Foundation, and North Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau.

A proposed project will construct a new bridge and ramps to replace the existing Broadway Bridge (Highway 70). The project is scheduled to be let to contract in 2013. At the meeting, conceptual drawings, various project estimates and aerial photos of the project location will be on display.

The meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 7, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., in the Training Room of the Arkansas Transit Association building, 620 W. Broadway, in North Little Rock.

North Little Rock is expected to be the focal point of all-day festivities leading up to the 8:00 p.m. concert at Verizon Arena on March 1. Off Riverfront Drive, 103.7 The Buzz will host a FREE tailgate party with live entertainment adjacent to the I-30 Bridge south of the seawall from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission will be free to the general public. Gates will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for tailgating south of the seawall. Sites are available based on a first come first serve basis. No vehicles will be permitted south of the seawall after 3 p.m. General parking will be available all day with certain business parking lots being available after 5 p.m. Visitors are reminded that Main Street parking is limited to 2 hours during business hours and posted parking restrictions will be enforced. Visitors are also encouraged to visit the following websites for the complete parking map,North Little Rock Visitors Bureau (www.northlittlerock.travel), City of North Little Rock (www.northlittlerock.ar.gov), Verizon Arena (www.verizonarena.com), Argenta Arts Foundation (www.argentaartsdistrict.org), and the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce (www.nlrchamber.org).

For those looking to stay overnight and close to Verizon Arena, a limited number of RV reserved camping sites are available through the Downtown Riverside RV Park at 501-340-5312.

For more information on parking or events down at the river, please call the North Little Rock Visitors Bureau at 501-758-1424.

The list, which only considers cities with populations of 100,000 or more, bases its selection on the availability of segregated bike lanes, municipal bike racks and bike boulevards, to name a few.

Cities must also support a vibrant and diverse bike culture and must have smart, savvy bike shops.

“The [Little Rock] city center needs work, but neighboring North Little Rock boasts the longest bicycle-pedestrian bridge in the world,” says the magazine.

No. 1 on Bicycling’s list is Minneapolis, Minn., followed by Portland, Ore. and Boulder, Colo.

Tickets, priced at $27.50, $57.50, $77.50 and $99.50, will go on sale at 10 a.m. Jan. 28 at Verizon Arena box-office, all Ticketmaster outlets, charge by phone at (800) 745-3000 or at www.ticketmaster.com and livenation.com.

The North American tour includes the band’s first show at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival where they will headline the first weekend of the annual event on April 28.

Preparation is by appointment only, no walk-ins, and is available between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. If filing jointly, both filers must be present. Filers must bring the following items: Government photo issued ID, Social security card(s) for all to be included on return, W-2, 1099s or other documentation reflecting all income to be filed, Last year’s tax return (if available), Deduction and credit info such mortgage interest and daycare information.

Electronic filing is available for federal taxes only, in which a refund can be received in about 10 days if using direct deposit. Refund anticipation loans are not offered. Please call 501-374-0622 to make an appointment or email taxprep@argentacdc.org to learn more.

Participating restaurants include Cornerstone Pub and Grill, Cregeen’s Irish Pub, Reno’s Argenta Cafe’, Ristorante Capeo, Starving Artist Cafe’, Riverfront Steakhouse, Benihana and Argenta Market.

We are continuing the popular Diner Drawings where patrons may enter to win prizes each time they dine at a participating restaurant during Argenta Restaurant Week. The Grand Prize winner will receive beautiful jewelry valued at $500 from Stanley Jewelers and Gemologists. Other prizes include 2 one-night stays at the Baker House Bed and Breakfast valued at $250, 2 $100 Gift Certificates from Argenta Bead Company, a $215 pottery class at Claytime Studios, a $100 Gift Card to Argenta Market, a $50 Gift Card from Temenos Publishing, and a 1-hour massage valued at $65 from Argenta Healing Arts.  The more they dine the more chances they have to win. Drawings will be held on Friday, January 27, 2012.

Argenta Restaurant Week is presented by the Argenta Arts Foundation, whose commitment to the visual, performance, landscape and culinary arts, is evident throughout the Argenta Arts District in downtown North Little Rock. Restaurant Week sponsors include CityGrove Townhomes, Argenta Market, Ben E. Keith Co. Food Service Distributors, Boulevard Brewing Company, and the North Little Rock Visitor’s Bureau. Arkansas Times is our Media Sponsor. Additional information can be found at www.argentarestaurantweek.com

The annual index ranks U.S. metropolitan areas by how well they are creating and sustaining jobs and economic growth. To view the full report go to Best Cities.