Food Review: Linh’s Vietnamese Cuisine

$13, Yum Yum Chicken
Claudia Hall/Opinions Editor

CLAUDIA HALL/THE ARKA TECH

I ordered the Yum Yum Chicken, which is C12 on the menu. It consisted of breaded chicken covered in yum yum sauce, rice and vegetables.

My family works with international students in Fayetteville, many of which are Vietnamese. This food took me back home for an hour, and it was wonderful. I regret not ordering any pho, so I hope to return soon to try it.

I hadn’t originally planned on ordering the boba tea, but I’ve always seen photos of people drinking it and wanted to try it myself. Mango is usually my favorite flavor, but it wasn’t the case this time. Overall, I loved the atmosphere and quality of Linh’s. I have been recommending this restaurant to others.

$10, Beef Pho
Jenn Terrell/ Graduate Assistant

Linh’s Vietnamese Restaurant is admittedly one of my favorites in Russellville. Everything from their traditional Vietnamese soup (pho) to their egg roll salad will satisfy your taste buds. The pho has always been a favorite of mine. I typically get the P7. It has lean beef, rice noodles, and an unbelievably tasty broth. It comes with bean sprouts, lime, and a couple slices of fresh jalapeno on the side. I usually ask for cilantro to throw in and top mine off with sriracha to make it spicy.

There are several other amazing finds on the menu as well. They are possibly the only place in Russellville to serve boba tea and Vietnamese coffee plus they’ve just added a small Asian market inside. If you haven’t heard of them, you must go in and see for yourself.

No known plans to renovate pool

BY SAM HOISINGTON

In late 2011, the Arkansas Tech University Board of Trustees announced the immediate closure of the pool facility located in the Hull Physical Education Building, effective the last day of the fall 2011 semester.

A press release from Tech cited the cost of upgrading the pool to meet new handicap accessibility regulations and escalating costs of maintaining the pool as reasons for its closure. The pool was part of the original section of Hull that opened in 1972. The pool has remained vacant since its closure to the public.

According to Galen Rounsaville, Tech construction manager, no formal investigation into the cost of repairing the pool has been done. Rounsaville also said that the university does not have a specific plan for how to re-purpose the space at this time.

David Moseley, senior vice president for administration and finance, confirms that the pool will not be reopened but says the space will be included in plans for a forthcoming renovation of the building.

Local residents were allowed to use the Hull pool for recreation and exercise. The closure of the pool left the city of Russellville without any pool facility for public use.

Russellville High School’s swim team was displaced and was forced to make alternate plans for the rest of the swim season. Lisa Huelle’s daughter was on the Russellville High School swim team that made use of the pool while it was open.

“It’s very conducive to holding swim meets. It’s a good facility. I hate that nothing’s happened there,” Huelle said.

Seven of Arkansas’ eleven public universities have pool facilities for student fitness purposes.

Sidewalk project to include bike lane

BY MELODY TABOR

For some students, walking from Vista Place Apartments to Tech has been a necessary and dangerous struggle.

The plan to put sidewalks along O Street on State Highway 124 has been updated to include bike lanes as well as sidewalks.

Public Works Director and City Engineer Kurt Jones, said the design for the plan has not yet been finalized, but the street will be redone to include these changes. The plan is currently estimated to cost the city $2.4 million, Jones said.

“This has shifted from a sidewalk project to a complete street project, and I think that’s an ideal location for a complete street project,” Jones said.“It’s a gateway to Tech and to the city, and I’m excited about it.”

The project will take anywhere from nine to 12 months to finish and is tentatively scheduled to begin in late summer or early fall, Jones said. The sidewalks will be 6-feet wide and made of concrete, Jones said.

Jones said one of the bigger challenges will be reworking the intersection by Parker Road. The hill will receive several grade changes, and the utility work adjacent to O Street will also be a challenge, Jones said.

Some residents have expressed concern about how close the sidewalks will be to their homes, but following the latest proposal, Jones said all residents he has spoken to are satisfied.

Brass Choir celebrates 50 years

BY ASHLEY PEARSON

ASHLEY PEARSON/THE ARKA TECH: Andy Anders conducted the 50th anniversary brass choir celebration.

Half a century of music and memories filled First United Methodist Church Monday to celebrate Tech’s University Brass Choir.

Dr. Gary Barrow, professor of music, put together the 50th anniversary concert for Tech’s brass choir. Barrow directed several pieces that were meaningful to the histories ensemble, one of which was “The Brass Square” by Earl Zindars.

The piece was performed during a program by Robert Bright’s brass choir in 1967 when the choir attended the Music Educators National Conference after being invited to perform in Colorado Springs. Bright founded the brass choir during his third year in the 1960s.

Former student, Dr. Lester Monts said, “I’ve never had a better teacher.”

Monts, a distinguished alumnus, was the first African American to live on campus and enroll in the music department in the 1970s. After earning his bachelor’s degree, he moved on to the University of Nebraska where he earned his master’s in music. He didn’t stop there. In 1980, Monts earned his doctorate at the University of Minnesota. As an accomplished orchestral trumpeter he influenced director Steven Spielberg with music for the movie “Amistad.”

Today, Monts is the vice president for Academic Affairs and a professor of music at the University of Michigan. In May 2010, Monts received the highest honor available at Tech, as he was inducted in the Arkansas Tech Hall of Distinction.

Andy Anders, former Tech conductor, along with Barrow and Bright, conducted parts of Sunday’s performance. Over 50 members of an alumni ensemble performed “Voluntary on Old 100th” as well.

Anders attended Tech from 1962-67 double majoring in math and music. “I liked math, but I loved the tuba,” Anders said. He didn’t always play the tuba. Anders started on a third hand clarinet from World War II. When the band needed a tuba player, he raised his hand in class to accept the position.

Today, the music department serves nearly 170 music majors and has gained state and regional recognition over the years. It is believed that without Bright, Anders and Barrow this couldn’t have been achieved.

ASHLEY PEARSON/THE ARKA TECH

Professor pied for cancer

BY ELON KIERRE

TOMMY MUMERT/THE ARKA TECH: Journalism professor Billy Reeder was pied in the face March 11 as part of the Journalists for Life Relay for Life team.

Billy Reeder stood solemnly outside Ross Pendergraft Library on March 11 with a small crowd gathered around him. In just a few minutes, Reeder would receive a pie in the face — for a good cause.

Reeder, assistant professor of journalism, was the lucky winner of Pie your Professor fundraiser. At noon on March 11, bidding took place in front of the library to see who would get to pie Reeder. Ryan Harmon, a sophomore broadcast journalism major from Lamar, got to do the honors with his $10 bid. “I hated to do it, but it had to be done,” Harmon said.

“I’m sticky,” Reeder said. “I’m glad to be able to help. It was for a good cause, so I don’t mind a pie in the face, but I don’t know what my hair will look like later.”

The Pie your Professor fundraiser was for the Journalist for Life team, which is an of�icial team of the River Valley Relay for Life. With this fundraiser, the team has raised a little over $300. Reeder brought in about $130, and his competition, Dr. Hanna Norton, assistant vice president for academic affairs and professor of journalism, brought in around $103.

Norton is the team captain for the Journalist for Life team.

“This is a cause that is near and dear to my heart,” Norton said.

On behalf of the faculty, Tommy Mumert, assistant professor of journalism, said, “We extend our gratitude to Mr. Reeder for his willingness to participate and for his acceptance of his fate.”

The Relay year does not end until August 31, so the team will continue to raise money for the cause. For more information visit the local Relay for Life on the event’s Facebook page at facebook.com/RelayForLifeOfPopeandYell or relayforlife.org/popear.

Tutoring Center provides student success

BY SIERRA MURPHY

Tech students can get more for less this semester with help from Student Success.

The Doc Bryan Tutoring Center, free of charge to students, has extended its hours and course framework with the help of a $20,000 grant from the Charles A. Frueaff Foundation, which, according to the foundation’s website, funds a number of academic programs around the country.

The grant will be split between tutoring services and the Bridge to Excellence programs, both of which are run by Dr. Elishia Heiden, assistant dean for student success.

Enough of the grant was awarded to tutoring services to allow for the changes Student Success made earlier this semester.

“Last semester and the semester before, we weren’t open Sundays,” Heiden said. “There were several courses offered, but we couldn’t offer all the math every shift.”

Now, the tutoring center is open Sunday to Thursday from 5-9 p.m., and all courses are offered every hour.

“Last semester we restructured which courses we offered,” Heiden said.

New courses include Principles of Zoology, Principles of Botany, Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry, Calculus III and Differential Equations I. Other course offered through the tutoring center include Foundational Composition, World Civilization I, Praxis 1 and Public Speaking.

The expansion of course curriculum brings with it a staff that works under Heiden. Heiden said her staff have high GPAs, faculty references and go through rigorous training to be a part of the program.

“Any kind of help is better than not getting help,” said Jordan Dunham, a junior communications major from Russellville.

“We’ve got people tutoring in all different kinds of subjects. We’re all able to work together. It’s just about having the information put to you in the right way.”

Dunham tutors math, English and public speaking, while his co-worker, Hailey Roberson, tutors biology.

“It’s beneficial not only to me but to them,” said Roberson, a junior biomedical biology and medical technologies double major from Atkins. “I really have been doing it naturally for a really long time. It’s really rewarding to see it click and see someone understands it and is able to work through it.”

Those looking for more information about the tutoring center can visit their Facebook page at Facebook.com/ATUTutoringCenter or call (479) 880-4324.

Stapleton’s new single gains popularity

BY RYAN HARMON

WWW.ROLLINGSTONE.COM

When Chris Stapleton announced his departure from The Steeldrivers in 2010, many fans were shocked and saddened by the news. For years, Stapleton had been the identifiable figure in the band. His voice, driving rhythm and songwriting set the band apart from its peers.

Before The Steeldrivers’ rise to popularity, Stapleton wrote several songs for artists such as Brad Paisley and Brooks & Dunn. Following his departure from the band, he continued his career as a writer, writing such hit songs as “Your Man,” recorded by Josh Turner, and “Drink a Beer,” recorded by Luke Bryan.

In 2013, after playing in The Jompson Brothers for a short time, Stapleton announced that he had signed with Mercury Records, and his debut solo album would be released soon. Following that announcement was the release of his first single, “What Are You Listening To.”

While the song had some success, fans were eager for the album release. Stapleton continued to tour, yet the album was nowhere to be seen until earlier this year.

“Traveller,” the debut solo album from Stapleton, will arrive on May 5 and include either 13 or 14 songs, according to sources. Stapleton’s team has been vague about the album, just enough to raise curiosity among fans.

“What Are You Listening To” is not expected to be on the album, but some music is available to preview online. Stapleton has released one full song, “Traveller.”

“Traveller” will be the opening track of the album and will likely set the tone for what the album will be. In a behind the scenes video, Stapleton said the album’s concept came from driving his Jeep through the desert.

The song is deep and mellow. The production’s warm, and Stapleton’s voice is out front. The lyrics are just right for this stage in his career. “I don’t know where I’m going, but I’ve got to go.” It all seems to be on his terms.

Stapleton’s in an interesting position, having already proven himself as a successful songwriter and performer. Several artists in Nashville rely on writers, like Stapleton, for their material, but this time, he’s the one in the spotlight.

While speaking about the new album, Stapleton said that he’s returned to writing for the joy of creation. I think listeners will be very pleased with what he has to offer on this record, if the first single’s any indication. If the industry allows it, Chris Stapleton could bring a wellneeded change to Nashville. We won’t have to wait very long to find out.

Stapleton’s currently on tour with Little Big Town. For more information on upcoming shows, or the new album, visit www. chrisstapleton.com.

POLICE REPORTS

BY SAM HOISINGTON

At 10:50 p.m. on March 2, officers responded to a call concerning residents potentially smoking marijuana. Upon arrival, officers asked the three students if they had been smoking marijuana. All three denied. The resident consented to a search and officers found three open beer cans. When asked if any other alcohol was present, the resident produced several unopened cans from the refrigerator and also a bottle of 70 proof liquor that he stated belonged to his roommate. The resident was instructed to pour the alcohol down the sink.

On Friday, a female resident came to Public Safety to report someone entering her dorm room and taking $20 on March 4. The resident stated she loaned a ten dollar bill to another female to purchase her a sweet tea at McDonalds. The resident state that when she removed this money from her wallet, there was also a twenty dollar bill in the wallet. The resident received change from the other female and returned to her room around 4 a.m. It was at this time that the resident noticed the twenty dollar bill that was in her wallet earlier was missing. The resident searched the room but could not locate the missing money.

At 8:45 p.m. on Saturday, an officer received a call from Pope County dispatch stating a subject had called from Vista Place Apartments and said someone had tried to break into his apartment. The resident stated that he noticed that his lock was bent and he assumed someone had tried to break into his room. He stated that he was not aware of anything being stolen from his room or the apartment.

Food Review: Nothing Fancy

The Arka Tech checked out one of Russellville’s popular food vendors — Nothing Fancy

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$6.49 BBQ Sandwich with fries and water

By Sam Hoisington

Nothing Fancy is located inside of City Mall and decorated in a very eclectic fashion. However, the food leaves something more to be desired. I decided on the barbecue sandwich, an order of fries, and a water. The sandwich was small and the helping of fries was rather underwhelming too. The quality of the food reminded me of an elementary school cafeteria. I expected something unique from Nothing Fancy, but I suppose I should have believed the name.

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$5.90 Fancy burger with chips and water

By Ashley Pearson

Nothing Fancy is true to its name. As I stood in line waiting to order I noticed there were signs taped up everywhere. Some signs noted that there had been changes in prices or said certain foods were available on special days. The menu was quite interesting. The left side contained every day average American food like burgers and fries while the right side listed Vietnamese dishes.  It was a simple burger and it eased my hunger, though I wish the bacon had been more flavorful.

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$5.99 Cheeseburger with fries and a coke

By Jesse Griffiths

My experience with Nothing Fancy got off to a promising start with a friendly staff and interesting menu.  But after a long wait, I was treated to a meal not much better than anything I could have gotten at a fast food joint for half the price.  The cheeseburger I ordered was filling and tasted decent, but the fries were bland and difficult to finish.  I would go back to Nothing Fancy to try their Asian food, but there is nothing drawing me back for more of the American style food.

International Women’s Week art displayed in Witherspoon

BY CASEY DEANGELO

CASEY DEANGELO/THE ARKA TECH: Kaitlyn Woodward’s art piece, “Tarnished Pride,” is displayed in Witherspoon as part of International Women’s Week.

In coordination with International Women’s Week, the lobby of Witherspoon Hall has an art show dedicated to women.

Each piece shows empowerment of women through digital art, paintings and drawings.

Art major Kaitlyn Woodward was featured in the showcase twice.

“Women should be accepted for their beliefs, no matter the topic,” Woodward said. “I believe in equality. As an artist, I want my artwork to make people stop and think, to empower change because people deserve dignity, respect, rights and equal opportunities.”

One of her pieces is titled “Tarnished Pride.” This piece features a woman’s figure, but her head is replaced with a cube and black bars are being used as sensors. Woodward uses contrast and color splatter to draw the viewer’s eye across the piece.

There are words hidden within the piece that give it a deeper meaning.

“This piece depicts the obvious conflict that women face with body image, gender roles and sexual orientation. My artwork pushes boundaries by bringing topics to light that society wants to pretend don’t exist,” Woodward said.