Positively Springtime!! Berry me.

If the glorious weather hasn't been enough of a sign, here is proof positive:

Yes! Local Arkansas strawberries have appeared at the Argenta Market and I can vouch for the fact that they are sugar-sweet and delicious!!

I dropped by for lunch and to get some berries on Tuesday and found things hopping at the Market. Channel 7 had a camera crew filming for an upcoming feature, the Pulaski Tech Culinary Academy was holding a food identification field trip, and the lunch crowd was lined up as usual.

Jody Hardin sharing a bite of something tasty with folks from the Culinary Academy

as the Channel 7 crew films CPA Bruce Engstrom ordering his lunch. Meat Master Cody is behind the counter.

I love the feel of the Argenta Market. They have the best meat I've found in town, the produce is always good, and local products are used to the extent that the season allows. The lunch is tasty, varied, and served up by a congenial crew. Check it out if you have yet to try it!

And then there are the rides.....

The Tuesday night ACF ride was getting ready to roll

The River Trail and BDB were packed with folks on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. On Tuesday, the ACF ride, Fast Girls, and Tuesday Nitro group rides were all out in full force, in addition to the skaters, walkers, and runners. Trail use, and cycling in particular, is growing rapidly, making it all the more important that we all respect each other and share the resource. The Two Rivers Bridge will open many more easily accessible miles of trail, so that should help.

 Cleaning Up The Poo

It appears that dog owners are finally responding to the call to pick up behind their pooches. Thanks to Pulaski County for adding more bag dispensers, signs, and trash bins on top of the bridge and to Nancy Elliott, who has been spending her evenings handing out bags, gathering signatures against a dog ban and, most importantly, nicely informing folks that the privilege of walking dogs on the BDB is threatened. I'm not sure how much difference Nancy's presence made, but it's nice to see somebody take it upon themselves to help solve a community problem in a civil and positive way.

Cyclists Welcome

JBar Cycling got a little shout out from the Argenta Market last week, and it was appreciated here! The Argenta Market is one of our favorite places to shop and we especially appreciate the fact that they offer a wide range of high quality local food. In a world where the ground beef package at Kroger will likely carry a label saying "Contents may originate from one or more of the following countries: USA, Canada, Mexico". I'd rather dine on a burger made from a Lonoke County cow, thank you.
The food is good, the folks are friendly and cyclists are welcome. Pop off the River Trail on your next ride and check out the Market.

http://www.argentamarket.com/?p=2215

Lunch is served at the Argenta Market. Saturday breakfast is a favorite time to drop in.

Out Of The Cave: Sunshine, Blue Skies, Argenta Market and the River Trail

After an Arctic cold wave and a huge snow dump brought must of Arkansas to a sliding halt, Saturday broke clear and warm. No matter how much fun was had in the snow, the change in the weather was greeted in a celebratory manner by those of us who take our recreation in the outdoors. The set-up was perfect for sleeping in and enjoying a little breakfast while watching the mercury rise in preparation for a ride.

Even as temperatures rose past 50, the BDB still had enough snow and ice cover to require this road bike rider to dismount and walk when I passed over around 11:00AM.

The Little Rock ramp stays in shadow most of the day and the snow was still plenty deep.

Diane and I rode from the house together with her heading to an Argenta area yoga session while I headed out to scout conditions on the trail. It was mostly dry, but anywhere that stayed in shadow most of the day still had ice and snow cover, though the rising temperatures and bright sun were soon having their way with even the most stubborn ice holes. After a loop through downtown, I headed to the Argenta Market for a snack and to meet up with Diane for a bride ride*.

Jody Hardin of Argenta Market handed out a few samples of  these chocolate covered strawberries.

Mmmmmmm... Just the thing to chase my store-made pig-in-a-blanket and doughnut from Community Bakery.

The Argenta Market always has a good vibe, especially on Saturday when folks have time relax. There is always plenty of easy conversation among diners, shoppers, and store staff.

Diane in full urban errand configuration.

What a difference a couple of hours of sunshine can make!

If you're a birder, you can likely add Trumpeter Swans to your list. These guys were spotted along River Front Park in downtown NLR. The swan population at Magness Lake near Heber Springs gets a lot of publicity, but they're not the only show around.

If you're reading this on Sunday morning, it is time to back away from the computer, air up your tires and hit the road! Head out to the River Trail or your local road or single-track. You need the vitamin D.

*Bride ride: a ride with one's spouse on which leisurely speeds are anticipated and not whined about.



Quality of Life: Argenta Market

Both of my parents were from North Little Rock and I've lived here for my entire life, save for a couple of short stints in Fayetteville and in Memphis. It's always been home and an OK place to live, if for no other reason than that it is easy to get out of town and off to the creeks and hills. In the last few years, I've come to be very excited about my home town. I love the vibe of the River Trail, the River Market, and Argenta. A jewel of North Little Rock's Main Street is the Argenta Market. It's truly a neighborhood market, featuring some of the best meat in town (Vegans, skip this: If you want a really good steak, pick up a couple of their dry aged tenderloin filets. You need the protein!) and  fresh local produce when available. They have pretty much everything you might need in the way of groceries, plus Boulevard bread, Community Bakery pastries, and prepared meals to go from the same busy kitchen that feeds the lunch crowd. They also serve breakfast on Saturday morning and the place is like a neighborhood social center.

I hopped on the CARVE Saturday morning ride out East early last Saturday morning. With 50 miles on my legs and an empty belly, I rolled into the Argenta Market for Eggs Benedict.Mmmmmmm! It's my habit to have "second breakfast" after my weekend rides, no matter the time of day. I was very pleased to see the entry to the market decorated with pumpkins, locally grown greens, and several bicycles.