Wine-o: The Usual Suspect Cabernet Sauvignon

The Usual Suspect (Big House Wine) Cabernet Sauvignon, 2010 Ripon, CA
Alcohol: 13.0%

If you're going to need a lot of wine, this is what you want!  This Three Liter boxed-wine was served at the Downtown Bentonville, Inc. First Friday Greenroom in March and it was great!  Not only was it packaged in a playful manner, the price was right, AND the flavor was right.  It's a great Cabernet Sauvignon, not overly juicy but bright with fruit flavors and a quick finish.

What is this Greenroom you ask?  As a thank you for supporting the Downtown Bentonville mission, DBI members (at $150 and above) receive a membership card that gets them into the First Fridays Greenroom.  Themed, food, wine, beer, Hostess snack cakes, and other specialties (such as clean real bathrooms!) are available!  April's event will be themed International Festival, so look for some fun stuff!

The box:

Psst wise guy! Don't let the name fool you, this ain't your typical yappin-his-mouth Cab.  It's saucy with a beezer of black currants and mocha that lead to dark berries and fresh plums, a true bomba de fruta.  It would be a crime to mistake this wine for its Bordelaise kin; he is much more volatile, which is shy he's so good with food.  Eh, he's especially fond of burgers or ribs.

Better yet, the wine was still decent tasting 10 days after the event when refrigerated!

Freya's Score: 7 A fun tasty wine, fun artistry, and fun size!

Cost: ~ $17 in Southern Missouri, bought from the Macadoodle's location in Pineville, MO.  This is a great deal if you purchase it with the fantastic Macadoodle's case of wine deal.  Try out the Macadoodle's new e-commerce store to have wine and other goodies delivered to you.  

Bark Park Etiquette

While many dog owners greatly enjoy taking their furry friends to the Bentonville Bark Park, I have met some that are wary of the experience.  This is often because they have not gone before or are nervous of how their dog will act.

Dogs are pack animals, they love to socialize and play, and a dog park is a great way to socialize and exercise your dog.  A couple pieces of advice.

1.  Watch your dog at all times.  Be aware of the other dogs s/he is interacting with.  Most dogs just want to play, but sometimes a couple of "alpha" type dogs won't back down to each other.  Note if you see any interactions like that and watch your pet carefully when with those dogs.

Kora the Blue Heeler

2.  Encourage your dog to "check-in".  Freya is wonderfully social and submissive to other dogs, and so I don't worry about her scampering to the other end of the yard.  However I will call her every couple of minutes back to me.  This is a great training moment as I am able to teach her to obey the "COME" with great distraction all around.  (Because Freya is part Australian Shepherd, she also does this instinctively with me as she is aware that I am her "ward or herd", it may be harder to train other breeds to do this.)
3.  Chat with other owners!  This is a social exercise for you too!  People love to talk about their dogs and it's easy to strike up a conversation with strangers in a safe environment.
4.  Note when your dog is tiring.  Tell tale signs: lying down, overly barking, getting testy with other dogs, sitting by you.  These things all mean it is time to go home.

One of Freya's special friends, Kora does not get on well with other dogs.  She is a Blue Heeler and is very attached to her owner, thinking she must defend her at all costs!  My friend is trying to work with Kora on this and has taken her to the dog park to help socialize her.  Kora is kept on the leash at all times and is praised when she lets other dogs and people sniff or pet her.  With time, we hope that she will get friendlier with other dogs and eventually be allowed off the leash in a controlled setting.

Don't miss another exciting opportunity to socialize your dog in downtown Bentonville with upcoming First Fridays and Farmers Markets!  Special "Dog Days of Summer" Farmers Market on May 19, 2012.

Freya the Office Dog

Freya is a working dog, as in she goes to the office with me every day.  This has helped her grow out of a lot of her shelter dog fears by subjecting her to the friendly pats and affection of many visitors (people in Bentonville, AR LOVE dogs).  While still protective of me, Freya and I have worked through a lot of her fear/aggression to the point that she will stop barking at a visitor when I greet them (90% of the time).

Freya's time at the office has been beneficial in many ways though.  Not only is she a greeter and entertainer for those waiting for meetings, her impact on the staff has been huge.  Her playfulness and wagging docked tail has brought pauses from work that I find personally beneficial.  If I am in the midst of a difficult or stressful project I'll take a moment to run through her tricks with her, reminding myself that the world is much bigger than me, this project, the office, etc.  She reminds me to be happy in the moment, and makes tasks seem easier.

As I prepare for my next career move, there has been a sense of trepidation for the impending change in the office.  While I believe my coworkers will miss my everyday presence as I will theirs, the loss most voiced is that of Freya.  (To the point of business acquaintances asking what will happen at meetings without her.)  I wonder how the office will shift without her encouraging and ever cheerful and energetic presence.

For those who read this and are in a position of office power, I encourage you to allow an office dog.  Not only will an employee be grateful to get to bring their best friend with them to work, but the influence on the office workers can be very positive with a well behaved dog.

Wine-o: Charles Smith Eve

Charles Smith Eve Chardonnay 2009, Washington Valley, OR

I finally frequented Pressroom after work.  The coffee house recently obtained their liquor license (conveniently in time for New Year's Eve) and I have been told by various Bentonville locals about how wonderful their offerings are.

Since I had a bottle of red already open at home I decided to go with a glass of white, the house white recommended to me was the Charles Smith Eve Chardonnay.  The 2009 vintage was lovely.  A little bit on the crisp side for a chardonnay, but still with a buttery hint to it.  (I love buttery chardonnays.)  The menu described it as having pear and apple flavorings which I found delightfully offset that buttery flavor.

Pressroom opened in downtown Bentonville in the fall of 2011, just in time for the grand opening of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.  The coffee house features a delightful offering throughout the day.  Grab an amazing coffee drink in the morning (my favorite is the brown sugar latte), pastries by  the Tusk & Trotter American Brasserie pastry chef throughout the day, light and healthy lunches, and finally a full bar menu with cheese, olive, and charcuterie plates in the evening.  

This has been an amazing addition to the downtown area and is a convenient walk to the Square, Crystal Bridges, Walmart Visitor Center, and all the other retail, yoga studio, and restaurant perks in downtown.

Freya's Score: 8  This great wine added to a lovely happy hour with some girlfriends!  The label art on the bottle is also super fun.

Cost: ~ $7 at Pressroom in Bentonville, AR

Freya's Journey: New Dog Behavior

Choosing Your New Dog, Behavior


There are many things to consider when choosing a dog to adopt or purchase.  The personality and behavior of each individual dog is highly important as you consider making them a part of your home.


When choosing your new dog it is important to consider your lifestyle and an individual dog's behavior.  The BF and I are both active and I knew I wanted a dog that could keep up on a hike for an hour or so.  The BF is also an avid hunter with a love of retrievers, so I wanted to try to look for a dog with some retrieving instincts.  


The Centerton Animal Shelter allowed me to take Freya out on a leash on the lawn outside the facility.  I was able to see she was rambunctious outside.  She also responded when I called her and while a bit timid, sat nicely for pets and looked at my eyes when I spoke to her.  I also noted that when I threw a small woodchip she pounced after it.


Tips from Dr. Wolfenkoehler at All Pets Animal Clinic 

Evaluate behavior:  Reluctance to approach may indicate fearfulness, which can manifest as aggression in stressful situations.  The obvious signs of aggression are bared teeth, staring, growling, etc.; but fear-aggression can look like more like shyness:  tucked tail, laid-back ears, head down.  Try to spend enough time with the dog to properly evaluate behavioral tendencies. 

Note:  In increasing numbers, veterinarians are seeing pets presented for euthanasia due to behavioral issues – ranging from lack of house-training to biting.  Many of these issues can be handled with proper and consistent training. Aggression issues are more difficult.  Only owners with the resources to address these potentially heartbreaking and/or dangerous situations should adopt a dog with a tendency to be aggressive. Families with children should not take such a risk at all.

·         All newly adopted dogs, of any age, should be evaluated by a veterinarian.  All Pets generally recommends: 

• a fecal examination (checking for internal parasites)
• a heartworm test (checking for evidence of heartworm infection
• age and lifestyle-appropriate vaccinations (we would consider exposure to other dogs and exposure to ticks as part of our vaccination evaluation)
• heartworm preventive and flea/tick preventive

All Pets performs a head-to-tail examination of the 10 major body systems (gastrointestinal, nervous system, urogenital, respiratory, skeletal, skin, heart, eyes, ears, mouth). They also discuss preventive dental care, exercise and nutrition, grooming, behavioral and social skills, as well as microchipping.


In addition to being a great office, All Pets Animal Clinic is very involved in the community.  You can visit with them March through November at the Downtown Bentonville, Inc. produced First Friday events.  This is a great way to meet the staff and ask pet health or behavioral questions you may be pondering on.

Freya's Journey: New Dog Health

Choosing Your New Dog, Health


There are many things to consider when choosing a dog to adopt or purchase.  How big, what sex, what breed, how active, what age, the list goes on.


One thing that many people forget and should be at the front of the list is health.  Studies have proven that mixed breeds tend to have fewer health issues, a result of genetic diversity allowing for fewer recessively linked health issues.


When choosing Freya, I followed a couple basic tips.  Cold nose, clear eyes, clean coat, no obvious parasites, no excessive coughing or wheezing, appropriate energy level etc.  Freya's vet, Dr. Wolfenkoehler at All Pets Animal Clinic was gracious enough to give me some tips.

1. When evaluating the physical condition of a dog you’re considering adopting, the signs indicating respiratory or intestinal problems are:  runny nose, coughing, diarrhea, vomiting.
2. Check for signs of parasites: red, itchy or inflamed ears (ear mites), ticks, scratching (fleas), hair loss
3.  Check the body condition – skinny or bloated may both indicate internal parasites or other internal conditions.

Note: In many cases, dogs with these symptoms are treatable and may fully recover with proper veterinary care.  However, prospective owners need to be aware that caring for a newly adopted pet, even if the pet was “free”, does not mean that owning a pet is free.  Budgeting for regular veterinary care needs to be a consideration for any family considering pet adoption.

So if you have found the dog you think you want to adopt, what's the final rundown of health procedures you should have done to help ensure that they will be healthy as you take them home?

·         All newly adopted dogs, of any age, should be evaluated by a veterinarian.  All Pets generally recommends: 

• a fecal examination (checking for internal parasites)
• a heartworm test (checking for evidence of heartworm infection
• age and lifestyle-appropriate vaccinations (we would consider exposure to other dogs and exposure to ticks as part of our vaccination evaluation)
• heartworm preventive and flea/tick preventive

      All Pets performs a head-to-tail examination of the 10 major body systems (gastrointestinal, nervous system, urogenital, respiratory, skeletal, skin, heart, eyes, ears, mouth). They also discuss with patients preventive dental care, exercise and nutrition, grooming, behavioral and social skills, as well as microchipping.

In addition to being a great office, All Pets Animal Clinic is very involved in the community.  You can visit with them March through November at the Downtown Bentonville, Inc. produced First Friday events.

Culture Bit: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

November 11, 2011 marked an important day for the art community, and more importantly (to me at least) the Bentonville, Arkansas community.  The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is finally open to the public (and admission is free!)

This museum will drastically change the local community.  One of the most profound effects in my opinion will be through its' Education program.  Alice Walton has shown her passion for education and for the region and this beautiful facility will greatly enhance both.  Through a grant from the Walton Family Foundation, school groups will now be able to organize field trips at no cost and have lunch provided by the Museum.

The effect that the art will have on how these children view art and their own local environments cannot be measured.  I know that growing up in New York City, viewing art at Museums was a "have to" as my family took several trips every year.  I like to think this has broadened and changed the way I view my world for the better.

The opening sequence of events included several invitation only soirees, a Members Preview, and the opening ceremonies in conjunction with Veteran's Day recognition in Downtown Bentonville on the Square.  It has been a very exciting week, and I imagine that Crystal Bridges will only bring more excitement and pizzazz to an already cheerful and growing community.

This video was shown on the Bentonville Square at the opening ceremonies and I thought it very fun.


We're Glad You're Here from Crystal Bridges on Vimeo.

Note: I have noticed a lot of media has been condemning the name "Crystal Bridges" as boring, etc.  It is important to note that this Museum and construction of the Museum greatly values the land and unique environment in which it is.  The landscaping uses only indigenous plants and only 6 ft was excavated around the perimeter of the Museum to keep the environment intact.  The water that flows under the bridges of the Museum comes from "Crystal Springs" located north of the Museum on the property.  Perhaps people will think differently of the name when they know this history behind the project.

If you are interested in more information about events in Downtown Bentonville you can follow the twitter @DBIncEvents or the downtown association's facebook for updates.

UPDATE:  Bentonville was ranked one of the "Hottest Travel Destinations of 2012" by Travel & Leisure Magazine, the only place located in the USA of the top 12!