Emily Van Zandt
Staff Writer
Emily at a glance
Favorite Meal: The rind of brie cheese
Foreign county you’d like to visit: Ireland
Dream job: Cocktail and beer writer for a national magazine
Favorite all-time song: Higher Ground by Stevie Wonder
TV show you never miss: No cable, but I do like to Netflix binge on '90s shows like Fraiser
Most memorable concert: Side stage for Odd Future's performance at Pitchfork '11
Favorite snack: Nutella and pretzels
Favorite movie: St. Elmo's Fire
Tourist attraction you most want to visit: The birthplace of Paul Bunyon in Bangor, ME
Celebrity you’d most like to meet: Emma Stone
Bio
Emily Van Zandt became an Arkansan in 2012 after stints covering entertainment and nightlife in Kansas City and Chicago. She was brought on board as a writer for Sync in 2013.
A native of Jefferson City, Missouri and a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Emily spent her first years out of college in Kansas City. While reporting for the Kansas City Star she developed a love for whiskey cocktails and dive bar food, which served her well as a nightlife reporter for Chicago commuter publication RedEye from 2010-2012.
Emily's writing has appeared in the Chicago Tribune, RedEye, Arkansas Life, The Kansas City Star, the Jefferson City News Tribune and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
When she's not in the newsroom or spending quality research time eating and drinking in Little Rock, Emily prefers to be on her iPhone and laptop simultaneously while watching teen-targeted sitcoms on Netflix.
She freely expresses her thoughts on pop culture, beer, the South and rap music circa '99 on Twitter at @vanzandt.
- Email Emily
- 501-399-3688
Recent Stories by Emily Van Zandt
Tracy Hudspeth: Outdoors, simple living keep family in Arkansas
posted: 03/30/2014 midnight Discuss
Ask Tracy Hudspeth to describe his proudest moment, and he’ll immediately start talking about his kids.
Gift of life: After holidays, need for blood donations high
posted: 12/26/2013 midnight Discuss
While the holidays are prime time for charitable giving, American Red Cross officials hope that spirit continues well into January.
Thomas Colyer Courtway
posted: 11/17/2013 3:31 a.m. Discuss
Somewhere, in a parallel universe, Tom Courtway is taking power meetings, in a power suit, in a power office in Washington. He’s pulling in six or seven figures a year as an oft-retained tax lawyer. He visits his home state when he can, but not as much as he’d like.
Back again: Car show to return to the mountain
updated: 06/14/2013 1:43 p.m. Discuss
What started out with just a few trophies and an idea to get car enthusiasts together has blossomed into a major event in Mountain View. In 2012, Kelly Simmons and Matt Sloan helped organize the first car show at Mountains, Music and Motorcycles. The annual festival, which has been part of the city’s summer schedule for eight years, has steadily grown to be the most popular event of the year in Mountain View.
New greenhouse leads to big plans
updated: 06/14/2013 1:38 p.m. Discuss
When Pam Baxter looked out at the bare-boned greenhouse on the campus of Sulphur Rock Magnet School, she knew the school deserved more. With a grant from Citizens Bank’s Education Initiative under her belt, Baxter set to work adding a cover to the greenhouse, planting trees, adding picnic tables and buying supplies to turn the space into an outdoor ecology lab and classroom. By the end of May, the area was ready for its official ribbon cutting. But that doesn’t mean Baxter is done with improvements.
Remembering the past: History, recreation come together at Jacksonport State Park
updated: 06/12/2013 10:30 a.m. Discuss
When Portfest is in full swing, it can be easy to forget the history of Jacksonport State Park. Crowds gather at the main stage with blankets and camping chairs. They pull in on boats and stand in line for gator-on-a-stick and funnel cakes. But even when the park is at its most crowded, park superintendent Mark Ballard can be counted on to remember what made the park — and the city of Jacksonport — what it is today. Ballard, who started working at Jacksonport in 1990, said that passing down the history of the area to the region’s young people and visitors to the park is vital to learning from that history.
Former Harding president passes torch to McLarty
updated: 06/07/2013 9:53 a.m. Discuss
On June 1, David B. Burks stepped down from his role as president of Harding University. Bruce McLarty took over the position in a Transferring of the Key ceremony May 31. With the new title of chancellor officially tied to his name, Burks took a few minutes to talk about his experiences with the university and what his goals are in his new position.
Keith Williams: Bald Knob school leader aims for improvement
updated: 06/07/2013 10:03 a.m. Discuss
Name a district superintendent in Arkansas, and chances are Keith Williams knows the person. Over the years, he’s been involved in nearly every level of education in the state, from student to teacher to coach to administrator to state Department of Education staff member and more. Finishing his first year as superintendent of Bald Knob Public Schools, Williams is looking over the checklist he made for himself and the district when he was brought on board. Of the two-page list, Williams said about one page is complete. He said he hopes to finish as much as he can of the second before the end of his three-year stint. Taking the job was a somewhat unusual move for Williams, who already had semiretired from public-school life when the opportunity came to get involved again with the Bald Knob School District.
Heber Springs native to lead college association
updated: 06/05/2013 10:49 a.m. Discuss
Heber Springs native and former Speaker of the House Bill Stovall will add another line to his resumé this fall. Stovall, chief operating officer of the Arkansas House of Representatives, will start Oct. 1 as executive director of the Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges. The issues surrounding the institutions are familiar to Stovall, who received an associate degree from Pulaski Tech. He was on the Cleburne County Quorum Court in 1998 when Arkansas State University at Heber Springs was developed.
The big 4-0: Unique state park celebrates milestone mark
updated: 06/05/2013 10:59 a.m. Discuss
Mary Gillihan is in the memory business. For more than 30 years, she has worked at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View as a park interpreter, helping teach the Ozark way of life through day camps, youth programs and other events.
