This week was good to Arkansas natives Krista and Jessica on America's Next Top Model. Jessica was deemed to have the best photograph in the "nude" photo challenge, wearing nothing by some sexy shorts.  Krista didn't do as well, but she wasn't in the bottom two.

For the next challenge, the girls participated in a Rachel Roy fashion show  after learned how to walk like a model.  The fashion show's runway required the girls to walk through two swinging pendulums.  As expected, many of the girls got hit, and one even fell.  Neither of the Arkansas ladies won that challenge (Brenda did), but neither of them did too badly.

The final challenge was a photo shoot for perfume.  The catch was the wind and rain the models had to face to get that perfect shot.   Krista came in runner-up on that challenge.  Her photo was fabulous.

Arkansas may just have the next Top Model.  My money is on Jessica.  I think she has what it takes to go far in the competition, but she doesn't see as catty and dramatic as some previous winners.  We'll see what happens next week.

This weekend is going to be pretty and sunny. I hope Saturday is better than last weekend.

• Wye Mountain has daffodils in bloom this weekend.
• Not the weekend, but Jesse Ventura will be at the Clinton School at 6 p.m. on March 18.  He's going to talk about and sign his new book.
• Crusin' in the Rock is from 6-9 p.m. on Friday in the Rivermarket.  This car show has free admission.
• On Friday, folk singers Sara Grey and Kieron Means are giving a concert and workshop at the Historic Arkansas Museum.
• Smoke on the Water BBQ contest is this weekend in NLR.
• Toughman Contest this weekend.
• The Arkansas Diamonds are playing this Saturday.

Tonight's episode of 19 kids and counting had a preview of the newest Duggar, Josie.  They show the 47 day old Josie  in her hospital bed.  Mother, Michelle Duggar gets to hold her and put a purple bow on her head in the episode.  Josie only weighed 1 lb., 6 oz. when she was born at just 25 weeks.  She now weighs 2 lbs., 3 1/2 oz.

Michelle was 42 years old when she had Josie, which means she has been pregnant most of her adult life. Her youngest child is about 1 year old. Her oldest, Josh had the Duggar's first grandchild this winter. You can read all about it on Josh and Anna's blog.

The Duggars have ten boys and nine girls including two sets of twins and say they'll keep welcoming more children as long as Michelle is able to have them.

Michelle won the title of Arkansas Mother of the Year in 2004. She only had 14 kids back in 2004. Imagine what kind of award she deserves now.

America's Next Top Model features two Arkansas contestants.  The show, which is on Wednesdays, premiered last week featuring Krista, a Retail Manager from Pine Bluff, and Jessica a model from Conway.  Krista is described as the older model, she's 26 which makes her the oldest contestant.  Jessica is a teenage wife and mother. She's 18.

At the end of the show, we learned the girl's challenge for next week.  The Tyra Mail said, "Top Models get maximum exposure. U must learn how to cover yourself."  The girls were presented with a well dressed mannequin and were told to choose one item of clothing off of it . . . the rest of them will be nude.

Tune in Wednesday to see which item the Arkansas girls choose.

Officially, Saint Paddy's day isn't until the 17th, but downtown will be celebrating early with a big parade on Saturday.  The parade goes through downtown Little Rock and North Little Rock.

If a parade isn't your style, you can celebrate in real Irish fashion, with lots of food and drink.  Just go to Cregeen's in Argenta. Cregeen's is from Ireland itself. The pub was pub was built in Dublin, Ireland and shipped to the US.  They  have great Irish food, real Irish beverages (not just green beer) and a great atmosphere for Saint Patrick's day.

Bo Derek will be the celebrity grand marshal for the Hot Springs Saint Patrick's Day Parade, which is actually on the 17th. She will be the parade's first female grand marshal. The parade is the "world's shortest" and was declared by Smithsonian Magazine this as 2009's "Quirkiest St. Patrick's Day Parade on Earth." It's held on Bridge Street in downtown Hot Springs. Bridge was named the shortest street in the world in the 1940s. Past celebrity guests have included George Wendt (Norm from "Cheers"), Pauley Shore, Mario Lopez, John Ratzenberger (also from "Cheers") and Mike Rowe from "Dirty Jobs."

The daffodils are in bloom in Camden this weekend (read more) and the Little Rock Zoo is only charging $1 to get in Saturday. It's also the downtown area's annual Saint Patrick's Day parade (though the "shortest Saint Patrick's Day parade" is on the 17th in Hot Springs (read more).

Saturday-

• Coleman Dollar Day at the Little Rock Zoo.  Everyone gets in for $1.  Some special events/chats expected.
• Saint Patrick's Day Parade in downtown Little Rock.
• ImprovLittleRock is doing their thing at 10 p.m. in the The Public Theatre on 616 Center St.
• "Glorious!" starts at the Arkansas Repertory Theater.  It is "based on the true life story of Florence Foster Jenkins, the legendary New York heiress and socialite who wanted to be a great operatic diva despite having one of the worst singing voices in history."
• Little Rock School District Parent Institute is from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hall High.  Lots of workshops for parents.
• The Museum of Discovery is opening their new birthday party room and want you to tour it from 1-3 p.m.
• Duck Duck Goose Consignment Sale - This is Friday and Saturday at the fairgrounds from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• 2010 Arkansas Pen & Watch Show from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday at the Robinson Center.
• Pot O' Gold Auction for Education from 6-10 p.m. at the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History.

Saturday and Sunday -

• FOCAL book sale at the Main Library basement.  Books from $0.50 to $1.
• Kiss The Brides - Bridal Show from 12-5 p.m. at Verizon Arena.  Tickets are $10.

One of the many animals you may meet at the zoo.
Copyright Amanda Galiano (More Photos)

This Saturday is Coleman Dollar Day at the Little Rock Zoo. For just one dollar per person, you and your family can visit the zoo.

Last year, it was pretty crowded because the weather was so great. If the weather is good this weekend, expect crowds.

If you can deal with the large crowds, the zoo will have some special things planned including personal encounters with animals. Lots of staff and volunteers will be present, and the animals enjoy the mild spring weather as much as we do.

Amanda Galiano

Wye Mountain as announced the dates for the daffodil festival this year.  The field will be open March 20 & 21, 2010 for you to enjoy the bright daffodils as they welcome in spring.

The daffodil festival is a great place to get photos of your kids or even couple photos.  While it's a bit crowded, there is plenty of room for posing. It's also a beautiful scene.  It is something everyone in Little Rock should visit at least once.

You might need directions, but it is a short drive from Little Rock.  It's what marks the beginning of spring in Arkansas for me, even though it seems like we always have one last cold spell after the daffodils bloom.

Camden's festival is this weekend (March 12-13).

The Argenta News blog has some inside looks at the long-awaited Argenta Market that should be opening April 1 if all goes well.

The market, the dream child of Shane Henderson, is going to be part locally grown and produced items and part "mass market" items.  According to Fancy Pants Foodie, the market will have seven aisle of nonperishable grocery items, cheeses, milk, Diamond Bear Beer (and other beers), frozen foods and bulk bins for grains and coffees.

It sounds like you might be able to do all your shopping there, unlike some of the "local produce" groceries that have popped up in the past.  That's a definate plus.

Another plus is that Henderson will be making deli items, artisian breads and more in the kitchen.  They will have a large salad bar, and free wifi.  That makes it perfect for the lunch crowd to grab a quick sandwich and salad.

I've been really excited about this market for a while now.  It will be great to have a place, besides the Argenta Farmer's market, where you can easily find locally grown and produced goods. 

The market is located where the Argenta Seafood Company was.

This weekend is the Little Rock Marathon and all the companion races for the Little Rock Marathon.  This year, the 5k is on Saturday and the marathon/half marathon and relay are on Sunday.  What does that mean for you? Stay out of the downtown area early in the morning this weekend (Sunday from 6 a.m. to around 2 p.m. the majority of streets will be closed off).   It's not worth it to even try to navigate the confusion if you don't have to.

Saturday, March 6

• Mardi Gras at the Old State House from 1-4 p.m.  Fun games and parades.  Aimed at kids.
• Spring Craft Show from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Grace Luthern Church. See over 30 crafters with spring decorating items, Mother's Day gifts and Easter crafts.
• Totally Trout from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Arkansas State Fair Grounds.  Trout and tackle show with demos and informatoin.  Free admission.
• The Second Annual Arkansas' Funniest Person Contest will kick off March 6th at the Electric Cowboy in Little Rock and continue each Saturday in March with the finale on March 27th.