Yearly Archives: 2012

Giving Thanks for a Baby Penguin

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Today the Culture VULTURE may be eating a turkey — but the entry is on another kind of bird.

Just in time for the holidays, the Little Rock Zoo is proud to announce the hatching of its first penguin chick on October 30, 2012. 
Penguin parents Skipper and Easy are taking good care of the chick, according to Zoo staff, who says both parents are helping to keep the chick warm and feed it regurgitated fish.
The chick will be off exhibit until it is weaned when it is around 70 days old or if the parents allow it to wonder out of the nest box.
Zoo staff say the chick is growing fast and is of normal weight for its age.  On the second day after the chick hatched it weighed in at only 54 grams.  As of yesterday, only three weeks later, the chick now weighs 943 grams.  The chick will continue to gain weight until it is full grown at around 3.4 kilograms.
The chick is healthy and eating well according to Zoo staff who regularly monitor the chick and its parents.
The sex of the chick has yet to be determined and the chick has yet to be named.
The hatching of this chick was at the recommendation of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) for the African penguin to ensure the long-term survival of endangered and threatened animals.
           
The Little Rock Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).  Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you and a better future for all living things.  With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. 

New Director of Mosaic Templars Cultural Center

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ColeSericia Cole, who had been serving as interim director of the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, was recently named as permanent director of this museum.  Her appointment was announced by Cathie Matthews, the director of the Department of Arkansas Heritage.  Mosaic Templars is a program of Matthews’ department.

Cole, has an extensive background in the arts and public relations.  (She and I actually worked together in the 1990s at Wildwood Park for the Arts.)  Prior to joining Mosaic Templars, she served on the staff of Governor Mike Beebe.

Under Cole’s leadership, Mosaic Templars has already has been awarded $97,636 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in Washington, D.C., in the form of a Museum Grant for African American History and Culture, a national, federal program that awards financial contributions to museums whose primary purpose is African American art, culture and history.

“This is a terrific achievement for the staff of the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, who worked really hard toward this funding opportunity,” said Cole. “We’re thrilled that the award will allow us to hire additional museum program staff and, as a result, be able to enhance our museum collections and better serve students and educators across Arkansas.”

MTCC is one of 14 such museums from across the country to have been selected to receive an award from this competitive annual grant program.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. Through grant making, policy development, and research, IMLS helps communities and individuals thrive through broad public access to knowledge, cultural heritage, and lifelong learning.

The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center is dedicated to telling the history of African Americans in Arkansas from 1870 to the present especially in the areas of politics, business and the arts. For more information about MTCC, visit http://www.Mosaic TemplarsCenter.com. Other agencies of the Department of Arkansas Heritage include Arkansas Arts Council, Arkansas Historic Preservation, Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, Delta Cultural Center, Historic Arkansas Museum and Old State House Museum.

Free Concert This Afternoon Featuring ASO Musicians

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The Ruth Allen UAMS Series takes place from time to time at UAMS and is free.  This afternoon at 4:30pm the concert will feature ASO co-concertmaster Andrew Irvin, violist Ryan Mooney and pianist Julie Cheek.

The program will feature Mr. Irvin and Mr. Mooney performing Mozart’s Duo No. 1 in G for Violin and Viola, K. 423 and Mr. Irvin and Ms. Cheek performing Beethoven’s Sonata No. 1, Op. 12 for Violin and Piano.

Here are the directions for the concert:

From Markham, turn south onto Hooper St.
Follow signs to Parking Lot 1.
Enter the lot, which goes underground.
Take the elevator to the “top” of the parking Lot 1, which immediately adjoins the back side of the lobby.
The Music Room is at the west end of the lobby, behind the grand piano.

Give Thanks for Tax Credits – Preservation Conversations

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The Quapaw Quarter Association’s monthly Preservation Conversation continues tonight.

This month attendees will hear from property owners who have successfully used Arkansas and Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits.  Tom Marr, Rehabilitation Tax Credit Coordinator with the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, will also provide information on the program and answer questions.

The program takes place this evening at Curran Hall, 615 East Capitol Avenue. From 5 to 5:30 a reception will take place. The program will run from 5:30 to 6:30.

The Quapaw Quarter Association’s mission is to promote the preservation of Little Rock’s architectural heritage through advocacy, marketing and education. Incorporated in 1968, the QQA grew out of an effort to identify and protect significant historic structures in Little Rock during the urban renewal projects of the early 1960s. Throughout its existence, the QQA has been a driving force behind historic preservation in Greater Little Rock.

Fall Dance Harvest at UALR

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UALR’s Dance Program (the only  degree granting dance program in Arkansas) will be presenting Fall Dance Harvest this weekend.  Performances started Thursday evening and continue tonight at 7pm and Sunday at 2:30pm.   Performances will take place in the University Theatre.

Concertmaster Rhythm McCarthy for the show “9 Voices” organized the production and mentored the student choreographers who are senior dance majors in the bachelor of fine arts degree program.

Tickets are $7 for general admission and $5 for students and seniors.For tickets, contact the Theatre Arts and Dance department at 501-569-3456.

 

Earlier in the day on Saturday, UALR will be sponsoring a Fall Dance Festival.  This year’s festival gives dancers from across the region the opportunity to network and dance side-by-side with other dancers as they participate in MASTER CLASSES taught by UALR dance faculty.

After a full afternoon of classes in ballet, modern, and jazz, participants will enjoy an evening performance of UALR Dance Harvest, featuring original works choreographed by UALR dance majors.

The cost for participation is just $5. This includes three (3) master classes, bottled water and light refreshments, and a ticket to the Saturday evening performance of the UALR Dance Harvest concert.

Ark Arts Center Museum School Sale

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The Arkansas Arts Center Museum School will be having its annual Sale on Saturday, November 17 from 9am to 3pm at the Clear Channel Metroplex.

Dozens of Museum School students and faculty (and faculty who are also students) will be selling artwork in all varieties of shapes, sizes, media and price ranges.  It is a perfect chance to get a start on holiday shopping as well as to support local artists.  Several of the artists have been taking classes and selling at the sale for years, while there will be others who are first timers.   Artists accept cash and checks.

Arkansas Arts Center members will have a special preview party on Friday, November 16 from 6pm to 9pm.  In addition to browsing, there will be light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments available while the members shop.  Memberships will be available for purchase at the door.

ARmusica in Recital

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On Friday, November 16, a recital will take place to help raise funds for the restoration of the St. Joseph Center of Arkansas.

Violinist, Drew Irvin and pianist, Julie Cheek will perform music of Mozart, Beethoven and Schumann.  They will be joined by violist, Ryan Mooney and cellist, David Gerstein.

The recital will take place at 7pm at Trinity United Methodist Church in Little Rock.

The St. Joseph Center of Arkansas was originally built as an orphanage by the Catholic Diocese of Little Rock.  Designed by Charles Thompson, the building opened in 1910.  It served as an orphanage until 1978 (except for a brief stint as officers’ family housing during World War I).  It later served as a daycare and kindergarten until 1997.   In 2010, the Diocese signed a 50 year lease with the St. Joseph’s Center of Arkansas.

In 1976, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Built for $80,000 it is a 56,000-square-foot brick and stone building that includes eighty rooms, an attic, and a basement. It features a chapel, classrooms, a kitchen and dining room, a bakery, and a laundry. The roof was laid with red tile and crowned with a dome.