Yearly Archives: 2014

Legacies & Lunch: Lessons from an Old School

Posted on by
legaciesThis month, the Butler Center’s Legacies & Lunch series not only looks at a chapter in Arkansas history, but it explores the challenges of researching and writing history.
Grace Blagdon and David Ware will discuss the Brinkley Academy, a major part of African American educational history in Arkansas. Blagdon, whose father was the school’s principal, will share what she has learned from surviving students. Ware, historian of the Arkansas State Capitol, will touch on the challenges he and Blagdon faced in creating an exhibit, Old School: Remembering the Brinkley Academy, from the school’s few remaining historical materials.
Legacies & Lunch is free, open to the public, and supported in part by the Arkansas Humanities Council.
This month, Legacies & Lunch moves to a new location.  With the opening of the new CALS Ron Robinson Theater in the Arcade Building, the program will take place there.  It is easily accessible from the Main Library’s parking lot. Attendees are invited to bring a sack lunch; drinks and dessert will be provided.

The program is held from noon-1 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month.

The Butler Center for Arkansas Studies is a department of the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS). It was founded in 1997 to promote the study and appreciation of Arkansas history and culture.

Weather prompting changes; Good day to stay in and try CALS new Hoopla download service

Posted on by

Due to inclement weather, many area museums and performances may be postponed or cancelled. Please call ahead before venturing out.

The Central Arkansas Library System now offers Hoopla, a movie, tv, audiobook, and music downloading system. Today would be a great day to try out this new service.

To learn more, visit the CALS website at www.cals.org.

20140204-070013.jpg

Little Rock Look Back: Mayor George Wimberly

Posted on by

https://www.meaningfulfunerals.net/fh_live/10300/10306/images/obituaries/1388392.jpgOn February 3, 1920, future Little Rock Mayor George Wimberly was born in Star City. He served his country first in the Civilian Conservation Corps and later aboard a U.S. Naval Department hospital ship in the Pacific during World War II.

Wimberly was first elected to the Little Rock City Board in November 1968.  He was re-elected in November 1972 and served until December 1976.  In January 1971, he was selected to serve as Little Rock Mayor through December 1972.  In a rare move, he was again selected to serve as Mayor from January 1975 through December 1976.  During the era of the City Board selecting one of their own members to serve as Mayor, George Wimberly was the only one selected to two non-sequential terms.

In 1978, he was elected to the State House of Representatives and served until December 1988.  While in the House he led the effort for smoking to be banned in the House chambers (a move that predated many public smoking bans of the 1990s and onward).

For over fifty years he was an employee and later owner of Buice Drugstore located on Markham in the Stifft Station neighborhood. In 1986 he received the Arkansas Pharmacist of the Year Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009.

Mayor Wimberly died on February 5, 2012, two days after his 92nd birthday.  He was survived by his wife, two sons, a grandson and several other relatives.

GROUNDHOG DAY on Groundhog Day

Posted on by

Groundhog Day (1993) movie poster Cinemark Theatres is offering the chance to see 1993’s GROUNDHOG DAY on Groundhog Day. And since it starts at 2pm, it will be concluded in time for kickoff to see the Denver Broncos celebrate the Chinese Year of the Horse by downing the Seattle Seahawks.

The showing is part of a series which Cinemark is offering in January and February where they screen classic movies from the 1980s and 1990s on the big screen on Sunday afternoons and Wednesdays (the film will be repeated on February 5 at 2pm and 7pm).

This 1993 comedy from director Harold Ramis offers Bill Murray as a meteorologist trapped in Punxsutawney PA by snow and by the fact that he keeps repeating the day over and over and over. It also stars Andie McDowell, Chris Elliott, Stephen Tobolowsky, Brian Doyle-Murray and Marita Geraghty. Willie Garson and Michael Shannon are also seen briefly in the movie.

The film will be shown at Cinemark’s Colonel Glenn location (formerly the Rave).  Tickets are $7.50 for the screening today.

Little Rock Look Back: 1940 Movie Ball at Robinson Auditorium

Posted on by
Mayor J V Satterfield escorting actress Maureen O'Hara at the Movie Ball (photo from Arkansas Democrat)

Mayor J V Satterfield escorting actress Maureen O’Hara at the Movie Ball (photo from Arkansas Democrat)

As final preparations were being made for the opening of the Joseph Taylor Robinson Municipal Auditorium in early 1940, a glamorous evening took place in Robinson’s lower level convention hall on February 1.

In conjunction with a meeting of film executives and movie theatre owners sponsored by Robb and Rowley Theaters (which later became the United Artists theatre chain), several Hollywood actors were in Little Rock and headlined a Movie Ball. While in Little Rock, Maureen O’Hara, Phyllis Brooks, Arleen Whelan, Tim Holt and Gene Autry had also made a variety of public appearances.

Mr. Autrey had to miss the ball because he had to return to Hollywood early to attend to business matters. Actress Ilona Massey had also been scheduled to attend the events but was unable due to illness.

Autograph seekers crowd around the actors at the Movie Ball (photo from Arkansas Gazette)

Autograph seekers crowd around the actors at the Movie Ball (photo from Arkansas Gazette)

The quartet who did appear at the Movie Ball caused quite a scene. Upon their entrance, so many of the attendees crowded around for autographs that the evening’s grand march could not take place (a newspaper headline in the Democrat innocently used the word “orgy” to describe the crowd). After two attempts, Little Rock Mayor J. V. Satterfield (who was escorting Miss O’Hara) and the other members of the Little Rock host delegation led the Hollywood foursome to their reserved table. For quite a while that evening, the table was besieged by autograph seekers.

Though it is unknown as to whether he sought an autograph, photos from the evening showed a very satisfied Mayor Satterfield with Miss O’Hara on his arm. Satterfield family lore joked that Mrs. Satterfield was not a fan of Miss O’Hara’s films after that evening.

The Movie Ball showed Little Rock citizens the value of Robinson Auditorium even before it had been officially dedicated. The film industry meetings had taken place at the Albert Pike Hotel which did not feature a ballroom large enough to host the ball. Without the auditorium’s availability for the gala, organizers might not have chosen Little Rock for the meeting.

With the auditorium’s convention hall not attached to any hotel, it opened up the chance for Little Rock to host more events. This had been one of the key arguments for an auditorium since Mayor W. E. Lenon’s first proposal back in 1904. Having a glamorous event this early in the auditorium’s life validated that contention. After having endured the challenges to open the building, it was a nice lagniappe for the auditorium’s proponents who were present.

The actor Tim Holt would again be connected to Little Rock. In September 1951 he tried to obtain a divorce in Arkansas and stated that he had been a resident of the state for at least six weeks. He also had someone else testify to that fact. In October 1951 the divorce was granted. But later Mr. Holt was charged with perjury and fined $200 for falsely representing his length of residence in Arkansas. Judicial sanctions for his legal team, which included a State Senator, were eventually reviewed by the Arkansas Supreme Court.

Typing Cows Continue on stage at Ark Arts Center

Posted on by

aacctcowsTyping cows and a talking duck are just a few of the wonders which await audiences as the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre production of Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type continues through February 9.

“This classically hilarious children’s story about some rebelliously clever farm animals will come to life on stage at the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre as they engage in peaceful protests to improve their working conditions,” said Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre artistic director Bradley Anderson. “This delightful tale about negotiation and compromise is enjoyable for any age.”

Farmer Brown thinks it’s odd when he hears typing sounds coming from the barn but his troubles really begin when his cows start leaving him notes demanding better working conditions before staging a strike. Join the Arkansas Art Center Children’s Theatre as a bunch of literate cows turn Farmer Brown’s farm upside down. Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type is adapted by George Howe and James E. Grote from Doreen Cronin’s original book with illustrator Betsey Lewin.

The cast for Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type includes:
John Isner, of Little Rock, as Farmer Brown
Jeremy Matthey, of Little Rock, as Duck
Moriah Patterson, of Sheridan,  as Cow 1
Aleigha Garstka, of Little Rock, as Cow 2
Veronica Lowry, of Charlottesville, VA, as Hen

Bradley D. Anderson is the artistic director and the director for the production. Choreography by Moriah Patterson, musical direction by Lori Isner, costumes are designed by Erin Larkin, technical direction by Drew Posey, lighting design by Penelope Poppers, scenic design and properties by Miranda Young and Sarah Gasser is the stage manager.

Presenting sponsors are Landers FIAT in Benton, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and in honor of Dorothy and Fallon Davis by Dr. Scott and Shannon Davis. Also sponsored by All Aboard Restaurant and Martha Logue.

Recognized by The Drama League as one of the best regional theatre companies in America, the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre is the only professional company in Arkansas that produces children’s literary works for the stage. Since 1979, Children’s Theatre has been creating unique experiences for family audiences. During the 2012-13 season, nearly 43,000 children and families enjoyed Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre productions which included more than 200 schools across Arkansas.

For more information, visit arkansasartscenter.org or call (501)372-4000.

General Admission Tickets are $12.50 for children and adults & $10 for AAC members.
Friday at 7 p.m.
Saturday at 2 p.m.
Sunday at 2 p.m.

Science of Good and Bad Habits is focus of January Science after Dark

Posted on by

scienceafterdarkThe Museum of Discovery’s monthly adults-only Science After Dark explores “The Science of Good and Bad Habits ” this month.

The new year often brings a resolve to try new things or break harmful practices. This month the event explores the science behind habits.  There will be junk food experiments, demonstrations about nicotine, recycling and much more!

Damgoode Pies will sell pizza by the slice and Juanita’s will provide a cash bar

Wednesday, January 29 from 6-8 p.m.
@ Museum of Discovery

Ages 21 and older

Cash Bar Available

Admission: $5 per person; members FREE

Watch this month’s Science After Dark video 

Science after Dark occurs the last Wednesday of each month from 6pm to 8pm. Museum educators pick a science-related topic, and develop an event around it. The event is for ages 21 and older.

It is a great chance to explore the museum’s exhibits and enjoy downtown Little Rock.