Category Archives: Government

See SPOKES at Old State House as Car-Free Week Concludes in Little Rock

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spokes-small-wideA good way to mark the conclusion of the Mayor’s Car-Free Challenge Week is to visit the exhibit Different Spokes at the Old State House Museum. The exhibit looks at the history of bicycling and places cycling in Arkansas within a worldwide historical context. Visitors will be able to view galleries of artifacts, historical pictures and video to learn the history of bicycles.

As cities and towns begin dedicated services and trails for cyclists, it’s important to note that the enthusiasm for bikes in Arkansas has roots that go back over 100 years,” said Old State House Museum Director Bill Gatewood. “The interest at the turn of the 20th century in bicycles was very similar to the one that we are seeing at the turn of the 21st century.”While the exhibit mainly explores the technological advances of cycling in the past 130 years, Different Spokes also tells the story of competition, economics, and social life. The history of trail systems, cycling communities and history in Arkansas is explored in videos produced by the Old State House Museum. From an 1880 wooden bicycle built from white oak and agricultural implements to the world’s first carbon-fiber bicycles made by Brent Trimble of Berryville, Different Spokes contains artifacts that show this history from past to present. Gatewood says the Museum relied on contributions from the cycling community to present this story. The exhibit will remain on view to February 2016.

“I have not participated in any other exhibit that has had this kind of immediate response from the community,” Gatewood said. “The passion these people have for their pursuit is overwhelming, and I believe it will be reflected well in this exhibit.”

The Old State  House Museum is a division of the Department of Arkansas Heritage.

Little Rock Look Back: Donald Mehlburger, LR’s 62nd Mayor

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Mayor D L MehlburgerOn October 19, 1937, future Little Rock Mayor Donald Lee Mehlburger was born in Little Rock.  His parents were Max A. Mehlburger and Mary Lou Covey Mehlburger who also had another son Max C. Mehlburger.

Mehlburger’s first run for the City Board of Directors was in November 1968 when there was an open seat.  At the time he was 30, the youngest one could be and be elected to the City Board.  He lost that race, but eight years later ran again.  This time Mehlburger won the race.  At his first meeting on the City Board, Mehlburger was selected as Mayor of Little Rock by his colleagues.

Prior to running for the City Board the second time, Mehlburger had been appointed to the Planning Commission.  Planning and growth were two important emphases for Mayor Mehlburger, in addition to public safety.  He stressed the importance of quality growth in the edges of the city and a push for a revitalized downtown.  Mayor Mehlburger was also an advocate for public mass transit.

Due to business interests taking up too much of his time, he resigned from the City Board a few months before his term was up.  But he remained engaged in civic affairs.  Historic preservation was important to Mehlburger.  In addition to owning historic properties, he was a founding board member of the Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas.  He had graduated from the University of Arkansas and was a member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.  He had also been active with the Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) and Rotary Club 99.

Mehlburger died on May 25, 1992 and was buried at Mount Holly Cemetery.  His grave marker features an engraved sextant which pays tribute to his career as an engineer.  It also notes that he was Mayor of Little Rock.  Mayor Mehlburger was survived by his wife Susan and his three children – Donald Lee Jr., Harry and Katherine.

LR Cultural Touchstone: Kaki Hockersmith

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KakiKaki Hockersmith creates art as a designer. In addition, she promotes arts and heritage through her tireless efforts on behalf of numerous cultural institutions.

In 2010, she was appointed to the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts for The Kennedy Center.  In that capacity, she serves as a national ambassador for The Kennedy Center. She has also brought programs from The Kennedy Center to Arkansas to help established and emerging arts organizations. She also serves as a commissioner on the cultural committee of UNESCO – the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

In 1993, she redesigned the interior of The White House during the Clinton Administration. She was also appointed a member of the Committee for the Preservation of The White House.  Her work on this American landmark was featured in Hillary Clinton’s book An Invitation to the White House: In Celebration of American Culture.

Locally, she serves on the Board of Trustees for the Arkansas Arts Center and the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion Association. She is an active supporter of many cultural organizations in Little Rock.  She and her husband Max Mehlburger open their home to host receptions and fundraisers for numerous cultural institutions and organizations.  Earlier this year she was recognized for this support at Ballet Arkansas’ Turning Pointe gala.

Professionally, she has been honored by the national ASID organization as well as the Washington D.C. chapter. Her projects have won 16 regional ASID awards, including seven gold awards.

Little Rock Look Back: Little Rock becomes Capital of Arkansas

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Arkansas TerritoryOn October 18, 1820, Territorial Governor James Miller signed legislation designating Little Rock as the new capital for Arkansas.  This was a mere 10 months after the first permanent settlement was established in Little Rock.

The Act provided that after June 1, 1821, the sessions of the Legislature and the Superior Court would be held at Little Rock.  This caused Arkansas Post, the first territorial capital, to fade from prominence.

The move was made based on the lobbying of Amos Wheeler, Chester Ashley and William Russell.  These men all owned land in the Little Rock area and would benefit from the move of the Capital to Little Rock. The official reason given was Little Rock’s geographical center to the Arkansas Territory and that it was elevated land less prone to flooding.

But as important, Messrs. Wheeler, Ashley and Russell promised to donate land for a capitol building and a guarantee of $20,000 for construction of a suitable building. (That would be the equivalent of $408,000 today.)

Around the time the legislation was approved, several members of the Territorial legislature purchased land around Little Rock.  When a subsequent effort to relocate the Capital upstream was launched, it failed due to the financial ties of these legislators to land in Little Rock.

Little Rock Look Back: City Flag Adopted

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City FlagOn October 18, 1988, the City of Little Rock Board of Directors adopted the first official flag for the City of Little Rock.

The adoption of Ordinance No. 15,566 was the culmination of a design competition which had been spearheaded by Little Rock City Director Sharon Priest (later Little Rock Mayor, Arkansas Secretary of State and now Executive Director of the Downtown Little Rock Partnership).

Prior to the Official Board of Directors meeting that day, a press conference was held in the Little Rock City Board Chambers for presentation of the City’s flag.  The City Beautiful Commission, a commission of the Department of  Parks and Recreation, sponsored a the contest which received a total of fifteen flag designs.

The flags were judged October 12, 1988, by City Directors and City Beautiful Commission Members. Director Sharon Priest presented the winning flag and introduced David Wilson, a law clerk at the Mitchell Law Firm, who designed the flag chosen for the $1,000 first prize. The second-place winner was Craig Rains, who received $500; and the third-place recipient was David Tullis, who received $250.

The flag was adopted by the City Board that night by a 6-0 vote; former mayor and current director Charles Bussey was absent.  Those voting to adopt the flag were Mayor Lottie Shackelford and directors Sharon Priest, Tom Prince, Buddy Villines, Buddy Benafield and Tom Milton.  Priest would be a future mayor while Prince, Villines and Benafield had all served as mayor.

The official description of the flag is as follows:

As the official flag of the City of Little Rock, its symbolism is described as follows: A clean white background of the banner represents the optimism and open potential that the city has to offer. The royal blue horizontal broad stripe symbolizes the Arkansas River which borders Little Rock, and has served as an economical and historical emblem since the city’s beginning. The forest green stripe runs vertical to the royal blue stripe, creating a cross which symbolizes the location and statute of Little Rock—a city serving not only as the crossroads of Arkansas, but a crossroad of the mid-southern United States as well.

The strong forest green color depicts the fields, parks and forests which contribute to the natural beauty of the city. The seal of the flag is a modernized adaptation of the current Little Rock seal. The razorback red silhouette of the great State of Arkansas shows her capitol, the City of Little Rock, represented by the centered star. The star rises directly above “The Little Rock”—the protruding cliff along the Arkansas River, which was discovered in 1722 by French explorer La Harpe, when the city was given the name. The Arkansas River behind the rock and the symmetrical oak leaves in the border of the seal are a stylized illustration of what the flag’s stripes represent—the natural beauty of the city. Finally, the gold color of the seal and bordering stripes symbolize the superior economic history, and the future economic potential that is available in the City of Little Rock, Arkansas.

LR Cultural Touchstone: Garbo Hearne

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garboGarbo Watson Hearne has moved from nurturing patients as a nurse to nurturing artists and art collectors.  As the Director of Pyramid Art, Books & Custom Framing and Hearne Fine Art, she has been cultivating artists and collectors for over 25 years.

In 1988, Garbo left her nursing career to establish Pyramid Gallery.  Over the years, the business has expanded its focus and changed locations.  Since 2010, she has been located in the historic Dunbar neighborhood.   Over the years, she has championed local, regional and national African American artists and authors. She has introduced many emerging artists to established collectors.  Having her as a champion has allowed some artists to be able to take risks and to move into different mediums or styles.

The 2010 move to Dunbar positioned Garbo’s businesses (as well as the medical practice of her physician husband) to be anchors in the newly designated Dunbar Historic Neighborhood.  That neighborhood seeks to maintain its historic structures and return to its roots as a mix of residential and office space.  In 2008, she and her husband, Dr. Archie Hearne, published Collaborations, Two Decades of African American Art: Hearne Fine Art 1988 – 2008.

Hearne has served on the board of directors of the Mid-America Arts Alliance, National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, the Arkansas Arts Council (including a term as Chair) and the board of the Arkansas Humanities Council.

BOO AT THE ZOO Adult Preview Tonight; BOO continues Oct 19, 24-31, Nov 1

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7_boobatlogoThe state’s largest Halloween festival returns with the annual Boo at the Zoo.  It runs Sunday, October 19, resumes October 24 – October 31 and concludes with a special Day of the Dead on November 1.  Hours are 6pm to 9pm.

Boo at the Zoo features trick-or-treating in a safe environment along with dozens of rides, activities, and other spooky attractions.  Tickets are $10 for general admission and $20 for all-inclusive wristband admission. Wristband admission includes all rides, attractions, and activities free of charge except for food vendors and fortune telling. Zoo members receive a $5 discount on any Boo at the Zoo ticket purchase. Tickets may be purchased in advance online at www.LittleRockZoo.com/boo or at the Zoo’s front gate.

Tonight is the Boo Preview Adults Only Night

Adults can preview Boo at the Zoo at the adults-only BOO Preview on Thursday, October 17, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Guests will “trick-or-treat” for tasty beverages and groove to the tunes of a live cover band.  All attractions and amenities of BOO will be available during Adult Night and guests are encouraged to wear costumes for the costume contest.  Cost is $25 per person and tickets can be purchased in advance at www.littlerockzoo.com/boopreview or by calling (501) 666-2406.

 

Some highlights for this year’s event include:

New Haunted Train – The Haunted Train is back! With the addition of the new Diamond Express Train at the Little Rock Zoo this year Boo at the Zoo will have a spectacular Haunted Train ride appropriate for kids and adults of all ages! This year’s Haunted Train ride will feature a black light tunnel and other fun scenery.

 

“Day of the Dead” Celebration Nov. 1 – For the second year in a row, Boo at the Zoo will open an additional night on Saturday, November 1, for Dia de los Muertos, or “Day of the Dead”, a holiday traditionally celebrated in Mexico and other parts of the world to honor and remember the dead.  The Zoo has partnered with Hola! Arkansas to showcase this special evening, which will showcase customs common to the holiday and will feature salsa dancing lessons at the live music stage.  All the fun of Boo at the Zoo is also included in this special night!

 

Reusable Trick-or-Treat Bags for Members & for Sale – BOO goes green by encouraging families to bring their own, reusable trick-or-treat bags and is offering free reusable trick-or-treat bags to each member household as a perk of Zoo membership.  Zoo members can pick-up their bag at the Zoo Member Hospitality Tent located inside the event while supplies last. Regular patrons can purchase a bag for only $2 at tickets booths located inside the event.

 

Other Attractions & Amenities – There’s a lot to do at Boo at the Zoo. So much so that many find it hard to hit every attraction in one night! Below is a list of the attractions and amenities offered at Boo at the Zoo 2014:

  • Bounce Houses – Boo at the Zoo will offer several “bounce house” inflatable playhouses this year for additional tickets.  Ticket prices will vary according to the attraction but those with wristbands are admitted free every time.
  • Criminal Critters – The Zoo’s Education Outreach Department and Docent Volunteers will set-up a fun, interactive experience where children and adults alike can meet live “creatures of the night” such as owls and opossums, and can also learn about animals through a fun, interactive play are where participants guess which animal “did it.” This attraction is included with general admission.
  • Enchanted Forest – The Enchanted Forest walkway near the Zoo’s main entrance is a bewitching pathway that takes guests on a magical garden tour.  Custom animatronic plants make the Zoo’s horticulture come to life after dark! Spooky lights and special effects make this a favorite of Boo and is free with general admission.
  • Frankenstein’s Dance Party – Dr. Frankenstein will bring all the monsters out for a monster bash like no other at Frankenstein’s Dance Party! This fun dance party takes place at the main entry plaza at the Zoo under the “dome” complete with a disco ball, moving lights, and a DJ spinning all the latest family-friendly dance tunes.  Families will also enjoy watching local dance studios perform the famed “Thriller” dance in full costume and enjoy dancing the night away or watching others groove to the tunes! This attraction is included with general admission.
  • Haunted House – The Haunted House is a favorite attraction of BOO and is a great attraction for older children.  The Haunted House is not recommended for children under the age of eight but is great for those wanting a little more fright to their night! This attraction requires tickets for admission.  Those with wristbands are admitted free.
  • Kid’s Carnival Area – A favorite attraction of BOO is the Kid’s Carnival Area featuring fun games kids can play for prizes.  This new attraction has become one of the most popular areas of BOO and is great for kids who don’t like the scarier side of Halloween.  Carnival games take tickets and ticket prices vary according to the game.  All games are included with wristband admission.
  • Live Music – Every night of BOO a live band will perform in the concession courtyard, free to any person attending the event. Highlights of the live music stage are Little Rock’s popular duo Brian and Terri Kinder of KinderSongs, performing Friday, October 24 and Saturday, October 25. Big Stack will also perform the night of Adult Night, October 17, and local artists Almost InFamous will perform other nights.
  • Rides – Several rides will help make BOO a scream including a fun slide, swirling tubs of fun, a Ferris wheel, and other fun rides.  Rides take additional tickets and vary in price.  Those with wristbands are admitted free.
  • S ’mores Station & Free Hiland Dairy Milk – Hiland Dairy is back as a BOO sponsor and will be at the s’mores station passing-out free milk.  Orange Scream milk, chocolate milk, and low-fat milk will be offered free of charge to Zoo patrons on behalf of Hiland Dairy. There’s no better way to wash down a s’mores!  S’mores are included with trick-or-treat tickets that are given with general admission or wristband admission.
  • Toy Trick-or-Treat Option – In an effort to lessen the consumption of candy at Halloween, BOO is now offering a toy trick-or-treat option where children can trick-or-treat for toys instead of candy.  Each BOO guest gets six trick-or-treat tickets so some may choose a mixture of candy and toys.  Either way, BOO now offers fun options for the trick-or-treat experience!  Trick-or-treat tickets are provided with both general and wristband admission.
  • Parking & Shuttle Service – Parking during Boo at the Zoo is free and shuttle service will be available throughout War Memorial Park.

 

The Little Rock Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.  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.  For more information, visit www.aza.org.