Tag Archives: Central Arkansas Library System

Atticus Finch prevails in CALS March Madness Heroes vs. Villains Character Face-Off!

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atticusThe man who has probably single-handedly inspired generations of attorneys was named the winner of the Central Arkansas Library System March Madness Heroes vs. Villains Character Face-Off!

Harper Lee’s Atticus Finch was the winner!

Atticus is a lawyer and resident of the fictional Maycomb County, Alabama, and the father of Jeremy “Jem” Finch and Jean Louise “Scout” Finch. Lee based the character on her own father, Amasa Coleman Lee, an Alabama lawyer who, like Atticus Finch, represented black defendants in a highly publicized criminal trial.

Book Magazine’s list of The 100 Best Characters in Fiction Since 1900 names Finch as the 7th best fictional character of 20th century literature. In 2003, the American Film Institute voted Atticus, as portrayed by Gregory Peck, as the greatest hero in American film.

ARKANSAS GIVES today!

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Arkansans have a heart for giving. On April 2, 2015, let’s join together to grow the love for our state’s nonprofit organizations. Between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., we’re challenging all Arkansans to give to the charities of their choice.

During this one-day event, each donation you give will help your favorite nonprofit organizations qualify for additional bonus dollars from Arkansas Community Foundation. All participating nonprofits will receive a portion of a $250,000 match pool; the more a nonprofit raises, the more of the bonus dollars it will receive.

There are many worthwhile non-profits participating.  But since this is a Little Rock culture blog, here is a listing of cultural non-profits serving Little Rock which are participating.

Legacies & Lunch Examines Arkansas’s Free Black Expulsion of 1860    

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legaciesIn 1860, Arkansas became the only state to prohibit free blacks from residing within its borders. What happened to those who left? Dr. Brian Mitchell will discuss this little-known chapter of Arkansas history at Legacies & Lunch, the Butler Center’s monthly lecture series, on Wednesday, April 1, from noon-1 p.m., in the Main Library’s Darragh Center, 100 Rock Street.

Brian Mitchell is a researcher, social policy analyst, and historian at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He is currently developing a database identifying free blacks expelled from Arkansas in 1860 and writing a narrative detailing their experiences.

Legacies & Lunch is free, open to the public, and sponsored in part by the Arkansas Humanities Council. Attendees are invited to bring a sack lunch; drinks and dessert are provided. For more information, call 501-918-3033.

Community Paint Night Launches New CALS Adult Programming tonight

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clc-calsblue-headerCommunity Paint Night, a launch event for Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) Community Learning Courses, will be held tonight, March 31, at 6:30 p.m. at Hillcrest Hall, 1501 Kavanaugh Ave.

A free, guided­ painting experience with local artists will include a first look at the course offerings, which will begin in May. Library programs are taking on an increasingly important role in the library’s contribution to the community. Over the past decade, programming has increased 215%. An expansion of that programming concentration is a new department dedicated to Adult Programming.

The keystone of that department is CALS Community Learning Courses, which cover a variety of subjects and skills that enable and encourage lifelong learning pursuits by offering short-­term, non­-credit learning and enrichment opportunities. Courses range from single sessions to intensive workshops with multiple sessions. A wide range of classes are offered in order to fit varying needs and schedules with the best rates possible for course fees and materials to ensure access and affordability. Registration is available at www.cals.org/community­learning­courses beginning Wednesday, April 1.

The public library has been serving the central Arkansas area for over 100 years. Today’s CALS patrons have access to over a million physical items, including books, magazines, CDs, and DVDs. CALS has adapted to serve users significantly in the last ten years while still providing traditional library services. Most CALS programs are free to the public and are designed to appeal to a variety of ages and interests. Last year, CALS presented over 2,100 programs for adults.

Regular programming includes computer classes, book clubs, eReader “petting zoos,” as well as special program topics such as hobby groups, tabletop gaming, a Doctor Who society, meditation and yoga, and gardening. CALS Community Learning will offer patrons an opportunity to participate in more intensive programs. For more information contact 918­3016 or communitylearning@cals.org.

FANTASTIC MR FOX today at the CALS Ron Robinson Theater

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Fantastic_mr_foxToday at 2pm at the Ron Robinson Theatre, the animated film Fantastic Mr. Fox will be shown on the big screen. Admission is $5.

Fantastic Mr. Fox is a 2009 American stop-motion animated film based on the Roald Dahl novel. The film is about a fox who steals food each night from three mean and wealthy farmers. They are fed up with Mr. Fox’s theft and try to kill him, so they dig their way into the foxes’ home, but the animals are able to outwit the farmers and live underground.

Development on the film started in 2004, but it was released in autumn 2009.  It features the voices of George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe, Michael Gambon, Owen Wilson and Adrien Brody.  The film’s director, Wes Anderson, also voiced one of the characters.  This was Anderson’s first animated film.

The film was nominated for two Oscars: Best Animated Film and Best Original Score (Alexandre Desplat).

 

ANNIE (1982 version) at the Ron Robinson Theater tonight

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Leapin’ Lizards, the John Huston-directed 1982 version of ANNIE is being shown on the big screen at the Ron Robinson Theater tonight.  The film starts at 7pm; admission is $5. 

Based on the 1977 Tony winning musical and the 1930s Harold Gray comic strip, the film stars Albert Finney, Carol Burnett, Bernadette Peters, Ann Reinking, Tim Curry, Raymond Thorne, and Geoffrey Holder. Playing the title role is Aileen Quinn.  

In the depths of the 1930’s, Annie is a fiery young orphan girl who must live in a miserable orphanage run by the tyrannical Miss Hannigan. Her seemingly hopeless situation changes dramatically when she is selected to spend a short time at the residence of the wealthy munitions industrialist, Oliver Warbucks. Quickly, she charms the hearts of the household staff but can Annie charm the seemingly cold-hearted Mr. Warbucks or discover what happened to her real parents? 

Celebrate Dr. Seuss’s Birthday with Read Across America Day

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Oh, the places you’ll go when you read!

Celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday and the National Education Association’s (NEA) Read Across America Day with the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) and millions of others at events and programs on Monday, March 2 and throughout the week.

On Monday, March 2, from 4-7 p.m., The Cat in the Hat and Pete the Cat will join participants at Park Plaza Mall, 6000 W. Markham Street, for crafts, reading, and fun. Events at branch libraries may be found below. All events are free and open to the public.

  • Main Library
    Dr. Seuss Storytime with Lupe Pena Valadez • Saturday, March 7 • 10:30 a.m.
  • McMath Library
    Dr. Seuss Birthday Bash • Monday, March 2 • 6:00 p.m.
  • Terry Library
    Dr. Seuss Family Night • Monday, March 2 • 6:30 p.m.
  • Thompson Library
    Dr. Seuss Family Night • Thursday, March 5 • 6:30 p.m.
  • Children’s Library
    Dr. Seuss on the Loose Party • Saturday, March 7 • 10:30 a.m.

NEA’s Read Across America Day, which celebrates Dr. Seuss’s birthday and the joys of reading, expects more than 45 million readers, both young and old, to pick up a book and read. The goal is to show America’s children the joy of reading and build a nation of readers.