19 LR Cultural Touchstones in 2019. Part 3: CALS Bobby Roberts Library, RBG and Nina T, and 15th anniversary of Clinton Center and Clinton School

Posted on December 30, 2019 by Scott

On the penultimate day of the year (and the 2010s decade), a look at numbers 8 through 10 of the 19 Little Rock cultural milestones in 2019.

8 – Dedication of the CALS Bobby Roberts Library. Though the name change had been approved months earlier, there had never been a formal naming event for the Central Arkansas Library System Bobby L. Roberts Library. In April 2019, in conjunction with the inaugural Maurice Smith Distinguished Lecture, CALS rectified it. In the presence of Roberts and many longtime library supporters, President Bill Clinton gave remarks at the event which was a tribute to his former staffer. (Roberts was on Clinton’s gubernatorial staff.)

The event took place in the CALS Ron Robinson Theatre, a component of the Arcade Building, which is adjacent to the Roberts Library. The two edifices make up the Library Square complex which rose in phases during Roberts’ more than two-decade tenure as director of CALS. Formally known as the CALS Bobby L. Roberts Library of Arkansas History & Art, it opened in 2009 as the Arkansas Studies Institute. The building consists of a new portion as well as the repurposing of the Geyer & Adams and the Porbeck & Bowman buildings. It houses the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, CALS’s Arkansas history department, meeting rooms, offices, and five galleries that feature art depicting the state or created by artists living in or from Arkansas.

In HIS remarks that evening, Roberts was his usual self-effacing persona who used his time to pay tribute to current and former CALS staff and trustees as well as to his family and his colleagues from his Clinton administration days. In so doing, Roberts demonstrated why the naming of the facility in his honor was appropriate with it being a home to historic documents and art as well as a place to facilitate conversations.

9 – Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Nina Totenberg. The Kumpuris Distinguished Lecture which took place on September 3, 2019, set records for Clinton School, Clinton Center, and Clinton Foundation programming.

Due to overwhelming ticket demand, the event’s locale was shifted first to UA Little Rock’s Jack Stephens Center and eventually the then-Verizon Arena. Before a crowd of an estimated 13,000 (with probably that many on the waiting list for tickets), Justice Ginsburg conversed with NPR journalist Nina Totenberg.

Following comments from Clinton School Dean Skip Rutherford and Clinton Foundation Executive Director Stephanie S. Streett, the pair were introduced by President Bill Clinton. In his remarks, he noted that only one individual present had appointed her to the U.S. Supreme Court, and that only one person present had voted to confirm her (U. S. Senator David Pryor, who was in attendance). The crowd contained a who’s who of the Arkansas judicial and legal community as well as many state and local political officials from across the political spectrum.

Justice Ginsburg spent a great deal of time discussing her affection for two former colleagues who were her polar opposite on the court – Justices Sandra Day O’Connor and Antonin Scalia. It was a reminder for the audience of the importance of being able to strongly disagree on political beliefs but to be able to value the person and treasure their friendship.

(And as someone who met Nina Totenberg in the late 1980s, it was remarkable to realize that she has not aged. At all. She obviously has a painting in her attic which IS aging.)

10 – 15 years of the Clinton Presidential Center and Clinton School of Public Service November 18, 2019, marked the 15th anniversary of the opening of the Clinton Presidential Center. This year also marked the 15th anniversary of the U of A Clinton School for Public Service.

Since opening its doors 15 years ago, the Clinton Center has welcomed 4.8 million visitors from around the world, and 430,000 students and educators have been inspired through educational and civic engagement opportunities. Likewise, the Clinton School has featured hundreds of speakers which have been seen by hundreds of thousands of attendees.

In conjunction with the 15th anniversary, the Clinton Foundation hosted the Domestic Policy Conference on Economic Inclusion and Growth. It brought together leaders and bipartisan representatives from state and local municipalities, nonprofits, and the philanthropic and private sectors to discuss the evolution and successes of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI), proven approaches for urban and rural economic revitalization, supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses, and how to further economic growth in underserved communities.

Ground broken for Clinton Library on December 5, 2001

Posted on December 5, 2019 by Scott

Eighteen years ago, the groundbreaking for the Clinton Library took place on December 5, 2001. It was dry and about thirty degrees warmer than the actual opening would be in November 2004.

The former president was joined by then-Mayor Jim Dailey, City Director Dean Kumpuris, contractor Bill Clark, Clinton Foundation executives Skip Rutherford & Stephanie S. Streett, and other dignitaries in turning the dirt. The location for the ceremony is now actually the parking lot for Sturgis Hall – the home of the Clinton School of Public Service and Clinton Foundation offices.

President Clinton was the only member of his family to attend the ceremony, which drew over 400 people. His wife, then the junior Senator from New York, was expecting some important floor votes in Washington DC, and daughter Chelsea was studying in England.

At the ceremony, Clinton joked “We’re going to try to build it in less than it took to build the medieval cathedrals and the Egyptian pyramids, but if I can’t rein in my team it may cost as much!” Of course by then the date was set for November 2004. Coordinating schedules of the current and former Presidents is an intricate act.

Neither Rain nor Cold could keep the Clinton Library Dedication from taking place 15 years ago

Posted on November 18, 2019 by Scott

It has been fifteen years. Have you warmed up yet?

The days leading up to it had been glorious. And while the weather may have literally dampened spirits a bit, it was still an important day for Little Rock and Arkansas.

The events leading up to the opening included a concert by Aretha Franklin with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and an appearance by Senator John Glenn at the Museum of Discovery. Events were hosted by the Arkansas Arts Center, Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Historic Arkansas Museum, and Old State House Museum. There were scores of receptions and parties as Hollywood, New York, and DC descended on Little Rock.

November 18 dawned rainy and cool. As the day continued on the precipitation continued while the temperature did not warm up. Years of planning for a grand opening ceremony came down to this. But at the appointed time, festivities began.

On the site of an abandoned warehouse district and unofficial dump which had previously been a train station, many leaders of the free world were gathered. They rubbed shoulders with thousands of Arkansans from probably every county in the state.

It had been seven years and eleven days since Bill Clinton had announced the site of his presidential library. It had been five years since artifacts and articles started arriving from Washington DC in Little Rock. There had been lawsuits, threats of lawsuits, the threat of a Counter-Clinton Library, and countless meetings.

After speeches from Presidents Carter, Bush 41 and Bush 43, remarks from President Clinton and then-Senator Clinton (who was made even wetter by water pouring off an ill-placed umbrella), and even a musical performance by Bono and The Edge, Chelsea Clinton turned over the ceremonial key from the Clinton Foundation to the National Archives to officially open the Clinton Presidential Center.

In his capacity leading the Clinton Foundation, Skip Rutherford oversaw the planning for the Clinton Library and the grand opening festivities. He, along with the foundation’s Executive Director Stephanie S. Streett, oversaw a phalanx of volunteers and staff to anticipate every detail. The 1,000 days countdown sign that had been on the construction site (the brainchild of Tyler Denton) finally reached 0.

Isabelle Rodriguez, Shannon Butler, Mariah Hatta, Jordan Johnson, Lucas Hargraves, Ben Beaumont, Denver Peacock — among others — had been putting in twelve plus hour days for months on end to get ready for the opening. City Manager Bruce T. Moore led a team of City officials who had assisted on the planning and execution of the site preparation and making sure Little Rock was ready to welcome the world. Moore and City Director Dean Kumpuris had been appointed by Little Rock Mayor Jim Dailey to lead Little Rock’s efforts to land the library. After Clinton’s announcement of the site, Dailey, Kumpuris and Moore continued to work together to ensure the library would be successful.

Among those present were Oscar winning actors Barbara Streisand, Robin Williams, and (of course) Arkansan Mary Steenburgen. Future Oscar winner Morgan Freeman was also in attendance. Among the Oscar nominees who were present were Bono and The Edge (who performed at the ceremony) and Alfre Woodard. It was the first public appearance by Senator John Kerry after his loss earlier in the month to President George W. Bush. Scores of Senators and members of Congress as well as countless Clinton Administration staffers were also in attendance.

While the weather on November 18, 2004, may have been a disappointment, the people who were gathered knew they were witnesses to history. And fifteen years later, is a day people still talk about.

Artober – Sustainable Art. WASHED ASHORE exhibit at Clinton Presidential Library

Posted on October 21, 2019 by Scott

Image result for shark clinton center

October is Arts and Humanities Month nationally and in Little Rock. Americans for the Arts has identified a different arts topic to be posted for each day in the month. Today’s focus is Sustainable Art.

For a few days more, visitors to the Clinton Presidential Center can experience Washed Ashore is a family-friendly exhibit that will feature more than 20 giant sea life sculptures – made entirely of trash and debris collected from beaches. This exhibit poignantly illustrates the toll trash takes on our oceans and waterways.

The incredible marine life sculptures will be accompanied by educational signage allowing visitors to learn about the fascinating species, environmental stewardship, responsible consumer habits, and how “every action counts” to help save our waterways.

Washed Ashore is a visual reminder of the disposable products that end up in our waters, and that each of us can take action to prevent further pollution. “Hope, creativity, [and] imagination will be required to meet the challenges that we face with our oceans,” said President Bill Clinton to the National Oceans Conference in June 1998. “But they are the traits that first enabled and inspired explorers to take to the sea. They are traits that allowed us to look at our inextricable ties to our environment and invent new ways to protect our natural wonders from harm in the last three decades. In the 21st century, these traits – hope, creativity, imagination – they must lead us to preserve our living oceans as a sacred legacy for all time to come.”

The Washed Ashore exhibit will be primarily displayed inside two of the Clinton Center’s
galleries. Visitors will see Eli the Eel, walk through the Reef at Risk, and be able to play the Styrofoam Drum Set. The exhibit opened to the public on April 27; a second phase featuring additional sculptures opened in June, when Priscilla the Parrot Fish, a 16-foot-long, 1,500-pound brightly-colored sculpture was installed to greet visitors from the water fountains located outside the front doors.

“The sculptures are beautiful, truly works of art, but they are a poignant reminder that our oceans and waterways are precious resources that need our attention now more than ever,” said Stephanie S. Streett, executive director of the Clinton Foundation.

“From the student visitor to the grand parent, we hope that everyone who has the opportunity to enjoy Washed Ashore walks away with a renewed sense of awe and responsibility.”

Washed Ashore presents an opportunity to reflect on the Clinton administration’s efforts to safeguard essential bodies of water and promote environmental stewardship. “President Bill Clinton’s administration took strong action to protect our coasts and waterways,” said Terri Garner, director of the William J. Clinton Presidential Library. “He signed crucial legislation and issued key executive orders designed to improve water quality, protect wetlands and coasts, and reduce waste while increasing the use of recycled products.”

Clinton Park Bridge and Bill Clark Wetlands dedicated on September 30, 2011

Posted on September 30, 2019 by Scott

On a very warm Friday, September 30, 2011, the Clinton Presidential Park Bridge was dedicated. This completed the eastern loop of the Arkansas River Trail as well as created another feature in Clinton Presidential Park.

The ceremony featured remarks by both President Bill Clinton and the incumbent Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Chelsea Clinton also took part in the ceremony. Former US Senators (and Arkansas Governors) Dale Bumpers and David Pryor were in attendance as was Jim Guy Tucker who followed Clinton into the Arkansas Governor’s Office. Current Governor Mike Beebe was also present and took part in the ceremony, which was emceed by Stephanie Streett, executive director of the Clinton Foundation. Many other former and current elected officials were present.

In addition to dedicating the bridge, the ceremony officially dedicated the William E. “Bill” Clark Presidential Wetlands which are adjacent to the bridge. City Director Dean Kumpuris joined Clark’s widow, Margaret, and son, William, in the dedication of the wetlands.

This Clinton Presidential Park Bridge is over 2,600 ft. long. It was constructed in 1899 as the Rock Island Bridge. After the Rock Island stopped using the bridge, the lift span was permanently raised. It had to stay this was for the Clinton redevelopment. Therefore a new surface was built that slopingly takes persons from park level up to the span level and back down.

The bridge’s “rusty” structure is complemented by a well-lit 12-18-foot walkway flanked on both sides by silver galvanized steel handrails.

The total investment for this area is over $13.5 million.

Later that weekend, the Clinton Foundation hosted an event to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Clinton’s announcement that he was seeking the Presidency.

It is RBG Day!

Posted on September 3, 2019 by Scott

Image may contain: 1 person, eyeglasses and closeup

After selling out in less than 45 minutes (proving she really is a rock star!) and switching venues (which still left a waiting list of several thousand long), tonight is the night that the Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court makes her appearance here.

In July, the Clinton Foundation and Clinton School of Public Service announced the next Frank and Kula Kumpuris Distinguished Lecture would feature Justice Ginsburg. She will be introduced by the man who nominated her to the Supreme Court, President Bill Clinton.

Though the event is sold out, it will be available to watch via live stream.

Those attending the Kumpuris Lecture with the Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg, please read this important information on entry, seating, security, accessibility, and more:

Event Information
• The event is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. and doors open at 5 p.m.
• Please arrive early and expect traffic delays and long lines.

Entry and Seating
• You must have a printed or digital Eventbrite ticket to gain admission to the event. This event is at full capacity and we cannot admit anyone who does not have a ticket.
• Your tickets can be accessed through the Eventbrite app or through your Eventbrite account online at https://eventbrite.com. Your tickets are also attached to this email.
• Seating for the event is general admission with open seating. Again, the event is at full capacity, so we encourage everyone to move to the middle of the row as you arrive to make seating go more smoothly.
• If you plan to sit together during the event, please arrive together. We cannot accommodate saving groups of seats because we need to fill in the rows as guests arrive.

Parking Information
• There will not be reserved parking for this event.
• There are paid and public parking areas around Verizon Arena. Directions and parking information can be found at this link.
• As a reminder, the METRO Streetcar rides are currently free and the Blue Line has a stop located two blocks from Verizon Arena.

Bag and Security Policy
• We will be following Verizon Arena’s Security Policies. A full list of those policies can be found at this link.
• All guests entering Verizon Arena will be subject to inspection by walk-through metal detector and all bags will be inspected.
• Any bags larger than 14” x 14” x 6 will not be allowed in Verizon Arena.

Accessible Information
• Verizon Arena strives to meet all public facility structure and service requirements set by the Americans with Disabilities Act. ADA parking is available by the Washington Street/Box Office Tunnel.
• All ADA areas can be accessed from the Box Office Tunnel Entrance.
• ADA seating is available on a first come, first served basis, and each ADA seat comes with one (1) companion seat.
• There will be an interpreter during the event. American Sign Language designated seating will be at the front of Section 106.
• ASL seating is available on a first come, first served basis, and each ASL seat comes with one (1) companion seat.
• Wheelchairs and hearing impaired devices are available at Verizon Arena Guest Services, located in front of sections 113-144 on the Main Concourse.
• More ADA information can be found at this link.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, was born in Brooklyn, New York, March 15, 1933. She married Martin D. Ginsburg in 1954, and has a daughter, Jane, and a son, James. She received her B.A. from Cornell University, attended Harvard Law School, and received her LL.B. from Columbia Law School.

She served as a law clerk to the Honorable Edmund L. Palmieri, Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, from 1959–1961. From 1961–1963, she was a research associate and then associate director of the Columbia Law School Project on International Procedure. She was a Professor of Law at Rutgers University School of Law from 1963–1972, and Columbia Law School from 1972–1980, and a fellow at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences in Stanford, California from 1977–1978. In 1971, she co-founded the Women’s Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union, and served as the ACLU’s General Counsel from 1973–1980, and on the National Board of Directors from 1974–1980. She served on the Board and Executive Committee of the American Bar Foundation from 1979-1989, on the Board of Editors of the American Bar Association Journal from 1972-1978, and on the Council of the American Law Institute from 1978-1993.

She was appointed a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in 1980. President Bill Clinton nominated her as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. After receiving unanimous confirmation from the United States Senate, she took her seat August 10, 1993.

Shark Week – See the Shark and other figures in Clinton Center’s WASHED ASHORE exhibit

Posted on July 29, 2019 by Scott

Image result for shark clinton center

There is a shark on display in Little Rock which can be visited during Shark Week (and for a few weeks more.)

The Clinton Presidential Center’s temporary exhibit, Washed Ashore is a family-friendly exhibit that will feature more than 20 giant sea life sculptures – made entirely of trash and debris collected from beaches. This exhibit poignantly illustrates the toll trash takes on our oceans and waterways.

The Washed Ashore exhibit will be primarily displayed inside two of the Clinton Center’s
galleries. Visitors will see Eli the Eel, walk through the Reef at Risk, and be able to play the Styrofoam Drum Set. The exhibit will open to the public on April 27; a second phase featuring additional sculptures will open in June, when Priscilla the Parrot Fish, a 16-foot-long, 1,500-pound brightly-colored sculpture will greet visitors from the water fountains located outside the front doors.

“From the student visitor to the grand parent, we hope that everyone who has the opportunity to enjoy Washed Ashore walks away with a renewed sense of awe and responsibility.”

Little Rock Culture Vulture

Cultural events, places and people in the Little Rock area

Tag Archives: Stephanie S. Streett

19 LR Cultural Touchstones in 2019. Part 3: CALS Bobby Roberts Library, RBG and Nina T, and 15th anniversary of Clinton Center and Clinton School

Ground broken for Clinton Library on December 5, 2001

Neither Rain nor Cold could keep the Clinton Library Dedication from taking place 15 years ago

Artober – Sustainable Art. WASHED ASHORE exhibit at Clinton Presidential Library

Clinton Park Bridge and Bill Clark Wetlands dedicated on September 30, 2011

It is RBG Day!

Though the event is sold out, it will be available to watch via live stream.

Shark Week – See the Shark and other figures in Clinton Center’s WASHED ASHORE exhibit

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Though the event is sold out, it will be available to watch via live stream.

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