LITTLE ROCK — WHAT HAPPENED TO:
Beatrice Biira? Biira’s connection to Arkansas began in 1991, when she was 9, living in Uganda, and the Little Rock-based Heifer International, which works to alleviate hunger, gave her family a goat.
Money from the milk paid for her schooling and inspired a book, Beatrice’s Goat, by Page McBrier.
In 2008, at 23, Biira enrolled in the Clinton School of Public Service.
Now she’s with Heifer in New York, working to develop volunteers and represent the organization.
IN THE GAME! Matthew Cline of Maumelle, 12 and a sixth-grader at Arkansas Baptist in Little Rock, is one of 15 chosen from nearly 9,000 students nationwide to appear on the TV game show Jeopardy! for its “Kids Week.” Matthew and his mom visited Hollywood March 5-6 to film the show, set to air July 30-Aug. 3. Each game’s winner receives at least $15,000 while those in second place receive $2,000 and those in third $1,000.
IN THE GAME, TOO! If the game maker with the weird beard in The Hunger Games looks familiar, it’s because he is. Jonesboro native Wes Bentley (best known for his role in American Beauty) is back after battling heroin and alcohol addictions.
ON TRACK: Fans of Union Pacific’s vintage steam engine No. 844, last here in June, will soon have another chance to see it.
During a tour celebrating Union Pacific’s 150th anniversary, the 1944 engine, unique in that it has never been retired, stops in North Little Rock on Friday.
Leaving Pine Bluff, the train arrives at noon at the North Little Rock yard at 1000 Fourth St. and will be displayed 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and next Sunday. Visitors will have a chance to experience a locomotive cab simulator and receive safety information, coloring books and Union Pacific 150th anniversary pennants.
PERSONAL THANKS: As a National Geographic Channel documentary on the unexplained deaths of thousands of black birds in Beebe on New Year’s Eve 2010 aired last Thursday, where did producer and director John Rubin of Cambridge, Mass., view it?
In the party room of Colton’s Steakhouse in Cabot with 24 locals as his guests (most from Beebe) who helped with his film. Rubin showed it via DVD on a large-screen TV.
Why was it important to return to Arkansas?
“I just wanted to say thanks in person for the hospitality and help you extended,” he told those gathered, including Beebe’s mayor, fire chief and local resident Charles Moore, who opened his home for the film shoot.
“We showed up out of nowhere and you opened up your hearts and homes.”
Rubin noted a resident who wasn’t home but left her door unlocked for the crew to use her electricity.
“She said, ‘Come on in and lock up when you’re done,’” he marveled. “I promise that wouldn’t happen where I live.”
Contact Linda Caillouet at (501) 399-3636 or at lcaillouet@arkan sasonline.com
Arkansas, Pages 13 on 03/25/2012