Nonprofit to grantfoster kids' wishes
Six Arkansan foster children will each be granted one wish at an event Monday that is meant to raise awareness of foster children and local adoptions.
The nonprofit One Simple Wish is stopping in Little Rock during its nationwide Ultimate Wish Tour, which has already been on the road for a month.
Wishes such as getting a Kindle Fire, going on a shopping spree and taking a behind-the-scenes trip to the Little Rock Zoo are a few of those that will be granted to the six children Monday. The event begins at 3 p.m. with a news conference at Fellowship Bible Church at 1401 Kirk Road in Little Rock.
Interviews with the children and the wish reveals will follow. State Sen. Bruce Holland, R-Greenwood, will be present.
The nonprofit's executive director, Danielle Gletow, said the event is a chance "give these invisible children the chance to have their voices heard, let their personalities shine and become a special part of someone's family."
Youths to performat talent, art show
More than 1,200 children who have participated in the Little Rock Parks and Recreation Department's summer programs will participate in a talent show and art exhibit during an end-of-summer bash Monday.
The 10 a.m. event at the First Security Amphitheater in Riverfront Park will feature eight three-minute acts by youths representing each of the eight locations that host the city's Summer Playground Program or Summer Laureate Program.
Judges will vote on a winner. Last year's winners, the Junior Temptations, will also perform.
Bank of America, the Museum of Discovery and the Parks and Recreation Department will announce their continued partnership to host the programs again next year. The programs serve children between the ages of 6 and 15.
Volunteers soughtto package meals
Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance is asking for hundreds of volunteers to help package meals in Little Rock next week.
The group needs 400 volunteers to meet at the Statehouse Convention Center downtown on July 27 to participate in the Southern Legislative Conference's annual Mark Norris Campaign Against Hunger event.
The goal is to pack 50,000 meals for low-income Arkansans. Volunteers are asked to show up from 8:30 to 11 a.m.
More information is available by contacting Caitlin McNally at cmcnally@arhungeralliance.org.
Two libraries gainLEED certification
The U.S. Green Building Council has awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design -- better known as LEED -- Green Building Certification to two branches of the Central Arkansas Library System.
The Oley E. Rooker Library became one of nine silver certifications in central Arkansas, and the Hillary Rodham Clinton Children's Library and Learning Center received the higher gold certification -- one of only 10 in the region, according to a library system news release.
A building's design and materials, as well as the commitment to sustainability, contribute to LEED certification levels. The Hillary Rodham Clinton Children's Library achieved its certification for energy use, lights, water and material use, and by incorporating a variety of sustainable strategies in the design.
LEED-certified buildings use less water and energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Other factors on which the certification of both libraries was based were the inclusion of geothermal heating and cooling systems and high-performance building envelopes that reduce the energy needed to maintain the buildings. Efforts to maximize open space and use of local and renewable materials also contributed to the certification.
Our House plansShakespeare event
Residents of Our House homeless shelter will perform works from Shakespeare to raise funds for the nonprofit Aug. 8 and 9.
Shakespeare at the Shelter has become an annual event in which shelter residents perform, followed by a panel discussion of homelessness led by cast members.
Money raised through the event will help upgrade the shelter's kitchen. Tickets are $20, and the play will start at 7:30 p.m. both nights at the shelter located at 302 E. Roosevelt Road.
Metro on 07/20/2014