La Opinion hosts festival downtown
The Spanish language newspaper, La Opinion, is celebrating its first anniversary today with a festival at the River Market pavilion downtown.
The event is from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Representatives from Little Rock's Mexican Consulate, as well as from the Salvadoran Consulate in Dallas, will be present.
There will be live music; food vendors; and activities such as clowns, jumping balloons and pinatas. Ballet-Folklorico, a dance troop from Oklahoma, will also be performing.
A grill will be raffled off and there will be other surprise prizes. Admission is free and open to the public.
Google eCity award praised by Stodola
Google has named Little Rock the 2014 eCity for Arkansas.
The company's eCity awards recognize "the strongest online business community in each state," Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola said. It recognizes that businesses in Little Rock are using the Internet to connect with customers and fuel their local economies.
"Businesses that use the Web are expected to grow 40 percent faster than those that don't. That's why it's so important for small businesses to have a website," Stodola said.
He announced that the U.S. Conference of Mayors teamed up with Google to provide the Get Your Business Online program. More information on the program can be found at www.gybo.com/arkansas.
Group endorses board candidates
Arkansas Community Organizations has announced its endorsements in Little Rock's contested Board of Directors races.
The organization, which hosted a candidate debate, endorses Robert Webb for Ward 1, Ken Richardson for Ward 2, Kathy Webb for Ward 3 and Sandy Becker for Ward 6.
The only incumbent the organization is endorsing is Richardson. He's being challenged by former state Rep. Pam Adcock. The group said Richardson "has often been the only voice for our community on the city board."
The Rev. Benny Johnson with Stop the Violence also endorsed Richardson but didn't make any endorsements in the other races. Adcock was endorsed by the Little Rock chapter of the International Association of Firefighters.
Robert Webb is vying for the Ward 1 seat against incumbent Erma Hendrix and challengers Herbert Broadway and Grayson Shelton. Arkansas Community Organizations said Robert Webb has worked with the group on many issues included the successful campaign to stop the Technology Park from being located in and taking land from neighborhoods.
Kathy Webb, a former state representative, is running against Geoffrey Yamauchi for Ward 3. Incumbent Stacy Hurst is running for a seat in the state Legislature. The group said Kathy Webb had an outstanding record in the state Legislature and a commitment to serving all people.
Community Organizations chose to endorse Becker over incumbent Doris Wright for Ward 6. The group said in a news release that Becker has been active in the John Barrow neighborhood and is committed to representing all of the communities in the ward.
Events on brewing, paranormal on tap
Two events are planned to take place at the downtown Ron Robinson Theater next weekend.
On Friday, a paranormal event is scheduled in recognition of Halloween. Local paranormal investigators will share their experience and footage. After the presentation, short horror films made by local filmmakers will be shown.
On Saturday in the theater alleyway, brewing demonstrations will take place every hour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is in celebration of Learn to Homebrew Day and hosted by the Central Arkansas Fermenters.
Four grain brewing styles will be demonstrated from basic to advanced. There will also be demonstrations of bottling, kegging and sanitation.
Metro on 10/26/2014