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North Little Rock notebook

Museum asks Navy to OK tug tow plan

The Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum is making a renewed effort to transport the Pearl Harbor-surviving Hoga tugboat from off the coast of California to North Little Rock, said Bob Major, North Little Rock Visitors Bureau executive director.

The museum's board of directors has requested the U.S. Navy to allow a "wet tow" -- towing the tug in ocean waters -- from its location at Mare Island to San Diego. The tugboat would then be "dry towed" -- resting in a cradle on a barge -- to New Orleans, Major said, before somehow being moved to North Little Rock.

The Navy has previously only approved a dry tow because of the age of the World War II-era boat that is designated as a National Historic Landmark for its firefighting and rescue work during the Japanese airstrike on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

"We've submitted the paperwork, and they've indicated to us that they will expedite the review because, right now and within the next few weeks, we'll have an opportunity to get this accomplished," said Major, a museum board member. "We have a company that can do it at a much, much reduced rate if we can get the Navy to approve a wet tow."

The towing cost has been estimated at about $1 million, museum officials have said previously. The board is continuing its fundraising for the transport, Major said. North Little Rock took ownership of the Hoga in 2005 after beating out four other groups competing to preserve the Hoga.

Center named stop on pet adoption tour

The North Shore Animal League America's mobile adoption unit will make a stop in North Little Rock at the Lakewood Village Shopping Center, 2851 Lakewood Village Drive, on April 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The group, a national animal rescue and adoption organization, has an annual "Tour for Life" each year in multiple cities and states to work with animal shelters and rescue groups to bring attention to homeless animals.

North Little Rock is scheduled to be the only stop in Arkansas this year, according to an event notice.

Animal shelters from North Little Rock, Cabot, Jacksonville and Ward are scheduled to participate, along with the Pulaski County Humane Society, Morning Meadow Animal Rescue, CARE (Central Arkansas Rescue Effort for Animals) and Veteran's Best Friend.

Free microchips will be available for the first 50 sterilized animals, with a limit of one per family. Drawings will also be held for certificates for free sterilization for a dog or cat. A dog training exhibition, pet care information and dog training tips will also be available.

For more information, contact North Little Rock Animal Control at (501) 791-8577.

Date set for fish fry to assist Lions Club

A fish fry will be May 1 at the Burns Park Hospitality House in North Little Rock, benefiting the North Little Rock Lions Club.

The 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m. event will include pond-raised catfish and breaded chicken strips with all the trimmings. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children under 12 years old. Tickets will be available at the event.

Proceeds will go toward Lions Club community projects.

Sorority will host Blue Revue lunch

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Eta Sigma Zeta Chapter of North Little Rock, will be host to the 30th annual Miss Blue Revue Scholarship Luncheon at 11 a.m. May 2 at the Wyndham Riverfront hotel.

Tickets are $30, and the event is open to the public. Funds raised through the luncheon will go toward scholarships for female high school seniors who plan to attend college in Arkansas, according to a chapter announcement.

Metro on 04/05/2015

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