ON THE LIST: Command and Control, the documentary film about the 1980 Titan II missile silo accident in Damascus, is one of 15 finalists being considered for an Oscar nomination as the best feature documentary. The film, by Robert Kenner, was based on the book by Eric Schlosser. It was the opening film of the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, and its Little Rock premiere was held the same weekend by the Clinton School of Public Service in the Ron Robinson Theater. The film is set to air nationally on PBS in January.
"It's exciting ... just to get it in the top 15," says Skip Rutherford, dean of the Clinton School. Rutherford appears in the film; at the time of the accident, he was an aide to then-U.S. Sen. David Pryor, D-Ark. The five nominees will be announced Jan. 24.
GIFTS OF GREEN: Five arts-related Arkansas entities are receiving at least $120,000 from the $30 million in the National Endowment for the Arts Awards approved so far for next year. Grants include $25,000 to Oxford American magazine in Little Rock, $25,000 to Theater Squared Inc. in Fayetteville, $50,000 to University of Arkansas' main campus, and $10,000 each to Ozark Foothills Filmfest in Locust Grove and the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra in Little Rock.
CARNEGIE CONTINUED: In addition to the two students mentioned here in an earlier column, Cabot High junior Lauren Dieringer also has been invited to perform at New York's renowned Carnegie Hall. One of nearly 750 selected from more than 18,000 nominations, Lauren will appear in an honors choral performance in February. She is the daughter of Rick and Roni Dieringer of Cabot.
BY THE NUMBERS: When the Harlem Globetrotters visit North Little Rock's Verizon Arena next month, they'll retire the No. 35 jersey of one of their most famous players -- Arkansan Hubert "Geese" Ausbie -- during the 7 p.m. Jan. 31 show.
The Oklahoma native, who attended Philander Smith College in Little Rock, spent 24 years entertaining audiences after taking over the role of "Clown Prince of Basketball" from Meadowlark Lemon. In 1995, he became a team coach while continuing to work off court with youths and drug-free initiatives here in Arkansas.
"This is truly an honor," says Ausbie in a news release. "I am a lucky man getting to do what I loved for so many years, all over the world. Seeing the smiles and laughter from each person who came out to see us is something that I'll never forget."
GIRL POWER: Former Lonoke resident and playwright Shaneisha Dodson had her fourth play, Vagina Rights, accepted to next summer's Strawberry One-Act Festival in New York. The play, addressing women's social issues including depression, domestic violence and sex-trafficking, debuts off-Broadway at the St. Clement's Theater. The festival's winning playwright lands $4,000 and the chance to have a full-length play developed.
Contact Linda S. Haymes at (501) 399-33636 or lhaymes@arkansasonline.com
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