DIVING IN: Dennis Pevey, a science facilitator at eStem Public Charter School in Little Rock, has been selected to be a lead science communicator and sail aboard Exploration Vessel Nautilus' expedition this year. The research vessel is led by Robert Ballard, best known for discovering the Titanic. Pevey took part in this program last year.
In July, he returns for a five-week expedition off the coast of Southern California exploring the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary along with Ballard and 16 other educators from around the world selected by the Ocean Exploration Trust, a nonprofit organization founded by Ballard.
The goal? To explore the ocean and seek out new discoveries in geology, biology, maritime history, archaeology, physics and chemistry while working to advance the boundaries of science, technology, engineering and math education and technological innovation.
During the cruise, Pevey's students, as well as shore-based audiences around the world, will be able to communicate with him and the others through a live broadcast of their work via Nautilus Live, a 24-hour Web portal. The website is nautiluslive.org. The portal also is available on social media (Facebook and Instagram at NautilusLive and on Twitter as @EVNautilus).
Last year's expedition reached more than 17 million and was covered by 60 Minutes, National Geographic, CNN and BuzzFeed.com, among others.
HERE WE (JANE) DOE AGAIN: The May 23 issue of National Enquirer revisits former President Bill Clinton's alleged wandering eye with its 10-page special report -- "Hillary Hiding Bill's Sex Crimes -- 36 women break their silence." Little Rock resident and renowned rock groupie Connie Hamzy (No. 2 in the article right after Kathleen Willey) says the tabloid recently came calling, seeking quotes. As the political sparring between Hillary and Donald Trump in the battle for the presidency continues to intensify, Hamzy should expect her phone to ring off the hook.
SUCH SWEET SORROW: A beloved bakery will be feted Thursday by employees of its longtime home base -- the Kroger in Little Rock's Heights neighborhood on Polk Street. Silvek's European Bakery, first in the former Safeway Food Emporium 20 years ago and then the Harvest Foods before the present-day Kroger, closes May 31. The bakery's owner, Polish native Sylvester "Silvek" Pupkowski, 61, and his wife Irene are retiring. The family, political refugees, arrived in the United States in 1984. Longtime customers and friends are invited to drop by the store Thursday afternoon to say farewell to the family and have some light refreshments.
"This is very hard work," Pupkowski says of his profession. "And we wanted a little rest. We love America but we still have family in Poland and we would like to spend some time visiting with them." He adds that he appreciates his loyal customers.
Contact Linda S. Haymes at (501) 399-3636 or lhaymes@arkansasonline.com
SundayMonday on 05/22/2016