Utility gets award for safety record
Little Rock Wastewater received a national safety award from the Water Environment Federation during a recent conference in Hot Springs.
The utility consistently maintains a safety record well above the national average, according to a news release announcing the city had received the Burke Award. "In 2015 alone, the department provided over 5,000 hours of safety training," the release said.
The utility has a safety team consisting of members of each department that meets monthly to review concerns and discuss new ideas for improved safety policies.
The Burke Award "recognizes a municipal or industrial wastewater facility for establishing and maintaining an active and effective safety program. It was established in 1982 in honor of George W. Burke Jr. for his role in developing the many safety mechanisms utilized by the Water Environment Federation," the news release said.
Also at the Hot Springs conference, a Little Rock Wastewater employee received the highest award given by the Arkansas Water Works and Water Environment Association to its members.
Stanley Suel was presented with the Glen T. Kellogg Hall of Fame Award for his career of service. He has worked in the water and wastewater fields in Little Rock for 28 years.
"Suel's dedication and passion for protecting the environment and waterways is evident in his efforts to provide direction and expertise to utilities throughout the state and nation," the release said.
Travelers' history lunchtime topic
The history of the Arkansas Travelers baseball team is the subject of Wednesday's "Legacies and Lunch" program.
The team has one of the longest histories of any minor league franchise, according to a news release. Lance Restum, the Travelers' director of marketing, will talk about the team's history at noon Wednesday at the Ron Robinson Theater at 100 River Market Avenue.
The Travelers have had a team almost every year since 1901. The team has been a part of five professional baseball leagues in that time and is the longest-running club in its current Texas League.
"The team has never taken a different [name], making it the second-longest running continuous [name] in Minor League baseball," the news release said. "The name Arkansas Travelers is derived from the famous minstrel known as the Arkansas [Traveller], who roamed the Ozark Mountains selling his wares and singing songs."
The Central Arkansas Library System's Butler Center for Arkansas Studies hosts monthly "Legacies and Lunch" lectures on various topics.
Book club's prize: Game's first pitch
Registration for the Central Arkansas Library System's Summer Reading Club opens today with a contest that will allow someone to throw the first pitch at an Arkansas Travelers game in July.
The reading club is a seven-week program aimed at improving reading skills while school isn't in session. The club is for kids, teens and adults.
Programs for the various age groups will start June 13.
Participants are asked to post photos on the library system's social media accounts -- Facebook, Twitter and Instagram -- showing where they like to read and use the hashtag #mySRC.
The theme for this year's Summer Reading Club programs is "On your mark, get set, read." All of the programs will be free, but require a library card.
The schedule is available at cals.org/summer-reading-club.
A kickoff event is planned for Saturday at the Hillary Rodham Clinton Children's Library and Learning Center.
The #mySRC contest will last through July 5. The winner will get to throw out the first pitch during "Library Night" at the Arkansas Travelers game July 13.
Metro on 05/31/2016