Little Rock notebook

23 architects applyfor Arts Center job

The Arkansas Arts Center is considering 23 applications submitted by architectural firms hoping to design a renovation and expansion of the center.

Officials will whittle down the list and hold interviews with their top picks Nov. 1 and 2.

The city Board of Directors voted last year to increase the portion of the advertising and promotion tax levied on hotel stays to benefit the Arts Center and the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, both in MacArthur Park.

Voters approved taking out a bond to allow a large-scale expansion of the center. The debt will be paid back with proceeds of the tax increase. Through July, almost $1.2 million had been raised from the tax increase.

The firms that submitted their qualifications for consideration to the Arts Center are:

David Adjaye, Allied Works, AMR Architects Inc., Shigeru Ban, Ann Beha, Marlon Blackwell, Brooks + Scarpa, Carpenter (Arcops), Cromwell, Studio Gang, Tang Gluckman, Marklee Johnston, KSW, Looney Ricks Kiss, Michael Maltzan, OMA, Thomas Phifer, Polk Stanley Wilcox, Selldorf, Snohetta, TEN Arquitectos, Trey Trahan and WD&D.

Why Presidents Fail author sets lecture

The author of Why Presidents Fail and How They Can Succeed Again will speak Tuesday about why the American public loses faith in leaders.

Elaine Kamarck is a Harvard academic and a former White House insider.

"She argues that presidents today spend too much time talking and not enough time governing," a news release said. "Kamarck explains the difficulties of governing in our modern political landscape, and offers examples and recommendations of how our next president can not only [re-create] faith in leadership but also run a competent, successful administration."

Kamarck will speak at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Clinton School of Public Service's Sturgis Hall.

A book signing will follow.

Admission is free, but attendees are asked to reserve a seat ahead of time by emailing publicprograms@clintonschool.uasys.edu or by calling (501) 683-5239.

The event also will be streamed on the school's website, clintonschool.uasys.edu.

Banned Books Week has Arabian theme

The American Library Association's Banned Books Week began today, and the Central Arkansas Library System has a number of events lined up to celebrate.

Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. This year's events in central Arkansas have a theme based on the book One Thousand and One Nights.

There will be a belly-dancing workshop and performance Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Williams Library at 1800 S. Chester St. and again Wednesday at noon at the Ron Robinson Theater, 100 River Market Ave.

Haydee, a professional belly dancer from Houston and a member of the Kalilah Dance Troupe, will demonstrate basic moves before her performance.

At 6 p.m. Wednesday, there will be a "One Arabian Night" reception featuring Middle Eastern appetizers, followed by a showing of The Adventures of Prince Achmed, a film based loosely on One Thousand and One Nights, which also was the theme of an annual writing contest. The contest winners will be announced Wednesday.

The film, made in 1926, is the oldest full-length animated film known to exist.

At noon Thursday, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra String Quartet will present an Arabian Nights-themed performance at the Terry Library, 2015 Napa Valley Road.

Public input sought on Historic District

A "drop-in" session is planned for 5 p.m. Monday to allow people to give input on proposed guideline revisions for the MacArthur Park Historic District.

The Quapaw Quarter Association is planning the get-together at the historic Curran Hall, 615 E. Capitol Ave.

The proposed revisions can be seen on the city's website, littlerock.org, by by selecting the tab for "City Departments" and the choosing "Planning and Development," "Boards and Commissions, and then "Historic District Commission."

Metro on 09/25/2016

Upcoming Events