Library changes operating hours
Starting today, the Sidney McMath Library at 2100 John Barrow Road in Little Rock will have new operating hours.
"The more accessible hours reflect the needs of the surrounding community by offering additional evening hours," a news release from the Central Arkansas Library System said.
On Mondays through Wednesdays, the library will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. On Thursdays through Saturdays it will open at 10 a.m. and close at 6 p.m.
The library branch will remain closed on Sundays.
Panel discussion set for Godspell
The Arkansas Repertory Theatre's cast of Godspell will host a panel discussion about the play at the Ron Robinson Theater on Thursday.
The noon event will be at the theater at 100 River Market Ave.
Godspell is a Southern parable re-imagined by director Donna Drake about a circus during the height of the civil-rights movement.
In the play, "a hunted prophet and peacemaker are taken in by a traveling family of entertainers lost in a world of political and religious unrest," a news release said. "Over the course of their brief time with this miraculous man, they rediscover new hope in a simple song and salvation in basic acts of kindness and brotherhood."
2 library events to focus on dogs
The Central Arkansas Library System will host a dog safety class for children Saturday.
The 10 a.m. event at the Hillary Rodham Clinton Children's Library and Learning Center will teach children about how dogs communicate, the appropriate ways to approach a dog and what actions to take if they are approached by a stray dog.
After the presentation, the children can practice what they learned with therapy dogs from the Tail Waggin' Tutors program.
On June 24, the library will host another program about therapy dogs.
Therapy dog handler Cindy Fribourgh will talk about the dogs' purpose and the ways they can serve a community. The event will be at 3:30 p.m. at the Main Library's Darragh Center at 100 Rock St.
Fribourgh's therapy dog, Phydeaux, will demonstrate skills. Other dogs will not be permitted at the event.
LR Zoo jaguar, 16, euthanized
A 16-year-old jaguar died last week at the Little Rock Zoo.
Agave, the zoo's female jaguar, had moved to the Little Rock Zoo in 2001 with her brother, Cactus Jack, when she was not yet 1.
"Agave started showing signs of feeling ill [May 20], although she was still eating and bright," a news release from the zoo said. "[May 22], when Agave became lethargic and stopped eating, the staff conducted an ultrasound that detected fluid in her abdomen and other abnormalities consistent with cancer. Cancer was confirmed during an abdominal exploratory surgery."
The veterinary team determined that euthanizing Agave was the best option, because the cancer had spread and was inoperable.
Cactus Jack is getting more enrichment and activities to keep him occupied after Agave's death.
The median life expectancy for jaguars in zoos is 17.8 years, according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Agave would have turned 17 in July.
Forum's focus is road's rebuilding
Little Rock's Public Works staff will host a meeting next week about reconstruction work on Woodson Road.
The open forum will allow residents in the area to ask questions about the scope of the project, which will continue work on the road from Halifax Drive to north of Browning Road.
Staff members will be present to explain the plans but will not give a formal presentation. The meeting also will allow the public to provide input on the project.
The meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Dalton Whetstone Boys and Girls Club at 46 Harrow Drive.
Metro on 05/30/2017