About.com Little Rock

This Weekend in Little Rock - Peak Fall Colors

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:57:17 +0000

This is the weekend where central Arkansas will be at or near it's peak fall colors. Take some time to enjoy it (or rake it out of your yard). With all the rain, most of my fall leaves have fallen already, but there are a few parks where you can still take in the sights of fall. Pinnacle is doing a fall colors walk this weekend.

A FOCAL Book sale is going on at the Main library on Nov 6-8. Lots of used books for sale.
The Sandwiching in History series takes you to the The W.W. Fuess House on 2315 South Summit. The house was built in 1914. Starts at noon on Nov 7.
The Delta Class for Literacy is Nov 7 at War Memorial Stadium. It is Grambling vs UAPB.
Pinnacle is having several hikes including a fall colors hike and a mushroom talk this weekend. Call 501-868-5806 if you are interested.
The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra presents Beethoven's Fifth! on November 7 - 8 at Robinson Center Music
The R.K. Gun and Knife Show is at the Arkansas State Fair Grounds on Nov 7-8. Tickets are $8. Open 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Heifer Village Moo-Vies presents "The Future of Food" on Nov 8, free.

This Weekend in Little Rock - Peak Fall Colors originally appeared on About.com Little Rock on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 08:57:17.

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Where Do you Spend Thanksgiving?

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:12:14 +0000

Around this time of the year, people start emailing me and asking me where they can spend their Thanksgiving day.� Last year, there was a man disappointed that Julie's would not be open, because it was family tradition to go there.� I�normally reply with some restaurants and events going on.��This year, I also want your advice.

Where do you take your family over the Thanksgiving holiday?� Does your family frequent�a special restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner?� Do you get dinner catered by a favorite place?� Do you prefer to just stay home and watch the parade?

Comment below and share some of the special things that make Thanksgiving for you.

Where Do you Spend Thanksgiving? originally appeared on About.com Little Rock on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 23:12:14.

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Visit Ancient Egypt in Arkansas

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 05:13:32 +0000

Halloween may be over, but there are still mummies in Arkansas.� We have once in a lifetime chance to visit some Egyptian artifacts right here in downtown Little Rock at the Arkansas Arts Center's "World of the Pharaohs" exhibit. I visited recently, and I was very impressed with the exhibit.

It's a very well laid out exhibit.� I expected the mummies and sarcophagi, but you'll also see things like tools, art and� jewelry.� It's a great sampling of Egyptian life and death.� Many of us will probably never get a chance to see artifacts like this again.

This is the largest exhibition ever to be held in Arkansas.� The exhibit is available on Tuesdays 9:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.�� Admission is $22 plus an optional $5 audio tour, but discounts are available and special showings are only $14.

The exhibit will be here until July 2010, so you have plenty of time.� If you have out of town guests for the holiday season, they may even appreciate a visit to the Arkansas Arts Center.

You can read more at the link.

Visit Ancient Egypt in Arkansas originally appeared on About.com Little Rock on Sunday, November 1st, 2009 at 05:13:32.

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Scare a Day: The Legend of Boggy Creek

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:28:42 +0000

You've heard of big foot, but have you heard of our "big foot?" If you travel to Fouke, you'll hear the mysterious legend of a large, furry, manlike creature. The monster has a characteristic smelly odor and kills chicken, cattle, dogs and livestock. I know, "doesn't that describe almost everyone in Arkansas?" Har har.

So far our legend hasn't killed any people, but he is famous. There have even been a few movies made about this legend, and one was mocked on Mystery Science Theater 300.

So, the legend of Boggy Creek isn't really scary as much as it is famous and quite comical. Back in the days when he was frequently spotted, however, he really did scare the people of Fouke. I've read news stories about him. Just imagine a big, hairy, ape man being spotted today like that. Maybe we wouldn't be as scared in this age of instant video and YouTube where everyone carries a camera phone to catch the images, but we're still afraid of the unexplained.

Scares of Days Gone By: Gurdon's Spooky Light, Eureka's Haunted Hotel, The Haunting Hitchhiker

Scare a Day: The Legend of Boggy Creek originally appeared on About.com Little Rock on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 05:28:42.

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Scare a Day: Scary Hitchikers

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:33:18 +0000

I think every city everywhere around the nation (maybe even the world) has a spooky hitchhiker legend. Every year I get comments about this story that go something like, "The real location for the hitchhiker is [place] and s/he is really the ghost of [star football player, outcast, homecoming queen]." Sometimes even, "She's killed drivers before by making them run off the bridge." Those emails are normally met by a friendly, "thanks for the info," while I'm really thinking, "Uh huh. Sure she has."

Perhaps this legend isn't as scary as some legends than can be pinned down more precisely, but it's still a spooky story to tell kids or teenagers as you're going across certain bridges, especially if you see a young hitchhiker.

This particular take on the story takes place on highway 365.

Scares of Days Gone By: Gurdon's Spooky Light, Eureka's Haunted Hotel

Scare a Day: Scary Hitchikers originally appeared on About.com Little Rock on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 05:33:18.

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Scare a Day: The Crescent Hotel

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:38:26 +0000

For Halloween week, we're featuring a scare a day! Today is the scary Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs that is said to be one of the most haunted hotels in the US.

Legend says that the hot springs found all over Arkansas attract supernatural powers and lots of eerie things have happened the Crescent throughout its interesting history. The history of the hotel is interesting without the ghost stories, but the ghost stories make it a can't miss scare in Arkansas.

Read the article for what rooms to pick and which ghosts to look out for. I've stayed at the Crescent once and I can't say anything really scary happened, but there is an eerie sense in certain areas. Is that because I took a tour that told me there's an eerie sense in certain areas (suggestion is powerful), or is it because those areas are really haunted? You will have to visit and judge yourself. A tour company does offer haunted tours of the hotel, which are interesting for the history even if you don't believe in ghosts.

Yesterday's Scare: Gurdon Light

Scare a Day: The Crescent Hotel originally appeared on About.com Little Rock on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 05:38:26.

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Scare a Day: The Gurdon Light

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:00:36 +0000

What is the light?

Halloween is probably my favorite time of the year. We all get to be a little wacky and a little scary. In honor of the ghoulish holiday, I'm going to feature a scary story a day all this week.

Today's story is the Gurdon light. It's one of my favorite Arkansas ghost stories, because anyone can go see it. That's right. You can go tonight and probably see the haunting light.

The legend goes that the bobbing light is the lantern of a decapitated railway worker searching for his head. Some say it's just a car light reflecting off the highway. Some say it's quartz. I say, who cares what it is? It's fun and a little bit freaky.

Read the legend and find out how to visit it yourself.

Scare a Day: The Gurdon Light originally appeared on About.com Little Rock on Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 05:00:36.

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Arkansas Mass Flu Shot Clinics

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:32:58 +0000

It's time to start thinking about protecting yourself from the flu. The best way to protect yourself, besides practicing good hygiene, eating right and sleeping well, is with the flu vaccine.

Starting October 29, the Department of Health will be offering no charge flu shots at mass flu shot clinics. You can also get a vaccine at your local health unit. If you want to get it at your local health unit, the shot will cost you $20. They ask that you bring your insurance, Medicare and/or Medicaid cards with you if you have one to either clinic. The health department will offer the H1N1 (or swine flu) vaccine at the free clinics and at the health units as available. Clinic times and locations.

If your child (or you) have not received the flu vaccine and can't make it to a clinic, several pharmacies in the area will offer the H1N1 flu vaccine. The Walgreens at 4823 John F Kennedy Blvd (501-71-1971) will offer it, but doesn't have it currently. Kroger says some stores will have them as well.

Almost any area Walgreens or Kroger offers the seasonal flu vaccine. Call your favorite one for times and dates.

Be safe, stay clean and keep healthy!

Arkansas Mass Flu Shot Clinics originally appeared on About.com Little Rock on Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 at 08:32:58.

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This Weekend in Little Rock

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:21:48 +0000

Boo at the Zoo starts this Thursday. They are having a daytime event this year. This is great for younger kids who don't like the dark but still want to experience the rides and carnival atmosphere. There will also be some special daytime activities. Cost is $5 for the nighttime event or the cost of general admission ($10) for the daytime event.

There are plenty of other Halloween activities taking place. Check out my list.

Other events around Arkansas include:

Friendly Chapel's Fish Fry - All you can eat fish at Verizon Arena, benefits Brother Paul's Soup Kitchen. $10.
Slavery by Another Name - Pulitzer Prize winning author, Doug Blackmon, will discuss his book Slavery By Another Name at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center.
Big Cruisefest - Back again this weekend is Big Cruisefest. See lots of cool cars in the River Market.
"Rio Grande Candi and the Mummy" - A children's play at the Children's Theater of the Arkansas Arts Center. They still have the Pharaohs exhibit too.
The Annual Grand Health Fair - At the State Fairgrounds this Saturday. Free health screenings.
Art Works - An auction for art at the Rep. Admission is $50. From 6:30 - 10 p.m.
Barbershop Harmony Show of Champions - From 7 - 10 p.m. at the Robinson Center Music Hall, hear some of the best Barbershop Quartets around. Admission is $25.
LittleRockToberfest - In Dickey Stephen's Park, this event celebrates bratwurst and of course beer. Tickets are $25.
CityFest with Luis Palau - Festival celebrating service and church involvement. Also, food brought to the festival benefits the Arkansas Rice Depot. Free at the North Shore Riverwalk.
The Little Rock MudRun - This is the probably the "funest" fun run in Arkansas. Takes place on the 24th.
Harvest Fest - Wildwood Park celebrates fall with this fun festival with hayrides, bluegrass, pumpkin patches and more. It takes place October 24-25 and admission is $10.

This Weekend in Little Rock originally appeared on About.com Little Rock on Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 at 05:21:48.

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RIP Dudley Rhino - Leave Your Memorial

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:27:12 +0000

Dudley the Rhino from the Little Rock Zoo passed� away Friday at the age of 42.� He was one of the older white rhinos in captivity, and a favorite with keepers and visitors of the Little Rock Zoo.

The zoo has a memorial post on their blog for him and are inviting zoo visitors to post their Dudley memories.� Visit and post yours today.

The above photo is partly Dudley, but mostly Sue, his longtime companion that is still living at the Little Rock Zoo.� The behind you see in the photo is Dudley.� I searched through some of my rhino photos and I have more photos of Dudley's behind than anyone else's!� I guess he was never in the mood for photos when I was around.� Typical old guy! If you visit the memorial post above, you can see Dudley's face.

RIP Dudley Rhino - Leave Your Memorial originally appeared on About.com Little Rock on Tuesday, October 20th, 2009 at 19:27:12.

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