Little Rock

The Little Rock Zoo is celebrating gorillas this weekend from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Trudy, the second oldest gorillas in captivity, is celebrating her 55 birthday.   The only known gorilla older than Trudy is Colo at Columbus Zoo.   She was born December 22, 1956, and is famous for being the first gorilla to be born in captivity.   Trudy's estimated birthday is April 1st of 1957.  She came to the Little Rock Zoo in 1988.  In the wild, the average lifespan of gorillas is 35-40 years.

The zoo is also throwing Mosi, the first gorilla born in Arkansas (pictured above in August of 2011), a going away party.  Mosi is moving to a bachelor group in Chicago.   Mosi was born on October 10, 2006.

Trudy has a birthday list if you want to bring her a gift.  At 10:30 a.m., Trudy is getting presents.  From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the zoo is serving ice cream and at 1:30. Mosi is getting some going away gifts.

I spent this weekend updating my list of summer camps with current links and costs.  Some of the camps are already accepting registration, and many fill up quickly!

I went to UALR's SLUFY when I was a kid (I think it was still called SLUFY back then).  I had the most fun summer ever.  It's been a while, but we did a lot of fun, hands-on, science-geared activities.  I remember dissecting owl pellets, and I thought it was the coolest thing ever.  The current offerings have a little bit from every subject including literature, science, math and sports.

My niece used to do the Arkansas Arts Center Summer Theater Academy every year. She loved it, especially the big performance at the end.  Auditions for that program are already closed, but the Arts Center has other fun summer classes that will allow your kids to learn a new art skill.   They have classes in painting, fabric arts, drawing, jewelry making, clay, theater and more.

Another program I have experience with is the Little Rock Zoo's Summer Zoofari.  I volunteer at the zoo, and sometimes end up guiding a class or two.  The photograph is from last year's "Wanna be a Keeper" class.  Kids in that class go behind the scenes and learn what the zoo keepers do on a daily basis.  The zoo also has classes for younger kids that have animal interactions and some behind the scenes experiences.

The Arkansas Museum of Discovery has some fun looking classes too.  Their summer offerings take advantage of the newly remodeled building, and concentrate on science in a fun way.  They even have a class on rocket science!

Instead of me blogging about them all, why don't you check out the entire list and find one your child would like to participate in.

The big news this weekend is the Greek Food Fest, but there's plenty of other fun stuff to do.

Today and Tomorrow:

• Maumelle Friends of the Animals has teamed up with some business in Maumelle for some promotions.  From 4 to close tonight (Wednesday), visit the Maumelle American Pie and mention the shelter and they will donate a portion of the proceeds.  From 4-8 on Thursday, visit Beef O'Brady's in Maumelle and mention the shelter for the same.  More info.
• A Calera wine dinner is being held at Ashley's at the Capital on May 17.  Tickets are $135.  It starts at 6:30, call 501-370-7011
• Around the World Thursdays at Forty Two takes you to Hong Gai, Vietnam with authentic foods.  501-537-0042.
• Barefoot Studios, on Cantrell, is having their annual open house and anniversary party on May 17. Lots of fun stuff and food, and  CARE will be on hand with adoptable dogs.  More info.

Friday, May 18

• All weekend the Arkansas Festival Ballet will present Aladdin.   It's aimed at children at the Arkansas Arts Center Children's Theatre.  Tickets are $20-25. More info.
• Antiques:  Trash or Treasure will be at Argenta's Laman Library (506 Main St in NLR) at 6 p.m.  Nancy Dunning will discuss the basics of antiquing.
• Crusin' in the Rock is a car show at the River Market.  It's at 6 p.m.
• The Peabody Rivertop Party features Exhale.  It's $8.

Saturday, May 19

• It's the Museum of Discovery's Dino Dash 5k. Proceeds benefit science education and there's a fun 1k walk too.  There's a Discovery Fest along with this event that is free.  More info.
• Buzz-B-Q is back from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.  Lots of BBQ and live music.  $10.  It's at the North Little Rock RV Park at 250 S. Locust St.

I have a weakness for chocolate, and chocolate chips are probably my favorite my to eat it.  I'm not a big fan of cookies unless they are chocolate chip.  Today is the day to celebrate the cookie, so I'll run down some places you can find great cookies in Little Rock.

The DoubleTree hotel chain is famous for their cookies and they have one here in downtown Little Rock too.   The chain hands out approximately 60,000 chocolate chip cookies each day adding up to more than 21 million cookies annually.  That's a lot of cookies!

They aren't my favorite cookies in Little Rock.  For that, I go to some of the bakeries around the city.   My bakery list is mostly centered on cakes and cupcakes, but many of them, like Community Bakery, Sweet Love Bakery and Brown Sugar Bakery, also have cookies. Dempsey's makes pretty good gluten free and vegan chocolate chip cookies, so even people with food allergies and special diets can get a chocolate fix.

Let me know if you've found the perfect cookie locally.

Chocolate chip cookie photograph copyright Getty Images.

It must almost be summer, because Wild River Country is opening this weekend.  It's time to open up the pool and hit the lakes.  If you want a little more of a challenge than Wild River Country, the Warrior Dash race is this weekend.  It's a fun race with all sorts of obstacles.   It should be fun to watch.  It's at the Timber Lodge Ranch in Amity, AR on May 12.  It starts at 9 a.m. and continues almost all day.

For those who just want to relax, check out Wild Wines at the Little Rock Zoo or the Food and Foam Fest at Dickey-Stephens Park.

Also, Sunday is Mother's Day.  Do something your mom wants to do!

Friday, May 11

• National Public Gardens Day at Wildwood Park:  Celebrate with all kinds of activities from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• The Food and Foam Fest at Dickey-Stephens Park: Entertainment, food and lots of beer to benefit the Arthritis Foundation.  Tickets are $45 at the gate.    It's from 6-9 p.m.
• Dinner at the Governor's Mansion: Experience southern hospitality at the Governor's Mansion with dinner and entertainment in the garden.  Tickets are $150 to benefit Our House.

Saturday, May 14

• Wild Wines at the Little Rock Zoo: Sample wines from all over the world and food from some of the best local restaurants.  You also get a tour of the zoo.  Tickets are $50.
• Woof, Wag and Wine at Arkansas Maritime Museum: Board the USS Razorback for an evening of fun benefiting Out of the Woods.  Tickets are $40.

Sunday, May 13

• Mother's Day Events
• Illuminate the Cure: Hundreds of pink floating lanterns will fill the sky in celebration of mom.  This event is held at the Big Dam Bridge and you can purchase a lantern for $25.  It starts at 7 p.m.
• Museum of Discovery: Moms get in free with paid child admission.

This guy is a friendly, helpful king snake.

I've seen more snakes this year than I have in a while.  The mild winter has been good for snakes and other reptiles, amphibians and insects.  While I'm not happy about the insects, I'm glad to see frogs, toads and snakes all over the place.  Yes, I said it. I'm happy to see snakes.

Most of the snakes I've seen this year have been king snakes, like the one pictured, or racer snakes.  Both are harmless constrictors.  The king snake is actually pretty awesome.  He can eat other snakes (even venomous ones), and will keep your yard clear of small rodents and reptiles.   They say if you have king snakes around, venomous snakes will stay away.  On top of that, both of these snakes are generally docile.  They will leave you alone if you leave them alone.  They won't bite or chase your kids if you teach your kids to respect them, and give them a chance to run off if they happen to encounter one.

There are some snakes in Arkansas that can present a danger to people, but they generally feel the same way as the other snakes.  Leave them alone and they'll run away most of the time.  Arkansas has six species of venomous snakes, but snake bites from these are pretty rare.   Even if you get bitten, our snakes are not like the ones in the movies, where people drop 10 minutes after being bitten.  Most of the time, if bitten by Arkansas venomous snake, you'll be ok if you get to an emergency room.

I have information on all the venomous snakes of Arkansas.  I'm working on a photo gallery of them, but I haven't been fortunate enough (or unfortunate enough) to encounter many in the wild.  That may be a project for a trip to the zoo.  If you want to get a good look at the venomous snakes of Arkansas, The Little Rock Zoo has many on display.  You can teach your kids that these are the snakes to avoid.  An even better idea is to teach your kids to respect all snakes and give them their distance.  The snakes are trying to make a living like the rest of us!

Don't forget the farmer's markets are open!  It's also Toad Suck Daze in Conway this weekend.

May 4 -

• The MacArthur Park 5K starts at 7 p.m. on the McArthur Park Front Lawn (503 E. 9th St).
• The Therapeutic Recreation Arts Festival is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Clear Channel Metroplex (10800 Colonel Glenn Road).  Lots of fun things for kids.
• Arkansas Flyer, the live variety show is from 6-9 p.m. at Wildwood Park (20919 Denny Road).  Admission is $25.   This show highlight Arkansas culture and music.

May 5 -

• Arkansas Heritage Month: Pea Ridge Campaign: The Spring & Summer of 1862 is from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Old State House.  This is a day-long living history event.  Visitors will see a recreation of the Pea Ridge Campaign during the spring and summer 1862.  Admission is free.
• The American Lung Association Fight For Air Climb is being hosted at Metropolitan Tower (425 W Capitol Ave).  It starts at 8 a.m.$25 registration fee & $100 minimum fund raising goal.
• The Little Rock Zoo is hosting a Safe Kids Arkansas Event from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.  Kids can learn about safety and earn a free bike helmet (while supplies last).  Free with paid zoo admission.
• The Northwest Arkansas Cheese Dip Classic is from 2-6 p.m. at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Fayetteville.

May 6

• The Cinco de Mayo Celebration at Clear Channel Metroplex (10800 Colonel Glenn Road) starts at 8 p.m.  Admission is $10.   A celebration of food and culture.
• It's Dollar Day at Museum of Discovery.  The first 1000 people who enter the museum from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. will be admitted for just $1.
• The Bernice Garden is hosting a local farmer's market.  From 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. the garden will provide produce and goods that are grown or made within 150 miles of Little Rock.
• The Jewish Federation Jewish Food Fest is from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.  at the River Market Pavilion (400 President Clinton Avenue).   Before 10:00 a.m. they'll be serving breakfast.  This event was great last year!

Cinco De Mayo gives everyone a good excuse to sample some of the Mexican food around Little Rock.  I know most of our Mexican isn't authentic, but it's still good.  If you're looking for authentic, you can get the most authentic stuff from the Mexican markets or taco trucks.

El Porton is the most popular Mexican restaurant on this site. It's not my favorite, but many people love it.  Arkansas Times voters have voted La Hacienda, Cantina Laredo, Casa Manana, Senor Tequila tops too.

I do like La Hacienda and Senor Tequila a lot. Cotija's is a personal fave too.  Juanita's has excellent food and cheese dip.  My favorite Mexican chain in the area is On the Border.

What is your favorite Mexican restaurant?

You've heard about "hanging judge" Isaac Parker, but did you know he held court in Arkansas? In 1875, Parker volunteered to be judge in Fort Smith, Arkansas.  One hundred and sixty men were sentenced to death by hanging during his term.

Fort Smith is a great place for history buffs, but the most interesting place to visit in Fort Smith is the Fort Smith National Historic Site.  The site offers tours of Hanging Judge Issac Parker's restored court room, the "Hell on the Border" jail, a partial reconstruction of the 1888s jail cells and reconstructed gallows.  It's a bit morbid and creepy to see the gallows, but it's kind of neat too.  You'll learn a lot about frontier Arkansas and the types of crimes Issac Parker tried.

Admission is $4. The visitor center (with the courtroom) is open daily, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

While you're there, be sure to check out Miss Laura's Social Club, the first bordello listed on The National Register of Historic Places.  It's a visitor's center now, but it's been restored with Victorian charm.  The center will give you information about the history of Fort Smith and point to more places to find it.

More info on Parker's court.

Cabot is having its annual Strawberry festival this weekend.   The festival has carnival rides and lots of other fun activities.  It's  Thursday & Friday  from 6 p.m. to p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Cabot Community Center.

April 27

• Cruisin' in the Rock is from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the River Market Pavilions. It's a free car show.
• The Mad Hatter's Tea Party and Art Show takes from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Stephano's Fine Art Gallery on Kavanaugh. This show will showcase different interpretations of Alice in Wonderland in varied mediums.
• Relay for Life is from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. at the Clinton Library lawn to benefit cancer research.

April 28

• Seersucker Social hosted by The Old State House Museum from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. It's $25 per person.
• Breakfast with Gorillas at the Little Rock Zoo from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. Meet the keepers and learn more about the gorillas. Little Rock Zoo has the second oldest gorilla in captivity.
• The Weekend Theater is celebrating its 20th Anniversary at the The Villa Marre on 1321 Scott St. at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 and include entertainment and hors d'oeuvres. 501-374-3761.
• Boosters and Big Rigs offers a free car seat check and some big trucks to keep the kids occupied. It's from 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Jack Stephens Center at UALR.
• Biking for Bigs to benefit Big Brothers, Big Sisters is from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The race fee is is $25 and it will be a 25 mile ride over the River Trails.
• Shakespeare in the Park takes place at 2:00 p.m. in the East Pavilion of Ottenheimer Market Hall. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for kids.