Panda Express coming to the Boulevard
Panda Express coming to the Boulevard
Getting ready for the eclipse; March Madness is here; Basketball conferences to change for next two years; Education notes plus headlines and sports,
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Pandemic deaths unknown
The state Department of Health, didn’t issue a weekly report for March 16. The virus has killed 13,689 Arkansans since the pandemic began four years ago. That would mean the pandemic death toll has now passed Marion’s 13,635 people, the state’s 29th largest city.
Covid toolkit
There’s now a one-stop shop to learn about vaccination sites and other Covid related information. Click here to learn more.
If you don’t want to get sick and die, there’s some things you can do:
Get vaccinated
Get boosted
Wear a mask
Avoid crowds
The Headlines
Meetings: The North Little Rock City Council will meet next Monday night.
Events: March Madness is here, as Spring Break wraps up, so turn on your TV, throw out your paper, eat some peaches and make yourself at home, on your couch, and enjoy some basketball.
Getting ready for the eclipse
The state expects 1.5 million visitors to Arkansas for the total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, that is now less than three weeks away.
And while those estimates are likely extremely exaggerated, it is certainly true more people will be out and about on that day simply because most schools will be out that day. Many employers will be giving their workers the day off and there will be tourists.
Will they be here?
Probably not as many as will be around Russellville, where NASA has established an eclipse base camp of sorts and will be broadcasting live
The length of totality will be also the greatest in and around Pope County, while North of the River is looking at more like three minutes of total eclipse.
NASA estimates that Pope County will get an additional 100,000 visitors, so that’s a lot of people. Hope they all enjoy Feltner’s as much as everyone else does!
As for here, Pulaski County issued some tips for how to handle April 8 locally and there’s some sage advice.
First, “traffic will be heavy and lines for local services such as restaurants, gas stations, grocery, and retail stores maybe longer than usual.”
So doing those things in advance would be super helpful, especially for those who don’t like to stand in line.
If you have standing appointments like doctor’s visits and such, get them in the week before as people are expected to start arriving Friday, April 5.
It would also be helpful to have groceries and supplies on hand, as well as any prescriptions, while also making sure you have gas in your car. Or at least a full charge for the EV folks.
The county also said, “ If you regularly use cash or want some on hand, consider visiting your local bank or ATM before,” the Friday before the eclipse as ATMs might have limited supplies of paper money.
Cellular phone service might also be disrupted that day with the sheer number of people. Think how your phone doesn’t always work as well at a Razorbacks game, and you’ll get the idea.
The county also said that eclipse would be a good time to come up with an emergency plan and have a “go bag” packed with essentials, just to prepare for a future emergency.
There’s plenty of local activities scheduled for that weekend as well, but, truth be told, the experience will be the same in your yard as the eclipse will be everywhere. Just make sure you eclipse glasses on and if you don’t have any, the library has them available for free. You can also buy them at the grocery store or Walmart or Target or just about anywhere. Even church!
Blackout on the Boulevard set
As the April 8 total solar eclipse, plans are finalizing for area activities and watch parties both North of the River and across the state as most of Arkansas will experience at least a partial eclipse.
Among those is the city of Maumelle and the Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce joining forces for a four-day dubbed “Blackout on the Boulevard” that will start Friday, April 5 and conclude on Monday, April 8, or shortly after the totality moves past and on to northeast Arkansas.
Times to remember on Monday, April 8
Start of partial eclipse: 12:34 p.m.
Start of total eclipse: 1:51 p.m.
Maximum eclipse: 1:52 p.m.
End of total eclipse: 1:54 p.m.
End of partial eclipse: 3:12 p.m.
All four days will be held at Lake Willastein and will feature live music, other entertainment, and, of course, a total solar eclipse.
There will also be carnival rides and food trucks. Hot air balloon rides will also be available and a beer garden for adults.
For more, go to www.maumellechamber.com.
North Little Rock will have a three-day Moon Block Party at Argenta Plaza starting on Saturday, and there will be viewing parties, with some admission costs, at Burns Park and also on the USS Razorback, the World War II submarine floating in the Arkansas River.
Panda Express coming to the Boulevard
Panda Express, the popular national chain for Chinese food, will soon have a location on Maumelle Boulevard.
The restaurant filed an application for a plumbing permit at the intersection of Maumelle Boulevard and Paul Eells Drive.
The application was filed by Dallas-based idGROUP, which has at least two other Panda Express's under construction in Texas. Based on the company's website, this would appear to be its first project in Arkansas.
Pictured below is the company's Panda Exprress location in Irving, Texas.
This would be the first Panda Express in Pulaski County with other central Arkansas locations being in Benton, Conway and Hot Springs.
Is Panda Express good? That would be a qualified yes.
The vibe inside is similar to Chipotle and the food, while far from authentic Chinese, is a tasty Americanized version of all your favorites. Locations also tend to have drive-thrus, which makes them handy for when you're on the go, or looking to bring home an easy dinner.
Maumelle and March Madness
While Arkansas, nor any other state school, made this week's NCAA tournaments, that isn't true for the players as several have Arkansas connections.
And, even better, four of them are North of the River products.
Maumelle's Colby Garland, who started his high school career at Magnolia, then spent his senior season with the Hornets, is a key player off the bench for Drake.
Garland, a freshman, spent last season at Link Academy in Branson, Missouri, is averaging not quite 6 points a game in nearly 20 minutes of action per game.
Drake faces Washington State tonight in the first round and the game will be televised on TruTV.
Also in the tournament is Corey Washington, who played his senior season at North Little Rock, and helped lead the 'Cats to a 6A state championship, along with Nick Smith Jr., now in the NBA, and Kel'el Ware, who just ended his sophomore season at Indiana.
Washington is a sophomore at St. Peter’s in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Washington has started 22 of 25 games for St. Peter’s this season and is averaging 16.5 points per game.
A dynamic 6-6 wing, Washington is extremely athletic and has generated a highlight reel of buzzy dunks this season.
He was named the conference championship's game Most Valuable Player after going for 24 points and nine rebounds. He was also first-team all-conference. That win put St. Peters in the NCAA with the automatic bid from the MAAC Conference.
St. Peter's, the darlings of the NCAA tournament two seasons ago,hope to capture some of that magic again when they face Tennessee tonight in a game televised on TNT.
There's also former North Little Rock star Collin Moore, who now plays at Grand Canyon University.
Moore, who previously played at Georgia State, has started every game for Grand Canyon and is averaging 8.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists for the No, 12 seed in this week's NCAA tournament.
The 6-4 guard is a fourth-year junior and leads his team against Saint Mary's in a Friday night game that will be broadcast on TruTV.
While St. Mary's is the No. 5 seed, Grand Canyon is a trendy upset pick to win as the 'Lopes are 29-4 overall
In the women's tournament, North Little Rock's Kennady Tucker will suit up for the Oklahoma Sooners when they face Florida Gulf Coast in the first round this Saturday at Bloomington, Indiana.
A role player, Tucker is in her fifth season of playing college basketball with a career that started at the University of North Carolina.
Elsewhere, Former Central Arkansas Christian forward Riley Bryant, below, also got into March Madness, or at least the Division III version when her Washington and Lee team made the national tournament.
That run came to an end in the quarterfinals, or the Elite 8 if you prefer, to Wartburg. Washington and Lee, in Virginia, finished the season 29-3, the school's best-ever finish and a No. 9 national ranking.
As for Bryant, she saw action in 29 games, and averaged 2.6 points a game as a freshman guard.
Bryant's best outing was on March 2 when she scored 10 points against No. 11 Catholic, in the tournament's second game.
Former CAC teammate Ava Knoedl, above, wrapped up her sophomore season at Hendrix. The 5-6 guard averaged 12.8 points for the Lady Warriors in 25 games.
Education notes
Arkansas’s Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences names graduates
Several North of the River students recently graduated this past December from the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas.
These students joined more than 300 undergraduate students who earned bachelor's degrees in Fulbright College and who were celebrated on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at commencement ceremonies in Bud Walton Arena.
Jacob McKinney of Maumelle earned a Bachelor of Art in Biology and Bachelor of Art in Psychology. Mckinney also graduated with Departmental Honors from the Fulbright College Honors Program, which requires students complete a minimum of 12 hours of honors coursework in their undergraduate career and complete undergraduate research.
Emma Chesher of Maumelle earned a Bachelor of Art in Psychology.
Matthew Whittle of North Little Rock earned a Bachelor of Art in Criminology.
William Hilliard of North Little Rock earned a Bachelor of Art in Journalism.
Kaylon Collier of Sherwood earned a Bachelor of Art in Political Science.
"On behalf of our faculty, staff, and the entire U of A community, we offer you a big congratulations - you did it," said Kathryn Sloan, interim dean of Fulbright College. "You survived the late-night study sessions, the group projects, the times of uncertainty, and so much more to reach this milestone. I hope that these students, all of our new alumni, and all who supported them on this journey to commencement will take a moment to reflect on just how momentous this is, on all it took to get to this point, and all the incredible potential the future now holds.”
UCA names December 2023 graduates
The University of Central Arkansas conferred nearly 500 undergraduate and more than 180 graduate degrees and certificates through the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; College of Business; College of Education; College of Health and Behavioral Sciences; College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; and Graduate School.
The North of the River graduates are as follows:
Jeffery Christiansen of Maumelle, graduated with a Master of Arts in Teaching in Teaching.
Erin Curtis of Maumelle, graduated with a Bachelor of General Studies in General Studies.
Jacqueline Doss-Cola of Maumelle, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion.
Kathleen Fly of Maumelle, graduated with a Master of Arts in English.
Takari Glover of Maumelle, graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing.
Molly Harrell of Maumelle, graduated Summa Cum Laude Undergraduate Scholar with a Bachelor of Arts in English.
Cameron Heslip of Maumelle, graduated Cum Laude Undergraduate Scholar with a Bachelor of Science in Biology.
Harvell Howard of Maumelle, graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership Studies.
Zechariah Johnson of Maumelle, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology.
Kyzer Johnston of Maumelle, graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting.
Latasha Kimbrough-Tate of Maumelle, graduated with a Master of Arts in Teaching in Teaching.
Kaitlyn Kronberg of Maumelle, graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education in Elementary Education K-6.
Michael Mahfouz of Maumelle, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in Nursing.
Joshua Parkinson of Maumelle, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity.
Ina Resimont of Maumelle, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science.
Madison Robbins of Maumelle, graduated with a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling.
Rachel Scott of Maumelle, graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy in Physical Therapy.
Zachary Smith of Maumelle, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Communication.
Meredith Werner of Maumelle, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Science.
Preston Adams of Sherwood, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in Physical Education K-12.
Brittany Agee of North Little Rock, graduated with a Master of Arts in Teaching in Teaching.
Karryngton Benton of North Little Rock, graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education in Middle Level Education.
Grace Blagg of Sherwood, graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
James Bowling of North Little Rock, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology.
Diamond Brown of North Little Rock, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in Middle Level Education.
Lauren Capes of North Little Rock, graduated with a Master of Business Administration in Business Administration.
Madison Chunn of Sherwood, graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
Melissa Dickey of North Little Rock, graduated with a Master of Business Administration in Business Administration.
Lindsey Dodge of North Little Rock, graduated with a Master of Science in Education in Adv Stu Teacher Leadership.
Hayley Dwyer of Sherwood, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Art.
Darrin Ellison of Sherwood, graduated with a Bachelor of General Studies in General Studies.
AnneMarie Forsythe of Sherwood, graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Art.
Jeraeya Hampton of Sherwood, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology.
Mallory Howard of North Little Rock, graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science.
Chiehpo Huang of North Little Rock, graduated with a Master of Science in Computer Science (GR).
Samantha Langston of North Little Rock, graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance.
Rickisha Larff of North Little Rock, graduated with a Associate of Arts in General Studies.
Elijah Lyons of North Little Rock, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.
Madison May of North Little Rock, graduated with a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling.
Angel-Marie McDaniel of North Little Rock, graduated with a Master of Arts in Teaching in Teaching.
Weston McGhee of North Little Rock, graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting.
Ciara Oliver of North Little Rock, graduated with a Master of Science in Health Promotion.
Takahito Orr of Sherwood, graduated Summa Cum Laude Undergraduate Scholar with a Bachelor of Science in Economics.
Nidhi Patel of North Little Rock, graduated with a Master of Science in Health Promotion.
Adams Smith of North Little Rock, graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.
Robert Spencer of Sherwood, graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing.
Obed Stamp of Sherwood, graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Computer Information Systems.
Keyma Thompson of North Little Rock, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
Mia Waddell of North Little Rock, graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
Taybin Wade of North Little Rock, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design.
Joi White-Casanova of North Little Rock, graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design.
Art notes
Hamlet to be performed at North Little Rock High School
March is going to be a big month for Shakespeare enthusiasts as the Theater Arts department at North Little Rock High School is going to be staging a production of Hamlet.
Shows start on Thursday, March 28 and conclude Saturday, March 30, Easter weekend, and will be held at the high school’s Performing Arts Center.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens.
For more information, call 501- 771-8127 or click here to buy tickets online. Tickets must be purchased on the internet as no cash will be accepted at the door.
Camp Healing Hearts set for May 17
Methodist Family Health’s Kaleidoscope Grief Center is currently accepting applications to attend its free overnight grief camp, Camp Healing Hearts.
It will be held at Camp Aldersgate in Little Rock and will start at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 17 and conclude the next day.
The camp is available to any Arkansas family who has experienced a death in the last three to six months.
Grief can be a terrible thing and the camp is designed to help those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. It is for children from 5 to 18 and an adult caregiver is also required to attend with the child.
There’s 100 spaces available and to apply for the free camp, go to MethodistFamily.org/Camp-Healing-Hearts and complete the form online.
Application deadline is Sunday, May 5.
For more information, call Dao Ward at 501-537-3991 or toll-free at 800-756-3709.
Sports
Basketball conferences to change for next two years
It wasn’t like it was unexpected.
Central Arkansas Christian, fresh off its first boys state basketball championship, got the news that the Mustangs would be moved up to 4A for the next cycle by the Arkansas Activities Association.
The cycle is for the next two school years and private schools are moved, up or down, based on competitive success.
A state title gave CAC enough points to move up.
On the girl’s side, the CAC Lady Mustangs will be dropped down to Class 2A for the next two years after winning jast two games last season.
It isn’t like private schools haven’t been split before. Little Rock Christian for the last cycle had its boys and girls teams playing in different classifications but it will make for some tought decisions for parents, who have a son and a daughter playing.
Elsewhere, North of the River, Maumelle Charter will stay in 3A but its conference opponents will be realigned. Same is true for Maumelle as the Hornets will remain in the 5A-Central but now both Little Rock Christian teams are in the league.
North Little Rock will still be in the 6A-Central and the league lineup will be unchanged. One important caveat though is Jonesboro as the Hurricane will be bounced down a class for football, but will remain in the state’s largest classification for basketball. All thanks to the equity points generated by private schools.
4A-5 North
Central Arkansas Christian (B)
Clinton
Heber Springs
Morrilton
Pulaski Academy
Robinson
Lisa Academy West
3A-6
Bald Knob
Episcopal Collegiate
Harding Academy
Lisa Academy North
Maumelle Charter
Pangburn
Riverview
Rose Bud
2A-5
Bigelow
Central Arkansas Christian (G)
Conway Christian
Conway St. Joseph
Jacksonville Lighthouse
Mt. Vernon-Enola
Quitman
South Side Bee Branch
White County Central
5A-Central
Beebe
Catholic/Mt. St. Mary
Greenbrier
Jacksonville
Little Rock Christian
Maumelle
Parkview
Sylvan Hills
Vilonia
6A-Central
Bryant
Cabot
Conway
Jonesboro
LR Central
LR Southwest
North Little Rock
For all the new conferences, please click here.