Little Rock Family

Image by Today's THV

Enrollment numbers for Arkansas' four-year state colleges were released recently, and more than half posted gains.

Arkansas Business and our very own Arkansas Next publisher Jeff Hankins visited the set of Today's THV Channel 11 in Little Rock last week to share some exciting news on the higher-education front.

He revealed that more and more Arkansans are going to college -- enrollment numbers are up. This is fantastic because the fastest-growing fields -- technology, medical and engineering -- all require higher education.

However, the Arkansas Department of Higher Education reminds us that they're still working to reduce dropout rates and keep students in college until they finish. (That's so important, students: get that degree!)

Watch this video to hear what Hankins had to say on TV and to learn why this news should matter to you:

You can also read Arkansas Business' story on the topic.

Image by Lindsay Irvin

Arkansas Next Associate Publisher, Rachel Bradbury and Parkview High School counselor, Debra Myton, present Phillip Broadway with his new laptop from Best Buy Stores of Arkansas! 

We headed over to Parkview Arts & Science Magnet High School in Little Rock today to surprise the winner of one of two laptops we're giving away this month. 

Phillip Broadway was speechless when his named was called in front of the entire school during an assembly this morning. He walked to the stage to claim his prize as his peers cheered him on. His school counselor Debra Myton delivered the news live on stage along with me and Arkansas Next associate publisher Rachel Bradbury. It was quite a moment!

We are so happy for him and enjoyed surprising him with the laptop -- and balloons! 

Today's THV was on the scene to capture the moment (we'll post the video as soon as it's available). 

For now, check out all the pictures on our Facebook page.

Arkansas Next and Best Buy Stores of Arkansas are giving away five free laptops to students across the state. Two presentations will take place in February including the one we're featuring here today (Feb. 21) and three more in May. Also in May, we'll draw one guidance counselor/teacher's name from the entries to win an Apple iPad.

You can still enter for your chance to win one of three laptops we'll giveaway in May. 

Congratulations again, Phillip! And good luck to you all.

Tickets to the children's concert include refreshments, children’s crafts, and a chance to ‘meet the instruments’ immediately following the one-hour performance.

The Conway Symphony Orchestra presents its annual Children’s Concert Saturday, Feb. 18, 2:00p.m. at Reynolds Performance Hall on the UCA campus in Conway. With the theme of Rock Me Amadeus, this year’s performance features all things Mozart, including familiar excerpts from Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (A Little Night Music) and The Marriage of Figaro.

The interactive and educational children’s program is fun for all ages, as concert host Carol Sikes introduces the audience to Mozart’s music through a chat with Mozart himself (played by Chris Fritzges). Fritzges, assistant professor of theatre at UCA, has been performing for audiences for close to twenty years. Sikes, originally from Fort Smith, is a Master’s degree candidate in clarinet performance and UCA twirler. Together they explore the stories behind the music, including visits to kings and queens, a lovesick boy, and a rock star attitude!

Two talented guest artists will also join the Conway Symphony musicians on stage. Anna Cheng, the UCA 2011 Concerto Competition winner, will perform Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major. Currently a Master’s piano student with Neil Rutman at UCA, Cheng is from the city of Yiwu, in the Zhejiang province of China, and received her degree in piano performance from East China Normal University. In addition, guest soloist Katy Hoover, soprano, will perform “Voi Che Sapete.” Hoover is a voice major who graduated from Valley View High School in Jonesboro.

The children’s concert will be the first performance for the Conway Symphony with guest conductor Amy Chang on the podium, and she is excited to introduce Mozart to families. “Mozart is a gift given to us, same as your kids,” said Chang. “They are treasures to all of us.”

For the third year in a row, the CSO is participating in the national Orchestras Feeding America program with a food drive at the children’s concert. Audience members are asked to bring a non-perishable food item which will be donated to area foodbanks. The children’s concert and food drive are among several outreach programs sponsored by the Conway Symphony Orchestra, now in its 27th season.

Tickets are $6 for all seats, and include refreshments, children’s crafts, and a chance to ‘meet the instruments’ immediately following the one-hour performance. Concert sponsor First Security Bank will also offer door prizes and a visit from mascot Penny Pockets. For tickets, call (501) 450-3265, toll free 1-866-810-0012, or visit ConwaySymphony.orgFor more information on the CSO, call (501) 269-1066 or visit ConwaySymphony.org.

Image by Paula Cigainero

It's time for you to nominate your families' favorite businesses, restaurants, service providers, events, etc. for our 2012 Little Rock Family Favorites Awards.

What are your favorite places to eat, play, shop and explore?

Tell us where you spend your time and money and we'll share the winners in our June edition. Fill out at least 15 categories to qualify and you'll automatically be registered to win a grand prize of a Kindle Fire.

Nominate your favorites here, now! And share this link with your friends and coworkers so they can nominate their favorites, too.

Some of you may be asked to share even more compliments about the companies you love later, like we did in our issue last year.

Happy voting!

Image by AMOD.org

Zinse Agginie will lead an interactive workshop that explores the history, culture and science of drums at the Museum of Discovery today.

In honor of Black History Month, African drum master Zinse Aggine will present African Rhythms. Aggine, a native of Ghana, presents a cultural performance that combines movement, rhythm and the historic significance of the drum. A favorite with educators and students, this music-based program teaches all aspects of culture including history, geography and social sciences in a hands-on, informal learning environment.

African Rhythms is brought to the Museum by the Arkansas Arts Council and National Endowment for the Arts. $10 ages 12 and up; $8 ages 1-11; Free under 1. Showtimes are at 11:30 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday.

For information call (501) 396-7050 or visit MuseumofDiscovery.org.

Blue Man Group will perform Feb. 14-16 at Robinson Center Music Hall.

The Blue Man Group will bring their renowned show to Little Rock at 7:30 p.m. today (Feb. 14) at Robinson Center Music Hall, Markham and Broadway, Little Rock.

Performances continue at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. Tickets are $27-$57. 

The New York Times says Blue Man Group, known for a combination of comedy, music and technology, is “one of the most delightful performance pieces ever staged.” 

For info and tickets: www.CelebrityAttractions.com.

Image by Clinton Center

Prepare to be amazed by the large-scale structures on view from Jan. 28-Feb. 15 at the Clinton Presidential Center. CANstruction 2012 features sculptures made entirely from cans of food you see every day in the grocery aisle.

Local architecture firms design and build their creations for the competition, but the real focus of the public art exhibition is the Arkansas Foodbank—when the exhibit closes on Feb. 15, the structures will be dismantled and all cans will benefit the hunger-fighting organization.

For info: ClintonPresidentialCenter.org.

At the Women's Rejuvenation Weekend, guests will enjoy spa treatments, yoga, healthly meals and more.

Renew your body, clear your mind, balance your emotions and replenish your spirit at the Women’s Rejuvenation Weekend Retreat March 9-11 at Starlight Ridge Retreat Center off Arkansas 89 in rural Pulaski County.

Participants will experience spa treatments, yoga classes, meditation classes, nutritious and delicious vegetarian meals, life coaching on how to make your life work for you, and free time to walk the labyrinth, medicine wheel and nature trails.

Starlight Ridge Retreat Center is a peaceful woodland getaway on 65 acres of beautiful ridge tops and valleys. 

"Warmth, friendship, gracious hospitality are just a few of the things that are offered to the Starlight Ridge community," said Katherine Friday, owner of the retreat and director of Friday Wellness. "The blessing of offering nourishment to people -- nourishment for the body and nourishment for the soul -- is the mission of Starlight Ridge."

Private and public retreats, company meetings and luncheons, workshops, health and wellness programs, spa days, and yoga/meditation/relaxation classes are offered throughout the year.

Participants in the Women's Rejuvenation Weekend Retreat will arrive at 6 p.m. March 9 and depart at noon March 11. Cost is $285 and payment is due by Feb. 24. Space is limited to 8 so make your reservations today. To register and for more information, contact Katherine Friday at (501) 470-9801, (501) 470-6633, shine@starlight-ridge.com and starlight-ridge.com.