Little Rock Family

Go green for Goodwill of Arkansas this Saturday at The Promenade at Chenal.

It’s good to be “green” all year long, but on from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 17, going green at The Promenade at Chenal will be beneficial for all. Goodwill is partnering with the exclusive shopping and entertainment center to help patrons recycle the old (donate) and find the new (shopping!) Clean out your closets and bring gently used shoes and clothing items to Recycle. Educate. 

The whole family will have a blast at this inaugural green event. Free canvas totes will be available to the first 100 customers and kids will enjoy meeting Cycler Robot to learn all about recycling. Waste Management, one of the event’s sponsors, will unveil an exciting new citywide recycling initiative beginning April 1, in Little Rock, North Little Rock and Sherwood. 

Here's more about this fun, eco-friendly event:

• Donate gently used clothing & shoes to Goodwill & make room for new Spring favorites with special offers coupons from select retailers & restaurants
• Crain Ford Automotive will show you all about the new fuel efficient and environmentally friendly Ford Fusion Hybrid
• Donate used tennis shoes to Nike Factory Store for the Nike Grind Program
• Drop off your old eyeglasses to James Eyecare & Optics Gallery between March12-17, for the Lions Recycle for Sight Program and receive some store credit on your next optical or sunglass purchase.
• Donate towels, blankets, dog toys and/or dog collars for the Humane Society of Pulaski County at Just Dogs! Gourmet and save 15-percent off your next in-store purchase March 17 & 18.
• Plus, save some GREEN by buying a $20 Promenade at Chenal Gift Card for just $10! While supplies last.

For more information, visit GoodwillAR.org or ChenalShopping.com/Events/Recycle-Rducate-Donate.

Don't miss Spring Break at the Clinton Center March 19-24.

During the school recess, the Clinton Center's Garden View Room will be a hotspot for young spring breakers -- especially baseball fans.

In conjunction with the  exhibit Play Ball! The St. Louis Cardinals, the space will be transformed into a baseball diamond filled with hands-on activity stations including baseball games, puzzles, coloring, trivia and more.

On Wednesday (March 21), Arkansas Travelers mascot Shelly the Horse will join us. On Friday and Saturday, Fredbird, the St. Louis Cardinals' mascot, will join us.

• Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Dates: March 19-24
• Price: Activities are free but it's still regular admission to tour the library: $7, seniors 62 and up and students $5, children ages 6-17 $3, children under 6 free.

Image by HealthCareStyle.com

In honor of National Brain Awareness Week and as a part of its educational programming, the Museum of Discovery will host Brain Awareness Day Saturday (March 17). This annual event includes special demonstrations and exhibits presented by the Arkansas Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience. The first 200 visitors will receive free admission.

Representatives from the Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR), the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences (UAMS) Brain Imaging Research Center and Hendrix College will have displays and exhibits throughout the museum. Also, they will perform demonstrations on circulatory, respiratory and nervous systems, and show visitors of all ages the importance of good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.

"Understanding the human brain is no small feat. It is our core component, our chief executive officer, if you will. When we see what our brain does and how it affects our entire body, it's a pretty powerful teaching moment," said Nan Selz, the museum's executive director.

"We're happy to host this event again this year, because it falls in line with our mission of promoting health-related science. We're glad to once again partner with the Society for Neuroscience's Arkansas Chapter," she added.

Brain Awareness Week (BAW) is the global campaign to increase public awareness of the progress and benefits of brain research. Every March, BAW unites the efforts of partner organizations worldwide in a celebration of the brain for people of all ages.

Dr. Abdallah Hayar, PhD, is president of the Arkansas Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience. He explained, "Through such events as this, we strive to improve public health by expanding awareness of neurological disorders. We're helping inspire the next generation of scientists, by bringing a general understanding of basic brain functions to the public stage. The Museum of Discovery is a perfect fit for us." Dr. Hayar is Associate Professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences' Department of Neurobiology & Developmental Sciences.

Demonstrations include:

• Jell-O for Brains - Children can put arteries onto the brain
• Why Are You Acting Like That? - Test your behavior with an operant test panel
• Your Eyes Are Playing Tricks on You - Discover how our eyes and brains can deceive us!

The Mission of the Museum of Discovery is to ignite a passion for science, technology and math in a dynamic, interactive environment. It is a leading resource for informal science education. Founded in 1927, it is the oldest museum in Little Rock.

Admission is $10 ages 12 and up, $8 ages 1-11, free under 1, members free.

Hours are 9 a.m. -5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Usually closed on Mondays, the museum will be open on March 19 for Spring Break.

How many times has your child stared in awe as fire trucks whizzed by with sirens blaring or watched bulldozers shovel giant mounds of dirt?

This Saturday (March 17) at Mid-America Science Museum's Keep on Truckin', little ones can finally jump into those big rigs and sit in the driver's seat. They'll be encouraged to honk horns, blast sirens and explore every nook and cranny of fire rescue and construction equipment, a miniature size milk truck and other sweet rides.

Visitors will also snack on a lunch (included with admission) from Papa John's Pizza and snag a T-shirt available for the first 100 children. After families check out the display of vehicles, they can take advantage of discounted admission into the museum to explore underwater treasures in the exhibit Odyssey's Shipwreck! Pirates and Treasure.

Admission is $5. Hours are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, visit MidAmericaMuseum.org.

In the March issue of Little Rock Family, our Spring Break Guide details all the fun activities and day camps for kids and families while school is out next week. One of our favorites is the annual Playcation happening all week long at The Wonder Place.

From March 19-23, the indoor play space invites families to enjoy their usual attractions including the Treehouse, Amazing Airways and other play stations.

There are also special activities around the theme "Woodsy Wonders Campout," with daily themes like "Kids-n-Kritters," "Tent Tales," "Campfire Countdown," "Leaf it to Us" and "Fishy Fun."

Little campers will make crafts, join in fun activities, hear silly stories and more. And, since Playcation is not a dropoff daycamp, parents will get in on the fun too!

The Wonder Place is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

Image by The Rep

The Wiz, a musical based on "The Wizard of Oz," officially opens at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre tonight.

The funky musical adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s classic children's novel "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" - which opened on Broadway in 1975 and won seven Tony Awards - features Dorothy, her friends and her little dog too (a real dog!) in a vibrant fusion of ’70s rock and Motown melodies.

The musical is directed by Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj, who recently directed A Raisin in the Sun at The Rep. Also returning is costume designer Rafael Colon Castanera, who recently designed costumes at The Rep for The 39 Steps and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.Performances will be Wednesdays-Sundays through April 1. Tickets are $30-$60.

For more information call (501) 378-0405 or click here. 

Image by Arkansas Arts Center/Children's Theatre

Beginning March 9, find out what chaos ensues "If You Take a Mouse to School" at the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre.

Adapted from the beloved book by Laura Numeroff, this play tells the tale of your favorite Mouse, as he heads off for a day of school like no other. Full of physical comedy and visual delights, it’s a hilarious treat for audiences young and old.

Performances are 7 p.m. Fri., 3 p.m. Sat. and 2 p.m. Sun. March 9-25. There will also be special Spring Break matinees at 2 p.m. March 20-23.

Adults $14, children $11. For info and tickets: 372-4000 or ArkArts.com.

This one-day annual event is designed to provide important health education for children and families through a variety of fun, hands-on experiences for participants.

At the 30th annual Children’s Health Fair, children will be invited to dress up as a surgeon to have their picture taken, make a fingercast, play fitness games, learn about healthy food choices, take home lots of souvenirs from the day and much more. In all, 15 booths from Arkansas Children’s Hospital will be offering fun and educational activities. The theme this year is “Wellness Wonders” and all activities are FREE.

• Saturday, March 10
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Park Plaza Mall, 6000 W. Markham, Little Rock

This one-day annual event is designed to provide important health education for children and families through a variety of fun, hands-on experiences for participants. All booths are staffed by employees from Arkansas Children’s Hospital, giving children the opportunity to interact with health care professionals in a non-threatening and relaxed environment.