City adds features to 311 service line
Little Rock has added voice-mail and translation features to its service-request call center, known as 311.
People can call 311 while in Little Rock to report various issues or request a city service, and they can track the status of their reports through the city's 311 app or online.
The call center is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, and now there is an after-hours voice-messaging system. The translation service allows residents who don't speak English to also get help.
"With the many thousands of calls we receive every month, it's important that our customer service call center be efficient and effective," City Manager Bruce Moore said, adding the changes will benefit the community immediately.
Other changes include incorporating the city's solid-waste help line -- (501) 888-2208 -- into 311.
"Residents can contact 311 to ask about general information and put in request for services such as pothole and sidewalk repairs, street sweeping, garbage and bulky item pickups, and reporting high grass and weeds," a news release said.
Requests entered into the 311 system are automatically routed to the appropriate city department.
The 311 call center is not for emergency calls. Those -- including anything that requires a response by police, fire crews or an ambulance -- should still be directed to 911.
Library system sets debut for podcast
The Central Arkansas Library System on Friday is launching a new podcast called Primary Sources.
The first episode will feature an interview with Baker Kurrus, former Little Rock School District superintendent.
David Stricklin, head of the library's Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, talks with Kurrus about his upbringing, education, early experiences as a lawyer, working with Lt. Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller, and his service to the school district board, according to a news release.
The interview also will focus on how Kurrus attempted to address the problems of the Little Rock School District and his views on the challenges the district faces.
Episodes of the podcast will be available at cals.org/podcasts.
"The Primary Sources podcast was created to give listeners better knowledge of interesting members of the community," the library news release said.
Pool access offered for zoo's members
Anyone with a Little Rock Zoo membership can access the outdoor pool at the Jim Dailey Fitness and Aquatic Center for free today and next Saturday and Sunday.
The pool will be available from 1 to 4 p.m. today and next Sunday and from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. Zoo members must be present; the offer is not transferable to baby sitters or others who take children associated with the membership account.
Free admission is limited to the number of members on the zoo membership card. Anyone with a "plus" membership will receive one extra guest entry.
Members must pick up pool coupons at the Little Rock Zoo's membership gate for each day they wish to use the pool for free.
The aquatic center is located at 300 S. Monroe St., near the zoo and War Memorial Stadium.
New book a guide on 100 things to do
The Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau is promoting a new book, 100 Things to Do in Little Rock Before You Die.
The travel guide, written by Celia Anderson, will be available in stores Aug. 15 but can be purchased in advance at several locations this week. They are $16 each.
Book signings are scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Books and Balls Girls Basketball Camp at 6915 Geyer Springs Road, 10 a.m. Saturday at the Little Rock Farmers Market at 400 President Clinton Ave., and at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Barnes & Noble store at 11500 Financial Centre Parkway.
There is another signing at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Pyramid Art, Books and Custom Framing store at 1001 Wright Ave.
Little Rock is Anderson's hometown. She is a former Razorback basketball player and played professionally in Greece. She currently teaches at Northwest Arkansas Community College and is director of national accounts for the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Her guidebook cites historic landmarks, attractions, shops and restaurants.
Owners of startups to share their tales
Three entrepreneurs will share how they started their business in a "Startup Stories" event Thursday.
The event will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Willie Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center. It is hosted by the city's Small Business Development Office and the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
"The creator of a special platform for boaters, the CEO of a mobile boutique bus and the owner of a printing company will each share how they got their business off the ground," a news release said.
Speakers are Corey Boelkens, owner of RaftUp; Gabrielle Williams, owner of KM Styles; and Miguel Fuentevilla, owner of Imprenta Printing.
The event is meant to allow small-business owners and entrepreneurs a chance to network.
"Small-business owners just starting out can feel a little out of their element. This event is a way to let them know they have a support system in the local startup community, with entrepreneurs who are a little further down that path willing to share their journeys," Small Business Development Coordinator Chauncey Holloman said.
Metro on 08/07/2016