Friday, June 20, 2008

Main Street Arkansas Update - June 23, 2008

We’ve started a YouTube page. Find it here: http://www.youtube.com/user/mainstreetarkansas

NEW: 2008 NATIONAL TRAILS SYMPOSIUM: NOVEMBER 15-18, LITTLE ROCK more at www.americantrails.org (good place for Rails to Trails information)

NEXT MSA QUARTERLY TRAINING: JULY 29-30, HARDY
TOPIC: MAIN TO MAIN (HOW CAN WE REPLICATE THIS IN AR?)
SPEAKER: LEON STEELE, MAIN TO MAIN COORDINATOR, LOUISIANA MAIN STREET
THIS TOPIC HAS BEEN REQUESTED BY NEARLY ALL OF OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS AFTER LAST YEAR’S DESTINATION DOWNTOWN CONFERENCE

JULY 24-25 - ARKANSAS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION SUMMER MEETING, MT MAGAZINE

OCTOBER 6-8, DESTINATION DOWNTOWN, BAY ST. LOUIS, MS
OCTOBER 21-25 – NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION CONFERENCE, TULSA, OK

October 20-21 - Artlinks 2008: The Value of the Arts in the 21st-Century, Little Rock


Main Street Arkansas Calendar June 23-27, 2008
Cary – annual leave, all week
Caroline – Preservation Leadership Training, all week
***************************************************************************************************************
MONDAY Nancy, annual
TUESDAY Greg & Susan, Jonesboro
WEDNESDAY Greg & Susan, Walnut Ridge & Rector
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
***************************************************************************************************************
IN THIS ISSUE
Batesville Press
El Dorado Press
DeWitt Press
SoMa Press
Light Rail, the UACDC & NW Arkansas
Citizens or Customers?
Downtown Kansas City
Tour the State with a Gas Rebate
What the National Register Really Means
Be A Top 20 Event as Ranked by the SE Tourism Society
Major Gifts: Finding the Perfect Donors

Good Downtown Batesville Press:
http://www.guardonline.com/?q=node/45947

Good El Dorado Window Display Workshop Press:
http://www.eldoradonews.com/news/localnews/2008/06/19/wonders-with-windows-71.php

CBS News Story of the El Dorado Promise
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/06/16/eveningnews/main4185453.shtml

DeWitt ADN Press:
http://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/homepage/x746924883/DeWitt-to-join-Main-St-Arkansas
http://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/news/x849708419/DeWitt-growing-local-square

SoMa Press:


University of Arkansas’s Community Design Center Recognized for Study Encouraging Light Rail in NW Arkansas
http://dailyheadlines.uark.edu/10356.htm
- side note: I agree that light rail is not just needed, but necessary in both NW & Central AR. Costly now, yes, but more costly not to act, IMHO. Additionally, light rail would be a boon to our downtowns & other dense areas.


Do We Want To Be Citizens or Customers?
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/06/12/Rykwert/index.html
interview with Joseph Rykwert, architectural historian & author (though I think he means Truman Show, not Truman Papers)

Downtown Kansas City

Here’s an interesting series of articles from the Kansas City Star last month. It’s a look at how much progress the downtown area has made in recent years and, intriguingly, a “report card” on specific elements of the turnaround. The report card is worth some time examining. Could it be used in other places to measure progress?

http://www.kansascity.com/downtown


TOUR THE STATE WITH A GAS REBATE
We don’t have to tell you about the high cost of gasoline. Today in Arkansas, unleaded fuel is averaging $3.89 per gallon.
Certainly, high gas prices are having an impact on the state’s tourism economy – both good and bad. In one respect, those who might travel out of state are staying closer to home, but the opposite is true, too.
To encourage more in-state tourism, the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism said Tuesday that travelers to certain destinations within the state can receive gas rebates through the state's tourism web site, www.arkansas.com/hotdeals. Look under the tab that reads “gas rebates/offers” to view a full selection of businesses offering gas discounts.
The deals vary by location and include other incentives, too. For instance, you could get 10 gallons of gas at The Buffalo Outdoor Center in Ponca, or take $35 off a night's stay at one of the local luxury cabins through the end of the month.

Hotels in Little Rock and Rogers are offering gas cards of $20 or more if you book a reservation with them. Arsenic and Old Lace Bed & Breakfast Inn in Eureka Springs is offering $15 towards a room stay with a reservation of two or more nights through July 31.

If you’re a business wanting to participate in the incentive program, Parks and Tourism officials say a simple contact with the agency will get the process started.
Here’s more on the subject from our content partner, the Morning News of Northwest Arkansas.

What Listing on the National Register of Historic Places Really Means
http://www.preservationnation.org/magazine/2008/story-of-the-week/whats-in-a-name.html

Top 20 Events by the Southeast Tourism Society

Since 1985, the Southeast Tourism Society has published the Top 20 Events publication. Through a nomination process, the society chooses the Top 20 events going on in the Southeast for each month of the year, and publishes this list of winners quarterly. This publication is sent to over 300 newspapers, magazines, radio stations, TV stations, and others, as well as 125 AAA publications. The combined circulation runs into the millions. Current Top 20 Events are listed online at http://southeasttourism.org/top20/top20_julsep08.html.

Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism is a member of the Southeast Tourism Society. As a result, festivals and events in Arkansas may be submitted for the Top 20 Events publication, if they meet the following requirements set forth by the Southeast Tourism Society:

• 1,000 in attendance
• 3rd year in existence
• Payment of $10 nomination fee per event

Top 20 Events strongly encourages you to strengthen your nomination by providing supporting material such as:

• Photos
• Posters
• Brochures
• Press Releases
• News Clippings
• Volunteer Programs


Deadlines for Applications:

Event Occurring In: Submit by:
January/February/March 2009 July 11, 2008
April/May/June 2009 October 10, 2008
July/August/September 2009 January 9, 2009
October/November/December 2009 April 10, 2009
January/February/March 2010 July 10, 2009
April/May/June 2010 October 9, 2009
July/August/September 2010 January 8, 2010
October/November/December 2010 April 9, 2010


If you would like to nominate your event, contact the Tourism Development Section at (501) 682-5240 or e-mail kristine.puckett@arkansas.gov.

Major Gifts: Finding the Perfect Donors

Presenter: Julie Goebl
Date: Wednesday, August 6th, 2008
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Arkansas Community Foundation – Union Station
1400 W Markham, Ste 206, Little Rock, AR 72201
Cost: No Fee to Attend
To register: Go to http://sforce.benevon.com/intros/southern.htm and fill out the registration form. RSVP Required! Space is Limited.
Questions: Contact Alaina Szlachta at 206-709-9400 ext. 132 or alaina.szlachta@benevon.com
Learn a tested system to identify and cultivate donors who love your mission—donors who will give for operations, capital, and endowment. Find out how to grow your organization’s visibility in the community and engage your board in the fundraising process without requiring that they ask for money. This entry level workshop is designed for board members, executive directors, CEOs, and fund development professionals. By the end of this seminar you will have the fundamentals to embark on the path to sustainability and grow your major gifts programs year after year.
If you are unable to attend this session, please visit our Introductory Sessions Web page at benevon.com/introductions/default for information about conference call opportunities and other live in-person sessions in your area.

Main Street Arkansas Update - June 16, 2008

NEW – October 20-21 - Artlinks 2008: The Value of the Arts in the 21st-Century, Little Rock

NEXT MSA QUARTERLY TRAINING: JULY 29-30, HARDY
TOPIC: MAIN TO MAIN (HOW CAN WE REPLICATE THIS IN AR?)
SPEAKER: LEON STEELE, MAIN TO MAIN COORDINATOR, LOUISIANA MAIN STREET
THIS TOPIC HAS BEEN REQUESTED BY NEARLY ALL OF OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS AFTER LAST YEAR’S DESTINATION DOWNTOWN CONFERENCE

JULY 24-25 - ARKANSAS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION SUMMER MEETING, MT MAGAZINE

OCTOBER 6-8, DESTINATION DOWNTOWN, BAY ST. LOUIS, MS
OCTOBER 21-25 – NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION CONFERENCE, TULSA, OK

Main Street Arkansas Calendar June 16-20, 2008
***************************************************************************************************************
MONDAY Cary, annual
TUESDAY Cary, annual; Susan & Mark – El Dorado (Window Display & Business Assistance Workshop)
WEDNESDAY Susan & Mark – El Dorado (Window Display & Business Assistance Workshop)
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
***************************************************************************************************************
IN THIS ISSUE
JONESBORO ADN PRESS
DEWITT ADN PRESS
MAIN STREET HARRISON PRESS
WALGREENS IN SOMA A NO-GO
LR’S CHERI NICHOLS DOG IN THE THIS PLACE MATTERS CAMPAIGN
4 GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
AHPP ACCEPTING PRE-APPLICATIONS FOR HPRG GRANTS
AWARD OPPORTUNITY
PRESNTATIONS FROM RECENT LISC FORUM AVAILABLE

Jonesboro ADN Press
http://www.jonesborosun.com/archivedstory.php?ID=33383&Search=downtown

DeWitt ADN Press
http://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/news/x746924883/DeWitt-to-join-Main-St-Arkansas

FedEx Boost Skate Park in Downtown Harrison
http://www.harrisondailytimes.com/articles/2008/06/04/news/doc4846c5f464a64203773748.txt

Watch MSH’s Cookin’ On The Creek Commercial
http://mainstreetarkansas.blogspot.com/2008/06/main-street-harrisons-cookin-on-creek.html

Walgreens A No-Go in the SoMa Area
http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/2008/06/thumbs_down_for_walgreens.aspx
- this has been quite the interesting debate. I’ve asked Judi to speak about this for a ‘special topic’ during the roundtable at the upcoming Hardy Quarterly Training

Arkansas National Trust Advisor Cheri Nichols’ dog showcasing her house for the This Place Matters campaign

http://my.preservationnation.org/site/News2?news_iv_ctrl=1802&page=NewsArticle&id=8195&security=1762&JServSessionIdr009=61s59qfmd2.app1a

Grant Opportunity

Professional Development Grants for Archives and Historical Publishing
http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=41915

The National Historical Publications and Records Commission seeks proposals to improve the training and education of professionals in the archival and historical publishing communities. Projects can be for professional education curriculum development; for basic and advanced institutes; or research seminars.

Interpreting America's Historic Places Planning Grants
http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=41936

As part of the NEH's We the People program, Interpreting America’s Historic Places grants support public humanities projects that exploit the evocative power of historic places to address themes and issues central to American history and culture, including those that advance knowledge of how the founding principles of the United States have shaped American history and culture for more than two hundred years. Interpreting America’s Historic Places planning grants support planning that leads to the interpretation of a single historic site or house, a series of sites, an entire neighborhood, a town or community, or a larger geographical region.

Interpreting America's Historic Places Implementation Grants

http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=41937

As part of the NEH’s We the People program, Interpreting America’s Historic Places grants support public humanities projects that exploit the evocative power of historic places to address themes and issues central to American history and culture, including those that advance knowledge of how the founding principles of the United States have shaped American history and culture for more than two hundred years. Interpreting America’s Historic Places projects may interpret a single historic site or house, a series of sites, an entire neighborhood, a town or community, or a larger geographical region. The place taken as a whole must be significant to American history, and the project must convey its historic importance to visitors.

New Grant and Technical Assistance to Encourage Community Center Schools

Is your state facing threats of demolition or abandonment of neighborhood schools? When new schools are built, can your children to walk to their school? Do decision-makers understand the many roles schools play within your community? In addition to reaching educational objectives, do you believe that schools can serve other purposes in your neighborhood?

Concerned about the abandonment of older neighborhood schools and the siting of new schools outside of communities, the National Trust is offering an opportunity for organizations and coalitions in up to five states to analyze their state’s current policies and develop an educational outreach program with policy recommendations to help citizens and officials make informed choices when spending their limited dollars on school facilities. Selected organizations will receive a year of technical assistance and a $6,000 grant to: 1) research state policies and practices; 2) convene a policy summit to develop recommendations; 3) develop educational materials; and 4) hold a press event to announce policy findings. By participating in this program, organizations will secure community-centered schools for their state through the implementation of state-level policies. The proposal deadline is July 14, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. eastern.

Through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and with support from the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, the National Trust launched the Helping Johnny Walk to School: Sustaining Communities through Smart School Siting Policies program to help localities site their schools in a way that not only achieves their educational objectives, but also anchors the local neighborhood, supports better public health, creates a cleaner environment, spurs economic development, and offers additional amenities to the community.

Since publishing the seminal work Why Johnny Can’t Walk to School: Historic Neighborhood Schools in the Age of Sprawl and listing the threat to older neighborhood schools on the America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Sites list in 2000, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has continually sought ways to raise awareness about the important link between community vitality and walkable neighborhood schools. This new effort is a program of the National Trust Center for State and Local Policy which provides technical assistance, trains advocates, and conducts research on policies that impact the country’s historic resources. Partners in this work with include authors Constance Beaumont and Tom Hylton, as well as organizations such as Safe Routes to School, The Rural School and Community Trust, and the 21st Century School Fund.

For more information about this issue and details about applying for this new grant opportunity, visit http://www.preservationnation.org/issues/historic-schools/ or contact Renee Viers Kuhlman, Director of Special Projects, Center for State and Local Policy, at Phone: 202-588-6234, e-mail: renee_kuhlman@nthp.org.

AHPP ACCEPTING PRE-APPLICATIONS FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION GRANTS

The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, will now accept Letters of Intent at any time during the year from constituents who intend to apply for grant funding through its Historic Preservation Restoration Grant and County Courthouse Restoration Subgrant programs, AHPP Director Frances McSwain announced today.
“Each historic building has a unique set of preservation concerns and we attempt to work with each applicant to prioritize these specific issues. For example, if a property has a leaking roof, we would not award a grant for a floor restoration,” McSwain said. “By sending Letters of Intent, potential applicants can receive technical assistance from the AHPP and ensure that their grant requests during the spring grant cycle focus on things that will help ensure the long-term survival of their historic buildings.”
Two Historic Preservation Restoration Grant options are available:
• Option 1 grants of up to $10,000 are available to the owners of properties that are listed on the Arkansas Register of Historic Places or are non-contributing structures in National Register historic districts if the grant project will make the property eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and the owner follows through with National Register listing
• Option 2 grants of $10,000 or more are available to the owners of properties that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and owned by a not-for-profit organization or a local government.
County Courthouse Restoration Subgrants are available for preservation work at county courthouse buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The program uses funds provided by the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council, which distributes money raised through the state Real Estate Transfer Tax.
Guidelines and applications for the Letters of can be downloaded from the AHPP web site at http://www.arkansaspreservation.org/preservation-services/grant-programs/ or by writing AHPP Grants, 1500 Tower Building, 323 Center St., Little Rock, AR 72201. Requests also can be sent to the agency via fax at (501) 324-9184 or via e-mail at joia@arkansasheritage.org

Independent Sector Accepting Nominations for the John W. Gardner Leadership Award


Deadline: January 30, 2009

The John W. Gardner Leadership Award was established in 1985 to honor outstanding Americans who exemplify the leadership and ideals of John W. Gardner (1912-2002), American statesman and founding chair of Independent Sector (http://www.independentsector.org/ ).

Independent Sector presents the award each year to an individual whose leadership in or with the nonprofit community has been transformative and who has mobilized and unified people, institutions, or causes that improve people's lives.

Accompanying this award is a prize of $10,000 and a replica of an original relief bust of John Gardner.

Anyone may nominate an individual for the award. Nominations should be made without the candidate's knowledge.

Visit the Independent Sector Web site for nomination guidelines and a nomination form.

Want Copies of the Presentations Given at LISC’s latest Urban Forum? Go here:
http://www.lisc.org/urbanforum/conference/schedule.php
- click on the session that interests you (for example Monday’s 2pm session on Negotiating TIF’s To A Better Community) & you’ll see a link to a pdf version of the session handouts.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Main Street Arkansas Update - June 9, 2008

NEXT MSA QUARTERLY TRAINING: JULY 29-30, HARDY
TOPIC: MAIN TO MAIN (HOW CAN WE REPLICATE THIS IN AR?)
SPEAKER: LEON STEELE, MAIN TO MAIN COORDINATOR, LOUISIANA MAIN STREET
THIS TOPIC HAS BEEN REQUESTED BY NEARLY ALL OF OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS AFTER LAST YEAR’S DESTINATION DOWNTOWN CONFERENCE

JULY 24-25 - ARKANSAS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION SUMMER MEETING, MT MAGAZINE

OCTOBER 6-8, DESTINATION DOWNTOWN, BAY ST. LOUIS, MS
OCTOBER 21-25 – NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION CONFERENCE, TULSA, OK

NOTE: I was recently speaking with one of our directors who lives in an area where there’s been a long history of people commuting 30 minutes or more out of town to work. A banker had recently mentioned to this person that real estate loan closings in that area had gone from an average of $1 million a month to $3 million a month because people were no longer willing to drive so far with gas prices continuing to soar. I note this as an opportunity for downtown upper story housing and historic neighborhoods adjacent to our downtowns.

Want to see Main Street El Dorado’s Showdown at Sunset commercial? Check out our blog at:
http://mainstreetarkansas.blogspot.com/2008/06/main-street-el-dorados-showdown-at.html
Very nice work.

Main Street Arkansas Calendar June 9-13, 2008
***************************************************************************************************************
MONDAY Cary, Susan & Nancy – Dumas, site visit, tour; Greg & Caroline – Batesville (visioning, part 2)
TUESDAY Cary - Harrison
WEDNESDAY Greg, Heber Springs; Susan, Batesville (site visit)
THURSDAY Susan, Mark, Greg & Nancy - Eureka Springs (tech visits) Cary – DeWitt (speech to community re: Welcome to ADN) (7:30pm)
FRIDAY Susan, Mark, Greg & Nancy Eureka Springs (tech visits)
***************************************************************************************************************
IN THIS ISSUE
211
Downtown Rogers to Become Wireless Hot Spot
Brownfields Loan to Main Street Argenta
Walnut Ridge Press
ES Press
Blytheville in Hallmark Magazine
Professional on LinkedIn
Rep. Harrelson on Gas & Downtowns
SoMa Plan Link
Grant Opportunity
Contest


211
Governor Mike Beebe recently announced a new statewide telephone system, “Arkansas 2-1-1,” that, will connect Arkansans with community-assistance programs and volunteer opportunities.

If you recruit and engage volunteers in your service I encourage you to include your program on 211. Visit arkansas211.org and see the link on the left hand side "Become part of the guide" which will provide you the information necessary to list your volunteer program as a volunteer site. It is very important that we do this so the volunteer opportunity database will be comprehensive.

Feel free to contact DOV if you have any questions.

Downtown Rogers to Become Wireless Hot Spot
http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2008/06/02/news/060308rzwifi.txt
- ”Fees will be paid from a $1,000 grant AT&T awarded to Main Street Rogers”
This is a big deal. I can’t stress how important Internet connectivity is for our downtowns to be hubs of 21st Century economic development. All of our downtowns need to be wireless hot spots. Good work MSR!

Pulaski County Brownfields Program to Award $785,000 Loan to Main Street Argenta
http://arkansasbusiness.com/printable.asp?aid=105519

Walnut Ridge ADN Press
http://www.thetd.com/freepages/2008-06-04/news/story2.php

Eureka Springs ADN Workshop Set (scroll down)
http://www.lovelycitizen.com/story/1433872.html

The June issue of Hallmark Magazine has a feature on the Greyhound Bus Station in Blytheville. On newsstands now (sorry, no web link available).

Professionals Latch on to LinkedIn:
http://arkansasbusiness.com/printable.asp?aid=105396
- At the recent MicroEnterprise conference I attended, LinkedIn was one of three social networking sites recommended for programs to use to expand their information & volunteer base. The other two are MySpace and Facebook. MSA has both a MySpace & Facebook page. LinkedIn is more for individuals. Many of the AHPP staff (including me) are listed on LinkedIn. If you are & aren’t one of our ‘connections’ search for us & add us.

Rep. Harrelson comments on how high speed & improved rail will help our downtowns:
http://www.underthedome.com/2008/06/amtrak-benefitting-from-gas-prices.html#comments
- agreed. As usual.

The final draft of the Urban Design Plan for the Southside Main Street (SoMa) Neighborhood
http://ualr.edu/minors/urbanstudies/uploads/2008/05/SoMa%20Rpt%205-28-08.pdf

Investments in the Future of Rural America
CHS Foundation
The CHS Foundation is committed to investing in the future of rural America, agriculture, and cooperative business through education and leadership development. The Foundation supports national efforts related to its mission as well as programs within the CHS trade territory for regional, multi-state, or statewide projects. The Foundation funding focuses on the following program areas: Cooperative Education, Rural Youth and Leadership Development, Farm and Agricultural Safety, Returning Value to Rural Communities, and University Partnerships. All applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, with the exception of Cooperative Education applications, which are due in the fall of each year. Visit the website listed above for a description of each grant category and online application instructions.

Announcing the 2008 "Imaging our National Heritage" NHL Photo Contest

The National Park Service is looking for fantastic photographs of National Historic Landmarks, our nation's most significant treasures. Entries must be received by June 30, 2008.

Main Street Harrison's Cookin' On The Creek

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Main Street Arkansas Update - June 2, 2008

MSA IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE’VE ADDED EIGHT NEW DOWNTOWN NETWORK COMMUNITIES. THEY ARE:

CRAWFORDSVILLE
DEWITT
SHERIDAN
RECTOR
SILOAM SPRINGS
WALNUT RIDGE
MORRILTON
JONESBORO


NEXT MSA QUARTERLY TRAINING: JULY 29-30, HARDY

Topic: Main to Main (how can we replicate this in AR?)

Speaker: Leon Steele, main to main coordinator, Louisiana main street

this topic has been requested by nearly all of our executive directors after last year’s destination downtown conference



NEW – JULY 24-25 - ARKANSAS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION SUMMER MEETING, MT MAGAZINE



OCTOBER 6-8, DESTINATION DOWNTOWN, BAY ST. LOUIS, MS

OCTOBER 21-25 – NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION CONFERENCE, TULSA, OK



Main Street Arkansas Calendar June 2-6, 2008

***************************************************************************************************************

MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY Susan & Mark - annual
THURSDAY Cary, West Memphis, HR work; Susan & Mark – annual
FRIDAY Greg, Morrilton

***************************************************************************************************************



IN THIS ISSUE:

BATESVILLE PRESS

FESTIVAL IDEA

SELF GUIDED AUDIO TOUR IN LR

THE EFFECT OF FESTIVALS UNCLEAR

STAYCATIONS

ON THE MEDIA

DOWNTOWN LIBRARIES BACK IN STYLE

5 GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

THE COLLABORATION PRIZE



Good Main Street Batesville Press:

http://www.guardonline.com/?q=node/45488



Looking for a new festival idea? Here’s what’s being done in Louisville, KY.

www.lebowskifest.com


Why Louisville? Because they thought of it first.

What’s weird & hasn’t been capitalized upon yet? Food for thought for the Promotions Committee.




New Self Guided Audio Tour in Little Rock

www.littlerock.com/audiotour/default.asp



a story about the tour: http://www.todaysthv.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=66541&catid=2

this idea was paid for, in part, by a Department of Heritage grant.



Trickle Down Effect of Festivals Unclear

http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/227532




Staycations:
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/home/2008/04/staycation.html

This week's episode of NPR's On The Media is about place:
http://www.onthemedia.org/



Downtown Libraries Are Back In Style


http://pcj.typepad.com/planning_commissioners_jo/2008/05/downtown-librar.html#more



Grant to Participate in Three Brownfields Conferences

- this is one many of you should take a long, hard look at. There are numerous potential brownfields in our Main Street & Network communities which could be turned into viable property with the right remediation. Main Street Argenta recently completed a successful brownfield clean-up.

http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=41795




This notice announces the availability of funds and solicits proposals from eligible entities (as defined at Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) 104(k)(1)) and non-profit organizations for financial assistance to assist non-federal personnel (states, tribes, local governments, non-profits, industry and community groups) in participating in three national Brownfields conferences to be planned and held over a five-year period, beginning in 2009.



The Brownfields conferences provide training, research and technical assistance to communities to facilitate the inventory of brownfield sites, site assessments and remediation of brownfield sites, community involvement, and site preparation. The successful applicant will be the primary non-federal co-sponsor for the conference and EPA will be the primary federal co-sponsor.



NEW PRESERVE AMERICA STEWARDS PROGRAM

The new Preserve America initiative—Preserve America Stewards—will recognize exemplary stewardship programs that have demonstrated a successful use of volunteer time and commitment in order to help care for our cultural heritage. Government entities (federal, tribal, state, or local), non-profit organizations, and businesses are eligible to apply to have their programs recognized. Designated programs will receive a certificate of recognition as well as a letter of congratulations signed by First Lady, Mrs. Bush, similar to the existing Preserve America Community recognition program. The application form and guidance are available at www.preserveamerica.gov. While the quarterly schedule for submissions makes June 1st the next deadline, applicants are encouraged to submit applications at any time over the summer if they are interested in being among the first programs to be designated as Preserve America Stewards. For further information, contact Druscilla Null at dnull@achp.gov or at 202-606-8532.

Grant Opportunities:



Grants for America’s Media Makers

http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=41720

Grants for America’s Media Makers support media projects that explore significant events, figures, or developments in the humanities and offer creative and new approaches to humanities content. America’s Media Makers projects promote active exploration and engagement for broad public audiences in history, literature, archaeology, art history, comparative religion, philosophy, and other fields of the humanities. NEH supports the development of humanities content and interactivity that excites, informs, and stirs thoughtful reflection and urges applicants to consider more than one format for presenting humanities ideas to the public.



Grant for Historical Publications & Records

http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=41708

The National Historical Publications and Records Commission promotes the preservation and use of America's documentary heritage essential to understanding our democracy, history, and culture. The National Historical Publications and Records Commission seeks proposals for archives and records projects to carry out fundamental archival activities that promote the preservation and use of America's documentary heritage essential to understanding our democracy, history, and culture. The Commission is particularly concerned that some historical collections in archives and repositories are difficult for most researchers to find because they are not processed or represented in national catalogs.



Grant for Historical Publications & Records

http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=41711

The National Historical Publications and Records Commission supports projects that promote the preservation and use of America's documentary heritage essential to understanding our democracy, history, and culture. The National Historical Publications and Records Commission seeks proposals to publish historical records of national significance. Projects may focus on the papers of major figures from American life or cover broad historical movements in politics, military, business, reform movements, the arts, and other aspects of the national experience.



Preserve America Grants: Applications for Round Two of funding for FY 2008 Preserve America grants are now available. The Preserve America matching-grant program provides planning funding to designated Preserve America Communities to support preservation efforts through heritage tourism, education, and historic preservation planning. The application is available at http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/hpg/PreserveAmerica/application.htm. Due June 30, 2008:

- Towns can apply for PA grants even WITHOUT yet being named a PA community. You simply must have your PA application ‘in the pipeline’. Gaining PA status is pretty easy. We can provide you with sample PA applications. Arkansas PA communities are:

Blytheville
Dumas
El Dorado
Eureka Springs
Fort Smith
Helena
Little Rock
Osceola
Van Buren

Why should nonprofits compete when they can do more through collaboration?
Introducing The Collaboration Prize, a $250,000 prize that recognizes collaborations among two or more nonprofit organizations that each would otherwise provide the same or similar programs or services and compete for clients, financial resources and staff.

If you know about a prize-worthy collaboration, forward this message to the nonprofits involved. Nominations are accepted starting June 1, 2008.
Visit www.thecollaborationprize.org for details.