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🌱 Patch AM: Five close-to-town hikes that prove Little Rock is an outdoor gem

Coming up on the Little Rock Patch calendar: Your Weight Matters Little Rock

Wednesday September 16th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hello Little Rock! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Five close-to-town hikes that prove Little Rock is an outdoor gem
  • How a record $1.2 million gift will transform Little Rock Zoo
  • How Little Rock's new dual language classes are reshaping kindergarten

Also on today's calendar: Your Weight Matters Little Rock and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What is the difference between black eyed peas and chick peas? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Very hot, with a high of 99 and low of 75 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: Near-record temperatures, temps: high: 97, low: 74.
  • Friday: Very hot, with a high of 98 and low of 73 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. 5 Close-to-Town Trails in Arkansas' Under-the-Radar Outdoor Capital (backpacker.com) — Little Rock residents are reminded they live in what some call Arkansas's under-the-radar outdoor capital, with free, dog-friendly trails just minutes from town. From Pinnacle Mountain and Rattlesnake Ridge in West Little Rock to Emerald Park, Burns Park, and the Arkansas River Trail, locals can find everything from steep scrambles to flat riverside walks without leaving the metro area.
   

2. Arkansas Zoological Foundation makes largest-ever $1.2 million gift to Little Rock Zoo (kark.com) — Little Rock residents can look forward to a significantly upgraded zoo experience thanks to a record $1.2 million gift from the Arkansas Zoological Foundation to the Little Rock Zoo's Project Zoo: Wildly Reimagined. Combined with previously approved city bond funding, the money will help build new animal habitats, expand conservation and education efforts, and renovate the amphitheater ahead of a planned spring 2027 grand opening.
   

3. Little Rock school's dual language immersion program celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month (arkansasonline.com) — Families in southwest Little Rock now have access to new dual language immersion programs at Watson and Chicot elementary schools, where students learn in both Spanish and English. The Little Rock School District launched the initiative this year and kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month with a celebration highlighting students' cultures, while leaders say the program aims to boost equity and belonging for multilingual children.
   

4. Arkansas Children's ranked second-best children's hospital in region: U.S. News & World Report (nwahomepage.com) — Families in Little Rock can take pride that Arkansas Children's, based here with a Northwest Arkansas campus, has been ranked the second-best children's hospital in the Southeast by U.S. News & World Report. The hospital also earned national recognition in nine specialties and recently expanded its Northwest campus, reflecting growing resources and improved outcomes for kids across Arkansas.
   

5. 'I was chasing God,' Central Arkansas woman shares her story of survival (kark.com) — A Central Arkansas woman treated in Little Rock is sharing how she survived a sudden aortic dissection, multiple surgeries, and a coma, and how the experience deepened her faith. Her story underscores how quickly life-threatening heart issues can strike and urges Little Rock residents to know their family history, keep up with checkups, and fight for their health.
   

📸 Around Little Rock

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I just wanted to say Thank you to a man named Doug.
    He took time out of his day yesterday to come in air up my moped tire. It is holding air wonderfully, and I so appreciate his kind act. I deleted my… (Nextdoor Capitol View)
  • Hi, I have found a puppy in the Kroger parking lot off Markham and Rodney Parham.
    She seems like she belongs to someone and I would really like to find her owner in case she just got loose and ran off. It was late at night so I… (Nextdoor Briarwood)
  • Ross Stores posted a job opening for Retail Associate in Little Rock. Apply here.
  • Brinker International posted a job opening for Line Cook - Little Rock Relo Chili's in Little Rock. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Little Rock here.

Ok Little Rock! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Black eyed peas can sing us a song but chick peas can only hummus one. (Thank you Bev H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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