Provided by Diane Whitbey, City Clerk and Treasurer December 2024
North Little Rock City offices will be closed Tuesday, December 24 and Wednesday December 25, 2024 in observance of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Sanitation will run normal routes Monday and Tuesday. There will be a one-day delay the remainder of the week (i.e. Wednesday pick up will be Thursday and so on…) City offices will also be closed Wednesday, January 1, 2025, in observance of New Year’s Day.
Sanitation will run normal routes Monday and Tuesday. There will be a one-day delay the remainder of the week (i.e. Wednesday pick up will be Thursday and so on…)
Swearing In Ceremony
Friday, January 3, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
City Hall Lobby—300 Main Street, North Little Rock
The following city officials who will receive the Oath of Office: North Little Rock
Mayor Terry C. Hartwick
City Clerk / Treasurer Diane Whitbey
Council Members
Ward 1—Nathan Hamilton
Ward 2—Nicole Hart
Ward 3—Ron Harris
Ward 4—Scott Fowler
“Where’s Mel”? Be the first person to call 501-975-8617 and tell us where you found Mel hiding and win! 1
North Little Rock Animal Services
For more information call 501-791-8577
Holiday Safety Tips
Found at https://www.aspca.org/ pet-care/general-pet-care/holidaysafety-tips
furry companions. If you are planning to put up a Christmas tree, make sure it is tightly secured so there is no chance it can tip over and hurt any pets nearby. Other tree tips include:
The holiday season is upon us, and many pet parents plan to include their furry companions in the festivities. As you gear up for the holidays, it is important to remember to keep your pet’s safety top of mind. For whichever holiday you may be celebrating, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) has the ultimate holiday guide to help keep your pets safe!
1. Delicious Dangers
While this time of year may include some of the best food, we recommend keeping your pet’s diet the same as any other day. Fatty, sweet and spicy foods as well as turkey or chicken bones can all be dangerous to our pets. While a small piece of boneless turkey is a fine treat, it is always better to ere on the safe side and avoid accidentally feeding your pet something that could have a toxic spice or ingredient in it. If your celebration includes alcoholic beverages, be sure not to leave your drink unattended where pets can get to them.
Use our full list of hazardous foods to know what to look out for!
2. Watch Out for Wires
You may have more festive décor out this time of year, so be sure to keep wires, batteries and glass or plastic ornaments out of paws' reach. A wire can deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock and a punctured battery can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus, while shards of breakable ornaments can damage your pet's mouth and digestive tract.
3. Mistletoe, Oh No!
Both mistletoe and holly can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems if ingested by pets. Many types of lilies that are typically found in holiday bouquets are highly toxic and can cause kidney failure in cats. Poinsettias can also make pets sick with mild to moderate gastrointestinal irritation. So, be sure to keep floral decorations out of paws reach or replace the traditional holiday plant with a faux alternative! You can take a more in-depth look at poisonous house plants with our full list.
4. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
Christmas trees can pose quite a few potential threats to
a. Make sure the tree water is covered and/or inaccessible to curious pets
b. Tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria that could cause nausea, diarrhea or stomach upset.
c. You can’t see the contents of a wrapped present, but pets might smell it. Be sure to keep wrapped food or candy off the ground!
d. Lastly, steer clear of tinsel for decoration. Ingested tinsel can cause severe vomiting, obstructed digestive tract, dehydration and could even require surgery. Stick to lights and ornaments instead!
5. Caution Around Candles
Whether you are lighting a menorah or filling your home with scented candles, make sure you do not leave any candles unattended. Curious paws and happy wagging tails could knock them over, potentially burning your pet or starting a fire.
6. Loud Noises
It can be easy to forget that our pets may be sensitive to loud sounds while having fun. Loud music, fireworks, celebratory poppers or noisemakers can scare our furry companions. Make sure there is a safe space your pet can retreat to if they need some quiet time, like an interior room. Please also keep in mind that strings of thrown confetti can get lodged in a cat's intestine, if ingested, perhaps necessitating surgery.
7. Talkin’ Trash
While it may be the last thing on your mind throughout the day, our smart pets know where they can find some sneaky leftovers. Make sure you take out the trash or secure the lids on any garbage cans that may have food, broken decorations or any other holiday hazards inside.
8. Snow Globes
Snow globes are made with ethylene glycol, the same chemical used in antifreeze, which is highly toxic to all pets. If a snow globe breaks, the sweet smell can attract pets to taste it, leading to potentially fatal intoxication. Be sure to keep snow globes away from pets and thoroughly clean up any accidental breakages.
9. Salty Hazards
Ice melt and salt-dough ornaments—even when dry—may be enticing to pets but can cause life-threatening imbalances in electrolytes. We recommend using pet-friendly icemelting agents! ...continued on page 6...
Our shelter is full of dogs, cats, puppies and kittens in need of a furever home. Please consider adopting a shelter pet for your next pet.
North Little Rock Fire Department
Keep your home safe over the holidays
Found at https://www.adtsecurity.com.au/blog/home-security/keep-your-home-safe/ With the holiday season fast approaching, it is important to be as vigilant as ever when it comes to keeping our homes and family safe.
Don’t post pictures of gifts on social media, and don’t post your whereabouts, particularly if you are on holidays. Thieves can use insight from social media, such as Facebook status updates, to target homes.
Make your home look like someone is there, even if it’s empty. This can include:
getting neighbor to collect mail and put your bins out on bin night
parking a car on your driveway so it looks like someone is home
using timers to turn interior and exterior lights on and off at night – ideally at different times to avoid obvious pattern
hanging clothes on the washing line, or leaving shoes at the front door ensuring scheduled deliveries, such as newspapers, are stopped while you are away, or asking a neighbor to collect them.
Securely lock sheds and garages so burglars can’t use the tools and ladders inside to access your home. Similarly, cut back tall trees or shrubs that may be used to access upper levels of your home.
Eliminate potential hiding spots by cutting back foliage around the house and install motion-sensor flood lighting to startle a thief if they approach the home at night.
Even when the weather is hot, don’t leave windows open in empty rooms, especially if you’re going out or entertaining at the back of the house. Use window locks and consider upgrading fly-screens with security mesh.
Never hide a key outside your home. Instead, give it to a trusted neighbor or friend as thieves know to look for keys under pot plants and other hiding spots.
Don’t put Christmas trees and presents near windows that are visible to the street as this can invite opportunistic burglars to break in.
Don’t power your outdoor Christmas lights by running an extension lead back into the house through a window. It will prevent the window from being properly secured, which burglars will spot instantly.
After the holidays, don’t pile up boxes from expensive purchases outside your home. Burglars will appreciate knowing you have valuable new items inside and may add them to their ‘shopping list’. They also know that you’ll likely replace the stolen items and may return to break-in a second time.
Your friends at the North Little Rock Fire Department want to remind you to stay FIRE safe during the holidays and winter months when heating your home with a space heater
Mayor Terry C. Hartwick holds a monthly department head meeting. Department heads provide a report of activities, projects, and accomplishments.
Senior Center—8,966 members visited, 95 new members. Outreach Board of Directors working on how to utilize their organization to assist senior residents in North Little Rock.
Finance— City sales tax down from last year by 7.9%. County tax down by .1%. Sales tax for the year is up 3% and County tax up 3.6%. Lodging tax year to date was also up.
Sanitation—Garbage and yard waste crews collected 2,117.78 tons (4,235,560 lbs) of household garbage, rubbish and junk. Yard Waste crews also collected 61 loads (1,646.00 cubic yards) of green waste. 364 waste tires picked up. Sanitation Code performed 14 inspections, 18 re -inspections and issued 20 notices for non-compliance. No citations were issued. Recycling tonnage was 147.72 tons.
Traffic Services—Barricade Permits—89, AR One Call— 35, Signs/Post replaced–66, City Vehicles marked with logo—1. Stealth Radar at 15th and Chandler and 1620 West 44th Street.
Police—violent crime is up with an increase in aggravated assaults. Property crime is also up with general thefts being the issue. 7 new recruits are on track to graduate the Police Academy. COPS TV crew road with NLRPD officersfootage will be used in the near future. The Back the Badges Foundation (Austin, TX) visited NLR recently and provided meals to almost 400 first responders. A ceremony was held for the Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS) Parent’s retreat. Police Chiefs from central Arkansas area also attended.
Fire—1,330 incidents, 760 Rescue & EMS, 214 Good Intent Calls, 173 Service Calls, 80 False Alarm, 73 Fire. 3,988 Fire Training hours. 133 Building Surveys.
Parks and Recreation—Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum had 965 visitors. Special Events/Groups: Air Stream (29), Shine Christian Co-Op (18), East Side Elementary (15), Watson Chapel ROTC Group 1 (40), Teton High School, Idaho (28). Overnight: Fort smith Montessori School (13), North Little Rock Fire Department Confined Space Technician Course (15), North Little Rock Fire Department Confined Training (25), Little Rock Fire Department Special Ops Training (3 days—32 people), Birthday party (30). USS Razorback Crew Member Ron Sagaert (83 years young) and Master Chief Mike Marmon (86 years young) visited the sub recently and were able to spend several nights...they slept in the same bunks they used in the 1960’s, did some cleaning, cooked breakfast and told stories of the sea going day and night..
Animal Services—
Incoming:
Dog 149/ytd 1,640
Cat 136/ytd 862
Other 1/ytd 11
Adopted:
Dog 46/ytd 541
Cat 111/ytd 590
Other 1/ytd 9
Reclaim:
Dog 42/ytd 288
Cat 2/ytd 7
Other 0/ytd 0
Euthanized:
Dog 78/ytd 812
Cat 23/ytd 233
Other 0/ytd 2
Service calls: 617/ytd/5,234
Citations: 25/ytd 329
Vouchers (spay/neuter) issued: 43/ytd 409
NLR Electric—
Customers: 40,262
Revenue: $8,341,906
Peak Demand: 160,579 kW
Territory: 60 square miles
RS (Residential Solar) Net Meter Customers: 383
Total RS solar panel capacity: 2,842.83 kW
Average RS solar panel capacity: 7.44 kW
Residents with solar arrays larger than 10 kW: 74
Total capacity of customer-owned solar: 6,096 kW
Major outages: none.
We want to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!
North Little Rock City Hall
Continued on next page...
Monthly Financial Report—October 2024
North Little Rock Mayor’s Youth Council
Our Mayor’s Youth Council is a community based youth organization that is North Little Rock’s response to meeting the goals for our youth as set out by America’s Promise. To that end, opportunities are provided for our youth to grow and learn through serving the community while volunteering in the metropolitan area’s nonprofit agencies.
America’s Promise
To mentor—to provide an ongoing relationship with a caring adult.
To protect—to provide safe places and structured activities during non-school hours.
To nurture—to be sure that they have a healthy start.
To teach—to give them marketable skills through effective education.
To serve—to provide opportunities to give back through community service.
In a report to Mayor Terry C. Hartwick last month (October), NLRMYC volunteered at the following events in the community and will be providing their time at upcoming throughout the holiday season:
-National Night Out Amboy and Windsor Valley
-Walk for Community
-North Little Rock Air Show
-Lakewood Property Owner’s Fall Fest
-North Heights Recreation Center—STEM night and Community Fest
-On Saturdays members help out at the North Little Rock Animal Shelter and/or at mobile adoption events.
-On Wednesday’s members help with afterschool programs at North Heights and Glenview Community Centers
472,446
4,642
-Members also volunteer at Canvas running their hygiene closet
-Bake cookies at the Ronald McDonald House Charities
-Festival of Trees set up
-North Little Rock Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
-Argenta Art Walk
-Indian Hills Elementary Fall Carnival
-Visit Blossoms Nursing Home—deliver Thanksgiving note and special treat
-Knit Wits group—knit toboggans for babies at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and for unsheltered community at Canvas
-Northern Lights Festival
-Ringing bell for Salvation Army
- Big Booseum Bash at Old Statehouse Museum, Mosaic Templars Museum and Firehouse Museum and Hostel.
In addition to all of the above, participants meet to work on Start Something Planning Sessions to review semester projects.
This year, Mayor’s Youth Council Executive Director Jan Scholl will retire after serving as the program head since it’s formation in 1999. Under her leadership the program has grown. Last year alone, council members provided over 6,000 service hours. 27 members were recognized with the Presidential Service Award for 100+ hours. Six seniors received $1,500.00 scholarships which were made possible through sponsors.
The new Director is Ms. Jill Mills who can be reached at jillmillsnlrmyc@yahoo.com or 501-804-8950.
Pictured above (center) Jan Scholl with Jill Mills and a group of NLRMYC members.
...continued from page 2...
10. Mind your Medication
Keep your medication safely put away and out of paws’ reach. If you are planning on having guests stay with you, make sure they keep any medications away from pets as well. Those unfamiliar with pets may not know how curious some of our furry friends can be, so have houseguests leave their medication in a closed cabinet rather than a bag or suitcase.
11. Tinsel-less Town
Kitties love tinsel as it’s sparkly, light-catching and easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. But ingestion can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery. It's best to brighten your boughs with something other than tinsel.
We hope you and your pets have a safe, happy holiday season!
If you suspect your pet has been exposed to any poisonous substances, please contact your veterinarian or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) at (888) 426-4435 immediately.
North Little Rock City Employee Health / Wellness Fair
The City of North Little Rock knows the importance of taking care of the wonderful men and women who work daily to make our city a great place to live, work and play. By hosting employee Health / Wellness events, our team members are provided an opportunity during working hours to receive free health screening and visit with health, wellness and financial professionals. Below are a few photos from our Fall event.
Employees have access to employee assistance through an EAP program. Consultations are confidential. Through our Insurance Provider employees have the opportunity to receive an annual physical exam and dental cleanings to name a few.
North Little Rock Employee Health / Wellness is part of the Fit 2 Live program. The City of North Little Rock was one of the first in the state to create an employee wellness program which included a staff person who reached out to agencies across the area to put together wellness events in the workplace to provide incentives to our workforce to make healthy choices. Those programs have included participation in Weight Watchers, Gym Memberships and multiple opportunities to visit with health professionals.
What are you waiting for North Little Rock! Get Fit 2 Live!
Winter Driving: Take it Slow!
Provided by the Arkansas Municipal League Shared by the National Safety Council | nsc.org
Driving in the winter can be harrowing, especially if there is snow, sleet, hail or ice. Although there tends to be fewer traffic fatalities during the winter months, there are more crashes, and the crashes that occur tend to be more serious.
If employees heed a few simple tips, it can help ensure safe trips during the winter.
Check the Weather BEFORE You Go
If the weather is frigid, you’re going to want to warm up the car before you drive it. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, never leave a vehicle running in an enclosed area, such as a garage. In fact, the Consumer Product Safety Commission warns that a car running in an attached garage is never safe, even with the garage door open.
If the forecast looks iffy, wait out the storm if possible. But if you must travel, make sure you share your travel plans and route with someone before you leave.
Clean all your sensors before you drive, including backup or blind-spot monitoring camera lenses. If it snowed the night before, make sure to brush off your car—even the roof—before you take off. Remember to slow down and take your time.
Understand What your Car Can Do
Technologies available in many cars today can be particularly useful in winter weather. Some of the more useful features for inclement weather include:
Adaptive headlights, which move side to side as the vehicle turns
Anti-lock brakes, which help prevent wheels from locking and allow the driver to steer safely
Electronic stability control, which works automatically to help the driver maintain control of the car during hard steering maneuvers
Traction control, which helps your wheels gain traction on slippery surfaces
Temperature warning, which alerts you when outside temperatures are at or below freezing
Prepare Your Car for Winter
Besides checking the weather, it’s important to get your car ready for winter driving. Check for open recalls by entering your license plate number at checktoprotect.org. if you have a recall, get it fixed as soon as possible. Have a mechanic check the condition of the following vehicle systems before heading out on the road:
Ignition
Brakes
Wiring
Hoses and fan belts
Spark plugs
Distributor
Battery
Tire tread depth and air pressure
Antifreeze level
Don’t Leave Home Without These
In an emergency situation, in addition to a full tank of gas and fresh antifreeze, the National Safety Council recommends having these with you at all times:
Properly inflated spare tire or tire sealant
Shovel
Phone charger
Jumper cables
Tow and tire chains
Bag of ice melt, rock salt or cat litter for better tire traction or to melt snow and ice
Tool kit (seatbelt cutter, hammer/mallet, flathead and Phillips screwdrivers, pliers and pocket knife, or combi tool)
Flashlight and extra batteries
Reflective triangles or flares
First aid kit
Windshield washer fluid
Ice scraper and snow brush
Matches/lighter in a waterproof container
String or cord
Bottled water and nonperishable, high-energy foods like unsalted canned nuts, protein or energy bars, dried fruits and hard candy.
Blankets, mittens, hand warmers, socks and hats
Winter road trips—even short ones—are a great way to celebrate with family and friends. Being prepared can ensure a safe and happy time is had by all. If in doubt don’t drive.
MyCarDoesWhat? is a campaign from the National Safety Council and the University of Iowa to help educate drivers on dozens of new vehicle safety technologies. Visit MyCarDoesWhat.org for more information about these and other safety assistance technologies.
City of North Little Rock Inclement Weather Policy
It is imperative that City services be maintained to the fullest extent possible during periods of inclement weather. Inclement weather includes, but is not limited to, storms, snow, ice, sleet, freezing rain, or flood. Our employees should make every effort to report to work.
Employees necessary in providing essential services to the public during inclement weather (such as sanding streets, barricading streets, providing customer service, manning telephones, restoring electric power, repairing traffic lights, providing 9-1-1 / rescue services and other essential duties) must report to work as scheduled. These employees include police and fire, 911 emergency operators, electric, street department (and more, these are just a few).
The wonderful men and women who make up the City of North Little Rock’s workforce are here to serve! They proudly show up and do the work in all weather (just like the postman!).
Thank you Team North Little Rock for your ongoing service to the residents and visitors to our city.
Thank you!!!
Peddlers Permit
City of North Little Rock
Issued to: Mel Dun
Issued: 7/1/2024
Expires: 10/29/2024
Sex: Male
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Dun
Height: 15 hands
Employer: Equine sunglasses
Type of Goods Sold: Sunglasses for horses
City Clerk and Treasurer Diane Whitbey
By: _SAMPLE ONLY— only valid with signature
____________________________ Deputy City Clerk / Treasurer, Revenue
To see a list of issued permits, visit the city website at nlr.ar.gov, then click City Departments and scroll down to City Clerk and Treasurer. Look for the dark box and click on Current Door to Door Peddlers.
To see an individual ID/Permit, click on the person’s name. All licensed door-to-door peddlers are required to have the ID issued by the City Clerk’s Office with them at all times.
**Currently, we have no licensed door to door solicitors in the city as of October 31, 2024.
All persons doing business of any kind within the city limits of North Little Rock are required to have a Business/Privilege License. This includes home-based such as lawn care or internet sales.
**If a business operates 1 day into the new year, it is required to obtain a business license at the full fee.**
All 2023 NLR Business Licenses expired December 31, 2023. A grace period was allowed for renewals in 2024. A 50% penalty will be applied to any invoices paid after July 1, 2024
If you have any questions, please contact the North Little Rock City Clerk’s Office at 501-9758617.
If someone does business within our city limits, they are required to have a city business license.
If you operate out of your home you are required to have a business license.
If you operate a mobile business you are required to have a business license.
If you sell products like cosmetics, kitchen items, etc. you are required to obtain a “home-based” business license.
Insured and Bonded. Make sure you do your homework on anyone you are thinking about doing business with. Check to see if the person working for you has a state license (if required) city license (required), and insurance bond (to cover any damages that may occur on your property.
ALL PERSONS DOING BUSINESS OF ANY KIND IN THE CITY OF NORTH LITTLE ROCK ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A CITY BUSINESS LICENSE
Below is a list of a few new questions...
Q&A...I closed my business but the city didn’t let the county know and they assessed taxes?
The business owner/operator must contact our office and let us know the business closed. The owner/operator will be provided a form to complete stating the date the business closed. A copy of the completed form can be provided to the county as proof the business was closed.
Q&A My business is physically located in North Little Rock, if I work in other cities, will they honor my NLR BL?. Arkansas law requires other cities to honor licenses issued by another city within the state. However, in the case of a Food Truck, another license may be required.
Q&A I have hired an out of state contractor to work on my property, will NLR honor an out-ofstate license? No. The contractor will need to obtain a license from a city/town within the state. We will honor a current business license issued by another city.
Q&A...If my contractor has a state license is that considered a business license? No. Anyone doing business within the City must also hold a city issued business license. What happens if I operate a business without a license? You will be issued a citation and have to appear in court. You are then subject to a fine and any court costs associated with the same. Failure to appear could result in a warrant and revocation of your driver’s license
If you want to check to see if a business is licensed with us, please call 501-975-8617.
North Little Rock
City Council Schedule
The North Little Rock City Council meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers in City Hall (300 Main Street, North Little Rock).
For more information, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 501-975-8617 or email Diane Whitbey at Dwhitbey@nlr.ar.gov.
The City Council Agenda can be found at nlr.ar.gov, then click on the Elected Officials tab, followed by City Council then scroll to upcoming City Council Agenda.
City Council Members
Ward 1 Debi Ross 501-753-0733
Nathan Hamilton 501-952-7679
Ward 2 Linda Robinson 501-945-8820
Maurice Taylor 501-690-6444
Ward 3 Steve Baxter 501-804-0928 Ron Harris 501-758-2877
Ward 4 Charlie Hight 501-758-8396 Vince Insalaco III 501-951-0786
Other Elected Officials
Mayor Terry C. Hartwick 501-975-8601
City Clerk/Treasurer Diane Whitbey 501-975-8617
City Attorney Amy Fields 501-975-3755
Dist Court Judge Randy Morley 501-791-8562
Dist Court Judge Paula Juels Jones 501-791-8559
North Little Rock Curbside Recycling schedule for December 2024.
Dec 2—6, recycle
Dec 9—13 no pickup
Dec 16—20, recycle Dec 23—27 no pickup Dec 30—Jan 3, recycle
City Offices located at 700 West 29th
Construction and Building Services
Mary Beth Bowman 501-975-8881
Finance, Ember Strange 501-975-8802
Human Resources, Betty Anderson 501-975-8855 Fit 2 Live
Legal, Amy Fields, City Attorney 501-975-3755
Planning, Shawn Spencer 501-975-8835
Utilities Accounting, Terrell Milton 501-975-8888
Utility Payment Assistance and Other Numbers
Central AR Development Council……..501-603-0909
Little Rock Catholic Charities...501-664-0640 ext 459
Saint Francis House…………………....501-664-5036
Watershed……..………………………..501-378-0176
Helping Hand of Arkansas……………. 501-372-4388
River City Ministries…………………….501-376-6694
Arkansas Metro………………………....501-420-3824
Arkansas Food Bank…………………...501-565-8121
American Red Cross…………………...501-748-1021
Salvation Army………………………….501-374-9296
Telephone Numbers for City Hall
Mayor’s Office…………………501-975-8601
Terry C. Hartwick
City Clerk & Treasurer………..501-975-8617
Diane Whitbey Communications………………501-975-8833
Shara Hutchcraft
External Relations…………….501-975-8605
Margaret Powell
Revenue Enforcement………. 501-975-8612
Officer Jim Scott
Special Projects/DEI………….501-975-3737
Arnessa Bennett
Information regarding employee anniversaries and birthdates is provided by Human Resources the prior year (i.e. 2024 was provided in 2023). So if an employee name is on the list that has retired or resigned, please disregard. Also, typos happen! Please let me know if a name is spelled wrong and a correction will be included next month! For employees who leave the city and come back in a different capacity or department, your length of service may change as well. Example, I worked in the Mayor’s Office 10 years, then was elected City Clerk. I have been in the City Clerk’s Office 23 years. My total service with the city is 33 years. If this scenario applies to you, please email me at least one month before the month of your anniversary month so I can include your total
to the City of NLR! Diane (Dwhitbey@nlr.ar.gov)
10
December Anniversaries
North Little Rock provides two options for leaf removal:
1. Bagged leaves will be picked up weekly
2. Loose leaves can be raked to the curb and will be picked up when the leaf vacuums are in the area.
For location information call 501-971-8340 (option 1), visit our website at: https://nlr.ar.gov/departments/sanitation/leaf-pick-up-program/ or join the City of North Little Rock—Government Facebook page.
Pick up reminders:
DO NOT place leaves in the street or gutter as this can stop up the storm drain and cause flooding. Wet leaves in the street can also cause issues for walkers and bikers. DO NOT put sticks or trash on, in, or under the leaf pile. These items can cause damage to city property (which was purchased with tax payer funds). This can also result in delays if a piece of equipment is down due to damage. DO NOT block sidewalks. Sidewalks are for walking, not leaf piles OR vehicles. Keep NLR healthy and keep the sidewalks open! DO this...get out in the yard, enjoy the sunshine and fresh air! Raking leaves is great exercise and a great way to burn off some of those holiday calories!
2024 North Little Rock Elks Christmas Parade
Sunday December 8, 2024
Parade starts at 2:00 p.m.
Parade route—22nd and Main—head south to Washington Avenue
For more information email NLRChristmasParade@gmail.com or call Susie Jones at 501-413-1969
North Little Rock hires new Community Garden Program Manager
Rachelle Kelly is the new Community Garden Program Manager for the City of North Little Rock. Kelly is a central Arkansas native. She brings over four years of experience managing one of the largest community gardens in central Arkansas at St. Joseph Farmstead. Rachelle also serves on the Community Garden Advisory Committee.
Rachelle is passionate about the power of community gardens, and said, "What I love most about gardening is how it brings people together. It’s not just about growing plants—it’s about growing connections, learning from each other, and creating something beautiful as a community." One of her favorite things about gardening is the connection it offers to nature. For questions about the City’s Community Garden Program, you can email Rachelle at RKelly@nlr.ar.gov or call 501-351-0184.
How To Be Kind To Yourself During The Holidays
Found at https:// holisticconsultationllc.com/how-to-bekind-to-yourself-duringthe-holidays/
We’re in the final stretch of the year. If you’re noticing the holidays looming on the calendar, you’re not the only one. The holiday season can be a tricky time emotionally for many people. Some folks have issues with certain family members or dynamics, the end of the year can be hard, and to top it all off, it’s an expensive time of year.
There are plenty of lovely things about this season, but it can be a stressful time. It’s extra important to make time for self-kindness during times of stress. Being kind to yourself is the gift that keeps on giving. It helps in the middle of a stressful moment, and with practice, it can help you shift to a more accepting and compassionate mindset, especially toward yourself.
So, with more holidays just around the corner, here are some ways you can practice being kind to yourself this year:
Notice where you are struggling
What about the holidays is tough for you? Is it family, friends, work, unrealistic expectations, money, or something else? Think carefully about the specifics of what makes the holidays a struggle. When you can pinpoint the exact problem, it’s often easier to find a solution for it. Remember, don’t be too hard on yourself when you notice yourself struggling. Struggle is a part of life, and judging yourself for such a human experience will just lead to you feeling worse overall. Treat yourself like you’d treat your best friend (or the child version of yourself)
If you’re having a hard time being kind to yourself, try to shift your frame of mind. When you notice unkind thoughts about yourself, pretend you’re talking to your best friend or even the child version of you. What would you say to your BFF? To little you? You probably wouldn’t be as hard on them as you are on yourself, right? This can be a helpful way to get in the habit of being nice to yourself – it’s a fake it till you make it kind of approach. Remember, it only works with practice. Do what works for you, not what people expect
The holidays are a time of year where we rely quite a bit of tradition. Your family or loved ones may have the
same rituals that they take part in every holiday season, but that doesn’t mean that you need to make yourself uncomfortable to practice them. If something doesn’t work for you anymore, you don’t have to participate. It might be weird to broach the subject of doing things differently with your family. To help prevent any defensiveness, explain your choices to them using “I” statements, so they don’t feel judged or attacked. Just because things aren’t the same as they always are doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the holiday season with your family. You can always start new traditions together or even on your own.
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself
Another reason the holidays can be nerve-wracking is that the end of the year is a natural time of reflection. It’s easy to get caught up thinking about how different (or not different) your life is from the previous year. The new year is right around the corner, and the urge to set all sorts of lofty goals is high, but you don’t have to put too much pressure on yourself. The end of the year doesn’t need to be the beginning of a whole new life shift for you. You don’t have to spend the first days of the new year trying to be someone you’re not.
