Smith recipient of Rotary's 'Service Above Self' award
Jerry L. Smith, director of the Economic Development Association University Center for Regional and Community Development at ASU's Delta Center for EconomicDevelopment, was awarded Rotary International’s prestigious "Service Above Self" award from district 6150, which includes 41 Rotary clubs. The presentation was made during the district’s annual conference held in Memphis in April. Smith is a member of the Jonesboro University Rotary Club, and he volunteers as the district’s training coordinator.

Dr. Zibluk attends Kalish multimedia workshop
Dr. John B. (Jack) Zibluk, Journalism, recently attended the Kalish multimedia workshop at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., sponsored by the National Press Photographers Association. The Kalish workshop is designed for mid-level professionals and established educators, developing the skills they need to move from print media and still photography to an online multimedia environment. Admission is highly competitive, and Zibluk was invited to apply by workshop director Scott Sines, managing editor of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. Zibluk learned audio, video, and multimedia production techniques from experts in the field, including award-winning producer Brian Storm, president of New York-based multimedia production studio MediaStorm and Geri Migielicz, former award-winning multimedia editor of the San Jose Mercury News and executive editor of Story4 multimedia production studio, among others. Zibluk made his own video, John's Barn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gGlkTp0lXY), and will use the workshop experience to upgrade curriculum, enabling students to produce exceptional high-quality Web videos.

Lakeport Plantation sets African American heritage event  
Lakeport Plantation will host an African American heritage reunion celebration Friday-Sunday, July 3-5, at Lakeport Plantation, Lake Village, Ark. The event is sponsored by the Lakeport Cemetery Preservation Project, Inc. and ASU-Jonesboro. Activities begin with a registration and meet-and-greet at the Mt. Pleasant Church cafeteria from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, June 3. Saturday, July 4, begins with registration, an old-time breakfast and a presentation, "African American Food Folkways" at 6-8 a.m.; a welcome panel including a history of Lakeport Plantation and talks on restoration, research, and African American research projects from 8-9 a.m.; presentations of African American history, heritage, quilting, and old-time health remedies run from 9-11:30 a.m. From 11:30 a.m.-12 noon, "Story Telling from the Elders" will be featured. The Craig Lacy 4th of July picnic will be held from 12 noon-1:30 p.m. Tours of  three local cemeteries (Old Lakeport, Lakeport, and Morning Star/Ford), churches (Mt. Pleasant and Morning Star), and "the Big House" will take place from 1:30-4 p.m. At 5:30-7:30 p.m., African American music and celebrations will be featured, including God's Network, a Jump the Broom wedding ceremony, and a combination fireworks show, reception, and party. Sunday, July 5, will feature a sunrise church service and closing ceremonies from 7:30-8:30 a.m., and a continental breakfast at 8:30-9:30 a.m. For details, contact Aketa Guillory, (870) 273-6589, visit the website Memories of Lakeport, or view a map of Lakeport and its environs. For more information, see the NewsPage release.

Playhouse Disney Live! comes to Jonesboro Sept. 27
Playhouse Disney Live! has scheduled three performances for Sunday, September 27, at the ASU Convocation Center. Performances are at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m. At this live stage show, preschool-aged children will meet the characters from Playhouse Disney television shows Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Little Einsteins, and Handy Manny, as well as the stars of the new show, My Friends Tigger and Pooh. Interaction between characters and audience culminates in a musical party at Mickey's clubhouse. Ticket prices are $18, $24, $30, and $40 for front-row VIP tickets. Applicable services charges will apply. Purchase tickets early online, by calling the ASU Central Box Office at (870) 972-2781 (ASU1), or by visiting the box office Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

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