🌱 Patch AM: Remember when Cantrell Road became Arkansas’s brightest Christmas attraction?

Greetings Little Rock! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Remember when Cantrell Road became Arkansas’s brightest Christmas attraction?
• Which songs did Little Rock stream the most in 2025?
• How Little Rock churches kept Christmas Eve focused on faith and connection

Also on today's calendar: 90s Country New Year - Vol. 4.

Today's riddle: What did the little needle say to the mother needle when it brought home a failing report card? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high of 73 and low of 62 degrees.
• Friday: Breezy in the morning, temps: high: 77, low: 60.
• Saturday: Breezy in the morning, with a high of 76 and low of 64 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. From local wonder to global sensation: the enduring legacy of the Osborne Christmas lights (katv.com) — Many longtime residents still remember when Cantrell Road in Little Rock glowed with more than 3 million Osborne Christmas lights, born from a young girl’s wish in 1986. This feature looks back at the traffic-clogging spectacle, the court battle that shut it down, and how the display later found a second life at Walt Disney World while remaining a cherished Arkansas memory.
   

2. Here are Little Rock's most popular songs and artists on Spotify for 2025 (arktimes.com) — Little Rock listeners’ favorite songs and artists on Spotify for 2025 have been pulled directly from the platform’s internal data, giving a snapshot of what your neighbors are streaming most. The piece also compares Little Rock’s top tracks and artists with the rest of Arkansas, highlighting how local tastes stack up statewide.
   

3. Arkansans ring in Christmas at church services across the Natural State (kark.com) — Christmas Eve services at First Baptist Little Rock and the Cathedral of Saint Andrew drew families and visitors from across the area, keeping long-standing worship traditions alive. Local leaders like Bishop Anthony Taylor and children’s minister Tamra Norman stressed focusing on faith and connection over commercialization, reminding Little Rock residents that church doors are open to anyone seeking community.
   

4. Carlotta Walls LaNier, member of the Little Rock Nine, shares her story with new children's book (thv11.com) — Little Rock readers can revisit the Central High desegregation story through Carlotta Walls LaNier’s new children’s book, “Carlotta’s Special Dress,” which centers on her first-day outfit and the turmoil around integration. The book, aimed at ages 6–8, connects Little Rock’s civil rights history to today’s classrooms, stressing why diverse, integrated schools and strong history education still matter.
   

5. Canadian nuclear energy developer contributing to Arkansas SMR feasibility study (katv.com) — Arkansas lawmakers have launched a feasibility study on small modular nuclear reactors, with a Canadian developer now helping assess where these plants could connect to the state’s power grid. Reported out of Little Rock, the work aims to keep electricity costs low while exploring whether communities, counties, and the state actually want SMRs in their backyards.
   

📸 Around Little Rock

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Little Rock

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Saturday December 27

• KATV Pet of the Week
  Humane Society of Pulaski County , 14600 Colonel Glenn Rd , Little Rock
  8:25 am

Wednesday December 31

• 90s Country New Year - Vol. 4
  The Hall , 721 W 9th St , Little Rock
  10:00 pm

Friday January 2

• KIDZ BOP LIVE: The Concert Movie - Little Rock
  Riverdale 10 VIP Cinema 2600 Cantrell Rd Little Rock, AR 72202
  1:00 pm

📣 Little Rock Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 25

• Leads Group Meeting - Network Champions
  Sherwood Chamber of Commerce , 7510 Hwy 107 , Sherwood
  8:30 am
• Senior Activities
  Mayflower Senior Citizens Building , 1 Ashmore Dr , Mayflower
  9:00 am
• City Offices Closed for Christmas
  City of Benton , 114 S East St , Benton
  6:00 pm

Friday December 26

• Cosmic Bowling
  Strike Zone Bowling Alley , Bxtra Access Rd , Jacksonville
  8:00 pm

Saturday December 27

• reformer foundations
  Pilates Social , 3519 Market Pl Ave Suite 300 , Bryant
  11:00 am
• Mat Pilates - All Levels
  Pilates Social , 3519 Market Pl Ave Suite 300 , Bryant
  1:00 pm
• Shaw Revolver (Regional/National)
  Malys Family Entertainment Center , 1040 Maly Curv , Conway
  8:00 pm

Sunday December 28

• reformer foundations (level 1)
  Pilates Social , 3519 Market Pl Ave Suite 300 , Bryant
  3:00 pm

Tuesday December 30

• Snackin' Round the World
  Nixon Library -- Central Arkansas Library System , 703 W Main St , Jacksonville
  5:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Little Rock PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• My cat Jake snuck out last night.
  Please contact me if you see him. He's white and gray. He's what makes my family. My Aunt w alzheimers has been in tears circling around the house… (Nextdoor Central High)
• Found an older calico cat that is definitely someone’s pet.
  I will take her to get scanned for a chip asap. I checked all 63 lost cats on pawboost and she isn’t on there. Please tag me if you see someone post… (Nextdoor Rock Creek)

• Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. posted a job opening for Loader Operator in Little Rock. Apply here.
• Kroger posted a job opening for Online Grocery Pick-Up Clerk 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: I guess I’m not as sharp as I thought.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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