President Bill Clinton is in Little Rock, Arkansas today to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Clinton Presidential Center and Park. The event is from 11:30 - 1:00 under a large tent.

The Associated Press examines the five-year impact the library has had on Little Rock.

After Clinton announced his site choice, the pace increased for development of restaurants, galleries, hotels and other businesses. The Excelsior Hotel downtown became part of the Peabody chain and has just attained four stars. The Capitol and Doubletree hotels have undergone major renovations, and a Marriott and Hampton Inn went up nearby. Early on, the Holiday Inn Presidential Conference Center took over a former hotel site and quickly provided nearby accomodations for visitors.

The good press for the Clinton School of Public Service continues. On the heels of a glowing piece in Arkansas Life, Sam Eifling of Arkansas Business favorably reviews the school’s ability to attract talent from all over the world.

Writes Mr. Eifling,

Clinton School students, though tough to stereotype, do have some common traits. They’re bright, and tend to speak in complete paragraphs, using sentences curlicued with subordinate clauses. They tend to dress nattily (school dress code and all), to make eye contact, to participate, to care. They arrive in Little Rock from points near and far: The 134 students in the five classes that the school has admitted have hailed from 17 countries and 32 states plus Washington, D.C.

I had the privilege to sit down with some bright undergrad and graduate students at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock this week to discuss an interesting project they’ve developed and cultivated. It’s called Project Our House and the goal of the effort is to raise donations using social media tools (Facebook, Twitter, blog, etc.). We engaged in a one-hour brainstorm, which was all kinds of cool.

Check out their blog. Follow them on Twitter. Become a fan on Facebook.

Most importantly, however, engage with them and what they’re doing. It benefits a worthy cause in Little Rock.

President Barack Obama and his family visit Yellowstone National Park today and Grand Canyon National Park tomorrow. In response, the editorial board of The New York Times writes,

It is an invitation to celebrate a profound and truly American idea, setting aside land for the future for conservation and recreation. Since the first national park — Yellowstone — was created in 1872, the idea has spread around the world, including to Afghanistan, which opened its first national park in June. But this is not an idea that sustains itself easily anywhere. It requires conviction and leadership and, overseas, the continued, inspiring example of America’s national park system.

President Theodore Roosevelt set aside 234 million acres of land for federal bird reservations, national game preserves, national forests, national parks and national monuments. He is the subject of a new biography from historian Douglas Brinkley.

But the national parks system is in trouble. Notes the Times,

The system faces an annual operating shortfall of some $600 million and an $8 billion backlog in deferred maintenance — roads, bridges, outbuildings and sewer systems that need repair — resulting from years of underfinancing.

Ken Burns, the famous documentary filmmaker who has produced substantial films about baseball, jazz and New York among others returns with a film this fall titled “National Parks: America’s Best Idea.”

This weekend, national parks all over the country are open free of charge.

Hopefully this brings awareness and attention to the issue facing our national parks system. According to the National Parks Conservation Association there are seven national parks in Arkansas: Arkansas Post National Memorial, Buffalo National River, Ft. Smith National Historic Site, Hot Springs National Park, Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, Pea Ridge National Military Park and the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. We also have two national forests: Ouachita National Forest and Ozark-St. Francis National Forest.

Shoring up these sacred lands appears to be a priority of this administration (Obama has pledged $3 billion in stimulus funds to address myriad problems). Hopefully, it will also be a priority to set aside more land for designation, protection and public enjoyment, particularly here in Arkansas.

An e-mail comes in to The Think Tank letting me know that President Bill Clinton will be returning to Arkansas to speak at a rural philaanthropy conference organized by the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation in conjunction with the Clinton School of Public Service and the Clinton Presidential Center. The conference is being held July 13-16 in Little Rock.

It’s the end of this Monday for The Think Tank. I’ve got to head over to the law school to teach, which means this is the last you’ll hear from me today. Lucky you.

I leave you with this . . .

Three More for the Lottery Commission: Gov. Mike Beebe appointed George J. Hammons on Pine Bluff, Dianne Lamberth of Batesville and Ben Pickard of Beebe to the Arkansas Lottery Commission.

FRANK, Baby!: A reception for the release of the new issue of the magazine tonight at 6:00 p.m. at the Clinton School of Public Service.

Does Your Blog Writing Suck? (Answer: Probably): Arkie blogger Ms. Adverthinker is a little fired up today about the shitty writing on certain blogs. Hey, I’m down with the grievance. Here’s a good example.

Is it Time to Start Charging for Content?: David Carr of The New York Times explores this issue and notes, “The current recession combined with a structural shift in ad spending and consumer habits have left the newspaper industry in a box canyon. Many believe they have no choice but to shoot their way out, even if it means taking on Google and the hundreds of millions of eyeballs it represents.”

Weekend Politics: MSNBC is stepping into the arena by giving Chuck Todd his own show. It will be a welcomed relief from those endless prison segments are scary and that I can’t watch.

Good for the Environment; Bad for Newspapers: Marriott hotels will no longer provide guests with a daily newspaper.

Dead: Adult film star Marilyn Chambers at the age of 56.

Text of the Day: I just had a turkey sandwich and french fries for lunch. Oh, and a Diet Coke. Natch.

E-mail of the Day: If you’re gonna do Twitter this week, how about writing about its use during the tornadoes?

Quote of the Day: Okay, just stop talking. - - Alison Scott (Katherine Heigl) in the film “Knocked Up” directed by Judd Apatow.

(Thumbs Up: Mallory Hardin, Valerie Fortner)

More from Ms. Adverthinker: “AT&T should receive big kudos for using their media power to promote companies like TOMS.”

Not long ago TOMS Chief Shoe Giver Blake Mycoski was in Little Rock for a fundraiser to Defeet Poverty. Very cool guy running a very cool company. The Think Tank sports TOMS regularly.

It’s Good Friday and here at The Think Tank we’re going to try and enjoy it. That means that I’m not spending my day trolling the Internet, updating this blog, chilling on Twitter or text messaging. Okay, only some of that is true. But I will be off the blog for the rest of the day so can catch me on Twitter.

For you:

Tragedy: A tornado strikes Mena, Arkansas. Lots of damage and a few casualties. I received an e-mail from a friend from Howard County whose home was destroyed. Thankfully no one was injured, but it’s going to take a long time to rebuild.

Twitter It: Lance Turner notes the use of Twitter yesterday to provide updates regarding the tornado. He ponders, “While it’s seen a surge in nationwide popularity — with hundreds of new adopters in Arkansas recently — Twitter has yet to reach “mass media” status. So how important was it that emergency management and media were so active on the microblogging platform last night?”

Sling Blade: Is Billy Bob Thorton in awe of Joaquin Phoenix? This is hilarious stuff.

Yo, Barkeep!: Sam’s Club can sell booze in Fayetteville. I’m not sure what this means for Think Tank favorite the The Spirits Shop on Garland or Think Tank Dad’s favorite The Party Store on College Ave., circa 1972.

Hilarity: The CEO of The Onion was in Little Rock last night speaking at the Clinton School of Public Service. AngryCzeck was there, but he didn’t update via Twitter. Or via his blog. So disappointing.

The Future of The New York Times: Vanity Fair takes an in-depth look at the newspaper and the future of the business.

Fight!: Karl Rove gets into one at a restaurant.

E-mail of the Day: The river of crazy runs wide and deep.

Text of the Day: ESP . . . again.

Quote of the Day: This is your trip, it’s happening right now. - - Emily Friehl (Amanda Peet) in the film “A Lot Like Love,” directed by Nigel Cole.

Have at it.

My old friend, Shannon Butler, executive director of City Year Little Rock/North Little Rock, will be the guest on Jessica Dean’s Daily Debrief tonight at 6:15 p.m. on KATV.com. When I guest-hosted “The Sunday Buzz with Bill Vickery” on 103.7 a few weeks back Ms. Butler joined us in the studio to talk about the good work City Year is doing in our community. Needless to say, we’re lucky to have it.

Click here to watch the program. You can send questions to jdean@katv.com.

Also, on Saturday, May 2nd City Year will honor former White House chief of staff Mack McLarty with a Lifetime of Service Award at its annual Red Jacket Ball. You can find more information here.

I’m about to head up out of this blog for the night, but before I go I wanted to share a few things with you:

Boo on You: Jennifer Reese of Slate says don’t be fooled by by trying to grow your own food. It’s expensive.

Power Lunch: Max Brantley notes a Who’s Who of peeps at Copper Grill today, including Think Tank Dad who took time away from his Twitter to eat. Think Tank Sister and Think Tank Sister’s Man-Friend were starting to worry.

Lottery Commish: Sen. Bob Johnson appointed Ray Thornton, Patty Shipp and Derrick Smith to the Lottery Commission. I served with Mr. Smith on the Central High 50th Anniversary Commission. Gov. Mike Beebe made the law official today with a signing at the state capitol. Picks from Gov. Beebe and House speaker Robbie Wills are on deck.

SIKE: A second effort to allow people to pack heat in church failed a Senate committee today.Maybe the long national nightmare of this silly endeavor will finally come to an end.

But Not for This: Sen. Joyce Elliott’s effort to allow children of undocumented workers to receive in-state tuition passed the Senate Education Committee today, 5-2. David Kinkade’s bitching about that, too.

Egg on My Face?: This poll shows Sen. Blanche Lincoln with less than ideal approval numbers (45% favorable, 40% unfavorable). In head-to-head match-ups, Ms. Lincoln leads Tim Griffin by 8 points and Gilbert Baker by 11 points. Ms. Lincoln has a 40% unfavorable rating?  Really?  I’m sure PPP knows what they’re doing but that seems a bit ridiculous.

The Coffers Aren’t As Full: The state of Arkansas had to revamp its budget forecasts. Hey, if this is the worst thing we have to do we’re still better than every other state. I’m looking at you, California.

Protect My Social Networking: Facebook has hired ACLU senior attorney, Timothy D. Sparapani, to be the Director of Public Policy, a new position. The New York Times says Facebook’s Chief Privacy Officer, Chris Kelly, is going to run for Attorney General in California in 2010.

The Future of News: 40% of young Americans believe that “The Daily Show” and “The Colbert Report” are replacing traditional news outlets.

‘The Misfits’: Marilyn Monroe, above. Lonely Misfits Drinking Society in 33.

Text of the Day: “I pretty sure I just climbed on a roof.”

E-mail of the Day: “Do you know who Bela Fleck is?”

Quote of the Day: “He is the cheese to my macaroni.” Juno MacGuff (Ellen Page) in the film “Juno.”

Out.

This week, the United States Senate will vote on the Serve America Act, legislation that will triple the number of national service opportunities and enable more Americans to take an active role in solving some of the most pressing social issues in our communities.

Arkansas, for example, has nearly 700 AmeriCorps members serving in a variety of organizations throughout the state, addressing a range of needs including literacy, homelessness, community blight, and hunger.  In Pulaski County, City Year Little Rock/North Little Rock – one of Arkansas’s largest AmeriCorps programs – brings young people from around the country and state to give one year of their lives to work in the public schools as tutors, mentors and role models.

The Serve America Act will create 175,000 new service opportunities in areas of need including education, health and clean energy. It will also create a Veterans Service Corps that will provide additional support for returning veterans and assist them in engaging in public service, among much more.

I hope  Sen. Blanche Lincoln and Sen. Mark Pryor see the value of this bill and vote to support it. If you agree, feel free to give their offices a shout and let them know.

Politico reports that President George W. Bush and the folks involved with his foundation are having a difficult time raising $300 million needed to build the Bush Presidential Library at Southern Methodist University, in Dallas.

Former President George W. Bush is preparing for one final struggle against the odds: raising $300 million for a presidential library, museum and policy institute at a time when dollars are tight and skepticism about his presidency runs high.

The Bush project has run into trouble already with the SMU faculty. “We’ve certainly had to defend our decision, but absolutely feel like it was the right one,” said SMU’s president, R. Gerald Turner. “The overall sentiment on the faculty is that whether they agreed with the president personally or not, it’s great to have these papers and this resource on campus.”

There’s no doubt about that.

Senate President Pro Tem Bob Johnson and the Senators of the 87th General Assembly will be honored at a dessert reception on Thursday, March 19th at 7:30 p.m. in the Allen Ballroom of the Peabody Hotel.  The event benefits Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

The Think Tank received an invitation to the upcoming Frank and Kula Kumpuris Lecture Series at the William J. Clinton Presidential Center on Friday, March 20th at 7:00 p.m.  The event, by invitation only I’m told, will feature a discussion between three former Arkansas governors: Bill Clinton, David Pryor and Dale Bumpers. The discussion will be moderated by Arkansas businessman and former White House chief of staff Mack McLarty. According to the invitation, “This distinguished panel will reminisce about their terms as Arkansas Governors, their time in Washington, D.C., as well as their views on the current political climate.”

The following day, Saturday, March 21, Mr. Clinton, Mr. Pryor and Mr. Bumpers will join Governor Mike Beebe, Governor Jim Guy Tucker, UALR and the Central Arkansas Library System for the opening of the Arkansas Studies Institute in the River Market district of downtown Little Rock. That event begins at 6:30 p.m.

The Think Tank took a tour of ASI a few weekends back and its impressive stuff. It contains a wealth of attractive social space, something desperately needed in downtown, not to mention archives space, state-of-the-art work space and a River Market campus for the Clinton School of Public Service. And as with all Bobby Roberts projects, a plethora of Arkansas historical images everywhere you turn. It’s going to be a great addition to downtown Little Rock.