Savvy October 2015 by Arkansas Times

THE LIFESTYLE MANUAL FOR THE MODERN MOM

WICKED

HALLOWEEN PARTY IDEAS SCHOOL UNIFORMS MADE FUN

OCTOBER 2015 路 THESAVVYMOMS.COM

High quality child care looks like

DRAMA.

Dramatic play unlocks children’s minds and helps

Dramatic play makes them aware of other people’s

them develop social skills.

feelings. They learn to work and play together.

It allows them to create their own stories. They

Visit our website to find quality child care that

learn to plan and to solve problems as their stories

helps your child develop through play.

develop.

www.ARBetterBeginnings.com • 1-800-445-3316 Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education

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OCTOBER ON THE COVER: MORGAN HERNDON AND HER NINE-MONTH-OLD DAUGHTER LAINEY, IN MORGAN’S NORTH LITTLE ROCK STUDIO. PHOTOGRAPHY BY BETH HALL.

31 CREATIVE BY DEFAULT

JERUSALEM GREER AND MORGAN HERNDON HAVE TURNED CHILDHOOD PASTIMES INTO AN ARTISTIC WAY OF LIFE

In Every Issue

6 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 40 HAPPENINGS 46 BAG CHECK: ANNA DICKINSON

PHOTOGRAPHY BY RETT PEEK

*Jerusalem Greer with her sons, Miles and Wylie.

DEPARTMENTS

12 nest

NEWS & NOTES

18 Thrive

PERSONAL STYLE DOUBLE DUTY

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN

22 Nosh

42 CULTIVATE

EASY HALLOWEEN MAGIC

REACHING OUT A FAIR OPPORTUNITY

I AM THE AEA UR IT’S YOTO TIME

! E V I R H T

BR I A N CHIL SO N

he motto of Townsend Elementary School in Pine Bluff is “give, they’ll give it back to you.” For Amanda Johnson, third grade teacher at Townsend, this motto has proven true. “This is my second year teaching,” she said. “Last year, I taught fourth grade at Townsend Elementary. This is my first year teaching third. I graduated from Arkansas Tech University in 2014 with my Bachelor of Arts degree in early childhood education, then went straight into teaching. Right now, I am in the final stages of my master’s program for School Counseling at the University of Central Arkansas, and I hope to graduate in the spring of 2016.” If this weren’t enough to fill her time, Amanda also is a board member of the Arkansas Education Association’s district five, which represents Jefferson and Grant counties. She serves as the liaison and helps connect the district members with the AEA. She also serves on the public relations committee. “I was a member of the AEA at the college level for four years,” Amanda said. “This is my second year at the professional level. The reason I am a member is not only for the amazing benefits and discounts it offers, but also because it has allowed me to connect with fellow educators to gain feedback and knowledge. As a new teacher, that is what helps me in my field.” Amanda joined the AEA early in her career because of the networking opportunities available to her and other members like her. “The AEA is a voice to the voiceless in legislation issues,” she said. “It speaks up for what its members think is best for all of us as well as the students we teach.” The AEA is the professional public education membership organization dedicated to improving the quality of education offered to students and making it attractive to teach in Arkansas public schools.

To do so requires learning and working environments where teachers and support professionals are equal partners with the board and administration. The AEA is committed to leading and assisting in every possible way to make Arkansas’ public schools the best they can be. For Amanda, she gets back every day all the attention she lavishes on her students. “I enjoy the moments in which I see my kids’ faces light up when they find the correct answers themselves or they finally find a book and author they love and don’t want to put the book down,” she said. “I love the looks on their faces knowing that they understand.”

1500 W. 4th St. Little Rock 501.375.4611 aeaonline.org

LETTER FROM THE

EDITOR

Do a quick search on Pinterest and you’ll find an endless supply of great quotes about creativity. But in this month’s feature on creative moms, I think Jerusalem Greer sums up beautifully how creativity informs daily life, and how daily life informs creativity. “Being a mom, wife, minister and creative person challenges me daily to live what I preach. I believe in kindness, honesty, authenticity and finding beauty in the mess,” she says. Getting to spend time with Greer and her kids on their farm in Faulkner County was an absolute treat on a Friday afternoon. I adored seeing how the creative spirit flows through this family, from a shared love of writing to Jerusalem’s other artistic endeavors—crafts, cooking, decorating, blogging—all of which she does with a focus on grace. And it’s that same grace that painter Morgan Herndon looks to in her daily life as well. “Grace for ourselves and for others allows us to embrace where we are because it won’t always be this way, whether it’s a good time or bad,” she says. “I hope people find the positives in whatever challenging circumstances they find themselves.” I first learned about Morgan’s work a few years ago, and have since been captivated by the seemingly controlled chaos of her drip work paintings—the riot of color surrounding her subjects, sometimes virtually exploding from them, is a total visual treat. Visiting Morgan at her home studio for our shoot gave me a perfect opportunity to inspect some of these works up close. It was also an opportunity to watch Morgan and four of her kids create a family masterpiece with hundreds of crayons and huge sheets of newsprint. My own creative mom has always had a way with needle and thread, whether it was cross-stitching beautiful scenes or making me an awesome Halloween costume that I still talk about today. It was sixth grade, and Batman was all the rage. My friend Traci was having a Halloween party, and I absolutely had to be the Joker, and the costume had to be perfect. From the purple-andturquoise plaid pants to the purple coat with tails, mom had recreated the costume to a T. An orange blouse and turquoise scarf (and an expert makeup job from my sister) finished my awesome look. Try as I might, I could not find the photos of Mel the Joker. But it was not for lack of trying, because I would love nothing more to show that off one more time. But I feel certain you’ll still find some Halloween inspiration in this issue. We’ve got a great guide for an easy and fabulous Halloween party, including a cool craft, a playlist and lots of great decorations to haunt your house. If you want to scare up some adventure, check out our News & Notes department for a spook-tacular guide to Halloween events, hayrides and pumpkin patches. Don’t miss this month’s Bag Check with Anna Dickinson, owner of White Goat, and in “Double Duty” you’ll find some of our favorite multitasking beauty products. Whether you dabble in creativity or are a self-proclaimed creative mess, I know you’ll find inspiration in these pages.

Mel Jones Editor, Savvy @SavvyAR

OCTOBER 2015 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARA REEVES

“CREATIVITY IS A WILD MIND AND A DISCIPLINED EYE.”

PUBLISHER REBEKAH HARDIN | rebekah@arktimes.com EDITOR MEL JONES | melanie@arktimes.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR MANDY KEENER | mandy@arktimes.com

BIG FUN for school field trips!

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR ELIZABETH HAMAN | elizabeth@arktimes.com

COCA-COLA KIDDIE DAYS October 12 & 16 Ages 6 and under can ride Kiddie Rides free from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Free gate admission for adults bringing kiddies. (Parking included.)

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE LESA THOMAS | lesa@arktimes.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE RHONDA CRONE | rhonda@arktimes.com

FFA/FCCLA, SCOUT DAY AND 4-H DAY October 17 $3 gate admission for FFA/FCCLA students, Scouts and 4-H members, sponsors and bus drivers.

ArkansasStateFair.com

ADVERTISING TRAFFIC MANAGER ROLAND R. GLADDEN | roland@arktimes.com

Discount Group Rates Available!

ADVERTISING COORDINATOR ERIN HOLLAND | erin@arktimes.com DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCER BRYAN MOATS SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR LAUREN BUCHER | lauren@arktimes.com GRAPHIC DESIGNERS BRYAN MOATS | MIKE SPAIN | KEVIN WALTERMIRE

501-315-4414

PHOTOGRAPHER BRIAN CHILSON

PRODUCTION MANAGER | CONTROLLER WELDON WILSON IT DIRECTOR ROBERT CURFMAN ACCOUNTS PAYABLE KELLY LYLES

Visit our newly-redesigned website for information on services, upcoming events, and access to our resources! kidsourcetherapy.com Services We Provide: • Early Intervention Services • Therapy Evaluations • Speech/Language Therapy • Occupational Therapy • Physical Therapy

OCTOBER 2015 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

Supportive Programs: • Sensory Integration • Feeding & Swallowing • Hippotherapy • Aquatics • Special Olympics

BILLING/COLLECTIONS LINDA PHILLIPS CIRCULATION DIRECTOR ANITRA HICKMAN

ALL MATERIALS ARE HANDLED WITH DUE CARE; HOWEVER, THE PUBLISHER ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR CARE AND SAFE RETURN OF UNSOLICITED MATERIALS. ALL LETTERS AND PICTURES SENT TO SAVVY™ WILL BE TREATED AS INTENDED FOR PUBLICATION AND ARE SUBJECT TO SAVVY'S™ UNRESTRICTED RIGHT TO EDIT OR TO COMMENT EDITORIALLY. 201 E. MARKHAM ST. SUITE 200, LITTLE ROCK, AR 72201 501-375-2985. ALL CONTENTS ©2015 SAVVY™

A r k a n s a s ’ L a r g e s t H a l l o w e e n F e s t i va l

r u o y t Ge on! GLOW 6 1 r e b o t c O • t Adult Nigh 2 2 r e b o t c O • Teen Night S T H G I N Y L I M FA 1 3 3 2 & 8 1 , 7 1 Oct. ctions! Fun!

Rides! Attra Lights! Food!

Member Discount FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO

LittleRockZoo.com/boo

$10 for regular admission. $20 for all-inclusive wrist-band admission.

#1 ZOO DRIVE LITTLE ROCK

Like Us

WE’VE GOT LOTS OF SPOOKTACULAR GIFTS!

Rhea

Drug Store

contributors OCTOBER 2015

A Traditional Pharmacy with eclectic Gifts. Since 1922

2801 Kavanaugh Little Rock 501.663.4131

4 AM A LOC A ZING TIONS IN CENT RAL ARKA NSA S !

BETH HALL is a commercial and

editorial photographer in northwest Arkansas, using her eye to capture the art and essence of others. She subscribes to the saying: “if you do what you love, you never have to work a day in your life.”

MATTHEW MARTIN is a photographer based in Little Rock. When he’s not behind the camera or on a film set, Matthew spends his time traveling, enjoying the Little Rock music scene and spending time with his dog Deltron.

2 LOCATIONS IN WEST LITTLE ROCK

Bowman & Chenal Shackleford Crossings Text WETROCK to 90210 to get up to the minute deals and alerts about things going on at a Boomerang Carwash near you!

EVERYONE STAYS IN THE CAR FOR A QUICK 3-MINUTE EXPRESS CARWASH!

3456

USE CODE FOR $5 OFF OUR $15 WASH! EXPIRES OCT. 31 www.boomerangcarwash.com

It’s Fall Harvest Pumpkin Patch & Hayride Time!

F W un ho Fo le r T Fa he mi ly!

11411 Baseline Rd • 455-3750

www.bigrockfunpark.com 2015 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM 10 OCTOBER Join Us For

GLOW GOLF

RETT PEEK is a photographer based in Little Rock. His work can be seen locally as well as nationally. He is also the father of two kiddos, Luca & Levi. They love to spend time outdoors whether it’s camping or hiking up Pinnacle Mountain.

KD REEP is a writer and public relations practitioner in Little Rock. She owns Flywrite Communications, Inc., a public relations agency, and is the PR director for Mass Enthusiasm, a fullservice marketing communications firm in Little Rock.

DWAIN HEBDA is a writer and editor living in Little Rock. He and his wife Darlene are the parents of four grown children. The empty-nesters spend their time traveling, working out and spoiling their two dogs.

Even

SUPERHEROES catch colds. It’s Velocity Care to the rescue! Our board-certified, emergency medicine physicians provide the premier medical care your little ones need with little or no wait. After all, your hero has to get back to protecting the world from maniacal masterminds, not to mention get back to school — and the sooner, the better. ER doctors without the ER wait

EXPRESS CHECK-IN at www.VelocityCare.com

11600 Chenal Pkwy.

501-221-1160

501-228-0063 • WWW.ICM-INC.ORG.

We are a nonprofit organization, providing home & communitybased supports to individuals with disabilities across Arkansas. We also offer a day-support program called BRAVO, that includes activities to help build strong independent citizens who contribute to society & their communities. We recently opened two retail stores, Biscuits & Bamboo, and are giving some of our clients the opportunity to work in the stores with paid internships. Check our website or call us for more information.

HOMEMADE DOG TREATS

HOME DECOR AND MORE TUESDAY SATURDAY 12-6PM 1525 MERRILL DR. LITTLE ROCK

THESAVVYMOMS.COM | OCTOBER 2015

nest

NEWS & NOTES

THE LATEST FOR PARENTS & KIDS LEARN

DO THIS!

Benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Central Arkansas, the Big Rocker’s Cup is a golf tournament for the whole family! Hit the beautifully designed, 18-hole mini-golf courses at Big Rock Mini Golf & Fun Park on October 3 in one of four divisions—junior (under 12), senior (55 and older), men’s and women’s. Compete for trophies and bragging rights while helping raise money for the Boys & Girls Club of Central Arkansas. For more information and to download registration forms, visit bigrockfunpark.com. TECHNOLOGY

SMART ART

We love original art, and so does illustrator Stacie Bloomfield of Springdale, who founded Gingiber in 2009 after she couldn’t find the perfect pieces to decorate her baby girl’s nursery. Stacie creates paper goods, pillows, art prints, tea towels and more, like this set of animal flashcards. The 4”x6” cards feature an original Gingiber illustration of magical creatures such as peacocks, owls, otters and seahorses, as well as favorites like puppies, bunnies and bears. The set of 10 cards are perfect for teaching your little one to count, or frame them and create a unique art installation for your child’s room. Check out gingiber.com for more works of art for kids and adults.

MUST-HAVE SAFETY APP

The LifeLine Response safety app acts as a personal panic button, and works in two modes: Thumb mode, for short distances or when you’re feeling vulnerable, and timer mode. Once you trigger the alarm, you can disarm it with your secret code. If you don’t, or can’t, it will emit an extremely loud noise, and both your lifelines (people you choose to be alerted in an emergency) and the police will be notified of your location. Offering a sense of security and safety, It’s great for kids and adults alike. Available on iPhone and Android.

STYLE

STEP & REPEAT

Handmade with love in Fayetteville by Rachel Duerr, Milky Moccs moccasins are sure to keep your toddler’s toes toasty this fall. Crafted of repurposed leather and suede, each is individually stitched to fit. We love the gold and red vegan leather pairs for holiday dress up—or showing some Razorback spirit!—and the mustard suede style is perfect for everyday wear. Visit Rachel’s Etsy shop to customize your Milky Moccs, available with fringe, as shown, without fringe, or with bows, in baby and toddler sizes. Etsy.com/shop/milkymoccs.

12 OCTOBER 2015 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN CHILSON

MINI GOLF FOR A BIG CAUSE

2015

favorites

G o ld Win n e r

Have a Friday Night Injury? We have a Saturday Morning Solution. If you have a Friday Night Lights injury, come to the Saturday Morning Sports Injury Clinic at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. This Saturday morning clinic gives your family next-day access to the most specialized sports medicine and orthopedic care in the state. Our physicians understand how to best treat the developing athlete.

SATURDAY MORNING SPORTS INJURY CLINIC • • •

No appointment necessary Saturday 9AM – 11AM Located in the ACH Orthopedic Clinic

(501) 364-GAME

archildrens.org/SportsMedicine #iloveach THESAVVYMOMS.COM | OCTOBER 2015

SCOTT PUMPKIN PATCH

DO THIS!

Join the Fun! Sept 26th - Oct 31st > Pig

Races Barrel > Barnyard Zoo > Hayride > Face Painting > Bucking

> Rubber

Duck Races Zone > Pirate Ship > Tractor Playground > PONY RIDES & MORE!! > Toddler

birthday parties, private parties & Field trips

Mon-fri Reservation only + sat 10am-6pm + sun 1pm-6pm

14900 Hwy 165 Scott AR 72142 Call 501-920-2901 for more info!!! scottpumpkinpatch.com

FRIGHTFULLY FUN!

Check out these spooky ways to celebrate Halloween

Boo at the Zoo A

Oct. 17 & 18, Oct. 23-31; 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Admission: $10; all-inclusive armband, $20 littlerockzoo.com/boo

ISSUE NO. 2 ON NEWSSTANDS NOW!

Arkansas’ largest Halloween festival is back and filled with lots of Halloween fun! Boo at the Zoo transforms the zoo into a botanical garden filled with colorful lights and decorations. Featuring trick-ortreating in a safe environment, as well as dozens of other activities and attractions, Boo at the Zoo is great for families with kids of all ages.

Featuring:

AT SLAUGHTER PEN

JAM ON AT SLAUGHTER PEN TRAILS FOR FALL RIDES BRAKING NEWS GEAR & COMPONENTS AND MUCH MORE!

MEET THE

DRUMMONDS A FAMILY BIKE TEAM

MY RIDE, MY TOWN

SPRINGDALE’S MISTY MURPHY

Magic Screams

Oct. 10-Nov. 1, Sat. 4 p.m.-11 p.m., Sun. 4 p.m.-9 p.m. Admission: Adults, $29.99; kids over 3, $19.99 magicsprings.com

For advertising information contact Rebekah Hardin: rebekah@arktimes.com

#BIKEARMAG ARKANSASWILD.COM PICK UP A COPY AT YOUR LOCAL BIKE SHOP BIKE ARKANSAS PROUDLY SUPPORTS RECYCLE BIKES FOR KIDS For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/recyclebikesforkids

14 OCTOBER 2015 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

Magic Springs is bringing back its annual “Magic Screams” Halloween festival for three weekends in October. Several of the park’s rides will be open including: X-Coaster, The Gauntlet, Wild Thang, Big Bad John, Ozark Mountain Taxi Co., Razorback Roundup, the Carousel and the kiddie rides. Magic Screams will feature a trick or treat area, haunted houses with varying degrees of terror, costume contests and special shows.

Big Boo!Seum Bash Oct. 29, 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Admission: Free littlerock.com

Celebrating its 20th year, Little Rock’s Big Boo!Seum bash offers safe and accessible Halloween fun for families. Come in costume and visit the Arkansas Arts Center, Historic Arkansas Museum, Little Rock Visitor Center at Curran Hall, MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, Museum of Discovery, Old State House Museum and the Witt Stephens Jr. Nature Center for fun, games and trick-or-treating. Be sure to pick up a game card for prize drawings!

Scott Pumpkin Patch

Sept. 26-Oct. 31, Mon.-Fri. by reservation; Sat., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., 1 p.m.-6 p.m. 14900 Hwy. 165, Scott 501-920-2901 scottpumpkinpatch.com Admission: $8; $7 seniors adults and military; children age 2 and under, free There’s something for everyone at Scott Pumpkin Patch! Watch the pig races and rubber duck races, explore the hay maze, take a hayride, visit the barnyard zoo and interactive nursery, and play lawn games and enjoy live music. All of this and more is included with your admission, with face painting and pony rides, as well as camel and kangaroo petting on Sundays, are available for an additional fee.

Does your child PUMPKINS CAN LAST FOR QUITE SOME TIME AFTER PICKING, AND THESE SIMPLE TIPS WILL ENSURE THAT YOU GET THE MOST OUT OF YOURS. • Look for a pumpkin that is totally orange. Pumpkins picked partially green may not ripen any further. • Examine the pumpkin carefully for soft spots, cracks and splits. These signs of weakness can shorten the life of a pumpkin. • Check the stem. A good, healthy pumpkin should have a strong, sturdy stem.

Don’t take the wait & see approach. • Dyslexia Screening • Dyslexia Instruction • Mastery Math & Reading • ACT Test Prep

• Looking for a carving pumpkin? Go for one that sounds hollow— it will have thinner, more easily carved walls. Pumpkins for cooking should have thicker walls. • If using your pumpkin for carving, select the pattern in advance. This will ensure that your pumpkin is just right for the design. • Most important, choose a pumpkin that has a shape, size and color that speaks to you!

Little Rock 2316 Durwood Rd • Bryant 23227 I-30 South 501-607-4808 www.gideonreading.info THESAVVYMOMS.COM | OCTOBER 2015

The Reason We Come to Work

THE LATEST IN TECHNOLOGY. THE BEST IN CARE. At Snell Laboratory, our professional staff members craft custom prostheses and orthoses that are nearly as remarkable as the people who wear them. It's a great responsibility and an honor that we cherish because our patients are truly the reason we come to work each day.

THE POWER OF PANTS

Accredited Facility

Statewide Toll-Free:1-800-342-5541 • www.snellpando.com Offices located in Little Rock, Russellville, Fort Smith, Mountain Home, Fayetteville, Hot Springs, North Little Rock, Pine Bluff and Conway.

Feeling broken is no way to live. Behavioral issues in young people become increasingly difficult if not treated by age 14. We offer extensive in-patient and out-patient programs for all ages. Help someone reclaim their life. Contact The BridgeWay for a no-cost assessment.

21 BridgeWay Road • North Little Rock, AR 72113 501.771.1500 • 800-BRIDGEWAY TheBridgeway.com Accepting most insurance plans, including Medicare and Private Option.

16 OCTOBER 2015 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

New Senior Program Now Open!

Photographer Nancy Nolan chronicles her son’s growth with a camera and a pair of Levi’s

For 19 years photographer Nancy Nolan has been documenting the growth of her eldest son, Park. As a new mom, she began started taking pictures of Park in a pair of his father’s Levi’s. Using the Levi’s provided a constant every year that would mark the growth of Park. On his birthday Nancy would photograph him—there were no guidelines as to what Park should do, only to use the jeans in some way. It is a powerful documentation of a child’s growth through the years. “Looking back over this 19-year project I now understand that what I am documenting is happening in most households in America…and we don’t see it. These quiet dramas that are a part of growth and everyday life are significant. They are more important to our lives than what most tend to focus on,” she says. “We as a society are choosing to put our resources and attention on what is happening in the news and other countries. These issues are important but our negative attention to them is keeping us from a real solution that would effect change. I believe where we put our focus guides the unfolding of our lives.” The exhibit, entitled “Park’s Pants,” will open at the Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts on October 10, and run through November 22. An opening reception will be held Thursday, October 15, at 6 p.m. The project also includes the work of award-winning filmmaker Dave Anderson, who produced a short film on the subject by incorporating interviews, past home-video footage and the last photo session of the series showing Nancy photographing Park. Wildwood is making the event even more community based by featuring speakers on the subject of premature birth and the lasting effect it can have. Park was born at 29 weeks and weighed just two pounds. During the exhibit, Nancy and Dave will also host a night to view the images and film with photography and filmmaking students from colleges around the state. “I asked this child to put on his father’s pants every year. I am not sure I understood the significance of this, but I see it in the photographs now,” she says. “And it is worthy of our attention.”

PHOTO COURTESY NANCY NOLAN PHOTOGRAPHY

CULTURE

EXCLUSIVE!

STATE FAIR QUEEN GOES INTERNATIONAL

It may seem a huge leap from the state fair walkway to the international stage, but that’s exactly what Arkansas is doing. In the summer of 2016, our state will host the first-ever International Fair Queen and Youth Talent Competition, which will feature state fair and junior state fair queens from across the country, Canada and the Caribbean as well as kids ages 10 to 21 demonstrating their competition-winning musical, dance and acting talents. “This event will showcase the work, talent and dedication of fair kids and their families,” says Joan Warren, coordinator of the International Fair Queen and Youth Talent Competition. “We’ll have three categories of pageants—a youth pageant for children starting at 10 years old, a junior fair queen pageant for participants ages 13 to 15 and a fair queen pageant for contestants 16 and older. There also will be a state fair rodeo queen category, and the youth talent competition will be in two categories, one for kids 10 to 14 and another for youth ages 15 to 21.” The mission of the International Fair Queen and Youth Talent Competition is to support young people in educational pursuits, including agriculture, livestock, technology and the arts. By providing opportunities to excel through programs like the International Fair Queen and Youth Talent Competition, families can expose their children to the world. “Kids learn that hard work, dedication and getting up when you are knocked down pays off,” Warren says. “This event will give kids and their families a chance to meet people just like them from all over and learn that, despite what we are on the outside, we are more alike on the inside where it counts.” Learn more about the Arkansas State Fair Queen program on page 44.

CELEBRATE

Wacky Days of October 4th

National TACO Day!

13th Train Your Brain Day!

18th National Chocolate Cupcake Day!

22nd National Nut Day

31st National Knock, Knock Joke Day, and HALLOWEEN! THESAVVYMOMS.COM | OCTOBER 2015

Thrive

PERSONAL STYLE

FUN ACCESSORIES LET KIDS EXPRESS THEMSELVES WHILE IN UNIFORM

FOR THE BOYS

PHOTOGRAPHY: LILY DARRAGH/MATTHEW MARTIN/COURTESY VENDORS

EASY CARE WASH AND WEAR PIQUE POLO.

DOUBLE KNEES AND REINFORCED STITCHING IS A MUST FOR BOYS’ PANTS.

*STOCK UP ON SCHOOL-APPROVED COLORS & STYLES.

MAKE IT YOUR OWN!

A classic gets a sweet update courtesy of a Vans x Eley Kishimoto collaboration. Vans.com for stores.

18 OCTOBER 2015 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

Top it off with this after-school bike ride must-have, Crazy 8.

Classic and cool Levi’s denim “trucker” jacket, Dillard’s.

Glow-in-the-dark patterned socks for the budding astronaut, Crewcuts.

FOR THE GIRLS

THIS PETER PAN BLOUSE IS A SMART FOUNDATION FOR A SWEATER OR CARDIGAN.

A CLASSIC NAVY SCOOTER SKIRT GOES WITH EVERYTHING!

*INDIVIDUAL UNIFORM PIECES AVAILABLE AT SCHOOL DAYS UNIFORMS IN LITTLE ROCK.

MAKE IT YOUR OWN!

Add a fun pop of color with these graphic barrettes, Rhea Drug, Little Rock.

Grab your chalk pens and customize this cool GapKids x ED backpack, GapKids.

Stride-Rite’s “Valerie” riding boots are uniform-approved essentials, Dillard’s.

Keep cozy when fall arrives in gray tights dotted with sweet gold hearts, Crewcuts. THESAVVYMOMS.COM | OCTOBER 2015

Thrive

Double Duty

MULTI-PURPOSE BEAUTY PRODUCTS ARE MUST-HAVES FOR CRAZY MORNINGS AND ON-THE-GO TOUCHUPS BY MEL JONES

SHARE WITH BABY!

COLOR FOR LIPS & CHEEKS

4 AVAILABLE IN SEVEN SHADES!

SOOTHE REDNESS

7 20 OCTOBER 2015 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

PHOTOGRAPHY: MATTHEW MARTIN/COURTESY VENDORS

CREAMY COLOR FOR EYES!

6 DOUBLES AS BUBBLE BATH!

HEAD-TO-TOE TREATMENT

1. WHETHER YOU WANT TO lightly line your eyes or go for a fullon smoky eye, Laura Mercier’s Caviar Stick Eye Colour does both. A combination eye shadow and liner, each stick imparts rich, creamy color in a wide range of shades that are easily blended and long-wearing. Available at Pout in Little Rock. 2. PEDIATRICIAN-TESTED to be gentle enough for everyday use, Burt’s Bees’ Baby Bee multipurpose ointment moisturizes and smooths baby’s skin by forming an effective barrier against dryness. Petroleum-free and non-irritating with no phthalates, parabens, petrolatum or sulfates, it’s the perfect product for mom and baby to share. Burtsbees.com for stores. 3. SONIA KASHUK’S DEWY LUXE lip and cheek balm is a deluxe multitasker. Available in rosy Enchanted (shown here) and peachy Charmed, the balms impart sheer, brilliant color to lips and cheeks. The weightless formula applies evenly with a wand applicator and blends to a dewy finish. Lychee extract offers hydration and antioxidant protection. Available at Target.

A SCHOOL AND A THERAPY CLINIC A place where children with developmental disabilities and learning differences can grow and develop in an environment tailored to meet their unique needs.

4. CHANTECAILLE’S JUST SKIN tinted moisturizer combines three products in one to smooth, protect and perfect skin. The lightweight formula includes botanical extracts such as honeysuckle and green tea to soothe and moisturize skin, and a broad spectrum SPF 15 for sun protection. Choose from seven shades for smooth, buildable coverage. Available at Pout in Little Rock.

5. IF WE WERE INTO PUNS, we would say that this chamomile treatment oil from (Malin + Goetz) is an oil-in-one product that does, well, everything. Use it on the face as a moisturizer, on hair to tame frizzies and add shine, and head-to-toe as a bath oil, moisturizer, massage oil and to soften cuticles. Available at Bella Boutique in Little Rock.

6. MADE WITH NATURAL AND ORGANIC ingredients, Shea Moisture’s African Black Soap body wash will hydrate and calm problem skin, whether you use it daily in the shower or as a soothing bubble bath. Aloe moisturizes and calms dry, sensitive skin, oats help relieve irritated skin while absorbing excess oil, and vitamin E protects skin from free-radical damage. Available at Walgreens, Target and Ulta.

7. DE-STRESS YOUR SKIN with Kiehl’s Skin Rescuer—Rosa Gallica botanical extracts help minimize skin’s visible response to stress, while Mannose, a rare barrier-protecting sugar, shields and helps maintain skin to promote recovery. The result is improved skin quality, and decreased dryness and blotchiness. Kiehls.com for stores.

OUTPATIENT THERAPY SERVICES

OCCUPATIONAL • PHYSICAL • SPEECH

IF YOUR CHILD HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH A Autism DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER: • Asperger Syndrome

Pervasive Developmental Disorder Down Syndrome • Apraxia • Other Language Disorders Sensory Integration issues

(501) 663-6965 • AcademyAtRiverdale.com 1600 Riverfront Drive, Little Rock, AR 72202 We work with a variety of private insurance providers as well as ARKids 1st, Medicaid, TEFRA and TRICARE. THESAVVYMOMS.COM | OCTOBER 2015

by Mel Jones Story continues on page 27.

22 OCTOBER 2015 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

PHOTOGRAPHY: MATTHEW MARTIN/STYLING: MANDY KEENER

Enchant your party guests with some of the spookiest decorating ideas, a quick craft for the kids and a few tunes guaranteed to scare up a good time

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SET THE SCENE! We’ve got that too!

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PHOTOGRAPHY: MATTHEW MARTIN/COURTESY VENDORS/STYLING: MANDY KEENER

NOSH

Fill this not-so-itsy-bitsy spider with candy, suspend him from a tree (or a ceiling in a very spacious room) and let the swinging begin! Holds up to two pounds of filler candy. From Party City.

Serve up a web of treats (see page 29) on this 13-inch spider web platter from Party City.

w icKed stYle

TURN YOUR HAPPY HOME INTO A HAUNTED HOUSE Available in sets of 10, Pottery Barn Kids’ stick-on bat and spider silhouettes are quick party decorations that the kids can help adhere to walls and windows.

Kids will love having a personalized place at the party—Pottery Barn Kids’ homespun felt chair backers can be customized online, and have plenty of room for toting home candy and prizes (for the best costume or scariest sound, perhaps?).

Fill Party City’s shiny purple-and-black tinsel witch hats with candy for a quick and easy party favor, or hide a treat under a few and let guests find the surprise!

This plastic chain from Party City makes a great table runner. Get kids excited about Halloween even before it’s time to don the costumes. Hide this squeaky mouse in a different spot each day—first one to find him wins a prize!

THESAVVYMOMS.COM | OCTOBER 2015

NOSH

qu ick party tr ick

IT’S ALWAYS GREAT TO RECYCLE GLASS JARS, BUT WHY NOT UPCYCLE THEM INTO A SPOOKY HALLOWEEN CENTERPIECE INSTEAD?

BOO!

BONUS! PARTY PLAYLIST FOR KIDS... MONSTER MASH WEREWOLVES OF LONDON Warren Zevon

GHOST TOWN The Specials

THRILLER Michael Jackson

SPOOKY Dusty Springfield

I WANT CANDY Bow Wow Wow WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Empty glass jars of various sizes White, black and orange tissue paper Scissors Modge Podge Glitter Construction paper Paintbrush Black chalk paint

WHAT TO DO: 1. Make sure jars are clean and free of any labels. 2. Cut tissue paper into strips. Kids, be sure to have an adult help with this step. (Making a mummy? Rip the strips for a more authentic look.) 3. Apply Modge Podge to the outside of a jar, then cover with the tissue paper strips. 4. Use glitter, chalk paint, construction paper and your imagination to give your jar characters personality by making eyes, whiskers and more. We also painted each lid with chalk paint for a matching look.

28 OCTOBER 2015 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

ADDAMS GROOVE MC Hammer

GHOSTBUSTERS Ray Parker Jr.

PURPLE PEOPLE EATER Sheb Wooley

PHOTOGRAPHY: MATTHEW MARTIN/STYLING: MANDY KEENER

Bobby Pickett

ScarY Snacks

A FEW TRICKS FOR MAKING SWEET TREATS Decorating your own cookies and cupcakes for Halloween is easy and fun. Keep your color palette simple with orange, black and white, and you can create jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, skulls, candy corn and more. To get the most bang for your buck, make (or buy) a big batch of white frosting, and tint it to your liking with food coloring. Add in nonpariels, sugar sprinkles, candy eyeballs, themed picks and wrappers for cupcakes, and even icing gel and spray on color mist.

Come Check Us Out! Check Us Out Tours at all schools— October 7-8, 9am-1:30pm

October 14 PSAT/NMSQT All high school juniors.

October 17 Computer Power Day + Parent Academy for Student Success $50 computers available for qualifying families. Pre-registration required for $50 computers.

October 16 Staff Development Day./Students Out

October 19 Parent Conference Day/Students Out October 19-30 Open Enrollment for 2016-2017 Early Childhood/P3-P4

New and Improved Open Enrollment for 2016!

Early Childhood P3/P4

October 19-30, 2015

Forest Heights STEM Academy Magnet/Specialty Schools K-12/Address Changes P3-12th Grade Assignment Mail Out

November 9-13, 2015 November 16-20, 2015 December 7-18, 2015 March 4, 2016

The District’s new open enrollment dates were designed with You in mind. If you are applying for magnet or specialty schools like Forest Heights or Geyer Springs, you should do so during the assigned Open Enrollment period in order to be included in the first computerized scramble for seats. We encourage parents to use the designated Open Enrollment dates. Little Rock School District For more information, visit PERFORMANCE WORKPLAN the Student Registration lrsd.org Department’s web page on www.lrsd.org. W CE FOR TOMORRO

LLEN CREATING EXCE

THESAVVYMOMS.COM | OCTOBER 2015

Have A Howling Ghoul Time! 20th Annual

Enjoy a safe and fun Halloween Thurs., Oct. 29 from 6 PM to 8:30 PM • Trick-or-treating • Fun and games • Safe and accessible for children and families LOCATIONS: • Arkansas Arts Center • Historic Arkansas Museum • Little Rock Visitor Center at Curran Hall • MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History • Mosaic Templars Cultural Center • Museum of Discovery • Old State House Museum • Witt Stephens Jr. Nature Center

pick up a game card for prize drawings!

SPONSORED BY:

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT LITTLEROCK.COM

Join us for our 2nd Annual

Trunk orTreat! on October 29th! Meet us in the Helping Hand parking lot from 5:30 - 7:30 PM for a safe and friendly Trick-or-Treating environment for your child!

October 10th, 6:00AM - 12:00PM at Helping Hand

www.Helpinghandcc.com • 501-791-3331 4901 North Shore Dr • North Little Rock Helping Hand Learning Center Is A 501 (C)(3) Non-Profit

30 OCTOBER 2015 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

PING HAN EL

25 1990-2015

YEARS

INFO & JOB POSTINGS

RUMMAGE SALE!

WYLIE & MILES’ MOM!

JERUSALEM GREER AND MORGAN HERNDON HAVE TURNED CHILDHOOD PASTIMES INTO AN ARTISTIC WAY OF LIFE BY KD REEP PHOTOGRAPHY BY RETT PEEK & BETH HALL

KARALINE, CARTER, TUCKER, ADDIE KATE, MILES & LAINEY’S MOM! THESAVVYMOMS.COM | OCTOBER 2015

THE “PREACHER LADY WHO LIKES GLITTER” AND HER FAMILY TAKE A SLOW APPROACH TO MODERN LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY BY RETT PEEK

erusalem Jackson Greer is as unique as her name. An author, wife, momma, yoga fan, book addict, reluctant gardener, crafter, lay Episcopal minister, blogger and speaker, among other pursuits, Jerusalem stays in constant motion. “I do a variety of things,” she says. “I think this career chose me. I don’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t love creating—be it crafting, cooking, writing or entertaining. I also don’t remember a time when I wasn’t involved in church work. I am a third-generation minister, and I happily label myself as a #churchnerd. When I was 10, I was making all the neighborhood kids Halloween costumes, and by the time I was 14 and 15, I was organizing church-wide social events and writing op-eds in the church newsletter. Granted, my father was the pastor so I had an inside track.” She carried on this tradition into her work for St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Conway as the minister of children, youth and families, but it is her blog, which marks its ninth year in the spring, her family and her faith that fuels her talents. “I never set out for the things I pursue to be my career,” Jerusalem says. “It never even occurred to me that it was possible. After all, ‘Preacher Lady Who Likes Glitter’ isn’t really a job description you see in the want ads. But, it is such an honor to be able to do work that I am passionate about and help bring opportunities for people to experience peace and hope that I get to do this through a variety of creative streams—writing, speaking, crafting, cooking. It is really an amazing gift.” Her book, A Homemade Year: The Blessings of Cooking, Crafting, and Coming Together, outlines her family’s pursuit of living a slower version of modern life while focusing on what gives them joy. Sometimes, they do it well, Jerusalem says. A lot of times, they don’t.

32 OCTOBER 2015 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

Gatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; round the table: Writing is a shared interest for Jerusalem and her boys, Wylie, 15, and Miles, 11.

THESAVVYMOMS.COM | OCTOBER 2015

Cannoli-making shenanigans.

TOP FIVE FAVES 1. Lazy Saturday mornings, which sometimes are all too rare.

2. Flea marketingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;it is true, all my fellas love to go to flea markets! 3. Campingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;we love to take advantage of all our great state parks. 4. Road trips, especially to historic places. 5. Being with family friends. We love to have other families over for dinner and fellowship. 34 OCTOBER 2015 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

Jerusalem, Miles and Wylie brainstorm a spooky look for the first pumpkin of the season.

“THE MOST REWARDING PART OF WHAT I DO IS WHEN SOMETHING I HAVE WRITTEN, SAID OR CREATED HELPS SOMEONE ELSE EXPERIENCE PEACE, FREEDOM OR HOPE.” “My husband Nathan, who I call Sweet Man, and our two boys Wylie and Miles, live on eight acres with three dogs, one barn cat, a potbellied pig and a leopard gecko,” she says. “We’re looking to add chickens, ducks and sheep or goats this spring. Right now, our focus is on fixing up the house.” Chasing after her passions has allowed her to lead the life she loves, but it takes balance to do them well. Jerusalem acknowledges that practicing what she preaches helps her prioritize all aspects of her life. “Being a mom, wife, minister and creative person challenges me daily to live what I preach,” she says. “I believe in kindness, honesty, authenticity and finding beauty in the mess. Being a mom and a professional stretch me in those areas, and there are definitely days when I am not kind or the mess seems so overwhelming that I want to run away in despair. But I have found that none of this will actually consume me, and I am strong enough to show up and do the work. My family has taught me so much about grace—for myself and others. I fall down a lot as a mother and a professional, and so do the other moms and professionals around me. But you know what? Everyone really is just doing the best they can. And we have to stop comparing our insides to everyone else’s outsides. So I try to have grace for my insides and the insides of others that I can’t see.” Acknowledging that life is a dance is what helps Jerusalem keep a realistic approach to each day. “It is hard to create balance when things are so fluid— what worked when my kids were two and six no longer works now that they are 11 and 15,” Jerusalem says. “What worked when I had a Monday through Friday work week doesn’t fit our life now that I work a lot of weekends and evenings. We try to live by the motto ‘Slow Home,’ which is our term from trying to get off the hamster wheel of keeping up with the Joneses and the constant pressure that society puts on us to do things Bigger! Better! Faster! Now! which we feel is a soul-sucking way to exist in this one wild and precious life of ours. The one thing that is helping our family at the moment is that we have a family mission statement that we call ‘The Filter.’ The Filter is a statement and a set of questions that helps us think through and determine if a project/decision/ purchase/commitment will help us sink or swim at this juncture in our life. As someone who tends to want to Do All the Things, having this practice has helped us enormously.” Helping others slow down and enjoy the moment is something Jerusalem takes particular joy in doing. “The most rewarding part of what I do is when something I have written, said or created helps someone else experience peace, freedom or hope,” she says. “When someone emails me or comes up to me after an event or a service, and says, ‘I thought I was the only one who felt/thought/experienced that! Thank you for helping me feel less alone.’ Well, that is huge for me.” To know and accept that none of us are alone is the bottom line for Jerusalem. In fact, she wants everyone to know that what we are doing is hard at times for all of us. “We are all beautifully and wonderfully made just as we are,” she says. “Focus on that.”

Wylie (top) and Miles (above) share a love of writing with their mom. Miles writes short stories—the scarier, the better!

THESAVVYMOMS.COM | OCTOBER 2015

Morgan and Tucker, Carter, Lainey and Miles take a coloring break in the studio.

36 OCTOBER 2015 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

MORGAN HERNDON FINDS FULFILLMENT AT HOME AND IN FRONT OF THE EASEL PHOTOGRAPHY BY BETH HALL

organ Herndon has been an artist since she was a young girl. After studying a multitude of art courses from interior design to graphic design and most things in between, she graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in 2003 from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Since then, growing and experiencing the many heartaches and joys that come with life pushed her toward creating even more. “My faith and art are deeply intertwined,” Morgan says. “Both are sustaining, uplifting and give me purpose. It is my hope that this art can be as much enrichment to those who view it as it is to me.” In 2009, she had her first gallery representation, and she continues her work while raising Karaline, 14; Carter, 11; Tucker, 9; Addie Kate, 9; Miles, 7; and Lainey, who is nine months old. Her husband, Eric, and labradoodle, Murphy, round out the Herndon home and give Morgan a continual stream of inspiration for her work. “I really can’t see myself being as fulfilled doing anything else,” she says. “It’s been a blessing to be able to be at home when my kids have been small and include the painting throughout my days as I can. As any mom knows, your time isn’t your own once you have children. I have found it necessary to really carve out intentional time for creativity during each stage of motherhood—for my own sanity and the kids’ well being, too. Whether it’s during nap time for the baby or quiet time when the older kids are reading or playing on their electronics, that’s a sacred time and outlet for me, and ultimately, lets me be a more complete version of myself.” THESAVVYMOMS.COM | OCTOBER 2015

“I HAVE FOUND IT NECESSARY TO REALLY CARVE OUT INTENTIONAL TIME FOR CREATIVITY DURING EACH STAGE OF MOTHERHOOD—FOR MY OWN SANITY AND THE KIDS’ WELL BEING, TOO.”

Being able to be home with her kids and paint throughout the day is a blessing, says Morgan.

38 OCTOBER 2015 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

When asked how she balances her work, family and other interests, Morgan is quick to point out she doesn’t. “I think that’s a common misconception—that we will arrive at this magical, harmonious balance one day,” she says. “The reality is there is a lot of chaos and change and multiple needs pulling at me—and you—daily. It is a constant challenge to stay in tune to what takes priority in the moment and what can be put on temporary pause until later. Many, many days I feel like I haven’t covered all the bases, and that’s okay because each new day is fresh, and we get to try again.” It’s this acceptance of what is, instead of an ideal of what should be, that helps Morgan model for her kids how to accept what life brings them. The emphasis she places on grace for herself and others is how she gets through each day. “It seems the pressure to be all things to all people is great amongst us womenfolk,” Morgan says. “We are all part of a community and can encourage each other in whatever season we find ourselves. Grace for ourselves and for others allows us to embrace where we are because it won’t always be this way, whether it’s a good time or bad. I hope people find the positives in whatever challenging circumstances they find themselves. If I can manage to keep at least one of these things in mind as I go about my day, I feel like I’m doing pretty good.” The most rewarding aspect of being an artist and a mom, Morgan says, is hearing how her work touches the viewer. “I love hearing any positive feedback about my art, especially when I hear it affects someone in a personal way,” she says. “Since my art is so personal to me, it warms me to know someone else has a similar reaction. It’s almost as if my deep is calling out to someone else’s deep. As a mom, the most rewarding thing is seeing any of my children being kind to another, especially when they don’t know they are being watched. I love seeing genuine compassion blossoming in my children. It’s crucial that you invest the time and find an outlet for feeding yourself without the pressure or guilt about what you ‘should’ or ‘should not’ be doing instead. This simply makes you a more whole being, which in turn makes you a better mom.”

Miles shows off the finshed product created with his older brothers, Tucker (right) and Carter (below).

TOP FIVE FAVES

1. Family popcorn and movie nights at home—where pallets of big blankets across the floor allow the kids to make as big of a mess with the popcorn as they’d like. 2. Family frisbee in backyard—even Murphy the dog tries to get in on the action. 3. “Washing the family car”—really it equates to having water hose fights with a twist on dodge ball... sudsy sponges flying through the air.

*YUM! Follow Savvy on Facebook to get the full recipe!

4. Four-square tournaments or basketball games of HORSE in the driveway. 5. Road trips to the lake and beach...as expected these involve bickering and sardine-like squishing, but always laughing, singing, dancing and memory making.

THESAVVYMOMS.COM | OCTOBER 2015

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FINDING NOAH: AN ADVENTURE OF FAITH OCT. 8, 7 P.M., RAVE CINEMA

Holt Condren, CEO of Maumelle’s Ink Custom Tees (you’ve seen their work on Nativ tees, among others), has dreamed of finding Noah’s Ark since he was a young boy. In 2009 he began his quest in earnest, as a lead mountaineer with a team of scientists and archeologists searching for the Ark’s remains beneath the ice on Mount Ararat in northeastern Turkey. Finding Noah: An Adventure of Faith is the story of his journey, and is a one night only event. Visit inkcustomtees.com/about/findingnoah for more information and to view a trailer of the movie.

76TH ARKANSAS STATE FAIR There’s plenty of new and exciting rides, attractions and, yes, foods to experience at the 76th Arkansas State Fair. Family Land will feature new rides such as Balloon Race, Frog Hopper and Gravity Storm, while “Learning on the Lawn” will offer interactive programming from The Old State House Museum, Historic Arkansas Museum and the Innovation Hub. And in addition to midway classics like funnel cakes and cotton candy, fairgoers this year can try new dishes, including the Bacon Bomber and Apple Pie Fries & Ice Cream. For all the details, visit arkansasstatefair.com.

22ND ANNUAL RACE FOR THE CURE OCT. 10, 7:30 A.M., DOWNTOWN LITTLE ROCK

OCTOBER

HAPPENINGS OUR PICKS FOR COOL TO-DOS AROUND ARKANSAS for a complete calendar of events, visit our website at thesavvymoms.com.

Join 30,000 in the race to cure breast cancer. The Race for the Cure raises money for breast cancer-related education, treatment and research. The Arkansas Affiliate gives 75 percent of the money raised during Race for the Cure back to Arkansas communities to fund breast cancer education, screening and treatment grants throughout a 63-county service area. The remaining 25 percent goes to the national headquarters directly for research grants related to the treatment and cure of breast cancer. Visit komenarkansas.org to register and donate.

FAMILY FUN DAY

OCT. 18, 12 P.M.-3 P.M., OUTLETS OF LITTLE ROCK In conjunction with the grand opening festivities, this day will include activities for all ages, live entertainment and special savings for guests who attend. Check out outletsoflittlerock.com for all the details for grand opening weekend.

THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW OCT. 23-NOV. 8, THE CHILDREN’S THEATRE

“As schoolmaster of this village, I deal in simple fact. And the simple fact is this—there are no such things as ghosts!” So says Ichabod Crane, the newly hired schoolmaster of Sleepy Hollow. It’s not until the night of Katrina Van Tassel’s Halloween Frolic, when Ichabod comes face to face with Sleepy Hollow’s most feared and famous ghost. Gremlins, ghosts and galloping headless horsemen haunt this Halloween classic. Fridays 7 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 2 p.m. Visit arkarts.com for ticket information.

40 OCTOBER 2015 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

PHOTO COURTESY OF ARKANSAS STATE FAIR

OCT. 9-18, ARKANSAS STATE FAIRGROUNDS

Patients rank our program number 1 out of over 100 residential programs! RIVENDELL offers a free, confidential mobile assessment statewide at the request of parents, school counselors, and other referring professionals. Our team consists of licensed clinicians and trained assessors available from 8-5 Monday through Friday to meet on campus or at a local office or clinic upon parent consent. Our 24/7 Assessment and Referral Department (A&R) located at the hospital can arrange the mobile assessment for you. Simply call 1-800-264-5640 or 501-3161255 and ask to speak with A&R. From there we will have a representative call to schedule the meeting place and time. In emergencies, our doors are always open! Please don’t hesitate to reach out. We understand that crises aren’t planned, and we have the professional support on standby to help.

1-800-264-5640

100 Rivendell Drive • Benton, AR www.rivendellofarkansas.com

We take your child’s education With quality public schools like Warren Dupree Elementary, the education you want for your child is close at hand. Choose PCSSD schools with: • Test scores higher than other local districts • Millions in college scholarships awarded • Teachers with advanced degrees • Talented and gifted programs • State-winning sports teams

pcssd.org

501.234.2000 THESAVVYMOMS.COM | OCTOBER 2015

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REACHING OUT

CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY GROUP LOOKS TO EXPAND ABUSE SERVICES IN ARKANSAS BY DWAIN HEBDA

ast year alone, 4,323 cases of child abuse, neglect or endangerment were funneled through the state’s Children’s Advocacy Centers (CAC). While that sounds like a lot—and it is—child abuse experts know that’s likely only the tip of the iceberg. “Is child abuse on the rise? Actually what is happening is, more and more are aware of child abuse and what it consists of,” says Stacy Thompson, executive director of Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas (CACA). “As more and more people are aware of what constitutes child abuse, you’re seeing generally increased reporting. “But, as much as 85 percent of abuse cases are deemed sexual in nature and 90 percent of child sexual abuse goes unreported, if the truth be told. It’s a family’s best-kept secret or, rather, a child’s best-kept secret.” CACA is a member organization that provides support to Arkansas’ 14 CACs and knowing the need for such centers is more acute than even 2014’s sobering statistics indicate, CACA is on a mission to increase the number and reach of such facilities to help victims of abuse. “Our goal, our mission is to provide enough CACs so that no child has to ride longer than an hour’s drive to have access to a full array of services,” she says. “We hope to be able to establish either satellite centers or new centers in those areas of Arkansas where the child is required to drive longer than an hour.” Arkansas’ CACs, located in Conway, Little Flock (Benton County), West Memphis, Pine Bluff, Little Rock, Springdale, Hot Springs, Harrison, Fort Smith, Jonesboro, Lonoke, Searcy and Arkadelphia, provide front-line response to child abuse victims. The process starts when a potential abuse case is reported via the Arkansas Child Abuse hotline, Thompson says. If the case is deemed appropriate for referral to a CAC—and if there is one available in the area —the center serves as a common point of interaction between the victim and a wide spectrum of services and entities including law enforcement, legal, medical and social services.

42 OCTOBER 2015 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

“When a child comes to a CAC, there’s a multi-disciplinary approach used,” Thompson says. “The team includes victim advocates, forensic interviewers, prosecution, law enforcement, state police, Department of Child and Family Services, medical professionals and mental health professionals. All of these components come together to determine the needs of a particular child and how to best serve that particular child.” Among other services, victims get access to on-site medical exams and mental health therapy as well. The goal of offering these and other services in one location is to streamline delivery of help and resources, thereby reducing the trauma the victim and their family are already suffering. “The Children’s Advocacy Center is the only organization in the country that not only gives free, long-term mental health counseling to the victims along with any necessary medical exams by a Sexual Abuse Nurse Examiner,” says Arkansas First Lady Susan Hutchinson, former board member for CAC of Benton County and current board emeritus. “(It’s) also a place for the victim to give a full and complete video recorded account of their suffering. This interview is done by a specially trained person and is turned over to the authorities.” Child abuse is defined as sexual or physical abuse, neglect, witness to violence, drug endangerment and other crimes perpetrated against individuals ages 18 and under. As Thompson noted, sexual abuse was far and away the most prevalent of the cases handled by Arkansas CACs last year, more than three times that of all other categories combined. Victims across all categories included twice as many girls than boys in 2014, with the most prevalent age group being between 7- and 12-years-old. Of the 4,307 cases where ethnicity was reported, 3,336 were identified as Caucasian, or 78 percent. Only 417 cases identified as African-American, 329 as Hispanic and 85 combined as Native American or Asian. Since abuse knows no socio-economic, racial or ethnic boundaries, occurring throughout urban and rural communities alike, the glaring disparity in the racial makeup of CAC

“THE CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY CENTER IS THE ONLY ORGANIZATION IN THE COUNTRY THAT NOT ONLY GIVES FREE, LONG-TERM MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING TO THE VICTIMS ALONG WITH ANY NECESSARY MEDICAL EXAMS BY A SEXUAL ABUSE NURSE EXAMINER.” —ARKANSAS FIRST LADY SUSAN HUTCHINSON

cases underscores the importance of CACA’s ongoing community outreach and public awareness efforts. “Anything we can do to bring awareness to the problem helps identify that abuse doesn’t discriminate,” Thompson says. To that end, CACA is hosting a new event, Arkansas Woman of Inspiration, to raise both money and awareness of the organization’s work and the work of the Arkansas CACs. The inaugural luncheon and silent auction, slated for October 23 at the Little Rock Marriott Hotel Ballroom, is shaping up to accomplish both, says Shayla Copas, co-chair. “The response has been amazing. We are currently sold out and already starting on next year,” she says. “We have raised $252,000 in cash and with our in-kind fundraising have raised $381,000 total. This is quite exciting for a first-year event. There are so many generous Arkansans who want to play a part in the healing process.” The luncheon will also honor First Lady Hutchinson for, “the passion, dedication and time that she has put into making the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas a success,” Copas says. “Mrs. Hutchinson has been extremely vital to creating awareness for the organization and has made it her mission to protect the children of our state. She is a treasure to our children and I am proud to play a role in recognizing her.” “(This issue) does matter to all Arkansans because they care about children and because their lives are impacted by the adults these children become and the choices they subsequently make,” Hutchinson says. “The issue of child abuse is important to me because children are important. And everything that happens in our childhood is revisited throughout the rest of our years, for good or for bad, thereby impacting us for a lifetime. “The thought of being honored with the designation of ‘Woman of Inspiration’ is most humbling as I have not yet done all I can do to rescue and restore children who have suffered abuse. And, I haven’t yet reached everyone I need to join in the effort to eliminate the need of Children’s Advocacy Centers. But with this honor, I am inspired to work more vigorously to help our children.”

The PediaTric clinic, P.a. of norTh liTTle rock

Over 50 Years of

Caring

Accepting New Patients Birth Through Adolescence Most Insurance Accepted Lourie Battles, MD • Robert Choate, MD • Kim Clinton, MD Anthony Elias, MD • Kim Hurlbut, MD Stephen Fiedorek, MD • Eric Fraser, MD • Gary Fowler, APRN Bishawn Morris, MD • JoAnne Wilson, APRN Tina Jones, MD • Nicole Turner, APRN

RESOURCES: cacarkansas.org

3401 Springhill Drive, Ste. 245 North Little Rock · 501.758.1530 CLINIC HOURS: MONDAY-FRIDAY 8 AM-6 PM WALK-IN SICK CLINIC: SATURDAY 8 AM

ARKANSAS CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE 1.844.SAVE.A.CHILD OR 1.800.482.5964

203 B Plaza Boulevard Cabot · 501.843.0068 CLINIC HOURS: MONDAY-FRIDAY 8 AM-5 PM THESAVVYMOMS.COM | OCTOBER 2015

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PHOTOGRAPHY: BRIAN CHILSON/ARKANSAS STATE FAIR

A FAIR OPPORTUNITY

MISS ARKANSAS STATE FAIR QUEEN COMPETITION FOCUSES ON SCHOLARSHIP, NOT BEAUTY BY KD REEP

verything is big at the Arkansas State Fair: The food, the rides, the livestock. Even the pageant competitions are big, and the scholarships and prize packages are even bigger. “The Arkansas State Fair, as an organization, distributes $450,000 in scholarships a year,” says Deb Crow, competitive events administrator for the Arkansas State Fair. “For the state fair queen, junior state fair queen and rodeo queen, the scholarships and prize packages are more than $175,000.” But it wasn’t always this way. In 1953, the Arkansas State Fair Queen program began, but it wasn’t until 2010 when Joan Warren took over as director of the junior and state fair queen programs for Arkansas. Warren has more than two decades of experience in the Miss America scholarship program, and her first priority was to provide educational opportunities to the pageant contestants. “A lot of people don’t know that the Arkansas State Fair is about educating the state’s youth,” she says. “Everything we do is about providing and encouraging educational opportunities for the kids who participate, whether it’s 4-H, Future Farmers of America, youth talent competitions or arts and crafts, the focus is on what our youth have learned and what is available for them to learn more. Coming from the Miss America organization, which is all about scholarships, I wanted to make prizes for the state fair queens fall more in line with the mission of the Arkansas State Fair, which is to have an annual, family oriented event offering a variety of entertainment and educational opportunities for all ages in a safe and clean environment; showcase Arkansas with a focus on agriculture, livestock, the arts and technology; and promote youth and youth development.” It was her connection to former Miss Arkansas Beth Ann Rankin that helped Warren obtain a full, four-year scholarship to Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia. Rankin’s father, David, was president of SAU, and he worked with Warren to provide two scholarships to the university, worth $40,000 each. “As an agricultural university with a focus on the sport of rodeo, President Rankin understood the value of the Miss Arkansas State Fair Queen and the Miss Arkansas Rodeo State Fair Queen,” Warren says. “Now, each of these winners can choose to go to SAU, or if they have another college in mind, they can get $2,000 toward tuition, books or whatever needs they may have.”

44 OCTOBER 2015 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

2012 State Fair Queen Sierra Lites. (below) Fairgoers enjoying the state fair that focuses on a family oriented environment.

But the full-ride scholarship isn’t all the queen gets. The queen’s prize package includes a $2,000 scholarship from Triple S Alarm, diamond jewelry from M&M Jewelers, an evening gown from Applause, a portrait package and Christmas cards from You’ve Got the Look Photography, a full year of hair service from Classic Cutters and make-up service from Stephanie Ross with Faces by Stephanie, and $1,000 in teeth whitening, among other prizes. The Junior State Fair Queen gets $500 cash from Fuller Hardware, and Eagle Bank provides a cash prize to the runner up. The grand champion of the youth talent competition receives $1,000 from Coleman Dairy. “Lee’s School of Cosmetology also provides us with two full scholarships,” Warren says. “If the State Fair Queen can’t use it, any of the county or district queens can apply for it, and the one who scored the highest points on her application gets it.” The first Arkansas State Fair Queen to benefit from this focus on education is Sierra Lites, Miss Arkansas State Fair Queen in 2012 and a junior at SAU today. Sierra says she participated in pageants from the time she was six months old until today, but it wasn’t until the Miss Arkansas State Fair scholarship competition that it allowed her to pursue her dream.

“PEOPLE THINK PAGEANTS ARE ONLY ABOUT BEAUTY, AND IT’S NOT THAT WAY AT ALL.” —SIERRA LITES “I was Miss Grant County, and I was familiar with all aspects of the fair,” Sierra says. “It’s truly a lifestyle. When I competed in the state fair queen pageant, they had to rearrange my interview because I was showing hogs at the time.” Sierra had applied to two colleges—SAU and the University of Arkansas at Monticello—and a week before the fair, she learned she was accepted at SAU. When she was crowned Miss Arkansas State Fair 2012, she said it was a nobrainer to take the scholarship and attend SAU. “I like to call it a ‘godwink’,” she says. “I was involved in 4-H from kindergarten through ninth grade then I joined Future Farmers of America at Sheridan High School. I entered every age division of fair pageants and won. Winning the title that year and being able to go to SAU showed me that diligence and faith will get you a long way.” Today, Sierra is a junior at SAU studying nursing with a minor in psychology. She looks back on her time participating in county and state fair queen competitions and sees how it helped her develop into the person she is today. “People think pageants are only about beauty, and it’s not that way at all,” she says. “Anyone can be in the fair queen competition, and should. You have to be poised, able to think on your feet, knowledgeable about current affairs, able to handle stress. The prize packages are excellent, and you can use the scholarship at SAU for anything—tuition, books, lab fees, whatever. Why wouldn’t you want a chance at that opportunity?”

here for a better state of health

Summer has begun to fade into fall and cooler temperatures, which means costumes, carnivals and fall festivals are just around the corner. “The fall brings lots of family-time opportunities, but it’s important that safety and preparation do not get lost in all the fun,” said Shreelekha Nallur, M.D., a family medicine specialist at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Whether it’s carving a pumpkin around the house or going to the neighborhood fall festival, there are several precautions to keep in mind: Costume Safety. If your child’s costume has a mask, make sure he or she can see properly to avoid an accident or fall. Careful Pumpkin Carving. Pumpkin carving is a great family activity, but it’s best to show your children how to properly use the tools to avoid a mishap. Age-Appropriate Activities. Some activities might be too scary for the younger children. It’s important to know what your child is comfortable doing to ensure everything goes smoothly. Flu Season. Fall brings about the chances of contracting the infectious disease. It’s a good idea for the entire family to get a flu shot. Also, remind your kids to wash their hands to combat germs. Fall activities provide our families with opportunity for enjoyment, so let’s take all the necessary precautions to maximize the fun.

For an appointment, call 501-686-8000 UAMShealth.com/centerforprimarycare

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