SAVVYkids | June 2019

JUNE 2019 · SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

CHILDHOOD HUNGER 1 IN 4 ARKANSAS CHILDREN EXPERIENCE FOOD INSECURITY

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SUMMER SAFETY GUIDE

DADS ON A MISSION

MEET 3 LOCAL DADS WHO PUT FAMILY FIRST

HOT OFF THE GRILL

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JUNE 2019 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

LOOKING BACK AT A

YEAR OF GROWTH

2018 - 2019 proved to be an exciting academic year of change and improvements for the Pulaski County Special School District. From academic advancements to student and employee enrichment, the overall experience within PCSSD improved throughout the year.

At PCSSD, it’s important to ensure that teachers are equipped with the best knowledge in order to educate the young minds who enter our buildings. That’s why professional development and training opportunities are so vital to academic success.

We kicked off the year with a three-day new teacher orientation in August 2018 with two additional meetings for novice teachers. Teachers gained valuable professional development experiences while making new connections with fellow teachers across the district. Human Resources also held Aspiring Black Principals sessions throughout the school year for current African American licensed employees that desire to become administrators.

PCSSD began Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) district-wide this year. This initiative will assist our schools with enhancing our school climates and provide additional support to all students.

For our Kindergarten through third-grade students, teachers received Phonics First training to help complete the statewide RISE initiative which focuses on reading. We also have teams that have been charged with ensuring that our curriculum is multicultural and multi-sensory at every school.

In addition to revising the curriculum, we piloted common formative assessments across the district which will allow teachers to better gauge student learning and their teaching. In an effort to assist our students who seek a non-traditional path, we have extended our DRIVEN program to a third high school.

Next year, PCSSD will implement AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) at several elementary schools as well as sixth grade in the middle schools and ninth grade at the high schools. AVID teams are eagerly preparing to implement this system that will increase student engagement, promote classroom collaboration and activate deeper levels of learning in their classrooms with practical, immediately useful tools and instructional strategies. Teachers who participate in AVID professional learning begin to shift their beliefs about teaching and learning, allowing them to cultivate a growth mindset both for themselves and their students.

pcssd.org

We are dedicated to ensuring all of our students are represented at every level. All of these initiatives and many others set to begin in the 2019 - 2020 school year will allow us to continue toward our ultimate goal of providing “Equity and Excellence” in all that we do.

501.234.2000 SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | JUNE 2019

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MAKE YOUR OWN TREASURE SOAP

JUNE 2019 5 EDITOR’S NOTE

8 ADVENTURE & FUN CALENDAR, CRAFT & MORE!

14 ASK YOUR DAD

PUT ON YOUR PARENTING OXYGEN MASK —LEVI AGEE

16 FAMILY & PARENTING DADS ON A MISSION

22 GOOD EATS

CHRIS JOHNSON, DAD ON A MISSION

HOT OFF THE GRILL

30 EXPLORE & LEARN SUMMER SAFETY

34 HEALTH & WELLNESS HUNGRY TO LEARN

38 KID APPROVED HAPPY CAMPING —KYLE LAPHAM

SUMMER SAFETY TIPS

GARLIC GRILLED POTATOES FOR YOUR FATHER'S DAY COOKOUT!

ON THE COVER: PHOTO BY KATIE CHILDS

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JUNE 2019 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

Fathers, Food and Fun In the Sun June is great for two big reasons: School is (finally!) out and we get to celebrate all those hard-working, family-loving dads in our lives. In this issue of Savvykids, we spotlight three local dads who are making a difference in their kids lives, and working hard to make their community a better place for all kids. Beginning on page 16, read the parenting journeys of Chris Johnson (dad to Elliott and Charlie), Lorenzo Lewis (dad to Sareya) and Clarke Tucker (dad to Ellis and Mari Francis).

These guys work hard and love their families even harder.

Father’s Day (that’s June 16, so mark your calendar) goes hand-in-hand with cookouts. Nothing says “Thanks, Dad” quite like the sound of meat sizzling on the grill and kids playing in the yard. Zara Abbasi has whipped up some hearty recipes to round out your celebratory cookout. Flip to page 22 for some edible ideas to fire up your Father’s Day. While we are on the topic of eating well, it’s important to note that so many kids in Arkansas don’t. Arkansas ranks second highest in the nation for number of households that experience food insecurity, and one in four of our children struggle to get enough to eat. There are many amazing programs that work to get meals to kids during the school year, but when school is out many kids find themselves on their own to find food. On page 34, we look at some great organizations supporting after-school and summer programs to feed kids.

With summertime also comes the need to get out in the sun, on the water and in the great outdoors. Before you pack up and go, take a look at our Summer Safety Guide on page 30. It’s full of tips to help you and your family to enjoy the season and stay safe through the Arkansas heat, sun and bugs.

Amy Gordy Editor, Savvykids amy@arktimes.com

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | JUNE 2019

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Summer Reading Club PUBLISHER KATHERINE DANIELS | katherine@arktimes.com EDITOR AMY GORDY | amy@arktimes.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR MANDY KEENER

Summer Highlights

June 8: Kidstock Family Music Festival June 15: Astronomer Phil Plait July 22: Library Night at the Travs

Special programs by Arkansas Game & Fish Commission Museum of Discovery • Magician Scott Davis The Kinders • Tommy Terrific

CALS.ORG

LOOKING FOR MORE SAVVYKIDS?

ART DIRECTOR | DIGITAL MANAGER KATIE HASSELL SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE LESA THOMAS ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE DARLENE SIMPSON PRODUCTION MANAGER | CONTROLLER WELDON WILSON ADVERTISING TRAFFIC MANAGER ROLAND R. GLADDEN ADVERTISING ART DIRECTOR MIKE SPAIN DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL STRATEGY JORDAN LITTLE PHOTOGRAPHER BRIAN CHILSON IT DIRECTOR ROBERT CURFMAN ADVERTISING ASSISTANT HANNAH PEACOCK ACCOUNTING LINDA PHILLIPS CIRCULATION DIRECTOR ANITRA HICKMAN PRESIDENT ALAN LEVERITT

©2019 ARKANSAS TIMES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP 201 E. MARKHAM ST., SUITE 200 LITTLE ROCK, AR 72201 501-375-2985

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JUNE 2019 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

S AV V Y K I D S A R . CO M

contributors ANGELA E. THOMAS is a proud University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduate and a member of its Alumni Board. For 11 years, she served Central Arkansas as editor for a locally owned magazine. Thomas is founder and owner of the greeting card company GODsent Greetings.

Graphic Design & Digital Fabricat 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.

July 15-18 8am-12pm

Design like the pros. Learn to organize you through influences, colors, and fonts. Use A Photoshop and Illustrator to bring your idea July 15-18 fabricate something unique to take home w 8am-12pm fabrication tools like the laser cutter.

July 15-18 July 15-18 J 8am-12pm 8am-12pm 8 Design like the pros. Learn to organize you throughlike influences, colors, and fonts. Use A Design the pros.

Learn to organize you Design like the pros. Learn to29-August organize your2 thoughts L July 15-18 July Photoshop and Illustrator to bring your ide through colors, and fonts. Use dA through influences, colors, and influences, fonts.

Use Adobe 8am-12pm 8am-12pm | 1pm-5pm fabricate something unique to takeyour home w Photoshop and Illustrator to bring ide Photoshop and Illustrator to bring your ideas to life. Then, o July 15-18 fabrication tools like unique the laser cutter. fabricate something to takethrowin homeuw fabricate something unique to take home with digital Design like the pros. Learn to organize your thoughts Learn pottery hand building, wheel 8am-12pm | 1pm-5pm fabrication tools like theThen lasermake cutter. fabrication tools like the laser cutter. through influences, colors, and fonts. Use Adobe decoration techniques. a placep Most kids want to spend their summers Photoshop and Illustrator to bring your ideas to life. Then, of functional pottery dishes and decoratepla th games, but some wantPick to spen fabricate something unique to take home with digital underglazes to be kids firedactually in our kiln. up f summer making games and we can h fabrication tools like the laser cutter. pieces will be 4-6video weeks after camp.

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Learn la be weeks after camp. fabrication tools like the laser cutter.

July 8-12 the types of plants down to the gravity of y how to create everything about a video gam how to create everything about aofvideo game from m Most kids want to spend their summers playing video A big part what doworld here 2D at The Innova 8am-12pm Then, create a fullywe animated character of plants down to the gravity of Ly the their types of plants down totypes theproducts gravity of your planet. games, but some kids actually want to spend isthe make for people on our 3D prin your world!

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Now you can learn to use Get creative with the essentials: pencils, pa your world!

June 10-14 June 24-28 yourworld world! how to create everything about a video game from machines thatWe’ll our production use on watercolors. use laser cutstaff shapes anda 8am-12pm | 1pm-5pm 8am-12pm d the types of plants down to the gravity of your planet.

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Create specialized new way. paint, and show off all vecto your 8am-12pm 8am-12pm | 1pm-5pm and innovative means, utilizing recycled materials to | 1pm-5pm printing studio. Learn to turn your idea into digital 8am-12pm make beautiful and functional works of art.

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Learn ho traditional art on camp few makerspace July July 8-12 to make journals, jewelry, greeting cards, reusable fabric t-shirts and bags for each participant. We will send more Most kids want to spend their summers playing video A big part whatmind we do here athands!

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Now youpaints can learn how use Get creative with the essentials: pencils, & pencils, July 8-12 July 22-26We’ll learn painting techniques and color theory Lamp Camp Roboticsabout a video game watercolors. watercolors. laser cutstaff shapes anda how to create everything world from We’ll 8am-12pm machines that our use production use on use laser cut shapes and more as you 8am-12pm | 1pm-5pm new way.

Draw, paint, and and showcolor off all your June 10-14 June 24-28 learn painting techniques theory the types of plants 8am-12pm down to| 1pm-5pm the gravity of yourlearn planet.

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STE R Tcreate O D AY AT A R H 2D UNow . Oyou RG Then, a fully animated tolearn explore laser cutters. can to use summer making video games and R weEcan Learn Clean & Green Art T-shirt Design your world!

June 3-7 June 17-21 machines that our production staff use on a how to create everything about a video game your worldworld! from

ages 11-13

Graphic Design & Digital Fabricat GraphicFabrication Design & Digital FabricatP Graphic Design & Digital

Graphic Design & Digital Fabrication

MELISSA TUCKER spends her days working in web marketing. When not at work, you'll probably find her at the gym, on the playground with her kids or checking out too many books from the library.

Graphic Design & Digital Fabrication Pottery Making Video Game Design Video Game DesignVideo Game Design

young maker camps

ages 8-10

ZARA ABBASI lives in Little Rock with her husband and three children. She is a licensed attorney but you know her better as Little Rock’s friendly pastry chef and custom cake maker. She keeps busy with dessert orders, pop-up dinners, writing articles and doing anything food-related. Follow her on Instagram @Zaramadeit for her newest cake creations and dinner ideas.

KATIE CHILDS is a wedding, lifestyle and commercial photographer based in North Little Rock. When she’s not behind the camera, Katie and her husband, Jon, can be found rock climbing with their two pups in Northwest Arkansas and listening to embarrassing rap music.

Pottery Making Video Game Design

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Video Game Design

3D Print and Laser Think outside the canvas!

Video Game Design

3D Print and Laser Think outside the canvas!

Think outside Think outside the canvas! the canvas!

Think outside the canvas!

Clay Creations Video Game Design

Think outside the canvas!

Clay VideoCreations Game Design Video Game Design Video Game Design

mini maker camps Video Game Design

3D Print and Laser

Visit arhub.org for Game a complete youand thisLaser Video Designcamp list. We look forward to seeing 3D Print summer at Arkansas’ premier makerspace.

Learn 3D modeling and sculpting, and how the types of plants down to the gravity of your planet.

July 8-12 July 22-26 on our 3D printers.

Create specialized vecto Then, create| a1pm-5pm fully animated 2D character to explore 8am-12pm 8am-12pm | 1pm-5pm 204world!

E 4th St, NLR | 501-907-6570 | arhub.organd run them on our laser cutters. Learn ho your

8am-12pm | 1pm-5pm

Mini makers will learn to make art through sustainable and innovative means, utilizing recycled materials to make beautiful and functional works of art. They will learn to make journals, jewelry, greetingMost cards, reusable fabric to kids want shopping bags, and more.

8am-12pm

It’s never too early to start learning the basics of designing and making your own line of t-shirts. Learn various methods of printing, painting, and dyeing fabric to maketheir your own t-shirts and more!

Items video to print are spend summers playing included.

games, but some kids actually want to spend their summer making video games and we can help! Learn Lamp Camp Robotics how to create everything about a video game world from June 3-7 June 17-21 the types of plants down to the gravity of your planet.

8am-12pm | 1pm-5pm 8am-12pm | 1pm-5pm Then, create a fully animated 2D character to explore To quote Brick from Anchorman, “I love lamp.” Over Do you want a vast army of mechanical minions to do world! the course of this camp learn howyour to solder, and wire your bidding? Well, that’s too expensive, but what about in a switch; laser cut a wooden base, sand, stain, and assemble it using proper woodworking techniques.

Next, it’s time to decorate the shade with watercolor and printmaking techniques; then put the whole thing together and take it hope to brighten up your life!

A big part whatmind we do here athands!

The Innov design fromofyour into your is make products for people on our 3D prin R EtoGuse IS laser cutters. Now you can learn how machines that our production staff use on a Learn 3D modeling and sculpting, and how on our 3D printers. Create specialized vecto and run them on our laser cutters. Learn ho design from your mind into your hands!

REGIS

Laman Library's Universe of Stories REGISTER Summer Reading Challenge

one little robot that you can control? We can handle that!

Learn the basics of the coding and wiring that it takes to create artificial intelligence that can move and react to the world around it. Campers will take home their own robot!

R E G I S T E R T O D AY AT A R H U B . O R G

LEVI AGEE is a creative director at an advertising agency and has a 6-year-old who has never slept through the night. He was diagnosed with OCD and panic disorder five years ago, and has been using his meditation practice to build better mental health skills.

He runs an online support group for people who suffer from anxiety and depression called Central Arkansas Nervous System.

with an interactive Hubble Space Telescope & Science on a Sphere Exhibit atE Rthe Branch REGIST T OMain D AY AT ARHUB.ORG

lamanlibrary.org SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | JUNE 2019

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IS TROEDGAY

June

Photo by Tuce on Unsplash

ADVENTURE & FUN

2019 June 2-15

HOT SPRINGS MUSIC FESTIVAL

Enjoy the sounds of more than 100 international musicians coming together June 2-15 during this celebrated music festival in the Spa City. The festival pairs world-class mentor musicians from major orchestras, chamber ensembles and conservatory faculties with especially talented pre-professional apprentices. hotmusic.org

June 9 Now Through June 30

APOLLO 50TH ANNIVERSARY Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing with special exhibits, activities and programming in the Oaklawn Foundation Digital Dome Theater at MidAmerica Science Museum in Hot Springs. midamericamuseum.org

UNITY MARTIAL ARTS SUMMER CAMPS

Choose from several fun, themed camps at Unity Martial Arts with focuses ranging from making martial arts films to adventure stories with sword fighting, building forts and more. unitymartialarts.com/visitors-kids/camps Ranking Camp: June 3-7 and July 8-12 Adventure Quest: June 10-14 and July 15-19 Movie Making: June 17-21 and 22-26 Avatar the Last Airbender: June 24-28 and July 29-Aug. 2 Magic the Gathering: July 1-5 and Aug. 5-6

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JUNE 2019 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

MIRACLE LEAGUE BURGER COMPETITION

Kick off the summer on June 9 from 1-5 p.m. at the first Miracle League Burger Competition. Grab a burger and beer at this block party in the Heights neighborhood to raise money for Miracle League of Arkansas, a baseball league empowering local youths living with disabilities. Adults $20, kids get in free. miracleleaguear.com

Through August

ZOOFARI SUMMER CAMPS

Kids can take a walk on the wild side during a half-day or full-day camp experience at the Little Rock Zoo. Zoofari offers up-close encounters with animals, fun and engaging activities and more. Zoofari 2019 camp themes for ages 5-11 include: Nature Explorers; It’s … Alive! Wild Science; Zoo-magination; and Art Camp-Crafty Critters. Camps for ages 12-14 include: Animal U—Zookeeper in Training and iZoo—When Technology Meets Nature. littlerockzoo.com

WEDNESDAYS AT SUNDOWN

FREE ADMISSION

June 8

RiverMarket.info

KIDSTOCK FAMILY MUSIC FESTIVAL BALLET ARKANSAS SUMMER DANCE CAMPS Story Time Dance Camp (ages 5+): June 24-28. This fun-filled week of dance, arts and crafts, and learning from the professional dancers of Ballet Arkansas is centered around the stories of classical ballets such as “Sleeping Beauty” and “Swan Lake.”

Junior Intensive (ages 8+): June 17-21.

Students will get to spend the week focusing on ballet technique, moving and grooving in jazz and contemporary classes, and getting creative in choreography class.

Summer Intensive (ages 10+): July 22– Aug. 2. Dancers will train with the artistic staff and professional dancers of Ballet Arkansas and a distinguished guest faculty from across the country. balletarkansas.org

SAVE THE DATE FOR AUG. 24, FOR THE NUTCRACKER SPECTACULAR AUDITION!

July 17

MOVIES IN THE PARK

On Wednesdays, when the sun goes down, the big screen lights up at First Security Amphitheatre in Riverfront Park. Bring a blanket and a picnic for this familyfriendly free movie series. Check out the 2019 lineup:

6/5: “THOR: RAGNAROK” 6/12: “HOW TO TRAIN

YOUR DRAGON 3” 6/19: “DUMB AND DUMBER” 6/26: “APOLLO 13” 7/3: “THE GREATEST SHOWMAN” 7/10: “THE SANDLOT” 7/17: “DODGEBALL” 7/24: “JUMANJI” 7/31: “THE HELP”

Central Arkansas Library System kicks off its annual summer reading club with this familyfriendly festival at the Children's Library and Learning Center from 10 a.m-2 p.m. Enjoy bubbles, sidewalk chalk, lawn games, snacks and live performances. cals.org

June 10-21

HISTORIC ARKANSAS MUSEUM PIONEER DAY CAMP

Rising third-through sixth-graders can learn and live the way Arkansas’s settlers did at this camp exploring early frontier life in The Natural State. On June 10-21, kids will visit with the blacksmith working at the forge, prepare dinner at the Brownlee House kitchen, make arts and crafts, and learn fun dances like the Virginia Reel. historicarkansas.org

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | JUNE 2019

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mini maker camps mini maker camps

INNOVATION HUB MAKER CAMPS

The Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub hosts several maker camps for kids ages 8-10 and ages 11-13 throughout the summer. 2019 summer camp themes include: Clean and Green Art, Lamp Camp, Printing and Dyeing, Video Game Design, Graphic Design and Digital Fabrication,

3D Print and Laser, Robotics, Pottery Making, T-Shirt Design, Think Outside the Canvas and Clay Creations.

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FLAG DAY

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

Check the web page for more information: arhub.org/summer/

Make a Splash with a

Hawaiian Bash

INVITATIONS • DECORATIONS • PARTY FAVORS • BALLOONS • PIÑATAS • CAKE SUPPLIES 10 JUNE 2019 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

June 15

2019 EAST VILLAGE JAM

The Downtown Little Rock Partnership joins Riceland Rice to host the 2nd Annual East Village Jam on the lawns of the Clinton Presidential Center from 5-11 p.m. Food trucks, craft beer, spirits and more will be on hand, as well as games and live music.

June 21-30

‘WILLY WONKA JR.’ AT THE REP

The Arkansas Repertory Theatre will showcase the talent of local young actors at this fun musical based on the book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl. therep.org

July 4 36TH ANNUAL POPS ON THE RIVER Enjoy an afternoon filled with family-friendly activities and a night sky filled with fireworks exploding to the sounds of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra at this free community event. pops.arkansasonline.com

h 11218 N. RODNEY PARHAM RD. / LR 501.223.4929

4822 N. HILLS BLVD. / NLR 501.978.3154

• INVITATIONS • DECORATIONS • PARTY FAVORS • BALLOONS • PIÑATAS • CAKE SUPPLIES SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | JUNE 2019

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Treasure Soap

Make your own fun-filled soap for kids

You will need:

Soap mold Brick of glycerin soap Plastic animals, googly eyes or other little toys Food coloring Essential oils (optional)

CAUTION, MELTED GLYCERIN IS HOT!

How to:

1. Start by cutting the glycerin soap brick into smaller pieces and place them into a glass bowl. Melt the glycerin in the microwave in 30-second increments.

Be sure to stir gently to create fewer bubbles. Bubbles make the soap cloudy.

2. Once melted, stir in the scented essential oils and food coloring.

3. Carefully pour into the molds, filling about halfway.

Place toy animals facing down into the glycerin, then finish filling the mold.

4. Set aside to cool for about an hour or until the soap is no longer warm.

5. Once cooled, flip the mold over and push the soap out.

MAKE SURE TO USE VERY LITTLE FOOD COLORING. ONE DROP MIGHT BE TOO MUCH DEPENDING ON THE BRAND.

12 JUNE 2019 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

Spotlight on Nonprofits The Van

Who’s Leading? Aaron Reddin, founder and board president, has been described as a “crazy, guerrilla homeless advocate.” An Arkansas native, he’s been a tireless voice for the homeless of Central Arkansas for nearly a decade.

AARON REDDIN, FOUNDER AND BOARD PRESIDENT OF THE VAN.

What’s It All About? The Van serves the homeless by going directly where they are—homeless camps, alleyways, under bridges—and distributing food, water, clothing and hygiene products. It is one initiative under the umbrella organization The One, the other being The Field, an urban farm providing fresh produce and a day’s wage for homeless workers.

Where Can I Find It? The Van operates out of a warehouse and office space at 4500 W. 61st St. in south Little Rock.

When Can I Attend? The Van needs volunteers to ride along and distribute supplies to the homeless. The organization

also relies on volunteers to help collect, sort, organize and distribute in-kind donations. This work is done nearly every day of the week, and volunteers work at times and in ways that fit their schedule.

Why Is It Important? The Van delivers goods that preserve the inherent dignity of every person it encounters. The organization seeks to build relationships with members of the homeless community to identify barriers to obtaining income and housing. It also works to help individuals meet these challenges, thus moving beyond homelessness.

How Can I Help? Volunteers are always in demand, as are monetary and in-kind donations that drive The Van’s work. Monetary contributions are used to purchase the supplies distributed to people in the community and also help maintain The Van’s vehicles used to distribute supplies to the homeless. To learn more, please visit itsthevan.org.

HOT SPRINGS

MUSIC

FESTIVAL June 2 - 15, 2019 hotmusic.org for full schedule and more information Casual...Creative...Fun! SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | JUNE 2019

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ASK YOUR DAD...

Put On Your Parenting Oxygen Mask

BY LEVI AGEE

In 2012 I was fortunate enough to have two things given to me: a beautiful baby girl and an anxiety disorder.

One day nearly six years ago, I was working hard preparing for my first big commercial directing job. We had a new baby at home who wasn’t sleeping well, so Mom and Dad weren’t sleeping well. Naturally, I was using copious amounts of caffeine to stay afloat. I was staring at my computer screen when this “pins and needles” shockwave traveled up my calves.

I stood up to stretch my legs, and the sensation soon flooded the rest of my body. I got dizzy and barely made it 12 steps before running into the wall.

My heart was beating like crazy, and the receptionist asked if I needed an ambulance. I was confused. Disoriented. Was I dying? I hadn’t died before so I didn’t have anything to compare it to. I might have been dying, but I didn’t want to put anyone out, so I declined.

I called my wife to come get me. On the way home the sensation came back with intensity and my body and mind were taken over almost like being possessed. We went to the emergency room. All the tests came back negative. They didn’t know what was wrong with me other than supertachycardia—a fast heart rate.

I continued to suffer these terrifying panic attacks multiple times a day, for about three months. I hid it the best I could from friends and co-workers. Having my little fits in closed rooms and basements. I was becoming incapacitated by fear. I would play with my young daughter and go to birthday parties but I was always in my head, always a missed heartbeat away from locking myself in a bathroom.

Finally, a cardiologist told me my heart was fine but that I should probably talk to somebody—he was referring to a psychologist. It never dawned on me that this could be something to do with my brain. After reading about anxiety and finding a local psychologist who took my insurance, it all clicked. I had panic disorder. I had suffered a massive panic attack and then became so afraid of those sensations that I started avoiding things that caused stress or fear. Huge dumps of adrenaline would course through my body, causing all kinds of physical and mental symptoms.

I got medicated with some benzos and learned breathing techniques. I was on my road to recovery, but something still didn’t feel right. I was calm but still afraid. I was becoming

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(FROM LEFT) JENNIFER, MARCEY AND LEVI AGEE.

incredibly tired, experiencing weird side effects and having intrusive thoughts that scared the hell out of me.

I was afraid of dying and leaving my new child and wife just like my biological father had done to me. It took me a while to connect those dots, but I had never felt such existential and primal fear in my life until after having a child. I had someone to care for, and I could barely take care of myself. I was so disappointed in myself, but committed to trying everything possible to rid myself of this anxiety so I could become a good father again.

With time and more therapy my panic attacks went from three or four a day to about one a day. I found a new yoga therapist that really resonated with me. I learned how to support a healthier lifestyle, and lost about 70 pounds.

As my daughter got older I could see anxieties and fears in her that I thought she inherited from me. Some nights that connection would break my spirit. Every time she was too scared to be in a room in our house by herself or unable to be left at school without a parent for more than a few hours I would blame myself for making her feel the same things either through nurture or nature. It wasn’t until a lot of selfintrospection and reading authors like Pema Chodron and Brene Brown did I realize that I was fine exactly the way I was and so was my daughter.

My anxiety is such an incredible teacher. It has taught me patience, empathy, resilience and compassion. My panic disorder slowed me down so I could stare into the present moment and see that’s truly all we have. I look at my anxiety

disorder as a blessing. What joy that I can experience this first before my daughter and pass on all the things I’ve learned. What a great gift that she can confide in her daddy what that ache in her tummy feels like, and we can sit and breathe through it together.

So I can look into her eyes and honestly say, “You will make it through this. I know because I am making it through it, too.”

My one major advice from all this is love. Whether you are having mental health issues or are just in a rut, the next negative thoughts you have or the story you tell yourself, ask yourself, “What would I tell my little sweet child if they came to me with the same issue?” “I’m not good enough.” “I’m too scared to do this thing I’m afraid of.” “I can’t sit still for one second. I have too much energy.” “Nobody loves me.” Imagine your kid saying that thing you are saying to yourself. How would you respond? You would say, “It’s OK. That everything is fine and you are loved.” “You can try and that’s good enough for me.” “I love you without conditions.”

We were all somebody’s little boy or little girl once. We all have that same need to be loved and told it’s OK deep down inside of us. You have to put on your oxygen mask as a parent first before helping your loved one. It may sound counterintuitive, but your mental health and well-being cannot be pushed aside. Get in therapy. Go to the gym. Schedule a spa day. Read books that you should have read in college. Your kid will see you taking care of yourself and will hopefully adopt that behavior, too. There’s still a chance that they screw up and become a mess just like you and that’s OK, too. Raise the best damn mess you can raise.

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SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | JUNE 2019

15

FAMILY & PARENTING

Dads on a Mission This month, we celebrate fathers, three men who impact our community in various ways but for whom fatherhood is heart work

BY ANGELA E. THOMAS

Photo by Laura Godwin Photography

CHRIS JOHNSON

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One of the greatest lessons parents of multiple children can learn: Each child is different.

It’s something Chris Johnson’s parents modeled for him, and it’s proven invaluable.

Johnson and wife, Annabel, have two sons, Elliott, 12, and Charlie, 9. Elliott is an athlete. Charlie is an actor.

Initially, Charlie played sports; however, a year or so in, they realized it wasn’t his forte.

“We realized he had a big attraction to the stage, singing, dancing and acting,” Johnson said.

He added that his parents handled this balancing act as well: “I have two older brothers and we couldn’t be less alike. I’m amazed at how my parents loved us equally but differently.”

The Johnsons both have siblings and knew they wanted their family to include more than one child.

“We had a plan in place. We knew we wanted more than one child, but we soon realized we didn’t want more than two,” he said, laughing.

As the youngest of three boys, he wanted his own children to experience the dynamic and magic of having siblings. “There’s something special about being able to play with your brother, to talk through family issues with someone who understands.”

Johnson is fortunate. His position as market president of First Financial Bank affords him flexibility to support his sons.

“I’m heavily involved with each of my sons’ welfare and activities.

Elliott plays golf, soccer, basketball and football. Charlie is an actor and a singer. I go to their school activities, practices, games, auditions, musicals, improv classes … and I’m fortunate to do this.”

Johnson has great respect for his parents and the values they instilled in him. “My mother helped me learn to love reading. We read each night before bedtime, and I definitely see the benefits,” he said. “My father coached us a lot growing up. I remember when I’d outgrown his coaching ability, and I see that my oldest son is about ready for me to move out of the dad-coach role. I totally understand.”

The 42-year-old said respect for elders is one way that he sets an example.

"It’s important to be a friend while understanding that our children are looking to us for guidance."

(OPPOSITE PAGE FROM LEFT) CHARLIE, ANNABEL, ELLIOTT AND CHRIS JOHNSON. (FROM TOP) THE JOHNSON FAMILY RAFTING DURING A FAMILY TRIP TO VAIL, CO.; CHARLIE CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY; AND ELLIOTT PLAYING FOR AR UNITED SOCCER.

“Growing up, we were taught to say ‘yes, ma’am’ and ‘no, ma’am,’ to treat our grandparents with respect and to enjoy the time we had with them. I’m teaching my children this.”

Respect and courtesy, he said, go a long way in life, and it’s a principle that overflows into other areas such as the workplace or among team members and peers. “From there it’s a natural transition into other relationships such as marriage, and that sets a tone for the household and their parenting skills.”

It’s also carried over into the work he does as a coach. “I’ve coached multiple sports, and I usually try to find one or two children who need a bit more attention and guidance, and I provide a male voice as needed.”

Like many parents, Johnson works to find the balance between being a parent and being a friend for his sons.

“It’s important to be a friend while understanding that our children are looking to us for guidance—they’ll push the limits— but Annabel and I also don’t want to be helicopter parents. We want to be there for the boys, but we also want to allow them to learn from their mistakes.”

“My parents did this—they showed me proper discipline and overall affection,” he said. “That’s pretty powerful.”

Johnson clearly enjoys being a father. “I love that I get to watch them do what they love. To see them on the field or on the stage and make eye contact with them and convey how proud I am of them, it’s so exciting. Being a dad, it’s pretty cool.”

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | JUNE 2019

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Photo by Brian Chilson

LORENZO LEWIS Fatherhood is a joy.

This statement isn’t a surprise for most fathers. However, anyone familiar with Lorenzo Lewis’ background knows it’s especially so for him.

Lewis is founder of The Confess Project, an organization founded to address the mental health needs and education of men of color ages 11 to 35.

“Arkansas is 47th in the nation for a high prevalence of mental illness and 44th in the nation for poor access to services to address mental health issues,” Lewis said. “There’s an incredible need for men and their loved ones to be equipped with the tools to increase their resilience and to gain the skill sets to get through the challenges we face.”

Lewis freely admits that he’s had his own experience with periods of depression. His mother was incarcerated when he was born; he became part of the juvenile system at 17; and he had lost both of his parents by the time he turned 21.

Through the loving guidance of an aunt and uncle, Lewis overcame these hurdles. He was in college when he became a father.

“We certainly didn’t plan to become parents. I was still growing into manhood, so the idea of becoming a father was frightening. I didn’t know what to do. Today, I can say that having a child wasn’t intentional, but I am very intentional about being in Sareya’s life,” Lewis said.

He and Sareya’s mother had some issues to work through, but he’s been a part of his daughter’s life since she was an infant.

“I was scared. I didn’t think I’d be effective as a father—it’s a learning process. Thankfully, I had great family support from my sister and aunt. If it had not been for them, I don’t know what I would have done.” Like many

18 JUNE 2019 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

"My goal in life is to build something lasting for her, to build a legacy for her, her children, her children’s children."

(OPPOSITE PAGE, FROM LEFT) DAISY LEE, LORENZO LEWIS, SAREYA AND T. ROYAL LEE CELEBRATE AS LORENZO RECEIVES HIS MASTER'S DEGREE. (THIS PAGE) LORENZO AND SAREYA ENJOY DOWN TIME ON THE WEEKENDS.

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young fathers, Lewis had to learn all the basics: changing diapers, making bottles, etc.

Sareya is now 6, and Lewis said he and her mother are great co-parents. “I am excited, optimistic really, about her growth and development. I’m open to who Sareya is and who she will become,” he said.

Lewis wants to lend his daughter the same type of nurturing support he was given by loved ones and mentors and to ensure she has a good foundation.

“I also had people around me who modeled a positive lifestyle, how meaningful it is to get an education … college saved me. I wouldn’t be here without it. I attended two great historically black colleges: Arkansas Baptist College and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, where I had professors and other staff who poured into me.”

Lewis said his greatest role models were Dr. John Miller, a social worker; Dedjran Dunbar, a network engineer, who has provided social support; and his Uncle T. Royal Lee, who taught him to work hard.

“He has a strong work ethic. He taught me to mow yards, rake leaves, to do what it takes to earn a living. It’s something that has stuck with me to this day.”

His education and becoming a father have shown Lewis more of who he is.

“I’ve seen a side of me that I definitely would not have if I didn’t have Sareya. Being able to build a relationship with her, to be with her as she’s growing, is the best thing. I get to invest in her, in her talent and growth, and teach her things like a love of reading and how to practice etiquette,” he added.

“My goal in life is to build something lasting for her, to build a legacy for her, her children, her children’s children … I want her to know that her life can be and will be different.”

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SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | JUNE 2019

19

CLARKE TUCKER "I can remember asking couples for parenting advice.

They’d all say the same thing: You’ll figure it out as you go along,” Clarke Tucker said.

He and his wife, Toni, have been married for 12 years and have two children; son, Ellis, who is 9 and daughter, Mari Francis, who is 6.

“We’d planned to travel before having children, but our son came along just 18 months after we got married. We found out on my birthday, which was pretty awesome,” he said. “One thing I’ve figured out: There’s never going to be a time in which you’re ideally situated to have kids, when you’ve got the perfect amount of money saved or a time when everything is perfectly calm.”

To prepare for Ellis’ arrival, Tucker said, he read a lot of pregnancy books. In fact, he read more than Toni. “To this day, friends ask me questions. I don’t know why I read so many books—I think it was because I wanted to be as involved as possible. The funny thing is I now give couples the same advice I was given: You’ll figure it out as you go along.”

Achieving a work-life balance can be a challenge for this attorney. However, his stance is that family comes first.

Photo by Anna Coleman

(TOP, FROM LEFT) TONI, MARI FRANCIS, ELLIS AND CLARKE TUCKER. (BOTTOM, FROM LEFT) CLARKE AND MARI FRANCIS AT CLARKE'S SEAT IN THE HOUSE CHAMBER, ELLIS AND CLARKE AT A RAZORBACK BASEBALL GAME. (OPPOSITE PAGE) THE TUCKER FAMILY AT A CAMPAIGN EVENT.

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"I believe that knowing your parents love you unconditionally and that they’ll be there for you no matter what provides a good foundation."

“I wanted to be there for everything, starting with diaper changes. There’s nothing I don’t want to be a part of, and now that our children are older, they have a lot of activities, and I want to be there for everything: practices, games … I plan everything around them as much as I can, so I can be a part of their lives,” he said.

Tucker said it’s important to him that he also strikes a balance between having fun with his children and making certain he parents properly. “It’s important to keep perspective, to know that you’re raising people who will go out in the world. You want to raise them keeping in mind that they’ll one day be adults.”

He’s also enjoyed little things like cracking corny jokes, knowing that things like this will drive them crazy when they’re teens.

“I have great parents, and I want to emulate a lot of the things they did with me and for me. As a kid, you are not at all aware of the sacrifices your parents make. I now know how hard my parents worked and how much they love me. At 13, of course, I didn’t see it,” he said.

Tucker said he finds joy when his children have joy.

“In fact, there’s no greater joy for me, whether it’s watching my son at a sporting event or my daughter as she performs in an opera. Seeing them living joyfully—there’s nothing better.”

Tucker, as people may know, has run for office several times, and said these have been the times when setting an example has been especially important.

“As a political candidate, you’re faced with decisions on how to handle difficult situations. I want to be able to look my children in their eyes and know they’re proud of me. For me, it’s a great way to measure integrity,” he said.

“I love spending time with my kids, doing the ‘big important’ stuff as well as the little things. For me, it’s important that I’m present—it’s never about a photo op. Going home to be with them is the best part of my day.”

He counts among his role models his father, Rett. “He’s my No. 1 supporter. I know that I can count on him. My grandfather Roger Bost was a great role model as well.”

“I believe that knowing your parents love you unconditionally and that they’ll be there for you no matter what provides a good foundation,” Tucker said. “That’s what makes a good parent. I want my children to know how much I love them … everything else stems from that unconditional love.”

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21

GOOD EATS

HOffOTthe Grill Heat up your Father’s Day celebration with some sizzling recipes

BY ZARA ABBASI PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATIE CHILDS

We are in the process of moving

and life has been unstructured, to say the least. But throughout the moving process, both my father and father-in-law have been a call away to help with advice or actual work for the house. Isn’t that what dads do? They’re always there to make sure things go smoothly for you, to discuss the best lawn care with you, and to make sure that you’re making smart financial decisions.

They’re the ones who took us to baseball games and planned fun road trips. And, man do they love grandkids. My father-in-law has been so gracious with his time that he has become our primary babysitter because he loves it so much. There’s not been one event he has not been there for.

Whatever support we need, he’s there for us in mind and spirit without fail. Both of my in-laws have been absolutely wonderful in this aspect.

One thing that my dad did was give me the most influential advice in my life. I don’t know if he knew at the time how important his words would be, but they lit a spark in me. He told me that humans are capable of extraordinary things. They go to the moon, they rule nations, they do whatever they want to do. “You are human, too,” he said. “You’re no different than the man on the moon or a discoverer, adventurer, a teacher, a lawyer or whatever. You are all those things and anything else you want.” Those words have truly coursed through my veins and I feel unafraid to try my hand at anything I wan, and it’s because of his fearless nature. I truly want to thank him for that. He also taught me generosity and being humble, yet proud, of yourself. He taught me to live fearlessly. I am so much of what my dad has taught me. What a blessing it is to be his daughter.

What I didn’t realize through all these years of honoring our dads was what a blessing it has been to watch my own husband become the dad that he is. He has an extremely stressful job but he takes the kids to school without fail in the mornings; he’s been at every basketball practice; every karate tournament; every rock climbing adventure; every talent show; he reads to the kids every night; he teaches them about Shakespeare and architecture; and like every mom out there, he questions if he’s being the best parent he can be. I can assure him that he is. These kids of ours love him and both their grandfathers beyond measure.

Grilling out for Father’s Day is a tradition that we share with loads of other families who celebrate wonderful dads with amazing grilled foods! I hope you give these recipes a try!

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SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | JUNE 2019

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24 JUNE 2019 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

GRILLED FLANK STEAK WITH CHIMICHURRI

Hot dogs and burgers are great grilled foods. They’ve withstood the test of time because they’re so dang good and reliable. But for Father’s day, let’s switch it up and make something equally easy, yet wildly different in taste. This flank steak is so flavorful that you’ll want to make extra chimichurri to keep on hand for use on your eggs the next morning. This dish will have the dads in your life nodding their heads in proud approval.

1½ to 2 pounds flank steak (can use skirt or thin ribeye if needed) 2 tablespoons fresh garlic cloves 1 cup fresh flat leaf parsley ½ cup cilantro 2 cups good olive oil ½ cup fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons dried oregano 1-2 tablespoons red pepper flakes (optional) Salt to taste 1. In a food processor, add the garlic and pulse until minced.

Add in the parsley and cilantro and pulse until finely chopped. Add in the remaining ingredients (except steak) and blend until fully incorporated. Set aside.

2. Marinate the steak. Place the steak and about 1/3 of the sauce in a large dish or Ziplok bag and let it marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes to 2 hours before grilling.

3. To grill, get the grill hot at 400-450 degrees and grill the steak about 4-5 minutes on each side or until medium rare (my preference) 130-140 degrees Fahrenheit. Timings depend on thickness or thinness of the meat, so be sure to use a meat thermometer to ensure the doneness you’d like.

4. Let the meat rest for a few minutes and then slice against the grain and top with half the remaining chimichurri. Serve the rest of the sauce in a bowl for dipping, or for the next day. I always make extra, but you can easily cut the recipe in half.

GAMING FOR SUCCESS THE PIVOTAL GOAL for my work with children is unlocking their enthusiasm for tapping into their own potential. Teachers will tell you we’re dealing with the most unengaged generation of kids ever, but that should be a call to action, not a gloomy prophecy! Resist worrying that we can’t engage them, and look for inspiration in what is capturing their attention.

Our kids are desperate for a story in which they can be the hero. When kids engage in a story, they open up deep reservoirs of commitment in their minds and bodies. Think of even the most simple stories or games they love, and what they are willing to do in order to see the next episode, get to the next level or score the next achievement. You’ve likely found yourself saying something like, “If my kid put as much work into school as they do into those games, they’d be at the top of the class!”

When pushing kids to accomplish both mental and physical goals, we see an average improvement 20 percent over baseline when the work is disguised as play—closer to 30 percent when they are competing with or cooperating with each other to win—but we’ve seen astonishing gains of up to 120 percent when the goals are part of a story that they desperately want to engage in and watch unfold.

Activities like Unity Martial Arts’ Adventure Quest year-round, weekly sessions or week-long summer camps use this principle as the key to unlocking a child’s potential. The kids step into grand stories where their own mental and physical achievements and improvements create the narrative. When marching along side Joan of Arc for example, the kids might be doing speed math to calculate the angles for the artillery, negotiating for limited resources to build ramparts, and fighting with padded swords to protect the workers all while learning about Joan of Arc, France, and the 100 years war. When players increase one of their records they earn a Hero Point, which they can use to add to their character or to affect the story at a pivotal moment.

Adults have the same difficulty when we can’t see how our actions will affect an outcome that we desire. We want to feel like we can be the hero of our own story. The challenge we face with our youth is that while we’re offering them the well trod paths of work and responsibility to accomplish everything they want, they have easy access to games and stories that offer them what feels like accomplishment without work or responsibility.

If we want to pass on our values, we’re going to have to give them a more engaging story in which to be the hero.

(501) 664-0604 • WWW.UNITYMARTIALARTS.COM SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | JUNE 2019

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GARLIC GRILLED POTATOES IN PACKETS

When serving a flavorful steak like this one, we definitely need a strong side dish that’ll hold up to all the flavors but still provide heartiness. I love these potatoes because they’re so hands-off. When you’re hosting, the last thing you want is to be stuck in the kitchen while others are outside having fun. That’s why these potatoes are so good. You just season everything in the foil packet and then pop the whole thing on the grill. While the steak is marinating, the potatoes are already cooking away!

3 pounds baby Yukon gold or red fingerling potatoes 5-6 peeled garlic cloves 1 large onion cut into thick dice 6-8 sprigs of fresh thyme 1 tablespoon dried oregano Salt and pepper to taste 1. Create a large bowl with two sheets of foil placed on top of each other. It’s better to cut bigger sheets of foil to be on the safe side.

2. Add in the cleaned potatoes in the center of the foil bowl. Add in the garlic, onion and drizzle with the olive oil.

3. Add in thyme, salt and pepper and then gently toss to mix everything.

4. Seal the foil bowl completely and place on a heated grill for approximately 30 minutes. Make sure they are fork tender and then serve immediately.

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SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | JUNE 2019

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EASY KEY LIME PIE

And now, for dessert. What better way to cool off from the heat and the flavor-packed meal you just made than with a homemade key lime pie? This dessert can be made the night before or even 3-4 hours before you’ll serve it because it comes together so quickly and just needs the majority of the time to cool. This pie is cold, tart, sweet and refreshing. And, it’ll be the perfect end to your celebration!

1 prepared graham cracker crust 24 ounces sweetened condensed milk ½ cup sour cream ¾ cup fresh key lime or lime juice 2 egg yolks Zest from 1 lime Whipped cream: 1 cup heavy cream, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 4 tablespoons powdered sugar. Beat all ingredients until stiff and fluffy.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Combine ingredients (except whipped cream ingredients) and beat on medium high for 2-3 minutes.

3. Pour filling into crust and bake for 15-20 minutes, but do not allow the pie to brown. Let cool to room temperature and then refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

4. Make whipped cream and top the pie either in a rustic or decorative manner when ready to serve.

Garnish the top with a little crushed graham cracker and lime zest. Serve and enjoy!

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SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | JUNE 2019

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EXPLORE & LEARN

Have fun all summer long with these safety tips for water, sun and outdoor play

BY MELISSA TUCKER

Now that school is out for the summer, families might be planning hiking, camping or

ON THE WATER

Arkansas has more than 600,000 acres of lakes and nearly 100,000 miles of rivers, streams and creeks, and summer is the best time to take advantage of them. Wearing a life jacket while boating or paddling on lakes and rivers keeps kids safe and is the law.

“Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket on the water,” said Spencer Griffith, marketing manager for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. ”We always say a life jacket can’t help you if you’re not wearing it.”

In addition, every vessel must have a personal floatation device for each person on board. Life vests must be U.S. Coast Guard-approved, in good condition and of proper size, according to the commission website.

Griffith says it’s important to avoid glass and remove trash to keep our waterways clean. Glass containers are prohibited in canoes, kayaks, inner tubes or other vessels that might easily tip over.

The Game and Fish Commission is tasked with enforcing these rules as well as providing boater safety courses. Anyone born after Jan. 1, 1986, must have a boater education course to operate a motorboat or sailboat. They should also carry their boater education card as proof of taking the course.

FLOAT TRIP SAFETY CHECKLIST

Never paddle alone Always tell someone your float plan and when you expect to return Check weather forecasts Carry a map of the stream Carry a GPS system Wear protective footgear, carry drinking water, sunscreen and bug spray Choose a river or stream that matches your paddling expertise

Source: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

30 JUNE 2019 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

Vector art from Vecteezy.com and Depositphotos.com

swimming trips in the great outdoors of Arkansas. It’s been a year since we’ve had a summer break, so let’s review the rules and best practices in the summer safety handbook. These guidelines can keep you safer on the water, in the woods and in the sun.

SIGNS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION Heavy sweating Cold, pale or clammy skin Fast, weak pulse Nausea or vomiting Muscle cramps

Tiredness or weakness Dizziness Headache Fainting or passing out

What to do:

Move the person to a cool place and loosen clothes. Apply cool or wet cloths to the body or take a cool bath. Sip water. Emergency medical treatment is necessary if the person is vomiting, symptoms become worse or last longer than an hour.

Source: CDC.gov

IN THE HEAT

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “a few serious sunburns can increase your child’s risk of skin cancer later in life.”

Parents should choose a sunscreen with at least SPF 15 that blocks both UVA and UVB rays, also known as broad spectrum protection. Apply 30 minutes before going outside and reapply if children are swimming or exercising. Adding a bottle of sunscreen to backpacks or bags, or even carrying it in the car, can make sure you’re always prepared.

If your child’s skin is turning pink, it may be too late. The CDC says “it can take up to 12 hours for the skin to show the full effect of sun exposure.” When skin starts to turn pink, it’s time to get out of the sun.

Even under cloudy skies, sunscreen is still necessary.

“Clouds do not block UV rays, they filter them—and sometimes only slightly,” the CDC says.

Other ways to protect children from the sun include: sunglasses, hats, umbrellas or shady areas, and covering up with long-sleeved shirts or swimsuits.

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HOW TO REMOVE TICKS

IN THE WOODS

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If a rash occurs at the bite site or a fever develops within a few weeks, see your doctor.

Source: CDC.gov.

Vector art from Vecteezy.com and Depositphotos.com

Bites from mosquitoes and ticks can cause infections, including West Nile virus and other diseases. Prevention is the most effective way to eliminate your risk. Some measures you and your family can take to avoid mosquito bites include using insect repellent or wearing clothing or carrying gear treated with an insect repellent called permethrin. The Environmental Protection Agency has deemed these active ingredients safe and effective for use, which includes pregnant and breastfeeding women: DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol (PMD). Don’t use repellent on babies younger than 2 months and do not use oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol on children under 3 years old.

To prevent bites, you can also take steps to control the mosquito and tick population in your living area, such as adding screens to windows and doors, using air conditioning and emptying items around your home that hold water.

To reduce the presence of ticks in your yard, remove leaf litter, clear tall grasses around the home, mow the lawn frequently, keep playground equipment away from trees and brush, and remove old furniture and debris where ticks might hide.

1. Using fine-tip tweezers, grab the tick as close to the skin as possible.

2. Pull upward with steady pressure.

Don’t twist or jerk. If the tick’s mouth remains in the skin, try to remove it with tweezers, but if you can’t, leave it alone and the skin should heal.

3. Thoroughly clean the area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.

4. Place the tick in a sealed bag or container or flush it down the toilet.

Don’t crush it with your fingers.

Sharpen Your Outdoor Skills

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The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is now offering a full lineup of outdoor skills courses.

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Courses will include fishing, hunting, archery, trapping, conservation leadership, paddle sports, game-calling, watchable wildlife and marksmanship. You’ll have a chance to learn and hone your skills from some of Arkansas’s best outdoor enthusiasts. Skills and training courses will be offered year-round at AGFC nature centers and education centers as well as local community centers.

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Learn more at AGFCOutdoorSkills.com SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | JUNE 2019

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HEALTH AND WELLNESS

CHILDHOOD HUNGER Arkansas students disproportionately suffer food insecurity

BY DWAIN HEBDA

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St. Theresa Catholic School

sits near a busy south Little Rock intersection, just around the corner from a stretch that includes a grocery store and a cluster of fast-food restaurants. It’s a small school, but numbers in pre-K and kindergarten are growing and there will be an infusion of new students next year, refugees from St. Edward Catholic School downtown that’s closing at the end of the term.

Two other statistics loom in this quiet, close-knit school. One is the percentage of Hispanic students—a whopping 80 percent. The other dominating stat is the number who are poor—73 percent qualify for free or reduced cost lunches. That’s roughly 144 of the school’s 197 kids who are “food insecure”; in a word, hungry.

“That’s unusual for a private school,” said Kristy Dunn, principal. “We don’t really fit the mold.”

St. Theresa’s has the need—but not the means—to provide breakfast for all students, something Dunn is working toward for next semester. In the 2018-2019 school year, she implemented a bring-your-breakfast program, which allows students time to eat food from home to start the day. Even that modest measure helped, though not as much as an all-school hot breakfast program would.

“We had observed in the 2017-2018 school year stomachaches, headaches, sluggishness, lethargy, an inability to focus,” Dunn said. “When they would come up to the office we would say, ‘Did you eat anything this morning?’ Well, no. So, we know that’s where we’re at.

“But I do say that over this year and last year with the focus on, ‘Let’s all take that time in the morning and eat breakfast,’ and making it a part of the routine, we have seen some progress.”

Among all social issues, food insecurity among any part of the population—but particularly children—is arguably the most perplexing. In a country where, as reported by RTD Online last year, between 30 and 40 percent of the entire U.S. food supply is wasted, it’s hard to comprehend how almost 12 percent of U.S. households experience food insecurity, per whyhunger.com.

12%

“Hunger and poverty have always gone hand-in-hand.”

Arkansas sits near the top of U.S. states in this sobering category. In its just-released report, Feed America ranked The Natural State second-highest in the nation at 17.3 percent of households “whose members may experience a lack of access to enough food for an active, healthy life.” In all, more than half a million Arkansans struggle with getting enough to eat, including about one in four children, based on 2017 data.

Little Rock-based Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance works to address the problem through its No Kid Hungry campaign, which helps connect community resources to fill the gap in households struggling to put food on the table.

“Our goal is to make sure that those kids are accessing good nutrition every day whether in school or out of school, all year long,” said Patty Barker, No Kid Hungry director. “As we like to say with the No Kid Hungry campaign, we’re making sure they have access to good nutrition where they live, learn and play, everywhere.”

No Kid Hungry serves as a resource and connecting point for schools and organizations wanting to feed hungry populations in their community and the various local, state and federal resources available to help them do it, particularly outside of school hours or the school year.

“After-school and summer meal programs can be sponsored by a school, which is a very good partner and probably the most sustainable, but it can also be offered by a Boys and Girls Club, a church, any other kind of community entity,” Barker said.

“Mostly we need to find the sustainable year-afteryear program sponsors, especially those that could offer it after school and then roll into a summer program, so kids can know that’s a dependable place to go, they’re comfortable with it and the parents can rely on it.”

of U.S. households experience food insecurity. –whyhunger.com.

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Feeding kids in the summertime is an especially thorny problem, said Sikia Brown, AHRA out-of-school programs director. Of the roughly 270,000 Arkansas kids eligible for reduced or free lunches during the school year, only about 10 percent access a summertime meals program, assuming their community even has one.

“There are a lot of reasons why kids are not accessing [summer] programs,” Brown said. “Transportation overall is the biggest barrier during the summer. The oldschool model of the neighborhood school is pretty much done. There are very few kids even here in Central Arkansas who just walk to school.

So, while we have a lot of schools who are willing to provide summer meals or after-school meals, parents have the barrier of how do I get you there, how do I get you back.”

To combat this, AHRA has become adept at creating partnerships to help bring meal programs as close to targeted populations as possible.

Through partnerships with Little Rock Parks and Recreation and Central Arkansas Library System, the number of meal locations this summer has been expanded for any child to take part in.

Rock Region Metro is also issuing special bus passes for youth to help overcome transportation issues to the feeding site.

Brown said besides improving access, the summer sites also remove the stigma often associated with such programs.

“I think one of the best things about this program with the library, with the splash pads, working with the city of Little Rock is that it’s no questions asked,” she said. “I don’t have to show up and validate how poor I am or how in need I am. There’s no documentation needed. I don’t have to do anything that sets me apart from any other kid who is just having a ball at the splash pad this summer. I can still get that meal.”

Such partnerships represent the brightest light in the

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gloomy reality of childhood hunger, as several schools in Central Arkansas have experienced firsthand. Chicot Elementary serves daily breakfast to the nearly 600 members of the kindergarten-through-fifth-grade student body and has community partnerships that provide for kids in non-school hours.

“Church at Rock Creek provides weekend food bags for our kids to take home,” said Adrienne Hawkins, school counselor. “And I have a list of churches that feed people dinner for free. We provide parents those resources so they know where these locations are. When I first started counseling, I don’t even know if I had that information, so it’s really good to see how that has changed.”

Hawkins said the issue of student hunger overall has steadily come to the forefront during her five years at Chicot. Beyond the telltale warning signs—feeling ill, sluggish or generally disengaged—she and her colleagues have developed mechanisms for gaining insight into things students are dealing with at home. Among these strategies is making the first two weeks of school less about subject matter and more about getting to know one another, the better to spot something amiss later on.

“Things are getting better.” –Adrienne Hawkins “Older kids, they’ll hide [hunger] at times from you; you have to be very proactive and very observant and know your student population,” Hawkins said. “The kindergarten students will walk down the hallway and yell out, ‘I’m hungry!’ They don’t care. But the older kid is gonna pretend a little bit. I find myself scanning those kids daily to see what’s going on with them.”

Hunger and poverty have always gone hand-in-hand, and Hawkins doesn’t kid herself over how far programs can go to meet the needs of the community. But she also sees a lot of things that give her optimism for the future, particularly in the proactive way her school and the community at large have tackled the problem head-on.

“Things are getting better, they’re not getting worse,” she said enthusiastically. “Oh, my gosh yes, it is getting better.”

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kid approved Happy Camping!

BUG REPELLENT IS A MUST OUTSIDE. TICKS CAN COME OUT ON A WARM DAY EVEN IN THE WINTER. I AM A BIG FAN OF PERMETHRIN. SPRAY DOWN YOUR CLOTHES OR GEAR WITH IT AND WAIT FOR IT TO DRY OVERNIGHT. IT'S BETTER THAN DEET, I THINK, AND LASTS FOR SIX WASHES OR SIX WEEKS.

KYLE LAPHAM WORKS AS THE FIRE MANAGER FOR THE NATURE CONSERVANCY. HE AND HIS WIFE, JESSIE LAPHAM, WHO WORKS AS A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER, HAVE TWO DAUGHTERS, NORAH, 11, AND LENA, 8. THE LAPHAMS HAVE ENJOYED TENT CAMPING SINCE NORAH WAS JUST WEEKS OLD, AND HAVE CAMPED, PADDLED AND HIKED IN 14 STATES AND COUNTING! THEY HAVE BEGUN A FAMILY TRADITION TO CAMP SOMEWHERE NEW EACH SPRING BREAK, OFTEN AT AN ARKANSAS STATE PARK.

WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN AND IT'S TIME FOR BED, OR TIME TO GO TO THE BATHROOM, YOU NEED A LITTLE LIGHT. WE HAVE HAD THIS D.LIGHT SOLAR LANTERN FOR ALMOST 10 YEARS. JUST SET IT OUT IN THE SUN AND CHARGE IT UP.

BOTH NORAH AND LENA HAVE HAD THEIR CAMP BLANKETS FOR SEVERAL YEARS. THIS COLUMBIA THROW BLANKET IS EXTREMELY VERSATILE, ACTING AS A SLEEPING BAG OR BLANKET FOR COOL EVENINGS BY THE FIRE.

THE PATAGONIA GIRLS NANO PUFF JACKET IS TRIED AND TRUE. IT IS THIN, SOFT AND SUPER WARM EVEN ON THE COLDEST ARKANSAS DAY, AND THEY PACK DOWN INTO THEIR CHEST POCKET TO TAKE UP ALMOST NO SPACE IN YOUR BAG.

OUR KIDS LOVE THIS CAMELBACK MINI MULE, A SMALL BACKPACK WITH A HYDRATION BLADDER. IT HELPS THEM CARRY THEIR SNACKS AND A FEW EXTRAS, BUT THE MAIN THING IS IT HOLDS WATER. HAVING THEM CARRY THEIR OWN PROVISIONS HAS BEEN IMPORTANT.

THE BIG KIDS’ TERRADORA WATERPROOF HIKING BOOTS HAVE BEEN OUR GO-TO SINCE THEIR LITTLE FEET COULD FIT IN THEM.

WHAT IS CAMPING WITHOUT PANCAKES? THIS LODGE GRIDDLE GETS PULLED OUT AT ABOUT EVERY CAMPING TRIP. I WOULDN’T BACKPACK WITH IT, BUT FOR CAR CAMPING IT SURE IS HANDY!

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THE PASSPORT TO YOUR NATIONAL PARKS BOOKS HAVE BEEN A GREAT WAY TO DOCUMENT OUR TRAVELS TOGETHER AS A FAMILY. THE BOOK HAS OVER 400 NATIONAL PARK'S SERVICE LOCATIONS, AND THERE IS A SPOT TO STAMP THE LOCATION WITH THE DATE YOU VISITED! THE GIRLS REALLY ENJOY ACQUIRING NEW STAMPS IN THEIR PASSPORTS. THERE ARE MANY RIGHT HERE IN ARKANSAS, INCLUDING LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL HIGH, THE BUFFALO RIVER AND THE ARKANSAS POST, TO NAME A FEW!

I CARRY THIS “TREES OF ARKANSAS” BOOK, AND OTHER GUIDES TO KEEP THE KIDS ENTERTAINED AND AWARE OF THE PLANTS OUTDOORS. YOU CAN PICK THIS BOOK UP FROM THE ARKANSAS FORESTRY COMMISSION FOR AROUND $5.

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