NEA Kids' Directory

FREE! March 2017

www.kidsdirectory.com/nea

IN EVERY ISSUE:

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Fun Events page 8 Dine on a Dime page9

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A NOTE from the Publisher Welcome to the March issue of NEA Kids’ Directory, the newest addition to the Occasions Publishing Group family of publications.

NEA Kids’ Directory has many features that make it a valuable resource for parents, teachers, grandparents, and childcare professionals – anyone who is involved with children. It is compact in size, making it a handy resource to keep in your purse or car. In addition, it offers valuable coupons for use at kid-friendly businesses and includes a calendar of events so you know what’s going on across Northeast Arkansas each month. You’ll even find a convenient dining guide inside that lists restaurants offering free or discounted kids meals!

Our goal each month is to help inform our readers of the many opportunities, events, products and services available for families in Northeast Arkansas.

Please remember to support the businesses that advertise in this publication each month and tell them that you saw their ad in NEA Kids’ Directory. If you are interested in advertising in NEA Kids’ Directory, please call us at 931-0012.

Audrey Poff, Publisher & Editor

Meet Our Cover Kid (and Dog!) Levi Meadows Parents: Josh and Ashley Meadows of Jonesboro

King, adopted from the Northeast Arkansas Humane Society

photo by Melissa Donner

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Fun Events

March March 1-31

March 7 and 21

Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center invites you to Feeding Frenzy every Tuesday through Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Learn more about the center’s residents and their feeding habits. Info: crowleysridge.org.

Science and engineering go hand-in-hand during Tink Tank, held every other Tuesday at the ASU Museum, located adjacent to the Dean B. Ellis Library, 3:30-6:30 p.m.

Info: astate.edu/museum or 972-2074.

March 4

March 17-19

Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center hosts “Tales and

The Foundation of Arts will present “Ramona Quimby,” March 17 at 7:30 p.m., March 18 at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m., and March 19 at 2 p.m. Beverly Cleary’s famous third-grader and her world sheds light on the trials and triumphs of growing up. Info: The Foundation of Arts, 935-2726.

Trails Nature Stories and Crafts,”

10:30 a.m. monthly on the first Saturday. Info: crowleysridge.org.

March 4, 11, 18, and 25 Join Barnes & Noble for Storytime Adventures in the kids’ department each Saturday to read both new and classic stories plus sing fun-filled songs, 11:30 a.m. Info: 336-2543.

March 28 Open Arms Support Group, for families with Autism, meets the last Tuesday of each month at Jumping Jellybeans.

906 East Matthews in Jonesboro, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Info: AANEA Office 336-2786.

Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center introduces one of its resident creatures every Saturday at 10 a.m. during Creature Feature.

Info: crowleysridge.org.

If you would like your event included in our monthly calendar, email the details to emily@jonesborooccasions.com www.KidsDirectory.com/NEA

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Dine on a Dime

Your Guide to Where Kids Eat F REE!

Let’s Go Out to Eat!

Monday Bliss Cupcakes Kids 10 and under get a free mini cupcake or frosting shot with the purchase of a regular cupcake. (10 a.m.-9 p.m.)

Thursday Front Page Café 1 free kid’s meal with purchase of adult meal after 4 p.m.

TaMolly’s Kids eat for $1.99 from the kids’ menu (nights only).

Friday Schlotzsky’s Deli Free kid’s meal with purchase of an adult meal from 4 p.m. until close.

Tuesday Pizza Hut Free kid’s buffet with adult buffet purchase.

Saturday Dixie Café Kids eat for $1.99 plus get a free sundae with adult meal purchase from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Fazoli’s Kids 12 and under eat for $.99 with adult meal from 5-8 p.m.

Sunday Slim Chickens 1 free kid’s meal per adult entrée purchase.

Pizza Inn Free kids’ buffet with adult buffet purchase (nights only).

BA Burrito Free kids meal with purchase of adult entree

Wednesday IHOP Kids eat free with purchase of adult entrée from 4-10 p.m.

To have YOUR restaurant featured in this listing, email emily@jonesborooccasions.com

Zaxby’s Two kids eat free with each adult purchase from 4-9 p.m.

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W

e recently asked our readers to weigh in on the best that Northeast Arkansas has to offer for kids, parents and families.

From their favorite family-friendly restaurant to the best place for after-school care, our readers have made their favorites known and the votes have been counted.

Congratulations to the winners of our second annual NEA Kids’ Directory Best Choice Awards for Kids and Families. It is an honor to showcase these individuals, businesses, events and venues that are favorites among families in Northeast Arkansas.

And the Winners Are… 10

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Food/Dining Most Family Friendly Restaurant Winner: Chick-fil-A Finalists: Fat City Steak, Newk’s

Best Burger

Best Private School

Winner: Ridgefield Christian School Finalists: Blessed Sacrament, Concordia

Best Public School

Winner: Skinny J’s Finalists: Five Guys, JTown’s

Winner: Jonesboro Public Schools Finalists: Brookland Public Schools, Valley View Public Schools

Best Breakfast

Best Preschool Center

Winner: Fat City Finalists: Cracker Barrel, IHOP

Best Fast Food

Winner: Chick-fil-A Finalists: Burger King, McDonald’s

Best Pizza

Winner: Upper Crust Pizza Finalists: Lost Pizza, Uncle Maddio’s

Best Ice Cream/Frozen Custard

Winner: Andy’s Finalists: Baskin Robbins, Dairy Queen

Best Frozen Yogurt

Winner: Local Culture Finalist: Swirlz

Best Cupcakes

Winner: Gigi’s Cupcakes Finalists: Bliss, Cupcakes @ Turtle Creek

Best Birthday Cake

Winner: Jeny’s Cakery Finalists: Goad a la Mode, Fancy Flour

Best Cookies

Winner: Cookies ~n~ More Finalists: Great American Cookie, Fancy Flour

Winner: Jonesboro Pre K Finalists: Valley View, Look What I Can Do

Best Kindergarten

Winner: Jonesboro Kindergarten Center Finalists: Valley View, Brookland

Best Elementary School

Winner: Brookland Finalists: Valley View, Visual and Performing Arts

Best Afterschool Program

Winner: Jonesboro Cane Academy Finalists: Valley View Excel, Camp Raider

Best Summer Care Program

Winner: Camp Raider Finalists: Jonesboro Canes Academy, Valley View Excel

Best Tutoring Service

Winner: TLC Tutoring Company Finalists: Ace One Technologies, The Apple Group

Childcare/Education Best Daycare Center

Winner: Look What I Can Do Learning Center Finalists: Discovery Island, KidsSpot

Best Mother’s Day Out

Winner: Central Baptist Church Finalists: First Baptist, St. Mark’s www.KidsDirectory.com/NEA

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Entertainment/ Recreation

Best Dental Clinic

Winner: Jonesboro Pediatric Dentistry Finalists: Hilltop Dentistry, Fergus & Spades

Best Movie Theater

Winner: Malco Hollywood 12 Finalist: Paragould Cinema 8

Best Orthodontic Clinic

Winner: Fergus Orthodontics Finalists: Weaver Orthodontics, AR Dentistry & Braces

Best Kids’ Party Venue

Winner: HiJinx Family Entertainment Center Finalists: RPM Athletics, Ultimate Air

Best Eye Care for Kids

Winner: Elite Eye Care Finalists: Hilltop Eye Care, NEA Eye Care

Best Kids’ Party Rentals

Winner: Grandslam Entertainment Finalists: R&R Amusement, RPM Athletics

Best Eye Wear / Optical Dispensary

Winner: Elite Eye Care Finalists: LensMasters, Hilltop Eye Care

Best Public Park

Winner: Craighead Forest Park Finalists: Miracle League Field, Joe Mac Campbell Park

Best After Hours/Emergency Care

Best Public Swimming Pool

Best Hospital

HEalthcare Providers

Best Pharmacy

Winner: St Bernards Fast Care Finalist: NEA Baptist Urgent Care

Winner: Jonesboro Aquatic Center Finalists: Paragould Community Center, Earl Bell Park

Winner: NEA Baptist Finalists: St Bernards, Arkansas Methodist Medical Center

Best Family Practice Clinic

Winner: Woodsprings Pharmacy Finalists: Soo’s Pharmacy, Gibson’s Pharmacy

Winner: NEA Woodsprings Clinic Finalist: St Bernards Parker Road Family Physicians

Professional Services

Best OB/Gyn Clinic

Best Counseling Center

Winner: OB/GYN Associates of Jonesboro Finalist: NEA Baptist Women’s Clinic

Winner: Families Inc Finalists: Midsouth Health, Life Strategies

Best Pediatric Clinic

Best Family Law Practice

Winner: The Children’s Clinic Finalists: Jonesboro Pediatric Clinic, Apache Drive

Best Children’s Therapy Provider

Winner: OMG Law Firm Finalists: Oldham Law Firm, Bartels Law Firm

Winner: CME, Inc Finalists: Miracle Kids Success Academy, Midsouth Health Systems

Best Hair Care for Kids

Winner: Great Clips Finalists: 1st Class Cuts, Jagged Edge

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Best Infant/Child Photographer

Winner: Melissa Donner Photography Finalists: Pinkston Photography, Captured by Cottingham

Best Family Photographer

Winner: Melissa Donner Photography Finalists: Captured by Cottingham, Pinkston Photography

Best Sporting Goods Store for Kids

Winner: Academy Sports Finalists: Play It Again Sports, DNW

Best Toy Store

Winner: The Sensory Shop Finalists: Target, Walmart

SHopping

Extracurricular Activities

Winner: Barnes & Noble Finalists: Lifeway, That Bookstore in Blytheville

Winner: Foundation of Arts Finalists: Jonesboro School of Arts, Charlotte Jones

Best Music Store (Instruments)

Best Cheerleading Facility

Best Bookstore for Kids

Winner: Back Beat Finalist: All Star Music

Best Children’s Clothing

Winner: Dillard’s Finalists: Noah, Kiddly Toes

Best Children’s Consignment Store Winner: Little Bow Peep’s Finalists: Emily Ann/Ragamuffins, Plato’s Closet

Best Children’s Consignment Sale

Winner: Rhea Lana’s Finalists: Popsicle Kids, Twinkle Twinkle

Best Children’s Shoe Store

Winner: Kiddly Toes Finalists: Dillards, Journey’s Kids

Best Children’s Costume Store Winner: Golden Grotto Finalists: Spirit, Target

Best Party Supply Store for Kids Winner: Golden Grotto Finalists: Hobby Lobby, Target

Best Art School

Winner: RPM Athletics Finalists: Cheer Unlimited, Jonesboro Gymnastics Academy

Best Dance Studio

Winner: Christie McNeill Dance Studio Finalists: Erin’s Dance, Foundation of Arts

Best Gymnastics Facility

Winner: Jonesboro Gymnastics Academy Finalists: RPM Athletics, Cheer Unlimited

Best Karate/Martial Arts Program

Winner: Joey Perry Martial Arts Academy Finalists: ATA, Lee’s

Best Music Instruction for Kids

Winner: Kindermusik of Jonesboro Finalists: Back Beat, ASU String Outreach

Best Sports Training Program for Kids

Winner: RPM Athletics Finalists: St Bernards Health & Wellness, City Stars

Best Swim Instruction Program for Kids

Winner: JETS Finalists: St Bernards Health & Wellness, Paragould Community Park 13

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