FREE! March 2017
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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. 9
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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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