FREE! March 2021
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A NOTE from the Publisher Welcome to the March issue of NEA Kids’ Directory, part of 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!
HAVEN Parents: Jared and Tori Chism photo by Melissa Donner Photography
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Dine on a Dime
Your Guide to Where Kids Eat FREE!
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.) Newk’s 99 cent kids meals every night after 4 p.m. with purchase of an adult meal. TaMolly’s Kids eat for $1.99 from the kids’ menu (nights only).
THURSDAY Newk’s 99 cent kids meals every night after 4 p.m. with purchase of an adult meal.
TUESDAY Chicken Salad Chick Free Little Chick meal after 4 p.m. with purchase of an adult meal. Dine in only.
SATURDAY Newk’s 99 cent kids meals every night after 4 p.m. with purchase of an adult meal. Qdoba Mexican Eats $1.75 kids’ meals with the purchase of an adult entrée
FRIDAY Schlotzsky’s Deli Free kid’s meal with purchase of an adult meal from 4 p.m. until close. Newk’s 99 cent kids meals every night after 4 p.m. with purchase of an adult meal.
Fazoli’s Kids 12 and under eat for $.99 with adult meal from 5-8 p.m. Pizza Hut Free kid’s buffet with adult buffet purchase. Pizza Inn Free kids’ buffet with adult buffet purchase (nights only). Newk’s 99 cent kids meals every night after 4 p.m. with purchase of an adult meal.
SUNDAY BA Free kids meal with purchase of adult entree Newk’s 99 cent kids meals every night after 4 p.m. with purchase of an adult meal. Qdoba Mexican Eats $1.75 kids’ meals with the purchase of an adult entrée Slim Chickens 1 free kid’s meal per adult entrée purchase.
WEDNESDAY IHOP Kids eat free with purchase of adult entrée from 4-10 p.m. Newk’s 99 cent kids meals every night after 4 p.m. with purchase of an adult meal. www.KidsDirectory.com/NEA
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To have YOUR restaurant featured in this listing, email Brittney at brittney@jonesborooccasions.com 8
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Calendar
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MARCH MARCH 1-31 The Arkansas State University Museum, located adjacent to the Dean B. Ellis Library, is currently open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.to 3 p.m. During these hours, there are several COVID-19 compliment Tinker-Faire activities for children to enjoy located throughout the museum. Info: astate. edu/museum or (870) 972-2074.
TUESDAY, MARCH 16 Tickets for “Hakuna Matata,” a fundraising event to be held April 1 at The Glass Factory, will go on sale at The Forum box office and at foajonesboro.org. Info: (870) 935-2726. FRIDAY, MARCH 19 Virtual viewing dates open for “Here Comes the Sun,” a Foundation of Arts’ performer/student showcase. Virtual viewing dates continue through April 4. To purchase tickets, visit foajonesboro.org.
The Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center, 600 E. Lawson Rd., has reopened with limited public access. The building is open to the public Wednesday-Saturday each week. The public will be required to follow social distancing protocols, such as wearing masks while indoors. Info: 933-6787 or visit crowleysridge.org.
SATURDAY, MARCH 27 The Foundation of Arts’ Strand Movie Series will feature the showing of “The Passion of the Christ,” 5 p.m. Admission is free. Info: (870) 9352726 or visit foajonesboro.org
MARCH 2, 9,16, 23, 30 The Lawrence County Library will host Mommy and Me Virtual Storytimes every Tuesday beginning at 10 a.m. for preschool-aged children and includes one story and a fun arts and crafts activity. For updates on other upcoming virtual events, find Lawrence County Library on Facebook or call (870) 886-3222.
SATURDAY, APRIL 3
Green Fest 2021, sponsored by the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce Green Business Committee, will be held at Rotary Club of Jonesboro Centennial Plaza in Downtown Jonesboro from 8 to noon. The event will include a family fun run and walk, yoga, live music and food trucks. Keep Jonesboro Beautiful will provide information to help keep the city green, clean and beautiful. To register, visit raceroster.com. For more information, visit Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce on Facebook.
FRIDAY, MARCH 5
First Fridays at The Forum Theatre featuring Adria Hyde and Shannon Cox. Doors open at 7 p.m. ADH guidelines will be followed. Admission: Pay What You Can. Info: (870) 935-2726. 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 sixth 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… BEST FAMILY FRIENDLY RESTAURANT
BEST BIRTHDAY CAKE
Finalists: The Lost Pizza Company, Chick-fil-A
Finalists: Harps Bakery, Bliss Cupcakes
Fat City Steak & Grillhouse
Abby Cakes
BEST BURGER
BEST COOKIES
Finalists: TJ’s Burger, B.A. Burrito
Finalists: Southern Confections, Bliss Cupcakes
JTown’s Grill
Abby Cakes
BEST BREAKFAST
BEST DAYCARE CENTER
Finalists: Eggellent Café, Fat City Steak & Grillhouse
Finalists: Discovery Island, Nurture School Jonesboro
The Parsonage
Look What I Can Do Learning Center, LLC
BEST FAST FOOD RESTAURANT
BEST PRIVATE SCHOOL
Finalists: Slim Chickens, Chicken Salad Chick
Finalists: Ridgefield Christian, Crowley’s Ridge Academy
Chick-fil-A
Blessed Sacrament Catholic School
BEST PIZZA
BEST PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Finalists: 1812 Pizza Company, Upper Crust Pizza
Finalists: Brookland Public Schools, Nettleton Public Schools
The Lost Pizza Company
Jonesboro Public Schools
BEST ICE CREAM/FROZEN CUSTARD
BEST PRESCHOOL CENTER
Finalists: Dairy Queen, Sonic
Finalists: Brookland Pre-Kindergarten, Look What I Can Do Learning Center, LLC
Andy’s Frozen Custard BEST FROZEN DESSERT
Local Culture
Finalists: Swirlz, Tropical Snow BEST DESSERT
Andy’s Frozen Custard
Finalists: Local Culture, 501 Steakhouse
Jonesboro Pre K
BEST KINDERGARTEN
Jonesboro Kindergarten Center
Finalists: Brookland, Blessed Sacrament Catholic School BEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Brookland Elementary School
Finalists: Blessed Sacrament Catholic School, University Heights
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BEST AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM
Nettleton Camp Raider
Finalists: Brookland, Blessed Sacrament Catholic School BEST SUMMER CARE PROGRAM
Nettleton Camp Raider
Finalists: Brookland, Valley View Excel BEST TUTORING SERVICE
Clark’s Tutoring
Finalists: TLC Tutoring, Ace Academy BEST MOVIE THEATER
Malco Jonesboro Towne Center Finalist: Cinema 8 – Paragould
BEST KIDS PARTY VENUE
HiJinx Game Night Reinvented
Finalists: Ultimate Air Trampoline Park, Grandslam Entertainment BEST KIDS PARTY RENTALS
Grandslam Entertainment
Finalists: Kious Tent Rentals, Bounce Brothers BEST FAMILY PRACTICE CLINIC
NEA Baptist – Woodsprings Clinic
Finalists: St Bernards First Care-Parker Rd, NEA Baptist-Brookland Clinic BEST OB-GYN CLINIC
St Bernards OBGYN & Associates
Finalists: NEA Baptist Women’s Clinic, AMMC Women’s Clinic BEST PEDIATRIC CLINIC
The Children’s Clinic
Finalists: Jonesboro Pediatric Clinic, Kion Pediatrics BEST CHILDREN’S THERAPY PROVIDER
CME, Inc
Finalists: Families Inc, Miracle Kids Success Academy BEST DENTAL CLINIC
Jonesboro Pediatric Dentistry
Finalists: Fergus & Spades Dental Care, Bartels Family Dentistry
BEST ORTHODONTIC CLINIC
Fergus Orthodontics
Finalists: Weaver Orthodontics, Westrock Orthodontics BEST EYECARE FOR KIDS
Elite Eyecare & Optical
Finalists: Vision Care Center, Hilltop Eyecare BEST EYEWEAR/OPTICAL DISPENSARY
Elite Eyecare & Optical
Finalists: Hilltop Eyecare, EyeMart Express BEST AFTER-HOURS EMERGENCY CLINIC
NEA Baptist – Hilltop Clinic
Finalists: St Bernards Urgent Care – Redwolf Blvd, St Bermards First Care Acute Care Center – Parker Rd BEST HOSPITAL
NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital
Finalists: St Bernards Medical Center, Arkansas Methodist Medical Center BEST PHARMACY
Woodsprings Pharmacy
Finalists: Soo’s Pharmacy-Nettleton, The Medicine Shoppe BEST COUNSELING CENTER
Families, Inc Counseling Services
Finalists: Mid-South Health Systems, True Hope Counseling BEST FAMILY LAW PRACTICE
OMG Law Firm
Finalists: Oldham Law Firm, Brimhall Law Firm BEST HAIRCARE FOR KIDS
Great Clips
Finalists: Sport Clips, First Class City BEST INFANT/CHILD PHOTOGRAPHER
Melissa Donner Photography
Finalists: Amy Reeves Photography, Whitney Vassar Photoraphy BEST FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER
Melissa Donner Photography
Finalists: Amy Reeves Photography, James Bickham Visuals
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BEST MUSIC STORE
BEST ART SCHOOL
Finalist: All Star Music
Finalists: Jonesboro School of Art, Dale Case Artwork
Back Beat Music
Foundation of Arts
BEST CHILDREN’S CLOTHING STORE
BEST CHEERLEADING FACILITY
Finalists: Cutie Patootie, Dillard’s
Finalists: RPM Athletics, Jonesboro Cheer Academy
Kiddly Toes
Cheers Unlimited
BEST CHILDREN’S SHOE STORE
BEST DANCE STUDIO
Finalists: Dillard’s, Shoe Carnival
Finalists: The Floor, Foundation of Arts
Kiddly Toes
Christie McNeill Dance Studio
BEST CHILDREN’S COSTUME STORE
BEST GYMNASTICS FACILITY
Finalists: Target, Spirit
Finalist: Champions Gymnastics Center
Golden Grotto
Jonesboro Gymnastics Academy
BEST PARTY SUPPLY STORE FOR KIDS
BEST KARATE/MARTIAL ARTS PROGRAM
Finalists: Hobby Lobby, Target
Finalists: ATA Jonesboro, Legacy Martial Arts
Golden Grotto
Joey Perry Martial Arts Academy
BEST SPORTING GOODS STORE FOR KIDS
BEST MUSIC INSTRUCTION FOR KIDS
Finalists: Play It Again Sports, Hibbett Sports
Finalist: Kindermusik of Jonesboro
BEST TOY STORE
BEST SPORTS TRAINING PROGRAM FOR KIDS
Finalists: Cutie Patootie, The Toy Store
Finalists: Zoned-In, RALVIS Training Center
Academy Sports & Outdoors
Back Beat Music
Target
Elite Arkansas Training
BEST SWIM INSTRUCTION FOR KIDS
Jonesboro Jets Swim team
Finalists: The School of YaYa’s Fishes, Coach Kate Titsworth
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