Check out Jill Rohrbach’s excellent post about spring break offerings at various Arkansas state parks.

March 13, 2010 9:30 am – 12:00 pm (with exhibits until 12:30 pm)

Owl Creek School will host a Parenting University offering a variety of seminars that will benefit any parent.

Childcare provided by the Boys and Girls club. Local restaurants will provide complimentary snacks.

Topics include:

• Kindergarden readiness
• Tips for Managing your child’s homework
• Improving your child’s organizational skills
• Increasing your child’s motivation
• Literacy
• Single parenting

Read more about this event on the Fayetteville Public Schools’ Community Blog.

Click here for Owl Creek School information.

You are invited to Rogers First Church of the Nazarene’s Annual Community Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 3rd, from 10:00 to 12:00, at 4911 W. Pleasant Grove Rd. in Rogers.

Your kids will play in Bouncy Houses, get their face painted, meet the Easter Bunny, play games, win prizes, and much, much more!

Free food, entertainment, and LOTS of Easter Eggs!!! Contact the Church Office for more info @ 479-636-1050.

Arkansas State Archeologist emerita Hester Davis will present “So You Always Wanted to Be an Archeologist,” Wednesday, March 17 at noon at the Shiloh Museum. Her talk will focus on the Arkansas Archeological Society’s training program for amateur archeologists.

In 1967, Hester Davis became Arkansas’s first state archeologist, a position she held for 32 years until her retirement in 1999. She also taught in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Arkansas, creating and teaching a course in Public Archaeology.

The program is part of the Shiloh Museum’s observance of March as Arkansas Archeology Month. The museum is located at the corner of Johnson and Main in downtown Springdale. For more information, call 750-8165.

The Northwest Health Systems’ First Annual Beaux & Belles Kid’s Expo will take place Saturday, April 17, 2010 from 10:00-3:00 at the John Q. Hammons Convention Center. This will be a fun filled day for the entire family!

There will be Northwest Health System’s Physicians, Boutiques, a Question and Answer Panel at noon, a Fashion Show at 2:30, Diaper Races, Human Bowling, Great Games, and performances!

Admission is FREE and the first 1,000 guests will receive a tote bag full of goodies!

Contact Shannon Langston (479) 422-1697 or Brittany George (479) 330-0641 or nwhbbkids@yahoo.com for information or if you would like to purchase a booth!

Ages 11-18
Location:  Walton Arts Center’s Starr Theatre
Dates: March 22-26
Time: 9am – 3pm
Fees: $165

Students will learn the tricks of the trade on how to become a good actor in this “total immersion” experience led by professional theatre artists . Whether your child is new to acting or is a veteran of TheatreSquared’s drama classes, this class is perfect for them! Students will learn about character development and how to make characters come to life through exercises and script work. Students will also study improvisation,  learning the importance of ensemble and how to establish good acting technique with scene partners. During this one-week course, students will practice techniques that will help them “stand out” as a performer, while also enhancing their life skills of self-confidence, discipline, integrity, commitment and teamwork.  Limited Space is Available.

(partial scholarships are still available)

Register by calling the TheatreSquared Box Office at 571-2728!

WHAT: Arts Live Theatre Spring Break Drama Camps

WHEN: March 22-26, 2010

Musical Theatre Camp, Ages 5-8
Monday-Friday, 10am-12noon
$100
Jules Taylor, Inst.

Reader’s Thatre Camp, Ages 9-12
Monday-Friday, 1pm-3pm
$100
Jules Taylor, Inst.

For more information go to www.artslivetheatre.com

In Trike Theatre’s Spring Break camp for K-8th graders, students experience music, acting, choreography and visual arts based on the classic musical The Sound of Music.

Camper groups, K-2nd grades, 3rd-4th grades and 5th-8th grades, rotate between Trike Theatre and Kaleidoscope Dance Studio in downtown Bentonville each day.

They learn songs and improvise scenes around them, learn group movement for the songs, develop some of their own dances, design and create set pieces, props and costume pieces for the students’ songs, and focus on a style or technique of visual art. On Friday afternoon students will present their original performances for parents and friends at R. E. Baker Elementary.

Here are the details:
March 22-26, 8:00am-3:00pm
$165 + $10 annual Trikester Family Membership fee
Trike Theatre–120 S. Main Street, Bentonville
Kaleidoscope Dance Studio– 107 NW 2nd Street, Bentonville
Register at www.triketheatre.org or mail Trike Spring Break 2010 Registration.pdf to the Trike.

In honor of March as Arkansas Archeology Month, the Shiloh Museum will host an artifact identification program Saturday, March 6, at noon. Archeologists from the Arkansas Archeological Survey will be on hand to answer questions about prehistoric and historic artifacts brought in by the public.

The Shiloh Museum is located at the corner of Johnson and Main in downtown Springdale. For more information, call 750-8165.

Spring is on the horizon and that means The Jones Center Spring Break Week isn’t far behind! Four fun filled days await you and your family.

• Tuesday, March 23rd kicks off with AETN/PBSKid Day: With PBS Characters Sid the Science Kid, The Super Why Team and more.
• Wednesday, March 24th: Adventure Day: Special national touring act Splash ‘n Boots and our own Alice in Wonderland Tea Party
• Thursday, March 25th: Art Day, with tons of fantastic arts and crafts project including the Crayola Creative Fun Zone and Wax Hands
• Friday, March 26th: Game Day, featuring Get Your Game On Video event- 10 Wii and XBOX 360 Systems on the big screens, and inflatable fun zone.

Check out www.jonesnet.org for a complete list of all the programs and events offered during Spring Break Week! Or call 479-756-8090 ext. 2214! The Jones Center is located at 922 E. Emma Avenue in Springdale.

WHAT: Arts Live Theatre presents ANNIE

WHEN: Thursday, March 11, 7pm; Friday, March 12, 7pm; Saturday, March 13, 2pm & 7pm; Sunday, March 14, 2pm

WHERE: UArk Ballroom, 644 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, AR

TICKETS: $8 ages 12 and under; $12 ages 13 and up. Tickets may be purchased on-line at artslivetheatre.com, by calling 479.521.4932 or at the door the day of performance. General seating.

Third through twelfth graders are eligible to audition for the next Academy Players ensemble performance of our reduced Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night’s Dream on March 13.

Actors should prepare a one-minute monologue and a brief song for auditions on Saturday, March 13, from 12:00-1:30pm at Trike Theatre–120 S. Main St. in downtown Bentonville. Call 866.331.3681 or email info@triketheatre.org to schedule a 30-minute slot for an audition.

The actors will rehearse the shortened version of the famous tale on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings from March 30-June 5. The Academy Players will perform in the evening on Friday, June 4, and on Saturday, June 5. More information is available on the Trike Theatre website: www.triketheatre.org.

The cost of this 10-week session is $400. Academy Players’ parents may pay in three installments beginning on March 30. We look forward to working with everyone!

Trike Logo.jpg (172 KB)

Each summer First School offers a part-time program which serves infant/toddlers, preschoolers, and also includes elementary age children through 5th grade.
Summer Program hours:
Mon/Wed  or   Tues/Thurs
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. AND/OR    8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Session 1      June 9 – July1     *VacationBibileSchool June 21-25
Session 2      July 5 – July 22
Session 3      July 26 – August 12

Fall Registration:
First School is an Arkansas Quality Accredited program that strives to be a faith-based, nurturing Parent’s Day Out Program, Preschool and Kindergarten. It is an outreach of the First United Presbyterian Church to our community.

First School is a combination center composed of a part-time Parents’ Day Out Program, part-time Preschool and five-day Kindergarten.

First School achieved Arkansas Quality Accreditation in 2007 after being evaluated in 7 areas: space and furnishing, basic care, language and reasoning, learning activities, interactions, program structure, needs of parents and staff. Each year the center must be evaluated to maintain quality status. We are licensed by the Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services. Our program is committed to maintaining low child to teacher ratios and retaining skilled, quality staff.

Infants/Toddlers
The Parents’ Day Out program, for children ages 6 months though 2 years old, is designed to provide primary caregivers a respite while their children are cared for in a creative, nurturing, and safe environment.
Preschool 3’s & 4’s
The preschool program, for children ages 3 and 4 years of age, consists of a half day of instruction time with the option of extending the day to include lunch and rest time.
Kindergarten
The Kindergarten program is designed for children 5 years of age that would benefit for another year in a lower child to teacher ratio setting before starting elementary school. The Kindergarten is taught by an Arkansas certified teacher and is structured to follow the Arkansas Kindergarten Frameworks.  The creative theme based curriculum and activities were designed to incorporate all learning styles and levels of development while making learning fun.

Check out the website firstschoolfayetteville.org for more information!

Saturday, Feb 27 starting at 7 am
Parson Hills Elementary (2326 Cardinal Drive, Springdale)
Fund Raiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of NWA – all proceeds go to helping this children’s organization
Yard Sale and Bake Sale!
Lots of baby items! Clothes, toys, furniture, electronics, a little of everything. Homemade baked goods for sale too!

Here’s a link to the flyer: garage sale.pdf (337 KB)

Probably  not geared toward kids, but if you have an older child interested in archeology . . .

Artifact Identification
In honor of March as Arkansas Archeology Month, the Shiloh Museum in Springdale will host an artifact identification program Saturday, March 6, at noon. Archeologists from the Arkansas Archeological Survey will be on hand to answer questions about prehistoric and historic artifacts brought in by the public. The Shiloh Museum is located at the corner of Johnson and Main in downtown Springdale.  For more information, call 750-8165.

Arkansas Archeological Society Training Program
Arkansas State Archeologist emerita Hester Davis will present “So You Always Wanted to Be an Archeologist,” Wednesday, March 17 at noon at the Shiloh Museum. Her talk will focus on the Arkansas Archeological Society’s training program for amateur archeologists.

The program is part of the Shiloh Museum’s observance of March as Arkansas Archeology Month.  The museum is located at the corner of Johnson and Main in downtown Springdale.  For more information, call 479-750-8165.

Théâtre Sans Fil presents
The Hobbit
A Giant Theatrical Puppet production based on the book by J.R.R. Tolkien
Saturday, Feb. 27, 2pm & 7pm
For ages 10 & up

Tickets as low as $9.50!

All true Tolkien fans must experience this prequel to the classic trilogy “The Lord of the Rings.” This award-winning fantasy has a larger-than-life look with THEATRE SANS FIL’s highly successful Giant Theatrical Puppet adaptation that has received standing ovations throughout the world.

To take advantage of this low-price ticket offer, visit www.waltonartscenter.org and log in using promo code BILBO. After signing in, browse to the event from our homepage or our Tickets and Events page. Your discount will apply automatically. You can also stop by the Box Office, or call us at 479.443.5600.

From the Fayetteville School District:

Kindergarten registration for the 2010-11 school year will begin at all Fayetteville School District elementary schools on Thursday, April 1 from 8 am until 6 pm.

To register your child for kindergarten in the 2010-11 school year, your child must be 5 years of age on or before August 15, 2010. The only exception to this is if your child is currently attending a state-approved pre-kindergarten program and will be 5 years of age on or before September 15, 2010. Those children are eligible to enroll.

To enroll your child for kindergarten, please bring the following items to the school:

* proof of immunization (immunization record)
* child’s social security number
* proof of residence (utility bill or rental agreement)
* proof of age (birth certificate)

If you do not know which elementary school your child should attend, please contact our administrative office at 444-3000 or our transportation department at 444-3095.

The Fayetteville Bruisers, a local youth baseball team is hosting its second annual Pizza and Game Night Party.

• When: This coming Saturday, Feb. 27th
• Time: 6 til 10 p.m.
• Where: Grace Church at 2828 N. Crossover (next to the Williams Gymnastics Center) in Fayetteville.
• Cost: $10 per child.
• What the kids get: Pizza, fun games, door prizes & a movie.

The event is targeted for kids K thru 5th grade and is a fundraiser for the baseball team. Last year, Life+Kids readers caused record turn-out for 3rd and 4th graders. This year they have opened the event to kids of all elementary ages.

This party is a great opportunity for parents to drop their kids off so Mom and Dad can head out for a date without trying to find a sitter. Party-goers will be entertained throughout the night by playing games (fun relay games we parents played before the video game era), pizza, and a G rated movie. Lots of great door prizes are given away throughout the party. Parents sign their children in and out at the front lobby and get a secure ID number to show when picking up the kids.

Special Life+Kids Door Prize – If you register your kids to attend this event before 5:00 PM on Thursday Feb. 25th, you will qualify for a Life Plus Kids prize given at the party.

To register, e mail your child’s name to Fayettevillebruisers@gmail.com with “LIFE PLUS KIDS PROMO” on the subject line for the prize.

Pizza and Game Night Invite flier.pdf (33 KB)

Thursday

Enjoy First Thursday Fayetteville on the Square

New art exhibit openings and receptions hosted by ddp gallery and The Fayetteville Underground will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, February 4, 2010. Additional activities include I.M. Spa hosting an art reception for Angela Peach Photography, and Sound Warehouse will be hosting “The Flatland Travelers” from Norman, Oklahoma at 6:30.

To ease parking needs, the paid parking lot next to the East Square Plaza building (to the east) will be open for FREE parking on Thursday night. Also there are two large city lots that are free parking after 5 pm. These lots are located to the west of Block Avenue between Mountain and Meadow.

Information about this event and other local events can be found at www.experiencefayetteville.com or by calling the Fayetteville Visitors Bureau at (479) 521.5776.

Saturday Day

Looking to get your little ones out of the house this weekend? In their pajamas? Buy One Ticket and Get One Free to Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny at Walton Arts Center. Experience the magic of live theater with this adaptation of two bedtime classics, presented by the Mermaid Theater of Nova Scotia. Best for ages 2-7. Saturday, Feb. 6, 11am & 3pm. Tickets start at: $10.50.

To take advantage of the BUY ONE TICKET, GET ONE FREE OFFER Visit waltonartscenter.org and sign in using promo code PAJAMAS. After signing in, browse to the event from our homepage or our Tickets and Events page – your discount will apply automatically. You can also stop by the Box Office during regular business hours, or call us at 479.443.5600.

To celebrate the spirit of goodnight rituals, Walton Arts Center encourages children to come to the performance wearing their favorite pajamas! The Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter (NWAWS) will also be hosting a clothing drive at the performance. Click here to find out what you can do to help.

Saturday Night

See the NWA Roller Derby at Starlight Skatium. Backwoods Betties vs MoKan Roller Girls on Saturday, February 6 at 7pm. The last match sold out, so get your tickets in advance. Tickets for this upcoming event can be purchased at Starlight Skatium during normal business hours and online. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door; Kids 12 and under are free with paid adult.

Looking Ahead

• Sign your child up for drama classes at Arts Live Theatre in Fayetteville or the Trike Theatre in Bentonville.
  • Arts Live Spring Classes begin the week of February 22 through May 8 (ten weeks) with no classes the week of March 22 with offers for grades K-12. Prices range from $110-$150. Click here to see the class schedule
  • Trike Spring Classes begin on February 15 with offerings for 4 year olds through 8th^th graders with special classes for homeschoolers. Prices range from $50-$100. Click here to see the class schedule.
• If you plan to attend the Valentine’s Day party for children and families at the Fayetteville Public Library, you may want to go ahead and register by calling the Children’s Desk at 479-856-7170(the free event is Sunday, February 14 at 2pm)
• Walton Arts Center’s Art of Wine Festival is fabulous. But, many of the popular events sell out, so if you plan to attend, you better make plans now

You were, right?

Did you know Northwest Arkansas has its own Times blogger?

That’s right. Barbara Taylor (one of my first Life+Kids subscribers!) writes about small business issues on the blog Boss about the art of running a small business. Her most recent piece features Bloom florist in Bentonville. Pretty cool.

A facebook exchange with Barbara made me want to share a few of my other favorite New York Times resources.

The Learning Network

The NYT Learning Network is an amazing resource for not-your-run-of-the-mill lesson plans. Great for homeschoolers, but also for regular parents like me. As a mom, I use it to give me ideas for topics I can incorporate into discussions at home (in the car, at the table, before bed, etc.). I have never tried to follow a lesson plan, but I have used the topics as conversation starters with my kids.

Bitten Blog by Mark Bittman

This is my current favorite food blog at the New York Times. Bittman is all about simple and easy. Maybe not the kid friendliest, but you would be surprised what your kids will eat when they are hungry enough!

Well Blog

This is the New York Times’ health and wellness blog. Definitely on my daily read list.

What blogs do you read? (NYT and beyond!)