NWA Kids Guide

When Kassie Misiewicz and her cast of trained teaching artists opened the doors to Trike Theatre last year, they were convinced northwest Arkansas was prime for a professional theatre for youth.

    Their hunch was proven correct with well over 250 children of all ages pouring through the Trike Theatre doors at 120 S. Main St. in downtown Bentonville in 2008. So Trike opens its second year next week with a slew of new classes and programming for children ages four years old through eighth grade, in addition to taking its show on the road.

    Teaching artist Jason Suel will spread Trike Theatre’s reach to the cafeteria at Bentonville’s own R.E. Baker Elementary School. From Sept. 2 through Oct. 7, R.E. Baker kindergarten through second graders who register will retell the story of “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe,” while exploring the characters, environments and plot through dramatic play, creative movement and puppetry. Third through fourth graders who register for this after-school program will explore the same play Oct. 28 through Dec. 9, but with the addition of dramatic improv, tableau and stage combat. Staff plans to extend a similar program to Bentonville’s Walnut Farm Montessori as well.

    “We’re integrating arts and education with this program by bringing what we have to offer to the schools,” Suel said. “With R.E. Baker, it’s almost like we have a permanent residence there.”

    Meanwhile, opportunities for expression and exploration abound within the physical walls of Trike Theatre for all northwest Arkansas kids. From four- and five-year-olds exploring a different story each week through acting, imagination and interactive multi-sensory props to sixth through eighth graders using comedy as a springboard to strengthen their core acting skills, Trike Theatre plans to take the fun to the next level in its second year of existence.

    Trike is even taking registration for its Academy Players program, where third through twelfth graders audition to be in an ensemble that writes and performs two original plays this fall.

    “During our first year, we really saw how elements of drama opened up new avenues for kids: building life skills through stage skills,” said Christa Davis, Trike Theatre managing director. “It was a rewarding and inspiring experience for so many families as well as our own staff.”

    The fall 2009 slate of Trike Theatre classes begin on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Register soon, as classes are filling fast. For a full breakdown of programming by age category or to register, go to www.triketheatre.org, call 1-866-331-3681 or pick up a form at Trike Theatre, 120 S. Main St. in Bentonville.

Limited Booth Space Still Available-Register Today!!!

On Saturday, September 19th, Let’s Bring Them Home (www.lbth.org) will present the 3rd Annual Children’s Health and Safety Conference at the Springdale Holiday Inn Convention Center.

This conference is designed to provide parents, law enforcement, educators, and community leaders throughout the state with critical information regarding children’s health and safety topics.  

Keynote speaker for 2009:  Marc Klass  (Marc’s biography is below)

Booth space will be available the day of the event and is going fast.  For profit rate:  $100.  Non-Profit:  $50.  If you would like a booth, please contact Amy Smith at 479-871-1059 or atletsbringthemhome@gmail.com.  If you are interested in participating as a speaker for the day, please let me know as soon as possible.
Marc Klass:

In the aftermath of the October 1, 1993 kidnap and murder of his twelve-year-old daughter Polly, Marc Klaas gave up on his lucrative rental car franchise to pursue an aggressive child safety agenda.  In announcing the formation of the non-profit KlassKids Foundation in September of 1994, Mr. Klass said:  “We can give meaning to Polly’s death and create a legacy in her name that will be protective of children for generations to come by pursuing the singular mission of stopping crimes against children.”

On June 8, 2001 Mr. Klass co-founded BeyondMissing, Inc., a federally funded California public benefit non-profit corporation.  BeyondMissing provides America’s law enforcement community with a free and secure website to easily and swiftly create and distribute missing child’s flyers via broadcast fax, email, and SMS technology.  Working with Texas Governor Perry’s staff, BeyondMissing, Inc. has created a state of the art high tech Amber Alert application that is unsurpassed in efficiency, speed and dependability.  

Through federal and state legislative efforts Mr. Klass promotes prevention programs for at-risk youth, stronger sentencing for violent criminals and governmental accountability and responsibility.  Often times this advocacy takes the form of legislative testimony.

Mr. Klass has appeared on most network television news magazines, syndicated talk shows and is a regular resources for CNN, FOX and MSNBC, offering commentary on missing children and victim’s rights.  He has written for Newsweek Magazine and published editorial opinions for newspapers as diverse as the San Francisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News and the Cleveland Plain Dealer.  A sought after speaker, Mr. Klass has shared his podium with President Bill Clinton, New York Governor George Pataki,California Governor Gray Davis, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mayor Guliani and many other distinguished civic leaders.

Mr. Klass travels extensively through the United States facilitating town-hall meetings, encouraging innovative solutions and proven programs that positively impact crime, abuse and neglect that plague children in so many of our communities.  He also counsels and advises numerous victim families and families of kidnapped children.

Besides his duties as volunteer president of the KlassKids Foundation and president of the BeyondMissing, Inc. Mr. Klass sits on the advisory boards of the Center for the Community Interest; Fight Crime Invest in Kids and the National Children’s Advocacy Center.

When Sam Walton started Wal-Mart, cynics remarked that he would be unable to build a multi-national company in a town the size of Bentonville, Arkansas.  With the courage of a baby learning to walk, Wal-Mart, bucked all odds to become a global powerhouse.  BabySpot.com shares a similar courage and continues to grow and expand despite the current economic recession.  Fresh off the launch of BabySpotNewYork.com, the company announced today the launch of BabySpotArkansas.com, a new social networking and informational community for Arkansas parents by Arkansas parents.  

The site will provide reviews of doctors, hospitals, restaurants, products, and services specifically for parents of newborns.   Members of BabySpot Arkansas will still have free access to all features found on the original BabySpot.com site that enabled it to earn the title “Facebook for babies” in a recent CNET review article.  Some of the features are photo and video sharing, group discussions, blog capabilities, and mobile uploads, however, they will now do so in a community that addresses their local needs and concerns.

James Rivera, CEO of BabySpot, Inc. states, “Our members on BabySpot.com loved our social networking tools, but were often asking for local reviews and information.  While communities like Facebook are great to connect with family and friends from across the world, when it comes to the needs of our children we look to the specific communities that we reside in.  As a father of two, my wife and I are always looking for the best local providers for our kids.  BabySpot Arkansas will provide that information for parents throughout the State of Arkansas.”

Dannie McClain, Executive Director of BabySpot Arkansas, a NW Arkansas resident and mom states, “As a resident of Arkansas I am excited to connect with other parents and help provide them with a resource for their young children.  BabySpot Arkansas is a great tool for parents to share thoughts on local issues, products, and services specific to their children.  Just as Wal-Mart helped serve the local community, BabySpot Arkansas will do the same.”

About BabySpot, Inc.

Founded in 2008 by James Rivera and Zameer Upadhya, BabySpot, Inc. provides social networking and informational sites for parents and their families in a free, safe and secure environment to connect and interact virtually to share baby’s precious moments as they grow.  This is accomplished through BabySpotArkansas.com, BabySpotNewYork.com, BabySpot.com, and BabySpotLatino.com.  BabySpot Arkansas focuses on providing a geographic relevant networking environment.  With a safe and secure platform, parents can comfortably, and easily, share their profiles privately or publicly, upload pictures and videos, blog and chat live.  While experiencing the joy of forming lasting connections and creating new memories, parents and their loved ones are exposed to rich educational content, various nonprofit organizations, fun contests, and local reviews and recommendations.

August 22, 2009 at Murphy Park (the park beside the library)
Games and Prizes 12:00 - 5:00
NO NAME KICKER in concert 2:30- 3:30
EARL’S GARAGE in concert 5:00 - 6:00
Free swim at the Aquatic Center 7:00 - 9:00
Movie in the park starting around 8:00
The first 500 students, K - 5, will receive goodie bags
The Springdale School with the most students participating will win a prize.
ADMISSION IS FREE!

Local Fund-raiser Part of Nationwide Effort to Battle Life-threatening Disease

The Arkansas Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation announced today the kick-off of GREAT STRIDES.  GREAT STRIDES raises critical funds for life-saving research, education and care programs for cystic fibrosis, a fatal genetic disease.  This year, the Foundation seeks to top that goal by raising $40 million nationwide. GREAT STRIDES walks will occur at over 600 sites across the country.

The Northwest Arkansas walk is located at the Bentonville Plaza in Bentonville, Arkansas.  Registration is a 9:00 AM and the walk begins at 10:00 AM.  Walk activities include a 2 mile walk, live entertainment, Kids’ Corner activities and games, a raffle drawing for a grill, pictures with the Naturals players, and food and other festivities.

“With so much promising research on the horizon, it’s more important than ever that we raise every dollar we can to fight CF and improve the lives of people with this disease,” said Jennifer Maune, executive director of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in Arkansas.   “We are grateful for the support of the Novartis, General Mills, Tyson Foods, and the contributions of each volunteer and donor who supports GREAT STRIDES.”

“The walk will be a success due to the community members of this area who have opened their hearts and given people with cystic fibrosis hope,” said Charlotte Stacy, volunteer chair for the CF Foundation’s Northwest Arkansas Walk.  “Everyone has come together to work as a team, and each walker is doing their part in this life-saving effort.”

The CF Foundation has been recognized as one of the most efficient charities in the country. Nearly 90 cents on the dollar raised by the CF Foundation is available to fund CF research and care programs.  Fifty years ago, most children with CF did not live long enough to attend elementary school.  Today, as a result of dramatic improvements in research and care, the median age of survival is 37 years old. To help fight CF, get involved in GREAT STRIDES by calling the Arkansas Chapter at (501) 371-0233 or by visiting http://greatstrides.cff.org.

About the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the leading organization devoted to curing and controlling cystic fibrosis.  The Foundation funds CF research, has more than 80 chapters and branch offices throughout the country, and supports and accredits a nationwide network of more than 115 CF care centers, which provide vital treatments and other CF resources to patients and families. The Arkansas care centers are located at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.  For more information, visit www.cff.org.

Contact:

Jennifer Maune, Executive Director

Arkansas Chapter, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Phone:  (501) 371-0233                     E-mail: arkansas@cff.org

12th Annual Cystic Fibrosis “Great Strides” Walk

Saturday, August 29th

Bentonville Plaza

609 SW 8th St.

Join us in adding “tomorrows” for people living with CF, the number one genetic killer of children.  Fun walk is just over a mile.  Come see Natural’s baseball stars and Strike.  Car show, kids’ zone, inflatables, refreshments and great activities for all.  Call 479-640-0470 for more information.