3W Lifestyle November December 2015 by 3W Magazine

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Holiday

giving back to

our community: a spotlight on seven local organizations

Issue November |December 2015

Wipe out germs, not the fun outside. With PURELL速 Hand Sanitizer you can have a little peace of mind and trust that your family is in good hands this winter. The PURELL速 Brand is proud to give back to the Northwest Arkansas Community.

t e e Mthe m a e T lauren case intern

erynn lasse

creative director

leslie zanoff co-founder

extended family

interactive managers

zach hoover precious baugh

photographers

jason hudson maliah pinkleton

contributors

katy cario monica diaz

kasie yokley co-founder

day davis

associate editor

ashley batchelor associate editor

@3wmagazine 1800 s. 52nd st, ste. 301 | rogers, ar | (501) 680-1370 | inspire@3wmagazine.com 3W Lifestyle is published quarterly by 3W Magazine. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited without prior written consent from 3W MagazineÂŠ 2015. All rights reserved. We at 3W Lifestyle make every effort to ensure the accuracy of event information. However, you should always call ahead and confirm the date and time.

a note

from the founders C

an you believe the holidays are upon us? It’s the giving season, and we thought what better way to focus on all the blessings we have in Northwest Arkansas than to highlight those that are entrusted with our communities’ giving efforts? Whether you choose to give money to healthcare needs, donate clothes for children or volunteer your time with shelter animals, everyone can do something. All seven of the organizations we feature in this magazine are worthy of recognition, not only for their hard work but their generous hearts. Talk about dogooders! It was hard to narrow it down to just a few. We’ve developed a close and personal relationship with each of the individuals featured in the magazine. They all have a unique story to tell and a worthwhile mission to support. In keeping with the spirit of giving, we want to give something to YOU … our loyal readers! Fifteen of our friends and advertisers have been cheering us on as we rebranded 3W Lifestyle this summer. It’s only fitting as we’re featuring some givers in this magazine; we’re going to give you guys a chance to win some amazing products. Some of our favorite places around Northwest Arkansas have generously donated items including a Clarisonic from Premier Dermatology; a huge gift basket full of P&G products; a custom-made constellation necklace from Thatch jewelry; a $200 gift card to Riffraff; luxurious products from Blonde hair salon; a homemade gift basket of goodies from Euna Mae’s; and a $100 gift card to Ruth’s Chris just to name a few. You can read more about our rebrand and giveaway on our blog thegoldbubble.com.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram {@3wmagazine} and use #3wgrandrebrand. Tag three friends and share our grand rebrand image on your own Instagram page using our hash tag #3wgrandrebrand for a chance to win. We’ll announce one winner each week until everything is gone. (Must live in Northwest Arkansas and be able to pick up the items.) There’s so much to be thankful for this season, don’t you think? Try to take time each day in the month of November and December and write down three things you’re grateful for each day. It works magic.

Kasie & Leslie 4

because salons are for girls 1800 s 52nd, suite 101 | rogers, arkansas 72758 479 899 6770 | lewsbarbershop.com

Table of Contents 8

see and be seen

24 hours with Meredith Brunen

Check out all that's happening in the area

Executive Director of Development at NWACC

18 #nwarewind seriously fun 21 wine education A food and wine pairing by James King

cover story

thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the spirit

Giving Back to Our Community: A Spotlight on Seven Local Organizations

Christmas Kir Royale and Punch

47 49 holiday homes living spaces with 58 Monica Diaz 3wâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s holiday playlist

Principal Interior Designer HSE Decore Interiors LLC

12 days of christmas wish list

24 hours with Gracie Ziegler

Marketing Manager for the Convenience Store Team for Tyson Foods

calendar pages

66 71 finale

More fun events to come!

August kicked off with one of the biggest events of the year:

Arkansas Children’s Hospital Color of Hope Gala and Will Golf 4 Kids. White was the signature color at this year’s gala, and together the 22nd annual golf tournament and eighth annual gala raised $892,000. K.C. and Joe Tucker and their son Jimi were honored as the 2015 Champion Family. The Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter Golf Classic took place just a few days later. Teams participated in the morning and afternoon flights at Pinnacle Country Club, and Hershey’s was the presenting sponsor of the event. Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Benton County Annual Student Benefit on Aug. 13 included a presentation from student speaker Ashley Bell. The month ended with the Kendrick Fincher Hydration for Life A Cool Summer Homecoming, where Jen Bedwell of PepsiCo and Will James of Taylor Law Partners were chosen as homecoming queen and king. 2

September started with Washington Regional Faith in Action’s annual Savor the Flavor in Fayetteville. The Sept. 8 event featured food samples from 16 eateries on and surrounding Dickson Street. The always lively Polo in the Ozarks, hosted by Life Styles Inc., was held Sept. 12. The following

1. Arkansas Children’s Hospital Color of Hope Gala K.C. Tucker, Jimi Tucker and Joe Tucker | 2. Kendrick Fincher Hydration for Life A Cool Summer Homecoming Brian Arend, Jen Bedwell, Julia Brooks and Nichole Nickerson | 3. Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter Golf Classic Brent Campbell, Greg Russell and Jon Lezon | 4. Washington Regional Faith in Action’s Savor the Flavor Fayetteville Jaclyn Keeter, Johnny Bakker, Susan Chase-Bakker and Tim Hudson | 5. Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Benton County Annual Student Benefit Karen Parker, Carrie Newman, Ashley Bell, Donna Bell and Dawn Cook | 6. Life Styles Inc. Polo in the Ozarks Lesha and Jonathan Shaver

week, Oven and Tap won the Best Chef Award at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks’ Chefs in the Garden. Savor the Flavor then branched out to Bentonville for the first time on Sept. 17. Some of the restaurants at the Bentonville event were The Hive at 21c Museum Hotel, Tusk and Trotter, Tavola Trattoria, Table Mesa and the Walmart Museum’s Spark Café, which served 10 samples of its blue and yellow Spark Cream. That same evening Shelley and Doug McMillon were the honorary event chairmen at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Benton County’s Cherishing Children Dinner at John Q. Hammons in Rogers. The event featured guest speaker Michelle Knight, who shared her personal story of abuse. Arkansas Crisis 9 Center’s Charity Challenge of Champions featured a weekend of golf and tennis, including coaching and exhibition matches by 10 tennis professionals. The event’s honorary co-chairmen were Matt Kistler and Jeff Evans. September came to a close with The Jones Center’s The Golf Event. General Mills was the title sponsor for the Sept. 28 event at the Springdale 8 Country Club. 5

7. Botanical Garden of the Ozarks Chefs in the Garden Maudie Schmitt and Charlotte Taylor | 8. Washington Regional Faith in Action Savor the Flavor Bentonville Sharon Olmstead and Nancy Cozart | 9. The Jones Center The Golf Event Scott Huff, Mike Moore, Kelly Kemp-McLintock and Adam Dill | 10. Children’s Advocacy Center of Benton County Cherishing Children Dinner Doug and Shelley McMillon and Don Byrd | 11. Arkansas Crisis Center Charity Challenge of Champions Cathy Stone, Mark Knowles and Rennae Stubbs |

October began with the Fayetteville Public Education

Foundation’s Fayetteville Public Schools Hall of Honor on Oct. 1. Honorees were Justin Minkel, Lisa Higgins and Larry Foley, and a posthumous award went to Sherman Lollar. Oct. 2 included multiple events: Susan G. Komen Ozark Affiliate Pink Ribbon Luncheon, Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter Kick the Competition Kickball Tournament and Hope Cancer Resources’ Bill Fleeman Gentlemen of Distinction. Horace Hardwick was presented with the 2015 Gentleman of Distinction Award. Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter Fresh Start event was held the following evening at The Grand 117 in Rogers. The art auction featured works by artist Thomas Arvid and a silent auction. Restore Humanity’s Winetopia on Oct. 9 at Pratt Place Barn included a wine tasting, food from area restaurants, a silent auction and a necklace giveaway. Guests also received signature wine glasses from the event. The Tom Pagnozzi 2 Charity Golf Tournament, Ultimate

5 8

1. Susan G. Komen Ozark Affiliate Pinktail Partee Diana Fernandez, Lindsay Dixon and Kindra Kilker | 2. Open Avenues 40th Birthday Brenda Neal and Congressman Steve Womack | 3. Tom Pagnozzi Charity Golf Tournament, Ultimate Tailgate and Auction Brittany Pagnozzi and Colleen Pagnozzi | 4. Children’s Advocacy Center of Benton County Sweetest Day Holly Breach, Arist Mastorides, Rob Gehring and Jim Breach | 5. Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter Kick the Competition Kickball Tournament Jessie Wagner, Brooke Boles and Linda Phillips | 6. The New School Children’s Fun Run Jessica Kwon, Eli Kwon and Yong Kwon | 7. FPEF Fayetteville Public Schools Hall of Honor Justin Minkel, Pete Lollar, Lisa Higgins and Larry Foley

Tailgate and Auction took place that same evening. 7Hills Chill with the Hills on Oct. 10 honored Rev. Lowell Grisham and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville. The event included a buffet, raffle, music by Ultra Suede and a pig drop, in which hundreds of toy pigs were dropped from a net and then exchanged for prizes.

Open Avenues celebrated its 40th Birthday with a party on Oct. 15. Later that evening, Susan G. Komen Ozark Affiliate held its Pinktail Partee prior to the Swing for the Cure Golf Classic at Shadow Valley Country Club in Rogers. On Oct. 17, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Benton County’s Sweetest Day was held at the home of Karen and John Scholes and featured drinks, food, live music and a silent auction. Peace at Home Family Shelter’s Courage Award Luncheon on Oct. 23 honored Pat Walker and later that night was the 1920s themed A Night at the Speakeasy, held by Junior Auxiliary of Rogers-Bentonville. Children from 12 months old through eighth grade participated in The New 14 School Children’s Fun Run Oct. 25 at Fayetteville High School. The month ended with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas’ The Big Event on Oct. 29.

7 10

12 10

8. Restore Humanity Winetopia Dr. Allyson and William Mertins | 9. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas The Big Event Rob Burns and Kirsten Evans | 10. Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter Fresh Start Tom Evans, Nancy Beahm, Thomas Arvid and Paul Beahm | 11. 7Hills Chill with the Hills Rev. Lowell Grisham, Lynn Donald Carver and Billy Rader | 12. Hope Cancer Resources Gentlemen of Distinction Jeretta and Horace Hardwick | 13. Susan G. Komen Ozark Affiliate Pink Ribbon Luncheon Elizabeth Balls, Lauren Marquette and Daniel Balls | 14. Junior Auxiliary of Rogers-Bentonville A Night at the Speakeasy Kim Lemna and Sarah Oglesby | 15. Peace at Home Family Shelter Courage Award Luncheon Clancy Walker and Mandy Macke

ank You for Supporting

2015 TOTAL DONATIONS

EVENT DONORS:

326

PBL SCHOOL-WEEK DONORS:

SALON DONATIONS:

1 130

Thanks to all the stylists for donating their time. Special thanks to Pam Krummick with Acropolis Salon for styling Lindsey Vonn’s hair.

SAVE THE DATE

NEXT YEAR

THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY THE WEEK OF JUNE 20, 2016

hours with Meredith Brunen

executive director of development at northwest arkansas community college 4:45 a.m. Time to rise and shine for a morning run at our neighborhood gym

8 a.m. Begin the professional day with a special community event – “It Takes A Village To Raise A Child” – a campaign launch to expand the Early Childhood Initiatives Center

7:15 a.m. Drop the boys off at Helen R. Walton Children’s Enrichment Center for an exciting day of high quality learning with their teachers and friends

9:30 a.m. Arrive at the office, stopping for a moment to take in the beauty of the day

10 a.m. Attend the President’s Cabinet weekly leadership team meeting where these appointed members advise the President on high level issues 14

12 p.m. Lunch at my desk while taking a sneak peek at Leaders Eat Last, a great read that was selected for the 2015-2016 class of Leadership NWACC for which I am serving as a mentor. 2 p.m. Facilitate strategic discussion regarding the launch of the collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new Construction Technology program, including hiring timelines and private funding 3 p.m. Oversee the filming of the iGive campaign video where a confetti-filled balloon representing the total dollars raised by faculty, staff and students during the internal fundraising campaign is popped over the head of our President. What a good sport! 4:30 p.m. Assist with setup for the Founders Reception, which is part of the collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 25th Anniversary celebration activities

7:45 p.m. Glad to make it home in time to read a bedtime story to my son before putting him to bed

5:30 p.m. Meet and greet at the Founders Reception with loyal friends to commemorate the significant milestone in the collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history and to pay tribute to those who brought it from a fledgling institution to what it is today 9 p.m. Spend a few precious moments with my sweetheart before some much needed sleep! Bonne Nuit!

#nwa r e w i n d january:

2015 (so far) in review

3W Magazine readers voted Youth Bridge Inc. as their favorite nonprofit of 2014. 3W Magazine donated $3,000 to this wonderful nonprofit after it won in a first ever run-off vote against Sunshine School and Development Center. Youth Bridge’s mission is changing the lives of youth by providing preventative services, counseling and shelter to strengthen families and build stronger communities.

february:

Guests gathered Feb. 21 at Embassy Suites in Rogers for St. Vincent de Paul’s Tapas & Tinis. “A Night for the Knights” themed evening included silent and live auctions, music, dancing, and of course tapas and tinis! The fifth annual event is the school’s largest fundraiser, and in our opinion, has one of the best silent auctions around.

Darin Bell, Jim and Kim Viccaro at Tapas & Tinis

march:

Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter Starlight Gala welcomed country music superstar Reba McEntire for a performance at this fabulous event. The Starlight Gala netted $485,000, which went toward the organization’s efforts to provide care, healing and hope for a better future to abused and neglected children.

april:

Pinnacle Country Club celebrated its 25th anniversary. Thanks to the late James T. “Red” Hudson’s vision, what began as farmland was transformed into one of the most prestigious private golf courses and gated communities in Northwest Arkansas. Congrats on reaching a quarter of a century, and here’s to many more years!

Chaney Youngblood and Reba McEntire at the Starlight Gala

may:

Hundreds of film fans flocked to the inaugural Bentonville Film Festival May 5-9 at various Benton County locations. Academy Award-winning actress Geena Davis and Trevor Drinkwater, chief executive officer of ARC Entertainment, co-founded the festival, which promotes women and diversity in film. Davis also is the founder and chairman of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media.

Geena Davis and Kiernan Shipka at the Bentonville Film Festival

june:

The inaugural NW Arkansas Food Festival kicked off June 25 with the Taste of NW Arkansas at the Walmart AMP. Carla Hall of The Chew and Tyson Executive Chef Mario Valdovino co-hosted the event, which included more than 30 Northwest Arkansas restaurants. The food festival continued the next evening with the NW Arkansas Beer & Burger Fest.

july:

July 15 was the grand opening of the Scott Family Amazeum, a hands-on museum for children and families in Northwest Arkansas. The Amazeum features approximately 50,000 square feet of exhibit, meeting and learning spaces inside, along with about 1 acre of outdoor space for year-round learning, experiments and experiences inspired by the seasons, according to amazeum.org.

LifestylE

Wyatt and Janell Scott, Linda and Lee Scott and Eric and Elda Scott at the Scott Family Amazeum

august:

Our digital magazine, previously called Tres Lifestyle, was rebranded as 3W Lifestyle and launched The Gold Bubble! The first rebranded issue featured a cover story on the Real Housewives of Razorback Football and an article on a cooking class for teenagers at Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter. Check out the archive issues at 3wmagazine. com/3wlifestyle.

september:

Washington Regional Faith in Action’s Savor the Flavor presented its inaugural Bentonville event, held one week after the annual Savor the Flavor in Fayetteville.

october:

Open Avenues celebrated its 40th birthday with a party on Oct. 15. Happy Birthday to this wonderful organization! r

3W Lifestyle Rebrand

I NG DI P? K A M MAKE IT

People are really Hellmann’s® Creamy Spinach Dip.

4 SIMPLE INGREDIENTS + 1 STEP PREP.

the dish: seriously fun wine education a food and wine pairing

in october,

our team decided to check out a class in a new series at Northwest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville. Math, science, English? Nope. Wine of course! The series is called Seriously Fun Wine Education, and the Oct. 12 class was specifically on wine and food pairing. James King, wine educator and expert, teaches the classes and also owns the Texas Wine School in Houston. Each participant had four wine glasses and a plate filled with smoked salmon, beef, wasabi nuts, milk chocolate, a dill pickle, Kerrygold reserve cheddar and green apple slices. Then the following wines were poured left to right in the glasses: 1 NV Roederer Estate, Anderson Valley, Mendocino County, Sparkling Wine Brut 1 2013 Chateau Bonnet, Bordeaux Blanc 1 2013 Mer Soleil, Chardonnay, Reserve Santa Lucia Highlands 1 2012 Mt. Difficulty “Roaring Meg,” Pinot Noir, Central Otago, New Zealand After smelling and tasting each wine, we sampled the different foods with them. King said to not be ruled by rules because everyone is different, so personal preferences do matter on what someone may like and doesn’t like. Cheese pairs well with the sparkling wine, which is dry, highly acidic and has a green fruit scent. King added that oysters also would be good with this wine. Wasabi nuts work as well.

tasting notes

what’s your taste tolerance level?

tolerant: Likes strong flavored

foods and black coffee. Wine suggestions: Powerful concentrated red wines with high levels of tannins, oak and alcohol, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and some Italian wines like Barolo.

sensitive: Likes a range of food

and drinks but prefers to have some intensity of flavor and may be sensitive to bitterness; likes full-flavored coffee but will usually take milk and small amounts of sugar. Wine suggestions: Ripe red wines such as Shiraz, full flavored white like Sauvignon Blanc, and California Oaked Chardonnay.

very sensitive: Very sensitive

to bitterness and astringency, making some food wine reactions more extreme; sensitive to bitterness in artificial sweeteners; likes delicate teas or coffee with cream or sweetened. Wine suggestions: Wines with delicate flavors and maybe some moderate amounts of sweetness, such as blush wines, sweeter styles of Riesling or more delicate reds with lower levels of tannins like Pinot Noir.

The Bordeaux Blanc had a grassy scent and was less acidic than the sparkling wine. King says the third wine is difficult to pair with food, but he suggested steak with this particular Chardonnay. It has a buttery, vanilla scent, and is a heavier wine. The Pinot Noir is a dry, light wine with a scent of oak, cherries and strawberries. Cheese helps bring out the black pepper taste in this Pinot, which wasn’t noticeable from drinking it by itself. King also suggested peppered steak with this wine. We then tried four more wines. The next round included: 1 1999 Pride Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 1 2012 Moss Roxx Lodi Ancient Vine Zinfandel 1 2013 Apothic Red, California 1 2002 Domaine Weinbach Pinot Gris Altenbourg, Alsace Vendanges Tardives This dry Cabernet Sauvignon smelled of cedar and dark fruits. It paired very well with cheese, along with the meat after it was salted. Milk chocolate was awesome with the Zinfandel. The Apothic Red is a dry wine that’s a little sweet and difficult to pair with food. Drinking this with wasabi nuts completely took out their spiciness, which is great for someone who thinks they can’t eat spicy foods. The final wine became Ashley’s new favorite wine! The sweet, golden Pinot Gris smelled like honey, apricots and nuts and was simply amazing with apple and cheese. So we left the class with a new favorite wine and a newfound enjoyment of Pinot Noir … only when cheese is involved though!

wine choices for holiday meals come down

to how you cook the main dish, wine expert James King said. If you do a creamy sauce, you will need an acidic wine like Sauvignon Blanc to cut through it. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re roasting, you need fuller flavors, like a Chardonnay. If you have a tomato-based dish, you will need a high acidity wine like Sangiovese to match the high acidity in the sauce. In general, Pinot Noir is the most diverse wine and pairs well with everything from tuna and meaty seafood to chicken and turkey. It also does well with game meat, as does Syrah. He noted that if you make turkey for Thanksgiving or Christmas, Beaujolais Cru works well with the extras on the side as well as the turkey. It also goes well with the cranberry sauce! r

For more information on upcoming classes, call (479) 619-4280.

e e r T s a m t s i r h C e k a C Coffee

bread:

1 can refrigerated crescent dinner rolls 2 teaspoons granulated sugar 1 teaspoon grated orange peel

glaze:

1/4 cup powdered sugar 1 to 2 teaspoons orange juice 4 red candied cherries, halved 4 green candied cherries, halved

directions:

1 2 3 4 5

Heat oven to 375째F. Unroll dough into 2 long rectangles; firmly press perforations to seal. Cut each rectangle lengthwise into 4 strips. Twist each dough strip several times. On ungreased cookie sheet, form tree shape by starting at top of tree. Zigzag twisted strips of dough back and forth across cookie sheet, touching previous strip and making tree wider toward bottom, adding strips as each is finished. End with curl of dough at center of bottom to form trunk. Tree will be about 8 inches from tip to trunk. In small bowl, mix granulated sugar and orange peel. Sprinkle over dough. Bake 12 to 16 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet; place on serving tray. In small bowl, beat powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth and thin enough to drizzle. Drizzle glaze over bread. Garnish with cherries. Serve warm.

giving back to our community

With the holidays approaching, thoughts of seasonal giving and receiving are in the air. We decided to focus on giving back and helping those in need. We sat down with representatives from seven deserving Northwest Arkansas organizations. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how you can help this holiday season! 27

upcoming event a very special art show

November 13th 6-8:30p.m. Sunshine School and Development Center in Rogers

Cyndi Bilyeu

sunshine school and development center

Cyndi Bilyeu literally sees miracles

everyday in the halls at the Sunshine School and Development Center in Rogers. “I see children walk, whose parents were told they may not even ever be able to sit up. I see children say words for the first time – and hear parents share stories about conversations they thought may never happen. I see individuals proud of accomplishments that many of us take for granted. I see individuals communicate with alternative devices such as an iPad, giving them a voice that they may not otherwise be able to share,” executive director Bilyeu said. “Some of the miracles are big and bold and others are little steps – but are miracles nonetheless and they make me take great pride in the team at Sunshine School and Development Center and give great thanks to the families to share their loved ones with us and trust us with their most precious gifts.” The Sunshine School and Development Center is about developing and enriching lives. “We do that through therapy, education and support,” Bilyeu said. “Everything we’re about is really about helping people reach their full potential, whatever that looks like for them.” The organization serves Benton and Washington county individuals from birth throughout the life journey. The primary individual has some type of developmental delay or disability, but they also serve typically developing children in several different preschool enrichment programs. She noted there are two classrooms that have typically developing children and a peer tuition program. It’s a semi-integrated preschool model. Bilyeu has been with the school for three years, but she first started in the nonprofit world as an AmeriCorps Promise Fellow working on violence prevention education at Arkansas Crisis Center. She was then hired as a fulltime employee as their Director of Volunteer Services, and from 20032012, she worked for Hope Cancer Resources. She wanted to join the Sunshine School because she was looking for a new professional challenge, and it was a larger organization than she worked for in the past.

“In addition, the mission of enriching and developing the lives of individuals and families – and the focus on individuals with developmental delays and disabilities was so strong and so impactful, I knew that I would receive such personal enrichment by working in this environment.” Everything the organization does is very personcentered, Bilyeu said. “I love that we focus on meeting each individual we serve where they are in their lives. Everything we do is very individualized toward that person and helping them reach their goals,” she said. “You can’t help but become impassioned when you see lives changed and developed each and every day.” The school always needs monetary donations to support operations, but it also needs classroom supplies, such as paint and construction paper. These would be helpful because the children do a lot of hands-on arts and crafts activities, she said. The school also is in need of a medium size boardroom table and chairs. Along with donating, people can volunteer at the school. Bilyeu said the Sunshine School and Development Center is a great place for people to come in for a team building activity, adding that it is a win-win for everyone. They have time out of the office to team build and the school gets some of the facility needs met, such as washing transportation buses, putting mulch on the playground, cleaning tables and chairs, and general paint touch ups. Volunteers also can interact with the children. Bilyeu said they have volunteers who spend time in classrooms reading to kids or patting backs at naptime. For clients who are out in the community in independent living homes, the organization needs volunteers to help do work at the homes, like building ramps or repairing items. “We’re a local organization, so everything they do impacts their neighbors,” she said. Bilyeu said any individual or group is welcome to tour the facility and come take a look at what the Sunshine School and Development Center is doing. For more information on the Sunshine School and Development Center, contact Bilyeu at

479-636-3190 or Cyndi.Bilyeu@nwasunshineschool.org.

Clark Ellison

mercy health foundation northwest arkansas

Clark Ellison has been with Mercy Northwest

Arkansas since 1998. He began working in marketing and public relations, volunteer services, community education and the foundation. When the decision was made to build the current hospital in 2002, he had to decide if he wanted to continue down the marketing path or in a fundraising role. He chose fundraising and has been in this area ever since. He is now the regional vice president of SouthCentral Communities Northwest Arkansas and Fort Smith for Mercy Health Foundation. Ellison said what he loves most about the foundation is “the interaction with the people and really seeing the positive effect that we’re having for people in Northwest Arkansas.” It’s incredible how people give of themselves through financial donations or time to support Mercy’s mission to better the community through giving to healthcare, he said. “I’m humbled and amazed every day by the generosity of so many people and companies in NWA,” he said. Ellison also really enjoys telling Mercy’s story and getting to know people. “It’s even getting to know people at a different level, just a very personal level, but also just to hear their stories and why they give and why they support Mercy,” Ellison said. He also loves to walk through the hallways of the hospital and see the difference that the money and support make on a daily basis, enhancing the care for the patients and the environment where people work. In 2008, the foundation board went through a planning process to evaluate the current state, Ellison said. At the time, there were four events, staff was reduced and they needed to look at the return on investment on time and dollars being raised, he said. The board members discussed the Home Design Showcase event and decided the time involved and net proceeds didn’t add up to what was needed at the time. However, there was a “wonderful workgroup of women who helped with this event, and we wanted to keep them involved with the foundation,” he said.

An all-women giving society program was implemented in 2010. “Today the all-women giving society is a successful program where it allows women to make an annual donation, and together they choose a project they elect to fund and make a huge impact to enhance healthcare here at Mercy,” Ellison said. The needs right now for the Mercy Health Foundation are to fund a couple of projects: a campaign with the behavioral health service line and the expansion of the neonatal intensive care unit. Both of these projects were identified during a feasibility study in 2014. Mercy was just onboarding two new neonatologists and expanding the women’s and children’s services, Ellison said. With the new doctors, there were new equipment and services that needed funding. A year later, the program is successful and the patient volumes have increased, along with the need for private NICU rooms, so an expansion of this area is in the planning stages, he said. The foundation also heard from community members about the need for expanded behavioral health services. Mercy was just exploring the expansion of these services with its first project of building out an Adult In-patient BH unit on the shelled in 7th floor of the hospital. With a lead gift from the Walmart Foundation, the floor was completed in 2014. Realizing there were more needs of BH services, Mercy wanted to enhance its child and adolescent BH services as well. Again, with an $800,000 grant from Walmart in 2015, this grant helped fund 12 new positions needed to start a robust BH service line. There also have been initial conversations on looking for an expansion, and they are planning at this point through a strategic planning process for a $25-$30 million capital campaign, Ellison said. Ellison encourages people to give to Mercy Health Foundation because healthcare is a necessity. “It’s a need for any thriving community to have a sound healthcare infrastructure.” For more information, contact Ellison at 479-338-2990 or clark.ellison@mercy.net.

upcoming event

mercy health foundation o’ night divine charity ball

December 5th 5 p.m. VIP, 6 p.m. social 7 p.m. dinner John Q. Hammons in Rogers

Sarah Fennel

restore humanity

Opot donated the land and building Restore Humanity renovated, and she and 11 staff members run it. Fennel said by having a trusted partner on the ground in Kenya, they had the opportunity to really make a difference.

Restore Humanity is a locally based

“It’s really amazing,” Fennel said. “Without her knowledge about the community and the culture, it definitely wouldn’t work.”

nonprofit, but all of the money raised goes to Kenya. Founder Sarah Fennel volunteered in South Africa in 2005 and said “it totally changed my world.” “I saw so much that was needed and so much that could be done. When I came home to the U.S., I told many people in this community about the serious need and everyone wanted to help! I was the person in between people that wanted to help and people that needed it, so I started Restore Humanity,” she said. Fennel started by giving help to the projects that she had worked on in South Africa, and in 2007, a friend of hers from college found out she had started the organization and asked if she would help their mother open an orphanage in Kenya. “I had known their family for years and knew their mother Juanita Opot. She lived in a small rural area in Kenya,” she said. The organization’s main focus now is this children’s home in Kenya housing 17 children, Fennel said. Since Restore Humanity’s founding in 2006, it has branched out in the Kenyan community. There is an outreach program that helps pay for school fees for children in the community who don’t live in that home and a maxi pad program provided monthly to 250 girls. She said Restore Humanity also helped a local Kenyan clinic build a maternity ward, which was completed this year. The organization is trying to help build up the community the kids live in, but the main focus is the 17 children that live in the children’s home full-time. The mission is to “restore humanity by taking the opportunity to help whenever, wherever and however we can — not dictating the terms of our assistance, but responding to the needs of the individuals and communities we are serving,” Fennel said. She believes the organization has a great vision and core values and a big part of it is cross-cultural collaboration. “While I’m raising money here … our team in Kenya, which is all Kenyan people, is doing the day-to-day work with the kids,” she said.

Having an all-Kenyan staff provides jobs for people, and they are then able to take care of their families and pay for their children to go to school. Having a nonprofit that crosses international borders, there are so many cultural differences that people who don’t live there don’t know about without trusted team members in that local community, she said. “I love that aspect of what we do. It’s a really neat thing to connect everybody,” Fennel said. Since the organization cares for 17 children, Restore Humanity is still trying to build up funds for them. There are three other spots open at the home currently, and she said they want to build a separate boys’ dorm, which will be an added cost. She noted there are also annual costs each year to take care of all of them. The children’s house has policies, but “we try to make it feel like a home. That’s the reason our maximum amount of children is 20 children because for us it’s quality over quantity, and we want to keep that feeling like a family.” She wants to provide everything for these children so they can go out and “change their area and change Kenya and change the world.” She noted that shipping is so expensive that Restore Humanity just raises money in the U.S. and then buys all the items needed in Kenya, adding that this helps the local economy. Restore Humanity is “a direct way to help some amazing children that just need somebody to help them get on their feet.” For more information on the organization, contact Fennel at 479-841-2841, sarah@restorehumanity.org or visit restorehumanity.org.

Check out photos from Restore Hunanity’s latest event, Winetopia, at 3Wmagazine.com. 33

upcoming event

somewhere south of st. somewhere 34

December 4th Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House in Fayetteville

Nancy Hairston

youth bridge, inc. “If those (issues) aren’t addressed, academic failure is going to go way up,” Hairston said. of northwest Along with financial needs, Hairston said they need food support during the holidays to provide arkansas

Youth Bridge, Inc. serves youth and families in any crisis they may be facing.

Director of development Nancy Hairston said the kids they help may have mental health problems, behavioral problems, substance abuse issues or family conflict. Families may not be able to deal with or know how to deal with certain issues, so Youth Bridge is able to help. The organization has residential and outpatient formats. On the residential side, about 95 percent of children are referred to Youth Bridge from the Department of Human Services, Child Welfare Services and the court system. They may be placed with Youth Bridge as an emergency situation, which means they need to be out of the home because of physical abuse, neglect or emotional abuse, Hairston said. The organization can keep the children for a short period of time until they receive long-term placement or can be brought back to their families. She added that Youth Bridge also has a residential treatment center, which is for kids dealing with substance abuse and those referred by the Division of Youth Services because of involvement in criminal activity. There is also a long-term transitional living program for girls age 16-18 who are homeless, aged out of foster care or just don’t have a place to go. On the outpatient side, Youth Bridge does counseling for individuals, groups or families, Hairston said. Since last November, the nonprofit has expanded its school-based programming in nine different counties, in which the staff works with teachers and counselors about the signs to look for to see if a child is in distress and then talk to parents to get families together to talk. She noted Youth Bridge has had to add on more counselors because of this huge demand. One of the organization’s big focuses is “to keep kids moving in a good solid path” to stay in school, stay off drugs and alcohol, and avoid criminal activity and risky situations, she said.

holiday meals for the three residential programs at Thanksgiving and Christmas and food baskets for outpatient families. Other needs include books, DVDs, games and art supplies for the residents.

“Recreation is a big thing that I’ve really been pushing,” she said, noting that funds received often go toward programs to support food and clothing instead of activities. Immediate needs also are often published on the Youth Bridge Facebook page, so she encourages people to like the organization online to find out how to help. Hairston has been with the organization for seven years and said she is part of it “for the love of making a difference.” “People are pretty passionate all around, especially in our organization.” Hairston has always been passionate about at-risk youth. Early in her college life, she was planning to work with at-risk youth, but her life took a different direction toward having a career at a university. “When the position at Youth Bridge came open, the timing was right for me to make a career adjustment after 30 years,” she said. “Even though I don’t have direct contact as a counselor would with these youth, I am in a position to get things for these youth financially and in-kind.” The driving factor for Hairston is the look on the faces of the kids when she is able to provide a necessary or wanted item. She describes the looks as “sometimes very overpowering and at times have brought me to tears to see such joy.” Some of the issues are hard to see and hear, but it is rewarding to hear a success story or about a child who has changed for the better. She added that even the toughest kids have a good heart. “It’s just a matter of breaking through whatever their shield is to help them kind of move along.” For more information on Youth Bridge, visit youthbridge.com or contact Hairston at 479-575-9471 or nhairston@youthbridge.com.

Within the school-based program, Youth Bridge also brings more awareness to bullying issues. Kids who are bullied don’t want to go to school and may drop out to avoid being hurt, she said.

Mandy Macke willard & pat walker charitable foundation

Since 1986, the Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation has supported nonprofits in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.

However, the couple supported groups long before the foundation existed in the capacity it does today, said Mandy Macke, associate director of the foundation and secretary of the board. The foundation was incorporated in 1986 and restructured internally in 2003. Macke joined the team that year. “Willard and Pat have been philanthropists in Northwest Arkansas for decades,” she said. Pat was born in Boise, Idaho, on May 9, 1919, and was raised in Tulsa, Okla. After Pat graduated from high school, she and her mother moved to Coffeyville, Kan. Willard was raised in Coffeyville by his widowed mother, and he began working in retail as a stock boy at the S.H. Kress department store in his hometown, Macke said. Willard met Pat at the Coffeyville department store. The couple lived in several different towns before settling in Springdale to raise their two children. Walmart founder Sam Walton hired Willard Walker in 1959 to manage Walton’s Five and Dime in Fayetteville, Macke continued. Through the decades, he became a major stockholder in the company. He retired from Walmart in 1972 and was an active leader in many Northwest Arkansas civic and professional organizations, she said. “Pat feels blessed to have shared 61 years of marriage with Willard before he passed away in February 2003. Together they touched the lives of thousands of Arkansans with their generosity,” Macke said. “Pat continues to take an active role in the Walker Charitable Foundation and every day is a celebration of life as she enjoys time with friends and family. Willard was a very humble, giving man; Pat has continued that legacy.” Willard and Pat Walker made the decision together to focus on healthcare and education in their state and community. Through philanthropy, Willard and Pat provided many people with the opportunity to reach their full potential, she said. Each gift has come with a sincere desire to better others’ lives. “It is an honor for me to assist Pat and continue the legacy she and Willard started so many years ago,” Macke said. The foundation is 100 percent funded by the family, and Macke noted it does not accept donations or volunteers. However, people who come to the foundation looking to help are directed to nonprofits it supports, such as University of

Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Walton Arts Center, Children’s Safety Center, Susan G. Komen, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). “We’ve been a resource for people for their giving,” she said. Macke said pretty much any 501c3 in the area is eligible to submit an application for a grant. The categories include education, healthcare, humanitarian causes, civic and community, and arts and culture. The foundation’s interests vary year to year, but the “underlying theme is to support the individuals in our community to become the best that they can be, to help them reach their full potential.” “It really is about the genuine caring of other people,” she said. “The mission is to help people out. There’s no hidden agenda.” Macke said it supports an average of 30-40 organizations each year. The submission periods are Jan. 15 though March 1 and Aug. 15 through Oct. 1. She encourages nonprofits to contact her to figure out what they’re doing, where their priorities are, the funding needs they might have and where the foundation might be able to fit in. Nonprofits can submit a new application every 12 months, and organizations that have been supported previously also must resubmit an application each year. “You can’t support everybody every year, but there’s always room to figure out who the new groups are in town and what new programs are being added.” Macke said she tries to be a good steward of the Walkers’ work by continuing “the generosity and standards set by Willard and Pat decades ago.” She added that being part of something that “truly makes a difference is immeasurable.” “I believe Willard and Pat exemplify the genuine definition of what giving back means. Helping their fellow neighbors was/is very important. They truly made NWA a better place to live,” Macke said. “I think giving back (through any means possible whether that be time, ideas, finances) is vital to the success of our community. I see that happening every day. I am constantly inspired and challenged. With the continued growth in NWA, we are faced with new issues daily. We are lucky to live in an area where people want to help each other; I am motivated by the positive things happening around us.” For information on submitting a grant application, contact Macke at 479-582-2310 or at mandy@walkerfoundation.org.

Greg Russell

northwest arkansas children’s shelter

When children are removed from their

home because of abuse or neglect, the state of Arkansas needs a safe place to house the children temporarily until they can find a more permanent placement. That’s where Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter comes in. It’s a 24-hour emergency shelter for abused and neglected children. The shelter takes care of about 500 kids each year. About 80 percent are victims of environmental abuse, about 15 percent have been physically abused and about 5 percent are victims of sexual abuse, executive director Greg Russell said. The children can be at the shelter for up to 45 days in a six-month period. During the six weeks, they have 24-hour adult supervision and everything they need. “They usually come here with just the clothes on their backs, and that’s not an exaggeration,” Russell said. And children leave the shelter with two or three suitcases full of items they need, such as clothes, personal items, toiletries, stuffed animals and toys. They are given a six-week supply of items to position themselves for success as they go down the line in the foster care system, he said. The age range of children in the shelter is girls from birth through age 17 and boys from birth through age 12. Russell noted that the organization takes boys up to age 14 if they are part of a large sibling group. Russell joined the shelter as marketing director in February 2011, right before it moved to the current building. He became executive director this year. “The thing I love about working here is that there’s no shortage of job satisfaction. You can see immediately the direct impact of what you’re doing has on the kids,” Russell said. “I frequently get to eat lunch with the kids and just get to know them a little bit, pick their brains, see what makes them tick.”

and for 22 years, “the community has come through with the other 73 percent we need to take care of the kids,” he said. Along with monetary donations, the holiday needs are to give the children a full Christmas experience. If they don’t have it any other time in their lives, they will have it at the shelter. This includes toys and holiday gifts, which he requests to be unwrapped for shelter staff members to make sure they are safe and age appropriate for the children. These will then be wrapped for the children to open. A holiday wish list is available on the shelter website, nwacs.org. Some of the items include gift cards, dress-up clothes, superhero toys, kitchen and cooking toys, Legos, action figures, jewelrymaking kits, sports equipment, puzzles and games. Donations may be delivered to the shelter until Dec. 16. However, the shelter has to equip 500 children with everything they need, so donations of luggage, socks, underwear, toothbrushes, hairdryers and shampoo are always appreciated. Since children are sent out with these items, the shelter constantly has to replenish those supplies, Russell said. Volunteers are also needed during the holiday season to make the shelter a festive place, he said. He noted that some volunteer groups come in and put up Christmas decorations. Volunteers need to fill out an application and can find out more by getting in touch with volunteer coordinator Angie Brooks at abrooks@nwacs.org. For more information on the shelter, contact Russell at 479-795-2417 or grussell@nwacs.org.

save the date for the

northwest arkansas children’s shelter starlight gala on April 9th!

Russell said the holiday season is always a huge time of community support for the shelter. The annual budget is about $3.6 million, but the state only reimburses about 27 percent of the budget. The other 73 percent comes from the community,

JoAnn Traw

humane society of the ozarks

A few years ago, JoAnn Traw adopted a

dog from Humane Society of the Ozarks that had previously been a victim of animal cruelty. Her golden retriever Cooper is now a healthy, happy dog. Traw has been an animal lover her whole life, noting she grew up on a farm. She became a Humane Society of the Ozarks board member five years ago and joined the staff about three years ago. “This is my dream job to work for an animal welfare agency. I like that, not only do we help animals, but we help people with their animals,” said Traw, director of fundraising and special events for the humane society. Humane Society of the Ozarks is a private, local nonprofit funded by businesses and individuals. It is 100 percent local with all of the funding staying in Northwest Arkansas, and it is not affiliated with the Humane Society of the United States, Traw said. It was founded in 1946 under the name Fayetteville Humane Society by a small group of people in Fayetteville who were concerned about animal welfare. The organization started out by partnering with the city of Fayetteville to fund the city’s animal shelter. In the 1980s, the shelter became more independent and could run without the help of the Humane Society of the Ozarks, leading the organization to have a more regional focus, she said. The name changed to Humane Society of the Ozarks, and today, it serves Washington, Benton, Madison and Carroll counties. The humane society has seven different programs. The first one is a spay/neuter program, in which anyone immediately qualifies to get a spay/neuter voucher from the nonprofit. Traw noted there is not an income qualification or boundary on where a person lives. The voucher cuts the cost of a spay/neuter to about half the price, she said. The organization partners with veterinary offices in all of the counties it serves.

Traw said. The humane society also has a rescue and adoption program. The nonprofit takes in dogs and occasionally cats. All of the animals are either boarded at animal day care facilities or placed in foster homes. There are currently about 15-20 dogs in the humane society’s care, she said. She added that staff members stay in touch with people who adopt pets from the nonprofit and see them flourish into the best pets they can be. “I love to see our animals get a second chance in a loving home. That’s so rewarding,” Traw said. Other services include a shelter and rescue outreach program, Animal Care Education (ACE) program, senior pet care program, and feral cat trap, neuter and release program. The humane society’s biggest need is always funding, Traw said. Donors can specifically direct their funds to any of the programs. There is a membership program as well, and those interested can learn more about the different membership levels by visiting the humane society website, hsozarks.org. Volunteers also are needed, either to help at adoption events or in the humane society office. For more information, contact Traw at 479-444-7387 or joanntraw@hotmail.com.

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Another program is an emergency vet care voucher. This allows a pet owner to call for a $50 voucher if his pet is critically injured or sick. This may not cover all medical expenses, but it allows the pet to be seen and treated by a veterinarian,

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christmas kir royale Your festive holiday parties deserve the perfect cocktail to pair. We’ve made a fantastic libation that has a non-alcoholic version for your guests that choose not to partake. Flavors of cinnamon, plum and raspberry come together with sparkling champagne to make the perfect party drink.

ingredients:

½ oz Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire ½ oz Chambord (or any raspberry liqueur) 4 dashes Fee Bros. Plum Bitters 1½ oz cranberry juice 2 oz Champagne

directions:

Combine all but the champagne in a shaker with ice, shake vigorously and strain into a coupe or champagne flute. Top with champagne and garnish with raspberries. Serves one.

christmas kir punch ingredients:

1 12-oz container of apple raspberry frozen concentrate 1 bottle (750ml) sparkling white grape juice 2 cups cranberry juice 1/4 cup red hot candies 12 dashes plum bitters

directions:

Pour a few ounces of water and red hots in small bowl. Heat for 30 seconds to start the melting process (donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to melt thoroughly). Add to large serving bowl with all other ingredients, stirring to slowly melt the raspberry concentrate. Once melted, and close to serving time, add ice. Top with sprinkling of raspberries and red hots. Serves 12.

With these two delicious recipes, everyone will have a tasty drink to enjoy during your holiday gatherings! r created by katy cario of ruthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chris steak house.

! s r e e h c 45

2015

holiday playlist

whether you’re ready to play outside in the snow or keep warm inside with a cup of hot cocoa, here’s a playlist to put you in the holiday spirit.

click here to listen!

1 Baby It’s Cold Outside

13 Jingle Bells

2 Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

14 All I Want for Christmas is You

Idina Menzel and Michael Buble

Judy Garland

3 It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Andy Williams

4 Last Christmas

Wham!

5 Feliz Navidad

Jose Feliciano

Michael Buble featuring the Puppini Sisters Mariah Carey

15 It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

Johnny Mathis

16 You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch

Thurl Ravenscroft

17 Winter Song

Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson

Vince Guaraldi Trio

18 Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree

7 Winter Wonderland / Don’t Worry Be Happy

19 Jingle Bell Rock

8 Let It Snow!

20 Where Are You Christmas

9 Carol of the Bells

21 O Holy Night

6 Linus and Lucy

Pentatonix featuring Tori Kelly Frank Sinatra

Mannheim Steamroller

Brenda Lee

Bobby Helms Faith Hill

Céline Dion

10 Santa Baby

22 The Christmas Song

11 Sleigh Ride

23 I’ll Be Home

12 The Christmas Waltz

24 White Christmas

Eartha Kitt

Ella Fitzgerald She & Him

Nat King Cole

Meghan Trainor Bing Crosby

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holiday homes

t’s time to deck the halls with the magic of the holidays. Whether your décor esthetic is centered on family heirlooms, the newest and trendiest or a combination of both, there’s nothing like the warmth and excitement that the tradition brings you and yours. Living in a place like Northwest Arkansas, there is no shortage of style to inspire us all to have our homes glowing with Christmas cheer. This year we take you through three gorgeous homes where tradition and style are never sacrificed.

Front door décor by Tareneh Manning

Gold and green decor can be found throughout the Manning home.

he moment you enter the home of Tareneh Manning, you can sense her love of classic French design. The doors and windows climb to the ceiling and the crown molding is ornate in French Quarter fashion. After crossing the threshold, you are met by a Christmas tree of purple, gold and green fit for a Mardi Gras celebration. The Mannings took on the project of building their new home shortly after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. With Tareneh’s husband being a Louisiana native with half of his family still living there, the tragedy hit close to home. Tareneh, who is an interior designer (Manning House), decided to design the home in homage to the family’s New Orleans heritage, which she took down to every last detail —including their holiday decorations. Tareneh, admittedly, loves “glam and glitter” with old world style.

50 The Manning home

She insists that every room should show your sense of humor, and when it comes to the holidays, Tareneh stresses the importance of keeping Christmas childlike and magical. The magic stretches into the master bathroom where Tareneh has decorated a jewelry tree complete with baubles, pearls and diamonds—a girl’s best friend. Tareneh’s holiday décor local hotspots are the French Quarter, Lighting Emporium and Signed Sealed Delivered. Other local businesses Tareneh loves for home and interior needs are: L&F Construction, Abide Furniture, Interior Fabrics and Design, and Casey Roark Designs.

Tareneh’s jewelry tree Tareneh loves glam and glitter

The playful nutcracker shows the childlike importance of Christmas at her home.

A beautiful Nativity scene is displayed at Tinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home

Cookies are set out ready for Santa

52 The Hodne home

ina Hodne’s personal style is the perfect combination of earthy tones and glamorous detail. Shortly after Tina and her husband, Nate, built their home in 2008, they were asked to participate in the Junior League of Northwest Arkansas’ Winter Dreams Tour of Homes—a holiday tradition loved by Northwest Arkansas residents. It was then that Tina started her search for fabulous Christmas décor and made decorating for holidays a large-scale operation—a tradition she now enjoys every year. The Christmas cheer by no means ends in the living areas of the home; it stretches well into the kids’ rooms. Hodne’s son, Joe, sports a Lego themed tree while her daughter, Alexis, goes super girly with a pink Parisian themed tree.

Tina’s home features earthy tones and glamorous detail

Tina’s holiday décor hotspots are T.J. Maxx and Hobby Lobby. She also loves getting interior inspirations from Pottery Barn.

Family stockings line the mantle in the Hodne home

he decor in Monica Diaz’s home is both classic and fresh. She decided to decorate the dinette table in a more casual fashion while keeping the dining room more traditional. In the kitchen, she used a palette that revolved mostly around silver and natural elements within the centerpiece. She used chalk to personalize the names of each guest on the tags and added a small gem for a little glam. Chargers add instant sophistication to any place setting, which is why she used chargers from HomeGoods to add that element without the additional cost. To create a sense of harmony within her design, she used crystal candleholders, which brought in the more whimsical aspects of the table, and to finish up, she added some beautiful flowers and a wire garland wrapped wine decanter for a pop of color. On the formal dining room table, she kept the traditional pomegranate red and gold color palette but added some playful touches, including red small plates, runner and confetti to bring in more color. She created a floral centerpiece with Christmas greenery, added some beautiful pheasant’s feathers she collected over the year and finished up with tall crystal flutes with ornaments to add harmony to the holiday decor.

Touches of silver and natural elements don Monica’s kitchen table A place setting at Monica’s formal dining table

Monica Diaz’s formal dining table

Monica’s holiday style is somewhat traditional but also playful. When decorating her home for the holidays, she focuses on what is important to her family and tries to carry that theme throughout her home. She and her daughters decorate the tree every year. She has a box with all the ornaments they have made since preschool and each year they all have a special place on the tree. Monica added a second tree in her family room with turquoise and blue hues to coordinate the home decor. A collection of Christmas books decorates her coffee and end tables as well as her beautiful Nativity. Christmas is about embracing family and traditions. r Monica attends Market four times and year and buys some Christmas décor, but she also shops locally for pieces she has in mind. Monica’s holiday décor hotpots are HomeGoods, Pier 1 Imports and Hobby Lobby.

Who’s ready for a holiday drink?

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living spaces:

prepping a guest room for holiday visitors

with monica diaz

Principal Interior Designer - HSE Decore Interiors LLC

he holiday season is almost upon us! Holiday means lots of visits from family, and this year, I want to make sure my house is ready to accommodate guests. Where better to focus your renovation efforts than on your guest room? Having a cozy, inviting, well-organized guest room will let you relax and enjoy family visits without worrying how you will accommodate your guests. One of my favorite ways to instantly spruce up any guest room is to switch out your bedding. Guest room bedding should feature soft, touchable textures and a simple color palette. The guest bedroom isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the time to experiment with bold, bright prints; instead, focus on finding the perfect, luxurious fabric. Aim to make your guest room reminiscent of a luxury hotel. I love how this guest room uses a muted, monochromatic color palette to create a calming environment. The accent pillows in creative patterns add a touch of interest without overwhelming this

room’s tasteful design. The bed frames in space (pictured on the bottom left) and this room are an eye-catching addition and the way the designer has made use of it. add to the luxury hotel vibe. With two stories, your guests can stay in this space for an extended period of time If monochromatic tones aren’t your quite comfortably. I love how the designer style, take your guest room in a different spread out the beds in this space, allowing direction. A guest room should reflect the for a children’s room upstairs and a space for warmth and comfort parents downstairs. One of your home. Add of my favorite features rustic accents to your of this space is the builtguest room to create in shelving. This space a comfortable vibe really feels like home, that will instantly make and the shelves are a your guests feel at great way to personalize home. I love how this your guest room. Add room (pictured above) your own décor, such incorporates touches as your favorite books, and leave space of Americana in subtle but effective ways: for your guests to set out their belongings. printed throw pillows, framed pictures and The addition of a desk is a great way to add a unique patriotic upholstered chair. The functionality to your space; your guests will addition of wall décor in weathered metals be able to spread out and get comfortable gives this room a cozy, authentic feel. The with this simple addition. Last but certainly eye-catching curtains are an added bonus! not least, maintaining a simple color palette Add in wicker baskets for decorative and continues to be a common theme in this practical storage options. space. The muted tones create a naturally If you have the space in your home, clean, appealing vibe, while the charming consider adding a guest suite that provides plaid duvet covers give the room a all the amenities your guests might need cozy quality. r for an extended stay. I love this exceptional

“A guest room should reflect the warmth and comfort of your home.”

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hours with Gracie Ziegler

marketing manager for the convenience store team for tyson foods 5:30 a.m. Off and running! I try to do a couple of miles on the treadmill each morning, followed by my standing coffee date with my deer. There are the cutest deer that live in my backyard and they come to say "hi" each morning. They are so peaceful and definitely add a little bit of calm each morning.

8 a.m. If you’ve ever had a delicious roller grill hot dog or some tasty chicken wings at your local convenience store, I’m behind the marketing plans and menu building for all of that!

12 p.m. I’m President-Elect of the Junior League of Northwest Arkansas this year, and this will be my 5th year as chairman of Summer Salsa for EOA Children’s House. I typically spend my “lunch time” working toward successful events and outcomes – some days it’s delivering back packs to help out the JLNWA That’s My Bag program and other days it may be reviewing centerpieces for the next fundraiser event! 2 p.m. Product Cuttings Tyson makes great food – and someone has to taste it! We evaluate our products often to ensure excellent quality every time! We try and schedule these around lunch or “snack” time. 64

24/7 Connectivity is a huge part of who I am. I have lived in Northwest Arkansas most of my life. I love that I can incorporate the #NWArk network into my routine every single day! I stay as up to date as possible on social media through Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and probably don’t go an hour without browsing all of them – I’m very rarely less than 4 inches from my phone at any given time.

5:45 p.m. First stop, sweatpants! They’re just such an emotional cue for me that the day has transitioned and I’m home for the night. While I adore all the fun and fabulous things I’m involved with and do throughout the year, down time is really important and necessary for me, and although rare, I try to take as much advantage of it when I can. After getting comfy, I’ll check personal emails and check my to-do list for the evening. 8:30 p.m. I take some time to make sure my tailgate box is packed and ready for the upcoming weekend. We take tailgating very seriously — even have our group name incorporated. Our core group has tailgated together for over 10 years. What? Your tailgate box doesn’t include boas?

7:15 p.m. Mike & I love to cook together and enjoy a nice glass of wine. We always try to cook dinner together when we’re both home.

10 p.m.-midnight I end each day with communication – with the local news and Jimmy Kimmel in the background. I was taught very early on how special a handwritten note is. A pretty note in your mailbox at the end of a long day works wonders. I try to write a few notes and birthday cards each night to mail out the next day. Writing out my schedule is very cathartic for me, and it helps me think about each item more than just typing it in my phone. I thrive on it, and honestly, I wouldn’t survive without my big box of sharpies! I 100% believe “what gets scheduled gets done.” 12:30 or 1 a.m. ... drift off to sleep, probably thinking about what tomorrow will bring! 65

Alpha Kappa Alpha Celebrity Waiter Eva Marie David, Suze Francois and Colleen Hendren

who what where 11•7•15 MOONLIGHT MASQUERADE

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF NORTHWEST ARKANSAS Enjoy a night of food, drinks and dancing to benefit ending domestic violence in Northwest Arkansas. Visit www.juniorleaguenwa.org for more information about this fabulous event.

11•3•15 EMPTY BOWLS

11•5•15 SIGNATURE CHEFS

Pick a bowl crafted by the Boston Mountain Potters Association and taste your way through different soups provided by chefs and caterers from area restaurants. Funds raised will help feed more than 1,200 families each month in Northwest Arkansas. For details, call 479.521.4000 or please visit www.lifesourceinternational.org.

Guests will enjoy an evening of sampling fine cuisine created by local chefs paired with wine, live music and exciting custom-created auction packages. For more information, visit www.marchofdimes.org.

LIFESOURCE INTERNATIONAL

11•3•15 AUTUMN BRUNCH

WASHINGTON REGIONAL FOUNDATION This fundraiser benefits Northwest Arkansas patients and families facing life-limiting, terminal illness. For details, call 476.444.9888 or visit www.wregional.com.

11•5•15 5X5 AUCTION

ARTS CENTER OF THE OZARKS The 5X5 exhibition displays an average of 350 5-inch by 5-inch pieces of art created by artists from Northwest Arkansas and around the world. Great jazz, hors d’oeuvres and wine tasting from Arkansas wineries make this the most fun fundraising event around. www.acozarks.org.

MARCH OF DIMES

11•5•15 SOCIETY PARTY

FAYETTEVILLE PUBLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION This special night honors and shows gratitude to the foundation society members for their gracious support of Fayetteville public education. For more information, call 479.527.3655 or visit www.fayedfoundation.org.

11•7•15 ART OF HOSPICE

CIRCLE OF LIFE HOSPICE Enjoy an evening at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art that features an elegant black-tie dinner in the Great Hall and wine pairings inspired by artworks selected from the museum’s collection. For details, visit www. nwacircleoflife.com.

11•7•15 CELEBRITY WAITER

ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INC. AND THE TEA ROSE FOUNDATION OF NORTHWEST ARKANSAS Join guests as community leaders serve as “celebrity waiters.” This formal event includes a green carpet welcome, dinner, live entertainment and live auctions. Proceeds benefit scholarships, health and poverty initiatives. For details, contact Keisha Hines Craft at khcraft2@me.com.

11•7•15 to 11•8•15 FAMILY FOTO FEST FAMILY NETWORK

This event provides families with professional portraits taken at the beautiful Mt. Sequoyah. Proceeds benefit young, first-time moms and their babies. To schedule your sitting, visit www.familynetworknwa.com.

11•11•15 NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAY

ASSOCIATION OF FUNDRAISING PROFESSIONALS Join the Association of Fundraising Professionals to celebrate and honor those who give back to Northwest Arkansas. Call 479.575.0369 or visit www.afpnwark.afpnet.org for additional details.

Circle of Life Hospice Art of Hospice Lindsey and Gary McHenry with Susan Tonymon and Sierra Talley

Sunshine School and Development Center A Very Special Art Show Michael and Susan Sevart with Fred and Cathy Stone

11•21•15 GIRLS ON THE RUN 5K/10K GIRLS ON THE RUN OF NORTHWEST ARKANSAS

This annual 5K/10K is a public running event celebrating the culmination of Girls on the Run’s fall season. The goal of this program is to unleash confidence through accomplishment while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness. For more details, visit www. gotrnwa.org.

11•13•15 A VERY SPECIAL ART SHOW

SUNSHINE SCHOOL AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER At the Sunshine School and Development Center in Rogers, come view and purchase art from several local artists, bid on artwork created by children of the Sunshine School and enjoy food and drinks. For further information and to purchase tickets, please visit our website at www.nwasunshineschool.org.

11•14•15 BIG NIGHT

THE JONES CENTER Don’t miss Northwest Arkansas’ signature event of the season. Exclusive to 400 guests, come enjoy an upscale cocktail hour, shopping, a unique dining experience and decadent desserts all to benefit The Jones Center. For more information, please visit www.thejonescenter.net.

11•17•15 LIGHT OF HOPE

CASA OF NORTHWEST ARKANSAS CASA of Northwest Arkansas hosts a breakfast and a lunch to inform the public of its important mission. Light of Hope is a national movement to light a symbol of hope for abused and neglected children who are under the jurisdiction of the nation’s family court systems. For details, visit www.nwacasa.org or please call 479.725.2213.

11•20•15 AAO GAME TIME GALA

March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction Allie Moore and Jordan Smith

11•23•15 ANNUAL HOLIDAY AUCTION AND LUNCHEON BENTONVILLE GARDEN CLUB

This event includes a luncheon and silent auction with lots of goodies for everyone. Proceeds from this event go to an endowed scholarship for horticulture students. For details, contact Janet Hendren at janet_hendren@yahoo.com.

11•2015-12•2015 HOLIDAY APPEAL

YOUTH BRIDGE, INC. This is Youth Bridge’s annual appeal for holiday giving. Proceeds support youth and residential programs. For details, visit www.youthbridge.com.

ARKANSAS ATHLETES OUTREACH (AAO)

Join Arkansas Athletes Outreach, Ozark Juniors Volleyball Club and NWA Lacrosse Club at the Sheraton Four Points in Bentonville for an evening of food, drinks, silent and live auctions, and entertainment with dueling pianos. For more information, visit www.aaoteam.org.

11•20•15 JEWELS OF GIVING NWA FOOD BANK

Held at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers, all proceeds from this gala support the NWA Food Bank’s Food Purchasing Program. The NWA Food Bank serves citizens of Benton, Washington, Madison and Carroll counties. For more details and to purchase tickets, please visit www.nwafoodbank.org.

11•20•15 to 12•31•15 LIGHTS OF THE OZARKS

During the holiday season, downtown Fayetteville is turned into a sparkling wonderland. The community gathers to enjoy a parade, carolers and street vendors. For more details, visit www.thelightsoftheozarks.com.

TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE… RESERVE YOUR SEAT TODAY!

PRESENTING SPONSORS: ENTERTAINMENT SPONSOR:

Lee and Linda Scott Family

PRODUCTION SPONSOR:

FOUNDING SPONSORS:

MEDIA SPONSORS: 3W Magazine | Ashby Street Outdoor | KNWA | Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette

LIVE AUCTION SPONSORS: Capital Resorts | Cooper Communities | Ed Cooley Fine Art Gallery | Mercy | PepsiCo

*Sponsors as of October 22, 2015

who what where 12•5•15 BREAKFAST WITH SANTA ARTS CENTER OF THE OZARKS

Arts Center of the Ozarks Breakfast with Santa Greta Buysse with Santa

12•3•15 JINGLE MINGLE

SINGLE PARENT SCHOLARSHIP FUND OF NORTHWEST ARKANSAS The Jingle Mingle is an annual gathering that offers scholarship recipients and supporters a change to usher in the holiday season. Please visit, www.spsfnwa.org for details.

12•4•15 SOMEWHERE SOUTH OF ST. SOMEWHERE YOUTH BRIDGE INC.

This island themed gala features a Jimmy Buffett tribute band at the Arkansas Alumni Center supporting Youth Bridge. For more information, visit www.youthbridge.com.

12•5•15 O’ NIGHT DIVINE CHARITY BALL

MERCY HEALTH FOUNDATION NORTHWEST ARKANSAS The 22nd Annual Mercy Charity Ball is the premier black-tie event in Northwest Arkansas. More than 1,400 guests will enjoy a top-notch entertainer and an over-the-top after party. Proceeds from the event will enhance healthcare services across NWA. Call 479.338.2990 or visit www.mercy.net/northwestar/giving.

Kick off the Christmas season with a family fun event including breakfast for all, Christmas crafts, cookie decorating and a personal visit with Santa. For more information, please visit www.acozarks.org.

12•5•15 MOONLIGHT MASQUERADE

12•5•15 UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER RUN

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF NORTHWEST ARKANSAS

ARKANSAS MISSOURI RAILROAD Rummage up the ugliest Christmas sweaters you can find and help l o c a l c h i l d re n ’s c h a r i t i e s b y participating in the Ugly Christmas Sweater Run at the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad Train Depot in downtown Springdale. Please visit www.childrenschristmastrain.org for more information.

12•5•15 CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS TRAIN

CHILDREN’S SAFETY CENTER Join the Children’s Safety Center for NWA’s most unique family event featuring train rides with Santa, family activities in Santa’s village and an ugly sweater contest all benefiting the children of Washington County. For more information, please visit www.childrenssafetycenter.org.

Enjoy a night of food, drinks and dancing to benefit ending domestic violence in Northwest Arkansas. Visit www.juniorleaguenwa.org for more information about this fabulous event.

12•6•15 WINTER DREAMS TOUR OF HOMES

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF NORTHWEST ARKANSAS Get into the holiday spirit by touring beautifully decorated homes in Northwest Arkansas this season. For more information, please visit www.juniorleaguenwa.org.

Mercy Health Foundation Northwest Arkansas O’ Night Divine Charity Ball Gov. Asa Hutchinson and wife Susan

12•12•15 GALA AT THE PEEL MANSION

THE PEEL COMPTON FOUNDATION The Peel Compton Foundation kicks off the holiday season with its annual unveiling of the Peel Mansion

decorated by the Bentonville Garden Club complete with a gourmet meal in the carriage house. For more details, visit www.peelcompton.org.

Be your best self.

Mercy can help you achieve your best health every day, in any stage of life. From prenatal care to post menopause, Mercy specialists provide complete womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s care throughout the region. Find one near you at mercy.net/nwa.

Your life is our lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work. mercy.net

finale is your top cookie choice chocolate chip, peanut butter, snickerdoodle or another fabulous cookie flavor?

celebrate

national cookie day on

december 4 by eating your favorite!