November 2015

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2015

CONNECTING YOU TO EVERYTHING LOCAL

Shop

Small

for the Holidays!

Kent walker

Green corner store

the root cafe

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TABLE OF CONTENTS CRAFTED COCKTAILS 5 THE ROOT CAFE 7

Building Community Through Local Food.

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LOCAL FAVORITES 8-9

Discover some of your local, favorite restaurants, cafĂŠs, shop, and services in Central Arkansas! Keep your business local.

KENT WALKER ARTISAN CHEESE 10 BE A LOCALIST: SHOP SMALL 12

Take the challenge, Shop small, dine small and make a big difference this holiday season.

FEATURED FAVORITE 14

12 21

Your new Modern Finer Diner

GIFT GUIDE - GREEN CORNER STORE 16 Check out the guide to one of our favorite local stores that is perfect for shopping for the entire family.

FRAZIER INSURANCE 18 DOGTOWN KENDAMAS 19 FEATURED RECIPE 21

Your holiday favorite with a twist!

RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR 22

A few local options to help you ring in the new year in style.

MADDOX 23

Your new shopping destination in Argenta!

PAUL PRATER 24 FRECKLED FROG 28

The Freckled Frog features a variety of handcrafted items made by over 50 different Arkansas artists.

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CLEAN EATERY 29 STAY HEALTHY DURING THE HOLIDAYS 21

Tips from Fitness instructor, Sammy Andrews

Model

TAYLOR OWEN

missyowen@hotmail.com

Location & Clothing MADDOX

419 Main St. N. Little Rock

Photographer MIKE RUSSELL

mikerussellphotography@gmail.com

ON THE COVER

www.localmag411.com Local. Magazine Local_LittleRock

PUBLISHERS

Richard Niemeyer Kaitlin Schmidt

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kaitlin Schmidt

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Charlette Beasley Susie Cowan Briley Emerson Melanie Riedmueller

PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Mike Russell [cover photo]

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Susie Cowan Richard Niemeyer Ginger Saville

For Advertising Information, please call 501-554-1126 For Subscription services, please call 501-476-4200 Local. Magazine is published bimonthly by 411 Publications, P.O. Box 1835, N. Little Rock, AR 72115 411publications@gmail.com The contents of Local. are copyrighted and material contained herein may not be copied or reproduced in any manner without the written consent of the publisher.

CONTRIBUTER SPOTLIGHT BRILEY EMERSON Briley, a native Arkansan, has lived across the world advocating for social justice.

From working with organizations on the ground in east Africa, to leading grass roots rallies in Washington, D.C. -- people are his passion. When in Arkansas, he enjoys spending time investing in his community and the people that call it home MIKE RUSSELL For over 10 years, Mike has been honored to be chosen as photographer for many weddings and portraits throughout Central Arkansas and around the world.

He has a love for portraits, weddings and the photographic arts. Check out his website or drop by his studio located in the Argenta Arts District. mikerussellphotography.com

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Good Times...

Good Food!

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835 S. Donaghey Ave Conway, AR 72034 501.328.2179 www.centerstoneconway.com

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LUNCH Tues-Fri 11-2:30 · DINNER Wed-Sat 5-Close Cooking Classes, Wine Classes & Specialty Events on Tuesday Nights

Crafted Cocktails Take Over Little Rock

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craft cocktail, as told by Webster’s dictionary, is “any of various short mixed drinks, consisting typically of gin, whiskey, rum, vodka, or brandy, with different admixtures, as vermouth, fruit juices, or flavorings, usually chilled and frequently sweetened”. Crafted cocktails have a longstanding history with Americans. Beginning in 1838 when Antoine Peychaud made the very first sazerac in New Orleans, to many craft bars that have made themselves abundant across the United States in recent years. Much like baseball, Americans enjoy another passtime; sitting with friends over a nice beverage.

With the revitalization of Little Rock’s down town scene over the past ten years many bars and lounges have opened to accompany the growing community. Of the coveted hot spots, a few seem to be making a name for themselves because of the creations the bartenders are able to serve up time and time again.

Cache restaurant, owned by Little Rock’s own Payne Harding, is at the top of this list. When you walk into the restaurant there is a feeling of magic in the air, with the open layout and the windows surrounding you. A short trip up the stairs and you will find a bar and lounge unlike any other in the state, complete with a patio that looks out over the River Market district. The bartenders, friendly and smiling are always up for a challenge. When visiting Cache I simply asked for a crafted cocktail, one that I had never tasted before. A few questions later the ingredients were chosen and we began our brief journey.

It is astounding to me to watch people in this

profession perform in their arena. The liquors were measured out precisely into a pint glass for mixing. The rocks glass was rinsed with a root liqueur, and to top the concoction off, a lemon peel was used to swathe. Before me was what closely resembled a sazerac, but tasted nothing close to it. A Ben-Spin the bartender called it. Though there was no spinning involved, satisfaction was present.

What is so enticing about craft cocktails is not the drink as much as it is the preparation that goes into it; the process. A relationship needs to be made between the patron and the bartender.

In making a quality drink one needs to take into account the balance that exists between flavors, and highlighting said flavors in the cocktail. A good bartender is mindful of the pallet, as well as choosing aromatics in relation to the flavor profiles. The smallest details make a world of difference. Shaking a cocktail causes the aromatics to come forth, while simply stirring keeps everything concise. In the end, however, it is about who is making the drink.

Another highlight in craft beverages that has gained much popularity in the last year is a small spot located on Main Street called 109 and Co. Owned by Arkansas native Michael Peace, it is an establishment not easily comparable to any other near or far. Hidden along the sidewalk is a door with a dimly lit entrance. Upon crossing the threshold it feels as though you have taken a step back in time. Low lighting and candles add a mysterious feel to the bar. The music and decoration pulled me in, resembling a romantic interpretation of what a high end speak-easy might have looked like during prohibition. 109

holds the perfect atmosphere for a quiet night, catching up with old friends. The cocktail that I chose is named Death Before Midnight, both a creation and favorite of Michael’s. I watched as the bartender took his time with each part of the equation. Bitterness and citrus both embraced the pallet. The smell of elderflower and bourbon found it’s way into my nostrils. It was an experience I won’t soon forget.

A short walk from 109 and Co. stands the Capitol Hotel, well known for many things one in particular being its restaurant, the Capitol Bar and Grill. Entering the hotel, the lobby is something outstanding. Once at the bar it takes a moment to take everything in that is happening around you. Conversations playing tennis over table tops, ice hitting glasses, and once again a smiling face standing behind the bar top. Low lighting and bow ties abound offer an adventure to undergo. In looking through the menu that the Capitol offered, I found it endearing to see that the history of each classic cocktail they serve was right underneath the name. Corpse Reviver No. 2 invited my eyes in for a deeper look.

Originally made to cure a hangover, the absinthe wash and lemon juice are the first ingredients to catch your attention; a delightful undertaking no matter the occasion.

As we move forward in such a fast paced world, it is important to look back at where we have been. Crafted cocktails and the friends that we enjoy them with give us that moment.

A time to remember that achieving quality is a process void of instant gratification, and full of appreciating the journey.

By Briley Emerson

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ou may be familiar with one of the best job”. Jack admitted that in the beginning, “We burgers in town; one with 1/3 lb. ground (Jack and Cori) had a vision for the type of staff fresh and hand-pattied daily from local, that we would have at the Root”. He followed pasture-raised beef (Simon Farms, Conway), a bun from Arkansas Fresh Bakery, some fresh local tomatoes and greens (when in season), Honeysuckle Lane cheddar cheese, and the house made garlic mayo. While progressively seeking out ways to be as local as possible, The Root Cafe proves they live by their motto: “Building community through local food” through not only the delicious burger, but through every aspect of running their business.

According to Jack Sundell, co owner of the Root Cafe with his wife Cori Sundell, “The overall (restaurant) experience starts and ends with having a great staff and outstanding customer service”. So when we asked Jack about his approach to cultivating a motivated and community minded staff, his response was that employee management has been one of the steepest learning curves over the past couple of years.

Starting with a nine page application tailored to their business, the owners of the Root cafe, have a hands on approach to finding and curating the right staff to represent their “Building community through local food” mission. His thoughts were, “People who are thoughtful about the way they fill out the application tend to be thoughtful about the way they do their

that thought by saying, “When you walk into the Root, we want you to have an amazing experience from the food, to the atmosphere, but especially the customer service”.

To accomplish the goal of having a motivated and well trained staff the Sundell’s have instituted a monthly training module, or as Jack referred to it as the “MTM”, which is a focused monthly meeting on “proficiency vs mastery”. His theory that skills can be taught, so when they are in the hiring process they are looking for the type of person that exudes southern hospitality in their nature. Jack then commented that when they notice that their employees have skill set outside of what they do at the Root Cafe, they like to create a space for them to utilize those skills.

That is how the canning classes, pickling classes, and farm tours came about. Jack says,’When you have got great employees, you’re surrounded by all these people with skills and knowledge.

They are usually eager to be given a project to run with . You know, it let’s us show that we have faith in them, and let’s them develop their leadership skills”. In addition to the MTM, the Sundell’s also believe it is important to interact with their staff and their families on a social level. So they plan outings for the staff that is away from the restaurant to build their team in a more relaxed setting.

Some of the best practices in small business management mentioned by Jack in this interview were hiring the right people, looking for specific skills and character traits, then figure out how to make the job interesting, challenging and fun so that you will retain these talented people. Jack stated that the four week trial is something they

have recently implemented, and that not only gave the staff a chance to see if the new hire was a good fit, but it also gave the new hire a chance to find out if this is the right job fit for them, as well.

When asked what the Root Cafe mission statement, “Building community through local food” meant to co owner, Jack Sundell, he responded, “Everybody eats three times a day, it’s a good way to get the conversation started about living local and local as a lifestyle.” He went on to say, “Food is a great unifier; it’s a great way to start the conversation with people around something that they are excited about.”

At the Root Cafe, the management and staff understand that they are a representation not only to the SOMA community, but they are also a representation of Little Rock and Arkansas, for that matter. Jack’s example was “Someone might be driving from Dallas to Memphis and pull off to get a sandwich at the Root Cafe, and their idea of little Rock is going to be based on their experience they had here.”

When we asked Jack if he had one piece of advice for a new small business owner, his answer was “Lead by example”, and that is something that Jack and Cori do well. It is a rare day to go to the Root Cafe and not see one of them working to make sure that their restaurant is working like a well oiled machine. The best part about the Root Cafe is the atmosphere which is the result highly motivated, well trained, and hospitable team. Through food, education, a remarkable staff, and community, The Root Cafe is working towards making Little Rock a better place to live by helping to create a more just, sustainable, and delicious food system for central Arkansas.

1500 South Main St. Little Rock, AR 7

eat

A.W. Lin’s Asian Cuisine offers a variety of dishes from traditional Chinese and Japanese dishes to sushi, and Thai curries. You are sure to find a new favorite dish. Located in the 17711 Chenal Pkwy (in The Promenade at Chenal) in Little Rock. 501-821-5398

Three Fold Noodles and Dumpling Co. serves up authentic Chinese dishes, including Wuhanstyle wheat noodles, handmade dumplings, and buns (all with either chicken, pork or tofu). Each dish is simple, yet flavorful. 215 Center Street in Little Rock. 501-372-1739

Faby’s offers the best, authentic Mexican Food in Conway. We use fresh ingredients and provide fresh, homemade tortillas every day!

Come see us for lunch or dinner at 1023 Front St. in Conway. 501-513-1199

Al Seraj Mediterranean Grill offers excellent, authentic food from the Middle East including Lamb kabob, Shish beef & chicken kabob, falafel, Hummus, Creek salad, Gyro, Beef & Chicken Shawaram. 11400 N Rodney Parham Rd. in Little Rock. 501-954-2026

Fresh: An Urban Eatery features homemade, fresh, meals for dine-in or carry out. The goal is to prepare a fresh, quality meal for you in a casual, friendly, and inviting environment. Fresh is located 1706 West 3rd Street in Little Rock.

Or call 501-319-7021 for more information!

Kent Walker Artisan Cheese proudly offers the highest quality cheese possible. Every wheel of our handcrafted, natural rind cheese ages to perfection in our walk-in cave. Enjoy a tasty cheese and meat plate, sip a glass of fine wine or a pint of local brew. Come visit at 323 S Cross St. Little Rock. 501-301-4963

Table 28 is located in the Burgundy Hotel and serves New American Cuisine featuring Executive Chef Scott Rains. Table 28 continues the tradition of award winning cuisine and service with a unique twist on fine dining. 1501 Merrill Drive in Little Rock 501-224-2828

Root Cafe has a mission to build community through local food. We have a variety of delicious sandwiches, soups, salads, burgers, brats, fries, and homemade baked goods that feature fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from local farmers 1500 S Main St. in Little Rock. 501-414-0423

Black Angus is a locally owned and operated restaurant that serves fresh, homemade food including hand cut steaks, catfish, and burger patties using a charcoal grill. 10907 N. Rodney Parham Rd. 501-228-7800

Sassy Cake Lady is the newest, sweet addition to Maumelle! They offer a delicious variety of cupcakes, specialty cakes for every occasion, soups, sandwiches, and more! Head over to 13120 Crystal Hill Rd. Ste. I in Maumelle or call 501615-8486

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Homayd Natural Care Products specializes in healthy, natural soap & body products. Made with only the best ingredients, Homayd (pronounced “homemade”) will keep your skin, hair, & body feeling its best. www.homayd.com / 501-749-8826.

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Eco-Social Events delivers vintage decor for sustainable 0-waste parties - sourcing local gardens, farms, bakeries, photographers, musicians, flowers. BIG events, little footprints at homes, parks, museums, offices. Easy on the Planet, Easy on the Budget. www.EcoSocialEvents.com.

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Galaxy Office Furniture is not your ordinary furniture store, it is one of the most eclectic stores in town. Specializing in Office Furniture, Retro, Vintage, and one of a kind art...you never know what you will find at The Galaxy! 304 Main Street in North Little Rock, 501-375-3375

LJ’s Automotive Repair provides top-quality automotive services to Central Arkansas.

Specializing in all auto repair, they offer everything from oil changes to general repair problems. A family owned business that can fix what others can’t! 8403 JFK in Sherwood. 501-392-6497

Southern Fox Boutique is a contemporary boutique located in the heart of the Argenta District. It offers unique and affordable handmade gifts, clothing, fragrances, and decor.

304 Main Street in N. Little Rock (located inside Galaxy Furniture). 501-454-4570

Eggshell Kitchen Company seeks out & sells the best local products including handmade wood utensils & local specialty foods. We carry all your kitchen essentials plus unique gadgets & gifts for the chef in your life. 5501 Kavanaugh Blvd. in Little Rock. 501-664-6900

Argenta Bead Company is a full service bead shop. Make your own jewelry to adorn yourself with a one-of-a –kind creation or have us make it for you. We also do repairs, classes & host parties.

We have fun here – you should too! 703 Main St, Argenta, NLR, 501.537.0928 argentabead.com

Freckled Frog features a variety of handcrafted items made by Arkansans. Our inventory is continually updated with new and one of a kind items as well as a constant stock from our favorite local designers and crafters. 419 President Clinton Ave. in Little Rock. 501-351-5245

Natural Things Food Store is locally owned & operated natural foods store. We carry organic food, bulk flours, grains & spices, organic dairy, local honey, organic tea & coffee, essential oils, garden seeds, gluten-free products, & more! 5407 Highway 5 N., Suite 2 in Bryant. 501-213-0034

Green Corner Store offers a variety of handcrafted, locally-made gifts. Shop our sustainable & organic goods while enjoying ice cream & a beverage from our soda fountain. 1423 Main Street in SoMa in Little Rock. 501-374-1111 or thegreencornerstore.com.

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NEW LOCATION 501-286-6003

121 Financial Rd. Cabot, AR 72023

by Briley Emerson

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rtisan, handcrafted everyday items have grown exponentially in popularity over the past ten years. For Little Rock, cheese is part of that equation. Located at 323 South Cross Street you will find Kent Walker Artisan Cheese, a full service, raw milk cheese production facility that also offers a small tasting room.

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The business began in 2011 from a simple passion Kent had to use an old-world style and make a product that, before this time, wasn’t easily found here in the natural state. Using the kitchen of his apartment, he began a journey.

“Great food and drink are my life’s passions. I left a successful engineering career to apply that passion towards amateur cheese-making: cool whip container molds, bricks and metal rods for a press, & aging cheeses in the vegetable crisper

with the fridge temp set as high as my roommate would allow me to. While casting about, working jobs at wineries, breweries, and distilleries I fell in love with the production industry.” Luckily for Kent people were as excited about the process as he was. From his small one-man operation he then moved on to an incubator kitchen, and then to their home office located right in the heart of downtown Little Rock.

“The process of making cheese is a complex one, but is also very simple at the same time. The volume increases the time proportionally, while the steps mostly stay the same”, local cheese maker Randy Copeland informed me. Much like you would think, cheese begins as cold, raw milk. The first step is to heat that milk up, to which temperature depends on the cheese that is being made. As it is heated up culture is added to the recipe. “Culture is a good bacteria that adds flavor to the cheese, while also fighting off any bad bacteria the milk might have contained.”

The next step moving forward is to add rennet, which is a coagulant that makes the liquid milk into a cheese curd. Again based on which cheese is being made more or less rennet is added.

It’s pivotal to be very precise in this step as the amount of rennet added is what gives the cheese it’s texture and chooses how firm it will become. After the rennet is added the curds are then heated appropriately and placed into cheese molds. Once the molds have done their job, what you will see is a cheese wheel ready for aging and then eating. The process of aging adds flavor to the cheeses. They can be aged anywhere from 90 days to 18 months.

In addition to opening a fully operational cheese making facility, Kent also offers a cheese shop and tasting room. When you walk into the facility you can’t help but to feel right at home.

A range of scents and flavors find there way to your nostrils and for a moment it feels as though

you’ve stepped into the past. The wooden tables in Kent’s cheese shop offer a place to sit and enjoy the products he puts his heart into; large windows make it possible to see the process of the cheese being made. The small shop also offers a fine selection of wines, beers, jams, and jellies all locally made to accent the cheese they offer.

and every town had a cheese shop.” As this idea expands about getting back to the process of things Randy is excited about moving these ideas forward. “As tap rooms and local breweries really explode, we get to be part of that culture.

The difference is where most make something you drink, we make something you can eat.

People enjoy that. We could run independently

“That is exactly what is so infectious about this idea of buying local. When people come together within their neighborhoods and towns to enjoy a product it becomes more than just cheese.”

Local cheese maker Randy said, “One of the most exciting parts of working within an artisan cheese shop is being able to partner with other local makers in Arkansas, from breweries to charcuterie”. The most exciting part about Kent Walker Cheese is how intentional they are with every single product they use in their process. “A couple of special projects we have done so far would be using local peppers from Dunbar gardens, which we use for our habanero cheddar. That has been a hit. We’ve also done a few cheeses where we’ve partnered with local breweries and coated the cheeses in a beer, and we’re very excited about moving forward and expanding that line as well.”

In pushing forward with quality and intentionality in mind, Randy says that more than being an inspiration to future businesses in Little Rock the team at KWC was inspired by an attitude that he feels has injected itself across the country as of recently. “The cool thing about what we are doing, and more broad what the country is doing as a whole, is going back to the roots. This is how America used to operate. Every community used to have their own brewery, every region had their winery,

as a cheese shop, but people enjoy being able to come in and enjoy eating good cheese and having a good wine or nice beer.” That is exactly what is so infectious about this idea of buying local. When people come together within their neighborhoods and towns to enjoy a product it becomes more than just cheese. It provides

community and camaraderie for all.

Come visit the full service cheese shop and tasting room in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas.

Kent Walker Cheese sell slices, wedges and wheels of their own cheese along with a variety of great imported cheeses. Enjoy a tasty cheese and meat plate, sip a glass of fine wine or a pint of local brew. There is plenty of seating in the tasting room and a great patio space. If you want to see the professional equipment and learn how it all works from an artisan perspective, there are official tours every weekend afternoon.

Hours: Thursday: 1pm - 9pm Friday: 1pm - 10pm Saturday: 11am - 10pm Sunday: 11am - 8 pm

Tours: Saturday: 3pm Sunday: 3pm

Order Online! kentwalkercheese.com

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BE A LOCALIST.

By Kaitlin Schmidt

824 W. 7th St. DOWNTOWN LITTLE ROCK

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Small Business Saturday

T

he turkey has been sacrificed. Bushels of cranberry were destroyed to make a chunky red side dish and billions of pounds of pumpkin were savaged and turned into pies. In other words, it’s Thanksgiving time again. And once again, it’s time for the dreaded (by me at least) “Black Friday”. A day where millions of people act like mad men and become complete savages to make sure they get the same item as every other American at a “bargain” price. But who wants to be unique, right?

Then we have Cyber Monday… you know, the “holiday” where everyone shops on Amazon making sure that not even one cent goes towards anything that matters. But, for those that truly appreciate the experience and products that their local businesses provide, there is “Small Business Saturday.” Small Business Saturday, with its slogan of “shop small,” was created 5 years ago by American Express to support the local businesses that create jobs, boost the 12

economy and preserve neighborhoods while encouraging consumers across the country to support local, small businesses within their hometowns and beyond.

Small Business Saturday is about Main Street, not Wall Street. It’s about entrepreneurs and families selling things that the chains and e-commerce companies aren’t; the unique gifts and genuinely friendly customer service that only small businesses can offer their community and visitors. This is where your hard-earned cash can actually HELP your local economy in a VERY big way. Since 2010, customers and small businesses alike have been able to kick start their holiday shopping season on a day celebrating the uniqueness, charm and economic impact that small businesses bring to communities nationwide.

Some people still say, “But things are cheaper at the big box stores.” While the low prices and the (obnoxiously) wide selection of items

make these stores seem “perfect”, their business model is based on the concept of steamrolling smaller, local retailers. Such global big-box store chains have the capacity to monopolize a market by simply offering better deals than their competitors. Since they have an astronomical amount of backing, they tend to use unethical means to squeeze suppliers. Such stores have been known to run several small town family businesses to the ground by taking away all their customers. Small stores can not compete with the prices offered by the large chains. In realistic terms, this means your neighbor down the road that owns his/ her own business may not be able to buy groceries next month without your support. But don’t get your hopes up, once those popular chain stores have eliminated the local competition (and have made your neighbor lose his entire life savings on a dream), those prices will rise.

Stacy Mitchell (co-director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance) states that, “Typically, a chain store will enter a new market sporting deep discounts. Many chains employ loss leaders to attract customers. Wal-Mart has been known to sell gallons of milk for 25 cents or to price entire departments below its own acquisition costs. This sets up a battle that local merchants cannot win. If they don’t match the chain’s prices, they risk losing customers. If they do match the chain’s prices, they will lose money on every sale. While a chain can afford to operate a new outlet at a loss indefinitely, it’s only a matter of time before the local business will be forced to close.” The debate over chain stores is truly a difficult struggle between hearts and wallets for a large percentage of society, but small businesses are the only ones that will grow our local economy while supporting other local initiatives (and while not asking for tax breaks).

Put the obvious, economical part of this to the side for a moment. There is much more that your local businesses bring to the table besides the financial wellbeing of your entire city. Small businesses add so much to the framework of our local communities. For example, I could not imagine getting a haircut anywhere except

my friend’s salon or not having the opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind accessories from the numerous talented artisans we have in Arkansas.

When looking for a fun day with friends, I know there is a plethora of local breweries and cafes that provide their customers with a great time and amazing customer service.

Are you really going to appreciate the time or make memories at [enter cliche chain restaurant name here]? Businesses like these help define the very makeup and experiences that are available in our communities. You develop genuine relationships with your regular shops and restaurants you frequently attend. You gain a sense of truly wanting to help that friend succeed at their dreams and then feel great by being a small part of their success story. All cheesiness aside, what fun would it be to live in a place with no character? According to the Small Business Administration, there are 27.5 million small businesses in the U.S., and those firms employ about half of all workers here.

But the truth is, only a third of them survive for at least 10 years, and only a quarter last beyond 15 years.

So back to my point… It’s that time of year again, back in the holiday season. As customers, we collectively spend a large portion of our annual shopping budget between November 1 and December 31.

Choosing local and independent is an effective strategy all yearround, but especially important at the holidays. So how can you help? Shopping at independent retailers helps strengthen our local economy, expands employment, fosters community, and provides a more relaxed, fun, and rewarding shopping experience – which is why this holiday season, we’re challenging you to the 10% shift for the holidays.

It’s super simple, I swear. The point is to shift 10% of your holiday spending to locally owned, small businesses. It is NOT about spending more, it is about shifting where we choose to

spend our money. The smallest change in your shopping behavior can make a huge difference in your community.

Community is one of those words so overused that we rarely pause to consider its meaning. Jane Jacobs, author of The Death and Life of Great American Cities, talked about the relationship between locally owned businesses and community. For Jacobs, what constitutes community is not any one particular thing, but rather the many small interactions that occur in our everyday lives. “It grows,” she writes, “out of people stopping by the bar for a beer, getting advice from the grocer and giving advice to the newsstand man, comparing opinions with other customers at the bakery and nodding hello to the two boys drinking pop on the stoop . . . hearing about a job from the hardware man and borrowing a dollar from the druggist . . . Most of it is utterly trivial, but the sum is not trivial at all. The sum of such casual, public contact at the local level. . . is a feeling for the public identity of people, a web of public respect and trust, and a resource in time of personal or neighborhood need. The absence of this trust is a disaster to a city street.”

I hope while everyone else is camping outside of Best Buy on Thanksgiving night in the freezing cold, you are enjoying the holidays with your family and planning your holiday shopping at some of our many great stores and boutiques around town.

While I am not sure why we need a set day in the midst of the shopping craziness to Shop Small, a generational shift in shopping and spending habits, fueled by easy access to chain stores, has complicated things a bit for small business. Take the challenge, Shop small, dine small and make a big difference.

Stay tuned to our social media for specific events, deals and fun things happening in your town for Small Business Saturday!

Photo by Mike Russell

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Keeping you connected to everything local.

13

Attention members & guests

Latin dancing in Central Arkansas and beyond

Salsa EVERY week at

Shinedown & Breaking Benjamin November 14, 2015

614 President Clinton Little Rock, AR 72201

Live Music, Billiards, Food, & Fun on Tap. Open Daily 11am-2am

TobyMac

December 4, 2015

FRI 6th SAT 7th

NOVEMBER Third Degree Pamela K. Ward

SAT Dirty Lindsey 14th Trans-Siberian Orchestra “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve”

December 17, 2015

Harlem Globetrotters 90th Anniversary January 8, 2016

TUESDAYS

Basic & Intermediate Lessons

7:30-8:30PM. Dancing until 11PM

(unless there is a concert. Please check Juanita’s calendar at www.juanitas.com)

$7 lessons

FRI 27th Bombay Black

$5 w/ Military ID

DECEMBER

FRI 4th Nerd Eye Blind SAT Third Degree 5th SAT 12th Sloppy Kiss SAT 19th Greg & Ally

No Experience Required!

FRIDAYS Starts at 9 PM with a basic Salsa lesson until 10 PM No Partner Required!

Shows start at 9 PM Home of the 1/2 lb Midtown Burger!

Def Leppard w/ Styx & Tesla February 9, 2016 Tickets & Info: (501) 975-9000 14

Dancing until 2 AM to Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Cumbia, & top 40 Latin hits. $5 from 9-10 $8 after 10

For the complete schedule, check out: TCSMIDTOWN.COM

1611 EAST OAK ST. Conway , AR 72032

$10 for under 21 like us on Facebook at Facebook/littlerocksalsa

www.littlerocksalsa.com

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The Corner Your Local Modern Finer Diner Opened in March of this year, @ The Corner has proven to be one of Little Rock’s favorite new dining spots. This “Modern Finer Diner” has an old-school 50s style with a modern twist.

Your traditional diner style food is incorporated into the well thought out menu, but definitely has a unique and delicious twist.

The diner is a family owned & operated business in the location of the former The Hop Diner in the heart of downtown. When asked what inspired the family to open the restaurant, Helen Grace King (sister), stated, “Our family came to eat here one day when it was still The Hop and couldn’t help but to think what we would do with that space.” Leila King (sister) says, “I love the energy at the corner! The hustle and bustle of downtown. It just really spoke to us. We eventually asked the previous owners if they would be willing to sell, and here we are.”

The Culinary trait also seems to run in the family.

“Our grandmother wrote her own cookbook that we keep here in the shop.”

Of course this Modern Finer Diner has your traditional hamburger, although there is nothing standard about it. The handcrafted, made to order burgers are a huge hit with the locals. The top requested lunch item, The Corner Classic Burger, includes Arkansas Fresh Bakery buns, locally sourced veggies (when in season), and optional toppings such as avocado, bacon, fried egg, and/or cheese. Don’t worry, you can think of some other additions you would like, too! Chef, Kamiya Merrick loves experimenting with new recipes and making sure the customers have a one-of-a-kind experience @ The Corner.

The Riverside Salad consisting of chicken, feta, strawberries, avocado, house made granola served on mixed greens is also a popular choice.

Local Magazine may be a little biased to the best breakfast option, but the Biscuits & Gravy

are amazing! This plate includes fresh buttermilk biscuits, sausage gravy topped with fried eggs.

The “Up & @ ‘EM” is also a popular choice among the regulars with local, farm fresh eggs, Toast from Arkansas Fresh Bakery, Cherrywood Smoked Bacon, and a recipe for “old school” grits that has been passed down through the generations. “We have had people come in and say, ‘I haven’t had these type of grits since I was a child.’ and that’s why we love what we do.”

When asked what sets them apart from the other options in town, Kamiya told us, “Family. We make everyone feel like family. We really care about our customers and want everyone to feel at home.” They also source numerous ingredients locally including all the bread, eggs, produce when available, Loblolly ice cream, and plan to add more every chance they can.

In the near future, you can look forward to new menu items for the Winter, weekend dinner service and a beer & wine selection (including Mimosa Saturdays!). Head downtown to 201 E. Markham and give them a try. We can guarantee excellent food and 5 Star customer service!

www.thecornerlr.com

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Non-Pharmacological, Non-Surgical treatment for Non-Life Threatening musculoskeletal conditions.

Full service custom orthotics center for treatment of biomechanical foot pain.

Clinical Nutritional assessment focusing on whole food supplementation.

Ethical outcome based practices, eliminating unnecessary office visits.

Personal Injury (Auto Accident, Slip and fall) consultation and treatment.

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an eco-friendly store offering hasis on local, hand-crafted de products. We support local nefits of healthy, green living.

ection of unique, Arkansas ay gift-giving. You can also nes, sundaes, fountain drinks, ialties at our soda fountain.

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Come out for Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28th for special holiday shopping deals!

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Medicare AEP and Obama-care open enrollment Is here!

If you want to make changes to your Medicare coverage and drug plan, now is the time. Oct 15 to Dec 7 is the Annual Election Period with changes being effective on January 1st 2016. You have options with Original Medicare, a supplement and pharmacy plan or a Medicare health plan also known as Medicare Advantage. Most MA plans include your prescription drug plan, all of the benefits of original Medicare plus some additional Toni Frazier, CIC Richard Frazier benefits Agent not provided by original Medicare. Agent If you have Medicare and you also have Medicaid NPR #1743997 License 23436 and/or a chronic condition such as Diabetes, Heart Failure or Cardiovascular disease, I can help review and find a plan for you that has additional benefits not included in original Medicare, such as: Vision, Dental, Hearing Aids, 24/7 nurse hot line, transportation, October diabetic supplies 15and- more. I also can help determine if you qualify for assistance Medicare Enrollment paying your Part BAnnual premium and extra help with your prescriptions.

On Tuesday’s 1 till 4PM November - my office is a Resource center. If you meet the above criteria Open Enrollment youObamacare are not limited to Medicare’s annual enrollment January 1,501-225-1818.

2016 - I know period. Please give me a call and50 can or explain the Aemployees?

B C’s and D’s of Medicare. more ACA Also, Starting Nov. 1st Open enrollment for coverage!begins and Affordable requires Care Act (“Obamacare”) will run until January 31, 2016. This is a chance for those who are not on a plan to enroll into one or make changes to their Certifiedto existing plan. The penalties Obamacare for 2016 are much greater: per-person charge in (Individual & The Shop) 2016 jumps to $695 per Agent. adult and $347.50 per child, Medicaretopping out at a whopping $2,085 per family. The Independent, Specialist. income-based penalty rises locallyFrazier owned Toni Frazier, CIC to 2.5%.

Richard Agent Agent Depending on your Agency NPR #1743997 situationLicense there 23436 are several specializing options available that I can assist you with. The in ALLon-exchange things Private option for lower income, Resturaunts for· those that will qualify for a Insurance. tax credit and offexchange you will not. Understanding the options &ifBars IMPORTANT DATES! available to you can be very confusing, and I have October 15 Daycares gone· through all of the certifications to be able to Medicare Annual Enrollment Contractors do· that for you.

New 2016 is the Arkansas November 1 - SHOP program · &forMore! forObamacare 2-100 employees, and it Enrollment opens November 1st.

Open An employer with 25 or fewer employees might also 1, 2016 - Care Credit qualify forJanuary the Small Business Health 50 average or more employees?

ACA if the salary is $50,000 or less, employees work 30 hours a weekcoverage! and they contribute 50% of requires the employee only cost.

As a certified insurance counselor I will help you make theCertified best decision for YOU.

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thousands of items in store!

Beer, Wine, Cider, & Mead Making Supplies.

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Classes are on Saturdays.

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Call or follow us on Facebook for class schedules!

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aterb thew

New & Used Items 106 Rodney Parham Rd. | Little Rock, AR 72205

Dogtown KENDAMA Kendama is a Japanese skill toy consisting of three different sized cups with a ball with a hole and a spike.

Made of wood, the ends of the base and the crosspiece of the hammer are cupped so that they can catch the ball, and the ball has a hole in it that can fit on a spike on the end of the hammer.

The kendama has a split personality in Japan.

On the one hand inexpensive kendama toys of varying designs are common and most families have one laying around somewhere. Most Japanese children have a bit of experience in playing with them, but are not particularly skilled. But a more serious form of kendama play is overseen by the small staff of the Japan Kendama Association, founded in 1975 and reorganized as a nonprofit association in 2002. Headquartered in cramped offices a few blocks from the grounds of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, the JKA sets the technical specifications for licensed competitive kendamas, establishes

rules and regulations, organizes competitions (mostly for children), awards kyu and dan level rankings to kendama “athletes,” much as in the martial arts world, and works with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in preserving the kendama as a piece of Japanese traditional culture.

The kendama helps improve hand eye coordination, balance, perseverance, and focus.

Dogtown Kendama is the only company in the state of Arkansas that makes and hand paints kendamas. Dogtown Kendamas is attempting to bring this simple skill toy into the hands of everyday Arkansans. Owner Matthew Verch says, “I believe the kendama can benefit all age groups, from young children developing motor skills, to adults looking for a new challenge for their body and/ or mind. At Dogtown Kendama we are trying to work with elementary schools around central Arkansas because we believe the kendama is important for a developing brain. There are too many kids

t Wha

nowadays glued to their phones or video games.

With the kendama, it is a toy that not only exercises your brain, but your body as well. It also is a social game, it’s something that is a lot of fun to play with others.

Matthew discovered kendama through social media. “Growing up I’ve always been attracted to puzzles and mind games, like learning card trick sleights, or learning to solve a rubix cube.

So when I saw the complex tricks that were being done on the kendama, I had to try to learn it myself. I was immediately hooked, and I couldn’t put it down. I find that to be the case for most people. If I can get one in their hands and show them the basic mechanics, I can almost always turn them into a player.”

To learn more, find Dogtown Kendama on their Facebook page or head over to the online shop at:

www.dogtownkendamas.bigcartel.com

r e n n i d e n i inor w

Rea They

Sean M

an l ly W

Chri t for

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JANUARY 27 6:00 pm • $60 per person

5 courses

Sean & Nicole Minor

5 wines

Limited space available - CALL now to reserve!

Lunch • BRUNCH • Dinner • Catering • Private Dining

(501) 821-1144 • 17711 Chenal Parkway • Little Rock • yayasar.com 19

Every Day Is Wine Day!

Vaping is using a battery-powered vaporizer to deliver nicotine via a propylene-glycol and vegetable glycerin solution.

The vapor is inhaled like a smoke from a cigarette, but does not contain the carcinogens found in tobacco smoke.

DID YOU KNOW? - UK’s Royal Society for Public Health

Current state of knowledge about chemistry of liquids and aerosols associated with electronic cigarettes indicates that there is no evidence that vaping produces inhalable exposures that would warrant health concerns by the standards that are used to ensure safety of workplaces…Exposures of bystanders are likely to be orders of magnitude less, and thus pose no apparent concern.

“

91% of smokers that switched allegiance to e-cigarettes tended to have improved health. They also found that 97% of those reduced or entirely saw off chronic coughs. -University of

“

“

Visit Drippers at: 164 South Broadview Greenbrier, AR

growler bar!

501.834.2134 Intersection of Kiehl Ave. & Hwy 107

1 0 7 l iqu o r . c om

Since 1870 Bennett’s Military Supplies has been Arkansas’ oldest and largest store of its kind.

(870) 805-9669

• all juice made in house & high-quality • knowledgeable staff with years of vaping experience • free builds •

low pr i ce s

“

www.drippersvapeshop.com 20

selection and

Alberta’s School of Public Health

– Dr. Igor Burstyn, Drexel University’s School of Public Health

The levels of potentially toxic compounds in e-cigarette vapor are 9-450-fold lower than those in the smoke from conventional cigarettes, and in many cases comparable with the trace amounts present in pharmaceutical preparation.

Our findings support the idea that substituting tobacco cigarettes with electronic cigarettes may substantially reduce exposure to tobacco-specific toxicants.

-Tobacco Control, 2013

Surgery Center

Great craft beer

“

“

“

Nicotine is no more harmful for your health than coffee. You could just as easily get hooked to energy drinks or coffee as you could to electronic cigarettes.

“

Nearly 700 smokers’ intensive users of e-cigarettes were 6 times more likely than non-users/triers to report that they quit smoking - Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco.

Two tobacco cigarettes will stiffen the aorta. E-cigarettes, on the other hand, made no difference to the aorta, and were not found to stiffen the arteries. - Onassis Cardiac

“

- Hazel Cheeseman, director of policy at Action on Smoking & Health.

“

“ “

An electronic alternative is a less harmful way of consuming nicotine than smoking.

We specialize in: · Genuine Military Items · Boots Clothing · Packs & Gear & Airsoft Products

608 Main Street · Little Rock

501-372-2944

FEATURED RECIPE

brandy pecan pie A twist on your holiday favorite.

What You Will Need: • • • •

3 eggs 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup corn syrup 3 oz melted butter

•

1/2 cup Brandy

•

Pink of Salt

•

2 cups chopped / toasted pecans.

•

Pie Shell

1. Toast raw pie shell for 10-15 minutes on 360 degrees before pouring mix.

2. Heat the brown sugar, corn syrup, butter and Brandy in double boiler until hot.

3. Let mix cool or be room temp, then temper in the 3 eggs.

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4. Right before you pour into pie shell, add pecans.

5. Bake at 360 degrees for 30-40 minutes.

Call or Email now 501-766-3565 jdavis@landerscorp.com

Come see our NEW Inventory!

Joseph Davis

Recipe brought to you by Spencer J. Hanvey, at Good Food by Ferneau. 521 Main Street in North Little Rock.

21

RING IN THE NEW YEAR {In Style}

Romás by Linda Rowe Thomas

Linda Rowe Thomas is an American fashion designer who is known for her haute couture evening wear. Thomas’ design aesthetic redefines glamour and elegance with flattering silhouettes and contemporary appeal. Call 501.301.4913 for an appointment.

Mr. Wicks - The Gentleman’s Shop

Grand on Oak

Grand on Oak is a unique boutique that offers clothing, gifts, jewelry, make up, and home decor.

Grand on Oak has been successful in creating a fun, relaxing shopping experience. There are a wide variety of clothing brands that offer options for any woman. Whether you want a day time lunch outfit or a special event dress, we have what your looking for! 101 W Oak St. in Conway

22

MADDOX

Be the life of the party! See our selection of affordable, stylish products. (read more on pg. 23) 419 Main St. in North Little Rock

Mr. Wicks is a family owned traditional men’s clothing store established in March of 1960. We offer the finest in both men’s dress clothing and quality sportswear lines. Personal service to our customer is a priority. We also provide custom alterations for your purchase. 5924 R Street in Little Rock.

MADDOX

T

he sign outside said “come shop and sip with us”, and Olivia, the mannequin in the window, was holding our magazine, so that’s what we did. Bruce Springsteen was playing overhead, and we were greeted with a smile by Caddo Gap native Heather Baber, the owner of Maddox, who was vibrant and cheerful and made us feel very welcome. She has an infectious laugh and gave us a sense that she is very down to earth, fun loving, and put together. She was winding down from the NLR Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting with a glass of wine, and we joined in.

Looking through the shop, you see to the right there is a hotel luggage trolley and dressing rooms; a built in shelf highlights some of the many tops that are for sale with vests below.

You see clothes lining the wall to the left and there are racks and a table in the middle of the showroom. The register is towards the back with amazing (and affordable) jewelry and sunglasses catty-cornered to it. In the far back is a small room with a TV tuned to ESPN and a comfy love seat and chair, which seemed perfect for a significant other waiting on their wife or girlfriend to shop around.

We talked to Heather about how she came to be in retail, and she told us about how she had wanted to go into the field for years and had been researching how to brand. She finally

settled on Maddox, which is her son’s name. Her online store went live in February of this year after a few months of preparing for the launch.

After working two jobs and doing the online store, she decided to look for physical space and ended up at 419 Main Street in Argenta, which she says, “felt like home the second she walked

in.” Even though it wasn’t retail ready, she knew this spot was it. The five weeks that followed were full of being at work all day and the shop until 2 or 3 a.m., and with lots of help from her husband, family, and friends, Maddox opened on October 12th. You can see the pride she has when talking about how much was put into getting this all in place, and the space definitely shows that care. She told us about how she felt very welcomed by her neighboring retailers in Argenta and that their support has been just wonderful, and emphasized that everyone should eat, shop, and sip local.

When asked how she would describe the style of Maddox, Heather told us she personally strives to provide unique products and styles and that the pieces there could be considered classic or contemporary and mod. One of the best parts of Maddox is the range of sizes, which goes from small to 3x, which is rare to have in a boutique that isn’t aimed towards either demographic. We noticed the prices and determined that we would definitely not have

to max out any credit cards to buy a complete outfit and some accessories. Heather told us the most important thing for her was that she wanted everyone to feel comfortable in her shop, no matter what size or even what you were wearing when you came in.

I asked Heather to show me some of her favorite pieces, and she showed me a gorgeous gold clutch that would be perfect for a special occasion. There were hammock ponchos, which is one of the items that come in every size and are ideal for any occasion. There were jeans that caught my eye and range from size 6 to 22.

There are some skinny pants that you would definitely want to buy in every color and match them up with the cape blazer, which was my personal favorite. Heather also said she would really like to offer more local jewelry vendors as well.

It should be noted that the inventory online and in the store is live, so if you buy the last item in the store, it will show online as sold out. If you would rather shop online and pick up at the store, there is a code for local shoppers to use and she will pull the item and hold it at the store, and you won’t have to pay shipping.

Argenta is truly lucky to have such a great, new addition to the neighborhood! Visit Maddox at 419 Main Street in North Little Rock for some great holiday shopping deals!

You can also do some of your shopping online at shopmaddoxonline.com and keep up to date at www.facebook.com/shopmaddox and shopmaddox_argenta on Instagram.

You can call Heather at 501-313-4242 or stop by and see her during shop hours, Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Mondays from noon to 6.

- Melanie Riedmueller

23

EXPERIENCE PAUL PRATER

By Charlette Beasley

Spectacularly innovative and contemporary. Cilantro’s cuisine is inspired by authentic central Mexican flavors and ingredients with a unique twist. Come experience the hospitable staff in a cozy, intimate atmosphere.

Entrees include a variety of specialties that you can not find at an average Mexican restaurant.

Cilantro’s makes their own fresh tortillas using original flour from Mexico and vegetables they purchase from Green Hills, a Mexican company in Siloam Springs, AR. Whether you’re looking for a nice place to drink with friends, celebrate a special event, eat dinner with family, Cilantro’s is the place to be!

2629 Lakewood Village Dr. N. Little Rock, AR

(501) 812-0040

24

E

ver met an attorney who can read your mind? Yes, he does exist, and we’ve met him! He brings a certain type of unique performance to Arkansas that cannot be found anywhere else within the state, and scarcely within the nation.

Local talent Paul Prater spends his days managing law firms and preparing for his next mind reading performance. He has been performing since he was a kid and doing shows for at least nine years. Unlike the average magician who pulls rabbits from hats, Paul creates a completely different experience. His performances typically consist of mind reading, storytelling, and side shows, an alternative “magic” of sorts. This ensures there is a little reality in every show he puts together. He also enjoys engaging the audience, and during his pendulum readings, he is able to do just that. Everyone gets a pendulum chart and a pendulum to take apart. The interactivity this creates keeps audiences involved.

Every Wednesday night at 109 & Company, Paul brings his creativity to the Rock. Always a delight to the audience, his unique blend of storytelling and performance is akin to a theatrical production. He purposely limits his audiences to approximately twenty people so everyone has the opportunity to play a role in the show.

In addition to pendulum readings, you may find Paul lying on a bed of nails, doing tarot readings, and other side shows. He has six published books and several marketed effects for magicians and performers. He was also

listed in the top five stories in Tales of the South during 2014.

Prater is a national performer but still supports the local community. He plays an active role in the annual Festival of Magic, held this year during the month of September in Hot Springs. He spent 15 hours performing with 1,500 people in the audience. He also performs off stage. Private shows, i.e., corporate work, private parties, etc. are all fair game for Paul.

His passion is providing unique experiences for his audiences to enjoy and learn from.

Although Paul is unique in what he has to offer, he is lucky to be able to connect with a small network of performers who share an interest in magic and psychic performances.

Currently a member of Psychic Entertainers Association, which is by invitation only, he discussed how supportive and collaborative everyone within the field actually is. Being the only person in Arkansas offering this type of entertainment, it is good to have ways to stay connected to people who thrive on the same alternative entertainment he does.

Everyone enjoys a new experience here and there, but these days, new experiences don’t come affordable. This is another reason Paul’s shows are so phenomenal. Getting a seat in the audience is as easy as paying for a movie, usually $10 in advance and $13 at the door.

Contrary to what some may believe, mind reading and storytelling are for everyone. While the performances and venue (109 &Company) tend to cater to the adult audiences, they don’t discriminate among the types of adults who can attend. Regardless of marital status, ethnic identity, religious beliefs, etc., Paul’s performances top the chart.

25

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10/22/15 9:50 AM

Since its inception in 2011, the Arkansas Cornbread Festival has exploded in popularity, far exceeding the modest expectations of founder and South Main Street advocate Anita Davis, who hoped to “bring people in our community together for good food, music and conversation.”

Originally hoping for “800 to 1,000 people, we were absolutely thrilled that thousands of people from all over the city and state came to see what makes South Main Street thrive,” Davis says.

Some might ask, “Why cornbread, and why South Main?” Davis has easy explanations.

“Cornbread is an integral part of our

219 W Capitol Ave. Little Rock, AR

southern heritage, and we live in a community steeped in history and tradition. It just seems to be a good fit for a festival in Little Rock.”

As for the South Main (SoMa) location, “one of the reasons the festival is important is to bring people to our area who have not seen the changes in our part of the city.”

Once people see what’s happening, they want to come back – the changes are happening almost daily at this point. Instead of the somewhat blighted, definitely ignored area of a few years back, SoMa is now hopping, something many people in the city didn’t realize until attending the inaugural Cornbread Festival, which drew 1,600 paying customers

(and many more who slipped in unpaid).

The 2012 festival grew to 3,300 paying attendees, but had many more people in the crowd. The 2013 incarnation had an even larger turnout, along with bigger prizes for competitors, better promotion and better crowd control. The little festival that could required wristbands for entry, which kept people from wandering in. The 2014 festival proved to be the biggest festival to date!

This year’s festival will be back to the down-the-middle of Main Street formation with improvements – and full wheelchair accessibility. We can’t wait.

Pre-sale tickets are available online! Advanced ticket prices are $7 for 13 and older, $3 for 6-12.

Children 5 and younger, as always, are free. You may pay for admission at the gate on Saturday, Nov. 7, after online sales have ended. Tickets on the day of the event are $10 for 13 and older, $5 for 6-12. Children 5 and younger, as always, are free.

THE SOUTHERN GOURMASIAN

(501) 313-5645

Stone’s Throw Monthly Beer Dinner

Wine Wed. 25% off bottles

Winner of Food Network’s BBQ Blitz - Little Rock

Live Music Thursday Nights

Serving Lunch & Dinner Mon. -Sat.

Brunch Saturdays 10-2 27

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By Susie Cowan

The Freckled Frog has taken the big leap and has expanded to the entire space at 419 President Clinton Ave, directly across from the east end of the River Market Pavilion. They have enjoyed sharing this space for the past year and a half with another locally owned business, but the time has come for them to expand their creative wings.

The Freckled Frog features a variety of handcrafted items made by over 50 different Arkansas artists. The inventory is continually updated with new and one of a kind items as well as a constant stock from some favorite local brand designers, artists and crafters. Just a few of the current favorites include Patchwork skirts & shorts, Nativ Apparel, Arkansas Quartz Crystal Jewelry, Eccentric Dose Art & Apparel, Arkanzen Apparel, Hillcrest Waterbug T-shirts, Tie Dyed Onesies & Bandannas, Soy Candles, Soaps, Lotions, Perfumes, Wish Necklaces, Wire Wrapped Rings, Round Mountain Pottery, Cards, Hair Accessories, Recycled Jewelry and a fantastic selection of handcrafted earrings for just $5.00!

The hours of operation are Tuesday-Saturday 11am-7pm and on Sunday 12pm-5pm.

PROVISIONS FOR THE CULTURED GENTLEMAN

11220 N. RODNEY PARHAM RD. SUITE 3 LITTLE ROCK 72212 5 0 1 . 2 4 6 . 5 4 6 6

Painted Lady Thank you for supporting your local artists this holiday season! Shopping at locally owned and operated businesses like The Freckled Frog helps to keep your money in your own community.

By shopping local you are casting a vote on the quality of businesses you like to see in your cities and neighborhoods, so again we thank you for shopping local! Ribbit!

419 President Clinton Ave. Little Rock, AR 28

John Worm Olsen » 501-218-4204 @Olsen_tattOOartist

Melissa woods » 501-400-2481 @tattOOMISSA

Jeremy woods » 501-400-5364 @TATTOOSBYHABit

tattoo studio 806 W. Markham St. Little ROck, AR

Where Food & Wine Intersect...

Come Have A Taste!

LOCALLY GROWN

HEALTHY FOODS

Meats Vegetables Fruit Honey Ice Cream Coffee Flowers

Walk-ins or weekly meal plans

by Chef Ryan MerrittMcGehee

SPECIALTY/ GOURMET Fine Wines & Spirits Cheese Artisan Products Imported Foods

405 E 3rd St. Little Rock, AR (501) 791-6700

www.strattonsmarketlr.com

In just over a year’s time, Chef Ryan MerrittMcGehee has taken his concept of ‘making clean eating accessible’ from a food truck to a thriving, and contributing, local business called ‘The Clean Eatery”. In Ryan’s words they are “bridging the gap between fitness and eating” by offering meals of the right portions available for carry out or delivered directly to your door. He then went on to say, “Not everybody is alike, so no two meals are the same”. Ryan described that every client’s needs are different, so they make sure each individual meal is tailored to their specific needs. The Clean Eatery is the answer to a healthy fast food option.

The meal plans solve the most common problems of everyday eating habits of the love for food, lack of planning, and lack of time.

By including healthy fresh options, it is easy to find food that you love without all the hassle of shopping, cooking and cleaning. Not only that, but you know your only getting the best of fresh and local ingredients. The Clean Eatery is trying to “create a community of awareness and accountability” as stated by the owner, Chef Ryan. A lot of the credit goes to the staff, and the Meal Prep Program is a combined effort from Lawauna Jones (kitchen coordinator) and Ryan Holland (account and logistics manager).

The store was only made possible with teaming alongside Don Dugan and Tasha Stratton to build an awesome environment for daily guests bringing together a “farm to table” opportunity. The Clean Eatery works in conjunction with Gyms, Apartment Complexes, Clinics, and supplement stores to complete the connection for the living-well lifestyle. The main goal of The Clean Eatery is to help create “Quality of life for the clients, employees, and community” Ryan expressed enthusiastically.

With a regular supply of fresh produce from a couple local farms including Tanner Farms and McGee Farms, The clean Eatery only use fresh and organic ingredients in their prepared meals.

According to Chef Ryan, “All the produce is offered in Stratton’s Market.” They also offer different event s and specials that make it really easy to check out what they have to offer.

On Friday night Stratton’s Market has a wine sampling, and The Clean Eatery offers a wine pairing with dinner for four special. Chef Ryan Merritt-McGehee also hosts a Clean Eating 1 on 1 cooking class to help educate their clients and community on easting clean. Ryan was very passionate about ‘reinventing healthy’ and keeping a good relationship with his clients. He was proud to admit that his business has been built on feedback, and that has everything to do with his rapid success.

Contact or go by The Clean Eatery today to find out how they can lead you down the road of a new view of eating clean and living-well.

Visit us at

405 E. 3rd St. Little Rock, AR

501-259-5491

www.cleaneaterylr.com

Meal Prep Programs Complete Plan 20 Meals+5 Snacks - $165 Basic Plan - 15 Meals - $125 Plan Add Ons Add a Spouse - $65 Add a Child - $25 Bulking Option - $30 Meals are prepared fresh daily and delivered immediately. Our food is not meant to be sustainable beyond 72 hours, it is meant to be eaten.

Meals are typically 50% veggies, 30% meat & 20% grains & nuts.

Male: 40g protein, 8-10oz veggies, 18-22% fat Female: 30g protein, 8-10oz veggies, 18-20% fat 29

Eating Healthy During the Holidays

- Sammy Andrews The holidays are packed with celebrations, but for many of us, the colder weather discourages outdoor workout routines, our stress levels are high and we may be getting less sleep than usual.

Combined, all of this can lead to weight gain over the holiday season.

From my research, I’ve found that 51% of most people’s weight gain over a 12-month period occurred during the holiday season. I’ve given some helpful information down below that’s should help you through those gruesome holiday spats!

Indulge in your favorites, skip the rest If one of your favorite parts of the holiday season is your grandmother’s famous sugar cookies, you need not put them off limits. Allow yourself to have a cookie, enjoy it and move on.

But do not feel bad about skipping those other dishes.

When at a dinner party or buffet, survey the entire table before making a plate. Decide on one or two dishes that are worth indulging in, and eat in moderation. Fill the rest of your plate with vegetables, fruits or lean protein.

More quick tips to survive the holidays • When eating out at a restaurant, decide ahead of time whether you will treat yourself to an appetizer, an alcoholic beverage or dessert. Allow yourself to have one, but not all three.

• If your dinner party is later than you would normally eat dinner, make sure to have a small snack with protein and fiber before leaving the house so you are less likely to overindulge when you get there. Never go to a party feeling hungry.

• Sip a glass of water in between every glass of wine, eggnog or other alcoholic beverage.

• If you are worried there will not be any healthy options available, make sure to bring your own healthy dish that you (and everyone else) will enjoy.

• Keep a food diary. If you have a smart phone, use an app like My Fitness Pal to stay on track of your intake. Keep in mind the amount of exercise needed to burn off your indulgences.

One 300-calorie cookie takes 60 minutes of walking for a 150-pound person to burn off.

Do not skip meals If you think skipping breakfast or lunch will save you calories, think again. When you skip a meal, you are more likely to overeat twofold at your next meal.

It is important to not skip breakfast in preparation for a party, because if you do not eat within a few hours of waking, your metabolism fails to start and your body will hold on to and store fat for energy as a survival mechanism.

It was a good idea then, it’s still a good idea now... keep Arkansans working

6401 Lindsey Road • Little Rock, AR 72206 800.622.2216 • www.democratprinting.com

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Stay active If your normal exercise routine involved outdoor activities that simply do not agree with the winter weather, now is the time to find a new one you enjoy indoors. Contact gyms in your area (or where you are traveling) and see if they offer a week-long free trial. Try new 3 Phase Fitness classes like cycling, boot camps, BEAST MODE body sculpting or kick boxing class. Keep trying until you find an instructor or class structure that you enjoy.

The key is to find an activity that you look forward to. If running on a treadmill is not enjoyable for you, skip it. Maybe you would enjoy a Zumba or hip-hop dance class instead.

Adjust your focus Focus on maintaining your weight and not gaining during the holidays, instead of losing.

Count it as a victory if you are still fitting into your favorite jeans by February.

Make new traditions • If most of your current traditions focus around food, make new ones. Round up the family and go sledding, ice skating or skiing. Take dance lessons or get crafty and make your own holiday decorations. Take old family recipes and revamp them to make them healthier.

• Replace white flour with whole grain or replace oil and lard with applesauce and Greek yogurt.

At gatherings, take advantage of seeing those you do not get to see often; talk more and eat less.

Come out for the Grand Re-opening!

Nov 5th 5-7pm

food games

prizes fun

www.SubaruofLittleRock.com 12121 Colonel Glenn Rd. Little Rock, AR 72210 501-503-5454

Disclaimer: subject to vehicle msrp price and availabilty one or more stock numbers to choose from.

2016 Subaru Forester STOCK NUMBER: S5958 MSRP: $27,984.00 LOCAL SALE PRICE: $26,080.00 31

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