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TABLE OF CONTENTS CHILDHOOD PROJECT INTO FULL TIME CAREER 5
5 8
When it was time to select a college major, Kathryn LeMaster didn’t know interior design was anything more than a fun pastime.
ME AND MCGEE MARKET 6
A glimpse into a local favorite and the new foundation honoring Larry McGee..
BUFFALO RIVER OUTFITTERS 8
Providing something more than a canoe or a cabin; Buffalo River Outfitters strives to give their customers an experience since 1986.
EAT LOCAL / SHOP LOCAL 10-11
Discover local restaurants, shops and services in central Arkansas.
NEXUS COFFEE & CREATIVE 12
The definition of “nexus” is a connection or series of connections linking two or more things. This is precisely the aforementioned mission and vision that Moorehead described. She wants to bring the focus to connections and community.
FEATURED FAVORITE 15
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ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Kayla Byrum Rich Niemeyer Ginnie Oliver
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BE A LOCALIST: DINING IN LITTLE ROCK WITH YOUR FURRY BESTIES 16 It helps foster that neighborhood atmosphere. When you have a good neighborhood bar, you want to be able to bring your best friend with you, even if that’s an animal.
MAY EVENTS 19 JUNE EVENTS 21 TAKING THE REIGNS 23
In our communities, we do not have to search far and wide to find someone who has been affected by some devastating illness. Most us know at least one person who has battled cancer. No matter what the outcome may be, each story is part of the framework that makes up the role that cancer fills in our lives and our society.
For advertising information, please call 501-476-4200. For Subscription services, please call 501-554-1126. Local. Magazine is published bimonthly by 411 Publications, Inc. 1100 W. 2nd St. Ste. 1, Little Rock, AR 72201 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.
CONTRIBUTOR SPOTLIGHT ADAM CHEREPSKI Adam received his Master’s degree in Education from UALR. He enjoys everything there is to do with food, from cooking at home to dining at locally-owned establishments. Writing is a passion of his. Be sure to check out his blog, oneflewovermyhouse.tumblr. com and on Facebook at One Flew Over My House. ELIZABETH SILVERSTEIN Elizabeth Silverstein received her first paycheck as a writer in 2006, and she’s been interviewing others ever since. With a background in journalism, she especially loves telling the stories of passionate, local business. In 2018, Sustaining Craft, her interview series about creative business became a podcast. Elizabeth writes at hewandweld.com.
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Childhood Family Project Grows Into Full-Time Career - Elizabeth Silverstein
When it was time to select a college major, Kathryn LeMaster didn’t know interior design was anything more than a fun pastime. “I was looking through the list of degree programs, and interior design was on there,” LeMaster shared. “And this was back before the day and age of Pinterest and HGTV being such a big deal. There was not an awareness for the field that there is today. That struck my interest, and I thought, huh, I guess I thought that was a hobby. I didn’t really understand that was a real job. How interesting.” She describes the field as more than pulling together color swatches and fixtures, but less than creating entire new structures, while combining elements of both. She started with a few other beginner courses to see what it was like. “It was just about exactly what I was hoping that it would be — kind of that sweet spot between decorator and the technical aspect of an architect of getting to be involved in the construction process and technical drawings and all of that, but also, the cherry on top, the layers of all the colors and soft furnishings and everything really combined,” LeMaster shared. And that interest had started years ago, with a family project. LeMaster’s father, gifted in construction, decided to build their family home from the ground up. The family lived in a mobile home while they first built a barn to house all of the building materials and then started on the house a few years later. “I kind of felt like I grew up on a construction site,” LeMaster said.” I loved so much of that process of building our house and being able to be so involved in that process — hanging doors, helping my mom pick out wallpaper and paint colors.”
After graduating with her degree and working for a year and a half at a local firm as an intern and then a junior designer, LeMaster decided to take a break. She joined her mother again, helping her flip a house as LeMaster considered what her next step might be. She didn’t intend to start a company. Then an old family friend approached her with a kitchen remodel. “I just thought, ‘What, no, not me. Do you realize how green and new and young I am? No, you don’t want me,’” LeMaster shared. “She talked me into it. ‘Yes, I do, no, I think you can really do it.’ I made her a really good deal, very low rate, because I still was thinking, ‘This is a horrible mistake.’ I’ve never done a project on my own. I’ve always had senior designers or someone over me and just didn’t have a lot of faith in myself, which is really sad, looking back. I wish I had been more confident and not believed so many fears and was really, really grateful that she had approached me about that and believed in me.” A local magazine covered the project a year later, and her business started to grow. “I think once you do one project on your own, it gives you more confidence,” LeMaster shared. “You go, ‘Oh look, I can do this.’ And you surprise yourself with what you’re capable of. And I think a lot of times we don’t know the knowledge that we have.” With her initial success, she decided to take smaller steps as she progressed. She began with $1,000 cash in an envelope as her business account. Then she built a website. Then she got some business insurance. “There never was a day I could look back and say, ‘Oh, I’m going to start a business,’” LeMaster shared. “It didn’t happen like that. It was just this one thing leads to another, and I guess it’s time to do this and just little stepping stones which was way less overwhelming for me. So it ended up working out really beautifully, looking back. I just couldn’t really see where it was going at the time, but was so grateful.” Nearly six years later, she assists with residential spaces, along with design for four to five productions a year, all while crafting space around function then story. “I always asked too, in the beginning, if there is anything of sentimental value,” LeMaster said. “A lot of times, it is family heirlooms or things that
people have picked up on their travels or their children made or something that’s special … I don’t think it’s ever wise to just have everything store bought. Even if you could … just go and buy everything brand-new, I just think that your home will end up feeling like a showroom, like you walked into a furniture store. It might be lovely, but it’s like the heart of the home that you sense — it’s the unseen things. You create that by really making sure you’re honoring the client, honoring that person who’s going to live there in what you’re putting together. A lot of times that is existing pieces or original artwork or something really special and sentimental that might even serve as inspiration for the color scheme.” LeMaster has found that there’s an intimacy that comes from opening a home to a stranger. “It’s very in-depth and it’s very personal,” LeMaster said. “And that’s why I feel so honored when people choose to work with me, because they’re letting me into their lives and homes and I am usually in the closets digging under shoes to get measurements along the baseboard to make sure we’re accounting for every square inch and so for them to trust me and welcome me in that way and let me be a part of that personal process of crafting their home. It’s so rewarding. I just— I love it so much.”
Want more of Kathryn LeMaster? Find Kathryn’s work at kathrynjlemaster.com and on Instagram and Twitter as @kjlemaster and Facebook as @kathrynjlemaster. Read the full story and listen to LeMaster’s podcast episode at hewandweld.com/news. Want more stories like this? Sustaining Craft is a weekly podcast hosted by Elizabeth Silverstein. She interviews those in a creative field or business, sharing their struggles, triumphs and advice for others. Companion articles accompany each episode and are published at hewandweld.com. Episodes can be found on iTunes, Spotify or at sustainingcraft. fireside.fm. Reach Silverstein at hello@ hewandweld.com. 5
- Logan Duvall Creating a welcoming, positive environment is a family affair at Me & McGee Market. Personal relationships, one on one interactions and smiles slow down time and contribute to the relaxing feeling visitors often refer. Back in 2017, I got some odd looks when I told friends and coworkers I was going to quit EMS and being a REALTOR to go help my family sell produce. Honestly, the idea of selling tomatoes on the side of the road does sound pretty crazy. But I did and I never could have dreamed what the next 18 months would hold. We are genuinely blessed beyond measure to be where we are and honored to have the relationships we do. There is no way to adequately express my appreciation and gratitude towards the accomplishments of my family. To say 2013
to 2017 was a struggle would be a massive understatement. Me & McGee Market even existing is due to a lot of people’s sacrifice and support, but namely the will of Larry McGee, my grandfather, to fight cancer until the end. Debbie, my grandmother, and Neva, my mother, showed they are two of the strongest women on earth. Debbie somehow managed to be a full time caregiver for Larry, working tirelessly day after day. Neva, with the support of her husband Steve, left her job at Acxiom and committed to making the stand work. Looking back at their drive and unwillingness to quit is simply remarkable. Additionally, without the support of my uncle, Jonathon, I don’t believe the hardships would have been bearable. Ariel, my sister has also been a vital part and we couldn’t do it without her; truly a family journey of togetherness. The toll terminal cancer takes is unconscionable. But the strengthened bonds gained through shared struggles, while painful, can be beautiful in the end. Our hardships were not in vain. They taught our family hard yet valuable life lessons and gave us a drive to act. We will use our experiences and business to fight cancer. Bringing some happiness to those afflicted and their families is happening. The Larry McGee Foundation received its Articles of Incorporation from the State of Arkansas on April 17th with the mission
to enhance the lives of terminally ill cancer patients and their families by raising awareness and funding to support physical, emotional, and spiritual care. Proceeds from the market will be used to fund and support making lives better. If 2019 is anything close to last year, we again will be blessed beyond measure. Promoting local farmers and artisans is an honor and we take pride in offering an outlet for them. The pleasing outdoor environment focuses on a connection to nature and life with plants, dogs, ducks, bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. If a visitor says something at the market reminds them a past loved one, we have succeeded. We aim for giving patrons an experience worth repeating. If you would like to learn more about Me & McGee Market or the Larry McGee Foundation send us a message on Facebook, Instagram or Email.
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The best new old bar in Little Rock
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Buffalo River Outfitters - Adam Cherepski
Along the Buffalo River, there are approximately a dozen businesses that provide services similar to that of Buffalo River Outfitters, but very few that have been taking care of people for as long as they have — since 1986. At BRO, Ben Milburn, the CEO, and staff insist on providing something more than a canoe or a cabin; they strive to give their customers an experience. While they do rent canoes, kayaks and rafts like other similar groups — in fact, they rent more canoes than any of the other similar business along the river — they also have 11 cabins for overnight stays. What this writer learned above all else is that BRO is really in the business of adventures. They want to make sure that while you are there you have a great time, and when you leave you have memories to last.
Most people who venture to the Buffalo are there for a day trip. I am guilty of this as well. We get up early one morning, make the drive, stop to rent the boat, float for a few hours, then head back home. This quick trip is truly selling us day-trippers short. A few hours on the river allows us to only get the adventure started. To fully appreciate all that the river and surrounding trails have to offer, we would be better served by taking at least a couple of days to have a complete experience. Instead of the typical afternoon retreat, the good people at BRO ask that you stay awhile. There are plenty of areas where 8
camping is an option, but if “roughing it” isn’t your cup of tea, there are also the aforementioned cabins. Milburn mentioned that three of the cabins were remodeled just this past winter. Cabins can accommodate a getaway for two or for large groups of ten or more. Cabins are tucked in the woods and have all the comforts of home. Each has a fullyequipped kitchen and a barbecue grill. Bring the groceries and move in for a bit. Most of them even have high-speed internet and Smart TVs. The cabins are extremely spacious, and on a warm evening, there is nothing better than sitting on the large porches overlooking the Buffalo River Country. All of the cabins are located at the top of Silver Hill overlooking the Tyler Bend area of the river. When you stay with Buffalo River Outfitters, you are not just getting a nice place to sleep. Canoes, kayaks, rafts and hiking trails are all at your disposal. The staff at BRO will have you set up, whether you choose a day trip or a multi-day trip. They are there to give you recommendations based on what you are looking for — hiking, floating, fishing or all three. The one-day float trip can take anywhere from 1 to 8 hours; just let them know what you are looking for, and they will show you the options. If you want to see even more of the Buffalo and all its grandeur, be sure and look into the multi-day trips. These trips, depending on the number of days, can take you anywhere from 16 to more than 50 miles. For the extreme adventurer, there is no need to stop there; the Buffalo River is 135 miles long, and the experts at BRO are able to plan a trip just for you. Since the river is so expansive, there are many places along the way where you can choose to float and/or stay. A lot of people head to the upper section of the river because they believe this is where all the bluffs, waterfalls and white water are, but you would be remiss to not consider the middle of the river, where BRO is located, specifically the river community of Silver Hill. This area also plays host to waterfalls, bluffs and faster waters, as well as ample hiking trails. In fact, since there is such a myriad of river offerings, the middle has a little something for everyone, from experienced pilot to the novice family member.
No matter how you want to float, BRO has got you covered. They have an inventory that includes canoes, kayaks and rafts. A shuttle will take you and your supplies to your launch point and pick you up at your destination. You can even bring your own boat if you would like, and they will shuttle that for you as well. Milburn wanted to make sure that he also addressed some recent concerns with the Buffalo. Last season, there was much to do about the build-up of algae levels in the river. It was reported that this algae can be harmful in some instances. This information scared people away, and Milburn completely understands the worry. However, a year has passed, and as we all know, we have not hurt for rainfall as of late. This plentiful precipitation and the resulting rising waters have washed this worry away. In fact, with all the rain that we have had, you couldn’t ask for better floating conditions. I asked Milburn about bringing my kids to BRO, as they have never floated or camped before. He told me to bring them on up, and he
would get us taken care of, and I believe him. That’s exactly what he and the staff at Buffalo River Outfitters want to do — take care of you. No matter what you are looking for in your float trip, and for no matter how long you plan on staying, give BRO a call. Buffalo River Outfitters is open from March 1 to Oct. 31 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Give them a call at (870) 439-2200, or find them online at www. buffaloriveroutfitters.com. You can also track them down on Facebook and Instagram.
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Crush Wine Bar is the perfect neighborhood bar located in the heart of the Argenta Arts District and offers a large variety of wine. Be sure to enjoy your glass with one of the meat and cheese plates on the outdoor patio this summer! 318 N. Main St. in North Little Rock. 501-374-9463
EJ's Eats & Drinks specializes in all things breakfast, delicious sandwiches, scratch soups, HUGE salads, juicy burgers and so much more! Stop by for smiles and beer. Come in and give your inner foodie something special. 523 Center St. in Little Rock. 501-666-3700
Fat Jack's Oyster Bar and Grill provides live music, cold beer and great food. Come try the variety of cajun food, burgers and fish while watching your favorite sports team. Don't forget to try the best oysters in Arkansas! 101 Central Ave. in Hot Springs. 501-623-5225
Brave New Restaurant provides a casual, warm environment, delicious food and excellent service at a reasonable cost with a goal to have every meal be a celebration of food. 2300 Cottondale Ln. in Little Rock. 501-663-2677
Katmandu Momo offers a taste of Nepal with their signature Nepalese dumplings—Jhol Momo (soup), Khotay Momo (pan-seared), Deep-Fried Momo, and Chili Momo (stir-fried in a sweet-andspicy sauce), spring rolls, noodle and rice dishes, and more! 1018 Oak Street in Conway. (501) 205-8679
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
Ohia Poke is bringing healthy Hawaiian cuisine to Little Rock. Try the daily fresh veggies and fish as you build your bowl in an upbeat environment that is fun for the whole family. Come join us for the best Poke of your life! 220 West 6th Street in Little Rock. 501-502-6330
Doe's Eat Place features Little Rock's favorite steaks, hot tamales with chili, succulent broiled shrimp, tasty grilled salmon, mouth watering hamburgers and more. It is filled with memorabilia that makes the experience what it is. 1023 W. Markham St. in Little Rock. 501-376-1195
The Box has been around since the 1940's and there is little doubt that they serve one of the city's best burgers. Delicious sandwiches, patty melts, and fries also available (and don't forget to choose your toppings)! 1023 West 7th in Little Rock. 501-372-8735
Café 501 Conway is Conway’s newest dining experience offering several different cuisines from across the globe. It is located in the new Conway Medical Park building across from the Baptist Medical Center and offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. 650 United Drive in Conway. 501-329-4508
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Reinvented Vintage specializes in bringing new life to worn furniture and accessories. They offer Arkansas made goods, vintage furniture, workshops, chalk paint & so much more! If you would like a piece reinvented for you, come by 1222 S. Main St. in Little Rock. 501-753-4925
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Trails End RV Park is located right off of I-40. Easy in/easy out with full hookups at every site. LP gas available for purchase, free WiFi , security gate, and laundry facilities on property. We offer daily ,weekly and monthly rates . 14223 Stricklin Cove in North Little Rock. 501-851-4594
Montalvo Interiors & Apparel offers home decor, interior design, womens' and mens' apparel, jewelry, shoes, and more! They carry exceptional pieces and service with customized attention. 201 Edison Avenue in Benton. 501-794-6677
Linda Marie's Gifts is a unique gift and fabric shop in with a variety of gifts, jewelry, clothing, shoes, home decor and fabrics. They offer classes on sewing, quilting, painting, crochet and knitting. There's something for everyone! 128 S. Mount Olive Rd. in Vilonia. 501-796-0404
business • home auto • life • health Two Broke College Kids offers a wide variety of moving services including full moves with our own box trucks, rental truck loading and unloading, and furniture and appliance delivery. They also provide padding, straps, and everything needed for a safe move. 501-548-4510
Thrive Argenta is a luxury community located in the heart of the Argenta Arts District. Positioned right off of Main Street, dining, shopping and nightlife are literally a few steps away. Apply today at www.thriveargenta.com or give us a call at 501-612-0799. Live Inspired.
Roberson & Associates Insurance is a family owned Insurance Agency serving central Arkansas for 31 years. We offer Personal, Business, Life and Health insurance products that can be tailored to meet your individual needs. Call us today at 501315-8011 www.robersoninsurance.com
Little Rock Music Academy offers music lessons for all ages and for most instruments. Piano, voice, orchestral strings, brass,woodwinds, guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, bagpipes, and drums are available. 11220 N Rodney Parham Rd in Little Rock. 501-442-5638
Ann's Health Foods offers award winning health food, vitamins, specialty foods, diet products, and body building products. Come by and speak with our knowledgeable staff Monday-Friday from 9am-6pm. 9800 Highway 107 in Sherwood. 501-835-6415
Legacy Jewelers offers a wide variety of unique jewelry pieces for every budget as well as custom design, jewelry and watch repair, battery replacement, engraving and strap adjustment..Over 40 years of experience. 1604 S. Pine St. Ste B in Cabot. 501-941-3003
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ON THE C OV E R
Nexus Coffee & Creative
- Adam Cherepski | Photography by C. Neumann
Back in the day — yes, I said “back in the day”— coffee shops were a place to gather and talk with friends and maybe even people we just met then and there. Keep in mind, I am not just talking about some arbitrary time 50 years ago. I can recall places in Little Rock like Café D’Roma or Sufficient Grounds in Hillcrest, where you would meet all sorts of people over a cup of coffee. Now, it seems like we have gotten away from that a little. Now, we walk into most coffee shops and look around and we are inundated with singular people looking at screens with the reflected blue light on their faces. Often earbuds or even noise-canceling headphones are in use. We now go grab a cup of coffee, surround ourselves with people we do not know and hope to have no interaction at all. This is not a societal commentary, merely an observation. Amy Moorehead, the owner of Nexus Coffee and Creative, may not have necessarily witnessed this, but her concept either intentionally or inadvertently addresses it. In the fall of 2016, Moorehead was sitting with her dad at a café. She felt that she needed to do something different with her life; she needed something new, and she wanted to have an impact. She opened up to her dad and confessed that she wanted to create a place. Her dad prodded her to determine what it was that she was looking for. After some thought, her idea, as many great 12
ones do, manifested itself on a paper napkin — Nexus Coffee and Creative was born. Nexus opened around the same time that a few other coffee shops opened downtown, but Moorehead had a different vision for her space. While she serves excellent Leiva’s Coffee and has a delicious, yet simple food menu, her main objective is to bring people together. She sees Nexus as a modern day gathering well. She began crafting her business plan and searching for spaces for her vision. Moorehead came upon a spot in the River Market of downtown Little Rock in 2017 that she deemed too good to be true. She leased the space and began assembling her “village” to bring her vision to fruition. In July of 2017, with much courage and support, Nexus opened. Initially, I am always curious how an entrepreneur comes up with the name of their respective businesses. The name in this instance could not be more apropos. The definition of “nexus” is a connection or series of connections linking two or more things. This is precisely the aforementioned mission and vision that Moorehead described. She wants to bring the focus to connections and community. Moorehead and her crew are ardent about the business. While they are a coffee shop, their focus on people is paramount. While most people stop in for a cup of coffee, they usually end up making a relationship over one.
This starts with the staff. I mentioned earlier that Moorehead assembled her village to help open Nexus. This village is still intact. Her core crew has not changed since the beginning, and she does not foresee that taking place anytime soon. Most would consider working at a coffee shop a job; Moorehead affords her staff the opportunity to make this job a career, should they so choose. She doesn’t see them as merely names on a schedule; she treats them as a team of leaders, each one empowered. Each and every team member has the chance to grow with the business and to play an integral part in this growth. This investiture by all involved ensures that the connections made will be meaningful and the service received by the customer is the result. As an aside, we throw the word “connection” around pretty liberally, but at Nexus, there’s proof — Moorehead met her husband at Nexus, her dad met his fiancé at Nexus and two of the team members were recently married. As a coffee shop, I would be remiss to not mention the coffee. Geovanni Leiva, the owner and roaster for Leiva’s Coffee, partnered with Nexus mainly due to their shared commitment to community. Leiva came to Arkansas from Guatemala when he was 18 years old to attend UA-Little Rock. His coffee is single-origin (Leiva’s home village in Zacapa, Guatemala),
small batch and roasted right here in central Arkansas. His family inherited a plot of land in Zacapa, and all of his coffee is grown there. The Leiva family uses their coffee business and their community-mindedness to give back. They reinvest a portion of all of their proceeds back into the villages of rural Guatemala. These funds have been used to ensure running water
and electricity are available, and they have even been able to help open and operate a school for the citizens. Since families in the area are not able to afford to send their kids to school, and the children are needed at home to help out, the schools are set up using cyber classrooms which allow the children to stay at home, attend school and help the family as needed. Every bean of Leiva’s Coffee is roasted by hand in small batches. It is shipped out daily to ensure that you have the freshest coffee possible. And, a fun fact, each variety of coffee that Leiva’s produces is named after one of Geovanni Leiva’s family members, so you know he stands behind his product. The team at Nexus brings it all together for you. The drinks offered at Nexus range from the classic signature drip coffee to the Nitro Coldbrew and everything in between. The Nitro Coldbrew, if you are not familiar, is a process of using nitrogen to cold brew the coffee while infusing it with different flavors, then it is served from a tap. With summer on the horizon, this is a great option for those who want a cup of coffee, but maybe not a hot cup in hundreddegree temperatures. It also has a bit more caffeine than your typical cup. Current flavor infusions include Chocolate Stout, Blueberry Basil, Raspberry Lemonade and Arnold Palmer. If you can’t choose and you are curious, you can order a Nitro Flight. Fruit smoothies, looseleaf teas, beer and wine are also available. Nexus also serves breakfast and lunch every day. Breakfast sandwiches and bagels dominate the breakfast menu, while gourmet sandwiches are the bill of fare at lunch. When you’re in, don’t forget about the made-in-house baked goods and breads, which include cinnamon rolls, scones, cookies, muffins and cake pops as well as cheesecakes made by Cinnalightful Bakery. Being community-focused, Nexus makes sure to do what they can to actively bring people together. Firstly, they offer spaces for different coworking needs. These meeting spaces include a printer, a TV with HDMI inputs, Wi-Fi and even an old-school dry erase board. Every Saturday night, there is live music as part of the Saturday Serenade Series from 6 - 9 p.m. Once a month, Tuesday Trivia takes place, so bring some friends to test your knowledge and have a little competitive fun. On every third Friday of the month, bring your stories or just your attention to Pour Over Prose, an open mic night for storytellers. Art Shows also take place throughout the year paired up with 2nd Friday Art Night. Nexus celebrates the creative, and this can be anything — it is not just limited to
paint and music. There aren’t many coffee shops around that have this much going on. Moorehead obviously knows the importance of kinship and cooperative spirit. This is shown in her efforts at Nexus. She has this mindfulness because she understands and appreciates the fact that she and Nexus wouldn’t be where they are without support. Owning a business is not easy, and anyone who tells you it is just isn’t being truthful. Without this reciprocal relationship of you supporting your community and your community supporting you, you cannot survive. If you cannot survive, you are never given a chance to thrive. Moorehead and Nexus are thriving in the very short time that they have been around. They recently opened a second location of Nexus in the Central Arkansas Main Library at 100 Rock Street called the Nexus Nook. This satellite location has a simplified menu but still holds true to the ambitious mission of Nexus. The Nook offers a comfortable gathering place for you, your club, business or group. Look for unique events, workshops and educational events in this unique space. The Nook is located on the ground floor of the library. Also, coming soon is a third location of the Nexus family. They have secured a collaboration with Mosaic Church on Colonel Glenn off University. They plan to open this summer. Moorehead mentioned that they were drawn to the focus and diversity of Mosaic. Nexus Coffee and Creative started on Amy Moorehead’s napkin in 2016. In less than three years, it has grown exponentially to reach even more people with great coffee and conversation. If you are looking for something a little more than your typical coffee shop, where laptops and headphones are always welcome, but you may find yourself disconnecting from those devices to connect with the person next to you, then Nexus is for you.
Nexus is located at 301B President Clinton Avenue, across from the Rev Room. They are open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The hours at the Nook and Mosaic will vary slightly. Follow Nexus and Nexus Nook on Facebook and Instagram, and you can find out more at nexuscoffeear.com.
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Veterinarian Hosts Dog-Friendly Event with Tricks Competition to Support Nonprofit Dr. Marlow Ball, of SOMA Animal Clinic and House Calls, wanted to do something to support Arkansans for Animals, a local nonprofit that offers low-cost spay and neuter services. She’d had her eye on the Bernice Garden for a few years now, which hosts the local farmer’s market during the summer and is a quick walk from her clinic in the SOMA (South Main) area. “They do such important work,” Ball said. “We’re never going to get on top of our overpopulation problem if we don’t get on top of spay and neuter.” She developed the first annual Dog Days of Summer, a dog- and family-friendly event at the Bernice Gardens on June 8, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. “I’ve been wanting to work with the market for two years now,” Ball explained. “It’s so much fun, and it’s already like a dog party.” The day will be all about fun, with local vendors, pupsicles, brothy snow cones, face painting stations and splash pads for both dogs and kids. Local music will set the tone, and Ball will give a dog safety talk at 1:45 p.m. followed by a dog trick contest at 2 p.m. Elizabeth Silverstein, a dog trainer with Telltail Dog Training, will have a booth at the event and joined forces with Ball. “Little Rock is a wonderfully dog-friendly city,” Silverstein shared.“I wanted to help with another fun opportunity for people to include their dogs in a memorable way.” There are limited vendor booths available, but there are still splash pad sponsorships, snow cone stations and opportunities to donate prizes for the dog trick contest. And, of course, there will be no limit on the good time to be had by humans and dogs. Ball believes deeply in the importance of pain management and early intervention, a methodology she’s held to during her six years as a small animal veterinarian. She’s practiced general medicine, surgery and emergency medicine over her career, and she opened SOMA Animal Clinic and House Calls in 2018. Silverstein has been working with dogs since 2012, and she has a passion for rescue. Silverstein trained dogs in Philadelphia before moving to Little Rock in 2018. She started her own dog training business, Telltail Dog Training, in April of 2019. Much like Ball, she prioritizes building relationships and utilizing fear-free methods with her clients. Contact Elizabeth Silverstein at telltaildog@ gmail.com or Marlow Ball at somaanimalclinic@ gmail.com 14
Open daily at 3pm
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Live music Fri. & Sat. nights
A Counter Culture Shop
CBD now available!
MAY
3rd
Aaron Kamm and the One Drops
4th
POPE
10th
Opal Agafia and the Sweet Nothings
11th The Standby
23rd Sweetwater Tap
Takeover feat. Grayson Shelton - 7pm
JUNE
1st
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9th
Rikki D
El Dub Garrett T Caps and Dylan Earl 8pm (Free show)
14th Robert Kimbrough Sr. 15th Kadela
21st Brick Fields 22nd The Going Jessies 28th Polyester Robot
Sunday Brunch 12-3pm! full schedule & food menu: www.fourquarterbar.com
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hat started out as a personal desire for quality fast healthy food options, has turned into a local fitness and clean eating staple. The Clean Eatery takes great pride in offering only the freshest organic foods and maintaining five-start quality ratings. The biggest gap in fitness, weight loss/gain and athletics are the foods we eat. When trying to stay on track, it's nice to have somewhere to go that supports your goals and satisfies your taste buds. We all want to eat healthier, but sometimes it takes too long to think of a recipe, go shopping for all the ingredients, and find the time to actually cook the meals from scratch. Meal prep services are popping up all over the country, and now you can let someone else do the healthy cooking without hiring a personal chef.
How does one go about choosing a meal prep service that is right for them? "Know what your personal individual goals are. Are you considering these meals because you want to save time, because you want to lose weight, because you want to increase the variety in your diet?" owner Ryan Merritt-McGehee said. “Calorie based diets can leave you feeling empty or full but without sufficient nutrition for your body to perform with. Because this is an overwhelming amount of metabolic research for most people, they simply ignore it. We removed those errors and do it for you. We take into account your body type when you enroll and provide portions based on each person's body type and have created substitutes for Gluten Free and Vegan recipes." If you want to check out the different options available, go to The Clean Eatery website at www.cleaneaterylr. com. All the programs are for 5 days of food with new menus posted every week. If keeping the “eat healthy” resolution is a difficult one for you, The Clean Eatery breaks
the stigma as far as what people associate when they think of a diet. Some meals on the menu include Pineapple Habanero Pork Chops, Citrus-Lime shrimp over rice noodles, Asian Turkey Burgers, and Red Potato Hash with Eggs and Bacon. Hungry yet? There are new meals every week so you definitely won’t get bored. Need a gift idea? How about a Clean Eatery gift certificate? Give the gift of great, fresh food and good health. Gift certificates are set denominations. Meal plans vary from basic to custom, so come in today and find one that will work for you. Basic Plan - 15 meals Most people are simply looking for "healthier options" or "convenience". Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner for 5 days. This program is designed to help those with basic needs and leaves room to use your own resources for snacks, protein shakes, and leaves more room for eating out or cooking at home. Complete Plan - 20 Meals + 5 snacks This program is designed for those who are active and have the need to "Eat to Perform" It is designed to be 4 meals a day plus a snack for 5 days. People who buy this program are often always on the go, athletes, busy families, and those who like to avoid shopping and cooking altogether. Custom Diet - 20 Meals + 5 Snacks The Clean Eatery knows that not every person they prep for has the same needs and wants. Because everybody is different, you can work one on one with one of the dieticians to come up with a diet that's right for you. Perhaps you already have a trainer, a doctor prescribed program, or a nutritionist. They can do those diets, too! To learn more or to enroll in corporate, individual or family meal plans, visit:
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BE A LOCALIST. By Kaitlin Schmidt
Dining in Little Rock with your Furry Bestie - Elizabeth Silverstein
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a natural fit for the neighborhood. “Hillcrest is a very walkable neighborhood and almost everybody has a dog,” Bolanos said. “Plus, we’re pet lovers, so we wanted to have that option.”
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barking, jumping or roaming. “That’s not really conducive to other patrons dining,” Bolanos said. “I think the biggest thing is a pet that is able to sit and relax with their companions. We love friendly dogs. We love to pet them and say hi to them and if someone wants to say hi to your dog too, we would never discourage that in any way. It’s kind of the same thing as children. We try not to let anyone run around, tripping over people because it’s not conducive to a welcoming environment.” Robinson also asks that patrons consider the time of day and whether there are going to be people dancing, any loud music or a lot of foot traffic. “It’s almost like taking children to a restaurant,” Robinson shared. “If you have children who misbehave and you know it’s going to be a super tedious task, most of the time you’re not going to go out with our kids to a packed restaurant. Same with dogs. The majority of people who bring their dogs in know they’re going to be well behaved. I like seeing it. I like giving them a bowl of water, a treat here and there. It helps foster that neighborhood atmosphere. When you have a good neighborhood bar, you want to be able to bring your best friend with you, even if that’s an animal or a dog.”
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or Conan Robinson, owner of Four Quarter Bar, it’s all about understanding the neighborhood. “Being a neighborhood bar, you want to be able to cater to the people who live in your neighborhood,” Robinson said. Four Quarter Bar offers late-night drinks, food and music in the Argenta Arts District of North Little Rock, an area that has been expanding over the past few years. “A lot of the time, people will go on a nice walk with their dog during the day,” Robinson said. “They stop by for a drink, and I’m okay with that. We’ve got a patio out back, and a lot of people take their dog out to the patio.” Sarah Bolanos, Manager and Owner of La Terraza Rum and Lounge, shares similar sentiments. La Terraza is family-owned by two generations, offering Venezuelan and Spanish influenced cuisine in the Hillcrest area of Little Rock. “We’re very family friendly in general, and for a lot of people, that includes their pet,” Bolanos said. “We don’t want people to feel discouraged in any way. We have toys on the patio for a reason. We want people to know we’re a relaxed family atmosphere. Latin culture very much believes in always being together as a family. You take your kids everywhere and anywhere with you and they may be out until 10 o’clock asleep in a booth, or later.” La Terraza offers multi-level patio seating, with an entrance to the street, and Bolanos found that offering pet-friendly seating was
...offering pet-friendly seating was a natural fit for the neighborhood.
Bolanos considers La Terraza to be pet friendly in general. “ I don’t think that if somebody wanted to walk their cat, we would turn them away,” she said. “It’s just not typical.” But they also have a contest just for the pups — a Patio Pooch Mascot Contest that takes place every year during Harvestfest. Anyone who brings their dog to La Terraza and takes a photo on the patio is eligible. The photo is used year-round to promote the space as pet friendly, and the winner can take home a whole pig leg bone every month for the entire year. “People still don’t know that we are pet friendly and we’re still trying to get that word out there,” said Bolanos. And while the atmosphere for both Four Quarter and La Terraza is relaxed and friendly, both Robinson and Bolanos look for manners in their four-legged guests — preferably no
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LITTLE ROCK NIGHT MARKET
FRENCH CONNECTION CULTURE EXCLUSIVES AG JEANS RVCA HIPPYTREE BRIXTON BARNEY COOLS
ReMix Ideas is proud to announce that the Little Rock Night Market season starts this month on Friday, May 3, 2019, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Bernice Garden in Downtown Little Rock, 1401 S. Main St. The monthly market will include an eclectic mix of food, drinks, live music, vendors and more. The Night Market is FREE and open to the public and will last through November. “Our mission is to provide a platform that brings the community together through food and music while celebrating the diversity within our city and encouraging people to support local entrepreneurs. The Night Market theme is One City. One Love,” said the ReMix Ideas CEO, Benito Lubazibwa. “We are thrilled to offer this free event to our city, come and join us for an evening of fun while supporting local vendors.” The strategic intent of the Little Rock Night Market is to provide a platform for local chefs, startups, artists, and entrepreneurs to showcase their imagination and strengthen the local economy by creating a space that encourage shoppers to buy local. The other major side of Night Market is working with the local community experiencing homelessness. “We are working to find a holistic sustainable solution which will include permanent employment, housing, health and mental health services. Our strategic intent is to build a more just and equitable city.”
For more information about Little Rock Night Market, please contact us at LRNightMarket@gmail.com or www. littlerocknightmarket.com 18
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MAY » » » May Festival of the Arts All of May
To say that Eureka Springs is a colorful community is an understatement. There’s an overall creative vibe running through the historic arts village driven by more than 350 working artists in all mediums. The 31st annual May Festival of the Arts is packed with one-of-a-kind art exhibits, demonstrations, performances, free music in the park, and the wildest street party thrown by artists – The White Street Walk. For a full schedule, locations, times, etc. visiteurekaspringsfestivalofthearts.org. Location: Eureka Springs
DC Wonder Woman 5K/10K May 11 Get your cape on and join your fellow Super Heroes when you run or walk the Little Rock DC Wonder Woman™ 5K or 10K! Experience heroic race course entertainment, earn the stunning DC Wonder Woman finisher’s medal and celebrate with your fellow super heroes at the post race party! Location: Clinton Presidential Center
3rd Annual Hot Springs Craft Beer Festival May 10-12
8th Annual Hot Springs Fishing Challenge May 1 - July 31
This event benefits the Hot Springs Blues Society & will include sample craft beers, local food and prizes! You must be 21 or older to join in the fun, so this makes a great date night event. For 2019, along with the popular Five Beer Five K, and the Hot Springs Craft Beer Festival, we are adding the Hot Springs Poker Ride (a fun bicycle event), and the Hot Springs Beer Brunch (beer-based breakfast, yummy).
JThe eighth Annual Hot Springs Fishing Challenge on Lakes Hamilton and Catherine in Hot Springs is going to be the biggest ever. Seventy-one fish will be tagged and released into the lakes. Beginning at 6 a.m. on May 1 and running through 5 p.m. on July 31, anyone who catches one of the tagged fish stands to win a prize. Clues will be given out during June and July about Big Al if he has not been caught by then. The prize fish will include this distribution:
Location: Hot Springs Convention Center
35th Annual International Greek Food Festival May 17-18 Join the 35th Annual International Greek Food Festival from Friday, May 17-Sunday, May 19 at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Little Rock for a family-friendly weekend filled with food, fun, and fundraising. Admission is $3 or three canned food items for the Arkansas Foodbank. Parking and trolley service are free. The festival will be held from Friday, May 17 - Saturday, May 18 from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday, May 19 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, visit greekfoodfest.com. Location: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
$15,000: 1 $5,000: 4 $1,000: 46 $500: 20 How It Works: Seventy-one (71) tagged fish (total) will be released in Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine. The fish released will be largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, white bass, crappie, and walleye. The tags will have a phone number and a prize number on them. If a fish is caught the angler must call the number and present the fish with the tag attached. For additional information call Steve Arrison at 501-321-2027. Location: Lake Catherine & Lake Hamilton
Elizabeth Silverstein of Telltail Dog Training offers group classes, private in-home sessions and mid-day walk and train sessions, all designed for busy schedules. All training methods are based on positive reinforcement, stressing understanding and communication.
Your dog has a story...
You’re not sure what’s going on.
Elizabeth can help.
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Come see us this summer @ TFTCA! Summer Camp Dates June 11-14, June 25-28, Â July 9-12, July 23-26, August 6-9 8:30-Noon; Tuesday-Friday. *Advanced Camp (11+) June 18-21 Session 3 Weekday/Saturday Classes (June 1 - July 20)
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Junior Tournaments First Tee Junior Classic - May 25 Register Online or in the Pro Shop!!
TheFirstTeeAR.org 501.562.GOLF (4653)
JUNE
»»»
4th Annual PK Grills Cookout June 1 This annual gathering of PK Grill owners and outdoor cooking enthusiasts of all kinds takes place on Saturday, June 1, at the historic War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas and is open to the public. In addition to fire, smoke, food and fun, more than $10,000 in money and prizes will be given away. Location: War Memorial Stadium
Paramount's Laser Spectacular— Featuring the Music of Pink Floyd June 7 Paramount’s Laser Spectacular is the smash hit multi-media laser and light show, featuring the Original Master Recordings of Pink Floyd. Over the years, Laser Spectacular has become a cultural phenomenon; carrying fans away on a mind-expanding journey, driven by cuttingedge effects, high-powered lasers, and large screen video projection; all choreographed to the masterful soundtrack of Pink Floyd. For details on the Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular go to www.pinkfloydlasershow.com Location: Robinson Center
Urban Farm Fest June 6 Urban Farm Fest is a lively evening featuring Little Rock’s favorite food trucks, music, drinks from local breweries, a variety of lawn games and, of course, plenty of farm animals. Your ticket includes food trucks and drinks, including beer and beverages created from ingredients grown at Heifer Urban Farm and supports the work of Heifer International's USA Program! Attendees must be 21 or older. Location: Heifer Urban Farm
61st Annual Auto Show and Swap Meet June 12 This annual antique car show is co-hosted by the Mid-America Old Time Automobile Association and the Museum of Automobiles on Petit Jean Mountain. Classic and vintage automobiles from all over the region are on display. Call the museum at (501) 727-5427 for more information. Location: Museum of Automobiles on Petit Jean Mountain
NEW MOVE-IN SPECIAL
58th Young Arkansas Artists Exhibition at Arkansas Arts Center through June 30th The creativity of Arkansas students will be on view at the Arkansas Arts Center April 30 through June 30, 2019. Now in its 58th year, the annual Young Arkansas Artists Exhibition showcases artwork by Arkansas students to celebrate the artistic talent and achievement of Arkansas students. An annual crowd-pleaser, Young Arkansas Artists features works by Arkansas students – from kindergarten through high school – in a wide range of mediums and techniques. This year, 500 works in a variety of media were entered by 145 public and private school educators, homeschool educators and private art instructors from all corners of the state. Following submission, a panel of art professionals selected the top works from each grade to be exhibited at the Arkansas Arts Center. The panel selected 79 works for the exhibition, representing 47 schools across the state. Each winning artist’s school receives a monetary award to support its art program. Location: Arkansas Arts Center
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22
Theresa Fincher: Taking the Reins on Wellness - April Lane
In our communities, we do not have to search far and wide to find someone who has been affected by some devastating illness. Most us know at least one person who has battled cancer. No matter what the outcome may be, each story is part of the framework that makes up the role that cancer fills in our lives and our society. Theresa Fincher, a woman who has taken cancer by the reins, was kind enough to share her story, successful on the outside but plagued by anxiety on the inside.
“I lacked self-love, and I put work and other’s dreams first because I didn’t think I deserved to create and follow my own dreams,” Fincher said, opening up about her adverse childhood experiences and how that shaped her view of herself and remarking on just how deeply disconnected she felt from herself and the deep resentments she held that made their way to the surface in the form of an aggressive cancer diagnosis. Her body began showing symptoms, but due to her busy and stressful career she did not take the time to address them until her body crashed and she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. “Unfortunately, when you are first diagnosed, everyone and their mother becomes an expert and provides you with unsolicited advice. You are sick, scared out of your mind, exhausted and confused. You get bombarded,” Fincher said. She did a couple of things that she believes really supported her first few steps in the process. The first was getting very clear on what was important: “For me, it was to have a quality of life and to heal from the
inside out versus going after it from the outside in.” The second was to surround herself with a small group of friends, a team, to research for her in certain areas which allowed her to simply focus on relevant material. She makes sure to say, “If it did not feel right, I did not do it.” Fincher found a team of doctors, practitioners and a support system that met her exactly where she needed to be met. “It was not fighting the cancer or beating the cancer. I found my approach within uncovering my ‘stuff,’ which I called ‘C-answer,’” she said. Fincher focused her energy on combining her efforts by bridging the physical and medicinal with the emotional and spiritual. Utilizing yoga, meditation, prayer and tai-chi as well as restructuring her entire diet, she eliminated food that perpetuated inflammation, such as sugar, meat with anti-bodies and hormones and gluten. She utilized hyperbaric oxygen therapy, acupuncture and acupressure. She does daily routines to support her nervous system and works with her team to craft each step tailored specifically to her needs. She declined the more aggressive forms of treatment such as chemotherapy and radiation, opting to take a more versatile approach. Two years later, her recovery is on track and she is a champion in every form of the word. According to Fincher, much of her work in recovery from this illness has been focused on the emotional plane. Adverse childhood experience is a leading indicator of long-term health issues. “I have been extremely focused on rewiring my neural pathways so that I can minimize the overuse of adrenaline within my body system,” Fincher said. She believes that toxic stress is the most damaging of all to us and our loved ones, and Fincher wanted to do something about that. She has partnered with Linda and Sue Nabors, owners of a beautiful farm in Bee Branch, Ark., that is inhabited by predominantly retired racehorses. Fincher and her husband Rhett have teamed up with Linda Nabors to start Savvy Racing, which is focused on developing racehorses to run without whips, chains or drugs. She is also starting up an organization called Gia Milagro, or “God’s Gracious Miracle,” which is part of The I Love You Project she started to host seminars, workshops and coach those looking to find balanced wellness through mind, body and spirit. Fincher is training horses for her upcoming Equine-Guided Wellness Retreats. They plan on developing this program in 2020 for both children and adults who have faced trauma. When asked what her focus is, her response was simple and gracious: “My focus
is to live every day to its fullest by living my purpose and that work, my work, is a reflection of that. The more we can change the way we interact with our children, the more we can alter health for the better.” Fincher has a philosophy that each person has their own unique story. “Every single person has their own story, their own set of circumstances, their own challenges, and every person has a right to choose their own path. We can learn from others if we stay open to it. Expressing judgment, opinions and negativity is only a reflection of how a person feels about themselves. In everything, there is balance,” she said. Fincher wants to support those who have faced adverse childhood experiences so that they can begin reversing how they feel and address situations that perpetuate stress in their lives, which leads to negatively affected body systems.
Fincher’s two-day equine-guided wellness retreats begin at the end of May. Participants will get to work with horses as well as participate in meditation, yoga, chakra work, bio-mat treatments and more. Anyone interested may visit theiloveyouproject.org/gia-milagro to learn more. She also has a toxic stress webinar scheduled on May 7 that will go into about adverse childhood experience on our body systems, and more information on that can be found at theiloveyouproject.org/teatime. Fincher can be reached at theresa@ theiloveyouproject.org or (763) 234-6210. 23
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These advertisements paid for with a combination of private and state matching funds. www.ozarkmountainregion.com
Authorized Concessioner
Buffalo River Outfitters is authorized to provide canoe rentals and transportation services within the Buffalo National River.