SAVVYkids | December 2022

Rachel’s Workshop

SOWING — AND SEWING — JOY DURING THE HOLIDAYS AND BEYOND

Nutritious & Delicious

The Pulaski County Special School District is committed to providing well-rounded and nutritious meals to our students. Part of ensuring that all of our students receive breakfast and lunch is making sure families know all of their options to pay for these meals.

Completing your application can help in many areas beyond just free or reduced price meals. These include:

• Increased funding for schools to ensure students received the support they need and deserve

• Discounts on fees associated with applying for college

• Discounts on fees associated with academic tests such as the ACT, SAT and Advanced Placement (AP)

• Discount on fees associated with participating in athletics programs in the district

• Increased technology funds to improve internet access, wireless and network services

• Receive discount on fees associated with some Pulaski County Community Education courses

PCSSD accepts Free and Reduced Lunch applications throughout the year. The application is available online at bit.ly/PCSSD_FRLApp. Once the application is received, a determination of eligibility will be made within 10 days. Until you receive a written notification letter from the Student Nutrition Department that your student is eligible for free or reduced prices meals, full payment must be made for each meal received. Notification from any other source, or any means other than written, is not valid.

“Families have a lot of stressors in their lives,” said Student Nutrition Director Regena English. “We want to eliminate the stress of trying to figure out what to pack for your kids lunch box or how to afford a school lunch. The dollar doesn’t quite go as far as it used to, but one thing that should not be in jeopardy is a student’s opportunity to get a healthy school meal. We are here to help you and we want to help you make sure your student is fueled to learn.”

A dozen PCSSD schools have qualified for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program for the 2022-2023 school year. CEP is a non-pricing meal service option for schools and school districts in low-income areas that allows high poverty schools to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to all enrolled students without collecting free and reduced

lunch applications. The participating schools this year include Cato Elementary, College Station Elementary, Crystal Hill Elementary, Daisy Bates Elementary, Harris Elementary, Joe T. Robinson Middle, Landmark Elementary, Lawson Elementary, Mills University Studies High, Mills Middle, Oak Grove Elementary, William Jefferson Clinton Elementary.

ABOUT PCSSD

Pulaski County Special School District spans more than 600 square miles in central Arkansas and requires highly skilled and passionate personnel to adapt educational policies and personalization to 26 schools. Every school is accredited by the Arkansas State Board of Education. PCSSD has served schools across Pulaski County since July 1927.

PCSSD is committed to creating a nationally recognized school district that assures that all students achieve at their maximum potential through collaborative, supportive and continuous efforts of all stakeholders.

DECEMBER 2022 NEWS & NOTES

LIVING NATIVITIES

Two options: drive-thru or interactive event

A FERNCLIFF CHRISTMAS Dec.

9-11

A Ferncliff Christmas is back! This event offers a chance to experience the Nativity Story in a whole new way. Enjoy an interactive Nativity Trail, Alternative Gift Market, festive food and drink and more! You’ll even have the chance to feed Mary’s tired donkey — and you know that donkey is tired!

Admission is free; parking is $5; purchase a ticket to reserve a time slot at eventbrite.com.

Ferncliff is also offering a Winter Camp for campers in 3rd8th grade Dec. 21-23.

ferncliff.org/about-camp/winter-camp/ for info.

DRIVE-THRU LIVE NATIVITY

Dec. 18, 6-8 p.m.

Pinnacle View United Methodist Church, 20100 Cantrell Road

Experience the Nativity Story from the comfort of your car. The whole gang will be there: shepherds, donkeys, sheep, angels, wise men, baby Jesus and more. There will also be treats from therapy dogs and music. The event is free, but donations for the Community Pet Ministry are appreciated. The live animals will be provided by Cockrills Country Critters.

GLOWILD SANTA SUNDAYS

Dec. 4, 11 & 18, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Meet Mr. Claus at Cafe Africa at the Little Rock Zoo! There will also be live music, food and drink.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Dec 10, 10-11:30 a.m.

Arkansas Governor’s Mansion

What does Santa eat for breakfast? Donut hos! (original joke BTW). Santa looks forward to hearing all those wellrehearsed Christmas lists during this nonpartisan event.

DOUBLE THE FUN (RUN)

Two Rivers Park

JINGLE BELL RUN Dec. 3, 9-11:30 a.m.

Wear your favorite holiday costume and spread good cheer for a great cause. Benefiting the Arthritis Foundation, this 5K fun run is for the whole family. Jingle all the way to find a cure for arthritis and have a jolly good time! Run, walk, skip or prance. Dogs and reindeer welcome.

UGLY SWEATER RACE & ELF DASH

Dec. 17, 9-11 a.m.

The kids’ portion of this event, The Elf Dash, is an untimed race for children 10 and under. The course is less than one-fourth mile, and parents are welcome to run with their children.

Participants will receive a long-sleeved cotton shirt, official race number and treat-filled stocking.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS

Sherwood’s Enchanted Forest Trail of Lights is a mile-long, drive-thru trail guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit. Pro-tip: Due to its popularity, the line can be really long. We suggest packing a picnic to enjoy while waiting in the car. Otherwise, you’ll hear more whining than jingle bells. Some of us learned the hard way. Sherwood Sports Complex, 420 Dee Jay Hudson Drive; runs from 6-9:30 p.m. through Dec. 30; admission is free, donations are appreciated.

Garvan Woodland Gardens’ magical, wildly popular Holiday Lights are back! A cherished tradition for many, Holiday Lights transitioned to a pared-down daytime version for the past couple of years but has now returned in all its glory. Purchase tickets online. Runs from 4-9 p.m. through Dec. 31; closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. garvangardens.org.

HOLIDAY SHOWS

THE NUTCRACKER SPECTACULAR Dec. 9-11 Robinson Center

The largest and longest running holiday production in Arkansas, the “Nutcracker Spectacular” features live music by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and a cast and crew of nearly 400. Shop the Nutcracker Boutique in the lobby and take home a memento. tickets@balletarkansas.org.

CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS LIVE Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m.

Reynolds Performance Hall, Conway

A fresh take on the timeless animated classic that gives the audience a completely new way of experiencing it. Rediscover the true meaning of Christmas as Linus, that blanket-wielding sage, expounds upon the essence of the holiday.

EDUCATING AND EMPOWERING YOUNG PEOPLE ONE STITCH AT A TIME

By Katherine Wyrick

Photos by Brian Chilson

Mama, entrepreneur, artist, artisan, business owner — these are some of the descriptors that apply to Rachel Lovelace. What they fail to capture, however, are her strength, passion and beauty — and the creative spark that drives her many pursuits. Put simply, Lovelace shines.

As founder of RayLoveThreads, a custom bag business, and the Young Designers Academy, Lovelace now shares her passion — and light — with others.

Creativity is threaded through the generations of Lovelace’s family. Her grandmother taught her to quilt and crochet as a child; her mother is a beautician, seamstress and Jill of all trades; and her father is a musician, singer and artist. They all encouraged Lovelace in her artistic endeavors, whether it was playing the clarinet or drawing. “My grandmother was a big influence,” she said. So were both of her parents. Lovelace’s mom is a self-taught seamstress who learned by working from patterns — no easy task. “Now that is real talent,” Lovelace said.

As a child, Lovelace explored her place in the world through art. “I used to draw myself in all these different cultures. I’ve always had a big imagination and wanted to do things differently, my own way,” she said. When she was older, she would deconstruct clothes but couldn’t figure out how to put them back

together. All that changed when she took a sewing class in college and made her first bag.

At YDA, which she founded in 2021, Lovelace offers beginning and intermediate six-week courses for kids ages 7-15 at The Studio Downtown in Conway. Students get to select fabrics and create their own designs from start to finish. This year, they’ll get to show them off from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, at YDA’s Pop and Color Fashion Show, part of Conway Art Walk.

Never short on ideas for new projects, Lovelace has also taught themed classes like a one-night-only daddy-daughter event where they made a sweet keepsake — pillows crafted out of dads’ old button-down shirts. She has also hosted a ladies’ night where they made wine tote bags. Lovelace hopes to expand YDA’s reach to Little Rock and also include classes for young adults in the near future. This month she is holding a workshop at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center (see details below).

In addition to creativity, Lovelace’s family instilled in her faith, civic mindedness and a desire to give back to her community. Lovelace

has worked with Cutwell 4 Kids in Hot Springs — a nonprofit that promotes artistic expression — and led an afterschool program with the Hot Springs School District. She offers scholarships for YDA and has partnered with the juvenile court system to teach kids the art of sewing. In recognition of her achievements, she was just nominated for The Women’s Leadership Academy in Conway.

“YDA is about more than just sewing to me. It’s about giving kids the opportunity to express themselves,” Lovelace said. She also noted its other benefits, like improving fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination and boosting confidence and self-esteem.

Lovelace’s daughters, Skylen, age 10, and Forever, age 3, are already distinguishing themselves as artists in their own right. A budding designer, Skylen has made her own pajama pants and bags. They come from a long line of creators, and their mama is there to guide and support them, every step — and stitch — of the way.

rachel’s

ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HERITAGE HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

What’s the holiday season without a bit of frolicking? The Historic Arkansas Museum is hosting its Annual Frolic from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4. Get ready for some oldfashioned fun.

The Old State House Museum will hold an open house, details TBD.

The Arkansas Arts Council is partnering with the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center to celebrate the holidays for MTCC’s Holiday Open House from 4-5 p.m. Dec. 4. Kids ages 10-12 are invited to take part in a free sewing workshop with Rachel Lovelace. They’ll get to create and take home a special holiday gift. Registration required.

FREE HOLIDAY FAMILY FUN IDEAS FROM CALS

With out-of-town visitors and kids out of school, you may be looking for things to do. Thankfully, the Central Arkansas Library System — with its 15 branches — has plenty! Your library card is your ticket to FREE holiday fun.

Movies

CALS has an extensive DVD collection, including Binge Boxes. Each box contains four to six DVDs that center around a theme (holiday, actor, director, you name it) enough to knock out an entire afternoon or weekend. If the library is closed, you can log on to one of the many streaming platforms, including Kanopy or Hoopla (great for all those Hallmark movies). All you need is your library card.

Library of Things

Some items are available at any branch while others live at a specific location. At Nixon you can borrow toys and puzzles for kids; fishing poles, bird-watching kits and telescopes can be picked up at any location; and Dee Brown has all the tools that Santa needs to assemble new toys.

Cookbooks

Whether you’re hosting a holiday celebration or just looking for something new to bake, CALS has a full collection of new and classic cookbooks. With more than 6,000 books to choose from, you’re bound to find your next favorite festive recipe.

Grab & Go Activities

Originally developed during the pandemic as a way to have library craft time at home, Grab & Go bags became such a huge hit that the library made them a permanent fixture. Swing by your local branch and pick up some Grab & Ho-ho-ho fun.

Curl Up With a Good Book

Of course, you can always just don your PJs and enjoy a laidback storytime with a favorite book.

SAVVY kids

at SAVVYkidsAR.com

PUBLISHER | Brooke Wallace | brooke@arktimes.com EDITOR | Katherine Wyrick | katherinewyrick@arktimes.com

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE | Lesa Thomas | lesa@arktimes.com ART DIRECTOR | Sarah Holderfield Find more

two-story climber now open!

Museum of Discovery's two-story, three-tower climber has finally opened to explorers of all ages! Looking for the perfect gift this holiday season? A museum membership provides a year of educational, hands-on fun!