Fayetteville, AR August 2024

Cheers to Fayetteville!

Hey there, Fayetteville!

I’m Anna VanHorn, Managing Editor and Creative Director for Fayetteville City Lifestyle. I’m coming up on the 25th anniversary of moving to Fayetteville and couldn’t be happier to call this eclectic little town of ours “home.”

I love everything that Fayetteville has to offer and am proud to have frequented and worked at some of the most iconic places around town. I bartended at Maxine’s Taproom when Maxine herself still came in every day (and boy, do I have some stories). I’ve waited tables at U.S. Pizza, sold CDs at the (now closed) CD Warehouse, worked in PR at the Walton Arts Center, and served as the social media manager for the Fayetteville Roots Festival for 12 years.

My passion has always been music, which led me to get a degree in Music Journalism and Communications. I started my writing career penning stories about musicians and music reviews for many different local, regional, and national magazines and newspapers. My journalism background eventually led me into the world of advertising, PR, and marketing, where I’m proud to have worked for some of the finest advertising agencies in the area - and the country!

Now, I’m fortunate to be a copywriting and creative direction consultant, working on a full-time freelance basis for my business, Anna VanHorn Content Creation (www.annavanhorncontentcreation.com). I’m excited to have many NWA clients that include Arvest Bank, The Sam M. Walton College of Business, BOLD! Strategies, James+James Furniture, as well as many other local and national brands. I’m thrilled to have added Fayetteville City Lifestyle to that roster and can’t believe the talent that I get to work alongside here.

My fiancé, Brad, and I live in our dream home in the most wonderful Fayetteville neighborhood that I could ever imagine. We have a 4-year old son, Asher, who just happens to be the most magical person alive-at least to me. Our favorite local hangs include George’s Majestic Lounge, Woodstone Pizza, Art’s Place, City Park, Walton Arts Center, the Fayetteville Public Library, and the Fayetteville Farmers Market.

At Fayetteville City Lifestyle, I hope to be able to share my absolute love for Fayetteville with our community, while helping to inspire and mentor our immensely creative team of writers and photographers. Getting back to my journalistic roots has been a true joy.

Here’s to Fayetteville and this lovely place where we live!

Cheers,

ANNA VAN HORN, PUBLICATION DIRECTOR

August 2024

PUBLISHER

Gavin Magee | gavin.magee@citylifestyle.com

PUBLICATION DIRECTOR

Anna Van Horn | anna.vanhorn@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Clay Ridgeway | clay.ridgeway@citylifestyle.com

PUBLISHER ASSISTANT

Riley Atkinson | riley.atkinson@citylifestyle.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Kate Gryder | kate.gryder@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Trevor Spencer, Sydney Johnson, Landon McKay

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Emily Hendrick, Cassie Thomas

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Andrew Sapad

LAYOUT DESIGNER Andi Foster

Learn

VETERINARY

CARE

We are a locally owned small business in Fayetteville. Veterinary medicine may be our profession, but enhancing the human/animal bond through life-long compassionate care is our calling. As the first and only Fear Free® certified practice in Arkansas, we hope to set a new standard in individual patient care.

Wherever life takes you, we’re here for the journey!

city scene

1: Paws and pints at Crisis Brewing Co – bring your dogs to the bar! 2: Meet Mo. Mo loves to sleep and is always ready for a walk 3: The face of a happy 3 month old puppy! 4: Mini hats for mini dachshunds! 5: A man’s best friend 6: Another pup turned 2 years old! 7: Happy 8 months of walking + crawling to Carina III

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FEAR-FREE PET CARE

How Dr. Heather Williams and Dr. Sarah Hantz brought the state’s first Fear Free certified Veterinary practice to Northwest Arkansas

Dr. Sarah Hantz and Dr. Heather Williams say their vision of Mount Comfort Veterinary Care is to “reimagine the veterinary care experience.”

In 2016, Williams and Hantz were working in a general veterinary practice together, when they discovered their similar experiences gave them both a “shared practice-philosophy and style.” One day, while at a coffee shop, Williams and Hantz began to dream of how to combine those

collective beliefs and experiences to create something new.

Williams remembered their story recently in an interview, saying, “We used to talk a lot about what we would build if we could build a practice and we would sort of joke about it. And then, one day we looked at each other and realized, you know, that we weren’t joking anymore, that we really wanted to do this, and that was the moment that Mount Comfort Veterinary Care was born.”

ARTICLE BY TREVOR SPENCER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CASSIE THOMAS

When Mount Comfort opened in 2020, Williams and Hantz decided to instill a vital component in their reimagination: a “Fear-Free” certification. The mission of FearFree is “to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress in pets by inspiring and educating the people who care for them.” Through their dedication, Williams and Hantz provided Fayetteville with the only Fear-Fear clinic in the state of Arkansas. And, most importantly, they created an environment for clients to be comfortable and cared for. “It’s really just a way we approach the needs of pets…animals feel fear and stress just as people do,” said Williams.  “When they are less stressed, we can take care of them better.”

This approach impacts their daily interactions with pets and pet owners. Hantz said that they find many ways to relieve the stress of the animals in their care. Of course, this includes things like calming medication for pets, but Hantz also emphasized the importance of “happy visits.” This is a time that the animal comes in to meet the staff and get treats, to get acclimated to the environment. Williams and Hantz say they believe in the power of the human/animal bond.  They say that placing it at the center of everything they do will provide clients with the best possible care.

Both Williams and Hantz said that their decision to become a veterinarian was born from this kind of love of animals, but that it takes more than just an affinity for pets. With so many different cases and animals, it also takes medical expertise to handle those in their care. Williams said, “You have to love the puzzle of medicine. You are constantly having to learn and evolve with things you’ve never seen before.”  Hantz said, “What keeps us going is that everyone here is so invested in continuing to learn and wanting to do the best job they can.”

Mount Comfort Veterinary Clinic is a revolutionary example of a veterinary clinic combining personal care with professional expertise. Williams, Hantz, and their team work steadily to uphold a comfortable, supportive environment for pets and pet owners, while working with local specialists to provide a number of services for healthier pets.

Services

(from the Mount Comfort Veterinary Care website)

Wellness Care: Our primary goal will always be to maintain your pet’s health and wellness... To keep your furry friends in tip top shape we offer a tailored approach to vaccinations, preventative care, and spay/neuter services.

Diagnostic Services: We are a full-service veterinary practice, offering comprehensive diagnostic services from the initial thorough examination to full laboratory and imaging capabilities when needed.

Treatment/Surgical Services: We’re here with in-depth treatment and surgical options to get your pets back to living their best life! We also know there may be times we don’t have all the answers, but through partnering with area specialists, there’s a good chance we’ll know someone who does.

MOMS, THIS ONE’S FOR YOU

ARTICLE BY SYDNEY JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY CASSIE THOMAS

Mamas, this one’s for you. While motherhood is a joyous blessing, let’s be honest: sometimes taking the kids out is daunting! You dream of a perfect, tantrum-free outing, but it doesn’t always go as planned. Just a reminder: you’re doing amazing!

With three little ones, Karissa Tonack understands the challenge. She started her Instagram page, @nwarkansasmamas, to share her love of adventure and family friendly spots with fellow moms in need of inspiration, saying, “If it’s helpful to a few moms and they feel more

confident getting out the door, I’m doing my job.” Little did she know how much of a resource she would become for other moms.

While you’ll find a goldmine of activities on her Instagram page, she’s shared some of her top recommendations here:

1. Pizzeria Ruby at the Johnson City Park - A date night hack! While the kiddos play at the park, you and your partner can enjoy a dinner date together.

2. Picnic & Play - Kids in nature will entertain themselves for HOURS. Pack lunch and take the kiddos to a creek.

3. Play Street Museum - This place provides engaging and educational activities for kids to learn as they play!

In the future, Karissa hopes to host mom meetups to connect women in a similar stage of life. If you see her out and about, say hello! She loves meeting other moms in the community. Her final advice is to leave your comfort zone one day at a time, as it becomes easier the more you do it. You’re not alone in this journey, and together, we can support and uplift each other - one mom at a time!

Karissa

Tonack:

Exploring Northwest Arkansas and beyond with kids.

• INSTAGRAM: @nwarkansasmamas

• CONTACT INFO: nwarkansasmamas@gmail.com

• PS: If you recognize her out and about, say hello! Karissa loves to meet fellow moms in the community. Her favorite part about what she does is getting to positively impact those around her.

• KARISSA’S 2024 BIRTHDAY GUIDE: Do any of your kids have a birthday coming up? If so, Karissa put together an incredible 2024 Birthday Party Guide. Complete with venues and activities all over the Northwest Arkansas area, this is a one-stop shop for the best birthday ever. She provides pricing, venue details, and tons of relevant information. You can find this free downloadable guide in her Instagram bio.

Gulley Park’s Revamp

CELEBRATING FAMILY FUN, LOCAL HISTORY, AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Gulley Park in Fayetteville has undergone exciting renovations, making it a perfect summer spot for families. The June 6th ribbon cutting marked the community’s enthusiasm for the upgrades Ted Jack, Park Planning Superintendent, says, “When I designed it, I used a lot of public feedback. We want to make each playground multigenerational and different from the others.” This project has also paved the way for other park renovations that include changes to the Bryce Davis dog park, Wilson Park stream, and Walker Park field area.

Utilizing a five-theme planning process, the Gulley Park renovations reflect Fayetteville’s rich history. Long ago, the area hosted the Butterfield Coach Overland Trail, a mail route

ARTICLE BY LANDON MCKAY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMILY HENDRICK

through the southern United States. Artist Eugene Sargent custom-built a stagecoach and cows that adorn the new playground and serve as a climbing and imagination spot.

Other renovations include a splash pad, toddler area, chess table, ping pong tables, space for yoga and other activities, as well as new restrooms. Future renovations are likely to include a dog park and pickleball/tennis courts.

Ted feels that the renovations help to bring our community together. “Social connections have reduced,” he says. “We’re designing parks to help enhance connections… I’ve seen people introducing themselves because their kids are playing together. That’s a good feeling to see that.”

BOCCA

Italian eatery & pizzeria

Serving house-made pasta, sauces, bread, mozzarella, and wood-fired steaks

5 p m to 9 p m - 7 days a week 2036 N College Ave - Fayetteville, AR www BoccaNWA com

A DOGGONE GOOD TIME

Bring your furry friend to The Natural Paw Pet Spaw for a pamper party with Fayetteville’s grooming expert, Traci Miller!

ARTICLE BY SYDNEY JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMILY HENDRICK

If your pet needs pampering, we’ve found the PAW-sitively perfect spot! The Natural Paw Pet Spaw is a doggone good time, living up to its name. Beyond grooming, The Natural Paw offers an array of services designed to make your pet feel fantastic inside and out. Traci treats every animal with utmost care and every pet parent like a friend! The spa operates by appointment only, ensuring a one-on-one grooming experience that helps even the most timid dogs feel at ease.

Prior to opening The Natural Paw, Traci worked as an exotic animal biologist. From penguins to elephants to octopuses, she worked with a variety of species before transitioning to domestic animals. Over the past decade in the grooming industry, Traci’s mission has been to build a safe space for pets - and pet parents. “I never entered this job for the profit. I want to build a culture for groomers who value quality over quantity” (Traci Miller, Owner).

I asked Traci to walk me through an appointment from a pet’s perspective, and let’s just say… It sounds glorious. Her goal in each appointment is to make the animals feel as if they were being pampered at a luxury spa. Something special about Natural Paw is that they don’t judge a dog by its cover. No matter how big, “scary looking”, or old a dog is, Traci will take the best care of them.

When a dog is scared, she knows just how to handle the situation: praise, petting, and provisions. She encourages the dog in a soothing voice, she pets the dog in a comforting manner, and she always keeps treats on hand. If the dog is too nervous to continue the appointment, she schedules a follow-up “introduction appointment.” This is where

she meets the dog and allows them to become accustomed to the grooming facility - how patient is that!

Understanding the high-stress nature of grooming, which involves handling sharp tools around a moving animal, Traci takes necessary breaks to maintain her own mental and physical well-being and provide the best care possible. This thoughtful approach not only ensures the safety and comfort of your pet but also allows even the most anxious dogs to relax and enjoy their session. For a grooming experience that prioritizes individualized care and safety, The Natural Paw Pet Spaw is the perfect choice.

*Caution; tearjerker: When asked if she had anything else to share, Traci wanted to include a thank you to her husband, Andy. Before opening The Natural Paw, she planned to join another grooming facility. However, Andy encouraged her to use her gift and start her own. Through the trials and triumphs of owning a small business, he has been through her side for it all.

For a grooming experience that prioritizes your pet’s well-being and transforms grooming into an artful and enjoyable process, The Natural Paw Pet Spaw is truly the perfect choice!

“I NEVER ENTERED THE GROOMING INDUSTRY FOR THE PROFIT. I CHOSE THIS CAREER TO

Flooring In Northwest Arkansas

Sippin'at Sunset

APRIL 26 - NOVEMBER 1

Join us at Lambeth Lounge every Friday evening for live music on the East Veranda from 5 - 8 PM! Unwind from the week with one of our handcrafted cocktails and wood-fired pizzas while overlooking Old Main Lawn.

LOCALLY-OWNED TOY STORE FULFILLING KIDS’ FANTASIES WITH TOYS AND EVENTS

Kindness & Joy Toys

“One of the biggest compliments we get is someone coming in and saying, ‘Thank you for providing this in our community’,” says Darryl.

In early 2021, Darryl and April became the proud owners of Kindness & Joy Toys and quickly fell in love with the shop. “We are very thankful for our corporate careers, but we were hoping to find a business that would allow us to have more direct community involvement. We feel so blessed because many of our customers truly feel like family,” says April. “We also love seeing relationships develop between our customers. Every Friday, the store offers free Story Times, where children gather in the shop’s Play Lab for songs, a story reading, games, crafts, and playtime. We’ve had so many friendships develop during these Story Times, not just between the children, but between the moms as well. When we hear families exchanging contact information or planning play dates, it makes us so happy... Seeing those relationships form in the community is part of why we did this.”

“One of the biggest compliments we get is someone coming in and saying, ‘Thank you for providing this in our community’,” says Darryl.

Kindness & Joy Toys’ Birthday Buckets make for the perfect birthday activity. 2-3 weeks before a kid’s birthday, they come in and fill a bucket with items they want. Kindness & Joy Toys then registers the selections online like a baby or wedding registry. The bucket is kept on the shop’s Birthday Bucket wall so that shoppers can either shop the online registry or shop directly in-store. Kids can also build their Christmas wish list buckets before the holidays. Kindness & Joy Toys beautifully wraps every gift purchase for free.

“Darryl and I came from humble beginnings,” says April. “We both were raised by very hard-working

parents, but neither of us grew up with expensive toys. It’s important to us that we provide toys that every family can afford.”

Kindness & Joy Toys offers many programs and events. They just completed one of their favorite annual programs, Planet Kindergarten, where your upcoming kindergartener learns what to expect from sessions led by local teachers. They read a book called Planet Kindergarten, answer any questions the kids (or parents) have about kindergarten, do a craft, take pictures, and receive a Planet Kindergarten t-shirt that includes their high school graduation year. April says, “It has become a shop tradition, and we love it.”

Other favorites are camps like Critter Camp and Taylor Swift Camp, and seasonal events like Shop with Santa. One of Kindness & Joy Toy’s newest additions is a Stuffy Sleepover. Kids bring their favorite stuffed animal, and, after several activities, leave their stuffies overnight. In the morning, they return to a photo album of their stuffy doing crazy things around the store.

April and Darryl value the chance to give back to the community. They are involved with Arkansas Children’s Hospital and Potter’s House toy drives plus other fundraising events throughout the year. April says, “Our customers always show up big for these annual toy drives, and we know their support of our little local shop is what allows us to give back. We feel so blessed to live in Northwest Arkansas and be a part of a community that supports one another.”

For more information on Kindness & Joy Toys, visit kindnessandjoytoys.com and check out the online calendar for upcoming events.

ARTICLE BY TREVOR SPENCER

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Lunch Buddies

ASBELL ELEMENTARY’S LUNCH BUDDY PROGRAM CREATES MEANINGFUL MENTOR RELATIONSHIPS, OFFERING STUDENTS CONSISTENT CARE, SUPPORT, AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

“It takes a village.” That’s what they say it takes to raise a child. From the teachers and staff to the maintenance team to those that provide meals, each person working at Asbell Elementary creates a space for kids to grow in their education and personal development.

However, Asbell’s School Counselor Cameron Magness says there is another essential member of that team: a lunch buddy. “The Lunch Buddy program is a mentorship program, where adults are able to care, love, and support our kids,” said Magness.

“The Lunch Buddy program is a mentorship program, where adults are able to care, love, and support our kids,” said Cameron Magness.

Around seven years ago, Melanie Faught’s church missions pastor, Greg Gibson, was seeking ways to serve Fayetteville Public Schools. After an exploratory meeting, Faught felt a nudge to drive to Asbell. There, she met Cameron Magness, and together, along with Gibson, they organized the Lunch Buddy program.

Faught said, “Cameron’s enthusiasm & willingness to take on the extra workload of Lunch Buddies has made our partnership a success.”

For many children in need of personal encouragement, Lunch Buddies serves as a way to create a loving and steady relationship. Faught said that the kids feel valued when they know their buddy is coming to school just to see them. “That consistent involvement can help a buddy’s bad day turn good,” Fought said. “Our volunteers have supported their buddies during challenging times and have also cheered them on in their accomplishments.”

Now, as the program is headed by Christ Church, Faught continues to work steadily to provide Asbell and other schools with consistent encouragement and mentorship to kids.

“The more our Christ Church community has personally gotten to know Asbell families and staff, the more our church has discovered ways to serve them,” said Faught. “And, because of that, both communities have been blessed.”

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Stone Chapel Kennel and Cattery

OFFERING QUALITY PET CARE AND BOARDING IN FAYETTEVILLE.

A familiar site at the end near the end of Mount Comfort Road in Fayetteville is a large white building with a green roof. Inside, you will find some very happy dogs and cats, cared for by the amazing staff of Stone Chapel Kennel and Cattery.

Owner Jamie Wiese offers a full-service kennel with dog and cat boarding, doggie daycare, and grooming. Loving animals and ensuring their safety and care is a top priority for Wiese and her team. Grateful for a staff who is as dedicated to animals as she is, Wiese praised her staff for how well they are able to care for so many pets, saying, “I don’t think you could work here if you did not absolutely love animals.”

And, of course, the same can be said of Wiese. She herself would not own Stone Chapel if it wasn’t for a deep love of animals, that was originally developed at her grandparents’ farm in Ohio. Her grandfather kept horses, and her grandmother raised cocker spaniels, granting her an introduction to the care of animals early in life.

Even with an upbringing rich with animal experiences, Wiese said she never thought that her love of animals would turn into a business. Before starting Stone Chapel, Wiese worked for an insurance company. It wasn’t until she saw a need for a grooming and pet care business in her area that she began to dream of Stone Chapel. But as is the case in starting many new businesses, there were obstacles in the way.

First, she was told by county officials that she would need a conditional use permit to start the business in the location. Bothered by the idea of the business in the area, community members objected.  “It was a long journey and a difficult fight, those two years,” she said. At the end, however, she received a call from the county’s attorney who informed her that dog boarding can be zoned as agricultural use and there would be no need for a conditional use permit.

Soon after, in 2020, Wiese had an open house event during the Super Bowl in February. With Spring Break coming soon, she booked Stone Chapel with pets that would be cared for during family vacations. Unfortunately, soon after, COVID-19 struck the U.S., and, like many businesses, Stone Chapel was affected by the restrictions. With many vacations canceled, Wiese said that Stone Chapel “dwindled to almost no boarding at all.”

Without her love of animals, Stone Chapel would not have been persisted through all the challenges. Because of her perseverance, Stone Chapel has flourished. Now, Stone Chapel offers boarding, daycare, training, as well as other accommodations for many pets in Fayetteville. “Around this area, we have all these neighborhoods where we can fill a need,” Wiese said. “And, I have the best customers in the world. They are so appreciative, and they feel like family, because we know their stories and their dogs’ stories.”

“We try and give dogs the individual attention they need… dogs can be like children with different personalities, quirks, stressors, and even friend groups,” said Wiese.

Wiese praised her staff for how well they are able to care for so many pets, saying, “I don’t think you could work here if you did not absolutely love animals.”

Despite the growth in business over the past few years, Wiese said that she always prioritizes quality over quantity. “We try and give dogs the individual attention they need…dogs can be like children with different personalities, quirks, stressors, and even friend groups,” said Wiese. “Our goal is to create a welcoming environment for your animal, so they can be as happy as possible while they are in our care. Every detail of our facility has been designed with your pet’s comfort and safety in mind.”

Stone Chapel Kennel and Cattery contains spacious suites to fit preferences, indoor and outdoor play areas, and 100% staff supervision. With their highly trained staff, family members can be sure that their pet is personally cared for.

Speaking to Wiese, she continually used the word ‘dream’ to describe her position as owner of Stone Chapel.  I asked her to clarify what that meant for her. “Owning a business, serving my community, and getting to come to work to be with my dog every day,” she said. “I started this all from a dream and didn’t know whether it was a good location or how to get through covid, so this is truly a blessing. The Lord has blessed me a lot.”

Our commitment to our customers and community can be summed up in three little words…

HERE. FOR . YOU.

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