Families

Got stuff? Give stuff — it's the neighborly way The Buy Nothing Project started by two friends has gone global with more than 4 million participants in 44 countries.

Which home renovations require permits? Here’s how to find out in Central Arkansas whether planned improvements require permits from your city.

Strawberry cake paints the season pink Strawberry season arrived a bit later this year, but local berries are well worth the wait (and the 25-minute drive to the strawberry farm).

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ARKANSAS SIGHTSEEING: Ozark Folk Center State Park reopens Craft Village Ozark Folk Center State Park's Craft Village has reopened for a full season of entertaining and educational activities.

7-Day Menu Planner A week's worth of healthful meals for the budget conscious family.

RIGHT TIME RIGHT PLACE: Podcast Dr. Chara Green and Reggie Fisher set out on individual paths to cull their debt, but they found their way to an enriched life together.

MASTER CLASS: Exercise your imagination for a better workout Here’s a simple but challenging exercise that can be done in just about any workout setting.

Pregnant women can avoid 'toxo' and keep their cats It's easy to prevent infection once you know a little about Toxoplasma.

OPINION | READ TO ME: Facial hair is normal for girls, too This picture book is for all the little girls whose inherited hairiness makes them a target for bullies at school.

OPINION: The canary in the tiny house Tiny homes used to be for poor people, like living in your car.

OPINION: 'Lost Words' will appeal to young writers When friends with children ask for video game recommendations, "Lost Words: Beyond the Page" should be on the list.

The MVP The Class 6A state champion Greenwood Bulldogs honored their janitor as a member of the team. Here's why.

Junior Sliding Puzzle Slide the puzzle pieces around to reveal the image.

Jumble for Kids Unscramble the letters to spell real words and use those words to solve the Jumble for Kids. Study the picture for a hint. You can color the picture, too.

Junior Memo Build your memory skills by uncovering the matching picture cards.

New program spots Arkansas baby's rare condition The news that changed the course of Ollie's life came from a doctor when he was just 9 days old.

RIGHT TIME RIGHT PLACE: History She was Jewish; he had been conscripted into the Hitler Youth.

Green herons return to Little Rock Central High There are about 2,400 students at Little Rock Central High School. There are also three green herons.

OPINION | READ TO ME: Actor’s dog lives on in picture book A confident bulldog inspires his neighbors to question the status quo in this picture book.

ASK THE VET: Most dogs don't see as well as people do While dogs' smell and hearing are far superior to humans', their vision isn't quite as good.

Third-grader holds food drives Some kids set up lemonade stands; this one collected food for hungry families.

7-Day Menu Planner A week's worth of menus for the budget conscious family.

ARKANSAS SIGHTSEEING: Ozark Housed in a depot built in 1911 for the Iron Mountain Railroad, this quirky museum tells the story of a river town was founded in the steamboat era.

MASTER CLASS: A medicine ball exercise to try at home Home exercise is full of opportunity, especially during this bizarre time.

OPINION: We should pay service workers what they’re worth Taking her first, menial job was a luxury for teenage Cassie McClure, but some of her classmates worked to help support their families.

How to find and evaluate child care and get vouchers Arkansas’ Department of Human Services offers resources to help parents find and vet child-care facilities, as well as information on financial assistance.

Initiative offers pupils free tutoring on Zoom Online, small-group tutoring in math, science and for college entrance exams and other tests is available at no cost to middle and high school students.

Rogers senior accepted by 18 colleges Harvard is only one of the universities eager to enroll this hardworking student.

13 inspiring women of science This middle-school book illustrates a few of the cool jobs possible for girls who study science, technology, mathematics and engineering.

Trying to drink less? There’s an app for that People whose drinking escalated during the pandemic have found novel ways to dial it back without quitting altogether.

OPINION: ‘Thus, they were spared’ Even when we had to take our son to the ER, I wasn’t terribly worried. We could fix him; we have the technology. Right?

RIGHT TIME RIGHT PLACE: Airplane Emily Argue and Jeff Stotts were at the same college for two years, but it took some randomly assigned plane seats to get them talking.

ARKANSAS SIGHTSEEING: Historic sub is open for tours The USS Razorback is back in business on North Little Rock's waterfront.

Why calico cats and torties are almost always female Calico cats have orange, black and white fur, while tortoiseshell cats — "torties" — sport orange and black fur.

MASTER CLASS: Yard work doesn’t have to wreck your body Matt Parrott provides a few strategies for maximizing the yard-work fun factor while minimizing injury risk.

Spring’s the right time to set out in search of sneezing little bird An outdoor adventure to look for the "Arkansaw Flycatcher" is a fine way to see the Natural State.

Monitor diabetic pet's blood sugar at home The vet says her clients easily learn to check their pets' blood sugar whenever the pet doesn't seem quite right.

Characters come out on Garrison Avenue History will walk and talk during the Fort Smith Museum of History's "A Walk Through Time" at 2 p.m. April 17.

1st grader's letter gets Old Navy's attention Kamryn Gardner just wanted to be able to put her hands in her pockets to keep them warm.

OPINION | READ TO ME: An old house finds its forever family The empty house expects another family to move in soon, but everyone who visits rejects it as too small or too old.

MASTER CLASS: Three ways to raise strength training intensity This Modified Burpee is performed at a slower speed than a traditional burpee so you feel it even more in the upper body and core.

Gratitude letters for those who made a difference If you are looking to make someone — even yourself — feel better during what has been a hard winter of the pandemic, consider writing a gratitude letter.

RIGHT TIME RIGHT PLACE: Downtown Holly Grove George Cunningham watched as his friend talked with Ruby Foster, and he realized instantly that he just had to talk with her himself.

7-Day Menu Planner A week's worth of menus for the budget-conscious family.

ARKANSAS SIGHTSEEING A short outdoor stroll is now needed to view one of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art's most awesome sculptures.

OPINION: Hubby opens window to the world When I started telling my husband stories about how good I was getting at working the mute button on my phone to create an artificial workspace around the enthusiastic shrieks of a toddler, he took a hard look at our shed.

The joys of motherhood are sometimes hard to feel Motherhood is forever ... and ever and ever and ever and ever.

OPINION: Divorce — video game style This weird, fun video game for two players is engineered to foster genuine cooperation.

ASK THE VET: What if your cats hate the RV? It's a good idea to try an easy overnight trip with your cats before setting out across the nation in an RV.

RIGHT TIME RIGHT PLACE: Grumpy Gus Cindi Provancha chirped good morning to Larry Eaton every morning for a couple of months before he stopped grumbling and asked her out.

OPINION: 'Mutropolis' is more fun to watch than to play Watching "Mutropolis" as I might an Adult Swim cartoon, I was able to appreciate it as a solid comedic work without having to suffer through its abstruse puzzles.

OPINION | READ TO ME: Friendship arrives ‘Out of Nowhere’ This picture book makes a sweet point about enduring friendship.

OPINION: Love opens privileged blue eyes I married a Mexican. Not a Mexican American but an accented immigrant I met online, who didn't have any plan to live in America.

MASTER CLASS: Why stand still when you could move? Strength training can be performed while moving one's body using an athletic, functional technique that's a lot of fun.

RECIPES: A cake worth the buzz With its classical skep shape and cute little stingless bees, this beehive cake is perfect for spring birthdays and baby showers.

ARKANSAS SIGHTSEEING: Bathhouse Row As Hot Springs National Park celebrates its centennial, downtown is looking its sharpest since the city’s prime time as a bathing resort.

Student debt puts lives 'on hold' but federal forgiveness could bring change Student loan forgiveness on the federal level would primarily benefit Arkansans 25-49 with unpaid student debt. Within the group, Arkansans 25-34 owe an average of $31,500 per borrower, while borrowers 35 to 49 carry the greatest debt per person of any age group, at $44,200.

7-Day Menu Planner This week's worth of budget-conscious menus opens with an Easter feast.

Ozark Mountain Bike Fest is back The second 32nd annual Ozark Mountain Bike Festival is not being canceled by covid, says Assistant Park Superintendent Tim Scott.

OPINION: Shifting gears to reenter society Cassie McClure is wondering how reengaging with society will work, especially after learning more about some folks than she ever wanted to know.

How to help your cat feel cozy in its carrier A few tricks can help a cat feel less desperately determined to escape during visits to the veterinarian.

OPINION | GAME ON: 'Conqueror's Blade' covers genres Our reviewer says teens will like free-to-play, real-time strategy, massively multiplayer online game that offers players a chance to be a warlord commanding an elite squad while taking part in epic battles.

OPINION | READ TO ME: Brief look at a huge topic Part of the Welcome to the Museum series from Big Picture Press, "Fungarium" is a large book holding a brief but intimidating look at the little known, massive universe of fungi.

RIGHT TIME RIGHT PLACE: Parking lot Lynnette Romero admired Keith Rancifer from afar ... until he spoke to her. He said, "You're in my parking space."

MASTER CLASS: Good weight management includes strength training This week's exercise is an example of strength training to increase resting metabolic rate without equipment.

7-Day Menu Planner Here’s a week's worth of menus for the budget-conscious family.

Thousands of Arkansas foster children are waiting for a home Log onto the Arkansas Heart Gallery, a register of children awaiting permanent families, and the scroll of faces could populate the city of Lonoke.

'Tour' sites associated with women's right to vote “Rightfully Hers” is an interactive digital map of sites in Arkansas associated with the struggle for women's suffrage or with women activists in the state.

ASK THE VET: Easter lilies can cause kidney failure in cats All parts of a lily can cause kidney failure in cats. but the flower is the most toxic part.

In praise of earthly connections “The Tree in Me” is a lovely picture book that expresses a challenging philosophy in art.

RIGHT TIME RIGHT PLACE: Billiards After their billiards league season, Tim Holder followed up on a cue that he missed hanging out with Tracy Goode.

MASTER CLASS: Let’s get personal about your workout Individual, meaningful fitness experiences can be had without paying hundreds of dollars a month.

Monumental trails for biking and hiking Pinnacle Mountain is the third state park involved in the Monument Trails project, following Hobbs and Mount Nebo, with Devil's Den soon to be added.

RECIPES: Planting culinary seeds On a speck of property in Fayetteville, the nonprofit Apple Seeds Teaching Farm is using gardens to help teach young people about where their food comes from and just how yummy it can be.

OPINION | READ TO ME: Floating to school across the mighty Mekong In this picture book set in Vietnam, we meet a boy on his way to school and floating there by himself for the first time.

Intricate 'Loop Hero' is cooler than it looks When I first saw a broadcast of someone playing "Loop Hero," I thought they were playing a game from the 1980s.

How to get a copy of an Arkansas birth certificate Here are the basics on how to get copies of vital records.

Lonely hearts cuddle cows for comfort when pandemic is too much People are signing up to hug cows at sanctuaries across the country. Meanwhile, one enterprise in Arkansas had to put its plan to offer cow cuddling on hold.

Develop backup plan for pet in case of covid While pets are legally considered property, you shouldn't simply add a provision to your will transferring your fur baby to someone else like he's a piece of furniture.

MASTER CLASS: Taking advantage of personal data devices Knowing your blood pressure, heart rate, hydration level, caloric expenditure and other information leads to better decisions about diet, exercise and recovery.

What defines an elder millennial? As one reporter put it, generations are a useful fiction we all deploy as a “shorthand to interpret and order the inherent chaos of our social condition."

READ TO ME: How to cope with bullies who love you In this upsetting, heartening story told in free verse, middle-schoolers meet a girl who learns to stand up for herself — because she has allies who help her see that she is worthy.

Teach pets the rules of the house Dogs and cats are not people, and all the yelling in the world will not teach them to stop destroying your stuff.

Spring flower festivals For the many Arkansas fans of brightly colored daffodils, there is bad news and there is good news.

Tips for first-time campers Planning a family camping trip in the Natural State? Check out this advice from park interpreters.

Long-term effects on kids unknown Research is limited on covid-19's long-term effects in children, but a main ailment is Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, or MIS-C, said Dr. Bala Simon, acting chief medical officer of the Arkansas Department of Health.

MASTER CLASS: Archer Bodyweight Skull Crusher With each year that passes, my exercise routine becomes a little more cardiovascular and a little less strength based.

How much is enough? “Enough” money for retirement is one thing, but what is enough money for your life in the decades before you retire?

7-Day Menu Planner Sloppy Joes, pot roast with potatoes and carrots ... kids will like this week’s menus for the budget-conscious family.

ARKANSAS SIGHTSEEING The Marked Tree siphons are an engineering marvel that lifts the flow of a river over a levee and brings it back down on the other side.

Meet the family Von Trapped This six-voice family choir, with its sweet harmonies and the occasional wobbly note, is creating songs that dramatize the mundane moments of lockdown life, from too much screen time to the horrors of remote learning.

Conway teen creates crossword puzzles Simon Marotte, a 16-year-old junior at Conway High School, started creating crossword puzzles last year and has already had three accepted by The New York Times.

ASK THE VET: Cat scratching posts should be tall, stable, numerous Punishments and shouting will not stop cats from scratching furniture, but these tricks will.

OPINION | READ TO ME: Small but mighty Set in Lagos, Nigeria, this illustrated chapter book will broaden young readers' views of the world.

MASTER CLASS: Virtual fitness era brings a chance to try new workouts For those of us who used to work out at fitness centers, 2020 was a chance to expand our options to include family workouts, parks and virtual fitness training.

ARKANSAS SIGHTSEEING The Old State House Museum has mounted a lighthearted exhibit that makes a sprightly counterpoint to its sober-sided main focus on Arkansas political history.

A chance to be a part of history Weeks after the first cases of covid-19 were discovered in Arkansas in 2020, libraries and cultural institutions began asking the community to help document the pandemic. They still want to hear from you.

What a concept The Little Free Sled Library applies the concept of the Little Free Library or Little Free Pantry to sleds.

OPINION | READ TO ME: Critters that drive critter-cars in the trees Kids who enjoy studying drawings with little parts and who are old enough to enjoy maps will like the scenery in this animal fantasy.

ASK THE VET: When your pup always looks sad Bronze tear staining in dogs is usually a cosmetic concern rather than a medical emergency, and there are steps you can take.

MASTER CLASS: Have your social distance and a circuit workout, too With a bit of planning, you can still do a circuit workout at the gym.

ARKANSAS SIGHTSEEING: Check out Hot Springs beyond the obvious Hot Springs has more to see outdoors than just Bathhouse Row.

GROWN: Buying your first house, in Arkansas, explained Buying a home is an infamously complicated, sometimes long process. Here are some first steps and tips from real estate agents.

MASTER CLASS: Exercise gets a bit easier if you make a game of it When indoor exercise is the only real option, make a game of it.

OPINION | READ TO ME: 'Before the Ever After' Set a decade before the scandal over chronic traumatic encephalopathy in the NFL, this prose-poem story depicts a 12-year-old boy’s view of his athletic father’s fall from public glory.

'Good Bones' star fosters inclusivity in kids book Mina Starsiak-Hawk, the star of HGTV's "Good Bones," has written a children's book, "Built Together," to show that families come in many shapes and sizes — like houses do.

Managing finances, on top of the covid-19 pandemic Avoiding money problems makes them worse. And if you’re like the many, many people who’ve taken a financial hit, you can’t afford to let your situation get much worse.

OPINION | MASTER CLASS: Resist a culture that makes sedentary life the norm Living a healthy lifestyle is about millions of small choices. For some people, this means going against the grain of their social network.

ARKANSAS SIGHTSEEING From 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, visitors can explore the four floors of Arkansas’ Capitol.

OPINION: Magic, slim plot in 'Earwig and the Witch' Miyazaki. Say the name, and you've got my attention. HBO Max is airing a new movie from Studio Ghibli by Goro Miyazaki, "Earwig and the Witch."

GAME ON/OPINION: 'Crying Suns' is like ‘FTL’ but with a real story For ages 10+, this video game has a compelling story about what happens to humankind if the technology people rely on everyday simply isn't there anymore.

OPINION: Good puzzles, pretty art, silly narrative The video game “Call of the Sea” wears its affinity for H.P. Lovecraft and weird, early 20th-century fiction like a flower in a lapel.

Play on: Music instruction adapts and soars in pandemic The pandemic has muffled live music performances, but musical instruction is doing big business.

ARKANSAS SIGHTSEEING Arkansas has 17 national landmarks.

Keep cat's litter box appealing and clean Here are smart tips for protecting potted plants from your cats.

READ TO ME/OPINION: Zapped and trapped in a video game Anyone with any sense might pause over being converted to pixels and wonder about the consequences, but not Jack the rascally rabbit.

Which of the new game consoles is right for you? Now that the next-gen consoles from Microsoft and Sony have been unleashed upon the world, the next question is, "Which one should I buy?" It depends.

E for everyone A tide of family-friendly video games can entertain kids and comfort adults.

GAME ON/OPINION: 'Wilmot's Warehouse' an Amazon experience Zenlike and relaxing, but also fast-paced and anxiety-inducing, "Wilmot's Warehouse" is rated E for everybody.

REVIEW: “Sackboy’ is a delightful game, but it’s missing something "Sackboy: A Big Adventure" is a lustrous romp of carnival fantasy and rated E for Everybody.

'Fall Guys' is a wacky, silly game with loads of fun Games such as "Fortnite" and "PUBG" might have popularized the battle royale genre, but it has been perfected by the beautifully silly "Fall Guys: The Ultimate Knockout."

GAME ON: Protect allies and find killers in whodunit game ‘Among Us’ This video game is based on party games like Mafia.

New Zelda game 'Age of Calamity’ has action aplenty but not much story If you don't go in with the mindset that “Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity” is the next magical, puzzle-filled Zelda open-world game, you'll find a satisfying entry in the annals of game brilliance first created by Shigeru Miyamoto more than three decades ago.

Drift gently along the high seas with your ‘Raft,’ your pals — and sharks Here to trigger everyone's thalassophobia, or fear of the sea, is the open-water survival and crafting video game "Raft."

GAME ON: Turn-based 'Battle Brothers' is rewardingly difficult Leading a mercenary crew is a risky job, but for the few who survive, glory and honor await. Also, the guys are weird little chessmen-like dudes.

“Townscaper”: Pretty villages, cities, castles pop-pop-pop into existence Not so much a video game as a digital toy, “Townscaper” lets you create fanciful floating buildings, from sheds to villas and whole villages.

For teens and older, ‘Spiritfarer’ lets you befriend and serve stranded souls In this sensitive video game, you are a girl who becomes a ferrymaster for the deceased in a fantastical world, guiding spirits to the afterlife.

Pokémon Go, Pokémon stay: Popular mobile game adapts to the pandemic When gatherings could prove disastrously hazardous to public health, and the act of wandering your city is discouraged, how does a game based on those mechanics survive? It evolves.

No such thing as a hypoallergenic dog All dogs produce at least six allergens, substances that can trigger allergic reactions in susceptible people.

MASTER CLASS: Iliopsoas Stretch helps prevent lower back pain Chronic low back pain can be produced by various factors, but the two most common culprits are core weakness and inflexibility.

Conceived in a pandemic, born in a pandemic Katy Dobson and her family have taken to calling her 2-week-old boy, Atlas, a "coronial."

ARKANSAS SIGHTSEEING: The Sultana disaster story has outgrown museum Fundraising is planned to expand little museum dedicated to an Arkansas steamboat disaster that claimed more victims than the Titanic's fabled sinking.

READ TO ME/OPINION: Sneaky Wolf loses his appetite A wolf loses his appetite after spending time with his prey in this sweet picture book.

ASK THE VET: Teach children respect for dogs to prevent bites Most bite victims are children, usually boys between the ages of 5 and 9, who are provoking dogs they know.

Exercise 'snacks' take a few minutes or even mere seconds Physical fitness doesn't have to be an "all or nothing" undertaking. A little here, a little there works better in the long run.

MASTER CLASS: Careful back care program can change a life Giving a speech about flexibility, I can almost hear collective groans from the audience. It's a little like lecturing on the value of eating vegetables.

ARKANSAS SIGHTSEEING: Arkansas Heritage Trails Remember your folks pulling over to let you read historic markers? Arkansas has about about 2,000, and they are organized into trails.

OPINION: ‘Kingmaker’ game rooted in D&D play Rated T for teens and older, "Pathfinder: Kingmaker" translates the Dungeons & Dragons style fantasy team storytelling game to video game console or desktop.

Infected felines need extra care to survive A cat's immune system can remain strong enough to keep feline leukemia virus or feline immunodeficiency virus in check for years, and the infected cat lives a relatively normal life.

READ TO ME: Projects and games from America’s Test Kitchen From website to workbook, "Kitchen Explorers!" includes more than 60 recipes presented as experiments and some games.

Building joy: Everyone gather round the squirrel table — chipmunks too Backyard critters around the country have been eating like furry little kings at squirrel tables.

READ TO ME: Little paper boat, perilous, wondrous seas This feast of precision line drawing looks like a children's book, and it can be. But not for little bitty kids.

Old dogs, new study Research is looking at dogs as a "model" for human aging, a species we can study to learn more about how we age and perhaps how to age better.

Secondhand smoke causes cancer in cats Veterinarians do recognize a few risk factors for lymphoma in cats.

MASTER CLASS: Rubbery bands stretch your options for a solid workout High quality bands will hold their tightness longer and are more break resistant.

MASTER CLASS: Feel less alone, work out more often There are ways to bring social engagement into a socially distanced workout.

MASTER CLASS: Treat your dog to a race, and you win a workout The Treat Race combines two things most dogs love, snacking and being outdoors.

MASTER CLASS: Experience gives us tools to resist time’s incremental larcenies After 30, adults begin to lose 3% to 5% of their muscle mass every decade. This slow decline in musculature leads to weakness and reduced mobility over time.

Kids run faster when they think about ninjas Fitness guru Matt Parrott offers another backyard workout idea to burn off children’s excess energy.

Box Hop Race gets kids exercising (parents too) Here’s a present for parents who might be running out of at-home workout ideas, a routine that's perfect for a parent and child.

MASTER CLASS: Good Morning Squat Combo gets fibers firing Most people understand that a proper warmup can make or break an exercise session. Most people know there's more to it than 5 minutes on a cardio machine. And yet, most people don’t do a proper warmup.

Older kids will put a parent through a real workout Challenge your parent or older sib to a front yard ball race.

MASTER CLASS: It's like your driveway was built for this workout It's not hard to transform a driveway from a utilitarian necessity to an exercise playground.

Garage Sale Race is a fun way to start making that home gym You can add a home gym to the garage and still have room for cars. But first, someone has to clean the garage.

MASTER CLASS: Take it outside for more peace per workout Lifting heavy stuff will always be cool. Especially if you do it in the woods.

MASTER CLASS: That outdoor workout is just a staircase away Arkansas in October is one of the most beautiful places on earth, and one that presents an incredible opportunity for outdoor exercise.

MASTER CLASS: City parks are making it easier to get a real workout outdoors Try the Gator Chomp exercise in a park.

MASTER CLASS: Take the stairs to a higher level of fitness Fitness opportunities can be found almost anywhere.

MASTER CLASS: Play like you did when you were a kid This week's activity not only provides the gift of exercise, but it is also a great way to interact with the family.

MASTER CLASS: How to avoid delayed onset muscle soreness Delayed onset muscle soreness is the worst. Here are tips for avoiding it.

MASTER CLASS: Reverse Pushup helps balance your musculature We can combat the physical challenges associated with extended sitting.

MASTER CLASS: Quadruped Raise works for almost all fitness levels This exercise could be a fun challenge for parents and kids, because most parents won't have an edge.

Kids like the challenge of simple Alternating Stair Climb This week's exercise is easy to learn and appropriate for nearly any fitness level.

MASTER CLASS: Take a progressive approach to all-around self-improvement Young father Matt Parrott says exercise isn’t the only self-improvement project that benefits from a progressive approach.

MASTER CLASS: Household chores can be cardiovascular exercise It's possible to turn almost any physical activity into a cardiovascular workout.

MASTER CLASS: Your stance changes the muscles taxed by squats Certified personal trainer Eric Godwin can do these two-stance squat raises, and so can Pinky the clay guy.

MASTER CLASS: Finding family togetherness in active outdoor play As the father of a 7-year-old, I am beginning to understand how regular exercise enhances family time.

MASTER CLASS: Ramp up your exertions Matt Parrott offers strategies for finishing a 12-week conditioning program on a high note.

MASTER CLASS: Jumping Chin-Ups in the park Every time we hop over to the playground instead of staring at a screen, take the stairs instead of the elevator, go for some deep breathing instead of a whole bag of cookies ... our readiness, physical and mental, improves.

MASTER CLASS: Slalom Jump in the park Here’s a family-friendly exercise idea for a chilly outdoor workout.

MASTER CLASS: Customizing your workout assures best results Although there may have been a time when any exercise program was good enough for modest goal achievement, today's exercisers have higher standards.

MASTER CLASS: Age is for real, y'all A few years ago, I turned 40 and thought "it's just a number" because I really hadn't faced any significant physical challenges up to that point. Well, numbers do add up.

Take a knee to lift this shoulder exercise into a different realm The cool part about this exercise is that the half-kneeling position will feel really different, a little unstable at first. But over time you master that feeling.

MASTER CLASS: A park full of rocks is a fitness find There is something primitive and workmanlike about exercising in the outdoors.

MASTER CLASS: Move past this summer’s lethargy with a 12-week plan No one would blame a person for letting go of health and fitness goals in 2020, given the circumstances. But fall is a perfect opportunity to recommit to your fitness for the next 12 weeks.

MASTER CLASS: Single Leg Superman is a super tough balance-builder for sitters For weeks 5-8 of your 12-week "goodbye, foul summer" get-in-shape program, this exercise challenges the core and back while working the shoulders.

Playing in the sprinklers makes a cool workout The first step toward family-friendly fitness time is finding something that everyone can do.

Make your family a hot tub out of a stock tank Drowned by demand, pools are scarce; but a new type of soaking apparatus has percolated to the surface: the stock tank pool.

Cats’ ear mites typically don’t infect humans ... without help Ear mites, the most common cause of ear infections in cats, are highly contagious among cats and dogs, particularly kittens and puppies.

OPINION: Book celebrates ‘Every Good Thing’ Words and images celebrate things that are true about all children and that all children ought to be told, but because of the ways this world misinterprets skin, a book that says them directly and specifically to Black boys is useful.

Roundworms are a routine hazard in a dog park A tennis ball is a perfect vehicle for spreading roundworms because it rolls around in the dirt and the muck and picks up stuff that adheres to it.

READ TO ME: A series for middle-schoolers who love animals Jasmine Green is a farmgirl who will disobey her mother to save a cute baby animal. But Mom knows what she’s talking about.

Bad things happen when you give a dog a bone Bones are harder than teeth, so whether fresh or sterilized, chew bones can break a dog's teeth.

READ TO ME: Jack stands up to high-handed Santa Who gets away with hurting kids’ feelings by declaring them “bad” and then brazenly expects to be given the last grilled cheese sandwich?

Declawed cats suffer long after the surgery “Declawing” a cat doesn't mean clipping off its claws.

Roadtrip! OZ Art ARkanvas mural experience is a new reason to tour the state Twelve muralists embraced nine cities, crafting works of art to inspire and spark conversation, following a theme to promote "Unity."

Ghost town in the hills A few time- and weather-worn structures, foundations and walls are all that is left of Rush near the National Buffalo River in Marion County.

ASK THE VET: ALS-like dog disease has new treatments Degenerative myelopathy is a progressively debilitating disease caused by deterioration of the spinal cord.

ARKANSAS SIGHTSEEING: State Capitol walking tour It's only a slight stretch to call the grounds of the Arkansas State Capitol in Little Rock an outdoor sculpture garden.

READ TO ME: ‘This Is Your Time’ Civil rights icon Ruby Bridges urges young people to believe in America in this “letter of peace.”

When big, young dogs develop a limp Elbow dysplasia is the most common cause of front limb lameness in young dogs.

Active listening can lessen tension, especially in covid lockdown Paraphrasing is one of the components of active listening, a helpful technique based on simple therapeutic practices that turn away wrath.

ASK THE VET: Withhold attention to keep dog down Don't make eye contact; don't touch him, and don't speak to him. Turn your back if that makes it easier to ignore him.

ARKANSAS SIGHTSEEING More communities are stitching together their own Quilt Trails, giving tourists a reason to drive all over their counties.

How to take better pet photos with your phone Many recent phone models include all the hardware and software you need to take a great picture of your friend.

Fat cats and dogs can develop diabetes Diabetes is most often seen in older cats, particularly those that are overweight or male.

Do-it-yourself filter uses a box fan to help clean air This easy home project can improve ventilation in closed rooms, for instance, classrooms in aging school buildings.

ARKANSAS SIGHTSEEING: Find your Muse in Heber Springs The sign above the front door of Muse’s Country Store sets the tone for the jumble of merchandise inside: “Come share a memory!”

READ TO ME: A driven little girl, three horses, one fierce old lady Bonny is dedicated to bike racing and living out her parents dreams — until she meets her first horses.

Is it covid or just a cold? Here’s expert advice for parents who really can’t afford to quarantine every time their kids’ allergies make them sniffle.

OPINION | READ TO ME: There is such a thing as ‘Too Many Jacks’ The outrageous escapades of Jack make reading big fun for beginners.

ARKANSAS SIGHTSEEING: Lonoke County Museum A journey to a sunny view of the past is only a day trip away to the Lonoke County Museum, on U.S. 70 in Lonoke.

READ TO ME: Kids earn points as they save the planet from plastic This jaunty, heavily illustrated chapter book is full of positive projects to help kids lord it over younger siblings and, possibly, drive clueless parents nuts. (Kidding!)

Sweetener in some peanut butters can kill a dog Xylitol is very common and sometimes not listed on labels. It is found in sugar-free gums, chocolate candies, baked goods, vegan alternatives, vitamin-mineral supplements, over-the-counter and prescription medications, toothpaste, mouthwash, mints ... some peanut butters ... even some T-shirts and other clothing.

ARKANSAS SIGHTSEEING: Nature center brims with wonders Aptly located just a robust pebble's toss from the Arkansas River, Little Rock's fish-flavored visitor attraction is open again in the River Market District behind the Museum of Discovery.

Don’t ignore a dog's aggression at the vet’s office Most dogs that react aggressively at the animal hospital are actually anxious or frightened.

Tiny Chef almost loses his cute little mind Our 8-inch-tall stop-motion pal Tiny Chef wants to make his first-day-of-fall veggie stew because it is the first day of fall. But he can't find his recipe book.

Books to help kids cope in the age of coronavirus Children's authors and illustrators have found time under quarantine to produce stories about not just wearing masks but also social distancing, managing germs and simply understanding the scope of a pandemic.

READ TO ME: When midnight strikes, they creep out of the deep A ludicrous attempt to blame someone else for writing on the walls inspires this delightfully spooky children's story.

Pinnacle Mountain Monument Trail opens 14 miles of off-road bicycling excitement The new Monument Trails at Pinnacle Mountain State Park have paths for many levels of mountain biking skill, including the eager young athletes in NICA.

Kid craft: Lure birds with a snack in a milk carton feeder Here's how to create a carton bird feeder filled with a chirp-worthy snack.

READ TO ME: There’s more to ‘Invisible Alphabet’ than meets the eye This clever ABC book won’t put Mom or Dad to sleep.

Stung by a bee, this child developed business acumen Fifteen-year-old Mikaila Ulmer's memoir tells middle-schoolers how and why she became the CEO of a bigtime beverage business and founder of a charitable foundation.

ARKANSAS SIGHTSEEING: Louisiana Purchase State Park Looking for a weekend drive to give the kids a sense of state history? This swampy park could be just the ticket.

What to do when ‘Sadness Is at Your Door’ A calm, quiet book about sadness offers comfort for adults and a useful lesson in self-care for kids.

REVIEW: Energetic 'Battletoads' update has some warts "Battletoads" (2020) looks like a playable cartoon in the style of "Ren and Stimpy" or the "Fairly OddParents."

Kids can make these yummy treats Banana Pretzel Pops can be put together in a few minutes with just a handful of ingredients. The best part? The stick is edible, too!

Birthdays are still a chance to shower a child with love I grew up in a family that observed birthdays with only a cake. No cards. No presents. No parties. Just “Happy birthday, pass me a hunk of that cake.” That cake mattered.

READ TO ME: A glowing tale for middle-schoolers Everything a landmark middle-school story can be — inspired, inspiring, humorous — "A Wish in the Dark" is a story that whispers, "You are important. Everyone is important."

READ TO ME: This animal doctor never sleeps Here’s a snappy, amusing and informative picture book about animals for ages 4 to 8.

READ TO ME: Grumpy bear doesn’t enjoy rain — or sun This picture book presents a chance to get kids thinking about the power of attitude and the wisdom of paying attention to other people.

OPINION: Girls on the Run inspires joy, health, confidence Jessica Wurst, Girls on The Run of Northwest Arkansas event planner, talks about her organization.

ARKANSAS SIGHTSEEING: 'Benton Mural' shows early history of Saline County The earliest Europeans known to have set foot in present-day Arkansas are depicted in downtown Benton's huge outdoor mural.

GAME ON: Nostalgia can't carry 'Might & Magic: Chess Royale' This game is easy to pick up and play, but it doesn't take too long to start noticing some serious flaws. The first is microtransactions.

READ TO ME: It's amazing what you can do with a jar These 40 projects use Mason jars as beakers and cylinders, but also as planters, terrariums, prisms, composters, birdfeeders and vacuum chambers.

History lessons await those who travel the Arkansas Civil Rights Trail Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, closed for three months due to covid-19, is a riveting stop among the three dozen locations on the city's Arkansas Civil Rights Heritage Trail.

READ TO ME: Time to celebrate National Regular Average Ordinary Day A boy learns the value of having nothing special to do in this energetic picture book.

Healthy dogs can have dry, warm noses Veterinarian Lee Pickett explains why, often, a healthy dog's nose isn’t cold and wet.

Granny’s games are blasts from the past Jacks, marbles, Annie-Annie-Over and Lemonade kept future grandparents hopping.

Bring out your marbles, Grandpa Grandparents could teach the children of the pandemic a thing or two about having fun when you all your extracurricular activities are unavailable.

10 questions to ask your grandparents If you are lucky enough to have living grandparents — or great-aunts and -uncles, elderly parents, even elderly friends — you have exclusive access to living history.

READ TO ME: Antiracist Baby is a best-seller This board book is marketed as being right for adults "who may feel hesitant or unprepared to have conversations about race and racism."

Cardstacker shares tips for building towering stacks of cards Bryan Berg began stacking cards when he was about 8 years old. Today he holds the Guinness World Record for the largest playing card structure and the tallest house of cards.

A girl, her dad, a fishing pole and Porch Dips Matt Parrott came up with this arm-strengthening idea while talking about fishing with his daughter on their porch.

Party out front! Ideas for joyful birthday celebrations With a little creativity, parties in isolation might be the ones kids remember as the best they ever had. Here are a few ideas.

Online extracurriculars keep kids baking, dancing and learning Instead of chauffeuring kids to and from activities, parents need only power up the computer or tablet and log in.

Cooped-up crafts! Fun projects can keep kids entertained with their own creativity Children who can’t leave the yard soon decide to be happy. Art projects can help. Not just any art projects will do, however.

Soapy math adds some STEAM to playtime Here are simple and fun experiments involving math and soap — with helpful videos.

Soapy videos about washing hands Here are videos about the importance of using soap to wash our hands.

Kids can have fun with these brainy home crafts and science projects Here are some STEAM-related projects that kids won't immediately recognize as "educational."

Make a home for teeny succulents In this project suitable for children in kindergarten and older, a glass jelly jar is upcycled into a quiet bit of home decor.

One, two, make your own kazoo Making your own kazoo is as easy as one, two, three.

Grow your own salt Making a small salt farm and harvesting the salt crystals is an easy science project for elementary school kids.

Forks and spoons that say 'clunk' can also ring like chimes These simple but surprising activities can start young scientists thinking about how sound travels.

These apps let you make comics even if you aren't an artist Drawing comics can entice children into creative writing. Here's a guide to apps for making digital comics on a "screen" or a plain old piece of paper.

ASK THE VET: Munching mushrooms in the yard could kill your dog Animal poison control specialists are receiving twice as many calls about mushroom poisoning this year as last.

It’s kind to prepare dogs for their post-pandemic lifestyle Owners can do several things now to lessen the stress dogs will undergo when they return to their regular office.

ASK THE VET: Lepto lurks in innocent looking puddles Is it OK to let a dog drink from puddles? Short answer: no.

ASK THE VET: Don't allow dogs to swim in green water A pond or creek that suddenly turns green could harbor bacteria deadly to dogs.

ASK THE VET: Leave baby bunnies in the nest Would wild baby bunnies that appear to be abandoned make good family pets?

ASK THE VET: What to do when the puppy gets skunked Commercial de-skunking products are safe for puppies, or you could try these home remedies.

“Mira Does Her Part’ Three mothers who met while their kids attended a Little Rock elementary school wrote this book to answer children’s questions and inspire them during the pandemic.

This free digital book answers kids’ questions about covid-19 A new, free, digital picture book will help adults struggling to answer children’s repeated questions about why the world has turned upside down.

The day all the street signs quit work In this charming picture book, street signs get tired of being taken for granted.

Mermaids of the landlocked sort collide in this book In this graceful new picture book with chapters, an independent little girl befriends a rude old woman staying at the Mermaid Hotel.

READ TO ME: Brick by brick, this father builds a city With collage illustrations and collage-like prose in English and Spanish, this is a portrait of an immigrant boy's love for his hardworking father.

READ TO ME: ‘The Stray’ is a keeper A family out for a stroll happens across a lost little lifeform in a wrecked flying saucer. He or it has jagged teeth and wiry whiskers and eyeballs on eye stalks, but also a curly tail and four dog-like legs.

READ TO ME: Reassurance for kids who live in storm country This children’s picture book delivers reassurance, and even though the scenery presents an ocean town, it's appropriate for children who live in landlocked, storm-thrashed places like Arkansas.

Yawns are coming, and they are cute In this new picture book, the Yawns catch the kids, the kids don't catch the yawns.

READ TO ME: A picture book for kids curious about Mars This is not a bedtime story, at least not the first time you share it with a child. It's brainy. It stimulates thought.

Chemist's book has 25 kid-friendly science projects Designed for for children ages 8 to 12, the experiments rely on common products including dish soap and baking soda, with a dash of glitter thrown into the “puffy slime” formula.

READ TO ME: Now more than ever, these animals need to apologize In this unexpectedly timely book, little animals say mean, mean things that do not represent their true feelings for each other.

A book for Momma What to give the mother who has had everything already? How about a book about her life and family history?

Clever Hans amazed the world just by being himself ... a horse This lively picture book about a horse that seemed to be a genius will worry and then please young scientists while also satisfying kids who want to believe in a talking horse.

Kinder, gentler billy goats dare to cross the bridge These billy goats are not so Gruff that they can't make friends with a hungry troll.