Stop the Presses: Parent |amp| Family get new look, keeps same purpose

Look inside this issue of the Springfield Business Journal, and you will notice the colorful July edition of the SBJ's sister publication, Springfield Parent & Family. Readers have long depended on its distribution through schools, restaurants, and the dozens of other establishments frequented by kids and their families. Now we want people to be able to see the publication at work that's where we're spending most of our time these days.

Focusing on summer fun and featuring southwest Missouri family attractions and vacation spots within a half-day drive from the Springfield area, the cover depicts a 3-year-old fishing at the ever-popular Table Rock Lake. This special vacation-time issue even gives tips to parents and grandparents in fact, anyone in the driver's seat on how to travel successfully and less stressfully with kids.

Springfield Business Journal readers may recognize the publication's new editor, longtime Business Journal freelance writer Diane Rarick. Mother to three children between the ages of 6 and 8 and a Nixa resident, Rarick has written for the Business Journal since 1997. Now she begins a new career, directing the editorial content of our parenting publication. Rarick's considerable experience with the issues area families face every day gives this and future editions a first-hand perspective.

The entire staff is proud too, of Springfield Parent & Family's fresh new graphic design, created and implemented by Jana Blalock, production manager of all the company's publications. We believe the new look is more attractive to both readers and advertisers. Blalock's innovations, along with her strong interest and belief in the value of this publication and the service it provides to area families, have given it new life.

More local photography, fun and up-to-date illustrations, as well as an easier-to-read typeface with bold sub-heads, are designed to entice readers' involvement and interest in content focusing on news and information area families need.

Regular Springfield Parent & Family features, news articles and columns help southwest Missouri families know where to go for inexpensive (or free), fun and educational events. Pages offer advice on everything from quick and nutritious breakfasts to pediatric health and parents' mental health, all from local experts.

The mission and purpose of Springfield Parent & Family is as focused on the needs of its readers as the Springfield Business Journal is on the requirements of the business and professional people of the Ozarks. In both publications, we always strive to present local news and information readers can actually use.

We will insert Springfield Parent & Family with the Business Journal again at the beginning of August. In the meantime, have some summer fun with the people you love, and please, let us know what you think.