Volume 9 - No. 29

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Murphy’s in town

Question of the Week

What’s your favorite thing about the fair?

Murphy USA breaks ground on its flagship station in El Dorado

Five days after ceremoniously ringing the New York Stock Exchange Closing Bell in celebration of its spin-off from parent company Murphy Oil, on Sept. 9 Murphy USA broke ground on its new El Dorado location.

Announced in October of last year, Murphy Oil completed the spin-off of the retail marketing business on Sept. 3. Like its parent company, Murphy USA will remain based in El Dorado. Currently, Murphy USA operates through a chain of 1,179 retail fuel stations in 23 states throughout the South and Midwest.

According to Murphy USA president and CEO Andrew Clyde, the company has embarked on a 200-store expansion with Walmart over the next three years. By the end of this year, one of those 200 new stores will open in El Dorado at 2720 N. West Ave. Murphy USA has termed this location its “flagship” station.

At 1,400-square-feet, the new location in El Dorado is larger

« Larry Bell “Funnel cake.”

» LaTangela Foreman “The rides.”

Breaking Ground: Murphy USA broke ground on its flagship station in El Dorado on Sept. 9. John Rudolfs (from left), executive vice president of marketing; Andrew Clyde, president and CEO; El Dorado Mayor Frank

Hash; Mindy West, executive president and chief financial officer; and Jeff Goodwin, senior vice president of retail operations, break ground at the new location in front of Walmart.

than the standard 280-square-foot model, but will still maintain the foundation of its advantage business model, Clyde said. That foundation, he said, includes being located in front of Walmart where the store is easily accessible by value-conscious consumers; providing the lowest priced gasoline

in the trade area; and maintaining low-cost overhead.

Clyde said that Murphy USA’s business model translates into savings for the consumer. The CEO said he expects local consumers to see those savings once the new

« Karen Owen “The Scrambler.”

— Brooke Burger / South Arkansas Leader

» Rae Lynn Ware “Seeing my child ride the rides.”

MUSA continued on Page 9

All the bAnk you’ll ever need. w w w. f i r s t f i n a n c i a l b a n k . c o m

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‘Riddick’ is a mixed bag of high and low entertainment Nathan Ligon

Red Carpet Crash

I have to start by admitting that I’m a pretty big fan of the character Riddick.

I really loved “Pitch Black” (2000); I moderately enjoyed “The Chronicles of Riddick” (2004), despite its flaws, and “The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay” video game was absolutely outstanding. So, there is a bit of a bias that I have coming into this latest incarnation of the character. Yet, for the most part, I was pleasantly surprised with how little I had to overlook to enjoy this movie.

The film is a fairly traditional three-act narrative, with the first and third being the most interesting.

Oddly enough, the reason is that the first and third acts are mostly about survival, and Riddick might be the most interesting survivalist in popular entertainment. This is because he utilizes his cunning and the elements around him to take on vicious creatures in a hostile environment.

Sometimes these vicious creatures are animals and other times they are human beings.

This is what made the “Butcher Bay” video game so fascinating to play. Unlike most first-person

Riddick » Release date: Sept. 6. » Run time: 119 min. » Rated: R for strong violence, language and some sexual content / nudity. » Director: David Twohy. » Stars: Vin Diesel, Karl Urban, Katee

shooter-like games, “Butcher Bay” was all about figuring out how to survive on limited means. Sometimes this meant avoiding conflict at all costs and other times it meant figuring out how to kill something or someone without having a gun or even a knife. The first 30 minutes or so of “Riddick” does the exact same thing in an equally interesting manner.

The movie opens with Riddick’s (Vin Diesel) having been left for dead by an associate of Commander Vaako (Karl Urban).

He is beaten down and has a broken bone sticking out of his leg, but he is still moving. We follow him from one little skirmish of an adventure to the next with no dialogue other than the words spoken through voiceover. It is an oddly

BPW Barn Sale scheduled for Sept. 28 CAMDEN — Touted as “South Arkansas’s largest arts and crafts show,” the 45th Annual BPW Barn Sale is slated for Saturday, Sept. 28 in downtown Camden.

Featuring handcrafted southern wares, the BPW Barn Sale will include more than 180 vendors and artists from across the nation. A mix of traditional crafts and contemporary styles will include handcrafted wooden pieces, ceramics, paintings, floral arrangements, handmade clothing, jewelry, stained glass, oneof-a-kind toys and more.

As visitors explore a vast array of original and handmade crafts, they can take a break from shopping while watching a potter or woodcarving artist at work. In addition to the arts and crafts, the afternoon will be filled with historic southern plantation sights and sounds from the massive old oaks and historic barn site to the old gristmill grinding

cornmeal throughout the day.

A myriad of authentic Southern food and festival treats will be available from vendors from all over the South. The BPW Barn Sale will also feature live music entertainment throughout the day with individual performances by the artists at their vendor booths and featured entertainment from regional band Straight Shot on the main stage.

The Antique and Classic Car Show; Kids’ Zone with rock climbing walls and blowups; and festival traditions such as the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, 5k Run, St. Louis Catholic Church Spaghetti Supper round out the festivities.

The BPW Barns Sale will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28 in downtown Camden along Oakland and Monticello streets. For more information, visit www.bpwbarnsale.org or call Diane Atchison at 870.574.4560.

scenes work enough to help us get through the slog.

Then comes the finale. The last act of the film is essentially a recreation of the events that took place in “Pitch Black,” with Riddick Sackhoff, Jordi Mollá, Matt Nable, having to team up with the bounty Bokeem Woodbine, Nolan Gerard hunters to save his own ass. It is Funk, Keri Hilson and Dave Bautista. pretty dumb, but at the same time it is extremely entertaining. » RCC Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

If you enjoyed the action sequences of that first film than you entertaining bit that really allows will be hard pressed not to enjoy this character to shine in the envi- these. It may not lead to the greatest ending in the world (it just kind ronment he was meant for.

Then the movie goes a bit down- of ends), but it is certainly excithill when Riddick realizes that the ing enough to keep most audiences planet he is on has a similar issue glued to the screen.

Still, despite the film being a fairly to the planet we witnessed in “Pitch Black” – when it rains it pours evil entertaining feature with a character monsters that will rip you to shreds. that I truly enjoy, I cannot fully recSo, he sends a message to any off- ommend that you pay full price to planet bounty hunters that the infa- go out and see it with such a poor mous Riddick is on the planet and middle act. My advice would be to skip it for now, but be sure to catch it they need to come after him.

When the bounty hunters arrive we at your local Redbox or OnDemand get a bunch of macho talk, stupid- about four months from now.

It is sure to be there pretty quickly. ity and predictability, and the one woman in the group is constantly Red Carpet Crash provides review writsubjected to one sexist remark after ing on films, DVDs and television; news another. Luckily, there are a couple and updates on all things entertainment; of scenes in the middle that pitch and the occasional free stuff.

Riddick against the bounty huntFind RCC at www.redcarpetcrash.com or facebook.com/RedCarpetCrash. ers as if they are his prey, and these

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Never buy a car that costs more than half of your annual income Dear Dave, My mom has about $35,000 worth of debt from a $17,000 car and $18,000 in student loans. She makes $20,000 a year. How can she get out of this mess?

— Christina

Making the Sale: Ashley Wilson (right), an FFA member from Smackover, talks with Stacy Scroggins (left), of El Dorado, about Wilson’s pigs for sale during last year’s Junior Livestock Sale. This year’s sale will take place on Sept. 13 — File photo

39th annual Junior Livestock Sale to take place this Friday Many local Future Farmers of America and 4-H members have been busy working with their animal projects to prepare them for the 39th annual Junior Livestock Sale, sponsored by the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce, Lion Oil and Evers Electric.

The sale will begin at 12:30 p.m. this Friday, Sept. 13 at the Gerald Crossland Livestock Barn at the Union County Fairgrounds, located at 1430 East 19th St. in El Dorado.

The FFA and 4-H programs are designed to teach members leadership qualities that will benefit them in any career they may choose. The animal projects, in particular, help teach the youth the meaning of responsibility, hard work and the basics of running a small business.

The work involved in animal projects includes the daily feeding, cleaning and handling of the animals to prepare them to be judged and, for those deemed to be of market quality and readiness, to be auctioned at the Junior Livestock Sale.

The El Dorado Chamber of

Commerce invites businesses and individuals throughout Union County to attend the sale and bid on the animals being auctioned. This year 68 FFA and 4-H youth representing all areas of Union County are eligible to participate.

According to Chamber president and CEO Henry Florsheim, the Chamber has supported the Junior Livestock Sale for close to 40 years.

“The sale [is] a program that teaches participating students not only how to raise an animal for market, but also valuable life skills such as time management, responsibility, leadership, public relations and fiscal management,” Florsheim said.

“Last year the sale raised more than $132,000 to benefit local youth.”

For more information about the sale, contact Robin Bridges, Union County Cooperative Extension Service, at 870.864.1916; the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce at 870.863.6113; or Sue Ellen Dillard, Union County Junior Livestock Sale, at 870.310.8157.

Dear Christina, No one needs a car that’s worth nearly all of their yearly income.

That’s just ridiculous. If you listen to me on the radio, I’m sure you’ve already heard me say what I’m about to say now – sell the car!

That will get rid of almost half her debt, then find her a little $2,000 beater to drive until she can save up for a better car.

Remember this simple rule: Never buy a car that costs more than half of your annual income. Also, never go into debt to buy a car. Automobiles go down in value like a rock, and you never want that much money wrapped up in something that’s depreciating.

We also have an income issue here. Your mom has to do something in the short term to get her income up and pay off debt. A part-time job nights and weekends would be a really good idea.

Then, she needs to address her long-term situation with an eye toward a decent job. Whether it’s more formal education or technical training in a particular field, she needs to find a career that will significantly increase her income.

— Dave Dear Dave, My wife and I make together about $100,000 a year, almost $50,000 in an IRA and no debt except for our home. The problem is that I’ve had several health issues lately, and we’ve diverted a lot of money we’d put into saving and investing toward medical bills. We also have two kids in high school who want to go to college.

Do you think we should cash out the IRA to help send our boys to school?

— Jeff

Want to Win?

DAVE Says Dear Jeff, You guys make $100,000, and expenses at a good in-state school would be roughly $17,000 a year.

If I were you, I’d trim the household budget and make the kids get to work.

Look around and see what you can sell, too. There’s no reason you all can’t pull together and cash flow an education for these guys.

Providing an education for your kids is a noble pursuit, but you’re low on money right now because of health problems and medical bills.

You didn’t do anything wrong to create this scenario. It was just a case of life happening.

So, you shouldn’t feel ashamed to sit down with your kids and say, “Okay, serious talk time. You guys know what’s happened recently, so if you want to go to college, you need find a good, affordable institution and start applying for every available scholarship. You also need to plan on working after school and on weekends – now and when you’re off at college – and saving money like crazy. Your mom and I will help out some, but we all have to pull together to make this happen.”

There’s a better way to do this than borrowing money and going into debt. There will be times when it’s not easy, but walking around with student loans hanging over your head – or nothing set aside for retirement – is no fun, either!

— Dave Dave Ramsey has authored four New York Times best-selling books: “Financial Peace,” “More Than Enough,” “The Total Money Makeover” and “EntreLeadership.”

The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 5,000,000 listeners each week on more than 500 radio stations.

Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the Web at daveramsey.com.

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Hot dog!: Dachshund Dash returns

United Way’s community-wide campaign kick off to take place next Saturday, Sept. 21 Passersby may have to do a double take next week when they notice that the ball fields at the El Dorado Boys and Girls Club have been overtaken by wiener dogs.

This unusual sight is courtesy of the Third Annual Dachshund Dash, a part of the United Way of Union County’s Community Campaign Kick Off from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 21.

The kick off is an element of the United Way’s campaign, which annually raises thousands of dollars through individual gifts and workplace campaigns to support programs and services provided by 14 local nonprofit agencies.

This year’s event is centered around the United Way campaign theme: “We Are the Champions.”

Each agency’s booth will feature a dance theme in both games and costume.

“A community-wide kick off is a great way to raise awareness, and much-needed additional funding, for our local nonprofits,” said Alexis Alexander, executive director of United Way of Union County. “In today’s economic climate, these services provided by our partner agencies have become even more important to our friends and neighbors.”

For $1 admission, the community can partake in interactive dance video games, face painting, crafts,

jump rope contest, a bounce house, various carnival games, a dunking booth, bash-a-crash (where people can take a swing at a clunker car), and dancing. Concessions will also be available for sale.

“All activities are sponsored by United Way’s partner agencies,” Alexander said, “which will also be on hand to distribute information and discuss the services they provide.”

The kick off will also feature the Third Annual Dachshund Dash, El Dorado’s premier wiener dog race. The race starts at 11 a.m. and a pre-race parade will take place at 10:30 a.m. Participants are encouraged to dress their pets for the parade.

Entry fee for the race is $10 per dog and proof of current vaccinations must be provided with registration. The deadline to enter is Friday, Sept. 13.

The United Way of Union County is one of the community’s strongest organizations, Alexander said, adding that its member agencies served more than 30,000 residents last year. She noted that the citizens and the business community of Union County have been very generous in their support of the United Way, making its campaigns successful over the last few years.

Alexander said she hopes to see that support continue.

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“Especially since 100 percent of United Way donations stay right here in Union County and directly benefit programs and services,” she added.

United Way of Union County partner agencies include: American Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America, El Dorado Boys and Girls Club, Camp Fire USA, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), Community Living Arrangements, Girl Scouts, Salvation Army, Single Parent Scholarship Fund, South Arkansas Developmental Center for Children and Families, South Arkansas Fights AIDS, and Turning Point.

For more information on the kick off or to register for the Dachshund Dash, contact the United Way at 870.862.4903 or go to uwucar.org.

KICK UNITED CANCELED “KICK UNITED,” a community kickball tournament set for Sept. 28, has been postponed until spring, according Alexis Alexandar, United Way of Union County executive director.

The United Way will still host its community-wide campaign kick off event on Sept. 21 at the El Dorado Boys and Girls Club.

For more information, contact Alexis Alexander at 870.862.4903 or email alexis@ uwucar.org. More information can also be found on the United Way Facebook page at facebook.com/UnitedWayof UnionCountyAR.

AdoptMe Pet adoptions are available at the Union County Animal Protection Society shelter, 1000 Sunset Road, El Dorado. UCAPS’s hours are noon to 5 p.m.

Wednesday through Saturday. For information about adopting or sponsoring a pet, call 870.862.0502.

Upcoming Events join us for a “dog-gone” good time

Adoption Day at the Expo

Paint Your Pet Night

» When: all day Sept. 14

» When: 6 p.m. Sept. 14

» Where: El Dorado Conference Center, 311 South West Ave.

» Where: Painter’s Cottage in Smackover

» Details: Adopt a pet and check out the booth display with goodies at the Outdoor Expo.

» Details: Paint your pet and donate to UCAPS. For more information, go to www.thepainterscottage.us.

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Composting cuts down on food waste, adds to garden Mary Hightower

Cooperative Extension Service U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — For centuries gardeners have been turning yard and food wastes into a valuable soil amendment called compost. Composting is a natural way to reduce food wastes and add nutrients to a garden; and it doesn’t require expensive tools or a lot of work.

“Compost is an ecosystem all its own,” said Berni Kurz, Washington County extension staff chair.

“Understanding the decomposition process and what does the work in each stage will help this ecosystem function at peak performance and produce a high-quality product.”

It takes many different organisms to turn fruit peels into something garden plants will love, Kurz said.

Bacteria, fungi, millipedes, sowbugs and worms, all play a role in making good compost.

Other elements of good compost include: vegetable matter, oxygen, water and time.

Well In Hand: Healthy compost will be damp and slightly warm, conditions which encourage the bacteria to do their job in making the compost. Composting is a natural way to turn waste into value. — Katie Teqgue / U of A System Division of Agriculture

be composted. These decompose anaerobically, leading to a stinky pile with slow composting. Those » What can be composted? ingredients also attract flies, their Any natural organic material can maggots, and animals. be composted. Examples include Why not add it directly to the soil? grass clippings, weeds, tree leaves, Since compost eventually makes hedge clippings, straw, livestock manures and kitchen waste. Also, its way back to the soil, some may many manufactured organic mate- wonder why the clippings can’t be rials that are not waxed or plastic- added to the soil directly.

“Given sufficient time and circumcoated, such as newspapers, paper stances, any organic material will boxes, clothing scraps and wood decompose, but adding the materishavings are compostable.

Scraps of meat or fats should not als directly to the soil without first

composting may cause problems,” Kurz said. “The decomposing materials can compete with living plants for available nutrients, mainly nitrogen.

“Plus, the composting plant materials may inadvertently bring insects, diseases and weeds into the very garden you want to help,” he added.

“Those pests are destroyed by heat generated in a compost pile.”

How do you build a pile?

Building a pile is the simplest route (See: http://bit.ly/16gjSTk). Start with

a flat top pile of material on the ground. Using an open weave fence helps prevent the materials from being scattered by weather or animals and allows air and water to circulate.

Make a layer about 1 foot tall, then add about 3 inches of soil on top to provide the bacteria needed for compost.

“Water the pile often enough to keep all material damp but not soaking wet, so that the bacteria are encouraged to work,” Kurz said. “Keep adding compostable material as it becomes available. Be sure to lay additional material against the fence rather than heaping up the middle to help keep water on the pile instead of running off.”

Don’t panic if the pile gets warm.

That means the bacteria are working. If the pile stays cool, it may be too wet for the bacteria. Turn the materials with a pitch fork or add dry materials to help balance out the moisture.

“If composting is properly done during the fall and winter months, you will have a pile of valuable garden material to use by spring soil preparation time,” Kurz said.

Learn more by watching the Washington County Master Gardeners’ music video on composting, “Compost Happens,” on YouTube at http://bit.ly/18payM5. More information also can be found at the Cooperative Extension Service website at www.uaex.edu.

‘Bad News’ Hale delivers the good, the bad on baseball diamond Ken Bridges

South Arkansas Historical Foundation

Sports writers liked to call him “Bad News” Hale. For a time in the 1930s and early 1940s, Arvel Odell Hale was a colorful presence in Major League Baseball.

Hale was born to a farming family near Shreveport in 1908 but moved to El Dorado to work at Lion Oil when he was 17 and eventually started a family, but he dreamed of a career in the big leagues.

In 1929, he got his break with the minor league Alexandria Reds.

Impressed by his performance, Hale was hired by the Cleveland Indians in 1931. He developed a reputation as a good hitter and a good fielder, but he sometimes ran into problems.

In 1935, he stole a respectable 15 bases, but led the American League with the most times getting thrown out stealing.

Also, in 1935, he was a part of a bizarre triple play: while at third base, he was hit by a line drive in the forehead, but the ball reportedly bounced off him, was caught by the shortstop who then threw out the remaining runners. The

H

South Arkansas Historical Foundation presents

ist o ry minute

next day, Hale came back and hit a home run.

He had an impressive .959 fielding percentage over his major league career but sometimes led the leagues in the most errors.

He had a .289 career batting average and batted in 573 runs, but in 1941, he was traded to the New

York Giants. In 1942, the New York Giants demoted him to the minor leagues, and he decided to retire from baseball that season.

After his baseball career ended, he returned to El Dorado and worked at a local chemical company until he retired years later.

He died in 1980, but afterward was honored by his adopted community by being inducted into the Union County Sports Hall of Fame.

For more information on the South Arkansas Historical Foundation, call 870.862.9890.

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Williams returns home for Expo performance SouthArk Outdoor Expo set for this Saturday, Sept. 14

El Dorado’s own Jason D. Williams made a name for himself with his live performances that drew inevitable comparisons with Jerry Lee Lewis. Through his fingers, pianos explode with life in ways that very few musicians throughout history ever have been able to make them do.

And now he’s coming home. He is the headlining act among many musical performers at the SouthArk Outdoor Expo, on Sept. 14 at the El Dorado Conference Center. The event is free.

Having lived in the Memphis, Tenn., area for many years, Williams travels and plays gigs more than 200 days a year but got back into the studio in 2010 to cut “Killer Instincts” with producer Todd

Tickling the Ivories: El Dorado native Jason D. Williams will return home to perform at the Outdoor Expo this Saturday, Sept. 14. — Courtesy photo

EXPO continued on Page 9 South Arkansas Leader’s

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Kenny Rogers to perform in El Dorado Tickets are on sale now at Main Street El Dorado

Main Street El Dorado will present Kenny Rogers live on Saturday, Nov. 9 and tickets are on sale now.

Part of Rogers’s Through the Years World Tour, the concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. with doors opening at 6:30 at the Municipal Auditorium, located at 100 West Eighth St., in El Dorado.

A Grammy Award-winning worldwide music icon and 2013 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, Kenny Rogers has recorded 24 No. 1 songs (including “The Gambler,” “Lady” and “Islands In the Stream”) and sold more than 120 million albums worldwide, making him one of the highest-selling artists of all time.

Rogers has charted a record within each of the last seven decades.

Rogers’s fall schedule includes the release of three projects: a new album on Warner Bros. Records, the paperback version of his New York Times Best-Selling autobiography “Luck Or Something Like It,” and a novel entitled “What Are the Chances,” co-written with Mike Blakely. Rogers will also be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville during an official Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony in October.

Rogers is the RIAA’s eighth bestselling male artist of all time with one Diamond album, 19 Platinum albums, 31 Gold albums and sales of more than 120 million records worldwide. The first country artist to consistently sell out arenas, Rogers has played to millions of fans around the world.

Rogers’s Through the Years World Tour has included critically acclaimed performances at the Glastonbury Festival in Great Britain, Morocco’s Festival Timitar, and in Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Switzerland, Canada and the United States.

“I can’t tell you how excited we are to have Kenny Rogers coming to El Dorado for this incredible

Country Music Legend: Kenny Rogers is scheduled to play El Dorado in November. Tickets are on sale now. — Courtesy photo

performance; 1,834 lucky people are going to witness this musical icon perform in our city,” said Mark Givens, executive director of Main Street El Dorado. “I can assure you

that this is going to be an experience you won’t want to miss.”

Tickets are reserved seating and are on sale now via the Main Street website at mainstreeteldorado.org,

or by calling the Main Street office at 870.862.4747. Ticket prices range from $100 (Golden Circle), $60 (Orchestra), $50 (Parquet), $40 (Loge) and $30 (Balcony).

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It’s one ‘Thriller’ of a night for music

The South Arkansas Symphony Orchestra will kick off its 2013-14 season with a concert that blends the best of the orchestra’s symphonic sound with the music of the legendary King of Pop, Michael Jackson.

Canadian band Jeans ‘N Classics – which has performed music of the Eagles, Pink Floyd and Queen – will return to El Dorado with lead vocalist Gavin Hope to team up with the South Arkansas Symphony for The Music of Michael Jackson this Saturday, Sept. 14.

The concert will include Jackson’s music ranging from the “boy Michael” of Jackson Five hits like “ABC” and “I Want You Back,” to the fierce, funky energy of “Billie Jean,” “Beat It” and “Thriller.” And according to head of Jeans N’ Classics Peter Brennan, the concert’s lead vocalist, Gavin Hope, has the trademark Jackson vocals down to a science.

“He sings ‘Ben’ in Michael’s key, way up there,” Brennan said of the Calgary-bred vocalist, who has sung baritone in the a cappella group the

The Music of Michael Jackson highlights the South Arkansas Symphony’s season kickoff this Saturday

Nylons and performed in musical than any competing outfit. Jeans ‘N theater, including playing Simba in Classics has 30 singers, backup sothe original Canadian production of loists and musicians, with Brennan presiding as guitarist, arranger and “The Lion King.” founder of the group.

Not only does Hope Jeans ‘N Classics persing like Jackson, but he forms 80 nights a season, has the dance moves too, works with orchestras Brennan said. He dances around the world, and has “all over the place,” Brenorchestrated over 1,200 nan added, but “he doesn’t songs. They have specifido the moonwalk.” cally teamed up with the A four-piece band and South Arkansas Symthree female backup singphony, playing El Dorado ers, as well as the orthree times before. chestra, will accompany To learn more about Hope. The program of Hope Jeans ‘N Classics or 18 hits ranges from the for a complete listing bobby “Rockin’ Robin” to the percolating “Don’t Stop ‘til of their shows, visit the website at you Get Enough” and the gentle www.jeansnclassics.com.

Hope, not only sings the Jack“Human Nature.”

The ever-growing London, son show for Jeans ‘N Classics, Ontario-based Jeans ‘N Classics, but he sings an Earth, Wind and founded 19 years ago, currently has Fire tribute, appears in a Motown 45 different show offerings – more ensemble show and does Smokey

Arts Center exhibits local artist’s ‘Country Living’, reception slated for this Saturday “Country Living” is not only the title of the new exhibition by local artist M. Angela Reeder, but is also a fitting description for the artist’s work on display at the South Arkansas Arts Center through Sept. 30.

The SAAC visual arts committee will host an artist reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14 in the Lobby Gallery of the Arts Center, located at 110 East Fifth St., in El Dorado. The exhibition and reception are free and open to the public.

Although Reeder studied the medium of watercolor at South Arkansas Community College, she is largely self-taught, and her work is predominately realistic drawings in the media of pastel and charcoal. Her pieces were previously exhibited at the SAAC in 2001, and can sometimes be seen at Studio 207 in downtown El Dorado.

A native of South Arkansas, Reeder said she tries to capture her country heritage in her work.

“As a realist, I attempt to capture the candid, everyday lives of people in their natural environment, with an adherence to drawing or painting the honesty of life,” Reeder said. “I am attracted to drawing scenes of life in a detailed and genuine style.

A reflection of my country heritage, many of my pieces strive to capture the down-home earthiness of country people, farm animals and the rural way of life.”

The artist said that creating the realism she attempts to demonstrate in her work can be a challenge, but Reeder said she feels she continues to improve.

“I am fascinated by the interplay between light and shadows. To create the realism I strive for in my work, I often must ignore what my

brain is telling me that I see, and instead follow only what my eye knows to be the truth in the interaction between light and shadow,” Reeder said. “Paying more attention to my eye and not to my mind’s eye is something which I feel I am endeavoring to improve upon with every piece that I draw or paint.

As I progress as an artist within the genre of realism, my hope is that I continue to dedicate my art to being true to the perception of the human eye.”

The artist reception on Saturday night will offer an opportunity to meet and discuss the inspirations behind the works for Reeder and the five artists from Little Rock currently showing in the galleries.

For more information about the exhibitions, contact the SAAC office at 870.862.5474 or visit the website at www.saac-arts.org.

Robinson numbers in a concert called High Ground that also celebrates Stevie Wonder.

After Jackson’s death in 2009, Hope phoned Brennan asking, “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

From there, the For Michael – The Music of Michael Jackson concert was born.

The concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the El Dorado Municipal Auditorium, located at 100 West Eighth St. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for college students and $5 for children in grades K-12.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 800.792.0521, 870.665.0521 or go online to South ArkansasSymphony.org.

The Music of Michael Jackson is sponsored by First Financial Bank, Share Foundation, Presqu’ile Winery, Medical Center of South Arkansas and El Dorado Chemical.

Submissions sought for literary magazine Submissions are being sought for Between the Lines, the literary magazine of South Arkansas Community College.

Stories, poetry and essays submitted by writers 18 years and older who live in Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, Union and Calhoun counties; and Union, Claiborne and Webster parishes in Louisiana; are invited to participate.

Manuscripts are due by Oct. 4 by email to Scott Larkin at slarkin@southark.edu. A panel of judges will determine which works will be published; writers whose work is accepted will be invited to participate in a public reading, and will receive two copies of Between the Lines.

Submissions may be edited at the discretion of the editor.

For more information, contact Larkin by email or at 870.862.8131 extension 223.

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Animals play an important role in HOPE Landing mission

On the ranch, everyone has a job, whether you have two legs or four.

The animals of HOPE Landing play an important role in the delivery of our mission. Each day our team of horses and our therapy dog strive to improve the lives of the clients and families of HOPE Landing…

Oh! And the staff too!

Here’s a quick look at the variety of programs and activities we are able to provide because of our four-legged friends: » Equine-Assisted Therapy: EAT is a goal-oriented intervention in which specially trained horses are an integral part of the treatment process. Directed by a licensed therapist in the scope of his or her profession, EAT is designed to promote improvement in human physical, social, emotional and cognitive functioning.

“Hippotherapy” is a specific discipline of EAT and is a term that describes occupational, physical or speech-language therapy using the movement of the horse to achieve improvement on functional goals within each child’s plan of care. » Equine-Assisted Activities: EAA is a term used to describe programs that offer opportunities for recreational, educational and motivational benefits to enhance quality of life. These programs are designed to target equine-related goals by teaching children with disabilities actual riding, driving, vaulting, ground work and team sports skills, while challenging them in areas of weakness for functional improvement in leisure and social skills, self-accomplishment and animal-human interaction. All sessions are led by a NARHA certified riding instructor.

Therapeutic Riding falls under Equine-Assisted Activities and focuses on recreational riding for individuals with disabilities. Children are evaluated by a certified riding instructor in

collaboration with a licensed occupational, physical or speechlanguage pathologist when needed and given a plan of care that focuses on goals that are riding-oriented.

Children learn the parts of a horse, how to tack, how to lead, longe (pronounced “lunge”), groom and ride. Horse handlers and side-walkers are provided according to individual needs.

Classes are held weekly for between 60 adn 90 minutes and led by a NARHA certified riding instructor. » Horseback Riding Instruction: Although HOPE Landing’s mission is to serve children with disabilities, it is believed a large part of that service is preparing and educating others – especially their peers.

Weekly classes are, therefore, provided for typically developing children without disabilities to promote awareness and inclusion, as well as build future volunteers and professionals.

Sessions are led by competent riding instructors and focus on proper care of the horse, selecting and securing tack and equipment, safety, and proper riding techniques for healthy and natural horse-human relationships. » Pet-Assisted Therapy: Pet-assisted therapy is generally called “pet therapy.” It is the use of animals, such as dogs, to aid people with special needs.

Many skills can be learned or improved with the assistance of a therapy animal.

Client gross motor development may be encouraged by such activities as walking or running with a dog, or throwing objects for the animal to retrieve. Fine motor skill may be developed by petting,

HOPE continued on Page 12

EXPO

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Snider. Snider is known for “altcountry” and brought those sensibilities to the album, encouraging Williams to write in the freestyle way that rappers pen their lyrics.

The results were songs like “Mr. Jesus” and “If You Ever Saw a Baby With Its Pud.” “We felt like we were part of something unique as the songwriting was coming alive,” Snider said.

Williams said that the album is meant to be rock and roll, though it was cut in Nashville, Tenn.

He describes himself as a “rockabilly” performer, having left

MUSA

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El Dorado at age 16 to hone his craft as part of Sleepy LaBeef’s band in Massachusetts. Williams’s career took off as a solo performer in the 1980s and he became a regular guest on shows as farranging as “Crook and Chase” and “Entertainment Tonight.”

Williams describes his show as “Jerry Lee Lewis meets Jackson Pollock and Jerry Lee Lewis meets Joe Namath.”

For a preview of Jason D. Williams’s music, go to www.rockin jasondwilliams.com. For more information about the SouthArk Outdoor Expo, visit the website at www.southark.edu/expo.

El Dorado native, as CEO of Murphy USA in January. Clyde said he’s continued from Page 1 glad to be back in his hometown and to join the progress he’s seen in the station opens in El Dorado. area since his return.

Based on the savings customers “As a stand-alone company, we realized in similar communities, will continue to look at ways to give Clyde said, over the next 10 years back to our community,” Clyde said. consumers should save $5 million in To learn more about Murphy USA fuel costs once the store opens. and its stores, visit the website at Murphy Oil appointed Clyde, an www.murphyusa.com.

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COMMUNITY calendar

» NATURE NIGHTS — On the second Thursday of each month, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and South Arkansas Community College’s Corporate and Community Education will team up to offer Nature Nights, a series for the entire family. The program is free and open to the public. Space is limited, so registration is requested.

Program: Outdoor Cooking. Participants will learn the basics of cooking with a Dutch oven.

When: Thursday, Sept. 12 at 6 p.m.

Where: Arkansas Welcome Center, Highway 167 South, El Dorado Contact: For more information or to register, contact CCE at 870.864.7192 or email Laura Rogers at the AGFC at larogers@agfc.state.ar.us. » TINKER TIME AT THE MUSEUM — The Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources invites the public to come and explore the marvels of mechanics, gravity and electricity at Tinker Time in the museum’s Tinkering Studio. Registration is required since space is limited. Participation in the workshops is free, but those who would like to keep their creation must pay a $5 fee.

When: Saturday, Sept. 14 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Where: Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources, 3853 Smackover Highway, Smackover Contact: For more information or to register, contact the museum at 870.725.2877. » THE MUSIC OF MICHAEL JACKSON — In a tribute to the King of Pop, the South Arkansas Symphony

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Your guide to events happening in communities in and around Union County.

will take audiences back to the earliest Jackson 5, through the Jacksons and also focus on some of the best material from “Off the Wall,” “Thriller” and “Bad.” The performance will feature Jeans ‘N Classics with Gavin Hope.

Cost: $20 per person When: Saturday, Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Municipal Auditorium, 100 West Eighth St., El Dorado Contact: For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the website at www.SouthArkansasSymphony.org, or by calling the South Arkansas Symphony ticket office at 870.862.0521 or 800.792.0521.

» EDINGTON TEMPLE MEN’S DAY PROGRAM — Edington Temple Church of God In Christ, under the direction of pastor Connell Muse Sr., will host a Men’s Day Program, “Men of Standard.” The program will feature guest the Rev. Henry Cox and congregation of Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church of Warren. The public is invited to attend When: Sunday, Sept. 15 at 3 p.m.

Where: Edington Temple COGIC, Hampton » MOUNT TABOR MUSICIAN APPRECIATION — Mount Tabor Baptist Church of Bernice, La., under the direction of pastor George Shelton, will host a Musician Appreciation for Steven Hoof. Guest choirs will include New Mt. Union of Junction City, Zion Watch of El Dorado and County Line Baptist Church of Ruston, La. When: Sunday, Sept. 15 at 3 p.m.

Where: Fellowship Baptist Church, 226 Cook Road, Lillie, La.

Crossword and Sudoku Answer Key for:

Sept. 4

Contact: For more information, call 318.285.0561. » TENT REVIVAL COMING TO EL DORADO— First Baptist Church – Cordell, under the direction of the Rev. Pierce Moore, will host a Tent Revival open to all of Union County and the surrounding areas. The revival will be lead by Pastor Derrick Easter of the Bailey Chapel Baptist Church in Little Rock.

When: Sept. 16-18 at 6:45 p.m. nightly Where: First Baptist Church – Cordell, 620 Cordell, El Dorado » FALL REVIVAL CHOIR REHEARSALS — The Dr. Frank Ray Revival Choir rehearsals are now open. All choir members are welcome.

Dr. Derik H. Slaton will serve as facilitator. The Frank Ray Revival Choir will perform nightly at the Fall Revival in El Dorado Oct. 2-4.

When: Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 6 p.m.

Where: Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, 2506 North College Ave, El Dorado Contact: For more information, contact Dr. Derik Slaton at 318.255.5285 or Antonio Davis at 870.807.2043. » WALK ACROSS ARKANSAS REGISTRATION — Registration for the fall 2013 edition of Walk Across Arkansas is now open. The eightweek challenge encourages Arkansans to walk as many minutes as they can between Sept. 30 and Nov. 24.

Participants need to collect a team of between two and 10 people; select a team captain and team name; and set a personal goal and track the individual

team members’ progress.

When: Sept. 30 through Nov. 24 Where: Arkansas Contact: For more instructions and registration, go online to the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Walk Across Arkansas website at http://bit.ly/1a2Ahii. » FALL REVIVAL — Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, under the direction of the Rev. Felton Burgie, will host the Fall Revival. The revival will be led by Dr. Frank E. Ray, pastor of New Salem Missionary Baptist Church of Memphis, Tenn., and will feature the Frank Ray Revival Choir.

When: Oct. 2-4 at 7 p.m. nightly Where: Municipal Auditorium, 100 West Eighth St., El Dorado Contact: For more information, contact the Rev. Felton Burgie at 870.312.1730 or Antonio Davis at 870.807.2043. » BARTON LIBRARY LOCATING ANNUALS — Barton Library is participating in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections’ Yearbook Project, which digitizes high school yearbooks free for libraries and high schools. The library has 1960-1979 on disc, but is missing several volumes in several decades. If members of the public will loan their annuals from 1944-46, 195354, 2009 and 2012, the library will give them a free copy of the digitized yearbook. Each disc contains several years. Turnaround time for the process is less than one month.

Contact: For more information, contact the library at 870.863.5447 or email inquiries@bartonlibrary.org.

Tell Us Something Good!

Submit your event, announcement or story idea to the South Arkansas Leader at leader@noalmark.com at least one week before the date of the event. All material must be received the Friday before publication on Wednesday. For more information, contact the Leader staff at 870.863.6126 or by email.

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L

SUDOKU

EADER

To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box.

You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes.

Union County's free source for community news and more

Noalmark Broadcasting

General Manager Jay Helm jay_helm@noalmark.com

Editor Brooke Burger brooke.burger@noalmark.com

Advertising Harry Dyer harry@noalmark.com

The South Arkansas Leader is owned and operated by Noalmark Broadcasting Corporation. The views and opinions expressed in the South Arkansas Leader are those of the staff and contributing writers and do not represent the official views of Noalmark Broadcasting Corporation. All material published in this newspaper and on its website is copyrighted.

The South Arkansas Leader publishes every Wednesday.

All materials for publication must be received no later than noon the Friday before publication. For more information on submitting news releases, photos, event announcements, story ideas or photo opportunities, please contact the editor.

The South Arkansas Leader is a weekly communityinterest newspaper serving Union County, Arkansas.

View an interactive map of the South Arkansas Leader's newsstand locations at http://bit.ly/14dv3FS.

CROSSWORD How It Works

South Arkansas

2525 North West Ave. El Dorado, AR 71730 Office: 870.863.6126 Fax: 870.863.4555 leader@noalmark.com

South Arkansas Leader

WEEKLY RECIPE Celebrating Hispanic cuisine Hispanic heritage is something to celebrate.

Hispanics have made numerous contributions in all walks of life, be it science, art, culture or even cuisine. Hispanic cuisine is beloved the world over, but it doesn’t take a cook or chef of Hispanic descent to bring even the most delicious dishes into their own kitchens.

Whether you’re of Hispanic descent or someone who simply loves a good meal, the following recipe for “Flat-Grilled Shrimp with Pimenton and Shaved Marcona Almonds” from James Campbell Caruso’s “Espana: Exploring the Flavors of Spain” (Gibbs Smith) is a great way to celebrate Hispanics and all of their contributions to the world.

Flat-Grilled Shrimp with Pimenton and Shaved Marcona Almonds Ingredients: Serves 6 » 1/2 cup olive oil » Juice of 1 lemon

Directions:

» 2 teaspoons sea salt » 24 medium-large shrimp (about 1 pound), in the shell with heads intact » 10 Marcona almonds

In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice and salt until well blended. Heat a plancha, grill or cast-iron skillet to high heat. Toss the shrimp in the oil-lemon mixture.

Working in batches, grill the shrimp in a single layer without crowding. Sear for 1 minute. Decrease the heat to medium and continue cooking for 1 minute longer. Turn the shrimp, increase the heat to high and sear for 2 more minutes, or until shrimp are golden. Keep the shrimp warm on an ovenproof platter in a low oven. Cook the rest of the shrimp in the same way.

When all the shrimp are cooked, arrange on a platter and serve immediately. Using a microplane or fine cheese grater, grind the almonds over the shrimp and let the almond dust sprinkle down.

CLUES ACROSS

1. Former NBA player Bison __ 5. Rabbit __, Updike novel 10. Rectangular groove 14. Formally declare 15. A citizen of Oman 16. Dull in color 17. Pace of movement 18. Athletic saucers 19. Not crazy 20. -__, denotes past 21. 17th Greek letter 22. “__, chihuahua” 23. Sight, smell and touch 27. Ribbon belts 30. Products of human creativity 31. Behave in a certain manner 32. Breathing out 37. First St. Louis bridge 41. No variation 42. 1/1000 of an ampere 43. Palladium

CLUES DOWN

1. Challenges 2. Hedge 3. Lease 4. Before 5. Singer Stewart 6. Islamic prince 7. African shirt 8. Unusually (Scot.)

9. Twelve 10. Tooth caregiver 11. Macaws 12. Mother of Perseus 13. Does as told 24. Canonized 25. Stray 26. Speak haltingly 27. __ Dee, actress 28. Air cooling machine 29. Stanley’s automobile 32. Old world, new 33. Sixteen 34. Foot (Latin)

44. Cain and __ 45. Small stone coffin-like box 46. Failed 2012 candidate 49. Point midway between E and SE 51. Turns into noun 52. Temper or anger 54. Atomic No. 56 56. Negligible amounts 59. Wuthering Heights author’s initials 60. The cry made by sheep 61. Exclamation of surprise 62. Basics 65. Wife of Mohammed 67. Wing-like structures 69. Smaller amount 70. Lesion 71. Transfer property 72. Indian groom 73. Round stone 74. Sums up 35. A citizen of Thailand 36. Select 38. Airborne (abbr.)

39. River in NE Scotland 40. Skilled in deception 47. Hot condiment 48. Not divisible by two 50. Point midway between S and E 52. Apportions cards 53. Ruled by an abbess 55. Expressed pleasure 57. Bleated 58. Storage buildings 60. Stored in the gallbladder 63. Reciprocal of a sine 64. Point midway between S and SE 65. Eighth Month (abbr.)

66. They __ 67. Dental group 68. Conducted

Answer key on page 10.

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South Arkansas Leader

Latest library arrivals encourage readers to learn something new, have some fun or both Lauri Wilson

use an electric drill, soldering iron and blowtorch. Instructions for 24 projects included, with illustrations and a primer on electronics and soldering.

South Arkansas Community College

If you haven’t been to the South Arkansas Community College Library this summer, there’s still time! Our staff will be happy to help you get your library card and locate books.

Here are a few new ones that you might enjoy: » “Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us” by Michael Moss.

Millions of Americans crave foods full of salt, sugar and fat, and journalist Michael Moss reveals why and how food companies helped create the problem. » “Gideon’s Corpse” by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.

The latest thriller from the bestselling pair involves a rogue nuclear scientist who takes a family hostage, threatening their lives and

Feel

many others when it’s discovered that he’s radioactive, and an Islamic extremist as well. » “Snip, Burn, Solder, Shred: Seriously Geeky Stuff to Make With Your Kids” by David Erik Nelson.

Parents, Scout leaders and others, here are some fun projects that teach as well. Kids can make things (with help) and learn how to

the

Powe r

king of Free Chec with

» “Learn to Play the 200 BestEver Card Games” by Jeremy Harwood.

Looking for a new and different card game? You probably never heard of Pope Joan, Costly Colours, Spite and Malice, and Doppelkopf.

These are names of card games that you can learn to play, along with the many others described in this colorful book.

Located at 300 Summit Ave., on the SouthArk West Campus, the library is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to noon on Fridays.

Lauri Wilson is a library technician at South Arkansas Community College. All of these books are available at the SouthArk Library, which is open to the public. For more information, call 870.864.7115.

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HOPE

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grooming or feeding the animal.

Patient communication is encouraged by the response of the animal to either verbal or physical commands. Activities such as writing or talking about the therapy pet develop cognitive skills and communication.

Creative inclusion of a pet in the life or therapy of a client can make a major difference in the client’s comfort and progress.

The animals of HOPE Landing allow a unique and effective approach to the services we provide at HOPE Landing, and allow us to offer programs that wouldn’t be possible without them. The animal-assisted therapies and programs we offer are a vital part of who we are as an organization, and we couldn’t achieve our mission without them. God Bless these four-legged friends!

Union United showcases the 14 nonprofit partner agencies of the United Way of Union County.

For more information, call 870.862.4903, or visit uwucar.org.

‘We will never forget’: Remembering Patriot’s Day

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Memorial: A group of local servicemen greet each other in front of the Arkansas 9.11 Memorial, located on the El Dorado Conference Center lawn. Each year, the El Dorado 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony is held on the morning of Patriot’s Day, Sept. 11, to remember and honor

the lives lost during the terrorist attacks of 2001. The memorial includes a time line of the events that transpired on 9/11 and an engraved wall honoring Arkansans who died in the attacks, as well as a piece of steal from one the World Trade Center towers.