Volume 9 - No. 30 by South Arkansas Leader

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Sept. 18, 2013 Volume 9 – No. 30 WANT MORE?

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rocks Expo

Holiday play auditions p. 4

Question of the Week

What outdoor activity do you enjoy the most? « Alexis Levingston “I love to swim.”

» Priscila Hernandez “Tailgating.”

« Gaby Juarez “Music festivals.”

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El Dorado’s Own: Legendary Rockabilly piano player and El Dorado native Jason D. Williams rocks the crowd at the annual SouthArk Outdoor Expo, organized by South Arkansas Community College’s Foundation. Williams

headlined the outdoor event aimed at raising scholarship funds. Saying he was glad to be back in his hometown for the performance, Williams interlaced his piano playing with a bit of reminiscing. — Brooke Burger / South Arkansas Leader

» Sierra Spears “Canoeing or camping.”

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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Too many punches are used as punch lines in ‘The Family’ Derek DiCiccio

The Family

Red Carpet Crash

It’s been a pretty tough last 10 years for Robert De Niro. Other than an exceptional supporting role in “Silver Linings Playbook” (2012), it’s been disastrous movie after disastrous movie for one of the greatest actors of all time. There are some, particularly the horrible “Meet the Parents” series, in which he flat out embarrasses himself, making you wonder “What happened to Robert De Niro?” Normally, De Niro’s “going through the motions” approach is justifiable as these movies probably would have been awful with or without him. But in “The Family,” De Niro is all-in and performing at his highest level as a lead actor since “Analyze This” (1999). The twist this time is that his performance, along with the always great Michelle Pfeiffer, are the only things that save this movie from being a massive train wreck of violence sold as slapstick humor and onetrick-pony jokes. De Niro is Giovanni Manzoni, a former mob boss turned star witness, who has ratted out his old buddies and is now hiding out in France as a member of the witness protection program. Giovanni, a.k.a. Fred Blake, drags his family around France as they seem to get into trouble everywhere they go, kind of like a Mafia version of the Griswolds. The trick here is that it’s not just Gio/Fred that is causing all the problems. His wife, Maggie (Pfeiffer), is a time bomb waiting to go off and she literally does in a very funny scene in a grocery store.

» Release date: Sept. 13. » Run time: 110 min. » Rated: R for violence, lanugage and brief sexuality. » Director: Luc Besson. » Stars: Robert De Niro, Michelle

Their oldest child, Belle (Dianna Agron), seems to intentionally lead the drooling French boys on simply so she can physically pummel them later. But Belle doesn’t hold a candle to her younger brother, the 14-year-old Warren (John D’Leo), who manages to find the weakness of their new school in one day and turns it into his own scheme involving blackmail, forgery and just about anything else you can think of. The “Blakes” are all under the watchful eye of Agent Robert Stansfield (Tommy Lee Jones), who is growing tired of running them all over the French countryside. He is also suspicious of Fred’s discovery of an old typewriter, which inspires him to write Gio’s memoirs. Gio’s writing gives “The Family” a clever and quite funny way to flashback to old events and also makes De Niro’s narration seem natural. It all sounds good and plays so well … for maybe the first hour. “The Family” slowly reveals that when ideas for punch lines run out, the director simply has one of the Blakes punch someone in the face. There are some acts of violence that are meant to be shockingly funny,

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his Mafia pursuers is so preposterous that it pulls the emergency brake and sends the movie fishtailing into stupidity. It involves a school newspaper, a plane trip to New York, garbage, a guy reading porn, and a Pfeiffer, Dianna Agron, John D’Leo, mobster being delivered coffee in Tommy Lee Jones, Vincent Pastore, prison. All of those things tie toJohn Freda, Jimmy Palumbo, Michael gether in a moronic and eye-rolling J. Panichelli Jr. and Anthony Desio. sequence that deflates an almost promising balloon. » RCC Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars. The actors hold this thing together as much as they can in a fairly imand while some are, it’s not as fun- pressive way. Tommy Lee Jones is ny when that joke structure is done going through the motions in a oneover and over for two hours. It’s note role that merely requires him to why “Three Stooges” movies were be cranky in a very short amount of only about 20 minutes long. screen time. There’s just really not The final 30 minutes or so goes much else for him to do. heavy on the action and suspense, Every member of the family all while in some very claustropho- gets their own little subplots, and bic settings. This is all done really John D’Leo’s is perhaps the funniwell, which you would expect from est. D’Leo is channeling a young director Luc Besson. Besson even De Niro as he smooth talks and borrows a few things from his best snarks his way through school and and most popular movie, “Léon: any trouble that comes his way. The Professional” (1994). There are plenty of F-bombs in There are some legitimately tense this movie, but it may roll off his moments that should make you tongue better than any other actor wonder if everyone from the Blake in this film. family is going to make it out of this For as much of a return to form thing alive. “The Family” is for De Niro, it’s It is easy to pinpoint the moment another entry into the “Michelle “The Family” flies off the rails. The FAMILY continued on Page 9 manner in which Fred is found by

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Growing up wealthy does not have to mean growing up spoiled Dear Dave, How do you make sure you don’t spoil your child when you’re wealthy? — Ryan

Bright Idea: Electric Cooperative of Arkansas officials recently celebrated the announcement to electrify four Guatemalan villages with the residents of one of the villages. Work is scheduled to begin next month. — Courtesy photo

State’s electric coops on a mission to help electrify rural Guatemalan villages LITTLE ROCK — The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas are performing a mission from their history books by bringing electricity to rural residents, but this time the residents live in Guatemala. The Arkansas cooperatives are assisting the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s International Foundation with the project. “Electric cooperatives were originally formed to provide reasonably priced electric service to rural Americans that otherwise would be unable to afford electricity,” said Duane Highley, president and CEO of the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas. “Electricity provided by electric cooperatives transformed lives in the 1940s. Over the next two years we will assist in transforming the lives of the residents of four remote villages in Huehuetenango, Guatemala.” Highley said the Arkansas electric cooperatives and ERMCO are donating materials, labor and funds to assist with the project. Cooperative crews will assist in construction of electric distribution line and related infrastructure, as well as providing some training to local line workers. “Today, 1.5 billion people around the world still do not have access to

electricity,” said Ingrid Hunsicker, NRECA International Foundation Manager. “Electricity encourages educational and economic opportunities, paving a pathway for expanded healthcare services and more reliable water treatment facilities. Electricity raises the standard of living in communities around the globe. We truly appreciate the cooperative spirit of the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas toward this great project.” The NRECA International Foundation is working in Latin America, Africa and Asia to provide access to reliable, safe and affordable electricity in remote rural areas. The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas comprise 17 electric distribution cooperatives; Arkansas Electric Cooperatives Inc., a Little Rockbased cooperative that provides services to the distribution cooperatives; and Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation, a generation and transmission cooperative. The distribution cooperatives provide electricity to approximately 500,000 homes, farms and businesses in Arkansas and surrounding states. For more information, visit the Electrical Cooperatives of Arkansas online at www.ecark.org.

DAVE Says

he made me an authorized user. Now he’s delinquent on the card and I’m receiving collection calls Dear Ryan, I know this will sound mean to and notices. Do I owe the credit card compasome people, but you simply exny money? plain to them that they are not — Steve wealthy. I remember a time years ago, after we’d gone broke, that we Dear Steve, managed to scrimp and save and fiNo, an authorized user is not linally had a little bit of wealth. We bought a nice car and my son piped able. The account is in your dad’s up from the back seat, all smug name, and you didn’t sign anything. and satisfied, “We’re doing pretty He’s the one legally responsible for the money owed. good, huh?” I want you to be careful, though. I’ll admit it was kind of funny, but it was also a teachable moment. I Lots of credit card companies will looked at him and said, “I’m do- badger people and use all kinds of ing pretty good, but you’re broke!” pressure and guilt trips to try to colThat was a pretty consistent mes- lect money from people who don’t sage around the Ramsey house- owe them anything. They just want hold as the kids were growing up. their money, and they really don’t If you’re not working and making care who writes the check. your own way, you’ve got nothing. Get them to remove you as an The second thing is we taught authorized user today. Send them them, from a very young age, was a letter demanding this via certito work. That can start with simple fied mail, return receipt requested, things like kids cleaning up their so you’ll have proof. Also, make rooms or doing the dishes after sure they understand that you’ll sue dinner. It should carry over to the them for about $10 million if they teenage years as well. Every able- don’t comply immediately. You bodied child should be working shouldn’t be reported to the credit and earning money, whether it’s bureaus for any of this, but compatheir own entrepreneurial idea, at a nies can report just about anything store in the mall or babysitting. – even inaccurate information – to The third thing we did was based the bureaus. in our faith. As evangelical ChrisYou have rights as a consumer, tians, we taught our kids that we and you are not legally liable for don’t really own anything. It all be- credit card debt when you’re just an longs to God, and one of our jobs authorized user. But make sure you is to wisely manage the things He check your credit report regularly entrusts to us. The first rule is to in the future. Some of these comtake care of your own household – panies make a habit of repeatedly the important stuff. After that, it’s downloading misinformation to the okay to have some nice things, but bureaus in an effort to bother and it’s not all about pleasure. It’s also about giving and extraordinary lev- bully people into paying debts they don’t owe! els of generosity. — Dave Teach them to work. Teach them to be givers. And gently remind Dave Ramsey has authored four New them once in a while that they’ve York Times best-selling books: got nothing until they go out and “Financial Peace,” “More Than Enough,” “The Total Money earn it. Makeover” and “EntreLeadership.” — Dave Dear Dave, My dad opened a credit card account in his name a few years ago to help with my college bills, and

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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Auditions scheduled for SAAC’s holiday play The theater committee of the South Arkansas Arts Center will be holding auditions for the upcoming holiday production of “A 1940s Radio Christmas Carol” on Monday, Sept. 30 and Tuesday, Oct. 1. SAAC is looking for six male actors, age 17 and up, and three female actors, age 19 and up. There are two roles that can be either male or female, age 17 and up, serving as foley (sound effect) operators for the production. Those interested in auditioning should prepare 16 bars, or approximately a verse and chorus, of an upbeat song that best illustrates the performer’s vocal range. Those auditioning are asked to provide either sheet music or an accompaniment CD for the audition. Although the play is a musical, dancing is not required. Cold readings will be taken from the script and many of the characters will play multiple “vocal” character roles throughout the broadcast of “A Christmas Carol.” Those auditioning should dress comfortably and be prepared to show off their funny

South Arkansas Arts Center prepares for holiday production of ‘A 1940s Radio Christmas Carol’ Simmons First Bank of El Dorado will sponsor the South Arkansas Arts Center’s 2013 holiday production of Walton Jones and David Wohl’s “A 1940s Radio Christmas Carol.” The evening of nostalgic entertainment from a bygone era will open Nov. 29 and continue through Dec. 8. Seamlessly combining drama and comedy, heartbreak and hope, “A 1940s Radio Christmas Carol” opens on Christmas Eve 1943 with the Feddington Players

voices talent. Those interested in the foley operator characters will have a slightly different audition. A short film clip and a collection of noise-making tools will be provided for them to create a soundscape that brings the video to life.

broadcasting from a hole-in-thewall studio in Newark, NJ, where they are set to present their contemporary take on Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol.” Whether it’s the noisy plumbing, missed cues, electrical blackouts or the over-the-top theatrics of veteran actor but radio novice, William St. Claire, this show is an entertaining excursion into the mayhem and madness of a live radio show. The play literally takes the audience – included as the station’s live

Registration begins in the SAAC lobby at 5:30 p.m. with auditions beginning at 6 p.m. The play recreates a live broadcast in the style of radio’s golden age and is unlike anything the SAAC has staged before. Performances are scheduled to show at the South

radio broadcast audience – right into the vintage radio era of the 1940s. The characters in this production are not just work colleagues; they are a family muddling through serious wartime events while trying to maintain some normalcy and humor. For more information about “A 1940s Radio Christmas Carol,” contact the SAAC office at 870.862.5474 or visit the website at www.saac-arts.org.

Arkansas Arts Center, located at 110 East Fifth St. in El Dorado, from Nov. 29 through Dec. 8. For more information about auditions, contact the SAAC office at 870.862.5474 or visit the website at www.saac-arts.org for a complete listing of roles available.

Medicare recipients can participate in Open Enrollment starting next month

Famous Arkansas boxer and criminal, ‘Big Bear’ Sonny Liston masters the sport while in prison

According to Medicare and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Medicare Open Enrollment begins on Tuesday, Oct. 15 and will continue for a seven-week period through Saturday, Dec. 7. Recipients can use this opportunity to review current Medicare choices and compare them to coverage that is available for next year to make sure they have the plan that is right for them. Many may be able to save money, get better coverage or both. As well, recipients can make sure that they take advantage of the new benefits available, including wellness visits, preventative care and lower prescription drug costs. For more information, call Medicare toll free at 800.633.4227 or visit the website at medicare.gov.

Sonny Liston was one of the most famous sports figures from Arkansas, but he had a life filled with controversy and tragedy. Charles “Sonny” Liston was born into a family of sharecroppers in St. Francis County. He often cited his birth date as 1932, but since there were not any birth records his actual birthdate is not known. He was one of 13 children, and his schooling was poor. Eventually, Liston made his way to St. Louis, Mo., but he soon turned to a life of crime. In 1950, he was arrested for robbery. While in prison, encouraged by chaplains and prison officials, Liston began boxing. He was paroled in 1952, and proceeded to win several Gold Glove championships before turning professional. He went across

Ken Bridges South Arkansas

South Arkansas Historical Foundation presents

ist o ry minute

the country, winning several bouts, including many by knockout. Sports writers began calling him “Big Bear.” In spite of his successes as a boxer, Liston continued to have problems with the law. He would be arrested several more times for assault and rumors flew about connections between Liston and the Mafia. In 1962, the famed boxer reached the peak of his career by defeating Floyd Patterson to become Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the world. But his title came crashing down with a loss to Muhammad Ali in 1964.

He lost a rematch to Ali in 1965, with some accusing him of purposely throwing the fight. He won a number of matches in the ensuing years, but his reputation never recovered. He would win one more fight in June 1970, bringing his record to 50 wins and four losses. But nearing 50, his body was wearing down, and he would never fight again. In late 1970, he died under mysterious circumstances in Las Vegas, some suggesting a drug overdose, but no evidence of drug paraphernalia was ever found. Organized in the 1970s, the South Arkansas Historical Foundation has been dedicated to educating the public about Arkansas’s rich history for over 30 years. The SAHF offices are located at 422 North Jackson in El Dorado. For more information, about SAHF call 870.862.9890.

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Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge to hold its Fall Festival CROSSETT — The Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge will celebrate the outdoors with its Fall Festival this Saturday, Sept. 21. Now in its fourth year, the wildlife refuge once again invites the community to come and explore the refuge’s recreational opportunities in a family-friendly atmosphere during its annual Fall Festival. Complete with exhibitors, live demonstrations, food, crafts and more, this festival will focus on a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities and provide hands-on activities to engage youth and their families to get outside and get connected with nature. While hunting and fishing remain the most popular pastimes within the refuge, the Fall Festival offers people from all walks of life a chance to enjoy other outdoor activities, as well. “This event is turning into a tremendous success for both the community and the refuge,” said

Amanda Wilkinson, visitor services specialist. “It’s a day for people to come out, explore and take part in several outdoor recreational activities – most of which can be done right here at Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge. “Each year, our attendance numbers increase and our exhibitor interest spreads. It’s a free, fun day and we are excited to host this event.” The festival will kickoff at 10 Saturday morning at the “Old Beer Joint Access” off of Highway 82 West in Crossett, west of the river bridge, and will continue until 3 that afternoon. Admission and activities are free for all and on-site parking is available. The festival will showcase exhibitors such as Arkansas Canoe Club, the Bartholomew Dutch Oven Society, Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources, Arkansaw

FEST continued on Page 12

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.

Bearden Riding Club’s benefit ride to feature activities for the whole family BEARDEN — The Bearden Riding Club will team up with New Hope Baptist Church for the second annual Ride for Holiday Cheer, a nonprofit benefit trail ride, barrel race and play day scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 21. All proceeds raised will go to purchase Christmas gifts, including clothes, coats, shoes and toys, for children in need. Entry fee for juniors cost $20 and seniors cost $30, with a 75-percent payback. The added 4D barrel race costs $250. Ribbons will be awarded to the top five in each event and riders earning the highest points in each division will receive a trophy. Events include: » Speed Events: barrels, poles,

speed, straight-away and quads; » Open Events: gaited speed, heart and pleasure; » Children Events: (age 10 and under) stick horse barrels and ribbon race; and » Open Fun Events: keyhole, boot race, buddy barrel and the moneybag grab. The events will kickoff at 10 a.m. at Bearden Riding Arena, located at 155 Ouachita 263 in Bearden, beginning with the trail ride. The barrel race will begin at 3 p.m., followed by a play day. Concessions will be available for sale. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, and campers are welcome. For more information, call 870.866.6789 or 870.687.2927.

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In the Outdoors

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09•18•13 » Skilled Saw: (opposite page, top) Chainsaw artist Scott Winford works on another sculpture at the SouthArk Outdoor Expo on Saturday, Sept. 14 at the El Dorado Conference Center.