Volume 9 - No. 46

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Jan. 8, 2014

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MLK celebration upcoming p. 7

Question of the Week

What was one of the highlights from your 2013? « Shangela Singleton “I graduated in December.”

» Bianca Stephens “I had my first baby.”

« Yunakit Millage “That I made it with God’s good health and strength.”

Sgt. Christopher Lutman

Police Department to bridge information gap with Citizens Police Academy Brooke Burger

participants the chance to get to Editor know the person behind the badge and the system behind the force.

In the coming month, the El DoOver the years television shows rado Police Department will open like “Cops” and “America’s Most its doors to the public in an eightweek, hands-on academy, giving Wanted” have capitalized on

the public’s fascination with the sometimes dangerous world of police work. Yet according to Sgt. Christopher Lutman, audiences are seeing only about 3 percent of

» Shaniqua Wilson “I was able to work and go to college in spite of health problems.”

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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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‘47 Ronin’ is terrific, intriguing escapist entertainment James McDonald Red Carpet Crash

A band of samurai set out to avenge the death and dishonor of their master at the hands of a ruthless shogun.

Keanu Reeves is an actor I have long admired. He has been the butt of many jokes from various different people over the years for his lack of “acting abilities,” but he always seems to have the last laugh.

Granted, he has made some good independent movies with the likes of “River’s Edge,” “A Scanner Darkly” and “My Own Private Idaho,” but he has also starred in some of the biggest blockbusters in film history, such as “Point Break,” “Speed,” “The Matrix” trilogy and “Constantine.” What I like about Reeves is that he is very unpredictable. His movie choices, while not always commendable, are at the very least intriguing.

And his latest selection is no different.

Set in 18th-century Japan, outcast Kai (Keanu Reeves), the illegitimate son of a British sailor and a Japanese peasant woman, joins a group of Rōnin led by Ōishi Kuranosuke

Rings” movies. It was set in a time long ago, in a far distant place and it 47 Ronin had heroes and villains, witches and monsters, and a warrior who will do » Release date: Dec. 25. whatever it takes to save the love » Run time: 118 min. of his life. On their journeys, the » Stars: Keanu Reeves, Hiroyuki Sanada, » Rated: PG-13 for intense sequences Rōnin encounter monsters, demons, Kô Shibasaki, Tadanobu Asano, Min of violence and action, some witches and a slew of other decidTanaka, Jin Akanishi and Hiroshi disturbing images and thematic edly nasty creatures.

Sogabe. elements.

“The Hobbit: The Desolation of » Director(s): Carl Rinsch. » RCC Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Smaug” had been boasting for some time that the dragon Smaug, voiced (Hiroyuki Sanada). Kuranosuke directorial debut, “Man of Tai Chi.” by Benedict Cumberbatch, was simseeks vengeance on Lord Kira I went in to see this film with low ply the best dragon to appear on (Tadanobu Asano), a ruthless man expectations; I usually do that with screen ever. Well, I have to have adwho killed their master and ban- most movies so that I might at least mit that I thought the dragon in “47 ished the group. The Rōnin embark enjoy it more, and in this instance Ronin” gave old Smaug a run for his on a journey with challenges that I’m happy I did as it was fantastic money. Although the dragon in this would defeat most warriors. fun. I had read and heard so much movie isn’t on screen nearly half as We have seen this story arc before: about the movie and its mainly neg- much as Smaug, it does indeed up The outsider, who is taken in to the ative reviews, and was delighted the “wow” factor when it appears.

The special effects and CGI are tribe as a child and grows up with when the movie ended and proved outstanding and they are among the them and is loved as one of their all the naysayers wrong. film’s greatest triumphs. The cinown, must then band with them to When I go to a movie, I go to enjoy ematography by John Mathieson avenge their master’s death, help it, not to pick it apart the moment (“Gladiator,” “X-Men: First Class”) save the girl, and wrap everything the film begins. If it is to be slaughwas beautifully photographed. The up by the end. Reeves is the only tered because it is truly terrible, then costumes and functional sets unWesterner here, with the rest of the I will do it after I have watched the derline the gorgeously amplified cast made up entirely of Japanese movie and have had some time to detail and the images are often actors. He has a great love for mar- reminisce on it. alive with vivid color. The film also tial arts in general and this can be What I loved about “47 Ronin” is boasts an intense dramatic score seen in many of his movies, includ- that it reminded me, in many ways, RONIN continued on Page 9 ing “The Matrix” trilogy and his of Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the

Local area Alzheimer’s support group to hold meeting next Thursday The El Dorado Area Alzheimer’s Support Group invites the caregivers and family members of those with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia to attend its monthly meeting next Thursday, Jan. 16.

The lunchtime meeting will begin at noon in the Executive Dining Room on the second floor of Simmon’s First Bank, located at 100 West Grove St., in El Dorado.

El Dorado Connections will provide lunch and orders can be placed through Robin Thornton or Brenda Stanley at 870.881.5190. Lunches must be reserved by Wednesday.

The El Dorado Area Alzheimer’s Support Group meets the third Thursday of every month. For more information on the monthly meeting, contact Nancy Bailey at the Area Agency on Aging toll free at 800.272.2127.

The El Dorado Area Alzheimer’s Support Group is provided by the Area Agency on Aging of Southwest Arkansas, located in Magnolia. According to the Agency, there are more than 33 million people age 65 or older living in the United

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Teaching adult children financial responsibility starts with humility

DAVE Says

Tax Season: The 2014 filing season will open Jan. 31, according to the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS encourages taxpayers to use e-file or Free File as the fastest way to receive refunds. However, tax forms will be available locally at the Barton Public Library in El Dorado as they come available. — Courtesy image

Tax season approaches Filing season to start day later than last year, forms to be available at local library

The Internal Revenue Service announced plans to open the 2014 filing season on Jan. 31 and encouraged taxpayers to use e-file or Free File as the fastest way to receive refunds.

Locally, Barton Public Library will furnish individual tax forms for 2013 during regular business hours.

However, the IRS cautions that it will not process any tax returns before Jan. 31, so there is no advantage to filing on paper before the opening date. Taxpayers will receive their tax refunds much faster by using e-file or Free File with the direct deposit option.

According to the IRS, the new opening date for individuals to file their 2013 tax returns will allow the IRS adequate time to program and test its tax processing systems. The annual process for updating IRS systems saw significant delays in October following the 16-day federal government closure.

“Our teams have been working hard throughout the fall to prepare for the upcoming tax season,” IRS Acting Commissioner Danny Werfel said. “The late January opening gives us enough time to get things

right with our programming, testing and systems validation. It’s a complex process, and our bottomline goal is to provide a smooth filing and refund process for the nation’s taxpayers.”

The government closure meant the IRS had to change the original opening date from Jan. 21 to Jan. 31. The 2014 date is one day later than the 2013 filing season opening, which started on Jan. 30, 2013, following January tax law changes made by Congress on Jan. 1 under the American Taxpayer Relief Act. The extensive set of ATRA tax changes affected many 2012 tax returns, which led to the late January opening.

The April 15 tax deadline is set by statute and will remain in place.

However, the IRS reminds taxpayers that anyone can request an automatic six-month extension to file their tax return. The request is done with Form 4868, which can be filed electronically or on paper.

IRS systems, applications and databases must be updated annually to reflect tax law updates, business process changes and programming

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Dear Dave, Do you have any advice for teaching responsibility and generosity to adult children and grand- daddy have lots of money, and I kids when it comes to money? can just get some from them? That — Justin doesn’t fly in our family.

You have to teach them characDear Justin, ter and giving in order for them I think there are three key fac- to be valid recipients. Plus, it’s all tors when it comes to teaching about the kids’ attitude. But you’ve children of any age about these got to talk about it often and comconcepts – humility, gratitude and municate the value system out contentment. In my mind, humility loud. The gifting and generosity is where gratitude comes from, and are contingent upon the humility gratitude leads to contentment. that leads to gratitude that leads I’m generous to my adult chil- to contentment. dren, but they have no sense of — Dave entitlement. That’s due to their personal humility. They don’t feel Dear Dave, that I owe them anything, and they My wife and I just bought a busialready know that anyone who ness with cash. We had been living cops an entitlement attitude gets with my brother and sister-in-law cut off. You’re no longer qualified while we saved up, and things are for my generosity when you lose starting to get a bit cramped. your gratitude.

My brother has offered to coYou’ve got to spend time talking sign on a house for us, but rent is to kids about these things. Oth- pretty cheap in this area. What do erwise, you run the risk of them you think we should do? counting on the income. Here’s — Peter an example: We coach some family businesses at my company, and Dear Peter, the best family businesses are the You need to forget about a house ones that teach non-employee fam- and plan on renting for a while. You ily members who receive money just bought a business, and at this from the business – dividends point you don’t even know if it’s from the profits – never to live on going to be successful. Plus, if you those dividends. need a co-signer to buy a house, I’ve seen lots of cases where car or anything else, it means someone will start living on the you’re not financially ready for business they don’t work in, and that purchase. they immediately start feeling enTake some time, maybe two or titled to the money. three years, to get your business up The same principle applies in your and running. Go find a decent, insituation. If someone starts saying, expensive place to rent then pay off “Well, since mom and dad are pay- any debt you have while saving up ing for our daycare, we can use that as much money as possible. money we would have spent to buy I want you to have a nice house a car.” That means they’ve started one day, Peter. But you’re just not counting on mom and dad’s gener- ready now. A house should be a osity to live, and that’s a form of blessing, not a burden. entitlement mentality.

— Dave None of our kids receive any kind Dave Ramsey has authored four New of financial help from us at all, unYork Times best-selling books: less they’re already carrying their “Financial Peace,” “More Than weight in their own lives. That’s Enough,” “The Total Money not being cold. It’s teaching reMakeover” and “EntreLeadership.”

The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by sponsibility and self-reliance. more than 5,000,000 listeners each Now it would be different if one week on more than 500 radio stations. of them developed a serious mediFollow Dave on Twitter at cal issue or something like that. But @DaveRamsey and on the the whole idea that mommy and Web at daveramsey.com.

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Entrepreneurial education available through SouthArk South Arkansas Community College will be one of eight community colleges across the state partnering with the Arkansas Women’s Business Center to offer college-credit entrepreneurship classes.

“This will be an exciting event where students across the state can participate in the same class via compress video,” said Lisa Davis of Winrock International and interim director of the Arkansas Women’s Business Center.

Each class counts as three hours of college credit and begins on Wednesday, Jan. 15. Krystal Thrailkill, Ed.D., will instruct the class. Dr. Thrailkill is the associate vice president for Academic Affairs at Rich Mountain Community College in Mena, as well as teaching courses in statistics, economics, entrepreneurship and finance.

Thrailkill also works as a business consultant, assisting businesses with marketing program creation and implementation; workplace

Eight community colleges and Arkansas Women’s Business Center partner to offer college-credit entrepreneurship classes

assessments and recommendations; and professional workshop services for various clients.

The two classes being offered during the spring semester are Professional Selling and Advertising and Introduction to Entrepreneurship.

Both classes will meet on Monday and Wednesday throughout the semester, with Introduction to Entrepreneurship meeting from 1:10 to 2:25 p.m. and Professional Selling and Advertising from 2:35 to 3:50 p.m. Both courses will utilize the fourth edition of “Entrepreneurial Small Business” textbook.

Current business owners, college students and anyone who has ever dreamed of starting their own business are welcome to register for the classes, Davis said.

“A mix of students with varying experiences from across the state

will provide interaction that will enhance the learning experience of this class,” she added.

Students who wish to attend the class but not for a grade can look into auditing the class, and noncollege students are encouraged to also pursue options for attending. As well, tuition waivers may be available for senior citizens wishing to enroll.

Those interested in enrolling should check with the registrar or their adviser at one of the participating colleges. South Arkansas Community College Admissions and Enrollment Services can be reached at

870.864.7142.

The following colleges are participating in this compressed video class: Arkansas State University in Beebe and Searcy; Arkansas State University in Newport; Black River Technical in Pocahontas; College of the Ouachitas in Malvern; MidSouth Community College in West Memphis; Rich Mountain Community College in Mena; South Arkansas Community College in El Dorado; and Southeast Arkansas Community College in Pine Bluff.

The classes will be offered through the Arkansas Women’s Business Center’s 3E Program, which stands for entrepreneur, education and expansion. For more information on the organization, visit www.winrockusprograms.org/ arkansas-womens-business-center.

Two Arkansas territory politicians showdown in defining duel Ken Bridges

South Arkansas Historical Foundation

A confrontation had been brewing for a long time. But when a duel resulted in the death of a congressional representative, it would shock Arkansas.

The duel would take place between Territorial Secretary Robert Crittenden and Territorial Delegate Henry W. Conway years before Arkansas statehood. Crittenden had guided the territory for years in the powerful combination treasurer and secretary of state. Conway was the nonvoting congressional representative for Arkansas.

In 1827, Conway ran for reelection against a Crittenden ally, Robert Oden, who claimed Conway had stolen $600 from money given to him by Congress to deliver to Arkansas for the Quapaw tribe, helped with information from Crittenden. Conway said that Crittenden had given him his approval to use the money for personal use during his trip back

to Arkansas and had repaid all of it. Conway won the election easily, but the arguments and insults between them intensified. Claiming his honor had been tarnished, Crittenden challenged Conway to a duel.

Dueling was banned in Arkansas after a judge was killed in an 1820 duel. The idea of personal honor and defending one’s own reputation was too powerful for many men to ignore in the early 1800s.

Though the practice had been outlawed in many states, dueling still continued, particularly among the upper classes. And with it, many young men were killed or maimed over the slightest insult. The death toll is unknown.

Preachers railed against the practice, and anti-dueling societies emerged. Prominent politicians had been injured or even killed in duels. President Andrew Jackson and Vice President Aaron Burr had both killed men in notorious duels.

The usual gun used in a duel was

H

South Arkansas Historical Foundation presents

ist o ry minute

a single-shot, .54 caliber pistol. However, rifles, swords and revolvers would sometimes be used. The seconds would always arrange the location and details of the fight.

The fight would take place in Mississippi. Because of the risk of murder charges, most duels by took place at dawn. This duel would be no different.

At sunrise on Oct. 29, 1827, the two met, both confident in their fighting abilities and confident in their sense of honor. The two stepped off. They turned. They fired. Conway just grazed Crittenden. Crittenden’s shot bore into Conway’s chest. Conway died in agony 11 days later.

Though for the moment, Crittenden was satisfied his honor

had been avenged, the duel would destroy his political career. Conway’s brothers, cousins, in-laws, and extended friends and allies banded together into a tight political alliance called the Family, or the Dynasty, and worked to destroy Crittenden and his allies, rallying around Henry Conway’s death. The election of Andrew Jackson, an ally of the Conway family, meant that Crittenden would not gain reappointment as territorial secretary. Crittenden would die in disgrace in 1834, and the Dynasty would control Arkansas politics for the next generation.

Other duels would come afterward and the practice eventually died out after the Civil War. But no other duel would so define Arkansas politics again.

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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Getting a jump start on tax preparation can make the tax season less taxing Although some are ready to say farewell to 2013, thought needs to be given to the 12 months that just passed as tax-filing season approaches.

Tax season is a few weeks away, but there is still time to begin preparations for filing income taxes – arranging appointments with accountants, getting organized and compiling paperwork and tax questions. Preparing for tax time at the dawn of a new year can make the process go more smoothly in the months ahead.

Here are some tips on how to prepare for the upcoming tax season: » Start a documents folder.

Employers, charitable organizations, banks and other financial institutions begin mailing out tax forms from the previous year in early January. Individuals should keep their eyes open for any mail that appears to be tax-related.

Store these documents in a folder that can protect any sensitive information. Such folders also make information more accessible as more and more documents arrive in the mail. » Begin collecting receipts and itemizing expenses. Many expenses are tax-deductible. These can include education costs, moving expenses, home improvements, medical expenses, charitable donations and childcare costs.

Store receipts and other documentation, including canceled checks, with other tax documents. These will come in handy should an audit ever be ordered. » Create a spreadsheet of important information. It is handy to have all financial information at the ready. Some accountants will lower their fees if people do some

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States, placing a growing importance on the need for specialized services for seniors.

The Area Agency on Aging of Southwest Arkansas is a nonprofit

Taxing Task: Filing taxes doesn’t have to be such a taxing task. Preparing ahead of time by compiling documents and getting organized can help ease some of the stress associated with tax season. Some IRS forms are already available at the Barton Public Library in El Dorado. — Courtesy image

of the filing preparation work themselves. This can include creating a profit/loss statement on investments, or working up a tally of charitable donations. Make an itemized list of all pertinent information so it will be handy when tax-filing time arrives. » Decide on a filing option.

Technology has made filing taxes much easier. Tax preparation organization aiming to meet that need in this area, serving adults age 60 or older, as well as family caregivers, agencies and organizations working with seniors. It is part of a national network of more than 650 Area Agencies on Aging throughout the nation. The Southwest branch provides and funds

software is available for those who choose to file their taxes themselves. There also are walkin centers that will prepare taxfiling documents.

Individuals also can visit a certified public accountant. Whatever method taxpayers choose, allow for ample time to gather information and get the taxes filed by the

PREP continued on Page 9 services in Union County, as well as Calhoun, Columbia, Dallas, Hempstead, Howard, Lafayette, Little River, Miller, Nevada, Ouachita and Sevier counties.

For more information on the Area Agency on Aging of Southwest Arkansas, go online to agewith dignity.com or call 870.234.7410.

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updates in time for the start of the filing season. The October closure came during the peak period for preparing IRS systems for the 2014 filing season. Programming, testing and deployment of more than 50 IRS systems is needed to handle processing of nearly 150 million tax returns.

About 90 percent of IRS operations were closed during the shutdown, with some major work streams closed entirely during this period, putting the IRS nearly three weeks behind its tight timetable for being ready to start the 2014 filing season.

The Barton Public Library will make all forms available as it receives them. Located at 200 East Fifth St., in El Dorado, the library’s regular hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from 1 to 8 p.m.; and Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. The library is closed on Sundays. The library will also be closed on Monday, Jan. 20 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It will resume its regular hours on Tuesday, Jan. 21.

For more information, call the library at 870.863.5447 or go online to the library’s website at youseemore.com/barton. hosted by Ouachita Nursing & Rehab and Courtyard Rehab & Health Center

Looking at Alzheimer’s / Dementia with New Eyes: Dementia Beyond Drugs featuring

G. Allen Power, MD, FACP

Thursday, Jan. 16 6 – 8 p.m.

El Dorado Community Presentation Country Inn & Suites 2413 West Hillsboro • El Dorado Meal will be provided.

RSVP from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at

501.835.3988

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what’s really going on. Beginning Feb. 4, El Dorado’s firstever Citizens Police Academy will begin to demystify much of the sensational and misunderstood as Sgt. Lutman takes 20 participants behind the scenes every Tuesday night for the untold 97 percent.

“The Citizens Police Academy is a great tool to get the citizens of El Dorado engaged in exactly what we do on an everyday basis,” said Sgt. Lutman, community relations supervisor for the EPD and head of the academy. “The chief [Billy White] wants us to get involved and get engaged with the people and this is just a great activity to do that.”

According to Lutman, Chief White holds an old-school vision of the police force, emphasizing the importance of getting “out there on foot, shaking hands with the public and finding out what’s going on in the community.”

“We’re getting back to that,” Lutman said, and the Citizens Police Academy is one way to get there. “It’s about earning trust with the public and about getting them involved. I want them to see how we hold ourselves accountable and what actually goes on here.”

From the classroom to the firing range, participants of the city’s first Citizens Police Academy will have the opportunity to experience nearly every division of the department.

The academy will be a mix of experiences – from the classroom-oriented professional standards where students can learn about how police are held accountable for their decisions, to the hands-on mock crime scene investigation and field sobriety test. Those students looking for an even more intense simulation of life on the force can volunteer to experience the Taser, suit up in a bite suit and be chased down by a trained K-9, or take

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Citizens Police Academy Application Deadline: Jan. 24.

Apply at: El Dorado Police Department, located at 402 North West Ave. Contact: For more information or to register, contact Sgt. Christopher Lutman at 870.863.4141 ext. 120 or clutman@eldoradopolice.org. part in a two-hour ride-along after class.

But the ultimate goal of the Citizens Police Academy is to break down the barrier between the badge and the public and bring a little understanding to both sides of the aisle, Lutman said. He said he wants a wide variety of people in the class representing all ages, races, genders and motivations. While he would love to have some aspiring officers sign up, Lutman said he doesn’t want to stop there.

“We want to get people involved who want to make a difference in their community.

They can help with crimewatch programs and they can interact with us about how to obtain those goals,” Lutman said. “But a lot of people just don’t understand what we do – ‘Why do you do this?’ ‘Why do you put the crime scene tape here instead of here?’

‘Why?’ – so we just want to answer a lot of those ‘whys.’”

On the other side of the aisle, Lutman said the CPA will help reinforce for the officers participating that the police force is an outlet to the community.

“There’s more to it than just putting on this uniform and making arrests; it goes deeper than that,” Lutman said.

“We’re actually a huge influence whether we realize it or not, especially to the youth.

It’s about getting involved in people’s lives and making a difference.”

As the EPD improves its relationship with the community, Lutman said they need to ask,

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Once Bitten: Patrol Sgt. Darien Martin demonstrates a K-9 attack in a bite suit.

— Brooke Burger / South Arkansas Leader

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Area to hold weekend-long celebration of MLK In observance of the memory and legacy of one of the nation’s most revered leaders, the Self Culture Club will sponsor its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. banquet and parade the weekend prior to MLK Day, which falls on Jan. 20.

Self Culture Club hosts annual banquet, parade and concert celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy

Banquet

The weekend-long celebration will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18 with the Self Culture Club’s 26th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Banquet. The event will feature keynote speaker Tai M. Crater, director of risk finance and insurance for Tyson Foods.

Crater began as an intern in the finance department of Tyson Foods in October of 2001. Shortly after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in finance from the University of Arkansas in 2002, Crater joined Tyson full time as a financial analyst. Just three years later, she was promoted to cash manager, becoming one of the youngest to hold that position for a Fortune 100 company.

She was responsible for managing the cash assets of the company, which generated more than $26 billion in annual revenue at that time.

It was her promotion in 2005 that compelled the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal to name her as a “Top 40 Under 40” honoree the following year.

In 2009, Crater moved up again with a promotion to her current position as director of risk finance and insurance. In this role, she supports the company’s financial and strategic goals through managing a team of professionals responsible for delivering a competitive Property and Casualty insurance program by utilizing the company’s captive insurance company (for which Crater serves as President), third-party insurers and other risk finance alternatives. She also serves as a trustee for Tyson’s retirement savings plan.

Crater said that she enjoys acting as Tyson’s representative in the challenging and exciting commercial insurance industry. Her professional achievements have not gone unnoticed. The Arkansas Business Journal recognized Crater again in 2010 in their class of “The New Influentials: 20 In Their 20s.”

The young professional has not only excelled in her career, but she

» Big and Small: (above) Last year’s Martin Luther King Jr. parade, organized by the Self Culture Club, featured a number of entries of all varieties and sizes. » Out of State: (left) Participants from across the state joined last year’s celebration, including Arkansas Baptist College out of Little Rock. This year’s parade will take place Sunday, Jan. 19. — File photos

has also branched out in her community. In 2011, Crater participated in the Leadership Springdale program, which encourages participants to become involved and accept leadership roles within their communities.

She previously served as secretary for Tyson’s Women’s Business Resource Group during its inaugural year. Crater is currently pursuing her Executive Master of Business Administration from the Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas.

Crater currently resides in Northwest Arkansas. She is an avid dog lover and has a 12-year-old Pomeranian named Pascha who she refers to as her daughter. The young

business woman said she enjoys spending time with her her family and friends, traveling, modeling and exercising.

A passionate health advocate, Crater is a certified fitness instructor for World Gym where she teaches spin classes weekly. She said that she loves motivating others and helping them take control of their own health and fitness, and believes that in order to be truly healthy, a person must align their mind, spirit and body.

Crater will speak at the annual banquet, beginning at 6 p.m. at the El Dorado Conference Center, located at 311 South West Ave. Ticket donation costs $20. For ticket

information, contact Jo Benton at 870.639.3923 or Wanda James or Felisha Aaron at 870.881.9005.

Parade

The celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy will continue on Sunday, Jan. 19 with the 24th Annual MLK Parade. This year’s theme is “Remember! Celebrate! Act!: King and His Dream in 2014” (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT).

The annual parade will begin at 2:30 p.m., with all entries in place no later than 1:15 p.m. at the El Dorado Municipal Auditorium.

The route will depart from the auditorium, located at 100 West Eighth

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Make visiting the SouthArk Library a New Year’s resolution Lauri Wilson

from older Arkansans for younger Arkansans to read and learn.

For the record, this writer had the privilege of taking a Dr. Bolsterli literature class many moons ago and thoroughly enjoyed it.

South Arkansas Community College

If you haven’t visited the South Arkansas Community College Library, the New Year is the perfect time to start! Non-students are welcome to get a library card and take advantage of all the library has to offer. (Too many words for this column, but we’ll be happy to tell you all about it when you stop by!)

One of the best things about our library is the variety of books available for checkout. If you’re a regular reader of this column, you know that we try to feature some from several genres each month.

For the first month of 2014, we’ll start out with a book on Arkansas, new thrillers by old favorites and Bill O’Reilly’s take on the crucifixion.

‘Killing Jesus: A History’

‘Things You Need to Hear’

by Margaret Jones Bolsterli.

Reading “Things You Need to Hear: Collected Memories of Growing Up In Arkansas, 18901980” reminds me of being a kid and sitting around listening to the older folks tell about the “good old days.” Thank goodness for Bolsterli, who compiled this oral history

Assistance with health insurance enrollment available this Saturday Free enrollment event to assist public in navigating new health insurance options

This Saturday, a health insurance enrollment event will take place at the Barton Public Library to help the public navigate the new development in health insurance.

The enrollment event will take place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 11 at the Barton Public Library, located at 200 East Fifth St. in El Dorado. Licensed guides will be on hand to assist the public in learning about the new health insurance options, provide information about premium assistance, and help with enrolling in affordable health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

The event is free and open to the public and no appointment is needed. Attendees must bring photo

by Bill O’Reilly.

The political pundit recounts not only the facts and figures surrounding the death of Jesus Christ, but also explores the history of the day and the political events that lead to the crucifixion.

‘The Quest’

by Nelson DeMille.

If you enjoyed “The Da Vinci Code” and other historical mystery action fiction, you might like “The Quest” by Nelson DeMille.

He’s got all the ingredients: the last utterance of a dying priest leads several journalists on a chase for

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St., and continue onto North West Avenue to downtown El Dorado, following Main Street to Washington and disbanding at the El Dorado Memorial Stadium.

Concert

The celebration will culminate at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 19 with the Ninth Annual Gospel Musical celebration at Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, located at 1807 South West Ave. in El Dorado.

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identification and all Social Security numbers of household members to be covered, as well as proof of household income.

For more information, contact South Arkansas Regional Health Center in-person assister Amy Smith at 870.864.2400.

“How are we going to grow flowers on the lot that we just knocked down?” And the CPA is one way to do that, he said.

While much of the academy features hands-on components, there are no physical requirements to join and all activities will be strictly voluntary, Lutman said.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age; live or work in the city of El Dorado; not have a felony background or a serious misdemeanor arrest in the last couple of years;

the Holy Grail.

‘Storm Front’

by John Sandford.

“Storm Front” involves agent Virgil Flowers and the strange case of the relic, the dying professor, the Israeli cop, and a secret that could overturn the Christian world.

Remember, if you want to get a library card, please bring a photo ID and then you’ll be able to check out these or other of the many books in the SouthArk Library.

We’re located at 300 Summit Ave., and our hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 7:30 a.m. to noon and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Lauri Wilson is a library technician at South Arkansas Community College. All of the books mentioned in Shelf Life are available at the SouthArk Library, located at 300 Summit Ave. in El Dorado. The library is open to the public. For more information, call 870.864.7115.

The Olive Branch Missionary Baptist Church Choir of El Dorado will perform in concert along with “Rejoice” The Gospel Ensemble under the direction of Steven Huff.

For more information about the Self Culture Club’s MLK celebrations, contact Wanda James or Felisha Aaron at 870.881.9005.

The Self Culture Club is a community-based organization operating under the motto, “Lifting as we climb.” The Club states its goal as promoting spiritual and community growth through providing individuals and organizations with the necessary tools required to promote progress in the community. and agree to a background check.

As well, applicants need to be willing to attend at least 70 percent of the eight-week class, which will run from 6 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday night beginning Feb. 4. The class will conclude with a graduation dinner and ceremony on March 20.

Applications for the Citizens Police Academy can be picked up at the El Dorado Police Department. The deadline to apply is Jan. 24; Lutman will contact applicants selected for the academy the following week. For more information, contact Sgt. Lutman at 870.863.4141 ext. 120.

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Scouting ahead

De Soto Area Council announces upcoming events for new year With 2013 behind us, the De Soto Area Council is looking ahead to 2014 with several events already slated for January and February.

» Charter Renewal.

The deadline for charter renewal is next Friday, Jan. 17.

Registration fees for youth and adults cost $24, insurance costs $2 and Boy’s Life is $12. Each unit is encouraged to renew their charter via the Council website at desotoareacouncil.org.

» Order of the Arrow.

Every quarter, the De Soto Area Council gathers to conduct a meeting on all upcoming events and to discuss important topics that pertain to delivering a quality Scouting program to area youth.

All parents, leaders and interested people are invited to attend the meetings. The Order of the Arrow and leaders’ meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14 at the Boy Scout office, located at 118 West Peach St. in El Dorado.

» Winter Camps.

The Boy Scout Winter Camp will take place Jan. 17-19 at Camp De Soto. Will it be cold enough for scouts to earn their Polar Bear patch, or will the area see weather commonly called an “Indian Summer?” Scouts should come prepared for both.

This year the Camp De Soto staff and volunteers would like to see the camp jumping with troop pride and spirit.

This year’s Cub Scout Winter Camp will run the weekend of Jan. 24-25. The main event for the weekend will be a Klondike Derby, which will feature fun competition for scouts. Depending on the weather, scouts may be able to earn their Polar Bear patch.

» Eagle Banquet.

The 2014 Eagle Dinner celebrating the 2013 class of eagles has been scheduled for Feb. 8 at the College Avenue Church of Christ in El Dorado. The event will celebrate scouting and honor the young men who have accomplished such a high achievement.

To date, the 2013 Eagle Scouts include: Matthew Cater, Troop 67; Joshua Calloway, Troop 96; Bijan Dadgar, Troop 96; Eric Rogers, Troop 96; Louis Hocking Jr., Troop 42; Jonathan Polk, Troop 120; Jeremy Weih, Troop 67; Joshua Zeigler, Troop 120; and Eryk Villano, Troop 18.

» Donations.

In addition to monetary donations, the De Soto Area Council also accepts supply donations.

Currently the Council is seeking: 30 reams of 8.5 x 11 paper; 20 rolls of paper towels; 4,000 No. 10 envelopes; five push brooms; 20 clipboards; a power washer; 10 mountain bikes (gently used); two weed eaters; and three flat shovels.

For more information on the De Soto Area Council’s upcoming events or how to make a donation, contact Rob Lavoie by calling 870.863.5166 or emailing rob.lavoie@scouting.org.

More information about the De Soto Area Council Boy Scouts of America can be found online at desotoareacouncil.org.

Union United is a section showcasing the news and happenings of the 14 nonprofit partner agencies of the United Way of Union County.

For more information, call 870.862.4903, email liveunited@uwucar.org or visit the website at www.uwucar.org.

South Arkansas Leader

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PREP

records for seven years. Any tax documents should be kept together continued from Page 5 should they need to be referenced deadline. Leave some wiggle room or if an audit is ordered. Designate in case one filing method doesn’t a filing cabinet or a box specifically for tax documents. work out.

Tax filing season is right around » Start saving money. Although the corner, and the dawn of a new the goal is to get a refund each and year is a great time to start gathering every year, taxpayers sometimes documents and preparing returns. owe money, which can be troubleTaxpayers can find more informasome for men and women whose tion on the 2014 filing season, as budgets are stretched thin already. well as the e-file and Free File opThose who owed money in the past tions, online at www.irs.gov under should begin saving money for tax Filing. For more information on IRS expenses as early as possible. forms and their availability, taxpay» Develop a good filing system. ers can contact the Barton Public LiMany financial professionals will brary at 870.863.5447 during reguadvise people to keep financial lar business hours.

RONIN

continued from Page 2

by Ilan Eshkeri.

As 2014 gets underway there will be a lot of movies to choose from, but if you’re looking for some quality escapist fun, then look no further – “47 Ronin” is well worth your time. More than likely, though, you’ll probably be the only person

in the theater and that is a shame because I have seen a lot worse movies this past year that did big business and got terrific reviews when in actual fact, they were absolutely terrible.

Red Carpet Crash provides review writing on films, DVDs and television; news and updates on all things entertainment; and the occasional free stuff.

Find RCC at www.redcarpetcrash.com or facebook.com/RedCarpetCrash.

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South Arkansas Leader

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COMMUNITY calendar

» ‘ARTS IN THE HEARTS’ — The South Arkansas Arts Center will kick off its 50th Anniversary celebration with the retrospective showcase, “Arts In the Hearts for Decades.” The showcase spans 32 years of Artists In Education projects by El Dorado AIE artists and local schools. The exhibition is sponsored by Ann Pruet Calhoon and Paula Pruet James. Exhibition coordinator Mary Pat Anthony is collecting stories from students, parents and educators, asking “What influence did the arts in your school have on you, then and now?” Those wishing to share their story can email how the arts influenced their lives to info@saac-arts.org.

When: Now through Feb. 7 Where: South Arkansas Arts Center, 110 East Fifth St., El Dorado Contact: For more information, contact the SAAC office at 870.862.5474 or visit the website at saac-arts.org.

» 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: Letterboxing. Participants will learn about this 1854 version of geocaching.

When: Thursday, Jan. 9 at 6 p.m.

Where: Center for Workforce Development, SouthArk East Campus, 3696 East Main, 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.

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

» HISTORY OF NATCHEZ MEETING — The Preservation Society of the South Arkansas Historical Foundation will host retired Mississippi archaeologist Jack Elliot at its next meeting. Elliot’s presentation, “Colonial Natchez,” will focus on the fort of Natchez, established in 1716 and abandoned around 1800. The fort of Natchez epitomizes the colonial history of Mississippi, in which the core of what would become the state evolved around a frontier outpost. The process is comparable to that seen at Jamestown, Va. and Arkansas Post.

When: Monday, Jan. 13 at 5:15 p.m.

Where: Newton House Museum, 510 Jackson St., El Dorado Contact: For more information, call the SAHF at 870.862.9890 or email info@soarkhistory.com. » TECH PETTING ZOO — The Barton Public Library will host a Tech Petting Zoo for those needing help learning to use their electronic devices.

A tutorial on Apple products will run from 1 to 2 p.m. and a tutorial on all other devices will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. Donovan Mays of the Arkansas State Library will be on hand to answer questions and help the individuals learn to use their new devices. Space is limited so registration is required.

When: Tuesday, Jan. 14 Where: Barton Public Library, 200 East Fifth St., El Dorado Contact: For more information, contact Barton Public Library at 870.863.5447. » U LEAD CLASS 3 OPEN ENROLLMENT — The El Dorado Chamber of Commerce is now accepting applications for Leadership

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.

Union County Class 3, sponsored by Great Lakes Solutions and NexansAmerCable. The 10-month program, which begins Feb. 26, is designed to strengthen the community by developing leadership through community interaction, teamwork, networking and hands-on experiences.

When: Deadline to apply is Jan. 17.

Where: Applications are available online at goeldorado.com/leadership, or at the Chamber office, located at 111 West Main St. Contact: For more information, contact the Chamber at 870.863.6113. » NEW CONSTRUCTION WORKSHOP — Saint James Baptist Church will host the New Construction 2014 Workshop, “Continue to Build Bridges and Tear Down Walls.” Bishop Dr. George Calloway Jr. and sister Alice F. Calloway will serve as facilitators, in addition to other special guests.

The public is invited to attend.

When: Sunday, Jan. 19 at 6 p.m.

Where: Village Outreach Facility, 1304 Hillsboro St., El Dorado Contact: For more information, contact George Calloway at 870.875.2621. » CHILD SAFETY-SEAT TRAINING AND CHECKUP — The University of Arkansas Community College at Hope will host a Child Passenger Safety technician training and community checkup. Students must be at least 18 years of age to enroll in the free training, and must be able to attend every class. In order to receive the two-year certification, students must attend all phases of the course and pass performance evaluations. The free checkup event will allow parents and guardians to come in for evaluation

and assistance in properly using child restraints and seat belts Course: Jan. 22 from noon to 5 p.m.; Jan. 23-24 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Checkup: Saturday, Jan. 25 at 10 a.m.

Where: U of A Community College at Hope, 2500 South Main St., Hope Contact: For more information or to register, contact instructor Holly Terry at 501.364.2478 or email hmterry@ uams.edu. More information about CPS certification can be found online at cert.safekids.org. » SINGLE-PARENT SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE — Applications are available for the Union County Single Parent Scholarship. To be eligible, one must live in Union County, be enrolled in any college or university and be a single parent providing support of a dependent child or children under the age of 18 in the household.

Application Deadline: Feb. 3 Where: Applications are available online at www.aspsf.org/students_sp scholarships.html and at the South Arkansas Community College financial aid office.

Contact: For more information about donating to the scholarship fund or applying for a scholarship, call 870.864.7150. » LIFESHARE REQUESTS BLOOD DONATIONS — Those interested in donating, are asked to contact LifeShare Blood Centers of El Dorado during business hours.

Hours: Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: LifeShare Blood Centers, 443 West Oak St., El Dorado Contact: For more information, contact LifeShare at 870.862.2150.

Crossword and Sudoku Answer Key

Jan. 1

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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 Stacey Turner stacey.turner@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.

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 Meatballs go nontraditional The following recipe from Marla Heller’s “The Everyday Dash Diet Cookbook: Over 150 Fresh and Delicious Recipes to Speed Weight Loss, Lower Blood

Pressure, and Prevent Diabetes” is not traditional, but is both tasty and nutritious, with one serving of 3 meatballs and sauce totaling roughly 250 calories.

Turkey-Spinach Meatballs and Sauce Ingredients:

Makes 6 servings Turkey-Spinach Meatballs » 1 10-ounce box frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed to remove excess liquid » 1 medium yellow onion, shredded on the large holes of a box grater » 2 cloves garlic, minced » 1/3 cup whole-wheat bread crumbs, made from day-old bread pulsed in the blender » 2 large egg whites, or 1/4 cup seasoned liquid egg substitute » 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or dried oregano

Directions:

» 1 teaspoon kosher salt » 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper » 1 1/4 pounds ground turkey » 1/2 cup water » Olive oil in a pump sprayer Tomato Sauce » 1 tablespoon olive oil » 1 medium yellow onion, chopped » 2 cloves garlic, minced » 1 28-ounce can no-salt-added crushed tomatoes » 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning or dried oregano » 1/4 teaspoon crushed hot red pepper » 6 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

To make the meatballs: In a large bowl, mix the spinach, onion, garlic, bread crumbs, egg whites, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Add the ground turkey and combine thoroughly. Refrigerate for 15 to 30 minutes to firm the mixture and make it easier to handle. Roll the turkey mixture into 18 meatballs. Spray a large nonstick skillet with oil and heat over medium heat. In batches, add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally until lightly browned, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Add the water to the skillet and bring to a boil, stirring up the browned bits in the pan with a wooden spoon. Remove from the heat.

To make the sauce: Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and saute, stirring occasionally until golden and tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the liquid from the skillet, the tomatoes, Italian seasoning and hot pepper; combine thoroughly and bring to a boil.

Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally until lightly thickened, about 15 minutes. Bury the meatballs in the sauce and cook until the meatballs show no sign of pink when pierced to the center with the tip of a sharp knife, about 15 minutes more. Divide the meatballs and sauce among 6 bowls, sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon of the Parmesan, and serve hot.

CLUES ACROSS

1. NOHOW 6. Record (abbr.)

9. Hair detangler 13. “l836 siege” of U.S. 14. Old name for Tokyo 15. Largest continent 16. Showed old movie 17. Clatter 18. Considered one by one 19. Chinese cinnamon spice tree 21. Frequently 22. Three person 32 card game 23. Miss-addressed mail (slang) 25. Expresses pleasure 26. Samba or basket rummy 31. Military leader (abbr.)

33. A citizen of Iran 34. Environmental Protection Agency

CLUES DOWN

1. Informant (slang) 2. Olive tree genus 3. Armed conflicts 4. Am. Music Awards 5. Dance mix DJ Einhorn 6. Oxidation-reduction 7. Structure 8. Modern 9. Roman Conqueror 10. So. Honshu bay city 11. Eighth C. BC minor Hebrew prophet 12. = to 100 satang 20. In active opposition 24. 007’s Flemming 26. 12th century Spanish hero El ___ 27. Macaw genus 28. Slave rebellion’s Turner 29. Cuckoo 30. From a time

35. Carbon, radioactive or varve 36. Loss of electricity 41. Mass. Cape 43. Mediator 44. 1/1000 of a tala 45. Players at 1st, 2nd & 3rd 46. Covered Greek portico 49. Bring upon oneself 51. Leuciscus cephalus 52. Cold War foe U___ 53. Bumpkins or hayseeds 59. Fleshy seed cover 60. Golf ball prop 61. Antipathetic 62. Wait or tarry 63. Weather map line ___bar 64. Civilian dress 65. Relaxing resorts 66. Box (abbr.)

67. Burning crime 32. Applies with quick strokes 37. Fasten with string 38. Teller replacement 39. Command right 40. Sea eagle 42. Most closely set 43. __ Dhabi, Arabian capital 44. Marten furs 46. Strike workers 47. Thysanopter 48. Louise de la Ramee’s pen name 50. King of Thebes 54. __ mater, one’s school 55. Time unit 56. Klutzes 57. __ Von Bismarck, Iron Chancellor 58. Front of the leg

Answer key on page 10.

11

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South Arkansas Leader

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Arkansas watersheds need stewards Whether brushing their teeth, making a pot of coffee or watering a vegetable garden, most Arkansans have no doubt that clean water will spill out when they turn on a faucet. Yet not nearly as many know the source of that water or the existing threats to water quality.

Over the next year, the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service will host free workshops in eight impaired watersheds to talk to residents about what they can do to improve or protect their local water quality. The Arkansas Watershed Steward workshop for the Lower Ouachita-Smackover watershed will take place from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16.

“Nearly two-thirds of Arkansas’ 75 counties are home to impaired watersheds,” said Robin Bridges, county extension agent for the Union County Cooperative Extension Service. “Rivers end up on the state’s impaired list because of human activities, erosion problems, and in some cases, we don’t know the cause.”

Funded by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, the Arkansas Watershed Stewards program was developed to raise awareness about water quality and to help interested residents in forming local watershed organizations. ANRC routinely awards grants to organizations that work in impaired waterways, such as water testing or pollution prevention activities, but there are not groups in all of the affected watersheds.

Impaired waterways focus of upcoming workshop

Seeking Stewards: The Lower Ouachita-Smackover watershed of the Ouachita River (pictured) will be one of eight impaired watersheds where the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service will be seeking stewards to

The one-day workshops will touch on the science behind watershed concerns and on how residents can go about starting a watershed group.

The program will explain basic concepts, such as what a watershed is and the activities that have the potential to harm water quality.

The Arkansas Watershed Steward

improve and protect local water quality. The Cooperative Extension Service will hold a one-day workshop in Union County on Thursday, Jan. 16. The workshop is free and open to anyone interested in water preservation. — File photo

program will focus on these eight watersheds: Poteau River, Lake Conway-Point Remove, Strawberry River, Cache River, L’Anguille River, Upper Saline, Lower Ouachita-Smackover and Bayou Bartholomew.

The workshops are open to the public and there is no requirement

that participants form a watershed group. Lunch will be provided during the five-hour workshop. Interested participants must register by Tuesday, Jan. 14.

For more information or to register for the local workshop, contact the Union County Cooperative Extension Service at 870.864.1916.

SouthArk will break ground on Heritage Plaza next week The groundbreaking ceremony for Heritage Plaza, the beautification project at South Arkansas Community College’s West Campus, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 16. The public is invited to attend.

The plaza will be a green space that reflects on the historical significance of the block between West and Summit avenues and Block and Wesson streets, which has had a lengthy tenure of use for educational purposes dating back to the Civil War days and prior, and is well-remembered as a former location of El Dorado High School.

Named in honor of El Dorado’s

Bill Howard and his late wife Cacilia Howard, the plaza is expected to be complete by early summer, but fundraising continues. About $520,000 has been raised toward the goal of $700,000. When finished, the area will have a tree-lined pathway, grassy areas, a fountain (convertible to a stage) and park benches.

Contributions still are being accepted and naming opportunities still are available; contact Cynthia Reyna at creyna@southark.edu or 870.864.7106 for more information.

Heritage: The plaza is being named for Bill Howard and in memory of his late wife Cacilia Howard. — Courtesy image