Volume 10 - No. 23

L

Union County’s source for community news and more

South Arkansas

EADER

July 30, 2014 Volume 10 – No. 23 WANT MORE?

Tax free

Back-to-school tax-free weekend starts on Saturday This weekend, back-to-school shoppers and other consumers across the state can take advantage of the Arkansas sales tax holiday. The sale will begin one minute after midnight on Saturday, Aug. 2 and continue through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 3.

In its fourth year, the sales tax holiday provides a temporary period when state and local sales taxes are not collected or paid on the purchase of certain products, according to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration.

During the allotted 48-hour period, sales tax will not be collected on clothing and footwear if the sales price is less than $100 per item; and on clothing accessories and equipment if the sales price is less than $50 per item.

Clothing and footwear qualifies as

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Youth manufacturing camp – p. 6

United Way is now accepting Community Impact grant applications The United Way of Union County is accepting applications for Community Impact Mini Grants, according to executive director Alexis Alexander.

“Community Impact grants are designed to reach further in the community to meet additional needs that will impact even more lives than our annual campaign allows,” Alexander said.

These funding requests (for $250 or less) should present innovative approaches to meeting the health and human services needs of the community, she added. Priority will be given to projects that address UWUC priority issues – education, health services, culture and recreation, safety and violence, and healthy behaviors.

Applicants must operate as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization in Union County and demonstrate the ability to meet a need in the community. Deadline for application is noon on Thursday, Aug. 28.

For more information or to request a grant application, call Alexander at 870.862.4903 or email her at alexis@unitedwayunion county.com. More information about the United Way of Union County can be found online at unitedwayunioncounty.com.

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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Brett Ratner’s ‘Hercules’ is good old-fashioned popcorn fare James McDonald Red Carpet Crash

In the X-Men universe, filmmaker Brett Ratner is universally loathed.

He directed what is considered, by the hardcore fans, one of the weakest movies in the series, “X-Men: The Last Stand.” Yet, at the same time, it’s one of the highest-grossing X-Men movies to date. It seems like Mr. Ratner just can’t win.

Personally, I didn’t mind the movie, but then again, I’m only a passive observer who just happens to enjoy each film on its own merits. Ratner also directed the highly enjoyable “Rush Hour” trilogy, so he’s no stranger when it comes to action, and, believe you me, “Hercules” has its fair share of excitement and adventure.

The movie starts off with a voice-over, talking about Hercules (Dwayne Johnson) and his many adventures, including one cycle in particular that was known as the legendary “Twelve Labors.” During this era, he fought an assortment of colossal mythical creatures including the Nemean Lion, the Lernaean Hydra and the Stymphalian Birds.

Being the son of Zeus and having

Hercules Having endured his legendary Twelve Labors, Hercules, the Greek demigod, has his life as a sword-for-hire tested when the King of Thrace and his daughter seek his aid in defeating a tyrannical warlord. » Release date: July 25. » Run time: 98 min. » Rated: PG-13 for epic battle sequences, violence, suggestive

received nothing but suffering his entire life because of it, Hercules turns his back on the gods and now travels the land as a swordfor-hire along with six friends, who, like him, find solace in battle and a kinship in each other that cannot be broken.

When the beautiful Ergenia (Rebecca Ferguson) approaches Hercules and pleads for his help, she states that her father, Lord Cotys King of Thrace (John Hurt), will pay them handsomely if they will train their people to fight back against a tyrannical ruler who threatens to annihilate anyone and everyone in his path.

Community Ed 101

SouthArk Community Education opens enrollment for two upcoming classes from global communications to Ireland

South Arkansas Community College is now registering for two noncredit classes from its department of Corporate and Community Education, both slated to start next month.

modern communication tools by building a presence that is professional, yet enjoyable.

Pre-registration is required. Cost is $15 per student.

Global Communications

Tour Ireland

“Communicating in a Globalized World” will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, Aug. 5 and 7.

Instructor Carter Bryant will cover communication etiquette through new technology, including social media. Bryant will provide the class with tips to impress potential employers through use of

“Ireland: Here We Come!” is a four-week class running from 6:30 to 8:30 each Tuesday night from Aug. 12 through Sept. 16.

Native Irishman and instructor Brian O’Nuanain will take students on a journey through Ireland’s history, geography and contemporary

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comments, brief strong language and partial nudity. » Director(s): Brett Ratner. » Stars: Dwayne Johnson, John Hurt, Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell, Rebecca Ferguson, Joseph Fiennes, Aksel Hennie, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, Reece Ritchie and Tobias Santelmann.

Hercules and his crew agree to help and take the opportunity to focus on a people in dire need and instill into them the traits and attributes they will need to become great warriors. When word comes that the approaching army is closer than initially thought, Hercules and his army deploy immediately.

After a swift but brutal assault on the advancing battalion, Hercules and his warriors are hailed as heroes. But it’s only when they return to Thrace that Hercules realizes Lord Cotys is not who he appears to be, and it’s up to our hero and his squad to battle one more time.

Director Brett Ratner has crafted

a high-spirited and energetic summer movie that is pure fun and excitement with a little of everything for everyone – action and adventure, swords and sorcery, romance and intrigue. It’s what a summer movie is meant to encompass and it doesn’t disappoint.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has come a long way since his breakout role as the Scorpion King in “The Mummy Returns” in 2001. We all know he started out in the business as a wrestler, but he is charming and has undeniable screen presence. He is very gracious and loyal to his fans, and that’s more than I can say for many of today’s socalled superstars.

“Hercules” has an assortment of wonderful character actors including John Hurt, Rufus Sewell, Ian McShane and Joseph Fiennes.

When you surround yourself with such talented and proficient actors of this caliber, it makes you want to give your very best. And Mr. Johnson does exactly that.

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

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

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Robbing Peter to pay Paul is never the answer to fixing your finances Dear Dave, My wife and I have $25,000 in credit card debt, $2,500 in medical bills and $89,000 each in student loan debt from when we each got our masters’ degrees. We make about $100,000 combined.

Our son is 6 years old, and we have $18,000 in a 529 plan for him. Should we use that money to pay off debt instead?

— Sean

Food Prep: More than just healthy choices, proper food preparation and appropriate storage are essential to a

healthy lunch and to avoid foodborne illness, especially when you’re packing a lunch to go. — Courtesy image

Pack a safer lunch Packing your own lunch doesn’t always mean healthier

Kezia Nanda

avoiding a visit to the doctor.

Cooperative Extension Service U of A System Division of Agriculture

Chill it. Clean it. Toss it.

LITTLE ROCK — Packing your own lunch to work often means a “healthier and less expensive option,” said Serena Fuller, associate professor of nutrition for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. However, it can also mean a risk of foodborne illness if these foods are not stored properly.

“These days more Americans are bringing their lunch to work,” Fuller said. “And we’ve all been guilty of putting a cold meal in our workbag in the morning and forgetting about it until lunchtime.”

When foods aren’t refrigerated for extended periods of time, bacteria has a chance to grow and multiply, increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses. Foods should never sit out for more than two hours.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year 48 million illnesses, 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths in the United States can be traced to foodborne pathogens.

Fuller offered few simple steps that can prevent foodborne illness, as well as helping to save money by

Immediately after arriving at work, refrigerate perishable foods, she said. These include cooked meats and any salads made with mayonnaise or other foods that are vulnerable to fast bacterial growth.

If a refrigerator isn’t available, foods need to be stored in an insulated bag with frozen gel packs.

Non-perishable, shelf-stable items such as whole fruits, chips, crackers, canned meat and fish do not need to stay cold.

If you prepare your food at work be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before starting. Clean any food preparation surfaces with warm soapy water before and after preparing the food. Toss any used packaging and paper bags.

“Reusing packages can contaminate other food and cause foodborne illness,” Fuller said.

To learn more about food handling, find “Safe Steps in Food Handling” at http://bit.ly/1oMw9s0.

The Cooperative Extension Service is a part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. For more information, go online to www.uaex.edu.

Dear Sean, I wouldn’t do that if I were you. You’ll get destroyed with penalties, because if you take money out of a 529 for anything other than college, Ramsey you’ll be taxed at your current tax rate and hit with a 20-percent penalty. The other thing is you’ll have this weird feeling that you took money away from your kid.

Technically, it’s your money.

You put it there. But when you did, it was in your child’s name.

Plus, that doesn’t really solve your problem. You’ve got a ridiculous amount of debt, and that little bit won’t move the needle very much.

Having more money in your hands isn’t the big answer here.

What you both need is a behavior change when it comes to money.

My advice is to leave the 529 alone. Stop adding to it for the time being. Put any retirement saving you’re currently doing on hold, too. You guys need to start living on a budget, working a debt snowball plan and looking for extra income. Even tutoring would bring in some additional cash.

I’ve got a feeling, too, that those masters’ degrees can provide you with more money than you’re

DAVE Says

currently making.

It can be done, Sean, but it’s going to take a lot of hard work and discipline. It may even take four or five years to get this mess cleaned up, but you can’t keep living without a plan!

— Dave Dear Dave, Where can I find mutual funds with a 12-percent rate of return?

— Jason

Dear Jason, There aren’t a lot of them, but they are out there. Currently, there are about 8,000 different mutual funds floating around. You have to get online and do some serious research, or talk with an investing professional with the heart of a teacher, but I own several mutual funds that have an average annual return in excess of 12 percent over the lifetime of the fund.

Now, do they make that every single year? Of course not. The figure I’m talking about is an average. I own one in particular that has done that for about 70 years.

But the stock market in general has averaged just under 12 percent a year since its inception. So yes, with solid research and due diligence on the part of the investor, it is possible to get that as an average annual rate of return!

— Dave Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business. He has authored five New York Times bestselling books: “Financial Peace,” “More Than Enough,” “The Total Money Makeover,” “EntreLeadership” and “Smart Money Smart Kids.” The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 8 million listeners each week on more than 500 radio stations. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and at daveramsey.com.

3 locations

items accepted

» El Dorado Police Department » Smackover Police Department » Union County Sheriff’s Office

prescription medications, patches and ointments; over-the-counter medications; vitamins; samples and pet medications

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Wildcat

at the Mystic Creek Golf Course

SPECIAL THANKS TO THESE SPONSORS:

El Dorado Chemical • CP&P Wholesale Electric • ESCO El Dorado Roofing & Construction Michelle Balstad State Farm (LUNCH)

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Boys and Girls Club joins cause

The Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado has been selected as one of 10 organizations nationwide to receive donations through Verizon’s “Because Voices Have Power,” a digitally-focused campaign designed to raise awareness of domestic violence.

“Working with young men and women has instilled in this organization the importance of advocating for those whose voices are unheard,” said David Lee, executive director of the El Dorado Boys and Girls Club. “We are proud to have been chosen to reach out, speak out and be a part of positive change.”

For every “message of hope” submitted via text (#94079), Twitter, Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #VoicesHavePower, Verizon will donate $3 – up to $20,000 total – to the Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado.

Local Club 1 of 10 to receive national grant to raise awareness about domestic violence through Aug. 8

“This is an amazing opportunity for our community and the nation to shed light on an issue that is often ignored,” Lee said.

Verizon and the Boys and Girls Club encourage the public to send optimistic messages with the hashtag #VoicesHavePower to all social media platforms and persuade their friends and family to post in support of domestic violence victims. The campaign ends on Friday, Aug. 8.

“We are passionate about providing safe and reliable ways for victims of abuse to connect, communicate and be heard. We’re delighted to share our mission with the Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado, and we’re excited to work with them on

this amazing campaign,” said Prentice O’Guinn, district manager of Verizon in the El Dorado area.

“Voices Have Power” was created by the HopeLine program from Verizon Wireless to inspire greater awareness and participation in a nationwide effort to end dating and domestic violence.

For nearly 20 years, Verizon has reached out to help the nearly 1 in 3 women and 1 in 7 men and more than 3 million children in the United States affected by dating and domestic violence every year.

For more information, contact the Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado at 870.863.8753 or go online to voiceshavepower.com.

Local industry to provide a free manufacturing academy to teens Does your teenager have tangible talent? The area’s industrial leaders want to help him, or her, develop it, at no cost.

The free 2014 Young Manufacturers Summer Academy will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. from Monday, Aug. 4 to Friday, Aug. 8 at the Center for Workforce Development, located at 3698 E. Main on the East Campus of South Arkansas Community College.

This academy is a partnership among SouthArk, the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and the Dream It Do It Manufacturing Institute.

The Young Manufacturers Summer Academy is designed to attract and develop manufacturing talent.

Students will design and create through a variety of hands-on activities using computers and new technologies, learn about career opportunities, and meet employers from high-tech manufacturing industries.

The right skills and education eventually can lead to in-demand,

high-paying jobs in advanced manufacturing.

The academy is open to students who will be entering grades seven or eight this fall. Lunch and a light mid-morning snack will be provided daily. The program is limited to 15 students.

For more information or to register, call 870.864.7192 or email ce@southark.edu.

The State Chamber of Commerce is offering the Young Manufacturers Academy to youth throughout the state in partnership with Arkansas two-year colleges, through a contribution of $15,000 from the Gene Haas Foundation.

The 2014 Young Manufacturers Academy is the signature program of “Dream It. Do It. Arkansas.” “Dream It. Do It. Arkansas” works with employers, educational systems, workforce development

agencies and economic development organizations to address the skills gap issue. The program educates students, parents and educators on the importance of skilled workers needed in the manufacturing industry in order to build a competitive workforce in their state.

For more information about “Dream It. Do It. Arkansas,” go online to dreamitdoitarkansas.com.

"This is an amazing opportunity for our community and the nation to shed light on an issue that is often ignored."

— David Lee Boys and Girls Club

#VoicesHavePower

Life Touch to offer free health fair for 50-plus Life Touch Hospice will host a free health fair for those ages 50 and older next Thursday, Aug. 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Champagnolle Landing, located at 910 Champagnolle Road in El Dorado.

Through a grant from the Arkansas Minority Health Commission, Life Touch will host the Head-to-Toe Health Fair, with more than 30 vendors providing information and performing up to 18 different health screenings for early detection of many health issues, all free of charge.

The health fair is also sponsored by University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging and the Medical Center of South Arkansas Senior Circle.

For more information, contact Life Touch Hospice at 870.862.0337 or go online to lifetouchhospice.org.

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Edward Cross serves Arkansas at crossroads of business and law Ken Bridges

South Arkansas Historical Foundation

A man of insight, drive and integrity, Edward Cross looked to serve and build the young state of Arkansas, as a lawyer, judge and businessman. Cross became one of the most respected minds that Arkansas leaders looked to in its early, chaotic years.

Edward Cross was born in Hawkins County, Tenn., in 1798, in a remote area tucked along the Virginia border and perched in the Appalachian Mountains. He attended local schools as a youth and eventually studied law. At that time, law students in frontier areas would study the law under practicing lawyers as apprentices.

Cross was admitted to the Tennessee bar but was determined to move on and find more opportunities and adventure than was available in the region.

By 1826, he came to the Arkansas Territory to establish a law practice.

Cross impressed many, in a region already brimming with ambitious

H

South Arkansas Historical Foundation presents

ist o ry minute

men. In 1830, President Andrew Jackson appointed him as federal judge for the whole territory. In 1836, he was appointed to the position of U.S. Surveyor General for Arkansas, a position responsible for helping settlers with land claims and resolving property disputes, strongly recommended by Arkansas leaders. Cross made few waves and won praise for his skill.

In 1838, the state’s lone congressional seat became open, and Cross jumped at the opportunity. After campaigning across the state, he easily won with 63 percent of the vote. His Democratic allies in Congress quickly gave him the chairmanship of the Private Land Claims Committee, similar to the work he had done as surveyor general. Cross would easily win re-election in

TAP. SNAP. DEPOSIT. 5/23

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0 y dollars and 00/10 Fift

1840 and 1842 with nearly threequarters of the vote each time.

In 1844, however, he decided to return to the law and won a seat on the Arkansas Supreme Court, one of three on the court at that time.

He would serve 10 years there.

The newly formed Cairo and Fulton Railroad hired him as president of the company in 1855. Cross was eager to lead the company in an attempt to develop Arkansas.

The railroad’s main objective was completing a line from southeastern Missouri across central Arkansas to eastern Texas. Along the way, the company made attempts to complete a rail line from what is now North Little Rock to Fort Smith.

With the eruption of the Civil War, hopes of completing the railroad soon crumbled as the war steadily pulled more resources from the railroad. Available investors poured everything into Confederate bonds, while available laborers enlisted in the army. Frustrated by mounting bills and faltering progress with the project, Cross resigned his position in 1862 to resume his law practice

in Washington in southwestern Arkansas.

After the Reconstruction government collapsed in 1874, Arkansas found itself in the grips of financial paralysis and political anarchy as rival Reconstruction factions fought themselves into electoral oblivion. Eager to form a government more responsive to the people and as free from the chaos and corruption of the postwar years as possible, a new constitution was ratified that year.

The new governor, Augustus H. Garland, appointed Edward Cross, who many in the state saw as one of the best and most respected legal minds in the state, as attorney general. Now in his mid-70s, Cross accepted the position, determined to once again serve his adopted home.

He retired some time afterward, dying quietly at Washington in 1887.

The South Arkansas Historical Foundation can be contacted at 870.862.9890 or at soarkhistory.com.

Dr. Ken Bridges, a SouthArk history professor, can be reached by emailing kbridges@southark.edu.

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

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

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Xena is a stunning female cat available for adoption at UCAPS. She is an indoor or outdoor-country cat.

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OPT TO ADOPT! Allow a shelter pet to complete your family! Visit UCAPS from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and let them choose YOU!

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athletes entered Union County Sports Hall of Fame profiles two inductees for Class of 2014 This is the final installment of the Union County Sports Hall of Fame’s weekly profile of two honorees each week leading up to its fourth annual Induction Banquet.

The Union County Sports Hall of Fame, a nonprofit organization, will induct six honorees into the class of 2014 at its annual Induction Banquet on Aug. 2.

According to UCSHOF advisory member Randy Ross, the 2014 class represents sports history from five different high schools throughout Union County spanning the 1930s to the 1960s.

“We feel we have selected another outstanding class,” Ross said.

The UCS Hall of Fame Class of 2014 will include inductees Van Patrick for his career as a top radio sports announcer; and Bill Rainer for his baseball career in the Minor Leagues.

Each year nominations are made and inductees are voted on by the UCSHOF advisory committee, consisting of more than 20 members throughout the county. One individual is chosen as a meritorious selection for work with the youth of the county, and the others are chosen on athletic achievements.

In order to qualify, athletic nominees must be at least 40 years old, have shown outstanding athletic achievement and have proven to be a positive role model, as well as meeting one of three criteria to be deemed a resident of Union County.

Other inductees include Jerry Burson of Strong High School; Lynwood Cathey of Smackover High School; Billy Lefear of Booker T. Washington High School; and Sam Lyle of El Dorado High School.

The Union County Sports Hall of Fame’s fourth annual Induction

branch of Smackover State Bank, located in Smackover, El Dorado and Norphlet. Tables are available for sponsors.

For more information on the banquet, ticket sales or corporate sponsorships, contact Randy Ross at 870.546.2545 or email ucshof@yahoo.com; or Rod Mills at 870.866.7809 or email rod.mills@uia-eld.com.

The UCSHOF states that it strives “to preserve the rich athletic history of Union County, Arkansas by honoring players, coaches, officials and other individuals who have Banquet will take place at made outstanding contributions 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2 at the in the field of athletics and who El Dorado Conference Center, lo- have brought recognition to Union cated at 311 South West Ave. County, Arkansas on the local, state Tickets cost $25 and must be pur- or national level.” chased in advance. Ticket sales For more information on the are available at United Insurance Union County Sports Hall of Fame, Agency in El Dorado and any go online to www.ucshof.com.

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into hall of fame Van Patrick

Bill Rainer

» Norphlet High School

» El Dorado High School

» Class 1935

» Class 1943

» Radio Sports Announcer

» Baseball; Football; Basketball

A 1935 graduate of Norphlet High School, Van Patrick was an outstanding three-sport athlete, running 10.2 in the 100-yard dash.

Patrick attended Texas Christian University, where he played football with the legendary Sammy Baugh. He was known as one of the top radio sports announcers of the 1940s through the 1970s.

At one time or another, Patrick was the radio voice of Michigan football, Cleveland Indians

baseball, Detroit Tigers baseball, Detroit Lions football and Notre Dame football. Patrick is credited with coming up with the phrases “Fearsome Four,” “Homerun Ball” and “Cliffhanger.”

As sports director for Mutual Radio, he had one of the most recognized voices on Armed Forces Radio. Van Patrick was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.

A 1964 graduate of El Dorado High School, Bill Rainer played football and basketball. He was All-State his junior and senior seasons, as well as being selected as the first EHS player to make AllAmerican in basketball.

Rainer also excelled in American Legion baseball, winning district championships each year he played. Playing collegiality at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, Rainer was a

member of two Southwest Conference basketball championship teams and was an All-SWC selection in baseball.

Rainer was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers after his junior year, and played for the Dodgers organization in the Minor Leagues for two years, making All Rookie and All Star his first year. His manager the first season with the Ogden Dodgers was future Dodger manager, Tommy Lasorda.

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White House announces job-driven training plan

of six months. The number equates to a retention rate of 94 percent, as compared to the statewide program’s goal of 80 percent.

Fiscal Year 2013 numbers for students who entered employment reflect that 49 of 59 (83 percent) of SouthArk CPI completers were employed. The state goal in this area is 55 percent.

In January, the President signed a memorandum calling on the Secretaries of Labor, Commerce and Education to work with the Vice President to develop an action plan to make the workforce training system more job-driven, integrated and effective.

WIOA arrived on the President’s desk after overwhelming approval in the House and Senate (415-6 and 95-3 respectively).

These successful strategies were a major focus of the Vice President’s action plan, in particular, educationindustry partnerships.

“These partnerships have had big local impact, but they’ve struggled to grow and replicate without the weight of federal policy behind them,” said Van Kleunen. “The Vice President’s plan adds that weight, and builds on provisions of the new Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act which, if taken to scale, could multiply these job-driven training partnerships nationally.”

CLASS

and life-enriching activities for all ages. Classes vary and may include instruction in hobbies, crafts, dance, exercise, relaxation, music, golf, art, first aid and safety, self improvement, computer software applications and entrepreneurship.

Courses are offered throughout the week at various times and locations and vary in length and cost.

New schedules are released three times per year.

For more information on available courses or teaching a class, contact the SouthArk Corporate and Community Education office at 870.864.7192 or ce@southark.edu.

More information can also be found online at southark.edu or on Facebook at facebook. com/SouthArkCorporateAnd CommunityEducation.

continued from Page 2

society. O’Nuanain, who also leads sell-out tours of Ireland every year, will offer students an entertaining and educational series of lessons on his homeland.

Pre-registration is required. The cost is $89 per student.

Both classes will be offered at the Center for Workforce Development, located at 3698 East Main on SouthArk’s East Campus. For more information or to register for either class, call 870.864.8456 or email ce@ southark.edu.

SouthArk Corporate and Community Education classes, programs, seminars, workshops and camps are designed to offer a variety of opportunities for cultural, educational

Life Touch trains local volunteers Life Touch Hospice offers regular volunteer training to community residents willing to devote their time and energy to helping others.

Mona Watson (pictured above, from left) and Ernest Chiasson are the latest graduates of the Life Touch volunteer training class.

According to Melissa Henley, Life

Touch volunteer coordinator, hospice programs are the only healthcare entity required by Medicare to provide 5 percent volunteer match hours, making volunteers critical members of the Life Touch team.

For more information about becoming a volunteer, contact Henley toll free at 866.378.0388.

HOPE

the

WASHINGTON — Last week, the White House released an action plan’s coming out of a governmentwide review, led by Vice President Joe Biden, to make the nation’s workforce education and training programs more job-driven. The President then signed the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, a bi-partisan, bicameral agreement to reauthorize the nation’s primary workforce training program.

“President Obama has made jobdriven workforce training a pillar of his economic opportunity agenda,” said Andy Van Kleunen, National Skills Coalition’s executive director who joined the President for the bill signing. “The Vice President’s action plan, if realized, will allow communities to respond to the needs of local industry and more effectively help a range of students and workers access skilled jobs with good wages.”

Arkansas’ Career Pathways Initiative – which South Arkansas Community College participates in – is one of the efforts featured as a national model on the White House website.

SouthArk’s CPI employability numbers are the best in the state. The fiscal year 2012 job retention report revealed that 32 of the program’s 34 students who entered employment still were employed at the end

— Courtesy photo

a do

nation box benefting HOPE Landing

You can help!

Donate cleaning supplies at any HOPE Box to help HOPE Landing, a nonprofit serving kids in Union County with disabilities!

box

Follow The HOPE Box on Facebook!

• Find a location near you!

• Get details on donation drives!

• Be inspired by the kids of HOPE Landing!

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Arkansas Scholarship Lottery warns of scam

Free backpacks, games, food and prizes to be included at upcoming Back-2-School Blast As the summer draws to a close and parents and students prepare for the start of a new school year, several local organizations are partnering to help make sure all students have the supplies and resources they need to be successful.

Last weekend, the United Way of Union County, Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado and the South Arkansas Regional Health Center sponsored the Stuff the Bus event at Walmart in El Dorado to collect backpacks and school supplies for the upcoming Back-2-School Blast this Saturday, Aug. 2.

According to United Way of Union County executive director Alexis Alexander, the Stuff the Bus event collected more than 80 backpacks, with many more purchased through monetary donations collected. Alexander said the United Way will continue to accept monetary donations throughout this week to help pay for backpacks purchased.

The backpacks collected will be distributed at the second annual event on a first-come,

South Arkansas Leader

first-served basis from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club’s North West Unit, located at 1201 North West Ave., in El Dorado. The Back-2-School Blast will also include a free health and resource fair, games, prizes and food. The health and resource fair will take place at the TAC House, adjacent to the Boys and Girls Club on North West Avenue.

For more information, call the United Way of Union County at 870.862.4903. More information can also be found on the Back2-School Blast Facebook page at facebook.com/B2SBUnion County.

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

For more information, call 870.862.4903, email liveunited@uwucar.org or visit unitedwayunioncounty.com.

The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery is warning Arkansans about scammers who are making false representations about individuals winning a lottery prize.

The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery has received several reports of person purporting to represent the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery calling Arkansas residents and informing them that they have won lottery prizes. The caller will often know the victim’s home address, and will often instruct him or her to go to a local store to purchase a pre-paid card called Green Dot MoneyPak to use to pre-pay taxes owed on the prize.

Scammers provide a toll-free number that, when called, mimics the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery phone message.

To protect yourself, remember: » The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery never requires the payment of any money in order to claim a prize.

» The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery typically does not call people to tell them that they’ve won, except in contests that the person has intentionally entered. » Never provide any personal or financial information to someone over the phone unless you initiate the call or are certain the caller is legitimate, especially Social Security numbers, bank account numbers and credit card numbers.

If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, Powerball or Mega Millions, be on your guard. Call the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Security Hotline at 888.606.6292 for more information or to check the legitimacy of such claims.

The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery has notified the Consumer Protection Division of the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office of this scam.

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South Arkansas Leader

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COMMUNITY calendar

» BEGINNER PHOTOSHOP CLASS — Award-winning graphic and visual artist Mike Means will offer a two-day beginner’s class on basic Adobe Photoshop for teens and adults.

Means will cover navigating through the Photoshop Tools and Palettes and basic color correction in the program, as well as a tour of some creative aspects and filters available to create art or just improve photographs. The class costs $40 for the general public and $35 for SAAC members. Class size is limited to eight students.

When: Aug. 4-5 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Where: South Arkansas Arts Center, 110 East Fifth St., El Dorado Contact: For more information or to register, contact the SAAC office at 870.862.5474.

» WORLD WAR I HISTORY LECTURE — The South Arkansas Historical Foundation and South Arkansas Community College will continue its series of history lectures with “The Origins of World War I,” commemorating the war’s centennial anniversary this year. Author and historian Dr. William Robison will present the lecture of the war that claimed the lives of more than 8.5 million soldiers and sailors. The program, supported in part by a grant from the Union County Community Foundation, is free and open to the public.

When: Tuesday, Aug. 5 at 6:30 p.m.

Where: SouthArk Library auditorium, South Arkansas Community College West Campus, 311 South West Ave. Contact: For more information, contact the SAHF at 870.862.9890. » TINKERING FOR TOTS — The Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources

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

kicks off its monthly Tinkering for Tots program for children ages 3 to 5.

The hour-long program will introduce science and tinkering to preschoolers in a hands-on and interactive environment. Children will make crafts and participate in various experiments to learn about the world around them.

The program costs $5 and reservations are required.

When: Tuesday, Aug. 5 at 10 a.m.

Where: Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources, 3853 Smackover Highway, Smackover Contact: For more information or to register, call 870.725.2877.

» HOPE LANDING TALENT SHOW — HOPE Landing will host its annual talent show, which will celebrate the abilities and talents of HOPE children while allowing them to reflect skills that have been acquired during therapy within the past year.

Admission is free; however, donations will be accepted.

When: Thursday, Aug. 7 at 7 p.m.

Where: Calloway Theatre, South Arkansas Arts Center, 110 East Fifth St., El Dorado Contact: For more information, call HOPE Landing at 870.862.0500. » EDUCATORS BREAKFAST — The El Dorado Chamber of Commerce will welcome new teachers and honor the 2014 Teachers of the Year at the annual Educators Breakfast. Dr. Fitz Hill, president of Arkansas Baptist College, will serve as the guest speaker. Admission costs $17.50, and sponsorships are available for new teachers for $20.

Reservations are required by Monday, Aug. 4 through the Chamber.

When: Friday, Aug. 8 at 7:30 a.m.

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 by noon Monday the week of publication. For more information, contact the Leader staff at 870.863.6126 or by email.

Where: El Dorado Golf and Country Club, 101 Shady Side St. Contact: For more information or to reserve a spot, contact the Chamber at 870.863.6113. » INJURY PREVENTION CENTER’S ‘ROADEO’ — The Arkansas Children’s Hospital Injury Prevention Center Teen Driving ROADeo is a free event for teens age 14 through 17 an their parents. Attendees will receive helpful information at 12 different stations, including information about texting and driving, the Graduated Driver License, how to change a tire and what to do in case of a traffic violation. The event is free but registration is required.

When: Aug. 14 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Where: El Dorado High School, 2000 Wildcat Drive Contact: For more information or to register, call 501.364.3400 or go online to archildrens.org/teendriving. » CORKS AND CANVAS — The next Corks and Canvas class from the South Arkansas Arts Center will be taught by Sandy Bennett. The class is ideal for everyone from the novice to experienced artist who is interested in exploring new possibilities through different media. Each instructor brings a new project and guides the class through the creative process, from blank page or canvas to completed work of art.

Registration is required. The $40 fee includes all supplies and snacks, and students are welcome to bring the beverage of their choice.

When: Aug. 14 from 6 to 9 p.m.

Where: South Arkansas Arts Center, 110 East Fifth St., El Dorado Contact: For more information or to

register, contact the SAAC office at 870.862.5474. » HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION — Clean Harbors will hold its Household Hazardous Waste Collection program on the third Saturday of each month from April through September. Appointments are required and can be scheduled for any time between 8 a.m. and noon the day of the event. The event is free and open to all households in Union County. Wastes such as paint, cleaning fluids, herbicides, pesticides, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, out-of-date non-prescription medicines, used oil and filters, propane and butane cylinders are accepted.

When: Aug. 16 from 8 a.m. to noon Where: Drop-off location, 2300 Short Hillsboro St., El Dorado Contact: To schedule an appointment or for more information on what types of waste are accepted, call Clean Harbors at 870.863.7173. » SINGLE PARENT SCHOLARSHIP Deadline — The deadline for applications for the Union County Single Parent Scholarship is nearing. Scholarship eligibility requires that applicants 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. Applications are available online at aspsf.org or through the South Arkansas Community College financial aid office.

Deadline: Apply by Sept. 1.

Where: Financial Aid, South Arkansas Community College West Campus Contact: For more information about applying, contact 870.864.7150.

Crossword and Sudoku Answer Keys

JULY 23

07•30•14

... for hundreds of FREE classifieds!

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

WEEKLY RECIPE Get stuffed at barbecues For those who want to add some more flavorful fare to their backyard barbecues, the following recipe for “Smoke-Roasted Bell Peppers Stuffed with

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 Monday the week of 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.

Green Garden Vegetables” from Andrew Schloss and David Joachim’s “Mastering the Grill” is sure to please guests and grill masters alike.

Smoke-Roasted Stuffed Bell Peppers Ingredients:

Makes 8 small servings

Editor

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

» 2 medium red bell peppers » 3 medium mixed bell peppers (yellow, orange, green) » 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt » 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper » 3 tablespoons butter » 1 onion, finely chopped » 2 cloves garlic, minced » 1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch dice

Directions:

» 1 medium yellow squash, cut into 1/4-inch dice » 2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels » 1 medium tomato, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch dice » 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (such as parsley, oregano, basil or a mix) » 1/4 cup plain dried bread crumbs » Oil for coating grill » 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

For a gas grill, use a clean and oiled grate over indirect heat on medium (about 325-350 degrees). For a three- to four-burner grill, keep the middle burners off; for a two-burner, keep one side off. For a charcoal grill, use clean and oiled grate on medium setting with indirect heat and medium ash. Split the charcoal bed, about two dozen coals per side. Soak the wood chips or chunks for 1 hour.

Seed, core and cut one of the red bell peppers into 1/4-inch dice. Cut the remaining bell peppers in half lengthwise right through the stem, leaving a bit of stem attached to each half.

Cut out the cores, seeds and ribs from the interiors of the peppers, leaving the stem intact. Sprinkle the insides of the peppers with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and saute until almost tender, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic, chopped bell pepper, zucchini and yellow squash. Saute the vegetables until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Stir in the corn and tomato and cook until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes.

Stir in herbs, bread crumbs and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook and stir until the bread crumbs soak up most of the liquid in the pan. Remove from the heat and spoon the filling equally into the pepper cavities.

When the grill is hot, put the soaked wood chips or chunks over the coals on both sides of the grill. Is using gas, put the wood chips in a smoker box or in a perforated foil packet directly over one of the heated burners.

Brush the grill grate and coat it with oil. Put the stuffed peppers over the unheated part of the grill, cover, and cook until just tender, 20 to 30 minutes. If your grill has a temperature gauge, it should stay at around 350 degrees.

Remove the peppers to a large serving platter. Sprinkle with the Parmesan (if using) and serve.

CLUES ACROSS 1. Paper mulberry 5. Fringe-toed lizard genus 8. Peel a corn cob 12. A love affair 14. Tandoor bread 15. Elliptical shape 16. A small village 18. Refers to a person 19. Hybrid equine 20. ___ Scholar 21. Consume 22. Away from wind 23. Br. tube phrase 26. With three uneven sides 30. First king of Egypt 31. Award recipient 32. Coach Parsegian 33. Uncle Sam artist James

34. Flathead mullet genus 39. Wedding declaration 42. Complete musical pause 44. More of sound mind 46. Relieved 47. Am. poet Henry W. 49. Fine cut tobacco 50. Honorable title (Turkish) 51. Nun garments 56. A block of soap 57. Driver compartment 58. Saudi peninsula 59. Consumer 60. East northeast 61. Hostile foe 62. Fathers 63. Pain unit 64. Former wives

CLUES DOWN 1. Himalayan goat 2. Far East housemaid 3. Indigenous of California 4. __ lang syne, good old days 5. Unmarried 6. Gandhi epithet 7. Not the same as him 8. Show of respect 9. Soft palate flaps 10. Dried orchid tubers 11. “Fish Magic” painter Paul 13. Coming out of again 17. Banteng 24. Born of 25. Cloisonne 26. 3 to 30 gigahertz (abbr.)

27. Gap in a ridge 28. Tennis player Ivanovic

29. Felled tree trunk 35. Suits & Psych network 36. Steadying rope 37. Anger 38. A male child 40. Marred the surface of 41. Marjoram 42. U.C. Berkeley 43. Hawaiian greeting 44. Saturated 45. Historic Anjou capital 47. ___ Apso: Tibetan dog 48. Attach a brand tag 49. Run before a gale 52. Nemesis 53. Wild goat 54. A clock tells it 55. States

Answer key on page 12.

13

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South Arkansas Leader

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TAX

continued from Page 1

all human wearing apparel suitable for general use. Most general clothing items are tax-exempt under this status and include, but are not limited to, baby blankets, bathing suites, belts and suspenders, diapers, formal wear, hosiery, underwear and wedding apparel.

While sports and recreational equipment is not tax exempt, athletic and non-athletic uniforms are consider clothing and will be tax exempt.

Clothing accessory or equipment qualifies as any item worn on the person in conjunction with “clothing,” including handbags, briefcases, cosmetics and other similar items.

It does not matter what the total bill is for the entire purchase, as long as each clothing item is less than $100 and each accessory or piece of equipment is less than $50.

For example, if a customer purchases two shirts at $50 each, a pair of jeans for $75 and a pair of shoes for $125, no state or local sales tax is due on the two shirts and the pair of jeans. However, because the shoes are a single item exceeding the $100 threshold, state and local sales tax will be due on the purchase.

Designed to help families purchasing school supplies, all purchases on school supplies, school art supplies and school instructional materials will be tax exempt regardless of the individual price. School supplies, art supplies and materials qualify as any item commonly used by a student in a course of study. However, computers, computer equipment and software will not qualify for the tax exemption.

As long as individual items fit the general criteria, online purchases made during the two-day sales tax holiday period will also be tax exempt, according to the DFA. For more information, contact an Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration customer service representative by phone between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at 501.682.7104.

More information, including an itemized list and Frequently Asked Questions can be found through the Arkansas DFA website at http://1.usa.gov/1rRm9QJ.

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Items eligible for the Sales Tax Holiday exemption Clothing and Footwear Less than $100 per item » Aprons, household and shop » Athletic supporters » Baby receiving blankets » Bathing suits and caps » Beach capes and coats » Belts and suspenders » Boots » Coats and jackets » Costumes » Diapers, including disposables » Earmuffs » Footlets » Formal wear » Garters and garter belts » Girdles » Gloves and mittens » Hats and caps » Hosiery » Insoles for shoes » Lab coats » Neckties » Overshoes » Pantyhose » Rainwear » Rubber pants » Sandals » Scarves » Shoes and shoe laces » Slippers » Sneakers » Socks and stockings » Steel-toed shoes » Underwear » Athletic uniforms » Nonathletic uniforms » Wedding apparel

Clothing Accessories and Equipment

» Umbrellas » Wallets » Watches » Wigs and hair pieces

School Supplies Limited to items listed below » Binders » Book bags » Calculators » Cellophane tape » Blackboard chalk » Compasses » Composition books » Crayons » Erasers » Folders, including expandable, pocket, plastic and manila » Glue, paste and paste sticks » Highlighters » Index cards » Index card boxes » Legal pads » Lunch boxes » Markers » Notebooks » Pencil boxes and other school supply boxes » Pencil sharpeners » Paper, including loose-leaf ruled notebook paper, copy paper, graph paper, tracing paper, manila paper, colored paper, poster board and construction paper » Pencils and pens » Protractors » Rulers » Scissors » Writing tablets

Less than $50 per item » Briefcases » Cosmetics » Hair notions, including barrettes, hair bows and hair nets » Handbags » Handkerchiefs » Jewelry » Sunglasses, non-prescription

See a complete itemized list at http://1.usa. gov/1k8kqUH.

School Art Supplies Limited to items listed below » Clay and glazes » Paints, including acrylic, tempora and oil » Paintbrushes for artwork » Sketch and drawing pads » Watercolors

School Instructional Materials Limited to items listed below » Reference books » Reference maps and globes » Textbooks » Workbooks

Taxable Does NOT qualify for tax exemption » Sewing equipment and supplies, including needles, patterns, pins, sewing machines, buttons, fabric, thread, etc. » Protective equipment, including breathing masks, clean room apparel and equipment, ear and hearing protectors, face shields, hard hats, safety glasses, protective gloves, tool belts, etc. » Sports or recreational equipment, including dance shoes, cleats, sports gloves, waders, wet suits, etc.