Volume 10 - No. 26 by South Arkansas Leader

Union County’s source for community news and more

South Arkansas

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Aug. 20, 2014 Volume 10 – No. 26 WANT MORE?

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S.I.G.H.T. to host its 19th annual celebrity bowl-a-thon on Aug. 26 As it has for nearly a decade, the Sight Impairment Group Help Team, known simply as S.I.G.H.T., once again asks community members to tie on a blindfold and bowl in an effort to raise funds and awareness for the visually impaired. Local “celebrities” will bowl blindfolded with the help of sighted lane assistants at the 19th Annual S.I.G.H.T. Celebrity Bowl-a-thon on Tuesday, Aug. 26. S.I.G.H.T. invites those who are interested in helping the effort to sign up as a bowler, lane assistant, sponsor or donor. The bowl-a-thon raises funds through donations from businesses, corporations, city and county government, and individuals who wish to sponsor a

bowler. However, general donations will also be accepted without a sponsorship. Trophies will be awarded to the top bowlers, and the individual who collects the most donations by the end of the event on Tuesday night will receive $100. The goal of the fundraiser is two-fold, said president and founding member Pat Qualls, noting that the organization aims to support the visually

Wildcat Scrimmage set – p. 9

Resident forester to explore state’s defining trait – the soft pine tree The South Arkansas Historical Foundation’s Preservation Society will host a presentation on one of the state’s most defining characteristics – its pine trees – on Monday, Sept. 8 with Dr. Don Bragg, author and research forester for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. In his presentation, “Natural and Human Bragg History of the Arkansas Soft Pine,” Bragg will explore how the loblolly pine has come to dominate much of the region’s forests. Today much of southern Arkansas, like much of the rest of the southeastern United States, is covered by forests of loblolly pine. Historically, pine dominated the upland forests of this region, but these forests were not always so overwhelmingly loblolly. Shortleaf pine was also prominent, and together these pines constituted an enormous timber resource whose exploitation fueled the regional

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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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B-movie homage ‘The Expendables 3’ fails on every level Derek DiCiccio Red Carpet Crash

There are certain movies that have built-in low expectations. Not that you expect the movie to be bad; it is more of a “it is what it is” situation. “The Expendables 3” isn’t in the “it is what it is” category. It is in the “what the hell were they thinking” category. This movie actually manages to be boring while firing off about 84 explosions and using 3,000 shells of ammunition. What kind of movie suddenly plops Jet Li, one of the greatest martial arts action stars ever, into the mix and does not have him actually, y’know, use those martial art skills? The actual plot of “The Expendables 3” has a decent setup for something that is essentially a tribute to 1980s action movies. Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone) and his gang of Expendables are after an arms dealer who is selling deadly weapons to several completely fictional evil governments from countries that have names all ending in “stan” or “ibad.” This is done to not lay blame on a real country and also so that the names sound scary.

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economy for decades. Often marketed together as “Arkansas Soft Pine,” the loblolly and shortleaf pines of southern Arkansas owe their past prominence to a number of factors, including soils, topography, fire and other forest dynamics. Prior to widespread lumbering, virgin pine forests covered most of the southern portion of Arkansas, with stands of widely dispersed old pines often towering over open, grassy understories and scattered hardwoods. The lumber companies that tapped this natural resource quickly learned how to market the properties of Arkansas Soft Pine to national markets, thrusting the state into the forefront of the industry for years. Bragg has been a research forester with the USDA Forest Service’s Southern Research Station in Monticello since 2000. Originally from northern Wisconsin, Bragg received his B.S. (1992) and M.S. (1995)

The Expendables 3 Barney augments his team with new blood for a personal battle: to take down Conrad Stonebanks, the Expendables co-founder and notorious arms trader who is hell-bent on wiping out Barney and every single one of his associates. » Release date: Aug. 15. » Run time: 126 min. » Rated: PG-13 for violence including intense sustained gun battles and

Before the gang can go after this evil dude, they need to break one of the original Expendables out of a black site prison in yet another made-up place. The first 15 minutes of the movie are a preposterous train chase, featuring Lee Christmas (Jason Statham), Gunnar Jensen (Dolph Lundgren) and Toll Road (Randy Couture) hanging from a helicopter piloted by Barney. Their pal is Doctor Death (Wesley Snipes), who gets to deliver one of the few memorable one-line zingers in the film… When asked why he was imprisoned, Doc’s answer is two words that should bring the entire house down: “Tax evasion.” degrees in forestry from Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Mich., and earned a Ph.D. in forest ecology from Utah State University in 1999. Bragg has also been the editor-inchief of the Journal of Forestry since 2013. Author of more than 90 scientific and technical publications, Bragg’s research interests include southern pine silviculture, forest dynamics modeling, applied historical ecology, restoration of old-growth ecosystems, disturbance ecology, riparian large woody debris recruitment simulation, the history of forestry, and birdseye sugar maple. The Arkansas Soft Pine presentation will begin at 5:15 p.m. at the Newton House Museum, located at 510 Jackson St. in El Dorado. The event is free and open to the public. The Preservation Society is the support organization for the South Arkansas Historical Foundation. For more information, call 870.862.9890 or go online to soarkhistory.com.

fight scenes, and for language. » Director(s): Patrick Hughes. » Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Harrison Ford, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mel Gibson, Wesley Snipes, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Antonio Banderas, Kelsey Grammer, Harrison Ford and Ronda Rousey.

Pure genius. The rest of the movie, however, is not. Once Barney cuts bait on his old team of, well, old guys and introduces a new, young team, the movie falls to pieces. Not only does it ruin the entire reason for watching this movie (seeing old dudes be funny in crazy action sequences), but the young actors are so facepalmingly bad. Ronda Rousey is so horrendous that eye balls could pop out of heads due to excessive eye rolling. Thankfully, a few familiar faces save certain sections of the movie. Kelsey Grammar’s Bonaparte is smugly funny and way more

entertaining in a much smaller amount of screen time than he had in the most recent “Transformers” debacle. Harrison Ford pops up, takes a shot at the now absent Bruce Willis, and growls and grumbles a few zingers as Barney’s new CIA handler. If there was a movie just about Mel Gibson’s evil arms dealer Stonebanks, it would be better than “The Expendables 3.” Gibson has always been great as an anti-hero, but he puts on his villain pants here and really excels. No matter what you may think of his real persona, there can’t be an argument against the fact that he commands a movie screen and his charisma and charm just pour out. Is there a reason why Sly Stallone isn’t directing these last two movies? The first “Expendables” was actually silly fun and entertaining, mostly because it went all out on violence and didn’t shy away from an R rating. This watered down, non-profanity laced PG-13 debacle is not only cartoonish, but completely unrealistic. Are we supposed to believe that these big burly testosterone laden men aren’t using

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Asking for a raise? Base requst on your merits, not coworkers’ lack of Dear Dave, What’s your advice on asking for a raise at work when you have more responsibility than a co-worker but the same title on paper? After being with my company for four years, I feel like I should make more money and I have the right to complain about this. — Vanessa

Westerns’ Leading Lady: Little Rock native Gail Davis (right) was called by her mentor Gene Autry (left) “the perfect western actress.” She went on to

become the first woman to portray the lead character in a television western starring as the title role in 1954’s “Annie Oakley.” — Courtesy photo

Called ‘The perfect western actress’ film star Gail Davis hails from Arkansas’ capitol Ken Bridges

South Arkansas Historical Foundation

In the days when westerns dominated the new invention of television, one Arkansas actress charmed audiences across the nation with her colorful portrayals. Gail Davis, once called by longtime friend Gene Autry “the perfect western actress,” was a familiar face on television and film in the 1950s. Born Betty Jeane Grayson in Little Rock in 1925 to a physician, she lived for several years in McGehee before the family settled permanently in Little Rock in her teens. As a youngster, she loved performing in front of audiences and was a gifted singer. The future star was also very athletic, taking up swimming and tennis and becoming an expert horse rider. She competed in a number of rodeos, including becoming a trick shot expert. She would graduate from Little Rock High School, going on to the University of Texas at Austin where she studied dance and drama. It was at U.T. that she met and

South Arkansas Historical Foundation presents

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married her first husband, Bob Davis, and eventually had a daughter. After her graduation in 1946, the three went to California where she earned a contract with MGM studios. Davis recounted that the studio could not have another “Betty Davis” as an actress with the studio, and a stage hand suggested the name Gail. She soon made a few appearances in westerns, including “The Far Frontier” with Roy Rogers in 1948. Along the way she met Gene Autry, who was very impressed with her acting and soon took her under his wing. Davis would appear with him in “Sons of New Mexico” in 1949. Ultimately, she would appear in

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Dear Vanessa, Sorry, no. You don’t have a right to complain. You agreed on your pay, and you are doing your job the way your character Ramsey and integrity tell you to do the job. If someone else is a slacker in the same position, that doesn’t mean a whole lot in terms of your personal compensation. I’ve got several people at my company who hold similar positions and make similar money. Some of them have been here for years, while others are relatively new. I don’t pay people for how long they’ve been in the building, and I don’t want anyone on my team who doesn’t give 100 percent. Now, that may be a different issue than pay, but at the same time I don’t want someone who gives 50 percent and I pay them 50 percent. I want everyone at 100 percent, but that kind of thing isn’t your problem. It’s the company’s problem, because she works for them and not you. If you honestly feel like you deserve a raise because of your effort and performance, that’s fine. Sit down with your leader and make a logical and reasonable argument for why you deserve more money. But don’t bring up your co-worker and what he or she makes in the discussion. That’s just not relevant. What is relevant is your worth and the value you bring to the organization. But a comparative analysis with someone else on staff just isn’t a good idea. I’d stay away from that, Vanessa. — Dave

DAVE Says

Dear Dave, My wife and I live in New York, and we’ve had whole life insurance for several years. There’s a 7-percent penalty if we cash out the policies now. If we wait a few years, we won’t have to pay into the premiums anymore. Should we cash out the policies anyway? — Brian

Dear Brian, The reason you won’t have to pay into the premiums anymore is because you built up enough savings, and they are not paying you enough on the savings to amount to anything. The amount they should have been paying you versus the way they were ripping you off will buy the life insurance. It’s not like you can pay for it because you still have probability of death. As long as there’s a probability of death there’s a cost to life insurance. The only question is whether you’re paying out of your savings account or your checking account. In this case, you’re paying out of savings. The 7-percent figure is just your surrender charge, so I’d get out of that policy soon. Here’s the problem, Brian. If you die today, do you know what they’ll pay? Face value. They won’t pay face value plus the savings you paid for. In other words, you’ll lose your savings. I’d get term life insurance in place by the end of the week. Compare prices on term, because you’ll be surprised at the difference some companies charge for term insurance. Make sure you get good 15- to 20-year level terms policies valued at 10 to 12 times your annual incomes. — Dave Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business. He has authored five New York Times bestselling books: “Financial Peace,” “The Total Money Makeover,” 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.

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Seminar to debunk myths associated with grief, offer new ideas to deal with loss Life Touch Hospice will partner with South Arkansas Community College’s department of Corporate and Community Education to offer a seminar on “Grief and Loss: Old Problems, New Ideas,” next month. Greg Adams will lead the seminar on Wednesday, Sept. 24, addressing the myths surrounding the needs of children when dealing with grief. Adams has been the director of the Center for Good Mourning, Adams a grief support and outreach program of the Arkansas Children’s Hospital, since 2001. “This is a great opportunity for the local community to learn about helping kids in grief,” said Marsha Cowling, outreach coordinator for Life Touch Hospice. “The event will also be an opportunity to network with others who work with youth in the community.” Through his presentation, Adams will address some old ideas of grief and loss and how to let go, as well as exploring newer ideas in handling the stresses of grief. Among his tenure with Arkansas

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Children’s Hospital, Adams has also served as director of the ACH’s palliative care program, PalCare, since 2006. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Graduate School of Social Work, where he teaches “Loss, Grief and Social Work Intervention.” Adams earned his Master’s degree in social work from the University of Missouri-Columbia and his Bachelor’s degree in social work and religion from Baylor University. He was named Social Worker of the Year by the Arkansas Chapter of National Association of Social Workers in 2005. Earlier this year, Adams was honored once again as Community Faculty Member of the Year at UALR College of Professional Studies. The “Grief and Loss” seminar will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at the Center for Workforce Development, located at 3698 East Main on SouthArk’s East Campus. A certificate will be provided upon completion of the course. Pre-register is required by Sept. 10. The program costs $10 per person, or $20 per person including lunch. For more information or to register, call 870.864.8456 or email ce@southark.edu.

Arkansas deer population, once scarce, is healthy and plentiful

LITTLE ROCK — Abundant in early settlement days, deer greatly diminished in numbers by the early 20th century. This was an area of concern to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission when it was created in 1915. Restoration of deer began in the 1920s; and when mandatory checking of deer by hunters started in 1938, just 203 were reported. Each of the past two seasons saw a thousand times that many deer checked by hunters. Deer are plentiful in Arkansas in 2014. However, this is not the case in all places, according to Cory

Gray, deer program coordinator for the Game and Fish Commission. “We have good numbers of deer in Arkansas, but they are not evenly distributed,” Gray said. “Even in Zone 12 (south Arkansas) where we have the most deer, I get calls from people telling me they aren’t seeing deer.” However, most of the state does have sufficient deer numbers, according to statistics from hunter checking. Over the 90 years of Arkansas deer restoration and management, the

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Explore creativity at Creative Arts Academy A new school year is getting underway and that means the Creative Arts Academy of the South Arkansas Arts Center is offering a whole new roster of classes to engage, entertain and educate young minds. Classes begin the week of Aug. 25-28 and registration is currently underway. The Visual Arts Academy offers a little something for everyone with instructors Gay Bechtelheimer and Maria Villegas.

» Creative Basics « 4-year-olds. Gay Bechtelheimer offers “Creative Basics” for 4-year-olds on Mondays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The class provides an introduction to art for pre-school students. They will gain exposure to art techniques, art processes and gallery experiences in an effort to nurture an appreciation for the arts and develop creative thinking skills. Cost of the course is $125 for SAAC members and $145 for the general public.

» Enjoy the Ride « Kindergarten – First Grade. Instructor Maria Villegas offers “Enjoy the Ride” for students entering grades kindergarten through first on Wednesdays or Thursdays from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. Students can take a ride on rollercoasters of lines, shapes and colors, while learning skills in drawing, painting and collage. Cost is $125 for SAAC members and $145 for the general public.

» Yes!!!! « Second – Third Grades. Villegas also offers “Yes!!!!” for students entering second and third grades on Mondays from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. Students will gain exposure to other cultures while participating in multicultural projects, learning about different countries and cultures and mastering basic art techniques. Cost of the class is $125 for SAAC members and $145 for the general public.

» What’s on Your Mind? « Fourth – Sixth Grades. For students entering fourth through sixth grades, Villegas

South Arkansas Arts Center now accepting registration offers “What’s on Your Mind?” Students will create adventurous artworks, experimenting with several techniques including paper maché, drawing and painting. The class meets on Tuesdays from 3:45 to 5 p.m., and the cost of the class is $140 for SAAC members and $160 for the general public.

» Hooked on Design « Seventh – 12th Grades. “Hooked on Design” is Villegas’ offering for students entering grades seventh through 12th. The class will meet on Tuesdays from 3:45 to 5 p.m. Students will explore visual arts techniques and elements of design like proportion, rhythm and color. Cost of the class is $140 for SAAC members and $160 for the general public.

» What’s In Your Phone « Teacher Recommendation. “What’s In Your Phone” is an advanced studio art class with Villegas that will meet on Mondays from 4:45 to 6:45 p.m. Using digital media and the Internet to explore their own voice, students will gain skills in the fundamentals of design. Students are accepted into the class by teacher recommendation only. The cost of the class is $185 for SAAC members and $205 for the general public.

» Special Gifts / Needs «

» Level 1 Ballet «

Kindergarten – 12th Grade. Jorge and Maria Villegas offer “Special Gifts/Special Needs Art for K-12 Students” on Wednesdays from 5 to 6 p.m. Students will explore different ways of expression through the visual arts. The class is offered free of charge. Students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the class.

Kindergarten – First Grade. Level 1 Ballet for kindergarten through first grades will meet on Tuesdays from 4 to 4:45 p.m. with instructor Lowrey. Students will learn basic ballet footwork and skills. The class is limited to 12 students, and the cost is $120 for SAAC members and $140 for the general public.

» Digital Drawing « Fourth – Ninth Grades. Graphic artist Mike Means offers a new computer arts course with expanded grades. “Drawing with Digital Tools” meets on Mondays from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. for students entering grades fourth through sixth and from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m. for students entering grades seventh through ninth. Students will learn the basics of Adobe Photoshop by creating artwork using the design tools and filtering techniques of the program. The class will show students how to create art with the lab’s Wacom Tablets and new Macintosh computers as easily as using a pencil. Class cost is $125 for SAAC members and $145 for the general public. The Creative Arts Academy will also offer an assortment of ballet and dance classes for beginners and advanced students from ballet instructors Melissa Spears and Stephanie Lowery.

s t r A e v i t a C e r Y AC EM

» Level 2 Ballet « Prerequisite required. Level 2 Ballet for second through fourth grades will meet on Tuesdays from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m. with Lowrey. A prerequisite of Level 1 Ballet or instructor’s approval is required for the class, which is limited to a maximum of 12 students. Cost of the class is $120 for SAAC members and $140 for the general public.

» Level 3 Pre-Pointe « Prerequisite required. Level 3 Pre-Pointe, with instructors Spears and Lowrey, will meet on Mondays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from 4 to 5:15 p.m.

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impaired, as well as the community as a whole. “Our main priority is to provide local visually impaired individuals with aids to assist in their daily lives,” Qualls said. Through donations and the annual bowl-a-thon the nonprofit generally raises close to $7,000 each year, she said. S.I.G.H.T. uses those funds to support its members by providing them with daily aids, such as magnifying glasses, tape recorders and canes, and occasionally assisting with medicinal expenses. While S.I.G.H.T.’s main focus is to provide support to the visually impaired, Qualls also noted that the organization uses a large portion of the funds raised to give back to the community. “Monies raised through this event will be used to fund projects throughout the year,” she said. The organization donates funds to the Salvation Army, CASA: Court-Appointed Special Advocates, HOPE Landing and the Special Olympics. As well, S.I.G.H.T. partners with Southern Arkansas

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15 movies with Autry, and acted in more than 30 movies altogether. In 1950, she made guest appearances on the popular programs “The Cisco Kid” and “The Lone Ranger.” Davis continued to appear in films and made numerous appearances on “The Gene Autry Show” with her mentor. In 1954, Davis was set to star in the television series “Annie Oakley.” In the process, she became the first woman to portray the lead character in a television western. Her career in westerns and real-life expertise with a gun made Davis a natural match. The real Annie Oakley, famous for her sharpshooting skills, performed for 17 years as part of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show and died in 1926. The television version, however, fictionalized her life, portraying the heroine as a crime-solver and a onewoman force for justice in the Old West. The show, produced by Gene Autry and co-starring Brad Johnson, ran from 1954 to 1957. Davis was proud of her portrayal

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El Dorado Lanes, located at 400 South Bradley Ave. from 7 to 9 Tuesday night. Participants should arrive by 6:30 p.m. to obtain lane assignments and blindfolds. Those interested in participating in the bowl-a-thon or making a donation should contact Pat Qualls at 870.862.2225. Noalmark Broadcasting Corporation’s KIX 103 radio station has partnered with S.I.G.H.T. to help raise funds leading up to the event Tuesday night. The KIX crew is accepting monetary donations durUniversity to provide funding that activities throughout the year. ing regular business hours now supplies qualifying college stu“It’s just been growing and grow- through Tuesday, Aug. 26 at its stadents with eye glasses. In addition, ing every since,” Qualls said. “The tion, located at 2525 North West S.I.G.H.T. provides two $1,000 community’s been good to us and Ave., across from Larry’s Pizza. scholarships on a rotating basis to we want to keep all the money local, Donations also may be mailed to Union County high school students and that’s where it stays – local.” S.I.G.H.T. c/o Elizabeth Garner, who qualify under their respective The 19th Annual S.I.G.H.T. Celeb- 609 Oak Manor Drive, El Dorado, school’s criteria for academic merits rity Bowl-a-thon will take place at AR 71730. and financial need. After losing her vision in 1984, Qualls launched the Sight Impairment Group Help Team in 1990 with the help of friend Ray Matthews, a former police officer blinded in the line of duty. S.I.G.H.T. has since grown to nearly 30 members, both sighted and visually impaired. The group meets on the third Sunday of each month and holds regularly of Oakley and how the character doled out her own justice without killing. She remarked years later, “Annie Oakley had to deal with the same ruthless characters – rustlers and killers – that the cowboys dealt with. And she did it without ever killing a one of them.” In 1960, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. One of her later appearances included a 1961 episode of “The Andy Griffith Show,” but by the 1960s, her career had begun winding down. By the 1970s, she retired from acting completely. Gail Davis died in 1997, but left behind many fans. In 2002, she was honored by the City of Hot Springs with her inclusion onto the Arkansas Walk of Fame; and in 2004, she was inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas. The South Arkansas Historical Foundation is dedicated to educating the public about the state’s rich history. The SAHF can be contacted at P.O. Box 144, El Dorado, AR, 71730, at 870.862.9890 or at soarkhistory.com. Dr. Ken Bridges, a SouthArk history professor, can be reached by emailing kbridges@southark.edu.

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The twice-a-week class is limited to 12 students, and a prerequisite of Level 2 Ballet or instructor’s approval is required. Cost of the class is $180 for SAAC members and $200 for the general public.

» Level 4 Pointe « Prerequisite required. A twice-a-week Level 4 Pointe Class will meet on Mondays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. with Spears. A prerequisite of Level 3 Ballet or instructor’s approval is required for the class, which is limited to 12 students. Cost of the class is $180 for SAAC members and $200 for the general public.

» Beginning Dance « 3- to 5-year-olds. Spears will also offer a 3- to 5-year-old Beginning Dance class on Tuesdays from 3 to 3:45 p.m. The class is limited to 12 students. Little ones will learn basic steps and an

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appreciation for dance. Cost of the » ‘Xanadu’ « class is $100 for SAAC members Sixth – 12th Grades. and $120 for the general public. Drama students entering sixth Drama instructor Darrin Riley of- through 12th grades can take part fers two new projects and expanded in a production of “Xanadu, Jr.” It’s grades for the upcoming Creative 1980 and the magical and beautiful Arts Academy. Greek muse, Kira, descends from the heavens of Mount Olympus to » ‘Technicolor Dreamcoat’ « Venice Beach, Calif., on a quest to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, as First – Fifth Grades. he strives to achieve the greatest arDrama students entering grades tistic creation of all time – the first first through fifth will present one of roller disco. the most enduring shows of all time, Based on the classic film starring “Joseph and the Amazing Technicol- Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelor Dreamcoat.” The family musical ley, with a chart-topping score by about the trials and triumphs of Jo- the Electric Light Orchestra, “Xanseph, Israel’s favorite son, is an ex- adu” is a rocking return to the ’80s. cellent introduction to musical the- “Xanadu, Jr.” is a two-semester project, both Fall 2014 and Spring ater for youth, Riley said. This musical retells the Biblical 2015, with full performances in May story of Joseph, his 11 brothers and of 2015. Class meets on Thursdays the coat of many colors through a from 4:30 to 6 p.m., and the cost of number of memorable songs. Stu- the class is $135 for SAAC memdents will perform Sir Andrew bers and $155 for the general public. Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s musiRegistration forms are available in cal in December. the lobby of the South Arkansas Arts Class meets on Thursdays from Center, located at 110 East Fifth 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., and the cost is St., and online at saac-arts.com. $120 for SAAC members and $140 For more information, contact the for the general public. SAAC office at 870.862.5474.

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focus has shifted from increasing numbers of deer to balancing and keeping the deer healthy. Hunters have played a major role in this, particularly in recent years since quality deer management was crafted. Before 1998, the goal was to have more deer in the state, and hunters went after male deer. The buckdoe ratio became badly skewed. In 1998, the three-point rule was established. This meant only a buck with at least three points on one side of its antlers could be taken legally by hunters. More taking of does was encouraged also. Within a few seasons, Arkansas hunters accepted the concept, and they reported seeing and taking better deer – meaning bigger racks (antlers) and more body weight. Arkansas deer have returned. Most wildlife biologists believe the state has more deer today than it did in the pioneer days when forests covered virtually the entire state.

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HOPE

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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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n County! o i n U cations Across

a service of SHARE Foundation

Grief Walking Group 1st & 3rd Tuesday of ea. month at 9:30 am Champagnolle Landing - 2nd floor walking track The group is free & open to both Life Touch families & those in the community. Also includes a 5-10 minute grief topic discussion.

Toll Free 866-378-0388 www.lifetouchhospice.org 2301 Champagnolle Rd.

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Scrimmage to raise funds for United Way of Union County, EHS Wildcats Are you ready for some football? The annual El Dorado Purple & White Scrimmage will be held this Friday, Aug. 22 at Memorial Stadium. This year’s event has added entertainment, as it is a fundraiser for Wildcat football and the United Way of Union County. In addition to scrimmage games by the eighth- and ninthgrade and varsity football teams, the event will also include introductions of the band and cheerleaders and entertainment from both groups. Noalmark Broadcasting Corporation will provide a live remote beginning at 3 p.m. on site. Everyone is invited to stop at the remote and get registered to win two round-trip tickets from SeaPort Airlines. There are two ways to win – purchase $1 raffle ticket or donate two non-perishable food items for the Salvation Army. Pre-game activities continue at 4:30 with children’s activities, including bounce houses, games, prizes and temporary spirit tattoos. Admission to this activity area is $3. Activity on the field begins around 5 p.m. Between each scrimmage game, elementary students (grades kindergarten through sixth) will have the opportunity to particpate in a fun

run on the field. Entertainment will be provided by American Idol contestant LeBryant Crew. T-shirts will also be on sale: one for $15 or two for $25. Admission is $5 and only AAA passes are honored for this event. Children in grades K-6 at El Dorado Schools will receive an armband at school for free admission. Children under 5 years old are admitted free with paid adult admission. Sponsors of the event include: Murphy USA, SeaPort Airlines, ArtAttack Graphics, Hays Rental, Simmons Bank, Larry’s Pizza, Murphy Oil Corporation, Brookshire’s, Timberlane Meat Market, Neely’s Wholesale and Noalmark Broadcasting. Join the event on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/VDBSVz for updates, or contact United Way of Union County at 870.862.4903 for more information. 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 F-word on a regular basis? Director Patrick Hughes is clearly not ready for the big time. Whether it’s his direction or the choppy editing, this is yet another action movie in which it is impossible to tell the landscape of the action. People are falling through floors, jumping from buildings, running all over the place, but you just have no idea where they are or if the laws of physics apply on this alternate Earth reality that “The Expendables 3” has created. Not only is it overstuffed with characters, it is 126 minutes long. “The Expendables 3” could have just inserted the regular Expendables crew instead of all the annoying young folks, knocked that runtime down about 20 minutes or so, and been a fun, if not stupid, action B-movie homage.

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However, if you have $10 to blow on a movie, “The Expendables 3” may be worth it just for three seconds of brilliance. Arnold Schwarzenegger, in all his non-shaven glory, shouts out one of the most beloved (or mocked?) lines that he has ever delivered in a movie. It’s not that it is funny, as much as it’s seeing the pure joy on Arnold’s face as he says it. But one line does not a movie make. “The Expendables 3” is pretty bad. Things blow up, men say manly things then cut each other down in attempts at what normal people call “humor,” then they all laugh and fist bump each other. In fact, this movie should have been called “Bump It: The Movie.” 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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COMMUNITY calendar

» COMMUNITY IMPACT MINI GRANTS — The United Way of Union County is accepting applications for Community Impact mini grants. These funding requests (for $250 or less) should present innovative approaches to meeting the health and human services needs of the community. Applicants must operate as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization in Union County and demonstrate the ability to meet a need in the community. When: Deadline is noon on Aug. 28. Where: Union County Contact: For more information or to request a grant application, call 870.862.4903. » 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. » LIFESHARE MASH BASH BLOOD DRIVE — LifeShare Blood Centers and El Dorado Chemical will host MASH BASH 2014, an all-day blood drive. Each donor will receive a limited-edition MASH BASH T-shirt, only available during the event. As well, each participant will be entered

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into a drawing for a $100 Visa gift card. KIX 103 will be live on site from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. When: Aug. 22 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Where: Medical Center of South Arkansas, 700 West Grove St. Contact: For more information, call LifeShare El Dorado at 870.862.2150.

» EHS VOLLEYBALL TEAM FUNDRAISER — The El Dorado High School volleyball team will partner with LifeShare Blood Centers to host a blood drive and fundraiser. the team will be selling team T-shirts and a raffle for a $100 gift card to raise funds for the volleyball team. T-shirts cost $15, and chances to win the gift card can be purchased for $1 each. Each person donating blood will receive a free “Get in the Game” T-shirt and a $5-off coupon to Outback Steakhouse. When: Aug. 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Where: Brookshire’s, 2202 North West Ave. Contact: For more information, call LifeShare El Dorado at 870.862.2150. » SAAC BEGINNER’S PASTEL CLASS — Kelly Campbell will offer a Beginner’s Pastel Class teaching the basics of using soft pastels on sanded paper. Students will learn to change tan paper to white, tone paper for underpainting, and the basics of using different kinds of soft pastels to create an original painting. Cost for the class is $45 (includes supplies), plus $6.50 for sanded paper. Class is limited to eight. When: Aug. 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: South Arkansas Arts Center, 110 East Fifth St. Contact: For more information or to register, call the SAAC office at 870.862.5474.

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.

» URBANAFEST 2014 — The 2014 UrbanaFest is sponsored by the Urbana Improvement Association. The event will include softball, beginning at 1 p.m., and dominoes, beginning at 2 p.m., as well as food and other activities and entertainment. The event is free and open to the public. When: Aug. 23 at 1 p.m. Where: Old Urbana schoolyard » NRA ANNUAL BANQUET — The 2014 Ouachita County Friends of the National Rifle Association will host its annual banquet dinner in Camden. The event will include an auction and raffle. Tickets cost $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Tickets are available at Jim Golden Ford Lincoln and Dean’s Heating and Air Conditioning in Camden, or at friendsofnra.org. Sponsorship opportunities are available. When: Aug. 23 at 6 p.m. Where: Jim Golden Ford Lincoln, 790 California Ave SW, Camden Contact: For more information, contact Wayne Sharp at 870.390.0463. » HOW TO WRITE A BUSINESS PLAN — The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center will offer “How to Write a Business Plan,” helping business owners to define a concept, evaluate the competition, determine risks and estimate costs. The seminar will explain and illustrate the business plan format. Registration costs $35 per person, and includes a 50-page workbook. When: Aug. 27 from 2 to 4 p.m. Where: Center for Workforce Development, 3698 East Main, SouthArk East Campus Contact: For more information or to register, call 870.235.5033 or email

julianipper@saumag.edu. » ETERNAL LIGHT SINGERS CONCERT — The Spirit Led Fellowship Church of Magnolia, under the direction of Pastor G.O. Maxwell, will host the Eternal Light Singers in a live performance. The gospel quartet will perform “Bringing It Home.” Donations are welcome; all proceeds, support and donations will go towards Spirit Led’s Pastor’s Ministry. When: Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. Where: Spirit Led Fellowship Church, 1335 East North St., Magnolia Contact: For more information, call 870.234.7449. » EXPO BOOTH SPACE — Booth space is available for the 2014 SouthArk Outdoor Expo, presented by the South Arkansas Community College Foundation at the El Dorado Conference Center. The full-day event has activities for all ages, entertainment and competitions for cash and prizes. Entries for the Herring FurnitureHolland Grill Rib Cook-Off, the Outdoor Photography Contest, the Nexans-Amercable 5K Run and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Duck-Calling Contest also are being accepted now. When: Sept. 13 Where: El Dorado Conference Center, 311 South West Ave. Contact: For more information and forms at southarkexpo.com or email foundation@southark.edu. » Have an event to announce? Submit your event or announcement to leader@noalmark.com at least one week before the date of the event. Call 870.863.6126 for more information.

Crossword and Sudoku Answer Keys

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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.

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WEEKLY RECIPE Slow roast pork for dinner The following recipe for “Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder” from Andrew Schloss’ “Cooking Slow” (Chronicle Books) makes a hearty homecooked meal for busy families.

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.

CLUES ACROSS

Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder Ingredients:

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

Serves 6

» 2 teaspoons dried rosemary, crushed » 1 teaspoon dried sage » 1 teaspoon dried minced garlic » 1 teaspoon fine sea salt » 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper » 2 tablespoons olive oil » 2 1/2 pounds boneless pork shoulder, rolled and tied by the butcher » 1 medium yellow onion,

Directions:

diced » 2 cups dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc » 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, preferably fire-roasted, drained » 2 15-ounce cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed » 1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh rosemary » 1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley » 2 garlic cloves, halved » 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil » 2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted

In a small bowl, stir together the dried rosemary, sage, garlic, and the salt and pepper. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to overnight. Preheat the oven 175 degrees. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the pork and sear until nicely browned on all sides, about 10 minutes total. Transfer to a plate. Add the onion to the oil remaining in the pot, reduce the heat to medium and saute until browned, about 5 minutes. Add the wine, bring to a boil and cook until reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes and beans and return to a simmer, then remove the pot from the heat and set aside. In a mini food processor, combine the fresh rosemary, the parsley and the garlic clove halves and process until finely chopped. Add the extra-virgin olive oil and the pine nuts and pulse once or twice, just until combined. Stir half of the fresh herb mixture into the tomato-bean mixture and return the pork to the Dutch oven, along with any juices that accumulated on the plate. Roast until fork-tender, 4 to 6 hours. Transfer the pork roast to a carving board, tent loosely with aluminum foil, and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, return the Dutch oven to medium-high heat and bring the pan juices to a boil. Stir in the remaining fresh herb mixture. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the beans to a serving platter or divide among dinner plates. Snip the strings from the pork and, using a sharp chef’s knife, carve across the grain on the diagonal into thin slices. Arrange the slices on the platter or plates, overlapping the beans. Spoon the tomatoes and juices in the pot over the pork and serve.

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36. Midway between S & SE 37. Supplements with difficulty 39. A quick run 40. Signal sound 41. 13th state 42. Nun garbs 47. Cause to become undone 49. Dwarfed ornamental plant 51. Nazi corps 52. Pail 53. Acid that causes gout 54. Anger 55. Therefore 56. Lackey 58. Second sight 59. Lowest moral motives 60. Drench

CLUES DOWN 1. Infants 2. Jacket 3. Unworthiness 4. Bone 5. Dhaka is the capital 6. Relating to musical notes 7. Claviceps fungus disease 8. Marine algae 9. 40th state 12. Number, in base two 13. Skelton’s Kadiddlehopper 17. A dalton (Physics) 19. Sea eagles 20. Fixed charges per unit 21. Incline 25. Three Bears heroine 29. Mauna __, Hawaiian volcano

31. Correct coding 32. Type of fruit 33. Brews 35. More frumpish 38. Cook’s bowl scraping tool 41. Express discontent 43. Paris stock exchange 44. Ingest food 45. Expression of disappointment 46. Stars Wars character Rrogon 48. Limb angulation 50. P.M. Hirobumi 56. Initials of social media site 57. Yukon Territory

Answer key on page 10.

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