WINTER 2010

With unemployment at record highs, and an unstable economy, many people are looking for work or attempting to supplement their income.  Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel has issued a consumer alert to help you identify and avoid job scams.  Here are some tips to remember:

•    If you’re unsure about a company, contact the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org and the Attorney General’s Office www.arkansasAG.gov .
•    Don’t take a job that requires a payment up front for a paycheck later.
•    Never give your personal information such as a bank account number in response to an unsolicited job offer.
•    Never accept money from an unknown source.
•    Always remember the old adage, “If something sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.”

For more information, contact the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office at www.ArkansasAG.gov

Experience Works is a non-profit organization that strives to help unemployed or underemployed seniors 50 and over achieve employment through job skill and job search training.
Experience Works offers on-site training and many other benefits, to employers, communities, and the seniors themselves at no cost to the employer or the participant.  To hear more about those incentives, call Brenda at 862-5551.

Magnolia Bowhunters 2010 Outdoor 3D
Date: every second Sunday of the month through September
Location: Range is located at 1621 Columbia Rd. 36 in Magnolia, AR
Time: Trickle start from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
20 McKenzie Targets unknown distances, entry fee is $16, which includes a mulligan with 50% payback to shooters in each class. We will also be hosting an Arkansas State Archery Association Indoor Vegas Tournament on January 30 and February 13. Cost is $15 and shooting starts at 10 a.m. Contact George Dixon at 870-299-3444 if you have further questions.

Entrepreneur Classes
Date: February 18 - April 22
Location: SouthArk Center for Workforce Development, 3698 E. Main
Improve your sales with "Fundamental Selling", design your own professional marketing materials in "Make Your Mark", and take your business to the next level with "Intro to Online Social Networking" and Blog for Business". To view more details, visit www.southark.edu and download your free copy of the 2010 Community Education Spring catalog by clicking on "Continuing Education" and selecting "Non-Credit Classes". Join us at www.facebook.com/southarkcommed to hear about all the latest classes and special events. For more information, call 870-864-7192 or email ce@southark.edu.

Self Improvement Classes
Date: February 18 - May 6
Location: SouthArk Center for Workforce Development, 3698 E. Main
Learn to be more positive and confident in "Build Your Self Esteem", prepare yourself for the job hnt with "Get Hired", and face your fear of public speaking with "Speak Up". To view more details, visit www.southark.edu and download your free copy of the 2010 Community Education Spring catalog by clicking on "Continuing Education" and selecting "Non-Credit Classes". Join us at www.facebook.com/southarkcommed to hear about all the latest classes and special events. For more information, call 870-864-7192 or email ce@southark.edu.

1st Annual Daffodil Motorcycle "Ride in Bike Show"
Date: Saturday, March 13, 2010
Location: Corner of Washington and Harrison Streets
Registration is from noon until 3 p.m. and judging begins at 3:30 p.m.
There is a $5 entry fee for each category you participate in: Domestic Foreign, Custom, and Rat Bike
Cash awards and trophies will be given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places (1st: $100 / 2nd: $50 / 3rd: $25) 1st places award only for people's choice. For more information, call 870-818-5880 or email wilhaw2392@aol.com

Murphy Oil Corporation Rummage Sale
Date: Saturday, March 13, 2010
Location: El Dorado TAC House
Time: 6:30 a.m. - til the stuff is gone
100% of the proceeds benefit American Cancer Society Relay for Life.

The SouthArk STARS Pancake Fundraiser
Date: Saturday, March 13, 2010
Location: St. Mary's Parish Hall
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Tickets are $5 in advance; $6 at the door. Pancakes, sausage, coffee, juice, or water will be served. Call Kathy Waldrop for tickets at 864-8433. Proceeds to benefit The South Arkansas Substance Abuse Women and Children's Halfway House.

Green and White Educational Bash
Date: Saturday, March 13, 2010
Location: Elk's Lodge on 19th and MLK
Time: 9 p.m.
Gusher Lodge 560 and Derrick City Temple 353 will be hosting the event. Music will be provided by DJ Mooney Man. Come out and enjoy the party and let DJ Mooney Man keep you on your feet with a new school, old school, and a touch of the blues. Ticket donation is $6 and refreshments will be served.

Murphy Oil Corporation's Relay for Life Team Rummage Sale
Date: Saturday, March 13, 2010
Location: TAC House
Time: 6 a.m. until everything is GONE!
100% of the proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society.

Parkview Baptist Church of El Dorado - Revival Services
Date: March 14 - 17, 2010
Sunday's services will be at 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. Weeknight services will begin at 7 p.m. Evangelist will be Casey Johnson, and music evangelist will be Brad Mounts.

Calvary Baptist Church Revival Services
Date: March 14-16, 2010
Location: Calvary Baptist Church
Time: Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. AND Monday & Tuesday at 7 p.m. nightly.
Speaker will be singer/songwriter/evangelist Jamie Coulter of Hamburg, AR. For more information, call 665-1702.

21st Pastorial Appreciation Services
Date: Sunday, March 14, 2010
Time: 5 p.m.
Our most special guests will be recording artists Pastor Cedric Hayes and the Glory Land Church family of Little Rock, Arkansas! The theme this year is "Unity in God's Community!". So Come on out and have a blessed and joyful time in the Lord and help us celebrate 21 years with awesome leaders.

Deacon and Deaconess Program
Date: Sunday, March 14, 2010
Location: St. John Missionary Baptist Church of El Dorado
Time: 2:30 p.m.
The theme is "Spiritually Rooted for Christ Commitment". Lunch will be served, and the public is invited to attend.

100 Women in Red Program
Date: Sunday, March 14, 2010
Location: Jones Chapel Baptist Church
Time: 3 p.m.
Guest speaker will be Minister Ava Jackson of El Dorado, AR.

Norphlet Kindergarten/ABC Registration
Date: Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Location: Norphlet Elementary Library
Time: 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Pre-registration for students who will enter kindergarten in the fall. Students must be 5 years old on or before August 15 to enroll for kindergarten. In order to enroll, parents will be asked to provide proff of address, a copy of the child's birth certificate, social security card, immunization records, and a Medicaid card if eligible. The child who is being enrolled will need to be present at the time of pre-registration. Registration will also be held for ABC Preschool on the same date. Students who wish to enroll in the preschool program must be 4 years old on or before August 1.

Life Touch Hospice Volunteer Training
Date: March 16, 17, and 18
Location: 2301 Champagnlle Rd.
Time 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Anything you would do for a friend or neighbor can also help someone facing a life-limiting illness. Life Touch volunteers are a vital part of our care team. Volunteers can have direct patient contact, or do supportive activities with no patient contact. There are no minimum or maximum hours required, and you decide how and when to help. Volunteers can send cards, visit patients, build a wheelchair ramp, listen, mow a yard, prepare meal items for a family, offer assistance, or make phone calls...there are unlimited ways you can help. there are new opportunities for service available in the John R. Williamson Hospice House with the Welcome Desk and Family Kitchen. Let kindness and concern be the legacy YOU leave behind. For more information or to RSVP, call Melissa Henley Volunteer Coordinator, at 862-0337 or toll free 866-378-0388. Life Touch Hospice is a servic of the SHARE Foundation.

"Green Eggs and JAM"
Date: Friday, March 19, 2010
Location: El Dorado TAC House
Time: 8 p.m. - 11 p.m.
The Self Culture Club is presenting this event. This dance is for 5th through 7th graders. Jeremy "JO" Owens will provide the music. Wear your favorite college t-shirts, sweats, and ball caps! Pictures and food will be available for a charge. This is an event you DO NOT want to miss. Tickets are $7 in advance and $8.50 at the door. For more information, call 814-6650 or 918-3041. All proceeds will benefit the Self-Culture Club Scholarship Fund.

Pastor Appreciation for Rev. Felton F. Burgie and Family
Date: Sunday, March 21, 2010
Time: 2:45 p.m.
The gues speaker will be Rev. Phillip Porchia, Pastor of Zion Travelers Missionary Baptist Church of Clarkville, TX. Lunch will be served at 1 p.m.

Riding for a Reason - Prairie Benefit Trail Ride for Cancer Research
Date: Saturday, March 27, 2010
Location: Prairie Grove Community Building in Fountain Hill, AR - (intersection of Goose Hollow Rd. & Drew County Rd. 36
Time: 9 a.m.
After the ride there will be a fish fry with all the fixin's and an auction for items donated by businesses in the area will follow. All wagons, horses, and riders welcomed. All funds will be donated to ACMC Relay for Life. Admission is $15 per person for ages 16 and over, ages 15 and under free. Meal is included! For more information contact: Brandy Lloyd at 870-723-9654 or Wade Pennington at 870-723-5391.
MORE INFO

6th Annual Miss Hogskin Holiday Pageant
Date: Saturday, March 27, 2010
Location: Calhoun County Fair Building in Hampton
The contest will be open to children statewide. There will be 8 age divisions. The Jr. Miss and Miss winners will be awarded a $500 scholarship! Deadline to enter is March 23. This is an excellent opporunity for girls to get help with their college expenses. For more information, contact Kristi Webb at 870-798-2827 (c: 870-866-7929) or Brandy Welch at 870-818-3380. You may also email misshogskinholidays@hotmail.com.

Save the Date
Date: Saturday, April 3, 2010
Location: SouthArk Center for Workforce Development - 3698 E. Main in El Dorado
Join us for Save the Date, a bridal and special events fair. Browse a variety of exhibits, learn tips for planning your wedding or special event, meet local professionals, see the latest in bridal fashions, taste delicious samples, enter to win fabulous prizes, and more!
Interested in being an exhibitor? Call 870.864.8456 or e-mail ce@southark.edu.
MORE INFO

Songwriters Showcase
Date: Friday, April 9, 2010
Location: Marily's at The Rialto - 113 E. Cedar in El Dorado
Time: 8 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Must be 21 and older to attend.
Join us on Friday, April 9 as songwriters from across the Ark-La-Miss perform LIVE on the main stage at the historic Rialto in downtown El Dorado. Featuring Nashville Star finalist David St. Romain along with Carson Thompson of Monroe, legendary New Orleans jazz musician Gary Brown, El Dorado's very own Chris Loggins, STAR 101.9 radio personality Brad Wells, and more! Tickets on sale now for only $5 each. Pay in advance to receive FREE "Meet & Greet" passes and early admission. Call 870-864-7163.
MORE INFO

Songwriting Seminar Featuring Grammy Nominated Odie Blackmon
Date: Saturday, April 10, 2010
Location: SouthArk Center for Workforce Development, 3698 E. Main
Time: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Learn the craft of writing songs from Nashville hit songwriter Odie Blackmon, who has written songs for Gary Allan, George Strait, Elliot Yamin, Leann Womack, Martina McBride, and more! Register before April 1 for $129/person or after April 1 for $149/person. Musical instruments welcome and lunch is provided. Be one of the first 10 to register and have your song reviewed and critiqued by Odie Blackmon! Visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89zU_yj9upU to hear some of Odie Blackmon's most popular songs...you will definitely recognize his work. Call 870-864-7192 or email ce@southark.edu to register or for more information. Space is limited so all today!

13th Annual Golf Tournament
Date: April 10-11, 2010
Location: El Dorado Golf and Country Club
Time: tee times will begin at 8 a.m. You may get your tee time by calling the pro shop on Friday, April 9 or by attending the Kick Off Party on Friday evening, April 9 at 5 p.m.
Two-man scramble format. Entry fee is $150 per person, $300 per team. Deadline for entry is April 9, 2010. Entry fee must accompany registration form. To register, complete and submit registration form accompanied by a check made payable to: El Dorado Service League, Inc., P.O. Box 1043, El Dorado, AR 71730. One practice round per player is available either on Thursday, April 8 or Friday, April 9 for the cost of cart rental only. The top three teams in each flight will receive prizes. A Kick-Off party along with heavy hors d'oeuvres will be provided on Friday evening with games and prizes. Lunches will be provided to each golfer on both Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11. Registration forms are available at El Dorado Country Club or by calling Kristen Roblee at 312-6617.

Jaycees Second Annual Job Fair
Date: Monday, April 26, 2010
Location: South Arkansas Community College Gymnasium - 300 S. West Avenue
Time: 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
The Jaycees are inviting the unemployed of Union County and all businesses in the area looking to hire new employees to participate. Admission is free for both job seekers and businesses. Lasy year, dozens of job seekers and businesses participated in the first Jaycees Job Fair at SouthArk. For more information and to register a bunsiness for the Job Fair, contact Dr. Ken Bridges, Chairman of the El Dorado Jaycees, at 870-862-8131, ext. 126 or by email at kbridges@southark.edu.