It’s not every day that someone comes to our front door with catfish bigger than a grown man’s leg. This morning, Carlton Parnell of Farmerville, La., formerly of El Dorado, showed off these impressive Appaloosa catfish he caught today on D’Arbonne Lake. He used catfish traps.
The fish weigh in at 40 and 50 pounds, respectively. Nice job, Mr. Parnell.
According to a video piece on CNN.com, many drivers in the US are trading in their gas-guzzlers for older rides that get better mileage. Learn more here.
By Larry Singer
For Between Editions
On Wednesday, April 24, a photograph I took appeared at the top of the front page of the El Dorado News-Times. It featured an El Dorado police officer, Andrew Russell, checking on the welfare of a homeless man, Richard Smith, who was resting on the grass at the intersection of Washington and East Center.
The next day a letter from one of our readers, who was critical of the photo, appeared on the editorial page.
The reader felt that the photograph was inappropriate.
I am both grateful and honored that this reader (a) looked at the picture, (b) thought about the picture quite a bit and (c) was so affected she actually sat down and wrote my editor a letter about the picture.
I don’t agree that the picture was unsuitable or improper for several reasons.
As a photojournalist, I believe my job is to tell stories with photographs, and this picture really did tell a story.
While, at first glance, the image seems to show a police officer harassing a homeless person, nothing, as the caption explains, could be farther from the truth.
I had no idea Richard Smith was at the intersection until someone, who did not identify himself, called me and said a photographer from the paper really needed to capture Mr. Smith on film.
Shortly after I arrived, Officer Russell pulled up in his police cruiser, got out and, to my surprise, the first words out of his mouth were, “Hi Richard, how are you doing today?”
After a brief conversation, during which Officer Russell determined that Mr. Smith, who has chronic, long term physical medical problems, did not require transport to a medical facility, he told Smith to try and take care of himself and drove off to serve and protect elsewhere.
That was the story.
A kind, caring police officer took the time to care about someone who some might say has fallen between the cracks.
When I asked Richard Smith if he had any problems with his picture being in the paper, he said he did not.
While seeing a man laying in the grass on a rainy day may make some people uncomfortable, I believe the kindness shown by one human being to another far outweighs any possible discomfort some readers may feel about the plight of the homeless.
Pictures of the homeless are never fun to look at, but in this case, they can be really worthwhile.
Larry Singer is a photographer for the El Dorado News-Times.
Google has a great new service available free of charge. While I don’t normally promote the services of other businesses on this blog, this is just too good not to share.
If you’ve never used “Goog 411″ let me enlighten you.
Simply dial (800)-GOOG-411 on any phone. You’ll hear a prompter ask you for a city and state. Say your city and state, then tell the computer what you are looking for, like pizza, chinese food or an auto repair shop. You can also give it the exact name of a business, like, say, Walgreens.
The service will not only hook you up with the number, but if you are on a cell phone, it will give you the option of having directions sent via text message. ***NOTE*** text fees do apply if you opt for the text directions option; however, having them connect you directly to the business via your telephone is absolutely free.
I can’t tell you how awesome I think this service is. Click here for more from Google about Goog 411.
You may want to read this first to avoid a lemon. Click here.
See ya Monday. Feel free to leave complaints, comments, suggestions or anything else in the comment box below. Have a good weekend.
I’m heading to Henderson State University in Arkadelphia tomorrow to be a “guest lecturer” for communications career week. It’s my alma mater, so I’m especially excited. Don’t expect any posts while I’m gone — just wanted to let you know.
If this picture doesn’t make you say “aww” then you just don’t have it in ya. Deborah Parker holds Angel the dog, Monday, March 31, at the Avon Lake Animal Clinic in Ohio. A developmental quirk caused one of the dog’s legs to split, making her look like a five-legged pet.
(Bruce Bishop, Elyria Chronicle Telegram/AP Photo)
For a good time killer today, check out The Spirit Seekers web site and read all about their investigation of the Rialto Theater. There are videos and audio clips to browse through.
By John Worthen
For Between Editions
I took this picture on our back dock here at the News-Times. A forklift had just rolled through, leaving tracks in the blanket of pollen. You can’t go outside these days without getting covered in green guck. I’ll be glad when we get a nice, soaking rain to wash this stuff away.
By John Worthen
For Between Editions
Yes, it’s true, we now have another Chinese restaurant in our fair city. Great China is located in the old Sam Goody building in the Northwest Village shopping center.
Being the adventure-seeker that I am, I tried it today. It was very good, as Chinese buffets go. I’ve eaten at dozens, if not more than 100 of these types of buffets in my day, and this one ranks up there with the better establishments.
The decor is cheerful and bright, and the food is hot and flavorful. I think this will be a nice addition to our local dining scene. In addition to the “super buffet,” which offers the standards like spicy chicken and broccoli, beef and broccoli, fried rice and the like, Great China also has full lunch and dinner menus.
For another Between Editions film? I’m always seeking ideas.
By John Worthen
For Between Editions
I drove down to the Felsenthal/Crossett area on Tuesday for the Ouachita River Commission’s quarterly meeting. It’s always a joy to drive around Union County, for one because it’s so diverse, for another, I’m not stuck at the office in front a computer monitor.
In today’s paper you’ll see the article I wrote concerning dangerous moss and other plant life that’s choking off fish populations in the Felsenthal reservoir. This is an important issue, folks, and it’s costing our county untold amounts of dollars.
Fish are dying, and fishermen aren’t heading to Felsenthal as much as they used to. As the article explains, there are ways to combat the rogue vegetation. Problem is, it’s gonna take a load of money to do it.
In the coming days, I will be writing an article explaining this issue more closely, and we’ll also be telling you how you can help.
In other news: Can you believe how bad the Hogs lost to North Carolina? I won’t repeat the score here, just because it hurts too much. All I’ll say is that the game looked like one of those setup jobs between the Harlem Globetrotters and the Washington Senators.
Whew.
Oh, and I know I preach this time and again, but since I am basically the only one running the blog, posts will be slow now and again.
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