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We wish you an early happy Thanksgiving!

R S
THE
November 14, 2012

eal toRy
Volume 1 Issue 41 a weekly publication

This is our last print edition. We will see you on the internet at www.realstorypublishing.com!

NEWS & VIEWS

Editorsnote

November 14, 2012 a weekly publication By Joseph B. St. John Editor-in-Chief

Changes are Afoot

EDITORIAL
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

JOSEPH B. ST. JOHN

SPORTS WRITER

stjohnjb@realstorypublishing.com

JEREMIAH SHORT
STAFF REPORTERS

jshort@realstorypublishing.com

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes (turn and face the strain) Ch-ch-changes Dont want to be a richer man Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes (turn and face the strain) Ch-ch-changes Just gonna have to be a different man Time may change me But I cant trace timeChanges David Bowie Change is never easy, especially changes that you dont want to make. But, the cold reality is that sometimes change is necessary. Like hundreds of print publications before us, The Real Story had to make a business decision based on facts and not wants. We had to do what is best for the survival of the organization, not the desires of the owner and employees.

KRISTIN MAMRACK ALLEN BASWELL

The Real Story is simply going digital we are NOT folding. THAT is the most important thing our readers need to understand.
release information in a more timely fashion. Unfortunately, as a weekly print newspaper, you are often forced to hold news until your publication date. Good for sales, but bad for timely news. Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes (turn and face the strain) Ch-ch-changes Dont tell them to grow up and out of it Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes (turn and face the strain) Ch-ch-changes Wheres your shame Youve left us up to our necks in it Time may change me But you cant trace time

kristin@realstorypublishing.com
allen@realstorypublishing.com FEATURE COLUMNISTS

RON PARLATO

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RYAN MUNSON

ryan.munson@edwardjones.com

ABBY HATHORN KATE SPENCER

abigail.hathorn@gmail.com kate@realstorypublishing.com

EMILY GAITHER SMITH

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WRITERS

PAIGE CANIDA-GREENE ABIGAIL HATHORN RYAN MUNSON ABBY MALMSTROM

GUEST FEATURE WRITER

DICK MAHONEY
PHOTOGRAPHERS

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MARTIN HOWARD JASON CHAPMAN

ADVERTISING

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662.251.1839

PUBLIC AFFAIRS & COMMUNITY RELATIONS

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662-352-6091
PUBLISHER

JOSEPH B. ST. JOHN

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THE REAL STORY

To sum it up, this is not an end, just a new beginning. And good luck to the Commercial Dispatch and the Columbus Packet. The Real Story wishes you the best in your print So, as of this week, The Real Story endeavors. Keep fighting the good By Ziggy Stardust will return to its internet roots. Hey, if fight for the community. its good enough for Newsweek, who (You can find him on the internet, too) are we to argue? The plain and simple As for our final cover and reality is that most print publications centerspread, they are compliments of are heading to the internet and we one of our publications favorite artists, Mr. MoJo Rising might as well head there, too. Addie Talley. She captures the insanity of what the holidays mean to so many With that said, do not think families. They start out well and then that this is an easy decision to make. fall into complete chaos. Over the Everyone at our company would next two months, The Real Story will have loved to have remained a print examine the craziness that we call the publication, but the financial realities holiday season. are what they are and the web is our best option for survival. What should be the happiest time of the year often degenerates into some And that is the key point. The of the worst moments in life. Between Real Story is simply going digital we in-laws and outlaws, credit card bills are NOT folding. THAT is the most and family stuff, the next few months important thing our readers need to may be anything but Tidings of Great understand. We are just going to admit Joy for many people. that, for us to succeed, we have to get ahead of the curve. We have no time to Add to this the fact that, dawdle with an uncertain print future somehow, Santa Claus has replaced the - especially knowing that, at the end Christ and saying Merry Christmas of the day, all newspapers are going to is offensive to some and we should end up on the web anyway. Why fight have plenty to write about. It is one the inevitable? of the sad facts of American life. Consumerism often wins. And thats In making this decision, we the fact, Jack. understand that not everyone is internet-ready and to those fans, we In the meantime, I would like to apologize. However, most of the world thank our readers, our staff - all 1,000 gets their news from the internet. By of you, at one time or another - and going digital, we can report stories our advertisers. Without you, the quicker, include more photos, be more madhouse known as the print edition interactive and, most importantly, we of The Real Story would never have can begin to incorporate video. happened. But, it is time to move on to survive. Its time to move on into the Nothing is going to replace the future and time to Keep on Rocking feel of print in hand, but the world in a Free World. changes, and so we must make the adjustments. We must do what it So we will see you on the other takes to be successful. That is our top side at http://realstorypublishing. priority. com/. Some people will delight in the fact that we are no longer publishing a print edition, but mark my word, The Real Story will still be around watching and reporting and sometimes even making people a little uncomfortable. We have been able to stir it up on the web and then in print, and we will continue to do it as we return back to the Worldwide Web. As a matter of fact, we will be even better at it because we will be able to I watch the ripples change their size But never leave the stream Of warm impermanence So the days float through my eyes But still the days seem the same And these children that you spit on As they try to change their worlds Are immune to your consultations Theyre quite aware of what theyre going through

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PERSPECTIVES: Why We Are Unlikely To Change Our Minds

By Ron Parlato
vehemence withthey were held.Not only had myconservative friends like my liberal onesfromback home notchanged in fifty years, they had developed hardened and aggressive stances.It wasnt enough to disagree with Obama, they hated him.Although I was used to political tenacity and fidelity, I was not prepared for such vehemence and vitriol. An article in the New York Times (9.18.12) by Cass Sunstein explains the phenomenon of hardened opinion.Why, he asks, when presented with reasonable opposing positions, do people not only reject them, but use them to harden their own opinions? It is well known that when likeminded people get together, they tend to end up thinking a more extreme version of what they thought before they started to talk. The same kind of echo-chamber effect can happen as people get news from various media. Liberals viewing MSNBC or reading leftof-center blogs may well end up embracing liberal talking points even more firmly; conservative fans of Fox News may well react in similar fashion on the right. The result can be a situation in which beliefs do not merely harden but migrate toward the extreme ends of the political spectrum. As recent events in the Middle East demonstrate, discussions among like-minded people can ultimately produce violence, writes Sunstein. How does this happen? The answer is biased assimilation, which means that people assimilate new information in a selective fashion. When people get information that supports what they initially thought, they give it considerable weight. When they get information that undermines their initial beliefs, they tend to dismiss it. This natural human tendency explains why its so hard to dislodge false rumors and factual errors. Corrections can even be self-defeating, leading people to stronger commitment to their

NEWS & VIEWS

I grew up in a family, educational, and social environment in which debate was encouraged and challenging received wisdom was thought healthy.I was taught never to make up my mind until all the facts were in, to be sure that the facts were actually facts and not some second or third-hand report of events, and to dismiss soft claims (I cant remember where I read it, but I think it was the New York Times). Polemics were always encouraged. I never minded it if one of my children defended an issue that was not entirely consistent with one previously held.Theywere pushing the logical envelope, trying out the other side to see how it felt, fitting it out withnew clothes to see if it looked any better than the old. Some have said that because of this liberal upbringing, rigorously debating both sides of an argument, and coming to purely logical conclusions missed the point. Everyone had to have some religious, philosophical, or social anchor around which arguments were constructed. If not, then ideas, arguments, and concepts would simply whirl around and eventually get sifted, but with no particular purpose. Eighteenth century man to the end, I preferred to pursue the truth. It has been hard for me to accept people whose minds are always made up. I am a harsh critic of my friends who have never left the safe confines of the 60s.Nothing has changed for them in fifty years, even though the world little resembles the one of their mustachioed youth.It is really hard to dismiss Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan,and the Bushesentirely, and to cling only to the iconic images of Jimmy Carters values-driven foreign policy, LBJs War on Poverty, and Bill Clintons Looking Like America diversity.But they do. I have recently travelled and livedin one of the most conservativestates in the Unionconservative in religious views, social issues, and politics.I knew that I would hear views very different from my own; but I was surprised by the

erroneous beliefs. This has happened to me over and over again in discussions with friends from the Left and the Right.I would present a well-researched and logical argument about a particular issue, and rather than enter what I thought would be a rational debate on the merits of the case with one side modifying an original position, I became involved in a contentious argument. My sources were challenged. I had been infected by the radical Left (or Tea Party Right).I had lost my bearings living in the South or equally had lived in the North far, far too long. What I found, again and again, was that my friends were reading only information that confirmed their opinions.They only read MoveOn. org or watched Fox News, or worse, plumbed the depths of twisted conspiracy theories that raised ugly racist, anti-capitalist, anti-Semitic, or anti-immigrant sentiments. It made no difference whether or not I countered the arguments reasonably. One recent exchange with a liberal friend is illustrative.He posted an article on Facebook which concluded that the Obama stimulus efforts and the QE actions of the Fed were all good.I replied with an article - by an equally respected source- that not only did these interventions not have the intended consequences, they resulted in very negative unintended consequences.As Sunstein predicted,

not only did my friend dismiss my argument, he hardened his. The only factor that social researchers have found that makes people listen to both sides is the credibility of the source. If civil rights leaders oppose affirmative action, or if wellknown climate change skeptics say that they were wrong, people are more likely to change their views, states Sunstein. This, of course, is unlikely to happen.It is hard to reject not only an argument, but the faithful constituents who have put you in office.Perhaps more importantly, in our very fragmented, rapidly changing, and unpredictable world, it is not surprising that we define ourselves with immutable, aggressive positions. I am against abortion is much more affirming andidentifying than the more wishy-washyI dont like the idea of abortion, but the rights of women, blah blah; or Wait until the data are all in. I still love to argue ideas, and I have a few friends with whom I have a mutually respectfulrelationship, despite our political differences.I think of our heated discussions as ways to refine or reject my premises, and I suspect my friends are only trying to change them; but we both leave the table satisfied.

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NEWS & VIEWS

November 14, 2012 a weekly publication By Kristin Mamrack

Sparks Fly As Lowndes Supervisors Meet

The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors met on Monday, Nov. 5 and voted unanimously to allocate $100,000 to the construction of a second concession stand for the Columbus Soccer Complex, but District 4 Supervisor Jeff Smith took issue with the boards failure to allocate smaller amounts to projects in his district. Columbus-Lowndes Recreation Authority Executive Director Roger Short told the board an additional concession stand would bring more restrooms to the complex and alleviate (a) parking situation. Everything was planned out properly, he explained, responding to negative comments he heard about the facility. We simply got to a point where there was no money and we have to move to doing things in phases. Theres going to be some other costs, District 5 Supervisor Leroy Brooks said of the complex, asking Short to determine for the board other costs expected to arise. This is not going to be the end of it. Im very proud of what were doing, as a county, and kudos to the parks and (recreation board) for what youre doing, Smith told Short. Distasteful When Road Manager Ronnie Burns presented a request from the Lowndes County School District for the county to fix holes in a driveway where a school bus is parked, Smith complained that the supervisors discussed the matter behind (his) back. Board President and District 1 Supervisor Harry Sanders noted the school district should pay for the materials; otherwise a dangerous precedent would be set. Ill be the first one to want to do it, Sanders - whose wife is a substitute school bus driver - said of residents asking the county to perform work on private property to fix damage from school buses. The whole process is distasteful, said Smith, who sought an attorney generals opinion on the legality of the county fixing the damage, noting elected officials were intervening in districts other than their own. Smith also objected to the boards reluctance to spend money in District 4 after he requested that county crews haul dirt in a Plum Grove project, instead of hiring contractors to do the I should deserve the same respect work. as any other supervisor in this room, he said. Thats not happening. Weyerhaeuser had earlierdonated You work for me, he said to Burns. You dont work for the school board. Im not going to go out there to do something without you telling me what to do, Burns assured Smith. The supervisors voted 3-2 for county crews to do the work and the LCSD to pay for the materials, estimated to cost around $50. It makes them have accountability in there, District 2 Supervisor Bill Brigham said of the LCSD. Smith and Brooks voted against the motion.

I should deserve the same respect as any other supervisor in this room, he said. Thats not happening.
25 acres of land for construction of a baseball park, but the property is in an area which will require about 15,000 yards of dirt to level the ground. Its going to cost the Road Department to haul it, Sanders said, while County Attorney Tim Hudson estimated hauling the dirt would equate to about 600 loads. Were forced to choose Peter over Paul, Smith said. This isnt a standalone project. All Im asking the county to do is step up and help. Ronnie Burns and the Road Department have a budget, Sanders said. Its going to take a lot more than $10,000 (for them to haul the dirt). Its always the money (that is an issue) when its a project someone else supports, Smith said, reminding the supervisors they just voted to contribute another $100,000 to the soccer complex.

The needs Jeff and I have in our district are totally different than the needs you all have in your districts, Brooks said. West of the river, the quality of life is a little different. Were spending $6 million on the soccer complex. What is good for other districts, ought to be good for Districts 4 and 5. If were going to make everything about the money, were going to suffer. Brooks also asked Brigham and District 3 Supervisor John Holliman to speak up during board meetings. I think that will cut down on the one-on-one appearance, he added, referring to the perception arguments between Brooks and Sanders dominate board meetings. I really think maybe weve got the cart before the horse, Short told Smith, adding $41,000 has been set aside for the project, but the cost to haul the materials is as yet unknown. Lets get these bids in first. I cant get any communication out of this board, Smith said, suggesting a planning session so we dont have to have these discussions in public. This board doesnt want to sit down and talk to each other, he added. Were having discussions in front of the public we should not have. The board needs to listen to Roger and the CLRA, Sanders said. We havent seen a (project) request from the CLRA. Its all coming from a supervisor.

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Brooches Are A Girls Best Friend

fashionable brooches that we wear today!

LIFESTYLES

and it works fabulously for all occasions! Play up this coat with a vibrant hue patterned scarf to add a pop of fun! This coat Greeks and combination plays well with cute Romans played a flare-out skirts and suit pants. rather large role in From the office to the party, this the development of coat ensemble is perfection. the brooches that we wear now. The Oo la la, periwinkle! A wool fibula (brooch or coat is a winter favorite of the VIP. It pin) was originally looks beyond marvelous when dressed used in Greek and up with scarves and brooches! A Roman dress for periwinkle coat is warm and adorable, fastening garments. yet professional. Pair a classic wool Greek fibulae coat with dark denim skinny jeans from the seventh and sleek black stilettos for a day of century BC running business errands, or wear it were elaborately over a cocktail dress for a gorgeous decorated along way to stay warm from parking lot to the long catch plate holiday party. with animal motifs. The Etruscans also VIP Tips on Accessorizing Coats: embraced the use of these ancient Scarves: Bright shades and lovely pins and preferred patterns pair well with any kind them very large of coat - from and ornate. The trench to parka. conquests of the Dont be afraid Romans helped to wear more to distribute the than one scarf fibulae. (www. at a time! Mix a britannica.com) shorter, patterned A kiss on the hand may be quite scarf with a continental. But diamonds are a girls The Byzantines also influenced simple longer one best friendMen grow cold, as girls the development of the modern-day for a look that grow old. And we all lose our charm, in brooch. Their oriental taste for color is sure to grab the end. But square cut or pear shape, produced many vibrant enameled attention! these rocks dont lose their shape. brooches. (www.guyotbrothers.com) Diamonds are a girls best friend! The barbarians of that era quickly Brooches: Marilyn Monroe sure knew how to sing carried this new skill of brooch making Brooches are it! While I am on the topic of sparkly to trading routes and posts. This so timeless! diamonds, which make me think of Byzantine accessory began around the Bring life to wonderful, unique brooches, did you sixth century A.D. According to all of any boring know that brooches have a grand and the history stuff I read, the Byzantine coat with a interesting history? Indeed, it is true! fashion accessory business lasted large brooch Do you know what time it is? Well, I until the tenth century; however, their on the collar. am not sure, myself, what with all this concept of the enameled, brightly Be a daring time-change business, but that it not colored pin is still here today! Bless fashionista and the time to which I am referring. It is them, little did the Byzantines know pin a variety of VIP history lesson time! So, lets skip, they were spreading and creating a brooches to each hop, and jump into my time machine fabulous accessory icon! collar. Mix size, and blast off to the Paleolithic Age! shape, color, and Sweet class, this adventure will cover It took many, many centuries motif to create a a lot of territory in a short amount of and cultures to contribute to the spectacular and time and space; it is not for the faint modern-day design of the brooch. This unique look. of heart, so here we gooooo! Zoom, fascinating little piece of jewelry started zoom, swish! out as a simple thorn, and now it is Best of Both embellished with things like diamonds Worlds: Get Brooches are quite possibly the and rhinestones - making it a girls best the best of both oldest kind of accessory. When man friend. Well, at least, a girls best winter worlds by pairing your fabulous first took to wearing something more coat accessory! coat with a large, vintage-style than a loincloth, there began the brooch and a sassy, patterned necessity of holding the cloth together. My goodness, we must hurry this scarf! The thorn was probably the first of adventure along because I could chat [what we refer to as a safety pin]. about fashion history all day. Lets Hear It For The Boys: Find (www.guyotbrothers.com) Ouch! your favorite navy suit jacket! Sure, What a great use for the unwanted and A snazzy red ruffle coat is one it is classic and safe, but lets be painful thorn! To think that this simple of the VIPs must-haves for winter! bold and jazz it up a bit! Show the idea was the origin of the timeless, So classic, so cute, and so sassy, world you have style, and sport a

The Adventures of the V.I.P.

Abby Hathorn

rich navy jacket with a two-toned striped tie and a basic button-up, for a look that has you ready to rock the business world! When it is time to dash outside, throw on a tweed topcoat and neutral colored cashmere scarf for a classic way to stay warm and dashing. Diamonds, diamonds, I dont mean rhinestones, but diamonds, diamonds are a girls best friend! Grab your brooches, ladies, and start pinning them to that fantastic winter coat for a look that is all your own. Thank goodness, the days of thorns are gone!

Like me on Facebook to keep up with the latest VIP news, sneak peeks, and much more! www.facebook.com/ vintageinpiredpassionista Stay Fabulous!

Kathys Cranberry Holiday Salad

JELLO SALAD
1 1 1 1 2/3 1/2 (6 oz) package rasberry flavored jello cup hot water (16 oz) can WHOLE cranberry (13.5 oz) can crushed pineapple, undrained cup port wine or fruit juice cup chopped walnuts

By Kathy Bishop
2 1

CREAM CHEESE TOPPING

(3 oz) packages Cream Cheese, softened cup sour cream

Blend cream cheese and sour cream together until smooth. Spread on firmly set jello. Chill 30 minutes. Serve on lettuce leaves. Serves 12 or more Excellent served with turkey, chicken or ham. It is great, when made the day before. OR ANYTIME...........

In a bowl, dissolve jello in hot water. Stir in cranberry sauce, pineapple, wine or fruit juice and walnuts. Pour in 9x13 oblong baking dish. Chill until firm. Frost with Cream Cheese Topping.

Christmase,Parade Going Green - Recycl Reuse, Renew

Monday, December 3rd, 7 pm
Floats are $35 for non-profit organizations & $50 for businesses. For more information contact the Columbus Main Street Office, at 662-328-6305, or www.columbusmainstreet.com
(in case of rain cancellation, parade will be held Monday Dec. 10)

Downtown Columbus

HOLIDA Y FARMERS MARKET

Saturday, November 17th 9 am - Noon
A showcase of the best of local art, local produce, live music, childrens activities and much more just in time for Thanksgiving!

5th Annual

Est. 1976

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Annual Thanksgiving Day Delivery Program for Senior Citizens & Disabled Persons
November 22, 2012 at Stokes Beard Elementary To Volunteer Call Peggy Blackburn 327-4935 At Columbus Recreation Authority To Sign Up To Receive Meal Delivery Call Shelia Elder 244-3528 At Columbus Police Dept. Volunteers Please Arrive At 8 A.M. At Stokes Beard Elementary

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