RSP 62712 PRF 1

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EditorsNote (The CCVB and CMSD)
by Joseph B. St. John

Editor-in-Chief
FROM THE EDITOR
Hot Fun in the Summer Time

EDITORIAL
stjohnjb@realstorypublishing.com
J.B. ST. JOHN
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
at's when I had most of my fun, back high high high high there em summer days, those summer days--- Sly and the Family Stone
Summer is here. e weather is hot and we have all settled in for a calm, enjoyable summertime of love - a place and time where all is good and wonderful and the children play together nicely. Not!! In Lowndes County, it is business as usual, and that means that craziness prevails at every turn. No matter which way you look, a firestorm has broken out. It becomes so predictable that a writer could feel bad about repeating the same story; the fact is, the narrative has to be told. It is the media's job. e media is not, and repeat is not, the government's public relations firm. e media is there to report facts, editorialize on situations and educate the public. If it makes the government mad, so be it. If the government entities don't want to be seen as being silly, then stop being silly. It is just that simple! Nowhere does insanity reign supreme as much as it does at the Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau. Like master painters, they illustrate their ignorance with Salvador Dali-like skill. Mired somewhere between the sublime and fantastical, the CCVB takes pride in making the term "political jackass" come to life at every meeting. Tennessee Williams, the master playwright, could not create a better set of tormented characters, if he was alive. Every meeting is a scene straight from a tragic comedy. Complete with antagonists, fools and sinister subplots, the meetings play out with surrealistic precision. e only problem is that there is no hero waiting in the wings to save the day. So, the play continues, with no end in sight. Even when the board gets it right, they do it wrong. e Legends Concert does not meet the funding requirements as a festival, so the Legends' Committee was told to request the money through a "Special Projects" grant. Sound simple enough? Well, not here on Planet CCVB. When the committee members showed up at the CCVB Board meeting, they found out that they don't qualify for that, either. What the $%#&? And what is worse, several sources in the audience felt that the Legends Committee, and especially Roger Short of the Columbus/Lowndes County Recreation Authority and WCBI's Steve Rogers both of whom attended the CCVB Board meeting were treated very disrespectfully. Regardless of whether someone gets a dime from the CCVB, they should be respected. e CCVB is a public relations nightmare unto themselves. Alienating people by being rude and overly ocious, only accelerates their demise in the community. Only Tennessee Williams could appreciate the tragedy that the community calls the CCVB. In other news from the CCVB, Bernard Buckhalter is up for re-appointment to the board. His tales of woe and confusion have been chronicled regularly in e Real Story. Now, it's time for the City to put up or shut up. According to sources, two councilmen, Kabir Karriem and Joseph Mickens, favor re-appointing Buckhalter. Two others, Councilmen Bill Gavin and Charlie Box, are opposed. at leaves Gene Taylor and Fred Stewart as the swing votes. And, in one of the most humorous and disingenuous statements of all time, Mayor Smith has reportedly told people that he does not have a vote in the matter, which is kind of true. He has two votes. Unless, a person has been in a Captain America-type coma, that is common knowledge. So, here you go, boys and girls, Robert Smith holds the keys to re-appointing the most dysfunctional member of the CCVB Board. Let's see if he has the intestinal fortitude to make the correct decision or if he will hide behind the half-truth that he does not have a vote. Only time will tell. And last but not least, let's be blunt: It is
June 27, 2012
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time for the CCVB to handle Nancy Carpenter's use of the CCVB-mobile. It is in bad taste that her husband is driving it and if it's not illegal or unethical, it should be. is shows a complete lack of understanding of proper protocol and should not be tolerated. Let's see if anyone is willing to take the challenge and put an end to this practice. In other news from C-Town, Superintendent Dr. Liddell has sent the following quote in regard to the two newly-assigned principals in the Columbus Municipal School District: Jill Savely has been a dedicated administrator for Columbus Schools for many years. She goes above and beyond the call of duty in giving teachers, students and parents at Columbus High School respect and guidance. One of the most frequent comments I hear from CHS students is that Mrs. Savely not only cares about their education progress, but she also cares about them as individuals. Teachers at CHS have a new leader who has taught alongside them and understands the concerns they have about improving student achievement. Columbus Schools is fortunate to have her at the helm at Columbus High School. Mrs. Dismukes, in my opinion, can be best described as a relentless advocate for children. She puts the needs of students first and has a balanced combination of tenacity and sincerity. For the past three years, Mrs. Dismukes has worked diligently with many youth programs at Columbus Middle School including Project LACE Up and Stop the Violence leadership programs. I am impressed with her commitment to community service. She builds positive relationships with teachers and parents. We are looking forward as a district to continuing the successful innovations underway at CMS under Mrs. Dismukes leadership. Here is wishing Ms. Savely and Ms. Dismukes all the luck in the world. Now, let's hope that the CMSD will work on getting themselves focused on the task at hand teaching the children!
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The Language That We Use

dicult to commit to living the type of life required of a humble Christian. Im so hungry I could eat a horse! - most of us, at one time or another. Again, immediately aer uttering this phrase, no one would expect to see you munching on a giant piece of roasted horse. Even if you are one who enjoys the equine delicacy, you certainly wouldnt eat a whole one in one sitting. We all understand that you are exaggerating a situation in order to fully express just how hungry you are. You arent lying, you are using hyperbole. at brings me to the thought that my friends posts brought to mind. e subject was erroneous quotes ascribed to giants of thought, like Tocqueville, in order to score political points. As it turned out, the Tocqueville quotation was bogus. Perhaps to be fair to my friend, I must admit that the reason I am sensitive to false quotations is because I was taken in, a few weeks ago, by a Facebook quote attributed to omas Jeerson. I was susceptible, since the quote seemed to back my own political thinking - and therein lies the danger. Both sides of the political arena oen use made-up quotes and then ascribe them to respected figures in an attempt to further their political ideology. ese quotes get picked up by unquestioning figures like us and are passed along as verified truth, when, in fact, they are the furthest thing from it. en came the Mencken quote, and my thoughts about the use of hyperbole, then and now. Writers and thinkers like Mencken used hyperbole like a surgeons tool to shave o the trappings of power and go right at a thing. Wit and intelligence were the cutting edge of their pen. Sure, they made people astonishingly angry - but they made people think. And people knew that their points oen were hyperbolic, and they understood the real problem at which they were getting, whether they agreed or not. I turn on my television set or open my Facebook page today and see pundits and experts of Fox News and MSNBC raging on and on about their political opposition. I see President Obama called a socialist Muslim radical. I have seen George Bush and other conservatives called neo-Nazis or the Gestapo. Both of these are absolutely and utterly ridiculous! Yet it seems that we, as the public, lap it up and parrot whatever insane notion we saw on Hannity or e Ed Show last night as gospel truth. en, heres the craziest part: WE MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON IT! ats right. e American public makes decisions, both personal and political, based on blather garnered from 24-hour cable news networks that is not worth the time it took to watch. We vote by it. We get mad and stop speaking to friends over it. We form world views by it. We make these decisions based on the overuse and misuse of hyperbole. We even start doing it ourselves. What passes for political discourse in the country, right now, seems to be hyperbole presented and taken as literal truth. It seems that if the talking heads can convince an unthinking public that the opponent is as close to Satan himself as possible, and that he must be opposed at all costs, then it is worth the damage in order to garner the votes. And it works. is isnt thoughtful discourse. Its gradeschool name-calling, and it adds nothing to our knowledge and understanding of candidates and issues. We are most susceptible to this tactic not when we disagree with the speaker or writer, but when we agree. is agreement is what makes this type of manipulation so insidious and dangerous. We dont see it coming because it massages our own preconceived notions. It is when we agree with the demagogues that it is most important for us to detach and think critically for ourselves about the issues. When so much of a political election turns on who is caught saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, who can look presidential, who can be made out to be anti-American and, maybe most importantly, who can gain the most corporate money, we are in a hell of a shape. My friend and I may not agree about who should be president, but we do agree that much about our government does nothing to represent the people anymore. Regardless of whom the lobbyists and corporations attempt to manipulate us into choosing to be our president and our representatives this fall, if we have any hope to regain true representative democracy we have to stop accepting and using hyperbole as fact. People of good faith and honest hearts have to find common ground. e United States was built on compromise. is is not a zero-sum game, and we have to demand that it stop being treated as though it were. e language that we use (or dont use) is a good place to start. Richard Bryant Richard Bryant
Richard Bryant has a BS and MS in Secondary Education from Mississippi State. He lives with his wife and four children in Starkville.
NEWS/COMMENTARY
e other day, I ran across a post on Facebook that was written by an old friend, and it made me think about the state of language in this country and how it shapes our decisions. More specifically, he shared a quote, purportedly from Alexis de Tocqueville, about which I had my doubts, as well as a quote by H.L. Mencken, a writer and critic known for his sharp wit and pen that cut like a razor to the heart of issues. Vilified by fellow southerners aer his scathing indictment of the post-Civil War south, in which he called the region the Sahara of the Bozart, he was known for his use of hyperbole to make a point.
June 27, 2012
For those who may be wondering, hyperbole is a fancy way of saying exaggeration, the dierence being that hyperbole is not as closely related to lying as is exaggeration. It is a perfectly acceptable tool, available to the satirist and sage alike. Its purpose is to highly exaggerate a description in order for the thing being described to be more fully understood; to the educated reader, it is recognized as such. Allow me to cite a couple of examples with which you may be familiar: It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. - Mark 10:25
Now, no one expects to see a camel navigate the actual eye of a needle. at is obviously impossible. And those who generally believe in heaven certainly would not be surprised to see some rich people walking the streets of gold. However, what Jesus, or the author of the Gospel, was doing here was using hyperbole to illustrate his point - that the things that come with being rich make it very
Noise Ordinance, Sagging Pants, and Paving Addressed at City Council

among construction companies vying for the project to restore the old river bridge. Staord dealt with two companies and noted, e bids came down a good bit from last time. With a city budget for the project allocated at 2.2 million, Malouf Construction of Starkville cast the low bid of $2,386,000. e bid is about $39,693 over budget. I feel like the extra cost would be easily achievable, stated Staord. e council unanimously approved the proposal. Councilman Charlie Boxs proposed addition to the current public indecency ordinance involving sagging pants received final approval by the City at Tuesdays meeting. If charged, a violator would be subject to a fine ranging between $75 and $250. e vote was 5-1, with the lone dissent coming from Councilman Kabir Karriem, who questioned, If its at the Citys discretion between $75 and $250, how is that assessed? City Attorney Je Turnage answered, If the Municipal Court Judge finds them guilty, then its up to his or her discretion to set the fine." Karriem inquired further, If the subject is underage, a teenager, whos responsible for paying the fine? Turnage responded, e teenager. e ordinance prohibits individuals from wearing pants below the waist, exposing skin or undergarments. Public Works Director Mike Pratt was subjected to lengthy questioning from See CITY COUNCIL Pg. 4
An allegation about possible police fraud involving the citys noise ordinance was brought to the City Councils attention at the June 21, 2012, council meeting. Billy Perkins of Columbus gave a stern lecture on the issue. Weve got a problem with loud noises going on in this town, whether it is music, loud tailpipes, jake brakes on trucks or loud motorcycles. e problem I have is, I believe we no longer issue citations for loud music, and if the ocer does so, they simply throw it out in court, said Perkins. He continued with, If this is true, then we need to think about some things. Is there fraud going on in this department? Perkins then asked Chief of Police Selvain McQueen, If I file an adavit for a vehicle tag, will a ticket be issued? McQueen responded, Mr. Perkins, you cannot sign an adavit on a tag. It has to be on a person. Mayor Robert Smith asked, You stated that citations have been thrown out. Do you have any facts? Perkins ended with, No sir, its just hearsay. If you cant get somebody to investigate this, Ill tell you a man you can call, and thats the attorney general in Jackson, Mississippi. Another concerned citizen commented that a Columbus law enforcement ocer had said that noise violations werent being taken seriously and that if a citation was issued, it has, in fact, been ignored by the court.
City Engineer Kevin Staord had the task of determining the low bidder
NEWS/COMMENTARY
Ladies & Gentlemen! In This Corner...

The June 18, 2012 CCVB Board Meeting
Lets begin with a multiple-choice question. Q: e June 18, 2012 Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau Board meeting was: a. Embarrassing b. Childish c. Pathetic d. All of the Above Did you pick d? You did? Ding! Ding! Ding! Youre a winner! Youve won two tickets to the next CCVB Board meeting! No, you dont have to accept your prize. e meeting actually started out pretty tame, if not downright boring. First up on the agenda was Joe Higgins, executive director of the Columbus Lowndes Development Link, who nearly put everyone to sleep with his forty-minute soliloquy on all of the wonderful things that the Link has been doing. I guess that even the Pope has to lower himself, occasionally, to mingle with the common folk and let them kiss his ring. Or maybe he felt the need to justify the $200,000 that the Link gets from the CCVB every year. ings began to heat up when Rissa Lawrence challenged a claim made by board member Bernard Buckhalter at last months meeting in which he alleged that the legislation that created the CCVB included language directing the CCVB to fund festivals. Lawrence proceeded to quote the actual legislative language and then referred to a conversation that she had had with State Senator Terry Brown, who indicated that the wording of the bill did not say that the CCVB has to fund festivals. Board member Whirllie Byrd then replied, It doesnt say that we have to fund the Link, but we do. Buckhalter then complained about what he perceived to be omissions in the minutes from the previous meeting, which he believed created an inaccurate impression about his position in regards to local festivals. In reply to his statement that the minutes should contain more details, CCVB Executive Director Nancy Carpenter replied, We had one set of board minutes that was 17 pages; were just not going to do that anymore. A visibly animated Buckhalter later pounced on a comment made by Carpenter in which she mentioned that she had contacted newly hired board attorney Chris Latimer in regards to evaluating her employment contract. Buckhalter and other board members then engaged in a spirited back-and-forth about who should be able to contact the board attorney. e prevailing opinion was that the board attorney should be contacted when the board votes to do so, and then only by Carpenter. Shortly thereaer, Board President George Swales appeared to contradict that opinion when he stated that he had instructed Carpenter to contact the boards legal counsel about her contract. As the discussion about the board attorney devolved into a debate about whether he (the board attorney) should be present at every CCVB board meeting, opposition to this concept surfaced, to which board member Nadia Dale replied, e Columbus Municipal School District and the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors have their counsel present at every meeting. How are we any dierent? During a discussion about the recently completed audits of the CCVB covering the fiscal years 2009, 2010, and 2011, Byrd questioned the wisdom of using the firm of Watkins Ward & Staord year aer year. Carpenter replied that she didnt think that there was another firm locally who was qualified to perform an independent audit. e sparks really began to fly when the issue of the funding request by the Legends Concert Committee came up. Carpenter recommended that the project not be funded at all due to the fact that it was a one-day event and that there was only $54 remaining in the special events budget. Despite vigorous protests on the part of board members Harvey Myrick, Byrd and Buckhalter, as well as impassioned comments by committee members Roger Short and Steve Rogers, the decision was made to deny CCVB funding for the event. ings became so rancorous that, at one point, Swales bellowed, I demand the same respect that I give every other member of this board!
In regards to a query by Byrd about the use of advertising agencies that are based outside of Lowndes County the CCVB uses marketing/PR firms in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, as well as in Jackson and Tupelo Carpenter replied, "We use companies that I feel are best for the CCVB.
e last bit of excitement for the night occurred in regards to a motion by Byrd to limit the use of the CCVB vehicle to ocial CCVB business and to prohibit its use by non-CCVB employees. Aer a vigorous discussion during which Carpenter sought to defend both her use of the vehicle as well as the fact that it had been driven by her husband (who is not a CCVB employee), the board voted down the proposal, with Byrd, Buckhalter and Dale voting in favor of the motion and Swales, Castleberry, Wise, Myrick and Lawrence voting against (board member Dewitt Hicks was absent from the meeting).
June 27, 2012
Aer all of the fireworks were spent, it became clear that the CCVB Board had, once again, expended far more time and eort fighting among themselves than they had in advancing the cause of tourism in Columbus and Lowndes County. e citizens of this county should expect more.
e Real Story Sta Report
CITY COUNCIL cont. from pg. 4

Councilman Joseph Mickens regarding paving in the Temple Drive subdivision and the resulting damage to citizens mailboxes. Wheres the money going to come from? asked Mickens. Mailboxes were broken, and it can come out of my budget if it needs to, responded Pratt. When Councilman Karriem did his work on his project, it came from bond money. Why does the city need to pay for this? retorted Mickens. Councilman Gene Taylor joined in, noting, e City destroyed these mailboxes, and its our responsibility to replace them. e council voted 51 to repair the damage, with Mickens voting against the proposal. Also during the meeting, Jimmy Graham was re-appointed to the City Utilities Commission for a five-year term, and Johnny Fisher was re-appointed to the Golden Triangle Airport Board for another five-year term.

Both Paige Canida-Greene and Whit Harrington contributed to this report.
Water Dept. Issues Dominate Caledonia Town Hall Meeting

comment to the allegations. On another matter involving the Caledonia Water Department, a complaint from Caledonia resident Doug McConaha was heard at ursdays town hall meeting. A water line was put across my land. Nothing was done to repair three driveways and two yards that were destroyed in front of my shop. I didnt know this was going on because I work out of town three or four months at a time. Anyone is free to come out and see the damage that Im talking about. I just want everyone to understand, said McConaha. Mayor George Gerhart asked, Since youre out of town so oen, when did you first notice they crossed your property? McConaha responded, George, thats hard to say. Im out of town so much, then I come home for a few days. Sometime last summer, late fall is when I first saw it, I guess. I didnt think much about it at the time. I just assumed it would be fixed. Gerhart inquired, Did you contact Benny [Coleman] about this? McConaha answered, No sir. I didnt. Coleman was asked by the mayor if he had any input on the situation, to which he responded, No Sir. City Attorney Je Smith explained to McConaha that the matter would be turned over to an insurance carrier for compensation, to which McConaha stated, Im not going to fight it. Ill just file criminal charges against the City of Caledonia Water Department for trespassing, vandalism, and destruction of private property. e board of aldermen passed a motion to turn the investigation over to the city attorney.
Multiple concerns about the Caledonia Water Department were addressed at the June 21, 2012, Caledonia Town Hall meeting.
Dont Take a Vacation from Investing

Summer is here which means a vacation most likely isnt far away. Whether youre hitting the road, jumping on a plane or even enjoying a staycation at home, youre probably looking forward to some down time with your family. But not every aspect of your life should be relaxed. Specifically, you dont want to take a vacation from investing - which means you need to become a diligent, yearround investor. Here are a few suggestions that can help: Keep on investing. Dont head to the investment sidelines when the financial markets experience volatility. You dont want to be a nonparticipant when things turn around because, historically, the early stage of any market rally is generally when the biggest gains occur. (Keep in mind that past performance of the market is not a guarantee of future results.) Keep learning. In just about any classroom, the best students are the ones who get the most out of their education and put their learning to the best use. And the same is true of the investment world: e more you know about the forces that aect your investments performance, and about why you own the investments you do, the more likely you are to make the right moves - and the less likely youll be to make hasty and unwise decisions. Keep your focus on the long term. As an investor, you need to look past those events - such as natural disasters, recession fears and political instability abroad - that may have noticeable short-term eects on the financial markets but little impact over the longer term. So, instead of making investment decisions based on todays headlines, think about what you want your financial picture to look like in 10, 20 or 30 years, and take the appropriate steps to help make that picture materialize. ese steps include following a long-term, disciplined investment strategy thats suitable for your individual needs, making adjustments as time goes on, and working with a professional financial advisor who knows your situation and can help you make the right choices. Keep looking for growth opportunities. To achieve your long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement, youll need to own growthoriented investments such as stocks and other investments that contain equities. e percentage of your holdings devoted to stocks should be based on your risk tolerance, time horizon and proximity to retirement. But no matter what your situation, you want a portfolio thats designed to help you meet your investment goals. Keep relying on hardworking investments. To help ensure your investments are working hard for you, choose those vehicles that can help you in multiple ways. For example, when you invest in a 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan, your money grows on a taxdeferred basis, which means it can accumulate faster than if it were placed in an investment on which you paid taxes every year. (Keep in mind that taxes are due upon withdrawal, and withdrawals prior to age 59 may be subject to a 10% IRS penalty.) Plus, you typically fund your 401(k) with pretax dollars, so the more you put in each year, the lower your taxable income. Furthermore, with the choices available in your plan, you can create a good mix of investments. Enjoy your vacation this summer. But no matter what the season, dont take a break from investing. Your eorts may pay o nicely for you in the future.
NEWS/COMMENTARY
A grievance submitted by Trey Robertson, a water department employee, had been passed over on the citys agenda since it was first brought to the table at the beginning of May. e issue was finally considered during an executive session lasting approximately one-hour-and-forty-minutes. Caledonia citizen Doug McConaha also lodged a complaint against the water department during the regular session, which itself lasted only about 20 minutes.
June 27, 2012
Robertson took a test for water operator certification in May 2011, the successful completion of which would have entitled him to a raise in salary. When I took the test last year, I scored very high. I took time away from home to take the test, and Im seeing no reward, insisted Robertson. Benny Coleman, head of the Caledonia Water Department, was the only person who could give final approval for Robertsons raise. Benny refused to sign o on the certificate, without giving me any explanation. Hes the only person standing between me and a raise in salary, said Robertson. According to Robertson, the next logical step was to file a grievance against Coleman with the towns board of aldermen. When I brought the grievance to Mr. Coleman, he refused to sign it, in addition to not signing the initial certificate. He told me he would write a response to the board instead of filing the grievance letter, said Robertson. I only want what Ive earned. Colemans response letter was not brought to the council until last ursday, June 21, 2012. e grievance letter and the response from Coleman were both reviewed during the prolonged executive session. e council was unable to reach a decision but mandated a 60-day time frame for a final decision. Benny Coleman responded, No
Whit Harrington
whit@realstorypublishing.com
Whit Harrington is a Marine Corps veteran, who has a B.A. in English (creative writing) from Texas State University. He enjoys reading, and has been a working drummer for the past eight years.
Ryan Munson
Ryan is a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones. E-mail reaches him at ryan.munson@edwardjones.com
June 27, 2012
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CLASSIC CAR CARE, INC.
June 27, 2012
NEWS/COMMENTARY
Exxon Mobil - The Ultimate Corporation

Bill McKibben of e New York Review of Books has recently reviewed a book by Steven Coll about Exxon Mobil, one of the best managed corporations in the world and an example of American ingenuity, adaptability, hard-nosed business and relentless pursuit of profits. It is also a story of personal eccentricity and corporate short-sightedness. Exxon Mobil, like its competitors, makes its money from owning the oil produced, not just from pumping it for others. Once formerly profitable oil fields in the Middle East were no longer theirs, they had to adjust their business model to accommodate new realities. McKibben states: Aer the oil embargoes of the 1970s and the Iranian revolution, most Middle Eastern countries seized back oil and gas fields. In 1973 Exxon had produced 6.5 million barrels of oil and gas a day from its own fields; by the late 1990s that figure had fallen by two thirds. Exxon could have become a contractor that simply pumped oil for someone else but the profit margins werent as high. e company increasingly relied on its holdings in free-market countries like the US, Norway, and Australia whose supplies, however, were mature or declining. Exxon solved some of its reserve problem by exploring for oil in countries too marginal to control their own production. Places like Chad or Equatorial Guinea were clearly not sophisticated enough to take charge of their own reserves and were happy to sign contracts with the highest bidder However, drilling for oil in the Nigerian delta was a far cry from the protected enclaves of Saudi Arabia. Working in Nigeria, required predicting not just the price of oil, but the price of ransoming workers routinely kidnapped by rebels or criminal gangs. In Nigeria, the company not only had its own police force, but also hired and supervised an eighthundred-man unarmed unit of the supernumerary or spy police, said Coll. is shi to more shady operations forced a rethinking of what had been the hallmark of Exxons business model. Aer the tragedy of Exxon Valdez, the company successfully remade itself into an organization built on solid management, accountability and respectability based in part on its Operations Integrity Management System, which valued corporate ethics, international accountability and solid management. Suddenly, Exxon had to dramatically change from a solid, ethical corporate culture to one more suited to the Wild West. Despite the disingenuous comment of Dick Cheney, then CEO of Halliburton, who said, e good Lord didnt see fit to put oil and gas only where there are democratically elected regimes. We go where the business is," world censure was making Exxon Mobils life dicult. According to McKibben: Oil production [in despotic, failing states] made them even more unstable than they otherwise would have been. Not only did oil wealth flow mostly to the ruler and his clique, but the very richness of the prize made these governments attractive targets for coups and invasions. In order to ward o attacks, despots invested much of the money that didnt go for mansions and Lamborghinis in armies and weapons [oen turned against their own people]. Exxon soon realized that doing business in these gnarly places, while profitable, was taking its toll. Since the core business model of Exxon has always been a relentless pursuit of profits, it has always put its vast resources into the development of new opportunities. Technology came at the right time, according to McKibben: In recent years Exxon has supplemented filthy tar sands crude and oil by spending some of its cash hoard to acquire holdings in the American gas fields newly opened by fracking technology, signaling a long-term shi in Exxons businessincreasingly, its a gas company as much as an oil giant. Not only has this strategy paid o for the company, it has moved the United States further along the road to self-suciency. Exxon gets to own and produce energy at great profit. e US benefits from national resources, and Congress benefits by showing how drilling and national exploitation of our vast reserves pays great dividends. Exxon was on top of the world, but for some reason the companys powerful CEO entered into an unnecessary and contentious debate on climate change. He decided that, by backing the naysayers, he would be able to deflect the ominous inroads made by the environmental community. At Kyoto, he gave an impassioned speech denying global warming. At home, he allied his company with the most radical fringe of American politics, according to McKibben: e Petroleum Institutes goal was to make sure that recognition of uncertainties becomes part of the conventional wisdom, said Coll, and that media coverage recognizes the validity of viewpoints challenging the current conventional wisdom, so that those promoting the Kyoto treaty on the basis of extant science appear to be out of touch with reality.
June 27, 2012
Aer a new CEO took over, Exxon modified its stance, backed o from its most radical statements and deferred to the growing evidence of climate alteration. However, even with their vast wealth, they chose not to get into the alternative fuel business a choice which would have eventually paid o and given them the politically correct veneer that they had always sought, asserts McKibben: If Exxon had decided that it wanted to be an energy company, not an oil and gas company, and if it had spent the $100 million a day it now spends searching for more hydrocarbons on pursuing renewable breakthroughs, it might have been one of the great catalysts for solving climate change. Instead, it decided to rest easy. is is not surprising. Great American corporations such as General Motors rested easy for decades, refusing to acknowledge the worldwide demand for smaller, fuel-ecient cars because the profits on Cadillacs were so incredibly high. Top executives came and went, and quick, short-term profits were the rule. e story of Exxon Mobil is a fascinating one. e United States was built on Standard Oil and General Motors, and this look into one of our most durable and powerful corporations is a look inside America at our limitless strengths and our predictable weaknesses.
Ron Parlato
rparlato@realstorypublishing.com Ron Parlato is a writer living in Washington, DC. He has close ties with Columbus which he visits frequently. His writings on literature, politics and culture, travel, and cooking can be found on his own blog, uncleguidosfacts.com.
ALWAYS THE TRUTH...NO compromise
From the Citizen is a column that appears, periodically, in the print edition of e Real Story, and will feature commentary from members of the community, and from both ends of the political spectrum. Individuals who are interested in submitting commentary for this column should write to stjohnjb@realstorypublishing.com.
FROM THE CITIZEN LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
The Money Follows the Child
e public may be unaware of the fact that when a public school district falls below Mississippi States Accountability Model for public schools, the student then can go to any other school that he/she selects (for example, a private school such as Heritage Academy, Immanuel Center for Christian Education or Victory Christian Academy - or even a charter school, once they are legally permitted in our state) and that the state and federal funds follow the child to the chosen school. is allocation of funds is mandated by the No Child Le Behind legislation that was passed during the Bush administration. However, it only applies in the cases of substandard public school situations. What does this mean for our public school system here in Columbus?
public school system, the result is that about $1.2 million is gone from the public schools yearly operating budget. erefore, the private schools in Columbus would appear to be pulling millions of dollars from the Columbus public school systems budget each year. is fact can help us to better understand the urgency that Dr. Liddell places upon improving our schools in Columbus. Without improvement, we will see further decreases in the operating budget of our public schools in Columbus. is situation could become devastating in the event that the inevitable permission for charter schools in our state and/or the implementation of the voucher system begins, whereby parents who send their children to a private or charter school can do so without any out-of-pocket cost. All of these facts raise a question, in my mind, as to the motivation of some members of our community, and certainly the owners and managers of the private schools in our city/county, to assist in the strengthening of the Columbus Municipal School District. Why is Dr. Liddell so vigorously attacked, politically, for trivial situations? Lets be honest with ourselves and face reality. Dr. Liddell inherited a mess made by the past administration when she took over as interim superintendent. Among the problems are: (1) All of the reserve accounts were basically depleted; (2) the system is characterized by low student achievement, based upon the states accountability model, and is on academic watch by the state; and (3) due to the lack of funds to pay their salaries, good teach-
ers had to be terminated. I understand why the last person who had the superintendents job cut and ran from the mess. I had heard, through the grapevine, that he did not receive a significant pay raise, if any, at his new job. Dr. Liddell was astute enough to preface her public interview for the position of superintendent and boldly report the mess in which the CMSD is mired. In addition, she was confident enough in her ability to face the school board and the public in her job interview and say, I will fix it. e buck stops here. Give me the opportunity and strength to make it happen. Because of my experience and education, I know what to do, and, in addition, the good education of my own children depends upon it. I did not hear any other candidate for that job outline the problems of our schools and promise to take personal responsibility to fix them as Dr. Liddell has done. Since that interview, all that I have seen in the media are stones thrown at her for trivial reasons. Could there be ulterior motives for these attacks? Is there a good reason not to try and improve the public school system in Columbus? In reality, it may be in the economic best interest of certain parties in our city if the Columbus School District remains in a failing situation. Aer all, approximately $1.2 million for every 100 students attending alternative schools is not small money. us, some folks may not wish to fix the public school system in our city. To develop our community, we need a successful public school system. Companies with an interest in setting up opera-
tions here look at the quality of the public schools as a major factor in their decision-making process. Good public schools equate to attractive communities is the axiom of corporate executives seeking new locations. In addition, I and many other people in our community are products of the Columbus/Lowndes County school system, and we would not be where we are today without it. erefore, I say quit looking for ways to attack Dr. Liddell but find ways to help her fix our public school system. en hold her accountable by looking at the improvements of test scores, lower drop-out rates and all other such publically available data that will show her progress without a political bias. e methods and techniques for the education of young people are a known science and technology. People such as Dr. Liddell earn PhDs doing research and study on the topics in this discipline. Please take the politics out of the superintendents job and let her do the job that she has already outlined as needing to be done. If we do that, I firmly believe that we will see a very good result. People will then look at Columbus not just for the number of old houses that we have, or the number of great places to fish and hunt, or the money that they can save not paying taxes but, more importantly, by the quality of our school system and the economic development possibilities enjoyed by a well-educated public. Claude Simpson
Claude Simpson is a retired entrepreneur who is passionate about the success of Columbus.
June 27, 2012
e Columbus Municipal District is in a substandard position at this time and has been since around 2008. erefore, the state is required to pay alternative institutions approximately $6,000, and the federal government also pays about $ 6,000, totaling approximately $12,000 per student, per year, enrolled in these institutions, instead of funds remaining in the public school systems operating budget. is action removes approximately $12,000 per student from the public schools operating budget each year for each student not attending the public school system. If 100 students leave the
LetterstotheEditor
Dear Editor: Dear Editor: ere's something happening here ey weren't thinking exactly clear e wall's just a little cocky-eyed Will make our guests ... all run and hide Hey now, what's that sound ... everybody look what's going down! CRB Editors Note: Portions of the above letter were borrowed from Bualo Springfields For What Its Worth. (See accompanying photo)
I attended the Monday (6/18/2012) session of the municipal court and was really surprised that the session is held in secret in open view. e people could view the proceedings but could not hear 99% of what was said. e prosecuting attorney for the city must have been in side bar with the judge constantly, since the only words heard by anyone from her were the calling of the name of the next case. e defendants, attorneys and even a police ocer stood directly in front of the judge at the bar such that their voices were so low the microphones could not pick them up to amplify the sound. Most of the time, the judge spoke soly or mumbled; as a result, her rulings could not be understood. e citizens of Columbus, who profess that they want change, must start attending these sessions and demand change.
Berry Hinds
Columbus
"In the first place, God made idiots. That was for practice. Then he made school boards." - Mark Twain
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AMERICAN WIND SYMPHONY
American Wind Symphony Orchestra

American Wind Symphony Musicians Provide a Taste of Things to Come
Five Members of the American Wind Symphony Orchestra performed ursday, June 21, 2012, at the Rosenzweig Arts Center. Members of the AWSO go through a rigorous audition process under the scrutiny of conductor Robert Boudreau. ey are classically trained musicians who are guaranteed to bedazzle the most avid music enthusiast. e quintet met for the first time on Sunday, June 17, began rehearsal on Monday, June 18, and was performing like a well-oiled machine by ursday the 21st. e dynamics were amazing, not just in regards to the harmony among the musicians but also in the range of so notes that waed throughout the enthusiastic audience. e room was small but the sound was big, and everyone in attendance felt it. e five musicians, hailing from all over the world, performed as a preview of the much larger symphony, of which they are a part. e group closed their set with e Flight of the Bumblebee, in which flutist Melanie Liddey from Suolk, Va., stole the show. Bassoonist Wen Hsieh, originally from Taiwan but who has studied in Philadelphia, played low notes that would make any bassist green with envy. e syncopation between Natalie Higgins from Sacramento, Calif., on the French horn, Glenda Bates from Vienna, Va., on the oboe, and Erik Franklin from Columbia, S.C., playing clarinet was a pure delight.
Courtesy Photo Graule Studios
June 27, 2012
Saturday at the Symphony
It is not every day that Columbus, Mississippi is privileged enough to play host to a world-renowned symphony orchestra. It is even less oen that an orchestra sets up camp on a 195-foot barge on the banks of the Tombigbee. But that is exactly what we happened on Saturday, June 24, 2012, as our fair city welcomed e Whit Harrington American Wind Symphony Orcheswhit@realstorypublishing.com tra.
e AWSO was founded in 1957 by Maestro Robert Austin Boudreau, who still leads the orchestra today and for the past 55 years has been traveling all over the world performing for adoring crowds. e AWSO has played all over the United States, the Caribbean and northern Europe, traveling to each new port in their floating arts center. e orchestra, which is made up of musicians all under the age of 30, performs their concert on a stage built atop an enormous barge; the interior of the vessel houses an art gallery and small theatre. So it is no surprise that this past Saturday evening, the John C. Stennis Lock and Dam area was packed full of lawn chairs and picnic blankets, as well as music lovers from throughout the area. e setting could not have been more serene for listening to the soothing sounds of the orchestra. e crickets and frogs seemed to chime in with the melodic sounds of the horns and the strings as
they masterfully played each piece. Children danced, couples held hands and friends chatted as all around them the beautiful music filled the air. e heat, in a way, seemed to make the music even that much sweeter, as if the notes got hung up in the humid air and were able to envelop the entire crowd. e attendees were le feeling as if they had just witnessed something very important, something that they would not soon forget.
Without a doubt, e American Wind Symphony Orchestra is a oneof-a-kind experience. Maestro Boudreau definitely knows what he is doing when it comes to music and art in general. e orchestra, on the whole, is so very talented; each member brings something unique to the ensemble. ey will continue to travel the world, performing their art for the masses. But maybe they will return. If and when that happens, I hope you can be there.
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Tori Hawkins
tori@realstorypublishing.com
Tori is a native of Columbus, who studied communications at MS State University.
Recipes from Good Housekeeping

Picnic Chicken
is walnut-crusted baked chicken is delicious hot or cold.
Olive oil nonstick cooking spray 1 3/4 cups (about 8 ounces) walnuts 1 cup plain dried bread crumbs 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1/4 teaspoon up to 1/2 teaspoon of ground red pepper, also known as cayenne 2 large eggs 8 medium (4 pounds) bone-in chicken breast halves, skin removed 8 medium (1 3/4 pounds) chicken drumsticks, skin removed Choice of sauce Each serving: About 311 calories, 16g total fat (2g saturated), 113mg cholesterol, 468mg sodium, 10g total carbs, 32g protein.
Tollison Named Dean

Dr. Scott Tollison, Associate Professor of Management Information Systems at Mississippi University for Women, has been named dean of the College of Business and Professional Studies, effective July 1, 2012. Tollison has served as business chair at MUW for the past three years. I am eager to work with the regions finest teaching faculty in craing unique instructional opportunities in business, legal studies and the culinary arts, stated Tollison. In my eight years at MUW, I have seen the role our programs play in developing graduates who are ready to make immediate contributions to the local workforce. I am excited by the opportunity to work with our faculty, sta and students in continuing this tradition," he said. Before joining MUW, Tollison was an instructor at East Mississippi Community College, where he taught computer networking technology.
11
LIFESTYLES
For thousands of triple-tested recipes, visit our website at www.goodhousekeeping.com/ recipefinder/.

(c) 2012 Hearst Communications, Inc. All rights reserved
June 27, 2012
Three Dipping Sauces

Our walnut-crusted baked chicken is even more delicious when dipped into one of these easy sauces. Cover and refrigerate sauce if not serving right away. Blue-Cheese Sauce: In medium bowl, combine 4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled (1 cup); 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 1/2 cup plain lowfat yogurt; 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce; and 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper until blended. Makes about 1 1/2 cups sauce. Creamy Honey-Mustard Sauce: In medium bowl, combine 2/3 cup Dijon mustard, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup honey, and 3/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce until well-blended. Makes about 1 1/4 cups sauce. Apricot-Balsamic Sauce: In medium bowl, combine 1 jar (12 ounces) apricot preserves, 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated orange peel until well-blended. Makes about 1 1/4 cups sauce.
(c) 2012 Hearst Communications, Inc. All rights reserved
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Grease two 15 1/2 by 10 1/2 inch jelly-roll pans with cooking spray. 2. In food processor with knife blade attached, process walnuts with 1/4 cup bread crumbs until walnuts are finely ground. In medium bowl, combine nut mixture, salt, ground red pepper and remaining 3/4 cup bread crumbs; stir until wellmixed. In pie plate, beat eggs. 3. Cut each chicken breast half crosswise into two pieces. One at a time, dip breast pieces and drumsticks in beaten egg, then into walnut mixture to coat evenly, pressing firmly so mixture adheres. Arrange chicken in jelly-roll pans; lightly coat chicken with cooking spray. 4. Bake chicken until golden brown and juices run clear when thickest part of chicken is pierced with tip of knife, 30 to 35 minutes, rotating pans between upper and lower oven racks halfway through baking. 5. Serve chicken hot, or cool slightly, cover and refrigerate to serve cold later. Makes 12 main-dish servings.
Dr. Scott Tollison
Courtesy Photo
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12
LIFESTYLES
Paws Mazzotta Corner by Sam

The Right Way to Remove Ticks
Dear Paws Corner: I wanted to pass on to your readers something I found that works very well for removing ticks: Icy-Hot. My little dog got a tick right in our own yard. I tried using a match, but I was so nervous that I might burn her. My sister told me to use Icy-Hot. I'm so relieved it did the trick! -- Diane O., Palmyra, N.Y. Dear Diane: Interesting tip! One way that we used to remove ticks from our dogs many years ago was by smearing a dollop of Vaseline over the embedded tick, covering it completely. Eventually, the tick would suocate or try to escape. In recent years, however, veterinarians and disease-control experts have recommended against using Vaseline because it can take up to 48 hours for the tick to suocate. Ticks need to be removed quickly -- within 24 hours or less. Why? Because aer a day of feeding, the tick is completely engorged with blood. To keep feeding, it regurgitates that blood right back into your pet -and if the tick is carrying a disease like Lyme, your pet is likely to be infected. Ditto with the old-fashioned match trick. When a lighted match is held to the tick, the tick oen pulls out quickly -- but it tends to regurgitate as it does so. So what's the best way to remove ticks? Experts recommend tweezers, grabbing as close to the tick's head as possible. Slowly pull the head out without twisting or jerking -- being careful not to squish the tick for the reasons listed above. If the tick's head or part of its head breaks o in the skin, monitor your pet for a few days. It should be worked out by your pet's own body, but if signs of infection appear, contact your veterinarian. Send your questions or comments to ask@pawscorner.com, or write to Paw's Corner, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. For more pet care-related advice and information, visit www.pawscorner.com.
(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.
Ocer Goes Above and Beyond to Solve Crime

Gotta vent!...It's a sad day in this country when a 74-year-old woman (my mother) has her purse stolen from a shopping cart in the Walmart parking lot, and Walmart won't review the video tape unless the police department requests it, and the police wont request it unless it's a felony crime committed. So, I guess you can go steal ladies purses in the parking lot of Wally-World, because it's just a misdemeanor unless you try and use credit cards or forge a check! UNBELIEVABLE!! Wally has all that elaborate video security and refuses to use it to help a customer. REMEMBER that next time you're heading there to shop. e above comment was posted on the Columbus, Miss., Facebook Watch page on Monday, June 4. When Donnie Elkin with the Columbus Police Department viewed this post on Tuesday, June 5, he jumped right on it and not only got the ball rolling but made an arrest! It all started when a 74-year-old woman noticed her purse was missing. She then realized she had le it in the buggy when she had returned it to the shopping cart section. When she returned to Walmart to see if it had been turned in, she was told that they could not review the surveillance tapes without the police requesting it. e victim then proceeded to make arrangements to have all her credit cards cancelled and went to the bank to cancel a series of checks. At the bank, she was told that she was the third person who had come into that particular bank that day for the same reason (although we dont know that the purses were all snatched at Walmart). As she was relaying this to her son, he persuaded her to go to the police department to file a report. Unfortunately, this added fuel to the already burning fire when she was told that the police department would not review the surveillance tapes unless it involved a felony - and that until the suspect tried to use a credit card or forged a check, it was only a misdemeanor. It was later determined that the ocer who told her that was misinformed, as this is not true. In the meantime, however, family and friends were discouraged by the tape not being able to be reviewed and were extremely concerned that the culprit now not only had her Social Security card and information but her address as well. Since the victim is an elderly lady, there was justifiable concern that the person who stole her purse would attempt to go to her home. en Donnie Elkin came to the rescue! Aer seeing the post on Facebook, he contacted Shonda Browning (Loss Prevention) at Walmart and was able to view the surveillance video. Ms. Browning could not identify the white male from the video, but she did think that the kids who were with him resembled the children of a white male who manages a local restaurant. e video also showed this same white male get the purse out of the shopping cart and then get into his vehicle (a white, square-type vehicle) and leave the area. Elkin then went to Logans Roadhouse and showed photos of the video to the manager on duty, who identified the suspect as Daniel Meek, the general manager of the restaurant. Later that afternoon, Elkin was driving by Lowes and noticed a white, square-type vehicle that matched the one in the video. Aer conducting a check on the tag, it came back as belonging to the suspect, Daniel Meek. Elkin then stopped the vehicle on Ridge Road and, aer questioning him about the purse and showing him screen-capture photos of the surveillance video, Meek finally admitted to taking the purse from the buggy. He also stated that he had tossed the purse into a dumpster behind Mi Toro. Investigators and family members, however, were unable to recover the purse, even aer climbing into the dumpster and searching for it. Meek was arrested and charged with petit larceny. Sources have indicated that he has been recalled to another Logans location. e victims family members then called Logans corporate oce and were told that Mr. Meek had not been convicted yet, and that he was innocent until proven guilty. e victims son stated that not only had Meek confessed, but that he had been captured on video committing the crime. ere was no mention of any disciplinary action or apology made to the family, or any expression of concern at all. e irony of it all is that the victim had actually dined (for the first time) at Logans earlier that day. THANK YOU, Donnie Elkin, for going above and beyond. You are very much appreciated. Aimee Shaw
ashaw@realstorypublishing.com Aimee is the Oce Manager at Malone Electric Company, Inc. and also has her own freelance graphic design business. She is married to Kenneth Shaw of Columbus.
June 27, 2012
In front of Mitchell School, 15th St.
Columbus Exchange Club
Members of the American Wind Symphony Orchestra performed for the Exchange Club.
Sounds of Summer Serenades Hundreds

makes sure that everyone present has an amazing time. Sounds of Summer also features a number of vendors. From food to t-shirts, if you are looking to spend a little extra cash at Sounds of Summer, you will have an opportunity to do just that! e Main Street sta sets up a beer tent where you can also purchase adorable Sounds of Summer t-shirts. ere are several food vendors, oering everything from boiled peanuts to barbecue. And Sounds of Summer is a great place to pick up Columbus latest fashion trend, LowCo Gear. Sounds of Summer is such a unique experience. We are so lucky to have the Main Street Columbus team, who work so hard and are so devoted to making sure our city lives up to all of its potential. Amber Brislin and all the sta go above and beyond to put on these wonderful activities in Columbus, and we should all take pride in our town and come out in support. Sounds of Summer will continue all summer, with the next concert scheduled for ursday, July 12 so as not to conflict with your Fourth of July activities. So please make plans to come out next time, and bring the whole family!
Senior News Line by Matilda Charles

Blue-Collar Blues
Blue-collar workers among us could be hurt if the retirement age is raised again. While the overall state of Social Security wouldn't be affected that much, it would be a burden for those who've done the hard work all their lives. So says a report by the American Institute for Economic Research. ink about it: ose of us who've done physical work all our lives want to retire earlier. We're tired and need a break. A researcher examined records for a period of 21 years and found that: Less than 5 percent of workers in white-collar professions retire at age 65. is group includes lawyers, scientists, managers and administrators. ose who do manual labor, the blue-collar workers among us, retire at age 65 at the following rates: 32 percent -- foremen, machine operators 23 percent -- carpenters 21.6 -- farm workers 19 percent -- kitchen workers 18.5 percent -gardeners, auto mechanics If the retirement age is raised, blue-collar workers won't stay on the job. ey'll still retire, but their Social Security each month will be less than it would be at full retirement age. e current debate is whether raising the retirement age would have any benefit to the Social Security program itself. One study that showed raising the earliest retirement age from 62 to 65 would have only "modest eects" on the health of Social Security. On the other hand, to keep working requires that one have a job. It's shown that the unemployment rate for those age 55 and older is the highest it's been in 60 years. If you object to the government trying to balance the budget by tinkering with our retirement, let your senators know.
Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Write to her in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to columnreply @gmail.com.
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LIFESTYLES
e sounds of sweet music filled the air around downtown Columbus this past ursday night, when Swingshi took the stage at Sounds of Summer. All ages and all walks of life were present to soak up the music, food and scenery at this lovely Columbus tradition. Folks mingled with old friends and maybe even made some new ones down by the TennesseeTombigbee River. Good times were had by all.
June 27, 2012
Around 6:30 p.m. every other ursday night, the excited throngs of people begin to arrive at the Riverwalk. Many come equipped with lawn chairs, baby strollers and bug spray, all the necessities for enjoying an evening underneath the stars in the muggy Mississippi heat. When they first arrive, you will definitely hear the obligatory, It is so hot, yall," but by the time the band takes the stage and begins to serenade, temperatures seem to miraculously drop! Ok, they really dont, but you are having such a good time by then you dont even mind that you are sweating profusely in front of most of the town.
is past ursday, the musical entertainment was provided by the band Swingshi. You are probably already familiar with Swingshi," as they have been a staple on the local music scene for years. ey play the good stu from back when people really knew how to write songs - exactly the kind of music that makes you want to get up and dance! My personal favorite was when they played ese Arms of Mine by Otis Redding. But even if you arent into the oldies, Swingshi
Tori Hawkins
tori@realstorypublishing.com
Tori is a native of Columbus, who studied communications at MS State University.
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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
June 27, 2012
Local Pool Builder Uses A Team Approach To Construction
SUNRISE POOL & CONSTRUCTION

customized pool plan, to installing, suggesting how to landscape the area and hooking you up with someone who does."
A few weeks ago, it began to get hot enough to jump into a swimming pool, and I had several opportunities to do so. Many people seem to build their summer lives around water, including in-ground pools. Now that the June heat is with us, along with our famous Gulf humidity, it's likely that warmer temperatures will be here until well into September. Until the sunlight begins to arrive in Mississippi at a slight slant, you need to round up your swimsuit, flippers, mask and water noodles.
Seasonal business...
My friends who work with catfish ponds have busy seasons that fluctuate with weather. e same is true with almost anyone who works outside (with the exception of mail carriers). Oen, these individuals whose jobs depend on the weather have to find supplemental employment for their o-season. e pool business is a prime example. Since the pool business is so seasonal, I needed something to do for the rest of the year. at's how I got hooked up with Mike McElhenney, who has his own construction company here in New Hope." What I heard Breitigan describing was a team approach in the business world. "Mike's specialty is dirt movement clearing lots, hauling dirt, bull-dozing and related things. My specialty is, of course, pools and hot tubs, but we work together to build some heavily customized homes."
Full-service pool company plus

I had a conversation with Dale Breitigan, founder and owner of Sunrise Pool & Construction. Breitigan has beautifully fused pool installations with new and existing home construction, using a team approach. "I've worked for several area pool companies," said Breitigan, "and decided in 1998 to venture out on my own. It was time." Breitigan's mentor is James Edwards, who has about 22 years of professional pool experience. "We're a full-service pool company," Breitigan said. "We service pools, get them ready for the new season and do a lot of pool liner jobs. You don't have to have bought a pool from us to get good service," he added. "We do it all, from sitting down with a client and drawing a
New subdivision...
One of the newest subdivisions in the New Hope area is Sleepy Fawn Park, which is located o of Casey Lane, not far from New Hope School. Somewhat isolated, Sleepy Fawn Park has about 60 completed and developing homes. "Let me walk you through a few of these homes," said Breitigan. "You'll see just how much work is customized."
Pool house at the home of Mike and Kim McElhenney, built by Sunrise Pool and Construction.
Breitigan operates as the supervisor, facilitating and coordinating work oen at three or four sites at the same time. He spends a lot of his time orchestrating and directing, making sure that all workers are on-task and that there are as few problems as possible. "About 40 percent of my time is being spent on pool work and the other 60 percent in home construction," he said. Economic upturn? Based on the general activity and there was a lot of it that I observed in Sleepy Fawn Park, I asked for confirmation that we have begun to climb out of the economic sinkhole. Two of my trucker buddies have recently told me that the truck trac has picked up significantly, indicating that a turnaround is likely. Breitigan agrees. "I don't think that we will be out of the hole this year," he said, "but in 2013 for sure. Breitigan does not have a degree in economics, but he sees what's going on in our area, and it certainly is an improvement, at least in his line of work.
on the phone, something like 3,600 minutes in a month!" I walked through two of the homes which Breitigan's crew has built, and I observed a trend of using old-fashioned fixtures and brick and mortar that seemed more solid - definitely not a pre-fabricated type of construction. Breitigan's homes are highly customized, satisfying the client's specific needs.
At one home, the pool house alone could have sold the property. ere was an in-concrete hot tub, a customized cedar bar with drawers, Mexican tile, a fireplace and outdoor furniture that complemented the rustic style well. And, just feet away, was that perfect pool, ready for the 90-degree-plus days that are inevitably part of our lives. Since Breitigan has minimized his overhead by working out of his home, you will need to contact him by phone at 662.242.6926. No doubt he has a wonderful cell phone plan!
John Dorroh
John Dorroh is a Columbus resident who presently works and lives part-time in the St. Louis area. He works as an educational consultant, traveling in the Midwest and Southeast. He writes short stories, essays, and cheesy poetry about people he has met along the way.
Work day...
A typical work day for Breitigan, in warmer weather, lasts 14 hours. "I leave my house about sunrise and get back at dusk," he admitted. "I'm a pivot man, more or less, and spend my time coordinating work on several sites. It's not easy...Oh," he added, "I spend a lot of time
COMICS & PUZZLES
June 27, 2012
ComicsandPuzzles
17
18
TENNESSEE WILLIAMS
A Day in the Life of Tennessee Williams

One of the unique facts about Columbus, Mississippi, is that it is the birthplace of playwright Tennessee Williams. His contributions to theatre and film have supplied us with endless, timeless and relevant themes, as well as larger-than-life characters, all of which are as significant today as they were then. Williams is one of the most brilliant playwrights in American theater. He was born omas Lanier Williams III on March 25, 1911, to Cornelius and Edwina Dakin Williams. His siblings included an older sister, Rose, and a younger brother named Dakin. His grandfather, Edwin Dakin, was the rector at St. Pauls Episcopal Church. His grandmother, Rose, was the choir director. In his collection of journals that made up Notebooks, Williams writes that his grandfather was a gentleman and a man of true faith in his vocation, and yet endearingly worldly; and always the delight of the occasion. upper respiratory disease that le him bedridden for about two years. During his confinement, he amused himself by reading all of the classics from his grandfathers library. Despite his illness, Williams described his childhood as happy and carefree. His sense of security was lost when e
June 27, 2012
Courtesy Photo
The Tennessee Williams home, Columbus, MS.
moved with his family to join his father in the urban environment of St. Louis, Mo. It was Courtesy Photo at this time A handsome, young Tennessee Williams. Because of that his fathers ocWilliams cupation as a began to focus more inwardly, and to traveling shoe salesman, Williams spent write, mainly because he said that he the majority of his formative years living found life unsatisfactory. with his grandparents in various cities in Williams distress while living in St. Mississippi and Tennessee. At the age of 7, he was struck with diphtheria, an Louis, coupled with his determination to
follow his dream, led him to flee the city of pollution to seek solace in his writing in a city that didnt sleep - New Orleans. His struggle with depression and an unresolved understanding of his place in the world would lead him into unhealthy territory that, at times, would jeopardize his life and, in the end, claim it in 1983. He revealed in Memoirs, I live like a gypsy; I am a fugitive. No place seems tenable to me for long, anymore, not even my own skin. Williams muse would come from his early life experiences in the South, as well as from an ingenious imagination. Despite Williams struggles, he was a genius and produced works that will always have a place in American theater. irty years aer his death, scholars are still critiquing his works, which establish this dramatist as a literary pioneer who helped change theater into the experience we know
today.
His mother, Edwina, wrote, Murder, cannibalism, castration, madness, incest, rape, adultery, nymphomania, and homosexuality. ere exists no savage act about which my son has not written. Yet, his plays are filled with beauty. And they oer truth, truth that many of us do not like to face.
Stay tuned, as Williams accomplishments and anecdotes of his life will be featured in future editions of e Real Story.
Paige Canida-Greene
paige@realstorypublishing.com
Paige Canida-Greene is a senior communication major (theatre minor) at Mississippi University for Women, and lives in Columbus.
19
PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST
When you first meet Bryan Roberts, and you find out that he is a musician, you just might say to yourself, Yeah, I can see that. is is of those you cant judge a book by its cover situations, because Roberts has other talents, ones that you might be able to deduce, at first glance. He is an art lover. A vegetarian. A killer chef, who specializes in Korean cuisine. Roberts was practically raised as a musician, since he started playing the drums when he was three and he hung out backstage in the juke joints and clubs where his father, Pete Roberts played, such as e Broken Spoke, near Caledonia. Later, Bryan was in his high school band, and majored in music at Mississippi University for Women. In addition to this formal music training, Roberts also experimented with various instruments on his own, and now can play the guitar and bass, as well as the drums, which is his main instrument. Roberts is the leader of the band Atomic Toast, which he founded in 2003. e bands current incarnation, which has been in place for a year, consists of: Cole Little bass and vocals; Hayden Allen drums and vocals; and Roberts guitar and vocals. e band plays in the style of college rock and alt country, with a mixture of covers and original tunes. Roberts stated that their covers generally run along the lines of original takes on classic hits from bands like the Beastie Boys and Rage Against the Machine. When asked about how he came up with name Atomic Toast, he would only say that he wanted a name that would be memorable. Beyond that, there is no significance. Although Roberts isnt able to name a favorite musician, because he has been influenced by so many, he named Ty Segal, who is on the cutting edge of the San Francisco punk scene, as someone who has inspired him. Roberts cites Segals ability to create music that is not mainstream, but is still a reachable sound, and notes that Segals music arises from the garage band movement of the 1960s. Atomic Toast plays mostly club gigs in the area, but has traveled as far away as Florence, Alabama for a performance. e band has about 10 original songs in the can and hopes to record an album, eventually. Roberts indicated that when they do, it will be pressed to vinyl, rather than being duplicated in compact disk format.
June 27, 2012

Oh yeah, and if you want to experience some of Roberts culinary artistry, check out Hana Korean Restaurant & Market (4226 Hwy. 373; 662.434.8881). e man really rocks the bulgogi!
Roberts is always exploring potential gigs throughout the Golden Triangle, and posts that info on the bands Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/ pages/AtomicToast/119602238156013. If you want to hear Roberts music, live, you had better do so, soon, as he and his girlfriend Leslie plan to relocate to Austin, Texas, in August. Columbus loss is Austins gain.
LINK Quarterly Luncheon Held at East Mississippi Community College

The Columbus Lowndes Development LINK held its quarterly luncheon at the East Mississippi Community College on Wednesday June 20, 2012. The purpose of the luncheon was to update LINK members on the various projects that the LINK is working on, and to inform them on plans to better our community by working to bring in new business.
20
CULTURALLY SPEAKING
The Most Important W of Culture

In this column, we usually share information the who, what, when, and where of the local arts and culture scene. is week, were going to talk about another w word the why. As in, why you should care about and patronize the arts. First of all is the obvious: patronizing the arts, whether than means buying a piece of art, becoming a member of an arts organization, buying a ticket to a concert, or just sending in a small donation, means that an visual artist or performer can continue to create more art or can, simply, pay the rent. Or that an arts organization can continue its mission of exposing people to one art form or another. Or that some underprivileged student can has his or her budding talent nurtured. It also means, by extension, that the community as a whole, benefits. Believe it or not, artists and arts organizations, do buy things, like food, gas, art supplies, copy paper, etc. ose purchases, in turn, help employ people in the businesses that are being patronized. e tax dollars created may go to pave a road or to help fund a public sculpture garden, the latter of which would then benefit an artist and the cycle repeats itself. Attending a cultural event also stimulates the mind and opens it to new and far-ranging possibilities. It stirs emotions or passions, which may, in turn, lead either to a lifelong interest in collecting or inspire one to create a work that will move someone else. Lastly, art is good for the soul. Beauty certainly is in the eye of the beholder, but beauty, in any art form can help to create a more harmonious and peaceful world in which to live. So, think about it. Now, you even more reason perhaps the best reason of all to
June 27, 2012
Get out, and get your culture on!

Every journey into the past is complicated by delusions, false memories, false namings of real events. - Adrienne Rich
CS did not take up as much room as I had space for. I put the TN Wms ad in as filler - but we can replace with whatever you want to use
Why Should Protein Be Part of Your Diet?

Topic:
Question
Dear Meagan, hours a week do you need to work to pay your bills? If it is less than 80, perhaps you can cut back. If you really need the 80 hours of work, then maybe you could get clear about what you can and are willing to do in the house that doesnt seem like too much or wont put you over the edge. Once you are clear, take a moment with your significant other and communicate your needs clearly. We oen dont ask for what we need because we think we wont get it. But the truth is oen the opposite; we never get clear about what we need, so we end up lashing out when our buttons have been pushed too far. It is unfair to have expectations of others if you havent first clearly defined and communicated what those expectations are. Everything will always seem harder, and the world will always seem against you, if you are not taking time for yourself to do the things you enjoy and that feed your spirit. e key is to find a way to look at your life as an observer, as if from the outside, and see how it is you can take care of you. Do one thing a day just for you, and you only. Relax, and let the answers come to you, and know that your situation is not immovable. Be compassionate with yourself, and treat yourself well, and things will start to fall into place for you. When you get the urge to blame life or blame your significant other, that is a cue to go do something that will take you out of that state of mind. at something that you can do is to be discovered and can be an adventure to find. Whatever you do, it is all about taking charge of your life and making it be what you want it to be. e only way to do that is to get very clear on what you want and need in your life in order to feel balanced. Balancing life is no easy task, and it takes being open to learning how to finetune your schedule, personal wants and needs in a partnership while adjusting your own perspective. I have no doubt that you are already on your way to making the changes you need to get what you deserve - happiness. Over the years, many clients, family, friends and people, in general, have talked to me about what they eat. I have found that most people dont know what protein is, let alone why it is important. Most people's daily diets consist mainly of carbohydrates, such as breads, pasta, rice, potatoes, grains and sweets, mixed in with some protein, vegetables, fruit and nuts. I am sure that you are, by now, starting to think about what you eat. Maybe you are doing the same thing, to some extent, and are, perhaps, curious as to the possibility of doing something different. If you are exercising, especially strength training, protein is even more important for developing lean muscle mass. Lean muscle mass burns more body fat at rest and during exercise. Proteins are organic molecules made up of amino acids, which are the building blocks of life. ere are two main categories of amino acids: essential amino acids (there are nine of these that the body cant manufacture and must get from our diet) and conditionally essential and non-essential amino acids (there are 14 of these that are made by our body, but stress may reduce the amount of these that our body can produce). Protein and amino acids are needed to produce enzymes, hormones, neurotransmitters and antibodies. Protein helps replace worn out cells, transports various substances throughout the body, and assists in growth and repair. Here are some additional reasons for getting enough protein into your daily regimen: Protein increases the weight-loss profile. It is thermic and can lead to a higher metabolic rate. Its eect is nearly double that of carbohydrates and fat. is leads to greater fat loss. It increases the hormone glucagon, which is responsible for decreasing insulin in adipose tissue, leading to higher fat burning and lower triglyceride concentrations. It increases the growth and repair of lean muscle. It provides nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and conjugated linoleic acids. It improves satiety and immune functions and decreases overeating. Now that you understand how important protein is, lets talk about which foods are protein. Some sources of protein are: lean beef (less than 10% fat is best); fish; chicken; lean pork; eggs; egg whites; turkey; deer; wild game; some yogurts; tofu; legumes/beans; whey; and plant-based protein powders. Some examples of protein values are: chicken breast, 3.5 ounces - 30 g of protein; lean hamburger patty, 4 ounces 28 g of protein; and most fish fillets or steaks are about 22 g of protein for 3 ounces (100 g ) of cooked fish, or 6 g per ounce. I will make a side note here and clarify that nuts and nut butters, such as peanut butter, do NOT fall into the protein category. ey are fats. Many people have been misinformed about this. e recommended daily protein intake for sedentary and generally healthy adults is 0.8 g of protein per kilogram of body mass. For example, that would be 55 g of protein per day for a 150-pound adult. is amount would be sucient to simply prevent protein deficiency or cover the bodys basic requirements. During high intensity training, the intake would need to be increased to approximately 1.4-2.0 g of protein per kilogram of body mass. at would translate into between 95 and 135 g of protein per day for a 150-pound individual. Many experts recommend higher protein intake that is near or more than 1 g of protein per pound of body weight. is has historically been the school of thought in the fitness arena. One myth about higher protein intake is that the kidneys will shut down. Research actually shows that the kidneys function quite well and have no negative eects. So, as you can see, our bodies do not and cannot function very well without adequate protein. Protein is the building block of our cells, so you need some protein to survive and even more to thrive. So how much protein do you eat every day? ink about the changes that you need to make to your daily routine as it is now. Always keep in mind that balance is the goal. Understanding the grams of protein per serving will help you determine what your requirements are each day. A daily food regimen consisting predominantly of proteins, vegetables and fruits is the best way to go.
21
THE WHOLE PERSON
Balancing Family and Career
June 27, 2012
How can I get my significant other to help out when I'm working more than 80 hours per week? My significant other still expects me to do the normal cooking and cleaning, then complains when I don't spend enough time with him. What is the best way to handle this? Frazzled
Answer
Dear Frazzled: e moment we begin to point outwards is an invitation to look inwards. Looking to change someone else is a cue for us to actually stop for a moment and consider what it is we truly want.
Taking a look at your life in a holistic manner is important whenever you are unhappy with a situation in which you find yourself. You dont have to play the blame game to get somewhere; changing your significant other may be what you think you want, but, in reality, its a reflection of something in you with which you are unhappy. Lord knows we cant change another person; rather, consider looking at what it is you can do to empower yourself and get clear on what you can actually and realistically change in your own life. In your instance, I would begin by looking at why you are putting so much on your plate. Is this something you have always done? We oen find ourselves stuck in old patterns, or busy patterns, to keep ourselves from experiencing peace of mind and happiness. Peace of mind and happiness come from within ourselves, not without, and so the way we access them is actually by looking inward and taking care of ourselves, ourselves. I am positive that there are some changes that you can make that you havent considered. You are never stuck. ere are always solutions to every problem, and you have a choice in everything you do. Sometimes it can be hard to ask for help or to see outside of your own situation, which is why finding someone you can bounce life issues o of is important. How many
Meagan M. ONan
meagan@realstorypublishing.com
Meagan is a trained and experienced Life Coach, award-winning author of Creating Your Heaven on Earth, blogger, poet, and supporter of the underdog. She has a life coaching practice in Columbus, MS.
Do you have a question about your life, career, or relationships?
Melinda Due is a certified personal trainer, with additional expertise in nutrition counseling and life coaching, as well as a B.A. in Business.
Melinda Due
mvpfit@yahoo.com
Ask Meagan!
E-mail reaches her at meagan@realstorypublishing.com. Personal information, such as your name, with NOT be divulged.
22
June 27, 2012
THE ADVENTURES OF THE V.I.P.
The Adventures of the V.I.P.
I apologize for my digression; time to get back on topic! Aer all my research, I have concluded that the apparel of the 60s was indeed diverse. ere is not enough space for me to discuss this topic fully, but I am almost certain that I will return to it at a later time. Why all of this chit-chat about 1964? It all began when I discovered the most darling light pink dress at the back of my Grammys closet. I knew, at that moment, that I just had to wear it! When I tried it on and looked at myself in the mirror, I felt like a 1960s princess - no, a prom queen. is custom-made, fabricated-byhand frock (no sewing machine was harmed in the making of this dress) was worn at some relative's wedding (my Grammy told me who, but my grandparents tell me about a lot of relatives that I have never seen or heard of until random conversations come up about them). Grammys 1964 dress is based on a size14 pattern; however, the sizes were dierent back then (see tips below). I love going to my Grammys house and looking through her old sewing patterns to see how fashion and sizes have changed. It is so interesting how certain styles have come back, such as high-waisted shorts and pants! Oh, my gracious! I got the most adorable tomato-red and sky-blue high-waisted shorts at e Attic.
Courtesy Photo
well with modern accessories and shoes. Vintage brooches are fabulous investment pieces because they are so versatile. Pin one to a blazer or denim jacket; ax another to a fedora; attach another one to a ribbon to make an adorable necklace - the possibilities are endless! Dare to be dierent! Do not be afraid to go vintage for weddings and proms. Back in early spring of this year, I wore Grammys 1964 dress to an exclusive MAC makeup event located in Trussville, Ala. Of course, I did not wear it exactly as my Grammy did; I decided to spice it up a little with neon Jessica Simpson heels and bright pink accessories! e 80s meets the 60s is what I called it! Now that all of you have gotten to know me a little bit, I have decided that my next article will be an exclusive Accessories Challenge, just for the readers of e Real Story! Be sure to tune in next week for inspiration on how to accessorize this summer. You dont want to miss it! Check out my Facebook page for more information. For more outfit ideas and vintage inspiration, check out my blog: www.vintageinspiredpassionista.com. Follow me on Twitter (@Abbysauce) and Instagram (@VintagePassionista), and like me on Facebook (www.facebook.com/VintageInspiredPassionista)!
Courtesy Photo
Abby Hathorn poses in the 1964 dress.
1964
"Well, shake it up, baby, now (Shake it up, baby). Twist and shout (Twist and shout). C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, baby, now (Come on baby). Come on and work it on out (Work it on out)." Woah! Hey there (how embarrassing)! Anyway, did you know that the number one song in 1964 was Twist and Shout by e Beatles? What a great song! It is definitely one of those songs for which you get your hairbrush microphone out and sing at the top of your lungs. Aer chatting with my Grammy yes, I renamed her because, as the fourth grandchild, I never got the chance to give her a name of my own (snie) - I decided to learn more about 1964. Another smashing hit (just so you know - I said that in a British accent) was Oh, Pretty
V.I.P. Vintage Shopping Tips:

It is important to know that clothes, back in the "good ole' days," were much smaller than they are today. For example, a size 14 from back then could possibly fit a person who wears a 4/6 today. Don't focus on the label size, otherwise you might miss out on a spectacular find! Always try on vintage clothes before purchasing, to make sure you get the right fit! Keep in mind that some vintage items have been altered to fit the previous owner. Look for vintage pieces that can be staples of your wardrobe and work
Grammy, wearing the original dress from 1964.
Woman by Roy Orbison. I don't remember what I was going to say because I'm so focused on jamming out to the music of 1964 that I lost my train of thought.
Stay Fabulous!
Abby Hathorn
vintage.passionista@gmail.com Abby is a sixteen year old blogger and student who enjoys shopping, traveling, and all things vintage. Check out her blog at www.vintageinspiredpassionista.com
SOCIAL SECURITY CLAIMS

Chuck Easley, Attorney 327-1000
I have helped hundreds of people with their social security bene ts Former Supreme Court Judge
215 9th St. North Columbus
Free background information available upon request
Dispelling the Myths
23
PIT BULL CORNER
June 27, 2012
myth [mith] noun
1. a traditional or legendary story, usually concerning some being or hero or event, with or without a determinable basis of fact or a natural explanation, especially one that is concerned with deities or demigods and explains some practice, rite, or phenomenon of nature. 2. stories or matter of this kind. 3. any invented story, idea, or concept. 4. an imaginary or fictitious thing or person. 5. an unproved or false collective belief that is used to justify a social institution.
un-socialized, poorly managed or otherwise le to their own devices.
Arent all pit bulls vicious and mean?

Pit bulls, as a breed, are no more vicious or mean than beagles, Pomeranians or any American Pit Bull Terriers, Lexi and Toby, napping with their best buddy, Porkchop. other breed. e pit bull consistently achieves an Another of our rescues would look annual passing rate that is good, or better, good about two months out of a year. He What about a scarred-up dog, or a than any other popular breed by the really enjoyed catching rats, and, unforAmerican Temperament Testing Society. really thin dog? Pit bulls are a hardy breed. ey are tunately for him, most of the rats had in(In this particular test, dogs are put through a series of confrontational situa- very bold - sometimes too bold - and gested rat poison. So he would shrivel up tions. Any signs of aggression or panic very athletic and nosey, so don't always and look like he was on death's door for assume the worst. One of our pit bulls a few months, and then he'd get his apleads to failure.) would whine and cry as if you were tor- petite back and look like a champ. en turing her if you took away her food it would start all over again. You'd never What about the pit bulls ability to bowl. It was a steel bowl, and she would know it from his activity level alone, lock its jaws? literally play with that bowl for hours and though. We had a huge rope that was Really? is is one of the main pit bull hours. She chewed it, threw it in the air, about 12 feet long; we would give one end myths that locks on! ere is no spe- chased it, barked in it (this was really to him and the other end to Cajun, and cial mechanism, extra bone, extra muscle loud), pretty much anything she could do they would play tug of war for HOURS. or enzyme that makes a pit bulls jaws to play with that bowl - she did. But she We would go inside, and they would both lock. Pits bulls are dogs - not crocodiles also looked like she had been shot with just lie down with the rope in their or alligators. e same is true about bite buck shot. We would take it away and re- mouths, not tugging - just holding it. place it with a dierent bowl, ball or rope, When we would come back out, they'd pressure. and she'd throw a fit until we got her an- jump up, tugging like crazy and moaning and groaning like they'd been playing the other steel bowl. Would a pit bull-mix be a better whole time. ey just thought they had We also rescued a male pit bull that was us fooled!! option for me? Wouldnt it decrease so scarred up from fighting that his face the aggression? I'll end this particular article with anlooked like he had been through a meat No! e problem with pit bull mixes is grinder. He was so thin, you could pull other quote from Richard Stratton: "A pit that, if they do show human aggressive- up the hide on the back of his neck and it bull will not always start a fight. But he ness, the pit bull side is blamed. e truth would take nearly five minutes for it to go most assuredly will finish it." Keep that in is just the opposite. e other breed in- back down. e whole way home from mind the next time you hear of a pit bull volved is usually more likely to bite out of Jackson, with this scarred up, tiny little beating up another dog. He, most likely, fear or pain, qualities that do not exist in dog on the floorboard, all I could think didn't start that fight... most pit bulls. was, "What the hell are we going do with this?" at dog was the best dog we could Aimee Shaw ashaw@realstorypublishing.com What about a dog with cropped ears ever have asked for, once we fattened him and/or a docked tail? Isnt that a sign up and gave him a little TLC. He was the Aimee is the Oce Manager at Malone sweetest, most loving, talking dog. Electric Company, Inc. and also has her own of fighting? Don't give up on them - they are worth freelance graphic design business. I can't tell you the number of times I've saving. She is married to Kenneth Shaw of Columbus. heard that a pit bull has cropped ears so that when they are fighting the other dog can't grab their ear and tear it o; or that they crop the tails for fighting. But what about the flipside? If a fighting dog does Did you know we have articles and information on our have its ears cropped, then you run the website and facebook page that are not included risk of the other dog fanging your dog in the print edition? Check us out today! in the ear and damaging the ear drum. And how about the tails? Tails are for balance. So wouldn't you think a tail would realstorypublishing.com facebook.com/rspublishing benefit a fighting dog? See - the more you know, the more confusing it gets (ha-ha). When my husband and I first started breeding the dogs, we thought that pit bulls were supposed to have that "look" cropped ears and docked tails. But that simply isn't true. Show dog owners, however, generally have their dogs ears cropped.
Arent pit bulls unpredictable around people, especially kids?
In a future article, I hope to be able to share the pit bulls history as a Nanny Dog. However, for this particular article, a quick summary will have to do. If a pit bull is well socialized and raised properly, it is the perfect breed to have around children. While some can seem a little hyper due to their exuberance, they are also the best-suited to handle the rough-andtumble play a child can dish out and are the least likely to nip due to fear or pain. I should note that all children should be taught how to interact with dogs and should never be le unsupervised with any animal.
Wont a pit bull that is animalaggressive eventually turn on people?

No. Do coonhounds turn on coon hunters? Do squirrel dogs tree their owners? Aggression towards other animals and aggression towards humans are two dierent things. is particular myth has generated the most damaging anti-pit bull hysteria. Again, for any dog breed, a properly-raised, well-socialized, responsibly owned dog should never show aggressiveness towards a human. Dogs that bite people are typically troubled - set up to fail by improper handling, abuse and/or reckless owners who ignore the warning signs that come with almost every dog bite.
Dont you have to train a pit bull to fight?
No! All dogs fight. I think it was Richard Stratton that summed it up best: All dogs fight. Wouldnt you rather have the dog that didnt get beat up? e problem is that when it involves little dogs, or fluy dogs, or pretty much any dog other than a pit bull, it is cute. ink about it - pit bulls are terriers. Terriers tend to be scrappy with other animals if
24
June 27, 2012
PIG TALES
I Want Attention, and I Want It NOW!!

Porkchop has been feeling a little le out lately. I havent had too much time to really enjoy him, and hes been pouting about it. I got home really late last Wednesday night, and my husband said that Porkchop had been walking around, looking up at my chair, looking out the door, nd wandering around the other rooms in the house, apparently looking for his Mama. He said that when Porkchop would walk by my chair and look up, hed do this weird little grunt and sigh and then continue on his search to find me. When I finally arrived home, close to 11:30 p.m., Porkchop was literally screaming. I came in, put all my stu down, and walked to the kitchen to get a drink; the whole time, Porkchop was walking behind me, squealing and screaming his fat, chubby head o. I spoke to him, petted him and even gave him a bite to eat, but he was still squealing incessantly. I finally decided I was going to get my phone and get a recording of it. And, of course, as soon as I picked it up and started recording, he quit. But - he started back up!! I got a good 30 seconds or more of him pitching a fit, and as I was sitting down on the couch to pet His Chubbiness and get him to calm down, he actually calmed down! Apparently, that was all he wanted: some good, old fashioned, belly-rubbing attention from his Mama. at poor, abused pig...
Wanna smooch?
My husband picked out a good watermelon for us last weekend, and Ive been sharing it with the dogs, cat and Porkchop. One of the things we used to talk about my grandmother (Bigmama) doing was painstakingly sitting at the table for what seemed like hours on end, picking the seeds out of a watermelon and cutting it up into pieces for whoever might come along and want some. We would always say, Who does that, and the answer was somebody that really loves you. Well, I find myself doing that for Porkchop, on a nightly basis! ere I sit, with a plate full of watermelon, picking out the seeds and feeding the pig, the dogs and the cat. Sometimes I dont even get enough watermelon for myself, it seems, to account for me going through all of that eort in cutting up a piece! But thats love - and Porkchop gets plenty of it! Porkchop is entirely too big to pick up and hold now (which I really hate, cause I love to cuddle!). So, to feel completely satisfied, I have to lie down on the floor and call him to lie down
next to me so that I can hug him and pet that big ole belly. eres nothing like some PBP love! Hes just so sweet (when he wants to be) and makes the cutest little sounds. But he can be a butthead sometimes, too - dont let him fool you. When he doesnt get his way, or he wants attention and you wont give it to him, you had better watch out! He is definitely pigheaded! Speaking of being pigheaded - that is an accurate term, but sweating like a pig isnt - and now, every time I think or say it, I think about how that isnt true (ha-ha). Useless facts you learn every day.... Weve come to the conclusion that we need to build two ramps so that Porkchop can get in and out of the front and back door. e main reason is that it is becoming increasingly difficult for him to jump down the big step from the front, and the second is the gallons upon gallons he can leave on the pee pads. It would be so much more convenient if he could just go out the doggie door (well have to get a bigger one, of course!) and do his
business. Well also have to put up a fence perimeter so he cant venture too far out, and so that nothing can get to him, when hes outside. I think well both benefit from that - he likes to go outside, but not for long, and this way he wont be waiting for us (or viceversa).
Eventually, Im going to put his newest harness on him assuming that it even fits - and try to teach him to walk (and behave) on a leash. Id love to take him places and let people see him, but hes too independent to do that right now. If I can only find the time, though!
For all the Porkchop photos, updates, and videos you can stand, visit Porkchop on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ PorkchopsPigTales Aimee Shaw
ashaw@realstorypublishing.com Aimee is the Oce Manager at Malone Electric Company, Inc. and also has her own freelance graphic design business. She is married to Kenneth Shaw of Columbus.
Greg Little: Motivator by Day; Conqueror by Night

William Arthur Ward once said, "Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records." e breaking part can be easy to do. Adversity is defined, in part, as to be in a state of misfortune, distress or calamity. So, once again - do you give up or do you fight to overcome the roadblock? Do you ever think, "I don't know what I would do if such-and-such happened? For all intents and purposes, "such-and-such" in this article shall be deemed as: growing up with a speech impairment, almost dying in a car accident and, aer surviving being in a coma for eight days with three skull fractures and brain bruising, having to learn how to walk, talk and live your life every day all over again. I can only imagine one thought coming into your mind right now. Can you believe that one man actually overcame all of that? Dr. Greg D. Little did. Having already grown up with a major speech impediment, which didn't make life easy, Greg just three weeks out of high school was involved in an awful automobile accident. On June 17, 1972, the same day as the Watergate break-in, coincidentally, Greg was tossed into the backseat of his 1968 Pontiac Lemans, where he lay unconscious and bleeding from his ears for six hours before being found. Eventually, aer extensive therapy, he went on to college. He earned a bachelors degree in therapeutic recreation from Mississippi State University and a masters degree in special education from the University of Southern Mississippi. Now, Dr. Greg Little is a nationally known motivational speaker. "Speaking to a group is such a rush," states Little. In October 2011, Dr. Little's first book, "Rise Above: Conquering Adversities," was published aer four long years of writing and editing. It can be purchased at barnesandnoble.com and amazon.com. To book Dr. Little for speaking engagements, visit drgregdlittle.com.
25
LIFESTYLES
June 27, 2012
Molly Murphree
molly@realstorypublishing.com
Molly is a resident of Columbus, who enjoys reading, cooking, cake decorating, and spending time with her family. She is a member of Lighthouse Baptist Church.
When Did This Adult Thing Happen?

For the week beginning July 9, 2012
close to you. But you know you're doing the right thing, so stick with your decision. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) You're a good friend to others. Now's the time to allow them to be good friends to you. Rely on their trusted advice to help you get through an uncertain period. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Family and friends are always important, but especially so at this time. Despite your hectic workplace schedule, make a real eort to include them in your life. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) at project you've been working on is almost ready for presentation. But you still need some information from a colleague before you can consider it done. AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Don't let those negative attitudes that have sprung up around you drain your energies. Shrug them o, and move ahead with the confidence that you can get the job done. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Aspects favor some dedicated fun time for the hardworking Piscean. A nice, refreshing plunge into the social swim can recharge your physical and emotional batteries. BORN THIS WEEK: You love to travel and be with people. You probably would be happy as a social director on a cruise ship.
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) You clever Ewes and Rams love nothing more than to rise to a challenge. So, by all means, if you feel sure about your facts, step right up and defend your side of the issue.
I remember thinking as a young child that being an adult must be the absolute coolest thing in the world. I imagined that it was all cocktail parties and discussions of Hemingway and Shakespeare and staying up as late as you wanted. Except for that last part, I was incredibly delusional about life aer 30. Now, I do occasionally eat candy until Im like a monkey on crack, and I can totally watch R-rated movies without my dad pre-approving them, but, for the most part, its not as much fun as I thought it would be. First of all, bills are just mean. I realize that we need cable and phones and electricity, but I wish we could go back to a barter system or pay a big flat fee once and never have to pay for that particular service again. Wouldnt that be better than trying to figure out when to pay each bill and realizing you have $27 to live on for a week? I can see it now: I would be happy to sing for our cable bill or do someones English homework as payment for the electricity bill. You dont quite realize how good you have it as a child until certain facts start to become clear to you: If you dont cook, you dont eat; gas costs money - more every day, in fact; and the house doesnt clean itself. And you cant get a maid or a cook like you deserve because your college degree - especially if its in journalism or political science - doesnt quite fund the lifestyle you envisioned while growing up. I remember watching Dierent Strokes and thinking, Now thats the life. If only a rich white man would adopt me. e worst part of growing up, though, which has knocked me flat over the past two Fathers Days, is having to say good-
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) You've done some great work recently. Now it's time to reward yourself with something wonderful, perhaps a day at a spa or a night out with someone very special.
bye to the people you love. My father died in April 2010, and not a day goes by that I dont think of him, hear his laughter or see him in my minds eye. He taught me how to whistle (much to my grandmothers chagrin), taught me to appreciate movies with Cary Grant, Henry Fonda and Audrey Hepburn, and taught me how to shoot a gun. Its weird to get to the point in life where you and your friends are starting to lose parents. I know - its the circle of life, and all that stu (Elton John comes to mind right about now) but when you feel like it was just five years ago that you were pulling all-nighters in college, it seems unfair when you realize that life is not endless. For the record - and I hope this is not an imminent event - for my funeral, I want everyone to be happy. I would like everyone to get up and talk about the fun we had and how we met and the best thing we ever did together. Im not completely selfless; there had better be some tears, but only for a minute. I think that just getting through life is a major accomplishment, when you think about all the trials we go through. When I go, I want to think that I made people happier, and that when they think about me, as I do with my father, they are flooded with good, comforting thoughts that wrap around them like a cozy blanket. Tennyson put it best: Sunset and evening star, and one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning when I put out to sea.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You love to talk, but don't forget to make time to do a little more listening, otherwise you could miss out on an important message someone might be trying to send you.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Your aspect indicates some uncertainty about one of your goals. Use this period of shiing attitudes to reassess what you really want and what you're ready to do to get it.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) Your social life is picking up, and you'll soon be mingling with old friends and making new ones. But 'twixt the fun times, stay on top of changing workplace conditions.
Emily Gaither Smith

emilygsmith@gmail.com
Emily is a former resident of Columbus, and now lives in Albertville, Ala., with her husband. Read Emilys blog at msdemocrat.blogspot.com
VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) A trusted friend oers understanding as you vent some long-pent-up feelings. Now, move on from there and start making the changes you've put o all this time.
LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) You might well feel uneasy as you face a dicult situation involving someone
Which way do a fans blades rotate?

counter clockwise, as you look at it
26
SportsTalk
by Jeremiah Short
SPORTS
Stephens Bringing Back Lion Pride

Part II
Junior college programs sometimes get players who have been dismissed from four-year schools. e Lions dont have to take those chances anymore. We usually dont. We dont anticipate any guys that have been dismissed. If something happens academically, thats one thing, but if they get let go because they wont do right - our program is in a position where we dont have to take those kids, said Stephens, speaking on whether they take players who are dismissed from Division I programs. Once those players get on campus, they have to be developed in a condensed time span. With scholarship limits, junior college coaches are not aorded the opportunity to wait for a player to develop. We have 18 months, from start to finish. When they get here, we try to break things down to the bare bolts and try to get things where they can understand. We try to keep things very simple. We try not to
June 27, 2012
Courtesy Photo
Courtesy Photo
EMCC Coach William Jones.
EMCC Coach Marcus Wood.
get where we are over-teaching things. We try to get guys that are fundamentally sound, coming out of high school. Just look at the places we have gotten athletes from, like Meridian with Larry Weems and Starkville with Jamie Mitchell, said Coach Wood. Certain players are worth the wait, if the coaches are willing to be patient with them. Denico Autry, a 2011 All-American, is a prime example. Sometimes those guys sit and dont play for the first year. Denico Autry came here, sat and didnt play the first year; he sat and paid his own way to school. He was ready to play aer that. You have to get them working hard in the classroom and hard in the weight room. You just have to coach them up and get them ready. Every community college has the same problems, and every one deals with them dierently, commented Stephens. e success of the program and the talent level of the players have made Scooba, Miss., a proverbial hot-bed for major college programs. e Lions have averaged 20 players per year being sent to senior level schools under Stephens. e extra attention doesnt bother the 2011 ACCFCA coach of the year. Right now, the recruiting season is going on. We get phone calls. Its not harder; we take time, and its a part of our job. We are sought aer by the bigger schools and by the athletes. Its better being busy, but we are busy, Stephens said. He added, Its just football. We arent building a piano, we arent building a space shuttle; its just football. e excitement surrounding the program the past few years allowed the administration to be able to secure funds for a new football stadium. Construction on the new facility didnt begin until aer the second season, when we won our first state championship. ere was a lot of hype and adrenaline going with us winning the state championship in 2009. I think that excited a lot of our alumni and board. We had talked about building a new football facility. To be honest, the facility they were playing on at that time was one of the worst in the whole junior
college system in Mississippi. We knew that was something we had to do, at some point. With us winning the state championship - which at that time was the first state championship we had won in football - I think that sped it up a little bit. We started that fall, aer the state championship, Stokes said.
e football teams excellence seems to have rubbed o on the other EMCC sports programs. e mens basketball team made it to the national tournament the past three years (they had never made it before 2008). e womens basketball program has made the state tournament in each of the past four years. e golf team has even finished second in the state for the past two years. Its a far cry from where the Lions sports programs use to be.
eres a big dierence from when you got kids fussing because at the time, when the old protective list was going on, you had kids that were kind of forced to come here. Parents were always calling, complaining to the president and athletic director about wanting to get o the protected list. ey didnt want to have to come to East Mississippi. Now, we got kids calling to see how they can get on the team, said Stokes, discussing the improving athletic programs at EMCC, while also graduating 98 percent of student athletes and earning the Holbrook Award in 2011. at honor is given to the junior college with the highest graduation rate for student athletes in Mississippi
Denico Autry
Courtesy Photo
e EMCC Lions arent showing any signs that they will be slowing down anytime soon. e 2012 football roster is loaded with B.C.S. talents like Nickolas Brassell, Lauren Jackson and Justin Cox. Another national championship could be in store.
We want to put ourselves in a position where were stable on all of our sta. I want to get to a point where the program doesnt necessarily run itself but the program is the most sought aer in the state, said Stephens.
Jeremiah Short
jshort@realstorypublishing.com Jeremiah Short covers Mississippi State University football and basketball. Follow him on Twitter, @JeremiahShort26; or join his Facebook blog, Real Story Sports: J.Shorts Blog.
Woods Brings Physicality to the Receiver Position

said Woods, who had 36 catches, 460 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior. Woods is expected to flash his skills early on, as he is expected to play as a true freshman. I know they want me to play the outside - and expect me to come in and play as a freshman. ey are working with me over the summer so I can know the plays and be ready to go, says Woods regarding playing as a true freshman. e versatile receiver knows that he needs to improve in a few areas. I just need to work on routes - catching the ball, said Woods. You always got to get better; Im going to Mississippi State, but I still got to work to get better. Woods already is an impressive blocker for a receiver his age. Its something I had to learn - to be the whole package as a wide receiver. I got to block for my teammates, explained Woods, discussing his blocking skills. e traits Woods exhibits on the field remind Bulldawg 247 publisher Paul Jones of current Bulldog receiver, Chris Smith. He has great hands and great size. Its one thing to have size, but he knows how to use his size. He uses his size on slant routes; he is a very physical receiver. He has already learned to study great receivers. Andre Johnson is a player he tries to emulate. I study Andre Johnson; I like how physical he is and how he goes aer the ball, Woods stated.
DeAndre Woods
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27
SPORTS
June 27, 2012
Mississippi States moving to a more pass-friendly oense has resulted in a premium being placed on pass-catchers in the class of 2013. e coaching sta secured commitments from three receivers, Devante Scott, Brandon Wells, and B.J. Hammond. e next wide-out to cast his lot to be a Bulldog was ClayChalkville receiver DeAndre Woods. I felt like I belong there. eres a lot of opportunity, there, to come in and play as a receiver, said Woods.
BOATS, RVs, ATVs MOTORCYCLES

Crossroads Cruiser 2005, 32x8, 2 slides. Very nice for sale by owner. $14,500, in great condition. Call for more info, located on Luxapalila River. 242-0786. 2007 Honda Rincon (680 cc). Excellent condition, Warn winch w/ front or rear mount, Kolpin gun boot, 2wd/ 4wd switchable, auto or electric shift, digital gauges, garage kept. $5,000. 386-3467
sponsor four people to take part in the weight loss project, Lowndes County Losers. 662-574-7751. Active family of four needs CLEANING PERSON. House is 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, a little over 2000 sq.ft. Also, there is an indoor cat. I will purchase cleaning supplies. Interested parties should send email to theboxylady @yahoo.com with employment history and a list of excellent workrelated references. A resum with references would be nice. I need someone honest, trustworthy, reliable, and dependable. You must have your own transportation. Serious inquiries only. NO phone calls. Top $$$ for your college books! Call Slate @ 662-4974228 or stop by Cheyenne Station : 5475 Hwy E, Columbus MS JACKET SALE: Kids NASCAR and Cartoon Jackets Buy one at regular price and get second one at half price. LADIES JACKETS - Betty Boop, Tweety, Diva, M&M, others, $75. OVER 200 JACKETS IN STOCK. Come see: Sibleys Collectibles, 362 Waverley Ferry Road, Ph: 329-1420. Open 6 days, 12-5.
4th Ave. S. CH/A, includes all appliances, security system, o-street parking. $775 + utilities, 1 month deposit. Facebook: TGV Properties, LLC, 245-1032 HOUSE FOR RENT: 2413 3rd Avenue South (Sandfield Area). 3 bedroom/ 2 bath, $425/mo; $350/deposit. 662-425-9071 ONE TIME SPECIAL OFFER!! Our best selling 3BD/2BA singlewide with designer dcor and furniture. 205-339-5397 SPRING CLEARANCE SALE. Only two 3BR/2BA homes left! Call today to qualify! 205-339-5483 Do you have at least $1300 a month in Social Security? Then you may qualify for one of our homes. 205-339-5628 4BR/2BA JUST REDUCED! All appliances, including washer and dryer. 205-339-5397 Your deed and $500 can put you in a brand new home! Call 205-339-5632! GOT LAND?! New home on your land. No cash out of pocket. 205-339-5397 LOTS ON THE RIVER ARE ALMOST EXTINCT! Dont miss this once in a lifetime opportunity! For sale are 9 dierent wooded lots. 6 are waterfront. Docks can be built. Location cant be beat. Waterfront lots can be bought for $50k per lot and $30k per lot across road. Call Patton Whitten with Century 21 Doris Hardy & Associates, LLC at 662.574.5196 Lots for sale! Ridge Lakes in Starkville, buy one or all, great investment! Development on a lake for retirees or college students. Call Dennis 662242-0786
RV Park on the Lux! Camp on the river, full hookups, lots of room and private! Minutes from work or play! Call Dennis for rates and more info. Also have camper for sale or rent, 662-242-0786 Downtown apartments for rent - Studio, 2 BR available. Furnished and unfurnished available. All appliances and laundry on site. Priced from $700$1000. 574-7176. HOUSE FOR RENT: 3BR/2 BA, 2413 3rd Ave. S. (Sandfield area). $525/mo, $450/ deposit. HUD accepted. 425-9071 Low maintenance, exceptional quality throughout, 3 BR, 2 BA, open LR, DR, kitchen, large sunroom. Private back courtyard, secure neighborhood. Plantation Pointe Estates, 2097 sq.ft. plus porch and double garage. Call for an appointment! 241-6595. FOR ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS - call Sheri Lipsey, ReMax Real Estate 327-7750 or 662-549-1354
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Salary Position Available Assistant Project Manager for Ground Maintenance Contract at Columbus Air Force Base. Job duties include, but not limited to: Safety Instruction, Heavy and Light Duty Equipment Operation, Training Employees, Managing Daily Operations, and General Maintenance. Serious inquiries only. Send resume to amgcolumbus@gmail.com. 662-434-6104
Fellow Alabama native Hammond tried to persuade Woods to commit before he actually made the pledge. e chance to play with Hammond was appealing to Woods, who met Hammond at an Auburn football camp. Oh yea, thats my dude, said Woods. We said that we are going to be good at Mississippi State. He said that he is looking forward to coming up there with me.
Woods wants to place the focus on going to school. Once he arrives at Mississippi State, he plans to get his a degree and play in the NFL. If he keeps up his physical style of play, both goals could become reality.
Courtesy Photo
MISCELLANEOUS Jeremiah Short

jshort@realstorypublishing.com Jeremiah Short covers Mississippi State University football and basketball. Follow him on Twitter, @JeremiahShort26; or join his Facebook blog, Real Story Sports: J.Shorts Blog. DAYLILIES for sale, tagged varieties. Downsizing garden. Many beautiful colors to choose from, only $5 per whole clump. Aberdeen. 549-0010. King size bed frame, $99; 20 color TV, $99. 662-352-7995 Need AVON fast with no wait? Quick and simple, 24/7. www. your avon.com/jhambrick Are you trying to lose weight? Would you like to try a free sample of something that could change your life forever? Go to www.plexusslim.c om/billslim, or call Bill 662-570-9299. We are looking to
Woods is expected to form a dynamic duo with Hammond at Mississippi State. He is used in a variety of roles and formations at the high school level. ey are just trying to get me the deep ball. When Im in the slot, they are trying to get the mismatch with the linebacker,
REAL ESTATE
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EditorsNote (The CCVB and CMSD)

by Joseph B. St. John

FROM THE EDITOR

Hot Fun in the Summer Time

J.B. ST. JOHN

June 27, 2012

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ART & PRODUCTION

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The Language That We Use

June 27, 2012

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