BITS & PIECES: Rock, Paper, Scissors

Our solar panels are covered in a film of spring pollen. A little Google research shows that pollen decreases solar panel efficiency by as much as 15%. This leaves us to ponder whether it’s worth the hassle of climbing to the roof to clean them. How to clean them? Hose them off? Crank the gas-powered leaf blower? One way or another, we’re using resources or energy to maximize the efficiency of a supplemental energy source. Who’s supplementing what here? Choosing an energy source is like playing a game of rock/paper/scissors.

The Caddo Valley Flea Market announced on its Facebook page that the opening of its new location is “coming soon”. The flea market will be located at 1205 N. 10th St., Arkadelphia, in the plaza behind Pizza Hut.

In recent days we’ve welcomed a new long-term advertiser, Phil’s Auto & Transmission. Proprietor and auto mechanic Phillip Shuffield has been serving Arkadelphia since Yours Truly was born. “I opened my business on tax day, April 15, 1985,” Phil tells us. Originally a transmission shop only, over the years the North 10th Street business has added in impressive lineup to its offerings to include full auto repair, tire sales and A/C work — “anything from an oil change to a major engine replacement.” In the past decade Phil’s has become an authorized dealer of Bad Boy and Cub Cadet mowers. Click on Phil’s advertisement to learn more — and when you drop in, tell the guys you saw their ad on arkadelphian.com.

We said what we said about U.S. Speaker Mike Johnson’s move to bar the media from attending the local GOP’s upcoming Lincoln Day Dinner. Were it not for media, press-hating politicians like Donald Trump would not be household names. Some readers have suggested that the Secret Service presence at the Republican fundraiser is the reason we’re not invited, but we call that a poor excuse. Ten years ago more than 1,700 journalists covered the happenings of Congress and the White House, institutions where the Secret Service maintains a strong presence. There’s a reason Speaker Johnson banned us from hearing his speech, and it ain’t for security.

Federal-level government officials should set an example for state and municipal governments in practicing transparency. If city, county and state governments were to follow the example Moses Mike is setting, we would all be in the dark. If the U.S. Speaker of the House gives a speech and media representatives aren’t there to report it, does he make a sound?

C’mon, guys, it’s a water tower. Johnny Cash isn’t taking a leak from it. Move on.

We applaud our (now retired) Henderson State journalism professor and advisor, Michael Ray Taylor, for his investigative series uncovering shady real estate development atop abandoned coal mines in eastern Tennessee. We’re proud to have been his student, and hope the pride is requited. CLICK HERE to read Part 1 of the series, published by Nashville Scene.

Consider this fair warning that we celebrate April 1st with satirical news.

This week last year we reported the Arkadelphia City Board approved funding for a $273,000 restroom facility at Feaster Park. We drove by recently to see if it had been completed; it had, but the doors were locked. Probably wise to protect the investment from vandals. CLICK HERE to read that story.

No better way to start the day than with a fruit punch KickStart and a bag of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. It’s been our guilty pleasure since Mountain Dew released its energy drink lineup in 2013.

Not much happens in Arkadelphia during spring break.

Ozzy the Chocolate Chihuahua reminds big dogs to inform their owners to keep them on their side of the fence at Barkadelphia Community Dog Park. He appreciates all breeds of fellow dog, but doesn’t want to share his playground with a pit bull (you know who you are).

Probably too soon to dethatch and seed the lawn, but we did it anyway.

Joel Phelps is publisher and editor of arkadelphian.com. Opinions expressed in this column are his own. Email editor@arkadelphian.com to get in touch. Fort Smith, here we come.