Above The Rest
Local Happenings
The Train at Riverside Park
Jul 3rd
I remember playing on this train when I was growin up in Batesville, AR. It was in a different location not too far for where it is now. Mom used to take me to DQ (Dariy Queen) for a Dilly bar and then to the park. This is something she also did with all her grandchildren. I even worked with a man whose Dad actually operated this engine at Limedale. I remember back when I got to play on it you could still lock someone inside the boiler. 
The old train is looking good now! I’m sure many more Mom’s and Grandmom’s will let there kids play engineers, Train robbers and such.
Tomorrow is the 4th of July! Everyone have a safe and fun time!
Kyle Petty's Charity Ride – Rides thru Batesville, AR
May 14th
Batesville's Mayor - Rick Elumbaugh
I had not really planned to shoot the Kyle Petty Charity Ride riders. But, I heard our my Mayor was going to ride into town with them and I wanted to get a photo for him if I could. I was going to shoot them riding down Ramsey mountain as they drove past the Mark Martinville sign but after checking it out I could see it would not work on this occasion. So I went other spot were I usually shoot the Bubba’s on their rides. I arrived at the JC Penny’s Parking lot. If you shoot from there you can get the City of Batesville’s fountain in the background.
It seemed like nobody really knew when they would arrive in Batesville. I mean the radio station was set up really early. They just kept saying they should be here anytime. I just think in this day and age with twitter and iphones and such, well you know. Me, well I sat at the studio after I started following Kyle Petty on Twitter. I turned on my police scanner and heard when they were in Mountain View and more updates along the way. I’m just sayin….
Mayor of Batesville, AR presents Kyle Petty with key to city
Mayor Rick gave Kyle the key to the city and Kyle commented that he would be certain to show it to Mark Martin when he sees him. Kyle seemed to do all the PR work as most of the other riders headed to their rooms in the Comfort Inn. All the riders will be makeing their first pit stop at the Mark Martin car dealership which is located just a quarter mile south of Select Shtos Photography Studio. So I will try to get a few more shots as Kyle and his group drive by the studio. 
Hershel Walker almost slipped by the Batesville Guard’s assistant sports editer but he really didn’t have a chance. More on the Studio drive by tomorrow morning.
Hey Let's Rock! .com
May 7th
Edge Fest
While I was going through all my regular feeds and reads I was overwhelmed that my favorite blogger at HeyLetsRock.com has risen again. She is a wonderful person and awesome selectshots model when she chooses to be shot. Anyway she had a few things to say about an Arkansas festival I new nothing about. I thought it was interesting so I have re-posted it here.
Nationally this weekend’s big ticket is the highly hyped movie Star Trek, which opens Friday, May 8th.
Locally, however, the big ticket is the 4th rendition of the outdoor hard rock show Edgefest – Edgefest 2009, in Little Rock, AR on Saturday, May 9th. It’s presented by The Edge 100.3fm and is billed as, ” The Biggest Show You Won’t Remember the Next Day,” it’s just in time for post finals celebration for most high school and college students. Think a small scale Woodstock for hard rock lovers of the South. Last year attendance was estimated at 10,000 people, a pretty big deal for a single outdoor show in these parts.
This year the venue has changed to Cooper Farm as last year’s show earned the nickname ‘gravelfest’. The line-up includes Slipknot, Staind, Chevelle, All That Remains, Drowning Pool, Hurt and Dirtfedd and is sure to be the largest rock show of the year in Arkansas.
I’m sure this sounds like a promo piece, but I certainly had no idea a show of this caliber took place in Arkansas. It’s certainly a noteworthy event. Sounds like heyletsrock.com should be there taking photos or something, right? Well, rain, 10,000 people in various states of enlightenment, mosh pits and port-a-potty lines aren’t the best environment for camera gear. Which is a nice way of saying, mud, a pit of smelly strangers, and port-a-potties? Ewwwww. I am a girl after all. LOL I’m sure fans of outdoor rock shows will have a blast though.
Pictures from this years event will be posted on the events site, www.edgefest.edgelittlerock.com. Pictures from last years show are available for viewing on the site now.
Tickets are available in advance at ticketmaster.com for $35, plus service charges, which comes out to roughly $354.67, or you can pick them up with no extra charges at select places in Little Rock. Check the site. $40 day of show.
Since I won’t be in attendance, if you see either one of these fellows:
James Gage, Jimmy Starzy
take a pic and send it to heyletsrock(at)gmail(dot)com, @khara on twitter, or to my facebook and I’ll send you a special prize.
