Today's Feature

Salary Study Update.

City officials are expecting a preliminary grid for the salary study, also known as the "Comprehensive Compensation and Classification Study" which is being conducted by Kaatz & Associates LLC. City Administrator Tom Short said that the preliminary information is expected by the end of this week or early next week, after which Budget Committee discussions will soon follow.

The study, which cost the City $22,000, outlines proposed revisions in payscales of City employees as well as updating job classifications and renewing the performance evaluation system used by the City. The study and recommendations are to be completed and presented to Council by April 1. The outcome of the study may impact the City budget for fiscal year 2009, the hearings for which are slated to begin April 28.

The Budget Committee may also discuss a potential tax for economic development during its upcoming March 10th meeting. During earlier discussions with Economic Development Director John Bode, the committee agreed to consider proposing up to a 1/2 percent sales tax which would be used to encourage growth and development in the City.

Mornin’

I’ve been doin’ some cleanin’ and sortin’ the last couple of weeks and I discovered that books are hard for me to throw away.

It just seems that they keep stackin’ up. Most of ‘em have been at least used for reference ever’ now and then, quite a few have been read at least once. I suppose that once they’ve been read their purpose has been served, but I always know there is somethin’ in there that I’ll forget or need to know at a later date. Magazines with useful information are hard enough to throw away, books get put in a box for placement on that someday-to-be-built book shelf.

I suppose I oughta clear out all those mistakes I bought at some time or another and just keep the good ones, but even the mistakes are fun ta have around. They can always serve as bad examples.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Natural Nutrition
By Mari An Willis

Some things are worth repeating and this recipe sent in by Mrs. Kiser is one which is frequently requested.

Senna Health Mixture

Boil water and pour over the amount of senna leaves you think you’ll need - let it sit until the senna shows a darker strength.

Meanwhile, mix dried prunes, figs, dates, raisins, apples, dried peaches or any mixture of dried fruit you desire. Pour the senna tea over the mixture and cook slowly until the fruit is done.

One recipe I saw said to put this in a blender, but we chose to keep it in a covered dish and eat some of the fruit as needed.

This recipe was given us over 66 years ago by a Dr. Dover of El Reno, OK.

There are some variations of this recipe, but it is basically a laxative recipe. Remember that one may become dependent upon laxatives. Use only when needed. The fruit is good fibre and may be tasty, but be sure not to overeat as too much may cause cramping.

artCentral
Art Notes from Hyde House
By Sally Armstrong, Director of artCentral

Cards have gone out to 100 of our "artist members" who have art related careers, for our lecture/workshop next week. On Tuesday evening we welcome art curator and critic Michael Bell to bring the first in his series of four quarterly meetings, at 6:30 pm at the Hyde House. This first is entitled "CREATING YOUR PORTFOLIO", and promises to be both instructive and interesting to anyone in the art business, so even if you are not a current member of artCentral, you are welcome to come and join this group. The cost is a donation of 25.00 for non-members, and a discounted 10% offered to our members. Before we begin speaking about the new show scheduled for March 28th opening, I want to thank again our sponsor and underwriter, Southwest Missouri Bank. SMB graciously agreed to underwrite the last show, and we are very grateful to them and their staff who so generously appeared at the Opening night party. Thanks to Jeannette Clem and all the folks there who have been very good to artCentral in so many ways! I want to dedicate today’s article to a fine local artist in her own right, who was lost to us this past week. Jan Crandall moved to Carthage early in her married life and as she was connected to a hometown family, was quickly assimilated into community life. One of Jan’s many talents was toile painting, and I was not here when she began teaching classes in this art, but I do remember people talking about those classes and her appreciating her talent. I do have first-hand knowledge of her work, as my three daughters were recipients of many of her hand painted wooden Christmas ornaments that she took orders for each year, signing and dating to each child that she made one for. These are indeed heirlooms now. I remember one year when we were both active charter members of the Women’s Service League of Carthage, she painted these for the gift shop set up in my garage during one of the Christmas Homes Tours we held then. A lot of Carthage children and others will have those beautiful ornaments for their own trees some day! One of the last things that Jan painted was the ballot box that is used by the Missouri State Chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, and used at each state convention. It was in need of a "sprucing up" and, as it was in my custody, I knew that Jan was our gal to give it a new face. She did so one day last year when she was laid up with one of the minor maladies that come along with the treatment she was undergoing, but she was happy and cheerful to do it for us. She and I served together in Chapter HH, P.E.O. Sisterhood, here in Carthage, for the years we both have lived here, and both of us would have celebrated 30 years as P.E.O.s in 2009. Jan won’t make it, but we will remember her next year anyway for that 30th year, and I will be proud to have served alongside her in our chapter as a talented artist and willing member always giving her best.