Today's Feature

Tax Deadline Approaching.

(News Release) JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Department of Revenue (Department) is sending out a reminder to all Missouri taxpayers that the April 15th deadline is just three weeks away. To date, the Department has processed over 1.5 million returns and expects another one million returns before the end of this tax cycle.

"Many Missourians wait to file their returns in these last few weeks because they owe money to the state. It is not uncommon for the Department to see a surge in filings during this time," said Director of Revenue Omar Davis. "However, even though the Department will receive more returns in these last few weeks, we will still process every taxpayer refund as quickly as possible. Governor Blunt has directed the Department to refund taxpayer refunds without delay and we continue to meet that challenge by providing Missouri taxpayers the kind of service they deserve."

Taxpayers may check the status of their return online at www.dor.mo.gov. To use the online system, just click "Where’s My Tax Return?" on the right side of the page. The Department’s Interactive Voice Response system also gives taxpayers the option of using the phone by calling (866) 433-7259 toll-free or by making a toll call to (573) 526-TAXX (8299).

Taxpayers who wish to file electronically have a variety of software packages or tax practitioners approved by the IRS (called Electronic Return Originators or EROs) are available at retail stores throughout the state. Those who wish to obtain some of the benefit of electronic filing without purchasing software can do so by using fill-in forms available on the Department’s website at www.dor.mo.gov. Fill-in forms are printed by the taxpayer but include a 2D barcode that speeds up processing and reduces the chance of processing errors.

Under Governor Blunt’s leadership, in 2005 the Department expanded its service to Missouri taxpayers by extending state office hours, opening each working day at 7:30 a.m. and closing at 5:30 p.m., to make state government more responsive to its citizens. Customer service representatives are available during those hours to assist customers. The Department also has seven tax assistance centers across the state that can answer questions and assist customers in completing their Missouri tax return. The Department’s web site has many of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and is available 24 hours a day. The Department continues to look for ways to better serve its customers and be good stewards over the taxpayer dollars.

Mornin
The first day of boot camp for most is a pretty hectic day.

The first day we unloaded and for some reason all the drill sergeants were in a big hurry for us all to grab all our gear and carry it at a dead run up a hill where we were lined up and yelled at. One of the most telling methods they used to get ever’one understandin’ how things worked was to pick out someone who hadn’t figured out the difference between a sergeant, who was to be called Sergeant, and an officer, who was to be called Sir.

‘Course to those of us lucky enough to simply be observin’ the spectacle, it was obvious what was goin’ on. We could tell it wasn’t that serious. The only reality the trainee could understand was the nose to nose confrontation with imposed authority and a split second decision.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Colds and flu are still hanging around and provoking lots of conversation about some tried and true family remedies. It is reassuring to listen and share ideas as it lets me know that I am not just a nut sleeping with sliced onions on my chest at night to break up congestion.

The skin is the largest eliminative organ. Through the sweat and oil glands the body can eliminate waste material from the blood and lymph more rapidly than through any other means. Sweating has been a part of traditional medicine for centuries. The Native Americans used sweat lodges (for one reason) to help a person recover health, as did the pioneers use sweat pails. We are fortunate enough to have hot running water to which we can add a few tablespoons of ginger, lavender oil, tea tree oil, rosemary, or other aromatic herbs to promote sweat glands. After soaking in a tub for approximately 20 minutes (no longer!), wrap up in a nice flannel or wool blanket and continue to sweat. Remember to drink lots of fluids.

With my children, I have found that adding lavender oil to the bath relaxes and calms the frustration of being down with a cold and allows them to relax. Lavender oil also has antiseptic properties.

One gentleman I know swears by warm olive oil rubs to the back and chest to "cure" lung congestion. His remedy is to mix it with garlic juice and massage into back and on chest. Rest 24 hours, cough lots of phlegm, and you’ll be "good as new." Or, as his friend added, just keep eating garlic and you’ll scare a cold away!

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

The art is displayed, and we are ready for our guests on Friday night for the second exhibition of this year’s schedule here at artCentral and the Hyde Galleries, and what a great group of paintings we have for you! As I spoke about last week, the work of Joplin artist Joe Prater is outstanding and presents both Native American and nature themes in watercolor and oil medias. Amateur artist Steve Binam of Jasper has brought a few of his best paintings as well, which I have displayed in the adjacent room, and we are glad to give Steve a first showing of his work here. But today I want to feature my artist in our Member Gallery, Nida Rudd of Joplin and her show entitled, "99% LANDSCAPES". This artist grew up in Houston, Texas. Interested in drawing all her young life, she found herself married and with children before she had the chance to study art seriously. After moving to the Highland Lake in the hill country of Texas in 1970, she met fellow artist and teacher Anna Hurley, who became a mentor and art-partner. Another art mentor,

Texan Tossey Long, took Nida on journeys into the hill country for plein aire excursions, beginning a 33 year friendship. Tossey introduced her to painting the Texas fields and pastures and to see what was in front of her eyes! She then had the opportunity to study at the Watkin Institute in Nashville, TN, and later studied with William Henry Earl at the Ray Forman School and with Florent Bahley and Harold Gore. Nida works primarily in oils and only began experimenting in pastels about 5 years ago. Eighty-one year old Nida moved to Joplin recently to be near family, but has retained her Texas spunk and is quite a character in her own right, full of amusing stories about the subjects and locations in her various paintings. I hope to show Nida’s works in our Main Gallery another year, as her body of work is quite impressive and her following in this area yet to be established. She has some lovely floral still-lifes and her beautiful landscape scenes in both oil and pastel could easily be mistaken for our beautiful Ozarks instead of the hill country of Texas. I hope we will have many visitors during the time of this show, March 28- April 13th and look forward to having folk during our regular hours, Friday through Sunday, noon until 5:30 daily.