Today's Feature

Microchipping for Pets.

Information from the Carthage Police Department.

The Carthage Police Department does not want owners to be separated from their pets or to have to locate the animals at a shelter. For some time now, the Carthage Police Department animal control division has possessed the capability of scanning any microchip implanted into a pet. A scanner, much like a barcode scanner at the grocery store, can identify a lost pet immediately, but only if the pet owner had a microchip implanted. The process of implanting a microchip is quick and no more painful for pets than a vaccination. With microchip implants, pet owners insure permanent identification for the life of the animal wherever they live.

For a limited time, the Carthage Humane Society will place a microchips in pets for $5.00. For further information, contact the Carthage Humane Society or Chief Dagnan at the Carthage Police Department.

Summer Children’s Show Auditions.

Auditions for the Pied Piper, by Anne Coulter Martens, will be held Monday, May 12 and Tuesday, May 13 from 4:30 until 6:30 p.m. at Stone’s Throw Dinner Theatre, Carthage, MO. The show calls for 5-7 men, 5-6 women and 17 children.

The show is directed by Angel Ambrosius and is scheduled for July 10-13 and 18-20, 2008. More information can be obtained by calling 417-358-7268 or by e-mailing bbell23@ecarthage.com

Mornin'

We used ta have this fan that had rubber blades on it when I was a kid. The intention, I suppose, was ta be safer than the metal kind. ‘Course, as curious kids, we wondered about such a thing and would impress our friends by our bravery and walk up and stick our finger in it. Didn’t hurt.

I guess one a the points of relatin’ such a story is to bring up the relationship between the manufacturers of "safe" equipment and the attitude of those who operate it.

"Safe" equipment is still only safe it if is operated in a safe manner. I’ve seen all kinds of ingenious methods of overridin’ various safety features. Safety switches taped down, rubber bands holdin’ levers up.

Sometimes I think the "safer" we make things, the less likely we are to take the responsibility for our own actions.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Natural Nutrition
By Mari An Willis

May is Arthritis Month. This would be the logical time to discuss some of the nutrients used for maintaining healthy joints.

This is a case where prevention and maintenance is extremely important. Care should be taken to keep bones strong and cartilage in tact and relax surrounding muscles to ease the strain and inflammation. Some common nutrients used for these purposes may be:

MSM or methylsufonylmethane, which is a naturally occurring organic sulfur that works by relaxing the muscles and relieving joint pain. It may also help maintain cartilage and slow the natural cycle of enzyme destruction. Studies have shown that 2000mg of MSM per day was effective.

Chondroitin sulfate is maintain the integrity of the cartilage itself. Cartilage should be fluid and have elasticity. It is found naturally in the body as part of the connective tissue. Chondroitin may help by keeping water in the cartilage and has been studied for its ability to ease joint pain and as an anti-inflammatory. A good chondroitin sulfate product is easily absorbed by the body.

Glucosamine is a building block of cartilage, but is not found in significant amounts in the diet so supplementation is often recommended. SAMe has also proven to be helpful by reducing pain, stiffness and swelling. Several studies have shown it may work as well or even better than some drugs including ibuprofen and naproxen. SAMe should be avoided if one has bipolar disorder or Parkinson’s disease.

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

There are a lot of "balls in the air" being juggled this month here at artCentral! At present we are excited to be receiving back replies and contributions for our current fundraiser, the Lowell Davis panel project that many of you have already returned the cards to be a part of. With a contribution, a name or names are added to the plaque to be hung with the pieces, at McCune Brooks Regional Hospital. Remember to return your contribution today! I am currently having the schedule of classes/ mailing printed for the upcoming kid’s artCamp, to be held July 28th – August 9th , and 27 new classes will be offered this year. Call me if you have the name and address of a child aged 7-14 who may be interested. I will be mailing to all past students by the end of May. Letters have gone out this week to 111 member-artists of artCentral to participate this year in the annual Membership Show, to open on June 20th with the annual contributive bbq picnic and exhibition, so put that on your calendar, as the public is always invited. Jan Hyde of the Hyde Gallery in downtown Springfield is this year’s judge, and four prizes are awarded along with cash awards. This is always a big show and well attended, and we look forward to it each year. The plans have been presented for our new parking lot project and this could be completed by Membership Show day we hope! This is something that we have needed for a long time, and out thanks to Dick Rhine for drawing the plan for a beautiful design. There will be new flower beds and signage to accompany this project, all badly needed. Our current show has seen a nice crowd of viewers, and we hope to see more of you before the closing on the 18th. To date we have sold many of the artist’s beautiful hand-made jewelry pieces, and quite a few small sculptures. I look forward to welcoming a tour group next Wednesday afternoon from the Chamber of Commerce, and am glad that they thought of us for this venue. Keeping the balls in the air is a challenge as always here at the Hyde House!