Today's Feature

Missouri Career Center Rapid Response Team Ready to Assist Displaced Employees of R.E.S. in Carthage

The Missouri Career Center is reaching out to employees affected by potential layoffs from Renewable Environmental Solutions (R.E.S) in Carthage. Displaced employees are invited to an informational meeting set for 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 6th at the Fairview Christian Church, 2320 Grand Avenue in Carthage.

The Missouri Career Center’s Rapid Response Team is prepared to meet with employees affected by potential layoffs at R.E.S. The meeting includes an orientation to Career Center services that assist with re-employment needs. Such services include information and recent changes on applying for unemployment insurance, assistance for job searches, potential training opportunities at no cost to the job seeker or employer, and options for career exploration, among others.

The Rapid Response team includes representatives from the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Division of Workforce Development in Jefferson City, the Missouri Division of Employment Security in Jefferson City, and the Southwest Missouri Workforce Investment Board in Joplin. The team quickly deploys Career Center resources confidentially to displaced workers that assist career transitions and reduce the impact of layoffs.

Since 1983, when Missouri’s dislocated worker program was established, more than 100,000 dislocated workers participated in the program. Over the past five years in Southwest Missouri, the program has enjoyed a strong track record as better than 90 percent of the people assisted by the program find new employment. Laid-off workers interested in the training or re-employment services offered through the Career Center can call 417-629-3000 or visit the Career Center to inquire specifically about the dislocated worker program. Information is also available online at MissouriCareerSource.com.

artCentral

I must correct myself for two miss-speaks in last week’s article. First, the teachers of Alpha Delta Kappa that I spoke to recently were not all retired, which I realized after I remembered who all was present that day. I had spoken previously to a group of retired teachers elsewhere. Secondly, I did spend a bit of time at the UMB Bank downtown last week hanging a group of paintings by Katherine Hyde, but not in the main bank’s lobby as I had first assumed and therefore reported. I did do the display in a semi-permanent way inside the office of the Asset Management Department, which is the domain of Lora Honey Phelps, the Assistant Vice President. In that lobby, we hung a number of Katherine’s own paintings as well as one from her personal collection, from a time she spent in Europe. Katherine is our location’s benefactress as most already know, and her trust left to manage the expenses of the Hyde House are under the care of the bank. I am told that UMB currently offers a Fine Art Management department in Kansas City which may be of interest to local collectors. So, it is fitting that Katherine’s display hangs there at this time. These paintings all reflect a floral theme, much like the next exhibition to be featured here at Hyde House will present. We thank both UMB Bank and also Checkett & Pauly for co-underwriting this new exhibition which will open with an artist’s reception on March 27th at 6:00 here in the gallery. This exhibition will include the fine art photography work of Mary Ann Soerries of Joplin in the Main Gallery, as well as work by Lora Waring of Carthage in the Member Gallery. Both artists will be presenting floral subjects in their work, and couldn’t we use some of that as we gaze out at what I hope is the last snow of this year!

Mornin'

With the little rain, those wild onions oughta go crazy. I’ve been wonderin’ why all grass doesn’t use the survival tactic developed by the wild onion.

I call it wild onion ‘cause that’s what I’ve always heard it called and it definitely smells like the real thing. I’ve never tried fryin’ up a mess or choppin’ up for chives.

I suppose there are some grass eatin’ animals that like a little spice in their diet ever now and then, but I can’t imagine a steady diet of the stuff. Maybe that’s why ya see that one lonely cow standin’ off by themselves ever now and then.

The worst part is this cravin’ I get, ever’ time I mow the stuff down, for liver and onions. I’m not much for usin’ a lot a chemicals on the lawn, but I am interested in hearin’ of anything that might eliminate these little clumps.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’

Please feel encouraged to live a life of proactive health! I love it when I see people enthused and interested in taking responsibility for their health! Being proactive in our health will bring about many healthy dynamics in our lives and is certainly not a selfish endeavor. It means we will be striving for balance in the areas of our lives that matter most. Like our shadows, our healthy efforts will cast upon p eople closest to us.

Put all high fad marketing schemes aside and simply get back to the basics.

Jump start with 5 simple steps.

1. HYDRATE. Yes, do drink fresh, clean, purified water. Stop the pop and other harmful power drinks that contain toxic chemicals.

2. MOVE. Find physical activities you enjoy. Keep it simple to begin and enjoy increased energy and overall strength.

3. FUEL. Eat on a schedule and have small snacks that provide good fats, proteins, and complex carbohydrates. This will require a little planning but the effort will be well worth it.

4. REST. Make it a goal to get to bed by 10 each night. If that is not possible schedule at least two or three nights a week that you intentionally do this. Allow your body to be restored as you rest. It is okay!

5. SUPPORT. Find an accountability partner. Share your health needs, goals, and plans and devise a personal wellness plan.

As we move towards a new season, spring into a wellness plan that will reap a beautiful harvest in your life!