Tourism Revenues Increasing.

JEFFERSON CITY -- Missouri Gov. Bob Holden announced this week that state tax revenue from tourism increased during the past year, bringing in nearly $126 million more in taxable sales revenue. Holden credited Missouri’s tourism industry and a state marketing campaign that focused on reaching in-state travelers for the boost in visitation and traveler spending.

End of year statistics show that domestic person trips increased 5.4 percent, while visitation to most other Midwestern states remained flat. A domestic person trip is counted as travel of more than 50 miles from a person’s home.

"This is proof positive that smart investments, even in challenging economic times, payoff for the state’s economy." Holden said. "We should avoid the temptation to be penny-wise and pound foolish if we are to provide wise management of the state’s resources."

The Missouri Division of Tourism recently announced that visitation at the state’s six official Welcome Centers already has surpassed 2001 figures.

Getting Ready for 2003 at artCentral.

By Lee Sours, artCentral

ArtCentral has been the site of a lot of activity lately. We have had great holiday sales this year. We have had pottery throwing going on in the pottery room. I know that sounds dangerous but it’s not too bad. Some great tunes were played by a local whistler during a music session. And there was a meeting of the Ladies Aid and Weaving Society (LAWS.) One LAWS member brought a baby blanket she had woven for show and tell. One lucky grandbaby will be getting a gorgeous and cuddly blanket. Lately they have been concentrating on making yarn with their spinning wheels. So that means pots are being spun on wheels downstairs while yarn is being spun upstairs. So as you can see, lots of different things are happening here.

Our next artist’s reception will be Friday, Jan. 10, 2003. The black and white photography of Bill Perry III will be on display. Bill has received honors locally and nationally for his work. He has studied with nationally and internationally known photographers. In his last show at the Hyde House, he had photographs of the Masai tribe in Africa. His photos are hand printed with silver something process.

Our annual membership meeting will be held Wednesday, January 8, 2003. Members are encouraged to attend the meeting which will be held and noon at the Hyde House gallery at 1110 E. 13th Street.

HOURS: T – F 11 - 5

Sunday 12 -5 Closed Mon. and Sat.

1110 E 13th 358-4404

ozarkartistscolony.com

Most folks I talked to yesterday were just plain tired. Prob’ly a combination of the trials of the heavy snow and the Christmas holiday strain. I’m guessin’ more than a few will keep their New Year’s celebratin’ to a low roar this year. Even with the weekend to recoup, I’ll be lucky just to see the New York celebration on tv at 11.

Somehow watchin’ the new year come in at the different time zones just doesn’t feel right. By the time California is poppin’ the cork, most of the fizz is gone anyway.

My plans are for a double nap Saturday and Sunday. Course if the weather warms like I’m hearin’, I might have ta step outside and inspect the winter chores that are still on the list.

My guess is they will still be there in a week or two.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Oak Street health & herbs

by Mari Ann Willis

Amino Acids are the "building blocks" of protein. There are 22 commonly found amino acids that support the growth, repair and maintenance of over 16 different types of proteins in the human body. Some of these proteins include enzymes, antibodies, skin, hormones, connective tissues, muscles and blood.

Picture your body as a complex computer system. Amino acids act as computer chips, relaying messages to prompt your body’s functions. In fact, one or more amino acid is involved in every biochemical process in the body.

Stress, illness, injury and exercise affect the way your body uses the amino acids you consume and the amount you need. So, an imbalance of amino acids may cause a malfunction in your "computer."

It is recommended that amino acids be taken with the proper cofactors (vitamins and minerals) to ensure proper metabolism in the body. Especially important is Vitamin B6. In addition, no harmful side effects are associated with amino acids, unlike certain drugs.

The amino acid panel is a laboratory test performed on a sample of blood or urine. It measure the levels of 41 amino acids and ammonia. Measuring any excesses or deficiencies of these amino acids can help in evaluating the efficiency of your body’s computer.

A blood panel indicates which amino acids are circulating in your system. Blood is the indicator most commonly used by physicians, although a urine panel will usually be recommended when maldigestion, malabsorption or infection are suspected. Your physician may recommend both.