Committee Gives Thumbs Up.

The City Council Public Safety Committee met last night at the Fire Station for a relatively short monthly meeting.

Committee Chair J.D. Whitledge asked Police Chief Veach to pass on the committee’s appreciation to the force on their successful participation in last week’s round up of suspected drug dealers in the area.

Veach says he is encouraged by the positive response the Department has received from the citizens and media in the area.

The Committee voted to recommend to the Council that a 1999 police vehicle be transferred to the Engineering Department. The 1992 Ford currently used by Engineering will then be used as a trade-in on one of the two police vehicles to be purchased from Carthage Ford. The Council previously approved a bid of $38,882 for the two vehicles including trade.

The Committee also voted to allow the inside lane and parking area of the Square to be used for events on May 4th and June 8th.

The Arts in the Heartland will combine talents of various artists and musicians in May, and the first Carthage Acoustic Music Festival is scheduled in June.

Events Taking Shape.

by Robin Putnam, artCentral

It's that time of year, again........time to get the year's activities put together. Since our events calendar is usually put together a year in advance we know all the dates of coming events but we don't have all the details, yet ! Details, details, details...... ...SO.......first in line for working out the details would be our annual artCamp.

We have sent out some notices to those brave souls who have taught for us in the past. Anyone new who might be interested in teaching an art class should call us and leave us your info and we will contact you with all the details !! We usually get teacher commitments, first, then decide which classes will be included in this year's schedule.

For those not familiar with our artCamp it's something like this.......by May we will have a complete schedule of teachers and classes offered. Classes are Monday - Saturday, 10am - 2:30pm with a lunch break at noon. Kids bring a sack lunch. Cost is $12 per day with some classes being more than one day. It's for kids 8 - 14.

Registration begins in May on a first come basis, however, pre-payment is required. Once we have received payment then your child is entered into the class. Classes are limited in size. We are now attempting to organize artCamp 2002 so keep watching this spot for the classes to be announced.

Another event will be the Stone Carving Weekend Workshop taught by Bill Snow. The dates are not set, yet, but we know it will be in June. This will be a Friday, Saturday and half day on Sunday. All tools, sculpture stands and compressors are provided, limestone and alabaster will be on site for purchase. This workshop is limited to 12 also on a first come basis with paid registration. The forms will be available at the gallery by mid March. Keep in mind if you take this workshop that you will need to bring your own safety goggles, ear plugs, gloves and proper footwear.

Our annual Membership Show will be in July this year. The fuller our calendar gets the more we have to shove things around !! If you would like to participate all you have to do is become a member !! Any member may enter one piece in any medium.

Normally we have about 30 artists ranging from watercolor and oils to pastel, stone, clay and sterling silver......it's always quite a unique assemblage........entry forms will be sent out in May. Or they can be picked up in the gallery.

We are thinking of a fund raiser ( since we have not had one in a gazillion years !) and would hope to be able to get it put together for this fall.....if not then maybe next spring ! Anyone interested in helping with such a thing just let us know !!

Next opening reception will be March 1 from 6pm - 8pm. Jack Sours pottery and sculpture, Tom Jones watercolors and Lee Ann Sours fiber art.

More next week......For more info call 358-4404. Hours : Tuesday - Saturday 9am - 3pm. www.ozarkartistscolony.com

Main Street Carthage and the Chamber of Commerce are making good on the promise to promote activities that will bring more folks to the community and the Square.

Invitations are being prepared for various tourist promoters to come to southwest Missouri and "Capture Carthage."

The plans for various Saturday activities on the Square are being finalized and details (rest room availability, street closings, promotional material) are bein’ attended to well in advance.

Some events will be more heavily spearheaded by one organization or the other, but there does appear to be an honest spirit of cooperation among all parties involved. City and County officials are on board. With a little luck, it should be the beginnin’ of another lastin’ tradition.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Oak Street health & herbs

Natural Nutrition

by Mari An Willis

Goldenseal provides support to sensitive mucous membranes. With all the cold and flu going around now, sensitive membranes of the nose, bronchials, stomach may respond very well. This herb is traditionally used to fight infections much as an antibiotic.

Astragalus is considered an adaptogenic herb. Used to support the lungs and spleen and to assist the body in dealing with environmental influences.

Pau D’Arco is frequently used by those who suffer from chronic yeast infections. Some have found it beneficial in the treatment of sinus conditions. It is also popular in Europe for antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Plantain will be showing up in our yards before much longer. It is considered an important first aid herb. The leaves have been used to help stop bleeding and promote healing . It is consiedred an astringent herb. Don’t put "broadleaf killer" on all of it, save some in case of bee sting or mosquito bites.

Mullein is already popping up. I tried for years to get one in my yard, now I have seen four baby plants scattered about. Mullein acts as an expectorant by bring up mucus. The oil of the flower relieves ear ache. When I was young, my Father discovered a small wart near my elbow and picked some mullein leif and rubbed it on my wart several times..no more wart.