A resolution supporting the question of a sales tax being placed on the November ballot to improve the Carthage Public Library passed with a 6-4 vote Tuesday night at the City Council meeting.

According to Library President Leann Brown the Library Board will be asking for a 3/16th cent Storm Water and Local Parks sales tax increase to be used for renovation, expansion, and operation of the Library. A simple majority is required for the tax to pass.

There were concerns raised by the council regarding the proposal. Council member J.D. Whitledge said that he did not think the economy was stable enough to ask for a tax increase. Whitledge also stated that he was uncomfortable using a storm water and local parks sales tax for improvement of the library, other Council members supported his position.

The resolution was only to show the intent of the council so the Library Board could begin fund-raising and planing. A vote to actually put the purposed sales tax on the ballot is not likely until after the April 8 city elections.

Pastel Exhibit Opens Tonight.

By Lee Sours, artCentral

The works of the Ozark Pastel Society will be featured at artCentral’s Hyde House Gallery from February 28 through April 4. The following is a statement from the Pastel Society of America: "Pastel does not at all refer to pale colors, as the word is commonly used in cosmetic and fashion terminology. The name pastel comes from the French work pastische because the pure, powdered pigment is ground into a paste, with a small amount of gum binder; and then rolled into sticks. The infinite variety of colors in the pastel palette range from soft and subtle to bold and brilliant."

The Ozark Pastel Society members who will be exhibiting their work include the following: Julie Mayser, Jodie Taylor, Wanda Roe, Julene Baker, and Mary Talbert all of Arkansas. From Missouri we have Thomas DeCleene, Mary Ellen Pitts, Pam Leisenring and Dan McWilliams. Linda Stair’s home is in Oklahoma but she is currently painting and teaching art classes in Texas.

Upstairs in the Member’s Gallery we have the acrylic paintings of David Winward. He lived in Germany in the 1980’s and his show will feature "Scenes of Germany."

The artists’ reception will be from 6pm to 8pm tonight at artCentral. Come sample the hors d’oeuvres, meet some artists, and view some great work.

HOURS: T – F 11 - 5

Sunday 12 -5 Closed Mon. and Sat.

1110 E 13th • 358-4404

ozarkartistscolony.com

One a the staples of the playground equipment is a board sittin’ on a suspended pole. The teeter-tatter. Of course there is a large variety of activities that such a contraption can be used for, the least of which is simply sittin’ on it and pushin’ up and down. Amateur teeter-tatter stuff.

A more advanced alternative is to ride a bicycle up and over the board. Occasionally attempting to stop at the pivot and balance while not puttin’ the feet down. An impressive feat for the younger set.

Older youngsters, who prefer talkin’ more than playin’, sometimes would lay on the board, head to head, and try to balance as they conversed.

Sometimes I wonder if high tech is all it’s cracked up to be. Havin’ fun used to be so simple.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Oak Street health & herbs

Natural Nutrition

by Mari An Willis

UNCLE!!!! Winter has twisted my arm for the last time this year....I hope. Too cold for my liking. Don’t forget the warming herbal teas such as ginger or chai.

Some interesting facts show up in hair analysis. One test that recently showed elevated aluminum levels got me to thinking about the many ways we inadvertently consume and consequently absorb things we do not want in any quantity stored in our bodies. Since most of us threw away aluminum cookware many years ago, what could be the ready sources now? Well, the most obvious is soda from aluminum cans. Then what about those handy juice packets tucked into the school lunch or snack bags? What about baking powder? and deodorants? and a myriad of things you will think about? Boggles the mind when we really think about what we voluntarily consume.

One simple thing to protect our health would be to wash all food containers before opening them. Yep! that simple. A stock clerk died after exposure to rat or mouse droppings while cleaning a stockroom. The Center for Disease Control in Atlanta was notified. Shortly afterward they did an investigation of the tops of soda cans and discovered toxic levels of dried rat urine. Their suggestion was if one cannot wash cans with soap & some water, to at least drink from a straw. Most consumable products are stored in giant stockrooms prior to distribution to any retailer. Food for thought.