Celebrating Diversity.

The third annual Festival of Friends will be held September 20 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. in Memorial Hall. The multicultural festival is designed to celebrate the growing diversity of southwest Missouri and increase awareness of different cultures by sharing cultural displays, music and food.

Those attending the festival will get a "festival passport" and have the opportunity to meet and talk with local residents representing their countries as they travel from country to country.

The festival will feature hundreds of unique artifacts, native clothing, fine arts, tapestries, jewelry, photos, videos, music instruments, books, woodworking, and numerous other items on display.

This year there will also be stage performances representing Native American Indians, two groups of Mexican Dancers, and the Marimba band Kufara which features music from North Africa as well as others.

Last year’s event in Carthage was attended by over 700 people.

Food samples, freshly brewed Columbian coffee, and candies, will be available courtesy of exhibitors.

artCentral Artists Represented in MGA.

By Lee Sours, artCentral

The 26th annual Midwest Gathering of the Artists show and sale will be held this Friday and Saturday, Sept.5th and 6th from 10am.-5pm. There will also be an auction at 7:30 Saturday evening. This year there are eleven artCentral members participating in the show. Be sure to note the change in location this year. It will be held in the Fairview Christian Church Community Center. Good luck to all our artists! For all of us art appreciators it is a great opportunity to see a wonderful exhibit.

Showing next at artCentral will be the works of two highly acclaimed pastel artists. Mary Ellen Pitts of Neosho and Julie Mayser from Arkansas will be showing their work together in the Main Gallery. An artists’ reception will be held Friday, Sept. 12 from 6-8pm.

We are still working on the Wine Tasting Event to be held in October during the Maple Leaf Festival. Please plan on supporting the arts and participating in this event through a donation and/or attendance. Non-profit organizations need all the help they can get, but most importantly, it should be a lot of fun too.

HOURS: Tue. – Fri. 11 - 5

Sunday 12 -5 Closed Mon. and Sat. 1110 E 13th 358-4404 ozarkartistscolony.com

This weekend is the chance to see onea the largest collections of original art in this part of the country. The 26th Midwest Gathering of the Artists looks to be an outstandin’ representation of a variety of artistic expression.

The show will be held in the Fairview Christian Church Community Center this year and will be open today and tomorrow for free admission.

The Saturday evenin’ Art Auction will begin with Hors d’ oeuvres at 6 with the sale startin’ at 7. There is a $16 admission for the sale and Hors d’ oeuvres (I just wanted to see if I could spell that again).

So if you’re lookin’ to purchase that unique art piece or just wanna spend a few hours browsing’ the work of near forty artists, take time this weekend.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Oak Street health & herb

Natural Nutrition

By Mari An Willis

Ginkgo Biloba is an herb which has received much attention lately for its ability to bring a greater blood supply to the brain, thus increasing the rate at which information is transmitted to the nerve cell level. This means Ginkgo may be of great benefit in many cases of senility, dementia or when the brain needs a boost of energy. In the book Encyclopedia Of Natural Medicine, Drs. Michael Murray and Joseph Pizzorno describe other conditions for which it may be beneficial. This book also has a wonderful reference section listing the clinical studies performed using many herbs. Worth a look for those of us who prefer to have some documentation of an herb’s worth according to today’s standards.

This is still the time of year when people are dealing with hay fever and other allergies. Fenugreek is an excellent choice for using as a gargle for sore throat and to help clear the mucous from the bronchial passages. The seed of the plant is used for stomach problems and is cooling and soothing to any passage.

Catnip is another herb you may want to consider during the start of the fall season. The Indians used it for infant colic, but it has been reported to us as also being used to help colds. Drink as a warm tea when you notice the first symptoms. It helps with fatigue and circulation. It is said to help with the aches, pains, upset stomach and diarrhea associated with the flu. We are approaching the season where these "bugs" will be visiting from time to time.

* This article is meant for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. References available by request.