Today's Feature

Glass Bid Approved.

Finance Personnel Committee Chair Ronnie Wells recommended a bid for the replacement of the arched window of City Hall at the City Council meeting last Tuesday evening.

According to Wells bids had been sent out to a number of glass repair businesses but only one bid had been returned. The bid was from Woody’s Glass in Carthage for the amount of $2,250. Wells informed the Council that the contingency fund had enough money to cover the repair costs and recommended the bid from Woody’s. The Council approved a motion to accept the bid.

Public Works Committee Chair Bill Johnson reported to the Council the proposal for a sign permit by initiated by Public Works Director Chad Wampler. Wells further stated the Committee had discussed the procedure of adopting regulations for placement and construction of signs and had scheduled an open forum meeting with contractors, developers and business owners for the next Public Works meeting on March 1.

The Public Safety Committee will meet Monday February 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Fire Department Building.

Sittin’ in English class one day, my brother noticed a foul odor sweeping by his desk. He looked around, tryin’ to get an indication of the source.

As he observed the class room, others were apparently getting the same sensation and began raising their heads and lookin’ around also. He says you could follow the circulation of the intruder up one row and across the room. Finally ever’one was lookin’ around except Harold. He was intently workin’ on his homework. Although no one heard anything, it soon became apparent who the culprit was. Ever’one knew, but couldn’t prove the act. It wasn’t until Harold finally erupted in a glowin’ smile that the case was closed. And the classroom door opened.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Air quality has been an issue for thousands of years. It has come to plague Carthage for the past couple of years. Too bad, as the air we breathe is the most important aspect of health. These issues were not ignored throughout history. Essential oils were often the answer. Not only did they make things smell better within the individual environment, but they also had therapeutic properties.

Essential oils are quite easy to use. Not that they should usually be diluted prior to using them directly on the skin. Depending on the oil, one can usually put about 4 drops diluted with a tsp. of a carrier oil such as almond, emu, peanut, or any cold pressed oil. These can be applied directly to soles of feet, pressure points or even worn around the neck from an infuser necklace. Room infusers are another option.

A most commonly used oil referenced in the Bible was Cassia, a plant cousin of cinnamon. Cassia was used as an anointing oil, but was also known to be a very effective antibacterial and antiviral agent. It also supports the immune system, it may protect against influenza and cold viruses. For easy, frequent use, just put a drop of lightly diluted Cassia oil on palm of hand, rub them together and then cup them over the nose and mouth and breathe deeply.

These oils should be pure and essential. No synthetics!

The beautiful mullein plant has been used in traditional herbal medicines as a support for the lungs. In Back to Eden by Jethro Kloss, (one of my personal favorite reference books), he states that "a tea of the leaves is very valuable in asthma, croup, bronchitis, all lung afflictions, difficulty breathing and hay fever.

artCentral

Attorney Bill Perry leaves law to practice art

On March 1, Bill Perry officially retires from his career in the courtroom to pursue his passion for the perfect print in the darkroom. His exhibition, "Visions Past" on exhibit at artCentral now through March 11, is the prelude to a busy year devoted to creating and promoting his black and white photography.

Since his first studio shoot in 1998, Bill has utilized time away from the demands of his law practice to take workshops from recognized teachers, while often trading a good night’s sleep for late-night experimentation in photographic processes. In just the past year, Bill has gone to large format prints "....to enhance the visual and emotional impact..." of the images. The large format also allows Bill to use "layer printing" to achieve unusual visual effects and tonal qualities.

Bill’s efforts have been worth it. As the consistent and sophisticated work in the artCentral show attests, he has developed his own visual voice and photographic style of portraying the human form. With his work represented by Ryan Gallery in Tulsa, an award gained at Spiva’s recent 57th Annual Membership Show, and a fall exhibition scheduled in Oklahoma City, Bill already enjoys recognition as a fine art photographer.

What’s next? "Other than the human form, I love horses." So this summer, Bill will be photographing models and horses as new subject matter. As for new techniques, he will be painting on the prints using an encaustic method. "It’s exciting," says Bill. "I’m ready for a new adventure!"