Today's Feature

Dump Truck Stuff Continues.

Street Commissioner Tom Shelley reported another update on the dump truck situation during the Public Works Committee meeting held Tuesday afternoon. Shelley said he had received further communication from Steve Yancey from Fleet Sales in Springfield. Yancey submitted a dump truck bid for Lindsay Chevrolet in Lebanon which was not approved by the Public Works Committee. At the last Council meeting Yancey spoke in opposition to the Council’s approval of the dump truck recommended by Public Works saying that he was offended his bid had not been chosen.

Shelley stated that since the Council meeting Yancey had faxed him several times pointing out that the Freightliner M2-106 the City approved did not have a heavy duty automatic transmission as specified in the bid request. Shelley, with the help of Public Works director Chad Wampler researched the matter and found that Yancey’s statement was true and that the truck has an automated transmission instead. According to Shelley, an automated transmission categorically is a manual transmission, but the truck shifts itself and has no clutch pedal causing it to operate like an automatic.

Shelley spoke to the representative of Joplin Freightliner, who submitted the bid, about the discrepancy and the representative researched the matter further still. The representative, finding that this new information was true, said that he would upgrade the truck engine to an Allison 3500 RDS, which is a heavy duty automatic transmission thus meeting the bid specifications for the same price agreed upon in order to make it correct.

What I’ve noticed more than that in the last few days is cement trucks. They’re everywhere. Construction crews are takin’ advantage of the warmth to get those foundations or driveways poured ‘fore the cold shuts ‘em down again. Makin’ hay while the sun shines.

For most of us the warmth is a pleasant escape. For the construction it’s one more day that can move a project ahead. I’m sure some concrete can be cured in the cold, but it can’t be as handy as sunshine. The mild winter has real advantages, but I’m keepin’ my fly swatter handy.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Zinc is an important nutrient. It is a co-factor for the formation of DNA, RNA and protein. Zinc deficiency diminishes the immune system of the body, helping to prevent recurring infections. Zinc gluconate lozenges have been used in reducing symptoms of the cold and flu. It is probably due to the anti-viral effect and immune enhancing properties of zinc. Zinc can be supplemented or it is found in foods such as oysters, shellfish, legumes or fresh wheat bran.

Minerals are both natural and essential to the human body. If our intake is inadequate we do not operate at peak efficiency. We can supplement our diets with minerals which are often deficient in today’s produce and foods from a lack of minerals available in the soil.

Calcium is the major mineral in our bodies it is necessary for strong bones, helps blood coagulate, regulates nerves and muscles among other things. It is not easy to absorb and is inhibited by diets which contain large amounts of phosphorous (meat, soda pop, and sugar).

Chromium acts with insulin in sugar metabolism. A deficiency can cause diabetic-like symptoms.

Iodine is an essential for proper functioning of the thyroid gland. Iron deficiencies are quite common in women. Iron is needed to rebuild tissue and is essential for a strong immune system.

artCentral
artCentral Prerequisite: No Talent Required

There seems to be a long standing assumption operating in most folk’s minds that "to do" art, one must have talent. I disagree. Having taught hundreds of adult students over the past 29 years, I can tell you that most didn’t care if they had talent or not! They were too busy having a good time, playing with color, manipulating materials, and feeling alive!

For all of you out there who cannot imagine "doing" art because you have no "talent", I challenge you to take an art class.

Perhaps you’d like to try "How to Paint a Successful Landscape", a two-day workshop at artCentral on March 12 and 13, taught by Mary Ellen Pitts. This will be a relaxed workshop suitable for all levels of ability, in oil, acrylic, or pastel. Mary Ellen begins her workshop with a short demo and then provides lots of individual attention while you work at your own speed for the rest of the class time.

In April I will be teaching a 4-week class, "The Colorful Color Pencil", that is fun, easy, and I guarantee you will learn something about the properties of color. It will meet on Saturday mornings from 9:30am–noon.

Over the next few months, artCentral is developing a selection of art classes open to anyone, especially those who believe they have no talent. Please call 358-4404 and I’ll send you a schedule providing complete information about registration, fees, supplies, and the instructors.

See you in class!