Today's Feature

"Show Me Proof" Program.

News release

The Missouri Department of Revenue today introduced the "Show Me Proof", a new, customer-friendly program that fine-tunes and simplifies the new "lawful presence" requirements to obtain a driver license, nondriver licence, or instruction permit. By creating the "Show Me Proof" program, the department has emphasized the three primary requirements; proof of lawful presence, proof of identity, and proof of residency.

"Show Me Proof" becomes effective July 1, 2005 and affects all Missouri driver license, nondriver license, and instruction permit holders.

To show proof of lawful presence, a U.S. Citizen may show a birth certificate issued by a state of local government (with an embossed or raised seal), a valid or expired U.S. passport, a Certificate of Citizenship, Certificate of Naturalization, or a Certificate of Birth Abroad. Proof of lawful presence is a one-time requirement.

To show proof of identity, a Social Security card or Medicare card with the customer’s current name can be presented. If the name on the Social Security card or Medicare card does not match the customer’s current name, additional documents must be presented to supply proof of the applicant’s name change. After showing proof of identity, the customer will only need to present proof of identity on future renewals should the customer’s name change.

To show proof of residence, customers will have a variety of options to prove their current address. Examples include a recent utility bill (including phone, electric, gas, water, sewer and cable), property tax receipt, or most recent bank statement, voter ID card or any official letter issued with in the last 30 days by another state or local governmental agency on its letterhead. Proof of residency will be required each time a customer applies to renew a driver license, nondriver license, or instruction permit.

If a customer visits a license office without appropriate proof of lawful presence, identity or residence, the customer can be given a 60-day extension on the expiration date of their license or permit.

Customers born in Missouri who must obtain a birth certificate may contact the Department of Health and Senior Services by calling (573) 751-6387 or (573) 751-6400 or by visiting the DHSS web site at www.dhss.mo.gov. Customers born outside of Missouri can find lists of appropriate state agencies in their state of birth at www.dcd.gov.

For more detailed information about the new identification requirements, including a guide to obtaining the required documentation, please visit the department’s web site at www.dor.mo.gov or call (573) 751-2730.

Stench Retreats.

It has been two weeks since the last odor complaint received by the Mornin’ Mail. Since Wednesday, June 15 no smell complaints have been filed. An employee of Renewable Environmental Resources was contacted and confirmed that the plant is still operational, adding that continued changes are being made in attempts of eliminating all odors. City Attorney David Mouton said that he had received a handful of complaints over the past two weeks. Mouton said he felt that the complaint numbers had definitely decreased as of late.

Junior Ranger Program.

News release

Session two of the Junior Ranger Program at George Washington Carver National Monument is scheduled for Saturday, July 9th, 16th, & 23rd from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This program is designed to provide boys and girls from 10 to 12 years of age direct experience working and learning in the outdoor classroom provided by the national park. A park ranger will supervise the students at all times.

Junior Rangers should expect to be outdoors for much of the program, exploring topics such as the mission of the National Park Service, the life and legacy of George Washington Carver, plant identification, aquatic life, and careers in the National Park Service. Junior Rangers who attend all three days of a session will receive a certificate and a commemorative T-shirt.

This program is free of charge, however, space is limited so please call the park between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to reserve a spot.

The monument is located two miles west of Diamond, Missouri on Hwy V, then south ½ mile on Carver Road. For more information, please call the park at 417-325-4151 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

I’m guessin’ the catch wasn’t made with a spinnin’ reel from a bass boat.

I don’t stay up with the latest in fishin’ tackle. All I know is how to unwind a fishin’ reel when it gets tangled up. I’ve had way too much practice at that.

I see that Kellogg Lake is bein’ fished pretty heavy in the evenin’s. Maybe there is a giant catfish or two left in the pond. I’m doubtin’ it’s a record setter, but from what I’ve seen, there are some in there that ‘ll give ya a good fight for some stink bait.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

We know that smells can effect our moods and bodies. We all seem a little more relieved that there is not the "stench" which was pulling us all down. We shed a tear when we smell onions, our appetite lessens when we smell burned food while it will increase with the aroma of your favorite food.

Aromatherapy is a gentle non- invasive natural healing art. It is used to promote general wellbeing. In recent years it has made a resurgance in popularity. It is not a new art, oils are mentioned in the Bible, they were used for barter and trade in ancient times and can be traced to pre-biblical periods in the Chinese culture.

Essential oils are generally absorbed through the skin. However, when we breathe in essential oils they may be absorbed through the nasal cavity and by many other organs. Peppermint oil is absorbed through the lungs and bronchial tract leaving one with a cool refreshed feeling. It has also been widely used to decrease the appetite.

My favorite use of the essential oils is in my bath and during a massage. To the bath I add just a few drops of lavendar oil which is very relaxing. If I need to be alert or it is a morning bath I am more apt to add rosemary which is stimulating and also helps to tighten varicose veins.

Oils frequently seen as an additive in shampoos, bath salts, baby bath and even gargles. Many books are available on the subject and good oils available at most health food stores.

artCentral

Summertime show celebrates and comments on American culture

Just in time for the Fourth of July, Joplin artist Jane Kleindl has installed an eclectic selection of her work at Shellie’s restaurant in Carthage. "A Slice of Americana: Mom, Apple Pie, and Baseball" includes 12 of Jane’s paintings which vary in size, style, and subject matter.

Those who prefer "traditional" art will appreciate Jane’s two classic still lifes which show off her ability to render diverse surfaces, textures, and light reflections. Her skills as a portrait painter are apparent in the "mother and child" paintings of herself, her daughter, and granddaughter as the subjects. Three smaller canvases—a foursome of teenagers, hands peeling apples, and a grouping of boats at the lake—are looser, more painterly in style.

Inspired by Pop Art, Jane has painted five very big, bold, and bright paintings of youngsters posturing as American superheros and sport stars, both real and imagined. These large-as-life depictions of kids dressed in red-white-and-blue, stars-and-stripes motifs exemplify the optimism, youthful excess, and bravado of American culture.

Each of Jane’s paintings touches on an attribute Americans hold dear—family, friendship, toughness, leisure, hard work, imagination, self-determination, reverence, and abundance. The artist paints with intention, and the titles of her paintings often hint at the message she wishes to convey. For this show, she has included a brief statement on some title cards, further prodding the viewer to consider other implications of her work. The exhibit continues through September 17.

PS: Don’t forget to sign up your favorite child for artCamp, starting July 18! 358-4404.