Today's Feature

RES Lawsuit Dropped.

A joint statement from Attorney General Jay Nixon and Carthage Mayor James Woestman released Thursday afternoon announces the dismissal of the lawsuit filed by those parties against Renewable Environmental Solutions (RES).

The statement reads:

"Since filing our public nuisance lawsuit against RES in April 2005, we have seen significant progress toward reducing odors and returning a higher quality of life to the residents of Carthage. This is due in part to the emission control improvements made at the RES plant that were required under the preliminary consent judgement we reached in May 2005. The improvements, which cost RES more than $3 million to implement, included a thermal oxidizer and a higher efficiency scrubber.

"These changes have resulted in a tangible improvement in the quality of life for those who live near RES. Because such significant progress has been achieved to make RES a good neighbor, we are today dismissing without prejudice our public nuisance lawsuit against the company.

"The residents of Carthage should be assured, however, that the City will not hesitate to refile our lawsuit if odors again become a problem. In addition, the prospect of RES paying a $25,000 penalty for each odor violation in the future over the next two years, and the record $100,000 penalty the company paid in June for past odor violations, serve as tremendous incentives for the company to comply with the law.

"This is an example of excellent state and local cooperation to solve a problem that had gone on for far too long, and we are pleased to have reached this resolution."

On Tuesday of this week, Bill Bryan from the Attorney General’s Office visited Carthage City Council to get input on the future of the lawsuit. Bryan told Council that the options for the suit included taking RES to trial or dismissing the lawsuit. The Council discussed with Bryan the potential outcome of dropping the case and Bryan said that if odor emission began again a new suit could be filed, adding that the City would still have the support of the Attorney General’s office.

"To Kill A Mockingbird."

Stone’s Throw Theater is proud to bring the classic civil rights courtroom drama "To Kill a Mockingbird", Christopher Sergel’s adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize winning book, and the Academy Award winning movie to our stage. Produced by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company. Our patrons will enjoy the Theatre’s African American Heritage Celebration, the 1930’s classic cars on display, visit exhibits on local African Americans featuring inventor George Washington Carver (including exhibits from the George Washington Carver National Park), ragtime composer James Scott, poet Langston Hughes and Time photographer/director Gordon Parks, and listen to musical performances by Kufara (African), Now or Never Gang (bluegrass), Joel Williams (ragtime) and other musical styles as well as African American themed presentations prior to the play each day of the performance.

Performances scheduled for September 7, 8,9,10 and September 14,15,16,17, 2005. Reservations are required and may be made by calling Stone’s Throw Theatre at 417-358-9665 or Betty Bell at 417-358-7268 or by e-mailing reservations to bbell23@ecarthage.com . The box office will be open beginning September 4 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon.

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday the Theatre doors open at 6:00 p.m. with dinner being served at 6:30 p.m. and the performance starting at 7:30 p.m. Sundays the doors open at 12:30 p.m. with dinner at 1:00p.m. and the performance starting at 2:00 p.m. Admission is $20.00 for adults 17-54, $19.00 for seniors over 55. Youth under 16 are $17.00, and children under 5 are free. Groups of ten or more receive a dollar discount per person.

Ticket demand has already exceeded our projections and sellouts are expected possibly for the entire run of the celebration. Advance ticket purchase is recommended.

The play features numerous unexpected twists, violence and has racially offensive language, but such was the reality in many parts of the deep South in the 1930’s.

Stench Report:

Thursday,
8/24/06

No Stench Reported on Carthage Square.

I understand that even some of the most outspoken have acknowledged that this summer has been fairly stench free. It’s doubtful that we are ever gonna sniff the same again after last year, but hopefully our acquaintance with foul odors won’t let us slide down the slippery slope into a pit of sludge.

Sniffers beware! Keep those outposts of vigilance alive and refresh your senses with deep breaths of fresh air. Lift your nose high in defense of the home front.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

I just finished gathering in my winter store of mullein and of boneset. It gives me a sense of security to have those herbs put away. Never fails that I end up fixing up a batch for a friend or family member when the time is right.

BONESET....(Eupatorium perfoliatum) is one of the best remedies for the flu and reducing fevers. It helps to stop the aches and pains associated with the flu. I like to add it to yarrow, which allows for the free flow of perspiration and helps to eliminate waste via the kidneys and pores. Boneset tea may also help those kids going through "growing pains."

MULLEIN....(Verbascum thapsus) grows in dry shallow earth. It is recognized by its large soft leaves and spike of yellow flowers. I have seen some plants about five feet tall. Mullein is known as non-habit forming pain killer. It calms a cough while helping to loosen mucus. I consider it a primary lung herb as it is known to reduce inflamed and irritated nerves. My Aunt used to tell us (not a proven fact) that long ago they located the tuberculosis hospital in Mt. Vernon because of the vast amount of mullein that grew in the area. It would be interesting if that were more than a rumor.

I took my Granddaughter on a float trip and swimming all day. Of course, I ended up with a bad sunburn. Found out that EMU OIL helped me keep from peeling. Only place I peeled was the places I couldn’t reach!

artCentral
Art Notes from Hyde House
By Sally Armstrong, Director of artCentral

It’s SHOWTIME once again. So far this year we have brought to the area a wonderful pastel show of fabulous dogs, a group of elegant and subdued oil paintings featuring interiors, an incredible Membership showing of various media, an abstract group of encaustic wax and oils of large proportions, and now our fifth show is upon us! The theme is wood— all kinds of wood. The sculptures number 42 and include all price points, so if you are interested in the beauty of natural wood and want to be amazed by the skill and technique of this fine artist, I hope you will make every effort to be with us for a while Friday night.

Larry Oliver is from Mansfield Missouri and is a professional wood sculptor of 32 years. A Colorado native who has been in the Ozark woods of Mansfield for 26 of those years, Larry has shown work in art shows all around the country, but not often in his own area. This is a chance to see something not usually available except in his studio. He will soon be moving Tanglewood Studio to Springfield, not to actually retire, but to take life a little easier. I thank him for his willingness to show at a time of flux in his life— making a move after 26 years is a huge undertaking, not to mention moving an art studio too!

Along with the sculptures will be some beautiful wood jewelry that he does as well, and this too will be offered for sale. His wife Ginny is never seen without a beautiful pair of his sculptural ear rings or pendant around her neck, and they truly are beautiful tiny works of art as well.

Along with Larry’s show in the Main Gallery will be a second show by Mike Shelton of Joplin. Mike is a new member of the board of artCentral and a fine artist, presenting in this offering, watercolors and ceramics. His things will be in the Member Gallery and later will travel to our satellite gallery, the Atrium Gallery in Sirloin Stockade on Central, after this show is completed. Opening night is Friday at 6:00 and the membership and general public are invited. This show will run during regular hours until September 23rd.