Today's Feature

Jail, Court Relocation Opposed.

During this week’s Council meeting, local lawyer Bill Lasley spoke against a proposal to relocate Jasper County jail and court operations out of the courthouses in Joplin and Carthage and into a new facility. The proposal was initiated by Jasper County law enforcement officials for the purpose of alleviating overcrowding in the county jails and courts and allowing for better monitoring of prisoners.

Lasley told the council he felt that moving the jail and court out of the County seat would have detrimental effects on the community.

"I think it’s a huge, expensive, unnecessary expenditure which would be devastating to both Carthage and Joplin," said Lasley.

According to Lasley, the current locations of the jails and court facilities generate direct and indirect business in the both Carthage and Joplin. Other concerns cited by Lasley included the implementation of a sales tax that would be required to fund the construction, and the state requirements for jails and courts to be located within the county seat. Lasley urged the Council to consider opposing the project.

Jasper County Presiding Commissioner John Bartosh said in a recent interview that he could not understand Lasley’s concerns. Bartosh said that the proposal is still in the planning and research phase, adding that no action is being taken on the matter. Bartosh clarified that before any decision is made the matter must also be put to a public vote.

Bartosh said that as the county has two courthouses, one in Joplin and one in Carthage, the proposed structure would be allowed to be built within the city limits of either town according to State statutes. Bartosh added that, in his opinion, moving the court and jail would not have a significant impact on Carthage, adding that the commissioners, county recorder and several other county offices would still be located in the courthouse building if the move is approved.

Jasper County Sheriff Archie Dunn reiterated Bartosh’s comments that the project was still being researched. Dunn said that a committee was being formed to explore the possibilities. That committee will meet soon with an architect to discuss the planning of the structure itself.

According to Dunn, the proposal would relocate the Sheriff’s office, juvenile office, juvenile detention, prosecuting attorney’s office, circuit clerk office, and the county judges’ offices in addition to the county jail and courtrooms. Dunn added that no location had been chosen for the proposed building, but that it would need to be in an area with sufficient utilities and easy access to main roads and highways.

City Administrator Tom Short indicated that the Council would require time to study the potential impact before taking a stance on the matter.

YMCA Healthy Kids Day.

News release

The Fair Acres Family YMCA will join more than 1,500 YMCAs nationwide in the 16th annual YMCA Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 14. An opportunity for kids and families to "Put Play in Their Day," this special event uses free, fun, engaging and creative activities to encourage children and families to adopt behaviors that support a healthy lifestyle.

Activities taking place during YMCA Healthy Kids Day will include a children’s health fair featuring the Carthage Police Department, Jasper County Health Department, Wal-Mart Vision and others. The first 50 children participating in the fair will receive a free t-shirt. Registration for a new program, Discover Active, will also take place at the event. Discover Active supports the YMCA Activate America initiative by introducing and encouraging physical activities that focus on having fun rather than on competition. This program is offered to children ages 7-11 and sign-ups are currently under way.

For more information about YMCA Healthy Kids Day, call Fair Acres Family YMCA at 358-1070 or visit www.fairacresymca.org.

Branson is a fine place, say most of ‘em, but you can see that kind of thing even in the big cities. Carthage still has the authentic small town feel. People respond to that and enjoy explorin’ the community.

We don’t have ta look for things ta put in Carthage to attract tourists. We’ve already got what they’re lookin’ for. What we have to be careful of is keepin’ what we got. It’s great to get the word out and let ‘em know what we’ve got and encourage them to stop by. When they return home, we get to stay and enjoy the Carthage quality of life, and they take some lifelong memories.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Natural Nutrition
By Mari An Willis

Essential oils are playing an important part in treating many conditions. If yeast infections are a problem for you it has been suggested that using antifungal essential oils such as lavender, myrrh and/or a dilution of tea tree oil either in baths or rubbed on the abdominal area could lend some relief. Be sure to dilute essential oils. Good oils for dilution are apricot, avocado and almond. They can be purchased in the cooking section for a price break. Cold pressed is a must.

If you are trying to incorporate tofu into your diet and don’t know how, buy a good cookbook. You will be amazed how easy it is to use. If you have tried only the stuff in aseptic packages you are missing out. Get some that is fresher and waterpacked. Fresh is a key word. Try this for a quick dish. Rinse the tofu with fresh water then marinate in small amount of tamari sauce (lower salt than soy) for a few hours. Dice up any fresh veggies you have on hand. Get the oil very hot and then throw in your tofu and veggies and cook until tender. Yummy and easy. If you have leftovers, try putting them in pita bread with some lettuce and sprouts.

The tomatoes and new potatoes are so good, but they can aggravate an arthritic condition. If you notice aches and pains, you may be having a food reaction.

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

As the time of the opening for the next show approaches, the walls here at Hyde House are being patched and painted to get ready for the mostly "pedistal-display" of ceramics and pottery of the Midwest Clay Artists. There will be work submitted by 18 of the 25-30 members of this organization of potters from the four state area. I have now the happy job of choosing from among the many submitted pieces and deciding what will best work together for form a cohesive show, and a challenge I have too! All of the work I have seen thus far, and I lack 4 artists’ work as I write this, is very unique and interesting.

Websters uses the words "pottery" and "ceramics" interchangedly. I personally think of pottery as a rougher craft, producing a bit more unique and rustic piece, and ceramics, the use of the finer white clays- porcelain glazes, and finishing in a bit more refined way. In fact, both simply mean "clay hardened with fire."

Another of the artists is Brent Skinner of Diamond, MO. He has been in the art of pottery for some 20-25 years, having spent much time in the employ of Silver Dollar City as a "fine craftsman potter". Brent is a raku and glaze specialist, using several glazes that he has created and perfected in raku firing. His exhibits have been many and include Omaha, Kansas City and Oklahoma City, and he currently shows at a gallery in Eureka Springs, Ar.

Ft. Scott potter Bobbi Kemna first used clay as a stress management tool! "I am not a functional potter--- round bowls bore me, but I really enjoy the handbuilding method." She has work in many states all across the country and including England and Hawaii. " I turned an old rock house built in 1862 into my studio and gallery, and it is open when I am there and by appointment."

Frank A. Pishkur is originally from Indiana, and is currently assistant Professor of Art at Missouri Southern. He graduated in 1992 and has his graduate degree, MFA, in Pottery. His art journey includes teaching for a time in Korea, shows in Louisiana and Indiana, and two years in this area which include lots of shows and workshops. His specialty is surface texture and celadon glazes and his work exhibits an Asian influence.

Jed Schlegel is a native Saginawian, and has worked in ceramics since high school as a self-taught artist. His work many times is both wheel thrown and containing hand-build portions. Jed specializes in larger pieces, many times wall-hung and very artistic in style. He is in possession of various awards from many shows and has a charming studio in Saginaw, MO.

The Midwest Clay Artists have existed informally for a longer time, but have just re-organized in the past year as an official art organization. They meet monthly in studios or at shows and exhibits, pay dues of $20.00 per year, hold 3-4 shows and sales per year. The current President is Sylvia Shirley of Pittsburg, KS. Membership is open to any area potter.