Today's Feature

Requested More Information.

The City Council Public Works Committee met last week in a regular session and discussed a proposal that would make accommodations for a horse-drawn carriage near the Carthage Square. The committee took no action on the proposal, but agreed that it would need written documentation of the request as well as further time for discussion.

Earlier in the week the Public Safety Committee approved a parking place for a horse and carriage, on the Northwest corner of the square as requested by Darrell McClanahan of Giddyup Carriage Co. That committee referred McClanahan to the Public Works committee for discussion about placement of a hitch near the parking place, and the installation of a semi-permanent box to house a trash receptacle and water for horses.

The Public Works Committee discussed possible placement for a hitch, which would be made of 2" pipe and would stand approximately 3.5’ tall. The committee asked several questions about the semi-permanent box, and expressed concerns about the width of the sidewalk, and the location of the box. It was agreed that the location would need to be studied further, and the committee agreed to continue discussions at a later date.

Just our regular reminder to be sure and check out the shops here in Carthage for your Christmas shoppin.’ If ya haven’t been on the Square recently, you might be surprised at the variety of items now available.

Other shops in town have popped up over the last year so be sure and make the rounds to find those gifts ya might not find in the bigger stores.

Remember that folks visitin’ may not know all that Carthage has to offer ‘em. The more they know about, the more likely they are to do a little explorin’. And there’s plenty of territory to be explorin’ here.

‘Course the more sales tax generated in the City, the less pressure there is to look to other forms of revenue to support the services we take advantage of.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

This Is A Hammer
By Samantha Mazzotta

Water Conservation Begins at Home

This year saw unprecedented water shortages in the Southeast, as drought and a battle over available supplies took its toll on the region. The crisis drew attention to the impact of both individual water use and large-scale water management. But while it appeared to be limited to just one area of the U.S., the water crisis should alert all of us to the importance of this resource and how everyone must work to preserve clean drinking water for all.

Individual conservation efforts do have an impact on the water supply. But it must go beyond limited outdoor watering. Conservation needs to come indoors as well and be a part of the everyday routine. Things like turning the water off while brushing one’s teeth, saving grey water (water from laundry rinse cycles, bath water, even dish rinse water) and collecting rainwater to water plants, lowering the fill level in the toilet tank, and so on.

In fact, if you really want to see how far you can stretch a gallon of water, turn off indoor water for a day and collect all of your water from an outdoor faucet. You’ll discover many ways to clean and cook with that limited supply.

Water conservation can and should go beyond individual effort, however. Many cities are plagued by degrading infrastructure -- broken water mains, burst steam pipes and myriad supply leaks are common. One of the most effective ways to resolve these large-scale water supply issues is for individuals to get involved in their local government. Attend town meetings, organize or join a local conservation group, and lobby for better efforts by officials to resolve infrastructure problems that waste millions of gallons of water every year.

HOME TIP: To reduce water use, install aerators with flow restrictors on older faucets throughout your home.

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

As promised, some words today about our upcoming show to open on November 30th with Joplin artist Donna Roberts. In her home studio, Donna paints with watercolor, acrylics, ink and mixed media. She has been painting in these medias for about 20 years expressing her personal view of people, places and objects. She and her husband have been involved in medical mission trips to Jamaica and the West Indies and she likes to portray the unique characteristics of the people and places they have encountered there. Other travels, grandchildren, friends and local gardens and landscapes and also favorite subjects of hers. She says, "Often I will set up a challenge using different paper, canvas, board, medium, technique or subject. This leads me into experimental work with acrylics and inks." Her work varies between abstract with vibrant colors and realism in softer hues. Over the years she has attended workshops by specific artists whose work she has admired, including Jerry Ellis, Shelia Parsons, Jim Kosvanec, Stephen Quiller, Louise Cadillac, Hugh Greer and Charles Harrington. Most recent awards include one at the MOWS membership show in Columbia, MO in September for a transparent watercolor painting, "ZINNIA LANDING". She also recently had a show of several paintings at HOMETOWN BANK in Neosho, and at the Twin Hills Country Club in Joplin. Her work can be viewed at Cleo’s Framing and Gallery in Joplin and online at www.ozarkartistscolony.com and www.mowsart.com . This show, entitled "A PIGMENT OF MY IMAGINATION" will include work in several medias. The artists’ reception begins Friday, November 30th at 6:00 pm and the public is invited to attend. This is our holiday show, and the last show of this year. Next week, I will tell you about the second artist who will be exhibiting this time as well, and some special events we will be involved with during the Christmas season.