Main Street Carthage Initiates Morning Coffees.

An initial series of four morning coffees sponsored by Main Street Carthage will begin tomorrow morning at the Fix Coffee Shop on the Square.

Richard Card, a volunteer with the Family Literacy Council will lead tomorrow's discussion concerning the "Hispanic Culture and its impact on Downtown Carthage".

Card had developed a very diversified retail business background from acquisitions and start-ups to growing established stores since his graduation from Carthage High School and Southwest Missouri State University according to information distributed by Main Street Carthage. Recently he has volunteered with Hispanic immigrants teaching English language skills and counseling them in employment, education, financial, and consumer issues.

The workshop is free and begins at 7:00 a.m. Card will talk for approximately thirty minutes followed with a fifteen minute question and answer period. Coffee and breakfast will be available at regular prices.

Upcoming topics include "Fraud and Counterfeit Money" and the role of downtown Carthage in the City's Vision Plan.

Commentary

Bubs Hohulin

State Representative, District 126

The inmates are running the asylum. How many times have you heard that cliche? If you would replace the word asylum with "Missouri’s prisons" that saying would be true.

Recently, about fifty inmates staged a sit down strike at one of Missouri’s prisons. Their gripe? No, it wasn’t physical abuse by guards, it wasn’t poor food, it wasn’t even being deprived of a sweat lodge to perform religious ceremonies. Come to think of it, that would make a column itself. No, it was that the prisoners took exception to their clothes! There had been an order issued that prisoners in the work areas would have to wear orange jumpsuits so the guards and others would be able to more easily identify who was a prisoner and who wasn’t. To me that sounds reasonable, and in fact practical. The prisoners didn’t seem to think so. They held their strike and said they wanted to air their concerns. They said the orange jumpsuits were unnecessary and demeaning. Excuse me? Demeaning? This is, after all, prison. It was never intended to be a weekend in the Hamptons!

There is a reason these folks are in prison and it is not because they were model citizens. Believe it or not, this administration gave into their demands and the orange jumpsuits are back on the hangers. We were told that three of the more rowdy ones had their privileges taken away though. Is it just me or does something seem wrong here? We have the town of Republic being sued over the use of a centuries old religious symbol in its seal, a judge in Alabama being told he can’t display the Ten Commandments in his courtroom, a picture of Jesus removed from a school, towns all over America being told they can’t display Nativity scenes, and yet we are going to let prisoners tell the system what they will and won’t wear!

We hear all the moaning and see all the hand wringing about why has America lost its values and become so violent. I don’t think we have to look very far to see what has happened. We see all the proposals to fix the situation and they all involve some new government program and new spending. We are told we can’t hurt anyone’s self esteem. We have to be tolerant and understanding. How about if we start holding people responsible for their actions? How about if we finally recognize what our parents and grandparents have known all along; that we have to come out and say that there is right and there is wrong, there are not so many gray areas. It would be a lot cheaper and much more effective.

I intend to question officials from the Dept. of Corrections to see why we are being so lenient. I just hope I get to them quick enough before they hire Calvin Klein to design next year’s latest fashion in prison apparel.

As usual I can be reached at House Post Office, State Capitol, Jefferson City, MO 65101, or 1-800-878-7126 or mhohulin@services.state.mo.us for your questions, comments, or advice.

Blunt Expands Procurement Conference.

Tips on International Trade, government Contracting To Be Discussed.

Southwest Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt will give local businesses and entrepreneurs the opportunity to learn how to provide goods and services to more than 20 federal government agencies at a September 4, 1998 Procurement Conference in Springfield's Ramada Inn North (2808 North Glenstone).

"Last December more than 100 people expressed interest in doing business with the federal government in two seminars about the requirements and opportunities to bid on federal contracts," Blunt said. "The September 4 Procurement Conference expands on that to put interested businesses in direct touch with government buyers and prime contractors for several federal agencies." Missouri's State Director of Procurement will also be attending, along with representatives from the Small Business Administration, and the Institute for Procurement Assistance. The conference will provide tips on international trade, government contracting, selling goods and services close to home and networking with government buyers and contractors.

"The federal government buys billions of dollars in services and products every year - everything from space satellites, to ping-pong balls to carpet cleaning supplies," Blunt said. "The Procurement Conference will give Southwest Missourians the direct contacts and information to compete for services and products the federal government buys everyday."

Special guests for the Procurement Conference include Rear Admiral Richard Ginman, who is the Deputy for Acquisition and Business Management for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy. Ginman oversees contracting for more than $40 billion in weapon systems, supplies and services annually.

Congressman Jim Talent is the luncheon speaker at the one-day conference. Talent, from Missouri's Second Congressional District, chairs the House Small Business Committee. Talent has championed the rights of small business against the tax and regulatory system.

There is a $25 registration fee for the Procurement Conference. Pre-registration is required. For more information contact the Joplin or Springfield Constituent Service Centers at 417-781-1041 or 417-889-1800.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

I'd have ta guess that most parents are near ready for the kids ta get back ta gettin' a good learnin'. At least the idea of gettin' back on the somewhat regular schedule of it all has ta be a matter of a relief for most.

From my understandin', summer vacation from school was originally put in place so that kids could help out on the farm durin' the harvest season. 'Course that was when over 90% of folks 'round here depended on the land for a livin'. Now that less than 2% of the population lives on workin' farms, some have suggested keepin' kids in school year 'round. There are prob'ly some good arguments for such a set up, real logical type arguments. I figure there are some things that are better learned outside the school settin'. Baseball, fishin', and bicycle ridin' for instance. Guess I'm just a traditional guy.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin'.

by

McCune Brooks Hospital

Health Notes

It’s expected that we could have one of the most severe allergy and hay fever seasons in years this fall, which means sniffling, wheezing, coughing, etc., for some 72 million Americans.

The following tips could help avoid or minimize the miseries: Rain can wash pollen out of the air, and keep it pollen free for several hours. However, if your allergy involves molds, this is not a good time to be outdoors since molds thrive in damp conditions. Most pollens are carried by the wind. If you have pollen allergies, avoid outdoor activities or exercising on windy days.

Avoid sitting on the grass. If no bench is available, sit on a blanket to avoid direct contact with pollen. Create a Sneeze-Free Zone by putting plants in your garden that are pollinated by insects instead of those that rely on the wind for pollination. Remember that the brighter the plant, the more likely it is to be pollinated by insects. When you’re outside, especially on windy days, wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from pollen. Also, when gardening or doing yardwork, wear gloves and never, ever touch your eyes! It’s also a good idea to wear a particle mask to filter pollens, molds and other allergens from the air, especially if you’re moving the lawn or raking leaves.

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