Dally Recognition/Council Meeting.

A reception in honor of David Dally's long time service as Carthage City Attorney will be held this evening at 6 PM in Council Chambers prior to the regular City Council meeting. Dally notified the City of his resignation as City Attorney after being elected last November to the position of Judge of the Circuit Court, Circuit 29, Division 2. He will be sworn in on January 31.

The Council will take up its business at the regular 7:30 PM time. Under old business will be Council bill 98-76 which will amend the administration of the Parks and Recreation Department, eliminating a separate Park Board and placing the department under the direction of the Council's Special Services Committee. The bill will also bring the supervision of the Civil War Museum into the Committee's responsibilities.

The Council will also hear the second reading of the Council bill authorizing a contract with Parchman Construction for construction and repair of City owned sidewalks.

The Council will hear first readings of a bill to allow a special use permit for property located at 1110 E.13th requested by artCentral.

New Year's at Stone's Throw Theatre.

Acoustic guitar player, singer and song writer Mick Byrd from Vienna, Missouri, near St. Louis, will appear at Stone's Throw Theatre, December 31, from 8:00 until 9:00 P.M. as part of the theater's annual "nonalcoholic" New Year's Eve Party.

Also appearing will be members of the theater's UpSideDown Theater Company in a "Mystery by Moushey," "Murder, Medium Rare," an audience-participation comedy-mystery by the well-know author from Kent, Ohio.

A buffet will be served beginning at 9:00 PM.

Featured in the comedy are Betty Bell, William Roehling, Rick Schwab, Eric Conrardy, Elisia Conrardy, Rich, Lillard, Cynthia Jones, Kendra Dearing, and Robert Moritz. "Murder, Medium Rare," is directed by Sonya Kew.

According to Resident Director Henry Heckert, "We began this New Year's Eve event in 1995 in response to patron requests for something 'special' that didn't involve having to go to a bar or a supper club to enjoy oneself. The solving of a mystery has proved a prime attraction. This year's 'Moushey Mystery' involves the audience in finding a solution and a villain; then having the actors play out the show based on the audience's choice. Moushey is well-know for her repertoire of some thirty dinner-theater mysteries; we think this one will be quite enjoyable."

"As for Mick, owner of Time Out Records, in Vienna, he recently released his second CD 'No Frills,' to complement his first effort, 'Live at the Focal Point.' He is a Billboard Award winner for his song, 'Afternoon at the Wall.' His music is from the heart, very honest, and without sham. We are happy that he is going to be with us New Year's Eve," Heckert concluded.

Byrd and the UpSideDown Theater Company give one performance only, December 31, at Stone's Throw Theatre, West Old Highway 66 at 796 South Stone Lane, near the Carthage Municipal Park. Doors open at 7:30 PM. The theater will close at 12:30, after the new year is rung in.

Admission is $20.00 per person. Call 417-358-9665 for reservations, beginning December 21. Seating is limited to 80 patrons; reservations are always required.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

If you were out over the weekend, ya prob'ly noticed the pace pickin' up a little. Shoppers just seem ta have an edge on. I never had a serious collision, but a couple a close calls steppin' out from behind a display. Clerks seemed ta be holdin' up pretty well, but there was a little tension bein' displayed from time to time.

I suppose by now folks are no longer goin' out just ta browse, they either have somethin' in mind they are lookin' for, or are desperate to find anything that might be taken as a thoughtful gift.

Traffic seemed ta be pretty heavy out on the roads. Same attitude as in the stores. It was a good day ta be a little cautious. The weather will no doubt add to the hectic feel of the last few days 'fore Christmas, it may also offer a good excuse for not findin' that perfect present.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin'.

by

McCune Brooks Hospital

Health Notes

BAD AIR CAUSING FEWER HEIRS? Researchers at the North Shore University Hospital in Long Island, New York, believe they have a clue to a cause for the rising rate of male infertility, and the culprit may be no farther away than the next breath we inhale.

The principal investigator, Dr. Susan Benoff, says studies of men who seem to be infertile, "have toxic levels of metals like cadmium, zinc, and lead in their seminal fluid."

Dr. Benoff’s research also showed that varicoceles, a vascular abnormality often considered as a leading factor in male infertility, does not cause infertility alone. Infertility apparently occurs when varicoceles and evidence of environmental exposure to cadmium are both present.

Cadmium may enter the body from various sources, including incinerators, car pollution, manufacturing processes that release metal particles into the air and, from that most insidious of all sources, cigarette smoke. Benoff also cites disposal of reusable lead- or cadmium-based batteries for the increase of environmental pollutants.

The researchers also found that damage can occur even if the elements in the blood are well below the current permissible air exposure limits set by the Environmental Protective Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration . This means we may have to reset the limits higher.

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