Art in the Park.

In conjunction with National Park Week, George Washington Carver National Monument invites the public to the third annual Art in the Park Day. Held on Saturday, April 25th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., this free event celebrates the artwork of George Washington Carver.

George Washington Carver was inspired by the natural environment and gained a sense of serenity and personal rejuvenation from his artistic work. Like Carver, artists will be set up across the park grounds, drawing inspiration from nature. Hands-on workshops will be provided throughout the day and all visitors are encouraged to participate. Workshops will feature techniques in acrylics, oils, pastels, clay, pencil, natural dyes, and watercolors.

The event will also feature Wil Clay, a professional storyteller and illustrator of Toledo, Ohio. Mr. Clay will present a storytelling session and two workshops on portrait drawing. Visitors will have an opportunity to visit with Mr. Clay about his original paintings of George Washington Carver which were recently published in a new book entitled A Man For All Seasons: The Life of George Washington Carver.

An unveiling ceremony will take place at 10:00 a.m. in the visitor center. Artist CJ Kindy, Eikins, Arkansas, will present her awarding winning Carver mural, The Spirit of Giving. Ms. Kindy is the winner of the 2008 Thomas Hart Benton Festival’s mural competition.

A special exhibit, Expressions of the Soul, will feature artistic creations by George Washington Carver, including some of his original artwork on display for this special day.

This is also National Junior Ranger Day with a special Junior Ranger booth and hands-on art activities. Children can earn their own Junior Ranger badge and other fun items. Special "Kids Only" art workshops will be offered!

George Washington Carver National Monument preserves the birthplace and childhood home of George Washington Carver. The monument is located two miles west of Diamond, Missouri on Hwy V, then south ½ mile on Carver Road. For more information, please call the park at 417-325-4151 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

I think one of the biggest breakdowns ‘tween generations is bein’ bored. I hear frequently that a big problem with teenagers is this state of mind. I can vaguely remember a time or two when that thought may have crossed my mind, but it never was a lingerin’ problem. On the contrary, the "problem" I was faced with has always been havin’ enough time to do the stuff I thought was important at the time. ‘Course a lot of times that was prob’ly pretty’ borin’ stuff.

They say that a good portion of bein’ happy is based on expectations. If you expect to make a dollar and ya get two, you’re happy. If ya expect to make four and only get two you’re sad. ‘Course nowadays, if ya expect ta buy anything with two dollars, you’ve just lost touch with the borin’ facts of reality.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Metcalf Auto Supply

Sponsored by Curry Automotive

CLICK and CLACK

TALK CARS

by Tom & Ray Magliozzi

Dear Tom an Ray:

I have a soldier who mistakenly poured a gallon of antifreeze in his crankcase. He then started and ran the car for several minutes. I think he is probably "up the creek" and will have to get a new engine. What’s you opinion? - Peter

RAY: Well, Sarge, I can tell by your relaxed, understanding attitude that it wasn’t YOUR car he poured the antifreeze into!

TOM: The car might be fine. While antifreeze isn’t as good a lubricant as oil, it does have lubricating properties.

RAY: So it’s nowhere near as bad as putting, say, water in the crankcase. Or Cream of Wheat.

TOM: And if he really ran the engine only for several minutes - and a lot depends on his definition of the word "several" - he might not have cooked the bearings.

RAY: If a cloud of blue smoke is following him everywhere he goes, that’s a sign that he’s burning oil, and the rings and bearings were damaged.

TOM: The definitive test is an oil pressure test. Have him borrow an oil pressure gauge. You unscrew the oil pressure switch, and screw the gauge in it’s place.

RAY: We don’t know what the psi for his car should be, but we’re pretty sure it’s not zero!

TOM: If the psi is up to spec, he’s fine. If it’s on the low end, he can try using a thicker oil while he attempts to unload the car on someone of lower rank.

RAY: But, it it’s below spec, he’s cooked. Since it’s probably burning oil and blowing blue smoke to beat the band, he may be able to sell the car to the Army for use in camouflage duty putting out a smokescreen to protect you guys from being spotted by the enemy.

NASCAR THIS WEEK

By Monte Dutton

The Torch Has Passed

MARTINSVILLE, Va. -- It’s a familiar scene: Jimmie Johnson, Chad Knaus and Rick Hendrick, enjoying a victory. At Martinsville Speedway, it’s become the norm. Johnson has claimed five of the past six Sprint Cup races at the oldest track still active on the Sprint Cup Series.

Johnson has won with ease and difficulty, joyous triumphs alternated with wistful remorse stemming from the Hendrick Motorsports plane tragedy near here in 2004. He’s been both counted out and presumed too early. At the end of long, taxing days at one of NASCAR’s more exhilarating tracks, Johnson repeatedly emerges victorious.

Thus, the victories have begun to run together. Martinsville winners receive $11,000 grandfather clocks for their achievements. Johnson must have ringing in his ears.

Not many drivers learn the nuances of winning at Martinsville. Only two active drivers have won more than twice at the paper-clip-shaped oval. Jeff Gordon, Johnson’s teammate, has won seven times here, but it’s taken him 33 tries. Johnson’s six victories have all come in a span of 15 Martinsville races. That’s enough to convince Gordon.

"He really has just dominated and taken a hold of this place," said Gordon of Johnson, who has risen from 19th to fourth in the points standings in just three weeks.

Gordon still leads the points, but it will take more than repeated top-five finishes to keep Johnson, who is going for a fourth consecutive championship, at bay. Gordon knows this. The 142 points separating them might as well be fog or mist. Everything starts over with the Chase in the fall. Even at this early point in the season, it’s obvious that Gordon and Johnson are going to make the Chase.

Gordon needs to see Victory Lane, too, and it’s been 47 races now.

It doesn’t help that they’re friends. Not anymore. Gordon remains the greatest driver of his generation. Forty-seven races without a victory is a drought, a famine and a pestilence combined for a man who has won 81 times in his career.

What Gordon must prove is that this is still his generation.