Over 60 Center Expansion.

The City Council voted Tuesday at their regular meeting to begin the process of applying for grants to fund an expansion of the Over 60 Center. According to City Administrator Tom Short, the grant process approved by state and federal policy must be followed to be able to recoup expenditures if the grants are allowed.

Department of Engineering Director Joe Butler told the Special Services Committee on Monday that the preliminary indications are that the expansion will cost close to $300,000. The City purchased land adjacent to the Over 60 Center late last year and plan to remove the house currently sitting on the property. No other funding has been identified for the project.

According to Short, the Community Development and Block Grants are available, but all Cities in Missouri are in the competition for the funds. No matching funds are necessary, said Short, but the grants are awarded on a points system and contributions of money and in-kind work do add points to an application.

The Over 60 Center is operating at near capacity according to Mayor Johnson.

Two New Exhibits & Tons of Art!

by Robin Putnam, artCentral

We have quite a busy next few weeks !! Wasn't that a great article on Matt ! He is now cruising somewhere in the Carribbean......it sounds like a dream vacation but you should consider what he must be feeling like since he gets sea sick !!!

Some people just can't win !! Matt has been a wonderful assistant director for us. His being there has really been a HUGE help !! We just love him !!

The group exhibit with Bill Snow, Penny Wilkinson, Jorge Leyva and Perry Fleming ended today. We thank all the artists for their support and we REALLY thank all those generous souls who purchased artwork !! By selling a few pieces from each show we have been able to keep a small balance in our checkbook without having to transfer from our savings account !! Isn't that too cool !! One day we may actually get to take from our checking and add to our savings !! When that happens we will really celebrate !!!

Tomorrow.....Saturday the 12th.......two Art Forum members will be at the gallery to accept entries for the 'Unveiled" exhibit. If you plan to enter just take your work to the gallery between 9am and 3pm. Entries will be accepted next Tuesday as well. If your not going to take your work until Wednesday remember......it must be there before 10am as the hanging committee will be getting started by then. We hope to have a fabulous exhibit and want any and all to participate. Entry fees are just five dollars per piece ! What a bargain !! This will just cover the costs Art Forum incurred in printing and mailing the call for entries.

All new art work at Shellie's !! It went soooo smoothly !! All artists picked up their work on time and the new artists delivered their work on time !! It's just too cool when things go so nicely !! Exhibiting now is Nancy Colaw, a senior at Carthage High, Trisha Courtney, a graphic designer for the Joplin Globe, Mary Ellen Pitts, a pastel artists from Neosho and Paula Giltner the artist-in-residence at Ozark Christian College. So hit Shellie's for lunch and check out the pastels, the splatters, the beautiful florals and the intricate watercolors. And just for the record.....we sold two paintings from the last exhibit at Shellie's !! Thank you art lovers!!!!!!! And thank you Shellie !!

For more info just call 358-4404. Hours are Tues - Sat. 9am - 3pm. Or check out www.ozarkartistscolony.com.

Although I couldn’t get anyone in the County Auditor’s office to confirm it, it has been reported by fairly reliable sources that Shirley Norris will not see reelection this year. Norris was out of the office when I called, and no one would confirm or deny the report.

I had a friend once call information and ask what time it was. "We’re not allowed to give out that information," replied the operator.

"What’s the big secret," moaned my friend.

‘Course I will contact Norris and I’m sure she will be glad to answer any questions I have. I don’t think there is any big secret, but there will no doubt be a few interested in the information.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Oak Street health & herbs

Natural Nutrition

by Mari An Willis

The following is a list of some natural remedies one may want to have on hand in cases of infection or for the "emergency" first aid kit. Seems like things hit at night or weekends and running out to shop is out of the question when you feel really bad anyway.

* Cordyceps - is a Chinese herb which is an immune stimulator that also acts as a tonic to the lungs. It can help to strengthen the lungs against airborne contaminants. Like the person who is telling you how sick they have been and is coughingin your face at the same time...we all need to check our behaviour patterns in this area.

* Olive Leaf Extract - is commonly used for viral infection. Olive Leaf Extract has also been utilized in the treatment of bacterial and fungal activity. Sometimes I hear people take it when there is a moldy basement or they are breathing air in which mold has been detected.

*VS-C - is a formulation of herbs which helps the body fight low-grade infections in the blood such as influenza, herpes, and possibly Epstein Barr. Some have said that it may be used as a defense against other viral agents.

Good personal hygiene, such as covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing, washing hands frequently, and being politely defensive when in the presence of those who forget the above will ultimately help. I wonder how long it will be before people are brave enough to get out the white cotton gloves that used to be so popular. An ounce of prevention IS worth a pound of cure.