Today's Feature

Mouton Updates on City Lawsuit.

The Carthage City Council met Tuesday evening in a regular session. Council member Tom Flanigan was absent from the meeting.

City Attorney David Mouton informed the Council that at the time of the meeting no official answer had been received from Renewable Environmental Resources concerning the lawsuit filed against them. Mouton told the Council that he had sent information gathered with the assistance of the City Clerk and Administrator to Jefferson City, and had begun the pre-trial discovery process. Mouton said that all parties involved in the City’s case were working to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.

Two ordinances brought from the Public Services Committee were heard in their second reading. An ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into agreement with the American Legion Baseball Team for the use of Carl Lewton Stadium was approved without discussion and an ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Carthage Kiwanis for the use of the area known as Kiddieland for the 2005 season was also approved.

On occassion, when spendin’ time in "the City" with my cousin, we’d eat at what was considered my uncle’s favorite restaurant. It wasn’t a large rock buildin’, but it was filled with red vinyl booths and served barbeque ribs and other dishes I was not accustomed to eatin’ at the diner at home.

My cousin, faced with all the choices on the menu, always had a cheezeburger and fries. In fact I can’t remember him eatin’ much else anywhere.

Bein’ a little intimidated due to my lack of experience, I prob’ly ate what my aunt suggested, somethin’ with mashed potatoes and green beans.

When the food was served I don’t remember how it tasted, but I do remember seein’ that ear-to-ear smile on my cousin’s face. I’ve never eaten a burger that good.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Soybeans are going to sprouting up here any time soon. If they have not been treated with chemicals, they are quite a healthy snack. They are versatile enough that they appear in many forms of food. They are often roasted, boiled, eaten whole or even transformed into tasty treats such as ice cream, milk-substitute, burgers, chocolate covered, or even as a nut butter.

Edamame: large soybeans harvested when the beans are still green and sweet tasting can be served as a snack or main vegetable. High in fiber and protein, they contain no cholesterol.

Lecithin is extracted from soybean oil. It is used in food manufacturing as an emulsifier in products high in fats and oils. It is a great addition to a morning shake or sprinkled on salads in its granular form. I have even sold it to a local corp. as an oil for their machinery!

Miso: Salted and fermented paste sometimes made from soy or other grains. The lighter the miso the lighter the flavor. It is high in enzyme activity and should be added to foods or soup after cooking in place of salt. Yummy soup.

Texturized Vegetable Protein (TVP) has a consistency and quality much like ground meat when it is reconstituted with water or broth. It is used in sauces, tacos, sauces and casseroles. Tasty and very adaptable to many recipes.

artCentral

Do something different this summer at artCentral

Have you ever imagined yourself wielding a hammer and chisel like Michelangelo, or pounding heated metal, or carving clay? Well here’s your chance to try out the "real" thing at artCentral’s 7th Annual Adult Weekend Workshops, scheduled for the first weekend in June.

From 8am on Friday, June 3 until noon on Sunday, June 5, stone chips will be flying, metals will be forged, and pots will be thrown as workshop students transform raw materials into works of art on the lovely shaded grounds of artCentral in Carthage. This year’s offerings in stone carving, blacksmithing, and ceramics are being taught by highly skilled, recognized artists who also happen to be artCentral members.

Once again Master Carver Bill Snow of Carthage, one of the most experienced, respected, and skilled stone carvers in the nation, is the instructor of the Stone Carving Workshop. He will be assisted by Robin Putnam, an accomplished sculptor in her own right. Joe Davis of Marionville, a fresh talent introduced at last year’s Midwest Gathering of Artists, returns as the Blacksmithing Workshop teacher. Jack Sours, another MGA artist, will be leading the Surface Design Workshop for potters with some throwing experience.

Since each workshop is limited to a small number of students, early registration and payment are encouraged. Participants must be 17 years or older. If this sounds like a fun way to start your summer, please call artCentral 358-4404 and ask for a flyer with complete details and costs.

It’s your summer. Do something different!