Today's Feature

Council Passes Two Bills.

The City Council meeting on Tuesday saw the approval of two ordinances in their second readings. Council bill 05-01 is an ordinance annexing and rezoning property west of Chapel Road between Elm and West 41st Street for a new development. The ordinance was passed without discussion.

Council bill 05-02 was the ordinance authorizing the Mayor to sign a lease purchase agreement and certificate of resolutions with UMB for the lease purchase of the Street Department dump truck. The item was also passed without discussion, though Ronnie Wells was in opposition.

During the City Officer reports Public Works Director Chad Wampler described a successful meeting with representatives from SWD Architects, the firm in charge of remodeling the Drake Hotel for use as a senior housing development. This meeting was to discuss with City officials the preliminary plans for restoration.

"It promises to be a nice project," said City Administrator Tom Short in summarization of the proposed Drake revovation. Short reported that the firm hopes to commence its work in May.

If it give’s ya trouble, get a bigger hammer.

Now at times that old sayin’ is pretty accurate. Most of the time, however, doin’ somethin’ that doesn’t work isn’t gonna be fixed by more of the same. Sometimes ya gotta sit back and figure if a hammer, no matter what the configuration, is really the tool for the job.

‘Course that is the real meanin’ of the bigger hammer sayin’. It has to be said in a sarcastic way and a little chuckle to have the right effect, but most hands get the idea.

‘Stop poundin’ and figure out another way to get it done" works for those a little slow. Now throwin’ a hammer across the yard in frustration, that gives ya time to think as you figure out exactly where it landed in the tall grass..

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Almost daily it seems there is some new controversy about a drug or herb. It is almost defeating to think about what one should do when it comes to using anything to keep us well, reduce pain, look good, cure illness or whatever an individual may need. I am in a position to hear many opinions about these issues and find some of the most interesting coming from our older citizens.

Our elders are the ones who appreciate where they are today. Many lived through wars and depression and still kept a good attitude. One of my favorites is a gentleman who manages to smile about everything. He always has a good word to say about his neighbor, a yard sale he went to and sometimes even about me! Imagine how surprised I was one day to learn this active gentleman had just had his 91st birthday. He doesn’t look as stressed as many 20 year olds. I call his particular type of health treatment "happy health." He does choose to subscribe to the "old ways" using herbs and good foods, but says his secret to longevity is he just won’t let himself stay mad or sad. Takes practice for that one, but has no side effects other than a few smile wrinkles.

Then there is the lady with her "no fault" health plan. She says she never blames herself or anyone else for problems. She just chalks them up to another day of getting to live. She also is a smiler with a depression age background and loves her herbs. 83 years young and has never taken a prescription.

And what about the 8 year old who started her life (I was there) not feeling so well. Her Mama & Daddy started rubbing garlic extract on her little feet when she was just an infant and now that girl bites into garlic soft gels and eats lots of garlic. Never had a sick day since she was a baby. Imagine she will look for something a little more social to munch on as she gets older.

Guess for me, I made my choice lots of years ago when my Aunt Josephine fed me my first cup of hot sassafras tea. Don’t know if it was the way it smelled or tasted, but I’ve been sold on weeds, roots, flowers and leaves ever since.

artCentral

January 30 reception offers full house of art at artCentral

Come by this Sunday afternoon, 1-3pm, for the opening reception of "Visions Past", a show of new photographic images by Bill Perry, with "Present Expressions", featuring the sculptural work of Rebecca Perry, in artCentral’s Main Gallery.

Bill’s subject matter is that of classic fine arts photography: the human figure rendered in black and white. However, this stunning work mostly defies traditional photographic conventions.

First, the prints are quite large - 30 x 40 inches before being framed! Then the images are far more painterly than photographic. "I do what’s called layer printing," explains Bill, "which is exposing the image through different materials." The results are images imbued with subtle visual textures and soft-edged, tonal effects.

Complimenting her brother’s work are the inventive sculptures of Rebecca Perry who transforms gourds, wire, polymer clay, found objects, light bulbs, and resin into colorful, whimsical wonders, as well as seriously elegant forms. "I enjoy the challenges of trial and error," says Rebecca, "and consider my art...an exploration of materials."

With Bill and Rebecca each having received a Juror’s Recognition Award at SPIVA’s 57th Annual Membership Exhibition in November, artCentral is pleased to begin its 2005 exhibitions schedule with the work of these two fine artist-members.

Upstairs in the Members Gallery is "Landscapes & Landmarks", a display of pastel paintings by Neosho artist Todd Williams, which show his interest "in the interaction of Nature and manmade elements."

This event is free, and the three artists will be present. The exhibitions continue through March 11.