Today's Feature

Public Works Report.

Public Works Director Chad Wampler presented the month end report for construction permits issued at the Public Works meeting this week. The report shows total construction costs at $1,261,363.42 with the total amount collected in permit fees at $2,832.

Street Commissioner Tom Shelley told the committee that the Street Department had been paving streets and had completed the paving of Lyon street from Macon to where the road ends at Mark Twain school. The department also paved Robertson street from Centennial to St. Louis.

Citizen John Murray also spoke at the meeting on behalf of his sister, Jill Hunter. Hunter owns five lots on Highland street in an area where Skylark junctions with the property. Murray asked the committee for a rough approval of the idea of extending Skylark for access to the property. The committee discussed alternatives which included extending Skyline instead and adding a cul-de-sac to the end of the extension. This would provide the same access to the property as Skylark . The committee approved the idea and Murray with the Public Works department will continue research on the project.

I don’t suppose many take the time to do cannin’ anymore. Since it’s not a necessity to get through the winter with a pantry of canned goods the effort, equipment and knowledge just isn’t available. Especially the effort I’m guessin’.

There are some that advocate the freezin’ of fresh vegetables for safe keepin’. They say the vegetation retains more of its natural ingredients and tastes better.

As much as I enjoy the taste of fresh grown foodstuff, I have to admit that I will likely be relyin’ on the electric can opener for most of my vitamins this winter. ‘Course with those new pop open cans the opener may be on the way out also.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Ginkgo Biloba is an herb which has received much attention for its ability to bring a greater blood supply to the brain, thus increasing the rate at which information is transmitted to the nerve cell level. This means Ginkgo may be of great benefit in many cases of senility, dementia or when the brain needs a boost of energy. In the book Encyclopedia Of Natural Medicine, Drs. Michael Murray and Joseph Pizzorno describe other conditions fro which it may be beneficial. This book also has a wonderful reference section listing the clinical studies performed using many herbs. Worth a look for those of us who prefer to have some documentation of an herb’s worth according to today’s standards.

This is still the time of year when people are dealing with hay fever and other allergies. Fenugreek is an excellent choice for using as a garble for sore throat and to help clear the mucous from the bronchial passages. The seed of the plant is used for stomach problems and is cooling and soothing to any passage.

Catnip is another herb you may want to consider when fall comes around. The Indians used it for Infant colic but it has been reported to us as also being used to help colds. Drink as a warm tea when you notice the first symptoms. It helps with fatigue and circulation. It is said to help with the aches, pains , upset stomach and diarrhea associated with the flu. We are approaching the season where these "bugs" will be visiting from tome to time.

artCentral

artCamp offers creative summertime fun for kids

On Monday, July 18, artCamp for Kids begins; and I am really excited! Not only is my 11-year old granddaughter coming all the way from Memphis, Tennessee to be an "artCamper", I truly believe artCentral is offering an outstanding lineup of appealing, creative classes for children ages 8 to 14.

"I love teaching artCamp," says Anne-Marie Gailey, who has been an art teacher in the Webb City schools for the past 18 years. "The facilities and grounds at artCentral are ideal." She and her daughter Andrea Land have planned five, fabulous days for kids to learn about Vincent Van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, Ancient Egyptian animal sculptures and mummy boxes, Pop Art, and famous architects and buildings.

Of course, the first week offerings are great, too, with studio concentrations in clay, watercolor, printmaking, "junk" sculpting, and kite making taught by Randy Wright, Tom Jones, and me.

artCamp runs 12 days, Monday through Saturday, 10am - 2:30pm daily. The kids bring a bag lunch and have a noon break to enjoy the grounds at Hyde House and socialize with other "budding artists." Best of all, you can sign up your youngsters for just the sessions they want to take. Thanks to a generous grant from the Helen S. Boylan Foundation, the cost is only $15 per day per child, and includes supplies and materials.

Since advance registration and payment are necessary, call 358-4404 and we’ll mail you a schedule and signup form. But hurry....artCamp is too fun to miss!