Today's Feature

Not Upgraded to a Violation.

News release

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has determined the excess emission documented on Dec. 12 at Renewable Environmental Solutions (RES) in Carthage was caused by a malfunction. Therefore, the department will not upgrade the incident to a Notice of Violation.

The department’s Southwest Regional Office investigated excess odors coming from the facility and issued a Notice of Excess Emissions (NOEE) to RES on Dec. 15.

As required by rule, RES was given time to respond to the department and provide information about a potential startup, shutdown or equipment malfunction. The department evaluated RES’ response to the incident and determined the circumstances described did meet the definition of a malfunction. RES documented the exceedance resulted from "a malfunction condition, specifically, unanticipated cracks that developed over a short period of time in sections of a prefabricated, horizontal, elevated ductwork that carries oxidized vapors." RES repaired the cracks and added reinforcement brackets to the ductwork to minimize the risk of future occurrences.

The department previously upgraded a Nov. 15 Notice of Excess Emissions to a Notice of Violation on Dec. 7. The department has urged RES to immediately submit payment of $25,000 suspended penalty to the state for that violation. When paid, the fine will ultimately go to the Jasper County School Fund.

The department’s main goal in any enforcement action is to help the facility successfully achieve compliance with the standards and then maintain compliance. The department will continue to work within Missouri’s laws and regulations to provide assistance and oversight to the facility. The department encourages citizens in the area to continue calling if they notice odors. Citizens may call the department’s Southwest Regional Office at (417) 891-4300 or may call the Jasper County Satellite Office in Carthage at (417) 359-1524 or (417) 359-1525.

Stench Report:

Thursday,
1/11/07

No Stench Detected on Carthage Square

I’ve had the urge to squeal tires at least a few times myself, ‘cept the six cylinder ‘48 pickup I was drivin’ at the time didn’t give me many options. ‘Bout the best I could accomplish was shiftin’ to second as I passed over the railroad track. Sometimes I’d get a little "chirp" from the tires. (I woulda never thought of this "trick," but my older brother said he "accidently" discovered it.)

We were brought up to understand if we broke it, we fixed it. That always kept the abuse of the auto down to a minimum. ‘Sides, if it was broke, we couldn’t use it. Tire squealin’ was always a spectator sport for those livin’ at our house.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Our physical body is like a magnificent machine. It is composed of the same elements as earth and must be properly maintained. "We must realize that we are what we eat." Because of our busy lifestyles and the fact that we are overly stressed we rely too much on fast and overly processed foods often deficient of the proper nutrients to keep us healthy. It fills the hole, but that is all. Our organs become overtaxed and soon congested.

Many of our "dis-ease" may come from congestion in the various organs. Which in turn effects the entire body. Fortunately, we can begin a detoxification process for our bodies. We are in charge of what goes in and we can change habits. I personally have never heard so many young adults having their gallbladders removed. My daughter, who has had some problems herself, thinks it is because of the "french-fry generation." One of the easiest foods to hand over to the backseat and keep a toddler quiet. Not a good idea IF (and that is only my opinion of observation) that is what is causing some of these problems. If you are eating only bad oils, consider your omega-oils as a balance. Get more oxygen. It is necessary for every cell, and tissue and each function of the body. Treat yourself well, smile frequently and practice the golden rule.

* This article is meant for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. References available by request. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.

artCentral
Art Notes from Hyde House
By Sally Armstrong, Director of artCentral

This past week’s work-time has been spent on the business of the first newsletter for 2007. In addition to reporting on the success of our past show with Barbara Courtney, I am outlining the schedule for the new season, which will include seven new shows with artists that I am very excited about, some, brand new to the area. Two of these fine artists are John Fitzgibbon and Mary Lou Reed.

John will be opening our 2007 season with a show of paintings in three media that we have titled: VARIETY! Color Is the Spice. This show opens Friday February 9th and will run through the 25th. Though John teaches workshops mainly for watercolor, his show will feature work in oil and acrylic as well, and some 24 paintings will be shown. John will be with us for the opening reception the night of the 9th at 6:00 and those invitations will go out to the membership later this month. The public is invited to attend as well, as usual.

Additionally, and for the first time in over a year, we will be featuring a workshop with John in Beginning and Intermediate watercolor on two weekends. These classes are for adults 17 years or older and anyone can sign up regardless of proficiency level in this medium. The first workshop will be February 9, 10, and 11th and will be held at the Hyde House from 9- 4:00 daily with an hour in the middle for "sack lunch" on the site. The price is $40.00 per day, and you may sign up for all three days for a complete class, or just the days you can come. This first weekend will be considered Beginning Level. The following weekend, February 16, 17, and 18th will be a second workshop for Intermediate Level Watercolor and will be the same hours and cost. If either weekend is "snowed or seriously iced-out" we will go to the weekend of February 23, 24 and 25th as a make-up weekend. Sign-up forms will be sent to all members in the new newsletter due out early next week, or you can call artCentral and stop by for a form beginning next week. Pre-payment reserves your place, and the classes are limited in size, so if you are interested let us know as soon as possible. Further instructions and a supply list will be given to those who reserve places in the classes, and refunds will be made only for weather cancellations. For further information, call me at 417 358 4404, and I can answer your questions. We are very excited to feature John, who holds workshops all over the country, and hope that area artists will take advantage of this opportunity to brush-up on their skills in this new year!

More on this workshop and a second one in March by Mary Lou Reed, next week!