Today's Feature

School Groundbreaking Today.

The groundbreaking for the new Carthage High School which was originally scheduled for last Friday will be held this afternoon at 3:30 p.m. The ceremony will be held on the north half of the eighty acres where the building will be constructed, east of River Street and the Fair Acres Family Y Sports Complex, between Airport Drive and Fir Road. The public and students are encouraged to attend the event.

Three parking areas are suggested:

1. Onsite, via access off River Street just south of George Phelps Boulevard, or at the south end of Pearl Street (weather permitting)

2. Along George Phelps Boulevard

3. Along Pearl Street

The following information was provided by the school in the original news release for the event and provides information about the construction and contents of the new school;

The project is being designed and managed by Hight Jackson Associates, an architectural firm based in Rogers, Arkansas. The new high school will be a two-story, 241,000 square foot building, constructed of tilt-up concrete walls in Carthage colors of blue and gray. The facility will contain 68 classrooms; a two-story atrium area near the front entrance that will house the cafeteria and provide space for large group meetings, performances, and other activities; a gymnasium with seating for over 2,000; a state of the art media center located in the building classroom core, featuring the latest in computer and electronic media; parking for 800 vehicles; and outdoor activity space. An auxiliary gym and a "black box" may be included in the initial phase of construction if bids come in under budget.

A $30,000,000 bond issue to fund this project was approved by voters in April 2006. The new high school is scheduled to open in January of 2009 and will house up to 1,500 students in grades 9-12. All building grade levels will be re-configured in August of 2009, which will relieve overcrowding throughout the Carthage R-9 School District. The eighty-acre tract of land provides additional space for future construction of a new technical center, expansion of the high school as student enrollment increases, and eventual development of onsite athletic fields.

Stench Report:

Thursday,
1/25/07

Stench Reported Near Square at 10 a.m.

The main holdup I’m havin’ is that I still haven’t mastered the screwdriver yet. I’ve had onea those for several years, and have the scars to prove it.

Now I know they have those adapters to hold the screw when you’re gettin’ it started, but I don’t use onea those. I prefer to jab the workin’ end of the driver into my finger at least once ever time I use the contraption. You can see why I’m leery of pickin’ up a battery powered machine with a sharp blade on it. At least now I still have fingers to count up my injuries.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

With flu season in full swing, it is nice to now the tried and true cold remedies for a little relief. The number one preventative measure, is not to consistently expose yourself to it be being in areas where people are coughing and sneezing and running low grade fevers waiting until it totally knocks the props out from under them to isolate themselves. One of my pet peeves are those who refuse to cover their mouths when coughing or use a tissue or hankie to catch a sneeze...sneeze down your shirt if you have to, but don’t give it to the innocent. I would put not tending to those as offensive as some find second hand smoke.

Boneset has traditionally been used to stop the aches associated with the flu. Many are using black elderberry as research has supported that it is effective against most flu viruses. Following the course set forth on the bottle is the most effective way to stop it. I personally have been drinking a lot of the hot tea and taking an immune system modulator. Echinacea and goldenseal is a great combination as the echinacea boosts the immune system while the goldenseal goes to work on the infections. There are also available some great anti-viral formulas.

I subscribe to the old method of warming bathes and cooling bathes. When the aches and coldness seem to penetrate my bones, I get into a hot bath to which I have added ginger powder (I like it so much I buy pound bags) then get into a favorite warm robe and go to bed to sweat it out. Most know to drink plenty of fluids.

* 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

Our featured artist for the first show in 2007, beginning February 9th and running through the 25th is Webb City artist, John Fitzgibbon. The paintings of John Fitzgibbon capture "... life, people, and color." Says the artist, "I’m interested in people, and I find that people are interested in people being themselves." Although the artist does portrait painting along with landscapes and murals, many images in this exhibit will contain people absorbed in doing "people things." With strong color and a sure brush John captures the candid moment of folks browsing a yard sale, selecting flowers, lingering over a cup of coffee, hurrying down a city street.

Although this work has the look of immediacy, as if painted right on the spot, much preparatory effort is done before painting begins. "I like knowing where I am going," states the artist, so a snapshot is just the first step of his studio process. After making drawings and preliminary sketches to plan the light and values, John often creates a small rough watercolor to work out the composition and color. At this juncture, he focuses on composition, maybe adding a figure or two, or other elements for balance and interest. Once the preparatory work is completed, John begins the painting. Asked what he hopes the viewer will get from seeing his work, John replied, "I hope that they are excited about being alive!"

A graduate of MSSU, with a Masters from Pittsburg State University, he has lived in Webb City for 35 years and has been a teacher to students of all ages, from the first grade through college. Now retired, he paints oils, watercolors and acrylics full time in his studio and offers workshop intensives around the country and abroad. Watercolor is his favorite and artCentral will offer two separate weekends in February, the 9th, 10th and 11th for beginning watercolors and the 16th, 17th and 18th for intermediate watercolors. Classes will be held at artCentral from 9 -4:00 each day at the cost of $40.00 per day, and reservations are payable in advance. Call 417 358 4404 for more information, or come by the gallery at 1110 E. 13th in Carthage for a pink registration form, which can be found in a container on the front porch while the gallery is still closed in January.