“Living Off the Land” Exhibit Opens

The opening of a new exhibit at Old Independence Regional Museum will take place on Sunday, January 25 at 2 p.m.  “Living Off the Land…Season by Season” is the exhibit theme for all of 2009.

“Spring: Time to Plant” is the first segment of the four-part exhibit. Every two months another “Season” exhibit will be added.  Curated by Twyla Wright and Nelson Barnett, the spring display includes a breaking plow and double shovel plow that were once used on a farm near Calamine. Panels of photographs and text show how mule-drawn plows were replaced by iron-wheel tractors. “We invite the public to come see a most unusual piece of farm machinery and guess what it is,” said Wright.

Visitors may play an electric question game to match various seeds with their labels. The game, using electric probes, promises to be fun for the entire family, from grandparents to grandchildren.

Spring, in days gone by, was also the season to gather wild plants for food, medicine, dye, and ink.  An illustrated notebook shows a number of plants, such as cattail, lamb’s quarter, sumac, poke sallet, and papaw fruit that, if properly prepared, provided delicious food. “Many folks remember their mothers shaving slices from sassafras tree roots and making a spring tonic for them to drink,” according to Wright. “We have some shavings for visitors to smell to see if it brings back memories.”

Along one wall is a line with six cloths hanging from it that have been dyed with juice from plants. “Walnuts, sumac, onion skin, goldenrod, and lichen all make beautiful dyes,” stated Amanda Nikkel.  She should know because she has spent hours preparing all the dyes.

Pokeberry juice can become a fine ink. Bill Hoskins picked berries and “cooked up” a fine batch of ink for the exhibit. Visitors may sit at an antique desk and use a quill pen dipped in the ink to write a letter and take it home as a souvenir. “It’s well known that Civil War soldiers made juice from the berries to write letters home,”

said Hoskins. Some say that Thomas Jefferson used a fermented pokeberry ink with which to write.

At the opening of this new exhibit, on January 25th, a program will be presented titled “Planting: the Way It Was Done Back Then.”  In looking at agriculture old and new the program will be broken into two parts – a short talk by George Lankford explaining the ancient tradition of planting by the signs, and a presentation by Jim Barnett, who will share his memories of growing up with farming and farm tools in Independence County in the 20th century.  As members of the audience enter, they will be invited to jot down memories of traditional beliefs regarding planting. The collection will be shared later with the whole group.

“Several other programs related to our spring exhibit will be presented through the month of April,” Wright said. “We have a full slate of programming already planned for each month of the year, including talks, demonstrations, workshops, and a field trip.”

Additional exhibits in the year will include “Summer: Time to Fish, Can Food, and Go Pearling,” and “Fall: Time to Harvest and Celebrate.” The last exhibit segment will be “Winter: Time to Hunt, Trap, and Weave.”  All the season exhibits will stay up for viewing as each new one is added.

According to Nikkel, the museum’s educator and volunteer coordinator, several family events are planned that will be filled with activities related to the exhibit themes.   “If anyone has questions about when these future exhibits and programs are scheduled,” said Nikkel “just give us a call at 870-793-2121.”

The Museum Gift Shop is now stocking books and other items that reflect the “Living Off The Land” exhibit.   Frances Mathis, gift shop manager, comments “We are excited about the wide diversity of books available on this theme. Shoppers can expect to see some enticing products in conjunction with the exhibit.”

Old Independence Regional Museum, located at 380 South Ninth Street in Batesville, is a private, non-profit institution.  It serves 12-counties in north central Arkansas.   The Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and from 1:30 to 4 p.m. on Sundays.  Admission is $3.00 for adults, $2.00 for seniors and $1.00 for children.  There is no admission for shopping in the Museum Gift Shop.  The museum is located at 380 South 9th street, between Boswell and Vine Streets in Batesville.  Call 870-793-2121 for more information

Ozarka College Business Tech Certificate Programs

Melbourne – The Ozarka College Business Technology Department now has three certificates of proficiency for students needing to attain skills in today’s job market.  These certificates may be attained within the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Business Technology (BT) degree program, Associate of Arts (AA) degree program, or individually.  Students may complete any or all of the certificates.  Each certificate requires 18 hours of course work.

The Certificate of Proficiency in Accounting requires:  Introduction to Accounting (or an approved elective), Accounting 1, Accounting 2, Managerial Accounting, Payroll Accounting and Income Tax.

The Certificate of Proficiency in Business Management requires:  Human Relations, Principles of Management, Financial Planning, Small Business Management, Principles of Marketing and Records Management (or an approved elective).

The Certificate of Proficiency in Business Computer Applications requires:  Microcomputer Applications, Information Processing, Electronic Spreadsheets, Desktop Publishing, Intro to Database Management and Computerized Accounting (or another approved elective).

As soon as the student completes the required courses, the Certificate is awarded.

Please contact Kathryn Langston, klangston@ozarka.edu, 870-368-2083 at Ozarka College for more information.

(Little Rock)– Arkansas has joined the growing list of states affected by an ongoing outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium that began in early September. Four Arkansas residents have tested positive for the same Salmonella strain.  The cases are spread across the state with no apparent connection that can be determined.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported today that 434persons infected with Salmonella Typhimurium with the same genetic fingerprint – indicating a common infection source – had been reported in 43 states.

Most of the illnesses began between September 3 and December 31, 2008. According to the CDC, hospitalizations occurred in about 18 percent of the cases. Five deaths have been reported.

State health officials are continuing to investigate the Arkansas cases and are looking for other potential cases linked to this outbreak. Nationally, the CDC, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are working together with the states to identify the specific contaminated product  that is causing the outbreak.  Preliminary analysis of an epidemiologic study conducted by CDC and public health officials in multiple states suggest peanut butter as a likely source.  Ongoing investigations suggest that peanut butter-containing products may also be linked with illnesses.  To date, no association has been found with common brands of jars of peanut butter sold in retail grocery stores.

According to a press release issued today by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “Kellogg Company …announced it has taken the precautionary measure of putting a hold on Austin® and Keebler® branded Toasted Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Crackers, Cheese and Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, and Peanut Butter-Chocolate Sandwich Crackers.

FDA and other regulatory agencies have indicated that Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) is the focus of their investigation concerning a recent Salmonella outbreak thought to be caused by tainted peanut butter. PCA is one of several peanut paste suppliers that the company uses in its Austin® and Keebler® branded peanut butter sandwich crackers.

Kellogg Company’s investigation has not indicated any concerns, nor has the Company received any consumer illness complaints about these products.

Nonetheless, Kellogg Company is taking precautionary measures including putting a hold on any inventory in its control, removing product from retail store shelves, and encouraging customers and consumers to hold and not eat these products until regulatory officials complete their investigation of PCA and Kellogg provides further information as to the resolution of this issue.”

Salmonella can cause fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. The illness usually lasts four to seven days. Although most people recover without treatment, severe infections may occur, particularly in young children, frail or elderly people and those with weakened immune systems.

Last year, Arkansas reported 100 cases of Salmonella Typhimurium, with no deaths, to the CDC.

While the source of the bacteria in this outbreak has not yet been identified, the source of previous outbreaks associated with Salmonella Typhimurium – the most common type of Salmonella – include poultry, produce, raw milk and cheese, and contact with some kinds of animals, including small turtles and other reptiles.

State Epidemiologist James Phillips, MD, said, “The Health Department is working diligently in connection with the CDC.  This involves doing a detailed food recall of all foods consumed by these individuals for 72 hours before they became sick.”

Safe food handling is very important to protect people from foodborne illness.  Because foods of animal origin may be contaminated with Salmonella, people should not eat raw or undercooked eggs, poultry or meat, and should not consume raw or unpasteurized milk or other unpasteurized dairy products. Produce should be thoroughly washed.

Avoid cross-contamination of foods. Uncooked meats should be kept separate from produce, cooked foods, and ready-to-eat foods. People should thoroughly wash their hands before handling food and between handling different food items.

People who experience gastrointestinal illness should contact their health care provider or local health department, he said.

For the latest updates on the national outbreak, see the CDC Web site at www.cdc.gov.

Congressman Vic Snyder Baby Boys are Home

Little Rock, AR – Congressman Vic Snyder and Reverend Betsy Singleton Snyder along with their 2 year old son Penn are proud to share a picture of the baby boys who have been at home since Monday.

Pictured left to right, Aubrey, Wyatt, and Sullivan, were born on December 9, 2008.

LITTLE ROCK) – The Arkansas State Police in cooperation with the state’s official web portal provider, Arkansas.Gov (Information Network of Arkansas, INA), has launched a revamped Morgan Nick Amber Alert activation system.  The alert system is a collaborative operation between the State Police and local law enforcement working in conjunction with local radio and television stations.

The Morgan Nick Amber Alert System was among the first in the country to use the Emergency Alert System which allows the State Police to interrupt local radio and television programming to provide information to the public about abducted children facing imminent threat of harm or danger.

One element of the alert system is the distribution of eMails to newspapers and other news organizations across the state as well as the general public alerting these subscribers to the information about missing or abducted children.

“Technology advancements over the last couple of years have allowed us to combine the alert activation processes into a single distribution point,” said Major Cleve Barfield, commander of the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division which administered the alert system.  “What once required three or four people at all hours of the day and night becoming involved to issue an alert has been consolidated now into a single point of contact.”

Using an Internet web based application designed by INA, the State Police can execute multiple functions using a single person at one location.  An operator can script an EAS alert, distribute photographs of the missing child or suspect, populate a web site, and distribute hundreds of eMail alert notifications all in under 10 minutes.

Another new function offers the public the choice to register their eMail addresses at the state’s Morgan Nick Amber Alert web site (https://www.ark.org/asp/alerts/mnaa/index.php). When an active alert or alert update is issued by the State Police registered eMail recipients will immediately receive a message giving information about the missing child, a description of the child, suspect information and photographs of the child and/or suspect.

The Morgan Nick Amber Alert web page features the story of Morgan Nick, a 6 year-old girl abducted June 9th, 1995 while she played at an Alma, Arkansas baseball field.  It was the story of Morgan’s disappearance and the lessons learned through the course of her case which eight years ago was the catalyst bringing broadcasters and Arkansas law enforcement agencies together to create the alert system.

The web site also allows the public to review the status of active alerts involving missing or abducted Arkansas children.  There is a link to the National Center for Missing or Exploited Children along with a link to the Arkansas State Police operating procedure involving Amber Alert cases.

“We are asking as many Arkansans as possible to register for the eMail alerts,” said Colonel Winford Phillips, Director of the Arkansas State Police.  “With the continued growth of wireless communication networks we believe it is vital to share with the public, particularly those people who carry mobile devices, the first information about missing or abducted children.  These people see and hear things in so many places and their reports back to us when a child goes missing are always invaluable.”

Private businesses that may have electronic messaging systems inside their service fleets or carried by their personnel are especially encouraged to register at the web site.

“We are living in a very mobile society and it only makes sense to, as quickly as possible, reach out to the public, give them the first facts as we know them about the case and ask for their help,” said Major Barfield.  “We know from experience that the first hour after a child is reported missing or abducted is the most critical if we’re going to successfully find the trail of a suspect or an area where the child may be located.”

Title: MURDER MYSTERY DINNER THEATRE
Location: MACARTHUR MUSEUM OF ARKANSAS MILITARY HISTORY,503 EAST 9TH ST.LITTLE ROCK, AR
Link out: Click here
Description: Little Rock Tours and the Arkansas Arts Center present a total Egyptian experience, as they host the World of the Pharaohs exhibit and Phantom of the Pharaoh. Enjoy the World of the Pharaoh during the day and be taken away for an exclusive private Egyptian Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre in the evening! Be the special dinner guest of Lady Middleton, whose archeologist husband helped discover the lost treasures of Egypt. He’s back for a special homecoming dinner WITH YOU! You don’t want to miss this exotic night of mystery! The $49 price includes the show and dinner only. Please call the Arkansas Arts Center at 501-372-4000 for tickets to World of the Pharaohs.

Little Rock Tours and the Arkansas Arts Center present a total Egyptian experience, as they host the World of the Pharaohs exhibit and Phantom of the Pharaoh. Enjoy the World of the Pharaoh during the day and be taken away for an exclusive private Egyptian Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre in the evening! Be the special dinner guest of Lady Middleton, whose archeologist husband helped discover the lost treasures of Egypt. He’s back for a special homecoming dinner WITH YOU! You don’t want to miss this exotic night of mystery! The $49 price includes the show and dinner only. Please call the Arkansas Arts Center at 501-372-4000 for tickets to World of the Pharaohs.
Start Time: 6:15 pm
Date: 2010-01-15

Paul Harvey talks about Angel during his first broadcast (July 19, 2008) after her passing.

Paul Harvey is Heard Weekdays at 5:30 AM, 7:30 AM, 12:30 PM and 5:30 PM

and now

Paul Harvey “One Day a King Today Only Ten and Stuck”

Standard Podcast [ 2:07 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Title: Child Advocate Training Announced-Batesville
Description: CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children) of the 3rd & 16th Judicial District is beginning training for a new child advocates August 14th-16th. For more information, please call CASA administrative office at 501-362-4609 or the Batesville office at 870-793-7900.
Date: 2009-01-14

ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD NOMINATIONS SOUGHT

The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is now accepting nominations for the 2009 Arkansas Environmental Stewardship Award, the agency’s annual recognition of citizens or organizations for their efforts to protect and enhance the state’s environment. Nomination packets must be postmarked by March 6, 2009, in order to be considered for the award, which will be presented at the April 24, 2009, regular meeting of the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology commission.

The “ENVY Award” was established in 2005 to honor a major contribution by an individual or organization involving environmental stewardship activities in Arkansas.

The award recipient will be selected from among the entries in five different categories of environmental-related activities or concepts: Innovation, Green Government, Environmental Education and Outreach, Environmental Improvement or Enhancement, and Sustainability.

The Innovation category concerns environmental management efforts which break new ground in protecting resources, particularly involving new or unique programs or activities which utilize methods, technologies, materials, or implementations that go beyond “traditional” environmental control measures.

Efforts by state or local government employees or agencies to improve performance within their own operations or for their stakeholders will be the focus of the Green Government category.

The Environmental Education and Outreach category is for programs and special projects which promote effective environmental education and outreach efforts aimed at citizens, schools, civic groups, and communities as a whole.

The Environmental Improvement or Enhancement category highlights activities which have had a positive impact on the quality of the environment in Arkansas. Watershed improvements, mine reclamations, wetlands construction, Brownfields projects, and industrial site redevelopment and reuse are among the types of activities to be considered for nominations.

The Sustainability category criteria will focus on projects or programs which minimize the environmental impact of various activities through efforts such as recycling or reuse programs, pollution prevention, energy conservation, or waste minimization.

Nomination packets should be addressed to: ENVY Award Packet, Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, 5301 Northshore Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72118.

ADEQ Director Teresa Marks will appoint a panel of judges to narrow the entries to a group of finalists from which the ENVY Award winner will then be chosen. Each finalist will also receive recognition by the ADEQ.

More information on the criteria for the award and a paper nomination packet can be obtained by contacting Becky Allison in the ADEQ’s Public Outreach and Assistance (POA) Division at 501-682-0978, or by accessing the link in the “Hot Topics” box on the agency’s Internet web site at www.adeq.state.ar.us. An electronic copy of the nomination packet for the award is available on the web site.

ADEQ employees and programs are not eligible for the award.

Ozarka to Provide New Online Tutoring

Ozarka College Student Success Center will begin a new venture during this semester as an option for students needing assistance.  An online tutoring component is now available for all Ozarka students who are currently enrolled.

“The Online Success Center is another way Ozarka is placing focus on helping its students achieve success,” according to Richard Williams, Ash Flat Student Success Coordinator.  “The goal of the Online Success Center is to help every student with any questions they might have, but our primary focus is to provide assistance in Math and English.”

The Online Success Center operates from 4PM – 7PM Monday through Thursday at this time.  To visit online, log into myOzarka and follow the link on the right hand side titled “Online Success Center” under “Spaces”.   For further information contact Williams at rawilliams@ozarka.edu or 870-368-7371  extension 4037. Remember:  “Help is just a click away!”