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The Most Important News of your Week 12.16.11 FREE

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Dancing with PB Stars - Part 2

Three-way race for Senate

The Sounds of Christmas

Gaming in the New Year

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Current Events

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Current Events

The Week in Review

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from our friends at: About US

Established in 2008, the SEMO Times reports the most important news of your week. In addition to our online archives, plus our popular iPhone and Droid apps, the free publication is available in print at over 60 distribution locations throughout Butler County.

With our primary coverage area center-ing in Poplar Bluff, our mission is to be the mouthpiece for our community. Our opinion section regularly features dozens of contributing columnists—voluntary writers that have included leaders of the business community and regional legisla-tors.

Made in Poplar Bluff, we are Butler County’s only 100 percent locally owned alternative newsweekly. We cover human interest stories, arts, entertainment, educa-tion and business, but our primary focus is bigger picture news. We report ‘The Why’ rather than ‘The What.’

Get with the Times!

1. What’s your favorite Christmas movie?

2. PC or Mac?

1. “The Passion of Christ;” we celebrate Christ’s birth every day.

‎2. PC 2. PC, though the MacBook Pro is appealing.

2. Macs all the way!

Branden Freeland

Kathryn Robinson

Neil Lamb

1. I’d have to say “Polar Express.” Me and my three monkeys love that one!

1. Definitely “A Christmas Story.”

Semotimes

12.16.11Volume 3 Issue 53

2725 N. Westwood BlvdSuite 17

Poplar Bluff, MO573-785-2200

Staff

PublisherScott R. Faughn

scottfaughn@semotimes.com

Managing EditorTim Krakowiak

tim@semotimes.com

ReporterLiz Ellis

lizellis@semotimes.com

It was a bad week for Pop-lar Bluff, which got owned in a Red Jacket Mine song

with a John Lennon-esque hook that says, “I’m never going back to Poplar Bluff.” Kinda catchy too.

It was a good week for Three Rivers College fac-ulty and staff for receiving a

second consecutive annual raise. Well deserved. Can never complain about the board getting the base pay up to par for employees who are training our next generation of community leaders.

It was a bad week for hu-manity for having a murder take place here on Sunday.

Thankfully, the suspect was appre-

hended. As our city grows, so will the crime rate. We here at thumbs appre-ciate Poplar Bluff’s finest for working hard to keep the thugs out.

It was a good week for Pen-ny Funk-Justice, who won a DynaMAXXX car that is

almost as distinctive as her husband Eddy’s.

It was a bad week for the John J.

Pershing VA Medi-cal Center for losing a good man, director Glenn Costie, who also happened to be very tall. Best of luck

on your next endeavor!

It was a good week for re-spect, thanks to Mike Shane. The Air Evac pilot posted a

picture of the Parole Office in Poplar Bluff, which was flying a state flag over the national colors. Shane got Rep. Todd Richardson on the case, who apparently righted the wrong.

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Liz Ellis Reporter

The Holiday Inn in Poplar Bluff—home to The Bluff Church and

numerous weddings and visitors year-round—will be hosting an anticipated 100 gamers from the area on New Year’s Eve in an event hosted by Siera Phoenix and Zani Coin & Collectibles.

This event, “Gaming in the New Year,” is a 36-hour gaming session fea-turing Magic: The Gathering, Pathfind-er, Dungeons & Dragons, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Call of Duty, Traveller and Warham-mer competitions. The gaming mara-thon will begin at 7 p.m. Dec. 30 and end at 7 a.m. Jan. 1. The doors are open for anyone, ages 13 and up.

“It’s a place for people to go, who don’t participate in the bar scene,”

explained Craig Hickman, co-owner of Zani Coin, with his wife Jenny. “We thought, ‘What does a teenager do in town on New Year’s?’ They’re probably either at somebody’s house or online playing games, so why not take our shop, and set it up at the Holiday Inn?”

Throughout the day and a half, there will be three Magic: The Gathering, two Yu-Gi-Oh! and a couple Call of Duty tournaments. And, while entry to the event itself is free, the tournaments and RPG games do cost a small fee.

“I’m really excited about the 36 hours of gaming – it just means to me, more hours in the day to play,” exclaimed Jay Crutchfield, 34, of Poplar Bluff, who founded the Face-book page: Poplar Bluff Magic Community. “I’m happy that they are expanding the gaming community. It’s a good thing for us, and a positive thing for the community as a whole.”

The tournaments are as follows:Magic: The Gathering: 7 p.m. Friday,

with an entry fee of $25; noon Satur-day, with an entry fee of $15; and 4 p.m Saturday, with an entry fee of $20. The top prize for the 4 p.m. tournaments is a Tundra card valued at $120. The prize at 7 p.m. is valued at $140.

Yu-Gi-Oh!: 10 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Sunday. Entry fee is $10 for both tournaments, and prizes include sealed booster packs.

Call of Duty: one tournament is at 1 p.m. on Saturday, and the second is unannounced. Entry fees are $5, and the prize will be 70 percent of the entry fee. Standard tournament rules apply.

In addition, throughout the 36 hours, there will be tables set up with groups playing various role-playing games in-

cluding Pathfinder, Dungeons & Drag-ons, GURPS Traveller, Warhammer and others. Each pen and paper session costs $3.

Stacked together, this can all add up to quite an expensive New Year’s. However, Siera Phoenix is offering deals for participants who intend to stay for most or all of the event, includ-ing a pen and paper package, which costs $20 and will allow access to any pen and paper session throughout the whole event; a $55 magic package for those wanting to enter all of the Magic: The Gathering tournaments; and a $90 all-inclusive package for the hardcore gamer, allowing access to all tourna-ments and games throughout the event.

Spellcaster’s Union Local #160 members will have the option of pur-chasing these packages for a lower fee.

“If you want to get into something, say try Pathfinder for the first time, we’ll have people who will sit down

with you and teach. We have people who will teach how to play Magic if they want. It’s a great opportunity to expand your gaming,” said Josh Bish-op, general manager of Siera Phoenix, the gaming portion of the hobby shop.

While this sort of gaming may be new for some people, Magic: The Gathering tournaments are held at Zani Coin and Collectibles each week dur-ing a Wizards of the Coast sanctioned event called Friday Night Magic.

Elijah Bishop, 13, of Poplar Bluff, reached the international Friday Night Magic ranks of No. 136, as of Tuesday. His goal, he said, is to rank in the top 100 of the world by July 1, for a chance to win a $10,000 down payment on his college education.

“This is probably the best place in Missouri, or the United States, as far as Friday Night Magic is concerned,”

Gaming in the New Year

Submitted PhotoEvery Friday night, 20-30 people gather at Zani Coin and Collectibles to play Friday Night Magic, a tournament for the popular card game Magic: The Gathering. This New Year’s, Zani Coin is hosting a 36-hour gaming event at Holiday Inn, which will feature Magic and other festivities.

Submitted PhotoThe above illustration was drawn by comic book artist William Tucci, specifically for Zani Coin owner Craig Hickman. It will be used as the logo for Siera Phoenix.

continued on pg 9

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Local press releases emailed to Managing Editor Tim Krakowiak at tim@semotimes.com also appear at www.semotimes.com, and are shared on the SEMO Times’ Facebook and Twitter pages.

Raiders to return to coliseum for Jan. 7 game

Three Rivers College and the Black River Coliseum have announced plans to host a day of basketball at the Big Orange Building downtown.

The men’s and women’s basketball teams from Three Rivers will play Min-eral Area College on Jan. 7. Three high school girls’ basketball games will pre-cede the event: Eminence vs. Senath at 11:30 a.m., Clearwater vs. Scott City at 1 p.m., and Couch vs. Gosnell, Ark., at 2:30. The Three Rivers Lady Raiders will play Mineral Area at 5 p.m., with the men’s Raider team to follow at 7.

Tickets for entry into the coliseum for this afternoon of basketball are $5. The re-served seating offer for those with Raider season passes will be honored. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the college business office, bookstore and the coli-seum box office.

“Basketball hasn’t been played at the coliseum since 2006,” facility manager Bobby Godwin said. “Years ago, Three Rivers played there, and it was a good re-cruitment tool—good for the city, and it appealed to the people who don’t always get to the campus to watch ball games. With this event, we are appealing to the city of Poplar Bluff, and hopefully this will draw more fans.”

For more information on Raiders athlet-ics at Three Rivers, visit www.raidersath-letics.com.

Nixon appoints long-time Doniphan businessman as Ripley

County public administrator

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Gov. Jay Nixon has appointed John D. Young of Doniphan as the new public administrator for Ripley County. The position became vacant after the resignation of Brenda Em-

mons Thompson.Young, a Democrat, has operated the li-

cense fee office in Doniphan since 2009, and previously operated the office for nine years beginning in the 1990s. He also was in the auto body shop and glass business locally for 35 years. Young is a lifelong resident of Ripley County.

“John Young is someone who has been well-known and trusted by the citizens of Ripley County for many years,” Nixon said. “I know he will ably serve them as the county public administrator.”

Mid Continent Nail donates to upcoming veteran’s concert

Mid Continent Nail Corporation re-cently made a significant donation for the upcoming 2012 Valentines for Veterans concert slated to take place Feb. 17 at the Black River Coliseum.

The John J. Pershing VA Medical Cen-ter and Voluntary Service will partner with Help Hospitalized Veterans and the com-munity to host this event featuring artist, Lee Greenwood. This event is being held to show appreciation to all of America’s veterans, to increase awareness in the community of the local VA, and to encour-age citizens to visit hospitalized veterans and consider becoming a volunteer.

Tickets for the concert will become available Jan. 3 at the Poplar Bluff VA medical center. For more information about the concert and tickets, visit www.poplarbluff.va.gov/localevents/Concert_FAQ.pdf or contact voluntary services. Do not contact the coliseum for tickets. A special ticket distribution outreach event will be held at the Black River Coliseum on Jan. 3-4.

For anyone interested in volunteering or making donations, contact Donna Reyn-olds at 573-778-4275 or Voluntary Service Assistant Kevin Ellis at 573-778-4276.

PoliticsPage 6

www.semotimes.com Politics

Staff Reports SEMO Times

First-time political candidate Doug Libla’s Poplar Bluff opponents cleared the path for his senatorial run.

For his next obstacle, the local busi-nessman has an uphill battle, if voter turnout from the last Republican pri-mary is any indicator.

Libla will vie in the redrawn Missouri Senate District 33 on Aug. 7 against two termed out state representatives, each of whom resides in counties that had a 9-12 percent higher voter turnout in the 2010 election.

“I’m feeling very strongly about my decision [to run], I’m just making sure the deadline for revisions to the [new]

senatorial district has passed before I make the big announcement,” said Rep. Ward Franz of West Plains, who visited Poplar Bluff Wednesday to lay some groundwork for his campaign. “West Plains and Poplar Bluff are very similar size-wise, and they are both conservative areas with a strong Chris-tian influence.”

Franz said he intends to make his announcement official on Saturday. Meanwhile Rep. Don Wells of Cabool confirmed he would send out a press release Friday declaring his intent to run.

Libla, co-owner of Mid Continent Nail Corp., spent some time in vain over the past few months campaigning in the Bootheel for District 25, Senate

Pro Tem R o b Mayer’s seat that he will have to v a c a t e n e x t year due to term limits.

O n N o v . 30, the A p p e l -late Apportionment Committee shifted Butler and Ripley counties from Dis-trict 25 to 33. Last week, another revi-sion was made to District 33, replacing Ozark County with Reynolds, which Libla reportedly sees favorable, in an election that may come down to how many home turf supporters the candi-dates can get to the polls.

“I am pleased that district lines are finalized, and I am eager to continue spreading our message of job creation, tax cuts, reduced government spending and protection of our freedoms,” Libla stated in a recent press release. “I’m grateful for the warm, enthusiastic re-ception our campaign has received so

far and I look forward to making a lot of new friends and supporters in the nine counties that now make up the 33rd District.”

Reynolds had the highest voter turn-out in the 2010 Republican primary election at 36.86 percent to Butler County’s 19.29 percent, which was the lowest in the district. Howell County, where Franz resides, had a 23.46 per-cent voter turnout, while Wells’ county, Texas, had 31.27 percent.

According to the state secretary’s website, the turnout in the other coun-ties that make up the new 33rd were: Shannon – 33.68 percent, Ripley – 29.08 percent, Oregon – 28.94 per-cent, Dent – 27.59 percent and Carter – 22.66 percent.

Three-way Republican primary race for Senate

Above are the three Republican candidates who will vie in the primaries for Rob Mayer’s Senate seat. From left: Rep. Don Wells, businessman Doug Libla and Rep. Ward Franz.

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NewsPage 8

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Liz Ellis Reporter

For the second year in a row, the Palace of Praise church will be

performing “The Sounds of Christmas” at 7 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday. The play is free and open to all ages and includes singing, dancing and the story, set in the 1840s, of a boy who hates the sounds of Christmas.

“It tells the story of a young boy and how his life was transformed through Christ,” said Rex Darnell, Palace of Praise worship director and actor in the play. “That’s the reason for the season. We celebrate Jesus and who he is, and his coming as a baby to change and transform who we are.”

The play was written and organized by director Randy West and features more than 13 popular Christmas songs including, “White Christmas,” “Away in a Manger,” “Drummer Boy,” “Silver Bells,” “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” The play itself has a cast of about 60, including singers, dancers and actors. Behind the scenes there are about 180 people working on sound, lights, cos-tumes, music and more, the director estimated, all working to make it come together and come alive.

“It was so good last year, and every-body liked it so well, we thought we could just add some stuff and change it around and do it again this year, and see how it goes,” said Terrie Faughn, assistant director for the play. Com-pared to last year, she continued, this year’s performance is going to be even bigger and better.

To get audience members in the mood of Christmas, there will be carol-ers outside performing and musicians in the lobby playing Christmas music, and duets near the front doors as audi-ence members leave.

“We’re hoping as soon as you pull in the drive, you’ll get an experience coming up to the sanctuary plus as you leave,” Faughn said. “When you walk in, you feel good and when you walk out, you feel really good.” The play, unlike many Christmas plays, is not centered on people fighting—it is purely a feel-good show.

In addition, after the Tuesday and Wednesday night performances, fami-lies in need in the Poplar Bluff area will be given gifts so that children can have something to open Christmas morning. This service is done through the church and has been going on for about five years.

“People expect that church is so se-rious,” said Faughn, “and I like that we’ve opened up a spot for them to see that church can be fun and X-mas can be fun and you can dance and do it in a nice way and people accept that.”

While last year, a play of this magni-tude was a bit of a stretch to get finished

The Sounds of Christmas

Photo by Liz Ellis“The Sounds of Christmas” will be performed from Dec. 18-21, and includes a cast of about 60 singers and danc-ers, all dressed in the style of London in the 1840s. Above, some of the cast members pose at the end of a song. The play is free and open to the public.

Photo by Liz EllisThe play “Sounds of Christmas” will feature a visit from Santa Claus as well as a manger scene and numerous other Christmas favorites and traditions to get the audience in the Christmas spirit, including more than 13 songs during the production.

News Page 9

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Down

1. Frugal2. Worker3. Glad all over4. Diminutive suffix5. Greek letter6. Olds model7. Kidney-related8. Quitter’s cry9. Digit of the foot10. Bust a myth, e.g.11. Purpose12. Immediately13. Stevedore18. Joint point22. Biol. or chem.24. Code word for A25. Card game for three27. Bus. card info30. Altar answer31. Brit. lexicon32. Code-breaking org.34. Sgts., e.g.35. SALT subject36. Pen point37. Lofty40. Dancer Duncan41. Declares positively42. Plunder43. Sharon’s land44. Climax45. “The Raven” maiden46. Due follower47. Autobahn auto49. Little egg50. Beat back51. Embed55. “Le Roi d’Ys” composer57. Anonymous John58. ___ in Charlie

Crossword of the Week

Solution on pg 16

Across

1. Bed down6. Stuck in ___10. Clock face14. Covenants15. Carson’s successor16. A big fan of17. Self-denial19. Greek portico20. Mechanical learning21. Face-to-face exam22. Exhaust23. 401(k) alternative

24. Youth26. Stinging plan 28. Order29. Good ___!30. College in New Rochelle33. Stealthy38. Conclusion39. Eyelashes42. Theater district47. Superior of a convent48. Vessel for holding holy water52. Anatomical

duct53. Lying flat54. Peddle55. Fill with cargo56. “Othello” villain57. Machine for making duplicates59. At no time, poetically60. Olive genus61. Argus-eyed62. Gen. Robert _______63. Hard to grasp64. Fountain treats

The Book ShopPresented by

320 N. Main Street, Poplar Bluff 573-714-5642

Crossword puzzles provided by BestCrosswords.com Used with permission www.bestcrosswords.com

on time, this year was relatively easy, Faughn noted.“We have so many singers in our church, that the

singing parts are easy,” Faughn said. “And we have people that love to dance. We have a very talented con-gregation.”

The play will last for about an hour, and is made of nonstop music, dancing and storytelling.

“Why I like it is, well it’s very entertaining and there’s lots of different ages we have from older people to children. It’s not just one thing, but it’s continually changing,” Darnell said.

“You’ll see nothing else like it in Poplar Bluff,” Faughn guaranteed. “And it’s fun for the whole family. The finale is my favorite—it’s amazing.”

Liz Ellis can be reached by emailing lizellis@semo-times.com or by calling 573-785-2200.

Elijah said. “I’ve made the best friends I’ve ever had here.”

Opened in 2005 at 2201 N. Westwood Blvd., Zani Coin & Collectibles began as a hobby shop, and expanded to games as young people’s interest evolved from collecting comic books and base-ball cards to playing games such as Magic the Gathering.

“It’s a niche of people that we’ve tapped into,” Hickman said. “You can come hang with a group of guys, where everybody’s treated equal. It’s what the gaming world is all about.”

That interest in the gaming community in Pop-lar Bluff is what prompted the Hickmans to open up Siera Phoenix, a gaming hangout currently lo-cated inside of Zani Coin and Collectibles. They hope to expand and move to a separate building sometime after the first of the year.

“It’ll be strictly a gaming shop, with TVs on the wall, Xbox, PlayStation, computer games,” ex-plained Hickman, “the whole gambit.”

Managing Editor Tim Krakowiak provided infor-mation for this report.

Liz Ellis can be reached by emailing lizellis@semotimes.com or call 573-785-2200.

from pg 4

Gaming in the New Year

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Kent Hampton Rep. 163rd

NeelyvilleFourteen miles south of Poplar Bluff

is the town of Neelyville. Founded as a timber shipping point on the Missouri Pacific Railroad in the early 1870s, [it was] first called Neely’s after the owner of the land where the town was located. Very large lumber mills have been located there and a tram road ran out to bring in the timber. In 1886, a branch railroad was built connecting Neelyville with Doniphan. It is now a center of cotton and rice production. Timber resources in the county were rapidly depleted during the last quarter of the 19th century, and construction of drainage ditches [began in] about 1908 to open the area to agriculture.

In the vicinity of Neelyville, several hundred prehistoric earthen mounds have yielded well-preserved artifacts, and a Missouri archeologist has de-clared that this corner of the state was one of the most densely populated set-tlements of the mound builders. Bones and pottery have been unearthed in large quantities, though much investi-gation remains to be done before the survey of the area is complete.

HolcombWriting of the town of Holcomb,

in 1895 a resident wrote that in 1880 “one could not see over a quarter of a mile in any direction on account of the heavy timber, and deer roamed the woods in the neighborhood even in the daytime.” The sawmills soon moved in, however, and today the fertile black land is divided into productive, well-cleared farms. Platted about 1870, the village was named for Louis Holcomb,

an early settler. It is a shipping point for cotton, melons and soybeans.

BroseleyBailey’s End was the first name

given the town of Broseley. This was because the settlement was at the end of Bailey’s Railroad, which connected with the Butler County Railroad, a railroad organized in 1900 to serve the area with transportation for passengers and freight, particularly timber, and its products. In 1910, the postal depart-ment refused the name, and the town was renamed Hunt for the first post-master and the man in whose home the office was located, Richard and Alfred Hunt.

Wm. N. Barron of Poplar Bluff,

manager and one of the organizers of the Butler County Railroad, renamed the town Broseley in 1913 in honor of his wife Martha’s hometown in Shrop-shire, England. Mr. Barron named the towns along the railroad. Also born in England, William Barron came to the United States as a very young man and settled in Poplar Bluff at the age of 30 in 1886. He was prominent in the de-velopment of Butler County.

As always, it is an honor to serve you in the Missouri House. If you would like to discuss any issue, please call 573-751-3629. You can also email me at Kent.Hampton@house.mo.gov. I look forward to hearing from you.

Capitol Report: History of Neeyville, Holcomb and Broseley

Rep. Kent Hampton

Arts & Entertainment Page 14

www.semotimes.comArts & Entertainment

Dancing with the Poplar Bluff StarsInterview Series: Blue Team

Liz Ellis Reporter

In 2005, the reality TV series, “Danc-

ing with the Stars” de-buted on ABC and was the No.1 show that year, watched by more than 15 million viewers in the United States. This year, for the second time, Sa-cred Heart Catholic School will be hosting its own live version of the popular television series, called “Dancing with Poplar Bluff Stars.” Last year, the charity event raised nearly $8,000 for the school.

“I would say hands down, [this is] the most surprisingly fun event that you will go to all year,” said Christy Fra-zier-Moore, event coor-dinator. “It’s a unique, fun, family-oriented event that will blow your socks off.”

The competition this year will be at 6 p.m. Jan. 7, and will feature five couples from Poplar Bluff. The SEMO Times will continue to feature one couple each week leading up to the event. This five-week series will include a Q&A with a different team as well as details about the show.

Q: Where do you work?A: I am a third grade teacher at Eugene Field.

Q: What is something about you that most people don’t know? A: I have four of the most precious kids in the world... that have never fought, and get along perfectly all the time.

Q: Do you have any background in dance?A: Actually, yes, and I’ve been hop-ing that some of my previous lessons will rub off on Eric... so far is has not

worked.

Q: Why did you decide to participate?A: I thought it would be fun.

Q: What song(s) will you be dancing to?A: We are still searching for the perfect song.

Q: What style will your second dance be?A: If I can get Eric to learn one dance, that will be a miracle [in and of itself].

Q: How have you been preparing for the show?A: YouTube, private lessons and tons of practice—now just to get Eric to at least pretend to practice!

Q: Why do you think you’re going to win? A: Our only hope is if people come and pay plenty of money to watch Eric make a fool of himself.

Q: Why should people vote for you? A: Because I am taking this very seriously.

Q: If you had to estimate, how much money do you think (or hope) you and your partner will raise?A: We are shooting for $1 more than Kim King and Gary Feather-ston (not sure why them, but it sounds good).

Q: Anything else you want to mention?A: Vote any color but BLUE...

Q: Where do you work and what do you do for a living?A: Gamblin Lumber Co.

Q: What is something about your-self most people don’t know?A: I am highly competitive and I ran 16 half-marathons in the past two years, plus a full marathon and five triathlons.

Q: Do you have any background in dance?A: Nope... and I still can’t dance at all, but I minored in acting in col-lege. I hope to act like I know what I am doing.

Q: Why did you choose to participate?A: Choose? We had a choice?

Q: What songs are you dancing to?A: Um... “Zoot Suit Riot” by Brian Setzer Orchestra... I think

Q: What style will your second dance be?A: We see no need to practice a second dance... once you see our first, you will understand

Q: How have you been preparing for the show?A: Not nearly enough.

Q: Why do you think you’re going to win?A: I hope we don’t win... if we win, the other teams were terrible.

Q: Why should people vote for you?A: They shouldn’t... actually vote for those that have a chance and can dance.

Q: If you had to estimate, how much money do you think (or hope) you and your partner will raise?A: I hope at least $20 dollars... but I doubt it.

Q: Anything else you want to mention?A: I just hope not to embarrass my family too much... then again...

Eric Schalk Juli Schalk

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Opinion and Editorial

Opinion and Editorial

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Crossword Solution

from pg 9

The Book Shop320 N Main Poplar Bluff

573-714-5642 Presents

Opinion & Editorial Page 17

www.semotimes.com Opinion & Editorial

We have all felt the blues from time to time, but for those who have Seasonal Af-fective Disorder, it can make the winter months seem to go on forever.

SAD is a type of depression that occurs at the same time every year starting in the fall continuing into the winter months, and less often lasting into spring.

The specific cause of seasonal affec-tive disorder is unknown, however, a few causes have shown to be worthy of study including genetics. Other factors that play a role in this could be your biological clock (circadian rhythm). The reduced level of sunlight in fall and winter may disrupt your body's internal clock, which lets you know when you should sleep or be awake. This disruption of your circadian rhythm may lead to feelings of depression.

Serotonin levels. A drop in serotonin, a brain chemical (neurotransmitter) that af-fects mood, might play a role in seasonal affective disorder. Reduced sunlight can cause a drop in serotonin that may trigger depression.

Melatonin levels. The change in sea-son can disrupt the balance of the natural hormone melatonin, which plays a role in sleep patterns and mood.

Symptoms can vary from person to per-son, but the most common symptoms are:•Depression •Hopelessness •Anxiety •Loss of energy •Heavy, "leaden" feeling in the arms or

legs •Social withdrawal •Oversleeping •Loss of interest in activities you once

enjoyed •Appetite changes, especially a craving

for foods high in carbohydrates •Weight gain is more common with this

type of depression•Difficulty concentratingIt's normal to have some days when you

feel down. But if you feel down for days at a time and you can't seem to get moti-vated to do activities you normally enjoy, see your doctor. This is particularly im-portant if you notice that your sleep pat-terns and appetite have changed or if you feel hopeless, think about suicide, or find yourself turning to alcohol for comfort or relaxation.

Treatment can be as simple as light ther-apy or a more complex protocol of medica-tions and psychotherapy. Lifestyle chang-es can also add to any treatment. Simple changes and adjustments such as making your environment sunnier and brighter. Open blinds, trim tree branches that block sunlight or add skylights to your home. Sit closer to bright windows while at home or in the office. Take a long walk, eat lunch at a nearby park, or simply sit on a bench and soak up the sun. Even on cold or cloudy days, outdoor light can help — especially if you spend some time outside within two hours of getting up in the morning.

Physical exercise helps relieve stress and anxiety, both of which can increase sea-sonal affective disorder symptoms. Being more fit can make you feel better about yourself, too, which can lift your mood. Yoga is a wonderful way to support your mood since it strongly works at the mind/body/spirit connection.

Keeping a strong support system of posi-tive people is also an important factor.

‘Til next time, here’s to your health!

A yoga/healthy lifestyle instructor, Kat Robinson is the owner of Active Kat Yoga in Doniphan, which can be found online at www.activekatyoga.com. You can reach her by emailing, kat@activekatyoga.com.

If this was a column on buying stock, it would probably be ille-gal. Fortunately for both of us, the rules on insider info related to the real estate market are not quite so strict. However, a good piece of insider info on real estate can be just as profitable as a hot stock tip. So want to hear what was said behind the closed doors of our office's Tuesday morning meeting this week?

Like every Tuesday, each agent shared info on new list-ings, homes they put under con-tract last week, and the contracts that closed. But this week, there was a new twist. We also talked in great length about a problem in the Poplar Bluff real estate mar-ket. The problem is a shortage of homes. We refer to it as "not enough inventory."

I know what you're thinking. You drive down the road and see lots of "For Sale" signs. You pick up a newspaper or Homes Guide and it's page after page of houses. How can there be a shortage? But in proportion to the current sales trends and the forecast, we need homes. We need listings. We sel-dom have a staff meeting these days without someone bringing up a buyer who is looking for a home with particular features in a particular area and price range... a buyer that they cannot find a home for.

As demand is already starting to increase with the hospital and retail development projects, the situation is only going to con-tinue. For the past few months, there has been a shortage of rental property. Now, owners are choos-ing to rent homes rather than sell them. Investors are buying homes to use for rental property.

So what does this mean to you? How do you turn this insider info into cash in your pocket? If you have any interest in the rental market, now is a fantastic time in Poplar Bluff to buy a few "handyman specials," fix them up, and rent them out. If you have thought about selling your home, but waiting til the time is right... the time is right.

Homes priced under $90,000 are being grabbed up quickly by investors. Homes between $119,000 and $140,000 are prob-ably the hottest price point. And, for the first time in a long time, we need those luxury homes priced above $250,000. One note: Don't take this to mean you can price a home sky high and it will sell instantly. Homes still have to be priced competitively and have to appraise out. Call a local real estate agent. They will sit down with you and show you compa-rable listings and sale prices. See if now is the time for you to get back in the real estate market.

Shhhh.... insider info!Seasonal Affective Disorder

Healthy Lifestylewith Kat Robinson

AdvicePage 18

www.semotimes.com Advice

Dear Joy,Every year around the holiday season, my family always gets together

to celebrate, but my girlfriend never wants to go. We’ve been together for about six years, and at first she would always come to family events with me, but about three Christmas’ ago she stopped. We’ve talked about it and she will only say that she isn’t comfortable, but will never elaborate. My family likes her a lot, so I don’t understand why she feels this way. I’ve told her how much it means to me, but things haven’t changed. I would like very much to be able to spend the time with my family and my girlfriend. Is there any way to fix this?

Frustrated,Poplar Bluff

Frustrated,First of all, this is just a personal thing, but I have never

understood the whole “she’s been my girlfriend for SIX years.” But as I say, it’s a personal thing.OK, first of all, if she won’t tell you why she is uncom-

fortable, then you really can’t do much about the situa-tion. Unless someone in your family has done something really inappropriate to her, then I think out of respect to you, she should get her big girl panties on and deal with it. Life is too short to be immature, and not give good reasons for not wanting to do something that is impor-tant to you.If she’s reading this then grow up, sweetie. If you care

about him, he wants you to be included in his family. Put away having your own way on CHRISTmas of all days, and go enjoy the day.

-Joy

A weekly advice column from a local romance expert, Ask Joy is our own ver-sion of Ask Abby. To ask Joy a relationship question, email her at askjoyinthe-times@hotmail.com, or friend her on Facebook at Ask Joy.

Event Calendar Page 19

www.semotimes.com Event Calendar

Community Calendar

To submit an event, go to www.semotimes.com and click on the +bluffee tab

SemoTimes

Upcoming community events from Dec. 16 - 31

See it Live

PowdermillThe band Powdermill, hailing from Van Buren, has enjoyed immense success both at home

and abroad in recent months.

Their music is a strong mix of southern rock and country, with a liberal mix of bluegrass and good old fashioned rock thrown in for good measure.

The band’s four members have recently returned from a tour in France (see SEMO

Times Sept. 9, 2011 edition) and they will be releasing a new CD in the coming months. They will be performing original songs all night long.

For more information on the band, check out their website: www.powdermillmusic.com or look

for them on Facebook.

Where: Whiskey Down

When: 12/23/11

Doors open at 7 p.m.

Band members:Jesse Hammock II

Vocals, Rhythm guitar

Jeff ChapmanLead guitar

Pat McSpadden Bass guitar

Andrew Bedell Drums, Percussion

“Self Portrait Paintings” Art ClassDec. 31

1 - 3 p.m.Margaret Harwell Art

Museum Annex Poplar Bluff

“Little Villages” Art Class

Dec.179 a.m. - noon

Margaret Harwell Art Museum Annex

Poplar Bluff

Alex Riffle and the Stiff Riffs

Dec. 227 - 11 p.m.Wine RackPoplar Bluff

Sounds of Christmas

Dec. 187 p.m.

Palace of Praise ChurchPoplar Bluff

“Marbled Paper” Art ClassDec. 17

1 - 3 p.m.Margaret Harwell Art

Museum AnnexPoplar Bluff

“Rain Stick Design” Art Class

Dec. 3110 a.m. - noon

Margaret Harwell Art Museum Annex

Poplar Bluff