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The Most Important News of your Week 1.6.12 FREE

Maya’s opens new party room

Traveling Smithsonian exhibit

at Wheatley

Dancing with the PB Stars this Saturday

Gene Oakley Casts a Long Shadow in Missouri

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Current Events

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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. Do you believe the world is going to end this year?

2. What’s your New Year’s resolution?

1. I don’t think the world is going to end but I do think there is going to be significant change, and life as we know it may end.

‎2. Laugh hysterically every single day.

2. To continue on the path that leads me to be a better person everyday.

2. To declutter my entire life starting with my home!

Amie Austin

P.j. Sisco

Jessica Lassiter Brotherton

1. Look around... the world has already ended.

1. I believe it will end when the good Lord has had enough.

Semotimes

1.6.12Volume 4 Issue 1

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 the new 33rd senatorial dis-trict. Carter, Oregon, Reyn-

olds and Shannon counties were iden-tified among the most underserved in the state in terms of broadband access, according to a Missouri Public Service Commission report released this week. Hint, hint—Ward Franz, Doug Libla or Don Wells—fight the power.

It was a good week for Mormonism, as Republican presidential candidate Mitt

Romney led the Iowa Caucus. Touché to Rick Santorum… out of nowhere! Sorry Michele Bachmann. Our coun-try hasn’t quite gone that insane.

It was a good week for Poplar Bluff’s Kmart and

Sears, which did not fall victim to company closures… yet, we hope.

It was a good week for Mis-souri House Speaker Steve Tilley for mentioning former

state Sen. Jeff Smith in his opening day speech. Well done.

It was a good week for Schlafly beer for remaining St. Louis owned,

rather than say selling out to Belgium.

It was a good week for Poplar

Bluff Regional Medi-cal Center’s New

Year’s baby, five-pound 11-ounce Zoe Marie Corzine of Dexter. Wel-come.

It was a good week for Neelyville Schools, which received a $125,000 grant

from the Missouri Foundation for Health to aid students seeking health-related careers. Shout out to Brad Hagood.

NewsPage 4

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Rural Missouri advocate hangs up career spanning a half-century Tim Krakowiak Managing Editor

VAN BUREN, Mo. – Dr. Gene Oak-ley claims to finally be content with his career, having completed a half-century in public service, dedicating his energy to improving lives in rural Missouri.

With the exception of raising beef cattle on his farm, the 70-year-old Van Buren man has not been involved in a major project for over a month now, the longest stretch since he was a late teenager, he said.

An educator of 25 years at the Van Buren School District, his wife Judy Oakley did not comment but laughed when asked if her husband would re-main retired this time around.

“At my maturity level, a lot of people think you’re too old to do anything,” Gene Oakley joked. “I may not be unforgettable, but I have a very good

memory.”Gene Oakley began his career in the

field of education, teaching and admin-istering in various school districts in “the hills” of Southeast Missouri, as he refers to them, before shifting gears to government work.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in history and master’s in administration, respectively, from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau be-fore achieving a Ph.D. in administra-tion from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 1976.

“My parents were true believers in education, although I’m not sure where the notion came from,” said Gene Oak-ley of Helen and the late Bud Oakley, each of whom were never afforded the opportunity to complete high school. “How could I not believe education was important when I look back at the things my parents did to see I got one?”

Growing up in the outskirts of Ellsinore, Gene Oakley recalled, be-

fore he was re-a s s i g n e d to East Carter, his m o t h e r w o u l d walk a to-tal of 12 miles to and from the Lower Ten Mile School to see that her son ar-rived safe-ly.

A f t e r two de-cades of

teaching history at Van Buren High School, and being promoted to ad-ministration in the Fremont School District, Gene Oak-ley—a Democrat—was elected to the 148th District of the Missouri House of Representative in 1982.

As a young man, Gene Oakley could remember learn-ing that congress-men were regular people when on the streets he crossed paths with the late A.S.J. Carnahan, a fellow Carter Coun-tian, who served in the United States House.

“I received my first political ad-vice from him,” Gene Oakley said. “He said, ‘You run a long time before you file,’ in other words, establish yourself out there doing various things so people know who you are.”

While serving on the state education committee, Gene Oakley helped found the 1985 Excellence in Education Act, which required the establishment of professional development programs specifically for beginning teachers.

Gene Oakley said he always looked up to the late Nelson B. Tinnin, widely regarded as the father of what is now Missouri’s community college sys-tem. When Tinnin left the state Sen-

ate in 1984, Gene Oakley revealed he thought he could fill his large shoes as an education advocate, but lost the senatorial race to a Bootheel candidate.

Returning to public education after his short-lived tenure in state legis-lature, Gene Oakley served adminis-trative roles at Ellington and Couch. In his final post as superintendent of Greenville Schools, he helped lead the Committee for Educational Equality.

A three-year battle ensued with the state resulting in the creation of the

Submitted PhotoHelen and the late Bud Oakley stand outside their home in Ellsinore, where Gene Oakley was raised as a boy.

Submitted PhotoGene Oakley visits with U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill at the 2008 National Democratic Convention in Denver, Colo. The two Democrats served together in the Missouri House as members of the 82nd General Assembly.

continued on pg 13

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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.

Three Rivers College spring enrollment closes Jan. 13

Prospective students still have time to register for spring classes at Three Rivers College. Enrollment is open until Jan. 13, at the main campus in Poplar Bluff as well as all five full-service centers in Dexter, Malden, Kennett, Sikeston, and the Cape Girardeau Partnership for Higher Educa-tion.Those interested in enrolling can browse

available courses by clicking “Search for Classes” at www.trcc.edu. Current stu-dents can register online through the my-TRCC system. Advisement offices are also open now for any current or future students wishing to discuss their college goals. For registration assistance or for an advisement appointment, contact the Wel-come Center at 573-840-9605.

Ozark storyteller to present Saturday at library

Patrons of all ages are invited to join free-lance storyteller Steve Otto for a special presentation from 1-3 p.m. Saturday in the Poplar Bluff Public Library Theater.Otto is based in Kansas City and has a

repertoire for more than 450 stories, ac-cording to his website www.i-tell.net. He delivers more than 200 presentations each year to a variety of groups including ev-eryone from those in nursery schools to nursing homes.This event is being sponsored by the

Missouri Humanities Council and Holi-day Inn.

Troop E totals for Christmas and New Year’s

Capt. George E. Ridens, commanding officer of Troop E, Poplar Bluff, has an-nounced the traffic crash and enforcement totals for both the Christmas and New Year’s counting periods.During the Christmas counting period,

which began at 6 p.m. Dec. 23 and ended at 11:59 p.m. Dec. 26, Troop E officers in-vestigated 20 traffic crashes, which result-

ed in three injuries. Troopers also made five arrests for driving while intoxicated.During the New Year’s counting period,

which began at 6 p.m. Dec. 30 and ended at 11:59 p.m. Monday, Troop E officers investigated 21 traffic crashes, which re-sulted in nine injuries. Troopers also made 18 arrests for driving while intoxicated.The Missouri State Highway Patrol urges

all citizens to report any vehicle they ob-serve operating in a careless manner. The public can contact the Highway Patrol toll-free at 800-525-5555 or on their cel-lular phone at *55.

Tickets available for Lee Green-wood veterans concert

The John J. Pershing VA Medical Cen-ter will host the “Valentines for Veterans Concert” at the Black River Coliseum at 7 p.m. Feb. 17. The event will feature en-tertainment by country music artist, Lee Greenwood.Tickets are now available for distribution

through the Poplar Bluff VA Medical Cen-ter and Greater Poplar Bluff Area Cham-ber of Commerce. Tickets will be dis-tributed on a first-come-first-served basis with four priorities of ticket distribution: gold star (lost a family service member in combat) family members (limit two), vet-erans, families of veterans and the general public. A limited number of tickets are available to the public at the chamber. VA officials hope to fill all available seats on the night of the concert.No admission will be charged to attend

this concert for veterans, their families and the public because “the price has already been paid” by the sacrifices of veterans. The event is fully-sponsored by Help Hos-pitalized Veterans and contributors in the community.Individuals interested in information

about tickets may call 573-778-4414. For information on volunteering or making a donation, call 573-778-4151 ext. 54275, or 888-557-8262 ext. 54275 or 54276.

BusinessPage 6

www.semotimes.com Business

Liz Ellis Reporter

Maya’s has undergone a renova-tion to the upstairs portion of

the Mexican restaurant and it will be open to the general public for seating beginning this weekend. The area will seat about 80 people, and has been un-der construction for about two months.

“For me, I was excited because it was something different,” said Brenda Corona, assistant manager. “We’ve been here for about 11 years, and now suddenly it’s something new happen-ing. Our customers love it.”

“Maya’s has built a perfect venue to have a party or meeting. The new upstairs room provides a great atmo-sphere while giving your event some privacy,” said Dr. Ben Adkins of Ad-kins Chiropractic & Wellness after see-ing the changes to the upstairs.

While the new dining area can be reserved for large parties, it is also available to casual diners if there is nothing else going on up there. Before renovations, the upstairs was an exclu-sive party room. Now, there are three large TVs, longer tables and a bar with a variety of beers and other beverages available.

“We tried to update in all the dif-ferent ways, like dishes, bar, drinks… and we have different variety of beer

on tap, like Blue Moon and other dif-ferent types. We’re using new flavors too,” owner Francisco Esquivel said. Esquivel said that he hopes to serve a wider variety of customers and com-pete with other local restaurants in the area with this addition.

While the upstairs area still feels like a Mexican restaurant, with a similar color scheme, it also has a more pri-vate and slightly more formal feel than the other dining downstairs. It may just be the wide windows or the cozy atmo-sphere, or perhaps it is the beautiful bar and the large TVs playing, but regard-less, the restaurant staff and customers are all excited about the changes.

“We are happy to have it here, and I think a lot of people like it. They like the colors and the atmosphere,” Co-rona said. “And if you want to have something private you can let us know and we’ll be glad to serve everybody.”

To celebrate the opening, Maya’s Mexican Restaurant will be hosting a football party in the upstairs area, of-fering special prices on draft beer dur-ing the BCS National Championship game between LSU and Alabama. The event will start at 8:30 p.m. Monday.

Liz Ellis can be reached by emailing lizellis@semotimes.com.

Maya’s opens new party room

Photo by Liz EllisThe new upstairs of Maya’s Mexican Restaurant features a full bar and three large televisions. The area will be open to the public this Friday, and can be used for general seating as well as reservations.

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Travelling Smithsonian exhibit opens at Wheatley Liz Ellis Reporter

During the month of January, the his-toric Wheatley School will be the tempo-rary home for the travelling Smithsonian exhibit, “The Way We Worked,” and a local history exhibit centered on Poplar Bluff’s history told through photographs. The exhibit will be open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 7 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. through Jan. 29

The exhibits were organized through a cooperative effort of Downtown Poplar Bluff, Inc., Wheatley Historic Preserva-tion Association, and donations from area businesses. The local exhibit images were from works written by local histo-rian John Stanard and designed by Rose Anne Huck.

“I think the Smithsonian exhibit is great, but hands down the local one is the one you need to see,” said Mary Ann Al-len of Poplar Bluff at the grand opening Tuesday. “The history of Butler County is just fascinating… I was just thinking, I’m from central Missouri, and I wish they would do something like this for my hometown. It’s really neat. Everyone should come out and see this.”

“To see our local exhibit up next to the national exhibit is very, very competi-tive,” said Bill Turner, secretary for the Wheatley Historic Preservation Associa-tion. “It gives a lot of pride in our com-munity, knowing that we have this kind of history and talent in our community.”

“Everyone knows somebody who

lived in or around then or they know that place… every-thing is significant in some way,” Huck said.

“I think there is a lot of power in the national exhibit and it smoothes the way for the local. I think it’s neat, and that’s the way it should work. Then, [when patrons] go over to the local exhibit, they get into it,” said Tracy Frish, Downtown Poplar Bluff director.

While Wheatley School is not ex-actly downtown, Fr-ish explained, this event is still part of the revitaliza-tion of downtown. Wheatley, she said, is an important a part of the history of Poplar Bluff, and should not be left out because of its location. Frish and Huck agreed they hope the exhibit will help build more of a sense of community through the memo-

Young loom workers at Bibb Mill No. 1 in Macon, Georgia, by Lewis W. Hine, January 1909.

Photo by: National Archives, Records of the Children’s Bureau

Workman on the framework of the Empire State Building, New York City, ca. 1930-31.

Photo by: National Archives, Records of the Works Progress Administration

>>

>>

The photos to the right are examples of the many historic images on display as part of the Smithsonian exhibit at Wheatley School.

News Page 9

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Down

1. Shed, as a crab’s claw2. Stream of particles3. Notched4. Dress style5. Similar6. Half and half7. Spiny shrubs8. Wind off a spool9. ___ is human10. Very small11. Conductor ___ -Pekka Salonen12. Variety of lettuce13. Appears14. Discourse on a theme21. D-Day beach24. Church singers25. One in a cab, say27. Warsaw residents28. Misplaces30. Ribbons31. Twinned crystal33. Confirm34. Capital of Venezuela35. Improper use of words36. Cathedral37. Jester38. From within39. Line that touches a curve40. Express support42. South African animal rug45. Island in the East China Sea46. Grow to maturity48. Black-and-white treat49. Hot rock51. Actor Wallach53. Block

Crossword of the Week

Solution on pg 16

Across

1. Third son of David8. Spoke15. Direct route16. Noxious17. Hits18. Christens anew19. Chili con ___20. Inquiry22. Circle section23. Dies ___24. More adorable25. Baltic capital26. Convened

27. Glass bottle28. Fabric woven from flax yarns29. Canine of the upper jaw31. Free from ostentation32. That’s ___!33. Flower holder34. Park patron37. Waste away41. ___ Irish Rose42. Murders43. Outlaw44. Flows

45. Jackie’s predecessor46. Orange cover47. Balaam’s mount48. Paddled49. Jargon50. Indulge52. Power plug transformer54. Eternal55. Inns56. Earnest57. Originate

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

ries attached to the photos. “It doesn’t matter how much money you pump

into downtown or how many bricks and mortar you use if you don’t have a cohesive sense of commu-nity behind it,” Frish said. “Because that’s what’s really successful. This is a perfect project. It’s not in the heart of downtown, but it’s a historic piece that is in the heart of [the city’s] history.”

The Smithsonian exhibit is part of the Smithso-nian Travelling Exhibition Service’s program: Mu-seum on Main Street, designed to bring quality ex-hibits to places that otherwise would not get to see them. According to the Smithsonian Museum on Main Street website, their exhibit is meant to, “…Explore how work became such a central element in American culture by tracing the many changes that affected the workforce and work environments over the past 150 years.” The exhibit includes both photographs and artifacts from the past set up in an easy-to-process format.

The topic—work—may not sound like something that is interesting to many. After all, work is mostly a necessary part of life. But, Frish noted, it is not as dull as it sounds.

“Actually, it’s pretty fascinating, because that’s your life. That’s everything about how you are and what you do,” Frish said.

“I think it’s great they can put this out for us to look at and marvel how people used to do things,” Joe Whalen of Poplar Bluff said during the ribbon cutting.

Wheatley was chosen as the exhibit’s location for a number of reasons, Frish said, but primarily for the history and beauty of the building and because of the interest of the Wheatley Historic Preservation Association.

As part of this exhibit, Downtown Poplar Bluff has also hung up nearly 30 posters in the windows of various empty storefronts in downtown, both to brighten up the place and to hopefully make people stop and realize how much the downtown needs these efforts.

“We’re downtown PB and we still have a lot of work to do in downtown proper, but what we’ve al-ways thought is that revitalization of downtown has to include the historic parts of our town,” Frish said. “So I just think this exhibit is perfect; it brought our community together and touches on things that mat-ter.”

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

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Each contestant will be weighed, measured and have a body fat analysis done by one of Ozarks AFAA certified athletic trainers.

Option to train with a personal trainer once a week for 90 days.

Nutrition and workout routines will be available.

“Live Strong Stay Strong”90-Day Weight Loss Challenge

Starts January 12, 2012

PrizesWinner: $250 Visa Gift CardRunner Up: $125 Visa Gift Card3rd Runner Up: $75 Visa Gift Card4th Runner Up: $50 Visa Gift Card

Entry Fee: $35Open to Members & Non Members

Get started today!

Call: 573-778-3488,Email: eddie@ozarkpt.com

Or sign up: Ozark’s front desk778-FITT

2725 N. Westwood(across Hwy. 67 from PB Regional Medical Center)

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News Page 13

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1993 Outstanding Schools Act, which required each Missouri school district to expend one percent of its revenue on professional development activities. The necessary annual appropriation of $360 million came from an increase in corporate income taxes and added rev-enue measures through Riverboat Ca-sinos, according to Gene Oakley.

“That was probably my greatest con-tribution to mankind,” he stated.

His most notable student during the 15 years he taught graduate courses through his alma mater was Tom Ak-ers of Eminence, who took a class at Southeast under the instruction of Gene Oakley before becoming an as-tronaut with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. “Gene was a good teacher, a great guy and friend,” Akers said.

Gene Oakley noted: “I often wonder how many Tom Akers fall by the way-

side due to our education system fail-ing them, being the most underserved area of the state. Having seen what was happening in other parts of the county, I always felt there was no reason we can’t have those same opportunities here.”

The educator retired for the first time in the mid-1990s, only to accept the part-time administrative post at Ripley County before spending the next 12 years serving as Carter County presid-ing commissioner.

“I thought Gene was an outstanding presiding commissioner in corporation with his associate commissioners,” said Alan Turley, publisher of The Cur-rent Local newspaper in Van Buren. “I think even his Republican friends can agree with that.”

Accomplishments in county govern-ment on Gene Oakley’s watch included securing money for construction of a

new justice center and library in Carter County, plus renovating the courthouse and expanding the Big Springs Shel-tered Workshop.

Additional grants Gene Oakley was recently instrumental in landing in-volve a sidewalk enhancement project in Van Buren and paving a gravel road south of Ellsinore, both currently under way.

Having collaborated with Gene Oak-ley on identifying funding mechanisms in his poverty-stricken county, Felicity Brady, executive director for the Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Com-mission, simply described the man as “very persistent.”

Gene Oakley was always interested in community college education, hav-ing helped establish the Three Rivers College Board of Trustees sub-districts as they are divided today. He ran for the community college board in 2010,

but lost, subsequently withdrawing from vying for a fourth term on the commission, admittedly out of frustra-tion with voters.

For the past year, Gene Oakley took a director position for Gov. Jay Nixon’s MoBroadbandNow initiative, which has a goal of providing 95 percent of Missourians high-speed Internet access by the end of 2014.

“It’s been proven that everywhere you expand broadband across the coun-try, there’s a real jump in economic de-velopment,” Gene Oakley said. “Many businesses out there would love to come to this rural area, for instance, if there was better access to global mar-kets and ordering raw materials.”

Tim Krakowiak can be contacted by emailing tim@semotimes.com, or fol-low him on Twitter @TimKrakowiak.

from pg 4 Rural Missouri advocate retiring

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www.semotimes.comArts & Events

Liz Ellis Reporter

The charity event for Sacred Heart Catholic

School, “Dancing with Pop-lar Bluff Stars” will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday in the his-toric Rodgers Theatre. The event is patterned after the popular reality TV series, “Dancing with the Stars,” which debuted on ABC in 2005.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online, at South-ern Bank, at Sacred Heart or at the door the night of the performance. The first few rows of the theater have been sectioned off as VIP. Tickets for those rows cost $25, and numbers are limited.

During the show, five lo-cal couples will perform a dance for the audience. After each duo performs, the audi-ence will have the chance to vote by donation on which performance they like. Each vote will cost $5, and audi-ence members may vote as many times as they wish. The two couples with the most votes will then move to round two and perform a second dance. The audience will vote one final time, and a winner will be declared.

Voting may also be done online prior to the event at www.dancingwithpbstars.

com.“We were trying to get

away from the common type of fundraisers where you just sell stuff,” said Janet Cooper, Sacred Heart princi-pal. “We wanted to involve other community members and we wanted to get togeth-er to have a fellowship with people too. It’s a great way to get together and just have fun.”

Between the dances, while votes are being tallied, Sa-cred Heart students and faculty will be performing comedy acts. In addition, there will be several musi-cal acts including the Becker family, Rebeckah Northern and Doug Clark performing washboard music.

Proceeds from conces-sions available during the event will go toward the res-toration of Rodgers Theatre.

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

The five couples perform-ing are:

1. Chris & Subrina Berger2. Ron & Susan Jones3. Joe Clark & Michelle

Jackson4. Eric & Juli Schalk

5. Donald & Brenda Yarbro

This week, Donald and Brenda Yarbro, are featured with an exclusive interview. For more information about the other couples and the dances they will be perform-ing, visit www.semotimes.com.

“The number one word I would use to describe our contestants is brave. They are dedicated every prac-tice,” Frazier-Moore said. “They are putting their hearts and souls into their music, their dance and their wardrobe. It’s neat to see them so excited about some-thing that is going to benefit so many kids.”

Last year, this charity event raised nearly $8,000 for the school. This year, the fundraising goal is $10,000, and the money raised from tickets and votes will go toward general budget and technology upgrades for the school.

“We’d like to invite every-one to come out and have a good night, have a good laugh and have some good family fun,” Cooper con-cluded.

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

Dancing with the PB Stars this SaturdayInterview: Yellow TeamDonald and Brenda Yarbro

Brenda Q: Who is your partner? A: Don YarbroQ: Where do you work? A: I too am a retired farmer. We farmed rice and soybeans on a farm in southeastern Butler County.Q: What is something about you that most people don’t know? A: I’m a very open person and cannot think of anything people do not know about me. In other words, I can’t keep my mouth shut.Q: Do you have any background in dance? A: Don and I have been dancing for about five years. After our kids married and left home, it seemed all we did was watch TV at night, so we started taking lessons and our life has not been the same since then. We have met wonderful people who have blessed and enriched our lives so much.Q: Why did you decide to participate? A: We chose to participate because we are a Christian couple who believe that God should be a part of a child’s education and want to keep this option available to some children who might not otherwise be able to have that chance.Q: What song(s) will you be dancing to? A: We are dancing our swing dance to John Fogherty’s “Blue Boy,” and if we should get to dance again, we will do the Cha Cha Cha to Lynn Garner’s “Todo Todo.”

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Arts & Events

Arts & Events

Community Calendar

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

SemoTimes

Upcoming community events from jAN. 7 - 21

The Wrong OmarJan. 218 p.m.

The Wine RackPoplar Bluff

Dancing with the Poplar Bluff Stars

Jan. 77 p.m.

Rodgers TheatrePoplar Bluff

Puss in BootsJan. 21

3 p.m. and 7 p.m.Tinnin Fine Arts

CenterPoplar Bluff

Chimes of FreedomJan. 148 p.m.

The Wine RackPoplar Bluff

The MillstonesJan 78 p.m

The Wine RackPoplar Bluff

Alex Riffle and the Stiff RIffs

Jan. 217 p.m.

Rodgers TheatrePoplar Bluff

Don Q: Where do you work and what do you do for a living?A: We are retired farmers.Q: What is something about yourself most people don’t know?A: I have a BS degree in agriculture.Q: Do you have any background in dance?A: We started taking dance lessons about five years ago. We started out doing country and now we are doing some ballroom.Q: Why did you choose to participate?A: We did this because we think God is an important part of a child's education and want the community to have that option for their children.Q: What songs are you dancing to?A: First dance, we are dancing to “Blue Boy” by John Fogerty.Q: What style will your second dance be?A: If we get to come back we will do the Cha Cha to “Todo Todo.”Q: How have you been preparing for the show?A: We have been practicing at home every day, we go to the group practices, and we have ballroom lessons at the Faith Lutheran Church at Dexter on Mon-day night. We also go to dances at the local civic centers a couple of nights a week.Q: Why do you think you’re going to win?A: If we should happen to win, I hope people will see how much fun we have dancing. We get a ton [of] exercise and have met so many new friends.Q: Why should people vote for you?A: Maybe we might inspire someone else to get up and dance.Q: If you had to estimate, how much money do you think (or hope) you and your partner will raise?A: I have no idea. I hope a couple of hundred dollars.

Q: How have you been preparing for the show? A: I have been doing all the things Don did except I have been learning to do it in heels. We have spent a lot of time choreographing our swing dance. We plan on doing a West Coast swing.Q: Why do you think you’re going to win? A: If we should happen to win it will solely be because our friends come out and support us.Q: Why should people vote for you? A: Dancing is a fun thing that we do, but we know that every dance is not always a winning dance. So we are going out there with [the] attitude that this is a new adventure for us and we do love new adventures. If we should win, that would just be the icing on the cake. I hope our fun and enthusiasm makes people want to support us.Q: If you had to estimate, how much money do you think (or hope) you and your partner will raise? A: I hope we raise tons of money for the Sacred Heart School.

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Crossword Solution

from pg 9

The Book Shop320 N Main Poplar Bluff

573-714-5642 Presents

Opinion & Editorial Page 17

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At the end of the Silence Dogood column, I have to admit, I was tapped out. It was just something I was tired of doing and I think it was showing. How-ever, after a year off, and buying a key-pad for my Ipad, I’ve decided to take up writing again. If for any reason you don’t like the column, I will give you your money back, no questions asked.

I will be contributing a couple times a month on local and state politics is-sues, and possibly the Cardinals. I hope you enjoy. If not, take it up with Pauly Shore’s old girlfriend Shawna. Her number is 310-694-7411. No, really, that is her number. Call her if you like. She used to date Pauly Shore himself. I know what you’re thinking. I thought he was gay too, but nope.

That brings me to my point. To me, gay rights are civil rights, not political issues for phony office seekers to ma-nipulate. First of all, let me say that I really do not view those who want to subjugate gay Americans as knuckle dragging Neanderthals. Many very good intentioned kind hearted people who are friends of mine disagree be-cause of deeply held beliefs, and I respect them and their views. I just disagree. Revisionist historians today view all racists as completely terrible people, while in point of fact, many of them were good people who because of external factors were unable to prog-ress their views on race. I believe that today’s most pressing civil rights issue is how our society treats the gay com-munity.

Let’s look at the marriage equality is-sue from all ideological sides.

Liberals: Well I think most liberals would agree that all people should be

treated equal. However, the most liber-al president in American history lacks the political courage to publicly sup-port it.

Conservatives: Let me ask conser-vatives one question. What business does the government have in marriage? Why does the government have any role in marriage? It seems like Adam and Eve’s marriage was fine without paperwork from the state of Missouri.

Christians: Anything the government can grant you (i.e. marriage licenses), the government can take from you. Further, is it really the kind loving thing to do to relegate people to second class status?

What is the most ridiculous thing in the world is the pandering that goes on with the issue. In Massachutess, Mitt Romney stated he would be the most pro-gay rights senator in Washington. This fall many conservatives will vote for him for president while he tells them how anti-marriage equality he is. Not only does he not respect the people whose rights he so politically expediently advocates taking away, he doesn’t respect the people he thinks will swallow his pandering… people who are so eager to be pandered to may not be deserving of much respect.

“Every divorce begins with a marriage.”

– Ronnie of ‘Lizard Lick Towing’

Scott R. Faughn is the publisher of the SEMO Times, a Capricorn, for-mer mayor of Poplar Bluff and com-missioner of WWCW Wrestling, and a grape farmer. You can reach him on Twitter @ScottFaughn.

Silence Dogood comes out of the closet

In the Arenawith Scott. R. Faughn

It’s that time of year again. The Christmas goodies are pretty well gone, the decorations are being put away till next year and the holiday ham is be-ing made into various casseroles, leav-ing us with nothing except a thickened waistline, empty bank account and a head full of good intentions of a new life for the coming year.

New Year’s is one of the most cel-ebrated days of the year just because it gives a glimmer of hope for a new and better life to come. The problem that most of us have is we set the intention and then find ourselves falling short sometime around the middle of Febru-ary. My plan for this column is to give some thoughts on how not to lose the momentum.

I have found that keeping a New Year’s resolution can be much easier if we make sure to set goals that are achievable. I have seen so many peo-ple make a resolution to stop smok-ing, get healthy, join a gym, become a vegetarian, do better at work, keep the house cleaner, be a better spouse and, on top of all that, ‘I am going to lose 50 pounds this year.’ I get exhausted just hearing the plans. When we set our sights too high, it makes it seem like such a mountain to climb. And when we get to the middle of the mountain (usually sometime around mid-Feb-ruary), we lose our footing and slide back down, leaving us with a sense of failure.

All of the above are good traits of self-improvement, however, pick-ing one as a starting point and work-ing from that point seems to make it a little easier to achieve. Usually we have a gateway resolution, and when we can meet that one, the others seem to fall in place. Breaking our goals into bite-sized pieces also helps to keep the

momentum going. For instance, if you would like to lose 50 pounds, that’s great, but 50 pounds can seem like a million without some planning.

Making a resolution to lose 50 pounds over the course of a year can be done with lots of hard work, discipline and a good support system. That is the first part of completing your resolution. So get those vital parts in place. Then I recommend “sub goals,” such as ‘I want to lose 50 pounds in 2012, and I am going to have 15 pounds of that off by March 1.” Now instead of looking at the entire goal you are working to achieve, a sub goal seems doable. Then when you have that 15 pounds gone by March 1, you set a new sub goal: ‘I am going to lose another 15 by June 1,’ and so on.

Over the next few weeks, I will be giving tips on choosing an exercise modality, and weight loss tips. Because my New Year’s resolution is to lose 15 pounds by March 1, it would seem we are in this together.

Next week I will be talking to you about my favorite exercise modality—yoga: its benefits in your weight loss goals and overall health.

If you have a question or would like a particular topic covered to help you with your goals, please do not hesitate to contact me at kat@activekatyoga.com and put in the subject line “SEMO Times.” I will get back to you, and your question may be used in an upcoming column!

I look forward to hearing from you.Till 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@ac-tivekatyoga.com.

Making and keeping New Year’s resolutions

Healthy Lifestyleby Kat Robinson

Opinion & EditorialPage 18

www.semotimes.com Opinion & Editorial

I've never been much of one for making New Year's resolutions. I think they're a waste of time. You either want to do something, or you don't. Making a resolution doesn't change anything. If you wanted to do it, you prob-ably already have. If you don't want to do it, it doesn't matter how much you think you should do it. In the end, you won't. Maybe a day or two, maybe even a week or two. But... then you kind of just drift back into the things you really want to do.

But... I do believe in making rules for your-self that you know you won't break, because you truly believe in them, unlike rules other people try to make for you, which you will not follow because you know in your heart you are way smarter than them. And whose rules would you rather follow? Other people's dumb rules, or your own smart rules?

These are the rules so important that you want to pass them on to your children. You hope they will recognize them as smart rules that they will want to adopt as their own smart rules, but you never know, because one person's smart rule is another person's dumb rule.

These are my top smart rules. Adopt them if you think they are smart.

Rule No.1: Recognize your own value. Be-lieve in yourself and your abilities. You are better at what you do than anyone else in the world. You must believe this in order to fol-low Rule No. 2.

Rule No. 2 is be a calculated risk taker. You know yourself and your abilities better than anyone else. In every area of your life, be willing to take some risks... not stupid risks that will likely result in your death, but risks that will allow you to move forward with your life. Don't always play the safe game. Take the long shot every once in awhile. Play-ing it safe all the time keeps you in one spot, because you're afraid to move. That leads to a

life of regret. As my dad always said, ‘people don't regret the things they tried and failed at near as much as they regret not trying at all.’

This leads me to Rule No. 3: Optimize your chances of success by building yourself a good foundation. Education is the best foun-dation builder you can get. That's how you can become a calculated risk taker. When you have a good foundation, you can afford to take risks, because you've got more options open to you. It's like a house. Build a good-sized house, and you've got lots of rooms to choose to be in. Build a little house... and you're confined to maybe just four little walls. Claustrophobia. And that's how your life will feel, too. Not enough options.

And I'll close with Rule No. 4, which you can easily follow if you've followed the other rules. That rule is have no regrets. Always think before you speak. As a matter of fact, think a hundred times before you speak. Careless words can damage relationships. But... at the same time, once you've thought something for the 199th time... it's probably time to say it outloud. At least then it can be dealt with.

And have no regrets about your life's choic-es. Again, if you've followed all of my other rules, you have not lived nor made choices carelessly. You're as in control of your life as anyone can be, and that's where you want to be.

That's because, back to Rule No. 1: you are a far better rule-maker for your life than all those other dumb people.

Geez... they really need to get a clue and start asking you for advice.

Tammy Hilderbrand is the owner of Hilder-brand Diamond Company in Poplar Bluff, which can be found online at www.hilder-branddiamondcompany.com. You can reach her by emailing tammy@hilderbranddia-mondcompany.com.

New Year's resolutions? Naaah...

To the editor:When has our sheriff’s

department become so heartless that they would tase an 80-year-old man, and then refuse him medi-cal treatment and book him in jail for trying to protect his property by rid-ding himself of a renter that would not pay his rent and refused to move?

I believe our laws are designed to protect those people who want a free ride in life. I have been in busi-ness here for 46 years and until 2010, never had any problems with the sher-iff’s department. There is one deputy who thinks he can treat people anyway he wants and is very dan-gerous to our county, even though he knew I was not armed and that I do not hear well at 80 years old.

He started hitting me. I could see he had some kind of gun aimed at my face. I put my hands over my face and eyes. After that, he shot me with the Taser gun in the stomach and it knocked me to the ground. When I woke up, I was handcuffed. I had two holes in my stomach and also a piece of silver

metal sticking out that the officer removed. I asked him to take me to the vet-eran’s hospital because I was having chest pains and stomach pains. He refused and took me to jail. My daughter had to bring me my medicine, as I am on several kinds of medica-tion. They did not release me from jail until the next day. My chest continues to be in pain and I have had to hire someone to take care of maintenance and repairs of my property.

I believe that this officer likes to show his author-ity anytime the opportu-nity arrives. Butler Coun-ty Sheriff’s Department knows a lawsuit is coming. We need a big change in Butler County. Where has our common sense gone? Where are all of the rights and freedoms we used to have? I thought our law enforcement was put in place to protect and serve, not put 80-year-old men in harm’s way. I will never trust our law enforcement again.

Victor Bagwell Sr.,Poplar Bluff

80 year old Poplar Bluff man claims sheriff brutality

Letter to the Editor

Advice Page 19

www.semotimes.com Advice

Dear Joy,Lately I’ve been spending a lot of time with my boyfriend

on the weekends, and it’s always sad for me to have to go back to my mom’s house during the week. So we’ve decided the next step in our relationship is naturally to move into an apartment/house together (my parents are divorced, so I figure it might be a good idea to really put our compat-ibility to the test before getting married). However, we began perusing the classifieds this past weekend, and the first landlord we called told us he doesn’t rent out to unwed couples! What are we to do?

Crossroads,Poplar Bluff

Crossroads,You said the next step in your relationship is “naturally”

moving in together. Well, when did that become natural?! Call me old fashioned, but I still think living together is a bad idea on several levels.

First, some studies show that if couples live with each other before they are married, the divorce rate is actually higher for them. Some people slide into living together so they won’t HAVE to get married. Also something to consider is finances. If one of you is not good with money… then when bills are due and you are living together, what happens if someone does not pull their weight? That can cause a lot of hard feelings.

Marriage is a commitment to God, yourself and the person you are going to marry. I think finding things out about your partner AFTER you’re married is an adventure and something to cherish and look forward to. Sorry your parents were di-vorced, but that doesn’t mean you have to be! Remember that. I think the landlord has courage to put his beliefs before mak-ing money!

One last thing my mom always said. ‘Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?’ Good luck to you in whatever you choose to do. Remember, relationships are the hardest but most rewarding things in our lives. Think hard on whatever you decide to do.

-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.

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