SEMOTIMESWWW.SEMOTIMES.COM

The Most Important News of your Week 2.24.12

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Lions Club Auctionsets record

New Mexican restaurant

Emerson to host riverways event

Blackwell-Baldwin ends 40-year partnership, legacy lives on

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Current Events

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Current Events

The Week in Review

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About USEstablished 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!

Semotimes

2 .24.12Volume 4 Issue 7

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

Ad DesignerNicole Malinowski

malinowski.nicole@yahoo.com 1. Would you support a smoking ban at businesses in Poplar Bluff?

2. Who is your all-time favorite president?

1. Yes to smoking ban

‎2.Thomas Jefferson, pur-chased the Louisiana Territory, greatest addition to our coun-try!!

2. Abraham Lincoln 2. I have not been elected yet...

Gary Pride

Fawn Bagby

Gayle Robison

1. YES to no smoking!! 1. NO

It was a good week for the manufacturing sector. Mid Continent.. Steel and

Wire was bought out by DEACERO, and announced expansion plans. The downside: our local company is now owned by a global corporation. But with the Liblas still at the helm, we trust the plant will continue to prosper here. Plus the new owners seem like industry whizzes. Welcome aboard.

It was a good week for dedication. We bumped into Presiding Commissioner Ed

Strenfel, who was posted up like a thumbtack at the courthouse Wednes-day, camped out a week in advance simply so he could be the first on the ballot for the sheriff’s race.

It was a good week for Poplar Bluff. City Manager Doug Bagby reported dur-

ing the council meeting Tuesday that the city will be featured on national television: Today in America, “Hidden Jewels.” Make us look good.

It was a bad week for a Poplar Bluff meth head who was

greeted by police at his door holding lab paraphernalia. Nice job, genius.

It was a good week for the

Three Rivers College president for finally

stepping up his Twitter game. See: @DevinStephenson.

It was a bad week for the SEMO Times’ new friend Sarah McCullem, who

broke her hip in three places during a fall. Ouch, ouch, ouch.. Godspeed on the recovery, girl.

NewsPage 4

www.semotimes.com News

Tim Krakowiak Managing Editor

The names Blackwell and Baldwin have become syn-onymous in Southeast Mis-

souri over the past four decades, as seen at car dealerships, along bill-boards and on vehicles cruising the highways.

What began with an earnest hand-shake agreement between Harry Blackwell of Naylor and Poplar Bluff native Roger Baldwin, ended up in a legal battle over a year ago,

and reached a settlement outside of court last week.

Baldwin now owns the three deal-erships on South Westwood Boule-vard, while Blackwell operates the business in Dexter, plus he has ac-quired two additional dealerships in Malden, upon being bought out of the Poplar Bluff operation.

“My family is now in business in Dexter and Dunklin County, and we are excited about the future of these dealerships,” Blackwell said. “I want to humbly thank all of our friends and customers who, over the

years, have blessed our family to no end.”

Under recommendation by the parties, the consolidated case was dismissed with prejudice Feb. 16 by Presiding Circuit Judge Michael Pritchett in Butler County, and Stoddard County Presiding Circuit Judge Stephen Sharp executed the joint stipulation the previous day.

The three multiple-count civil suits that ensued between Baldwin and his wife Jan against Blackwell and his wife Vivian, each individu-ally and on behalf of their respec-

tive trusts, be-gan Nov. 18, 2010.

B a l d w i n filed the origi-nal petition, r e q u e s t i n g l i q u i d a t i o n and later for the courts to appoint the sheriff of each county to auction off the real estate and divide the proceeds among the parties since, the lawsuit states, “irrec-oncilable dif-

ferences have arisen between the partners.” Attorney Jasper Edmund-son Jr. of Poplar Bluff and Ray Nickle of Jonesboro represented the plaintiff.

With the legal counsel of Joseph Blanton Jr. of Sikeston and Steve Walsh of Poplar Bluff, defendant Blackwell counterclaimed that the corporations should be sold to himself or a third party, or divided among the partners with payment of the difference in value, since Bald-win’s actions allegedly caused the “breakdown in the relationship.”

The dispute raised question as to whether Blackwell and Baldwin were in a Missouri general business partnership to begin with, or just shareholders of motor vehicle deal-erships, as the venture between the owners was formed by oral agree-ment, not a written contract, “for no specified term of existence.”

TIMELINEBlackwell-Baldwin opened its

first dealership in 1973, the Oldsmo-bile Cadillac division where Raben Tire is currently located, according to history on its former website.

In 1985, the duo bought out GMC and Ford dealerships in Poplar Bluff and the following year, acquired Lincoln, Mercury, Toyota, Pontiac

>> Cover Story, pg 7

Blackwell-Baldwin ends 40-year partnership,

legacy lives on

Submitted PHoto

A new chapter has begun at the motor vehicle dealerships on South West-wood Boulevard, now solely owned by Roger Baldwin.

News Page 5

www.semotimes.com News

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.

State Senate redistricting map tentatively approved

The Senate Apportionment Commis-sion approved a tentative state Senate re-districting plan early Thursday morning. Eight of the ten commissioners approved the plan.

The tentative Senate redistricting plan has an overall difference in population of 9.6 percent between its largest and small-est districts. The plan has four African-American majority districts.

The redistricting office’s interactive web map can be viewed here: http://oa.mo.gov/bp/redistricting/senatemap/ Interested par-ties can submit their comments by e-mail to matt.hesser@oa.mo.gov. The comment period will be open for 15 days from the time the map is filed with the secretary of state.

Mexican manufacturer DEACERO announces acquisition of Mid

Continent Nail Corp.Editor’s Note: Watch Thursday’s press conference at www.semotimes.com.

Second annual ‘Art for Animals’ to benefit AWA

Calling all art-ists, known or unknown! Blank can-vases are avail-able now for the 2nd Annual Art for Ani-mals exhibit and auction to

be held April 20-May 4 at Artfully Framed in the Bluff Estates Shopping Center. Par-ticipating artists can help a good cause and win one of several prizes.

The event generates money for the Ani-mal Welfare Alliance and lots of fun for area artists and their friends. “Everybody had such a good time last year, we could hardly wait to do it again,” said AWA Pres-ident Charlotte W. Craig of Fairdealing. “We’re delighted that Artfully Framed Owner Barbara Pelton felt the same way.”

Here is how the event works: Anyone old enough to hold a brush can take part. Each artist paints a 5-by-7-inch canvas,

available now at Artfully Framed, and brings it back to the store by 5 p.m. April 13. Blank canvases are $10 for adult art-ists ($5 for each additional canvas) and $5 for child, middle school or high school art-ists ($3 for each additional canvas).

Artfully Framed employees will frame the paintings and hang them on display in the gallery starting April 20, when a wine-and-hors d’oeuvres reception at the store kicks off two weeks of silent-auction bid-ding on the paintings.

The paintings will remain on display for two weeks and also will be posted on the Artfully Framed Facebook page, where people can track the bidding.

On May 4, a second reception will close the event and wind up the bidding.

There will be nine prizes awarded: $100 to the adult artist whose painting earns the highest auction bid; $30 to the high school artist getting the highest bid; $20 to the high-bid middle school artist; and $10 to the high-bid children’s entry. In addition, the overall entry garnering the highest number of bids (regardless of price) will win a basket of art supplies worth $40, and the entries in each of the age categories getting the most 25-cent ‘quarter votes’ will receive $10 gift cards from area res-taurants.

Top winners also will be displayed dur-ing the year on the Artfully Framed web-site, www.artfullyframed.com.

The nonprofit AWA spends up to $650 a month on its programs (distemper-parvo-virus shots for puppies in the city pound and $25 to $50 vouchers to low-income pet owners to help with spay/neuter costs). In addition, the group sets aside a portion of all income toward construction of a no-kill shelter.

Anyone wanting more information about Art for Animals can call Artfully Framed during business hours at 573-785-6178.

The Animal Welfare Alliance of South-east Missouri is registered with state and federal authorities as a nonprofit organiza-tion under Section 501(c)3 of the U.S. tax code. For more information on AWA ac-tivities, or to enlist as a volunteer, visit the organization’s website at www.awasemo.

org.

Stoddard County bridge project to start March 5

SIKESTON, Mo. – Work to replace the deck of the Route 60 bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad in Stoddard Coun-ty is expected to begin March 5, weather permitting. The bridge is located east of Route 25 near Dexter.

Improvements will be completed as part of the Missouri Department of Transporta-tion’s Safe & Sound Bridge Improvement Program.

Unlike other Safe & Sound projects, this project will not involve a road closure due to the traffic volume in the area. West-bound traffic will be diverted onto the eastbound lanes from County Road 517 to CR 531. In addition to reducing traffic to one lane in each direction, a 16-foot width restriction will be in place.

Completion is anticipated in late Au-gust, weather permitting.

Signs and warning devices will be in place as improvements are under way. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area.

For more information, contact District Construction and Materials Engineer Andy Meyer at 573-472-5296, Assis-tant Resident Engineer Tammy Hefner at 573-840-9781, 888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636), or visit www.modot.org/southeast/safeandsound.htm.

Three Rivers introduces new cheer and dance coach

A new coach is at the helm of the dance and cheer programs at Three Rivers Col-lege.

Brad Piercy, formerly a co-ed cheerlead-ing coach with Arkansas State University, joined the Three Rivers staff in December. Piercy has assumed the duties of former

coach Deana Douchant, who returned to her home state of Wyoming in late 2011 for personal reasons.

“This was a dream job,” Douchant stated. “The kids and I became very close. They feel more like my brothers and sis-ters than the kids I coach. It was an incred-ibly hard decision for us to make, but in the end we just want to be closer to our families.”

Piercy began his coaching career in 1992 and has worked as Arkansas State’s co-ed cheerleading coach for the past 10 years. A Monett native, Piercy has coached every experience level from preschool children to college students, and is involved with an extensive network of coaches through-out the Midwest.

“I’m extremely excited to have him,” Three Rivers cheer captain Calli Cutts said. “I think he is going to be really good for our team as a whole. I think it’s go-ing to bring a new dimension to the Three Rivers spirit squads. He has had a lot of experience in cheerleading, and I think af-ter we get accustomed to the change, we will grow together.”

spirit squads at Three Rivers, includ-ing try-out requirements, contact Piercy at 573-840-9735. Full game schedules for all Three Rivers athletics teams, along with game photos, staff interviews and more, can be found at www.raidersathletics.com.

BusinessPage 6

www.semotimes.com Business

Liz Ellis Reporter

Mexican food lovers in the Poplar Bluff area will never be starved for choice of restaurants. But if they want an authentic dish, perhaps they should try out the Tanqueria El Arcoiris, a new Mexican restaurant located at 2201 N. Westwood Blvd. Suite 6, next to Hot Shotz Coffee Haus.

“We wanted to try to run our own business,” co-owner Gilberto Rivera said. “The kinds of food you find here, you will also find in Mexico.”

The family business opened in Octo-ber and is already looking to expand to suit the demands of customers. In the next month or so, they plan to take over the space next door for more dining ar-eas to seat people. Currently, the res-taurant sets around 20 customers—and they are often full.

“There was nothing like this here,” co-owner Teresa Rivera said. “We wanted to try something different.”

The restaurant, in addition to pre-paring and selling food, also has some packaged foods from Mexico for sale.

The expansion, they noted, will move the isles of food to the other store and leave more room for tables and chairs for customers.

“I think people like it. They keep coming back,” Gilberto said with a smile.

It may seem odd for a town the size of Poplar Bluff to have so many Mexi-can restaurants— El Acapulco, Mayas/Las Margaritas, Mii Casa II and Tio’s, among them—but, if the public wants it, entrepreneurs will come.

“I think this is a trend with Mexi-can restaurants that many communi-ties our size are seeing them come to town,” said Steve Halter, president of the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce. “They will only come if there is a demand, and we definitely have the demand in Poplar Bluff.”

Tanqueria El Arcoiris is open seven days a week: 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. on Sunday.

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

Poplar Bluff’s sixth Mexican restaurant

plans to expand

Photo by Liz Ellis

The Rivera family opened Tanqueria el Arcoiris in Octo-ber and already has plans to expand.

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Liz Ellis Reporter

U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson will lead a discussion regarding the pending General Management Plan for Current River from noon-2 p.m. Saturday at The River Centre at The Landing in Van Buren. The event is open to the public.

“Anyone with an interest in preserving our access to the Ozark National Scenic Riverways should come to the event,” said Emerson of Cape Girardeau. “This is a place to hear from the people who un-derstand how essential the management plan is to our communities. The greater the attendance, the bigger the message we send to the unelected bureaucrats who are assembling plans like this one in Wash-ington, D.C.”

ONSR officials say that the GMP, which was supposed to be released in January, is in its final drafting stages after numerous setbacks. They have not set a specific date for the release of the document yet.

Once the plan is finalized, there will be a period in which community members may review it and submit comments and criticisms. The current document was cre-ated after citizen commentary on the pre-vious document, released in 2009.

In the original document, many of the changes proposed dealt with motorboat use, campsites and other outdoor recre-ational areas. Emerson, however, does not wish for access to any of these activities to be restricted.

“The Current River and the ONSR have for years preserved the access of citizens to the recreational opportunities and heri-tage sites they and their families know, love and enjoy,” Emerson stated. “The new management plan could change the ability for us to use the natural resources right in our backyards and… many local

businesses depend on the Current River and the ONSR for their livelihoods be-cause beautiful places… attract tourism. Any change to that arrangement spells trouble for our small businesses.”

The meeting this weekend is intended for local citizens also concerned with the proposed restrictions on the riverways. There will be food served and afterward several local guest speakers will give per-spective to the topic. A petition will be available to the public to read and sign concerning the park service and the pro-posed changes.

“I think anytime you have the opportuni-ty to come together and present your view on something that the federal government is doing that effects your everyday life, it’s important to [take advantage of it],” said Darren Lingle, director of projects and outreach for congresswoman Emer-son. “This is an opportunity to do just that. We want it to be a laid back atmosphere where people can come in and listen to

others who share their views and concerns.”

“ T h e s e rivers and the sur-r o u n d i n g areas have been cared for, en-joyed and appreciated for generations,” Emerson concluded. “The possibility that any restriction would be placed on our use of these resources is alarming…. [but] I'm very pleased by the response of so many Missourians and the enthusiasm of so many local leaders. I think we can send a very strong, clear message on Saturday.”

Liz Ellis can be reached by emailing li-zellis@semotimes.com or by calling 573-785-2200.

Meeting Saturday to discuss pending management plan

for Current River

and Buick operations.Lastly, they purchased

Scism Motors in Bloom-field in 1997, which was relocated to Dexter two years later. Today the dealership, solely owned by Blackwell, includes Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep models.

On Jan. 12, former Lincoln Lacy Motors in Malden, now called Har-ry Blackwell Motors, an-nounced that Blackwell purchased the operation from Jim Lincoln. There are two Dunklin County locations, according to general manager Char-lie Thacker, one that in-cludes Ford, Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep and the other, Chevrolet, GMC and Buick.

During a brief inter-view, Baldwin com-mented: “It’s too early to say a whole lot right now,” but he would re-lease a statement once he gets the signage at his businesses in town up-dated.

Asked why he decided to stay in the business, he replied: “Just family.”

Descendents of both Baldwin and Blackwell have followed in their parents’ footprints in the auto dealer business.

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

>> Cover, from pg 4

Rep. Jo Ann Emerson

Submitted photo by Matt BedellA public discussion regarding the pending General Management Plan of the riverways will take place Saturday at The Landing in Van Buren.

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Arts & EntertainmentPage 14

www.semotimes.comArts & Entertainment

Liz Ellis Reporter

From gift certificates to engines, gallons of gas, leaf blowers and even a dog… the Lions Club auction Satur-day was a hit with the community and raised around $18,000 for local chari-ties, between cash donations and mon-ey made selling the 500 items donated by local businesses and members.

“We have really good support from merchants and businesses here in Pop-lar Bluff,” said Dennis Keeling, Lions Club member.

This year’s funds broke the previous year’s record, and Dr. Larry Kimbrow, immediate past district governor for the Lions Club, said that none of the funds would go toward administrative

fees.“One hundred percent of the money

we raise goes to our programming and charities,” Kimbrow said. “Nothing goes to administrative—like our week-ly lunches. That sort of thing comes out of the quarterly dues our members pay.”

Some of the charity programs the Li-ons Club supports include: the Leader Dog Program, giving a Seeing-Eye dog to a blind person; the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation; a surgery assistance program with Mid South Sight and Hearing Center and World Services for the Blind, a vocational re-habilitation center for the blind.

“The thing I like about the Lions Club is there’s nobody from interna-tional, national, state or the district lev-el telling our club what to spend [the

money] on. If we choose to donate to those international or state organiza-tion, they’re happy. But we can decide who to give it to. … So we help a lot of the local agencies that don’t have the fundraising capability that we have,” Kimbrow said.

Locally, they donate to the Boys and Girls Club, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, UCAN, Shop with a Cop, an Optimus soccer team for children, and they sponsor a softball and baseball or-ganization for children in the summer as well. Much of the money from this fundraiser, however, will go toward purchasing around 100 glasses for needy children and adults in the South-ern Missouri area. The funds will pay for eye exams, glasses and even refer patients to the proper facilities for cor-rective surgery, if necessary.

“You gotta do something to give back to your community,” Keeling said. “It’s important.”

The Poplar Bluff Lions Club does three fundraisers annually: the auction, a golf tournament and a chili day func-tion. This event, Kimbrow said, is the biggest and most successful thing that they do. Items at this auction ranged in bids from $50 for a signed pair of sneakers to $625 for four tires.

“We usually try to put items together so they have a minimum value of $50. We don’t auction anything off for less, because we only have a limited amount of time,” Keeling said.

Lions Club is an international foun-dation with nearly 1.35 million mem-bers in 205 countries. Started in the late 1920s, they are knights for the blind and their mission is to help prevent and treat blindness and restore sight to the

blind. In recent years, they have also expanded into hearing and diabetes—one of the largest causes of blindness.

The Poplar Bluff Lions Club is part of the Southern Missouri district, which includes about 52 separate clubs. Mis-souri alone has almost 450 clubs.

“All of the members… all of us have the same motto: we serve,” Kimbrow said. “That’s our motto, and that’s why we do it.”

Anyone interested in learning more about the Lions Club or joining can at-tend their weekly meeting every Tues-day at the conference room in the Bess Activity Center at Three Rivers Col-lege. The noon hour meetings include lunch. There is no fee for joining, but there are quarterly dues for members.

“Come to the meeting and see what we’re all about,” Kimbrow said.

19th annual Lions Club Auction raises record funds

Members say all proceeds go to charity

Photo submitted by Torrey Crabtree

Lions Steve Walsh, Jerry Long and Brad Barwick volun-teer as auctioneers Saturday for the Lions Club 19th an-nual Auction.

Photo submitted

Steve Walsh provided in-termission entertainment during the auction.

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Activities

Activities

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Page 17News

www.semotimes.com Events

Emerson has donated property in Kennett valued at over $1 million to Three Rivers College to expand its Kennett-area capabilities, college ad-ministrators announced last week.

During its February meeting, the Three Rivers Board of Trustees ac-cepted the donation of the facility at 500 N. Morrow St. College President Dr. Devin Stephenson announced the community college’s intent to relocate the College Center at Kennett to the donated site at some time in the future. The current Kennett center is located at 901C South Bypass.

“This is a game-changer for the col-lege,” Stephenson said. “This generous gift from Emerson will give us much-needed space to expand. Enrollment increases in the Bootheel have resulted in our current Kennett facility being packed to capacity for the past several semesters. The lack of space has also limited our program and service ex-pansion. However, Emerson has rec-ognized our commitment to accessible education and workforce training, and is partnering with us to further solidify our presence in the Kennett commu-nity and throughout Dunklin County.”

“I’ve stated in the past that we are only limited by the walls at the Ken-nett center,” center coordinator Derrick Miller said. “Now we can look toward a future where those barriers will be removed and we will have a virtually unlimited amount of space on that 36-acre property where we can construct all the classrooms, offices [and] labora-tory spaces we need. I’m thrilled to be working at the college right now.”

Emerson is a diversified global man-ufacturing and technology company recognized for excellence in engineer-ing and management, according to the Three Rivers communications depart-ment. Emerson employs more than

130,000 people and has 245 manufac-turing locations worldwide.

“We’re excited to know that this will serve to grow the numbers of people who will benefit from the academic and hands-on programs and workforce training that Three Rivers offers,” said Pat Sly, Emerson executive vice presi-dent. The facility that Emerson has do-nated was built in 1959. Emerson man-ufactured electric motors at the facility until 2006.

“We also plan to use this property to actively partner with the commu-nity,” Stephenson said. “For example, we have begun talks with the Kennett Chamber of Commerce regarding their desire to allocate a few acres for use as a community garden.”

Courses and programs currently of-fered at the Three Rivers Kennett lo-cation include: an Associate of Arts degree in general education, a full pre-nursing track, an AA degree in teacher education, and an Associate of Applied Science degree in criminal justice, all of which can be earned completely on-site at Kennett. EMT and first respond-er courses are also available.

“We’re looking to expand into offer-ing a full AAS in marketing and an AA in paraprofessional education,” Miller reported. “We’re also exploring more AAS options, as well as short term and one-year certificates for workforce de-velopment training.”

“This is a win for the students of the Bootheel and Northeast Arkansas,” said Rep. Kent Hampton, R-Malden, whose district includes Dunklin Coun-ty and other portions of the Missouri Bootheel.

“They will have the opportunity to further their education in an enlarged environment that will accommodate more students and open up additional programs for them,” Hampton said.

Three Rivers receive $1M corporate property donation

in Kennett

A collaboration with Dr. Ben Adkins of Adkins Chiropractic & Wellness

EntertainmentHighlights

Bringing an easy list of events, entertainment and activities in the SEMO area!

How to submit an event: 1. Create a Facebook

event2. Invite the SEMO Times

on Facebook

3. Event will automatically be updated to www.

PoplarBluffLive.com

4. Your event will appear the paper!

• TheLesterFamilyinconcert6:30-9:30p.m.FreedomChurchInternationalPoplarBluff

• FinalBoatingRightsmeetingnoon-2p.m.TheRiverCentreatTheLandingVanBuren

• BluffCityDucksUnlimited5:30-8:30p.m.AmericanLegionPoplarBluff

• FridayNightImpactZone6-9p.m.CalvaryCommunityChurchPoplarBluff

• StudioBGrandOpening10a.m.-3p.m.StudioBSalonandSpaPocahontas,Ark.

• PBRTouringProDivision7:30-10p.m.BlackRiverColiseumPoplarBluff

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March 9

Feb. 24

Feb. 25

Feb. 25

March 2

Opinion & EditorialPage 18

www.semotimes.com Opinion & Editorial

I get paid a commission based on the price of the house you buy. So you might think that I will try to sell you the most expensive house out there. And if I was only plan-ning to sell real estate for an-other day or two, that might make sense. But I'm here for the long haul. I want you to buy the house you love, but also the house you can afford. I want you to be so stinkin' happy with it that you rec-ommend me to everyone you know.

So just exactly how much house can you afford? Be-fore you start house hunting, there are a few things you need to do. Some of them are long term things. Things like getting and/or keeping your credit clean. Get your credit rating as high as you can. That will allow you to get a loan, but also to get a loan at a lower interest rate. This, in turn, keeps your pay-ment lower or allows you to buy more house for the same money.

In bigger markets, it's all about credit rating. But in Poplar Bluff, we still do busi-ness based on relationships, also. So if you can establish a long-term relationship with a banker, that helps. There re-

ally is no such thing as a "re-lationship" with the big mega banks. You are simply an ac-count number and a credit rat-ing number. So you may have a slight edge if you have a lo-cal banker who knows you by name, knows you are a long-term customer, and assumes a certain trust level that they don't have with the guy/gal walking in off the street.

Another key is how much house you can afford. There is no reason to waste your time looking at half million dollar homes only to find out you have been shopping out of your budget. So unless "money is no object," take a few minutes to run the num-bers.

There are tons of mortgage calculators online. Here's a link to a decent one: http://realestate.yahoo.com/calcu-lators/afford.html.

So just take a little time and do the math. Then let's look at some houses. Or call a local realtor and we can sit down. We will go through the num-bers with you. But trust me on one thing: Regardless of the house you end up buying, you will be much happier with it if you can make the payments each month and still have a little money left over!

How much house can you afford?I am going to try to do the

impossible. I am going to give you crucial information in this very column that has been found in volumes of scientific data, and even more impor-tantly, in thousands of fitting rooms around the world.

I am going to give to you the secrets of the jean-etic code… how to find the perfect pair of jeans.

The other genetic code has been easy by comparison. This jean-etic code has been the result of thousands of cry-ing women in dressing rooms with three-fold mirrors and bad lighting around the world. Through their pain, and the words, “these jeans make my butt look HUGE,” we have arrived at certain truths. And the truth is… it is not easy to find the perfect pair of jeans, but unlike some mythological creatures, they do, in fact, ex-ist.

First, you have to give up the illusion that you can merely find these jeans on a rack and just take them home. Then you must give up the il-lusion that if you pay enough for the jeans, they will fit per-fectly and make your butt look spectacular. No… finding the perfect pair of jeans means you must be willing to look everywhere… from Walmart to your favorite boutique. You never know for sure where

you will find them.To make things somewhat

easier, I will give you some simple rules.

First, you have to consider your body shape. If you have wide hips, the worst thing you can do is try to hide them in relaxed fit jeans, which actual-ly draw attention to width. Go for boot-cut jeans with a flare at the bottom, but the hemline should reach the bottom of the ankle. If you wear them with heels, they will elongate your legs and minimize hips even more. If the jeans’ hemline actually reaches just above the floor with heels, the height illusion is further enhanced. These are definitely your “go-ing out” jeans.

If you actually do have short legs, tapered and flared jeans can actually make your legs look stocky and short. To give the illusion of height, choose high-waisted trouser jeans. And again, to add height, wear them with heels with a hem that hits the floor. Women with short legs should avoid cuff-ing their jeans any more than an inch, or the cuffs will make your legs look shorter.

To minimize a big bottom, look carefully at the pockets of the jeans. Pockets that are small, too high, too close to-gether, or decorated will ac-centuate the size of your rear. Instead, choose a pair of jeans

with wide, long pockets that rest wide and low on the bot-tom. Vertical seams on the pocket will create an illusion of length rather than width. You should also choose low-rise jeans to shorten the back end and flare legs at the ankles to create balance.

If you are trying to hide a big belly, choose high-waisted jeans, but jeans that do not go above the belly button. Also avoid jeans that have pleats or an elastic band or that are decorated in the front.

Now… a word to my daugh-ters. Technically, I am allowed to have at least one pair of Mom jeans because I am a MOM!

They are comfortable! And even a fashion icon like myself is allowed to be comfortable, especially when shopping at the mall with my daughters where we might be seen by their friends.

Besides, only my Mom jeans look right with my Ske-cher Shape-Ups.

Tammy Hilderbrand is the owner of Hilderbrand Dia-mond Company in Poplar Bluff, which can be found on-line at www.hilderbranddia-mondcompany.com. You can reach her by emailing tam-my@hilderbranddiamond-company.com.

Breaking the jean-etic code

Advice Page 19

www.semotimes.com Advice

Dear Joy,I’m married and my wife is a serial remote hog. If I

want to see her at night, I have to either watch “The Real Housewives…” of some city or one of the eight singing competitions currently showing. However, if I want to watch The History Channel or C-SPAN, she leaves the room. Can you give us a little couple’s counseling?

Deprived in Butler County

Deprived,I can relate to this BIG TIME. I love Home & Garden

TV and cooking shows; my husband... not so much! So our solution is two TVs. I know it may mean you spend time in separate rooms on certain nights but... it’s better than fighting over the remote. Some times I will watch something I really don’t want to just because I want to visit with my husband.You have to compromise on things like this. Remember

my old standby. What’s more important, “your way” or peace in the home? If you have a show you really don’t want to miss, then let her what time it’s on. Let her know you would like to have her watch it with you. If she chooses not to, then move to another TV. Don’t have a cow over it. If C-SPAN is on at my house, I’m leaving the room too!If either of you are TV junkies, be SURE you make time

for each other. Have a date night or cook a special meal at home in a NO TV ZONE! With spring around the corner, get outdoors, enjoy the beautiful weather, take a walk, or sit outside and BBQ.You must have time alone to keep your relationship

healthy.-Joy

A weekly advice column from a local romance expert, Ask Joy is our own version of the nationally syndicated Ask Abby. To ask Joy a relationship question, email her at askjoyinthetimes@hotmail.com, or befriend her on Facebook at Ask Joy. Names are kept confidential.

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