The Future Looks Bright

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Positive Quote of the Day

Many people believe that support is something that you give to someone you feel sorry for or that it means propping up someone who would fail unless you were there to give him a boost. But that's not the way I see it. Support is the boost you can give someone who can help himself but who needs a partner to open a window or push aside a roadblock.

-- Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy's

Green Freaks

I never considered myself a "green" person until I moved to St Joe. I was appalled to hear that we routinely dump overflow sewage into our river. I have never seen such a disgusting river before! I cannot fathom how people boat, swim or even enjoy the sight of the Missouri River; we have such blatant disrespect for keeping our rivers clean!

I cannot tell you how many times I have seen store employees dumping their dirty cleaning water down the drain. Obviously they do not realize that they are contaminating our water table with their chemicals, let alone our streams and rivers.

The idea that there is no community-wide recycling program is also disturbing. No wonder our landfill is overflowing! We cannot contain our waste.

We often take for granted that we have relatively clean air here. Too bad our city refuses to create a single disposal company that would reduce the emissions and trash that the several other companies spew throughout our neighborhoods. Why can't our City take this initiative by the reigns and create a single trash disposal company? Residents would be assured that their trash would be picked up on the same day, same time, every week. We wouldn't have to hear the grumbling of trash trucks every single day in our neighborhoods, and litter would be drastically reduced. This same entity could potentially be responsible to implementing and maintaining a recycling program as well. Did you know there are federal funds that will support any community who whole-heartedly embraces recycling as a lifestyle?

Accurately-timed signal lights would reduce idling, contributing to better air quality. Additionally, a reduction in Sonic restaurants would help eliminate idle time as well.

An efficient sewer system would make our air much more pleasant to breathe. There are times of the year when I avoid specific parts of town simply because the stench is too overwhelming.

Our local paper continues to tout demolishing and rebuilding as an environmentally-friendly alternative to restoring our existing structures. Instead of demolishing, why not maintain your buildings? Why wait for them to become so decrepit that they are nearly beyond salvaging?

Many times I see farmers or land owners burning their wood to remove unwanted growth. I am sure almost any family who uses firewood would gladly take this superfluous wood off of their hands. It would be a much cheaper alternative to purchasing wood from a wood cutter.

Why aren't stores using energy-efficient lightbulbs? This would not only cut their costs, but help to conserve energy as well.

There are simply too many ways we can cut down on air pollution, water pollution, litter, energy consumption and give our children a bright future in a clean and efficient environment. Wake up, St. Joe! The future is now!!!

MESA vs SJSB

Have you driven by the "Heritage" ballfields on Waterworks Rd, near Terrible's Casino? They are B E A U T I F U L. The City does a marvelous job of making sure these playing fields are top-notch. I commend their actions. However, for the money that goes into that facility, I expect an A-1 field.

I have a couple of questions about softball:
1) Why is this an adults-only complex? I know that youth tournaments are often played here, but our local girls do not play here on a regular basis.

2) Why are our girls expected to play on such a shoddy field? Have you seen THEIR complex? 3 fields, hastily thrown together, and looking like their Board is struggling to maintain it, let alone enhance or improve it. Check it out at 22nd & Commercial.

3) Since both the adult and youth softball programs are both ASA insured and certified, why are they not combined? Why are there two separate entities?

From an outsiders perspective, it seems the St Joe Softball Board is making better decisions than the M.E.S.A. Board. Our girls deserve to play on a smooth field, without worry of tripping in the outfield. Parents deserve a decent parking lot. Spectators deserve a shaded area in which in watch the children play. Girls shouldn't have to pay nearly double that of the adults to enjoy significantly less playing time.

It seems to me that the adults are getting the better end of the deal. They pay less per person, get to play on a well-maintained field, they can enjoy a snack before or after their game in a covered setting, and children have a safe, covered place to play while parents play.

Don't our girls deserve the same?

One of St Joe's Finest

An upcoming concert at the Civic Arena on Feb 27 @ 7pm will highlight well-known country singers Bucky Covington and Sawyer Brown along with our local talent, Scott Allyn Peery. I had the privilege to catch up with Mr. Peery and learn more about him.

Scott's a local yokel who was born in Kansas City, MO and raised in Plattsburg, MO. He's been performing for a whopping 15 years, but can't figure out where his musical genius came from. As he says, he's the "only one in the family with musical talent".

Scott, or Scooter, as friends call him, is a unique self-taught artist who has written several of his own songs. He jams on the acoustic guitar, but loves to perform through the mic. He tells me that he enjoys watching his audience have a good time. He gets an "unexplainable rush" being able to interact with people who are dancing and having a good time reveling in his performance.

After talking with Scott, I knew he was a down-to-earth, friendly guy, but had no idea he was so popular guy with other well-known artists. I soon discovered that this singer has performed with many other well-known artists, including: Doug Stone, David Allen Coe, Bucky Covington, Ricochet, Shooting Star and soon to be opening up for Sawyer Brown & possibly Blake Shelton & James Otto. His biggest crowd was approx 8,000, and it didn't faze him a bit... (a natural performer!)

Althought he's a performer himself, he says it is too difficult to nail down a favorite artist or song, but says he enjoys anything by George Strait, Kenny Chesney, or Aerosmith. Aerosmith?! You heard it right, folks, this guy likes to rock on! You can catch him every Tuesday at Biggins Sports Bar, St. Joseph, MO with acoustic performer Casey Brett. He also performs every other Thursday starting 2/19 at Buffalo Bar, St. Joseph, MO with Casey Brett. Scott is working on lining up other venues, so be sure to check his website often for updates.

You can hear a sample of Scott's tunes, see some pics, and learn more about him through his website: http://www.myspace.com/scottallynpeery. You can even contact him to get a copy of his latest CD, Where I Want to Be.

My personal recommendation is that you head to the Civic Arena to see Scott Allyn Peery live and in action. You should see this guy perform!!!

Click here to search for tickets through Ticketmaster: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/06004190DA6B96C5?camefrom=AFF_ARTISTDIRECT&brand=tm

What Not to Wear

Have you seen the TLC series 'What Not to Wear'? The premise of the show is that 2 fashionistas help a fashionless individual become fashion savvy. The idea is to help viewers choose what to wear on their body type. The hosts of the show would go absolutely bananas in our town! In fact, I don't think they could choose just ONE person to pick on and help update their wardrobe.

I have yet to figure out why is it acceptable for ANYONE to go shopping in their pajamas and slippers. Several parents are often seen taking their babies out in diapers only - no additional clothing. This is a daily occurrence, and should be extremely embarrassing. It is embarrassing to me!

As I have stated before, this Joe is not from this town. Where I hail from, wearing pj's, anything resembling pj's, slippers or carrying naked babies just isn't acceptable. In fact, most people don't even have to be told that they cannot enter a store based on their appearance, there is just a standard that folks abide by.

Please don't misconstrue what I'm trying to say... I'm not asking for people to get dressed in their 'Sunday best' just to go shopping or anywhere out of the house. Rather, I am expecting that they simply dress in their everyday clothes. Even a comfy jog suit beats pjs!

So, to clarify... pajamas, slippers, oversized sweatshirts combined with sweats and sandals or slippers is a major faux pas. Do not pass go. Don't even leave the house. Order in. Do some online shopping. Whatever. Keep your laziness to yourself.

Positive Quote of the Day

POSITIVE QUOTE OF THE DAY
-----------------------------

The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but
progress.

-- Joseph Joubert (1754-1824) French Philosopher

St Joe Video - -- This Town

SJSD Raises $50k to "Educate" Voters About Why They Should Vote YES on the Levy/Bond Issues

Yet again, our notorious school district is at it again. What is probably the most astounding figure is the $9,500 that the St Joseph PTA DONATED to the school district's war chest in trying to sway every Tom, Dick, and Harry into voting the way the District wants. Yes on both of their proposals. Hogwash. This money that they have raised could easily have bought brand new computers for an entire grade. Parents complain about a quality education, but where are the monies going? Into pockets, so they can save it for when they feel they may be on the defensive when they continue to ask for more and more money.

Just another prime example of NON-fiscal responsibility.

A reminder about where I stand on the issues: NO, NO, NO, NO, NO The harder the District forces this down my throat, the less likely I am to give them anything they want. I initially said YES on the Levy and NO on the bond. Now, they don't deserve my vote on either.

Panera raises $11,000 for hospital

Just another reason to love Panera Bread: On Jan 27, our local Panera Bread participated in a 21-chain event that managed to raise $11,000 and donate it to the NICU @ Children's Mercy in Kansas City. Congratulations to both Panera Bread and Children's Mercy. I know first-hand how much every dime helps in that department of hospitals.

Missouri fails tobacco report again

State gets poor marks on study for third year in a row
Click Here to Read Entire Article

Basically, our local News Press paper is highlighting how poorly Missouri handles tobacco prevention and control spending, smoke-free air, cigarette tax and health coverage.

As a follow up to my early post, it's certainly not surprising that (a) our representatives don't even want to try to resolve any smoking issues (Read Jim Guest's comment) and (b) that people who smoke don't see any problem with their nasty habit (check out the readers comments).

The solution is not always centered around money. Start with educating our children. Pass citywide and statewide laws banning smoking in public areas. Surely, people will be more influenced to smoke only in their own homes. And to be honest, I don't care what people do in their home. I just don't want to be exposed to the by-product of their disgusting, smelly, cancer-causing cigarette. Keep it to yourself.