Your View: three views from 9/9

The Sikeston Missouri Arts (SMARTS) has made the decision to cancel this year's Cotton Festival of the Arts. Due to our grant cuts, the SMARTS Board has taken a realistic look at our current funding. The future of the arts is somewhat in jeopardy due to a 53 percent funding cut by the Missouri Arts Council.

SMARTS, in conjunction with the Missouri Arts Council, has consistently promoted the fine arts and performing arts within the greater Sikeston area.

Specifically, in the past SMARTS has provided a variety of music, theater, arts shows, murals, storytellers, photography exhibits, festivals, chalk art, poetry, workshops, southern food, artisans and artists that have enriched our community and schools.

Recently, SMARTS completed the first part of a historical mural in downtown Sikeston by Willow Springs artist Michael McClure. Check out his Website at www.michaelmcclure.com

This fall SMARTS is bringing the St. Louis Brass Quintet to Sikeston High School for a concert and SHS workshops for brass students; and two elementary concerts. This is an opportunity for renowned brass soloists, clinicians, chamber musicians, instrument designers and master teachers to share their knowledge of brass instruments plus instruct and entertain the students.

A theatrical performance in January showcasing F. Reed Brown, in solo public performance, which portrays the artist Vincent van Gogh and his brother, Theo. Brown, will be presenting a public performance on Jan. 25, 2003 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the new Albritton-Mayer Cultural Center, 506 S. Kingshighway in Sikeston. He will also be doing workshops with SHS students.

SMARTS is art for the community and we need assistance in continuing to offer alternative, educational and cultural enrichment opportunities for our citizens. Every community is a better place to live when the arts are alive and vibrant.

Sikeston Missouri Arts Inc. relies on individual donations, which are tax-deductible. Corporate sponsorship is available at many levels. If you are interested in supporting the arts, we will be glad to speak to you personally concerning your gift to SMARTS. We would like to also thank those individuals who have already helped support SMARTS with their programs.

SMARTS Board members,

Ed Cowan, president Linda Melkersman, vice president Marty McReynolds, treasurer Rise Howard, secretary

I would like to speak on behalf of all school bus drivers in Sikeston and the surrounding areas.

First of all, no bus driver should be expected to drive the bus, keep an eye on the 70-75 students on the bus, watch traffic and pick up additional children. No elementary bus should leave the parking lot without an aide on that bus to help supervise the children and help the driver.

Now we have 3- and 4-year-old children going to ECE and the MOPS trailer. The children cannot even get on the buses without help. Most of these buses do not have seat belts.

Without an aide on these buses, more children are at risk of being hurt or killed. It takes the bus driver, the parents and other drivers going to work to watch and protect children waiting at bus stops.

Let's all do our part to see that no other parent has to endure the pain of losing a child. Put an aide on elementary buses. It's a crime not to.

A concerned parent

The Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce would like to thank Griffin Insurance, Burch Foods, Pepsi-Cola, Sikeston Army National Guard, Jeremiah's, Bob Ralph Distributing, Sonny's Solid Waste, Aramark, Bridger Construction, Sikeston/Miner Convention Visitors Bureau and Hunter Acres Caring Center for their contributions to the annual Redneck Barbecue held at Malone Park.

It was a great day for downtown Sikeston with lots of activities taking place for the public to participate in during rodeo Saturday. We couldn't do it without the support of our area businesses and the barbecue teams.

Once again, thank you to all who donated, participated or just came out to watch. We are looking forward to next year.

Sincerely, Missy Marshall, executive director Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce