News for Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Auditions Held at Finke Theatre for Play

Auditions began on Sunday, Feb. 6, for parts in the play to be held at the Finke Theatre on Saturday, March 19. This will be the first non-musical performance at the old theater in a great many years. Local community players will be featured in the performance under the direction of Audie Cline, a former California High School teacher. The play is called "The Nerd" and is the first full act play by Larry Shue. Written in 1979, it involves a man —insensitive and without tact — who saved the life of another in wartime. He visits the man whose life he saved and decides to move in. The story is of the nice guy as he tries to get rid of the Nerd.

California Area Pummelled with Snow

The blizzard that dumped close to two feet of snow in the area last week (Jan. 31-Feb. 2) left much of California and surrounding areas immobilized as schools closed and many businesses were left unable to open their doors. With some vehicles literally snow-covered up to the hood, Californians pulled together and could be seen helping one another dig vehicles out and shovel walks and driveways.

Upcoming Road Work for Mid-Missouri from Wednesday, Feb. 9-18

The following is a listing of general highway maintenance and construction work in the mid-Missouri area for the week of Feb. 9 – 18, 2011. Weather conditions may cause postponements in the work schedule. Other construction or maintenance work may occur on other roadways throughout the area. Many projects will include lane closures and delays can be expected.

California Democrat Community Calender February 9

The California Democrat Community Calender for Feb. 2.

General Municipal Election is April 5

The General Municipal Election is Tuesday, April 5. Candidates for the City of California are: Mayor (two year term) — Norris G. Gerhart, Charles E. Roll and Kathi Swearingen; Ward I — Tony Wineland; Ward II — Cameron Freiner; and Ward III — Carol B. Rackers. The vote for City Collector will be write-in.

School board candidates for April

Moniteau County Clerk Anita Groepper released the final list of candidates for contested races for the various school boards for the public school districts all or partly serving residents of Moniteau County. Each district eill elect three board members for three-year terms. The districts and candidates follow. Moniteau County R-I at California — Scott Sapp, Makie A. Lutz, Craig Ash, Nathan Dalbey, Darryl Elliott, Steven Burger, Keith Jones, Tammy Roberts and Jeremy Burger. High Point R-III — Tim Harris, Perry Cook, Robin Eidson and Doug Porter. Moniteau County R-V at Latham — Michael Bolinger, Paul Meloy, Lance Fulks and Dee Irey. Tipton R-VI — Chris Allee, Derek Shisler, Barry Combs, Nancy Bookout and Jerry Garber. Jamestown C-I — Kelli Oerly, John A. Jones, Mitch Strother, David R. Shaul, Walt Imhoff and Jennifer Long. Eldon R-I — Jill Kliethermes, Chris Hart, Dennis Schad and John Hall. Prairie Home R-V — Cassandra Porter, Marsha Stewart, Chris Holliday, Tammy Carmichael, Heather D. (Graff) Sullard and Tammy Brandes. Cole R-I at Russellville — Mark Thompson, Walter G. Johannpeter, Kris Kirchner, Kurt E. Brewer, Charlie D. Platter and James Campbell.

Moniteau County Historical Society Will Meet

The Moniteau County Historical Society will meet at the Cultural Heritage Center Monday, Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m. This will be a business meeting of the society and members should plan to attend this important meeting when the discussion of the genealogy library expansion proposal will take place. Call 796-3764 for more information or call 796-2250 to become a member of this valuable community organization.

Baker Graduates Basic Training

Army Pvt. Ashley L. Baker has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches and field training exercises. She is the daughter of Tracy Baker, California. Baker graduated in 2009 from Prairie Home High School.

Cole County R-1 School Board Meets

The Cole County R-1 School Board held its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, Jan. 20. The Board adopted the agenda. The administrators presented their reports and moved on to the consent agenda. Under new business, the Board voted to approve the consent agenda as presented and a payroll fund transfer of $191,000. The Board voted to approve the Title and PTO Program Evaluation Reports as presented by Karen Ponder. The Board also voted to set the out of district tuition rate at $6,250 for the 2011-2012 school year. The Board concluded the meeting by going into closed session to discuss personnel and voted to accept letters of resignation from Larry Theroff and Roy Williford.

California Care Center activities corner

Well February has come and the snow followed it in! We are continuing to stay busy here at California Care Center with many activities. On Sunday we enjoyed worship with St. Paul’s Evangelical Church. Monday followed with a game of bingo and we decorated our board for the month. Tuesday we stayed warm with popcorn and a movie and played bingo on Wednesday. Thursday morning we met in the tea room for our exercise group and read the newspaper in the afternoon. Friday we enjoyed bingo and and playing Uno with some friends. Saturday we had Bible study and another movie with popcorn. We are busily getting ready for our Sweetheart Dance Friday, Feb. 11. Our tallies are adding up, and Feb. 10 will be the last day to vote. We hope you all are staying safe and warm with all the snow.

Truman State University Announces Fall 2010 President’s List

Truman State University has released the Fall 2010 President’s List. To qualify for this list, an undergraduate student must attain a semester 4.0 grade point average and must complete 12 semester hours of credit. Located in Kirksville, Truman is Missouri’s only highly selective, public liberal arts institution. U.S. News & World Report’s 2011 edition of “Best Colleges” ranked Truman as the No. 1 public university in the Midwest region for the 14th consecutive year. Washington Monthly listed Truman in the top 10 for its “2010 College Rankings,” rating the University as the No. 6 master’s university nationwide. Truman was the only Missouri school ranked in the top 50 and was the No. 1 public school on the list. Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine lists Truman on its 100 Best Values in Public Colleges while Forbes lists Truman on its national “Best Buy” list. Truman is also included on The Princeton Review's 2011 Best Colleges: Region by Region. Area students include Austen Barr and Rebekah Weicken, California.

Farm Service Agency offers the Livestock Indemnity Program

Moniteau County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Daryl Raithel encourages producers that have lost livestock due to the recent blizzard, excessive snow and freezing temperatures to contact the Farm Service Agency. The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) provides assistance to farmers and ranchers who have experienced losses caused by natural disasters that are over normal mortality. For more information on the LIP program eligibility requirements, contact the Moniteau County FSA office at 573-796-4691.

California will host Eldon for 2011 Courtwarming Friday, Feb. 11

The California High School varsity and JV boys' basketball teams will host the Eldon Mustangs for the 2011 CHS Courtwarming Friday, beginning with the JV game at 6 p.m., followed by the Courtwarming ceremony and the varsity game, respectively. Spirit Days remaining for Spirit Week at CHS are as follows: Wednesday (today) is Super Hero Day; Thursday is Class Color Day; and Friday is Pinto Spirit Day.

Winterizing Your Pet Advice from the California Veterinary Clinic

Cold weather is tough on pets. The following tips from the California Veterinary Clinic and Animal Health Center will provide your pet with a better "quality of life" through the winter months: * Update all vaccinations. Increased stress of cold weather lowers the resistance to disease. Your pet needs more than just a Rabies vaccination. Dogs should be vaccinated against DHLP, Parvovirus, Coronavirus and Bordetella each year. Cats should receive FERCP, Rabies, Feline Leukemia and FIP.

California Veterinary Clinic Advice for Old Man Winter

Every year at this time it is a good idea to check over the following tips and reminders from the California Veterinary Clinic and Animal Health Center so your pets will enjoy the winter season. 1. Antifreeze: antifreeze can be lethal. It contains ethylene glycol, which is sweet tasting to your pet. Always clean up any spills in the garage or driveway. If your pet licks some or you suspect they have, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Blizzard to Remember Sweeps Across Country

Moniteau County was not untouched by the record-breaking "blizzard to remember" which swept across the nation. According to constant reports before, during and after the event, the blizzard covered 2,100 miles.

School closings, announcements for Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011

Here are school closings and other weather-related announcements for Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011.

California Democrat