Columbia Daily Tribune

Growing Extreme Pumpkins Takes Passion

Just like gardeners, the act of gardening can take on many forms. As you and I fret over important backyard challenges such as why our hydrangeas aren't blooming or how come that tomato just won't ripen fast enough, others are dealing with much bigger issues. Scattered across the country, there are a few thousand "extreme gardeners" who methodically plod through the art and science of competing to grow the world's largest pumpkin each year.

Next Week's School Meals

COLUMBIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS Milk and salad bar are served with all hot meals. Salad bar and milk also are available as a meal. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, deli sandwiches, pretzels, fresh fruit and cookie treats are available every day. Breakfast includes orange or apple juice, milk, hot breads and cold cereals.

Kidstuff

Columbia Public Library, 100 W. Broadway, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. 443-3161 or www.dbrl.org. - Not-Too-Creepy Movies for Moms and Dads and Me, 9:30 to 10 a.m. tomorrow; ages 3 to 5.

Heads Must Roll After Latest Aig Scandal

It is the best of times, it is the worst of times. The best of times because W.'s long Reign of Error is about to end. The worst of times because, well, you know why.

The Tribune's View ; the Economy

Recently we've been treated to a rash of explanations for the current economic meltdown, a consensus holding that the main cause was a rash of overly ambitious government policies aimed at making housing more affordable. The treacherous idea was to ease credit rules and enable agencies such as the now infamous Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to make risky loans. The entire apparatus depended on ever-increasing housing values. When that dreamy outlook failed to materialize, the house of cards came ...

Wackonomics Explains a Lot

For Congress, news media, pundits and much of the American public, a lot of economic phenomena can be explained by what people want, human greed and what seems plausible. I'm going to name this branch of economic "science" wackonomics and apply it to some of today's observations and issues. Since July this year, crude oil prices have fallen from $147 to $64 a barrel. Similarly, average gasoline prices have fallen from over $4 to a national average of $2.69 a gallon. When crude oil and gasolin...

Paid Election Letter ; Prop C Would Put State On Path to Clean Energy

Editor, the Tribune: The Renewable Electricity Standard requires Missouri's investor-owned utility companies to produce or buy part of their electricity from renewable sources such as wind, solar and biomass, with the amount increasing from 2 percent of sales in 2011 to 15 percent in 2021. On Nov. 4, voters statewide can put Missouri on a path to a cleaner, more sustainable power supply by voting "yes" on Proposition C.

Paid Election Letter ; Support Proposition C for Renewable Energy

Editor, the Tribune: Missouri is in a power struggle - economic warfare - for control of the energy marketplace. Nuclear plants are too expensive, slow to build and potentially dangerous; coal is still not clean. These energy giants use government subsidies, media propaganda and corporate welfare to strangle "free" markets, making it difficult for renewable technologies to gain a foothold.

Open Column ; Quality Preschool Important to the Future of Our Society

Editor, the Tribune: Before you vote, consider this: After spending 35 years of my life in the prison business, I have had the opportunity to view thousands of files of incarcerated men and women. If there is a common theme among the vast majority of those who end up in our criminal justice system, it is failure in academics at the outset of their lives. Research has demonstrated that early childhood plays a critical role in an individual's moral and ethical foundation. Quality preschool can ...

Open Column ; J-School Should Ditch Ties with Biased News Groups

Editor, the Tribune: The issue with the most far-reaching impact this year is not the presidential race or financial collapse. In my mind, the greatest watershed event this year is the escalation of journalistic bias to the point where now both presidential candidates have made it an issue. Our current generation of journalists includes no Walter Cronkite equivalent, who is broadly respected as "America's most trusted man," and no institution such as the BBC, which is broadly accepted as reas...

Against the Grain ; a Few Stimulating Ideas About Money and Chicks

"You get your money for nothing, your chicks for free." --Mark Knopfler, Dire Straits These days, that classic rock lyric sounds more and more like an American way of life.

Featured Teacher ; Heather Lang

BACKGROUND Heather Lang grew up knowing she wanted to be a teacher, and she has never strayed from that plan.

Include Daughter in Voting

Q: How can I help my 8-year-old daughter get the most out of this presidential Election Day? A: Have your daughter read about the presidential and vice presidential candidates for the Democratic and Republican Party or read her parts of articles from newspapers.

This Week in Local History ; Tigers Squeaked Past Texas Tech

10 years ago From the Tribune Nov. 1, 1998

Benton Kids Get Look at Children in Zambia

They eat with their hands, make toy cars out of wire and carry slingshots with them in case they catch a monkey trying to steal corn crops. But children in Zambia also go to school, enjoy making crafts and like writing letters to pen pals, Lisa Groshong told Benton Elementary third-graders last week.

Newton's Book Notes ; Fall Brings Great Books for Children

Fall is the season of great changes, great beauty and great books on the subject of fall. Here is a collection of some wondrous picture books celebrating autumn.

Smile Awhile ; a Tale Somewhat Scary of Her Missing Canary

Instead of the usual Halloween musings about ghouls and ghosts, I'm going to tell you a story about my canary, a sweet little bird I loved and lost - a sad and scary story if ever there was one. He's been on my mind ever since reading a recent story in this paper about a taxidermist. When I grew up, canaries were a common "pet" in homes, filling the air with happy tunes. By the time I had a home and family of my own, their popularity had waned, and they had become quite expensive. No longer ...

Arrests and Summonses

Authorities made the following arrests and issued summonses from 7 a.m. Oct. 29 to 7 a.m. Oct. 30. COLUMBIA POLICE

New Releases

Pink, "Funhouse" (La Face) Boz Scaggs, "Speak Low" (Decca)

Weekend Calendar

thursday Name that Tune Fundraiser benefiting the Moog School 6 p.m. at The Blue Note; $50 at door, $500 for table of six.