Peg McNichol

For a moment Friday, I wondered if we were in for a repeat of March's floods. It made me think of the March night Rudi Keller and I were out skulking around the flood wall, waiting to see if it would be closed for the first time in five years.

I spent much of the last week reviewing my possessions, making choices — some hard, some not so much — about what to keep and what to let go.My sister Andy maintains that elves carry things into the house as we sleep. I think most credit card companies would disagree.

Perspective can be a beautiful thing.

For those who have any spare time this evening, it's a good chance to visit city hall. Cape Girardeau's city council meets for a study session at 5 p.m.; Jackson's board of aldermen meets at 7:30 p.m.; the Scott City council meets at 7 p.m.

The excitement over the city of Jackson's 100th Homecomers seems to have overtaken another significant anniversary: the 200th year since the city of Cape Girardeau was incorporated.

Almost every Monday is filled with meetings. Today, award-winning town crier Darryl Morgan will kick off the city of Cape Girardeau's meeting by heralding the 200th anniversary of the city's incorporation.

This week in Chaffee, all the fire hydrants are getting flushed. City officials are hoping that, by this time next week, complaints about drinking water odors and taste will abate.

Last week's brief rumor that the lawsuit between Cape Girardeau County commissioners might be settled out of court died quickly.

One of the best phrases in the U.S. Constitution is "a more perfect union."

Today marks the beginning of Jackson's annual Cleanup/Fixup Days, which last through Friday. The rules allowing Jackson residents to empty basements, garages and other catchalls include a few limits.

Linda Penzel sent an e-mail asking for help.She's organizing the part of Jackson Homecomers devoted to the 63 queens named since 1935, the year Ruby Johnson Conrad won the crown.

This column was written in Michigan, where I've been working on house projects. Making the four-state drive is always an eye-opener. While on the freeway, I saw a truck outfitted for spotting tornadoes.

All the bills are paid from the renovation of Cape Girardeau's Wall of Fame, which started in 2006. But members of the River Heritage Mural Association still have four unsponsored panels. How can that be?

Editor's note: This column originally appeared online as part of Peg McNichol's blog. To see more of Peg's entries, visit www.semissourian.com.

One week ago today, the Cape Girardeau County Commission held a highly productive meeting, beginning with devoting nearly an hour to residents hoping to stop a proposed quarry on County Road 319.

The city of Cape Girardeau's planning and zoning commission meets twice on Wednesday. At 5:30 p.m., the board will talk about peripheral planning.Section 89.

The city of Jackson is beginning its second phase of a plan to lure business. According to Mayor Barbara Lohr, the Tax-Increment Financing (TIF) Commission is being reactivated.

Cape Girardeau County commissioners have been busy lately. Four closed meetings in recent weeks aside, the board has made some public decisions at Thursday's meeting.

Remember the DREAM Initiative survey of Cape Girardeau residents that kicked off in November? I do.Remember how it was leaked on an Internet forum and 851 people ended up answering questions? Ditto.Remember the results of the survey? No?Yeah, me neither.

On Friday, the newest Cape Girardeau City Council member, Mark Lanzotti, was sworn in, along with returning Councilwoman Loretta Schneider. Deb Tracy, also re-elected Tuesday, had a family commitment and couldn't make the afternoon meeting.

During the recent floods, many people shared stories of watching rising creek water lift propane tanks and carry them away.

Hopefully by time this column is printed, the water is receding. The serial storms since Feb. 11 have been an exercise in coping for many.

While trying to track down which government officials have had Sunshine Law training and which have not, one fact became quickly apparent.

Sunshine Week starts Sunday.