THUMBS UP TO PROGRAMS THAT HELP KIDS, SAVE LIVES, PROMOTE ART

It was a day of basketball and new impressions. Kids were cheering on police officers, and vise versa.

Nearly 50 youngsters between the ages of 12 and 16 learned that police officers aren't such bad fellows. The officers reached out to these teenagers without the tarnish of trouble. The occasion was the first "Hoopin' With 5-0 at SEMO '93" mini-basketball camp. With the help of Southeast Missouri State University Coach Ron Shumate, the camp was a great success.

Police officers typically suffer from television and film stereotypes. Teenagers sometimes battle the similar negative perceptions. But this camp was a good way to meet on middle ground and relate as individuals.

Attendance was good -- 46 boys -- for the first year. About 20 officers from the Cape Girardeau Police Department and the Missouri Highway Patrol participated. Coach Shumate also brought a number of his staff members as well as former Indian players Otto Porter and Terry Mead.

We applaud both organizers and participants for their efforts. Coach Shumate should also be commended for lending a hand. No doubt his name proved a real drawing card for the camp.

This year the camp targeted boys 12-16 because it's this age group that finds its way into juvenile court most often. Hopefully the program's success will allow organizers to expand to teenage girls next year. It was such a positive experience, we think more kids should be afforded this opportunity. To the organizers, we say -- keep up the good work.

Ten years ago, Missouri became the 40th state to require that children under the age of 4 be restrained in an approved car seat or safety belt.

Since that time thousands of young lives have been saved -- both in Missouri and across the nation. In 1991 alone, child safety seats prevented 185 deaths and 72,000 injuries in the United States, saving $3.5 billion, including $220 million in medical care costs, according to National Public Services Research Institute.

In Missouri, child safety violations are a secondary offense -- which means persons are ticketed only if they're stopped for another violation. Safety belts are handled in the same manner.

But while usage is considered good in Missouri, safety organizations are targeting what they consider a high level of misuse. And a car seat incorrectly used could become a hazard in itself.

It's important we protect our kids in any way we can -- including buckling them correctly into an approved safety seat whenever they're in a vehicle. The extra time could save a precious life.

On Sunday, the Gallery 100 will reopen in temporary lodgings at 1707 Mount Auburn Road.

We urge patrons to continue their support of the gallery in its new, temporary location. This office building at the corner of Mount Auburn and Kingshighway also houses the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The offices are temporary because they are two-thirds the space with nearly double the rent.

The Southeast Missouri Council on the Arts and its gallery had been at the bank building at 100 Broadway for seven and a half years. But now the bank has other uses for the building. The bank has been a good landlord for many years, and the move came on amicably. They were notified in May, and the bank charged no rent since then to allow the nonprofit agency to build up its reserves.

The gallery reopens Sunday from 2-4 p.m. with a pen-and-ink exhibit of Missouri architecture by John Stoeckley of Louisiana, Mo. His "Americana Series" includes 90 works, 27 of which will be on display at Gallery 100.

The Southeast Missouri Council on the Arts and its Gallery 100 has brought us many fine shows over the years. Now, it's our turn to show the council how we appreciate their efforts by following the gallery to its new location.