The Zimmerman Highkin Group of Salina, Kan., will hold an informational and visual presentation Thursday in Maryville on public art and how it can benefit a community.

The Zimmerman Highkin Group is a nationwide consulting firm that has more than 30 years' experience in government, nonprofit, and educational organizations.

The presentation will be held from 9 a.m. to noon in the council chamber room at City Hall, located at 415 N. Market St. There also will be three one-hour focus group discussions from 1 to 5 p.m. The first focus group will consist of city officials, department heads, and staff. The second will be a discussion with the Greater Maryville Chamber of Commerce and Nodaway County Economic Development Inc. The final group will be held for business owners and leaders.

The focus groups are intended to help the consultants.

Call Maryville city executive assistant Abbie Renshaw at (660) 562-3271 or Northwest Missouri State University art professor Phil Laber at (660) 562-1323 for more information.

MoDOT conducts

bus survey

The Missouri Department of Transportation is exploring ways to improve the state's long-distance public travel options, primarily long-distance bus carriers such as the Jefferson Lines, which serves St. Joseph and much of Northwest Missouri.

The survey, conducted by Heartland Market Research of Rolla, can be accessed by logging onto www.modot.mo.gov/ExpressLane/index.htm.

Grey Ladies celebrate

The Grey Ladies club of Brown County, who are Red Cross volunteers, met recently to celebrate the 96th birthday of Margaret Jones.

Ms. Jones, who was born in 1913 in Whiting, Kan., has been a member of the ladies club for 31 years. She was an active member until she was 90.

The Grey Ladies visit hospital patients and nursing home residents. They change water, deliver cards, open mail, water flowers, and even play bingo with the residents at the nursing homes.

The club has 25 active members.

Ray Scherer can be reached

at rscherer@npgco.com.