ON COLD DAYS, ENJOYING LIFE WITH BASKETBALL AND BOOKS

Fans will pack into the Show Me Center tonight to witness the championship game of the 49th annual University High School Christmas Tournament, an event that each year showcases the area prep basketball season.

The "U-High tourney," as it is affectionately known to local hoop followers, has been a Southeast Missouri sports staple for nearly half a century. And it continues to grow in popularity.

A host of memorable teams and players have appeared in the tournament, which was first held in old Houck Field House and later moved to the Show Me Center when that first-rate facility opened.

There have been undefeated teams and standout players who later went on to compete for major universities.

But the real beauty of the U-High event is that it allows players from all types of schools and backgrounds to compete on Southeast Missouri State University's court in what will no doubt rank as one of the highlights of their high school athletic careers.

For the fans, it's a chance to watch some top-flight high school hoops and also sit around and rehash many of the memorable tournaments of the past.

In short, it's a great time for everyone.

Winter's bitter cold has forced many school-age youngsters indoors over their extended Christmas holiday. And many have trekked to the Cape Girardeau Public Library for extracurricular entertainment.

It's a good place to expand your horizons any day of the year -- no matter what the weather or your age. The library sponsors some sort of special programming just about every day of the week. Their focus is to make the library a lifelong learning center, says Director Elizabeth Ader.

Cape Girardeau's city library is open 68 hours each week -- including Sunday afternoon hours between October and April.

But the library staff isn't content to wait for patrons. They have also opened a Homework and Literacy Center at the rear of Maple Avenue United Methodist Church, 624 S. Ellis. The center is a great way to move library services into local neighborhoods. It's a place kids can come to study after school, or check out a video or audio tape. Although relatively new, the center is drawing about 125 students a week.

Like a good book, the Cape Girardeau Public Library only improves with use.

National seat belt usage has reached all-time highs, according to the Department of Transportation. About 66 percent of Americans are now using seat belts this year. That increase from 62 percent last year will help avoid about 500 deaths and 14,000 serious injuries on America's roadways.

Missourians can feel proud that they are well above the national average. State usage is around 70 percent, and in Cape Girardeau, the rate is even higher -- 75 percent. Usage has increased 2 percent over last year. Local success is credited to an active awareness campaign through the Cape Girardeau Police Department.

As the numbers grow higher, the challenge increases. One of the focuses of the Cape Girardeau campaign is to remind people to wear seat belts each and every time they get in a car. After all, we can't choose the time or place of an accident. Many times they occur just a few miles from home.

We're glad to see the national average is growing. It's just still hard to believe that five states have no restraint laws -- including Massachusetts, Maine, Kentucky, New Hampshire and South Dakota. We hope these states soon jump on the bandwagon that has proven over and over to save lives and property.

You think you've seen it all and then...

A school in Emporia, Kan. has avoided a lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) by removing religious themes from their school Christmas program.

The edited program this year contained a focus on peace and traditions of other countries as well as secular songs and readings. It has been renamed a "seasonal celebration."

The program had been a tradition for decades in this Kansas community.

At what point are people going to become fed up with this nonsense?

A small victory in Kansas could lead to other similar battles across the country. It's time the rest of us stand up and say "enough is enough."