Today's Feature

Safety Committee Meeting.

The City Council Public Safety Committee will meet this evening at 6:30 p.m. in the Carthage Police Department. Items on the agenda include the discussion of uniform bids for the Fire Department and the discussion of purchasing a storage building for hazardous materials.

Police Chief Greg Dagnan last week reported to Council that the Marian Days Celebration, held August 7 through 10 at the Congregation of the Mother Co-Redemptrix campus was a successful and incident-free event. Dagnan said it was estimated that the 60,000 expected participant count had been surpassed. The Police Department and other involved enforcement agencies reported 50 service calls during the event, 20 parking tickets and the ejection of 3 gang members. Dagnan said that there were no serious incidents during the festival.

Fire Chief John Cooper said that the annual Festival is a good opportunity for the Carthage Fire Department and Police Department to be involved in a multi-jurisdictional event. Cooper added that the communication required for the event helps keep both Departments in practice.

Mornin'

I still expect to hear a bell ring when I pull up to the gas pumps. ‘Course there is little reason to announce your presence these days since there is no one rushin’ out ta wash your windshield.

I do find myself tryin’ to avoid passin’ by the pumps when I’m just stoppin’ for a coke. I feel a little silly when I realize I’m tryin’ to avoid ringin’ the non existent bell.

I suppose anyone under the age of 18 doesn’t have any idea what I’m talkin’ about. Talk to your parents, they should be the ones to explain such things.

I’d think some marketin’ savvy chain of convenience stores would put the bell back. It would make your customers feel important to know they are bein’ announced.

This is some fact, but mostly,’

Just Jake Talkin’.

THIS IS A HAMMER

By Samantha Mazzotta

Electrical Tool Kit.

Q: When I moved to my first apartment, my dad gave me an old tool set with wrenches, pliers, a hammer and so on. He told me I need to add wire strippers and a tester. What are these? -- Haley C., Boulder, Colo.

A: A wire stripper (usually a cutter/stripper) and a tester are among the basic ingredients of an electrical repair set. Most apartment dwellers will not (and should not) need to perform repairs to their wiring. However, like the rest of the items in the tool kit you received from your dad, they are handy to have around and may make an appearance while decorating the place. (Putting up a new light fixture or ceiling fan is one immediate use that comes to mind.)

A good basic electrical tool set can be put together for between $20 and $100 and should include the following items:

--A neon tester, which will tell you whether power is on in a socket, switch or receptacle.

--A wire cutter/stripper to cut small wires and strip some of the plastic casing from the ends (very useful when attaching wires to fixtures).

--Needle-nose pliers (also called long-nose pliers), which easily crimp wires and can reach into tight spaces.

--Lineman’s pliers, which make twisting wires together much easier.

--Electrical tape, a handy item which covers bare wires or tacks things into place temporarily.

--Wire caps or nuts, in assorted sizes, which quickly screw over spliced wires to hold them securely in place.

Some of these tools are helpful in other areas besides electrical work -- needle-nose pliers, for example, are a big help when hanging pictures, as they can quickly crimp the picture wire into shape.

When you do decide to take on an electrical project -- such as hanging that ceiling fan -- ask someone with experience to work with you. Always shut off the circuit to the receptacle or switch you’ll be working on, and test using the neon tester to make sure no current is traveling through it before starting work.

HOME TIP: If an appliance or plug is smoking or sparking, turn off power at the main circuit box immediately, let it cool, then contact an electrician to inspect.