Today's Feature

Public Safety Meeting.

The City Council Public Safety met on Monday evening in a regular session. The committee heard a request from Sandy Swingle regarding reduced City taxi rates for those traveling to the Literacy Center to learn English. The committee discussed the request but agreed not to allow the reduced rate, as allowing the reduction would require the same action for a number of other agencies.

The committee agreed to forward to Council a recommendation to allow a rate increase for A to B Taxi Service. Bobbi Schrader Hagan requested the rate increase, as City code requires Council approval of taxi service rates. The recommended change would increase rates from $3 to $5 from 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and from $2 to $6 from 5:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

Police Chief Greg Dagnan discussed bids for new Police cars with the committee. The low bid was received from Carthage Ford Mercury, for three Crown Victorias in the amount of $14,500 each. The committee agreed to forward to Council a recommendation to approve the low bid and declare three of the Department’s older cars surplus to be sold.

Fire Chief John Cooper reviewed bids for 17 air pack cylinders with the Committee. The low bid was received from Firemaster. $15,000 was budgeted for the purchase, and the low bid was roughly $300 over budget. The committee approved a motion to accept the low bid and take the overage from the Fire Department’s capital improvement budget.

The committee also approved shortening Baker Boulevard as a truck route. The route currently runs on Baker from Central Ave. to Fairview Ave. As changed, the route would run from Central Ave. to Oak Street.

Christmas Day Dinner.

The Carthage Crisis Center will hold a Christmas Day Family Dinner on Thursday, December 25, 2008 from 12 noon until 1:30 p.m in the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall at 7th and Main in Carthage. Attendees are asked to use the west entrance.

The annual dinner is held for everyone who needs to be with others on Christmas Day but has no place to go. Dinner will consist of ham and all the trimmings, followed by music, conversation and fellowship.

Those wanting to volunteer to help with the event are encouraged to call Marilyn or Brian Bisbee at 417-358-3533. Transportation to the dinner, as well as meal delivery can be arranged by calling the same phone number by December 24.

Mornin'

Bein’ one that believes wholeheartedly in Santa Claus, it doesn’t surprise me much when he pops into people’s lives this time a year.

I never did believe those stories that my classmates told of hidin’ behind the TV and watchin’ gifts placed ‘neath the tree. Never wanted to believe it.

‘Course at my age, Santa doesn’t visit my house, but I see his work ever’ day durin’ the Christmas Season. For some, Christmas is an excuse for doin’ somethin’ nice. Others are just more likely to recognize the opportunities for reachin’ out a helpin’ hand.

There will always be those who don’t wanna believe in Santa, of course. That’s what makes it so fun. Watchin’ the faces of those doubters when they finally realize what they’re missin’.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

• "At the beginning of the holiday decorating season, I was stumped about what went where. This year, I have solved that dilemma. I took pictures of the decorations up on the house, and where I placed different things inside the house. I had them developed, and I am packing them with the decorations -- right on the top of the bins that will go in the attic. Next year, I will know just where to put things." -- I.O., via e-mail

• "We have a tradition in our family, especially with the younger children. After the holiday, we gather once more for a different sort of party: a thank-you-note party. We get together, have a light lunch and have the kids write out simple thank-you notes for gifts or cards received from friends and relatives. It reinforces the idea of thankfulness and manners, and it helps that they all do it together." -- F.R. in Ohio

• "My two next-door neighbors and I have a fun thing we do after Christmas. We have an un-decorating party. We draw straws to see whose house gets done first, second and third, and in that order we provide breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s always a great time, and we’re done fast. It’s the holiday party I look forward to the most." -- W.K. in Alabama

• "I am always on the lookout for the perfect greeting card. I keep a list with me for the whole year of events, as well as holidays. This way, I can get great cards for minor holidays on sale after the date. I organize my greeting cards by month. I have a three-ring binder that has 12 plastic sleeves labeled with the month and all the events that month. When I get a great birthday card, I slip it into the appropriate month. I even stamp it and address it." -- V.G. in Arizona