Today's Feature

Approved Street Closure.

The City Council Public Safety committee met Monday evening in a regular session. The committee discussed and approved a request for the closure of Belle Aire street at Grand, Fulton and Clinton intersections on July 3 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for an annual Fourth of July block party. The item will be referred to City Council for approval during the next regular Council meeting, to be held on June 24.

The committee also heard from a citizen participant who lives on Valley Street. The complaint stemmed from persons parking in front of the citizen’s residence for long periods of time. The City has no ordinance prohibiting parking on the street in front of residences. Police Chief Greg Dagnan said he would inspect the parking at the location to determine if any of the cars are parking on the grass or in any other illegal manner, and said he would report back to the citizen.

The committee met earlier than usual to tour the Police Station. Two of the members are new to the committee, and requested the tour. During the previous meeting the committee toured the Fire Station.

A farmer I used ta work for while I was in high school always told me that if ya see turtles on the road it means it’s gonna rain. Said they could sense the comin’ weather and headed for higher ground. I never was convinced completely, but I always try to remember when I see the creatures ploddin’ on the roadways.

I always look in the rearview mirror when I pass over turtles with the car. Some pull their head in and just wait, others just keep wigglin’ along like nothin’ happened. I can’t imagine what a turtle must be thinkin’ when a vehicle whizzes over ‘em. Maybe they figure it was one a those quick thunder storms movin’ through, or a giant crash of thunder.

Maybe they’re just hopin’ for rain.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Here’s A Tip

By JoAnn Derson

Recipe Substitutions: If you need 1/2 cup tartar sauce, mix 6 tablespoons of mayonnaise with 2 tablespoons of pickle relish.

Getting bugged by bugs? Here are some plants that are said to repel mosquitos: Citronella grass (although, this one is tropical and very large), catnip, rosemary, marigolds, horsemint and "mosquito plants."

If you go to a lot of cookouts in the summer, try this tip to avoid overeating: Keep a drink in your dominant hand. You’ll be less likely to graze on high-fat chips and other snack foods. Need a little something? Hope for a veggie platter. But whether it’s veggies or chips, grab a couple and then WALK AWAY from the table before you can hit the dip.

"For fun pancake shapes, use a turkey baster. Fill it with pancake batter, then spell or draw on a heated and oiled pan. Just make sure your letters are backward to start with; they look better when flipped!" -- E.L. in Washington

If you make your own bread from time to time, save the bags and ties from store-bought breads. They are the perfect size, and they can be reused with ease.

"This is my husband’s diet tip. He’s lost almost 35 pounds. Before he sits down to a meal, he tightens his belt a notch. He can still breathe and everything, but it makes it uncomfortable to overeat. He eats more slowly, too." -- J.J. in Florida