Today's Feature

Local Eggs & Issues Forum.

The Carthage Chamber of Commerce will host an Eggs & Issues forum this Friday, March 28th at 7:00 a.m. in the First Assembly of God Church, 1605 Baker Blvd.

During the event candidates running for positions on the Carthage R-9 Board and Carthage City Council are invited to speak to attendees about local issues. Breakfast will begin at 7:00 a.m. and the speakers are scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. April 8 is the date of the election for these candidates.

Those invited to speak include R-9 Candidates; Tony Diggs, Kent Hogan, Jeff Jones, Alan Snow and Danny Lambeth. These candidates are running to serve as members of the Board of Education, and three will be elected. Also invited to speak are Council Candidates Claude Newport (Ward 1), Timothy Teed (Ward 2), Ronnie Wells (Ward 2), John Studebaker (Ward 3), Vince Scott (Ward 3), Larry Ross (Ward 4) and Keith Hurlbut (Ward 5).

The public is invited to attend the event. Ticket cost for the event is $7. Tickets can be purchased at the Carthage Chamber of Commerce, 402 S. Garrison. Reservations are encouraged.

Mornin’

I was sittin’ in a public meetin’ the other day and durin’ a critical time that I wanted to hear ever’thing that was goin’ on, someone’s cell phone went off.

After a few minutes, it went off again. ‘Bout that time another one went off on the other side of the room. It was like we’d all stepped into the twilight zone. Stereophonic beeping.

I’m not in near enough demand to have ta carry some homing device yet. That doesn’t mean there aren’t folks with the need to keep in touch. I know doctor’s prob’ly have a legitimate use for such things. Other than that, those who find it necessary to carry cell phones oughta have ta go through some sort of etiquette course ‘fore they are issued a license to carry one.

Then we could issue tickets for cellulared driving.

This is some fact, but mostly,
Just Jake Talkin’.

This is a Hammer
By Samantha Mazzotta

Dry vs. Wet Basements.

Q: I’ve been searching for an apartment in an area where a lot of old homes are split into apartments, and I hear agents and landlords refer to their basements as either "dry" basements or "wet" basements. What exactly do those terms mean? -- Trudy C., Worcester, Mass.

A: "Dry" vs. "wet" are, in general, quick references to whether a home’s basement has been sealed against water seepage, leaks and condensation -- or not. Many of the Northeast’s turn-of-the-century houses have what might lightly be called "wet" basements because they were not designed to keep dampness out completely. Some have plain dirt floors or, at best, wooden planks overlaying the earth beneath it.

Even recently built homes can have "wet" or unsealed basements. The kind of soil in which a basement is set and the level of an area’s water table can determine whether a basement will tend toward "wet" or "dry" -- or if a basement can even be built at all. (For example, most homes in Florida do not have basements because of the soil -- hard limestone -- and a high water table.)

Today’s homes are supposed to be built with drains that move water away from the foundation and basement walls. But many drains are not properly installed or inadequate, leaving homeowners with a damp basement and, in some cases, one that even floods in heavy rains, forcing them to keep appliances set above the floor. These are basements that one goes into only out of necessity.

A "dry" basement is well-sealed and has drains that move water well away from the walls and floor. Leaks and flooding are rarely a problem. Because most basements have a significant amount of square footage, the dry basement is the most desirable. A well-sealed, well-drained basement can be fitted out into a living space with Sheetrock walls, carpeting or tile.

HOME TIP: Homeowners with leaky or damp basements should consult a construction or basement specialist about ways to improve water drainage from walls set below ground.