Today's Feature

Odor Discussion to Continue.

The City Council Public Works Committee will meet this afternoon at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall. The committee is scheduled to continue discussing possible amendments to the Carthage Code regarding offensive odors.

During the previous Public Works Committee meeting the committee agreed to pursue an ordinance that would allow the City to enforce odor regulations instead of relying on the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. It was noted that several other cities, including Springfield, have enacted similar ordinances with some success.

Topics discussed for inclusion in the ordinance included odor detection and identification, abatement, enforcement, and right of entry to the offender’s property. The committee requested a draft ordinance for review, as well as an estimated cost of implementation. Some equipment would need to be purchased by the City in order to aid with the detection of odors.

The committee is also scheduled to discuss a bid opening for demolition and removal of a structure at 327 Howard Street.

Mornin'
"Get big or get out" was a favorite sayin’ of my dad when he was talkin’ to customers in his small sundry store. He eventually got out. That was back when the big discount stores were just startin’ to saturate the midwest.

I can still remember goin’ to the "Giant" store for the first time. It was bigger and better stocked than the wholesaler dad bought from for the store. Prices were even better for some items. It’s no wonder there are few mom and pop five and dimes around.

The fact is that small business has more tools available to it today than ever to keep up with the changin’ market place. Personal service and the ability to adjust to a changing local or regional market are the best weapons for survival to the small companies.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Fibrocystic Breasts Don’t Up Cancer Risk

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Both my left and right breasts have many lumps. They scared me, so I saw an OB/GYN doctor. She spent a long time examining my breasts and told me I had fibrocystic breast disease and that it was nothing to worry about. I had a mammogram, and no cancer was seen. I still worry. Does this turn into cancer? -- V.B.

ANSWER: Fibrocystic breast disease shouldn’t be called a disease. It has been renamed "fibrocystic changes." "Disease" is not a word that can be used when 60 percent of premenopausal women have the condition.

"Fibro" refers to strands of scar tissue. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs. With fibrocystic breast changes, both breasts are usually involved, something that rarely happens in cancer. The cysts are soft and feel like they’re made of rubber. They can be painful, especially in the days before a menstrual period. Cancers are solitary, hard masses that cannot be pushed around, like a cyst can.

Fibrocystic breast changes are not cancer and don’t become cancer. If they do become painful, take Tylenol or one of the anti-inflammatory medicines like Aleve or Advil. Some women find that eliminating caffeine eliminates the pain of fibrocystic breasts. Others have gotten relief by adopting a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet.

You can put this issue to rest.