Today's Feature

Tax on Ballot Next Week.

The question of whether or not the citizens of Carthage want to increase its sales tax by one-half cents will be on the ballot in just over a week on April 7. The approximate $800,000 a year for ten years the tax is expected to generate would be used to secure funding for the purchase and development of a 700 acre industrial park just south of the McCune Brooks Regional hospital. The purchase of the property would be carried out in three phases according to the information supplied by the Carthage Economic Development Corporation.

According to a flyer provided by the CEDC and distributed in CW&EP bills this month, it would take 12 to 18 months to develop the needed infrastructure for the initial phase of the park. That time frame would hopefully allow ample room for the economy to begin recovery and allow the City to "take advantage of development opportunities as they become available".

The new tax would put the Carthage sales tax rate at 7.888%, which would be in the average range in southwestern Missouri according to the CEDC. The tax would cost the average family about $4 per month.

Mornin'

I still carry my golf clubs wherever I go. I never use ‘em, mind ya, but I always keep ‘em handy. Ever’ now and then I get the urge just ta go out and whack some dandy lions. I still figure I’ll actually make it out to the drivin’ range and actually hit a few balls someday.

I read one theory once that says if ya want a new easy chair, you should move furniture around and leave a space where the chair would sit if ya actually had it. Sooner or later the emptiness will be filled. I suppose that is the type a thing I’m figurin’ on with those used clubs I bought at the garage sale. Sooner or later the opportunity will present itself and I’ll be able to say I’ve actually hit a golf ball.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Cleaning Area Rugs

Q: My mother gave me two very nice Oriental rugs for my apartment, which has old pine-board flooring. What’s the best way to clean them? Can I steam clean them? -- Megan, via e-mail

A: Steam cleaning is not recommended for antique Oriental rugs, for a number of reasons: The threads could be damaged by the water, colorfastness may be an issue and so on. So stay away from the rental steam cleaners in your local supermarket, as they are more suited to wall-to-wall carpets.

Vacuuming is fine for most rugs, though you’ll want to set the height of the vacuum about a notch higher than the "carpet" setting on the machine. Vacuuming will pick up dust and small debris and is the best way to keep the rugs clean through the year.

But what if the rugs are really dirty? Pick up a corner of one of the rugs and kick the underside. If a cloud of dirt flies out of the rug, it’s time for a more thorough cleaning than a vacuum can provide. At this point, you can either have them cleaned professionally -- something you may want to do if they are really antiques -- or you can clean them yourself, if you have the space to hang them up.

You’ll need: a vacuum cleaner, cold water, mild rug shampoo, a soft natural brush and a window squeegee.

Lay the rugs out on a garage floor or clean driveway. Vacuum the top and underside of each rug to remove surface dirt. Fill a pail with water and rug shampoo.

Test one spot on each rug for colorfastness first with the soapy water. If the colors don’t run, begin cleaning by dipping the soft brush in the soapy water and brushing in the same direction as the nap. Wet the nap thoroughly. Wash the fringes as well, and brush out dirt.

Rinse the rug thoroughly with cold, running water and squeegee in the direction of the nap until no more water is forced out. Let the rugs dry flat, turning over when the nap feels dry. Once dry, vacuum or brush one last time to fluff out the pile.

HOME TIP: Spot-clean Oriental rugs by adding 1/4 cup white vinegar to two cups cool water; add one squirt of liquid dish detergent and clean the spill or stain with a brush or sponge. The vinegar prevents dyes in the rug from running.