Budget Decisions Postponed.

The City Council Budget/Ways and Means Committee delayed any formal action on the disposition of the funds earmarked for the acquisition of property for a new airport during the Committee’s regular meeting last Monday evening. The Council recently voted to stop all negotiations for airport property acquisition. According to City Administrator Tom Short the fund will total approximately $470,000 after all expenses incurred for survey and appraisal work is paid.

Discussion indicated funds would be used for infrastructure improvements for the Myers Park Development, but the Committee wanted to wait until the Public Works Committee develops estimates for the construction of streets in Myers Park before recommending allocation of the fund.

The Committee also delayed a scheduled discussion concerning a contract with Phillips Ward and Associates to help with the 2001 July 4th celebration. According to Committee member Jackie Boyer, who is also on the July 4th Committee, details of the agreement will be discussed at a meeting this evening in City Hall.

I suppose there are those livin’ in these parts that aren’t accustomed to the cold weather that comes through on occasion, but it always seems strange how much time tv news programs spend tellin’ ya how to keep warm. One reporter summed up a two minute spot with the profound advice to "bundle up."

"Put some clothes on!," I yelled to the tv set. How dense we in tv land must be to need this kind of scolding from strangers. I’m surprised I wasn’t instructed to check the thermostat to make sure the heater was on, or to not run around barefoot when there is ice on the ground.

Other bits of wisdom: The best way to keep from bein’ hungry is to eat somethin’. If you stick your hand in a fire, it will burn. Now there’s a real story.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing Services

PRIME TIME WITH KIDS

by Donna Erickson

Rudolph will show up in unsuspecting places this holiday season when your kids create his image on gift bags and even on a hat for the youngest in the family. The secret charm in these projects is that your kids’ hands make the antlers!

Here’s how to make the gift bag:

Trace your child’s hands on brown construction paper, cardboard or craft foam. Cut out each hand shape.

Close the top of a brown paper lunch bag by folding it down 2 inches. Punch two holes about 1 inch apart through the folded top of the bag. Glue the hand-shaped "antlers" (at the wrist) to the top corners of the folded bag. The fingers and thumbs will extend beyond the top fold of the bag.

Then cut out two small oval ear shapes from light brown paper and glue one ear on each reindeer antler (at the palm of the hand shape).

Use markers or crayons to draw a reindeer face on the bag. A red pompom is perfect for Rudolph’s "nose so bright."

Place a gift inside the decorated bag and refold it. Run ribbon through the two holes and tie. Add jingle bells, if you wish, and a gift tag.

Note: Once the present is removed, cut off the base of the bag for a fun holiday hand puppet!

To make a reindeer hat:

Fill two stretch gloves (available for under $2 at many discount stores) with fiberfill or scraps of old fabric. The filled gloves will be the antlers.

On a plain cotton baseball-style hat, stitch the open ends of the gloves to the right and left sides of the top of the hat. Try the hat on your child to determine the exact placement. It will be about 1 1/2 inches from the top center of the hat and 3 to 4 inches from the brim. Stitch jingle bells to the antlers for extra fun.