Free Ride.

The City Council has authorized the City Taxi service to offer free rides within the city limits on New Year’s eve. The free rides will be available between the hours of 9 p.m until 2 a.m. Those wishing to take advantage of this service should call 359-6589. This number puts the caller through to a cell phone in the taxi.

The service was offered last year and the cost to the City was minimal according to Police Chief Dennis Veach. The taxi service is under the supervision of the Police Department.

In 1999 the service provided over 12,000 rides for senior citizens with a one dollar charge and just over 2,600 other regular three dollar fares.

The Taxi service budget for 1999/2000 was $78,000. Fares and grants from the State contributed $52,000. Vehicles include a passenger car and a van that is designed for use by persons in wheel chairs.

The service operates weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Due to the icy conditions the service did not run yesterday, but will be restored as soon as weather permits.

I keep lookin’ at the extended weather forecast hopin’ for a glimmer of hope. For the last several years there has always been a 60 degree day somewhere out there. All I’m seein’ now is twenty-somethin’.

The good news is that the lows aren’t gettin’ extreme, stayin’ above aught.

‘Course when the cold snap started folks were encouraged ‘cause it meant the grasshoppers, fleas and other critters wouldn’t be as bad come spring. I’m thinkin’ that bright spot has pretty well been used up by now.

I’m sure that some businesses are bein’ helped by the extended cold, but in general I hear retailers are slowed a mite. Prob’ly a good time ta be pricin’ that ski boat.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing Services

Prime Time With Kids

by Donna Erickson

Sibling rivalry may be as old as Cain and Abel, but when your own kids start quibbling nonstop, it’s hard to accept the jealousy as normal behavior. It seems to start when a young child tries to understand why the new baby in the house isn’t just a visitor but is clearly there to stay!

If a second child has recently arrived in your home, here’s a great idea to help the preschool-age sibling along in understanding his own special abilities and how important he is to the family. It’s a simple bookmaking activity your child can make with you.

First, talk to your preschooler about his skills and abilities. Perhaps your child has learned how to count to 10, or how to hop. Jot down the achievements on scratch paper as you talk about them.

On a sheet of construction paper, use markers to print "My baby brother" or "My baby sister" at the top and finish the sentence with a characteristic about the new baby that fits one of the categories you discussed with the older sibling.

For example, "My baby sister sleeps in a crib." Underneath, print a corresponding idea about the sibling, such as, "I sleep in a big bed." On a second sheet you may write, "My baby sister crawls" and "I can talk, run and skip." On a third sheet, "My baby sister eats rice cereal" and "I eat hamburgers."

Continue for several pages, ending on the final page with something both children have in common, such as "My baby sister can smile." "I can smile too!"

Let your child illustrate the pages. For the cover of the book, glue photos of your preschooler and the baby on another sheet of paper and print the title in block letters, "My Baby Sister (or Brother) and Me." Punch holes along the left side of each sheet and tie the pages together with bright ribbon or yarn.