Legislature Approves

Adult Business Bill

JEFFERSON CITY — Senate Bill 586 & 617 has passed the Missouri Legislature and to the governor’s desk for signing into law.

Senate Bill 586 & 617 combats the secondary effects of sexually oriented businesses in Missouri by imposing several time, place and manner restrictions. After Aug 28, 2010, the legislation will prohibit a person from establishing a sexually oriented business within 1,000 feet of a pre-existing school, house of worship, state-licensed day care, public library, public park, residence or other sexually oriented business. It also bars a person who has been convicted of or imprisoned for certain crimes within the last eight years from establishing an adult business.

In addition, the bill prohibits nude performances and restricts semi-nude activity within sexually oriented businesses. It also prohibits adult establishments from operating between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m., and bars anyone younger than 18 from being on the premises at any time

It’s all over but the shoutin’. That’s one a those phrases that ever’one was aware of when I was growin’ up.

I don’t suppose anyone ever’ sat me down and explained ‘xactly what that meant, but I’m guessin’ like most sayin’s, it looks like it could be interpreted at least a couple a ways.

In general I’d have ta say it means the decidin’ is done. Nothin’ more to be accomplished, just the rumble that follows a lightin’ strike in the distance. But where the different meanin’s might be is dependin’ on whether you happened to be sittin’ under the tree the lightin’ hit, or if ya just happened to see the streak from your back porch.

Course that brings us to the consideration that any shoutin’ at all doesn’t change the result.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

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THIS IS A HAMMER

By Samantha Mazzotta

Hardwood Floors See the Light

Q: Our kitchen has tile floors that are OK, but I don’t like the design at all. Then last week, my husband cracked one of the tiles, pulled it up, and underneath was what looks like hardwood flooring. Can this flooring be exposed without too much trouble? Can it be used in the kitchen or should we cover it again? -- Taylor H., Madison, Wis.

A: You should be able to remove the ceramic tiles without doing too much damage to the hardwood, but you’ll need to use the right tools for the job -- or, if you don’t have the time or energy to pull up tiles, hire a licensed contractor for the work.

If the tiles were laid directly atop the wood floor, it’s a good idea to loosen the adhesive (mastic) between them and the wood. Home-improvement stores sell products specifically for this task -- make sure they are safe for use on wood. Scrape up and pull up the tiles. Many or most will break during the process.

No matter how carefully you pull up the tiles and remove the adhesive, the flooring will need to be sanded and refinished. Again, there’s a fair bit of elbow grease involved with this process, and if you do it yourself, rent a floor sander from the home-improvement store and use according to the instructions. You want to sand away any remaining adhesive and old finish, and smooth out the wood. Sweep away debris and damp-mop, let dry, and then apply new finish.

Hardwood floors in the kitchen are quite attractive and can be kept up as long as you are diligent about maintenance. Puddles of water shouldn’t be left standing; clean them up as soon as you notice them. Wipe or sweep the floor daily. Don’t use harsh cleaning chemicals on the floor; use plain water and damp mop, and occasionally wash using soap specifically for wood floors.

HOME TIP: Squeaky floorboard? Try pouring a little talcum powder into the cracks between the boards to ease friction.