FUND RAISING CAMPAIGN BEGINS NOVEMBER 8

Carthage R-9 School Foundation’s 2011/12 Major Saver Card fundraising campaign begins November 8 and runs through November 15. Cards are only $10 each and may be purchased from Carthage elementary, middle school and junior high school students or by calling the Carthage R-9 School Foundation at 417.359.7047.

Each participating school receives a portion of the funds raised through the sale of the Major Saver Cards. The discount cards include special offers on purchases at 15 area restaurants and businesses and are valid through November 1, 2012. Offering something for everyone in the family, businesses featured on this year’s card include Cabo del Sol, Carthage Municipal Park Roller Rink, Domino’s Pizza, El Charro, Hardee’s, Humble Pie and Blaize’n Coffee, Iggy’s Diner, Long John Silver’s, McDonald’s, Oriental Villa, Pancake Hut, Shake’s, Sirloin Stockade, Sonic and Taco Town. The Major Saver Card program would not be possible without the support of these businesses and their commitment to Foundation and Carthage students. Carthage R-9 School Foundation assists the school district in providing enhanced educational opportunities for students and teachers. Since the foundation’s inception, it has granted funds to all Carthage R-9 District schools for educational programs and classroom equipment, and has awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to graduating seniors. For information about Carthage R-9 School Foundation, call 359.7047.

Jasper County Jail Count

? November 2, 2011

Total Including Placed out of County

NASCAR THIS WEEK

By Monte Dutton

An Early Present for Blaney, Baldwin

The finish of the Good Sam Club 500 was side-by-side, but third place was "Cinderella."

Dave Blaney, driving the underfunded Golden Corral Chevy for owner Tommy Baldwin, took the checkered flag third, matching a career best.

Blaney, who just turned 49, was understandably ecstatic.

"We have to thank (fourth-place) Brad Keselowski, who stayed with us all day long, every lap," Blaney said. "When you get somebody committed to you, no matter what, it makes it a lot easier. Then it’s just timing at the end.

"We were in the right place at the right time, squeezed through a couple holes, there you are."

The finish was worth $160,833, a tidy sum for Baldwin’s struggling team.

"It’s huge for a race team," Blaney added. "It’s a tiny little team. This race car we’ve got, it was a Bill Davis (owned) car in 2007 and 2008. It’s not a killer. It’s a big, big accomplishment for us to come out.

"This is a track where you can do this. You can hang in all day. With Brad Keselowski’s help, we could hang in all day and take advantage of getting a big push at the right time. That’s what it comes down to here, having a car that will roll the last couple laps to do that. It all just worked out."

The autumn Talladega Superspeedway race was the 393rd of Blaney’s career but only his fourth top-five finish. He has two career poles. His best previous finish this season was 13th at Richmond, Va., on April 30.

While Bowyer, who won, and second-place Jeff Burton were breaking away from the pack, Blaney and Keselowski were advancing from 14th and 15th in the race’s decisive, two-lap finish.

"That was odd to see them get that far away that quick," Blaney, from Hartford, Ohio, said. "That is obviously what made it a different kind of race. ... It’s exciting racing, whether it’s tandem or packs, stressful on the drivers, exciting for the fans."

I was reminded the other day about a lesson by the author/teacher Peter Drucker. If you’re not familiar, he may be considered the most knowledgeable management type person around.

He thinks there are three things management must always be concerned with, productivity, liquidity, and tomorrow. Unfortunately tomorrow doesn’t lend itself to be easily calculated to the bottom line. There are some things that are at best an educated guess.

Watchin’ that today’s dollars are effectively spent while keepin’ an eye on tomorrow can be tricky, but havin’ some type of plan may help the City retain the quality of life we’ve grown accustomed to.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Weekly Column

CLICK and CLACK

TALK CARS

My husband was driving our Yukon on the highway (cruise control set on 70) when he passed out. He was in the left-hand lane of four lanes, so I reached over and turned off the ignition and steered to the left shoulder, and then to the grassy median .

I finally drove into a large road sign that dipped down and then back up, causing the car to finally stop. Then I took my seat belt off and called 911. Did I mention that I was screaming at my husband the whole time? (I thought he was dying.) My question for you: Was there anything else I could have or should have done? -- Jimmie Jo

RAY: Well, the first thing you should do is make sure your husband never listens to our radio show again. He obviously has a hard time staying awake as it is.

TOM: You did very well under the circumstances, Jimmie Jo. So congratulations for keeping your wits about you and getting the vehicle to a safe stop. Great job.

RAY: For next time (which we hope there isn’t), we’ll give you a few better alternatives.

TOM: Turning off the engine isn’t our first choice -- either for a medical emergency like this or for unintended acceleration. When you turn off the engine, you lose your power brakes and power steering. That can make it harder to control the car -- especially from the passenger seat.

RAY: So, in a case where you’re on a highway and you have plenty of room to stop, you should reach over and shift the transmission into Neutral. That’ll allow the car to eventually roll to a stop, but will allow you to steer easily.

TOM: We trust that by now your husband has recovered, and that you’ve figured out what caused him to lose consciousness.