Regular Council Meeting Rescheduled.


The Carthage City Council has rescheduled its regular Tuesday meeting to this evening at 6:30 due to the Christmas Eve holiday.

The Council is scheduled to vote on the proposed contract with Bucher, Willis and Ratliff of Kansas City. The $20,000 contract would be for consultant services to develop a park system master plan.

The project would include, among other services, an inventory and evaluation of the existing park system and a written report which would include surpluses and/or deficiencies in the quality of facilities provided. The report would also include an analysis of the physical condition of existing facilities; suggestions for changes to existing parks to meet demand now and in five years; suggestions for new facilities; and specific park type needs; and cost estimations for improvements.

The study team would facilitate two public meetings.

"We know from experience that projects are successful when the citizens feel they have been involved in the process and its recommendations," says Ron Williamson of Bucher, Willis and Ratliff.

Year Ends at artCentral.

By Lee Sours, artCentral

The display of artwork provided by members of the Ozark Artists Colony ends today. The gallery will be closed for the holidays until Tuesday, January 7, 2003.

On Friday, January 10, we’ll have the opening reception for the black and white photography of Bill Perry III. Bill travels over the world taking pictures of interesting people and exotic places. So we are looking forward to seeing where he takes us this time.

Speaking of traveling, artCentral has had a lot of visitors this month. Our guest book shows visitors have traveled here from Iowa, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, Kansas and various towns in Missouri. A lot of Christmas shopping has been going on here.

We are glad more people are finding out where we are. If you are coming into town on Highway 96 (Central Street,) take River Street to the south until you reach 13th. Then go east about a block and you’ll see the gallery next to Fairview Greenhouse.

We really got a lot of Sunday visitors last weekend. Remember, we’re not open on Saturdays but we are open on Sunday afternoons from 12 – 5.

For the year 2003, the Main Gallery is booked. We also are organizing classes in working with pastels. The class will meet on Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to noon. The class will meet for 6 weeks and the fee will be $200. Call us and reserve a spot if you are interested. Call soon, we hope to start the classes in January.

ArtCentral gift memberships are available if you know someone who is interested in creating or viewing art!

HOURS: T – F 11 - 5

Sunday 12 -5 Closed Mon. and Sat.

1110 E 13th • 358-4404

ozarkartistscolony.com

With Christmas bein’ in the middle of the week this year, it gives a couple a extra days to pick up those gifts that couldn’t be found over the weekend.

Or, as in the case of some, time to finally get started on the quest for the perfect gift.

Last minute shoppers have a real advantage over those who start their shoppin’ in July. Time is on their side.

Not in the typical sense that there is enough of it, but the lack of it makes decisions easier. No time to look around, no time to wrap, no time to worry about the cost. Just do it.

I’m guessin’ that if time didn’t run out, a lota gifts just wouldn’t be given. The deadline is near.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing

THIS IS A HAMMER

By Samantha Mazzotta

Workshop Basics

Q: I finally put together a small workshop in the garage: table, tools, pegboard, the works. Do you have any cost-effective tips to make the workspace even better? — Janice W., El Paso

A: There are as many tips on maximizing your workshop space as there are days in the year (and then some). Whether they are useful depends on the unique characteristics of the space you’ve developed — its size, the amount of table and wall space around you, and the type of work you plan to do.

I have a few tips that should fit anyone’s requirements, though. Try out these low-cost additions to your workspace.

• Use empty shoeboxes to carry tools and supplies to and from a project. Place just the tools you need and any parts, nuts and bolts into the box. The box can also hold parts you’ve removed until you need them again.

• Buy an assortment of plastic food containers to use as storage — not just around the workspace, but in your toolbox as well. The new "disposable" plastic containers are inexpensive and see-through, so you can identify items like nails, drill bits and so on. Some wholesale clubs stock multi-container sets at very affordable prices.

• Place a ruler or yardstick along one edge of the workbench and tape or nail it in place. When you need to measure something in a jiffy, just place it against the ruler and mark it.

• Craft sticks (also known as Popsicle sticks) should be kept on hand at all times, so buy a large box of them. They can be used for several things, such as smoothing putty seams or mixing epoxy, or as padding between clamp jaws and the item being anchored.

• A foam block (available at hardware and craft stores) attached to your work table is very useful. Stick items like screwdrivers, knives, screws or nails into the block to hold them temporarily as you work.

• If there’s a spot you like to place larger tools like hammers or chisels while you’re working, but the tools keep sliding off or away from it, attach a scrap piece of carpet (use nails or a staple gun) to that area. It’ll keep the tools in place until you need them.

• Paint the pegboard and work surface white, so that small items show up better.