Asking for Community Support.

The Carthage Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) asked business owners Thursday afternoon at a planing meeting for support in making the Discover America Project a city wide effort and a city wide success. Discover America is a award wining national television series that showcases unique destinations across America.

Discover America has chosen to showcase Carthage for an episode to air in the spring of 2004. The film crew will be in Carthage July 10 - 14 and the Carthage CVB wants the City of Carthage to look its best.

"If you have a front porch you’ve been meaning to paint the past two years, there’s no better time than now," said CVB Director Teresa Gilliam.

Gilliam reviewed at the meeting a list of projects that citizens of Carthage could do to make the city presentable. The list included: clean up trash, groom trees and shrubs, mow lawns, keep side walks clear of grass, and general painting and maintenance.

Gilliam also expressed at the meeting that there were many other jobs to be done. Anyone interested in volunteering their time and skills can contact Gilliam at 358-2373.

They had a good crowd show up at City Hall Friday afternoon. Folks came by to show their appreciation to City Clerk Barbara Welch who is retirin’ after twenty-nine years of service to the City.

Mayor Johnson presented Welch with several plaques and resolutions that will be entered into record at the State House and Senate. The Council Chambers appeared to be an extension of a greenhouse with all the flowers sent in honor of the service Welch has performed over the years.

Welch was visibly appreciative of the turnout and it appeared that a tear moistened her eyes during the reading of one of the resolutions.

The mood quickly changed as Welch encourage everyone to enjoy the cake and soft drinks with conversation of memories.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing

THIS IS A HAMMER

By Samantha Mazzotta

Q: My friend tells me I should drain my water heater twice a year. What’s the logic behind this? — Joey L., Trenton, N.J.

A: Pretty good logic, actually. Draining your home’s water heater removes particulate debris that could reduce the heater’s efficiency. This stuff collects at the bottom of the water tank, and over time, depending on the water’s mineral content and other factors, a pretty thick layer can form.

Draining the tank is easy: Switch off the heater (either by flipping a switch at the top of the tank or turning off the circuit to the heater) and then turn off the water supply into the tank. Attach a standard-width garden hose (or drain hose) to the spigot near the bottom of the tank. Place the other end of the hose in a bucket (or nearby sink) and open the spigot. Allow the tank to drain about three-quarters of the way, and then close the spigot tight.

If you want to repeat the drain process, just turn the water supply back on to refill the tank, turn it off, and drain the tank again. Then, refill the tank completely before switching the heater back on.

While you’re at it, do some end-of-season maintenance on your heating system, too. If you have a forced-air system, turn it off and grab a few tools, as well as a fresh air filter. Open the fan compartment and clean the blower or fan blades with a bottle brush. Use a vacuum with a hose attachment to remove dust and dirt from throughout the compartment.

Check the motor and fan belt. If the motor is self-lubricating, leave it alone; if not, look for the oil ports at either end of the motor and squirt four to six drops of SAE 10W30 oil into the ports.

Press down on the belt to check the tension; if it gives more than or less than one-third of an inch, tighten or loosen the tension belt accordingly. If the belt is worn replace it.