Day of Caring.

The Carthage United Way is having their Fourth Annual Day of Caring Tuesday, October 21st. Volunteers will meet at 8 a.m. at the Salvation Army for Day of Caring preview and a continental breakfast sponsored by Bank of America. The goal is to encourage long-term volunteers, give the community a chance to see how their dollars are put to work and draw public attention to the United Way and its agencies.

Over 50 volunteers will participate representing 15 different companies. They will perform twelve projects in seven different Carthage United Way agencies in a four hour period. Volunteers will be performing a number of different tasks ranging from painting buildings, erecting play ground equipment, yard work, cleaning and helping with activities for children. Volunteers will return to the Salvation Army at 1 p.m. for a picnic lunch provided by Arvest Bank.

Carthage agencies involved include Developement Center, Community Clinic, Family Literacy Council and the Salvation Army. Also included are Joplin Girl Scouts Camp Mintahama, Lafayette House and Boy Scouts Camp Childress.

Two weeks from tomorrow there will be another ballot issue for folks in Carthage to consider, the raisin’ of the Carthage sales tax. The revenue from the increase would be used to help build an expansion of the Carthage Public Library.

The deal is if the issue passes, the Library Board has a year to come up with about half of the total cost of the project in donations. If they don’t, the way I understand it, the tax will not be imposed.

To add to the confusion, the ballot language will mention that the tax is for the Park System to be used for the Library. The Park System has nothin’ to do with the Library, but the City has to be the one to impose tax and State statutes say that park money can be used for the Library. Hope that clears it all up so you can explain it to me.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing

THIS IS A HAMMER

By Samantha Mazzotta

Q: I’m planning to strip the paint off of an old piece of furniture and then refinish it. Do you recommend using chemical strippers on older wood? — Chad L., Pittsburgh

A: Depending on the value of the furniture piece, consider all your options before using chemical paint strippers or solvents. If you’re refinishing an everyday piece of furniture, a solvent should be fine, though I’d recommend checking with the furniture manufacturer (if possible) in case certain strippers shouldn’t be used.

To do the job right, get the right equipment — both to make the job easier, and to stay safe. Get a breath mask, goggles and gloves (make sure that the mask and goggles are rated for latex paints or solvents and that the gloves are solvent-resistant). Then you’ll need steel wool, several different grades of sandpaper, several clean cotton rags, sponges and a bucket of water. You’ll need a chemical solvent — several types are available, depending on the type of work you’re doing and the material you’re stripping (for example, latex vs. oil-based paints). And don’t forget a neutralizing solution to stop the solvent process and clean away chemicals.

Stripping away paint will require one or two solvent applications, using either a cloth or a cheap paintbrush (but not a foam brush, which will melt). Test the solvent in an inconspicuous area first to make sure the wood isn’t damaged. If everything looks OK, apply the solvent one section at a time. Leave it alone for a few minutes, allowing it to react with the paint. Wear your gloves, mask and goggles throughout the stripping process; if solvent splashes onto your skin, rinse it under the tap as quickly as possible.

When the paint is sufficiently crinkled, wipe away as much as you can with a cloth, and then scrub off stuck-on paint with steel wool (No. 2 or No. 3 grade). Repeat until the paint is cleared off that section of the furniture. Then, apply neutralizer (pour it onto a cloth first, then wipe the wood, making sure to get it well into the grain).

Once the piece is cleaned, sand it smooth using several grades of sandpaper (starting rough and stepping down to fine grades). Sand with the grain of the wood, rather than across it. Once complete, wipe down the furniture with a damp cloth or sponge to remove sanding dust. Let it dry, then fill in scratches and dents with a wood filler. Sand the filler smooth and flush with the wood and then wipe down the piece again.