Today's Feature
Sediment and Erosion Approved.

City Council approved the ordinance adopting the Sediment and Erosion control measures at the Council Meeting on Tuesday. Diane Sharits was not in attendance. Prior to voting, council member Bill Welch asked if the approval of permits after the implementation of the ordinance would be a matter for a committee or if they would be the job of Chad Wampler, the new Public Works Director. Mayor Johnson said that it would be the duty of Wampler, and added that he has training in the new procedures.

A first reading was heard of an ordinance authorizing the City to enter into agreement for Financial Advisory Services with Springsted Incorporated of Kansas City. The ordinance authorizing the Mayor to sign a lease purchase with UMB Bank for the purchase of a new backhoe for the Street Department was also in its first reading. City Administrator Tom Short added that it is a three year lease.

A resolution to declare the official intent of the City of Carthage to finance costs of constructing an extension and improvement of the Library project was approved though Council member Ron Wells was in opposition.

Had a friend that was fond of sayin’ he’d give his left arm to be ambidextrous.

As kids we thought is was strange that our dad was right handed throwin’ a ball, but kicked with his left foot. Guess he was semiambidextrous.

‘Course I’ve known several people who wrote left handed but threw a ball right handed. Just confused I guess.

There are also guitar players that play left handed but leave the instrument strung as if for a right hander. Play all the chords upside down. I suppose it’s all in the learnin’.

I guess there’s no real advantage to bein’ left or right handed except when it comes to usin’ a regular pair of scissors. Just try to cut a piece of paper left handed. No amount of learnin’ can overcome that challenge.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Click & Clack Talk Cars

By Tom and Ray Magliozz

Dear Tom and Ray:

I drive a 1997 Mercury Sable Wagon (108,000 miles so far), and every time I go in for an oil change, they tell me I should "service" the transmission. My father has never, ever changed anything to do with the transmissions in any of his work trucks or family cars. He has rebuilt engines and made other major repairs, but never the transmission. His point was that the transmission is a sealed case and should never need changing. My question: Do I need to service the transmission or are the service-bay employees just trying to wrangle more work? - Fran

TOM: Well, the Board of Associated Servicers of Transmissions and Rebuilders, Disassemblers and Salvagers agrees with your father, Fran. They suggest that you ignore your transmission, because they make a good living rebuilding them later on.

RAY: But if you don’t want to rebuild your transmission, you absolutely SHOULD service it when the manufacturer recommends. "Servicing" means replacing the fluid and replacing or cleaning the filter.

TOM: Automatic transmission fluid serves several important purposes - in addition to being an excellent sandwich spread. It lubricates all the internal parts of the transmission, cools the transmission and serves as the friction medium that ultimately transmits power from the engine to the wheels.

RAY: It’s pretty powerful stuff, and it lasts a good long time. But it does eventually break down - especially in all that heat. It might not break down completely, but it does get "less good" at doing its job as it gets older and dirtier. Kind of like my brother.

RACING

By Greg Zyla

Gifts for the Race Fan

Our visit with Santa took place last week, and here’s what we found as top gift selections for race fans everywhere.

Computer and console racing games are very popular, and Electronic Arts’ NASCAR Chase for the Cup 2005 is Santa’s top pick. The game features a new career mode that takes drivers through the NASCAR Modifieds, Craftsman Trucks, Busch Series and finally, an earned spot in Nextel Cup competition. We love the career mode, but want to emphasize that you can run at the Cup or any other level immediately. Close behind is the IndyCar Series 2005 for IRL lovers and an exciting Colin McRae Road Rally 2005 for rally lovers. These sims are available in all formats at outlets everywhere.

For those who enjoy finding books under the tree, this year’s No. 1 pick is "Darrell Gwynn at Full Throttle" by Erik Arneson. The book expertly tracks the life of the top-fuel drag racer, including his triumphs and tragedies. Relegated to a wheelchair and sans a lower left arm after his 1990 crash at England’s Santa Pod Raceway, Gwynn’s will to succeed overcomes all odds, and today he’s still a beloved racing figure. A can’t-miss gift for $29.95 (www.bullpublishing.com offers a complete list of unique racing books).