Today's Feature

Not Enough Space.

The Public Safety Committee met Monday evening and heard a request from Sue Vandergriff for the allowance of a dumpster on the sidewalk of 5th street behind the Private Events building. Vandergriff, owner of the building, requested placing a 40 inch dumpster on the 69 inch sidewalk space between the back of the building and the street, leaving approximately 29 inches of sidewalk accessible to pedestrians. It was the smallest model available according to Vandergriff.

"It’s the only place I have to put it," said Vandergriff.

Committee member Bill Welch asked if there were any State codes on minimum sidewalk width for wheelchair access. Committee Chair Mike Harris said the committee would research the matter but he added that he was uncomfortable with any situation in which a section of sidewalk would be blocked off or restricted causing pedestrians to walk in the street. The committee agreed with Harris and asked Vandergriff if she could explore any other options including sharing dumpster space and cost with a neighbor.

My grandad used to dress up in a Santa suit. All of us knew he wasn’t the real Santa, he was downtown where ya got your picture taken. This Santa was make believe.

We always used ta take a ride on Christmas Eve, Lookin’ for Santa. It was really an excuse ta keep us kids quiet while the folks make the rounds to people that didn’t get out too easy, or didn’t have any family comin’ in.

Dad would load a few six-packs (of Coca-cola) in the trunk and take ‘em around. It didn’t cost much, but most really though it was a big deal that someone just remembered ‘em.

That’s the way it is with Christmas. The gift doesn’t really matter so much as lettin’ someone know that you’re thinkin’ bout ‘em. It works especially well on those that don’t expect it.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Here's A Tip

By JoAnn Derson

• Visit the dollar store for low-cost toys to use on car or airplane trips. You can get several "busy" toys and dole them out one at a time. Most parents will attest to what a lifesaver this can be.

• "They say that less is more in packing, and when you are carting a family of four through three connecting flights, they are right. Instead of trying to take an extra suitcase to bring home holiday gifts, I am taking all presents but one each per child to the local shipping store and mailing them home. No worries about keeping track of another suitcase, and it comes right to our door without a fuss." — T.M. in Washington

• "When I pack for the kids, I put their clothes in large zipper-type bags. I go outfit by outfit, and match the clothes with all essentials in the bag. This way, I can just pull out a bag for the day without hauling the whole suitcase into the hotel room when we stay overnight. Also, at the end of the day, the dirty clothes just go right back in the bag." — J.A. in Georgia

• After-Christmas sales are a great time to buy not only gift wrap (look for solid colors that you can use all year long), holiday cards and decorations, but also next season’s winter wear. Things like scarves and gloves can be great bargains. And even coats can go on sale. Take advantage — especially if you have kids — and buy up.

• "I find that shopping goes much more smoothly if I set an amount of time for my kids and I to just ‘look.’ We spend the first hour browsing only, and if we can still remember where and how much something was after that time, we will decide if we want to go back and buy it." — F.F. in Arizona