Today's Feature

Potential Litigation Against RES.

Carthage City Council will meet this evening at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall to discuss the potential litigation against Renewable Environmental Solutions LLC by the City of Carthage due to continued foul odor problems.

This discussion follows a series of correspondence between RES, Carthage Mayor Kenneth Johnson, the Department of Natural Resources, and Southwest Missouri Congressman Blunt. As written in the Mornin’ Mail March 24, "Carthage Mayor Kenneth Johnson asked for Blunt’s help in ‘bringing the goals of the RES operation to fruition in a way that will not adversely impact the City of Carthage.’"

As the first Council meeting following the election on April fifth the meeting will include the swearing in of 5 Council members for 2 year terms and one member for an unexpired one year term

Other items on the agenda include a presentation by the Dogwood Garden Club and Mimosa Garden Club. The garden clubs will be showing Council their plans for planting and landscaping in the grass circle at the center of the roundabout south of town.

Dad had a WWII Cushman scooter from the time I can remember. It had a full sized motorcycle seat put where the original had been and the original was welded to a bracket over the back tire.

When my brother and I could talk him into goin’ for a ride around town the back seat was considered the cool seat. Sittin’ behind Dad on the big seat meant ya couldn’t see much what was goin’ on and we considered it more the "baby" seat.

On one trip my brother got the back seat on the way out, I got it on the way back home. I discovered there was a down side to bein’ cool. The gravel roads were particularly rough and the cushy front seat was much more desirable. By the time we got home my lower back was pounding with pain. I learned I’d rather be comfortable than cool.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Salt’s Role in Health

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My husband salts his food even before he tastes it. He says he doesn’t have high blood pressure and doesn’t have to stay away from salt. His entire family takes medicine for high blood pressure. I tell him that he will have to take it, too, if he doesn’t stop using so much salt. Am I right? — F.W.

ANSWER: The salt story involves some confusing terms. Salt is sodium chloride. The sodium part of sodium chloride is the atom that causes trouble, so salt is often simply referred to as sodium. People on a "salt"-restricted diet have to pay attention to sodium in other forms, like monosodium glutamate and sodium bicarb.

About one-quarter of the population is salt-sensitive. That means that those people’s use of salt speeds the onset of high blood pressure. Your husband comes from a family that is rife with high blood pressure. Most likely he would do well to cut back on its use.

All of us eat too much salt. Recommendations for the general public call for keeping the total daily salt intake to around 3,800 mg (1,500 mg of sodium). Readers are saying, "I don’t eat a teaspoon of salt a day." They don’t. But they get 80 percent of their salt intake in foods they don’t realize are loaded with it, like luncheon meats, hot dogs and commercial soups.

I once asked a doctor friend from another country how he thought American food tasted. He answered with one word — "salty." He was right.

Collecting
By Larry Cox
Old Handsaw

Q: I found an old handsaw at a garage sale that was manufactured by Henry Disston and Sons of Philadelphia. Since the company is famous throughout the world for superior tools, could my saw be valuable? — Hunter, Spokane, Wash.

A: Many older tools have become quite collectible. Even though the basic handsaw hasn’t changed much from its 18th-century ancestors, some that reflect exceptional craftsmanship sell for well above the $500 mark.

According to the Antique Trader Tools Price Guide edited by Kyle Husfloen (Krause Publications, $19.99), Disston saws are among the best. For example, a Disston Acme 120 made of steel and hardwood is listed for $231. Others are priced for even more depending on both scarcity and condition.

Q: I have several old comic books from the 1970s. Where can I find current values? — Richard, Albuquerque, N.M.

A: Three dealers who might be able to help you include John Kula, 65 54th St. SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49548; David Smith, Rocket Comics, P.O. Box 30183, Seattle, WA 98103; and Carl Bonsasera, All American Comic Shops, 3514 West 95th St., Evergreen Park, IL 60805.