Today's Feature

Memorandum Approved.

The City Council met Tuesday evening to discuss the memorandum of understanding with the Library for its upcoming expansion. Council member Jackie Boyer made a motion to accept the memorandum contingent upon the mutual approval of the library board. Council member Mike Harris opposed the motion.

"I would be more comfortable waiting until both parties had agreed," said Harris.

The motion was approved by a 7 to 2 vote. Those opposed were Mike Harris and Ronnie Wells. Those in favor of the motion were Diane Sharits, Jackie Boyer, Bill Johnson, Bill Welch, Tom Flanigan, Dave Woods and Claude Newport.

City Administrator Tom Short said that in a recent meeting with the library board both parties were comfortable with the memorandum. According to Short there is further detail work to be completed in the numbers of the memorandum. This document has been in negotiation between the library board and the Budget/Ways and Means Committee and it must be updated to allow for a change for figures so the City can issue a single bond for the addition.

Time after time ya see a center fielder throw that perfect throw. Basket ball players consistently making the three pointer. Quarterbackers not only judging distance, but the speed at which a wide receiver will reach that particular distance.

With all this natural ability, it would seem we humans would have developed the fine art of judging just how deep water is in a drive or at the curb edge.

It really amazes me the difference that a single inch of water makes. ‘Course as most have learned time and time again, the main difference is whether you spend the afternoon with wet socks or not.

Hoppin’ puddles should be more like horse shoes. If you get close, it should count for somethin’ sides a shoe full of water.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Dear Tom and Ray:

I’m in a bit of a pickle, and maybe you can help me out. My dad is going through a bit of a midlife crisis and wants to buy a brand-new Honda motorcycle. Now, I’m not opposed to motorcycling, but I’d like to spend the money on something I could do with my dad, like purchase some old car and restore it. I was thinking of some car from the ‘60s or ‘70s, something big and loud but generally simple to find parts for and fix up. Neither my dad nor I are mechanics, but I’m pretty handy at fixing things. I’m 17 and going to be a junior in high school, so I’d like to spend some time with my dad restoring a car before I go off to college. Do you have any suggestions for what make/model/year to look for? What to avoid? I would greatly appreciate any advice you could give me. Thanks - Eric.

TOM: Eric, here’s our advice: Back off. Whose midlife crisis is this, anyway? It’s your dad’s. So let the guy have his midlife crisis in peace, will ya?

RAY: Right. You have to wait 20 to 30 years for yours. And then you can decide to go nuts any way you choose.

TOM: The point of a midlife crisis is to do something selfish. Presumably, you’ve spent 25 years doing things for other people - going to work every day, driving a car that’s safe for your family, chauffeuring your kids to soccer. So, by definition, doing something that YOU want, Eric, is not a solution to HIS midlife crisis.

RAY: So I’d back off, Eric. I know you want him to buy a cool car that you can then take to college with you. Tough luck. Let him spend his money on the motorcycle. And when the life-insurance settlement comes in, you and Mom can buy a muscle car to fix up.

RACING
By Greg Zyla
Sponsored by Curry Automotive

New Teams, Drivers Raise Bar in NHRA

The National Hot Rod Association is already enjoying unparalleled success in Motorsports as it ushers in the new POWERade 2005 drag-racing season. ESPN2 will again televise both qualifying and racing. Look for more than 100 hours of original NHRA programming, and an additional 20-plus hours as part of the popular NHRA magazine show "NHRA2day."

With 23 POWERade events on tap for the $50 million NHRA national event series, racers are primed and ready for what could be one of the best seasons of drag racing ever contested. Here are the drivers and teams to watch closely in 2005.

Jeg Coughlin — The former Pro Stock champion leaves the Chevrolet camp and signs with Don Schumacher to run Dodge Hemi cars in the Pro Stock division.

Ron Capps — Another new Schumacher team member, he’ll return to Funny Car action behind the wheel of a Brut-sponsored Dodge with veteran crew chief Ed McCulloch calling the shots.

Gary Densham — Densham has successfully secured sponsorship for his Funny Car.

David Grubnic — Zantrex-3 announced title sponsorship of Kalitta Motorsports’ Top Fuel dragster driven by "Aussie Dave" Grubnic for the 2005 season.

John Force Racing — John Force confirmed his son-in-law, Robert Hight, will bid for rookie-of-the-year honors.