Today's Feature

Contract Renewals.

The Carthage City Council will meet this evening at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall. Items on the agenda include the second readings of several contract renewals.

One such renewal is an ordinance authorizing a lease agreement with John Putnam, on behalf of the Carthage License Office, L.L.C. in the amount of $4,200 for space on the main level of the Memorial Hall building as a license office for a one year term commencing July 1, 2005. This item was brought to Council by the Public Services Committee.

Another contract on the agenda is between the City and the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau for services in the amount of $120,000. This was brought to council by the Budget Ways and Means Committee. Other renewals brought by the Budget committee include a contract with the Humane Society for $18,000 and a contract with the Carthage Over 60 Center for the amount of $15,000.

A motion will also be read amending the budget for fiscal year 2004-2005 to compensate for these contracts.

I’ve never personally owned a dress hat I guess. My dad had a couple but didn’t wear ‘em much. Sometimes to church, but not much other that I can remember.

I suppose the combination of automobiles and buildin’s bein’ air conditioned may have contributed some. With transportation and the work place outa the sun there was little need to shade the head.

Now the concept of the old sayin’ "wearin’ several different hats" I can understand. I still have trouble figurin’ which one ta have on at any particular time.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Drugs Aren’t Only Way to Treat Blood Pressure

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Help! Is there any over-the-counter stuff that keeps down blood pressure? I take a very expensive medicine and need badly to cut down on expenses. — M.S.

ANSWER: The expensive medicine you take is an effective drug, so keep with it, but ask your doctor if you could substitute a less costly one, like the diuretic HydroDIURIL. It’s only one-twentieth the cost of your medicine. It might not work, but there’s only one way to find out — try it.

Drugs are not the only way to treat high blood pressure. Go easy, very easy, on salt — sodium. Keep the daily sodium intake under 2,400 mg, the amount in a teaspoon. Preferably go lower — 1,600 mg. If you think you eat less than a teaspoon of sodium a day, think again. None of us comes close. Sodium is everywhere. Even if you lock up the saltshaker and avoid obviously salty foods, you eat lots of sodium. You have to read labels carefully.

Get five servings of fruits and vegetables every day. "Five servings" is not as outlandish as it sounds. A serving of vegetables is only half a cup of cooked or raw vegetables or a full cup of leafy vegetables. A fruit serving is a medium apple, pear or orange, a banana, half a cup of frozen or canned fruit, or 6 ounces of fruit juice.

Collecting
By Larry Cox
Sponsored by Oldies & Oddities

World Atlas
Q: A friend of mine has a world atlas that was published in 1890. It is Cram’s Unrivaled Family Atlas of the World published by George F. Cram in Chicago. Who can I contact to see if it has any value? — Karen, Willmar, Minn.

A: Most collectors are interested only in much earlier atlases and maps. With that said, let me recommend one of the better dealers: Murray Hudson, Murray Hudson Antiquarian Books, Maps, Prints & Globes, 109 Church St., P.O. Box 163, Halls, TN 38040. By the way, the George F. Cram Company, founded in 1867, is still producing maps and globes and is based in Indianapolis.

Q: I have a collection of more than 1,000 pitchers, including several that originally belonged to my grandmother. I am interested in selling this large collection. Can you help me? — Frances, Bradenton, Fla.

A: With such a large collection, it might be time to consult an auctioneer. One of the better auction houses in your area is Burchard Galleries, 2528 30th Ave. North, St. Petersburg, FL 33713. The telephone and e-mail addresses are 1-800-520-2787 and mail@burchardgalleries.com, or visit its Web site at www.burchardgalleries.com.