Today's Feature

Maple Leaf Planning Underway.

News release

The planning of the 40th Annual Maple Leaf Festival hosted by the Carthage Chamber of Commerce is underway. The week-long festival, which brings over 50,000 visitors to the local community, is scheduled for October 14-21.

"The planing committee met just last week," said Cheryle Finley, Festival co-chair. "We are currently in the process of compiling event information from the community to create the festival’s brochure that will be distributed throughout Southwest Missouri later this summer."

Over 12,000 event brochures will be printed in English and another 3,000 in Spanish for this year’s event. Event planners may include their event information in the brochure for a $25 fee which will help offset the printing costs. The deadline to submit event entries is Friday, May 26th. Call the Chamber at 358-2373 for an event submission form and additional details.

The planning Committee is also accepting festival theme suggestions and Grand Marshall nominees through Friday, May 12.

"Carthage residents re asked to submit their suggestions for a festival theme that will be featured in the festival promotions and on the event shirts" said Max McKnight, Chamber President. "Grand Marshall candidates must have resided in, or be current residents of Carthage and have made a significant and positive impact on the community and its residents throughout their lifetime."

Past Grand Marshals include Ray Grace, Laural Rosenthal, Detective Laverne Williams, Harold Short, Marvin VanGilder and Senator Richard M. Webster.

For more festival information, contact the Chamber at 358-2373.

Meeting This Afternoon.

The City Council Public Works Committee will meet this afternoon at 4:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall. Items on the agenda include a discussion of the Public Works fee schedule.

Stench Report:
Monday,
5/1/06

No Stink Reported

The consultant comes in:

"Here’s my report full of obvious generalities. My fee is $90,000."

"What are you recommending?" asks the executive.

"I recommend telling everyone it was free," responds the consultant.

Now I have no doubt that there are plenty of consultants that earn their money. Nationally know Peter Drucker was a business consultant for decades and also published a long list of books that dealt with the subject.

But sometimes I get the feelin’ that it doesn’t take much to become a "consultant." Course comin’ up with a good plan doesn’t do much good if it’s not implemented.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Swollen Ankles Have Many Causes

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Why do my ankles swell so much during the day? I am 72 and in good health. When I wake in the morning, my ankles are normal size, but by the time I go to bed, I have a hard time getting my shoes off. I have yearly exams, and they are always good. -- B.V.

ANSWER: Swelling results when fluid comes out of capillaries, the tiny blood vessels that connect arteries and veins. Fluid seeping out of capillaries is normal. That’s how body cells and tissues obtain their nutrition. However, when capillary fluid pressure rises, then too much fluid leaves, and the feet and ankles bloat.

Heart failure, liver disease and kidney disorders cause fluid retention in the ankles and feet. You have a yearly examination and you feel well; it’s not too likely that you have any of those conditions.

You could have dependent edema. Edema is the medical word for swelling. Dependent edema indicates that gravity is responsible for too much fluid finding its way into the feet and ankles. During the day, when sitting or standing for a long time, gravity keeps blood in the legs and feet. Again, pressure in capillaries rises, and fluid oozes out from them.

Throughout the day, when you sit, prop your feet up -- the higher the better. If you can take some time to lie down with your legs elevated above heart level, that empties the legs of blood and stops the oozing. Elastic stockings compress tissues, which forces tissue fluid back into the circulation. Cut back on your salt use. Salt causes fluid retention and promotes ankle and foot swelling.