Today's Feature

Influenza and Pneumonia Vaccine.

News release.

Jasper County Health Department will be holding influenza and pneumonia vaccination clinics for those residents of Jasper County that reside outside the city limits of Joplin. The first clinic is tentatively scheduled for October 10, 2006 at the Jasper County Health Department, 105 Lincoln Street in Carthage. All vaccines will be given by appointment only. The cost of the flu vaccine is $20. Those residents that have Medicare and/or Medicaid should bring their card to their appointment.

Those who are interested in having their children vaccinated should contact the Jasper County Health Department to set up an appointment for their child/children. The ages for the children’s clinics are 6 months through 18 years of age.

There are more immunization clinic dates pending as vaccine shipments arrive. The Jasper County Health Department may be called at (417) 358-3111 or 1-877-879-9131 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Annual Maple Leaf Parade.

Deadline Closing In.

(Carthage)- The 40th Annual Maple Leaf Parade, sponsored by Leggett & Platt and Southwest Missouri Bank and hosted by the Carthage Chamber of Commerce, is scheduled to begin at 9AM on Saturday, October 21 on the Historic Carthage Square. The event, which is one of the highlights of the 10-day Maple Leaf Festival, brings over 50,000 visitors to the local community.

The two-mile parade route will begin on the Historic Carthage Square and continue south through town on Grant/Grand Avenue before turning east on Centennial and ending at the Carthage Junior High School. Businesses, organizations and individuals who are interested in registering an entry in the parade have until Monday, October 2 to turn in their forms. Parade forms are available at the Chamber office and both Southwest Missouri Bank locations.

This year’s parade will feature a repeat appearance by the Budweiser Clydesdales. With feet the size of dinner plates (their horseshoes measure more than 20 inches from end to end and weigh five pounds each), one Budweiser Clydesdale horse can weight from 1,800-2,300 pounds. Nicknamed "gentle giants", it is the breed’s graceful movements combined with their lovely temperament that awe audiences.

For more festival information or to inquire about an event application, contact the Chamber at 358-2373

Stench Report:

Friday,
9/29/06

No Stench Detected on Carthage Square

It’s amazin’ how much just one letter can change the meanin’ of a word. How now brown cow could change to Bow not brawn cot. (I personally read the latter as bow like when a man bends from the waist, not as in a tie. ‘Course even so, I don’t know what any of ‘em mean.)

With a language where Pete and sweet rhyme, but sweat and peat don’t, I often questioned the English teacher in school about how a person was supposed ta learn to spell with such inconsistencies in the language.

Sometimes it makes a lotta sense to take the time to understand before you take a bow (tie, and arrow, or bend at the waist.)

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Dorm Room Remodeling

Q: I am a new college student and just moved into my university’s freshman dormitory. Frankly, it leaves a lot to be desired, but according to the university’s rules I can’t move into my own apartment for at least the first semester of this year. So I’m planning to do some remodeling. Can you tell me how to build a loft-style bed so I can lift my current bed up and out of the way to make more room? -- Kerry in Boston

A: Hold on there -- school dormitories have unique and usually much more stringent rules about remodeling than most apartments. So before you take a hammer and nail to anything, or even construct a free-standing structure to function as a sleep loft, review your copy of the dorm’s rules and regulations.

Even if a certain amount of remodeling is allowed, the Resident Assistant must be notified and give approval before you start any work. In most cases, even if lofts are allowed they must be inspected by the R.A. (and sometimes a building inspector or other authority) to make sure they meet the school’s safety standards.

Dormitories are designed to maximize available living space and allow students to focus on their studies, rather than be distracted by rent and utility bills, repair issues or remodeling projects. If your dormitory is not up to acceptable living standards -- no heat, a bug problem, uncovered electrical outlets, broken lights or anything that can affect health and safety -- notify the R.A. and the school’s housing office in writing. Maintenance people are in place to make sure the dormitories meet applicable codes.

But if the issue is simply that the dorm doesn’t match your tastes, you may be out of luck. You can certainly decorate with temporary decor like bedspreads, curtains and posters. Meantime, focus on the benefits of dormitory living and the lessons it has to teach about cooperative living -- an experience that you will draw upon in many situations far beyond your college years.

HOME TIP: Installing an area rug in your living space? Purchase a non-slip liner along with the rug to hold it securely to the floor and keep it from sliding or bunching up.