Today's Feature

Treats Around The Square.

News release

The Carthage Chamber of Commerce and Barrister Title invites all Carthage area youngsters to trick-or-treat early at the annual Treats Around The Square on Tuesday, October 31 from 3 p.m. - 5 PM. Numerous businesses located on and near the Historic Carthage Square will be open to pass out candy to area treaters.

Additional festivities will include a Costume Contest coordinated by Barrister Title beginning at 4 PM and a Halloween One-Shot offered by The Carthage Press at their offices, located at 800 West Central Avenue.

Contest prizes will be awarded in five categories ranging from newborn - 6th grade. Registration forms are available at Barrister Title and the Carthage Chamber office. Completed registration forms must be turned in to Barrister Title, located at 349 South Main Street, between 3 PM - 3:45 PM on October 31.

For more information contact Debra Smith at 358-2373 or Karen Perkins at 358-0030

Stench Report:

Friday,
10/27/06

No Stench detected on the
Carthage Square

I got that advice concernin’ takin’ a capsule. A pill sinks when it’s in water, so ya keep your head up and the pill slides to the bottom of your throat. Makes it easier to swallow.

A capsule, on the other hand, floats in water. If ya keep your head tilted forward, the capsule floats up to the back of your throat, makin’ it easier to swallow.

Like a lotta things, the idea of holdin’ your head down to swallow somethin’ goes against all conventional wisdom and embedded custom, but actually works.

I know there a lotta folks who just like holdin’ their chin up in the air and won’t listen to a little advice that is so personal in nature. Myself, I just can’t remember.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Kitchen Sink Sprayer Has Lost Its Oomph

Q: The sprayer attachment on my kitchen sink just doesn’t have the power that it used to. I tried scrubbing the front of the sprayer with a vinegar-water mixture and an old toothbrush, but it didn’t help. Should I replace the entire sprayer attachment? -- Sprayless in Seattle

A: Don’t give up on the cleaning idea just yet. Mineral buildup can occur behind the sprayer’s aerator, so disassemble the sprayer head by unscrewing the cap at the front. (Be sure to put the sink stopper in the drain in case any of the small parts fall out.) Visually inspect the aerator, cap and the interior of the sprayer for mineral buildup. Soak the smaller parts in a half-vinegar, half-water solution to loosen the buildup. Use your old toothbrush to scrub the sprayer and parts. Rinse all parts, reassemble the sprayer head, and test.

If the cleaning doesn’t resolve the problem, check the sprayer hose for cracks or leaks. You may need a helper to operate the sprayer while you look at the hose under the sink. Hoses can crack at attachment points, so pay special attention to these. If you can’t see any damage there, turn off the water at the shutoff valve, unscrew the hose from its sprayer nipple underneath the main faucet, and pull the whole sprayer assembly up and out. Then, unscrew the entire sprayer head from the hose (via the handle mount at the bottom of the head). You may see some damage here, from a corroded washer top to a cracked mount. You could just replace the washer, but it may be better, long-term, to take the entire assembly to the hardware store and purchase a replacement assembly.

If no damage is evident, the faucet’s diverter valve may be faulty -- usually from worn or cracked O-rings or washers. The diverter valve is located in the faucet body (in pullup-style faucets, beneath the center handle). You’ll need to turn off the water flow, remove the faucet handle and, using needlenose pliers, carefully pull the small diverter valve from the faucet body. Clean in the vinegar-water solution and replace any damaged washers or O-rings. Reseat the diverter valve, reassemble the faucet and test the sprayer.

HOME TIP: Using duct tape or other sealants to wrap a damaged, leaky sprayer hose is a temporary solution at best. Replacing the hose is a quick and fairly easy repair and will prevent water damage inside the sink cabinet.