Today's Feature

Safety Committee Meets.

The City Council Public Safety Committee met Monday evening in a regular session.

Fire Chief John Cooper updated the committee concerning the post-storm cleanup developments. Cooper said that the City is still in the process of bidding out for an independent company to remove branches from the City right-of-ways. Funding assistance will be available from the federal government, according to Cooper.

Committee Chair Mike Harris inquired about whether limbs needed to be cut to a certain length prior to being taken to the curbside. Cooper answered that it was not required as the crew would have the ability to cut onsite, but that it would make the cleanup easier for the company hauling the limbs.

Interim Police Chief Barry Duncan reviewed with the committee bids for two new police vehicles. The state bid was received from John Brown Chevrolet in the amount of $38,292. Duncan said that it was the lowest bid received and recommended it for approval. The committee voted unanimously to present the recommendation to Council.

Bids were also received for equipment for the cars, the lowest bid being $3,333 from Anderson Industries Equipment. The committee also approved a motion to accept this bid.

They say that in this part of the country we can expect a White Christmas ever’ 15 or 20 years. I’m sure I’ve seen a few, but can’t remember when exactly they all were. Suppose that’s why folks always talk about it, a rarity of sorts.

‘Course, for those travelin’ over hill and dale on Christmas day, it’s just as well. I do happen ta remember a Thanksgivin’ trip that was a little more excitin’ ‘cause of a fairly heavy snow. That and a couple a Christmas trips that were put off ‘cause of ice on the roads.

Ta some, I suppose the white coverin’ makes for a "perfect Christmas" like the ones we’ve all seen in the holiday movies and tv shows. However, the weather is one thing us humans don’t have much say in.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Here's A Tip
By JoAnn Derson

• For gift labels, recycle and reuse! Make a color copy of your favorite holiday photo from years gone by and mount it on a piece of cardstock. Use a hole punch and a piece of holiday ribbon, and it makes a wonderful gift tag. Or use last year’s holiday cards. Use cookie cutters in holiday shapes to trace around scenic bits from Christmas cards. Cut out and punch a hole for a hanging tag or use tape to secure it to package.

• "Ask the airline attendant at the beginning of the flight for any pillows and blankets you might need. Ask for them even if you aren’t sure you will need or use them. They run out quickly, and you can always give them back." -- U.K. in Michigan

• "It really helps me to preplan my meals for at least two weeks. I make a shopping list for all meals and notate any fresh ingredients that will need to be purchased for the second week’s meals. This way, every other week at the grocery store is just picking up fresh fruit and veggies and any other little things I might want. It’s hardly shopping." -- R.D. in Pennsylvania

• You can store small ornaments -- especially small glass balls -- in an egg carton.

• "Here’s a great way to use Christmas cards from last year: Trace a child’s hand on the back of the pictures. Cut them out and use them to make a wreath for the front door. Or, make small jigsaw puzzles for young children to play with. Any good, detailed artwork on a card front will do. Make squiggly lines in the fashion of a jigsaw puzzle, then cut out. It helps if the cardstock is good and thick." -- M.M. in Utah