Today's Feature

New Planters Approved.

Four new decorative concrete planters grace the corners of the inside sidewalk on the Carthage courthouse square. The Mimosa Garden Club of Carthage is responsible for the placement of the planters, which was finalized this week.

As was reported in the Mornin’ Mail on June 6, the garden club received approval from the Carthage Public Service Committee for the placement of the planters in that location on the square. After the approval, questions were raised about the ownership of the sidewalk, particularly whether or not Carthage officials had the authority to approve it.

Mayor Jim Woestman mentioned at a Council meeting on June 12 that the garden club had been referred to the Jasper County Commission office to seek permission.

Jasper County Presiding Commissioner John Bartosh reported on Wednesday that he had approved the planters following discussions with Mayor Woestman about the ownership of the sidewalk. Bartosh said it was decided that the sidewalk "kind of belongs to everybody." Bartosh said that although the County approved the planters, the City Parks department will be responsible for the watering of the plants.

The Mimosa Garden Club intends to plant flowers in the planters twice a year, in the spring and in the fall. The planters stand approximately 45 inches tall.

Home Canning Workshop.

News release.

Growing home gardens and preserving the produce is a time-honored tradition. For successful food preservation that protects the family from food-borne diseases, it is important to follow proper home canning procedures.

University of Missouri Extension will be offering a home canning workshop in Tuesday, June 26, 2007 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 7th and Main, Carthage. The workshop is for anyone who has never used a pressure canner or for those wanting a review. Included will be time for those attending to actually can some vegetables. Pressure gauge testing will be available for those wanting to check their gauges for accuracy.

Cost of the workshop is $5 per person. Pre-registration is requested by Friday, June 22. Tammy Roberts, a registered dietitian and nutrition and health education specialist with University of Missouri Extension, will be the instructor.

To enroll, contact the Jasper County Extension Center at 417-358-2158, by e-mail at jasperco@missouri.edu, or stop by the center in the basement of the Jasper County Courthouse.

The bee lightly touched the web and began workin’ its way toward the middle. I could see the little feet stickin’ a little and figured it was just a matter of time.

To my surprise the bee grabbed what looked like a gnat out of the web and flew up to the porch rail. After a couple a quick pricks with the stinger, the bug disappeared in to the jaws of the bee. I bet the spider was really ticked off he wasn’t watchin’ his nest better.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Click & Clack Talk Cars
By Tom and Ray Magliozzi

Dear Tom and Ray:

I have an ongoing "debate" with my hubby about whether or not to leave our car windows open slightly when it is really, really hot. One of us says we need to do this to keep the windows and windshield from cracking (especially if there is a drastic temperature change due, for example, to a thunderstorm). The other doesn’t think it’s necessary and prefers to leave them closed (especially to keep from having to dash outside to close them in case of the aforementioned storm!). So, oh Automotive Gurus, which do you recommend? Thanks! - Barbara

TOM: It depends on who has to do the dashing, Barbara.

RAY: Actually, there’s no need to keep the windows ajar. The windows and windshield will not crack from the heat, nor from the sudden drop in temperature that often accompanies a thunderstorm. After all, if that were the case, your windows would crack every time you got into a hot car and cranked up the air conditioning, right?

TOM: So, if you don’t mind getting into a hot car, you are free to leave all the windows closed.

RAY: If the heat is an issue for you, though, you have several options. One is just open the windows a tiny bit - not enough to let any significant rain in, but enough allow some hot air to escape. And just to be on the safe side, in case it does rain, open the window next to where your hubby sits.

TOM: If heat and thunderstorms are regular problems where you live, you can even buy some snap-on rain guards, which cover the top of the windows. They angle out from the top of the door to deflect the rain.

RAY: Finally, we will recommend an old and sadly neglected remedy for extremely hot weather: Park in the shade. Try it.

RACING
By Greg Zyla
Sponsored by Curry Automotive

NHRA Sells Its Pro Racing Assets

Huge news hit the racing front recently when HD Partners Acquisition Corp. and the National Hot Rod Association, the world’s preeminent drag-racing organization, announced the signing of an agreement under which HD Partners will acquire all of NHRA’s professional racing assets.

The deal includes the NHRA’s 23-race PowerAde Drag Racing series and a broad set of rights to commercialize the NHRA brand. The PowerAde events draw some 125,000 spectators over three days or more.

HD Partners is a company formed for the specific purpose of consummating a business combination in the media, entertainment and/or telecommunications industries. In June 2006, HD Partners raised $150 million in its initial public offering.

Eddy Hartenstein, Robert Meyers, Larry Chapman, Steve Cox and Bruce Lederman, each of whom played senior roles in building DIRECTV satellite television, formed HD Partners. Today, DIRECTV is a business with more than 12 million subscribers and $7.7 billion in annual revenue.

So, will there be live Pay-Per-View qualifying on DIRECTV in the future? I sure think so, and if PPV does happen, let’s hope it’s affordable.

Wally Parks, founder of the NHRA, said the announcement is a monumental milestone in the 56-year history of the NHRA, and that the NHRA PowerAde Series is now positioned for great future growth and assures the long-term vitality of the NHRA.