Today's Feature

Recommended CAP Project Inclusion.

Parks Director Alan Bull recently noted that the City Community Assistance Program (CAP) through the Missouri Department of Conservation will expire in 2008.

In this program the Department stocks fish in Kellogg Lake in exchange for the City allowing free public fishing at that location. Other improvements to the lake may be made with funding available through the Department. This funding is available as granted on a 75% Department, 25% City split.

Bull said that it would be a good idea for the City to include some of the larger projects for the lake in the 2008 budget so that the money would be available if the projects are approved. These larger projects include the draining, cleaning and dredging of the lake and the construction of several fishing piers. The projects are estimated to cost approximately $2 million.

To Continue NAO Discussion.

The City Council Public Works Committee will discuss the addition of a Nusiance Abatement Officer in the Public Works Department this afternoon at 4:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

From time to time, a variety of things end up in our yard that we have no clue as to how they got there.

Currently there is a basketball out by the old elm tree. It’s been there long enough that it had to be moved for mowin’ once. I keep figurin’ who ever owns the roundball will eventually reclaim it. As a kid, if a ball of any kind was missin’ there would be an all out search until it was located.

Typically in our neighborhood, there were only one or two decent balls of any kind that were available. We usually could come up with a usable baseball and we had a good leather football. A friend had a good basketball, and nobody at that time cared about a soccer ball or a soft ball. There may have been a tennis ball or two for the dog, but ya never left a ball in a neighbor’s yard.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

To Your Good Health
By Paul G. Donohue, M.D.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: As a kid, I perfected belching to a fine art. As an adult, I find myself doing so involuntarily. It mortifies me. How can it be controlled? -- R.R.

ANSWER: Swallowed air is responsible for most belching. You might protest that you don’t swallow air when you eat. You do. Everyone does. Some swallow more than others, and all are unaware of what they’re doing.

Slow your eating. If you eat rapidly, you are bound to gulp air. The swallowed air distends your stomach, and a belch is the only way to obtain relief.

Keep your lips together when you swallow. If you can’t manage to do so, keep your teeth as close together as you possibly can while swallowing food and drink.

Don’t chew gum. Don’t drink carbonated beverages. Don’t smoke.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Is cigar smoking less dangerous than cigarette smoking? My husband has switched from cigarettes to cigars. A good idea? -- L.B.

ANSWER: Cigar smoking is a bit less dangerous than cigarette smoking, but not so much that it constitutes a health bonanza. If cigar smokers don’t inhale, they protect their lungs. Former cigarette smokers, however, are used to inhaling, and often inhale cigar smoke. Cigar smokers absorb nicotine through the linings of the mouth. Nicotine constricts arteries -- not a healthy effect. They put themselves at a high risk for cancers of the mouth, tongue and larynx (voice box).