Clarification on the Parks Bill.

The City Council breezed through the first reading of the ordinance that would eliminate the Parks Board and postponed the first reading of the ordinance that would specify funding for the Library Board during its regular meeting last Thursday.

The Park Board responsibilities would be assumed by the Council's Special Services Committee if the bill passes at the next meeting. City Administrator Tom Short would not be in control of the Park Department as reported in the Joplin paper.

An amendment to the bill, which clarifies other Special Services Committee responsibilities as well, would also remove the Civil War Museum supervision from under City Administrator's duties. These adjustments will place Memorial Hall, the Civil War Museum, and the Park Department as responsibilities of the Special Services Committee.

The Library Board will meet with the Council Budget Committee this evening at City Hall to review the agreement for "hold harmless" funding. The bill is scheduled to reappear at the January 12 meeting of the Council.

Carthage Christmas Parade Winners.

Winners in Monday night's Carthage Christmas Parade are as follows: Church Division, Union Chapel Methodist Church; Youth Organization, Carterville Cub Scout Pack #21; Adult Organization, Tri-Statesmen Barbershop Chorus; Twirlers/Dance Groups, Carl Junction Strutters; Automotive Division, Street Images, Neosho.

In the Business/Commercial Division, Atnip General Contracting, Jasper; Horse/Rider Category, White Oak Stable; Horse/Wagon, Gus Plumb, Sarcoxie; Specialty/Miscellaneous, Kiltic Drum and Bugle Corps, Springfield; Junior High Band, Joplin Junior High 8ht Grade Band; High School Band, Joplin High School Marching Eagles.

Two additional awards were presented. Girl Scout Troop #008 received the Directors' Choice Trophy. The Mayor's Choice Award went to Freeman Health System, Joplin.

There was a total of 66 entries with nearly 90 individual units and over 1100 participants. The Parade was sponsored by the Carthage Technical School Chapter of VICA and Main Street Carthage, Inc.

Powers Museum Holiday Closing.

The Powers Museum announces its annual closing beginning at the close of business December 27th. The museum will reopen at a date to be announced in late winter 1999.

The annual closing allows staff and volunteers to do repairs, annual maintenance projects and other special tasks. This year storage facilities are being re-configured to increase capacity for the growing archival and artifact collections.

Anyone needing the services of the museum during January and February is urged to contact the museum by e-mail (pmuseum@ipa.net).

Due to school programming needs and other special events the museum's reference library has already been closed to the public and will remained closed through December so a library and archival inventory can be started. In light of this activity, no public research or use of these collections will be permitted while the museum is open during the remainder of the holiday season.

The Powers Museum will be open for viewing of its Christmas exhibit until Dec. 27th, Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. However, the museum will observe a holiday closing Dec. 24 & 25th.

Festival of Trees and Wreaths.

The Powers Museum and the Chamber of Commerce's Christmas Committee have announced the participants in this year's Festival of Trees and Wreaths. Sixteen trees and wreaths are on view now at the museum and available for purchase through a silent auction process.

Proceeds are split between the sponsor and the Chamber of Commerce Christmas Committee.

Participants this year are: Mark Twain Elementary School (all grades), Steadley Elementary School's Basic Skills Class, Grand Avenue Inn/Jeanne Goolsby, St. Ann's School, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority (XI-ZETA CHI Chapter), The Randy Aleshire Family.

The Carthage Chamber of Commerce expresses its appreciation for the effort put forth by these individuals and classes.

In addition to being a fund-raising activity for these participants and the Christmas Committee of the Chamber, individuals visiting the Powers Museum may vote on their favorite decoration. The wreath of tree voted "people's favorite," will receive a prize donated by the Powers Museum and one lucky viewer will receive a prize, too, from a drawing of all the "votes."

Bidding on the entered items continues until Dec. 18th, 5 p.m. Bids can be placed during the museum's regular hours, Tues-Sat. 10-5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. The museum's current display features historic Christmas memorabilia and it will be on view until December 27th. The museum will be closed Dec. 24& 25th.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

A reminder was made durin' the Council meeting Tuesday that the filin' date for Council members is comin' up soon.

Seats up for election this year are First Ward, Mike Harris; Second Ward, Charlie Bastin; Third Ward J.D. Whitledge; Fourth Ward, Art Dunaway; and Fifth Ward, Donna Harlan.

Anyone wantin' to file may do so between the dates of December 22 and January 19. Under the 1992 amendment to the City Code, the election will be held without party affiliation designated.

The declaration of candidacy is made at City Hall by payin' twenty-five bucks or by submittin' a petition with twenty-five signatures from the registered voters from the ward of the candidate.

It's time ta put up or shut up. Nothin' like a little friendly competition.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin'.

by

Metcalf Auto Supply

Click and Clack Talk Cars.

Dear Tom and Ray:

MY owner's manual says I should use only "regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher." However, I live in Colorado and use 85 octane. The engine does not ping or knock at any time. Since the price of 87 octane gas here is about 10 cents more per gallon, do I have to spend the extra money for it? I own a 1995 Buick Regal with a 3800 V6 under the hood.-Bob

RAY: Well, first of all, I'm glad you have a 3800 V6 under the hood, Bob. Because if it was anywhere other than under the hood, this question would be a much greater challenge for us.

TOM: You're the exception to the octane rule, Bob. For those of you who are not regular readers we always say to use the manufacturer's recommendation for octane. No more, no less.

RAY: Lower octane can cause pinging and overheating, which can damage the engine. And higher-than-required octane is simply a waste of money.

TOM: An octane rating tells you how high the ignition point of the gasoline is. If the ignition point is to low, the fuel can begin to burn to early in the cylinders and cause pinging. By using higher octane gas, you raise the ignition point and eliminate that early burning.

RAY: And the manufacturer determines what octane you need based on the compression ratio of the engine.

Generally speaking, the higher the engine's compression, the higher the octane you need.

TOM: And that allows you, Bob, to use lower-than-recommended octane in the altitude of Colorado. Up where you live, the air pressure is lower. That means the air pressure in the cylinders is lower too.

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