Today's Feature

Comprehensive Plan Community Workshop.

The City of Carthage is encouraging all Carthage residents to attend a Community Workshop for the City of Carthage Comprehensive Plan, to be held April 24th at 7:00 p.m. in the Carthage Memorial Hall. Planning Works LLC of Kansas City, Missouri is in contract with the City to develop plans for the future of Carthage, and community workshops are one way of gathering the input used for the plans.

The Planning Works website issues the invitation as follows;

"We hope to see as many Carthage residents at this workshop as possible so that we can get the voice of the community involved in determining which strategies and tools are most important for the City. Please attend and bring your coworkers, your friends, and your neighbors!"

City Administrator Tom Short told City Council during the previous Council meeting that attendance had been small at the previous workshop and said that this week’s meeting was scheduled to give citizens more opportunities to voice their opinions.

Thursday’s schedule of events includes the presentation of a draft Future Land Use Map. Participants will be asked to help prioritize strategies and tools available to the City.

The Planning Works website contains further information about the work that has already been completed, as well as documentation, maps and a comment center. The address is www.ourplanningworks.com/Carthage

Mornin'

I’ve noticed that peoples hands are pretty handy.

The only problem I’ve seen with hands is what ya do with ‘em when ya haven’t got anything ta do with ‘em.

For instance standin’ ‘round waitin’ for a bus, or better yet, standin’ ‘round in a group of people, waitin’ for someone ta show up at a meetin’.

I’ve noticed there are different levels of hand hidin’. Seems like ever’one is uncomfortable with their hands showin’ out in the open. Guess they’re afraid someone ‘ll hand ‘em somethin’ like a broom.

Men especially seem to be uncomfortable when they don’t have anything to do with their hands.

Most go for the easy out, stick ‘em both in their pockets.

This is some fact, but mostly,
Just Jake Talkin’.

Replacing Damaged Door Frame Molding

Q: The top piece of the door frame in my son’s bedroom was gouged by an over-the-door hook that was sticking up at an angle. It looks easy enough to replace. What are your thoughts? -- Harry J., Kansas City, Mo.

A: A piece of molding, or trim, on the outside of the door frame above the door could be fairly simple to replace. Take a close look at the frame to see if the piece can be pried off. You’ll need a box cutter to slice through the paint between the molding and the wall and along the joint between the side molding pieces, and a small pry bar to work the molding loose without damaging the wall or frame. Try to remove the piece completely intact, as it will be much easier to cut the replacement to size.

Take the molding to a building-supply store to find a matching piece of trim wood. Replacement trim in the exact size, width and color may be available; if not, most stores can cut the new wood to the same size and shape.

To install, set the unpainted wood piece into place to make sure it fits correctly. If it’s just a little too tight, sand the ends a bit (as well as the ends of the connecting molding) to get a proper fit. If too loose, wood putty can fill in small gaps between the joints after installation. Gaps of more than 1/8 inch are too wide and a new piece should be cut.

Nail the trim into place, leaving the nail heads sticking up. Finish with a nail set -- this makes the nails flush with the wood or slightly indented without damaging the surrounding wood. Test the door to make sure the new wood isn’t impeding its open and shut functions. Smooth wood putty into any small gaps, let dry and then prime and paint the new molding to match the rest of the door.

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HOME TIP: Damaged trim or molding around a door frame or in a room can be unsightly, and patching with wood putty doesn’t always help.