Today's Feature

E-Waste Option.

The Public Works Committee last week discussed an option made available by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Region M. Public Works Director Chad Wampler said that Region M would like Carthage to begin collecting electronic waste, or E-waste which includes old computers, monitors and other electronic equipment. Wampler said that of the regional cities that currently collect E-waste, none allow the drop off of televisions. Region M has offered to reimburse the City for the purchase of a building at the landfill which would house the E-waste, if the City would accept televisions.

Wampler said that one reason other cities do not allow televisions is because there is a charge applied by DNR for each TV due to some of the electronic components. The committee approved a motion to allow a $30 charge to citizens wanting to deposit TVs at the site, an amount which would cover the City’s costs. That recommendation will be presented to City Council during Tuesday’s regular meeting.

If the ordinance is approved, all electronic waste except for televisions could be brought to the site free of charge.

Mornin’

I reached to reset the trip meter on the dash of the car the other day, felt a tinge of guilt and fear. I realized that I had my arm stuck through the steering wheel.

Now with the new fangled power steerin’ on vehicles of today, there is little risk. But when I was learnin’ to maneuver a tractor ‘cross a plowed field, the one thing that was stressed to me by an obviously experienced farmer was ta never reach through the wheel. Hit a furrow just right and the steering wheel on that old John Deere spins like a pinwheel.

I’m wonderin’ how many things we do without really bein’ aware of ‘xactly why we do ‘em. Just cause we were taught. I don’t suppose there’s much to fear ‘bout gettin’ a broken arm while drivin’ down the interstate, but I ain’t gonna chance it.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

THIS IS A HAMMER
By Samantha Mazzotta

Stud Finder Can See Behind Walls

Q: What’s a stud finder? And how can I hang up a coat rack without it pulling out of the wall? -- Jim T., Atlanta

A: The stud finder takes the arcane art of rapping the wall with your knuckles until you find what you think might be a stud, and places it in the hands of the common man. Or woman.

Why is this important? Because any item that is intended to be hung on a wall that weighs more than five pounds -- or will hold other items totaling more than five pounds -- should be anchored securely to that wall. And one of the most secure anchors is a stud -- not the kind we women dream of meeting, but rather, the vertical framing boards behind the drywall.

Think of your wall, the visible part with paint or wallpaper on it, as a kind of curtain. It’s a bit sturdier than cloth, but not by much. It’s just sheets of material known as drywall or sheet rock, placed against and hammered to what is really your wall -- a bank of vertical timbers spaced about 16 inches apart. These aren’t just good for holding up your drywall, they’re great for holding up heavy objects like shelves and coat racks.

Unfortunately, you can’t see the studs, but a stud finder can -- in a way. The most common type, a magnetic stud finder, locates metal studs or nails, while an electronic stud finder senses the density between a stud and the gap between studs. Operation is simple: Hold it flat against the wall surface and move it carefully from one side to another, at least 2 feet, until a green light glows.

So, to secure a coat hanger so it doesn’t fall out of the wall, locate and mark the nearest stud (or stud pair), drill holes and attach the rack to the wall.

HOME TIP: Newer apartment buildings may have steel rather than wood studs. You’ll need steel-rated drill bits and metal screws to attach anything to these studs -- along with the landlord’s permission.